Selected quad for the lemma: england_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
england_n bishop_n church_n ordination_n 3,829 5 10.8464 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A41782 The loyal Baptist, or, An apology for the baptized believers ... occasioned by the great and long continued sufferings of the baptized believers in this nation / by Thomas Grantham ... Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692. 1684 (1684) Wing G1540; ESTC R26748 84,492 109

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

in_o all_o humility_n prostrate_v myself_o at_o his_o royal_a foot_n with_o this_o humble_a supplication_n that_o it_o will_v gracious_o please_v his_o majesty_n according_a to_o his_o wont_a goodness_n and_o princely_a clemency_n to_o consider_v and_o pity_v the_o distress_a condition_n of_o many_o of_o his_o faithful_a subject_n who_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o the_o case_n of_o infant-baptism_n and_o some_o other_o ceremony_n and_o can_v in_o conscience_n to_o god_n conform_v to_o they_o nor_o deny_v the_o exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n of_o which_o they_o be_v convince_v and_o persuade_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n o_o let_v our_o lord_n the_o king_n consider_v that_o this_o be_v the_o great_a strait_n that_o any_o honest_a christian_a can_v be_v put_v upon_o either_o to_o deny_v what_o he_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a or_o profess_v that_o to_o be_v true_a which_o he_o believe_v to_o be_v otherwise_o o_o let_v the_o god_n of_o heaven_n be_v always_o his_o majesty_n chief_a counsellor_n that_o by_o his_o direction_n he_o may_v right_o distinguish_v between_o those_o that_o be_v harmless_a in_o his_o realm_n and_o such_o as_o have_v abuse_v his_o kindness_n which_o have_v be_v very_o great_a and_o thankful_o to_o be_v remember_v and_o that_o the_o present_a severity_n against_o the_o innocent_a may_v be_v abate_v and_o remove_v lest_o they_o be_v make_v miserable_a in_o their_o native_a country_n god_n almighty_n bless_v the_o king_n etc._n etc._n finis_fw-la the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o apology_n for_o the_o baptise_a believer_n wherein_o the_o ground_n of_o infant-baptism_n be_v reviewed_n in_o answer_n to_o fourteen_o argument_n deliver_v by_o mr._n nathaniel_n taylor_n m._n a._n in_o a_o sermon_n on_o matth._n 28._o 19_o entitle_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o therewithal_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o baptise_a believer_n from_o the_o pedobaptist_n modest_o propound_v upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o their_o great_a and_o long-continued_a suffering_n by_o t._n grantham_n a_o servant_n of_o christ_n london_n print_v for_o the_o author_n 1684._o a_o apology_n for_o the_o baptise_a believer_n etc._n etc._n present_v to_o all_o pious_a and_o well-disposed_n christian_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n sect_n i._o honour_a and_o belove_a brethren_n to_o prevent_v a_o mistake_n and_o to_o remove_v a_o aspersion_n too_o frequent_o cast_v upon_o we_o be_v please_v to_o know_v that_o though_o we_o differ_v from_o you_o and_o other_o in_o some_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n and_o government_n of_o a_o true_a church_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o therefore_o arrogate_v to_o ourselves_o alone_o the_o christian_a name_n nor_o exalt_v ourselves_o in_o our_o imagination_n above_o other_o but_o do_v believe_v and_o hope_v that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o save_v one_o will_n be_v gather_v out_o of_o all_o sort_n of_o christian_n who_o hearty_o love_v god_n and_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o live_v holy_o and_o charitable_o among_o man_n though_o they_o be_v diversify_v in_o respect_n of_o ceremony_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o place_n and_o government_n where_o they_o live_v yea_o we_o have_v charity_n for_o all_o man_n who_o be_v faithful_a to_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n afford_v they_o how_o small_a soever_o know_v that_o our_o god_n delight_n in_o mercy_n and_o do_v not_o exact_v the_o utmost_a farthing_n of_o any_o man._n but_o for_o all_o this_o as_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o have_v be_v abundance_n of_o error_n introduce_v among_o christian_n so_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o raise_v up_o a_o people_n still_o to_o testify_v against_o they_o the_o memory_n of_o who_o be_v bless_v though_o they_o be_v frequent_o persecute_v so_o we_o believe_v it_o a_o duty_n incumbent_n upon_o we_o to_o bear_v our_o testimony_n to_o what_o truth_n we_o know_v and_o not_o to_o partake_v with_o any_o in_o their_o by-path_n in_o life_n or_o religion_n and_o yet_o endeavour_v as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v after_o unity_n and_o concord_n with_o all_o that_o fear_n god_n and_o own_o the_o christian_a profession_n to_o which_o purpose_n we_o have_v humble_o propose_v what_o we_o think_v concern_v we_o in_o order_n to_o a_o better_a understanding_n and_o compliance_n in_o our_o friendly_a epistle_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n publish_v some_o year_n ago_o but_o have_v not_o be_v public_o take_v notice_n of_o till_o late_o one_o mr._n taylor_n a_o person_n of_o worth_n for_o his_o integrity_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o protestant_a interest_n and_o for_o his_o gentle_a disposition_n towards_o such_o as_o fear_v god_n though_o differ_v from_o he_o in_o the_o case_n of_o ceremony_n it_o have_v please_v he_o i_o say_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o our_o say_a epistle_n and_o to_o offer_v something_o in_o order_n to_o a_o composure_n of_o difference_n which_o i_o confess_v with_o he_o to_o be_v a_o thing_n great_o to_o be_v desire_v but_o then_o he_o be_v please_v to_o show_v we_o nothing_o of_o mitigation_n or_o hope_n of_o the_o removal_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o have_v occasion_v our_o disunion_n but_o do_v rather_o whole_o charge_v the_o cause_n of_o division_n upon_o we_o and_o suppose_v our_o difference_n about_o baptism_n to_o be_v the_o chief_a cause_n of_o our_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o though_o this_o be_v indeed_o a_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n because_o true_a baptism_n be_v antecedent_n to_o church-communion_n yet_o that_o which_o be_v great_a in_o our_o judgement_n be_v that_o open_a profaneness_n which_o god_n know_v reign_v and_o rage_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therewithal_o the_o utter_a neglect_n of_o discipline_n to_o reform_v those_o iniquity_n and_o also_o that_o persecute_v spirit_n which_o appear_v even_o in_o too_o many_o of_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n by_o who_o cruelty_n our_o suffering_n have_v be_v much_o augment_v for_o these_o cause_n we_o have_v think_v ourselves_o concern_v to_o make_v this_o our_o christian_a apology_n in_o which_o we_o crave_v leave_v to_o use_v that_o freedom_n of_o speech_n which_o the_o matter_n depend_v do_v require_v and_o yet_o see_v we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o we_o be_v not_o infallible_a as_o neither_o do_v the_o church_n of_o england_n pretend_v so_o to_o be_v we_o shall_v speak_v under_o correction_n and_o by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n with_o resolution_n to_o submit_v to_o a_o clear_a conviction_n if_o indeed_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o the_o thing_n wherein_o we_o dissent_v be_v justifiable_a on_o the_o part_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o till_o this_o be_v do_v it_o will_v be_v hypocrisy_n and_o baseness_n in_o we_o to_o violate_v our_o conscience_n in_o thing_n pertain_v to_o religion_n to_o obtain_v favour_n from_o man_n for_o if_o we_o shall_v so_o please_v man_n we_o shall_v not_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o christ_n gal._n 1._o 10._o and_o we_o do_v the_o 〈◊〉_d desire_v to_o be_v hear_v at_o this_o time_n partly_o for_o that_o mr._n taylor_n be_v please_v to_o impute_v folly_n to_o we_o in_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n because_o we_o allow_v of_o the_o most_o of_o the_o thirty_o nine_o article_n but_o especial_o be_v thereunto_o require_v by_o some_o of_o eminency_n and_o great_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n who_o also_o tell_v we_o that_o unless_o we_o can_v show_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v hold_v some_o error_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n or_o that_o she_o do_v practice_v something_o in_o her_o religion_n which_o be_v sinful_a we_o can_v justify_v our_o separation_n from_o she_o and_o whether_o we_o be_v able_a on_o this_o wise_a to_o vindicate_v our_o present_a separation_n be_v the_o business_n which_o we_o pray_v may_v be_v serious_o consider_v sect_n ii_o a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o baptise_a believer_n can_v conform_v to_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n reserve_v all_o due_a honour_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o far_o as_o she_o hold_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o thirty_o nine_o article_n and_o as_o she_o be_v a_o good_a fortress_n against_o much_o popish_a superstition_n and_o idolatry_n we_o shall_v humble_o make_v our_o objection_n in_o three_o particular_n 1._o concern_v infant-baptism_n 2._o concern_v her_o discipline_n 3._o concern_v she_o impose_v of_o ceremony_n from_o all_o which_o we_o think_v we_o may_v safe_o argue_v thus_o it_o be_v lawful_a just_a and_o needful_a to_o maintain_v a_o prudent_a and_o friendly_a separation_n from_o such_o a_o church_n as_o do_v believe_v hold_v and_o maintain_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v evident_o and_o actual_o destructive_a of_o that_o christian_a liberty_n wherewith_o christ_n have_v make_v his_o church_n free_a and_o of_o that_o sacred_a baptism_n and_o holy_a
give_v to_o swear_v lie_v drunkenness_n and_o lascivious_a talk_v as_o god_n know_v a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v know_v to_o be_v such_o your_o discipline_n seem_v to_o have_v no_o power_n in_o such_o case_n for_o thus_o say_v one_o of_o your_o own_o minister_n who_o mind_v canon_n 109_o that_o prohibit_v common_a swearer_n common_a drunkard_n notorious_a whoremaster_n and_o whore_n etc._n etc._n from_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n do_v not_o even_a bishop_n hear_v man_n swear_v a_o thousand_o oath_n and_o either_o do_v not_o or_o dare_v not_o use_v any_o discipline_n against_o they_o but_o now_o if_o a_o good_a man_n do_v not_o stand_v up_o and_o bow_v to_o the_o altar_n at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n when_o the_o creed_n be_v read_v because_o he_o dare_v not_o pay_v great_a reverence_n in_o a_o religious_a way_n to_o any_o write_n than_o he_o pay_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n if_o he_o dare_v not_o use_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n nor_o sprinkle_v his_o child_n etc._n etc._n then_o shall_v he_o be_v prosecute_v as_o a_o great_a sinner_n cast_v to_o the_o devil_n and_o lay_v in_o prison_n yea_o he_o be_v sentence_v already_o for_o in_o canon_n 6._o thus_o we_o read_v whosoever_o shall_v affirm_v that_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v superstitious_a or_o such_o as_o man_n who_o be_v zealous_o and_o godly_o affect_v may_v not_o with_o any_o good_a conscience_n approve_v they_o use_v they_o or_o as_o occasion_n require_v subscribe_v unto_o they_o let_v he_o be_v excommunicate_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la and_o not_o restore_v until_o he_o repent_v and_o public_o revoke_v such_o his_o wicked_a error_n 4._o thus_o as_o we_o conceive_v the_o discipline_n of_o righteousness_n mercy_n and_o charity_n establish_v by_o christ_n be_v lay_v aside_o and_o a_o mercenary_a court_n set_v up_o hold_v the_o tradition_n of_o man_n instead_o of_o christ_n institution_n in_o ecclesiastical_a government_n who_o also_o live_v voluptuous_o upon_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o people_n but_o as_o for_o the_o reformation_n of_o evil_a manner_n or_o the_o make_n peace_n and_o concord_n alas_o it_o be_v not_o seek_v for_o nor_o indeed_o expect_v from_o these_o court_n and_o as_o the_o reverend_a grosthead_n say_v at_o rome_n when_o he_o see_v all_o thing_n rule_v by_o money_n so_o may_v i_o say_v of_o the_o court_n under_o consideration_n o_o money_n money_n what_o will_v thou_o not_o do_v there_o as_o for_o the_o opprobrious_a language_n prohibit_v by_o the_o canon_n we_o think_v it_o uncomely_a for_o any_o to_o use_v it_o though_o we_o dissent_v from_o the_o ceremony_n themselves_o sect_n iv._o concern_v impose_v of_o ceremony_n 1._o all_o divine_a ceremony_n ordain_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n we_o reverence_v and_o religious_o observe_v and_o keep_v as_o they_o be_v deliver_v 2._o that_o any_o church_n since_o their_o day_n have_v just_a power_n to_o make_v and_o ordain_v divine_a ceremony_n to_o be_v any_o necessary_a part_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n we_o see_v no_o ground_n to_o believe_v much_o less_o that_o such_o ceremony_n may_v lawful_o be_v impose_v under_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n banishment_n imprisonment_n loss_n of_o estate_n and_o life_n for_o though_o it_o be_v certain_a god_n have_v give_v power_n to_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o world_n to_o make_v change_n or_o disannual_a law_n in_o point_n of_o civil_a government_n yet_o we_o believe_v all_o the_o power_n on_o earth_n can_v make_v one_o institute_n or_o divine_a ceremony_n in_o religion_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v but_o think_v the_o church_n of_o england_n err_v from_o the_o rule_n of_o righteousness_n in_o decree_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n which_o god_n have_v not_o command_v 3._o for_o when_o we_o see_v how_o sharp_o foam_n be_v reprehend_v by_o st._n paul_n for_o bring_v the_o christian_a church_n in_o galatia_n under_o some_o legal_a ceremony_n which_o once_o have_v a_o divine_a original_a and_o use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n as_o invader_n of_o the_o liberty_n wherewith_o christ_n have_v make_v they_o free_a aver_v also_o that_o if_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o they_o christ_n shall_v profit_v they_o nothing_o gal._n 5._o 1_o 2._o we_o can_v see_v no_o ground_n to_o free_v the_o protestant_n from_o sin_n who_o either_o take_v up_o scriptureless_a ceremony_n from_o the_o papist_n or_o invent_v ceremony_n themselves_o but_o least_o of_o all_o when_o they_o force_v man_n will_v they_o will_v they_o to_o conform_v to_o such_o ceremony_n or_o else_o to_o be_v eject_v and_o deliver_v up_o to_o satan_n and_o sure_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a for_o her_o bishop_n to_o consent_v to_o a_o law_n that_o pious_a man_n only_o dissent_v in_o these_o thing_n elizabeth_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n shall_v be_v banish_v or_o else_o hang_v as_o felon_n without_o benefit_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o we_o humble_o desire_v that_o the_o severity_n of_o that_o law_n may_v be_v consider_v and_o mitigate_v 4._o but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v that_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o the_o sprinkle_v of_o infant_n the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n bow_v to_o the_o altar_n to_o name_v no_o more_o at_o present_a be_v not_o sinful_a then_o how_o shall_v we_o be_v ever_o able_a to_o reprove_v a_o papist_n for_o use_v holy_a water_n bow_v to_o the_o image_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n certain_o if_o we_o must_v submit_v to_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o her_o present_a constitution_n we_o must_v submit_v to_o they_o too_o where_o they_o have_v power_n on_o their_o side_n to_o enforce_v they_o but_o he_o that_o shall_v impartial_o consider_v what_o a_o learned_a protestant_n have_v say_v of_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o that_o one_o ceremony_n of_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n in_o his_o book_n entitle_v against_o symbolise_v with_o antichrist_n in_o ceremony_n will_v see_v great_a cause_n to_o avoid_v touch_v with_o any_o such_o invention_n however_o they_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v have_v a_o harmless_a use_n among_o christian_n at_o the_o first_o but_o who_o see_v not_o that_o when_o such_o ceremony_n have_v get_v the_o reputation_n of_o religion_n upon_o they_o and_o be_v force_v on_o by_o humane_a law_n what_o incredible_a misery_n they_o have_v bring_v upon_o the_o christian_a world_n how_o have_v they_o lord_v it_o over_o king_n and_o kingdom_n over_o the_o estate_n liberty_n and_o life_n of_o christian_n who_o see_v not_o that_o be_v thus_o set_v up_o they_o be_v sometime_o more_o set_v by_o than_o sincere_a faith_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n as_o if_o all_o true_a religion_n and_o loyalty_n too_o be_v only_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o according_a to_o man_n submission_n to_o those_o humane_a innovation_n for_o it_o be_v notorious_a even_o in_o this_o our_o land_n that_o let_v a_o man_n but_o conform_a to_o all_o the_o ceremony_n he_o shall_v live_v honourable_o let_v his_o life_n be_v never_o so_o debauch_v almost_o but_o let_v a_o man_n refuse_v these_o ceremony_n out_o of_o conscience_n to_o god_n because_o they_o be_v not_o from_o heaven_n than_o he_o be_v envy_n mark_n let_v his_o life_n be_v never_o so_o just_a and_o harmless_a such_o effect_n shall_v lead_v we_o to_o consider_v what_o the_o cause_n be_v and_o because_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o ceremony_n we_o crave_v leave_v to_o inquire_v what_o mean_v the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o ring_n in_o marriage_n why_o be_v we_o force_v not_o only_o to_o use_v it_o but_o to_o use_v it_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy-ghost_n the_o church_n of_o england_n blame_v the_o papist_n for_o say_v marriage_n be_v a_o sacrament_n but_o shall_v we_o then_o make_v a_o sacrament_n of_o a_o ring_n sure_o you_o make_v the_o ring_n as_o sacred_a in_o marriage_n as_o you_o make_v the_o water_n in_o baptism_n such_o usage_n as_o these_o we_o fear_v give_v the_o papist_n too_o much_o cause_n to_o use_v this_o speech_n a_o protestant_n be_v but_o a_o papist_n scare_v out_o of_o his_o wit_n it_o be_v not_o then_o any_o thing_n of_o prejudice_n or_o obstinacy_n which_o make_v we_o to_o stand_v off_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o a_o unfeigned_a desire_n to_o serve_v god_n aright_o and_o a_o godly_a fear_n lest_o by_o touch_v with_o these_o unwritten_a tradition_n we_o shall_v bring_v our_o soul_n under_o gild_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n howbeit_o if_o any_o can_v convince_v we_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v justifiable_a in_o these_o thing_n here_o object_v we_o shall_v suspect_v ourselves_o to_o be_v mistake_v in_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o here_o
be_v restrain_v from_o seditious_a practice_n as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o we_o do_v by_o as_o good_a right_n think_v it_o unlawful_a for_o we_o to_o be_v so_o restrain_v we_o hope_v our_o legislator_n do_v not_o intend_v at_o all_o to_o exalt_v their_o authority_n against_o the_o lord_n who_o power_n be_v above_o all_o but_o yet_o when_o these_o law_n come_v to_o be_v execute_v upon_o good_a man_n by_o the_o industry_n of_o mercenary_a fellow_n mere_o for_o worship_v god_n then_o be_v they_o turn_v into_o snare_n to_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o innocent_a and_o dishonour_n of_o that_o power_n which_o give_v they_o be_v and_o all_o this_o fall_v out_o for_o want_v of_o better_a provision_n in_o the_o say_a law_n to_o convict_v man_n of_o sedition_n than_o only_o because_o they_o be_v observe_v to_o preach_v or_o pray_v 4._o wherefore_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o our_o assembly_n be_v true_a church-assembly_n and_o that_o upon_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n we_o be_v able_a to_o make_v into_o the_o due_a nature_n and_o order_n of_o such_o assembly_n we_o conceive_v ourselves_o indispensible_o bind_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o example_n of_o the_o first_o and_o best_a church_n and_o the_o tie_n of_o conscience_n as_o regulate_v by_o a_o sincere_a love_n of_o religion_n to_o hold_v fast_o the_o profession_n of_o our_o faith_n without_o waver_v or_o change_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o change_n of_o time_n or_o man_n law_n be_v also_o rational_o persuade_v that_o the_o more_o public_a and_o free_a man_n be_v to_o serve_v the_o lord_n the_o less_o danger_n of_o sedition_n wherefore_o with_o innocent_a heart_n and_o pure_a hand_n as_o to_o any_o design_n of_o sedition_n in_o the_o strength_n of_o christ_n we_o will_v keep_v his_o way_n and_o let_v the_o lord_n do_v with_o we_o as_o seem_v he_o good_a sect_n v._o of_o the_o baptise_a believer_n call_v to_o christianity_n and_o to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n when_o our_o saviour_n command_v his_o apostle_n to_o teach_v all_o nation_n and_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n we_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o their_o performance_n of_o this_o his_o gracious_a will_n may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n or_o nation_n and_o that_o man_n enjoy_v a_o great_a mercy_n for_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v very_o thankful_a to_o be_v bear_v in_o a_o nation_n to_o who_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v preach_v and_o receive_v by_o their_o progenitor_n and_o that_o it_o be_v also_o a_o great_a blessing_n to_o be_v bear_v under_o the_o government_n of_o christian_a prince_n and_o we_o believe_v we_o ought_v to_o love_n and_o honour_v our_o nation_n and_o the_o ruler_n of_o it_o upon_o this_o very_a account_n as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o obligation_n of_o nature_n and_o law_n viz._n because_o they_o assert_v the_o interest_n of_o christ_n jesus_n in_o general_a as_o well_o as_o we_o nor_o be_v it_o our_o business_n to_o destroy_v the_o state_n of_o christianity_n receive_v in_o any_o nation_n nor_o at_o all_o to_o despise_v the_o ministry_n that_o conscientious_o uphold_v it_o but_o only_o to_o labour_v that_o christianity_n may_v be_v deliver_v from_o the_o error_n that_o have_v encumber_a it_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o change_n of_o government_n and_o interest_n or_o corruption_n of_o the_o age_n past_a and_o in_o this_o consideration_n as_o we_o look_v upon_o our_o nation_n to_o be_v a_o christian_a nation_n so_o we_o count_v ourselves_o much_o more_o happy_a in_o be_v member_n of_o a_o nation_n that_o own_v the_o true_a god_n christ_n jesus_n to_o be_v the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n the_o scripture_n to_o be_v holy_a and_o true_a and_o that_o faith_n and_o holiness_n be_v the_o way_n to_o true_a blessedness_n than_o to_o have_v be_v of_o any_o other_o nation_n whatsoever_o but_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o there_o be_v a_o great_a truth_n in_o the_o word_n of_o tertullian_n i._n e._n we_o be_v not_o bear_v but_o make_v christian_n and_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o our_o mere_a birth_n of_o christian_a parent_n do_v qualify_v we_o or_o give_v we_o a_o actual_a right_n to_o christ_n ordinance_n but_o to_o this_o end_n we_o believe_v and_o know_v that_o every_o person_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o gospel_n preach_v or_o some_o way_n make_v know_v to_o they_o and_o that_o a_o work_n of_o real_a grace_n or_o the_o new_a birth_n at_o least_o by_o a_o solemn_a profession_n must_v precede_v our_o baptismal_a covenant_n to_o this_o the_o scripture_n give_v full_a consent_n john_n 1._o 12_o 13._o 2_o cor._n 5._o 17._o eph._n 2._o 10._o 1_o pet._n 1._o 23._o and_o thus_o we_o and_o we_o so_o many_o of_o they_o as_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n do_v call_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v actual_o incorporate_a with_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n militant_a and_o engage_v thenceforth_o in_o the_o high_a and_o holy_a call_v and_o actual_a profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 2._o but_o now_o whether_o we_o have_v any_o lawful_a call_v to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v the_o business_n to_o be_v a_o little_a consider_v partly_o for_o that_o some_o of_o our_o late_a persecutor_n be_v please_v to_o suggest_v the_o contrary_a and_o partly_o to_o put_v ourselves_o upon_o the_o strict_a trial_n even_o in_o this_o case_n where_o we_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o most_o deficient_a the_o question_n in_o this_o case_n to_o be_v resolve_v be_v 1._o whether_o a_o succession_n of_o ordination_n from_o man_n to_o man_n down_o from_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o a_o due_a call_v to_o the_o ministry_n or_o 2._o whether_o the_o same_o mean_n that_o be_v of_o authority_n sufficient_a to_o make_v man_n christian_n be_v not_o also_o sufficient_a to_o make_v minister_n in_o answer_n to_o these_o question_n we_o shall_v do_v little_o more_o than_o offer_v what_o we_o have_v former_o write_v upon_o this_o subject_a and_o though_o the_o papist_n be_v the_o man_n who_o stand_v most_o stiff_o for_o succession_n as_o necessary_a yet_o of_o late_o we_o find_v our_o friend_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n look_v that_o way_n as_o if_o they_o will_v justify_v their_o ordination_n in_o a_o successive_a line_n from_o man_n to_o man_n through_o the_o papacy_n which_o thing_n be_v disclaim_v by_o dr._n luther_n with_o the_o great_a vehemency_n in_o these_o word_n whoso_o love_v christ_n aught_o to_o endure_v any_o thing_n rather_o than_o to_o be_v ordain_v by_o the_o papist_n because_o in_o their_o ordination_n all_o thing_n be_v carry_v with_o such_o wicked_a preposterousness_n that_o if_o they_o be_v not_o mad_a and_o blind_a they_o will_v perceive_v how_o they_o mock_v god_n to_o his_o face_n being_n strike_v with_o a_o universal_a blindness_n they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o know_v the_o word_n of_o god_n special_o the_o bishop_n who_o ordain_v let_v i_o be_v count_v a_o fool_n a_o knave_n a_o liar_n if_o there_o be_v any_o one_o of_o they_o ordain_v by_o they_o who_o dare_v say_v that_o at_o such_o time_n as_o he_o receive_v order_n he_o be_v command_v to_o dispense_v the_o mystery_n of_o christ_n or_o to_o teach_v the_o gospel_n but_o they_o ordain_v sacrificer_n of_o the_o unbloody_a sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n and_o to_o hear_v confession_n etc._n etc._n thus_o far_o luther_n and_o the_o oath_n which_o they_o take_v at_o their_o ordination_n as_o set_v down_o by_o mr._n bullinger_n be_v very_o un-gospel-like_a the_o sum_n of_o it_o be_v in_o these_o word_n that_o the_o priest_n will_v be_v a_o true_a subject_n to_o the_o pope_n obey_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n the_o roman_a church_n and_o that_o he_o will_v persecute_v heretic_n beza_n censure_v all_o ordination_n take_v from_o the_o papist_n let_v we_o hear_v he_o speak_v what_o ordinary_a vocation_n be_v that_o which_o you_o say_v the_o first_o reformer_n have_v except_v some_o few_o of_o they_o be_v it_o not_o the_o pall_n shall_v we_o think_v then_o that_o the_o popish_a order_n be_v valid_a in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o any_o precede_a enquiry_n into_o manner_n no_o such_o enquiry_n or_o procedure_n as_o be_v inviolable_o to_o be_v make_v or_o observe_v by_o divine_a right_n in_o election_n and_o ordination_n shall_v we_o think_v so_o high_o of_o their_o ordination_n that_o as_o often_o as_o any_o false_a bishop_n be_v convert_v to_o true_a christianity_n immediate_o all_o the_o filth_n uncleanness_n and_o impurity_n collate_v be_v wash_v away_o nay_o but_o with_o what_o face_n or_o conscience_n will_v he_o be_v able_a to_o forsake_v popery_n and_o not_o abjure_v his_o irregular_a ordination_n or_o if_o he_o do_v abjure_v it_o how_o can_v he_o by_o virtue_n thereof_o claim_v authority_n to_o