more_o large_o express_v must_v needs_o be_v sound_n and_o consonant_a to_o the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o nonconformist_a brethren_n and_o may_v safe_o be_v subscribe_v by_o they_o the_o word_n of_o the_o 34th_o article_n be_v these_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o tradition_n and_o ceremony_n be_v in_o all_o place_n one_o or_o utter_o like_a for_o at_o all_o time_n they_o have_v be_v divers_a and_o change_v according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o country_n time_n and_o man_n manner_n so_o that_o nothing_o be_v ordain_v against_o god_n word_n whosoever_o through_o his_o private_a judgement_n willing_o and_o purposely_o do_v open_o break_v the_o tradition_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o be_v ordain_v and_o approve_v by_o common_a authority_n aught_o to_o be_v rebuke_v open_o that_o other_o may_v fear_v to_o do_v the_o like_a as_o he_o that_o offend_v against_o the_o common_a order_n of_o the_o church_n and_o wound_v the_o conscience_n of_o the_o weak_a brethren_n every_o particular_a or_o national_a church_n have_v authority_n to_o ordain_v change_n and_o abolish_v ceremony_n or_o rite_n of_o the_o church_n ordain_v only_o by_o man_n authority_n so_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o edify_v 5._o if_o we_o desire_v a_o public_a exposition_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n touch_v this_o matter_n there_o be_v that_o of_o mr._n thomas_n rogers_n peruse_v and_o by_o the_o lawful_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n allow_v to_o be_v public_a he_o in_o that_o exposition_n declare_v that_o the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o appoint_v what_o rite_n or_o ceremony_n she_o will_v for_o she_o must_v decree_v none_o which_o be_v either_o for_o their_o own_o nature_n impious_a or_o for_o use_n superstitious_a or_o for_o their_o weight_n over-heavy_a and_o grievous_a to_o be_v bear_v or_o for_o their_o worthiness_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o ordainer_n either_o of_o equal_a price_n or_o of_o more_o account_n than_o the_o very_a ordinance_n of_o god_n or_o against_o the_o liberty_n of_o christian_n and_o to_o the_o entangle_v of_o they_o again_o with_o the_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n or_o last_o of_o all_o any_o way_n contrary_a to_o the_o commandment_n word_n and_o will_v of_o god_n but_o the_o rite_n ceremony_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n they_o must_v make_v altogether_o and_o tend_v both_o to_o the_o nourish_a and_o increase_n of_o love_n friendship_n and_o quietness_n among_o christian_n and_o also_o to_o the_o retain_v of_o god_n people_n in_o the_o holy_a service_n worship_n and_o fear_v of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o apostle_n let_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v honest_o and_o by_o order_n all_o church_n reform_v consent_n hereunto_o so_o mr._n thomas_n rogers_n pag._n 105_o 106._o no_o nonconform_a brother_n will_v gainsay_v this_o 6._o the_o article_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o decree_v the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n nor_o be_v any_o man_n oblige_v by_o his_o subscription_n to_o they_o to_o declare_v that_o she_o have_v but_o only_o such_o humane_a rite_n or_o ceremony_n circa_fw-la sacra_fw-la as_o be_v decent_a useful_a and_o no_o way_n contrary_a to_o god_n word_n whether_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n and_o the_o surplice_n in_o particular_a be_v decent_a useful_a and_o no_o way_n contrary_a to_o god_n word_n be_v a_o question_n of_o another_o nature_n and_o do_v not_o come_v into_o the_o present_a debate_n for_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v suppose_v that_o the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o decree_v the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n and_o the_o surplice_n as_o be_v inconvenient_a and_o no_o way_n necessary_a yet_o will_v it_o not_o thence_o follow_v that_o she_o have_v no_o power_n to_o decree_v such_o other_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n circa_fw-la sacra_fw-la as_o be_v confess_o expedient_a and_o useful_a as_o to_o swear_v with_o the_o right_a hand_n lift_v up_o to_o heaven_n or_o lay_v upon_o the_o bible_n and_o to_o give_v notice_n to_o the_o people_n at_o what_o time_n to_o assemble_v for_o public_a worship_n by_o ring_v or_o toll_v of_o a_o bell._n even_o dr._n ames_n himself_o who_o no_o one_o acquaint_v with_o church-affair_n can_v suspect_v to_o have_v be_v partial_a in_o this_o matter_n and_o too_o favourable_a to_o humane_a ceremony_n circa_fw-la sacra_fw-la do_v acknowledge_v that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o error_n in_o humane_a appointment_n touch_v the_o place_n and_o hour_n of_o god_n public_a worship_n and_o the_o like_a thing_n constitutio_fw-la illa_fw-la habenda_fw-la sit_fw-la quasi_fw-la simpliciter_fw-la divina_fw-la medulla_n theol._n l._n 2._o c._n 14._o num_fw-la 28._o that_o constitution_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v as_o it_o be_v simple_o divine_a for_o that_o the_o church_n do_v assemble_v for_o god_n public_a worship_n at_o that_o hour_n which_o all_o thing_n consider_v be_v most_o convenient_a he_o grant_v be_v god_n will._n now_o the_o ring_n or_o toll_v of_o a_o bell_n be_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o nonconformist_n themselves_o and_o all_o other_o sober_a person_n a_o apt_a mean_a a_o prudential_a ceremony_n rite_n or_o token_n of_o man_n appointment_n for_o notify_v to_o the_o congregation_n at_o what_o hour_n to_o assemble_v like_o the_o use_n of_o the_o silver_n trumpet_n under_o the_o law_n numb_a 10._o and_o therefore_o the_o hour_n so_o appoint_v be_v meet_a and_o convenient_a for_o god_n public_a worship_n according_a to_o dr._n ames_n concession_n in_o the_o foresay_a place_n agnosci_fw-la debet_fw-la quasi_fw-la à _fw-la deo_fw-la constituta_fw-la it_o ought_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v as_o it_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o consequent_o the_o foresay_a humane_a ceremony_n whereby_o the_o hour_n be_v notify_v which_o be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o present_a purpose_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o in_o the_o 20_o and_o 34th_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n repugnant_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n but_o a_o full_a agreement_n between_o both_o side_n as_o to_o this_o part_n of_o subscription_n 7._o for_o my_o part_n i_o think_v that_o the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o decree_v the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n or_o any_o the_o like_a humane_a ceremony_n therein_o my_o reason_n be_v because_o baptism_n itself_o be_v a_o divine_a ceremony_n and_o the_o cross_n be_v a_o humane_a ceremony_n and_o the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o decree_n and_o annex_v a_o humane_a ceremony_n to_o a_o divine_a it_o be_v plain_o superfluous_a and_o unnecessary_a there_o be_v neither_o precept_n nor_o example_n in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o god_n to_o warrant_v such_o a_o decree_n the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n but_o for_o edification_n 2_o cor._n 10.8_o and_o 2_o cor._n 13.10_o she_o may_v impose_v none_o but_o necessary_a thing_n act_n 15.28_o such_o as_o be_v some_o way_n necessary_a to_o order_n unity_n or_o decency_n in_o god_n service_n which_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n antecedent_o to_o humane_a imposition_n be_v not_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o baptism_n be_v do_v in_o a_o fit_a place_n at_o a_o meet_a hour_n by_o one_o authorize_v in_o a_o decent_a garment_n in_o a_o sit_v posture_n with_o fit_a word_n and_o decent_a external_a reverence_n and_o solemnity_n but_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o of_o the_o cross_n or_o any_o the_o like_a humane_a ceremony_n in_o baptism_n neither_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n nor_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n nor_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o church_n plant_v by_o their_o ministry_n and_o record_v in_o scripture_n for_o a_o rule_n and_o pattern_n to_o all_o succeed_a church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n do_v warrant_v any_o such_o decree_n and_o imposition_n all_o needful_a circumstance_n all_o that_o be_v any_o way_n requisite_a to_o the_o orderly_a decent_a laudable_a holy_a just_a and_o exemplary_a dispense_n and_o partake_v of_o baptism_n may_v be_v observe_v without_o the_o cross_n or_o any_o the_o like_a humane_a ceremony_n to_o say_v the_o contrary_a be_v to_o reproach_v the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o their_o ministry_n and_o to_o set_v the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n above_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o bring_v in_o arbitrary_a government_n into_o the_o church_n and_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o numberless_a unnecessary_a humane_a ceremony_n in_o god_n worship_n as_o in_o the_o papacy_n and_o great_a evil_n and_o desolation_n in_o the_o church_n by_o inflict_v doleful_a penalty_n upon_o worthy_a and_o good_a man_n who_o out_o of_o conscience_n refuse_v conformity_n to_o such_o unnecessary_a decree_n as_o the_o event_n do_v sad_o manifest_a but_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o use_v the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n while_o impose_v by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o nation_n under_o
church_n to_o himself_o for_o god_n be_v suppose_v gracious_o present_a with_o he_o all_o want_n be_v make_v up_o in_o god_n he_o be_v all_o not_o as_o exclusive_a of_o instrument_n mean_n and_o second_o cause_n where_o they_o may_v be_v have_v but_o where_o they_o can_v be_v have_v through_o no_o fault_n of_o we_o but_o through_o god_n most_o wise_a and_o holy_a overrule_a providence_n and_o he_o be_v gracious_o with_o we_o and_o talk_v with_o we_o by_o the_o invisible_a operation_n of_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n and_o in_o the_o multitude_n of_o our_o sad_a thought_n within_o we_o delight_v our_o soul_n with_o his_o heavenly_a comfort_n here_o be_v god_n church_n this_o be_v none_o other_o but_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v the_o gate_n of_o heaven_n gen._n 28.17_o 17._o there_o be_v multitude_n of_o particular_a church_n upon_o earth_n as_o the_o church_n in_o england_n in_o scotland_n in_o ireland_n in_o holland_n in_o germany_n and_o other_o place_n which_o have_v particular_a guide_n and_o pastor_n set_v over_o they_o and_o be_v distinguish_v one_o from_o another_o by_o convenient_a local_a bound_n and_o limit_n and_o diversity_n in_o some_o external_a mode_n and_o custom_n and_o rite_n though_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o substance_n and_o foundation_n of_o true_a religion_n hence_o according_a to_o scripture_n we_o say_v the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o ephesus_n the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o corinth_n the_o church_n of_o galatia_n mean_v all_o the_o christian_a people_n at_o ephesus_n all_o the_o christian_a people_n at_o corinth_n and_o so_o forth_o but_o this_o be_v no_o proof_n that_o god_n church_n be_v two_o universal_a and_o particular_a like_a as_o it_o be_v no_o proof_n that_o the_o body_n of_o a_o man_n be_v two_o body_n because_o it_o be_v one_o body_n consist_v of_o many_o member_n and_o that_o england_n be_v two_o kingdom_n because_o it_o be_v one_o kingdom_n consist_v of_o many_o county_n city_n town_n and_o village_n 18._o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v plain_a and_o visible_a to_o such_o as_o believe_v the_o gospel_n as_o be_v the_o sun_n at_o noonday_n to_o all_o that_o be_v not_o blind_a but_o who_o so_o blind_a as_o those_o that_o will_v not_o see_v if_o man_n wilful_o shut_v the_o eye_n of_o their_o mind_n by_o unbelief_n and_o call_v darkness_n light_n and_o light_a darkness_n the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n and_o the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n the_o church_n of_o god_n they_o may_v deceive_v themselves_o they_o can_v deceive_v he_o for_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o lord_n stand_v sure_a have_v this_o seal_n the_o lord_n know_v they_o that_o be_v he_o and_o let_v every_o one_o that_o name_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n depart_v from_o iniquity_n 2_o tim._n 2.19_o 19_o we_o see_v those_o man_n and_o woman_n who_o be_v by_o profession_n christian_n and_o of_o the_o church_n they_o be_v as_o visible_a as_o any_o other_o people_n upon_o earth_n but_o that_o which_o make_v they_o sincere_a christian_n inward_o before_o god_n we_o see_v not_o but_o believe_v for_o faith_n be_v the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v heb._n 11.1_o and_o it_o be_v only_o sincere_a christian_n which_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o as_o to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n our_o own_o godly_a sincerity_n we_o may_v be_v infallible_o sure_a of_o the_o spirit_n itself_o bear_v witness_n with_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n rom._n 8.18_o but_o we_o can_v be_v infallible_o sure_a of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o any_o other_o in_o particular_a neither_o be_v such_o assurance_n necessary_a 20._o again_o those_o who_o deny_v ordination_n by_o presbyter_n without_o a_o bishop_n to_o be_v valid_a suppose_v that_o god_n church_n do_v not_o consist_v whole_o and_o only_o by_o the_o divine_a law_n but_o partly_o by_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o partly_o by_o humane_a law_n but_o this_o be_v a_o great_a error_n repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n church_n for_o the_o church_n be_v not_o partly_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o partly_o the_o church_n of_o man_n but_o it_o be_v absolute_o and_o entire_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n 20.28_o act._n 20.28_o and_o therefore_o it_o consist_v by_o the_o divine_a law_n only_o not_o as_o exclusive_a of_o wholesome_a and_o useful_a humane_a law_n these_o be_v subservient_fw-fr but_o they_o add_v no_o perfection_n to_o the_o divine_a law_n they_o do_v not_o they_o can_v by_o themselves_o bind_v the_o conscience_n for_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n can_v be_v bind_v save_v by_o something_o superior_a to_o it_o which_o no_o humane_a law_n by_o itself_o can_v be_v indeed_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o also_o for_o conscience_n sake_n and_o peaceable_o to_o observe_v and_o conform_v to_o humane_a law_n not_o repugnant_a to_o god_n law_n but_o this_o bond_n and_o tie_n upon_o the_o conscience_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o man_n law_n but_o from_o god_n law_n only_o this_o be_v superior_a to_o the_o conscience_n the_o church_n be_v absolute_o and_o entire_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n his_o wife_n and_o spouse_n and_o not_o partly_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n his_o wife_n and_o spouse_n and_o partly_o the_o body_n wife_n and_o spouse_n of_o this_o or_o that_o man_n or_o number_n of_o men._n and_o therefore_o she_o be_v to_o be_v whole_o govern_v by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n her_o only_a head_n and_o husband_n and_o by_o no_o other_o but_o then_o the_o more_o observant_a she_o be_v of_o christ_n law_n and_o obedient_a to_o his_o divine_a command_n she_o will_v be_v the_o more_o observant_a of_o second-table-duty_n and_o careful_a to_o render_v to_o all_o both_o superior_n equal_n and_o inferior_n their_o just_a due_n and_o all_o that_o lie_v in_o she_o to_o live_v peaceable_o with_o all_o man_n and_o to_o give_v no_o offence_n to_o any_o because_o all_o these_o be_v duty_n lay_v upon_o she_o by_o the_o divine_a law_n 21._o the_o voice_n of_o god_n church_n and_o every_o part_n thereof_o be_v 6._o psal_n 62.5_o 6._o god_n only_o be_v my_o rock_n and_o my_o salvation_n not_o partly_o god_n and_o partly_o man_n bishop_n presbyter_n prince_n parliament_n convocation_n synod_n a_o arm_n of_o flesh_n humane_a law_n canon_n and_o decree_n but_o god_n only_o be_v my_o rock_n and_o my_o salvation_n he_o be_v alsufficient_a he_o be_v all_o in_o all_o while_o we_o cleave_v only_o and_o whole_o to_o he_o and_o observe_v his_o law_n and_o keep_v in_o his_o good_a way_n we_o be_v safe_a and_o happy_a no_o evil_a can_v befall_v we_o because_o he_o be_v almighty_a to_o protect_v and_o provide_v for_o we_o and_o give_v we_o every_o good_a thing_n and_o will_v not_o fail_v so_o to_o do_v but_o if_o we_o trust_v partly_o in_o god_n and_o partly_o in_o man_n and_o ascribe_v any_o the_o least_o part_n of_o the_o glory_n belong_v to_o god_n and_o his_o law_n to_o man_n and_o his_o law_n and_o contend_v that_o the_o be_v and_o wellbeing_a of_o the_o church_n from_o first_o to_o last_o do_v not_o consist_v by_o god_n law_n only_o but_o partly_o by_o his_o law_n and_o partly_o by_o man_n law_n then_o we_o be_v guilty_a of_o spiritual_a idolatry_n and_o adultery_n we_o debase_v god_n and_o deify_v man_n we_o make_v god_n and_o man_n coequal_a and_o coordinate_a cause_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o safety_n both_o temporal_a and_o eternal_a which_o be_v a_o transcendent_a vice_n and_o pluck_v up_o all_o true_a religion_n by_o the_o root_n and_o make_v god_n church_n adulterous_a partly_o christ_n wife_n and_o partly_o the_o wife_n of_o the_o pope_n of_o this_o or_o that_o humane_a lawmaker_n which_o christian_a ear_n can_v bear_v to_o hear_v 22._o again_o the_o same_o adversary_n of_o the_o validity_n of_o ordination_n by_o presbyter_n without_o a_o bishop_n be_v constrain_v to_o hold_v they_o by_o a_o popish_a distinction_n between_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n confess_v that_o by_o god_n law_n the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n have_v equal_a authority_n as_o to_o the_o power_n of_o order_n but_o not_o as_o to_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o this_o doctrine_n and_o distinction_n god_n law_n have_v not_o and_o therefore_o it_o may_v not_o be_v receive_v for_o the_o present_a dispute_n do_v near_o touch_v that_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n the_o communion_n of_o saint_n and_o it_o be_v a_o sure_a rule_n consent_v to_o by_o all_o sound_a divine_n that_o as_o to_o article_n of_o faith_n no_o doctrine_n or_o distinction_n not_o contain_v in_o god_n word_n may_v be_v admit_v but_o god_n word_n have_v not_o this_o
a_o endeavour_n after_o further_a union_n between_o conform_v &_o nonconform_v protestant_n in_o several_a particular_n by_o a_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n print_a in_o the_o year_n mdcxcii_o a_o endeavour_n after_o further_a union_n between_o conform_v and_o nonconform_v protestant_n 1._o the_o nonconform_a brethren_n scruple_n subscribe_v this_o clause_n in_o the_o 20_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o decree_v rite_n or_o ceremony_n and_o authority_n in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n i_o conceive_v that_o here_o be_v nothing_o dissonant_n from_o the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o nonconform_a brethren_n themselves_o the_o foresay_a clause_n have_v two_o part_n one_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o decree_v rite_n or_o ceremony_n the_o other_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n have_v authority_n in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n i_o begin_v with_o this_o latter_a first_o by_o the_o church_n i_o understand_v the_o society_n of_o faithful_a people_n in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o body_n of_o christ_n this_o society_n must_v needs_o have_v ministerial_a authority_n in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o 1_o cor._n 2.15_o but_o he_o that_o be_v spiritual_a judge_v all_o thing_n yet_o he_o himself_o be_v judge_v of_o no_o man._n now_o the_o church_n be_v a_o spiritual_a society_n consist_v of_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n whereby_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o discern_v spiritual_a thing_n spiritual_o and_o consequent_o of_o discen_v judge_a and_o decide_v each_o man_n for_o his_o own_o soul_n what_o be_v of_o faith_n and_o what_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n this_o reason_n be_v plain_o hint_v in_o the_o follow_a verse_n in_o these_o word_n we_o have_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v we_o who_o be_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n have_v spiritual_a understanding_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o christ_n we_o know_v his_o voice_n and_o follow_v he_o and_o turn_v from_o the_o voice_n of_o stranger_n belove_a believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n 1_o john_n 4.1_o now_o the_o church_n be_v christ_n belove_a and_o here_o she_o be_v command_v not_o to_o believe_v every_o spirit_n but_o to_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n but_o she_o may_v not_o presume_v to_o try_v the_o spirit_n if_o she_o have_v no_o authority_n to_o try_v they_o and_o she_o can_v have_v authority_n to_o try_v the_o spirit_n and_o to_o discern_v between_o the_o voice_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o voice_n of_o antichrist_n but_o she_o must_v needs_o have_v authority_n in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n do_v not_o the_o nonconform_a brethren_n reject_v socinianism_n arianism_n pelagianism_n the_o popish_a mass_n and_o other_o the_o like_a heresy_n and_o delusion_n by_o what_o authority_n do_v they_o reject_v they_o and_o embrace_v the_o contrary_a truth_n and_o oblige_v all_o their_o flock_n so_o â—o_o do_v if_o real_o the_o church_n have_v no_o authority_n in_o controversy_n of_o fâ—â—â—h_n it_o be_v then_o plain_a from_o their_o own_o principle_n and_o practice_n that_o they_o do_v well_o allow_v the_o church_n to_o have_v authority_n in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v ministerial_a authority_n dependent_a on_o and_o subject_a to_o christ_n her_o head_n which_o be_v the_o plain_a meaning_n of_o the_o article_n as_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a tenor_n thereof_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o article_n subscribe_v by_o the_o nonconformist_a brethren_n themselves_o 2._o then_o for_o the_o other_o branch_n that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o decree_v rite_n or_o ceremony_n that_o be_v decent_a and_o useful_a rite_n or_o ceremony_n circa_fw-la sacra_fw-la about_o holy_a thing_n that_o there_o be_v such_o the_o nonconformist_n will_v not_o deny_v i_o instance_n in_o the_o take_n of_o a_o oath_n this_o be_v a_o sacred_a thing_n a_o religious_a act_n and_o a_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n pertain_v to_o natural_a religion_n common_a to_o we_o and_o heathen_n unalterable_o fix_v by_o god_n as_o touch_v the_o substance_n thereof_o but_o not_o as_o touch_v the_o external_a form_n and_o manner_n of_o take_v it_o here_o be_v a_o latitude_n leave_v by_o god_n and_o there_o may_v be_v innocent_a variety_n divers_a country_n may_v have_v divers_a fashion_n and_o the_o same_o godly_a man_n and_o church_n of_o god_n may_v see_v cause_n to_o vary_v the_o rite_n and_o solemnity_n of_o swear_v as_o abraham_n gen._n 14.22_o swear_v with_o his_o hand_n lift_v up_o unto_o the_o lord_n the_o most_o high_a god_n at_o another_o time_n he_o make_v his_o servant_n swear_v with_o his_o hand_n put_v under_o the_o thigh_n of_o abraham_n his_o master_n gen._n 24._o those_o who_o in_o the_o late_a time_n in_o these_o nation_n take_v the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n swear_v with_o their_o right_a hand_n lift_v up_o to_o heaven_n but_o now_o both_o conform_v and_o nonconform_v protestant_n general_o in_o england_n and_o ireland_n and_o as_o i_o suppose_v in_o scotland_n also_o swear_v with_o their_o right_a hand_n lay_v upon_o the_o bible_n as_o a_o rite_n or_o ceremony_n not_o unlawful_a again_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o french_a protestant_a minister_n do_v use_v to_o preach_v with_o their_o hat_n on_o but_o the_o protestant_a minister_n in_o england_n scotland_n and_o ireland_n not_o to_o name_v other_o foreign_a church_n do_v use_v to_o preach_v with_o their_o hat_n off_o now_o preach_v the_o gospel_n be_v a_o sacred_a thing_n a_o religious_a act_n as_o all_o agree_v and_o the_o nonconformist_n will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o for_o substance_n it_o be_v unalterable_o fix_v by_o god_n but_o whether_o with_o the_o hat_n on_o or_o off_o be_v not_o precise_o determine_v by_o he_o here_o there_o may_v be_v innocent_a variety_n it_o be_v clear_o a_o rite_n or_o ceremony_n about_o a_o religious_a act_n one_o church_n have_v this_o rite_n or_o ceremony_n another_o church_n have_v another_o rite_n or_o ceremony_n quite_o contrary_a and_o yet_o both_o way_n lawful_a before_o god_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o nonconformist_a brethren_n themselves_o for_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n custom_n create_v a_o law_n otherwise_o the_o apostle_n have_v argue_v very_o weak_o but_o if_o any_o man_n seem_v to_o be_v contentious_a we_o have_v no_o such_o custom_n neither_o the_o church_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 11.16_o 3._o again_o give_v notice_n to_o the_o people_n by_o the_o ring_n or_o toll_v of_o a_o bell_n at_o what_o time_n to_o assemble_v for_o god_n public_a worship_n as_o also_o the_o testify_a of_o our_o joy_n and_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n on_o a_o 5_o of_o november_n by_o ring_v of_o bell_n and_o by_o bonfire_n and_o on_o the_o like_a extraordinary_a day_n of_o thanksgiving_n be_v clear_o rite_n or_o ceremony_n circa_fw-la sacra_fw-la about_o holy_a thing_n no_o where_n prescribe_v by_o god_n and_o yet_o hold_v lawful_a and_o useful_a by_o the_o nonconformist_a brethren_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o they_o must_v needs_o own_o that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o decree_v innocent_a useful_a and_o decent_a rite_n or_o ceremony_n circa_fw-la sacra_fw-la about_o holy_a thing_n there_o be_v clear_o some_o such_o ceremony_n or_o rite_n in_o use_n among_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n approve_v by_o the_o nonconformist_a brethren_n no_o where_n ordain_v by_o god_n it_o be_v sufficient_a as_o to_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o they_o be_v not_o where_o forbid_v by_o god_n and_o be_v establish_v by_o general_a usage_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n where_o we_o live_v that_o be_v equivalent_a to_o a_o decree_n and_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n from_o christ_n to_o begin_v and_o introduce_v such_o laudable_a and_o useful_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n as_o to_o continue_v the_o use_n and_o observation_n thereof_o ne_n disciplina_fw-la ulla_fw-la est_fw-la in_o his_o melior_fw-la gravi_fw-la prudentique_fw-la christiano_n quà m_fw-la ut_fw-la eo_fw-la modo_fw-la agate_n quo_fw-la agere_fw-la viderit_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la ad_fw-la quamcunque_fw-la forte_fw-fr devenerit_fw-la quod_fw-la enim_fw-la neque_fw-la contra_fw-la fidem_fw-la neque_fw-la contra_fw-la bonos_fw-es more_o be_v injungitur_fw-la indifferenter_fw-la est_fw-la habendum_fw-la &_o pro_fw-la eorum_fw-la inter_fw-la quos_fw-la vivitur_fw-la societate_fw-la servandum_fw-la est_fw-la august_n epist_n 118._o ad_fw-la jan._n 4._o it_o be_v thus_o plain_a that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o decree_v rite_n or_o ceremony_n and_o that_o these_o may_v not_o be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o place_n than_o not_o only_o this_o part_n of_o the_o 20_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o also_o the_o whole_a 34th_o article_n as_o be_v for_o substance_n the_o same_o