and_o determine_v such_o matter_n as_o shall_v come_v before_o they_o this_o same_o be_v clear_a from_o deut._n 19.16_o 17_o 18._o these_o assembly_n be_v revive_v by_o good_a king_n jehoshaphat_n according_a the_o lord_n appointment_n 2_o chron._n 19.8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o moreover_o in_o jerusalem_n do_v jehoshaphat_n set_v of_o the_o levite_n and_o the_o priest_n and_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o father_n of_o israel_n for_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o for_o controversy_n when_o they_o return_v to_o jerusalem_n and_o charge_v they_o thus_o shall_v you_o do_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o with_o a_o perfect_a heart_n in_o ezra_n time_n the_o elder_n be_v appoint_v to_o meet_v at_o certain_a time_n to_o determine_v the_o matter_n about_o unlawful_a marriage_n ezra_n 10.14_o from_o all_o which_o be_v evident_a 1._o that_o as_o the_o israelite_n be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o they_o have_v ruler_n assemble_v for_o their_o government_n 2._o that_o these_o be_v church-officer_n priest_n and_o levite_n 3._o that_o the_o matter_n they_o be_v concern_v in_o be_v proper_o ecclesiastical_a as_o matter_n of_o the_o lord_n distinct_a from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o king_n 2_o chron._n 19_o 4._o the_o law_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o judge_n be_v divine_a deut._n 17.11_o 5._o the_o end_n of_o such_o assembly_n be_v the_o preservation_n of_o god_n ordinance_n in_o their_o purity_n the_o maintain_v and_o promote_a of_o peace_n and_o holiess_n 2._o but_o it_o be_v further_a to_o be_v consider_v that_o this_o law_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o they_o assemble_v be_v not_o a_o meet_v positive_a or_o temporary_a law_n peculiar_a to_o that_o church_n only_o but_o a_o law_n which_o nature_n light_n direct_v and_o oblige_v we_o to_o observe_v so_o it_o be_v neither_o ceremonial_a nor_o judicial_a unless_o in_o some_o circumstance_n for_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n discover_v the_o good_a or_o evil_a of_o man_n action_n according_a to_o their_o agreement_n or_o repugnancy_n to_o it_o whatever_o be_v found_v on_o or_o harmonious_o agree_v with_o right_a reason_n must_v be_v according_a to_o the_o light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o plain_o teach_v we_o 1._o that_o no_o humane_a society_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastic_a can_v subsist_v without_o order_n and_o government_n ordo_fw-la est_fw-la anima_fw-la rerum_fw-la say_v the_o philosopher_n order_n be_v the_o soul_n of_o thing_n and_o when_o there_o be_v no_o king_n in_o israel_n than_o every_o man_n do_v what_o be_v right_a in_o his_o own_o eye_n then_o do_v the_o danite_n set_v up_o idolatry_n judg._n 18._o then_o do_v the_o benjamite_n practice_v and_o patronize_v barbarous_a and_o inhuman_a uncleanness_n judg._n 19_o for_o which_o divine_a vengeance_n pursue_v all_o 2._o the_o same_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v we_o that_o no_o society_n can_v be_v preserve_v without_o law_n make_v and_o execute_v by_o those_o on_o who_o the_o government_n lie_v thus_o all_o humane_a society_n be_v regulate_v by_o law_n proper_a and_o convenient_a for_o they_o and_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v from_o the_o light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n law_n lawgiver_n and_o law-executor_n be_v 3._o right_o reason_n dictate_v agreeable_a to_o the_o reveal_v word_n of_o god_n prov._n 11.14_o that_o where_o there_o be_v no_o counsel_n the_o people_n fall_v but_o in_o the_o multitude_n of_o counsellor_n there_o be_v safety_n so_o have_v god_n plant_v in_o the_o natural_a body_n ear_n and_o eye_n to_o inform_v and_o direct_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o these_o he_o have_v join_v together_o convenient_o and_o so_o the_o seer_n have_v he_o set_v in_o his_o church_n joint_o to_o employ_v their_o skill_n and_o gift_n for_o prevention_n of_o those_o evil_n which_o may_v hurt_v the_o flock_n over_o who_o they_o be_v overseer_n 4._o natural_a light_n inform_v we_o that_o as_o equal_n can_v have_v no_o empire_n over_o one_o another_o so_o society_n consist_v of_o equal_n the_o lesser_a number_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o controversy_n and_o difference_n aught_o to_o yield_v to_o and_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o great_a or_o major_a part_n according_a to_o that_o maxim_n pars_fw-la major_n jus_fw-la habet_fw-la universitatis_fw-la the_o great_a part_n have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o civilian_n according_o teach_v that_o refertur_fw-la ad_fw-la singulos_fw-la quod_fw-la publicae_fw-la fit_a per_fw-la majorum_fw-la partem_fw-la it_o relate_v to_o all_o what_o be_v do_v public_o by_o the_o great_a part_n for_o otherwise_o debate_n and_o controversy_n will_v be_v endless_a and_o it_o be_v irrational_a that_o a_o lesser_a number_n of_o equal_n shall_v over-rule_v or_o determine_v the_o great_a 5._o the_o same_o light_n dictate_v that_o in_o a_o society_n consist_v of_o many_o particular_a society_n a_o subordination_n of_o power_n be_v necessary_a by_o which_o a_o injure_v party_n have_v the_o right_a of_o appeal_n from_o the_o low_a to_o the_o superior_a which_o appeal_n be_v a_o application_n from_o a_o inferior_a or_o incompetent_a judge_n to_o a_o superior_a or_o competent_a judge_n contain_v a_o complaint_n of_o injury_n do_v for_o consider_v the_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n man_n be_v apt_a both_o to_o do_v and_o judge_v wrong_a and_o therefore_o the_o learned_a whitaker_n have_v declare_v that_o appeal_n be_v of_o divine_a and_o natural_a right_n and_o that_o most_o necessary_a in_o every_o society_n because_o of_o the_o ignorance_n or_o iniquity_n of_o many_o judge_n for_o if_o innocent_a person_n may_v not_o appeal_v under_o a_o unjust_a sentence_n honesty_n and_o innocency_n may_v be_v ruin_v yet_o such_o appeal_n must_v not_o be_v infinite_a but_o must_v sist_n somewhere_o and_o have_v their_o ne_fw-la plus_fw-la ultrà _fw-la which_o be_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o that_o society_n see_v god_n then_o have_v so_o well_o provide_v civil_a society_n with_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o their_o safety_n and_o prosperity_n shall_v we_o think_v he_o less_o concern_v for_o the_o church_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n and_o to_o leave_v it_o a_o confuse_a chaos_n or_o babel_n daily_o liable_a to_o many_o disease_n but_o provide_v with_o no_o remedy_n 3._o as_o god_n have_v command_v the_o light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n direct_v and_o oblige_v church-ruler_n to_o assemble_v for_o the_o aforesaid_a end_n so_o this_o law_n of_o nature_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v repeal_v under_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o therefore_o in_o obedience_n to_o it_o minister_n stand_v bind_v to_o assemble_v for_o preservation_n of_o christ_n vineyard_n those_o who_o will_v assert_v that_o this_o law_n be_v repeal_v must_v tell_v by_o who_o when_o and_o how_o it_o be_v so_o but_o so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o be_v repeal_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a it_o can_v be_v for_o a_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v in_o itself_o necessary_a just_a and_o equitable_a what_o will_v overturn_v such_o a_o constitution_n must_v be_v contrary_a and_o so_o needless_a unjust_a and_o unequal_a yea_o all_o that_o ever_o make_v such_o assemble_v needful_a be_v so_o still_o and_o where_o the_o reason_n of_o a_o law_n which_o be_v anima_fw-la legis_fw-la continue_v that_o law_n abide_v in_o its_o full_a force_n 4._o but_o so_o far_o have_v our_o lord_n and_o lawgiver_n be_v from_o abrogate_a this_o law_n that_o he_o have_v under_o the_o new_a testament_n establish_v it_o and_o that_o by_o prescribe_v church-assembly_n as_o a_o remedy_n against_o offence_n give_v matth._n 18.17_o enjoin_v the_o injure_v to_o tell_v the_o church_n and_o in_o case_n of_o not_o hear_v the_o church_n that_o such_o be_v count_v as_o heathen_n or_o publican_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o great_a division_n of_o thought_n and_o tongue_n about_o this_o text_n all_o that_o i_o desire_v from_o it_o be_v what_o can_v reasonable_o be_v deny_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o single_a person_n or_o church-virtual_a as_o some_o papist_n be_v please_v to_o speak_v for_o so_o the_o word_n never_o be_v nor_o possible_o can_v be_v take_v which_o ever_o import_v a_o assembly_n of_o men._n 2._o this_o church_n be_v such_o as_o have_v power_n to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o a_o complaint_n make_v to_o they_o and_o to_o determine_v it_o and_o to_o censure_v the_o contemner_n and_o neglecter_n of_o they_o which_o our_o lord_n will_v not_o have_v command_v have_v he_o not_o clothe_v they_o with_o power_n to_o hear_v and_o judge_v 3._o this_o can_v be_v the_o whole_a community_n of_o believer_n but_o a_o select_a society_n and_o that_o 1._o because_o it_o be_v a_o church_n to_o who_o he_o have_v give_v the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v verse_n 28._o and_o who_o sentence_n he_o will_v ratify_v in_o heaven_n which_o power_n be_v apparent_o give_v to_o church-officer_n
and_o not_o to_o the_o community_n as_o appear_v by_o matt._n 16.19_o 2._o nor_o be_v the_o church_n of_o believer_n all_o to_o be_v hear_v or_o can_v hear_v as_o this_o church_n be_v require_v 3._o this_o church_n may_v consist_v of_o two_o or_o three_o for_o to_o so_o many_o be_v the_o promise_n of_o hear_v prayer_n make_v verse_n 19_o and_o of_o christ_n presence_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o verse_n 20._o which_o be_v a_o promise_v make_v to_o church-officer_n as_o appear_v from_o matth._n 28.20_o to_o encourage_v they_o in_o their_o ministry_n 4._o nor_o be_v it_o a_o church_n of_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o erastians_n teach_v for_o than_o 1._o the_o apostle_n paul_n have_v not_o only_o not_o understand_v his_o master_n but_o express_o contradict_v he_o for_o 1_o cor._n 6.1_o he_o discharge_v all_o saint_n to_o carry_v their_o debate_n before_o judge_n who_o be_v their_o enemy_n such_o as_o heathen_n and_o infidel_n jew_n be_v at_o that_o time_n nor_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o christ_n will_v direct_v his_o disciple_n in_o case_n of_o private_a difference_n to_o jewish_a or_o roman_a magistrate_n his_o and_o their_o profess_a enemy_n 2._o if_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n must_v be_v here_o understand_v christian_n have_v not_o such_o a_o church_n for_o 300_o year_n after_o christ_n and_o so_o no_o remedy_n in_o such_o case_n 5._o the_o matter_n appear_v here_o to_o be_v proper_a for_o the_o cognizance_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a judicature_n not_o be_v such_o a_o crime_n as_o be_v punishable_a by_o the_o civil_a judge_n or_o for_o which_o restitution_n be_v to_o be_v make_v which_o be_v require_v in_o case_n of_o injury_n do_v but_o it_o be_v a_o offence_n which_o though_o at_o first_o private_a become_v scandalous_a by_o the_o person_n impenitence_n and_o declare_v reject_v the_o admonition_n of_o two_o or_o three_o and_o if_o christ_n will_v have_v the_o church_n tell_v in_o case_n of_o offend_v a_o private_a brother_n and_o for_o reconcile_a they_o two_o can_v we_o think_v he_o provide_v no_o remedy_n for_o such_o as_o by_o scandalous_a practice_n offend_v the_o whole_a church_n or_o appoint_v mean_n by_o which_o such_o offender_n may_v be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n see_v then_o there_o be_v here_o a_o church_n authorize_v to_o hear_v and_o decide_v difference_n vers_fw-la 17._o clothe_v with_o a_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v verse_n 18._o have_v a_o promise_n of_o hear_v their_o prayer_n and_o of_o his_o presence_n in_o perform_v their_o duty_n verse_n 19_o 20._o we_o have_v cause_n to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v a_o church-assemble_o of_o christ_n own_o appointment_n 5._o the_o apostle_n ordinary_a practice_n of_o assemble_v as_o they_o have_v occasion_n inform_v we_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o their_o duty_n which_o presuppose_v a_o law_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v pattern_n to_o we_o in_o such_o assembly_n upon_o the_o apostasy_n and_o death_n of_o judas_n one_o of_o the_o twelve_o after_o christ_n ascension_n we_o find_v they_o assemble_v to_o elect_a and_o ordain_v another_o apostle_n in_o his_o room_n act_v 1_o again_o we_o find_v they_o assemble_v to_o ordain_v deacon_n act_n 6._o and_o in_o act_n 11._o we_o find_v they_o convene_v and_o call_v the_o apostle_n peter_n to_o a_o account_n for_o his_o converse_n with_o the_o gentile_n but_o here_o more_o remarkable_o the_o church-guide_n be_v assemble_v to_o root_v out_o a_o heresy_n and_o to_o prevent_v a_o schism_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n and_o this_o lead_v i_o to_o consider_v what_o kind_n or_o sort_n of_o assembly_n this_o be_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n frame_v the_o government_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n according_a to_o the_o model_n of_o the_o jewish_a be_v general_o assert_v and_o believe_v and_o may_v safe_o be_v allow_v but_o for_o this_o reason_n neither_o to_o preserve_v the_o ceremonial_a nor_o judicial_a law_n but_o because_o the_o government_n of_o that_o church_n for_o its_o substance_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o be_v divine_a and_o imitable_a as_o be_v irreversible_a now_o it_o be_v general_o hold_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v three_o sort_n of_o assembly_n or_o church-ruler_n and_o all_o agreeable_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n 1._o as_o they_o have_v their_o synagogue_n or_o parochial_a congregation_n for_o ordinary_a moral_a worship_n so_o these_o synagogue_n have_v their_o ruler_n act_n 13.15_o and_o it_o be_v probable_a as_o be_v report_v that_o in_o every_o city_n where_o be_v ten_o wise_a man_n as_o there_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o every_o place_n where_o be_v a_o synagogue_n that_o they_o do_v all_o joint_o concur_v for_o rule_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o synagogue_n and_o so_o make_v a_o parochial_a consistory_n which_o do_v exercise_v discipline_n on_o scandalous_a offender_n even_o to_o cast_v they_o sometime_o out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n now_o the_o common_a light_n of_o nature_n thus_o far_o direct_v all_o sort_n of_o small_a society_n whether_o politic_a or_o ecclesiastic_a to_o compose_v all_o particular_a and_o more_o private_a difference_n within_o themselves_o and_o to_o decide_v small_a and_o easy_a case_n by_o small_a judicatories_n for_o that_o end_n appoint_v according_a to_o the_o maxim_n frustra_fw-la fit_a per_fw-la plura_fw-la etc._n etc._n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o trouble_v great_a assembly_n in_o what_o can_v be_v as_o convenient_o order_v by_o lesser_a one_o so_o jethro_n reason_v teach_v he_o to_o give_v that_o good_a counsel_n to_o moses_n that_o certain_a inferior_a judge_n may_v determine_v small_a matter_n reserve_v hard_a case_n for_o his_o own_o audience_n exod._n 18.22_o 26._o and_o this_o become_v a_o law_n deut._n 17._o 2._o as_o there_o be_v many_o portion_n call_v thousand_o in_o israel_n micah_n 5.2_o so_o these_o thousand_o have_v their_o government_n and_o a_o consistory_n compose_v of_o twenty_o three_o one_o of_o these_o be_v in_o every_o city_n where_o be_v one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o family_n and_o this_o be_v that_o as_o many_o say_v which_o be_v call_v by_o christ_n the_o judgement_n matth._n 5.22_o and_o be_v make_v up_o of_o fourteen_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n and_o seven_o other_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o city_n which_o also_o appear_v agreeable_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n for_o as_o particular_a person_n may_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o government_n and_o order_n so_o particular_a congregation_n live_v contiguous_o which_o as_o they_o may_v be_v injurious_a to_o one_o another_o so_o they_o may_v be_v helpful_a to_o one_o another_o and_o where_o matter_n occur_v of_o common_a concern_v to_o the_o lesser_a neighbour_a society_n suppose_v in_o a_o large_a city_n the_o same_o reason_n will_v allow_v and_o require_v the_o ruler_n of_o that_o city_n to_o associate_v for_o government_n that_o require_v those_o of_o a_o village_n to_o meet_v and_o so_o the_o rule_n will_v hold_v good_a in_o this_o quod_fw-la omnes_fw-la languit_fw-la etc._n etc._n what_o be_v of_o common_a concernment_n aught_o to_o be_v treat_v of_o by_o all_o concern_v and_o this_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v call_v the_o presbytery_n act_v 22.5_o which_o be_v a_o society_n or_o assembly_n distinct_a from_o the_o sanhedrim_n and_o such_o a_o assembly_n of_o elder_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v at_o jerusalem_n act_v 11.30_o &_o 21.18_o 3._o the_o three_o sort_n of_o assembly_n be_v their_o sanhedrim_n consist_v of_o seventy_o elder_n with_o their_o nassi_n or_o president_n which_o be_v their_o supreme_a judicatory_a if_o some_o allege_v these_o be_v civil_a judicatories_n they_o will_v find_v themselves_o mistake_v for_o though_o they_o do_v concern_v themselves_o in_o some_o matter_n civil_a yet_o they_o also_o have_v their_o ecclesiastical_a judicatory_n act_v by_o divine_a law_n in_o matter_n ecclesiastic_a for_o though_o now_o it_o hold_v true_a that_o ecclesia_fw-la est_fw-la in_o reipublica_fw-la the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o not_o the_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o hold_v good_a of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v call_v to_o be_v a_o church_n before_o they_o be_v frame_v into_o a_o state_n and_o so_o the_o state_n come_v into_o the_o church_n and_o not_o the_o church_n into_o the_o state_n to_o accommodate_v this_o to_o our_o purpose_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o assembly_n be_v neither_o of_o the_o former_a two_o but_o a_o assembly_n of_o the_o ruler_n of_o two_o presbytery_n to_o wit_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o antioch_n and_o so_o that_o which_o we_o call_v a_o synod_n who_o quality_n come_v next_o to_o be_v consider_v 1._o it_o be_v to_o be_v inquire_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a assembly_n act_v by_o extraordinary_a and_o apostolic_a call_n and_o authority_n or_o a_o ordinary_a assembly_n act_v by_o a_o ordinary_a call_n and_o ordinary_a church-power_n to_o
explain_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o rule_n of_o worship_n according_a to_o god_n word_n to_o discover_v and_o declare_v the_o contrary_a error_n or_o corruption_n thus_o they_o detect_v and_o declare_v and_o so_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n prevent_v and_o remove_v the_o corruption_n both_o of_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n which_o those_o pharisaical_a man_n be_v bring_v in_o with_o a_o burden_n of_o ceremony_n hereby_o they_o pacify_v and_o strengthen_v the_o church_n by_o secure_v to_o it_o that_o liberty_n wherewith_o christ_n have_v make_v it_o free_a 2._o they_o exercise_v that_o power_n call_v diatactick_a which_o relate_v to_o the_o external_n order_n of_o the_o church_n in_o matter_n prudential_n and_o circumstantial_a which_o be_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o those_o general_n rule_v prescribe_v in_o scripture_n such_o as_o 1._o that_o our_o great_a and_o chief_a end_n be_v god_n glory_n according_a to_o that_o 1_o cor._n 10.31_o 2._o that_o no_o offence_n be_v give_v to_o jew_n or_o gentile_n or_o the_o church_n of_o god_n according_a to_o verse_n 32._o 3._o that_o all_o be_v do_v for_o edification_n 1_o cor._n 14.26_o 4._o and_o in_o decency_n and_o order_n according_a to_o verse_n 20._o by_o these_o rule_n be_v church-assembly_n bind_v to_o walk_v which_o if_o they_o do_v peace_n shall_v be_v on_o they_o as_o on_o the_o israel_n of_o god._n thus_o this_o synod_n decree_v to_o frame_v their_o decision_n in_o a_o letter_n and_o to_o send_v it_o by_o fit_a commissioner_n 3._o they_o exercise_v that_o power_n call_v critic_n or_o disciplinary_a in_o censure_v those_o false_a teacher_n as_o subverter_n of_o soul_n man_n run_v unsent_a and_o teach_v what_o they_o have_v no_o command_n for_o vers_n 24._o and_o so_o may_v assembly_n use_v and_o exercise_v censure_n provide_v it_o be_v do_v with_o humility_n moderation_n and_o compassion_n and_o so_o shall_v the_o church_n be_v preserve_v from_o heresy_n and_o schism_n this_o be_v our_o best_a pattern_n i_o come_v to_o make_v some_o application_n to_o ourselves_o use_v 1_o see_v god_n have_v command_v nature_n light_n have_v direct_v christ_n precept_n and_o his_o apostle_n precedent_n have_v authorize_v assembly_n of_o church-officer_n for_o its_o safety_n and_o edification_n we_o may_v meet_v in_o faith_n have_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n for_o our_o motive_n and_o warrant_n so_o to_o do_v and_o therefore_o may_v depend_v upon_o his_o promise_a presence_n with_o we_o and_o the_o hear_n of_o our_o prayer_n see_v what_o we_o do_v be_v not_o from_o a_o principle_n of_o carnal_a policy_n but_o in_o obedience_n to_o our_o great_a master_n and_o for_o the_o service_n of_o his_o church_n under_o our_o care_n 2._o we_o be_v hence_o inform_v that_o the_o want_n of_o a_o call_n or_o commission_n to_o assemble_v from_o secular_a power_n we_o be_v permit_v to_o meet_v do_v not_o make_v our_o meeting_n unlawful_a before_o god_n as_o some_o may_v fancy_v nor_o do_v the_o want_n of_o a_o civil_a sanction_n to_o our_o act_n make_v they_o void_a for_o this_o assembly_n have_v neither_o yet_o be_v bless_v of_o the_o lord_n the_o civil_a magistrate_n we_o confess_v may_v and_o aught_o to_o call_v minister_n to_o their_o work_n and_o protect_v they_o in_o it_o yet_o this_o be_v necessary_a only_o to_o the_o well-being_n but_o not_o to_o the_o be_v of_o such_o meeting_n the_o primitive_a church_n for_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n enjoy_v no_o such_o privilege_n more_o than_o we_o yet_o want_v not_o their_o assembly_n nor_o dare_v we_o condemn_v they_o as_o unlawful_a and_o as_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o bless_v god_n that_o we_o be_v permit_v to_o meet_v in_o peace_n though_o not_o command_v so_o to_o do_v let_v we_o as_o we_o have_v hitherto_o endeavour_v so_o behave_v ourselves_o as_o to_o give_v no_o just_a ground_n of_o offence_n for_o sure_o we_o can_v do_v nothing_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o civil_a interest_n if_o we_o keep_v within_o our_o own_o sphere_n and_o pursue_v the_o just_a end_n of_o our_o meeting_n which_o be_v the_o preservation_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n and_o promote_a holiness_n among_o ourselves_o and_o those_o over_o who_o the_o lord_n have_v set_v we_o for_o certain_o such_o will_v be_v find_v the_o best_a subject_n who_o conscientious_o mind_v these_o duty_n 3._o see_v god_n have_v command_v minister_n to_o assemble_v when_o it_o be_v necessary_a than_o such_o aught_o to_o make_v conscience_n of_o meet_v when_o call_v and_o not_o to_o forsake_v the_o assemble_v of_o themselves_o together_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o some_o be_v it_o be_v true_a such_o as_o god_n have_v disable_v to_o come_v be_v hereby_o excuse_v for_o the_o lord_n himself_o have_v do_v it_o and_o who_o may_v say_v what_o do_v he_o but_o those_o who_o be_v able_a to_o go_v about_o their_o own_o particular_a affair_n and_o yet_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o attend_v these_o our_o assembly_n seem_v to_o mind_n more_o their_o own_o thing_n than_o the_o thing_n of_o christ_n some_o indeed_o despise_v these_o assembly_n as_o be_v in_o their_o opinion_n a_o yoke_n but_o we_o have_v cause_n to_o bless_v god_n for_o this_o yoke_n which_o tie_v we_o together_o bind_v we_o to_o our_o work_n and_o strengthen_v we_o in_o the_o performance_n thereof_o for_o by_o our_o meeting_n god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o preserve_v we_o in_o as_o great_a unanimity_n of_o judgement_n unity_n of_o affection_n uniformity_n in_o all_o our_o ministerial_a act_n as_o any_o such_o number_n of_o such_o man_n we_o know_v in_o the_o like_a circumstance_n with_o ourselves_o by_o these_o we_o have_v be_v help_v to_o mind_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n and_o by_o our_o unite_a care_n and_o counsel_n in_o our_o dark_a time_n and_o great_a danger_n have_v be_v enable_v both_o to_o avoid_v give_v just_a ground_n of_o offence_n and_o have_v thereby_o defend_v ourselves_o our_o own_o and_o the_o public_a peace_n have_v be_v considerable_o secure_v by_o these_o mean_n when_o it_o have_v fare_v otherwise_o in_o other_o place_n and_o experience_v daily_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o church_n shall_v never_o be_v comely_a as_o jerusalem_n terrible_a as_o a_o army_n with_o banner_n while_o every_o small_a company_n with_o their_o several_a captain_n have_v sole_a jurisdiction_n and_o no_o common_a council_n keep_v for_o war_n or_o peace_n no_o subordination_n or_o authority_n for_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n redress_n of_o grievance_n or_o establish_v of_o order_n have_v some_o of_o our_o brethren_n what_o we_o enjoy_v by_o these_o they_o will_v soon_o be_v more_o terrible_a to_o their_o enemy_n more_o comfortable_a to_o their_o friend_n more_o peace_n shall_v be_v in_o their_o palace_n and_o prosperity_n within_o their_o private_a wall_n 4._o this_o also_o may_v convince_v we_o that_o christ_n never_o appoint_v his_o church_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o sole_a jurisdiction_n of_o single_a person_n for_o even_o in_o case_n of_o a_o private_a offence_n he_o command_v to_o tell_v the_o church_n not_o any_o single_a person_n howsoever_o dignify_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o presence_n be_v make_v at_o least_o to_o two_o or_o three_o gather_v in_o his_o name_n matth._n 18.20_o as_o the_o apostle_n with_o the_o knowledge_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n choose_v and_o ordain_v a_o apostle_n act_v 1._o so_o they_o will_v not_o exercise_v sole_a jurisdiction_n even_o in_o the_o ordination_n of_o deacon_n act_n 6.3_o 6._o the_o apostle_n joint_o send_v peter_n and_o john_n to_o samaria_n act_v 8.14_o the_o apostle_n and_o brethren_n in_o judea_n call_v peter_n to_o account_n in_o respect_n of_o his_o carriage_n to_o the_o gentile_n act_n 11.1_o 2_o 18._o it_o be_v the_o church_n and_o not_o any_o one_o churchman_n that_o send_v barnabas_n so_o far_o as_o antioch_n act_v 11.22_o yea_o the_o very_a matter_n of_o charity_n be_v manage_v by_o common_a consent_n for_o the_o disciple_n in_o antioch_n send_v to_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n and_o the_o elder_n at_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o sole_a jurisdiction_n in_o the_o distribution_n of_o the_o church_n charity_n act_v 11.29_o 30._o paul_n and_o barnabas_n be_v send_v by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n assemble_v chap._n 13._o and_o here_o it_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o to_o be_v deny_v so_o that_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v any_o constitute_v church_n within_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o old_a when_o church-jurisdiction_n be_v exercise_v by_o any_o single_a person_n and_o see_v our_o law_n and_o lawgiver_n have_v think_v it_o unreasonable_a and_o unsafe_a to_o trust_v the_o legislative_a power_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o single_a person_n or_o the_o life_n liberty_n limb_n or_o estate_n to_o any_o less_o than_o a_o jury_n of_o twelve_o man_n then_o