say_v salute_v they_o of_o such_o a_o house_n who_o be_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o it_o be_v a_o exemplary_a family_n and_o a_o seminary_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o not_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v capable_a of_o all_o church_n officer_n and_o power_n as_o this_o mean_v in_o the_o text_n have_v by_o the_o gift_n of_o christ_n 2._o sometime_o it_o signify_v the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n heb_fw-mi 12.23_o but_o that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o do_v not_o nor_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n on_o earth_n to_o worship_n god_n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o mean_v here_o 3._o most_o common_o it_o signify_v a_o congregational_a church_n or_o a_o holy_a society_n join_v together_o by_o a_o holy_a covenant_n in_o one_o congregation_n to_o walk_v together_o according_a to_o all_o the_o ordinance_n and_o law_n give_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o church_n and_o so_o sometime_o it_o signify_v a_o definite_a particular_a congregation_n meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o their_o mutual_a edification_n as_o that_o at_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 11.18_o 20._o and_o 14.23_o and_o in_o that_o acceptation_n it_o note_n sometime_o the_o brethren_n as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o elder_n act._n 15.22_o sometime_o the_o elder_n and_o brethren_n assemble_v together_o as_o in_o 1_o cor._n 11.20_o but_o never_o the_o elder_n meet_v apart_o from_o the_o brethren_n but_o in_o this_o place_n it_o do_v not_o signify_v a_o particular_a definite_a church_n for_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a christian_a church_n build_v by_o christ_n more_o or_o rather_o than_o other_o it_o remain_v that_o christ_n speak_v of_o a_o particular_a congregational_a church_n here_o in_o a_o indefinite_a sense_n and_o so_o the_o word_n church_n be_v apply_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n when_o paul_n say_v he_o persecute_v the_o church_n phil._n 3.6_o not_o that_o at_o jerusalem_n only_o or_o damascus_n but_o all_o the_o church_n in_o judea_n gal._n 1.22_o 23._o in_o this_o sense_n christ_n call_v every_o christian_a congregational_a church_n thus_o build_v his_o church_n from_o the_o word_n thus_o open_v this_o doctrinal_a conclusion_n be_v to_o be_v collect_v viz._n that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n and_o appointment_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o the_o christian_a church_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o its_o quantity_n and_o compass_n congregational_a concl._n 4_o this_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v both_o by_o scripture_n and_o reason_n 1._o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n clear_o show_v that_o they_o so_o understand_v this_o branch_n of_o the_o church-charter_n and_o therefore_o they_o speak_v of_o christian-churche_n as_o several_a and_o distinct_a from_o one_o another_o 1_o cor._n 11.16_o and_o 14.33_o yea_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o country_n as_o galatia_n gal_n 1.2_o judea_n v._o 22._o macedonia_n 2_o cor._n 8.1_o yea_o in_o corinth_n where_o god_n have_v much_o people_n act._n 18.10_o yet_o the_o church_n there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n 1_o cor._n 14._o and_o though_o cenchrea_n be_v a_o port_n near_o unto_o corinth_n yet_o it_o have_v a_o church_n distinct_a from_o corinth_n rom._n 16.1_o the_o church_n also_o in_o jerusalem_n though_o a_o great_a number_n of_o believer_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v there_o than_o we_o read_v of_o in_o other_o city_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n act._n 2.41_o 44_o 47._o and_o 6.2_o 15._o the_o same_o hold_v concern_v other_o great_a city_n the_o church_n in_o every_o one_o of_o they_o be_v congregational_a and_o if_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n grow_v too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n doubtless_o more_o church_n be_v gather_v in_o such_o a_o place_n and_o case_n &_o if_o several_a part_n of_o the_o church_n meet_v in_o time_n of_o persecution_n now_o and_o then_o here_o and_o there_o as_o they_o may_v yet_o they_o continue_v one_o congregation_n have_v the_o same_o officer_n in_o common_a for_o any_o thing_n appear_v in_o scripture_n to_o the_o contrary_n now_o let_v we_o see_v why_o the_o christian_a church_n must_v be_v congregational_a reas_n 1_o the_o first_o reason_n be_v from_o the_o end_n of_o church-fellowship_n which_o be_v mutual_a edification_n in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_v institute_v by_o christ_n thereunto_o let_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v unto_o edification_n 1._o cor._n 14.26_o but_o how_o can_v this_o be_v attain_v unless_o they_o so_o meet_v together_o that_o all_o may_v learn_v and_o all_o may_v be_v comfort_v v._o 13_o hence_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v exhort_v not_o to_o forsake_v their_o assemble_v together_o heb._n 10.25_o which_o be_v the_o praise_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o jerusalem_n act._n 2.42_o 44._o therefore_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o flock_n which_o be_v feed_v together_o act._n 20.28_o and_o to_o a_o house_n or_o family_n the_o member_n whereof_o enjoy_v the_o same_o family-priviledge_n in_o common_a under_o the_o same_o family-order_n 1_o tim._n 3.15_o reas_n 2_o the_o second_o reason_n be_v from_o their_o duty_n to_o take_v up_o offence_n among_o brethren_n which_o can_v be_v end_v private_o mat._n 18.17_o 18._o which_o impli_v two_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o church_n must_v consist_v of_o more_o than_o two_o or_o three_o for_o though_o two_o or_o three_o may_v watch_v over_o one_o another_o admonish_v one_o another_o and_o in_o case_n of_o obstinancy_n withdraw_v from_o a_o convict_a delinquent_n and_o though_o two_o or_o three_o pray_v together_o may_v expect_v the_o presence_n and_o blessing_n of_o christ_n as_o v._o 19_o 20._o upon_o their_o admonition_n yet_o two_o or_o three_o can_v issue_v the_o matter_n complete_o in_o way_n of_o church-censure_n but_o must_v tell_v the_o church_n therefore_o the_o church_n must_v necessary_o consist_v of_o a_o great_a number_n again_o how_o can_v two_o or_o three_o choose_v the_o four_o sort_n of_o officer_n among_o themselves_o which_o be_v describe_v by_o four_o live_a creature_n in_o rev._n 4.6_o 7._o viz._n pastor_n teacher_n rule_v elder_a and_o deacon_n 2._o that_o they_o must_v not_o exceed_v the_o quantity_n and_o compass_n of_o one_o congregation_n for_o the_o church_n must_v meet_v ordinary_o together_o with_o their_o officer_n for_o these_o purpose_n therefore_o the_o scripture_n show_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n do_v meet_v together_o to_o choose_v and_o ordain_v officer_n as_o deacon_n act._n 6.2_o 3_o 5._o elder_n act._n 14.23_o to_o receive_v and_o admit_v member_n act._n 9.26_o for_o prophesy_v 1_o cor._n 14.23_o for_o the_o seal_n 1_o cor._n 11.20_o and_o for_o censure_n 1_o cor._n 5.4_o and_o to_o release_v from_o censure_n 2_o cor._n 2.6_o 7._o so_o much_o for_o proof_n of_o the_o point_n the_o conâ—â—ctaries_n be_v these_o coral_n 1_o then_o the_o congregational_a frame_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n be_v no_o humane_a invention_n or_o constitution_n true_a it_o be_v that_o the_o parish_n frame_n as_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o join_v all_o the_o inhabitant_n within_o such_o a_o praecinct_n into_o one_o church_n enjoin_v they_o all_o to_o communicate_v at_o the_o lord_n table_n at_o least_o at_o easter_n be_v mere_o humane_a not_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o golden_a reed_n which_o be_v the_o church-measure_n but_o by_o the_o court-measure_n rev._n 11.1_o 2._o but_o that_o member_n so_o qualify_v as_o christ_n require_v and_o so_o confederate_v shall_v ordinary_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n for_o the_o solemn_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o their_o mutual_a edification_n be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n and_o according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o golden_a reed_n whereby_o the_o city_n and_o gate_n and_o the_o dimension_n of_o the_o new-jerusalem_n be_v measure_v rev._n 21.15_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o few_o as_o to_o cut_v off_o church-jurisdiction_n within_o themselves_o nor_o so_o many_o but_o that_o all_o may_v hear_v and_o be_v edify_v and_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o power_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o the_o church_n to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o his_o worship_n and_o of_o their_o fellowship_n within_o themselves_o coral_n 2_o then_o when_o a_o people_n grow_v to_o be_v so_o numerous_a in_o any_o church_n that_o they_o can_v ordinary_o meet_v together_o to_o church-end_n it_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v distribute_v into_o sundry_a congregational_a church_n for_o though_o many_o thousand_o of_o israel_n meet_v together_o in_o the_o court_n of_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o offer_v sacrifice_n because_o they_o may_v stand_v in_o so_o large_a a_o place_n together_o and_o see_v the_o sacrifice_n burn_v yet_o that_o will_v not_o prove_v that_o such_o multitude_n shall_v be_v member_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n where_o more_o communion_n be_v require_v then_o in_o see_v some_o one_o ordinance_n
perform_v coral_n 3_o then_o it_o be_v not_o arbitrary_a but_o a_o duty_n for_o every_o christian_a to_o endeavour_v to_o join_v himself_o in_o membership_n with_o a_o congregational_a institute_v church_n of_o christ_n whosoever_o have_v opportunity_n and_o neglect_v so_o to_o do_v they_o great_o sin_n against_o god_n and_o break_v the_o second_o commandment_n in_o not_o worship_v he_o according_a to_o his_o institution_n and_o also_o against_o their_o own_o soul_n in_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o the_o blessing_n which_o he_o have_v annex_v unto_o his_o institution_n exod._n 20.24_o mat._n 28.20_o and_o if_o they_o persist_v in_o that_o neglect_n they_o can_v hardly_o be_v account_v believer_n true_o seek_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n what_o profession_n of_o religion_n soever_o they_o make_v otherwise_o mat._n 6.33_o and_o they_o sin_n against_o their_o posterity_n also_o to_o who_o god_n promise_v mercy_n upon_o their_o parent_n worship_v he_o according_a to_o his_o institution_n if_o the_o lord_n do_v good_a to_o the_o posterity_n of_o such_o it_o be_v mere_o from_o his_o own_o good_a pleasure_n but_o not_o from_o their_o parent_n covenant_n ezek._n 16.61_o chap._n v._o concern_v the_o church_n impregnable_a stability_n to_o the_o church_n build_v by_o christ_n upon_o this_o rock_n he_o have_v promise_v and_o give_v this_o great_a privilege_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o scripture_n signify_v not_o hell_n but_o the_o state_n of_o the_o dead_a or_o the_o grave_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v enemy_n vanquish_v by_o christ_n for_o his_o church_n 1_o cor._n 15.26_o 55._o and_o shall_v be_v cast_v into_o the_o lake_n of_o fire_n rev._n 20.14_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o gate_n of_o death_n in_o job_n 38.17_o psal_n 107.18_o and_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o grave_a isa_n 38.10_o i_o e._n the_o power_n of_o death_n and_o the_o grave_a which_o seize_v on_o they_o as_o a_o sergeant_n psal_n 116.3_o the_o sum_n be_v let_v the_o church_n be_v bring_v to_o the_o low_a that_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v dead_a as_o those_o two_o witness_n rev._n 11.8_o 9_o and_o bury_v as_o christ_n natural_a body_n be_v for_o a_o time_n yet_o neither_o death_n nor_o the_o grave_n shall_v prevail_v agaist_fw-mi it_o yet_o we_o must_v not_o limit_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n only_o to_o the_o power_n of_o death_n and_o the_o grave_a but_o it_o must_v be_v extend_v to_o all_o satan_n plot_n and_o assault_n against_o the_o church_n against_o which_o if_o christ_n do_v not_o help_v they_o death_n and_o the_o grave_n will_v prevail_v against_o they_o to_o their_o eternal_a destruction_n we_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o in_o this_o text_n by_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n be_v mean_v all_o the_o machination_n of_o satan_n and_o temptation_n whatsoever_o whereby_o he_o labour_v to_o hinder_v the_o build_n of_o christ_n church_n to_o draw_v those_o from_o christ_n who_o be_v build_v upon_o he_o the_o prevail_a of_o they_o signify_v their_o effectual_a work_n unto_o the_o attainment_n of_o those_o end_n the_o sum_n be_v a_o promise_n that_o the_o devil_n with_o all_o his_o policy_n and_o power_n shall_v neither_o hinder_v the_o build_n of_o christ_n church_n nor_o cause_v the_o church_n thus_o build_v to_o apostatise_v from_o christ_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n whatsoever_o socinian_n or_o arminian_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_a may_v thus_o be_v evince_v 1._o because_o the_o thing_n promise_v be_v the_o disable_n of_o what_o ever_o oppose_v the_o build_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o this_o rock_n or_o its_o constant_a adhere_n to_o christ_n from_o prevail_v to_o those_o end_n but_o so_o do_v satan_n temptation_n therefore_o they_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n 2._o because_o whatsoever_o go_v forth_o out_o of_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n or_o have_v its_o beginning_n from_o thence_o be_v mean_v in_o this_o phrase_n but_o the_o temptation_n and_o machination_n of_o satan_n by_o himself_o and_o his_o instrument_n heretic_n and_o tyrant_n go_v forth_o thence_o therefore_o they_o be_v mean_v in_o this_o phrase_n 3._o because_o peter_n to_o who_o christ_n speak_v these_o word_n describe_v unbeliever_n the_o adversary_n of_o this_o building_n as_o belong_v to_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n 1_o pet._n 2.7_o 8._o 4._o because_o the_o proportion_n which_o christ_n imply_v in_o these_o word_n require_v that_o they_o be_v so_o understand_v the_o proportion_n be_v between_o two_o city_n that_o of_o heaven_n which_o have_v its_o gate_n and_o key_n in_o v._o 19_o and_o the_o other_o of_o hell_n which_o have_v its_o gate_n whence_o it_o endeavour_v the_o ruin_n and_o overthrow_v of_o that_o but_o shall_v not_o prevail_v see_v therefore_o city_n be_v oppose_v to_o city_n and_o gate_n to_o gate_n and_o one_o viz._n the_o church_n be_v consider_v in_o the_o state_n of_o present_a build_n it_o be_v most_o suitable_a that_o the_o other_o be_v also_o look_v at_o as_o it_o oppose_v that_o in_o the_o present_a whilst_o it_o be_v militant_a upon_o earth_n but_o from_o hence_o that_o christ_n promise_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o his_o church_n thus_o build_v some_o infer_v that_o christ_n mean_v only_o the_o invisible_a catholic_n church_n for_o that_o only_a say_v they_o be_v bulilt_v on_o this_o rock_n and_o only_o that_o shall_v not_o fail_v answ_n 1._o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o catholic_n invisible_a church_n be_v build_v upon_o christ_n by_o effectual_a and_o unfeigned_a faith_n and_o that_o shall_v not_o fail_v for_o that_o be_v the_o general_a assembly_n and_o church_n of_o the_o fist-born_a which_o be_v enroll_v in_o heaven_n heb._n 12.23_o and_o all_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n can_v prevail_v against_o those_o that_o be_v write_v in_o heaven_n 2._o but_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o these_o only_o be_v build_v on_o this_o rock_n the_o apostle_n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n right_o constitute_v as_o that_o at_o corinth_n be_v build_v upon_o this_o rock_n or_o rocky-foundation_n 1_o cor._n 3.10_o 11._o and_o be_v so_o build_v be_v under_o the_o special_a protection_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n in_o respect_n whereof_o the_o lord_n promise_v any_o such_o church_n as_o well_o among_o the_o gentile_n as_o the_o jew_n whosoever_o shall_v gather_v himself_o against_o thou_o shall_v fall_v isa_n 54.15_o and_o all_o the_o weapon_n that_o be_v make_v against_o thou_o shall_v not_o prosper_v vers_fw-la 17._o and_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o christ_n in_o this_o place_n speak_v of_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n such_o as_o peter_n make_v visible_o and_o public_o whereupon_o not_o the_o invisible_a catholic_n church_n but_o visible_a particular_a church_n be_v build_v therefore_o these_o only_o be_v mean_v here_o concl._n 5_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n build_v by_o himself_o upon_o this_o rock_n in_o use_v the_o mean_n which_o he_o have_v appoint_v for_o their_o safety_n be_v impregnable_a the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v here_o indefinite_o take_v for_o a_o particular_a congregational-church_n institute_v by_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o former_a conclusion_n not_o for_o this_o or_o that_o definite_o therefore_o if_o any_o object_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n have_v prevail_v against_o the_o greek-churche_n those_o golden_a candlestick_n in_o asia_n and_o against_o rome_n who_o faith_n be_v speak_v of_o throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o against_o sundry_a other_o particular_a church_n answ_n i_o answer_v 1._o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n have_v prevail_v against_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n yet_o not_o against_o a_o particular_a church_n indefinite_o consider_v or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o against_o the_o church_n in_o general_a exist_v in_o its_o particular_n in_o this_o sense_n the_o visible_a church_n do_v not_o fail_v for_o 1._o christ_n ever_o have_v and_o will_v have_v some_o or_o other_o visible_a church_n on_o earth_n wherein_o the_o general_a nature_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n be_v preserve_v as_o the_o genus_fw-la be_v in_o its_o species_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n in_o this_o or_o that_o individual_a as_o when_o the_o lord_n preserve_v noah_n and_o his_o family_n in_o the_o ark_n mankind_n be_v preserve_v in_o they_o though_o multitude_n of_o man_n be_v destroy_v in_o the_o deluge_n 2._o christ_n will_v show_v that_o he_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o church_n wherein_o be_v some_o true_a believer_n mix_v with_o many_o hypocrite_n and_o other_o society_n therefore_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v such_o visible_a church_n to_o be_v total_o destroy_v as_o he_o do_v his_o open_a enemy_n hos_fw-la 11.8_o 9_o isa_n 1.8_o 9_o &_o
papam_fw-la p._n 565._o be_v there_o burn_v for_o deny_v the_o primacy_n of_o the_o pope_n teach_v that_o the_o key_n be_v give_v ecclesiae_fw-la toti_fw-la non_fw-la uni_fw-la petro_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o that_o the_o communion_n shall_v be_v administer_v sub_fw-la utrâque_fw-la specie_fw-la and_o against_o humane_a tradition_n and_o the_o pope_n indulgency_n and_o the_o wicked_a life_n of_o the_o cardinal_n and_o priest_n and_o for_o preach_v free_a justification_n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o that_o the_o pope_n be_v antichrist_n this_o be_v about_o the_o year_n 1499._o in_o our_o own_o land_n john_n lambert_n in_o the_o year_n 8_o fox_n martyrol_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o hen._n 8_o 1538_o be_v burn_v to_o death_n by_o the_o sentence_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o 8_o himself_o sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o he_o with_o all_o his_o noble_n and_o bishop_n by_o the_o wicked_a counsel_n of_o stephen_n gardiner_n upon_o 45_o article_n whereof_o this_o be_v the_o 43_o article_n whether_o he_o believe_v the_o pope_n be_v christ_n vicar_n and_o have_v power_n on_o earth_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v he_o deny_v that_o the_o pope_n be_v christ_n vicar_n and_o affirm_v that_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o peter_n not_o for_o himself_o alone_o but_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n and_o prove_v it_o out_o of_o cyprian_a ibid._n idem_fw-la ibid._n de_fw-fr simplicitate_fw-la clericorum_fw-la and_o aug._n de_fw-fr ago_o christiano_n also_o sir_n john_n borthwick_n a_o scottish_a knight_n in_o the_o year_n 1540_o be_v condemn_v by_o the_o arch_a bishop_n of_o st._n andrews_n than_o cardinal_n of_o scotland_n and_o the_o pope_n legate_n with_o sundry_a popish_a bishop_n upon_o ten_o article_n of_o which_o this_o be_v the_o first_o touch_v the_o pope_n supremacy_n ground_v upon_o mat._n 16._o to_o thou_o will_v i_o give_v the_o key_n which_o he_o from_o that_o place_n confute_v affirm_v that_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n in_o peter_n which_o name_n be_v give_v he_o upon_o his_o confession_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o confirm_v his_o assertion_n out_o of_o cyprian_a and_o augustine_n so_o that_o this_o be_v no_o new_a nor_o singular_a exposition_n of_o these_o word_n or_o practice_n take_v up_o by_o some_o few_o of_o late_a not_o new_a for_o cyprian_n write_v about_o the_o year_n 250_o after_o christ_n and_o augustine_n about_o the_o year_n 410_o the_o last_o of_o they_o about_o 1200_o year_n since_o and_o the_o first_o above_o 1400_o year_n past_a i_o shall_v add_v hereunto_o that_o before_o cyprian_a tertullian_n about_o the_o year_n 200_o show_v we_o that_o church-censure_n be_v then_o perform_v by_o one_o particular_a church_n within_o it_o self_n and_o not_o in_o any_o combination_n of_o church_n tertull._n apolog._n cap._n 39_o nor_o singular_a for_o sundry_a sort_n of_o writer_n in_o several_a age_n and_o country_n have_v consent_v therein_o i_o will_v not_o enter_v into_o that_o question_n about_o which_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v some_o difference_n in_o apprehension_n between_o some_o godly_a learned_a brethren_n whether_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o peter_n under_o several_a consideration_n as_o a_o apostle_n and_o as_o a_o elder_a and_o as_o a_o profess_v believer_n all_o be_v take_v joint_o together_o or_o to_o a_o single_a society_n or_o condition_n of_o man_n under_o some_o special_a relation_n which_o share_n alike_o in_o the_o equality_n of_o this_o power_n promise_v unto_o they_o for_o in_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o matter_n they_o agree_v 1._o that_o the_o key_n be_v promise_v to_o peter_n in_o the_o name_n of_o a_o congregational-church_n 2._o that_o this_o power_n of_o the_o key_n can_v be_v give_v to_o one_o single_a society_n formal_o in_o all_o the_o kind_n of_o it_o because_o it_o require_v several_a sort_n of_o subject_n formal_o different_a viz._n some_o rule_v some_o rule_v some_o teach_v etc._n etc._n 3._o that_o till_o a_o congregational-church_n be_v organise_v and_o complete_v with_o all_o its_o officer_n it_o can_v complete_o exercise_v the_o key_n commit_v to_o it_o 4._o that_o nevertheless_o before_o it_o be_v complete_v it_o have_v power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o they_o either_o formal_o or_o virtual_o whereby_o all_o the_o ordinance_n be_v administer_v or_o administrable_a among_o they_o i_o shall_v issue_v this_o point_n into_o one_o doctrinal_a conclusion_n concl._n 6._o concl._n the_o subordinate_a ordinary_a power_n of_o act_v church-affair_n in_o the_o order_n appoint_v by_o jesus_n christ_n for_o attainment_n of_o the_o end_n of_o church-communion_n be_v give_v by_o christ_n to_o a_o visible_a congregation_n of_o confederate_a believer_n as_o the_o first_o and_o proper_a subject_n of_o it_o in_o the_o handle_n of_o this_o point_n i_o shall_v note_v something_n 1._o for_o explication_n 2._o confirmation_n of_o it_o 3._o draw_v some_o consectary_n 1._o for_o explication_n of_o it_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v five_o particular_n 1._o what_o i_o mean_v by_o subordinate_a power_n subordinate_a power_n be_v that_o which_o whole_o depend_v on_o christ_n ordinance_n and_o institution_n who_o be_v the_o supreme_a and_o only_a monarch_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o his_o reveal_v will_n must_v be_v attend_v in_o all_o church-administations_a as_o the_o only_a rule_n from_o which_o they_o may_v not_o swerve_v to_o the_o right_a hand_n or_o to_o the_o left_a for_o any_o humane_a policy_n or_o pretence_n whatsoever_o by_o add_v aught_o thereto_o or_o take_v any_o thing_n therefrom_o to_o this_o christ_n limit_v his_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o high_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n mat._n 28.18_o 19_o 20._o and_o according_o paul_n strict_o charge_v timothy_n and_o in_o he_o all_o the_o church_n and_o church-officer_n to_o keep_v this_o commandment_n without_o spot_n unrebukable_a until_o the_o appear_v of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n etc._n etc._n 1_o tim._n 6.13_o 14_o 15._o they_o must_v assume_v to_o themselves_o only_o that_o power_n which_o he_o have_v allot_v they_o and_o not_o exercise_v it_o any_o otherwise_o than_o he_o have_v allow_v they_o 2._o why_o i_o add_v ordinary_a to_o subordinate_a it_o be_v add_v to_o difference_n that_o power_n which_o reside_v in_o the_o church_n for_o continual_a use_n in_o ordinary_a dispensation_n from_o that_o which_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n for_o a_o time_n by_o the_o gift_n of_o christ_n both_o apostolical-power_n and_o church-power_n agree_v in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v receive_v immediate_o from_o christ_n for_o as_o he_o say_v to_o the_o apostle_n who_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v etc._n etc._n joh._n 20.23_o so_o he_o say_v to_o the_o church_n both_o here_o in_o peter_n and_o in_o mat._n 18.18_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v or_o loose_v on_o earth_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o neither_o do_v the_o apostle_n receive_v their_o power_n from_o the_o church_n nor_o do_v the_o church_n receive_v its_o power_n from_o the_o apostle_n but_o both_o immediate_o from_o christ_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o apostle_n have_v their_o power_n before_o visible_a christian-churche_n be_v constitute_v so_o such_o church_n have_v and_o hold_v their_o power_n when_o apostle_n cease_v to_o be_v on_o earth_n but_o herein_o these_o two_o power_n differ_v 1._o that_o apostolical_a power_n be_v centre_v in_o one_o single_a person_n and_o extend_v itself_o to_o the_o circumference_n of_o all_o church_n each_o apostle_n have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o of_o all_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n when_o he_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o church_n he_o can_v administer_v seal_n and_o censure_n as_o if_o he_o have_v the_o presence_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o he_o be_v present_a in_o any_o church_n that_o want_v officer_n a_o apostle_n have_v power_n to_o execute_v every_o office_n for_o the_o church_n and_o this_o their_o power_n extend_v itself_o as_o much_o to_o all_o church_n as_o to_o any_o one_o their_o line_n go_v out_o into_o all_o the_o world_n psal_n 19.4_o with_o rom._n 10.18_o mat._n 28.19_o for_o as_o the_o father_n send_v christ_n the_o mediator_n with_o fullness_n of_o soveragin_n power_n so_o christ_n send_v his_o apostle_n with_o fullness_n of_o ministerial_a power_n joh._n 20.21_o but_o church-power_n be_v not_o in_o one_o man_n but_o in_o a_o society_n and_o to_o be_v exercise_v various_o by_o several_a person_n in_o that_o society_n according_a to_o variety_n of_o calling_n be_v all_o teacher_n 1_o cor._n 12.29_o hence_o 2._o that_o be_v extraordinary_a and_o to_o last_v but_o for_o a_o time_n but_o this_o be_v ordinary_a and_o to_o continue_v to_o the_o end_n rev._n 4.1_o 3._o what_o the_o church-affair_n be_v and_o what_o the_o act_v they_o import_v the_o church-affair_n be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n call_v here_o the_o