the_o case_n of_o lay-communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n consider_v and_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o show_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o above_o a_o hundred_o eminent_a nonconformist_n of_o several_a persuasion_n publish_a for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o scrupulous_a and_o to_o prevent_v the_o suffering_n which_o such_o needless_o expose_v themselves_o to_o london_n print_v for_o dorman_n newman_n at_o the_o king_n arm_n in_o the_o poultry_n 1683._o to_o the_o dissenter_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n dear_a brethren_n you_o be_v at_o this_o time_n call_v upon_o by_o authority_n to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n and_o the_o law_n order_v to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n against_o such_o as_o refuse_v it_o it_o be_v both_o your_o duty_n and_o interest_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o you_o deny_v obedience_n to_o the_o law_n communion_n with_o a_o church_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o expose_v our_o religion_n to_o danger_n and_o yourselves_o to_o suffer_v in_o which_o unless_o the_o cause_n be_v good_a 1.3_o the_o call_v clear_a and_o the_o end_n right_a it_o can_v bring_v peace_n to_o yourselves_o or_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n not_o bring_v peace_n to_o yourselves_o for_o we_o can_v suffer_v joyful_o the_o spoil_n of_o our_o good_n 4._o the_o confinement_n of_o our_o person_n the_o ruin_n of_o our_o family_n unless_o conscience_n be_v able_a true_o to_o say_v i_o will_v have_v do_v any_o thing_n but_o sin_n against_o god_n that_o i_o may_v have_v avoid_v these_o suffering_n from_o man_n not_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n 92._o to_o who_o all_o be_v accountable_a for_o what_o portion_n he_o have_v entru_v they_o with_o of_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n and_o be_v not_o to_o throw_v away_o without_o sufficient_a reason_n and_o who_o have_v make_v it_o our_o duty_n to_o do_v what_o we_o can_v without_o sin_n in_o obedience_n to_o that_o authority_n which_o he_o have_v set_v over_o we_o ibid._n as_o you_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o in_o the_o same_o condition_n with_o yourselves_o to_o assist_v person_n in_o this_o enquiry_n i_o have_v observe_v that_o of_o late_a several_a of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v undertake_v the_o most_o material_a point_n that_o you_o do_v question_n and_o have_v handle_v they_o with_o that_o candour_n and_o calmness_n which_o become_v their_o profession_n and_o the_o gravity_n of_o the_o argument_n and_o which_o may_v the_o better_o invite_v those_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v satisfy_v to_o peruse_v and_o consider_v they_o but_o because_o truth_n and_o reason_n do_v too_o often_o suffer_v by_o the_o prejudices_fw-la we_o have_v against_o particular_a person_n to_o remove_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v that_o obstruction_n i_o have_v in_o this_o treatise_n show_v that_o these_o author_n be_v not_o alone_o but_o have_v the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a nonconformist_n for_o they_o who_o do_v general_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o require_v in_o the_o parochial_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o separation_n from_o it_o the_o sense_n of_o many_o of_o these_o i_o have_v here_o collect_v and_o for_o one_o hundred_o i_o can_v easy_o have_v produce_v two_o if_o the_o cause_n be_v to_o go_v by_o the_o pole_n so_o that_o if_o reason_n or_o authority_n will_v prevail_v i_o hope_v that_o yet_o your_o satisfaction_n and_o recovery_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o be_v despair_v of_o which_o god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n grant_v for_o your_o own_o and_o the_o church_n sake_n amen_n the_o content_n the_o difference_n betwixt_o ministerial_a and_o lay-communion_n pag._n 1_o the_o dissenter_n grant_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n p._n 4_o that_o they_o be_v not_o total_o to_o separate_v from_o it_o p._n 12_o that_o they_o be_v to_o comply_v with_o it_o as_o far_o as_o lawful_o they_o can_v p._n 16_o that_o defect_n in_o worship_n if_o not_o essential_a be_v no_o just_a reason_n for_o separation_n p._n 23_o that_o the_o expectation_n of_o better_a edification_n be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o withhold_v communion_n p._n 39_o the_o badness_n of_o minister_n will_v not_o justify_v separation_n p._n 48_o the_o neglect_n or_o want_v of_o discipline_n no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o separate_v p._n 59_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o nonconformist_n have_v of_o the_o several_a practice_n of_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o its_o lay-member_n be_v concern_v in_o p._n 64_o that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v lawful_a and_o do_v not_o stint_v the_o spirit_n ibid._n that_o public_a prescribe_a form_n may_v lawful_o be_v join_v with_o p._n 66_o that_o the_o liturgy_n or_o common-prayer_n be_v for_o its_o matter_n sound_a and_o good_a and_o for_o its_o form_n tolerable_a if_o not_o useful_a p._n 69_o that_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v not_o idolatrous_a nor_o unlawful_a and_o no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o separate_v from_o that_o ordinance_n p._n 71_o 72_o that_o stand_v up_o at_o the_o creed_n and_o gospel_n be_v lawful_a p._n 73_o the_o conclusion_n ibid._n the_o non-conformists'_a plea_n for_o lay-communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o christian_a world_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o rank_n ecclesiastical_a and_o civil_a usual_o know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o clergy_n and_o laity_n minister_n and_o people_n the_o clergy_n beside_o the_o thing_n essential_o belong_v to_o their_o office_n be_v by_o the_o law_n of_o all_o well-ordered_a church_n in_o the_o world_n strict_o oblige_v by_o declaration_n or_o subscription_n or_o both_o to_o own_o and_o maintain_v the_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n into_o which_o they_o be_v admit_v thus_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n they_o do_v subscribe_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n more_o especial_o contain_v in_o the_o thirty_o nine_o article_n and_o declare_v that_o they_o will_v use_v the_o form_n and_o rite_n contain_v in_o the_o liturgy_n and_o promise_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n in_o its_o order_n the_o design_n of_o all_o which_o be_v to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o christian_n which_o do_v much_o depend_v upon_o that_o of_o its_o officer_n and_o teacher_n but_o the_o laity_n be_v under_o no_o such_o obligation_n there_o be_v no_o declaration_n or_o subscription_n require_v of_o they_o nor_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o to_o attend_v upon_o and_o join_v with_o the_o worship_n practise_v and_o allow_v in_o the_o church_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o a_o worthy_a person_n 29._o to_o who_o when_o it_o be_v object_v that_o many_o error_n in_o doctrine_n and_o life_n be_v impose_v as_o condition_n of_o communion_n he_o reply_v what_o be_v impose_v on_o you_o as_o a_o condition_n to_o your_o communion_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o prayer_n of_o the_o parish-church_n but_o your_o actual_a communion_n itself_o in_o discourse_v therefore_o about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o communion_n with_o a_o church_n the_o difference_n betwixt_o these_o two_o must_v be_v careful_o observe_v lest_o the_o thing_n require_v only_o of_o one_o order_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v think_v to_o belong_v to_o all_o cranfoâ—d_n it_o be_v observe_v by_o one_o that_o the_o original_n of_o all_o our_o mischief_n spring_v from_o man_n confound_v the_o term_n of_o ministerial_a conformity_n with_o those_o of_o lay-communion_n with_o the_o parochial_a assembly_n there_o be_v much_o more_o require_v of_o minister_n than_o of_o the_o people_n private_a person_n have_v much_o less_o to_o say_v for_o themselves_o in_o absent_v from_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n though_o perform_v by_o the_o liturgy_n than_o the_o pastor_n have_v for_o not_o take_v oath_n etc._n etc._n certain_o if_o this_o difference_n be_v but_o observe_v and_o the_o case_n of_o lay-communion_n true_o state_v and_o understand_v 311._o the_o people_n will_v not_o be_v far_o more_o averse_a to_o communion_n with_o the_o parish-church_n than_o the_o nonconforming_a minister_n be_v as_o one_o complain_v and_o whatsoever_o they_o may_v think_v of_o the_o conformity_n of_o minister_n 89._o because_o of_o the_o previous_a term_n require_v of_o they_o they_o will_v judge_v what_o be_v require_v of_o the_o people_n to_o be_v lawful_a as_o some_o of_o they_o do_v and_o as_o the_o minister_n by_o bring_v their_o case_n to_o the_o people_n may_v see_v communion_n then_o to_o be_v lawful_a and_o find_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o maintain_v it_o in_o a_o private_a capacity_n so_o the_o people_n by_o perceive_v their_o case_n not_o to_o be_v that_o of_o the_o minister_n but_o wide_o different_a from_o it_o will_v be_v induce_v to_o hold_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n
many_o superstitious_a ceremony_n the_o observation_n whereof_o be_v more_o strict_o urge_v than_o the_o commandment_n and_o ordinance_n of_o god_n the_o temple_n make_v a_o den_n of_o thief_n the_o discipline_n and_o censure_n shameful_o abuse_v the_o doctrine_n be_v corrupt_v in_o many_o point_n yet_o the_o word_n tell_v you_o christ_n who_o example_n it_o bind_v you_o to_o follow_v and_o you_o profess_v yourselves_o follower_n of_o he_o in_o all_o imitable_a thing_n make_v no_o separation_n from_o this_o church_n profess_v himself_o a_o member_n of_o it_o be_v by_o circumcision_n incorporate_v a_o member_n receive_v baptism_n in_o a_o congregation_n of_o that_o people_n be_v a_o hearer_n of_o their_o common_a service_n and_o their_o teacher_n allow_v and_o command_v his_o disciple_n to_o hear_v they_o communicate_v in_o the_o passover_n with_o the_o people_n and_o the_o priest_n no_o more_o do_v his_o apostle_n make_v separation_n from_o this_o church_n after_o his_o ascension_n till_o their_o day_n have_v its_o period_n etc._n etc._n by_o their_o example_n it_o appear_v that_o till_o god_n have_v forsake_v a_o church_n no_o man_n may_v forsake_v it_o etc._n etc._n so_o that_o we_o may_v conclude_v from_o hence_o with_o m_o r_o hildersham_n ibid._n those_o assembly_n that_o enjoy_v the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n though_o they_o have_v many_o corruption_n remain_v in_o they_o be_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v as_o true_a church_n of_o god_n and_o such_o as_o none_o of_o the_o faithful_a may_v make_v separation_n from_o we_o shall_v need_v no_o further_o proof_n of_o this_o doctrine_n than_o the_o example_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o etc._n etc._n for_o why_o shall_v our_o saviour_n use_v it_o if_o it_o be_v unlawful_a 104._o or_o why_o shall_v it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o we_o who_o have_v not_o such_o eye_n to_o pierce_v into_o the_o impiety_n of_o man_n tradition_n as_o he_o have_v as_o m_n r_o bradshaw_n argue_v the_o same_o measure_n be_v observe_v also_o by_o the_o apostle_n after_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v gainsay_v and_o be_v therefore_o grant_v by_o one_o 15._o in_o other_o thing_n rigid_a more_o than_o enough_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o every_o corruption_n in_o a_o true_a church_n be_v sufficient_a ground_n of_o separation_n from_o it_o the_o unsoundness_n of_o many_o in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n touch_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o in_o galatia_n touch_v the_o doctrine_n of_o circumcision_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o keep_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v not_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o separation_n from_o they_o for_o the_o apostle_n hold_v communion_n with_o they_o notwithstanding_o these_o corruption_n now_o by_o parity_n of_o reason_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o if_o separation_n be_v not_o to_o be_v allow_v from_o those_o corrupt_a church_n then_o sure_o not_o from_o such_o as_o be_v not_o so_o corrupt_v as_o they_o 195._o so_o m_n r_o cawdrey_n plead_v corinth_n have_v we_o suppose_v great_a disorder_n in_o it_o than_o be_v to_o be_v find_v bless_v be_v god_n in_o many_o of_o our_o congregation_n why_o then_o do_v they_o fly_v and_o separate_v from_o we_o and_o if_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o separate_v from_o such_o church_n much_o less_o shall_v we_o who_o may_v without_o doubt_n safe_o follow_v the_o advice_n give_v by_o a_o author_n above-quoted_n 111._o when_o you_o be_v at_o a_o stand_n think_v how_o christ_n will_v have_v carry_v what_o he_o will_v have_v do_v in_o the_o like_a case_n with_o you_o and_o we_o may_v thereby_o be_v conclude_v three_o they_o further_o argue_v 3._o that_o christ_n do_v still_o hold_v communion_n with_o defective_a church_n and_o not_o reject_v the_o worship_n for_o tolerable_a corruption_n in_o it_o and_o so_o neither_o aught_o we_o it_o be_v suppose_v by_o a_o worthy_a person_n 81._o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n who_o assembly_n as_o to_o institute_v worship_n be_v so_o reject_v by_o christ_n as_o to_o have_v a_o bill_n of_o divorce_n give_v unto_o they_o until_o they_o be_v utter_o as_o it_o be_v extirpate_v by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n for_o we_o do_v judge_n that_o wherever_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v call_v upon_o there_o be_v salvation_n to_o be_v obtain_v however_o the_o way_n of_o it_o may_v be_v obstruct_v unto_o the_o most_o by_o their_o own_o sin_n and_o error_n and_o if_o this_o may_v be_v say_v of_o church_n though_o fundamental_o erroneous_a in_o worship_n then_o 110._o who_o shall_v dare_v as_o another_o say_v to_o judge_v when_o christ_n have_v forsake_v a_o people_n who_o still_o profess_v his_o name_n and_o keep_v up_o his_o worship_n for_o substance_n according_a to_o his_o word_n though_o they_o do_v or_o be_v suppose_v to_o fail_v in_o circumstance_n or_o lesser_a part_n of_o duty_n now_o this_o grant_v the_o other_o will_v follow_v that_o then_o we_o be_v not_o to_o separate_v from_o such_o church_n 384._o thus_o m_n r_o hildersham_n conclude_v of_o old_a from_o the_o practice_n of_o christ_n and_o observe_v 1._o so_o long_o as_o god_n continue_v his_o word_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n to_o a_o people_n so_o long_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o god_n dwell_v among_o they_o and_o have_v not_o forsake_v they_o 293._o etc._n etc._n and_o till_o god_n have_v forsake_v a_o church_n no_o man_n may_v forsake_v it_o 2._o no_o separation_n may_v be_v make_v from_o those_o assembly_n where_o man_n may_v be_v assure_v to_o find_v and_o attain_v salvation_n but_o man_n may_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v and_o attain_v salvation_n in_o such_o assembly_n where_o the_o ministry_n of_o his_o word_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n be_v contain_v so_o m_n r_o vines_n etc._n the_o argument_n say_v he_o of_o m_o r_o brightman_n be_v considerable_a if_o god_n afford_v his_o communion_n with_o a_o church_n by_o his_o own_o ordinance_n grace_n and_o spirit_n it_o will_v be_v unnatural_a and_o peevish_a in_o a_o child_n to_o forsake_v his_o mother_n while_o his_o father_n own_v she_o for_o his_o wife_n i_o may_v heap_v up_o authority_n of_o this_o kind_n but_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o a_o considerable_a one_o from_o m_o r_o cotton_n 156._o who_o reason_n after_o this_o manner_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o brownist_n be_v blame-worthy_a because_o they_o separate_v where_o christ_n keep_v fellowship_n rev._n 1.18_o and_o that_o he_o walk_v with_o we_o we_o argue_v because_o he_o be_v still_o please_v to_o dispense_v to_o we_o the_o word_n of_o life_n and_o edify_v many_o soul_n thereby_o and_o therefore_o sure_o christ_n have_v fellowship_n with_o we_o and_o shall_v man_n be_v more_o pure_a than_o his_o maker_n where_o christ_n vouchsafe_v fellowship_n shall_v man_n renounce_v it_o upon_o this_o be_v ground_v the_o wholesome_a exhortation_n of_o many_o eminent_a nonconformist_n as_o that_o of_o m_o r_o calamy_n ded._n you_o must_v hold_v communion_n with_o all_o those_o church_n with_o which_o christ_n hold_v communion_n you_o must_v separate_v from_o the_o sin_n of_o christian_n but_o not_o from_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ._n of_o m_n r_o r._n allein_n 122._o excommunicate_v not_o they_o from_o you_o excommunicate_v not_o yourselves_o from_o they_o with_o who_o christ_n hold_v communion_n 455._o judge_v not_o that_o christ_n withdraw_v from_o all_o those_o who_o be_v not_o in_o every_o thing_n of_o your_o mind_n and_o way_n methinks_v say_v a_o reverend_a person_n in_o his_o farewell_n sermon_n where_o a_o church_n as_o to_o the_o main_a keep_v the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n and_o the_o substantial_o of_o that_o worship_n which_o be_v christ_n some_o adjudge_v defect_n in_o order_n can_v justify_v separation_n i_o dare_v not_o dismember_v myself_o from_o that_o church_n that_o hold_v the_o head_n i_o think_v whilst_o doctrine_n be_v for_o the_o main_a sound_n christ_n stay_v with_o a_o church_n and_o it_o be_v good_a stay_n where_o he_o stay_v i_o will_v follow_v he_o and_o not_o lead_v he_o or_o go_v before_o the_o lamb._n to_o such_o we_o find_v a_o severe_a rebuke_n give_v very_o late_o by_o a_o reverend_a person_n 459._o proud_a conceit_a christian_n be_v not_o content_v to_o come_v out_o and_o separate_v from_o the_o unbelieving_a idolatrous_a world_n but_o they_o will_v separate_v also_o from_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o cast_v off_o all_o communion_n with_o they_o who_o hold_v communion_n with_o he_o four_o they_o argue_v 4._o that_o to_o separate_v for_o such_o defect_n and_o corruption_n will_v destroy_v all_o communion_n if_o this_o shall_v be_v 103._o say_v m_n r_o bradshaw_n then_o no_o man_n can_v present_v himself_o with_o a_o good_a conscience_n at_o any_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n wheresoever_o because_o except_o it_o shall_v
cause_n of_o grief_n that_o such_o shall_v have_v any_o thing_n to_o do_v in_o god_n matter_n which_o be_v so_o weighty_a and_o to_o be_v deal_v withal_o in_o high_a reverence_n but_o yet_o before_o the_o objection_n be_v admit_v it_o be_v to_o be_v premise_v 1._o that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o in_o the_o church_n it_o do_v not_o proceed_v from_o their_o conformity_n to_o it_o for_o good_a and_o pious_a man_n of_o this_o sort_n always_o be_v and_o still_o be_v in_o the_o church_n what_o there_o be_v former_o may_v be_v read_v in_o mr_n baxter_n 57_o who_o thus_o deliver_v himself_o when_o i_o think_v what_o learned_a holy_a incomparable_a man_n abundance_n of_o the_o old_a conformist_n be_v my_o heart_n rise_v against_o the_o thought_n of_o separate_n from_o they_o such_o as_o m_o r_o bolton_n m_o r_o whately_n m_o r_o fenner_n etc._n etc._n and_o abundance_n other_o such_o yea_o such_o as_o bishop_n jewel_n bishop_n grindal_n bishop_n hall_n etc._n etc._n yea_o and_o the_o martyr_n too_o as_o cranmer_z ridley_n hooper_n himself_o etc._n etc._n what_o there_o be_v now_o in_o the_o church_n he_o also_o tell_v we_o 12._o i_o believe_v there_o be_v many_o hundred_o godly_a minister_n in_o the_o parish-church_n of_o england_n and_o of_o his_o own_o knowledge_n say_v 11._o i_o profess_v to_o know_v those_o of_o they_o who_o i_o take_v to_o be_v much_o better_a than_o myself_o i_o will_v say_v a_o great_a word_n that_o i_o know_v those_o of_o they_o who_o i_o think_v as_o godly_a and_o humble_a minister_n as_o most_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n who_o i_o know_v so_o say_v d_o r_o bryan_n 313._o in_o some_o country_n i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v many_o sober_a godly_a orthodox_n able_a preacher_n yet_o in_o possession_n of_o the_o public_a place_n 2._o it_o be_v to_o be_v premise_v that_o this_o argument_n if_o of_o any_o yet_o be_v of_o no_o far_a force_n than_o against_o the_o congregation_n where_o such_o be_v and_o so_o be_v of_o none_o against_o the_o church_n itself_o where_o be_v good_a as_o well_o as_o bad_a nor_o against_o parochial_a communion_n where_o such_o be_v not_o 11._o so_o m_n r_o baxter_n argue_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o there_o be_v many_o hundred_o parish_n minister_n who_o preach_v holy_o and_o live_v holy_o though_o i_o can_v wish_v that_o they_o be_v more_o and_o what_o reason_n have_v you_o to_o charge_v any_o other_o man_n sin_n on_o they_o etc._n etc._n or_o to_o think_v it_o unlawful_a to_o join_v with_o the_o good_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o bad_a this_o be_v to_o condemn_v the_o sound_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o infect_a have_v premise_v this_o we_o shall_v reassume_a the_o case_n and_o consider_v how_o it_o be_v state_v and_o resolve_v by_o they_o 1._o it_o be_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v not_o unlawful_a to_o join_v with_o bad_a minister_n in_o some_o case_n where_o they_o may_v have_v better_o 223._o so_o m_n r_o rogers_n as_o it_o be_v far_o from_o i_o to_o be_v a_o patron_n of_o such_o or_o to_o justify_v they_o so_o yet_o while_o we_o may_v enjoy_v the_o ministry_n of_o better_a i_o will_v not_o refuse_v to_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o prayer_n which_o be_v offer_v by_o they_o 2._o it_o be_v grant_v that_o its_o lawful_a and_o a_o duty_n to_o hear_v and_o join_v with_o such_o where_o a_o better_a can_v be_v have_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a so_o m_n r_o rogers_n who_o can_v blame_v he_o who_o desire_v to_o pray_v with_o better_a than_o they_o be_v and_o yet_o better_a to_o join_v with_o they_o sometime_o than_o to_o leave_v the_o public_a assembly_n altogether_o 114._o so_o m_n r_o baxter_n no_o people_n shall_v choose_v and_o prefer_v a_o ungodly_a minister_n before_o a_o better_a but_o they_o shall_v rather_o submit_v to_o such_o than_o have_v none_o when_o a_o better_a by_o they_o can_v be_v have_v that_o its_o a_o duty_n so_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n 11._o the_o scripture_n teach_v evident_o that_o the_o people_n must_v and_o aught_o to_o join_v with_o they_o unworthy_a minister_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o in_o separate_n from_o the_o ordinance_n they_o shall_v sin_v against_o god_n for_o the_o worship_n be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o ministry_n be_v of_o god_n the_o person_n unworthy_o execute_v his_o place_n be_v neither_o set_v up_o by_o some_o few_o private_a christian_n nor_o can_v by_o they_o be_v remove_v and_o warrant_v to_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n because_o such_o as_o ought_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o intermeddle_v with_o holy_a thing_n they_o have_v none_o from_o god_n 17._o so_o m_n r_o ball_n to_o communicate_v with_o minister_n no_o better_o than_o pharisee_n in_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v to_o worship_n god_n aright_o to_o reverence_v his_o ordinance_n to_o rely_v upon_o his_o grace_n to_o hearken_v unto_o his_o voice_n and_o submit_v unto_o his_o good_a pleasure_n this_o they_o maintain_v by_o several_a argument_n as_o 1._o first_o such_o be_v always_o in_o the_o church_n and_o communion_n must_v never_o have_v be_v hold_v with_o the_o church_n if_o no_o communion_n be_v to_o be_v where_o such_o be_v so_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n argue_v 10._o if_o the_o minister_n make_v it_o unlawful_a than_o all_o communion_n in_o any_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n with_o such_o minister_n be_v unlawful_a and_o so_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n christ_n the_o apostle_n 310._o and_o the_o faithful_a in_o the_o primitive_a church_n sin_v in_o hold_v communion_n with_o such_o when_o the_o priest_n be_v dumb_a dog_n that_o can_v not_o bark_v and_o greedy_a dog_n that_o can_v never_o have_v enough_o when_o the_o prophet_n prophesy_v lie_n when_o the_o priest_n buy_v and_o sell_v dove_n in_o the_o temple_n etc._n etc._n when_o they_o be_v such_o and_o do_v such_o thing_n they_o be_v ungodly_a minister_n but_o we_o never_o find_v that_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n do_v either_o forbear_v themselves_o or_o warn_v the_o faithful_a not_o to_o communicate_v with_o such_o in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o worship_n so_o much_o m_o r_o nye_n do_v grant_v 14._o more_o can_v be_v object_v against_o our_o minister_n that_o conform_v than_o may_v against_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n in_o christ_n time_n either_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o doctrine_n which_o be_v load_v with_o tradition_n their_o stand_n which_o be_v not_o according_a to_o law_n their_o life_n which_o be_v vicious_a yet_o christ_n not_o only_o permit_v but_o require_v we_o to_o attend_v the_o truth_n they_o deliver_v second_o 2._o they_o plead_v that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o do_v communicate_v where_o such_o do_v officiate_v so_o d_o r_o bryan_n in_o some_o country_n 313._o i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v many_o sober_a godly_a orthodox_n able_a preacher_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o you_o know_v any_o country_n where_o it_o be_v worse_o consider_v if_o christ_n himself_o do_v not_o join_v with_o worse_a 94._o this_o be_v attest_v by_o another_o reverend_a person_n our_o saviour_n christ_n use_v to_o attend_v on_o the_o public_a worship_n in_o his_o time_n notwithstanding_o such_o formalist_n and_o superstitious_a one_o as_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n do_v officiate_v in_o it_o 3._o three_o they_o say_v that_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o minister_n be_v not_o they_o nor_o do_v bring_v any_o detriment_n to_o they_o though_o they_o communicate_v with_o he_o 114._o so_o m_n r_o baxter_n a_o minister_n personal_a fault_n may_v damn_v himself_o and_o must_v be_v matter_n of_o lamentation_n to_o the_o church_n who_o ought_v to_o do_v their_o best_a to_o reform_v they_o or_o get_v better_o by_o any_o lawful_a mean_n but_o in_o case_n they_o can_v his_o sin_n be_v none_o of_o they_o nor_o do_v it_o make_v his_o administration_n null_n or_o ineffectual_a nor_o will_v it_o allow_v you_o to_o separate_v from_o the_o worship_n which_o he_o administer_v 27._o so_o the_o minister_n send_v to_o oxford_n do_v assert_v some_o evil_a man_n may_v and_o always_o have_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la be_v officer_n and_o minister_n in_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o wickedness_n of_o such_o man_n do_v not_o null_a or_o evacuate_v their_o ministerial_a act_n for_o our_o saviour_n will_v have_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n hear_v while_o they_o sit_v in_o moses_n chair_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o the_o ministration_n in_o such_o a_o case_n be_v not_o invalid_a and_o that_o the_o people_n suffer_v not_o by_o it_o they_o further_o prove_v 1._o because_o they_o officiate_v not_o in_o their_o own_o name_n so_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n 11._o it_o have_v evermore_o be_v hold_v for_o a_o truth_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o although_o sometime_o the_o evil_n have_v chief_a authority_n in_o the_o
ministration_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n yet_o forasmuch_o as_o they_o do_v not_o the_o same_o in_o their_o own_o name_n but_o in_o christ_n and_o minister_v by_o his_o commission_n and_o authority_n we_o may_v use_v their_o ministry_n both_o in_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n neither_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o christ_n ordinance_n take_v away_o by_o their_o wickedness_n 2._o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o ordinance_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o their_o goodness_n but_o god_n promise_n 223._o so_o m_n r_o rogers_n say_v of_o prayer_n if_o this_o burden_n of_n bad_a minister_n must_v be_v bear_v i_o ask_v if_o among_o many_o sweet_a liberty_n we_o enjoy_v we_o may_v not_o join_v in_o prayer_n with_o they_o if_o we_o can_v pray_v in_o faith_n see_v their_o unworthiness_n can_v withhold_v the_o fruit_n of_o god_n promise_n from_o we_o which_o be_v to_o one_o kind_n of_o prayer_n as_o well_o as_o another_o so_o say_v m_n r_o cradacot_n of_o the_o word_n 23._o take_v heed_n say_v he_o of_o be_v leaven_v with_o prejudice_n against_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n because_o of_o the_o misdemeanour_n or_o miscarriage_n of_o the_o minister_n it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o convert_v not_o the_o person_n of_o the_o dispenser_n or_o speaker_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n be_v not_o to_o be_v reject_v but_o to_o be_v esteem_v so_o long_o as_o they_o fail_v not_o in_o the_o substance_n thereof_o etc._n etc._n i_o conceive_v its_o a_o rare_a thing_n for_o unconverted_a minister_n to_o convert_v and_o yet_o we_o must_v remember_v not_o to_o tie_v the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n to_o the_o goodness_n or_o badness_n of_o a_o minister_n person_n 14._o so_o when_o it_o be_v object_v how_o can_v we_o expect_v a_o blessing_n upon_o the_o labour_n of_o such_o though_o they_o preach_v truth_n mr._n nye_n reply_n answ._n 1._o the_o mixture_n in_o sermon_n be_v near_a the_o irregularity_n of_o their_o call_n next_o the_o sin_n of_o their_o conversation_n further_a from_o their_o doctrine_n and_o therefore_o have_v less_o efficacy_n at_o such_o a_o distance_n to_o prejudice_v it_o answ._n 2._o it_o be_v god_n word_n and_o not_o their_o own_o they_o preach_v etc._n etc._n 3._o that_o if_o person_n themselves_o do_v believe_v and_o be_v sincere_a they_o be_v notwithstanding_o such_o a_o ministry_n accept_v the_o sacrifice_n of_o a_o faithful_a elkanah_n say_v one_o 94._o be_v please_v to_o god_n even_o when_o hophni_n and_o phineas_n be_v priest_n from_o all_o which_o we_o find_v some_o declare_v that_o notwithstanding_o this_o they_o will_v communicate_v so_o a_o reverend_a person_n 133._o the_o people_n prejudices_fw-la against_o the_o liturgy_n be_v ground_v for_o the_o most_o part_n upon_o the_o wicked_a life_n of_o those_o that_o be_v the_o most_o constant_a reader_n and_o frequenter_n of_o it_o doubtless_o the_o author_n if_o he_o have_v consider_v this_o will_v rather_o have_v say_v that_o they_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o wicked_a life_n of_o some_o of_o those_o that_o read_v and_o frequent_v it_o i_o shall_v never_o upon_o that_o account_n cease_v to_o join_v in_o prayer_n and_o to_o hear_v sermon_n other_o we_o find_v exhort_v their_o auditor_n to_o attend_v even_o upon_o such_o so_o mr_n r._n fairclough_n in_o his_o farewell_n sermon_n 125._o get_v all_o good_a from_o show_v all_o duty_n to_o he_o that_o follow_v if_o he_o shall_v be_v weak_a or_o evil_a yet_o while_o he_o preach_v truth_n while_o he_o sit_v in_o moses_n chair_n hear_v he_o serious_o and_o carry_v yourselves_o towards_o he_o as_o become_v a_o people_n to_o their_o minister_n i_o have_v thus_o far_o consider_v the_o case_n of_o scandalous_a minister_n because_o many_o make_v it_o a_o objection_n as_o well_o those_o that_o be_v not_o concern_v as_o those_o that_o be_v otherwise_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o england_n be_v never_o better_o provide_v with_o a_o learned_a and_o pious_a ministry_n than_o at_o present_a 23._o who_o have_v as_o good_a understanding_n preach_v as_o good_a doctrine_n do_v as_o much_o good_a by_o their_o preach_v as_o any_o other_o as_o a_o late_a writer_n do_v confess_v but_o though_o many_o congregation_n be_v well_o supply_v with_o a_o pious_a able_a and_o industrious_a ministry_n yet_o there_o be_v few_o or_o none_o but_o what_o have_v some_o more_o or_o less_o among_o the_o laity_n that_o be_v as_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v receive_v into_o communion_n with_o a_o church_n or_o to_o be_v communicate_v with_o this_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o next_o thing_n in_o worship_n which_o be_v 235._o 4._o the_o case_n of_o mix_a communion_n this_o be_v a_o plea_n say_v mr._n vine_n that_o be_v plausible_a to_o easy_a capacity_n because_o it_o pretend_v to_o set_v up_o holiness_n of_o ordinance_n and_o people_n but_o what_o the_o eminent_a dissenter_n do_v utter_o disclaim_v mr._n vines_n say_v it_o be_v donatistical_n and_o other_o as_o mr._n brinsley_n and_o mr._n jenkin_n 38._o that_o its_o the_o common_a plea_n or_o pretence_n which_o for_o the_o moct_n part_n have_v be_v take_v up_o by_o all_o schismatic_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n 19_o and_o therefore_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a the_o people_n shall_v be_v untaught_a it_o 22._o as_o mr._n baxter_n do_v advise_v and_o as_o they_o do_v disclaim_v it_o 97._o so_o they_o declare_v that_o those_o that_o separate_v upon_o this_o account_n do_v it_o very_o unjust_o 131._o that_o the_o scandal_n of_o professor_n be_v ground_n of_o mourning_n but_o not_o of_o separation_n 496._o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a cause_n to_o cast_v out_o obstinate_a sinner_n and_o yet_o not_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o one_o to_o leave_v the_o church_n though_o such_o be_v not_o cast_v â—ut_v 242._o that_o the_o suffering_n of_o profane_a and_o scandalous_a liver_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n 8._o and_o partake_v in_o the_o sacrament_n be_v doubtless_o a_o great_a sin_n 2._o yet_o the_o godly_a be_v not_o present_o to_o separate_v from_o it_o there_o be_v say_v m_n r_o burrough_n a_o error_n on_o both_o side_n 242._o either_o those_o that_o think_v it_o concern_v they_o not_o at_o all_o with_o who_o they_o come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n or_o those_o that_o if_o they_o do_v what_o they_o can_v to_o keep_v the_o scandalous_a away_o and_o yet_o they_o shall_v be_v suffer_v to_o come_v that_o they_o themselves_o may_v not_o come_v to_o partake_v of_o it_o this_o both_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o independent_o so_o far_o agree_v in_o and_o for_o this_o their_o opinion_n they_o urge_v several_a argument_n first_o it_o be_v no_o where_o command_v 1._o but_o be_v a_o vain_a pretend_v to_o holiness_n above_o rule_n and_o example_n 31._o say_v m_n r_o vines_n it_o be_v no_o duty_n as_o he_o elsewhere_o say_v because_o there_o be_v no_o command_n it_o be_v no_o duty_n and_o therefore_o we_o read_v not_o this_o word_n come_v forth_o in_o any_o of_o the_o epistle_n write_v to_o the_o seven_o church_n against_o which_o christ_n say_v he_o have_v such_o and_o such_o thing_n they_o that_o live_v in_o the_o impure_a be_v not_o call_v forth_o into_o the_o pure_a but_o there_o be_v promise_n make_v to_o they_o that_o keep_v themselves_o pure_a and_o duty_n enjoin_v they_o towards_o the_o impure_a part_n for_o we_o may_v not_o make_v every_o disease_n the_o plague_n shall_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o angel_n forsake_v the_o lord_n presence_n because_o satan_n come_v also_o among_o they_o etc._n etc._n the_o provincial_a assembly_n of_o london_n do_v affirm_v 134._o in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v such_o a_o profane_a mixture_n at_o the_o sacrament_n as_o we_o believe_v few_o 47._o if_o any_o of_o our_o congregation_n can_v be_v charge_v withal_o and_o yet_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o persuade_v the_o godly_a party_n to_o separate_v 40._o much_o less_o to_o gather_v a_o church_n out_o of_o a_o church_n from_o which_o consideration_n mr._n tomb_n conclude_v 71._o sure_o it_o can_v be_v no_o sin_n in_o any_o person_n to_o join_v in_o the_o true_a worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n with_o any_o 74._o if_o he_o have_v no_o command_n to_o withdraw_v himself_o from_o that_o service_n because_o of_o their_o presence_n nor_o power_n to_o exclude_v they_o and_o yet_o be_v bind_v to_o the_o duty_n there_o perform_v nay_o they_o do_v not_o only_o plead_v that_o it_o be_v not_o command_v but_o that_o its_o forbid_a and_o unlawful_a so_o m_n r_o hooker_n 3._o to_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n because_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o some_o worshipper_n be_v unlawful_a so_o the_o new_a england_n minister_n do_v declare_v 9_o as_o separation_n from_o a_o church_n wherein_o profane_a and_o scandalous_a liver_n