but_o notwithstanding_o you_o must_v communicate_v with_o the_o church_n you_o dwell_v in_o and_o a_o little_a after_o he_o say_v i_o advise_v you_o if_o there_o be_v parish_n church_n orderly_o settle_v under_o the_o magistrate_n countenance_n who_o teacher_n be_v sound_a though_o a_o able_a minister_n shall_v gather_v a_o separate_a congregation_n in_o the_o same_o place_n out_o of_o that_o and_o other_o neighbour_a parish_n and_o shall_v have_v strict_a communicant_n and_o discipline_n be_v not_o too_o forward_o to_o join_v yourself_o to_o that_o separate_a church_n till_o you_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o hurt_n that_o will_v follow_v by_o discord_n offence_n division_n encourage_v of_o schism_n and_o pride_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o likely_a to_o be_v great_a than_o your_o benefit_n can_v compensate_a but_o if_o this_o separate_a church_n be_v a_o factious_a church_n set_v up_o contentious_o against_o the_o concordant_a church_n though_o on_o pretence_n of_o great_a purity_n and_o if_o their_o meeting_n be_v employ_v in_o contemn_v and_o revile_v other_o church_n who_o people_n be_v not_o of_o their_o mind_n and_o in_o puff_v up_o themselves_o with_o pride_n as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o only_a true_a church_n of_o christ_n avoid_v such_o separate_a church_n as_o the_o enemy_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n and_o again_o in_o the_o same_o book_n p._n 336._o he_o bid_v we_o not_o peevish_o pick_v quarrel_n with_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o come_v to_o they_o with_o humoursome_a prejudice_n think_v not_o that_o you_o must_v stay_v away_o or_o go_v out_o of_o the_o church_n for_o every_o passage_n that_o be_v disorderly_a unmeet_a yea_o or_o unsound_a or_o untrue_a for_o the_o word_n of_o prayer_n be_v the_o work_n of_o man_n and_o while_o all_o man_n be_v fallible_a imperfect_a and_o sinful_a their_o prayer_n and_o preach_a will_v be_v like_o themselves_o and_o he_o that_o be_v the_o high_a pretender_n and_o the_o peevish_a quarrel_n have_v his_o own_o fail_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o if_o our_o dissenter_n will_v allow_v their_o own_o mr._n baxter_n to_o be_v a_o competent_a judge_n or_o any_o of_o the_o other_o learned_a divine_n beforesaid_a they_o must_v own_v that_o neither_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o ministry_n nor_o better_a edification_n be_v a_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o separation_n but_o there_o be_v another_o thing_n say_v they_o which_o make_v it_o necessary_a for_o we_o to_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o be_v the_o oath_n and_o subscription_n which_o they_o require_v from_o we_o what_o say_v mr._n baxter_n to_o this_o why_o mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 331._o say_v if_o a_o church_n in_o other_o respect_n sound_v require_v of_o you_o any_o false_a subscription_n promise_n or_o oath_n or_o any_o unlawful_a thing_n you_o must_v not_o do_v it_o but_o hold_v communion_n in_o other_o lawful_a thing_n it_o seem_v than_o he_o do_v not_o allow_v of_o separation_n upon_o this_o account_n neither_o the_o scruple_n which_o man_n make_v to_o the_o oath_n and_o declaration_n be_v ground_v upon_o mistake_n for_o that_o they_o vide._n but_o for_o the_o far_o satisfy_n of_o such_o well_o mean_v person_n as_o be_v scrupulous_a it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v wish_v that_o these_o oath_n subscription_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o other_o thing_n require_v by_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n be_v alter_v and_o explain_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n according_a to_o the_o bill_n draw_v up_o by_o the_o dean_n of_o st._n paul_n which_o the_o dissenter_n especial_o the_o presbyterian_o be_v willing_a to_o agree_v to_o and_o have_v make_v the_o very_a same_o proposal_n themselves_o in_o their_o answer_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n sermon_n at_o the_o latter_a end_n vide._n take_v the_o word_n in_o a_o strain_a and_o unnatural_a sense_n whereas_o if_o they_o will_v remember_v what_o the_o famous_a bishop_n sanderson_n tell_v we_o de_fw-fr juran_n praelect_v 6._o sect_n 12._o p._n 177._o and_o what_o all_o learned_a man_n do_v agree_v in_o to_o wit_n that_o in_o every_o oath_n all_o those_o condition_n or_o exception_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v which_o by_o right_n or_o common_a use_n be_v imply_v in_o it_o viz._n as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v and_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o i_o thing_n remain_v in_o the_o same_o state_n etc._n etc._n with_o these_o condition_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o oath_n or_o subscription_n that_o can_v reasonable_o be_v scruple_v and_o without_o they_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o frame_v a_o oath_n that_o a_o man_n can_v safe_o venture_v to_o swear_v to_o beside_o though_o these_o subscription_n be_v sufficient_a cause_n for_o separation_n how_o can_v the_o lay_v people_n justify_v their_o separation_n upon_o this_o account_n no_o such_o oath_n or_o subscription_n be_v require_v of_o they_o they_o be_v only_o require_v from_o the_o minister_n why_o then_o do_v the_o people_n forsake_v the_o church_n be_v it_o in_o reverence_n to_o the_o minister_n lest_o they_o shall_v have_v none_o to_o preach_v to_o this_o be_v what_o they_o never_o can_v answer_v with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n and_o therefore_o many_o of_o the_o nonconformist_a minister_n do_v frequent_o in_o discourse_n fair_o and_o honest_o own_o that_o the_o term_n of_o lay-communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v easy_a enough_o but_o the_o only_a thing_n they_o stick_v at_o be_v the_o term_n of_o ministerial_a communion_n the_o only_a answer_n that_o ever_o i_o hear_v make_v to_o this_o be_v in_o a_o book_n call_v a_o answer_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n be_v sermon_n by_o some_o nonconformist_n pag._n 6._o they_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o must_v not_o justify_v themselves_o in_o their_o preach_v and_o leave_v the_o people_n in_o schism_n i_o must_v needs_o say_v this_o be_v kind_o do_v of_o they_o for_o it_o be_v very_o unfriendly_a in_o they_o to_o draw_v the_o poor_a silly_a people_n into_o schism_n and_o when_o they_o have_v do_v to_o slip_v their_o own_o neck_n out_o of_o the_o collar_n and_o leave_v the_o people_n in_o the_o lurch_n and_o therefore_o they_o quick_o find_v a_o answer_n to_o stop_v their_o mouth_n who_o they_o know_v will_v never_o examine_v it_o say_v they_o we_o be_v minister_n of_o christ_n and_o have_v a_o commission_n to_o preach_v and_o therefore_o the_o people_n may_v lawful_o forsake_v the_o church_n to_o hear_v we_o for_o we_o must_v not_o preach_v to_o the_o stone_n wall_n but_o pray_v will_v this_o reason_n justify_v the_o people_n in_o leave_v their_o parish_n church_n and_o their_o own_o lawful_a minister_n to_o run_v after_o a_o stranger_n for_o fear_v he_o shall_v want_v a_o congregation_n to_o preach_v to_o if_o the_o king_n shall_v give_v a_o gentleman_n a_o commission_n to_o raise_v a_o regiment_n do_v this_o oblige_v man_n that_o have_v former_o list_a themselves_o under_o other_o officer_n to_o leave_v their_o service_n and_o follow_v he_o no_o sure_a there_o be_v in_o the_o two_o university_n many_o hundred_o young_a man_n that_o be_v qualify_v for_o the_o ministry_n perhaps_o as_o well_o as_o most_o of_o the_o nonconformist_a minister_n and_o be_v not_o yet_o call_v to_o the_o office_n nor_o provide_v with_o church_n suppose_v all_o these_o now_o be_v admit_v into_o order_n and_o scatter_v all_o over_o the_o kingdom_n be_v the_o people_n oblige_v to_o run_v away_o from_o their_o lawful_a minister_n orderly_o set_v over_o they_o and_o divide_v the_o parish_n each_o perhaps_o into_o three_o or_o four_o to_o furnish_v all_o these_o new_a make_v minister_n with_o congregation_n to_o preach_v to_o a_o excellent_a contrivance_n this_o of_o our_o reverend_a nonconformist_a minister_n to_o entail_v the_o church_n revenue_n upon_o they_o and_o their_o successor_n for_o ever_o without_o be_v behold_v to_o king_n bishop_n or_o patron_n and_o without_o any_o possibility_n of_o ever_o be_v cut_v off_o or_o forfeit_v all_o the_o lawyer_n in_o england_n can_v not_o have_v devise_v so_o good_a a_o security_n for_o they_o as_o they_o have_v subtle_o do_v here_o for_o themselves_o they_o may_v preach_v what_o doctrine_n they_o please_v for_o the_o government_n or_o against_o it_o they_o have_v a_o commission_n to_o preach_v and_o the_o people_n be_v therefore_o bind_v they_o say_v to_o hear_v they_o for_o preach_v and_o hear_v they_o say_v be_v relative_n and_o the_o one_o do_v necessary_o suppose_v the_o other_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o actual_a preach_a suppose_n hear_v so_o do_v actual_a governor_n necessary_o suppose_v a_o people_n to_o be_v govern_v but_o a_o commission_n to_o govern_v do_v not_o necessary_o suppose_v a_o people_n actual_o to_o be_v govern_v for_o there_o may_v be_v governor_n appoint_v and_o make_v though_o there_o be_v then_o no_o people_n for_o they_o to_o govern_v as_o be_v resolve_v by_o all_o the_o judge_n of_o england_n
the_o will_n of_o their_o lawful_a prince_n though_o a_o heathen_a and_o will_v not_o our_o dissenter_n show_v the_o same_o respect_n to_o a_o christian_a prince_n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v to_o heathen_a magistrate_n but_o whether_o christian_a magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o silence_v some_o minister_n such_o as_o they_o think_v fit_a or_o not_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n questionless_a that_o have_v be_v practise_v by_o they_o in_o all_o age_n ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a which_o be_v near_o 1400_o year_n constantine_n by_o his_o edict_n suppress_v all_o separate_a meeting_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n the_o novatian_o and_o silence_v their_o preacher_n though_o their_o ordination_n be_v as_o good_a as_o any_o among_o our_o nonconformist_n see_v eusebius_n vita_fw-la const_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 63_o 64_o 65_o 66._o and_o st._n augustine_n do_v very_o much_o commend_v the_o emperor_n for_o so_o do_v see_v aug._n ep._n 48._o and_o see_v also_o his_o 4_o the_o book_n against_o cresconius_n a_o donatist_n ch_n 51._o all_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n do_v at_o this_o day_n silence_n such_o minister_n as_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o their_o church_n and_o believe_v they_o have_v power_n so_o to_o do_v at_o geneva_n their_o council_n of_o state_n have_v the_o sole_a power_n of_o elect_v and_o depose_v minister_n nay_o far_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o geneva_n they_o have_v power_n not_o only_o to_o silence_n but_o to_o excommunicate_v such_o minister_n as_o shall_v contemn_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o by_o their_o obstinacy_n disturb_v the_o order_n of_o it_o in_o the_o french_a church_n if_o any_o refuse_v to_o subscribe_v to_o the_o order_n of_o their_o church_n he_o be_v to_o be_v declare_v a_o schismatic_a and_o calvin_n himself_o ep._n olevian_n pag._n 311_o and_o 122._o say_v let_v he_o that_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n of_o a_o society_n be_v cast_v out_o but_o what_o need_v we_o go_v so_o far_o from_o home_n for_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n let_v we_o see_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o our_o own_o dissenter_n heretofore_o be_v in_o this_o matter_n first_o then_o in_o the_o great_a dispute_n between_o the_o brownist_n and_o the_o nonconformist_n about_o the_o minister_n preach_v etc._n etc._n against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o prince_n the_o nonconformist_n all_o agree_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v power_n immediate_o from_o god_n to_o set_v up_o his_o kingdom_n but_o their_o power_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o under_o heathen_a magistrate_n but_o our_o minister_n have_v no_o such_o extraordinary_a power_n and_o our_o magistrate_n be_v christian_n be_v much_o more_o to_o be_v respect_v see_v gifford_n a_o nonconformist_a minister_n his_o answer_n to_o barrow_n and_o see_v the_o confutation_n of_o the_o brownist_n by_o several_a nonconformist_n who_o join_v together_o for_o that_o purpose_n publish_v by_o one_o rathband_n by_o their_o command_n p._n 51._o and_o see_v mr._n bradshaw_n his_o answer_n to_o johnson_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o silence_v the_o apostle_n for_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o silence_v of_o they_o be_v intend_v the_o utter_a extirpation_n of_o christianity_n but_o the_o case_n be_v alter_v among_o we_o for_o the_o intent_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n be_v not_o to_o silence_v all_o christian_a minister_n but_o some_o particular_a man_n only_o so_o that_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o minister_n or_o no_o but_o whether_o this_o or_o that_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o doubtless_o every_o christian_a prince_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v what_o man_n he_o think_v fit_a for_o public_a office_n in_o church_n or_o state_n so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v equal_o qualify_v according_a to_o god_n law_n but_o to_o go_v on_o the_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o dissenter_n in_o the_o late_a unhappy_a time_n be_v not_o yet_o forget_v they_o be_v all_o then_o of_o a_o opinion_n that_o christ_n minister_n may_v be_v silence_v and_o according_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n every_o party_n as_o it_o serve_v their_o turn_n see_v their_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n all_o who_o will_v not_o enter_v into_o it_o and_o solemn_o swear_v to_o do_v their_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o abolish_v episcopacy_n and_o set_v up_o presbytery_n be_v immediate_o not_o only_a silence_v but_o sequester_v though_o their_o ministry_n be_v as_o much_o of_o divine_a right_n as_o any_o of_o they_o now_o conscience_n then_o be_v no_o plea_n for_o not_o take_v this_o solemn_a oath_n they_o will_v not_o suffer_v one_o of_o the_o old_a clergy_n to_o teach_v a_o school_n nay_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v their_o own_o independent_a brethren_n to_o preach_v though_o they_o have_v all_o take_v presbyterian_a order_n as_o they_o themselves_o see_v the_o letter_n from_o the_o presbyterian_a minister_n of_o london_n to_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n at_o westminster_n ann._n 1645._o jan._n 1._o and_o the_o grand_a debate_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o new-england_n where_o the_o independent_o have_v the_o power_n they_o be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n none_o be_v to_o preach_v public_o by_o their_o law_n where_o any_o two_o organic_n church_n council_n of_o state_n or_o general_a court_n shall_v declare_v their_o dissatisfaction_n thereat_o see_v their_o body_n of_o statute_n which_o they_o have_v late_o print_v nay_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v to_o silence_v such_o minister_n as_o will_v not_o conform_v but_o they_o banish_v they_o too_o as_o they_o do_v mr._n willams_n and_o other_o and_o be_v it_o not_o very_o strange_a then_o that_o the_o silence_v of_o such_o minister_n by_o the_o king_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o positive_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n or_o to_o give_v their_o governor_n such_o a_o test_n of_o their_o obedience_n and_o conformity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n as_o they_o in_o their_o discretion_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o require_v of_o they_o that_o this_o shall_v be_v a_o thing_n so_o unlawful_a and_o wicked_a now_o that_o have_v be_v practise_v in_o the_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o when_o they_o be_v in_o power_n and_o by_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n at_o this_o day_n and_o indeed_o if_o the_o test_n which_o the_o law_n require_v of_o their_o obedience_n and_o loyalty_n be_v too_o severe_a and_o rigid_a they_o may_v blame_v themselves_o for_o it_o for_o governor_n can_v be_v too_o cautious_a in_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o safety_n of_o the_o kingdom_n against_o a_o faction_n that_o have_v once_o already_o overthrow_v this_o monarchy_n and_o church_n and_o give_v we_o all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o do_v the_o same_o again_o especial_o the_o latter_a as_o soon_o as_o ever_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n the_o bitter_a spirit_n they_o show_v in_o scotland_n already_o and_o their_o unchristian_a like_a behaviour_n to_o all_o those_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o opinion_n show_v we_o plain_o what_o we_o may_v expect_v here_o when_o ever_o they_o be_v able_a and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o plea_n which_o the_o dissenter_n use_v for_o separation_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n the_o second_o sort_n be_v against_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n with_o it_o they_o say_v our_o term_n of_o communion_n be_v unlawful_a for_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n injoin_v some_o thing_n in_o god_n worship_n which_o be_v not_o express_o command_v in_o scripture_n and_o so_o make_v the_o scripture_n insufficient_a and_o these_o thing_n be_v our_o ceremony_n and_o prescribe_v form_n of_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n first_o as_o to_o our_o ceremony_n the_o church_n of_o england_n use_v no_o ceremony_n but_o such_o as_o be_v use_v in_o the_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n as_o dr._n stillingfleet_n have_v prove_v in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n and_o such_o as_o be_v now_o use_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n the_o lutheran_n church_n have_v the_o same_o and_o more_o ceremony_n than_o we_o have_v and_o yet_o these_o church_n have_v be_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v unite_v to_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n by_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a protestant_n as_o appear_v by_o a_o synod_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n at_o chareton_n in_o france_n anno_fw-la 1631._o and_o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n but_o what_o do_v make_v law_n and_o canon_n in_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n and_o compel_v both_o minister_n and_o people_n to_o obey_v the_o same_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o every_o variation_n in_o circumstance_n in_o god_n worship_n
his_o own_o memory_n to_o retain_v all_o his_o want_n and_o the_o want_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o people_n so_o in_o his_o mind_n but_o that_o something_o or_o other_o will_v very_o oft_o be_v forget_v which_o may_v be_v avoid_v by_o use_v of_o a_o well_o compose_v form_n but_o again_o can_v we_o reasonable_o imagine_v that_o god_n almighty_n can_v be_v please_v with_o vain_a repetition_n and_o with_o bald_a and_o unproper_a and_o too_o often_o nonsensical_a expression_n such_o as_o usual_o attend_v their_o extempore_o prayer_n doubtless_o he_o can_v for_o where_o he_o have_v give_v judgement_n and_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n he_o expect_v it_o shall_v be_v use_v in_o his_o service_n as_o well_o as_o in_o our_o worldly_a business_n our_o saviour_n bid_v we_o when_o we_o pray_v not_o to_o use_v vain_a repetition_n nor_o think_v to_o be_v hear_v for_o our_o much_o speak_n matth._n 6._o 7._o and_o solomon_n eccles_n 5._o 1_o 2._o say_v keep_v thy_o foot_n when_o thou_o go_v to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v not_o nash_v with_o thy_o mouth_n and_o let_v not_o thy_o heart_n be_v hasty_a to_o utter_v any_o thing_n before_o god_n for_o god_n be_v in_o heaven_n and_o thou_o on_o earth_n therefore_o let_v thy_o word_n be_v few_o how_o agreeable_a now_o this_o doctrine_n be_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o dissenter_n in_o their_o rash_a approach_v to_o god_n with_o a_o long_a inconsiderate_a prayer_n let_v any_o man_n judge_n when_o they_o make_v their_o address_n to_o the_o late_a king_n james_n they_o draw_v it_o up_o with_o all_o the_o caution_n and_o premeditation_n imaginable_a and_o every_o sentence_n be_v careful_o consider_v on_o by_o several_a of_o the_o best_a head_n among_o they_o but_o they_o address_v the_o great_a king_n of_o heaven_n with_o the_o rash_a and_o inconsiderate_a expression_n of_o one_o person_n and_o he_o perhaps_o a_o weak_a onetoo_o but_o some_o of_o they_o say_v why_o shall_v not_o minister_n be_v tie_v to_o a_o form_n of_o preach_v as_o well_o as_o of_o pray_v why_o sure_a there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o preach_v and_o pray_v preach_v be_v direct_v to_o a_o congregation_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o several_a people_n who_o have_v different_a capacity_n and_o apprehension_n and_o therefore_o require_v different_a phrase_n and_o argument_n to_o move_v they_o some_o be_v draw_v with_o one_o argument_n some_o with_o another_o some_o apprehend_v a_o man_n meaning_n by_o one_o expression_n some_o by_o another_o according_a as_o they_o be_v suit_v to_o their_o several_a capacity_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o frame_v a_o form_n in_o preach_v to_o answer_v all_o these_o end_n but_o prayer_n be_v direct_v to_o one_o god_n who_o be_v always_o the_o same_o and_o not_o to_o be_v please_v with_o variety_n of_o phrase_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o point_n with_o this_o observation_n that_o those_o who_o be_v most_o inveterate_a against_o pray_v by_o form_n do_v daily_o use_v the_o same_o individual_a form_n themselves_o word_n for_o word_n throughout_o the_o whole_a year_n as_o any_o one_o that_o frequent_a their_o public_a or_o private_a meeting_n may_v observe_v the_o three_o sort_n of_o plea_n which_o the_o dissenter_n use_v for_o separation_n be_v such_o as_o relate_v to_o their_o conscience_n for_o say_v they_o what_o though_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v lawful_a since_o we_o can_v satisfy_v our_o conscience_n that_o they_o be_v so_o we_o must_v not_o act_v against_o our_o conscience_n for_o that_o be_v sin_n in_o we_o for_o st._n paul_n say_v let_v every_o one_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n rom._n 14._o but_o i_o answer_v first_o this_o scripture_n be_v mean_v of_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o no_o other_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o coherence_n of_o the_o word_n with_o the_o whole_a chapter_n for_o the_o apostle_n be_v there_o speak_v of_o meat_n time_n day_n etc._n etc._n and_o blame_v the_o roman_n for_o condemn_v and_o quarrel_v with_o one_o another_o about_o they_o but_o second_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o not_o that_o note_v when_o we_o refuse_v any_o thing_n enjoin_v by_o authority_n we_o must_v be_v certain_a that_o the_o thing_n enjoin_v be_v unlawful_a for_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n will_v not_o excuse_v our_o disobedience_n a_o doubt_a conscience_n be_v when_o the_o conscience_n be_v in_o such_o a_o perfect_a aequilibrium_fw-la or_o suspense_n as_o that_o there_o appear_v no_o more_o reason_n on_o the_o one_o side_n of_o the_o question_n than_o on_o the_o other_o in_o such_o case_n the_o command_n of_o authority_n turn_v the_o scale_n and_o make_v it_o necessary_a for_o we_o to_o obey_v since_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v the_o thing_n may_v be_v as_o well_o lawful_a as_o not_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n will_v not_o excuse_v from_o sin_n in_o some_o case_n for_o it_o be_v agree_v by_o all_o that_o conscience_n will_v not_o excuse_v from_o sin_n unless_o all_o proper_a help_n and_o mean_n be_v use_v to_o inform_v our_o judgement_n and_o to_o come_v to_o the_o right_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n scruple_v this_o mr._n baxter_n own_v in_o his_o dispute_n of_o church_n government_n p._n 483._o where_o he_o say_v that_o if_o a_o man_n through_o ignorance_n or_o prejudice_n take_v unlawful_a thing_n to_o be_v lawful_a or_o lawful_a thing_n to_o be_v unlawful_a this_o will_v not_o excuse_v he_o in_o his_o disobedience_n suppose_v then_o for_o instance_n that_o the_o magistrate_n impose_v a_o thing_n which_o he_o lawful_o may_v impose_v as_o that_o all_o man_n shall_v begin_v the_o public_a worship_n at_o a_o hour_n and_o end_n at_o a_o hour_n the_o quaker_n they_o say_v this_o be_v stint_v of_o the_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o sinful_a and_o that_o they_o can_v in_o conscience_n communicate_v with_o we_o till_o it_o be_v remove_v i_o will_v ask_v a_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a whether_o this_o be_v a_o sinful_a separation_n or_o not_o they_o will_v own_v it_o be_v notwithstanding_o their_o pretend_a scruple_n of_o conscience_n for_o the_o sin_n must_v needs_o lie_v some_o where_o either_o on_o those_o who_o impose_v the_o thing_n or_o on_o those_o who_o separate_v not_o on_o those_o who_o impose_v it_o because_o they_o allow_v the_o thing_n enjoin_v to_o be_v lawful_a therefore_o it_o must_v be_v on_o those_o who_o separate_v because_o they_o do_v not_o inform_v themselves_o true_o of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n scruple_v and_o indeed_o if_o a_o bare_a scruple_n of_o conscience_n will_v justify_v separation_n the_o anabaptist_n and_o all_o other_o sect_n may_v as_o well_o justify_v their_o separation_n from_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o independent_o as_o they_o can_v do_v they_o from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o by_o the_o same_o rule_n we_o may_v subdivide_v till_o there_o be_v as_o many_o religion_n as_o men._n i_o grant_v that_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n be_v the_o great_a that_o can_v be_v and_o to_o act_v against_o the_o clear_a dictate_v of_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v a_o very_a great_a sin_n but_o this_o must_v be_v mean_v of_o a_o conscience_n when_o all_o due_a care_n and_o diligence_n have_v be_v use_v to_o rectify_v and_o inform_v it_o and_o than_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o case_n of_o our_o dissenter_n do_v they_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n out_o of_o pure_a conscience_n yes_o say_v they_o doubtless_o we_o do_v but_o have_v they_o use_v all_o proper_a mean_n to_o inform_v their_o judgement_n and_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n sure_o they_o will_v not_o say_v they_o have_v be_v not_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o dissenter_n a_o poor_a illiterate_a sort_n of_o people_n who_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o nor_o ever_o trouble_v their_o head_n about_o it_o but_o will_v go_v to_o the_o meeting_n because_o their_o father_n and_o mother_n do_v so_o before_o they_o and_o will_v rail_v at_o the_o church_n though_o ask_v they_o what_o be_v amiss_o in_o it_o serious_o and_o they_o can_v tell_v you_o and_o as_o for_o those_o few_o of_o the_o better_a sort_n among_o they_o who_o perhaps_o have_v have_v great_a advantage_n of_o education_n be_v it_o not_o remarkable_a that_o they_o read_v and_o converse_v altogether_o on_o one_o side_n and_o associate_v themselves_o into_o club_n and_o cabal_n of_o such_o who_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n with_o themselves_o but_o avoid_v all_o occasion_n of_o create_v the_o least_o intimacy_n with_o any_o who_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o opinion_n and_o if_o any_o shall_v but_o offer_v to_o inform_v they_o though_o in_o never_o so_o peaceable_a and_o friendly_a a_o manner_n do_v it_o not_o prove_v the_o occasion_n of_o a_o eternal_a quarrel_n or_o at_o least_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o any_o far_a intimacy_n
between_o they_o be_v not_o this_o true_o the_o case_n among_o they_o i_o appeal_v to_o their_o own_o conscience_n whether_o this_o be_v truth_n which_o i_o say_v how_o can_v these_o man_n pretend_v then_o that_o they_o have_v use_v all_o proper_a mean_n to_o satisfy_v their_o conscience_n they_o who_o real_o scruple_n thing_n out_o of_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n will_v be_v sincere_o willing_a to_o be_v better_o inform_v and_o will_v look_v upon_o they_o as_o their_o best_a friend_n who_o endeavour_v to_o inform_v they_o but_o instead_o of_o this_o they_o fly_v out_o into_o rage_n and_o violent_a passion_n against_o those_o who_o offer_v to_o remove_v their_o scruple_n and_o for_o their_o kindness_n return_v most_o reproachful_a bitter_a language_n both_o on_o the_o person_n though_o never_o so_o eminent_a and_o the_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o sacred_a which_o be_v visible_a in_o all_o their_o book_n of_o controversy_n and_o even_o in_o common_a discourse_n how_o difficult_a be_v it_o to_o obtain_v from_o the_o zeal_n of_o many_o of_o our_o dissenter_n so_o much_o truce_n as_o to_o hear_v what_o one_o can_v say_v to_o they_o with_o patience_n and_o civility_n they_o tell_v we_o in_o plain_a term_n we_o may_v spare_v our_o breath_n and_o not_o pretend_v to_o teach_v they_o they_o understand_v their_o duty_n better_o than_o we_o do_v they_o be_v satisfy_v in_o their_o own_o mind_n that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o right_n and_o will_v not_o be_v wheedle_v out_o of_o their_o opinion_n by_o all_o that_o we_o can_v say_v this_o be_v truth_n mr._n baxter_n himself_o have_v own_a as_o much_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n p._n 81._o where_o he_o affirm_v in_o his_o own_o name_n and_o the_o name_n of_o his_o people_n that_o he_o who_o think_v that_o his_o own_o or_o other_o reason_v will_v ever_o change_v all_o the_o true_o honest_a christian_n in_o the_o land_n know_v so_o little_a of_o matter_n or_o of_o man_n or_o of_o conscience_n as_o that_o he_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v a_o bishop_n or_o a_o priest_n what_o will_v they_o say_v now_o to_o this_o will_v their_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n excuse_v their_o separation_n and_o disobedience_n when_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o will_v not_o use_v the_o proper_a mean_n to_o satisfy_v their_o conscience_n nay_o far_o when_o they_o declare_v it_o be_v needless_a to_o go_v about_o to_o remove_v their_o scruple_n for_o they_o be_v resolve_v beforehand_o they_o will_v not_o be_v convince_v let_v no_o man_n say_v so_o for_o shame_n it_o be_v against_o common_a reason_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o learned_a man_n and_o even_o of_o mr._n baxter_n himself_o but_o we_o will_v suppose_v for_o once_o that_o every_o particular_a dissenter_n have_v do_v his_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o satisfy_v his_o conscience_n and_o that_o after_o all_o they_o can_v conquer_v their_o scruple_n what_o then_o must_v they_o therefore_o proceed_v to_o separation_n no_o this_o be_v never_o allow_v by_o christ_n nor_o his_o apostle_n nor_o by_o any_o christian_a church_n since_o their_o time_n not_o even_o by_o our_o dissenter_n themselves_o heretofore_o our_o saviour_n himself_o do_v not_o separate_v from_o the_o jewish_a church_n though_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n amiss_o in_o it_o nor_o advise_v other_o to_o do_v so_o say_v vine_n a_o nonconformist_a in_o his_o book_n on_o the_o sacrament_n pag._n 39_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n we_o find_v there_o be_v some_o who_o scruple_v some_o thing_n that_o be_v enjoin_v but_o notwithstanding_o the_o difference_n of_o man_n judgement_n and_o their_o pretend_a scruple_n of_o conscience_n the_o apostle_n do_v prescribe_v rule_n of_o uniformity_n and_o allow_v none_o to_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n and_o frequent_a meeting_n of_o their_o own_o set_n up_o because_o they_o can_v not_o conquer_v their_o scruple_n and_o this_o very_a argument_n do_v the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n at_o westminster_n anno_fw-la dom._n 1648._o use_n against_o their_o dissent_v brethren_n the_o independent_o who_o plead_v for_o separation_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o conscience_n as_o the_o dissenter_n do_v now_o see_v paper_n for_o accommodation_n pag._n 111._o and_o when_o the_o independent_o tell_v they_o they_o can_v not_o satisfy_v their_o conscience_n so_o as_o to_o conform_v to_o their_o church_n government_n and_o therefore_o beg_v that_o they_o may_v be_v allow_v separate_a congregation_n the_o assembly_n positive_o refuse_v it_o and_o urge_v they_o to_o conform_v to_o their_o way_n of_o worship_n etc._n etc._n and_o charge_v they_o with_o schism_n if_o they_o do_v not_o for_o say_v they_o to_o desire_v separate_a congregation_n as_o to_o those_o part_n of_o worship_n where_o they_o own_o they_o can_v join_v with_o we_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a for_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n may_v justify_v non-communion_n in_o the_o thing_n scruple_v but_o it_o can_v justify_v a_o separation_n see_v the_o paper_n for_o accommodation_n pag._n 20_o 21_o 22_o 51_o etc._n etc._n for_o if_o it_o shall_v say_v they_o it_o than_o will_v make_v way_n for_o infinite_a division_n and_o sub-division_n and_o give_v countenance_n to_o perpetual_a schism_n in_o the_o church_n ib._n p._n 68_o 73_o etc._n etc._n and_o then_o the_o assembly_n justify_v themselves_o in_o so_o do_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n for_o they_o tell_v they_o they_o desire_v no_o more_o of_o they_o hereby_o than_o what_o they_o be_v confident_a be_v practise_v by_o the_o saint_n at_o philippi_n namely_o to_o hold_v practical_a communion_n in_o thing_n wherein_o they_o doctrinal_o agree_v ib._n p._n 115._o so_o that_o if_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o brethren_n in_o a_o full_a assembly_n may_v be_v take_v upon_o the_o most_o weighty_a debate_n and_o serious_a deliberation_n their_o set_n up_o separate_a meeting_n and_o forsake_v the_o church_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o some_o scruple_n which_o they_o pretend_v they_o can_v conquer_v be_v sinful_a and_o schismatical_a and_o when_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n be_v press_v far_o by_o their_o dissent_v brethren_n they_o desire_v they_o to_o answer_v in_o this_o one_o thing_n whether_o some_o must_v be_v deny_v the_o liberty_n of_o their_o conscience_n in_o matter_n of_o practice_n or_o none_o if_o none_o than_o say_v they_o we_o must_v renounce_v our_o covenant_n and_o let_v in_o prelacy_n again_o and_o all_o other_o way_n if_o a_o denial_n of_o liberty_n to_o some_o may_v be_v just_a than_o uniformity_n may_v be_v settle_v notwithstanding_o man_n different_a judgement_n or_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n paper_n for_o accommodation_n pag._n 116._o agreeable_a hereto_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o independent_o themselves_o where_o they_o have_v the_o power_n as_o in_o new-england_n no_o separation_n be_v there_o allow_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o book_n of_o statute_n which_o they_o have_v late_o print_v and_o by_o their_o tell_n mr._n williams_n a_o famous_a minister_n among_o they_o that_o if_o nothing_o will_v serve_v he_o but_o separation_n because_o he_o can_v not_o conquer_v his_o scruple_n the_o world_n be_v wide_a enough_o and_o so_o away_o they_o banish_v they_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o winter_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o though_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n amiss_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o our_o dissenter_n can_v not_o satisfy_v their_o conscience_n about_o yet_o this_o will_v not_o justify_v separation_n from_o the_o church_n though_o perhaps_o it_o may_v after_o due_a pain_n take_v to_o inform_v themselves_o aright_o concern_v they_o justify_v their_o non-communion_n in_o the_o thing_n scruple_v now_o i_o will_v show_v that_o there_o be_v real_o no_o cause_n to_o forsake_v the_o church_n of_o england_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o conscience_n and_o that_o all_o those_o who_o do_v forsake_v the_o church_n and_o frequent_v separate_a meeting_n be_v condemn_v for_o schismatic_n by_o the_o most_o eminent_a divine_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n and_o by_o mr._n baxter_n dr._n owen_n mr._n gifford_n corbet_n and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n themselves_o heretofore_o for_o first_o they_o all_o agree_v that_o no_o man_n be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o separate_v from_o any_o church_n that_o be_v sound_a in_o doctrine_n and_o have_v the_o sacrament_n right_o and_o due_o administer_v the_o scripture_n allow_v separation_n only_o in_o these_o three_o case_n first_o in_o case_n of_o idolatrous_a worship_n second_o in_o case_n of_o false_a doctrine_n impose_v instead_o of_o true_a and_o three_o in_o case_n thing_n indifferent_a be_v make_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o where_o these_o three_o be_v want_v nothing_o will_v justify_v separation_n see_v canon_n nicen._n 6_o 15_o 16._o constant_n c._n 6._o chalced._n 17_o 20_o 26._o antioch_n c._n 2_o 5._o cod._n
eccles_n afr._n c._n 53_o 55._o conc._n gangrae_n c._n 6._o conc._n carth._n c._n 10_o 11._o cod._n can._n eccles_n vniv_n can._n 65._o all_o these_o canon_n and_o many_o more_o do_v condemn_v separation_n from_o a_o church_n that_o be_v sound_a in_o doctrine_n and_o have_v the_o sacrament_n right_o and_o due_o administer_v so_o do_v calvin_n in_o his_o inst_z lib._n 4._o c._n 1._o numb_a 9_o where_o he_o say_v that_o great_a allowance_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v to_o such_o church_n by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n and_o ibid._n sect._n 10._o he_o say_v that_o the_o lord_n esteem_v he_o a_o renegade_n and_o forsaker_v of_o religion_n whosoever_o he_o be_v that_o separate_v froward_o from_o any_o christian_a society_n which_o embrace_v but_o the_o true_a ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o ibid._n sect._n 12._o he_o say_v that_o though_o something_o that_o be_v faulty_a may_v creep_v in_o either_o in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o word_n or_o of_o the_o sacrament_n yet_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o separate_v we_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n for_o say_v he_o there_o be_v principle_n of_o religion_n without_o which_o we_o can_v be_v save_v and_o there_o be_v other_o point_n in_o which_o man_n may_v differ_v and_o yet_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n be_v keep_v and_o ibid._n sect._n 13._o he_o say_v it_o be_v not_o for_o every_o private_a man_n to_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o church_n though_o faulty_a in_o some_o thing_n etc._n etc._n beza_n in_o his_o epist_n 24._o p._n 148._o agree_v herein_o so_o do_v mounseur_fw-fr daille_n and_o several_a other_o of_o the_o foreign_a divine_n see_v dr._n still_o misch_n of_o separ_fw-la 23._o and_o 97._o so_o do_v the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n as_o i_o have_v just_a now_o show_v and_o paper_n for_o accommodation_n p._n 52._o they_o declare_v far_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n though_o something_n may_v be_v amiss_o in_o it_o not_o as_o a_o sin_n of_o mere_a humane_a infirmity_n but_o as_o a_o wilful_a and_o dangerous_a sin_n and_o mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 347._o tell_v we_o many_o church_n be_v blame_v in_o scripture_n but_o none_o be_v require_v to_o separate_a from_o they_o see_v the_o answer_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n be_v sermon_n by_o several_a nonconformist_n where_o they_o all_o acknowlédge_v our_o worship_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o to_o be_v intrinsical_o good_a and_o a_o total_a separation_n from_o it_o sinful_a ibid._n p._n 31._o so_o than_o it_o seem_v so_o long_o as_o a_o church_n retain_v the_o mark_n and_o sign_n of_o a_o true_a church_n though_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n amiss_o in_o such_o a_o church_n separation_n from_o it_o be_v sinful_a but_o what_o if_o open_a sinner_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o communion_n before_o they_o have_v make_v public_a confession_n of_o their_o fault_n as_o be_v too_o frequent_a in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n must_v i_o be_v oblige_v to_o communicate_v with_o such_o may_v i_o not_o separate_a in_o such_o case_n the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 11_o 12_o 13._o bid_v we_o if_o any_o that_o be_v call_v a_o brother_n be_v a_o fornicator_n a_o idolater_n or_o covetous_a etc._n etc._n with_o such_o see_v that_o you_o eat_v not_o i_o answer_v that_o this_o very_a reason_n do_v the_o donatist_n in_o st._n augustine_n be_v day_n give_v among_o other_o for_o their_o separation_n and_o quote_v the_o same_o text_n of_o scripture_n but_o they_o be_v condemn_v for_o schismatic_n as_o i_o show_v before_o and_o st._n augustine_n and_o all_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n do_v then_o agree_v that_o these_o text_n be_v mean_v only_o of_o separation_n in_o heart_n not_o in_o body_n and_o therefore_o they_o say_v when_o such_o a_o multitude_n offend_v as_o that_o the_o cast_n of_o they_o out_o will_v be_v in_o danger_n to_o cause_v a_o schism_n there_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v tolerate_v lest_o while_o you_o go_v about_o to_o pull_v up_o the_o tax_n you_o pull_v up_o the_o wheat_n also_o therefore_o let_v they_o both_o grow_v together_o say_v they_o till_o the_o harvest_n but_o when_o only_o a_o few_o be_v guilty_a of_o scandalous_a sin_n there_o they_o say_v let_v not_o the_o severity_n of_o discipline_n cease_v but_o it_o must_v not_o be_v so_o severe_a as_o to_o root_v up_o but_o to_o amend_v see_v aug._n lib._n 3._o against_o permenian_n a_o donatist_n bishop_n ch_z 3._o lib._n 2._o c._n 18._o and_o herewith_o agree_v calv._n lib._n 4._o instit_fw-la c._n 1._o sect_n 13._o where_o he_o say_v that_o though_o sinner_n be_v admit_v to_o communion_n we_o ought_v to_o keep_v ourselves_o from_o their_o fellowship_n but_o not_o to_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n mr._n baxter_n say_v the_o same_o in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 347._o and_o vine_n on_o the_o sacrament_n p._n 39_o but_o suppose_v the_o parson_n of_o the_o parish_n be_v weak_a or_o a_o man_n of_o a_o loose_a conversation_n and_o i_o can_v hear_v a_o better_a preacher_n elsewhere_o and_o a_o man_n of_o a_o more_o exemplary_a holy_a life_n and_o conversation_n may_v not_o i_o go_v to_o that_o church_n or_o meet_v where_o i_o find_v most_o edification_n no_o for_o this_o still_o make_v way_n for_o schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o be_v never_o allow_v in_o any_o regular_a church_n provide_v the_o parson_n of_o the_o parish_n be_v tolerable_a the_o follower_n of_o estathius_fw-la sebastenus_n who_o separate_v upon_o this_o account_n in_o paphlagonia_n be_v condemn_v of_o schism_n by_o the_o council_n at_o gangrae_n and_o see_v calvin_n instit_fw-la lib._n 4._o c._n 1._o sect_n 13._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a that_o so_o ignorant_a and_o proud_a unpeaceable_a sort_n of_o people_n as_o mr._n baxter_n himself_o in_o his_o sacraleg_n disert_fw-la p._n 102._o etc._n etc._n confess_v the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o zealous_a professor_n of_o religion_n to_o be_v shall_v be_v at_o liberty_n to_o rend_v and_o tear_v a_o church_n to_o piece_n out_o of_o a_o conceit_n of_o a_o pure_a way_n of_o worship_n as_o if_o they_o know_v what_o be_v better_a for_o their_o edification_n than_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n in_o parliament_n and_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n do_v the_o pretence_n of_o great_a edification_n be_v never_o allow_v by_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o heretofore_o as_o a_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o separation_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o paper_n for_o accommodation_n and_o the_o grand_a debate_n both_o print_v when_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n sit_v at_o westminster_n nor_o do_v mr._n baxter_n ever_o allow_v of_o this_o to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o separation_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o cure_n of_o division_n p._n 393._o where_o he_o set_v forth_o the_o pernicious_a consequence_n of_o comply_v with_o the_o ungovernable_a and_o factious_a humour_n of_o the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o people_n who_o be_v ever_o apt_a to_o revile_v the_o best_a and_o grave_a minister_n and_o follow_v the_o more_o conceit_a and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o most_o fierce_a and_o bitter_a spirit_n and_o in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 280._o he_o say_v for_o want_v of_o understand_v the_o right_a term_n of_o church_n communion_n how_o woeful_a be_v our_o division_n you_o must_v have_v union_n and_o communion_n in_o faith_n and_o love_n with_o all_o christian_n let_v your_o usual_a meeting_n be_v with_o the_o pure_a church_n if_o you_o lawful_o may_v and_o still_o respect_v the_o public_a good_a but_o sometime_o occasional_o communicate_v with_o defective_a faulty_a church_n so_o be_v it_o they_o be_v true_a church_n and_o put_v you_o not_o upon_o sin_n think_v not_o that_o your_o presence_n make_v all_o the_o fault_n of_o ministry_n worship_n or_o people_n to_o be_v you_o for_o then_o i_o will_v join_v with_o no_o church_n in_o the_o world_n division_n be_v wound_v and_o tend_v to_o death_n abhor_v it_o as_o you_o love_v the_o church_n welfare_n or_o your_o own_o etc._n etc._n and_o again_o ib._n p._n 330._o if_o your_o minister_n say_v he_o be_v intolerable_a through_o ignorance_n heresy_n or_o malignity_n forsake_v he_o utter_o but_o if_o he_o be_v tolerable_a though_o weak_a and_o cold_a and_o if_o you_o can_v remove_v your_o dwell_n then_o public_a order_n and_o your_o soul_n s_o edification_n must_v be_v join_v as_o well_o as_o you_o can_v in_o london_n or_o other_o city_n you_o may_v go_v ordinary_o to_o another_o parish_n church_n but_o in_o the_o country_n and_o where_o it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a offence_n you_o may_v one_o part_n of_o the_o day_n hear_v in_o one_o parish_n and_o another_o in_o the_o next_o if_o there_o be_v a_o man_n much_o fit_a
withdraw_a themselves_o from_o under_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v real_a schism_n we_o do_v not_o enter_v into_o a_o comparison_n of_o your_o order_n with_o that_o under_o which_o we_o live_v all_o be_v subject_a to_o inconvenience_n we_o have_v she_o as_o well_o as_o you_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o to_o know_v that_o the_o same_o divine_a providence_n which_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n and_o by_o conjuncture_n of_o affair_n do_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n put_v our_o church_n under_o that_o of_o the_o presbytery_n have_v put_v you_o under_o that_o of_o the_o episcopacy_n and_o as_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o you_o do_v not_o despise_v our_o simplicity_n so_o neither_o ought_v we_o to_o oppose_v ourselves_o against_o your_o pre-eminence_n see_v both_o these_o letter_n and_o a_o three_o from_o mounseur_fw-fr l'_fw-mi angle_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n at_o large_a in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o dr._n stillingfleet_n be_v misch_n of_o separ_fw-la thus_o much_o for_o the_o foreign_a divine_n now_o we_o will_v come_v near_a home_n and_o see_v what_o our_o dissenter_n themselves_o have_v think_v of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n from_o which_o they_o separate_v first_o then_o several_a of_o the_o dissenter_n to_o avoid_v the_o imputation_n of_o brownism_n do_v sincere_o profess_v before_o god_n and_o all_o the_o world_n that_o they_o hold_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n with_o which_o they_o do_v and_o will_v hold_v communion_n notwithstanding_o any_o defilement_n or_o unwarrant_v power_n of_o church_n government_n exercise_v therein_o see_v the_o apologetical_a narrative_n p._n 5_o 6._o again_o they_o own_o that_o our_o parochial_a church_n be_v true_a church_n and_o that_o they_o can_v find_v no_o fault_n with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n and_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o 56._o and_o if_o occasional_a communion_n be_v lawful_a constant_a be_v a_o duty_n see_v paper_n for_o accomm_n p._n 47_o 51_o 56._o sometime_o a_o duty_n to_o communicate_v with_o we_o baxter_n be_v defence_n of_o his_o cure_n p._n 38._o and_o 64._o corbet_n of_o schism_n p._n 41._o peace-offering_a in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o congreg_n party_n anno_fw-la dom._n 1667._o p._n 10._o true_a way_n of_o conc._n part_n 3._o c._n 1._o sect_n 40._o and_o mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o last_o answer_n to_o bagshaw_n p._n 30_o 31._o have_v these_o word_n you_o little_o know_v what_o pernicious_a design_n the_o devil_n have_v upon_o you_o in_o persuade_v you_o to_o desire_v and_o endeavour_v to_o pull_v down_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n and_o religion_n which_o be_v uphold_v in_o the_o parish_n church_n of_o this_o land_n and_o to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v best_a to_o bring_v they_o as_o low_a in_o reality_n and_o reputation_n as_o you_o can_v and_o contract_v the_o religious_a interest_n all_o into_o private_a meeting_n and_o see_v also_o mr._n baxter_n be_v plea_n for_o peace_n p._n 240._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o last_o dr._n owen_n in_o his_o book_n of_o evangelical_n love_n p._n 54._o acknowledge_v that_o they_o look_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o england_n measure_v it_o by_o the_o doctrine_n receive_v since_o the_o reformation_n to_o be_v as_o sound_v and_o healthful_a a_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o any_o in_o the_o world_n i_o have_v now_o prove_v that_o separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n be_v sinful_a and_o schismatical_a i_o have_v prove_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o all_o this_o i_o have_v prove_v from_o their_o own_o write_n how_o will_v they_o now_o justify_v their_o separation_n or_o clear_v themselves_o from_o the_o imputation_n of_o schism_n what_o will_v they_o say_v to_o this_o be_v schism_n not_o a_o sin_n or_o be_v their_o separation_n from_o we_o not_o schism_n if_o they_o say_v it_o be_v not_o schism_n why_o then_o our_o nonconformist_a minister_n know_v better_a what_o be_v schism_n than_o all_o the_o learned_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o most_o eminent_a man_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n do_v for_o i_o have_v show_v from_o their_o own_o word_n that_o they_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v as_o true_a and_o sound_a a_o part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n as_o any_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o condemn_v all_o those_o that_o separate_v from_o she_o as_o guilty_a of_o schism_n doubtless_o these_o man_n be_v as_o competent_a judge_n of_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o any_o of_o our_o dissent_v minister_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a we_o have_v not_o the_o least_o reason_n to_o believe_v they_o will_v flatter_v we_o for_o they_o be_v stranger_n who_o have_v no_o dependence_n upon_o we_o and_o man_n of_o more_o piety_n and_o honesty_n than_o to_o indulge_v we_o in_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v sinful_a but_o it_o may_v be_v they_o will_v say_v that_o all_o these_o learned_a divine_n beyond_o sea_n who_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o error_n and_o corruption_n in_o she_o but_o let_v i_o tell_v they_o they_o may_v have_v a_o little_a more_o civility_n than_o to_o suppose_v that_o so_o many_o godly_a upright_a man_n will_v rash_o give_v their_o judgement_n of_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n as_o those_o be_v which_o relate_v to_o religion_n before_o they_o be_v true_o acquaint_v with_o the_o nature_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o beside_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_v of_o other_o man_n by_o themselves_o because_o the_o most_o of_o their_o own_o divine_n be_v utter_a stranger_n to_o the_o practice_n and_o constitution_n of_o other_o church_n as_o appear_v sufficient_o by_o their_o principle_n of_o separation_n must_v they_o believe_v other_o to_o be_v so_o too_o no_o thorough_o accomplish_v divine_a can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o true_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o any_o reform_a national_a church_n much_o less_o of_o so_o great_a and_o considerable_a a_o one_o as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o to_o put_v this_o out_o of_o dispute_n it_o appear_v before_o that_o several_a of_o the_o most_o eminent_a man_n beforementioned_a be_v in_o england_n for_o some_o year_n and_o frequent_v both_o the_o church_n and_o meeting_n on_o purpose_n to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o both_o in_o order_n to_o give_v their_o judgement_n of_o they_o since_o therefore_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v sound_a and_o the_o worship_n true_a and_o government_n and_o constitution_n of_o it_o as_o agreeable_a to_o that_o of_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n as_o any_o now_o in_o the_o world_n let_v we_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n lay_v aside_o all_o those_o fear_n and_o jealousy_n that_o have_v possess_v the_o mind_n of_o too_o many_o of_o we_o concern_v it_o and_o let_v we_o remember_v that_o not_o only_o the_o peace_n and_o prosperity_n of_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n and_o of_o every_o particular_a member_n of_o it_o depend_v upon_o our_o union_n but_o of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n all_o over_o the_o world_n though_o there_o may_v be_v some_o thing_n amiss_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o be_v not_o the_o business_n of_o private_a man_n to_o reform_v the_o church_n or_o dispute_v the_o fitness_n or_o unfitness_n of_o every_o little_a imposition_n their_o duty_n be_v to_o conform_v at_o least_o in_o the_o outward_a action_n and_o submit_v the_o fitness_n of_o such_o thing_n to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o those_o to_o who_o god_n almighty_a have_v entrust_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o nation_n they_o may_v reasonable_o be_v think_v more_o competent_a judge_n of_o what_o be_v convenient_a and_o fit_a to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o to_o be_v do_v than_o private_a man_n can_v be_v and_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v amiss_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n worship_n they_o be_v to_o answer_v for_o it_o not_o the_o people_n god_n will_v call_v they_o to_o a_o account_n for_o impose_v upon_o his_o people_n thing_n not_o agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n but_o will_v never_o condemn_v we_o for_o do_v our_o duty_n in_o submit_v to_o such_o governor_n as_o he_o have_v place_v over_o we_o it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o religion_n which_o be_v essential_a to_o it_o without_o which_o man_n can_v be_v save_v now_o in_o case_n our_o governor_n command_v we_o to_o act_v contrary_a to_o these_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o obey_v for_o we_o must_v obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n but_o it_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o side_n that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n enjoin_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o that_o they_o who_o live_v godly_a sober_a life_n according_a
the_o case_n state_v between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o dissenter_n wherein_o the_o first_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v the_o only_a true_a church_n and_o the_o latter_a plain_o demonstrate_v from_o their_o own_o write_n and_o those_o of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n to_o be_v downright_a schismatic_n collect_v from_o the_o best_a author_n on_o either_o side_n and_o make_v public_a for_o the_o conviction_n of_o those_o who_o have_v revive_v matter_n of_o controversy_n and_o be_v find_v fault_n at_o this_o time_n of_o day_n with_o the_o london_n case_n when_o they_o drop_v the_o dispute_n while_o their_o author_n be_v live_v by_o e._n s._n d._n d._n victrix_n causa_fw-la this_o placuit_fw-la sed_fw-la victa_fw-la catoni_fw-la lucan_n london_n print_v and_o sell_v by_o john_n nut_n neâ—â—_n stationers-hall_n mdcc_o to_o the_o reader_n the_o dissenter_n have_v again_o take_v the_o field_n and_o revive_v a_o dispute_n which_o have_v be_v some_o time_n lay_v aside_o i_o can_v neither_o think_v it_o useless_a or_o impertinent_a to_o rise_v up_o in_o defence_n of_o that_o holy_a religion_n against_o which_o they_o be_v declare_v enemy_n and_o vindicate_v the_o best_a of_o church_n in_o its_o excellency_n of_o government_n and_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o though_o many_o learned_a person_n have_v already_o oblige_v the_o public_a with_o unanswerable_a discourse_n in_o her_o favour_n and_o leave_v we_o sufficient_a argument_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o her_o worship_n and_o discipline_n yet_o since_o her_o adversary_n have_v rally_v again_o and_o take_v the_o advantage_n of_o the_o death_n of_o some_o of_o her_o champion_n as_o dr._n scot_n dr._n calamy_n etc._n etc._n be_v employ_v in_o pick_v holes_n in_o the_o london_n case_n i_o can_v not_o but_o think_v it_o very_o proper_a to_o remind_v they_o of_o the_o strength_n of_o what_o they_o be_v attacking_z and_o give_v they_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o her_o beauty_n whilst_o they_o be_v make_v inquiry_n after_o her_o fault_n in_o order_n to_o this_o i_o have_v collect_v the_o argument_n which_o have_v be_v make_v use_n of_o on_o both_o side_n and_o give_v the_o reader_n the_o true_a state_n of_o a_o controversy_n which_o none_o but_o man_n of_o invincible_a obstinacy_n will_v maintain_v after_o such_o clear_a conviction_n that_o the_o church_n which_o i_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o by_o make_v use_n of_o her_o ceremony_n worship_n god_n in_o the_o beauty_n of_o holiness_n and_o by_o breathe_v forth_o her_o desire_n in_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n show_v a_o reverence_n which_o be_v due_a to_o he_o that_o make_v she_o i_o need_v say_v very_o little_a in_o relation_n to_o the_o name_n of_o those_o author_n i_o have_v have_v recourse_n to_o on_o either_o side_n they_o be_v gentleman_n of_o know_a authority_n by_o their_o write_n and_o be_v eminent_a in_o the_o several_a congregation_n they_o belong_v to_o but_o the_o reader_n will_v be_v satisfy_v after_o a_o due_a perusal_n that_o the_o dissenter_n have_v eye_n and_o see_v not_o have_v ear_n and_o will_v not_o hear_v and_o like_o the_o adder_n be_v deaf_a to_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o charmer_n charm_v he_o never_o so_o wise_o else_o they_o will_v fling_v themselves_o into_o the_o arm_n of_o a_o church_n who_o constitution_n be_v unity_n and_o who_o purity_n so_o persuasive_a as_o may_v make_v even_o her_o enemy_n to_o be_v at_o peace_n with_o she_o the_o case_n state_v etc._n etc._n when_o god_n almighty_a first_o give_v a_o be_v to_o man_n and_o do_v he_o the_o honour_n of_o permit_v he_o to_o wear_v his_o maker_n image_n he_o appoint_v he_o no_o other_o guide_n to_o be_v direct_v by_o than_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o reason_n under_o the_o government_n of_o which_o he_o live_v the_o first_o two_o thousand_o year_n after_o his_o creation_n but_o as_o the_o law_n of_o reason_n be_v not_o sufficient_a of_o itself_o to_o keep_v man_n in_o that_o unalterable_a obedience_n which_o be_v due_a to_o his_o creator_n it_o be_v but_o necessary_a to_o give_v he_o more_o positive_a rule_n to_o walk_v by_o wherefore_o the_o lord_n command_v moses_n to_o write_v a_o law_n for_o his_o people_n which_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a and_o sometime_o of_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n this_o law_n be_v reveal_v to_o man_n by_o the_o mediation_n of_o a_o angel_n but_o it_o consist_v chief_o of_o type_n and_o ceremony_n and_o consequent_o not_o have_v that_o plainess_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o humane_a capacity_n as_o that_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n god_n do_v then_o often_o appear_v to_o his_o people_n himself_o and_o instruct_v they_o more_o immediate_o in_o the_o way_n he_o will_v have_v they_o go_v by_o and_o the_o path_n it_o be_v his_o will_n they_o shall_v shun_v and_o man_n live_v under_o this_o law_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n superad_v to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v the_o same_o in_o reasonable_a creature_n till_o god_n vouchsafe_v to_o convey_v the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o pleasure_n to_o we_o after_o a_o more_o full_a and_o excellent_a manner_n by_o the_o mediation_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o this_o law_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v that_o which_o we_o be_v direct_v by_o to_o this_o very_a day_n be_v absolve_v by_o it_o from_o our_o obedience_n to_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o old_a vid._n galat._n 4._o and_o as_o this_o law_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n be_v reveal_v to_o we_o after_o a_o more_o excellent_a manner_n than_o that_o of_o the_o old_a so_o the_o precept_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o it_o be_v most_o extraordinary_a have_v nothing_o in_o they_o which_o be_v either_o superfluous_a or_o want_v towards_o the_o lead_a man_n to_o heaven_n on_o very_o reasonable_a condition_n it_o be_v so_o adapt_v and_o fit_v to_o all_o condition_n of_o man_n that_o the_o very_o mean_a capacity_n may_v easy_o understand_v every_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o salvation_n and_o this_o evangelical_n law_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v leave_v as_o a_o rule_n for_o all_o succeed_a age_n to_o walk_v by_o but_o notwithstanding_o that_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v leave_v the_o world_n such_o plain_a and_o positive_a rule_n to_o walk_v by_o that_o none_o that_o be_v not_o wilful_o so_o can_v be_v mistake_v in_o they_o yet_o such_o have_v be_v the_o unhappiness_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o it_o never_o want_v some_o within_o it_o of_o such_o restless_a and_o peevish_a spirit_n as_o to_o disturb_v its_o peace_n and_o quiet_n by_o make_v division_n and_o schism_n in_o it_o which_o st._n paul_n foresee_v when_o he_o tell_v the_o elder_n act_n 20._o 30._o also_o of_o yourselves_o shall_v man_n arise_v speak_v perverse_a thing_n to_o draw_v disciple_n after_o they_o but_o though_o there_o have_v be_v always_o some_o division_n in_o the_o church_n ever_o since_o the_o first_o plant_v of_o it_o yet_o for_o the_o first_o three_o or_o four_o hundred_o year_n they_o be_v much_o few_o than_o what_o have_v be_v since_o and_o those_o that_o be_v be_v much_o more_o discountenance_a and_o oppose_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n than_o they_o be_v afterward_o in_o the_o church_n of_o africa_n a_o little_a before_o st._n augustine_n day_n there_o arise_v the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n who_o separate_v upon_o the_o account_n that_o the_o bishopric_n be_v too_o large_a and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n too_o great_a and_o because_o the_o minister_n be_v not_o so_o able_a and_o holy_a man_n as_o they_o shall_v be_v and_o because_o they_o dislike_v the_o liturgy_n and_o public_a prayer_n of_o the_o church_n and_o for_o suchlike_a reason_n and_o a_o little_a before_o in_o the_o three_o century_n begin_v the_o novatian_a schism_n at_o rome_n for_o that_o novatus_n think_v the_o bishopric_n too_o large_a will_v needs_o be_v choose_v bishop_n in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o cornelius_n be_v choose_v before_o but_o both_o these_o schism_n be_v condemn_v this_o by_o the_o council_n of_o carth._n and_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n and_o by_o st._n cyprian_n ep._n 52._o n._n 4_o etc._n etc._n and_o that_o of_o the_o donatist_n by_o all_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n at_o the_o conference_n at_o carth._n see_v conference_n of_o the_o three_o day_n chap._n 4._o and_o by_o st._n augustine_n in_o his_o book_n against_o permenian_a petilian_a and_o the_o other_o donatist_n bishop_n but_o not_o long_o after_o about_o the_o five_o and_o six_o century_n the_o error_n and_o corruption_n in_o the_o church_n begin_v to_o increase_v more_o abundant_o and_o appear_v more_o barefaced_a and_o open_o than_o former_o they_o have_v do_v for_o that_o
as_o the_o roman_a empire_n begin_v to_o decline_v there_o follow_v a_o general_a decay_n of_o learning_n and_o gross_a ignorance_n have_v over_o spread_v the_o earth_n insomuch_o that_o many_o of_o the_o priest_n themselves_o can_v not_o read_v latin_a and_o than_o it_o be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o bring_v in_o what_o heresy_n and_o schism_n man_n will_v and_o this_o be_v the_o time_n that_o most_o of_o the_o error_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v introduce_v as_o dr._n comber_n observe_v in_o his_o advice_n to_o the_o roman_a catholic_n of_o england_n under_o this_o cloud_n of_o ignorance_n and_o darkness_n do_v the_o church_n lie_v hide_v for_o many_o hundred_o of_o year_n till_o about_o the_o year_n 1510._o when_v it_o please_v god_n to_o open_v the_o eye_n of_o some_o of_o his_o people_n and_o to_o let_v they_o see_v those_o great_a abuse_n with_o which_o the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o long_o abuse_v and_o under_o the_o burden_n of_o which_o the_o church_n have_v groan_v for_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n and_o though_o here_o in_o england_n there_o have_v be_v for_o many_o year_n before_o the_o reformation_n a_o strong_a disposition_n that_o way_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o several_a act_n of_o parliament_n make_v since_o the_o conquest_n to_o lessen_v and_o take_v away_o the_o pope_n power_n and_o authority_n as_o well_o in_o ecclesiastical_a as_o civil_a matter_n within_o these_o kingdom_n see_v coke_n 5_o the_o rep._n de_n jure_fw-la regis_fw-la ecclesiastico_fw-la yet_o the_o pope_n have_v always_o so_o great_a a_o interest_n at_o court_n and_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o nation_n have_v get_v most_o of_o the_o land_n into_o their_o own_o hand_n that_o this_o glorious_a design_n can_v never_o be_v accomplish_v till_o it_o please_v god_n to_o make_v a_o open_a breach_n between_o king_n h._n 8._o and_o the_o pope_n upon_o which_o he_o total_o reject_v the_o pope_n supremacy_n and_o assume_v to_o himself_o the_o stile_n of_o supreme_a head_n of_o the_o church_n in_o these_o nation_n and_o defender_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o thus_o the_o pope_n be_v quite_o forsake_v it_o be_v likely_a popery_n will_v not_o live_v long_o have_v lose_v its_o infallible_a head_n and_o so_o indeed_o it_o prove_v for_o in_o king_n edw._n 6._o day_n popery_n be_v quite_o turn_v out_o of_o door_n by_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n who_o example_n many_o of_o the_o church_n beyond_o sea_n follow_v and_o thus_o the_o general_a reformation_n be_v happy_o begin_v and_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v strip_v of_o all_o its_o antic_a disguise_n begin_v to_o appear_v again_o and_o shine_v forth_o in_o its_o natural_a form_n and_o brightness_n but_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o bring_v the_o people_n clear_o off_o from_o what_o they_o and_o their_o ancestor_n have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o and_o accustom_a to_o for_o so_o many_o age_n or_o to_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o distinguish_v on_o a_o sudden_a between_o thing_n hurtful_a in_o religion_n and_o thing_n indifferent_a therefore_o it_o be_v think_v convenient_a that_o no_o alteration_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o thing_n indifferent_a nor_o any_o scruple_n raise_v about_o they_o which_o will_v at_o that_o time_n have_v hinder_v much_o the_o reformation_n since_o many_o be_v with_o difficulty_n enough_o bring_v to_o thing_n necessary_a so_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n as_o also_o to_o let_v our_o enemy_n see_v that_o we_o do_v not_o break_v communion_n with_o they_o for_o indifferent_a thing_n many_o thing_n be_v retain_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n that_o be_v afterward_o reform_v in_o the_o day_n of_o edw._n vi_o the_o liturgy_n and_o public_a service_n of_o the_o church_n be_v correct_v and_o amend_v and_o this_o be_v do_v with_o all_o the_o care_n and_o deliberation_n imaginable_a and_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n take_v the_o best_a advice_n in_o the_o do_n of_o it_o that_o can_v be_v have_v either_o at_o home_n or_o abroad_o which_o make_v i_o indeed_o admire_v to_o hear_v every_o illiterate_a dissenter_n find_v so_o many_o fault_n in_o the_o liturgy_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o be_v so_o well_o approve_v of_o then_o by_o all_o those_o holy_a bishop_n and_o martyr_n that_o be_v our_o first_o reformer_n and_o by_o calvin_n bucer_n and_o all_o the_o eminent_a divine_n beyond_o sea_n it_o be_v very_o strange_a to_o think_v that_o such_o excellent_a man_n and_o man_n of_o such_o indefatigable_a pain_n and_o great_a integrity_n as_o cranmer_n ridly_n latimer_n and_o bradford_n etc._n etc._n be_v after_o all_o their_o diligent_a enquiry_n and_o fervent_a prayer_n to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v direct_v they_o in_o the_o performance_n and_o management_n of_o so_o great_a a_o work_n can_v not_o after_o all_o spy_v so_o much_o as_o a_o mote_n of_o unlawfulness_n in_o those_o thing_n that_o now_o every_o dissent_v preacher_n though_o never_o so_o raw_a or_o illiterate_a yea_o and_o the_o very_o mean_a of_o the_o people_n can_v see_v such_o beam_n in_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o our_o term_n of_o communion_n be_v the_o same_o or_o rather_o easy_a now_o than_o they_o be_v then_o as_o most_o of_o the_o dissenter_n will_v allow_v and_o as_o dr._n stillingfleet_n have_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n during_o all_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n edward_n vi_o there_o be_v no_o division_n in_o this_o church_n about_o these_o matter_n there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o in_o those_o day_n that_o may_v have_v wish_v for_o a_o far_a reformation_n as_o no_o church_n ever_o yet_o want_v such_o but_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n and_o go_v to_o separate_v meeting_n upon_o that_o account_n no_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o that_o when_o actual_a separation_n be_v first_o begâ—n_v in_o queen_n elizabeth_n day_n those_o who_o practise_v it_o be_v severe_o condemn_v by_o most_o of_o those_o who_o be_v very_o desirous_a of_o a_o far_a reformation_n the_o time_n when_o separation_n first_o begin_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v about_o the_o beginning_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n reign_n for_o after_o queen_n mary_n death_n the_o minister_n and_o other_o who_o be_v banish_v and_o flee_v in_o her_o time_n begin_v to_o flock_v back_o again_o into_o england_n but_o the_o impression_n which_o be_v make_v on_o some_o of_o our_o divine_n during_o their_o banishment_n especial_o those_o who_o continue_v at_o geneva_n a_o place_n always_o inveterate_a against_o ceremony_n do_v not_o wear_v off_o at_o their_o return_n home_o but_o after_o a_o little_a while_n they_o begin_v to_o insinuate_v into_o the_o people_n who_o be_v ever_o fond_a of_o novelty_n a_o hatred_n to_o the_o livery_n of_o antichrist_n as_o they_o call_v the_o vestment_n and_o ceremony_n upon_o which_o some_o of_o the_o people_n begin_v to_o separate_a and_o this_o be_v the_o first_o occasion_n of_o press_a uniformity_n with_o law_n and_o penalty_n the_o queen_n and_o parliament_n now_o begin_v to_o see_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o quiet_a of_o the_o church_n and_o nation_n and_o for_o the_o avoid_n far_a division_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o all_o the_o clergy_n shall_v give_v some_o assurance_n of_o their_o conformity_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o this_o land_n and_o the_o religion_n establish_v by_o law_n and_o to_o the_o order_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n agreeable_a to_o law_n and_o according_o certain_a article_n and_o subscription_n be_v agree_v on_o and_o such_o of_o the_o clergy_n as_o will_v not_o subscribe_v thereto_o be_v suspend_v they_o who_o be_v suspend_v write_v to_o their_o oracle_n at_o geneva_n beza_n who_o be_v a_o man_n of_o great_a authority_n with_o they_o to_o know_v what_o they_o shall_v do_v beza_n advise_v they_o that_o if_o they_o can_v otherwise_o be_v continue_v in_o their_o office_n but_o by_o wrong_v their_o conscience_n that_o they_o shall_v submit_v and_o live_v quiet_o but_o by_o no_o mean_n to_o exercise_v their_o function_n against_o the_o will_n of_o their_o queen_n and_o bishop_n for_o say_v he_o we_o tremble_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o that_o etc._n that_o see_v dr._n stillâ—â—â—fleet's_n mischief_n of_o separation_n pag._n 20_o 21_o etc._n etc._n but_o he_o tell_v they_o far_o that_o though_o he_o do_v not_o approve_v of_o the_o ceremony_n yet_o be_v 〈◊〉_d evil_n in_o themselves_o he_o do_v not_o think_v they_o 〈◊〉_d that_o moment_n as_o that_o the_o minister_n shall_v leave_v their_o function_n for_o they_o or_o the_o people_n forsake_v the_o ordinance_n rather_o than_o hear_v those_o who_o do_v conform_v and_o it_o seem_v indeed_o that_o the_o more_o serious_a and_o learned_a of_o those_o divine_n who_o in_o their_o banishment_n have_v suck_v in_o a_o dislike_n to_o the_o
church_n of_o england_n way_n of_o worship_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o separate_a from_o it_o upon_o that_o account_n or_o to_o endeavour_v too_o hasty_o the_o reform_n of_o it_o for_o dr._n burnet_n in_o his_o book_n of_o travel_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o switzerland_n he_o meet_v with_o several_a letter_n from_o some_o of_o our_o english_a clergy_n to_o bullinger_n who_o have_v procure_v a_o kind_a reception_n to_o be_v give_v to_o several_a of_o they_o in_o switzerland_n during_o the_o persecution_n of_o queen_n mary_n by_o which_o letter_n it_o appear_v that_o several_a of_o the_o clergy_n who_o have_v be_v beyond_o sea_n upon_o their_o return_n home_o do_v endeavour_v to_o persuade_v queen_n elizabeth_n to_o let_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o habit_n for_o the_o clergy_n etc._n etc._n fall_n particular_o sand_n afterward_o archbishop_n of_o york_n horn_n afterward_o bishop_n of_o winchester_n jewel_n and_o grindal_n but_o grindal_n in_o one_o of_o his_o letter_n to_o bullinger_n say_v they_o be_v all_o resolve_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o wait_v for_o a_o fit_a opportunity_n to_o reverse_v they_o and_o he_o lament_v the_o ill_a effect_n of_o the_o opposition_n that_o some_o have_v make_v to_o they_o he_o also_o thank_v bullinger_n for_o the_o letter_n he_o write_v to_o justify_v the_o lawful_a use_n of_o the_o habit_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o fine_a they_o all_o allow_v the_o lawfulness_n but_o not_o the_o fitness_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n till_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o reverse_v it_o lawful_o see_v burnet_n travel_n p._n 51_o 52._o but_o though_o the_o wise_a sort_n among_o they_o do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o proceed_v to_o actual_a separation_n from_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o those_o indifferent_a thing_n yet_o some_o there_o be_v of_o a_o more_o fierce_a and_o turbulent_a spirit_n who_o have_v not_o patience_n to_o wait_v god_n leisure_n but_o either_o a_o reformation_n must_v be_v make_v present_o according_a to_o their_o wild_a notion_n and_o the_o queen_n and_o parliament_n must_v tack_n about_o immediate_o to_o their_o pleasure_n or_o else_o to_o your_o tent_n o_o israel_n they_o will_v set_v up_o church_n of_o their_o own_o and_o forsake_v we_o utter_o as_o a_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a church_n not_o fit_a to_o be_v communicate_v with_o and_o thus_o begin_v our_o unhappy_a division_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v myself_o to_o trace_v this_o matter_n through_o the_o reign_v of_o queen_n elizabeth_n king_n james_z the_o first_o and_z king_n charles_n the_o first_o nor_o to_o show_v how_o they_o daily_o increase_v and_o grow_v wide_o nor_o the_o many_o sub-division_n and_o scandalous_a breach_n that_o be_v daily_o make_v among_o themselves_o ever_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o separation_n as_o between_o brown_n and_o barrow_n brown_n and_o harrison_n barrow_n and_o johnson_n johnson_n and_o ainsworth_n who_o all_o left_a england_n to_o gather_v separate_a church_n to_o themselves_o in_o the_o low-countries_n but_o scarce_o have_v be_v well_o there_o till_o they_o fall_v out_o all_o among_o themselves_o one_o man_n and_o his_o company_n be_v accurse_v and_o avoid_v by_o the_o other_o and_o his_o follower_n and_o the_o one_o church_n receive_v the_o person_n excommunicate_v by_o the_o other_o till_o they_o become_v ridiculous_a to_o spectator_n and_o at_o last_o some_o of_o they_o be_v glad_a to_o return_v into_o england_n this_o matter_n have_v be_v so_o full_o relate_v by_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 51_o 52_o etc._n etc._n that_o it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o repeat_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o take_v notice_n that_o ever_o since_o king_n james_n the_o second_v accession_n to_o the_o crown_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v lay_v aside_o all_o thought_n of_o controversy_n with_o the_o dissenter_n in_o hope_n that_o they_o will_v have_v join_v for_o their_o common_a safety_n with_o they_o in_o stop_v the_o inundation_n of_o popery_n that_o be_v ready_a to_o break_v in_o upon_o these_o nation_n and_o swallow_v they_o both_o up_o but_o while_o most_o of_o our_o eminent_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o dr._n tillotson_n dr._n stillingfleet_n dr._n burnet_n dr._n comber_n dr._n sherlock_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v employ_v in_o write_v against_o the_o incendiary_n of_o rome_n the_o dissenter_n our_o brethren_n instead_o of_o assist_v we_o be_v make_v themselves_o ready_a for_o war_n with_o we_o as_o appear_v soon_o after_o for_o when_o god_n almighty_n have_v happy_o place_v king_n william_n in_o the_o throne_n a_o convocation_n be_v immediate_o call_v in_o hope_n that_o some_o term_n of_o accommodation_n may_v have_v be_v agree_v upon_o between_o we_o and_o which_o in_o all_o probability_n will_v have_v take_v effect_n if_o the_o dissent_v minister_n have_v be_v as_o forward_o as_o we_o for_o how_o much_o incline_v our_o clergy_n be_v to_o a_o reconciliation_n notwithstanding_o the_o aspersion_n lay_v on_o they_o by_o the_o dissenter_n of_o their_o have_a no_o such_o design_n do_v sufficient_o appear_v by_o several_a of_o their_o write_n see_v dr._n tillotson_n sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o yorkshire_n feast_n anno_fw-la 1679._o pag._n 28._o and_o dr._n sherlock_n sermon_n before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n nou._n 1688._o see_v likewise_o the_o petition_n of_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n and_o the_o other_o bishop_n for_o which_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o tower_n and_o see_v the_o article_n recommend_v by_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n to_o all_o the_o bishop_n within_o his_o province_n and_o dr._n stillingfleet_n preface_n to_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n by_o all_o which_o it_o sufficient_o appear_v how_o desirous_a they_o be_v for_o a_o reconoiliation_n but_o instead_o of_o listen_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n do_v our_o dissenter_n break_v forth_o into_o open_a act_n of_o hostility_n and_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o we_o be_v actual_o treat_v of_o accommodation_n with_o they_o do_v they_o publish_v several_a of_o their_o book_n one_o upon_o the_o back_n of_o another_o in_o which_o they_o endeavour_v nothing_o less_o than_o the_o total_a overthrow_n of_o our_o church_n by_o pretend_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v new_a and_o unlawful_a and_o that_o our_o worship_n be_v idolatrous_a and_o sinful_a have_v this_o be_v at_o a_o time_n when_o their_o way_n of_o worship_n be_v not_o tolerate_v or_o we_o impose_v on_o they_o with_o penalty_n they_o have_v be_v the_o more_o excusable_a or_o have_v we_o begin_v to_o expose_v their_o extempore_o way_n of_o pray_v as_o we_o may_v easy_o have_v do_v but_o at_o such_o a_o time_n as_o that_o be_v to_o become_v the_o aggressor_n be_v ungrateful_a as_o well_o as_o unseasonable_a but_o now_o since_o the_o dissenter_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o revive_v the_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o hope_v they_o can_v take_v it_o unkind_o of_o we_o if_o we_o endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v our_o church_n and_o to_o remove_v those_o aspersion_n that_o they_o have_v groundless_o cast_v upon_o she_o but_o this_o have_v be_v do_v so_o learned_o and_o full_o by_o so_o many_o of_o our_o learned_a divine_n already_o that_o i_o will_v not_o prâ—â—end_v to_o do_v it_o better_o or_o to_o say_v much_o more_o than_o what_o they_o have_v say_v before_o i_o i_o shall_v only_o here_o lie_v down_o brief_o the_o substance_n of_o what_o i_o have_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o best_a author_n on_o both_o side_n that_o have_v write_v lare_o on_o this_o subject_a for_o there_o may_v be_v some_o who_o will_v be_v willing_a to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o yet_o can_v neither_o bestow_v the_o time_n nor_o pain_n to_o read_v all_o the_o book_n of_o controversy_n over_o which_o have_v be_v write_v on_o this_o subject_a first_o then_o we_o will_v examine_v the_o plea_n which_o the_o dissenter_n use_v for_o separation_n and_o show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o justify_v separation_n according_a to_o their_o own_o principle_n all_o the_o plea_n at_o this_o time_n make_v use_v of_o for_o separation_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n first_o such_o as_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n second_o to_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n with_o it_o three_o to_o the_o conscience_n of_o dissenter_n as_o to_o the_o first_o to_o wit_n such_o as_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n they_o say_v first_o that_o our_o parochial_a church_n be_v not_o according_a to_o christ_n institution_n as_o be_v different_a from_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n second_o that_o our_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v unlawful_a three_o that_o our_o national_a church_n have_v no_o foundation_n and_o want_v discipline_n all_o be_v
the_o church_n by_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o holy_a father_n of_o it_o and_o that_o their_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v as_o absolute_a and_o extend_v as_o far_o or_o far_o than_o any_o bishop_n this_o day_n in_o england_n i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o that_o episcopal_a government_n as_o now_o settle_v in_o england_n have_v be_v and_o be_v at_o this_o day_n commend_v and_o approve_v of_o by_o all_o the_o most_o eminent_a divine_n beyond_o sea_n perhaps_o some_o may_v say_v if_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v so_o agreeable_a to_o that_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o approve_v of_o by_o other_o reform_a church_n as_o we_o pretend_v it_o be_v how_o come_v it_o that_o they_o all_o do_v not_o follow_v the_o pattern_n of_o england_n and_o become_v all_o diocesan_n church_n i_o answer_v they_o may_v as_o well_o ask_v we_o why_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o roman_a emperor_n do_v not_o upon_o the_o decay_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n when_o they_o resume_v their_o just_a right_n of_o government_n to_o themselves_o become_v all_o monarchy_n according_a to_o the_o pattern_n of_o england_n some_o nation_n beside_o england_n ireland_n and_o scotland_n do_v assume_v episcopal_a government_n as_o denmark_n sweden_n etc._n etc._n but_o perhaps_o it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o present_a circumstance_n or_o politic_a constitution_n of_o all_o place_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n to_o set_v up_o episcopal_a government_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o and_o therefore_o since_o neither_o episcopal_a nor_o any_o other_o particular_a kind_n of_o government_n be_v so_o essential_a to_o a_o church_n as_o that_o a_o true_a church_n may_v not_o be_v without_o it_o in_o case_n of_o indispensible_a necessity_n they_o put_v themselves_o some_o under_o one_o form_n of_o government_n some_o under_o another_o as_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o their_o present_a constitution_n but_o with_o this_o caution_n every_o where_o that_o all_o protestant_n of_o every_o whole_a church_n be_v the_o government_n what_o it_o will_v shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o conform_v to_o the_o establish_v church_n in_o which_o they_o live_v for_o though_o every_o national_a or_o whole_a church_n have_v a_o power_n to_o choose_v what_o kind_n of_o government_n they_o please_v for_o themselves_o yet_o it_o be_v never_o allow_v that_o particular_a scrupulous_a people_n among_o themselves_o have_v power_n to_o do_v so_o too_o this_o power_n of_o subdivide_v be_v never_o pretend_v to_o nor_o practise_v in_o any_o other_o nation_n since_o the_o reformation_n but_o in_o england_n so_o that_o though_o they_o do_v all_o allow_v the_o antiquity_n and_o usefulness_n of_o episcopal_a government_n yet_o since_o it_o be_v not_o essential_a to_o a_o true_a church_n no_o more_o than_o that_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a nor_o convenient_a at_o this_o time_n for_o all_o place_n some_o may_v refuse_v it_o and_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o we_o in_o england_n shall_v do_v so_o since_o it_o be_v convenient_a for_o we_o and_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n of_o these_o kingdom_n and_o come_v by_o much_o near_a the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n than_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o but_o they_o say_v we_o make_v episcopal_a government_n essential_a to_o a_o true_a church_n for_o that_o we_o will_v suffer_v none_o to_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n here_o in_o england_n unless_o they_o be_v ordain_v by_o a_o bishop_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v plain_a we_o do_v not_o make_v episcopal_a government_n essential_a to_o a_o true_a church_n for_o we_o allow_v all_o the_o reform_a church_n to_o be_v true_a church_n and_o communicate_v with_o they_o and_o yet_o some_o of_o they_o have_v no_o diocesan_n bishop_n it_o be_v true_a by_o the_o law_n of_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n none_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n in_o any_o cathedral_n or_o parish_n church_n or_o chapel_n nor_o to_o hold_v any_o ecclesiastical_a benefice_n within_o these_o kingdom_n but_o such_o as_o be_v willing_a to_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o this_o church_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o therefore_o since_o both_o the_o law_n of_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n do_v require_v that_o all_o minister_n who_o desire_v to_o serve_v in_o this_o church_n shall_v declare_v public_o that_o they_o assent_n to_o and_o approve_v of_o our_o form_n of_o worship_n etc._n etc._n and_o be_v willing_a to_o use_v the_o same_o as_o the_o church_n appoint_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v receive_v their_o ordination_n and_o licence_n to_o execute_v their_o office_n from_o the_o bishop_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o such_o as_o want_v these_o qualification_n shall_v be_v refuse_v the_o liberty_n of_o execute_v their_o office_n in_o these_o kingdom_n ordination_n kingdom_n the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v not_o say_v absolute_o that_o all_o those_o minister_n who_o want_v episcopal_a ordination_n be_v no_o true_a minister_n but_o only_o that_o none_o shall_v be_v account_v a_o lawful_a bishop_n priest_n or_o deacon_n so_o as_o to_o execute_v their_o function_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n unless_o they_o be_v once_o ordain_v by_o a_o bishop_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o ordination_n but_o the_o reason_n we_o refuse_v they_o be_v not_o so_o much_o because_o that_o presbyterian_a ordination_n do_v not_o make_v they_o true_a minister_n according_a to_o god_n law_n as_o though_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o ordination_n without_o a_o bishop_n in_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n but_o all_o to_o the_o contrary_a because_o they_o stubborn_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o our_o law_n and_o constitution_n and_o contemn_v the_o lawful_a authority_n under_o which_o god_n have_v place_v they_o and_o command_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v obey_v and_o this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o statute_n of_o 14_o car._n 2._o in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a proviso_n that_o all_o minister_n of_o foreign_a reform_a church_n who_o come_v into_o this_o kingdom_n by_o the_o king_n permission_n be_v to_o be_v except_v out_o of_o and_o excuse_v from_o the_o penalty_n of_o that_o act._n and_o this_o custom_n of_o require_v conformity_n and_o subscription_n from_o all_o who_o desire_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o every_o settle_a church_n that_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o christ_n day_n as_o will_v appear_v hereafter_o the_o 3d._a objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v that_o our_o state_n our_o by_o national_a church_n be_v mean_v the_o whole_a church_n of_o such_o nation_n as_o upon_o the_o decay_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n resume_v their_o just_a right_n of_o government_n to_o themselves_o both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n national_a church_n which_o we_o call_v the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v no_o foundation_n and_o want_v discipline_n all_o be_v encroach_v and_o swallow_v up_o in_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o pastor_n of_o every_o parish_n who_o ought_v to_o have_v full_a power_n to_o execute_v every_o part_n of_o it_o be_v deprive_v thereof_o but_o this_o be_v false_a for_o the_o presbyter_n in_o our_o church_n have_v as_o great_a power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n as_o ever_o they_o have_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n what_o power_n be_v they_o deprive_v of_o by_o the_o bishop_n that_o they_o have_v then_o by_o the_o law_n of_o our_o church_n no_o rule_n of_o discipline_n no_o article_n of_o doctrine_n no_o form_n of_o worship_n can_v be_v introduce_v by_o the_o bishop_n or_o impose_v upon_o any_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n of_o the_o nation_n in_o convocation_n who_o appear_v either_o in_o person_n or_o by_o proxy_n the_o only_a authority_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v above_o the_o presbyte_n be_v government_n ordination_n and_o censure_n which_o be_v all_o appropriate_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n st._n cyprian_n assure_v we_o it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o african_a church_n in_o his_o three_o book_n ep._n 10._o &_o 12._o 28._o 27._o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o st._n augustine_n time_n see_v cod._n eccl._n afr._n c._n 6_o 7_o 9_o etc._n etc._n but_o say_v they_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n be_v take_v away_o from_o the_o presbyter_n and_o lodge_v sole_o in_o the_o bishop_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a say_v they_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o presbyter_n do_v ordain_v for_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v by_o lay_v on_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o
presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o but_o dr._n hammond_n in_o his_o paraphrase_n on_o this_o text_n say_v that_o these_o presbyter_n here_o speak_v of_o who_o ordain_v timothy_n be_v apostle_n that_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v by_o st._n paul_n be_v most_o evident_a for_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n ch_n 1._o v._n 6._o say_v i_o put_v thou_o in_o mind_n that_o thou_o stir_v up_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o thou_o by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o my_o hand_n and_o the_o apostle_n may_v then_o have_v be_v likely_a enough_o call_v presbyter_n for_o that_o during_o the_o apostle_n time_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o and_o sometime_o use_v the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o as_o appear_v plain_o by_o compare_v 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o with_o 2_o tim._n 1._o 6._o in_o the_o former_a verse_n st._n paul_n bid_v timothy_n neglect_v not_o the_o gift_n that_o be_v in_o he_o by_o lay_v on_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o in_o the_o latter_a he_o bid_v he_o stir_v up_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o you_o by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o my_o hand_n for_o while_o the_o apostle_n live_v they_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v few_o or_o no_o bishop_n in_o their_o day_n but_o as_o they_o withdraw_v they_o commit_v the_o care_n and_o government_n of_o church_n to_o such_o person_n as_o they_o appoint_v thereto_o of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o uncontrollable_a evidence_n in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n so_o that_o although_o the_o apostle_n leave_v no_o successor_n in_o eodem_fw-la gradu_fw-la as_o to_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v extraordinary_a in_o they_o as_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o writing_n new_a gospel_n the_o extent_n of_o their_o power_n etc._n etc._n yet_o to_o other_o part_n of_o their_o apostolic_a office_n they_o have_v successor_n as_o in_o teach_v and_o govern_v and_o such_o like_a thing_n that_o be_v not_o extraordinary_a which_o power_n of_o govern_v ordain_v etc._n etc._n be_v give_v to_o such_o particular_a presbyter_n as_o the_o apostle_n think_v fit_a for_o it_o be_v proper_o the_o episcopal_a power_n and_o thus_o these_o who_o be_v but_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o the_o accession_n of_o this_o govern_n and_o ordain_v power_n become_v bishop_n after_o their_o decease_n or_o departure_n and_o thus_o will_v all_o those_o seem_a difference_n between_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n speak_v of_o in_o antiquity_n be_v reconcile_v and_o herewith_o agree_v the_o opinion_n of_o archbishop_n whitgift_n and_o bishop_n bilson_n and_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 270._o and_o many_o other_o see_v king_n charles_n i._o his_o debate_n about_o episcopacy_n more_o full_o concern_v this_o matter_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o since_o the_o apostle_n day_n presbyter_n be_v not_o bishop_n but_o a_o distinct_a order_n from_o they_o and_o this_o be_v agree_v by_o most_o ancient_a and_o modern_a writer_n see_v among_o other_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n ad_fw-la trall_n where_o he_o say_v that_o without_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n it_o can_v be_v call_v a_o church_n and_o aerius_n who_o declare_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n be_v represent_v by_o epiphanius_n as_o a_o prodigy_n and_o his_o opinion_n madness_n see_v epiph._n haer._n 74._o n._n 1._o 3_o so_o ischyrus_n pretend_v to_o be_v a_o presbyter_n because_o coluthus_n have_v ordain_v he_o but_o athanasius_n represent_v it_o as_o a_o monster_n that_o one_o shall_v esteem_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o one_o who_o die_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n see_v dr._n maur._n defence_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n p._n 451._o and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o a_o bishop_n himself_o do_v ordain_v any_o one_o against_o the_o canon_n and_o establish_v discipline_n of_o the_o church_n they_o do_v not_o stick_v at_o declare_v such_o ordination_n void_a and_o in_o some_o case_n to_o re-ordain_a see_v can._n nicen._n 9_o 10._o 16._o 19_o and_o can._n antioch_n 73._o 10_o etc._n etc._n what_o sentence_n shall_v we_o think_v than_o they_o will_v have_v pronounce_v against_o our_o presbyterian_a ordination_n as_o practise_v here_o in_o england_n contrary_a both_o to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n too_o but_o beside_o all_o this_o the_o plea_n which_o our_o dissenter_n make_v for_o separation_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o presbyter_n be_v total_o deprive_v of_o their_o power_n of_o ordain_v be_v false_a for_o by_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n four_o presbyter_n be_v to_o assist_v the_o bishop_n in_o give_v order_n and_o after_o examination_n to_o join_v in_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n on_o the_o person_n ordain_v see_v can._n 31._o and_o 35._o but_o another_o objection_n which_o they_o make_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o want_v of_o discipline_n be_v for_o that_o the_o power_n of_o excommunicate_v notorious_a offender_n be_v take_v away_o from_o the_o parochial_a minister_n and_o lodge_v only_o in_o the_o bishop_n but_o sure_o they_o who_o make_v this_o objection_n never_o read_v the_o 26_o canon_n which_o be_v one_o of_o they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o authentic_a church_n canon_n for_o that_o canon_n say_v express_o that_o no_o minister_n shall_v admit_v any_o of_o his_o flock_n to_o the_o lâ—â—d's_n supper_n who_o be_v know_v to_o be_v guilty_a 〈…〉_o scandalous_a sin_n until_o he_o have_v open_o 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o have_v true_o repent_v and_o 〈◊〉_d â—ase_v the_o offender_n continue_v obstinate_a he_o must_v give_v a_o account_n to_o the_o ordinary_n within_o 14_o day_n who_o be_v then_o to_o proceed_v to_o great_a excommunication_n for_o the_o other_o be_v call_v a_o penitential_a excommunication_n so_o than_o it_o seem_v the_o pastor_n be_v not_o total_o deprive_v of_o the_o power_n of_o censure_v for_o scandalous_a offence_n nay_o they_o have_v a_o great_a and_o more_o absolute_a power_n than_o be_v allow_v they_o in_o many_o other_o reform_a church_n for_o indeed_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n be_v a_o work_n of_o so_o much_o prudence_n and_o difficulty_n that_o the_o great_a zealot_n for_o it_o have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o trust_v it_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o parochial_a minister_n and_o his_o particular_a congregation_n calvin_n himself_o say_v to_o do_v so_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o apostolic_a practice_n see_v calv._n ep._n 136._o and_o beza_n speak_v of_o the_o discipline_n of_o geneva_n in_o his_o ep._n 20._o say_v the_o parochial_a minister_n proceed_v no_o far_o than_o admonition_n but_o in_o case_n of_o contumacy_n they_o certify_v the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o city_n who_o sit_v at_o certain_a time_n to_o hear_v all_o censure_n relate_v to_o discipline_n but_o allow_v a_o church_n want_v true_a discipline_n do_v it_o therefore_o lose_v its_o be_v or_o justify_v separation_n 〈…〉_o sure_o if_o so_o there_o be_v few_o 〈◊〉_d church_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d many_o of_o they_o have_v no_o discipâ—â—â—â—_n aâ—_n all_o among_o they_o for_o many_o year_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o the_o lord_n supper_n administer_v in_o some_o part_n of_o this_o kingdom_n for_o ten_o or_o a_o dozen_o year_n together_o but_o now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o four_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n which_o be_v that_o the_o people_n be_v deprive_v of_o their_o right_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n pray_v let_v i_o ask_v they_o how_o this_o original_a and_o inherent_a right_n as_o mr._n baxter_n call_v it_o of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n come_v to_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o people_n be_v there_o not_o a_o church_n to_o be_v form_v in_o the_o beginning_n do_v not_o christ_n appoint_v apostle_n and_o give_v they_o authority_n for_o that_o end_n where_o be_v the_o church_n power_n then_o lodge_v be_v it_o not_o in_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o they_o in_o all_o place_n as_o they_o plant_v church_n appoint_v officer_n to_o teach_v and_o govern_v they_o and_o be_v not_o then_o the_o pastor_n invest_v with_o a_o power_n superior_a to_o that_o of_o the_o people_n how_o come_v they_o then_o to_o lose_v it_o â—or_a how_o come_v the_o people_n to_o pretend_v a_o original_n right_o thereto_o beside_o how_o can_v the_o people_n make_v choice_n of_o man_n for_o their_o fitness_n and_o ability_n when_o at_o that_o time_n their_o ability_n depenâ—_n 〈…〉_o on_o the_o apostle_n lay_v on_o of_o 〈◊〉_d â—ands_n for_o then_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 〈…〉_o they_o it_o seem_v then_o that_o this_o 〈◊〉_d and_o inherent_a right_n be_v not_o in_o the_o people_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n nor_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o it_o have_v st
clement_n st._n cyprian_n st._n chrysostom_n etc._n etc._n can_v not_o have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o st._n clement_n say_v in_o his_o ep._n 54_o 55_o 56_o 57_o the_o apostle_n think_v fit_a to_o reserve_v this_o power_n of_o appoint_v officer_n in_o the_o church_n to_o themselves_o to_o prevent_v the_o contention_n that_o may_v happen_v about_o it_o and_o that_o all_o the_o people_n have_v to_o do_v be_v to_o give_v testimony_n of_o the_o person_n choose_v and_o to_o that_o end_n it_o be_v true_a the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o nomination_n of_o a_o new_a bishop_n for_o since_o they_o be_v to_o be_v man_n blameless_a and_o of_o good_a report_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a that_o the_o people_n that_o best_o know_v his_o life_n and_o conversation_n shall_v be_v present_a to_o testify_v the_o same_o and_o herewith_o agree_v st._n cyprian_n ep._n 68_o who_o mr._n baxter_n vouch_v for_o the_o contrary_a say_v he_o the_o bishop_n shall_v be_v choose_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n that_o by_o their_o presence_n their_o fault_n may_v be_v publish_v or_o their_o good_a action_n commend_v but_o say_v not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o people_n power_n of_o elect_v he_o prayer_n all_o our_o ordination_n must_v be_v do_v in_o the_o public_a view_n of_o the_o people_n who_o be_v demand_v of_o the_o bishop_n whether_o any_o of_o they_o can_v or_o will_v except_v against_o the_o person_n to_o be_v admit_v see_v the_o form_n of_o ordination_n in_o the_o book_n of_o common_a prayer_n as_o to_o the_o election_n of_o deacon_n it_o be_v to_o be_v note_v that_o it_o be_v proper_o no_o church_n power_n which_o they_o have_v but_o they_o be_v steward_n of_o the_o common_a stock_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a the_o community_n shall_v be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o they_o st._n chrysostom_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr sacerdotio_fw-la complain_v much_o of_o the_o unfitness_n of_o the_o people_n to_o judge_v in_o such_o matter_n so_o do_v st._n augustine_n ep._n 110._o and_o indeed_o be_v there_o no_o other_o reason_n against_o the_o people_n choose_v their_o own_o minister_n but_o the_o mischief_n that_o will_v necessary_o attend_v it_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o when_o ever_o the_o people_n assume_v this_o power_n of_o choose_v it_o cause_v so_o great_a disturbance_n in_o the_o church_n that_o at_o antioch_n the_o division_n of_o the_o people_n about_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n have_v kindle_v such_o a_o flame_n as_o have_v almost_o destroy_v both_o church_n and_o city_n the_o like_a at_o rome_n upon_o the_o choice_n of_o damascus_n and_o if_o the_o people_n have_v the_o power_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n what_o shall_v hinder_v but_o there_o may_v be_v a_o presbyterian_a independent_a anabaptist_n quaker_n and_o papist_n teacher_n all_o in_o one_o parish_n and_o so_o this_o will_v set_v open_a a_o door_n to_o infinite_a division_n and_o therefore_o to_o avoid_v the_o great_a evil_n and_o inconvenience_n of_o popular_a election_n the_o power_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n be_v take_v away_o from_o the_o people_n by_o several_a council_n as_o 12._o and_o 13._o can._n conc._n laodicea_n conc._n antioch_n c._n 18._o etc._n etc._n conc._n 2_o d._n of_o nice_a c._n 3._o the_o reason_n that_o first_o give_v layman_n a_o title_n to_o the_o nomination_n of_o minister_n be_v when_o christian_a prince_n and_o other_o have_v give_v large_a endowment_n to_o the_o church_n it_o be_v think_v but_o just_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v the_o nomination_n of_o the_o minister_n for_o those_o church_n that_o they_o have_v build_v and_o endow_v and_o this_o be_v a_o prerogative_n in_o the_o king_n of_o england_n ever_o since_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n here_o and_o long_o before_o any_o freedom_n of_o election_n be_v pretend_v to_o see_v stat._n 25._o edw._n 3._o and_o the_o case_n of_o the_o king_n be_v ecclesiastical_a power_n in_o lord_n cook_n be_v 8_o the_o rep._n and_o the_o case_n of_o praemunire_n in_o sir_n john_n davenant_n report_n case_n ult_n and_o this_o title_n of_o patronage_n have_v be_v confirm_v to_o layman_n by_o several_a council_n as_o 1_o st_z coun._n of_o orange_n anno_fw-la dom._n 441._o 2_o d._n counc_fw-la of_o arles_n anno_fw-la 452._o 9_o the_o counc_fw-la of_o toledo_n etc._n etc._n and_o this_o right_n of_o presentation_n be_v not_o only_o use_v in_o england_n but_o in_o other_o reform_a church_n in_o denmark_n the_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n be_v appoint_v by_o the_o king_n so_o they_o be_v in_o swedeland_n so_o in_o other_o lutheran_n church_n the_o superintendant_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o several_a prince_n and_o the_o patron_n present_v before_o ordination_n the_o synod_n of_o dort_n have_v a_o salvo_n for_o the_o right_n of_o patronage_n in_o france_n the_o minister_n be_v choose_v by_o minister_n at_o geneva_n by_o the_o council_n of_o state_n who_o have_v power_n likewise_o to_o depose_v they_o and_o beza_n in_o his_o ep._n 83._o declare_v against_o the_o people_n choose_v their_o minister_n as_o a_o thing_n without_o any_o ground_n in_o scripture_n grotius_n ep._n ad_fw-la boatslaer_n ep._n 62._o p._n 21._o agree_v herein_o how_o come_v then_o our_o english_a dissenter_n to_o make_v this_o a_o ground_n of_o separation_n to_o wit_n the_o deprive_v the_o people_n of_o their_o right_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n when_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o never_o have_v any_o such_o right_n but_o when_o they_o get_v it_o by_o usurpation_n and_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o even_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n at_o this_o day_n but_o beside_o the_o unwarrantableness_n of_o the_o people_n choose_v their_o minister_n and_o the_o great_a mischief_n that_o attend_v it_o by_o make_v the_o people_n run_v into_o division_n and_o faction_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o unreasonable_a in_o itself_o that_o such_o a_o ignorant_a proud_a unpeaceable_a sort_n of_o people_n as_o mr._n baxter_n himself_o confess_v in_o his_o sacrilegiae_fw-la dissert_n p._n 102._o etc._n etc._n the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o christian_n to_o be_v shall_v be_v make_v judge_n of_o their_o minister_n ability_n and_o soundness_n of_o doctrine_n who_o be_v most_o apt_a to_o revile_v the_o best_a and_o grave_a minister_n as_o the_o same_o mr._n baxter_n say_v himself_o in_o his_o cure_n of_o divis_n p._n 393._o sure_o it_o be_v more_o likely_a that_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n and_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v provide_v able_a and_o fit_a minister_n for_o we_o than_o such_o sort_n of_o people_n as_o these_o unless_o any_o will_v be_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o magistrate_n and_o clergy_n be_v all_o bad_a man_n and_o the_o ignorant_a common_a people_n the_o only_a incourager_n of_o virtue_n they_o may_v say_v it_o be_v as_o unreasonable_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o all_o the_o people_n of_o a_o parish_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o take_v a_o minister_n put_v into_o the_o cure_n by_o some_o young_a raw_a extravagant_a heir_n that_o have_v the_o good_a fortune_n to_o be_v bear_v to_o a_o estate_n to_o which_o the_o advowson_n do_v belong_v but_o perhaps_o be_v as_o ignorant_a and_o unfit_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o ability_n of_o a_o minister_n as_o the_o mean_a in_o the_o parish_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o such_o ignorant_a person_n may_v sometime_o have_v the_o right_n of_o presentation_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o the_o power_n of_o put_v into_o the_o cure_n any_o minister_n they_o please_v for_o the_o patron_n have_v only_o the_o right_n of_o present_v his_o clerk_n who_o must_v be_v admit_v and_o institute_v by_o the_o bishop_n before_o the_o cure_n be_v say_v to_o be_v full_a and_o if_o the_o bishop_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o clergy_n after_o examination_n have_v etc._n etc._n do_v think_v he_o any_o way_n unqualify_v for_o the_o cure_n of_o soul_n he_o may_v reject_v he_o and_o put_v the_o patron_n to_o present_v another_o qualify_v for_o the_o office_n which_o if_o he_o neglect_v to_o do_v within_o six_o month_n from_o the_o time_n the_o church_n become_v void_a he_o shall_v lose_v his_o presentation_n for_o that_o turn_n and_o the_o bishop_n shall_v present_v so_o that_o the_o patron_n it_o seem_v can_v put_v who_o he_o will_v on_o the_o people_n for_o their_o pastor_n but_o be_v bind_v to_o find_v personam_fw-la idoneam_fw-la a_o fit_a person_n and_o now_o before_o we_o pass_v from_o this_o matter_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o silence_n minister_n or_o not_o doubtless_o he_o have_v otherwise_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o kingdom_n shall_v be_v safe_a for_o since_o the_o
generality_n of_o the_o people_n be_v so_o apt_a to_o be_v lead_v by_o their_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o take_v their_o notion_n of_o loyalty_n and_o obedience_n from_o they_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o imagine_v that_o minister_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o preach_v up_o sedition_n heresy_n or_o what_o doctrine_n they_o please_v and_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o silence_v they_o but_o say_v our_o dissenter_n we_o be_v call_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n by_o god_n almighty_a and_o have_v receive_v our_o commission_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n from_o he_o and_o therefore_o must_v not_o neglect_v to_o discharge_v our_o duty_n in_o obedience_n to_o any_o power_n upon_o earth_n for_o we_o must_v obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n but_o first_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v grant_v that_o when_o god_n almighty_n give_v they_o this_o commission_n he_o do_v not_o limit_v it_o to_o any_o certain_a place_n but_o it_o be_v general_a to_o preach_v the_o word_n to_o all_o nation_n so_o that_o in_o obedience_n to_o god_n command_n doubtless_o they_o ought_v to_o go_v and_o preach_v in_o those_o country_n where_o their_o preach_a be_v most_o want_v and_o will_v do_v god_n most_o service_n there_o be_v many_o country_n in_o the_o world_n that_o know_v nothing_o of_o christianity_n and_o many_o that_o do_v have_v not_o able_a minister_n enough_o to_o serve_v their_o turn_n sure_o these_o man_n that_o think_v themselves_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o preach_v will_v much_o better_a discharge_v their_o conscience_n by_o go_v into_o those_o country_n and_o preach_v to_o those_o poor_a people_n that_o be_v in_o so_o great_a want_n of_o it_o christ_n send_v his_o disciple_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o lose_a sheep_n of_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n the_o apostle_n who_o doubtless_o have_v as_o universal_a a_o commission_n to_o preach_v they_o never_o go_v to_o abide_v in_o those_o city_n or_o place_n where_o sound_a teacher_n be_v settle_v before_o but_o they_o choose_v to_o go_v into_o those_o part_n where_o christianity_n be_v least_o know_v and_o their_o preach_v will_v do_v most_o good_a why_o will_v not_o our_o nonconformist_a minister_n follow_v their_o example_n several_a of_o our_o foreign_a plantation_n want_v able_a minister_n among_o they_o they_o want_v university_n and_o famous_a school_n to_o breed_v they_o in_o and_o therefore_o must_v needs_o be_v but_o poor_o supply_v if_o they_o will_v leave_v this_o nation_n and_o go_v and_o preach_v there_o it_o will_v convince_v the_o world_n that_o they_o design_v nothing_o but_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n in_o desire_v to_o preach_v but_o since_o they_o do_v not_o it_o be_v evident_a whatever_o their_o pretence_n may_v be_v that_o it_o be_v self-interest_n and_o their_o own_o conveniency_n that_o make_v they_o desire_v the_o liberty_n of_o preach_v in_o these_o nation_n what_o have_v they_o to_o say_v to_o this_o indeed_o the_o best_a of_o they_o give_v but_o a_o very_a unsatisfactory_a answer_n hereto_o mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o answer_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n say_v the_o reason_n why_o they_o do_v not_o go_v to_o preach_v among_o the_o indian_n be_v because_o they_o can_v speak_v their_o language_n and_o because_o many_o of_o they_o have_v wife_n and_o family_n which_o they_o can_v leave_v but_o for_o his_o own_o part_n he_o say_v if_o he_o be_v but_o young_a enough_o he_o will_v not_o trouble_v this_o censorious_a persecute_v part_n of_o the_o world_n any_o long_o mr._n baxter_n have_v not_o be_v always_o old_a he_o be_v young_a enough_o when_o first_o he_o begin_v to_o write_v against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n why_o do_v he_o not_o go_v when_o first_o he_o be_v prohibit_v to_o preach_v here_o if_o he_o have_v perhaps_o our_o division_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n have_v be_v much_o narrow_a than_o now_o they_o be_v and_o a_o reconciliation_n much_o more_o easy_a between_o we_o as_o for_o their_o not_o speak_v the_o language_n there_o be_v many_o of_o the_o new_a plantation_n in_o america_n etc._n etc._n that_o understand_v english_a and_o latin_a and_o want_v able_a diligent_a pastor_n among_o they_o and_o as_o to_o all_o their_o other_o reason_n for_o not_o go_v the_o leave_v their_o family_n etc._n etc._n they_o may_v carry_v they_o with_o they_o but_o sure_o no_o reason_n of_o this_o kind_n can_v come_v in_o competition_n with_o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o three_o kingdom_n but_o again_o they_o say_v god_n have_v command_v they_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o they_o must_v obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man._n so_o god_n have_v also_o command_v they_o to_o obey_v their_o governor_n and_o magistrate_n and_o to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o nation_n in_o which_o they_o live_v now_o since_o they_o must_v of_o necessity_n break_v one_o of_o these_o command_n by_o stay_v at_o home_n and_o preach_v in_o separate_a meeting_n and_o may_v perform_v both_o by_o go_v to_o preach_v beyond_o sea_n certain_o the_o best_a and_o safe_a way_n must_v be_v to_o do_v the_o latter_a and_o if_o god_n almighty_n have_v give_v they_o commission_n to_o preach_v as_o they_o say_v i_o be_o sure_a he_o have_v give_v they_o commission_n no_o where_o to_o disturb_v the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n and_o state_n especial_o a_o true_a church_n he_o bid_v they_o go_v and_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o teach_v all_o nation_n but_o we_o all_o know_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v then_o unconvert_v and_o have_v no_o christian_a teacher_n and_o minister_n orderly_o settle_v among_o they_o so_o that_o those_o who_o christ_n then_o send_v can_v have_v come_v no_o where_o amiss_o every_o one_o of_o they_o be_v to_o make_v as_o many_o convert_v as_o he_o can_v there_o be_v no_o limit_n put_v how_o far_o their_o particular_a charge_n shall_v extend_v and_o no_o far_o but_o soon_o after_o even_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n when_o particular_a distinct_a church_n be_v gather_v and_o commit_v to_o the_o care_n of_o particular_a person_n i_o suppose_v none_o of_o our_o dissenter_n will_v say_v that_o any_o minister_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o general_a commission_n to_o teach_v all_o nation_n may_v have_v come_v into_o another_o pastor_n congregation_n or_o parish_n and_o preach_v in_o a_o separate_a meeting_n without_o licence_n and_o draw_v as_o many_o people_n from_o their_o lawful_a pastor_n to_o who_o care_n they_o be_v particular_o commit_v as_o they_o can_v no_o they_o who_o do_v so_o be_v often_o condemn_v by_o st._n paul_n as_o appear_v in_o many_o of_o his_o epistle_n and_o this_o be_v the_o very_a case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n with_o relation_n to_o our_o present_a dissenter_n allow_v their_o commission_n to_o preach_v be_v as_o full_a as_o they_o pretend_v to_o yet_o it_o give_v they_o no_o authority_n to_o invade_v other_o man_n right_n or_o to_o draw_v away_o the_o people_n from_o their_o lawful_a minister_n and_o especial_o since_o if_o they_o please_v they_o may_v exercise_v their_o office_n in_o other_o place_n and_o do_v no_o man_n wrong_v the_o apostle_n have_v as_o full_a a_o commission_n to_o preach_v as_o any_o of_o our_o dissenter_n can_v pretend_v to_o and_o something_o more_o extraordinary_a and_o yet_o we_o do_v find_v that_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o preach_v direct_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n though_o a_o heathen_a it_o be_v true_a for_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n christianity_n have_v not_o general_o the_o law_n to_o countenance_n and_o defend_v it_o as_o now_o it_o have_v so_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o father_n of_o the_o church_n can_v not_o have_v the_o command_n or_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o what_o they_o do_v yet_o they_o have_v his_o connivance_n and_o never_o preach_v direct_o in_o opposition_n to_o his_o positive_a command_n st._n paul_n say_v act_n 14._o 12._o they_o neither_o find_v i_o in_o the_o temple_n dispute_v with_o any_o man_n neither_o raise_v up_o the_o people_n neither_o in_o the_o synagogue_n nor_o in_o the_o city_n and_o again_o act_v 15._o 8._o neither_o against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o jew_n neither_o against_o the_o temple_n nor_o yet_o against_o caesar_n have_v i_o offend_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o so_o it_o seem_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n where_o they_o come_v so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v tolerate_v or_o connive_v at_o by_o the_o government_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v prohibit_v by_o the_o magistrate_n they_o leave_v that_o city_n or_o place_n and_o go_v to_o the_o next_o but_o think_v it_o no_o way_n their_o duty_n to_o oppose_v
be_v set_v up_o new_a part_n of_o worship_n as_o our_o dissenter_n seem_v to_o do_v when_o they_o charge_v we_o with_o set_v up_o new_a part_n of_o worship_n and_o make_v the_o scripture_n insufficient_a adoration_n we_o all_o agree_v be_v a_o substantial_a and_o proper_a act_n of_o divine_a worship_n but_o whether_o this_o adoration_n be_v perform_v by_o prostration_n or_o by_o bow_v or_o by_o kneel_v be_v a_o circumstance_n in_o itself_o indifferent_a and_o therefore_o they_o who_o differ_v in_o these_o circumstance_n do_v not_o differ_v in_o the_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o in_o the_o manner_n see_v the_o harmony_n of_o confession_n where_o you_o will_v find_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n be_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n and_o usefulness_n of_o ceremony_n the_o latter_a helvetian_a confession_n say_v that_o there_o be_v different_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n find_v in_o the_o church_n let_v no_o man_n judge_v hereby_o that_o the_o church_n dissent_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o bohemia_n have_v wherefore_o those_o rite_n and_o those_o good_a ceremony_n ought_v only_o to_o be_v keep_v which_o among_o the_o people_n of_o christ_n do_v edify_v therefore_o whether_o they_o be_v extent_n or_o bring_v in_o by_o the_o bishop_n or_o by_o the_o council_n ecclesiastical_a or_o by_o other_o author_n whatsoever_o the_o simple_a sort_n be_v not_o to_o trouble_v themselves_o about_o that_o but_o must_v use_v they_o to_o that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o a_o little_a after_o although_o our_o man_n do_v not_o equal_o observe_v all_o ceremony_n with_o other_o church_n which_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v do_v yet_o be_v they_o not_o so_o mind_v as_o to_o move_v any_o dissension_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o ceremony_n although_o they_o be_v not_o judge_v to_o be_v altogether_o necessary_a so_o that_o they_o be_v not_o find_v contrary_a to_o god_n word_n and_o the_o augustine_n confession_n have_v some_o man_n than_o may_v ask_v whether_o we_o will_v have_v this_o life_n of_o man_n to_o be_v without_o order_n without_o ceremony_n in_o no_o wise_a but_o we_o teach_v that_o the_o true_a pastor_n in_o their_o church_n may_v ordain_v public_a rite_n or_o ceremony_n and_o beza_n in_o his_o 24_o epist_n agree_v herein_o as_o have_v be_v say_v before_o and_o calvin_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o true_a way_n of_o reformation_n ch._n 16._o say_v he_o will_v not_o contend_v about_o ceremony_n not_o only_o those_o which_o be_v for_o decency_n but_o those_o which_o be_v symbolical_a let_v all_o thing_n s_o be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n say_v the_o scripture_n and_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 1_o cor._n 14._o 33._o god_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n but_o of_o peace_n as_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n but_o to_o come_v home_o to_o our_o dissenter_n mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 337._o speak_v of_o our_o public_a worship_n in_o our_o parish_n church_n say_v in_o all_o the_o lawful_a order_n gesture_n and_o manner_n of_o behaviour_n in_o god_n worship_n affect_v not_o to_o differ_v from_o the_o rest_n but_o conform_v yourself_o to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n for_o in_o the_o church_n singularity_n be_v a_o discord_n etc._n etc._n see_v vine_n on_o the_o sacrament_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n p._n 39_o and_o many_o more_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n may_v be_v give_v but_o what_o have_v be_v say_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o such_o ceremony_n as_o serve_v for_o order_n or_o edification_n and_o be_v not_o direct_o contrary_a to_o god_n law_n be_v to_o be_v use_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o most_o eminent_a man_n both_o at_o home_n and_o abroad_o now_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v what_o ceremony_n be_v lawful_a and_o what_o not_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o ceremony_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o doctrine_n which_o go_v along_o with_o it_o and_o may_v be_v lawful_a and_o not_o lawful_a as_o that_o be_v if_o a_o ceremony_n be_v make_v a_o substantial_a part_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o unalterable_a or_o be_v suppose_v so_o necessary_a as_o that_o the_o do_v of_o it_o will_v be_v a_o thing_n meritorious_a or_o please_a to_o god_n and_o the_o not_o do_v of_o it_o sinful_a though_o there_o be_v no_o human_a law_n which_o require_v the_o do_v of_o it_o then_o it_o become_v sinful_a because_o it_o make_v the_o scripture_n insufficient_a and_o this_o it_o be_v that_o make_v the_o jewish_a ceremony_n of_o wash_v before_o meat_n sinful_a and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o many_o of_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o when_o ceremony_n be_v enjoin_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o order_n and_o uniformity_n in_o god_n worship_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o great_a mischief_n which_o we_o shall_v inevitable_o fall_v into_o if_o every_o pastor_n and_o people_n be_v suffer_v to_o follow_v their_o several_a different_a judgement_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n worship_n than_o they_o be_v lawful_a and_o good_a but_o say_v they_o if_o these_o ceremony_n do_v not_o bind_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n why_o do_v the_o discipline_n and_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n force_n man_n to_o use_v they_o i_o answer_v the_o church_n do_v not_o oblige_v man_n to_o the_o observance_n of_o these_o ceremony_n as_o thing_n that_o bound_v the_o conscience_n or_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v in_o themselves_o but_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n be_v force_v to_o observe_v they_o and_o punish_v if_o they_o refuse_v be_v because_o they_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o church_n and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o church_n or_o state_n make_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v sinful_a rom._n 13._o 5._o and_o 2._o and_o for_o this_o they_o be_v punish_v and_o also_o for_o disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o thus_o we_o justify_v our_o bow_n at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n at_o seasonable_a time_n and_o all_o our_o ceremony_n since_o the_o church_n have_v appoint_v they_o we_o ought_v to_o obey_v unless_o we_o can_v prove_v they_o to_o be_v sinful_a which_o no_o man_n can_v do_v so_o long_o as_o the_o worship_n be_v direct_v to_o a_o true_a object_n to_o wit_n the_o person_n of_o christ_n as_o for_o the_o ceremony_n of_o bow_v towards_o the_o altar_n note_v the_o canon_n that_o appoint_v it_o do_v not_o oblige_v any_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o it_o but_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o liberty_n as_o to_o the_o posture_n appoint_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n to_o wit_n kneel_v it_o be_v a_o circumstance_n which_o may_v be_v vary_v according_a to_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n it_o be_v always_o take_v in_o the_o posture_n of_o adoration_n which_o posture_n vary_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o country_n now_o kneel_v be_v the_o posture_n of_o adoration_n in_o these_o kingdom_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v therefore_o appoint_v that_o it_o be_v take_v kneel_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o very_o reasonable_a that_o so_o sacred_a a_o ordinance_n and_o so_o great_a a_o benefit_n shall_v be_v receive_v in_o the_o most_o thankful_a and_o humble_a posture_n that_o may_v be_v and_o that_o sure_o be_v on_o our_o knee_n which_o be_v also_o the_o fit_a posture_n for_o those_o high_a strain_n of_o devotion_n with_o which_o so_o sacred_a a_o work_n ought_v to_o be_v attend_v at_o the_o very_a instant_n of_o take_v it_o the_o only_a objection_n that_o i_o know_v be_v make_v against_o this_o posture_n of_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v because_o it_o be_v idolatrous_a and_o contrary_a to_o christ_n own_o practice_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o they_o will_v make_v we_o and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n all_o idolater_n whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o do_v not_o our_o book_n of_o common_a prayer_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o communion_n service_n tell_v they_o as_o plain_a as_o word_n can_v express_v it_o that_o we_o pay_v no_o adoration_n to_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o sacrament_n but_o christ_n himself_o which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o yet_o will_v they_o make_v we_o idolater_n for_o all_o this_o have_v any_o of_o they_o ever_o write_v so_o strong_a against_o idolize_v the_o element_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o our_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v do_v and_o yet_o will_v they_o persuade_v we_o we_o be_v idolater_n they_o may_v as_o well_o believe_v that_o we_o worship_v the_o stone_n in_o the_o church-wall_n when_o we_o kneel_v down_o to_o pray_v in_o they_o and_o true_o i_o
fear_v many_o of_o they_o do_v so_o which_o make_v they_o use_v that_o posture_n so_o seldom_o in_o their_o public_a meeting_n for_o you_o shall_v seldom_o see_v in_o any_o of_o their_o meeting_n scarce_o one_o of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n on_o their_o knee_n not_o even_o at_o repeat_v the_o lord_n prayer_n if_o it_o happen_v to_o be_v say_v which_o be_v not_o often_o their_o usual_a posture_n of_o pray_v in_o their_o public_a congregation_n be_v either_o stand_a or_o loll_v on_o their_o elbow_n and_o at_o the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n nay_o even_o of_o the_o psalm_n themselves_o though_o they_o be_v the_o very_o high_a strain_n of_o devotion_n you_o shall_v see_v they_o all_o sit_v on_o their_o breeches_n and_o many_o of_o they_o with_o their_o hat_n on_o but_o pray_v how_o come_v the_o posture_n of_o sit_v to_o be_v the_o only_a fit_a posture_n for_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n be_v that_o the_o posture_n christ_n use_v no_o if_o we_o will_v believe_v most_o learned_a man_n they_o will_v tell_v we_o christ_n give_v it_o lean_v which_o perhaps_o he_o may_v have_v do_v on_o purpose_n to_o let_v we_o see_v that_o he_o do_v not_o require_v any_o one_o set_a posture_n for_o lean_v be_v a_o mean_a as_o it_o be_v between_z kneeling_z and_o stand_v and_o seem_v to_o incline_v equal_o to_o both_o why_o do_v they_o not_o take_v it_o lean_v as_o christ_n do_v and_o after_o supper_n and_o in_o a_o upper_a room_n why_o do_v they_o not_o observe_v all_o these_o circumstance_n if_o one_o may_v be_v dispense_v with_o without_o sin_n why_o not_o another_o if_o they_o will_v not_o be_v so_o civil_a as_o to_o conform_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n why_o will_v they_o not_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n the_o church_n of_o france_n and_o most_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n take_v it_o either_o stand_n or_o kneel_v as_o be_v posture_n of_o adoration_n but_o because_o they_o do_v our_o english_a dissenter_n will_v take_v it_o in_o no_o other_o posture_n but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o irreverent_a and_o far_a from_o adoration_n in_o the_o world_n to_o wit_n sit_v on_o their_o breeches_n it_o be_v a_o feast_n say_v they_o and_o therefore_o sit_v be_v a_o posture_n of_o ease_n be_v most_o suitable_a to_o it_o we_o own_v it_o be_v a_o feast_n but_o not_o a_o common_a but_o spiritual_a feast_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v it_o not_o in_o the_o posture_n we_o use_v at_o our_o common_a table_n but_o in_o a_o more_o decent_a and_o reverend_a posture_n to_o conclude_v this_o point_n i_o shall_v give_v you_o the_o word_n of_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o the_o nonconformist_a preacher_n in_o this_o matter_n vine_n in_o his_o book_n on_o the_o sacrament_n p._n 39_o say_v it_o be_v no_o corruption_n to_o vary_v in_o occasional_a circumstance_n in_o administer_a the_o lord_n supper_n such_o as_o time_n and_o place_n and_o posture_n etc._n etc._n mr._n baxter_n have_v several_a time_n declare_v the_o same_o and_o so_o have_v most_o of_o the_o nonconformist_a minister_n and_o herewith_o agree_v hooker_n in_o his_o eccles_n polity_n lib._n 5._o p._n 366._o as_o to_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n it_o be_v use_v only_o as_o a_o solemn_a rite_n or_o ceremony_n of_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o admission_n into_o society_n to_o use_v some_o particular_a ceremony_n therefore_o as_o baptism_n beside_o its_o sacramental_a efficacy_n be_v a_o rite_n of_o admission_n into_o christ_n catholic_n church_n so_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n be_v into_o our_o church_n of_o england_n we_o do_v not_o use_v it_o as_o it_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o they_o use_v it_o as_o a_o dedicative_a sign_n to_o god_n we_o only_o as_o a_o token_n or_o declarative_a sign_n to_o man_n they_o use_v it_o before_o baptism_n and_o make_v it_o part_n of_o it_o we_o after_o and_o make_v it_o no_o part_n of_o baptism_n but_o allow_v the_o baptism_n to_o be_v good_a without_o it_o and_o it_o to_o be_v omit_v in_o private_a baptism_n if_o it_o be_v scruple_v if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o since_o these_o ceremony_n be_v allow_v to_o be_v thing_n indifferent_a in_o themselves_o by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o be_v scruple_v by_o the_o dissenter_n why_o will_v the_o church_n of_o england_n impose_v they_o i_o answer_v first_o it_o be_v not_o fit_a nor_o convenient_a that_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v think_v necessary_a by_o the_o governor_n of_o a_o church_n to_o preserve_v the_o order_n and_o unity_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v cast_v aside_o to_o humour_v some_o over_o scrupulous_a and_o restless_a mind_n and_o who_o it_o be_v like_a will_v not_o be_v satisfy_v be_v that_o grant_v second_o it_o be_v more_o safe_a for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n which_o do_v allow_v and_o practice_v they_o than_o such_o a_o handful_n of_o people_n as_o the_o dissenter_n of_o england_n etc._n etc._n and_o three_o there_o be_v as_o insignificant_a ceremony_n enjoin_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o as_o any_o of_o we_o be_v now_o notwithstanding_o some_o man_n scruple_n concern_v they_o as_o the_o love_n feast_n and_o holy_a kiss_n etc._n etc._n till_o abolish_v by_o general_a consent_n and_o the_o assembly_n of_o their_o own_o divine_n at_o westminster_n tell_v we_o the_o apostle_n say_v they_o notwithstanding_o the_o difference_n of_o man_n judgement_n do_v prescribe_v rule_n of_o uniformity_n see_v paper_n for_o accommodation_n p._n 111._o the_o next_o great_a objection_n which_o the_o dissenter_n make_v to_o the_o term_n of_o our_o communion_n be_v for_o that_o we_o tie_v up_o our_o minister_n to_o prescribe_a form_n of_o prayer_n which_o be_v a_o stint_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o hinder_v they_o from_o exercise_v their_o gift_n and_o be_v contrary_n to_o scripture_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o argument_n which_o they_o common_o use_v against_o write_a form_n of_o prayer_n be_v first_o they_o say_v that_o nothing_o but_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o the_o lively_a voice_n of_o god_n grace_n which_o they_o call_v preach_v and_o extempore_o prayer_n be_v to_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o nothing_o that_o be_v humane_a because_o subject_a to_o infirmity_n and_o error_n but_o if_o so_o then_o must_v we_o exclude_v not_o only_o all_o write_a prayer_n but_o the_o whole_a bible_n too_o unless_o in_o the_o original_a tongue_n for_o all_o translation_n of_o it_o be_v humane_a and_o subject_a to_o error_n and_o also_o the_o prayer_n and_o preach_v of_o the_o pastor_n must_v be_v exclude_v for_o the_o error_n in_o the_o sermon_n and_o prayer_n of_o the_o pastor_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o lively_a voice_n of_o god_n own_o grace_n and_o the_o psalm_n in_o metre_n must_v be_v also_o exclude_v another_o argument_n be_v that_o we_o must_v not_o make_v use_n of_o any_o outward_a help_n in_o the_o action_n of_o prayer_n for_o the_o spirit_n they_o say_v help_v our_o infirmity_n and_o therefore_o write_v form_n and_o all_o other_o outward_a help_n be_v sinful_a but_o let_v i_o ask_v they_o whether_o the_o voice_n of_o another_o that_o pray_v or_o fast_v or_o the_o lift_n up_o of_o the_o hand_n and_o eye_n 1_o tim._n 2._o 8._o or_o kneel_v be_v prayer_n itself_o or_o only_o outward_a help_n to_o prayer_n to_o make_v it_o more_o fervent_a sure_o they_o be_v outward_a help_n only_o and_o yet_o they_o be_v use_v in_o the_o very_a action_n of_o prayer_n again_o they_o say_v read_v a_o prayer_n can_v be_v pray_v for_o prayer_n be_v the_o pour_v forth_o supplication_n to_o god_n the_o other_o a_o receive_n in_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o we_o read_v but_o when_o one_o hear_v a_o prayer_n pronounce_v by_o another_o his_o hear_n do_v receive_v it_o into_o his_o soul_n but_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o instant_n he_o do_v power_n it_o forth_o as_o a_o prayer_n to_o god_n why_o then_o may_v not_o this_o be_v do_v as_o well_o when_o it_o be_v read_v as_o when_o it_o be_v pronounce_v by_o another_o but_o then_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v a_o stint_n of_o the_o spirit_n if_o so_o why_o will_v they_o hear_v the_o extempore_o prayer_n of_o another_o man_n be_v not_o this_o as_o much_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o all_o the_o hearer_n as_o any_o write_a form_n can_v be_v doubtless_o it_o be_v how_o come_v it_o then_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o hearer_n be_v not_o as_o much_o stint_v when_o they_o join_v in_o this_o form_n as_o if_o they_o have_v join_v in_o a_o write_a form_n but_o since_o our_o
the_o people_n answer_v we_o lift_v they_o up_o unto_o the_o lord_n see_v cypr._n de_fw-fr orat._n dom._n §_o 22._o see_v more_o for_o this_o interchangable_a way_n of_o pray_v between_o priest_n and_o people_n b._n bill_n of_o christian_a subjection_n part_v 4._o p._n 435._o in_o the_o same_o century_n origen_n say_v they_o who_o serve_v god_n through_o jesus_n in_o the_o christian_a way_n use_v frequent_o night_n and_o day_n the_o enjoined_a prayer_n see_v orig._n in_o cell_n l._n 6._o p._n 302._o and_o st._n basil_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr spirit_n sanct._n c._n 29._o p._n 221._o tell_v we_o that_o gregory_n thaumaturgus_n who_o be_v his_o predecessor_n in_o the_o bishopric_n of_o neocaesarea_n and_o cotemporary_a with_o st._n cyprian_n compose_v a_o liturgy_n and_o appoint_v ceremony_n for_o that_o church_n and_o that_o too_o in_o a_o age_n when_o miraculous_a gift_n last_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o century_n ann._n dom._n 312._o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n constantine_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o life_n of_o constantine_n lib._n 4._o c._n 17._o p._n 395._o order_v his_o palace_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o a_o church_n and_o will_v take_v the_o book_n himself_o into_o his_o hand_n either_o for_o explain_v the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o repeat_v the_o prescribe_v prayer_n in_o his_o royal_a family_n in_o the_o same_o century_n athanasius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n show_v we_o that_o the_o priest_n and_o people_n pray_v by_o way_n of_o response_n in_o that_o church_n for_o in_o his_o epist_n to_o solitar_n p._n 239._o he_o say_v the_o people_n mourn_v and_o groan_v to_o god_n in_o the_o church_n all_o of_o they_o cry_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o say_v spare_v thy_o people_n good_a lord_n spare_v they_o etc._n etc._n by_o which_o it_o seem_v the_o church_n do_v not_o think_v it_o enough_o then_o for_o the_o people_n to_o say_v amen_o but_o appoint_v they_o distinct_a and_o intelligent_a answer_n in_o the_o same_o century_n the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n can._n 15._o bev._n tom._n 1._o p._n 459._o appoint_v canonical_a singer_n who_o sing_v out_o of_o book_n and_o none_o but_o they_o be_v allow_v to_o begin_v the_o hymn_n and_o the_o same_o council_n can._n 18._o bev._n tom._n 1._o p._n 461._o ordain_v that_o the_o very_a same_o liturgy_n of_o prayer_n shall_v be_v use_v always_o both_o at_o three_o in_o the_o afternoon_n and_o in_o the_o evening_n and_o now_o because_o this_o council_n be_v so_o plain_a evidence_n against_o the_o dissenter_n that_o they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o answer_v it_o they_o fly_v again_o to_o their_o last_o refuge_n which_o be_v to_o deny_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o council_n for_o they_o say_v this_o council_n of_o laodicea_n be_v but_o a_o provincial_a synod_n or_o council_n but_o though_o we_o grant_v it_o be_v no_o more_o but_o a_o provincial_a synod_n yet_o i_o hope_v a_o provincial_a council_n of_o orthodox_n bishop_n be_v good_a authority_n but_o beside_o this_o very_a canon_n concern_v liturgy_n be_v take_v into_o the_o code_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o confirm_v by_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n which_o be_v a_o general_a council_n and_o that_o they_o use_v form_n of_o prayer_n and_o response_n and_o alternate_a way_n of_o sing_v in_o the_o african_a church_n appear_v by_o st._n cyprian_n before_o and_o by_o optatus_n melevianus_n l._n 2._o p._n 47._o for_o there_o he_o blame_v the_o donatist_n for_o shut_v the_o mouth_n of_o all_o the_o people_n and_o force_v they_o to_o be_v silent_a see_v also_o st._n augustine_n de_fw-fr eccles_n dog_n c._n 30._o tom._n 3._o p._n 46._o many_o more_o instance_n and_o authority_n may_v be_v give_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n as_o st._n basil_n ep._n 63._o p._n 843._o and_o ep._n 68_o p._n 856._o where_o he_o say_v that_o a_o prayer_n wherein_o there_o be_v not_o conjoin_v voice_n be_v not_o half_a so_o strong_a as_o otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v conc._n carthag_a can._n 106._o bev._n tom._n 1._o p._n 640._o but_o i_o will_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o dr._n comber_n of_o liturgy_n and_o dr._n falkner_n his_o defence_n of_o liturgles_n our_o dissenter_n object_n against_o our_o alternate_a way_n of_o pray_v as_o in_o our_o litany_n where_o the_o priest_n say_v half_o the_o sentence_n and_o the_o people_n the_o rest_n for_o that_o neither_o priest_n nor_o people_n speak_v a_o complete_a sentence_n and_o therefore_o our_o prayer_n be_v imperfect_a and_o we_o do_v but_o mock_v god_n but_o by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o pray_v by_o way_n of_o response_n be_v use_v in_o the_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o the_o holy_a men._n but_o pray_v why_o may_v not_o the_o word_n make_v as_o perfect_v a_o prayer_n when_o they_o be_v pronounce_v by_o two_o mouth_n as_o when_o only_o by_o one_o prayer_n be_v not_o the_o pronounce_v of_o word_n but_o the_o join_v the_o desire_n and_o consent_v thereto_o and_o this_o they_o may_v do_v as_o well_o when_o they_o be_v pronounce_v by_o several_a mouth_n as_o by_o one_o they_o may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o when_o a_o tune_n be_v play_v by_o a_o consort_n of_o music_n and_o the_o treble_n rest_n and_o let_v the_o tenor_n and_o base_n go_v on_o as_o sometime_o they_o do_v that_o the_o tune_n be_v not_o a_o complete_a and_o perfect_a tune_n for_o if_o you_o take_v either_o part_n single_o it_o be_v not_o but_o altogether_o it_o be_v too_o great_a advantage_n the_o advantage_n of_o this_o way_n of_o pray_v by_o response_n be_v that_o we_o can_v give_v our_o hearty_a consent_n to_o each_o petition_n after_o a_o more_o lively_a manner_n than_o by_o bare_o say_v amen_n and_o also_o by_o our_o frequent_a answer_v of_o whole_a sentence_n our_o fancy_n be_v the_o more_o stir_v up_o and_o enliven_v by_o shake_v off_o that_o dulness_n and_o drowsiness_n that_o otherwise_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o seize_v upon_o our_o spirit_n in_o bare_o listen_v to_o one_o long_o continue_a prayer_n and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o have_v certain_a prayer_n for_o certain_a time_n and_o occasion_n as_o easter-eve_n etc._n etc._n see_v leo_n in_o vit._n chrysost_n tom._n 8._o p._n 288._o etc._n etc._n thus_o much_o for_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n now_o let_v we_o come_v a_o little_a near_o our_o own_o time_n and_o see_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n be_v concern_v prescribe_v form_n of_o prayer_n and_o liturgy_n and_o this_o we_o do_v the_o rather_o because_o the_o dissenter_n be_v perpetual_o call_v upon_o we_o to_o reform_v ourselves_o to_o the_o example_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n though_o i_o think_v under_o favour_n we_o of_o england_n have_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o follow_v the_o pattern_n of_o other_o nation_n as_o to_o the_o reform_v and_o govern_v of_o our_o church_n than_o we_o have_v to_o do_v so_o in_o matter_n of_o state_n since_o we_o have_v as_o absolute_a and_o independent_a power_n of_o reform_v ourselves_o as_o any_o of_o they_o and_o god_n be_v thank_v as_o able_a and_o godly_a minister_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n to_o direct_v we_o therein_o they_o may_v as_o well_o quarrel_n with_o we_o because_o we_o do_v not_o depose_v our_o king_n and_o reduce_v our_o government_n from_o that_o of_o a_o limit_a and_o mix_v monarchy_n to_o a_o commonwealth_n like_o that_o of_o geneva_n but_o since_o they_o insist_v so_o must_v upon_o this_o i_o will_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n come_v near_a to_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o use_v prescribe_v form_n of_o prayer_n than_o the_o dissenter_n do_v in_o reject_v they_o i_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o lutheran_n church_n which_o i_o show_v before_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v true_a church_n and_o which_o far_o exceed_v in_o number_n the_o church_n that_o follow_v calvin_n method_n luther_n himself_o compose_v a_o form_n of_o common-prayer_n for_o the_o church_n of_o wittemburg_n take_v out_o of_o the_o mass_n book_n see_v luther_n epist_n tom._n 2._o p._n 384._o and_o all_o the_o church_n of_o his_o communion_n at_o this_o day_n do_v use_v a_o liturgy_n contain_v collect_v epistle_n gospel_n for_o every_o sunday_n prayer_n and_o litany_n together_o with_o all_o other_o part_n of_o ecclesiastical_a ministration_n as_o our_o common-prayer_n book_n do_v and_o which_o agree_v with_o we_o almost_o verbatim_o especial_o in_o the_o litany_n and_o these_o be_v impose_v on_o the_o church_n as_o particular_o the_o church_n of_o denmark_n and_o the_o church_n in_o upper_a hungary_n which_o be_v all_o lutheran_n and_o the_o lutheran_n church_n do_v chant_v their_o public_a prayer_n as_o we_o do_v in_o our_o cathedral_n and_o they_o observe_v holy_a day_n see_v all_o this_o prove_v at_o large_a
from_o their_o own_o writer_n by_o dr._n comber_n his_o defence_n of_o liturgy_n 2_o d._n part_n p._n 305_o etc._n etc._n next_o for_o the_o church_n of_o poland_n and_o lithuania_n in_o 2_o synod_n hold_v there_o ann._n dom._n 1633._o and_o 1634._o one_o certain_a liturgy_n be_v enjoin_v to_o be_v use_v in_o all_o those_o dominion_n certain_a prescribe_v liturgy_n be_v also_o use_v in_o transilvania_n hungary_n bohemia_n etc._n etc._n see_v at_o large_a dr._n comb._n ubi_fw-la supra_fw-la and_o mounseur_fw-fr durell_n his_o view_n of_o the_o government_n and_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n in_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n print_v london_n 1662._o now_o for_o the_o church_n reform_v by_o calvin_n and_o other_o as_o geneva_n france_n helvetia_n holland_n etc._n etc._n calvin_n compose_v a_o form_n of_o divine_a service_n which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n and_o those_o of_o france_n at_o this_o day_n and_o their_o minister_n be_v bind_v to_o use_v they_o and_o see_v calvin_n letter_n to_o the_o protector_n of_o england_n during_o the_o minority_n of_o king_n ed._n 6._o the_o protector_n at_o that_o time_n when_o the_o common-prayer_n book_n be_v to_o be_v settle_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n think_v fit_a first_o to_o advice_n with_o so_o eminent_a a_o man_n as_o calvin_n be_v about_o it_o he_o write_v to_o calvin_n to_o know_v his_o opinion_n therein_o calvin_n return_v he_o this_o answer_n for_o so_o much_o as_o concern_v the_o prayer_n and_o ecclesiastical_a rite_n i_o much_o approve_v that_o they_o be_v determine_v so_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o minister_n to_o vary_v from_o it_o that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o help_n to_o the_o weakness_n of_o some_o that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n consent_n and_o that_o it_o may_v put_v a_o stop_n to_o the_o levity_n of_o such_o as_o be_v for_o new_a thing_n see_v calv._n ep._n p._n 165._o ep._n 87._o to_o the_o protector_n and_o see_v his_o letter_n to_o cox_n a_o church_n of_o england_n divine_a upon_o his_o arrival_n at_o frankford_n among_o his_o epistle_n 164_o 165._o see_v beza_n his_o approbation_n of_o form_n of_o prayer_n tom._n 2._o p._n 229._o in_o the_o french_a church_n mornay_n lord_n du-plessis_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o mass_n allow_v of_o the_o use_n and_o antiquity_n of_o prescribe_a form_n see_v at_o large_a dr._n comber_n of_o liturgy_n second_o part_n p._n 313._o and_o see_v there_o the_o famous_a mounseur_fw-fr daille_n agree_v herewith_o in_o the_o church_n of_o helvetia_n bullinger_n tell_v we_o they_o use_v prescribe_v form_n keep_v fast_n and_o holiday_n etc._n etc._n bull_v decod_n 2._o serm._n 1._o p._n 38._o the_o church_n of_o holland_n use_v form_n of_o prayer_n for_o baptism_n the_o lord_n supper_n and_o all_o occasional_a office_n and_o also_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v all_o put_v into_o a_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n and_o even_o in_o scotland_n they_o have_v have_v a_o common-prayer_n book_n for_o there_o be_v some_o of_o they_o now_o extant_a which_o be_v print_v ann._n 1594._o suppose_v to_o be_v write_v by_o mr._n knox_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n see_v the_o latter_a end_n of_o dr._n comber_n his_o defence_n of_o liturgy_n 2d_o part._n and_o the_o leyden_n professor_n say_v that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o very_o advantageous_a because_o every_o christian_n can_v fit_o conceive_v new_a prayer_n and_o the_o attention_n of_o auditor_n be_v not_o a_o little_a help_v in_o great_a assembly_n by_o usual_a form_n see_v dr._n falkner_n his_o libertas_n ecclesiastica_fw-la p._n 121._o thus_o much_o for_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o general_a but_o some_o perhaps_o may_v object_v against_o our_o common-prayer_n in_o particular_a to_o clear_v that_o i_o think_v it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o have_v be_v approve_v of_o by_o all_o the_o learned_a and_o godly_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n and_o confirm_v by_o several_a parliament_n and_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suppose_v that_o god_n almighty_n shall_v conceal_v his_o will_n from_o the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a pious_a and_o judicious_a people_n of_o a_o nation_n notwithstanding_o their_o frequent_a prayer_n to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v direct_v they_o and_o their_o great_a care_n and_o study_v which_o they_o take_v to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o reveal_v it_o only_o to_o a_o few_o and_o those_o of_o the_o raw_a injudicious_a sort_n who_o have_v have_v least_o time_n and_o study_v and_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o great_a knowledge_n such_o as_o our_o dissenter_n general_o be_v this_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o recommend_v our_o particular_a common-prayer_n but_o since_o our_o dissenter_n will_v not_o allow_v so_o many_o several_a parliament_n and_o so_o many_o succession_n of_o learned_a divine_n to_o be_v competent_a judge_n in_o this_o matter_n we_o be_v willing_a to_o stand_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o our_o neighbour_n church_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n concern_v our_o common-prayer_n and_o the_o other_o matter_n in_o controversy_n between_o we_o in_o king_n edward_n 6_o his_o day_n archbishop_n cranmer_n do_v request_v the_o famous_a bucer_n to_o peruse_v the_o whole_a book_n of_o common-prayer_n in_o order_n to_o his_o censure_v what_o he_o think_v be_v to_o be_v amend_v bucer_n according_o do_v so_o and_o declare_v his_o judgement_n of_o it_o thus_o in_o the_o prescript_n form_n for_o the_o communion_n and_o the_o daily_a prayer_n i_o see_v nothing_o write_v in_o this_o book_n which_o be_v not_o take_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o not_o in_o express_a word_n as_o the_o psalm_n and_o lesson_n yet_o in_o sense_n as_o the_o collect_v and_o also_o the_o order_n of_o these_o lesson_n and_o prayer_n and_o the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v to_o be_v use_v be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n see_v bucer_n censure_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n c._n 1._o p._n 457._o and_o note_v this_o be_v before_o the_o common-prayer_n be_v amend_v as_o now_o it_o be_v some_o thing_n it_o be_v true_a bucer_n do_v wish_v to_o be_v amend_v which_o have_v be_v since_o do_v and_o most_o of_o they_o according_a to_o his_o advice_n there_o next_o the_o archbishop_n of_o spalleto_n in_o his_o book_n against_o suarez_n p._n 340._o say_v that_o the_o english_a liturgy_n contain_v nothing_o in_o it_o which_o be_v not_o holy_a which_o be_v not_o pious_a and_o true_o christian_n as_o well_o as_o catholic_n causabon_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o king_n james_n the_o first_o affirm_v the_o same_o and_o say_v far_a that_o none_o at_o this_o day_n come_v near_o the_o form_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n follow_v a_o middle_a way_n between_o those_o who_o have_v offend_v both_o in_o excess_n and_o defect_n the_o next_o authority_n for_o we_o be_v the_o learned_a grotius_n who_o it_o be_v certain_a have_v no_o obligation_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o rather_o the_o contrary_n he_o say_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o english_a liturgy_n the_o rite_n of_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n on_o child_n in_o memory_n of_o baptism_n the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n of_o synod_n consit_v of_o none_o but_o the_o clergy_n etc._n etc._n do_v sufficient_o agree_v to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n from_o which_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o we_o have_v depart_v both_o in_o france_n and_o holland_n see_v grotius_n ad_fw-la boatslaer_n ep._n 62._o p._n 21._o the_o next_o be_v the_o famous_a lud._n capellus_n who_o be_v a_o famous_a french_a divine_a of_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o divinity_n professor_n in_o a_o famous_a protestant_a university_n this_o man_n live_v to_o hear_v of_o our_o independent_a sect_n in_o england_n and_o write_v most_o learned_o against_o '_o they_o say_v he_o when_o miraculous_a gift_n cease_v there_o be_v a_o necessity_n for_o liturgy_n which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o first_o iu_o age_n uncorrupted_a but_o afterward_o corruption_n be_v introduce_v by_o the_o follow_a pope_n but_o upon_o the_o reformation_n the_o liturgy_n be_v purge_v from_o all_o its_o corruption_n and_o have_v be_v happy_o use_v in_o the_o several_a reform_a church_n and_o with_o good_a success_n until_o very_o late_o say_v he_o there_o arise_v a_o sort_n of_o morose_n scrupulous_a not_o to_o say_v downright_o superstitious_a man_n who_o for_o many_o trifle_a reason_n of_o no_o moment_n not_o only_o dislike_v the_o liturgy_n hitherto_o use_v in_o that_o church_n but_o will_v have_v both_o it_o and_o the_o whole_a order_n of_o bishop_n to_o be_v utter_o abolish_v in_o place_n whereof_o they_o will_v substitute_v that_o which_o they_o call_v their_o directory_n etc._n etc._n and_o
in_o the_o case_n of_o sutton_n hospital_n co._n rep._n 10._o fol._n 32._o a._n so_o their_o commission_n to_o preach_v do_v not_o necessary_o draw_v with_o it_o people_n to_o be_v preach_v to_o but_o only_o warrant_v their_o preach_a where_n it_o be_v real_o want_v and_o when_o they_o can_v have_v people_n to_o preach_v to_o without_o injure_v other_o or_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o a_o settle_a true_a christian_a church_n but_o to_o say_v no_o more_o in_o a_o matter_n so_o clear_a i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o there_o lie_v no_o obligation_n upon_o any_o nonconformist_a minister_n to_o preach_v in_o england_n and_o consequent_o there_o can_v be_v no_o necessity_n for_o the_o people_n to_o hear_v they_o the_o oath_n and_o subscription_n be_v require_v only_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o other_o reform_a church_n require_v of_o all_o they_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o french_a church_n every_o minister_n that_o will_v not_o subscribe_v to_o the_o order_n among_o they_o be_v to_o be_v declare_v a_o schismatic_a and_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o geneva_n any_o minister_n that_o contemn_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n or_o by_o his_o obstinacy_n disturb_v the_o order_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v first_o summon_v before_o the_o magistrate_n and_o if_o that_o will_v not_o do_v he_o shall_v be_v excommunicate_v but_o no_o separation_n allow_v and_o calvin_n say_v ep._n olevian_n pag._n 311_o &_o 122_o let_v he_o that_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n of_o a_o society_n be_v cast_v out_o our_o dissenter_n themselves_o do_v oblige_v all_o to_o swear_v solemn_o to_o their_o covenant_n under_o pain_n of_o sequestration_n but_o say_v the_o dissenter_n what_o if_o the_o church_n of_o england_n excommunicate_v we_o may_v we_o not_o then_o lawful_o separate_a and_o set_v up_o meeting_n of_o our_o own_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n do_v say_v that_o in_o some_o case_n man_n be_v excommunicate_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la yet_o this_o do_v not_o oblige_v any_o to_o separate_v from_o communion_n till_o sentence_n be_v due_o and_o judicial_o pronounce_v in_o a_o church_n for_o by_o the_o civil_a law_n notwithstanding_o excommunication_n ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la a_o declaratory_a sentence_n of_o the_o judge_n be_v necessary_a before_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v deny_v the_o benefit_n of_o communion_n and_o the_o say_v a_o man_n be_v excommunicate_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la signify_v no_o more_o than_o that_o the_o judge_n may_v give_v sentence_n without_o any_o new_a judicial_a process_n but_o though_o our_o dissenter_n be_v actual_o excommunicate_v for_o their_o disobedience_n this_o will_v not_o excuse_v they_o from_o schism_n as_o dr._n stillingfleet_n have_v prove_v at_o large_a misch_n of_o separ_fw-la p._n 370._o thus_o i_o have_v show_v that_o none_o of_o those_o plea_n which_o be_v common_o use_v by_o the_o dissenter_n for_o their_o separation_n from_o we_o be_v sufficient_a to_o justify_v separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n now_o if_o i_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o true_a reform_a church_n they_o must_v either_o renounce_v their_o principle_n of_o separation_n or_o their_o reason_n the_o only_a argument_n i_o shall_v here_o make_v use_n of_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o true_a reform_a church_n be_v that_o it_o be_v so_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n who_o do_v all_o own_v she_o as_o a_o sister_n and_o also_o by_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o our_o own_o dissenter_n themselves_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n do_v own_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o a_o true_a reform_a church_n and_o yet_o they_o know_v what_o her_o fault_n be_v in_o her_o assembly_n in_o her_o worship_n in_o her_o ministry_n and_o government_n and_o this_o appear_v by_o the_o harmony_n of_o confession_n of_o the_o church_n collect_v and_o set_v forth_o by_o the_o church_n of_o france_n and_o of_o the_o low-countries_n they_o do_v receive_v and_o approve_v of_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o call_v it_o one_o of_o the_o true_a reform_a church_n calvin_n have_v acknowledge_v the_o same_o in_o his_o writing_n against_o the_o brownist_n and_o condemn_v they_o for_o schismatic_n for_o separate_v from_o it_o see_v his_o instit_fw-la lib._n 4._o c._n 1._o and_o the_o famous_a causabon_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o king_n james_n i._o declare_v plain_o that_o none_o at_o this_o day_n come_v near_o the_o form_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n than_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v grotius_n ad_fw-la boatslaer_n ep._n 62._o acknowledge_v the_o same_o to_o which_o i_o shall_v add_v the_o opinion_n of_o two_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a reform_a divine_n at_o this_o day_n beyond_o sea_n the_o one_o be_v mounseur_fw-fr l'_fw-mi moyn_v professor_n of_o divinity_n at_o leyden_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n anno_fw-la dom._n 1680._o who_o write_v to_o he_o to_o know_v his_o judgement_n concern_v our_o present_a division_n in_o england_n l'_n moyn_v write_v he_o a_o long_a letter_n which_o you_o may_v see_v at_o large_a at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o dr._n stillingfleet_n be_v mischief_n of_o separation_n i_o shall_v only_o repeat_v some_o of_o it_o where_o be_v it_o ever_o see_v say_v he_o after_o he_o have_v be_v high_o condemn_v our_o dissenter_n for_o separation_n that_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n be_v concern_v for_o article_n of_o discipline_n and_o thing_n which_o regard_v but_o the_o outside_n and_o order_n of_o the_o church_n true_o these_o be_v never_o account_v in_o the_o number_n of_o essential_a truth_n and_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o these_o that_o can_v save_v so_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o these_o that_o can_v exclude_v from_o salvation_n for_o the_o episcopal_a government_n what_o be_v there_o in_o it_o that_o be_v dangerous_a and_o may_v reasonable_o alarm_n man_n conscience_n and_o if_o this_o be_v capable_a of_o deprive_v man_n of_o eternal_a glory_n and_o shut_v the_o gate_n of_o heaven_n who_o be_v there_o that_o enter_v there_o for_o the_o space_n of_o 1500._o year_n since_o that_o for_o all_o that_o time_n all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o world_n have_v no_o other_o kind_n of_o government_n if_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o credible_a that_o god_n have_v so_o high_o approve_v it_o and_o permit_v his_o church_n to_o be_v tyrannize_v over_o by_o it_o for_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n etc._n etc._n therefore_o since_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n do_v look_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o england_n not_o only_o as_o a_o sister_n but_o as_o a_o elder_a sister_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o some_o englishman_n themselves_o have_v so_o ill_a a_o opinion_n of_o she_o at_o present_a as_o to_o separate_v rash_o from_o she_o for_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n i_o do_v not_o see_v their_o separate_a meeting_n be_v of_o any_o great_a use_n or_o that_o one_o may_v be_v more_o comfort_v there_o than_o in_o the_o episcopal_a church_n when_o i_o be_v at_o london_n almost_o five_o year_n ago_o i_o go_v to_o several_a of_o their_o meeting_n to_o see_v what_o way_n they_o take_v for_o the_o instruction_n of_o their_o hearer_n but_o i_o profess_v i_o be_v not_o at_o all_o edify_v by_o it_o i_o hear_v one_o of_o the_o most_o famous_a nonconformist_n he_o preach_v in_o a_o place_n where_o there_o be_v about_o fourscore_o woman_n and_o a_o few_o man_n he_o have_v choose_v a_o text_n about_o the_o building_n up_o the_o ruin_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o for_o explication_n of_o it_o he_o cite_v pliny_n and_o vitruvius_n i_o believe_v a_o hundred_o time_n and_o do_v not_o forget_v to_o mention_v a_o proverb_n in_o italian_a duro_fw-la con_fw-mi duro_fw-la non_fw-it fa_fw-it muro_fw-la all_o this_o seem_v to_o i_o nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n and_o very_o improper_a for_o his_o auditory_a to_o cantonize_v themselves_o and_o make_v a_o schism_n to_o have_v the_o liberty_n to_o vent_v such_o vanity_n seem_v very_o ill_a conduct_n and_o the_o people_n seem_v very_o weak_a to_o quit_v their_o mutual_a assembly_n for_o thing_n that_o so_o little_o deserve_v their_o esteem_n and_o preference_n i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o any_o one_o be_v oblige_v to_o suffer_v such_o irregularity_n etc._n etc._n the_o other_o authority_n i_o promise_v to_o cite_v be_v monsieur_n claud_n to_o who_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n write_v about_o the_o same_o time_n desire_v his_o opinion_n as_o aforesaid_a mounseur_fw-fr claud_n return_v he_o this_o answer_n all_o reform_a church_n do_v acknowledge_v the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o a_o true_a church_n and_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v afraid_a to_o give_v that_o name_n to_o the_o hold_v of_o assembly_n apart_o and_o separate_v from_o the_o public_a assembly_n and_o
to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o church_n be_v in_o a_o safe_a and_o ready_a way_n to_o heaven_n but_o it_o be_v a_o difficult_a matter_n for_o man_n to_o forsake_v what_o they_o have_v be_v all_o their_o life_n accustom_v to_o they_o can_v believe_v that_o separation_n be_v so_o great_a a_o sin_n as_o we_o seem_v to_o make_v it_o and_o that_o so_o many_o honest_a good_a people_n and_o godly_a minister_n do_v live_v and_o die_v in_o sin_n if_o they_o be_v resolve_v they_o will_v not_o believe_v separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n to_o be_v sinful_a who_o can_v help_v that_o the_o great_a number_n that_o have_v live_v and_o die_v in_o that_o opinion_n do_v not_o make_v the_o thing_n less_o sinful_a the_o donatist_n in_o the_o african_a church_n be_v more_o numerous_a that_o our_o english_a dissenter_n be_v and_o have_v it_o be_v likely_a as_o many_o sober_a and_o learned_a divine_n among_o '_o they_o for_o at_o the_o conference_n at_o carthage_n they_o have_v 400_o bishop_n yet_o these_o be_v condemn_v for_o schismatic_n by_o st._n austin_n and_o all_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o these_o donatist_n separate_v from_o the_o church_n for_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o very_a same_o that_o our_o present_a dissenter_n make_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n they_o think_v the_o bishopric_n too_o large_a and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n too_o great_a they_o refuse_v to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o catholic_n because_o sinner_n be_v admit_v there_o they_o forsake_v the_o minister_n because_o they_o be_v not_o so_o agreeable_a to_o their_o humour_n as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o 47._o they_o optatus_n malevianus_n lib._n 2._o p._n 47._o they_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n but_o the_o minister_n and_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o all_o the_o people_n they_o hold_v that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o reform_v the_o church_n they_o make_v a_o show_n of_o great_a zeal_n for_o the_o purity_n of_o religion_n than_o other_o people_n and_o by_o their_o stiff_a rigorous_a severity_n which_o they_o show_v and_o the_o vehement_a outcries_a which_o they_o make_v that_o discipline_n be_v not_o due_o execute_v many_o of_o the_o people_n not_o well_o ground_v in_o the_o truth_n be_v terrify_v and_o turn_v unto_o they_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v the_o most_o zealous_a holy_a man_n and_o the_o only_a true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n final_o they_o condemn_v all_o other_o church_n as_o not_o true_a church_n see_v all_o this_o in_o gifford_n a_o nonconformist_a minister_n his_o book_n against_o the_o brownist_n 2._o part_n these_o be_v the_o very_a pretence_n that_o our_o present_a dissenter_n make_v for_o their_o separate_n from_o this_o church_n our_o bishopric_n be_v too_o large_a our_o church_n not_o according_a to_o christ_n institution_n our_o minister_n unable_a and_o ungodly_a our_o way_n of_o worship_n false_a our_o magistrate_n assume_v a_o unwarrant_v power_n in_o church_n matter_n yea_o and_o in_o their_o over_o pretend_v to_o purity_n and_o godliness_n they_o be_v exact_a donatist_n and_o by_o that_o very_a mean_n do_v draw_v the_o more_o ignorant_a and_o zealous_a sort_n of_o people_n to_o they_o as_o the_o brownist_n do_v no_o people_n pretend_v so_o much_o to_o purity_n and_o religion_n as_o they_o do_v in_o all_o place_n where_o they_o have_v their_o public_a meeting_n they_o be_v sure_a to_o begin_v before_o the_o parish_n church_n and_o end_v after_o be_v they_o as_o long_o as_o they_o will_v but_o yet_o go_v in_o to_o one_o of_o their_o meeting_n and_o you_o shall_v see_v as_o little_a sign_n of_o devotion_n and_o as_o many_o of_o the_o people_n asleep_o as_o in_o any_o parish_n church_n in_o the_o kingdom_n for_o the_o number_n so_o in_o their_o common_a discourse_n many_o of_o they_o will_v scarce_o allow_v themselves_o so_o much_o liberty_n as_o to_o make_v they_o good_a company_n for_o fear_v they_o shall_v happen_v to_o tell_v a_o lie_n but_o yet_o in_o their_o deal_n they_o will_v over_o reach_v a_o customer_n in_o a_o bargain_n and_o use_v as_o many_o equivocation_n to_o deceive_v he_o as_o any_o other_o people_n shall_v but_o lest_o you_o think_v i_o do_v they_o wrong_n let_v we_o hear_v what_o the_o learned_a mr._n baxter_n say_v of_o they_o you_o will_v believe_v that_o he_o will_v wrong_v they_o in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 221._o speak_v of_o such_o who_o run_v into_o party_n by_o division_n say_v he_o those_o injudicious_a sort_n of_o christian_n have_v a_o over_o high_a esteem_n of_o their_o own_o under_o stand_n and_o godliness_n and_o desire_v to_o be_v make_v conspicuous_a for_o their_o godliness_n in_o the_o world_n separate_v from_o ordinary_a christian_n as_o below_o they_o and_o unworthy_a of_o their_o communion_n these_o sect_n have_v ever_o be_v the_o nest_n of_o error_n and_o again_o ib._n p._n 331._o he_o bid_v we_o beware_v of_o join_v ourselves_o to_o separate_a meeting_n who_o pretend_v to_o strict_a discipline_n and_o great_a purity_n who_o set_v themselves_o up_o factious_o and_o contentious_o against_o the_o concordant_a church_n on_o pretence_n of_o great_a purity_n who_o meeting_n be_v employ_v in_o revile_v other_o and_o condemn_v other_o church_n and_o puff_v themselves_o up_o with_o pride_n as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o only_a church_n of_o christ_n but_o our_o dissenter_n will_v say_v this_o be_v a_o scandalous_a abuse_n to_o say_v that_o they_o condemn_v all_o other_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n but_o i_o doubt_v they_o agree_v with_o the_o donatist_n even_o in_o this_o for_o i_o suppose_v they_o will_v condemn_v all_o those_o that_o account_v they_o schismatic_n and_o this_o do_v all_o the_o reform_a church_n for_o they_o all_o hold_v that_o separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n be_v schism_n and_o own_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o a_o true_a church_n and_o consequent_o make_v they_o schismatic_n and_o so_o have_v express_o declare_v they_o as_o appear_v before_o again_o i_o suppose_v they_o will_v condemn_v all_o church_n that_o communicate_v with_o a_o idolatrous_a antichristian_a church_n know_v her_o fault_n some_o of_o they_o declare_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v such_o a_o church_n and_o then_o they_o must_v condemn_v all_o the_o reform_a church_n which_o communicate_v with_o she_o well_o say_v the_o dissenter_n you_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n to_o say_v for_o yourselves_o and_o if_o all_o be_v true_a that_o you_o have_v tell_v we_o our_o separation_n from_o you_o be_v sinful_a and_o unreasonable_a but_o what_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v you_o we_o have_v a_o great_a many_o able_a and_o godly_a minister_n of_o our_o own_o who_o tell_v we_o the_o quite_o contrary_a it_o be_v certain_a they_o can_v both_o be_v in_o the_o right_n why_o may_v we_o not_o then_o believe_v your_o minister_n may_v be_v deceive_v as_o well_o as_o we_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v not_o so_o likely_a that_o all_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o have_v be_v since_o the_o reformation_n shall_v be_v deceive_v in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n as_o that_o those_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n shall_v first_o because_o they_o be_v much_o more_o numerous_a and_o it_o be_v not_o so_o likely_a that_o a_o great_a many_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v deceive_v as_o a_o few_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n in_o logic_n quod_fw-la plures_fw-la &_o sapentiores_fw-la testantur_fw-la credibile_fw-la est_fw-la esse_fw-la verum_fw-la and_o second_o because_o they_o have_v much_o better_a mean_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n than_o those_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n can_v pretend_v to_o as_o will_v plain_o appear_v by_o consider_v the_o method_n take_v on_o both_o side_n for_o the_o breed_n up_o of_o divine_n those_o who_o be_v design_v for_o the_o study_n of_o divinity_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v keep_v at_o the_o best_a school_n that_o can_v convenient_o be_v have_v till_o they_o understand_v latin_a and_o greek_a very_o well_o than_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o one_o of_o the_o university_n where_o they_o be_v put_v under_o the_o care_n of_o a_o particular_a tutor_n who_o be_v always_o one_o of_o the_o fellow_n of_o the_o college_n and_o consequent_o a_o man_n well_o approve_v of_o by_o the_o whole_a college_n for_o his_o learning_n and_o sobriety_n for_o by_o the_o statute_n of_o every_o college_n none_o but_o such_o be_v qualify_v for_o fellowship_n this_o tutor_n have_v seldom_o above_o 20._o student_n under_o his_o care_n at_o a_o time_n and_o many_o of_o they_o not_o half_a that_o number_n every_o student_n come_v twice_o a_o day_n to_o his_o tutor_n chamber_n to_o be_v instruct_v by_o he_o and_o beside_o
this_o the_o college_n appoint_v other_o tutor_n or_o public_a lecturer_n who_o be_v to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o public_a hall_n some_o for_o philosophy_n some_o for_o disputation_n and_o other_o exercise_n these_o public_a tutor_n be_v change_v every_o year_n which_o be_v a_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o student_n by_o acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o several_a method_n and_o opinion_n of_o such_o variety_n of_o learned_a men._n thus_o they_o spend_v the_o first_o four_o year_n and_o then_o after_o very_o strict_a examination_n by_o all_o the_o fellow_n of_o the_o college_n to_o which_o they_o belong_v in_o the_o public_a hall_n for_o six_o day_n together_o if_o they_o be_v find_v qualify_v they_o commence_v bachelor_n of_o art_n if_o not_o they_o be_v lay_v aside_o till_o the_o next_o year_n after_o they_o have_v take_v their_o bachelor_n degree_n they_o begin_v to_o apply_v themselves_o more_o particular_o to_o the_o study_n of_o divinity_n but_o be_v still_o oblige_v to_o public_a lecture_n for_o hebrew_n greek_a and_o other_o part_n of_o learn_v necessary_a for_o that_o study_n and_o to_o public_a disputation_n and_o thus_o they_o spend_v three_o year_n more_o and_o then_o after_o a_o strict_a and_o public_a examination_n as_o before_o if_o they_o be_v find_v qualify_v they_o commence_v master_n of_o art_n or_o doctor_n of_o philosophy_n and_o here_o observe_v that_o no_o man_n can_v hope_v to_o take_v his_o degree_n in_o any_o of_o the_o university_n unless_o he_o be_v thorough_o qualify_v for_o it_o no_o such_o thing_n as_o favour_n in_o the_o case_n because_o the_o examination_n be_v public_a before_o all_o the_o fellow_n and_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o college_n and_o beside_o that_o every_o man_n that_o be_v to_o take_v any_o degree_n in_o any_o of_o the_o college_n be_v oblige_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o college_n to_o ask_v the_o consent_n of_o every_o man_n particular_o who_o have_v ever_o take_v the_o degree_n of_o master_n of_o art_n in_o that_o college_n if_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n any_o where_n in_o or_o about_o the_o town_n and_o any_o one_o of_o these_o if_o he_o can_v show_v reason_n for_o it_o as_o that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o a_o scandalous_a life_n and_o conversation_n or_o of_o not_o sufficient_a learning_n or_o such_o like_a may_v stop_v he_o of_o his_o degree_n after_o they_o have_v take_v their_o master_n of_o art_n degree_n then_o be_v the_o time_n they_o usual_o enter_v into_o holy_a order_n some_o few_o there_o be_v who_o be_v admit_v into_o deacon_n order_n after_o they_o have_v commence_v bachelor_n of_o art_n but_o these_o be_v few_o and_o be_v look_v upon_o but_o as_o young_a raw_a fellow_n so_o that_o general_o those_o who_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v man_n who_o have_v spend_v at_o least_o seven_o year_n in_o the_o study_n of_o university_n learning_n in_o one_o of_o the_o two_o most_o famous_a university_n in_o the_o world_n with_o all_o the_o help_n and_o advantage_n that_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o perfect_a of_o they_o in_o their_o study_n for_o beside_o those_o aforesaid_a they_o have_v the_o constant_a conversation_n of_o so_o many_o learned_a ingenious_a man_n the_o use_n of_o great_a and_o noble_a library_n famous_a all_o over_o the_o world_n beside_o the_o particular_a library_n belong_v to_o each_o college_n in_o which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v many_o piece_n of_o antiquity_n and_o ancient_a manuscript_n etc._n etc._n not_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o any_o where_o else_o and_o which_o give_v great_a light_n into_o antiquity_n and_o in_o each_o university_n they_o have_v divinity_n professor_n who_o be_v choose_v out_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a divine_n they_o have_v who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o hear_v divinity_n lecture_n read_v and_o point_n of_o divinity_n dispute_v on_o in_o the_o public_a divinity-school_n to_o which_o all_o those_o who_o design_n for_o that_o study_n be_v after_o some_o few_o year_n oblige_v to_o attend_v neither_o do_v these_o learned_a man_n trust_v only_o to_o their_o own_o knowledge_n but_o they_o have_v careful_o settle_v a_o correspondence_n with_o all_o the_o most_o eminent_a man_n beyond_o sea_n these_o and_o many_o more_o be_v the_o advantage_n of_o education_n which_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v above_o those_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n who_o be_v general_o breed_v after_o this_o manner_n a_o nonconformist_a minister_n perhaps_o or_o some_o such_o person_n who_o live_v obscure_o in_o some_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o country_n get_v 30_o or_o 40_o boy_n together_o and_o there_o he_o teach_v they_o common_a school-learning_n till_o they_o come_v to_o be_v towards_o 20_o year_n of_o age_n and_o then_o instead_o of_o enter_v they_o into_o the_o university_n he_o enter_v they_o in_o another_o chamber_n perhaps_o 5_o or_o 6_o at_o a_o time_n and_o there_o he_o teach_v they_o university_n learning_n as_o they_o call_v it_o for_o 2_o or_o 3_o year_n it_o may_v be_v without_o the_o help_n of_o any_o library_n but_o the_o good_a man_n closet_n or_o any_o conversation_n more_o than_o with_o one_o another_o and_o with_o the_o master_n if_o he_o will_n honour_n they_o so_o far_o and_o his_o assistant_n if_o he_o chance_v to_o have_v one_o and_o so_o after_o 2_o or_o 3_o year_n study_v at_o this_o rate_n they_o be_v qualify_v for_o the_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n among_o they_o and_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o care_n of_o soul_n and_o government_n of_o a_o church_n i_o own_o there_o be_v some_o few_o among_o they_o who_o have_v have_v better_a education_n than_o this_o be_v but_o these_o be_v the_o general_a method_n take_v for_o breed_v up_o of_o divine_n on_o both_o side_n which_o be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o none_o will_v have_v the_o confidence_n to_o deny_v it_o and_o now_o let_v any_o man_n of_o reason_n judge_n whether_o in_o matter_n that_o depend_v so_o much_o upon_o antiquity_n and_o the_o practice_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o and_o the_o dissenter_n do_v whether_o i_o say_v be_v more_o likely_a to_o be_v mistake_v all_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n or_o those_o of_o the_o dissenter_n it_o be_v not_o so_o likely_a say_v mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 222._o that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v his_o mind_n to_o a_o few_o good_a man_n and_o those_o of_o the_o raw_a injudicious_a sort_n and_o such_o as_o be_v most_o infect_v with_o proud_a overvalue_v their_o own_o wisdom_n and_o godliness_n and_o such_o as_o have_v have_v least_o time_n and_o study_n and_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o great_a understanding_n and_o such_o who_o show_v themselves_o the_o proud_a censurer_n of_o other_o and_o least_o tender_a of_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o such_o as_o be_v apt_a to_o break_v all_o to_o piece_n among_o themselves_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o so_o likely_a that_o these_o be_v in_o the_o right_n as_o the_o main_a body_n of_o agree_v humble_a godly_a peaceable_a studious_a minister_n who_o have_v have_v long_a time_n and_o better_a mean_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n even_o the_o church_n have_v more_o promise_n from_o christ_n than_o particular_a divide_v person_n have_v see_v all_o this_o and_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n in_o this_o book_n aforesaid_a write_v by_o mr._n baxter_n himself_o so_o that_o have_v we_o no_o other_o authority_n on_o our_o side_n than_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o be_v much_o safe_a to_o rely_v upon_o their_o judgement_n in_o this_o matter_n than_o on_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n but_o it_o appear_v before_o that_o we_o have_v the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n on_o our_o side_n and_o if_o that_o will_v turn_v the_o scale_n god_n almighty_n must_v work_v a_o miracle_n for_o their_o conversion_n as_o he_o do_v for_o st._n paul_n it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v much_o the_o advantage_n of_o those_o among_o the_o dissenter_n as_o to_o learning_n and_o knowledge_n that_o they_o have_v no_o way_n leave_v to_o obviate_v this_o but_o by_o down_o right_o disclaim_v at_o the_o university_n learning_n and_o call_v they_o sophistical_a divine_n who_o be_v breed_v up_o in_o vain_a and_o curious_a arts._n 14._o arts._n his_o book_n of_o the_o life_n and_o manner_n of_o christian_n note_v all_o the_o brownist_n say_v the_o same_o so_o do_v the_o donatist_n in_o st._n augustine_n time_n condemn_v human_a learning_n but_o st._n augustine_n condemn_v their_o folly_n herein_o in_o his_o one_a book_n against_o cresconius_n ch_n 14._o see_v brown_n in_o his_o
preface_n to_o his_o book_n and_o mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o defence_n of_o his_o cure_n p._n 124._o tell_v we_o of_o a_o church_n in_o new_a england_n that_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n on_o the_o account_n of_o their_o preacher_n have_v human_a learning_n but_o perhaps_o some_o of_o our_o dissenter_n will_v own_v that_o our_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v general_o more_o learned_a than_o those_o among_o they_o one_o of_o the_o most_o competent_a judge_n among_o they_o mr._n baxter_n have_v own_a it_o fair_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o a_o certain_a letter_n p._n 18._o where_o he_o say_v he_o have_v seldom_o hear_v any_o but_o very_o good_a and_o well_o study_v sermon_n in_o our_o church_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n complain_v public_o of_o the_o weakness_n and_o injudiciousness_n and_o self-conceitedness_n of_o too_o many_o of_o the_o nonconformist_a preacher_n in_o his_o sacral_n desert_n p._n 86._o yet_o they_o will_v tell_v we_o they_o deceive_v the_o people_n and_o keep_v they_o all_o in_o ignorance_n for_o their_o own_o interest_n lest_o they_o shall_v lose_v their_o church_n preferment_n this_o be_v a_o very_a severe_a censure_n to_o say_v that_o so_o many_o thousand_o godly_a minister_n as_o have_v be_v of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n since_o the_o reformation_n and_o who_o have_v many_o of_o they_o die_v martyr_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v such_o villain_n as_o to_o deceive_v the_o people_n and_o damn_v their_o own_o soul_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o church_n preferment_n but_o how_o can_v self-interest_n oblige_v the_o clergy_n to_o defend_v the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o now_o establish_v if_o they_o think_v it_o not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o must_v be_v either_o pride_n or_o covetousness_n that_o must_v move_v they_o to_o it_o if_o it_o be_v pride_n doubtless_o the_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a way_n will_v answer_v that_o end_n much_o better_o for_o whereas_o now_o the_o parson_n vicar_n and_o curate_n of_o all_o the_o parish_n in_o england_n be_v subject_a to_o their_o respective_a bishop_n etc._n etc._n and_o can_v do_v nothing_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o discipline_n or_o government_n etc._n etc._n not_o even_o in_o their_o own_o parish_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n change_v to_o that_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a way_n every_o pastor_n will_v become_v a_o absolute_a bishop_n and_o accountable_a to_o none_o for_o what_o he_o do_v if_o it_o be_v covetousness_n that_o move_v they_o to_o it_o i_o suppose_v that_o be_v all_o the_o parson_n of_o every_o parish_n in_o england_n make_v the_o pastor_n of_o that_o church_n or_o parish_n according_a to_o the_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a notion_n of_o a_o pastor_n and_o all_o the_o diocesan_n and_o metropolitan_a bishopric_n and_o their_o dean_n and_o chapter_n dissolve_v and_o their_o revenue_n superadd_v to_o the_o present_a income_n of_o every_o parish_n minister_n or_o pastor_n their_o church_n live_n will_v be_v no_o less_o but_o more_o valuable_a than_o now_o they_o be_v why_o do_v they_o not_o then_o set_v about_o this_o change_n of_o church_n government_n as_o fast_o as_o they_o can_v if_o they_o think_v in_o their_o conscience_n be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o god_n will_v so_o to_o do_v it_o be_v plain_a it_o will_v better_v answer_v their_o covetousness_n and_o ambition_n to_o pull_v down_o episcopacy_n than_o to_o live_v in_o this_o poor_a subjection_n that_o now_o they_o do_v here_o they_o will_v tell_v we_o the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o the_o bishop_n who_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n will_v not_o let_v they_o they_o know_v the_o sweet_a of_o a_o fat_a bishopric_n too_o well_o to_o part_v with_o it_o i_o warrant_v they_o but_o the_o thousand_o part_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o england_n be_v not_o bishop_n nor_o perhaps_o never_o think_v to_o be_v so_o every_o one_o of_o these_o have_v a_o vote_n in_o the_o convocation_n and_o doubtless_o may_v carry_v it_o against_o so_o small_a a_o number_n of_o bishop_n as_o 27._o be_v they_o not_o persuade_v in_o their_o conscience_n that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o now_o establish_v be_v as_o agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o therefore_o since_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v more_o numerous_a and_o general_o more_o learned_a and_o can_v have_v no_o design_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o self-interest_n to_o deceive_v the_o people_n it_o be_v safe_a sure_o in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n to_o take_v their_o word_n and_o trust_v to_o their_o judgement_n than_o to_o those_o among_o the_o dissenter_n who_o interest_n it_o be_v to_o deceive_v the_o people_n and_o make_v the_o breach_n between_o we_o as_o wide_a as_o they_o can_v many_o of_o they_o be_v man_n of_o no_o fortune_n and_o such_o as_o have_v no_o other_o way_n to_o get_v a_o live_n and_o man_n who_o must_v needs_o be_v loser_n by_o a_o union_n between_o we_o be_v the_o conformity_n of_o which_o side_n it_o will_v whether_o they_o conform_v to_o we_o or_o we_o to_o they_o for_o be_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n either_o episcopal_a or_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o the_o minister_n who_o be_v lawful_o put_v into_o the_o cure_n shall_v continue_v therein_o still_o as_o pastor_n of_o their_o own_o church_n so_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o nonconformist_a preacher_n must_v be_v lay_v aside_o for_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a that_o other_o who_o be_v as_o deserve_v as_o they_o and_o lawful_o settle_v in_o their_o cure_n shall_v be_v turn_v out_o to_o make_v room_n for_o they_o nor_o that_o parish_n shall_v be_v divide_v all_o over_o the_o kingdom_n to_o furnish_v they_o with_o church_n it_o be_v likely_a that_o some_o of_o the_o nonconformist_a minister_n who_o be_v better_a qualify_v than_o ordinary_a may_v be_v provide_v for_o shall_v it_o please_v god_n that_o there_o be_v a_o union_n between_o we_o but_o many_o of_o they_o i_o doubt_v can_v not_o so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a their_o interest_n oblige_v the_o most_o of_o they_o to_o deceive_v the_o people_n and_o keep_v open_a the_o breach_n as_o wide_o as_o they_o can_v and_o that_o they_o real_o do_v so_o be_v plain_a by_o their_o make_v the_o difference_n between_o we_o seem_v great_a than_o real_o they_o be_v and_o than_o they_o themselves_o have_v own_a they_o to_o be_v in_o their_o write_n as_o i_o have_v all_o along_o show_v and_o also_o by_o their_o pretend_v to_o quote_v authority_n for_o what_o they_o say_v and_o either_o not_o mention_v the_o chapter_n or_o page_n where_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v find_v or_o else_o alter_v the_o very_a word_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o author_n to_o serve_v their_o turn_n if_o any_o one_o think_v i_o do_v they_o wrong_n let_v they_o look_v into_o dr._n maurice_n his_o defence_n of_o diocesan_n episc_n p._n 237._o 335._o 353._o 377._o 396._o 442._o 444._o how_o mr._n clarkson_n to_o prove_v episcopacy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o congregational_a or_o independent_a way_n have_v misrepresent_v the_o very_a word_n and_o sense_n of_o his_o author_n you_o may_v find_v more_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n in_o the_o preface_n to_o dr._n comber_n defence_n of_o liturgy_n one_a part_n and_o see_v how_o false_o mr._n baxter_n have_v translate_v theodoret_n epistle_n to_o serve_v his_o hypothesis_n dr._n stillingfleet_n his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 261._o and_o how_o he_o have_v misrepresent_v the_o doctor_n be_v own_o word_n ib._n 131._o 132_o and_o 126._o many_o more_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n may_v be_v give_v be_v it_o necessary_a but_o what_o have_v be_v say_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n where_o the_o case_n seem_v doubtful_a and_o all_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n agree_v on_o one_o side_n and_o the_o nonconformist_n only_o on_o the_o other_o it_o be_v much_o safe_a to_o take_v the_o opinion_n of_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n than_o of_o the_o other_o because_o they_o be_v more_o numerous_a and_o general_o more_o learned_a and_o seem_v to_o have_v less_o reason_n to_o deceive_v we_o to_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v i_o shall_v only_o add_v this_o that_o i_o have_v take_v all_o the_o pain_n that_o possible_o i_o can_v to_o inform_v myself_o true_o of_o the_o matter_n in_o controversy_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o dissenter_n and_o do_v real_o believe_v the_o thing_n scruple_v to_o be_v of_o much_o great_a moment_n than_o i_o now_o find_v they_o to_o be_v and_o though_o i_o for_o my_o own_o part_n be_o satisfy_v in_o
my_o conscience_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o enjoin_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o god_n word_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o what_o the_o most_o tender_a conscience_n may_v satisfy_v themselves_o in_o if_o they_o will_v but_o make_v use_n of_o the_o proper_a mean_n yet_o i_o can_v hearty_o wish_v that_o many_o thing_n be_v lay_v aside_o if_o that_o will_v purchase_v a_o union_n between_o we_o if_o thing_n which_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v in_o themselves_o indifferent_a as_o posture_n and_o ceremony_n and_o such_o like_a be_v neither_o impose_v nor_o abolish_v but_o leave_v to_o the_o discretion_n of_o every_o christian_n to_o use_v or_o not_o to_o use_v as_o he_o think_v best_o and_o as_o the_o ceremony_n of_o bow_v towards_o the_o altar_n be_v and_o some_o other_o alteration_n make_v such_o as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o proposal_n offer_v to_o the_o parliament_n for_o the_o unite_n of_o protestant_a dissenter_n by_o dr._n s._n dean_n of_o st._n paul_n there_o can_v then_o be_v no_o reasonable_a pretence_n leave_v for_o separation_n but_o if_o nothing_o else_o must_v purchase_v our_o peace_n but_o the_o overthrow_v the_o whole_a constitution_n of_o this_o church_n it_o be_v too_o dear_a a_o purchase_n till_o we_o have_v find_v another_o to_o exchange_v for_o more_o agreeable_a to_o god_n word_n and_o more_o consistent_a with_o the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o this_o nation_n but_o that_o we_o have_v not_o find_v yet_o i_o be_o sure_a as_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a by_o a_o plain_a experimental_a proof_n which_o these_o nation_n late_o have_v it_o be_v very_o well_o know_v that_o in_o the_o late_a unhappy_a time_n when_o the_o church_n of_o england_n liturgy_n etc._n etc._n be_v take_v away_o the_o presbyterian_o independent_n and_o other_o party_n pray_v one_o against_o the_o other_o and_o against_o establish_v that_o way_n of_o government_n which_o other_o of_o they_o pray_v for_o divers_a person_n make_v their_o own_o passion_n singular_a opinion_n and_o error_n great_a part_n of_o their_o prayer_n other_o reject_v all_o confession_n of_o sin_n as_o no_o part_n of_o their_o devotion_n in_o many_o place_n of_o england_n the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v lay_v aside_o for_o 12_o or_o 15_o year_n together_o so_o be_v infant_n baptism_n some_o will_v pray_v for_o the_o king_n one_o way_n some_o another_o other_o not_o at_o all_o and_o in_o that_o time_n that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n way_n of_o worship_n be_v lay_v aside_o there_o be_v more_o error_n sect_n heresy_n and_o blasphemy_n broach_v and_o vent_v than_o ever_o before_o or_o since_o this_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o see_v a_o book_n call_v gangrena_fw-la part_n 1_o st_z p._n 175._o writ_n about_o the_o year_n 1646._o where_o many_o of_o they_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o we_o say_v they_o in_o these_o four_o last_o year_n for_o so_o long_o have_v presbytery_n be_v uppermost_a have_v overpass_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o prelate_n in_o who_o time_n never_o so_o great_a nor_o so_o many_o error_n be_v hear_v of_o much_o less_o such_o blasphemy_n and_o confusion_n we_o have_v worse_a thing_n among_o we_o more_o corrupt_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n than_o in_o 80._o year_n before_o etc._n etc._n so_o that_o if_o nothing_o must_v purchase_v peace_n between_o we_o but_o the_o part_n with_o our_o religion_n and_o overthrow_v our_o whole_a constitution_n to_o set_v up_o another_o which_o experience_n have_v teach_v we_o be_v neither_o so_o consistent_a with_o god_n glory_n nor_o the_o peace_n of_o these_o nation_n they_o must_v excuse_v we_o beside_o let_v i_o tell_v they_o their_o late_a carriage_n in_o scotland_n have_v give_v we_o great_a reason_n to_o fear_v that_o the_o religion_n they_o so_o much_o boast_v of_o and_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n endeavour_v to_o set_v up_o in_o this_o nation_n in_o the_o place_n of_o that_o which_o by_o god_n good_a providence_n be_v now_o establish_v be_v not_o the_o true_a religion_n of_o christ_n for_o that_o never_o teach_v any_o to_o affront_n and_o revile_v his_o lawful_a minister_n and_o to_o burn_v the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o they_o have_v do_v now_o more_o than_o once_o i_o pray_v god_n open_v their_o eye_n and_o soften_v their_o heart_n and_o give_v they_o grace_n to_o repent_v finis_fw-la