not_o speedy_o repent_v for_o all_o their_o wickedness_n and_o relinquish_v their_o ungodly_a unchristian_a and_o unbrother_o practise_v the_o lord_n from_o heaven_n will_v show_v his_o wrathful_a displeasure_n upon_o they_o all_o for_o he_o will_v vindicate_v his_o honour_n and_o the_o honour_n and_o privilege_n of_o his_o people_n shall_v not_o he_o avenge_v his_o own_o elect_a and_o that_o speedy_o luke_n 17._o and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v for_o answer_v to_o that_o impious_a cavil_n of_o my_o brother_n burton_n and_o hanserdo_v now_o for_o that_o instance_n that_o master_n knollys_n bring_v it_o quite_o overthrow_v their_o doctrine_n for_o it_o be_v point_n bank_n against_o it_o and_o their_o practice_n for_o although_o it_o be_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o all_o true_a believer_n may_v at_o any_o time_n make_v their_o complaint_n to_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o those_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n to_o wit_n the_o presbyter_n as_o the_o extreme_a refuge_n upon_o just_a offence_n yet_o it_o must_v ever_o be_v grant_v that_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o breast_n of_o those_o that_o be_v judge_n to_o determine_v of_o the_o business_n according_a to_o the_o allegation_n and_o probation_n so_o that_o those_o that_o complain_v may_v not_o be_v both_o plaintiff_n and_o judge_n this_o i_o say_v be_v so_o know_v a_o maxim_n that_o none_o can_v deny_v it_o beside_o we_o must_v take_v notice_n that_o we_o never_o read_v inall_n the_o new_a testament_n that_o the_o disciple_n ever_o so_o much_o as_o question_v any_o that_o desire_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o church_n fellow_n ship_n or_o refuse_v communion_n to_o any_o but_o paul_n &_o the_o reason_n be_v as_o the_o scripture_n relate_v because_o they_o know_v that_o he_o have_v be_v a_o mortal_a enemy_n unto_o they_o and_o have_v be_v a_o great_a persecutor_n and_o be_v then_o ignorant_a of_o his_o conversion_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v afraid_a of_o he_o and_o upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n i_o believe_v any_o of_o the_o brethren_n in_o any_o church_n may_v do_v the_o same_o and_o they_o may_v fear_v such_o a_o one_o and_o suspect_v he_o and_o complain_v of_o he_o and_o that_o be_v all_o they_o can_v do_v but_o power_n they_o have_v none_o to_o keep_v he_o out_o of_o church-fellowship_n if_o upon_o the_o minister_n and_o presbyter_n examine_v of_o the_o business_n they_o find_v that_o the_o man_n be_v a_o believer_n and_o convert_v from_o his_o sinful_a course_n for_o by_o their_o sole_a authority_n without_o their_o good_a like_n or_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n they_o may_v admit_v he_o into_o church_n fellowship_n and_o if_o the_o people_n shall_v refuse_v to_o receive_v he_o upon_o his_o assay_v to_o join_v himself_o with_o they_o he_o may_v appeal_v from_o they_o to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o minister_n who_o be_v god_n steward_n and_o who_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o open_v the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o they_o conceive_v be_v fit_a and_o for_o this_o his_o so_o do_v and_o for_o the_o presbyter_n accept_v of_o his_o appeal_n they_o have_v the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o a_o example_n for_o when_o the_o disciple_n fear_v paul_n and_o seem_v to_o be_v unwilling_a to_o admit_v he_o into_o communion_n with_o they_o he_o forth_o with_o appeal_n to_o the_o apostle_n who_o upon_o his_o appeal_n admit_v he_o into_o church_n fellowship_n according_a to_o their_o commission_n which_o be_v that_o whosoever_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v he_o shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n and_o that_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n or_o any_o of_o those_o condition_n the_o independent_o now_o impose_v upon_o their_o member_n as_o by_o this_o very_a example_n and_o instance_n of_o mr._n knollys_n do_v abundant_o appear_v which_o make_v whole_o against_o their_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n and_o utter_o overthrow_v their_o tenant_n for_o most_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o power_n of_o admit_v of_o member_n and_o cast_v out_o of_o offender_n lie_v in_o those_o man_n hand_n only_o and_o sole_o that_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o be_v by_o god_n himself_o make_v steward_n and_o overseer_n and_o guide_v of_o his_o church_n his_o house_n which_o when_o they_o peculiar_o belong_v unto_o the_o presbyter_n and_o not_o to_o the_o people_n they_o only_o and_o not_o the_o people_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o manage_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v by_o the_o receive_n in_o of_o member_n both_o in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n and_o in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n by_o all_o the_o example_n i_o have_v produce_v and_o by_o this_o very_a instance_n of_o saint_n paul_n allege_v by_o master_n knollys_n himself_o who_o when_o he_o be_v admit_v into_o church-fellowship_n not_o only_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o brethren_n but_o against_o their_o good_a like_n it_o be_v abundant_o manifest_a that_o the_o people_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n but_o that_o it_o lie_v whole_o in_o the_o presbyter_n hand_n and_o all_o this_o i_o say_v be_v clear_o prove_v out_o of_o the_o good_a word_n of_o god_n within_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o which_o it_o be_v ever_o safe_a to_o abide_v and_o in_o the_o action_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o which_o all_o man_n may_v promise_v to_o themselves_o perpetual_a security_n and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v to_o have_v answer_v to_o all_o that_o mr._n knollys_n and_o my_o brother_n burton_n have_v to_o say_v to_o all_o my_o argument_n and_o by_o all_o that_o i_o have_v now_o speak_v i_o hope_v it_o do_v sufficient_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v neither_o precept_n nor_o example_n through_o all_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o warrant_v the_o practice_n of_o these_o man_n in_o the_o gather_n of_o their_o new_a church_n and_o if_o a_o man_n will_v but_o look_v a_o little_a more_o upon_o the_o practice_n of_o christ_n seventy_o disciple_n &_o of_o all_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o gather_n of_o church_n they_o shall_v not_o find_v one_o footstep_n through_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o god_n of_o the_o gather_a church_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o congregate_a of_o their_o assembly_n as_o for_o christ_n disciple_n they_o be_v all_o send_v to_o gather_v in_o the_o lose_a sheep_n of_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n they_o go_v not_o to_o gather_v in_o convert_a man_n from_o among_o convert_a man_n for_o they_o be_v to_o bring_v the_o lose_a sheep_n into_o christ_n fold_n and_o we_o be_v teach_v there_o be_v but_o one_o shepherd_n and_o one_o sheep-fold_n we_o never_o read_v that_o after_o they_o be_v once_o fold_v and_o bring_v into_o the_o church_n that_o any_o true_a pastor_n come_v into_o the_o fold_n and_o flock_n of_o their_o fellow-shepheard_n and_o pick_v out_o all_o the_o best_a and_o the_o fat_a sheep_n and_o the_o most_o wholesome_a and_o mould_v they_o into_o a_o independent_a fold_n by_o themselves_o as_o separate_v and_o distinct_a from_o the_o other_o and_o with_o the_o which_o they_o will_v have_v no_o fellowship_n and_o communion_n in_o the_o ordinance_n this_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o before_o these_o day_n paul_n be_v so_o far_o from_o get_v away_o of_o other_o sheep_n that_o he_o take_v it_o for_o a_o dishonour_n to_o he_o to_o build_v upon_o another_o foundation_n rom._n 15._o and_o preach_v christ_n in_o those_o place_n where_o they_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o he_o before_o and_o plant_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n himself_o and_o leave_v apollo_n to_o water_v it_o and_o commit_v all_o the_o flock_n that_o he_o have_v gather_v as_o that_o of_o ephesus_n to_o the_o charge_n and_o care_n of_o faithful_a pastor_n and_o command_v both_o the_o flock_n and_o the_o pastor_n and_o in_o they_o all_o shepherd_n and_o fold_n to_o keep_v unity_n and_o love_n one_o with_o another_o ephes_n 4._o verse_n 1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o etc._n etc._n and_o forbid_v they_o to_o make_v separation_n and_o division_n and_o schism_n between_o flock_n and_o flock_n and_o this_o method_n he_o use_v wheresoever_o he_o come_v yea_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v convert_v and_o enter_v upon_o his_o ministry_n as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o first_o of_o the_o galathian_o he_o go_v into_o arabia_n and_o preach_v there_o among_o the_o poor_a infidel_n he_o get_v not_o other_o man_n sheep_n from_o they_o neither_o do_v he_o ever_o make_v any_o separation_n of_o sheep_n from_o sheep_n yea_o even_o in_o those_o flock_n and_o church_n as_o that_o of_o corinth_n galatia_n and_o colosse_n where_o there_o be_v many_o that_o walk_v disorderly_a and_o against_o the_o rule_n prescribe_v and_o teach_v false_a doctrine_n and_o heresy_n and_o make_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n and_o be_v very_o
two_o sconce_n and_o bulwark_n of_o the_o same_o viz._n the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o second_o that_o all_o those_o several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n be_v church_n proper_o so_o call_v which_o when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o main_a battle_n will_v be_v full_o make_v good_a and_o withal_o it_o will_v be_v maintain_v that_o all_o those_o several_a congregation_n make_v all_o of_o they_o but_o one_o church_n and_o be_v all_o of_o they_o combine_v together_o and_o subordinate_a to_o one_o presbytery_n that_o be_v to_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n who_o by_o god_n own_o appointment_n have_v the_o rule_n over_o they_o commit_v to_o they_o in_o common_a by_o all_o which_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o congregationall_a way_n be_v utter_o overthrow_v who_o tenant_n and_o opinion_n it_o be_v that_o every_o congregation_n of_o believer_n be_v it_o great_a or_o small_a aught_o to_o be_v a_o distinct_a church_n or_o body_n by_o itself_o exercise_v all_o church_n power_n and_o authority_n within_o itself_o independent_a and_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v reference_n or_o relation_n to_o any_o other_o church_n or_o congregation_n for_o matter_n of_o government_n no_o far_o then_o please_v themselves_o and_o this_o they_o affirm_v to_o be_v god_n ordinance_n and_o constitution_n whereas_o in_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o mother-church_n there_o be_v innumerable_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n of_o believer_n and_o yet_o all_o of_o they_o make_v up_o but_o one_o church_n for_o those_o several_a congregation_n as_o the_o burtonian_a independent_o do_v affirm_v be_v but_o branch_n of_o that_o one_o entire_a church_n these_o be_v their_o word_n by_o all_o which_o it_o now_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v god_n ordinance_n and_o his_o appointment_n that_o many_o congregation_n combine_v together_o in_o any_o city_n or_o vicinity_n within_o some_o precinct_n shall_v all_o of_o they_o within_o that_o jurisdiction_n make_v up_o but_o one_o church_n and_o be_v under_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o they_o in_o common_a which_o be_v indeed_o a_o mere_a ecclesiastical_a corporation_n and_o therefore_o this_o kind_n of_o government_n may_v without_o any_o offence_n or_o diviation_n from_o the_o holy_a word_n of_o god_n be_v compare_v by_o i_o to_o any_o civil_a corporation_n as_o that_o of_o london_n or_o the_o like_a for_o though_o i._o s._n and_o my_o brother_n burton_n spend_v much_o time_n and_o many_o word_n to_o no_o purpose_n about_o my_o simile_n yet_o it_o will_v stand_v for_o ever_o immovable_a and_o serve_v to_o all_o intelligible_a christian_n for_o that_o very_a end_n i_o propound_v it_o viz._n to_o declare_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n yea_o by_o i._o s._n his_o own_o word_n pag_n the_o four_o of_o his_o pamphlet_n it_o be_v authorize_v for_o he_o there_o after_o much_o babble_n thus_o express_v himself_o concern_v this_o point_n when_o say_v he_o we_o know_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o spiritual_a thing_n of_o the_o device_n of_o god_n as_o i_o may_v call_v they_o we_o may_v find_v a_o resemblance_n of_o they_o in_o thing_n here_o below_o which_o be_v make_v after_o they_o but_o we_o can_v fetch_v the_o knowledge_n of_o heavenly_a composure_n from_o these_o earthly_a thing_n thus_o j._n s._n speak_v there_o so_o that_o i_o have_v from_o the_o holy_a word_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o first_o true_a form_v church_n and_o original_a church_n find_v out_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o that_o spiritual_a and_o ecclesiastical_a government_n that_o heavenly_a composure_n and_o that_o device_n of_o god_n as_o he_o grollish_o call_v it_o it_o be_v then_o no_o sin_n in_o i_o in_o i._o s._n his_o opinion_n to_o find_v a_o resemblance_n of_o it_o in_o thing_n below_o and_o therefore_o both_o he_o himself_o and_o my_o brother_n burton_n may_v have_v save_v all_o that_o labour_n they_o needless_o spend_v about_o that_o simile_n which_o will_v ever_o stand_v good_a against_o whatsoever_o they_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o say_v against_o it_o for_o the_o elucidating_a and_o clear_n of_o the_o point_n of_o difference_n between_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o the_o independent_o which_o be_v the_o only_a end_n i_o make_v use_n of_o it_o for_o and_o there_o before_o all_o the_o pother_n they_o make_v about_o that_o simile_n be_v but_o to_o beat_v the_o air_n and_o to_o vent_v their_o own_o vanity_n but_o from_o all_o this_o dispute_n that_o i_o may_v now_o speak_v something_o concern_v nationall_n church_n which_o the_o independent_o deny_v i_o far_a gather_v that_o if_o many_o hundred_o congregation_n be_v combine_v together_o under_o one_o presbytery_n in_o any_o great_a city_n or_o vicinity_n within_o any_o large_a jurisdiction_n may_v all_o of_o they_o make_v up_o but_o one_o church_n within_o that_o precinct_n and_o may_v take_v its_o name_n or_o denomination_n from_o the_o city_n or_o place_n in_o which_o it_o be_v i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o a_o thousand_o parish_n yea_o ten_o thousand_o all_o of_o they_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n and_o make_v profession_n of_o the_o true_a christian_a religion_n in_o what_o kingdom_n nation_n province_n country_n or_o commonwealth_n soever_o they_o be_v may_v not_o all_o of_o they_o in_o those_o several_a country_n be_v all_o of_o they_o combine_v together_o and_o under_o some_o grand_a presbytery_n take_v their_o several_a name_n and_o denomination_n either_o from_o those_o respective_a nation_n or_o language_n and_o be_v call_v either_o the_o greek_a church_n or_o the_o hebrew_n church_n or_o the_o latin_a church_n or_o the_o french_a church_n or_o the_o dutch_a church_n etc._n etc._n or_o be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o england_n scotland_n ireland_n or_o or_o such_o a_o provincial_n church_n or_o such_o a_o nationall_n church_n i_o say_v i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o if_o all_o those_o several_a nation_n come_v in_o at_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o all_o of_o they_o give_v up_o their_o name_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n may_v not_o as_o well_o from_o those_o several_a nation_n take_v the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o nation_n as_o they_o may_v take_v it_o from_o jerusalem_n or_o from_o any_o other_o city_n as_o that_o of_o corinth_n ephesus_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o become_v nationall_n church_n i_o desire_v therefore_o any_o man_n to_o give_v i_o a_o good_a and_o solid_a reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a for_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o that_o it_o be_v promise_v unto_o abraham_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v a_o father_n of_o many_o nation_n which_o he_o be_v not_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o natural_a posterity_n for_o he_o be_v only_o in_o that_o regard_n a_o father_n of_o the_o hebrew_n who_o challenge_v abraham_n to_o be_v their_o father_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o spiritual_a parentage_n in_o that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o his_o child_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o common_a faith_n and_o beleif_n in_o the_o messiah_n who_o day_n abraham_n by_o faith_n see_v and_o rejoice_v in_o it_o which_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o believer_n do_v and_o therefore_o they_o likewise_o in_o that_o respect_n be_v call_v the_o child_n son_n and_o daughter_n of_o abraham_n and_o may_v therefore_o be_v true_o call_v nationall_n church_n which_o all_o the_o independent_o with_o my_o brother_n burton_n and_o i._n s._n deny_v for_o christ_n be_v call_v the_o light_n of_o the_o gentile_n yea_o there_o be_v many_o glorious_a promise_n concern_v the_o call_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o gentile_n as_o that_o in_o isaiah_n 19_o for_o 23_o 24._o where_o it_o be_v say_v in_o that_o day_n shall_v there_o be_v a_o highway_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o assyria_n and_o the_o assyrian_a shall_v come_v into_o egypt_n and_o the_o egyptian_a into_o assyria_n and_o the_o egyptian_n shall_v serve_v with_o the_o assyrian_n in_o that_o day_n shall_v israel_n be_v the_o three_o with_o egypt_n and_o with_o assyria_n even_o a_o blessing_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o land_n here_o all_o these_o three_o nation_n be_v call_v three_o sister_n church_n if_o we_o mark_v the_o coherence_n and_o for_o far_a proof_n of_o nationall_n church_n under_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v say_v isaiah_n 55._o 5._o thou_o shall_v call_v a_o nation_n which_o thou_o know_v not_o and_o nation_n which_o know_v not_o thou_o shall_v run_v unto_o thou_o which_o word_n be_v speak_v of_o christ_n under_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o which_o be_v set_v down_o both_o god_n call_v of_o a_o nation_n and_o the_o nation_n answer_v to_o that_o call_v and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o require_v to_o make_v a_o church_n and_o it_o be_v prophesy_v of_o gospel_n time_n psal_n 22._o 27
of_o necessity_n follow_v that_o as_o the_o mother-churche_n be_v first_o govern_v all_o the_o daughter-churche_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n must_v be_v so_o govern_v and_o according_a to_o that_o rule_n that_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n so_o then_o the_o question_n in_o hand_n between_o we_o and_o our_o brethren_n be_v whether_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n in_o any_o of_o those_o primitive_a church_n as_o in_o that_o of_o jerusalem_n the_o mother_n church_n and_o many_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n in_o that_o church_n and_o all_o other_o officer_n and_o whether_o all_o those_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n be_v one_o church_n and_o those_o presbyter_n and_o officer_n all_o of_o they_o elder_n and_o officer_n of_o that_o one_o church_n and_o whether_o all_o those_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n be_v under_o one_o presbytery_n which_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o the_o contrary_a that_o of_o the_o independent_o this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o question_n between_o we_o and_o our_o brethren_n now_o than_o if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v more_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n or_o in_o one_o congregation_n for_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o if_o it_o can_v be_v evident_o elucidate_v that_o there_o be_v several_a assembly_n and_o congregation_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n &_o yet_o so_o as_o they_o make_v but_o one_o church_n for_o government_n then_o our_o brethren_n must_v of_o necessity_n acknowledge_v that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n or_o be_v presbyterial_o govern_v neither_o do_v our_o brethren_n ever_o yet_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o in_o case_n there_o be_v many_o assembly_n in_o jerusalem_n they_o have_v several_a and_o independent_a presbytery_n neither_o it_o they_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o prove_v can_v they_o do_v it_o and_o therefore_o we_o may_v conclude_v and_o that_o with_o very_o good_a reason_n and_o warrantable_a authority_n that_o as_o the_o mother-church_n the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o her_o great_a glory_n be_v govern_v so_o all_o other_o church_n must_v likewise_o be_v regulate_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n for_o out_o of_o zion_n shall_v go_v forth_o the_o law_n &_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n isay_n 2._o v._o 3._o we_o must_v have_v both_o our_o law_n from_o thence_o and_o our_o pattern_n of_o government_n and_o out_o brethren_n do_v make_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o pattern_n of_o their_o proceed_n now_o that_o all_o thing_n may_v be_v handle_v in_o good_a order_n and_o in_o a_o methodical_a way_n i_o will_v reduce_v the_o whole_a disputation_n concern_v the_o first_o question_n into_o these_o four_o proposition_n and_o prove_v they_o in_o order_n the_o first_o that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n and_o several_a assembly_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o which_o they_o enjoy_v all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o all_o the_o ordinance_n among_o themselves_o and_o do_v partake_v of_o all_o act_n of_o church-fellowship_n especial_o of_o preach_v and_o in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o prayer_n and_o that_o before_o the_o persecution_n we_o read_v of_o act_v 8._o v._o 1._o the_o second_o that_o all_o these_o congregation_n and_o several_a assembly_n make_v but_o one_o church_n the_o three_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n govern_v order_v and_o rule_v this_o church_n joint_o and_o by_o a_o common-counsel_n and_o presbytery_n the_o four_o that_o this_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v a_o pattern_n for_o all_o several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n in_o any_o city_n or_o vicinity_n to_o unite_v into_o one_o church_n and_o for_o the_o officer_n of_o those_o congregation_n to_o govern_v that_o church_n joint_o in_o a_o college_n or_o presbytery_n but_o before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o these_o particular_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o in_o general_a to_o take_v notice_n that_o all_o the_o church_n we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v aristocratical_o and_o presbyterial_o govern_v and_o be_v all_o dependent_a upon_o their_o several_a presbytery_n and_o that_o the_o order_n and_o manage_n of_o that_o government_n lie_v only_o upon_o the_o presbytery_n and_o be_v their_o peculiar_a who_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n now_o christ_n give_v the_o key_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n only_o and_o whatsoever_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o order_v and_o settle_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n they_o do_v by_o christ_n command_n and_o that_o order_n and_o constitution_n they_o set_v down_o in_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v perpetuate_v and_o continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o violate_v of_o this_o order_n and_o divine_a constitution_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o rise_n and_o growth_n of_o antichrist_n and_o the_o very_a cause_n of_o all_o those_o confusion_n that_o the_o christian_a world_n have_v for_o these_o many_o generation_n be_v weary_v and_o annoy_v with_o and_o the_o occasion_n of_o all_o those_o schism_n sect_n and_o heresy_n the_o world_n have_v ever_o swarm_v with_o and_o the_o re-establish_a and_o reduce_v of_o it_o to_o its_o pristine_a constitution_n will_v be_v a_o mean_v not_o only_o of_o remove_v all_o scandal_n and_o take_v away_o of_o all_o division_n among_o brethren_n and_o be_v a_o singular_a mean_n also_o of_o establish_v a_o flourish_a government_n in_o church_n &_o state_n and_o for_o the_o procure_n of_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o three_o kingdom_n but_o a_o way_n also_o of_o ruine_v that_o man_n of_o sin_n and_o of_o make_v a_o absolute_a reformation_n through_o the_o whole_a world_n let_v we_o therefore_o first_o take_v notice_n what_o government_n be_v establish_v by_o god_n in_o all_o the_o primitive_a church_n act_n 14._o 23._o and_o when_o they_o have_v ordain_v they_o presbyter_n for_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o original_a in_o every_o church_n and_o have_v pray_v with_o fast_v they_o commend_v they_o to_o the_o lord_n on_o who_o they_o believe_v here_o be_v two_o thing_n observable_a the_o first_o that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v commit_v to_o the_o presbyter_n the_o second_o that_o the_o presbyterial_a government_n be_v that_o government_n that_o be_v establish_v in_o every_o church_n for_o so_o say_v the_o holy_a ghost_n when_o they_o have_v ordain_v they_o presbyter_n in_o every_o church_n this_o be_v god_n ordinance_n act_v 20._o 17._o and_o from_o miletus_n he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n here_o we_o see_v there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n in_o one_o church_n and_o verse_n 28._o take_v heed_n therefore_o unto_o yourselves_o say_v the_o apostle_n and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o bishop_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n here_o as_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o in_o god_n dialect_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n be_v all_o one_o so_o likewise_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o church_n be_v commit_v to_o their_o government_n this_o church_n therefore_o of_o ephesus_n be_v under_o a_o presbytery_n and_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v joint_o by_o they_o by_o a_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n and_o paul_n to_o titus_n chap._n 1._o vers_fw-la 5._o for_o this_o cause_n say_v he_o life_n i_o thou_o in_o crect_n that_o thou_o shall_v put_v in_o order_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v want_v and_o ordain_v presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n as_o i_o appoint_v thou_o if_o any_o man_n be_v blameless_a etc._n etc._n for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a as_o the_o steward_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n from_o this_o place_n likewise_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o the_o parity_n between_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n and_o that_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n be_v that_o way_n of_o rule_v that_o god_n appoint_v not_o in_o one_o city_n only_o but_o in_o every_o city_n and_o that_o these_o presbyter_n be_v the_o steward_n in_o god_n house_n which_o be_v his_o church_n 1_o tim._n 3._o and_o have_v the_o government_n of_o those_o church_n in_o every_o city_n lay_v upon_o they_o which_o they_o be_v joint_o to_o govern_v and_o order_v by_o the_o common-counsel_n of_o presbyter_n and_o paul_n in_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n chap._n 5._o v._n 17._o let_v the_o presbyter_n say_v he_o that_o rule_n well_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n especial_o they_o who_o labour_n in_o word_n and_o doctrine_n still_o we_o ever_o observe_v that_o the_o rule_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o presbyter_n hand_n and_o the_o author_n to_o the_o
independent_a government_n be_v such_o they_o be_v their_o own_o invention_n and_o that_o government_n only_o of_o the_o presbyter_n be_v god_n ordinance_n as_o have_v both_o precept_n and_o precedent_n for_o it_o in_o god_n word_n upon_o which_o they_o depend_v and_o this_o be_v my_o opinion_n and_o not_o that_o which_o master_n knollys_n will_v grollish_o put_v upon_o i_o and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v for_o answer_v to_o that_o piece_n of_o nonsense_n of_o he_o and_o now_o i_o come_v to_o the_o last_o branch_n of_o his_o answer_n and_o that_o which_o i_o undertake_v to_o make_v good_a and_o prove_v viz._n that_o the_o people_n and_o congregation_n in_o any_o church_n have_v not_o power_n to_o judge_v their_o minister_n which_o master_n knollys_n affirm_v they_o have_v and_o for_o instance_n produce_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o that_o of_o colosse_n understand_v by_o church_n the_o people_n who_o he_o say_v have_v power_n over_o the_o member_n miserable_o mistake_v himself_o and_o abuse_v the_o ignorant_a and_o simple_a soul_n by_o it_o as_o will_v by_o and_o by_o appear_v to_o those_o that_o can_v discern_v thing_n that_o differ_v or_o be_v but_o a_o little_a acquaint_v in_o matter_n of_o government_n either_o ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a for_o if_o man_n do_v once_o but_o right_o understand_v what_o a_o church_n be_v according_a to_o the_o description_n of_o a_o church_n as_o it_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o new-testament_n and_o consider_v withal_o of_o the_o part_n and_o member_n of_o that_o church_n which_o by_o saint_n paul_n be_v compare_v to_o the_o body_n of_o a_o man_n they_o will_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o governor_n and_o ruler_n be_v compare_v unto_o the_o head_n and_o all_o the_o noble_a part_n of_o the_o body_n as_o to_o the_o eye_n ear_n hand_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v to_o guide_v and_o govern_v all_o the_o other_o member_n in_o the_o body_n and_o that_o all_o the_o other_o member_n under_o they_o be_v to_o be_v order_v and_o rule_v by_o the_o head_n and_o other_o more_o noble_a part_n and_o be_v to_o follow_v their_o direction_n so_o that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o body_n of_o man_n some_o be_v to_o rule_v and_o other_o to_o be_v rule_v in_o it_o and_o who_o place_n it_o be_v ever_o to_o obey_v for_o none_o of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n leave_v their_o station_n unless_o they_o by_o violence_n be_v cut_v off_o as_o all_o rational_a creature_n do_v very_o well_o know_v for_o the_o head_n be_v ever_o the_o head_n the_o eye_n be_v ever_o the_o eye_n the_o ear_n be_v ever_o the_o ear_n and_o the_o hand_n be_v ever_o the_o hand_n etc._n etc._n for_o saint_n paul_n say_v 1_o cor._n 12._o vers_fw-la 27._o now_o you_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o member_n in_o particular_a and_o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n first_o apostle_n second_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n after_o that_o miracle_n than_o gift_n of_o heal_a help_v in_o government_n diversity_n of_o tongue_n be_v all_o apostle_n be_v all_o prophet_n be_v all_o teacher_n &c_n &c_n intimate_v that_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n and_o teacher_n and_o help_v in_o government_n in_o the_o church_n every_o of_o they_o keep_v their_o station_n to_o wit_n they_o that_o be_v once_o apostle_n teacher_n or_o governor_n do_v continue_v in_o the_o church_n in_o their_o several_a place_n ever_o so_o to_o be_v and_o never_o lose_v their_o place_n but_o always_o to_o the_o day_n of_o their_o death_n remain_v and_o continue_v still_o to_o be_v apostle_n prophet_n teacher_n and_o ruler_n according_a to_o that_o in_o the_o four_o of_o the_o ephesian_n vers_fw-la 11._o where_o saint_n paul_n say_v he_o give_v some_o apostle_n and_o some_o prophet_n and_o some_o evangelist_n and_o some_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n for_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o saint_n and_o for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n till_o we_o come_v all_o into_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n unto_o a_o perfect_a man_n unto_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n we_o find_v not_o in_o all_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o any_o of_o those_o true_a minister_n be_v at_o any_o time_n degrade_v or_o lose_v any_o thing_n either_o of_o their_o title_n or_o of_o their_o authority_n but_o as_o god_n have_v put_v the_o rule_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n into_o their_o hand_n and_o have_v give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o make_v they_o steward_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v his_o body_n so_o they_o be_v ever_o to_o be_v the_o head_n eye_n ear_n and_o hand_n for_o the_o govern_n and_o well_o order_v of_o the_o church_n we_o find_v likewise_o that_o in_o every_o several_a church_n of_o the_o new-testament_n there_o be_v a_o presbytery_n ordain_v as_o act_v the_o 14._o etc._n etc._n and_o that_o the_o presbyter_n have_v the_o government_n of_o those_o several_a church_n put_v into_o their_o hand_n that_o the_o people_n and_o member_n of_o those_o church_n be_v command_v to_o obey_v their_o presbyter_n as_o their_o guide_n who_o god_n have_v set_v over_o they_o heb._n 13._o as_o master_n knollys_n and_o all_o the_o learn_a of_o the_o independent_o do_v acknowledge_v we_o find_v likewise_o by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o precedent_n of_o all_o other_o church_n that_o the_o people_n there_o for_o the_o redress_v of_o any_o abuse_n among_o themselves_o assume_v not_o the_o power_n into_o their_o own_o hand_n but_o apply_v themselves_o and_o make_v their_o address_n and_o appeal_v to_o the_o presbytery_n and_o that_o they_o order_v every_o thing_n according_a as_o they_o think_v good_a and_o that_o the_o people_n willing_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o order_n we_o find_v further_o that_o for_o all_o act_n of_o government_n as_o question_v any_o offender_n for_o the_o censure_a and_o punish_v of_o they_o for_o ordination_n of_o officer_n and_o excommunication_n it_o be_v do_v either_o by_o the_o sole_a power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o by_o the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o church_n and_o those_o that_o be_v in_o office_n and_o not_o by_o the_o multitude_n as_o be_v manifest_a by_o that_o in_o the_o 2._o of_o the_o cor._n chap._n 2._o ver_fw-la 6._o a_o place_n so_o much_o abuse_v by_o the_o independent_o sufficient_a say_v the_o apostle_n to_o such_o a_o man_n be_v the_o censure_n which_o be_v inflict_v of_o many_o so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o inflict_v by_o all_o the_o people_n but_o by_o such_o only_a in_o who_o hand_n the_o power_n lay_v which_o be_v the_o presbytery_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n say_v by_o many_o or_o of_o many_o and_o true_o if_o we_o will_v but_o due_o read_v the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n which_o be_v write_v to_o they_o and_o in_o they_o to_o all_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o new-testament_n in_o all_o age_n to_o come_v and_o observe_v the_o rule_v set_v down_o in_o they_o which_o be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o for_o all_o act_n of_o government_n and_o for_o the_o well_o order_v of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v only_o commit_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o presbyter_n of_o the_o several_a church_n through_o all_o nation_n and_o that_o to_o they_o only_o belong_v the_o manage_n of_o the_o government_n as_o the_o ruler_n and_o steward_n of_o the_o same_o and_o that_o all_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o government_n peculiar_o belong_v unto_o they_o and_o that_o the_o people_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o it_o but_o to_o obey_v again_o if_o we_o look_v but_o into_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n revel_v 2._o &_o 2._o we_o shall_v find_v that_o all_o the_o epistle_n christ_n write_v unto_o they_o be_v direct_v to_o the_o angel_n and_o minister_n of_o those_o several_a church_n as_o upon_o who_o the_o government_n of_o those_o church_n lay_v and_o who_o have_v both_o the_o praise_n of_o well_o do_v and_o blame_v of_o any_o evil_a either_o commit_v or_o tolerate_v by_o they_o for_o see_v they_o be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n himself_o to_o be_v the_o steward_n and_o guide_n of_o those_o church_n and_o to_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o same_o all_o the_o blame_n of_o the_o malversation_n of_o any_o of_o the_o member_n in_o they_o be_v impute_v unto_o they_o as_o if_o they_o themselves_o have_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o as_o not_o use_v their_o authority_n for_o the_o redress_v of_o those_o abuse_n so_o that_o it_o be_v apparent_o evident_a through_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n that_o the_o minister_n and_o presbyter_n
this_o truth_n be_v so_o well_o know_v and_o perceive_v by_o all_o such_o as_o will_v not_o wilful_o blind_v themselves_o as_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v hourly_a experience_n furnish_v man_n with_o precedent_n of_o it_o for_o if_o any_o delinquent_n be_v find_v out_o they_o be_v not_o hail_v before_o the_o people_n but_o before_o such_o as_o be_v in_o authority_n there_o be_v not_o a_o ordinary_a hew_v and_o cry_v that_o be_v send_v to_o any_o parish_n but_o it_o be_v carry_v to_o the_o constable_n or_o his_o deputy_n and_o to_o such_o in_o that_o town_n or_o village_n as_o be_v in_o place_n or_o authority_n so_o that_o the_o people_n trouble_v not_o themselves_o with_o it_o yea_o they_o will_v ordinary_o say_v it_o concern_v they_o not_o it_o be_v not_o their_o place_n to_o intermeddle_v in_o the_o business_n of_o state_n that_o they_o affirm_v belong_v to_o those_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o affair_n secular_a and_o in_o the_o state_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n those_o in_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n be_v to_o manage_v the_o affair_n and_o business_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o the_o people_n for_o god_n have_v appoint_v in_o all_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v but_o so_o many_o corporation_n a_o stand_a presbytery_n and_o order_n of_o minister_n and_o ruler_n in_o each_o of_o they_o in_o who_o hand_n the_o government_n of_o they_o all_o within_o their_o several_a precinct_n and_o jurisdiction_n lay_v the_o which_o government_n they_o be_v ever_o to_o manage_v and_o order_n by_o common_a consent_n and_o joint_a agreement_n with_o which_o the_o people_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v and_o with_o the_o which_o they_o ought_v not_o intermeddle_v for_o that_o have_v be_v to_o confound_v that_o order_n god_n have_v establish_v in_o each_o church_n and_o this_o all_o well-instructed_n christian_n know_v and_o therefore_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n not_o any_o that_o i_o ever_o read_v of_o oppose_a that_o government_n before_o diotrephes_n who_o be_v blame_v for_o this_o his_o temerity_n by_o st._n john_n to_o teach_v all_o man_n not_o to_o do_v the_o like_a leave_v they_o fall_v into_o the_o same_o condemnation_n so_o that_o they_o know_v very_o well_o that_o howsoever_o all_o the_o epistle_n of_o sant_n paul_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o several_a church_n of_o their_o time_n yet_o the_o manage_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o those_o church_n belong_v only_o unto_o the_o presbyter_n steward_n and_o angel_n of_o those_o respective_a church_n as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o those_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n where_o the_o letter_n and_o the_o epistle_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o angel_n and_o minister_n of_o those_o church_n as_o those_o that_o have_v the_o government_n of_o they_o in_o their_o hand_n and_o not_o to_o the_o people_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n a_o place_n that_o the_o independent_o so_o much_o abuse_v howsoever_o paul_n epistle_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n yet_o the_o officer_n only_o and_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n have_v the_o manage_n of_o the_o whole_a business_n concern_v the_o incestuous_a person_n both_o for_o the_o cast_n of_o he_o out_o and_o the_o take_n of_o he_o in_o again_o upon_o his_o repentance_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o 2_o epistle_n and_o the_o second_o chapter_n where_o the_o apostle_n say_v sufficient_a to_o such_o a_o man_n be_v the_o punishment_n inflict_v of_o many_o so_o that_o all_o the_o people_n do_v not_o censure_v he_o or_o inflict_v that_o punishment_n upon_o he_o but_o many_o to_o wit_v the_o presbyter_n and_o those_o in_o authority_n in_o that_o church_n and_o this_o agreeable_a to_o all_o reason_n and_o therefore_o master_n knollys_n be_v mighty_o mistake_v in_o his_o commentary_n exposition_n of_o this_o place_n and_o that_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n in_o say_v that_o as_o the_o church_n or_o particular_a congregation_n of_o corinth_n have_v power_n to_o judge_v they_o that_o be_v member_n therein_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 12._o 13._o and_o as_o the_o church_n of_o colosse_n have_v power_n to_o admonish_v archippus_n coloss_n 4._o 17._o so_o the_o church_n whereof_o diotrephes_n be_v a_o member_n may_v as_o warrantable_o admonish_v he_o these_o be_v his_o word_n in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o double_a yea_o a_o treble_a fallacy_n for_o first_o he_o take_v the_o word_n church_n in_o another_o sense_n then_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o it_o which_o in_o all_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v take_v collective_o for_o a_o combination_n of_o many_o congregation_n under_o one_o presbytery_n within_o such_o a_o precinct_n and_o he_o only_o understand_v it_o for_o a_o particular_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n and_o by_o this_o he_o deceive_v the_o reader_n 2_o by_o church_n he_o understand_v the_o people_n the_o presbyter_n exclude_v and_o say_v that_o they_o have_v power_n to_o judge_v their_o minister_n whereas_o indeed_o though_o in_o all_o those_o church_n there_o be_v a_o power_n yet_o it_o lay_v soe_o in_o the_o presbyter_n hand_n and_o they_o only_o be_v invest_v with_o it_o and_o the_o people_n be_v ever_o to_o stand_v to_o their_o order_n so_o long_o as_o they_o command_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o place_n of_o the_o people_n be_v to_o obey_v and_o therefore_o all_o that_o he_o say_v about_o this_o business_n be_v a_o mere_a non_fw-la sequiturâ—unc_fw-la and_o this_o be_v the_o three_o error_n that_o ensue_v from_o groundless_a principle_n for_o this_o be_v not_o a_o good_a consequence_n paul_n write_v unto_o the_o church_n of_o colosse_n have_v these_o word_n say_v unto_o archippus_n that_o he_o take_v heed_n to_o his_o ministry_n and_o write_v unto_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n the_o 1._o and_o 5._o say_v vers_n 5._o deliver_v such_o a_o man_n unto_o satan_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n etc._n etc._n ergo_fw-la the_o people_n have_v the_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n over_o all_o the_o member_n of_o those_o church_n both_o minister_n and_o people_n this_o i_o assert_v do_v not_o follow_v in_o all_o good_a reason_n no_o more_o than_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o if_o any_o ambassador_n shall_v be_v direct_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n now_o or_o if_o any_o message_n shall_v be_v send_v unto_o any_o corporation_n of_o the_o kingdom_n command_v such_o service_n from_o it_o to_o the_o state_n that_o the_o people_n in_o this_o kingdom_n or_o the_o people_n in_o those_o corporation_n shall_v intermeddle_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o public_a concernment_n but_o all_o sound_a understanding_n man_n will_v say_v it_o belong_v to_o the_o great_a and_o grave_a council_n of_o the_o kingdom_n to_o manage_v public_a affair_n and_o to_o the_o major_a and_o aldermèn_fw-fr and_o the_o common-council_n of_o each_o corporation_n to_o transact_v and_o order_v the_o public_a business_n and_o affair_n and_o for_o this_o only_a reason_n because_o they_o be_v the_o man_n in_o those_o several_a place_n that_o god_n and_o the_o people_n have_v invest_v with_o authority_n over_o they_o and_o it_o only_o belong_v unto_o they_o to_o order_v all_o affair_n of_o public_a concernment_n who_o god_n and_o the_o people_n have_v call_v and_o appoint_v to_o this_o end_n and_o purpose_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o all_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a church_n the_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o the_o church_n but_o direct_v to_o the_o angel_n and_o minister_n in_o they_o as_o who_o place_n it_o be_v to_o watch_v over_o they_o for_o their_o good_a and_o who_o only_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v to_o cast_v out_o and_o take_v in_o according_a to_o divine_a authority_n yea_o all_o the_o world_n know_v that_o god_n never_o give_v the_o key_n to_o the_o people_n in_o any_o church_n but_o to_o the_o minister_n therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n only_o belong_v to_o the_o minister_n and_o presbyter_n in_o every_o church_n now_o when_o master_n knollys_n by_o church_n understand_v a_o particular_a congregation_n or_o assembly_n and_o the_o people_n in_o it_o and_o not_o the_o presbytery_n in_o every_o church_n he_o be_v much_o mistake_v in_o his_o commentary_n exposition_n and_o abuse_v not_o only_a himself_o but_o all_o those_o poor_a delude_a people_n that_o follow_v he_o yea_o he_o destroy_v his_o own_o principle_n and_o those_o of_o the_o congregationall_a way_n for_o both_o he_o himself_o and_o i_o s._n do_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o government_n lie_v in_o the_o presbyter_n hand_n in_o every_o church_n master_n knollys_n his_o word_n to_o this_o purpose_n i_o have_v often_o cite_v before_o and_o i_o s._n his_o word_n be_v these_o page_n 11._o in_o assert_v that_o the_o
lord_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v also_o afford_v they_o the_o honour_n of_o maintenance_n and_o take_v order_n there_o be_v a_o sufficient_a and_o competent_a yea_o a_o honourable_a allowance_n for_o their_o support_n and_o that_o as_o they_o minister_v to_o they_o spiritual_a food_n for_o their_o soul_n they_o shall_v likewise_o minister_v unto_o they_o all_o thing_n necessary_a for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o they_o and_o their_o family_n that_o they_o may_v comfortable_o and_o without_o solicitous_a care_n follow_v their_o holy_a employment_n and_o wait_v upon_o their_o several_a ministery_n so_o that_o the_o place_n and_o employment_n of_o the_o presbyter_n be_v to_o teach_v and_o rule_v the_o people_n and_o this_o be_v their_o proper_a work_n and_o peculiar_o belong_v unto_o they_o and_o the_o employment_n and_o place_n of_o the_o several_a congregation_n under_o they_o be_v to_o hear_v and_o obey_v and_o therefore_o if_o the_o several_a congregation_n do_v assume_v unto_o themselves_o the_o power_n of_o rule_v they_o take_v more_o upon_o they_o then_o by_o god_n be_v allow_v they_o and_o the_o presbyter_n in_o yield_v unto_o it_o reject_v their_o own_o right_n and_o divest_v themselves_o of_o that_o authority_n that_o god_n have_v put_v into_o their_o hand_n and_o by_o so_o do_v in_o time_n may_v not_o only_o bring_v confusion_n into_o the_o church_n but_o to_o all_o those_o country_n where_o such_o usurpation_n be_v tolerate_v i_o can_v but_o speak_v my_o conscience_n in_o this_o point_n and_o true_o very_a reason_n dictate_v unto_o a_o man_n that_o they_o only_o shall_v have_v the_o authority_n of_o command_v and_o rule_v over_o the_o church_n to_o who_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v now_o it_o be_v give_v only_o to_o the_o minister_n and_o presbyter_n as_o we_o see_v it_o in_o john_n 20._o 21._o and_o matth._n 18._o 15_o 16_o 17_o 18._o where_o our_o saviour_n christ_n establish_v a_o stand_a government_n to_o be_v continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n the_o violate_v and_o the_o overthrow_v of_o the_o which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o those_o confusion_n both_o in_o doctrine_n and_o manner_n that_o be_v now_o come_v upon_o the_o world_n and_o be_v the_o cause_n not_o only_o of_o the_o rise_n but_o the_o growth_n of_o antichrist_n and_o the_o reduce_n of_o it_o again_o into_o the_o church_n and_o the_o re_z stablish_v of_o it_o will_v be_v the_o confusion_n of_o that_o man_n of_o sin_n and_o of_o all_o the_o antichristian-brood_n and_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o establish_v truth_n and_o peace_n through_o the_o christian_a world_n but_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o a_o little_a to_o consider_v that_o place_n in_o matth._n 18._o if_o thy_o brother_n say_v christ_n shall_v trespass_v against_o thou_o go_v and_o tell_v he_o of_o it_o between_o thou_o and_o he_o alone_o if_o he_o shall_v hear_v thou_o thou_o shall_v gain_v thy_o brother_n but_o if_o he_o will_v not_o hear_v thou_o then_o take_v with_o thou_o one_o or_o two_o more_o that_o in_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n every_o word_n may_v be_v establish_v and_o if_o he_o shall_v neglect_v to_o hear_v they_o then_o tell_v it_o unto_o the_o church_n but_o if_o he_o neglect_v to_o hear_v the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v to_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a man_n and_o a_o publican_n very_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n in_o these_o word_n our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v respect_n unto_o the_o order_n and_o custom_n of_o judicature_n in_o those_o time_n in_o censure_a man_n manner_n and_o doctrine_n which_o among_o the_o jew_n be_v order_v and_o administer_v by_o a_o assembly_n and_o counsel_n of_o learned_a experience_a and_o judicious_a man_n and_o by_o a_o presbytery_n consistory_n or_o college_n of_o able_a man_n for_o government_n choose_v and_o select_v out_o of_o the_o people_n for_o this_o very_a purpose_n by_o such_o as_o can_v judge_v and_o discern_v of_o their_o ability_n the_o which_o assembly_n and_o company_n be_v by_o christ_n himself_o call_v a_o church_n because_o it_o do_v represent_v the_o church_n and_o in_o this_o place_n christ_n do_v establish_v the_o like_a to_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n make_v his_o apostle_n this_o representative_a body_n and_o their_o successor_n all_o the_o godly_a and_o holy_a minister_n and_o presbyter_n and_o give_v unto_o they_o the_o same_o power_n and_o authority_n to_o judge_v and_o determine_v of_o all_o thing_n belong_v unto_o faith_n and_o manner_n that_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o all_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n for_o otherwise_o the_o christian_a church_n shall_v be_v inferior_a to_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n if_o they_o have_v not_o the_o same_o privilege_n for_o the_o censure_v of_o manner_n and_o doctrine_n and_o the_o same_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o rule_v that_o they_o have_v now_o all_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v exercise_v not_o by_o the_o promiscuous_a multitude_n or_o by_o the_o whole_a congregation_n nor_o by_o any_o particular_a man_n nor_o by_o two_o or_o three_o as_o the_o place_n above_o specify_v but_o by_o a_o assembly_n senate_n council_n or_o presbytery_n of_o understand_a man_n assign_v to_o that_o purpose_n which_o our_o saviour_n himself_o call_v a_o church_n &_o this_o government_n establish_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v the_o several_a presbytery_n where_o all_o thing_n be_v transact_v by_o common_a and_o joint_a consent_n and_o this_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n at_o jerusalem_n who_o do_v all_o business_n of_o public_a concernment_n by_o common_a and_o joint_a consent_n as_o be_v manifest_a in_o the_o first_o chap._n of_o the_o act_n in_o choose_v of_o a_o apostle_n in_o judas_n his_o place_n and_o in_o the_o 5._o chap._n in_o censure_v annanias_n and_o saphira_n and_o in_o the_o 6._o chap._n in_o choose_v deacon_n and_o in_o the_o 15._o chapter_n in_o determine_v the_o question_n there_o in_o hand_n all_o in_o a_o presbyterian_a way_n and_o by_o common_a consent_n and_o this_o be_v that_o government_n that_o god_n have_v command_v to_o be_v perpetuate_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n in_o these_o word_n whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n so_o that_o the_o presbyter_n only_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n &_o it_o be_v their_o place_n only_o to_o ordain_v minister_n and_o church_n officer_n whatsoever_o authority_n the_o people_n may_v exercise_v in_o the_o choose_n of_o they_o as_o paul_n write_v unto_o timothy_n and_o titus_n and_o they_o only_o be_v to_o judge_v and_o determine_v and_o to_o censure_v in_o matter_n of_o manner_n and_o doctrine_n and_o the_o people_n be_v to_o allow_v and_o approve_v it_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n yea_o the_o very_a synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v the_o same_o that_o our_o church_n be_v be_v govern_v by_o a_o presbytery_n as_o our_o brethren_n acknowledge_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n who_o govern_v by_o joint_n and_o common_a council_n as_o be_v evident_a and_o manifest_a in_o that_o there_o be_v superior_a and_o inferior_a judge_n commander_n and_o ruler_n according_a as_o their_o year_n gravity_n and_o wisdom_n make_v they_o more_o emninent_a than_o other_o and_o venerable_a to_o the_o people_n as_o may_v appear_v in_o many_o place_n as_o act_n 18._o ver_fw-la 8._o it_o be_v say_v there_o that_o crispus_n the_o chief_a ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n believe_v with_o all_o his_o household_n so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v a_o chief_a ruler_n or_o judge_n or_o a_o precedent_n there_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v a_o council_n or_o segniory_n of_o inferior_a one_o that_o have_v rule_n and_o authority_n over_o other_o as_o well_o as_o he_o and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o chief_a justice_n or_o judge_n there_o be_v other_o judge_n join_v with_o he_o as_o all_o reason_n persuade_v and_o there_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o court_n of_o judicature_n where_o all_o thing_n be_v transact_v by_o conjoynt_v and_o common_a consent_n and_o agreement_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v subject_a to_o and_o order_v by_o the_o determination_n and_o abitrement_n of_o their_o ruler_n and_o governor_n so_o that_o the_o several_a church_n or_o synagogue_n under_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o subjection_n to_o those_o ruler_n and_o be_v govern_v according_a as_o by_o common_a council_n they_o order_v and_o mat._n the_o 5._o vers_fw-la 22._o and_o behold_v there_o come_v one_o of_o
that_o they_o be_v the_o minister_n and_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o that_o they_o give_v they_o the_o name_n and_o title_n of_o the_o church_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o representative_a body_n and_o presbytery_n be_v a_o church_n and_o that_o to_o they_o only_o belong_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o key_n according_a to_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n in_o matth._n 18_o 17_o 18._o tell_v it_o unto_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n and_o whatsoever_o you_o bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o you_o lose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n by_o which_o word_n all_o authority_n be_v put_v into_o the_o true_a minister_n hand_n so_o that_o they_o only_o have_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o ordain_v pastor_n and_o presbyter_n among_o themselves_o as_o paul_n sufficient_o declare_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n and_o that_o they_o have_v not_o only_o the_o title_n of_o the_o church_n but_o a_o charter_n and_o warrant_n also_o grant_v unto_o they_o of_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o of_o ordain_v church_n officer_n and_o that_o by_o joint_n and_o common_a consent_n among_o themselves_o without_o the_o help_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o people_n and_o congregation_n under_o they_o which_o by_o god_n be_v never_o join_v in_o commission_n with_o they_o and_o howsoever_o paul_n in_o the_o 1._o of_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n 6._o for_o the_o take_v away_o the_o scandal_n in_o go_v to_o law_n before_o unbeliever_n give_v they_o liberty_n to_o make_v choice_n of_o somethat_o be_v least_o esteem_v in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o decide_n of_o their_o controversy_n yet_o that_o do_v not_o authorise_v they_o to_o make_v choice_n of_o all_o other_o church_n officer_n for_o he_o limit_n they_o to_o go_v no_o far_o then_o to_o the_o choice_n of_o such_o as_o be_v of_o least_o esteem_n and_o howsoever_o likewise_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o 6._o of_o the_o act_n to_o free_v themselves_o from_o all_o impediment_n that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o attend_v upon_o their_o ministery_n and_o that_o without_o interruption_n they_o may_v preach_v the_o gospel_n give_v they_o liberty_n to_o choose_v their_o deacon_n and_o deconess_n yet_o they_o prescribe_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o they_o shall_v choose_v they_o and_o keep_v the_o authority_n of_o ordain_v they_o still_o in_o their_o own_o hand_n look_v you_o out_o among_o you_o say_v they_o man_n of_o honest_a report_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o wisdom_n who_o we_o may_v appoint_v over_o this_o business_n and_o when_o they_o have_v choose_v such_o say_v the_o scripture_n they_o put_v they_o before_o the_o apostle_n and_o when_o they_o have_v pray_v they_o lay_v their_o hand_n on_o they_o so_o that_o howsoever_o they_o give_v unto_o they_o a_o liberty_n to_o choose_v yet_o it_o be_v with_o limitation_n not_o a_o absolute_a liberty_n for_o if_o they_o have_v choose_v man_n that_o have_v not_o be_v of_o approve_a honesty_n well_o gift_v and_o wise_a and_o qualify_v as_o they_o appoint_v it_o be_v arbitrary_a in_o the_o apostle_n to_o reject_v their_o choice_n for_o they_o keep_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n still_o in_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o to_o they_o it_o do_v belong_v to_o ratify_v their_o election_n so_o that_o the_o people_n have_v not_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n then_o nor_o have_v not_o to_o this_o day_n no_o not_o of_o the_o mean_a deacon_n or_o deaconesse_n that_o belong_v only_o unto_o the_o presbytery_n much_o less_o have_v they_o power_n of_o ordain_v presbyter_n indeed_o for_o the_o decide_n of_o controversy_n and_o difference_n they_o have_v a_o liberty_n give_v they_o of_o make_v choice_n of_o some_o petty_a man_n among_o they_o and_o that_o they_o may_v do_v without_o the_o presbytery_n but_o they_o have_v no_o power_n of_o ordination_n neither_o do_v i_o ever_o yet_o read_v in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n that_o the_o people_n or_o congregation_n have_v any_o hand_n at_o all_o in_o choose_v of_o minister_n and_o presbyter_n neither_o be_v they_o fit_v for_o that_o employment_n for_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o judge_v of_o man_n external_a carriage_n and_o manner_n and_o another_o thing_n of_o his_o sufficiency_n for_o his_o endowment_n and_o ability_n of_o learning_n and_o that_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o knowledge_n only_o can_v do_v and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o it_o be_v in_o special_a give_v in_o charge_n to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o minister_n as_o it_o be_v manifest_a in_o the_o epistle_n of_o paul_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o tit._n 1._o and_o they_o only_o know_v how_o right_o to_o examine_v they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o tongue_n and_o science_n and_o such_o art_n as_o be_v requisite_a beside_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n all_o which_o be_v little_a enough_o for_o the_o make_n of_o a_o minister_n complete_a and_o fit_a for_o that_o sacred_a employment_n and_o all_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n willing_o submit_v themselves_o to_o what_o the_o presbytery_n than_o do_v and_o assent_v to_o their_o choice_n as_o in_o the_o 14._o of_o the_o act_n vers_fw-la 23._o it_o appear_v but_o i_o say_v in_o that_o our_o brethren_n do_v acknowledge_v this_o company_n this_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o name_n to_o be_v a_o church_n and_o in_o that_o it_o be_v also_o sufficient_o manifest_a that_o they_o be_v consider_v in_o a_o distinct_a notion_n from_o the_o people_n which_o also_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n when_o they_o be_v join_v with_o their_o minister_n be_v call_v a_o church_n as_o be_v frequent_o to_o be_v see_v through_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o that_o it_o do_v abundant_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v former_o be_v speak_v and_o will_v yet_o in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n be_v far_o elucidate_v that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o they_o be_v all_o govern_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n and_o common_a council_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n to_o who_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v subject_a who_o be_v send_v this_o way_n and_o that_o way_n by_o their_o direction_n and_o to_o who_o they_o be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o ministry_n as_o we_o see_v in_o divers_a place_n in_o the_o act_n and_o be_v order_v by_o they_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v and_o also_o make_v their_o appeal_n unto_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n in_o any_o business_n of_o common_a concernment_n i_o say_v in_o all_o these_o respect_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n and_o be_v yet_o but_o one_o church_n and_o that_o govern_v by_o a_o presbyterian_a government_n and_o by_o a_o common_a council_n of_o minister_n to_o who_o order_n all_o the_o several_a congregation_n be_v to_o submit_v themselves_o and_o therefore_o this_o their_o argument_n make_v much_o against_o they_o and_o great_o for_o we_o and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v to_o have_v answer_v to_o this_o their_o first_o objection_n which_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n be_v that_o that_o carry_v the_o most_o appearance_n of_o any_o argument_n they_o produce_v to_o prove_v their_o assertion_n and_o tenant_n for_o all_o their_o other_o objection_n raise_v from_o the_o several_a meeting_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o people_n and_o from_o the_o multitude_n come_v to_o they_o about_o the_o ordain_v of_o deacon_n by_o which_o they_o will_v persuade_v the_o world_n that_o the_o company_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v not_o so_o numerous_a at_o any_o time_n but_o that_o they_o may_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n or_o in_o one_o place_n to_o partake_v of_o in_o act_n of_o worship_n they_o consist_v most_o of_o they_o in_o homonymy_n and_o mere_a paralogisme_n which_o indeed_o beseem_v not_o the_o gravity_n of_o reverend_a man_n and_o in_o the_o weighty_a matter_n of_o divinity_n will_v be_v undecent_a in_o a_o suck_a sophister_n and_o therefore_o be_v much_o more_o blameworthy_a in_o they_o who_o by_o such_o fallacy_n labour_v to_o amuse_v the_o people_n to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o kingdom_n and_o alienate_v the_o affection_n of_o brethren_n one_o from_o another_o i_o shall_v brief_o run_v over_o they_o act_n 2._o 46._o where_o it_o be_v relate_v that_o the_o believer_n and_o new_a convert_v continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o break_v bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n from_o these_o word_n the_o brethren_n conclude_v that_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n be_v not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o they_o may_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n and_o in_o one_o place_n to_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o
wrought_v upon_o the_o impotent_a man_n who_o be_v know_v to_o all_o the_o people_n to_o have_v be_v a_o cripple_n from_o his_o mother_n womb_n and_o through_o the_o powerful_a preach_n of_o peter_n who_o exhort_v they_o to_o repent_v and_o to_o be_v convert_v that_o their_o sin_n may_v be_v blot_v out_o when_o the_o time_n of_o refresh_v shall_v come_v from_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v say_v that_o many_o which_o hear_v the_o word_n believe_v and_o the_o number_n of_o those_o new_a believer_n be_v there_o specify_v to_o be_v about_o five_o thousand_o man_n which_o be_v also_o add_v unto_o the_o church_n and_o join_v to_o all_o the_o former_a believer_n so_o that_o we_o have_v here_o eight_o thousand_o new_a member_n add_v unto_o the_o church_n in_o a_o very_a little_a time_n and_o this_o be_v a_o great_a miracle_n than_o the_o former_a so_o that_o the_o prophecy_n in_o the_o 110._o psalm_n verse_n 3._o be_v now_o fulfil_v that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n power_n his_o willing_a people_n from_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o morning_n shall_v be_v multiply_v as_o the_o dew_n upon_o the_o earth_n and_o which_o be_v not_o tobe_n pass_v by_o without_o due_a notice_n it_o be_v suppose_v by_o the_o best_a interpreter_n and_o the_o most_o orthodox_n writer_n and_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o that_o these_o new_a convert_v be_v man_n not_o woman_n and_o child_n and_o without_o doubt_n these_o new_a believer_n endeavour_v to_o convert_v their_o wife_n child_n servant_n and_o neighbour_n and_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n also_o why_o we_o shall_v be_v induce_v to_o believe_v that_o truth_n with_o such_o wonder_n and_o miracle_n annex_v to_o it_o shall_v be_v as_o prevalent_a to_o convert_v woman_n child_n servant_n and_o neighbour_n and_o whole_a family_n as_o error_n and_o novelty_n in_o these_o our_o day_n be_v able_a to_o mislead_v those_o poor_a creature_n that_o be_v ever_o learning_n and_o never_o come_v to_o knowledge_n and_o the_o which_o be_v carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o believe_v every_o newborn_a truth_n as_o they_o term_v it_o and_o follow_v every_o new_a light_n and_o every_o new-found_a way_n though_o it_o tend_v to_o the_o confusion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n it_o be_v say_v of_o that_o man_n of_o sin_n that_o son_n of_o perdition_n that_o he_o shall_v come_v after_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n and_o with_o all_o deceiveablenesse_n and_o unrighteousness_n in_o they_o that_o perish_v because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v 2_o thess_n 2._o but_o to_o see_v people_n so_o delude_v without_o miracle_n be_v a_o miracle_n so_o that_o those_o poor_a woman_n that_o be_v carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n from_o that_o truth_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o confirm_v by_o so_o many_o miracle_n and_o those_o that_o do_v and_o have_v mislead_v they_o have_v all_o of_o they_o a_o great_a deal_n to_o answer_v for_o but_o this_o i_o speak_v by_o the_o way_n conceive_v that_o all_o those_o new_a convert_v will_v endeavour_v as_o the_o good_a samaritan_n woman_n do_v after_o her_o conversion_n not_o only_o to_o bring_v their_o wife_n child_n and_o family_n but_o their_o neighbour_n also_o and_o whole_a city_n to_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o i_o have_v that_o opinion_n also_o of_o all_o the_o woman_n and_o people_n of_o that_o age_n that_o they_o be_v as_o ready_a to_o embrace_v the_o truth_n as_o the_o woman_n and_o people_n of_o this_o age_n and_o in_o these_o our_o time_n be_v to_o follow_v error_n but_o let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o effect_n the_o other_o miracle_n wrought_v upon_o the_o people_n that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o 5._o c._n as_o of_o ananias_n &_o saphira_n his_o wife_n who_o for_o tempt_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v both_o strike_v downdead_o and_o give_v up_o the_o ghost_n and_o the_o other_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v say_v in_o verse_n 11._o that_o fear_n come_v upon_o all_o the_o church_n and_o to_o as_o many_o as_o hear_v these_o thing_n &_o that_o to_o the_o rest_n viz._n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n the_o maglinant_a party_n dare_v no_o man_n join_v himself_o and_o believer_n be_v add_v unto_o the_o lord_n multitude_n both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n here_o come_v in_o the_o good_a woman_n now_o and_o in_o verse_n 26._o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o captain_n with_o the_o officer_n bring_v the_o apostle_n without_o violence_n for_o they_o fear_v the_o people_n lest_o they_o shall_v have_v stone_v they_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o brief_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o several_a effect_n these_o miracle_n wrought_v thefirst_n be_v that_o great_a fear_n of_o offend_a god_n come_v on_o all_o the_o church_n god_n own_o people_n which_o notwithstanding_o of_o the_o many_o addition_n of_o believer_n be_v call_v still_o but_o one_o church_n the_o second_o that_o none_o dare_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o contrary_a party_n the_o pharisaical_a malignant_a crew_n the_o three_o that_o believer_n be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o that_o multitude_n no_o small_a company_n both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n here_o be_v a_o new_a increase_n and_o that_o a_o great_a one_o the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o very_a captain_n and_o officer_n be_v awe_v and_o keep_v in_o fear_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n so_o that_o those_o that_o fear_v not_o god_n be_v afraid_a of_o his_o servant_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v gather_v that_o the_o party_n of_o believer_n do_v balance_v the_o number_n of_o the_o incredulous_a and_o pharisacall_a party_n if_o not_o by_o far_o exceed_v they_o and_o therefore_o by_o all_o probability_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o innumerable_a company_n and_o a_o mighty_a multitude_n and_o such_o a_o number_n as_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n to_o partake_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n and_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o diversity_n of_o tongue_n and_o language_n which_o be_v not_o give_v to_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v useless_a and_o of_o no_o profit_n nor_o to_o speak_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o divers_a jew_n that_o be_v then_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n devout_a man_n and_o woman_n out_o of_o every_o nation_n under_o heaven_n which_o notwithstanding_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o all_o have_v their_o several_a meet_v place_n and_o their_o several_a minister_n to_o preach_v unto_o they_o in_o their_o several_a language_n that_o they_o may_v be_v edify_v i_o say_v for_o the_o present_a to_o wave_v all_o this_o let_v we_o take_v notice_n what_o be_v positive_o set_v down_o in_o the_o last_o verse_n of_o the_o five_o chapter_n that_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n daily_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o in_o every_o house_n cease_v not_o to_o teach_v and_o preach_v jesus_n christ_n that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o preach_v both_o public_o and_o private_o and_o the_o very_a place_n where_o they_o preach_v be_v set_v down_o as_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o in_o every_o house_n so_o that_o of_o necessity_n there_o must_v be_v several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n of_o beliver_v in_o jerusalem_n according_a to_o that_o in_o the_o 2._o of_o the_o act_n vers_fw-la the_o 46._o where_o it_o say_v that_o they_o continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o break_v of_o bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n which_o by_o all_o interpreter_n be_v understand_v the_o administration_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o that_o the_o several_a assembly_n and_o congregation_n be_v wont_v usual_o to_o meet_v in_o private_a house_n be_v frequent_o mention_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o in_o the_o 16._o of_o the_o roman_n verse_n the_o 5._o and_o in_o the_o 1._o of_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n 16._o vers_fw-la 19_o col._n 4._o 14._o and_o saint_n paul_n in_o the_o 20._o of_o the_o act_n vers_fw-la 20._o say_v that_o he_o keep_v back_o nothing_o that_o be_v profitable_a unto_o they_o but_o teach_v they_o public_o and_o from_o house_n to_o house_n so_o that_o they_o have_v their_o assembly_n as_o well_o private_a as_o public_a even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n where_o they_o do_v partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o in_o that_o church_n also_o they_o have_v many_o presbyter_n and_o yet_o be_v but_o one_o church_n but_o now_o i_o will_v pass_v on_o to_o the_o six_o chapter_n in_o the_o 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o 7_o verses_z it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o those_o day_n when_o the_o number_n of_o disciple_n be_v multiply_v there_o arise_v a_o murmur_a of_o the_o grecian_n against_o the_o hebrew_n because_o their_o
or_o for_o want_n of_o many_o thing_n they_o now_o exact_v of_o all_o christian_n for_o the_o complete_n and_o mould_v of_o they_o into_o church_n body_n pro_fw-la per_o so_o call_v for_o we_o read_v that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v perfect_o convert_v and_o be_v saint_n indeed_o and_o yet_o that_o for_o some_o want_v they_o make_v no_o separation_n rend_v or_o schism_n from_o their_o brethren_n but_o that_o they_o daily_o meet_v together_o in_o their_o public_a assembly_n as_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o in_o solomon_n porch_n and_o from_o house_n to_o house_n open_o and_o that_o in_o all_o love_n and_o charity_n with_o one_o accord_n and_o yet_o if_o my_o brother_n burton_n and_o the_o independent_o may_v be_v believe_v they_o have_v neither_o deacon_n nor_o elder_n nor_o distinction_n of_o officer_n nor_o a_o great_a part_n of_o discipline_n nor_o many_o other_o of_o their_o requisite_n so_o that_o from_o the_o pious_a and_o godly_a example_n of_o those_o glorious_a saint_n i_o learn_v this_o lesson_n that_o rent_n and_o schism_n be_v not_o to_o be_v make_v among_o brethren_n for_o some_o fail_n in_o any_o church_n yea_o though_o there_o be_v some_o defect_n not_o only_o in_o officer_n and_o member_n but_o a_o very_a want_n of_o officer_n themselves_o and_o of_o a_o good_a discipline_n also_o in_o any_o church_n or_o church_n and_o that_o they_o that_o do_v make_v rent_n and_o division_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n to_o answer_v for_o withal_o i_o learn_v that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o true_a church_n though_o there_o be_v a_o fail_n in_o discipline_n and_o a_o want_n of_o some_o chief_a officer_n and_o member_n for_o my_o brother_n burton_n acknowledge_v that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o form_v church_n although_o it_o want_v both_o officer_n and_o discipline_n and_o all_o those_o thing_n they_o now_o require_v of_o all_o such_o as_o desire_v to_o be_v make_v member_n in_o their_o new_a congregation_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o he_o now_o preach_v be_v solid_a and_o orthodox_n divinity_n and_o if_o he_o may_v be_v credit_v in_o what_o he_o write_v as_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n no_o just_a ground_n of_o separation_n from_o their_o public_a assembly_n for_o want_n of_o those_o thing_n so_o there_o be_v now_o in_o these_o our_o day_n no_o just_a cause_n of_o separation_n from_o our_o assembly_n if_o there_o be_v indeed_o a_o real_a want_n of_o discipline_n and_o church_n officer_n which_o we_o may_v long_o since_o have_v enjoy_v have_v not_o he_o and_o his_o brethren_n hinder_v our_o happy_a begin_v reformation_n especial_o i_o say_v we_o ought_v not_o to_o separate_v when_o there_o be_v no_o fail_v or_o want_n in_o any_o dominative_a or_o fundamental_a point_n of_o religion_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o where_o all_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n requisite_a to_o eternal_a happiness_n be_v daily_o public_o teach_v in_o every_o one_o of_o our_o congregation_n and_o church_n all_o which_o the_o independent_o themselves_z do_v acknowledge_v we_o want_v not_o beside_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o all_o orthodox_n divine_v that_o discipline_n make_v not_o for_o the_o esse_fw-la but_o the_o bene_fw-la esse_fw-la of_o a_o church_n yea_o the_o independent_o themselves_z hold_v that_o officer_n in_o a_o church_n make_v not_o for_o the_o esse_fw-la but_o the_o bene_fw-la esse_fw-la of_o it_o as_o the_o new_a light_n from_o the_o summer_n island_n apparent_o delucidate_v for_o they_o say_v though_o the_o officer_n all_o dye_n yet_o the_o church_n cease_v not_o to_o be_v a_o church_n but_o to_o return_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n whereas_o my_o brother_n burton_n affirm_v that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n want_v discipline_n and_o that_o it_o have_v not_o deacon_n at_o first_o and_o that_o the_o church_n be_v not_o bring_v forth_o to_o full_a perfection_n in_o one_o day_n and_o that_o their_o very_a constitution_n have_v a_o gradual_a growth_n i_o maintain_v that_o in_o all_o he_o assert_v he_o be_v not_o only_o exceed_v erroneous_a and_o ignorant_a but_o understand_v not_o the_o very_a doctrine_n of_o the_o independent_o who_o be_v all_o against_o he_o in_o those_o his_o assertion_n for_o they_o all_o acknowledge_v and_o in_o express_a word_n affirm_v it_o in_o their_o writing_n that_o all_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v virtual_o in_o the_o apostle_n say_v they_o be_v pastor_n teacher_n rule_v elder_n and_o deacon_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o they_o want_v neither_o deacon_n nor_o elder_n if_o their_o concession_n be_v true_a nor_o any_o church_n officer_n which_o be_v point_n blank_a against_o my_o brother_n burton_n his_o opinion_n they_o confess_v likewise_o that_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o every_o one_o of_o they_o have_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n viz_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n and_o authority_n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v also_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o part_n of_o discipline_n of_o cast_v out_o corrupt_a member_n they_o acknowledge_v in_o like_a manner_n that_o all_o the_o apostle_n have_v equal_a power_n among_o themselves_o and_o that_o they_o have_v authority_n over_o all_o the_o church_n as_o have_v the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n who_o be_v commit_v to_o their_o charge_n and_o that_o they_o leave_v both_o the_o presbyter_n and_o people_n in_o their_o several_a church_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o all_o their_o particular_a right_n &_o impeach_v neither_o of_o they_o of_o their_o liberty_n and_o they_o do_v also_o confess_v that_o as_o paul_n by_o his_o own_o authority_n do_v excommunicate_a hymeneus_n and_o alexander_n 1_o tim._n 1._o ver_fw-la 20._o and_o other_o so_o may_v the_o other_o apostle_n have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v have_v the_o like_a occasion_n give_v they_o and_o may_v have_v put_v any_o church_n not_o only_o in_o mind_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o reprove_v they_o for_o their_o neglect_n of_o discipline_n but_o have_v enjoin_v and_o command_v they_o also_o to_o have_v put_v it_o in_o execution_n as_o both_o paul_n do_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o saint_n john_n the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n which_o be_v all_o well_o constitute_v and_o well_o and_o perfect_a form_v church_n by_o their_o first_o constitution_n and_o bring_v forth_o to_o full_a perfection_n in_o one_o day_n so_o as_o they_o have_v no_o need_n of_o a_o gradual_a growth_n as_o my_o brother_n burton_n affirm_v all_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v the_o independent_o do_v accord_n unto_o and_o all_o reason_n will_v persuade_v any_o well_o ground_a christian_n that_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v a_o perfect_a church_n at_o its_o first_o constitution_n before_o the_o incestuous_a person_n appear_v in_o it_o and_o the_o same_o they_o will_v say_v of_o the_o other_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n before_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o nicolaiâ—tans_n and_o that_o of_o baalam_n and_o jezabell_n spring_v up_o in_o they_o and_o before_o those_o lukewarm_a laodicean_n appear_v and_o all_o the_o other_o offender_n there_o speak_v of_o all_o the_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o add_v any_o perfection_n to_o those_o church_n as_o it_o be_v a_o deformity_n to_o they_o all_o to_o have_v such_o creature_n and_o fail_n among_o they_o and_o it_o be_v repute_v their_o great_a sin_n to_o connive_v at_o they_o and_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v among_o they_o and_o in_o their_o bowel_n which_o by_o their_o first_o constitution_n they_o have_v power_n to_o have_v cast_v out_o for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o all_o those_o church_n at_o their_o first_o plantation_n and_o sound_n have_v all_o of_o they_o their_o presbyter_n and_o elder_n and_o all_o other_o member_n and_o officer_n as_o consist_v of_o saint_n and_o have_v in_o all_o those_o several_a church_n both_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o this_o in_o their_o first_o constitution_n and_o therefore_o have_v no_o need_n of_o a_o gradual_a growth_n but_o be_v all_o bring_v forth_o to_o full_a perfection_n the_o first_o day_n contrary_a to_o my_o brother_n burtons_n doctrine_n and_o it_o be_v confess_v likewise_o by_o the_o independent_o and_o by_o my_o brother_n burton_n himself_o that_o where_o there_o be_v church_n officer_n as_o a_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n with_o a_o elder_a or_o two_o and_o a_o deacon_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o few_o visible_a saint_n if_o they_o amount_v but_o to_o the_o number_n of_o twenty_o nay_o if_o they_o be_v but_o ten_o or_o twelve_o gather_v together_o according_a to_o their_o method_n that_o there_o be_v a_o complete_a form_v church_n where_o christ_n be_v set_v up_o as_o king_n upon_o his_o throne_n and_o that_o this_o church_n be_v clothe_v with_o christ_n power_n and_o honour_v with_o his_o presence_n the_o which_o
want_v that_o part_n of_o discipline_n i_o beeleeve_v they_o will_v exercise_v some_o more_o of_o their_o authority_n to_o teach_v such_o a_o one_o better_a manner_n or_o more_o wit_n even_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n they_o have_v discipline_n in_o that_o church_n though_o we_o read_v not_o of_o the_o put_n of_o it_o in_o execution_n as_o we_o do_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o ephesus_n neither_o will_v any_o rational_a man_n conclude_v that_o all_o the_o other_o primitive_a church_n want_v that_o part_n of_o discipline_n because_o i_o say_v we_o read_v only_o of_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o that_o of_o ephesus_n which_o be_v commend_v for_o it_o and_o some_o of_o the_o other_o seven_o church_n be_v blame_v for_o not_o cast_v out_o their_o corrupt_a member_n and_o because_o they_o have_v not_o at_o that_o time_n exercise_v their_o authority_n neither_o read_v we_o of_o it_o in_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n colosse_n nor_o among_o the_o thessalonian_o nor_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n nor_o antioch_n nor_o in_o samaria_n will_v any_o man_n therefore_o say_v that_o all_o these_o church_n want_v that_o part_n of_o discipline_n because_o we_o read_v nothing_o of_o it_o in_o they_o i_o be_o confident_a they_o will_v not_o be_v so_o fanatical_a as_o to_o make_v such_o a_o conclusion_n from_o so_o brainsick_a a_o premise_v much_o less_o will_v any_o intelligible_a christian_n argue_v as_o my_o brother_n burton_n do_v say_v we_o read_v not_o of_o that_o part_n of_o discipline_n in_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n of_o cast_v out_o corrupt_a member_n ergo_fw-la it_o have_v it_o not_o this_o will_v indeed_o prove_v a_o non_fw-la sequitur_fw-la and_o such_o a_o consequenct_n or_o conclusion_n can_v least_o of_o all_o have_v be_v make_v from_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n upon_o such_o a_o antecedent_n then_o from_o any_o of_o the_o other_o church_n because_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n have_v not_o only_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n within_o itself_o but_o a_o legislative_a power_n also_o who_o give_v law_n to_o all_o other_o church_n both_o for_o the_o order_n and_o rule_v of_o they_o and_o for_o the_o exercise_v of_o their_o discipline_n in_o every_o particular_a and_o that_o by_o god_n appointment_n for_o out_o of_o zion_n shall_v go_v forth_o the_o law_n say_v the_o prophet_n isa_n 23._o and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o mother_n church_n give_v power_n to_o all_o the_o daughter_n church_n and_o that_o both_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n the_o power_n be_v radical_o in_o it_o and_o in_o that_o church_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o authority_n the_o stream_n of_o the_o which_o flow_v to_o all_o the_o other_o church_n of_o the_o world_n for_o out_o of_o zion_n shall_v go_v forth_o the_o law_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o can_v any_o rational_a man_n think_v it_o give_v away_o all_o its_o power_n and_o do_v not_o keep_v a_o reserve_n donec_fw-la ad_fw-la triarios_fw-la redierit_fw-la res_fw-la i_o believe_v that_o all_o the_o independent_o will_v much_o blame_v my_o brother_n burton_n for_o this_o his_o rashness_n in_o affirm_v the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n want_v that_o part_n of_o discipline_n for_o cast_v out_o corrupt_a member_n when_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o have_v all_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n bequeath_v unto_o they_o by_o christ_n himself_o who_o say_v mat._n 28._o verse_n 18._o 19_o all_o power_n be_v give_v to_o i_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n go_v you_o therefore_o and_o teach_v all_o nation_n etc._n etc._n and_o john_n the_o 20._o verse_n 21_o 22_o 23._o as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o even_o so_o send_v i_o you_o and_o when_o he_o have_v say_v this_o he_o breathe_v on_o they_o and_o say_v unto_o they_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 and_o who_o soever_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v loe_o here_o be_v plenary_a authority_n give_v unto_o all_o the_o apostle_n who_o as_o they_o have_v the_o key_n promise_v they_o in_o the_o sixteenth_o of_o matthew_n here_o they_o now_o receive_v they_o and_o therefore_o they_o have_v the_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n both_o of_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n which_o the_o key_n import_v as_o all_o the_o learned_a know_v and_o the_o very_a independent_o do_v not_o deny_v now_o this_o power_n be_v not_o only_o give_v unto_o they_o but_o unto_o all_o faithful_a minister_n their_o successor_n to_o who_o christ_n make_v a_o promise_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o apostle_n matth._n 28._o that_o he_o will_v be_v with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n neither_o do_v we_o ever_o read_v that_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n do_v ever_o relinquish_v their_o power_n and_o therefore_o they_o want_v not_o that_o part_n of_o discipline_n as_o my_o brother_n burton_n grollish_o affirm_v who_o begin_v now_o to_o doubt_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o dote_v but_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o just_a occasion_n without_o all_o controversy_n they_o will_v have_v put_v it_o in_o execution_n but_o that_o church_n consist_v of_o visible_a saint_n and_o have_v no_o scandalous_a person_n among_o they_o have_v no_o occasion_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o part_n of_o discipline_n which_o they_o want_v not_o though_o they_o exercise_v it_o not_o for_o it_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v discharge_v their_o duty_n in_o punish_v offender_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o and_o i_o believe_v that_o the_o independent_o will_v blame_v any_o of_o their_o scholar_n and_o member_n if_o they_o shall_v say_v their_o new_a congregat_v church_n want_v that_o part_n of_o discipline_n of_o cast_v out_o of_o corrupt_a member_n though_o they_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o in_o some_o of_o they_o put_v it_o in_o execution_n for_o they_o have_v learn_v to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o power_n of_o a_o church_n and_o the_o execution_n of_o that_o power_n in_o a_o church_n for_o as_o it_o do_v not_o argue_v that_o a_o court_n of_o justice_n have_v not_o power_n of_o life_n and_o death_n when_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v invest_v with_o the_o authority_n of_o hang_v and_o draw_v though_o perhaps_o after_o it_o be_v erect_v they_o either_o have_v no_o occasion_n of_o execute_v that_o authority_n that_o be_v give_v or_o they_o out_o of_o clemency_n will_v for_o a_o time_n show_v mercy_n and_o use_v lenity_n towards_o offender_n not_o take_v the_o extremity_n of_o the_o law_n the_o more_o with_o humanity_n and_o kindness_n to_o reclaim_v they_o even_o so_o in_o all_o well_o constitute_v church_n the_o not_o execute_v of_o the_o power_n give_v they_o by_o christ_n or_o the_o not_o have_v just_a occasion_n of_o put_v that_o power_n in_o execution_n do_v not_o prove_v a_o want_n of_o that_o power_n and_o if_o any_o of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o new_a congregation_n shall_v so_o argue_v against_o their_o new_a church_n officer_n i_o believe_v they_o will_v soon_o make_v use_n of_o their_o key_n to_o shut_v such_o a_o member_n out_o of_o their_o church_n door_n as_o my_o brother_n burton_n false_o complain_v that_o truth_n be_v late_o shut_v out_o of_o aldermanburic_n church_n door_n and_o true_o if_o one_o of_o their_o whibble_a congregation_n have_v no_o want_n of_o that_o part_n of_o discipline_n though_o they_o execute_v it_o not_o shall_v any_o man_n be_v so_o temerarious_a and_o unadvised_a as_o to_o think_v that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n in_o jerusalem_n be_v evacuate_v or_o enervate_v or_o that_o they_o have_v not_o that_o part_n of_o discipline_n when_o there_o be_v great_a power_n in_o it_o then_o in_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n all_o who_o have_v all_o the_o apostle_n among_o they_o and_o as_o christ_n and_o john_n disciple_n all_o of_o they_o arm_v with_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o when_o the_o magazine_n and_o treasury_n of_o all_o power_n reside_v continual_o in_o that_o church_n and_o therefore_o that_o part_n of_o discipline_n when_o all_o other_o church_n derive_v their_o power_n authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n from_o that_o as_o the_o mother_n church_n and_o to_o this_o i_o now_o say_v i_o be_o most_o assure_v all_o judicious_a man_n will_v easy_o consent_v and_o agree_v and_o therefore_o my_o brother_n burton_n affirm_v that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n want_v that_o part_n of_o discipline_n of_o cast_v out_o of_o corrupt_a member_n say_v that_o neither_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o perfect_a pattern_n nor_o none_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v complete_a within_o themselves_o but_o that_o they_o must_v
in_o so_o do_v under_o reformation_n be_v it_o speak_v i_o say_v they_o assume_v unto_o themselves_o a_o great_a authority_n than_o beseem_v they_o for_o they_o can_v make_v the_o apostle_n joint_a govern_v of_o one_o congregation_n for_o so_o they_o take_v it_o pro_fw-la confesso_fw-la that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v but_o one_o congregation_n to_o be_v a_o pattern_n of_o many_o minister_n govern_v one_o congregation_n but_o whereas_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n and_o be_v yet_o under_o but_o one_o presbytery_n and_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n as_o under_o a_o grand_a common-presbytery_a this_o at_o pleasure_n they_o reject_v and_o make_v it_o no_o way_n exemplary_a and_o bind_v but_o for_o a_o further_a answer_n i_o assert_v that_o the_o apostle_n power_n and_o authority_n over_o many_o assembly_n as_o one_o church_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v they_o all_o as_o one_o church_n joint_o and_o in_o common_a be_v not_o ground_v upon_o their_o power_n over_o all_o church_n but_o upon_o the_o union_n of_o those_o assembly_n and_o congregation_n into_o one_o church_n which_o union_n lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o the_o power_n of_o presbyter_n rule_v and_o govern_v many_o congregation_n and_o the_o apostle_n practice_n in_o govern_v many_o assembly_n joint_o as_o one_o church_n be_v the_o pattern_n and_o example_n of_o that_o government_n to_o all_o succeed_a age_n and_o this_o precedent_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o presbyter_n in_o all_o church_n ought_v to_o set_v before_o their_o eye_n in_o all_o reformation_n for_o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o the_o public_a affair_n of_o government_n they_o do_v as_o presbyter_n and_o for_o imitation_n neither_o do_v our_o brethren_n only_o grant_v the_o act_n of_o ministerial_a power_n to_o be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n save_v in_o the_o extent_n but_o they_o acknowledge_v also_o that_o they_o be_v call_v presbyter_n virtual_o as_o i_o say_v before_o and_o that_o the_o apostle_n act_v in_o a_o joint_a body_n and_o by_o common_a consent_n and_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o they_o shall_v so_o do_v and_o say_v withal_o that_o the_o apostle_n wherever_o they_o come_v leave_v the_o presbyter_n and_o people_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o right_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o although_o they_o join_v with_o they_o these_o be_v their_o formal_a expression_n out_o of_o which_o their_o concession_n my_o argument_n yea_o the_o whole_a syllogism_n be_v not_o only_o confirm_v and_o strengthen_v but_o the_o truth_n do_v more_o evident_o shine_v forth_o for_o if_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o presbyter_n and_o people_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o right_n which_o belong_v unto_o they_o in_o all_o church_n and_o the_o presbyter_n right_o be_v to_o rule_v as_o ecclesiastical_a magistrate_n as_o to_o who_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n peculiar_o belong_v by_o god_n institution_n and_o the_o right_n of_o the_o people_n in_o all_o church_n be_v to_o obey_v as_o they_o be_v every_o where_o command_v then_o it_o follow_v necessary_o that_o it_o do_v not_o belong_v unto_o the_o people_n to_o ordain_v either_o deacon_n or_o presbyter_n whatsoever_o they_o may_v do_v in_o the_o choose_n of_o they_o nor_o to_o excommunicate_a or_o cast_v out_o any_o out_o of_o the_o church_n or_o to_o make_v member_n who_o they_o please_v nor_o to_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o peculiar_a right_n of_o the_o presbyter_n leave_v unto_o they_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o none_o of_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v ever_o leave_v unto_o the_o people_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o precedent_n of_o it_o in_o holy_a scripture_n so_o that_o while_o the_o brethren_n seem_v to_o contend_v for_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o people_n they_o plain_o overthrow_v it_o for_o they_o grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o presbyter_n and_o people_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o right_n that_o belong_v unto_o they_o in_o all_o church_n the_o right_a therefore_o of_o the_o key_n of_o government_n and_o jurisdiction_n belong_v proper_o unto_o the_o presbyter_n in_o every_o church_n who_o be_v the_o officer_n and_o magistrate_n appoint_v by_o god_n himself_o for_o that_o purpose_n act_v 20._o ver_fw-la 28._o and_o therefore_o when_o the_o apostle_n write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o excommunicate_v that_o incestuous_a person_n although_o his_o epistle_n be_v not_o direct_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n yet_o the_o presbyter_n in_o that_o church_n only_o execute_v that_o act_n of_o government_n which_o of_o right_n belong_v unto_o they_o though_o the_o people_n also_o assent_v unto_o it_o even_o as_o we_o see_v daily_o and_o experience_n teach_v we_o in_o all_o well_o order_v corporation_n when_o the_o king_n or_o counsel_n write_v unto_o any_o city_n or_o corporation_n though_o their_o mandate_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o whole_a city_n or_o corporation_n for_o the_o raise_v either_o of_o man_n or_o money_n or_o about_o any_o other_o employment_n of_o public_a concernment_n the_o mayor_n alderman_n and_o common_a council_n and_o the_o officer_n under_o they_o only_o manage_v the_o business_n for_o that_o be_v their_o right_n and_o place_n and_o the_o people_n under_o they_o do_v yield_v obedience_n and_o submit_v themselvesto_fw-la what_o they_o order_n and_o command_v and_o intermeddle_v not_o in_o that_o employment_n as_o know_v very_o well_o it_o be_v their_o right_n and_o place_n only_o to_o obey_v and_o even_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n the_o presbyter_n only_o exercise_v the_o government_n and_o order_v all_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n injunction_n and_o the_o people_n assent_v unto_o it_o and_o submit_v themselves_o to_o their_o order_n and_o the_o mistake_n of_o that_o place_n and_o many_o more_o have_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o so_o much_o confusion_n in_o the_o church_n at_o this_o time_n when_o not_o only_o the_o man_n in_o every_o assembly_n but_o the_o very_a woman_n in_o many_o of_o the_o new_a congregation_n as_o member_n challenge_v a_o power_n and_o right_a both_o in_o the_o elect_n of_o church_n officer_n and_o of_o admit_v of_o member_n and_o of_o cast_v out_o and_o excommunicate_v which_o before_o these_o our_o time_n be_v never_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o world_n when_o as_o the_o right_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o of_o the_o key_n as_o i_o have_v often_o prove_v peculiar_o belong_v unto_o the_o presbyter_n and_o that_o the_o people_n neither_o man_n nor_o woman_n aught_o to_o intermeddle_v with_o it_o for_o if_o they_o shall_v in_o short_a time_n it_o will_v overthrow_v all_o government_n in_o church_n and_o state_n and_o bring_v confusion_n into_o the_o world_n but_o i_o conceive_v the_o cause_n of_o so_o gross_a a_o mistake_n of_o that_o place_n concern_v the_o excommunicate_v of_o the_o incestuous_a person_n arise_v from_o this_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o the_o other_o church_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n not_o as_o corporation_n as_o they_o be_v indeed_o but_o as_o on_o their_o now_o suck_v independent_a new_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n consist_v of_o twenty_o or_o thirty_o member_n such_o as_o many_o of_o those_o be_v whereas_o those_o several_a church_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v under_o another_o notion_n as_o consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n as_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n unite_v into_o one_o church_n or_o body_n in_o the_o several_a corporation_n and_o each_o of_o they_o govern_v by_o a_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n and_o by_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o their_o several_a presbytery_n all_o these_o several_a congregation_n make_v but_o one_o church_n though_o never_o so_o much_o daily_o increase_v and_o keep_v still_o the_o name_n and_o denomination_n of_o such_o a_o church_n either_o from_o the_o place_n city_n country_n or_o nation_n or_o several_a language_n as_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o greek_a church_n the_o latin_a church_n or_o from_o the_o city_n as_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n of_o ephesus_n rome_n etc._n etc._n all_o the_o which_o though_o they_o consist_v of_o never_o so_o many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n yet_o they_o ever_o keep_v the_o name_n of_o unity_n &_o be_v account_v but_o one_o church_n in_o their_o several_a place_n and_o precinct_n as_o at_o this_o day_n the_o church_n of_o geneva_n though_o it_o consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n be_v count_v but_o one_o church_n as_o it_o be_v so_o that_o i_o say_v the_o conceive_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o those_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o one_o of_o their_o congregation_n cause_v through_o this_o mistake_n that_o great_a confusion_n that_o be_v now_o in_o the_o church_n and_o be_v the_o original_a
person_n the_o three_o essential_a part_n of_o sovereign_a power_n in_o any_o state_n be_v this_o to_o make_v war_n and_o peace_n at_o pleasure_n either_o foreign_a or_o domestical_a upon_o any_o just_a occasion_n and_o to_o have_v the_o manage_n of_o the_o militia_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o those_o only_a in_o who_o hand_n this_o authority_n lie_v they_o be_v repute_v and_o indeed_o be_v the_o supreme_a ruler_n in_o that_o state_n the_o four_o essential_a property_n of_o superlative_a power_n and_o authority_n in_o any_o government_n or_o state_n be_v this_o to_o have_v a_o court_n of_o ultimate_a resort_n to_o the_o which_o all_o man_n may_v fly_v for_o relief_n and_o to_o the_o which_o all_o appeal_v by_o all_o person_n from_o all_o part_n within_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o from_o all_o inferior_a court_n be_v make_v upon_o any_o unjustice_n do_v they_o there_o or_o upon_o any_o pressure_n or_o grievance_n by_o any_o one_o in_o authority_n and_o in_o who_o power_n it_o be_v to_o end_n and_o determine_v all_o controversy_n and_o difference_n or_o to_o redress_v all_o abuse_n and_o to_o relieve_v the_o oppress_v so_o that_o in_o who_o hand_n soever_o this_o authority_n reside_v they_o only_o be_v say_v to_o exercise_v the_o sovereign_a power_n and_o to_o be_v the_o sole_a governor_n and_o moderator_n in_o that_o state_n the_o five_o and_o last_o paâ—t_n of_o supreme_a authority_n in_o any_o state_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o they_o have_v the_o power_n of_o press_v and_o stamp_v money_n and_o coin_n and_o set_v the_o valution_n upon_o they_o or_o any_o other_o money_n that_o be_v currant_n in_o their_o country_n or_o have_v the_o dispose_n of_o the_o treasury_n of_o those_o state_n in_o which_o they_o live_v and_o have_v the_o exchequer_n in_o their_o hand_n and_o all_o the_o revenue_n of_o they_o and_o to_o who_o all_o the_o tribute_n subsidy_n assessment_n custom_n benevolence_n and_o collection_n of_o the_o people_n that_o be_v gather_v for_o the_o common_a relief_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o whole_a country_n or_o state_n be_v send_v and_o who_o have_v the_o dispose_n of_o they_o according_a to_o their_o wisdom_n in_o those_o man_n hand_n i_o say_v that_o this_o power_n â—esideth_v of_o dispose_v the_o treasury_n or_o revenue_n they_o and_o they_o only_o be_v the_o supreme_a magistrate_n and_o ruler_n in_o that_o state_n as_o at_o this_o day_n it_o reside_v with_o all_o the_o former_a essential_a property_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o king_n and_o parliament_n that_o great_a council_n of_o the_o kingdom_n by_o all_o which_o it_o sufficient_o appear_v that_o all_o sovereign_a power_n reside_v in_o they_o only_o and_o be_v sole_o exercise_v and_o manage_v by_o they_o so_o that_o if_o master_n knollys_n shall_v say_v that_o it_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o the_o government_n lie_v now_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o king_n and_o parliament_n that_o great_a court_n because_o the_o contribution_n collection_n and_o excise_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v send_v unto_o they_o and_o be_v now_o at_o their_o dispose_n i_o believe_v the_o great_a council_n will_v teach_v he_o a_o little_a more_o wit_n and_o all_o those_o his_o brethren_n that_o shall_v join_v with_o he_o in_o this_o his_o argumentation_n a_o little_a better_a manner_n now_o if_o we_o will_v compare_v thing_n together_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o whatsoever_o can_v prove_v the_o sovereign_a power_n in_o all_o secular_a government_n to_o be_v in_o those_o man_n hand_n which_o exercise_v it_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v concern_v the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n in_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n who_o be_v the_o chief_a officer_n and_o man_n in_o authority_n in_o it_o that_o the_o government_n and_o sovereign_a power_n in_o that_o church_n lie_v in_o their_o hand_n only_o so_o that_o it_o will_v then_o undeniable_o follow_v that_o my_o argument_n will_v for_o ever_o stand_v good_a against_o master_n knolly_n fond_a cavil_n for_o the_o prove_v of_o these_o two_o truth_n viz._n that_o the_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o all_o other_o church_n be_v the_o only_a governor_n in_o those_o church_n and_o that_o from_o this_o reason_n because_o the_o alm_n be_v send_v unto_o they_o and_o because_o they_o have_v the_o dispose_n of_o the_o treasury_n of_o the_o church_n this_o i_o say_v will_v in_o the_o first_o place_n necessary_o follow_v the_o second_o truth_n that_o will_v result_v out_o of_o the_o word_n be_v this_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n govern_v and_o rule_v that_o church_n by_o a_o common-council_n and_o presbytery_n both_o which_o master_n knollys_n vain_o deny_v will_v follow_v from_o my_o argument_n but_o for_o the_o far_a elucidation_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o that_o it_o may_v the_o better_o appear_v unto_o all_o man_n i_o will_v brief_o run_v over_o the_o essential_a property_n and_o part_n of_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a power_n that_o be_v exercise_v in_o that_o church_n and_o show_v that_o they_o reside_v only_o and_o sole_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n hand_n who_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o that_o church_n and_o that_o the_o people_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o they_o and_o for_o the_o first_o to_o wit_n the_o legislative_a power_n it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o commit_v only_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbytery_n of_o that_o church_n as_o who_o have_v receive_v the_o key_n matth._n 16._o and_o matth._n 18._o for_o so_o say_v the_o prophet_n isaiah_n chapter_n the_o 2._o verse_n 2._o out_o of_o zion_n shall_v go_v forth_o the_o law_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o act_v the_o 1._o vers_fw-la 2._o 3._o it_o be_v say_v that_o christ_n for_o the_o time_n that_o he_o remain_v upon_o the_o earth_n after_o his_o resurrection_n through_o the_o holy_a ghost_n give_v commandment_n unto_o the_o apostle_n who_o he_o have_v choose_v speak_v to_o they_o of_o the_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o command_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o depart_v from_o jerusalem_n but_o wait_v for_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o father_n which_o be_v that_o he_o will_v send_v they_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o comforter_n which_o shall_v teach_v they_o all_o thing_n and_o bring_v all_o thing_n unto_o their_o remembrance_n whatsoever_o christ_n have_v say_v unto_o they_o and_o that_o he_o shall_v abide_v with_o they_o for_o ever_o john_n 14._o verse_n 26._o and_o lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o in_o the_o fifteen_o chapter_n he_o call_v his_o apostle_n his_o friend_n tell_v they_o that_o he_o have_v make_v know_v unto_o they_o all_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v hear_v from_o his_o father_n verse_n 15._o and_o he_o promise_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v bring_v all_o those_o thing_n to_o their_o memory_n and_o in_o the_o same_o chapter_n in_o the_o 26._o verse_n christ_n say_v when_o the_o comforter_n be_v come_v who_o i_o will_v send_v unto_o you_o from_o the_o father_n even_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o father_n he_o shall_v testify_v of_o i_o from_o all_o which_o place_n and_o from_o the_o 28._o of_o matth._n verse_n 18_o 19_o 20._o mark_n the_o 16._o verse_n 15_o 16_o 17_o 18._o and_o john_n the_o 20._o verse_n 21_o 22_o 23._o and_o many_o more_o that_o may_v be_v allege_v it_o be_v apparent_o evident_a that_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v invest_v with_o a_o legislative_a power_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o they_o preach_v or_o write_v that_o we_o find_v record_v in_o the_o holy_a word_n of_o god_n they_o be_v all_o the_o statute_n and_o law_n of_o the_o king_n of_o his_o church_n christ_n jesus_n and_o by_o the_o which_o all_o christ_n subject_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v regulate_v and_o govern_v the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v power_n also_o to_o abrogate_v old_a law_n and_o to_o enact_v and_o establish_v new_a one_o as_o we_o may_v see_v act._n 15._o and_o act._n 16._o yea_o they_o have_v power_n of_o life_n and_o death_n of_o which_o we_o have_v one_o example_n in_o ananias_n and_o saphira_n act._n 5._o yea_o they_o raise_v the_o dead_a cure_v the_o lame_a and_o heal_v the_o sick_a with_o their_o very_a shadow_n and_o all_o this_o power_n be_v give_v unto_o they_o for_o the_o ratify_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o to_o show_v they_o be_v send_v of_o god_n withal_o they_o have_v the_o power_n of_o erect_v new_a office_n and_o create_v new_a officer_n not_o only_o in_o jerusalem_n but_o in_o all_o the_o church_n as_o that_o office_n of_o deacon_n in_o the_o six_o of_o the_o act_n and_o the_o
that_o by_o this_o their_o doctrine_n they_o not_o only_o rob_v christ_n the_o king_n of_o his_o church_n of_o his_o honour_n and_o dignity_n which_o i_o make_v good_a before_o but_o all_o the_o holy_a apostle_n and_o presbyter_n his_o minister_n and_o servant_n also_o of_o their_o honour_n power_n and_o dignity_n which_o the_o king_n of_o his_o church_n the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v invest_v they_o with_o and_o bestow_v upon_o they_o all_o which_o will_v clear_o appear_v if_o we_o shall_v again_o brief_o consider_v and_o but_o take_v notice_n first_o what_o power_n and_o authority_n god_n give_v unto_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o his_o minister_n which_o be_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n matth._n 16._o and_o matth._n 18._o that_o be_v all_o power_n in_o his_o church_n under_o he_o matth._n 28._o and_o mark_v 16._o i_o say_v if_o we_o shall_v due_o in_o the_o first_o place_n but_o consider_v that_o all_o the_o apostle_n christ_n special_a minister_n and_o servant_n be_v by_o christ_n himself_o invest_v with_o all_o authority_n and_o guide_v in_o their_o preach_n and_o write_v by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o they_o teach_v or_o write_v as_o his_o minister_n be_v the_o dictate_v of_o his_o spirit_n and_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o be_v for_o ever_o to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o his_o church_n to_o all_o succeed_a age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o if_o we_o consider_v also_o what_o he_o promise_v to_o his_o bless_a apostle_n and_o all_o his_o servant_n and_o minister_n that_o shall_v succeed_v they_o viz._n that_o he_o will_v be_v with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o all_o which_o minister_n likewise_o he_o have_v give_v the_o key_n and_o make_v they_o steward_n and_o overseer_n of_o his_o house_n which_o be_v his_o church_n i_o say_v if_o we_o but_o due_o weigh_v all_o these_o thing_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o all_o invest_v with_o plenary_a authority_n and_o by_o the_o very_a commission_n of_o god_n for_o ever_o enable_v to_o exercise_v all_o act_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o by_o themselves_o without_o the_o assistance_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o people_n who_o be_v never_o join_v with_o they_o in_o commission_n but_o receive_v command_n from_o heaven_n to_o obey_v those_o that_o god_n have_v make_v guide_n over_o they_o and_o make_v ruler_n in_o his_o church_n i_o say_v if_o we_o mature_o consider_v all_o these_o immunity_n and_o privilege_n and_o the_o power_n that_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n of_o christ_n be_v endue_v with_o and_o that_o from_o christ_n the_o king_n of_o his_o church_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n shall_v but_o consider_v what_o learn_v i._o s._n in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o independent_o his_o brethren_n declare_v concern_v not_o only_o all_o the_o ordinary_a minister_n of_o the_o church_n but_o what_o he_o deliver_v concern_v the_o bless_a apostle_n we_o shall_v clear_o perceive_v that_o herobb_v they_o all_o of_o that_o honour_n dignity_n and_o power_n which_o god_n have_v give_v they_o and_o invest_v the_o people_n with_o it_o which_o be_v a_o double_a injustice_n first_n in_o take_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n that_o which_o be_v their_o due_a and_o which_o god_n have_v bestow_v upon_o they_o and_o second_o in_o give_v unto_o the_o people_n that_o which_o pertain_v not_o to_o they_o and_o to_o which_o they_o have_v no_o right_a nor_o can_v lay_v no_o claim_n and_o with_o which_o they_o be_v not_o to_o meddle_v but_o take_v notice_n of_o his_o doctrine_n what_o he_o hold_v and_o believe_v concern_v the_o ordinary_a minister_n page_n 12._o in_o ordination_n say_v he_o election_n belong_v unto_o the_o brethren_n jmposition_n of_o hand_n be_v proper_a to_o the_o officer_n where_o there_o be_v officer_n as_o in_o a_o church_n constitute_v and_o complete_a otherwise_o if_o the_o church_n be_v not_o complete_a according_a to_o his_o learning_n the_o people_n may_v do_v it_o thus_o i._n s._n speak_v there_o and_o in_o the_o 11_o page_n he_o grant_v it_o be_v the_o presbyter_n part_v to_o rule_v but_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v speak_v the_o word_n as_o if_o he_o repent_v of_o what_o he_o have_v say_v he_o come_v in_o with_o a_o but_o say_v but_o we_o distinguish_v between_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o power_n and_o jnterest_n on_o the_o other_o this_o latter_a belong_v unto_o the_o people_n the_o other_o be_v proper_a unto_o the_o officer_n which_o yet_o they_o exercise_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n the_o officer_n say_v he_o ordain_v they_o excommunicate_v they_o lead_v and_o direct_v in_o all_o government_n and_o dispute_n they_o have_v the_o executive_a power_n but_o the_o people_n have_v a_o power_n and_o interest_n too_o that_o be_v in_o his_o dialect_n as_o he_o declare_v himself_o in_o the_o word_n go_v before_o the_o officer_n must_v exercise_v all_o their_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n and_o must_v do_v as_o the_o people_n shall_v direct_v they_o for_o their_o power_n be_v only_o the_o executive_a power_n they_o be_v only_o the_o executioner_n of_o the_o church_n they_o can_v neither_o elect_v any_o officer_n nor_o excommunicate_v any_o without_o they_o have_v the_o leave_n and_o good_a like_n from_o the_o people_n for_o the_o radical_a and_o original_a power_n lie_v in_o the_o people_n and_o church_n which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o utter_o to_o overthrow_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o to_o make_v they_o nothing_o but_o cypher_n in_o the_o church_n and_o most_o sacrilegious_o to_o rob_v they_o of_o that_o power_n christ_n the_o king_n of_o his_o church_n have_v give_v they_o and_o to_o arrogate_v it_o and_o assume_v it_o unto_o themselves_o and_o whether_o this_o be_v not_o the_o great_a wickedness_n and_o injustice_n in_o the_o independent_o that_o can_v be_v commit_v against_o man_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o consideration_n and_o judgement_n of_o all_o conscientious_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o whether_o such_o temerarious_a and_o bold_a impudent_a theive_v and_o church-robber_n ought_v not_o with_o great_a severity_n and_o justice_n to_o be_v proceed_v against_o for_o this_o their_o malefice_fw-la and_o unsufferable_a wickedness_n who_o do_v not_o only_o take_v from_o the_o minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o they_o ought_v ever_o to_o have_v in_o great_a reverence_n for_o their_o work_n sake_n 1_o thess_n 5._o that_o honour_n power_n and_o authority_n christ_n have_v give_v they_o but_o labour_v likewise_o now_o with_o all_o their_o might_n to_o take_v from_o they_o also_o that_o that_o god_n have_v put_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n his_o servant_n to_o give_v they_o viz._n their_o tithe_n and_o livelihood_n and_o all_o that_o by_o which_o they_o shall_v support_v themselves_o and_o their_o poor_a family_n which_o be_v as_o intolerable_a a_o in_o justice_n and_o ingratitude_n both_o towards_o god_n and_o man_n as_o can_v by_o mortal_a creature_n be_v commit_v which_o wickedness_n of_o the_o independent_o and_o sectary_n if_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v suffer_v to_o go_v unpunished_a i_o most_o confident_o believe_v that_o the_o lord_n and_o king_n of_o his_o church_n the_o lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n will_v take_v the_o quarrel_n of_o his_o righteousservant_n into_o his_o hand_n and_o will_v pour_v down_o his_o plague_n both_o on_o they_o and_o all_o their_o complice_n and_o abettor_n and_o now_o i_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a how_o they_o rob_v all_o the_o ordinary_a minister_n and_o presbyter_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o their_o due_a honour_n and_o power_n i_o will_v make_v it_o likewise_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n also_o be_v by_o their_o doctrine_n in_o the_o same_o predicament_n and_o that_o they_o deal_v no_o better_o with_o they_o who_o they_o have_v rob_v also_o and_o spoil_v of_o their_o honour_n power_n and_o authority_n and_o count_v of_o they_o all_fw-mi no_o otherwise_o then_o of_o ordinary_a and_o common_a minister_n and_o but_o as_o of_o a_o company_n of_o executioner_n for_o we_o must_v take_v what_o i._o s._n speak_v in_o this_o business_n to_o be_v utter_v in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o independent_o for_o he_o be_v but_o their_o mouth_n and_o his_o book_n come_v forth_o by_o the_o authority_n and_o approbation_n of_o they_o all_o and_o be_v esteem_v of_o as_o a_o goodly_a piece_n and_o he_o high_o honour_v among_o they_o for_o it_o his_o word_n be_v these_o page_z 12._o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n say_v he_o as_o a_o committee_n first_o prepare_v the_o dispute_n as_o not_o count_v it_o so_o safe_a perhaps_o to_o admit_v the_o weak_a to_o the_o same_o while_o it_o be_v intricate_a and_o then_o report_v it_o and_o have_v their_o assistance_n and_o concurrence_n and_o the_o letter_n of_o resolution_n
esteem_v of_o to_o be_v godly_a as_o walk_v unblamable_o be_v also_o diligent_a hearer_n of_o the_o word_n before_o they_o know_v they_o yet_o after_o their_o acquaintance_n with_o they_o be_v first_o by_o their_o mean_n seduce_v from_o our_o church_n after_o some_o time_n they_o fall_v from_o their_o congregation_n also_o into_o wicked_a and_o desperate_a opinion_n and_o in_o a_o short_a time_n after_o become_v so_o profane_a and_o beastly_a yea_o so_o atheistical_a as_o it_o will_v exceed_v ordinary_a belief_n to_o relate_v and_o true_o if_o i_o have_v not_o very_o good_a witness_n to_o prove_v what_o i_o say_v beside_o my_o own_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n i_o will_v not_o have_v mention_v it_o but_o because_o if_o occasion_n serve_v i_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o produce_v many_o precedent_n of_o fearful_a apostasy_n even_o among_o those_o that_o be_v their_o scholar_n and_o the_o disciple_n of_o the_o independent_a way_n i_o be_o the_o willing_a to_o speak_v of_o it_o that_o i_o may_v arm_v all_o man_n with_o some_o caution_n in_o read_v their_o pamphlet_n which_o they_o write_v against_o the_o presbyterian_o for_o they_o never_o deal_v candid_o neither_o with_o they_o nor_o with_o their_o own_o brethren_n for_o first_o they_o either_o whole_o dissuade_v they_o from_o read_v our_o book_n or_o else_o by_o their_o emissary_n and_o rail_a libel_n they_o most_o shameful_o vilify_v and_o belie_v they_o so_o that_o they_o come_v prejudicate_v to_o they_o and_o then_o they_o send_v their_o own_o putrid_a and_o corrupt_a scribble_n among_o those_o of_o their_o fraternity_n who_o they_o miserable_o cozen_v and_o abuse_v with_o their_o fraudulent_a juggle_n and_o that_o against_o all_o the_o law_n of_o piety_n and_o common_a honesty_n to_o the_o disturbance_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n this_o i_o think_v fit_a i_o say_v to_o speak_v before_o i_o come_v to_o my_o second_o question_n and_o several_a query_n arise_v from_o it_o concern_v the_o gather_n of_o church_n and_o their_o answer_n unto_o they_o wherein_o they_o rather_o trifle_v then_o dispute_n as_o will_v by_o and_o by_o appear_v i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o my_o reply_n unto_o they_o first_o set_v down_o the_o question_n full_o with_o all_o my_o query_n and_o then_o answer_v to_o all_o the_o material_n of_o their_o fond_a cavil_n and_o evasion_n with_o their_o silly_a responsal_n to_o they_o and_o after_o i_o have_v do_v that_o i_o will_v set_v down_o god_n method_n and_o the_o apostle_n practise_v in_o the_o gather_n of_o church_n with_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o admit_v of_o member_n and_o then_o reply_v to_o whatsoever_o they_o have_v to_o say_v against_o my_o argument_n and_o reason_n deduce_v from_o holy_a scripture_n and_o for_o further_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n i_o will_v add_v many_o more_o precedent_n and_o they_o undeniable_a one_o of_o the_o apostle_n receive_v of_o member_n and_o that_o into_o church_n form_v after_o the_o new-testament_n form_n according_a to_o their_o own_o description_n beside_o those_o that_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o catholic_a visible_a church_n and_o all_o without_o any_o of_o those_o condition_n they_o now_o require_v of_o their_o member_n and_o i_o shall_v by_o god_n assistance_n evident_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o god_n by_o his_o holy_a apostle_n and_o minister_n use_v but_o one_o way_n of_o admit_v of_o member_n into_o the_o church_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o catholic_a visible_a church_n or_o any_o particular_a presbyterian_a church_n whether_o they_o be_v admit_v in_o a_o ordinary_a or_o a_o extraordinary_a way_n i_o say_v by_o thegrace_n of_o god_n i_o shall_v clear_o elucidate_v this_o truth_n that_o god_n use_v one_o and_o the_o same_o method_n in_o gather_v his_o people_n out_o of_o all_o nation_n into_o church_n fellowship_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o saint_n which_o ought_v to_o all_o minister_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o walk_v by_o in_o the_o receive_n in_o of_o member_n into_o their_o congregation_n have_v thus_o set_v down_o what_o order_n i_o will_v proceed_v in_o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o question_n between_o we_o and_o the_o brethren_n which_o be_v concern_v the_o manner_n of_o gather_v of_o church_n and_o admit_v of_o member_n and_o officer_n viz._n whether_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v out_o of_o already_o congregat_v assembly_n of_o `_o believer_n select_a and_o choose_v the_o most_o principal_a of_o they_o into_o a_o church-fellowship_n peculiar_a unto_o themselves_o and_o admit_v of_o none_o into_o their_o society_n but_o such_o as_o shall_v enter_v in_o by_o a_o private_a covenant_n and_o be_v allow_v of_o by_o the_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o all_o the_o congregation_n and_o this_o question_n branch_v itself_o into_o these_o several_a query_n the_o first_o whether_o for_o the_o gather_n of_o church_n there_o be_v either_o precept_n or_o precedent_n in_o the_o holy_a word_n of_o god_n that_o the_o preacher_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v ever_o leave_v their_o own_o ordinary_a charge_n to_o which_o they_o be_v call_v and_o whereto_o they_o be_v fix_v with_o a_o command_n not_o to_o leave_v they_o and_o under_o pretence_n of_o a_o new_a way_n or_o a_o new_a bear_v truth_n or_o a_o new_a light_n do_v run_v about_o and_o alienate_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n well_o affect_v former_o to_o their_o several_a minister_n as_o of_o duty_n they_o be_v bind_v as_o who_o have_v convert_v they_o to_o christ_n by_o their_o ministry_n and_o feed_v they_o still_o with_o the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n and_o build_v they_o up_o in_o their_o most_o holy_a faith_n i_o say_v the_o first_o quere_z be_v whether_o there_o be_v precept_n or_o example_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o any_o true_a minister_n so_o do_v and_o whether_o it_o be_v ever_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a time_n that_o any_o believe_a christian_n be_v in_o great_a number_n congregat_v from_o among_o other_o believe_a christian_n and_o mould_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n as_o separate_v and_o distinct_a body_n and_o church_n from_o they_o and_o who_o have_v no_o church-fellowship_n with_o the_o other_o congregation_n nor_o communicate_v with_o they_o in_o the_o ordinance_n but_o be_v independent_a from_o they_o and_o absolute_a among_o themselves_o and_o whether_o this_o way_n of_o gather_v of_o church_n be_v ever_o hear_v of_o before_o these_o day_n and_o whether_o this_o be_v to_o set_v christ_n upon_o his_o throne_n to_o make_v division_n and_o schism_n in_o church_n and_o among_o believer_n and_o brethren_n and_o that_o upon_o groundless_a pretence_n the_o second_o quere_z be_v whether_o for_o the_o make_n of_o any_o man_n or_o woman_n a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v requisite_a or_o necessary_a to_o the_o believe_a and_o be_v baptize_v that_o they_o shall_v walk_v some_o day_n week_n month_n perhaps_o year_n with_o they_o that_o they_o may_v have_v experience_n of_o their_o conversation_n before_o they_o can_v be_v admit_v and_o after_o that_o a_o confession_n of_o their_o faith_n shall_v be_v public_o make_v before_o the_o congregation_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o conversion_n as_o the_o time_n when_o the_o place_n where_o the_o occasion_n how_o they_o be_v convert_v shall_v likewise_o open_o be_v produce_v for_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o church_n before_o they_o can_v be_v admit_v to_o be_v member_n and_o if_o any_o either_o man_n or_o woman_n shall_v except_v against_o their_o evidence_n that_o then_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v this_o be_v the_o second_o quere_z the_o three_o be_v whether_o for_o make_v any_o man_n or_o woman_n a_o member_n or_o a_o officer_n of_o a_o church_n the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o beside_o the_o presbyter_n and_o minister_n be_v requisite_a the_o four_o quere_z be_v whether_o for_o the_o admission_n of_o any_o one_o into_o church-fellowship_n and_o communion_n a_o private_a solemn_a covenant_n be_v requisite_a or_o necessary_a for_o the_o make_n of_o any_o one_o a_o member_n the_o neglect_n or_o refusal_n of_o the_o which_o make_v they_o incapable_a of_o their_o member-ship_n and_o admission_n there_o be_v no_o question_n between_o we_o and_o the_o brethren_n about_o a_o public_a covenant_n for_o we_o have_v precedent_n of_o that_o in_o holy_a scripture_n in_o all_o public_a reformation_n the_o five_o quere_z be_v whether_o the_o woman_n and_o people_n as_o well_o as_o the_o presbyter_n and_o minister_n have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o whether_o the_o woman_n have_v all_o their_o voice_n in_o the_o church_n both_o for_o election_n and_o reprobation_n of_o member_n and_o officer_n as_o well_o as_o the_o man_n and_o whether_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o the_o woman_n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v requisite_a for_o
the_o fear_n wherewith_o he_o fear_v i_o and_o be_v afraid_a before_o my_o name_n the_o law_n of_o truth_n be_v in_o his_o mouth_n and_o iniquity_n be_v not_o find_v in_o his_o lip_n he_o walk_v with_o i_o in_o peace_n and_o equity_n and_o do_v turn_v many_o away_o from_o iniquity_n for_o the_o priest_n lip_n shall_v keep_v knowledge_n and_o they_o shall_v seek_v the_o law_n at_o his_o mouth_n for_o he_o be_v the_o messenger_n or_o angel_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n a_o sufficient_a testimony_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o minister_n only_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v the_o power_n give_v they_o of_o admit_v of_o any_o into_o the_o fellowship_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o all_o the_o people_n be_v direct_v to_o they_o as_o the_o messenger_n and_o angel_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n if_o they_o desire_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n and_o so_o jeremy_n and_o ezekiel_n as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o both_o their_o prophecy_n and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o all_o the_o prophet_n they_o be_v send_v unto_o the_o people_n the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v direct_v by_o they_o and_o the_o prophet_n and_o priest_n only_o have_v that_o power_n delegated_a unto_o they_o of_o proclaim_v both_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n and_o of_o receive_v into_o the_o church_n such_o as_o shall_v come_v unto_o they_o and_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o the_o three_o of_o matthew_n we_o find_v jerusalem_n and_o all_o judea_n and_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o jerusalem_n go_v out_o to_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o be_v baptize_v of_o he_o and_o admit_v into_o the_o church_n by_o he_o alone_o without_o the_o people_n and_o the_o substance_n of_o his_o preach_v with_o his_o manner_n of_o admit_v of_o member_n into_o the_o church_n and_o the_o condition_n upon_o which_o he_o receive_v they_o and_o what_o the_o people_n do_v before_o their_o admission_n be_v all_o full_o set_v down_o in_o the_o three_o of_o luke_n and_o the_o seven_o and_o for_o the_o sum_n of_o his_o preach_v it_o be_v say_v verse_n the_o three_o that_o it_o be_v the_o baptism_n of_o repentance_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o for_o those_o that_o come_v unto_o he_o as_o the_o common_a people_n the_o publican_n and_o the_o soldier_n they_o all_o ask_v john_n what_o they_o shall_v do_v and_o after_o he_o have_v instruct_v they_o several_o their_o duty_n and_o tell_v they_o upon_o what_o condition_n they_o may_v be_v admit_v it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o seven_o of_o luke_n verse_n 29._o that_o all_o the_o people_n that_o hear_v he_o and_o the_o publican_n justify_v god_n be_v baptize_v with_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n but_o the_o pharisee_n and_o the_o lawyer_n reject_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n against_o themselves_o be_v not_o baptize_v of_o he_o verse_n 30._o so_o that_o by_o christ_n own_o testimony_n the_o pharisee_n and_o lawyer_n only_o except_v all_o that_o come_v to_o he_o be_v baptize_v and_o admit_v into_o the_o church_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n and_o so_o we_o find_v in_o the_o gospel_n of_o saint_n john_n chap._n 3._o 4._o yea_o through_o the_o whole_a book_n that_o the_o people_n every_o where_o make_v their_o address_n to_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n only_o and_o that_o as_o many_o as_o come_v to_o christ_n unfeigned_o be_v receive_v by_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n and_o none_o upon_o the_o offer_n of_o themselves_o if_o they_o accept_v of_o the_o condition_n and_o be_v baptize_v be_v ever_o refuse_v and_o we_o find_v further_o that_o when_o our_o saviour_n have_v at_o any_o time_n cleanse_v and_o cure_v the_o leper_n he_o send_v they_o to_o the_o priest_n for_o to_o be_v admit_v by_o they_o into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n from_o which_o their_o noisome_a disease_n as_o a_o type_n of_o sin_n have_v for_o the_o time_n exclude_v they_o as_o for_o john_n baptist_n say_v my_o brother_n burton_n page_n 16._o about_o who_o gather_v you_o have_v so_o bestir_v yourself_o before_o and_o to_o as_o little_a purpose_n you_o may_v observe_v that_o those_o believer_n in_o christ_n then_o to_o come_v according_a to_o the_o papist_n doctrine_n be_v not_o form_v into_o a_o christian_a church_n or_o church_n as_o after_o christ_n resurrection_n the_o believer_n be_v and_o when_o you_o come_v to_o visit_v those_o christian_a church_n once_o constitute_v in_o their_o gospel_n form_n by_o the_o apostle_n you_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o power_n of_o admit_v and_o reject_v or_o cast_v out_o of_o member_n be_v not_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n alone_o but_o in_o the_o church_n for_o this_o read_z 1_o cor._n 5._o where_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o corinth_n to_o who_o paul_n write_v be_v to_o cast_v out_o the_o incestuous_a person_n as_o also_o afterward_o upon_o his_o repentance_n to_o re-admit_a he_o 2_o cor._n 2._o 6_o 7._o this_o one_o instance_n say_v my_o brother_n burton_n be_v a_o sufficiens_fw-la precedent_n for_o all_o church_n thus_o he_o and_o this_o be_v all_o he_o have_v to_o say_v there_o concern_v john_n baptist_n now_o although_o i_o have_v former_o answer_v and_o that_o in_o many_o place_n in_o the_o forego_n treatise_n to_o every_o several_a branch_n of_o this_o my_o brother_n burtons_n cavil_n and_o although_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o enervate_n of_o my_o argument_n as_o all_o understand_a man_n will_v well_o preceive_v if_o they_o due_o consider_v it_o yet_o because_o i_o perceive_v by_o his_o whole_a discourse_n the_o main_a design_n both_o of_o himself_o and_o all_o those_o of_o his_o faction_n that_o now_o trouble_v the_o world_n with_o their_o scribble_n be_v to_o deceive_v and_o delude_v silly_a soul_n that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o bring_v all_o the_o presbyter_n into_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o people_n as_o man_n antichristian_a and_o more_o than_o prelatical_a and_o as_o affect_v a_o more_o lordly_a power_n over_o the_o people_n than_o ever_o the_o bishop_n exercise_v over_o they_o for_o this_o be_v the_o language_n all_o their_o pulpit_n and_o pamphlet_n speak_v i_o say_v in_o this_o regard_n though_o i_o have_v often_o former_o full_o answer_v to_o every_o branch_n of_o this_o cavil_n i_o will_v here_o say_v something_o to_o it_o for_o the_o better_a discovery_n of_o the_o vanity_n and_o triviality_n of_o the_o man_n and_o that_o i_o may_v declare_v unto_o all_o man_n how_o little_a his_o asseveration_n be_v to_o be_v regard_v but_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o his_o grollery_n wave_v that_o slight_a passage_n of_o he_o where_o he_o say_v that_o i_o have_v so_o bestir_v myself_o and_o to_o so_o little_a purpose_n about_o john_n baptist_n gather_v etc._n etc._n and_o first_o that_o he_o join_v here_o with_o the_o papist_n in_o unchristianing_n and_o unchurch_v all_o those_o that_o be_v baptize_v by_o the_o baptist_n and_o so_o in_o this_o point_n he_o be_v a_o papist_n second_o that_o he_o make_v the_o form_n of_o a_o church_n which_o he_o call_v the_o gospel_n form_n to_o confist_n in_o excommunication_n three_o take_v notice_n of_o his_o peremptory_a assertion_n and_o in_o it_o of_o a_o other_o notable_a error_n where_o he_o say_v you_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o power_n of_o admit_v and_o reject_v of_o member_n be_v not_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n alone_o but_o in_o the_o church_n and_o for_o proof_n of_o these_o his_o grollery_n he_o quote_v 1_o cor._n 5._o and_o 2_o cor._n 2._o 6_o 7._o and_o make_v the_o example_n of_o that_o church_n to_o be_v bind_o presidential_a to_o use_v i._o s._n his_o rhetoric_n to_o all_o christian_a church_n whereas_o in_o his_o ten_o page_n he_o tell_v i_o we_o be_v necessary_o to_o take_v all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n together_o to_o make_v up_o one_o entire_a and_o perfect_a church_n pattern_n these_o be_v his_o word_n there_o and_o yet_o here_o he_o make_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a precedent_n for_o all_o church_n so_o that_o every_o one_o of_o their_o instance_n must_v be_v a_o sufficient_a pattern_n to_o all_o other_o church_n and_o yet_o when_o i_o produce_v the_o example_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o mother_n church_n for_o a_o pattern_n of_o government_n for_o all_o other_o church_n he_o reject_v it_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o perfect_a pattern_n and_o in_o that_o his_o expression_n also_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o a_o parcel_n of_o good_a divinity_n where_o he_o make_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n a_o more_o perfect_a church_n then_o that_o at_o jerusalem_n which_o not_o withstand_v he_o say_v be_v the_o first_o form_v church_n now_o if_o excommunication_n and_o discipline_n
true_o preach_v the_o sacrament_n right_o administer_v and_o the_o name_n of_o god_n right_o call_v upon_o and_o all_o those_o essential_a mark_n make_v that_o church_n a_o true_a form_v church_n after_o the_o new-testament_n form_n if_o the_o scripture_n and_o my_o brother_n burton_n may_v be_v believe_v and_o therefore_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o as_o a_o special_a error_n in_o my_o brother_n burton_n that_o he_o make_v excommunication_n the_o gospel_n form_n of_o a_o true_a church_n for_o which_o his_o tenant_n i_o believe_v he_o will_v find_v some_o moderate_a check_n or_o other_o from_o some_o of_o his_o brethren_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n who_o hold_v that_o their_o particular_a explicit_a covenant_n be_v the_o form_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o shall_v serve_v for_o answer_v to_o that_o second_o grollery_n of_o my_o brother_n burton_n his_o three_o grollery_n be_v that_o he_o say_v that_o the_o power_n of_o admit_v and_o cast_v out_o member_n be_v not_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n alone_o but_o in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v a_o notable_a error_n in_o my_o brother_n burton_n and_o contrary_a unto_o many_o place_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o god_n give_v the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n only_o the_o key_n matth._n 16._o &_o matt._n 18._o and_o matth._n 28._o and_o they_o that_o have_v the_o key_n and_o be_v the_o steward_n of_o god_n family_n can_v only_o open_v and_o shut_v the_o door_n to_o who_o they_o please_v without_o the_o people_n and_o we_o see_v that_o the_o apostle_n only_o in_o the_o second_o of_o the_o act_n without_o the_o people_n receive_v into_o the_o church_n those_o three_o thousand_o first_o convert_v yea_o and_o receive_v paul_n into_o their_o fellowship_n contrary_a unto_o the_o disciple_n and_o people_n mind_n act_v 9_o and_o we_o know_v that_o paul_n by_o his_o own_o power_n do_v excommunicate_a and_o deliver_v to_o satan_n hymeneus_n and_o alexander_n and_o other_o 1_o tim._n chap._n 2._o verse_n 1._o and_o we_o learn_v in_o the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o the_o revelation_n that_o the_o lord_n write_v unto_o the_o church_n send_v his_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n as_o the_o chief_a officer_n and_o blame_v they_o for_o neglect_v their_o duty_n in_o not_o cast_v out_o those_o wicked_a one_o that_o be_v among_o they_o by_o all_o which_o testimony_n and_o many_o more_o that_o may_v be_v produce_v it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a that_o the_o minister_n only_o aught_o by_o themselves_o to_o manage_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o it_o be_v their_o peculiar_a office_n and_o the_o place_n of_o the_o people_n to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o what_o they_o do_v and_o even_o out_o of_o 2._o cor._n 2._o the_o same_o may_v be_v gather_v where_o it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v excommunicate_a by_o many_o not_o al._n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o marvellous_a great_a error_n in_o my_o brother_n burton_n to_o conclude_v because_o paul_n write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n for_o the_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o incestuous_a person_n therefore_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n lie_v in_o the_o people_n hand_n and_o not_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n alone_o but_o these_o be_v the_o unsound_a conclusion_n that_o those_o of_o the_o congregationall_a way_n gather_v too_o too_o often_o from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o the_o ingratiate_a of_o themselves_o among_o the_o people_n who_o they_o pretend_v much_o to_o honour_n in_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o have_v a_o power_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o government_n as_o well_o as_o the_o minister_n have_v and_o that_o the_o presbyterian_o challenge_v this_o to_o themselves_o joly_a it_o be_v only_o to_o enslave_v the_o people_n and_o to_o lord_n it_o over_o they_o and_o that_o worse_a than_o the_o prelate_n and_o for_o no_o other_o end_n i_o be_o most_o assure_v do_v my_o brother_n burton_n bring_v in_o this_o cavil_n in_o opposition_n to_o my_o argument_n which_o not_o withstand_v stand_v firm_a to_o prove_v that_o john_n the_o baptist_n do_v by_o himself_o and_o without_o the_o people_n execute_v his_o commission_n and_o receive_v member_n into_o the_o church_n and_o that_o from_o he_o and_o the_o bless_a apostle_n example_n all_o other_o minister_n may_v take_v this_o example_n and_o do_v the_o same_o and_o that_o by_o god_n own_o appointment_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v more_o full_o in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v to_o have_v speak_v to_o this_o cavil_n also_o of_o my_o brother_n burton_n and_o all_o the_o grollery_n of_o the_o same_o concern_v the_o baptist_n and_o his_o gather_n of_o church_n but_o now_o to_o go_v on_o after_o the_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o at_o their_o first_o enter_v upon_o their_o ministry_n have_v preach_v unto_o the_o people_n and_o that_o the_o people_n be_v prick_v in_o their_o heart_n when_o they_o hear_v they_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o people_n address_v themselves_o only_o unto_o peter_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n say_v man_n and_o brethren_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v then_o peter_n say_v unto_o they_o repent_v and_o be_v baptize_v every_o one_o of_o you_o in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o you_o shall_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n etc._n etc._n act._n 2._o 23_o 24_o then_o they_o that_o glad_o receive_v the_o word_n be_v baptize_v and_o the_o same_o day_n be_v add_v unto_o they_o about_o three_o thousand_o soul_n here_o we_o may_v observe_v these_o two_o thing_n the_o first_o that_o the_o apostle_n by_o themselves_o alone_o without_o the_o multitude_n or_o church_n admit_v the_o people_n into_o the_o society_n and_o company_n of_o believer_n second_o that_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o commission_n they_o do_v nothing_o but_o according_a to_o their_o warrant_n and_o according_a to_o their_o injunction_n that_o be_v give_v unto_o they_o by_o christ_n they_o propound_v no_o other_o condition_n or_o term_n for_o the_o make_v all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o they_o member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o baptism_n and_o repentance_n the_o which_o when_o the_o people_n have_v accept_v of_o they_o be_v forthwith_o admit_v and_o that_o upon_o their_o own_o word_n and_o testimony_n without_o any_o more_o ado_n or_o further_a inquiry_n concern_v the_o soundness_n of_o their_o repentance_n without_o any_o witness_n from_o other_o of_o their_o conversation_n and_o without_o the_o voice_n allowance_n or_o approbation_n of_o the_o people_n or_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n much_o less_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n who_o be_v never_o join_v with_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o commission_n or_o consult_v with_o by_o they_o whether_o they_o shall_v be_v admit_v or_o no_o into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o faithful_a or_o demand_v or_o ask_v by_o the_o people_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o fit_a that_o they_o shall_v take_v some_o time_n of_o further_a consideration_n that_o they_o may_v walk_v with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o may_v behold_v their_o conversation_n and_o by_o their_o own_o experience_n may_v further_o be_v confirm_v that_o their_o conversion_n be_v sound_a and_o well_o neither_o do_v any_o call_n for_o at_o their_o hand_n that_o they_o shall_v make_v a_o public_a confession_n of_o their_o faith_n to_o the_o church_n and_o give_v in_o their_o evidence_n to_o the_o congregation_n that_o they_o be_v convert_v real_o or_o that_o they_o shall_v take_v a_o private_a covenant_n or_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n by_o way_n of_o a_o peculiar_a covenant_n nothing_o of_o all_o this_o specify_v but_o it_o be_v only_o relate_v that_o the_o people_n upon_o their_o be_v prick_v in_o their_o heart_n apply_v themselves_o unto_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n by_o their_o own_o authority_n and_o that_o power_n that_o be_v delegated_a unto_o they_o without_o reference_n to_o the_o church_n or_o people_n admit_v they_o into_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n i_o expect_v in_o this_o place_n to_o have_v meet_v with_o general_n burton_n or_o cavalier_n hanserdo_n saint_n george_n his_o chaplain_n know_v what_o dare_a man_n they_o be_v that_o they_o will_v have_v fight_v i_o here_o especial_o and_o that_o they_o will_v have_v endeavour_v with_o all_o their_o force_n to_o have_v beat_v i_o from_o this_o ground_n a_o place_n so_o advantageous_a that_o they_o that_o be_v master_n of_o it_o may_v bid_v defiance_n to_o the_o powerful_a and_o potent_a enemy_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o indeed_o i_o do_v so_o much_o the_o more_o expect_v their_o encounter_n here_o and_o that_o they_o will_v have_v give_v i_o battle_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v have_v have_v a_o pitch_a field_n for_o it_o because_o they_o
have_v ever_o pretend_v a_o interest_n in_o it_o yea_o and_o challenge_v a_o right_n unto_o it_o say_v that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v they_o and_o which_o be_v more_o they_o have_v by_o usurpation_n get_v this_o church_n into_o their_o hand_n and_o have_v the_o possession_n of_o it_o and_o have_v thus_o attain_v unto_o their_o design_n be_v back_v with_o great_a friend_n some_o tobiass_n and_o sanballet_n they_o begin_v to_o build_v castle_n in_o the_o air_n and_o make_v fortification_n in_o their_o brain_n and_o lay_v a_o foundation_n in_o their_o fantasy_n upon_o which_o they_o build_v a_o independent_a church_n consist_v of_o no_o more_o than_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n to_o enjoy_v all_o act_n of_o worship_n in_o god_n service_n and_o pretend_v that_o this_o church_n be_v the_o mother-church_n be_v to_o be_v a_o example_n and_o pattern_n to_o all_o the_o daughter-churche_n and_o that_o all_o church_n through_o the_o world_n must_v be_v govern_v after_o that_o model_n and_o be_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o many_o sanballat_n and_o tobiess_n much_o strengthen_v as_o i_o say_v before_o they_o begin_v to_o insult_v and_o to_o give_v law_n of_o government_n to_o all_o church_n and_o to_o gather_v and_o set_v up_o church_n after_o their_o own_o model_n and_o be_v much_o assure_v of_o their_o own_o strength_n they_o bad_a defiance_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n fling_v and_o cast_v their_o glove_n to_o all_o their_o enemy_n assemble_v and_o not_o assemble_v whereupon_o i_o be_v a_o commander_n in_o the_o presbyterian_a army_n and_o take_v up_o the_o glove_n come_v out_o against_o they_o and_o by_o divine_a assistance_n reduce_v this_o place_n and_o take_v it_o from_o they_o which_o they_o have_v sometime_o unjust_o detain_v from_o the_o presbyterian_o to_o who_o indeed_o it_o belong_v by_o the_o right_n of_o inheritance_n and_o succession_n i_o say_v i_o have_v by_o conquest_n take_v this_o strong_a city_n from_o the_o independent_a usurper_n that_o now_o labour_v to_o manage_v all_o government_n by_o sea_n and_o land_n in_o church_n and_o state_n pretend_v they_o be_v saint_n and_o that_o the_o saint_n must_v govern_v the_o world_n and_o be_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o it_o i_o expect_v that_o those_o two_o confide_a commander_n saint_n hanserdo_n valiant_a and_o venerable_a old_a henry_n be_v so_o complete_o arm_v as_o he_o be_v with_o his_o sword_n and_o photions_n hatchet_n and_o with_o his_o great_a white_a baskethilted_n beard_n that_o both_o of_o they_o assist_v also_o with_o i._o s._n will_v have_v come_v out_o in_o battle_n against_o i_o and_o will_v not_o have_v leave_v the_o field_n as_o van_n trump_n late_o leave_v the_o sea_n especial_o see_v in_o their_o march_n they_o all_o pass_v by_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o have_v also_o so_o great_a a_o advantage_n against_o i_o they_o be_v three_o to_o one_o which_o make_v i_o conceive_v that_o they_o be_v all_o either_o desperate_a coward_n or_o terrible_o treacherous_a and_o in_o that_o regard_n be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v general_n and_o commander_n any_o long_o in_o so_o great_a a_o army_n as_o that_o of_o the_o illdependents_a yea_o this_o their_o decline_a battle_n with_o i_o make_v i_o bold_o conclude_v of_o they_o that_o they_o deal_v unmanly_a on_o all_o side_n for_o if_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v any_o interest_n in_o it_o or_o a_o right_n unto_o it_o why_o do_v they_o not_o now_o engage_v themselves_o in_o her_o quarrel_n and_o fight_v for_o she_o especial_o when_o all_o their_o army_n lie_v in_o the_o field_n certain_o it_o have_v be_v much_o for_o all_o their_o honour_n now_o to_o have_v show_v their_o valour_n and_o therefore_o they_o all_o of_o they_o not_o strike_v a_o stroke_n proclaim_v unto_o all_o the_o world_n their_o want_n both_o of_o animosity_n and_o all_o heroical_a virtue_n and_o their_o want_n also_o of_o honesty_n in_o that_o they_o pretend_v a_o right_n unto_o that_o they_o have_v no_o just_a title_n or_o claim_n to_o and_o for_o which_o they_o dare_v not_o fight_v in_o that_o they_o amuse_v the_o people_n and_o stir_v up_o faction_n on_o every_o side_n and_o all_o to_o strengthen_v their_o own_o party_n for_o the_o make_n of_o a_o groundless_a combustion_n in_o church_n &_o state_n tell_v the_o people_n that_o they_o have_v power_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n only_o belong_v unto_o the_o presbyter_n which_o they_o ought_v always_o to_o exercise_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n and_o thereupon_o they_o persuade_v they_o that_o if_o they_o relinquish_v this_o their_o right_n unto_o the_o presbyter_n they_o will_v more_o lord_n it_o over_o they_o then_o ever_o the_o prelate_n do_v and_o they_o teach_v they_o far_o that_o this_o right_n be_v derive_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o other_o primitive_a church_n who_o when_o they_o be_v cast_v into_o a_o gospel_n form_n as_o they_o say_v the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n have_v not_o the_o sole_a power_n of_o govern_v they_o but_o the_o people_n also_o be_v join_v with_o they_o and_o that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o to_o have_v their_o voice_n both_o in_o elect_v of_o officer_n and_o in_o receive_v in_o of_o member_n and_o cast_v out_o of_o any_o offender_n as_o well_o as_o the_o presbyter_n and_o minister_n and_o wish_v all_o the_o people_n to_o stand_v and_o continue_v in_o that_o liberty_n wherein_o christ_n have_v make_v they_o free_a these_o and_o such_o like_a unsound_a principle_n they_o season_v the_o people_n with_o for_o the_o enrage_v of_o they_o against_o the_o presbyter_n and_o take_v all_o occasion_n to_o pervert_v the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o their_o new-found_a way_n of_o independency_n and_o labour_v continual_o by_o shift_n and_o juggle_n to_o evade_v the_o dint_n of_o any_o argument_n that_o be_v bring_v against_o they_o for_o the_o prove_v that_o the_o power_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n reside_v in_o the_o presbyter_n and_o minister_n hand_n both_o for_o the_o admission_n of_o member_n and_o the_o cast_n of_o they_o out_o as_o it_o do_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o john_n baptist_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n who_o only_o have_v the_o authority_n with_o the_o key_n commit_v unto_o they_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o who_o only_o exercise_v it_o in_o their_o day_n as_o by_o innumerable_a example_n may_v be_v prove_v as_o by_o that_o of_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o latter_a example_n both_o my_o brother_n burton_n and_o j._n s._n pass_v by_o with_o great_a silence_n wherein_o they_o deal_v most_o dishonest_o as_o i_o shall_v by_o and_o by_o make_v appear_v but_o for_o the_o example_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n my_o brother_n burton_n set_v upon_o that_o at_o first_o pretend_v to_o the_o people_n that_o the_o example_n of_o johns_n gather_v in_o of_o people_n by_o his_o sole_a authority_n be_v not_o bind_v because_o as_o he_o say_v it_o be_v extraordinary_a and_o that_o the_o church_n and_o assembly_n gather_v by_o he_o be_v not_o formedinto_o christian_a church_n these_o be_v his_o word_n page_n 16._o and_o that_o those_o church_n only_o which_o be_v put_v into_o a_o gospel_n form_n after_o christ_n ascension_n be_v to_o be_v a_o pattern_n of_o government_n unto_o all_o christian_n church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o he_o say_v if_o we_o visit_v they_o we_o shâ—ll_v find_v that_o in_o they_o the_o power_n of_o admit_v and_o reject_v member_n be_v not_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n alone_o and_o for_o a_o instance_n of_o this_o he_o bring_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 2_o cor._n 2._o which_o he_o say_v be_v a_o sufficient_a precedent_n to_o all_o church_n and_o thereupon_o conclude_v and_o so_o persuade_v the_o people_n that_o the_o example_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n in_o receive_v in_o and_o admit_v of_o member_n by_o his_o sole_a authority_n can_v be_v a_o example_n &_o pattern_n to_o the_o minister_n under_o the_o gospel_n to_o do_v the_o same_o and_o therefore_o labour_v with_o all_o his_o power_n to_o evade_v the_o dint_n of_o that_o argument_n by_o such_o turn_n and_o evasion_n as_o these_o tell_v the_o people_n that_o those_o congregation_n that_o be_v gather_v by_o he_o not_o be_v in_o a_o gospel-form_n nor_o mould_v up_o after_o the_o new_a testament_n form_n can_v be_v bind_o presidential_a and_o therefore_o for_o our_o imitation_n he_o affirm_v we_o must_v necessary_o come_v to_o the_o christian_a church_n constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n after_o christ_n ascension_n as_o that_o one_o for_o example_n the_o church_n of_o corinth_n in_o which_o
of_o all_o thing_n see_v what_o saint_n james_n say_v in_o his_o five_o chapter_n to_o all_o church_n and_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n be_v any_o man_n sick_a say_v he_o let_v he_o send_v for_o the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n and_o let_v they_o pray_v over_o he_o etc._n etc._n and_o the_o prayer_n of_o faith_n shall_v save_v the_o sick_a and_o the_o lord_n shall_v raise_v he_o up_o and_o if_o he_o have_v commit_v sin_n they_o shall_v be_v forgive_v he_o the_o apostle_n james_n here_o send_v all_o christian_n to_o the_o presbyter_n of_o every_o church_n who_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n delegated_a unto_o they_o for_o spiritual_a comfort_n and_o who_o office_n only_o it_o be_v to_o pronounce_v pardon_n and_o remission_n of_o sin_n unto_o the_o sick_a upon_o their_o true_a repentance_n if_o they_o have_v offend_v and_o sin_v against_o god_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o health_n and_o so_o scandalize_v the_o gospel_n and_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v the_o presbyter_n place_n and_o office_n to_o admit_v they_o again_o into_o the_o fellowship_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o saint_n upon_o their_o cordial_a and_o untain_v repentance_n and_o that_o without_o ask_v the_o church_n any_o leave_n for_o as_o the_o presbyter_n only_o have_v the_o power_n of_o cast_v out_o offender_n out_o of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o only_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o receive_v they_o in_o again_o upon_o their_o repentance_n and_o not_o the_o church_n so_o if_o we_o look_v into_o all_o those_o epistle_n that_o be_v write_v unto_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n in_o the_o 2._o and_o 3._o of_o the_o revelation_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o all_o direct_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v to_o the_o precedent_n of_o every_o several_a presbytrie_n establish_v and_o constitute_v in_o every_o one_o of_o those_o church_n which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o i_o to_o prove_v a_o counsel_n or_o college_n of_o godly_a minister_n in_o every_o one_o of_o those_o city_n according_a to_o that_o of_o paul_n to_o titus_n chap._n 1._o verse_n 5._o for_o this_o cause_n leave_v i_o thou_o in_o crect_n that_o thou_o shall_v ordain_v presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n not_o one_o but_o many_o and_o in_o the_o 14._o of_o the_o act_n verse_n 23._o and_o when_o they_o have_v ordain_v they_o presbyter_n in_o every_o church_n etc._n etc._n many_o presbyter_n a_o college_n of_o they_o be_v appoint_v to_o every_o church_n and_o so_o in_o the_o 20._o of_o the_o act_n there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n who_o have_v the_o charge_n and_o government_n of_o that_o church_n commit_v unto_o they_o in_o common_a ver_fw-la 28._o there_o be_v a_o college_n of_o they_o constitute_v in_o that_o church_n and_o therefore_o for_o order_v sake_n which_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v they_o must_v have_v a_o precedent_n who_o by_o the_o way_n of_o excellency_n and_o to_o distinguish_v he_o from_o the_o other_o be_v call_v a_o angel_n as_o the_o inscription_n of_o the_o epistle_n rev._n 12._o 1._o declare_v say_v unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n as_o in_o our_o dialect_n when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o great_a counsel_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o of_o the_o reverend_a assembly_n of_o divine_n if_o there_o be_v occasion_n of_o distinguish_v the_o precedent_n of_o those_o counsel_n from_o the_o other_o judge_n in_o those_o assembly_n we_o say_v master_n speaker_n in_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n or_o commons_o or_o of_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o minister_n we_o say_v master_n prolocutor_n and_o if_o any_o have_v occasion_n to_o write_v to_o either_o house_n or_o to_o the_o assembly_n they_o direct_v their_o letter_n to_o the_o speaker_n or_o to_o the_o prolocutor_n who_o communicate_v they_o to_o each_o assembly_n as_o be_v the_o precedent_n of_o each_o society_n and_o yet_o none_o of_o all_o these_o precedent_n by_o that_o their_o place_n of_o honour_n and_o eminency_n have_v any_o more_o power_n or_o authority_n then_o the_o rest_n but_o only_o in_o the_o cast_a voice_n when_o the_o party_n upon_o any_o occasion_n be_v for_o number_v equal_a and_o for_o appoint_v of_o the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o meeting_n and_o for_o the_o methodical_a and_o orderly_a carriage_n of_o the_o business_n yea_o it_o be_v ever_o observe_v wheresoever_o there_o be_v a_o precedent_n there_o be_v a_o college_n or_o council_n or_o a_o court_n nature_n dictate_v this_o and_o the_o custom_n of_o all_o nation_n prove_v it_o and_o withal_o by_o the_o same_o light_n of_o reason_n that_o counsel_n or_o college_n to_o who_o god_n himself_o write_v and_o direct_v his_o letter_n for_o redress_v of_o abuse_n have_v the_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n for_o the_o rectify_v of_o thing_n amiss_o and_o that_o it_o peculiar_o belong_v unto_o they_o as_o to_o the_o magistrate_n invest_v with_o authority_n to_o order_v thing_n according_a to_o direction_n and_o to_o punish_v and_o cast_v out_o offender_n and_o that_o by_o their_o own_o power_n without_o the_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o people_n as_o it_o be_v now_o in_o the_o great_a council_n and_o parliament_n of_o the_o kingdom_n who_o make_v not_o the_o people_n acquaint_v with_o what_o they_o have_v to_o do_v but_o so_o far_o as_o it_o please_v themselves_o and_o not_o out_o of_o any_o duty_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o government_n of_o god_n church_n by_o the_o first_o constitution_n every_o church_n consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n as_o that_o of_o jerusalem_n and_o this_o of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o other_o six_o church_n in_o all_o the_o which_o the_o presbyter_n by_o their_o sole_a authority_n govern_v they_o according_a to_o god_n word_n without_o take_v the_o people_n into_o council_n with_o they_o who_o be_v not_o where_o join_v in_o commission_n with_o they_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v most_o apparent_a by_o those_o example_n i_o have_v now_o produce_v and_o many_o more_o that_o may_v be_v add_v and_o from_o the_o commission_n that_o christ_n give_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o they_o to_o all_o minister_n that_o the_o people_n have_v not_o their_o voice_n either_o for_o the_o admit_v of_o any_o to_o be_v member_n in_o any_o church_n or_o in_o the_o cast_n out_o of_o any_o for_o their_o delinquency_n much_o less_o have_v they_o authority_n to_o require_v a_o public_a confession_n of_o their_o faith_n to_o be_v make_v unto_o the_o congregation_n or_o to_o exact_v of_o they_o to_o bring_v in_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o true_a conversion_n or_o to_o require_v that_o they_o shall_v walk_v with_o they_o some_o time_n before_o admission_n or_o to_o enter_v into_o a_o solemn_a private_a covenant_n before_o they_o be_v admit_v as_o member_n for_o we_o have_v no_o precedent_n for_o any_o of_o these_o thing_n in_o god_n word_n much_o less_o any_o command_n only_o in_o act_n the_o sixth_o there_o be_v mention_v make_v that_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o free_n of_o themselves_o from_o all_o unnecessary_a encumbrance_n and_o that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o attend_v upon_o their_o ministry_n and_o preach_v give_v the_o people_n liberty_n to_o make_v choice_n of_o their_o own_o deacon_n but_o still_o keep_v the_o power_n of_o ordain_v they_o in_o their_o own_o hand_n which_o always_o be_v arbitrary_a in_o they_o whether_o they_o will_v exercise_v it_o or_o no_o neither_o will_v the_o apostle_n have_v ordain_v they_o unless_o those_o that_o be_v to_o be_v ordain_v have_v be_v man_n so_o qualify_v as_o they_o have_v appoint_v for_o otherwise_o it_o lay_v in_o their_o choice_n whether_o they_o will_v ordain_v they_o or_o no._n but_o that_o ever_o the_o congregation_n or_o people_n have_v the_o power_n of_o admit_v of_o member_n or_o of_o ordain_v of_o officer_n it_o be_v not_o where_o extant_a in_o god_n word_n but_o that_o the_o woman_n shall_v have_v a_o voice_n in_o the_o church_n either_o for_o receive_v in_o or_o cast_v out_o of_o member_n or_o officer_n or_o shall_v have_v any_o thing_n to_o do_v with_o peter_n key_n it_o be_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o nature_n for_o paul_n in_o the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinth_n 14._o make_v it_o one_o of_o the_o mark_n of_o confusion_n in_o any_o church_n where_o woman_n have_v their_o voice_n say_v god_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n but_o of_o peace_n as_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n follow_v in_o express_a word_n say_v let_v your_o woman_n keep_v silence_n in_o the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v not_o permit_v unto_o they_o to_o speak_v but_o they_o be_v command_v to_o be_v under_o obedience_n as_o also_o say_v the_o law_n and_o if_o they_o will_v learn_v any_o thing_n
all_o the_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n in_o awe_n that_o they_o dare_v not_o so_o much_o as_o open_v their_o mouth_n against_o john_n the_o baptist_n from_o all_o which_o place_n and_o many_o more_o that_o may_v be_v produce_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n as_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n or_o room_n or_o in_o one_o congregation_n to_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n i_o thus_o argue_v where_o there_o be_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n or_o a_o mighty_a city_n of_o believer_n there_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n or_o room_n or_o in_o one_o congregation_n for_o the_o enjoy_n of_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o for_o edification_n which_o be_v require_v in_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 26._o but_o of_o necessity_n must_v be_v distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n and_o divers_a division_n that_o they_o may_v be_v all_o edify_v and_o partake_v in_o all_o ordinance_n but_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o very_a baptism_n and_o preach_v of_o john_n there_o be_v infinite_a multitude_n and_o a_o very_a city_n of_o believer_n ergo_fw-la they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n or_o room_n or_o in_o one_o congregation_n for_o the_o enjoy_n of_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o for_o edification_n which_o be_v require_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o of_o necessity_n must_v be_v distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n and_o divers_a division_n that_o they_o may_v all_o be_v edify_v &_o partake_v in_o all_o ordinance_n for_o the_o major_a it_o be_v clear_a by_o the_o very_a light_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o reason_n for_o there_o be_v no_o one_o place_n or_o house_n that_o can_v contain_v a_o whole_a city_n or_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o believer_n and_o if_o any_o great_a place_n can_v contain_v they_o they_o can_v not_o all_o be_v edify_v and_o partake_v of_o all_o the_o act_n of_o worship_n for_o if_o the_o very_a great_a raw-boned_a build_n of_o paul_n itself_o be_v cram_v full_a of_o people_n and_o have_v a_o preacher_n of_o the_o strong_a lung_n in_o the_o city_n half_o the_o people_n can_v not_o hear_v and_o be_v edify_v as_o daily_a experience_n tell_v we_o so_o that_o of_o necessity_n if_o they_o will_v be_v edify_v and_o partake_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n they_o must_v be_v distribute_v into_o divers_a congregation_n and_o several_a assembly_n i_o be_o most_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v such_o multitude_n of_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n that_o five_o such_o building_n as_o paul_n can_v not_o have_v contain_v their_o very_a body_n within_o their_o wall_n much_o less_o receive_v they_o or_o entertain_v they_o for_o edification_n so_o that_o for_o the_o major_a i_o be_o confident_a there_o be_v no_o intelligible_a man_n will_v doubt_v of_o it_o for_o the_o minor_a it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o place_n above_o produce_v for_o our_o saviour_n say_v except_v the_o pharisee_n and_o the_o lawyer_n which_o be_v but_o a_o little_a handful_n all_o the_o people_n or_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o justify_v god_n and_o be_v baptize_v and_o be_v believer_n so_o that_o the_o conclusion_n from_o the_o premise_n do_v necessary_o follow_v but_o from_o the_o former_a place_n i_o argue_v yet_o further_o after_o this_o manner_n where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o infinite_a company_n and_o multitude_n of_o christian_n and_o believer_n as_o keep_v a_o tyrannical_a king_n in_o awe_n and_o all_o the_o magistrate_n and_o elder_n in_o who_o hand_n be_v all_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n and_o strike_v such_o a_o fear_n and_o terror_n into_o they_o all_o that_o they_o dare_v not_o exercise_v their_o cruelty_n and_o tyranny_n over_o they_o though_o they_o be_v their_o inveterate_a enemy_n and_o desire_v it_o there_o of_o necessity_n the_o number_n of_o the_o believer_n must_v be_v so_o great_a as_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n or_o room_n or_o in_o one_o congregation_n for_o the_o enjoy_n and_o partake_v in_o all_o the_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o if_o they_o will_v be_v edify_v must_v be_v distribute_v into_o divers_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n but_o in_o jerusalem_n there_o be_v such_o a_o infinite_a company_n and_o multitude_n of_o christian_n and_o believer_n as_o keep_v herod_n himself_o the_o tyrant_n in_o awe_n all_o the_o magistrate_n and_o elder_n in_o who_o hand_n be_v all_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n and_o strike_v such_o a_o fear_n and_o terror_n into_o they_o that_o they_o dare_v not_o exercise_v their_o cruelty_n and_o tyranny_n over_o they_o though_o they_o be_v their_o inveterate_a enemy_n and_o desire_v it_o ergo_fw-la of_o necessity_n the_o number_n of_o the_o believer_n be_v so_o great_a as_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n or_o room_n or_o in_o one_o congregation_n for_o the_o enjoy_n and_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o if_o they_o will_v be_v edify_v must_v be_v distribute_v into_o divers_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n for_o the_o major_n and_o minor_a of_o this_o syllogism_n beside_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n and_o common_a understanding_n which_o be_v enough_o to_o convince_v any_o rational_a creature_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o the_o holy_a scripture_n itself_o as_o from_o the_o place_n above_o specify_v be_v manifest_a prove_v they_o so_o that_o none_o can_v doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o conclusion_n but_o such_o as_o will_v call_v in_o question_n truth_n itself_o i_o may_v out_o of_o the_o several_a place_n above_o mention_v draw_v many_o more_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o conclusion_n but_o because_o i_o study_v brevity_n these_o for_o the_o present_n shall_v serve_v to_o prove_v that_o by_o the_o very_a baptism_n and_o ministry_n of_o s._n john_n the_o baptist_n there_o be_v such_o a_o infinite_a company_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n for_o the_o enjoy_v of_o all_o the_o ordinance_n to_o these_o first_o argument_n of_o i_o by_o which_o i_o prove_v that_o by_o the_o very_a baptism_n of_o s._n john_n there_o be_v more_o convert_v and_o make_v christian_n and_o believeres_fw-la in_o jerusalem_n then_o can_v meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n master_n knollys_n answer_v by_o deny_v the_o minor_a of_o my_o syllogism_n and_o i._o s._n by_o deny_v they_o be_v christian_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v i_o will_v therefore_o reply_v unto_o they_o both_o in_o order_n begin_v first_o with_o master_n knollys_n who_o word_n be_v these_o pag._n 8._o i_o do_v deny_v the_o minor_a proposition_n of_o these_o argument_n say_v he_o neither_o have_v the_o doctor_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o believer_n nor_o a_o very_a city_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o scripture_n quote_v by_o the_o doctor_n speak_v no_o such_o thing_n those_o place_n in_o matthew_n mark_n and_o luke_n tell_v we_o of_o very_o many_o who_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n and_o by_o christ_n disciple_n but_o do_v not_o declare_v how_o many_o of_o those_o baptize_v person_n be_v of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o scripture_n witness_v act._n 9_o 31._o that_o there_o be_v church_n through_o all_o judaea_n as_o well_o as_o in_o jerusalem_n and_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v or_o the_o doctor_n either_o many_o of_o those_o baptize_v person_n may_v be_v in_o those_o church_n yea_o the_o most_o of_o they_o and_o but_o a_o few_o in_o jerusalem_n it_o may_v be_v no_o more_o but_o those_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o mention_v act._n 1._o 13_o 14_o 15._o to_o who_o be_v add_v about_o three_o thousand_o soul_n who_o continue_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o break_v of_o bread_n and_o prayer_n act_n the_o 2._o 42_o 43_o 44._o this_o be_v all_o master_n knollys_n have_v to_o say_v by_o way_n of_o answer_n for_o the_o enervate_n of_o the_o strength_n of_o my_o argument_n and_o reason_n by_o which_o i_o prove_v there_o be_v more_o convert_v by_o johns_n ministerythen_a can_v meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n in_o jerusalem_n now_o here_o before_o i_o come_v to_o reply_v i_o refer_v myself_o to_o the_o judicious_a reader_n whether_o from_o the_o forego_v place_n which_o i_o quote_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a word_n of_o god_n &_o from_o the_o reason_n and_o argument_n deduce_v out_o of_o it_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_o evince_v that_o there_o be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o believer_n and_o a_o very_a city_n of_o they_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o therefore_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n i_o demand_v i_o say_v of_o any_o intelligible_a christian_a
the_o sum_n of_o my_o argument_n be_v this_o where_o there_o be_v a_o infinitemultitude_n or_o a_o mighty_a city_n of_o believer_n there_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n or_o room_n or_o in_o one_o congregation_n to_o enjoy_v all_o act_n of_o worship_n for_o edification_n but_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o very_a baptism_n and_o preach_v of_o john_n there_o be_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n and_o a_o very_a city_n of_o believer_n ergo_fw-la they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o any_o one_o congregation_n this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o my_o first_o argument_n the_o second_o be_v this_o where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o infinite_a company_n and_o multitude_n of_o christian_n and_o believer_n as_o keep_v a_o tyrannical_a king_n in_o awe_n and_o all_o the_o magistrate_n and_o elder_n in_o who_o hand_n be_v all_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n and_o strike_v such_o a_o terror_n into_o they_o all_o as_o they_o dare_v not_o exercise_v their_o cruelty_n and_o tyranny_n over_o they_o though_o they_o be_v their_o inveterate_a enemy_n there_o of_o necessity_n the_o number_n of_o they_o must_v be_v so_o great_a as_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n to_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n there_o be_v such_o a_o company_n of_o believer_n by_o the_o very_a baptism_n of_o john_n ergo_fw-la they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o my_o argument_n which_o i_o make_v good_a out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o from_o sound_a reason_n as_o they_o that_o have_v read_v my_o book_n with_o judgement_n i_o be_o confident_a will_v acknowledge_v now_o hear_v how_o j._n s._n set_v they_o down_o with_o his_o answer_n to_o they_o pag._n the_o 8._o and_o 9_o of_o his_o book_n the_o doctor_n first_o proposition_n be_v say_v he_o that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n and_o several_a assembly_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n for_o proof_n whereof_o say_v he_o he_o bring_v the_o multitude_n of_o convert_v to_o johns_n baptism_n the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n all_o of_o they_o and_o all_o judaea_n etc._n etc._n whereby_o say_v he_o all_o become_v christian_n or_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o johns_n baptism_n be_v into_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o very_a same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n thus_o i._n s._n set_v down_o my_o argument_n which_o i_o affirm_v be_v not_o candid_o do_v of_o he_o for_o the_o ignorant_a reader_n can_v see_v into_o the_o strength_n of_o my_o argument_n they_o be_v deliver_v in_o such_o obscure_a term_n and_o set_v down_o also_o to_o the_o half_n the_o whole_a truth_n not_o be_v specify_v for_o not_o one_o of_o ten_o thousand_o have_v ever_o see_v or_o read_v my_o book_n &_o i_o dare_v say_v not_o one_o of_o a_o hundred_o of_o the_o independent_o have_v ever_o vouchsafe_v so_o much_o as_o to_o look_v into_o it_o for_o i_o be_v make_v so_o odious_a unto_o they_o by_o their_o blast_a language_n as_o they_o abhor_v my_o very_a name_n with_o all_o howsoever_o they_o boast_v at_o the_o first_o come_v of_o it_o out_o that_o there_o be_v twenty_o pen_n at_o work_n in_o answer_v of_o it_o yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o ever_o appear_v till_o three_o month_n after_o it_o be_v print_v now_o all_o the_o copy_n that_o be_v print_v be_v all_o go_v in_o one_o week_n so_o that_o the_o answer_n come_v out_o so_o long_o after_o and_o my_o argument_n not_o be_v know_v to_o the_o people_n and_o be_v in_o this_o obscure_a manner_n and_o in_o such_o dark_a expression_n and_o but_o to_o the_o half_n set_v down_o every_o vulgar_a understanding_n can_v never_o see_v into_o the_o weight_n and_o strength_n of_o they_o especial_o they_o have_v not_o my_o book_n before_o they_o and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n all_o the_o independent_o ordinary_o use_v this_o method_n in_o their_o pretend_a answer_n as_o first_o to_o let_v the_o book_n they_o reply_v unto_o be_v forget_v and_o after_o that_o to_o blurte_v out_o something_o against_o they_o conceal_v the_o truth_n and_o then_o they_o crow_v out_o as_o victor_n and_o conqueror_n that_o they_o have_v beat_v up_o our_o quarter_n and_o pull_v down_o the_o pillar_n of_o our_o discourse_n as_o i_o s._n do_v vain_o in_o this_o his_o pamplet_n when_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o all_o intelligible_a man_n that_o he_o have_v only_o cast_v a_o squib_n or_o two_o at_o they_o and_o then_o as_o a_o mere_a fresh_a water_n soldier_n speedy_o run_v away_o and_o leave_v that_o work_n to_o other_o as_o he_o unaduised_o in_o the_o ten_o page_n and_o in_o his_o wise_a epistle_n confess_v sayn_v indisposition_n of_o body_n when_o indeed_o it_o be_v his_o want_n of_o wit_n learning_n honesty_n and_o courage_n as_o i_o haveset_v down_o the_o sum_n of_o my_o argument_n and_o compare_v his_o express_v of_o my_o meaning_n with_o it_o i_o will_v also_o set_v down_o the_o sum_n of_o his_o answer_n to_o they_o which_o he_o give_v in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o independent_o say_v we_o answer_v to_o your_o reason_n and_o then_o set_v down_o his_o own_o word_n in_o their_o full_a length_n that_o all_o man_n may_v see_v my_o fair_a deal_n with_o he_o for_o i._o s._n do_v not_o here_o deny_v my_o minor_a as_o master_n knollys_n do_v or_o accuse_v i_o of_o false_a muster_n as_o he_o vain_o and_o impious_o do_v in_o his_o answer_n to_o my_o second_o argument_n but_o plain_o deni_v that_o those_o that_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n baptist_n be_v christian_n to_o who_o my_o brother_n burton_n assent_v page_n 16._o of_o his_o book_n say_v that_o those_o believer_n that_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n baptist_n into_o christ_n to_o come_v according_a to_o the_o papist_n doctrine_n be_v not_o form_v into_o a_o christian_a church_n or_o church_n as_o after_o christ_n resurrection_n christian_n be_v these_o be_v my_o brother_n burtons_n formal_a word_n who_o not_o only_o assent_v to_o i._o s._n in_o this_o his_o opinion_n but_o also_o bring_v in_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o papist_n to_o confirm_v this_o their_o doctrine_n and_o so_o in_o this_o the_o independent_o agree_v with_o the_o papist_n to_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n and_o to_o maintain_v their_o abominable_a error_n and_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v the_o cause_n that_o move_v my_o brother_n burton_n in_o the_o nine_o page_n of_o his_o book_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o answer_n to_o say_v `as_v for_o your_o indefinite_a enumeration_n of_o those_o multitude_n baptize_v by_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o christ_n disciple_n we_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o they_o this_o be_v his_o expression_n there_o concern_v the_o which_o in_o due_a place_n sure_o if_o my_o brother_n burton_n have_v think_v they_o christian_n he_o will_v have_v deem_v they_o worthy_a to_o have_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o but_o in_o this_o he_o agree_v with_o i._n s._n and_o the_o papist_n now_o i_o will_v give_v you_o the_o sum_n of_o i._o s._n his_o argument_n in_o way_n of_o answer_n by_o which_o he_o deni_v that_o those_o that_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n the_o baptist_n be_v christian_n the_o first_o be_v because_o say_v he_o they_o be_v baptize_v into_o christ_n that_o be_v to_o die_v and_o not_o dead_a therefore_o in_o his_o dialect_n they_o be_v no_o christian_n the_o second_o they_o be_v not_o baptize_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o fire_n therefore_o thy_o be_v no_o christian_o the_o three_o they_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n then_o the_o jew_n that_o pass_v through_o the_o red_a sea_n but_o they_o be_v no_o christian_n ergo_fw-la they_o also_o that_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n be_v no_o christian_n the_o four_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n be_v not_o perfect_a ergo_fw-la those_o that_o be_v baptize_v by_o he_o be_v no_o christian_n the_o five_o those_o that_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n do_v not_o only_a hasitate_n but_o be_v scandalize_v at_o the_o true_a messiah_n and_o under_o the_o form_n of_o johns_n baptism_n do_v fight_v against_o the_o true_a baptism_n and_o baptiser_n the_o lord_n jesus_n ergo_fw-la they_o be_v no_o christian_n six_o they_o that_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n be_v not_o cast_v into_o a_o church_n mould_n according_a to_o the_o new_a testament_n form_n neither_o be_v they_o member_n of_o one_o christian_a church_n at_o jerusalem_n ergo_fw-la they_o be_v not_o christian_n and_o this_o argument_n be_v bring_v in_o by_o way_n of_o a_o corollary_n this_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o his_o answer_n or_o else_o he_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n in_o deny_v my_o argument_n which_o be_v not_o only_o to_o prove_v that_o those_o
i_o be_o most_o confident_a will_n by_o and_o by_o evident_o appear_v though_o all_o the_o former_a argument_n to_o the_o contrary_n shall_v not_o so_o much_o as_o be_v think_v of_o and_o withal_o it_o will_v also_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o judicious_a man_n that_o in_o all_o respect_v their_o argument_n make_v much_o against_o themselves_o for_o if_o i_o shall_v grant_v unto_o they_o that_o at_o this_o instant_n of_o time_n that_o that_o place_n speak_v of_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o jerusalem_n or_o the_o number_n then_o of_o believer_n be_v no_o more_o but_o that_o one_o place_n may_v have_v contain_v they_o all_o for_o the_o enjoy_n of_o all_o ordinance_n which_o i_o can_v do_v for_o innumerable_a reason_n and_o some_o of_o they_o above_o specify_v yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v nor_o evince_n that_o after_o there_o be_v daily_o such_o addition_n of_o believer_n and_o such_o multitude_n of_o new_a convert_v add_v unto_o the_o church_n that_o then_o also_o one_o place_n or_o room_n can_v contain_v they_o all_o and_o that_o they_o may_v still_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n and_o all_o together_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n for_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o name_n for_o there_o be_v no_o more_o in_o this_o assembly_n and_o in_o many_o ten_o thousand_o which_o all_o the_o world_n know_v can_v not_o be_v contain_v in_o any_o one_o place_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o communicate_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n though_o that_o place_n have_v equalise_v the_o most_o magnificent_a structure_n that_o ever_o the_o world_n yet_o see_v especial_o they_o can_v not_o have_v all_o meet_v there_o to_o edification_n for_o they_o can_v not_o have_v all_o hear_v and_o understand_v and_o we_o know_v that_o in_o the_o church_n all_o must_v be_v do_v to_o edification_n and_o this_o will_v rather_o have_v hinder_v the_o mutual_a edification_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o have_v bring_v a_o confusion_n rather_o than_o any_o profit_n or_o benefit_n unto_o they_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o number_n of_o name_n here_o speak_v of_o if_o we_o will_v go_v to_o the_o genuine_a interpretation_n of_o the_o place_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o all_o the_o learned_a interpreter_n who_o gather_v that_o in_o this_o assembly_n the_o seventy_o disciple_n the_o lord_n jesus_n send_v out_o to_o preach_v through_o all_o jude_n and_o all_o those_o other_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o have_v be_v christ_n and_o saint_n john_n the_o baptist_n disciple_n every_o one_o of_o the_o which_o be_v think_v fit_a for_o learning_n and_o divine_a knowledge_n to_o succeed_v judas_n in_o his_o apostleship_n and_o to_o be_v a_o disciple_n all_o these_o or_o most_o of_o they_o or_o such_o like_a be_v those_o that_o be_v include_v in_o the_o number_n of_o name_n i_o say_v to_o omit_v this_o interpretation_n of_o all_o the_o most_o orthodox_n divine_n and_o their_o universal_a agreement_n and_o harmony_n in_o their_o learned_a commentary_n about_o this_o portion_n of_o scripture_n the_o very_a word_n themselves_o follow_v show_n they_o be_v select_a and_o eminent_a man_n and_o man_n of_o note_n and_o disciple_n of_o long_a stand_n and_o all_o of_o they_o or_o the_o most_o of_o they_o minister_n and_o preacher_n themselves_o and_o be_v indeed_o the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o with_o the_o apostle_n the_o power_n of_o rule_v be_v commit_v and_o who_o within_o themselves_o and_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o common_a multitude_n of_o beleiver_n have_v power_n to_o ordain_v their_o own_o officer_n and_o that_o by_o their_o own_o authority_n as_o we_o may_v see_v verse_n 21._o 22._o wherefore_o say_v s._n peter_n of_o these_o man_n which_o have_v company_v with_o we_o all_o the_o time_n that_o the_o lord_n jesus_n go_v in_o and_o out_o among_o we_o begin_v from_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n unto_o that_o same_o day_n he_o be_v take_v up_o from_o we_o must_v one_o be_v ordain_v to_o be_v a_o witness_n with_o we_o of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o they_o appoint_v two_o etc._n etc._n and_o they_o pray_v etc._n etc._n and_o they_o give_v forth_o the_o lot_n etc._n etc._n all_o business_n here_o be_v manage_v and_o carry_v in_o a_o aristocratical_a and_o presbyterian_a way_n and_o all_o be_v do_v by_o a_o joint_a consent_n and_o the_o common_a council_n of_o they_o all_o here_o we_o find_v none_o of_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o people_n though_o believer_n here_o be_v no_o woman_n that_o give_v forth_o their_o lot_n neither_o do_v the_o apostle_n peter_n say_v man_n mother_n and_o brethren_n or_o man_n woman_n and_o brethren_n or_o man_n brethren_n and_o sister_n but_o man_n and_o brethren_n for_o howsoever_o in_o the_o forego_n verse_n it_o be_v say_v that_o these_o mean_v the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n all_o continue_a with_o one_o accord_n in_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n with_o the_o woman_n and_o mary_n the_o mother_n of_o jesus_n and_o with_o his_o brethren_n by_o which_o they_o fit_v themselves_o for_o the_o ministry_n after_o they_o shall_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n though_o i_o say_v they_o join_v with_o they_o in_o those_o duty_n of_o humiliation_n and_o prayer_n which_o any_o woman_n may_v do_v in_o the_o society_n and_o company_n of_o godly_a minister_n yet_o when_o they_o go_v about_o other_o act_n of_o church_n government_n as_o choose_v of_o a_o apostle_n than_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n only_o by_o themselves_o to_o who_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v order_v that_o business_n and_o leave_v the_o woman_n to_o their_o private_a devotion_n and_o their_o several_a employment_n for_o in_o this_o action_n of_o give_v forth_o their_o lot_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o woman_n and_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o text_n itself_o that_o this_o choose_n of_o mathias_n be_v at_o another_o time_n and_o without_o all_o doubt_n upon_o a_o set_a day_n for_o this_o purpose_n for_o it_o be_v say_v verse_n 15._o and_o in_o those_o day_n peter_n stand_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o disciple_n and_o say_v man_n and_o brethren_n here_o be_v only_a disciple_n man_n and_o brethren_n and_o no_o sister_n till_o pope_n joan_n time_n and_o our_o day_n peter_n key_n never_o hang_v at_o any_o woman_n girdle_n and_o we_o hear_v not_o in_o scripture_n that_o they_o have_v any_o voice_n in_o choose_v of_o church_n officer_n and_o admi_a thing_n of_o member_n into_o the_o church_n or_o cast_v out_o of_o any_o till_o these_o unhappy_a time_n a_o usurpation_n not_o beseem_v that_o sex_n as_o afterward_o in_o its_o due_a place_n i_o hope_v to_o make_v appear_v but_o this_o by_o the_o way_n now_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n i_o say_v it_o be_v apparent_a to_o any_o that_o will_v not_o shut_v their_o eye_n that_o all_o those_o or_o most_o of_o they_o that_o be_v in_o peter_n company_n and_o at_o that_o time_n meet_v together_o be_v capable_a of_o a_o apostleship_n and_o such_o as_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a of_o all_o christ_n follower_n and_o such_o as_o be_v best_a instruct_v in_o christian_a religion_n as_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o saint_n john_n the_o baptist_n and_o under_o the_o ministry_n of_o christ_n himself_o the_o prophet_n of_o his_o church_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v the_o teacher_n of_o the_o church_n and_o people_n who_o be_v their_o flock_n which_o they_o all_o feed_v in_o common_a and_o from_o thence_o it_o argue_v that_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n be_v not_o only_o a_o distinct_a company_n from_o they_o but_o that_o it_o be_v exceed_o great_a and_o numerous_a that_o have_v so_o many_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n over_o they_o for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v but_o so_o small_a a_o company_n as_o be_v here_o mention_v and_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n have_v consist_v but_o of_o sixscore_o name_n than_o the_o pastor_n exceed_v the_o number_n of_o the_o flock_n which_o be_v not_o only_o absurd_a to_o think_v but_o against_o the_o evident_a truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o relate_v unto_o we_o multitude_n upon_o multitude_n that_o be_v daily_o convert_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o add_v unto_o the_o church_n before_o this_o their_o meeting_n so_o that_o by_o this_o i_o have_v now_o say_v it_o be_v most_o clear_a and_o evident_a that_o all_o or_o most_o of_o these_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o church_n but_o in_o this_o that_o our_o brethren_n do_v acknowledge_v that_o this_o assembly_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v the_o church_n it_o make_v as_o much_o against_o they_o and_o great_o for_o we_o for_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o text_n
than_o the_o common-prayer_n to_o many_o of_o the_o precious_a conscience_n of_o god_n people_n who_o duty_n it_o be_v in_o his_o judgement_n to_o die_v in_o a_o prison_n before_o they_o act_n or_o stoop_v unto_o so_o dishonourable_a a_o thing_n as_o this_o be_v to_o their_o lord_n and_o master_n as_o to_o maintain_v the_o black-coat_n with_o tithe_n who_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o profess_a enemy_n of_o their_o anoint_a christ_n etc._n etc._n these_o be_v some_o of_o his_o formal_a expression_n i_o leave_v the_o comment_n of_o these_o several_a passage_n to_o other_o neither_o do_v i_o rehearse_v innumerable_a such_o like_a sentence_n as_o be_v daily_o vent_v to_o the_o intolerable_a disgrace_n both_o of_o all_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o of_o all_o those_o believe_a christian_n that_o be_v under_o their_o several_a charge_n and_o that_o in_o every_o pamphlet_n in_o the_o which_o they_o proclaim_v all_o the_o minister_n to_o be_v the_o swear_v and_o profess_a enemy_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o such_o as_o deny_v disclaim_v and_o preach_v against_o christ_n kingly_a government_n over_o man_n conscience_n and_o church_n and_o for_o the_o people_n and_o believer_n in_o england_n they_o proclaim_v they_o to_o be_v man_n unconvert_v or_o at_o least_o convert_v but_o in_o part_n want_v the_o main_a thing_n christ_n kingly_a office_n man_n visible_o out_o of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n who_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o outward_a profession_n of_o the_o faith_n who_o deny_v christ_n to_o be_v their_o king_n to_o who_o person_n and_o infant_n the_o very_a sacrament_n and_o seal_n of_o grace_n with_o all_o church_n communion_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v deny_v etc._n etc._n by_o the_o which_o word_n they_o not_o only_a unchurch_n all_o the_o congregation_n of_o england_n scotland_n ireland_n but_o indeed_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o unchristian_a all_o christian_n but_o those_o that_o be_v in_o their_o own_o independent_a assembly_n and_o account_v they_o as_o alien_n and_o stranger_n from_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o make_v christ_n to_o be_v no_o king_n over_o they_o or_o to_o have_v any_o kingdom_n in_o or_o among_o they_o but_o only_o among_o themselves_o in_o their_o new_a congregation_n whereas_o christ_n ever_o have_v a_o church_n or_o kingdom_n upon_o earth_n in_o all_o age_n before_o they_o be_v and_o have_v without_o all_o controversy_n a_o true_a kingdom_n in_o many_o church_n in_o these_o our_o day_n where_o they_o be_v not_o have_v i_o not_o see_v their_o expression_n in_o print_n and_o the_o book_n in_o which_o they_o be_v utter_v set_v forth_o by_o authority_n with_o approbation_n i_o shall_v not_o have_v believe_v that_o they_o have_v all_o of_o they_o be_v so_o uncharitable_a but_o find_v that_o book_n not_o only_o print_v by_o licence_n but_o general_o applaud_v by_o they_o all_o and_o much_o magnify_v as_o the_o frequent_a edition_n of_o it_o do_v manifest_a i_o gather_v it_o be_v the_o universal_a opinion_n of_o they_o all_o than_o the_o which_o what_o can_v be_v more_o uncharitable_o and_o unchristian_o speak_v what_o comfort_n can_v any_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v in_o the_o society_n of_o these_o man_n who_o what_o soever_o outward_a seem_a favour_n they_o show_v to_o they_o in_o their_o heart_n conceive_v of_o they_o as_o the_o swear_a enemy_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n and_o as_o man_n unworthy_a to_o live_v and_o who_o count_v it_o a_o dishonourable_a thing_n to_o their_o lord_n and_o master_n to_o maintain_v those_o black-coat_n with_o tithe_n who_o they_o look_v on_o as_o the_o profess_a enemy_n of_o their_o anoint_a christ_n can_v i_o say_v any_o minister_n with_o joy_n and_o alacrity_n converse_v with_o these_o man_n no_o sure_o what_o real_a comfort_n can_v any_o poor_a christian_n believer_n through_o the_o kingdom_n either_o expect_v or_o look_v for_o at_o these_o man_n hand_n if_o they_o be_v in_o their_o power_n who_o they_o declare_v and_o that_o in_o print_n and_o in_o their_o pulpit_n to_o be_v man_n unconvert_v or_o convert_v but_o in_o part_n want_v the_o main_a thing_n christ_n kingly_a office_n man_n visible_o out_o of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n who_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o outward_a profession_n of_o faith_n who_o deny_v christ_n to_o be_v their_o king_n to_o who_o person_n and_o infant_n the_o very_a sacrament_n and_o seal_n of_o grace_n with_o all_o church-communion_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v deny_v can_v any_o true_a christian_n be_v real_a friend_n to_o the_o enemy_n of_o christ_n he_o say_v saint_n paul_n 1_o cor._n chap._n 16._o v._n 22._o that_o love_v not_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n let_v he_o be_v anathama_n maranatha_n will_v any_o true_a christian_n bless_v those_o that_o god_n have_v curse_v david_n say_v i_o hate_v they_o that_o hate_v thou_o yea_o i_o hate_v they_o with_o a_o perfect_a hatred_n and_o sure_o those_o that_o be_v true_a friend_n to_o christ_n hate_v all_o his_o enemy_n now_o they_o look_v upon_o our_o minister_n as_o the_o profess_a enemy_n of_o christ_n and_o upon_o all_o the_o people_n under_o their_o ministry_n as_o enemy_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o as_o man_n to_o who_o person_n &_o infant_n the_o very_a sacrament_n and_o seal_n of_o grace_n with_o all_o church-communion_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v deny_v they_o be_v their_o own_o word_n can_v they_o therefore_o expect_v any_o real_a friendship_n from_o they_o whatsoever_o outward_a courtesy_n they_o seem_v to_o show_v they_o no_o doubtless_o how_o can_v any_o poor_a christian_n have_v any_o delight_n to_o come_v among_o these_o man_n or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o be_v in_o their_o society_n who_o they_o account_v of_o as_o the_o enemy_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n for_o my_o own_o particular_a i_o will_v not_o willing_o come_v in_o any_o man_n company_n or_o be_v familiar_a with_o any_o that_o i_o think_v a_o profess_a enemy_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n neither_o shall_v i_o ever_o believe_v i_o can_v have_v any_o real_a esteem_n from_o such_o as_o think_v i_o a_o enemy_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n it_o be_v the_o great_a calamity_n to_o the_o poor_a sufferer_n under_o the_o prelate_n tyranny_n and_o to_o all_o those_o distress_a christian_n that_o be_v hale_v into_o the_o high-commission_n court_n or_o into_o the_o star-chamber_n or_o before_o the_o counsel-table_n for_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o conscience_n which_o be_v the_o lot_n of_o many_o thousand_o through_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n that_o common_o their_o great_a enemy_n be_v those_o of_o their_o own_o house_n their_o parent_n their_o brethren_n and_o sister_n will_v be_v the_o chief_a calumniator_n and_o reproacher_n of_o they_o and_o that_o in_o word_n and_o deed_n will_v most_o despiteful_o persecute_v they_o deny_v they_o the_o common_a humanity_n of_o hospitality_n and_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o look_v on_o they_o except_o it_o be_v to_o revile_v they_o and_o insult_v over_o they_o and_o will_v ordinary_o join_v with_o their_o enemy_n both_o private_o and_o public_o and_o desert_n they_o in_o their_o great_a strait_n as_o all_o of_o they_o can_v general_o witness_v which_o not_o only_o encourage_v their_o enemy_n against_o they_o but_o add_v credit_n to_o their_o false_a acculation_n and_o calumny_n for_o they_o will_v usual_o say_v you_o may_v see_v what_o manner_n of_o man_n these_o be_v who_o nigh_a friend_n be_v not_o only_o ashamed_a of_o but_o thus_o speak_v of_o they_o which_o be_v a_o great_a affliction_n unto_o they_o than_o all_o the_o other_o misery_n and_o suffering_n they_o undergo_v for_o have_v they_o be_v their_o profess_a enemy_n as_o david_n say_v they_o can_v easy_o have_v endure_v it_o and_o there_o will_v less_o credit_v and_o regard_n have_v be_v give_v to_o their_o word_n but_o they_o be_v their_o parent_n brethren_n sister_n and_o familiar_n and_o therefore_o it_o add_v more_o sharp_o to_o their_o affliction_n so_o have_v they_o be_v our_o profess_a enemy_n as_o papist_n socinian_o arminian_o or_o those_o of_o the_o prelatical_a faction_n that_o shall_v have_v proclaim_v we_o enemy_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n and_o have_v they_o deny_v unto_o we_o and_o our_o child_n the_o seal_n of_o grace_n with_o all_o church-communion_n it_o will_v not_o have_v trouble_v we_o but_o tu_fw-la brute_n that_o brethren_n that_o fellow-sufferer_n in_o affliction_n that_o have_v go_v up_o to_o the_o house_n of_o god_n together_o and_o have_v take_v sweet_a counsel_n together_o that_o they_o shall_v now_o proclaim_v we_o the_o enemy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o deny_v communion_n with_o we_o oh_o let_v not_o this_o be_v speak_v in_o gath_n and_o ashkelon_n this_o be_v that_o that_o grieve_v and_o sad_v
be_v the_o general_a fear_n of_o all_o the_o great_a man_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o all_o the_o courtier_n and_o officer_n under_o herod_n therefore_o it_o be_v say_v that_o herod_n and_o all_o jerusalem_n with_o he_o be_v trouble_v so_o that_o tyrant_n and_o their_o complice_n never_o have_v any_o real_a peace_n but_o in_o this_o sense_n also_o it_o can_v be_v understand_v that_o jerusalem_n go_v out_o to_o john_n and_o be_v baptize_v it_o must_v therefore_o by_o a_o senecdoche_n be_v take_v for_o all_o the_o common_a people_n promiscuous_o or_o for_o a_o mighty_a multitude_n of_o all_o sort_n and_o of_o all_o rank_n of_o people_n and_o of_o all_o profession_n as_o publican_n soldier_n and_o the_o ordinary_a inhabitant_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o word_n jerusalem_n must_v be_v take_v for_o a_o mighty_a multitude_n of_o man_n in_o jerusalem_n that_o be_v make_v christian_n for_o otherwise_o the_o evangelist_n will_v have_v say_v many_o go_v out_o of_o jerusalem_n also_o as_o well_o as_o out_o of_o other_o place_n but_o in_o say_v that_o all_o judea_n and_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o and_o jerusalem_n go_v out_o this_o metaphorical_a expression_n do_v signify_v that_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o people_n in_o jerusalem_n itself_o be_v make_v christian_n and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o it_o be_v so_o to_o be_v understand_v the_o place_n follow_v will_v evident_o evince_v it_o for_o in_o matth._n 11._o 12._o our_o saviour_n say_v that_o from_o the_o day_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n until_o now_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n suffer_v violence_n and_o the_o violent_a take_v it_o by_o force_n than_o the_o which_o there_o can_v nothing_o be_v speak_v more_o emphatical_o to_o set_v forth_o the_o growth_n and_o increase_n of_o believer_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n as_o luke_n also_o in_o ch_z 16._o v._n 16._o express_v say_v that_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v until_o john_n since_o that_o time_n the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v preach_v and_o every_o man_n press_v in_o to_o it_o that_o be_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n become_v believer_n and_o be_v baptize_v as_o it_o be_v yet_o more_o evident_a from_o luke_n 7._o 29_o 30._o by_o the_o very_a testimony_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o say_v that_o all_o the_o people_n that_o hear_v he_o and_o the_o publican_n justify_v god_n be_v baptize_v with_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n but_o the_o p_o harisee_n and_o lawyer_n reject_v the_o council_n of_o god_n against_o themselves_o be_v not_o baptize_v of_o he_o so_o that_o by_o the_o witness_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n except_o the_o pharisee_n and_o the_o priest_n all_o the_o people_n or_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n in_o jerusalem_n be_v baptize_v and_o become_v christian_n and_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n and_o this_o be_v account_v among_o the_o miracle_n that_o be_v wrought_v in_o those_o day_n and_o as_o a_o thing_n of_o special_a observation_n and_o as_o a_o matter_n of_o wonder_n as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o message_n our_o saviour_n christ_n send_v unto_o john_n the_o baptist_n by_o his_o disciple_n when_o he_o bid_v they_o relate_v unto_o their_o master_n what_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v in_o the_o 22._o verse_n tell_v he_o say_v he_o that_o the_o blind_a see_v the_o lame_a walk_n the_o leper_n be_v cleanse_v the_o deaf_a hear_v and_o the_o dead_a be_v raise_v and_o the_o poor_a receive_v the_o gospel_n this_o i_o say_v be_v among_o the_o miracle_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o poor_a embrace_v the_o gospel_n and_o be_v baptize_v and_o make_v believer_n which_o must_v needs_o import_v a_o mighty_a multitude_n and_o a_o great_a increase_n or_o else_o it_o will_v not_o have_v be_v a_o thing_n of_o such_o wonder_n and_o have_v be_v send_v unto_o saint_n john_n as_o a_o miraculous_a thing_n and_o a_o thing_n worthy_a to_o prove_v christ_n himself_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n look_v for_o for_o no_o mere_a man_n can_v have_v wrought_v such_o a_o work_n asto_fw-la draw_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o the_o people_n to_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n but_o the_o messiah_n himself_o for_o paul_n may_v plant_v and_o apollo_n may_v water_v 1_o cor._n 3._o but_o god_n only_o the_o messiah_n must_v give_v the_o increase_n he_o must_v move_v the_o heart_n to_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n and_o to_o believe_v for_o faith_n be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n ephes_n 2._o and_o therefore_o this_o be_v the_o wonder_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n do_v believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v and_o this_o be_v the_o sole_a work_n and_o operation_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v the_o prophet_n they_o look_v for_o and_o it_o stand_v with_o all_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v infinite_n of_o people_n in_o jerusalem_n that_o believe_v and_o that_o john_n be_v great_o magnify_v of_o the_o people_n and_o public_o follow_v because_o for_o a_o time_n herod_n himself_o countenance_v john_n mark_n 6._o 20_o and_o fear_v he_o know_v that_o he_o be_v a_o just_a man_n and_o a_o holy_a and_o observe_v he_o and_o when_o he_o hear_v he_o he_o do_v many_o thing_n and_o hear_v he_o glad_o and_o although_o we_o read_v not_o that_o he_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n yet_o he_o high_o honour_v he_o till_o john_n reprove_v he_o and_o tell_v he_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o he_o to_o have_v his_o brother_n wife_n and_o in_o this_o interim_n of_o his_o seem_a favour_n we_o may_v conceive_v that_o the_o courtier_n also_o and_o the_o great_a man_n will_v do_v as_o their_o master_n do_v for_o if_o we_o observe_v the_o manner_n of_o all_o court_n to_o this_o day_n what_o the_o king_n do_v the_o courtier_n also_o do_v if_o the_o king_n laugh_v though_o there_o be_v perhaps_o a_o cause_n of_o mourning_n they_o will_v all_o laugh_v and_o if_o he_o frown_v though_o there_o be_v a_o cause_n of_o cheerfulness_n and_o smile_a they_o will_v all_o frown_n and_o if_o the_o king_n commend_v any_o man_n they_o will_v all_o admire_v he_o and_o if_o he_o hear_v any_o minister_n glad_o they_o will_v all_o hear_v he_o willing_o and_o if_o he_o when_o he_o be_v reprove_v be_v angry_a and_o displease_v and_o will_v cut_v off_o his_o head_n who_o he_o have_v so_o honour_v but_o the_o day_n before_o than_o all_o the_o courtier_n they_o will_v help_v he_o and_o further_o the_o work_n as_o we_o may_v see_v not_o only_o in_o the_o example_n of_o john_n baptist_n but_o in_o haman_n as_o soon_o as_o the_o king_n frown_v upon_o he_o the_o courtier_n they_o cover_v his_o face_n and_o up_o they_o truss_v he_o be_v it_o right_n or_o wrong_v it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o courtier_n but_o in_o that_o interim_n i_o say_v that_o john_n baptist_n be_v in_o favour_n with_o the_o king_n without_o doubt_n it_o animate_v the_o people_n great_o to_o follow_v he_o and_o by_o hear_v he_o many_o thousand_o saint_n be_v convert_v and_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o be_v numerous_a as_o be_v manifest_a from_o matth._n 14._o 5._o for_o it_o be_v say_v that_o when_o he_o will_v have_v put_v he_o to_o death_n he_o fear_v the_o multitude_n because_o they_o count_v he_o as_o a_o prophet_n here_o be_v two_o observable_n the_o one_o that_o he_o that_o fear_v not_o god_n be_v afraid_a of_o his_o servant_n the_o second_o that_o it_o be_v a_o mighty_a multitude_n of_o believer_n that_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n for_o a_o few_o can_v not_o have_v awe_v the_o king_n and_o keep_v he_o in_o fear_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v force_v to_o defer_v the_o cut_n off_o of_o his_o head_n till_o he_o have_v get_v to_o he_o all_o the_o strength_n of_o galilee_n all_o his_o lord_n and_o high_a captain_n and_o his_o chief_a estate_n and_o commander_n mark_v 6._o 21._o and_o when_o he_o think_v himself_o strong_a enough_o than_o he_o exercise_v his_o tyranny_n yea_o when_o john_n be_v take_v away_o yet_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o people_n continue_v steadfast_a in_o the_o faith_n as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o luke_n 20._o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o very_a enemy_n for_o when_o our_o saviour_n ask_v they_o concern_v the_o baptism_n of_o john_n whether_o it_o be_v from_o heaven_n or_o of_o man_n and_o they_o reason_v among_o themselves_o say_v if_o we_o shall_v say_v from_o heaven_n he_o will_v say_v why_o then_o believe_v you_o he_o not_o and_o if_o we_o say_v of_o man_n all_o the_o people_n will_v stone_n we_o for_o they_o be_v persuade_v that_o john_n be_v a_o prophet_n here_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o very_a enemy_n all_o the_o people_n or_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o be_v believer_n and_o it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v a_o mighty_a multitude_n that_o keep_v all_o the_o priest_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n that_o have_v