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nation_n church_n particular_a visible_a 1,435 5 9.3227 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A07822 Salomon or A treatise declaring the state of the kingdome of Israel, as it was in the daies of Salomon Whereunto is annexed another treatise, of the Church: or more particularly, of the right constitution of a Church. Morton, Thomas, of Berwick. 1596 (1596) STC 18197.7; ESTC S112936 159,289 238

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doctrine_n ought_v to_o be_v esteem_v the_o public_a confession_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n whereby_o they_o do_v make_v know_v not_o only_o to_o other_o church_n but_o also_o to_o the_o whole_a world_n that_o they_o do_v profess_v &_o maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_n religion_n and_o of_o every_o part_n thereof_o &_o do_v detest_v &_o abhor_v all_o the_o false_a worship_n of_o the_o jew_n turk_n and_o all_o other_o infidel_n whatsoever_o and_o also_o that_o they_o be_v free_a from_o all_o false_a &_o erroneous_a opinion_n all_o gross_a &_o blasphemous_a heresy_n of_o man_n profess_v the_o faith_n wherewith_o the_o church_n have_v be_v at_o all_o time_n and_o be_v trouble_v at_o this_o day_n this_o public_a profession_n of_o the_o faith_n be_v with_o great_a care_n &_o diligence_n make_v and_o approve_v by_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a council_n be_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o chief_a ruler_n to_o be_v enjoin_v to_o the_o whole_a ch._n so_o as_o it_o 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wherein_o we_o be_v now_o conversant_a and_o therefore_o it_o do_v great_o belong_v unto_o we_o to_o know_v the_o state_n of_o it_o because_o god_n have_v appoint_v it_o to_o be_v the_o way_n whereby_o we_o must_v pass_v to_o the_o triumphant_a church_n in_o this_o sense_n we_o do_v here_o entreat_v of_o the_o church_n and_o last_o even_o in_o this_o three_o sense_n the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n be_v diverse_o use_v to_o wit_n first_o for_o the_o whole_a church_n here_o on_o earth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o all_o those_o place_n where_o it_o be_v put_v for_o all_o the_o faithful_a people_n in_o the_o world_n as_o namely_o 1._o cor._n 10.32_o give_v no_o offence_n neither_o to_o the_o jew_n or_o gentile_n nor_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o be_v to_o none_o that_o believe_v second_o for_o the_o whole_a visible_a church_n as_o we_o read_v 1._o cor._n 12.28_o god_n have_v put_v in_o his_o church_n apostles_n prophet_n pastor_n doctor_n for_o although_o neither_o the_o catholic_a 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whole_a catholic_a church_n be_v or_o in_o the_o same_o divine_a government_n as_o the_o whole_a visible_a church_n be_v but_o also_o in_o the_o same_o humane_a government_n to_o wit_n in_o the_o same_o humane_a ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o the_o same_o governor_n sect._n 3_o of_o how_o many_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v consist_v as_o touch_v the_o number_n whereof_o a_o particular_a church_n do_v consist_v the_o least_o may_v be_v give_v but_o not_o the_o great_a the_o least_o be_v the_o least_o number_n of_o one_o private_a family_n within_o the_o compass_n whereof_o a_o particular_a church_n have_v often_o be_v contain_v family_n so_o in_o the_o begin_n there_o be_v a_o particular_a church_n in_o the_o family_n of_o adam_n for_o they_o do_v joint_o together_o and_o in_o common_a offer_n sacrìfice_n and_o serve_v god_n this_o church_n consist_v of_o four_o person_n at_o what_o time_n there_o be_v a_o public_a service_n of_o god_n namely_o adam_n eva_n cain_n and_o abel_n 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shall_v be_v make_v one_o church_n because_o it_o be_v needful_a in_o diverse_a respect_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v but_o one_o place_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n one_o high_a priest_n one_o temple_n and_o place_n of_o offer_v sacrifice_n secondlie_o that_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n may_v more_o convenient_o meet_v together_o in_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n church_n than_o the_o hundred_o part_n of_o they_o can_v do_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o then_o the_o public_a service_n wherein_o all_o be_v bind_v to_o meet_v be_v but_o seldom_o to_o be_v perform_v to_o wit_n thrice_o in_o the_o year_n at_o the_o three_o solemn_a feast_n and_o then_o they_o do_v not_o give_v themselves_o so_o much_o to_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o word_n and_o to_o public_a prayer_n as_o to_o the_o offering_n of_o the_o sacrifice_n command_v in_o the_o law_n so_o that_o that_o service_n do_v require_v only_o presence_n at_o jerusalem_n or_o about_o the_o temple_n but_o our_o service_n require_v particular_a and_o diligent_a attention_n on_o the_o other_o side_n in_o the_o gather_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v careful_o to_o be_v avoid_v that_o it_o do_v not_o consist_v of_o too_o few_o for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v that_o any_o small_a number_n of_o believer_n do_v make_v a_o competent_a congregation_n but_o rather_o to_o desire_v that_o it_o may_v consist_v even_o of_o so_o many_o as_o may_v convenient_o come_v together_o into_o one_o place_n and_o there_o without_o confusion_n be_v make_v partaker_n of_o all_o those_o mean_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o be_v edify_v in_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n for_o the_o more_o there_o be_v in_o the_o congregation_n there_o will_v be_v a_o great_a abundance_n of_o spiritual_a grace_n whereby_o the_o public_a function_n of_o the_o church_n yea_o all_o other_o want_n whatsoever_o few_o may_v be_v more_o easy_o and_o abundant_o supply_v there_o will_v also_o be_v find_v more_o pregnant_a 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prophet_n esay_n foretell_v esay_n 11._o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v so_o great_a that_o man_n who_o of_o themselves_o be_v even_o as_o tiger_n lion_n leopard_n and_o as_o most_o savage_a beast_n shall_v be_v make_v tame_a and_o gentle_a yea_o this_o prophecy_n be_v ratify_v by_o the_o event_n of_o thing_n christian_n whereby_o we_o see_v that_o even_o the_o most_o barbarous_a nation_n and_o general_o all_o kind_n of_o people_n have_v submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ._n and_o yet_o some_o kind_n of_o people_n be_v more_o fit_a for_o this_o purpose_n than_o other_o and_o do_v more_o easy_o yea_o more_fw-it usual_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o gospel_n even_o as_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v difference_n in_o stone_n whereof_o some_o
of_o the_o same_o civil_a power_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o voluntary_a conjunction_n of_o particular_a church_n under_o the_o government_n of_o counsel_n now_o follow_v the_o necessary_a conjunction_n of_o they_o so_o call_v because_o it_o be_v not_o in_o their_o power_n to_o shake_v off_o that_o common_a authority_n whereunto_o they_o be_v subject_a this_o necessary_a conjunction_n have_v place_n then_o whenas_o diverse_a particular_a church_n be_v tie_v together_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o same_o civil_a authority_n by_o the_o which_o they_o be_v rule_v as_o have_v be_v declare_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v see_v almost_o in_o all_o public_a church_n the_o which_o usual_o consist_v of_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o professor_n as_o can_v possible_o be_v contain_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o church_n for_o if_o any_o one_o populous_a city_n do_v general_o profess_v the_o gospel_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v divide_v into_o diverse_a particular_a church_n much_o more_o a_o christian_n country_n nation_n or_o kingdom_n can_v but_o contain_v in_o it_o many_o particular_a church_n all_o which_o although_o they_o have_v their_o proper_a ruler_n or_o teacher_n and_o order_n as_o free_a church_n have_v yet_o they_o have_v also_o a_o common_a government_n and_o law_n proceed_v from_o the_o civil_a power_n to_o the_o obedience_n whereof_o they_o be_v all_o bind_v for_o in_o public_a church_n the_o civil_a power_n have_v the_o great_a sway_n in_o govern_v by_o the_o which_o be_v one_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o every_o particular_a assembly_n be_v bring_v to_o a_o conformity_n both_o in_o doctrine_n as_o also_o in_o government_n yea_o it_o be_v requisite_a &_o needful_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o otherwise_o if_o every_o particular_a church_n do_v differ_v from_o the_o rest_n in_o government_n the_o whole_a church_n can_v not_o be_v order_v without_o great_a trouble_n and_o confusion_n but_o yet_o this_o common_a government_n of_o the_o magistrate_n do_v not_o take_v away_o the_o grovernment_n of_o particular_a church_n no_o more_o than_o the_o counsel_n whereof_o we_o have_v speak_v do_v from_o free_a church_n this_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a ruler_n yet_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o other_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o who_o as_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o prince_n to_o call_v or_o pass_v over_o who_o he_o think_v meet_a or_o unmeete_a so_o it_o will_v be_v convenient_a for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n the_o which_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o he_o either_o whole_o to_o neglect_v or_o light_o to_o regard_v to_o call_v of_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n those_o who_o be_v endue_v with_o best_a gift_n yet_o so_o that_o some_o be_v have_v out_o of_o every_o particular_a church_n as_o if_o they_o be_v free_a church_n and_o especial_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v call_v for_o the_o reason_n declare_v in_o the_o former_a section_n when_o they_o by_o his_o authority_n be_v gather_v together_o he_o be_v to_o take_v unto_o himself_o the_o roll_a of_o the_o whole_a action_n unless_o it_o be_v needful_a that_o he_o delegate_v his_o authority_n to_o some_o other_o and_o by_o pray_v for_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n upon_o their_o consultation_n &_o declare_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o meeting_n to_o begin_v it_o then_o he_o be_v to_o propound_v in_o the_o first_o place_n those_o want_n fault_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o ch._n which_o he_o himself_o have_v observe_v &_o will_v have_v supply_v and_o take_v away_o to_o show_v the_o manner_n how_o he_o think_v it_o most_o meet_a to_o be_v do_v which_o be_v do_v he_o be_v to_o give_v liberty_n to_o every_o one_o present_a to_o speak_v their_o mind_n free_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v propound_v as_o also_o of_o any_o other_o thing_n which_o they_o think_v good_a for_o the_o church_n that_o which_o be_v agree_v upon_o &_o do_v appear_v to_o all_o or_o to_o the_o most_o of_o they_o right_o &_o meet_v to_o be_v decree_v he_o be_v to_o establish_v give_v unto_o it_o the_o virtue_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a law_n the_o which_o the_o whole_a ch._n ought_v to_o obey_v that_o which_o can_v be_v agree_v upon_o be_v to_o be_v defer_v to_o another_o time_n of_o meeting_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v somuch_o the_o soon_o as_o the_o matter_n controverse_v be_v of_o great_a importance_n for_o more_o mature_a deliberation_n with_o themselves_o and_o other_o will_v make_v that_o clear_a and_o evident_a which_o before_o be_v doubtful_a if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n which_o neither_o can_v be_v agree_v upon_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o great_a part_n neither_o yet_o defer_v without_o great_a hurt_n to_o the_o church_n the_o chief_a ruler_n may_v with_o the_o consent_n of_o some_o of_o the_o council_n decree_n and_o enact_v that_o which_o they_o think_v needful_a to_o be_v do_v yet_o he_o be_v not_o to_o use_v this_o authority_n in_o this_o manner_n but_o upon_o urgent_a necessity_n for_o many_o inconvenience_n do_v follow_v the_o enact_v of_o ecclesiastical_a lawe●_n without_o the_o full_a consent_n of_o the_o council_n yea_o the_o suspicion_n of_o tyrannize_v over_o the_o ch._n of_o god_n be_v by_o all_o mean_n to_o be_v avoid_v in_o regard_v whereof_o many_o christian_n emperor_n &_o ruler_n do_v resign_v their_o authority_n which_o they_o have_v in_o govern_v the_o ch_n to_o these_o counsel_n ruler_n insomuch_o that_o they_o have_v the_o full_a power_n not_o only_o of_o advise_v law_n but_o also_o of_o enact_v or_o the_o give_n unto_o they_o the_o force_n of_o law_n but_o as_o have_v be_v show_v this_o m●y_n easy_o turn_v to_o the_o hurt_n of_o the_o ch._n and_o therefore_o it_o ought_v not_o whole_o to_o b●_n follow_v yet_o it_o show_v how_o great_a regard_n civil_a ruler_n ought_v to_o have_v of_o the_o judgement_n &_o advice_n of_o those_o who_o be_v godly_a wise_a and_o learned_a in_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n subject_n unto_o they_o and_o therefore_o that_o which_o the_o council_n think_v good_a to_o be_v do_v or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v great_o regard_v yet_o if_o the_o chief_a ruler_n can_v be_v bring_v to_o give_v his_o assent_n unto_o it_o it_o can_v have_v the_o force_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a law_n or_o be_v impose_v upon_o the_o whole_a ch._n in_o that_o name_n as_o touch_v the_o number_n whereof_o any_o national_a council_n do_v consist_v there_o can_v any_o be_v define_v but_o it_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o chief_a ruler_n to_o who_o the_o depose_n &_o authorise_v of_o this_o whole_a action_n do_v belong_v yet_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v proportionable_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o the_o ch._n &_o to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n so_o that_o if_o some_o be_v have_v out_o of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o it_o will_v make_v the_o law_n enact_v to_o be_v much_o more_o willing_o receive_v &_o obey_v whenas_o it_o shall_v be_v know_v that_o some_o of_o themselves_o do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o rest_n consent_n unto_o they_o and_o especial_o this_o be_v requisite_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o chief_a end_n and_o use_v of_o these_o counsel_n both_o in_o free_a and_o public_a church_n whereof_o we_o will_v brief_o speak_v the_o which_o be_v to_o bring_v the_o whole_a church_n to_o a_o conformity_n of_o doctrine_n this_o be_v needful_a and_o good_a to_o be_v do_v and_o that_o for_o these_o cause_n first_o for_o the_o repress_v of_o heresy_n which_o do_v continual_o arise_v in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o which_o purpose_n the_o general_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o forcible_a for_o either_o the_o consent_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n will_v be_v of_o great_a weight_n to_o take_v the_o say_a heresy_n out_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o do_v maintain_v they_o or_o else_o the_o authority_n by_o which_o the_o truth_n oppugn_v be_v public_o establish_v will_v be_v able_a to_o remove_v the_o maintainer_n of_o they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n second_o this_o form_n of_o doctrine_n agree_v upon_o by_o many_o will_v be_v effectual_a to_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v those_o who_o be_v weak_a in_o the_o faith_n and_o not_o full_o ground_v in_o some_o point_n of_o christian_n religion_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o help_v forward_o those_o who_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n not_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o build_v our_o faith_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o man_n faith_n but_o for_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v from_o the_o church_n a_o confirmation_n of_o our_o faith_n see_v we_o may_v be_v great_o help_v and_o strengthen_v by_o this_o mean_n and_o last_o this_o form_n of_o
govern_v pag._n 141_o chapter_n 11_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n pag._n 143_o we_o pray_v thou_o good_a reader_n to_o turn_v hither_o when_o thou_o meet_v with_o any_o stay_n and_o to_o read_v those_o place_n as_o they_o be_v here_o set_v down_o our_o desire_n be_v that_o thou_o shall_v be_v ease_v of_o this_o trouble_n as_o thou_o may_v perceive_v but_o now_o we_o must_v desire_v thou_o to_o take_v it_o in_o good_a part_n farewell_o in_o the_o former_a treatise_n pag._n 14._o li._n 4._o who_o answer_v pag._n 18.9_o necessity_n the_o glory_n pag._n 19.1_o in_o his_o church_n pag._n 39.2_o against_o who_o and_o when_o he_o pag._n 59.2_o dutiful_o obey_v pag._n 65.13_o that_o he_o speak_v pag._n 70.26_o contempt_n and_o in_o the_o latter_a treatise_n pa._n 2.17_o of_o a_o particular_a ch_n p._n 18.6_o arian_n do_v therefore_o p._n 28.4_o baalam_n all_o of_o they_o p._n 33.15_o of_o multitude_n p._n 38.32_o he_o call_v p._n 24.23_o into_o those_o infinite_a p._n 40.34_o in_o that_o the_o p._n 54.23_o the_o sun●e_n of_o p._n 39.25_o a_o extraordinary_a p._n 45.23_o of_o the_o receiver_n &_o 27._o the_o other_o give_v p._n 49.32_o at_o the_o same_o time_n p._n 50.34_o perfect_o set_v down_o p._n 59.35_o the_o ch._n be_v bind_v p._n 62.23_o the_o direction_n p._n 79.28_o as_o their_o gift_n p._n 82.2_o church_n then_o in_o p._n 89.15_o so_o perfect_a a_o state_n p._n 90_o 30._o affectation_n p._n 94.22_o church_n of_o arian_n p._n 95.22_o which_o in_o all_o p._n 103.25_o which_o be_v p._n 104.10_o in_o number_n p._n 129.25_o all_o mean_n p._n 56.5_o yea_o far_o above_o p._n 86.19_o profess_v the_o faith_n p._n 130.26_o of_o the_o spirit_n p._n 131.29_o national_a &_o go_v p._n 134.13_o bind_v that_o one_o p._n 138.1_o for_o in_o public_a p._n 142.7_o and_o order_v p._n 10.13_o to_o be_v aliante_n p._n 24.23_o into_o those_o infinite_a p._n 40.34_o first_o which_o will_v p._n ●2_n 13._o in_o his_o apology_n p._n 66.36_o of_o judaical_a p._n 65.16_o of_o less_o moment_n p._n 82.2_o church_n then_o in_o p._n 97.1_o a_o private_a church_n p._n 98.24_o more_o than_o one_o p._n 106.6_o the_o favour_n p._n 112.23_o they_o have_v a_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o treatise_n we_o take_v out_o of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o samuel_n the_o 10._o chapter_n the_o 25._o verse_n where_o it_o be_v thus_o write_v and_o samuel_n speak_v unto_o the_o people_n the_o judgement_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o write_v in_o a_o book_n and_o lay_v it_o before_o the_o face_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n it_o please_v god_n in_o mercy_n to_o choose_v out_o of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o be_v a_o peculiar_a people_n unto_o himself_o on_o who_o he_o will_v set_v his_o whole_a affection_n and_o pour_v forth_o the_o full_a treasure_n of_o his_o blessing_n both_o spiritual_a to_o wit_n his_o covenant_n and_o his_o promise_n his_o word_n and_o his_o church_n his_o worship_n and_o his_o visible_a presence_n yea_o which_o be_v all_o in_o all_o his_o own_o only_a son_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o with_o he_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o also_o temporal_a as_o namely_o continual_a deliverance_n from_o all_o danger_n in_o egypt_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o in_o the_o land_n of_o chanaan_n a_o fruitful_a land_n to_o dwell_v in_o wise_a and_o puissant_a judge_n to_o govern_v they_o and_o to_o save_v they_o out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o enemy_n from_o moses_n to_o samuel_n but_o this_o people_n be_v a_o unfaithful_a that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o ungracious_a people_n and_o do_v neither_o worthy_o esteem_n nor_o careful_o keep_v the_o blessing_n bestow_v upon_o they_o but_o as_o they_o be_v in_o nature_n and_o condition_n state_n so_o they_o do_v affect_v to_o be_v in_o all_o other_o respect_n like_v unto_o the_o profane_a nation_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o therefore_o they_o change_v both_o the_o civil_a and_o also_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n appoint_v by_o god_n insomuch_o that_o for_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n they_o do_v often_o take_v unto_o themselves_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o heathen_a and_o in_o steed_n of_o the_o judge_n by_o who_o they_o have_v be_v govern_v now_o 400._o year_n they_o will_v needs_o have_v a_o king_n set_v over_o they_o as_o other_o nation_n have_v the_o which_o desire_v although_o it_o be_v great_o displease_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n and_o of_o samuel_n yet_o by_o the_o importunity_n of_o the_o people_n it_o be_v obtain_v insomuch_o that_o in_o steed_n of_o the_o son_n of_o samuel_n who_o govern_v the_o land_n in_o their_o father_n age_n saul_n in_o son_n of_o cis_n be_v anoint_v king_n of_o israel_n this_o change_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v make_v it_o do_v of_o necessity_n follow_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o change_n of_o the_o law_n also_o by_o the_o which_o the_o people_n be_v govern_v according_a to_o that_o which_o be_v common_o say_v new_a lord_n must_v have_v new_a law_n for_o although_o they_o take_v the_o occasion_n of_o this_o alteration_n alteration_n at_o the_o personal_a fault_n of_o the_o son_n of_o samuel_n yet_o they_o change_v not_o only_o the_o governor_n but_o also_o the_o government_n itself_o and_o bring_v in_o a_o other_o kind_n of_o government_n far_o different_a from_o that_o which_o be_v before_o in_o force_n and_o therefore_o require_v new_a law_n whereupon_o to_o stand_v yea_o the_o process_n of_o this_o treatise_n will_v in_o part_n declare_v that_o the_o difference_n betwixt_o these_o two_o governmente_n the_o one_o of_o the_o judge_n and_o the_o other_o of_o the_o king_n be_v so_o great_a that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o one_o estate_n can_v no_o more_o agree_v to_o the_o other_o than_o the_o furniture_n of_o a_o mighty_a giant_n will_v serve_v a_o child_n or_o the_o base_a apparel_n of_o a_o mean_a man_n beseem_v a_o stately_a prince_n in_o consideration_n whereof_o samuel_n or_o rather_o god_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o samuel_n as_o he_o have_v give_v to_o the_o people_n a_o king_n so_o in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o give_v unto_o they_o the_o state_n of_o a_o kingdom_n and_o that_o by_o establish_v those_o order_n and_o law_n according_a to_o the_o which_o both_o the_o king_n shall_v rule_v and_o the_o people_n obey_v not_o that_o he_o do_v prescribe_v unto_o they_o any_o new_a judicial_a law_n but_o only_o he_o make_v the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o the_o kingdom_n the_o which_o be_v here_o call_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o kingdom_n that_o be_v the_o very_a nature_n condition_n and_o manner_n of_o this_o new_a government_n the_o proper_a law_n of_o it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o very_a mark_n by_o the_o which_o it_o may_v be_v judge_v that_o be_v know_v in_o itself_o and_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o kind_n of_o government_n for_o so_o the_o word_n here_o use_v do_v signify_v in_o many_o place_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o namely_o 2._o king_n 1.7_o where_o achasia_n ask_v his_o messenger_n what_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o man_n who_o they_o say_v to_o be_v elias_n that_o be_v what_o be_v his_o behaviour_n his_o apparel_n his_o countenance_n and_o as_o we_o do_v usual_o say_v what_o manner_n of_o man_n be_v he_o so_o here_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v likewise_o by_o the_o face_n of_o god_n here_o be_v mean_v the_o place_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n to_o wit_n the_o tabernacle_n wherein_o god_n be_v worship_v or_o more_o special_o the_o ark_n with_o the_o propitiatory_a which_o be_v a_o visible_a sign_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o occasion_n and_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n which_o we_o may_v handle_v in_o this_o order_n that_o first_o we_o speak_v of_o that_o which_o be_v here_o call_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o and_o in_o the_o second_o place_n consider_v the_o action_n of_o samuel_n mention_v in_o the_o text_n the_o which_o be_v three_o in_o number_n the_o first_o be_v that_o he_o speak_v this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o kingdom_n to_o the_o people_n the_o second_o that_o he_o write_v it_o in_o a_o book_n the_o third_o be_v that_o he_o lay_v the_o book_n before_o the_o lord_n of_o these_o in_o order_n sect._n ii_o but_o before_o we_o come_v to_o the_o special_a doctrine_n of_o this_o kingdom_n it_o will_v not_o be_v either_o unprofitable_a or_o impertinent_a if_o we_o do_v brief_o consider_v the_o genenerall_a doctrine_n of_o magistracy_n the_o which_o as_o it_o be_v worthy_a diligent_o to_o be_v handle_v and_o commend_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o it_o will_v give_v great_a light_n to_o this_o whole_a treatise_n follow_v magistracy_n therefore_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a devise_n of_o
man_n as_o they_o who_o contemn_v and_o labour_v to_o overthrow_v all_o authority_n speak_v evil_a of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o know_v not_o have_v imagine_v but_o a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n rom._n 13.12_o there_o be_v no_o power_n but_o of_o god_n he_o therefore_o that_o resist_v the_o power_n resist_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n but_o it_o may_v be_v think_v that_o it_o be_v not_o god_n ordinance_n see_v it_o can_v be_v show_v that_o ever_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o god_n throughout_o the_o world_n ordinance_n but_o rather_o invent_v and_o continue_v by_o man_n excel_v other_o in_o strength_n and_o in_o ambition_n whereby_o they_o be_v both_o move_v to_o desire_v superiority_n and_o also_o enable_v to_o accomplish_v their_o desire_n and_o so_o have_v by_o violence_n bloodshed_n outrage_n tyranny_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o impiety_n against_o god_n and_o injustice_n in_o regard_n of_o man_n both_o get_v and_o usurp_v the_o place_n of_o ruler_n so_o that_o see_v this_o have_v be_v the_o original_n of_o the_o authority_n almost_o of_o all_o ruler_n we_o can_v make_v it_o the_o institution_n of_o god_n especial_o see_v that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o god_n do_v ever_o command_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v magistrate_n set_v uppe_o over_o the_o people_n throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n only_o among_o the_o jew_n magistracy_n be_v set_v up_o by_o his_o commandment_n but_o not_o in_o any_o place_n beside_o whereunto_o we_o answer_v that_o the_o abuse_n of_o magistracy_n although_o many_o and_o grievous_a can_v take_v away_o the_o lawful_a use_n of_o it_o and_o further_o that_o the_o cause_n why_o there_o be_v no_o express_a commandment_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n enjoin_v that_o magistracy_n shall_v be_v set_v up_o in_o all_o place_n be_v for_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n but_o only_o to_o the_o church_n which_o be_v in_o all_o time_n and_o especial_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o least_o part_n yea_o sometime_o as_o nothing_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o huge_a number_n of_o infidel_n but_o in_o the_o church_n god_n have_v from_o time_n to_o time_n both_o command_v and_o establish_v the_o use_n of_o magistracy_n and_o severe_o punish_v the_o contempt_n of_o it_o magistracy_n as_o may_v be_v show_v by_o example_n in_o all_o age_n for_o although_o there_o can_v be_v no_o public_a magistracy_n in_o the_o church_n till_o the_o day_n of_o moses_n because_o until_o that_o time_n the_o church_n be_v contain_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o or_o a_o few_o family_n yet_o there_o be_v private_a government_n which_o have_v no_o less_o force_n and_o authority_n then_o when_o the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n increase_a to_o a_o whole_a nation_n public_a magistracy_n be_v erect_v for_o the_o first_o bear_v of_o the_o family_n be_v the_o ruler_n and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o lord_n to_o the_o rest_n as_o jacob_n do_v call_v esau_n genesis_n 33.13.14_o but_o although_o magistracy_n have_v be_v by_o the_o express_a commandment_n of_o god_n establish_v only_o in_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o belong_v as_o much_o to_o infidel_n for_o it_o be_v institute_v by_o god_n not_o ●s_a he_o be_v the_o saviour_n of_o his_o church_n but_o as_o he_o be_v the_o creator_n and_o preserver_n of_o all_o man_n therefore_o howsoever_o god_n do_v not_o vouchsafe_v his_o love_n and_o eternal_a life_n come_v thereof_o to_o any_o of_o those_o who_o be_v not_o of_o his_o church_n yet_o as_o the_o apostle_n witness_v roman_n 3.29_o he_o be_v the_o god_n not_o only_o of_o the_o jew_n who_o only_o be_v then_o his_o church_n but_o also_o of_o the_o gentile_n in_o this_o respect_n as_o also_o in_o regard_n of_o his_o faithful_a people_n with_o who_o they_o live_v and_o for_o other_o cause_n he_o do_v bestow_v upon_o they_o many_o temporal_a blessing_n let_v the_o rain_n to_o fall_v down_o and_o the_o sun_n to_o shine_v upon_o they_o and_o also_o in_o make_v they_o partaker_n of_o this_o ordinance_n of_o magistracy_n by_o the_o which_o they_o may_v live_v in_o order_n and_o peace_n safe_o and_o quiet_o enjoy_v all_o the_o temporal_a commodity_n of_o this_o present_a life_n the_o mean_n by_o the_o which_o god_n do_v set_v uppe_o this_o his_o ordinance_n amongst_o infidel_n who_o be_v destitute_a of_o his_o word_n be_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n remain_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n infidel_n by_o the_o which_o they_o do_v easy_o both_o see_v the_o manifold_a commodity_n which_o come_v by_o magistracy_n and_o also_o desire_v to_o be_v make_v partaker_n thereof_o for_o although_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n few_o can_v live_v in_o due_a subjection_n unto_o authority_n with_o a_o content_a mind_n yet_o almost_o all_o man_n when_o they_o be_v without_o magistrate_n do_v of_o themselves_o desire_v to_o have_v some_o to_o govern_v and_o no_o marvel_n see_v that_o the_o deformity_n and_o inconvenience_n which_o the_o want_n of_o magistrate_n bring_v be_v evidente_a to_o all_o man_n for_o that_o a_o people_n in_o such_o a_o state_n be_v like_o a_o to_o body_n without_o a_o head_n to_o move_v it_o the_o experience_n hereof_o we_o have_v even_o in_o this_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o do_v voluntary_o without_o any_o compulsion_n desire_v a_o king_n and_o that_o in_o a_o most_o earnest_a manner_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o magistracy_n be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n whereof_o this_o do_v necessary_o ensue_v that_o it_o be_v not_o as_o a_o unholie_a profane_a and_o impure_a state_n or_o to_o be_v vile_o esteem_v of_o as_o many_o do_v affirm_v and_o account_v it_o to_o be_v who_o do_v false_o think_v that_o the_o beauty_n of_o the_o church_n can_v appear_v neither_o her_o authority_n be_v sufficient_o extol_v and_o establish_v but_o by_o deform_v and_o tread_v under_o foot_n this_o divine_a ordinance_n of_o civil_a magistracy_n the_o which_o as_o it_o be_v most_o acceptable_a to_o god_n so_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v have_v in_o great_a honour_n by_o all_o man_n magistracy_n last_o the_o end_n why_o magistracy_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n be_v two_o the_o first_o be_v the_o represent_v of_o his_o glory_n here_o on_o earth_n the_o second_o be_v the_o procure_n of_o the_o good_a of_o man_n for_o the_o first_o the_o magistrate_n be_v god_n deputy_n and_o vice_n gerent_fw-la here_o on_o earth_n to_o govern_v man_n and_o to_o keep_v the_o world_n in_o order_n without_o confusion_n even_o as_o we_o see_v that_o great_a monarch_n have_v many_o legate_n and_o deputy_n by_o who_o they_o rule_v their_o several_a province_n and_o therefore_o god_n do_v communicate_v to_o they_o as_o his_o office_n so_o also_o his_o name_n and_o call_v they_o god_n in_o the_o which_o respect_n the_o magistrate_n be_v a_o lively_a god_n yea_o a_o live_a image_n of_o god_n first_o of_o his_o excellency_n in_o that_o he_o be_v take_v from_o the_o common_a sort_n and_o condition_n of_o man_n and_o set_v aloft_o therefore_o he_o be_v to_o be_v honour_v second_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o foresee_v imminent_a danger_n to_o make_v fit_a law_n and_o order_n to_o judge_v of_o right_n and_o wrong_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o people_n in_o peace_n and_o mutual_a concord_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v to_o be_v reverence_v and_o to_o be_v obey_v in_o his_o law_n and_o edict_n three_o of_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n in_o that_o he_o do_v severe_o punish_v the_o great_a misdemeanour_n of_o malefactor_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v four_o of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o that_o he_o do_v gracious_o with_o favour_n pass_v by_o and_o wink_v at_o small_a offence_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v to_o be_v praise_v and_o last_o he_o carry_v the_o image_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o that_o by_o his_o mean_n foresee_v prevent_v and_o repel_v all_o danger_n and_o trouble_n we_o do_v enjoy_v all_o manner_n of_o blessing_n both_o temporal_a and_o eternal_a even_a life_n and_o liberty_n plenty_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o prosperity_n house_n and_o land_n wife_n and_o child_n friend_n and_o acquaintance_n and_o that_o which_o be_v much_o more_o to_o be_v esteem_v the_o true_a service_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n his_o holy_a word_n and_o in_o one_o word_n all_o thing_n needful_a in_o regard_n either_o of_o body_n or_o soul_n and_o therefore_o the_o magistrate_n be_v unfeigned_o to_o be_v love_v and_o praise_v the_o second_o end_n why_o magistracy_n be_v appoint_v be_v the_o good_a of_o man_n that_o by_o this_o mean_n they_o may_v live_v in_o peace_n safety_n and_o order_n but_o of_o the_o several_a commodity_n which_o magistracy_n bring_v we_o do_v not_o purpose_n to_o entreat_v because_o they_o be_v common_o know_v
father_n but_o in_o the_o son_n in_o who_o only_o he_o be_v well_o please_v and_o therefore_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v reject_v christ_n be_v by_o that_o mean_v reject_v of_o god_n from_o be_v his_o people_n neither_o be_v they_o to_o be_v account_v member_n of_o the_o church_n although_o they_o serve_v god_n with_o never_o so_o great_a zeal_n rom._n 11._o the_o same_o account_n we_o be_v to_o make_v of_o the_o turk_n saracen_n moor_n and_o all_o those_o nation_n which_o profess_v the_o religion_n of_o mahomet_n the_o which_o we_o confess_v do_v retain_v diverse_a point_n of_o christianity_n yea_o and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v well_o mark_v it_o will_v be_v sound_a a_o close_a or_o mystical_a arianisme_n ariaanisme_n cover_v and_o gloss_v over_o many_o weighty_a point_n of_o faith_n with_o judaical_a type_n and_o poetical_a fiction_n that_o it_o be_v by_o this_o mean_n make_v dark_a and_o enigmatical_a may_v be_v more_o high_o esteem_v by_o blind_a and_o ignorant_a man_n whereas_o if_o it_o have_v be_v set_v down_o in_o a_o plain_a and_o simple_a manner_n it_o will_v have_v be_v easy_o understand_v dispute_v of_o and_o in_o the_o end_n altogether_o contemn_v yet_o forsomuch_o as_o this_o religion_n do_v not_o worship_n and_o honour_n jesus_n christ_n as_o the_o only_a son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o first_o arian_n therefore_o 〈◊〉_d the_o professor_n of_o it_o can_v be_v account_v member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o mere_a infidel_n separate_v from_o christ_n and_o void_a of_o the_o hope_n of_o eternal_a salvation_n sect._n 7._o of_o the_o attribute_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n thus_o we_o have_v the_o definition_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n be_v further_a to_o consider_v the_o nature_n and_o state_n of_o it_o in_o certain_a property_n which_o be_v attribute_v unto_o it_o of_o the_o which_o this_o may_v be_v the_o first_o that_o out_o of_o the_o catholic_a church_n there_o be_v no_o salvation_n salvation_n and_o therefore_o all_o the_o heathen_a all_o unbelieve_a jew_n turk_n and_o general_o all_o infidel_n whatsoever_o do_v live_v and_o die_v to_o the_o judgement_n and_o sight_n of_o man_n in_o the_o state_n of_o eternal_a damnation_n this_o the_o scripture_n witness_v in_o many_o place_n as_o namely_o 2._o thes._n 2.8_o god_n in_o the_o last_o judgement_n shall_v render_v vengeance_n to_o all_o that_o know_v not_o god_n and_o obey_v not_o the_o gospel_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o yet_o this_o sentence_n of_o damnation_n which_o the_o scripture_n pronounce_v on_o infidel_n be_v so_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o that_o we_o do_v always_o except_v the_o infinite_a power_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n who_o both_o can_v &_o as_o have_v be_v before_o touch_v do_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n save_o some_o and_o that_o by_o extraordinary_a mean_n unknowen_a to_o we_o where_o the_o ordinary_a way_n be_v want_v the_o second_o attribute_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n be_v this_o religion_n that_o it_o can_v never_o err_v in_o the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v all_o one_o as_o if_o we_o do_v say_v the_o catholic_a church_n never_o cease_v to_o be_v or_o with_o this_o there_o be_v continual_o in_o the_o world_n a_o number_n of_o man_n which_o serve_v the_o true_a god_n in_o jesus_n christ._n the_o truth_n of_o this_o appear_v by_o the_o story_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o in_o other_o book_n which_o show_v by_o who_o and_o in_o what_o place_n god_n have_v be_v true_o worship_v in_o every_o several_a age_n and_o no_o marvel_n for_o if_o the_o church_n shall_v cease_v to_o be_v in_o the_o world_n than_o the_o world_n itself_o shall_v have_v a_o end_n which_o be_v create_v and_o do_v continue_v chief_o for_o this_o end_n to_o wit_n to_o be_v a_o habitation_n for_o the_o church_n as_o we_o read_v 1._o cor._n 2.16_o all_o thing_n be_v you_o even_o the_o very_a world_n that_o be_v all_o thing_n do_v serve_v as_o mean_n for_o your_o good_a and_o for_o the_o work_n of_o your_o salvation_n in_o this_o sense_n the_o apostle_n say_v 1._o tim._n 3.13_o that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o firmament_n that_o be_v a_o most_o firm_a and_o sure_a pillar_n of_o truth_n to_o wit_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o the_o catholic_a church_n may_v err_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n yea_o even_o in_o those_o point_n which_o be_v weighty_a and_o be_v near_o about_o the_o foundation_n itself_o although_o it_o always_o remain_v sure_a and_o steadfast_a error_n so_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o ignorances_n and_n error_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v from_o the_o begin_n until_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n be_v both_o many_o and_o great_a as_o have_v be_v note_v before_o and_o how_o great_a error_n have_v prevail_v throughout_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o most_o of_o the_o age_n since_o that_o time_n we_o who_o live_v in_o this_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v easy_o and_o plain_o see_v yea_o we_o know_v that_o which_o the_o apostle_n say_v 1._o cor._n 13._o that_o while_n the_o faithful_a be_v in_o this_o world_n they_o see_v know_v and_o prophesy_v but_o in_o part_n and_o can_v be_v whole_o free_v from_o error_n till_o they_o see_v the_o lord_n perfect_o and_o in_o he_o all_o thing_n so_o we_o read_v levit._n 4.13_o that_o there_o be_v a_o sacrifice_n appoint_v for_o the_o expiation_n of_o the_o general_a error_n of_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o then_o be_v the_o whole_a visible_a church_n of_o god_n knowledge_n thirdlie_o the_o catholic_a church_n do_v continual_o increase_v in_o number_n and_o do_v consist_v of_o more_o in_o the_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n then_o in_o the_o former_a for_o before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o law_n the_o lord_n be_v know_v and_o worship_v only_o of_o a_o few_o family_n or_o kindred_n but_o afterwards_o of_o a_o great_a populous_a nation_n but_o since_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n the_o church_n ●oth_v enlarge_v her_o tent_n and_o receive_v all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n likewise_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v no_o nation_n country_n or_o city_n no_o not_o any_o one_o town_n or_o village_n which_o do_v general_o receive_v it_o but_o only_o a_o few_o here_o and_o there_o the_o rest_n remain_v in_o infidelity_n but_o in_o the_o age_n follow_v great_a nation_n general_o yea_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o people_n become_v christian_n yea_o this_o number_n shall_v continual_o increase_v until_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v come_v into_o the_o church_n whereof_o the_o apostle_n speak_v rom._n 11._o and_o then_o shall_v the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n make_v a_o notable_a addition_n to_o this_o number_n the_o cause_n of_o this_o increase_n be_v for_o that_o god_n do_v not_o reveal_v himself_o and_o his_o word_n all_o at_o once_o to_o the_o world_n but_o by_o degree_n by_o little_a and_o little_a where_o this_o may_v also_o profitable_o be_v note_v that_o as_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n so_o also_o their_o knowledge_n do_v increase_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v much_o more_o plentiful_o reveal_v in_o the_o latter_a time_n they_o be_v general_o consider_v than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o former_a as_o touch_v the_o number_n we_o know_v that_o the_o visible_a church_n by_o the_o which_o we_o may_v certain_o gather_v the_o state_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n be_v until_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n contain_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o kindred_n &_o till_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n in_o one_o nation_n but_o afterward_o it_o spread_v itself_o over_o the_o whole_a world_n yea_o the_o latter_a time_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v daily_o more_o and_o more_o exceed_v the_o first_o in_o number_n of_o believer_n because_o now_o both_o the_o full_a number_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o also_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v to_o come_v into_o the_o church_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o latter_a time_n do_v exceed_v the_o former_a in_o knowledge_n four_o the_o catholic_a church_n have_v no_o head_n or_o ruler_n here_o on_o earth_n government_n neither_o any_o external_a government_n but_o be_v order_v by_o the_o spiritual_a government_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o only_a head_n of_o it_o for_o the_o government_n and_o rule_v prescribe_v by_o god_n to_o his_o church_n have_v place_n and_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n only_o in_o particular_a church_n which_o be_v the_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n five_o the_o catholic_a church_n be_v invisible_a invisible_a for_o that_o it_o consist_v not_o only_o of_o particular_a church_n which_o be_v visible_a but_o also_o of_o particular_a man_n which_o serve_v god_n yet_o so_o as_o that_o they_o be_v not_o know_v by_o
that_o whenas_o there_o be_v a_o fault_n commit_v in_o the_o lay_n of_o the_o foundation_n of_o a_o house_n the_o whole_a building_n will_v for_o ever_o be_v the_o worse_a for_o it_o the_o first_o thing_n therefore_o to_o be_v do_v in_o plant_v a_o church_n be_v to_o convert_v infidel_n to_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v do_v ordinary_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n deliver_v plain_o sincere_o &_o effectual_o as_o god_n have_v appoint_v notwithstanding_o which_o powerful_a mean_n the_o subdue_a of_o man_n to_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o hard_a matter_n yea_o it_o be_v much_o hard_a in_o these_o time_n than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n wherein_o the_o gospel_n be_v first_o preach_v for_o then_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o other_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v much_o more_o powerful_a and_o effectual_a than_o any_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n be_v in_o these_o day_n for_o they_o have_v not_o only_o extraordinary_a measure_n of_o those_o gift_n which_o do_v yet_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o build_n thereof_o as_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n knowledge_n wisdom_n zeal_n and_o all_o other_o of_o that_o kind_n but_o they_o have_v also_o other_o most_o wonderful_a gift_n bestow_v upon_o they_o as_o the_o gift_n of_o speak_v in_o strange_a language_n the_o gift_n of_o discern_a spirit_n heal_v the_o sick_a work_v of_o miracle_n and_o such_o other_o which_o serve_v only_o for_o this_o end_n to_o bring_v infidel_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o faith_n 1._o cor._n 14.22_o not_o that_o true_a faith_n be_v ordinare_o wrought_v by_o these_o mean_n in_o man_n but_o only_a a_o general_n historical_a and_o temporary_a faith_n whereby_o they_o do_v believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o belief_n be_v profess_v be_v then_o and_o be_v at_o all_o time_n sufficient_a to_o make_v one_o a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n here_o upon_o earth_n the_o which_o the_o apostle_n do_v labour_n by_o their_o ministry_n to_o bring_v to_o pass_v and_o do_v rejoice_v in_o it_o be_v effect_v although_o there_o do_v appear_v in_o those_o believer_n few_o or_o no_o sign_n of_o save_a faith_n which_o be_v a_o firm_a confidence_n in_o the_o ●ercy_n and_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n effectual_o wrought_v in_o the_o hear●_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n arise_v of_o a_o certain_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n word_n whereof_o this_o general_a faith_n be_v only_o a_o resemblance_n shadow_n and_o appearance_n and_o further_o for_o this_o purpose_n the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n and_o such_o other_o do_v great_o avail_v for_o they_o do_v so_o astonish_v and_o amaze_v man_n that_o they_o do_v even_o wring_v out_o of_o they_o a_o approbation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n preach_v that_o it_o come_v from_o god_n and_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v john_n 1.15_o act._n 13.11_o thus_o do_v the_o apostle_n plant_v church_n but_o they_o who_o since_o that_o time_n labour_n in_o this_o work_n be_v destitute_a of_o this_o help_n yea_o also_o of_o another_o far_o more_o effectual_a to_o wit_n of_o the_o wonderful_a and_o extraordinary_a blessing_n of_o god_n upon_o his_o church_n who_o do_v then_o pour_v forth_o his_o spirit_n so_o strange_o and_o so_o plentiful_o upon_o man_n in_o convert_n their_o heart_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o the_o like_a be_v not_o before_o have_v not_o be_v since_o neither_o shall_v be_v at_o any_o time_n in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o these_o help_n be_v want_v in_o these_o day_n we_o can_v look_v for_o the_o like_a success_n in_o this_o work_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o church_n shall_v have_v such_o a_o sudden_a and_o strange_a increase_n as_o it_o have_v in_o the_o beginning_n whenas_o many_o thousand_o be_v at_o once_o add_v unto_o it_o since_o act._n 2.41_o yet_o we_o be_v not_o to_o despair_v of_o good_a success_n forsomuch_o as_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o leave_v his_o ministry_n destitute_a of_o sufficient_a power_n to_o convert_v many_o man_n to_o the_o faith_n even_o those_o who_o never_o hear_v of_o christ_n before_o for_o although_o the_o extraordinary_a calling_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n be_v not_o now_o in_o the_o church_n neither_o to_o be_v look_v for_o yet_o the_o force_n of_o they_o do_v remain_v still_o in_o that_o the_o very_a declaration_n of_o those_o wonderful_a miracle_n whereby_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v confirm_v at_o the_o first_o will_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n add_v authority_n and_o give_v success_n to_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n although_o they_o be_v much_o more_o effectual_a in_o those_o who_o do_v behold_v they_o with_o their_o eye_n yea_o we_o have_v some_o help_n which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o for_o the_o supplier_fw-fr whereof_o those_o other_o be_v give_v to_o wit_n the_o consent_n of_o all_o age_n since_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o the_o gospel_n wherein_o many_o have_v not_o only_o profess_v the_o faith_n but_o also_o seal_v that_o their_o profession_n with_o th●ir_a blood_n and_o that_o not_o any_o small_a number_n but_o even_o whole_a nation_n have_v profess_v and_o do_v confess_v the_o gospel_n the_o which_o no_o doubt_n be_v a_o forcible_a argument_n and_o even_o as_o a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n whereby_o he_o who_o be_v obstinate_a in_o infidelity_n may_v be_v either_o convert_v or_o confound_v and_o put_v to_o silence_n yea_o this_o general_a embrace_v of_o the_o gospel_n by_o so_o many_o country_n and_o nation_n be_v that_o fullness_n of_o the_o gentile_n the_o which_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v as_o a_o mean_n whereby_o that_o obstinate_a and_o harde-hearted_n nation_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v at_o the_o appoint_a time_n be_v convert_v and_o therefore_o it_o can_v but_o be_v effectual_a with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o gentile_n who_o be_v not_o so_o obstinate_a in_o infidelity_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v gospel_n but_o we_o be_v especial_o to_o rely_v upon_o that_o force_n which_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v plain_o and_o sincere_o deliver_v have_v in_o turn_v man_n heart_n unto_o god_n which_o will_v never_o return_v empty_a but_o in_o some_o measure_n perform_v the_o thing_n for_o which_o it_o be_v send_v thus_o much_o in_o general_a of_o the_o mean_n of_o convert_n infidel_n now_o of_o the_o same_o in_o particular_a the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v here_o to_o be_v use_v have_v two_o part_n the_o first_o be_v a_o preparative_n whereby_o infidel_n be_v of_o themselves_o altogether_o unfit_a to_o hear_v and_o unlike_a to_o believe_v the_o word_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n prepare_v for_o this_o purpose_n the_o second_o be_v to_o teach_v they_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o prepare_v ministry_n consist_v in_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v to_o purge_v their_o mind_n from_o that_o false_a worship_n whereunto_o they_o be_v give_v gospel_n the_o second_o be_v to_o convince_v their_o conscience_n of_o sin_n for_o the_o first_o we_o can_v hope_v that_o man_n be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o own_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o deity_n power_n and_o goodness_n of_o those_o false_a god_n which_o they_o worship_v will_v embrace_v any_o new_a and_o strange_a religion_n thus_o do_v elias_n 1._o king_n 18.24_o bring_v the_o people_n from_o idolatry_n to_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o likewise_o paul_n deal_v with_o the_o idolatrous_a man_n of_o athens_n act._n 17.29_o and_o with_o they_o of_o lystra_n act._n 14.13_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v great_a moderation_n and_o wisdom_n to_o be_v use_v in_o this_o point_n so_o that_o we_o do_v not_o at_o the_o first_o speak_v so_o vile_o and_o base_o of_o their_o religion_n as_o it_o do_v deserve_v but_o rather_o tolerate_v they_o in_o their_o corruption_n and_o withal_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o truth_n that_o ●o_o the_o other_o false_a worship_n may_v slip_v out_o of_o their_o mind_n as_o it_o be_v without_o violence_n they_o leave_v it_o of_o their_o own_o accord_n for_o otherwise_o if_o they_o see_v their_o god_n and_o religion_n wherein_o they_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o and_o which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n to_o be_v blaspheme_v and_o evil_o speak_v off_o there_o be_v great_a danger_n lest_o at_o the_o first_o we_o so_o alienate_v their_o mind_n that_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v but_o become_v utter_a enemy_n unto_o it_o so_o the_o town_n clerk_n in_o the_o apology_n for_o paul_n act_n 19.37_o witness_v that_o he_o in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n have_v not_o blaspheme_v their_o goddess_n diana_n secondlie_o they_o must_v be_v prepare_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n
the_o first_o lie_v upon_o they_o that_o straight_o and_o perfect_a kind_n of_o discipline_n which_o afterwards_o they_o use_v whenas_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o riperyare_n they_o be_v more_o capable_a of_o it_o yea_o this_o continual_a growth_n of_o the_o church_n be_v show_v by_o ezech._n 4.1_o vers_fw-la 3.4.5_o by_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o water_n to_o his_o ankle_n knee_n loin_n and_o head_n sect._n 2._o of_o the_o diverse_a state●_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n we_o find_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n three_o kind_n of_o church-government_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v in_o force_n before_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law_n the_o second_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o law_n the_o three_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o first_o we_o may_v fit_o resemble_v unto_o the_o first_o infancy_n of_o a_o child_n be_v new_o bear_v in_o the_o which_o although_o there_o be_v all_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n yet_o they_o can_v as_o yet_o do_v their_o function_n and_o therefore_o can_v hardly_o be_v discern_v or_o distinguish_v so_o in_o this_o first_o state_n there_o be_v all_o the_o part_n of_o chuch-government_n although_o they_o do_v not_o so_o plain_o appear_v as_o in_o the_o other_o follow_v law_n there_o be_v a_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n although_o join_v or_o rather_o confound_v with_o the_o civil_a government_n for_o both_o the_o office_n lay_v upon_o the_o first_o bear_v in_o the_o family_n the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v in_o small_a measure_n and_o seldom_o reveal_v the_o same_o be_v confirm_v by_o diverse_a sacrament_n and_o also_o strengthen_v by_o censure_n against_o the_o disobedient_a but_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v little_o practise_v as_o also_o the_o number_n of_o professor_n be_v very_o small_a for_o this_o time_n be_v the_o first_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n from_o which_o it_o be_v continual_o to_o grow_v on_o to_o perfection_n next_o unto_o this_o succeed_v the_o manner_n of_o government_n under_o the_o law_n institute_v by_o god_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n law_n be_v much_o more_o perfect_a than_o the_o former_a even_o as_o be_v the_o childhood_n to_o the_o infancy_n so_o that_o now_o all_o the_o faculty_n do_v their_o several_a function_n and_o may_v easy_o be_v perceave_v in_o themselves_o and_o distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n great_o enlarge_v and_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o serve_v god_n increase_v to_o many_o million_o the_o will_n of_o god_n so_o plentiful_o and_o large_o reveal_v that_o it_o be_v of_o necessity_n commit_v to_o writing_n lest_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v forget_v many_o sacrament_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o against_o unbelief_n sharp_a and_o severe_a censure_n appoint_v for_o offender_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v but_o the_o childhood_n of_o the_o church_n ●al_a 4.1_o &_o be_v so_o far_o yea_o much_o more_o exceed_v in_o perfection_n of_o the_o three_o as_o it_o do_v exceed_v the_o former_a the_o three_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n wherein_o the_o lord_n do_v as_o it_o be_v put_v the_o last_o hand_n to_o the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n bring_v it_o to_o that_o perfecton_n which_o shall_v continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n now_o be_v the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o serve_v god_n increase_v above_o measure_n in_o so_o much_o that_o the_o church_n must_v enlarge_v her_o tent_n and_o receive_v all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n come_v to_o dwell_v with_o she_o esa._n 54.1.2.3_o and_o according_o there_o be_v ●_o most_o perfect_a government_n appoint_v by_o christ_n the_o true_a nature_n whereof_o will_v the_o more_o easy_o appear_v if_o we_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o former_a from_o the_o which_o it_o do_v differ_v as_o do_v the_o ripe_a age_n of_o a_o man_n from_o his_o childhood_n so_o that_o now_o the_o church_n may_v true_o say_v when_o i_o be_v a_o child_n i_o understand_v speak_v and_o do_v as_o a_o child_n but_o now_o i_o have_v put_v away_o childish_a thing_n the_o ground_n of_o this_o difference_n be_v the_o come_n of_o christ_n in_o who_o all_o the_o treasure_n of_o the_o will_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v both_o hide_v ●nd_n reveal_v to_o the_o church_n the_o shadow_n and_o ceremony_n use_v before_o be_v make_v of_o no_o use_n and_o instead_o of_o they_o the_o truth_n itself_o come_v in_o place_n now_o be_v all_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o salvation_n uncover_v the_o shadow_n be_v drive_v away_o by_o the_o appear_a of_o the_o son_n of_o righteousness_n the_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v now_o as_o it_o be_v with_o a_o full_a hand_n pour_v on_o those_o which_o believe_v which_o god_n keep_v in_o store_n till_o this_o time_n that_o by_o the_o plentiful_a pour_v of_o they_o out_o he_o may_v celebrate_v the_o glorious_a marriage_n of_o christ_n with_o his_o church_n gospel_n hereof_o do_v the_o whole_a difference_n arise_v we_o know_v that_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v either_o outward_a consist_v in_o bodily_a action_n or_o inward_a in_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o hart_n this_o do_v the_o lord_n require_v the_o other_o be_v not_o acceptable_a unto_o he_o but_o as_o it_o proceed_v from_o this_o fountain_n the_o outward_a worship_n will_v easy_o be_v perform_v although_o it_o have_v most_o straight_a condition_n annex_v unto_o it_o as_o we_o read_v mica_n 6.6_o where_o withal_o shall_v i_o come_v before_o the_o lord_n will_v he_o accept_v th●usands_n of_o ram_n etc._n etc._n but_o inward_a and_o spiritual_a worship_n be_v not_o only_o hard_a but_o also_o impossible_a to_o be_v perform_v without_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n as_o be_v clean_o contrary_a to_o our_o nature_n and_o therefore_o it_o please_v god_n in_o a_o tender_a regard_n which_o he_o have_v to_o his_o church_n under_o the_o law_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o it_o to_o appoint_v unto_o they_o more_o of_o that_o outward_a worship_n and_o to_o accept_v their_o spiritual_a service_n although_o it_o be_v in_o small_a measure_n but_o contrary_o now_o under_o the_o gospel_n he_o require_v a_o great_a measure_n of_o spiritual_a worship_n and_o enjoin_v little_a of_o the_o other_o this_o distinction_n be_v make_v by_o christ_n john_n 4.21.23_o the_o time_n come_v when_o neither_o at_o jerusalem_n nor_o on_o this_o mount_v you_o shall_v worship_v my_o father_n but_o in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n this_o be_v also_o that_o new_a covenant_n whereof_o joel_n speak_v whenas_o god_n shall_v pour_v his_o spirit_n upon_o all_o fl●sh_n not_o but_o that_o the_o faithful_a under_o the_o law_n both_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o also_o perform_v unto_o he_o spiritual_a worship_n without_o the_o which_o the_o other_o be_v but_o abominable_a unto_o he_o but_o yet_o not_o in_o so_o great_a measure_n as_o now_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o whole_a worship_n of_o god_n under_o the_o law_n be_v very_o glorious_a in_o outward_a appearance_n for_o this_o end_n to_o purchase_v obedience_n and_o reverence_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o people_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o now_o the_o whole_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v base_a and_o contemptible_a in_o outward_a appearance_n but_o mighty_a in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o we_o read_v 1._o cor._n 14._o if_o all_o prophecy_n and_o there_o come_v in_o one_o that_o believe_v not_o or_o one_o unlearned_a he_o be_v rebuke_v of_o all_o man_n and_o be_v judge_v of_o all_o and_o so_o be_v the_o secret_n of_o his_o heart_n make_v manifest_a and_o so_o he_o will_v fall_v down_o on_o his_o face_n and_o worship_n god_n ceremony_n and_o say_v plain_o that_o god_n be_v in_o you_o indeed_o the_o which_o appear_v by_o the_o great_a abundance_n of_o spiritual_a grace_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o under_o the_o law_n the_o priest_n be_v not_o so_o endue_v which_o that_o measure_n of_o spiritual_a grace_n but_o in_o steed_n of_o they_o they_o have_v outward_a help_n to_o purchase_v reverence_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o themselves_o among_o the_o people_n the_o temple_n for_o outward_a magnificence_n most_o glorious_a the_o holy_a place_n have_v in_o high_a account_v of_o all_o man_n the_o priest_n separate_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n in_o many_o respect_n and_o for_o the_o same_o end_n the_o high_a priest_n be_v adorn_v with_o glorious_a robe_n that_o so_o he_o may_v the_o more_o excel_v but_o now_o none_o of_o these_o mean_n be_v in_o use_n only_o the_o powerful_a simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v instead_o far_o above_o all_o the_o church_n then_o have_v but_o a_o small_a measure_n of_o knowledge_n in_o comparison_n of_o these_o time_n and_o according_o be_v they_o teach_v but_o now_o the_o lord_n
look_v for_o another_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o therefore_o other_o mean_n of_o attain_v it_o be_v necessary_o to_o be_v use_v last_o this_o be_v to_o be_v note_v that_o this_o church-government_n be_v never_o alter_v but_o by_o the_o express_a commandment_n of_o god_n as_o it_o be_v ordain_v by_o he_o only_o god_n the_o change_v of_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n to_o be_v from_o god_n as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o institute_n of_o the_o legal_a government_n by_o moses_n and_o this_o under_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o change_n 2._o chron._n 8.26_o and_o 35.15_o be_v by_o special_a direction_n from_o god_n yea_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n both_o typical_a before_o the_o gospel_n and_o real_a in_o the_o time_n of_o it_o be_v institute_v by_o extraordinary_a prophet_n to_o wit_n adam_n moses_n and_o christ_n apostle_n and_o so_o leave_v to_o ordinary_a minister_n name_n lie_v to_o the_o first_o bear_v then_o to_o the_o levit_n and_o last_o to_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n thus_o much_o in_o general_a of_o church-government_n and_o of_o the_o three_o diverse_a state_n of_o it_o whereof_o order_n require_v that_o we_o shall_v here_o entreat_v in_o particular_a but_o we_o can_v in_o this_o short_a treatise_n enter_v into_o this_o wide_a and_o large_a field_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v for_o order_n sake_n this_o argument_n to_o be_v here_o handle_v we_o go_v on_o to_o that_o which_o follow_v chap._n vi_o of_o ecclesiastical_a humane_a law_n sect._n 1_o how_o they_o differ_v from_o the_o law_n of_o god_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o law_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v for_o the_o order_n of_o his_o church_n now_o we_o be_v to_o come_v to_o the_o humane_a law_n of_o the_o church_n the_o which_o we_o will_v consider_v first_o by_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o aforesaid_a law_n of_o god_n and_o second_o as_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o for_o the_o first_o both_o kind_n agree_v in_o name_n be_v both_o call_v ecclesiastical_a and_o in_o the_o end_n which_o be_v the_o good_a order_n of_o the_o church_n and_o also_o in_o the_o general_a subject_n which_o be_v the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n together_o with_o those_o action_n which_o belong_v unto_o it_o yet_o they_o differ_v in_o many_o respect_n first_o and_o especial_o in_o the_o author_n or_o efficient_a the_o former_a kind_n be_v make_v by_o god_n himself_o the_o other_o by_o man_n whereof_o it_o come_v that_o the_o first_o kind_n be_v far_o more_o excellent_a than_o the_o other_o the_o one_o consist_v whole_o and_o mere_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n the_o other_o have_v in_o they_o much_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n the_o one_o absolute_a and_o perfect_a the_o other_o continual_o have_v want_n and_o imperfection_n and_o therefore_o the_o one_o kind_n be_v temporary_a and_o mutable_a law_n the_o other_o perpetual_a and_o constant_a although_o when_o the_o appoint_a time_n of_o they_o be_v expire_v they_o be_v change_v by_o god_n but_o they_o admit_v no_o alteration_n from_o man_n further_n the_o law_n of_o god_n belong_v to_o the_o whole_a visible_a church_n and_o to_o every_o particular_a church_n but_o the_o other_o only_o to_o some_o one_o or_o a_o few_o of_o they_o for_o as_o a_o king_n who_o have_v dominion_n o●er_v many_o city_n do_v use_v himself_o to_o make_v the_o chief_a law_n by_o ●he_n which_o all_o and_o each_o one_o of_o those_o city_n be_v to_o be_v govern_v yet_o he_o leave_v to_o they_o this_o power_n to_o take_v up_o and_o retain_v custom_n fashion_n and_o order_n proper_a to_o themselves_o yea_o to_o make_v particular_a law_n of_o matter_n of_o less_o moment_n as_o may_v best_o agree_v to_o their_o several_a state_n and_o condition_n so_o have_v christ_n the_o king_n of_o his_o church_n himself_o make_v the_o chief_a order_n but_o leave_v the_o rest_n for_o the_o church_n to_o make_v last_o the_o first_o kind_n be_v about_o the_o substance_n &_o very_a form_n of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n the_o other_o about_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o the_o add_v of_o this_o latter_a kind_n to_o the_o former_a do_v not_o add_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o substance_n of_o church-government_n but_o only_o do_v establish_v it_o and_o make_v that_o it_o may_v convenient_o be_v use_v even_o as_o we_o do_v often_o see_v that_o the_o whole_a and_o perfect_a frame_n of_o a_o house_n in_o the_o full_a proportion_n of_o it_o be_v set_v up_o not_o want_v either_o foundation_n wall_n or_o roof_n but_o afterward_o there_o be_v add_v to_o it_o nail_n and_o pin_n to_o keep_v the_o frame_n fast_o together_o yea_o dore●_n window_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v requisite_a to_o make_v the_o say_v frame_v a_o commodious_a dwell_a place_n for_o the_o builder_n of_o it_o even_o so_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o have_v in_o some_o part_n be_v describe_v be_v the_o perfect_a frame_n of_o the_o house_n of_o god_n the_o law_n of_o man_n be_v the_o other_o implemente_n which_o be_v add_v thereunto_o sect._n 2._o of_o the_o matter_n of_o ecclesiastical_a humane_a lawe●_n and_o how_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n thus_o much_o brief_o of_o these_o law_n by_o way_n of_o comparison_n with_o the_o other_o worship_n now_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o they_o more_o plain_o and_o distinct_o first_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o these_o law_n we_o see_v that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o wit_n at_o what_o time_n in_o what_o place_n yea_o and_o how_o often_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v use_v all_o which_o be_v usual_o call_v rite_n or_o ceremony_n and_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o fashion_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o example_n the_o law●_n of_o god_n be_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v minister_n in_o the_o church_n to_o teach_v the_o people_n but_o how_o often_o they_o shall_v teach_v at_o what_o special_a time_n where_o and_o with_o what_o gesture_n these_o thing_n be_v not_o determine_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o leave_v to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n of_o man_n if_o it_o be_v ask_v why_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o deck_v and_o beautify_v his_o church_n under_o the_o law_n not_o only_o with_o the_o substance_n of_o government_n but_o also_o with_o so_o many_o ceremonial_a law_n that_o scarce_o any_o circumstance_n of_o any_o action_n be_v leave_v unappoint_v by_o himself_o and_o to_o suffer_v his_o church_n now_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v naked_a and_o destitute_a almost_o of_o all_o ceremonial_a law_n but_o such_o as_o be_v make_v by_o man_n we_o answer_v render_v three_o cause_n thereof_o the_o first_o be_v for_o that_o the_o church_n under_o the_o law_n be_v without_o that_o ripeness_n of_o knowledge_n whereunto_o she_o have_v come_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o have_v need_n to_o have_v all_o the_o particular_n of_o every_o action_n prescribe_v but_o now_o the_o church_n be_v endue_v with_o more_o knowledge_n have_v these_o thing_n leave_v to_o her_o discretion_n even_o as_o we_o see_v man_n use_v to_o deal_v who_o if_o they_o commit_v any_o business_n to_o one_o who_o they_o think_v to_o be_v endue_v with_o wisdom_n and_o experience_n they_o do_v not_o tell_v he_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o do_v but_o only_o thus_o much_o in_o general_a that_o they_o will_v have_v such_o a_o thing_n do_v otherwise_o if_o he_o want_v this_o knowledge_n than_o they_o leave_v nothing_o arbitrarie_a to_o he_o but_o set_v down_o every_o point_n and_o the_o special_a circumstance_n thereof_o the_o second_o cause_n be_v this_o in_o the_o make_n of_o these_o church-lawe_n there_o must_v be_v great_a regard_n have_v as_o we_o afterward_o be_v to_o show_v of_o the_o nature_n manner_n behaviour_n and_o state_n of_o that_o people_n for_o who_o they_o be_v to_o be_v make_v now_o under_o the_o law_n the_o visible_a church_n do_v consist_v of_o one_o nation_n only_o to_o wit_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o under_o the_o gospel_n all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o law_n agreeable_a to_o each_o people_n will_v have_v be_v so_o infinite_a that_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v write_v neither_o do_v the_o word_n of_o god_n now_o belong_v in_o any_o part_n to_o any_o one_o nation_n but_o general_o and_o equal_o to_o all_o thirdlie_o the_o church_n be_v bind_v in_o regard_n of_o her_o infancy_n to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o legal_a ceremony_n now_o the_o church_n be_v set_v in_o full_a liberty_n by_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n and_o no_o further_o tie_v to_o such_o outward_a
remove_v yet_o the_o church_n have_v this_o purity_n in_o some_o measure_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o religious_a king_n of_o israel_n who_o do_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n all_o relic_n monument_n and_o shadow_n of_o corruption_n and_o likewise_o in_o diverse_a place_n since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n especial_o in_o these_o last_o day_n wherein_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o bring_v his_o church_n out_o of_o that_o sink_n of_o antichristianisme_n and_o to_o reveal_v the_o right_a way_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o service_n yea_o church_n as_o they_o have_v a_o small_a beginning_n from_o the_o which_o they_o rise_v and_o a_o state_n unestablish_v wherein_o they_o continue_v for_o some_o space_n of_o time_n so_o also_o they_o may_v at_o lengh_n attain_v to_o a_o perfect_a state_n whereunto_o they_o do_v daily_o grow_v and_o whereat_o they_o ought_v continual_o to_o aim_v it_o be_v then_o attain_v unto_o whenas_o all_o those_o ordinance_n which_o christ_n have_v appoint_v for_o the_o govern_n of_o his_o church_n be_v full_o establish_v all_o the_o ecclesiastical_a function_n and_o all_o those_o mean_n whereby_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v edify_v in_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o faith_n be_v use_v so_o far_o forth_o as_o humane_a infirmity_n do_v permit_v for_o although_o we_o both_o prophecy_n govern_v teach_v exhortobey_v and_o practice_v only_o in_o part_n in_o this_o life_n 1._o cor._n 13._o yet_o the_o want_n that_o be_v in_o the_o particular_a action_n of_o man_n do_v not_o make_v a_o imperfection_n in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o when_o there_o be_v no_o office_n of_o the_o church_n want_v none_o negligent_o execute_v but_o that_o he_o that_o exhort_v labour_v in_o exhortation_n the_o teacher_n in_o doctrine_n he_o that_o distribute_v in_o simplicity_n and_o he_o that_o rule_v in_o diligence_n he_o that_o show_v mercy_n in_o chearfulnesse_n and_o whenas_o the_o people_n do_v by_o these_o mean_n lead_v a_o godly_a and_o a_o christian_n life_n agreeable_a to_o their_o profession_n then_o be_v there_o a_o perfect_a state_n of_o a_o church_n the_o which_o although_o as_o have_v be_v heretofore_o note_v it_o can_v hardly_o be_v attain_v especial_o of_o church_n consist_v of_o great_a multitude_n of_o professor_n yet_o we_o be_v to_o do_v our_o endeavour_n commit_v the_o success_n of_o our_o labour_n to_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n to_o who_o nothing_o be_v hard_a or_o impossible_a yea_o who_o do_v so_o bless_v and_o prosper_v they_o that_o labour_n in_o the_o build_n of_o his_o church_n far_o above_o their_o own_o expectation_n that_o they_o shall_v see_v such_o fruit_n of_o their_o labour_n which_o will_v seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o mean_n of_o any_o man_n sect._n 3_o of_o the_o flourish_a estate_n of_o a_o church_n the_o lord_n in_o mercy_n be_v yet_o more_o gracious_a to_o his_o church_n and_o grant_v that_o in_o many_o place_n it_o shall_v have_v not_o only_o a_o perfect_a but_o also_o a_o flourish_a estate_n the_o which_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o these_o thing_n first_o when_o as_o the_o church_n do_v consist_v not_o of_o a_o small_a company_n of_o believer_n daily_o but_o of_o great_a multitude_n profess_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n praise_v he_o call_v upon_o he_o and_o serve_v he_o the_o which_o no_o doubt_n be_v a_o happy_a thing_n and_o most_o earnest_o to_o be_v wish_v in_o this_o respect_n the_o church_n in_o these_o day_n do_v flourish_v as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o they_o will_v do_v more_o and_o more_o for_o this_o be_v the_o time_n wherein_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v that_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o gentile_n shall_v come_v in_o and_o not_o only_o a_o few_o here_o and_o there_o but_o even_o whole_a country_n kingdom_n and_o nation_n submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o believer_n it_o come_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o church_n many_o notable_a example_n of_o godliness_n and_o of_o all_o spiritual_a grace_n yea_o great_a variety_n of_o they_o then_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o small_a congregation_n although_o usual_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o malice_n of_o satan_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n that_o multitude_n make_v confusion_n in_o the_o church_n and_o can_v hardly_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o due_a order_n of_o a_o church_n as_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v hereafter_o second_o the_o flourish_a estate_n of_o a_o church_n consist_v in_o the_o ab●nd●●ce_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n spirit_n whenas_o knowledge_n wisdom_n the_o gift_n of_o teach_v and_o all_o other_o which_o make_v for_o the_o build_n of_o the_o church_n be_v plentiful_o pour_v upon_o it_o when_o as_o that_o come_v to_o pass_v which_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v pour_v upon_o all_o flesh_n the_o which_o as_o it_o be_v accomplish_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n on_o the_o which_o the_o lord_n do_v immediate_o and_o extraordinare_o pourefoorth_o all_o the_o grace_n of_o his_o spirit_n in_o such_o plentiful_a manner_n as_o be_v never_o in_o the_o church_n before_o not_o shall_v be_v till_o the_o church_n be_v perfect_v at_o the_o appear_v of_o christ_n so_o now_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v not_o shorten_v but_o he_o do_v still_o continue_v this_o mercy_n to_o his_o church_n although_o after_o a_o diverse_a manner_n for_o now_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v for_o the_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o prophecy_n gift_n speak_v in_o strange_a tongue_n work_v miracle_n and_o such_o like_a by_o the_o which_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v most_o glorious_a and_o do_v flourish_v in_o most_o wonderful_a manner_n for_o these_o serve_v only_o for_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v we_o to_o look_v either_o for_o the_o like_a measure_n of_o gift_n ●r_o for_o 〈◊〉_d grace_n of_o knowledge_n wisdom_n the_o gift_n of_o interpretation_n teach_v exhort_v or_o any_o other_o immediate_o from_o god_n as_o they_o have_v for_o this_o also_o be_v proper_a to_o those_o time_n in_o the_o which_o because_o it_o be_v not_o meet_v that_o the_o build_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v not_o go_v forward_o till_o man_n have_v attain_v these_o gift_n by_o ordinary_a mean_n therefore_o it_o please_v god_n immediate_o to_o supply_v their_o want_n but_o now_o these_o be_v not_o attain_v but_o by_o ordinary_a mean_n and_o yet_o the_o lord_n do_v oftentimes_o grant_v they_o to_o his_o church_n in_o such_o abundance_n and_o in_o so_o great_a measure_n as_o that_o they_o do_v make_v a_o flourish_a estate_n of_o a_o church_n a_o special_a note_n whereof_o in_o this_o behalf_n be_v when_o there_o be_v many_o endue_v with_o those_o excellent_a gift_n of_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n whereby_o the_o whole_a church_n may_v be_v furnish_v with_o wise_a and_o learned_a teacher_n this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v for_o in_o those_o place_n and_o country_n which_o god_n have_v bless_v with_o a_o long_a and_o continual_a peace_n so_o it_o be_v act._n 9.31_o the_o church_n have_v peace_n throughout_o galatia_n jury_n and_o samaria_n and_o be_v edify_v and_o do_v go_v on_o in_o the_o consolation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o even_o as_o for_o the_o build_n of_o that_o glorious_a temple_n the_o lord_n do_v give_v a_o long_a time_n of_o peace_n in_o the_o day_n of_o solomon_n so_o do_v he_o also_o when_o it_o please_v he_o to_o have_v a_o flourish_a church_n in_o any_o place_n yea_o for_o a_o flourish_a estate_n in_o the_o gift_n of_o his_o spirit_n there_o be_v in_o these_o day_n require_v abundance_n of_o learning_n and_o of_o man_n endue_v with_o singular_a gift_n both_o of_o nature_n and_o industry_n for_o god_n do_v sanctify_v these_o for_o the_o edify_a and_o beautify_v of_o his_o church_n hereof_o it_o be_v that_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n &_o alexandria_n change_v their_o subtle_a and_o learned_a philosopher_n into_o most_o excellent_a divine_n but_o especial_o they_o of_o corinth_n do_v flourish_v notable_o in_o a_o wonderful_a abundance_n of_o all_o grace_n above_o all_o other_o church_n whereof_o we_o read_v that_o they_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n tongue_n interpretation_n yea_o and_o all_o other_o as_o the_o apostle_n witness_v 1._o cor._n 1.6_o and_o that_o in_o great_a measure_n in_o regard_v whereof_o the_o apostle_n sait●_n 1._o cor._n 4.8_o that_o they_o be_v enrich_v and_o do_v reign_v as_o king_n without_o he_o neither_o be_v these_o grace_n bestow_v only_o upon_o the_o teacher_n and_o ruler_n in_o the_o church_n but_o in_o this_o flourish_a estate_n they_o be_v even_o as_o that_o precious_a ointment_n which_o be_v pour_v upon_o aaron_n head_n do_v run_v down_o to_o the_o skirt_n of_o his_o garment_n so_o that_o
in_o the_o flourish_a time_n of_o the_o church_n many_o of_o the_o people_n do_v attain_v to_o a_o great_a measure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o all_o other_o grace_n and_o therefore_o those_o kingdom_n and_o nation_n which_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o bless_v with_o peace_n learning_n abundance_n of_o excellent_a man_n and_o such_o other_o blessing_n be_v to_o think_v that_o all_o this_o be_v do_v for_o this_o end_n that_o god_n may_v have_v not_o only_o a_o perfect_a but_o even_o a_o flourish_a church_n among_o they_o therefore_o whenas_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v most_o flourish_a in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n then_o be_v the_o temple_n the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o a_o most_o glorious_a estate_n yea_o although_o we_o have_v a_o church_n yet_o we_o be_v to_o desire_v this_o estate_n of_o it_o and_o to_o be_v sorry_a for_o the_o lack_n of_o it_o so_o esr._n 3.12_o we_o read_v that_o many_o of_o the_o priest_n levite_n and_o head_n of_o the_o father_n &_o elder_n who_o have_v see_v that_o most_o glorious_a temple_n of_o solomon_n do_v lament_v the_o mean_a estate_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n and_o no_o doubt_n but_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o will_v wring_v tear_n out_o of_o any_o christian_n heart_n to_o behold_v the_o mean_a corrupt_a &_o imperfect_a estate_n of_o church_n in_o those_o kingdom_n and_o country_n which_o abound_v with_o learning_n man_n of_o wisdom_n knowledge_n zeal_n and_o of_o all_o spiritual_a grace_n which_o be_v needful_a for_o this_o purpose_n may_v have_v their_o church_n in_o most_o flourish_a estate_n if_o the_o lord_n will_v once_o put_v into_o their_o heart_n to_o employ_v those_o blessing_n which_o they_o have_v to_o beautify_v and_o adorn_v his_o church_n sect._n 4._o of_o that_o estate_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o the_o build_n of_o it_o be_v hinder_v hitherto_o we_o have_v declare_v how_o the_o frame_n of_o this_o spiritual_a house_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v set_v up_o the_o beginning_n progress_n and_o perfection_n of_o it_o and_o how_o it_o be_v to_o be_v continue_v and_o order_v in_o the_o several_a state_n the_o which_o happy_a and_o joyful_a success_n of_o this_o work_n although_o they_o who_o labour_n in_o it_o both_o aught_o earnest_o do_v desire_n as_o make_v great_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o also_o may_v lawful_o hope_v for_o for_o that_o it_o please_v god_n to_o grant_v it_o often_o to_o the_o church_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o so_o confident_o to_o look_v for_o it_o but_o that_o withal_o they_o do_v consider_v that_o the_o build_n of_o the_o church_n be_v also_o often_o yea_o usual_o and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n hinder_v and_o stop_v by_o one_o mean_n or_o other_o so_o that_o it_o can_v be_v begin_v or_o at_o the_o least_o not_o perfect_v and_o continue_v in_o any_o good_a estate_n the_o building_n of_o the_o church_n be_v hinder_v by_o some_o violent_a mean_n for_o of_o the_o natural_a hindrance_n we_o have_v already_o speak_v become_v hard_a troublesome_a and_o dangerous_a whereby_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o many_o who_o do_v before_o labour_v diligent_o and_o painful_o in_o this_o work_n do_v now_o faint_a and_o give_v it_o over_o so_o we_o read_v 2._o tim._n 4.15_o that_o although_o the_o apostle_n have_v many_o fellowlabourer_n at_o other_o time_n yet_o when_o persecution_n come_v all_o do_v forsake_v he_o as_o also_o the_o disciple_n do_v forsake_v christ_n at_o his_o apprehension_n it_o whereas_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v encourage_v to_o go_v on_o so_o much_o the_o more_o cheerefulie_o in_o this_o work_n consider_v that_o the_o lord_n do_v suffer_v it_o to_o be_v hinder_v that_o he_o may_v by_o this_o mean_n try_v their_o faithfulness_n and_o sincerity_n of_o love_n towards_o his_o glory_n if_o for_o the_o procure_n and_o advaunce_v of_o it_o they_o will_v not_o refuse_v any_o trouble_n danger_n or_o loss_n of_o temporal_a thing_n and_o further_a also_o that_o he_o may_v work_v and_o increase_v in_o they_o patience_n whereby_o they_o may_v quiet_o expect_v the_o time_n wherein_o he_o will_v give_v a_o prosperous_a success_n to_o their_o labour_n yea_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o learn_v to_o rely_v themselves_o whole_o upon_o he_o whenas_o they_o see_v that_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o adversary_n they_o can_v possible_o bring_v to_o pass_v that_o which_o they_o do_v desire_v the_o hinder_v of_o this_o work_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o malice_n of_o sathan_n who_o see_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o make_v so_o much_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n unto_o both_o which_o he_o be_v a_o profess_a enemy_n as_o do_v the_o build_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n do_v labour_n by_o all_o mean_n that_o this_o work_n shall_v either_o not_o be_v take_v in_o hand_n or_o at_o the_o least_o not_o go_v forward_o and_o continue_v as_o it_o ought_v and_o as_o he_o be_v strong_a and_o mighty_a both_o to_o ha●e_v t●e_v c●●rch_n with_o a_o perfect_a and_o deadly_a m●lice_n and_o also_o to_o 〈◊〉_d the_o ●ame_n effectual_o th●_n l●rde_n ●o_o permit_v 〈…〉_o so_o great_a as_o that_o no_o m●n_z ●a●_n di●cou●●_n tho●e_v infinite_a sleight_n and_o way_n by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d he_o do_v hinder_v the_o edify_a both_o of_o the_o church_n and_o also_o of_o every_o particular_a member_n of_o it_o the_o which_o although_o they_o may_v in_o some_o measure_n be_v perceive_v of_o those_o who_o be_v exercise_v in_o thi●_n spiritual_a warfare_n as_o the_o apostle_n witness_v 2._o corin._n 2.11_o say_n we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o devise_n of_o satan_n yet_o they_o a●e_v full_o and_o perfect_o know_v unto_o the_o lord_n only_o who_o also_o do_v so_o frustrate_a and_o disannul_v they_o as_o that_o they_o shall_v never_o final_o prevail_v against_o any_o of_o his_o elect_a but_o of_o those_o hindrance_n which_o satan_n ca_v before_o particular_a man_n in_o the_o way_n of_o th●ir_a salvation_n we_o be_v not_o here_o to_o speak_v but_o only_o of_o those_o whereby_o he_o hinder_v the_o set_n up_o or_o continue_v of_o the_o frame_n of_o the_o church_n in_o any_o place_n wherein_o how_o wonderful_o he_o have_v prevail_v from_o time_n to_o time_n it_o may_v ●aselie_o appear_v to_o he_o that_o do_v consider_v in_o how_o few_o place_n of_o the_o world_n the_o church_n have_v at_o any_o time_n have_v any_o dwell_a place_n or_o at_o the_o least_o any_o good_a pure_a perfect_a and_o permanent_a ●state_n and_o to_o l●t_v pass_v the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n wherein_o the_o church_n be_v either_o shut_v up_o in_o one_o family_n or_o contain_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o small_a country_n the_o whole_a world_n beside_o remain_v in_o ignorance_n idolatry_n and_o atheism_n if_o we_o come_v to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n wherein_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o best_a and_o most_o flourish_a estate_n we_o shall_v s●e_v how_o strange_o sathan_n hinder_v the_o build_n of_o those_o church_n which_o the_o apostle_n do_v plant_v in_o many_o place_n of_o the_o world_n insomuch_o that_o many_o of_o they_o w●re_o soon_o disperse_v and_o most_o of_o those_o which_o do_v continue_v for_o some_o space_n of_o time_n do_v not_o grow_v on_o to_o any_o pure_a and_o perfect_a estate_n judgement_n but_o do_v daily_o decline_v from_o that_o purity_n wherein_o they_o be_v at_o the_o fi●st_o establish_a till_o such_o time_n as_o they_o be_v either_o clean_o overthrow_v and_o root_v out_o as_o we●_n see_v the_o church_n throughout_o asia_n africa_n and_o a_o great_a part_n of_o europe_n to_o have_v be_v or_o 〈◊〉_d jest_n so_o deface_v and_o corrupt_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o 〈…〉_o god_n the_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o they_o as_o that_o till_o of_o late_o we_o can_v scarce_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o visible_a church_n in_o any_o place_n yet_o the_o lord_n do_v never_o suffer_v sathan_n to_o prevail_v so_o far_o against_o the_o church_n as_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o take_v the_o name_n of_o it_o from_o off_o the_o earth_n and_o whole_o to_o overthrow_v it_o but_o do_v always_o reserve_v some_o place_n for_o his_o church_n to_o remain_v in_o where_o he_o will_v have_v his_o name_n call_v upon_o and_o his_o elect_a enjoy_v the_o mean_n of_o their_o salvation_n the_o building_n of_o the_o church_n be_v hinder_v by_o the_o malice_n of_o sathan_n yet_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o man_n who_o he_o use_v as_o instrument_n for_o the_o ●ffecting_n of_o his_o purpose_n yet_o not_o all_o after_o the_o same_o manner_n for_o some_o do_v indeed_o hinder_v this_o work_n which_o notwithstanding_o in_o desire_n
necodemus_fw-la a_o master_n in_o israel_n iho._n 3.10_o neither_o do_v they_o look_v so_o much_o for_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n and_o eternal_a life_n by_o the_o messiah_n think_v to_o be_v justify_v by_o keep_v the_o law_n as_o for_o temporal_a commodity_n and_o last_o they_o deny_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n for_o they_o hold_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v not_o die_v john_n 12.34_o that_o these_o and_o other_o such_o error_n be_v popular_a and_o common_a in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n we_o may_v both_o gather_v out_o of_o their_o say_n record_v by_o the_o evangelist_n as_o also_o by_o their_o continual_a silence_n in_o these_o matter_n the_o which_o we_o do_v not_o read_v that_o any_o of_o they_o do_v mention_n upon_o any_o occasion_n and_o last_o by_o the_o open_a confession_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o all_o age_n since_o the_o come_n of_o christ._n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o hold_v even_o to_o this_o day_n those_o opinion_n which_o they_o receive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o be_v common_o hold_v of_o that_o nation_n notwithstanding_o all_o which_o error_n we_o think_v as_o it_o be_v general_o think_v that_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n profess_v general_o faith_n in_o the_o messiah_n to_o come_v be_v then_o the_o true_a church_n and_o the_o people_n of_o god_n but_o this_o confession_n will_v not_o serve_v now_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o make_v they_o a_o church_n because_o they_o do_v reject_v christ_n himself_o in_o his_o very_a person_n as_o for_o the_o heretical_a church_n since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o the_o church_n of_o arian_n papist_n or_o any_o other_o maintain_v grievous_a error_n contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o seem_v that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v account_v the_o church_n of_o god_n because_o they_o do_v all_o hold_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n chap._n viii_o of_o a_o private_a church_n sect._n 1_o what_o a_o private_a church_n be_v hitherto_o we_o have_v entreat_v in_o general_a of_o a_o particular_a church_n now_o we_o be_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o kind_n of_o it_o which_o be_v two_o in_o number_n to_o wit_n private_a &_o public_a a_o private_a church_n be_v a_o company_n of_o christian_n serve_v god_n together_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o infidel_n or_o there_o where_o the_o whole_a multitude_n or_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n general_o &_o public_o consider_v abide_v in_o infidelity_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o church_n we_o have_v many_o example_n first_o from_o the_o beginning_n until_o the_o day_n of_o moses_n in_o all_o which_o time_n the_o church_n be_v private_a second_o after_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v cease_v from_o b●ing_v a_o church_n for_o from_o their_o come_n out_o of_o egypt_n until_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o reject_v christ_n and_o the_o gospel_n constantine_n they_o be_v a_o public_a church_n till_o the_o day_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o christians_n be_v private_a for_o we_o do_v not_o read_v of_o any_o one_o city_n or_o country_n within_o all_o that_o time_n be_v about_o .300_o year_n do_v public_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n but_o a_o few_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o infidel_n in_o this_o and_o that_o city_n as_o in_o jerusalem_n antioch_n corinth_n rome_n and_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o all_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n or_o any_o other_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v private_a three_o of_o this_o kind_n be_v those_o church_n at_o this_o day_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o which_o be_v among_o the_o turk_n or_o any_o other_o kind_n of_o infidel_n church_n out_o of_o the_o which_o example_n we_o may_v gather_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o private_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o small_a number_n of_o the_o true_a worshipper_n of_o god_n &_o be_v in_o these_o latter_a age_n the_o infidelity_n of_o magistrate_n who_o be_v themselves_o infidel_n do_v not_o go_v about_o to_o bring_v their_o subject_n to_o the_o faith_n but_o be_v perhaps_o content_a to_o tolerate_v the_o same_o within_o their_o dominion_n and_o that_o for_o some_o civil_a respect_n as_o namely_o to_o make_v their_o city_n and_o country_n more_o resort_v unto_o for_o increase_v of_o the_o tribute_n due_a unto_o they_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o peace_n or_o for_o some_o other_o such_o consideration_n last_o the_o chief_a cause_n of_o these_o private_a church_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o which_o be_v contrary_a to_o man_n reason_n be_v hardly_o believe_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v usual_o receive_v only_o of_o a_o few_o as_o it_o be_v write_v rom._n 10.16_o who_o have_v believe_v our_o report_n that_o be_v very_o few_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o infidel_n do_v believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o howsoever_o the_o force_n of_o civil_a authority_n and_o other_o outward_a respect_n make_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v general_o receive_v in_o many_o place_n yet_o this_o general_a profession_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o which_o hardly_o and_o seldom_o be_v true_o receive_v as_o have_v be_v say_v but_o here_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v object_v that_o no_o church_n can_v be_v call_v private_a see_v that_o we_o have_v here_o before_o define_v a_o church_n in_o general_a by_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n we_o answer_v confess_v that_o every_o church_n be_v public_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o several_a member_n of_o it_o yea_o although_o it_o be_v in_o a_o private_a house_n or_o family_n or_o in_o the_o most_o secret_a corner_n that_o can_v be_v and_o yet_o a_o church_n contain_v within_o a_o private_a place_n and_o consist_v of_o a_o small_a company_n may_v true_o and_o fit_o be_v call_v private_a in_o respect_n of_o that_o church_n which_o consist_v of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n do_v not_o lurk_v in_o a_o corner_n but_o be_v open_o establish_v among_o all_o and_o in_o every_o place_n yet_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o all_o other_o action_n of_o such_o a_o church_n be_v to_o be_v count_v public_a and_o not_o private_a so_o that_o this_o kind_n of_o church_n be_v call_v private_a from_o the_o subject_n because_o they_o be_v in_o private_a place_n but_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o other_o kind_n be_v a_o public_a city_n or_o country_n sect._n 2._o of_o the_o the_o special_n in_o plant_v a_o public_a church_n now_o that_o we_o see_v what_o a_o private_a church_n be_v we_o be_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o come_v to_o the_o special_n in_o the_o plant_n of_o it_o and_o first_o we_o be_v to_o declare_v by_o who_o this_o kind_n of_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v found_v as_o for_o the_o secondary_a worker_n to_o wit_n the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n we_o have_v speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o general_a treatise_n of_o plant_v a_o church_n so_o that_o here_o we_o be_v to_o search_v out_o ●he_v first_o worker_n in_o this_o action_n who_o be_v the_o chief_a in_o that_o they_o begin_v the_o work_n and_o procure_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n the_o answer_n be_v that_o every_o man_n may_v be_v the_o chief_a and_o first_o builder_n of_o a_o church_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o his_o call_n power_n and_o authority_n do_v stretch_v so_o that_o in_o this_o case_n private_a man_n may_v be_v lawful_o and_o be_v usual_o the_o first_o and_o chief_a builder_n yea_o it_o be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o that_o whereunto_o the_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v both_o to_o god_n to_o seek_v his_o glory_n and_o to_o man_n to_o seek_v their_o salvation_n do_v necessarelie_o bind_v we_o that_o if_o god_n give_v we_o occasion_n the_o church_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o our_o help_n we_o be_v not_o want_v in_o this_o behalf_n for_o so_o we_o be_v to_o understande_v that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v do_v whenas_o the_o church_n be_v destitute_a of_o christian_n magistrate_n and_o likewise_o of_o other_o governor_n and_o teacher_n as_o it_o be_v in_o those_o place_n where_o either_o there_o be_v no_o c●●rch_n a●_n all_o or_o else_o so_o decay_v that_o there_o remain_v nothing_o but_o the_o profession_n of_o religion_n amongst_o some_o few_o in_o the_o which_o case_n it_o be_v lawful_a for_o any_o christian_n who_o god_n have_v endue_v with_o the_o zeal_n of_o his_o glory_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o brethren_n and_o also_o wit●_n some_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n how_o this_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v do_v to_o labour_n both_o in_o bring_v t●ose_n who_o be_v infidel_n to_o the_o
with_o the_o multitude_n there_o come_v in_o confusion_n and_o corruption_n and_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o magistrate_n join_v to_o the_o church_n do_v often_o too_o much_o abridge_v the_o use_n of_o christian_n liberty_n take_v to_o itself_o as_o it_o may_v lawful_o do_v full_a power_n in_o make_v those_o ecclesiastical_a law_n which_o belong_v general_o to_o all_o the_o church_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o it_o but_o in_o these_o church_n the_o whole_a authority_n of_o establish_v law_n order_n and_o the_o appoint_v of_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n be_v in_o the_o church_n itself_o last_o it_o be_v usual_o object_v against_o these_o private_a church_n that_o they_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o tumult_n and_o civil_a dissension_n and_o so_o consequent_o do_v bre●d_v the_o ruin_n of_o those_o commonwealth_n and_o kingdom_n wherein_o they_o a●e_v tolerate_v &_o therefore_o that_o it_o be_v the_o part_n of_o wise_a ruler_n who_o tender_v the_o good_a and_o peaceable_a estate_n of_o the_o people_n not_o to_o suffer_v they_o within_o their_o dominion_n to_o this_o we_o answer_v confess_v that_o through_o the_o perverseness_n of_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n the_o which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d inflame_v with_o bitter_a enmity_n against_o god_n and_o all_o goodness_n it_o come_v often_o to_o pass_v that_o ●●uersitie_n of_o religion_n do_v stir_v up_o great_a debate_n in_o kingdom_n city_n and_o family_n for_o this_o cause_n the_o church_n desire_v to_o be_v separate_v in_o place_n from_o the_o idolatour_n least_o th●y_o shall_v exasperate_v their_o mind_n against_o they_o gen._n 46.34_o exod._n 8.26_o yea_o christ_n do_v profess_v that_o this_o will_v follow_v the_o gospel_n that_o the_o father_n shall_v be_v at_o deadly_a variance_n with_o the_o son_n and_o the_o mother_n with_o the_o daughter_n and_o that_o a_o man_n near_a friend_n shall_v for_o this_o cause_n become_v his_o cruel_a enemy_n yea_o the_o bloody_a and_o tragical_a tumult_n which_o have_v of_o late_a time_n rise_v and_o continue_v upon_o this_o occasion_n in_o diverse_a place_n do_v testify_v the_o truth_n here_o of_o but_o yet_o we_o ought_v not_o therefore_o to_o banish_v the_o church_n out_o of_o our_o dominion_n for_o it_o be_v better_a to_o have_v the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n with_o war_n trouble_n and_o dissension_n than_o idolatry_n with_o quietness_n so_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o say_v with_o christ_n that_o see_v the_o gospel_n be_v even_o as_o a_o firebrand_n in_o the_o world_n what_o shall_v be_v our_o desire_n but_o that_o it_o be_v preach_v for_o although_o for_o a_o time_n it_o breed_v trouble_v yet_o in_o the_o end_n it_o will_v be_v find_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o true_a quietness_n chap._n viiii_o of_o a_o public_a church_n sect._n 1_o of_o the_o objection_n which_o be_v make_v against_o public_a church_n thus_o much_o of_o a_o private_a church_n beside_o the_o which_o there_o be_v another_o kind_n of_o a_o church_n namely_o when_o any_o whole_a city_n country_n or_o nation_n do_v general_o profess_v the_o faith_n and_o so_o become_v a_o church_n consist_v not_o of_o any_o small_a or_o mean_a number_n but_o of_o great_a multitude_n of_o people_n even_o of_o whole_a nation_n as_o we_o see_v at_o this_o day_n that_o dive●s_v great_a kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n have_v receive_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o in_o they_o the_o church_n do_v not_o lurk_v in_o any_o family_n or_o private_a corner_n or_o be_v in_o some_o few_o place_n but_o be_v open_o public_o and_o general_o set_v up_o in_o all_o place_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a ruler_n and_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o all_o man_n this_o we_o call_v a_o public_a church_n such_o as_o we_o see_v at_o this_o day_n most_o of_o all_o the_o city_n commonwealthe_n be_v country_n and_o kingdom_n in_o eu●ope_n to_o be_v of_o the_o which_o one_o be_v distinguish_v from_o another_o by_o have_v a_o proper_a government_n of_o the_o own_o be_v rule_v by_o the_o same_o humane_a law_n both_o civil_a and_o also_o ecclesiastical_a but_o it_o may_v be_v here_o think_v that_o these_o country_n be_v no_o true_a church_n but_o that_o there_o be_v church_n in_o they_o and_o that_o not_o all_o the_o people_n general_o but_o only_o some_o few_o of_o they_o separate_v from_o the_o rest_n be_v to_o be_v account_v the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n and_o that_o for_o these_o reason_n first_o because_o there_o be_v no_o such_o church_n establish_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o record_v to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o gospel_n second_o for_o that_o although_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o god_n to_o convert_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o man_n to_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o his_o usual_a deal_n so_o to_o bless_v any_o nation_n as_o that_o all_o of_o they_o without_o exception_n shall_v believe_v and_o become_v faithful_a man_n three_o because_o of_o the_o great_a confusion_n and_o many_o foul_a corruption_n which_o be_v usual_o find_v in_o such_o church_n the_o which_o seldom_o or_o never_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o the_o right_a order_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n last_o because_o they_o be_v not_o call_v to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o faith_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n force_v thereunto_o by_o the_o law_n &_o edict_n of_o prince_n and_o other_o ruler_n whereunto_o we_o answer_v that_o these_o thing_n do_v not_o hinder_v these_o whole_a city_n or_o nation_n from_o be_v the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n as_o touch_v the_o first_o we_o do_v confess_v that_o there_o we●e_v no_o such_o public_a and_o general_a church_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n neither_o in_o the_o age_n follow_v the_o cause_n whereof_o we_o may_v plain_o see_v to_o be_v this_o that_o then_o be_v the_o ●ime_n of_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n it_o have_v be_v but_o late_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n but_o this_o be_v the_o time_n wherein_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v that_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o gentile_n shall_v come_v in_o apostle_n which_o be_v the_o conversion_n of_o whole_a nation_n and_o many_o country_n yea_o the_o apostle_n witness_v that_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v be_v then_o whenas_o that_o whole_a nation_n shall_v general_o embrace_v christ_n as_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n rom._n 11.26_o to_o the_o second_o doubt_n we_o answer_v that_o all_o the_o people_n of_o any_o country_n may_v have_v a_o general_a faith_n whereby_o they_o do_v know_v and_o profess_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n &_o that_o their_o profession_n hereof_o although_o it_o be_v not_o effectual_a to_o their_o salvation_n yea_o although_o it_o be_v mere_o hypocritical_a they_o think_v no_o such_o thing_n yet_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v they_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n as_o touch_v the_o corruption_n which_o be_v in_o such_o church_n we_o do_v confess_v that_o it_o be_v great_a than_o either_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v it_o be_v or_o then_o be_v in_o private_a church_n where_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n be_v less_o and_o that_o they_o can_v so_o easy_o be_v bring_v to_o and_o keep_v in_o that_o holy_a order_n which_o christ_n have_v appoint_v for_o his_o church_n private_a and_o further_o that_o these_o public_a church_n so_o seldom_o attain_v to_o any_o pure_a or_o perfect_a estate_n because_o in_o they_o the_o church_n and_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v so_o join_v &_o link_v together_o the_o whole_a affair_n and_o state_n of_o the_o church_n depend_v on_o the_o civil_a estate_n that_o the_o manifold_a alteration_n whereunto_o all_o kingdom_n &_o commonwealths_n be_v subject_a do_v make_v many_o change_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o take_v from_o they_o either_o the_o be_v or_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v great_a confusion_n and_o more_o corruption_n in_o great_a multitude_n of_o people_n then_o in_o small_a congregation_n for_o so_o we_o see_v even_o in_o the_o first_o congregation_n of_o christians_n which_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v govern_v that_o when_o the_o number_n of_o disciple_n do_v increase_v than_o there_o be_v murmur_v among_o they_o and_o so_o even_o this_o private_a church_n do_v tend_v to_o some_o confusion_n act._n 6.1_o yea_o this_o thing_n have_v long_o ago_o be_v observe_v to_o have_v be_v continual_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n the_o which_o as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v in_o persecution_n do_v flourish_v not_o in_o the_o number_n so_o much_o as_o in_o the_o time_n of_o peace_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v far_o better_a order_v godliness_n love_n and_o virtue_n do_v
more_o flourish_n the_o lord_n be_v more_o fervent_o and_o hearty_o serve_v and_o call_v upon_o all_o fault_n and_o corruption_n in_o life_n or_o doctrine_n be_v severe_o censure_v yea_o rather_o sharp_o punish_v but_o whenas_o it_o please_v god_n to_o give_v peace_n and_o prosperity_n to_o his_o church_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o christian_a emperor_n and_o king_n than_o do_v the_o number_n of_o believer_n mighty_o increase_v and_o the_o church_n do_v in_o that_o respect_n flourish_v but_o together_o with_o the_o number_n looseness_n in_o life_n &_o in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n schism_n heresy_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o corruption_n do_v come_v in_o &_o increase_v more_o and_o more_o so_o that_o these_o multitude_n of_o professor_n be_v not_o in_o regard_n of_o these_o inconvenience_n to_o be_v reject_v but_o rather_o we_o be_v to_o rejoice_v at_o this_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v philip_n 1.18_o for_o that_o christ_n be_v preach_v although_o for_o vain_a glory_n &_o to_o praise_n god_n for_o that_o according_a as_o he_o promise_v by_o his_o prophet_n esa_n 54.2_o the_o church_n have_v enlarge_v her_o tent_n so_o that_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n do_v come_v into_o her_o bosom_n yea_o even_o this_o that_o the_o name_n of_o c●rist_n be_v not_o blaspheme_v as_o among_o infidel_n but_o honour_v worship_v and_o call_v upon_o although_o it_o be_v in_o great_a confusion_n yet_o it_o make_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n faith_n and_o therefore_o all_o good_a christian_n ought_v to_o rejoice_v herein_o although_o they_o do_v whole_o mistake_v all_o corruption_n and_o the_o confusion_n which_o be_v usual_o in_o these_o public_a church_n last_o concern_v their_o call_n we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v so_o strange_a a_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v call_v to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o faith_n who_o be_v bear_v christians_n and_o do_v even_o as_o it_o be_v suck_v the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n from_o their_o mother_n breast_n of_o who_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o they_o be_v holy_a 1._o cor._n 7._o or_o yet_o they_o who_o be_v professor_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o hold_v the_o foundation_n of_o christian_n religion_n as_o it_o seem_v that_o papist_n and_o such_o other_o heretic_n do_v as_o we_o have_v declare_v more_o at_o large_a heretofore_o be_v bring_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n from_o a_o corrupt_a manner_n of_o serve_v god_n or_o from_o grievous_a heresy_n to_o a_o more_o sincere_a worship_n and_o profession_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o primative_a church_n whenas_o man_n be_v convert_v from_o heathenism_n to_o christianity_n and_o therefore_o all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v by_o baptism_n ingraff_v into_o the_o profession_n of_o christ_n in_o their_o young_a year_n and_o have_v afterward_o be_v continual_o bring_v up_o in_o the_o same_o profession_n of_o the_o faith_n declare_v unto_o all_o man_n in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o their_o life_n that_o they_o do_v like_a love_n and_o embrace_v that_o profession_n which_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o and_o do_v serve_v and_o worship_n god_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v to_o be_v count_v member_n of_o the_o church_n although_o they_o have_v no_o effectual_a call_n to_o the_o unfeigned_a and_o true_a obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o conclude_v this_o point_n the_o example_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n will_v evident_o declare_v the_o true_a nature_n and_o whole_a estate_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o church_n and_o also_o resolve_v all_o doubt_n which_o can_v be_v move_v for_o in_o it_o all_o that_o receive_a circumcision_n be_v count_v member_n of_o the_o church_n yea_o the_o apostle_n witness_v that_o at_o the_o time_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v that_o whole_a nation_n shall_v again_o become_v the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o that_o in_o what_o place_n soever_o whether_o town_n city_n commonwealth_n province_n or_o kingdom_n the_o people_n do_v general_o profess_v the_o faith_n or_o thus_o wheresoever_o the_o law_n ecclesiastical_a do_v stretch_v themselves_o as_o wide_a and_o do_v belong_v to_o as_o many_o as_o the_o civil_a or_o common_a law_n make_v for_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n there_o be_v a_o true_a public_a church_n set_v up_o sect._n 2._o of_o the_o conjunction_n of_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n by_o set_v up_o a_o public_a church_n in_o any_o place_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o church_n &_o commonwealth_n be_v join_v together_o the_o which_o in_o a_o private_a state_n of_o a_o church_n have_v nothing_o to_o deal_v the_o one_o with_o the_o other_o for_o there_o the_o ch._n either_o lurk_v in_o secret_a if_o she_o have_v not_o he_o favour_n of_o the_o civil_a ruler_n or_o at_o the_o least_o dwell_v as_o in_o a_o private_a house_n if_o she_o have_v a_o toleration_n but_o now_o whenas_o any_o people_n general_o together_o with_o their_o magistrate_n do_v profess_v the_o faith_n the_o church_n may_v be_v compare_v to_o esther_n who_o be_v take_v from_o her_o private_a state_n wherein_o she_o live_v &_o be_v bring_v forth_o into_o open_a and_o public_a place_n be_v marry_v to_o the_o king_n so_o be_v the_o conjunction_n of_o the_o church_n &_o the_o commonwealth_n wherein_o we_o have_v these_o point_n consider_v first_o what_o be_v the_o bond_n of_o this_o conjunction_n second_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o three_o whether_o state_n be_v the_o superior_a four_o how_o they_o meddle_v with_o each_o other_o &_o last_o the_o commodity_n &_o discommodity_n which_o either_o the_o church_n or_o the_o commonwealth_n reap_v by_o this_o mean_n or_o the_o change_n &_o alteration_n which_o happen_v to_o either_o of_o they_o for_o the_o first_o the_o bond_n of_o this_o conjunction_n be_v the_o civil_a power_n which_o be_v the_o ve●y_a fountain_n &_o head_n from_o the_o which_o both_o these_o estate_n do_v flow_v and_o by_o the_o which_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o be_v a_o public_a church_n in_o any_o place_n for_o howsoever_o great_a multitude_n of_o people_n may_v be_v convert_v only_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o all_o general_o do_v profess_v the_o faith_n but_o only_o where_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n join_v to_o the_o word_n do_v make_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v public_o receive_v in_o that_o it_o make_v all_o that_o be_v member_n of_o the_o civil_a body_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n also_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o civil_a power_n cease_v to_o maintain_v religion_n magistrate_n these_o public_a church_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n the_o bond_n be_v break_v whereby_o they_o be_v tie_v to_o the_o commonwealth_n so_o we_o read_v jud._n 2.7.19_o that_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n serve_v god_n as_o long_o as_o josua_n the_o elder_n or_o their_o judge_n live_v but_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o die_v they_o fall_v away_o to_o idolatry_n likewise_o in_o the_o first_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v no_o public_a church_n for_o diverse_a hundred_o year_n and_o all_o for_o want_v of_o this_o bond_n of_o christian_n ruler_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o roman_a emperor_n do_v embrace_v the_o gospel_n than_o be_v public_a church_n set_v up_o in_o many_o place_n sect._n 3_o that_o a_o public_a church_n with_o the_o civil_a estate_n make_v one_o body_n under_o one_o head_n in_o the_o second_o place_n we_o be_v to_o see_v what_o manner_n of_o conjunction_n this_o be_v to_o wit_n whether_o that_o the_o church_n &_o commonwealth_n thus_o join_v together_o make_v one_o body_n or_o state_n rule_v by_o one_o &_o the_o same_o head_n or_o else_o be_v still_o two_o diverse_a body_n absolute_a and_o perfect_a each_o in_o itself_o without_o the_o other_o and_o order_v by_o the_o own_o proper_a head_n in_o all_o matter_n belong_v unto_o it_o for_o answer_v hereof_o it_o have_v be_v think_v that_o in_o this_o conjunction_n there_o be_v two_o body_n not_o only_o diverse_a but_o even_o clean_o opposite_a and_o contrary_a the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o every_o respect_n that_o they_o be_v order_v by_o two_o diverse_a supreme_a head_n and_o that_o all_o the_o function_n of_o these_o body_n be_v of_o so_o contrary_a nature_n that_o they_o can_v lawful_o meet_v together_o in_o the_o same_o subject_n this_o opinion_n which_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o truth_n have_v rise_v of_o a_o reverend_a religious_a yea_o as_o it_o prove_v at_o length_n a_o superstitious_a opinion_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n with_o too_o base_a and_o vile_a a_o opinion_n of_o the_o civil_a state_n the_o which_o have_v seem_v so_o profane_a and_o unholy_a as_o that_o it_o can_v not_o in_o any_o respect_n be_v join_v with_o the_o other_o without_o defile_v and_o profane_v it_o but_o the_o word_n of_o
god_n teach_v we_o that_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v a_o holy_a ordinance_n of_o god_n institute_v by_o god_n chief_o for_o this_o end_n to_o intermeddle_v with_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n and_o not_o only_o to_o suffer_v and_o tolerate_v religion_n as_o it_o do_v in_o a_o private_a church_n but_o also_o to_o set_v up_o and_o maintain_v it_o yea_o whole_o to_o effect_n it_o although_o by_o the_o mean_n &_o ministry_n of_o other_o in_o all_o place_n whither_o the_o say_a power_n do_v stretch_v itself_o as_o for_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o civil_a &_o ecclesiastical_a state_n although_o it_o may_v be_v use_v to_o put_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o civil_a &_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n yet_o if_o thereby_o we_o mean_v that_o in_o a_o public_a church_n there_o be_v add_v to_o the_o civil_a state_n another_o full_a and_o perfect_a body_n endue_v with_o full_a authority_n to_o begin_v and_o effect_v all_o matter_n belong_v to_o itself_o &_o not_o rely_v upon_o the_o other_o but_o only_o use_v the_o help_n of_o it_o against_o outward_a violence_n as_o when_o two_o distinct_a nation_n do_v join_v themselves_o in_o league_n together_o for_o their_o great_a safety_n than_o we_o think_v far_o otherwise_o of_o these_o thing_n than_o the_o word_n of_o god_n do_v permit_v according_a to_o the_o which_o the_o political_a body_n together_o with_o a_o public_a church_n be_v but_o one_o body_n move_v and_o order_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o head_n for_o as_o when_o any_o people_n be_v barbarous_a rude_a unexpert_a in_o feat_n of_o war_n and_o altogether_o destitute_a of_o humane_a knowledge_n and_o all_o good_a literature_n become_v civil_a courteous_a warlike_a wise_a and_o learned_a there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o new_a estate_n or_o body_n add_v to_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o only_o the_o first_o state_n of_o it_o be_v make_v so_o many_o way_n better_o so_o it_o be_v whenas_o a_o people_n of_o pagan_n and_o infidel_n become_v the_o worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n for_o there_o be_v not_o a_o new_a body_n or_o state_n but_o only_o the_o quality_n of_o religion_n be_v add_v to_o the_o civil_a body_n or_o rather_o idolatry_n be_v change_v into_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n the_o which_o do_v no_o more_o make_v a_o distinct_a body_n than_o idolatry_n do_v in_o a_o heathenish_a commonwealth_n as_o for_o the_o people_n they_o can_v no_o more_o be_v say_v to_o be_v another_o body_n because_o they_o be_v religious_a then_o for_o that_o they_o be_v a_o learned_a and_o warlike_a people_n but_o for_o the_o minister_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n it_o may_v seem_v necessary_a to_o be_v grant_v that_o they_o do_v either_o make_v a_o distinct_a and_o perfect_a body_n or_o that_o the_o ministry_n be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o civil_a body_n whereunto_o we_o answer_v that_o the_o ministry_n be_v not_o a_o body_n in_o itself_o body_n neither_o be_v it_o the_o head_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n but_o only_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n in_o nature_n use_n and_o object_n and_o excel_v the_o other_o by_o a_o divine_a holiness_n which_o it_o have_v more_o than_o any_o other_o part_n or_o function_n of_o this_o body_n the_o truth_n hereof_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v open_a by_o declare_v first_o that_o this_o whole_a state_n consist_v of_o a_o political_a body_n and_o of_o a_o public_a church_n have_v but_o one_o head_n whereby_o the_o whole_a body_n be_v order_v and_o every_o member_n of_o it_o move_v in_o their_o several_a function_n and_o second_o the_o office_n of_o these_o two_o state_n may_v agree_v together_o in_o the_o same_o subject_n the_o head_n be_v the_o civil_a power_n whereof_o we_o speak_v rather_o than_o of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o that_o in_o many_o place_n the_o power_n be_v not_o whole_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n but_o divide_v among_o the_o senate_n the_o nobility_n and_o the_o people_n but_o here_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o whole_a power_n the_o which_o we_o call_v the_o hand_n of_o this_o body_n by_o ●_o usual_a metaphor_n take_v from_o the_o natural_a body_n wherein_o we_o see_v that_o the_o whole_a motion_n come_v from_o the_o head_n without_o the_o which_o none_o of_o the_o member_n can_v move_v itself_o or_o do_v any_o function_n thus_o all_o man_n do_v grant_v that_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v the_o head_n of_o this_o body_n in_o regard_n of_o civil_a and_o worldly_a affair_n but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v so_o call_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n many_o do_v doubt_n or_o rather_o flat_o deny_v without_o any_o doubt_n think_v that_o neither_o the_o civil_a power_n do_v stretch_v itself_o to_o church_n affair_n neither_o if_o it_o do_v in_o some_o respect_n that_o it_o ought_v therefore_o or_o may_v lawful_o be_v call_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n as_o touch_v this_o point_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v how_o both_o the_o function_n and_o also_o the_o name_n of_o a_o head_n agree_v to_o the_o civil_a power_n for_o the_o first_o in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o church_n it_o please_v god_n to_o use_v the_o help_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o man_n and_o that_o two_o diverse_a way_n according_a to_o the_o two_o diverse_a kind_n of_o build_v his_o church_n whereof_o the_o one_o be_v inward_a secret_a and_o spiritual_a whenas_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o sacremenes_n the_o church_n be_v edify_v in_o knowledge_n faith_n love_n obedience_n and_o in_o all_o manner_n of_o spiritual_a grace_n in_o this_o part_n of_o the_o building_n christ_n be_v the_o first_o and_o chief_a mover_n yea_o the_o head_n of_o his_o church_n unto_o the_o which_o he_o give_v spiritual_a motion_n by_o his_o minister_n as_o by_o instrument_n unto_o who_o he_o give_v spiritual_a grace_n fit_a for_o this_o purpose_n ephe._n 4.11_o he_o give_v some_o to_o be_v apostle_n some_o evangelist_n some_o pastor_n and_o doctor_n for_o the_o gather_n of_o his_o saint_n and_o for_o the_o build_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ._n thus_o christ_n only_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o whole_a visible_a church_n for_o no_o creature_n can_v either_o appoint_v ecclesiastical_a function_n or_o give_v spiritual_a grace_n either_o to_o the_o minister_n or_o to_o the_o people_n but_o whenas_o the_o church_n come_v to_o be_v build_v in_o any_o particular_a place_n there_o must_v be_v add_v a_o other_o part_n of_o this_o building_n more_o outward_a apparent_a and_o sensible_a than_o the_o other_o to_o wit_n whenas_o this_o spiritual_a building_n together_o with_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v the_o mean_n of_o it_o be_v not_o only_o receive_v when_o as_o it_o be_v offer_v but_o also_o diligent_o seek_v after_o when_o it_o be_v wan●●ng_v and_o careful_o preserve_v after_o that_o it_o be_v get_v this_o kind_n of_o build_v also_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o man_n but_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o come_v from_o the_o same_o head_n or_o fountain_n for_o that_o spiritual_a building_n come_v from_o christ_n as_o he_o be_v lord_n and_o king_n of_o his_o church_n but_o this_o come_v from_o god_n the_o father_n the_o maker_n and_o preserver_n of_o mankind_n who_o in_o great_a mercy_n and_o wisdom_n have_v not_o left_a man_n in_o utter_a confusion_n but_o have_v give_v unto_o they_o the_o mean_n of_o have_v a_o church_n and_o his_o true_a worship_n this_o mean_n be_v his_o own_o power_n and_o authority_n communicate_v to_o certain_a man_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o rest_n to_o who_o he_o have_v give_v this_o charge_n that_o they_o do_v as_o by_o all_o other_o mean_n so_o chief_o by_o build_v his_o church_n in_o those_o place_n which_o be_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o their_o authority_n procure_v the_o good_a of_o man_n so_o that_o all_o whosoever_o have_v the_o rule_n of_o any_o place_n whether_o it_o be_v kingdom_n or_o country_n province_n or_o city_n town_n or_o family_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o namely_o by_o the_o general_a law_n of_o magistracy_n to_o build_v the_o church_n in_o the_o say_a place_n the_o which_o thing_n if_o they_o do_v neglect_v as_o most_o of_o all_o the_o magistat_n in_o the_o world_n in_o all_o age_n have_v do_v than_o they_o do_v sin_n against_o god_n no_o less_o than_o the_o minister_n be_v lawful_o call_v to_o the_o function_n who_o do_v neglect_v the_o inward_a and_o spiritual_a edify_n of_o the_o church_n this_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v sa_v that_o king_n and_o queen_n shall_v be_v nurse_n father_n and_o nurse_n mother_n to_o the_o ch._n not_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n and_o of_o the_o spiritual_a nourishment_n unto_o they_o but_o only_o that_o they_o shall_v
they_o and_o nothing_o more_o shameful_a and_o ignominious_a by_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o all_o man_n then_o for_o any_o people_n to_o be_v blockish_a in_o divine_a matter_n and_o not_o able_a to_o discern_v which_o be_v the_o right_a worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n now_o let_v we_o see_v what_o the_o church_n gain_v by_o this_o bargain_n and_o covenant_n make_v with_o the_o civil_a state_n first_o by_o this_o mean_v she_o become_v safe_a from_o outward_a danger_n and_o from_o the_o violence_n of_o malicious_a persecutor_n by_o who_o private_a church_n be_v continual_o trouble_v and_o often_o quite_o overthrow_v be_v neither_o willing_a to_o resist_v by_o force_n of_o arm_n their_o own_o magistrate_n labour_v to_o deface_v the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n neither_o for_o the_o most_o part_n able_a to_o withstand_v foreign_a invasion_n and_o therefore_o they_o may_v fit_o be_v compare_v to_o a_o vineyard_n which_o want_v a_o hedge_n or_o fence_n so_o that_o all_o the_o wild_a beast_n of_o the_o forest_n do_v enter_v in_o and_o root_v it_o up_o but_o a_o public_a church_n be_v guard_v by_o the_o civil_a power_n against_o all_o danger_n not_o only_o outward_a but_o also_o inward_a arise_v of_o the_o stubborn_a wilfulness_n of_o those_o who_o will_v not_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o civil_a state_n which_o be_v well_o order_v be_v far_o more_o fit_a harbour_n for_o the_o church_n state_n than_o confuse_a commonwealth_n be_v for_o whenas_o man_n be_v not_o teach_v to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o civil_a government_n which_o forbid_v only_o heinous_a offence_n be_v more_o gentle_a and_o remiss_a how_o shall_v they_o bear_v the_o yoke_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n which_o look_v more_o narrow_o into_o the_o life_n of_o man_n and_o be_v far_o more_o streite_z and_o severe_a so_o that_o a_o people_n subdue_v to_o civil_a obedience_n be_v as_o horse_n break_v and_o wild_a beast_n tame_v and_o may_v more_o easy_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o form●_n of_o a_o church_n we_o do_v confess_v that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n preach_v be_v of_o sufficient_a force_n and_o power_n to_o make_v the_o most_o lawless_a and_o barbarous_a man_n good_a christian_n and_o as_o tame_a as_o lamb_n and_o that_o without_o the_o help_n of_o this_o civil_a power_n as_o we_o see_v in_o private_a church_n yet_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o outward_a order_n of_o these_o public_a church_n this_o mean_n be_v of_o great_a force_n last_o the_o increase_n of_o number_n which_o come_v by_o this_o mean_n be_v to_o be_v count_v no_o small_a commodity_n be_v simple_o consider_v howsoever_o usual_o it_o bring_v with_o it_o confusion_n and_o imperfect_a state_n and_o sundry_a such_o discommodity_n sect._n 6._o of_o the_o first_o mover_n in_o the_o plant_n of_o a_o public_a church_n now_o we_o be_v to_o come_v to_o the_o special_n which_o be_v in_o plant_v of_o a_o public_a church_n and_o first_o to_o the_o beginner_n or_o first_o mover_n in_o this_o work_n for_o the_o declare_v of_o the_o truth_n hereof_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o very_a original_n and_o first_o plant_v of_o church_n the_o which_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n in_o many_o place_n yea_o they_o also_o commit_v the_o care_n of_o continue_v those_o church_n unto_o faithful_a man_n that_o they_o may_v provide_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v but_o neither_o the_o apostle_n can_v bring_v to_o pass_v that_o all_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v bring_v to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o faith_n neither_o the_o care_n of_o those_o ordinary_a minister_n to_o who_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o say_a church_n be_v commit_v can_v so_o prevail_v but_o that_o even_o in_o those_o place_n where_o the_o apostle_n plant_v church_n religion_n afterward_o be_v by_o the_o malice_n of_o satan_n not_o only_o deface_v but_o even_o so_o root_v out_o as_o in_o most_o of_o those_o place_n there_o remane_v not_o any_o shadow_n of_o a_o church_n the_o apostle_n and_o other_o extraordinary_a minister_n be_v dead_a their_o office_n and_o call_v which_o be_v to_o plant_v church_n in_o all_o place_n do_v cease_v after_o who_o there_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n ordinary_a minister_n to_o accomplish_v that_o work_n which_o they_o have_v begin_v namely_o to_o build_v out_o those_o church_n which_o they_o have_v plant_v yet_o they_o have_v no_o call_v to_o build_v church_n in_o all_o country_n but_o in_o some_o one_o place_n where_o unto_o they_o be_v appoint_v for_o if_o ordinary_a minister_n which_o be_v now_o in_o those_o place_n where_o the_o church_n be_v have_v this_o calling_n to_o preach_v in_o diverse_a country_n and_o to_o diverse_a nation_n than_o they_o shall_v have_v gift_n needful_a for_o this_o work_n as_o the_o gift_n of_o discern_a spirit_n the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n without_o the_o which_o none_o can_v preach_v to_o a_o strange_a people_n but_o these_o gift_n be_v cease_v as_o also_o these_o calling_n neither_o have_v any_o ordinary_a minister_n by_o his_o calling_n any_o charge_n of_o any_o other_o people_n and_o country_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o be_v a_o church_n and_o as_o for_o extraordinary_a man_n although_o god_n may_v raise_v up_o such_o when_o he_o will_v yet_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v for_o any_o such_o in_o these_o day_n as_o for_o the_o bishope_fw-mi of_o rome_n who_o challenge_v unto_o himself_o the_o care_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o be_v christ_n vicar_n general_a we_o know_v that_o his_o authority_n in_o the_o ch._n be_v but_o usurp_v and_o his_o allegation_n frivolous_a he_o have_v destroy_v the_o church_n &_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o chief_a doer_n in_o the_o build_n and_o plant_v of_o church_n who_o then_o shall_v we_o make_v to_o be_v the_o first_o mover_n in_o the_o plant_n or_o repair_v of_o a_o public_a church_n in_o a_o city_n commonwealth_n or_o kingdom_n even_o the_o chief_a ruler_n and_o magistrate_n of_o those_o place_n as_o have_v be_v declare_v in_o the_o second_o section_n of_o this_o chapter_n so_o then_o the_o first_o thing_n in_o the_o plant_n of_o a_o public_a church_n in_o any_o country_n be_v this_o that_o we_o suppose_v the_o civil_a ruler_n willing_a and_o desirous_a to_o take_v this_o work_n in_o hand_n and_o that_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o some_o of_o his_o subject_n make_v humble_a supplication_n to_o he_o in_o this_o behalf_n or_o by_o some_o neighbour_n church_n stir_v he_o up_o by_o their_o example_n to_o erect_v the_o church_n within_o his_o dominion_n and_o commend_v this_o work_n unto_o he_o as_o the_o most_o excellent_a and_o happy_a thing_n as_o it_o be_v indeed_o sect._n 7._o of_o the_o special_a manner_n of_o plant_v a_o public_a church_n the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v how_o the_o civil_a ruler_n be_v willing_a to_o plant_v the_o ch·_n shall_v know_v the_o manner_n of_o this_o work_n and_o the_o right_a frame_n of_o it_o whereof_o at_o the_o first_o we_o must_v suppose_v both_o he_o and_o his_o people_n to_o be_v ignorant_a the_o mean_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v for_o this_o end_n be_v this_o although_o at_o the_o first_o he_o do_v not_o send_v his_o apostle_n to_o all_o country_n to_o plant_v church_n neither_o do_v since_o that_o time_n send_v any_o other_o as_o apostle_n yet_o in_o that_o he_o do_v by_o they_o at_o the_o first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o plant_v church_n in_o most_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o do_v continual_o preserve_v the_o fame_n in_o one_o place_n or_o other_o he_o give_v sufficient_a mean_n of_o have_v the_o knowleege_n of_o his_o true_a worship_n to_o those_o that_o will_v embrace_v it_o and_o leave_v the_o rest_n inexcusable_a the_o first_o building_n of_o church_n in_o so_o many_o place_n be_v so_o conspicuous_a even_o as_o a_o city_n set_v on_o the_o top_n of_o a_o hill_n that_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v see_v of_o all_o man_n so_o that_o even_o as_o the_o gentile_n which_o dwell_v far_o off_o from_o hierusalem_fw-la hear_v of_o the_o fame_n of_o it_o be_v move_v many_o of_o they_o to_o repair_v thither_o to_o learn_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n so_o all_o they_o now_o even_o the_o jew_n also_o when_o god_n shall_v turn_v their_o heart_n and_o open_a their_o eye_n to_o see_v some_o glimmer_n of_o the_o gospel_n aught_o to_o resort_v to_o those_o place_n where_o the_o church_n be_v there_o to_o get_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o manner_n of_o his_o true_a worship_n and_o all_o other_o mean_n which_o may_v further_o their_o purpose_n and_o this_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o procure_v man_n of_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n to_o come_v and_o instruct_v both_o ruler_n and_o people_n how_o
zealous_a of_o the_o law_n yea_o paul_n by_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n do_v go_v about_o to_o make_v the_o jew_n believe_v that_o he_o also_o do_v live_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n act._n 21.26_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v think_v that_o he_o warn_v the_o galathian_o that_o if_o now_o in_o so_o great_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o teach_v the_o abrogation_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o after_o so_o much_o teach_v and_o so_o many_o admonition_n they_o do_v still_o remain_v blind_a and_o obstinate_a yea_o and_o do_v turn_v back_o again_o to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o law_n that_o then_o it_o be_v a_o evident_a sign_n that_o they_o be_v as_o yet_o destitute_a of_o the_o true_a knowledge_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o if_o this_o have_v be_v the_o first_o time_n wherein_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v christ_n he_o will_v easy_o have_v wink_v at_o this_o great_a error_n of_o join_v the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n together_o likewise_o as_o concern_v that_o detestable_a heresy_n of_o arianism●_n we_o may_v well_o think_v the_o author_n spreader_n beginner_n furtherer_n and_o maintainer_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v man_n destitute_a of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o that_o this_o heresy_n be_v especial_o in_o these_o age_n a_o fearful_a sign_n of_o eternalll_v reprobation_n yet_o we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v so_o hardly_o of_o those_o they_o who_o be_v corrupt_v with_o it_o ●fter_a that_o it_o have_v overspr_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o the_o multitude_n to_o evil_a although_o it_o be_v in_o that_o time_n also_o a_o fearful_a token_n of_o a_o reprobate_a mind_n for_o as_o in_o a_o common_a infection_n of_o the_o air_n we_o can_v judge_v of_o the_o state_n of_o man_n body_n by_o popular_a disease_n and_o death_n whenas_o both_o strong_a and_o weak_a man_n be_v in_o the_o same_o case_n so_o neither_o in_o the_o common_a reign_v of_o any_o heresy_n can_v we_o perfect_o discern_v the_o state_n of_o man_n mind_n and_o soul_n by_o that_o token_n forsomuch_o as_o god_n do_v savesome_a even_o by_o pull_v they_o out_o of_o the_o fire_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v charitable_o to_o hope_v the_o best_a of_o they_o who_o live_v in_o grievous_a error_n not_o of_o wilful_a blindness_n but_o of_o simple_a ignorance_n and_o not_o to_o doubt_v but_o that_o ignorant_a heretic_n be_v religious_a and_o zealous_a seruer_n of_o god_n be_v in_o far_o bett●r_a state_n as_o touch_v their_o salvation_n than_o they_o who_o profess_v the_o sincere_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v in_o their_o profane_a life_n deny_v the_o power_n thereof_o but_o that_o heretic_n be_v to_o be_v account_v member_n of_o the_o church_n we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o declare_v when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o corrupt_a state_n of_o a_o church_n so_o that_o to_o conclude_v this_o point_n we_o do_v and_o that_o as_o we_o trust_v and_o be_v persuade_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n give_v the_o name_n of_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o christian_n to_o all_o that_o do_v in_o outward_a profession_n hold_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n the_o which_o although_o in_o effect_n it_o be_v the_o same_o both_o before_o and_o since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o it_o have_v some_o difference_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o time_n for_o before_o christ_n be_v exhibit_v in_o the_o flesh_n this_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n i_o put_v my_o whole_a trust_n and_o confidence_n for_o my_o happiness_n in_o the_o messiah_n who_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o send_v for_o the_o redemption_n and_o salvation_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o david_n this_o foundation_n do_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n profess_v when_o christ_n come_v and_o therefore_o every_o one_o of_o that_o people_n be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n howsoever_o they_o do_v together_o hold_v grosser_n heresy_n christ._n than_o the_o papist_n do_v at_o this_o day_n but_o since_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v to_o hold_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n i_o believe_v jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o promise_a messiah_n the_o lord_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o he_o only_o salvation_n be_v to_o be_v have_v as_o it_o be_v more_o brief_o set_v down_o by_o the_o apostle_n 1._o cor._n 3.11_o another_o foundation_n can_v no_o man_n lay_v but_o that_o which_o be_v lay_v to_o wit_n that_o jesus_n be_v christ._n to_o the_o which_o doctrine_n all_o opinion_n and_o assertion_n which_o be_v contrary_a be_v pernicious_a heresy_n and_o such_o as_o bring_v certain_a damnation_n 2._o peter_n 2.1_o there_o be_v many_o false_a prophet_n among_o the_o people_n as_o there_o be_v fals●_n teacher_n among●_n you_o which_o bring_v in_o damnable_a heresy_n to_o wit_n these_o deny_v the_o lord_n jesu●_n who_o buy_v they_o these_o bring_v upon_o themselves_o swift_a damnation_n that_o be_v may_v certain_o be_v account_v for_o damn_a as_o for_o the_o heresy_n of_o those_o who_o do_v confess_v the_o lord_n jesus_n as_o they_o be_v more_o weighty_a and_o do_v near_o approach_v to_o the_o grand_a heresy_n of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o confess_v the_o lord_n jesus_n so_o they_o be_v more_o dangerous_a yet_o of_o themselves_o not_o be_v join_v with_o obstinate_a and_o wilful_a blindness_n not_o so_o desperate_a sect._n 5._o of_o those_o who_o dissemble_v their_o profession_n but_o before_o we_o leave_v this_o point_n this_o question_n may_v i_o move_v whether_o as_o the_o outward_a profession_n of_o faith_n without_o the_o truth_n thereof_o in_o heart_n so_o the_o inward_a faith_n of_o the_o heart_n without_o out_o ward_v profession_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o true_a member_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n we_o answer_v that_o where_o true_a faith_n be_v there_o necessare_o be_v also_o some_o outward_a service_n of_o god_n and_o some_o confession_n of_o the_o mouth_n by_o prayer_n or_o some_o other_o mean_n which_o be_v it_o never_o so_o little_a be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n but_o as_o for_o open_a and_o public_a profession_n of_o our_o faith_n before_o man_n true_a faith_n be_v weak_a may_v be_v destitute_a thereof_o so_o we_o read_v john_n 12.40_o that_o many_o of_o the_o chief_a ruler_n believe_v in_o christ_n but_o neither_o do_v nor_o dare_v profess_v he_o before_o man_n these_o be_v member_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n which_o be_v in_o visible_a but_o not_o of_o any_o particular_a church_n unless_o they_o do_v profess_v their_o faith_n before_o other_o beside_o themselves_o so_o that_o outward_a profession_n of_o the_o faith_n although_o it_o be_v secret_a and_o private_a make_v a_o man_n a_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n and_o open_a profession_n make_v we_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n but_o it_o may_v be_v object_v against_o this_o whole_a doctrine_n that_o if_o the_o outward_a profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v a_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n than_o the_o devil_n which_o confess_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god●_n be_v true_o christian_n we_o answer_v that_o this_o confession_n be_v extort_a from_o they_o by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o sometime_o come_v from_o the_o malice_n of_o their_o nature_n that_o so_o they_o may_v procure_v danger_n to_o christ_n faith_n but_o they_o do_v not_o by_o faith_n rely_v themselves_o on_o god_n in_o christ_n for_o happiness_n neither_o do_v they_o profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v his_o servant_n and_o that_o they_o be_v to_o love_v he_o and_o labour_n to_o glorify_v he_o as_o all_o christian_n do_v so_o then_o as_o many_o be_v member_n of_o the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o his_o church_n which_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o member_n of_o his_o visible_a body_n which_o be_v the_o visible_a church_n militant_a here_o on_o earth_n they_o not_o be_v as_o yet_o call_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o many_o be_v call_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v not_o choose_v sect._n 6._o who_o be_v without_o the_o catholic_a church_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v what_o manner_n of_o serve_v god_n be_v mean_v in_o the_o definition_n the_o other_o word_n which_o follow_v have_v their_o use_n for_o in_o that_o we_o require_v the_o service_n of_o the_o true_a god_n we_o exclude_v all_o heathenish_a and_o pagan_a people_n from_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n because_o as_o it_o be_v rom._n 1.23_o they_o pass_v by_o the_o creator_n worship_v creature_n as_o go_n and_o last_o we_o add_v these_o word_n in_o jesus_n christ_n because_o there_o be_v no_o true_a serve_v of_o god_n the_o