our_o church-government_n as_o it_o now_o stand_v in_o aggregate_n whether_o may_v this_o oath_n be_v take_v have_v they_o also_o be_v include_v last_o be_v not_o their_o practice_n for_o who_o satisfaction_n this_o covenant_n shall_v be_v take_v a_o trâ—â—_z add_v to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o like_a manner_n of_o speak_v or_o understand_v such_o speech_n evidence_n enough_o to_o we_o that_o we_o can_v take_v this_o oath_n and_o covenant_n unless_o we_o will_v swear_v to_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o church-government_n by_o bishop_n if_o this_o be_v so_o we_o desire_v to_o know_v first_o whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o subject_n to_o swear_v such_o a_o covenant_n as_o direct_o contradict_v the_o oath_n of_o their_o sovereign_n at_o his_o coronation_n as_o this_o second_o branch_n of_o the_o covenant_n do_v bind_v we_o to_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o the_o government_n of_o our_o church_n by_o bishop_n for_o that_o our_o sovereign_n have_v 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the_o holy_a ghost_n afterward_o confirm_v and_o approve_a bishop_n and_o their_o commission_n and_o power_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v appoint_v for_o the_o first_o we_o say_v their_o institution_n be_v ground_v upon_o our_o lord_n own_o institute_v and_o ordain_v twelve_o apostle_n above_o seventy_o disciple_n who_o say_v to_o these_o his_o apostle_n as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o even_o so_o send_v i_o you_o a_o locum_fw-la st._n joh._n 20._o 21._o as_o in_o other_o end_n of_o his_o mission_n so_o how_o not_o in_o this_o which_o we_o know_v they_o do_v according_a to_o his_o pattern_n as_o he_o be_v send_v by_o his_o father_n therefore_o to_o ordain_v one_o order_n of_o teacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n superior_a to_o another_o which_o we_o know_v because_o he_o do_v so_o ordain_v so_o also_o send_v he_o his_o apostle_n to_o ordain_v which_o according_o they_o do_v and_o whatsoever_o they_o do_v by_o christ_n example_n therein_o they_o do_v by_o his_o commission_n here_o 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yea_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n say_v chrysost._n theophyl_n oecumenius_n by_o divine_a revelation_n say_v theodoret_n of_o timothy_n and_o that_o these_o two_o be_v bishop_n according_a to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n now_o use_v ancient_a father_n plentiful_o witness_v b_o tit._n moreover_o this_o superiority_n to_o office_n episcopal_a to_o have_v be_v fix_v and_o continue_v to_o the_o day_n of_o death_n be_v evident_a as_o from_o church-history_n so_o also_o from_o 1_o tim._n 6._o 14._o where_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o be_v the_o same_o with_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o in_fw-la the_o beginning_n of_o the_o epistle_n 1_o tim._n 1._o 18._o and_o include_v in_o it_o the_o whole_a charge_n give_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o timothy_n in_o this_o epistle_n c_o scribo_fw-la from_o which_o text_n also_o it_o be_v manifest_v that_o his_o office_n prescribe_v be_v not_o personal_a only_o but_o to_o descend_v by_o succession_n unto_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n d_o 6._o three_o this_o office_n and_o power_n episcopal_a that_o it_o be_v afterward_o approve_v and_o confirm_v by_o the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o immediate_o and_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n will_v be_v prove_v from_o revel._n c._n 1._o and_o 2._o and_o 3._o where_o by_o the_o seven_o star_n the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n according_a to_o all_o reason_n from_o the_o text_n itself_o and_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n e_o note_n be_v seven_o bishop_n of_o those_o seven_o church_n understand_v which_o ecclesiastical_a story_n mention_v to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n long_o before_o this_o time_n as_o so_o many_o angel_n and_o apostle_n f_o sympronian_n of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o be_v polycarp_n the_o angel_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n make_v bishop_n of_o that_o place_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o thirteen_o
scotland_n the_o reformation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n moreover_o in_o that_o we_o protest_v absolute_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o king_n person_n according_a to_o our_o allegiance_n which_o here_o we_o do_v not_o absolute_o swear_v to_o to_o maintain_v the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n the_o liberty_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o only_o to_o defend_v one_o another_o so_o far_o as_o lawful_o we_o may_v which_o here_o be_v omit_v many_o other_o difference_n may_v be_v observe_v if_o yet_o they_o shall_v say_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o almost_o in_o this_o which_o be_v not_o in_o that_o or_o nothing_o of_o moment_n which_o must_v be_v the_o meaning_n if_o their_o argument_n be_v of_o any_o force_n at_o all_o it_o may_v not_o be_v think_v unreasonable_a if_o we_o desire_v with_o leave_n from_o his_o majesty_n to_o renew_v that_o protestation_n that_o we_o may_v be_v thereby_o excuse_v from_o this_o league_n and_o covenant_n after_o the_o proposal_n of_o their_o persuasive_a argument_n they_o proceed_v to_o the_o take_v away_o of_o scruple_n not_o all_o or_o most_o of_o such_o as_o may_v arise_v to_o the_o contrary_a as_o appear_v by_o that_o which_o we_o have_v humble_o represent_v against_o the_o covenant_n itself_o therefore_o such_o as_o they_o have_v choose_v out_o probable_o because_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o best_o able_a for_o their_o answer_n the_o scruple_n which_o they_o suppose_v be_v such_o as_o concern_v either_o the_o king_n or_o the_o bishop_n they_o begin_v with_o the_o extirpation_n of_o bishop_n where_o first_o they_o design_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v extirpate_v and_o after_o they_o address_v themselves_o to_o answer_v one_o special_a objection_n we_o will_v therefore_o in_o order_n propound_v and_o examine_v the_o weight_n and_o truth_n which_o be_v in_o their_o argument_n the_o first_o be_v but_o a_o intimation_n some_o say_v this_o government_n be_v never_o formal_o 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again_o we_o may_v desire_v of_o they_o to_o be_v tender_a of_o we_o who_o have_v protest_v solemn_o with_o our_o life_n to_o defend_v the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n 2._o the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o it_o be_v already_o take_v away_o by_o a_o act_n etc._n etc._n so_o as_o nothing_o of_o jurisdiction_n remain_v but_o what_o be_v precarious_a in_o they_o and_o voluntary_a in_o those_o who_o submit_v unto_o they_o 1._o we_o can_v acknowledge_v that_o any_o essential_a part_n of_o episcopacy_n such_o as_o that_o which_o be_v the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o it_o must_v be_v be_v or_o can_v be_v take_v away_o from_o our_o bishop_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o order_n or_o jurisdiction_n however_o the_o outward_a coercive_a power_n communicate_v to_o it_o by_o the_o secular_a arm_n have_v be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o famous_a persecution_n and_o may_v be_v again_o divide_v from_o it_o 2._o for_o the_o act_n of_o this_o present_a parliament_n here_o mention_v we_o do_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v more_o take_v away_o in_o it_o than_o be_v intend_v by_o the_o major_a part_n of_o both_o house_n at_o the_o pass_n of_o it_o this_o we_o gather_v out_o of_o those_o word_n of_o his_o majesty_n in_o his_o declaration_n aug._n 12._o and_o whether_o that_o act_n be_v pen_v with_o that_o wariness_n and_o animadversion_n that_o there_o be_v not_o more_o determine_v by_o it_o than_o the_o major_a part_n of_o both_o house_n intend_v at_o the_o pass_n of_o it_o let_v themselves_o judge_v 3._o however_o that_o be_v we_o can_v conceive_v it_o reasonable_a that_o their_o temporal_a lurisdiction_n shall_v be_v take_v away_o as_o be_v suggest_v that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o intend_v their_o spiritual_a and_o then_o a_o argument_n make_v to_o take_v away_o the_o spiritual_a part_n of_o their_o government_n also_o because_o the_o former_a be_v already_o part_v from_o they_o three_o that_o their_o whole_a government_n be_v at_o best_o but_o a_o human_a constitution_n if_o there_o be_v no_o fallacy_n in_o these_o word_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o whole_a be_v take_v material_o as_o it_o include_v each_o several_a part_n and_o not_o formal_o only_a and_o then_o we_o answer_v that_o the_o government_n so_o far_o as_o to_o the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n be_v at_o least_o of_o apostolical_a constitution_n as_o be_v prove_v in_o our_o reason_n against_o the_o second_o article_n and_o consequent_o as_o to_o that_o which_o be_v here_o speak_v of_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o be_v take_v away_o four_o it_o be_v such_o as_o be_v find_v and_o adjudge_v by_o both_o house_n of_o parliament_n not_o only_o very_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o civil_a state_n but_o a_o great_a hindrance_n also_o to_o a_o perfect_a reformation_n yea_o who_o know_v not_o etc._n etc._n we_o know_v the_o danger_n and_o if_o indeed_o we_o do_v not_o yet_o the_o honour_n and_o respect_n we_o bear_v to_o the_o very_a name_n of_o parliament_n will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o 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which_o we_o by_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n enjoy_v have_v be_v bishop_n some_o of_o which_o be_v martyr_n as_o bishop_n cranmer_n ridley_n hooper_n latimer_n ferrer_n jewel_n bilson_n etc._n etc._n we_o can_v see_v to_o what_o reformation_n episcopacy_n can_v be_v a_o hindrance_n unless_o to_o such_o a_o form_n as_o suppose_v that_o episcopacy_n must_v be_v extirpate_v which_o move_v the_o well-affected_a throughout_o this_o kingdom_n long_o since_o to_o petition_v this_o parliament_n as_o have_v be_v desire_v before_o in_o the_o day_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n and_o king_n james_n for_o a_o total_a abolition_n of_o the_o same_o in_o this_o which_o be_v intend_v for_o a_o proof_n the_o four_o argument_n see_v it_o be_v presume_v that_o those_o who_o have_v petition_v for_o the_o abolition_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v and_o have_v be_v well_o affect_v for_o a_o judgement_n of_o that_o we_o do_v only_o represent_v that_o the_o same_o in_o the_o day_n of_o those_o renown_a prince_n by_o those_o famous_a parliament_n hold_v in_o their_o time_n be_v reject_v as_o ignorant_a and_o seditious_a and_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v the_o well_o affect_v throughout_o the_o kingdom_n etc._n etc._n it_o do_v and_o may_v appear_v that_o since_o the_o sit_n of_o this_o present_a parliament_n and_o that_o after_o discountenance_v give_v to_o that_o party_n more_o than_o four_o and_o forty_o thousand_o man_n of_o quality_n have_v petition_v for_o the_o continuance_n of_o our_o present_a church-government_n beside_o the_o city_n of_o london_n the_o county_n of_o dorcet_n kent_n surrey_n westmoreland_n cumberland_n southampton_n lancaster_n cornwall_n oxfordshire_n berkeshire_n wiltshire_n the_o six_o shire_n of_o north-wales_n and_o beside_o the_o two_o university_n all_o the_o which_o have_v petition_v for_o the_o same_o the_o restriction_n or_o what_o else_o be_v here_o lay_v down_o that_o we_o be_v not_o by_o this_o
a_o acceptation_n of_o those_o proffer_n for_o treaty_n towards_o accommodation_n which_o he_o so_o often_o make_v and_o in_o case_n they_o shall_v be_v by_o any_o pertinacious_o refuse_v join_v themselves_o with_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n in_o his_o just_a defence_n have_v thus_o do_v with_o the_o introduction_n it_o follow_v that_o we_o examine_v the_o discourse_n itself_o which_o proceed_v in_o this_o method_n first_o to_o propound_v the_o motive_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o take_v the_o covenant_n second_o to_o answer_v the_o objection_n or_o scruple_n which_o may_v hinder_v etc._n etc._n here_o before_o we_o begin_v to_o examine_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o motive_n themselves_o we_o observe_v the_o different_a apprehension_n of_o the_o framer_n of_o it_o for_o whereas_o he_o who_o frame_v the_o introduction_n do_v it_o seem_v imagine_v that_o the_o take_n of_o the_o covenant_n may_v be_v enforce_v from_o the_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o other_o who_o be_v to_o lay_v down_o the_o motive_n be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o as_o to_o esteem_v it_o necessary_a towards_o the_o same_o end_n in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o insinuate_v the_o example_n of_o themselves_o of_o the_o assembly_n and_o other_o who_o have_v already_o take_v it_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o persuasive_a argument_n be_v this_o first_o this_o covenant_n be_v already_o take_v by_o the_o two_o house_n of_o parliament_n by_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n the_o city_n of_o london_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o scotland_n second_o it_o have_v be_v already_o second_v from_o heaven_n by_o blast_v the_o counsel_n etc._n etc._n three_o it_o carry_v in_o itself_o such_o a_o convince_a evidence_n of_o equity_n truth_n and_o righteousness_n as_o may_v raise_v in_o all_o inflame_a affection_n to_o take_v it_o which_o be_v prove_v because_o there_o be_v almost_o nothing_o in_o this_o covenant_n which_o be_v not_o for_o substance_n either_o express_v or_o manifest_o include_v in_o the_o protestation_n of_o may_n 5._o 1641._o ergo_fw-la whosoever_o be_v not_o wilful_o ignorant_a or_o miserable_o seduce_v must_v infallible_o take_v this_o covenant_n for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o argument_n first_o in_o general_a we_o do_v not_o see_v how_o the_o example_n of_o either_o party_n can_v reasonable_o be_v allege_v to_o direct_v the_o conscience_n in_o any_o controversy_n second_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o far_o the_o great_a number_n both_o in_o the_o city_n of_o london_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o scotland_n can_v not_o take_v this_o oath_n in_o judgement_n as_o be_v not_o able_a to_o discern_v of_o the_o righteousness_n or_o iniquity_n of_o some_o of_o the_o article_n especial_o that_o which_o concern_v episcopacy_n so_o that_o a_o chief_a strength_n of_o this_o argument_n from_o example_n consist_v in_o the_o example_n of_o themselves_o who_o be_v of_o the_o assembly_n and_o make_v this_o exhortation_n and_o then_o we_o conceive_v they_o can_v just_o accuse_v we_o either_o of_o immodesty_n or_o presumption_n if_o we_o shall_v open_o profess_v that_o they_o have_v not_o in_o this_o first_o essay_n of_o they_o at_o lest_o which_o we_o know_v to_o have_v be_v publish_v give_v evidence_n of_o so_o great_a judgement_n learning_n or_o integrity_n as_o may_v warrant_v or_o encourage_v we_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o case_n of_o conscience_n to_o subscribe_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o example_n to_o the_o second_o argument_n which_o be_v that_o it_o have_v be_v second_v from_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n it_o can_v conclude_v to_o the_o conscience_n till_o it_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v neither_o can_v that_o be_v without_o a_o revelation_n of_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n which_o if_o the_o composer_n of_o this_o part_n have_v obtain_v it_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o end_n propound_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v make_v it_o appear_v till_o when_o it_o may_v be_v believe_v that_o those_o instance_n where_o the_o signature_n of_o god_n judgement_n may_v the_o most_o plain_o have_v be_v discover_v have_v fall_v upon_o those_o who_o have_v have_v the_o great_a share_n in_o the_o raise_n and_o manage_n of_o those_o arm_n for_o the_o maintain_n of_o which_o this_o covenant_n be_v ordain_v so_o than_o the_o whole_a force_n of_o their_o persuasion_n will_v depend_v upon_o the_o three_o argument_n and_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o which_o to_o avoid_v any_o error_n in_o examine_v shall_v be_v again_o propound_v there_o be_v almost_o nothing_o in_o this_o covenant_n which_o be_v not_o for_o substance_n either_o express_v or_o manifest_o include_v in_o the_o protestation_n may_n 5._o 1641._o therefore_o this_o covenant_n go_v forth_o in_o its_o own_o strength_n with_o such_o convince_a evidence_n of_o equity_n truth_n and_o righteousness_n as_o may_v raise_v in_o all_o not_o wilful_o ignorant_a or_o miserable_o seduce_v inflame_a affection_n to_o join_v in_o the_o covenant_n resp._n 1._o we_o be_v not_o able_a by_o all_o those_o way_n of_o reason_v to_o which_o we_o have_v hitherto_o be_v use_v to_o discover_v the_o inference_n which_o be_v here_o make_v if_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o solid_a reason_n it_o may_v possible_o be_v make_v to_o appear_v yet_o we_o be_v confident_a the_o dependence_n be_v so_o deep_a and_o secret_a that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o this_o discourse_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v intend_v have_v be_v leave_v unrevealed_a 2._o whereas_o the_o argument_n of_o the_o evident_a equity_n truth_n and_o righteousness_n of_o this_o be_v take_v from_o the_o agreement_n of_o it_o with_o that_o protestation_n we_o will_v assume_v the_o matter_n of_o that_o protestation_n to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o this_o assembly_n equal_a true_a and_o righteous_a from_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o if_o this_o shall_v according_a to_o their_o principle_n either_o immediate_o or_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n contradict_v that_o protestation_n therein_o they_o must_v confess_v it_o to_o be_v unequal_a false_a or_o unrighteous_a and_o wherein_o soever_o it_o do_v positive_o dissent_v from_o it_o there_o the_o truth_n equity_n and_o righteousness_n of_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v to_o be_v here_o no_o way_n prove_v this_o be_v premise_v let_v we_o compare_v together_o this_o covenant_n and_o that_o protestation_n there_o we_o protest_v that_o we_o will_v with_o our_o life_n etc._n etc._n defend_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n indefinite_o which_o be_v undoubted_o contain_v in_o the_o 39_o article_n which_o in_o the_o further_a article_n of_o impeachment_n jan._n 17._o 1643._o by_o the_o commons_o assemble_v in_o parliament_n against_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n be_v style_v the_o 39_o article_n of_o the_o church_n england_n establish_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o in_o the_o six_o and_o thirty_o of_o those_o article_n it_o be_v avouch_v that_o the_o book_n of_o consecration_n of_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n and_o order_v of_o priest_n and_o deacon_n confirm_v by_o authority_n of_o parliament_n do_v contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o such_o consecration_n and_o order_v and_o have_v nothing_o in_o it_o ungodly_a this_o book_n assert_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o man_n diligent_o read_v holy_a scripture_n and_o ancient_a author_n that_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n there_o have_v be_v these_o order_n of_o minister_n in_o the_o church_n bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n which_o officer_n be_v evermore_o bad_a in_o reverent_a estimation_n wherefore_o we_o there_o protest_v with_o our_o life_n etc._n etc._n to_o defend_v that_o it_o be_v not_o ungodly_a therefore_o not_o false_a doctrine_n to_o say_v that_o diligent_a read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n will_v help_v to_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n there_o have_v be_v bishop_n which_o can_v not_o be_v unless_o the_o scripture_n do_v testify_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o be_v one_o of_o the_o prayer_n also_o and_o lex_fw-la orandi_fw-la lex_fw-la docendi_fw-la thus_o begin_v almighty_a god_n giver_n of_o all_o good_a thing_n which_o by_o thy_o holy_a spirit_n have_v appoint_v divers_a order_n of_o minister_n in_o thy_o church_n merciful_o behold_v this_o thy_o servant_n now_o call_v to_o the_o work_n and_o ministry_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o the_o elect_a bishop_n be_v afterward_o require_v to_o profess_v that_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o he_o be_v true_o call_v to_o this_o ministration_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o by_o consequence_n we_o there_o do_v protest_v to_o defend_v that_o also_o and_o consequent_o upon_o their_o own_o principle_n it_o be_v unequal_a and_o unrighteous_a to_o swear_v to_o the_o extirpation_n of_o they_o again_o in_o that_o protestation_n there_o be_v nothing_o concerning_o the_o endeavour_v the_o preservation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o church_n of_o