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duty_n apostle_n church_n holy_a 989 5 4.8664 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A41782 The loyal Baptist, or, An apology for the baptized believers ... occasioned by the great and long continued sufferings of the baptized believers in this nation / by Thomas Grantham ... Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692. 1684 (1684) Wing G1540; ESTC R26748 84,492 109

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the_o loyal_a baptist_n or_o a_o apology_n for_o the_o baptise_a believer_n contain_v 1_n his_o humble_a resolution_n to_o be_v a_o constant_a conformist_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o especial_o in_o these_o four_o great_a duty_n viz._n 1._o to_o honour_v all_o men._n 2._o to_o love_v the_o brotherhood_n 3._o to_o fear_v god_n 4._o to_o honour_v the_o king_n according_a to_o 1_o peter_n 2._o 17._o ii_o his_o unfeigned_a endeavour_n for_o unity_n in_o the_o truth_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n wherein_o be_v show_v what_o 〈◊〉_d a_o distinction_n in_o communion_n between_o the_o parochial_a 〈…〉_z those_o of_o the_o baptise_a believer_n wherein_o fourteen_o 〈◊〉_d late_o publish_v by_o mr._n n._n t._n m._n a._n in_o defence_n of_o infant-baptism_n be_v consider_v and_o answer_v iii_o his_o plea_n for_o church-assembly_n to_o be_v permit_v to_o the_o baptise_a believer_n to_o which_o purpose_n be_v declare_v iv._o the_o nature_n of_o his_o call_n to_o christianity_n and_o to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n occasion_v by_o the_o great_a and_o long_o continue_a suffering_n of_o the_o baptise_a believer_n in_o this_o nation_n by_o thomas_n grantham_n a_o servant_n of_o christ_n job_n 21._o 4._o as_o for_o i_o be_v my_o complaint_n to_o 〈◊〉_d and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o why_o shall_v not_o my_o spirit_n be_v trouble_v causabon_n birth_n of_o heresy_n c._n 3._o p._n 11._o in_o all_o age_n man_n have_v never_o be_v content_v with_o the_o true_a adoration_n institute_v by_o god_n but_o instead_o of_o external_a sign_n institute_v by_o god_n they_o have_v forge_v and_o bring_v in_o their_o own_o invention_n london_n print_v for_o the_o author_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o tho._n fabian_n at_o the_o bible_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1684._o the_o loyal_a baptist_n or_o a_o apology_n for_o the_o baptise_a believer_n be_v also_o a_o earnest_a persuasive_a to_o they_o and_o all_o christian_n to_o study_v to_o be_v quiet_a and_o do_v their_o own_o business_n in_o these_o important_a particular_n viz._n i._o to_o honour_v all_o men._n ii_o to_o love_n the_o brotherhood_n iii_o to_o fear_n god_n iv._o to_o honour_v the_o king_n deliver_v in_o two_o sermon_n upon_o 1_o pet._n 2._o 17._o by_o thomas_n grantham_n a_o servant_n of_o christ_n my_o son_n fear_v thou_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o king_n and_o meddle_v not_o with_o they_o that_o be_v give_v to_o change_v prov._n 24._o 21._o but_o whether_o it_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n to_o hearken_v unto_o you_o more_o than_o unto_o god_n judge_v you_o act_n 4._o 19_o london_n print_v for_o the_o author_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o tho._n fabian_n at_o the_o bible_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1674._o to_o all_o the_o baptise_a believer_n in_o england_n etc._n etc._n grace_n and_o peace_n through_o christ_n our_o lord_n be_v multiply_v the_o great_a apostle_n st._n paul_n have_v teach_v the_o christian_a church_n in_o crect_n their_o duty_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o caesar_n and_o leave_v titus_n a_o messenger_n of_o the_o church_n behind_o he_o there_o very_o strict_o warn_v he_o to_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n of_o their_o subjection_n to_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o to_o obey_v magistrate_n know_v how_o impossible_a it_o will_v be_v to_o propagate_v the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n if_o christian_n do_v not_o adorn_v their_o profession_n with_o a_o meek_a and_o harmless_a conversation_n towards_o all_o man_n and_o especial_o by_o their_o obedience_n to_o those_o in_o authority_n and_o consider_v the_o manifold_a temptation_n that_o attend_v christian_n in_o these_o day_n upon_o that_o account_n i_o think_v it_o my_o duty_n as_o one_o that_o have_v obtain_v mercy_n to_o be_v faithful_a to_o do_v my_o best_a in_o give_v warning_n to_o my_o brethren_n lest_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v ensnare_v with_o ill_a principle_n or_o specious_a pretence_n to_o speak_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o 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all_o diligence_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v those_o under_o your_o charge_n in_o the_o duty_n which_o pertain_v to_o every_o state_n of_o life_n as_o well_o as_o in_o thing_n which_o pertain_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o our_o gracious_a god_n for_o these_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o become_v sound_a doctrine_n and_o of_o these_o our_o obedience_n to_o magistrate_n be_v not_o the_o least_o i_o commit_v the_o ensue_a discourse_n to_o the_o consideration_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o to_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n and_o remain_v your_o brother_n and_o servant_z in_o the_o gospel_n tho._n grantham_n the_o loyal_a baptist_n or_o a_o apology_n for_o the_o baptise_a believer_n be_v also_o a_o earnest_a persuasive_a to_o they_o all_o to_o study_v to_o be_v quiet_a and_o to_o do_v their_o own_o business_n in_o these_o important_a particular_n viz._n i._o to_o honour_v all_o men._n ii_o to_o love_n the_o brotherhood_n iii_o to_o fear_n god_n iv._o to_o honour_v the_o king_n deliver_v in_o several_a discourse_n upon_o 1_o pet._n 2._o 17._o honour_n all_o man_n love_v the_o brotherhood_n fear_v god_n honour_v the_o king_n this_o great_a apostle_n st._n peter_n have_v preach_v christ_n in_o many_o country_n think_v it_o meet_v to_o leave_v some_o monument_n of_o his_o holy_a doctrine_n with_o all_o the_o church_n and_o have_v in_o two_o sacred_a epistle_n assure_v they_o of_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o have_v preach_v and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o fable_n or_o new_a device_n but_o the_o very_a truth_n which_o from_o the_o beginning_n god_n make_v know_v to_o his_o prophet_n he_o than_o exhort_v they_o to_o steadfastness_n and_o to_o hope_v to_o the_o end_n for_o the_o grace_n or_o fullness_n of_o glory_n which_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o all_o true_a christian_n at_o the_o revelation_n or_o second_o come_v of_o christ_n he_o warn_v they_o to_o beware_v of_o sin_n chief_o that_o root_n of_o malice_n envy_n and_o hypocrisy_n for_o these_o be_v usual_o complicate_v in_o one_o for_o as_o it_o give_v be_v to_o all_o our_o misery_n and_o have_v be_v all_o along_o the_o ruin_n of_o nation_n church_n and_o community_n so_o we_o be_v advertise_v that_o it_o will_v abound_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o avoid_v this_o damn_v iniquity_n we_o be_v will_v to_o consider_v our_o new_a birth_n and_o as_o newborn_a babe_n to_o evidence_n our_o delight_n to_o be_v in_o the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n not_o in_o the_o vanity_n of_o this_o world_n where_o we_o be_v but_o pilgrim_n and_o stranger_n assure_v we_o that_o as_o christ_n be_v the_o sure_a foundation_n to_o support_v his_o church_n so_o however_o some_o builder_n do_v set_v he_o at_o naught_o he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o corner_n and_o will_v certain_o in_o time_n confound_v the_o disobedient_a 1_o pet._n 2._o 7_o 8._o howbeit_o lest_o christian_n shall_v be_v too_o impatient_a of_o the_o seem_a delay_n of_o christ_n exaltation_n and_o of_o the_o manifold_a tribulation_n which_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o must_v suffer_v he_o further_o warn_v they_o to_o be_v of_o a_o obedient_a and_o submissive_a spirit_n to_o such_o as_o be_v in_o authority_n and_o to_o adorn_v their_o profession_n by_o a_o honest_a conversation_n as_o the_o best_a way_n to_o silence_v their_o opposer_n for_o so_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o with_o well-doing_n you_o may_v put_v to_o silence_v the_o ignorance_n of_o foolish_a man_n 1_o pet._n 2._o 15._o for_o though_o it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o all_o christian_n be_v the_o lord_n freeman_n 1_o cor._n 7._o 22._o yet_o they_o may_v not_o malicious_o despise_v any_o man_n nor_o dishonour_v any_o man_n much_o less_o any_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n christianity_n be_v indeed_o the_o great_a obligation_n that_o any_o man_n can_v be_v
cause_n why_o we_o think_v your_o pretend_a baptism_n a_o nullity_n for_o your_o error_n about_o the_o subject_n be_v more_o than_o the_o other_o 3._o what_o you_o say_v further_o be_v to_o make_v we_o believe_v that_o christ_n do_v not_o go_v into_o the_o water_n that_o the_o eunuch_n go_v to_o the_o water_n only_o because_o the_o preposition_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v add_v to_o but_o your_o conscience_n will_v tell_v you_o it_o signify_v into_o as_o well_o as_o to_o and_o indeed_o you_o grant_v it_o and_o then_o to_o what_o putpose_n do_v you_o quarrel_v our_o translation_n however_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o christ_n be_v baptize_v in_o the_o river_n and_o it_o be_v express_o say_v of_o the_o many_o thousand_o which_o come_v to_o jordan_n that_o they_o be_v all_o baptize_v in_o the_o river_n confess_v their_o sin_n now_o sir_n here_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d can_v be_v render_v to_o the_o river_n nor_o with_o the_o river_n without_o egregious_a folly_n and_o then_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o they_o be_v all_o dip_v in_o the_o river_n for_o it_o have_v be_v absolute_a folly_n to_o go_v into_o the_o river_n to_o sprinkle_v the_o face_n hand_n or_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o body_n see_v then_o they_o go_v into_o the_o river_n to_o baptize_v it_o show_v it_o can_v right_o be_v do_v without_o go_v into_o the_o water_n and_o therefore_o of_o necessity_n we_o must_v understand_v dip_v be_v the_o only_a true_a mode_n of_o baptise_v 4._o i_o marvel_v how_o any_o wise_a man_n can_v look_v upon_o that_o text_n john_n 3._o 23._o john_n baptize_v in_o enon_n because_o there_o be_v much_o water_n there_o and_o so_o much_o as_o think_v sprinkle_v to_o be_v a_o lawful_a way_n of_o baptise_v if_o he_o will_v use_v any_o of_o his_o wit_n he_o can_v but_o infer_v baptism_n can_v not_o be_v right_o do_v with_o a_o few_o drop_n of_o water_n seein_o john_n choose_v enon_n because_o there_o be_v much_o water_n there_o and_o what_o though_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v many_o water_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o signify_v many_o river_n but_o by_o the_o noise_n of_o many_o water_n be_v often_o mean_v the_o noise_n of_o much_o water_n in_o one_o source_n or_o channel_n however_o you_o say_v the_o greek_a signify_v the_o confluence_n of_o these_o two_o spring_n jordan_n and_o jaboc_n but_o yet_o you_o be_v unwilling_a that_o they_o shall_v yield_v so_o much_o water_n as_o may_v suffice_v to_o dip_v in_o and_o yet_o the_o scripture_n tell_v you_o elsewhere_o that_o jordan_n overflow_v all_o her_o bank_n at_o certain_a time_n and_o lithgow_n that_o be_v at_o it_o will_v give_v you_o a_o account_n that_o it_o be_v a_o river_n sufficient_a to_o dip_v a_o big_a man_n than_o yourself_o in_o but_o here_o you_o say_v be_v no_o mention_n of_o dip_v yes_o sir_n but_o there_o be_v for_o when_o you_o hear_v that_o john_n be_v baptise_v in_o enon_n he_o be_v either_o dip_v or_o sprinkle_v the_o latter_a will_v make_v the_o speech_n absurd_a and_o nonsensical_a the_o former_a therefore_o be_v his_o business_n for_o he_o be_v dip_v in_o enon_n near_o salem_n because_o there_o be_v much_o water_n there_o your_o church_n therefore_o be_v very_o much_o to_o blame_v in_o leave_v the_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o follow_v she_o own_o tradition_n and_o be_v therefore_o the_o cause_n of_o our_o present_a disunion_n and_o will_v be_v till_o she_o turn_v to_o the_o truth_n both_o in_o the_o subject_a and_o manner_n of_o baptism_n or_o at_o least_o forbear_v to_o impose_v upon_o we_o without_o authority_n from_o heaven_n what_o you_o add_v by_o way_n of_o answer_n to_o some_o of_o our_o objection_n against_o infant_n baptism_n be_v answer_v in_o my_o reply_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n and_o mr._n j._n barret_n which_o be_v bind_v up_o with_o my_o book_n of_o primitive_a christianity_n and_o to_o that_o i_o will_v refer_v you_o what_o you_o add_v about_o surety_n or_o godfathers_n etc._n etc._n i_o shall_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o at_o this_o time_n and_o indeed_o the_o usage_n be_v so_o odd_a that_o dr._n jer._n taylor_n well_o say_v if_o it_o have_v be_v god_n will_n to_o have_v have_v they_o it_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v he_o will_v have_v give_v they_o commission_n to_o have_v transact_v the_o solemnity_n with_o better_a circumstance_n and_o give_v answer_n with_o more_o truth_n for_o if_o the_o god_n father_n answer_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o child_n i_o do_v believe_v it_o be_v notorious_a they_o speak_v false_a and_o ridiculous_o and_o this_o be_v even_o enough_o to_o say_v to_o such_o a_o innovation_n but_o what_o absurdity_n be_v it_o which_o be_v once_o make_v a_o cannon_n by_o learned_a man_n will_v not_o find_v some_o to_o daub_v it_o up_o with_o untempered_a mortar_n can_v men_n but_o remember_v nadab_n and_o abihu_n leu._n 10._o they_o will_v fear_v to_o add_v to_o or_o take_v from_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n under_o what_o pretence_n of_o piety_n or_o prudence_n soever_o thus_o sir_n i_o 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as_o the_o say_a act_n pretend_v only_o the_o prevention_n and_o suppression_n of_o seditious_a conventicle_n we_o humble_o conceive_v that_o those_o who_o be_v free_a from_o seditious_a design_n in_o their_o meeting_n together_o to_o worship_n god_n be_v rational_o acquit_v from_o the_o imputation_n of_o sedition_n and_o consequent_o no_o man_n can_v conscientious_o prosecute_v any_o of_o we_o upon_o that_o statute_n be_v utter_o unable_a to_o prove_v any_o such_o crime_n against_o we_o nor_o can_v any_o ever_o yet_o convict_v we_o of_o such_o a_o evil_a nor_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n shall_v they_o i_o hope_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o upon_o a_o due_a enquiry_n it_o will_v evident_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v the_o lord_n himself_o that_o have_v order_v his_o people_n to_o convene_v or_o congregate_v for_o the_o better_a discharge_n of_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o prayer_n preach_v and_o the_o celebration_n of_o other_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n to_o which_o holy_a end_v he_o have_v allow_v not_o four_o person_n only_o but_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o any_o town_n or_o city_n to_o come_v together_o into_o one_o place_n among_o who_o also_o such_o as_o do_v not_o believe_v the_o gospel_n be_v allow_v to_o appear_v in_o order_n to_o their_o illumination_n and_o this_o without_o any_o limitation_n in_o respect_n of_o number_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v to_o exceed_v the_o due_a bound_n of_o humane_a power_n to_o use_v restraint_n where_o god_n have_v give_v such_o gracious_a liberty_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 23_o 24_o 25._o jam._n 2._o 2_o 3._o heb._n 10._o 24._o forasmuch_o then_o as_o god_n have_v not_o give_v any_o power_n upon_o earth_n to_o forbid_v any_o christian_n or_o such_o as_o desire_v to_o know_v christ_n to_o hear_v his_o
word_n at_o any_o time_n or_o in_o any_o place_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a command_v every_o man_n that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n rev._n 2._o 7._o saying_n to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v not_o your_o heart_n psal_n 95._o 7._o proclaim_v to_o every_o one_o that_o thirst_v to_o come_v and_o take_v of_o the_o water_n of_o life_n free_o isa_n 55._o 1._o to_o who_o gracious_a invitation_n the_o spirit_n and_o the_o bride_n the_o church_n agree_v say_v come_v rev._n 22._o 17._o it_o must_v needs_o be_v very_o dangerous_a for_o any_o man_n to_o say_v do_v not_o come_v when_o they_o desire_v to_o drink_v of_o these_o live_a water_n which_o flow_v in_o the_o lively_a preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o can_v we_o think_v that_o our_o gracious_a god_n who_o in_o thing_n pertain_v to_o this_o life_n will_v not_o allow_v we_o to_o say_v to_o our_o neighbour_n go_v away_o and_o come_v again_o to_o morrow_n and_o i_o will_v give_v when_o we_o have_v it_o by_o we_o prov._n 3._o 27_o 28._o will_n ever_o accept_v we_o with_o a_o well-done_a good_a and_o faithful_a servant_n if_o in_o the_o more_o weighty_a matter_n of_o his_o law_n we_o put_v man_n off_o with_o delatory_a answer_n behold_v now_o be_v the_o accept_a time_n behold_v now_o be_v the_o day_n of_o salvation_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n that_o can_v be_v hide_v whilst_o therefore_o we_o be_v conscionable_o and_o we_o trust_v ground_o persuade_v that_o we_o be_v a_o part_n of_o this_o church_n a_o necessity_n lie_v upon_o we_o to_o make_v manifest_a the_o savour_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n in_o every_o place_n for_o as_o it_o be_v true_o say_v to_o christ_n that_o no_o man_n do_v any_o thing_n in_o secret_a and_o himself_o desire_v to_o be_v know_v open_o so_o neither_o must_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n obscure_v her_o light_n by_o a_o secret_a profession_n of_o christianity_n lest_o she_o contradict_v she_o own_o prayer_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n hold_v forth_o in_o these_o word_n god_n be_v merciful_a to_o we_o and_o bless_v we_o and_o cause_v his_o face_n to_o shine_v upon_o we_o that_o his_o way_n may_v be_v know_v upon_o the_o earth_n and_o his_o saving-health_n among_o all_o nation_n and_o now_o lord_n behold_v their_o threaten_n and_o grant_v unto_o thy_o servant_n that_o with_o all_o boldness_n they_o may_v speak_v thy_o word_n and_o they_o speak_v the_o word_n with_o boldness_n and_o they_o overcome_v he_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o lamb_n by_o the_o word_n of_o their_o testimony_n and_o they_o love_v not_o their_o life_n unto_o the_o death_n and_o become_v follower_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n have_v receive_v the_o word_n in_o much_o affliction_n with_o joy_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n and_o if_o for_o the_o like_a faithful_a testimony_n we_o must_v still_o suffer_v as_o we_o have_v do_v we_o shall_v rejoice_v as_o christ_n have_v exhort_v we_o the_o church_n be_v teach_v of_o god_n to_o hold_v fast_o not_o her_o faith_n only_o but_o also_o the_o profession_n of_o her_o faith_n and_o this_o not_o by_o start_n and_o gird_n as_o man_n give_v they_o licence_n or_o toleration_n but_o with_o all_o constancy_n and_o without_o waver_v and_o sure_o our_o lord_n foresee_v and_o by_o his_o apostle_n foreshow_v what_o will_v come_v to_o pass_v require_v that_o this_o profession_n be_v hold_v without_o waver_v in_o the_o business_n of_o church-assembling_a heb._n 10._o 25._o because_o without_o such_o assembly_n the_o whole_a service_n of_o god_n in_o a_o churchway_n be_v like_a to_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n this_o duty_n as_o it_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n so_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o heaven_n authority_n forsake_v not_o the_o assemble_v of_o yourselves_o together_o and_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o the_o learned_a protestant_n that_o against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o nature_n no_o contrary_a custom_n do_v ever_o prevail_v dr._n field_n of_o the_o church_n lib._n 4._o he_o that_o do_v any_o thing_n by_o command_n from_o the_o king_n contrary_a to_o the_o command_n of_o god_n do_v not_o fear_n god_n say_v dr._n savage_n chaplain_n to_o k._n charles_n two_o in_o his_o dew_n of_o hermon_n p._n 36_o to_o 39_o and_o speak_v of_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n he_o say_v their_o ruler_n enjoin_v they_o not_o to_o preach_v christ_n and_o therein_o they_o do_v well_o to_o disobey_v for_o otherwise_o they_o have_v not_o fear_v god_n inasmuch_o as_o though_o their_o ruler_n be_v above_o they_o yet_o god_n be_v above_o they_o both_o for_o in_o command_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o word_n and_o will_n of_o god_n they_o abuse_v their_o power_n either_o through_o their_o ignorance_n or_o wilfulness_n and_o in_o that_o case_n mere_o passive_a obedience_n be_v to_o be_v yield_v these_o latter_a sentence_n be_v the_o more_o remarkable_a be_v write_v by_o one_o of_o his_o majesty_n chaplain_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o book_n write_v by_o the_o baptise_a believer_n in_o this_o age_n entitle_v sion_n groan_n for_o her_o distress_a which_o book_n whilst_o he_o pretend_v to_o confute_v he_o have_v confirm_v it_o in_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o intent_n of_o it_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a by_o mulct_n and_o penalty_n to_o overcome_v the_o faithful_a professor_n of_o the_o truth_n for_o that_o which_o be_v of_o god_n man_n can_v overthrow_v act_v 5._o 39_o so_o neither_o will_v those_o that_o be_v zealous_a for_o error_n be_v vanquish_v by_o that_o way_n and_o the_o mischief_n be_v their_o error_n be_v by_o their_o suffering_n make_v the_o more_o take_v with_o those_o of_o weak_a judgement_n what_o then_o be_v the_o result_n of_o persecution_n for_o religion_n be_v it_o not_o common_o this_o that_o the_o hypocrite_n or_o time-servers_a do_v fill_v that_o church_n which_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n on_o her_o side_n and_o suppose_v she_o have_v the_o truth_n on_o her_o side_n yet_o those_o temporizer_n come_v not_o to_o her_o communion_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v a_o blessing_n to_o she_o nor_o she_o to_o they_o nay_o these_o shall_v the_o soon_a of_o all_o other_o betray_v she_o when_o ever_o time_n shall_v minister_v occasion_n for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o true_a to_o god_n and_o their_o own_o conscience_n will_v never_o be_v faithful_a to_o men._n they_o worship_v not_o the_o king_n of_o heaven_n but_o the_o earthly_a crown_n and_o sceptre_n much_o like_o euripus_n carry_v headlong_o sometime_o this_o way_n sometime_o that_o way_n socrat._v lib._n 3._o cap._n 21._o but_o short_o to_o sum_v up_o what_o be_v or_o may_v be_v further_o say_v in_o this_o case_n 1._o to_o restrict_n our_o assembly_n to_o the_o limit_n of_o the_o say_a act_n be_v to_o obey_v man_n rather_o than_o god_n who_o give_v liberty_n without_o limit_v the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o meet_v to_o worship_v he_o in_o a_o churchway_n and_o whilst_o we_o believe_v our_o assembly_n be_v true_a church_n we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o meet_v in_o god_n way_n whoever_o countermand_v it_o 2._o for_o thus_o to_o limit_v our_o assembly_n to_o the_o number_n of_o four_o will_v certain_o destroy_v all_o our_o church-assembly_n for_o suppose_v some_o congregation_n or_o church_n consist_v but_o of_o a_o hundred_o person_n these_o be_v divide_v into_o four_n have_v no_o church-assemble_o unless_o every_o of_o these_o four_o be_v a_o church_n and_o if_o the_o magistrate_n have_v just_a power_n to_o divide_v we_o into_o four_n or_o five_o he_o have_v power_n to_o subdivide_v we_o into_o two_o and_o by_o consequence_n to_o dissolve_v all_o our_o assembly_n i_o confess_v a_o small_a number_n may_v constitute_v a_o true_a church_n gregory_n thaumaturgus_n though_o a_o bishop_n have_v a_o church_n consist_v but_o of_o seventeen_o person_n basil_n de_fw-fr spirit_n sanct._n cap._n 29._o our_o saviour_n have_v promise_v his_o presence_n where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v meet_v together_o in_o his_o name_n but_o then_o in_o his_o name_n signify_v in_o his_o authority_n and_o according_a to_o his_o appointment_n now_o christ_n have_v no_o where_o appoint_v that_o four_o and_o no_o more_o shall_v come_v together_o into_o one_o house_n or_o place_n no_o though_o a_o hundred_o person_n be_v come_v together_o if_o more_o do_v come_v they_o can_v be_v prohibit_v by_o all_o that_o power_n which_o god_n have_v give_v to_o man_n as_o we_o have_v show_v 3._o our_o zealous_a countryman_n of_o the_o parochial_a way_n will_v think_v it_o very_o unlawful_a to_o be_v limit_v in_o their_o meeting_n to_o four_o or_o five_o and_o yet_o they_o ought_v to_o