judge_v the_o world_n even_o angel_n so_o in_o the_o next_o chapter_n the_o 6._o of_o that_o 1_o cor._n 1.2_o 3_o 4_o 5._o and_o the_o same_o brethren_n of_o the_o same_o church_n as_o well_o as_o the_o elder_n he_o intreat_v to_o forgive_v the_o same_o incestuous_a corinthian_a upon_o his_o repentance_n 2_o cor._n 2.7_o 8._o if_o it_o be_v say_v to_o judge_n be_v a_o act_n of_o rule_n and_o to_o be_v ruler_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o give_v to_o all_o the_o brethren_n but_o to_o the_o elder_n only_o answ_n all_o judgement_n be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o authority_n or_o rule_n for_o there_o be_v a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n by_o way_n of_o privilege_n as_o well_o as_o of_o authority_n by_o way_n of_o sentence_n that_o of_o discretion_n be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o brethren_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o authority_n belong_v to_o the_o presbytery_n of_o that_o church_n in_o england_n the_o jury_n by_o their_o verdict_n as_o well_o as_o the_o judge_n by_o his_o sentence_n do_v both_o of_o they_o judge_v the_o same_o malefactor_n yet_o in_o the_o jury_n their_o verdict_n be_v but_o a_o act_n of_o their_o popular_a liberty_n in_o the_o judge_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o his_o judicial_a authority_n if_o it_o be_v demand_v what_o difference_n be_v there_o between_o these_o two_o the_o answer_n be_v ready_a great_a be_v the_o difference_n for_o though_o the_o jury_n have_v give_v up_o their_o judgement_n and_o verdict_n yet_o the_o malefactor_n be_v not_o thereupon_o legal_o condemn_v much_o less_o execute_v but_o upon_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o judge_n in_o like_a sort_n here_o though_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n do_v with_o one_o accord_n give_v up_o their_o vote_n and_o judgement_n for_o the_o censure_n of_o a_o offender_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o thereby_o censure_v till_o upon_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o presbytery_n if_o it_o be_v say_v again_o yea_o but_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o authority_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v and_o the_o power_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v christ_n give_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n mat._n 18.18_o answ_n the_o whole_a church_n may_v be_v say_v to_o bind_v and_o loose_v in_o that_o the_o brethren_n consent_n and_o concur_v with_o the_o elder_n both_o before_o the_o censure_n in_o discern_v it_o to_o be_v just_a and_o equal_a and_o in_o declare_v their_o discernment_n by_o lift_v up_o of_o their_o hand_n or_o by_o silence_n and_o after_o the_o censure_n in_o reject_v the_o offender_n censure_v from_o their_o wont_a communion_n and_o yet_o their_o discern_a or_o approve_v of_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o censure_n beforehand_o be_v not_o a_o prevent_n of_o the_o elder_n in_o their_o work_n for_o the_o elder_n before_o that_o have_v not_o only_o private_o examine_v the_o offender_n and_o his_o offence_n and_o the_o proof_n thereof_o to_o prepare_v the_o matter_n and_o ripen_v it_o for_o the_o church_n cognizance_n but_o do_v also_o public_o revise_v the_o head_n of_o all_o the_o material_a passage_n thereof_o before_o the_o church_n and_o do_v withal_o declare_v to_o the_o church_n the_o counsel_n and_o will_n of_o god_n therein_o that_o they_o may_v right_o discern_v and_o approve_v what_o censure_n the_o lord_n require_v to_o be_v administer_v in_o such_o a_o case_n so_o that_o the_o people_n discern_v and_o approve_v the_o justice_n of_o the_o censure_n before_o it_o be_v administer_v arise_v from_o the_o elder_n former_a instruction_n and_o direction_n of_o they_o therein_o whereunto_o the_o people_n give_v consent_n in_o obedience_n to_o the_o will_n and_o rule_v of_o christ_n hence_o be_v that_o speech_n of_o the_o apostle_n we_o have_v in_o readiness_n to_o revenge_v all_o disobedience_n when_o your_o obedience_n be_v fulfil_v 2_o cor._n 10.6_o the_o apostle_n revenge_n of_o disobedience_n by_o way_n of_o reproof_n in_o preach_v do_v not_o follow_v the_o people_n obedience_n but_o proceed_v whether_o the_o people_n obey_v it_o or_o no._n it_o be_v therefore_o their_o revenge_n of_o disobedience_n by_o way_n of_o censure_n in_o discipline_n which_o they_o have_v in_o readiness_n when_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o church_n be_v fulfil_v in_o discern_v and_o approve_v the_o equity_n of_o the_o censure_n which_o the_o apostle_n or_o elder_n have_v declare_v to_o they_o from_o the_o word_n this_o power_n or_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n in_o deal_v in_o this_o sort_n with_o a_o scandalous_a offender_n may_v not_o be_v limit_v only_o to_o a_o private_a brother_n offend_v but_o may_v reach_v also_o to_o a_o offensive_a elder_n for_o as_o have_v be_v touch_v already_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o circumcision_n suppose_v peter_n to_o have_v give_v a_o offence_n in_o eat_v with_o man_n uncircumcised_a they_o open_o expostulate_v with_o he_o about_o his_o offence_n and_o he_o stand_v not_o with_o they_o upon_o term_n of_o his_o apostleship_n much_o less_o of_o his_o eldership_n but_o willing_o submit_v himself_o to_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o they_o all_o act._n 11.2_o to_o 18._o and_o paul_n write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o colosse_n to_o deal_v with_o archippus_n warn_v he_o to_o see_v to_o the_o fulfil_n of_o his_o ministry_n col._n 4.17_o and_o very_o pregnant_a be_v his_o direction_n to_o the_o galatian_n for_o their_o proceed_n to_o the_o utmost_a with_o their_o corrupt_a and_o scandalous_a false_a teacher_n i_o will_v say_v he_o they_o be_v even_o cut_v off_o that_o trouble_n you_o and_o that_o upon_o this_o very_a ground_n of_o their_o liberty_n gal._n 5.12_o 13._o as_o have_v be_v open_v above_o in_o chap._n 2._o but_o whether_o the_o church_n have_v power_n or_o liberty_n for_o proceed_v to_o the_o utmost_a censure_n of_o their_o whole_a presbytery_n be_v a_o question_n of_o more_o difficulty_n for_o 1._o it_o can_v well_o be_v conceive_v that_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n shall_v be_v proceed_v against_o but_o that_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o strong_a influence_n into_o the_o heart_n of_o many_o of_o the_o brethren_n a_o strong_a party_n of_o the_o brethren_n will_v be_v ready_a to_o side_n with_o they_o and_o in_o case_n of_o find_v dissension_n and_o opposition_n the_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o proceed_v without_o consult_v with_o the_o synod_n as_o when_o there_o arise_v dissension_n in_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n and_o side_v or_o as_o the_o word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o send_v up_o to_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n at_o jerusalem_n who_o in_o way_n of_o synod_n determine_v the_o business_n act._n 15.2_o to_o 23._o a_o precedent_n and_o pattern_n of_o due_a church_n proceed_n in_o case_n of_o dissension_n when_o some_o take_v with_o one_o side_n some_o with_o another_o but_o of_o that_o more_o here_o after_o 2._o excommunication_n be_v one_o of_o the_o high_a act_n of_o rule_n in_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v perform_v but_o by_o some_o ruler_n now_o where_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v culpable_a there_o be_v no_o ruler_n leave_v in_o that_o church_n to_o censure_v they_o as_o therefore_o the_o presbytery_n can_v excommunicate_v the_o whole_a church_n though_o apostate_n for_o they_o must_v tell_v the_o church_n and_o join_v with_o the_o church_n in_o that_o censure_n so_o neither_o can_v the_o church_n excommunicate_v the_o whole_a presbytery_n because_o they_o have_v not_o receive_v from_o christ_n a_o office_n of_o rule_n without_o their_o officer_n if_o it_o be_v say_v the_o twentie-foure_a elder_n who_o represent_v the_o private_a member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o four_o live_a creature_n do_v the_o four_o officer_n have_v all_o of_o they_o crown_n upon_o their_o head_n and_o sit_v upon_o throne_n rev._n 4.4_o which_o be_v sign_n of_o regal_a authority_n the_o answer_n be_v the_o crown_n and_o throne_n argue_v they_o to_o be_v king_n no_o more_o than_o their_o white_a raiment_n argue_v they_o to_o be_v priest_n ver_fw-la 4._o but_o neither_o priest_n nor_o king_n by_o office_n but_o by_o liberty_n to_o perform_v like_o spiritual_a duty_n by_o grace_n which_o the_o other_o do_v by_o grace_n and_o office_n as_o priest_n they_o offer_v up_o spiritual_a sacrifice_n and_o as_o king_n they_o rule_v their_o lust_n passion_n themselves_o and_o their_o family_n yea_o the_o world_n and_o church_n also_o after_o a_o sort_n the_o world_n by_o improve_n it_o to_o spiritual_a advantage_n and_o the_o church_n by_o appoint_v their_o own_o officer_n and_o likewise_o in_o censure_v their_o offender_n not_o only_o by_o their_o officer_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o king_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v but_o also_o by_o their_o own_o royal_a assent_n which_o king_n be_v not_o wont_a to_o do_v but_o only_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o noble_n but_o nevertheless_o though_o the_o church_n want_v authority_n to_o excommunicate_v their_o presbytery_n yet_o they_o want_v not_o liberty_n to_o
power_n of_o the_o sword_n in_o matter_n which_o concern_v the_o civil_a peace_n the_o matter_n which_o concern_v the_o civil_a peace_n wherein_o church-subjection_n be_v chief_o attend_v be_v of_o four_o sort_n 1._o the_o first_o sort_n be_v civil_a matter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n as_o be_v the_o dispose_n of_o man_n good_n or_o land_n life_n or_o liberty_n tribute_n custom_n worldly_a honour_n and_o inheritance_n in_o these_o the_o church_n submit_v and_o refer_v itself_o to_o the_o civil_a state_n christ_n as_o minister_v of_o the_o circumcision_n refuse_v to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o divide_n of_o inheritance_n among_o brethren_n as_o impertinent_a to_o his_o call_n luk._n 12.13_o 14._o his_o kingdom_n he_o acknowledge_v be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n joh._n 18.36_o himself_o pay_v tribute_n to_o cesar_n matth._n 17.27_o for_o himself_o and_o his_o disciple_n 2._o the_o second_o sort_n of_o thing_n which_o concern_v civil_a peace_n be_v the_o establishment_n of_o pure_a religion_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o government_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o also_o the_o reformation_n of_o all_o corruption_n in_o any_o of_o these_o on_o this_o ground_n the_o good_a king_n of_o judah_n command_v judah_n to_o seek_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n and_o to_o worship_v he_o according_a to_o his_o own_o statute_n and_o commandment_n and_o the_o contrary_a corruption_n of_o strange_a god_n high_a place_n image_n and_o grove_n they_o remove_v and_o be_v commend_v of_o god_n and_o obey_v by_o the_o priest_n and_o people_n in_o so_o do_v 2_o chron._n 14.3_o 4_o 5._o 2_o chron._n 15.8_o to_o 16._o 2_o chron._n 17.6_o to_o 9_o 2_o chron._n 19.3_o 4._o 2_o chron._n 24.4_o 5_o 6._o 8_o 9_o 10._o 2_o chron._n 29.3_o to_o 35._o 2_o chron._n 30.1_o to_o 12._o 2_o chron._n 34.3_o to_o 33._o the_o establishment_n of_o pure_a religion_n and_o the_o reformation_n of_o corruption_n in_o religion_n do_v much_o concern_v the_o civil_a peace_n if_o religion_n be_v corrupt_v there_o will_v be_v war_n in_o the_o gate_n judg._n 5.8_o and_o no_o peace_n to_o he_o that_o come_v in_o or_o go_v out_o 2_o chron._n 15.3_o 5_o 6._o but_o where_o religion_n rejoice_v the_o civil_a state_n flourish_v hagg._n 2.15_o to_o 19_o it_o be_v true_a the_o establishment_n of_o pure_a religion_n and_o reformation_n of_o corruption_n pertain_v also_o to_o the_o church_n and_o synodical_a assembly_n but_o they_o go_v about_o it_o only_o with_o spiritual_a weapon_n ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o church-censure_n upon_o such_o as_o be_v under_o church-power_n but_o magistrate_n address_v themselves_o thereto_o partly_o by_o command_v and_o stir_v up_o the_o church_n and_o minister_n thereof_o to_o go_v about_o it_o in_o their_o spiritual_a way_n partly_o also_o by_o civil_a punishment_n upon_o the_o wilful_a opposer_n and_o disturber_n of_o the_o same_o as_o jehosaphat_n send_v priest_n and_o levite_n and_o they_o accompanied_z and_o countenance_v with_o prince_n and_o noble_n to_o preach_v and_o teach_v in_o the_o city_n of_o judah_n 2_o chron._n 17.7_o 8_o 9_o so_o josiah_n put_v to_o death_n the_o idolatrous_a priest_n of_o the_o high_a place_n 2_o king_n 22.20_o nor_o be_v that_o a_o peculiar_a duty_n or_o privilege_n of_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n but_o attend_v to_o also_o by_o heathen_a prince_n and_o that_o to_o prevent_v the_o wrath_n of_o god_n against_o the_o realm_n of_o the_o king_n and_o his_o son_n ezra_n 7.23_o yea_o and_o of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v prophesy_v that_o in_o some_o case_n capital_a punishment_n shall_v proceed_v against_o false_a prophet_n and_o that_o by_o the_o procurement_n of_o their_o near_a kindred_n zach._n 13.3_o and_o the_o execution_n thereof_o be_v describe_v revel_v 16.4_o to_o 7._o where_o the_o river_n and_o fountain_n of_o water_n that_o be_v the_o priest_n and_o jesuite_n that_o convey_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o sea_n of_o rome_n throughout_o the_o country_n be_v turn_v to_o blood_n that_o be_v have_v blood_n give_v they_o to_o drink_v by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n nevertheless_o though_o we_o willing_o acknowledge_v a_o power_n in_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o establish_v and_o reform_v religion_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n yet_o we_o will_v not_o be_v so_o understand_v as_o if_o we_o judge_v it_o to_o belong_v to_o the_o civil_a power_n to_o compel_v all_o man_n to_o come_v and_o sit_v down_o at_o the_o lord_n table_n or_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n before_o they_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n prepare_v of_o god_n for_o such_o fellowship_n for_o this_o be_v not_o a_o reformation_n but_o a_o deformation_n of_o the_o church_n and_o be_v not_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o against_o it_o as_o we_o shall_v show_v god_n will_v in_o the_o sequel_n when_o we_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o disposition_n or_o qualification_n of_o church-member_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o three_o sort_n of_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o civil_a peace_n wherein_o the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o refuse_v subjection_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o some_o public_a spiritual_a administration_n which_o may_v advance_v and_o help_v forward_o the_o public_a good_a of_o civil_a state_n according_a to_o god_n in_o time_n of_o war_n or_o pestilence_n or_o any_o public_a calamity_n or_o danger_n lie_v upon_o a_o commonwealth_n the_o magistrate_n may_v lawful_o proclaim_v a_o fast_a as_o jehosaphat_n do_v 2_o chron._n 20.3_o and_o the_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o neglect_v such_o a_o administration_n upon_o such_o a_o just_a occasion_n neither_o do_v it_o impeach_v the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n to_o call_v a_o fast_a when_o themselves_o see_v god_n call_v they_o to_o public_a humiliation_n for_o as_o jehosaphat_n call_v a_o fast_a so_o the_o prophet_n joel_n stir_v up_o the_o priest_n to_o call_v a_o fast_a in_o time_n of_o a_o famine_n threaten_v the_o want_n of_o holy_a sacrifice_n joel_n 1.13_o 14._o it_o may_v fall_v out_o also_o that_o in_o undertake_v a_o war_n or_o in_o make_v a_o league_n with_o a_o foreign_a state_n there_o may_v arise_v such_o case_n of_o conscience_n as_o may_v require_v the_o consultation_n of_o a_o synod_n in_o which_o case_n or_o the_o like_a if_o the_o magistrate_n call_v for_o a_o synod_n the_o church_n be_v to_o yield_v he_o ready_a subjection_n herein_o in_o the_o lord_n jehosaphat_n though_o he_o be_v out_o of_o his_o place_n when_o he_o be_v in_o samaria_n visit_v a_o idolatrous_a king_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o out_o of_o his_o way_n when_o in_o case_n of_o undertake_v the_o war_n against_o syria_n he_o call_v for_o counsel_n from_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o a_o council_n or_o synod_n of_o priest_n and_o prophet_n 1_o king_n 22.5_o 6_o 7._o 4._o a_o four_o sort_n of_o thing_n wherein_o the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o refuse_v subjection_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v in_o patient_a suffer_v their_o unjust_a persecution_n without_o hostile_a or_o rebellious_a resistance_n for_o though_o persecution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o servant_n of_o christ_n will_v not_o advance_v the_o civil_a peace_n but_o overthrow_v it_o yet_o for_o the_o church_n to_o take_v up_o the_o sword_n in_o her_o own_o defence_n be_v not_o a_o lawful_a mean_n of_o preserve_v the_o church_n peace_n but_o a_o disturbance_n of_o it_o rather_o in_o this_o case_n when_o peter_n draw_v his_o sword_n in_o defence_n of_o his_o master_n the_o lord_n jesus_n against_o a_o attachment_n serve_v upon_o he_o by_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o people_n our_o saviour_n bid_v he_o put_v up_o his_o sword_n into_o his_o sheath_n again_o for_o say_v he_o all_o they_o that_o take_v the_o sword_n shall_v perish_v by_o the_o sword_n mat._n 27.50_o 51_o 52._o where_o he_o speak_v of_o peter_n either_o as_o a_o private_a disciple_n or_o a_o church-officer_n to_o who_o though_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v commit_v yet_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n be_v not_o commit_v and_o for_o such_o to_o take_v up_o the_o sword_n though_o in_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v forbid_v by_o christ_n and_o such_o be_v the_o case_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n or_o of_o a_o synod_n of_o church_n as_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n not_o of_o the_o sword_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o administer_v but_o not_o of_o the_o sword_n wherein_o nevertheless_o we_o speak_v of_o church_n and_o synod_n as_o such_o that_o be_v as_o church-member_n or_o church-assembly_n act_v in_o a_o church-way_a by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n receive_v from_o christ_n but_o if_o some_o of_o the_o same_o person_n
and_o peace_n to_o such_o church_n as_o through_o want_n of_o light_n and_o peace_n lie_v in_o error_n or_o doubt_v at_o least_o and_o variance_n so_o they_o have_v power_n by_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n not_o only_o to_o give_v light_n and_o counsel_n in_o matter_n of_o truth_n and_o practice_n but_o also_o to_o command_v and_o enjoin_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o do_v the_o express_a word_n of_o the_o synodall_n letter_n imply_v no_o less_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o unto_o we_o to_o lay_v upon_o you_o no_o other_o burden_n act._n 15.27_o this_o burden_n therefore_o to_o observe_v those_o necessary_a thing_n which_o they_o speak_v of_o they_o have_v power_n to_o impose_v it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o bind_a power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o bind_v burden_n and_o this_o bind_a power_n arise_v not_o only_o material_o from_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o matter_n impose_v which_o be_v necessary_a necessitate_v praecepti_fw-la from_o the_o word_n but_o also_o formal_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o synod_n which_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n bind_v the_o more_o for_o the_o synod_n sake_n as_o a_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n teach_v by_o a_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o bind_v to_o faith_n a_o obedience_n not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v gospel_n but_o also_o because_o it_o be_v teach_v by_o a_o minister_n for_o his_o calling_n sake_n see_v christ_n have_v say_v who_o so_o receive_v you_o receive_v i_o and_o see_v also_o a_o synod_n sometime_o meet_v to_o convince_v and_o admonish_v a_o offend_a church_n or_o presbytery_n they_o have_v power_n therefore_o if_o they_o can_v heal_v the_o offender_n to_o determine_v to_o withdraw_v communion_n from_o they_o and_o further_o see_v they_o meet_v likewise_o sometime_o for_o general_a reformation_n they_o have_v power_n to_o decree_n and_o publish_v such_o ordinance_n as_o may_v conduce_v according_a to_o god_n unto_o such_o reformation_n example_n whereof_o we_o read_v neh._n 10.32_o to_o 39_o 2_o chron._n 15.12_o 13._o for_o the_o second_o question_n how_o far_o the_o fraternity_n or_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n may_v concur_v with_o the_o elder_n in_o exercise_v the_o power_n of_o the_o synod_n the_o answer_n be_v the_o power_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v be_v a_o power_n of_o liberty_n as_o 1._o they_o have_v liberty_n to_o dispute_v their_o doubt_n modest_o and_o christanly_n among_o the_o elder_n for_o in_o that_o synod_n at_o jerusalem_n as_o there_o be_v much_o disputation_n act._n 15.7_o so_o the_o multitude_n have_v a_o part_n in_o the_o disputation_n v._o 12._o for_o after_o peter_n speech_n it_o be_v say_v the_o whole_a multitude_n keep_v silence_n and_o silence_n from_o what_o to_o wit_n from_o the_o speech_n last_o in_o hand_n among_o they_o and_o that_o be_v from_o disputation_n 2._o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n have_v liberty_n to_o join_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o approve_v of_o the_o sentence_n of_o james_n and_o determine_v the_o same_o as_o the_o common_a sentence_n of_o they_o all_o 3._o they_o have_v liberty_n to_o join_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o choose_v and_o send_v messenger_n and_o in_o writing_n synodall_n letter_n in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o for_o the_o publish_n of_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o synod_n both_o these_o point_n be_v express_v in_o the_o text_n v._o 22.23_o to_o 29._o then_o please_v it_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n with_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o send_v choose_v man_n and_o to_o write_v letter_n by_o they_o see_v the_o whole_a church_n distinguish_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o those_o who_o he_o call_v the_o whole_a church_n v._o 22._o he_o call_v the_o brethren_n v._o 23._o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o brethren_n etc._n etc._n but_o though_o it_o may_v not_o be_v deny_v that_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n present_a in_o the_o synod_n have_v all_o this_o power_n of_o liberty_n to_o join_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o all_o these_o act_n of_o the_o synod_n yet_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o decree_n lay_v chief_o if_o not_o only_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v act._n 16.4_o that_o paul_n and_o silas_n deliver_v to_o the_o church_n for_o to_o keep_v the_o decree_n that_o be_v ordain_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n so_o than_o it_o will_v be_v most_o safe_a to_o preserve_v to_o the_o church_n of_o brethren_n their_o due_a liberty_n and_o to_o reserve_v to_o the_o elder_n their_o due_a authority_n if_o it_o be_v say_v the_o elder_n assemble_v in_o a_o synod_n have_v no_o authority_n to_o determine_v or_o conclude_v any_o act_n that_o shall_v bind_v the_o church_n but_o according_a to_o the_o instruction_n which_o before_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o church_n answ_n we_o do_v not_o so_o apprehend_v it_o for_o what_o need_v church_n send_v to_o a_o synod_n for_o light_n and_o direction_n in_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n if_o they_o be_v resolve_v aforehand_o how_o far_o they_o will_v go_v it_o be_v true_a if_o the_o elder_n of_o church_n shall_v conclude_v in_o a_o synod_n any_o thing_n prejujudiciall_a to_o the_o truth_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o may_v just_o expostulate_v with_o they_o at_o their_o return_n and_o refuse_v such_o sanction_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o sancit_v but_o if_o the_o elder_n be_v gather_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n in_o a_o synod_n and_o proceed_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n the_o word_n or_o christ_n they_o may_v consider_v and_o conclude_v sundry_a point_n expedient_a for_o the_o estate_n of_o their_o church_n which_o the_o church_n be_v either_o ignorant_a or_o doubtful_a of_o before_o as_o for_o the_o three_o question_n whether_o the_o synod_n have_v power_n to_o enjoin_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v both_o in_o their_o nature_n and_o their_o use_n indifferent_a we_o shall_v answer_v it_o negative_o and_o our_o reason_n be_v 1._o from_o the_o pattern_n of_o that_o precedent_n of_o synod_n act._n 15.28_o they_o lay_v upon_o the_o church_n no_o other_o burden_n but_o those_o necessary_a thing_n necessary_a though_o not_o all_o of_o they_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n yet_o for_o present_a use_n to_o avoid_v the_o offence_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o eat_v thing_n strangle_v and_o blood_n of_o the_o gentile_a and_o jew_n both_o by_o eat_v thing_n sacrifice_v to_o idol_n as_o paul_n expound_v that_o article_n of_o the_o synod_n 1_o cor._n 8.10_o 11_o 12._o and_o chap._n 10.28_o this_o ea_fw-la ing_z with_o offence_n be_v a_o murder_n of_o a_o weak_a brother_n soul_n and_o a_o sin_n against_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 8.11_o 12._o and_o therefore_o necessary_a to_o be_v forbear_v necessitate_n praecepti_fw-la by_o the_o necessity_n of_o god_n commandment_n 2._o a_o second_o reason_n may_v be_v from_o the_o latitude_n of_o the_o apostolical_a commission_n which_o be_v give_v to_o they_o mat._n 28.19_o 20._o where_o the_o apostle_n be_v command_v to_o teach_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v all_o thing_n which_o christ_n have_v command_v if_o then_o the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v more_o than_o christ_n have_v command_v they_o go_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o commission_n and_o a_o large_a commission_n than_o that_o give_v to_o the_o apostle_n nor_o elder_n nor_o synod_n nor_o church_n can_v challenge_v if_o it_o be_v say_v christ_n speak_v only_o of_o teach_v such_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v command_v as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n answ_n if_o the_o apostle_n or_o their_o successor_n shall_v hereupon_o usurp_v a_o authority_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n thing_n indifferent_a they_o must_v plead_v this_o their_o authority_n from_o some_o other_o commission_n give_v they_o elsewhere_o for_o in_o this_o place_n there_o be_v no_o foot_n step_n for_o any_o such_o power_n that_o much_o urge_v and_o much_o abuse_v place_n in_o 1_o cor._n 14.40_o will_v not_o reach_v it_o for_o though_o paul_n require_v in_o that_o place_n all_o the_o duty_n of_o god_n worship_n whether_o prayer_n or_o prophesy_v or_o psalm_n or_o tongue_n etc._n etc._n that_o they_o shall_v be_v perform_v decent_o and_o orderly_o he_o thereby_o forbid_v any_o performance_n thereof_o undecent_o as_o for_o man_n with_o long_a hair_n and_o woman_n to_o speak_v in_o open_a assembly_n especial_o to_o pray_v with_o their_o hair_n loose_v about_o they_o and_o though_o he_o forbid_v also_o man_n speak_v two_o or_o three_o at_o once_o which_o to_o do_v be_v not_o order_n but_o confusion_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o himself_o enjoin_v nor_o allow_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o enjoin_v such_o thing_n as_o decent_a who_o want_n or_o who_o contrary_a be_v not_o undecent_a nor_o such_o order_n who_o want_n or_o