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and_o take_v therefore_o i_o shall_v study_v so_o to_o clear_v it_o that_o i_o hope_v no_o scruple_n shall_v remain_v about_o it_o there_o be_v some_o condition_n that_o be_v simple_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n without_o which_o no_o man_n shall_v see_v the_o face_n of_o god_n and_o these_o do_v indispensible_o oblige_v all_o without_o exception_n there_o be_v other_o positive_a precept_n which_o be_v of_o obligation_n to_o all_o who_o possible_o can_v obey_v they_o so_o that_o the_o contempt_n or_o voluntary_a want_n of_o these_o be_v a_o high_a provocation_n they_o be_v both_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o symbol_n of_o christian_a fellowship_n institute_v by_o christ_n and_o to_o continue_v for_o ever_o in_o his_o church_n yet_o few_o be_v so_o severe_a as_o to_o deny_v a_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n without_o these_o i_o know_v st._n austin_n be_v of_o this_o severe_a side_n but_o in_o that_o he_o be_v general_o censure_v as_o have_v exceed_v it_o be_v a_o hard_a doctrine_n to_o 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a_o clime_n so_o also_o the_o office_n of_o the_o church_n be_v necessary_a by_o a_o divine_a appointment_n even_o in_o the_o principle_n of_o most_o of_o the_o non_fw-fr conformist_n and_o yet_o neither_o this_o author_n nor_o they_o will_v deny_v but_o even_o a_o laic_a if_o cast_v upon_o a_o island_n where_o he_o upon_o learn_v their_o language_n come_v to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o can_v have_v no_o commerce_n with_o any_o church_n under_o such_o a_o necessity_n he_o may_v perform_v all_o divine_a function_n for_o all_o christian_n be_v a_o royal_a priesthood_n and_o absolute_a necessity_n supersede_v all_o the_o rule_n of_o order_n decency_n and_o government_n and_o the_o presbyterian_o who_o acknowledge_v as_o great_a difference_n between_o a_o presbyter_n and_o a_o laic_a as_o we_o plead_v be_v between_o a_o bishop_n and_o priest_n yet_o acknowledge_v these_o to_o be_v true_a church_n which_o begin_v upon_o no_o order_n at_o all_o where_o some_o person_n that_o understand_v the_o scripture_n do_v gather_v church_n and_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n and_o they_o can_v say_v nothing_o for_o justify_v such_o church_n which_o be_v not_o applicable_a to_o we_o in_o this_o case_n therefore_o when_o the_o western_a church_n be_v so_o corrupt_v that_o none_o can_v any_o long_o with_o a_o good_a conscience_n receive_v order_n in_o they_o or_o submit_v to_o the_o term_n upon_o which_o only_o their_o communion_n can_v be_v have_v if_o any_o priest_n see_v these_o error_n do_v instruct_v the_o people_n in_o the_o truth_n and_o find_v no_o other_o way_n possible_a to_o propagate_v or_o preserve_v that_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n do_v ordain_v other_o priest_n though_o this_o be_v irregular_a and_o defective_a yet_o we_o be_v not_o so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o judge_v people_n under_o these_o circumstance_n but_o acknowledge_v that_o absolute_a necessity_n supersede_v all_o positive_a precept_n i_o know_v some_o have_v be_v severe_a on_o this_o head_n because_o they_o judge_v they_o be_v under_o no_o absolute_a necessity_n but_o that_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n those_o that_o live_v under_o a_o prince_n of_o a_o different_a religion_n as_o the_o protestant_n in_o france_n do_v can_v not_o with_o any_o security_n come_v over_o hither_o to_o receive_v order_n for_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o prince_n who_o be_v always_o jealous_a of_o their_o authority_n and_o chief_o of_o such_o of_o their_o subject_n as_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o religion_n will_v suffer_v they_o to_o come_v and_o be_v ordain_v in_o another_o prince_n dominion_n they_o will_v certain_o use_v that_o as_o a_o pretence_n to_o justify_v their_o severity_n against_o they_o nor_o will_v they_o permit_v they_o to_o come_v under_o such_o a_o strength_n and_o compact_a unity_n as_o this_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n will_v bring_v they_o to_o therefore_o these_o be_v to_o be_v pity_v help_v and_o pray_v for_o and_o not_o insult_v over_o and_o for_o those_o other_o church_n that_o be_v under_o prince_n or_o a_o government_n of_o the_o same_o religion_n they_o be_v in_o no_o less_o captivity_n to_o their_o superior_n who_o will_v never_o suffer_v they_o to_o go_v to_o another_o church_n for_o order_n and_o they_o will_v think_v it_o a_o thing_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o peace_n of_o their_o state_n to_o let_v any_o ecclesiastic_n get_v into_o so_o calumniate_a a_o power_n where_o the_o constitution_n of_o their_o policy_n be_v democratical_a it_o be_v to_o be_v regret_v that_o at_o first_o their_o bishop_n be_v stubborn_a and_o will_v not_o receive_v the_o reformation_n which_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o reformer_n do_v very_o much_o lament_v nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v wonder_v if_o these_o church_n be_v thus_o form_v under_o these_o necessity_n and_o not_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a and_o apostolical_a constitution_n in_o their_o ordination_n have_v since_o that_o time_n study_v to_o justify_v themselves_o upon_o other_o account_n than_o bare_a necessity_n in_o that_o we_o think_v they_o in_o a_o error_n but_o it_o be_v no_o fundamental_a one_o and_o the_o necessity_n that_o at_o first_o force_v that_o disorder_n lie_v still_o over_o they_o we_o dare_v not_o be_v so_o severe_a as_o to_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v true_a church_n though_o we_o hold_v there_o be_v still_o such_o defect_n among_o they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o complete_a and_o perfect_a in_o all_o their_o constitution_n but_o after_o all_o this_o charity_n to_o those_o under_o such_o hardship_n we_o have_v great_a cause_n to_o conclude_v much_o more_o severe_o against_o those_o who_o be_v bear_v in_o a_o church_n that_o have_v no_o such_o defect_n in_o its_o first_o reformation_n but_o be_v exact_o mould_v after_o the_o primitive_a pattern_n and_o continue_v in_o so_o flourish_v a_o estate_n that_o it_o be_v the_o just_a glory_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o the_o chief_a object_n of_o the_o envy_n and_o hatred_n of_o the_o roman_a be_v at_o first_o separate_v from_o and_o then_o subvert_v by_o some_o hotheaded_a schismatic_n therefore_o the_o disparity_n be_v so_o great_a between_o our_o dissenter_n who_o be_v such_o out_o of_o choice_n and_o in_o opposition_n to_o all_o law_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o the_o foreign_a church_n who_o be_v irregular_a out_o of_o necessity_n our_o judge_a tender_o and_o favourable_o of_o the_o one_o do_v no_o way_n oblige_v we_o to_o relax_v and_o forego_v these_o excellent_a primitive_a constitution_n on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o other_o among_o ourselves_o and_o thus_o far_o i_o think_v i_o have_v give_v you_o a_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o all_o that_o this_o author_n say_v on_o this_o head_n you_o know_v i_o and_o my_o circumstance_n better_a than_o to_o suspect_v either_o interest_n design_n or_o obligation_n have_v engage_v i_o to_o these_o persuasion_n since_o by_o all_o these_o i_o be_o rather_o bias_v another_o way_n i_o have_v write_v nothing_o but_o that_o about_o which_o i_o be_o so_o well_o assure_v that_o i_o know_v i_o be_o able_a to_o make_v good_a every_o particular_a i_o have_v set_v down_o and_o therefore_o though_o i_o do_v not_o allow_v you_o to_o let_v my_o name_n go_v with_o this_o paper_n if_o you_o make_v a_o more_o public_a use_n of_o it_o it_o be_v not_o that_o i_o fear_v either_o the_o censure_n of_o engage_v and_o partial_a zealot_n or_o the_o reply_n of_o a_o contentious_a disputant_n so_o he_o abstain_v from_o rail_v and_o fool_v in_o neither_o of_o which_o my_o genius_n which_o be_v bear_v for_o severe_a exercise_n will_v permit_v i_o to_o engage_v but_o now_o to_o wind_v up_o all_o after_o so_o tedious_a a_o letter_n i_o must_v conclude_v with_o my_o 〈◊〉_d regrate_v that_o we_o be_v bring_v to_o such_o a_o pass_n that_o discourse_n of_o this_o kind_n find_v such_o acceptance_n among_o we_o the_o patient_n be_v in_o a_o high_a distemper_n when_o he_o loathe_v wholesome_a food_n and_o belong_v after_o every_o fantastical_a quelque_fw-fr choose_v he_o hear_v of_o so_o it_o be_v indeed_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o the_o best_a composure_n that_o do_v either_o inform_v or_o edify_v the_o reader_n be_v neglect_v and_o if_o any_o thing_n get_v vent_v that_o tend_v to_o make_v the_o most_o sacred_a thing_n grow_v cheap_a and_o fall_v in_o contempt_n it_o be_v buy_v up_o at_o any_o rate_n and_o read_v with_o a_o insatiable_a itch_n i_o wish_v the_o author_n of_o that_o discourse_n may_v with_o serious_a and_o deep_a reflection_n consider_v what_o he_o have_v do_v in_o this_o work_n of_o he_o he_o have_v make_v all_o the_o enemy_n of_o peace_n triumph_n and_o have_v put_v some_o popular_a thing_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o reader_n with_o which_o they_o think_v themselves_o sufficient_o arm_v to_o baffle_v both_o the_o article_n and_o rule_n of_o our_o church_n i_o be_o confident_a he_o be_v so_o serious_a and_o so_o sincere_a a_o man_n that_o when_o ever_o he_o be_v make_v sensible_a of_o this_o he_o will_v be_v very_o ready_a to_o take_v out_o of_o the_o way_n any_o scandal_n which_o these_o his_o conception_n have_v bring_v forth_o in_o fine_a i_o pray_v god_n teach_v we_o to_o know_v the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o our_o peace_n that_o so_o our_o animosity_n and_o heartburning_n be_v lay_v aside_o we_o may_v all_o study_n to_o seek_v the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o peace_n and_o the_o thing_n whereby_o we_o may_v edify_v one_o another_o if_o i_o have_v weary_v out_o your_o patience_n with_o a_o long_a epistle_n i_o be_v force_v to_o it_o by_o the_o subject_n you_o command_v i_o to_o write_v about_o and_o yet_o i_o have_v do_v it_o as_o short_a as_o be_v possible_a which_o have_v make_v i_o overlook_v many_o lesser_a error_n in_o that_o discourse_n which_o be_v not_o of_o such_o general_n concern_v but_o discover_v how_o easy_o that_o writer_n take_v many_o thing_n upon_o trust_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o amuse_v the_o world_n with_o these_o particular_n and_o i_o be_o more_o a_o friend_n and_o honourer_n of_o that_o author_n than_o to_o engage_v with_o he_o mere_o out_o of_o humour_n to_o contend_v with_o he_o or_o to_o expose_v he_o lest_o of_o all_o to_o make_v a_o needless_a show_n of_o read_v but_o i_o will_v make_v a_o end_n london_n may_v the_o 23._o 1676._o advertisement_n a_o conference_n about_o religion_n hold_v in_o london_n april_n 3._o 1676._o between_o edward_n stillingfleet_n d._n d._n and_o gilbert_n burnet_n with_o some_o gentleman_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n octavo_n price_n 2_o s._n 6_o d._n sell_v by_o moses_n pitt_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n finis_fw-la ezek._n 14._o ver_fw-la 7_o 8_o 9_o act_n 13_o ver_fw-la 2._o 3._o iren._n lib_n 3._o cap._n 3._o et_fw-la apud_fw-la 〈◊〉_d lib_n 4._o cap._n 13_o lib._n 3._o advers._fw-la heret_fw-la cap._n 3._o apud_fw-la euseb_n lib._n 5_o cap_n 24._o 24._o de_fw-fr prasc_fw-fr cap._n 32._o cont._n martion_n lib._n 4._o cap._n 5._o 5._o de_fw-fr bapt._n bapt._n de_fw-fr cor._n milit._n milit._n epist._n 75._o inter_fw-la epist._n cypr._n cypr._n cont._n lucifer_n apud_fw-la euseb._n lib._n 6._o cap._n 44._o can._n 6._o can._n 2._o con._n carth._n 4._o de_fw-fr eccles_n hier._n cap_n 5._o can_v 3._o carth._n and_o dion_n ibid._n epist._n 65._o epist._n 10._o epist._n 27._o ep._n 31._o 1_o cor._n 12._o v._n 4._o 5._o etc._n etc._n
any_o man_n reason_v faculty_n be_v not_o sound_a that_o see_v not_o a_o necessary_a series_n of_o truth_n hang_v close_o together_o in_o this_o contexture_n so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a the_o arian_n and_o our_o modern_a plotinians_n who_o be_v indeed_o more_o ingenuous_a than_o the_o arian_n be_v do_v not_o think_v the_o word_n that_o be_v make_v flesh_n be_v true_o god_n and_o now_o let_v any_o man_n judge_n if_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a and_o weighty_a matter_n than_o whether_o jesus_n christ_n be_v god_n by_o nature_n or_o only_o a_o creature_n nor_o can_v a_o mistake_n rise_v high_o than_o to_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a man_n who_o be_v the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n or_o he_o to_o be_v the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n who_o be_v only_o a_o mere_a man._n this_o controversy_n be_v not_o only_o speculative_a but_o practical_a for_o our_o apprehension_n and_o belief_n must_v direct_v our_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o adoration_n if_o christ_n be_v only_o a_o man_n we_o can_v have_v that_o veneration_n for_o he_o that_o confidence_n in_o he_o or_o love_n to_o he_o which_o we_o offer_v to_o the_o great_a god_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o idolatry_n in_o the_o world_n so_o great_a as_o the_o worship_v a_o mere_a man_n with_o the_o same_o adoration_n both_o inward_a and_o outward_a that_o we_o offer_v up_o to_o the_o father_n this_o be_v sure_o if_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v the_o giving_z god_n glory_n to_o another_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o he_o be_v the_o great_a god_n and_o of_o the_o same_o substance_n with_o the_o father_n it_o be_v the_o most_o irreverent_a irreligious_a and_o ungrateful_a thing_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n not_o to_o offer_v that_o adoration_n which_o be_v due_a to_o he_o equal_o with_o the_o father_n he_o have_v so_o signal_o commend_v and_o express_v his_o love_n to_o we_o so_o that_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n not_o only_o of_o speculation_n but_o of_o practice_n this_o may_v suffice_v to_o satisfy_v any_o body_n how_o just_a reasonable_a and_o necessary_a it_o be_v for_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o make_v their_o definition_n in_o this_o matter_n that_o so_o a_o test_n may_v be_v find_v out_o for_o discriminate_v the_o catholic_n from_o the_o heretic_n i_o be_o as_o far_o from_o a_o desire_n of_o multiply_v new_a creed_n and_o subscription_n as_o any_o man_n alive_a but_o if_o there_o be_v not_o some_o in_o the_o church_n how_o soon_o may_v a_o conspiracy_n be_v lay_v and_o form_v within_o the_o bosom_n of_o it_o that_o lie_v secret_a under_o general_a expression_n till_o it_o be_v ripe_a and_o strong_a at_o length_n as_o out_o of_o a_o trojan-horse_n shall_v burst_v forth_o to_o ruin_n and_o subvert_v religion_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o high_a tyranny_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o have_v add_v anathemaes_n to_o her_o canon_n about_o lesser_a and_o disputable_a point_n but_o except_o there_o be_v foundation_n lay_v on_o which_o all_o the_o builder_n of_o the_o church_n must_v edify_v we_o shall_v soon_o grow_v worse_o than_o a_o babel_n for_o we_o shall_v build_v with_o divide_a language_n and_o tongue_n for_o what_o he_o say_v about_o ceremony_n and_o all_o other_o controvert_v head_n among_o we_o i_o shall_v only_o offer_v you_o one_o or_o two_o consideration_n the_o first_o be_v that_o in_o all_o such_o rent_n as_o be_v now_o in_o our_o church_n it_o be_v a_o very_a unreasonable_a demand_n to_o desire_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v establish_v shall_v be_v change_v without_o a_o very_a great_a cause_n for_o to_o love_v change_n for_o change_n sake_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o light_a unsettled_a mind_n and_o mutation_n in_o thing_n external_a work_n much_o on_o the_o vulgar_a who_o seldom_o look_v beyond_o what_o they_o see_v and_o hear_v be_v apt_a to_o be_v much_o startle_v at_o any_o visible_a alteration_n this_o make_v our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o his_o new_a dispensation_n alter_v outward_a thing_n as_o little_a as_o be_v possible_a therefore_o he_o 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subject_a to_o they_o this_o do_v very_o much_o compense_v the_o defect_n of_o other_o churchman_n who_o though_o not_o so_o well_o qualify_v to_o govern_v yet_o be_v willing_a to_o obey_v and_o able_a to_o follow_v direction_n they_o may_v by_o that_o mean_v become_v very_o useful_a in_o the_o gospel_n now_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n that_o must_v be_v annex_v to_o that_o superior_a inspection_n without_o which_o we_o can_v imagine_v that_o it_o can_v be_v manage_v or_o have_v force_v the_o one_o be_v that_o all_o to_o be_v ordain_v shall_v receive_v their_o order_n from_o such_o bishop_n otherwise_o obedience_n can_v not_o be_v expect_v from_o they_o nor_o can_v the_o superior_a be_v any_o way_n accountable_a for_o they_o if_o he_o do_v not_o convey_v their_o authority_n to_o they_o it_o be_v also_o necessary_a that_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o indifference_n the_o superior_a governor_n or_o bishop_n must_v be_v look_v on_o as_o have_v authority_n to_o rule_v and_o command_v and_o 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have_v instruct_v he_o we_o can_v in_o reason_n imagine_v he_o will_v have_v consent_v to_o such_o a_o tyrannical_a excess_n of_o power_n tertullian_n 5._o reckon_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o bishop_n power_n from_o the_o apostle_n from_o who_o they_o derive_v their_o succession_n the_o same_o writer_n also_o tell_v we_o bapt._n that_o neither_o priest_n nor_o deacon_n have_v right_a to_o baptize_v but_o upon_o a_o power_n from_o the_o bishop_n he_o also_o say_v milit._n they_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n from_o no_o hand_n but_o their_o precedent_n or_o bishop_n firmilian_a that_o be_v st._n cyprian_n contemporary_a tell_v we_o cypr._n the_o bishop_n who_o he_o there_o call_v majores_fw-la natu_fw-la and_o from_o the_o other_o part_n of_o that_o epistle_n it_o be_v plain_a he_o mean_v bishop_n do_v preside_v in_o the_o church_n and_o have_v the_o power_n of_o baptise_v confirm_v and_o ordain_v and_o even_o lucifer_n jerome_n himself_o tell_v we_o that_o neither_o priest_n nor_o deacon_n have_v a_o right_a to_o baptise_v without_o the_o bishop_n command_n and_o st._n denis_n of_o alexandria_n 44._o who_o be_v undisputed_a one_o of_o the_o great_a person_n in_o his_o age_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o fabius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n tell_v he_o that_o upon_o the_o difficulty_n be_v raise_v how_o to_o deal_v with_o those_o that_o die_v before_o they_o have_v complete_v their_o penitence_n he_o have_v give_v a_o command_n that_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v give_v they_o where_o it_o be_v clear_v the_o authority_n of_o command_v and_o not_o only_o preside_v rest_v with_o the_o bishop_n and_o in_o fine_a when_o the_o christian_a church_n come_v out_o of_o the_o fire_n of_o persecution_n she_o decree_v in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a that_o the_o ancient_a custom_n shall_v be_v in_o force_n concern_v 6._o the_o power_n of_o metropolitan_o and_o patriarch_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v there_o be_v many_o very_a ancient_a man_n in_o that_o council_n so_o that_o they_o who_o be_v within_o 200._o year_n of_o the_o apostolic_a time_n and_o among_o who_o we_o may_v reckon_v many_o that_o be_v 80._o year_n of_o age_n or_o near_o it_o can_v not_o esteem_v any_o thing_n ancient_a that_o have_v not_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostolical_a institution_n i_o shall_v not_o insist_v on_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v decree_v afterward_o where_o we_o may_v suspect_v power_n and_o cunning_a may_v have_v go_v a_o great_a way_n to_o have_v east_n the_o church_n into_o such_o a_o mould_n as_o may_v best_o agree_v with_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o empire_n there_o may_v be_v also_o other_o political_a reason_n to_o have_v make_v the_o bishop_n after_o that_o time_n aspire_v to_o power_n and_o precedence_n but_o i_o have_v only_o vouch_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o former_a age_n witness_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n wherein_o we_o have_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o suspect_v they_o to_o depose_v to_o we_o what_o be_v the_o successive_a government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n upon_o all_o which_o i_o desire_v that_o you_o and_o every_o honest_a man_n will_v in_o your_o conscience_n consider_v a_o few_o particular_n 1._o whatever_o we_o find_v general_o receive_v in_o those_o age_n about_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v visible_a and_o in_o which_o none_o can_v mistake_v we_o may_v safe_o think_v it_o come_v from_o the_o apostle_n day_n we_o may_v indeed_o imagine_v that_o when_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n to_o gain_v upon_o the_o jew_n do_v observe_v the_o christian_a easter_n on_o the_o 14._o day_n of_o the_o moon_n other_o may_v have_v mistake_v this_o compliance_n as_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v judge_v that_o the_o 14._o be_v the_o right_a day_n we_o may_v also_o reasonable_o enough_o think_v that_o when_o they_o hear_v st._n john_n mention_v the_o
thousand_o year_n that_o be_v represent_v to_o he_o in_o his_o vision_n they_o may_v have_v think_v that_o have_v a_o literal_a meaning_n but_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o government_n we_o can_v fancy_v how_o such_o mistake_n can_v have_v be_v take_v up_o 2._o in_o thing_n that_o be_v external_a and_o relate_v to_o government_n there_o be_v many_o concern_v and_o so_o a_o innovation_n can_v not_o be_v easy_o bring_v about_o the_o people_n all_o look_v on_o and_o be_v oblige_v to_o know_v to_o who_o they_o owe_v obedience_n in_o thing_n sacred_a the_o clergy_n we_o may_v reasonable_o think_v be_v not_o so_o meek_a as_o to_o have_v submit_v to_o any_o unwarrant_v authority_n over_o they_o and_o if_o they_o have_v know_v they_o be_v equal_a to_o their_o bishomp_n in_o order_n we_o can_v think_v but_o either_o out_o of_o a_o just_a zeal_n for_o assert_v their_o freedom_n or_o out_o of_o a_o indignation_n at_o the_o miscarriage_n and_o insolence_n of_o some_o bishop_n or_o out_o of_o a_o 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