of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n it_o iâ—_n say_v that_o paul_n kneel_v down_o and_o pray_v with_o they_o all_o and_o they_o all_o weep_v sore_o act_v 20.36.37_o compare_v with_o verse_n 28._o here_o be_v some_o good_a number_n import_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n that_o be_v to_o the_o pastor_n thereof_o collective_o take_v christ_n say_v the_o devil_n shall_v cast_v some_o of_o you_o into_o prison_n revel_v 2.10_o which_o if_o not_o only_o yet_o principal_o be_v speak_v to_o the_o pastor_n though_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o that_o whole_a church_n this_o be_v more_o plain_a of_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n verse_n 24._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d unto_o you_o i_o say_v &_o to_o the_o rest_n in_o thyatira_n as_o if_o he_o will_v say_v say_v pareus_n tibi_fw-la â—spicopo_fw-la cum_fw-la collegis_fw-la &_o reliquo_fw-la coetui_fw-la dico_fw-la paul_n write_v to_o the_o bishop_n at_o philippi_n phil._n 1.1_o and_o notwithstanding_o that_o there_o be_v already_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n in_o that_o city_n yet_o the_o apostle_n think_v it_o necessary_a to_o send_v unto_o they_o epaphroditus_n also_o phil._n 2.25_o be_v short_o thereafter_o to_o send_v unto_o they_o timotheus_n verse_n 19_o yea_o to_o come_v himself_o verse_n 24._o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o scarcity_n of_o labourer_n in_o that_o harvest_n epaphras_n and_o archippus_n be_v pastor_n to_o the_o church_n at_o colosse_n and_o who_o beside_o we_o can_v tell_v but_o paul_n send_v unto_o they_o also_o tychicus_n and_o onesimuâ—_n col._n 4.7.9_o now_o touch_v the_o three_o proposition_n no_o man_n who_o understand_v will_v imagine_v that_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n within_o one_o of_o those_o great_a city_n be_v divide_v into_o as_o many_o parish_n as_o there_o be_v meet_v place_n for_o worship_n it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o controversy_n who_o do_v begin_v the_o division_n of_o parish_n but_o whosoever_o it_o be_v whether_o evaristus_n or_o higinus_n or_o dionysius_n certain_a it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o from_o the_o beginning_n i_o mean_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o than_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o say_v in_o every_o city_n or_o to_o say_v in_o every_o church_n that_o which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d tit._n 1.5_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act_v 14.22_o this_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o anti-prelaticall_a writer_n so_o far_o as_o i_o know_v and_o by_o the_o prelatical_a writer_n also_o the_o last_o proposition_n as_o it_o have_v not_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o so_o it_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v by_o the_o former_a for_o that_o which_o make_v the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n within_o one_o city_n to_o be_v one_o church_n be_v their_o union_n under_o and_o their_o subjection_n unto_o the_o same_o church_n government_n and_o governor_n a_o multitude_n may_v be_v one_o church_n though_o they_o do_v not_o meet_v together_o into_o one_o place_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n for_o example_n it_o may_v fall_v forth_o that_o a_o congregation_n can_v meet_v together_o into_o one_o but_o into_o divers_a place_n and_o this_o may_v continue_v so_o for_o some_o year_n together_o either_o by_o reason_n of_o persecution_n or_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o plague_n or_o because_o they_o have_v not_o such_o a_o large_a parish-church_n as_o may_v contain_v they_o all_o so_o that_o a_o part_n of_o they_o must_v meet_v in_o some_o other_o place_n but_o a_o multitude_n can_v be_v one_o church_n unless_o they_o communicate_v in_o the_o same_o church_n government_n and_o under_o the_o same_o governor_n by_o one_o church_n i_o mean_v one_o ecclesiastical_a republic_n even_o as_o the_o like_a union_n under_o civil_a government_n and_o governor_n make_v one_o corporation_n when_o the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n 20.28_o he_o exhort_v they_o all_o to_o take_v heed_n to_o all_o the_o flock_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n so_o that_o the_o whole_a be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a counsel_n and_o advice_n of_o the_o elder_n as_o hierome_n speak_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o say_v not_o the_o church_n but_o the_o church_n of_o amsterdam_n because_o all_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n have_v the_o charge_n and_o government_n of_o the_o whole_a from_o all_o which_o have_v be_v say_v i_o infer_v this_o corollary_n that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o presbytery_n which_o be_v the_o ordinary_a court_n of_o jurisdiction_n which_o do_v ordain_v depose_v excommunicate_a etc._n etc._n do_v consist_v of_o so_o many_o pastor_n and_o elder_n as_o can_v with_o conveniency_n meet_v ordinary_o together_o which_o be_v a_o pattern_n and_o warrant_n for_o our_o classical_a presbytery_n i_o confess_v there_o may_v be_v in_o some_o town_n no_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n than_o do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n notwithstanding_o whereof_o the_o pastor_n or_o pastor_n and_o elder_n of_o that_o congregation_n might_n and_o do_v manage_v the_o government_n of_o the_o same_o and_o exercise_v jurisdiction_n therein_o i_o confess_v also_o that_o in_o those_o city_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n than_o can_v meet_v together_o into_o one_o place_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n the_o presbytery_n do_v consist_v of_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n within_o such_o a_o city_n for_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n any_o christian_a congregation_n in_o landward_o village_n the_o persecution_n force_v christian_n to_o choose_v the_o shelter_n of_o city_n for_o which_o reason_n many_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o infidel_n in_o those_o day_n be_v call_v pagani_n because_o they_o alone_o dwell_v in_o pagis_fw-la and_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o adjacent_a to_o city_n we_o must_v think_v the_o same_o shall_v have_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o common_a presbytery_n their_o own_o pastor_n and_o elder_n be_v a_o part_n thereof_o howsoever_o it_o can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n that_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o apostolical_a church_n be_v make_v up_o of_o as_o many_o as_o can_v convenient_o meet_v together_o for_o manage_v the_o ordinary_a matter_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o church-government_n the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n of_o divers_a city_n can_v not_o convenient_o have_v such_o ordinary_a meeting_n especial_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n only_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n within_o one_o city_n have_v such_o conveniency_n and_o so_o to_o conclude_v we_o do_v not_o forsake_v but_o follow_v the_o pattern_n when_o we_o join_v together_o a_o number_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n out_o of_o the_o congregation_n in_o a_o convenient_a circuit_n to_o make_v up_o a_o common_a presbytery_n which_o have_v power_n and_o authority_n to_o govern_v those_o congregation_n for_o if_o the_o presbytery_n which_o we_o find_v in_o those_o city_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n plant_v church_n be_v a_o sure_a pattern_n for_o our_o classical_a presbytery_n as_o we_o have_v prove_v it_o to_o be_v than_o it_o follow_v undeniable_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o church-government_n of_o excommunication_n ordination_n etc._n etc._n which_o do_v belong_v to_o that_o primitive_a presbytery_n do_v also_o belong_v to_o those_o our_o classical_a or_o great_a presbytery_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o authority_n of_o synod_n provincial_n and_o national_n touch_v synod_n i_o shall_v first_o show_v what_o their_o power_n be_v and_o thereafter_o give_v argument_n for_o the_o same_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n which_o we_o ascribe_v unto_o synod_n be_v the_o same_o in_o nature_n and_o kind_n with_o that_o which_o belong_v to_o presbytery_n but_o with_o this_o difference_n that_o presbytery_n do_v exercise_v it_o in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n and_o in_o matter_n proper_a to_o the_o congregation_n within_o their_o circuit_n synod_n do_v exercise_v this_o power_n in_o matter_n which_o be_v common_a to_o a_o whole_a province_n or_o nation_n or_o if_o in_o matter_n proper_a to_o the_o bound_n of_o one_o presbytery_n it_o be_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a way_n that_o be_v to_o say_v when_o either_o presbytery_n have_v err_v in_o the_o manage_n of_o their_o own_o matter_n or_o when_o such_o thing_n be_v transfer_v to_o the_o synod_n from_o the_o presbytery_n whether_o it_o be_v by_o appellation_n or_o by_o reference_n the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n whereof_o i_o speak_v be_v threefold_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o it_o be_v distinguish_v by_o our_o writer_n and_o all_o these_o three_o do_v in_o manner_n foresay_a belong_v unto_o synod_n in_o respect_n of_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o worship_n a_o synod_n be_v judex_n or_o testis_fw-la in_o respect_n of_o external_a order_n and_o policy_n in_o circumstance_n a_o contriver_n of_o a_o
upon_o the_o same_o string_n 26._o the_o first_o be_v thus_o if_o those_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostolic_a institution_n have_v power_n full_o in_o themselves_o immediate_o from_o christ_n to_o practice_v all_o his_o ordinance_n then_o have_v all_o church_n the_o like_a power_n now_o 28._o but_o the_o first_o be_v true_a ergo._fw-la the_o three_o thus_o whatsoever_o be_v command_v by_o the_o seven_o church_n to_o be_v practise_v by_o each_o of_o they_o apart_z in_o and_o for_o themselves_o that_o no_o church_n of_o god_n must_v now_o omit_v but_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v command_v to_o the_o seven_o church_n to_o be_v practise_v by_o each_o of_o they_o etc._n etc._n the_o four_o thus_o 29._o if_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n have_v power_n and_o authority_n within_o herself_o to_o exercise_v ecclesiastical_a government_n then_o ought_v not_o particular_a congregation_n now_o to_o stand_v under_o any_o other_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n out_o of_o themselves_o but_o the_o first_o be_v true_a 30._o ergo._fw-la the_o six_o thus_o if_o the_o apostle_n give_v commandment_n unto_o the_o eldership_n of_o ephesus_n for_o the_o whole_a administration_n of_o all_o ordinance_n in_o that_o church_n then_o may_v the_o eldership_n of_o every_o particular_a congregation_n administer_v among_o themselves_o all_o god_n ordinance_n but_o the_o first_o be_v true_a ergo._fw-la now_o for_o answer_v to_o these_o first_o i_o simple_o deny_v the_o connexion_n of_o the_o proposition_n of_o the_o four_o argument_n because_o it_o argue_v à _fw-la genere_fw-la ad_fw-la speciem_fw-la affirmative_a from_o the_o exercise_v of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n to_o the_o exercise_v of_o it_o independent_o neither_o have_v he_o say_v any_o thing_n for_o proof_n hereof_o next_o the_o reader_n will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o both_o in_o the_o first_o and_o six_o argument_n his_o citation_n in_o proof_n both_o of_o the_o proposition_n and_o assumption_n have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o least_o colour_n of_o pertinency_n and_o far_o less_o of_o proof_n in_o both_o these_o argument_n when_o he_o will_v prove_v the_o proposition_n he_o speak_v to_o the_o assumption_n &_o contrariwise_o but_o these_o thing_n i_o delight_v not_o to_o insist_v upon_o only_o i_o shall_v give_v two_o distinction_n any_o one_o of_o which_o much_o more_o both_o of_o they_o shall_v make_v these_o argument_n whole_o improfitable_a unto_o he_o first_o i_o distinguish_v his_o proposition_n that_o power_n &_o authority_n which_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o other_o apostolical_a church_n have_v to_o exercise_v ecclesiastical_a government_n in_o and_o for_o themselves_o the_o like_a have_v all_o church_n now_o which_o be_v of_o the_o like_a frame_n and_o condition_n but_o the_o most_o part_n of_o particular_a church_n now_o be_v of_o a_o different_a frame_n and_o condition_n from_o the_o apostolic_a church_n and_o so_o have_v not_o such_o fullness_n of_o power_n as_o they_o have_v put_v the_o case_n that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v no_o great_a than_o might_n and_o do_v ordinary_o assemble_v together_o into_o one_o place_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n yet_o since_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o troubleâ—_n of_o those_o time_n which_o suffer_v not_o the_o christian_n to_o spread_v themselves_o abroad_o all_o the_o country_n over_o but_o confine_v they_o within_o city_n and_o safe_a place_n those_o church_n be_v not_o plant_v so_o thick_a and_o near_o together_o as_o that_o they_o may_v have_v the_o conveniency_n of_o synodical_a consociation_n hence_o it_o appear_v that_o they_o may_v do_v many_o thing_n in_o and_o by_o themselves_o which_o particular_a congregation_n now_o have_v the_o conveniency_n of_o consociation_n with_o neighbour_n church_n ought_v not_o to_o do_v in_o and_o by_o themselves_o but_o this_o i_o have_v say_v gratis_o have_v in_o my_o former_a treatise_n at_o length_n declare_v that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n at_o least_o the_o most_o and_o principal_a of_o they_o be_v great_a than_o can_v assemble_v ordinary_o in_o one_o place_n of_o worship_n and_o that_o they_o be_v serve_v with_o sundry_a both_o pastor_n and_o elder_n &_o that_o therefore_o our_o parochial_a church_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o point_n in_o question_n compare_v with_o their_o church_n nor_o our_o parochial_a presbytery_n with_o their_o presbytery_n the_o second_o distinction_n which_o i_o have_v to_o propound_v be_v concern_v the_o assumption_n of_o the_o argument_n now_o in_o hand_n the_o apostolic_a church_n do_v indeed_o ordinary_o exercise_v ecclesiastical_a government_n and_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n in_o and_o for_o themselves_o yet_o so_o that_o when_o the_o occasion_n of_o a_o synod_n do_v occur_v for_o determine_v a_o question_n which_o be_v too_o hard_o for_o particular_a church_n and_o be_v also_o common_a to_o many_o church_n in_o that_o case_n they_o do_v submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o he_o synod_n which_o have_v also_o before_o be_v make_v plain_a from_o act._n 15._o to_o practice_v all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n in_o a_o church_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o to_o practice_v they_o independant_o so_o as_o neuâ—r_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o synod_n be_v another_o thing_n my_o antagonist_n do_v after_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v &_o say_v that_o all_o learned_a man_n have_v grant_v that_o the_o church_n of_o the_o apostolic_a constitution_n be_v independent_a body_n 32._o but_o whence_o be_v you_o sir_n that_o will_v make_v your_o reader_n believe_v there_o be_v no_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n france_n the_o low-country_n and_o the_o other_o reform_a church_n which_o have_v the_o government_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n conceive_v it_o to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o apostolical_a pattern_n have_v you_o put_v out_o of_o the_o category_n of_o learned_a man_n all_o protestant_a writer_n who_o in_o the_o controversy_n about_o counsel_n dispute_v against_o papist_n from_o act_n 15.2_o why_o do_v you_o not_o among_o all_o your_o imeprtinent_a allegation_n cite_v some_o few_o of_o those_o learned_a man_n who_o grant_v the_o apostolic_a church_n to_o have_v be_v independent_a body_n but_o we_o must_v hear_v what_o more_o you_o have_v to_o say_v your_o first_o eight_o and_o ten_o argument_n be_v in_o like_a manner_n coincident_a 29._o the_o first_o you_o frame_v thus_o such_o action_n the_o church_n may_v lawful_o do_v wherein_o no_o law_n of_o god_n be_v break_v but_o there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n break_v when_o particular_a church_n do_v in_o and_o among_o themselves_o exercise_v all_o god_n ordinance_n ergo._fw-la the_o eight_o thus_o whatsoever_o government_n can_v be_v find_v command_v in_o the_o write_a word_n oâ—_n god_n ought_v not_o to_o have_v any_o place_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o the_o government_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n over_o many_o particular_a congregation_n can_v be_v find_v command_v 34._o etc._n etc._n the_o ten_o thus_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n against_o god_n to_o add_v any_o thing_n to_o that_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o order_v church_n which_o christ_n have_v set_v forth_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o to_o subject_v particular_a congregation_n under_o any_o other_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n out_o of_o themselves_o be_v to_o add_v etc._n etc._n now_o the_o word_n independant_o must_v be_v add_v to_o the_o assumption_n of_o the_o first_o argument_n else_o it_o can_v conclude_v what_o he_o affirm_v and_o we_o deny_v for_o there_o be_v no_o question_n but_o particular_a church_n may_v exercise_v in_o and_o among_o themselves_o all_o god_n ordinance_n in_o those_o case_n and_o with_o those_o distinction_n which_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o before_o part_v 2._o chap._n 2._o this_o be_v clear_v i_o deny_v the_o assumption_n in_o all_o these_o three_o argument_n i_o expect_v proof_n for_o it_o but_o he_o have_v give_v none_o except_o that_o it_o can_v for_o shame_n be_v deny_v i_o have_v think_v it_o rather_o a_o shameful_a thing_n for_o a_o writer_n to_o trouble_v his_o reader_n with_o argument_n which_o he_o can_v make_v good_a 62._o but_o what_o say_v he_o to_o the_o professor_n of_o leyden_n who_o hold_v the_o institution_n of_o synod_n not_o to_o be_v humane_a but_o divine_a which_o they_o prove_v from_o mat._n 18._o &_o act._n 15._o nay_o what_o be_v more_o ordinary_a in_o protestant_a writer_n then_o the_o apply_v of_o those_o word_n where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o my_o name_n there_o be_o i_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o unto_o synod_n and_o counsel_n and_o hence_o they_o condemn_v the_o popish_a counsel_n in_o so_o much_o that_o bellarmin_n salmeron_n and_o other_o jesuit_n have_v in_o this_o contradict_v all_o our_o writer_n tell_v we_o as_o these_o man_n do_v that_o our_o saviour_n mean_v not_o of_o counsel_n in_o these_o word_n moreover_o that_o
desideret_fw-la 5._o add_v unto_o these_o a_o distinction_n betwixt_o a_o congregation_n lie_v alone_o in_o a_o island_n province_n or_o nation_n and_o a_o congregation_n border_v with_o sister_n church_n if_o either_o there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n in_o a_o kingdom_n or_o province_n or_o if_o there_o be_v many_o far_o distant_a one_o from_o another_o so_o that_o their_o pastor_n and_o elder_n can_v ordinary_o meet_v together_o then_o may_v a_o particular_a congregation_n do_v many_o thing_n by_o itself_o alone_o which_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o do_v where_o there_o be_v adjacent_a neighbour_a congregation_n together_o with_o which_o it_o may_v and_o shall_v have_v a_o common_a presbytery_n 6._o let_v we_o put_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o subordination_n of_o one_o congregation_n to_o another_o or_o of_o over_o eldership_n to_o another_o and_o the_o subordination_n of_o any_o congregation_n and_o of_o the_o eldership_n thereof_o to_o a_o superior_a presbytery_n or_o synod_n make_v out_o of_o many_o congregation_n as_o one_o provincial_a synod_n be_v not_o subject_a to_o another_o provincial_n synod_n yet_o all_o the_o provincial_n synod_n in_o the_o nation_n be_v subject_a 〈◊〉_d the_o national_n synod_n so_o it_o be_v also_o with_o the_o ordinary_a consistory_n one_o particular_a eldership_n be_v not_o subject_a to_o another_o yet_o all_o the_o particular_a eldership_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o common_a presbytery_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o same_o so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o this_o subordination_n which_o we_o maintain_v and_o the_o subordination_n of_o all_o the_o parish_n in_o a_o diocese_n to_o the_o praelate_n and_o his_o cathedral_n where_o douname_n do_v object_n that_o all_o the_o parish_n of_o geneva_n be_v hierarchical_o subject_a to_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o city_n parker_n deny_v this_o nisi_fw-la quis_fw-la etc._n etc._n unless_o say_v he_o 23._o peradventure_o one_o may_v be_v subject_a to_o himself_o for_o the_o parish_n each_o for_o their_o own_o part_n and_o that_o alihe_v be_v this_o same_o presbytery_n and_o after_o consistorium_fw-la etc._n etc._n for_o the_o consistory_n of_o the_o cathedral_n church_n be_v a_o external_a meeting_n divers_a distinct_a and_o separate_a from_o the_o rural_a church_n which_o be_v no_o part_n thereof_o this_o can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o geneva_n 7._o we_o must_v distinguish_v betwixt_o a_o dependence_n absolute_a and_o in_o some_o respect_n a_o congregation_n do_v absolute_o depend_v upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n alone_o as_o the_o perfect_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n of_o worship_n and_o of_o church-government_n for_o we_o accurse_v the_o tyranny_n of_o prelate_n who_o claim_v to_o themselves_o a_o autocratoricke_n power_n over_o congregation_n assemb_v to_o who_o they_o give_v their_o naked_a will_n for_o a_o law_n one_o of_o themselves_o tell_v a_o whole_a synod_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o esteem_v that_o best_a which_o seem_v so_o to_o superior_n and_o that_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o the_o conscience_n for_o obey_v though_o the_o thing_n be_v inconvenient_a we_o say_v that_o congregation_n ought_v indeed_o to_o be_v subject_a to_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n yet_o not_o absolute_o but_o in_o the_o lord_n and_o in_o thing_n lawful_a and_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o constitution_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n be_v to_o be_v examine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o christian_a discretion_n for_o a_o synod_n be_v judex_n judicandus_fw-la and_o regula_n regulata_n so_o that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v blind_o obey_v whether_o the_o ordinance_n be_v convenient_a or_o inconvenient_a last_o of_o all_o we_o be_v to_o distinguish_v betwixt_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n before_o the_o division_n of_o parish_n and_o the_o state_n of_o our_o church_n now_o after_o such_o division_n at_o the_o first_o when_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o great_a city_n of_o rome_n corinth_n ephesus_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o divide_v into_o several_a parish_n the_o common_a presbytery_n in_o the_o city_n do_v suffice_v for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o particular_a consistory_n of_o elder_n for_o every_o assembly_n and_o congregation_n of_o christian_n within_o the_o city_n except_o perhaps_o to_o admonish_v rebuke_n exhort_v or_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v to_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o common_a presbytery_n but_o after_o that_o parish_n be_v divide_v and_o christian_a congregation_n plant_v in_o the_o rural_a village_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o city_n from_o henceforth_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o every_o congregation_n shall_v have_v at_o hand_n within_o itself_o a_o certain_a consistory_n for_o some_o act_n of_o church-government_n though_o still_o those_o of_o great_a importance_n be_v reserve_v to_o the_o great_a presbytery_n and_o thus_o have_v i_o out_o of_o desire_n to_o avoid_v unnecessary_a question_n set_v down_o my_o conception_n concern_v the_o eldership_n of_o particular_a congregation_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o same_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o i_o seem_v to_o deny_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o same_o or_o that_o they_o have_v any_o warrant_n from_o the_o pattern_n of_o the_o apostolic_a church_n i_o answer_v i_o acknowledge_v the_o conformity_n of_o the_o same_o with_o the_o pattern_n thus_o far_o 1._o it_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v that_o in_o some_o small_a city_n especial_o the_o same_o not_o be_v whole_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n there_o be_v but_o one_o christian_a congregation_n the_o eldership_n whereof_o do_v manage_v matter_n of_o jurisdiction_n proper_a thereto_o 2._o even_o in_o the_o great_a city_n at_o the_o first_o there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n of_o christian_n and_o so_o but_o one_o particular_a eldership_n 3._o after_o that_o the_o gospel_n have_v spread_v and_o christian_n be_v multiply_v in_o those_o great_a city_n it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v all_o govern_v by_o a_o common_a presbytery_n but_o that_o presbytery_n be_v not_o remote_a but_o ready_a at_o hand_n among_o themselves_o now_o in_o this_o we_o keep_v ourselves_o as_o close_a to_o the_o pattern_n as_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o church_n condition_n by_o the_o division_n of_o parish_n will_v suffer_v we_o that_o be_v to_o say_v we_o have_v a_o common_a presbytery_n for_o govern_v the_o congregation_n within_o a_o convenient_a circuit_n but_o withal_o our_o congregation_n have_v ad_fw-la manum_fw-la among_o themselves_o a_o inferior_a eldership_n for_o lesser_a act_n of_o government_n though_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o distance_n of_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o common_a presbytery_n from_o sundry_a of_o our_o parish_n they_o can_v not_o have_v that_o ease_n and_o benefit_n of_o nearness_n which_o the_o apostolic_a church_n have_v yet_o by_o the_o particular_a eldership_n they_o have_v as_o great_a ease_n of_o this_o kind_n as_o convenient_o can_v be_v chap._n iii_o of_o great_a presbytery_n which_o some_o call_v class_n the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d presbytery_n we_o find_v thrice_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n twice_o of_o the_o jewish_a presbytery_n at_o jerusalem_n luke_n 22.66_o act._n 22.5_o and_o once_o of_o the_o christian_a presbytery_n 1._o tim._n 4.14_o neglect_v not_o the_o gift_n that_o be_v in_o thou_o which_o 〈◊〉_d give_v thou_o by_o prophecy_n 1.20_o with_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n sutlivius_n and_o douname_n have_v borrow_v from_o bellarmine_n two_o false_a gloss_n upon_o this_o place_n they_o say_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o we_o may_v understand_v either_o a_o assembly_n of_o bishop_n or_o the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n which_o be_v give_v to_o timothy_n 161._o to_o these_o absurdity_n let_v one_o of_o their_o own_o side_n answer_v whereas_o say_v d._n forbesse_n some_o have_v expound_v the_o presbytery_n in_o this_o place_n to_o be_v a_o company_n of_o bishop_n unless_o by_o bishop_n thou_o will_v understand_v simple_a presbyter_n it_o be_v a_o violent_a interpretation_n and_o a_o insolent_a meaning_n and_o whereas_o other_o have_v understand_v the_o degree_n itself_o of_o eldership_n this_o can_v not_o stand_v 1._o for_o the_o degree_n have_v not_o hand_n but_o hand_n be_v mens_fw-la i_o find_v in_o sutlivius_n a_o three_o gloss_n he_o say_v that_o the_o word_n presbytery_n in_o this_o place_n signify_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n non_fw-la juris_fw-la vinculo_fw-la sed_fw-la ut_fw-la cunque_fw-la collectos_fw-la inter_fw-la quos_fw-la etiam_fw-la apostoli_fw-la erant_fw-la ans._n 1._o if_o so_o than_o the_o occasional_a meeting_n of_o minister_n be_v it_o in_o a_o journey_n or_o at_o a_o wedding_n or_o a_o burial_n etc._n etc._n shall_v all_o be_v presbytery_n for_o than_o they_o be_v ut_fw-la cunque_fw-la collecti_fw-la 2._o the_o apostle_n do_v put_v the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d better_a order_n then_o to_o leave_v imposition_n of_o hand_n or_o
any_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n to_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o a_o occasional_a meeting_n 3_o the_o apostle_n be_v free_o present_a in_o any_o presbytery_n where_o they_o be_v for_o the_o time_n because_o the_o oversight_n and_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o pastor_n and_o elder_n be_v necessary_o present_a therein_o and_o do_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o particular_a vocation_n meet_v together_o presbyterial_o whether_o a_o apostle_n be_v with_o they_o or_o not_o no_o other_o sense_n can_v the_o text_n suffer_v but_o that_o by_o presbytery_n we_o shall_v understand_v consessus_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la a_o meeting_n of_o elder_n and_o so_o do_v camero_n and_o forbesse_n themselves_o expound_v it_o sutlivius_n object_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o apostle_n paul_n do_v lay_v on_o hand_n upon_o timothy_n which_o he_o prove_v both_o from_o 2._o tim._n 1._o and_o because_o extraordinary_a gift_n be_v give_v by_o that_o lay_n on_o of_o hand_n ans._n there_o be_v a_o express_a difference_n make_v betwixt_o paul_n lay_v on_o of_o his_o hand_n and_o the_o presbytery_n lay_v on_o of_o their_o hand_n of_o the_o former_a it_o be_v say_v that_o timothy_n receive_v the_o gift_n which_o be_v in_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o paul_n hand_n but_o he_o receive_v the_o gift_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n as_o didoclavius_n note_v but_o say_v sutlivius_n timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n as_o you_o hold_v how_o can_v he_o be_v ordain_v by_o the_o presbytery_n ans._n 1._o though_o the_o presbytery_n do_v neither_o give_v he_o ordination_n to_o be_v a_o evangelist_n nor_o yet_o confer_v by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o their_o hand_n extraordinary_a gift_n upon_o he_o yet_o do_v they_o lie_v on_o their_o hand_n as_o set_v to_o the_o the_o seal_n and_o testimony_n and_o commend_v he_o to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n even_o as_o certain_a prophet_n and_o teacher_n lay_v hand_n on_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o ananias_n also_o before_o that_o time_n have_v lay_v his_o hand_n upon_o paul_n 2._o the_o presbytery_n may_v ordain_v timothy_n to_o be_v a_o elder_a if_o so_o be_v he_o be_v ordain_v a_o elder_a before_o he_o be_v ordain_v a_o evangelist_n 3._o if_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o presbytery_n by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o their_o hand_n together_o with_o the_o apostle_n hand_n in_o the_o extraordinary_a mission_n of_o timothy_n be_v require_v much_o more_o may_v it_o be_v put_v out_o of_o question_n that_o the_o apostle_n commit_v to_o the_o presbytery_n the_o full_a power_n of_o ordain_v ordinary_a minister_n but_o it_o be_v further_o object_v by_o sutlivius_n that_o this_o can_v not_o be_v such_o a_o presbytery_n as_o be_v among_o we_o because_o ordination_n and_o imposition_n of_o hand_n pertain_v to_o none_o but_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n 8.10_o ans._n 1._o the_o child_n of_o israel_n lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o levite_n &_o we_o will_v know_v his_o reason_n why_o he_o deny_v the_o like_a power_n to_o rule_v elder_n now_o especial_o since_o this_o imposition_n of_o hand_n be_v but_o a_o gesture_n of_o one_o pray_v and_o a_o moral_a sign_n declare_v the_o person_n pray_v for_o 2._o howsoever_o our_o practice_n whâ—ch_n be_v also_o approve_a by_o good_a divine_n be_v 37._o to_o put_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o act_n of_o ordination_n and_o the_o external_a right_n thereof_o which_o be_v imposition_n of_o hand_n ascribe_v the_o former_a to_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n both_o pastor_n and_o elder_n and_o reserve_v the_o latter_a to_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n yet_o to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o thus_o have_v we_o evince_v the_o apostle_n meaning_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o a_o presbytery_n and_o this_o consistory_n we_o find_v to_o have_v continue_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o ancient_a bishop_n have_v no_o power_n to_o judge_v any_o cause_n without_o the_o presence_n advice_n and_o counsel_n of_o their_o presbyter_n conc._n carth._n 4._o can_n 23._o field_n forbesse_n saravia_n and_o douname_n do_v all_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v so_o and_o so_o do_v bellarmine_n de_fw-fr pont._n rom._n l._n 1._o c._n 8._o of_o this_o presbytery_n speak_v cyprian_a omni_fw-la actu_fw-la ad_fw-la i_o perlato_fw-la placuit_fw-la contrahi_fw-la presbyterium_fw-la etc._n etc._n of_o the_o presbytery_n speak_v the_o same_o cyprian_a lib._n 2._o ep._n 8._o &_o lib._n 4._o ep._n 5._o ignatius_n ad_fw-la trall_n and_o hierom_n in_o esa._n 3_o we_o find_v it_o also_o in_o conc_fw-fr ancyr_n can_v 18_o and_o in_o conc_fw-fr carthag_n 4._o can_n 35.40_o 254.255_o doctor_n forbesse_n allege_v that_o the_o word_n presbytery_n for_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n do_v signify_v no_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n than_o a_o diocesan_n synod_n but_o herein_o if_o he_o have_v understand_v himself_o he_o speak_v not_o so_o much_o against_o presbytery_n as_o against_o prelate_n for_o a_o diocese_n of_o old_a be_v bound_v within_o one_o city_n 2._o tumque_fw-la jampridem_fw-la per_fw-la omnes_fw-la provincias_fw-la &_o per_fw-la urbes_fw-la singulas_fw-la ordinati_fw-la sint_fw-la episcopi_fw-la etc._n etc._n say_v cyprian_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o ordain_v bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 10._o say_v chrysostome_n speak_v of_o the_o primitive_a time_n yea_o in_o country_n village_n also_o be_v bishop_n who_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d rural_a bishop_n who_o episcopal_a office_n though_o limit_v yet_o be_v allow_v in_o the_o council_n of_o ancyra_n can_v 13._o and_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n can_v 8._o &_o 10._o 4._o sozomen_n record_v that_o the_o village_n majuma_n which_o be_v sometime_o a_o suburb_n of_o the_o city_n gaza_n be_v not_o subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o gaza_n but_o have_v its_o own_o proper_a bishop_n and_o that_o by_o the_o decree_n of_o a_o synod_n in_o palestina_n the_o council_n of_o sardis_n can_v 6._o and_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n can_v 57_o though_o they_o discharge_v the_o ordain_v of_o bishop_n in_o village_n lest_o the_o name_n of_o a_o bishop_n shall_v grow_v contemptible_a do_v nevertheless_o allow_v every_o city_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o what_o have_v doctor_n forbesse_n now_o gain_v by_o maintain_v that_o the_o bound_n of_o a_o presbytery_n and_o of_o a_o diocese_n be_v all_o one_o they_o in_o the_o netherlâ—nds_n sometime_o call_v their_o presbytery_n diocaeses_n 100.101_o and_o many_o of_o our_o presbytery_n be_v great_a than_o be_v diocese_n of_o old_a we_o conclude_v there_o be_v ancient_o a_o presbytery_n in_o every_o city_n which_o do_v indeed_o choose_v one_o of_o their_o number_n to_o preside_v among_o they_o and_o to_o lay_v on_o hand_n in_o name_n of_o the_o rest_n and_o he_o be_v call_v the_o bishop_n wherein_o they_o do_v more_o trust_n the_o deceivable_a goodness_n of_o their_o own_o intention_n then_o advert_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n these_o thing_n premit_v i_o come_v now_o to_o that_o which_o be_v principal_o intend_v viz._n by_o what_o warrant_n and_o quâ—_n jure_v the_o classical_a presbytery_n among_o we_o make_v up_o out_o of_o many_o neighbour_a congregation_n shall_v be_v the_o ordinary_a court_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n at_o least_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o high_a importance_n which_o do_v concern_v either_o all_o or_o any_o of_o those_o congregation_n for_o resolution_n hereof_o we_o must_v understand_v 1._o that_o cause_v common_a to_o many_o congregation_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v judge_v by_o any_o one_o of_o they_o but_o by_o the_o great_a presbytery_n common_a to_o they_o all_o 2._o it_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v that_o particular_a congregation_n at_o least_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o they_o have_v not_o in_o their_o proper_a eldership_n so_o many_o man_n of_o sufficient_a ability_n as_o be_v requisite_a in_o judge_v and_o determine_v the_o case_n of_o the_o examination_n of_o minister_n of_o ordination_n deposition_n excommunication_n and_o the_o like_a 3._o when_o one_o appeal_v from_o a_o particular_a eldership_n out_o of_o persuasion_n that_o he_o be_v wrong_v by_o the_o sentence_n thereof_o or_o when_o that_o eldership_n find_v its_o own_o insufficiency_n for_o determine_v some_o difficult_a cause_n resolve_v to_o refer_v the_o same_o into_o a_o high_a court_n reason_n will_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o ordinary_a court_n of_o a_o classical_a presbytery_n to_o receive_v such_o appellation_n or_o reference_n 4._o congregation_n which_o lie_v near_o together_o ought_v all_o as_o one_o to_o keep_v unity_n and_o conformity_n in_o church_n policy_n and_o government_n neither_o ought_v one_o of_o they_o be_v permit_v to_o do_v a_o
injury_n or_o to_o give_v a_o offence_n unto_o another_o and_o for_o these_o end_n it_o be_v most_o necessary_a that_o they_o be_v govern_v by_o one_o common_a presbytery_n 5._o there_o may_v be_v a_o competition_n or_o a_o controversy_n not_o only_o betwixt_o one_o congregation_n and_o another_o but_o in_o the_o same_o congregation_n betwixt_o the_o one_o half_a and_o the_o other_o yea_o the_o eldership_n itself_o of_o that_o congregation_n may_v be_v and_o sometime_o be_v divide_v in_o itself_o and_o how_o shall_v thing_n of_o this_o kind_n be_v determine_v but_o by_o the_o common_a presbytery_n 6._o but_o which_o be_v caput_fw-la rei_fw-la these_o our_o classical_a presbytery_n have_v a_o certain_a warrant_n from_o the_o pattern_n of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n for_o proof_n whereof_o it_o shall_v be_v make_v to_o appear_v 1._o that_o in_o those_o city_n at_o least_o in_o many_o of_o they_o where_o christian_n religion_n be_v plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n than_o either_o do_v or_o convenient_o can_v meet_v together_o into_o one_o place_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n 2._o that_o in_o those_o city_n there_o be_v a_o plurality_n not_o only_o of_o rule_v elder_n but_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n 3._o that_o notwithstanding_o hereof_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o christian_n within_o the_o city_n be_v one_o church_n 4._o that_o the_o whole_a number_n and_o several_a company_n of_o christian_n within_o one_o city_n be_v all_o govern_v by_o one_o common_a presbytery_n the_o second_o of_o these_o do_v follow_v upon_o the_o first_o and_o the_o four_o upon_o the_o three_o the_o first_o proposition_n may_v be_v make_v good_a by_o induction_n of_o particular_n and_o first_o it_o be_v more_o than_o evident_a of_o jerusalem_n where_o we_o find_v unto_o 120_o disciple_n act._n 1.15_o add_v 8000._o by_o peter_n two_o sermon_n act._n 2.41_o and_o 4.4_o beside_o who_o there_o be_v yet_o more_o multitude_n add_v act._n 5.14_o and_o after_o that_o also_o we_o read_v of_o a_o further_a multiplication_n of_o the_o disciple_n act._n 6.1_o by_o occasion_n whereof_o the_o seven_o deacon_n be_v choose_v and_o ordain_v which_o make_v some_o to_o conjecture_v that_o there_o be_v seven_o congregation_n a_o deacon_n for_o every_o one_o certain_o there_o be_v rather_o more_o than_o few_o though_o we_o can_v determine_v how_o many_o it_o be_v write_v of_o samaria_n that_o the_o people_n with_o one_o accord_n give_v heed_n unto_o philip_n act._n 8.6_o even_o all_o of_o they_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n from_o the_o least_o to_o the_o great_a who_o have_v before_o give_v heed_n to_o simon_n of_o these_o all_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o believe_v philip_n and_o be_v baptize_v vers_fw-la 10.12_o which_o make_v the_o apostle_n that_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n when_o they_o hear_v that_o the_o great_a city_n samaria_n have_v receive_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o send_v unto_o they_o peter_n and_o john_n the_o harvest_n be_v so_o great_a that_o philip_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o it_o v_o 14._o of_o joppa_n it_o be_v say_v 9.42_o that_o many_o believe_v in_o the_o lord_n of_o antâ—och_n wâ—_n read_v that_o a_o great_a number_n believe_v and_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n act._n 11.21_o of_o iconium_n that_o a_o great_a multitude_n both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o also_o of_o the_o greek_n believe_v act._n 14.1_o of_o lidda_n that_o all_o who_o dwell_v therein_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n act._n 9.35_o of_o berâ—a_n that_o many_o of_o they_o believe_v also_o of_o the_o honourable_a woman_n and_o the_o man_n not_o a_o few_o act._n 17.12_o of_o corinth_n the_o lord_n say_v i_o have_v much_o people_n in_o this_o city_n act._n 18.10_o oâ—_n ephesus_z we_o find_v that_o â—eare_z fall_v on_o all_o the_o jew_n and_o greek_n which_o dwell_v there_o and_o many_o believe_v yea_o many_o of_o the_o magician_n themselves_o who_o book_n that_o be_v burn_v amount_v to_o fifâ—y_o thousand_o piece_n of_o silver_n so_o mighty_o grow_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prevail_v act._n 19.17.18.19.20_o unto_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o city_n let_v we_o add_v another_o consideration_n viz._n that_o they_o have_v no_o temple_n as_o now_o we_o have_v but_o private_a place_n â—or_a their_o holy_a assembly_n such_o as_o the_o house_n of_o mary_n act._n 12.12_o the_o school_n of_o tyrannus_n act_n 19.9_o a_o upper_a chamber_n at_o trâ—â—s_n act._n â—0_n 8_o paul_n lodging_n at_o rome_n act._n 28._o â—3_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v any_o reason_n why_o the_o church_n which_o be_v in_o the_o house_n of_o aquila_n and_o priscilla_n rom._n 16.5_o 1_o cor._n 16.19_o shall_v not_o be_v understand_v to_o be_v a_o congregation_n as_o erasmus_n read_v it_o that_o be_v such_o a-number_n of_o christian_n as_o meet_v together_o in_o their_o house_n so_o we_o read_v of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o house_n of_o nymphas_n col._n 4.15_o and_o of_o the_o church_n 〈…〉_z house_n of_o archippus_n philem_n v._n 2._o 〈…〉_z iâ—_n be_v certain_a that_o christian_n meet_v together_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d house_n by_o house_n domatius_fw-la act._n 2.46_o both_o these_o consideration_n viz._n the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n in_o one_o city_n and_o their_o assemble_v together_o for_o worship_n in_o private_a house_n have_v also_o place_n in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n 1._o let_v eusebius_n speak_v for_o they_o both_o who_o can_v describe_v say_v he_o those_o innumerable_a heap_n &_o flock_a multitude_n throughout_o all_o city_n and_o famous_a assembly_n frequent_v the_o place_n dedicate_v to_o prayer_n thereafter_o he_o proceed_v to_o show_v how_o in_o aftertime_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o emperor_n christian_n have_v throughout_o all_o city_n ample_a church_n build_v for_o they_o they_o not_o be_v content_v with_o the_o old_a orâ—toria_n which_o be_v but_o private_a house_n now_o these_o two_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n and_o the_o want_n of_o temple_n shall_v abundant_o give_v light_n to_o my_o first_o proposition_n but_o it_o may_v be_v object_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o all_o the_o disciple_n at_o jerusalem_n do_v meet_v together_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d into_o one_o place_n act._n 2.44_o and_o the_o same_o be_v say_v of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 11.20_o ans._n the_o disciple_n at_o jerusalem_n 46._o be_v at_o that_o time_n above_o 3000._o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v how_o any_o private_a house_n can_v cotain_v they_o beside_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o break_v bread_n that_o be_v do_v celebrate_v the_o lord_n supper_n from_o house_n to_o house_n therefore_o many_o good_a interpreter_n understand_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o all_o the_o disciple_n be_v link_v together_o into_o one_o by_o amity_n and_o love_n a_o evidence_n whereof_o be_v give_v in_o the_o next_o word_n and_o have_v all_o thing_n common_a to_o the_o other_o place_n we_o answer_v 1._o that_o epistle_n whether_o it_o be_v write_v from_o philippi_n or_o from_o ephesus_n be_v undoubted_o write_v very_o late_o after_o the_o plantation_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o corinth_n while_o as_o that_o church_n be_v yet_o in_o her_o infancy_n and_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o at_o that_o time_n the_o whole_a church_n of_o corinth_n may_v and_o do_v meet_v together_o into_o one_o place_n this_o prove_v not_o that_o it_o be_v so_o afterward_o for_o the_o church_n increase_v in_o number_n daily_o act._n 16.5_o but_o 2._o the_o place_n of_o the_o apostle_n prove_v not_o that_o which_o be_v allege_v for_o his_o word_n may_v be_v understand_v in_o sensu_fw-la distributivo_fw-la it_o be_v no_o solecism_n for_o one_o that_o be_v write_v to_o divers_a congregation_n to_o say_v when_o you_o come_v together_o into_o one_o place_n mean_v distributive_o of_o every_o congregation_n not_o collective_o of_o they_o all_o together_o my_o second_o proposition_n concern_v the_o plurality_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n in_o those_o great_a city_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n do_v erect_v christian_a church_n arise_v from_o these_o ground_n 1._o the_o multiplicity_n of_o christian_n 2._o the_o want_n of_o temple_n of_o which_o two_o i_o have_v already_o speak_v 3._o the_o daily_a increase_n of_o the_o church_n to_o a_o great_a number_n act_v 16.5.4_o there_o be_v need_n of_o preacher_n not_o only_o for_o those_o who_o be_v already_o convert_v in_o the_o city_n but_o also_o for_o labour_v to_o win_v the_o unbeliever_n who_o be_v therein_o these_o reason_n may_v make_v we_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v as_o many_o pastor_n in_o one_o city_n as_o there_o be_v sacred_a meeting_n therein_o and_o some_o more_o also_o for_o the_o respect_n foresay_a and_o what_o will_v you_o say_v if_o we_o find_v example_n of_o this_o plurality_n of_o pastor_n in_o scripture_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n
performance_n but_o leave_v the_o particular_a day_n of_o fast_v and_o thanksgiving_n to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n in_o like_a manner_n the_o scripture_n commend_v the_o renew_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o god_n in_o a_o nation_n that_o have_v break_v it_o but_o leave_v the_o day_n and_o place_n for_o such_o a_o action_n to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o rule_v aforesaid_a now_o if_o the_o church_n follow_v the_o general_a warrant_n and_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n command_v to_o fast_v such_o a_o day_n to_o give_v thanks_n such_o a_o day_n to_o renew_v the_o covenant_n of_o god_n such_o a_o day_n these_o thing_n be_v divine_a ordinance_n mix_o though_o not_o mere_o and_o he_o who_o disobey_v disobey_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o catechise_v and_o of_o celebrate_v the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v not_o thing_n occasional_a as_o the_o former_a but_o ordinary_a in_o the_o church_n they_o be_v commend_v by_o the_o warrant_n of_o scripture_n but_o the_o particular_a time_n and_o season_n not_o determine_v the_o like_a we_o say_v of_o the_o order_n to_o be_v keep_v in_o baptism_n and_o in_o excommunication_n which_o be_v not_o determine_v in_o the_o word_n though_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v the_o remove_n of_o scandal_n by_o put_v wicked_a person_n to_o public_a shame_n and_o open_a confession_n of_o their_o fault_n in_o the_o church_n have_v certain_a warrant_n from_o scripture_n yet_o the_o degree_n of_o that_o public_a shame_n and_o punishment_n be_v leave_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o scandal_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n now_o the_o church_n appoint_v some_o scandalous_a person_n to_o be_v put_v to_o a_o great_a shame_n some_o to_o a_o lesser_a some_o to_o â—ee_n oâ—e_a sabbath_n in_o the_o place_n of_o public_a repentance_n some_o three_o some_o nine_o some_o twenty_o five_o etc._n etc._n and_o if_o the_o offender_n refuse_v that_o degree_n of_o public_a shame_n which_o the_o church_n follow_v the_o rule_v foresay_v appoint_v for_o he_o he_o may_v be_v true_o say_v to_o refuse_v the_o remove_n and_o take_v away_o of_o the_o scandal_n which_o the_o word_n of_o god_n enjoin_v he_o and_o so_o to_o disobey_v not_o the_o church_n only_o but_o god_n also_o just_o so_o the_o scripture_n have_v commend_v unto_o we_o the_o govern_n of_o the_o church_n the_o make_n of_o law_n the_o exercise_n of_o jurisdiction_n the_o decide_n of_o controversy_n by_o consistory_n and_o assembly_n ecclesiastical_a have_v also_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o same_o their_o power_n their_o rule_n of_o proceed_v and_o judge_v who_o shall_v sit_v and_o voice_n in_o the_o same_o etc._n etc._n but_o leave_v the_o particular_a kind_n degree_n time_n bound_n and_o place_n of_o the_o same_o to_o be_v resolve_v upon_o by_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n the_o church_n for_o her_o part_n follow_v the_o general_a warrant_n and_o rule_n aforesaid_a together_o with_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n have_v determine_v and_o appoint_v assembly_n provincial_n and_o national_n and_o to_o exercise_v respective_o that_o power_n which_o the_o word_n give_v to_o assembly_n in_o general_n the_o case_n thus_o stand_v we_o may_v bold_o maintain_v that_o those_o particular_a kind_n and_o degree_n of_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n be_v god_n own_o ordinance_n mix_o though_o not_o mere_o but_o what_o can_v be_v the_o reason_n may_v some_o man_n say_v why_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o itself_o determine_v these_o kind_n of_o assembly_n particular_o i_o answer_v three_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v for_o it_o 1._o because_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n together_o with_o nature_n light_n which_o direct_v commonwealth_n in_o thing_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n be_v sufficient_a to_o direct_v the_o church_n therein_o 2._o as_o seson_n and_o time_n for_o the_o meeting_n of_o assembly_n so_o the_o just_a bound_n thereof_o in_o so_o many_o different_a place_n of_o the_o world_n be_v thing_n of_o that_o kind_n which_o be_v not_o determinable_a in_o scripture_n unless_o the_o world_n have_v be_v fill_v with_o volume_n thereof_o for_o individua_fw-la sunt_fw-la infinita_fw-la 3._o because_o this_o constitution_n of_o synod_n provincial_n and_o national_n be_v not_o universal_a for_o all_o time_n and_o place_n for_o example_n there_o may_v be_v in_o a_o remote_a island_n 10._o or_o 12._o christian_n congregation_n which_o beside_o their_o particular_a eldership_n have_v a_o common_a presbytery_n but_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o synod_n either_o provincial_n or_o national_n again_o let_v there_o be_v a_o island_n contain_v forty_o or_o fifty_o christian_a congregation_n there_o shall_v be_v therein_o beside_o presbytery_n one_o kind_n of_o a_o synod_n but_o not_o two_o kind_n beside_o the_o reform_a congregation_n within_o a_o great_a nation_n may_v happy_o be_v either_o so_o few_o or_o so_o disperse_v and_o distant_a or_o so_o persecute_v that_o they_o can_v neither_o have_v provincial_n nor_o national_n assembly_n chap._n vii_o the_o three_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o the_o three_o place_n we_o take_v a_o argument_n from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n for_o as_o in_o their_o commonwealth_n there_o be_v a_o subordination_n of_o civil_a court_n every_o city_n have_v its_o proper_a court_n which_o do_v consist_v of_o seven_o magistrate_n if_o we_o believe_v josephus_n the_o thalmudicall_a tradition_n make_v two_o court_n to_o have_v be_v in_o each_o city_n the_o lesser_a of_o the_o triumvirate_n and_o the_o great_a of_o twenty_o three_o judge_n beside_o these_o they_o have_v their_o supreme_a consistory_n the_o civil_a sanedrim_n which_o govern_v the_o whole_a nation_n and_o have_v authority_n over_o the_o inferior_a court_n so_o be_v there_o also_o a_o subordination_n of_o ecclesiastical_a court_n among_o they_o they_o have_v a_o consistory_n in_o every_o synagogue_n for_o their_o synagogue_n be_v appoint_v not_o only_o for_o prayer_n and_o praise_v of_o god_n and_o for_o the_o read_n and_o expound_v of_o the_o scripture_n but_o also_o for_o public_a correction_n of_o offence_n act_n 26.11_o they_o have_v beside_o a_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a court_n whereunto_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o all_o the_o synagogicall_a consistory_n be_v subject_a this_o court_n have_v decay_v be_v restore_v by_o ichoshaphat_n 2_o chron._n 19.8_o and_o it_o have_v the_o name_n of_o sanedrim_n common_a to_o it_o with_o the_o supreme_a civil_a court._n from_o this_o court_n do_v the_o reformation_n of_o that_o national_n church_n proceed_v nehem._n 6.13_o on_o the_o second_o day_n be_v gather_v together_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o father_n of_o all_o the_o people_n the_o priest_n and_o the_o levit_n unto_o ezra_n the_o scribe_n even_o to_o understand_v the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n and_o they_o find_v write_v in_o the_o law_n etc._n etc._n whether_o there_o be_v yet_o another_o ecclesiastical_a court_n in_o the_o middle_n betwixt_o the_o synagogue_n and_o the_o sanedrim_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o presbytery_n luke_n 22.66_o act_n 22.5_o and_o make_v up_o possible_o out_o of_o the_o particular_a synagogue_n within_o the_o city_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o learned_a man_n to_o judge_v howsoever_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v at_o least_o a_o twofold_a ecclesiastical_a court_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o synagogue_n and_o the_o sanedrim_n the_o latter_a have_v authority_n above_o the_o former_a sutlivius_n deny_v both_o these_o and_o so_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v that_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v no_o ecclesiastical_a court_n at_o all_o 25._o as_o for_o the_o synagogue_n he_o say_v they_o treat_v of_o thing_n civil_a and_o inflict_v civil_a punishment_n and_o a_o civil_a excommunication_n that_o they_o inflict_v civil_a punishment_n he_o prove_v from_o mat._n 10._o and_o 23._o and_o luke_n 21._o where_o christ_n foretell_v that_o his_o disciple_n shall_v be_v beat_v in_o the_o synagogue_n that_o their_o excommunication_n be_v civil_a he_o prove_v by_o this_o reason_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n when_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n have_v notwithstanding_o a_o free_a entry_n into_o the_o temple_n and_o access_n to_o the_o sacrifice_n answ._n this_o be_v a_o gross_a mistake_n for_o 1._o the_o civil_a court_n be_v in_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o city_n not_o in_o the_o synagogue_n 2._o he_o who_o preside_v in_o the_o synagogue_n be_v call_v the_o chief_a ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n act_v 18.8.17_o the_o rest_n who_o sit_v and_o voice_v therein_o be_v call_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n act_v 13.15_o they_o who_o sit_v in_o the_o civil_a court_n have_v no_o
such_o name_n but_o be_v call_v judge_n 3._o our_o saviour_n distinguish_v the_o synagogicall_a court_n from_o the_o civil_a court_n of_o judgement_n in_o city_n call_v the_o one_o counsel_n the_o other_o synagogue_n matth._n 10.17_o 4._o the_o beat_n and_o scourge_v in_o the_o synagogue_n be_v a_o error_n and_o abuse_n of_o the_o late_a time_n the_o corrective_a power_n of_o those_o consistory_n be_v proper_o spiritual_a and_o end_v in_o excommunication_n jo._n 16.2_o isai._n 66.5_o the_o liberty_n of_o which_o spiritual_a censure_n the_o roman_n do_v permit_v to_o the_o jew_n together_o with_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o religion_n after_o they_o have_v take_v away_o their_o civil_a jurisdiction_n 5._o civil_a excommunication_n be_v a_o unknown_a word_n and_o his_o reason_n for_o it_o be_v no_o less_o unknown_a for_o where_o he_o have_v read_v that_o christ_n or_o any_o of_o his_o disciple_n be_v excommunicate_a out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n and_o yet_o have_v free_a access_n to_o the_o temple_n i_o can_v understand_v if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o gospel_n of_o nicodemus_n i_o read_v luke_n 4.28.28_o that_o christ_n be_v in_o a_o great_a tumult_n cast_v out_o of_o the_o city_n of_o nazareth_n but_o this_o i_o hope_v no_o man_n will_v call_v excommunication_n the_o blind_a man_n joh._n 9.34_o be_v indeed_o excommunicate_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n but_o we_o no_o where_o read_v that_o he_o be_v thereafter_o find_v in_o the_o temple_n we_o read_v of_o christ_n walk_v in_o solomon_n porch_n jo._n 10.23_o but_o that_o the_o blind_a man_n be_v then_o with_o he_o it_o can_v never_o be_v prove_v and_o if_o it_o can_v it_o shall_v not_o import_v any_o permission_n or_o leave_v give_v to_o excommunicate_a person_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n but_o that_o some_o be_v bold_a to_o take_v this_o liberty_n 6._o the_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n can_v be_v call_v civil_a excommunication_n because_o the_o communion_n and_o fellowship_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o synagogue_n be_v not_o civil_a but_o sacred_a they_o meet_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o not_o for_o civil_a affair_n 7._o if_o by_o civil_a excommunication_n he_o mean_v banishment_n or_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o city_n for_o i_o conceive_v not_o what_o other_o thing_n this_o strange_a word_n can_v import_v then_o how_o do_v he_o suppose_v that_o they_o have_v still_o free_a access_n to_o the_o temple_n who_o be_v so_o excommunicate_v for_o this_o import_v that_o they_o be_v still_o in_o the_o city_n we_o have_v now_o evince_v a_o inferior_a ecclesiastical_a court_n among_o the_o jew_n come_v we_o next_o to_o the_o supreme_a court_n that_o there_o be_v a_o high_a ecclesiastical_a sanedrim_n distinct_a from_o the_o civil_a sanedrim_n be_v observe_v by_o pelargus_n on_o deut._n 17._o and_o sâ—pingius_fw-la ad_fw-la bonam_fw-la fidem_fw-la sibrandi_fw-la pag._n 261._o &_o seq_n beside_o many_o other_o cite_v before_o part_n 1._o chap._n 11._o and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o we_o prove_v from_o three_o place_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o pass_v other_o place_n from_o which_o certain_a collection_n may_v be_v have_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n first_o we_o find_v deut._n 17._o a_o distinction_n of_o two_o supreme_a judicatories_n to_o be_v set_v in_o the_o place_n which_o the_o lord_n shall_v choose_v to_o put_v his_o name_n there_o the_o one_o of_o the_o priest_n &_o leviâ—s_n the_o other_o of_o the_o judge_n &_o unto_o these_o two_o supreme_a court_n the_o lord_n appoint_v all_o matter_n which_o be_v too_o hard_o for_o the_o inferior_a judge_n in_o the_o city_n of_o the_o land_n to_o be_v bring_v and_o determine_v by_o their_o authority_n and_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o priest_n or_o of_o the_o judge_n to_o be_v obey_v both_o by_o the_o party_n and_o by_o the_o inferior_a judge_n under_o pain_n of_o death_n v_o 8.9.10.11.12_o 16._o to_o this_o sutlivius_n answer_v that_o there_o be_v only_o one_o sanedrim_n in_o that_o place_n which_o be_v civil_a as_o appear_v by_o their_o judge_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o blood_n and_o their_o receive_n of_o appellation_n from_o the_o civil_a judge_n mention_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n as_o for_o the_o judge_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o v_o 9_o and_o 12._o he_o say_v we_o must_v understand_v that_o it_o be_v the_o high_a priest_n ans._n 1._o the_o disjunctive_a or_o do_v distinguish_v the_o judge_n from_o the_o priest_n verse_n 12._o as_o junius_n and_o ainsworth_n do_v right_o note_v upon_o that_o place_n the_o man_n that_o will_v do_v presumptuous_o and_o will_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o priest_n that_o stand_v to_o minister_v there_o before_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n or_o unto_o the_o judge_n here_o a_o distinction_n betwixt_o the_o court_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o the_o court_n of_o the_o judge_n which_o lyranus_fw-la also_o acknowledge_v 2._o the_o chaldee_n read_v judge_n in_o the_o plural_a by_o the_o judge_n say_v ainsworth_n be_v understand_v the_o high_a council_n or_o senate_n of_o judge_n even_o as_o they_o who_o be_v call_v priest_n verse_n 9_o be_v call_v the_o priest_n verse_n 12._o and_o 1_o chron._n 4.42_o many_o captain_n be_v in_o the_o hebrew_n call_v a_o head_n 3._o the_o high_a priest_n can_v be_v understand_v to_o be_v the_o judge_n there_o speak_v of_o both_o because_o there_o be_v many_o judge_n as_o have_v be_v say_v and_o because_o we_o find_v not_o in_o scripture_n that_o ever_o the_o high_a priest_n be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o judge_n 4._o whereas_o he_o object_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o blood_n and_o other_o civil_a cause_n be_v judge_v in_o this_o sanedrim_n we_o answer_v there_o be_v two_o several_a thing_n in_o those_o civil_a cause_n 43._o the_o ius_n and_o the_o factum_fw-la the_o ius_n be_v judge_v in_o the_o court_n of_o the_o priest_n because_o as_o bâ—lson_n teach_v the_o civil_a law_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v god_n judicial_a law_n 2.7_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v seek_v at_o the_o priest_n mouth_n but_o the_o fact_n be_v mere_o civil_a be_v judge_v by_o the_o civil_a court_n sutlâ—vius_n object_v that_o many_o inconvenience_n shall_v follow_v this_o distinction_n 1._o judge_n be_v hereby_o make_v ignorant_a of_o the_o law_n 2._o that_o two_o court_n of_o judgement_n be_v appoint_v in_o one_o sentence_n 3._o that_o a_o judge_n the_o priest_n may_v give_v out_o a_o sentence_n which_o he_o can_v execute_v 4._o that_o the_o civil_a judge_n do_v in_o vain_a inquire_v concern_v the_o fact_n which_o be_v before_o certain_a by_o the_o law_n nam_fw-la ex_fw-la facto_fw-la jus_o oritur_fw-la 5._o that_o the_o civil_a judge_n be_v dumb_a image_n which_o must_v pronounce_v according_a to_o the_o sentence_n of_o other_o to_o the_o 1._o we_o say_v that_o our_o distinction_n do_v not_o import_v that_o the_o judge_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o law_n but_o that_o it_o pertain_v not_o to_o they_o to_o judge_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o law_n when_o the_o same_o be_v controvert_v among_o the_o infeferiour_a civil_a judge_n this_o pertain_v to_o the_o court_n of_o the_o priest_n 2._o it_o be_v no_o absurdity_n to_o expound_v a_o disjunctive_a sentence_n of_o two_o several_a court_n 3._o he_o who_o answer_v mere_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o execution_n of_o person_n more_o than_o theory_n have_v to_o do_v with_o practice_n or_o abstract_n with_o concret_o 4._o the_o fact_n can_v never_o be_v certain_a by_o the_o sentence_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la it_o be_v not_o the_o probation_n but_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o fact_n whereupon_o the_o exposition_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n be_v ground_v 5._o the_o cognition_n of_o the_o fact_n not_o of_o the_o law_n doâ—h_o belong_v to_o a_o inquest_n in_o scotland_n they_o be_v judicâ—s_a factâ—_n non_fw-la juris_fw-la yet_o no_o dumb_a image_n i_o suppose_v 6._o he_o have_v follow_v the_o popish_a interpreter_n in_o make_v the_o judge_n to_o be_v the_o high_a priest_n forso_fw-it they_o expound_v it_o for_o the_o pope_n cause_n yet_o they_o themselves_o acknowledge_v the_o distinction_n of_o ius_n and_o factum_fw-la see_v corn._n a_o lapide_fw-la in_o deut._n 17.7_o if_o error_n have_v not_o blind_v this_o man_n eye_n with_o who_o i_o deal_v i_o shall_v believe_v he_o have_v be_v flumbr_v when_o these_o thing_n fall_v from_o his_o pen._n but_o to_o proceed_v as_o these_o two_o sanedrim_n be_v institute_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o be_v they_o after_o decay_n or_o desuetude_n restore_v by_o jehoshaphat_n 20._o 2_o chro._n 19.8_o sutlivius_n answer_v that_o we_o have_v here_o only_o one_o sanedrim_n which_o judge_v both_o the_o lord_n matter_n and_o the_o king_n matter_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o ecclesiastical_a court_n because_o it_o judge_v cause_n of_o blood_n and_o other_o civil_a cause_n wherein_o appellation_n be_v make_v from_o
against_o we_o 18.17_o our_o saviour_n precept_n tell_v the_o church_n wheresoever_o we_o read_v in_o scripture_n of_o a_o visible_a political_a church_n and_o not_o of_o the_o invisible_a catholic_a church_n it_o be_v ever_o mean_v say_v they_o of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n use_v to_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o god_n public_a worship_n &_o when_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o a_o whole_a province_n or_o nation_n the_o plural_a number_n be_v use_v as_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n the_o church_n of_o macedonia_n the_o church_n of_o asia_n etc._n etc._n wherefore_o our_o saviour_n in_o those_o word_n do_v deliver_v the_o power_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n neither_o to_o classical_a presbytery_n nor_o to_o synod_n but_o to_o particular_a congregation_n only_o answ._n 1._o this_o place_n prove_v indeed_o that_o particular_a church_n have_v their_o own_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o not_o that_o they_o alone_o have_v it_o 2._o yea_o it_o prove_v that_o they_o alone_o have_v it_o not_o for_o christ_n have_v a_o respect_n to_o the_o form_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o these_o word_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a or_o a_o publican_n now_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n a_o high_a ecclesiastical_a sanedrim_n beside_o the_o particular_a synagogicall_a court_n so_o that_o by_o point_v out_o the_o form_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n he_o recommend_v a_o subordination_n and_o not_o a_o independency_n of_o particular_a church_n 3._o by_o the_o church_n in_o that_o place_n be_v mean_v the_o competent_a consistory_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o it_o agree_v to_o all_o ecclesiastical_a court_n respective_o this_o sense_n be_v give_v by_o parker_n 318._o though_o he_o be_v most_o tender_a in_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o congregation_n nam_fw-la cum_fw-la etc._n etc._n for_o say_v he_o since_o christ_n will_v have_v every_o man_n to_o be_v judge_v by_o his_o own_o church_n matth._n 18._o or_o if_o the_o judgement_n of_o his_o own_o church_n shall_v displease_v he_o yet_o ever_o it_o must_v be_v by_o the_o church_n that_o be_v by_o a_o synod_n of_o many_o church_n 4._o as_o for_o the_o reason_n allege_v for_o proof_n of_o the_o contrary_a exposition_n i_o oppugn_v it_o both_o by_o reason_n and_o by_o their_o own_o tenant_n and_o by_o scripture_n by_o reason_n because_o the_o rule_n of_o geometrical_a proportion_n whereof_o we_o have_v before_o speak_v prove_v a_o congregation_n to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o a_o national_n church_n even_o as_o one_o man_n be_v a_o part_n of_o a_o congregation_n for_o as_o five_o be_v the_o hundred_o part_n of_o five_o hundred_o so_o be_v five_o hundred_o the_o hundred_o part_n of_o fifty_o thousand_o by_o their_o own_o ground_n because_o they_o hold_v the_o form_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n to_o consist_v in_o the_o unite_n of_o a_o number_n of_o visible_a christian_n into_o one_o by_o the_o bond_n of_o a_o holy_a covenant_n to_o walk_v in_o all_o the_o way_n of_o god_n then_o say_v i_o we_o may_v say_v the_o church_n of_o scotland_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n because_o all_o the_o particular_a church_n in_o scotland_n be_v unite_v together_o into_o one_o by_o the_o bond_n of_o a_o national_n oath_n and_o covenant_n to_o walk_v in_o all_o the_o way_n and_o ordinance_n of_o god_n by_o scripture_n also_o because_o act_n 8.1_o we_o read_v of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n not_o the_o church_n howbeit_o there_o be_v at_o that_o instant_n above_o eight_o thousand_o christian_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o all_o these_o still_o in_o the_o city_n for_o the_o first_o scatter_v of_o they_o follow_v thereafter_o in_o that_o chapter_n this_o great_a number_n neither_o do_v nor_o can_v usual_o assemble_v into_o one_o place_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o they_o meet_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d house_n by_o house_n act_v 2.46_o and_o whereas_o objection_n be_v make_v to_o the_o contrary_a from_o act_n 2.44_o and_o 5.12_o and_o 6.2_o we_o have_v before_o answer_v to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o place_n for_o it_o be_v to_o be_v expound_v by_o act_n 4.32_o they_o be_v in_o one_o that_o be_v they_o be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o of_o one_o soul_n the_o second_o place_n may_v be_v expound_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o precede_a word_n favour_v this_o exposition_n but_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v take_v of_o the_o multitude_n it_o prove_v not_o their_o meeting_n together_o into_o one_o place_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n for_o it_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a confluence_n upon_o a_o extraordinary_a occasion_n of_o that_o which_o have_v befall_v to_o ananias_n and_o saphira_n the_o last_o place_n prove_v no_o more_o but_o a_o extraordinary_a and_o occasional_a meeting_n and_o it_o be_v also_o to_o be_v understand_v that_o they_o meet_v turmatim_fw-la as_o four_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n do_v assemble_v together_o jud._n 20.1_o another_o scripturall_a instance_n we_o give_v from_o 1_o pet._n 1.1_o with_o 5.2_o the_o apostle_n write_v to_o the_o disperse_a jew_n in_o several_a province_n call_v they_o all_o one_o flock_n we_o read_v that_o laban_n have_v many_o flock_n genes_n 30.36.38_o yet_o be_v they_o all_o call_v one_o flock_n verse_n 31.32_o so_o be_v all_o the_o flock_n of_o jacob_n call_v one_o flock_n genes_n 32.7_o and_o 33.13_o in_o like_a manner_n every_o one_o of_o the_o particular_a church_n among_o those_o disperse_a jew_n be_v a_o flock_n but_o compare_v with_o the_o whole_a it_o be_v but_o a_o part_n of_o the_o flock_n it_o be_v no_o more_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o a_o congregation_n be_v both_o a_o body_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o own_o member_n and_o a_o member_n in_o respect_n of_o a_o national_n church_n than_o it_o be_v to_o say_v that_o every_o believer_n consider_v by_o himself_o be_v a_o tree_n of_o righteousness_n and_o a_o temple_n of_o god_n yet_o compare_v with_o other_o he_o be_v a_o branch_n of_o the_o vine_n and_o a_o stone_n of_o the_o temple_n for_o all_o those_o way_n be_v he_o call_v in_o scripture_n sundry_a particular_a flock_n may_v be_v call_v one_o flock_n three_o way_n 1._o respectu_fw-la pastorum_fw-la when_o the_o same_o shepherd_n oversee_v &_o take_v care_n of_o the_o whole_a see_v a_o example_n both_o of_o the_o one_o kind_n of_o shepherd_n luke_n 2.8_o and_o of_o the_o other_o act_v 20.28_o 2._o respectu_fw-la pabuli_fw-la so_o paul_n baynes_n speak_v of_o the_o low_a country_n 21._o where_o sundry_a congregation_n in_o one_o city_n make_v but_o one_o church_n say_v that_o the_o sheep_n feed_v together_o into_o one_o common_a pasture_n though_o they_o bite_v not_o on_o the_o same_o individual_a grass_n 3._o respectu_fw-la pedi_fw-la when_o many_o congregation_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o same_o pastoral_n staff_n of_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o discipline_n it_o be_v further_a object_v that_o presbyterial_a government_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o synod_n do_v rob_v the_o congregation_n of_o their_o right_n and_o liberty_n no_o less_o than_o the_o prelacy_n do_v so_o that_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o removal_n of_o episcopacy_n have_v change_v dominum_fw-la only_o not_o dominium_fw-la answer_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n for_o 1._o episcopal_a government_n be_v monarchical_a and_o christ_n have_v leave_v no_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n to_o be_v exercise_v by_o one_o man_n presbyterial_a and_o synodical_a government_n be_v partly_o democraticall_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o election_n of_o minister_n and_o elder_n and_o the_o do_v of_o matter_n of_o chief_a importance_n with_o the_o knowledge_n and_o consent_n of_o congregation_n partly_o aristocratical_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o parity_n of_o presbyter_n and_o their_o consistorial_n proceed_n and_o decree_n the_o monarchical_a part_n be_v christ_n peculiarly_a 2._o the_o prelacy_n permit_v not_o to_o congregation_n any_o act_n of_o their_o own_o church_n government_n but_o rob_v they_o of_o their_o particular_a eldership_n 358._o which_o as_o parker_n well_o note_v the_o classical_a presbytery_n do_v not_o 3._o it_o be_v one_o thing_n say_v baynes_n for_o church_n to_o subject_n themselves_o to_o a_o bishop_n and_o consistory_n supra_fw-la wherein_o they_o shall_v have_v no_o power_n of_o suffrage_n another_o thing_n to_o communicate_v with_o such_o a_o presbytery_n wherein_o themselves_o be_v member_n and_o judge_n with_o other_o 4._o the_o congregation_n do_v not_o agree_v not_o consent_v to_o episcopal_a government_n but_o be_v sufferer_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o same_o but_o they_o do_v hearty_o agree_v to_o the_o government_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n in_o witness_n whereof_o they_o send_v their_o commissioner_n thither_o to_o concur_v assist_v &_o voice_n 5._o special_a respect_n be_v have_v in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n to_o the_o consent_n of_o congregation_n in_o all_o
iâ—dicum_fw-la the_o court_n of_o judge_n and_o ruler_n which_o be_v call_v the_o congregation_n of_o the_o mighty_a psal._n 80.2_o so_o that_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o place_n be_v the_o seclude_v of_o those_o person_n from_o bear_v any_o office_n or_o rule_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v member_n of_o those_o court_n which_o do_v represent_v israel_n the_o same_o sense_n be_v give_v by_o lyranus_fw-la cajetan_n oleaster_n tostatus_n and_o lorinus_n and_o which_o be_v more_o to_o be_v think_v of_o ainsworth_n himself_o expound_v it_o so_o and_o further_o show_v that_o it_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o join_v to_o the_o faith_n and_o religion_n of_o israel_n or_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n in_o that_o respect_n because_o exod._n 12.48_o 49._o num._n 15.14_o 15._o all_o stranger_n be_v upon_o their_o circumcision_n admit_v into_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n to_o offer_v sacrifice_n and_o by_o consequence_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o court_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n which_o also_o appear_v from_o levit._n 22.18_o num_fw-la 9.14_o the_o point_n be_v now_o clear_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o shall_v the_o less_o need_n to_o trouble_v ourselves_o in_o the_o search_n of_o profane_a author_n yet_o pasor_n find_v demosthenes_n use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pro_fw-la concione_fw-la magnatum_fw-la as_o for_o that_o common_a expression_n of_o divine_n 539._o that_o the_o elder_n be_v the_o church_n representative_a we_o desire_v not_o to_o wrangle_v about_o name_n so_o that_o the_o thing_n itself_o which_o be_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o officer_n sit_v and_o judge_v apart_o from_o the_o people_n be_v condescend_v upon_o yet_o let_v we_o see_v upon_o what_o ground_n the_o name_n of_o a_o representative_a church_n be_v by_o this_o man_n so_o supercilious_o reject_v first_o he_o say_v that_o no_o godly_a no_o nor_o reasonable_a man_n will_v affirm_v that_o this_o representation_n be_v to_o be_v extend_v to_o any_o other_o act_n of_o religion_n than_o these_o which_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o govern_n of_o the_o church_n but_o quo_fw-la warrantâ—_n shall_v a_o man_n be_v both_o ungodly_a and_o unreasonable_a for_o affirm_v that_o the_o elder_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o represent_v the_o church_n where_o they_o serve_v in_o prefer_v a_o petition_n to_o the_o king_n and_o the_o parliament_n for_o a_o reformation_n or_o in_o bear_v witness_n of_o the_o desolate_a condition_n of_o the_o parish_n through_o the_o want_n of_o a_o ministry_n or_o in_o give_v counsel_n to_o a_o sister_n church_n though_o these_o be_v not_o act_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n well_o be_v it_o as_o he_o say_v what_o great_a absurdity_n shall_v fellow_n then_o forsooth_o it_o appertain_v to_o the_o people_n primary_o and_o original_o under_o christ_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n that_o be_v themselves_z but_o who_o say_v he_o will_v so_o say_v of_o a_o government_n not_o personal_a but_o public_a and_o institute_v as_o the_o church_n be_v sure_o they_o who_o think_v the_o power_n to_o be_v original_o in_o the_o people_n may_v here_o easy_o reply_v that_o this_o be_v no_o more_o strange_a than_o to_o say_v that_o the_o power_n which_o be_v primary_o and_o original_o in_o the_o body_n of_o a_o kingdom_n be_v exercise_v by_o the_o parliament_n which_o be_v the_o representative_a thereof_o but_o because_o many_o learned_a man_n deny_v the_o power_n of_o church_n government_n to_o be_v original_o in_o the_o people_n though_o other_o and_o those_o very_a learned_a too_o do_v affirm_v it_o therefore_o to_o pass_v that_o i_o shall_v serve_v he_o with_o another_o answer_n for_o as_o we_o can_v defend_v the_o authority_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n without_o wrangle_v about_o the_o name_n of_o a_o representative_a church_n so_o can_v we_o defend_v the_o name_n of_o a_o representative_a church_n without_o debate_v the_o question_n whether_o the_o people_n have_v the_o power_n original_o or_o not_o may_v he_o therefore_o be_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o other_o ground_n and_o reason_n for_o the_o name_n of_o a_o representative_a church_n as_o namely_o first_o what_o the_o elder_n with_o the_o knowledge_n and_o tacit_a consent_v of_o the_o church_n do_v approve_v or_o dislike_v that_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v approve_v or_o dislike_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n which_o import_v that_o the_o church_n be_v in_o some_o sort_n represent_v by_o the_o senate_n of_o elder_n second_o as_o we_o say_v we_o have_v see_v a_o man_n when_o haply_o we_o have_v see_v nothing_o but_o his_o head_n or_o his_o face_n which_o make_v he_o know_v unto_o we_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o painter_n represent_v man_n unto_o we_o ofttimes_o only_o from_o their_o shoulder_n upward_o so_o do_v we_o discern_v &_o know_v a_o visible_a political_a church_n when_o we_o see_v in_o the_o senate_n as_o it_o be_v the_o head_n and_o face_n thereof_o the_o officer_n be_v as_o eye_n ear_n nose_n mouth_n etc._n etc._n to_o the_o church_n that_o be_v be_v the_o most_o noble_a and_o chief_a member_n whereby_o the_o body_n be_v govern_v three_o the_o senate_n of_o elder_n be_v say_v to_o represent_v the_o church_n because_o of_o the_o affinity_n and_o likeness_n betwixt_o it_o and_o the_o senate_n which_o represent_v a_o city_n or_o some_o inferior_a civil_a corporation_n affinity_n i_o mean_v not_o every_o way_n but_o in_o this_o that_o the_o government_n be_v not_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o but_o a_o few_o and_o that_o those_o few_o be_v choose_v with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a corporation_n four_o and_o if_o for_o these_o reason_n the_o eldership_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v be_v call_v a_o representative_a church_n there_o be_v much_o more_o reason_n for_o give_v this_o name_n to_o a_o classical_a presbytery_n or_o to_o a_o synod_n provincial_a or_o national_a for_o these_o do_v result_v out_o of_o many_o particular_a church_n be_v make_v up_o of_o their_o commissioner_n his_o second_o reason_n he_o take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o representation_n allege_v that_o if_o the_o elder_n in_o their_o consistory_n represent_v the_o church_n than_o whatsoever_o they_o either_o decree_n or_o do_v agree_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o also_o the_o church_n decree_v and_o do_v though_o absent_a though_o ignorant_a both_o what_o the_o thing_n be_v and_o upon_o what_o ground_n it_o be_v do_v by_o the_o elder_n and_o this_o how_o consonant_a it_o be_v to_o papist_n implicit_a faith_n he_o leave_v it_o to_o wise_a man_n to_o consider_v this_o argument_n be_v as_o much_o against_o the_o representation_n of_o king_n and_o state_n by_o their_o ambassador_n and_o commissioner_n it_o be_v against_o the_o representation_n of_o church_n by_o the_o consistory_n of_o elder_n and_o so_o all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o prince_n and_o state_n in_o their_o embassage_n shall_v turn_v to_o implicit_a faith_n because_o according_a to_o this_o ground_n what_o the_o represent_v do_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o commission_n that_o the_o represent_v do_v implicitè_fw-fr and_o now_o i_o shall_v leave_v to_o be_v consider_v by_o wise_a man_n these_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o papist_n implicit_a faith_n and_o the_o case_n of_o our_o church_n govern_v by_o eldership_n 1._o the_o church_n assent_v not_o to_o that_o which_o the_o consistory_n of_o elder_n decree_v or_o do_v except_o it_o be_v agree_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o the_o reasoner_n himself_o say_v but_o there_o be_v no_o such_o limitation_n in_o the_o papist_n implicit_a faith_n 2._o the_o consistory_n of_o elder_n do_v not_o press_v any_o thing_n upon_o the_o church_n imperious_o or_o by_o naked_a will_n and_o authority_n without_o any_o reason_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v with_o those_o from_o who_o she_o require_v implicit_a faith_n 3._o the_o papist_n know_v not_o what_o those_o thing_n be_v which_o they_o believe_v by_o implicit_a faith_n so_o that_o such_o a_o faith_n be_v right_o call_v mera_fw-fr articulorum_fw-la fidei_fw-la ignorantia_fw-la 114._o a_o mere_a ignorance_n of_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o decree_n of_o our_o eldership_n whereunto_o our_o church_n do_v consent_n be_v make_v know_v unto_o they_o 4._o our_o church_n be_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o christian_a discretion_n to_o examine_v all_o thing_n propound_v unto_o they_o even_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o elder_n whereas_o papist_n may_v not_o examine_v what_o the_o church_n propound_v or_o command_v 5._o papist_n by_o their_o implicit_a faith_n believe_v whatsoever_o the_o church_n believe_v because_o they_o think_v the_o church_n can_v not_o err_v but_o our_o church_n conceive_v not_o only_o their_o particular_a eldership_n but_o ecumenical_a counsel_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n 11._o come_v we_o now_o to_o his_o three_o general_a reason_n whereby_o he_o labour_v to_o prove_v