Selected quad for the lemma: love_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
love_n	grace_n	jesus_n	lord_n	11,220	5	3.7509	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A50206	The first principles of New-England concerning the subject of baptisme & communion of churches : collected partly out of the printed books, but chiefly out of the original manuscripts of the first and chiefe fathers in the New-English churches : with the judgment of sundry learned divines of the congregational way in England, concerning the said questions : published for the benefit of those who are of the rising generation in New-England / by Increase Mather ...	Mather, Increase, 1639-1723.; Mitchel, Jonathan, 1624-1668.	1675 (1675)	Wing M1211; ESTC W35680	45,581	56

keep_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o bring_v up_o his_o grandchild_n as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lie_v to_o live_v and_o walk_v as_o himself_o do_v as_o one_o of_o god_n people_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o covenant_n from_o whence_o the_o conclusion_n evident_o follow_v that_o therefore_o baptism_n may_v there_o be_v administer_v to_o seal_v up_o the_o covenant_n where_o the_o grandfather_n receive_v the_o covenant_n &_o undertake_v to_o bring_v up_o his_o grand_a child_n in_o the_o faith_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o covenant_n against_o this_o argument_n it_o be_v object_v by_o some_o what_o the_o apostle_n write_v 1_o cor._n 7.14_o where_o if_o both_o the_o husband_n and_o the_o wife_n who_o be_v the_o next_o parent_n of_o the_o child_n be_v unbelieving_a the_o child_n be_v pronounce_v unclean_a and_o therefore_o uncapable_a of_o the_o holy_a covenant_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a seal_n of_o it_o whereto_o it_o be_v answer_v that_o the_o word_n in_o the_o tex_n translate_v unbelieving_a be_v in_o the_o original_a infidel_n now_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o on_o infidel_n and_o a_o carnal_a christian_a as_o then_o be_v among_o the_o lewes_z a_o difference_n between_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o carnal_a israelite_n though_o the_o child_n be_v unclean_a where_o both_o the_o parent_n be_v pagan_n and_o infidel_n yet_o we_o may_v not_o account_v such_o parent_n for_o pagan_n and_o infidel_n who_o be_v themselves_o baptize_v and_o profess_v their_o belief_n of_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o live_v without_o notorious_a scandalous_a crime_n though_o they_o give_v not_o clear_a evidence_n of_o their_o regenerate_a estate_n nor_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o church_n covenant_n after_o this_o answer_n give_v there_o be_v no_o father_n reply_v against_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a some_o of_o the_o brethren_n express_v their_o consent_n with_o addition_n of_o other_o reason_n and_o all_o of_o they_o by_o their_o silence_n we_o do_v therefore_o profess_v it_o to_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o our_o church_n and_o as_o we_o believ_n agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n such_o caution_n be_v observe_v as_o have_v be_v mention_v that_o the_o grandfather_n a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n may_v claim_v the_o privilege_n of_o baptism_n to_o his_o grandchild_n though_o his_o next_o seed_n the_o parent_n of_o the_o child_n be_v not_o receive_v themselves_o into_o church_n covenant_n wherein_o nevertheless_o we_o desire_v so_o to_o be_v understand_v not_o as_o presume_v to_o judge_v other_o who_o happy_o may_v be_v of_o different_a opinion_n in_o this_o point_n or_o to_o direct_v you_o who_o be_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n give_v to_o you_o able_a to_o direct_v yourselves_o and_o we_o also_o in_o the_o lord_n but_o as_o willing_a in_o meekness_n of_o wisdom_n to_o search_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n with_o you_o and_o in_o brotherly_a love_n to_o satisfy_v your_o request_n and_o demand_v touch_v this_o question_n now_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n lead_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o go_v on_o to_o build_v up_o his_o holy_a kingdom_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o you_o in_o the_o gracious_a administration_n of_o all_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n among_o you_o in_o the_o lord_n jesus_n in_o who_o we_o rest_v your_o love_a brethren_n john_n cotton_n tho._n oliver_n tho._n leveret_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n boston_n decemb._n the_o 16_o 1634._o now_o this_o be_v a_o great_a testimony_n for_o if_o anno_fw-la 1634._o which_o be_v among_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o these_o church_n if_o then_o a_o grand_a father_n such_o caution_n be_v observe_v as_o have_v be_v mention_v be_v a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n may_v claim_v the_o privilege_n of_o baptism_n to_o his_o grand_a child_n though_o his_o next_o seed_n the_o immediate_a parent_n of_o the_o child_n be_v not_o receive_v themselves_o into_o full_a communion_n if_o then_o also_o it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o a_o infidel_n and_o a_o carnal_a christian_a as_o then_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n a_o difference_n between_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o carnal_a israelite_n and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o account_v such_o parent_n for_o pagan_n and_o infidel_n and_o so_o not_o their_o child_n for_o unclean_a who_o be_v themselves_o baptize_v and_o profess_v their_o belief_n of_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o live_v without_o notorious_a scandalous_a crime_n though_o they_o give_v not_o clear_a evidence_n of_o their_o regenerate_v estate_n if_o this_o be_v true_a doctrine_n anno_fw-la 1634._o posterity_n will_v see_v who_o be_v the_o apostate_n from_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o new-england_n whether_o they_o who_o principle_n be_v for_o a_o enlargement_n of_o baptism_n unto_o some_o who_o next_o patent_n be_v not_o fit_a for_o the_o lord_n supper_n or_o they_o that_o do_v oppose_v such_o a_o practice_n there_o be_v also_o to_o be_v see_v another_o large_a and_o judicious_a letter_n of_o mr._n cotton_v write_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n to_o a_o friend_n of_o he_o in_o england_n touch_v accommodation_n and_o communion_n between_o those_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a and_o congregational_a persuasion_n the_o letter_n bear_v date_n the_o 8._o 11._o month_n 1648._o and_o therein_o mr._n cot●on_n deliver_v his_o judgement_n in_o twelve_o proposition_n which_o be_v too_o large_a here_o to_o be_v insert_v only_o the_o eight_o of_o these_o proposition_n be_v direct_o to_o our_o purpose_n we_o shall_v here_o transcribe_v it_o the_o word_n of_o it_o be_v these_o if_o the_o godly_a member_n of_o a_o congregation_n former_o subject_a to_o episcopacy_n repent_v of_o their_o sinful_a subordination_n thereto_o shall_v be_v studious_a of_o reformation_n and_o shall_v solemn_o covenant_n to_o endeavour_v the_o same_o and_o shall_v choose_v their_o former_a godly_a minister_n into_o the_o pastor_n &_o teacher_n office_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a they_o shall_v take_v the_o ignorant_a or_o carnal_a member_n of_o the_o parish_n into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o this_o renew_a election_n of_o their_o minister_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a but_o the_o minister_n may_v perform_v some_o ministerial_a act_n to_o they_o as_o not_o only_o to_o preach_v the_o word_n to_o they_o but_o happy_o also_o to_o baptize_v their_o child_n for_o such_o member_n be_v like_o the_o church_n member_n with_o we_o baptize_v in_o their_o infancy_n yet_o not_o receive_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n when_o they_o come_v to_o age_n nor_o admit_v to_o fellowship_n of_o vote_v in_o admission_n election_n censure_n till_o they_o come_v to_o profess_v their_o faith_n and_o repentance_n and_o lie_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n of_o their_o parent_n before_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n nor_o the_o covenant_n thereof_o their_o child_n may_v be_v capable_a of_o the_o first_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n so_o in_o this_o case_n till_o the_o parent_n themselves_o grow_v scandalous_a and_o thereby_o cast_v off_o out_o of_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o church_n also_o to_o a_o reverend_a person_n yet_o survive_v in_o this_o country_n who_o in_o a_o letter_n bear_v date_n 4.4_o month_n 1649._o propound_v this_o question_n a_o father_n that_o be_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n one_o that_o fear_v the_o lord_n but_o no_o church_n member_n die_v and_o give_v his_o little_a infant_n to_o a_o church_n member_n and_o brother_n of_o we_o which_o brother_n have_v no_o child_n of_o his_o own_o glad_o accept_v it_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o such_o a_o adopt_a child_n may_v by_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n be_v baptize_v or_o not_o mr._n cotton_v answer_n be_v in_o these_o word_n you●_n case_n of_o baptise_v of_o the_o child_n of_o one_o fear_v god_n and_o in_o his_o death_n give_v his_o child_n to_o a_o church_n member_n etc._n etc._n i_o propound_v to_o some_o of_o our_o fellow_n elder_n mr._n wilson_n mr._n eliot_n and_o i_o think_v mr._n ma●her_n and_o as_o i_o remember_v they_o all_o incline_v to_o the_o affirmative_a their_o ground_n be_v the_o text_n in_o gen._n 17.12_o 13._o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o lean_a to_o the_o affirmative_a as_o you_o put_v the_o case_n the_o parent_n of_o this_o child_n be_v not_o a_o indian_a or_o pagan_n but_o a_o christian_a and_o baptize_v himself_o and_o so_o confederate_a with_o such_o a_o church_n as_o we_o renounce_v not_o and_o i_o do_v not_o dissuade_v the_o minister_a of_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n where_o the_o covenant_n itself_o be_v not_o want_v etc._n etc._n likewise_o in_o another_o letter_n which_o be_v extant_a under_o mr._n cotton_v own_o hand_n write_v to_o one_o who_o thus_o object_v carnal_a child_n be_v not_o fit_a to_o renew_v their_o covenant_n whilst_o they_o be_v

to_o the_o other_o question_n about_o communion_n and_o consociation_n of_o church_n now_o concern_v that_o it_o be_v less_o needful_a to_o produce_v many_o testimony_n that_o there_o in_o the_o synod_n introduce_v not_o any_o innovation_n for_o some_o that_o dissent_v from_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o question_n about_o baptism_n yet_o in_o this_o last_o concur_v yea_o there_o be_v a_o unanimous_a and_o universal_a assent_n to_o the_o answer_v give_v to_o this_o second_o question_n as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o antisynodalia_fw-la american●_n do_v acknowledge_v where_o pag._n 12._o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o second_o question_n we_o do_v full_o agree_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o synod_n in_o all_o the_o proposition_n lay_v down_o about_o it_o together_o with_o the_o proof_n thereof_o we_o shall_v therefore_o among_o our_o new_a english_a worthy_n only_o mention_v the_o judgement_n of_o mr._n cotton_n concern_v this_o question_n which_o what_o it_o be_v may_v be_v see_v large_o express_v in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o key_n pag._n 54_o etc._n etc._n and_o there_o be_v those_o that_o will_v remember_v that_o when_o that_o eminent_a minister_n of_o christ_n mr._n mitchel_n be_v ordain_v pastor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o cambridg_n mr._n cotton_n give_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o messenger_n of_o church_n the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n serious_o advise_v he_o to_o endeavour_v and_o that_o faithful_a man_n be_v ever_o mindful_a of_o that_o solemn_a advice_n that_o that_o ordinance_n of_o consociation_n of_o church_n may_v be_v due_o practise_v great_o bewail_v the_o defect_n of_o these_o church_n as_o to_o that_o particular_a yea_o mr._n cotton_v heart_n be_v much_o upon_o this_o thing_n in_o his_o latter_a time_n foresee_v that_o without_o it_o these_o church_n and_o the_o congregational_a way_n can_v not_o stand_v he_o do_v therefore_o not_o long_o before_o his_o decease_n draw_v up_o some_o proposition_n which_o be_v expressive_a of_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o this_o consociation_n plead_v for_o which_o because_o they_o be_v as_o be_v write_v by_o his_o hand_n they_o can_v but_o be_v of_o great_a weight_n and_o worth_n we_o shall_v therefore_o here_o insert_v and_o publish_v they_o proposition_n concern_v consociation_n and_o communion_n of_o church_n tender_v to_o the_o elder_n and_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n for_o their_o consideration_n and_o acceptance_n according_a to_o god_n proposition_n i._n every_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n viz._n a_o particular_a congregation_n furnish_v with_o a_o presly_n ery_z and_o walk_a in_o the_o truth_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v receive_v from_o the_o lord_n jesus_n full_a power_n ecclesiastical_a within_o itself_o both_o of_o liberty_n to_o receive_v she_o own_o member_n to_o choose_v she_o own_o officer_n and_o the_o like_a and_o also_o of_o authority_n to_o administer_v sacrament_n censure_v she_o own_o offender_n and_o restore_v penitent_n mat._n 18_o 18_o 1_o cor_fw-la 5._o act_n 6.2_o etc._n etc._n and_o 14_o 23._o so_o as_o this_o consociation_n and_o communion_n of_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o hinder_v the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n but_o only_o by_o counsel_n from_o the_o word_n to_o direct_v and_o strengthen_v their_o hand_n in_o the_o right_a administration_n thereof_o upon_o all_o just_a occasion_n proposition_n ii_o althought_v the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n be_v independent_a on_o each_o other_o and_o have_v equal_o the_o high_a power_n ecclesiastical_a under_o christ_n and_o be_v lead_v with_o infallible_a assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o yet_o paul_n with_o barnabas_n and_o titus_n go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o by_o revelation_n not_o only_o to_o confer_v and_o consult_v with_o the_o apostle_n about_o his_o doctrine_n leave_v he_o have_v or_o shall_v run_v in_o vain_a gal_n 2.1_o 2._o but_o also_o consociate_v or_o make_v agreement_n with_o they_o by_o mutual_a give_v the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n to_o dispose_v the_o course_n of_o their_o ministry_n and_o provision_n for_o the_o poor_a that_o so_o they_o may_v procure_v the_o more_o free_a and_o effectual_a passage_n of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o work_n of_o their_o ministry_n and_o therefore_o it_o may_v seem_v much_o rather_o not_o only_o lawful_a but_o also_o very_o profitable_a and_o needful_a for_o ordinary_a elder_n and_o church_n though_o equal_a in_o power_n want_v that_o infallible_a assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o comer_n and_o consult_v and_o consociate_v or_o agree_v together_o about_o all_o such_o weighty_a matter_n in_o which_o counsel_n and_o concurrence_n to_o avoid_v suspicion_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n and_o so_o to_o expedite_v the_o free_a passage_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o they_o all_o proposition_n iii_o if_o when_o peter_n give_v offence_n at_o antioch_n the_o apostle_n paul_n take_v liberty_n to_o rebuke_v he_o before_o they_o all_o though_o he_o be_v his_o equal_a in_o place_n and_o power_n and_o that_o no_o doubt_n out_o of_o that_o duty_n of_o love_n and_o faithfulness_n which_o he_o owe_v unto_o he_o and_o to_o the_o truth_n peter_n also_o submit_v thereunto_o than_o it_o may_v well_o stand_v with_o the_o equality_n of_o church_n out_o of_o their_o duty_n of_o love_n and_o faithfulness_n to_o admonish_v each_o other_o in_o case_n of_o public_a offence_n and_o submit_v to_o such_o admonition_n from_o the_o word_n in_o meckness_n of_o wisdom_n as_o to_o the_o will_n and_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o give_v such_o satisfaction_n as_o the_o rule_n do_v require_v proposition_n iu._n out_o of_o question_n the_o lord_n jesus_n the_o bode_n king_n and_o compassionate_a high_a p●●●st_n and_o saviour_n of_o his_o body_n the_o church_n have_v as_o great_a a_o love_n and_o care_n of_o the_o purity_n peace_n and_o edisocation_n of_o whole_a church_n as_o of_o particular_a saint_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o those_o epistle_n send_v to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n galatia_n and_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n to_o heal_v the_o public_a error_n diffention_n and_o other_o corruption_n find_v in_o they_o and_o therefore_o certain_o he_o have_v appoint_v and_o sanctify_v some_o sufficient_a mean_a to_o preserve_v their_o purity_n and_o peace_n to_o heal_v and_o help_v the_o evil_n and_o distemper_n of_o whole_a church_n as_o well_o as_o of_o particular_a believer_n now_o then_o since_o apostle_n and_o other_o extraordinary_a officer_n be_v cease_v that_o have_v power_n in_o all_o church_n and_o only_a love_n remain_v what_o other_o ecclesiastical_a help_n be_v there_o leave_v without_o infringe_v the_o power_n of_o particular_a church_n but_o the_o exercise_n of_o brotherly_a love_n mutual_a watchfulness_n brotherly_a care_n and_o counsel_n which_o elder_n and_o church_n ought_v therefore_o to_o practise_v towards_o each_o other_o in_o this_o way_n of_o brotherly_a communion_n and_o assistance_n on_o all_o just_a occasion_n proposition_n v._n upon_o these_o and_o other_o scripture_n ground_n and_o example_n and_o for_o the_o end_n above_o say_v it_o be_v very_o meet_a and_o requisite_a according_a to_o our_o present_a practice_n that_o when_o any_o company_n of_o christian_n intend_v to_o unite_v themselves_o into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o a_o church_n or_o be_v in_o a_o church_n state_n to_o elect_v and_o ordain_v any_o elder_n over_o they_o that_o in_o due_a time_n they_o signify_v their_o intention_n to_o the_o neighbour_a church_n walk_v in_o the_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o such_o may_v be_v have_v desire_v their_o presence_n assistance_n and_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n that_o as_o a_o church_n be_v a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n so_o the_o act_n thereof_o may_v not_o be_v as_o a_o light_n put_v under_o a_o bushel_n but_o may_v so_o shine_v forth_o to_o all_o other_o church_n behold_v and_o approve_v their_o orderly_a proceed_n as_o they_o may_v the_o more_o ready_o give_v they_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n and_o walk_v with_o more_o freedom_n of_o spirit_n in_o brotherly_a love_n and_o communion_n with_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n proposition_n vi._n in_o such_o matter_n of_o public_a censure_n wherein_o through_o the_o obscenity_n and_o difficulty_n thereof_o or_o otherwise_o there_o do_v arise_v difference_n tend_v to_o dangerous_a division_n and_o distraction_n in_o the_o church_n or_o offence_n to_o other_o church_n in_o all_o such_o ca●es_v it_o be_v meet_v and_o requisite_a that_o the_o church_n proceed_v advise_o with_o the_o counsel_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o elder_a or_o elder_n with_o other_o judicious_a and_o impartial_a breth●●●_n of_o other_o church_n clear_v up_o from_o the_o word_n what_o be_v the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v do_v proposition_n vii_o not_o only_o in_o matter_n of_o censure_n but_o also_o in_o other_o case_n of_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n wherein_o for_o want_v of_o light_n or_o of_o the_o

spirit_n of_o meckness_n and_o love_n there_o do_v grow_v dissension_n in_o any_o church_n as_o do_v in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n about_o circumsision_n the_o church_n so_o divide_v shall_v do_v wise_o and_o safe_o not_o to_o proceed_v to_o determine_v the_o case_n by_o a_o major_a v●te_n to_o the_o unsatisfaction_n and_o offence_n of_o a_o considerable_a part_n among_o themselves_o or_o the_o offence_n of_o other_o church_n but_o ought_v rather_o to_o bring_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o hear_n and_o judgement_n of_o other_o elder_n and_o brethren_n of_o other_o church_n who_o be_v desire_v aught_o ready_o to_o meet_v together_o and_o serious_o as_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o case_n search_v out_o by_o the_o word_n what_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n therein_o by_o themselves_o if_o present_a or_o otherwise_o by_o letter_n and_o messenger_n to_o declare_v to_o the_o church_n what_o they_o judge_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o christ_n which_o they_o shall_v walk_v by_o which_o judgement_n ought_v to_o be_v receive_v with_o all_o due_a respect_n according_a to_o god_n act_v 15._o proposition_n viii_o as_o there_o be_v a_o brotherhood_n of_o member_n in_o the_o same_o church_n so_o there_o be_v a_o brotherhood_n of_o church_n be_v all_o fellow_n member_n of_o christ_n jesus_n and_o so_o bind_v to_o have_v a_o m●utal_a care_n one_o of_o another_o cant._n 8_o 8._o it_o be_v therefore_o meet_a and_o requiste_v that_o in_o case_n any_o church_n shall_v fall_v into_o any_o scandalous_a error_n or_o offence_n in_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n than_o the_o neighbour_n church_n or_o church_n shall_v advertise_v convince_v and_o admonish_v such_o a_o church_n thereof_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o after_o due_a conviction_n by_o a_o neighbour_n church_n and_o again_o by_o more_o church_n the_o offend_a church_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o offence_n and_o the_o respect_n due_a to_o a_o church_n of_o christ_n may_v require_v may_v at_o length_n withdraw_v the_o church_n with_o sufficient_a partience_n will_v not_o yet_o hearken_v to_o their_o brethren_n then_o withdraw_v from_o that_o church_n or_o at_o least_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o refuse_v to_o be_v heal_v such_o brotherly_a communion_n and_o the_o fruit_n thereof_o as_o otherwise_o church_n usual_o do_v afford_v to_o each_o other_o proposition_n ix_o in_o case_n any_o member_n shall_v be_v lay_v under_o censure_n in_o a_o church_n by_o the_o major_a part_n with_o the_o offence_n of_o a_o considerable_a part_n thereof_o or_o when_o any_o whole_a church_n shall_v seem_v to_o have_v consent_v corrupt_o to_o such_o a_o censure_n upon_o complaint_n of_o the_o grieve_a part_n attest_v by_o the_o dusent_a brethren_n or_o in_o the_o other_o case_n by_o other_o credible_a person_n it_o be_v free_a yea_o requisite_a that_o other_o church_n or_o church_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meckness_n desire_v to_o know_v the_o reason_n or_o their_o censure_n which_o if_o the_o church_n shall_v clear_v up_o to_o be_v just_a than_o the_o other_o church_n or_o church_n ought_v to_o bear_v witness_n to_o their_o proceed_n and_o to_o persuade_v the_o censure_v and_o dissent_v part_n of_o the_o submit_v and_o give_v satisfaction_n but_o if_o the_o church_n shall_v refuse_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o procceeding_n or_o not_o final_o clear_v up_o the_o justice_n thereof_o nor_o ease_v the_o grieve_a party_n it_o will_v then_o be_v equal_a for_o any_o other_o church_n to_o receive_v the_o censure_v part_n to_o their_o covenant_n or_o communion_n for_o so_o christ_n receive_v the_o blind_a man_n after_o he_o be_v unjust_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o synogogue_n job●_n 9_o the_o unjust_a act_n of_o any_o church_n can_v appear_v to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n out_o rather_o in_o the_o abuse_n of_o his_o name_n and_o power_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o bind_v in_o heaven_n clavis_fw-la errans_fw-la von_n ligat_fw-la proposition_n x._o as_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o godly_a christian_n in_o the_o church_n without_o any_o scruple_n and_o with_o much_o edification_n and_o increase_n of_o love_n to_o meet_v together_o in_o convenient_a number_n or_o family_n at_o set_a time_n house_n by_o house_n to_o exercise_v that_o christian_a communion_n which_o the_o moral_a rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n call_v for_o 1_o thes_n 5.11_o col._n 3.16_o heb._n 3_o 13._o and_o so_o 24._o so_o also_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n beside_o other_o it_o will_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n conduce_v much_o to_o the_o increase_n of_o brotherly_a love_n and_o unity_n the_o spiritual_a edification_n of_o many_o by_o mutual_a faith_n of_o each_o other_o to_o the_o strengthen_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o hand_n of_o one_o another_o in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n if_o the_o elder_n and_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n do_v meet_v together_o church_n by_o church_n in_o convenient_a number_n at_o set_a time_n not_o to_o exercise_v any_o jurisdiction_n over_o any_o but_o to_o enjoy_v and_o practise_v church_n communion_n by_o prayer_n together_o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v and_o conference_n about_o such_o gas_n and_o question_n of_o conscience_n as_o shall_v be_v find_v useful_a or_o needful_a for_o the_o edification_n and_o comfort_n and_o peace_n of_o every_o church_n or_o any_o of_o the_o brethren_n thereof_o and_o this_o course_n may_v tend_v much_o to_o satisfy_v the_o spirit_n of_o divers_a godly_a brethren_n who_o have_v think_v that_o we_o so_o much_o mind_n the_o distinction_n of_o particular_a church_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o fellow_n member_n in_o the_o same_o that_o we_o lose_v much_o of_o the_o comfort_n of_o love_n and_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o we_o may_v enjoy_v and_o that_o we_o fall_v short_a in_o some_o brotherly_a love_n which_o we_o owe_v mutual_o to_o our_o dear_a brethren_n of_o several_a church_n for_o the_o better_a improvement_n of_o such_o a_o conference_n 1._o it_o be_v fit_a that_o the_o number_n of_o church_n so_o to_o meet_v be_v regulate_v according_a to_o the_o nearness_n or_o distance_n of_o church_n and_o as_o other_o convenience_n or_o inconvenience_n shall_v require_v 2._o for_o the_o time_n of_o meeting_n it_o may_v seem_v best_a to_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o each_o society_n of_o church_n to_o meet_v more_o frequent_o or_o seldom_o as_o they_o shall_v see_v cause_n 3._o concern_v their_o exercise_n it_o be_v meet_v that_o the_o elder_n of_o each_o church_n where_o the_o conference_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v shall_v choose_v with_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n some_o other_o elder_a as_o they_o see_v best_a who_o they_o may_v entreat_v to_o preach_v at_o their_o meeting_n and_o also_o to_o desire_v some_o to_o moderate_v in_o the_o conference_n and_o agree_v upon_o such_o question_n as_o they_o see_v fit_a three_o or_o four_o and_o send_v they_o to_o the_o elder_n of_o other_o church_n at_o least_o fourteen_o day_n before_o the_o time_n of_o their_o assembly_n 4._o for_o the_o order_n of_o the_o time_n it_o may_v be_v fit_a that_o the_o sermon_n shall_v end_v at_o eleven_o a_o clock_n and_o after_o it_o the_o conference_n follow_v and_o continue_v so_o long_o as_o shall_v be_v find_v meet_a and_o seasonable_a now_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n himself_o who_o be_v the_o counsellor_n the_o everlasting_a father_n and_o prince_n of_o peace_n grant_v unto_o all_o his_o church_n truth_n and_o peace_n always_o and_o ●y_a all_o mean_n and_o he_o counsel_v and_o guide_v the_o heart_n of_o his_o people_n to_o discern_v and_o embrace_v all_o such_o way_n as_o himself_o have_v sanctify_v to_o those_o holy_a ends._n amen_n thus_o far_o mr._n cotton_n and_o that_o this_o be_v according_a to_o congregational_a principle_n be_v evident_a from_o other_o testimony_n for_o the_o messenger_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o congregational_a church_n who_o meet_v at_o the_o savoy_n in_o london_n anno_fw-la 1658._o do_v in_o their_o declaration_n of_o the_o order_n appoint_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n thesis_n 26._o thus_o declare_v in_o case_n of_o difficulty_n or_o difference_n either_o in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n or_o in_o administration_n wherein_o either_o the_o church_n in_o general_n be_v concern_v or_o any_o one_o church_n in_o their_o peace_n union_n and_o edification_n or_o any_o member_n or_o member_n of_o any_o church_n be_v injure_v in_o or_o by_o any_o proceed_n in_o censure_n not_o agreeable_a to_o truth_n and_o order_n it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n that_o many_o church_n hold_v communion_n together_o do_v by_o their_o messenger_n meet_v in_o a_o synod_n or_o council_n to_o consider_v and_o give_v their_o advice_n in_o or_o about_o the_o matter_n in_o difference_n etc._n etc._n and_o doctor_n owen_n who_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o