scripture_n its_o self_n as_o to_o place_n for_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v find_v sacrifice_v in_o high_a place_n etc._n that_o be_v such_o as_o be_v of_o man_n own_o appointment_n be_v lawful_a till_o the_o temple_n be_v build_v by_o solomon_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o several_a example_n of_o gedeon_n samuel_n david_n and_o other_o indeed_o after_o the_o place_n be_v settle_v by_o god_n own_o law_n it_o become_v whole_o sinful_a but_o if_o so_o before_o we_o shall_v not_o have_v read_v of_o god_n accept_v sacrifice_n in_o such_o place_n as_o he_o do_v gedeon_n nor_o of_o the_o prophet_n do_v it_o as_o samuel_n and_o david_n do_v it_o be_v a_o disputable_a case_n about_o sacrifice_n whether_o the_o offering_n of_o they_o come_v only_o from_o natural_a light_n or_o from_o some_o express_a command_n the_o latter_a seem_v far_o more_o probable_a to_o i_o because_o i_o can_v see_v how_o natural_a light_n shall_v any_o wise_a dictate_v that_o god_n will_v accept_v of_o the_o blood_n of_o other_o creature_n as_o a_o token_n of_o man_n obedience_n to_o himself_o 42._o and_o rivet_n give_v this_o very_a good_a reason_n why_o the_o destruction_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o sacrifice_n can_v belong_v to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n because_o it_o be_v only_o acceptable_a as_o a_o sign_n and_o token_n of_o obedience_n and_o not_o simple_o as_o a_o act_n of_o obedience_n and_o this_o sign_n signify_v ex_fw-la instituto_fw-la for_o man_n destroy_v the_o life_n of_o a_o beast_n can_v never_o natural_o signify_v man_n obedience_n to_o god_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v have_v some_o positive_a law_n for_o those_o which_o signify_v only_o by_o institution_n and_o not_o natural_o can_v be_v refer_v to_o a_o dictate_v of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n to_o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v further_a observable_a that_o god_n do_v so_o often_o in_o scripture_n slight_v the_o offering_n of_o sacrifice_n in_o respect_n of_o any_o inherent_a virtue_n or_o goodness_n in_o the_o action_n its_o self_n or_o acceptablenesse_n to_o god_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o thing_n do_v in_o which_o sense_n god_n say_v he_o that_o kill_v a_o bullock_n be_v as_o if_o he_o slay_v a_o man_n and_o he_o that_o 3._o sacrifice_v a_o sheep_n as_o if_o he_o cut_v off_o a_o dog_n neck_n etc._n etc._n for_o what_o be_v there_o more_o in_o the_o one_o then_o in_o the_o other_o but_o only_o god_n appointment_n which_o make_v one_o acceptable_a and_o not_o the_o other_o so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o way_n probable_a that_o god_n will_v have_v accept_v abel_n sacrifice_n rather_o than_o cain_n have_v there_o be_v no_o command_n for_o their_o sacrifice_v for_o as_o to_o mere_a natural_a light_n cain_n sacrifice_n 4._o seem_v more_o agreeable_a to_o that_o then_o abel_n cain_n be_v a_o eucharistical_a offering_n without_o hurt_n to_o other_o creature_n but_o abel_n be_v cruentum_fw-la sacrificium_fw-la a_o sacrifice_n of_o blood_n but_o the_o chief_a ground_n of_o abel_n acceptance_n be_v his_o offering_n in_o faith_n as_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n tell_v we_o now_o say_v be_v a_o 4._o high_a principle_n then_o natural_a light_n and_o must_v suppose_v divine_a revelation_n and_o so_o a_o divine_a command_n as_o the_o principle_n and_o ground_n of_o his_o action_n moses_n his_o silence_n in_o reference_n to_o a_o command_n be_v no_o argument_n there_o be_v none_o it_o not_o be_v his_o design_n to_o write_v at_o large_a all_o the_o particular_a precept_n of_o the_o oral_a law_n but_o to_o deduce_v the_o genealogy_n of_o the_o patriarch_n down_o from_o adam_n and_o the_o creation_n but_o suppose_v a_o command_n give_v from_o god_n determine_v mode_n and_o circumstance_n of_o such_o â—hings_n of_o which_o the_o substance_n depend_v on_o a_o natural_a law_n man_n be_v as_o well_o bind_v to_o the_o observation_n of_o they_o after_o their_o revelation_n as_o the_o other_o before_o the_o one_o be_v a_o testimony_n of_o their_o obedience_n to_o god_n as_o clear_v and_o full_a as_o the_o other_o yes_o and_o so_o much_o the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o obedience_n in_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n for_o the_o perform_n of_o those_o thing_n but_o a_o divine_a command_n and_o even_o in_o do_v thing_n intrinsical_o good_a the_o ground_n of_o pure_o religious_a obedience_n be_v because_o god_n command_v man_n to_o do_v those_o thing_n more_o than_o that_o they_o be_v good_a in_o themselves_o do_v a_o thing_n because_o most_o suitable_a to_o nature_n speak_v morality_n but_o do_v because_o god_n command_v it_o speak_v true_a religion_n and_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n for_o as_o the_o formal_a reason_n of_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o divine_a testimony_n discover_v to_o our_o understanding_n so_o the_o formal_a principle_n of_o a_o act_n of_o spiritual_a obedience_n be_v a_o divine_a command_n incline_v the_o will_n and_o aw_v it_o to_o performance_n so_o far_o then_o as_o divine_a law_n determine_v thing_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o observe_v they_o from_o the_o dictate_v of_o the_o natural_a law_n the_o four_o hypothesis_n in_o thing_n which_o be_v determine_v both_o 5._o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o divine_a positive_a law_n as_o to_o the_o substance_n and_o morality_n of_o they_o but_o not_o determine_v as_o to_o all_o circumstance_n belong_v to_o they_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o lawful_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o determine_v they_o so_o far_o as_o they_o judge_v they_o tend_v to_o the_o promote_a the_o performance_n of_o they_o in_o due_a manner_n so_o that_o not_o only_a matter_n whole_o leave_v at_o liberty_n as_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o humane_a law_n and_o constitution_n but_o even_o thing_n command_v in_o the_o divine_a law_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o manner_n of_o performance_n if_o undetermined_a by_o the_o same_o law_n which_o enforce_v the_o duty_n thus_o the_o set_v apart_o some_o time_n for_o god_n worship_n be_v a_o dictate_v of_o the_o natural_a law_n that_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n be_v that_o time_n be_v determine_v under_o the_o gospel_n but_o in_o what_o place_n at_o what_o hour_n in_o what_o order_n decency_n and_o solemnity_n this_o worship_n shall_v be_v then_o perform_v be_v circumstance_n not_o determine_v in_o scripture_n but_o only_o by_o general_a rule_n as_o to_o these_o then_o so_o they_o be_v do_v in_o conformity_n to_o those_o rule_n they_o be_v subject_a to_o humane_a positive_a determination_n but_o this_o be_v not_o a_o hypothesis_n in_o the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o to_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v without_o prove_v it_o some_o deny_v the_o magistrate_n any_o power_n at_o all_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n other_o grant_v a_o defensive_a protective_a power_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v profess_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n but_o deny_v any_o determine_a power_n in_o the_o magistrate_n concern_v thing_n leave_v undetermined_a by_o the_o scripture_n this_o hypothesis_n than_o have_v land_v i_o into_o a_o field_n of_o controversy_n wherein_o i_o shall_v not_o so_o much_o strive_v to_o make_v my_o way_n through_o any_o opposite_a party_n as_o endeavour_v to_o beget_v a_o right_a understanding_n between_o the_o adverse_a party_n in_o order_n to_o a_o mutual_a compliance_n which_o i_o shall_v the_o rather_o do_v because_o if_o any_o controversy_n have_v be_v a_o increaser_n and_o fomenter_n of_o heartburning_n and_o division_n among_o we_o it_o have_v be_v about_o the_o determination_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o which_o seem_v strange_a the_o thing_n man_n can_v least_o bear_v with_o one_o another_o in_o be_v matter_n of_o liberty_n and_o those_o thing_n man_n have_v divide_v most_o upon_o have_v be_v matter_n of_o uniformity_n and_o wherein_o they_o have_v differ_v most_o have_v be_v pretend_a thing_n of_o indifferency_n in_o order_n then_o to_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o peace_n and_o union_n i_o shall_v calm_o debate_v what_o power_n the_o magistrate_n have_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o how_o far_o that_o power_n do_v extend_v in_o determine_v thing_n leave_v undetermined_a by_o the_o word_n for_o the_o clear_a understanding_n the_o first_o of_o these_o we_o shall_v make_v our_o passage_n open_a to_o it_o by_o the_o lay_n down_o several_a necessary_a distinction_n about_o it_o the_o want_n of_o consider_v which_o have_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o great_a confusion_n in_o the_o handle_n this_o controversy_n first_o then_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o a_o power_n respect_v religion_n in_o its_o self_n and_o a_o power_n concern_v religion_n as_o it_o be_v the_o public_a own_a and_o profess_a religion_n of_o a_o nation_n for_o although_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o proper_a power_n over_o religion_n in_o its_o self_n either_o take_v it_o abstract_o for_o the_o rule_n of_o worship_n or_o concrete_o
we_o lie_v not_o here_o as_o it_o be_v general_o mistake_v what_o form_n of_o government_n come_v the_o near_a to_o apostolical_a practice_n but_o whether_o any_o one_o individual_a form_n be_v found_v so_o upon_o divine_a right_n that_o all_o age_n and_o church_n be_v bind_v unalterable_o to_o observe_v it_o the_o clear_n up_o of_o which_o by_o a_o impartial_a inquiry_n into_o all_o the_o ground_n produce_v for_o it_o be_v of_o so_o great_a tendency_n to_o a_o accommodation_n of_o our_o present_a difference_n be_v the_o only_a motive_n which_o induce_v i_o to_o observe_v aristotle_n wild_a politic_n of_o expose_v this_o deform_a conception_n to_o the_o entertainment_n of_o the_o wide_a world_n and_o certain_o they_o who_o have_v espouse_v the_o most_o the_o interest_n of_o a_o jus_o divinum_fw-la can_v yet_o but_o say_v that_o if_o the_o opinion_n i_o maintain_v be_v true_a it_o do_v exceed_o conduce_v to_o a_o present_a settlement_n of_o the_o difference_n that_o be_v among_o we_o for_o then_o all_o party_n may_v retain_v their_o different_a opinion_n concern_v the_o primitive_a form_n and_o yet_o agree_v and_o pitch_n upon_o a_o form_n compound_v of_o all_o together_o as_o the_o most_o suitable_a to_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n among_o we_o that_o so_o the_o people_n interest_n be_v secure_v by_o consent_n and_o suffrage_n which_o be_v the_o pretence_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n the_o due_a power_n of_o presbytery_n assert_v by_o their_o joynt-concurrence_n with_o the_o bishop_n as_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o that_o excellent_a model_n of_o the_o late_a incomparable_a primate_n of_o armagh_n and_o the_o just_a honour_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o bishop_n assert_v as_o a_o very_a laudable_a and_o ancient_a constitution_n for_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o the_o learned_a is._n casaubon_n describe_v the_o polity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n episcopi_fw-la in_o singulis_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la constituti_fw-la cum_fw-la suis_fw-la prebyteriis_fw-la &_o propriam_fw-la sibi_fw-la cuique_fw-la peculiari_fw-la cura_fw-la &_o universam_fw-la omnes_fw-la in_o common_a curantes_fw-la admirabilis_fw-la cujusdam_fw-la aristocraâ—iae_fw-la speciem_fw-la referebant_fw-la my_o main_a design_n throughout_o this_o whole_a treatise_n be_v to_o show_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n draw_v from_o any_o pretence_n of_o a_o divine_a right_n that_o may_v hinder_v man_n from_o consent_v and_o yield_v to_o such_o a_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n as_o may_v bear_v the_o great_a correspondency_n to_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o be_v most_o advantageous_o conducible_a to_o the_o peace_n unity_n and_o settlement_n of_o our_o divide_a church_n i_o plead_v not_o at_o all_o for_o any_o abuse_n or_o corruption_n incident_a to_o the_o best_a form_n of_o government_n through_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n and_o time_n nay_o i_o dare_v not_o harbour_v so_o low_a apprehension_n of_o person_n enjoy_v so_o great_a dignity_n and_o honour_n in_o the_o church_n that_o they_o will_v in_o any_o wise_a be_v unwilling_a of_o themselves_o to_o reduce_v the_o form_n of_o church_n government_n among_o we_o to_o its_o primitive_a state_n and_o order_n by_o retrench_v all_o exorbitance_n of_o power_n and_o restore_v those_o presbytery_n which_o no_o law_n have_v forbid_v but_o only_o through_o disuse_n have_v be_v lay_v aside_o whereby_o they_o will_v give_v to_o the_o world_n that_o rare_a example_n of_o self-denial_n and_o the_o high_a christian_a prudence_n as_o may_v raise_v a_o honourable_a opinion_n of_o they_o even_o among_o those_o who_o have_v hitherto_o the_o most_o slight_v so_o ancient_a and_o venerable_a a_o order_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o become_v the_o repairer_n of_o those_o otherwise_o irreparable_a breach_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n i_o conclude_v with_o the_o word_n of_o a_o late_a learned_a pious_a and_o moderate_a prelate_n in_o his_o via_fw-la media_fw-la i_o have_v do_v and_o now_o i_o make_v no_o other_o account_n but_o that_o it_o will_v fall_v out_o with_o i_o as_o it_o do_v common_o with_o he_o that_o offer_v to_o part_v a_o fray_n both_o part_n will_v perhaps_o drive_v at_o i_o for_o wish_v they_o no_o worse_o than_o peace_n my_o ambition_n of_o the_o public_a tranquillity_n shall_v willing_o carry_v i_o through_o this_o hazard_n let_v both_o beat_v i_o so_o their_o quarrel_n may_v cease_v i_o shall_v rejoice_v in_o those_o blow_n and_o scar_n which_o i_o shall_v take_v for_o the_o church_n safety_n the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n part_n i._o chap._n i._n thing_n necessary_a for_o the_o church_n peace_n must_v be_v clear_o reveal_v the_o form_n of_o government_n not_o so_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o remain_a controversy_n about_o it_o a_o evidence_n thence_o that_o christ_n never_o intend_v any_o one_o form_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n to_o peace_n in_o the_o church_n the_o nature_n of_o a_o divine_a right_o discuss_v right_o in_o general_a either_o make_v thing_n lawful_a or_o else_o due_a for_o the_o former_a a_o non-prohibition_n sufficient_a the_o latter_a a_o express_a command_n duty_n suppose_v legislation_n and_o promulgation_n the_o question_n state_v nothing_o bind_v unalterable_o but_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o stand_a law_n and_o that_o two_o fold_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n three_o way_n to_o know_v when_o positive_a law_n be_v unalterable_a the_o divine_a right_n arise_v from_o scripture-example_n divine_a act_n and_o divine_a approbation_n consider_v p._n 1._o chap._n ii_o six_o hypothesis_n lay_v down_o as_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n 1._o the_o irreversible_a obligation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n either_o by_o humane_a or_o divine_a positive_a law_n in_o thing_n immediate_o flow_v from_o it_o 2._o thing_n agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n may_v be_v lawful_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n enlarge_v into_o five_o subservient_fw-fr proposition_n 3._o divine_a positive_a law_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o thing_n who_o substance_n be_v determine_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n must_v be_v obey_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o natural_a law_n 4._o thing_n undetermined_a both_o by_o the_o natural_a and_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n may_v be_v lawful_o determine_v by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n large_o assert_v and_o clear_v the_o nature_n of_o indifferency_n in_o action_n state_v matter_n of_o christian_a liberty_n be_v subject_a to_o restraint_n large_o prove_v proposal_n for_o accommodation_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n 5._o what_o be_v thus_o determine_v by_o lawful_a authority_n do_v bind_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n subject_a to_o that_o authority_n to_o obedience_n to_o those_o determination_n 6._o thing_n thus_o determine_v by_o lawful_a authority_n be_v not_o thereby_o make_v unalterable_a but_o may_v be_v revoke_v limit_v and_o change_v by_o the_o same_o authority_n p._n 27_o chap._n iii_o how_o far_o church_n government_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n two_o thing_n in_o it_o found_v thereon_o 1._o that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o society_n of_o man_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n 2._o that_o this_o society_n be_v govern_v in_o the_o most_o convenient_a manner_n a_o society_n for_o worship_n manifest_v gen_n 4._o 26._o consider_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o son_n of_o man_n who_o society_n for_o worship_n among_o heathen_n evidence_v by_o three_o thing_n 1._o solemnity_n of_o sacrifice_n sacrifice_v how_o far_o natural_a the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o first-fruit_n large_o discover_v 2._o the_o original_a of_o festival_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o deity_n 3._o the_o secrecy_n and_o solemnity_n of_o their_o mystery_n this_o further_o prove_v from_o man_n sociable_a nature_n the_o improvement_n of_o it_o by_o religion_n the_o honour_n redound_v to_o god_n by_o such_o a_o society_n for_o his_o worship_n p._n 72_o chap._n iu_o the_o second_o thing_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n dictate_v that_o this_o society_n be_v maintain_v and_o govern_v in_o the_o most_o convenient_a manner_n a_o further_a inquiry_n what_o particular_a order_n for_o government_n in_o the_o church_n come_v from_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n six_o lay_v down_o and_o evidence_v to_o be_v from_o thence_o first_o a_o distinction_n of_o some_o person_n and_o their_o superiority_n over_o other_o both_o in_o power_n and_o order_n clear_v to_o be_v from_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o power_n and_o application_n of_o the_o power_n distinguish_v this_o latter_a not_o from_o any_o law_n of_o nature_n bind_v but_o permissive_a therefore_o may_v be_v restrain_v people_n right_a of_o choose_v pastor_n consider_v order_n distinguish_v from_o the_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o government_n the_o former_a natural_a the_o other_o not_o the_o
before_o covenant_n make_v and_o thing_n thereby_o determine_v may_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v lawful_a after_o that_o the_o do_v of_o they_o may_v contradict_v a_o principle_n of_o the_o obligatory_a law_n of_o nature_n thus_o in_o a_o state_n of_o liberty_n every_o one_o have_v right_n to_o what_o he_o think_v fit_a for_o his_o use_n but_o propriety_n and_o dominion_n be_v introduce_v which_o be_v a_o free_a voluntary_a act_n by_o man_n determine_n right_n it_o now_o become_v a_o offence_n against_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n to_o take_v away_o sig_n that_o which_o be_v another_o man_n in_o which_o sense_n alone_o it_o be_v that_o theft_n be_v say_v to_o be_v forbid_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n he_o that_o resist_v and_o oppose_v the_o lawful_a authority_n under_o which_o he_o be_v bear_v do_v not_o only_o offend_v against_o the_o municipal_a law_n of_o the_o place_n wherein_o he_o live_v but_o against_o that_o original_a and_o fundamental_a law_n of_o society_n viz_o stand_v to_o covenant_n once_o make_v for_o it_o be_v a_o gross_a mistake_n as_o well_o as_o dangerous_a for_o man_n to_o imagine_v that_o every_o man_n be_v bear_v in_o a_o state_n of_o absolute_a liberty_n to_o choose_v what_o law_n and_o governor_n he_o please_v but_o every_o one_o be_v now_o bear_v a_o subject_a to_o that_o authority_n he_o live_v under_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o preserve_v it_o as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lie_v thence_o augustus_n have_v some_o reason_n to_o say_v he_o be_v the_o best_a citizen_n qui_fw-la praesentem_fw-la reipublicae_fw-la statum_fw-la mutari_fw-la â—â—â—_o vult_fw-la that_o do_v not_o disturb_v the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o who_o as_o alcibiades_n say_v in_o thucydides_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 8._o endeavour_n to_o preserve_v that_o form_n of_o government_n he_o be_v bear_v under_o and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v that_o in_o contract_n and_o covenant_n make_v for_o government_n man_n look_v not_o only_o at_o themselves_o but_o at_o the_o benefit_n of_o posterity_n if_o then_o one_o party_n be_v bind_v to_o maintain_v the_o right_n of_o the_o other_o posterity_n as_o well_o as_o of_o his_o person_n the_o other_o party_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o oblige_v his_o posterity_n in_o his_o covenant_n to_o perform_v obedience_n which_o every_o man_n have_v power_n to_o do_v because_o child_n be_v at_o their_o parent_n disposal_n and_o equity_n require_v that_o the_o covenant_n enter_v shall_v be_v of_o equal_a extent_n to_o both_o party_n and_o if_o a_o man_n do_v expect_v protection_n for_o his_o posterity_n he_o must_v engage_v for_o the_o obedience_n of_o his_o posterity_n too_o to_o the_o governor_n who_o do_v legal_o protect_v they_o but_o the_o further_a prosecution_n of_o these_o thing_n belong_v to_o another_o place_n to_o consider_v of_o my_o purpose_n be_v to_o treat_v of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n and_o not_o in_o the_o state_n the_o sum_n of_o this_o be_v that_o the_o obligation_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o what_o thing_n be_v determine_v which_o be_v of_o the_o permissive_a law_n of_o nature_n by_o positive_a law_n do_v arise_v from_o the_o obligatory_a law_n of_o nature_n as_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o particular_a problem_n in_o the_o mathematics_n do_v depend_v upon_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o theorem_n themselves_o and_o so_o whoever_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o problem_n deduce_v by_o just_a consequence_n from_o the_o theorem_a must_v consequential_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o theorem_a its_o self_n so_o those_o who_o violate_v the_o particular_a determination_n of_o the_o permissive_a law_n of_o nature_n do_v violate_v the_o obligation_n of_o the_o preceptive_a part_n of_o that_o law_n obedience_n to_o the_o other_o be_v ground_v on_o the_o principle_n of_o this_o 4._o god_n have_v power_n by_o his_o positive_a law_n to_o take_v in_o and_o determine_v as_o much_o of_o the_o permissive_a law_n of_o nature_n as_o he_o please_v which_o be_v once_o so_o determine_v by_o a_o universal_a law_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v lawful_a to_o be_v do_v that_o the_o do_v of_o they_o by_o those_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o his_o positive_a law_n be_v a_o offence_n against_o the_o immutable_a law_n of_o nature_n that_o god_n may_v restrain_v man_n natural_a liberty_n i_o suppose_v none_o who_o own_o god_n legislative_a power_n over_o the_o world_n can_v deny_v especial_o consider_v that_o man_n have_v power_n to_o restrain_v themselves_o much_o more_o than_o have_v god_n who_o be_v the_o rector_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n that_o a_o breach_n of_o his_o positive_a law_n be_v a_o offence_n against_o the_o common_a law_n of_o nature_n appear_v hence_o because_o man_n be_v god_n creature_n be_v not_o only_o bind_v to_o do_v what_o be_v in_o general_a suitable_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n in_o fly_v evil_a and_o choose_v good_a but_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o determination_n of_o god_n will_v as_o to_o the_o distinction_n of_o good_a from_o evil_n for_o be_v bind_v universal_o to_o obey_v god_n it_o be_v employ_v that_o man_n shall_v obey_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n which_o he_o discover_v to_o be_v his_o will_n who_o determination_n must_v make_v a_o thing_n not_o only_o good_a but_o necessary_a to_o be_v do_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o supreme_a authority_n over_o man_n this_o then_o need_v no_o further_a proof_n be_v so_o clear_a in_o its_o self_n 5._o last_o what_o thing_n be_v leave_v undetermined_a by_o divine_a positive_a law_n be_v in_o the_o church_n power_n to_o use_v and_o practice_v according_a as_o it_o judge_v they_o most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n that_o thing_n undetermined_a by_o the_o word_n be_v still_o lawful_a evident_o appear_v because_o what_o be_v once_o lawful_a must_v have_v some_o positive_a law_n to_o make_v it_o unlawful_a which_o if_o there_o be_v none_o it_o remain_v lawful_a still_o and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v debar_v of_o any_o privilege_n of_o any_o other_o society_n i_o understand_v not_o especial_o if_o it_o belong_v to_o it_o as_o a_o society_n consider_v in_o its_o self_n and_o not_o as_o a_o particular_a society_n constitute_v upon_o such_o account_n as_o the_o church_n be_v for_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a afterward_o that_o many_o part_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n belong_v not_o to_o it_o as_o such_o in_o a_o restrain_a sense_n but_o in_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o it_o as_o a_o society_n of_o man_n embody_v together_o by_o some_o law_n proper_a to_o its_o self_n although_o it_o subsist_v upon_o a_o high_a foundation_n viz._n of_o divine_a institution_n and_o upon_o high_a ground_n reason_n principle_n end_n and_o be_v direct_v by_o other_o law_n immediate_o then_o any_o other_o society_n in_o the_o world_n be_v 4._o the_o three_o hypothesis_n be_v this_o where_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n determine_v the_o thing_n and_o the_o divine_a law_n determine_v the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o thing_n there_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v the_o divine_a law_n in_o its_o particular_a determination_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n in_o its_o general_a obligation_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n bind_v man_n to_o worship_n god_n but_o for_o the_o way_n manner_z and_o circumstance_n of_o worship_n we_o be_v to_o follow_v the_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n because_o as_o we_o be_v bind_v by_o nature_n to_o worship_v he_o so_o we_o be_v bind_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o law_n to_o worship_v he_o in_o the_o manner_n best_o please_v to_o himself_o for_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n though_o it_o determine_v the_o duty_n of_o worship_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n and_o though_o act_n of_o pure_a obedience_n be_v in_o themselves_o acceptable_a unto_o god_n yet_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o those_o act_n and_o the_o positives_n of_o worship_n they_o be_v no_o further_o acceptable_a unto_o god_n then_o command_v by_o he_o because_o in_o thing_n not_o necessary_o determine_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o goodness_n or_o evil_n of_o they_o lie_v in_o reference_n to_o god_n acceptance_n it_o must_v depend_v upon_o his_o command_n suppose_v positive_a law_n to_o be_v at_o all_o give_v by_o god_n to_o direct_v man_n in_o their_o worship_n of_o he_o for_o suppose_v god_n have_v not_o at_o all_o reveal_v himself_o in_o order_n to_o his_o worship_n doubtless_o it_o have_v be_v lawful_a for_o man_n not_o only_o to_o pray_v to_o god_n &_o express_v their_o sense_n of_o their_o dependence_n upon_o he_o but_o to_o appoint_v way_n time_n and_o place_n for_o the_o do_v it_o as_o they_o shall_v judge_v most_o convenient_a &_o agreeable_a to_o natural_a light_n which_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o
〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o civil_a and_o not_o sacred_a sense_n as_o it_o denote_v a_o exclude_v they_o from_o common_a society_n but_o though_o it_o be_v free_o grant_v that_o that_o be_v sometime_o the_o signification_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o mat._n 10._o 17._o yet_o those_o particular_n be_v consider_v which_o be_v already_o lay_v down_o i_o shall_v leave_v it_o to_o consideration_n whether_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a to_o take_v the_o word_n synagogue_n here_o in_o a_o civil_a or_o sacred_a sense_n when_o the_o occasion_n express_v be_v mere_o a_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o opinion_n and_o not_o any_o thing_n condemn_v by_o their_o law_n another_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v i_o believe_v a_o great_a ground_n of_o mistake_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v that_o exclude_v from_o the_o civil_a society_n among_o they_o be_v always_o consequent_a upon_o excommunication_n the_o reason_n whereof_o be_v because_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n be_v not_o distinct_a among_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o same_o person_n who_o take_v care_n of_o sacred_a do_v likewise_o of_o civil_a thing_n there_o be_v no_o distinct_a sanhedrin_n among_o they_o as_o some_o imagine_v but_o from_o hence_o it_o no_o way_n follow_v but_o their_o excommunication_n may_v be_v a_o exclusion_n from_o sacred_a worship_n as_o well_o as_o civil_a society_n however_o be_v it_o as_o they_o pretend_v that_o it_o be_v from_o civil_a commerce_n yet_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d god_n peculiar_a people_n and_o his_o only_a church_n in_o be_v before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n a_o exclusion_n in_o that_o respect_n from_o the_o common_a society_n of_o they_o may_v deserve_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o sacred_a action_n and_o not_o mere_o civil_a it_o be_v a_o separation_n from_o a_o people_n who_o main_a ligature_n be_v their_o be_v a_o church_n of_o god_n or_o a_o community_n gather_v together_o for_o god_n worship_n and_o service_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v this_o power_n among_o they_o and_o for_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o practice_n of_o discipline_n upon_o offender_n be_v never_o question_v though_o the_o right_n have_v be_v so_o that_o from_o hence_o we_o gather_v in_o that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o practice_n of_o society_n constitute_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n to_o call_v offender_n to_o a_o account_n for_o their_o offence_n and_o if_o upon_o examination_n they_o be_v find_v guilty_a to_o exclude_v they_o their_o society_n that_o it_o be_v a_o dictate_v of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o every_o offender_n against_o the_o law_n of_o a_o society_n must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o action_n to_o the_o ruler_n of_o it_o and_o submit_v to_o the_o censure_n inflict_v on_o he_o by_o they_o thus_o i_o be_o now_o come_v to_o the_o end_n of_o my_o first_o stage_n to_o show_v how_o far_o church-government_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o law_n and_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o part._n part_n ii_o chap._n i._n the_o other_o ground_n of_o divine_a right_o consider_v viz._n god_n positive_a law_n which_o imply_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o god_n intention_n to_o bind_v man_n perpetual_o as_o to_o which_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o tradition_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o after-age_n prove_v invalid_a by_o several_a argument_n in_o order_n to_o a_o right_n state_v the_o question_n some_o concession_n lay_v down_o first_o that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n explain_v whether_o it_o belong_v only_o to_o particular_a congregation_n which_o be_v manifest_v not_o to_o be_v of_o god_n primary_n intention_n but_o for_o our_o necessity_n evidence_n for_o national_a church_n under_o the_o gospel_n a_o national_a church-government_n necessary_a i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o second_o way_n whereby_o any_o 1._o thing_n come_v to_o be_v of_o unalterable_a divine_a right_n which_o be_v by_o the_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n which_o do_v bind_v universal_o to_o obedience_n in_o the_o entrance_n into_o this_o discourse_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o lay_v down_o the_o way_n whereby_o we_o find_v out_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n determine_v a_o unalterable_a obligation_n which_o must_v be_v either_o by_o express_a word_n of_o scripture_n or_o by_o some_o other_o certain_a way_n whereby_o to_o gather_v from_o thence_o that_o it_o be_v god_n intention_n to_o bind_v man_n for_o the_o main_a thing_n requisite_a to_o make_v a_o stand_v universal_a positive_a law_n be_v god_n declare_v his_o mind_n that_o the_o thing_n inquire_v into_o shall_v unalterable_o bind_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o now_o whatever_o do_v sufficient_o manifest_a god_n intention_n be_v a_o medium_n to_o find_v out_o such_o a_o law_n by_o and_o nothing_o else_o but_o it_o must_v be_v such_o a_o manifestation_n as_o give_v a_o man_n mind_n sufficient_a evidence_n and_o testimony_n whereon_o to_o build_v a_o true_a certain_a and_o divine_a assent_n to_o the_o thing_n as_o reveal_v so_o that_o whatsoever_o bind_v the_o conscience_n as_o a_o law_n must_v first_o be_v entertain_v by_o the_o understanding_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n not_o as_o it_o import_v something_o mere_o doctrinal_a and_o dogmatic_a but_o as_o it_o imply_v the_o matter_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o the_o object_n of_o a_o assent_n upon_o the_o credibility_n of_o a_o testimony_n for_o god_n have_v the_o only_a immediate_a authority_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n nothing_o can_v bind_v immediate_o the_o conscience_n but_o a_o divine_a law_n neither_o can_v any_o thing_n bind_v as_o such_o but_o what_o the_o understanding_n assent_v unto_o as_o revealed_z by_o god_n himself_o now_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o only_a codex_fw-la and_o digest_v of_o divine_a law_n whatever_o law_n we_o look_v for_o must_v either_o be_v find_v there_o in_o express_a term_n or_o at_o least_o so_o couch_v therein_o that_o every_o one_o by_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o understanding_n may_v by_o a_o certain_a and_o easy_a collection_n gather_v the_o universal_a obligation_n of_o the_o thing_n inquire_v after_o in_o this_o case_n then_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o immediate_o found_v upon_o a_o divine_a testimony_n can_v be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o medium_fw-la to_o infer_v a_o universal_o bind_v law_n by_o so_o that_o all_o tradition_n and_o historical_a evidence_n will_v be_v unserviceable_a to_o we_o when_o we_o inquire_v into_o god_n intention_n in_o bind_a man_n conscience_n matter_n of_o fact_n and_o mere_a apostolical_a practice_n may_v i_o free_o grant_v receive_v much_o light_n from_o the_o record_n of_o succeed_a age_n but_o they_o can_v never_o give_v a_o man_n understanding_n sufficient_a ground_n to_o infer_v any_o divine_a law_n arise_v from_o those_o fact_n attest_v to_o be_v the_o practice_n or_o record_n of_o succeed_a age_n for_o first_o the_o foundation_n and_o ground_n of_o our_o assent_n in_o this_o 2._o case_n be_v not_o the_o bare_a testimony_n of_o antiquity_n but_o the_o assurance_n which_o we_o have_v either_o that_o their_o practice_n do_v not_o vary_v from_o what_o be_v apostolical_a or_o in_o their_o write_n that_o they_o can_v not_o mistake_v concern_v what_o they_o deliver_v unto_o we_o and_o therefore_o those_o who_o will_v infer_v the_o necessary_a obligation_n of_o man_n to_o any_o form_n of_o government_n because_o that_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o prove_v the_o apostolical_a practice_n from_o that_o of_o the_o age_n succeed_v or_o from_o their_o write_n must_v first_o of_o all_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v do_v then_o be_v certain_o the_o apostle_n practice_n and_o so_o prove_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o its_o self_n or_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v vary_v from_o it_o or_o that_o they_o shall_v mistake_v in_o judge_v of_o it_o for_o here_o something_o more_o be_v require_v then_o a_o mere_a matter_n of_o fact_n in_o which_o i_o confess_v their_o nearness_n to_o the_o apostle_n time_n do_v give_v they_o a_o advantage_n above_o the_o age_n follow_v to_o discern_v what_o it_o be_v but_o such_o a_o practice_n be_v require_v as_o infer_v a_o universal_a obligation_n upon_o all_o place_n time_n and_o person_n therefore_o these_o thing_n must_v be_v manifest_v that_o such_o thing_n be_v unquestionable_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o age_n and_o person_n that_o their_o practice_n be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o apostle_n that_o what_o they_o do_v be_v not_o from_o any_o prudential_a motive_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n which_o do_v bind_v they_o to_o that_o practice_n which_o thing_n be_v easy_o pass_v over_o by_o the_o
most_o eager_a disputer_n of_o the_o controversy_n about_o church-government_n but_o how_o necessary_a they_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v before_o any_o form_n of_o government_n be_v assert_v so_o necessary_a that_o without_o it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a church_n any_o weak_a understanding_n may_v discern_v second_o suppose_v that_o apostolical_a practice_n be_v sufficient_o attest_v by_o the_o follow_a age_n yet_o unless_o it_o be_v clear_v from_o scripture_n that_o it_o be_v god_n intention_n that_o the_o apostle_n action_n shall_v continual_o bind_v the_o church_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o infer_v that_o do_v concern_v we_o in_o point_n of_o conscience_n i_o say_v that_o though_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v evidence_v by_o posterity_n yet_o the_o obligatory_a nature_n of_o that_o fact_n must_v depend_v on_o scripture_n and_o the_o apostle_n intention_n must_v not_o be_v build_v upon_o man_n bare_a surmise_n nor_o upon_o after-practice_n especial_o if_o different_a from_o the_o constitution_n of_o thing_n during_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o here_o those_o have_v somewhat_o whereon_o to_o exercise_v their_o understanding_n who_o assert_v a_o obligation_n upon_o man_n to_o any_o form_n of_o government_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o must_v of_o necessity_n suppose_v a_o different_a state_n of_o thing_n from_o what_o they_o be_v when_o the_o apostle_n first_o establish_v governor_n over_o church_n as_o how_o those_o who_o be_v appoint_v governor_n over_o particular_a congregation_n by_o the_o apostle_n come_v to_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o that_o ordination_n governor_n over_o many_o congregation_n of_o like_a nature_n and_o extent_n with_o that_o over_o which_o they_o be_v set_v and_o whither_o if_o it_o be_v the_o apostle_n intention_n that_o such_o governor_n shall_v be_v always_o in_o the_o church_n be_v it_o not_o necessary_a that_o that_o intention_n of_o they_o be_v declare_v by_o a_o stand_a law_n that_o such_o there_o must_v be_v for_o here_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o practice_n can_v be_v no_o evidence_n when_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v different_a from_o the_o constitution_n of_o church_n afterward_o but_o of_o this_o more_o hereafter_o three_o suppose_v any_o form_n of_o government_n in_o its_o self_n necessary_a and_o that_o necessity_n not_o determine_v by_o a_o law_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n be_v thereby_o apparent_o argue_v to_o be_v insufficient_a for_o its_o end_n for_o than_o deficit_fw-la in_o necessariis_fw-la some_o thing_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o the_o scripture_n be_v whole_o silent_a in_o i_o say_v not_o that_o every_o thing_n about_o church-government_n must_v be_v write_v in_o scripture_n but_o suppose_v any_o one_o form_n necessary_a it_o must_v be_v there_o command_v or_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o imperfect_a rule_n which_o contain_v not_o all_o thing_n necessary_a by_o way_n of_o precept_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o necessity_n universal_a but_o either_o by_o way_n of_o mean_n to_o a_o end_n or_o by_o way_n of_o divine_a command_n i_o know_v none_o will_v say_v that_o any_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n be_v necessary_a absolute_o by_o way_n of_o mean_n to_o a_o end_n for_o certain_o suppose_v no_o obligation_n from_o scripture_n government_n by_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n in_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n or_o by_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o another_o be_v indifferent_a in_o order_n to_o the_o general_a end_n of_o government_n and_o one_o not_o more_o necessary_a than_o the_o other_o if_o any_o one_o form_n than_o be_v necessary_a it_o must_v be_v by_o that_o of_o command_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o command_n universal_o bind_v who_o footstep_n can_v be_v trace_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n how_o can_v the_o scripture_n be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n if_o it_o fail_v in_o determine_v bind_a law_n so_o that_o we_o must_v if_o we_o own_o the_o scripture_n sufficiency_n as_o a_o bind_a rule_n appeal_v to_o that_o about_o any_o thing_n plead_v as_o necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o any_o divine_a command_n and_o if_o such_o a_o law_n can_v be_v meet_v with_o in_o scripture_n which_o determine_v the_o case_n in_o hand_n one_o way_n or_o other_o by_o way_n of_o necessary_a obligation_n i_o have_v ground_n to_o look_v upon_o that_o which_o be_v thus_o leave_v undetermined_a by_o god_n positive_a law_n to_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o christian-liberty_n and_o that_o neither_o part_n be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o necessary_a for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n as_o exclusive_a of_o the_o other_o this_o i_o suppose_v be_v the_o case_n as_o to_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n 3._o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o that_o i_o may_v not_o only_o suppose_v but_o prove_v it_o i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o state_v of_o the_o question_n which_o if_o ever_o necessary_a to_o be_v do_v any_o where_o it_o be_v in_o the_o controversy_n of_o church-government_n the_o most_o of_o man_n heat_n in_o this_o matter_n arise_v from_o want_n of_o right_a understanding_n the_o thing_n in_o question_n between_o they_o in_o the_o state_v the_o question_n i_o shall_v proceed_v by_o degree_n and_o show_v how_o far_o we_o acknowledge_v any_o thing_n belong_v to_o government_n in_o the_o church_n to_o be_v of_o a_o unalterable_a divine_a right_n first_o that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v necessary_a by_o virtue_n not_o only_o of_o that_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o provide_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o society_n but_o likewise_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o divine_a law_n which_o take_v care_n for_o the_o church_n preservation_n in_o peace_n and_o unity_n i_o engage_v not_o here_o in_o the_o controversy_n whether_o a_o particular_a congregation_n be_v the_o first_o political_a church_n or_o no_o it_o suffice_v for_o my_o purpose_n that_o there_o be_v other_o church_n beside_o particular_a congregation_n i_o mean_v not_o only_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n which_o be_v the_o first_o not_o only_o in_o order_n of_o consideration_n but_o nature_n too_o as_o a_o totum_fw-la integrale_fw-la before_o the_o similar_v part_n of_o it_o but_o in_o respect_n of_o all_o other_o accidental_a modification_n of_o church_n from_o the_o several_a way_n of_o their_o combination_n together_o they_o who_o define_v a_o church_n by_o state_v worship_v congregation_n do_v handsome_o beg_v the_o thing_n they_o desire_v by_o place_v that_o in_o their_o definition_n of_o a_o church_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n in_o question_n which_o be_v whether_o there_o be_v no_o other_o church_n but_o such_o particular_a congregation_n which_o be_v as_o if_o one_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o civil_a society_n but_o in_o particular_a corporation_n and_o to_o prove_v it_o shall_v give_v such_o a_o definition_n of_o civil_a society_n that_o it_o be_v a_o company_n of_o man_n join_v together_o in_o a_o corporation_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o right_n and_o privilege_n under_o the_o governor_n of_o such_o a_o place_n it_o must_v be_v first_o prove_v that_o no_o other_o company_n of_o man_n can_v be_v call_v a_o civil_a society_n beside_o a_o corporation_n and_o so_o that_o no_o other_o society_n of_o man_n join_v together_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n can_v be_v call_v a_o church_n but_o such_o as_o join_v in_o particular_a congregation_n to_o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o particular_a 4._o congregation_n be_v not_o the_o primariâ_fw-la intention_n divinâ_fw-la for_o if_o the_o whole_a world_n can_v join_v together_o in_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n no_o doubt_n that_o will_v be_v most_o proper_o a_o church_n but_o particular_a congregation_n be_v only_o accidental_a in_o reference_n to_o god_n intention_n of_o have_v a_o church_n because_o of_o the_o impossibility_n of_o all_o man_n join_v together_o for_o the_o convenient_a distribution_n of_o church-priviledge_n and_o administration_n of_o gospel-ordinance_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o privilege_n and_o ordinance_n do_v immediate_o and_o primary_o belong_v to_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n in_o which_o christ_n to_o that_o end_n have_v set_v officer_n as_o the_o apostle_n clear_o express_v 1_o corinth_n 12._o 28._o for_o how_o apostle_n shall_v be_v set_v as_o officer_n over_o particular_a congregation_n who_o commission_n extend_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v i_o think_v somewhat_o hard_o to_o understand_v but_o for_o the_o more_o convenient_a participation_n of_o privilege_n and_o ordinance_n particular_a congregation_n be_v necessary_a this_o will_v be_v best_a illustrate_v by_o example_n we_o read_v that_o esther_n 1._o 3._o king_n ahashuerus_n make_v a_o feast_n for_o all_o his_o prince_n and_o servant_n doubtless_o the_o king_n do_v equal_o respect_v they_o all_o as_o a_o body_n in_o the_o feast_n of_o they_o
wise_a man_n shall_v do_v manage_v with_o the_o great_a subtlety_n and_o prudence_n by_o the_o maintainer_n of_o they_o christ_n will_v make_v man_n see_v that_o his_o doctrine_n stand_v not_o in_o need_n either_o of_o the_o wisdom_n or_o power_n of_o man_n to_o defend_v or_o propagate_v it_o and_o therefore_o make_v choice_n of_o the_o most_o unlikely_a instrument_n for_o that_o end_n that_o man_n faith_n shall_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o 5._o god_n but_o withal_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o christ_n admirable_a wisdom_n in_o the_o mean_v he_o use_v to_o fit_a and_o qualify_v they_o for_o the_o first_o builder_n of_o his_o church_n for_o although_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o their_o preach_n be_v whole_o from_o god_n and_o not_o from_o themselves_o yet_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o presen_o upon_o his_o call_v they_o place_v they_o in_o the_o high_a office_n he_o intend_v they_o for_o but_o proceed_v gradual_o with_o they_o and_o keep_v they_o a_o long_a time_n under_o his_o own_o eye_n and_o instruction_n before_o he_o send_v they_o abroad_o and_o that_o for_o two_o end_n chief_o first_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o his_o action_n second_o to_o be_v auditor_n of_o his_o doctrine_n first_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o his_o action_n which_o be_v look_v on_o by_o the_o apostle_n as_o the_o most_o necessary_a qualification_n for_o a_o apostle_n in_o the_o place_n forecited_n act_v 1._o 21_o 22._o peter_n call_v himself_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n 1_o pet._n 5._o 1._o john_n say_v that_o which_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n which_o we_o have_v hear_v which_o we_o have_v see_v with_o our_o eye_n which_o we_o have_v look_v upon_o and_o our_o hâ—â—ds_n have_v handle_v of_o the_o word_n of_o life_n that_o which_o we_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v declare_v we_o unto_o you_o 1_o john_n 1._o 1_o 3._o whereby_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v sufficient_o evidence_v to_o the_o world_n when_o the_o chief_a preacher_n of_o it_o speak_v nothing_o but_o what_o their_o own_o sense_n be_v witness_n of_o both_o as_o to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o action_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o way_n credible_a they_o shall_v be_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o what_o they_o speak_v and_o more_o improbable_a they_o will_v deceive_v other_o who_o interest_n lie_v whole_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preoch_v for_o by_o the_o very_o preach_v of_o that_o doctrine_n they_o robe_v themselves_o of_o all_o the_o comfort_n of_o life_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o a_o thousand_o misery_n in_o this_o life_n so_o that_o unless_o their_o doctrine_n be_v true_a in_o order_n to_o another_o life_n they_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o great_a folly_n this_o world_n ever_o hear_v of_o we_o see_v what_o care_n our_o saviour_n take_v to_o satisfy_v the_o reason_n of_o man_n concern_v the_o credibility_n of_o his_o doctrine_n when_o the_o person_n he_o employ_v in_o the_o sound_n a_o church_n upon_o it_o be_v only_o such_o as_o be_v intimate_o conversant_a with_o the_o whole_a life_n doctrine_n and_o work_v of_o he_o from_o who_o they_o receive_v it_o and_o thereby_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o ignorance_n in_o they_o concern_v the_o thing_n they_o speak_v and_o lest_o man_n shall_v mistrust_v they_o may_v have_v a_o design_n to_o impose_v on_o other_o he_o make_v their_o faithfulness_n appear_v by_o their_o expose_v themselves_o to_o any_o hazard_n to_o make_v good_a the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o preach_v especial_o have_v such_o a_o divine_a power_n accompany_v they_o in_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o they_o which_o be_v enough_o to_o persuade_v any_o rational_a man_n that_o they_o come_v upon_o a_o true_a embassy_n who_o carry_v such_o credential_n along_o with_o they_o another_o end_n of_o our_o saviour_n train_v up_o his_o apostle_n so_o long_o in_o his_o school_n before_o he_o send_v they_o abroad_o be_v that_o they_o may_v be_v auditor_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o so_o may_v learn_v themselves_o before_o they_o teach_v other_o christ_n be_v no_o friend_n to_o those_o hasty_a birth_n which_o run_v abroad_o with_o the_o shell_n on_o their_o head_n no_o although_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o confer_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o well_o at_o their_o first_o entrance_n into_o discipleship_n as_o afterward_o yet_o we_o see_v he_o nurture_n and_o train_v they_o up_o gradual_o teach_v they_o as_o quintilian_n will_v have_v master_n do_v guttatim_fw-la acquaint_v they_o now_o with_o one_o then_o with_o another_o of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n christ_n do_v not_o overwhelm_v they_o with_o flood_n and_o torrent_n of_o discourse_n but_o gentle_o drop_v now_o one_o thing_n into_o they_o than_o another_o by_o which_o way_n such_o narrow-mouthed_a vessel_n will_v be_v the_o soon_o fill_v yea_o our_o saviour_n use_v such_o â—n_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o greek_a father_n call_v it_o such_o a_o prudent_a temper_n in_o instruct_v they_o that_o it_o be_v matter_n of_o just_a admiration_n to_o consider_v under_o how_o great_a and_o stupendous_a ignorance_n of_o the_o main_a point_n of_o redemption_n christ_n death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n they_o discover_v after_o they_o have_v be_v some_o year_n under_o christ_n tutorage_n and_o we_o see_v what_o industry_n and_o diligence_n be_v use_v in_o the_o train_n up_o of_o those_o for_o the_o apostleship_n who_o be_v in_o a_o immediate_a way_n send_v out_o by_o christ._n and_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o upon_o their_o first_o send_v abroad_o they_o teach_v not_o by_o immediate_a revelation_n but_o only_o what_o they_o have_v learn_v from_o christ_n during_o their_o be_v with_o he_o whence_o we_o see_v what_o a_o subordination_n there_o be_v in_o acquire_v part_n labour_n and_o industry_n to_o the_o teach_n and_o inspiration_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n our_o saviour_n look_v not_o on_o his_o labour_n as_o lose_v although_o afterward_o the_o unction_n from_o the_o holy_a one_o shall_v teach_v they_o all_o thing_n it_o be_v christ_n design_n to_o have_v they_o go_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o strength_n to_o strength_n à _fw-la domo_fw-la sanctuarii_fw-la in_o domum_fw-la doctrinae_fw-la as_o the_o chaldee_n paraphra_v 7._o render_v that_o place_n from_o one_o school_n of_o learning_n to_o another_o as_o under_o the_o law_n even_o those_o that_o wait_v for_o the_o râ—ach_n hakkodesh_n the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n under_o instruction_n there_o which_o be_v the_o place_n where_o they_o lie_v expect_v the_o gentle_a gale_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o carry_v they_o forth_o which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o amos_n his_o complaint_n that_o he_o be_v neither_o a_o prophet_n nor_o the_o son_n 14._o of_o a_o prophet_n by_o which_o it_o seem_v evident_a that_o god_n ordinary_a course_n be_v to_o take_v some_o of_o the_o son_n of_o the_o prophet_n out_o of_o the_o college_n where_o they_o live_v and_o employ_v they_o in_o the_o prophetical_a office_n but_o of_o this_o large_o elsewhere_o such_o a_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n do_v our_o saviour_n now_o erect_v wherein_o he_o enter_v his_o disciple_n as_o scholar_n and_o educate_v they_o in_o order_n to_o the_o office_n he_o intend_v they_o for_o the_o next_o thing_n we_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o name_n and_o nature_n 4._o of_o that_o office_n which_o christ_n call_v they_o to_o they_o who_o derive_v the_o use_n of_o the_o name_n of_o apostle_n as_o apply_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o disciple_n either_o from_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n by_o which_o name_n the_o master_n of_o some_o ship_n be_v call_v as_o the_o ship_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o ebionitas_fw-la from_o hesychius_n his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o he_o interpret_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o from_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o civil_a law_n which_o signify_v the_o dimissory_a letter_n grant_v for_o appeal_n or_o from_o the_o jewish_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o thereby_o be_v understand_v those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o epiphanius_n call_v they_o who_o be_v as_o assessor_n and_o counselor_n to_o the_o patriarch_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o tiberias_n or_o those_o officer_n who_o be_v send_v up_o and_o down_o by_o the_o patriarch_n to_o gather_v up_o ten_o first_o fruit_n and_o such_o other_o thing_n who_o be_v call_v thence_o apostoli_fw-la in_o the_o codex_fw-la theod._n tit_n de_fw-fr judaeis_n all_o 8._o these_o i_o say_v do_v equal_o lose_v their_o labour_n and_o run_v far_o to_o fetch_v that_o which_o may_v be_v find_v much_o near_a
lay-elder_n again_o we_o may_v consider_v where_o timothy_n now_o be_v viz_o at_o ephesus_n and_o therefore_o if_o such_o lay-elder_n anywhere_o they_o shall_v be_v there_o let_v we_o see_v then_o whether_o any_o such_o be_v here_o it_o be_v earnest_o plead_v by_o all_o who_o be_v for_o lay-elder_n that_o the_o elder_n speak_v of_o act_n 20._o 17._o be_v the_o particular_a elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o who_o paul_n speak_v v_o 28._o where_o we_o may_v find_v their_o office_n at_o large_a describe_v take_v heed_n therefore_o unto_o yourselves_o and_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v you_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n or_o overseer_n here_o we_o see_v both_o the_o name_n elder_n and_o bishop_n confound_v again_o so_o that_o he_o that_o be_v a_o elder_a be_v a_o bishop_n too_o and_o the_o office_n of_o such_o elder_n describe_v to_o be_v a_o pastoral_n charge_n over_o a_o flock_n which_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o lay-elder_n paul_n send_v indefinite_o for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o he_o if_o any_o such_o then_o at_o ephesus_n they_o must_v come_v at_o this_o summons_n all_o the_o elder_n that_o come_v be_v such_o as_o be_v pastor_n of_o church_n therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o lay_n elder_n there_o i_o insist_v not_o on_o the_o argument_n for_o maintenance_n employ_v in_o double_a honour_n which_o chrysostome_n explain_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o supply_n of_o necessary_n to_o be_v give_v to_o they_o as_o appear_v by_o ver_fw-la 18._o which_o argument_n blondel_n see_v such_o strength_n in_o that_o it_o bring_v he_o quite_o off_o from_o lay-elder_n in_o that_o place_n etc._n of_o timothy_n and_o he_o that_o will_v remove_v the_o controversy_n from_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o if_o such_o be_v appoint_v they_o shall_v be_v so_o soon_o lay_v aside_o will_v find_v it_o the_o great_a difficulty_n to_o trace_v the_o footstep_n of_o a_o lay-elder_n through_o the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n for_o the_o three_o first_o century_n especial_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n speak_v of_o no_o presbyter_n but_o such_o as_o preach_v as_o appear_v by_o origen_n cyprian_n and_o clement_n of_o 37._o alexandria_n origen_n say_v omnes_fw-la episcopi_fw-la atque_fw-la omnâ—s_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la vel_fw-la diaconi_fw-la â—rudiunt_fw-la nos_fw-la &_o erudientes_fw-la adhibent_fw-la correptionem_fw-la &_o verbis_fw-la austerioribus_fw-la increpant_fw-la we_o see_v all_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n wâ—re_v in_o his_o time_n preacher_n so_o cyprian_n et_fw-la creâ—ideram_fw-la quidem_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la &_o diaconos_fw-la 11._o qui_fw-la illic_fw-la praesentes_fw-la sunt_fw-la monere_fw-la vos_fw-la &_o instruere_fw-la plenissimè_fw-la circa_fw-la evangelii_n legem_fw-la sicut_fw-la semper_fw-la ab_fw-la antecessoribus_fw-la nostris_fw-la factum_fw-la est_fw-la and_o in_o another_o epistle_n about_o make_v numidicus_n a_o presbyter_n he_o thus_o express_v it_o ut_fw-la ascribatur_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la 35._o carthaginensium_fw-la numero_fw-la &_o nobiscum_fw-la sedeat_fw-la in_o clero_fw-la where_o to_o sit_v as_o one_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o to_o be_v a_o presbyter_n be_v all_o one_o again_o have_v there_o be_v any_o such_o elder_n it_o will_v have_v belong_v to_o they_o to_o lay_v hand_n on_o those_o that_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n after_o censure_n now_o hand_n be_v only_o lay_v on_o 12._o ab_fw-la episcopo_fw-la &_o clero_fw-la as_o the_o same_o cyprian_a tell_v we_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n describe_v the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n have_v these_o heins_n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o teach_v be_v look_v on_o as_o his_o proper_a work_n and_o elsewhere_o more_o full_o and_o express_o discourse_v of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o distinguish_v it_o according_a to_o the_o twofold_a service_n of_o man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o apply_v these_o to_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 700._o the_o former_a he_o explain_v afterward_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o presbyter_n be_v one_o that_o be_v ordain_v or_o appoint_v for_o the_o instruction_n of_o other_o in_o order_n to_o their_o amendment_n imply_v thereby_o the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n to_o be_v whole_o conversant_a about_o teach_v other_o to_o who_o on_o that_o account_n the_o art_n of_o make_v other_o better_a do_v proper_o belong_v so_o much_o may_v suffice_v for_o those_o first_o time_n of_o the_o church_n that_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n then_o but_o such_o as_o have_v the_o office_n of_o teach_v and_o for_o the_o time_n afterward_o of_o the_o church_n let_v it_o suffice_v at_o present_a to_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o council_n hold_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o seven_o century_n who_o absolute_o decree_v against_o all_o lay-person_n meddle_v in_o church-affair_n nova_n actione_n didicimus_fw-la quosdam_fw-la 9_o ex_fw-la nostro_fw-la collegio_fw-la contra_fw-la mores_fw-la ecclesiasticos_fw-la laicos_fw-la habere_fw-la in_o rebus_fw-la divinis_fw-la constitutos_fw-la oeconomos_fw-la proinde_fw-la pariter_fw-la tractantes_fw-la eligimus_fw-la ut_fw-la unusquisque_fw-la nostrûm_fw-la secundum_fw-la chalcedonensium_fw-la patrum_fw-la decreta_fw-la ex_fw-la proprio_fw-la clero_fw-la oeconomum_fw-la sibi_fw-la constituat_fw-la indecorum_n est_fw-la enim_fw-la laicum_fw-la esse_fw-la vicarium_fw-la episcopi_fw-la &_o saculare_v in_o ecclesia_fw-la judicare_fw-la iâ—_n uno_fw-la enim_fw-la eodemque_fw-la officiâ—_n non_fw-la debet_fw-la esse_fw-la dispar_fw-la professio_fw-la a_o canon_n direct_o level_v against_o all_o lay-chancellour_n in_o bishop_n court_n and_o such_o official_o but_o do_v with_o the_o same_o force_n take_v away_o all_o lay-elder_n as_o imply_v it_o to_o be_v whole_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v secular_a person_n to_o judge_v in_o the_o church_n but_o although_o i_o suppose_v this_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o manifest_v the_o no_o divine_a right_n of_o lay-elder_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o therefore_o absolute_o condemn_v all_o use_n of_o some_o person_n choose_v by_o the_o people_n to_o be_v as_o their_o representative_n for_o manage_v their_o interest_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n for_o now_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o people_n which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v grow_v out_o of_o use_n such_o a_o constitution_n whereby_o two_o or_o more_o of_o the_o people_n choice_n may_v be_v present_a at_o church_n debate_n may_v be_v very_o useful_a so_o they_o be_v look_v on_o only_o as_o a_o prudential_a humane_a constitution_n and_o not_o as_o any_o thing_n found_v on_o divine_a right_n so_o much_o may_v serve_v for_o the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o probability_n of_o the_o apostle_n not_o observe_v one_o settle_v form_n of_o church-government_n which_o be_v from_o the_o different_a state_n quantity_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n by_o they_o plant_v the_o second_o be_v from_o the_o multitude_n of_o unfixed_a officer_n reside_v in_o some_o place_n who_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n in_o chief_a during_o their_o residence_n such_o be_v the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n and_o all_o person_n almost_o of_o note_n in_o scripture_n they_o be_v but_o very_o sew_v and_o those_o in_o probability_n not_o the_o able_a who_o be_v leave_v at_o home_n to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o spoil_n the_o strong_a and_o able_a like_o commander_n in_o a_o army_n be_v not_o settle_v in_o any_o troop_n but_o go_v up_o and_o down_o from_o this_o company_n to_o that_o to_o order_v they_o and_o draw_v they_o forth_o and_o while_o they_o be_v they_o have_v the_o chief_a authority_n among_o they_o but_o as_o commandets_n of_o the_o army_n and_o not_o as_o officer_n of_o the_o troop_n such_o be_v evangelist_n who_o be_v send_v sometime_o into_o this_o country_n to_o put_v the_o church_n in_o order_n there_o sometime_o into_o another_o but_o where_o ever_o they_o be_v they_o act_v as_o evangelist_n and_o not_o as_o fix_v officer_n and_o sâ—câ—_n be_v timothy_n and_o titus_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o opposition_n make_v against_o it_o as_o will_v appear_v to_o any_o that_o will_v take_v a_o impartial_a survey_n of_o the_o argument_n on_o both_o side_n now_o where_o there_o be_v in_o some_o place_n evangelist_n in_o other_o not_o and_o in_o many_o church_n it_o may_v be_v no_o other_o officer_n but_o these_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o observe_v one_o constant_a form_n but_o be_v with_o the_o evangelist_n travel_v abroad_o to_o the_o church_n and_o order_v thing_n in_o they_o as_o they_o see_v cause_n but_o as_o to_o this_o i_o have_v anticipate_v myself_o already_o the_o last_o ground_n be_v from_o the_o different_a custom_n observe_v in_o the_o church_n after_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o no_o other_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o epiphanius_n jerome_n and_o
with_o they_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o action_n of_o paschasinus_n the_o roman_a legate_n in_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n from_o whence_o forward_o the_o great_a leviâ—than_n by_o his_o tumble_v in_o the_o wave_n endeavour_v to_o get_v the_o dominion_n of_o all_o into_o his_o hand_n but_o god_n have_v at_o last_o put_v a_o hook_n into_o his_o nostril_n and_o raise_v up_o the_o great_a instrument_n of_o reformation_n who_o like_o the_o sword_n fish_n have_v so_o pierce_v into_o his_o bowel_n that_o by_o his_o tumble_v he_o may_v only_o hasten_v his_o approach_a ruin_n and_o give_v the_o church_n every_o day_n more_o hope_n of_o see_v its_o self_n free_v from_o the_o tyranny_n of_o a_o usurp_v power_n by_o this_o scheme_n and_o draught_n now_o of_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o church_n power_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a then_o that_o it_o rise_v not_o from_o any_o divine_a institution_n but_o only_o from_o positive_a &_o ecclesiastical_a law_n make_v according_a to_o the_o several_a state_n and_o condition_n wherein_o the_o church_n be_v which_o as_o it_o gradual_o grow_v up_o so_o waâ—_n the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n by_o mutual_a consent_n fit_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o several_a age_n which_o be_v the_o fiâ—st_a argument_n that_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v not_o conceive_v its_o self_n bind_v to_o observe_v any_o one_o unalterable_a form_n of_o government_n this_o be_v the_o chief_a the_o rest_n that_o follow_v will_v soon_o be_v dispatch_v the_o second_o be_v from_o the_o great_a variety_n as_o to_o government_n 6._o which_o be_v in_o several_a church_n what_o come_v from_o divine_a right_n be_v observe_v unalterable_o in_o one_o uniform_a &_o constant_a tenor_n but_o what_o we_o find_v so_o much_o diversify_v according_a to_o several_a place_n we_o may_v have_v ground_n to_o look_v on_o only_o as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n which_o be_v follow_v by_o every_o church_n as_o it_o judge_v convenient_a now_o as_o to_o church_n government_n we_o may_v find_v some_o church_n without_o bishop_n for_o a_o long_a time_n some_o but_o with_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o whole_a nation_n many_o city_n without_o any_o where_o bishop_n be_v common_a many_o church_n discontinue_v bishop_n for_o a_o great_a while_n where_o they_o have_v be_v no_o certain_a rule_n observe_v for_o model_v their_o diocese_n where_o they_o be_v still_o continue_v will_v not_o all_o these_o thing_n make_v it_o seem_v very_o improbable_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o apostolical_a institution_n that_o no_o church_n shall_v be_v without_o a_o bishop_n first_o than_o some_o whole_a nation_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v without_o any_o bishop_n at_o all_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v their_o own_o historian_n so_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v the_o great_a antiquary_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n that_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o their_o culdei_n as_o they_o call_v their_o presbyter_n without_o any_o bishop_n over_o they_o for_o a_o long_a time_n johannes_n maior_n speak_v of_o their_o instruction_n in_o the_o faith_n per_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la &_o monachos_fw-la sine_fw-la episcopis_fw-la scoti_n in_fw-la fide_fw-la eruditi_fw-la but_o least_o 2._o that_o shall_v be_v interpret_v only_o of_o theâ—r_a conversion_n johannes_n fordònus_n be_v clear_a and_o full_a to_o their_o government_n from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o conversion_n about_o a._n d_o 263._o to_o the_o come_n of_o palladius_n a._n d._n 430._o that_o they_o be_v only_o govern_v by_o presbyter_n 1._o and_o monk_n ante_fw-la palladii_fw-la adventum_fw-la habebant_fw-la scoti_n fidei_fw-la dâ—ctores_fw-la ac_fw-la sacramentorum_fw-la ministratores_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la solunmodo_fw-la vel_fw-la monachos_fw-la ritum_fw-la sequentes_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la primitivae_fw-la 314._o so_o much_o mistake_v be_v that_o learned_a man_n who_o say_v that_o neither_o beda_n nor_o any_o other_o affirm_v that_o the_o scot_n be_v former_o rule_v by_o a_o presbytery_n or_o so_o much_o as_o that_o they_o have_v any_o presbyter_n among_o they_o neither_o be_v it_o any_o way_n sufficient_a to_o say_v that_o these_o presbyter_n do_v derive_v their_o authority_n from_o some_o bishop_n for_o however_o we_o see_v here_o a_o church_n govern_v without_o such_o or_o if_o they_o have_v any_o they_o be_v only_o choose_v from_o their_o culdei_fw-la much_o after_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n as_o hector_n boethiuâ—_n do_v imply_v and_o if_o we_o believe_v 5._o philostorgius_n the_o gothick_n church_n be_v plant_v and_o govern_v by_o presbyter_n for_o above_o seventy_o year_n for_o so_o long_o it_o be_v from_o their_o first_o conversion_n to_o the_o time_n of_o ulphilas_n who_o he_o make_v their_o first_o bishop_n and_o great_a probability_n there_o be_v that_o where_o church_n be_v plant_v by_o presbyter_n as_o the_o church_n of_o france_n by_o andochius_n and_o benignus_n that_o afterward_o upon_o the_o increase_n of_o church_n and_o presbyter_n to_o rule_v they_o they_o do_v from_o among_o themselves_o choose_v one_o to_o be_v as_o the_o bishop_n over_o they_o as_o pothinus_n be_v at_o lion_n for_o we_o nowhere_o read_v in_o those_o early_a plantation_n of_o church_n that_o where_o there_o be_v presbyter_n already_o they_o send_v to_o other_o church_n to_o derive_v episcopal_a ordination_n from_o they_o now_o for_o whole_a nation_n have_v but_o one_o bishop_n we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o sozomen_n that_o in_o scythia_n which_o by_o the_o roman_n be_v call_v masia_n inferior_a 19_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d although_o there_o be_v many_o city_n they_o have_v but_o one_o bishop_n the_o like_a godignus_n 321._o relate_v of_o the_o abâ—ssine_a church_n though_o their_o territory_n be_v of_o vast_a extent_n there_o be_v but_o only_o one_o bishop_n in_o all_o those_o dominion_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o abuna_n and_o where_o bishop_n be_v most_o common_a it_o be_v evident_a they_o look_v not_o on_o it_o as_o a_o apostolical_a rule_n for_o every_o city_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n which_o it_o must_v have_v if_o it_o be_v a_o apostolical_a institution_n for_o the_o church_n to_o follow_v the_o civil_a government_n theodoret_n mention_n 800_o church_n 113._o under_o his_o charge_n in_o who_o diâ—cess_n ptolemy_n place_v many_o other_o city_n of_o note_n beside_o cirus_n as_o ariseria_fw-la regius_fw-la ruba_n 15_o heraclea_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o province_n of_o tripoli_n he_o reckon_v nine_o city_n which_o have_v but_o five_o bishop_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o notitia_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la africanae_n in_o thracia_n every_o bishop_n have_v several_a city_n under_o hâ—m_n the_o bishop_n of_o heraclea_n that_o and_o panion_n the_o bishop_n of_o byze_n have_v it_o and_o arcadiapolis_n of_o coela_n have_v 7._o it_o and_o callipolis_n sabsadia_n have_v it_o and_o aphrodisias_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o produce_v more_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n either_o ancient_a or_o modern_a they_o be_v so_o common_a and_o obvious_a but_o further_a we_o find_v bishop_n discontinue_v for_o a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o great_a church_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o church_n without_o a_o bishop_n where_o be_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n when_o from_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o fabian_n and_o the_o banishment_n of_o lucius_n the_o church_n be_v govern_v only_o by_o the_o clergy_n 31._o so_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n when_o cyprian_n be_v banish_v the_o church_n of_o the_o east_n when_o meletius_n of_o antioeh_n eusebius_n samosatenus_fw-la pelagius_n of_o laodicea_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o orthodox_n bishop_n be_v banish_v for_o ten_o year_n space_n and_o flavianus_n and_o diodorus_n two_o presbyter_n rule_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n 22._o the_o mean_a while_n the_o church_n of_o carthage_n be_v twenty_o four_o year_n without_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o time_n of_o hunerik_n king_n of_o the_o vandal_n and_o when_o it_o be_v offer_v they_o that_o vand._n they_o may_v have_v a_o bishop_n upon_o admit_v the_o arrian_n to_o a_o free_a exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n among_o they_o their_o answer_n be_v upon_o those_o term_n ecclesia_fw-la episcopum_fw-la non_fw-la delictatur_fw-la habere_fw-la laod._n and_o balsamon_n speak_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o east_n determine_v it_o neither_o safe_a nor_o necessary_a in_o their_o present_a state_n to_o have_v bishop_n set_v up_o over_o they_o and_o last_o for_o their_o diocese_n it_o be_v evident_a there_o be_v no_o certain_a rule_n for_o model_v they_o in_o some_o place_n they_o be_v far_o less_o than_o in_o other_o siast_n general_o in_o the_o primitive_a and_o eastern_a church_n they_o be_v very_o small_a and_o little_a as_o far_o more_o convenient_a for_o the_o end_n of_o they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o bishop_n charge_n it_o be_v observe_v out_o of_o walafridus_n strabo_n by_o a_o learned_a man_n fertur_fw-la in_o orientis_fw-la partibus_fw-la per_fw-la singulas_fw-la urbes_fw-la &_o praefecturas_fw-la singulas_fw-la
any_o such_o union_n and_o abstract_o from_o it_o for_o can_v we_o imagine_v our_o blessed_a saviour_n shall_v institute_v a_o society_n and_o leave_v it_o destitute_a of_o mean_n to_o uphold_v its_o self_n unless_o it_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o that_o he_o leave_v every_o thing_n tend_v thereto_o mere_o to_o prudence_n and_o the_o arbitrary_a constitution_n of_o the_o person_n join_v together_o in_o this_o society_n do_v our_o saviour_n take_v care_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o society_n and_o not_o provide_v for_o mean_n to_o uphold_v it_o nay_o it_o be_v evident_a he_o not_o only_o appoint_v a_o society_n but_o officer_n to_o rule_v it_o have_v those_o officer_n than_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v it_o or_o no_o by_o virtue_n of_o christ_n institution_n of_o they_o if_o not_o they_o be_v rather_o bibuli_fw-la than_o caesares_fw-la cipher_n than_o consul_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n if_o they_o have_v a_o power_n to_o govern_v do_v not_o that_o necessary_o imply_v a_o right_a to_o inflict_v censure_n on_o offender_n unless_o we_o will_v suppose_v that_o either_o there_o can_v be_v no_o offender_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n or_o that_o those_o offender_n do_v not_o uâ—olate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n or_o there_o be_v some_o prohibition_n for_o they_o to_o exercise_v their_o power_n over_o they_o which_o be_v to_o give_v power_n with_o one_o hand_n and_o take_v it_o away_o with_o the_o other_o or_o that_o this_o power_n can_v extend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o exclude_v any_o from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v discuss_v have_v thus_o clear_v our_o way_n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o resolution_n 10._o of_o the_o question_n its_o self_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v with_o what_o evidence_n the_o subject_n be_v capable_a of_o these_o follow_a thing_n first_o that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o peculiar_a society_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o the_o commonwealth_n second_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n over_o its_o member_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o mere_a confederation_n or_o consent_n of_o party_n three_o that_o this_o power_n of_o the_o church_n do_v extend_v to_o the_o exclusion_n of_o offender_n from_o the_o privilege_n of_o it_o four_o that_o the_o fundamental_a right_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o escheat_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n upon_o their_o being_n unite_v in_o a_o christian_a state_n if_o these_o principle_n be_v establish_v the_o church_n power_n will_v stand_v upon_o they_o as_o on_o a_o firm_a and_o unmoveable_a basis._n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o peculiar_a society_n 11._o in_o its_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o the_o commonwealth_n which_o i_o prove_v by_o these_o argument_n 1._o those_o society_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o subsist_v apart_o from_o each_o other_o be_v real_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o one_o another_o but_o so_o it_o be_v with_o the_o church_n and_o common_a wealth_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a evidence_n of_o a_o real_a distinction_n than_o mutual_a separation_n and_o i_o think_v the_o prove_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o soul_n exist_v separate_a from_o the_o body_n be_v one_o of_o the_o strong_a argument_n to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v a_o substance_n real_o distinct_a from_o the_o body_n to_o which_o it_o be_v unite_v although_o we_o be_v often_o fain_o to_o go_v the_o other_o way_n to_o work_v and_o to_o prove_v possibility_n of_o separation_n from_o other_o argument_n evince_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v a_o distinct_a substance_n but_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o be_v for_o want_v of_o evidence_n as_o to_o the_o state_n of_o separate_a soul_n and_o theiâ—_n visible_a existence_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o immateriality_n of_o their_o nature_n but_o now_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n we_o have_v all_o evidence_n desirable_a for_o we_o be_v not_o put_v to_o prove_v possibility_n of_o separation_n mere_o from_o the_o different_a constitution_n of_o the_o thing_n unite_v but_o we_o have_v evidence_n to_o sense_n of_o it_o that_o the_o church_n have_v subsist_v when_o it_o have_v be_v not_o only_o separate_v from_o but_o persecute_v by_o all_o civil_a power_n it_o be_v with_o many_o man_n as_o to_o the_o union_n of_o church_n and_o state_n as_o it_o be_v with_o other_o as_o to_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n when_o they_o observe_v how_o close_o the_o union_n be_v and_o how_o much_o the_o soul_n make_v use_v of_o the_o animal_n spirit_n in_o most_o of_o its_o operation_n and_o how_o great_a a_o sympathy_n there_o be_v between_o they_o that_o like_o hypocrates_n his_o twin_n they_o laugh_v and_o weep_v together_o they_o be_v shrewd_o put_v to_o it_o how_o to_o fancy_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v any_o thing_n else_o than_o a_o more_o vigorous_a mode_n of_o matter_n so_o these_o observe_v how_o close_o a_o union_n and_o dependence_n there_o be_v between_o the_o church_n and_o state_n in_o a_o christian_a commonwealth_n and_o how_o much_o the_o church_n be_v behold_v to_o the_o civil_a power_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o its_o function_n be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o the_o church_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o high_a mode_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n consider_v as_o christian._n but_o when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o the_o church_n have_v and_o may_v subsist_v suppose_v it_o abstract_v from_o all_o civil_a power_n it_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n that_o however_o near_o they_o may_v be_v when_o unite_a yet_o they_o be_v real_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o each_o other_o which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v 2._o those_o be_v distinct_a society_n which_o have_v every_o thing_n distinct_a 1_o in_o their_o nature_n from_o each_o other_o which_o belong_v to_o the_o constitution_n or_o government_n of_o they_o but_o this_o be_v evident_a as_o to_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n which_o will_v appear_v because_o their_o charter_n be_v distinct_a or_o that_o which_o give_v they_o their_o be_v as_o a_o society_n civil_a society_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o necessity_n of_o particular_a man_n part_v with_o their_o peculiar_a right_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o themselves_o which_o be_v the_o impulsive_a cause_n of_o their_o enter_v into_o society_n but_o that_o which_o actual_o speak_v they_o to_o be_v a_o society_n be_v the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o the_o several_a party_n join_v together_o whereby_o they_o make_v themselves_o to_o be_v one_o body_n and_o to_o have_v one_o common_a interest_n so_o cicero_n de_fw-fr repub._n define_v 21._o populus_fw-la to_o be_v coe'us_fw-la multitudinis_fw-la juris_fw-la consensu_fw-la &_o utilitatis_fw-la communione_fw-la sociatus_fw-la there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o god_n general_a providence_n be_v as_o evident_o see_v in_o bring_v the_o world_n into_o society_n and_o make_v they_o live_v under_o government_n as_o in_o dispose_v all_o particular_a event_n which_o happen_v in_o those_o society_n but_o yet_o the_o way_n which_o providence_n use_v in_o the_o constitution_n of_o these_o society_n be_v by_o incline_v man_n to_o consent_v to_o associate_v for_o their_o mutual_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n so_o that_o natural_a reason_n consult_v for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n as_o to_o those_o right_n which_o man_n enjoy_v in_o common_a with_o each_o other_o be_v the_o main_a foundation_n upon_o which_o all_o civil_a society_n be_v erect_v we_o find_v no_o positive_a law_n enact_v the_o be_v of_o civil_a society_n because_o nature_n its_o self_n will_v prompt_v man_n for_o their_o own_o conveniency_n to_o enter_v into_o they_o but_o the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o that_o society_n which_o we_o call_v a_o church_n be_v a_o matter_n which_o natural_a reason_n and_o common_a notion_n can_v never_o reach_v to_o and_o therefore_o a_o associate_a for_o the_o preserve_n of_o such_o may_v be_v a_o philosophical_a society_n but_o a_o christian_a it_o can_v be_v and_o they_o that_o will_v make_v a_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o society_n of_o essen_n or_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o pythagorean_n do_v either_o not_o understand_v or_o not_o consider_v whereon_o this_o christian_a society_n be_v found_v for_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o look_v on_o it_o as_o a_o mere_o voluntary_a thing_n that_o be_v not_o at_o all_o settle_a by_o any_o divine_a positive_a law_n the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v no_o principle_n more_o consistent_a with_o the_o 13._o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o deny_v any_o church_n power_n in_o a_o christian_a state_n than_o this_o be_v and_o it_o be_v that_o which_o every_o one_o who_o will_v make_v good_a his_o ground_n must_v be_v drive_v to_o for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o matter_n mere_o voluntary_a and_o depend_v