as_o no_o man_n may_v neglect_v prayer_n or_o hear_v the_o word_n because_o he_o can_v do_v it_o in_o faith_n so_o he_o may_v not_o neglect_v the_o lord_n supper_n the_o lord_n supper_n be_v institute_v to_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o regeneration_n it_o be_v not_o appoint_v for_o the_o convert_v of_o man_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o only_o such_o as_o be_v convert_v may_v partake_v of_o it_o but_o it_o be_v not_o only_o for_o the_o strengthen_n of_o saint_n but_o a_o mean_n also_o to_o work_v save_v regeneration_n there_o be_v many_o according_a to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n who_o be_v not_o regenerate_v matth._n 25.1,2_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v like_o ten_o virgin_n five_o of_o they_o be_v wise_a and_o five_o foolish_a and_o it_o can_v have_v no_o other_o immediate_a end_n respect_v these_o but_o their_o conversion_n the_o end_n of_o all_o ordinance_n be_v salvation_n and_o therefore_o to_o these_o man_n it_o must_v be_v regeneration_n for_o without_o it_o they_o can_v be_v save_v this_o ordinance_n have_v a_o proper_a tendency_n to_o draw_v sinner_n to_o christ_n in_o this_o ordinance_n there_o be_v a_o particular_a invitation_n to_o sinner_n to_o come_v to_o christ_n for_o pardon_n here_o be_v a_o affect_a representation_n of_o the_o virtue_n of_o christ_n suffering_n here_o be_v a_o seal_n whereby_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v confirm_v all_o which_o be_v very_o proper_a to_o draw_v sinner_n to_o christ_n if_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v only_o for_o the_o strengthen_n of_o saint_n than_o they_o who_o be_v not_o saint_n do_v profane_a the_o ordinance_n when_o they_o do_v partake_v and_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o they_o to_o partake_v and_o then_o they_o that_o do_v not_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v saint_n do_v know_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o partake_v and_o so_o far_o as_o any_o man_n have_v scruple_n about_o his_o saintship_n he_o must_v proportionable_o have_v scruple_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o his_o participation_n and_o so_o sacrament_n day_n which_o shall_v be_v day_n of_o comfort_n will_v become_v day_n of_o torment_n all_o other_o ordinance_n be_v appoint_v for_o regeneration_n prayer_n hear_v the_o word_n baptism_n so_o likewise_o the_o censure_n be_v that_o the_o soul_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n they_o be_v to_o further_a man_n regeneration_n in_o case_n they_o be_v not_o convert_v already_o and_o it_o will_v be_v strange_a if_o the_o lord_n supper_n alone_o shall_v not_o be_v appoint_v for_o that_o end_n whereas_o it_o have_v a_o proper_a tendency_n thereunto_o and_o many_o that_o come_v to_o that_o ordinance_n by_o the_o appointment_n of_o christ_n stand_v in_o as_o much_o need_n of_o it_o as_o those_o that_o partake_v of_o other_o ordinance_n a_o six_o part_n of_o the_o worship_n be_v ecclesiastical_a censure_n these_o be_v appoint_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o be_v to_o continue_v in_o use_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n it_o do_v evident_o appear_v both_o from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o likewise_o from_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o jew_n do_v make_v use_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n john_n 4.34,35_o john_n 3.22_o and_o 12.42_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o censure_n be_v according_a to_o divine_a institution_n from_o matth._n 16.17,18_o christ_n do_v not_o here_o make_v a_o new_a institution_n for_o the_o gospel_n church_n for_o that_o church_n be_v not_o yet_o in_o be_v but_o he_o urge_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o old_a institution_n if_o it_o be_v inquire_v where_o we_o find_v any_o such_o institution_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o answer_v in_o that_o expression_n which_o we_o often_o find_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o israel_n gen._n 17.14_o exod._n 12.14_o when_o one_o brother_n be_v require_v to_o reprove_v another_o and_o in_o case_n of_o incorrigibleness_n to_o complain_v to_o the_o church_n that_o command_n do_v not_o only_o bind_v the_o brethren_n of_o the_o same_o congregation_n but_o also_o the_o brethren_n of_o any_o other_o congregation_n for_o there_o lie_v the_o same_o bond_n upon_o we_o according_a to_o opportunity_n not_o to_o suffer_v sin_n in_o other_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o congregation_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o particular_a institution_n who_o shall_v have_v the_o power_n of_o judgement_n to_o determine_v whether_o a_o person_n be_v to_o be_v censure_v or_o not_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o rule_n and_o where_o god_n appoint_v ruler_n in_o his_o church_n he_o appoint_v that_o they_o shall_v judge_v these_o matter_n therefore_o when_o christ_n appoint_v a_o pastor_n to_o be_v a_o ruler_n in_o the_o church_n he_o express_v it_o by_o have_v power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v matth._n 16.19_o a_o person_n that_o be_v under_o church_n censure_n be_v not_o thereby_o cut_v off_o from_o his_o membership_n he_o stand_v in_o a_o brotherly_a relation_n to_o other_o member_n of_o the_o church_n 2_o thess_n 3.15_o lie_v under_o offence_n and_o under_o censure_n for_o his_o offence_n do_v not_o deprive_v he_o of_o his_o visible_a saintship_n therefore_o his_o child_n be_v to_o be_v baptise_a such_o offence_n as_o be_v of_o a_o more_o heinous_a nature_n do_v call_v for_o church_n censure_v provide_v there_o be_v a_o suitable_a spirit_n of_o repentance_n if_o the_o end_n of_o censure_n be_v obtain_v there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o they_o person_n under_o the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v debar_v from_o the_o lord_n supper_n but_o also_o to_o be_v exclue_v from_o the_o familiar_a society_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n where_o there_o be_v no_o special_a bond_n we_o be_v not_o to_o have_v that_o society_n with_o they_o that_o we_o may_v have_v with_o heathen_n 1_o cor._n 5.9,12_o to_o this_o act_n of_o worship_n appertain_v absolution_n when_o the_o person_n that_o have_v offend_v do_v manifest_v a_o spirit_n of_o repentance_n whether_o he_o have_v be_v censure_v or_o not_o he_o be_v to_o be_v acquit_v the_o seven_o act_n of_o worship_n be_v the_o blessing_n of_o the_o congregation_n there_o be_v a_o blessing_n of_o man_n by_o way_n of_o supplication_n that_o may_v be_v perform_v by_o any_o person_n and_o there_o be_v a_o blessing_n by_o way_n of_o confirmation_n this_o be_v pronounce_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n this_o be_v either_o extraordinary_a by_o way_n of_o prediction_n so_o the_o patriarch_n do_v bless_v their_o child_n and_o other_o endue_v with_o a_o prophetical_a spirit_n do_v bless_v the_o people_n as_o moses_n or_o else_o ordinary_a pronounce_v in_o god_n name_n by_o ordinary_a minister_n this_o may_v either_o be_v pronounce_v by_o way_n of_o assertion_n as_o when_o the_o minister_n do_v say_v bless_a be_v they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o do_v it_o or_o in_o way_n of_o supplication_n as_o when_o he_o say_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n be_v with_o you_o yet_o this_o be_v more_o than_o a_o prayer_n viz._n a_o declaration_n in_o god_n name_n what_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v understand_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o be_v according_a to_o god_n covenant_n deut._n 20.34_o god_n appoint_v the_o priest_n of_o old_a to_o bless_v the_o people_n numb_a 6.23_o and_o this_o work_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o common_a work_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v teacher_n in_o israel_n deut._n 10.8_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o new_a institution_n in_o the_o gospel_n impowr_v minister_n to_o bless_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o proper_a part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o a_o minister_n christ_n by_o appoint_v minister_n have_v appoint_v man_n to_o bless_v the_o people_n yet_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v institute_v matth._n 10.12,13_o deut._n 21.5_o such_o man_n as_o be_v preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o not_o separate_v to_o that_o work_n by_o ordination_n have_v no_o power_n to_o bless_v the_o congregation_n because_o this_o depend_v mere_o upon_o institution_n therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v but_o according_a to_o institution_n minister_n be_v appoint_v to_o bless_v authoritative_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n it_o be_v utter_o improper_a for_o they_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o first_o person_n include_v themselves_o numb_a 6.24_o it_o be_v also_o improper_a for_o they_o to_o bless_v the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o be_v disperse_v all_o over_o the_o world_n chap._n viii_o of_o church_n consist_v of_o divers_a congregation_n a_o church_n consist_v of_o divers_a congregation_n be_v a_o society_n of_o divers_a congregational_a church_n join_v together_o according_a to_o god_n appointment_n for_o the_o
but_o likewise_o that_o this_o way_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o christian_a nation_n see_v no_o other_o provision_n be_v make_v for_o their_o government_n many_o of_o the_o appointment_n that_o god_n make_v for_o the_o jewish_a church_n do_v continue_v in_o force_n still_o and_o this_o among_o the_o rest_n no_o other_o provision_n be_v make_v yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o our_o assembly_n must_v have_v any_o stand_a precedent_n as_o the_o jewish_a assembly_n have_v their_o high_a priest_n who_o be_v their_o precedent_n and_o be_v a_o type_n of_o christ_n neither_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o we_o be_v limit_v to_o the_o same_o number_n that_o they_o be_v circumstance_n be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o a_o variation_n in_o such_o case_n 3._o the_o appointment_n of_o christ_n that_o teach_v and_o rule_v elder_n shall_v govern_v the_o church_n show_v the_o power_n of_o synod_n these_o be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n to_o be_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o heb._n 13.17_o there_o be_v no_o other_o appoint_v to_o be_v ruler_n of_o the_o church_n since_o the_o age_n of_o the_o apostle_n therefore_o the_o government_n of_o the_o national_a church_n must_v be_v in_o their_o hand_n none_o but_o they_o have_v any_o interest_n in_o the_o public_a government_n there_o be_v no_o warrant_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o intrust_v the_o government_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o other_o and_o there_o be_v sufficient_a warrant_n for_o they_o to_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o government_n of_o the_o national_a church_n and_o this_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n if_o there_o be_v a_o public_a covenant_n every_o church_n be_v bind_v in_o conjunction_n with_o other_o to_o see_v the_o covenant_n keep_v and_o their_o ruler_n with_o who_o their_o power_n be_v entrust_v be_v bind_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n to_o join_v with_o other_o to_o see_v their_o covenant_n keep_v so_o that_o their_o act_n in_o a_o synod_n be_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o new_a office_n a_o minister_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o ministerial_a function_n have_v power_n in_o conjunction_n with_o other_o to_o govern_v the_o national_a or_o provincial_a church_n obj._n if_o minister_n have_v a_o bond_n upon_o they_o to_o join_v with_o other_o in_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o national_a or_o provincial_a church_n than_o they_o seem_v in_o their_o own_o person_n to_o be_v bind_v to_o attend_v that_o service_n which_o if_o all_o shall_v do_v in_o national_a synod_n the_o synod_n will_v be_v so_o large_a a_o body_n that_o they_o can_v not_o discourse_n together_o and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o intolerable_a prejudice_n to_o their_o congregation_n be_v much_o deprive_v of_o their_o labour_n answ_n the_o power_n of_o entrust_v delegate_n be_v warrant_v by_o the_o light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o it_o for_o the_o good_a government_n of_o society_n and_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o a_o particular_a institution_n in_o this_o case_n the_o necessity_n of_o humane_a affair_n do_v require_v that_o government_n be_v entrust_v with_o such_o a_o number_n that_o it_o may_v be_v manage_v to_o advantage_n to_o the_o public_a neither_o be_v there_o any_o hazard_n of_o be_v involve_v in_o guilt_n by_o such_o a_o method_n a_o select_a number_n of_o the_o most_o prudent_a and_o holy_a of_o the_o elder_n be_v as_o likely_a to_o govern_v the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n as_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o a_o nation_n chap._n x._o of_o the_o power_n of_o synod_n the_o power_n of_o synod_n do_v consist_v principal_o in_o these_o thing_n 1._o they_o be_v to_o teach_v the_o people_n they_o be_v to_o hold_v forth_o light_a unto_o the_o church_n that_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o sandedrim_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n the_o will_n of_o god_n matth._n 23.2,3_o that_o be_v the_o special_a work_n of_o the_o levite_n deut._n 33.10_o that_o assembly_n mention_v act._n 15._o meet_v together_o to_o give_v light_n to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n it_o be_v very_o meet_v that_o synod_n do_v publish_v confession_n of_o faith_n not_o only_o to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o world_n and_o other_o christian_a kingdom_n of_o their_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n but_o especial_o to_o be_v a_o light_n unto_o the_o church_n to_o guide_v they_o in_o the_o way_n of_o life_n this_o have_v general_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o synod_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n they_o shall_v particular_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n and_o bear_v their_o testimony_n against_o those_o error_n that_o be_v spring_a up_o act._n 15.24_o it_o be_v meet_v also_o in_o case_n of_o corruption_n in_o manner_n that_o they_o do_v declare_v what_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n be_v and_o vindicate_v the_o rule_n that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o may_v root_v out_o such_o licentious_a principle_n as_o be_v prevail_v among_o the_o people_n and_o advise_v they_o to_o repent_v of_o such_o degeneracy_n as_o bring_v down_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n yet_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n or_o practice_v the_o rule_n hold_v forth_o by_o a_o synod_n because_o they_o be_v teach_v by_o they_o a_o synod_n be_v not_o infallible_a and_o therefore_o no_o rule_n or_o doctrine_n be_v to_o be_v take_v up_o on_o trust_n from_o they_o man_n do_v owe_v that_o respect_n to_o a_o synod_n as_o it_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n solemn_o to_o weigh_v the_o doctrine_n hold_v forth_o thereby_o but_o they_o be_v not_o to_o receive_v they_o by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o prove_v all_o thing_n and_o if_o a_o man_n do_v practice_v against_o the_o light_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n because_o a_o synod_n have_v otherwise_o determine_v he_o great_o sin_n rom._n 14.23_o the_o synod_n may_v direct_v he_o in_o a_o wrong_a way_n and_o no_o man_n can_v be_v bind_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v forbid_v deut._n 13.3_o 2._o they_o be_v to_o bind_v and_o loose_v to_o inflict_v ecclesiastical_a censure_n or_o to_o take_v they_o off_o the_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a authority_n must_v have_v power_n of_o judgement_n that_o so_o there_o may_v no_o public_a guilt_n lie_v upon_o the_o church_n if_o they_o have_v not_o power_n of_o judgement_n particular_a person_n may_v be_v oppress_v by_o the_o rigour_n of_o presbytery_n and_o many_o irregularity_n commit_v by_o the_o church_n whereby_o the_o country_n do_v become_v guilty_a and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o sufficient_a way_n to_o deliver_v the_o land_n from_o guilt_n synod_n have_v power_n to_o admonish_v to_o excommunicate_v and_o deliver_v from_o those_o censure_n and_o every_o man_n must_v stand_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o national_a synod_n deut._n 17.12_o they_o be_v to_o judge_n in_o case_n of_o complaint_n when_o any_o person_n judge_n himself_o wrong_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o complain_v to_o a_o synod_n they_o be_v to_o hear_v the_o case_n and_o upon_o the_o hear_n of_o it_o not_o to_o advise_v the_o church_n either_o to_o confim_v the_o sentence_n or_o to_o take_v it_o off_o but_o if_o there_o be_v occasion_n they_o be_v to_o take_v off_o the_o sentence_n and_o restore_v the_o man_n unto_o his_o privilege_n they_o be_v to_o judge_v in_o case_n of_o other_o complaint_n if_o any_o man_n have_v a_o complaint_n against_o another_o and_o can_v obtain_v a_o hear_n in_o the_o church_n that_o he_o belong_v unto_o or_o if_o the_o elder_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v complain_v of_o for_o any_o maladministration_n or_o if_o a_o church_n with_o the_o elder_n be_v complain_v of_o for_o heresy_n or_o other_o scandalous_a corruption_n the_o synod_n be_v to_o hear_v and_o judge_v the_o case_n and_o they_o may_v not_o only_o censure_v particular_a person_n but_o whole_a church_n also_o in_o case_n of_o need_n 3._o synod_n have_v power_n to_o oversee_v the_o call_n of_o person_n to_o the_o ministry_n and_o to_o appoint_v those_o who_o shall_v examine_v they_o if_o the_o synod_n have_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o hand_n though_o they_o shall_v not_o abridge_v congregation_n of_o their_o liberty_n yet_o they_o shall_v see_v that_o church_n act_n regular_o and_o that_o none_o shall_v be_v set_v in_o the_o ministry_n but_o such_o as_o be_v due_o qualify_v therefore_o it_o belong_v they_o to_o appoint_v meet_a person_n to_o examine_v such_o as_o be_v call_v to_o the_o ministry_n and_o to_o testify_v their_o approbation_n by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o hand_n tit._n 1.5_o the_o appoint_v of_o ceremony_n of_o worship_n be_v proper_o the_o work_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o make_n of_o order_n concern_v the_o external_a concernment_n of_o the_o church_n be_v proper_o the_o work_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n but_o the_o appointment_n of_o such_o as_o shall_v oversee_v the_o call_n of_o person_n to_o the_o ministry_n do_v proper_o belong_v to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n finis_fw-la