consideration_n of_o our_o wise_a parliament_n in_o hope_n their_o wisdom_n will_v take_v due_a care_n to_o prevent_v the_o impend_a misery_n of_o our_o nation_n for_o very_o many_o thousand_o will_n rather_o have_v moderate_a episcopacy_n up_o than_o this_o senseless_a government_n of_o lay-elders_a which_o be_v indeed_o no_o ruler_n but_o mere_a stalk_a horse_n or_o ass_n or_o a_o disguise_n wherein_o the_o presbyter_n may_v plunder_v the_o people_n of_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n pretend_v it_o be_v not_o the_o art_n of_o clergy_n only_o pretty_a judgle_n but_o no_o more_o of_o this_o stultum_fw-la est_fw-la obsurdas_fw-la opiniones_fw-la accuratius_fw-la refellere_fw-la i_o will_v proceed_v to_o treat_v of_o that_o part_n or_o division_n of_o this_o work_n lie_v next_o in_o order_n to_o wit_n of_o spiritual_a elder_n in_o general_a and_o that_o our_o lay-elders_a may_v not_o right_o be_v take_v for_o such_o every_o bishop_n presbyter_n pastor_n or_o other_o grave_n and_o 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levites_n only_o sit_v with_o they_o because_o they_o be_v learn_v in_o the_o talmud_n not_o that_o of_o right_n it_o belong_v unto_o they_o to_o sit_v there_o goodwin_n in_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n fol._n 199._o and_o 198._o he_o say_v how_o jehosophat_n appoint_v in_o every_o wall_a city_n secular_a judge_n which_o be_v their_o elder_n to_o determine_v criminal_a offence_n i_o wonder_v that_o our_o presbyterian_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o braze_v with_o ignorance_n as_o not_o to_o blush_v to_o urge_v this_o portion_n of_o scripture_n for_o a_o warrant_n for_o their_o court_n of_o elder_n to_o be_v set_v up_o here_o in_o england_n when_o as_o it_o fail_v in_o every_o particular_a to_o be_v any_o wise_a applicable_a to_o we_o for_o first_o the_o jew_n be_v govern_v by_o 70_o elder_n before_o so_o be_v never_o england_n secon_o moses_n be_v both_o king_n and_o priest_n among_o they_o he_o be_v their_o priest_n and_o take_v great_a pain_n in_o his_o holy_a function_n with_o they_o 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calvin_n and_o since_o embrace_v by_o the_o state_n of_o holland_n and_o several_a place_n of_o germany_n and_o therefore_o why_o shall_v not_o we_o have_v it_o in_o england_n i_o answer_v in_o the_o same_o way_n of_o reason_n that_o in_o rome_n be_v and_o have_v be_v a_o long_a time_n continue_v the_o popish_a religion_n and_o profess_v and_o maintain_v by_o the_o emperor_n by_o the_o kingdom_n of_o spain_n by_o the_o king_n of_o france_n and_o some_o prince_n of_o germany_n and_o therefore_o why_o shall_v not_o we_o profess_v that_o religion_n too_o but_o more_o particular_o to_o take_v off_o this_o cavil_n i_o will_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o that_o argument_n do_v no_o way_n concern_v england_n the_o beginning_n of_o this_o government_n at_o geneva_n be_v well_o know_v be_v by_o mr._n calvin_n frame_v yet_o if_o we_o will_v believe_v history_n not_o intend_v for_o he_o perceive_v the_o abuse_n and_o too_o predominate_a tyranny_n of_o bishop_n contrary_a to_o god_n word_n lording_n it_o over_o god_n heritage_n devise_v a_o way_n for_o free_v the_o people_n from_o that_o slavery_n and_o the_o enlarge_n of_o god_n people_n to_o cast_v off_o the_o hierarchicall_a yoke_n and_o so_o invent_v a_o new_a way_n which_o he_o know_v the_o giddy_a multitude_n greedy_a of_o novelty_n will_v be_v easy_o facinated_a with_o and_o that_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o groan_v under_o the_o heavy_a pressure_n of_o their_o former_a slavery_n wherefore_o he_o buzz_v into_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o people_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v none_o of_o these_o lording_n bishop_n but_o they_o shall_v be_v rule_v by_o every_o pastor_n in_o his_o respective_a parish_n and_o to_o submit_v to_o his_o censure_n and_o because_o all_o shall_v not_o hang_v on_o so_o slender_a a_o thread_n as_o the_o like_v of_o a_o ignorant_a multitude_n he_o bind_v the_o people_n by_o oath_n to_o give_v obedience_n to_o such_o order_n as_o he_o with_o two_o other_o minister_n for_o more_o grace_n to_o 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instruct_v the_o young_a levites_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o bishop_n but_o they_o be_v from_o the_o first_o to_o be_v instate_v in_o holy_a order_n and_o then_o capable_a to_o be_v overseer_n or_o bishop_n as_o they_o labour_v to_o get_v a_o good_a degree_n now_o i_o presume_v none_o will_v be_v so_o silly_a as_o to_o follow_v our_o new_a presbyterian_a doctrine_n which_o persuade_v that_o our_o government_n in_o church_n by_o lay-elders_a be_v no_o more_o but_o this_o which_o our_o high_o benefice_a brethren_n cry_v aloud_o in_o their_o pulpit_n for_o know_v reader_n there_o be_v no_o analogy_n betwixt_o the_o levite_n and_o lay-elders_a for_o first_o god_n appoint_v the_o one_o to_o serve_v at_o his_o altar_n but_o the_o other_o have_v no_o call_n thereunto_o and_o whereas_o god_n appoint_v moses_n to_o assemble_v 70_o elaer_n to_o bear_v part_n of_o the_o government_n with_o he_o that_o be_v only_o in_o temporal_a affair_n not_o in_o church_n matter_n moses_n be_v overburthen_v 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opportunity_n to_o warmehis_n finger_n at_o a_o english_a fire_n which_o be_v likely_a to_o come_v to_o pass_v if_o these_o malapart_n officer_n be_v not_o quick_o suppress_v nor_o can_v their_o wisdom_n blame_v the_o christian_n who_o for_o defence_n of_o their_o just_a freedom_n and_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n without_o any_o sinister_a end_n shall_v cause_v new_a stir_n and_o in_o defence_n of_o their_o liberty_n and_o religion_n endeavour_v to_o chase_v this_o new_a tyranny_n forth_o of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o i_o be_o assure_v will_v their_o wisdom_n but_o due_o examine_v their_o business_n here_o they_o will_v plain_o find_v it_o be_v for_o no_o other_o end_n and_o withal_o will_v their_o grave_a judgement_n but_o serious_o poise_v the_o validity_n of_o their_o pass_n to_o come_v and_o settle_v here_o they_o will_v find_v it_o altogether_o insufficient_a and_o no_o warrant_n either_o by_o god_n law_n or_o the_o law_n of_o nation_n for_o such_o people_n by_o people_n of_o 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in_o wales_n thence_o into_o normandy_n york_n continue_v metropolitan_a still_o london_n be_v translate_v to_o canterbury_n by_o austin_n the_o monk_n lambert_n in_o his_o perambulation_n of_o kent_n fol._n 63._o and_o although_o the_o english_a saxon_n have_v not_o receive_v the_o gospel_n till_o ethelbert_n time_n in_o who_o reign_n gregory_n the_o pope_n upon_o occasion_n of_o see_v sweet_a face_a boy_n to_o be_v sell_v in_o the_o market_n and_o inquire_v of_o they_o of_o what_o nation_n and_o country_n they_o be_v he_o be_v tell_v they_o be_v angli_fw-la and_o of_o the_o province_n of_o deira_n their_o king_n name_n be_v alla_fw-mi to_o which_o gregory_n reply_v well_o may_v they_o be_v call_v angli_fw-la à _fw-la dei_fw-la ira_fw-la liberandi_fw-la to_o sing_v haleluia_o unto_o the_o lord_n whereupon_o austin_n the_o monk_n be_v send_v over_o and_o preach_v in_o ethelbert_n his_o kingdom_n to_o the_o english_a saxon_n at_o canterbury_n anno_fw-la christi_fw-la 596._o yet_o 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and_o john_n mar._n 10.42_o luke_n 22.25_o when_o the_o one_o desire_v to_o sit_v to_o his_o right_a hand_n the_o other_o on_o his_o left_a in_o his_o kingdom_n say_v the_o king_n of_o the_o gentile_n bear_v rule_v over_o they_o and_o their_o great_a one_o exercise_v authority_n upon_o they_o but_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o among_o you_o such_o episcopacy_n as_o shall_v have_v no_o temporal_a honour_n or_o office_n to_o withdraw_v they_o from_o their_o spiritual_a function_n there_o be_v appoint_v in_o every_o county_n one_o superintendent_n or_o bishop_n who_o with_o his_o assembly_n of_o divine_n of_o that_o county_n shall_v govern_v the_o church_n and_o decree_v ecclesiastical_a cause_n i_o say_v such_o episcopacy_n i_o will_v rather_o embrace_v and_o submit_v unto_o it_o than_o a_o company_n of_o ignorant_a elder_n for_o better_a it_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v with_o prudence_n and_o knowledge_n then_o with_o pride_n and_o ignorance_n two_o thing_n incident_a to_o our_o
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power_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n to_o deliver_v such_o a_o one_o unto_o satan_n etc._n etc._n and_o joh._n 20.23_o christ_n come_v and_o stand_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o disciple_n after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o say_v peace_n be_v unto_o you_o receive_v you_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o soever_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v unto_o they_o etc._n etc._n all_o which_o place_n of_o scripture_n plain_o show_v that_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o all_o the_o apostle_n in_o general_a though_o in_o the_o 16_o of_o matthew_n they_o be_v give_v to_o peter_n alone_o that_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v say_v one_o that_o peter_n be_v to_o have_v power_n over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o disciple_n but_o as_o to_o other_o their_o power_n be_v all_o alike_o and_o christ_n in_o the_o 28_o of_o math._n 19_o dielegate_a this_o power_n unto_o the_o apostle_n in_o general_a bid_v they_o go_v and_o teach_v all_o nation_n and_o verse_n the_o 20._o loe_o i_o be_o with_o you_o even_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n he_o promise_v his_o spirit_n to_o be_v with_o they_o that_o be_v in_o their_o succession_n to_o the_o world_n end_n their_o successor_n though_o ordain_v by_o man_n have_v the_o same_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n the_o apostle_n have_v as_o augustine_n in_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr doctrina_fw-la christiana_n cap_n 18._o plain_o affirm_v potestas_fw-la data_fw-la apostolis_n &_o successoribus_fw-la non_fw-la data_fw-la suis_fw-la propter_fw-la meos_fw-la sed_fw-la propter_fw-la ecclesiaem_n qua_fw-la propter_fw-la perseverante_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la potestas_fw-la data_fw-la apostolis_n aebet_fw-la perseverare_fw-la i_o have_v be_v a_o little_a too_o tedious_a in_o this_o particular_a but_o reader_n your_o pardon_n it_o be_v only_o to_o show_v who_o have_v ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o be_v to_o meddle_v in_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n man_n lawful_o ordain_v and_o have_v a_o 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in_o holy_a order_n assemble_v together_o to_o bind_v and_o loose_v upon_o earth_n 1_o cor._n 5.4_o as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v you_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o every_o presbyter_n in_o his_o parish_n with_o his_o class_n of_o elder_n have_v this_o power_n it_o be_v absurd_a to_o allege_v it_o i_o have_v show_v you_o that_o this_o power_n be_v give_v to_o the_o apostle_n in_o general_a and_o their_o successor_n and_o the_o spiritual_a consistory_n must_v consist_v of_o such_o 1_o cor._n 5.4_o now_o lay-elders_a can_v no_o way_n be_v say_v successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n they_o neither_o be_v instate_v in_o holy_a order_n nor_o within_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o be_v admit_v thereunto_o unless_o we_o must_v in_o this_o topsiturvy_o time_n of_o we_o send_v our_o grave_n wise_a doctor_n to_o the_o school_n again_o to_o be_v teach_v by_o silly_a lay-elders_a which_o scarce_o know_v their_o a._n b._n c._n not_o fit_a to_o exhort_v much_o less_o to_o 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together_o some_o collection_n and_o short_a meditation_n of_o my_o own_o which_o to_o the_o indifferent_a and_o not_o forestall_v judgement_n will_v give_v some_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o business_n i_o have_v treat_v of_o that_o these_o fine_a feather_a buzzard_n lay-elders_a deck_v with_o ecclesiastical_a plume_n be_v mere_a counterfeit_n semiramis_n elephant_n which_o be_v but_o stuff_v ox_n hide_v which_o have_v a_o gallant_a undaunted_a army_n in_o suspense_n counterfeit_a diamond_n not_o such_o as_o christ_n spouse_n look_v comely_a with_o cant._n 1_o 9_o bolton_n half_a crown_n not_o lawful_o stamp_v with_o caesar_n image_n scotch_a twenty-pence_n the_o base_a coin_n of_o a_o copper_n nation_n not_o currant_n english_a but_o such_o as_o every_o one_o may_v lawful_o deny_v and_o i_o be_o confident_a the_o wise_a and_o judicious_a reader_n serious_o consider_v this_o will_v not_o with_o the_o young_a dotterel_n bird_n be_v entice_v with_o chaff_n to_o be_v catch_v in_o this_o net_n though_o never_o so_o privy_o lay_v but_o will_v bear_v off_o and_o keep_v himself_o free_a till_o he_o see_v they_o fall_v in_o their_o own_o mischief_n and_o themselves_o catch_v in_o the_o share_n which_o they_o have_v privy_o lay_v for_o other_o and_o if_o unadvised_o through_o ignorance_n he_o have_v suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v draw_v in_o to_o consent_v unto_o this_o government_n yet_o he_o will_v in_o time_n unintangle_v himself_o from_o the_o bondage_n thereof_o as_o for_o the_o perverse_a and_o obstinate_a presbyter_n which_o have_v wed_v the_o government_n together_o with_o some_o fat_a benefice_n and_o can_v divorce_v himself_o from_o the_o one_o without_o leave_v the_o other_o have_v vow_v perpetual_a incumbency_n to_o himself_o i_o know_v his_o heart_n be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n and_o i_o can_v dissuade_v he_o from_o his_o classical_a beneficial_a cure_n let_v he_o that_o be_v unclean_a be_v unclean_a still_o speak_v to_o obstinate_a and_o wilful_a sinner_n for_o my_o part_n i_o do_v not_o seek_v to_o wash_v blackmoore_n i_o will_v give_v he_o leave_v at_o his_o sunday_n dinner_n and_o spiritual_a pig-feast_n when_o none_o be_v by_o but_o his_o lay-elders_a to_o rail_v against_o i_o and_o will_v extreme_o thank_v the_o pontifical_a parson_n will_v he_o but_o write_v any_o thing_n subscribe_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n in_o contradiction_n to_o what_o i_o have_v here_o write_v that_o i_o may_v have_v further_a occasion_n to_o anatomize_v the_o tyranny_n of_o he_o and_o his_o elder_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n what_o i_o have_v here_o write_v shall_v suffice_v hope_v short_o to_o hear_v that_o this_o government_n will_v be_v abolish_v so_o that_o we_o shall_v neither_o need_v to_o wrestle_v any_o long_o against_o it_o in_o word_n nor_o with_o peter_n to_o draw_v the_o sword_n to_o cut_v off_o the_o high_a priest_n servant_n care_n malcus_n who_o have_v he_o live_v till_o now_o will_v have_v be_v crop_v the_o leader_n 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