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church_n form_n prayer_n prescribe_v 4,723 5 9.8951 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A23641 A defence of the answer made unto the nine questions or positions sent from New-England, against the reply thereto by that reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Ball, entituled, A tryall of the new church-way in New-England and in old wherin, beside a more full opening of sundry particulars concerning liturgies, power of the keys, matter of the visible church, &c., is more largely handled that controversie concerning the catholick, visible church : tending to cleare up the old-way of Christ in New-England churches / by Iohn Allin [and] Tho. Shepard ... Allin, John, 1596-1671.; Shepard, Thomas, 1605-1649. 1648 (1648) Wing A1036; ESTC R8238 175,377 216

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worship_n and_o the_o follow_v reform_v church_n those_o of_o scotland_n geneva_n and_o divers_a other_o in_o france_n and_o switserland_n etc._n etc._n who_o doctrine_n rite_n and_o administration_n we_o doubt_v not_o will_v be_v confess_v more_o pure_a than_o english_a church_n it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a and_o in_o these_o know_a time_n needless_a to_o search_v all_o record_n and_o to_o compare_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o prayer_n and_o rite_n of_o these_o with_o former_a time_n we_o read_v of_o very_a few_o form_n use_v for_o 300._o year_n some_o short_a one_o they_o have_v which_o be_v retain_v yet_o in_o our_o liturgy_n with_o many_o more_o and_o these_o form_n they_o have_v not_o impose_v nor_o stint_v which_o be_v the_o great_a offence_n of_o this_o until_o about_o the_o year_n 406._o and_o there_o we_o read_v in_o the_o milevitan_a council_n that_o no_o prayer_n shall_v be_v use_v in_o church_n but_o what_o be_v either_o compose_v of_o able_a and_o sufficient_a man_n or_o approve_v by_o the_o synod_n and_o this_o be_v determine_v only_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o ignorant_a ministry_n of_o those_o contentious_a and_o heretical_a time_n 12._o as_o chemnitius_n observe_v ne_fw-fr forte_fw-fr aliquid_fw-la contra_fw-la fidem_fw-la vel_fw-la per_fw-la ignorantiam_fw-la vel_fw-la per_fw-la minus_fw-la studium_fw-la sit_fw-la compositum_fw-la if_o the_o roman_a bishop_n do_v multiply_v as_o indeed_o they_o do_v excessive_o unless_o their_o own_o admirer_n err_v gross_o rite_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n yet_o it_o be_v well_o know_v how_o long_o it_o be_v ere_o the_o church_n in_o other_o place_n submit_v to_o their_o power_n so_o that_o this_o comparison_n may_v well_o have_v be_v spare_v to_o conclude_v though_o we_o say_v not_o that_o all_o church_n since_o 200._o year_n after_o christ_n be_v so_o miserable_o decay_v that_o the_o faithful_a may_v not_o without_o sin_n communicate_v with_o they_o yet_o we_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v many_o of_o they_o be_v so_o corrupt_a that_o the_o faithful_a do_v not_o nor_o can_v not_o communicate_v in_o many_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n without_o sin_n of_o ignorance_n conform_v to_o the_o corruption_n themselves_o and_o that_o if_o they_o have_v see_v and_o discover_v the_o evil_a of_o they_o they_o ought_v and_o we_o believe_v will_v have_v abstain_v from_o divers_a ordinance_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o corrupt_a administration_n of_o they_o yea_o after_o all_o mean_v use_v to_o purge_v they_o out_o and_o not_o prevail_v they_o ought_v and_o will_v have_v withdraw_v themselves_o to_o more_o pure_a church_n or_o erect_v such_o among_o themselves_o reply_n the_o prayer_n of_o the_o minister_n conceive_v or_o stint_v in_o a_o set_a form_n be_v not_o his_o private_a prayer_n but_o the_o public_a prayer_n of_o the_o assembly_n but_o you_o will_v not_o say_v the_o people_n ought_v not_o to_o join_v with_o their_o pastor_n therein_o if_o ought_v be_v amiss_o for_o matter_n manner_n or_o both_o answ_n there_o be_v a_o wide_a difference_n between_o the_o whole_a liturgy_n so_o impose_v and_o so_o clog_v as_o be_v before_o show_v and_o such_o prayer_n of_o the_o minister_n have_v something_o amiss_o but_o you_o may_v put_v the_o case_n so_o as_o it_o will_v be_v unlawful_a for_o people_n to_o join_v in_o such_o prayer_n also_o as_o if_o the_o minister_n for_o matter_n usual_o pray_v to_o saint_n for_o manner_n turn_v himself_o and_o fix_v his_o eye_n on_o a_o crucifix_n reply_n it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o the_o people_n in_o this_o case_n whether_o the_o fault_n be_v personal_a as_o some_o distinguish_v or_o otherwise_o know_v beforehand_o or_o not_o know_v for_o if_o simple_a presence_n defile_v whether_o know_v before_o hand_n 〈◊〉_d not_o all_o presence_n be_v faulty_a and_o if_o simple_a presence_n defile_v not_o our_o presence_n be_v not_o condemn_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o corruption_n know_v whereof_o we_o stand_v not_o guilty_a answ_n first_o we_o distinguish_v not_o here_o between_o personal_a and_o ministerial_a fault_n but_o object_n against_o the_o personal_a act_n of_o he_o that_o join_v with_o that_o whole_a liturgy_n and_o so_o in_o the_o corruption_n of_o it_o as_o he_o must_v needs_o do_v that_o join_v with_o the_o whole_a not_o only_a say_n amen_o to_o they_o but_o as_o be_v know_v he_o take_v his_o share_n in_o those_o shred_n of_o prayer_n respond_v etc._n etc._n which_o in_o mr._n cartwright_n judgement_n be_v so_o absurd_a as_o make_v a_o man_n seem_v out_o of_o his_o wit_n and_o therefore_o his_o personal_a actual_a conformity_n must_v needs_o carry_v guilt_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v more_o than_o simple_a presence_n in_o this_o case_n as_o be_v clear_a to_o any_o understanding_n second_o it_o be_v not_o all_o one_o whether_o the_o fault_n be_v know_v or_o not_o know_v beforehand_o as_o appear_v plain_o 1_o cor._n 10.27_o 28_o 29._o where_o we_o see_v if_o a_o man_n come_v to_o a_o feast_n and_o know_v not_o they_o eat_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o idol_n nor_o that_o any_o take_v offence_n he_o may_v eat_v without_o ask_v any_o question_n but_o if_o he_o know_v such_o thing_n he_o may_v not_o eat_v beside_o public_a sinful_a action_n of_o minister_n be_v either_o 1_o accidental_a &_o occasional_a or_o 2_o know_v &_o appoint_v in_o a_o state_v service_n now_o the_o frailty_n of_o a_o minister_n which_o accidental_o fall_v in_o and_o be_v not_o know_v before_o nor_o be_v any_o part_n and_o essence_n of_o the_o service_n unto_o which_o man_n that_o come_v do_v or_o shall_v take_v themselves_o to_o be_v call_v hinder_v not_o communion_n because_o they_o do_v not_o prae_fw-la se_fw-la far_o by_o their_o presence_n to_o attend_v and_o observe_v they_o but_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o liturgy_n be_v know_v and_o appoint_v and_o to_o which_o and_o with_o which_o the_o imposer_n call_v other_o to_o join_v as_o in_o a_o state_v service_n to_o god_n the_o use_n of_o which_o if_o it_o be_v a_o humane_a frailty_n in_o god_n minister_n not_o yet_o convince_v of_o the_o evil_a thereof_o yet_o for_o those_o to_o communicate_v herein_o who_o know_v such_o evil_n have_v sure_o pass_v the_o bound_n of_o frailty_n and_o infirmity_n because_o in_o this_o action_n of_o prayer_n there_o be_v not_o only_a communion_n by_o way_n of_o presence_n as_o it_o be_v in_o hear_v the_o word_n but_o communion_n of_o action_n public_a prayer_n be_v the_o common_a action_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n towards_o god_n there_o can_v be_v no_o prayer_n by_o any_o man_n offer_v to_o god_n but_o there_o will_v be_v some_o humane_a frailty_n attend_v on_o it_o if_o therefore_o for_o this_o cause_n we_o shall_v reject_v communion_n in_o prayer_n we_o shall_v reject_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o never_o join_v in_o any_o prayer_n in_o this_o world_n but_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o liturgy_n be_v not_o such_o but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o easy_o cast_v off_o then_o keep_v this_o case_n stand_v not_o in_o tolerate_v fault_n in_o another_o as_o the_o reply_n make_v it_o but_o in_o actual_a join_n with_o the_o sin_n of_o another_o wherein_o he_o that_o join_v be_v involve_v and_o therefore_o whether_o they_o be_v corruption_n that_o may_v be_v tolerate_v or_o not_o in_o another_o yet_o if_o sin_n they_o may_v not_o be_v practise_v and_o so_o join_v in_o with_o another_o and_o therefore_o the_o case_n you_o put_v of_o communion_n with_o any_o person_n obstinate_a in_o error_n till_o he_o may_v be_v convince_v be_v nothing_o to_o this_o purpose_n for_o we_o must_v not_o join_v with_o he_o in_o his_o error_n no_o not_o a_o hour_n though_o we_o may_v tolerate_v he_o a_o month_n reply_n have_v not_o christian_n wisdom_n and_o experience_n of_o humane_a frailty_n lesson_v you_o dear_a brethren_n to_o bear_v one_o with_o another_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a consequence_n than_o any_o have_v or_o can_v be_v object_v true_o against_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o use_n among_o we_o answ_n the_o lord_n have_v lesson_v we_o to_o tolerate_v and_o bear_v with_o many_o humane_a frailty_n not_o only_o in_o one_o another_o but_o also_o in_o our_o dear_a brethren_n abroad_o but_o to_o join_v with_o the_o best_a of_o man_n in_o conformity_n to_o know_v and_o gross_a corruption_n in_o worship_v god_n or_o to_o stoop_v so_o low_a to_o the_o insolent_a tyranny_n of_o usurp_a prelate_n as_o to_o bear_v on_o our_o back_n their_o whole_a liturgy_n and_o the_o corruption_n thereof_o we_o confess_v we_o have_v not_o yet_o learned_a and_o now_o we_o hope_v never_o to_o go_v to_o that_o school_n again_o to_o learn_v the_o same_o reply_n and_o why_o such_o corruption_n shall_v not_o be_v ascribe_v to_o humane_a frailty_n we_o see_v not_o for_o if_o a_o godly_a minister_n make_v use_n of_o a_o book_n in_o thing_n which_o he_o judge_v
proposition_n so_o they_o will_v much_o take_v off_o the_o edge_n of_o the_o reply_n for_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o all_o conformity_n of_o minister_n and_o people_n to_o any_o parcel_n of_o that_o book_n at_o such_o a_o season_n as_o this_o be_v be_v a_o far_o differ_v case_n from_o those_o that_o be_v put_v in_o some_o of_o the_o reply_n 1_o to_o the_o first_o reply_n then_o wherein_o you_o put_v it_o beyond_o imagination_n that_o such_o a_o practice_n shall_v be_v scandalous_a or_o offensive_a we_o know_v not_o what_o you_o have_v observe_v in_o some_o particular_a congregation_n near_o you_o but_o what_o ever_o have_v be_v the_o opinion_n of_o man_n former_o concern_v this_o practice_n yet_o you_o know_v that_o the_o book_n in_o general_n have_v be_v condemn_v of_o all_o godly_a reformer_n and_o the_o use_n of_o any_o part_n of_o it_o have_v be_v count_v burdensome_a to_o many_o for_o the_o reason_n name_v but_o of_o late_a time_n as_o the_o book_n and_o conformity_n thereto_o be_v urge_v more_o hot_o so_o the_o spirit_n of_o very_a many_o grow_v more_o zealous_a against_o it_o and_o begin_v to_o loathe_v it_o and_o to_o withdraw_v whole_o from_o it_o many_o very_a inquisitive_a about_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulnesse_n of_o join_v with_o it_o at_o all_o and_o yourselves_o complain_v of_o the_o withdraw_n of_o many_o from_o join_v in_o the_o ordinance_n where_o it_o be_v use_v so_o that_o we_o see_v not_o but_o at_o least_o in_o some_o person_n and_o at_o some_o place_n and_o time_n it_o may_v probable_o be_v offensive_a and_o scandalous_a so_o to_o practice_v 2_o we_o look_v not_o only_o to_o the_o offence_n of_o those_o in_o your_o own_o congregation_n but_o to_o the_o imboldn_v and_o harden_v of_o papist_n in_o honour_v any_o part_n of_o their_o portuise_n above_o the_o form_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n abroad_o and_o you_o can_v be_v ignorant_a how_o many_o of_o the_o lord_n witness_n now_o asleep_a have_v testify_v of_o the_o offence_n and_o danger_n thereof_o reply_n 2_o you_o say_v if_o the_o book_n be_v a_o idolothyte_n yet_o latent_fw-la offence_n do_v not_o oblige_v answ_n the_o offence_n in_o this_o season_n and_o as_o all_o thing_n stand_v can_v be_v latent_fw-la complaint_n be_v make_v of_o the_o offence_n take_v by_o many_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v evident_a reply_n 3_o the_o book_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v sound_a and_o good_a by_o your_o confession_n be_v no_o idolothyte_n nor_o take_v out_o of_o the_o mass_n book_n in_o such_o sense_n as_o you_o object_n but_o rather_o the_o mass_n and_o other_o prayer_n add_v to_o it_o popery_n be_v a_o scab_n cle●…ving_v to_o the_o church_n and_o many_o truth_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n as_o her_o proper_a legacy_n be_v steal_v and_o heap_v together_o in_o that_o den_n and_o why_o the_o true_a man_n may_v not_o challenge_v his_o good_n where_o ever_o he_o find_v they_o or_o the_o thief_n plead_v title_n to_o the_o true_a man_n good_n by_o prescription_n we_o know_v not_o answ_n first_o we_o judge_v the_o whole_a book_n a_o idolothyte_a and_o whence_o you_o gather_v that_o we_o confess_v the_o contrary_a of_o any_o part_n of_o it_o as_o it_o stand_v apart_o in_o relation_n to_o that_o whole_a we_o know_v not_o second_o that_o it_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o mass_n book_n be_v prove_v by_o the_o confession_n of_o king_n edward_n and_o other_o evidence_n be_v many_o but_o you_o say_v not_o in_o such_o sense_n as_o we_o object_n but_o rather_o è_fw-la contra_fw-la mass_n etc._n etc._n add_v to_o it_o etc._n etc._n but_o where_o to_o find_v such_o a_o legacy_n bequeath_v to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o testament_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n we_o can_v never_o yet_o see_v so_o that_o we_o rather_o fear_v all_o those_o form_n of_o prayer_n of_o marriage_n burial_n visitation_n of_o the_o sick_a confirmation_n etc._n etc._n be_v rather_o the_o copper_n counterfeit_a coin_n of_o a_o well_o grow_v antichrist_n whereby_o he_o cozen_v the_o church_n when_o he_o steal_v away_o the_o golden_a legacy_n of_o christ_n rather_o than_o any_o part_n of_o the_o true_a church_n legacy_n and_o therefore_o it_o have_v be_v more_o happy_a for_o the_o church_n that_o they_o have_v never_o challenge_v the_o same_o but_o let_v the_o thief_n prescription_n to_o have_v be_v a_o good_a plea_n to_o hold_v they_o still_o this_o further_a we_o add_v when_o we_o say_v it_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o mass-book_n we_o understand_v mass-book_n in_o a_o large_a sense_n as_o it_o be_v common_o take_v for_o to_o speak_v narrow_o it_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o three_o popish_a book_n the_o first_o part_n of_o public_a prayer_n exbreviario_fw-la the_o second_o part_n viz._n the_o order_n of_o administer_a sacrament_n matrimony_n visit_v the_o sick_a and_o burial_n è_fw-la rituali_fw-la 3._o the_o order_n of_o consecration_n in_o the_o supper_n the_o epistle_n and_o gospel_n and_o collect_v è_fw-la missali_fw-la as_o the_o form_n of_o consecration_n of_o bishop_n and_o priest_n be_v take_v è_fw-la pontificali_fw-la as_o the_o author_n of_o altar_n damasc_n show_v pag._n 612._o three_o because_o those_o word_n popery_n be_v a_o scab_n etc._n etc._n may_v be_v a_o seed_n of_o much_o evil_n a_o egg_n out_o of_o which_o a_o serpent_n may_v be_v hatch_v if_o man_n zealous_a of_o mouldy_a form_n may_v but_o have_v time_n again_o to_o set_v upon_o it_o if_o the_o wheel_n of_o these_o evil_a time_n through_o god_n judgement_n on_o this_o wanton_a age_n turn_v the_o prelate_n or_o other_o zelote_v for_o this_o liturgy_n uppermost_a we_o shall_v therefore_o crave_v liberty_n to_o examine_v this_o speech_n more_o narrow_o and_o because_o as_o it_o be_v say_v unumquodque_fw-la ex_fw-la suâ_fw-la origine_fw-la rectissime_fw-la judicatur_fw-la we_o shall_v trace_v the_o step_n of_o the_o first_o time_n and_o so_o downward_o to_o see_v what_o sound_a part_n of_o liturgy_n there_o be_v on_o which_o this_o scab_n be_v suppose_v to_o grow_v 1._o our_o bless_a saviour_n teach_v his_o disciple_n a_o bless_a form_n which_o though_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_o and_o comfortable_o use_v the_o rather_o not_o be_v of_o man_n but_o the_o lord_n compose_v yet_o it_o be_v evident_a he_o never_o appoint_v his_o people_n to_o use_v it_o as_o their_o only_a form_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o that_o heavenly_a prayer_n act_v 4._o do_v not_o attend_v to_o the_o word_n and_o form_n of_o this_o prayer_n though_o they_o may_v have_v this_o in_o their_o eye_n as_o the_o common_a rule_n and_o direction_n how_o to_o pour_v out_o their_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o particular_a thing_n which_o may_v be_v a_o everlasting_a witness_n against_o their_o usurpation_n that_o will_v limit_v the_o church_n to_o their_o form_n which_o the_o lord_n christ_n will_v not_o do_v to_o his_o own_o 2._o in_o the_o first_o 300._o year_n after_o christ_n we_o read_v of_o few_o form_n that_o the_o church_n use_v and_o those_o rather_o short_a ejaculation_n then_o set_v form_n but_o contrary_o we_o read_v frequent_o of_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o gift_n in_o prayer_n they_o pray_v sine_fw-la monitore_fw-la quia_fw-la de_fw-la pectore_fw-la say_v tertullian_n 30._o i._n e._n they_o pray_v without_o a_o promptour_n because_o from_o the_o heart_n which_o as_o zephyrus_n observe_v be_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o prompt_a form_n then_o in_o use_n among_o the_o pagan_n we_o read_v also_o what_o they_o pray_v for_o viz._n pro_fw-la inimicis_fw-la pro_fw-la imperatoribus_fw-la pro_fw-la statu_fw-la seculi_fw-la pro_fw-la morà_fw-la finis_fw-la etc._n etc._n but_o of_o any_o set_a form_n we_o read_v not_o their_o persecution_n and_o day_n of_o affliction_n preserve_v they_o from_o formality_n in_o prayer_n and_o teach_v they_o how_o to_o find_v their_o heart_n and_o knee_n and_o tongue_n to_o pour_v out_o their_o soul_n to_o god_n while_o under_o the_o altar_n they_o be_v pour_v out_o their_o blood_n 3._o but_o after_o the_o church_n have_v enjoy_v peace_n for_o some_o space_n of_o time_n wherein_o security_n usual_o make_v insensible_a and_o insens●…blenesse_n formal_a then_o indeed_o we_o read_v of_o set_n and_o impose_v form_n which_o the_o rather_o prevail_v in_o regard_n of_o the_o gross_a and_o palpable_a ignorance_n of_o a_o blind_a ministry_n under_o a_o more_o learned_a prelacy_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v well_o observe_v by_o chemnitius_n that_o the_o three_o council_n of_o carthage_n decree_v this_o ut_fw-la nemo_fw-la in_o precibus_fw-la etc._n etc._n viz._n that_o no_o minister_n in_o his_o prayer_n either_o name_n the_o father_n for_o the_o son_n or_o the_o son_n for_o the_o father_n but_o when_o he_o come_v to_o the_o altar_n to_o direct_v his_o prayer_n always_o to_o god_n the_o father_n and_o that_o no_o man_n use_v his_o own_o form_n
they_o vers_n 27._o what_o he_o speak_v vers_fw-la 28._o of_o apostle_n and_o other_o gift_n set_v in_o the_o church_n he_o apply_v also_o to_o they_o chap._n 14._o whereas_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o divers_a gift_n in_o that_o church_n when_o the_o whole_a church_n come_v together_o vers_n 23_o so_o he_o speak_v the_o same_o of_o himself_o a_o apostle_n vers_fw-la 6._o when_o i_o come_v etc._n etc._n we_o take_v notice_n of_o divers_a reason_n allege_v from_o the_o chapter_n that_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o they_o do_v not_o enforce_v it_o for_o grant_v such_o thing_n be_v true_a of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o a_o sense_n viz._n that_o in_o it_o god_n work_v all_o in_o all_o in_o it_o be_v diversity_n of_o gift_n etc._n etc._n yet_o the_o apostle_n scope_n be_v to_o speak_v to_o this_o church_n as_o have_v be_v show_v and_o all_o be_v true_o applyable_a unto_o it_o this_o church_n come_v behind_o in_o no_o good_a gift_n chap._n 1.7_o this_o church_n be_v one_o body_n vers_fw-la 27._o and_o baptize_v into_o one_o body_n whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n bond_n or_o free_a the_o member_n of_o this_o church_n need_v the_o help_n one_o of_o another_o must_v not_o make_v schism_n in_o the_o body_n must_v care_v one_o for_o another_o etc._n etc._n yea_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o other_o gift_n be_v in_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 3.1_o 1_o cor._n 14.6_o so_o that_o from_o the_o scope_n and_o drift_n of_o the_o apostle_n all_o these_o office_n and_o gift_n may_v be_v and_o be_v set_v in_o corinth_n and_o therefore_o this_o place_n will_v not_o evince_v a_o catholic_n organical_a body_n yet_o we_o mean_v not_o that_o apostle_n be_v wedge_v in_o here_o but_o they_o be_v set_v also_o in_o every_o church_n as_o also_o teacher_n be_v in_o every_o church_n but_o each_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o office_n the_o one_o limit_v the_o other_o not_o second_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o in_o this_o discourse_n the_o apostle_n also_o vers_fw-la 12_o 13._o intend_v the_o whole_a mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v one_o christ_n neither_o do_v we_o deny_v that_o these_o gift_n of_o apostle_n prophet_n etc._n etc._n be_v give_v to_o this_o church_n but_o this_o will_v not_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v a_o organical_a church_n for_o what_o be_v this_o body_n of_o christ_n this_o one_o christ_n into_o who_o all_o be_v baptize_v etc._n etc._n it_o be_v proper_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o true_a believer_n in_o all_o age_n and_o so_o contain_v the_o invisible_a body_n of_o christ_n which_o catholic_n body_n of_o all_o age_n can_v proper_o make_v a_o organical_a body_n and_o be_v it_o so_o that_o this_o body_n be_v visible_a have_v visible_a ordinance_n baptize_v and_o drink_v into_o one_o body_n yet_o the_o apostle_n respect_v the_o ●…eall_a union_n of_o all_o the_o member_n to_o christ_n and_o therefore_o i_o 〈…〉_z understand_v spiritual_a and_o effectual_a baptism_n contain_v the_o inward_a virtue_n with_o the_o outward_a sign_n again_o the_o apostle_n be_v 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o gather_a 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o elect_a among_o all_o the_o heathen_a and_o 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o prove_v not_o all_o those_o elect_v who_o also_o be_v a_o part_n of_o christ_n sheep_n john_n in_o ●●_o be_v a_o organical_a church_n or_o a_o part_n of_o it_o till_o call_v and_o add_v to_o the_o church_n in_o a_o word_n apostle_n prophet_n etc._n etc._n be_v give_v to_o and_o set_v in_o the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o chief_a object_n have_v and_o for_o who_o sake_n and_o good_a they_o be_v intentional_o ordain_v of_o christ_n but_o not_o set_v in_o it_o as_o one_o organical_a body_n for_o the_o actual_a and_o immediate_a administration_n of_o the_o visible_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n to_o it_o but_o thus_o 〈…〉_z as_o gather_v into_o such_o church_n society_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v 〈◊〉_d for_o that_o end_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o agree_v with_o 〈◊〉_d mr._n 〈…〉_z of_o the_o right_n 〈…〉_z pag._n 2●…1_n a●●_n say_v he_o to_o what_o ●…nd_n and_o to_o what_o first_o principal_a subject_n have_v the_o lord_n give_v reason_n and_o the_o fa●…ulty_n to_o disco●…_n as_o it_o be_v peter_n john_n etc._n etc._n as_o to_o the_o first_o subject_n and_o to_o they_o as_o for_o their_o good_a no_o no_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d and_o for_o the_o race_n of_o mankind_n the_o case_n be_v just_a so_o here_o 1._o cor._n 12._o ●…8_n god_n have_v set_v apostle_n etc._n etc._n we_o say_v also_o it_o be_v just_a so_o here_o as_o god_n have_v give_v reason_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o end_n to_o mankind_n first_o and_o then_o to_o the_o individu●●_n so_o god_n have_v set_v in_o the_o mystical_a church_n for_o the_o good_a of_o it_o as_o chief_o intend_v by_o christ_n apostles_n prophet_n etc._n etc._n but_o now_o as_o in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d all_o dispense_n of_o this_o gift_n of_o reason_n for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n reason_n be_v not_o give_v to_o any_o such_o body_n as_o the_o whole_a race_n of_o mankind_n to_o descend_v to_o john_n peter_n etc._n etc._n but_o first_o to_o john_n peter_n and_o all_o the_o individuall_n that_o so_o by_o induction_n of_o all_o particular_n the_o whole_a kind_n of_o reasonable_a man_n may_v be_v make_v up_o and_o the_o end_n attain_v and_o so_o it_o be_v here_o god_n in_o give_v officer_n and_o gift_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n first_o yet_o in_o execution_n give_v these_o officer_n and_o set_v they_o in_o particular_a church_n that_o by_o the_o edification_n and_o perfection_n of_o all_o particular_n the_o whole_a may_v be_v attain_v three_o apostle_n prophet_n and_o all_o gift_n and_o office_n in_o general_a and_o indefinite_o be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n indefinite_o consider_v but_o particular_a officer_n paul_n cephas_n apollo_n titus_n arabippus_n etc._n etc._n be_v give_v or_o set_v in_o particular_a church_n we_o mean_v according_a to_o the_o several_a nature_n and_o extent_n of_o their_o office_n as_o unto_o bee_n in_o general_a ingiver_n a_o power_n to_o gather_v honey_n and_o order_n themselves_o in_o their_o hive_n but_o in_o their_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n it_o be_v give_v to_o the_o several_a swarm_n in_o the_o hive_n who_o have_v their_o queen_n etc._n etc._n to_o order_n themselves_o but_o as_o this_o power_n in_o general_n make_v not_o a_o universal_a organical_a body_n of_o bee_n no_o more_o here_o a_o universal_a organical_a church_n last_o to_o speak_v more_o particular_o we_o conceive_v that_o the_o place_n in_o the_o utmost_a latitude_n of_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o mystical_a body_n that_o one_o body_n into_o which_o all_o be_v baptize_v vers_fw-la 13._o and_o that_o the_o fundamental_a mistake_n of_o our_o brethren_n be_v this_o that_o because_o the_o church_n here_o mention_v have_v organ_n and_o political_a officer_n in_o it_o that_o therefore_o it_o must_v needs_o make_v one_o political_a church_n where_o some_o organ_n be_v to_o rule_v in_o common_a and_o every_o part_n be_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o whole_a for_o although_o the_o mystical_a church_n have_v organ_n and_o political_a officer_n in_o it_o yet_o it_o follow_v not_o therefore_o that_o it_o be_v one_o political_a body_n for_o the_o invisible_a church_n conjoin_v with_o the_o visible_a have_v political_a officer_n set_v in_o it_o and_o give_v to_o it_o as_o invisible_a as_o well_o as_o visible_a in_o respect_n of_o god_n general_a designation_n and_o particular_a application_n of_o they_o to_o this_o whole_a church_n yet_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o they_o be_v one_o political_a body_n by_o actual_a combination_n thereunto_o actual_a combination_n we_o say_v for_o although_o christ_n institution_n must_v warrant_v and_o prescribe_v all_o form_n of_o political_a body_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o be_v find_v that_o ever_o there_o be_v any_o political_a society_n without_o actual_a combination_n whether_o civil_a or_o sacred_a whether_o national_a or_o more_o particular_a the_o mystical_a church_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v organical_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o officer_n among_o they_o in_o the_o several_a part_n thereof_o every_o part_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o whole_a spiritual_o though_o not_o political_o but_o it_o do_v not_o thence_o follow_v that_o the_o whole_a be_v one_o political_a body_n but_o mystical_a political_a officer_n may_v and_o must_v suppose_v some_o part_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v visible_a but_o not_o that_o the_o whole_a shall_v be_v political_a for_o the_o apostle_n by_o extraordinary_a commission_n for_o their_o time_n be_v officer_n of_o visible_a believer_n fit_a matter_n for_o a_o combination_n as_o well_o as_o of_o particular_a combination_n yet_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o visible_a believer_n exist_v out_o of_o combination_n be_v a_o political_a society_n that_o
communion_n together_o in_o the_o jewish_a policy_n and_o yet_o be_v not_o one_o political_a body_n so_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n may_v have_v communion_n together_o yet_o be_v distinct_a church_n not_o one_o church_n a●…_n also_o the_o church_n of_o new_a england_n have_v sweet_a and_o bless_a comm●…nion_n yet_o be_v distinct_a and_o though_o the_o church_n of_o gala●…ia_n be_v call_v a_o whole_a l●…mp_n as_o be_v object_v yet_o be_v they_o thus_o by_o political_a combination_n or_o as_o dr._n downam_n to_o mould_n up_o a_o diocesan_n church_n compare_v the_o first_o church_n to_o a_o great_a lump_n of_o dough_n or_o batch_n of_o bread_n out_o of_o which_o particular_a church_n be_v form_v into_o many_o loaf_n or_o not_o rather_o call_v a_o lump_n by_o spiritual_a union_n and_o relation_n common_a profession_n and_o fraternal_a communion_n be_v all_o the_o same_o countryman_n so_o also_o the_o apostle_n have_v church_n communion_n yet_o be_v not_o a_o political_a body_n kingdom_n so_o may_v have_v civil_a communion_n and_o commerce_n yet_o not_o be_v one_o kingdom_n objection_n 6_o if_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n a_o flock_n of_o redeem_a one_o etc._n etc._n and_o then_o much_o more_o to_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n which_o be_v the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n and_o flock_n of_o redeem_v one_o primary_o and_o to_o a_o particular_a church_n only_o secondary_o but_o the_o first_o be_v affirm_v by_o such_o as_o deny_v such_o a_o catholic_n church_n ergo._fw-la answ_n 1_o it_o be_v true_a the_o notion_n of_o a_o flock_n of_o redeem_v one_o of_o the_o body_n and_o spouse_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n house_n etc._n etc._n do_v agree_v primary_o to_o the_o church_n not_o of_o this_o but_o of_o all_o age_n and_o secondary_o to_o the_o church_n of_o this_o age_n colos_n 1.18_o ephes_n 5.25_o 26._o and_o 2.19_o 2_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n exist_v in_o this_o age_n the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o it_o primary_o in_o comparison_n of_o particular_a church_n coexi_v with_o it_o as_o to_o the_o chief_a object_n and_o end_n but_o not_o to_o it_o as_o a_o political_a body_n in_o respect_n of_o actual_a and_o immediate_a dispensation_n thereof_o for_o as_o we_o have_v oft_o say_v if_o in_o respect_n of_o political_a dispensation_n the_o key_n belong_v first_o to_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n as_o his_o spouse_n and_o redeem_v one_o then_o the_o church_n invisible_a as_o invisible_a rather_o than_o visible_a must_v have_v the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o key_n primary_o 3_o it_o be_v not_o say_v that_o the_o key_n be_v immediate_o give_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n abstract_o as_o a_o number_n of_o redeem_v but_o as_o consociate_v and_o political_o combine_v and_o in_o this_o respect_n that_o may_v be_v attribute_v to_o the_o part_n a_o particular_a congregation_n of_o redeem_a one_o which_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o the_o whole_a ex._n gr_n such_o a_o congregation_n be_v combine_v so_o be_v not_o the_o whole_a nor_o can_v be_v such_o a_o church_n may_v choose_v a_o pastor_n over_o it_o but_o so_o can_v the_o whole_a so_o a_o man_n may_v tell_v the_o particular_a church_n who_o may_v convene_v together_o not_o so_o the_o whole_a thus_o far_o through_o the_o help_n of_o christ_n we_o have_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v the_o first_o point_n propound_v concern_v a_o catholic_n institute_v church_n we_o come_v now_o to_o prove_v the_o second_o point_n viz._n that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v institute_v in_o the_o gospel_n a_o particular_a church_n of_o one_o congregation_n in_o which_o and_o unto_o which_o the_o actual_a and_o immediate_a dispensation_n and_o participation_n of_o all_o institute_v worship_n do_v regular_o and_o ordinary_o belong_v and_o here_o we_o shall_v show_v 1_o what_o such_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v 2_o how_o the_o dispensation_n of_o church_n power_n and_o privilege_n do_v belong_v unto_o it_o for_o the_o first_o we_o shall_v declare_v ourselves_o in_o these_o five_o proposition_n 1_o it_o must_v be_v a_o visible_a society_n for_o one_o man_n can_v make_v a_o church_n nor_o can_v many_o visible_a believer_n live_v several_o without_o society_n in_o several_a nation_n make_v one_o church_n 2_o it_o be_v not_o every_o society_n of_o visible_a professor_n that_o do_v make_v a_o church_n for_o then_o every_o family_n of_o such_o professor_n be_v a_o church_n then_o two_o or_o three_o which_o our_o brethren_n so_o much_o condemn_v be_v a_o church_n and_o then_o a_o society_n of_o woman_n profess_v the_o truth_n may_v be_v a_o political_a church_n then_o many_o member_n of_o several_a church_n meet_v to_o hear_v a_o sermon_n or_o any_o like_a occasion_n make_v a_o church_n then_o a_o number_n of_o professor_n may_v constitute_v a_o diocesan_n church_n or_o any_o like_a form_n for_o out_o of_o this_o block_n that_o any_o number_n of_o believer_n make_v a_o church_n dr._n downam_n hew_v out_o his_o diocesan_n church_n and_o so_o make_v a_o fit_a seat_n for_o his_o diocesan_n mercury_n last_o then_o particular_a church_n shall_v have_v no_o more_o any_o set_a form_n prescribe_v then_o civil_a government_n which_o be_v as_o variable_a as_o humane_a wisdom_n see_v meet_v for_o hence_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v be_v melt_v into_o any_o form_n or_o mould_n of_o civil_a society_n for_o imagine_v a_o number_n of_o profess_v believer_n cohabit_v either_o in_o a_o city_n hundred_o wapentake_n shire_n province_n nation_n empire_n etc._n etc._n there_o shall_v then_o be_v so_o many_o form_n of_o church_n contrary_a to_o the_o principle_n and_o unanswerable_a argument_n of_o our_o best_a reformer_n who_o account_v it_o a_o great_a absurdity_n that_o the_o heavenly_a kingdom_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v mould_v and_o frame_v according_a to_o the_o weakness_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n and_o policy_n 3_o it_o must_v therefore_o be_v a_o society_n combine_v and_o that_o by_o a_o covenant_n explicit_a or_o implicit_a for_o it_o must_v be_v such_o a_o combine_a society_n where_o the_o whole_a have_v power_n over_o its_o member_n now_o whatever_o power_n one_o have_v over_o another_o if_o it_o be_v not_o by_o way_n of_o conquest_n or_o natural_a relation_n as_o the_o father_n over_o the_o child_n it_o be_v by_o covenant_n as_o husband_n and_o wife_n master_n and_o servant_n prince_z and_o people_n other_o power_n be_v but_o usurpation_n it_o be_v note_v as_o a_o profane_a speech_n in_o bronnus_n who_o profess_v he_o know_v no_o other_o rule_n of_o justice_n then_o for_o the_o great_a to_o subdue_v the_o less_o again_o it_o be_v such_o a_o society_n as_o have_v a_o ordinate_a power_n to_o subject_v itself_o to_o officer_n by_o elect_v of_o they_o to_o administer_v ordinance_n among_o they_o but_o this_o be_v only_o a_o federall_a society_n again_o it_o be_v such_o a_o society_n to_o the_o make_v up_o of_o which_o be_v require_v something_o more_o than_o faith_n act_v 5.14_o believer_n be_v add_v to_o the_o lord_n or_o to_o his_o church_n so_o that_o they_o be_v first_o believer_n before_o they_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n for_o there_o may_v be_v a_o number_n of_o believer_n convert_v at_o one_o sermon_n and_o immediate_o scatter_v into_o many_o town_n or_o country_n now_o if_o faith_n profess_v alone_o make_v not_o a_o church_n but_o somewhat_o more_o be_v require_v what_o can_v that_o be_v but_o foederall_a combination_n last_o that_o the_o dissolution_n whereof_o do_v unchurch_n a_o people_n do_v constitute_v a_o church_n but_o break_v the_o combination_n dissolve_v the_o church_n whether_o by_o consent_n schism_n or_o when_o god_n himself_o remove_v the_o candlestick_n ergo._fw-la 4_o though_o a_o church_n be_v such_o by_o combine_v and_o so_o subject_v themselves_o to_o the_o power_n of_o other_o yet_o it_o must_v not_o be_v herein_o illimited_a but_o according_a to_o the_o form_n and_o mould_n express_v in_o the_o word_n for_o if_o they_o have_v this_o power_n to_o combine_v as_o many_o and_o as_o large_o as_o they_o will_v than_o a_o diocese_n province_n nation_n may_v combine_v and_o so_o put_v themselves_o under_o the_o power_n of_o a_o diocesan_n provincial_n national_n society_n which_o be_v unlawful_a for_o the_o church_n must_v be_v such_o a_o form_n as_o a_o man_n may_v ordinary_o bring_v offence_n unto_o it_o according_a to_o matth._n 18._o tell_v the_o church_n but_o that_o can_v be_v in_o a_o diocese_n much_o less_o in_o a_o province_n or_o nation_n where_o the_o member_n can_v neither_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o offence_n nor_o ordinary_o so_o much_o as_o consent_v unto_o any_o censure_n act_v by_o any_o officer_n in_o such_o a_o church_n nay_o further_o if_o their_o power_n be_v unlimited_a they_o may_v choose_v a_o diocesan_n pastor_n one_o or_o many_o to_o feed_v all_o or_o one_o to_o
ordinance_n of_o christ_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o church_n which_o the_o other_o have_v not_o be_v out_o of_o that_o order_n of_o christ_n prescribe_v in_o the_o gospel_n in_o which_o order_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n visible_a ordinance_n be_v to_o be_v dispense_v as_o have_v be_v prove_v before_o reply_n if_o a_o synod_n consist_v of_o sundry_a member_n of_o particular_a church_n meet_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n about_o the_o common_a and_o public_a affair_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v join_v together_o in_o prayer_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o supper_n we_o can_v see_v no_o ground_n to_o question_v it_o as_o unlawful_a although_o that_o assembly_n be_v no_o particular_a congregation_n or_o church_n have_v no_o pastor_n over_o they_o etc._n etc._n answ_n that_o such_o a_o assembly_n may_v pray_v together_o be_v no_o question_n for_o every_o family_n may_v do_v so_o and_o that_o they_o may_v receive_v the_o supper_n also_o in_o a_o right_a order_n we_o deny_v not_o for_o meet_v where_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a institute_v church_n they_o may_v have_v communion_n therewith_o in_o the_o supper_n be_v many_o as_o well_o as_o few_o but_o whether_o they_o may_v as_o a_o church_n be_v no_o political_a body_n but_o member_n of_o many_o political_a church_n administer_v church_n ordinance_n proper_a to_o a_o church_n we_o will_v see_v some_o reason_n before_o we_o can_v judge_v it_o lawful_a so_o to_o do_v for_o though_o some_o do_v account_v such_o a_o synod_n ecclesia_fw-la orta_fw-la yet_o not_o proper_o such_o a_o church_n as_o have_v ecclesiastical_a power_n authority_n and_o privilege_n belong_v thereto_o they_o may_v consult_v and_o doctrinal_o determine_v of_o case_n of_o that_o assembly_n act_v 15._o but_o further_a to_o proceed_v we_o see_v no_o rule_n nor_o pattern_n beside_o if_o such_o a_o assembly_n of_o many_o church_n may_v administer_v seal_n why_o may_v not_o any_o other_o assembly_n of_o church_n member_n or_o minister_n do_v the_o same_o and_o so_o this_o power_n will_v be_v carry_v without_o limitation_n we_o know_v not_o how_o far_o if_o they_o once_o depart_v from_o a_o particular_a church_n chap._n viii_o consid_n 3._o reply_n to_o the_o three_o consideration_n this_o whole_a reason_n as_o it_o be_v propound_v make_v only_o against_o itself_o who_o ever_o think_v that_o the_o seal_n be_v not_o proper_a to_o confederate_n or_o the_o church_n of_o god_n of_o old_a visible_a believer_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o in_o church_n order_n according_a to_o the_o dispensation_n of_o those_o time_n though_o not_o join_v to_o the_o society_n of_o abraham_n family_n to_o exclude_v job_n melchisedeck_v etc._n etc._n because_o not_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v wellnigh_o a_o contradiction_n and_o so_o to_o debar_v know_v approve_v christian_n etc._n etc._n answ_n that_o this_o reason_n make_v not_o against_o itself_o mr._n ball_n himself_o have_v clear_v when_o he_o state_v our_o consideration_n true_o in_o the_o word_n follow_v as_o will_v appear_v however_o here_o he_o somewhat_o trouble_v the_o water_n needlesse_o that_o the_o ground_n may_v not_o appear_v for_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o our_o answer_n which_o deny_v melchisedech_n job_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v of_o the_o visible_a church_n according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o those_o time_n indeed_o we_o instance_n in_o they_o as_o person_n under_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n not_o mention_v their_o membership_n in_o family_n church_n as_o be_v enough_o for_o our_o purpose_n if_o they_o have_v not_o right_a to_o circumcision_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o right_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n except_o they_o join_v to_o the_o church_n at_o first_o in_o abraham_n family_n and_o so_o after_o to_o the_o same_o church_n in_o israel_n and_o the_o more_o special_a church_n relation_n in_o abraham_n family_n be_v require_v to_o circumcision_n the_o strong_a be_v the_o force_n of_o our_o reason_n not_o the_o weak_a for_o so_o much_o the_o rather_o it_o follow_v that_o seal_n be_v not_o to_o be_v dispense_v to_o believer_n as_o such_o though_o visible_o profess_v the_o faith_n except_o they_o join_v also_o to_o such_o a_o form_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o or_o in_o which_o the_o seal_n be_v institute_v and_o give_v reply_n the_o true_a and_o proper_a meaning_n of_o this_o consideration_n be_v that_o as_o circumcision_n and_o the_o passeover_n be_v not_o to_o be_v dispense_v to_o all_o visible_a believer_n under_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o only_o to_o such_o as_o be_v join_v to_o abraham_n family_n or_o the_o people_n of_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n no_o more_o may_v baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v administer_v now_o to_o any_o believer_n unless_o they_o be_v join_v to_o some_o particular_a congregation_n answ_n these_o word_n right_o state_v the_o consideration_n we_o leave_v it_o to_o any_o indifferent_a reader_n to_o judge_v whether_o any_o way_n it_o make_v against_o itself_o or_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o cause_n first_o to_o darken_v it_o as_o be_v do_v in_o the_o former_a passage_n reply_n the_o strength_n of_o it_o stand_v in_o the_o parity_n between_o circumcision_n and_o baptism_n but_o this_o parity_n be_v not_o find_v in_o every_o thing_n as_o yourselves_o allege_v to_o unfold_v it_o more_o full_o we_o will_v consider_v three_o thing_n first_o wherein_o the_o sacrament_n agree_v and_o wherein_o they_o differ_v answ_n it_o matter_n not_o in_o how_o many_o thing_n the_o sacrament_n differ_v so_o they_o agree_v in_o the_o thing_n question_v and_o though_o we_o may_v raise_v dispute_n and_o query_n about_o some_o particular_n in_o this_o large_a discourse_n upon_o this_o first_o head_n yet_o see_v here_o be_v a_o grant_n of_o the_o parity_n in_o the_o point_n now_o question_v viz._n concern_v the_o person_n to_o who_o circumcision_n and_o baptism_n do_v belong_v we_o shall_v take_v what_o be_v grant_v and_o leave_v the_o rest_n for_o thus_o it_o be_v say_v circumcision_n and_o baptism_n be_v both_o sacrament_n of_o divine_a institution_n and_o so_o they_o agree_v in_o substance_n of_o the_o thing_n signify_v the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v to_o be_v administer_v and_o the_o order_n of_o administration_n if_o the_o right_a proportion_n be_v observe_v now_o that_o we_o hold_v the_o right_a proportion_n in_o the_o person_n may_v appear●…_n first_o in_o that_o as_o be_v grant_v circumcision_n seal_v the_o entrance_n into_o the_o covenant_n but_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o simple_o and_o only_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o that_o whole_a covenant_n that_o be_v make_v with_o abraham_n whereby_o on_o god_n part_n they_o be_v assure_v of_o many_o special_a blessing_n whereof_o lot_n and_o other_o not_o in_o this_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n be_v not_o capable_a and_o whereby_o abraham_n his_o seed_n and_o family_n be_v bind_v for_o their_o part_n to_o be_v a_o people_n to_o god_n and_o to_o observe_v this_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o other_o in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o answ_n second_o as_o be_v grant_v it_o be_v abraham_n and_o his_o household_n and_o the_o seed_n of_o believe_a jew_n that_o be_v the_o person_n to_o be_v circumcise_a and_o therefore_o not_o visible_a believer_n as_o such_o for_o then_o lot_n have_v be_v include_v so_o by_o right_a proportion_n not_o all_o visible_a believer_n as_o such_o but_o such_o as_o with_o abraham_n and_o his_o family_n be_v in_o visible_a covenant_n to_o be_v the_o people_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o church_n when_o and_o to_o which_o the_o seal_n of_o baptism_n be_v give_v and_o therefore_o as_o all_o family_n church_n but_o abraham_n be_v in_o a_o new_a form_n of_o a_o church_n be_v exclude_v so_o much_o more_o such_o as_o be_v in_o no_o visible_a constitute_v church_n at_o all_o reply_n second_o as_o for_o the_o proposition_n itself_o certain_a it_o be_v circumcision_n and_o the_o passeover_n be_v to_o be_v administer_v only_o to_o the_o visible_a member_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n to_o man_n in_o covenant_n profess_v the_o true_a faith_n but_o that_o in_o abraham_n time_n none_o be_v member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n which_o join_v not_o to_o abraham_n family_n we_o have_v not_o learned_a answ_n the_o proposition_n we_o see_v be_v grant_v yet_o it_o be_v obscure_v divers_a way_n to_o which_o we_o answer_v first_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v these_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v man_n in_o covenant_n profess_v the_o true_a faith_n true_o but_o where_o not_o in_o any_o place_n but_o in_o the_o church_n of_o abraham_n family_n and_o so_o after_o in_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n second_o what_o faith_n not_o only_a faith_n in_o the_o messiah_n for_o life_n and_o salvation_n but_o withal_o faith_n in_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o
a_o defence_n of_o the_o answer_n make_v unto_o the_o nine_o question_n or_o position_n send_v from_o new-england_n against_o the_o reply_n thereto_o by_o that_o reverend_a servant_n of_o christ_n mr._n john_n ball_n entitle_v a_o trial_n of_o the_o new_a churchway_n in_o new-england_n and_o in_o old_a wherein_o beside_o a_o more_o full_a open_n of_o sundry_a particular_n concern_v liturgy_n power_n of_o the_o key_n matter_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n etc._n etc._n be_v more_o large_o handle_v that_o controversy_n concern_v the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n tend_v to_o clear_v up_o the_o old-way_n of_o christ_n in_o new-england_n church_n by_o john_n allin_n pastor_n of_o dedham_n tho._n shepard_n pastor_n of_o cambridge_n in_o new-england_n veritas_fw-la nihil_fw-la crubescit_fw-la praeterquam_fw-la abscondi_fw-la tertul._n sua_fw-la silentia_fw-la amat_fw-la spiritus_fw-la per_fw-la quae_fw-la nobis_fw-la illabitur_fw-la seque_fw-la insinuat_fw-la cupidis_fw-la non_fw-la gloriae_fw-la sed_fw-la cognoscendae_fw-la veritatis_fw-la melanct._n let_v the_o blessing_n come_v upon_o the_o head_n of_o joseph_n and_o upon_o the_o top_n of_o the_o head_n of_o he_o that_o be_v separate_v from_o his_o brethren_n deut._n 33.16_o london_n print_v by_o r._n cotes_n for_o andrew_n crook_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o the_o green_a dragon_n in_o paul_n churchyard_n 1648._o the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n it_o be_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n before_o pilate_n when_o he_o question_v with_o he_o about_o his_o kingdom_n john_n 18.37_o that_o for_o this_o cause_n he_o be_v bear_v and_o come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o bear_v witness_n of_o the_o truth_n many_o truth_n about_o the_o spiritual_a kingdom_n of_o christ_n have_v he_o impart_v to_o we_o if_o therefore_o we_o be_v bear_v into_o the_o world_n or_o send_v into_o this_o wilderness_n to_o bear_v witness_n to_o his_o truth_n it_o be_v unto_o we_o reward_v sufficient_a that_o we_o shall_v be_v witness_n thereunto_o even_o to_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n we_o confess_v we_o have_v be_v too_o slow_a in_o this_o service_n of_o christ_n not_o have_v to_o this_o day_n set_v forth_o a_o unanimous_a confession_n of_o that_o form_n of_o wholesome_a word_n which_o be_v preach_v receive_v and_o profess_v in_o these_o church_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o which_o we_o be_v not_o unmindful_a of_o though_o our_o distance_n and_o other_o difficulty_n may_v delay_v the_o opportunity_n but_o this_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o profess_v in_o general_a that_o so_o far_o as_o we_o know_v there_o be_v the_o same_o bless_a spirit_n of_o truth_n breathe_v in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o country_n the_o same_o faith_n embrace_v and_o profess_v in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v general_o receive_v as_o the_o orthodox_n doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n and_o particular_o by_o our_o godly_a learned_a brethren_n of_o england_n and_o scotland_n and_o though_o error_n have_v spring_v up_o among_o we_o and_o some_o be_v go_v out_o from_o we_o that_o we_o fear_v be_v not_o of_o we_o yet_o we_o have_v bear_v witness_n against_o they_o and_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n by_o the_o breath_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o servant_n they_o have_v be_v blast_v neither_o do_v we_o understand_v that_o these_o church_n be_v accuse_v of_o any_o error_n about_o the_o save_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o we_o think_v ourselves_o not_o so_o much_o call_v of_o god_n to_o such_o a_o confession_n at_o present_a as_o to_o clear_v up_o to_o the_o world_n those_o truth_n we_o profess_v about_o the_o kingdom_n and_o government_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n which_o be_v the_o great_a work_n of_o this_o age_n and_o of_o this_o nick_n of_o time_n and_o yet_o here_o also_o we_o fear_v that_o we_o have_v be_v too_o slack_a for_o though_o it_o be_v say_v we_o be_v the_o volunteer_n such_o as_o cry_v up_o this_o way_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o it_o seem_v we_o be_v apprehend_v to_o be_v one_o cause_n of_o these_o present_a difference_n yet_o if_o thing_n be_v well_o weigh_v we_o may_v seem_v rather_o to_o be_v far_o behind_o in_o the_o duty_n that_o lie_v upon_o we_o indeed_o some_o brief_a answer_n send_v over_o to_o some_o particular_a person_n to_o satisfy_v brethren_n what_o our_o practice_n be_v with_o some_o brief_a touch_n of_o our_o reason_n rather_o then_o to_o disc●…sse_v those_o point_n have_v be_v print_v by_o some_o without_o our_o knowledge_n or_o assent_v upon_o what_o ground_n they_o best_o know_v and_o some_o short_a treatise_n by_o some_o reverend_a brethren_n have_v be_v publish_v to_o declare_v their_o affectionate_a desire_n of_o the_o unanimous_a endeavour_n of_o all_o our_o dear_a brethren_n for_o a_o general_a and_o holy_a reformation_n but_o what_o have_v be_v say_v or_o do_v that_o either_o may_v just_o offend_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o godly_a provoke_v their_o spirit_n disunite_v their_o affection_n or_o hinder_v a_o godly_a reformation_n yea_o we_o have_v be_v too_o slow_a to_o clear_v our_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n from_o the_o many_o objection_n harsh_a interpretation_n and_o manifold_a crimination_n cast_v upon_o the_o same_o wherein_o we_o fear_v our_o loathness_n to_o intermeddle_v in_o these_o controversy_n for_o fear_n of_o make_v the_o breach_n wide_o among_o brethren_n and_o our_o desire_n rather_o to_o attend_v what_o light_n we_o may_v receive_v from_o other_o in_o these_o point_n wherein_o we_o profess_v ourselves_o seeker_n after_o the_o truth_n have_v make_v we_o guilty_a of_o neglect_n in_o this_o our_o duty_n but_o now_o we_o see_v ourselves_o press_v hereto_o by_o a_o necessity_n of_o justify_v our_o way_n against_o the_o many_o aspersion_n cast_v upon_o they_o as_o well_o as_o against_o the_o reason_n use_v against_o they_o for_o we_o perceive_v by_o the_o first_o letter_n of_o our_o brethren_n how_o the_o withdraw_a of_o christian_n from_o the_o liturgy_n be_v impute_v to_o we_o and_o by_o this_o reply_n both_o in_o the_o epistle_n and_o divers_a passage_n we_o can_v but_o see_v what_o apprehension_n be_v raise_v of_o we_o yea_o many_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o if_o we_o have_v say_v nothing_o yet_o our_o very_a act_n in_o forsake_v the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o our_o dear_a native_a country_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n there_o together_o with_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o church_n think_v to_o be_v so_o different_a from_o the_o reform_a church_n have_v be_v not_o only_o a_o great_a weaken_n to_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o godly_a that_o have_v stand_v by_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n but_o also_o have_v cause_v great_a disturbance_n to_o the_o reformation_n in_o hand_n to_o which_o much_o may_v be_v say_v but_o that_o we_o shall_v exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o epistle_n yet_o let_v we_o entreat_v all_o the_o godly_a wise_a to_o consider_v and_o look_v back_o upon_o the-season_n of_o this_o great_a enterprise_n undertake_v by_o we_o and_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o proceed_n in_o it_o with_o the_o admirable_a work_n of_o god_n providence_n first_o and_o last_o about_o it_o and_o we_o think_v though_o we_o be_v silent_a they_o may_v easy_o satisfy_v themselves_o whether_o this_o be_v of_o god_n or_o man_n a_o sinful_a neglect_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n or_o a_o manifest_a attestation_n to_o the_o truth_n by_o open_a profession_n against_o corruption_n of_o worship_n in_o use_n and_o for_o the_o necessity_n of_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o confirm_v by_o no_o small_a degree_n of_o suffering_n for_o the_o same_o for_o be_v it_o not_o a_o time_n when_o humane_a worship_n and_o invention_n be_v grow_v to_o such_o a_o intolerable_a height_n that_o the_o conscience_n of_o god_n saint_n and_o servant_n enlighten_v in_o the_o truth_n can_v no_o long_o bear_v they_o be_v not_o the_o power_n of_o the_o tyrannical_a prelate_n so_o great_a that_o like_o a_o strong_a current_n carry_v all_o down_o stream_n before_o it_o what_o ever_o be_v from_o the_o law_n or_o otherwise_o set_v in_o their_o way_n do_v not_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n general_o fail_v they_o where_o be_v the_o people_n to_o be_v find_v that_o will_v cleave_v to_o their_o godly_a minister_n in_o their_o suffering_n but_o rather_o think_v it_o their_o discretion_n to_o provide_v for_o their_o own_o quiet_a and_o safety_n yea_o when_o some_o free_o in_o zeal_n of_o the_o truth_n preach_v or_o profess_v against_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o time_n do_v not_o some_o take_v offence_n at_o it_o judge_v it_o rashness_n and_o to_o be_v against_o all_o rule_n of_o discretion_n who_o since_o be_v ready_a to_o censure_v we_o for_o desert_v the_o cause_n many_o then_o think_v it_o be_v a_o evil_a time_n the_o prudent_a shall_v hold_v their_o peace_n and_o may_v we_o not_o say_v this_o be_v not_o
etc._n yet_o shall_v leave_v our_o accommodation_n and_o comfort_n shall_v forsake_v our_o dear_a relation_n parent_n brethren_n sister_n christian_a friend_n and_o acquaintance_n over_o look_v all_o the_o danger_n and_o difficulty_n of_o the_o vast_a sea_n the_o thought_n whereof_o be_v a_o terror_n to_o many_o and_o all_o this_o to_o go_v to_o a_o wilderness_n where_o we_o can_v forecast_v nothing_o but_o care_n and_o temptation_n only_o in_o hope_n of_o enjoy_v christ_n in_o his_o ordinance_n in_o the_o fellowship_n of_o his_o people_n be_v this_o from_o a_o stupid_a senselessness_n or_o desperate_a carelessness_n what_o become_v of_o we_o or_o we_o or_o want_v of_o natural_a affection_n to_o our_o dear_a country_n or_o near_a relation_n no_o sure_o with_o what_o bowel_n of_o compassion_n to_o our_o dear_a country_n with_o what_o heart-breaking_a affection_n to_o our_o dear_a relation_n and_o christian_a friend_n many_o of_o we_o at_o least_o come_v away_o the_o lord_n be_v witness_v what_o shall_v we_o say_v of_o the_o singular_a providence_n of_o god_n bring_v so_o many_o ship-loads_a of_o his_o people_n through_o so_o many_o danger_n as_o upon_o eagle's_n wing_n with_o so_o much_o safety_n from_o year_n to_o year_n the_o fatherly_a care_n of_o our_o god_n in_o feed_v and_o clothing_n so_o many_o in_o a_o wilderness_n give_v such_o healthfulness_n and_o great_a increase_n of_o posterity_n what_o shall_v we_o say_v of_o the_o work_n itself_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o form_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n erect_v in_o a_o wilderness_n and_o in_o so_o few_o year_n bring_v to_o that_o state_n that_o scarce_o the_o like_a can_v be_v see_v in_o any_o of_o our_o english_a colony_n in_o the_o rich_a place_n of_o this_o america_n after_o many_o more_o year_n stand_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v carry_v the_o spirit_n of_o so_o many_o of_o his_o people_n through_o all_o their_o toilsome_a labour_n want_n difficulty_n loss_n etc._n etc._n with_o such_o a_o measure_n of_o chearfulnesse_n and_o contentation_n but_o above_o all_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v the_o singular_a pity_n and_o mercy_n of_o our_o god_n that_o have_v do_v all_o this_o and_o much_o more_o for_o a_o people_n so_o unworthy_a so_o sinful_a that_o by_o murmur_n of_o many_o unfaithfulnesse_n in_o promise_n oppression_n and_o other_o evil_n which_o be_v find_v among_o we_o have_v so_o dishonour_v his_o majesty_n expose_v his_o work_n here_o to_o much_o scandal_n and_o obloquy_n for_o which_o we_o have_v cause_n for_o ever_o to_o be_v ashamed_a that_o the_o lord_n shall_v yet_o own_v we_o and_o rather_o correct_v we_o in_o mercy_n than_o cast_v we_o off_o in_o displeasure_n and_o scatter_v we_o in_o this_o wilderness_n which_o give_v we_o cause_n with_o mich._n 7._o to_o say_v who_o be_v a_o god_n like_o our_o god_n that_o pardon_v iniquity_n and_o pass_v by_o the_o transgression_n of_o the_o remnant_n of_o his_o heritage_n even_o because_o he_o delight_v in_o mercy_n though_o we_o be_v a_o people_n of_o many_o weakness_n and_o want_n yet_o we_o acknowledge_v our_o god_n to_o have_v be_v to_o we_o a_o god_n of_o many_o mercy_n in_o respect_n of_o that_o sweet_a peace_n which_o he_o have_v take_v away_o from_o so_o many_o nation_n yet_o continue_v the_o same_o to_o we_o in_o respect_n also_o of_o that_o liberty_n we_o have_v in_o god_n house_n the_o bless_a ministry_n of_o the_o word_n the_o sweet_a unity_n and_o communion_n of_o god_n church_n and_o minister_n increase_n and_o multiplication_n of_o church_n christian_a government_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o many_o other_o mercy_n we_o enjoy_v but_o especial_o the_o gracious_a presence_n of_o christ_n to_o many_o of_o our_o soul_n in_o all_o these_o but_o we_o will_v not_o insist_v much_o upon_o this_o subject_n be_v persuade_v it_o be_v in_o the_o conscience_n and_o heart_n of_o many_o of_o our_o dear_a countryman_n to_o think_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v a_o object_n of_o love_n and_o tenderness_n to_o that_o state_n and_o people_n by_o who_o law_n and_o unkind_a usage_n we_o be_v drive_v out_o into_o a_o wilderness_n rather_o than_o to_o be_v judge_v as_o desertor_n of_o our_o brethren_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n in_o hand_n with_o who_o excuse_v we_o if_o we_o now_o speak_v plain_o it_o have_v be_v far_o more_o easy_a unto_o many_o of_o we_o to_o have_v suffer_v then_o to_o have_v adventure_v hither_o upon_o the_o wilderness_n sorrow_n we_o expect_v to_o have_v meet_v withal_o though_o we_o must_v confess_v the_o lord_n have_v sweeten_v it_o beyond_o our_o thought_n and_o utmost_a expectation_n of_o prudent_a man_n but_o pass_v by_o this_o we_o must_v desire_v the_o reader_n to_o bear_v with_o we_o a_o little_a in_o remove_v that_o apprehension_n that_o we_o be_v the_o great_a stumble_a block_n in_o the_o way_n of_o reformation_n which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o have_v be_v better_a we_o have_v be_v drive_v so_o far_o into_o this_o wilderness_n as_o never_o to_o have_v be_v hear_v of_o more_o concern_v our_o affection_n to_o this_o bless_a work_n of_o a_o public_a reformation_n of_o the_o nation_n in_o general_a and_o the_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n of_o the_o land_n in_o particular_a as_o it_o be_v best_o know_v to_o god_n so_o we_o think_v it_o be_v not_o unknown_a to_o man_n not_o only_o here_o by_o our_o daily_a prayer_n for_o it_o and_o sometime_o solemn_a seeking_n of_o god_n about_o it_o but_o also_o we_o have_v give_v some_o testimony_n thereof_o both_o by_o private_a letter_n and_o the_o public_a motion_n of_o some_o of_o god_n eminent_a servant_n among_o we_o tend_v that_o way_n we_o conceive_v two_o thing_n special_o in_o our_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n that_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v stumble_v block_n in_o the_o way_n of_o this_o public_a reformation_n which_o we_o shall_v here_o remove_v the_o first_o be_v our_o practice_n wherein_o we_o seem_v so_o much_o to_o differ_v from_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o receive_v to_o our_o church_n only_o visible_a saint_n and_o believer_n this_o we_o do_v free_o confess_v that_o our_o practice_n and_o judgement_n do_v evidence_n this_o to_o all_o that_o we_o think_v reformation_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o only_o consist_v in_o purge_v out_o corrupt_a worship_n and_o set_v up_o the_o true_a but_o also_o in_o purge_v the_o church_n from_o such_o profaneness_n and_o sinfulness_n as_o be_v scandalous_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o make_v the_o lord_n weary_a of_o his_o own_o ordinance_n isaiah_n 1_o and_o we_o doubt_v not_o but_o this_o be_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o many_o if_o not_o most_o of_o god_n servant_n to_o desire_v a_o separation_n of_o the_o precious_a from_o the_o vile_a in_o the_o dispense_n of_o god_n ordinance_n and_o if_o the_o charity_n of_o some_o be_v of_o large_a extent_n herein_o than_o other_o this_o hinder_v not_o agreement_n in_o the_o main_a this_o day_n have_v discover_v what_o kind_n of_o people_n be_v to_o be_v find_v every_o where_o in_o the_o parish_n of_o england_n can_v light_n and_o darkness_n christ_n and_o belial_n agree_v together_o popish_a episcopal_a enemy_n and_o hater_n of_o all_o godliness_n and_o reformation_n cleave_v together_o in_o one_o church_n of_o christ_n with_o the_o saint_n of_o god_n yet_o neither_o our_o doctrine_n nor_o practice_n do_v prescribe_v and_o limit_v the_o way_n of_o attain_v this_o reformation_n whereby_o any_o shall_v just_o from_o our_o example_n stand_v off_o from_o concur_v in_o such_o a_o public_a work_n it_o be_v true_a where_o there_o be_v no_o church_n relation_n but_o a_o people_n be_v to_o begin_v a_o new_a constitute_v of_o church_n reformation_n be_v to_o be_v seek_v in_o the_o first_o constitution_n this_o be_v our_o case_n but_o where_o corrupt_a church_n such_o as_o we_o conceive_v the_o congregation_n of_o england_n general_o to_o be_v be_v to_o be_v reform_v there_o we_o conceive_v that_o such_o congregation_n shall_v be_v call_v by_o able_a minister_n unto_o repentance_n for_o former_a evil_n and_o confess_v and_o bewail_v their_o sin_n renew_v a_o solemn_a covenant_n with_o god_n to_o reform_v themselves_o and_o to_o submit_v unto_o the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n by_o which_o mean_v such_o as_o refuse_v so_o to_o do_v exclude_v themselves_o and_o other_o by_o the_o severity_n of_o discipline_n shall_v be_v purge_v out_o if_o fall_v into_o sin_n they_o remain_v impenitent_a in_o the_o same_o what_o some_o particular_a person_n may_v have_v say_v or_o do_v contrary_a to_o this_o our_o profession_n we_o can_v say_v nor_o do_v we_o justify_v but_o we_o know_v nothing_o that_o have_v come_v from_o we_o to_o the_o contrary_a to_o weaken_v the_o hand_n of_o godly_a reformer_n or_o to_o persuade_v the_o people_n to_o separate_v from_o the_o congregation_n if_o by_o any_o mean_n they_o may_v
attain_v with_o toleration_n of_o what_o can_v be_v the_o reformation_n thereof_o with_o the_o liberty_n of_o god_n true_a worship_n therein_o if_o indeed_o that_o can_v be_v obtain_v but_o man_n contradict_v and_o blaspheme_v they_o as_o paul_n separate_v the_o disciple_n so_o we_o see_v no_o other_o remedy_n the_o faithful_a have_v in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o second_o stumble_v block_n may_v be_v our_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n about_o church-government_n when_o we_o give_v discipline_n as_o well_o as_o other_o ordinance_n to_o particular_a church_n not_o subject_v they_o to_o any_o government_n out_o of_o themselves_o but_o only_o to_o take_v the_o brotherly_a counsel_n and_o help_v one_o of_o another_o but_o how_o this_o shall_v hinder_v a_o general_a reformation_n we_o see_v not_o for_o if_o every_o church_n so_o reform_v themselves_o as_o be_v aforesaid_a and_o have_v such_o officer_n over_o they_o as_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n require_v 1_o tim._n 3._o tit._n 2._o we_o need_v not_o fear_v to_o betrust_v the_o church_n have_v such_o officer_n with_o that_o power_n which_o we_o conceive_v christ_n have_v give_v to_o the_o same_o other_o church_n watch_v over_o they_o counsel_v and_o admonish_v they_o in_o the_o lord_n but_o if_o there_o be_v not_o such_o a_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o such_o guide_v set_v over_o they_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o a_o presbytery_n of_o such_o pastor_n as_o may_v not_o be_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n may_v as_o much_o abuse_v they_o as_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v do_v and_o it_o may_v be_v to_o the_o hurt_n of_o many_o who_o will_v use_v they_o better_o in_o their_o own_o congregation_n than_o they_o can_v in_o a_o classis_fw-la be_v over-voted_n there_o and_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o both_o the_o care_n of_o reform_v the_o matter_n of_o a_o church_n and_o the_o recall_v of_o the_o power_n of_o government_n to_o the_o church_n tend_v much_o to_o further_o this_o work_n of_o reformation_n no_o way_n to_o hinder_v the_o same_o and_o if_o we_o may_v obtain_v that_o of_o our_o dear_a brethren_n which_o we_o humble_o crave_v viz._n that_o our_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n may_v be_v take_v candid_o according_a to_o our_o plain_a meaning_n and_o declaration_n and_o not_o represent_v unto_o the_o world_n under_o such_o shape_n and_o form_n as_o make_v it_o seem_v rigid_a all_o one_o with_o the_o most_o rigid_a separatist_n donatist_n arminian_n socinian_o etc._n etc._n we_o shall_v hope_v that_o we_o shall_v go_v for_o lover_n and_o friend_n to_o a_o godly_a and_o general_a reformation_n not_o for_o disturber_n of_o the_o same_o but_o the_o contrary_a deal_n we_o meet_v with_o too_o too_o oft_o through_o the_o mistake_v of_o brethren_n this_o learned_a author_n mr._n ball_n though_o in_o the_o epistle_n he_o desire_v we_o to_o rest_v assure_v that_o although_o he_o have_v conceive_v such_o thought_n of_o we_o as_o lean_v to_o separation_n yet_o he_o will_v glad_o receive_v every_o syllable_n from_o we_o that_o shall_v dislodge_v such_o thought_n yet_o against_o our_o plain_a profession_n sometime_o he_o will_v needs_o fasten_v the_o opinion_n of_o separation_n upon_o we_o and_o very_o frequent_o set_v mr._n robinson_n in_o a_o parallel_n with_o our_o opinion_n as_o if_o we_o general_o go_v that_o way_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v well_o know_v to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o many_o of_o our_o godly_a and_o best_a reformer_n the_o learned_a may_v plain_o see_v how_o easy_a it_o have_v be_v for_o we_o and_o upon_o better_a ground_n to_o have_v fill_v our_o margin_n with_o quotation_n out_o of_o papist_n and_o prelate_n as_o parallel_v with_o many_o passage_n of_o this_o reply_n but_o we_o have_v purposely_o abstain_v from_o so_o do_v that_o we_o may_v not_o cast_v any_o blur_v or_o provoke_v the_o spirit_n of_o brethren_n and_o see_v we_o be_v enforce_v to_o wipe_v off_o such_o aspersion_n we_o humble_o desire_v our_o belove_a brethren_n who_o learned_a labour_n we_o honour_v to_o bear_v with_o we_o if_o we_o light_o touch_v this_o sore_a for_o we_o confess_v it_o bring_v blush_v into_o our_o face_n and_o sadness_n to_o our_o heart_n to_o read_v so_o often_o such_o harsh_a imputation_n cast_v upon_o we_o which_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o fall_v from_o such_o pen_n they_o breed_v a_o strange_a loathe_n of_o we_o in_o the_o stomach_n of_o many_o that_o read_v book_n without_o serious_a examination_n thereof_o first_o how_o oft_o do_v we_o meet_v with_o that_o imputation_n that_o we_o make_v none_o member_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n but_o such_o as_o be_v real_o saint_n and_o believer_n contrary_a to_o our_o frequent_a profession_n that_o visible_a saint_n that_o be_v such_o in_o judgement_n of_o charity_n be_v fit_a matter_n of_o the_o church_n second_o that_o we_o make_v a_o vocal_a church_n oath_n or_o covenant_n the_o essential_a form_n of_o a_o church_n when_o as_o we_o frequent_o acknowledge_v that_o 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false_a church_n we_o think_v it_o needless_a to_o recite_v more_o testimony_n aliquando_fw-la honus_fw-la dormitat_fw-la homerus_fw-la a_o good_a memory_n may_v sometime_o fall_v asleep_a and_o not_o see_v that_o which_o be_v sometime_o most_o obvious_a and_o visible_a but_o what_o other_o argument_n they_o have_v be_v or_o may_v be_v common_a to_o other_o studious_a of_o reformation_n as_o their_o argument_n against_o ceremony_n be_v common_a with_o nonconformist_n and_o therefore_o if_o some_o of_o our_o ground_n be_v find_v in_o they_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v they_o be_v ●…afts_n take_v out_o of_o the_o same_o quiver_n and_o peculiar_a to_o they_o as_o you_o object_n reply_n these_o reason_n shall_v be_v common_a to_o all_o that_o plead_v for_o the_o purity_n of_o god_n ordinance_n which_o be_v never_o take_v to_o be_v sound_a and_o true_a either_o by_o the_o reform_a church_n abroad_o or_o by_o the_o godly_a brethren_n at_o home_n dead_a or_o live_a or_o yet_o by_o the_o most_o 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frequent_a in_o divers_a place_n of_o this_o reply_n which_o give_v a_o great_a colour_n of_o strength_n unto_o the_o argument_n but_o when_o they_o come_v to_o be_v scan_v it_o will_v discover_v the_o impertinency_n of_o they_o for_o 1_o although_o the_o answer_n distinguish_v of_o the_o liturgy_n either_o of_o the_o whole_a or_o of_o some_o select_a prayer_n which_o may_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v less_o offensive_a yet_o the_o application_n of_o this_o of_o select_a prayer_n be_v only_o make_v in_o the_o second_o proposition_n of_o the_o answer_n no_o way_n intend_v in_o the_o first_o neither_o do_v the_o answer_n confess_v those_o prayer_n as_o you_o say_v to_o be_v choice_n and_o faultless_a for_o matter_n and_o manner_n but_o which_o may_v be_v conceive_v less_o offensive_a 2_o whereas_o the_o proposition_n be_v of_o a_o unable_a and_o ungodly_a minister_n such_o unlearned_a idol-priest_n that_o be_v countenance_v and_o establish_v by_o the_o liturgy_n and_o can_v do_v no_o 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therefore_o if_o they_o read_v not_o all_o as_o sometime_o such_o do_v not_o for_o haste_n to_o the_o alehouse_n bear-baiting_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o case_n be_v so_o well_o know_v to_o ourselves_o and_o other_o what_o the_o manner_n of_o such_o priest_n be_v how_o far_o they_o be_v from_o make_v any_o choice_n of_o select_a prayer_n or_o have_v any_o skill_n indeed_o so_o to_o do_v that_o if_o any_o be_v more_o superstitious_a than_o other_o they_o will_v soon_o choose_v they_o so_o that_o it_o be_v far_o from_o our_o thought_n to_o impute_v it_o to_o they_o to_o read_v the_o select_a prayer_n only_o the_o question_n be_v right_o state_v the_o argument_n will_v halt_v very_o much_o for_o we_o say_v it_o be_v unlawful_a in_o both_o respect_n and_o the_o rather_o when_o joint_o consider_v and_o therefore_o you_o shall_v first_o have_v justify_v the_o whole_a liturgy_n or_o so_o much_o as_o such_o idol-priest_n use_v to_o read_v to_o be_v lawful_a and_o also_o the_o stand_n and_o call_v of_o those_o man_n before_o the_o argument_n can_v hold_v both_o which_o you_o have_v whole_o leave_v naked_a without_o proof_n and_o argue_v only_o about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o join_v with_o a_o ungodly_a minister_n in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n which_o will_v not_o reach_v this_o case_n if_o one_o shall_v affirm_v it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o go_v to_o matin_n or_o evensong_n when_o the_o whole_a be_v read_v or_o that_o which_o be_v read_v 〈◊〉_d do_v by_o a_o popish_a priest_n and_o you_o shall_v answer_v then_o it_o be_v either_o because_o of_o the_o prayer_n or_o the_o priest_n not_o the_o first_o for_o the_o prayer_n if_o select_a may_v be_v good_a and_o faultless_a and_o not_o because_o of_o the_o priest_n for_o than_o we_o may_v never_o join_v with_o a_o ungodly_a minister_n in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n
wish_v utinam_fw-la tale_n hodie_fw-la à_fw-la ministerio_fw-la a●…verentu●…_n four_o because_o the_o lord_n will_v cast_v off_o their_o child_n from_o be_v his_o for_o this_o sin_n as_o calvin_n also_o note_n upon_o the_o place_n the_o promise_n of_o show_v mercy_n to_o a_o 1000_o generation_n be_v chief_o annex_v to_o the_o observer_n of_o the_o second_o command_n and_o the_o institute_v mean_n of_o worship_n which_o those_o priest_n never_o be_v reply_n on_o the_o contrary_a if_o you_o will_v extend_v this_o text_n to_o all_o unworthy_a minister_n of_o what_o sort_n soever_o who_o the_o word_n of_o god_n condemn_v as_o not_o approve_a minister_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n answ_n we_o intend_v no_o other_o sort_n then_o such_o as_o we_o have_v in_o hand_n the_o unable_a and_o ungodly_a idol_n priest_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o this_o discourse_n concern_v we_o not_o for_o we_o free_o confess_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a in_o divers_a case_n at_o least_o for_o a_o time_n to_o 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preach_v and_o preach_v christ_n though_o not_o of_o sincerity_n do_v not_o reach_v such_o minister_n as_o the_o word_n condemn_v for_o many_o such_o may_v be_v approve_v minister_n by_o the_o word_n have_v a_o call_v according_a to_o the_o same_o but_o we_o shall_v not_o contend_v in_o this_o case_n wherein_o we_o do_v not_o dissent_v so_o that_o christian_n be_v leave_v to_o their_o lawful_a liberty_n of_o withdraw_a from_o minister_n gross_o wicked_a and_o teacher_n of_o false_a doctrine_n or_o idle_a and_o unsufficient_a when_o they_o can_v reclaim_v they_o or_o remove_v they_o in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o lawful_a mean_n within_o their_o power_n reply_n the_o reason_n whereby_o the_o ancient_a church_n condemn_v the_o donatist_n and_o catharist_n for_o their_o voluntary_a and_o seditious_a separation_n and_o the_o modern_a church_n condemn_v the_o anabaptist_n for_o their_o rent_v from_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n will_v hold_v against_o separation_n from_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o congregation_n because_o they_o be_v read_v by_o a_o ungodly_a minister_n we_o deny_v that_o we_o teach_v or_o hold_v such_o separation_n because_o read_v by_o a_o ungodly_a minister_n as_o be_v sufficient_o show_v before_o but_o what_o we_o speak_v be_v against_o conformity_n to_o and_o communion_n with_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o liturgy_n especial_o use_v by_o a_o unable_a as_o well_o as_o ungodly_a minister_n and_o therefore_o the_o argument_n mention_v will_v hold_v against_o our_o proposition_n just_a as_o the_o accusation_n and_o imputation_n of_o donatism_n puritanisme_n anabaptism_n which_o the_o prelate_n cast_v upon_o all_o nonconformist_n and_o man_n studious_a of_o reformation_n will_v hold_v and_o fasten_v upon_o they_o which_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o reply_n the_o second_o proposition_n where_o the_o whole_a liturgy_n be_v use_v though_o by_o a_o able_a and_o godly_a minister_n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o join_v in_o prayer_n in_o that_o case_n we_o can_v be_v of_o your_o judgement_n herein_o for_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o our_o saviour_n christ_n as_o great_a abuse_n no_o question_n be_v find_v etc._n etc._n but_o they_o never_o teach_v people_n to_o separate_v from_o the_o holy_a thing_n of_o god_n answ_n first_o we_o must_v still_o mind_v the_o reader_n of_o the_o true_a and_o full_a state_n of_o the_o question_n which_o in_o our_o answer_n be_v of_o join_v in_o prayer_n with_o and_o when_o that_o whole_a liturgy_n be_v use_v and_o he_o that_o join_v with_o that_o whole_a liturgy_n must_v needs_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v actual_a communion_n with_o all_o the_o corruption_n thereof_o what_o ever_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o though_o this_o proposition_n reach_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o able_a and_o godly_a minister_n yet_o let_v none_o think_v we_o plead_v herein_o separation_n from_o their_o ministry_n but_o only_o that_o people_n may_v not_o conform_v with_o they_o to_o any_o corruption_n in_o worship_n and_o by_o this_o proposition_n also_o the_o author_n may_v easy_o have_v see_v that_o we_o deny_v the_o other_o which_o be_v weave_v in_o with_o this_o not_o because_o of_o the_o ungodliness_n of_o the_o minister_n alone_o as_o he_o carry_v his_o dispute_n but_o chief_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o worship_n together_o with_o the_o unlawfulnesse_n of_o such_o a_o ministry_n that_o be_v both_o unable_a and_o ungodly_a second_o concern_v the_o argument_n it_o run_v as_o full_a for_o conformity_n to_o all_o the_o corrupt_a ceremony_n of_o the_o book_n as_o the_o corrupt_a worship_n itself_o therein_o as_o be_v say_v before_o clear_v the_o one_o viz._n non-conformitie_n to_o ceremony_n show_v a_o reason_n why_o you_o will_v separate_v from_o the_o sacrament_n because_o you_o will_v not_o kneel_v according_a to_o the_o book_n and_o you_o answer_v your_o argument_n here_o allege_v against_o we_o but_o the_o reply_n proceed_v reply_n and_o if_o presence_n at_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o lawful_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o corruption_n allege_v there_o can_v be_v no_o visible_a society_n name_v since_o 200._o year_n after_o christ_n or_o thereabouts_o wherein_o a_o christian_a may_v lawful_o join_v in_o prayer_n read_v the_o scripture_n hear_v the_o word_n or_o participation_n of_o the_o sacrament_n their_o doctrine_n prayer_n right_n be_v less_o pure_a than_o we_o but_o no_o man_n we_o hope_v will_v be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o affirm_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n within_o 200._o year_n after_o christ_n to_o be_v so_o miserable_o decay_v that_o the_o faithful_a can_v not_o without_o sin_n hold_v communion_n with_o they_o in_o the_o foresay_a ordinance_n of_o god_n answ_n first_o this_o argument_n hold_v as_o strong_o for_o conformity_n to_o the_o ceremony_n as_o to_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o common_a prayer_n as_o be_v say_v before_o second_o this_o be_v a_o dangerous_a kind_n of_o reason_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o corrupt_a time_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v decline_v and_o grow_a cloud_n of_o darkness_n and_o superstition_n overspread_v the_o church_n it_o be_v no_o breach_n of_o charity_n to_o think_v that_o through_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o time_n the_o godly_a live_v in_o many_o evil_n through_o ignorance_n and_o weakness_n which_o after_o light_n be_v come_v into_o the_o church_n we_o ought_v to_o abandon_v whole_o these_o be_v time_n of_o light_n and_o of_o the_o consumption_n of_o antichrist_n and_o time_n for_o we_o to_o abolish_v his_o liturgy_n and_o corrupt_a form_n of_o worship_n as_o well_o as_o image_n ceremony_n etc._n etc._n who_o do_v not_o pity_v the_o weakness_n of_o godly_a bilny_n and_o other_o that_o see_v some_o gross_a corruption_n be_v yet_o so_o devout_o obedient_a to_o the_o church_n as_o they_o call_v it_o in_o many_o gross_a superstition_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o those_o former_a time_n and_o we_o see_v not_o but_o this_o reason_n will_v go_v far_o in_o justification_n of_o communion_n with_o many_o false_a worship_n of_o antichrist_n that_o be_v not_o gross_o idolatrous_a three_o it_o be_v a_o great_a charge_n upon_o those_o time_n to_o say_v no_o visible_a society_n throughout_o the_o world_n can_v be_v name_v since_o 200._o year_n after_o christ_n that_o be_v not_o less_o pure_a than_o england_n in_o doctrine_n rite_n etc._n etc._n it_o may_v be_v that_o as_o general_o church_n be_v corrupt_a so_o they_o contemn_v and_o censure_v such_o as_o profess_v more_o purity_n but_o that_o there_o be_v some_o visible_a assembly_n more_o pure_a may_v be_v conceive_v by_o that_o testimony_n give_v to_o aerius_n and_o many_o orthodox_n christian_n with_o he_o though_o condemn_v for_o a_o heretic_n in_o that_o which_o we_o all_o now_o hold_v to_o be_v a_o undoubted_a truth_n also_o after_o the_o waldenses_n cast_v off_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o will_n
therefore_o impossible_a both_o in_o regard_n of_o distance_n of_o place_n and_o variety_n of_o language_n almost_o ever_o to_o meet_v in_o one_o so_o much_o as_o by_o representation_n and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o accident_n as_o may_v befall_v a_o particular_a church_n by_o sickness_n persecution_n etc._n etc._n but_o by_o the_o necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o invincible_a hindrance_n foresee_v by_o christ_n and_o intend_v by_o he_o and_o therefore_o as_o the_o lord_n limit_v his_o church_n to_o one_o nation_n unite_v it_o into_o that_o form_n of_o a_o national_n church_n ordain_v one_o place_n state_v time_n and_o duty_n of_o worship_n and_o one_o government_n for_o the_o same_o so_o now_o the_o ●…ord_n neglect_v all_o such_o thing_n have_v ordain_v a_o complete_a administration_n of_o all_o his_o ordinance_n in_o particular_a congregation_n and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o institute_v visible_a church_n but_o of_o a_o congregation_n and_o seal_n in_o their_o administration_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n our_o first_o consideration_n will_v still_o hold_v firm_a but_o see_v in_o so_o vast_a a_o subject_n to_o say_v little_a be_v to_o say_v nothing_o and_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o truth_n in_o this_o wily_a age_n but_o be_v almost_o dispute_v out_o of_o countenance_n and_o much_o darken_v with_o humane_a evasion_n and_o see_v much_o depend_v upon_o this_o controversy_n it_o may_v be_v so_o most_o useful_a before_o we_o come_v to_o the_o defence_n of_o our_o argument_n to_o take_v into_o consideration_n the_o nature_n and_o order_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n catholic_n and_o particular_a we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o knot_n and_o difficulty_n of_o this_o question_n which_o of_o late_o have_v so_o much_o exercise_v the_o mind_n of_o many_o godly-learned_n and_o we_o think_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o catholic_n church_n as_o it_o be_v now_o hold_v be_v but_o new_o take_v up_o amongst-god_o reformer_n who_o former_o run_v in_o another_o channel_n as_o be_v ingenuous_o confess_v by_o some_o according_a to_o the_o truth_n this_o new-birth_n seem_v not_o yet_o so_o form_v to_o its_o distinct_a proportion_n as_o time_n may_v bring_v it_o unto_o and_o it_o may_v make_v we_o afraid_a be_v the_o weak_a of_o many_o to_o venture_v upon_o so_o diffuse_v and_o knotty_a a_o question_n when_o we_o look_v upon_o our_o own_o insufficiency_n to_o such_o a_o task_n and_o the_o learned_a labour_n of_o such_o in_o this_o point_n who_o we_o reverence_v in_o the_o lord_n yet_o when_o we_o consider_v of_o what_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n the_o clear_n up_o of_o this_o truth_n will_v be_v unto_o the_o orderly_a proceed_n of_o the_o great_a work_n of_o reformation_n in_o hand_n 2_o how_o avoidable_o it_o lie_v in_o our_o way_n in_o this_o work_n the_o lord_n have_v call_v we_o unto_o and_o that_o he_o sometime_o do_v vouchsafe_v to_o speak_v by_o weak_a one_o that_o the_o praise_n may_v be_v his_o own_o in_o hope_n of_o his_o bless_a guidance_n which_o we_o depend_v upon_o herein_o take_v the_o light_n of_o his_o word_n in_o our_o hand_n we_o shall_v rather_o as_o learner_n then_o otherwise_o venture_v to_o propound_v what_o be_v suggest_v to_o we_o herein_o concern_v which_o have_v digress_v a_o while_n we_o shall_v return_v we_o hope_v with_o some_o advantage_n of_o clear_a evidence_n to_o justify_v the_o first_o argument_n of_o the_o answer_n against_o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o reply_n chap._n v._n a_o digression_n tend_v to_o clear_v the_o state_n of_o that_o controversy_n concern_v a_o catholic_n visible_a church_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o nature_n unity_n visibility_n and_o priority_n of_o the_o same_o the_o world_n have_v be_v long_o trouble_v with_o the_o equivocation_n of_o the_o word_n church_n and_o therefore_o as_o it_o be_v needful_a we_o shall_v labour_v to_o set_v down_o our_o thought_n as_o distinct_o and_o plain_o as_o we_o can_v in_o certain_a proposition_n that_o may_v be_v some_o ground_n of_o our_o discourse_n proposition_n 1_o the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n be_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o elect_a and_o call_v one_o out_o of_o the_o world_n to_o fellowship_n with_o jesus_n christ_n their_o head_n with_o who_o they_o make_v up_o one_o mystical_a body_n ephes_n 1.23_o this_o whole_a church_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o one_o in_o essence_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o end_n for_o this_o church_n christ_n lay_v down_o his_o life_n ephes_n 5.26_o joh._n 10.15_o and_o therefore_o he_o add_v vers_fw-la 16._o such_o as_o be_v not_o yet_o of_o his_o fold_n actual_o shall_v be_v bring_v into_o the_o same_o viz._n by_o effectual_a call_n that_o there_o may_v be_v one_o shepherd_n and_o one_o sheepfold_a whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o whole_a fold_n of_o christ_n to_o which_o he_o stand_v as_o one_o shepherd_n contain_v all_o his_o member_n and_o sheep_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v one_o fold_n in_o relation_n to_o christ_n that_o one_o shepherd_n proposition_n 2_o this_o one_o entire_a body_n of_o christ_n do_v natural_o fall_v under_o various_a notion_n and_o consideration_n as_o omit_v other_o when_o it_o be_v consider_v according_a to_o the_o adjunct_n of_o visibility_n and_o invisibility_n which_o be_v only_a adjunct_n of_o the_o same_o church_n as_o be_v general_o observe_v by_o divine_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o inward_a union_n which_o every_o such_o member_n have_v with_o christ_n the_o head_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o faith_n whereby_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o it_o be_v call_v invisible_a because_o this_o union_n be_v not_o visible_a to_o man_n in_o respect_n of_o some_o visible_a fruit_n and_o manifestation_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n it_o be_v call_v visible_a and_o hence_o though_o true_a believer_n be_v only_o univoce_fw-la and_o proper_o member_n of_o this_o body_n of_o christ_n yet_o to_o man_n that_o judge_v only_o by_o outward_a effect_n many_o hypocrite_n eccle._n equivoce_fw-la and_o improper_o be_v account_v of_o the_o church_n and_o hence_o the_o scripture_n frequent_o speak_v of_o visible_a church_n as_o if_o they_o be_v all_o real_o saint_n proposition_n 3_o as_o this_o church_n come_v to_o be_v visible_a so_o it_o become_v a_o fit_a and_o capable_a subject_n of_o visible_a policy_n and_o visible_a communion_n with_o christ_n their_o head_n and_o one_o with_o another_o in_o all_o the_o visible_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n a_o capable_a subject_n we_o say_v or_o matter_n fit_a for_o such_o a_o state_n for_o by_o its_o visibility_n itself_o it_o be_v not_o so_o have_v yet_o no_o more_o than_o a_o spiritual_a relation_n to_o christ_n and_o one_o another_o no_o visible_a combination_n one_o with_o another_o for_o visible_a believer_n may_v be_v so_o scatter_v in_o several_a country_n that_o they_o can_v make_v up_o one_o society_n proposition_n 4_o and_o therefore_o we_o add_v that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n for_o this_o church_n to_o enjoy_v actual_a visible_a communion_n under_o the_o visible_a government_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o the_o visible_a institute_v ordinance_n of_o christ_n but_o in_o a_o society_n a_o thousand_o uncombined_a person_n meet_v occasional_o in_o one_o place_n though_o their_o natural_a relation_n be_v as_o near_o as_o brethren_n yet_o have_v no_o power_n of_o government_n or_o actual_a communion_n in_o any_o civil_a privilege_n if_o they_o stand_v not_o in_o relation_n to_o one_o another_o as_o a_o combine_a society_n as_o after_o shall_v be_v show_v so_o here_o and_o therefore_o act_v 2.41_o 42._o first_o they_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o then_o follow_v their_o fellowship_n in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o church_n as_o after_o will_v more_o full_o appear_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v say_v act_v 5.14_o believer_n be_v add_v first_o they_o be_v believer_n stand_v in_o that_o spiritual_a relation_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o whole_a body_n and_o then_o add_v to_o the_o church_n by_o visible_a combination_n proposition_n 5_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a society_n of_o a_o church_n who_o have_v actual_a and_o immediate_a right_n unto_o and_o communion_n in_o the_o visible_a government_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o institute_v worship_n and_o ordinance_n but_o such_o a_o society_n as_o the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v in_o the_o gopel_n institute_v and_o ordain_v for_o that_o end_n we_o say_v actual_a and_o immediate_a right_n unto_o the_o same_o for_o though_o a_o believer_n quâ_fw-la believer_n have_v a_o immediate_a right_n and_o actual_a enjoyment_n of_o such_o benefit_n of_o christ_n as_o necessary_o and_o immediate_o flow_v from_o his_o internal_a union_n with_o christ_n as_o justification_n adoption_n etc._n etc._n and_o such_o right_a to_o christian_a communion_n with_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o their_o prayer_n gift_n etc._n
etc._n as_o flow_v from_o his_o spiritual_a relation_n unto_o they_o yea_o and_o also_o he_o have_v a_o true_a right_n to_o all_o benefit_n purchase_v by_o christ_n in_o a_o due_a order_n and_o manner_n yet_o we_o say_v institute_v privilege_n and_o ordinance_n do_v not_o immediate_o flow_v from_o spiritual_a union_n and_o relation_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o member_n but_o be_v dispense_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o people_n mediate_o and_o in_o such_o a_o order_n as_o he_o have_v in_o wisdom_n ordain_v and_o this_o the_o nature_n of_o visible_a government_n and_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n necessary_o require_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o although_o the_o church_n in_o its_o nature_n and_o essence_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o spiritual_a union_n and_o relation_n to_o christ_n and_o one_o another_o profession_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n etc._n etc._n have_v be_v always_o one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o all_o age_n yet_o both_o the_o visible_a government_n and_o ordinance_n of_o worship_n and_o also_o the_o institute_v form_n and_o order_n of_o church-society_n have_v be_v various_a according_a to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o will_n of_o christ_n whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o order_n government_n form_n of_o visible_a church-society_n to_o which_o actual_a enjoyment_n of_o visible_a ordinance_n do_v belong_v can_v just_o be_v deduce_v from_o the_o common_a nature_n of_o the_o church_n cathoilck_n or_o any_o respect_n of_o reason_n or_o logical_a notion_n under_o which_o it_o may_v fall_v but_o only_o this_o depend_v upon_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o christ_n who_o have_v in_o all_o age_n institute_v the_o form_n and_o order_n of_o such_o society_n to_o who_o the_o actual_a enjoyment_n of_o institute_v ordinance_n be_v give_v and_o hence_o the_o argument_n for_o a_o national_a form_n of_o a_o church_n to_o be_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o old_a draw_v from_o the_o common_a nature_n essence_n profession_n of_o faith_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n falls_z flat_a to_o the_o ground_n for_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n it_o must_v then_o be_v in_o family_n only_o now_o as_o it_o be_v about_o abraham_n time_n proposition_n 6_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o true_a state_n of_o this_o great_a dispute_n about_o a_o catholic_n church_n so_o far_o as_o tend_v to_o clear_v up_o to_o what_o church_n the_o actual_a administration_n of_o church-government_n and_o all_o institute_v worship_n belong_v do_v not_o lie_v in_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o common_a nature_n essence_n unity_n visibility_n or_o any_o other_o notion_n under_o which_o it_o may_v fall_v but_o the_o true_a state_n lie_v here_o concern_v the_o nature_n order_n form_n of_o such_o visible_a society_n as_o christ_n jesus_n by_o divine_a institution_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v reduce_v his_o visible_a member_n unto_o for_o the_o actual_a and_o immediate_a enjoyment_n of_o all_o his_o institute_v ordinance_n and_o therefore_o with_o due_a respect_n to_o the_o godly-learned_n be_v it_o speak_v we_o conceive_v many_o large_a dispute_n in_o this_o question_n fall_v short_a of_o the_o issue_n that_o be_v desire_v and_o intend_v for_o what_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v 1_o that_o there_o be_v a_o catholic_n visible_a church_n which_o in_o some_o respect_n of_o reason_n as_o mr._n ball_n say_v be_v one_o that_o have_v part_v visibiles_fw-la be_v a_o totum_fw-la visibile_fw-la 2_o that_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v not_o only_o a_o totum_fw-la genericum_fw-la in_o relation_n to_o all_o the_o particular_a congregation_n as_o species_n specialissimae_fw-la of_o a_o visible_a church_n in_o general_a which_o respect_n of_o reason_n in_o some_o sense_n we_o free_o consent_v unto_o but_o also_o that_o it_o may_v fall_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o totum_fw-la integrale_fw-la as_o some_o contend_v though_o we_o conceive_v in_o this_o notion_n they_o be_v so_o entangle_v in_o their_o own_o logical_a principle_n as_o that_o they_o can_v get_v out_o without_o break_v they_o and_o fly_v to_o theological_a consideration_n yet_o we_o say_v what_o if_o that_o also_o be_v attain_v 3_o yea_o further_o what_o if_o this_o catholic_n church_n be_v in_o some_o respect_n of_o reason_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n also_o the_o first_o church_n and_o particular_a church_n ortae_fw-la 4_o yea_o further_o what_o if_o it_o be_v gain_v also_o by_o such_o dispute_n that_o the_o key_n and_o officer_n ordinance_n etc._n etc._n be_v give_v first_o to_o this_o catholic_n church_n as_o to_o the_o object_n and_o end_v we_o confess_v we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o what_o our_o brethren_n contend_v for_o be_v by_o all_o this_o obtain_v for_o first_o if_o the_o universal_a number_n of_o visible_a believer_n be_v one_o totum_fw-la aggregatum_fw-la yet_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o prove_v that_o these_o be_v one_o institute_v and_o political_a society_n that_o can_v enjoy_v visible_a communion_n together_o in_o visible_a worship_n and_o government_n and_o yet_o more_o hard_a to_o prove_v that_o by_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n these_o all_o be_v to_o be_v actual_o govern_v as_o one_o totum_fw-la second_o what_o though_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n be_v in_o order_n of_o time_n before_o particular_a church_n as_o be_v fit_a matter_n for_o they_o and_o constitute_v of_o they_o yet_o this_o prove_v not_o one_o political_a body_n before_o they_o combine_v but_o rather_o the_o contrary_n three_o be_v it_o so_o that_o this_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o first_o church_n to_o which_o christ_n have_v first_o give_v the_o key_n ordinance_n promise_n etc._n etc._n for_o which_o christ_n first_o perform_v the_o office_n of_o king_n priest_n and_o prophet_n and_o what_o else_o soever_o can_v be_v say_v in_o this_o kind_n yet_o all_o this_o may_v be_v in_o this_o respect_n that_o christ_n look_v at_o this_o catholic_n church_n first_o as_o the_o chief_a object_n and_o end_n for_o who_o sake_n and_o good_a he_o ordain_v and_o give_v all_o these_o thing_n and_o this_o will_v not_o carry_v the_o cause_n for_o as_o the_o church_n catholic_n visible_a in_o this_o sense_n be_v the_o first_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o particular_n so_o the_o invisible_a body_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o nature_n and_o priority_n the_o first_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o visible_a as_o visible_a for_o christ_n no_o doubt_n first_o intend_v and_o give_v all_o these_o thing_n to_o the_o invisible_a church_n as_o to_o the_o object_n and_o end_n of_o the_o same_o for_o who_o good_a they_o be_v all_o ordain_v rather_o then_o for_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n which_o contain_v many_o hypocrite_n and_o reprobate_n within_o the_o verge_n of_o it_o but_o now_o if_o we_o speak_v of_o a_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n to_o which_o the_o actual_a exercise_n and_o dispensation_n of_o key_n and_o institute_v ordinance_n belong_v who_o do_v not_o see_v that_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o invisible_a church_n quâ_fw-la talis_fw-la can_v be_v that_o institute_v society_n to_o which_o the_o key_n etc._n etc._n belong_v and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n quâ_fw-la totum_fw-la and_o quâ_fw-la catholic_n can_v be_v this_o institute_v society_n to_o which_o they_o be_v give_v it_o be_v a_o know_a rule_n in_o reason_n that_o that_o which_o be_v first_o in_o intention_n be_v last_o in_o execution_n and_o so_o it_o be_v here_o first_o christ_n propound_v this_o end_n to_o himself_o to_o gather_v edify_v perfect_a sanctify_v save_v his_o catholic_n church_n ephes_n 4.11_o 12._o &_o 5.26_o and_o therefore_o institute_n all_o ordinance_n as_o mean_n to_o far_o and_o attain_v this_o great_a design_n but_o in_o execution_n he_o may_v for_o all_o this_o give_v the_o key_n and_o ordinance_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o immediate_a exercise_n to_o any_o form_n of_o visible_a society_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o institute_v and_o it_o may_v be_v that_o will_v prove_v the_o least_o society_n soon_o than_o a_o great_a and_o see_v our_o brethren_n otherwise_o mind_v make_v much_o use_n of_o simile_n in_o this_o dispute_n we_o hope_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o for_o we_o to_o illustrate_v what_o we_o say_v by_o a_o similitude_n ●…tly_o to_o make_v our_o conceiving_n the_o more_o plain_a to_o all_o who_o edification_n we_o seek_v and_o partly_o to_o discover_v the_o invalidity_n of_o many_o discourse_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o because_o similia_fw-la arguunt_fw-la fidemque_fw-la faciunt_fw-la as_o he_o say_v viz._n so_o far_o as_o right_o apply_v we_o will_v therefore_o propound_v it_o in_o way_n of_o argument_n the_o similitude_n be_v this_o genus_fw-la humanum_fw-la or_o mankind_n in_o general_n be_v the_o subject_n of_o civil_a government_n in_o general_a and_o of_o all_o the_o privilege_n thereof_o as_o the_o object_n and_o the_o end_n and_o let_v the_o question_n be_v whether_o this_o catholic_n number_n of_o
who_o have_v right_a to_o choose_v their_o king_n or_o general_n may_v and_o do_v some_o time_n or_o other_o convene_v let_v the_o like_o be_v show_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o all_o political_a church_n be_v mould_v up_o into_o one_o political_a body_n either_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la or_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la or_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a as_o the_o case_n stand_v so_o to_o be_v and_o then_o the_o similitude_n will_v be_v of_o some_o use_n three_o in_o a_o kingdom_n or_o army_n suppose_v they_o never_o meet_v yet_o there_o be_v such_o political_a union_n as_o full_o reach_v the_o political_a communion_n for_o which_o end_n it_o be_v combine_v viz._n that_o they_o shall_v enjoy_v peace_n and_o justice_n in_o and_o by_o a_o just_a government_n or_o by_o the_o protection_n of_o the_o army_n but_o if_o such_o a_o political_a body_n be_v combine_v to_o have_v such_o communion_n as_o a_o church-communion_n be_v than_o it_o will_v require_v convent_v together_o as_o elsewhere_o we_o shall_v more_o full_o manifest_a for_o our_o part_n we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o christ_n have_v ordain_v the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n as_o one_o to_o have_v political_a communion_n together_o which_o be_v impossible_a and_o therefore_o we_o see_v no_o need_n of_o such_o a_o political_a combination_n but_o as_o he_o have_v ordain_v a_o brotherly_a communion_n of_o counsel_n and_o helpfulnesse_n one_o to_o another_o as_o need_n require_v so_o a_o spiritual_a relation_n and_o brotherly_a consociation_n of_o church_n together_o be_v union_n sufficient_a for_o such_o a_o communion_n and_o thus_o far_o we_o have_v endeavour_v to_o take_v away_o all_o those_o argument_n which_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o general_a consideration_n of_o the_o unity_n visibility_n and_o priority_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o we_o leave_v to_o the_o consideration_n and_o examination_n of_o the_o judicious_a we_o shall_v now_o as_o the_o lord_n shall_v help_v we_o come_v to_o clear_v the_o state_n of_o this_o knotty_a controversy_n as_o we_o think_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v state_v and_o carry_v viz._n what_o be_v that_o form_n of_o a_o political_a church_n which_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v institute_v and_o appoint_v as_o the_o subject_n of_o church_n power_n of_o government_n and_o administration_n of_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o actual_a communion_n with_o christ_n and_o one_o with_o another_o therein_o and_o here_o give_v we_o leave_v before_o we_o enter_v into_o the_o question_n itself_o to_o make_v a_o little_a further_o use_v of_o our_o former_a similitude_n for_o illustration_n and_o then_o we_o will_v show_v where_o the_o ne_fw-fr plus_fw-fr ultra_fw-la as_o we_o conceive_v must_v stand_v it_o have_v be_v show_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o body_n of_o mankind_n that_o although_o much_o may_v be_v say_v for_o the_o unity_n visibility_n and_o priority_n thereof_o before_o any_o part_n of_o it_o yet_o no_o reason_n will_v enforce_v that_o it_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o civil_a power_n etc._n etc._n in_o respect_n of_o actual_a administration_n and_o immediate_a enjoyment_n thereof_o and_o so_o here_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o church_n we_o will_v now_o add_v but_o this_o one_o thing_n more_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o such_o reason_n yet_o in_o execution_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a the_o least_o civil_a society_n yea_o a_o family_n may_v be_v and_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o civil_a power_n and_o privilege_n of_o civil_a government_n so_o the_o least_o political_a church_n society_n may_v be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o these_o key_n of_o church_n power_n in_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o and_o of_o immediate_a communion_n in_o all_o visible_a ordinance_n and_o we_o think_v that_o there_o by_o divine_a institution_n it_o be_v seat_v and_o the_o edification_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n may_v best_o be_v attain_v thereby_o concern_v family_n we_o see_v no_o footstep_n in_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n from_o adam_n and_o noah_n of_o any_o sovereign_a or_o universal_a government_n further_o than_o in_o the_o first_o father_n of_o mankind_n after_o who_o as_o they_o increase_v family_n go_v out_o and_o combine_v make_v city_n and_o so_o commonwealth_n by_o mutual_a consent_n as_o in_o gen._n 10._o and_o other_o story_n appear_v except_o by_o the_o tyrannous_a usurpation_n of_o some_o as_o nimrod_n the_o rest_n be_v bring_v under_o and_o this_o no_o doubt_n among_o any_o free_a people_n be_v still_o the_o most_o orderly_o just_a and_o safe_a way_n of_o erect_v all_o form_n of_o civil_a government_n family_n to_o combine_v into_o town_n city_n kingdom_n or_o aristocratical_a state_n but_o here_o some_o will_v say_v if_o so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o similitude_n a_o particular_a congregation_n may_v be_v the_o first_o church_n that_o have_v the_o key_n of_o church_n power_n and_o church_n communion_n then_o as_o family_n shall_v combine_v into_o town_n and_o city_n and_o they_o into_o great_a commonwealth_n for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o mankind_n so_o here_o these_o first_o church_n may_v not_o stand_v independent_o but_o aught_o to_o combine_v into_o great_a body_n till_o they_o come_v to_o be_v one_o whole_a church_n to_o this_o we_o say_v this_o will_v not_o follow_v upon_o this_o evident_a reason_n because_o civil_a society_n and_o government_n thereof_o be_v herein_o leave_v to_o rule_n of_o humane_a prudence_n by_o the_o lord_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o therefore_o may_v admit_v various_a form_n of_o government_n various_a law_n and_o constitution_n various_a privilege_n etc._n etc._n according_a as_o man_n shall_v conceive_v best_a for_o themselves_o so_o they_o be_v not_o against_o the_o common_a moral_a rule_n of_o equity_n and_o the_o good_a of_o those_o society_n but_o here_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n as_o we_o must_v attend_v what_o kind_n of_o church_n he_o have_v institute_v so_o we_o must_v cleave_v to_o such_o rule_n privilege_n and_o form_n of_o government_n and_o administration_n as_o he_o have_v ordain_v not_o presume_v to_o go_v one_o step_n beyond_o the_o same_o and_o hence_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o church_n to_o alienate_v the_o power_n right_n or_o privilege_n christ_n have_v set_v in_o the_o same_o or_o to_o mould_n up_o any_o other_o political_a church_n than_o he_o have_v appoint_v and_o here_o we_o conceive_v stand_v immovable_o the_o ne_fw-la plus_fw-la ultra_fw-la of_o this_o similitude_n between_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o the_o estate_n of_o mankind_n in_o reference_n to_o power_n and_o government_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o thing_n well_o weigh_v to_o we_o seem_v to_o overthrow_v all_o such_o intermediate_v form_n of_o church_n or_o the_o usual_a church_n as_o mr._n ball_n call_v the_o same_o as_o classical_a provincial_n diocesan_n national_n patriarchicall_a etc._n etc._n which_o we_o see_v not_o how_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n they_o can_v be_v constitute_v either_o descendendo_fw-la from_o the_o common_a nature_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n or_o ascendendo_fw-la from_o the_o combination_n of_o particular_n except_o institution_n can_v be_v find_v for_o the_o same_o we_o find_v indeed_o that_o some_o endeavour_n to_o build_v such_o form_n upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o moral_a principle_n and_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o that_o god_n have_v give_v government_n to_o be_v over_o a_o multitude_n and_o that_o of_o many_o society_n as_o well_o as_o person_n that_o one_o society_n may_v not_o suffer_v as_o well_o as_o one_o person_n and_o that_o therefore_o must_v be_v give_v of_o the_o god_n of_o grace_n to_o a_o society_n and_o multitude_n of_o little_a church_n power_n of_o external_a government_n to_o which_o we_o answer_v 1_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o principle_n in_o nature_n that_o general_o bind_v free_a society_n to_o submit_v to_o one_o common_a government_n must_v many_o kingdom_n etc._n etc._n by_o consequence_n all_o kingdom_n combine_v in_o government_n lest_o one_o kingdom_n be_v hurt_v i._o must_v moab_n ammon_n edom_n tyre_n sydon_n judea_n etc._n etc._n be_v so_o contiguous_a in_o near_a vicinity_n to_o each_o other_o combine_v in_o one_o government_n 2_o be_v it_o not_o as_o suitable_a to_o morality_n and_o reason_n in_o such_o combination_n that_o they_o set_v up_o one_o to_o rule_v over_o they_o when_o many_o grow_v ignorant_a evil_a or_o heady_a to_o preserve_v peace_n and_o prevent_v wrong_a as_o to_o set_v up_o many_o 3_o do_v abraham_n lot_n melchisedeck_v and_o such_o family_n church_n walk_v against_o ground_n of_o morality_n and_o nature_n that_o do_v not_o so_o combine_v we_o may_v add_v more_o but_o forbear_v but_o we_o can_v desire_v our_o dear_a brethren_n to_o be_v wary_a of_o scatter_v such_o principle_n for_o though_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n and_o worship_n and_o government_n of_o christ_n
grace_n do_v not_o destroy_v nature_n yet_o look_v as_o a_o particular_a church_n constitution_n and_o government_n be_v never_o erect_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o divine_a institution_n so_o for_o the_o govern_n of_o many_o over_o one_o why_o shall_v there_o not_o be_v the_o like_a institution_n but_o to_o come_v more_o near_o to_o the_o case_n itself_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v two_o thing_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o catholic_n political_a church_n society_n institute_v by_o christ_n to_o which_o the_o actual_a administration_n and_o participation_n of_o church_n government_n and_o communion_n in_o the_o institute_v ordinance_n of_o christ_n be_v give_v as_o to_o the_o first_o subject_n thereof_o 2._o that_o the_o true_a form_n of_o all_o church_n society_n institute_v by_o christ_n to_o which_o he_o have_v give_v the_o actual_a administration_n and_o immediate_a participation_n of_o church_n government_n and_o all_o other_o institute_v ordinance_n as_o the_o subject_n thereof_o be_v only_o congregationall_a first_o concern_v the_o first_o to_o make_v our_o discourse_n more_o distinct_a and_o plain_a we_o shall_v premise_v here_o that_o we_o do_v not_o here_o at_o all_o take_v in_o or_o respect_v that_o question_n about_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n whether_o it_o be_v in_o the_o fraternity_n or_o guide_n we_o shall_v god_n will_v have_v a_o fit_a place_n to_o speak_v something_o of_o it_o but_o here_o that_o we_o may_v not_o intermingle_v thing_n we_o look_v only_o at_o the_o true_a subject_n in_o which_o and_o unto_o which_o the_o actual_a and_o immediate_a dispensation_n and_o participation_n of_o church_n government_n and_o outward_a ordinance_n be_v give_v by_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o here_o we_o first_o reason_n thus_o such_o a_o church_n society_n as_o christ_n institute_v the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n constitute_v and_o govern_v in_o but_o the_o apostle_n never_o constitute_v such_o a_o catholic_n church_n society_n or_o govern_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v say_v ergo._fw-la the_o proposition_n be_v evident_a because_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o do_v whatsoever_o christ_n command_v in_o matth._n 28.20_o and_o be_v sufficient_o furnish_v with_o power_n and_o wisdom_n so_o to_o do_v beside_o the_o apostle_n have_v all_o power_n from_o christ_n as_o he_o receive_v from_o the_o father_n john_n 20._o and_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o believer_n be_v then_o at_o the_o few_o there_o be_v never_o since_o such_o a_o opportunity_n or_o possibility_n to_o constitute_v such_o a_o church_n if_o christ_n jesus_n have_v institute_v such_o a_o thing_n the_o assumption_n or_o second_o part_n of_o the_o reason_n be_v prove_v thus_o if_o the_o apostle_n ever_o constitute_v and_o administer_v in_o such_o a_o church_n catholic_a it_o be_v either_o that_o at_o jerusalem_n mention_v act_n 1_o &_o 2._o etc._n etc._n or_o that_o assembly_n that_o meet_v act_v 15._o for_o we_o meet_v with_o no_o other_o that_o can_v with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n be_v suppose_v but_o neither_o of_o these_o be_v such_o a_o constitute_v church_n ergo._fw-la 1_v concern_v the_o church_n name_v act_v 1._o carry_v on_o act_v 2._o etc._n etc._n we_o free_o grant_v it_o be_v a_o constitute_v church_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n with_o elder_n and_o deacon_n afterward_o choose_v do_v govern_v for_o as_o it_o be_v call_v a_o church_n act_v 2.47_o so_o likewise_o we_o see_v there_o be_v in_o it_o election_n act._n 1._o &_o 6_o and_o administration_n of_o institute_v ordinance_n of_o worship_n act_v 2.41_o 42._o admission_n of_o member_n chap._n 2.41_o 47._o and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n there_o may_v have_v be_v excommunication_n also_o but_o that_o this_o church_n be_v not_o the_o catholic_n church_n we_o prove_v thus_o if_o it_o be_v the_o catholic_n church_n than_o it_o be_v such_o either_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o whole_a essence_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n or_o in_o respect_n of_o representation_n but_o neither_o way_n ergo._fw-la the_o first_o it_o can_v not_o be_v because_o it_o consist_v at_o the_o first_o but_o of_o 120._o which_o be_v a_o very_a small_a part_n of_o the_o catholic_n number_n of_o visible_a believer_n for_o 1_o cor._n 15.6_o there_o be_v above_o 500_o brethren_n to_o who_o christ_n appear_v at_o once_o which_o be_v but_o some_o few_o week_n before_o beside_o all_o that_o in_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v convert_v and_o baptize_v by_o john_n which_o be_v very_o many_o yea_o if_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o catholic_n church_n proper_o all_o the_o jewish_a church_n not_o yet_o dissolve_v be_v part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n of_o that_o age_n visible_a last_o if_o it_o have_v be_v the_o catholic_n church_n believer_n be_v already_o of_o it_o can_v not_o be_v say_v to_o be_v add_v to_o this_o as_o act_v 5.13_o 14._o second_o it_o be_v not_o catholic_n in_o respect_n of_o representation_n for_o if_o so_o then_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o apostle_n only_o as_o the_o catholic_n guide_v or_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n with_o they_o act_v 1._o not_o the_o first_o for_o then_o the_o apostle_n only_o shall_v have_v have_v power_n to_o set_v apart_o barnabas_n and_o ma●…thias_n but_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o that_o election_n be_v by_o peter_n himself_o commit_v to_o and_o act_v by_o the_o whole_a company_n call_v the_o brethren_n and_o disciple_n act_n 1.15_o 16_o 26._o where_o it_o appear_v that_o as_o he_o speak_v to_o all_o so_o it_o be_v conclude_v with_o the_o common_a suffrage_n of_o all_o second_o if_o so_o because_o the_o apostle_n be_v catholic_n guide_n than_o wherever_o they_o meet_v be_v a_o catholic_n church_n yea_o where_o two_o or_o three_o or_o any_o one_o of_o they_o be_v there_o be_v the_o catholic_n representative_a church_n and_o so_o many_o such_o church_n for_o any_o two_o or_o one_o have_v the_o catholic_a power_n as_o well_o as_o all_o paul_n ordain_v rule_n and_o order_n of_o discipline_n in_o all_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o if_o all_o the_o apostle_n have_v meet_v 1_o cor._n 7.17_o 1_o cor._n 16.1_o 2_o that_o assembly_n be_v not_o the_o representative_a catholic_a church_n because_o first_o there_o be_v the_o woman_n in_o the_o same_o now_o woman_n be_v no_o way_n capable_a of_o be_v messenger_n to_o represent_v church_n second_o beside_o these_o can_v not_o be_v representative_a messenger_n from_o other_o church_n because_o this_o be_v the_o first_o constitute_v church_n we_o see_v no_o colour_n of_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v any_o other_o constitute_v visible_a church_n before_o this_o last_o all_o the_o action_n of_o that_o church_n mention_v especial_o those_o in_o act_n 2.41_o 42._o of_o admission_n of_o member_n baptism_n word_n seal_n fellowship_n day_n by_o day_n in_o such_o ordinance_n choice_n of_o deacon_n etc._n etc._n speak_v aloud_o against_o a_o representative_a church_n we_o shall_v rather_o have_v hear_v of_o constitution_n censure_n etc._n etc._n from_o such_o a_o representative_a catholic_n church_n of_o general_a counsel_n object_n we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a what_o be_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_a viz._n that_o it_o be_v the_o catholic_n church_n because_o they_o elect_v a_o catholic_n officer_n for_o the_o whole_a church_n viz._n a_o apostle_n ans_fw-fr to_o which_o we_o answer_v 1_o all_z the_o catholic_n church_n and_o guide_v thereof_o have_v no_o power_n so_o to_o do_v no_o more_o than_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o case_n reserve_v to_o christ_n himself_o else_o paul_n argument_n to_o prove_v his_o apostleship_n have_v not_o be_v strong_a because_o he_o be_v not_o call_v by_o man_n but_o by_o christ_n himself_o and_o have_v see_v the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n gal._n 1.1_o 1_o cor._n 9.1_o 2_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n be_v only_o a_o preparatory_a act_n thereunto_o with_o a_o after_o consent_n the_o election_n be_v proper_o do_v immediate_o by_o a_o lot_n and_o what_o be_v do_v might_n as_o well_o be_v do_v in_o the_o first_o particular_a church_n guide_v by_o the_o infallible_a spirit_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o by_o the_o catholic_n church_n itself_o object_n second_o it_o be_v object_v many_o of_o these_o be_v man_n of_o galilee_n which_o by_o their_o habitation_n can_v not_o pertain_v to_o the_o church_n in_o jerusalem_n answ_n true_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o be_v of_o galilee_n but_o they_o have_v forsake_v all_o to_o follow_v christ_n and_o be_v command_v by_o christ_n to_o remain_v a_o time_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o then_o to_o go_v forth_o to_o samaria_n judea_n and_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n act_v 1.4_o 8._o and_o therefore_o no_o church_n relation_n in_o galilee_n can_v hinder_v they_o from_o join_v in_o this_o first_o constitute_v church_n or_o give_v any_o colour_n that_o they_o come_v as_o member_n representative_a from_o any_o church_n in_o galilee_n and_o
so_o much_o for_o the_o plea_n for_o a_o catholic_n church_n from_o act_n 1._o etc._n etc._n now_o concern_v that_o which_o be_v suppose_v of_o a_o catholic_n church_n representative_a in_o act._n 15._o if_o it_o be_v such_o then_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o catholic_a officer_n only_o or_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o assembly_n also_o but_o in_o neither_o respect_n ergo._fw-la 1_o not_o the_o first_o for_o then_o as_o be_v say_v any_o one_o apostle_n may_v make_v a_o representative_a catholic_n church_n have_v the_o whole_a power_n as_o much_o as_o all_o of_o they_o together_o for_o though_o they_o will_v meet_v oft_o to_o consult_v and_o assist_v one_o another_o yet_o not_o for_o defect_n of_o power_n in_o any_o one_o and_o we_o think_v our_o brethren_n here_o will_v not_o say_v it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o apostle_n alone_o suppose_v here_o they_o act_v rather_o as_o elder_n with_o the_o rest_n than_o out_o of_o their_o apostolical_a power_n 2_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n for_o then_o that_o assembly_n must_v consist_v of_o the_o messenger_n of_o all_o the_o particular_a church_n and_o the_o decree_n shall_v have_v be_v direct_v to_o all_o the_o church_n but_o neither_o of_o these_o can_v appear_v for_o first_o we_o read_v of_o no_o other_o messenger_n but_o those_o from_o antioch_n and_o how_o to_o evince_v more_o than_o the_o scripture_n reveal_v be_v hard_o second_o if_o we_o look_v back_o and_o consider_v how_o far_o the_o gospel_n be_v spread_v before_o this_o assembly_n it_o will_v appear_v very_o strange_a and_o absurd_a to_o suppose_v such_o a_o thing_n for_o paul_n have_v be_v in_o arabia_n before_o ever_o he_o come_v to_o jerusalem_n gal._n 1.17_o and_o when_o he_o and_o barnabas_n go_v send_v out_o from_o antioch_n act_v 13._o they_o go_v to_o several_a island_n and_o country_n as_o cyprus_n paphos_n salamis_n etc._n etc._n beside_o what_o other_o place_n scatter_v christian_n and_o apostle_n have_v preach_v in_o now_o there_o be_v no_o probability_n of_o messenger_n send_v from_o all_o these_o place_n second_o the_o decree_n be_v express_o direct_v to_o the_o gentile_n believe_v in_o antioch_n syria_n and_o cilicia_n where_o it_o seem_v this_o question_n have_v trouble_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o disciple_n act_n 15.23_o 24._o which_o be_v far_o short_a of_o the_o catholic_n church_n neither_o be_v it_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n have_v any_o messenger_n there_o much_o less_o that_o all_o the_o church_n have_v their_o messenger_n object_n but_o it_o be_v say_v they_o may_v have_v have_v their_o messenger_n there_o if_o they_o will_v and_o therefore_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o the_o decree_n as_o of_o a_o general_a council_n answ_n it_o must_v first_o be_v prove_v that_o all_o church_n have_v lawful_a summons_n to_o send_v their_o messenger_n to_o that_o assembly_n before_o there_o can_v be_v lay_v any_o blame_n on_o they_o for_o neglect_v the_o same_o or_o they_o be_v all_o tie_v to_o the_o decree_n of_o such_o a_o assembly_n as_o a_o general_a council_n which_o seem_v to_o we_o not_o so_o much_o as_o probable_a much_o less_o to_o be_v prove_v by_o any_o where_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o silent_a argument_n 2_o every_o political_a body_n be_v constitute_v by_o the_o combination_n of_o all_o the_o member_n into_o a_o society_n but_o christ_n have_v not_o institute_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n shall_v combine_v into_o a_o society_n ergo._fw-la propos_fw-fr prove_v because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o instance_n give_v of_o any_o free_a society_n civil_a or_o sacred_a that_o be_v under_o policy_n but_o that_o it_o arise_v from_o combination_n how_o come_v israel_n to_o be_v one_o national_n church_n but_o by_o a_o national_a covenant_n and_o that_o before_o it_o have_v officer_n or_o how_o come_v any_o national_a provincial_a classical_a church_n that_o be_v plead_v for_o to_o be_v such_o but_o by_o some_o such_o combination_n why_o be_v this_o church_n of_o this_o classis_fw-la not_o of_o another_o but_o by_o combination_n second_o in_o a_o political_a body_n the_o whole_a have_v power_n to_o order_v every_o part_n but_o this_o power_n among_o person_n that_o be_v free_a be_v only_o by_o combination_n assump_n prove_v first_o because_o christ_n never_o institute_v that_o which_o be_v impossible_a as_o this_o be_v for_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n in_o every_o age_n so_o to_o do_v second_o christ_n ordain_v combination_n for_o communion_n in_o his_o worship_n but_o this_o communion_n also_o be_v impossible_a to_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o one_o ergo._fw-la three_o corrupt_a church_n be_v visible_a church_n but_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o we_o to_o believe_v or_o any_o to_o prove_v that_o christ_n have_v institute_v such_o combination_n of_o all_o church_n asian_n african_a european_a american_n corrupt_a and_o uncorrupt_a for_o prudent_a man_n may_v easy_o foresee_v the_o heavy_a consequent_n thereof_o argument_n 3_o every_o political_a church_n by_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n have_v power_n to_o elect_v she_o own_o pastor_n or_o pastor_n over_o it_o but_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n have_v not_o such_o power_n ergo._fw-la proposit_n prove_v this_o all_o scripture_n example_n show_v that_o every_o church_n or_o flock_n of_o believer_n have_v her_o pastor_n act._n 14._o tit._n 1._o second_o according_a to_o our_o brethren_n principle_n if_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v choose_v a_o pastor_n much_o more_o the_o catholic_n because_o all_o privilege_n be_v primary_o give_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o what_o belong_v to_o the_o part_n of_o a_o similar_v body_n as_o a_o part_n that_o much_o more_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a assump_n prove_v first_o if_o the_o catholic_n church_n may_v choose_v pastor_n over_o it_o than_o they_o may_v make_v apostle_n because_o catholic_n pastor_n over_o the_o catholic_n church_n second_o the_o reason_n against_o a_o universal_a bishop_n be_v strong_a here_o as_o that_o their_o office_n be_v not_o describe_v in_o the_o word_n nor_o their_o power_n able_a to_o reach_v all_o church_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n can_v choose_v her_o pastor_n in_o the_o part_n or_o particular_a society_n which_o be_v pastor_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n though_o not_o catholic_n pastor_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n answ_n if_o this_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o particular_a church_n choose_v pastor_n over_o themselves_o who_o be_v in_o some_o respect_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a as_o be_v part_n partium_fw-la and_o so_o part_n totius_fw-la than_o they_o come_v to_o our_o hand_n for_o thus_o it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o catholic_n t●…tum_n that_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o officer_n but_o in_o its_o part_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o all_o particular_a church_n have_v the_o officer_n in_o they_o do_v make_v one_o political_a body_n or_o catholic_n church_n and_o so_o have_v power_n to_o choose_v catholic_n pastor_n argument_n 4_o christ_n jesus_n institute_v no_o such_o political_a body_n as_o destroy_v church_n policy_n but_o such_o a_o catholic_n church_n political_a destroy_v policy_n ergo._fw-la assump_n prove_v because_o it_o swallow_v up_o the_o power_n not_o only_o of_o all_o church_n congregationall_a but_o all_o other_o form_n of_o church_n by_o take_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n from_o they_o for_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n be_v seat_v by_o christ_n in_o that_o church_n from_o which_o there_o can_v be_v just_o no_o appeal_n for_o matth._n 18._o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n be_v seat_v in_o such_o a_o church_n as_o whatsoever_o it_o bind_v on_o earth_n be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n by_o the_o high_a judge_n in_o the_o high_a court_n and_o from_o the_o sentence_n of_o this_o high_a court_n and_o judge_n how_o can_v there_o be_v any_o appeal_n but_o now_o suppose_v such_o a_o catholic_n church_n have_v power_n of_o excommunication_n and_o that_o as_o the_o high_a church_n hence_o no_o inferior_a church_n can_v bind_v on_o earth_n so_o as_o that_o the_o same_o be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n see_v appeal_n may_v be_v make_v from_o they_o to_o a_o high_a power_n on_o earth_n object_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o sentence_n of_o a_o inferior_a judge_n proceed_v right_o as_o in_o a_o inferior_a sanhedrin_n be_v ratify_v in_o heaven_n yet_o may_v we_o appeal_v from_o he_o answ_n we_o deny_v that_o the_o sentence_n of_o every_o civil_a court_n do_v bind_v in_o heaven_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o every_o civil_a court_n have_v not_o this_o promise_n of_o bind_v and_o loo●…ing_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n not_o belong_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n second_o suppose_v there_o be_v such_o a_o bind_n in_o civil_a court_n and_o appeal_n may_v be_v yet_o make_v from_o they_o yet_o this_o be_v because_o
rule_v like_a beza_n his_o episcopus_fw-la humanus_fw-la with_o subjection_n in_o case_n of_o error_n to_o the_o censure_n of_o all_o nay_o hence_o we_o see_v not_o but_o they_o may_v choose_v a_o universal_a pastor_n and_o so_o give_v away_o the_o power_n to_o one_o if_o all_o will_v agree_v in_o a_o word_n they_o only_o may_v combine_v into_o a_o political_a body_n where_o the_o whole_a may_v excommunicate_v any_o part_n but_o this_o can_v be_v in_o a_o combination_n of_o many_o church_n into_o one_o whole_a because_o no_o particular_a church_n be_v capable_a of_o excommunication_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o itself_o as_o be_v say_v before_o 5_o a_o particular_a church_n therefore_o must_v be_v such_o a_o society_n as_o be_v so_o combine_v together_o that_o it_o may_v ordinary_o enjoy_v church_n communion_n to_o exercise_v church_n power_n to_o be_v feed_v by_o her_o officer_n and_o lead_v by_o they_o hence_o titus_n be_v to_o set_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o these_o elder_n be_v such_o as_o can_v ordinary_o feed_v they_o by_o preach_v the_o word_n as_o well_o as_o rule_v and_o govern_v they_o now_o that_o such_o a_o congregationall_a church_n be_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o gospel_n appear_v first_o by_o those_o many_o scripture_n that_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n of_o one_o country_n and_o in_o small_a compass_n as_o several_a church_n not_o as_o one_o as_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n samaria_n and_o galilee_n act_v 9_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n gal._n 1.1_o yea_o not_o only_o in_o one_o small_a country_n but_o in_o city_n or_o near_o unto_o they_o we_o read_v of_o distinct_a church_n as_o corinth_n though_o god_n have_v much_o people_n there_o yet_o it_o be_v one_o congregation_n 1_o cor._n 14.33_o and_o have_v another_o church_n near_o to_o it_o viz._n cenchrea_n also_o rome_n who_o the_o apostle_n salute_v send_v also_o salutation_n by_o they_o to_o aquila_n and_o priscilla_n with_o the_o church_n in_o their_o household_n which_o show_v they_o be_v not_o far_o from_o that_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o these_o add_v that_o jerusalem_n the_o first_o church_n that_o be_v constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o who_o number_n be_v the_o great_a of_o any_o that_o we_o read_v of_o yet_o it_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o act_n 1._o and_o chap._n 2.41_o 42._o what_o be_v object_v against_o this_o to_o prove_v it_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v answer_v before_o other_o objection_n against_o this_o and_o like_a example_n shall_v be_v consider_v in_o their_o due_a place_n as_o we_o meet_v with_o they_o but_o we_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o say_v much_o that_o a_o congregation_n furnish_v with_o its_o officer_n be_v a_o church_n according_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o there_o be_v more_o objection_n against_o the_o completeness_n thereof_o which_o yet_o be_v prove_v thus_o that_o church_n which_o have_v power_n of_o all_o the_o key_n give_v unto_o it_o for_o actual_a administration_n within_o itself_o be_v a_o complete_a church_n but_o so_o have_v a_o particular_a congregation_n ergo._fw-la the_o first_o part_n be_v evident_a because_o where_o all_o the_o key_n be_v with_o full_a power_n to_o administer_v the_o same_o there_o nothing_o be_v want_v the_o assumption_n be_v prove_v thus_o if_o all_o those_o officer_n to_o who_o be_v give_v the_o authoritative_a power_n of_o exercise_v the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o a_o congregation_n then_o all_o the_o key_n be_v so_o give_v to_o it_o but_o so_o it_o be_v for_o since_o apostle_n and_o extraordinary_a officer_n cease_v there_o be_v no_o other_o officer_n but_o pastor_n teacher_n and_o ruler_n call_v sometime_o bishop_n sometime_o elder_n but_o these_o officer_n be_v give_v to_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v prove_v act_n 14._o tit._n 1.4_o and_o be_v acknowledge_v in_o all_o reform_a church_n who_o ordain_v such_o officer_n in_o particular_a church_n of_o one_o congregation_n ergo._fw-la objection_n 1_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o though_o a_o congregation_n have_v such_o officer_n as_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n yet_o that_o such_o must_v combine_v with_o other_o in_o way_n of_o co-ordination_a to_o govern_v in_o common_a and_o so_o to_o be_v help_v and_o complete_v by_o they_o answ_n we_o grant_v much_o help_n may_v be_v have_v by_o sister_n church_n and_o consultative_a presbytery_n but_o that_o which_o take_v away_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o key_n in_o point_n of_o government_n from_o the_o church_n to_o who_o christ_n have_v give_v it_o do_v not_o complete_a it_o but_o take_v away_o and_o destroy_v the_o power_n and_o liberty_n of_o it_o for_o though_o the_o pastor_n of_o a_o congregation_n may_v oft_o consent_v yet_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o presbytery_n must_v carry_v it_o whether_o he_o consent_v or_o no_o and_o therefore_o his_o power_n be_v swallow_v up_o beside_o it_o seem_v to_o we_o a_o mystery_n that_o every_o pastor_n even_o such_o as_o have_v no_o flock_n shall_v be_v pastor_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o yet_o a_o pastor_n shall_v not_o have_v power_n to_o rule_v in_o his_o own_o flock_n over_o which_o christ_n have_v make_v he_o a_o bishop_n and_o for_o which_o flock_n he_o must_v give_v account_n unto_o god_n objection_n 2_o it_o can_v have_v a_o synod_n which_o be_v one_o ordinance_n of_o god_n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o a_o complete_a church_n answ_n by_o this_o reason_n a_o classical_a church_n be_v not_o complete_a because_o it_o can_v have_v a_o national_n council_n nor_o a_o national_n church_n because_o it_o can_v have_v a_o general_a council_n if_o it_o be_v say_v a_o classis_fw-la have_v all_o ordinary_a mean_n to_o a_o complete_a church_n we_o say_v the_o like_a of_o a_o congregation_n objection_n 3_o though_o a_o town_n or_o family_n be_v cast_v alone_o may_v govern_v as_o a_o complete_a body_n yet_o when_o it_o stand_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n as_o in_o england_n it_o may_v not_o be_v so_o independent_a but_o submit_v to_o combination_n so_o here_o when_o a_o particular_a congregation_n be_v alone_o it_o may_v govern_v as_o complete_a not_o so_o when_o among_o other_o church_n answ_n if_o such_o a_o town_n or_o family_n have_v complete_a power_n and_o all_o civil_a officer_n within_o itself_o it_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o submit_v to_o such_o combination_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n except_o it_o be_v under_o a_o superior_a power_n that_o can_v command_v the_o same_o as_o abraham_n have_v a_o complete_a government_n in_o his_o family_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o combine_v with_o the_o government_n he_o come_v among_o neither_o do_v he_o in_o prudence_n he_o join_v in_o a_o league_n of_o amity_n and_o for_o mutual_a help_n with_o aner_n etc._n etc._n but_o not_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o government_n so_o here_o a_o church_n have_v complete_a officer_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o submit_v to_o such_o combination_n except_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o any_o superior_a power_n of_o other_o church_n can_v command_v the_o same_o second_o though_o a_o family_n not_o have_v complete_a civil_a government_n in_o itself_o must_v combine_v where_o it_o stand_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n yet_o never_o to_o yield_v up_o its_o family-government_n over_o wife_n child_n and_o servant_n to_o rule_v they_o in_o common_a with_o other_o master_n of_o family_n no_o civil_a prudence_n or_o moral_a rule_n teach_v man_n ever_o so_o to_o practice_v and_o therefore_o why_o in_o such_o a_o case_n shall_v a_o church_n give_v up_o the_o government_n of_o itself_o to_o pastor_n of_o many_o church_n to_o rule_v it_o in_o common_a and_o not_o rather_o as_o a_o classis_fw-la be_v overawe_v by_o the_o provincial_n only_a in_o common_a thing_n so_o in_o congregation_n pastor_n shall_v govern_v their_o flock_n and_o only_o in_o thing_n common_a be_v under_o a_o presbytery_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o classis_fw-la do_v act_n in_o such_o thing_n only_o for_o in_o excommunication_n of_o a_o offender_n the_o offence_n be_v common_a to_o all_o we_o answer_v if_o so_o then_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o provincial_n and_o national_n church_n by_o this_o reason_n assume_v all_o to_o themselves_o from_o the_o classis_fw-la for_o the_o offence_n of_o one_o be_v common_a to_o all_o as_o also_o upon_o this_o ground_n why_o shall_v not_o the_o classis_fw-la admit_v all_o the_o member_n of_o every_o congregation_n under_o they_o for_o this_o also_o may_v concern_v they_o all_o three_o here_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n for_o civil_a society_n be_v leave_v to_o civil_a prudence_n and_o may_v give_v up_o themselves_o to_o many_o form_n of_o government_n but_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o use_v and_o maintain_v such_o order_n of_o government_n as_o christ_n have_v set_v in_o the_o church_n and_o not_o to_o give_v it_o up_o to_o many_o no_o more_o then_o to_o
one_o if_o testimony_n be_v needful_a we_o may_v produce_v zanchi_n zwinglius_fw-la parker_n baines_n and_o other_o who_o be_v full_o with_o we_o in_o this_o doctrine_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n yea_o dr._n downam_n himself_o confess_v that_o the_o most_o of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n do_v not_o exceed_v the_o proportion_n of_o a_o populous_a congregation_n and_o this_o confession_n put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o a_o witty_a passage_n of_o his_o refuter_fw-la or_o his_o epistoler_n who_o against_o the_o bishop_n maintain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o congregationall_a church_n with_o we_o with_o who_o expression_n for_o the_o recreation_n of_o ourselves_o and_o the_o reader_n we_o will_v conclude_v the_o papist_n say_v he_o he_o tell_v we_o just_a as_o the_o organ_n go_v at_o rome_n that_o the_o extent_n of_o a_o bishop_n jurisdiction_n be_v not_o limit_v but_o by_o the_o pope_n appointment_n his_o power_n of_o itself_o indifferent_o reaching_z over_o all_o the_o world_n our_o prelatist_n will_v persuade_v we_o to_o the_o tune_n of_o canterbury_n that_o neither_o church_n nor_o bishop_n have_v his_o bound_n determine_v by_o the_o pope_n nor_o yet_o by_o christ_n in_o the_o scripture_n but_o leave_v to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o prince_n to_o be_v cast_v into_o one_o mould_n with_o the_o civil_a state_n now_o the_o plain_a christian_n find_v nothing_o but_o humane_a uncertainty_n in_o either_o of_o these_o devise_n he_o content_v himself_o with_o plain_a song_n and_o know_v that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v christian_n to_o gather_v themselves_o into_o such_o society_n as_o may_v assemble_v themselves_o together_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o that_o unto_o such_o he_o have_v give_v their_o peculiar_a pastor_n he_o i_o say_v in_o his_o simplicity_n call_v these_o assembly_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o these_o pastor_n his_o bishop_n thus_o much_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o it_o be_v institute_v in_o the_o gospel_n now_o in_o the_o second_o place_n we_o be_v to_o show_v how_o church_n government_n and_o ordinance_n be_v give_v to_o it_o as_o to_o the_o proper_a subject_n of_o the_o same_o where_o we_o shall_v propound_v these_o thesis_n for_o explication_n of_o ourselves_o first_o though_o pastourship_n consider_v as_o a_o office_n in_o relation_n to_o a_o people_n to_o feed_v they_o authoritative_o be_v one_o of_o these_o ordinance_n give_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n yet_o christ_n have_v give_v it_o for_o the_o gather_n in_o of_o his_o elect_a unto_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o we_o grant_v some_o act_n of_o the_o ministry_n viz._n the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v extend_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o church_n second_o seal_n and_o other_o privilege_n although_o de_fw-la jure_fw-la and_o remote_o they_o belong_v to_o the_o catholic_a church_n or_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n yet_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la and_o next_o they_o belong_v proper_o to_o this_o subject_a which_o we_o speak_v of_o as_o we_o hope_v to_o make_v good_a three_o they_o be_v not_o so_o appropriate_v to_o such_o congregation_n only_o as_o to_o exclude_v the_o member_n of_o those_o congregation_n which_o be_v under_o the_o government_n of_o a_o common_a presbytery_n or_o other_o form_n of_o government_n for_o we_o have_v a_o brotherly_a esteem_n of_o such_o congregation_n notwithstanding_o that_o tertium_fw-la quoddam_fw-la separabile_fw-la of_o government_n as_o mr._n baines_n call_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o a_o church_n now_o constitute_v and_o may_v be_v absent_a the_o church_n remain_v a_o church_n four_o although_o it_o be_v say_v by_o some_o divine_n that_o as_o faith_n be_v the_o internal_a form_n of_o the_o church_n so_o profession_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o outward_a form_n and_o that_o therefore_o bare_a profession_n of_o faith_n make_v a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n yet_o this_o must_v be_v understand_v according_a to_o the_o interpretation_n of_o some_o of_o they_o who_o so_o speak_v for_o there_o be_v a_o double_a profession_n of_o faith_n personal_a which_o be_v act_v several_o by_o particular_a person_n and_o common_a which_o be_v act_v conjoint_o in_o and_o with_o a_o society_n the_o first_o make_v a_o man_n of_o the_o catholic_a number_n of_o visible_a saint_n and_o so_o fit_a matter_n for_o political_a church-society_n the_o other_o make_v a_o man_n of_o the_o political_a church_n formal_o and_o complete_o and_o in_o this_o latter_a sense_n profession_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o external_a form_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n but_o not_o in_o the_o other_o now_o that_o in_o and_o to_o this_o subject_n so_o profess_v the_o seal_n and_o other_o ordinance_n belong_v may_v be_v prove_v thus_o argument_n 1_o first_o the_o seal_n and_o other_o church-ordinance_n must_v either_o belong_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o such_o or_o to_o the_o particular_a church_n but_o these_o can_v belong_v to_o the_o catholic_n in_o actual_a dispensation_n whereof_o we_o now_o speak_v ergo._fw-la for_o that_o church_n which_o be_v uncapable_a of_o actual_a dispensation_n of_o seal_n censure_n etc._n etc._n be_v uncapable_a of_o the_o participation_n thereof_o in_o a_o orderly_a and_o ordinary_a way_n but_o the_o catholic_n number_n of_o visible_a believer_n as_o catholic_n and_o out_o of_o particular_a society_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o dispense_n the_o same_o ergo._fw-la the_o proposition_n be_v evident_a for_o it_o can_v be_v show_v that_o any_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v ever_o capable_a of_o participate_v in_o seal_n that_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o dispense_n they_o at_o least_o not_o have_v a_o next_o power_n to_o elect_v officer_n to_o do_v it_o the_o assumption_n be_v evident_a from_o what_o have_v be_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v no_o political_a body_n the_o sole_a subject_n of_o church_n administration_n neither_o in_o the_o whole_a nor_o in_o the_o part_n as_o exist_v out_o of_o congregation_n argument_n 2_o if_o the_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v bind_v to_o join_v into_o particular_a society_n that_o they_o may_v partake_v of_o seal_n etc._n etc._n then_o the_o seal_n be_v not_o to_o be_v administer_v immediate_o to_o they_o for_o than_o they_o shall_v have_v the_o end_n without_o the_o mean_n but_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o join_v in_o such_o society_n for_o that_o end_n for_o otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o erect_v any_o particular_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o all_o the_o glory_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o respect_n shall_v be_v lay_v in_o the_o dust_n and_o these_o particular_a temple_n destroy_v and_o thus_o a_o door_n of_o liberty_n be_v open_v to_o many_o to_o live_v loose_o without_o the_o care_n and_o watch_v and_o communion_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n in_o the_o world_n argument_n 3_o if_o the_o seal_n be_v to_o be_v administer_v immediate_o to_o believer_n or_o profess_v believer_n as_o such_o than_o they_o may_v be_v administer_v private_o to_o any_o one_o wherever_o he_o be_v find_v but_o that_o be_v very_o irregular_a and_o against_o the_o common_a doctrine_n of_o protestant_a divine_n who_o give_v large_a testimony_n against_o private_a baptism_n or_o of_o the_o lords-supper_n neither_o do_v we_o see_v any_o weight_n in_o the_o argument_n of_o the_o papist_n or_o anabaptist_n allege_v for_o the_o contrary_n argument_n 4_o lest_o we_o seem_v to_o stand_v alone_o in_o this_o controversy_n let_v the_o argument_n produce_v by_o didoclavius_n and_o he_o that_o write_v concern_v perth_n assembly_n against_o private_a baptism_n be_v consider_v and_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o most_o of_o they_o do_v strong_o conclude_v against_o administration_n thereof_o to_o any_o but_o church-member_n argument_n 5_o the_o learned_a author_n mr._n ball_n in_o this_o his_o dispute_n against_o our_o conclusion_n yet_o in_o his_o discourse_n let_v fall_v sundry_a thing_n that_o confirm_v it_o 22._o as_o when_o he_o describe_v the_o catholic_n church_n to_o be_v the_o society_n of_o man_n profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n divide_v into_o many_o particular_a church_n whence_o we_o argue_v if_o the_o catholic_n church_n exi_v only_o in_o these_o particular_a church_n the_o seal_n must_v only_o be_v give_v to_o they_o and_o the_o member_n thereof_o also_o 68_o that_o baptism_n be_v a_o solemn_a admission_n into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v administer_v in_o a_o particular_a society_n whence_o three_o thing_n will_v follow_v first_o that_o baptism_n sometime_o administer_v private_o by_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o a_o ordinary_a pattern_n second_o that_o baptism_n be_v not_o to_o be_v administer_v to_o believer_n as_o such_o immediate_o if_o of_o necessity_n it_o must_v be_v administer_v in_o a_o particular_a society_n three_o join_v to_o some_o particular_a society_n be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n of_o so_o great_a
their_o baptise_v he_o record_v withal_o their_o add_v to_o they_o the_o latter_a be_v a_o exegesis_n of_o the_o former_a and_o that_o the_o same_o day_n as_o be_v perform_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o indeed_o when_o a_o convert_n public_o profess_v his_o faith_n in_o christ_n be_v it_o not_o as_o easy_o do_v to_o re●…eive_v he_o to_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n as_o into_o the_o catholic_n before_o baptism_n but_o first_o to_o baptize_v they_o and_o then_o the_o same_o day_n to_o add_v or_o join_v they_o to_o the_o church_n be_v altogether_o unprobable_a and_o that_o this_o add_v be_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v before_o the_o next_o place_n you_o may_v note_v be_v act_n 5.14_o where_o the_o holy_a ghost_n omit_v the_o baptise_v of_o those_o believer_n yet_o speak_v of_o their_o add_v to_o the_o lord_n as_o if_o the_o one_o employ_v the_o other_o and_o that_o their_o add_v to_o the_o lord_n be_v by_o their_o join_n to_o the_o church_n be_v evident_a by_o the_o opposition_n between_o verse_n 13_o &_o 14._o of_o the_o rest_n dare_v no_o man_n join_v himself_o to_o they_o but_o believer_n be_v the_o more_o add_v to_o the_o lord_n 3_o in_o the_o conversion_n of_o samaria_n although_o so_o great_a a_o work_n be_v declare_v in_o so_o few_o word_n in_o one_o verse_n act._n 8.12_o yet_o the_o text_n put_v a_o manifest_a distinction_n of_o philip_n doctrine_n between_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o plain_o enough_o show_v that_o they_o teach_v the_o observe_n of_o the_o order_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n as_o well_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n the_o object_n of_o save_a faith_n and_o this_o they_o receive_v by_o faith_n and_o profess_v before_o they_o be_v baptize_v now_o the_o first_o and_o most_o famous_a example_n of_o the_o apostle_n persuade_v that_o so_o they_o practise_v why_o shall_v we_o doubt_v of_o their_o like_a practice_n in_o other_o example_n when_o nothing_o be_v say_v that_o contradict_v the_o same_o as_o act_v 10._o in_o the_o baptise_v of_o cornelius_n his_o house_n where_o so_o many_o be_v meet_v and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n fall_v on_o all_o why_o shall_v we_o think_v the_o apostle_n peter_n baptize_v they_o and_o leave_v they_o out_o of_o the_o order_n of_o christ_n wherein_o they_o shall_v worship_v he_o and_o be_v edify_v in_o the_o faith_n if_o we_o doubt_v of_o it_o because_o the_o scripture_n be_v silent_a therein_o we_o may_v as_o well_o question_v whether_o those_o believer_n act_n 4.4_o &_o 9.35_o &_o vers_fw-la 42._o whether_o any_o of_o these_o confess_v their_o faith_n or_o be_v baptize_v for_o nothing_o be_v say_v thereof_o so_o likewise_o act_v 11._o where_o we_o read_v of_o many_o believe_a turn_v to_o the_o lord_n vers_n 21._o of_o the_o add_v other_o to_o the_o lord_n vers_n 24._o but_o nothing_o of_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n or_o baptism_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v call_v a_o church_n whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n sometime_o express_v their_o baptism_n without_o join_v to_o the_o church_n and_o sometime_o join_v without_o baptism_n and_o sometime_o he_o express_v both_o acts._n 2.41_o and_o therefore_o hence_o we_o may_v conclude_v the_o like_a of_o the_o case_n of_o lydia_n and_o the_o jailor_n consider_v the_o former_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n speak_v so_o express_o of_o a_o church_n at_o philippi_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o gospel_n phil._n 4._o at_o which_o time_n we_o have_v no_o more_o conversion_n express_v but_o of_o those_o two_o family_n at_o least_o they_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a fruit_n of_o paul_n ministry_n at_o that_o time_n and_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a the_o church_n be_v gather_v in_o lydia_n house_n see_v paul_n go_v out_o of_o prison_n to_o her_o house_n he_o be_v say_v to_o see_v the_o brethren_n and_o comfort_v they_o so_o depart_v verse_n 40._o beside_o why_o may_v not_o the_o apostle_n baptize_v they_o into_o that_o particular_a visible_a church_n in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o well_o as_o into_o the_o catholic_n or_o all_o church_n as_o some_o say_v they_o profess_v subjection_n to_o christ_n in_o every_o ordinance_n of_o he_o with_o reference_n to_o that_o church_n he_o have_v there_o constitute_v the_o fullness_n of_o power_n in_o the_o apostle_n may_v do_v great_a matter_n without_o breach_n of_o order_n though_o no_o rule_n for_o we_o so_o to_o do_v neither_o be_v it_o strange_a from_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o time_n to_o begin_v a_o church_n in_o a_o family_n see_v the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o church_n in_o three_o several_a family_n rom._n 16.5_o col._n 4.15_o phil._n 2._o which_o though_o many_o understand_v to_o be_v call_v church_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o godliness_n of_o those_o family_n yet_o if_o we_o consider_v first_o how_o many_o eminent_a saint_n the_o apostle_n salute_v who_o no_o doubt_n have_v godly_a family_n not_o so_o much_o as_o name_v their_o household_n much_o less_o give_v they_o such_o a_o title_n but_o only_o to_o these_o three_o name_v second_o how_o distinct_a his_o salutation_n be_v first_o the_o governor_n and_o then_o the_o church_n in_o their_o house_n three_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o only_o send_v his_o salutation_n to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o house_n of_o aquila_n and_o priscilla_n rom._n 16.5_o but_o also_o keep_v the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n he_o send_v salutation_n from_o that_o church_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 16.19_o all_o which_o do_v strong_o argue_v there_o be_v more_o in_o it_o then_o that_o they_o be_v godly_a family_n and_o therefore_o may_v persuade_v we_o that_o there_o be_v indeed_o constitute_v church_n in_o those_o family_n though_o other_o christian_n also_o may_v join_v with_o they_o reply_n thus_o have_v clear_v our_o meaning_n and_o the_o consideration_n itself_o there_o will_v remain_v very_o few_o extraordinary_a case_n if_o any_o of_o who_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v they_o be_v not_o join_v to_o some_o particular_a church_n when_o baptize_v as_o that_o of_o the_o eunuch_n which_o as_o it_o be_v do_v by_o a_o extraordinary_a immediate_a call_n of_o philip_n so_o to_o do_v so_o also_o there_o be_v a_o special_a reason_n thereof_o the_o lord_n intend_v thereby_o rather_o by_o he_o to_o send_v the_o gospel_n into_o ethiopia_n then_o to_o retain_v he_o in_o any_o other_o place_n to_o join_v with_o his_o church_n and_o the_o baptism_n of_o paul_n who_o as_o without_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n he_o be_v convert_v by_o the_o immediate_a voice_n of_o christ_n so_o he_o be_v baptize_v by_o the_o immediate_a call_n of_o ananias_n so_o to_o do_v now_o let_v we_o proceed_v to_o consider_v what_o further_o be_v reply_v answ_n the_o seal_v baptism_n and_o the_o lords-supper_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n not_o only_o in_o ordinary_a but_o also_o extraordinary_a dispensation_n true_a baptism_n be_v not_o without_o the_o church_n but_o in_o it_o a_o ordinance_n give_v to_o it_o the_o sacrament_n be_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o the_o faithful_a which_o be_v the_o form_n of_o the_o church_n token_n and_o pledge_n of_o our_o spiritual_a admittance_n into_o the_o lord_n family_n hence_o it_o be_v infer_v that_o if_o the_o seal_n in_o extraordinary_a dispensation_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o to_o member_n of_o no_o particular_a church_n than_o also_o in_o ordinary_a dispensation_n it_o may_v be_v so_o 1_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v for_o first_o if_o the_o apostle_n in_o extraordinary_a case_n baptize_v private_o will_v it_o follow_v that_o in_o ordinary_a dispensation_n it_o may_v be_v so_o second_o if_o because_o the_o ministry_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n and_o extraordinary_a officer_n be_v not_o limit_v to_o particular_a church_n will_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o in_o ordinary_a dispensation_n minister_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v give_v only_o to_o particular_a church_n three_o as_o we_o have_v oft_o say_v that_o seal_n belong_v de_fw-la jure_fw-la to_o all_o believer_n as_o such_o as_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o be_v give_v unto_o it_o first_o as_o to_o its_o object_n and_o end_n and_o all_o that_o be_v true_o baptize_v be_v baptize_v into_o it_o and_o thus_o never_o out_o of_o it_o as_o be_v token_n of_o our_o spiritual_a admittance_n into_o the_o lord_n family_n both_o in_o ordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a dispensation_n but_o do_v it_o hence_o follow_v that_o actual_a fruition_n of_o the_o seal_n of_o which_o the_o question_n be_v state_v may_v ordinary_o be_v have_v or_o give_v to_o such_o as_o set_v loose_a from_o all_o society_n the_o apostle_n have_v extraordinary_a power_n be_v general_a pastor_n over_o all_o person_n
of_o god_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o covenant_n there_o be_v the_o people_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n answ_n this_o assertion_n seem_v to_o we_o very_o strange_a to_o fall_v from_o that_o reverend_a and_o learned_a author_n be_v a_o foundation_n of_o many_o inconvenience_n and_o absu●…dities_n and_o tend_v to_o overthrow_v the_o order_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o visible_a church_n for_o first_o if_o this_o be_v so_o that_o every_o society_n in_o covenant_n with_o god_n be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n than_o man_n may_v set_v up_o as_o many_o form_n of_o visible_a church_n as_o they_o please_v if_o the_o people_n be_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n visible_o at_o least_o the_o archdeacon_n with_o his_o commissary_n priest_n churchwarden_n etc._n etc._n be_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n be_v a_o true_a church_n so_o the_o diocesan_n bishop_n in_o his_o cathedral_n with_o his_o clergy_n or_o any_o such_o assembly_n be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n or_o what_o other_o form-soev_a man_n will_v devise_v may_v go_v for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o to_o they_o belong_v the_o seal_n and_o you_o may_v as_o well_o say_v discipline_n and_o all_o ordinance_n of_o god_n if_o they_o be_v the_o true_a church_n second_o upon_o this_o ground_n every_o company_n of_o godly_a christian_o in_o covenant_n with_o god_n meet_v in_o fast_v prayer_n etc._n etc._n be_v the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n and_o to_o they_o as_o such_o the_o seal●…_n belong_v and_o send_v for_o a_o true_a minister_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o may_v have_v baptism_n and_o the_o lords-supper_n administer_v and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n discipline_n also_o yea_o if_o but_o two_o or_o three_o as_o you_o say_v be_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n meet_v together_o in_o their_o travail_n at_o a_o inn_n etc._n etc._n be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n especial_o every_o christian_a family_n i●…_n the_o church_n for_o they_o profess_v the_o entire_a faith_n join_v daily_o in_o prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n receive_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n to_o dwell_v among_o they_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n obedient_a unto_o the_o command●…_n of_o god_n and_o in_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o therefore_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n why_o not_o call_v for_o a_o minister_n and_o have_v seal_n ordinary_o dispense_v to_o they_o three_o upon_o this_o ground_n a_o company_n of_o christian_a woman_n in_o covenant_n with_o god_n be_v a_o church_n to_o who_o the_o seal_n ●…_n belong_v and_o who_o see_v not_o how_o all_o orderly_a dispensation_n of_o god_n ordinance_n and_o the_o whole_a order_n of_o visible_a church_n in_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v overturn_v by_o this_o assertion_n we_o very_o believe_v this_o author_n be_v far_o from_o admit_v these_o thing_n but_o the_o position_n itself_o will_v unavoidable_o enforce_v the_o same_o neither_o can_v we_o impute_v this_o assertion_n to_o any_o inconsiderateness_n through_o heat_n of_o disputation_n for_o if_o any_o shall_v maintain_v the_o personal_a covenant_n of_o people_n with_o god_n to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o constitute_v visible_a church_n and_o not_o admit_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o more_o public_a or_o general_a covenant_n explicit_a or_o implicit_a whereby_o a_o company_n of_o christian●…_n be_v make_v one_o people_n join_v in_o one_o congregation_n to_o worship_n god_n in_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n and_o walk_v together_o in_o his_o way●…_n they_o must_v of_o necessity_n acknowledge_v every_o society_n in_o covenant_n with_o god_n to_o be_v a_o church_n as_o here_o be_v say_v and_o therefore_o admit_v all_o form_n of_o church_n and_o all_o family_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v church_n and_o so_o bring_v in_o the_o confution_n object_v which_o we_o desire_v may_v well_o be_v consider_v all_o your_o argument_n stand_v upon_o that_o ground_n of_o personal_a covenant_n with_o god_n which_o be_v too_o weak_a to_o bear_v up_o that_o conclusion_n to_o make_v all_o such_o visible_a church_n to_o who_o the_o seal_v belong_v as_o the_o absurd_a consequence_n thereof_o show_v these_o reason_n and_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o margin_n some_o of_o they_o will_v prove_v they_o fit_a matter_n for_o visible_a church_n and_o that_o they_o have_v a_o remote_a right_n unto_o the_o seal_n of_o that_o covenant_n which_o we_o grant_v but_o they_o will_v not_o prove_v every_o society_n of_o such_o to_o be_v true_a church_n have_v immediate_a right_n to_o have_v the_o seal_v dispense_v unto_o they_o reply_n five_o if_o it_o be_v gra●…ted_v that_o the_o seal_n be_v the_o prerogative_n of_o particular_a visible_a church_n know_v and_o approve_a christian_n among_o we_o be_v member_n of_o such_o church_n and_o so_o to_o be_v esteem_v among_o you_o etc._n etc._n and_o every_o visible_a believer_n profess_v the_o pure_a entire_a faith_n admit_v to_o the_o right_n and_o lawful_a participation_n of_o the_o sacrament_n be_v a_o visible_a member_n of_o the_o true_a church_n if_o he_o have_v neither_o renounce_v the_o society_n nor_o deserve_v just_o to_o be_v cast_v out_o by_o excommunication_n or_o church_n censure_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o know_v and_o approve_a christian_n member_n of_o our_o church_n come_v to_o new-england_n shall_v desire_v to_o have_v their_o child_n baptize_v or_o themselves_o admit_v to_o the_o lords-supper_n before_o they_o be_v set_v member_n among_o you_o we_o desire_v to_o know_v upon_o what_o ground_n from_o god_n you_o can_v deny_v they_o if_o you_o acknowledge_v our_o church_n ministry_n and_o sacrament_n to_o be_v true_a as_o you_o profess_v and_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v know_v and_o approve_v orderly_o recommend_v unto_o you_o answ_n we_o grant_v all_o this_o here_o express_v for_o the_o substance_n however_o some_o reason_n speak_v unto_o before_o intermix_v we_o pass_v over_o and_o to_o your_o question_n we_o frame_v a_o ready_a answer_n from_o your_o own_o word_n for_o first_o you_o grant_v that_o if_o such_o member_n have_v renounce_v that_o society_n wherein_o they_o do_v partake_v of_o the_o seal_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v repute_v member_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v general_o the_o case_n of_o all_o approve_a christian_n among_o we_o who_o though_o they_o do_v not_o so_o renounce_v the_o church_n that_o bear_v they_o and_o give_v they_o suck_v as_o no_o true_a church_n yet_o see_v they_o be_v grow_v so_o corrupt_a many_o way_n as_o they_o can_v neither_o enjoy_v some_o needful_a ordinance_n nor_o partake_v in_o those_o they_o have_v without_o sin_n they_o have_v therefore_o renounce_v and_o forsake_v all_o further_a communion_n with_o they_o and_o membership_n in_o they_o and_o so_o by_o your_o own_o grant_n neither_o themselves_o nor_o the_o church_n here_o can_v take_v they_o as_o member_n of_o your_o church_n to_o receive_v they_o under_o that_o respect_n second_o if_o any_o yet_o have_v not_o so_o far_o renounce_v those_o church_n they_o belong_v unto_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o orderly_o recommend_v unto_o we_o which_o also_o you_o grant_v aught_o to_o be_v and_o indeed_o otherwise_o we_o may_v oft_o receive_v person_n just_o excommunicate_a or_o such_o as_o be_v no_o member_n of_o church_n any_o where_o or_o otherwise_o under_o great_a offence_n as_o frequent_a example_n among_o ourselves_o do_v she●…e_v though_o the_o church_n may_v think_v well_o of_o such_o as_o offer_v themselves_o what_o else_o follow_v in_o this_o paragraph_n be_v the_o same_o in_o substance_n and_o much_o of_o it_o in_o word_n also_o that_o we_o have_v answer_v before_o and_o therefore_o we_o pass_v it_o over_o and_o that_o of_o the_o jewish_a church_n we_o shall_v speak_v to_o after_o as_o for_o that_o you_o desire_v leave_v to_o set_v down_o and_o we_o to_o examine_v what_o may_v be_v object_v against_o that_o we_o affirm_v that_o the_o distinct_a church_n name_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v congregationall_a society_n we_o shall_v consider_v as_o follow_v reply_v the_o number_n of_o believer_n be_v so_o great_a in_o some_o city_n that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n as_o one_o assembly_n to_o worship_n god_n according_a to_o his_o will_n and_o for_o their_o edify_n as_o in_o samaria_n jerusalem_n antioch_n ephesus_n answ_n although_o we_o expect_v not_o objection_n in_o this_o case_n against_o the_o currant_n tenent_n of_o our_o godly_a reformer_n baine_n parker_n etc._n etc._n with_o who_o we_o join_v and_o we_o may_v refer_v you_o to_o they_o for_o answer_v to_o this_o beat_a objection_n of_o the_o prelate_n yet_o we_o be_v not_o unwilling_a to_o examine_v what_o be_v say_v in_o this_o digression_n the_o argument_n stand_v thus_o if_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n be_v so_o great_a in_o some_o city_n as_o can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n to_o edification_n then_o there_o be_v some_o other_o form_n of_o a_o church_n beside_o congregationall_a but_o so_o it_o be_v in_o samaria_n etc._n etc._n answ_n
we_o deny_v the_o consequence_n for_o when_o they_o grow_v to_o so_o great_a a_o number_n they_o may_v fall_v into_o more_o congregationall_a church_n and_o so_o no_o other_o form_n arise_v from_o the_o multitude_n but_o we_o suppose_v you_o mean_v of_o such_o a_o multitude_n as_o be_v call_v a_o church_n and_o therefore_o to_o answer_v to_o your_o assumption_n we_o deny_v that_o any_o such_o multitude_n of_o believer_n as_o be_v here_o call_v a_o church_n be_v so_o great_a as_o can_v not_o meet_v to_o edification_n and_o first_o concern_v samaria_n reply_n that_o there_o be_v a_o church_n gather_v in_o samaria_n will_v not_o be_v deny_v for_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n and_o be_v baptize_v but_o that_o the_o church_n in_o that_o city_n be_v only_o a_o congregationall_a assembly_n be_v more_o than_o can_v probable_o be_v conclude_v answ_n we_o grant_v a_o church_n or_o church_n be_v gather_v in_o samaria_n and_o we_o accept_v your_o reason_n as_o good_a because_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n and_o be_v baptize_v wh●…e_o by_o the_o way_n you_o grant_v what_o we_o plead_v for_o before_o that_o the_o apostle_n gather_v church_n when_o they_o baptize_v they_o but_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o congregationall_a assembly_n lie_v not_o in_o 〈…〉_z prove_v until_o you_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o believer_n be_v call_v a_o church_n or_o one_o church_n which_o do_v not_o appear_v in_o the_o whole_a story_n 〈…〉_z nor_o any_o other_o where_o that_o we_o can_v find_v and_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o as_o philip_n convert_v and_o baptize_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n at_o several_a time_n and_o gather_v they_o into_o the_o church_n or_o church_n as_o he_o baptize_v they_o so_o he_o may_v gather_v several_a church_n as_o well_o as_o one_o see_v that_o none_o doubt_v but_o that_o congregationall_a church_n 〈◊〉_d a_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n what_o ever_o man_n contend_v for_o beside_o and_o therefore_o be_v the_o number_n of_o believer_n in_o samaria_n as_o great_a as_o you_o will_v have_v it_o it_o prove_v nothing_o reply_n the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v one_o and_o distinct_a yet_o increase_v to_o 3000_o then_o to_o 5000_o etc._n etc._n answ_n be_v it_o so_o the_o increase_n be_v very_o great_a yet_o so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v call_v one_o distinct_a church_n it_o be_v one_o congregation_n viz._n until_o they_o scatter_v by_o the_o persecution_n about_o stephen_n acts._n 7.8_o which_o be_v evident_a by_o these_o two_o argument_n first_o act_v 2.41_o etc._n etc._n where_o we_o see_v the_o 3000_o add_v to_o the_o 120._o they_o have_v their_o communion_n together_o describe_v 1_o in_o regard_n of_o their_o spiritual_a communion_n to_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n fellowship_n break_v of_o bread_n and_o prayer_n verse_n 42._o second_o in_o regard_n of_o their_o outward_a communion_n in_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n they_o have_v all_o thing_n common_a and_o sell_v their_o possession_n etc._n etc._n verse_n 44_o &_o 45_o now_o the_o manner_n of_o both_o part_n of_o this_o communion_n in_o respect_n of_o time_n and_o place_n be_v describe_v verse_n 46._o viz._n in_o their_o spiritual_a duty_n they_o continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o second_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o outward_a communion_n in_o their_o state_n they_o eat_v their_o meat_n from_o house_n to_o house_n this_o latter_a require_v many_o table_n and_o many_o house_n to_o provide_v for_o they_o so_o that_o although_o in_o their_o outward_a communion_n it_o be_v in_o private_a house_n yet_o their_o spiritual_a communion_n it_o be_v with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o place_n viz._n the_o temple_n where_o they_o have_v room_n enough_o be_v the_o place_n erect_v for_o a_o national_n church_n and_o have_v favour_n with_o all_o the_o people_n be_v not_o interrupt_v therein_o by_o any_o persecution_n we_o need_v not_o step_v out_o of_o our_o way_n to_o reply_v to_o all_o that_o be_v say_v against_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o to_o note_v that_o they_o daily_o with_o one_o accord_n 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o in_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v not_o ans●…ered_v by_o any_o 〈…〉_z 2_o this_o appear_v act_n ●…_z 1_o 5._o where_o it_o be_v evident_a the_o election_n of_o deacon_n be_v before_o and_o by_o the_o multitude_n verse_n 1._o by_o the_o whole_a multitude_n verse_n 5._o and_o this_o be_v the_o last_o church-meeting_n and_o church_n act_n we_o read_v of_o before_o their_o scatter_n neither_o can_v ●…t_o appear_v that_o the_o jew_n and_o ●…recians_n who_o widow_n murmur_v be_v two_o distinct_a congregation_n but_o the_o contrary_n be_v evident_a in_o that_o the_o deacon_n be_v choose_v all_o by_o the_o whole_a and_o for_o the_o whole_a not_o distinct_o so_o many_o for_o this_o and_o so_o many_o for_o that_o church_n as_o it_o be_v needful_a if_o they_o be_v two_o church_n these_o proof_n be_v so_o clear_a the_o inconvenience_n object_v be_v of_o no_o force_n and_o sufficient_o answer_v by_o many_o example_n of_o as_o great_a assembly_n meet_v ordinary_o to_o edification_n as_o beside_o the_o auditory_a of_o chrysostome_n cite_v by_o other_o the_o assembly_n of_o stepney_n in_o london_n yarmouth_n in_o norfolk_n and_o other_o in_o our_o experience_n beza_n a_o man_n not_o love_v to_o hyperbolise_v say_v that_o be_v in_o paris_n there_o meet_v at_o a_o sermon_n 332._o 24000._o and_o of_o a_o synodall_n assembly_n that_o they_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n no_o less_o than_o 10000_o beza_n epist._n 65._o reply_n without_o question_v the_o number_n of_o believer_n at_o antioch_n be_v not_o small_a of_o which_o it_o be_v express_o say_v that_o a_o great_a number_n believe_v and_o that_o a_o great_a multitude_n be_v add_v to_o the_o lord_n by_o the_o preach_n of_o barnabas_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v think_v the_o church_n rise_v to_o such_o a●…_n bigness_n as_o can_v not_o well_o assemble_v in_o one_o congregation_n act_v 11.21_o &_o 14.27_o answ_n 1_o in_o that_o place_n act_v 11.21_o the_o great_a number_n that_o believe_v be_v the_o fruit_n of_o all_o the_o scatter_a christian_n at_o phenice_n cyprus_n and_o antioch_n for_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v with_o they_o all_o and_o their_o whole_a success_n be_v sum_v up_o together_o nothing_o say_v before_o of_o the_o other_o place_n 2_o though_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n teach_v much_o people_n yet_o it_o prove_v not_o that_o this_o much_o people_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o church_n 3_o though_o much_o people_n be_v add_v to_o the_o lord_n yet_o do_v it_o follow_v they_o be_v more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n and_o if_o first_o disciple_n be_v there_o call_v christian_n must_v it_o need_v be_v for_o their_o number_n and_o not_o rather_o for_o eminent_a likeness_n to_o christ_n with_o other_o specialty_n of_o providence_n 4_o it_o be_v express_o say_v the_o church_n be_v gather_v together_o act_v 14.27_o which_o be_v not_o mean_v of_o the_o elder_n only_o as_o if_o they_o only_o can_v meet_v for_o chap._n 15.30_o they_o gather_v the_o multitude_n together_o so_o that_o it_o be_v no●…_n 〈…〉_z but_o 〈…〉_z to_o g●…ther_o in_o 〈◊〉_d place_n reply_n the_o number_n of_o believer_n be_v great_a at_o ephesus_n where_o paul_n preach_v two_o year_n all_o that_o dwell_v 〈…〉_z hear_v 〈…〉_z and_o effectual_a way_n open_v 〈…〉_z the_o 〈…〉_z of_o di●…na_fw-la her_o temple_n be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v se●…_n a●…●…ought_v 〈◊〉_d those_o 〈…〉_z burn_v their_o book_n open_o which_o can_v not_o 〈…〉_z great_a danger_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o city_n have_v 〈◊〉_d act_v 19.10_o 19_o 27._o answ_n 1_o be_v it_o so_o that_o many_o be_v convert_v and_o the_o word_n gr●…w_o mighty_o this_o prove_v not_o th●●_n all_o who_o hear_v paul_n be_v of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n for_o then_o all_o 〈◊〉_d shall_v be_v of_o that_o church_n act_n 19.10_o who_o do_v hear_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d jewe_n and_o gentile_n as_o for_o the_o danger_n of_o the_o shrine_n and_o diana_n temple_n to_o be_v set_v at_o nought_o a_o little_a spark_n may_v ●…indle_v such_o fear_n and_o raise_v such_o outcry_n in_o the_o covetous_a craftsman_n by_o who_o the_o whole_a city_n be_v see_v in_o a_o superstitious_a 〈◊〉_d our_o own_o experience_n may_v teach_v how_o soon_o a_o profane_a people_n will_v cry_v our_o against_o a_o faithful_a minister_n before_o he_o have_v convert_v ten_o 〈◊〉_d in_o a_o city_n 2_o that_o they_o can_v not_o burn_v their_o book_n open_o without_o danger_n to_o the_o church_n except_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o city_n believe_v seem_v a_o strange_a reason_n as_o if_o believer_n 〈◊〉_d not_o profess_v open_o except_o they_o have_v a_o great_a number_n to_o maintain_v they_o with_o club-law_n open_a profession_n in_o those_o time_n
yet_o it_o be_v beyond_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o convince_v by_o a_o rule_n that_o so_o it_o be_v we_o confess_v we_o be_v fearful_a as_o of_o open_v the_o door_n too_o wide_o so_o of_o shut_v the_o door_n upon_o any_o who_o god_n will_v have_v we_o to_o receive_v in_o but_o for_o what_o yet_o we_o see_v or_o read_v from_o the_o argument_n here_o allege_v in_o this_o author_n or_o the_o write_n of_o other_o godly_a learned_a we_o think_v that_o church_n charity_n be_v not_o to_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o the_o first_o but_o with_o the_o latter_a for_o let_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o work_n of_o faith_n be_v never_o so_o short_a or_o so_o weak_a let_v it_o be_v by_o their_o own_o immediate_a relation_n or_o by_o question_n yet_o if_o it_o may_v but_o appear_v to_o a_o regulate_v charity_n so_o as_o to_o hope_v that_o be_v be_v real_a it_o be_v to_o rest_v satisfy_v then_o till_o god_n make_v discovery_n to_o the_o contrary_a we_o intend_v not_o to_o heap_v up_o argument_n nor_o answer_v scruple_n but_o these_o four_o thing_n seem●…_n to_o ●…vince_v as_o much_o 1_o that_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o 3000._o convert_v act_n ●…_z as_o they_o be_v very_o ready_a to_o receive_v they_o to_o the_o fold_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o in_o one_o day_n immediate_o receive_v so_o many_o thousand_o which_o can_v not_o be_v by_o large_a profession_n of_o every_o one_o so_o also_o they_o attend_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o profession_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o bare_a profession_n of_o faith_n but_o as_o it_o be_v set_v down_o for_o our_o pattern_n it_o be_v such_o a_o profession_n as_o be_v evident_o join_v with_o humiliation_n prick_v at_o the_o heart_n mourning_n and_o cry_v out_o before_o the_o apostle_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v to_o be_v save_v glad_o receive_v the_o word_n which_o be_v real_a testimony_n of_o some_o real_a change_n from_o what_o they_o be_v but_o a_o little_a before_o and_o upon_o this_o ground_n the_o apostle_n receive_v they_o 2_o the_o apostle_n charge_v to_o timothy_n 2_o tim._n 3.5_o from_o such_o as_o have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n and_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o it_o turn_v away_o if_o bar●…_n profession_n be_v sufficient_a why_o shall_v timothy_n turn_v from_o they_o but_o rather_o receive_v they_o who_o have_v a_o form_n of_o profession_n and_o if_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o avoid_v they_o why_o shall_v he_o not_o reject_v they_o and_o that_o not_o only_o from_o private_a but_o church_n communion_n also_o suppose_v they_o such_o as_o not_o one●…y_o have_v a_o form_n but_o may_v be_v by_o a_o rule_n convince_v thereof_o 3.9_o 3_o lie_v and_o apparent_a untruth_n can_v make_v a_o man_n fit_a matter_n for_o a_o church_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v a_o ground_n for_o charity_n to_o rest_v on_o that_o so_o he_o be_v but_o verbal_a profession_n which_o appear_v not_o to_o be_v real_a but_o false_a be_v palpable_a lie_v and_o indeed_o more_o fit_a to_o destroy_v the_o church_n then_o to_o make_v the_o church_n hence_o sanctius_n in_o zach._n 14.14_o observe_n that_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o the_o church_n be_v such_o qui_fw-la cum_fw-la fidem_fw-la retineant_fw-la sanctitatem_fw-la abjecerunt_fw-la 4_o if_o bare_a profession_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o receive_v man_n into_o the_o church_n than_o a_o excommunicate_a person_n cast_v out_o in_o one_o hour_n shall_v be_v immediate_o receive_v in_o again_o if_o he_o will_v but_o renew_v his_o general_a profession_n of_o faith_n nay_o then_o the_o indian_n in_o maryland_n who_o will_v put_v on_o and_o put_v off_o this_o profession_n as_o their_o ghostly_a father_n the_o popish_a priest_n will_v bestow_v or_o withhold_v garment_n and_o shirt_n upon_o they_o shall_v in_o charity_n be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v ask_v how_o charity_n may_v know_v the_o reality_n of_o this_o profession_n we_o answer_v so_o long_o as_o the_o rule_n be_v attend_v we_o leave_v every_o one_o to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n to_o make_v application_n thereof_o only_o this_o we_o do_v add_v in_o general_a for_o more_o full_a satisfaction_n 1_o such_o a_o faith_n profess_v with_o the_o mouth_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o a_o innocent_a godly_a conversation_n in_o the_o life_n so_o as_o not_o to_o live_v in_o commission_n of_o any_o know_a sin_n or_o omission_n of_o any_o know_a duty_n we_o say_v this_o conversation_n make_v faith_n appear_v real_a james_n 2.18_o rev._n 22.14_o we_o conceive_v more_o be_v require_v to_o make_v a_o man_n appear_v a_o fit_a member_n of_o a_o church_n then_o of_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o be_v only_o bone_fw-la civis_fw-la and_o bare_a civility_n be_v sufficient_a for_o this_o latter_a but_o not_o for_o the_o former_a and_o therefore_o such_o a_o profession_n of_o faith_n be_v needful_a as_o be_v confirm_v by_o a_o not_o only_o a_o civil_a but_o a_o godly_a life_n 2_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o be_v join_v with_o evident_a repentance_n and_o sorrow_n and_o mourn_v for_o sin_n although_o there_o be_v no_o experience_n always_o of_o such_o a_o holy_a life_n antecedent_o see_v for_o thus_o it_o be_v act._n 2.37_o 38._o for_o the_o riches_n of_o christ_n grace_n be_v such_o as_o not_o only_o to_o receive_v experience_a christian_n into_o his_o family_n and_o house_n but_o also_o the_o weak_a and_o poor_a who_o may_v stand_v in_o most_o need_n of_o christ_n ordinance_n and_o that_o as_o soon_o as_o ever_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v bring_v in_o and_o therefore_o experience_n of_o a_o blameless_a life_n be_v not_o always_o necessary_a for_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n some_o think_v indeed_o that_o the_o apostle_n receive_v in_o the_o first_o convert_v act._n 2.39_o so_o soon_o because_o they_o have_v a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n of_o discern_v but_o if_o they_o have_v so_o yet_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v they_o in_o here_o according_a to_o that_o for_o they_o receive_v divers_a hypocrite_n in_o as_o ananias_n and_o sapphira_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o all_o other_o of_o their_o act_n in_o this_o chapter_n be_v exemplary_a why_o shall_v this_o only_o be_v think_v to_o be_v otherwise_o and_o extraordinary_a 3_o when_o there_o be_v full_a and_o sufficient_a testimony_n from_o other_o of_o their_o faith_n and_o piety_n although_o their_o humiliation_n faith_n and_o conversation_n be_v not_o so_o well_o know_v for_o we_o see_v the_o church_n receive_v paul_n when_o barnabas_n have_v declare_v what_o god_n have_v do_v for_o he_o and_o if_o it_o may_v be_v just_a to_o condemn_v another_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o two_o faithful_a witness_n it_o may_v not_o be_v unchristian_a to_o receive_v a_o other_o into_o the_o fold_n of_o christ_n much_o more_o ready_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o able_a and_o faithful_a christian_n especial_o then_o when_o they_o be_v not_o able_a open_o and_o public_o ro_o speak_v so_o full_o for_o themselves_o and_o thus_o much_o for_o answer_v to_o the_o first_o question_n 2_o question_v whether_o this_o profession_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o the_o church_n answer_v 1._o the_o faithful_a as_o they_o do_v at_o first_o combine_v into_o a_o church_n so_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o receive_v other_o to_o themselves_o as_o the_o church_n do_v act_v 9.26_o 27._o encourage_v by_o barnabas_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o as_o the_o apostle_n command_v rom._n 14.1_o which_o although_o it_o be_v of_o fellow-member_n into_o their_o affection_n yet_o the_o proportion_n hold_v strong_a for_o receive_v comer_n into_o the_o church_n joh._n ep._n 3.8_o 9_o 10._o 2_o if_o they_o be_v to_o receive_v they_o they_o must_v by_o some_o mean_n know_v they_o to_o be_v such_o as_o they_o may_v comfortable_o receive_v into_o their_o affection_n a_o little_a leaven_n leaven_n the_o whole_a lump_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 3_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v first_o private_o to_o examine_v they_o and_o prepare_v they_o for_o admission_n be_v to_o show_v the_o church_n the_o rule_n on_o which_o the_o church_n be_v to_o receive_v they_o and_o themselves_o be_v ready_a to_o admit_v they_o act._n 10.37_o can_v any_o forbid_v water_n etc._n etc._n this_o rule_n be_v best_a see_v by_o that_o public_a profession_n before_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o if_o no_o just_a exception_n be_v make_v as_o none_o shall_v be_v without_o conviction_n they_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v by_o the_o officer_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o member_n hereunto_o for_o if_o public_a profession_n be_v needful_a at_o least_o before_o the_o church_n though_o not_o the_o world_n always_o as_o didoclavius_n observe_v to_o the_o entrance_n into_o the_o covenant_n and_o church_n by_o baptism_n we_o see_v no_o reason_n but_o person_n former_o baptize_v and_o enter_v anew_o into_o the_o church_n but_o they_o shall_v open_o
communion_n with_o he_o as_o a_o true_a minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o church_n he_o do_v belong_v to_o as_o they_o may_v do_v with_o a_o member_n unjust_o cast_v out_o but_o till_o that_o appear_v unto_o they_o they_o can_v so_o esteem_v and_o honour_v he_o be_v orderly_o depose_v but_o must_v at_o least_o suspend_v their_o judgement_n till_o the_o case_n be_v clear_v four_o we_o answer_v clear_o and_o plain_o to_o the_o chief_a scope_n of_o the_o question_n if_o a_o minister_n be_v unjust_o depose_v or_o forsake_v by_o his_o particular_a church_n and_o he_o also_o withal_o renounce_v and_o forsake_v they_o so_o far_o as_o all_o office_n and_o relation_n between_o they_o cease_v then_o be_v he_o no_o long_o a_o officer_n or_o pastor_n in_o any_o church_n of_o god_n whatsoever_o you_o will_v call_v it_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o a_o minister_n office_n in_o the_o church_n be_v no_o indelible_a character_n but_o consist_v in_o his_o relation_n to_o the_o flock_n and_o if_o a_o minister_n once_o ordain_v his_o relation_n cease_v his_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n steward_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n shall_v still_o remain_v why_o shall_v not_o a_o roll_a elder_a or_o deacon_n remain_v a_o elder_a or_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n as_o well_o all_o be_v officer_n ordain_v of_o christ_n alike_o give_v to_o his_o church_n officer_n choose_v and_o ordain_v by_o lay_v on_o of_o ●…ands_n alike_o but_o we●…_n suppose_v you_o will_v not_o say_v a_o deacon_n in_o such_o a_o case_n shall_v remain_v a_o deacon_n in_o the_o catholic_a church_n therefore_o not_o a_o minister_n second_o we_o shall_v now_o consider_v what_o be_v here_o say_v and_o first_o this_o language_n of_o a_o minister_n in_o the_o usual_a church_n as_o a_o particular_a church_n have_v union_n with_o and_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o universal_a it_o be_v a_o unusual_a expression_n to_o we_o and_o to_o the_o scripture_n phrase_n and_o therefore_o bear_v with_o we_o if_o we_o fall_v short_a of_o your_o meaning_n the_o usual_a church_n in_o england_n have_v be_v either_o the_o arch-deacon_n church_n in_o the_o deana●…ies_n or_o diocesan_n in_o the_o bishopric_n or_o provincial_n or_o national_n but_o we_o hope_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o intend_a here_o yet_o to_o all_o this_o and_o the_o jurisdiction_n thereof_o particular_a church_n have_v be_v subject_a as_o part_n there_o but_o if_o by_o usual_a church_n you_o mean_v a_o classical_a provincial_n or_o national_n church_n we_o must_v entreat_v better_a ground_n for_o any_o of_o these_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v confess_v our_o mind_n and_o meaning_n be_v not_o so_o that_o we_o look_v at_o a_o minister_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n in_o any_o such_o relation_n to_o the_o usual_a and_o intermediate_v church_n between_o it_o and_o the_o catholic_a the_o second_o sense_n therefore_o we_o own_o and_o acknowledge_v as_o before_o but_o whether_o this_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n we_o know_v not_o because_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o we_o know_v what_o the_o universal_a church_n judge_v except_o we_o can_v hear_v it_o speak_v or_o see_v its_o practice_n if_o the_o only_a head_n prophet_n and_o shepherd_n of_o the_o church_n jesus_n christ_n be_v fit_a to_o declare_v her_o judgement_n we_o will_v be_v try_v thereby_o who_o we_o know_v have_v set_v elder_n in_o every_o particular_a church_n act._n 14.23_o to_o watch_v over_o their_o particular_a flock_n act._n 20.28_o but_o not_o over_o any_o other_o church_n that_o we_o can_v find_v neither_o do_v this_o destroy_v the_o unity_n or_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n nor_o of_o particular_a church_n one_o with_o another_o as_o be_v say_v for_o church_n may_v enjoy_v brotherly_a communion_n one_o with_o another_o without_o such_o state_v form_n under_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o one_o another_o as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o reply_n for_o if_o he_o be_v not_o a_o minister_n to_o other_o church_n then_o be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o god_n one_o nor_o the_o communion_n which_o they_o have_v together_o on_o nor_o the_o minister_n one_o non_fw-la the_o flock_n which_o they_o feed_v one_o answ_n in_o what_o sense_n be_v intend_v to_o have_v the_o minister_n one_o and_o flock_v one_o we_o do_v not_o see_v if_o you_o mean_v one_o by_o one_o visible_a government_n over_o the_o catholic_a church_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o subordination_n of_o church_n and_o minister_n you_o must_v at_o last_o rise_v to_o oecomenicall_a pastor_n or_o council_n that_o must_v be_v the_o supreme_a which_o can_v scarce_o ever_o be_v have_v if_o you_o mean_v a_o unity_n by_o brotherly_a communion_n in_o office●…_n of_o love_n and_o mutual_a helpefulnesse_n of_o church_n and_o minister_n without_o usurpation_n such_o a_o unity_n and_o community_n be_v not_o destroy_v and_o the_o argument_n do_v not_o follow_v can_v many_o distinct_a society_n of_o town_n or_o corporation_n make_v up_o one_o county_n except_o the_o major_n or_o constable_n in_o one_o town_n be_v a_o major_n or_o constable_n in_o other_o also_o by_o this_o reason_n the_o deacon_n of_o one_o church_n be_v the_o deacon_n of_o all_o or_o else_o the_o unity_n be_v destroy_v reply_n if_o the_o pastor_n derive_v all_o his_o authority_n from_o the_o church_n when_o the_o church_n have_v set_v he_o aside_o what_o right_o have_v he_o to_o administer_v among_o that_o people_n answ_n true_o but_o we_o say_v he_o derive_v all_o his_o authority_n from_o christ_n by_o the_o church_n indeed_o apply_v that_o office_n to_o he_o to_o which_o the_o authority_n be_v annex_v by_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n hence_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n unto_o they_o if_o they_o without_o christ_n depose_v he_o they_o hinder_v the_o exercise_n of_o his_o office_n but_o his_o right_n remain_v reply_n as_o they_o give_v right_a to_o a_o unworthy_a man_n to_o minister_v among_o they_o if_o they_o call_v he_o unjust_o so_o they_o take_v right_a from_o the_o worthy_a if_o they_o unjust_o depose_v he_o answ_n we_o grant_v there_o be_v a_o parity_n in_o foro_fw-la externo_fw-la but_o as_o in_o the_o call_n his_o outward_a call_v consist_v in_o the_o election_n of_o the_o call_n and_o the_o acceptation_n of_o the_o call_v to_o complete_a his_o power_n of_o administration_n now_o this_o by_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n may_v be_v destroy_v in_o a_o ●…ust_v censure_v without_o his_o consent_n but_o can_v unjust_o be_v wring_v from_o he_o without_o his_o consent_n &_o therefore_o he_o may_v hold_v his_o right_n till_o either_o he_o be_v just_o depose_v or_o willing_o relinquish_v the_o same_o upon_o their_o injurious_a interruption_n of_o the_o use_n of_o his_o right_n reply_n and_o whereas_o you_o say_v the_o minister_n be_v for_o the_o ministry_n and_o the_o office_n for_o the_o execution_n and_o so_o the_o pastor_n and_o the_o flock_n be_v relative_n and_o therefore_o if_o their_o election_n give_v he_o authority_n among_o they_o to_o feed_v their_o c●…sting_v he_o off_o have_v strip_v he_o of_o the_o same_o power_n they_o give_v he_o answ_n we_o grant_v it_o be_v so_o yet_o the_o execution_n may_v be_v unjust_o hinder_v though_o the_o right_n and_o office_n remain_v but_o we_o may_v well_o retort_v this_o argument_n upon_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o usual_a or_o catholic_a church_n thus_o if_o the_o minister_n be_v for_o the_o ministry_n and_o the_o office_n for_o the_o execution_n and_o so_o the_o pastor_n and_o flock_n be_v relative_n than_o he_o that_o may_v just_o for_o ever_o be_v hinder_v of_o all_o execution_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o have_v no_o power_n to_o censure_v his_o flock_n or_o can_v so_o much_o as_o just_o approve_v and_o admonish_v they_o for_o the_o same_o sure_o he_o have_v a_o poor_a office_n and_o ministry_n but_o such_o a_o minister_n that_o have_v no_o particular_a congregation_n that_o be_v his_o flock_n under_o his_o charge_n may_v just_o be_v exclude_v out_o of_o all_o church_n and_o can_v censure_v or_o reprove_v his_o catholic_n or_o usual_a church_n for_o the_o same_o therefore_o he_o be_v indeed_o no_o minister_n and_o and_o have_v no_o office_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n ●…hap_n xvii_o position_n 8._o that_o one_o minister_n can_v perform_v any_o ministerial_a act_n in_o another_o congregation_n reply_n the_o preach_v of_o the_o word_n and_o public_a prayer_n in_o the_o congregation_n meet_v together_o solemn_o to_o worship_n god_n etc._n etc._n be_v proper_o ministerial_a etc._n etc._n answ_n concern_v our_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n in_o our_o answer_n to_o this_o position_n we_o have_v speak_v in_o the_o second_o consideration_n of_o the_o second_o and_o three_o position_n to_o which_o we_o refer_v the_o reader_n only_o here_o we_o must_v ingenuous_o confess_v that_o our_o expression_n that_o a_o minister_n exercise_v in_o another_o church_n do_v it_o not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o call_n but_o only_o by_o his_o gift_n be_v not_o so_o clear_a but_o may_v occasion_v stumble_v yet_o the_o the_o next_o word_n follow_v do_v full_o express_v our_o mind_n viz._n that_o he_o do_v not_o put_v forth_o such_o a_o ministerial_a act_n of_o authority_n and_o power_n in_o dispense_n of_o god_n ordinance_n as_o a_o minister_n do_v perform_v to_o that_o church_n whereunto_o he_o be_v call_v to_o be_v a_o minister_n for_o so_o he_o do_v not_o perform_v any_o ministerial_a act_n with_o that_o authority_n he_o do_v to_o his_o own_o which_o further_o clear_v up_o our_o expression_n in_o the_o second_o consideration_n viz._n that_o he_o be_v a_o pastor_n of_o none_o but_o his_o proper_a flock_n although_o some_o act_n of_o his_o office_n may_v extend_v beyond_o his_o own_o flock_n as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o and_o therefore_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o may_v still_o conclude_v that_o if_o the_o question_n be_v put_v to_o any_o minister_n so_o exercise_v in_o another_o church_n which_o be_v once_o put_v to_o our_o saviour_n by_o what_o authority_n do_v thou_o these_o thing_n let_v he_o study_v how_o to_o give_v a_o answer_n for_o we_o have_v not_o yet_o learn_v it_o from_o this_o reply_n we_o confess_v there_o be_v some_o godly_a learned_a servant_n of_o christ_n who_o possible_o may_v be_v otherwise_o mind_v and_o think_v that_o a_o minister_n preach_v in_o another_o congregation_n do_v it_o only_o as_o a_o gift_a man_n as_o the_o refuter_fw-la of_o doctor_n downam_n with_o other_o in_o former_a time_n of_o reformation_n believe_v also_o but_o we_o desire_v that_o if_o any_o difference_n appear_v herein_o it_o may_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o same_o cause_n for_o substance_n we_o maintain_v if_o by_o sundry_a line_n we_o all_o meet_v at_o last_o in_o the_o same_o point_n finis_fw-la with_fw-mi pet._n mart._n loc._n com._n de_fw-fr excom_n brin_n watch_n part_v 3._o cap●…_n 10._o jun._n lib._n 1._o paral_n 6._o g._n apol._n cap._n 7._o q._n 2._o ibid._n p._n 138._o peter_n martyr_n in_o 1_o king_n 12._o verse_n 31._o pet._n mart._n com._n loc._n the_o idol_n in_o prae●…_n l._n 1._o john_n 2.15_o 16._o conc._n miliv_n can._n 12._o tertull._n apol._n cap._n 30._o vid._n chemnit_fw-la ex._n de_fw-fr innoc._n sanctorum_fw-la vid._n birth_n of_o heresy_n out_o of_o elasopolitans_n comment_n pet._n mart._n loc_n ●…om_n the_o idol_n whit._n de_fw-fr eccle._n 1_o cor._n 15.47_o vid._n brightm_n an._n in_o loc._n cypr._n lib._n 3._o epist_n 13._o cypr._n lib._n 4._o epist_n 7._o 7._o right_o of_o presbyt_fw-la pag._n 482._o page_n 22._o page_n 68_o tertul._n lib._n 4._o com._n mar._n mar._n calvin_n epist_n 332._o chamier_n de_fw-fr euchar_n cap._n 13._o reply_v to_o the_o second_o consideration_n of_o the_o answer_n pet_n mart._n de_fw-fr excom_n loc._n com._n com._n official_a lib._n 1._o cap._n 6.7_o rev._n 2.2_o and_o 3.9_o act_n 2_o 38.8_o ●…7_n 19_o 17_o 18_o ●…_n cham_fw-mi de_fw-fr bap._n lib._n 5._o cap._n 1●…_n