Selected quad for the lemma: country_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
country_n	church_n	city_n	congregation_n	1,463	5	9.9378	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A63266	An apology for the non-conformists shewing their reasons, both for their not conforming, and for their preaching publickly, though forbidden by law : with an answer to Dr. Stillingfleet's sermon, and his defence of it, so much as concerneth the non-conformists preaching / by John Troughton ...	Troughton, John, 1637?-1681.	1681 (1681)	Wing T2312; ESTC R1706	102,506	125

and_o holiness_n elsewhere_o then_o forego_v our_o edification_n to_o keep_v peace_n with_o the_o church_n the_o dr_n hint_n at_o general_a inconvenience_n that_o will_v follow_v if_o people_n find_v fault_n with_o their_o governor_n and_o withdraw_v from_o they_o and_o to_o such_o inconvenience_n all_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n be_v subject_a and_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o great_a care_n to_o prevent_v they_o but_o must_v people_n bear_v always_o still_o there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v but_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n and_o their_o communion_n with_o that_o be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o their_o communion_n with_o christ_n beside_o nothing_o will_v more_o awe_v both_o pastor_n and_o people_n to_o their_o duty_n then_o if_o they_o know_v that_o the_o sober_a and_o most_o careful_a christian_n of_o their_o own_o salvation_n will_v leave_v their_o company_n if_o they_o will_v not_o mend_v their_o manner_n and_o this_o will_v be_v a_o more_o universal_a benefit_n to_o the_o church_n than_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o now_o and_o then_o one_o unreasonable_o withdraw_v out_o of_o prejudice_n or_o find_v too_o much_o fault_n can_v do_v hurt_v to_o any_o congregation_n 4._o when_o a_o church_n have_v neither_o the_o exercise_n nor_o power_n of_o government_n the_o catholic_n church_n be_v a_o society_n under_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n by_o his_o spirit_n and_o every_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o chatholick_n gather_v into_o a_o political_a body_n that_o it_o may_v edify_v and_o preserve_v itself_o which_o be_v do_v by_o government_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n as_o well_o as_o by_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n and_o indeed_o the_o latter_a will_v be_v as_o ineffectual_a without_o the_o former_a as_o a_o charge_n at_o a_o assize_n or_o session_n wherein_o the_o law_n be_v recite_v will_v be_v if_o there_o be_v neither_o presentment_n nor_o punishment_n of_o offender_n a_o church_n without_o power_n of_o government_n be_v no_o church_n but_o a_o company_n of_o neighbour_n that_o meet_v sometime_o to_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n together_o which_o member_n of_o several_a congregation_n may_v do_v for_o power_n of_o government_n be_v the_o form_n of_o a_o church_n as_o of_o a_o civil_a polity_n by_o which_o only_o it_o differ_v from_o a_o confuse_a accidental_a convent_v or_o cohabitation_n of_o person_n now_o it_o be_v no_o sin_n to_o separate_v from_o that_o which_o be_v no_o church_n but_o a_o duty_n as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v for_o every_o one_o to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o some_o visible_a church_n this_o case_n be_v too_o common_a with_o we_o where_o minister_n of_o parish_n be_v sometime_o deacon_n at_o least_o for_o a_o while_n who_o have_v no_o ministerial_a power_n at_o all_o and_o if_o presbyter_n yet_o such_o as_o pretend_v to_o no_o more_o than_o to_o preach_v and_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n all_o power_n of_o government_n as_o they_o say_v belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n and_o whatever_o their_o private_a judgement_n may_v be_v of_o their_o power_n of_o government_n we_o know_v they_o neither_o do_v nor_o dare_v exercise_v any_o solemn_a admonition_n or_o suspension_n from_o the_o sacrament_n much_o less_o excommunication_n or_o absolution_n when_o this_o be_v the_o case_n that_o the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o govern_v herself_o have_v long_o lose_v it_o and_o be_v out_o of_o hope_n to_o recover_v it_o nothing_o can_v oblige_v man_n to_o live_v member_n of_o it_o though_o there_o may_v be_v reason_n why_o we_o shall_v hear_v and_o receive_v with_o they_o occasional_o as_o with_o brethren_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o bishop_n have_v a_o power_n of_o government_n over_o all_o his_o diocese_n i_o answer_v this_o shut_v out_o all_o the_o parish_n minister_n from_o government_n and_o make_v they_o but_o the_o bishop_n curate_n and_o make_v all_o the_o parish_n cease_v to_o be_v distinct_a church_n and_o to_o become_v one_o general_a church_n under_o a_o bishop_n who_o be_v utter_o uncapable_a to_o manage_v the_o charge_n of_o such_o a_o congregation_n be_v it_o only_o to_o govern_v and_o not_o to_o preach_v as_o some_o man_n will_v have_v it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v still_o destructive_a of_o the_o end_n of_o a_o church_n viz_o self-edification_n and_o preservation_n but_o moreover_o the_o bishop_n himself_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o metropolitan_a and_o all_o cause_n in_o his_o diocese_n admit_v of_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o arch-bishop_n court_n so_o that_o neither_o have_v the_o bishop_n supreme_a and_o full_a power_n of_o govern_v his_o church_n and_o therefore_o neither_o be_v the_o diocese_n a_o church_n but_o a_o part_n of_o the_o whole_a province_n all_o under_o the_o government_n of_o the_o archbishop_n alone_o the_o bishop_n be_v but_o his_o deputy_n and_o this_o still_o make_v the_o government_n more_o impossible_a and_o separation_n more_o necessary_a 5._o a_o 5_o just_a eause_n of_o separation_n be_v when_o man_n be_v certain_o and_o constant_o debar_v of_o some_o principal_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n necessary_a to_o their_o edification_n and_o communion_n with_o christ_n the_o end_n of_o a_o church_n be_v the_o joint_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o law_n and_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n in_o their_o proper_a season_n it_o be_v possible_a there_o may_v not_o be_v occasion_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o some_o of_o they_o as_o church_n censure_v for_o a_o considerable_a time_n and_o it_o be_v possible_a some_o ordinance_n may_v be_v careless_o neglect_v or_o for_o some_o reason_n for_o a_o time_n omit_v as_o the_o lord_n supper_n this_o be_v no_o cause_n of_o withdraw_a at_o least_o not_o proper_o but_o if_o there_o be_v constant_a bar_n put_v that_o any_o of_o these_o ordinance_n shall_v be_v exclude_v the_o church_n as_o the_o sacrament_n be_v with_o many_o sectary_n or_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v make_v unaccessable_a by_o sinful_a or_o unnecessary_a addition_n alteration_n interpolation_n or_o any_o other_o corruption_n so_o that_o the_o most_o conscientious_a christian_n can_v communicate_v in_o they_o this_o after_o a_o convenient_a wait_a and_o seek_v for_o redress_n will_v justify_v separation_n for_o the_o people_n may_v not_o be_v content_v with_o one_o part_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o their_o salvation_n this_o be_v to_o betray_v the_o gospel_n and_o their_o own_o soul_n nor_o have_v church_n governors_n power_n to_o add_v any_o thing_n either_o essential_a or_o circumstantial_a to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n that_o may_v hinder_v the_o people_n from_o communicate_v in_o they_o and_o if_o they_o have_v no_o such_o authority_n to_o enjoin_v such_o thing_n there_o be_v no_o obligation_n upon_o the_o people_n either_o to_o comply_v with_o they_o in_o obedience_n or_o to_o bear_v their_o usurpation_n by_o continue_v in_o union_n with_o they_o if_o it_o be_v plead_v that_o the_o jew_n never_o separate_v from_o their_o church_n when_o they_o can_v not_o communicate_v in_o the_o sacrifice_n at_o the_o temple_n under_o idolatrous_a king_n or_o when_o the_o passover_n or_o other_o ordinance_n be_v whole_o neglect_v or_o little_o use_v i_o answer_v this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o christian_a church_n the_o jew_n be_v one_o single_a though_o large_a congregation_n institute_v by_o moses_n to_o continue_v till_o christ_n shall_v come_v who_o shall_v have_v power_n to_o new_a moddle_n the_o church_n as_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a they_o be_v all_o tie_v to_o one_o altar_n and_o one_o temple_n and_o may_v sacrifice_v no_o where_o else_o they_o be_v also_o oblige_v to_o one_o priesthood_n the_o house_n of_o aaron_n and_o therefore_o in_o what-place-soev_a they_o be_v they_o must_v hold_v communion_n with_o this_o people_n and_o priesthood_n at_o this_o altar_n and_o if_o public_a worship_n be_v neglect_v or_o corrupt_v they_o can_v in_o no_o case_n separate_v or_o gather_v new_a congregation_n or_o choose_v new_a priest_n or_o build_v new_a altar_n but_o must_v be_v content_a with_o private_a help_n till_o thing_n be_v reform_v but_o christian_n though_o of_o one_o nation_n or_o city_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o one_o congregation_n indispensable_o for_o then_o man_n may_v not_o move_v to_o other_o parish_n nor_o to_o one_o place_n of_o public_a worship_n nor_o to_o one_o minister_n or_o company_n of_o minister_n the_o christian_n church_n be_v tie_v to_o no_o country_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v nor_o to_o any_o particular_a people_n nor_o kindred_n nor_o have_v any_o promise_n to_o be_v continue_v to_o the_o end_n in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o among_o any_o one_o people_n it_o have_v therefore_o power_n to_o distribute_v itself_o into_o diverse_a congregation_n and_o consequent_o again_o to_o withdraw_v from_o any_o one_o of_o they_o when_o there_o be_v need_n 6._o gross_a infringement_n of_o christian_a liberty_n we_o be_v command_v

the_o world_n to_o come_v leave_v the_o management_n of_o worldly_a thing_n to_o other_o society_n or_o combination_n of_o man_n under_o other_o governor_n and_o other_o law_n the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n i._n e._n as_o mediator_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n this_o kingdom_n come_v not_o with_o observation_n but_o be_v within_o we_o luke_n 17.20_o 21._o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o christ_n do_v not_o can_v delegate_v this_o power_n to_o any_o other_o neither_o in_o whole_a nor_o in_o part_n and_o who_o shall_v presume_v without_o his_o appointment_n to_o usurp_v h●s_a dominion_n he_o call_v the_o church_n to_o himself_o immediate_o and_o not_o to_o man_n and_o they_o give_v themselves_o immiedate_o to_o he_o and_o not_o to_o deputy_n they_o first_o give_v themselves_o to_o the_o hlord_n and_o unto_o we_o by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n 2_o cor._n 8._o ver_fw-la 5._o and_o as_o christ_n be_v the_o only_a head_n of_o the_o church_n so_o he_o only_o give_v law_n to_o it_o whereby_o it_o shall_v be_v govern_v and_o by_o his_o spirit_n procure_v and_o maintain_v love_n and_o obedience_n to_o himself_o and_o to_o his_o law_n it_o follow_v also_o that_o all_o other_o government_n and_o their_o law_n with_o the_o design_n and_o end_n of_o they_o be_v extrinsical_a to_o the_o church_n as_o such_o and_o must_v not_o intermeddle_v in_o the_o spiritual_a peculiar_a end_n and_o government_n thereof_o they_o may_v join_v their_o person_n to_o the_o church_n by_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o christ_n the_o king_n thereof_o for_o the_o spiritual_a end_n of_o his_o kingdom_n but_o they_o may_v not_o mix_v or_o interweave_v the_o interest_n and_o end_n of_o their_o kingdom_n or_o government_n with_o those_o of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n for_o so_o it_o will_v become_v a_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o this_o world_n will_v great_o hinder_v if_o not_o swallow_v up_o those_o of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v which_o the_o church_n be_v design_v for_o moreover_o the_o church_n consist_v of_o member_n call_v indifferent_o out_o of_o all_o nation_n kindred_n sex_n age_n diversity_n of_o worldly_a interest_n through_o the_o succession_n of_o all_o generation_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n whereof_o one_o part_n be_v in_o heaven_n already_o the_o church_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v which_o be_v write_v in_o heaven_n heb._n 12.23_o for_o they_o yet_o wait_v for_o the_o come_n up_o of_o their_o brethren_n till_o when_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v the_o complete_a benefit_n of_o their_o association_n and_o union_n to_o christ_n and_o each_o other_o the_o other_o part_n be_v yet_o on_o earth_n pursue_v the_o same_o general_a design_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n the_o glory_n of_o their_o king_n and_o their_o own_o happiness_n yea_o among_o these_o some_o be_v yet_o infaunt_v and_o child_n capable_a only_o of_o the_o immediate_a influence_n government_n and_o protection_n of_o their_o heavenly_a king_n without_o be_v able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n for_o themselves_o and_o other_o there_o be_v yet_o unborn_a who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o actual_a member_n of_o this_o society_n yet_o be_v know_v to_o the_o king_n of_o it_o and_o their_o name_n contain_v in_o his_o role_n and_o he_o will_v not_o reckon_v his_o kingdom_n complete_a or_o the_o end_n of_o it_o accomplish_v till_o these_o also_o be_v bring_v into_o it_o even_o to_o the_o last_o man_n john_n 10.16_o what_o then_o be_v the_o interest_n and_o design_n of_o this_o world_n or_o the_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n or_o the_o law_n method_n and_o instrument_n by_o which_o they_o pursue_v those_o design_n to_o this_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v diverse_a in_o every_o age_n this_o be_v one_o throughout_o all_o age_n they_o be_v contrary_a to_o and_o do_v subvert_v each_o other_o and_o one_o succeed_v another_o this_o be_v one_o uniform_a most_o consistant_fw-la government_n they_o be_v temporary_a but_o for_o the_o present_a for_o the_o short_a life_n of_o governor_n or_o for_o the_o uncertain_a continuance_n of_o their_o family_n and_o then_o they_o pass_v to_o other_o perhaps_o their_o enemy_n but_o the_o dominion_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o everlasting_a dominion_n and_o his_o kingdom_n a_o overlasting_a kingdom_n dan._n 2.24_o thus_o we_o have_v the_o true_a definition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v but_o one_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n disperse_v throughout_o all_o country_n and_o age_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n rule_v by_o his_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n influence_v by_o his_o spirit_n according_a to_o those_o law_n and_o protect_v by_o his_o power_n against_o all_o their_o enemy_n to_o this_o we_o must_v reduce_v all_o discourse_n and_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n and_o examine_v they_o by_o it_o as_o by_o the_o first_o truth_n in_o that_o kind_n the_o rule_n and_o standard_n of_o the_o rest_n we_o be_v next_o to_o consider_v the_o distribution_n or_o several_a sort_n of_o church_n and_o first_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v into_o triumphant_a and_o militant_a as_o a_o whole_a into_o integral_a part_n the_o church_n triumphant_a be_v that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v already_o in_o heaven_n have_v get_v the_o victory_n over_o sin_n and_o satan_n yet_o not_o full_o triumphant_a because_o it_o wait_v for_o deliverance_n from_o death_n or_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o body_n the_o church_n militant_a be_v that_o other_o part_n which_o be_v yet_o on_o earth_n contest_v with_o all_o her_o spiritual_a enemy_n both_o these_o make_v up_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o we_o profess_v in_o the_o creed_n and_o be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o christ_n and_o immediate_o govern_v by_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n and_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o as_o member_n of_o this_o church_n be_v equal_a none_o have_v authority_n over_o other_o be_v all_o equal_o and_o immediate_o unite_v to_o christ_n and_o guide_v by_o he_o to_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o this_o society_n second_o the_o church_n militant_a be_v universal_a or_o catholic_n on_o earth_n sc_n all_o the_o christian_a member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o live_v on_o earth_n disperse_v through_o all_o country_n mix_v with_o all_o society_n of_o civil_a government_n with_o who_o also_o be_v mix_v many_o person_n who_o profess_v christ_n but_o be_v not_o real_o unite_v to_o he_o by_o consent_n and_o real_a subjection_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o live_v member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o accidental_a accession_n to_o it_o as_o foreigner_n that_o live_v in_o any_o state_n or_o commonwealth_n in_o some_o general_a thing_n conformable_a to_o their_o law_n seem_v to_o be_v member_n of_o that_o society_n but_o indeed_o have_v their_o relation_n and_o union_n to_o another_o or_o else_o this_o church_n be_v particular_a as_o it_o be_v distribute_v into_o several_a lesser_a society_n for_o their_o convenience_n and_o edification_n now_o these_o be_v not_o distinct_a church_n but_o distinct_a consideration_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n either_o as_o collective_o consider_v as_o one_o company_n unite_v by_o the_o same_o bond_n to_o christ_n the_o governor_n of_o all_o though_o divide_v and_o disperse_v in_o place_n or_o distributive_o in_o respect_n of_o place_n only_o be_v divide_v into_o several_a lesser_a company_n these_o also_o thus_o consider_v have_v all_o a_o equal_a relation_n to_o christ_n as_o their_o governor_n to_o his_o law_n as_o their_o rule_n to_o his_o spirit_n as_o there_o internal_a live_a guide_n and_o to_o each_o other_o as_o brethren_n without_o any_o authority_n over_o each_o other_o three_o these_o particular_a church_n if_o they_o be_v consider_v only_o in_o respect_n of_o place_n and_o vicinity_n may_v be_v and_o be_v by_o some_o distinguish_v into_o national_a viz_o all_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o one_o nation_n or_o under_o one_o constitution_n or_o form_n of_o civil_a government_n or_o provincial_a viz_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o one_o province_n or_o county_n or_o city_n church_n those_o that_o live_v in_o one_o city_n or_o parish_n church_n viz_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o a_o lesser_a neighbourhood_n yea_o thus_o church_n may_v be_v distinguish_v or_o divide_v into_o as_o many_o sort_n as_o there_o be_v society_n of_o man_n any_o way_n divide_v or_o distinguish_v from_o each_o other_o but_o all_o these_o division_n be_v but_o accidental_a and_o extrinsecall_v difference_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o same_o church_n thus_o divide_v into_o diverse_a lesser_a part_n which_o be_v all_o equal_o church_n and_o that_o upon_o no_o other_o account_n then_o their_o relation_n to_o christ_n and_o to_o the_o universal_a commonwealth_n to_o which_o he_o be_v head_n from_o hence_o we_o infer_v 3_o

the_o christian_a church_n and_o shall_v such_o a_o thing_n be_v necessary_a our_o bondage_n will_v be_v great_a and_o mean_n of_o edification_n much_o less_o than_o they_o be_v to_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v confine_v to_o a_o little_a country_n and_o be_v a_o entire_a people_n among_o themselves_o and_o all_o tie_v to_o each_o other_o by_o the_o bond_n of_o nature_n as_o one_o great_a family_n descend_v natural_o from_o one_o man_n and_o woman_n 3._o nor_o do_v christ_n institute_v diocesan_n church_n viz_o that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o some_o considerable_a circuit_n less_o than_o a_o nation_n or_o great_a province_n shall_v be_v one_o congregation_n rule_v by_o one_o or_o more_o governor_n immediate_o there_o be_v no_o such_o company_n or_o association_n of_o man_n call_v convert_v or_o form_v into_o church_n by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n but_o the_o first_o believer_n be_v scatter_v and_o independent_a person_n call_v as_o god_n please_v beside_o such_o a_o flock_n can_v ordinary_o meet_v together_o know_v and_o help_v each_o other_o or_o repair_v to_o their_o governor_n or_o be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o as_o they_o ought_v nor_o can_v the_o governor_n know_v teach_v and_o feed_v they_o and_o when_o we_o have_v once_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o regular_a assembly_n to_o make_v up_o one_o church_n of_o many_o town_n of_o a_o whole_a county_n or_o more_o we_o may_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n extend_v it_o without_o end_n to_o a_o whole_a province_n a_o whole_a nation_n or_o empire_n and_o so_o make_v the_o duty_n of_o pastor_n and_o people_n impossible_a and_o the_o end_n of_o the_o church_n impossible_a to_o be_v attain_v which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o 4._o a_o parochial_a or_o congregational_a church_n be_v the_o only_a organical_a church_n direct_o and_o immediate_o appoint_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n for_o thus_o the_o apostle_n collect_v the_o believer_n in_o every_o city_n and_o place_n where_o they_o have_v preach_v into_o one_o church_n or_o society_n ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n act_v 14._o ver_fw-la 23._o if_o these_o church_n be_v company_n of_o believer_n in_o several_a city_n and_o town_n as_o the_o history_n in_o the_o 13_o and_o 14_o chap._n show_v and_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n than_o they_o do_v constitute_v they_o several_a congregation_n and_o no_o common_a governor_n over_o they_o all_o nor_o have_v we_o any_o command_n to_o do_v so_o when_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v increase_v into_o multitude_n of_o member_n it_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v one_o commonwealth_n because_o of_o its_o union_n to_o christ_n and_o the_o same_o general_a end_n of_o that_o union_n in_o like_a manner_n every_o particular_a church_n be_v but_o a_o part_n of_o the_o whole_a must_v unite_v only_o to_o attain_v the_o special_a end_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n with_o more_o ease_n and_o convenience_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o same_o governor_n may_v exercise_v a_o true_a pastoral_a care_n over_o and_o as_o may_v perform_v the_o office_n of_o brethren_n ordinary_o to_o each_o other_o and_o also_o may_v assemble_v together_o in_o one_o place_n ordinary_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o their_o mutual_a edification_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n or_o society_n to_o serve_v christ_n together_o and_o edify_v each_o other_o when_o the_o person_n be_v so_o numerous_a or_o so_o distant_a that_o they_o can_v possible_o perform_v these_o office_n such_o combination_n be_v useless_a yea_o burden_n and_o snare_n even_o our_o opposite_n confess_v this_o viz_o that_o the_o first_o church_n and_o those_o for_o 200_o year_n after_o christ_n at_o least_o be_v but_o several_a congregation_n which_o when_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n be_v multiply_v they_o say_v be_v call_v diocese_n be_v it_o so_o yet_o what_o warrant_n have_v they_o to_o keep_v the_o christian_n of_o one_o city_n or_o place_n to_o one_o congregation_n and_o one_o pastor_n personal_a or_o collective_a when_o the_o number_n be_v so_o increase_v that_o the_o end_n of_o that_o society_n can_v not_o be_v attain_v it_o be_v the_o best_a construction_n we_o can_v make_v of_o the_o proceed_n of_o those_o ancient_a church_n in_o this_o ease_n that_o out_o of_o desire_n to_o keep_v up_o the_o unity_n of_o those_o congregation_n which_o the_o apostle_n plant_v in_o great_a city_n they_o still_o oblige_v all_o that_o be_v afterward_o convert_v in_o those_o city_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o same_o congregation_n and_o then_o the_o convert_v in_o the_o village_n about_o and_o last_o all_o the_o christian_n that_o be_v within_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o those_o city_n whether_o it_o be_v lesser_a or_o great_a province_n or_o whole_a country_n till_o they_o make_v government_n impossible_a to_o themselves_o and_o to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o people_n and_o make_v way_n at_o last_o for_o primate_fw-la patriarch_n and_o the_o pope_n and_o turn_v the_o spiritual_a government_n of_o christ_n by_o his_o minister_n and_o word_n into_o a_o civil_a government_n of_o their_o own_o maintain_v what_o they_o have_v get_v by_o their_o own_o cannon_n and_o the_o law_n of_o prince_n and_o why_o must_v we_o not_o take_v warning_n by_o they_o now_o if_o the_o church_n appoint_v by_o christ_n be_v only_o the_o congregation_n of_o such_o christian_n that_o can_v ordinary_o meet_v together_o and_o with_o their_o pastor_n for_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o church_n it_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v judge_v for_o themselves_o what_o congregation_n and_o how_o large_a or_o small_a be_v for_o their_o own_o edification_n it_o be_v their_o own_o choice_n and_o consent_n that_o make_v they_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o this_o congregation_n be_v but_o a_o part_n of_o that_o to_o prosecute_v the_o same_o end_n therefore_o it_o be_v their_o business_n and_o concern_v to_o frame_v their_o own_o society_n also_o these_o congregation_n have_v the_o sole_a right_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o pastor_n admit_v their_o own_o member_n and_o altogether_o of_o govern_v themselves_o else_o they_o have_v not_o the_o power_n of_o a_o church_n but_o be_v a_o company_n of_o christian_n subject_n by_o right_n or_o wrong_n to_o those_o that_o exercise_v this_o power_n over_o and_o among_o they_o it_o also_o follow_v that_o congregation_n can_v be_v just_o compel_v to_o combine_v or_o unite_v into_o large_a association_n as_o diocese_n province_n nation_n or_o the_o like_a for_o the_o end_n of_o civil_a governor_n for_o this_o alter_v the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o a_o church_n and_o be_v a_o great_a dishonour_n to_o christ_n that_o he_o must_v not_o reign_v among_o his_o people_n but_o as_o man_n please_v but_o if_o several_a congregation_n do_v associate_v for_o mutual_a help_n and_o strength_n into_o small_a or_o great_a congregation_n as_o class_n diocese_n province_n or_o even_o all_o that_o be_v of_o one_o nation_n yet_o they_o must_v unite_v but_o as_o former_o the_o city_n of_o achajah_n or_o at_o present_a the_o unite_a netherlands_o for_o great_a and_o common_a case_n and_o for_o general_a defence_n leave_v the_o self_n preserve_v and_o govern_v power_n entire_a to_o every_o congregation_n and_o they_o also_o be_v to_o be_v judge_n how_o far_o it_o be_v for_o the_o good_a and_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n to_o enlarge_v or_o contract_v such_o association_n how_o long_o to_o continue_v they_o and_o when_o to_o break_v they_o off_o for_o those_o associate_v assembly_n govern_v only_o by_o assent_n and_o have_v not_o other_o authority_n over_o particular_a congregation_n far_o than_o as_o they_o approve_v of_o it_o we_o may_v illustrate_v this_o by_o the_o civil_a government_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v at_o first_o but_o one_o family_n and_o but_o a_o small_a one_o all_o mankind_n be_v make_v of_o one_o blood_n to_o dwell_v on_o all_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n act_v 17._o ver_fw-la 26._o be_v there_o any_o obligation_n when_o they_o be_v multiply_v that_o they_o shall_v still_o continue_v in_o one_o family_n or_o be_v it_o consistent_a with_o the_o end_n of_o family_n government_n other_o family_n have_v the_o same_o entire_a authority_n within_o themselves_o as_o the_o first_o have_v and_o authority_n to_o sever_v themselves_o from_o the_o first_o when_o that_o be_v too_o numerous_a and_o they_o a_o sufficient_a number_n to_o make_v distinct_a family_n again_o when_o family_n be_v multiply_v be_v they_o oblige_v to_o live_v all_o in_o one_o country_n and_o to_o continue_v in_o one_o civil_a society_n what_o then_o must_v have_v become_v of_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o they_o be_v command_v to_o replenish_v and_o possess_v gen._n 1.28_o