of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n in_o the_o choose_n of_o a_o apostle_n the_o voice_n of_o people_n go_v as_o far_o as_o any_o humane_a suffrage_n can_v go_v of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o they_o choose_v two_o and_o present_v they_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o because_o and_o apostle_n be_v immediate_o to_o be_v call_v of_o god_n out_o of_o those_o two_o god_n choose_v one_o act._n 1.15.23.26_o act._n 14.23_o the_o apostle_n be_v say_v to_o have_v ordain_v elder_n by_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n to_o wit_n of_o the_o people_n as_o the_o original_a word_n impli_v and_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o disciple_n be_v direct_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o look_v out_o and_o choose_v seven_o deacon_n act._n 6.3.15_o the_o practice_n of_o succeed_a church_n for_o many_o year_n after_o be_v plain_a from_o cyprian_n word_n lib._n 1._o epist_n 4._o plebs_fw-la maxim_n potestatem_fw-la habet_fw-la vel_fw-la dignos_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la eligendi_fw-la vel_fw-la indignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la object_n 2._o it_o be_v also_o demand_v by_o what_o warrant_n do_v a_o particular_a church_n depute_v such_o who_o be_v not_o presbyter_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o presbyter_n be_v it_o not_o more_o regular_a and_o orderly_a to_o repair_v to_o some_o bishop_n to_o receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o he_o or_o as_o the_o presbyter_n in_o every_o church_n in_o crete_n receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o titus_n who_o be_v leave_v in_o crete_n with_o episcopal_a authority_n for_o that_o very_a end_n tit._n 1.5_o or_o rather_o than_o take_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o lay-man_n as_o they_o be_v call_v why_o do_v not_o the_o church_n rather_o entreat_v the_o elder_n of_o other_o church_n to_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o their_o own_o presbytery_n by_o the_o presbyter_n of_o other_o church_n ans_fw-fr the_o warrant_n by_o which_o each_o particular_a church_n do_v depute_v some_o of_o their_o own_o body_n though_o not_o presbyter_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o those_o who_o they_o have_v choose_v to_o be_v their_o presbyter_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n which_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o receive_v all_o fullness_n of_o power_n from_o the_o father_n have_v give_v to_o the_o church_n for_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v the_o power_n of_o open_v and_o shut_v bind_v and_o lose_v matth._n 16.19_o and_o this_o be_v give_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n meet_v together_o in_o his_o name_n mat._n 18.18_o whatsoever_o say_v christ_n speak_v of_o the_o church_n you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n which_o be_v the_o whole_a ministerial_a power_n of_o the_o key_n sect_n vii_o object_n 1._o the_o church_n be_v not_o the_o first_o subject_n and_o receptacle_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n for_o though_o the_o church_n elect_v a_o pastor_n or_o other_o elder_a yet_o the_o office_n of_o a_o pastor_n be_v from_o christ_n eph._n 4.8_o and_o so_o be_v his_o authority_n from_o christ_n also_o and_o if_o he_o have_v neither_o his_o office_n nor_o his_o authority_n from_o the_o church_n how_o can_v he_o be_v ordain_v by_o the_o imposition_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o church_n answ_n 1._o though_o the_o office_n of_o a_o pastor_n in_o general_n be_v immediate_o from_o christ_n and_o the_o authority_n from_o he_o also_o yet_o the_o application_n of_o this_o office_n and_o of_o this_o authority_n to_o this_o elect_a person_n be_v by_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n have_v sufficient_a and_o just_a warrant_n as_o to_o elect_v and_o call_v a_o presbyter_n unto_o office_n so_o to_o ordain_v he_o to_o it_o by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n they_o that_o have_v power_n to_o elect_v a_o king_n have_v power_n also_o to_o depute_v some_o in_o their_o name_n to_o set_v the_o crown_n upon_o his_o head_n answ_n 2._o as_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o other_o elder_n be_v not_o from_o the_o church_n but_o from_o christ_n so_o neither_o be_v their_o office_n and_o authority_n from_o the_o bishop_n nor_o from_o the_o presbytery_n nor_o from_o the_o classis_fw-la of_o presbytery_n if_o therefore_o that_o be_v a_o just_a impediment_n why_o the_o church_n shall_v not_o lay_v hand_n upon_o their_o elect_a pastor_n or_o elder_n because_o neither_o their_o office_n nor_o their_o authority_n be_v from_o the_o church_n than_o neither_o may_v the_o bishop_n nor_o the_o presbytery_n nor_o the_o classis_fw-la lie_v their_o hand_n upon_o they_o because_o their_o office_n and_o authority_n be_v no_o more_o nor_o so_o much_o from_o they_o as_o from_o the_o church_n nor_o by_o this_o argument_n may_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o if_o they_o be_v present_a ordain_v officer_n because_o neither_o the_o office_n nor_o the_o authority_n be_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o from_o christ_n only_o neither_o will_v it_o follow_v from_o hence_o as_o some_o object_n that_o if_o the_o elder_n receive_v their_o ordination_n from_o the_o church_n than_o they_o shall_v execute_v their_o office_n in_o the_o church_n name_n or_o that_o then_o they_o may_v be_v more_o or_o less_o diligent_a in_o their_o office_n at_o the_o church_n appointment_n or_o that_o then_o the_o church_n have_v a_o lordlike_o power_n over_o they_o or_o that_o then_o the_o elder_n must_v receive_v their_o errand_n from_o the_o church_n as_o a_o ambassador_n do_v from_o he_o from_o who_o he_o receive_v his_o commission_n or_o that_o then_o the_o church_n in_o defect_n of_o all_o officer_n may_v perform_v all_o duty_n of_o their_o officer_n as_o to_o administer_v sacrament_n and_o the_o like_a none_o of_o all_o these_o thing_n will_v follow_v for_o 1._o most_o of_o these_o objection_n do_v strike_v as_o much_o against_o imposition_n of_o hand_n by_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n 2._o though_o the_o elder_n do_v receive_v the_o application_n of_o their_o office_n and_o of_o their_o power_n by_o the_o church_n yet_o not_o from_o the_o church_n or_o if_o from_o the_o church_n ministerial_o only_a as_o instrument_n unto_o christ_n so_o that_o they_o can_v choose_v or_o ordain_v who_o they_o please_v to_o what_o office_n they_o please_v but_o who_o they_o see_v the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v prepare_v and_o fit_v for_o they_o and_o as_o it_o be_v choose_v and_o ordain_v to_o their_o hand_n nor_o may_v they_o enlarge_v or_o straiten_v the_o limit_n of_o his_o office_n who_o they_o do_v elect_v or_o ordain_v but_o as_o the_o lord_n have_v prescribe_v nor_o can_v they_o give_v he_o any_o errand_n but_o only_o a_o charge_n to_o look_v to_o the_o ministry_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o lord_n nor_o have_v they_o any_o more_o lordly_a power_n over_o he_o than_o he_o over_o they_o but_o both_o ministerial_a as_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o lord_n neither_o may_v they_o administer_v sacrament_n in_o defect_n of_o all_o officer_n because_o that_o by_o appointment_n from_o christ_n pertain_v only_o to_o such_o as_o be_v call_v by_o office_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n mat._n 28.19_o 20._o as_o for_o mutual_a instruction_n and_o admission_n election_n and_o ordination_n of_o officer_n open_v of_o the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n by_o admission_n of_o member_n and_o shut_v the_o same_o by_o church-censure_n these_o thing_n they_o may_v do_v if_o need_v be_v without_o officer_n yea_o and_o if_o all_o their_o officer_n be_v find_v culpable_a either_o in_o heretical_a doctrine_n or_o scandalous_a crime_n yet_o the_o church_n have_v lawful_a authority_n to_o proceed_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o they_o all_o for_o they_o that_o as_o a_o church_n may_v admonish_v archippus_n col._n 4.17_o may_v in_o case_n he_o have_v not_o hearken_v to_o their_o admonition_n have_v proceed_v against_o he_o to_o excommunication_n and_o they_o that_o may_v so_o proceed_v against_o one_o of_o their_o officer_n may_v in_o like_a sort_n upon_o like_a ground_n proceed_v against_o they_o all_o which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v if_o the_o church_n do_v receive_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n not_o immediate_o from_o christ_n but_o from_o the_o presbyter_n and_o yet_o in_o such_o case_n our_o church_n be_v never_o wont_a to_o proceed_v but_o in_o the_o presence_n and_o with_o the_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o other_o church_n as_o know_v that_o in_o such_o weighty_a case_n in_o the_o multitude_n of_o counsellor_n there_o be_v safety_n and_o as_o the_o church_n do_v not_o choose_v any_o elder_n but_o in_o the_o presence_n and_o with_o the_o approbation_n of_o other_o church_n so_o neither_o do_v it_o proceed_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o they_o but_o with_o the_o like_a grave_n and_o solemn_a assistance_n object_n 2._o the_o apostle_n receive_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n immediate_o from_o christ_n joh._n 20.23_o and_o therefore_o the_o church_n
the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o new-england_a or_o the_o way_n of_o church_n walk_v in_o brotherly_a equality_n or_o co-ordination_a without_o subjection_n of_o one_o church_n to_o another_o measure_v and_o examine_v by_o the_o golden_a reed_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n contain_v a_o full_a declaration_n of_o the_o churchway_n in_o all_o particular_n by_o mr._n j._n cotton_n teacher_n of_o the_o church_n at_o boston_n in_o new-england_n 1_o thes_n 5.22_o 23._o prove_v all_o thing_n hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a abstain_v from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a publish_v according_a to_o order_n london_n print_v by_o matthew_n simmons_n in_o aldersgate-streete_n 1645._o not_o in_o our_o apprehension_n be_v say_v to_o hold_v no_o analogy_n yet_o with_o much_o sweat_n and_o wile_n some_o messenger_n have_v get_v through_o that_o court_n of_o guard_n to_o anticipate_v or_o satisfy_v if_o it_o may_v be_v those_o clamourer_n for_o a_o large_a narration_n 1._o the_o 32._o question_n or_o church-government_n and_o church-covenant_n do_v by_o some_o elder_n of_o n._n e._n they_o have_v have_v with_o second_o of_o frequent_a intimation_n that_o we_o hold_v with_o the_o church_n of_o new_a england_n 2._o the_o apologetical_a narration_n they_o have_v have_v with_o our_o general_a approbation_n of_o it_o 3._o mr_n cotton_n of_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n they_o have_v have_v with_o our_o brethren_n epistle_n to_o it_o how_o far_o they_o approve_v it_o 4._o the_o reason_n of_o the_o dissent_v brethren_n be_v in_o print_n 5._o we_o have_v be_v inform_v that_o those_o our_o brethren_n former_o have_v tender_v themselves_o that_o in_o case_n they_o may_v be_v put_v into_o a_o committee_n or_o like_o meet_a posture_n for_o such_o a_o work_n they_o will_v bring_v in_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o their_o judgement_n in_o a_o body_n with_o their_o ground_n and_o reason_n 6._o that_o now_o very_o late_o they_o give_v in_o seven_o proposition_n to_o be_v discuss_v with_o promise_n of_o more_o but_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v debate_v which_o we_o allege_v rather_o to_o vindicate_v our_o particular_a charge_n then_o to_o blame_v man_n who_o reason_n we_o know_v not_o 7._o with_o much_o ado_n we_o have_v present_v you_o with_o a_o full_a declaration_n of_o all_o our_o way_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n in_o this_o learned_a yet_o modest_a treatise_n of_o the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o new-england_a etc._n etc._n write_a and_o send_v over_o by_o mr._n cotton_n and_o we_o do_v in_o this_o epistle_n certify_v our_o assent_n thereunto_o save_v that_o we_o do_v not_o yet_o full_o close_a with_o some_o expression_n passim_fw-la in_o the_o book_n before_o some_o of_o which_o we_o mind_v it_o to_o note_v a_o *_o in_o the_o margin_n this_o we_o can_v not_o but_o say_v and_o do_v pace_fw-la tanti_fw-la authoris_fw-la or_o we_o can_v not_o assert_v the_o book_n if_o all_o thing_n in_o this_o treatise_n as_o now_o print_v do_v not_o answer_v punctual_o word_n for_o word_n to_o the_o first_o write_v copy_n let_v the_o reverend_a author_n and_o the_o candid_a reader_n pardon_v we_o because_o we_o have_v not_o the_o fair_a copy_n nor_o know_v we_o till_o the_o book_n be_v near_o do_v that_o there_o be_v a_o better_a to_o be_v have_v nor_o to_o this_o day_n yet_o ever_o see_v it_o therefore_o we_o be_v force_v to_o shift_v with_o this_o so_o as_o to_o keep_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o author_n make_v it_o constare_fw-la sibi_fw-la and_o by_o a_o interpretative_a leave_n in_o his_o absence_n not_o only_o to_o do_v as_o we_o will_v be_v do_v by_o but_o also_o as_o he_o himself_o will_v have_v do_v we_o be_v confident_a if_o he_o have_v be_v in_o our_o case_n or_o present_v here_o lest_o any_o shall_v imagine_v that_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o key_n do_v not_o fit_a all_o the_o ward_n in_o this_o treatise_n to_o a_o hair_n we_o will_v here_o insert_v mr._n cotton_v own_o word_n in_o his_o letter_n come_v from_o he_o in_o new-england_n to_o our_o hand_n in_o the_o very_a nick_n of_o time_n while_o this_o epistle_n lie_v under_o the_o press_n viz._n if_o you_o think_v the_o draught_n of_o church-discipline_n which_o be_v send_v over_o in_o your_o ship_n vari_v from_o that_o of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o keke_n send_v over_o the_o year_n after_o you_o may_v have_v some_o occasion_n so_o to_o conceive_v from_o some_o difference_n of_o expression_n in_o logical_a term_n but_o not_o a_o jote_n in_o any_o doctrine_n of_o divinity_n or_o church-practise_a so_o mr._n cotton_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o mr._n r._n m._n diverse_a objection_n former_o lay_v against_o the_o print_n of_o this_o book_n to_o the_o sad_n of_o the_o author_n some_z whereof_o be_v now_o answer_v by_o the_o late_a season_n of_o print_v it_o other_o by_o the_o necessity_n of_o they_o that_o conscientious_o and_o candid_o cry_v out_o for_o information_n other_o by_o the_o fore-printing_a of_o the_o key_n to_o open_v the_o full_a mind_n and_o whole_a sphere_n of_o the_o author_n judgement_n in_o this_o other_o by_o that_o put_v forth_o in_o print_n of_o a_o answer_n to_o this_o book_n before_o this_o be_v mid-wised_n by_o the_o press_n into_o the_o world_n all_o reason_n therefore_o now_o it_o can_v speak_v that_o it_o shall_v answer_v for_o itself_o we_o hope_v we_o have_v satisfy_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o author_n as_o well_o as_o our_o own_o and_o of_o other_o too_o of_o the_o other_o judgement_n especial_o of_o those_o that_o call_v for_o full_a declaration_n the_o lord_n root_n out_o of_o all_o our_o heart_n the_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n that_o we_o call_v not_o for_o book_n with_o a_o resolution_n rather_o to_o confute_v they_o as_o we_o imagine_v then_o to_o throw_v down_o ourselves_o humble_o under_o the_o power_n of_o truth_n we_o be_v now_o fight_v modo_fw-la militari_fw-la for_o reformation_n let_v we_o not_o therefore_o fight_v against_o it_o more_o ecclesiastico_fw-la with_o how_o much_o gravity_n solidity_n and_o modesty_n have_v mr._n cotton_n the_o apologist_n the_o author_n of_o 32._o question_n or_o church_n covenant_n and_o other_o mild_a and_o judicious_a author_n write_v in_o our_o cause_n but_o with_o what_o a_o different_a spirit_n have_v the_o adverse_a part_n reply_v as_o if_o personal_a invective_n and_o imbittr_v a_o stile_n be_v god_n way_n of_o better_v a_o cause_n or_o batter_v a_o opinion_n here_o be_v a_o book_n so_o grave_a and_o solid_a that_o it_o can_v be_v just_o despise_v by_o ingenuous_a learned_a man_n so_o full_a of_o necessary_a case_n and_o truth_n that_o it_o can_v but_o be_v desire_v of_o those_o that_o will_v be_v know_v man_n and_o so_o mild_a and_o gentle_a that_o it_o can_v but_o be_v causeless_o quarrel_v if_o quarrel_v by_o choleric_a man_n have_v we_o not_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o will_v prove_v a_o welcome_a tract_n on_o all_o hand_n for_o the_o reason_n afore-intimated_n we_o can_v with_o our_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o write_a copy_n well_o have_v save_v this_o great_a travel_n if_o it_o fall_v out_o otherwise_o as_o it_o have_v with_o diverse_a of_o the_o like_a nature_n golden_a laver_n or_o vessel_n make_v common-shore_n and_o receptacle_n to_o be_v fill_v with_o all_o filthy_a contempt_n we_o shall_v then_o clear_o and_o full_o decern_v man_n spirit_n and_o descry_v their_o intent_n in_o challenge_v we_o for_o large_a narration_n and_o shall_v beware_v for_o time_n to_o come_v how_o we_o anger_v they_o with_o kindness_n but_o if_o this_o be_v candid_o entertain_v of_o they_o then_o have_v they_o encourage_v we_o in_o due_a time_n to_o impart_v if_o god_n permit_v a_o full_a treatise_n of_o the_o same_o subject_n with_o amplior_fw-la demonstration_n by_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n of_o old_a and_o new-england_n and_o mean_a while_n they_o have_v abundant_o recompense_v the_o labour_n of_o love_n of_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n n.h._n i.h._n the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o new-england_a measure_v by_o the_o golden_a reed_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n chapter_n i._o the_o order_n of_o gather_v disperse_v christian_n into_o a_o church_n proposition_n i._o section_n 1._o that_o the_o church_n which_o christ_n in_o his_o gospel_n have_v institute_v and_o to_o which_o he_o have_v commit_v the_o key_n of_o his_o kingdom_n the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v the_o table_n and_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o officer_n and_o censure_n of_o his_o church_n the_o administration_n of_o all_o his_o public_a worship_n and_o ordinance_n be_v coetus_fw-la fidelium_fw-la a_o communion_n of_o saint_n a_o combination_n of_o faithful_a godly_a man_n meet_v for_o that_o end_n by_o common_a and_o joint_a consent_n into_o one_o congregation_n which_o be_v common_o call_v a_o particular_a visible_a church_n for_o the_o
2_o cor._n 8.1_o 2._o 2._o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n there_o be_v no_o difference_n at_o all_o put_v of_o any_o one_o bishop_n above_o his_o fellow_n except_o only_o the_o difference_n of_o rule_v and_o teach_v elder_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o and_o those_o as_o they_o be_v not_o set_v over_o many_o church_n so_o neither_o be_v any_o of_o they_o set_v above_o his_o fellow_n only_o the_o preacher_n be_v allow_v more_o reverence_n and_o maintenance_n than_o the_o ruler_n if_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v appoint_v some_o singular_a bishop_n above_o the_o rest_n of_o any_o transcendent_a and_o eminent_a office_n he_o will_v have_v appoint_v he_o also_o some_o eminent_a and_o transcendent_a proper_a work_n of_o his_o office_n but_o what_o shall_v that_o be_v shall_v it_o be_v ordination_n as_o hierome_n say_v speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n in_o his_o time_n quid_fw-la facit_fw-la episcopus_fw-la excepta_fw-la ordinatione_fw-la quod_fw-la presbyter_n non_fw-la facit_fw-la why_o that_o be_v a_o work_n of_o rule_n or_o shall_v it_o be_v hear_v accusation_n against_o elder_n and_o censure_v they_o according_o as_o 1_o tim._n 5.19_o 20_o why_o that_o be_v a_o work_n of_o rule_n also_o now_o the_o apostle_n acknowledge_v no_o act_n of_o rule_n nor_o any_o elder_n or_o bishop_n that_o do_v rule_n as_o worthy_a of_o great_a honour_n than_o such_o elder_n as_o labour_v in_o word_n and_o doctrine_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o it_o be_v therefore_o apparent_o contradictory_n to_o the_o institution_n give_v by_o paul_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n to_o set_v up_o any_o eminent_a or_o transcendent_a bishop_n in_o the_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o rule_n or_o exercise_v of_o office_n of_o more_o honour_n and_o power_n then_o pertain_v to_o all_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n so_o that_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o neither_o ordination_n nor_o jurisdiction_n which_o be_v both_o of_o they_o act_n of_o rule_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o transcendent_a bishop_n but_o pertain_v indifferent_o to_o all_o the_o presbyter_n sect_n ix_o object_n but_o if_o no_o transcendent_a act_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o rule_n be_v reserve_v unto_o one_o bishop_n alone_o above_o other_o minister_n how_o come_v it_o then_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o rev._n 2.3_o each_o singular_a angel_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v admonish_v and_o reprove_v alone_o for_o all_o the_o fault_n that_o be_v find_v in_o his_o church_n whereof_o he_o be_v the_o angel_n why_o shall_v one_o angel_n alone_o be_v charge_v with_o the_o guilt_n of_o all_o those_o fault_n in_o the_o church_n if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o hand_n alone_o to_o redress_v and_o punish_v they_o answ_n it_o be_v a_o usual_a thing_n with_o john_n and_o find_v also_o in_o other_o scripture_n to_o use_v the_o name_n of_o angel_n not_o singular_o for_o one_o person_n but_o collective_o for_o a_o company_n administer_a the_o same_o work_n as_o the_o seven_o angel_n that_o sound_v the_o seven_o trumpet_n and_o the_o seven_o angel_n that_o pour_v out_o the_o seven_o vial_n be_v not_o seven_o singular_a person_n but_o seven_o company_n or_o sort_n of_o person_n perform_v that_o service_n and_o when_o david_n say_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o lord_n pitch_v his_o tent_n about_o they_o which_o fear_v he_o psal_n 34.7_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o one_o angel_n alone_o but_o of_o many_o of_o they_o for_o one_o alone_a can_v pitch_v his_o tent_n about_o all_o they_o that_o fear_n god_n and_o that_o john_n in_o the_o second_o and_o three_o chapter_n of_o the_o revelation_n do_v not_o mean_a by_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n one_o singular_a person_n but_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n the_o whole_a presbytery_n of_o person_n more_o than_o one_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o his_o speech_n unto_o they_o as_o unto_o many_o the_o devil_n say_v he_o shall_v cast_v some_o of_o you_o into_o prison_n rev._n 2.10_o some_o of_o you_o 〈◊〉_d gr._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o imply_v more_o than_o one_o and_o again_o in_o rev._n 2.24_o speak_v unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n but_o unto_o you_o plural_a you_o gr._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o in_o the_o plural_a i_o say_v and_o unto_o the_o rest_n of_o thiatira_n which_o argue_v that_o the_o angel_n distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o than_o one_o person_n for_o he_o say_v unto_o you_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n object_n but_o now_o say_v some_o let_v it_o be_v so_o then_o if_o such_o eminent_a and_o transcendent_a bishop_n that_o be_v diocesan_n bishop_n who_o claim_v a_o peerless_a power_n in_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o themselves_o alone_o have_v no_o foothold_a in_o the_o scripture_n then_o let_v they_o neither_o have_v name_n nor_o place_n portion_n right_a nor_o memorial_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o yet_o nevertheless_o the_o apostle_n be_v clear_a for_o a_o presbytery_n and_o acknowledge_v imposition_n of_o hand_n even_o upon_o timothy_n how_o much_o more_o upon_o other_o elder_n by_o the_o presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4.14_o answ_n we_o willing_o also_o acknowledge_v the_o same_o where_o god_n have_v furnish_v any_o church_n with_o a_o presbytery_n to_o they_o it_o pertain_v to_o ordain_v by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n any_o elder_n or_o deacon_n that_o shall_v be_v choose_v by_o office_n by_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o they_o but_o if_o the_o church_n want_v a_o presbytery_n for_o want_v of_o elder_n they_o want_v a_o warrant_n to_o repair_v to_o the_o presbytery_n of_o another_o church_n to_o impose_v hand_n upon_o their_o elect_a elder_n our_o reason_n be_v reason_n 1_o first_o ordination_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n be_v a_o work_n of_o church_n power_n as_o all_o man_n acknowledge_v now_o as_o no_o church_n have_v power_n over_o another_o but_o all_o of_o they_o stand_v in_o brotherly_a equality_n one_o towards_o another_o so_o the_o presbytery_n of_o one_o church_n have_v no_o power_n over_o the_o elder_n of_o another_o as_o the_o apostle_n have_v all_o of_o they_o receive_v the_o same_o commission_n joh._n 20.23_o have_v none_o of_o they_o power_n over_o another_o so_o the_o church_n have_v receive_v all_o of_o they_o the_o same_o power_n of_o the_o key_n as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o they_o none_o of_o they_o have_v power_n over_o another_o and_o therefore_o no_o power_n of_o ordination_n of_o one_o another_o officer_n reason_n 2_o as_o every_o church_n have_v equal_o receive_v the_o same_o power_n of_o the_o key_n so_o ought_v they_o to_o maintain_v and_o stand_v fast_o in_o the_o same_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n as_o it_o be_v a_o privilege_n and_o liberty_n purchase_v to_o the_o church_n by_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n so_o at_o a_o less_o rate_n it_o may_v not_o be_v alienate_v from_o the_o church_n christ_n by_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n have_v obtain_v all_o power_n both_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n mat._n 28.18_o phil._n 2.8_o 9_o 10._o and_o look_v where_o he_o have_v communicate_v the_o same_o by_o his_o testament_n ratify_v in_o his_o blood_n there_o it_o ought_v to_o remain_v and_o not_o to_o be_v remove_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n or_o angel_n whence_o it_o appear_v unlawful_a for_o any_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o put_v over_o that_o power_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v of_o christ_n out_o of_o their_o own_o hand_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o other_o church_n the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v all_o of_o they_o equal_a power_n from_o christ_n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o they_o by_o common_a consent_n to_o have_v confer_v upon_o peter_n and_o paul_n james_n and_o john_n a_o transcendent_a government_n over_o they_o all_o if_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n seem_v to_o be_v pillar_n as_o be_v say_v of_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n gal._n 2.9_o and_o so_o more_o eminent_a in_o gift_n then_o all_o their_o brethren_n it_o may_v put_v upon_o their_o brethren_n a_o expediency_n and_o sometime_o a_o necessity_n to_o call_v upon_o they_o for_o more_o counsel_n but_o not_o to_o call_v they_o to_o more_o authority_n in_o like_a sort_n if_o a_o church_n in_o a_o city_n and_o the_o officer_n thereof_o be_v of_o more_o eminent_a gift_n and_o grace_n than_o a_o church_n in_o a_o village_n it_o be_v a_o just_a occasion_n for_o the_o church_n in_o the_o village_n to_o listen_v the_o more_o after_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n but_o not_o to_o submit_v the_o more_o unto_o their_o authority_n in_o the_o way_n of_o subjection_n and_o so_o it_o be_v true_a a_o classis_fw-la of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o many_o church_n may_v excel_v in_o more_o variety_n of_o all_o ability_n than_o the_o