a_o sermon_n before_o the_o provincial_a synod_n at_o antrim_n preach_v june_n 1._o 1698._o by_o mr._n john_n mac-bride_n minister_n of_o belfast_n publish_a at_o the_o desire_n of_o some_o person_n then_o present_a print_a in_o the_o year_n mdcxcviii_o act_n xv._o 25_o 26._o it_o seem_v good_a unto_o we_o be_v assemble_v with_o one_o accord_n to_o send_v choose_a man_n unto_o you_o with_o our_o belove_a barnabas_n and_o paul_n man_n that_o have_v hazard_v their_o life_n for_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n as_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n since_o militant_a on_o earth_n have_v not_o want_v foreign_a adversary_n who_o have_v take_v crafty_a counsel_n to_o cut_v off_o the_o name_n of_o israel_n from_o be_v a_o nation_n so_o it_o have_v have_v intestine_a enemy_n to_o its_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o government_n some_o privy_o bring_v in_o damnable_a heresy_n to_o overthrow_v the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n other_o corrupt_v its_o pure_a worship_n with_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n and_o some_o imperious_a and_o ungovernable_a man_n subvert_v its_o orderly_a government_n by_o tyranny_n and_o anarchy_n by_o any_o of_o which_o though_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n may_v be_v keep_v it_o be_v power_n be_v deny_v but_o we_o have_v be_v faithful_o forewarn_v that_o such_o offence_n must_v come_v that_o such_o as_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v make_v manifest_a yet_o he_o on_o who_o shoulder_n the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n be_v lay_v have_v well_o and_o wise_o provide_v proper_a remedy_n against_o all_o these_o evil_n watchman_n and_o ruler_n who_o by_o their_o mutual_a care_n and_o counsel_n assist_v by_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n be_v put_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o defend_v this_o church_n whereof_o we_o have_v a_o pregnant_a instance_n in_o this_o scripture_n in_o which_o we_o may_v see_v a_o wise_a and_o holy_a assembly_n of_o church-ruler_n by_o joint_a counsel_n and_o authority_n deliberate_v about_o and_o determine_v of_o way_n and_o mean_n necessary_a to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n as_o well_o as_o the_o unity_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n all_o which_o be_v in_o manifest_a hazard_n while_o some_o man_n come_v down_o from_o judea_n to_o antioch_n teach_v the_o disciple_n that_o unless_o they_o be_v circumcise_a and_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n they_o can_v not_o be_v save_v whether_o cyrinthus_fw-la be_v the_o ringleader_n of_o this_o party_n as_o epiphanius_n and_o hierom_n report_n i_o determine_v not_o but_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o verse_n 5._o that_o they_o be_v pharisees_n the_o first_o course_n take_v to_o remove_v this_o evil_a we_o find_v be_v dispute_v manage_v by_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n to_o convince_v these_o gainsayers_a but_o to_o little_a effect_n and_o therefore_o second_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n determine_v to_o send_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n with_o certain_a other_o to_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n who_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n where_o appear_v a_o appeal_n from_o a_o inferior_a to_o a_o superior_a judicatory_a in_o a_o case_n not_o determine_v by_o the_o inferior_a three_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o this_o assembly_n consist_v of_o apostle_n and_o elder_n both_o these_o resident_a at_o jerusalem_n and_o such_o as_o be_v delegated_a from_o antioch_n verse_n 6._o four_o the_o method_n use_v to_o find_v out_o and_o determine_v this_o controvert_v truth_n be_v a_o deliberate_a free_a and_o full_o debate_v the_o matter_n and_o reason_v from_o scripture_n five_o after_o this_o a_o clear_a and_o final_a decision_n of_o the_o controversy_n the_o apostle_n james_n as_o moderator_n of_o the_o assembly_n sum_v up_o the_o debate_n and_o give_v his_o sentence_n to_o which_o all_o consent_v six_o we_o have_v here_o the_o synod_n method_n to_o make_v this_o its_o decision_n effectual_a where_o 1._o it_o be_v enact_v that_o a_o letter_n be_v write_v from_o the_o synod_n inform_v those_o church_n to_o which_o it_o be_v send_v with_o their_o final_a determination_n and_o judgement_n 2._o it_o be_v enact_v that_o some_o person_n be_v commissionated_a to_o carry_v publish_v and_o require_v submission_n to_o this_o decree_n the_o word_n read_v contain_v 1._o a_o account_n of_o the_o authority_n give_v this_o commission_n or_o employ_v those_o person_n to_o execute_v this_o act_n viz._n the_o apostle_n elder_n and_o brethren_n assemble_v with_o one_o accord_n 2._o the_o person_n commissionated_a to_o wit_n choose_a man_n with_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n 3._o the_o ground_n of_o send_v it_o seem_v good_a to_o we_o 4._o the_o character_n and_o recommendation_n of_o the_o person_n send_v which_o be_v their_o credential_n 1._o they_o be_v choose_v man_n 2._o man_n who_o have_v hazard_v their_o life_n for_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n from_o which_o word_n thus_o explain_v this_o proposition_n may_v be_v rational_o deduce_v doctr._n when_o the_o necessity_n or_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n require_v it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o those_o who_o christ_n have_v clothe_v with_o authority_n to_o rule_v it_o to_o assemble_v with_o one_o accord_n and_o make_v such_o act_n as_o may_v contribute_v to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n and_o peace_n of_o those_o church_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n that_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n do_v assemble_v be_v here_o evident_a that_o they_o do_v it_o as_o their_o duty_n from_o the_o press_a necessity_n of_o the_o church_n over_o which_o they_o be_v set_v to_o watch_v be_v also_o evident_a both_o its_o truth_n and_o peace_n be_v in_o hazard_n the_o presence_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n grant_v they_o the_o remarkable_a success_n by_o god_n blessing_n bestow_v on_o those_o their_o endeavour_n show_v we_o that_o they_o have_v a_o call_v thereunto_o and_o act_v in_o obedience_n to_o god_n in_o it_o but_o that_o this_o may_v more_o full_o appear_v to_o be_v not_o only_o their_o duty_n but_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o their_o ordinary_a successor_n i_o shall_v first_o prove_v second_o consider_v what_o assembly_n this_o be_v for_o kind_n and_o quality_n and_o then_o show_v of_o what_o use_v it_o be_v to_o we_o 1._o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v a_o orderly_a society_n of_o reasonable_a man_n and_o woman_n and_o under_o law_n and_o government_n and_o therefore_o be_v it_o call_v a_o kingdom_n whereof_o christ_n be_v the_o king_n and_o lawgiver_n have_v man_n 〈◊〉_d authority_n under_o he_o enable_v to_o put_v in_o execution_n his_o law_n â—â—s_o call_v a_o family_n eph._n 3.15_o whereof_o he_o be_v the_o everlasting_a father_n isa_n 9.6_o a_o city_n compact_o build_v all_o which_o show_v that_o it_o consist_v of_o person_n govern_v and_o govern_v for_o no_o soon_o do_v we_o hear_v of_o any_o public_a worship_n but_o we_o have_v it_o in_o a_o society_n cain_n and_o abel_n meet_v to_o offer_v sacrifice_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o be_v offer_v by_o adam_n the_o then_o highpriest_n of_o his_o family_n gen._n 4._o those_o who_o will_v have_v public_a worship_n institute_v gen._n 4.16_o must_v understand_v assembly_n of_o distinct_a family_n associate_a for_o no_o doubt_n adam_n and_o his_o house_n do_v before_o this_o joint_o worship_v the_o lord_n and_o nature_n light_n have_v instruct_v all_o nation_n who_o have_v any_o worship_n to_o perform_v it_o in_o public_a assembly_n 2._o it_o appear_v that_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n god_n do_v require_v such_o as_o he_o have_v authorize_v to_o rule_v his_o church_n to_o assemble_v for_o that_o end_n as_o appear_v from_o exod._n 24.1_o where_o the_o lord_n say_v to_o moses_n come_v up_o unto_o the_o lord_n thou_o and_o aaron_n nadab_n and_o abihu_n and_o seventy_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n all_o which_o convene_v to_o be_v witness_n of_o and_o concur_v with_o the_o congregation_n in_o their_o solemn_a engage_v in_o covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n as_o also_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o god_n glorious_a manifest_v himself_o to_o moses_n and_o give_v he_o authority_n verse_n 10._o and_o particular_o to_o judge_n and_o determine_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o debate_n among_o that_o people_n as_o appear_v from_o verse_n 14._o that_o god_n constitute_v such_o assembly_n ruler_n for_o ordinary_a appear_v from_o deut._n 17.8_o 9_o where_o in_o all_o case_n too_o difficult_a for_o their_o inferior_a judicatory_n the_o people_n be_v command_v to_o go_v to_o that_o place_n which_o god_n shall_v choose_v to_o set_v his_o name_n there_o to_o inquire_v of_o the_o priest_n levite_n and_o judge_n in_o those_o day_n and_o be_v command_v also_o to_o be_v determine_v by_o their_o sentence_n see_v then_o the_o people_n be_v bind_v to_o attend_v it_o be_v evident_a the_o priest_n levite_n etc._n etc._n be_v oblige_v to_o assemble_v to_o hear_v examine_v
and_o not_o to_o the_o community_n as_o appear_v by_o matt._n 16.19_o 2._o nor_o be_v the_o church_n of_o believer_n all_o to_o be_v hear_v or_o can_v hear_v as_o this_o church_n be_v require_v 3._o this_o church_n may_v consist_v of_o two_o or_o three_o for_o to_o so_o many_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o hear_v prayer_n make_v verse_n 19_o and_o of_o christ_n presence_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o verse_n 20._o which_o be_v a_o promise_v make_v to_o church-officer_n as_o appear_v from_o matth._n 28.20_o to_o encourage_v they_o in_o their_o ministry_n 4._o nor_o be_v it_o a_o church_n of_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o erastians_n teach_v for_o than_o 1._o the_o apostle_n paul_n have_v not_o only_o not_o understand_v his_o master_n but_o express_o contradict_v he_o for_o 1_o cor._n 6.1_o he_o discharge_v all_o saint_n to_o carry_v their_o debate_n before_o judge_n who_o be_v their_o enemy_n such_o as_o heathen_n and_o infidel_n jew_n be_v at_o that_o time_n nor_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o christ_n will_v direct_v his_o disciple_n in_o case_n of_o private_a difference_n to_o jewish_a or_o roman_a magistrate_n his_o and_o their_o profess_a enemy_n 2._o if_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n must_v be_v here_o understand_v christian_n have_v not_o such_o a_o church_n for_o 300_o year_n after_o christ_n and_o so_o no_o remedy_n in_o such_o case_n 5._o the_o matter_n appear_v here_o to_o be_v proper_a for_o the_o cognizance_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a judicature_n not_o be_v such_o a_o crime_n as_o be_v punishable_a by_o the_o civil_a judge_n or_o for_o which_o restitution_n be_v to_o be_v make_v which_o be_v require_v in_o case_n of_o injury_n do_v but_o it_o be_v a_o offence_n which_o though_o at_o first_o private_a become_v scandalous_a by_o the_o person_n impenitence_n and_o declare_v reject_v the_o admonition_n of_o two_o or_o three_o and_o if_o christ_n will_v have_v the_o church_n tell_v in_o case_n of_o offend_v a_o private_a brother_n and_o for_o reconcile_a they_o two_o can_v we_o think_v he_o provide_v no_o remedy_n for_o such_o as_o by_o scandalous_a practice_n offend_v the_o whole_a church_n or_o appoint_v mean_n by_o which_o such_o offender_n may_v be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n see_v then_o there_o be_v here_o a_o church_n authorize_v to_o hear_v and_o decide_v difference_n vers_fw-la 17._o clothe_v with_o a_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v verse_n 18._o have_v a_o promise_n of_o hear_v their_o prayer_n and_o of_o his_o presence_n in_o perform_v their_o duty_n verse_n 19_o 20._o we_o have_v cause_n to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v a_o church-assemble_o of_o christ_n own_o appointment_n 5._o the_o apostle_n ordinary_a practice_n of_o assemble_v as_o they_o have_v occasion_n inform_v we_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o their_o duty_n which_o presuppose_v a_o law_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v pattern_n to_o we_o in_o such_o assembly_n upon_o the_o apostasy_n and_o death_n of_o judas_n one_o of_o the_o twelve_o after_o christ_n ascension_n we_o find_v they_o assemble_v to_o elect_a and_o ordain_v another_o apostle_n in_o his_o room_n act_v 1_o again_o we_o find_v they_o assemble_v to_o ordain_v deacon_n act_n 6._o and_o in_o act_n 11._o we_o find_v they_o convene_v and_o call_v the_o apostle_n peter_n to_o a_o account_n for_o his_o converse_n with_o the_o gentile_n but_o here_o more_o remarkable_o the_o church-guide_n be_v assemble_v to_o root_v out_o a_o heresy_n and_o to_o prevent_v a_o schism_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n and_o this_o lead_v i_o to_o consider_v what_o kind_n or_o sort_n of_o assembly_n this_o be_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n frame_v the_o government_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n according_a to_o the_o model_n of_o the_o jewish_a be_v general_o assert_v and_o believe_v and_o may_v safe_o be_v allow_v but_o for_o this_o reason_n neither_o to_o preserve_v the_o ceremonial_a nor_o judicial_a law_n but_o because_o the_o government_n of_o that_o church_n for_o its_o substance_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o be_v divine_a and_o imitable_a as_o be_v irreversible_a now_o it_o be_v general_o hold_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v three_o sort_n of_o assembly_n or_o church-ruler_n and_o all_o agreeable_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n 1._o as_o they_o have_v their_o synagogue_n or_o parochial_a congregation_n for_o ordinary_a moral_a worship_n so_o these_o synagogue_n have_v their_o ruler_n act_n 13.15_o and_o it_o be_v probable_a as_o be_v report_v that_o in_o every_o city_n where_o be_v ten_o wise_a man_n as_o there_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o every_o place_n where_o be_v a_o synagogue_n that_o they_o do_v all_o joint_o concur_v for_o rule_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o synagogue_n and_o so_o make_v a_o parochial_a consistory_n which_o do_v exercise_v discipline_n on_o scandalous_a offender_n even_o to_o cast_v they_o sometime_o out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n now_o the_o common_a light_n of_o nature_n thus_o far_o direct_v all_o sort_n of_o small_a society_n whether_o politic_a or_o ecclesiastic_a to_o compose_v all_o particular_a and_o more_o private_a difference_n within_o themselves_o and_o to_o decide_v small_a and_o easy_a case_n by_o small_a judicatories_n for_o that_o end_n appoint_v according_a to_o the_o maxim_n frustra_fw-la fit_a per_fw-la plura_fw-la etc._n etc._n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o trouble_v great_a assembly_n in_o what_o can_v be_v as_o convenient_o order_v by_o lesser_a one_o so_o jethro_n reason_v teach_v he_o to_o give_v that_o good_a counsel_n to_o moses_n that_o certain_a inferior_a judge_n may_v determine_v small_a matter_n reserve_v hard_a case_n for_o his_o own_o audience_n exod._n 18.22_o 26._o and_o this_o become_v a_o law_n deut._n 17._o 2._o as_o there_o be_v many_o portion_n call_v thousand_o in_o israel_n micah_n 5.2_o so_o these_o thousand_o have_v their_o government_n and_o a_o consistory_n compose_v of_o twenty_o three_o one_o of_o these_o be_v in_o every_o city_n where_o be_v one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o family_n and_o this_o be_v that_o as_o many_o say_v which_o be_v call_v by_o christ_n the_o judgement_n matth._n 5.22_o and_o be_v make_v up_o of_o fourteen_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n and_o seven_o other_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o city_n which_o also_o appear_v agreeable_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n for_o as_o particular_a person_n may_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o government_n and_o order_n so_o particular_a congregation_n live_v contiguous_o which_o as_o they_o may_v be_v injurious_a to_o one_o another_o so_o they_o may_v be_v helpful_a to_o one_o another_o and_o where_o matter_n occur_v of_o common_a concern_v to_o the_o lesser_a neighbour_a society_n suppose_v in_o a_o large_a city_n the_o same_o reason_n will_v allow_v and_o require_v the_o ruler_n of_o that_o city_n to_o associate_v for_o government_n that_o require_v those_o of_o a_o village_n to_o meet_v and_o so_o the_o rule_n will_v hold_v good_a in_o this_o quod_fw-la omnes_fw-la languit_fw-la etc._n etc._n what_o be_v of_o common_a concernment_n aught_o to_o be_v treat_v of_o by_o all_o concern_v and_o this_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v call_v the_o presbytery_n act_v 22.5_o which_o be_v a_o society_n or_o assembly_n distinct_a from_o the_o sanhedrim_n and_o such_o a_o assembly_n of_o elder_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v at_o jerusalem_n act_v 11.30_o &_o 21.18_o 3._o the_o three_o sort_n of_o assembly_n be_v their_o sanhedrim_n consist_v of_o seventy_o elder_n with_o their_o nassi_n or_o president_n which_o be_v their_o supreme_a judicatory_a if_o some_o allege_v these_o be_v civil_a judicatories_n they_o will_v find_v themselves_o mistake_v for_o though_o they_o do_v concern_v themselves_o in_o some_o matter_n civil_a yet_o they_o also_o have_v their_o ecclesiastical_a judicatory_n act_v by_o divine_a law_n in_o matter_n ecclesiastic_a for_o though_o now_o it_o hold_v true_a that_o ecclesia_fw-la est_fw-la in_o reipublica_fw-la the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o not_o the_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o hold_v good_a of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v call_v to_o be_v a_o church_n before_o they_o be_v frame_v into_o a_o state_n and_o so_o the_o state_n come_v into_o the_o church_n and_o not_o the_o church_n into_o the_o state_n to_o accommodate_v this_o to_o our_o purpose_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o assembly_n be_v neither_o of_o the_o former_a two_o but_o a_o assembly_n of_o the_o ruler_n of_o two_o presbytery_n to_o wit_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o antioch_n and_o so_o that_o which_o we_o call_v a_o synod_n who_o quality_n come_v next_o to_o be_v consider_v 1._o it_o be_v to_o be_v inquire_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a assembly_n act_v by_o extraordinary_a and_o apostolic_a call_n and_o authority_n or_o a_o ordinary_a assembly_n act_v by_o a_o ordinary_a call_n and_o ordinary_a church-power_n to_o
be_v it_o reason_n to_o consider_v of_o the_o safety_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o trust_v church-power_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o single_a person_n who_o though_o they_o thrust_v themselves_o into_o civil_a assembly_n be_v seldom_o know_v to_o assemble_v as_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n do_v at_o jerusalem_n 5._o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o christian_a people_n under_o the_o care_n of_o such_o assembly_n reverent_o to_o esteem_n and_o dutiful_o to_o regard_v their_o lawful_a constitution_n so_o the_o church_n to_o which_o this_o decree_n come_v rejoice_v for_o the_o consolation_n they_o have_v thereby_o act_v 15.31_o as_o it_o be_v a_o people_n mercy_n to_o have_v government_n so_o none_o but_o presumptuous_a and_o self-willed_a person_n will_v despise_v it_o and_o profane_a man_n who_o immorality_n make_v they_o just_o obnoxious_a to_o their_o censure_n 6._o have_v such_o a_o excellent_a example_n as_o this_o let_v we_o imitate_v they_o in_o we_o and_o particular_o in_o these_o thing_n first_o in_o their_o unanimity_n they_o be_v assemble_v with_o one_o accord_n they_o act_v with_o one_o accord_n let_v we_o do_v so_o also_o their_o unanimity_n appear_v 1._o in_o that_o they_o be_v act_v by_o the_o same_o holy_a spirit_n on_o which_o they_o depend_v vers_fw-la 28._o 2._o they_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n philip_n 4.16_o let_v we_o do_v so_o also_o they_o have_v divers_a apprehension_n and_o expression_n about_o the_o rule_n much_o dispute_v and_o debate_v not_o to_o confound_v but_o to_o find_v out_o truth_n to_o convince_v gainsayers_a and_o therefore_o none_o shall_v be_v offend_v at_o our_o debate_n when_o manage_v with_o moderation_n in_o order_n to_o confirm_v truth_n or_o refute_v error_n or_o find_v out_o proper_a expedient_n for_o our_o work_n the_o matter_n about_o which_o person_n with_o who_o and_o our_o own_o infirmity_n occasion_n these_o debate_n we_o have_v no_o intuitive_a knowledge_n but_o only_o discussive_a and_o therefore_o must_v dig_v for_o wisdom_n as_o for_o hide_a treasure_n 3._o let_v we_o with_o they_o mind_n the_o same_o thing_n philip._n 3.16_o the_o church_n preservation_n and_o edification_n truth_n peace_n and_o pure_a gospel-ordinance_n be_v all_o they_o contend_v for_o and_o aim_v at_o not_o as_o sometime_o they_o have_v contend_v who_o shall_v be_v great_a mark_v 9.34_o by_o this_o unanimity_n we_o shall_v beautify_v and_o fortify_v our_o assembly_n gain_v respect_n to_o our_o person_n and_o acts._n second_o let_v we_o imitate_v they_o in_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o conclusion_n they_o determine_v nothing_o but_o what_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o well_o as_o they_o and_o this_o be_v best_a know_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god._n let_v the_o thing_n be_v necessary_a verse_n 28._o no_o burdensome_a ceremony_n this_o they_o deliver_v the_o church_n from_o as_o a_o yoke_n which_o neither_o they_o nor_o their_o forefather_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v for_o rigid_a impose_v of_o thing_n unnecessary_a make_v church-constitution_n contemptible_a and_o the_o contriver_n and_o imposer_n of_o such_o needless_a burden_n as_o imperious_a and_o tyrannical_a 4._o let_v we_o with_o they_o what_o we_o have_v on_o due_a deliberation_n enact_v execute_v with_o all_o prudent_a expedition_n a_o flame_n be_v begin_v in_o the_o church_n they_o present_o send_v to_o quench_v it_o delay_n in_o this_o kind_n may_v prove_v dangerous_a 5._o let_v every_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n as_o they_o do_v maintain_v the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o assembly_n by_o a_o cheerful_a submission_n and_o obedience_n to_o its_o appointment_n paul_n barnabas_n judas_n and_o silas_n though_o chief_a man_n do_v not_o decline_v but_o reverence_n the_o authority_n of_o this_o assembly_n by_o undertake_v a_o toilsome_a and_o hazardous_a work_n nature_n light_n teach_v we_o that_o the_o several_a part_n of_o a_o politic_a body_n as_o well_o as_o the_o natural_a be_v to_o be_v subject_a and_o serviceable_a to_o the_o whole_a and_o why_o not_o also_o in_o church-assembly_n 6._o let_v we_o imitate_v their_o spiritual_a prudence_n in_o the_o choose_n and_o send_v man_n to_o the_o work_n that_o be_v fit_a for_o it_o they_o send_v choose_v man_n etc._n etc._n as_o god_n have_v entrust_v we_o we_o can_v be_v faithful_a to_o he_o or_o those_o with_o who_o he_o have_v trust_v we_o unless_o we_o employ_v fit_a person_n and_o therefore_o 1._o let_v we_o be_v careful_a to_o lay_v hand_n sudden_o upon_o no_o man_n that_o we_o be_v neither_o partaker_n with_o they_o of_o their_o sin_n nor_o author_n of_o plague_n to_o other_o but_o such_o as_o be_v faithful_a able_a and_o apt_a to_o teach_v let_v such_o be_v choose_v at_o first_o 2_o tim._n 2.2_o we_o injure_v the_o present_a and_o betray_v the_o after-generation_n if_o we_o do_v otherwise_o 2._o see_v there_o be_v diversity_n of_o gift_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v proper_a and_o suitable_a application_n of_o those_o to_o place_n and_o work_n so_o be_v do_v here_o they_o send_v choose_v men._n nature_n have_v teach_v every_o mechanic_n not_o to_o use_v his_o tool_n promiscuous_o god_n have_v instruct_v the_o ploughman_n to_o discretion_n not_o to_o thresh_v fitche_n with_o a_o thresh_a instrument_n neither_o be_v a_o cartwheel_n turn_v about_o upon_o the_o cummin_n but_o the_o fitche_n be_v beat_v out_o with_o a_o staff_n and_o the_o cummin_n with_o a_o rod_n isa_n 28.27_o 28._o this_o come_v from_o the_o lord_n who_o be_v wonderful_a in_o counsel_n and_o excellent_a in_o work_v neither_o a_o man_n own_o desire_n or_o inclination_n nor_o partial_a respect_n to_o person_n shall_v guide_v we_o in_o this_o but_o experience_n of_o a_o just_a proportion_n betwixt_o their_o gift_n and_o the_o work_n shall_v direct_v we_o for_o mis-application_n of_o person_n to_o place_n have_v be_v of_o very_o ill_a consequence_n to_o the_o church_n 7._o the_o choice_a person_n in_o our_o assembly_n be_v not_o to_o think_v themselves_o too_o good_a to_o serve_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o when_o call_v be_v to_o go_v on_o her_o errand_n cheerful_o as_o these_o choose_a man_n here_o do_v man_n ought_v not_o to_o seek_v only_a ease_n honour_n and_o advantage_n but_o be_v call_v to_o labour_n in_o the_o vineyard_n and_o the_o great_a shepherd_n will_v provide_v they_o their_o reward_n 8._o such_o person_n may_v be_v safe_o trust_v with_o the_o important_a interest_n of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v give_v proof_n of_o their_o hazard_v their_o life_n for_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n man_n deny_v to_o themselves_o their_o ease_n and_o advantage_n man_n of_o courage_n who_o dare_v engage_v in_o difficulty_n such_o man_n will_v have_v a_o native_a care_n for_o it_o have_v therefore_o the_o spirit_n promise_v to_o be_v our_o guide_n the_o word_n of_o god_n give_v to_o be_v our_o rule_n and_o so_o excellent_a a_o pattern_n as_o this_o assembly_n let_v we_o follow_v our_o guide_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n after_o so_o holy_a a_o example_n finis_fw-la