who_o write_n be_v stuff_v with_o that_o charge_n and_o miserable_a attempt_n to_o make_v it_o good_n there_o be_v also_o other_o difference_n among_o they_o with_o respect_n unto_o church_n order_n rite_n ceremony_n and_o modes_n of_o worship_n the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o unto_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o sundry_a other_o thing_n take_v a_o way_n by_o itself_o which_o at_o present_a we_o do_v not_o consider_v 3._o consider_v the_o agreement_n in_o all_o fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n between_o these_o church_n thus_o at_o difference_n and_o of_o what_o great_a use_n their_o union_n may_v be_v unto_o the_o protestant_a religion_n both_o as_o unto_o its_o spiritual_a and_o political_a interest_n in_o this_o world_n the_o effect_n of_o such_o a_o union_n among_o they_o have_v be_v attempt_v by_o many_o private_a person_n prince_n colloquy_n or_o synod_n of_o some_o of_o the_o party_n at_o variance_n have_v sedulous_o engage_v herein_o i_o wish_v they_o have_v never_o miss_v it_o in_o state_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o union_n which_o in_o this_o case_n be_v alone_o desirable_a and_o alone_a attainable_a nor_o in_o the_o cause_n of_o that_o disadvantageous_a difference_n that_o be_v between_o they_o for_o hence_o it_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o although_o some_o verbal_a composition_n have_v sometime_o by_o some_o be_v consent_v unto_o yet_o all_o thing_n continue_v practical_o among_o they_o as_o they_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o there_o be_v yet_o person_n who_o be_v manage_v proposal_n for_o such_o a_o union_n with_o great_a projection_n in_o point_n of_o method_n for_o the_o compass_v of_o it_o and_o state_v of_o the_o principle_n of_o agreement_n some_o whereof_o i_o have_v by_o i_o but_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n in_o europe_n with_o the_o mind_n of_o potentate_n not_o concern_v in_o these_o thing_n leave_v little_a encouragement_n for_o any_o such_o attempt_n or_o expectation_n of_o any_o success_n 4._o after_o the_o trial_n and_o experience_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n it_o be_v altogether_o in_o vain_a to_o be_v expect_v that_o any_o far_a reconciliation_n or_o union_n shall_v be_v effect_v between_o these_o protestant_a church_n by_o either_o party_n relinquishment_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o have_v so_o long_o teach_v profess_v and_o contend_v for_o or_o of_o their_o practice_n in_o divine_a worship_n which_o they_o have_v so_o long_o be_v accustom_v unto_o we_o may_v as_o well_o expect_v that_o a_o river_n shall_v run_v backward_o as_o expect_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o this_o state_n of_o thing_n i_o say_v the_o principle_n we_o proceed_v upon_o be_v the_o most_o useful_a unto_o the_o procure_n of_o peace_n and_o union_n among_o these_o church_n in_o the_o state_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o without_o which_o it_o will_v never_o be_v effect_v i_o shall_v therefore_o give_v a_o account_n of_o those_o of_o they_o which_o be_v of_o this_o nature_n and_o tendency_n 1._o and_o the_o first_o be_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o a_o general_a reformation_n in_o life_n and_o manner_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n belong_v unto_o these_o church_n it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v what_o a_o woeful_a condition_n the_o profession_n even_o of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n be_v fall_v into_o how_o little_a evidence_n be_v there_o leave_v of_o the_o power_n of_o evangelical_n grace_n work_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n what_o little_a diligence_n in_o the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n what_o a_o deluge_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o vice_n have_v overwhelm_v the_o nation_n and_o what_o indication_n there_o be_v of_o the_o displeasure_n of_o god_n against_o we_o on_o the_o account_n of_o these_o thing_n who_o do_v not_o almost_o tremble_v at_o they_o calvin_n unto_o who_o i_o be_v new_o send_v by_o our_o reverend_a author_n in_o answer_n to_o they_o who_o plead_v for_o a_o separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n because_o of_o the_o wickedness_n of_o many_o of_o its_o member_n or_o any_o of_o they_o add_v unto_o it_o it_o be_v a_o most_o just_a offence_n and_o unto_o which_o there_o be_v too_o much_o occasion_n give_v in_o this_o miserable_a age._n nor_o be_v it_o lawful_a to_o excuse_v our_o curse_a sloth_n which_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o let_v go_v unpunished_a as_o he_o begin_v already_o to_o chastise_v we_o with_o grievous_a stripe_n wo_n therefore_o unto_o we_o who_o by_o our_o dissolute_a licentiousness_n in_o flagitious_a sin_n do_v cause_n that_o the_o weak_a conscience_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v wound_v for_o we_o and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o then_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o much_o mend_v in_o the_o age_n wherein_o we_o live_v the_o truth_n be_v sin_n and_o impiety_n be_v come_v to_o that_o height_n and_o impudence_n sensuality_n and_o oppression_n be_v so_o diffuse_v among_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n conformity_n unto_o the_o fashion_n of_o the_o world_n become_v so_o universal_a and_o the_o evidence_n of_o god_n displeasure_n with_o the_o beginning_n and_o entrance_n of_o his_o judgement_n be_v so_o display_v as_o that_o if_o the_o reformation_n plead_v for_o be_v not_o speedy_o endeavour_v and_o vigorous_o pursue_v it_o will_v be_v too_o late_o to_o talk_v of_o difference_n and_o union_n destruction_n will_v swallow_v up_o all_o until_o this_o be_v agree_v on_o until_o it_o be_v attempt_v and_o effect_v in_o some_o good_a measure_n all_o endeavour_n for_o far_a union_n whatever_o there_o appear_v success_n shall_v be_v as_o probable_o it_o will_v be_v very_o small_a will_v be_v of_o no_o use_n unto_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n the_o glory_n of_o christ_n nor_o good_a of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n individual_a person_n will_v do_v well_o to_o take_v care_n of_o themselves_o 2._o that_o all_o these_o differ_a church_n and_o whilst_o these_o difference_n do_v continue_v be_v teach_v to_o prefer_v their_o general_a interest_n in_o opposition_n unto_o the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n and_o antichrist_n in_o the_o world_n before_o the_o lesser_a thing_n wherein_o they_o differ_v and_o those_o occasional_a animosity_n that_o will_v ensue_v upon_o they_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v in_o many_o place_n that_o the_o near_a some_o man_n or_o church_n come_v together_o in_o their_o profession_n the_o more_o distant_a they_o be_v in_o their_o affection_n as_o the_o lutheran_n in_o many_o place_n do_v more_o hate_v the_o calvinist_n then_o the_o papist_n i_o hope_v it_o be_v not_o so_o among_o we_o this_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o want_n of_o necessary_a peace_n and_o union_n among_o church_n do_v not_o proceed_v from_o the_o thing_n themselves_o wherein_o they_o differ_v but_o from_o the_o corrupt_a lust_n and_o interest_n of_o the_o person_n that_o differ_v this_o evil_n can_v no_o otherwise_o be_v cure_v but_o by_o such_o a_o reformation_n as_o shall_v in_o some_o measure_n reduce_v primitive_a simplicity_n integrity_n and_o love_n such_o as_o be_v among_o the_o church_n of_o the_o convert_v jew_n and_o gentile_n when_o they_o walk_v according_a unto_o the_o same_o rule_n in_o what_o they_o have_v attain_v forbear_v one_o another_o in_o love_n as_o unto_o the_o thing_n wherein_o they_o differ_v until_o this_o also_o be_v effect_v all_o endeavour_n for_o far_a union_n whilst_o these_o difference_n continue_v as_o they_o be_v like_a to_o do_v unless_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o thing_n in_o europe_n shall_v be_v change_v by_o some_o great_a revolution_n will_v be_v fruitless_a and_o useless_a be_v this_o conscientious_o insist_v on_o out_o of_o a_o pure_a love_n unto_o jesus_n christ_n with_o zeal_n for_o his_o glory_n it_o will_v not_o only_o be_v of_o more_o use_n then_o innumerable_a wrangle_a dispute_n about_o the_o point_n in_o difference_n but_o more_o than_o the_o exact_a method_n in_o contrive_v formulary_n of_o consent_n or_o colloquy_n or_o synodical_a conference_n of_o the_o party_n at_o variance_n with_o all_o their_o solemnity_n order_n limitation_n precaution_n concession_n and_o oration_n let_v man_n say_v what_o they_o will_v it_o must_v be_v the_o revival_n flourish_a and_o exercise_n of_o evangelical_n light_n faith_n and_o love_n that_o shall_v heal_v the_o difference_n and_o breach_n that_o be_v among_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n nor_o shall_v any_o thing_n else_o be_v honour_v with_o any_o great_a influence_n into_o that_o work_n 3._o that_o all_o communion_n of_o church_n as_o such_o consist_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o faith_n and_o love_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o same_o sacrament_n and_o common_a advice_n in_o thing_n of_o common_a concerment_n all_o these_o may_v be_v observe_v when_o for_o sundry_a reason_n the_o member_n of_o they_o can_v have_v local_a presential_a communion_n in_o some_o ordinance_n with_o each_o church_n distinct_o if_o this_o truth_n be_v well_o establish_v and_o consent_v unto_o man_n may_v be_v
which_o be_v become_v a_o principal_a article_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n there_o be_v a_o reformation_n attempt_v and_o attain_v in_o some_o measure_n by_o some_o nation_n or_o church_n in_o the_o last_o age_n from_o the_o corruption_n and_o imposition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n however_o none_o of_o they_o ever_o pretend_v that_o it_o be_v complete_a or_o perfect_a according_a to_o the_o pattern_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o unto_o the_o institution_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n no_o nor_o yet_o to_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n of_o after_o age_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o commination_n against_o sinner_n but_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v complete_a to_o conclude_v that_o because_o a_o outward_a rule_n of_o it_o be_v establish_v so_o long_o as_o that_o outward_a rule_n be_v observe_v there_o can_v be_v no_o need_n of_o reformation_n be_v a_o way_n to_o lead_v church_n into_o a_o presumptuous_a security_n unto_o their_o ruin_n for_o whereas_o man_n be_v secure_v in_o their_o interest_n by_o that_o rule_n be_v prejudice_v against_o any_o progress_n in_o reformation_n beyond_o what_o they_o have_v attain_v which_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o duty_n be_v contrary_a unto_o the_o whole_a nature_n of_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v the_o conduct_n of_o a_o spiritual_a life_n in_o the_o growth_n and_o increase_n of_o light_n and_o a_o suitable_a obedience_n so_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o whilst_o they_o adhere_v unto_o that_o rule_n they_o can_v stand_v in_o no_o need_n of_o reformation_n which_o be_v but_o a_o new_a name_n for_o trouble_n and_o sedition_n though_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n on_o which_o they_o stand_v but_o general_o church_n think_v that_o other_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o reformation_n but_o they_o need_v none_o themselves_o if_o they_o will_v but_o give_v they_o leave_v to_o reform_v themselves_o who_o judge_n that_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o they_o without_o the_o least_o prejudice_n unto_o their_o church_n profession_n or_o secular_a interest_n it_o be_v all_o that_o be_v desire_v of_o they_o 2._o where_o church_n do_v so_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o reformation_n and_o will_v not_o reform_v themselves_o be_v warn_v of_o their_o duty_n the_o lord_n christ_n threaten_v to_o leave_v they_o and_o assure_o will_v do_v so_o in_o the_o time_n that_o he_o have_v limit_v unto_o his_o patience_n this_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o five_o of_o his_o epistle_n or_o message_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n rev._n chap._n 2_o 3._o and_o where_o the_o lord_n christ_n do_v on_o any_o cause_n or_o provocation_n withdraw_v his_o presence_n in_o any_o kind_n or_o degree_n from_o any_o church_n it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o any_o of_o the_o member_n of_o that_o church_n to_o remove_v from_o themselves_o the_o gild_n of_o that_o provocation_n though_o it_o can_v be_v do_v without_o a_o separation_n from_o that_o church_n it_o it_o safe_o leave_v of_o any_o church_n whatever_o then_o of_o jesus_n christ._n i_o suppose_v most_o man_n think_v that_o if_o they_o have_v a_o warn_v from_o christ_n charge_v their_o defection_n and_o call_v for_o reformation_n as_o those_o church_n of_o asia_n have_v they_o will_v repent_v and_o reform_v themselves_o but_o whereas_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o some_o of_o they_o do_v so_o whereon_o they_o be_v not_o long_o after_o desert_v and_o destroy_v it_o be_v like_a that_o there_o be_v other_o who_o will_v follow_v their_o step_n though_o one_o shall_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a to_o warn_v they_o of_o their_o danger_n but_o this_o instruction_n that_o church_n who_o lose_v their_o first_o faith_n love_n and_o work_n who_o be_v negligent_a in_o discipline_n and_o tolerate_v offensive_a evil_n in_o doctrine_n and_o manner_n among_o they_o who_o be_v lukewarm_a as_o unto_o zeal_n and_o dead_a for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o member_n as_o unto_o the_o life_n of_o holiness_n be_v disapprove_v by_o christ_n and_o in_o danger_n of_o be_v utter_o desert_v by_o he_o be_v give_v unto_o all_o church_n no_o less_o divine_o then_o if_o they_o have_v a_o immediate_a message_n from_o heaven_n about_o these_o thing_n those_o therefore_o who_o be_v under_o the_o gild_n of_o they_o and_o do_v not_o reform_v themselves_o can_v claim_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o continuance_n in_o their_o communion_n from_o any_o disciple_n of_o christ_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v afterward_o 3._o reformation_n respect_v either_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n or_o obedience_n become_v the_o gospel_n the_o debate_n about_o such_o a_o reformation_n as_o concern_v the_o retain_v or_o remove_v of_o certain_a ceremony_n we_o concern_v not_o ourselves_o in_o at_o present_a nor_o shall_v we_o in_o this_o place_n insist_v on_o what_o concern_v doctrine_n and_o worship_n which_o may_v afterward_o be_v speak_v unto_o but_o we_o shall_v confine_v ourselves_o here_o unto_o the_o consideration_n of_o gospel_n obedience_n only_o and_o we_o say_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o the_o generality_n of_o its_o parochial_a assembly_n and_o in_o itself_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o reformation_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o woeful_a degeneracy_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o its_o member_n that_o be_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o land_n from_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o command_n of_o christ_n as_o unto_o spiritual_a light_n faith_n love_n holiness_n charity_n and_o abound_v in_o the_o fruit_n of_o righteousness_n unto_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n by_o jesus_n christ._n these_o thing_n be_v the_o immediate_a end_n of_o church_n society_n the_o principal_a mean_n whereby_o god_n be_v glorify_v in_o the_o world_n where_o they_o be_v neglect_v where_o they_o be_v not_o attain_v where_o they_o be_v not_o due_o improve_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o member_n of_o any_o church_n that_o church_n i_o think_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o reformation_n this_o assertion_n may_v seem_v somewhat_o importune_a and_o severe_a but_o when_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o church_n or_o nation_n be_v come_v to_o that_o height_n in_o all_o rank_n sort_n and_o degree_n of_o man_n that_o all_o person_n of_o sobriety_n do_v fear_v daily_o that_o desolate_v judgement_n from_o god_n will_v break_v in_o upon_o we_o it_o can_v be_v unseasonable_a to_o make_v mention_n of_o they_o when_o it_o be_v do_v with_o no_o other_o design_n but_o only_o to_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o reformation_n or_o how_o necessary_a it_o be_v for_o some_o if_o all_o will_v not_o comply_v therewith_o for_o if_o a_o city_n be_v on_o fire_n it_o be_v sure_o lawful_a for_o any_o of_o the_o citizen_n to_o save_v and_o preserve_v if_o they_o can_v their_o own_o house_n though_o the_o mayor_n and_o alderman_n shall_v neglect_v the_o preservation_n of_o the_o whole_a city_n in_o general_n it_o may_v be_v easy_o demonstrate_v what_o great_a number_n among_o we_o 1._o who_o have_v imbibe_v atheistical_a opinion_n and_o either_o vent_v they_o or_o speak_v presumptuous_o according_a unto_o their_o influence_n and_o tendency_n every_o day_n 2._o who_o be_v profane_a scoffer_n at_o all_o true_a christian_a piety_n and_o the_o due_a expression_n of_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n a_o evil_a not_o confine_v unto_o the_o laity_n such_o thing_n be_v utter_v and_o publish_v by_o they_o as_o shall_v be_v astonishable_a unto_o all_o that_o know_v the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o terror_n 3._o who_o be_v profound_o ignorant_a of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o those_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a religion_n who_o knowledge_n be_v of_o the_o high_a importance_n and_o necessity_n 4._o who_o be_v open_o flagitious_a in_o their_o life_n whence_o all_o sort_n of_o gross_a immorality_n do_v fill_v the_o land_n from_o one_o end_n unto_o the_o other_o 5._o who_o live_v in_o a_o constant_a neglect_n of_o all_o more_o private_a holy_a duty_n whether_o in_o their_o family_n or_o in_o personal_a retirement_n 6._o who_o be_v evident_o under_o the_o power_n of_o pride_n vanity_n covetousness_n profaneness_n of_o speech_n in_o curse_a oath_n and_o swear_v 7._o who_o instruct_v the_o worst_a of_o man_n unto_o a_o approbation_n of_o themselves_o in_o such_o way_n as_o these_o by_o petulant_a scoff_v at_o the_o very_a name_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o grace_n of_o christ_n at_o all_o expectation_n of_o his_o spiritual_a aid_n and_o assistance_n at_o all_o fervency_n in_o religious_a duty_n or_o other_o act_n of_o a_o holy_a converse_n these_o and_o such_o like_a thing_n as_o these_o do_v sufficient_o evidence_n the_o necessity_n of_o reformation_n for_o where_o they_o be_v continue_v the_o use_n and_o end_v of_o church_n societies_n be_v impair_v or_o lose_v and_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v that_o this_o be_v the_o old_a plea_n of_o they_o who_o â—aused_v schism_n in_o the_o
from_o the_o beginning_n however_o this_o be_v no_o part_n of_o our_o present_n contest_v namely_o whether_o some_o while_n after_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o church_n that_o be_v great_o increase_v and_o many_o elder_n in_o they_o there_o be_v not_o one_o choose_v as_o at_o alexandria_n by_o those_o elder_n themselves_o to_o preside_v among_o they_o who_o in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n be_v call_v a_o bishop_n but_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o that_o alone_o which_o will_v advantage_v his_o cause_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v in_o one_o city_n or_o any_o where_o else_o many_o not_o occasional_a assembly_n of_o christian_n or_o church_n member_n but_o many_o state_v fix_a church_n with_o officer_n of_o their_o own_o peculiar_o relate_v unto_o they_o entrust_v with_o church_n power_n and_o privilege_n at_o least_o as_o much_o as_o he_o afterward_o plead_v to_o be_v in_o our_o parochial_a church_n all_o under_o the_o government_n of_o one_o single_a bishop_n make_v up_o a_o new_a church_n state_n beyond_o that_o of_o particular_a congregation_n by_o their_o relation_n unto_o he_o as_o their_o common_a pastor_n this_o i_o take_v it_o be_v that_o which_o shall_v have_v be_v prove_v all_o the_o difficulty_n wherewith_o our_o assertion_n be_v accompany_v arise_v from_o the_o multiplication_n of_o believer_n and_o the_o increase_n of_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o present_o after_o for_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o great_a as_o that_o those_o in_o one_o city_n can_v not_o continue_v in_o one_o church_n notwithstanding_o the_o advantage_n of_o occasional_a assembly_n the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v 5000_o in_o it_o at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o word_n grow_v and_o prevail_v at_o ephesus_n and_o other_o place_n whereto_o i_o shall_v brief_o answer_v as_o hasten_v unto_o a_o close_a of_o this_o unpleasing_a labour_n i_o say_v therefore_o 1._o whatever_o difficulty_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v in_o this_o matter_n yet_o in_o point_n of_o fact_n so_o it_o be_v there_o be_v no_o church_n before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o century_n of_o any_o other_o species_n nature_n or_o kind_n but_o a_o particular_a congregational_a church_n only_o as_o have_v be_v prove_v before_o let_v any_o one_o instance_n be_v produce_v of_o a_o church_n of_o one_o denomination_n national_a provincial_a or_o diocesan_n or_o of_o any_o other_o kind_n then_o that_o which_o be_v congregational_a and_o i_o will_v give_v over_o this_o contest_v but_o when_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v certain_a it_o be_v too_o late_o to_o inquire_v how_o it_o may_v be_v and_o on_o this_o occasion_n i_o shall_v add_v that_o if_o in_o that_o space_n of_o time_n namely_o before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o century_n any_o proof_n or_o undoubted_a testimony_n can_v be_v produce_v of_o the_o imposition_n of_o the_o necessary_a use_n of_o liturgy_n or_o of_o state_v ceremony_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o church_n discipline_n consistent_a with_o that_o now_o in_o use_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o will_v go_v a_o great_a way_n in_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o whole_a controversy_n between_o we_o 2._o the_o admirable_a prevalency_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o those_o day_n consist_v principal_o in_o its_o spread_a itself_o all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o plant_v seminary_n for_o far_a conversion_n in_o all_o nation_n it_o do_v indeed_o prevail_v more_o in_o some_o city_n and_o town_n then_o in_o other_o in_o some_o place_n many_o be_v convert_v in_o other_o the_o tender_a of_o it_o be_v utter_o reject_v how_o be_v it_o it_o prevail_v not_o unto_o the_o gather_n of_o such_o great_a number_n into_o any_o church_n sole_o as_o may_v destroy_v or_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o its_o congregational_a institution_n for_o not_o all_o not_o it_o may_v be_v half_a not_o sometime_o a_o three_o part_n of_o they_o who_o make_v some_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o attend_v unto_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o word_n and_o many_o of_o who_o undergo_v martyrdom_n be_v admit_v as_o complete_a member_n of_o the_o church_n unto_o all_o the_o part_n of_o its_o communion_n hence_o there_o be_v many_o who_o upon_o a_o general_a account_n be_v esteem_v christian_n and_o that_o just_o where_o the_o church_n be_v but_o small_a 3._o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n the_o church_n be_v any_o where_o so_o increase_v in_o number_n as_o to_o bear_v the_o least_o proportion_n with_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o city_n and_o town_n wherein_o they_o be_v the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o day_n of_o polyicarpus_n may_v just_o be_v esteem_v one_o of_o the_o great_a in_o those_o day_n both_o from_o the_o eminency_n of_o the_o place_n and_o person_n who_o be_v just_o account_v the_o great_a instructor_n of_o all_o asia_n as_o they_o call_v he_o when_o he_o be_v carry_v unto_o the_o stake_n but_o this_o church_n give_v such_o a_o account_n of_o itself_o in_o its_o epistle_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o pontus_n about_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o polycarpus_n as_o manifest_v the_o church_n there_o to_o have_v be_v a_o very_a small_a number_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o other_o inhabitant_n so_o as_o that_o it_o be_v scarce_o know_v who_o or_o what_o they_o be_v euseb._n lib._n 4._o cap._n 15._o so_o in_o the_o excellent_a epistle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o vienna_n and_o lion_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o phrygia_n concern_v the_o persecution_n that_o befall_v they_o as_o they_o declare_v themselves_o to_o have_v be_v particular_a church_n only_o so_o they_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o they_o bear_v in_o number_n no_o proportion_n unto_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v who_o can_v scarce_o discover_v they_o by_o the_o most_o diligent_a search_n euseb._n lib._n 5._o cap_n 1._o 4._o as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o particular_a notwithstanding_o the_o great_a number_n of_o its_o original_n convert_v who_o probable_o be_v many_o of_o they_o stranger_n occasional_o present_a at_o the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n and_o there_o instruct_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v in_o the_o several_a country_n whither_o they_o immediate_o return_v be_v instrument_n of_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o many_o year_n after_o it_o consist_v of_o no_o great_a multitude_n than_o can_v come_v together_o in_o one_o place_n to_o the_o mannagement_n of_o church_n affair_n act_n 15.20_o 21._o nor_o be_v it_o likely_a that_o pella_n a_o obscure_a place_n who_o name_n probable_o have_v never_o be_v know_v but_o on_o this_o occasion_n be_v like_a to_o receive_v any_o great_a multitude_n nor_o do_v epiphanius_n say_v as_o our_o author_n pretend_v that_o they_o spread_v themselves_o from_o thence_o to_o coelosyria_n and_o decapolis_n and_o basanitis_fw-la for_o he_o affirm_v express_o that_o all_o the_o disciple_n which_o go_v from_o jerusalem_n dwell_v at_o pella_n only_o he_o say_v that_o from_o thence_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o nazarenes_n take_v its_o original_n which_o spread_v itself_o afterward_o in_o coelosyria_n decapolis_n and_o basanitis_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d speak_v of_o that_o sect_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o dwell_v all_o at_o pella_n sect._n 7._o p._n 239._o he_o quote_v another_o say_n of_o i_o namely_o that_o i_o can_v discern_v the_o least_o necessity_n of_o any_o positive_a rule_n or_o direction_n in_o this_o matter_n see_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o man_n do_v indispensible_o require_v it_o and_o hereon_o he_o attempt_v to_o make_v advantage_n in_o opposition_n unto_o another_o say_n as_o he_o suppose_v of_o i_o namely_o that_o the_o institution_n of_o church_n and_o the_o rule_n for_o their_o disposal_n and_o government_n throughout_o the_o world_n be_v the_o same_o state_v and_o unalterable_a from_o whence_o he_o make_v many_o inference_n to_o countenance_v he_o in_o his_o charge_n of_o schism_n but_o why_o shall_v we_o contend_v fruitless_o about_o these_o thing_n have_v he_o be_v please_v to_o read_v a_o little_a far_o on_o the_o same_o page_n he_o will_v have_v see_v that_o i_o affirm_v the_o institution_n itself_o to_o be_v a_o plain_a command_n which_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n require_v of_o man_n in_o church_n relation_n be_v sufficient_a to_o oblige_v they_o thereunto_o without_o any_o new_a revelation_n unto_o that_o purpose_n which_o render_v all_o his_o query_n exception_n and_o inference_n of_o no_o use_n for_o i_o do_v not_o speak_v in_o that_o place_n of_o the_o original_a institution_n of_o church_n who_o law_n and_o rule_n be_v universal_a and_o unalterable_a but_o our_o actual_a gather_n into_o particular_a church_n for_o which_o i_o say_v the_o necessity_n of_o duty_n be_v our_o warrant_n and_o the_o