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faith_n catholic_n church_n visible_a 4,689 5 9.3932 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A37205 The power of Congregational churches asserted and vindicated in answer to a treatise of Mr. J. Paget intituled The defence of church-government exercised in classes and synods / by John Davenport. Davenport, John, 1597-1670. 1672 (1672) Wing D362; ESTC R24876 69,647 176

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in_o resect_v of_o quicken_a grace_n whence_o they_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o pet._n 2.5_o hence_o they_o grow_v up_o in_o all_o thing_n into_o he_o which_o be_v the_o head_n christ_n and_o be_v edify_a and_o edify_v member_n in_o the_o body_n eph._n 4.15_o 16._o nor_o be_v christ_n the_o head_n only_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o also_o of_o every_o particular_a church_n institute_v by_o he_o which_o be_v therefore_o frequent_o by_o christ_n himself_o call_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o of_o heaven_n the_o king_n whereof_o be_v christ_n his_o subject_n be_v visible_a believer_n profess_v their_o faith_n in_o he_o and_o their_o subjection_n to_o his_o law_n and_o ordinance_n 2_o cor._n 9.13_o this_o sovereign_a power_n be_v so_o proper_o christ_n that_o it_o be_v not_o communicable_a to_o any_o creature_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n be_v his_o substitute_n or_o vicar_n herein_o for_o neither_o do_v christ_n or_o his_o church_n need_v such_o a_o vicar_n or_o visible_a head_n of_o the_o church_n see_v the_o church_n be_v complete_a in_o christ_n alone_o col._n 2.10_o nor_o be_v any_o creature_n capable_a of_o discharge_v the_o office_n of_o a_o head_n unto_o the_o church_n ephes_n 1.20_o 21_o 22_o 23._o 2._o consect_n then_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o earthly_a king_n or_o state_n or_o civil_a court_n to_o make_v ecclesiastical_a law_n or_o to_o invent_v and_o impose_v any_o rite_n or_o form_n of_o worship_n upon_o church_n according_a to_o principle_n of_o state-policy_n or_o humane_a prudence_n though_o moses_n be_v as_o well_o a_o great_a prophet_n as_o a_o great_a prince_n yet_o god_n leave_v no_o part_n of_o the_o build_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n to_o his_o prudence_n but_o limit_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n to_o the_o pattern_n in_o the_o mount_n exod._n 25.40_o nor_o may_v solomon_n though_o the_o wise_a of_o mere_a man_n act_n by_o his_o own_o wisdom_n in_o build_v the_o temple_n 13._o ●_o chon_n 28.11_o 12_o 13._o but_o he_o be_v guide_v therein_o by_o the_o perfect_a pattern_n which_o david_n give_v he_o from_o the_o spirit_n so_o concern_v christian_a church_n christ_n have_v give_v his_o people_n a_o perfect_a pattern_n which_o he_o require_v the_o minister_n to_o hold_v forth_o distinct_o in_o every_o point_n of_o it_o to_o his_o people_n according_a to_o that_o prophecy_n in_o ezek._n 43.10_o 11._o that_o they_o may_v keep_v the_o whole_a form_n thereof_o and_o all_o the_o ordinance_n thereof_o and_o do_v they_o which_o also_o christ_n express_o require_v in_o matth._n 28.19_o 20._o 3._o consect_n then_o every_o particular_a visible_a church_n must_v exalt_v christ_n and_o his_o institution_n alone_o in_o their_o whole_a church-order_n and_o in_o all_o their_o admistration_n this_o be_v their_o visible_a receive_v christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n and_o walk_v in_o he_o col._n 2.5_o 6._o the_o church_n be_v christ_n house_n and_o it_o be_v equal_a according_a to_o natural_a light_n and_o civil_a prudence_n that_o every_o man_n shall_v bear_v rule_n in_o his_o own_o house_n esth_n 1.22_o much_o more_o christ_n who_o be_v god_n and_o man._n artaxerxes_n shall_v rise_v up_o in_o judgement_n with_o all_o such_o as_o encroach_v upon_o christ_n right_a in_o order_v church_n by_o their_o policy_n and_o condemn_v they_o for_o he_o fear_v the_o jealousy_n and_o wrath_n of_o god_n if_o man_n shall_v take_v such_o liberty_n to_o themselves_o provide_v against_o it_o by_o a_o strict_a decree_n say_v whatsoever_o be_v command_v by_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n let_v it_o be_v diligent_o do_v for_o the_o house_n of_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n for_o why_o shall_v there_o be_v wrath_n against_o the_o realm_n etc._n etc._n esth_n 7.23_o nor_o be_v the_o wrath_n of_o christ_n less_o formidable_a to_o we_o or_o his_o jealousy_n less_o incense_v against_o those_o that_o either_o add_v to_o or_o take_v from_o or_o alter_v his_o institution_n now_o than_o in_o time_n past_a but_o rather_o more_o hebr._fw-la 12.25_o to_o the_o end_n so_o much_o shall_v serve_v touch_v the_o efficient_a cause_n and_o institutor_n of_o particular_a visible_a church_n chap._n ii_o concern_v the_o material_a cause_n the_o material_n whereof_o this_o spiritual_a building_n must_v consist_v be_v employ_v when_o christ_n say_v upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v etc._n etc._n together_o with_o peter_n confession_n in_o ver_fw-la 16._o and_o christ_n approbation_n of_o it_o ver_fw-la 17._o which_o give_v occasion_n to_o this_o speech_n of_o christ_n upon_o this_o rock_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o rock_n be_v jesus_n christ_n 1_o cor._n 3.11_o but_o how_o consider_v not_o simple_o and_o in_o a_o abstract_n sense_n but_o 1._o as_o preach_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n ephes_n 2.20_o 2._o as_o believe_v on_o with_o a_o faith_n make_v visible_a by_o public_a confession_n according_a to_o rom._n 10.9_o 10._o christ_n believe_v on_o be_v the_o foundation_n or_o rock_n of_o the_o catholic_n invisible_a church_n but_o christ_n believe_v on_o and_o confess_v be_v the_o rock_n whereupon_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n be_v build_v in_o this_o exposition_n sundry_a of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n 21._o writer_n basil_n tract_n de_fw-fr poenit_fw-la gre._n naz._n de_fw-fr comp._n disserendi_fw-la ratione_fw-la theod_n in_o psal_n 47._o ambr._n in_o eph._n 2.20_o aug._n in_o lib._n 1._o retract_v c._n 21._o and_o the_o orthodox_n modern_a general_o consent_n the_o doctrinal_a conclusion_n which_o these_o word_n of_o the_o charter_n afford_v we_o concern_v the_o material_n of_o particular_a visible_a church_n be_v that_o 2._o conclusion_n it_o be_v the_o will_n and_o appointment_n of_o christ_n that_o all_o and_o only_o such_o grow_a person_n be_v admit_v member_n of_o particular_a church_n who_o make_v such_o a_o public_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n as_o the_o church_n may_v in_o charitable_a discretion_n conceive_v have_v blessedness_n annex_v to_o it_o and_o be_v such_o as_o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v to_o a_o man_n but_o our_o heavenly_a father_n 1._o that_o christ_n here_o mean_v a_o particular_a visible_a church_n and_o not_o only_o the_o catholic_n church_n we_o have_v partly_o evince_v already_o and_o shall_v more_o full_o hereafter_o 2._o that_o person_n mean_v by_o christ_n here_o be_v adulti_fw-la grow_v person_n appear_v by_o his_o question_n to_o the_o apostle_n who_o do_v man_n say_v and_o who_o do_v you_o say_v that_o i_o be_o and_o by_o peter_n answer_n as_o for_o infant_n they_o be_v indeed_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o such_o baptise_a yet_o it_o be_v so_o only_o as_o they_o be_v include_v in_o their_o parent_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o covenant_n wherein_o they_o be_v wrap_v with_o their_o parent_n gen._n 17.7_o act_n 2.38_o 39_o 1_o cor._n 7.14_o 3._o that_o such_o adulti_fw-la or_o grow_v person_n must_v make_v a_o public_a confession_n of_o faith_n before_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n so_o christ_n require_v peter_n to_o do_v here_o and_z when_o he_o have_v so_o do_v say_v christ_n upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n viz._n in_o after_o time_n for_o no_o particular_a christian_a church_n be_v actual_o constitute_v at_o this_o time_n nor_o till_o after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n in_o act._n 1._o q._n d._n then_o take_v this_o course_n and_o ever_o after_o all_o the_o world_n over_o if_o you_o will_v have_v a_o particular_a church_n to_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o i_o to_o be_v my_o build_n 4._o that_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v so_o make_v as_o that_o the_o church_n may_v in_o charitable_a discretion_n conceive_v it_o to_o have_v blessedness_n annex_v etc._n etc._n for_o see_v it_o please_v christ_n to_o use_v man_n as_o his_o instrument_n in_o build_v his_o church_n zach._n 6.15_o ephes_n 4.11_o 12._o he_o be_v content_a that_o they_o improve_v the_o judgement_n which_o they_o have_v christ_n judgement_n concern_v peter_n be_v infallible_a for_o he_o know_v what_o be_v in_o man_n john_n 2.25_o but_o the_o officer_n and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v but_o man_n who_o judge_n by_o the_o outward_a appearance_n 1_o sam._n 16.7_o therefore_o their_o judgement_n be_v fallible_a and_o have_v be_v deceive_v as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n concern_v ananias_n and_o sapphira_n and_o in_o that_o of_o philip_n and_o the_o church_n in_o samaria_n concern_v simon_n magus_n etc._n etc._n their_o duty_n be_v to_o proceed_v as_o far_o as_o man_n may_v by_o rule_n with_o due_a moderation_n and_o gentleness_n to_o try_v they_o who_o offer_v themselves_o to_o fellowship_n whether_o they_o be_v believer_n or_o not_o refuse_v know_v hypocrite_n though_o when_o they_o have_v do_v all_o they_o can_v close_a hypocrite_n will_v creep_v in_o 5._o that_o all_o they_o who_o hold_v
perform_v coral_n 3_o then_o it_o be_v not_o arbitrary_a but_o a_o duty_n for_o every_o christian_a to_o endeavour_v to_o join_v himself_o in_o membership_n with_o a_o congregational_a institute_v church_n of_o christ_n whosoever_o have_v opportunity_n and_o neglect_v so_o to_o do_v they_o great_o sin_n against_o god_n and_o break_v the_o second_o commandment_n in_o not_o worship_v he_o according_a to_o his_o institution_n and_o also_o against_o their_o own_o soul_n in_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o the_o blessing_n which_o he_o have_v annex_v unto_o his_o institution_n exod._n 20.24_o mat._n 28.20_o and_o if_o they_o persist_v in_o that_o neglect_n they_o can_v hardly_o be_v account_v believer_n true_o seek_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n what_o profession_n of_o religion_n soever_o they_o make_v otherwise_o mat._n 6.33_o and_o they_o sin_n against_o their_o posterity_n also_o to_o who_o god_n promise_v mercy_n upon_o their_o parent_n worship_v he_o according_a to_o his_o institution_n if_o the_o lord_n do_v good_a to_o the_o posterity_n of_o such_o it_o be_v mere_o from_o his_o own_o good_a pleasure_n but_o not_o from_o their_o parent_n covenant_n ezek._n 16.61_o chap._n v._o concern_v the_o church_n impregnable_a stability_n to_o the_o church_n build_v by_o christ_n upon_o this_o rock_n he_o have_v promise_v and_o give_v this_o great_a privilege_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o scripture_n signify_v not_o hell_n but_o the_o state_n of_o the_o dead_a or_o the_o grave_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v enemy_n vanquish_v by_o christ_n for_o his_o church_n 1_o cor._n 15.26_o 55._o and_o shall_v be_v cast_v into_o the_o lake_n of_o fire_n rev._n 20.14_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o gate_n of_o death_n in_o job_n 38.17_o psal_n 107.18_o and_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o grave_a isa_n 38.10_o i_o e._n the_o power_n of_o death_n and_o the_o grave_a which_o seize_v on_o they_o as_o a_o sergeant_n psal_n 116.3_o the_o sum_n be_v let_v the_o church_n be_v bring_v to_o the_o low_a that_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v dead_a as_o those_o two_o witness_n rev._n 11.8_o 9_o and_o bury_v as_o christ_n natural_a body_n be_v for_o a_o time_n yet_o neither_o death_n nor_o the_o grave_n shall_v prevail_v agaist_fw-mi it_o yet_o we_o must_v not_o limit_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n only_o to_o the_o power_n of_o death_n and_o the_o grave_a but_o it_o must_v be_v extend_v to_o all_o satan_n plot_n and_o assault_n against_o the_o church_n against_o which_o if_o christ_n do_v not_o help_v they_o death_n and_o the_o grave_n will_v prevail_v against_o they_o to_o their_o eternal_a destruction_n we_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o in_o this_o text_n by_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n be_v mean_v all_o the_o machination_n of_o satan_n and_o temptation_n whatsoever_o whereby_o he_o labour_v to_o hinder_v the_o build_n of_o christ_n church_n to_o draw_v those_o from_o christ_n who_o be_v build_v upon_o he_o the_o prevail_a of_o they_o signify_v their_o effectual_a work_n unto_o the_o attainment_n of_o those_o end_n the_o sum_n be_v a_o promise_n that_o the_o devil_n with_o all_o his_o policy_n and_o power_n shall_v neither_o hinder_v the_o build_n of_o christ_n church_n nor_o cause_v the_o church_n thus_o build_v to_o apostatise_v from_o christ_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n whatsoever_o socinian_n or_o arminian_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_a may_v thus_o be_v evince_v 1._o because_o the_o thing_n promise_v be_v the_o disable_n of_o what_o ever_o oppose_v the_o build_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o this_o rock_n or_o its_o constant_a adhere_n to_o christ_n from_o prevail_v to_o those_o end_n but_o so_o do_v satan_n temptation_n therefore_o they_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n 2._o because_o whatsoever_o go_v forth_o out_o of_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n or_o have_v its_o beginning_n from_o thence_o be_v mean_v in_o this_o phrase_n but_o the_o temptation_n and_o machination_n of_o satan_n by_o himself_o and_o his_o instrument_n heretic_n and_o tyrant_n go_v forth_o thence_o therefore_o they_o be_v mean_v in_o this_o phrase_n 3._o because_o peter_n to_o who_o christ_n speak_v these_o word_n describe_v unbeliever_n the_o adversary_n of_o this_o building_n as_o belong_v to_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n 1_o pet._n 2.7_o 8._o 4._o because_o the_o proportion_n which_o christ_n imply_v in_o these_o word_n require_v that_o they_o be_v so_o understand_v the_o proportion_n be_v between_o two_o city_n that_o of_o heaven_n which_o have_v its_o gate_n and_o key_n in_o v._o 19_o and_o the_o other_o of_o hell_n which_o have_v its_o gate_n whence_o it_o endeavour_v the_o ruin_n and_o overthrow_v of_o that_o but_o shall_v not_o prevail_v see_v therefore_o city_n be_v oppose_v to_o city_n and_o gate_n to_o gate_n and_o one_o viz._n the_o church_n be_v consider_v in_o the_o state_n of_o present_a build_n it_o be_v most_o suitable_a that_o the_o other_o be_v also_o look_v at_o as_o it_o oppose_v that_o in_o the_o present_a whilst_o it_o be_v militant_a upon_o earth_n but_o from_o hence_o that_o christ_n promise_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o his_o church_n thus_o build_v some_o infer_v that_o christ_n mean_v only_o the_o invisible_a catholic_n church_n for_o that_o only_a say_v they_o be_v bulilt_v on_o this_o rock_n and_o only_o that_o shall_v not_o fail_v answ_n 1._o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o catholic_n invisible_a church_n be_v build_v upon_o christ_n by_o effectual_a and_o unfeigned_a faith_n and_o that_o shall_v not_o fail_v for_o that_o be_v the_o general_a assembly_n and_o church_n of_o the_o fist-born_a which_o be_v enroll_v in_o heaven_n heb._n 12.23_o and_o all_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n can_v prevail_v against_o those_o that_o be_v write_v in_o heaven_n 2._o but_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o these_o only_o be_v build_v on_o this_o rock_n the_o apostle_n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n right_o constitute_v as_o that_o at_o corinth_n be_v build_v upon_o this_o rock_n or_o rocky-foundation_n 1_o cor._n 3.10_o 11._o and_o be_v so_o build_v be_v under_o the_o special_a protection_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n in_o respect_n whereof_o the_o lord_n promise_v any_o such_o church_n as_o well_o among_o the_o gentile_n as_o the_o jew_n whosoever_o shall_v gather_v himself_o against_o thou_o shall_v fall_v isa_n 54.15_o and_o all_o the_o weapon_n that_o be_v make_v against_o thou_o shall_v not_o prosper_v vers_fw-la 17._o and_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o christ_n in_o this_o place_n speak_v of_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n such_o as_o peter_n make_v visible_o and_o public_o whereupon_o not_o the_o invisible_a catholic_n church_n but_o visible_a particular_a church_n be_v build_v therefore_o these_o only_o be_v mean_v here_o concl._n 5_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n build_v by_o himself_o upon_o this_o rock_n in_o use_v the_o mean_n which_o he_o have_v appoint_v for_o their_o safety_n be_v impregnable_a the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v here_o indefinite_o take_v for_o a_o particular_a congregational-church_n institute_v by_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o former_a conclusion_n not_o for_o this_o or_o that_o definite_o therefore_o if_o any_o object_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n have_v prevail_v against_o the_o greek-churche_n those_o golden_a candlestick_n in_o asia_n and_o against_o rome_n who_o faith_n be_v speak_v of_o throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o against_o sundry_a other_o particular_a church_n answ_n i_o answer_v 1._o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n have_v prevail_v against_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n yet_o not_o against_o a_o particular_a church_n indefinite_o consider_v or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o against_o the_o church_n in_o general_a exist_v in_o its_o particular_n in_o this_o sense_n the_o visible_a church_n do_v not_o fail_v for_o 1._o christ_n ever_o have_v and_o will_v have_v some_o or_o other_o visible_a church_n on_o earth_n wherein_o the_o general_a nature_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n be_v preserve_v as_o the_o genus_fw-la be_v in_o its_o species_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n in_o this_o or_o that_o individual_a as_o when_o the_o lord_n preserve_v noah_n and_o his_o family_n in_o the_o ark_n mankind_n be_v preserve_v in_o they_o though_o multitude_n of_o man_n be_v destroy_v in_o the_o deluge_n 2._o christ_n will_v show_v that_o he_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o church_n wherein_o be_v some_o true_a believer_n mix_v with_o many_o hypocrite_n and_o other_o society_n therefore_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v such_o visible_a church_n to_o be_v total_o destroy_v as_o he_o do_v his_o open_a enemy_n hos_fw-la 11.8_o 9_o isa_n 1.8_o 9_o &_o
synagogue_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o pope_n as_o peter_n successor_n and_o of_o the_o indeficiency_n of_o their_o church_n as_o build_v upon_o peter_n when_o as_o neither_o have_v peter_n himself_o any_o such_o privilege_n as_o to_o be_v infallible_a the_o next_o story_n in_o this_o 16_o of_o matthew_n evince_v the_o contrary_a v._o 23._o nor_o by_o the_o rock_n whereupon_o christ_n build_v his_o church_n be_v mean_v the_o person_n of_o peter_n or_o peter_n confession_n personal_o as_o it_o have_v relation_n to_o he_o but_o as_o it_o be_v consider_v real_o in_o itself_o and_o be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o disciple_n and_o to_o all_o visible_a believer_n which_o may_v be_v thus_o confirm_v 1._o because_o peter_n confession_n must_v have_v relation_n to_o the_o matter_n which_o he_o confess_v but_o peter_n confess_v not_o himself_o but_o christ_n say_v thou_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n therefore_o his_o confession_n have_v relation_n to_o christ_n not_o to_o himself_o 2._o because_o peter_n confess_v no_o more_o than_o that_o which_o he_o know_v the_o other_o disciple_n believe_v before_o he_o speak_v for_o christ_n question_n be_v general_a what_o say_v you_o peter_n answer_v as_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o rest_n but_o the_o apostle_n before_o he_o speak_v believe_v christ_n confess_v and_o not_o peter_n confess_v 3._o because_o this_o rock_n be_v that_o confession_n whereupon_o christ_n say_v he_o will_v build_v his_o church_n but_o whosoever_o shall_v true_o believe_v that_o which_o peter_n confess_v viz._n christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n and_o confess_v or_o profess_v it_o in_o due_a order_n be_v according_o build_v on_o this_o rock_n though_o he_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o peter_n name_n therefore_o the_o confession_n right_o understand_v have_v relation_n unto_o christ_n and_o not_o to_o the_o person_n of_o peter_n 4._o because_o the_o rock_n signify_v that_o which_o be_v immovable_a and_o impregnable_a such_o as_o be_v christ_n and_o his_o truth_n but_o peter_n confession_n be_v movable_a and_o shake_v at_o one_o time_n thrice_o deny_v this_o confession_n of_o his_o lord_n therefore_o this_o confession_n which_o christ_n call_v the_o rock_n have_v not_o relation_n to_o peter_n but_o only_o to_o christ_n coral_n 2_o then_o they_o that_o will_v have_v a_o particular_a church_n to_o be_v impregnable_a stable_n and_o firm_a against_o the_o prevail_a of_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n must_v see_v that_o it_o be_v build_v upon_o this_o rock_n and_o not_o upon_o humane_a form_n 1._o that_o christ_n himself_o be_v the_o builder_n of_o it_o according_a to_o his_o own_o institution_n not_o the_o policy_n or_o custom_n of_o man_n 2._o loc_n 2._o exit_fw-la quo_fw-la patet_fw-la quòd_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la non_fw-la consistit_fw-la in_o hominibus_fw-la ratione_fw-la potestatis_fw-la vel_fw-la dignitatis_fw-la ecclesiasticae_fw-la vel_fw-la saecularis_fw-la etc._n etc._n sed_fw-la in_o illis_fw-la personis_fw-la in_fw-la quibus_fw-la est_fw-la notitia_fw-la vera_fw-la &_o confessio_fw-la fidei_fw-la &_o veritatis_fw-la lyra_n in_o loc_n that_o the_o material_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v be_v such_o as_o believe_v and_o profess_v their_o faith_n in_o christ_n public_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n 3._o that_o they_o be_v firm_o join_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n by_o a_o holy_a covenant_n of_o subjection_n and_o submission_n to_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o one_o another_o in_o he_o and_o according_o walk_v together_o in_o obedience_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o rule_n resist_v satan_n in_o all_o his_o temptation_n and_o machination_n through_o christ_n strengthen_v they_o without_o who_o they_o can_v do_v nothing_o joh._n 15.5_o and_o that_o they_o improve_v careful_o and_o faithful_o the_o power_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o viz._n the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n in_o open_v and_o shut_v bind_v and_o lose_v according_a to_o christ_n his_o appointment_n for_o the_o preserve_n of_o his_o church_n safe_a in_o the_o purity_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o order_n against_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n which_o be_v the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v handle_v the_o second_o part._n chap._n vi_o concern_v the_o power_n give_v of_o christ_n unto_o such_o a_o church_n as_o the_o first_o and_o proper_a subject_n of_o it_o the_o second_o branch_n or_o part_n of_o the_o charter_n be_v concern_v the_o power_n give_v by_o christ_n unto_o such_o church_n to_o have_v and_o use_v all_o the_o mean_v appoint_v by_o he_o for_o their_o establishment_n against_o the_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n mat._n 16.19_o and_o i_o will_v give_v unto_o thou_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o thou_o shall_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n these_o word_n contain_v 1._o a_o grant_n of_o power_n 2._o a_o ratification_n of_o that_o grant_n we_o shall_v speak_v to_o they_o distinct_o 1._o to_o christ_n his_o grant_n of_o power_n and_o therein_o 1._o explicate_v the_o term_n by_o show_v what_o be_v mean_v 1_o by_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n 2._o by_o the_o key_n of_o it_o 3_o what_o this_o appropriation_n or_o application_n of_o they_o import_v to_o thou_o i_o will_v give_v 1._o by_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v mean_v both_o the_o kingdom_n of_o grace_n &_o glory_n and_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o glory_n be_v also_o mean_v the_o follow_a word_n show_v when_o he_o say_v what_o you_o bound_v on_o earth_n be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n 2._o by_o the_o key_n which_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o power_n and_o be_v put_v by_o a_o metonimy_n for_o the_o subject_a the_o power_n itself_o be_v mean_v church-power_n which_o be_v either_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a in_o christ_n only_o as_o lord_n and_o head_n of_o his_o church_n who_o alone_o have_v the_o key_n of_o david_n which_o open_v and_o no_o man_n shut_v and_o shut_v and_o no_o man_n open_v in_o rev._n 3.7_o or_o subordinate_a and_o delegate_v such_o as_o be_v in_o christ_n steward_n this_o be_v note_v by_o key_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n in_o this_o place_n which_o signify_v all_o power_n delegated_a from_o christ_n to_o dispense_v and_o administer_v all_o the_o holy_a thing_n of_o his_o house_n according_a to_o christ_n will_n and_o in_o the_o order_n prescribe_v by_o he_o to_o that_o end_n for_o all_o power_n wherewith_o the_o lord_n jesus_n betru_v his_o church_n aim_v at_o this_o which_o be_v here_o express_v to_o open_v and_o shut_v to_o bind_v and_o loose_v 3._o to_o thou_o i_o will_v give_v the_o application_n of_o this_o grant_n be_v to_o peter_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n which_o christ_n promise_v to_o build_v upon_o himself_o believe_v on_o and_o public_o profess_v as_o peter_n do_v before_o he_o and_o his_o fellow-disciple_n in_o christ_n school_n at_o this_o time_n and_o the_o promise_n be_v more_o fit_o give_v to_o peter_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n than_o to_o the_o church_n by_o name_n because_o it_o be_v not_o the_o church_n that_o make_v this_o confession_n but_o peter_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n but_o here_o we_o must_v make_v a_o little_a stand_n to_o examine_v the_o sundry_a claim_n which_o have_v be_v make_v to_o this_o right_n upon_o several_a pretence_n from_o this_o text._n 1_o some_o look_v at_o peter_n as_o represent_v the_o catholic_n visible-church_n conceive_v that_o a_o general_a council_n which_o they_o say_v be_v the_o catholic_n church_n representative_o be_v the_o church_n here_o mean_v to_o which_o christ_n give_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o that_o can_v be_v for_o particular_a visible_a church_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n have_v and_o exercise_v the_o key_n complete_o within_o themselves_o yet_o be_v there_o no_o general_a council_n till_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n which_o be_v three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n 2._o other_o look_v at_o this_o grant_n as_o peculiar_a to_o peter_n consider_v as_o the_o prince_n and_o chief_a of_o the_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n as_o his_o successor_n but_o this_o papal_a usurpation_n the_o council_n of_o constance_n and_o basil_n strong_o and_o just_o oppose_v show_v that_o the_o key_n which_o be_v here_o give_v to_o peter_n be_v in_o joh._n 20.21_o 22_o 23._o give_v to_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o peter_n himself_o be_v enjoin_v in_o mat._n 18._o to_o tell_v the_o church_n 3._o other_o think_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n consider_v not_o representative_o but_o in_o itself_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n yet_o these_o differ_v among_o themselves_o for_o some_o affirm_v it_o of_o the_o invisible_a other_o of_o the_o visible_a catholic_n church_n as_o for_o the_o term_n we_o know_v that_o visible_a &_o invisible_a do_v not_o note_v distinct_a species_n or_o kind_n of_o church_n but_o be_v only_o several_a adjunct_n of_o the_o same_o church_n which_o be_v call_v invisible_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o inward_a and_o invisible_a union_n which_o member_n have_v with_o christ_n the_o head_n by_o the_o spirit_n and_o faith_n and_o
visible_a in_o respect_n of_o their_o outward_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n which_o be_v visible_a to_o man_n but_o in_o neither_o of_o these_o sense_n be_v the_o catholic_n church_n the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n 1._o not_o as_o invisible_a for_o that_o be_v not_o build_v by_o a_o visible_a profession_n such_o as_o peter_n be_v nor_o be_v the_o ordinance_n dispense_v or_o administer_v visible_o in_o it_o to_z or_o by_o man_n in_o visible_a fellowship_n add_v hereunto_o that_o the_o key_n here_o give_v to_o peter_n can_v shut_v out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n even_o the_o same_o person_n to_o who_o they_o have_v open_v the_o door_n before_o which_o can_v befall_v believer_n in_o the_o visible_a church_n 2._o not_o as_o visible_a for_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o acknowledge_v a_o catholic_n visible_a church_n the_o catholic_n church_n be_v not_o visible_a as_o a_o church_n and_o the_o church_n that_o be_v visible_a be_v not_o catholic_n though_o the_o catholic_n church_n may_v be_v visible_a in_o its_o singular_a member_n yet_o so_o they_o be_v not_o a_o church_n or_o though_o it_o may_v be_v visible_a in_o particular_a congregation_n 56_o see_v mr._n cott._n defence_n of_o the_o way_n of_o congreg_n church_n par_fw-fr 2._o p._n 56_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o be_v catholic_n or_o though_o all_o of_o they_o if_o they_o can_v meet_v together_o may_v be_v call_v a_o catholic_n church_n or_o general_a assembly_n yet_o so_o it_o can_v be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n i._n e._n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n for_o such_o assembly_n 15._o see_v mr._n hooker_n '_o ●_o survey_v part_v 1._o ch_z 14_o &_o 15._o if_o possible_a be_v extraordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a assembly_n be_v not_o fit_a judicatory_n to_o hear_v and_o censure_v ordinary_a offence_n or_o to_o administer_v the_o ordinary_a act_n of_o church-power_n 2._o if_o the_o visible_a catholic_n church_n be_v consider_v as_o totum_fw-la integrale_fw-la which_o be_v such_o a_o whole_a as_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o aggregation_n of_o all_o particular_a church_n as_o a_o army_n be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o the_o several_a regiment_n and_o troop_n or_o a_o kingdom_n of_o all_o the_o city_n and_o county_n within_o it_o it_o can_v be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n i._n e._n of_o all_o church-power_n for_o 1._o particular_a church_n be_v the_o member_n which_o give_v the_o essential_a cause_n whence_o the_o integrity_n of_o this_o whole_a be_v make_v up_o and_o therefore_o in_o nature_n before_o it_o as_o the_o cause_n be_v before_o its_o effect_n 2._o church-officer_n with_o their_o office_n be_v set_v ordinary_o by_o christ_n institution_n only_o in_o such_o a_o church_n where_o they_o be_v call_v the_o choose_a but_o that_o be_v a_o particular_a church_n act._n 14.23_o tit._n 1.5_o for_o that_o choice_n and_o calling_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o relation_n between_o pastor_n and_o people_n and_o of_o the_o duty_n both_o of_o the_o ruler_n and_o of_o the_o rule_v mutual_o act._n 20.28_o 1_o pet._n 5.2_o heb._n 13.17_o 3._o if_o a_o catholic_n integral_n church_n arise_v from_o all_o particular_a church_n as_o member_n of_o it_o join_v together_o than_o it_o must_v be_v distinct_a from_o they_o all_o as_o the_o whole_a body_n be_v a_o thing_n distinct_a from_o its_o several_a member_n than_o also_o there_o must_v be_v some_o officer_n and_o ordinance_n and_o act_n belong_v to_o it_o which_o do_v not_o appertain_v to_o particular_a church_n as_o there_o be_v a_o general_n over_o a_o army_n beside_o the_o captain_n and_o officer_n of_o the_o several_a regiment_n and_o a_o supreme_a monarch_n in_o a_o kingdom_n beside_o the_o governor_n in_o the_o several_a corporation_n and_o county_n but_o no_o such_o catholick-church_n distinct_a from_o all_o particular_a church_n can_v be_v show_v nor_o officer_n or_o act_n of_o it_o beside_o those_o which_o be_v exercise_v in_o particular_a church_n 4._o diocesan_a bishop_n look_v at_o these_o word_n as_o give_v the_o key_n to_o they_o as_o the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n whence_o they_o assume_v the_o power_n of_o ordinathon_n and_o jurisdiction_n as_o belong_v to_o they_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la a_o claim_n which_o king_n james_n whether_o out_o of_o his_o policy_n which_o he_o call_v his_o kingcraft_n or_o out_o of_o his_o insight_n into_o the_o scripture_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o pretend_v in_o his_o time_n nor_o indeed_o be_v there_o any_o warrant_n for_o it_o in_o scripture_n as_o it_o have_v be_v abundant_o prove_v by_o sundry_a witness_n against_o that_o usurpation_n we_o read_v of_o bishop_n in_o the_o new-testament_n but_o what_o not_o one_o bishop_n over_o many_o church_n but_o many_o bishop_n over_o one_o church_n not_o diocesan_n but_o congregational_a bishop_n phil._n 1.1_o those_o who_o luke_n call_v elder_n in_o act._n 20.17_o paul_n call_v bishop_n in_o v._o 28._o the_o bishop_n which_o the_o apostle_n acknowledge_v to_o be_v christ_n ordinance_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v congregational_a elder_n 1_o tim._n 3_o 1-8_a tit._n 1.5_o 7._o 1_o pet._n 5.1_o 2._o and_o all_o the_o teaching-elders_a be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d fellow-elders_a coequal_a in_o authority_n above_o who_o paul_n acknowledge_v no_o ruler_n in_o the_o church_n but_o rather_o set_v these_o above_o all_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o 3._o euseb_n eccles_n hist_o l._n 6._o c._n 43._o cypr._n ep._n l._n 3._o ep._n 10_o &_o l._n 1._o ep_v 3._o and_o when_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n one_o of_o the_o pastor_n be_v call_v bishop_n by_o way_n of_o eminency_n for_o order_n sake_n yet_o for_o many_o year_n he_o do_v no_o act_n of_o power_n but_z 1._o with_o consent_n of_o the_o presbytery_n 2._o with_o consent_n galat._n dr._n cudw_n on_o the_o postscript_n to_o galat._n and_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n what_o be_v plead_v from_o titus_n his_o ordain_v tit._n 1.5_o help_v not_o their_o cause_n for_o he_o do_v it_o as_o a_o evangelist_n not_o as_o a_o diocesan_n prelate_n and_o the_o office_n of_o evangelist_n together_o with_o the_o apostle_n cease_v the_o postscript_n of_o the_o second_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n where_o he_o be_v call_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o of_o that_o to_o titus_n where_o he_o be_v call_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o cretan_n be_v apocryphal_a as_o the_o rest_n be_v and_o the_o first_o consist_v not_o with_o 2_o tim._n 4.5_o where_o timothy_n be_v call_v a_o evangelist_n and_o therefore_o not_o tie_v to_o personal_a residence_n to_o abide_v in_o one_o place_n as_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n be_v but_o the_o evangelist_n be_v to_o go_v from_o place_n to_o place_n to_o set_v thing_n in_o order_n and_o confirm_v the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o titus_n nor_o be_v the_o postscript_n of_o that_o epistle_n of_o more_o credit_n than_o the_o former_a where_o the_o scribe_n say_v it_o be_v write_v from_o nicopolis_n hiperius_fw-la just_o dislike_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o opinion_n in_o the_o scribe_n which_o he_o say_v be_v from_o tit._n 3.12_o because_o paul_n bid_v titus_n come_v to_o he_o to_o nicopolis_n for_o he_o determine_v to_o winter_n there_o whereas_o if_o he_o be_v there_o at_o that_o time_n he_o will_v have_v say_v i_o purpose_v to_o winter_n here_o not_o there_o as_o beza_n note_v 5._o other_o conclude_v from_o this_o text_n that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n i_o e._n the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v give_v in_o peter_n to_o church-officer_n only_o especial_o to_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n and_o that_o such_o only_a or_o principal_o be_v mean_v in_o this_o grant_n they_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v by_o five_o reason_n especial_o we_o will_v examine_v they_o several_o and_o brief_o 1._o reas_n because_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o steward_n by_o office_n 1_o cor._n 4.1_o 2_o cor._n 4.5_o 1_o tim._n 3.15_o isa_n 22.12_o answ_n 1._o the_o three_o former_a text_n speak_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n office_n and_o in_o they_o of_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n not_o of_o ruling-elders_a but_o i_o suppose_v they_o will_v not_o deny_v the_o ruling-elders_a to_o have_v a_o key_n of_o office_n also_o the_o last_o text_n prove_v only_o that_o the_o key_n sometime_o signify_v office-power_n give_v to_o a_o steward_n which_o none_o deny_v but_o this_o touch_v not_o this_o text_n mat._n 16._o which_o mean_v not_o only_a
forth_o such_o a_o profession_n of_o faith_n as_o the_o church_n may_v in_o charitable_a discretion_n conceive_v to_o be_v true_a be_v to_o be_v receive_v though_o some_o of_o they_o have_v be_v former_o scandalous_a yet_o now_o hold_v forth_o repentance_n they_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v 1_o cor._n 6.11_o and_o though_o some_o be_v at_o present_a weak_a in_o faith_n yet_o if_o we_o may_v conceive_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v receive_v they_o the_o church_n must_v receive_v they_o rom._n 14.1_o 3._o for_o christ_n approve_v this_o confession_n of_o peter_n though_o he_o be_v at_o present_a but_o weak_a in_o faith_n as_o the_o follow_a story_n in_o this_o chapter_n v._o 22_o 23._o clear_o show_v 6._o that_o none_o but_o such_o be_v admit_v into_o church-fellowship_n for_o this_o chapter_n limit_n the_o church_n to_o accept_v only_o such_o upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n i_o e._n christ_n believe_v on_o and_o public_o confess_v a_o mere_a verbal_a confession_n be_v not_o that_o rock_n for_o the_o devil_n make_v such_o a_o confession_n of_o christ_n yet_o be_v not_o build_v on_o he_o luke_n 4.34_o but_o this_o confession_n of_o peter_n be_v such_o as_o hold_v forth_o his_o faith_n in_o he_o as_o appear_v by_o christ_n threefold_a elegy_n or_o praise_v of_o it_o 1._o from_o its_o effect_n bless_a be_v thou_o &c_n &c_n as_o joh._n 17.3_o 2._o from_o the_o procreant_a cause_n of_o it_o not_o flesh_n and_o blood_n but_o my_o father_n have_v reveal_v it_o as_o mat._n 11.25_o 26._o 3._o from_o the_o title_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o peter_n before_o promise_v john_n 1.42_o and_o now_o confirm_v to_o he_o signify_v a_o stone_n whereby_o christ_n not_o only_o acknowledge_v his_o faith_n and_o that_o he_o be_v thereby_o a_o live_a stone_n and_o fit_a to_o have_v a_o principal_a place_n in_o this_o spiritual_a building_n in_o which_o sense_n peter_n appli_v a_o like_a title_n to_o other_o believer_n 1_o pet._n 2.4_o 5._o who_o yet_o be_v inferior_a in_o degree_n to_o himself_o but_o also_o give_v he_o this_o prerogative_n and_o honour_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o first_o planter_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n both_o among_o the_o jew_n act._n 2._o and_o the_o gentile_n act._n 15.7_o the_o conclusion_n may_v be_v confirm_v by_o two_o argument_n in_o the_o text._n 1._o from_o the_o name_n whereby_o he_o call_v this_o holy_a society_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o church_n i._n e._n a_o company_n call_v out_o whence_o see_v joh._n 15.19_o to_o what_o see_v 1_o cor._n 1.2_o how_o not_o only_o by_o active_a vocation_n by_o man_n ministry_n exhort_v they_o to_o repent_v and_o believe_v so_o sundry_a be_v call_v who_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o wrought_v upon_o to_o answer_v that_o call_n but_o put_v it_o off_o as_o they_o who_o be_v invite_v to_o the_o great_a supper_n luk._n 14.18_o with_o excuse_n such_o be_v call_v but_o no_o church_n therefore_o more_o be_v require_v to_o qualify_v for_o membership_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n viz._n passive_a vocation_n whereby_o they_o be_v wrought_v upon_o to_o answer_v god_n call_v by_o submission_n thereunto_o at_o least_o in_o outward_a profession_n though_o some_o do_v it_o but_o feined_o ps_n 18.44_o saint_n by_o internal_a and_o invisible_a call_n be_v such_o as_o answer_v god_n call_v inward_o and_o spiritual_o saint_n by_o external_a and_o visible_a call_n be_v subdue_v to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o the_o word_n in_o visible_a profession_n thus_o all_o that_o be_v call_v into_o the_o vineyard_n have_v so_o much_o efficacy_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o they_o that_o they_o all_o come_v into_o the_o vineyard_n and_o labour_v in_o it_o though_o not_o with_o like_a sincerity_n mat._n 20._o according_a to_o this_o clause_n of_o the_o chapter_n the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v constitute_v for_o the_o material_n of_o they_o else_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o have_v give_v both_o the_o 1.2_o the_o 1_o cor._n 1.2_o eph._n 1.2_o member_n and_o 3.15_o and_o 1_o thes_n 1.1_o 1_o cor._n 12.27_o 2_o cor._n 11.2_o &_o 6.16_o 1_o tim._n 3.15_o church_n such_o high_a title_n as_o they_o do_v nor_o do_v they_o by_o these_o title_n describe_v the_o invisible_a church_n only_o but_o visible_a church_n for_o to_o such_o paul_n write_v his_o epistle_n and_o the_o like_a expression_n be_v apply_v in_o other_o text_n manifest_o to_o visible_a church_n nor_o do_v these_o title_n describe_v particular_a church_n only_o according_a to_o the_o better_a sort_n of_o member_n but_o such_o they_o do_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o christian_n charity_n conceive_v all_o their_o member_n to_o be_v as_o paul_n tell_v the_o philippian_n phil._n 1.6_o 7._o which_o he_o can_v not_o have_v say_v if_o he_o have_v not_o know_v the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n in_o admit_v person_n into_o membership_n with_o they_o to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o conclusion_n note_v by_o we_o reas_n 2_o from_o christ_n appropriate_v such_o a_o particular_a church_n to_o himself_o own_v it_o for_o his_o my_o church_n q._n d._n i_o own_o any_o church_n thus_o build_v by_o myself_o to_o be_v my_o church_n according_a to_o that_o in_o act._n 2.47_o the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v the_o lord_n add_v they_o how_o not_o only_o by_o give_v they_o save_v faith_n and_o so_o add_v they_o to_o the_o invisible_a church_n but_o also_o by_o his_o incline_v their_o heart_n to_o offer_v themselves_o unto_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o to_o profess_v their_o faith_n before_o they_o and_o by_o bow_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d brethren_n to_o receive_v they_o into_o visible_a ●munion_n of_o visible_a ordinance_n as_o appear_v v._o 41_o 42._o thus_o he_o add_v they_o daily_o to_o the_o church_n which_o clear_v it_o to_o be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o lord_n ordinary_a dispensation_n and_o therefore_o presidential_a to_o the_o church_n in_o their_o ordinary_a practice_n they_o who_o be_v thus_o add_v be_v say_v to_o be_v such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v that_o be_v they_o be_v such_o either_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o be_v infallible_a or_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v fallible_a the_o church_n look_v at_o they_o according_a to_o their_o fruit_n viz._n their_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o their_o christian_a conversation_n observe_v so_o much_o in_o both_o that_o they_o see_v reason_n in_o charity_n guide_v by_o rule_n to_o conceive_v they_o to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n such_o be_v the_o three_o thousand_o speak_v of_o in_o v._o 41._o as_o appear_v by_o their_o affectionate_a and_o submissive_a inquire_v of_o the_o apostle_n who_o they_o mock_v before_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v to_o be_v save_v be_v prick_v in_o their_o heart_n v._o 37._o and_o afterward_o by_o their_o glad_o receive_v the_o word_n both_o of_o promise_n for_o themselves_o and_o their_o child_n with_o faith_n and_o of_o precept_n to_o repent_v and_o be_v baptize_v and_o to_o save_v themselves_o from_o that_o froward_a generation_n with_o obedience_n true_a it_o be_v that_o they_o can_v not_o in_o one_o day_n make_v so_o large_a account_n of_o god_n work_n upon_o they_o as_o be_v common_o hold_v forth_o in_o our_o church_n nor_o do_v we_o effect_v too_o large_a narration_n but_o wish_v such_o passage_n as_o be_v superfluous_a leave_v out_o and_o at_o that_o time_n less_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v express_v than_o necessity_n call_v for_o among_o we_o ordinary_o for_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o more_o quick_a spiritual_a discern_a than_o ordinary_a officer_n and_o church_n have_v and_o concern_v the_o three_o thousand_o act._n 2._o the_o manner_n of_o their_o offering_n themselves_o to_o church-fellowship_n visible_o at_o such_o a_o time_n when_o such_o visible_a confession_n of_o christ_n be_v with_o manifest_a hazard_n to_o their_o life_n give_v good_a ground_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o brethren_n of_o conceive_v charitable_o that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n and_o such_o as_o the_o lord_n himself_o add_v to_o the_o church_n in_o these_o place_n and_o time_n where_o church-fellowship_n be_v a_o honour_n and_o draw_v after_o it_o sundry_a outward_a and_o worldly_a advantage_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a that_o the_o church_n be_v satisfy_v as_o by_o sufficient_a testimony_n concern_v their_o good_a conversation_n so_o by_o their_o hold_v forth_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n both_o quae_fw-la creditur_fw-la and_o quâ_fw-la creditur_fw-la of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o gift_n of_o faith_n how_o it_o be_v wrought_v and_o how_o it_o work_v in_o they_o as_o mr._n rogers_n in_o his_o treatise_n of_o faith_n say_v it_o may_v be_v know_v of_o
man_n by_o those_o trial_n and_o this_o care_n suit_v the_o nature_n of_o church-power_n which_o be_v delegate_v and_o steward_o for_o as_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o a_o steward_n bind_v he_o to_o receive_v none_o into_o his_o lord_n family_n but_o according_a to_o his_o lord_n mind_n and_o appointment_n so_o the_o faithfulness_n of_o the_o church_n unto_o christ_n oblige_v they_o to_o receive_v such_o into_o this_o holy_a fellowship_n as_o they_o may_v in_o charitable_a discretion_n conceive_v the_o lord_n receive_v and_o add_v thereunto_o against_o what_o have_v be_v say_v two_o objection_n be_v make_v object_n 1_o obj._n christ_n receive_v judas_n who_o he_o know_v to_o be_v a_o hypocrite_n into_o fellowship_n of_o the_o twelve_o answ_n 1_o answ_n 1._o not_o into_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n for_o no_o such_o be_v then_o gather_v 2._o christ_n have_v a_o peculiar_a reason_n for_o it_o which_o do_v not_o concern_v church_n joh._n 13.18_o object_n 2_o obj._n 2._o christ_n himself_o compare_v visible_a church_n to_o a_o field_n wherein_o be_v tare_n to_o a_o draw-net_a which_o gather_v good_a and_o bad_a fish_n to_o ten_o virgin_n of_o which_o five_o be_v foolish_a and_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n have_v in_o they_o sundry_a hypocrite_n and_o scandalous_a person_n answ_n answ_n such_o place_n show_v 1._o that_o in_o visible_a church_n sometime_o hypocrite_n be_v mix_v either_o by_o the_o sleepiness_n and_o fault_n of_o those_o that_o shall_v ●●●vent_v it_o thence_o the_o tare_n or_o by_o the_o wyliness_n of_o hypocrite_n who_o creep_v in_o unaware_o judas_n 4._o as_o the_o bad_a fish_n come_v into_o the_o net_n under_o water_n or_o they_o pretend_v save_v gift_n as_o the_o five_o foolish_a virgin_n so_o false_a brethren_n gal._n 2.4_o 2._o the_o pure_a church_n may_v be_v blemish_v with_o scandal_n till_o they_o can_v orderly_o proceed_v against_o they_o but_o then_o they_o must_v be_v cast_v out_o therefore_o they_o know_v not_o that_o they_o be_v such_o before_o from_o this_o second_o conclusion_n thus_o explain_v and_o confirm_v we_o may_v infer_v as_o follow_v consect_n 1_o if_o this_o be_v so_o then_o more_o be_v require_v as_o the_o essential_a property_n of_o church-member_n as_o visible_a than_o that_o they_o profess_v before_o man_n the_o faith_n crave_v fellowship_n with_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o desire_v the_o visible_a seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n for_o man_n may_v have_v all_o these_o three_o property_n who_o be_v notorious_o scandalous_a in_o their_o life_n drunkard_n adulterer_n profane_a swearer_n and_o curser_n in_o a_o word_n such_o as_o be_v describe_v 2_o tim._n 3.2_o 3_o 4._o who_o have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n deny_v the_o power_n of_o it_o concern_v who_o the_o apostle_n charge_n be_v from_o such_o turn_n away_o v._o 5._o if_o in_o ordinary_a converse_n the_o people_n of_o god_n must_v not_o exercise_v needless_a familiarity_n with_o such_o much_o less_o may_v they_o receive_v they_o into_o spiritual_a fellowship_n and_o fraternity_n if_o such_o be_v member_n must_v be_v cast_v out_o certain_o be_v out_o of_o church-fellowship_n they_o may_v not_o be_v receive_v in_o while_o they_o continue_v such_o consect_n 2_o if_o christ_n will_v build_v his_o church_n upon_o this_o rock_n than_o it_o be_v the_o bind_a duty_n of_o church_n to_o see_v so_o far_o as_o they_o can_v according_a to_o rule_v that_o all_o who_o they_o receive_v into_o church-fellowship_n be_v visible_a believer_n such_o as_o have_v be_v describe_v in_o the_o conclusion_n above_o propound_v explain_v and_o prove_v lest_o otherwise_o they_o build_v without_o a_o foundation_n particular_o 1._o they_o be_v to_o see_v so_o far_o as_o in_o charity_n they_o may_v discern_v that_o they_o be_v beleiver_n in_o christ_n else_o they_o can_v answer_v the_o title_n give_v they_o in_o scripture_n 1_o pet._n 2.4_o 5._o nor_o the_o praise_n give_v unto_o peter_n so_o confess_v christ_n that_o christ_n say_v upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n 2._o they_o be_v to_o see_v that_o they_o profess_v their_o faith_n and_o holiness_n in_o a_o good_a conversation_n phil._n 1.27_o jam._n 3.12_o 13._o for_o they_o that_o profess_v they_o know_v god_n but_o in_o their_o work_n deny_v he_o be_v abominable_a tit._n 1.16_o 3._o and_o in_o a_o public_a confession_n of_o their_o faith_n before_o the_o church_n as_o peter_n do_v here_o before_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n etc._n etc._n only_o because_o the_o church_n can_v see_v the_o heart_n immediate_o as_o christ_n do_v peter_n the_o confession_n of_o faith_n make_v to_o man_n must_v hold_v forth_o the_o gift_n of_o faith_n as_o well_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n so_o calvin_n understand_v those_o word_n sanctify_v the_o lord_n god_n in_o your_o heart_n and_o be_v ready_a always_o to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o man_n that_o ask_v you_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o you_o 1_o pet._n 3.15_o calvin_n note_n upon_o it_o be_v this_o 3.15_o this_o ejus_fw-la quae_fw-la in_o vobis_fw-la est_fw-la spei_fw-la spes_fw-la hîc_fw-la per_fw-la synechdochen_n pro_fw-la fide_fw-la capitur_fw-la expendi_fw-la debet_fw-la seduló_n quod_fw-la dicit_fw-la significat_fw-la n._n eam_fw-la dem●_n confession●_n probari_fw-la deo_fw-la quae_fw-la ex_fw-la cord_n emanat_fw-la quia_fw-la nisi_fw-la intus_fw-la resideat_fw-la fides_fw-la fr●●●●à_fw-la gar●●●●●gua_fw-la ergo_fw-la radices_fw-la in_o nobis_fw-la agate_n ut_fw-la deinde_fw-la proferat_fw-la conf●ssionis_fw-la fructum_fw-la calv._n in_o 1_o pet._n 3.15_o hope_v here_o be_v by_o a_o synecdoche_n put_v for_o faith_n what_o he_o say_v aught_o to_o be_v diligent_o weigh_v for_o it_o signify_v that_o god_n approve_v only_o that_o confession_n which_o proceed_v out_o of_o the_o heart_n because_o unless_o faith_n reside_v within_o the_o tongue_n will_v babble_v in_o vain_a therefore_o faith_n must_v be_v root_v in_o we_o that_o afterward_o it_o may_v bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n of_o confession_n and_o when_o all_o this_o be_v do_v the_o brethren_n be_v to_o consent_v in_o receive_v they_o and_o herein_o to_o show_v forth_o the_o gentleness_n of_o christ_n who_o will_v not_o break_v a_o bruise_a reed_n nor_o quench_v smoke_v flax_n in_o give_v due_a encouragement_n to_o the_o weak_a in_o faith_n if_o they_o see_v cause_n to_o conceive_v by_o right_o order_v charity_n that_o the_o root_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v in_o they_o but_o if_o they_o see_v just_a cause_n to_o doubt_v of_o that_o they_o have_v warrant_v to_o suspend_v their_o acceptance_n till_o better_a satisfaction_n be_v give_v from_o the_o primitive_a pattern_n in_o act._n 9.26_o however_o the_o officer_n must_v propound_v it_o to_o the_o brethren_n to_o declare_v whether_o they_o be_v so_o far_o satisfy_v with_o what_o they_o have_v hear_v that_o they_o do_v consent_n that_o such_o shall_v be_v receive_v into_o their_o fellowship_n as_o peter_n put_v a_o like_a question_n to_o the_o brethren_n that_o go_v with_o he_o from_o joppa_n concern_v the_o baptise_v of_o cornelius_n and_o those_o with_o he_o upon_o who_o the_o holy_a ghost_n fall_v visible_o act._n 10.44_o 45_o 46._o etc._n etc._n consect_n 3_o 3._o cons_n if_o upon_o this_o rock_n christ_n believe_v on_o and_o public_o confess_v by_o grow_v person_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v build_v then_o the_o child_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v baptise_a in_o their_o infancy_n when_o they_o come_v to_o be_v of_o ripe_a age_n must_v hold_v forth_o public_o their_o personal_a confession_n of_o faith_n that_o they_o may_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o fellowship_n in_o vote_v and_o in_o election_n and_o censure_n in_o their_o own_o personal_a right_n but_o if_o they_o be_v find_v gross_o ignorant_a or_o profane_a or_o profess_v a_o false_a faith_n or_o deny_v the_o true_a faith_n or_o contemner_n of_o church-fellowship_n and_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n or_o do_v not_o according_a to_o this_o clause_n of_o the_o charter_n public_o profess_v their_o faith_n and_o crave_v church-fellowship_n they_o may_v not_o be_v own_v for_o member_n by_o their_o admission_n unto_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o unto_o other_o privilege_n of_o church-communion_n in_o their_o own_o right_n but_o be_v to_o be_v declare_v non-member_n in_o jacob_n posterity_n when_o the_o lord_n bring_v they_o to_o canaan_n that_o stand_a ordinance_n of_o present_v unto_o the_o lord_n before_o the_o priest_n their_o first_o fruit_n every_o year_n with_o such_o a_o solemn_a confession_n make_v by_o all_o grow_a israelite_n as_o be_v appoint_v in_o deut._n 26.2_o to_o 16._o be_v a_o visible_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o obedience_n suit_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o that_o church_n and_o time_n in_o performance_n whereof_o they_o avouch_v the_o lord_n to_o be_v their_o god_n and_o to_o walk_v in_o his_o way_n and_o keep_v his_o statute_n and_o his_o commandment_n and_o his_o
together_o with_o the_o bless_a right_n unto_o all_o the_o outward_a good_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n 1_o tim._n 4.8_o and_o a_o remote_a or_o mediate_a right_n unto_o church-priviledge_n these_o all_o believer_n have_v from_o christ_n by_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o they_o be_v believer_n in_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n 2._o external_n viz._n church-fellowship_n and_o power_n of_o the_o key_n etc._n etc._n these_o visible_a believer_n have_v from_o christ_n through_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o they_o be_v confederate_n and_o join_v with_o the_o church_n by_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n this_o difference_n be_v between_o they_o the_o former_a be_v limit_v to_o the_o person_n of_o true_a believer_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n hab._n 2.4_o the_o latter_a be_v give_v to_o a_o society_n of_o true_a believer_n in_o the_o account_n of_o the_o church_n and_o be_v extend_v to_o their_o seed_n also_o exod._n 20.6_o 2._o though_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n receive_v by_o we_o bind_v we_o to_o all_o christian_a duty_n require_v in_o the_o gospel_n yet_o it_o bind_v we_o also_o to_o do_v they_o in_o the_o due_a order_n for_o god_n be_v the_o god_n of_o ●rder_n and_o not_o of_o confusion_n therefore_o such_o duty_n as_o issue_v from_o voluntary_a relation_n must_v be_v do_v only_o by_o those_o who_o stand_v in_o such_o relation_n will_v any_o man_n or_o woman_n infer_v from_o he_o or_o her_o be_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n that_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o need_n or_o use_v of_o a_o conjugal_a covenant_n but_o that_o he_o have_v right_a to_o all_o woman_n and_o she_o to_o all_o man_n to_o perform_v conjugal_a duty_n with_o they_o where_o ever_o they_o come_v though_o they_o be_v not_o join_v to_o any_o of_o they_o by_o a_o conjugal_a covenant_n the_o like_a reason_n be_v of_o all_o other_o duty_n which_o be_v found_v in_o other_o voluntary_a relation_n as_o between_o master_n and_o servant_n pastor_n and_o people_n corporation_n and_o the_o member_n of_o they_o particular_a church_n and_o their_o member_n therefore_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n bind_v all_o believer_n to_o such_o mutual_a covenant_v together_o as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o orderly_a discharge_n of_o the_o several_a duty_n that_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v by_o virtue_n of_o such_o a_o state_n and_o relation_n thus_o the_o conclusion_n be_v prove_v coral_n ∣_o lary_n 1_o hence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v one_o a_o visible_a member_n of_o this_o or_o that_o church_n that_o he_o be_v join_v to_o it_o in_o hearty_a affection_n or_o in_o neighbourhood_n of_o habitation_n or_o in_o ordinary_a hear_v the_o word_n preach_v among_o they_o for_o 1._o the_o member_n of_o several_a church_n may_v be_v so_o join_v yea_o 2._o they_o that_o be_v member_n of_o no_o particular_a church_n may_v so_o join_v with_o church_n assembly_n all_o these_o may_v be_v affirm_v of_o those_o who_o dare_v not_o join_v as_o member_n to_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n act._n 5.13_o and_o of_o that_o heathen_a corinthian_a 1_o cor._n 14.24_o 25._o 3._o all_o these_o may_v be_v find_v in_o a_o excommunicate_a coral_n ∣_o lary_n 2_o then_o baptism_n and_o profession_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n with_o freedom_n from_o public_a scandal_n do_v not_o formal_o constitute_v a_o church_n nor_o make_v one_o a_o visible_a member_n of_o the_o church_n 1._o not_o baptism_n 1._o because_o the_o form_n must_v be_v before_o the_o formatum_fw-la not_o after_o it_o but_o the_o congregational-church_n be_v before_o baptism_n for_o 1._o baptism_n can_v ordinary_o be_v orderly_o administer_v but_o by_o a_o minister_n call_v unto_o office_n by_o the_o church_n 2._o because_o baptism_n seal_v the_o covenant_n and_o incorporation_n of_o a_o believer_n and_o his_o seed_n into_o the_o visible_a church_n 1_o cor._n 12_o 13._o therefore_o baptism_n be_v not_o before_o but_o after_o the_o church_n because_o where_o the_o form_n be_v there_o the_o formatum_fw-la must_v be_v also_o but_o visible_a church-membership_a may_v cease_v by_o excommunication_n or_o desertion_n or_o by_o the_o dissolution_n of_o a_o church_n yet_o baptism_n remain_v 2._o not_o profession_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n though_o accompany_v with_o freedom_n from_o scandalous_a sin_n for_o general_a profession_n can_v appropriate_v a_o man_n particular_o to_o any_o one_o church_n without_o particular_a engagement_n to_o that_o particular_a body_n 2._o nor_o do_v it_o bring_v any_o one_o under_o the_o power_n of_o this_o or_o that_o church_n which_o it_o have_v over_o its_o own_o member_n and_o other_o church_n have_v not_o 3._o if_o that_o be_v sufficient_a a_o man_n shall_v become_v a_o member_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n whether_o it_o will_v or_o no._n coral_n ∣_o lary_n 3_o then_o a_o member_n of_o one_o particular_a congregation_n be_v not_o thereby_o a_o member_n of_o all_o visible_a congregation_n on_o earth_n for_o though_o a_o church-covenant_n be_v common_a to_o all_o church_n in_o its_o general_a nature_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o special_a combination_n which_o give_v a_o peculiar_a be_v to_o one_o congregational-church_n and_o its_o member_n distinct_a from_o all_o other_o else_o how_o can_v one_o church_n have_v that_o power_n over_o its_o own_o member_n which_o another_o have_v not_o and_o in_o all_o voluntary_a covenant_n the_o only_a difference_n between_o they_o be_v the_o peculiar_a interest_n which_o one_o have_v in_o another_o by_o a_o particular_a engagement_n that_o pass_v between_o party_n and_o party_n covenant_n of_o corporation_n of_o marriage_n of_o service_n and_o the_o like_a be_v in_o general_a common_a to_o all_o that_o be_v in_o those_o and_o the_o like_a relation_n yet_o in_o particular_a appropriation_n bound_v they_o only_o to_o this_o or_o that_o individual_a no_o man_n can_v claim_v a_o memberlike_a right_n in_o all_o corporation_n because_o he_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o one_o upon_o this_o plea_n that_o corporation-covenant_n be_v common_a to_o all_o society_n nor_o can_v a_o husband_n plead_v that_o he_o have_v a_o conjugal_a right_n in_o all_o wife_n because_o conjugal-covenant_n be_v common_a to_o all_o marry_a person_n the_o same_o hold_v in_o church_n which_o be_v distinguish_v one_o from_o another_o by_o their_o respective_a covenant_n other_o absurdity_n that_o proceed_v from_o this_o tenet_n i_o shall_v pretermit_v coral_n ∣_o lary_n 4_o then_o the_o child_n of_o the_o church_n notwithstanding_o their_o membership_n which_o they_o have_v during_o their_o menority_n by_o their_o parent_n covenant_n yet_o they_o must_v when_o they_o be_v grow_v up_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o church_n by_o their_o voluntary_a take_n hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n public_o with_o the_o church_n in_o their_o own_o personal_a right_n before_o they_o may_v be_v admit_v to_o exercise_v all_o act_n of_o church-communion_n and_o to_o partake_v of_o all_o church-priviledge_n for_o themselves_o and_o before_o their_o child_n may_v be_v baptise_a 1._o i_o say_v before_o they_o may_v be_v admit_v to_o exercise_v all_o act_n of_o church-communion_n and_o to_o partake_v of_o all_o church-priviledge_n for_o themselves_o for_o in_o their_o minority_n they_o be_v member_n in_o their_o parent_n and_o be_v baptise_a to_o seal_v the_o covenant_n make_v with_o they_o in_o their_o parent_n or_o with_o the_o parent_n for_o themselves_o and_o their_o child_n but_o when_o they_o come_v to_o year_n they_o must_v take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n with_o the_o church_n for_o themselves_o because_o now_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o church-priviledge_n in_o that_o way_n which_o they_o be_v not_o before_o if_o any_o oppose_v against_o this_o that_o church-membership_a non_fw-la recipit_fw-la magis_fw-la et_fw-la minus_fw-la that_o argue_v only_o that_o one_o of_o the_o confederate_n be_v no_o more_o engage_v to_o the_o other_o than_o the_o other_o to_o he_o but_o otherwise_o in_o confederacy_n some_o be_v allow_v great_a liberty_n than_o other_o be_v according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o subject_n and_o their_o capacity_n so_o it_o be_v in_o civil_a society_n and_o corporation_n the_o child_n of_o the_o freeman_n of_o london_n have_v all_o the_o benefit_n of_o a_o freeman_n child_n under_o age_n he_o may_v trade_v for_o himself_o with_o and_o under_o his_o father_n in_o his_o father_n right_a but_o be_v of_o year_n he_o may_v not_o set_v up_o shop_n nor_o trade_n in_o his_o own_o right_n till_o he_o first_o take_v up_o his_o freedom_n and_o by_o oath_n voluntary_o submit_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o order_n of_o that_o society_n and_o duty_n of_o a_o citizen_n some_o think_v that_o the_o child_n of_o confederate_n be_v so_o complete_a member_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v excommunicate_v in_o case_n of_o demerit_n i_o can_v easy_o assent_v thereunto_o for_o that_o will_v imply_v that_o they_o
may_v by_o the_o eye_n which_o be_v give_v to_o it_o for_o that_o end_n 2._o the_o confirmation_n or_o proof_n that_o such_o a_o church_n be_v the_o first_o and_o proper_a subject_n of_o this_o power_n shall_v be_v double_a 1._o by_o scripture_n 2._o by_o reason_n 1._o by_o scripture_n it_o may_v be_v prove_v from_o sundry_a text_n 1._o this_o in_o hand_n clear_o confirm_v it_o if_o that_o good_a ancient_a rule_n of_o expound_v scripture_n be_v receive_v dictorum_fw-la intelligentia_fw-la ex_fw-la causis_fw-la dictorum_fw-la sumenda_fw-la est_fw-la for_o christ_n question_n to_o the_o disciple_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o peter_n confession_n here_o be_v only_o concern_v the_o faith_n common_a to_o the_o church_n who_o say_v you_o that_o i_o be_o hereupon_o peter_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o disciple_n make_v this_o confession_n of_o faith_n 13._o quia_fw-la christus_fw-la petra_n petrus_n populus_fw-la christianus_n august_n in_o matth._n de_fw-fr verbis_fw-la domini_fw-la ser._n 13._o christ_n testify_v his_o approbation_n of_o it_o by_o call_v he_o peter_n not_o so_o much_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o office_n as_o of_o his_o faith_n thus_o public_o profess_v whence_o also_o visible_a believer_n be_v call_v lively_a stone_n 1_o pet._n 2.4_o 5._o and_o christ_n add_v to_o this_o praise_n of_o peter_n a_o twofold_a promise_n 1._o of_o edify_v and_o stablish_v the_o church_n upon_o this_o rock_n 2._o of_o afford_v it_o sufficient_a mean_n for_o the_o attainment_n of_o those_o end_n viz._n the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n where_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n or_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n on_o earth_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o city_n or_o house_n the_o door_n or_o gate_n whereof_o be_v christ_n the_o key_n be_v all_o institute_v mean_n whereby_o a_o entrance_n into_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n visible_o be_v open_v and_o shut_v the_o subordinate_a power_n whereof_o be_v here_o give_v to_o the_o church_n immediate_o the_o second_o text_n be_v in_o mat._n 18.17_o 18._o tell_v the_o church_n &_o if_o he_o hear_v not_o the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n for_o what_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n this_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o elder_n assemble_v together_o and_o act_v apart_o from_o the_o brethren_n for_o no_o such_o assembly_n be_v call_v the_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n much_o less_o be_v this_o power_n give_v to_o they_o for_o in_o case_n of_o scandal_n give_v by_o they_o they_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n as_o well_o as_o other_o member_n to_o be_v censure_v by_o they_o though_o when_o they_o keep_v the_o rule_n they_o be_v as_o elder_n ruler_n in_o the_o church_n it_o must_v therefore_o be_v mean_v of_o a_o congregational-church_n the_o three_o text_n be_v in_o 1_o cor._n 5._o where_o paul_n exhort_v the_o church_n at_o corinth_n to_o exercise_v this_o their_o power_n which_o he_o call_v the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n v._o 4._o whereby_o they_o be_v to_o deliver_v unto_o satan_n that_o incestuous_a person_n v._n 5._o and_o be_v to_o purge_v out_o the_o old_a leaven_n v._n 7._o and_o be_v to_o judge_v those_o that_o be_v within_o v._n 12._o and_o to_o put_v away_o that_o wicked_a person_n from_o among_o they_o v._n 13._o and_o this_o paul_n call_v a_o punishment_n inflict_v by_o many_o 2_o cor._n 2.6_o thus_o he_o establish_v their_o power_n to_o bind_v and_o teach_v they_o how_o to_o use_v it_o and_o in_o like_a manner_n he_o exhort_v they_o upon_o the_o man_n repentance_n to_o turn_v the_o key_n and_o to_o open_v the_o door_n of_o christian_a liberty_n to_o he_o and_o to_o loose_v he_o from_o the_o former_a censure_n by_o forgive_a he_o in_o a_o legal_a or_o judicial_a sense_n 2_o cor._n 2.7_o 10._o and_o that_o this_o church_n at_o corinth_n be_v a_o mere_a congregational-church_n it_o may_v be_v evince_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v no_o large_a than_o be_v wont_a to_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n 1_o cor._n 14.23_o for_o the_o ordinary_a worship_n of_o god_n 2._o by_o reason_n 1._o because_o in_o such_o a_o congregational-church_n be_v all_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o power_n 1._o efficient_a the_o institution_n and_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n who_o delegate_v this_o subordinate_a power_n to_o who_o it_o please_v he_o by_o his_o own_o appointment_n 2._o the_o material_a cause_n visible_a believer_n 3._o the_o formal_a cause_n covenant_v together_o to_o walk_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o submit_v mutual_o one_o to_o another_o in_o the_o lord_n to_o be_v reclaim_v if_o they_o err_v from_o the_o rule_n or_o to_o be_v censure_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a if_o they_o be_v find_v obstinate_a 2._o because_o there_o be_v no_o former_a subject_n of_o this_o power_n from_o whence_o a_o congregational-church_n may_v derive_v it_o but_o it_o be_v communicate_v by_o mean_n of_o the_o church_n to_o all_o that_o partake_v of_o it_o and_o it_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n when_o other_o be_v remove_v they_o choose_v their_o own_o elder_n therefore_o they_o have_v this_o power_n virtual_o in_o they_o before_o they_o have_v elder_n and_o so_o can_v not_o derive_v it_o from_o they_o 2._o all_o particular_a church_n be_v of_o equal_a power_n within_o themselves_o not_o one_o of_o they_o subordinate_a to_o another_o therefore_o they_o derive_v it_o not_o from_o other_o particular_a church_n 3._o synod_n both_o lesser_a and_o large_a be_v make_v up_o of_o the_o elder_n and_o messenger_n send_v from_o particular_a church_n and_o have_v their_o be_v from_o they_o nor_o do_v they_o send_v they_o to_o they_o to_o borrow_v any_o church-power_n but_o only_o light_v from_o they_o as_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n do_v from_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n act_v 15._o therefore_o they_o derive_v no_o church-power_n from_o they_o again_o when_o the_o elder_n of_o particular_a church_n be_v dead_a or_o censure_v or_o reject_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a for_o obstinacy_n in_o scandalous_a evil_n the_o church_n still_o retain_v its_o power_n to_o choose_v other_o as_o a_o corporation_n have_v its_o full_a power_n still_o though_o the_o magistrate_n be_v dead_a or_o cast_v out_o the_o same_o hold_v in_o church_n in_o island_n by_o their_o own_o confession_n when_o they_o can_v have_v the_o help_n of_o synod_n thus_o we_o prove_v fire_n to_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o heat_n because_o if_o it_o be_v in_o other_o thing_n as_o in_o water_n or_o wood_n it_o be_v there_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o fire_n and_o when_o they_o be_v remove_v yet_o still_o it_o remain_v in_o fire_n the_o like_a reason_n hold_v in_o this_o as_o you_o see_v to_o prove_v such_o a_o church_n as_o this_o of_o which_o we_o speak_v to_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o church-power_n or_o of_o the_o key_n 3._o because_o all_o the_o act_n do_v immediate_o by_o the_o church_n in_o open_v and_o shut_v in_o bind_v and_o lose_v flow_v from_o this_o power_n of_o the_o key_n give_v they_o by_o christ_n and_o hold_v it_o forth_o 1._o their_o admit_v member_n be_v a_o act_n of_o this_o power_n and_o hold_v it_o forth_o for_o till_o the_o brethren_n be_v satisfy_v and_o approve_v one_o fitness_n he_o can_v be_v receive_v into_o their_o fellowship_n act._n 9.26_o and_o 10.47_o 2._o their_o choose_v officer_n be_v a_o act_n of_o this_o power_n which_o the_o apostle_n will_v not_o violate_v in_o add_v deacon_n act._n 6.3_o 5._o and_o ruling-elders_a to_o the_o church_n act._n 14.23_o and_o the_o same_o hold_v much_o more_o concern_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n this_o power_n cyprian_n acknowledge_v to_o be_v in_o the_o 4._o the_o plebs_fw-la obsequens_fw-la praeceptis_fw-la dominicis_fw-la &_o deum_fw-la metuens_fw-la ipsa_fw-la maximè_fw-la habet_fw-la potestatem_fw-la vel_fw-la eligendi_fw-la dignos_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la vel_fw-la indignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la quod_fw-la &_o ipsum_fw-la videmus_fw-la de_fw-la divinâ_fw-la authoritate_fw-la descendere_fw-la cypr._n l._n 1._o ep_v 4._o people_n principal_o to_o accept_v or_o refuse_v minister_n as_o they_o judge_v they_o worthy_a or_o unworthy_a 3._o their_o ordination_n of_o officer_n by_o depute_v some_o choose_v out_o of_o their_o own_o body_n thereunto_o in_o the_o want_n of_o officer_n be_v a_o act_n of_o this_o power_n of_o the_o key_n reside_v in_o they_o for_o though_o the_o office_n of_o elder_n in_o general_a and_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o office_n as_o they_o be_v ruler_n be_v from_o christ_n immediate_o yet_o the_o invest_n of_o this_o or_o that_o elect_a person_n with_o this_o office_n &_o authority_n in_o relation_n to_o this_o or_o that_o church_n by_o application_n of_o it_o to_o he_o in_o particular_a rather_o than_o to_o another_o this_o be_v by_o the_o
6_o 7._o where_o you_o see_v the_o eunuch_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o stranger_n take_v hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v foretold_v as_o that_o which_o shall_v be_v previous_a to_o the_o lord_n be_v give_v they_o a_o place_n in_o his_o house_n and_o bring_v they_o into_o his_o holy_a mountain_n that_o be_v join_v they_o to_o his_o visible_a church_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n when_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v call_v a_o house_n of_o prayer_n to_o all_o nation_n v._o 7._o 2._o on_o the_o saint_n part_n their_o covenant_v for_o themselves_o and_o for_o their_o seed_n to_o be_v the_o lord_n people_n and_o to_o walk_v in_o his_o way_n deut._n 29.10_o 11_o 12._o and_o to_o cleave_v firm_o one_o to_o another_o viz._n to_o their_o officer_n and_o brethren_n deut._n 12.19_o neh._n 10.29_o with_o mutual_a watchfulness_n one_o over_o another_o leu._n 19.17_o deut._n 29.18_o with_o heb._n 12.15_o 16._o and_o with_o mutual_a submission_n to_o christ_n and_o to_o one_o another_o in_o he_o 2_o cor._n 9.13_o 3._o such_o covenant_v be_v christ_n ordinance_n unto_o the_o church_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n this_o be_v prove_v reas_n 1_o from_o the_o parity_n of_o reason_n between_o the_o church_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n and_o since_o in_o all_o essential_o of_o a_o church_n for_o in_o the_o essential_a state_n and_o form_n of_o a_o church_n there_o be_v par_fw-fr ratio_fw-la omnium_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v join_v together_o into_o church-fellowship_n by_o confederation_n psal_n 50.5_o gather_v my_o saint_n together_o unto_o i_o those_o that_o have_v make_v a_o covenant_n with_o i_o by_o sacrifice_n so_o do_v adam_n and_o all_o the_o holy_a patriarch_n unto_o abraham_n and_o so_o do_v the_o posterity_n of_o jacob_n at_o mount_n sinai_n exod._n 19.5_o 6._o and_o 24.8_o and_o from_o thence_o be_v call_v the_o church_n in_o the_o wilderness_n with_o which_o moses_n be_v join_v act._n 7.38_o and_o so_o the_o lord_n there_o tell_v they_o it_o shall_v be_v in_o point_n of_o the_o covenant_n though_o not_o of_o sacrifice_n with_o the_o church_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n v._o 14_o 15_o 16._o in_o abraham_n family_n god_n build_v his_o church_n by_o a_o covenant_n without_o sacrifice_n but_o first_o the_o lord_n change_v his_o name_n and_o call_v he_o abraham_n to_o show_v that_o he_o now_o treat_v with_o he_o not_o as_o a_o single_a person_n but_o as_o a_o father_n of_o many_o nation_n and_o as_o a_o multitude_n virtual_o gen._n 17.5_o then_o he_o give_v he_o his_o covenant_n to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o he_o and_o his_o seed_n gen._n 17.7_o and_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v a_o church-covenant_n he_o give_v he_o circumcision_n for_o the_o visible_a sign_n and_o seal_n of_o it_o gen._n 17_o 10-15_a thus_o far_o go_v the_o covenant_n on_o god_n part_n 2._o on_o abraham_n part_n he_o first_o accept_v both_o the_o covenant_n and_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o with_o faith_n and_o holy_a reverence_n declare_v by_o his_o rejoice_v john_n 8.56_o and_o humble_a prostration_n of_o himself_o before_o the_o lord_n v._o 17._o and_o by_o real_a performance_n of_o it_o after_z both_o in_o his_o own_o person_n be_v circumcise_v when_o he_o be_v ninty_a nine_o year_n old_a v._o 24._o and_o as_o a_o prophet_n and_o ruler_n instruct_v his_o family_n concern_v the_o covenant_n and_o circumcision_n and_o their_o duty_n to_o accept_v the_o one_o and_o submit_v to_o the_o other_o which_o they_o do_v according_o v._o 23_o 27._o and_o thereby_o profess_v their_o subjection_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o his_o ordinance_n hence_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n by_o isaac_n and_o jacob_n become_v the_o lord_n people_n exod._n 3.7_o yea_o his_o first_o bear_v exod._n 4.22_o 23._o and_o have_v circumcision_n as_o a_o seal_n of_o this_o covenant_n whereby_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o people_n deut._n 7.6_o 7_o 8._o but_o they_o like_o man_n transgress_v and_o break_v the_o covenant_n both_o in_o egpyt_n and_o in_o the_o wilderness_n yet_o the_o lord_n be_v faithful_a in_o his_o covenant_n unto_o their_o forefather_n do_v not_o cast_v they_o off_o but_o call_v they_o to_o repentance_n and_o renew_v his_o covenant_n in_o a_o more_o evangelical_n manner_n in_o the_o plain_n of_o moab_n that_o he_o may_v establish_v they_o to_o be_v his_o people_n and_o their_o little_a one_o and_o the_o stranger_n deut._n 29_o 10-14_a which_o covenant_n they_o take_v hold_v of_o for_o themselves_o and_o their_o seed_n and_o for_o they_o that_o be_v not_o there_o with_o they_o that_o day_n v._o 15._o that_o they_o will_v admit_v none_o unto_o church-fellowship_n with_o they_o but_o such_o as_o shall_v separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o pollution_n of_o the_o heathen_a and_o enter_v into_o the_o common_a engagement_n with_o they_o to_o cleave_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o one_o another_o with_o memberlike_a love_n watchfulness_n and_o submission_n mutual_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o sin_n of_o one_o achan_n become_v the_o sin_n and_o punishment_n of_o all_o israel_n josh_n 7.11_o 12._o reas_n 2_o from_o the_o apostle_n manner_n of_o plant_v christian_n church_n after_o the_o death_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o christ_n their_o custom_n it_o be_v when_o they_o have_v convert_v many_o to_o christ_n to_o join_v they_o together_o into_o one_o congregation_n by_o covenant_v with_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n for_o themselves_o and_o their_o child_n object_n against_o this_o assertion_n some_o object_n that_o in_o the_o plant_n of_o the_o church_n at_o samaria_n in_o cornelius_n his_o house_n at_o phillippi_n corinth_n ephesus_n thessalonica_n etc._n etc._n they_o find_v no_o mention_n of_o such_o a_o covenant_n as_o the_o doctrine_n intend_v only_o that_o they_o believe_v profess_a and_o be_v baptize_v but_o no_o mention_n of_o a_o express_a vocal_a covenant_n answ_n 1_o 1._o though_o it_o be_v not_o mention_v in_o those_o text_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v in_o other_o 2._o we_o need_v not_o be_v solicitous_a about_o the_o word_n if_o the_o thing_n be_v find_v there_o 3._o and_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v find_v there_o it_o may_v be_v evince_v three_o way_n 1._o from_o their_o be_v baptize_v 2._o from_o the_o phrase_n 3._o from_o the_o similitude_n which_o import_n their_o covenant_v together_o 1._o from_o their_o be_v baptize_v which_o presuppose_v that_o they_o be_v first_o make_v disciple_n because_o their_o commission_n require_v that_o mat._n 28.19_o where_o to_o make_v disciple_n be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o gather_v and_o plant_v church_n by_o visible_a bring_v man_n into_o christ_n school_n with_o engagement_n by_o those_o of_o year_n for_o themselves_o and_o their_o seed_n to_o submit_v unto_o christ_n teach_v and_o government_n therein_o this_o school_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n whence_o the_o member_n of_o christian_a church_n be_v call_v disciple_n in_o act._n 15.10_o so_o then_o they_o be_v in_o church-fellowship_n before_o they_o be_v baptize_v 2._o from_o the_o phrase_n which_o imply_v covenant_v to_o be_v that_o whereby_o they_o become_v visible_a member_n of_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v instance_n in_o two_o the_o first_o be_v use_v in_o act._n 2.41_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v add_v and_o v._o 47._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o lord_n add_v and_o chap._n 5.14_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o more_o add_v the_o word_n import_v such_o a_o add_v as_o do_v visible_o and_o firm_o knit_v they_o together_o insiti_fw-la calvin_n in_o act_n 2.41_o adjuncti_fw-la christi_fw-la discipulis_fw-la vel_fw-la in_o idem_fw-la corpus_fw-la insiti_fw-la calvin_n say_v they_o be_v join_v to_o christ_n disciple_n or_o ingraft_v into_o the_o same_o body_n that_o which_o thus_o visible_o ingraft_v they_o be_v not_o god_n work_a faith_n in_o their_o heart_n or_o their_o visible_a profession_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v say_v believer_n be_v add_v v._o 14._o which_o be_v of_o the_o same_o import_n with_o those_o that_o glad_o receive_v the_o word_n in_o act._n 2.41_o therefore_o this_o add_v be_v by_o something_o else_o and_o what_o can_v that_o be_v but_o their_o visible_a take_n hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n with_o that_o particular_a christian_a congregation_n whereunto_o they_o now_o join_v themselves_o notwithstanding_o their_o former_a state_n in_o the_o national_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o they_o be_v thus_o add_v to_o the_o church_n luke_n confirm_v two_o way_n 1._o by_o the_o effect_n of_o this_o engagement_n in_o act._n 2.42_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v strong_o and_o constant_o knit_v together_o viz._n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o former_a mutual_a engagement_n in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n hear_v believe_a profess_v obey_v it_o constant_o and_o in_o fellowship_n i._n e._n
6.13_o 2._o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o rome_n have_v be_v prevail_v against_o by_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n yet_o not_o as_o they_o be_v build_v by_o christ_n or_o plant_v by_o the_o apolste_n but_o their_o degenerate_a posterity_n and_o successor_n who_o be_v not_o build_v on_o this_o rock_n but_o on_o a_o outward_a form_n and_o neglect_v the_o mean_n appoint_v by_o christ_n for_o their_o safety_n the_o apostle_n paul_n forewarn_v the_o roman_n to_o beware_v of_o apostasy_n by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o jew_n rom._n 11.12_o they_o nevertheless_o in_o succeed_a generation_n do_v degenerate_a from_o the_o faith_n and_o profession_n of_o their_o predecessor_n and_o so_o fall_v into_o the_o gulf_n of_o antichristian_a apostasy_n but_o as_o when_o god_n take_v his_o visible_a kingdom_n from_o the_o jew_n for_o their_o obstinacy_n in_o unbelief_n he_o do_v not_o destroy_v his_o visible_a kingdom_n total_o from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o give_v it_o to_o a_o nation_n bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n thereof_o mat._n 21.43_o so_o though_o in_o his_o righteous_a judgement_n against_o apostate_n he_o may_v destroy_v this_o or_o that_o particular_a congregational_a church_n yet_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v whole_o against_o the_o church-state_n but_o it_o shall_v be_v preserve_v he_o do_v but_o translate_v the_o candlestick_n not_o break_v it_o all_o to_o piece_n he_o do_v but_o remove_v it_o out_o of_o one_o place_n into_o another_o rev._n 2.5_o and_o still_o preserve_v it_o in_o some_o particular_a congregation_n or_o other_o 3._o though_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n have_v sometime_o and_o in_o some_o degree_n prevail_v against_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a visible_a church_n hold_v fast_o the_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n without_o waver_v yet_o they_o have_v not_o prevail_v according_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n they_o have_v prevail_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d only_o in_o some_o respect_n as_o 1._o in_o temporal_n to_o impoverish_v they_o heb._n 10.34_o to_o bring_v they_o under_o bondage_n as_o pharaoh_n do_v the_o israelite_n to_o establish_v a_o decree_n for_o their_o destruction_n as_o haman_n do_v against_o the_o jew_n to_o put_v multitude_n of_o they_o to_o death_n as_o the_o ten_o persecute_v emperor_n do_v the_o christian_n and_o as_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o the_o jew_n deal_v with_o christ_n 2._o in_o spiritual_n 1._o to_o scatter_v the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n so_o far_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n prevail_v against_o they_o upon_o occasion_n of_o stephen_n act._n 8.1_o and_o to_o cause_v the_o woman_n to_o fly_v into_o the_o wilderness_n rev._n 12._o 2._o to_o assault_v they_o with_o temptation_n as_o christ_n tell_v peter_n that_o satan_n have_v desire_v to_o winnow_v he_o like_o wheat_n but_o they_o can_v not_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n absolute_o and_o total_o 1._o not_o against_o all_o of_o they_o in_o smyrna_n by_o outward_a calamity_n rev._n 2.10_o nor_o against_o all_o in_o sardis_n by_o temptation_n rev._n 3.4_o 2._o nor_o total_o against_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o god_n do_v raise_v up_o unexpected_a help_n for_o the_o woman_n flee_v into_o the_o wilderness_n rev._n 12.6_o 14_o 16._o to_o that_o part_n of_o they_o which_o remain_v on_o earth_n and_o for_o the_o other_o part_n of_o they_o god_n will_v receive_v his_o people_n when_o outward_a subsistence_n fail_v into_o everlasting_a habitation_n luke_n 16.9_o and_o when_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n prevail_v to_o the_o dispersion_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n build_v on_o this_o rock_n yet_o that_o be_v not_o to_o their_o destruction_n but_o tend_v to_o the_o multiplication_n and_o enlargement_n of_o particular_a church_n the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v like_o the_o dispersion_n of_o seed_n into_o the_o field_n which_o bring_v forth_o a_o more_o plentiful_a harvest_n so_o their_o dispersion_n prevail_v against_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n to_o the_o propagate_a of_o sundry_a church_n act._n 11.19_o 21._o thus_o the_o lord_n turn_v the_o policy_n of_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n against_o themselves_o according_a to_o that_o promise_n zach._n 12.3_o thus_o we_o see_v the_o impregnable_a stability_n of_o christ_n his_o church_n build_v upon_o this_o rock_n we_o shall_v now_o prove_v by_o reason_n that_o it_o must_v be_v so_o reas_n 1_o from_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o invisible_a 1_o cor._n 12.27_o and_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v the_o sound_a member_n of_o his_o body_n to_o be_v pluck_v and_o tear_v from_o it_o by_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n he_o be_v the_o builder_n of_o his_o church_n heb._n 3.3_o 4._o and_o therefore_o will_v establish_v it_o when_o the_o ark_n be_v build_v by_o noah_n as_o god_n instrument_n according_a to_o god_n appointment_n it_o stand_v against_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o deluge_n he_o be_v the_o foundation_n as_o he_o be_v belive_v and_o public_o confess_v whereupon_o he_o build_v his_o church_n against_o a_o house_n so_o build_v the_o wind_n and_o wave_n can_v prevail_v matth._n 7.24_o 25._o reas_n 2_o from_o the_o promise_n give_v to_o such_o a_o church_n which_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n 1._o for_o protection_n isa_n 4.5_o 6._o where_o be_v prophesi_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o describe_v god_n protection_n over_o they_o by_o a_o twofold_a allusion_n 1._o by_o the_o pillar_n of_o cloud_n and_o fire_n that_o protect_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n at_o the_o red_a sea_n from_o pharaoh_n and_o his_o host_n 2._o by_o the_o cover_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o the_o holy_a thing_n in_o it_o from_o all_o injury_n of_o weather_n exod._n 26.14_o rev._n 7.16_o and_o his_o power_n be_v engage_v to_o perform_v his_o promise_n joh._n 10.28_o 29._o and_o his_o providence_n will_v order_v all_o issue_n and_o event_n thereunto_o isa_n 54.16_o 17._o mat._n 28.18_o 20._o 2ly_n for_o victory_n rom._n 16.20_o if_o the_o lord_n will_v tread_v satan_n under_o their_o foot_n he_o will_v see_v to_o it_o that_o satan_n shall_v not_o tread_v they_o under_o his_o foot_n reas_n 3_o from_o the_o title_n give_v to_o particular_a visible_a church_n they_o be_v frequent_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n call_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o hell_n can_v prevail_v against_o heaven_n they_o be_v call_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n and_o god_n the_o father_n have_v establish_v his_o kingdom_n by_o a_o oath_n psal_n 89.35_o 36._o to_o confirm_v our_o faith_n herein_o he_o call_v the_o sun_n and_o moon_n to_o be_v witness_n vers_fw-la 37._o the_o sun_n may_v be_v cloud_v sometime_o and_o moon_n be_v sometime_o in_o the_o full_a sometime_o in_o the_o wane_n but_o still_o it_o be_v in_o the_o heaven_n so_o it_o be_v with_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n 56._o dr._n whitt_n ad_fw-la rat._n camp_n resp_n p._n 56._o semper_fw-la &_o fuisse_fw-la in_o terris_fw-la &_o futuram_fw-la deinceps_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la non_fw-la dubitamus_fw-la quanquam_fw-la ejus_fw-la aspectum_fw-la aliquando_fw-la illustrem_fw-la ut_fw-la conspici_fw-la ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la possit_fw-la aliquando_fw-la tantâ_fw-la caligine_fw-la ut_fw-la vix_fw-la agnoscas_fw-la obscuratam_fw-la esse_fw-la fateamur_fw-la and_o it_o belong_v to_o christ_n to_o break_v the_o serpent_n head_n who_o can_v proceed_v no_o further_o than_o to_o bruise_v his_o h●el_n gen._n 3.15_o he_o be_v that_o little_a stone_n that_o break_v the_o image_n to_o piece_n which_o represent_v the_o monarchy_n and_o power_n whereby_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n seek_v to_o prevail_v against_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n dan._n 2.45_o christ_n church_n be_v call_v a_o house_n of_o prayer_n to_o all_o nation_n isa_n 56.7_o the_o israel_n of_o god_n gal._n 6.16_o in_o allusion_n to_o the_o change_n of_o jacob_n name_n who_o by_o prayer_n obtain_v victory_n and_o protection_n against_o esau_n gen._n 32.28_o hos_fw-la 12.2_o 3._o so_o shall_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n by_o prayer_n obtain_v deliverance_n from_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o they_o reas_n 4_o from_o the_o state_n of_o the_o devil_n themselves_o and_o all_o their_o instrument_n 1._o they_o be_v curse_v gen._n 12.3_o i_o will_v curse_v they_o that_o curse_v thou_o therefore_o they_o shall_v not_o prosper_v in_o their_o interprize_n against_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n 2._o they_o be_v conquer_v and_o captivate_v and_o triumph_v over_o by_o christ_n before_o he_o do_v build_v his_o church_n ephes_n 4.8_o 12._o therefore_o shall_v not_o hinder_v the_o build_n of_o it_o nor_o destroy_v it_o be_v build_v 3._o they_o be_v enemy_n unto_o christ_n kingdom_n therefore_o shall_v not_o prevail_v ps_n 2.2_o 3_o 4._o and_o 110.1_o 2._o let_v we_o brief_o note_v some_o corollary_n hence_o then_o in_o vain_a boast_v that_o roman_a