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faith_n article_n church_n fundamental_a 4,539 5 10.3758 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A43054 A discourse about edification in answer to a question, whether it is lawful for any man to forsake the communion of the Church of England, and go to the separate meetings, because he can better edifie there? Hascard, Gregory. 1683 (1683) Wing H1108; ESTC R4350 16,121 30

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a_o discourse_n about_o edification_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o any_o man_n to_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o go_v to_o the_o separate_a meeting_n because_o he_o can_v better_o edify_v there_o london_n print_v by_o henry_n hill_n jun._n for_o fincham_n gardiner_n at_o the_o white_a horse_n in_o ludgate-street_n 1683._o a_o discourse_n about_o edification_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o any_o man_n to_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o go_v to_o the_o separate_a meeting_n because_o he_o can_v better_o edify_v there_o answer_v it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o make_v this_o plain_a two_o thing_n must_v be_v consider_v first_o what_o sort_n of_o person_n this_o be_v who_o ask_v this_o question_n second_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o edification_n as_o to_o the_o person_n he_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v one_o that_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o he_o may_v lawful_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o there_o be_v no_o term_n of_o communion_n put_v upon_o he_o but_o which_o he_o can_v comply_v withal_o with_o a_o good_a conscience_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n natural_a reason_n or_o plain_a consequence_n fetch_v from_o both_o or_o either_o and_o therefore_o he_o who_o think_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n unlawful_a in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o concern_v in_o the_o question_n for_o he_o separate_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o unlawfulness_n and_o not_o edification_n only_o as_o be_v suppose_v in_o the_o question_n second_o by_o edification_n be_v mean_v a_o improvement_n of_o his_o spiritual_a condition_n in_o the_o full_a latitude_n whereinsoever_o it_o may_v true_o consist_v whether_o in_o the_o article_n of_o his_o faith_n which_o in_o the_o separate_a congregation_n be_v better_o teach_v more_o clear_o prove_v more_o fit_o apply_v to_o his_o practice_n and_o to_o support_v his_o hope_n of_o heaven_n or_o whether_o in_o the_o rule_n of_o life_n which_o be_v there_o more_o exact_o lay_v down_o and_o more_o strong_o enforce_v upon_o his_o mind_n or_o in_o prayer_n which_o among_o they_o be_v better_o compose_v and_o more_o fervent_o send_v up_o unto_o god_n and_o in_o all_o other_o part_n of_o devotion_n which_o there_o be_v better_o frame_v and_o order_v to_o affect_v his_o soul_n and_o make_v a_o true_o christian_n man_n these_o two_o thing_n be_v explain_v and_o premise_v the_o answer_n to_o the_o question_n will_v be_v find_v true_a if_o we_o consider_v these_o follow_a reason_n 1._o that_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o the_o question_n stand_v be_v false_a viz._n there_o be_v not_o better_a edification_n to_o be_v have_v in_o the_o separate_a meeting_n than_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n this_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v 1._o how_o apt_a and_o fit_a the_o whole_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v to_o edify_v man_n soul_n 2._o that_o this_o constitution_n be_v well_o use_v and_o manage_v by_o the_o pastor_n of_o our_o church_n for_o edification_n the_o first_o will_v be_v manifest_a by_o induction_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o several_a part_n of_o her_o constitution_n reducible_a to_o these_o follow_a head_n 1._o her_o creed_n or_o article_n of_o faith_n be_v those_o which_o our_o dissenter_n themselves_o allow_v which_o be_v full_a and_o plain_a contain_v all_o necessary_n and_o fundamental_o in_o religion_n nothing_o defective_a in_o vital_n or_o integral_n to_o make_v up_o the_o body_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a church_n christ_n that_o found_v his_o church_n best_o know_v what_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o her_o be_v and_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o he_o have_v declare_v to_o be_v so_o but_o be_v contain_v in_o her_o creed_n whatever_o be_v fundamental_a for_o we_o to_o know_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v find_v there_o or_o by_o easy_a consequence_n deduce_v from_o they_o will_v we_o know_v what_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o christ_n or_o his_o officer_n the_o design_n of_o his_o come_n upon_o earth_n the_o constitution_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o government_n the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o his_o law_n the_o time_n of_o account_n and_o retribution_n the_o mighty_a miracle_n and_o extraordinary_a act_n of_o providence_n to_o confirm_v these_o we_o may_v read_v they_o at_o large_a in_o holy_a writ_n and_o find_v wise_o sum_v up_o in_o our_o creed_n who_o article_n to_o help_v the_o memory_n of_o man_n be_v short_a and_o few_o and_o to_o assist_v the_o dulness_n of_o their_o understanding_n be_v manifest_a and_o plain_a they_o contain_v no_o more_o than_o what_o be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o either_o suppose_v before_o or_o include_v in_o or_o follow_v from_o that_o brief_a creed_n the_o character_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n 4.15.5.5_o 1_o john_n 4.15.5.5_o whatever_o be_v any_o way_n reveal_v by_o god_n as_o necessary_a be_v a_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n nothing_o that_o be_v nice_a and_o obscure_a fit_a only_a for_o dispute_v and_o wrangle_a be_v bring_v into_o our_o creed_n all_o who_o article_n be_v primitive_a and_o of_o divine_a right_n none_o of_o they_o pure_o speculative_a or_o curious_a but_o plain_a and_o useful_a in_o order_n to_o practice_n natural_o lead_v to_o a_o holy_a life_n the_o end_n of_o all_o religion_n we_o love_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v true_o ancient_a and_o apostolical_a but_o we_o can_v call_v that_o a_o eternal_a truth_n which_o be_v but_o yesterday_o and_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o embrace_v all_o truth_n but_o we_o can_v call_v that_o the_o high_a priest_n which_o be_v but_o the_o fringe_n of_o his_o garment_n we_o believe_v all_o that_o the_o early_a christian_n in_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n think_v sufficient_a for_o they_o to_o know_v and_o they_o be_v very_o secure_a that_o this_o will_v save_v they_o and_o if_o any_o truth_n be_v disguise_v or_o deface_v by_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o descend_a age_n we_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v it_o whenever_o it_o be_v make_v clear_a and_o restore_v to_o its_o former_a shape_n and_o complexion_n we_o cast_v out_o obstinacy_n and_o perverseness_n out_o of_o our_o practice_n as_o well_o as_o niceness_n out_o of_o our_o creed_n that_o creed_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v the_o saint_n martyr_n and_o confessor_n the_o wife_n and_o good_a man_n in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a day_n of_o christianity_n believe_v and_o be_v secure_a of_o heaven_n by_o it_o and_o therefore_o add_v no_o more_o that_o faith_n this_o church_n maintain_v which_o will_v sufficient_o and_o effectual_o edify_v the_o soul_n of_o men._n 2._o the_o necessity_n she_o lay_v upon_o a_o good_a life_n and_o work_n for_o this_o be_v the_o solemn_a intention_n of_o all_o religion_n our_o creed_n our_o prayer_n our_o sacrament_n and_o discipline_n and_o all_o devotion_n her_o creed_n be_v such_o that_o all_o its_o article_n so_o direct_o or_o by_o natural_a consequence_n lead_v unto_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n that_o no_o man_n can_v firm_o believe_v they_o but_o they_o must_v ordinary_o influence_n his_o manner_n and_o better_a his_o conversation_n and_o if_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o creed_n his_o life_n be_v not_o mend_v he_o either_o ignorant_o and_o gross_o mistake_v their_o consequence_n or_o be_v wilful_o desperate_a our_o church_n public_o declare_v that_o without_o preparatory_a virtue_n no_o act_n of_o devotion_n however_o set_v off_o with_o zeal_n and_o passion_n be_v please_v unto_o god_n and_o if_o obedience_n be_v want_v afterward_o be_v but_o scene_n and_o show_n such_o a_o faith_n she_o lay_v down_o as_o fundamental_a to_o salvation_n which_o rest_v not_o in_o the_o brain_n and_o story_n in_o magnify_v and_o praise_v in_o sigh_v and_o repeat_v but_o in_o the_o production_n of_o mercy_n charity_n and_o justice_n and_o such_o excellent_a virtue_n she_o make_v no_o debate_n between_o faith_n and_o good_a work_n nor_o argue_v nice_o about_o the_o preference_n nor_o dispute_v critical_o the_o mode_n how_o joint_o they_o become_v the_o condition_n of_o salvation_n but_o plain_o determin_n that_o without_o faith_n and_o good_a work_n no_o man_n shall_v see_v god_n she_o not_o only_o keep_v to_o a_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n but_o to_o a_o conversation_n of_o equal_a firmness_n and_o solidity_n her_o festival_n be_v to_o commemorate_v the_o virtue_n of_o excellent_a man_n and_o to_o recommend_v they_o as_o precedent_n for_o imitation_n her_o ceremony_n which_o be_v principal_o design_v for_o decency_n may_v also_o remind_v we_o of_o those_o virtue_n which_o become_v the_o worshipper_n of_o god_n her_o collect_v and_o petition_n be_v
church_n with_o their_o different_a name_n and_o title_n not_o for_o lustre_n and_o greatness_n and_o secular_a purpose_n but_o for_o suppression_n of_o vice_n the_o maintain_n of_o faith_n peace_n order_n and_o all_o virtue_n the_o true_a edification_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o if_o those_o vice_n be_v not_o reprove_v and_o chastise_v which_o fall_v under_o her_o cognizance_n it_o be_v not_o the_o fault_n of_o her_o power_n but_o because_o by_o other_o way_n ill_o restrain_v unnecessary_a division_n from_o her_o hinder_v der_fw-ge discipline_n upon_o offender_n and_o so_o they_o hinder_v that_o edification_n which_o they_o contend_v for_o this_o government_n be_v not_o modern_a particular_a or_o pure_o humane_a but_o apostolical_a primitive_a and_o universal_a to_o time_n as_o well_o as_o place_n till_o some_o private_a person_n for_o number_n learning_n or_o piety_n not_o to_o be_v equal_v to_o the_o good_a man_n of_o old_a who_o defend_v it_o and_o obey_v it_o and_o suffer_v for_o it_o out_o of_o some_o mistake_n of_o humane_a frailty_n and_o passion_n or_o bear_v down_o with_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o time_n begin_v to_o change_v it_o and_o declaim_v against_o it_o though_o so_o very_o fit_a and_o proper_a to_o promote_v christanity_n in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v a_o general_a account_n of_o that_o edification_n that_o be_v to_o be_v have_v in_o that_o church_n in_o which_o we_o live_v a_o more_o particular_a one_o will_v be_v too_o long_o for_o this_o discourse_n but_o thus_o much_o must_v be_v say_v that_o examine_v all_o her_o particular_a part_n and_o office_n you_o will_v find_v none_o of_o they_o light_n or_o superstitious_a novel_a or_o too_o numerous_a ill_o dispose_v or_o uncouth_a improper_a or_o burdensome_a no_o just_a cause_n for_o any_o to_o revolt_v from_o her_o communion_n but_o consider_v the_o present_a circumstance_n of_o christianity_n and_o man_n the_o best_a constitute_v church_n in_o the_o world_n 14.3_o heb._n 6.1.2_o pet._n 3.18_o rom._n 15.2.1_o cor._n 14.3_o if_o therefore_o edification_n be_v go_v on_o to_o perfection_n or_o grow_v in_o grace_n if_o it_o be_v do_v good_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n if_o it_o be_v to_o make_v plain_a the_o great_a thing_n in_o religion_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o man_n or_o whatever_o the_o import_n of_o it_o be_v in_o relation_n to_o faith_n or_o virtue_n which_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o our_o salvation_n it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o this_o church_n who_o constitution_n be_v apt_a and_o fit_a to_o do_v all_o this_o and_o st._n judas_n seem_v to_o tell_v we_o that_o true_a edification_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o those_o who_o separate_v from_o the_o common_a building_n 19_o verse_n 19_o but_o those_o who_o keep_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n build_v up_o themselves_o in_o their_o most_o holy_a faith_n and_o pray_v in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o honest_a christian_a with_o great_a assurance_n may_v expect_v the_o grace_n and_o blessing_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o divine_a spirit_n who_o promise_n be_v make_v to_o they_o who_o continue_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o to_o they_o who_o divide_v from_o the_o body_n and_o have_v great_a hope_n of_o edification_n from_o their_o teacher_n than_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n from_o apollo_n that_o water_n than_o from_o christ_n the_o chief_a husbandman_n who_o give_v the_o increase_n 2._o this_o constitution_n be_v use_v and_o manage_v in_o the_o best_a way_n by_o the_o pastor_n of_o our_o church_n to_o edify_v the_o soul_n of_o men._n this_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v strict_a command_n under_o great_a panalty_n lay_v upon_o the_o pastor_n of_o our_o church_n to_o do_v this_o who_o be_v not_o leave_v to_o their_o own_o freedom_n and_o private_a judgement_n or_o the_o source_n only_o of_o common_a christianity_n upon_o they_o thus_o to_o improve_v man_n soul_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n but_o have_v temporal_a mulct_n and_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n hold_v over_o they_o to_o keep_v they_o to_o their_o duty_n that_o when_o they_o do_v inform_v or_o direct_v their_o flock_n about_o their_o blief_n they_o shall_v keep_v to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n or_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n or_o when_o they_o persuade_v to_o practice_n their_o rule_n and_o proposition_n must_v be_v according_a to_o godliness_n that_o whenever_o they_o exhort_v or_o rebuke_v preach_v or_o pray_v whenever_o they_o direct_v or_o answer_v the_o scruple_n of_o man_n mind_n in_o the_o whole_a execrise_n and_o compass_n of_o their_o ministry_n they_o be_v to_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o creed_n to_o regard_v mercy_n and_o justice_n the_o standard_n of_o good_a manner_n in_o short_a to_o preserve_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n with_o substantial_a devotion_n which_o will_v to_o the_o purpose_n edify_v man_n soul_n and_o effectual_o save_v they_o 2._o that_o these_o command_n be_v obey_v by_o the_o pastor_n of_o our_o church_n and_o they_o do_v all_o thing_n in_o it_o to_o edification_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o we_o appeal_v to_o good_a man_n and_o wise_a man_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n who_o have_v honesty_n and_o judgement_n to_o confess_v this_o truth_n and_o with_o gratitude_n acknowledge_v that_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v lead_v they_o into_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o righteousness_n cure_v their_o ignorance_n and_o reform_v their_o life_n and_o upon_o good_a ground_n give_v they_o a_o assurance_n of_o heaven_n to_o say_v such_o as_o these_o be_v prejudice_v and_o want_v sincerity_n and_o knowledge_n to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n be_v only_o to_o prove_v what_o we_o just_o suspect_v that_o they_o want_v true_a edification_n among_o themselves_o and_o shall_v be_v better_o teach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o charity_n our_o protestant_a neighbour_n impartial_a judge_n will_v give_v their_o testimony_n to_o this_o truth_n who_o have_v own_a and_o commend_v the_o government_n of_o this_o church_n condemn_v the_o separation_n magnify_v the_o prudence_n piety_n and_o work_v of_o her_o governor_n and_o pastor_n and_o wish_v that_o they_o and_o their_o charge_n be_v under_o such_o a_o discipline_n and_o translate_v many_o of_o their_o pious_a and_o learned_a work_n to_o edify_v and_o save_v their_o people_n 117_o the_o unreason-ableness_a of_o separation_n p._n 117_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n themselves_o at_o least_o in_o the_o good_a mood_n and_o out_o of_o the_o heat_n of_o dispute_n give_v their_o consent_n to_o this_o that_o the_o instruction_n and_o discourse_n of_o our_o pastor_n from_o their_o pulpit_n be_v solid_a learned_a affectionate_a and_o pious_a and_o their_o only_a crime_n be_v that_o sometime_o they_o be_v too_o well_o study_v and_o too_o good_a if_o in_o the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o english_a clergy_n some_o few_o may_v be_v lazy_a one_o particular_a person_n may_v clothe_v his_o doctrine_n in_o too_o gay_a a_o dress_n another_o talk_v scholastical_o above_o the_o capacity_n of_o his_o hearer_n a_o three_o too_o dull_o a_o four_o too_o nice_o and_o opinionative_o and_o here_o and_o there_o a_o pastor_n answer_v not_o the_o true_a design_n of_o preach_v to_o inform_v man_n mind_n to_o guide_v their_o conscience_n and_o move_v their_o affection_n what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o general_a charge_n that_o no_o edification_n so_o good_a be_v to_o be_v have_v as_o in_o the_o separate_a meeting_n the_o pretend_a cause_n of_o their_o separation_n for_o it_o be_v no_o more_o a_o true_a cause_n than_o want_v of_o accommodation_n or_o room_n in_o church_n for_o some_o to_o separate_v where_o good_a edification_n and_o conveniency_n too_o may_v be_v easy_o have_v and_o since_o they_o compel_v our_o pastor_n to_o speak_v well_o of_o themselves_o by_o their_o detraction_n and_o speak_v ill_o of_o they_o they_o must_v glad_o suffer_v they_o as_o fool_n 11.19_o ●_o cor._n 11.19_o bold_o to_o say_v that_o since_o the_o reformation_n and_o many_o hundred_o year_n before_o there_o have_v not_o be_v a_o clergy_n so_o learned_a and_o pious_a so_o prudent_a and_o painful_a and_o every_o way_n industrious_a to_o edify_v and_o save_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n as_o now_o be_v in_o the_o english_a church_n the_o second_o argument_n to_o confirm_v the_o answer_n be_v that_o those_o that_o usual_o make_v this_o pretence_n for_o separation_n do_v common_o mistake_v better_a edification_n we_o have_v prove_v already_o that_o good_a and_o sufficient_a edification_n to_o save_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v to_o be_v have_v in_o the_o english_a church_n for_o if_o teach_v plain_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o lay_v down_o clear_o rule_v of_o manner_n use_v well_o compose_v prayer_n and_o proper_a administration_n of_o sacrament_n be_v not_o good_a and_o sufficient_a edification_n i_o know_v not_o what_o edification_n mean_v it_o
sensible_a of_o the_o heinous_a nature_n of_o schism_n which_o the_o apostle_n and_o all_o the_o ancient_a christian_n have_v paint_v forth_o in_o such_o black_a colour_n though_o other_o think_v our_o division_n in_o the_o church_n be_v no_o more_o than_o variety_n of_o company_n and_o livery_n in_o a_o city_n 4._o what_o great_a discouragement_n this_o be_v to_o a_o honest_a and_o true_o christian_a ministry_n when_o a_o pastor_n of_o our_o church_n shall_v diligent_o and_o faithful_o plain_o and_o devout_o unfold_v the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o lay_v down_o rule_n for_o practice_n which_o will_v certain_o bring_v he_o to_o heaven_n yet_o his_o flock_n or_o charge_n one_o after_o another_o upon_o pretence_n of_o green_a pasture_n great_a knowledge_n better_a elocution_n delivery_n tone_n or_o the_o like_a to_o be_v have_v elsewhere_o shall_v run_v from_o he_o will_v it_o not_o cool_v his_o zeal_n check_v his_o labour_n and_o affront_v his_o person_n and_o office_n this_o may_v be_v do_v to_o the_o painful_a as_o well_o as_o idle_a to_o the_o judicious_a and_o learned_a as_o well_o as_o imprudent_a and_o ignorant_a pastor_n where_o the_o people_n shall_v have_v liberty_n of_o separation_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o edification_n the_o ill_a effect_n of_o this_o have_v turn_v upon_o their_o own_o minister_n and_o new_a government_n and_o the_o most_o own_o minister_n and_o new_a government_n and_o the_o most_o judiclous_a among_o they_o have_v sad_o complain_v of_o it_o former_o they_o petition_v for_o a_o painful_a and_o preach_a ministry_n but_o this_o pretence_n of_o better_a edification_n give_v denial_n to_o their_o own_o request_n such_o discouragement_n as_o these_o happen_v severe_o sometime_o to_o the_o best_a of_o pastor_n as_o well_o as_o the_o worst_a and_o they_o have_v no_o cure_n for_o this_o have_v put_v a_o power_n into_o the_o people_n hand_n which_o they_o can_v recall_v for_o neither_o king_n parliament_z bishop_n or_o pastor_n can_v tell_v they_o what_o be_v edification_n so_o well_o as_o themselves_o and_o be_v the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v so_o treat_v and_o trisle_v with_o who_o derive_v their_o office_n and_o authority_n from_o god_n to_o command_v and_o persuade_v to_o rebuke_n and_o exhort_v and_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o soul_n commit_v to_o they_o for_o fancy_n peevishness_n and_o humour_n to_o be_v scorn_v and_o discountenance_v and_o have_v their_o ministry_n render_v useless_a and_o the_o sheep_n to_o govern_v the_o shepherd_n but_o what_o if_o our_o pastor_n be_v idle_a or_o remiss_a in_o his_o duty_n or_o corrupt_v in_o his_o faith_n and_o teach_v error_n instead_o of_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o we_o have_v no_o mean_n of_o edification_n what_o must_v we_o do_v must_v we_o take_v in_o poison_n for_o food_n or_o not_o be_v say_v at_o all_o to_o be_v sure_a you_o must_v not_o run_v into_o schismatical_a separation_n it_o be_v more_o tolerable_a to_o go_v to_o other_o congregation_n of_o our_o communion_n that_o may_v be_v irregular_a but_o it_o be_v not_o schismatical_a but_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n we_o have_v a_o government_n which_o upon_o a_o just_a and_o modest_a complaint_n will_v quicken_v the_o lazy_a and_o negligent_a correct_v the_o heretical_a pastor_n and_o restore_v to_o you_o true_a edification_n that_o this_o discourse_n may_v prevail_v upon_o such_o who_o make_v this_o question_n i_o desire_v to_o recommend_v these_o two_o follow_a thing_n which_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o their_o consideration_n 1._o that_o if_o they_o fancy_v any_o defect_n in_o our_o government_n they_o shall_v not_o hence_o conclude_v that_o they_o have_v not_o sufficient_a edification_n in_o the_o church_n to_o save_v their_o sould._n if_o upon_o a_o nice_a search_n and_o critical_a enquiry_n they_o think_v they_o have_v find_v some_o little_a flaw_n and_o defect_n improper_a phrase_n doubtful_a sense_n and_o some_o small_a omission_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o discipline_n yet_o let_v they_o not_o conclude_v that_o these_o can_v weigh_v in_o the_o balance_n against_o the_o black_a sin_n of_o schism_n and_o separation_n and_o all_o its_o sad_a consequence_n which_o be_v excuse_v by_o nothing_o else_o but_o term_n of_o communion_n plain_o sinful_a have_v not_o divine_a service_n be_v accept_v which_o be_v less_o perfect_a and_o come_v not_o up_o to_o their_o rule_n as_o be_v plain_a in_o hezekiah_n passover_n which_o be_v not_o to_o the_o purification_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n 20._o 2_o chron._n 30.18_o 19_o 20._o yet_o the_o good_a king_n prayer_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o time_n prevail_v with_o god_n to_o heal_v the_o people_n that_o be_v to_o repute_v they_o clean_o and_o well_o prepare_v and_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o devotion_n good_a be_v there_o no_o reverence_n to_o be_v pay_v to_o the_o pious_a author_n of_o our_o service_n and_o reformation_n but_o to_o tell_v they_o they_o must_v divide_v from_o they_o be_v they_o now_o live_v for_o they_o can_v edify_v under_o that_o religion_n and_o government_n for_o which_o they_o die_v be_v there_o or_o will_v there_o over_o be_v any_o government_n in_o the_o church_n so_o well_o frame_v and_o build_v but_o some_o curious_a surveyor_n can_v spy_v out_o some_o disproportion_n or_o ill_a shape_n especial_o if_o assist_v by_o ill_a nature_n emulation_n the_o spirit_n of_o pride_n and_o contention_n which_o be_v ever_o quick_a sight_v abroad_o and_o blind_a at_o home_n the_o difficulty_n of_o know_v what_o be_v utmost_a perfection_n and_o absolute_a purity_n of_o administration_n which_o till_o attain_v these_o man_n think_v they_o be_v not_o to_o rest_v in_o any_o church_n shall_v make_v they_o judge_v candid_o interpret_v fair_o and_o comply_v with_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o sinful_a to_o preserve_v peace_n and_o love_n when_o man_n in_o the_o english_a church_n be_v plain_o teach_v to_o believe_v well_o to_o live_v well_o and_o to_o die_v well_o and_o have_v good_a and_o proper_a office_n to_o serve_v these_o great_a purpose_n in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n what_o can_v they_o desire_v more_o to_o be_v better_o or_o more_o save_v we_o know_v not_o what_o it_o mean_v to_o leave_v such_o a_o communion_n upon_o such_o a_o account_n proceed_v from_o peevishness_n uncharitableness_n or_o some_o ill_a principle_n and_o be_v down_o right_a schism_n if_o ever_o there_o be_v schism_n in_o the_o world_n bring_v but_o a_o honest_a sincere_a and_o teachable_a mind_n and_o it_o will_v find_v improvement_n and_o advantage_n in_o office_n and_o administration_n full_a of_o spot_n and_o blemish_n far_o than_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o find_v in_o the_o english_a church_n but_o if_o the_o mind_n be_v by_o ass_v by_o a_o party_n or_o corrupt_v by_o design_n if_o be_v pallate_n be_v vitiate_a the_o best_a food_n be_v course_n and_o insipid_a to_o it_o 2._o let_v edification_n be_v place_v in_o the_o substantial_a thing_n of_o religion_n some_o revolt_n from_o our_o church_n for_o thing_n wherein_o the_o pastor_n be_v sole_o concern_v and_o other_o for_o thing_n of_o decency_n and_o indifferency_n but_o these_o thing_n do_v not_o concern_v the_o case_n of_o edification_n that_o a_o right_a faith_n and_o a_o honest_a conversation_n be_v not_o teach_v in_o our_o church_n be_v only_o a_o scandal_n cast_v upon_o she_o to_o plead_v for_o their_o unjust_a separation_n for_o after_o she_o have_v plain_o and_o distinct_o teach_v the_o article_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v prove_v before_o with_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o zeal_n she_o command_v and_o press_v justice_n humility_n mercy_n and_o every_o virtue_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o a_o true_a christian_a life_n and_o both_o under_o the_o penalty_n of_o eternal_a damnation_n these_o and_o these_o alone_a do_v true_o edify_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n as_o be_v plain_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o our_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n our_o church_n ceremony_n and_o discipline_n and_o all_o other_o part_n in_o religion_n be_v in_o order_n to_o and_o minister_v unto_o faith_n their_o head_n that_o work_v by_o love_n and_o the_o near_o these_o approach_n unto_o and_o the_o great_a service_n they_o do_v to_o this_o design_n the_o great_a degree_n they_o have_v in_o religion_n and_o more_o value_n be_v set_v upon_o they_o this_o be_v that_o religion_n which_o our_o first_o parent_n be_v of_o in_o his_o paradise_n and_o innocency_n noah_n and_o his_o posterity_n in_o their_o precept_n and_o pious_a man_n in_o different_a country_n before_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n thus_o serve_v god_n and_o the_o scope_n and_o aim_n of_o the_o jewish_a law_n with_o its_o temple_n and_o utensil_n its_o figure_n and_o ceremony_n be_v to_o discipline_n and_o teach_v man_n thus_o to_o be_v good_a with_o allowance_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o people_n and_o the_o time_n they_o live_v in_o and_o the_o best_a and_o most_o know_a pagan_n