show_v forth_o that_o if_o we_o shall_v feed_v upon_o or_o admire_v any_o excellent_a qualification_n or_o endowment_n whatsoever_o and_o not_o have_v the_o eye_n of_o our_o mind_n chief_o unto_o the_o giver_n we_o may_v then_o come_v to_o a_o loss_n from_o all_o whîch_n observe_v that_o our_o adversary_n have_v here_o find_v out_o a_o salve_n or_o better_a construction_n for_o the_o say_a doctrine_n than_o his_o oppose_a and_o contradict_v of_o it_o before_o as_o not_o be_v according_o to_o truth_n at_o this_o rate_n he_o may_v make_v large_a book_n against_o we_o but_o to_o what_o purpose_n thus_o to_o say_v and_o unsay_v as_o if_o he_o shall_v tell_v we_o it_o be_v unsound_a doctrine_n to_o say_v the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o good_a for_o food_n but_o to_o turn_v about_o again_o it_o may_v be_v use_v in_o a_o good_a and_o sound_a sense_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v not_o be_v understand_v to_o reflect_v upon_o all_o that_o have_v use_v that_o expression_n viz._n the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o good_a for_o food_n what_o kind_n of_o preacher_n will_v he_o make_v if_o he_o shall_v tell_v people_n the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v good_a for_o food_n the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o good_a for_o food_n and_o what_o if_o some_o as_o he_o say_v have_v reflect_v on_o the_o wisdom_n that_o be_v sensual_a when_o they_o have_v declare_v the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n not_o good_a for_o food_n what_o unsoundness_n can_v he_o prove_v therein_o as_o to_o the_o allusion_n the_o question_n be_v whether_o man_n by_o transgress_v god_n command_n in_o eat_v of_o that_o tree_n do_v not_o fall_v into_o that_o wisdom_n that_o be_v earthly_a and_o sensual_a or_o devilish_a whether_o that_o sensual_a wisdom_n be_v not_o produce_v in_o man_n by_o that_o transgression_n and_o therefore_o w._n r'_v tell_v we_o that_o which_o be_v a_o discoverer_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a be_v in_o it_o 2d_o self_n good_a as_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v can_v be_v a_o proper_a allusion_n etc._n etc._n we_o be_v sure_a his_o allusion_n and_o comparison_n here_o be_v not_o proper_a nor_o according_a to_o scripture_n he_o here_o confound_v the_o discoverer_n which_o be_v christ_n the_o tree_n of_o life_n with_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n as_o if_o man_n in_o innocency_n be_v forbid_v to_o eat_v of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n for_o our_o opposer_n in_o his_o very_a next_o instance_n p._n 28._o have_v these_o word_n john_n the_o evangelist_n testify_v this_o be_v life_n eternal_a that_o they_o may_v know_v thou_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o thou_o have_v send_v a_o very_a good_a scripture_n but_o no_o proof_n that_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v good_a for_o food_n or_o that_o god_n do_v forbid_v the_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o and_o of_o his_o son_n to_o man_n in_o innocency_n when_o he_o give_v he_o this_o command_n but_o of_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a thou_o shall_v not_o eat_v of_o it_o for_o in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v sure_o die_v gen._n 2._o 17._o this_o tree_n be_v except_v from_o every_o tree_n yield_v seed_n and_o good_a for_o food_n which_o be_v allow_v unto_o man_n gen._n 1._o 29._o and_o 2._o 9_o do_v god_n forbid_v man_n in_o innocency_n the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o maker_n or_o command_v he_o not_o to_o eat_v of_o that_o which_o be_v good_a for_o his_o soul_n food_n no_o sure_a who_o then_o present_v the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n as_o good_a for_o food_n to_o be_v eat_v to_o make_v one_o wise_a &_o c_o it_o be_v the_o serpent_n therefore_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o silent_a in_o it_o the_o serpent_n say_v unto_o the_o woman_n you_o shall_v not_o sure_o die_v for_o god_n do_v know_v that_o in_o the_o day_n you_o eat_v thereof_o your_o eye_n shall_v be_v open_v and_o you_o shall_v be_v as_o god_n know_v good_a and_o evil_a and_o when_o the_o woman_n see_v that_o the_o tree_n be_v good_a for_o food_n and_o a_o tree_n to_o be_v desire_v to_o make_v one_o wise_a she_o take_v of_o the_o fruit_n thereof_o and_o do_v eat_v etc._n etc._n gen._n 3._o 4_o 5_o 6._o do_v the_o serpent_n say_v true_a in_o say_v you_o shall_v not_o sure_o die_v no_o sure_a for_o god_n have_v say_v the_o contrary_a in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o die_v thou_o shall_v die_v therefore_o when_o the_o woman_n see_v that_o the_o tree_n be_v good_a for_o food_n she_o see_v not_o aright_o she_o have_v let_v in_o the_o serpent_n persuasion_n to_o eat_v thereof_o contrary_a to_o god_n command_n there_o be_v a_o eye_n open_a giving_z way_n to_o the_o temptation_n which_o god_n do_v not_o open_a a_o mistake_a sight_n it_o be_v the_o same_o by_o which_o she_o see_v it_o be_v a_o tree_n to_o be_v desire_v to_o make_v one_o wise._n whence_o come_v that_o desire_n but_o from_o the_o serpent_n allurement_n that_o beget_v a_o false_a sight_n a_o misapprehension_n not_o consistent_a with_o the_o law_n of_o innocence_n or_o uncorruptness_n of_o mind_n that_o stand_v in_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o truth_n all_o which_o consider_v our_o opposer_n be_v so_o far_o from_o prove_v any_o of_o we_o apostate_n and_o innovator_n in_o say_v that_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o good_a for_o food_n that_o he_o have_v discover_v his_o own_o apostasy_n and_o innovation_n in_o introduce_v the_o serpent_n doctrine_n contrary_a to_o god_n command_n and_o the_o doctrine_n ancient_o preach_v among_o we_o and_o therein_o we_o can_v believe_v that_o god_n or_o christ_n be_v his_o 3._o teacher_n but_o the_o serpent_n who_o beguile_v eve_n through_o his_o subtlety_n so_o he_o have_v corrupt_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o from_o the_o simplicity_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n to_o feed_v upon_o that_o which_o bring_v death_n over_o they_o and_o to_o fall_v into_o that_o knowledge_n which_o puff_v up_o the_o fleshly_a mind_n and_o that_o eye_n that_o the_o serpent_n open_v be_v not_o a_o single_a but_o a_o evil_a eye_n which_o christ_n come_v to_o blind_a and_o to_o bring_v that_o knowledge_n to_o nought_o that_o puff_v up_o before_o man_n can_v clear_o see_v with_o that_o innocent_a single_a eye_n that_o christ_n open_v or_o partake_v of_o that_o true_a divine_a knowledge_n which_o be_v life_n eternal_a the_o matter_n we_o principal_o aim_v at_o and_o stand_v for_o both_o in_o the_o forego_n and_o follow_v controversy_n on_o our_o part_n be_v include_v in_o these_o general_a proposition_n viz._n i._o that_o since_o the_o term_n church-government_n be_v of_o late_a so_o much_o cast_v upon_o we_o we_o do_v thereby_o intend_v christ_n government_n in_o his_o church_n exercise_v by_o he_o both_o immediate_o and_o instrumental_o ii_o that_o christ_n jesus_n our_o lord_n and_o master_n govern_v rule_n and_o order_n in_o his_o church_n and_o people_n immediate_o and_o principal_o by_o himself_o and_o instrumental_o in_o some_o measure_n by_o his_o minister_n and_o servant_n as_o well_o as_o he_o teach_v and_o instruct_v both_o immediate_o and_o instrumental_o iii_o that_o christ_n govern_v and_o rule_v instrumental_o by_o his_o minister_n and_o servant_n relate_v to_o the_o godly_a care_n good_a instruction_n admonition_n and_o true_a judgement_n give_v to_o and_o minister_v by_o such_o his_o faithful_a servant_n minister_n and_o elder_n in_o truth_n who_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v overseer_n 12_o and_o appoint_v for_o help_n and_o government_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o sake_n especial_o of_o the_o young_a and_o weak_a member_n child_n and_o such_o as_o be_v under_o age_n as_o to_o truth_n and_o experience_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n it_o be_v about_o this_o last_o proposition_n that_o the_o controversy_n do_v most_o depend_v for_o christ_n immediate_a rule_n and_o government_n in_o the_o conscience_n be_v in_o word_n own_v by_o our_o opposer_n iu._n no_o other_o kind_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o substance_n nature_n and_o end_n do_v we_o at_o this_o day_n plead_v for_o than_o what_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o primitive_a christian_a church_n before_o the_o apostasy_n in_o a_o spiritual_a persuasive_a convince_v way_n and_o manner_n suitable_a to_o christ_n spiritual_a kingdom_n which_o prosper_v by_o his_o truth_n and_o meekness_n righteousness_n and_o true_a judgement_n wherein_o we_o acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v our_o king_n lord_n and_o lawgiver_n all_o carnal_a force_n and_o rigour_n be_v exclude_v his_o kingdom_n v._o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n we_o utter_o deny_v and_o detest_v exercise_v lordship_n over_o god_n heritage_n or_o seek_v dominion_n over_o the_o faith_n and_o conscience_n of_o his_o people_n and_o assume_v to_o ourselves_o any_o power_n dominion_n or_o arbitrary_a jurisdiction_n over_o their_o
by_o his_o light_n in_o we_o or_o from_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n since_o the_o appearance_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n to_o expect_v that_o any_o shall_v be_v invest_v with_o power_n from_o on_o high_a to_o establish_v such_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o conscience_n muchless_a to_o expect_v that_o the_o child_n of_o light_n under_o the_o new_a covenant_n shall_v be_v lead_v by_o the_o eternal_a spirit_n and_o word_n nigh_o in_o the_o heart_n unto_o such_o a_o conformity_n part_n 3._o pag._n 82_o 83._o it_o be_v a_o bless_a thing_n for_o brethren_n to_o dwell_v together_o in_o love_n and_o unity_n this_o aught_o to_o consist_v in_o the_o truth_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o there_o be_v many_o who_o be_v ready_a to_o conclude_v that_o a_o universal_a unity_n ought_v to_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o assistance_n of_o outward_a instrument_n that_o as_o we_o be_v member_n of_o one_o body_n so_o we_o may_v not_o only_o be_v one_o in_o faith_n one_o in_o doctrine_n but_o also_o one_o in_o practice_n with_o relation_n to_o discipline_n order_n &_o outward_a form_n of_o government_n my_o soul_n shall_v rejoice_v to_o see_v that_o day_n wherein_o we_o may_v all_o be_v so_o lead_v by_o the_o appearance_n of_o christ_n spirit_n in_o we_o under_o his_o government_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v exalt_v over_o all_o as_o that_o this_o oneness_n may_v thereby_o be_v witness_v among_o all_o the_o family_n of_o god_n people_n at_o this_o day_n qu._n 1._o be_v it_o not_o evident_a that_o one_o while_n he_o declare_v that_o he_o and_o they_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o expect_v that_o oneness_n which_o another_o while_n he_o shall_v rejoice_v to_o see_v the_o day_n we_o may_v all_o be_v lead_v by_o christ_n to_o witness_v it_o viz._n oneness_n in_o faith_n oneness_n in_o doctrine_n oneness_n in_o practice_n discipline_n order_n and_o outward_a form_n of_o government_n qu._n 2._o how_o shall_v that_o universal_a unity_n be_v establish_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o outward_a instrument_n or_o that_o oneness_n in_o faith_n doctrine_n practice_n discipline_n order_n and_o form_n of_o government_n be_v witness_v by_o the_o lead_n of_o christ_n spirit_n if_o we_o have_v no_o true_a ground_n at_o all_o to_o expect_v that_o any_o shall_v be_v invest_v with_o power_n from_o on_o high_a to_o be_v instrumental_a therein_o nor_o yet_o that_o the_o child_n of_o the_o light_n shall_v be_v lead_v into_o any_o such_o conformity_n by_o the_o eternal_a spirit_n strange_a confusion_n part_n 2._o pag._n 27._o obj._n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o divers_a among_o you_o call_v quaker_n etc._n etc._n tel_v we_o that_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o good_a for_o food_n w._n r_n answ._n it_o be_v very_o true_a however_o that_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o all_o such_o expression_n be_v according_a to_o truth_n etc._n etc._n pag._n 28._o as_o to_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a though_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o positive_o declare_v whether_o it_o be_v good_a for_o food_n or_o no_o a_o father_n may_v command_v his_o child_n not_o to_o eat_v a_o apple_n his_o rebellious_a eat_v will_v be_v no_o argument_n that_o the_o apple_n in_o itself_o be_v not_o good_a for_o food_n p._n 29._o we_o know_v not_o on_o what_o foot_n of_o truth_n any_o one_o can_v assert_v that_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o good_a for_o food_n as_o in_o itself_o part_n 2._o page_n 29._o i_o will_v not_o be_v understand_v to_o reflect_v on_o all_o that_o have_v use_v that_o expression_n viz._n the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o good_a for_o food_n because_o i_o question_v not_o but_o many_o have_v so_o express_v themselves_o to_o show_v forth_o that_o if_o we_o shall_v feed_v upon_o or_o admire_v any_o excellent_a qualification_n or_o endowment_n whatsoever_o &_o not_o have_v the_o eye_n of_o our_o mind_n chief_o unto_o the_o giver_n we_o may_v then_o come_v to_o a_o loss_n even_o as_o adam_n do_v qu._n 1._o if_o he_o count_v the_o doctrine_n erroneous_a or_o not_o of_o the_o truth_n to_o say_v that_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o good_a for_o food_n do_v not_o this_o reflect_v on_o all_o that_o have_v use_v that_o expression_n qu._n 2._o and_o be_v it_o not_o erroneous_a and_o ignorance_n in_o w._n r._n not_o only_o to_o esteem_v the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n a_o excellent_a qualification_n or_o endowment_n but_o to_o compare_v it_o to_o that_o which_o be_v a_o discoverer_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v life_n eternal_a quote_v john_n 17._o 3._o pag._n 28._o and_o in_o commendation_n of_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n to_o prove_v it_o good_a for_o food_n to_o add_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o knowledge_n be_v the_o way_n to_o life_n qu._n 3._o do_v god_n forbid_v the_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o the_o knowledge_n which_o be_v life_n eternal_a that_o knowledge_n which_o be_v the_o way_n to_o life_n to_o man_n in_o that_o state_n of_o innocency_n in_o the_o beginning_n let_v this_o be_v consider_v qu._n 4._o can_v it_o be_v good_a doctrine_n to_o say_v that_o the_o serpent_n persuade_v eve_n to_o that_o knowledge_n which_o be_v the_o way_n to_o life_n or_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v life_n eternal_a can_v that_o be_v the_o knowledge_n that_o god_n forbid_v man_n to_o eat_v of_o be_v not_o this_o very_a absurd_a to_o render_v the_o serpent_n more_o kind_a to_o man_n than_o his_o maker_n be_v w._n r._n part_n 2._o pag._n 43._o we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o condemn_v all_o those_o who_o pay_v they_o that_o be_v tithe_n and_o not_o as_o by_o constraint_n that_o we_o look_v upon_o it_o to_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o alice_n profess_v christianity_n to_o contribute_v etc._n etc._n and_o if_o the_o charity_n of_o any_o shall_v be_v such_o as_o to_o bestow_v upon_o they_o i._n e._n their_o minister_n one_o five_o part_n instead_o of_o a_o ten_o far_o be_v it_o from_o we_o to_o coudemn_v it_o part_n 4._o p._n 39_o j._n w._n and_o j._n s._n in_o their_o testimony_n viz._n as_o to_o tithe_n we_o can_v in_o truth_n say_v it_o be_v never_o so_o much_o as_o in_o our_o heart_n to_o speak_v any_o word_n whatsoever_o with_o the_o least_o intent_n to_o strengthen_v any_o in_o the_o payment_n thereof_o nor_o yet_o to_o weaken_v the_o faith_n of_o any_o have_v a_o testimony_n in_o our_o heart_n that_o tithe_n as_o at_o this_o day_n pay_v be_v antichristian_a and_o part_v 4._o pag._n 9_o in_o j._n w_n answer_n viz._n i_o bring_v in_o a_o testimony_n against_o tithe_n no_z such_o word_n speak_v by_o i_o as_o to_o put_v a_o indifferency_n concern_v testimony_n for_o god_n against_o the_o grand_a oppression_n of_o tithe_n the_o word_n of_o life_n to_o stir_v they_o up_o with_o testimony_n against_o the_o grand_a oppression_n of_o tithe_n observe_v qu._n whether_o the_o liberty_n w._n r._n have_v here_o grant_v for_o the_o free_a payment_n of_o tithe_n be_v not_o a_o innovation_n tend_v to_o beget_v into_o a_o looseness_n and_o apostasy_n from_o our_o ancient_a christian_a testimony_n against_o tithe_n and_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o contradictory_n to_o j._n w._n and_o j._n s._n their_o testimony_n cite_v by_o himself_o against_o tithe_n part_n 1._o pag._n 48._o w._n r._n except_v against_o r._n b_n affirm_v that_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v power_n in_o some_o case_n that_o be_v matter_n of_o conscience_n to_o give_v positive_a sentence_n or_o decision_n which_o may_v be_v obligatory_a upon_o believer_n and_o that_o their_o give_v a_o positive_a sentence_n in_o such_o case_n will_v not_o import_v tyranny_n neither_o will_v the_o pretence_n of_o any_o contradict_v they_o or_o refuse_v to_o submit_v on_o the_o account_n they_o see_v it_o not_o excuse_v they_o of_o be_v guilty_a of_o disobey_v god_n w._n r._n object_n viz._n clearly_n show_v to_o we_o his_o meaning_n to_o be_v that_o in_o some_o case_n the_o conscience_n of_o believer_n ought_v to_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o positive_a sentence_n of_o other_o this_o mean_v and_o government_n we_o take_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o truth_n and_o liberty_n we_o have_v in_o christ_n jesus_n part_n 1._o pag._n 43._o whereas_o it_o be_v jealouse_v some_o be_v run_v into_o looseness_n and_o say_v the_o light_n in_o my_o conscience_n condemn_v i_o not_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v the_o care_n of_o faithful_a brethren_n to_o appear_v as_o watch_z men_n overdo_n the_o flock_n we_o say_v so_o too_o and_o those_o who_o approve_v themselves_o watchman_n will_v endeavour_v to_o convince_v such_o who_o in_o very_a deed_n run_v into_o looseness_n etc._n etc._n that_o though_o they_o may_v
property_n or_o the_o property_n of_o any_o other_o people_n in_o outward_a thing_n but_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v and_o stand_v for_o justice_n and_o right_n between_o man_n and_o man_n against_o all_o injurious_a and_o unjust_a action_n and_o deal_n we_o be_v for_o do_v to_o all_o man_n as_o we_o will_v they_o shall_v do_v unto_o we_o god_n be_v our_o record_n for_o our_o christian_a principle_n and_o conscientious_a tenderness_n in_o these_o matter_n however_o our_o adversary_n have_v asperse_v we_o to_o the_o contrary_a from_o his_o perverse_a and_o cruel_a jealousy_n disaffect_v xlii_o in_o the_o title_n page_n of_o the_o three_o part_n of_o the_o christian-quaker_n so_o call_v there_o be_v this_o passage_n viz._n w._n r._n manifest_v that_o there_o be_v but_o two_o sort_n of_o government_n own_v by_o the_o child_n of_o light_n or_o christian-quaker_n one_o be_v the_o outward_a government_n under_o which_o we_o live_v the_o other_o be_v the_o inward_a government_n of_o christ_n who_o alone_o be_v lord_n over_o the_o conscience_n which_o be_v not_o represent_v by_o person_n visible_a by_o carnal_a eye_n invest_v with_o power_n from_o he_o to_o execute_v outward_a law_n prescription_n order_n edict_n or_o decree_n in_o a_o outward_a form_n of_o government_n 1672._o visible_a as_o aforesaid_a observe_v first_o that_o w._n r._n and_o his_o party_n be_v by_o he_o account_v the_o christian-quaker_n and_o child_n of_o light_n and_o that_o all_o those_o that_o be_v not_o in_o unity_n with_o he_o and_o they_o nor_o of_o his_o party_n be_v count_v apostate_n and_o innovator_n and_o why_o so_o but_o because_o they_o be_v for_o some_o outward_a law_n order_n etc._n etc._n in_o a_o outward_a form_n of_o order_n and_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v visible_a second_o that_o this_o outward_a order_n and_o visible_a form_n be_v such_o as_o by_o his_o sense_n and_o state_n of_o the_o case_n be_v both_o render_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o outward_a government_n under_o which_o we_o live_v and_o against_o the_o inward_a government_n of_o christ_n insomuch_o that_o all_o the_o people_n call_v quaker_n who_o be_v for_o outward_a and_o visible_a form_n and_o order_n among_o they_o be_v put_v under_o the_o character_n of_o the_o apostate_n and_o innovator_n and_o this_o still_o tend_v to_o expose_v they_o to_o persecution_n whereas_o our_o innocent_a conversation_n and_o peaceable_a deportment_n towards_o the_o outward_a government_n under_o which_o we_o live_v have_v be_v and_o be_v well_o know_v to_o be_v such_o as_o neither_o our_o opposer_n be_v able_a to_o disprove_v nor_o need_v we_o here_o vindicate_v ourselves_o therein_o although_o unjust_o render_v as_o neither_o consistent_a with_o the_o outward_a and_o national_a government_n which_o have_v be_v the_o charge_n of_o our_o persecutor_n nor_o yet_o with_o christ_n inward_a and_o spiritual_a government_n this_o appear_v not_o only_o malicious_a but_o absurd_a as_o if_o because_o christ_n immediate_a government_n and_o kingdom_n be_v inward_a and_o spiritual_a in_o the_o conscience_n therefore_o he_o must_v have_v no_o visible_a minister_n in_o his_o kingdom_n no_o visible_a order_n and_o form_n of_o government_n under_o his_o dominion_n no_o visible_a person_n exercise_v in_o any_o rule_n outward_a order_n law_n or_o decree_n under_o his_o government_n as_o if_o all_o christ_n minister_n apostle_n elder_n overseer_n help_n government_n which_o be_v appoint_v by_o he_o in_o his_o church_n with_o all_o the_o instruction_n decree_n and_o command_v of_o the_o apostle_n set_v in_o order_n thing_n that_o be_v lack_v do_v all_o thing_n decent_o and_o in_o order_n be_v aâ—â—_n invisible_a and_o nothing_o outward_a visible_a or_o formal_a because_o christ_n inward_a and_o spiritual_a government_n whence_o these_o proceed_v be_v invisible_a we_o can_v make_v no_o better_o argue_v than_o this_o kind_n in_o our_o adversary_n distinction_n of_o his_o christian-quaker_n from_o the_o apostate_n and_o innovator_n nor_o deduce_v a_o more_o natural_a inference_n from_o his_o opposition_n against_o visible_a person_n be_v concern_v in_o a_o outward_a form_n of_o government_n and_o order_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n but_o three_o how_o do_v he_o consist_v with_o himself_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o paper_n which_o he_o say_v be_v account_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o separation_n in_o the_o north_n 2d_o part_n pag._n 78._o which_o paper_n be_v subscribe_v by_o his_o say_a honourable_a friend_n j._n w._n and_o j._n s._n and_o above_o eighty_o more_o person_n in_o which_o paper_n be_v these_o word_n and_o term_n viz._n we_o who_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o church_n and_o in_o their_o behalf_n to_o act_n some_o of_o other_o county_n and_o some_o among_o ourselves_o not_o choose_v by_o the_o church_n have_v usurp_v authority_n over_o we_o the_o meeting_n by_o who_o we_o be_v employ_v our_o man_n who_o have_v their_o authority_n give_v they_o by_o the_o church_n choice_n and_o consent_n be_v hinder_v by_o other_o not_o so_o appoint_v to_o who_o we_o give_v no_o power_n by_o our_o consent_n but_o do_v deny_v that_o they_o have_v have_v authority_n from_o we_o to_o dispose_v of_o our_o collection_n or_o record_n or_o order_n or_o matter_n of_o our_o concern_v our_o choose_a man_n they_o who_o be_v not_o choose_v by_o the_o church_n you_o who_o be_v concern_v and_o right_o choose_v by_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n with_o many_o other_o passage_n in_o the_o say_a paper_n all_o which_o intimate_a authority_n power_n and_o government_n together_o with_o record_n order_n etc._n etc._n what_o power_n as_o a_o church_n they_o assurn_v to_o choose_v person_n to_o act_v in_o their_o concern_v and_o give_v power_n to_o person_n therein_o so_o that_o here_o be_v w._n r_n great_a intimate_v friend_n for_o a_o sort_n of_o a_o church-government_n authority_n order_n instruction_n prescription_n etc._n etc._n do_v he_o not_o deserve_v to_o be_v severe_o reprove_v by_o they_o for_o so_o manifest_o contradict_v they_o who_o cause_n he_o pretend_v to_o plead_v by_o his_o publish_v such_o a_o great_a book_n against_o church-government_n visible_a form_n order_n etc._n etc._n and_o now_o we_o will_v ask_v w._n r._n if_o those_o church_n choose_v and_o give_v power_n to_o other_o and_o the_o person_n choose_v to_o be_v employ_v in_o their_o affair_n be_v all_o invisible_a and_o their_o affair_n and_o business_n invisible_a and_o their_o respective_a meeting_n with_o the_o method_n they_o intend_v therein_o invisible_a and_o their_o record_n and_o order_n invisible_a sure_o the_o say_a paper_n of_o they_o with_o the_o limit_v prescription_n therein_o be_v not_o invisible_a any_o more_o than_o the_o person_n that_o form_v they_o four_o but_o see_v w._n r._n be_v so_o much_o for_o invisibility_n in_o church-order_n government_n etc._n etc._n it_o have_v be_v well_o his_o great_a book_n of_o division_n and_o those_o his_o confuse_a opposition_n and_o gainsaying_n have_v never_o be_v so_o visible_a but_o keep_v all_o invisible_a that_o he_o may_v not_o have_v trouble_v poor_a simplehearted_n friend_n and_o the_o world_n with_o such_o his_o groundless_a jealousy_n and_o ill_o manage_v controversy_n we_o be_v persuade_v if_o this_o his_o fruitless_a work_n have_v be_v all_o keep_v in_o obscurity_n and_o invisibility_n it_o have_v be_v far_o more_o reputable_a for_o he_o than_o it_o now_o be_v or_o ever_o like_a to_o be_v in_o its_o visibility_n howbeit_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o vary_v in_o his_o objection_n against_o visible_a person_n be_v invest_v with_o power_n to_o execute_v law_n prescription_n order_n etc._n etc._n under_o christ_n government_n in_o a_o outward_a visible_a form_n whereas_o this_o objection_n be_v absolute_a in_o other_o place_n he_o seem_v to_o restrict_n and_o qualify_v it_o with_o this_o frequent_a addition_n viz._n whether_o they_o see_v it_o their_o duty_n or_o no_o that_o be_v that_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o obey_v outward_a prescription_n order_n etc._n etc._n unless_o they_o see_v it_o their_o duty_n as_o for_o instance_n see_v his_o 3d_o part_n p._n 9_o pretend_a on_o behalf_n of_o christ_n government_n and_o his_o spirit_n be_v guidance_n into_o all_o truth_n he_o give_v this_o testimony_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n either_o from_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n without_o we_o or_o light_n of_o christ_n within_o we_o to_o believe_v that_o any_o christian_a professor_n can_v in_o truth_n affirm_v that_o there_o be_v outward_a prescription_n and_o order_n give_v forth_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n through_o any_o one_o or_o more_o mortal_a man_n in_o this_o our_o day_n which_o other_o ought_v to_o obey_v and_o follow_v whether_o they_o see_v it_o their_o duty_n or_o no._n observe_v again_o here_o that_o his_o objection_n be_v not_o absolute_a as_o before_o against_o visible_a person_n be_v invest_v with_o power_n from_o christ_n