they_o be_v not_o preferable_a in_o this_o point_n before_o any_o other_o in_o europe_n if_o any_o one_o question_n thâ—_n truth_n of_o it_o i_o appeal_v to_o mr._n toland_n case_n concern_v his_o treatise_n entitle_v christianity_n not_o mysterious_a it_o be_v both_o beyond_o my_o scope_n and_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o letter_n to_o enter_v upon_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n on_o both_o side_n it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a here_o to_o refer_v myself_o to_o what_o have_v be_v publish_v against_o he_o late_o here_o in_o england_n and_o in_o other_o place_n all_o which_o if_o due_o compare_v will_v soon_o evince_v how_o much_o the_o english_a clergy_n â—as_v outdo_v the_o rest_n both_o by_o force_n of_o argument_n and_o a_o generous_a gentle_a behaviour_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a i_o have_v abuse_v your_o lordship_n patience_n i_o will_v therefore_o conclude_v with_o recommend_v both_o my_o author_n and_o myself_o to_o your_o lordship_n protection_n beg_v leave_n to_o subscribe_v myself_o my_o lord_n your_o devote_a servant_n j._n crull_n m._n d._n the_o content_n concering_n religion_n before_o civil_a society_n be_v institute_v sect_n 1._o every_o man_n be_v accountable_a to_o god_n for_o his_o own_o religion_n 2_o how_o the_o same_o may_v be_v exercise_v in_o the_o free_a state_n of_o nature_n 3_o parentâ—_n have_v original_o the_o care_n of_o religious_a worship_n lodge_v in_o they_o 4_o civil_a society_n be_v not_o constitute_v for_o religion_n sake_n 5_o subject_n do_v never_o submit_v their_o opinion_n as_o to_o religious_a worship_n to_o the_o disposal_n of_o their_o sovereign_n 6_o what_o power_n proper_o and_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n belong_v to_o sovereign_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n 7_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o reveal_v religion_n 8_o among_o the_o jew_n there_o be_v a_o very_a strict_a union_n betwixt_o the_o church_n and_o state_n 9_o who_o be_v the_o supreme_a head_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n 10_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o the_o jewish_a 11_o some_o reflection_n on_o the_o behaviour_n of_o moses_n when_o he_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n 12_o what_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n our_o saviour_n do_v when_o he_o establish_v his_o church_n here_o on_o earth_n 13_o christ_n be_v not_o the_o founder_n of_o a_o new_a commonwealth_n or_o people_n 14_o neither_o have_v he_o any_o territory_n belong_v to_o he_o 15_o christ_n do_v not_o exercise_v any_o sovereign_a power_n 16_o but_o thâ—_n office_n of_o a_o doctor_n or_o teacher_n 17_o the_o apostle_n do_v propagate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n 18_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v their_o authority_n of_o teach_v from_o god_n alone_o independent_a from_o any_o human_a power_n 19_o the_o apostle_n never_o assume_v any_o authority_n of_o command_v other_o 20_o whether_o their_o authority_n of_o teach_v do_v indirect_o imply_v any_o right_n of_o command_v other_o 21_o whether_o the_o power_n of_o absolution_n do_v imply_v any_o right_n of_o sovereignty_n 22_o what_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o absolve_v from_o sin_n 23_o under_o who_o authority_n the_o apostle_n do_v exercise_v the_o power_n of_o absolution_n 24_o of_o what_o nature_n it_o be_v 25_o whether_o st._n peter_n have_v any_o prerogative_n grant_v above_o other_o 26_o whether_o the_o power_n of_o excommunicate_v imply_v a_o sovereignty_n 27_o the_o commission_n grant_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o apostle_n contain_v nothing_o of_o command_n 28_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v no_o temporal_a kingdom_n 29_o whether_o the_o christian_a church_n ought_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o state_n or_o sovereignty_n 30_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n there_o be_v nothing_o like_o it_o 31_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o church_n and_o state_n 32_o and_o the_o doctor_n or_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o those_o that_o exercise_n the_o sovereignty_n in_o a_o state_n 33_o whether_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n ought_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o state_n 34_o it_o be_v not_o requisite_a to_o reduce_v the_o whole_a christian_a church_n under_o one_o independent_a severeignty_n or_o head_n 35_o whether_o there_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v one_o supreme_a judge_n in_o the_o church_n to_o determine_v such_o difference_n as_o may_v arise_v from_o time_n to_o time_n 36_o a_o example_n of_o a_o controversy_n compose_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n 37_o some_o observation_n concern_v the_o nature_n and_o vsefulness_n of_o general_n council_n 38_o concern_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n under_o the_o pagan_a prince_n 39_o concern_v its_o condition_n under_o the_o christian_a emperor_n 40_o the_o church_n have_v not_o change_v her_o nature_n of_o be_v a_o college_n or_o society_n 41_o neither_o be_v sovereign_n thereby_o become_v bishop_n 42_o christian_a sovereign_n be_v oblige_v to_o maintain_v and_o defend_v the_o church_n 43_o of_o the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n 44_o of_o the_o power_n of_o sovereign_n over_o the_o church_n minister_n 45_o of_o the_o power_n of_o call_v a_o synod_n or_o convention_n 46_o of_o their_o power_n as_o to_o church-discipline_n 47_o of_o their_o power_n of_o make_v law_n and_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n 48_o how_o far_o sovereign_n be_v oblige_v to_o intermeddle_v in_o religious_a affair_n when_o the_o public_a safety_n lie_v at_o stake_n 49_o concern_v toleration_n of_o several_a religion_n 50_o prince_n ought_v to_o be_v very_o careful_a not_o to_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o false_a suggestion_n 51_o sometime_o the_o prerogative_n of_o sovereign_n be_v impair_v under_o a_o religious_a pretext_n 52_o concern_v the_o power_n of_o set_v up_o a_o reformation_n 53_o whether_o subject_n without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o their_o sovereign_n can_v pretend_v to_o set_v up_o a_o reformation_n 54_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o qualification_n of_o religion_n in_o reference_n to_o civil_a society_n etc._n etc._n among_o all_o those_o question_n which_o have_v for_o many_o age_n pass_v be_v controvert_v among_o christian_n this_o may_v be_v deem_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a which_o treat_v of_o the_o nature_n authority_n and_o power_n of_o the_o church_n and_o which_o of_o the_o several_a christian_a sect_n ought_v most_o just_o to_o claim_v the_o title_n of_o the_o true_a church_n the_o romanist_n keep_v this_o for_o their_o last_o reserve_v when_o engage_v with_o the_o protestant_n that_o they_o attribute_v the_o name_n of_o the_o true_a church_n only_o to_o themselves_o and_o bold_o stigmatize_v all_o such_o as_o be_v not_o of_o their_o communion_n with_o the_o name_n of_o rebellious_a deserter_n this_o be_v the_o main_a bulwark_n they_o rely_v upon_o think_v it_o sufficient_a to_o allege_v in_o their_o own_o behalf_n that_o they_o be_v not_o oblige_v so_o strict_o to_o examine_v and_o maintain_v every_o article_n of_o their_o faith_n against_o the_o protestant_n since_o whatever_o objection_n may_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o same_o aught_o to_o be_v reject_v as_o erroneous_a if_o not_o agreeable_a with_o the_o interpretation_n and_o tradition_n of_o their_o church_n thus_o make_v themselves_o both_o judge_n and_o witness_n in_o their_o own_o cause_n â—esides_v this_o it_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a consequence_n both_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o public_a safety_n in_o a_o state_n to_o know_v exact_o what_o bound_n ought_v to_o be_v prescribe_v to_o the_o priestly_a order_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n as_o likewise_o to_o determine_v how_o far_o the_o power_n of_o sovereign_n extend_v itself_o in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n for_o if_o either_o of_o they_o transgress_v their_o bound_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n prove_v the_o cause_n of_o great_a abuse_n disturbance_n and_o oppression_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n i_o be_v the_o soon_o prevail_v upon_o to_o search_v into_o the_o very_a bottom_n of_o this_o question_n at_o this_o juncture_n of_o time_n when_o not_o only_o the_o romish_a priest_n apply_v all_o their_o cunning_a for_o the_o root_n out_o of_o the_o protestant_n but_o also_o some_o of_o the_o great_a prince_n in_o christendom_n set_v aside_o the_o ancient_a way_n of_o convert_v people_n by_o reason_n and_o force_v of_o argument_n have_v now_o recourse_n to_o opâ—n_a violence_n and_o by_o dragoon_v force_v their_o miserable_a subject_n to_o a_o religion_n which_o always_o appear_v abominable_a to_o they_o but_o if_o we_o propose_v to_o ourselves_o to_o examine_v this_o point_n according_a to_o its_o own_o solid_a principle_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v without_o have_v recourse_n to_o ambiguous_a term_n and_o tergiversation_n it_o be_v absolute_o requisite_a that_o we_o trace_v the_o very_a original_a of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o particular_a so_o as_o
so_o that_o the_o original_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n ecclesia_n imply_v not_o that_o of_o a_o state_n but_o only_o a_o certain_a qualification_n of_o a_o democratical_a government_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o 〈◊〉_d can_v convenient_o give_v their_o assent_n to_o a_o thing_n unless_o they_o be_v convene_v in_o one_o place_n in_o the_o translation_n the_o lxx_o interpreter_n this_o word_n be_v take_v for_o a_o convention_n ot_fw-mi meeting_n of_o a_o considerable_a number_n of_o people_n meet_v not_o only_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o divine_a worship_n but_o also_o for_o unlawful_a ends._n so_o the_o greek_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v take_v for_o the_o â—8_o ps_n 26_o 5_o luk._n 2d_o 3._o 4_o c_o â—8_o 24._o act_n 19_o 32_o 3â—_n num._n 20._o 8_o 10_o jos_n 16._o 1_o 2._o 2_o chron._n 15._o 9_o c._n 34_o â—8_o call_v and_o summon_v a_o assembly_n about_o matter_n concern_v the_o commonwealth_n but_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o word_n ecclesia_fw-la be_v general_o take_v either_o for_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o general_n wherever_o disperse_v or_o for_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o believer_n in_o a_o certain_a country_n city_n private_a house_n or_o family_n in_o either_o sense_n if_o we_o due_o weigh_v the_o attribute_n and_o action_n proper_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n for_o by_o these_o we_o ought_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o thing_n in_o moral_a case_n we_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n which_o have_v a_o relation_n to_o church_n what_o action_n be_v celebrate_v in_o scripture_n as_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n a_o civil_a state_n the_o true_a â—ncomium_fw-la most_o frequent_o give_v to_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v that_o they_o be_v brother_n holy_a and_o redeem_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n their_o chief_a action_n be_v say_v to_o be_v to_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o pray_v unto_o and_o praise_n god_n to_o be_v charitable_a to_o walk_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n to_o fast_o and_o to_o provide_v for_o the_o poor_a it_o be_v speak_v of_o st._n paul_n and_o barnabas_n that_o 23._o act_n 1._o 4._o 23._o they_o do_v constitute_v elder_n in_o those_o church_n which_o they_o have_v plant_v in_o asia_n where_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v make_v â—se_n of_o which_o imply_v as_o much_o as_o have_v make_v they_o by_o suffrage_n of_o the_o congregation_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o decree_v use_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o ancient_a democracy_n by_o the_o plurality_n of_o vote_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o they_o pretend_v to_o no_o absolute_a power_n of_o constitute_v elder_n over_o they_o but_o such_o as_o 〈◊〉_d approve_v of_o by_o the_o congregation_n and_o it_o iâ—_n remarkable_a that_o these_o nevertheless_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v make_v overseer_n over_o the_o church_n by_o the_o holy_a 5_o act._n 20_o â—8_o 2_o chron._n 10._o 5_o ghost_n so_o be_v the_o judge_n that_o be_v set_v in_o the_o land_n by_o jehosaphat_n style_v judge_n for_o the_o lord_n because_o whoever_o be_v fit_o qualify_v for_o any_o office_n or_o function_n not_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o have_v obtain_v the_o same_o by_o lawful_a way_n and_o mean_n may_v just_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v constitute_v in_o that_o same_o office_n by_o god_n almighty_a and_o though_o it_o belong_v most_o proper_o to_o the_o church_n to_o constitute_v teacher_n this_o nevertheless_o do_v not_o imply_v any_o act_n of_o sovereignty_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o private_a college_n or_o society_n subject_n to_o another_o jurisdiction_n may_v lawful_o enjoy_v the_o same_o power_n a_o diffension_n be_v arosen_v concern_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antiocha_n they_o determine_v 2_o act._n 15._o 2_o that_o some_o of_o they_o shall_v go_v concern_v this_o question_n then_o in_o dispute_n to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o these_o deputy_n be_v by_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n conduct_v out_o of_o the_o town_n in_o their_o way_n to_o jerusalem_n where_o this_o question_n have_v be_v debate_v and_o determine_v they_o send_v word_n thus_o to_o their_o brethren_n it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o we_o etc._n etc._n where_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o to_o send_v deputy_n concern_v such_o matter_n as_o be_v not_o intend_v in_o prejudice_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n for_o one_o congregation_n to_o consult_v another_o concern_v any_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o determine_v any_o difference_n about_o they_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o action_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n which_o do_v not_o imply_v a_o sovereign_n and_o absolute_a power_n but_o may_v legal_o belong_v to_o a_o private_a college_n or_o sometime_o a_o private_a person_n provide_v the_o business_n in_o hand_n be_v not_o impose_v upon_o its_o member_n but_o transact_v and_o admit_v by_o common_a consent_n so_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n choose_v certain_a man_n who_o be_v to_o be_v overseer_n 1._o act._n 6._o 1_o 1._o of_o the_o poor_a which_o they_o have_v a_o right_a to_o do_v as_o be_v a_o society_n or_o college_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 2_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n c._n 8._o 19_o that_o the_o church_n have_v choose_v one_o to_o travel_v with_o st._n paul_n the_o church_n be_v call_v a_o flock_n which_o be_v to_o be_v â—ed_v by_o the_o bishop_n with_o the_o pure_a word_n of_o 28._o act_n 20_o 28._o god_n who_o be_v to_o preserve_v it_o from_o the_o wolf_n that_o be_v to_o say_v from_o man_n speak_v perverse_a thing_n to_o draw_v away_o disciple_n after_o they_o against_o those_o teacher_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v watchful_a not_o cease_v to_o admonish_v their_o auditor_n to_o avoid_v their_o snare_n what_o concern_v that_o passage_n in_o the_o 1_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n c._n 6._o 1._o and_o follow_v verse_n it_o be_v apparent_a enough_o that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o sovereign_a authority_n or_o jurisdiction_n grant_v to_o the_o christian_n bare_o consider_v as_o christian_n but_o the_o apostle_n enjoin_v they_o that_o in_o case_n of_o any_o difference_n in_o civil_a affair_n among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n they_o shall_v rather_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o arbitration_n of_o the_o brethren_n than_o to_o go_v to_o law_n before_o the_o gentile_n and_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o be_v avaricious_a in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n it_o be_v plain_o express_v that_o no_o body_n by_o become_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n do_v change_v his_o qualification_n or_o function_n which_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o a_o subject_a or_o that_o christianity_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o subjection_n to_o a_o civil_a government_n a_o servant_n therefore_o by_o be_v a_o christian_n do_v not_o become_v a_o freeman_n neither_o be_v a_o subject_a thereby_o absolve_v from_o the_o allegiance_n due_a to_o his_o sovereign_n concern_v the_o union_n and_o modesty_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o church_n or_o the_o christian_a congregation_n where_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v preach_v and_o the_o sacrament_n 2._o ep._n rom._n 13_o 1._o 2_o tim._n 5_o 8._o 14_o c._n 6._o 1_o 2._o administer_v st._n paul_n speak_v in_o the_o 1_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n c._n 11._o 18_o and_o follow_v verse_n and_o in_o the_o 14_o chap._n 34_o 40_o verse_n and_o what_o sort_n of_o religious_a exercise_n be_v to_o be_v use_v in_o these_o congregation_n be_v express_v in_o the_o 1_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n c._n 14._o viz._n to_o be_v 2._o with_fw-mi eph._n 4._o 2._o hymn_n doctrine_n tongue_n prophecy_n revelation_n interpretation_n all_o which_o be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o edify_v the_o congregation_n and_o in_o the_o 12_o chapter_n 28_o verse_n the_o several_a degree_n and_o function_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v thus_o enumerate_v first_o apostles_n secondary_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n after_o that_o miracle_n than_o gift_n of_o healing_n help_n government_n diversity_n of_o tongue_n all_o which_o be_v requisite_n 11_o eph._n 4._o 11_o belong_v to_o the_o propagate_a and_o establish_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o be_v gift_n of_o that_o self_n same_o spirit_n who_o dispense_v his_o gift_n to_o every_o man_n as_o he_o please_v so_o that_o he_o that_o have_v receive_v more_o noble_a endowment_n can_v therefore_o not_o claim_v any_o prerogative_n as_o be_v a_o more_o honourable_a member_n of_o this_o mystical_a body_n or_o pretend_v to_o any_o jurisdiction_n over_o such_o as_o be_v not_o endow_v with_o these_o qualification_n in_o the_o same_o degree_n as_o himself_o and_o charity_n which_o be_v the_o inseparable_a attribute_n of_o all_o christian_n be_v more_o 8._o 1_o cor._n
of_o the_o church_n be_v either_o for_o a_o time_n deprive_v from_o enjoy_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o public_a worship_n or_o entire_o exclude_v from_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v the_o utmost_a unto_o which_o any_o college_n can_v pretend_v viz._n entire_o to_o exclude_v a_o member_n of_o their_o society_n this_o exclusion_n though_o in_o itself_o consider_v of_o the_o great_a moment_n since_o thereby_o a_o christian_a be_v deprive_v of_o the_o whole_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n nevertheless_o do_v not_o alter_v the_o civil_a state_n or_o condition_n of_o a_o subject_a but_o those_o that_o be_v thus_o excommunicate_v suffer_v no_o loss_n in_o their_o dignity_n honour_n right_n or_o fortune_n for_o that_o the_o church_n censure_n shall_v extend_v to_o the_o real_a prejudice_n of_o the_o civil_a condition_n of_o any_o subject_a be_v not_o any_o way_n requisite_a for_o the_o obtain_v the_o end_n for_o which_o the_o church_n be_v establish_v neither_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o without_o defraud_v sovereign_n of_o their_o right_n such_o a_o power_n can_v be_v exercise_v over_o subject_n unless_o with_o their_o own_o consent_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o public_a civil_a authority_n §_o 40._o the_o next_o thing_n which_o deserve_v our_o consideration_n be_v whether_o the_o church_n be_v and_o prince_n concern_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n under_o christian_a prince_n how_o far_o it_o receive_v any_o alteration_n from_o its_o former_a condition_n after_o prince_n whole_a kingdom_n and_o state_n do_v profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n where_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o church_n do_v thereby_o not_o receive_v any_o essential_a perfection_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v be_v exercise_v and_o subsist_v without_o the_o state_n and_o commonwealth_n do_v not_o depend_v from_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o scope_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o civil_a government_n be_v quite_o different_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n for_o our_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d our_o conversation_n 19_o phil._n 3._o 20._o 2_o cor._n 5_o â—_o 8._o 1_o cor._n 14_o 19_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o if_o in_o this_o life_n only_o we_o have_v hope_n in_o christ_n we_o be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v never_o forward_a to_o appear_v before_o prince_n though_o they_o may_v have_v obtain_v a_o easy_a access_n by_o their_o miraculous_a deed_n so_o herod_n be_v exceed_v glad_a when_o he_o see_v jesus_n because_o he_o hope_v to_o have_v see_v some_o miracle_n do_v 8._o luke_n 23._o 8._o by_o he_o but_o they_o be_v very_o cautious_a in_o this_o point_n lest_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o some_o as_o if_o the_o gospel_n want_v to_o be_v maintain_v by_o human_a strength_n or_o that_o perhaps_o those_o prince_n may_v pretend_v to_o a_o great_a authority_n over_o they_o than_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v not_o in_o any_o wise_a impair_n or_o eclipse_v the_o legal_a right_n of_o sovereign_n but_o rather_o confirm_v and_o establish_v the_o civil_a power_n 24._o mat._n 22._o 21._o joh._n 18._o 2._o rom._n 13._o 1_o cor._n 35._o 24._o as_o be_v apparent_a out_o of_o several_a passage_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o state_n independent_a from_o any_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n the_o consequence_n will_v be_v this_o that_o the_o civil_a power_n can_v not_o but_o receive_v a_o most_o remarkable_a limitation_n and_o diminution_n and_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o subject_a must_v receive_v a_o great_a alteration_n whereas_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o condition_n of_o christian_n or_o of_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n consider_v as_o such_o be_v neither_o abolish_v nor_o alter_v because_o either_o the_o prince_n or_o the_o subject_n in_o general_n do_v receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o footstep_n to_o be_v meet_v withal_o in_o the_o scripture_n imply_v any_o such_o alteration_n beside_o this_o there_o be_v not_o any_o express_a command_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n direct_v to_o sovereign_n which_o entitle_v they_o to_o any_o particular_a prerogative_n in_o the_o church_n like_v to_o that_o which_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n have_v receive_v in_o the_o 17_o chap._n of_o deuteronomy_n from_o whence_o arise_v this_o conclusion_n that_o what_o right_a sovereign_n can_v claim_v in_o the_o church_n and_o church_n affair_n must_v be_v deduce_v either_o out_o of_o the_o natural_a constitution_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o out_o of_o the_o true_a genius_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o else_o must_v owe_v its_o offspring_n to_o the_o free_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n §_o 41._o out_o of_o what_o have_v be_v lay_v down_o it_o college_n church_n do_v not_o alter_v their_o nature_n of_o be_v a_o college_n appear_v first_o of_o all_o that_o if_o a_o prince_n or_o whole_a commonwealth_n do_v receive_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n the_o church_n do_v thereby_o not_o receive_v any_o other_o alteration_n as_o to_o her_o natural_a constitution_n but_o that_o whereas_o she_o be_v former_o to_o be_v consider_v only_o as_o a_o private_a society_n or_o college_n yet_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v cherish_v by_o the_o high_a power_n who_o have_v no_o legal_a right_o to_o disturb_v prosecute_v or_o destroy_v it_o she_o now_o be_v put_v under_o the_o particular_a protection_n of_o her_o sovereign_n enjoy_v a_o great_a share_n of_o security_n and_o be_v beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o infidel_n notwithstanding_o this_o the_o church_n be_v thereby_o not_o exalt_v from_o a_o college_n to_o a_o state_n since_z by_o the_o receive_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o civil_a government_n do_v not_o undergo_v any_o alteration_n or_o diminution_n on_o the_o contrary_a sovereign_n loose_a nothing_o of_o their_o legal_a right_n neither_o be_v subject_n in_o any_o wise_a absolve_v from_o their_o duty_n and_o obligation_n for_o it_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n that_o a_o double_a sovereignty_n and_o two_o different_a sort_n of_o obligation_n in_o the_o subject_n shall_v be_v lodge_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o commonwealth_n it_o be_v a_o frivolous_a objection_n that_o the_o church_n and_o civil_a government_n have_v different_a end_n and_o object_n not_o repugnant_a to_o one_o another_o for_o from_o thence_o be_v not_o to_o be_v infer_v that_o the_o church_n must_v be_v a_o state_n or_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v be_v propagate_v maintain_v or_o exercise_v without_o the_o church_n assume_v the_o same_o power_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o civil_a government_n in_o these_o place_n therefore_o where_o the_o whole_a people_n and_o the_o prince_n profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o commonwealth_n receive_v the_o church_n into_o its_o protection_n and_o though_o strict_o unite_v there_o be_v no_o collision_n or_o emulation_n betwixt_o they_o nor_o do_v either_o of_o they_o receive_v any_o prejudice_n in_o their_o respective_a right_n but_o without_o the_o least_o interference_n with_o one_o another_o the_o church_n remain_v a_o college_n whereof_o the_o prince_n and_o all_o the_o subject_n be_v now_o become_v member_n so_o that_o each_o subject_n beside_o the_o person_n he_o represent_v in_o the_o state_n have_v assume_v that_o of_o a_o christian_a and_o in_o this_o respect_n be_v esteem_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v every_o one_o to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o station_n or_o dignity_n he_o bear_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o these_o qualification_n be_v as_o it_o be_v lay_v aside_o there_o and_o he_o be_v only_o regard_v as_o a_o christian_a so_o that_o the_o general_n of_o a_o army_n can_v claim_v any_o prerogative_n to_o himself_o in_o the_o church_n beyond_o the_o private_a centinel_n and_o it_o be_v pass_v all_o doubt_n that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o man_n may_v represent_v several_a person_n according_a to_o the_o several_a function_n and_o obligation_n belong_v to_o he_o §_o 42._o it_o be_v also_o according_a to_o my_o opinion_n bishop_n 〈…〉_o make_v bishop_n beyond_o question_n that_o king_n prince_n or_o other_o civil_a magistrate_n by_o receive_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v not_o constitute_v bishop_n or_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n this_o function_n not_o proper_o belong_v to_o every_o christian_a but_o only_o to_o such_o as_o have_v a_o lawful_a vocation_n and_o be_v fit_o qualify_v for_o it_o beside_o this_o the_o royal_a office_n and_o that_o of_o teacher_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o they_o can_v convenient_o be_v administer_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o person_n not_o because_o of_o any_o natural_a repugnancy_n betwixt_o
questionless_a a_o right_a to_o examine_v what_o matter_n and_o in_o what_o manner_n they_o be_v transact_v in_o the_o convention_n of_o their_o presbyter_n or_o in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a court_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o among_o they_o whether_o they_o do_v not_o transgress_v their_o bound_n whether_o they_o act_n according_a to_o the_o civil_a law_n or_o whether_o they_o do_v not_o assume_v to_o themselves_o a_o power_n to_o determine_v such_o case_n as_o proper_o belong_v to_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o this_o kind_a be_v matrimonial_a case_n which_o without_o reason_n and_o upon_o very_o slender_a pretence_n the_o priest_n have_v draw_v under_o their_o jurisdiction_n to_o the_o great_a prejudice_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n for_o it_o be_v a_o unquestionable_a right_o belong_v to_o sovereign_n to_o constitute_v law_n concern_v matrimonial_a case_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o god_n i_o can_v see_v any_o reason_n why_o they_o have_v not_o a_o right_a to_o determine_v matrimonial_a difference_n and_o because_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n make_v use_v of_o church_n discipline_n the_o prince_n may_v make_v a_o legal_a enquiry_n whether_o under_o pretence_n of_o these_o rule_n prescribe_v by_o our_o saviour_n they_o do_v not_o introduce_v novelty_n which_o may_v prove_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o state_n and_o as_o these_o enchroachment_n be_v no_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n but_o rather_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o like_a spot_n which_o disgnise_v its_o natural_a beauty_n so_o i_o can_v see_v with_o what_o face_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o those_o aught_o to_o be_v take_v off_o especial_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o who_o interest_n be_v most_o near_o concern_v unless_o they_o have_v impudence_n enough_o to_o own_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n may_v lawful_o be_v misapply_v to_o by-use_n and_o let_v it_o be_v grant_v that_o every_o thing_n be_v transact_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o these_o convention_n of_o the_o presbyter_n consistory_n or_o episcopal_a court_n why_o shall_v they_o be_v ashamed_a or_o angry_a at_o their_o sovereign_n take_v cognisance_n of_o their_o proceed_n and_o this_o right_n of_o inspection_n do_v never_o cease_v after_o the_o sovereign_n have_v once_o enter_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o take_v care_n that_o no_o abuse_n may_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n in_o process_n of_o time_n that_o may_v endanger_v the_o state_n §_o 45._o because_o the_o right_n of_o constitute_v minister_n concern_v the_o right_n of_o prince_n as_o to_o church_n minister_n minister_n of_o the_o church_n do_v original_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a congregation_n the_o prince_n must_v needs_o have_v his_o share_n in_o it_o as_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o congregation_n i_o say_v his_o share_n for_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a that_o a_o minister_n shall_v be_v force_v upon_o any_o church_n against_o their_o consent_n and_o without_o their_o approbation_n except_o it_o be_v for_o very_o weighty_a reason_n for_o the_o right_a of_o constitute_v minister_n in_o the_o church_n do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o prince_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v his_o prerogative_n to_o constitute_v civil_a magistrate_n and_o other_o public_a minister_n of_o state_n which_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n can_v be_v call_v in_o question_n but_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n consider_v mere_o as_o such_o be_v none_o of_o the_o king_n minister_n but_o servant_n of_o christ_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n not_o officer_n of_o the_o state_n and_o because_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n minister_n use_v to_o be_v constitute_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o christian_n the_o prince_n may_v lawful_o claim_v his_o vote_n in_o the_o same_o church_n whereof_o he_o be_v a_o member_n but_o as_o for_o the_o other_o church_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v leave_v to_o their_o free_a choice_n except_o there_o be_v some_o prevail_a reason_n which_o oblige_v the_o prince_n to_o interpose_v his_o authority_n it_o be_v unjust_a that_o a_o minister_n shall_v be_v put_v upon_o a_o church_n against_o their_o will_n if_o they_o can_v allege_v any_o lawful_a exception_n against_o he_o for_o a_o teacher_n thus_o force_v upon_o his_o auditor_n for_o who_o they_o have_v neither_o esteem_n nor_o love_n be_v likely_a to_o edify_v but_o little_a by_o his_o doctrine_n nevertheless_o sovereign_n ought_v to_o have_v a_o watchful_a eye_n over_o the_o church_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o person_n not_o fit_o qualify_v for_o this_o sacred_a function_n may_v not_o be_v promote_v to_o the_o ministry_n either_o by_o simony_n or_o other_o unlawful_a mean_n for_o though_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o provide_v against_o these_o corruption_n sovereign_n be_v likely_a to_o do_v it_o with_o much_o better_a success_n than_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o private_a person_n they_o may_v authorise_v certain_a person_n to_o be_v present_a at_o these_o election_n and_o who_o by_o their_o authority_n may_v prevent_v all_o manner_n of_o disorder_n or_o corruption_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n make_v a_o due_a enquiry_n whether_o such_o person_n as_o be_v to_o be_v put_v into_o the_o ministry_n be_v of_o a_o approve_a life_n and_o doctrine_n and_o because_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n do_v 10._o 1_o tim._n 3_o 10._o sometime_o act_v negligent_o or_o preposterous_o in_o their_o office_n which_o often_o prove_v the_o occasion_n of_o scandal_n and_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n 17._o rom._n 16_o 17._o sovereign_n may_v constitute_v over_o they_o inspector_n with_o a_o authority_n to_o reprove_v and_o sometime_o to_o punish_v such_o as_o transgress_v their_o rule_n but_o these_o inspector_n be_v no_o less_o subject_n to_o human_a frailty_n than_o other_o man_n care_v aught_o to_o be_v take_v that_o their_o authority_n be_v so_o limit_v as_o to_o be_v accountable_a of_o all_o their_o proceed_n either_o to_o the_o prince_n or_o before_o a_o consistory_n authorise_v for_o that_o purpose_n if_o they_o transgress_v their_o bound_n or_o trespass_n upon_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n as_o all_o these_o matter_n do_v contribute_v to_o the_o maintain_n of_o good_a order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o may_v best_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n by_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n so_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o prince_n as_o they_o be_v chief_a member_n of_o the_o church_n may_v just_o claim_v this_o prerogative_n as_o proper_o belong_v to_o their_o high_a station_n and_o princely_a office_n §_o 46._o in_o case_n of_o any_o difference_n or_o controversy_n synod_n concern_v the_o right_n of_o call_v together_o a_o synod_n concern_v any_o point_n of_o doctrine_n which_o may_v sometime_o arise_v in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o teacher_n be_v divide_v in_o their_o opinion_n it_o belong_v to_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n to_o take_v care_n that_o these_o difference_n may_v be_v compose_v not_o only_o as_o the_o sovereign_n be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o as_o he_o be_v the_o supreme_a head_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n it_o have_v be_v frequent_o observe_v that_o differencee_n of_o opinion_n and_o animosity_n of_o the_o party_n concern_v cause_n great_a commotion_n in_o the_o state_n upon_o such_o occasion_n sovereign_n have_v a_o right_a to_o call_v together_o a_o assembly_n of_o the_o most_o able_a divine_n and_o to_o authorise_v they_o to_o examine_v the_o controversy_n and_o to_o determine_v it_o according_a to_o the_o tenure_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o supreme_a direction_n of_o this_o assembly_n ought_v to_o be_v manage_v by_o the_o princes_n authority_n for_o since_o it_o can_v scarce_o be_v suppose_v that_o matter_n shall_v be_v transact_v there_o without_o heat_n and_o animosity_n it_o will_v be_v both_o for_o the_o honour_n and_o interest_n of_o this_o assembly_n if_o by_o the_o presence_n of_o certain_a person_n well_o verse_v in_o business_n these_o heat_n be_v allay_v and_o matter_n carry_v on_o with_o a_o equal_a temperament_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v how_o any_o one_o beside_o the_o prince_n can_v lay_v claim_n to_o this_o power_n of_o call_v such_o a_o assembly_n for_o put_v the_o case_n that_o one_o party_n shall_v refuse_v to_o appear_v and_o to_o submit_v unto_o the_o other_o direction_n which_o way_n will_v they_o be_v able_a to_o compel_v they_o to_o it_o and_o who_o be_v it_o that_o can_v with_o less_o difficulty_n put_v in_o execution_n the_o decree_n of_o such_o a_o synod_n than_o he_o who_o have_v the_o sovereign_a power_n in_o his_o hand_n though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v forget_v that_o this_o power_n must_v not_o extend_v itself_o beyond_o its_o due_a bound_n but_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o christian_a
action_n of_o pilate_n it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v no_o otherwise_o than_o a_o public_a robbery_n and_o a_o power_n 53._o luk._n 22._o 53._o of_o darkness_n since_o in_o all_o his_o proceed_n there_o be_v not_o a_o footstep_n of_o a_o legal_a process_n to_o be_v meet_v with_o and_o it_o be_v so_o manifest_a that_o when_o religious_a matter_n be_v in_o question_n the_o due_a method_n and_o judicial_a order_n of_o a_o legal_a process_n have_v be_v violate_v a_o thousand_o time_n over_o and_o over_o that_o it_o will_v be_v superfluous_a to_o allege_v any_o example_n of_o it_o here_o when_o sovereign_n punish_v or_o chastise_v a_o pastor_n or_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v abuse_v his_o function_n or_o be_v defective_a in_o it_o this_o power_n do_v proper_o not_o proceed_v from_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n but_o from_o a_o right_o translate_v to_o the_o sovereign_n by_o the_o church_n but_o those_o that_o be_v punish_v by_o the_o civil_a authority_n because_o they_o have_v stir_v up_o by_o their_o turbulent_a speech_n and_o sermon_n the_o people_n to_o rebellion_n against_o their_o soverereigns_n or_o have_v attempt_v to_o withdraw_v the_o auditor_n from_o and_o to_o resist_v the_o power_n of_o a_o legal_a jurisdiction_n can_v be_v say_v to_o undergo_v punishment_n on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n furthermore_o it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o church_n consider_v as_o such_o can_v claim_v any_o jurisdiction_n proper_o speak_v it_o be_v no_o less_o false_a that_o the_o power_n of_o dispose_v and_o exercise_v those_o function_n belong_v to_o each_o church_n be_v a_o civil_a act_n in_o regard_n of_o its_o public_a effect_n mr._n houtuyn_n have_v be_v draw_v into_o all_o these_o error_n by_o confound_v the_o commonwealth_n with_o the_o church_n if_o these_o two_o be_v not_o very_o nice_o distinguish_v but_o we_o allow_v the_o church_n to_o be_v entire_o swallow_v up_o in_o the_o civil_a power_n what_o have_v we_o get_v by_o shake_v of_o the_o popish_a yoke_n for_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n will_v be_v never_o the_o better_a if_o all_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n without_o exception_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o arbitrary_a disposal_n of_o sovereign_n to_o maintain_v which_o mr._n houtuyn_n in_o contradiction_n to_o all_o reason_n and_o the_o scripture_n itself_o have_v invent_v a_o spiritual_a good_a or_o the_o eternal_a welfare_n of_o people_n as_o the_o main_a end_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o he_o enable_v his_o prince_n to_o force_v his_o subject_n to_o profess_v public_o what_o religion_n he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o impose_v upon_o they_o though_o never_o so_o contrary_a to_o their_o own_o opinion_n for_o it_o may_v be_v sufferable_a for_o a_o man_n to_o keep_v his_o own_o opinion_n conceal_v to_o himself_o but_o to_o be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v what_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o it_o be_v both_o abominable_a and_o intolerable_a the_o say_v of_o constantine_n the_o great_a so_o much_o extol_v by_o mr._n houtuyn_n himself_o be_v contradictory_n to_o his_o assertion_n viz._n that_o he_o can_v have_v wish_v all_o his_o subject_n to_o have_v be_v christian_n but_o that_o he_o never_o force_v any_o for_o this_o emperor_n not_o only_o never_o attempt_v to_o force_v any_o one_o from_o his_o own_o opinion_n which_o indeed_o be_v beyond_o his_o power_n but_o also_o never_o constrain_v his_o subject_n to_o profess_v themselves_o christian_n against_o their_o own_o inclination_n our_o author_n do_v also_o not_o a_o little_a contradict_v himself_o in_o what_o he_o say_v concern_v word_n sometime_o exempt_n they_o from_o any_o civil_a cognisance_n whereas_o before_o he_o have_v make_v they_o liable_a to_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n what_o say_v he_o if_o our_o faith_n express_v by_o word_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o sovereign_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o crime_n but_o rather_o as_o a_o error_n to_o correct_v which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v effect_v by_o punishment_n which_o do_v illuminate_v our_o mind_n but_o rather_o by_o good_a instruction_n but_o those_o that_o know_v the_o real_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v betwixt_o the_o state_n and_o a_o college_n may_v without_o much_o difficulty_n dissolve_v these_o knotty_a question_n which_o he_o have_v start_v concerine_n the_o jurisdiction_n and_o legislative_a power_n of_o prince_n over_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o §_o lxix_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o it_o be_v put_v beyond_o all_o question_n that_o sovereign_n have_v a_o right_a to_o give_v the_o authority_n and_o force_n of_o a_o law_n to_o such_o statute_n as_o they_o find_v suitable_a to_o the_o state_n it_o be_v their_o prerogative_n to_o determine_v according_a to_o what_o law_n judgement_n be_v to_o be_v give_v in_o civil_a court_n of_o judicature_n what_o be_v punishable_a and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o subject_a but_o it_o imply_v a_o absurdity_n to_o attribute_v to_o sovereign_n a_o right_a of_o give_v public_a authority_n to_o prophecy_n themselves_o neither_o the_o intrinsic_a nor_o historical_a faith_n have_v any_o dependence_n on_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n by_o the_o force_n of_o which_o subject_n may_v be_v oblige_v to_o act_v but_o not_o to_o believe_v from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o any_o prophecy_n appear_v to_o be_v from_o god_n it_o can_v receive_v any_o addition_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prince_n no_o more_o than_o if_o he_o shall_v declare_v cicero_n to_o be_v a_o good_a latin_a author_n but_o in_o case_n a_o pretend_a prophecy_n be_v either_o ambiguous_a or_o supposititious_a in_o itself_o and_o a_o prince_n shall_v persuade_v himself_o to_o be_v able_a by_o his_o own_o authority_n to_o make_v it_o pass_v current_a for_o truth_n he_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o one_o beyond_o his_o sense_n what_o he_o insinuate_v concern_v the_o new_a testament_n in_o general_n be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o stamp_n it_o be_v not_o say_v he_o in_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o establish_v this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n by_o public_a authority_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n it_o remain_v in_o a_o private_a condition_n â—ill_v such_o time_n when_o prince_n have_v receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n they_o give_v it_o a_o public_a authority_n and_o the_o force_n of_o law_n but_o the_o rule_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n can_v receive_v any_o additional_a strength_n from_o the_o civil_a power_n it_o be_v contrary_a to_o its_o genius_n to_o be_v establish_v and_o promote_v by_o civil_a punishment_n for_o whosoever_o out_o of_o fear_n of_o temporal_a punishment_n profess_v in_o outward_a show_n only_o this_o doctrine_n do_v not_o act_v according_a to_o nor_o fulfil_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n the_o same_o may_v be_v repliy_v to_o §_o lxx_o for_o as_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n do_v not_o owe_v their_o authority_n to_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n the_o latter_a be_v introduce_v in_o the_o government_n by_o god_n peculiar_a assistance_n inspite_o of_o all_o the_o resistance_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n so_o ought_v the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o the_o ambiguous_a and_o controvert_v passage_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n not_o to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n it_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o prince_n only_o but_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n or_o such_o as_o be_v authorise_v by_o the_o church_n though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o prince_n consider_v as_o the_o chief_a member_n of_o it_o can_v bâ—â—xcluded_v from_o have_v his_o share_n in_o such_o a_o debate_n it_o be_v a_o profane_a expression_n when_o he_o say_v christ_n himself_o have_v a_o unquestionable_a power_n of_o introduce_v a_o new_a law_n must_v needs_o have_v a_o right_a to_o interpret_v the_o same_o but_o since_o during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o abode_n here_o he_o live_v among_o those_o that_o either_o out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o disobedience_n do_v not_o own_o christ_n and_o that_o in_o a_o private_a condition_n subject_n to_o the_o civil_a power_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o his_o law_n doctrine_n and_o the_o interpretation_n of_o they_o do_v acquire_v their_o oblige_a power_n and_o public_a authority_n from_o the_o civil_a constitution_n a_o little_a more_o will_v have_v make_v the_o office_n of_o christ_n as_o be_v mediator_n of_o the_o world_n also_o dependent_a from_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n be_v it_o not_o a_o prodigious_a absurdity_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n have_v receive_v its_o public_a authority_n from_o the_o civil_a power_n among_o those_o who_o deny_v christ_n and_o what_o follow_v that_o if_o at_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n prince_n have_v be_v christian_n they_o will_v have_v acknowledge_v he_o for_o the_o
the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o ceremony_n and_o fortify_v they_o by_o very_o severe_a law_n no_o body_n upon_o earth_n have_v power_n to_o make_v the_o least_o alteration_n in_o they_o or_o to_o add_v any_o thing_n to_o or_o to_o diminish_v from_o they_o the_o king_n saul_n and_o vsiah_n pay_v dear_o for_o it_o because_o they_o attempt_v to_o interfere_v with_o the_o levite_n in_o their_o office_n and_o those_o of_o the_o jew_n that_o introduce_v a_o foreign_a religious_a service_n be_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n brand_v with_o infamy_n so_o that_o their_o king_n have_v no_o further_a power_n in_o religious_a concern_v than_o the_o supreme_a inspection_n that_o every_o one_o in_o his_o station_n not_o except_v the_o high_a priest_n himself_o do_v exercise_n his_o office_n according_a to_o god_n command_n and_o that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n be_v keep_v inviolable_a neither_o do_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n or_o the_o priestly_a order_n make_v up_o a_o separate_a body_n independent_a from_o the_o state_n but_o they_o be_v actual_o consider_v as_o part_v of_o the_o nation_n and_o subject_n of_o their_o king_n who_o as_o we_o read_v sometime_o depose_v they_o for_o several_a crime_n and_o if_o negligent_a in_o their_o office_n use_v to_o give_v they_o severe_a rebuke_n king_n david_n go_v further_o for_o he_o to_o maintain_v a_o decent_a order_n in_o the_o church_n dispose_v the_o several_a ecclesiastical_a function_n among_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n and_o order_v that_o the_o singer_n and_o door-waitors_a shall_v take_v their_o place_n by_o lott_n which_o nevertheless_o be_v not_o do_v without_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o chief_a man_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o whole_a tribe_n of_o levi._n in_o so_o do_v he_o do_v not_o assume_v to_o himself_o the_o power_n of_o dispose_v or_o alter_a any_o thing_n in_o their_o religion_n but_o only_o over_o those_o that_o be_v ordain_v by_o god_n almighty_a for_o that_o function_n viz._n to_o establish_v such_o a_o order_n among_o they_o the_o better_a to_o enable_v they_o to_o seq_n 1_o chron._n â—_o 26._o seq_n exercise_n their_o function_n without_o confusion_n for_o when_o afterward_o instead_o of_o the_o tabernacle_n a_o temple_n be_v to_o be_v erect_v that_o be_v to_o say_v when_o instead_o of_o a_o slight_a and_o decay_a building_n a_o most_o noble_a and_o firm_a structure_n be_v to_o be_v build_v the_o same_o be_v not_o undertake_v without_o god_n advice_n this_o temple_n be_v the_o principal_a of_o all_o public_a structure_n it_o be_v the_o king_n care_n to_o see_v it_o repair_v in_o due_a time_n who_o also_o may_v levy_v a_o tax_n for_o that_o use_n and_o provide_v for_o the_o necessary_a expense_n of_o the_o workman_n it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o we_o do_v not_o read_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o any_o of_o those_o king_n that_o introduce_v foreign_a service_n among_o the_o jew_n do_v ever_o attempt_v to_o force_v by_o threat_n or_o otherwise_o their_o subject_n to_o such_o a_o worship_n but_o rather_o by_o several_a allurement_n entice_v they_o to_o follow_v their_o example_n and_o that_o such_o as_o be_v thus_o seduce_v do_v as_o well_o as_o their_o king_n receive_v condign_a punishment_n from_o god_n according_o and_o that_o such_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o abhor_v this_o idolatry_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o rebellious_a subject_n upon_o that_o score_n but_o as_o person_n that_o do_v bear_v this_o public_a calamity_n with_o patience_n and_o as_o those_o king_n that_o abolish_v idolatry_n and_o foreign_a worship_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v high_o extol_v in_o the_o scripture_n so_o those_o impious_a king_n that_o be_v the_o author_n of_o this_o idolatry_n be_v by_o the_o high_a rank_n they_o bear_v in_o the_o state_n exempt_v from_o the_o ordinary_a punishment_n which_o according_a to_o god_n ordinance_n be_v else_o to_o be_v inflict_v upon_o all_o other_o that_o shall_v attempt_v to_o introduce_v idolatry_n last_o another_o remarkable_a observation_n may_v be_v make_v as_o to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n that_o whereas_o there_o be_v so_o strict_a a_o unity_n betwixt_o the_o state_n and_o religion_n that_o the_o latter_a may_v just_o be_v call_v the_o foundation_n stone_n of_o the_o first_o and_o god_n have_v express_o enjoin_v they_o a_o exact_a observance_n of_o it_o under_o forfeiture_n of_o the_o quiet_a possession_n of_o that_o country_n where_o their_o commonwealth_n be_v establish_v the_o felicity_n of_o the_o state_n depend_v absolute_o from_o the_o due_a observance_n of_o that_o religion_n and_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o all_o such_o matter_n as_o may_v prove_v either_o dangerous_a or_o destructive_a to_o it_o as_o it_o may_v plain_o appear_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n prescribe_v in_o this_o behalf_n in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n §_o 11._o the_o christian_a religion_n differ_v in_o many_o point_n from_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n not_o only_o jew_n the_o genius_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n because_o it_o represent_v our_o saviour_n to_o we_o as_o he_o have_v already_o appear_v upon_o earth_n and_o thereby_o have_v free_v we_o from_o these_o many_o ceremony_n and_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v so_o â—any_o emblem_n of_o his_o future_a come_n among_o we_o but_o also_o because_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v by_o god_n peculiar_a providence_n endow_v with_o such_o qualification_n that_o it_o ought_v and_o may_v be_v receive_v by_o all_o nation_n without_o prejudice_n and_o consequent_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o a_o universal_a religion_n whereas_o the_o divine_a worship_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v so_o adapt_v to_o that_o state_n as_o scarce_o to_o be_v suitable_a to_o any_o other_o be_v unaccessible_a to_o any_o other_o nation_n but_o their_o own_o the_o christian_a religion_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n be_v nowadays_o not_o tie_v up_o to_o a_o certain_a place_n or_o temple_n but_o every_o 8._o 1_o tim._n 2._o 8._o where_o man_n may_v pray_v lift_v up_o holy_a hand_n we_o need_v not_o appear_v before_o god_n with_o sumptuous_a sacrifice_n but_o those_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n be_v to_o be_v purchase_v without_o gold_n or_o silver_n neither_o be_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n grant_v as_o a_o peculiar_a privilege_n to_o one_o particular_a nation_n or_o family_n but_o the_o christian_n in_o general_n be_v call_v priest_n before_o god_n and_o 10._o apocal._n 1._o 6._o 5._o 10._o no_o body_n be_v exclude_v from_o that_o ministry_n provide_v he_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o necessary_a qualification_n except_o that_o st._n paul_n forbid_v woman_n 1â—_n 1_o tim._n 11._o 1â—_n to_o teach_v last_o each_o nation_n have_v a_o equal_a share_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n neither_o can_v any_o of_o they_o claim_v a_o peculiar_a right_n or_o prerogative_n before_o other_o every_o one_o have_v equal_a share_n in_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n here_o be_v neither_o jew_n nor_o greek_a here_o be_v neither_o bond_n nor_o free_a neither_o male_a nor_o female_a for_o you_o be_v all_o one_o in_o christ_n jesus_n there_o be_v neither_o greek_a nor_o jew_n â—â—_o gal._n 3._o 28._o coloss_n 3._o 11._o vide_fw-la 1_o tim._n 11._o â—â—_o circumcision_n or_o uncircumcision_n barbarian_a scythian_a bond_n nor_o free_a but_o christ_n be_v all_o and_o in_o all_o but_o because_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o like_o the_o jewish_a adapt_v to_o one_o particular_a state_n that_o have_v its_o rise_n at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o this_o religion_n but_o be_v introduce_v after_o civil_a society_n be_v erect_v throughout_o the_o world_n the_o main_a point_n now_o in_o question_n be_v whether_o after_o this_o religion_n have_v be_v introduce_v it_o have_v alter_v the_o nature_n of_o civil_a society_n or_o the_o right_n of_o sovereign_n and_o whether_o by_o its_o establishment_n a_o new_a sort_n of_o government_n separate_a and_o independent_a from_o the_o civil_a power_n have_v be_v introduce_v or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o in_o effect_n whether_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o state_n separate_v and_o independent_a from_o the_o civil_a covernment_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v govern_v and_o maintain_v by_o human_a force_n and_o power_n by_o the_o word_n state_n we_o understand_v a_o considerable_a number_n of_o people_n who_o be_v join_v in_o one_o society_n independent_a from_o another_o be_v govern_v by_o their_o own_o law_n and_o commonwealth_n how_o moses_n behave_v himself_o when_o he_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n governor_n §_o 12._o to_o trace_v the_o very_a original_a of_o this_o point_n the_o behaviour_n of_o moses_n the_o founder_n both_o of_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o state_n must_v be_v take_v into_o due_a consideration_n and_o how_o far_o different_a jesus_n christ_n the_o saviour_n of_o mankind_n and_o
christian_a church_n st._n peter_n have_v in_o the_o abovementioned_a place_n make_v his_o confession_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n this_o excellent_a confession_n do_v deserve_v a_o suitable_a answer_n from_o christ_n who_o say_v thou_o be_v peter_n as_o if_o he_o will_v say_v persist_v in_o this_o thy_o confession_n peter_n which_o do_v in_o no_o wise_n imply_v that_o peter_n shall_v thereby_o have_v deserve_v those_o prerogative_n over_o the_o other_o apostle_n as_o the_o romanist_n do_v pretend_v to_o for_o st._n peter_n do_v not_o make_v this_o confession_n for_o himself_o only_o but_o in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o those_o unto_o who_o christ_n speak_v at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o disciple_n by_o st._n john_n 6._o 69._o we_o believe_v and_o be_v sure_a that_o thou_o be_v christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n 11._o joh._n 1._o 34_o 36_o 42_o 45_o 49._o mat._n 10._o 32_o 33._o john_n 11_o 27._o act_n 4._o 11._o neither_o be_v peter_n the_o first_o that_o make_v this_o confession_n for_o before_o he_o the_o same_o have_v be_v make_v by_o john_n the_o baptist_n by_o st._n andrew_n philip_n and_o nathanael_n and_o it_o be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o prove_v out_o of_o several_a passage_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o none_o can_v be_v take_v for_o a_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ_n unless_o he_o have_v make_v this_o 22._o â—_o 8._o â—â—_o â—_o 9_o â—0_n 22._o confession_n and_o our_o saviour_n to_o show_v of_o what_o consequence_n this_o confession_n be_v add_v these_o word_n upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v this_o doctrine_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v the_o main_a foundation_n stone_n whereupon_o be_v to_o be_v build_v the_o mystical_a edifice_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n so_o that_o no_o further_a inference_n can_v be_v make_v from_o these_o word_n than_o what_o be_v express_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n by_o st._n john_n 20._o 31._o and_o in_o the_o 1_o epist_n of_o john_n 2._o 22._o c._n 3._o â—0_n c._n 4_o 2._o viz_o that_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v that_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n §_o 27._o it_o also_o be_v worth_a our_o consideration_n juriâ—â—cation_n whâ—thâ—r_o the_o power_n of_o 〈…〉_o any_o souâ—reign_n right_o of_o juriâ—â—cation_n whether_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n which_o be_v use_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n imply_v any_o sovereign_a authority_n such_o as_o ought_v to_o be_v exercise_v in_o a_o state_n unto_o this_o we_o answer_v in_o the_o negative_a provide_v the_o same_o be_v take_v according_a to_o the_o proper_a use_n and_o end_v of_o its_o genuine_a and_o primitive_a institution_n for_o that_o this_o power_n may_v with_o conveniency_n enough_o be_v make_v use_n of_o if_o misapply_v to_o serve_v a_o ambitious_a design_n and_o to_o keep_v the_o poor_a people_n in_o awe_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v by_o experience_n it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o there_o be_v a_o remarkable_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o excommunication_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o they_o be_v exclude_v from_o their_o synagogue_n and_o the_o excommunication_n use_v among_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o among_o the_o jew_n where_o the_o sovereign_n and_o the_o people_n profess_v one_o and_o the_o same_o religion_n which_o also_o be_v entire_o unite_v with_o the_o state_n it_o may_v easy_o happen_v that_o the_o exclusion_n from_o the_o synagogue_n do_v carry_v along_o with_o it_o several_a inconvenience_n in_o civil_a affair_n and_o may_v therefore_o not_o unjust_o be_v consider_v at_o the_o same_o time_n as_o a_o civil_a punishment_n which_o render_v the_o offender_n infamous_a in_o the_o commonwealth_n especial_o since_o according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n of_o that_o government_n there_o be_v several_a thing_n belong_v to_o religion_n punishable_a by_o their_o civil_a constitution_n but_o it_o be_v already_o put_v beyond_o question_n that_o neither_o our_o saviour_n nor_o his_o apostle_n do_v ever_o pretend_v to_o any_o civil_a power_n and_o that_o beside_o this_o the_o primitive_a christian_n live_v under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o other_o prince_n how_o can_v their_o excommunication_n ban_n or_o what_o other_o sort_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censine_n be_v use_v among_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v any_o influence_n upon_o the_o civil_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o christian_n or_o to_o have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o force_n proper_o speak_v as_o civil_a punishment_n be_v this_o will_v more_o plain_o appear_v if_o we_o examine_v those_o passage_n where_o this_o matter_n be_v complete_o treat_v of_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v say_v in_o matthew_n 18._o 15._o 16_o 17._o if_o thy_o brother_n shall_v trespass_v against_o thou_o go_v and_o tell_v he_o his_o fault_n between_o thou_o and_o he_o alone_o if_o he_o shall_v hear_v thou_o thou_o have_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 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 unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a man_n and_o a_o publican_n certain_o out_o of_o this_o passage_n nothing_o can_v be_v infer_v that_o have_v any_o relation_n to_o a_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n or_o sovereignty_n but_o bare_o show_v we_o how_o difference_n ought_v to_o be_v compose_v among_o christian_n so_o st._n paul_n ordain_v 2._o 1_o cor._n â—_o 1._o 2._o that_o we_o shall_v rather_o leave_v difference_n to_o the_o arbitration_n of_o a_o brother_n or_o rather_o take_v wrong_a than_o to_o go_v to_o law_n with_o a_o brother_n before_o the_o unbeliever_n to_o the_o great_a shame_n of_o the_o christian_a name_n so_o that_o though_o it_o be_v else_o require_v from_o the_o offender_n to_o beg_v the_o pardon_n of_o and_o 40._o vid._n mat_n 5._o 40._o offer_v satisfaction_n to_o the_o person_n offend_v nevertheless_o if_o he_o neglect_v his_o duty_n in_o this_o point_n christ_n command_v that_o the_o offend_a party_n shall_v first_o offer_v a_o reconciliation_n and_o try_v before_o he_o bring_v his_o action_n against_o the_o offender_n whether_o satisfaction_n for_o the_o injury_n receive_v and_o a_o reconciliation_n may_v not_o be_v obtain_v by_o a_o private_a arbitration_n if_o this_o prove_v fruitless_a he_o say_v he_o ought_v to_o take_v along_o with_o he_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n to_o try_v whether_o they_o can_v prevail_v with_o his_o adversary_n to_o bring_v he_o to_o a_o more_o pliable_a temper_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n may_v testify_v that_o the_o offend_a party_n do_v offer_v every_o thing_n which_o may_v tend_v towards_o a_o reconciliation_n betwixt_o they_o but_o if_o after_o all_o this_o he_o remain_v obstinate_a the_o difference_n ought_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o whole_a congregation_n of_o the_o believer_n reside_v in_o that_o place_n for_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o by_o the_o word_n ecclesia_fw-la or_o church_n the_o presbyter_n only_o shall_v be_v understand_v but_o if_o they_o also_o can_v prevail_v with_o their_o authority_n over_o his_o stubborness_n let_v he_o then_o be_v unto_o thou_o like_o a_o heathen_a man_n and_o publican_n unto_o who_o his_o trespass_n will_v not_o be_v remit_v because_o he_o refuse_v to_o acknowledge_v his_o offence_n or_o to_o give_v satisfaction_n for_o it_o which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v fly_v his_o conversation_n like_o that_o of_o a_o vile_a person_n which_o eâ—â—ry_a one_o may_v free_o do_v without_o be_v thereuâ—â—â—_n compel_v by_o any_o superior_a power_n for_o that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o converse_v with_o the_o heaven_n and_o publican_n except_o in_o civil_a 〈…〉_o of_o no_o great_a force_n against_o we_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o heathen_n and_o publican_n be_v noâ—_n so_o infamous_a in_o themselves_o by_o any_o civil_a constitution_n the_o jew_n be_v at_o that_o time_n subject_a to_o the_o heathen_n who_o matter_v not_o their_o conversation_n beside_o this_o it_o be_v leave_v to_o every_o one_o free_a choice_n who_o he_o will_v admit_v into_o his_o familiar_a conversation_n and_o always_o be_v a_o certain_a rule_n among_o the_o wise_a sort_n not_o to_o be_v familiar_a with_o people_n of_o a_o perversed_a humour_n and_o a_o ill_a life_n who_o conversation_n every_o body_n may_v avoid_v as_o he_o find_v it_o most_o convenient_a so_o the_o apostle_n bid_v we_o to_o reject_v a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o and_o
16._o 1._o 2_o cor._n 8._o 2_o 3_o 8._o noble_a and_o excellent_a than_o â—â—_o other_o spiritual_a gift_n alm_n be_v the_o only_a tax_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n and_o these_o also_o can_v be_v exact_v 16._o 1_o tim._n 5._o 16._o by_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n though_o it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o every_o church_n be_v oblige_v 〈…〉_o phil._n 4._o 1â—_n cor_fw-la 9_o â—â—_o 〈…〉_o to_o maintain_v its_o minister_n in_o the_o 2_o epist_n to_o the_o corinthian_n c._n 11._o 28._o st._n paul_n profess_v that_o the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n lie_v upon_o he_o to_o strengthen_v those_o that_o be_v weak_a and_o to_o obâ—â—ate_a scandal_n and_o in_o the_o next_o follow_v chapter_n he_o say_v that_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v a_o no_o wise_a inferior_a to_o other_o church_n which_o be_v plant_v by_o other_o who_o have_v exercise_v the_o apostolical_a function_n before_o he_o neither_o be_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v meet_v withal_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o prove_v the_o subordination_n of_o one_o church_n to_o another_o nay_o the_o congregation_n of_o small_a town_n and_o even_o of_o private_a family_n be_v often_o style_v church_n as_o those_o of_o vast_a city_n and_o those_o particular_a church_n which_o 4._o 1_o thâ—â—_n 2._o 14._o 2_o thâ—â—_n 1._o 4._o be_v plant_v in_o judea_n be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n c._n 1._o 22._o c._n 5._o 23._o and_o to_o the_o colossians_n c._n 1_o 18_o 24._o christ_n be_v call_v the_o head_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n which_o he_o have_v present_v to_o himself_o a_o glorious_a church_n not_o have_v spot_n or_o wrinkle_n or_o any_o such_o thing_n but_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v holy_a and_o without_o blemish_n sanctify_v by_o christ_n redemption_n and_o 27._o ephes_n 5._o 26_o 27._o cleanse_v with_o the_o wash_n of_o water_n by_o the_o word_n what_o qualification_n be_v require_v in_o a_o bishop_n or_o a_o governor_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v express_v in_o the_o 1_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n c._n 3._o 2._o and_o follow_v verse_n in_o the_o 2_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n c._n 4._o 2._o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o titus_n c._n 1._o 2_o 8_o 9_o and_o c._n 2._o 7._o all_o which_o if_o due_o examine_v have_v a_o relation_n mere_o to_o the_o purity_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o his_o be_v blameless_a in_o his_o behaviour_n and_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o savour_n of_o any_o thing_n proper_o belong_v to_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o a_o state_n for_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o must_v be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n vigilant_a sober_a of_o a_o good_a behaviour_n give_v to_o hospitality_n apt_a to_o teach_v not_o give_v to_o wine_n no_o striker_n not_o greedy_a of_o filthy_a lucre_n but_o patient_a not_o a_o bawler_n not_o covetous_a one_o that_o rule_v well_o his_o own_o house_n have_v his_o child_n in_o subjection_n with_o all_o gravity_n not_o a_o novice_n not_o lift_v up_o with_o pride_n all_o which_o be_v such_o virtue_n as_o belong_v proper_o to_o a_o teacher_n or_o a_o private_a person_n in_o the_o 1_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n c._n 3._o 15._o the_o church_n be_v call_v the_o house_n of_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n like_v we_o be_v use_v to_o affix_v proclamation_n to_o great_a pillar_n to_o the_o view_n of_o every_o body_n though_o some_o ancient_a manuscript_n refer_v these_o word_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n to_o the_o follow_a sentence_n the_o precede_a end_v with_o the_o word_n the_o church_n of_o the_o live_a god_n then_o begin_v a_o new_a sentence_n thus_o the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o without_o controversy_n great_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n god_n be_v manifest_a in_o the_o flesh_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o in_o this_o sense_n this_o passage_n be_v parallel_n to_o what_o christ_n tell_v st._n peter_n by_o st._n matthew_n c._n 16._o 18._o and_o to_o that_o of_o st._n john_n c._n 20._o 31._o the_o title_n of_o honour_n belong_v to_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v recite_v in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n c._n 12._o 22._o where_o it_o be_v call_v the_o mount_n of_o zion_n the_o city_n of_o the_o live_a god_n the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n the_o innumerable_a company_n of_o angel_n the_o general_n assembly_n and_o church_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v which_o be_v write_v in_o heaven_n where_o god_n be_v the_o judge_n of_o all_o and_o jesus_n the_o mediator_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a and_o in_o the_o revelation_n c._n 2._o 3._o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v praise_v for_o their_o good_a deed_n and_o their_o vice_n expose_v with_o a_o severe_a commination_n that_o if_o they_o do_v not_o repent_v their_o candlestick_n which_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v take_v away_o from_o they_o which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v be_v extinguish_v in_o particular_a church_n all_o these_o passage_n if_o due_o compare_v and_o examine_v do_v not_o furnish_v we_o with_o any_o matter_n prove_v the_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v a_o state_n or_o to_o have_v any_o resemblance_n to_o a_o temporal_a sovereignty_n itself_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v such_o as_o not_o to_o permit_v a_o sovereignty_n within_o itself_o §_o 31._o but_o beside_o what_o have_v be_v say_v already_o a_o great_a many_o reason_n may_v be_v allege_v which_o sufficient_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o plant_v a_o church_n resemble_v in_o power_n to_o a_o temporal_a sovereignty_n if_o they_o have_v entertain_v any_o thought_n of_o attempt_v a_o design_n both_o unnecessary_a and_o illegal_a the_o common_a security_n be_v the_o main_a end_n of_o every_o government_n whereby_o man_n be_v enable_v to_o defend_v themselves_o by_o their_o unite_a strength_n against_o all_o injury_n which_o can_v be_v perform_v without_o a_o considerable_a number_n of_o stout_a and_o well_o appoint_v men._n but_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n be_v often_o give_v to_o the_o congregation_n of_o a_o indifferent_a town_n nay_o even_o of_o private_a family_n and_o do_v not_o our_o saviour_n himself_o 20._o mat._n 1â—_n 20._o say_v where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v in_o my_o name_n there_o be_o i_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o which_o move_v tertullian_n to_o say_v three_o make_v up_o a_o church_n as_o well_o as_o a_o college_n and_o where_o christ_n be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o congregation_n certain_o there_o can_v be_v want_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o obtain_v salvation_n viz._n the_o word_n the_o minister_n and_o the_o sacrament_n so_o that_o the_o end_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n may_v be_v attain_v to_o even_o in_o a_o indifferent_a numerous_a congregation_n of_o the_o believer_n neither_o do_v the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o believer_n join_v in_o one_o church_n like_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o people_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o erect_n of_o a_o state_n in_o itself_o consider_v add_v any_o thing_n or_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o obtain_v the_o end_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v indifferent_a in_o regard_n of_o obtain_v salvation_n whether_o a_o man_n worship_n god_n in_o a_o great_a or_o small_a congregation_n from_o whence_o this_o inference_n may_v be_v make_v that_o in_o case_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v separate_v itself_o from_o the_o other_o the_o rest_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o may_v pursue_v and_o obtain_v the_o end_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n quite_o otherwise_o as_o it_o be_v with_o temporal_a commonweath_n where_o if_o the_o great_a part_n of_o its_o inhabitant_n happen_v to_o be_v root_v out_o the_o rest_n will_v be_v thereby_o disenable_v to_o maintain_v the_o state_n these_o qualification_n belong_v to_o subject_n especial_o to_o such_o of_o they_o as_o be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o other_o in_o a_o state_n either_o for_o their_o usefulness_n or_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v not_o esteem_v the_o same_o in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o he_o who_o do_v not_o excel_v in_o riches_n strength_n or_o wisdom_n shall_v therefore_o not_o be_v deem_v a_o good_a christian_n furthermore_o 22._o 1_o cor._n 20._o 21_o 22._o those_o that_o pretend_v to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o new_a state_n must_v have_v territory_n belong_v to_o they_o where_o their_o new_a subject_n may_v settle_v themselves_o and_o their_o fortune_n and_o all_o such_o as_o live_v or_o be_v seat_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n if_o they_o pretend_v to_o set_v up_o a_o new_a state_n must_v either_o transplant_v themselves_o into_o another_o country_n or_o
else_o overturn_v that_o government_n under_o which_o they_o then_o live_v so_o when_o moses_n deliver_v the_o israelite_n from_o the_o egyptian_a bondage_n he_o lead_v they_o into_o the_o desert_n of_o arabia_n and_o when_o romulus_n have_v resolve_v to_o erect_v a_o new_a commonwealth_n he_o first_o withdraw_v himself_o from_o the_o subjection_n of_o the_o king_n of_o alba_n and_o such_o of_o the_o neighbour_a country_n as_o be_v for_o be_v member_n of_o that_o new_a commonwealth_n do_v leave_v their_o former_a habitation_n and_o settle_a themselves_o in_o rome_n but_o neither_o christ_n nor_o his_o apostle_n do_v ever_o remove_v christian_n from_o their_o habitation_n to_o other_o place_n but_o allow_v every_o body_n to_o remain_v in_o the_o same_o station_n and_o under_o the_o same_o government_n without_o the_o least_o prejudice_n to_o the_o former_a right_n of_o their_o sovereign_n over_o they_o from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o christian_n though_o never_o so_o numerous_a can_v not_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o settle_v themselves_o under_o any_o one_o state_n of_o their_o own_o for_o since_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o right_n of_o sovevereigns_n over_o their_o subject_n life_n and_o good_n be_v not_o take_v away_o or_o impair_v and_o no_o body_n can_v be_v subject_a to_o two_o master_n there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n of_o erect_v a_o new_a sovereignty_n especial_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o another_o commonwealth_n nay_o it_o be_v beyond_o their_o power_n even_o to_o enter_v into_o such_o a_o society_n as_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o least_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o right_n of_o their_o present_a 1â—_n rom._n 13._o 1._o 1_o pet._n 2._o 1â—_n sovereign_n who_o can_v be_v so_o ignorant_a in_o civil_a affair_n as_o not_o to_o understand_v what_o prodigious_a sum_n of_o money_n be_v require_v for_o the_o maintainig_n of_o a_o state_n and_o though_o the_o right_n of_o sovereign_n do_v not_o extend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o take_v away_o from_o subject_n the_o private_a disposal_n of_o their_o good_n nevertheless_o may_v they_o lawful_o restrain_v the_o extravagancy_n of_o their_o subject_n if_o they_o pretend_v to_o dispose_v of_o their_o good_n in_o prejudice_n of_o the_o state_n for_o if_o this_o liberty_n shall_v be_v grant_v to_o the_o subject_n without_o limitation_n the_o state_n if_o deprive_v oâ—_n its_o nourishment_n will_v quick_o be_v reduce_v to_o a_o languish_a condition_n or_o else_o private_a man_n may_v be_v enable_v to_o erect_v a_o new_a state_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o old_a one_o or_o at_o least_o to_o impair_v and_o endanger_v the_o public_a safety_n and_o since_o those_o sovereign_n under_o who_o jurisdiction_n the_o apostle_n live_v have_v the_o same_o right_n over_o the_o fortune_n of_o their_o subject_n as_o other_o government_n have_v and_o the_o right_n of_o sovereign_n be_v not_o take_v away_o by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o provision_n make_v for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o those_o congregation_n as_o such_o but_o what_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o lawful_a right_n of_o their_o sovereign_n and_o as_o much_o only_a as_o may_v lawful_o be_v give_v by_o private_a person_n which_o can_v not_o exceed_v a_o private_a fortune_n and_o be_v nothing_o more_o than_o voluntary_a contribution_n or_o alm_n and_o whatsoever_o of_o any_o real_a estate_n be_v attribute_v to_o these_o use_v be_v thereby_o not_o exempt_v from_o pay_v of_o tax_n no_o more_o than_o the_o estate_n of_o other_o subject_n §_o 32._o but_o if_o we_o take_v a_o full_a view_n of_o the_o state_n the_o inward_a structure_n of_o the_o church_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o that_o of_o a_o state_n whole_a structure_n of_o civil_a society_n and_o by_o what_o mean_v subject_n be_v unite_v under_o one_o government_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o to_o differ_v as_o heaven_n and_o earth_n from_o that_o union_n which_o belong_v proper_o to_o the_o body_n of_o a_o church_n if_o we_o trace_v that_o original_a of_o civil_a society_n or_o commonwealth_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o man_n have_v find_v the_o inconvenience_n and_o danger_n which_o attend_v a_o solitary_a life_n in_o the_o free_a natural_a state_n do_v enter_v and_o unite_v themselves_o into_o society_n for_o their_o common_a security_n and_o have_v agree_v to_o a_o certain_a form_n of_o government_n do_v constitute_v one_o certain_a person_n or_o a_o counsel_n who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o that_o society_n unto_o who_o they_o submit_v themselves_o and_o their_o fortune_n for_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o that_o society_n but_o church_n be_v erect_v upon_o quite_o another_o foundation_n for_o here_o man_n be_v make_v sensible_a of_o their_o miserable_a condition_n do_v not_o by_o their_o own_o accord_n and_o a_o general_a agreement_n turn_v themselves_o to_o god_n almighty_a but_o be_v on_o the_o contrary_n overwhelm_v with_o darkness_n and_o ignorance_n so_o as_o to_o be_v over_o secure_a and_o neglect_v their_o own_o salvation_n god_n do_v send_v his_o messenger_n among_o they_o command_v all_o man_n every_o where_o to_o repent_v here_o be_v not_o the_o least_o 30._o act_n 1â—_n 30._o footstep_n of_o any_o general_a agreement_n of_o man_n to_o erect_v and_o submit_v themselves_o under_o one_o church_n but_o each_o particular_a person_n for_o himself_o without_o any_o respect_n or_o regard_n to_o other_o do_v follow_v christ_n and_o his_o doctrine_n and_o whereas_o in_o a_o civil_a state_n the_o whole_a family_n have_v its_o dependency_n from_o their_o master_n and_o enjoy_v all_o the_o privilege_n belong_v to_o they_o under_o his_o protection_n it_o be_v quite_o different_a in_o the_o church_n where_o the_o wife_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o follow_v her_o husband_n religion_n nor_o the_o servant_n the_o master_n so_o be_v in_o the_o family_n of_o 21._o 1_o cor._n 7._o 12._o 21._o nacissus_n who_o himself_o be_v not_o a_o christian_a several_a christian_a servant_n who_o be_v salute_v as_o such_o by_o s._n paul_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n be_v to_o be_v â—â—_o â—â—m_fw-la 16._o â—â—_o take_v what_o be_v say_v by_o christ_n he_o that_o love_v father_n or_o mother_n son_n or_o daughter_n more_o than_o i_o be_v not_o worthy_a of_o i_o as_o likewise_o â—6_n mat._n 10._o 3â—_n c_o 12_o 5â—_n luk._n 1â—_n â—6_n what_o be_v mention_v concern_v division_n discord_n dissension_n which_o be_v to_o be_v raise_v by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n among_o the_o near_a friend_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o strict_a union_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o the_o believer_n which_o surpass_v and_o be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o all_o the_o tie_v of_o consangninity_n among_o men._n so_o 34._o mat._n â—0_n 34._o that_o if_o a_o father_n husband_n or_o master_n shall_v turn_v apostate_n the_o son_n wife_n or_o servant_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o follow_v their_o footstep_n neither_o be_v it_o requisite_a to_o be_v solicitous_a about_o any_o particular_a or_o certain_a form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n viz._n whether_o the_o same_o aught_o to_o be_v monarchical_a aristocratical_a or_o democratical_a for_o these_o seveveral_a form_n belong_v only_o to_o a_o civil_a government_n be_v very_o preposterous_o make_v use_n of_o in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v far_o different_a from_o a_o temporal_a state_n and_o as_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n be_v erect_v for_o different_a end_n so_o the_o office_n belong_v to_o both_o be_v altogether_o of_o a_o different_a nature_n who_o be_v so_o ignorant_a as_o not_o to_o know_v that_o for_o the_o obtain_v the_o end_n of_o civil_a society_n it_o be_v requisite_a to_o constitute_v various_a degree_n of_o dignity_n appertain_v to_o the_o manager_n of_o the_o state_n whereas_o the_o most_o plain_a and_o natural_a distinction_n betwixt_o christian_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o church_n be_v only_o that_o of_o teacher_n and_o auditor_n §_o 33._o beside_o all_o this_o the_o teacher_n in_o a_o state_n 9_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o teacher_n in_o a_o church_n and_o the_o governor_n of_o a_o state_n church_n do_v not_o only_o differ_v from_o temporal_a governor_n in_o a_o state_n in_o that_o these_o be_v constitute_v for_o different_a end_n but_o the_o main_a difference_n be_v the_o very_a nature_n of_o their_o constitution_n we_o will_v not_o insist_v here_o upon_o the_o point_n of_o succession_n by_o which_o a_o great_a many_o sovereign_n obtain_v their_o sovereign_a power_n which_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o in_o the_o church_n but_o we_o will_v only_o treat_v in_o this_o place_n concern_v the_o different_a constitution_n betwixt_o teacher_n and_o such_o sovereign_n as_o exercise_v the_o supreme_a civil_a power_n by_o virtue_n of_o election_n when_o therefore_o the_o sovereign_a power_n be_v lodge_v in_o any_o person_n by_o election_n the_o rest_n who_o have_v thus_o choose_v they_o their_o
controversy_n soon_o compose_v and_o heresy_n suppress_v or_o quite_o extinguish_v but_o if_o the_o whole_a matter_n be_v due_o weigh_v it_o will_v appear_v that_o such_o a_o ecclesiastical_a monarch_n may_v be_v very_o easy_o spare_v in_o the_o church_n for_o grant_v such_o church_n whether_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o set_v up_o a_o general_a judge_n of_o all_o controversy_n in_o the_o church_n a_o universal_a judge_n of_o all_o controversy_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n he_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v infallible_a and_o that_o beyond_o all_o contradiction_n as_o well_o in_o point_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o to_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o case_n for_o it_o may_v so_o happen_v that_o it_o be_v plain_a enough_o whether_o a_o doctrine_n be_v erroneous_a or_o not_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o may_v be_v disputable_a whether_o the_o say_a error_n ought_v to_o be_v lay_v to_o a_o certain_a man_n charge_n or_o not_o for_o if_o a_o appeal_n be_v allow_v from_o this_o judge_n after_o sentence_n pronounce_v there_o will_v never_o be_v a_o end_n of_o the_o process_n it_o be_v therefore_o absolute_o requisite_a that_o this_o infallible_a authority_n shall_v be_v so_o manifest_o prove_v that_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v call_v in_o question_n for_o unless_o this_o authority_n be_v unquestionable_a for_o the_o decision_n of_o this_o controversy_n we_o must_v run_v from_o this_o judge_n to_o another_o who_o must_v also_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v infallible_a and_o so_o in_o infinite_a it_o be_v grant_v by_o all_o without_o exception_n that_o no_o body_n ought_v to_o be_v a_o judge_n in_o his_o own_o case_n and_o since_o this_o privilege_n of_o be_v infallible_a can_v not_o be_v grant_v by_o any_o body_n but_o by_o god_n alone_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o invest_v with_o such_o a_o power_n it_o must_v plain_o be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n that_o this_o particular_a prerogative_n and_o authority_n be_v grant_v to_o one_o certain_a person_n for_o he_o and_o his_o successor_n to_o decide_v all_o controversy_n concern_v the_o article_n of_o faith_n without_o be_v liable_a to_o any_o error_n but_o of_o this_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o footstep_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n nay_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o be_v send_v by_o christ_n into_o all_o the_o world_n be_v endue_v with_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o have_v a_o equal_a authority_n so_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o way_n now_o leave_v for_o the_o attain_n to_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n both_o for_o the_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n and_o all_o believer_n in_o general_a which_o be_v to_o study_v the_o scripture_n devout_o and_o without_o intermission_n and_o whoever_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n 15._o 2_o tim._n 3._o 14._o 15._o or_o to_o a_o prophetical_a spirit_n aught_o by_o undeniable_a demonstration_n to_o justify_v his_o pretension_n these_o qualification_n which_o the_o apostle_n paul_n describe_v in_o the_o 2_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n c._n 2._o 24_o 25_o aught_o to_o be_v apply_v to_o all_o bishop_n and_o teacher_n in_o general_a and_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n he_o say_v must_v not_o strive_v but_o be_v gentle_a unto_o all_o man_n apt_a to_o teach_v patient_o in_o meekness_n instruct_v those_o that_o oppose_v themselves_o if_o god_n peradventure_o will_v give_v they_o repentance_n to_o the_o acknowledge_v of_o the_o truth_n out_o of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v apparent_a that_o if_o any_o one_o now_o adays_o do_v pretend_v to_o any_o prerogative_n or_o infallibility_n in_o decide_v controversy_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n he_o ought_v to_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o extraordinary_a qualification_n as_o be_v most_o requisite_a for_o the_o due_a explain_v and_o interpret_n the_o sense_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o this_o in_o so_o high_a a_o degree_n as_o that_o the_o other_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n be_v not_o able_a to_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o he_o nay_o that_o even_o all_o their_o joint_a endeavour_n in_o this_o kind_n be_v not_o to_o be_v compare_v to_o his_o judgement_n beside_o this_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o this_o universal_a judge_n except_o he_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o useless_a engine_n must_v be_v invest_v with_o a_o power_n to_o execute_v his_o decree_n and_o to_o oblige_v all_o christian_n to_o acquiesce_v in_o his_o judgement_n for_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o his_o decree_n have_v no_o other_o force_n than_o as_o far_o as_o they_o influence_n people_n by_o the_o force_n of_o truth_n they_o will_v be_v either_o useless_a or_o else_o this_o judge_n in_o vain_a pretend_v thereby_o to_o any_o further_a prerogative_n but_o what_o he_o have_v in_o common_a with_o other_o christian_n that_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n furthermore_o this_o oblige_a power_n must_v either_o have_v be_v obtain_v by_o a_o peculiar_a privilegde_v grant_v by_o god_n almighty_a or_o by_o a_o general_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_n or_o by_o a_o inherent_a right_n to_o a_o sovereignty_n over_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o for_o a_o privilege_n grant_v by_o god_n or_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o proof_n of_o it_o as_o far_o as_o ever_o i_o can_v find_v and_o as_o to_o the_o pretend_a sovereign_a power_n its_o legal_a title_n ought_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o such_o document_n as_o be_v suitable_a to_o so_o great_a a_o pretention_n for_o it_o be_v a_o very_a insignificant_a proof_n to_o allege_v in_o a_o case_n of_o such_o moment_n tradition_n and_o a_o long_a continue_a usurpation_n which_o add_v nothing_o to_o the_o right_n of_o a_o long_o continue_v illegal_a possession_n and_o can_v be_v take_v for_o a_o solid_a foundation_n whereupon_o to_o build_v a_o real_a pretention_n to_o such_o a_o sovereignty_n for_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o whereas_o something_o of_o a_o prerogative_n be_v intend_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n the_o same_o in_o process_n of_o time_n have_v be_v abuse_v and_o consequent_o degenerate_v into_o a_o insufferable_a tyranny_n we_o can_v therefore_o but_o look_v upon_o such_o a_o tradition_n aâ—â—_n aâ—_n not_o the_o least_o foundation_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o very_o suspicious_a especial_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o such_o a_o sovereign_a power_n be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o true_a genius_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v object_v that_o nothing_o else_o can_v be_v so_o powerful_a to_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o all_o controversy_n but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v also_o that_o thereby_o the_o worse_a sort_n of_o slavery_n must_v be_v introduce_v worse_o than_o that_o whereof_o tacitus_n complain_v in_o his_o time_n adempto_fw-la per_fw-la inquisitiones_fw-la &_o loquendi_fw-la audiendioque_fw-la 〈◊〉_d â—â—_o que_fw-fr ipsacum_fw-la voce_fw-la memoria_fw-la perdatur_fw-la si_fw-la tam_fw-la in_o nostra_fw-la potestate_fw-la foret_fw-la oblivisci_fw-la quam_fw-la tacere_fw-la by_o the_o inquisition_n the_o benefit_n of_o our_o tongue_n and_o ear_n be_v take_v away_o at_o once_o and_o if_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o control_v man_n memory_n as_o it_o be_v to_o bridle_v their_o tongue_n the_o very_a remembrance_n of_o thing_n past_a have_v be_v long_o ago_o abolish_v among_o we_o true_o by_o such_o method_n perhaps_o the_o commonwealth_n may_v be_v stock_v with_o hypocrite_n and_o dissemble_a heretic_n but_o few_o will_v be_v bring_v over_o to_o the_o orthodox_n christian_n faith_n as_o it_o be_v therefore_o absolute_o requisite_a that_o a_o hide_a ulcer_n shall_v be_v lay_v open_a whereby_o it_o may_v the_o soon_o be_v purge_v from_o its_o malignancy_n and_o proper_a remedy_n more_o immediate_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o affect_a part_n so_o be_v it_o much_o conduce_v in_o the_o church_n that_o such_o scruple_n and_o erroneous_a opinion_n as_o have_v seize_v our_o mind_n shall_v be_v bring_v to_o light_v that_o by_o apply_v timely_a remedy_n they_o may_v be_v remove_v before_o they_o be_v go_v too_o far_o than_o by_o couch_v they_o over_o to_o let_v they_o run_v into_o a_o malignant_a suppuration_n which_o at_o last_o may_v turn_v to_o a_o incurable_a gangrene_n it_o be_v also_o to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o if_o this_o ecclesiastical_a sovereignty_n be_v grant_v there_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v a_o double_a head_a sovereign_a power_n in_o one_o state_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o subject_n will_v be_v oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o ecclesiastical_a judge_n in_o point_n of_o controversy_n as_o well_o and_o in_o the_o same_o measure_n as_o they_o do_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o civil_a governor_n in_o civil_a action_n and_o since_o this_o ecclesiastical_a sovereignty_n have_v a_o different_a scope_n from_o that_o for_o which_o civil_a society_n be_v erect_v it_o must_v
well_o weigh_v and_o the_o reason_n thereof_o due_o examine_v on_o both_o side_n be_v very_o plain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v determine_v but_o if_o any_o moral_a decree_n be_v make_v by_o a_o council_n the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v take_v to_o have_v no_o oblige_a power_n but_o what_o proceed_v either_o from_o a_o precede_a commission_n and_o authority_n or_o from_o the_o approbation_n of_o these_o church_n so_o that_o chuncil_n have_v no_o coercive_a power_n over_o the_o church_n i_o can_v but_o touch_v by_o the_o by_o upon_o this_o head_n viz._n that_o this_o assertion_n the_o council_n be_v above_o the_o pope_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o will_v easy_o gain_v credit_n with_o all_o that_o be_v guide_v by_o right_a reason_n or_o the_o scripture_n for_o who_o can_v be_v so_o stupid_a as_o not_o to_o be_v sensible_a that_o a_o great_a many_o learned_a man_n who_o with_o joint_a labour_n apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o search_n after_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o 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than_o may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o work_n so_o do_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n refer_v the_o whole_a controversy_n to_o those_o of_o jerusalem_n without_o give_v the_o least_o trouble_v to_o those_o of_o phenice_n and_o samaria_n though_o their_o deputy_n pass_v in_o their_o way_n thither_o through_o both_o these_o place_n beside_o this_o the_o deputy_n that_o be_v send_v aught_o to_o receive_v their_o authority_n and_o instruction_n from_o their_o several_a church_n who_o they_o represent_v because_o no_o church_n have_v without_o reserve_v submit_v herself_o to_o the_o determination_n of_o her_o teacher_n but_o only_o as_o far_o as_o their_o doctrine_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n neither_o be_v the_o word_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebr._n c._n 13._o 17._o to_o be_v understand_v any_o otherwise_o than_o with_o this_o limitation_n beside_o this_o it_o be_v absolute_o requisite_a that_o such_o person_n as_o have_v raise_v a_o controversy_n shall_v be_v hear_v in_o the_o council_n that_o their_o reason_n shall_v be_v due_o examine_v weigh_v and_o proceed_v upon_o according_a to_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v in_o the_o holy_a writ_n and_o if_o the_o controversy_n do_v not_o bare_o concern_v a_o point_n of_o doctrine_n but_o imply_v a_o temporal_a interest_n those_o that_o have_v any_o share_n in_o it_o can_v pretend_v to_o a_o power_n of_o decide_v the_o point_n in_o prejudice_n of_o the_o adverse_a party_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o point_n in_o question_n betwixt_o the_o protestant_a church_n and_o the_o papal_a chair_n can_v be_v compose_v by_o any_o council_n their_o difference_n arise_v not_o bare_o from_o point_n of_o doctrine_n but_o about_o domination_n temporal_a dignity_n and_o vast_a revenue_n nor_o be_v there_o the_o least_o probability_n of_o any_o composition_n betwixt_o these_o two_o party_n by_o way_n of_o arbitration_n for_o who_o be_v it_o that_o can_v pretend_v to_o decide_v so_o great_a a_o point_n who_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v accept_v of_o as_o a_o arbitrator_n by_o both_o party_n the_o protestant_n in_o all_o likelihood_n will_v not_o be_v so_o foolish_a as_o to_o submit_v themselves_o and_o their_o case_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o any_o assembly_n consist_v all_o of_o roman_a catholic_n their_o swear_a enemy_n nor_o can_v they_o have_v the_o imprudence_n as_o to_o ask_v it_o and_o as_o for_o the_o pope_n he_o like_v his_o station_n too_o well_o to_o put_v it_o to_o the_o hazard_n of_o a_o arbitration_n but_o if_o a_o assembly_n shall_v be_v propose_v to_o consist_v of_o a_o equal_a number_n choose_v by_o each_o party_n this_o expedient_a will_v scarce_o take_v it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o they_o will_v scarce_o keep_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o moderation_n and_o that_o the_o assembly_n will_v appear_v sometime_o not_o unlike_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o centaur_n §_o 39_o it_o have_v be_v hitherto_o demonstrate_v emperor_n in_o what_o condition_n the_o church_n be_v under_o the_o pagan_a emperor_n at_o large_a that_o the_o church_n be_v no_o state_n we_o must_v consider_v in_o the_o next_o place_n unto_o what_o kind_n of_o moral_a body_n the_o church_n have_v the_o near_a relation_n as_o they_o be_v in_o primitive_a time_n under_o the_o pagan_a prince_n it_o be_v evident_a enough_o that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o college_n or_o such_o society_n where_o a_o great_a many_o be_v join_v for_o the_o carry_v on_o a_o certain_a business_n under_o this_o limitation_n nevertheless_o as_o not_o to_o be_v independent_a from_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n concern_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o college_n and_o corporation_n jacobus_n cujachus_n may_v be_v consult_v before_o all_o other_o 7_o observe_v 30_o and_o 16_o and_o observe_v 3_o and_o 5._o and_o it_o be_v here_o very_a well_o worth_a our_o most_o particular_a observation_n that_o such_o society_n as_o be_v erect_v for_o the_o exercise_n of_o religion_n be_v by_o public_a authority_n allow_v of_o in_o the_o ancient_a roman_a empire_n this_o be_v attest_v among_o a_o great_a many_o other_o by_o athanagoras_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o apology_n for_o the_o christian_n when_o he_o say_v it_o be_v by_o your_o command_n you_o great_a of_o prince_n that_o several_a nation_n live_v according_a to_o their_o own_o custom_n and_o law_n and_o every_o one_o without_o be_v control_v by_o any_o penal_a statute_n free_o exercise_v the_o same_o religion_n in_o which_o he_o be_v educate_v and_o thus_o he_o proceed_v immediate_o after_o all_o mankind_n offer_v their_o sacrifice_n and_o use_v other_o religious_a ceremony_n according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o their_o native_a country_n this_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v among_o other_o the_o true_a cause_n why_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n do_v spread_v itself_o all_o over_o so_o vast_a a_o empire_n and_o why_o in_o the_o beginning_n very_o few_o oppose_v its_o progress_n the_o magistrate_n not_o think_v it_o belong_v to_o their_o province_n to_o intermeddle_v with_o it_o and_o this_o be_v one_o reason_n why_o we_o never_o read_v of_o the_o apostle_n have_v desire_v leave_v from_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n or_o to_o plant_v a_o church_n though_o another_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v why_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o ask_v leave_n from_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o the_o constitute_n of_o christian_a church_n because_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v their_o immediate_a authority_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n from_o he_o who_o be_v the_o king_n of_o king_n and_o by_o who_o command_n all_o mankind_n be_v then_o call_v to_o repentance_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v this_o rational_a conclusion_n may_v be_v draw_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o only_o a_o power_n to_o plant_v church_n in_o all_o place_n where_o they_o
find_v their_o auditor_n incline_v to_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o that_o also_o in_o all_o other_o place_n whither_o this_o doctrine_n be_v transplant_v the_o believer_n may_v enter_v into_o such_o a_o society_n or_o plant_v a_o church_n upon_o their_o own_o accord_n without_o any_o commission_n or_o permission_n for_o so_o do_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o that_o pursuant_n to_o our_o saviour_n expression_n it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o two_o or_o three_o be_v incline_v to_o meet_v in_o his_o name_n if_o we_o trace_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o these_o society_n which_o be_v constitute_v by_o a_o free_a choice_n and_o consent_n of_o certain_a men._n we_o may_v easy_o find_v to_o contain_v all_o of_o they_o something_o resemble_v a_o democracy_n where_o such_o matter_n as_o concern_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o society_n be_v to_o be_v dispatch_v by_o common_a consent_n and_o where_o no_o particular_a person_n can_v claim_v any_o further_a power_n over_o the_o rest_n than_o what_o he_o have_v receive_v by_o their_o joint_a consent_n from_o whence_o it_o may_v be_v rational_o conclude_v that_o at_o the_o first_o beginning_n the_o power_n of_o constitute_a teacher_n and_o other_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n be_v original_o lodge_v in_o the_o whole_a church_n or_o the_o whole_a congregation_n of_o the_o believer_n and_o though_o it_o be_v unquestionable_a that_o in_o the_o first_o primitive_a church_n teacher_n be_v constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o great_a many_o place_n nevertheless_o the_o greek_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o imply_v something_o of_o a_o democracy_n and_o be_v often_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n in_o this_o case_n argue_v sufficient_o that_o this_o be_v not_o do_v without_o the_o approbation_n of_o the_o church_n it_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a task_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v constitute_v teacher_n themselves_o in_o all_o lesser_a town_n or_o that_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o all_o lesser_a place_n and_o village_n it_o seem_v rather_o probable_a that_o the_o gospel_n be_v publish_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o great_a city_n and_o other_o place_n of_o note_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v communicate_v unto_o other_o place_n and_o that_o such_o church_n as_o be_v not_o provide_v with_o teacher_n bishop_n or_o presbyter_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o their_o special_a authority_n use_v either_o to_o choose_v those_o very_a person_n to_o that_o function_n who_o be_v the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n among_o they_o or_o any_o other_o who_o they_o esteem_v to_o be_v endow_v before_o other_o with_o the_o gift_n of_o teach_v if_o we_o consult_v the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o roman_n it_o seem_v that_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v teach_v at_o rome_n before_o ever_o peter_n and_o paul_n come_v thither_o and_o the_o high_a treasurer_n of_o the_o 16._o chap._n 16._o queen_n candace_n who_o be_v general_o believe_v to_o have_v first_o carry_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o aethiopia_n and_o to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o those_o part_n receive_v no_o ordination_n as_o a_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n from_o philip_n after_o his_o baptism_n neither_o do_v 8._o act_n 8._o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n prescribe_v any_o certain_a form_n to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o ordination_n of_o bishop_n as_o he_o do_v in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o sacrament_n which_o seem_v to_o prove_v that_o for_o the_o obtain_n of_o this_o function_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o require_v than_o for_o the_o person_n to_o be_v call_v by_o the_o church_n and_o to_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o teach_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o ordination_n of_o minister_n and_o imposition_n of_o hand_n by_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v a_o very_a laudable_a and_o useful_a ceremony_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v receive_v as_o such_o with_o this_o restriction_n nevertheless_o that_o the_o same_o need_v not_o to_o be_v deem_v so_o absolute_o necessary_a as_o if_o without_o it_o no_o person_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v for_o a_o true_a minister_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o since_o these_o miraculous_a gift_n which_o accompany_v that_o ceremony_n in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v many_o age_n past_a become_v useless_a the_o church_n like_o all_o other_o college_n 14._o 1_o tim._n 4_o 14._o have_v power_n to_o collect_v stipend_n for_o their_o minister_n and_o to_o make_v collection_n for_o the_o use_v of_o the_o poor_a but_o in_o a_o different_a degree_n from_o that_o which_o belong_v to_o civil_a magistrate_n or_o sovereign_n who_o levy_v tax_n and_o have_v a_o power_n to_o force_v their_o subject_n to_o a_o compliance_n with_o their_o command_n but_o in_o the_o church_n this_o power_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o mere_a liberality_n and_o free_a consent_n of_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o general_a who_o be_v make_v sensible_a of_o their_o duty_n of_o pay_v a_o workman_n his_o stipend_n and_o relieve_v those_o in_o distress_n ought_v not_o to_o refuse_v such_o act_n of_o justice_n and_o humanity_n it_o proper_o belong_v to_o all_o 7._o 1_o cor._n 8._o 2_o 3._o c._n 2._o 12_o 13._o c._n 9_o 5_o 9_o 7._o college_n as_o well_o as_o church_n to_o have_v a_o power_n to_o make_v with_o joint_a consent_n of_o their_o member_n such_o statute_n as_o may_v conduce_v towards_o the_o obtain_n the_o end_n of_o their_o society_n provide_v they_o do_v not_o interfere_v with_o the_o legal_a right_n of_o their_o sovereign_n of_o this_o kind_n be_v these_o statute_n which_o st._n paul_n recommend_v to_o the_o corinthian_n in_o his_o first_o epistle_n in_o the_o 7_o chapt._n if_o any_o one_o act_v contrary_a to_o these_o rule_n he_o deserve_o be_v to_o receive_v correction_n or_o to_o undergo_v such_o a_o penalty_n as_o be_v dictate_v by_o the_o statute_n and_o which_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v upon_o he_o not_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o inherent_a power_n in_o the_o college_n but_o pursuant_n to_o their_o contract_n and_o though_o college_n have_v not_o any_o power_n or_o jurisdiction_n over_o their_o member_n unless_o what_o be_v absolute_o requisite_a for_o the_o obtain_v the_o true_a end_n of_o each_o society_n or_o else_o have_v be_v grant_v to_o they_o by_o their_o sovereign_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v often_o practise_v in_o these_o society_n and_o may_v be_v do_v without_o prejudice_n to_o the_o right_n of_o their_o sovereign_n that_o if_o any_o difference_n arise_v betwixt_o the_o member_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o college_n these_o be_v compose_v by_o the_o interposition_n and_o arbitration_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o member_n of_o that_o college_n or_o society_n to_o the_o end_n that_o a_o mutual_a good_a correspondency_n may_v be_v cultivate_v among_o they_o in_o which_o sense_n be_v to_o be_v take_v the_o admonition_n which_o st._n paul_n give_v to_o the_o corinthian_n concern_v this_o point_n in_o the_o 1_o epistle_n in_o the_o 6_o chapter_n in_o the_o first_o and_o follow_a verse_n last_o because_o many_o vice_n be_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o the_o gospel_n in_o vogue_n among_o the_o heathen_n which_o be_v not_o punishable_a by_o the_o pagan_a law_n they_o be_v more_o encourage_v to_o the_o observance_n of_o moral_a duty_n by_o the_o prospect_n of_o honour_n than_o by_o any_o civil_a command_n and_o the_o christian_n believe_v it_o more_o peculiar_o belong_v to_o themselves_o to_o recommend_v and_o adorn_v their_o profession_n by_o a_o holy_a life_n and_o by_o a_o innocent_a conversation_n to_o excel_v the_o heathen_n some_o statute_n be_v at_o the_o very_a beginning_n introduce_v into_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o be_v think_v most_o convenient_a to_o correct_v all_o manner_n of_o licentiousness_n according_a to_o st._n paul_n direction_n if_o any_o one_o that_o be_v call_v a_o brother_n be_v a_o fornicator_n or_o covetous_a 2._o 1_o cor._n 5._o 2._o or_o a_o idolater_n or_o a_o railer_n or_o a_o drunkard_n or_o a_o extortioner_n with_o such_o a_o one_o do_v not_o eat_v from_o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n church_n censure_n be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n all_o which_o may_v easy_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v do_v without_o the_o least_o prejudice_n to_o the_o sovereign_a power_n it_o be_v always_o for_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o state_n that_o subject_n shall_v lead_v a_o innocent_a life_n it_o be_v worth_a our_o observation_n that_o the_o punishment_n inflict_v by_o virtue_n of_o these_o statute_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o may_v be_v put_v in_o execution_n without_o the_o least_o prejudice_n to_o the_o civil_a government_n such_o be_v private_a admonition_n public_a reprimand_n and_o church_n penance_n the_o extreme_a remedy_n be_v excommunication_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o a_o member_n
religion_n but_o in_o case_n divine_v out_o of_o other_o country_n be_v to_o be_v call_v unto_o this_o convocation_n or_o assembly_n it_o be_v i_o think_v a_o plain_a case_n that_o these_o can_v appear_v there_o without_o leave_n first_o obtain_v from_o their_o sovereign_n and_o if_o a_o council_n shall_v be_v call_v consist_v of_o select_a divine_n out_o of_o a_o great_a many_o commonwealth_n this_o can_v be_v do_v without_o a_o forego_n agreement_n make_v betwixt_o those_o sovereign_n that_o be_v concern_v therein_o for_o it_o be_v not_o allowable_a for_o subject_n of_o another_o state_n to_o come_v to_o we_o upon_o such_o a_o account_n noâ—_n can_v we_o go_v to_o they_o upon_o such_o a_o errand_n unless_o by_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o high_a power_n and_o since_o sovereign_n can_v claim_v any_o jurisdiction_n over_o one_o another_o there_o will_v be_v no_o place_n leave_v for_o any_o prerogative_n but_o matter_n must_v be_v transact_v according_a to_o mutual_a contract_n §_o 47._o for_o what_o reason_n the_o primitive_a church-discipline_n theâ—r_o right_o concern_v church-discipline_n christian_n do_v introduce_v church_n discipline_n viz._n to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o heathen_n by_o their_o holy_a life_n and_o conversation_n and_o to_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o the_o civil_a pagan_a law_n which_o do_v not_o restrain_v they_o from_o such_o vice_n as_o be_v abominable_a to_o the_o christian_n have_v be_v sufficient_o explain_v before_o this_o reason_n take_v no_o more_o place_n now_o after_o whole_a commonwealth_n as_o well_o as_o their_o sovereign_n be_v enter_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o occasion_n now_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o heathen_n by_o a_o unspotted_a conversation_n after_o the_o root_n out_o of_o the_o pagan_a religion_n all_o christian_n be_v under_o a_o equal_a obligation_n to_o endeavour_v a_o unblemished_a life_n but_o notwithstanding_o the_o general_a conversion_n of_o whole_a commonwealth_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n care_v aught_o to_o be_v take_v that_o holiness_n of_o life_n be_v not_o lay_v aside_o among_o christian_n from_o whence_o arise_v this_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v better_a to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n discipline_n now_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o more_o expedient_a to_o admit_v of_o some_o alteration_n after_o sovereign_n be_v enter_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n the_o last_o of_o these_o two_o seem_v to_o be_v most_o probable_a because_o this_o ancient_a church_n discipline_n which_o be_v introduce_v for_o a_o certain_a time_n to_o supply_v the_o deficiency_n of_o the_o pagan_a law_n and_o to_o amend_v their_o vicious_a life_n and_o conversation_n and_o be_v thus_o leave_v to_o the_o direction_n of_o certain_a people_n be_v not_o a_o essential_a part_n of_o christianity_n and_o beside_o this_o carry_v this_o inconveniency_n along_o with_o it_o that_o it_o may_v easy_o degenerate_v into_o a_o kind_n of_o a_o pretend_a sovereignty_n and_o prove_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o as_o sovereign_n have_v a_o right_a to_o provide_v against_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v the_o probable_a cause_n of_o convulsion_n in_o the_o state_n so_o may_v this_o defect_n be_v supply_v by_o the_o civil_a law_n and_o vice_n may_v be_v suppress_v by_o civil_a punishment_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v any_o reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a why_o vice_n shall_v not_o be_v as_o easy_o correct_v by_o punishment_n prescribe_v by_o the_o civil_a law_n as_o by_o church-censure_n or_o why_o the_o first_o shall_v not_o prove_v as_o effectual_a as_o the_o latter_a for_o the_o suppress_n of_o public_a scandal_n it_o will_v perhaps_o be_v object_v that_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n have_v a_o much_o great_a influence_n over_o christian_n towards_o the_o amendment_n of_o their_o life_n than_o civil_a punishment_n because_o the_o first_o penetrate_v into_o the_o heart_n whereas_o civil_a punishment_n do_v not_o touch_v we_o but_o superficial_o unto_o this_o it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o church-discipline_n do_v not_o always_o answer_v this_o end_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o some_o man_n though_o they_o undergo_v all_o the_o church-penances_a retain_v in_o their_o heart_n the_o same_o vicious_a inclination_n or_o sometime_o grow_v more_o stubborn_a and_o bold_a but_o if_o it_o be_v take_v as_o a_o expiation_n for_o our_o sin_n in_o regard_n of_o god_n almighty_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o if_o we_o pretend_v to_o a_o expiation_n for_o any_o trespass_n which_o fall_v under_o the_o cognizance_n of_o humane_a law_n we_o must_v therein_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o do_v not_o prescribe_v church-penance_n as_o a_o proper_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o case_n for_o our_o sin_n be_v not_o remit_v because_o we_o have_v undergo_v church-penance_n but_o because_o our_o heart_n be_v purify_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n provide_v we_o by_o the_o faith_n apply_v his_o suffering_n unto_o we_o but_o suppose_v it_o shall_v be_v think_v most_o convenient_a that_o some_o sort_n of_o vice_n ought_v to_o be_v correct_v by_o church-discipline_n the_o best_a expedient_a will_v be_v to_o leave_v it_o first_o to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o civil_a judge_n who_o according_a to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o case_n aught_o to_o send_v the_o delinquent_n to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a court_n there_o to_o undergo_v the_o church-censure_n for_o christian_n sovereign_n have_v a_o unquestionable_a right_n to_o determine_v what_o sort_n of_o misdemeanour_n be_v punishable_a by_o the_o civil_a law_n and_o which_o of_o they_o come_v under_o the_o cognizance_n of_o ecclesiastical_a court_n and_o consequent_o to_o decree_v what_o sort_n of_o church-censure_n ought_v to_o be_v lay_v upon_o the_o delinquent_n according_a to_o the_o different_a nature_n of_o the_o trespass_n which_o may_v be_v put_v in_o execution_n by_o the_o minister_n according_o concern_v excommunication_n the_o same_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n but_o with_o this_o caution_n that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o discretion_n of_o priest_n so_o as_o to_o be_v inflict_v by_o they_o aâ—_n pleasure_n but_o this_o power_n ought_v to_o be_v limit_v by_o certain_a rule_n prescribe_v by_o those_o that_o have_v the_o legislative_a power_n in_o a_o state_n for_o in_o a_o christian_a commonwealth_n excommunication_n alter_v the_o civil_a condition_n of_o a_o subject_a and_o â—enders_v he_o infamous_a and_o detestable_a among_o his_o fellow-christians_a and_o as_o it_o affect_v the_o civil_a state_n of_o subject_n sovereign_n unless_o they_o will_v let_v other_o encroach_v upon_o their_o prerogative_n aught_o to_o determine_v concern_v its_o legality_n §_o 48._o since_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v not_o statute_n concern_v the_o power_n of_o make_v ecclesiastical_a canon_n or_o statute_n in_o any_o wise_a diminish_v the_o right_n of_o sovereign_n these_o if_o enter_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n have_v a_o power_n to_o examine_v what_o canon_n or_o ecclesiastical_a statute_n be_v receive_v in_o the_o church_n and_o if_o some_o of_o they_o be_v find_v superfluous_a or_o interfere_v with_o the_o sovereign_a power_n to_o abolish_v the_o same_o and_o if_o there_o appear_v any_o deficiency_n to_o supply_v what_o be_v want_v towards_o the_o maintain_v a_o good_a order_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o church_n which_o however_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o advice_n at_o least_o of_o the_o chief_a man_n of_o the_o church_n and_o last_o give_v to_o those_o statute_n the_o force_n of_o civil_a law_n this_o power_n nevertheless_o of_o make_v ecclesiastical_a statute_n must_v be_v exercise_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o caution_n the_o same_o be_v limit_v to_o the_o outward_a form_n of_o the_o church-government_n and_o to_o maintain_v its_o order_n and_o decency_n christian_n be_v not_o to_o be_v over-heaped_a with_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o canon_n for_o those_o that_o stretch_v â—4_n colos_n 2._o 16._o 21_o 22._o 1_o tim._n 4._o â—4_n the_o power_n of_o sovereign_n to_o such_o a_o pitch_n as_o to_o make_v they_o the_o absolute_a judge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o attribute_v to_o they_o a_o right_n of_o establish_v certain_a article_n of_o faith_n by_o civil_a law_n or_o to_o annex_v to_o they_o a_o force_n equal_a to_o the_o civil_a constitution_n and_o to_o force_v upon_o their_o subject_n a_o certain_a religion_n under_o severe_a penalty_n or_o oblige_v they_o either_o to_o profess_v or_o to_o deny_v certain_a point_n of_o doctrine_n which_o be_v controvert_v among_o christian_n these_o i_o say_v act_n quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o true_a genius_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o the_o method_n make_v use_v of_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o the_o
clergy_n upon_o admonition_n desist_v from_o these_o abuse_n like_v as_o when_o a_o creditor_n upon_o summons_n be_v pay_v by_o his_o debtor_n aught_o to_o supercede_v his_o action_n against_o he_o but_o put_v the_o case_n that_o the_o clergy_n either_o absolute_o refuse_v or_o from_o time_n to_o time_n protract_v to_o desist_v from_o such_o abuse_n so_o that_o there_o be_v but_o two_o way_n leave_v to_o be_v choose_v either_o patient_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o capricious_a humour_n or_o else_o certain_a person_n in_o the_o state_n be_v damnify_v by_o these_o abuse_n have_v a_o right_n and_o power_n to_o control_v their_o extravagancy_n those_o that_o maintain_v the_o first_o position_n must_v prove_v that_o the_o clergy_n have_v be_v invest_v with_o such_o a_o unlimited_a power_n by_o god_n almighty_a to_o impose_v upon_o christian_n even_o the_o most_o absurd_a matter_n at_o leisure_n without_o be_v liable_a to_o be_v contrâ—â—ued_v by_o any_o power_n upon_o earth_n or_o they_o must_v demonstrate_v that_o christian_n have_v absolute_o submit_v their_o faith_n to_o the_o clergy_n and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o every_o thing_n which_o shall_v be_v ordain_v by_o they_o shall_v be_v receive_v for_o truth_n with_o all_o imaginable_a submission_n and_o patience_n but_o because_o it_o will_v savour_v of_o too_o much_o impudence_n to_o pretend_v to_o the_o first_o it_o lie_v then_o at_o their_o door_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o clergy_n and_o their_o supreme_a head_n do_v never_o err_v either_o in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n ceremony_n or_o church-government_n all_o which_o have_v be_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v to_o the_o contrary_a by_o the_o consent_n of_o several_a christian_a nation_n we_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o when_o any_o abuse_n be_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n which_o be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o sovereign_n these_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o sovereign_a right_n and_o prerogative_n have_v a_o power_n to_o abolish_v and_o reform_v all_o such_o matter_n as_o interfere_v with_o the_o public_a good_a and_o civil_a authority_n at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o in_o a_o case_n of_o such_o moment_n it_o may_v be_v very_o convenient_a to_o acquaint_v the_o people_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o such_o a_o reformation_n lest_o they_o shall_v be_v surprise_v at_o it_o and_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o innovation_n which_o may_v prove_v of_o dangerous_a consequence_n and_o if_o especial_o the_o right_n of_o the_o people_n be_v invade_v by_o these_o abuse_n this_o reformation_n ought_v to_o be_v undertake_v with_o the_o knowledge_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o subject_n it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o by_o such_o a_o reformation_n division_n be_v raise_v in_o the_o church_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o matter_n of_o no_o great_a weight_n such_o a_o division_n be_v not_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o those_o that_o rectify_v such_o error_n but_o to_o those_o that_o obstinate_o refuse_v to_o return_v into_o the_o right_a path_n either_o out_o â—_o self-interest_n or_o pride_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o obvious_a out_o of_o the_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a history_n than_o that_o such_o as_o be_v plain_o convict_v of_o a_o error_n use_v to_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o such_o as_o begin_v a_o reformation_n upon_o a_o good_a and_o legal_a account_n can_v under_o no_o colour_n whatsoever_o be_v accuse_v of_o schism_n or_o rebellion_n for_o those_o be_v rebel_n who_o by_o forcible_a way_n endeavour_v to_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o the_o allegiance_n due_a to_o their_o lawful_a sovereign_n whereas_o all_o such_o as_o free_v themselves_o from_o abuse_n unjust_o impose_v upon_o they_o without_o their_o own_o consent_n or_o any_o divine_a authority_n rather_o deserve_v to_o be_v style_v defender_n of_o their_o own_o liberty_n and_o conscience_n especial_o if_o these_o abuse_n and_o error_n be_v dangerous_a to_o their_o soul_n for_o no_o teacher_n no_o bishop_n no_o convention_n whatsoever_o be_v ever_o invest_v with_o a_o absolute_a power_n of_o domineer_a over_o christian_n at_o pleasure_n so_o that_o no_o remedy_n shall_v be_v leave_v against_o their_o usurpation_n it_o can_v therefore_o but_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o great_a piece_n of_o impudence_n in_o the_o roman_n catholic_n party_n when_o they_o assume_v to_o themselves_o whole_o and_o entire_o the_o title_n of_o the_o church_n with_o exclusion_n to_o all_o other_o that_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o communion_n for_o they_o either_o must_v pretend_v their_o church_n to_o be_v the_o universal_a or_o else_o a_o particular_a church_n by_o the_o universal_a church_n be_v according_a to_o the_o tenure_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n understand_v the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o believer_n wheresoever_o disperse_v in_o the_o world_n who_o union_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o they_o acknowledge_v one_o god_n one_o redeemer_n one_o baptism_n one_o faith_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n from_o whence_o only_o be_v exclude_v such_o as_o pretend_v to_o dissolve_v this_o union_n that_o be_v who_o deny_v the_o true_a god_n and_o his_o son_n christ_n and_o who_o do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o very_a fundamental_a principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n this_o be_v the_o true_a catholic_n church_n not_o the_o pope_n with_o his_o ecclesiastic_n and_o ceremony_n who_o impose_v their_o authority_n upon_o christendom_n and_o since_o those_o that_o for_o weighty_a reason_n have_v withdraw_v themselves_o from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n may_v and_o do_v believe_v a_o true_a baptism_n a_o true_a god_n and_o father_n a_o faith_n agreeable_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v for_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o that_o a_o christian_n may_v be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o true_a catholic_n church_n in_o a_o right_a sense_n notwithstanding_o that_o he_o never_o be_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n or_o upon_o better_a consideration_n have_v free_v himself_o from_o its_o abuse_n and_o error_n but_o the_o popish_a religion_n consider_v as_o a_o particular_a church_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v though_o if_o we_o unravel_v the_o bottom_n of_o its_o modern_a constitution_n it_o will_v easy_o appear_v that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o that_o church_n be_v not_o so_o much_o adapt_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o christian_a congregation_n as_o to_o a_o temporal_a state_n where_o under_o a_o religious_a pretext_n the_o chief_a aim_n be_v to_o extend_v its_o sovereignty_n over_o the_o great_a part_n of_o europe_n those_o that_o have_v withdraw_v themselves_o from_o that_o communion_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v count_v rebel_n than_o our_o modern_a philosopher_n be_v to_o be_v take_v for_o fool_n and_o madman_n because_o they_o differ_v in_o opinion_n from_o aristotle_n for_o all_o believer_n who_o adhere_v to_o the_o true_a faith_n be_v in_o regard_n of_o their_o head_n jesus_n christ_n of_o a_o equal_a degree_n and_o aim_n all_o at_o the_o same_o end_n and_o christ_n have_v give_v this_o promise_n to_o all_o believer_n that_o where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o 20._o mat._n 18._o 20._o in_o his_o name_n there_o will_v he_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o no_o church_n can_v claim_v any_o prerogative_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o number_n of_o its_o adherent_n what_o the_o romanist_n allege_v for_o themselves_o out_o of_o the_o apostolical_a creed_n be_v so_o full_a of_o absurdity_n that_o it_o contradict_v itself_o viz._n out_o of_o these_o word_n i_o believe_v one_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolical_a church_n for_o except_o they_o can_v cajole_v we_o into_o a_o belief_n that_o these_o word_n imply_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v there_o be_v but_o one_o true_a church_n upon_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o roman_n catholic_n there_o be_v no_o other_o beside_o that_o i_o can_v see_v what_o inference_n can_v be_v draw_v from_o thence_o to_o their_o advantage_n beside_o that_o the_o very_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n contradict_v this_o interpretation_n if_o reason_n the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o experience_n itself_o do_v not_o sufficient_o convince_v we_o to_o the_o contrary_n it_o be_v beyond_o contradiction_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o true_a church_n upon_o earth_n there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n one_o christ_n one_o baptism_n and_o one_o faith_n but_o concern_v one_o point_n many_o error_n and_o abuse_n may_v be_v commit_v neither_o have_v the_o popish_a party_n any_o reason_n to_o brag_v of_o a_o particular_a holiness_n especial_o concern_v these_o matter_n wherein_o they_o differ_v from_o the_o protestant_n the_o word_n catholic_n relate_v here_o to_o a_o doctrine_n not_o to_o a_o sovereign_a state_n who_o authority_n be_v to_o be_v universal_a over_o christendom_n so_o that_o that_o church_n be_v to_o be_v esteem_v a_o catholic_n church_n which_o
contain_v every_o particular_a point_n of_o doctrine_n in_o the_o true_a sense_n as_o they_o be_v propose_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o those_o be_v call_v heretic_n who_o only_o profess_v some_o particular_a point_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a writ_n for_o such_o as_o absolute_o reject_v it_o be_v count_v infidel_n and_o reprobate_n but_o either_o deny_v or_o explain_v the_o rest_n in_o a_o wrong_n and_o pervert_v sense_n how_o can_v the_o popish_a clergy_n therefore_o assume_v the_o title_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n before_o they_o have_v and_o that_o without_o contradiction_n prove_v every_o point_n of_o their_o faith_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o exclude_v we_o protestant_n from_o that_o title_n till_o they_o have_v prove_v that_o our_o doctrine_n be_v contrary_a to_o it_o last_o it_o be_v call_v the_o apostolical_a church_n as_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o true_a church_n lose_v nothing_o of_o its_o intrinsic_a value_n whether_o it_o have_v be_v plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o whether_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n have_v be_v transmit_v to_o they_o by_o other_o §_o 54._o but_o it_o be_v not_o a_o very_a difficult_a task_n to_o religion_n whether_o subject_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o their_o sovereign_n may_v separate_v themselves_o from_o a_o erroneous_a religion_n introduce_v a_o reformation_n in_o religion_n with_o the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o sovereign_n and_o subject_n so_o it_o may_v be_v question_v whether_o subject_n may_v attempt_v a_o reformation_n when_o their_o sovereign_n and_o the_o whole_a clergy_n or_o at_o least_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v their_o error_n but_o rather_o pretend_v to_o maintain_v it_o in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v our_o opinion_n that_o provide_v these_o error_n â—o_o touch_v the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o our_o 〈…〉_o subject_n as_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o the_o â—ight_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n have_v attainâ—â—he_v true_a knowledge_n may_v separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o their_o sovereign_n of_o the_o clergy_n for_o every_o body_n be_v accountable_a to_o god_n for_o his_o religion_n and_o answerable_a for_o his_o own_o soul_n â—hose_v salvation_n can_v absolute_o be_v commit_v to_o any_o body_n else_o and_o a_o christian_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o altogether_o to_o rely_v upon_o his_o sovereign_n or_o the_o clergy_n at_o lest_o no_o far_o than_o their_o doctrine_n be_v congruous_a with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o subject_n may_v separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v process_v by_o their_o sovereign_n and_o clergy_n provide_v they_o can_v make_v it_o evident_o appear_v that_o such_o a_o church_n be_v infect_v with_o gross_a abuse_n and_o dangerous_a error_n for_o the_o church_n be_v a_o college_n who_o member_n be_v not_o keep_v in_o union_n by_o any_o temporal_a power_n but_o by_o the_o union_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o whosoever_o relinquish_v that_o he_o dissolve_v the_o sacred_a tie_n of_o the_o believer_n beside_o that_o it_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a for_o our_o salvation_n that_o the_o church_n be_v compose_v of_o a_o great_a number_n but_o the_o same_o may_v be_v obtain_v either_o by_o a_o great_a or_o lesser_a number_n of_o the_o believer_n neither_o can_v this_o separation_n prove_v in_o the_o least_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n it_o be_v suppose_v that_o those_o who_o have_v separate_v themselves_o adhere_v to_o the_o true_a pure_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n free_a from_o all_o poison_n and_o principle_n dangerous_a or_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o government_n for_o civil_a society_n be_v not_o institute_v for_o religion_n sake_n neither_o do_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n participate_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o temporal_a state_n and_o therefore_o a_o prince_n that_o embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n do_v not_o thereby_o acquire_v a_o absolute_a sovereignty_n over_o the_o church_n or_o man_n conscience_n so_o that_o if_o notwithstanding_o this_o separation_n the_o subject_n pay_v due_a allegiance_n to_o their_o prince_n in_o temporal_a affair_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n sufficient_a which_o can_v oblige_v he_o to_o trouble_v they_o mere_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o their_o conscience_n for_o what_o loss_n be_v it_o to_o the_o prince_n whether_o his_o subject_n be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n with_o himself_o or_o of_o unother_n or_o which_o be_v suppose_v before_o whether_o they_o do_v maintain_v the_o same_o error_n as_o he_o do_v the_o case_n indeed_o will_v be_v quite_o different_a if_o they_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o their_o allegiance_n to_o set_v up_o a_o separate_a society_n without_o his_o consent_n though_o it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o there_o be_v some_o case_n of_o necessity_n when_o this_o civil_a tie_n or_o allegiance_n may_v be_v dissolve_v as_o for_o instance_n when_o subject_n for_o want_v of_o sufficient_a protection_n from_o their_o natural_a prince_n be_v so_o hardly_o press_v upon_o by_o a_o more_o potent_a enemy_n that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o submit_v to_o his_o power_n and_o grant_v the_o power_n of_o sovereign_n in_o the_o church_n to_o be_v much_o great_a than_o in_o effect_n it_o be_v subject_n be_v nevertheless_o bind_v to_o take_v care_n of_o their_o soul_n who_o salvation_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o all_o other_o thing_n in_o regard_n of_o which_o they_o may_v separate_v themselves_o from_o a_o establish_v religion_n provide_v they_o be_v convince_v of_o its_o error_n for_o that_o subject_a who_o sacrifice_n his_o life_n for_o his_o prince_n do_v doubtless_o a_o glorious_a action_n but_o what_o prince_n can_v be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o expect_v that_o his_o subject_n shall_v sacrifice_v their_o soul_n to_o the_o devil_n for_o his_o sake_n that_o prince_n therefore_o who_o do_v trouble_v his_o faithful_a subject_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o they_o can_v conform_v to_o his_o opinion_n especial_o if_o they_o can_v maintain_v they_o out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n commit_v a_o act_n of_o injustice_n nay_o i_o can_v see_v how_o he_o can_v with_o justice_n force_v they_o out_o of_o his_o territory_n it_o be_v true_a he_o may_v refuse_v to_o receive_v heretic_n into_o his_o dominion_n unless_o it_o be_v for_o reason_n of_o state_n neither_o can_v a_o true_a believer_n take_v it_o amiss_o if_o he_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o settle_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n govern_v by_o heretic_n for_o the_o right_a of_o naturalisation_n belong_v to_o sovereign_n which_o they_o may_v refuse_v and_o give_v to_o who_o they_o think_v it_o convenient_a but_o as_o it_o be_v certain_o the_o great_a injustice_n in_o the_o world_n to_o force_v a_o inborn_a natural_a subject_n who_o have_v settle_v all_o his_o fortune_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n mere_o for_o his_o religion_n sake_n without_o be_v convict_v of_o his_o error_n out_o of_o his_o native_a country_n to_o the_o great_a detriment_n and_o danger_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o family_n so_o if_o a_o subject_a incline_v voluntary_o to_o leave_v his_o native_a country_n either_o to_o avoid_v the_o frown_n of_o his_o prince_n or_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o common_a people_n and_o to_o serve_v god_n with_o more_o freedom_n according_a to_o his_o own_o conscience_n it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v refuse_v by_o his_o sovereign_n i_o remember_v there_o be_v a_o certain_a proverb_n use_v among_o the_o german_n viz._n he_o that_o command_v the_o country_n command_v religion_n but_o this_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o roman_n catholic_n religion_n who_o can_v lay_v any_o claim_n to_o it_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o popish_a clergy_n do_v not_o allow_v any_o such_o thing_n to_o these_o prince_n and_o as_o to_o what_o concern_v the_o protestant_a estate_n of_o germany_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o they_o make_v use_v of_o this_o pretention_n against_o the_o emperor_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n which_o however_o ought_v to_o be_v thus_o interpret_v that_o they_o deny_v the_o emperor_n to_o have_v any_o power_n of_o intermeddle_v in_o the_o affair_n relate_v to_o their_o own_o dominion_n not_o that_o only_o they_o claim_v it_o as_o belong_v to_o the_o right_n of_o sovereignty_n to_o impose_v any_o religion_n though_o never_o so_o false_a upon_o their_o subject_n notwithstanding_o all_o which_o there_o be_v not_o want_v example_n that_o prince_n have_v act_v conformable_a to_o this_o proverb_n with_o their_o subject_n a_o prince_n who_o trouble_v his_o faithful_a subject_n mere_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o religion_n commit_v a_o gross_a error_n no_o christian_a prince_n be_v oblige_v to_o propagate_v his_o religion_n by_o forcible_a mean_n provide_v his_o subject_n stand_v firm_a to_o their_o allegiance_n to_o he_o
he_o be_v not_o answerable_a in_o particular_a for_o their_o religion_n it_o can_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o without_o astonishment_n how_o both_o in_o former_a time_n and_o our_o age_n some_o prince_n who_o be_v natural_o not_o incline_v to_o cruelty_n have_v in_o other_o respect_v give_v great_a proof_n of_o their_o clemency_n yet_o have_v be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o raise_v the_o most_o horrid_a persecution_n against_o their_o subject_n bare_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o religion_n but_o it_o have_v be_v foretell_v in_o holy_a scripture_n that_o this_o fate_n shall_v attend_v the_o christian_a church_n when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o mighty_a king_n upon_o earth_n shall_v commit_v 3._o rev._n 18._o 3._o whoredom_n with_o the_o whore_n of_o babylon_n and_o who_o be_v ignorant_a that_o gallant_n will_v often_o commit_v the_o most_o barbarous_a act_n mere_o to_o please_v their_o harlot_n all_o true_a christian_n therefore_o ought_v courageous_o to_o oppose_v the_o threat_n and_o attempt_v of_o this_o beast_n commit_v the_o rest_n to_o divine_a providence_n and_o as_o for_o such_o prince_n and_o state_n as_o have_v shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n of_o popish_a slavery_n if_o they_o serious_o reflect_v how_o their_o fellow-protestants_a be_v persecute_v and_o in_o what_o barbarous_a manner_n they_o be_v treat_v will_n questionless_a without_o my_o advice_n take_v such_o measure_n as_o may_v be_v most_o convenient_a for_o to_o secure_v themselves_o from_o so_o imminent_a a_o danger_n the_o follow_a animadversion_n make_v by_o the_o author_n upon_o some_o passage_n of_o a_o book_n entitle_v a_o political_a epitome_n concern_v the_o power_n of_o sovereign_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n write_a by_o adrian_z houtuyn_n have_v a_o very_a near_o relation_n to_o the_o former_a treatise_n it_o be_v thought_n sit_v to_o insert_v they_o here_o by_o way_n of_o appendix_n it_o be_v a_o question_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n which_o if_o right_o determine_v tend_v to_o the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n in_o general_n viz._n unto_o who_o and_o under_o what_o limitation_n the_o power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v in_o the_o state_n if_o the_o old_a proverb_n that_o those_o who_o choose_v the_o middle_a way_n be_v common_o the_o most_o successful_a have_v not_o lose_v its_o force_n it_o may_v without_o question_n be_v most_o proper_o apply_v in_o this_o case_n where_o both_o extreme_n be_v equal_o dangerous_a since_o thereby_o the_o conscience_n of_o subject_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o arbitrary_a disposal_n either_o of_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n or_o their_o sovereign_n there_o have_v not_o be_v want_v both_o in_o the_o last_o and_o our_o age_n man_n eminent_a for_o their_o learning_n who_o have_v with_o very_o solid_a argument_n oppose_v the_o tyranny_n of_o the_o first_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o take_v heed_n that_o since_o we_o have_v escape_v the_o danger_n of_o scylla_n we_o may_v not_o be_v swallow_v up_o by_o charybdis_n for_o as_o scarce_o any_o body_n that_o be_v in_o his_o right_a sense_n can_v go_v about_o to_o deny_v that_o the_o sovereign_a power_n owe_v its_o original_a either_o to_o god_n or_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o the_o people_n so_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n mutual_o advantageous_a both_o to_o the_o prince_n and_o subject_n to_o understand_v how_o far_o this_o power_n be_v limit_v in_o the_o state_n that_o the_o first_o may_v not_o transgress_v their_o due_a bound_n and_o instead_o of_o be_v father_n of_o their_o subject_n prove_v their_o most_o dangerous_a enemy_n adrian_n houtuyn_n a_o civilian_n in_o holland_n have_v in_o a_o treatise_n call_v a_o political_a epitome_n insert_v several_a assertion_n tend_v to_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o two_o extreme_n and_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v of_o late_a that_o this_o book_n have_v be_v recommend_v by_o some_o doctor_n in_o the_o law_n to_o the_o great_a detriment_n of_o young_a student_n i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o to_o make_v some_o animadversion_n upon_o his_o lxiii_o and_o follow_v section_n which_o may_v serve_v as_o a_o guide_n to_o the_o young_a sort_n lest_o they_o under_o the_o cloak_n of_o assert_v the_o prerogative_n of_o sovereign_n may_v be_v mislead_v into_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o extreme_n and_o attribute_n that_o to_o the_o prince_n which_o god_n have_v reserve_v as_o his_o own_o prerogative_n and_o thus_o irrecoverable_o play_v the_o prodigal_n with_o their_o own_o liberty_n and_o property_n this_o author_n speak_v concern_v the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n sect._n lxiii_o run_v on_o thus_o he_o have_v a_o uncontrolled_a power_n over_o all_o external_n ecclesiastical_a affair_n which_o be_v not_o determine_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n he_o allege_v for_o a_o reason_n because_o that_o power_n be_v grant_v to_o sovereign_n at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o subject_n submit_v themselves_o and_o their_o fortune_n to_o their_o disposal_n but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v into_o consideration_n that_o certain_a matter_n belong_v to_o the_o external_a exercise_n of_o religious_a worship_n have_v so_o strict_a a_o union_n with_o the_o internal_a part_n that_o if_o the_o first_o be_v not_o dispose_v in_o a_o manner_n agreeable_a to_o this_o inseparable_a tie_n the_o latter_a must_v of_o necessity_n undergo_v such_o alteration_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o its_o nature_n and_o since_o mr._n houtuyn_n do_v not_o leave_v the_o internal_a part_n to_o the_o disposal_n of_o sovereign_n how_o can_v the_o exterior_a worship_n be_v submit_v to_o their_o mere_a pleasure_n consider_v this_o strict_a union_n betwixt_o they_o beside_o this_o general_a submission_n he_o speak_v of_o admit_v of_o limitation_n in_o regard_n of_o that_o end_n for_o which_o civil_a society_n be_v institute_v which_o be_v the_o mutual_a defence_n against_o violence_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v certain_a matter_n belong_v to_o every_o private_a person_n derive_v from_o the_o state_n of_o natural_a freedom_n which_o be_v not_o absolute_o leave_v to_o the_o disposal_n of_o sovereign_n at_o least_o no_o further_o than_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o obtain_v that_o end_n religion_n have_v not_o any_o relation_n to_o this_o end_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o subject_n do_v submit_v their_o religion_n to_o the_o arbitrary_a pleasure_n of_o sovereign_n and_o it_o be_v unquestionable_a that_o subject_n may_v exercise_v certain_a act_n belong_v to_o they_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o inherent_a right_n derive_v from_o the_o free_a state_n of_o nature_n and_o independent_a from_o their_o sovereign_n it_o may_v rational_o be_v conclude_v that_o when_o subject_n do_v submit_v themselves_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o their_o sovereign_n it_o be_v do_v with_o this_o supposition_n that_o both_o the_o prince_n and_o subject_n be_v of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o religion_n and_o that_o the_o external_a exercise_n of_o religious_a worship_n be_v not_o leave_v to_o the_o disposal_n of_o the_o first_o any_o further_a than_o in_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v indifferent_a in_o regard_n of_o the_o internal_a part_n of_o it_o what_o be_v allege_v concern_v the_o the_o maintain_v a_o good_a order_n and_o avoid_v of_o confusion_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o main_a end_n for_o which_o civil_a society_n be_v institute_v nor_o have_v it_o any_o relation_n to_o it_o but_o only_o thus_o far_o as_o it_o may_v be_v instrumental_a to_o maintain_v the_o public_a tranquillity_n as_o to_o n._n 2._o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o because_o priest_n have_v a_o dependence_n from_o the_o civil_a power_n in_o certain_a respect_n belong_v to_o its_o jurisdiction_n this_o do_v not_o involve_v religion_n consider_v as_o such_o under_o the_o same_o subjection_n the_o follow_a word_n ought_v also_o to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o a_o christian_a prince_n command_v over_o the_o church_n as_o be_v a_o college_n and_o represent_v one_o single_a person_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n the_o church_n thus_o consider_v be_v a_o civil_a society_n or_o body_n politic_a found_v upon_o the_o public_a authority_n and_o power_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v regard_v as_o be_v in_o the_o same_o condition_n with_o other_o college_n and_o body_n politic_a and_o in_o this_o sense_n a_o king_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o dominion_n whoever_o will_v consider_v the_o real_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n must_v needs_o find_v as_o many_o error_n as_o there_o be_v word_n here_o for_o because_o a_o prince_n have_v the_o sovereign_a jurisdiction_n in_o a_o commonweath_n consist_v of_o christian_a subject_n no_o inference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v that_o therefore_o he_o may_v in_o the_o same_o degree_n exercise_v his_o sovereignty_n in_o the_o church_n as_o in_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o that_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n he_o may_v be_v call_v the_o supreme_a head_n of_o the_o church_n as_o of_o the_o
§_o lxv_o he_o entire_o and_o without_o limitation_n ascribe_v to_o the_o prince_n the_o power_n of_o constitute_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o if_o they_o be_v minister_n of_o the_o state_n but_o in_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n regulate_v according_a to_o god_n own_o institution_n no_o such_o power_n be_v grant_v to_o their_o king_n neither_o have_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o though_o the_o most_o general_a teacher_n that_o ever_o be_v as_o be_v send_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o all_o the_o world_n their_o authority_n of_o teach_v from_o any_o temporal_a sovereign_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o church_n at_o the_o time_n when_o sovereign_n first_o embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n do_v transferr_v this_o power_n of_o constitute_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n without_o limitation_n to_o those_o prince_n though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o sovereign_n have_v a_o considerable_a share_n in_o it_o his_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o care_n parent_n ought_v to_o have_v of_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o child_n do_v not_o reach_v to_o what_o he_o pretend_v to_o prove_v for_o say_v he_o prince_n be_v the_o public_a father_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n it_o belong_v to_o their_o princely_a office_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o eternal_a salvation_n of_o their_o subject_n for_o beside_o that_o the_o title_n of_o father_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v a_o metaphorical_a expression_n the_o fatherly_a and_o the_o regal_a office_n depend_v from_o a_o quite_o different_a principle_n and_o the_o care_n to_o be_v take_v of_o child_n of_o a_o tender_a age_n be_v of_o another_o nature_n with_o that_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v employ_v for_o the_o safety_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n neither_o be_v sovereign_n invest_v with_o the_o supreme_a authority_n to_o enable_v they_o to_o procure_v eternal_a salvation_n to_o their_o subject_n god_n have_v prescribe_v other_o way_n and_o mean_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o a_o prince_n must_v not_o be_v regardless_o of_o this_o care_n nevertheless_o ought_v the_o same_o not_o to_o reach_v beyond_o its_o due_a bound_n but_o must_v be_v effect_v by_o such_o method_n as_o be_v approve_v of_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o suit_n with_o the_o true_a genius_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n wherefore_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o attribute_v to_o sovereign_n a_o power_n of_o obtrude_a any_o religion_n at_o pleasure_n upon_o their_o subject_n it_o be_v beyond_o question_n that_o not_o all_o religion_n be_v conduce_v to_o obtain_v eternal_a salvation_n so_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o believer_n do_v not_o impose_v upon_o his_o child_n what_o religion_n he_o think_v most_o convenient_a but_o he_o charge_v they_o to_o walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n such_o as_o be_v manifest_v to_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n what_o st._n paul_n say_v 1_o tim._n 2._o 2._o be_v very_o well_o worth_a take_a notice_n of_o viz._n that_o the_o chief_a care_n of_o the_o supreme_a governor_n shall_v be_v so_o to_o rule_v over_o their_o subject_n that_o they_o may_v live_v under_o they_o not_o only_o honest_o but_o pious_o this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o eternal_a salvation_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o those_o prince_n for_o who_o the_o apostle_n enjoin_v the_o christian_n to_o pray_v be_v pagan_n make_v but_o little_a account_n of_o piety_n especial_o of_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o christian_n but_o it_o be_v think_v sufficient_a for_o the_o christian_n to_o enjoy_v the_o common_a benefit_n of_o the_o public_a tranquillity_n under_o their_o protection_n the_o rest_n be_v leave_v to_o their_o own_o care_n so_o we_o read_v that_o the_o poet_n enjoyment_n of_o his_o muse_n be_v owe_v to_o augustus_n caesar_n protection_n nevertheless_o the_o emperor_n do_v not_o concern_v himself_o about_o the_o rule_n of_o poetry_n furthermore_o it_o be_v a_o very_a gross_a way_n of_o argue_v when_o he_o assert_n that_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o church_n be_v both_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n under_o a_o christian_a prince_n who_o subject_n also_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o only_a difference_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o their_o different_a qualification_n they_o be_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n to_o be_v consider_v as_o they_o be_v subject_n in_o the_o church_n as_o believer_n it_o seem_v mr._n houtuyn_n look_v upon_o that_o difference_n to_o be_v of_o little_a moment_n which_o arise_v from_o divers_a moral_a qualification_n and_o include_v different_a obligation_n and_o be_v found_v upon_o another_o legal_a principle_n it_o be_v confess_v that_o in_o such_o a_o case_n where_o the_o head_n be_v not_o differ_v in_o his_o natural_a constitution_n from_o the_o right_n and_o power_n belong_v to_o he_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o member_n though_o different_o consider_v under_o divers_a qualification_n be_v nevertheless_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o one_o and_o the_o same_o society_n as_o for_o instance_n if_o a_o prince_n put_v himself_o at_o the_o head_n of_o all_o his_o subject_n upon_o a_o expedition_n these_o though_o they_o may_v be_v consider_v either_o as_o soldier_n or_o subject_n yet_o do_v not_o differ_v in_o any_o essential_a part_n as_o for_o example_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n when_o go_v upon_o their_o expedition_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o joshua_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o afterward_o under_o his_o protection_n enjoy_v and_o inhabit_v the_o country_n of_o canaan_n but_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n though_o compose_v out_o of_o the_o selfsame_a person_n do_v not_o only_o differ_v in_o their_o very_a foundation_n but_o also_o a_o sovereign_n can_v claim_v the_o same_o right_n and_o name_v of_o be_v the_o supreme_a head_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n as_o he_o be_v the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o state_n for_o in_o the_o latter_a he_o exercise_v his_o authority_n without_o control_n be_v subject_a to_o no_o body_n but_o the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n be_v christ_n who_o rule_v it_o by_o his_o word_n announce_v to_o we_o by_o the_o teacher_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o a_o sovereign_n can_v as_o much_o as_o claim_v the_o right_n of_o be_v christ_n vicegerent_n in_o the_o church_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n though_o it_o be_v say_v of_o christ_n that_o all_o power_n be_v give_v unto_o he_o in_o heaven_n and_o upon_o earth_n nevertheless_o it_o can_v be_v say_v of_o he_o to_o be_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n the_o head_n of_o civil_a society_n as_o of_o the_o church_n the_o next_o follow_v assertion_n run_v thus_o where_o the_o whole_a commonwealth_n be_v not_o compose_v out_o of_o christian_n the_o church_n be_v a_o congregation_n of_o the_o believer_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o where_o all_o subject_n be_v christian_n the_o church_n be_v nevertheless_o nothing_o else_o than_o a_o college_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o what_o he_o allege_v of_o the_o church_n be_v sometime_o take_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n with_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v absolute_o false_a for_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o act_n 14_o 23._o and_o those_o in_o titus_n 1._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v no_o synom_n but_o the_o latter_a be_v to_o be_v understand_v thus_o in_o all_o the_o town_n and_o city_n where_o there_o be_v any_o christian_a church_n the_o inference_n he_o will_v make_v from_o the_o military_a function_n and_o the_o administration_n of_o justice_n be_v both_o include_v in_o one_o government_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n both_o of_o they_o owe_v their_o offspring_n to_o that_o end_n for_o which_o civil_a society_n be_v institute_v which_o be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o the_o church_n and_o sovereign_n be_v entrust_v with_o the_o sword_n of_o war_n and_o justice_n not_o with_o the_o ministerial_a function_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v that_o general_n and_o judge_n be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o princely_a office_n but_o not_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o be_v bare_o consider_v as_o such_o not_o proper_o minister_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o state_n but_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n he_o say_v further_a that_o the_o assignation_n of_o the_o ministerial_a function_n do_v not_o appertain_v to_o the_o internal_a part_n of_o religion_n but_o if_o faith_n come_v from_o hear_v and_o no_o body_n can_v believe_v without_o be_v instruct_v it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o those_o that_o preach_v the_o gospel_n have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o internal_a part_n of_o religion_n they_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o the_o instrument_n by_o the_o help_n of_o who_o the_o gospel_n and_o consequent_o the_o faith_n be_v convey_v to_o their_o auditor_n it_o be_v false_a when_o he_o assert_n that_o sovereign_n though_o no_o christian_n have_v
a_o right_n of_o constitute_v minister_n for_o say_v he_o their_o right_n be_v the_o same_o but_o a_o prince_n who_o make_v not_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n though_o he_o have_v christian_a subject_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n and_o allow_v they_o the_o free_a exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n have_v nevertheless_o not_o the_o least_o power_n over_o their_o church_n as_o be_v no_o member_n of_o it_o it_o be_v no_o less_o false_a what_o he_o say_v that_o since_o prince_n be_v become_v christian_n the_o vocation_n of_o minister_n do_v no_o more_o depend_v from_o the_o church_n just_o as_o a_o man_n by_o submit_v himself_o under_o another_o jurisdiction_n be_v no_o more_o at_o his_o own_o disposal_n for_o a_o prince_n by_o become_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n do_v thereby_o not_o make_v himself_o master_n of_o that_o church_n but_o rather_o submit_v to_o the_o obedience_n of_o christ_n the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o encroach_v all_o its_o right_n to_o himself_o but_o only_o can_v claim_v his_o share_n as_o such_o unless_o a_o certain_a church_n shall_v voluntary_o surrender_v its_o right_n as_o far_o as_o it_o lie_v in_o its_o power_n to_o the_o sovereign_n and_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o the_o church_n may_v not_o be_v under_o the_o protection_n of_o a_o christian_a sovereign_a as_o represent_v a_o certain_a person_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o therefore_o to_o act_n and_o decree_n by_o plurality_n of_o vote_n which_o imply_v a_o right_a at_o least_o by_o consent_n for_o there_o be_v a_o medium_fw-la betwixt_o the_o state_n or_o commonwealth_n and_o a_o disorderly_a multitude_n viz._n a_o college_n where_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o a_o coercive_v sovereign_a power_n this_o may_v be_v illustrate_v by_o a_o example_n for_o suppose_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n a_o certain_a society_n or_o company_n of_o merchant_n regulate_v by_o certain_a stature_n of_o their_o own_o under_o the_o direction_n of_o some_o of_o its_o own_o member_n into_o this_o college_n a_o prince_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o member_n pay_v his_o certain_a share_n by_o be_v thus_o make_v a_o member_n of_o this_o company_n he_o have_v not_o obtain_v a_o absolute_a disposal_n over_o this_o society_n but_o rather_o have_v accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o statute_n of_o the_o college_n neither_o can_v he_o claim_v any_o other_o prerogative_n there_o but_o what_o be_v derive_v either_o from_o his_o share_n in_o that_o company_n or_o from_o a_o free_a gift_n and_o voluntary_a consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o its_o member_n and_o as_o a_o member_n of_o this_o college_n he_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v not_o as_o a_o prince_n but_o as_o a_o merchant_n there_o be_v nevertheless_o one_o remarkable_a difference_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o a_o sovereign_a to_o hinder_v the_o set_n up_o of_o such_o a_o society_n which_o be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o church_n he_o plain_o betray_v his_o ignorance_n when_o he_o say_v that_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o multitude_n of_o people_n comprehend_v in_o the_o person_n of_o one_o prince_n from_o whence_o the_o prince_n represent_v the_o people_n like_o one_o public_a person_n through_o who_o the_o whole_a people_n declare_v their_o sentiment_n for_o though_o this_o be_v appliable_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n it_o be_v not_o to_o the_o church_n they_o be_v quite_o different_a from_o one_o another_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o those_o who_o have_v the_o sovereign_a power_n in_o the_o state_n may_v enact_v what_o law_n they_o think_v most_o convenient_a but_o to_o attribute_v the_o same_o power_n to_o sovereign_n over_o the_o church_n be_v a_o madness_n and_o savour_v of_o blasphemy_n and_o suppose_v a_o prince_n shall_v be_v mislead_v into_o error_n or_o heresy_n must_v therefore_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v account_v erroneous_a or_o heretical_a except_o he_o will_v persuade_v we_o also_o that_o prince_n be_v infallible_a wherefore_o in_o those_o place_n where_o the_o election_n of_o minister_n be_v independent_a from_o the_o prince_n it_o be_v suppose_v to_o proceed_v from_o a_o right_o transfer_v unto_o he_o by_o the_o church_n the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v where_o this_o election_n be_v manage_v either_o by_o the_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n but_o in_o case_n the_o same_o be_v do_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n it_o will_v be_v preposterous_a to_o say_v that_o such_o a_o election_n be_v make_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o privilege_n grant_v by_o the_o prince_n mr._n houtuyn_n have_v grant_v before_o that_o the_o pastoral_a function_n not_o be_v annex_v to_o any_o certain_a person_n consider_v as_o such_o have_v no_o dependency_n from_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n but_o owe_v its_o institution_n to_o christ_n nevertheless_o in_o §_o lxvi_o he_o affirm_v that_o the_o actual_a administration_n of_o the_o ministerial_a function_n be_v a_o external_n public_a act_n such_o as_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o civil_a power_n which_o be_v the_o same_o in_o effect_n as_o if_o he_o say_v matrimony_n be_v a_o divine_a institution_n but_o it_o depend_v from_o the_o prince_n whether_o he_o will_v allow_v his_o subject_n to_o marry_v actual_o or_o not_o for_o suppose_v a_o sovereign_n shall_v take_v a_o resolution_n to_o forbid_v the_o ancient_a exercise_n of_o the_o ministerial_a function_n what_o will_v in_o such_o a_o case_n become_v of_o this_o pastoral_n or_o ministerial_a function_n it_o be_v also_o insufferable_a what_o he_o say_v immediate_o after_o a_o election_n be_v a_o voluntary_a act_n therefore_o revocable_a at_o pleasure_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o can_v be_v do_v without_o impair_n the_o reputation_n of_o the_o minister_n what_o relate_v to_o §_o lxvii_o it_o be_v deny_v that_o nebuchadonosor_n have_v any_o legal_a authority_n to_o put_v to_o death_n such_o as_o refuse_v to_o adore_v the_o great_a statue_n set_v up_o by_o his_o order_n for_o a_o prince_n who_o inflict_v any_o punishment_n upon_o his_o subject_n against_o the_o express_a command_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v not_o at_o that_o time_n exercise_v his_o legal_a authority_n but_o commit_v a_o hostile_a and_o tyrannical_a act._n so_o when_o king_n ahab_n under_o pretence_n of_o a_o legal_a process_n and_o by_o subborn_v of_o false_a witness_n possess_v himself_o of_o naboth_n vineyard_n do_v no_o more_o exercise_n his_o legal_a jurisdiction_n than_o a_o guardian_n may_v be_v say_v to_o do_v when_o he_o commit_v a_o rape_n upon_o a_o pupil_n commit_v to_o his_o management_n but_o when_o the_o same_o nebuchadonosor_n publish_v his_o edict_n that_o no_o body_n dare_v to_o blaspheme_v the_o god_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o do_v without_o all_o question_n nothing_o but_o what_o belong_v to_o his_o high_a station_n he_o run_v on_o further_a viz._n that_o peter_n john_n stephen_n paul_n nay_o even_o our_o saviour_n himself_o do_v appear_v before_o the_o sanhedrim_n before_o foelix_n festus_n caesar_n and_o pilate_n without_o take_v the_o least_o exception_n against_o the_o legality_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n what_o can_v be_v more_o false_o invent_v do_v peter_n and_o john_n acknowledge_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o sanhedrim_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n when_o they_o tell_v they_o to_o their_o very_a face_n that_o they_o will_v not_o obey_v their_o command_n of_o not_o preach_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n do_v stephen_n acknowledge_v the_o jurisdiction_n 20._o act._n 4._o 19_o 20._o of_o the_o sanhedrim_n when_o he_o tell_v they_o you_o uncircumcised_a in_o your_o heart_n and_o ear_n you_o always_o resist_v the_o holy_a ghost_n neither_o be_v it_o a_o argument_n that_o paul_n and_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o martyr_n do_v acknowledge_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o those_o prince_n and_o other_o civil_a magistrate_n when_o they_o be_v force_v to_o appear_v before_o they_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v their_o innocence_n there_o be_v no_o other_o tribunal_n to_o which_o they_o can_v appeal_v and_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n look_v upon_o as_o a_o crime_n deserve_v death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o profess_v himself_o a_o christian_n all_o the_o defence_n they_o make_v may_v be_v reduce_v under_o two_o head_n for_o they_o either_o deny_v those_o crime_n lay_v to_o their_o charge_n as_o calumnious_a or_o else_o they_o assert_v even_o to_o the_o last_o that_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v not_o depend_v from_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n and_o those_o magistrate_n that_o absolve_v the_o confessor_n of_o this_o truth_n do_v in_o effect_n give_v this_o sentence_n that_o this_o be_v a_o cause_n not_o belong_v to_o their_o jurisdiction_n it_o be_v a_o wonder_n to_o i_o how_o mr._n houtuyn_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o lawyer_n can_v find_v out_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o least_o resemble_v a_o legal_a process_n in_o that_o
carry_v to_o the_o place_n of_o execution_n it_o be_v plain_a to_o i_o that_o of_o what_o nature_n soever_o their_o confession_n may_v be_v such_o a_o inflexible_a humour_n and_o obstinate_a behaviour_n ought_v not_o to_o go_v unpunished_a §_o 8._o but_o the_o condition_n of_o mankind_n be_v religion_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o reveal_v religion_n such_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a by_o the_o sole_a help_n of_o natural_a religion_n to_o attain_v to_o that_o felicity_n which_o be_v propose_v by_o the_o great_a creator_n it_o have_v please_v the_o great_a and_o alwise_a god_n to_o reveal_v unto_o we_o mortal_n his_o will_n and_o to_o instruct_v we_o by_o what_o mean_v we_o may_v obtain_v his_o favour_n and_o how_o he_o expect_v to_o be_v worship_v by_o we_o it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n that_o no_o body_n of_o a_o right_a understanding_n ought_v to_o make_v the_o least_o scruple_n but_o that_o all_o such_o matter_n as_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o we_o in_o a_o manner_n surpass_v our_o natural_a understanding_n aught_o to_o be_v reverence_v by_o mankind_n and_o to_o be_v receive_v with_o a_o general_a consent_n and_o submission_n among_o the_o several_a doctrine_n thus_o reveal_v the_o article_n of_o justification_n or_o the_o purge_v we_o from_o sin_n through_o the_o merit_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a one_o and_o i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o these_o bloody_a sacrifice_n which_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o world_n be_v institute_v by_o god_n command_n be_v so_o many_o emblem_n of_o this_o our_o redemption_n by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n for_o without_o this_o supposition_n it_o will_v seem_v scarce_o rational_a that_o a_o live_a creature_n sensible_a of_o death_n and_o pain_n and_o which_o can_v be_v kill_v without_o great_a torment_n shall_v be_v destroy_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o its_o creator_n as_o if_o man_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o workhouse_n of_o a_o artificer_n and_o by_o destroy_v his_o handiwork_a pretend_v to_o do_v he_o a_o extraordinary_a honour_n this_o most_o ancient_a way_n of_o sacrifice_v the_o chief_a badge_n of_o true_a religion_n before_o it_o be_v corrupt_v by_o ignorance_n or_o superstition_n though_o it_o be_v no_o small_a addition_n to_o natural_a religion_n yet_o do_v it_o cause_v no_o alteration_n as_o to_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o for_o in_o the_o state_n of_o natural_a freedom_n every_o one_o have_v a_o right_a to_o sacrifice_n though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n every_o one_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o sacrifice_n for_o himself_o for_o this_o ceremony_n of_o sacrifice_a being_n only_o a_o emblem_n represent_v the_o future_a redemption_n of_o mankind_n one_o and_o the_o same_o sacrifice_n may_v answer_v that_o end_n in_o respect_n to_o all_o that_o be_v present_a at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o sacrifice_n from_o hence_o it_o be_v become_v a_o custom_n that_o the_o head_n of_o each_o family_n use_v to_o sacrifice_n for_o the_o rest_n and_o if_o more_o family_n be_v assemble_v in_o order_n to_o sacrifice_n it_o be_v to_o be_v administer_v by_o he_o that_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o rest_n for_o that_o purpose_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o same_o person_n that_o have_v the_o right_n of_o sacrifice_v have_v also_o the_o power_n of_o prescribe_v time_n and_o place_n for_o that_o sacrifice_n thus_o when_o afterward_o god_n have_v ordain_v the_o ceremony_n or_o sacrament_n of_o circumcision_n abraham_n do_v administer_v the_o same_o in_o his_o house_n as_o be_v the_o father_n of_o his_o family_n what_o we_o have_v allege_v concern_v the_o right_n of_o sacrifice_v may_v be_v prove_v from_o thence_o that_o both_o abel_n and_o cain_n after_o they_o have_v leave_v their_o father_n house_n do_v sacrifice_n and_o by_o several_a passage_n in_o genesis_n we_o 4._o gen._n 4._o 3_o 4._o be_v inform_v that_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n be_v father_n of_o their_o family_n do_v erect_v altar_n so_o micha_n set_v up_o a_o house_n of_o god_n at_o home_n during_o the_o anarchy_n in_o israel_n there_o be_v then_o neither_o king_n nor_o any_o other_o man_n that_o take_v care_n of_o the_o public_a worship_n thus_o attribute_v to_o himself_o though_o unjust_o the_o same_o right_n 6._o jude_n 17._o 5_o 6._o which_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o family_n have_v be_v possess_v of_o in_o more_o ancient_a time_n §_o 9_o it_o have_v please_v god_n according_a to_o his_o state_n among_o the_o jew_n there_o be_v a_o strict_a uâ—ion_n betwixt_o the_o church_n and_o state_n wisdom_n not_o to_o send_v our_o saviour_n or_o the_o messiah_n into_o the_o world_n soon_o after_o the_o creation_n at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v not_o stock_v with_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o inhabitant_n lest_o his_o suffering_n may_v be_v obliterated_a by_o oblivion_n or_o by_o a_o too_o long_a tract_n of_o time_n turn_v into_o a_o fabulous_a relation_n but_o he_o be_v to_o appear_v among_o we_o after_o the_o whole_a earth_n be_v fill_v up_o every_o where_n with_o inhabitant_n and_o mankind_n be_v arrive_v as_o it_o be_v to_o its_o age_n of_o perfection_n it_o be_v also_o think_v convenient_a and_o almost_o necessary_a that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v not_o appear_v in_o this_o world_n all_o upon_o a_o sudden_a but_o after_o his_o come_v have_v be_v long_o foretell_v and_o expect_v in_o order_n to_o raise_v a_o more_o ardent_a desire_n after_o he_o in_o we_o mortal_n and_o that_o he_o may_v find_v the_o easy_a a_o reception_n among_o we_o when_o his_o deed_n be_v find_v so_o agreeable_a to_o what_o be_v prophesy_v concern_v he_o so_o many_o age_n before_o and_o that_o these_o prediction_n or_o prophecy_n may_v not_o through_o length_n of_o time_n come_v to_o decay_v and_o be_v bury_v in_o oblivion_n god_n almighty_n have_v in_o a_o most_o peculiar_a manner_n recommend_v they_o to_o the_o care_n and_o custody_n of_o the_o jew_n among_o who_o he_o as_o it_o may_v be_v say_v keep_v his_o record_n of_o prophecy_n it_o be_v the_o most_o likely_a that_o that_o same_o nation_n from_o whence_o the_o messiah_n be_v one_o day_n to_o have_v his_o off_o spring_n as_o man_n upon_o earth_n will_v preserve_v they_o with_o their_o utmost_a care_n to_o their_o great_a honour_n and_o advantage_n it_o be_v questionless_a in_o a_o great_a measure_n for_o this_o reason_n that_o god_n enter_v with_o they_o into_o so_o strict_a a_o league_n circumcision_n be_v make_v the_o bagde_v whereby_o to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o other_o nation_n and_o be_v afterward_o become_v a_o very_a numerous_a people_n and_o free_v from_o the_o egyptian_a bondage_n he_o himself_o establish_v at_o once_o both_o their_o civil_a government_n and_o religion_n which_o be_v not_o to_o cease_v till_o the_o appear_a of_o our_o saviour_n on_o earth_n and_o this_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o there_o be_v always_o to_o remain_v a_o strict_a union_n betwixt_o their_o religion_n and_o state_n therefore_o the_o administration_n of_o religious_a worship_n be_v commit_v to_o one_o particular_a tribe_n among_o they_o unto_o who_o according_a to_o god_n special_a command_n no_o land_n be_v allot_v lest_o they_o may_v thereby_o be_v entice_v to_o mind_n temporal_a possession_n and_o riches_n more_o than_o god_n service_n but_o be_v to_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o the_o ten_o and_o other_o revenue_n belong_v to_o the_o altar_n in_o which_o sense_n god_n be_v call_v the_o portion_n of_o the_o levite_n there_o be_v also_o a_o certain_a place_n assign_v for_o the_o public_a exercise_n of_o divine_a worship_n with_o exclusion_n of_o all_o other_o and_o their_o whole_a religion_n be_v thus_o dispose_v by_o god_n peculiar_a order_n that_o the_o same_o can_v not_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o a_o free_a nation_n independent_a from_o any_o foreign_a power_n this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o the_o jew_n unless_o they_o will_v overturn_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o religion_n can_v not_o be_v entire_o unite_v with_o any_o foreign_a state_n and_o as_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o state_n be_v of_o the_o same_o date_n their_o law_n both_o exclesiastical_a and_o civil_a have_v be_v constitute_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o contain_v in_o one_o book_n so_o be_v the_o union_n betwixt_o their_o religion_n and_o state_n so_o entire_a that_o the_o first_o can_v not_o remain_v stand_v after_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o last_o and_o therefore_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jâ—ws_n be_v a_o infallible_a sign_n of_o the_o total_a abolishment_n of_o their_o religion_n they_o be_v call_v god_n people_n and_o the_o holy_a people_n because_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n public_o profess_v the_o true_a religion_n §_o 10._o but_o because_o god_n himself_o have_v establish_v church_n who_o be_v the_o supreme_a head_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n