the_o supreme_a governor_n give_v to_o any_o of_o his_o officer_n there_o may_v be_v this_o in_o the_o church_n where_o presbyter_n rule_v in_o common_a nature_n also_o teach_v that_o when_o more_o have_v a_o common_a power_n they_o may_v consult_v about_o the_o best_a way_n of_o manage_n it_o but_o it_o do_v not_o teach_v that_o they_o may_v manage_v it_o otherwise_o then_o it_o be_v commit_v to_o they_o by_o he_o who_o give_v it_o which_o they_o must_v do_v if_o they_o put_v it_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o one_o which_o be_v give_v to_o more_o especial_o when_o it_o may_v be_v manage_v well_o without_o such_o cross_v the_o institution_n of_o it_o beside_o all_o this_o nature_n can_v never_o warrant_v this_o alienation_n of_o the_o power_n that_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o his_o servant_n because_o nature_n do_v only_o warrant_v we_o to_o step_v beside_o christ_n institution_n in_o his_o matter_n where_o institution_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o attain_v that_o which_o be_v natural_o necessary_a or_o when_o the_o act_v only_o by_o institution_n will_v cross_v nature_n but_o there_o be_v no_o natural_a necessity_n of_o give_v all_o power_n to_o a_o bishop_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o presbyter_n neither_o do_v leave_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o in_o common_a cross_a nature_n ergo_fw-la nature_n do_v not_o warrant_v this_o practice_n neither_o can_v the_o four_o warrant_v it_o for_o than_o it_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o take_v all_o the_o power_n that_o minister_n have_v from_o christ_n out_o of_o their_o hand_n and_o give_v it_o to_o one_o so_o that_o only_o my_o lord_n bishop_n may_v preach_v baptise_v etc._n etc._n as_o well_o as_o that_o he_o only_o may_v rule_v for_o their_o be_v no_o law_n forbid_v the_o church_n to_o lay_v all_o the_o part_n of_o pastoral_a power_n on_o one_o more_o than_o forbid_v to_o lay_v one_o part_n of_o it_o on_o one_o sure_a sobriety_n and_o due_a reverence_n to_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n will_v teach_v we_o to_o think_v that_o while_o he_o have_v give_v equal_a power_n to_o many_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o sufficient_a forbid_v that_o any_o be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o lay_v the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n on_o one_o take_v it_o from_o the_o rest_n sect._n 18._o 2._o i_o prove_v it_o thus_o when_o christ_n give_v a_o power_n to_o his_o servant_n to_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o his_o church_n it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o licence_n whereby_o they_o be_v authorize_v to_o do_v such_o work_n if_o they_o think_v fit_a but_o it_o be_v a_o trust_n they_o get_v it_o as_o a_o charge_n that_o they_o must_v give_v account_n of_o as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o command_n to_o this_o purpose_n give_v they_o act._n 20.28_o take_v heed_n to_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n here_o be_v a_o command_n to_o overseer_n to_o do_v that_o work_n and_o they_o must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o this_o their_o charge_n heb._n 13.17_o ruler_n who_o must_v be_v obey_v be_v such_o who_o must_v give_v a_o account_n now_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o one_o who_o get_v such_o a_o trust_n to_o lay_v it_o on_o another_o neither_o may_v any_o take_v it_o out_o of_o his_o hand_n to_o bestow_v it_o upon_o another_o without_o his_o leave_n who_o give_v that_o trust_n when_o christ_n have_v command_v minister_n to_o rule_v and_o will_v seek_v account_n of_o they_o may_v they_o lay_v their_o work_n on_o a_o bishop_n will_v it_o be_v well_o take_v in_o the_o day_n of_o account_n to_o say_v they_o commit_v their_o flock_n to_o another_o to_o keep_v who_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o wolf_n or_o scatter_v and_o slay_v they_o will_v not_o the_o lord_n say_v to_o they_o why_o do_v not_o you_o feed_v they_o yourselves_o sure_a christ_n will_v require_v account_n of_o they_o to_o who_o be_v give_v the_o charge_n and_o that_o be_v of_o pastor_n neither_o will_v he_o ask_v account_n of_o bishop_n except_o for_o their_o usurpation_n ergo_fw-la it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o take_v the_o exercise_n of_o church_n power_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o minister_n and_o give_v it_o to_o a_o bishop_n 3._o proof_n if_o presbyter_n who_o have_v receive_v power_n from_o christ_n may_v put_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o bishop_n alienate_v it_o from_o themselves_o why_o may_v not_o bishop_n devolve_v their_o power_n on_o one_o who_o shall_v be_v over_o they_o and_o so_o we_o shall_v have_v a_o universal_a bishop_n the_o pope_n in_o who_o shall_v rest_v all_o church_n power_n and_o at_o who_o direction_n it_o shall_v be_v exercise_v if_o that_o may_v be_v do_v there_o be_v no_o shadow_n of_o reason_n why_o this_o may_v not_o be_v do_v for_o if_o once_o the_o power_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o they_o to_o who_o christ_n have_v give_v it_o than_o prudence_n must_v be_v the_o only_a director_n to_o teach_v we_o who_o must_v have_v it_o now_o prudence_n will_v as_o well_o say_v that_o bishop_n must_v have_v one_o over_o they_o to_o keep_v they_o in_o order_n and_o peace_n as_o that_o presbyter_n must_v have_v one_o over_o they_o neither_o be_v there_o here_o any_o inconvenience_n that_o be_v not_o there_o for_o that_o one_o may_v turn_v to_o tyranny_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o a_o bishop_n can_v oversee_v his_o charge_n without_o substitute_n more_o than_o the_o pope_n can_v do_v the_o one_o may_v substitute_v bishop_n cardinals_z etc._n etc._n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o may_v substitute_v dean_n prebend_n archdeacon_n etc._n etc._n now_o i_o hope_v mr._n stillingfleet_n be_v not_o come_v to_o that_o to_o think_v the_o papal_a office_n a_o indifferent_a ceremony_n ergo_fw-la neither_o shall_v he_o think_v so_o of_o episcopacy_n 4._o if_o presbyter_n may_v devolve_v the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n that_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o bishop_n than_o they_o may_v also_o give_v away_o with_o their_o power_n the_o very_a office_n that_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o but_o this_o they_o may_v not_o ergo_fw-la i_o prove_v the_o major_n for_o when_o they_o devolve_v the_o exercise_n of_o their_o roll_a power_n on_o the_o bishop_n they_o not_o only_a consent_n that_o they_o shall_v rule_v the_o people_n which_o they_o may_v do_v but_o they_o make_v it_o unlawful_a for_o themselves_o to_o rule_v yea_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o be_v rule_v and_o command_v by_o they_o so_o that_o he_o be_v their_o judge_n and_o can_v be_v judge_v by_o they_o in_o case_n of_o maladministration_n at_o least_o this_o be_v true_a de_fw-fr singulis_fw-la if_o not_o the_o omnibus_fw-la but_o this_o be_v to_o give_v away_o the_o very_a power_n for_o if_o i_o may_v not_o act_v how_o have_v i_o a_o power_n to_o act_v if_o both_o i_o and_o the_o people_n be_v under_o the_o command_n of_o another_o so_o that_o i_o may_v not_o act_v any_o thing_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o people_n but_o by_o his_o authority_n how_o have_v i_o power_n to_o rule_v sure_o a_o power_n be_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o act_n quantum_fw-la est_fw-la ex_fw-la parte_fw-la causae_fw-la and_o a_o moral_a power_n be_v such_o a_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o act_n but_o in_o this_o case_n presbyter_n want_v that_o possibility_n or_o lawfulness_n of_o that_o exercise_n of_o rule_v and_o that_o so_o as_o the_o defect_n or_o hindrance_n ex_fw-la parte_fw-la causae_fw-la be_v in_o themselves_o who_o shall_v put_v forth_o the_o act_n ergo_fw-la they_o want_v not_o only_o the_o exercise_n but_o the_o very_a power_n of_o rule_v which_o christ_n give_v they_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o minor_a of_o the_o argument_n be_v evident_a for_o such_o a_o alienation_n be_v a_o clear_a contradict_v of_o christ_n he_o say_v it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o you_o such_o a_o one_o be_v lawful_o put_v into_o the_o ministry_n to_o rule_v he_o by_o this_o alienate_n say_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v lawful_a for_o i_o to_o rule_v if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o christ_n gift_n make_v it_o lawful_a for_o such_o a_o one_o to_o rule_v but_o not_o in_o all_o case_n as_o suppose_v the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n require_v that_o this_o power_n be_v take_v from_o he_o his_o alienate_n make_v it_o only_o unlawful_a in_o this_o case_n when_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n he_o have_v quit_v his_o right_n so_o that_o here_o there_o be_v no_o opposition_n christ_n give_v he_o a_o jus_o in_fw-la actu_fw-la primo_fw-la he_o alienate_v only_o this_o jus_o in_o actu_fw-la secundo_fw-la as_o mr._n stillingfleet_n do_v express_v it_o answ_n 1._o however_o there_o may_v be_v some_o colour_n of_o reason_n why_o this_o may_v be_v do_v in_o some_o extraordinary_a case_n when_o christ_n institution_n which_o be_v calculate_v to_o
be_v that_o the_o place_n of_o scripture_n most_o in_o controversy_n about_o the_o form_n of_o government_n may_v be_v without_o any_o incongruity_n understand_v of_o either_o of_o the_o different_a form_n which_o he_o make_v out_o by_o go_v through_o the_o several_a place_n the_o first_o be_v act_v 11.30_o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o relief_n for_o the_o brethren_n of_o judea_n be_v send_v to_o the_o elder_n there_o be_v nothing_o here_o say_v he_o to_o show_v whether_o there_o be_v the_o local_a elder_n of_o jerusalem_n or_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o several_a church_n of_o judea_n answ_n i_o wonder_v why_o he_o shall_v have_v bring_v this_o as_o the_o first_o or_o as_o one_o of_o these_o few_o scripture_n that_o he_o undertake_v to_o answer_v for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o most_o pungent_a scripture_n against_o his_o design_n he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v for_o i_o think_v it_o be_v very_o little_o insist_v on_o by_o either_o party_n nor_o can_v i_o remember_v that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o it_o as_o bring_v to_o prove_v either_o parity_n or_o imparity_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o at_o least_o some_o probability_n may_v be_v hence_o bring_v that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o parity_n of_o elder_n for_o which_o i_o lay_v down_o brief_o these_o ground_n first_o the_o elder_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n this_o he_o do_v not_o deny_v two_o they_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n this_o he_o say_v be_v not_o sure_a for_o they_o may_v be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n but_o against_o this_o i_o argue_v 1._o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o say_v they_o may_v be_v but_o what_o ground_n be_v there_o to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o judea_n we_o bring_v probable_a ground_n for_o what_o we_o assert_v but_o what_o can_v be_v say_v for_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v a_o bold_a way_n of_o expound_v scriture_n to_o say_v such_o a_o sense_n it_o may_v have_v when_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o it_o have_v such_o a_o sense_n but_o some_o ground_n to_o the_o contrary_n 2._o however_o the_o relief_n ought_v to_o be_v send_v to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n yet_o it_o be_v deliver_v at_o jerusalem_n to_o be_v send_v abroad_o for_o it_o be_v deliver_v to_o these_o elder_n by_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n who_o it_o be_v not_o like_a they_o send_v through_o the_o several_a church_n of_o judea_n it_o be_v speak_v of_o as_o one_o single_a act_n of_o they_o deliver_v the_o other_o to_o a_o company_n of_o elder_n meet_v together_o now_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o judea_n be_v meet_v together_o on_o this_o occasion_n for_o what_o need_v such_o a_o convention_n for_o receive_v alm_n yea_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v so_o natural_a to_o they_o beforehand_o as_o that_o they_o can_v meet_v about_o it_o neither_o have_v that_o conceit_n of_o some_o any_o probability_n that_o these_o bishop_n do_v reside_v at_o jerusalem_n such_o man_n do_v not_o begin_v so_o soon_o to_o slight_v their_o particular_a charge_n but_o of_o this_o after_o these_o elder_n than_o be_v the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n 3._o we_o find_v a_o company_n of_o elder_n ordinary_o at_o jerusalem_n not_o only_o act_n 15.6_o which_o may_v be_v upon_o the_o solemn_a occasion_n of_o the_o council_n but_o act._n 21.18_o that_o these_o be_v the_o elder_n of_o judea_n come_v up_o with_o their_o flock_n to_o keep_v the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n as_o mr._n still_o guess_v be_v a_o most_o irrational_a conceit_n for_o though_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n be_v zealous_a of_o the_o law_n shall_v we_o think_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v set_v teacher_n over_o they_o who_o be_v no_o better_o instruct_v in_o the_o gospel_n than_o so_o and_o beside_o these_o believe_a jew_n ver_fw-la 20_o who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v zealous_a of_o the_o law_n can_v neither_o be_v prove_v to_o have_v be_v then_o present_a at_o jerusalem_n for_o they_o may_v hear_v of_o paul_n condescendency_n to_o their_o custom_n though_o they_o be_v not_o there_o neither_o that_o they_o be_v those_o of_o the_o country_n of_o judea_n they_o may_v be_v of_o jerusalem_n itself_o but_o i_o incline_v rather_o to_o the_o first_o now_o we_o find_v not_o any_o other_o company_n of_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o judea_n meet_v in_o one_o place_n these_o be_v then_o the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n 4._o it_o be_v then_o observe_v both_o by_o the_o ordinary_a gloss_n and_o by_o lyra_n in_o loc_n that_o this_o famine_n be_v main_o like_a to_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n the_o believer_n there_o be_v spoil_v of_o their_o movable_a good_n in_o the_o persecution_n about_o stephen_n and_o therefore_o this_o relief_n be_v chief_o to_o they_o ergo_fw-la they_o be_v the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o here_o receive_v it_o now_o from_o these_o ground_n it_o easy_o follow_v what_o we_o intend_v viz._n if_o there_o be_v a_o company_n of_o elder_n who_o be_v ruler_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n then_o this_o church_n of_o the_o rest_n there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n be_v not_o govern_v by_o a_o bishop_n but_o by_o presbyter_n act_v in_o parity_n it_o be_v strange_a if_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v speak_v of_o and_o no_o notice_n take_v of_o my_o lord_n bishop_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o person_n in_o such_o a_o matter_n sect._n 13._o the_o second_o place_n be_v act._n 14.23_o when_o they_o have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n to_o which_o he_o join_v the_o 3d_o tit._n 1.5_o that_o thou_o shall_v ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n of_o which_o place_n he_o say_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v no_o more_o but_o ecclesiatim_fw-la and_o oppidatim_fw-la so_o that_o the_o place_n may_v well_o be_v understand_v of_o ordain_v one_o elder_a in_o every_o church_n and_o city_n or_o of_o more_o but_o do_v not_o determine_v whether_o one_o or_o more_o be_v ordain_v in_o they_o but_o grant_v all_o that_o he_o allege_v a_o strong_a argument_n for_o our_o purpose_n may_v be_v bring_v from_o these_o place_n thus_o there_o be_v at_o least_o in_o every_o church_n one_o elder_a in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o such_o a_o elder_a as_o be_v also_o a_o bishop_n and_o have_v govern_v power_n over_o the_o church_n as_o appear_v by_o compare_v vers_n 7._o of_o tit._n 2._o with_o this_o vers_n 5._o but_o there_o can_v not_o be_v in_o every_o church_n a_o diocesan_n bishop_n rule_v over_o presbyter_n for_o one_o of_o these_o be_v over_o many_o church_n ergo._n the_o church_n be_v then_o govern_v by_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o several_a church_n act_v in_o parity_n for_o if_o every_o church_n have_v its_o elder_a or_o elder_n and_o these_o all_o be_v ruler_n than_o the_o rule_n be_v not_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o one_o superior_a over_o many_o church_n nothing_o can_v be_v question_v in_o this_o argument_n except_o it_o be_v say_v that_o every_o church_n here_o be_v not_o every_o congregational_a but_o diocesan_n church_n but_o this_o can_v in_o no_o wise_n be_v for_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o elder_a or_o elder_n in_o every_o congregational_a church_n for_o the_o people_n instruction_n if_o these_o than_o do_v rule_v the_o church_n be_v rule_v by_o the_o elder_n of_o congregational_a church_n the_o next_o place_n be_v act_n 20.17_o and_o from_o miletus_n paul_n send_v and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n these_o say_v we_o be_v elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o who_o in_o common_a paul_n commit_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n vers_fw-la 28._o not_o to_o one_o bishop_n over_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o parity_n of_o elder_n to_o this_o place_n he_o answer_v by_o show_v some_o probability_n for_o both_o meaning_n viz._n that_o these_o be_v the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n and_o that_o they_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n but_o take_v no_o pain_n to_o answer_v what_o be_v say_v on_o either_o hand_n only_o conclude_v that_o because_o there_o be_v probability_n on_o both_o hand_n there_o be_v no_o fix_a truth_n on_o either_o which_o be_v most_o detestable_a scepticism_n for_o if_o there_o be_v argument_n for_o both_o part_n sure_a both_o can_v be_v true_a see_v they_o be_v contradictory_n neither_o can_v both_o be_v false_a for_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o contradictoriarum_fw-la altera_fw-la semper_fw-la est_fw-la vera_fw-la altera_fw-la semper_fw-la est_fw-la falsa_fw-la than_o it_o be_v his_o part_n either_o to_o show_v that_o neither_o of_o the_o argument_n prove_v any_o thing_n by_o answer_v to_o they_o or_o to_o hold_v to_o
of_o presbyter_n act_v in_o a_o society_n where_o they_o can_v be_v have_v and_o single_o where_o more_o can_v not_o be_v and_o that_o they_o never_o settle_v it_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o bishop_n rule_v over_o presbyter_n all_o this_o be_v evident_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v he_o take_v occasion_n p._n 336_o etc._n etc._n to_o speak_v against_o the_o office_n of_o ruling-elders_a in_o the_o church_n in_o which_o dispute_n he_o touch_v not_o any_o except_o one_o scripture_n of_o those_o argument_n which_o be_v bring_v by_o the_o defender_n of_o that_o office_n which_o be_v but_o a_o slight_a way_n of_o dispute_v against_o any_o opinion_n it_o be_v not_o needful_a to_o our_o design_n to_o handle_v this_o debate_n full_o till_o that_o be_v answer_v which_o be_v write_v by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o assertion_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o treatise_n of_o ruling-elders_a and_o deacon_n by_o the_o london_n minister_n in_o their_o jus_o divinum_fw-la reg._n eccles_n and_o in_o their_o vindication_n of_o pres_n gou._n by_o smect_n by_o calv._n just_o lib._n 4._o c._n 4._o sect_n 8._o and_o lib._n 4._o c._n 11._o sect_n 6._o by_o peter_n martyr_n loc._n come_v clas_o 4._o c._n 1._o num_fw-la 11._o and_o many_o other_o wherefore_o i_o shall_v only_o answer_v what_o this_o author_n have_v say_v against_o the_o truth_n in_o this_o point_n whereas_o among_o many_o other_o scripture_n prove_v this_o office_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o be_v bring_v as_o one_o there_o be_v imply_v there_o a_o distinction_n of_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o and_o be_v to_o be_v honour_v with_o double_a honour_n into_o such_o as_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n and_o another_o member_n of_o the_o distinction_n not_o express_v which_o can_v be_v none_o else_o but_o elder_n who_o rule_n and_o do_v not_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n i._n e._n who_o office_n it_o be_v only_o to_o rule_v not_o to_o teach_v public_o as_o pastor_n of_o this_o scripture_n he_o pretend_v to_o bring_v a_o full_a clear_a and_o easy_a understanding_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o elder_n that_o be_v ordain_v in_o great_a church_n who_o have_v power_n to_o discharge_v all_o pastoral_a act_n but_o do_v not_o all_o attend_v equal_o the_o same_o part_n of_o the_o work_n some_o do_v most_o attend_v the_o rule_v of_o the_o flock_n already_o convert_v other_o labour_v most_o in_o convert_v other_o by_o preach_v and_o that_o according_a to_o their_o several_a ability_n now_o these_o last_o deserve_v great_a honour_n both_o because_o their_o burden_n be_v great_a and_o their_o suffering_n more_o this_o be_v no_o new_a though_o it_o be_v a_o false_a interpretation_n for_o the_o author_n of_o asser_n govern._n ch._n of_o scotl._n p._n 48_o 46._o bring_v it_o as_o one_o of_o dr._n fields_n answer_v to_o the_o same_o place_n or_o rather_o two_o of_o they_o which_o by_o our_o author_n be_v put_v together_o but_o against_o this_o exposition_n of_o the_o text_n i_o thus_o argue_v 1._o this_o gloss_n suppose_v that_o there_o be_v elder_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o teach_v and_o to_o rule_v and_o yet_o they_o do_v ordinary_o neglect_v the_o one_o part_n of_o this_o their_o work_n and_o content_v themselves_o with_o do_v the_o other_o be_v it_o imaginable_a that_o the_o lord_n allow_v any_o honour_n at_o all_o upon_o such_o and_o yet_o the_o text_n allow_v double_a honour_n even_o on_o unpreach_v elder_n though_o the_o preacher_n have_v it_o more_o especial_o this_o reason_n be_v strong_o enforce_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o church_n power_n communicate_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o officer_n of_o his_o house_n be_v not_o only_o a_o licence_n or_o permission_n as_o we_o note_v before_o but_o a_o charge_n of_o which_o they_o must_v give_v a_o account_n as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o church-ruler_n heb._n 13.17_o neither_o do_v i_o see_v how_o any_o who_o by_o their_o office_n be_v preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n can_v free_v themselves_o of_o that_o wherewith_o the_o apostle_n charge_v himself_o 1_o cor._n 9.16_o necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o i_o yea_o woe_n be_v unto_o i_o if_o i_o preach_v not_o the_o gospel_n and_o of_o that_o charge_v lay_v on_o timothy_n who_o be_v as_o much_o take_v up_o with_o rule_v as_o any_o 2_o tim._n 4.2_o that_o he_o shall_v preach_v the_o word_n be_v instant_a in_o season_n out_o of_o season_n may_v man_n when_o christ_n have_v put_v they_o in_o office_n and_o give_v they_o a_o charge_n choose_v what_o part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o that_o office_n and_o charge_n they_o will_v do_v and_o what_o not_o but_o i_o perceive_v this_o man_n principle_n lead_v he_o to_o subject_v all_o christ_n institution_n to_o man_n will_n to_o cut_v and_o carve_v of_o they_o as_o they_o please_v christ_n have_v give_v pastor_n a_o charge_n that_o they_o shall_v teach_v and_o rule_v his_o church_n he_o have_v plead_v before_o the_o ruling-power_n may_v be_v take_v from_o some_o and_o lay_v on_o other_o now_o he_o affirm_v the_o same_o of_o teaching-power_n this_o be_v intolerable_a boldness_n 2._o we_o have_v no_o better_a ground_n for_o judge_v of_o the_o diversity_n of_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n than_o by_o consider_v divers_a sort_n of_o work_n which_o some_o do_v ordinary_o with_o the_o lord_n approbation_n that_o other_o do_v not_o but_o be_v employ_v in_o other_o work_n what_o better_a note_n can_v we_o have_v to_o know_v what_o be_v a_o man_n office_n than_o his_o work_n which_o he_o be_v ordinary_o employ_v in_o and_o that_o with_o god_n own_o approbation_n wherefore_o if_o some_o elder_n preach_v other_o preach_v not_o but_o rule_v we_o must_v think_v that_o these_o be_v distinct_a officer_n and_o that_o their_o office_n lead_v they_o only_o to_o do_v what_o they_o do_v 3._o this_o learned_a author_n shall_v have_v bring_v some_o reason_n for_o what_o he_o allege_v viz._n that_o these_o unpreach_a eledr_n who_o rule_v have_v power_n to_o preach_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v not_o persuade_v we_o of_o it_o neither_o be_v there_o the_o least_o show_n of_o warrant_n for_o such_o a_o assertion_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o preach_v sometime_o and_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v without_o preaching-power_n answ_n it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v any_o officer_n in_o the_o apostolic_a church_n who_o have_v preach_v power_n or_o do_v sometime_o preach_v and_o yet_o be_v so_o take_v up_o with_o rule_v that_o they_o do_v not_o ordinary_o preach_v 4._o we_o may_v with_o as_o much_o yea_o the_o same_o reason_n say_v that_o every_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n have_v all_o church-power_n and_o may_v occasional_o exert_v it_o though_o some_o according_a to_o their_o gift_n do_v ordinary_o exert_v one_o part_n other_o another_z and_o that_o deacon_n may_v preach_v and_o do_v all_o the_o work_n of_o the_o pastor_n though_o ordinary_o be_v better_o gift_v for_o that_o they_o serve_v table_n but_o this_o be_v to_o jumble_v together_o what_o the_o lord_n have_v make_v a_o ordinary_a separation_n of_o 5._o this_o opinion_n make_v the_o different_a work_n that_o church-officer_n be_v employ_v in_o not_o to_o proceed_v from_o distinct_a office_n or_o power_n but_o from_o different_a gift_n which_o will_v bring_v a_o babel_n of_o confusion_n into_o the_o church_n for_o 1._o as_o man_n think_v they_o be_v gift_v so_o will_v they_o take_v up_o their_o work_n and_o so_o most_o will_v ready_o incline_v to_o the_o easy_a work_n and_o think_v their_o gift_n lie_v that_o way_n to_o the_o great_a neglect_n of_o the_o difficult_a and_o main_a business_n and_o because_o ruling_n be_v sweet_a to_o a_o ambitious_a mind_n and_o laborious_a preach_n be_v painful_a we_o shall_v have_v abundance_n of_o ruler_n but_o few_o teacher_n 2._o by_o the_o same_o reason_n one_o may_v neglect_v all_o the_o part_n of_o his_o work_n that_o he_o may_v neglect_v one_o pretend_v that_o his_o gift_n be_v not_o for_o this_o nor_o for_o that_o and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v do_v by_o other_o if_o it_o must_v be_v say_v the_o church_n must_v appoint_v they_o their_o work_n and_o not_o leave_v it_o to_o their_o choice_n answ_n if_o the_o church_n appoint_v timothy_n work_n to_o be_v to_o rule_n and_o exempt_v he_o from_o preach_v ordinary_o i_o see_v not_o how_o he_o differ_v from_o the_o ruling-elders_a which_o this_o author_n dispute_v against_o notwithstanding_o his_o suppose_a power_n to_o preach_v which_o to_o he_o be_v a_o idle_a talon_n i_o mean_v if_o this_o be_v do_v warrantable_o otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o do_v especial_o if_o the_o church_n give_v he_o no_o more_o power_n than_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o every_o pastor_n that_o be_v to_o rule_v over_o the_o flock_n with_o the_o equal_a concurrence_n of_o
weight_n on_o this_o testimoney_n to_o the_o purpose_n it_o be_v bring_v for_o for_o either_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o degree_n of_o church-officer_n in_o respect_n of_o precedency_n be_v leave_v free_a or_o in_o respect_n of_o jurisdiction_n if_o the_o first_o it_o be_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o what_o we_o hold_v for_o we_o acknowledge_v it_o indifferent_a whether_o there_o be_v a_o stand_a precedent_n over_o presbytery_n or_o not_o if_o the_o second_o he_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o mr._n stillingfleet_n who_o maintain_v that_o the_o church_n may_v set_v up_o no_o new_a officer_n but_o what_o christ_n have_v institute_v as_o we_o have_v see_v before_o now_o a_o order_n of_o officer_n with_o jurisdiction_n above_o what_o christ_n have_v institute_v can_v but_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o officer_n that_o he_o have_v not_o institute_v wherefore_o mr._n still_o can_v not_o make_v use_v of_o this_o testimony_n neither_o aught_o any_o else_o for_o it_o cross_v the_o scripture_n which_o rom._n 12.6_o 7_o 8._o ephes_n 11.1_o 1_o cor._n 12.28_o do_v on_o purpose_n enumerate_v the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o their_o degree_n i_o dispute_v not_o now_o what_o they_o be_v but_o sure_o they_o be_v not_o leave_v at_o liberty_n see_v the_o lord_n have_v so_o often_o declare_v his_o mind_n in_o this_o point_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o say_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v in_o his_o church_n such_o and_o such_o officer_n if_o man_n may_v at_o their_o pleasure_n set_v these_o or_o other_o more_o or_o few_o of_o they_o in_o the_o church_n sect._n 4._o his_o next_o testimony_n be_v the_o centuriator_n of_o magdeburge_n but_o it_o contain_v a_o answer_n in_o its_o forehead_n viz._n that_o it_o speak_v not_o to_o the_o thing_n for_o they_o say_v no_o more_o but_o that_o it_o be_v neither_o record_v nor_o command_v how_o many_o minister_n shall_v be_v in_o each_o church_n but_o that_o their_o may_v be_v more_o or_o few_o according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n what_o be_v this_o to_o their_o parity_n or_o impatity_n it_o be_v a_o token_n that_o he_o be_v very_o scant_o of_o witness_n when_o he_o call_v in_o they_o who_o say_v so_o little_a to_o his_o purpose_n the_o next_o testimony_n be_v of_o zanchy_a which_o he_o make_v to_o speak_v very_o fair_a for_o he_o but_o he_o have_v unhandsome_o conceal_v that_o which_o be_v the_o key_n to_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o author_n for_o the_o reader_n may_v evident_o see_v his_o drift_n if_o he_o first_o look_n into_o sect._n 9_o de_o relig._n c._n 25._o where_o he_o assert_v that_o christ_n have_v only_o give_v to_o his_o church_n two_o fort_n of_o ordinary_a teacher_n viz._n pastor_n and_o doctor_n the_o same_o he_o assert_v sect._n 10._o and_o yet_o which_o be_v his_o modesty_n he_o will_v not_o condemn_v the_o father_n who_o have_v other_o order_n of_o officer_n but_o what_o his_o meaning_n be_v in_o this_o his_o condescendency_n he_o explain_v sect._n 11._o that_o whereas_o in_o after_o age_n one_o pastor_n be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n non_fw-la ut_fw-la dominus_fw-la sed_fw-la ut_fw-la rector_n in_o academia_n reliquis_fw-la collegis_fw-la this_o he_o think_v be_v lawful_a and_o yet_o setteh_a this_o note_n upon_o that_o practice_n in_o the_o same_o sect._n quadratus_n de_fw-fr re_fw-mi hieronymi_n tum_fw-la alibi_fw-la tum_fw-la in_o epist_n ad_fw-la evagr._fw-la &_o in_o commentar_n epist_n ad_fw-la tit._n c._n 10._o narratio_fw-la &_o sententia_fw-la nobis_fw-la probatur_fw-la dicentis_fw-la totum_fw-la boc_fw-la magis_fw-la ex_fw-la consuetudine_fw-la quam_fw-la ex_fw-la dominicae_fw-la dispositionis_fw-la veritate_fw-la profectum_fw-la esse_fw-la which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v he_o think_v it_o rather_o somewhat_o tolerable_a through_o necessity_n than_o allowable_a which_o small_a glance_n at_o the_o tolerableness_n of_o a_o precedency_n in_o the_o church_n if_o it_o may_v pass_v for_o so_o much_o be_v not_o well_o take_v by_o other_o worthy_a divine_n as_o appear_v by_o zanchius_n own_o observation_n on_o this_o his_o confession_n which_o mr._n still_v take_v notice_n of_o but_o pass_v what_o may_v make_v against_o he_o for_o magnus_fw-la quidem_fw-la vir_fw-la as_o zant._n call_v he_o who_o be_v well_o satisfy_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o confession_n except_v this_o which_o he_o have_v say_v of_o the_o arch-bishop_n and_o hierarchy_n and_o that_o not_o only_o as_o what_o do_v dispeafe_v himself_o but_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o harmony_n of_o confession_n that_o the_o protestant_a church_n be_v then_o draw_v up_o as_o appear_v by_o a_o part_n of_o a_o epistle_n of_o that_o magnus_fw-la vir_fw-la to_o zan._n which_o he_o insert_v to_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o observation_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v this_o be_v general_o dislike_v by_o protestant_a divine_n contrary_a to_o what_o mr._n still_v will_v make_v we_o believe_v viz._n that_o all_o the_o protestant_a church_n think_v the_o form_n of_o government_n indifferent_a all_o which_o be_v lay_v together_o let_v any_o than_o judge_v what_o great_a advantage_n mr._n stilling_n cause_n have_v receive_v from_o this_o testimony_n of_o zanchie_a especial_o if_o we_o consider_v with_o what_o weapon_n zan._n defend_v this_o his_o opinion_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v general_o practise_v by_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o he_o will_v not_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o disallow_v they_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o his_o observation_n on_o chap._n 25._o of_o his_o confession_n we_o see_v he_o bring_v no_o better_a warrant_n than_o the_o practice_n of_o man_n who_o might_n and_o do_v in_o many_o thing_n err_v but_o mr._n still_v tell_v we_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n of_o zan._n de_fw-la 4to_fw-la praec_fw-la loc_fw-la 4._o qu._n 2._o p._n 943_o etc._n etc._n and_o indeed_o he_o teach_v the_o same_o thing_n but_o with_o some_o advantage_n to_o our_o design_n for_o after_o he_o have_v make_v the_o ordinary_a officer_n to_o be_v of_o three_o sort_n viz._n pastor_n and_o doctor_n and_o ruling-elders_a who_o office_n he_o prove_v from_o scripture_n and_o assert_v as_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o reform_a divine_n general_o and_o deacon_n and_o have_v prove_v at_o length_n p._n 950_o 951_o 952._o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n to_o be_v the_o same_o in_o scripture_n he_o show_v p._n 952_o 953._o that_o in_o after-age_n one_o of_o the_o presbyter_n be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n but_o add_v to_o qualify_v it_o p._n 953._o idcirco_fw-la damnari_fw-la haec_fw-la piae_fw-la vetustatis_fw-la ordinatio_fw-la &_o consuetudo_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la modo_fw-la plus_fw-la sibi_fw-la authoritatis_fw-la non_fw-la usurpet_fw-la episcopus_fw-la quà m_fw-la habent_fw-la reliqui_fw-la ministri_fw-la ut_fw-la recte_fw-la monet_fw-la hieronymus_n here_o he_o overturn_v all_o mr._n stilling_n design_n for_o such_o a_o bishop_n be_v but_o a_o mere_a precedent_n he_o think_v he_o have_v gain_v another_o testimony_n from_o m._n bucer_n who_o zan._n in_o those_o his_o observation_n cit_v but_o mr._n still_v have_v not_o tell_v we_o wherein_o bucer_n speak_v to_o his_o purpose_n wherefore_o take_v this_o account_n of_o bucer_n opinion_n out_o of_o zanch._n he_o cit_v two_o large_a testimony_n of_o bucer_n the_o first_o be_v out_o of_o his_o commentary_n on_o the_o ephes_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o seven_o kind_n of_o teach_v viz._n by_o read_v interpretation_n instruction_n doctrina_fw-la exhortation_n catechism_n dispute_v private_a admonition_n from_o which_o he_o say_v that_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n they_o bring_v in_o seven_o kind_n of_o teacher_n now_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o parity_n or_o imparity_n of_o minister_n he_o speak_v nothing_o here_o of_o set_v a_o lord-bishop_n over_o his_o brethren_n as_o a_o thing_n lawful_o practise_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n yea_o if_o we_o consider_v his_o discourse_n well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o these_o be_v not_o divers_a office_n but_o the_o work_n of_o the_o pastor_n divide_v among_o more_o where_o there_o be_v many_o officer_n in_o one_o church_n yet_o so_o as_o all_o may_v exercise_v all_o these_o duty_n and_o so_o here_o be_v no_o multiplication_n of_o office_n beyond_o christ_n institution_n though_o i_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o this_o distribute_v of_o the_o work_n of_o minister_n do_v afterward_o begin_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o make_v several_a order_n of_o officer_n but_o this_o he_o do_v not_o approve_v of_o the_o second_o testimony_n of_o bucer_n be_v out_o of_o his_o de_fw-mi discipl_n clerical_a the_o sum_n of_o which_o be_v this_o for_o the_o word_n be_v too_o long_o to_o be_v transcribe_v that_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n they_o set_v up_o a_o bishop_n among_o the_o presbyter_n '_o ut_fw-la consul_n inter_fw-la senatores_fw-la this_o be_v devolve_v their_o power_n into_o his_o hand_n which_o mr._n still_o plead_v for_o that_o these_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n do_v meet_v when_o occasion_n require_v in_o synod_n that_o one_o be_v over_o
soon_o after_o it_o begin_v to_o appear_v and_o when_o some_o have_v thus_o miscarry_v and_o other_o stick_v to_o the_o apostolical_a frame_n of_o thing_n this_o may_v quick_o breed_v a_o diversity_n 3._o it_o will_v easy_o appear_v to_o any_o who_o read_v this_o chap._n that_o all_o the_o author_n discourse_n tend_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o ancient_a church_n think_v not_o episcopacy_n to_o be_v jure_fw-la divino_fw-la let_v they_o who_o be_v concern_v answer_v he_o in_o this_o if_o they_o can_v i_o be_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v but_o let_v we_o take_v a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o he_o establish_v what_o he_o assert_v in_o this_o chap._n sect._n 2._o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o power_n of_o church-officer_n do_v increase_v mere_o from_o the_o enlargement_n of_o the_o bound_n of_o church_n which_o he_o make_v out_o in_o 4_o step_n or_o period_n the_o first_o be_v when_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o christian_n in_o a_o whole_a city_n and_o here_o he_o handle_v 3_o thing_n first_o he_o show_v that_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o church_n be_v in_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o he_o will_v have_v the_o name_n church_n in_o scripture_n to_o be_v only_o give_v to_o that_o not_o to_o a_o particular_a congregation_n meet_v in_o one_o place_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o the_o name_n be_v give_v as_o he_o say_v because_o of_o that_o confederacy_n in_o discipline_n among_o divers_a congregation_n in_o one_o city_n yet_o neither_o the_o name_n nor_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o church_n must_v be_v deny_v to_o a_o single_a congregation_n for_o a_o church_n in_o scripture-language_n be_v a_o company_n meet_v together_o to_o serve_v god_n now_o this_o agree_v well_o to_o a_o single_a congregation_n see_v in_o it_o not_o only_a word_n and_o sacrament_n be_v administer_v but_o also_o discipline_n be_v exercise_v as_o shall_v anon_o appear_v all_o that_o he_o say_v prove_v the_o former_a use_n of_o the_o word_n but_o nothing_o against_o this_o latter_a 2._o he_o speak_v of_o the_o government_n of_o these_o church_n p._n 352._o and_o that_o 1._o before_o parish_n or_o distinct_a congregation_n be_v settle_v 2._o after_o they_o be_v settle_v about_o which_o he_o large_o dispute_v when_o it_o begin_v which_o be_v not_o to_o our_o purpose_n in_o both_o case_n he_o say_v they_o be_v rule_v in_o common_a and_o p._n 354._o that_o it_o be_v a_o weak_a conceit_n to_o think_v that_o after_o the_o settle_n of_o congregation_n every_o one_o have_v a_o distinct_a presbytery_n to_o rule_v it_o and_o p._n 356._o this_o crumble_a say_v he_o of_o church-power_n into_o every_o congregation_n be_v a_o thing_n absolute_o disow_v by_o the_o great_a and_o most_o learned_a patron_n of_o presbytery_n beyond_o the_o sea_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o calv._n beza_n salmasius_n blondel_n gerson_n bucer_n and_o other_o i_o do_v ready_o yield_v to_o he_o that_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n particular_a congregation_n can_v not_o be_v soon_o settle_v and_o that_o then_o where_o there_o be_v in_o one_o city_n more_o christian_n than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n they_o be_v rule_v only_o in_o common_a yea_o and_o have_v their_o meeting_n for_o worship_n occasional_o as_o they_o can_v also_o we_o grant_v that_o when_o congregation_n be_v settle_v the_o several_a congregration_n in_o one_o city_n be_v rule_v by_o one_o common_a presbytery_n make_v up_o of_o the_o officer_n of_o they_o all_o but_o that_o they_o have_v not_o their_o distinct_a presbyter_n that_o rule_v they_o several_o in_o subordination_n to_o this_o superior_a presbyter_n we_o utter_o deny_v and_o i_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o too_o supercilious_a assertion_n to_o call_v this_o a_o weak_a conceit_n see_v it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o judgement_n of_o man_n with_o who_o for_o ability_n i_o think_v mr._n still_o modesty_n will_v not_o suffer_v he_o to_o compare_v himself_o but_o what_o ever_o be_v of_o the_o ability_n of_o they_o who_o own_o it_o there_o be_v reason_n for_o it_o so_o weighty_a as_o may_v excuse_v it_o from_o weakness_n which_o be_v this_o single_a congregation_n meet_v ordinary_o together_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n can_v but_o have_v many_o affair_n that_o do_v only_o concern_v they_o not_o the_o other_o church_n or_o congregation_n in_o the_o same_o city_n as_o admission_n or_o exclusion_n of_o their_o member_n from_o the_o lord_n supper_n rebuke_v they_o consult_v about_o the_o time_n and_o order_n of_o their_o administration_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v very_o unfit_a to_o bring_v all_o these_o thing_n in_o prima_fw-la instantia_fw-la to_o the_o presbytery_n that_o rule_v in_o common_a this_o i_o confirm_v out_o of_o what_o himself_o have_v write_v p._n 368._o he_o say_v that_o country_n church_n have_v their_o own_o ruler_n who_o rule_v they_o though_o with_o subordination_n to_o those_o in_o the_o city_n be_v there_o not_o the_o same_o reason_n why_o particular_a congregation_n though_o in_o city_n shall_v have_v their_o ruler_n it_o be_v as_o real_o inconvenient_a to_o bring_v every_o matter_n of_o a_o city-congregation_n at_o the_o first_o hand_n to_o the_o common_a presbyter_n as_o it_o be_v to_o bring_v the_o matter_n of_o a_o country_n parish_n to_o it_o yet_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v order_v according_a as_o it_o conduce_v most_o to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n neither_o if_o we_o shall_v yield_v all_o that_o he_o say_v be_v it_o any_o thing_n against_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n what_o he_o say_v of_o these_o worthy_a divine_n disow_v this_o power_n of_o particular_a congregation_n we_o have_v cause_n to_o suspend_v our_o belief_n of_o it_o till_o he_o bring_v some_o testimony_n of_o their_o own_o writing_n to_o prove_v it_o which_o he_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o essaid_a it_o be_v like_a they_o be_v against_o independent_a power_n of_o particular_a congregation_n not_o their_o subordinate_a power_n for_o the_o testimony_n that_o he_o bring_v they_o prove_v no_o more_o than_o what_o we_o have_v grant_v viz._n that_o the_o congregation_n be_v rule_v in_o common_a not_o that_o they_o have_v no_o particular_a government_n in_o each_o of_o they_o as_o any_o may_v easy_o see_v by_o consider_v they_o neither_o be_v it_o any_o wonder_n that_o the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n speak_v of_o the_o act_n of_o those_o great_a not_o of_o the_o lesser_a and_o congregational_a presbytery_n see_v matter_n come_v before_o the_o latter_a be_v of_o so_o private_a concernment_n such_o as_o use_v not_o often_o to_o be_v so_o much_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o 3d_o thing_n he_o speak_v of_o in_o this_o first_o step_n of_o the_o growth_n of_o church_n be_v what_o relation_n the_o church_n in_o several_a city_n have_v one_o to_o another_o and_o to_o the_o lesser_a city_n that_o be_v under_o they_o and_o here_o he_o maintain_v that_o metropolitan_o be_v not_o of_o divine_a right_n to_o which_o we_o agree_v i_o add_v that_o in_o the_o first_o and_o more_o pure_a primitive_a time_n they_o have_v no_o be_v at_o all_o as_o be_v clear_o make_v out_o by_o diocl._n altar_n damasc_n c._n 2._o where_o he_o show_v that_o justine_n and_o ireneus_fw-la have_v nothing_o of_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o bishop_n and_o that_o cyprian_a in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o century_n do_v often_o assert_v their_o parity_n the_o second_o step_n be_v p._n 368._o when_o church_n take_v in_o the_o village_n and_o territory_n adjoin_v to_o that_o city_n he_o say_v that_o the_o city-presbyter_n do_v preach_v in_o these_o place_n and_o adjoin_v the_o convert_v to_o the_o city-church_n till_o after_o when_o they_o be_v increase_v in_o village_n they_o get_v peculiar_a officer_n set_v over_o they_o who_o do_v rule_v they_o yet_o with_o subordination_n to_o the_o city-church_n this_o last_o i_o only_a dislike_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v it_o prove_v by_o he_o for_o the_o title_n of_o matrix_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la et_fw-la cathedra_fw-la principalis_fw-la signify_v no_o more_o but_o a_o great_a dignity_n and_o primacy_n of_o order_n not_o of_o jurisdiction_n what_o he_o say_v of_o that_o eulogy_n send_v abroad_o consecrate_v piece_n of_o bread_n do_v not_o prove_v the_o point_n and_o also_o it_o be_v a_o superstitious_a custom_n the_o bad_a improvement_n of_o it_o appear_v in_o the_o papish_a adoration_n of_o their_o hostia_fw-la his_o next_o step_n be_v p._n 372._o when_o church_n do_v associate_v in_o one_o province_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o provincial_a synod_n once_o a_o year_n and_o show_v that_o no_o bishop_n have_v power_n over_o another_o but_o that_o their_o honour_n depend_v on_o their_o see_z thence_o he_o come_v to_o the_o last_o step_n when_o the_o
against_o the_o rules-of_a that_o society_n must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o action_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o that_o society_n and_o submit_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o it_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o officer_n of_o it_o all_o this_o we_o accept_v of_o as_o truth_n but_o how_o this_o last_o do_v consist_v with_o his_o put_v all_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o leave_v the_o church-officer_n only_a power_n of_o preach_v and_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n of_o which_o before_o i_o can_v understand_v so_o much_o for_o the_o first_o part_n of_o his_o irenicum_fw-la part_n ii_o cap._n 1_o 2._o §_o 1._o in_o his_o second_o part_n we_o have_v also_o some_o concession_n to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o as_o cap._n 2._o p._n 154._o that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o form_n of_o government_n as_o necessary_a not_o by_o nature_n only_o but_o by_o a_o divine_a law_n this_o we_o receive_v as_o truth_n and_o do_v thus_o improve_v it_o ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la the_o author_n can_v show_v we_o any_o express_a law_n in_o scripture_n command_v that_o there_o be_v a_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n neither_o can_v any_o scripture_n ground_n of_o this_o truth_n be_v bring_v but_o what_o be_v draw_v from_o apostolic_a practice_n they_o have_v a_o form_n of_o government_n ergo_fw-la so_o must_v we_o see_v it_o be_v as_o needful_a to_o we_o as_o it_o be_v to_o they_o now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o why_o do_v the_o author_n dispute_v so_o much_o against_o our_o reason_n from_o apostolic_a practice_n where_o the_o case_n be_v alike_o for_o this_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n as_o be_v establish_v by_o divine_a law_n if_o their_o practice_n be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n beside_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n for_o this_o that_o there_o be_v a_o form_n why_o be_v it_o not_o as_o significant_a of_o a_o divine_a law_n for_o this_o that_o this_o be_v the_o form_n where_o the_o case_n of_o they_o and_o we_o be_v alike_o §_o 2._o we_o receive_v also_o as_o a_o concession_n p._n 157._o that_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a warrant_n for_o a_o national_a church_n and_o for_o a_o national_a form_n of_o church-government_n also_o cap._n 2._o he_o concede_v that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v administer_v by_o officer_n of_o divine_a appointment_n be_v of_o divine_a right_n where_o in_o one_o word_n he_o destroy_v unaware_o all_o that_o he_o say_v for_o maintain_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o episcopal_a government_n for_o he_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o bishop_n as_o rule_v over_o presbyter_n and_o have_v more_o power_n than_o their_o brethren_n be_v of_o humane_a constitution_n and_o so_o they_o can_v be_v officer_n of_o divine_a appointment_n if_o so_o then_o by_o this_o concession_n the_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v rule_v by_o they_o and_o so_o episcopal_a government_n be_v unlawful_a i_o know_v not_o if_o he_o do_v foresee_v this_o argument_n take_v out_o of_o himself_o but_o in_o explain_v his_o concession_n he_o will_v fain_o seem_v to_o say_v some_o other_o thing_n than_o he_o have_v indeed_o say_v for_o he_o say_v that_o he_o here_o take_v the_o church_n for_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o his_o meaning_n be_v there_o must_v be_v a_o stand_v perpetual_a ministry_n and_o this_o he_o prove_v large_o this_o do_v no_o way_n explain_v what_o he_o have_v say_v for_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n that_o it_o be_v divine_a appointment_n that_o there_o be_v officer_n and_o another_o thing_n that_o these_o officer_n be_v such_o as_o god_n have_v appoint_v jeroboam_n when_o he_o make_v priest_n of_o the_o low_a of_o the_o people_n keep_v divine_a institution_n so_o far_o that_o he_o make_v priest_n and_o do_v make_v that_o work_n common_a to_o all_o and_o yet_o his_o priest_n be_v not_o officer_n of_o divine_a appointment_n so_o neither_o be_v the_o church_n rule_v by_o officer_n of_o divine_a appointment_n though_o there_o be_v officer_n who_o rule_n which_o be_v divine_a appointment_n except_o these_o officer_n be_v such_o as_o god_n have_v institute_v and_o not_o such_o as_o man_n have_v devise_v and_o beside_o this_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n dictate_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v ruler_n in_o the_o church_n distinct_a from_o the_o rule_v as_o he_o have_v former_o observe_v wherefore_o he_o must_v here_o either_o trifle_n or_o say_v some_o more_o viz._n that_o the_o lord_n must_v appoint_v these_o sort_n of_o officer_n that_o shall_v govern_v his_o church_n for_o the_o author_n be_v here_o speak_v of_o what_o be_v of_o divine_a positive_a right_n have_v former_o show_v what_o be_v of_o divine_a natural_a right_n §_o 3._o in_o the_o three_o chap._n we_o have_v the_o question_v state_v in_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n as_o comprehend_v many_o particular_a congregation_n and_o so_o exclude_v the_o independent_a way_n from_o this_o competition_n he_o compare_v these_o two_o form_n of_o government_n viz._n 1._o the_o particular_a officer_n of_o several_a church_n act_v in_o equality_n of_o power_n call_v a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n 2._o a_o superior_a order_n above_o the_o ministry_n have_v the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o ordination_n belong_v to_o it_o now_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o of_o these_o come_v near_a to_o the_o primitive_a pattern_n but_o whether_o either_o of_o they_o be_v settle_v by_o divine_a right_n so_o as_o that_o the_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o obseeve_v it_o he_o hold_v the_o negative_a we_o the_o affirmative_a and_o we_o say_v that_o the_o former_a of_o these_o two_o be_v juris_fw-la divini_fw-la §_o 4._o for_o prove_v his_o opinion_n he_o undertake_v to_o enervate_v all_o the_o plea_n which_o be_v make_v for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o either_o of_o these_o five_o he_o propose_v viz._n 1._o a_o former_a law_n stand_v in_o force_n under_o the_o gospel_n 2._o some_o plain_a institution_n of_o a_o new_a law_n under_o the_o gospel_n 3._o the_o obligatory_a nature_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n 4._o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n 5._o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o chief_a divine_n and_o church_n since_o the_o reformation_n of_o these_o he_o discourse_v several_o and_o we_o shall_v give_v our_o sense_n of_o they_o as_o in_o follow_v he_o we_o come_v at_o they_o but_o first_o i_o must_v here_o note_v a_o few_o thing_n 1._o it_o be_v a_o injurious_a way_n of_o state_v the_o question_n about_o this_o divine_a right_n to_o exclude_v any_o who_o put_v in_o for_o it_o from_o the_o liberty_n of_o competition_n now_o he_o know_v that_o other_o beside_o these_o plead_v a_o divine_a right_n of_o their_o way_n as_o erastians_n will_n have_v the_o key_n give_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o magistrate_n independent_o to_o the_o community_n or_o at_o least_o the_o officer_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n popery_n be_v not_o exclude_v see_v it_o stand_v on_o the_o same_o bottom_n with_o episcopacy_n though_o i_o think_v the_o resolution_n of_o the_o question_n about_o divine_a right_n may_v have_v lay_v both_o these_o aside_o yet_o i_o think_v the_o state_v of_o it_o may_v have_v take_v they_o in_o and_o they_o may_v have_v a_o fair_a hear_n lest_o some_o by_o see_v presbytery_n and_o episcopacy_n lay_v aside_o as_o of_o no_o divine_a stamp_n may_v be_v tempt_v to_o take_v of_o either_o of_o the_o other_o two_o for_o christ_n government_n rather_o than_o leave_v the_o matter_n whole_o at_o a_o uncertainty_n and_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o i_o observe_v that_o though_o the_o one_o of_o these_o he_o do_v altogether_o slight_a yet_o the_o other_o he_o do_v not_o pass_v out_o of_o any_o misregard_n to_o it_o for_o he_o labour_v to_o take_v all_o power_n by_o christ_n gift_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n that_o the_o magistrate_n may_v have_v it_o in_o solidum_fw-la §_o 5._o 2._o i_o observe_v for_o further_a clear_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n that_o all_o other_o part_n of_o these_o two_o form_n of_o government_n be_v confess_v to_o be_v juris_fw-la divini_fw-la vel_fw-la naturalis_fw-la vel_fw-la positivi_fw-la as_o from_o his_o concession_n have_v be_v manifest_a and_o will_v yet_o more_o appear_v only_o the_o matter_n of_o parity_n or_o superiority_n of_o minister_n be_v in_o question_n and_o it_o be_v so_o i_o propose_v this_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o parity_n be_v of_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v sufficient_a 1._o that_o christ_n have_v give_v power_n to_o all_o minister_n to_o rule_v the_o church_n 2._o that_o he_o have_v not_o give_v a_o great_a share_n of_o it_o to_o some_o than_o to_o other_o 3._o that_o it_o be_v his_o will_n that_o as_o he_o have_v distribute_v this_o power_n equal_o so_o that_o no_o man_n make_v it_o unequal_a see_v that_o can_v be_v
they_o be_v do_v in_o fit_a time_n place_n method_n etc._n etc._n neither_o can_v this_o order_n of_o thing_n reach_v beyond_o the_o determination_n of_o circumstance_n for_o whatever_o be_v more_o than_o this_o be_v not_o a_o order_n of_o that_o action_n unto_o which_o the_o circumstance_n do_v belong_v but_o a_o institute_n of_o a_o new_a action_n because_o for_o example_n the_o right_a order_n of_o read_v do_v not_o require_v prayer_n or_o sing_v to_o be_v join_v with_o it_o but_o respect_v only_o the_o circumstance_n of_o read_v itself_o now_o such_o restrain_v or_o enlarge_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o power_n be_v no_o right_a circumstantiate_v of_o it_o but_o some_o other_o thing_n it_o be_v no_o circumstance_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o pastoral_n power_n whether_o he_o shall_v rule_v or_o not_o but_o a_o essential_a part_n i_o mean_v as_o to_o the_o integrality_n it_o be_v a_o integral_a part_n of_o that_o power_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v he_o as_o be_v confess_v also_o give_v the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n to_o one_o which_o belong_v to_o many_o be_v not_o add_v of_o a_o circumstance_n but_o a_o supernumerary_a part_n of_o power_n as_o to_o its_o exercise_n above_o these_o part_n that_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o ergo_fw-la this_o be_v no_o order_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o power_n but_o set_v up_o of_o it_o anew_o 2._o order_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o prudence_n of_o the_o church_n be_v that_o unto_o which_o confusion_n be_v opposite_a then_o be_v that_o order_n obtain_v when_o all_o confusion_n be_v avoid_v but_o confusion_n may_v be_v avoid_v without_o this_o restrain_v and_o enlarge_n of_o church-power_n by_o man_n else_o it_o be_v in_o no_o case_n lawful_a to_o let_v power_n be_v exercise_v as_o it_o be_v institute_v by_o christ_n because_o we_o must_v always_o be_v careful_a to_o avoid_v confusion_n ergo_fw-la i_o confess_v restrain_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o power_n as_o to_z object_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n as_o fix_v of_o parish_n be_v necessary_a to_o avoid_v confusion_n but_o this_o can_v be_v say_v of_o take_v power_n of_o rule_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o presbyter_n and_o give_v it_o to_o bishop_n else_o we_o must_v say_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v necessary_a which_o destroy_v this_o man_n hypothesis_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o sometime_o it_o fall_v out_o that_o this_o be_v necessary_a to_o avoid_v confusion_n and_o then_o episcopacy_n be_v necessary_a ans_fw-fr if_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v sometime_o useful_a to_o avoid_v confusion_n as_o that_o which_o may_v be_v the_o fruit_n of_o parity_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o parity_n itself_o be_v confusion_n now_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n power_n to_o take_v she_o own_o way_n to_o avoid_v whatever_o may_v have_v a_o bad_a effect_n for_o the_o best_a thing_n may_v be_v such_o but_o she_o must_v shun_v that_o which_o be_v evil_a by_o a_o right_a manage_n not_o by_o lay_v aside_o that_o which_o be_v good_a wherefore_o see_v order_n be_v consistent_a with_o parity_n and_o parity_n with_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o imparity_n go_v at_o least_o a_o step_n beyond_o the_o institution_n and_o take_v that_o from_o man_n which_o christ_n give_v they_o and_o give_v it_o to_o some_o to_o who_o he_o give_v it_o not_o this_o can_v be_v a_o right_a order_n of_o his_o institution_n but_o rather_o set_v up_o some_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o place_n thereof_o 3._o the_o right_a order_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o man_n must_v consist_v in_o determine_v of_o these_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v not_o determine_v and_o yet_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v determine_v as_o time_n place_n extent_n of_o parish_n etc._n etc._n for_o if_o man_n either_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o determine_v in_o these_o matter_n which_o he_o have_v already_o determine_v by_o his_o institution_n or_o to_o determine_v thing_n that_o he_o have_v leave_v at_o liberty_n because_o the_o determination_n be_v not_o needful_a to_o his_o design_n they_o then_o will_v be_v wise_a than_o he_o and_o do_v not_o order_v his_o institution_n but_o set_v up_o their_o own_o now_o this_o which_o our_o author_n call_v order_v be_v guilty_a of_o both_o these_o for_o christ_n by_o give_v rule_v power_n to_o all_o presbyter_n have_v declare_v his_o will_n that_o they_o shall_v all_o rule_n and_o especial_o by_o require_v a_o ability_n for_o this_o as_o a_o necessary_a qualification_n of_o they_o who_o shall_v be_v put_v unto_o that_o office_n do_v not_o man_n then_o by_o appoint_v who_o shall_v rule_v pass_v their_o determination_n on_o what_o he_o have_v already_o determine_v and_o that_o contrary_a to_o what_o he_o have_v appoint_v again_o christ_n have_v not_o appoint_v any_o superiority_n and_o inferiority_n among_o presbyter_n neither_o be_v it_o needful_a this_o be_v the_o church_n may_v be_v without_o it_o and_o yet_o man_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o appoint_v it_o be_v this_o then_o to_o order_v that_o government_n that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v and_o not_o rather_o to_o set_v up_o new_a officer_n that_o man_n have_v devise_v sect._n 17._o next_o he_o subjoin_v a_o strange_a assertion_n now_o say_v he_o in_o matter_n of_o common_a concernment_n without_o all_o question_n it_o be_v not_o unlawful_a when_o the_o church_n judge_v it_o most_o fit_a for_o edification_n to_o grant_v to_o some_o the_o executive_a part_n of_o that_o power_n which_o be_v original_o and_o fundamental_o common_a to_o they_o all_o answ_n if_o it_o be_v so_o all_o this_o pain_n that_o our_o author_n be_v at_o be_v needless_a and_o his_o book_n to_o no_o purpose_n for_o i_o mistake_v much_o if_o the_o main_a business_n in_o it_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o this_o which_o here_o he_o assert_v to_o be_v unquestionable_o lawful_a for_o he_o confess_v that_o roll_a power_n be_v give_v by_o christ_n to_o all_o presbyter_n then_o we_o must_v either_o say_v that_o it_o be_v his_o institution_n that_o they_o all_o exercise_v it_o and_o so_o parity_n be_v his_o institution_n or_o that_o the_o executive_a part_n of_o it_o may_v be_v give_v to_o some_o or_o may_v be_v common_a to_o they_o all_o and_o so_o the_o form_n of_o government_n may_v be_v leave_v indifferent_a be_v the_o scope_n of_o this_o book_n now_o if_o it_o be_v unquestionable_a what_o need_v all_o this_o pain_n about_o it_o but_o i_o conceive_v this_o confident_a assertion_n be_v put_v instead_o of_o the_o argument_n whereby_o this_o undertake_n of_o his_o shall_v have_v be_v confirm_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n when_o one_o can_v find_v proof_n for_o their_o opinion_n to_o say_v it_o be_v out_o of_o question_n but_o it_o be_v a_o unhandsome_a way_n of_o dispute_v especial_o unbeseeming_a the_o person_n who_o can_v not_o but_o know_v that_o this_o be_v deny_v by_o his_o opposite_n and_o be_v the_o main_a hinge_n of_o the_o controversy_n in_o hand_n we_o do_v maintain_v this_o antithesis_fw-la that_o it_o be_v the_o question_n between_o we_o and_o they_o who_o be_v for_o the_o indifferency_n of_o church_n government_n whether_o the_o exercise_n of_o rule_v power_n may_v be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o minister_n and_o give_v unto_o one_o to_o be_v bishop_n over_o they_o and_o we_o maintain_v the_o negative_a as_o that_o which_o shall_v be_v out_o of_o question_n and_o this_o we_o shall_v not_o bare_o assort_v as_o mr._n stillingf_n have_v do_v his_o opinion_n i._o then_o this_o take_v the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n from_o man_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o be_v unwarrantable_a ergo_fw-la it_o be_v unlawful_a i_o hope_v the_o consequence_n will_v not_o be_v deny_v for_o what_o we_o lawful_o do_v must_v be_v some_o way_n warrant_v either_o by_o a_o command_n or_o a_o permission_n the_o antecedent_n i_o prove_v because_o a_o warrant_n for_o such_o a_o practice_n can_v be_v show_v and_o further_o if_o there_o be_v any_o warrant_n for_o it_o it_o must_v either_o be_v from_o christ_n command_n or_o 2._o from_o his_o express_a permission_n or_o 3._o from_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o 4._o from_o want_n of_o a_o law_n forbid_v it_o but_o none_o of_o these_o do_v warrant_v it_o not_o the_o first_o nor_o second_o for_o our_o opposite_a can_v produce_v such_o command_n or_o permission_n either_o direct_o let_v down_o or_o draw_v by_o consequence_n from_o it_o nor_o the_o three_o for_o than_o they_o must_v produce_v some_o dictate_v of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o give_v leave_v to_o do_v this_o but_o what_o that_o shall_v be_v i_o understand_v not_o nature_n indeed_o teach_v that_o a_o society_n may_v use_v mean_n for_o its_o own_o peace_n and_o order_n but_o this_o may_v be_v without_o hinder_v the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n
popish_a and_o prelatical_a ceremony_n and_o whatsoever_o superstitious_a man_n can_v devise_v to_o bring_v into_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v no_o addition_n to_o the_o scripture_n nor_o a_o blot_n upon_o its_o perfection_n for_o these_o be_v not_o hold_v for_o necessary_a thing_n but_o indifferent_a and_o only_o necessary_a when_o command_v by_o authority_n which_o necessity_n i_o suppose_v mr._n still_v will_v plead_v for_o to_o his_o form_n of_o government_n now_o this_o consequence_n i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o own_o wherefore_o he_o may_v be_v ashamed_a to_o own_o that_o from_o which_o it_o do_v so_o clear_o follow_v his_o three_o answer_n be_v yet_o of_o less_o weight_n viz._n that_o the_o essential_o of_o church_n government_n be_v in_o scripture_n not_o the_o circumstantial_o reply_n if_o he_o mean_v as_o sure_o he_o do_v the_o essential_o of_o government_n in_o its_o general_n and_o abstract_a notion_n in_o which_o it_o be_v not_o practicable_a without_o a_o particular_a form_n he_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n the_o scripture_n may_v be_v a_o imperfect_a rule_n for_o church-government_n though_o it_o have_v these_o if_o he_o mean_v the_o essential_o of_o a_o particular_a form_n he_o destroy_v his_o own_o cause_n now_o we_o maintain_v that_o to_o the_o perfection_n of_o scripture_n there_o be_v require_v not_o only_o a_o general_a notion_n of_o government_n but_o so_o much_o as_o be_v sufficient_a light_n to_o direct_v the_o practice_n of_o government_n this_o can_v be_v without_o the_o institution_n of_o a_o particular_a form_n for_o government_n otherwise_o be_v not_o practicable_a if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o general_a rule_n in_o scripture_n about_o government_n want_v nothing_o requisite_a for_o the_o complete_a practice_n of_o government_n but_o the_o determination_n of_o circumstance_n which_o can_v belong_v to_o scripture_n perfection_n ans_fw-fr this_o we_o deny_v if_o by_o general_a rule_n he_o mean_v as_o sure_o he_o do_v such_o as_o do_v not_o determine_v a_o particular_a form_n it_o be_v some_o more_o than_o a_o circumstance_n whether_o pastor_n exercise_v that_o power_n christ_n have_v give_v they_o or_o commit_v it_o to_o a_o bishop_n i_o hope_v it_o be_v more_o than_o a_o bare_a circumstance_n in_o civil_a government_n whether_o the_o power_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o one_o or_o a_o few_o or_o all_o the_o people_n even_o so_o it_o be_v here_o yea_o herein_o lie_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o a_o form_n of_o government_n if_o this_o than_o be_v not_o find_v in_o scripture_n the_o essential_o of_o a_o form_n be_v want_v but_o a_o form_n be_v essential_a to_o government_n consider_v as_o practicable_a ergo_fw-la some_o of_o the_o essential_o of_o government_n be_v want_v chap._n v._n have_v refute_v as_o he_o suppose_v the_o general_a argument_n for_o a_o particular_a form_n of_o church-government_n to_o have_v be_v lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n he_o come_v now_o to_o particular_a argument_n which_o be_v bring_v for_o some_o one_o form_n and_o many_o he_o take_v much_o pain_n to_o refute_v in_o this_o chapter_n which_o i_o be_o confident_a never_o any_o do_v make_v use_n of_o to_o prove_v what_o he_o oppose_v we_o shall_v let_v he_o pass_v with_o his_o suppose_a victory_n over_o these_o and_o only_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o oppose_v the_o truth_n we_o hold_v or_o the_o argument_n by_o which_o it_o be_v establish_v i_o shall_v only_o note_v not_o insist_v upon_o his_o large_a harangue_n by_o which_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n he_o charge_v all_o who_o be_v not_o as_o sceptical_a about_o church-government_n as_o himself_o with_o prejudice_n and_o follow_v custom_n and_o education_n rather_o than_o truth_n and_o be_v loath_a to_o quit_v that_o opinion_n though_o false_a which_o once_o they_o have_v be_v engage_v in_o to_o which_o i_o say_v nothing_o but_o let_v every_o one_o search_v his_o own_o conscience_n and_o see_v what_o ground_n his_o persuasion_n stand_v upon_o i_o hope_v the_o sincerity_n of_o many_o will_v be_v able_a to_o bear_v they_o out_o before_o god_n and_o the_o solid_a reason_n they_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v will_v make_v they_o stand_v before_o man_n against_o such_o reproach_n of_o this_o adversary_n neither_o shall_v i_o retaliate_v this_o his_o charity_n with_o the_o jealousy_n of_o many_o who_o fear_v that_o they_o who_o cast_v church-government_n thus_o loose_a that_o the_o magistrate_n may_v dispose_v of_o it_o at_o his_o pleasure_n do_v fetch_v the_o strength_n of_o their_o argument_n and_o the_o life_n of_o their_o persuasion_n from_o no_o better_a topic_n than_o design_v to_o please_v they_o who_o can_v reward_v this_o their_o pain_n or_o to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a as_o some_o have_v speak_v of_o their_o fat_a benefice_n what_o ever_o side_n of_o the_o world_n be_v uppermost_a to_o which_o end_n this_o opinion_n be_v a_o notable_a mean_v i_o desire_v to_o judge_v no_o man_n the_o lord_n will_v ere_o long_o judge_v our_o opinion_n and_o motive_n too_o but_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o we_o have_v no_o worldly_a bait_n to_o allure_v we_o at_o this_o time_n to_o plead_v for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o presbyteral_a government_n and_o if_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o more_o move_v we_o than_o our_o own_o we_o may_v with_o much_o worldly_a advantage_n yield_v the_o cause_n we_o do_v not_o insist_v on_o any_o of_o christ_n act_n towards_o the_o apostle_n in_o call_v they_o send_v they_o out_o either_o first_o or_o last_o as_o argument_n for_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n know_v that_o their_o office_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o temporal_a can_v be_v no_o rule_n for_o the_o ordinary_a case_n of_o the_o church_n wherefore_o i_o pass_v over_o all_o that_o he_o write_v in_o this_o chap._n till_o p._n 218._o where_o he_o undertake_v to_o vindicate_v two_o place_n of_o scripture_n from_o determine_v parity_n or_o imparity_n in_o the_o church_n the_o first_o be_v mat._n 20.25_o to_o which_o be_v parallel_v luk._n 22.25_o the_o king_n of_o the_o gentile_n exercise_v authority_n over_o they_o and_o they_o that_o exercise_n authority_n over_o they_o be_v call_v benefactor_n but_o you_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o though_o i_o confess_v there_o be_v other_o place_n more_o unquestionable_a to_o our_o purpose_n yet_o i_o see_v not_o the_o weight_n of_o what_o he_o have_v say_v against_o this_o place_n be_v bring_v as_o a_o argument_n against_o imparity_n his_o answer_n be_v make_v up_o of_o two_o first_o he_o assert_v and_o solid_o prove_v against_o papist_n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o abuse_n of_o power_n that_o be_v here_o forbid_a but_o that_o the_o power_n itself_o speak_v of_o be_v forbid_v as_o incompetent_a to_o church-officer_n his_o proof_n for_o this_o i_o need_v not_o repeat_v i_o accept_v it_o of_o he_o as_o a_o concession_n second_o he_o say_v it_o be_v only_o civil_a power_n that_o be_v here_o forbid_a and_o so_o it_o do_v not_o make_v against_o imparity_n in_o church-officer_n reply_v he_o keep_v his_o wont_a way_n here_o which_o be_v to_o take_v much_o pain_n to_o prove_v what_o be_v least_o in_o debate_n with_o the_o adversary_n he_o deal_v with_o we_o do_v not_o question_v but_o the_o power_n itself_o not_o the_o abuse_n of_o it_o be_v here_o speak_v against_o but_o that_o it_o be_v civil_a power_n only_o we_o question_v and_o that_o he_o have_v not_o spend_v one_o word_n to_o prove_v we_o affirm_v that_o christ_n be_v here_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o his_o apostle_n and_o civil_a governor_n in_o this_o that_o one_o of_o they_o shall_v not_o have_v authority_n over_o another_o as_o it_o be_v among_o ruler_n of_o state_n and_o kingdom_n and_o so_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o imparity_n of_o power_n among_o they_o to_o prove_v this_o i_o borrow_v the_o 3d_o reason_n by_o which_o mr._n still_o militate_v against_o the_o abuse_n of_o power_n be_v here_o mean_v viz._n this_o only_o can_v answer_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n contention_n which_o be_v about_o primacy_n the_o son_n of_o zebedee_n will_v have_v be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n mat._n 20._o and_o their_o strife_n be_v which_o shall_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pro_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o drusius_n cite_v by_o leigh_n crit._n sac._n that_o be_v who_o shall_v be_v pope_n over_o the_o rest_n now_o though_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o they_o may_v be_v upon_o a_o civil_a and_o coactive_a power_n they_o dream_v of_o a_o earthly_a kingdom_n of_o christ_n yet_o sure_a this_o be_v neither_o main_o nor_o only_o in_o their_o design_n not_o only_o because_o they_o can_v not_o but_o know_v that_o christ_n kingdom_n in_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v officer_n shall_v be_v spiritual_a and_o conversant_a about_o the_o thing_n of_o another_o life_n though_o they_o think_v it_o may_v be_v
compose_v difference_n about_o church-government_n to_o clear_v our_o way_n in_o this_o dispute_n with_o he_o let_v it_o be_v observe_v 1._o that_o the_o question_n be_v only_o about_o parity_n and_o imparity_n of_o pastor_n all_o other_o difference_n in_o apostolic_a practice_n that_o may_v be_v allege_v be_v impertinent_a to_o this_o purpose_n 2._o it_o help_v not_o he_o nor_o harm_v our_o cause_n if_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o some_o extraordinary_a case_n vary_v from_o their_o ordinary_a course_n for_o it_o be_v what_o they_o do_v ordinary_o and_o where_o no_o extraordinary_a cause_n move_v they_o to_o do_v otherwise_o that_o we_o inquire_v about_o 3._o our_o question_n be_v not_o about_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v for_o a_o time_n exercise_v by_o extraordinary_a officer_n immediate_o send_v of_o god_n but_o what_o be_v the_o way_n the_o apostle_n settle_v that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v govern_v in_o by_o her_o ordinary_a and_o abide_a officer_n wherefore_o it_o make_v nothing_o for_o his_o purpose_n if_o it_o be_v make_v out_o that_o the_o church_n be_v some_o time_n govern_v one_o way_n by_o extraordinary_a officer_n at_o other_o time_n or_o place_n another_o way_n by_o ordinary_a officer_n take_v these_o consideration_n along_o with_o we_o i_o come_v to_o hear_v the_o proof_n of_o this_o his_o proposition_n the_o first_o be_v take_v p._n 323._o from_o the_o different_a state_n condition_n and_o quantity_n of_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o here_o he_o premise_v 3_o thing_n viz._n that_o god_n do_v not_o give_v the_o apostle_n equal_a suceess_n of_o their_o labour_n in_o all_o place_n that_o a_o small_a number_n of_o believer_n do_v not_o require_v the_o same_o number_n of_o officer_n to_o teach_v and_o govern_v they_o that_o a_o great_a church_n do_v 3._o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v settle_v church-officer_n according_a to_o the_o probability_n of_o increase_n of_o believer_n and_o in_o order_n thereto_o in_o some_o great_a place_n about_o these_o i_o shall_v not_o controvert_v with_o he_o only_o the_o 2d_o must_v be_v understand_v with_o this_o distinction_n else_o we_o can_v grant_v it_o that_o a_o few_o number_n if_o form_v into_o a_o church-society_n though_o it_o do_v not_o need_v as_o great_a a_o number_n of_o officer_n of_o every_o kind_n as_o teacher_n elder_n deacon_n yet_o will_v it_o need_v as_o many_o sort_n of_o officer_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o all_o those_o act_n be_v needful_a to_o be_v do_v to_o they_o which_o must_v be_v do_v to_o great_a congregation_n they_o must_v be_v teach_v rule_v and_o their_o poor_a care_v for_o and_o therefore_o they_o must_v not_o want_v any_o of_o these_o sort_n of_o officer_n who_o work_n these_o act_n be_v i_o mean_v where_o such_o officer_n can_v be_v have_v for_o christ_n institution_n tie_v not_o to_o impossibility_n from_o these_o premise_n he_o infer_v these_o two_o conclusion_n to_o make_v out_o his_o proposition_n the_o first_o be_v p._n 325._o that_o in_o church_n consist_v of_o a_o small_a number_n of_o believer_n where_o there_o be_v no_o great_a probability_n of_o increase_n afterward_o one_o single_a pastor_n with_o deacon_n under_o he_o be_v only_o constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o these_o church_n on_o this_o conclusion_n before_o i_o come_v to_o his_o proof_n of_o it_o i_o shall_v make_v these_o remark_n 1._o here_o be_v nothing_o here_o for_o the_o imparity_n of_o presbyter_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n if_o where_o more_o presbyter_n can_v not_o be_v have_v one_o be_v to_o do_v the_o work_n this_o do_v not_o at_o all_o say_v that_o the_o apostle_n ever_o do_v or_o that_o we_o may_v set_v one_o over_o the_o rest_n where_o many_o may_v be_v have_v to_o rule_v the_o church_n this_o conclusion_n than_o prove_v nothing_o 2._o these_o deacon_n that_o here_o he_o speak_v of_o either_o have_v rule_v power_n or_o not_o if_o he_o say_v the_o first_o i_o doubt_v if_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o ever_o any_o such_o deacon_n be_v in_o the_o apostolic_a church_n where_o the_o deacon_n work_n be_v to_o serve_v not_o to_o rule_v that_o church_n and_o if_o they_o have_v rule_v power_n they_o be_v not_o only_a deacon_n but_o roll_a elder_n both_o work_n be_v lay_v on_o the_o same_o person_n for_o want_n of_o man_n to_o exercise_v they_o distinct_o which_o make_v nothing_o against_o presbyterian_o if_o the_o second_o first_o i_o question_v if_o any_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o a_o church_n so_o constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n 2._o if_o it_o be_v so_o it_o be_v necessity_n not_o choice_n that_o make_v they_o be_v without_o rule_v elder_n sect._n 15._o but_o how_o prove_v he_o this_o his_o conclusion_n by_o 3_o or_o 4_o testimony_n out_o of_o clement_n epiph._n and_o other_o what_o have_v he_o so_o soon_o forget_v himself_o he_o have_v immediate_o before_o spend_v about_o 30_o page_n in_o prove_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v what_o be_v the_o apostle_n practise_v and_o that_o by_o make_v out_o the_o defectiveness_n ambiguity_n partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n it_o be_v strange_a then_o that_o to_o prove_v this_o his_o assertion_n concern_v apostolic_a practice_n he_o shall_v bring_v no_o other_o argument_n at_o all_o but_o such_o as_o he_o have_v set_v that_o nigrum_fw-la theta_n upon_o neither_o see_v i_o what_o those_o testimony_n prove_v contrary_a to_o we_o the_o testimony_n of_o clement_n say_v no_o more_o than_o what_o be_v employ_v phil._n 1.1_o that_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o our_o author_n himself_o maintain_v that_o those_o be_v not_o by_o their_o constitution_n any_o more_o than_o presbyter_n whatever_o they_o may_v after_o get_v by_o man_n institution_n prove_v not_o what_o be_v apostolic_a constitution_n for_o the_o testimony_n of_o epiphanius_n he_o confess_v its_o intricacie_n and_o obscurity_n and_o therefore_o by_o his_o own_o argument_n of_o which_o before_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v lay_v weight_n upon_o but_o he_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o explain_v it_o and_o make_v it_o speak_v this_o in_o sum_n that_o at_o first_o there_o be_v only_a bishop_n and_o deacon_n by_o bishop_n he_o mean_v presbyter_n as_o appear_v from_o his_o subjoyn_v immediate_o that_o there_o be_v neceility_n for_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o that_o by_o these_o all_o ecclesiastical_a office_n may_v be_v perform_v but_o afterward_o where_o there_o be_v need_n and_o there_o be_v find_v any_o worthy_a of_o it_o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n appoint_v but_o where_o there_o be_v not_o many_o to_o be_v presbyter_n they_o be_v content_a with_o a_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n here_o be_v 3_o case_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n a_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n this_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n where_o more_o presbyter_n can_v not_o be_v have_v this_o bishop_n as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o can_v be_v nothing_o above_o a_o presbyter_n none_o of_o those_o cross_n our_o design_n for_o the_o three_o viz._n a_o bishop_n set_v over_o presbyter_n first_o epiphanius_n do_v not_o say_v it_o be_v so_o appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o it_o be_v do_v it_o be_v like_a he_o mean_v by_o succeed_a age_n 2._o he_o do_v not_o say_v that_o this_o bishop_n be_v set_v over_o presbyter_n with_o jurisdiction_n he_o may_v be_v mere_o a_o praeses_fw-la so_o there_o be_v nothing_o here_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n ever_o settle_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o parity_n of_o presbyter_n the_o testimony_n out_o of_o clem._n alexan._n even_o with_o salmasius_n his_o commentary_n prove_v no_o more_o but_o that_o in_o some_o place_n be_v more_o presbyter_n in_o some_o few_o in_o some_o but_o one_o his_o last_o testimony_n say_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o the_o purpose_n only_o that_o the_o apostle_n settle_v thing_n by_o degree_n not_o that_o ever_o they_o set_v up_o bishop_n sect._n 16._o the_o second_o conclusion_n that_o he_o infer_v p._n 332._o that_o in_o church_n consist_v of_o a_o multitude_n of_o believer_n or_o where_o there_o be_v a_o probability_n of_o a_o great_a increase_n by_o preach_v the_o gospel_n the_o apostle_n do_v settle_v a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n who_o office_n be_v partly_o to_o govern_v the_o church_n already_o form_v and_o partly_o to_o labour_v in_o convert_v more_o this_o we_o close_o with_o and_o from_o it_o and_o the_o former_a conclusion_n which_o make_v up_o his_o whole_a argument_n infer_v the_o quite_o contrary_a to_o his_o design_n viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n keep_v a_o most_o uniform_a course_n so_o far_o as_o necessity_n do_v permit_v in_o settle_v the_o government_n of_o church_n and_o that_o they_o settle_v the_o government_n in_o the_o hand_n