therefore_o they_o who_o differ_v in_o these_o circumstance_n do_v not_o differ_v in_o the_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o in_o the_o manner_n see_v the_o harmony_n of_o confession_n where_o you_o will_v find_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n be_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n and_o usefulness_n of_o ceremony_n the_o latter_a helvetian_a confession_n say_v that_o there_o be_v different_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n find_v in_o the_o church_n let_v no_o man_n judge_v hereby_o that_o the_o church_n dissent_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o bohemia_n have_v wherefore_o those_o rite_n and_o those_o good_a ceremony_n ought_v only_o to_o be_v keep_v which_o among_o the_o people_n of_o christ_n do_v edify_v therefore_o whether_o they_o be_v extent_n or_o bring_v in_o by_o the_o bishop_n or_o by_o the_o council_n ecclesiastical_a or_o by_o other_o author_n whatsoever_o the_o simple_a sort_n be_v not_o to_o trouble_v themselves_o about_o that_o but_o must_v use_v they_o to_o that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o a_o little_a after_o although_o our_o man_n do_v not_o equal_o observe_v all_o ceremony_n with_o other_o church_n which_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v do_v yet_o be_v they_o not_o so_o mind_v as_o to_o move_v any_o dissension_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o ceremony_n although_o they_o be_v not_o judge_v to_o be_v altogether_o necessary_a so_o that_o they_o be_v not_o find_v contrary_a to_o god_n word_n and_o the_o augustine_n confession_n have_v some_o man_n than_o may_v ask_v whether_o we_o will_v have_v this_o life_n of_o man_n to_o be_v without_o order_n without_o ceremony_n in_o no_o wise_a but_o we_o teach_v that_o the_o true_a pastor_n in_o their_o church_n may_v ordain_v public_a rite_n or_o ceremony_n and_o beza_n in_o his_o 24_o epist_n agree_v herein_o as_o have_v be_v say_v before_o and_o calvin_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o true_a way_n of_o reformation_n ch._n 16._o say_v he_o will_v not_o contend_v about_o ceremony_n not_o only_o those_o which_o be_v for_o decency_n but_o those_o which_o be_v symbolical_a let_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n say_v the_o scripture_n and_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 1_o cor._n 14._o 33._o god_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n but_o of_o peace_n as_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n but_o to_o come_v home_o to_o our_o dissenter_n mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 337._o speak_v of_o our_o public_a worship_n in_o our_o parish_n church_n say_v in_o all_o the_o lawful_a order_n gesture_n and_o manner_n of_o behaviour_n in_o god_n worship_n affect_v not_o to_o differ_v from_o the_o rest_n but_o conform_v yourself_o to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n for_o in_o the_o church_n singularity_n be_v a_o discord_n etc._n etc._n see_v vine_n on_o the_o sacrament_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n p._n 39_o and_o many_o more_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n may_v be_v give_v but_o what_o have_v be_v say_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o such_o ceremony_n as_o serve_v for_o order_n or_o edification_n and_o be_v not_o direct_o contrary_a to_o god_n law_n be_v to_o be_v use_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o most_o eminent_a man_n both_o at_o home_n and_o abroad_o now_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v what_o ceremony_n be_v lawful_a and_o what_o not_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o ceremony_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o doctrine_n which_o go_v along_o with_o it_o and_o may_v be_v lawful_a and_o not_o lawful_a as_o that_o be_v if_o a_o ceremony_n be_v make_v a_o substantial_a part_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o unalterable_a or_o be_v suppose_v so_o necessary_a as_o that_o the_o do_v of_o it_o will_v be_v a_o thing_n meritorious_a or_o please_a to_o god_n and_o the_o not_o do_v of_o it_o sinful_a though_o there_o be_v no_o human_a law_n which_o require_v the_o do_v of_o it_o then_o it_o become_v sinful_a because_o it_o make_v the_o scripture_n insufficient_a and_o this_o it_o be_v that_o make_v the_o jewish_a ceremony_n of_o wash_v before_o meat_n sinful_a and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o many_o of_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o when_o ceremony_n be_v enjoin_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o order_n and_o uniformity_n in_o god_n worship_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o great_a mischief_n which_o we_o shall_v inevitable_o fall_v into_o if_o every_o pastor_n and_o people_n be_v suffer_v to_o follow_v their_o several_a different_a judgement_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n worship_n than_o they_o be_v lawful_a and_o good_a but_o say_v they_o if_o these_o ceremony_n do_v not_o bind_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n why_o do_v the_o discipline_n and_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n force_n man_n to_o use_v they_o i_o answer_v the_o church_n do_v not_o oblige_v man_n to_o the_o observance_n of_o these_o ceremony_n as_o thing_n that_o bound_v the_o conscience_n or_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v in_o themselves_o but_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n be_v force_v to_o observe_v they_o and_o punish_v if_o they_o refuse_v be_v because_o they_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o church_n and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o church_n or_o state_n make_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v sinful_a rom._n 13._o 5._o and_o 2._o and_o for_o this_o they_o be_v punish_v and_o also_o for_o disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o thus_o we_o justify_v our_o bow_n at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n at_o seasonable_a time_n and_o all_o our_o ceremony_n since_o the_o church_n have_v appoint_v they_o we_o ought_v to_o obey_v unless_o we_o can_v prove_v they_o to_o be_v sinful_a which_o no_o man_n can_v do_v so_o long_o as_o the_o worship_n be_v direct_v to_o a_o true_a object_n to_o wit_n the_o person_n of_o christ_n as_o for_o the_o ceremony_n of_o bow_v towards_o the_o altar_n note_v the_o canon_n that_o appoint_v it_o do_v not_o oblige_v any_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o it_o but_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o liberty_n as_o to_o the_o posture_n appoint_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n to_o wit_n kneel_v it_o be_v a_o circumstance_n which_o may_v be_v vary_v according_a to_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n it_o be_v always_o take_v in_o the_o posture_n of_o adoration_n which_o posture_n vary_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o country_n now_o kneel_v be_v the_o posture_n of_o adoration_n in_o these_o kingdom_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v therefore_o appoint_v that_o it_o be_v take_v kneel_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o very_o reasonable_a that_o so_o sacred_a a_o ordinance_n and_o so_o great_a a_o benefit_n shall_v be_v receive_v in_o the_o most_o thankful_a and_o humble_a posture_n that_o may_v be_v and_o that_o sure_o be_v on_o our_o knee_n which_o be_v also_o the_o fit_a posture_n for_o those_o high_a strain_n of_o devotion_n with_o which_o so_o sacred_a a_o work_n ought_v to_o be_v attend_v at_o the_o very_a instant_n of_o take_v it_o the_o only_a objection_n that_o i_o know_v be_v make_v against_o this_o posture_n of_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v because_o it_o be_v idolatrous_a and_o contrary_a to_o christ_n own_o practice_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o they_o will_v make_v we_o and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n all_o idolater_n whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o do_v not_o our_o book_n of_o common_a prayer_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o communion_n service_n tell_v they_o as_o plain_a as_o word_n can_v express_v it_o that_o we_o pay_v no_o adoration_n to_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o sacrament_n but_o christ_n himself_o which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o yet_o will_v they_o make_v we_o idolater_n for_o all_o this_o have_v any_o of_o they_o ever_o write_v so_o strong_a against_o idolize_v the_o element_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o our_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v do_v and_o yet_o will_v they_o persuade_v we_o we_o be_v idolater_n they_o may_v as_o well_o believe_v that_o we_o worship_v the_o stone_n in_o the_o church-wall_n when_o we_o kneel_v down_o to_o pray_v in_o they_o and_o true_o i_o fear_v many_o of_o they_o do_v so_o which_o make_v they_o use_v that_o posture_n so_o seldom_o in_o their_o public_a meeting_n for_o you_o shall_v seldom_o see_v in_o any_o of_o their_o meeting_n scarce_o one_o of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n on_o their_o knee_n not_o even_o at_o repeat_v the_o lord_n prayer_n if_o it_o happen_v to_o be_v say_v which_o be_v not_o often_o their_o usual_a posture_n of_o pray_v in_o their_o public_a congregation_n be_v either_o
particular_a congregation_n to_o which_o he_o give_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o govern_v themselves_o distinct_o and_o independent_a of_o all_o other_o church_n but_o where_o have_v they_o authority_n for_o this_o opinion_n where_o do_v they_o find_v that_o church_n be_v limit_v to_o particular_a congregation_n not_o in_o scripture_n for_o there_o be_v no_o tolerable_a proof_n that_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v possible_a at_o first_o there_o may_v have_v be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n than_o may_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n but_o where_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o when_o they_o multiply_v into_o more_o congregation_n they_o make_v new_a and_o distinct_a church_n under_o new_a officer_n with_o a_o separate_a power_n of_o government_n of_o this_o dr._n stillingfleet_n say_v he_o be_v well_o assure_v there_o be_v no_o mark_n or_o footstep_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o they_o will_v follow_v the_o plain_a instance_n of_o scripture_n they_o may_v better_o limit_v church_n to_o private_a family_n than_o to_o particular_a congregation_n for_o of_o that_o we_o have_v a_o plain_a instance_n in_o scripture_n rom._n 16._o 3._o 5._o col._n 4._o 15._o in_o the_o house_n of_o priscilla_n and_o aquilla_n but_o not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o other_o and_o if_o they_o will_v keep_v to_o these_o plain_a instance_n of_o scripture_n they_o may_v full_o enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o avoid_v the_o scandal_n of_o break_v the_o law_n but_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v every_o congregation_n a_o independent_a church_n that_o it_o plain_o show_v we_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v then_o the_o same_o with_o a_o diocese_n or_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n which_o be_v under_o the_o inspection_n of_o one_o bishop_n for_o if_o we_o observe_v the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o shall_v find_v this_o observation_n not_o once_o to_o fail_v that_o when_o church_n be_v speak_v of_o they_o be_v the_o church_n of_o a_o province_n as_o the_o church_n of_o judaea_n 1_o thess_n 2._o 14._o the_o church_n of_o asia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 19_o of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n act_v 15._o 41._o church_n of_o galatia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 1._o gal._n 1._o 2._o church_n of_o macedonia_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 1._o but_o when_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n be_v speak_v of_o it_o be_v still_o call_v the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n as_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n the_o church_n at_o corinth_n the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o seem_v plain_a from_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n that_o church_n be_v not_o limit_v to_o particular_a congregation_n unless_o they_o will_v say_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o large_a of_o these_o city_n mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n which_o shall_v be_v show_v to_o be_v otherwise_o hereafter_o but_o suppose_v we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v congregational_a as_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v not_o what_o then_o that_o may_v have_v be_v from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n or_o small_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o day_n must_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v always_o continue_v so_o why_o do_v they_o not_o wash_v one_o another_o foot_n as_o christ_n do_v and_o command_v his_o apostle_n to_o do_v the_o same_o 12._o same_o and_o if_o they_o must_v keep_v so_o precise_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o day_n why_o do_v any_o of_o their_o minister_n marry_v a_o second_o wife_n for_o st._n paul_n say_v plain_o let_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n 1_o tim._n 3._o v._n 2._o &_o 12._o so_o the_o first_o civil_a government_n be_v by_o god_n own_o institution_n over_o family_n they_o may_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o overthrow_v kingdom_n to_o bring_v thing_n back_o to_o god_n first_o institution_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v how_o ridiculous_a that_o fancy_n of_o they_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o all_o thing_n pertain_v to_o discipline_n and_o worship_n and_o that_o we_o must_v stick_v so_o precise_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o and_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o day_n as_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o vary_v from_o it_o in_o any_o little_a indifferent_a circumstance_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o public_a order_n or_o conveniency_n but_o as_o this_o notion_n of_o congregational_a church_n do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o neither_o do_v it_o with_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o by_o the_o ancient_a canon_n of_o the_o church_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o a_o diocese_n which_o comprehend_v many_o congregation_n or_o parish_n see_v canon_n nicen._n 6_o 15_o 16._o constant_n c._n 6._o chalcedon_n 17._o 20._o 26._o antioch_n c._n 2._o 5._o codex_fw-la eccles_n africa_n c._n 53._o 55._o council_n gangrae_fw-la c._n 6._o council_n carthag_n c._n 10_o 11._o and_o thus_o much_o as_o to_o the_o first_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n as_o differ_v from_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o therefore_o not_o of_o christ_n institution_n the_o second_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v that_o our_o diocesan_n church_n and_o bishop_n be_v unlawful_a for_o say_v they_o it_o be_v make_v a_o new_a species_n of_o church_n and_o church-government_n without_o god_n appointment_n for_o say_v mr._n baxter_n according_a to_o christ_n institution_n no_o church_n must_v be_v big_a than_o that_o the_o same_o bishop_n may_v perform_v the_o pastoral_n office_n to_o they_o in_o present_a communion_n and_o so_o he_o will_v have_v threâ—_n sort_n of_o bishop_n by_o divine_a right_n first_o general_n bishop_n that_o in_o every_o nation_n be_v over_o many_o church_n second_o episcopâ—_n gregis_fw-la or_o rule_v pastor_n of_o single_a congregation_n which_o be_v all_o true_a presbyter_n three_o episcopi_fw-la praesides_fw-la which_o be_v the_o precedent_n of_o the_o presbyter_n in_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v mr._n baxter_n notion_n of_o bishop_n but_o other_o be_v not_o of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_v allow_v of_o but_o one_o kind_n of_o bishop_n and_o such_o they_o make_v the_o pastor_n of_o every_o congregation_n but_o that_o both_o these_o notion_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v false_a will_v appear_v for_o that_o first_o it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o large_a for_o our_o saviour_n have_v leave_v no_o rule_n about_o limit_n the_o apostle_n follow_v the_o form_n of_o the_o empire_n plant_v in_o every_o city_n a_o complete_a and_o entire_a church_n who_o bishop_n as_o to_o his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n resemble_v that_o of_o the_o chief_a magistrate_n of_o the_o city_n the_o presbyter_n that_o of_o the_o senate_n and_o the_o several_a church_n the_o several_a corporation_n so_o say_v dr._n still_o in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 237._o and_o quote_v origen_n c._n cell_n l._n 3._o and_o dr._n maurice_n in_o his_o def._n of_o diocese_n episcopacy_n p._n 377_o etc._n etc._n affirm_v the_o same_o and_o prove_v it_o at_o large_a and_o as_o far_o as_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o city_n extend_v itself_o so_o far_o do_v the_o diocese_n of_o the_o bishop_n extend_v for_o the_o church_n and_o the_o city_n have_v but_o one_o territory_n but_o though_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n agree_v upon_o by_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o persuasion_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o because_o some_o may_v be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o deny_v this_o i_o will_v appeal_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o african_a church_n for_o which_o mr._n baxter_n dr._n owen_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o dissenter_n express_v a_o esteem_n above_o all_o other_o church_n it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n among_o the_o african_a church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n though_o never_o so_o large_a and_o populous_a see_v cod._n eccl._n africa_n c._n 71._o and_o at_o the_o famous_a conference_n at_o carthage_n between_o the_o catholic_n and_o donatist_n bishop_n by_o the_o command_n of_o constantine_n the_o emperor_n who_o be_v become_v christian_a the_o rule_n on_o both_o side_n agree_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n or_o diocese_n see_v conference_n of_o the_o first_o day_n and_o if_o there_o can_v have_v be_v more_o than_o
call_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n by_o god_n almighty_a and_o have_v receive_v our_o commission_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n from_o he_o and_o therefore_o must_v not_o neglect_v to_o discharge_v our_o duty_n in_o obedience_n to_o any_o power_n upon_o earth_n for_o we_o must_v obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n but_o first_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v grant_v that_o when_o god_n almighty_n give_v they_o this_o commission_n he_o do_v not_o limit_v it_o to_o any_o certain_a place_n but_o it_o be_v general_a to_o preach_v the_o word_n to_o all_o nation_n so_o that_o in_o obedience_n to_o god_n command_n doubtless_o they_o ought_v to_o go_v and_o preach_v in_o those_o country_n where_o their_o preach_a be_v most_o want_v and_o will_v do_v god_n most_o service_n there_o be_v many_o country_n in_o the_o world_n that_o know_v nothing_o of_o christianity_n and_o many_o that_o do_v have_v not_o able_a minister_n enough_o to_o serve_v their_o turn_n sure_o these_o man_n that_o think_v themselves_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o preach_v will_v much_o better_o discharge_v their_o conscience_n by_o go_v into_o those_o country_n and_o preach_v to_o those_o poor_a people_n that_o be_v in_o so_o great_a want_n of_o it_o christ_n send_v his_o disciple_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o lose_a sheep_n of_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n the_o apostle_n who_o doubtless_o have_v as_o universal_a a_o commission_n to_o preach_v they_o never_o go_v to_o abide_v in_o those_o city_n or_o place_n where_o sound_a teacher_n be_v settle_v before_o but_o they_o choose_v to_o go_v into_o those_o part_n where_o christianity_n be_v least_o know_v and_o their_o preach_v will_v do_v most_o good_a why_o will_v not_o our_o nonconformist_a minister_n follow_v their_o example_n several_a of_o our_o foreign_a plantation_n want_v able_a minister_n among_o they_o they_o want_v university_n and_o famous_a school_n to_o breed_v they_o in_o and_o therefore_o must_v needs_o be_v but_o poor_o supply_v if_o they_o will_v leave_v this_o nation_n and_o go_v and_o preach_v there_o it_o will_v convince_v the_o world_n that_o they_o design_v nothing_o but_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n in_o desire_v to_o preach_v but_o since_o they_o do_v not_o it_o be_v evident_a whatever_o their_o pretence_n may_v be_v that_o it_o be_v self-interest_n and_o their_o own_o conveniency_n that_o make_v they_o desire_v the_o liberty_n of_o preach_v in_o these_o nation_n what_o have_v they_o to_o say_v to_o this_o indeed_o the_o best_a of_o they_o give_v but_o a_o very_a unsatisfactory_a answer_n hereto_o mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o answer_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n say_v the_o reason_n why_o they_o do_v not_o go_v to_o preach_v among_o the_o indian_n be_v because_o they_o can_v speak_v their_o language_n and_o because_o many_o of_o they_o have_v wife_n and_o family_n which_o they_o can_v leave_v but_o for_o his_o own_o part_n he_o say_v if_o he_o be_v but_o young_a enough_o he_o will_v not_o trouble_v this_o censorious_a persecute_v part_n of_o the_o world_n any_o long_o mr._n baxter_n have_v not_o be_v always_o old_a he_o be_v young_a enough_o when_o first_o he_o begin_v to_o write_v against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n why_o do_v he_o not_o go_v when_o first_o he_o be_v prohibit_v to_o preach_v here_o if_o he_o have_v perhaps_o our_o division_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n have_v be_v much_o narrow_a than_o now_o they_o be_v and_o a_o reconciliation_n much_o more_o easy_a between_o we_o as_o for_o their_o not_o speak_v the_o language_n there_o be_v many_o of_o the_o new_a plantation_n in_o america_n etc._n etc._n that_o understand_v english_a and_o latin_a and_o want_v able_a diligent_a pastor_n among_o they_o and_o as_o to_o all_o their_o other_o reason_n for_o not_o go_v the_o leave_v their_o family_n etc._n etc._n they_o may_v carry_v they_o with_o they_o but_o sure_o no_o reason_n of_o this_o kind_n can_v come_v in_o competition_n with_o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o three_o kingdom_n but_o again_o they_o say_v god_n have_v command_v they_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o they_o must_v obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man._n so_o god_n have_v also_o command_v they_o to_o obey_v their_o governor_n and_o magistrate_n and_o to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o nation_n in_o which_o they_o live_v now_o since_o they_o must_v of_o necessity_n break_v one_o of_o these_o command_n by_o stay_v at_o home_n and_o preach_v in_o separate_a meeting_n and_o may_v perform_v both_o by_o go_v to_o preach_v beyond_o sea_n certain_o the_o best_a and_o safe_a way_n must_v be_v to_o do_v the_o latter_a and_o if_o god_n almighty_n have_v give_v they_o commission_n to_o preach_v as_o they_o say_v i_o be_o sure_a he_o have_v give_v they_o commission_n no_o where_o to_o disturb_v the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n and_o state_n especial_o a_o true_a church_n he_o bid_v they_o go_v and_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o teach_v all_o nation_n but_o we_o all_o know_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v then_o unconvert_v and_o have_v no_o christian_a teacher_n and_o minister_n orderly_o settle_v among_o they_o so_o that_o those_o who_o christ_n then_o send_v can_v have_v come_v no_o where_o amiss_o every_o one_o of_o they_o be_v to_o make_v as_o many_o convert_v as_o he_o can_v there_o be_v no_o limit_n put_v how_o far_o their_o particular_a charge_n shall_v extend_v and_o no_o far_o but_o soon_o after_o even_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n when_o particular_a distinct_a church_n be_v gather_v and_o commit_v to_o the_o care_n of_o particular_a person_n i_o suppose_v none_o of_o our_o dissenter_n will_v say_v that_o any_o minister_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o general_a commission_n to_o teach_v all_o nation_n may_v have_v come_v into_o another_o pastor_n congregation_n or_o parish_n and_o preach_v in_o a_o separate_a meeting_n without_o licence_n and_o draw_v as_o many_o people_n from_o their_o lawful_a pastor_n to_o who_o care_n they_o be_v particular_o commit_v as_o they_o can_v no_o they_o who_o do_v so_o be_v often_o condemn_v by_o st._n paul_n as_o appear_v in_o many_o of_o his_o epistle_n and_o this_o be_v the_o very_a case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n with_o relation_n to_o our_o present_a dissenter_n allow_v their_o commission_n to_o preach_v be_v as_o full_a as_o they_o pretend_v to_o yet_o it_o give_v they_o no_o authority_n to_o invade_v other_o man_n right_n or_o to_o draw_v away_o the_o people_n from_o their_o lawful_a minister_n and_o especial_o since_o if_o they_o please_v they_o may_v exercise_v their_o office_n in_o other_o place_n and_o do_v no_o man_n wrong_v the_o apostle_n have_v as_o full_a a_o commission_n to_o preach_v as_o any_o of_o our_o dissenter_n can_v pretend_v to_o and_o something_o more_o extraordinary_a and_o yet_o we_o do_v find_v that_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o preach_v direct_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n though_o a_o heathen_a it_o be_v true_a for_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n christianity_n have_v not_o general_o the_o law_n to_o countenance_n and_o defend_v it_o as_o now_o it_o have_v so_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o father_n of_o the_o church_n can_v not_o have_v the_o command_n or_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o what_o they_o do_v yet_o they_o have_v his_o connivance_n and_o never_o preach_v direct_o in_o opposition_n to_o his_o positive_a command_n st._n paul_n say_v act_n 14._o 12._o they_o neither_o find_v i_o in_o the_o temple_n dispute_v with_o any_o man_n neither_o raise_v up_o the_o people_n neither_o in_o the_o synagogue_n nor_o in_o the_o city_n and_o again_o act_v 15._o 8._o neither_o against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o jew_n neither_o against_o the_o temple_n nor_o yet_o against_o caesar_n have_v i_o offend_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o so_o it_o seem_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n where_o they_o come_v so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v tolerate_v or_o connive_v at_o by_o the_o government_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v prohibit_v by_o the_o magistrate_n they_o leave_v that_o city_n or_o place_n and_o go_v to_o the_o next_o but_o think_v it_o no_o way_n their_o duty_n to_o oppose_v the_o will_n of_o their_o lawful_a prince_n though_o a_o heathen_a and_o will_v not_o our_o dissenter_n show_v the_o same_o respect_n to_o a_o christian_a prince_n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v to_o heathen_a magistrate_n but_o whether_o christian_a magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o silence_v some_o minister_n such_o as_o they_o think_v fit_a or_o not_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n questionless_a that_o have_v be_v practise_v by_o they_o in_o all_o age_n ever_o since_o the_o