receive_v it_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n from_o they_o also_o and_o not_o from_o the_o church_n answ_n it_o be_v true_a the_o apostle_n be_v extraordinary_a officer_n as_o they_o be_v immediate_o call_v and_o choose_v of_o christ_n not_o by_o the_o church_n so_o they_o be_v most_o of_o they_o ordain_v by_o christ_n and_o not_o by_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o not_o all_o of_o they_o neither_o for_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n though_o choose_v to_o the_o apostolical_a office_n immediate_o from_o god_n yet_o they_o be_v ordain_v to_o that_o office_n by_o the_o imposition_n of_o hand_n of_o some_o officer_n or_o member_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 13.2_o 3._o but_o that_o hinder_v not_o but_o as_o the_o apostle_n receive_v their_o power_n immediate_o from_o christ_n so_o do_v the_o church_n receive_v their_o power_n immediate_o from_o christ_n also_o for_o he_o that_o say_v to_o the_o apostle_n who_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v who_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v joh._n 20.23_o he_o also_o say_v to_o the_o church_n 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 shall_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n mat._n 18.18_o which_o be_v a_o commission_n of_o the_o same_o power_n and_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n if_o then_o the_o church_n have_v receive_v as_o well_o as_o the_o apostle_n the_o same_o commission_n of_o church-power_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v of_o perpetual_a use_n that_o though_o the_o church_n then_o present_v their_o officer_n choose_v by_o they_o to_o receive_v ordination_n from_o the_o apostle_n yet_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v cease_v and_o no_o other_o successor_n leave_v in_o their_o room_n from_o who_o their_o officer_n may_v receive_v ordination_n but_o from_o the_o presbytery_n of_o their_o own_o church_n then_o where_o such_o a_o presbytery_n be_v yet_o want_v and_o their_o power_n be_v now_o to_o be_v execute_v the_o church_n have_v full_a power_n to_o give_v ordination_n to_o they_o themselves_o by_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o hand_n sect_n viii_o object_n when_o the_o apostle_n cease_v bishop_n be_v leave_v as_o successor_n in_o their_o room_n as_o timothy_n in_o ephesus_n and_z titus_n in_o crete_n to_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n tit._n 1.5_o answ_n timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v not_o leave_v to_o ordain_v elder_n as_o bishop_n but_o as_o evangelist_n who_o office_n be_v alike_o extraordinary_a in_o the_o church_n as_o that_o of_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n eph._n 4.11_o their_o work_n be_v to_o follow_v the_o apostle_n and_o so_o set_v forward_o the_o work_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v begin_v whereto_o the_o apostle_n call_v they_o forth_o and_o direct_v they_o and_o not_o to_o keep_v settle_a residence_n in_o any_o one_o church_n as_o elder_n do_v or_o in_o any_o one_o nation_n of_o church_n as_o bishop_n do_v timothy_n be_v express_o command_v to_o do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o evangelist_n 2_o tim._n 4.5_o and_o titus_n be_v not_o ordain_v a_o bishop_n at_o crete_n but_o leave_v in_o crete_n as_o have_v travel_v up_o and_o down_o with_o paul_n gal._n 2.3_o and_o come_v to_o crete_n be_v leave_v to_o direct_v the_o cretian_a believer_n in_o their_o church-affaire_n after_o paul_n departure_n afterward_o he_o depart_v to_o dalmatia_n 2_o tim._n 4.10_o sometime_o paul_n appoint_v he_o to_o meet_v he_o at_o nicopolis_n tit._n 3.12_o sometime_o he_o send_v he_o to_o corinth_n 2_o cor._n 12.18_o and_o commend_v he_o as_o his_o partner_n and_o fellow-helper_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o at_o troas_n paul_n find_v no_o rest_n in_o his_o spirit_n because_o he_o find_v not_o titus_n his_o brother_n 2_o cor._n 2.13_o and_o in_o macedonia_n he_o find_v much_o comfort_n because_o he_o find_v titus_n there_o 2_o cor._n 7.5_o 6._o which_o argue_v his_o call_n be_v not_o episcopal_a to_o rest_v in_o a_o certain_a charge_n but_o to_o travel_v up_o and_o down_o with_o the_o apostle_n or_o after_o they_o or_o whither_o the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v lead_v they_o forth_o to_o help_v forward_o the_o work_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n object_n but_o in_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o paul_n to_o they_o titus_n be_v call_v the_o first_o ordain_v bishop_n of_o all_o the_o cretan_n and_o timothy_n the_o first_o ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n answ_n the_o subscription_n of_o paul_n epistle_n both_o those_o and_o the_o rest_n be_v no_o part_n of_o canonical_a scripture_n but_o apocrypha_fw-la not_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o but_o by_o some_o scribe_n that_o copy_v they_o out_o in_o after_o age_n as_o be_v observe_v by_o many_o learn_v both_o protestant_n and_o papist_n in_o particular_a this_o subscription_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o titus_n contain_v a_o apparent_a mistake_n for_o the_o subscription_n say_v the_o epistle_n be_v write_v from_o nicopolis_n to_o macedonia_n as_o if_o paul_n have_v be_v at_o nicopolis_n when_o he_o write_v this_o epistle_n which_o conceit_n in_o the_o scribe_n spring_v from_o a_o mistake_n of_o paul_n word_n tit._n 3.12_o where_o paul_n bid_v titus_n be_v diligent_a to_o come_v to_o i_o to_o nicopolis_n for_o i_o have_v determine_v there_o to_o winter_n but_o paul_n do_v not_o say_v i_o have_v determine_v here_o to_o winter_n as_o if_o he_o be_v there_o already_o in_o nicopolis_n but_o i_o have_v determine_v there_o to_o winter_n to_o wit_n as_o intend_v to_o go_v thither_o for_o to_o winter_n the_o subscription_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n still_v he_o the_o first_o ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o ephesian_n will_v not_o stand_v with_o the_o apostle_n charge_v to_o he_o in_o the_o same_o epistle_n 2_o tim._n 4.5_o do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o evangelist_n for_o a_o bishop_n be_v to_o attend_v with_o personal_a residence_n upon_o his_o charge_n act._n 20.28_o but_o a_o evangelist_n be_v to_o travel_v up_o and_o down_o with_o the_o apostle_n or_o after_o they_o to_o come_v and_o go_v at_o their_o appointment_n as_o paul_n there_o do_v command_n timothy_n to_o be_v diligent_a to_o come_v to_o he_o 2_o tim._n 4.9.21_o again_o when_o paul_n address_v himself_o to_o go_v to_o rome_n from_o whence_o this_o subscription_n tell_v we_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v he_o intend_v to_o pass_v by_o macedonia_n to_o rome_n act._n 19.21_o beseech_v timothy_n to_o abide_v still_o at_o ephesus_n 1_o tim._n 1.3_o but_o if_o timothy_n have_v be_v the_o bishop_n ordain_v of_o the_o ephesian_n his_o duty_n will_v have_v bind_v he_o to_o abide_v there_o and_o shall_v not_o have_v need_v paul_n entreaty_n so_o to_o do_v beside_o when_o paul_n in_o that_o journey_n come_v to_o miletus_n he_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n act._n 20.17_o who_o also_o he_o name_v bishop_n for_o so_o the_o greek_a word_n be_v which_o be_v translate_v overseer_n v._o 28._o and_o then_o paul_n acknowledge_v no_o such_o singular_a ordination_n of_o any_o to_o a_o transcendent_a episcopacy_n but_o what_o be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n but_o that_o it_o may_v further_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o intent_n of_o paul_n or_o of_o the_o other_o apostle_n to_o direct_v the_o church_n to_o send_v the_o elder_n who_o they_o have_v choose_v unto_o any_o transcendent_a or_o diocesan_n bishop_n for_o ordination_n nor_o leave_v any_o to_o like_v eminent_a place_n after_o timothy_n and_o titus_n to_o perform_v that_o work_n let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o there_o be_v no_o direction_n at_o all_o in_o the_o epistle_n of_o paul_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n for_o the_o church_n election_n of_o any_o evangelist_n or_o of_o any_o bishop_n over_o many_o church_n for_o 1._o the_o bishop_n paul_n speak_v of_o in_o timothy_n of_o who_o qualification_n he_o give_v direction_n 1_o tim._n 3.2_o to_o 7._o he_o call_v they_o all_o when_o he_o come_v to_o give_v order_n for_o their_o maintenance_n by_o the_o name_n of_o elder_n some_o rule_v elder_n some_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n and_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o titus_n the_o elder_n which_o paul_n leave_v titus_n to_o ordain_v in_o every_o city_n he_o call_v they_o bishop_n tit._n 1.5.7_o now_o of_o these_o he_o appoint_v many_o elder_n and_o many_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n or_o church_n not_o many_o city_n or_o church_n under_o one_o bishop_n act._n 14.23_o elder_n in_o every_o city_n act._n 20.17_o 18._o many_o elder_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n phil._n 1.11_o many_o bishop_n as_o well_o as_o many_o deacon_n in_o one_o church_n of_o philippi_n and_o that_o a_o poor_a one_o too_o for_o philippi_n be_v a_o church_n in_o macedonia_n act._n 16.12_o and_o all_o the_o church_n of_o macedonia_n have_v trial_n of_o deep_a poverty_n
2_o cor._n 8.1_o 2._o 2._o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n there_o be_v no_o difference_n at_o all_o put_v of_o any_o one_o bishop_n above_o his_o fellow_n except_o only_o the_o difference_n of_o rule_v and_o teach_v elder_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o and_o those_o as_o they_o be_v not_o set_v over_o many_o church_n so_o neither_o be_v any_o of_o they_o set_v above_o his_o fellow_n only_o the_o preacher_n be_v allow_v more_o reverence_n and_o maintenance_n than_o the_o ruler_n if_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v appoint_v some_o singular_a bishop_n above_o the_o rest_n of_o any_o transcendent_a and_o eminent_a office_n he_o will_v have_v appoint_v he_o also_o some_o eminent_a and_o transcendent_a proper_a work_n of_o his_o office_n but_o what_o shall_v that_o be_v shall_v it_o be_v ordination_n as_o hierome_n say_v speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n in_o his_o time_n quid_fw-la facit_fw-la episcopus_fw-la excepta_fw-la ordinatione_fw-la quod_fw-la presbyter_n non_fw-la facit_fw-la why_o that_o be_v a_o work_n of_o rule_n or_o shall_v it_o be_v hear_v accusation_n against_o elder_n and_o censure_v they_o according_o as_o 1_o tim._n 5.19_o 20_o why_o that_o be_v a_o work_n of_o rule_n also_o now_o the_o apostle_n acknowledge_v no_o act_n of_o rule_n nor_o any_o elder_n or_o bishop_n that_o do_v rule_n as_o worthy_a of_o great_a honour_n than_o such_o elder_n as_o labour_v in_o word_n and_o doctrine_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o it_o be_v therefore_o apparent_o contradictory_n to_o the_o institution_n give_v by_o paul_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n to_o set_v up_o any_o eminent_a or_o transcendent_a bishop_n in_o the_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o rule_n or_o exercise_v of_o office_n of_o more_o honour_n and_o power_n then_o pertain_v to_o all_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n so_o that_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o neither_o ordination_n nor_o jurisdiction_n which_o be_v both_o of_o they_o act_n of_o rule_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o transcendent_a bishop_n but_o pertain_v indifferent_o to_o all_o the_o presbyter_n sect_n ix_o object_n but_o if_o no_o transcendent_a act_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o rule_n be_v reserve_v unto_o one_o bishop_n alone_o above_o other_o minister_n how_o come_v it_o then_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o rev._n 2.3_o each_o singular_a angel_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v admonish_v and_o reprove_v alone_o for_o all_o the_o fault_n that_o be_v find_v in_o his_o church_n whereof_o he_o be_v the_o angel_n why_o shall_v one_o angel_n alone_o be_v charge_v with_o the_o guilt_n of_o all_o those_o fault_n in_o the_o church_n if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o hand_n alone_o to_o redress_v and_o punish_v they_o answ_n it_o be_v a_o usual_a thing_n with_o john_n and_o find_v also_o in_o other_o scripture_n to_o use_v the_o name_n of_o angel_n not_o singular_o for_o one_o person_n but_o collective_o for_o a_o company_n administer_a the_o same_o work_n as_o the_o seven_o angel_n that_o sound_v the_o seven_o trumpet_n and_o the_o seven_o angel_n that_o pour_v out_o the_o seven_o vial_n be_v not_o seven_o singular_a person_n but_o seven_o company_n or_o sort_n of_o person_n perform_v that_o service_n and_o when_o david_n say_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o lord_n pitch_v his_o tent_n about_o they_o which_o fear_v he_o psal_n 34.7_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o one_o angel_n alone_o but_o of_o many_o of_o they_o for_o one_o alone_a can_v pitch_v his_o tent_n about_o all_o they_o that_o fear_n god_n and_o that_o john_n in_o the_o second_o and_o three_o chapter_n of_o the_o revelation_n do_v not_o mean_a by_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n one_o singular_a person_n but_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n the_o whole_a presbytery_n of_o person_n more_o than_o one_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o his_o speech_n unto_o they_o as_o unto_o many_o the_o devil_n say_v he_o shall_v cast_v some_o of_o you_o into_o prison_n rev._n 2.10_o some_o of_o you_o 〈◊〉_d gr._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o imply_v more_o than_o one_o and_o again_o in_o rev._n 2.24_o speak_v unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n but_o unto_o you_o plural_a you_o gr._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o in_o the_o plural_a i_o say_v and_o unto_o the_o rest_n of_o thiatira_n which_o argue_v that_o the_o angel_n distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o than_o one_o person_n for_o he_o say_v unto_o you_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n object_n but_o now_o say_v some_o let_v it_o be_v so_o then_o if_o such_o eminent_a and_o transcendent_a bishop_n that_o be_v diocesan_n bishop_n who_o claim_v a_o peerless_a power_n in_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o themselves_o alone_o have_v no_o foothold_a in_o the_o scripture_n then_o let_v they_o neither_o have_v name_n nor_o place_n portion_n right_a nor_o memorial_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o yet_o nevertheless_o the_o apostle_n be_v clear_a for_o a_o presbytery_n and_o acknowledge_v imposition_n of_o hand_n even_o upon_o timothy_n how_o much_o more_o upon_o other_o elder_n by_o the_o presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4.14_o answ_n we_o willing_o also_o acknowledge_v the_o same_o where_o god_n have_v furnish_v any_o church_n with_o a_o presbytery_n to_o they_o it_o pertain_v to_o ordain_v by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n any_o elder_n or_o deacon_n that_o shall_v be_v choose_v by_o office_n by_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o they_o but_o if_o the_o church_n want_v a_o presbytery_n for_o want_v of_o elder_n they_o want_v a_o warrant_n to_o repair_v to_o the_o presbytery_n of_o another_o church_n to_o impose_v hand_n upon_o their_o elect_a elder_n our_o reason_n be_v reason_n 1_o first_o ordination_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n be_v a_o work_n of_o church_n power_n as_o all_o man_n acknowledge_v now_o as_o no_o church_n have_v power_n over_o another_o but_o all_o of_o they_o stand_v in_o brotherly_a equality_n one_o towards_o another_o so_o the_o presbytery_n of_o one_o church_n have_v no_o power_n over_o the_o elder_n of_o another_o as_o the_o apostle_n have_v all_o of_o they_o receive_v the_o same_o commission_n joh._n 20.23_o have_v none_o of_o they_o power_n over_o another_o so_o the_o church_n have_v receive_v all_o of_o they_o the_o same_o power_n of_o the_o key_n as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o they_o none_o of_o they_o have_v power_n over_o another_o and_o therefore_o no_o power_n of_o ordination_n of_o one_o another_o officer_n reason_n 2_o as_o every_o church_n have_v equal_o receive_v the_o same_o power_n of_o the_o key_n so_o ought_v they_o to_o maintain_v and_o stand_v fast_o in_o the_o same_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n as_o it_o be_v a_o privilege_n and_o liberty_n purchase_v to_o the_o church_n by_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n so_o at_o a_o less_o rate_n it_o may_v not_o be_v alienate_v from_o the_o church_n christ_n by_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n have_v obtain_v all_o power_n both_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n mat._n 28.18_o phil._n 2.8_o 9_o 10._o and_o look_v where_o he_o have_v communicate_v the_o same_o by_o his_o testament_n ratify_v in_o his_o blood_n there_o it_o ought_v to_o remain_v and_o not_o to_o be_v remove_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n or_o angel_n whence_o it_o appear_v unlawful_a for_o any_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o put_v over_o that_o power_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v of_o christ_n out_o of_o their_o own_o hand_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o other_o church_n the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v all_o of_o they_o equal_a power_n from_o christ_n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o they_o by_o common_a consent_n to_o have_v confer_v upon_o peter_n and_o paul_n james_n and_o john_n a_o transcendent_a government_n over_o they_o all_o if_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n seem_v to_o be_v pillar_n as_o be_v say_v of_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n gal._n 2.9_o and_o so_o more_o eminent_a in_o gift_n then_o all_o their_o brethren_n it_o may_v put_v upon_o their_o brethren_n a_o expediency_n and_o sometime_o a_o necessity_n to_o call_v upon_o they_o for_o more_o counsel_n but_o not_o to_o call_v they_o to_o more_o authority_n in_o like_a sort_n if_o a_o church_n in_o a_o city_n and_o the_o officer_n thereof_o be_v of_o more_o eminent_a gift_n and_o grace_n than_o a_o church_n in_o a_o village_n it_o be_v a_o just_a occasion_n for_o the_o church_n in_o the_o village_n to_o listen_v the_o more_o after_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n but_o not_o to_o submit_v the_o more_o unto_o their_o authority_n in_o the_o way_n of_o subjection_n and_o so_o it_o be_v true_a a_o classis_fw-la of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o many_o church_n may_v excel_v in_o more_o variety_n of_o all_o ability_n than_o the_o
of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n in_o the_o choose_n of_o a_o apostle_n the_o voice_n of_o people_n go_v as_o far_o as_o any_o humane_a suffrage_n can_v go_v of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o they_o choose_v two_o and_o present_v they_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o because_o and_o apostle_n be_v immediate_o to_o be_v call_v of_o god_n out_o of_o those_o two_o god_n choose_v one_o act._n 1.15.23.26_o act._n 14.23_o the_o apostle_n be_v say_v to_o have_v ordain_v elder_n by_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n to_o wit_n of_o the_o people_n as_o the_o original_a word_n impli_v and_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o disciple_n be_v direct_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o look_v out_o and_o choose_v seven_o deacon_n act._n 6.3.15_o the_o practice_n of_o succeed_a church_n for_o many_o year_n after_o be_v plain_a from_o cyprian_n word_n lib._n 1._o epist_n 4._o plebs_fw-la maxim_n potestatem_fw-la habet_fw-la vel_fw-la dignos_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la eligendi_fw-la vel_fw-la indignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la object_n 2._o it_o be_v also_o demand_v by_o what_o warrant_n do_v a_o particular_a church_n depute_v such_o who_o be_v not_o presbyter_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o presbyter_n be_v it_o not_o more_o regular_a and_o orderly_a to_o repair_v to_o some_o bishop_n to_o receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o he_o or_o as_o the_o presbyter_n in_o every_o church_n in_o crete_n receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o titus_n who_o be_v leave_v in_o crete_n with_o episcopal_a authority_n for_o that_o very_a end_n tit._n 1.5_o or_o rather_o than_o take_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o lay-man_n as_o they_o be_v call_v why_o do_v not_o the_o church_n rather_o entreat_v the_o elder_n of_o other_o church_n to_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o their_o own_o presbytery_n by_o the_o presbyter_n of_o other_o church_n ans_fw-fr the_o warrant_n by_o which_o each_o particular_a church_n do_v depute_v some_o of_o their_o own_o body_n though_o not_o presbyter_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o those_o who_o they_o have_v choose_v to_o be_v their_o presbyter_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n which_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o receive_v all_o fullness_n of_o power_n from_o the_o father_n have_v give_v to_o the_o church_n for_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v the_o power_n of_o open_v and_o shut_v bind_v and_o lose_v matth._n 16.19_o and_o this_o be_v give_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n meet_v together_o in_o his_o name_n mat._n 18.18_o whatsoever_o say_v christ_n speak_v of_o the_o church_n 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 which_o be_v the_o whole_a ministerial_a power_n of_o the_o key_n sect_n vii_o object_n 1._o the_o church_n be_v not_o the_o first_o subject_n and_o receptacle_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n for_o though_o the_o church_n elect_v a_o pastor_n or_o other_o elder_a yet_o the_o office_n of_o a_o pastor_n be_v from_o christ_n eph._n 4.8_o and_o so_o be_v his_o authority_n from_o christ_n also_o and_o if_o he_o have_v neither_o his_o office_n nor_o his_o authority_n from_o the_o church_n how_o can_v he_o be_v ordain_v by_o the_o imposition_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o church_n answ_n 1._o though_o the_o office_n of_o a_o pastor_n in_o general_n be_v immediate_o from_o christ_n and_o the_o authority_n from_o he_o also_o yet_o the_o application_n of_o this_o office_n and_o of_o this_o authority_n to_o this_o elect_a person_n be_v by_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n have_v sufficient_a and_o just_a warrant_n as_o to_o elect_v and_o call_v a_o presbyter_n unto_o office_n so_o to_o ordain_v he_o to_o it_o by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n they_o that_o have_v power_n to_o elect_v a_o king_n have_v power_n also_o to_o depute_v some_o in_o their_o name_n to_o set_v the_o crown_n upon_o his_o head_n answ_n 2._o as_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o other_o elder_n be_v not_o from_o the_o church_n but_o from_o christ_n so_o neither_o be_v their_o office_n and_o authority_n from_o the_o bishop_n nor_o from_o the_o presbytery_n nor_o from_o the_o classis_fw-la of_o presbytery_n if_o therefore_o that_o be_v a_o just_a impediment_n why_o the_o church_n shall_v not_o lay_v hand_n upon_o their_o elect_a pastor_n or_o elder_n because_o neither_o their_o office_n nor_o their_o authority_n be_v from_o the_o church_n than_o neither_o may_v the_o bishop_n nor_o the_o presbytery_n nor_o the_o classis_fw-la lie_v their_o hand_n upon_o they_o because_o their_o office_n and_o authority_n be_v no_o more_o nor_o so_o much_o from_o they_o as_o from_o the_o church_n nor_o by_o this_o argument_n may_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o if_o they_o be_v present_a ordain_v officer_n because_o neither_o the_o office_n nor_o the_o authority_n be_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o from_o christ_n only_o neither_o will_v it_o follow_v from_o hence_o as_o some_o object_n that_o if_o the_o elder_n receive_v their_o ordination_n from_o the_o church_n than_o they_o shall_v execute_v their_o office_n in_o the_o church_n name_n or_o that_o then_o they_o may_v be_v more_o or_o less_o diligent_a in_o their_o office_n at_o the_o church_n appointment_n or_o that_o then_o the_o church_n have_v a_o lordlike_o power_n over_o they_o or_o that_o then_o the_o elder_n must_v receive_v their_o errand_n from_o the_o church_n as_o a_o ambassador_n do_v from_o he_o from_o who_o he_o receive_v his_o commission_n or_o that_o then_o the_o church_n in_o defect_n of_o all_o officer_n may_v perform_v all_o duty_n of_o their_o officer_n as_o to_o administer_v sacrament_n and_o the_o like_a none_o of_o all_o these_o thing_n will_v follow_v for_o 1._o most_o of_o these_o objection_n do_v strike_v as_o much_o against_o imposition_n of_o hand_n by_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n 2._o though_o the_o elder_n do_v receive_v the_o application_n of_o their_o office_n and_o of_o their_o power_n by_o the_o church_n yet_o not_o from_o the_o church_n or_o if_o from_o the_o church_n ministerial_o only_a as_o instrument_n unto_o christ_n so_o that_o they_o can_v choose_v or_o ordain_v who_o they_o please_v to_o what_o office_n they_o please_v but_o who_o they_o see_v the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v prepare_v and_o fit_v for_o they_o and_o as_o it_o be_v choose_v and_o ordain_v to_o their_o hand_n nor_o may_v they_o enlarge_v or_o straiten_v the_o limit_n of_o his_o office_n who_o they_o do_v elect_v or_o ordain_v but_o as_o the_o lord_n have_v prescribe_v nor_o can_v they_o give_v he_o any_o errand_n but_o only_o a_o charge_n to_o look_v to_o the_o ministry_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o lord_n nor_o have_v they_o any_o more_o lordly_a power_n over_o he_o than_o he_o over_o they_o but_o both_o ministerial_a as_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o lord_n neither_o may_v they_o administer_v sacrament_n in_o defect_n of_o all_o officer_n because_o that_o by_o appointment_n from_o christ_n pertain_v only_o to_o such_o as_o be_v call_v by_o office_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n mat._n 28.19_o 20._o as_o for_o mutual_a instruction_n and_o admission_n election_n and_o ordination_n of_o officer_n open_v of_o the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n by_o admission_n of_o member_n and_o shut_v the_o same_o by_o church-censure_n these_o thing_n they_o may_v do_v if_o need_v be_v without_o officer_n yea_o and_o if_o all_o their_o officer_n be_v find_v culpable_a either_o in_o heretical_a doctrine_n or_o scandalous_a crime_n yet_o the_o church_n have_v lawful_a authority_n to_o proceed_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o they_o all_o for_o they_o that_o as_o a_o church_n may_v admonish_v archippus_n col._n 4.17_o may_v in_o case_n he_o have_v not_o hearken_v to_o their_o admonition_n have_v proceed_v against_o he_o to_o excommunication_n and_o they_o that_o may_v so_o proceed_v against_o one_o of_o their_o officer_n may_v in_o like_a sort_n upon_o like_a ground_n proceed_v against_o they_o all_o which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v if_o the_o church_n do_v receive_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n not_o immediate_o from_o christ_n but_o from_o the_o presbyter_n and_o yet_o in_o such_o case_n our_o church_n be_v never_o wont_a to_o proceed_v but_o in_o the_o presence_n and_o with_o the_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o other_o church_n as_o know_v that_o in_o such_o weighty_a case_n in_o the_o multitude_n of_o counsellor_n there_o be_v safety_n and_o as_o the_o church_n do_v not_o choose_v any_o elder_n but_o in_o the_o presence_n and_o with_o the_o approbation_n of_o other_o church_n so_o neither_o do_v it_o proceed_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o they_o but_o with_o the_o like_a grave_n and_o solemn_a assistance_n object_n 2._o the_o apostle_n receive_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n immediate_o from_o christ_n joh._n 20.23_o and_o therefore_o the_o church_n
and_o my_o spirit_n with_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n to_o deliver_v such_o a_o one_o unto_o satan_n where_o paul_n say_v in_o the_o verse_n forego_v that_o he_o have_v judge_v already_o that_o so_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v do_v not_o argue_v that_o now_o the_o church_n be_v at_o hand_n he_o take_v the_o power_n of_o judge_v the_o cause_n whole_o unto_o himself_o and_o the_o publication_n and_o declaration_n of_o it_o only_o in_o the_o church_n but_o that_o he_o have_v see_v already_o evident_a cause_n to_o judge_v the_o party_n worthy_a to_o be_v cast_v out_o but_o direct_v they_o to_o do_v it_o with_o all_o the_o power_n that_o be_v requisite_a to_o that_o action_n as_o 1._o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n in_o who_o the_o principal_a power_n of_o all_o church-censure_n rest_v 2._o when_o they_o that_o be_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v gather_v together_o not_o the_o bishop_n nor_o the_o presbyter_n alone_o 3._o and_o paul_n spirit_n with_o they_o to_o wit_n so_o much_o of_o apostolical_a authority_n be_v commit_v to_o the_o church_n and_o present_a with_o it_o in_o such_o case_n 4._o he_o speak_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n with_o they_o in_o this_o action_n which_o hold_v forth_o their_o authority_n 5._o when_o the_o excommunicate_a person_n be_v humble_v under_o this_o censure_n paul_n beseech_v they_o to_o forgive_v he_o to_o comfort_v he_o to_o confirm_v their_o love_n unto_o he_o 2_o cor._n 2.7_o 8._o now_o they_o who_o have_v power_n of_o forgive_a a_o offender_n have_v power_n also_o of_o bind_v he_o under_o wrath_n ejusdem_fw-la potestatis_fw-la etc._n etc._n ligare_fw-la etc._n etc._n &_o solvere_fw-la object_n 1._o all_o this_o argue_v no_o more_o but_o that_o some_o in_o the_o church_n have_v this_o power_n to_o wit_n the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o church_n but_o not_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n answ_n 1._o there_o be_v no_o word_n in_o the_o text_n that_o attribute_v any_o power_n to_o the_o presbytery_n apart_o or_o singular_o above_o the_o rest_n but_o as_o the_o reproof_n be_v direct_v to_o they_o all_o for_o not_o mourn_v and_o take_v the_o offence_n to_o heart_n that_o the_o offender_n may_v be_v take_v away_o from_o among_o they_o ver_fw-la 1.2_o so_o be_v commandment_n direct_v to_o they_o all_o when_o they_o be_v gather_v together_o to_o proceed_v unto_o the_o cast_n of_o he_o out_o in_o like_a sort_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n he_o exhort_v they_o all_o again_o put_v away_o therefore_o say_v he_o from_o among_o you_o that_o wicked_a person_n ver_fw-la 13._o and_o that_o by_o a_o judicial_a power_n to_o wit_n as_o under_o christ_n do_v not_o you_o judge_v they_o that_o be_v within_o ver_fw-la 12._o and_o lest_o this_o judgement_n shall_v be_v restrain_v to_o the_o presbyter_n only_o he_o magnify_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o saint_n take_v occasion_n from_o hence_o to_o stretch_v their_o judicature_n in_o some_o case_n even_o to_o civil_a matter_n also_o know_v you_o not_o say_v he_o that_o the_o saint_n shall_v judge_v the_o world_n yea_o the_o angel_n 1_o cor._n 6.2_o 3._o and_o thereupon_o he_o incourage_v they_o to_o betrust_v the_o decide_n of_o any_o civil_a cause_n depend_v between_o brethren_n to_o the_o judicature_n of_o the_o mean_a brother_n in_o the_o church_n ver_fw-la 4._o rather_o then_o to_o fly_v sudden_o unto_o civil_a magistrate_n especial_o among_o the_o heathen_a object_n 2._o but_o if_o the_o power_n of_o judicature_n be_v commit_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n together_o with_o the_o presbytery_n than_o all_o the_o multitude_n shall_v be_v make_v governor_n and_o who_o then_o shall_v be_v govern_v answ_n the_o multitude_n of_o brethren_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o elder_n so_o long_o as_o they_o rule_v aright_o to_o wit_n while_o they_o hold_v forth_o the_o word_n and_o voice_n of_o christ_n which_o the_o sheep_n of_o christ_n be_v wont_a to_o hear_v joh._n 10.4_o but_o in_o case_n the_o officer_n do_v err_v and_o commit_v offence_n they_o shall_v be_v govern_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o brethren_n though_o otherwise_o the_o brethren_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v and_o submit_v to_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n heb._n 13.17_o object_n 3._o a_o democraticall_a government_n may_v do_v well_o in_o athens_n a_o city_n fruitful_a of_o pregnant_a wit_n but_o will_v soon_o degenerate_a to_o a_o anarchy_n a_o popular_a tumult_n among_o rude_a common_a people_n answ_n 1._o it_o be_v unworthy_a the_o spirit_n of_o so_o godly_a learn_v a_o man_n as_o make_v this_o objection_n to_o prefer_v athens_n before_o jerusalem_n pregnant_a wit_n before_o sanctify_a heart_n answ_n 2._o though_o the_o government_n be_v democraticall_a as_o it_o be_v not_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o tumultuous_a disorder_n where_o not_o the_o will_n of_o each_o man_n bear_v the_o sway_n but_o the_o voice_n of_o christ_n alone_o be_v hear_v who_o be_v the_o head_n and_o wise_a monarch_n of_o the_o church_n object_n if_o it_o be_v say_v tumult_n and_o disturbance_n and_o confusion_n can_v be_v avoid_v where_o the_o multitude_n have_v all_o of_o they_o not_o only_o leave_v but_o power_n to_o speak_v and_o one_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o take_v the_o word_n out_o of_o the_o other_o mouth_n and_o one_o of_o they_o to_o thwart_v and_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o will_v not_o this_o make_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n a_o confluence_n of_o cyclops_n answ_n all_o such_o disorder_n be_v easy_o and_o timely_o prevent_v by_o the_o elder_n who_o have_v power_n from_o christ_n to_o restrain_v any_o man_n speech_n while_o another_o be_v speak_v and_o to_o cut_v off_o any_o mean_v speech_n that_o grow_v either_o impertinent_a or_o intemperate_a the_o elder_n have_v receive_v in_o special_a manner_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n they_o have_v power_n to_o open_v and_o shut_v the_o door_n of_o speech_n and_o silence_n in_o which_o respect_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o mere_o democraticall_a but_o as_o the_o best_a government_n be_v of_o a_o mix_a temper_n in_o respect_n of_o christ_n who_o voice_n only_o must_v be_v hear_v and_o his_o rule_n keep_v it_o be_v a_o monarchy_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o people_n power_n in_o choose_v officer_n and_o joint_a power_n with_o the_o officer_n in_o admit_v member_n in_o censure_v offender_n it_o be_v a_o democracy_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o officer_n instruction_n and_o reproof_n of_o the_o people_n in_o the_o public_a ministry_n and_o in_o order_v of_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o assembly_n it_o be_v a_o aristocracy_n what_o be_v find_v good_a in_o any_o civil_a government_n be_v in_o church-government_n and_o what_o be_v find_v evil_a be_v by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n safe_o avoid_v and_o prevent_v but_o that_o we_o may_v more_o distinct_o declare_v ourselves_o wherein_n lie_v the_o difference_n of_o their_o mutual_a authority_n both_o of_o the_o church_n over_o the_o elder_n and_o the_o elder_n over_o the_o church_n we_o conceive_v the_o church_n exercise_v several_a act_n of_o authority_n over_o their_o elder_n to_o wit_n in_o three_o case_n 1._o in_o call_v and_o elect_v they_o to_o office_n and_o in_o ordain_v they_o also_o thereunto_o in_o defect_n of_o their_o presbytery_n 2._o in_o send_v they_o forth_o upon_o the_o public_a service_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o whole_a church_n at_o jerusalem_n send_v forth_o choose_v minister_n with_o letter_n of_o instruction_n to_o antioch_n and_o other_o church_n act_n 15.22_o now_o the_o ambassador_n be_v not_o great_a than_o he_o that_o send_v he_o but_o usual_o inferior_a job_n 13.16_o 3._o in_o case_n of_o offence_n give_v by_o any_o elder_n or_o by_o the_o whole_a eldership_n together_o the_o church_n have_v authority_n to_o require_v satisfaction_n of_o they_o and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o give_v due_a satisfaction_n to_o proceed_v to_o censure_v according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o offence_n for_o we_o see_v when_o some_o of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n take_v offence_n against_o peter_n for_o communicate_v with_o the_o gentile_n and_o contend_v with_o he_o about_o it_o peter_n condescend_v to_o give_v ample_a and_o due_a account_n of_o his_o action_n to_o the_o fatisfaction_n of_o they_o all_o act_v 11.2_o to_o 8._o if_o admonition_n and_o in_o some_o case_n excommunication_n be_v ordinance_n of_o god_n sanctify_v for_o the_o heal_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o god_n people_n go_v astray_o it_o be_v a_o sacrilegious_a injury_n to_o the_o elder_n to_o deprive_v they_o of_o the_o benefit_n of_o such_o wholesome_a medicine_n when_o the_o estate_n of_o their_o soul_n shall_v come_v to_o stand_v in_o need_n thereof_o and_o it_o be_v a_o rule_v case_n cujus_fw-la est_fw-la instituere_fw-la ejus_fw-la est_fw-la destituere_fw-la if_o plebs_fw-la obsequens_fw-la praeceptis_fw-la dominicis_fw-la &_o ipsa_fw-la