great_a way_n to_o the_o cure_n of_o the_o sad_a division_n that_o be_v among_o we_o and_o that_o i_o may_v discourse_v with_o more_o clearness_n and_o more_o evidence_n i_o shall_v deliver_v what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v in_o this_o matter_n by_o way_n of_o proposition_n take_v my_o rise_n from_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o church-society_n and_o so_o regular_o ascend_v the_o first_o proposition_n i_o lay_v down_o be_v this_o that_o every_o christian_a upon_o the_o very_a account_n of_o his_o be_v so_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v bind_v to_o join_v in_o external_n communion_n with_o it_o where_o it_o can_v be_v have_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o you_o may_v be_v please_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o primary_n design_n and_o intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o his_o undertake_n for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o save_v particular_a person_n without_o respect_n to_o a_o society_n but_o to_o gather_v to_o himself_o a_o church_n out_o of_o mankind_n to_o erect_v and_o form_v a_o body_n politic_a of_o which_o himself_o be_v the_o head_n and_o particular_a christian_n the_o member_n and_o in_o this_o method_n through_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n and_o government_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o salvation_n and_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o language_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n wherein_o whatever_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o have_v do_v or_o suffer_v for_o mankind_n he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v do_v for_o they_o not_o as_o scatter_v individual_n but_o as_o incorporate_v into_o a_o church_n 25._o thus_o christ_n love_v the_o church_n and_o give_v himself_o for_o it_o christ_n redeem_v the_o church_n with_o his_o own_o blood_n 28._o christ_n be_v the_o saviour_n of_o his_o body_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o 23._o church_n with_o many_o passage_n of_o the_o like_a importance_n the_o plain_a consequence_n from_o hence_o be_v that_o every_o person_n so_o far_o as_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n so_o far_o he_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o relation_n to_o the_o church_n it_o be_v that_o he_o have_v any_o relation_n to_o christ_n or_o any_o title_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o agreeable_o to_o this_o notion_n it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o baptism_n which_o be_v by_o all_o acknowledge_a to_o be_v the_o ceremony_n of_o initiate_a we_o into_o christianity_n be_v in_o scripture_n declare_v to_o be_v the_o rite_n whereby_o we_o be_v enter_v and_o admit_v into_o the_o church_n thus_o st._n paul_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o by_o one_o spirit_n we_o be_v all_o 26._o baptize_v into_o one_o body_n and_o again_o that_o christ_n have_v sanctify_v that_o be_v to_o say_v separate_v his_o church_n by_o the_o wash_n of_o water_n and_o the_o word_n now_o than_o it_o be_v thus_o evident_a that_o every_o christian_n as_o a_o christian_a be_v a_o member_n of_o that_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o we_o call_v the_o church_n there_o will_v be_v little_a need_n of_o take_v pain_n to_o prove_v that_o every_o such_o person_n be_v oblige_v to_o join_v in_o external_n communion_n with_o the_o church_n where_o he_o can_v do_v so_o for_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o this_o church-membership_a do_v imply_v it_o without_o this_o neither_o the_o end_n of_o church-society_n nor_o the_o benefit_n accrue_v to_o we_o therefrom_o can_v be_v attain_v first_o not_o the_o end_v of_o it_o the_o end_n of_o church-society_n be_v the_o more_o solemn_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o the_o mutual_a edification_n one_o of_o another_o now_o how_o these_o can_v be_v in_o any_o measure_n attain_v without_o associate_a together_o in_o public_a assembly_n and_o mutual_a office_n and_o other_o act_n of_o external_n communion_n with_o one_o another_o can_v any_o way_n be_v imagine_v and_o as_o little_a in_o the_o second_o place_n can_v it_o be_v conceive_v how_o without_o this_o we_o can_v be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o benefit_n and_o privilege_n that_o christ_n have_v make_v over_o to_o the_o member_n of_o his_o church_n for_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o god_n have_v so_o order_v the_o matter_n and_o without_o doubt_n for_o this_o very_a reason_n to_o unite_v we_o the_o more_o firm_o in_o society_n that_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o gospel_n such_o as_o pardon_v of_o sin_n and_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v not_o ordinary_o convey_v to_o we_o so_o immediate_o by_o god_n but_o that_o there_o must_v intervene_v the_o ministry_n of_o men._n god_n holy_a word_n and_o sacrament_n be_v the_o channel_n in_o which_o they_o be_v derive_v to_o we_o and_o those_o to_o who_o he_o have_v commit_v the_o ministry_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v the_o hand_n that_o must_v dispense_v they_o we_o have_v no_o promise_n of_o spiritual_a grace_n but_o by_o these_o mean_n so_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o partake_n of_o they_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n lay_v upon_o we_o of_o join_v and_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o god_n do_v not_o so_o tie_v himself_o up_o to_o these_o mean_n but_o that_o he_o can_v and_o will_v in_o some_o case_n confer_v the_o benefit_n of_o they_o without_o they_o as_o in_o case_n of_o a_o general_n apostasy_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o persecution_n for_o religion_n or_o of_o a_o unjust_a excommunication_n or_o any_o other_o case_n where_o communion_n with_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n be_v deny_v to_o we_o but_o though_o god_n do_v act_v extraordinary_o in_o extraordinary_a case_n where_o these_o mean_n can_v be_v have_v yet_o this_o do_v not_o at_o all_o diminish_v much_o less_o take_v away_o the_o necessity_n of_o make_v use_n of_o they_o when_o they_o can_v be_v have_v from_o what_o have_v be_v discourse_v on_o this_o first_o proposition_n we_o may_v by_o the_o way_n gather_v these_o two_o thing_n i_o only_o name_v they_o first_o how_o untrue_a their_o position_n be_v that_o maintain_v that_o all_o our_o obligation_n to_o church_n communion_n do_v arise_v from_o a_o voluntary_a admission_n of_o ourselves_o into_o some_o particular_a congregation_n and_o a_o explicit_a promise_n or_o engagement_n to_o join_v with_o it_o in_o church_n ordinance_n 2._o how_o wild_o and_o extravagant_o they_o discourse_v that_o talk_n of_o a_o christianity_n at_o large_a without_o relation_n to_o a_o church_n or_o communion_n with_o any_o society_n of_o christian_n the_o second_o proposition_n be_v that_o every_o one_o be_v bind_v to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o establish_a national_a church_n to_o which_o he_o belong_v suppose_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o term_n of_o its_o communion_n that_o render_v it_o unlawful_a for_o he_o so_o to_o do_v for_o if_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o maintain_v communion_n with_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o i_o have_v before_o prove_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o maintain_v communion_n with_o that_o part_n of_o it_o within_o who_o verge_n the_o divine_a providence_n have_v cast_v we_o for_o we_o can_v communicate_v with_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o by_o communicate_v with_o some_o part_n of_o it_o and_o there_o be_v no_o communicate_v with_o any_o part_n of_o it_o but_o that_o under_o which_o we_o live_v or_o where_o we_o have_v our_o residence_n well_o but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o there_o may_v be_v several_a distinct_a church_n in_o the_o place_n where_o we_o live_v there_o may_v be_v the_o fix_a regular_a assembly_n of_o the_o national_a church_n and_o there_o may_v be_v separate_a congregation_n both_o which_o be_v or_o pretend_v to_o be_v part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o our_o communicate_v with_o that_o which_o of_o these_o we_o join_v with_o suppose_v we_o join_v but_o with_o one_o of_o they_o and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n from_o that_o principle_n that_o we_o shall_v hold_v communion_n with_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o national_a church_n but_o as_o to_o this_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o that_o that_o lay_v a_o obligation_n upon_o we_o to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n to_o wit_n our_o be_v member_n of_o that_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n do_v also_o lay_v a_o obligation_n upon_o we_o as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v to_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o that_o body_n for_o this_o both_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o society_n and_o the_o express_a precept_n of_o christianity_n do_v require_v of_o every_o member_n but_o now_o to_o make_v a_o rent_n in_o or_o separate_v from_o any_o part_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n with_o which_o we_o may_v lawful_o communicate_v and_o such_o we_o now_o suppose_v the_o establish_v assembly_n of_o the_o nation_n
to_o be_v be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o that_o body_n and_o therefore_o certain_o such_o a_o rent_n or_o separation_n must_v be_v unlawful_a and_o if_o so_o than_o it_o must_v be_v unlawful_a also_o to_o join_v with_o any_o congregation_n of_o man_n among_o we_o that_o have_v make_v such_o a_o rent_n or_o separation_n so_o that_o let_v our_o pretence_n be_v what_o they_o will_v so_o long_o as_o the_o fix_a regular_a assembly_n of_o the_o nation_n wherein_o we_o live_v do_v true_o belong_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o we_o can_v lawful_o join_v with_o they_o it_o be_v certain_a we_o be_v bind_v so_o to_o do_v and_o not_o to_o join_v with_o those_o congregation_n that_o have_v withdraw_v themselves_o from_o they_o for_o to_o do_v this_o will_v be_v to_o join_v in_o society_n with_o separatist_n will_v be_v a_o partake_n with_o their_o sin_n and_o a_o breach_n of_o the_o apostle_n precept_n of_o avoid_v those_o that_o cause_n division_n 17._o the_o three_o proposition_n be_v that_o the_o be_v a_o member_n of_o any_o church_n do_v oblige_v a_o man_n to_o submit_v to_o all_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n of_o that_o church_n this_o proposition_n be_v in_o the_o general_n so_o unquestionable_a that_o no_o sober_a man_n will_v deny_v it_o and_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o basis_n upon_o which_o all_o society_n be_v found_v and_o by_o which_o they_o do_v subsist_v for_o to_o suppose_v a_o society_n and_o yet_o to_o suppose_v the_o member_n of_o it_o not_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o obey_v its_o law_n and_o government_n be_v to_o make_v rope_n of_o sand_n to_o suppose_v a_o body_n without_o sinew_n and_o ligament_n to_o hold_v its_o part_n together_o so_o that_o all_o the_o question_n here_o be_v concern_v the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o church_n power_n over_o her_o member_n how_o far_o and_o in_o what_o instance_n she_o have_v authority_n to_o oblige_v they_o which_o be_v a_o question_n not_o difficult_a to_o be_v answer_v if_o man_n will_v come_v to_o it_o without_o passion_n and_o prejudice_n for_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o the_o church_n must_v as_o all_o other_o society_n be_v entrust_v with_o at_o least_o so_o much_o power_n over_o her_o subject_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o secure_v she_o own_o welfare_n and_o preservation_n for_o to_o think_v otherwise_o be_v to_o suppose_v god_n to_o have_v found_v a_o church_n and_o intend_v the_o wellbeing_a and_o continuance_n of_o it_o which_o be_v thing_n that_o every_o one_o must_v grant_v and_o yet_o to_o suppose_v that_o he_o have_v deny_v she_o the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_n without_o which_o that_o wellbeing_a and_o continuance_n can_v be_v attain_v which_o be_v monstrous_a and_o contradictious_a furthermore_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o the_o welfare_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v secure_v but_o upon_o these_o two_o supposition_n first_o that_o provision_n be_v make_v for_o the_o due_a and_o orderly_a performance_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n second_o that_o there_o be_v mean_n of_o maintain_v peace_n and_o unity_n among_o its_o member_n this_o latter_a be_v necessary_a to_o the_o welfare_n and_o preservation_n of_o a_o church_n as_o a_o society_n the_o former_a be_v necessary_a to_o it_o as_o a_o religious_a society_n now_o than_o this_o be_v admit_v it_o follow_v in_o the_o general_n that_o what_o ever_o power_n over_o her_o subject_n be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o either_o of_o these_o thing_n all_o that_o at_o least_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o those_o that_o have_v the_o government_n of_o it_o so_o that_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v plain_a in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n so_o far_o to_o restrain_v the_o exercise_n of_o her_o subject_n liberty_n as_o to_o oblige_v they_o to_o all_o such_o law_n rule_n order_n and_o ceremony_n as_o she_o shall_v establish_v for_o the_o more_o solemn_a regular_a decent_a and_o convenient_a administration_n of_o religious_a affair_n and_o if_o it_o be_v question_v whether_o her_o appointment_n do_v indeed_o conduce_v to_o that_o end_n of_o that_o she_o herself_o be_v to_o be_v the_o judge_n her_o member_n be_v no_o far_o concern_v therein_o than_o only_o before_o they_o obey_v her_o imposition_n to_o see_v that_o they_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o know_a law_n of_o god_n this_o power_n the_o church_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v otherwise_o she_o will_v not_o be_v enable_v to_o make_v provision_n for_o the_o first_o thing_n whereon_o her_o welfare_n do_v depend_v viz._n the_o performance_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o service_n in_o a_o due_a and_o orderly_a manner_n second_o from_o hence_o also_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o church_n must_v be_v furnish_v with_o a_o power_n to_o end_n and_o determine_v controversy_n of_o religion_n that_o arise_v among_o its_o member_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o give_v such_o a_o authoritative_a decision_n of_o they_o as_o that_o all_o party_n be_v bind_v to_o acquiesce_v in_o it_o for_o without_o this_o she_o will_v be_v defective_a in_o the_o second_o thing_n require_v to_o her_o welfare_n and_o preservation_n viz._n maintain_v herself_o in_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o here_o it_o may_v be_v take_v notice_n that_o this_o power_n of_o end_v controversy_n which_o we_o ascribe_v to_o the_o church_n do_v not_o imply_v any_o authority_n over_o our_o judgement_n or_o that_o in_o virtue_n thereof_o she_o can_v oblige_v we_o to_o give_v a_o inward_a assent_n to_o her_o determination_n any_o further_a than_o she_o give_v we_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o which_o be_v that_o extravagant_a power_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v challenge_v to_o herself_o but_o only_a a_o authority_n over_o our_o practice_n that_o she_o can_v oblige_v we_o to_o submit_v so_o far_o to_o her_o definition_n as_o not_o to_o act_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o they_o a_o power_n in_o the_o former_a sense_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o our_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n so_o long_o as_o we_o keep_v they_o to_o ourselves_o can_v possible_o cause_v any_o disturbance_n in_o or_o do_v any_o injury_n to_o society_n but_o a_o power_n in_o the_o latter_a sense_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o if_o man_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o vent_v and_o publish_v what_o ever_o fancy_v come_v into_o their_o head_n and_o the_o church_n have_v no_o authority_n to_o impose_v silence_n upon_o they_o it_o can_v be_v avoid_v but_o she_o will_v be_v overrun_v with_o heresy_n and_o embroil_v in_o infinite_a quarrel_n and_o controversy_n to_o the_o destruction_n of_o her_o public_a peace_n the_o four_o proposition_n be_v that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o just_a cause_n of_o withdraw_a our_o communion_n from_o the_o church_n whereof_o we_o be_v member_n but_o when_o we_o can_v communicate_v with_o it_o without_o the_o commission_n of_o a_o sin_n for_o if_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n when_o we_o can_v lawful_o do_v so_o as_o have_v be_v before_o prove_v it_o be_v plain_a we_o be_v bind_v so_o long_o to_o continue_v our_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n till_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o continue_v in_o it_o any_o long_o but_o it_o can_v be_v unlawful_a to_o continue_v in_o her_o communion_n till_o she_o require_v something_o as_o a_o condition_n of_o her_o communion_n that_o be_v a_o sin_n so_o that_o there_o be_v but_o two_o case_n wherein_o it_o can_v be_v lawful_a to_o withdraw_v our_o communion_n from_o a_o church_n because_o there_o be_v but_o two_o case_n wherein_o communion_n with_o she_o can_v be_v sinful_a one_o be_v when_o the_o church_n require_v of_o we_o as_o a_o condition_n of_o her_o communion_n a_o acknowledgement_n and_o profession_n of_o that_o for_o a_o truth_n which_o we_o know_v to_o be_v a_o error_n the_o other_o be_v when_o the_o church_n require_v of_o we_o as_o a_o condition_n of_o her_o communion_n the_o join_n with_o she_o in_o some_o practice_n which_o we_o know_v to_o be_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o these_o two_o case_n to_o withdraw_v our_o obedience_n to_o the_o church_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o sin_n that_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n because_o we_o have_v a_o obligation_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n antecedent_n to_o that_o we_o have_v to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n and_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v these_o no_o further_o than_o they_o be_v consonant_a or_o agreeable_a to_o those_o but_o now_o from_o this_o discourse_n it_o will_v appear_v how_o insufficient_a those_o cause_n how_o unwarrantable_a those_o ground_n be_v upon_o which_o many_o among_o we_o have_v proceed_v to_o separation_n from_o our_o church_n
for_o first_o if_o what_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o be_v true_a it_o can_v be_v true_a that_o unscriptural_a imposition_n can_v be_v a_o warrantable_a cause_n of_o separation_n from_o a_o church_n suppose_v that_o by_o unscriptural_a be_v mean_v no_o more_o than_o only_o what_o be_v neither_o command_v nor_o forbid_v in_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o action_n require_v by_o these_o unscriptural_a imposition_n be_v either_o in_o themselves_o lawful_a to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o lawful_a to_o be_v do_v if_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o unlawful_a to_o be_v do_v than_o they_o do_v not_o fall_v under_o that_o notion_n of_o unscriptural_a we_o here_o speak_v of_o they_o be_v downright_a sin_n and_o so_o either_o particular_o or_o in_o the_o general_n forbid_v in_o the_o scripture_n if_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o lawful_a to_o be_v do_v than_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v how_o their_o be_v command_v can_v make_v they_o unlawful_a so_o that_o in_o this_o case_n there_o be_v no_o sin_n in_o yield_a obedience_n to_o the_o church_n and_o consequent_o no_o cause_n of_o withdraw_a our_o communion_n from_o it_o nor_o second_o can_v it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o church_n require_v from_o we_o any_o doubtful_a or_o suspect_a practice_n as_o condition_n of_o her_o communion_n be_v a_o just_a cause_n of_o separation_n for_o we_o must_v have_v at_o least_o as_o much_o certainty_n of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o action_n enjoin_v as_o we_o have_v of_o our_o obligation_n to_o the_o authority_n that_o enjoin_v they_o before_o we_o withdraw_v our_o obedience_n to_o it_o otherwise_o we_o do_v not_o proceed_v upon_o safe_a ground_n but_o now_o we_o be_v absolute_o certain_a that_o god_n have_v command_v we_o to_o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o we_o but_o we_o be_v not_o certain_a that_o the_o action_n we_o here_o speak_v of_o be_v any_o where_o forbid_v by_o he_o for_o if_o we_o be_v they_o will_v be_v no_o long_o doubtful_a or_o suspect_v they_o will_v be_v certain_a sin_n so_o that_o if_o we_o will_v follow_v the_o sure_a side_n as_o all_o christian_n in_o these_o case_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v we_o must_v continue_v our_o obedience_n to_o the_o church_n notwithstanding_o we_o suspect_v or_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o her_o command_n neither_o three_o can_v it_o be_v true_a that_o error_n in_o a_o church_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n or_o corruption_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o practice_n so_o long_o as_o those_o error_n and_o corruption_n be_v only_o suffer_v but_o not_o impose_v can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a cause_n of_o separation_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o sin_n in_o we_o so_o long_o as_o we_o do_v not_o join_v with_o the_o church_n in_o they_o so_o that_o so_o long_o as_o we_o can_v communicate_v with_o a_o church_n without_o either_o profess_v her_o error_n or_o partake_v in_o her_o sinful_a practice_n as_o in_o the_o present_a case_n it_o be_v suppose_v we_o may_v do_v so_o long_o we_o be_v bind_v upon_o the_o principle_n before_o lay_v down_o not_o to_o separate_v from_o she_o neither_o in_o the_o four_o and_o last_o place_n be_v the_o enjoy_n a_o more_o profitable_a ministry_n or_o live_v under_o a_o more_o pure_a discipline_n in_o another_o church_n a_o just_a cause_n of_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o that_o whereof_o we_o be_v now_o member_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o we_o be_v not_o to_o commit_v the_o least_o crime_n for_o the_o attain_v the_o great_a good_a in_o the_o world_n now_o it_o be_v a_o crime_n to_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n whereof_o we_o be_v member_n so_o long_o as_o her_o communion_n be_v not_o sinful_a but_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o a_o less_o profitable_a ministry_n or_o a_o less_o pure_a discipline_n do_v not_o make_v her_o communion_n sinful_a therefore_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o a_o more_o profitable_a ministry_n or_o a_o more_o pure_a discipline_n can_v make_v a_o separation_n from_o her_o lawful_a the_o five_o and_o last_o proposition_n be_v that_o though_o we_o have_v a_o just_a cause_n to_o refuse_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n whereof_o we_o be_v member_n in_o some_o instance_n yet_o we_o be_v not_o therefore_o to_o proceed_v to_o so_o total_a a_o separation_n from_o it_o as_o to_o erect_v new_a church_n in_o contradistinction_n to_o it_o or_o to_o join_v with_o those_o that_o do_v the_o reason_n be_v clear_a from_o the_o forego_n principle_n viz._n because_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v and_o where_o we_o can_v to_o suffer_v but_o at_o no_o hand_n to_o disturb_v the_o peace_n or_o break_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n though_o we_o can_v comply_v with_o all_o that_o the_o church_n require_v of_o we_o yet_o still_o we_o must_v join_v with_o she_o in_o those_o other_o thing_n where_o we_o lawful_o can_v nay_o though_o the_o church_n shall_v require_v those_o thing_n as_o condition_n of_o her_o communion_n so_o that_o unless_o we_o conform_v to_o they_o we_o can_v at_o all_o communicate_v with_o she_o yet_o still_o there_o be_v a_o passive_a obedience_n due_a from_o we_o we_o must_v sit_v still_o and_o suffer_v and_o not_o make_v a_o rent_n in_o the_o church_n by_o set_v up_o one_o altar_n against_o another_o this_o be_v like_o the_o set_n up_o a_o new_a and_o a_o distinct_a government_n in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o state_n nothing_o can_v justify_v such_o a_o degree_n of_o departure_n as_o this_o but_o only_o one_o thing_n to_o wit_n so_o great_a and_o general_a a_o corruption_n of_o the_o church_n both_o in_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n that_o the_o salvation_n of_o all_o that_o communicate_v with_o she_o be_v thereby_o endanger_v which_o though_o it_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n yet_o i_o dare_v say_v few_o among_o we_o will_v affirm_v to_o be_v the_o case_n of_o they_o that_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n thus_o have_v i_o as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v represent_v to_o you_o the_o particular_n of_o that_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o our_o common_a mother_n in_o the_o preservation_n of_o her_o unity_n and_o communion_n and_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v not_o be_v so_o zealous_a for_o peace_n as_o to_o have_v be_v at_o all_o injurious_a to_o truth_n i_o be_o confident_a i_o have_v say_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o scripture_n and_o reason_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o best_a and_o ancient_a christian_n and_o i_o be_o certain_a i_o have_v not_o entrench_v upon_o any_o of_o those_o ground_n upon_o which_o our_o ancestor_n proceed_v to_o the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n among_o we_o and_o for_o most_o of_o the_o thing_n here_o deliver_v we_o have_v also_o the_o suffrage_n of_o several_a and_o those_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o moderate_a of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n and_o now_o if_o after_o this_o any_o one_o be_v offend_v as_o indeed_o these_o kind_n of_o discourse_n be_v seldom_o very_o acceptable_a all_o i_o can_v say_v be_v this_o that_o the_o truth_n here_o deliver_v be_v real_o of_o so_o great_a importance_n to_o religion_n and_o the_o public_a peace_n that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v dissemble_v or_o suppress_v for_o any_o bad_a reception_n they_o may_v meet_v with_o from_o some_o man_n but_o as_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o deliver_v they_o i_o have_v take_v all_o the_o care_n i_o can_v not_o to_o give_v offence_n to_o any_o i_o now_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o my_o task_n upon_o this_o head_n which_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o duty_n recommend_v in_o the_o text_n with_o relation_n to_o particular_a christian_n our_o brethren_n and_o here_o my_o business_n be_v to_o direct_v you_o to_o the_o pursuit_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o make_v for_o peace_n as_o peace_n signify_v mutual_a love_n and_o charity_n in_o opposition_n to_o strife_n and_o bitterness_n and_o contention_n the_o thing_n that_o make_v for_o peace_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v more_o especial_o these_o that_o follow_v which_o i_o shall_v deliver_v by_o way_n of_o rule_n and_o advice_n the_o first_o rule_n be_v to_o distinguish_v careful_o between_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o matter_n of_o opinion_n and_o as_o to_o these_o latter_a to_o be_v willing_a that_o every_o one_o shall_v enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o judge_v for_o himself_o this_o be_v one_o thing_n that_o will_v help_v very_o much_o to_o the_o extinguish_n of_o those_o unnatural_a heat_n and_o animosity_n which_o have_v long_o be_v the_o reproach_n of_o christian_n if_o man_n will_v set_v no_o great_a value_n upon_o their_o notion_n and_o opinion_n than_o they_o do_v deserve_v if_o they_o will_v make_v a_o difference_n between_o necessary_a point_n and_o those_o that_o be_v not_o so_o and_o in_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o