in_o scripture_n as_o join_v together_o in_o one_o society_n or_o body_n which_o be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o which_o christ_n jesus_n be_v the_o chief_a or_o head_n and_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o live_v in_o communion_n and_o fellowship_n one_o with_o another_o under_o those_o law_n and_o constitution_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o but_o not_o that_o i_o can_v find_v in_o scripture_n oblige_v to_o join_v with_o or_o submit_v to_o any_o one_o person_n as_o the_o vicar_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o visible_a head_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o earth_n for_o if_o christ_n have_v appoint_v any_o such_o person_n as_o his_o deputy_n upon_o earth_n he_o must_v either_o have_v declare_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o consequence_n with_o great_a plainness_n and_o evidence_n or_o else_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o find_v fault_n with_o any_o man_n for_o be_v mistake_v in_o it_o whereas_o the_o argument_n which_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n bring_v to_o prove_v either_o that_o such_o a_o vicar_n there_o must_v be_v or_o that_o st._n peter_n the_o apostle_n be_v the_o man_n or_o that_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o not_o the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o st._n peter_n both_o in_o his_o bishopric_n and_o authority_n be_v all_o so_o weak_a and_o precarious_a so_o force_v and_o perplex_v and_o so_o full_o confute_v by_o the_o protestant_a divine_n that_o nothing_o in_o my_o opinion_n but_o blindness_n of_o understanding_n or_o worldly_a interest_n can_v prevail_v with_o the_o member_n of_o that_o church_n still_o to_o insist_v upon_o they_o now_o that_o christ_n institute_v but_o one_o church_n in_o which_o all_o true_a believer_n and_o good_a liver_n be_v for_o ever_o to_o be_v comprise_v be_v very_o plain_a and_o although_o through_o the_o mistake_v and_o perverseness_n of_o man_n this_o church_n be_v rend_v and_o divide_v into_o opposite_a and_o contend_v part_n and_o party_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o hinder_v but_o that_o according_a to_o its_o true_a and_o primitive_a constitution_n it_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v one_o as_o a_o kingdom_n or_o commonwealth_n by_o its_o law_n and_o constitution_n be_v but_o one_o society_n although_o there_o may_v arise_v faction_n and_o different_a interest_n in_o it_o nor_o shall_v any_o man_n be_v esteem_v as_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n before_o god_n who_o be_v not_o ready_a and_o willing_a according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o power_n and_o knowledge_n to_o maintain_v the_o unity_n of_o it_o and_o that_o upon_o those_o very_a term_n and_o none_o other_o which_o christ_n have_v appoint_v as_o near_o as_o possible_o he_o can_v find_v and_o apprehend_v they_o moreover_o that_o all_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n on_o which_o christ_n have_v found_v the_o church_n and_o by_o which_o he_o will_v have_v it_o regulate_v be_v exact_o agreeable_a unto_o the_o rule_n of_o sound_a morality_n and_o the_o will_n of_o god_n can_v be_v so_o much_o as_o doubt_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v true_o say_v that_o the_o church_n be_v holy_a although_o every_o particular_a member_n thereof_o have_v both_o his_o frailty_n and_o his_o sin_n which_o yet_o he_o must_v repent_v of_o and_o so_o become_v holy_a as_o the_o church_n be_v holy_a or_o else_o he_o violate_v one_o of_o the_o main_a and_o fundamental_a law_n and_o so_o become_v as_o it_o be_v a_o outlaw_n of_o the_o church_n and_o forfeit_v his_o part_n in_o all_o the_o privilege_n that_o belong_v unto_o that_o society_n and_o whereas_o before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n do_v enjoy_v more_o of_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o have_v great_a privilege_n and_o advantage_n on_o the_o score_n of_o their_o be_v god_n choose_a and_o peculiar_a people_n than_o any_o or_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n on_o the_o contrary_a now_o look_v upon_o all_o as_o equal_o entitle_v unto_o god_n favour_n and_o the_o advantage_n thereon_o depend_v who_o take_v care_v due_o to_o qualify_v themselves_o for_o it_o so_o that_o whereas_o former_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o choose_a people_n of_o god_n may_v have_v be_v say_v to_o be_v particular_a as_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n limit_v to_o one_o nation_n or_o people_n now_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v catholic_n that_o be_v to_o say_v universal_a as_o be_v no_o way_n confine_v to_o one_o place_n or_o nation_n all_o people_n be_v equal_o choose_v by_o god_n in_o christ_n who_o will_v receive_v and_o love_v according_a to_o the_o gospel_n 41._o in_o those_o several_a revelation_n which_o god_n be_v please_v to_o make_v of_o himself_o after_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n unto_o adam_n to_o abraham_n and_o to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n there_o be_v still_o a_o plain_a intimation_n give_v they_o that_o in_o the_o time_n to_o come_v there_o shall_v a_o extraordinary_a person_n arise_v in_o the_o world_n who_o shall_v yet_o more_o clear_o make_v know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n but_o when_o christ_n who_o be_v that_o person_n do_v according_o come_v and_o send_v his_o apostle_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n over_o all_o the_o earth_n he_o neither_o suggest_v to_o they_o nor_o they_o unto_o the_o world_n that_o any_o other_o revelation_n be_v ever_o after_o to_o be_v expect_v but_o always_o give_v they_o to_o understand_v that_o god_n have_v in_o the_o gospel_n complete_v and_o finish_v all_o that_o declaration_n which_o he_o intend_v to_o make_v of_o himself_o or_o his_o will_n unto_o mankind_n until_o the_o general_a judgement_n and_o dissolution_n of_o the_o world_n if_o therefore_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v give_v i_o no_o manner_n of_o assurance_n of_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o church_n my_o own_o reason_n will_v have_v be_v enough_o to_o make_v i_o conclude_v that_o god_n in_o his_o providence_n will_v so_o order_v the_o matter_n as_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o only_o know_v and_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o eternal_a salvation_n shall_v never_o be_v whole_o extinguish_v while_o the_o world_n last_v so_o as_o to_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o any_o new_a revelation_n to_o revive_v and_o restore_v it_o but_o that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o certain_a company_n of_o man_n evident_o conspicuous_a to_o the_o world_n teach_v and_o profess_v the_o true_a christian_a religion_n without_o any_o error_n or_o corruption_n in_o doctrine_n or_o worship_n be_v what_o i_o can_v no_o where_n find_v promise_v or_o foretell_v either_o by_o christ_n or_o any_o of_o his_o apostle_n on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v several_a passage_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o do_v plain_o seem_v to_o foretell_v that_o in_o process_n of_o time_n most_o pernicious_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n shall_v prevail_v and_o take_v place_n even_o among_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o whosoever_o shall_v but_o light_o compare_v the_o state_n of_o christianity_n for_o several_a century_n before_o the_o reformation_n with_o that_o draught_n of_o it_o which_o be_v leave_v we_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n must_v if_o he_o be_v impartial_a i_o think_v be_v full_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o prediction_n 42._o whether_o or_o no_o god_n have_v or_o do_v at_o any_o time_n communicate_v or_o bestow_v any_o extraordinary_a grace_n or_o assistance_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v no_o visible_a member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o altogether_o stranger_n unto_o that_o revelation_n which_o he_o have_v make_v of_o himself_o be_v a_o question_n which_o the_o virtuous_a life_n and_o heroic_a action_n of_o some_o brave_a heathen_n make_v it_o hard_o positive_o to_o determine_v in_o the_o negative_a but_o that_o he_o will_v give_v so_o much_o grace_n and_o strength_n to_o every_o one_o who_o shall_v become_v a_o member_n of_o christ_n church_n as_o that_o thereby_o they_o may_v if_o the_o fault_n be_v not_o their_o own_o sufficient_o qualify_v themselves_o for_o eternal_a happiness_n by_o the_o performance_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o require_v on_o their_o part_n to_o be_v do_v be_v what_o i_o think_v no_o man_n can_v doubt_v of_o who_o do_v but_o in_o general_n consider_v the_o mercy_n and_o love_n which_o god_n design_v even_o unto_o all_o man_n but_o more_o especial_o unto_o the_o church_n in_o send_v our_o saviour_n christ_n jesus_n into_o the_o world_n although_o there_o be_v not_o any_o particular_a promise_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o this_o grace_n and_o ability_n to_o do_v good_a be_v in_o scripture_n ascribe_v unto_o the_o ministry_n and_o influence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o heart_n and_o mind_n of_o true_a believer_n be_v plain_a and_o general_o own_v by_o all_o christian_n but_o that_o this_o
seem_v but_o a_o slight_a and_o inconsiderable_a thing_n yet_o since_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v express_o appoint_v and_o command_v it_o and_o since_o his_o apostle_n be_v always_o most_o careful_a to_o perform_v it_o insomuch_o that_o even_o they_o who_o have_v receive_v the_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n from_o heaven_n be_v yet_o require_v to_o be_v baptise_a in_o order_n to_o become_v visible_a member_n of_o the_o church_n this_o ceremony_n i_o think_v ought_v not_o to_o be_v leave_v off_o or_o discontinue_v although_o whether_o it_o be_v perform_v by_o dip_v the_o body_n under_o the_o water_n or_o by_o sprinkle_v the_o water_n upon_o it_o to_o i_o seem_v to_o be_v altogether_o indifferent_a and_o to_o be_v regulate_v only_o by_o prudence_n or_o the_o custom_n of_o particular_a place_n for_o neither_o do_v the_o word_n baptise_v signify_v any_o more_o than_o to_o wash_v which_o may_v be_v do_v either_o way_n nor_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n dip_v all_o those_o who_o they_o baptize_v moreover_o since_o sprinkle_v as_o well_o as_o dip_v may_v sufficient_o denote_v the_o wash_n and_o cleanse_v of_o the_o soul_n from_o sin_n and_o since_o baptism_n be_v not_o express_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n determine_v to_o either_o of_o these_o way_n to_o the_o exclusion_n of_o the_o other_o i_o conclude_v that_o god_n have_v leave_v the_o matter_n so_o far_o indifferent_a to_o we_o and_o to_o be_v order_v according_a to_o prudence_n as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n and_o person_n shall_v at_o any_o time_n direct_v and_o as_o long_o as_o the_o substance_n and_o design_n of_o his_o command_n be_v careful_o retain_v i_o see_v no_o necessity_n of_o be_v so_o very_o solicitous_a about_o a_o circumstance_n of_o it_o except_o it_o can_v evident_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o he_o have_v appoint_v and_o determine_v it_o 53._o since_o than_o baptism_n be_v as_o the_o entrance_n or_o door_n of_o admittance_n into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o all_o they_o and_o they_o only_a who_o be_v due_o qualify_v to_o be_v member_n of_o his_o church_n be_v fit_a to_o have_v baptism_n administer_v to_o they_o if_o any_o person_n have_v be_v bring_v up_o out_o of_o the_o chucrh_n until_o he_o come_v to_o year_n of_o understanding_n and_o knowledge_n he_o be_v then_o and_o only_o then_o qualify_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n when_o have_v repent_v of_o all_o his_o former_a sin_n he_o believe_v and_o own_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o receive_v and_o profess_v that_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n which_o he_o have_v teach_v and_o authorize_v and_o oblige_v himself_o to_o live_v according_a to_o all_o those_o law_n and_o rule_n which_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o we_o this_o be_v the_o very_a condition_n which_o our_o saviour_n indespensable_o require_v from_o his_o church_n and_o every_o member_n of_o it_o according_a as_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o perform_v it_o but_o if_o a_o child_n be_v bear_v of_o christian_a parent_n or_o be_v so_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_a guardian_n as_o that_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o bring_v he_o up_o in_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o they_o do_v promise_n and_o engage_v so_o to_o educate_v he_o such_o a_o child_n as_o this_o even_o before_o he_o come_v to_o any_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n be_v yet_o qualify_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n upon_o the_o presumption_n that_o he_o will_v perform_v what_o god_n require_v from_o he_o when_o he_o come_v to_o be_v capable_a of_o it_o and_o so_o to_o continue_v if_o by_o apostasy_n or_o wickedness_n he_o do_v not_o in_o process_n of_o time_n separate_v himself_o again_o from_o it_o for_o this_o beyond_o dispute_n be_v the_o case_n of_o in_o sant_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n who_o at_o eight_o day_n old_a if_o male_n be_v to_o be_v circumcise_a and_o thereby_o admit_v into_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o within_o his_o covenant_n if_o they_o be_v either_o the_o son_n or_o servant_n bear_v in_o the_o house_n of_o believe_v person_n and_o who_o as_o well_o as_o their_o parent_n be_v express_o say_v to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n which_o be_v but_o another_o expression_n for_o become_v of_o his_o church_n and_o no_o one_o sure_o will_v offer_v to_o say_v that_o the_o case_n of_o infant_n be_v make_v worse_a than_o it_o be_v by_o our_o saviour_n come_v into_o the_o world_n especial_o since_o he_o have_v express_o command_v that_o little_a child_n shall_v come_v unto_o he_o and_o not_o be_v forbid_v for_o that_o of_o such_o be_v the_o kingdom_n that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o not_o only_o adult_a person_n who_o make_v a_o due_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o repentance_n but_o also_o such_o infant_n as_o be_v in_o a_o way_n of_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v without_o any_o obstacle_n to_o be_v admit_v to_o baptism_n 54._o there_o be_v some_o passage_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o seem_v plain_o to_o suggest_v to_o we_o that_o it_o be_v a_o constant_a custom_n with_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o all_o such_o as_o have_v be_v baptise_a which_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n be_v undoubted_o accompany_v with_o prayer_n to_o god_n in_o order_n to_o their_o receive_v the_o gift_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n but_o that_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n positive_o prescribe_v and_o command_v i_o do_v not_o find_v clear_o prove_v and_o therefore_o although_o i_o dare_v not_o hasty_o condemn_v those_o particular_a church_n where_o this_o same_o custom_n be_v disuse_v or_o intermit_v yet_o since_o the_o grace_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o order_n to_o the_o lead_n of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o obtain_v eternal_a happiness_n be_v for_o ever_o continue_v unto_o the_o church_n as_o i_o have_v say_v part_n 2._o §_o 42._o and_o therefore_o ought_v ever_o to_o be_v seek_v for_o although_o the_o work_n of_o miracle_n and_o speak_v of_o all_o language_n without_o learn_v they_o be_v cease_v from_o among_o we_o i_o can_v but_o conclude_v that_o the_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n upon_o person_n that_o have_v be_v baptize_v together_o with_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o their_o growth_n and_o continuance_n in_o grace_n which_o be_v common_o call_v confirmation_n be_v a_o prudent_a and_o godly_a custom_n and_o ever_o fit_a to_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o church_n 55._o as_o every_o particular_a man_n whatsoever_o be_v oblige_v in_o his_o own_o private_a person_n to_o honour_n and_o worship_n god_n so_o the_o church_n be_v a_o society_n incorporate_v for_o the_o better_a serve_v of_o god_n be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o do_v the_o same_o in_o she_o associate_v capacity_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o assemble_v together_o for_o his_o worship_n and_o because_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v disperse_v over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n the_o universal_a church_n therefore_o lie_v under_o a_o necessity_n of_o subdivide_v itself_o into_o particular_a church_n and_o those_o again_o into_o particular_a congregation_n according_a as_o they_o find_v to_o be_v most_o convenient_a for_o the_o pursue_v that_o same_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v so_o incorporate_v moreover_o since_o all_o these_o particular_a church_n and_o congregation_n be_v still_o or_o aught_o to_o be_v but_o part_n and_o member_n of_o that_o one_o catholic_n church_n which_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v appoint_v and_o found_v it_o follow_v that_o none_o of_o they_o ought_v to_o constitute_v or_o act_v any_o thing_n among_o themselves_o which_o may_v give_v a_o just_a occasiou_n for_o the_o break_n of_o that_o union_n and_o concord_n which_o he_o design_v and_o have_v command_v always_o to_o be_v maintain_v among_o they_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a matter_n ought_v every_v where_o so_o to_o be_v order_v as_o that_o if_o a_o member_n of_o any_o one_o particular_a church_n shall_v travel_v into_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n he_o may_v meet_v with_o nothing_o in_o any_o christian_a congregation_n where_o he_o come_v which_o just_o shall_v be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o he_o from_o assemble_v or_o communicate_v with_o it_o 56._o the_o particular_a act_n to_o be_v perform_v in_o these_o christian_a assembly_n be_v all_o such_o as_o tend_v to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o people_n in_o virtue_n and_o godliness_n which_o be_v the_o design_n of_o their_o incorporation_n and_o consequent_o to_o the_o promote_a of_o each_o man_n eternal_a salvation_n which_o be_v the_o end_n that_o every_o christian_n be_v suppose_v to_o pursue_v all_o which_o be_v
be_v possible_a when_o therefore_o any_o religious_a dispute_n arise_v whereby_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o unity_n be_v like_a to_o be_v endanger_v it_o be_v free_a and_o proper_a for_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n which_o shall_v hinder_v either_o the_o church_n universal_a or_o any_o particular_a church_n or_o even_o any_o prudent_a man_n whatsoever_o to_o declare_v and_o publish_v their_o sense_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n but_o as_o no_o man_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o determination_n of_o any_o church_n or_o party_n whatsoever_o any_o far_a than_o he_o be_v convince_v and_o satisfy_v of_o its_o agreement_n with_o reason_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n part_v 2._o §_o 1_o and_o 2._o so_o be_v not_o any_o man_n bind_v to_o oppose_v or_o dispute_v even_o against_o a_o error_n itself_o except_o there_o be_v something_o in_o it_o which_o be_v injurious_a to_o christian_a faith_n or_o practice_n and_o consequent_o which_o may_v prove_v pernicious_a to_o man_n salvation_n and_o therefore_o if_o such_o a_o mistake_n which_o may_v have_v prevail_v in_o any_o church_n can_v well_o be_v rectify_v without_o endanger_v the_o breach_n of_o peace_n and_o charity_n because_o they_o who_o hold_v it_o it_o may_v be_v be_v obstinate_o wed_v to_o it_o i_o think_v it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o we_o all_o to_o be_v very_o tender_a in_o such_o a_o case_n and_o to_o permit_v every_o man_n free_o to_o abound_v in_o his_o own_o sense_n until_o such_o time_n as_o god_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o clear_a sight_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o by_o no_o mean_n to_o renounce_v the_o communion_n of_o any_o church_n on_o the_o account_n of_o any_o error_n that_o be_v not_o damnable_a and_o much_o less_o on_o account_n only_o of_o such_o term_n or_o expression_n as_o be_v but_o abstruse_a or_o of_o doubtful_a signification_n for_o otherwise_o since_o the_o apprehension_n of_o man_n be_v so_o very_o different_a especial_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v remote_a from_o our_o sense_n be_v matter_n only_o of_o rational_a speculation_n if_o difference_n of_o opinion_n upon_o such_o theological_a question_n as_o do_v not_o immediate_o concern_v our_o salvation_n be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o separation_n in_o point_n of_o communion_n there_o will_v soon_o be_v probable_o almost_o as_o many_o church_n as_o man_n in_o the_o world_n but_o if_o any_o church_n shall_v require_v from_o a_o man_n either_o to_o comply_v with_o or_o practice_v any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o only_o against_o his_o fancy_n in_o point_n of_o decency_n or_o convenience_n but_o also_o against_o his_o conscience_n in_o point_n of_o lawfulness_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v silent_a and_o not_o oppose_v but_o also_o explicit_o profess_v the_o belief_n of_o any_o such_o doctrine_n as_o he_o judge_n to_o be_v false_a however_o innocent_a the_o belief_n of_o they_o may_v be_v to_o they_o who_o think_v they_o true_a and_o if_o such_o a_o church_n shall_v refuse_v and_o deny_v her_o communion_n to_o all_o those_o who_o will_v not_o join_v with_o she_o upon_o these_o term_n we_o must_v rather_o be_v content_v to_o be_v exclude_v from_o such_o a_o church_n communion_n than_o to_o purchase_v it_o by_o solemn_o tell_v a_o down_o right_a lie_n before_o god_n and_o the_o world_n or_o by_o the_o violation_n of_o any_o other_o of_o god_n command_n for_o if_o we_o offer_v to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o st._n paul_n have_v declare_v we_o to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o damnation_n 65._o for_o the_o due_a regulation_n of_o every_o society_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o have_v a_o power_n somewhere_o or_o other_o vest_v in_o it_o over_o its_o own_o member_n either_o to_o compel_v they_o to_o live_v orderly_o according_a to_o its_o law_n and_o constitution_n or_o if_o any_o of_o they_o be_v disobedient_a and_o refractory_a and_o will_v not_o upon_o due_a admonition_n be_v reclaim_v whole_o to_o exclude_v they_o from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o community_n for_o otherwise_o if_o the_o member_n of_o any_o society_n may_v at_o their_o pleasure_n break_v its_o constitution_n and_o violate_v its_o law_n without_o control_n this_o will_v be_v whole_o to_o pull_v down_o the_o enclosure_n and_o lay_v all_o open_a and_o common_a as_o before_o and_o consequent_o in_o effect_n to_o dissolve_v the_o society_n itself_o and_o according_o our_o saviour_n have_v give_v the_o church_n a_o power_n to_o admonish_v and_o rebuke_v those_o who_o give_v any_o scandal_n by_o their_o ungodly_a and_o unruly_a behaviour_n and_o if_o upon_o this_o they_o do_v not_o repent_v and_o reform_v of_o reject_v and_o cut_v they_o off_o from_o her_o communion_n which_o authority_n must_v ever_o be_v exercise_v with_o due_a mildness_n and_o caution_n for_o the_o edification_n and_o not_o with_o heat_n and_o fury_n which_o in_o the_o end_n will_v more_o probable_o tend_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o church_n but_o if_o any_o church_n shall_v go_v beyond_o this_o to_o punish_v or_o persecute_v man_n with_o fire_n and_o sword_n or_o with_o fines_n and_o imprisonment_n only_o for_o be_v of_o a_o different_a persuasion_n from_o and_o refuse_v to_o communicate_v with_o her_z in_o my_o opinion_n she_o herein_o act_v contrary_a to_o that_o mildness_n and_o gentleness_n which_o the_o gospel_n upon_o all_o occasion_n prescribe_v and_o particular_o in_o the_o case_n of_o deal_n with_o those_o who_o oppose_v themselves_o to_o it_o 2_o tim._n 2._o 24._o although_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o can_v be_v deâ—yed_v but_o that_o if_o any_o man_n under_o the_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n or_o religion_n shall_v advance_v such_o doctrine_n or_o do_v such_o act_n as_o be_v destructive_a to_o the_o peace_n or_o safety_n of_o the_o civil_a state_n or_o commonwealth_n the_o civil_a magistrate_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o punish_v such_o a_o person_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n notwithstanding_o all_o his_o pretence_n for_o if_o the_o plea_n of_o conscience_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o can_v only_o be_v know_v to_o almighty_a god_n be_v sufficient_a to_o save_v any_o malefactor_n from_o punishment_n no_o civil_a society_n can_v ever_o be_v safe_a and_o all_o humane_a law_n and_o magistrate_n will_v be_v whole_o useless_a see_v part_n 1_o §_o 35._o 66_o and_o as_o almighty_a god_n in_o his_o mercy_n be_v please_v not_o to_o cut_v the_o great_a sinner_n off_o from_o all_o hope_n of_o pardon_n but_o be_v ready_a at_o any_o time_n upon_o their_o true_a and_o sincere_a repentance_n to_o receive_v they_o again_o into_o his_o favour_n so_o have_v he_o commit_v unto_o the_o church_n the_o ministry_n of_o reconciliation_n which_o church_n therefore_o according_o aught_o not_o only_o to_o endeavour_v to_o bring_v sinner_n to_o repentance_n by_o preach_v admonition_n and_o exhortation_n but_o also_o wherever_o she_o see_v evident_a mark_n and_o token_n of_o it_o in_o any_o person_n of_o which_o yet_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v good_a assurance_n for_o his_o great_a comfort_n and_o ease_v of_o conscience_n to_o remit_v or_o absolve_v he_o from_o his_o sin_n and_o restore_v he_o again_o to_o the_o benefit_n and_o privilege_n of_o christian_a communion_n of_o which_o i_o suppose_v that_o he_o have_v or_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v deprive_v and_o whatever_o sentence_n of_o thus_o bind_v or_o lose_v remit_v or_o retain_v of_o man_n sin_n be_v due_o and_o regular_o pronounce_v by_o the_o church_n upon_o earth_n our_o saviour_n assure_v we_o it_o shall_v be_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v by_o god_n in_o heaven_n but_o that_o a_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o make_v a_o particular_a confession_n of_o all_o his_o sin_n unto_o any_o other_o person_n except_o god_n in_o order_n to_o obtain_v the_o pardon_n of_o or_o absolution_n from_o they_o as_o i_o no_o where_o find_v it_o assert_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n so_o the_o reason_n which_o the_o roman_a divine_n do_v allege_v for_o it_o be_v very_o weak_a and_o unconcluding_a for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o particular_a confession_n of_o a_o man_n sin_n which_o may_v be_v perform_v by_o the_o most_o harden_a impenitent_a but_o his_o contrition_n and_o the_o visible_a reformation_n of_o his_o life_n which_o may_v sufficient_o appear_v without_o a_o particular_a confession_n that_o only_o can_v enable_v the_o church_n or_o her_o minister_n to_o judge_v whether_o he_o true_o repent_v of_o his_o sin_n or_o not_o and_o consequent_o whether_o he_o be_v a_o proper_a object_n of_o god_n mercy_n and_o the_o church_n favour_n although_o i_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o in_o some_o case_n it_o may_v be_v very_o proper_a for_o a_o man_n to_o make_v know_v the_o disease_n of_o his_o soul_n to_o a_o prudent_a spiritual_a physician_n that_o he_o may_v have_v his_o advice_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o they_o and_o his_o duty_n also_o