at_o other_o place_n for_o occasional_a sacrifice_n for_o as_o god_n reserve_v a_o liberty_n to_o himself_o to_o dispense_v with_o his_o own_o law_n in_o extraordinary_a case_n so_o it_o be_v presume_v that_o what_o be_v do_v by_o prophet_n be_v do_v by_o a_o divine_a command_n but_o there_o be_v to_o be_v no_o ordinary_a or_o stand_a altar_n for_o sacrifice_n but_o at_o the_o tabernacle_n or_o temple_n this_o we_o may_v see_v in_o that_o dispute_n which_o have_v like_a to_o have_v happen_v between_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o tribe_n of_o reuben_n and_o gad_n and_o the_o half_a tribe_n of_o manasseh_n about_o the_o altar_n of_o testimony_n which_o these_o two_o tribe_n and_o a_o half_a build_v on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o jordan_n joshua_n it_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o have_v it_o be_v intend_v for_o a_o altar_n for_o sacrifice_n it_o have_v be_v rebellion_n against_o the_o lord_n to_o have_v build_v any_o altar_n beside_o the_o altar_n of_o the_o lord_n 23._o though_o they_o have_v offer_v no_o sacrifice_n but_o to_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n the_o same_o be_v evident_a from_o god_n dislike_n of_o their_o offering_n sacrifice_n in_o their_o high_a place_n though_o they_o sacrifice_v only_o to_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n so_o that_o all_o sacrifice_n be_v to_o be_v offer_v at_o the_o temple_n on_o the_o altar_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o be_v offer_v only_o to_o that_o god_n who_o temple_n and_o altar_n it_o be_v and_o indeed_o this_o be_v express_o provide_v for_o in_o the_o law_n 2d_o he_o that_o sacrifice_v to_o any_o god_n but_o to_o the_o lord_n only_o shall_v be_v utter_o destroy_v and_o as_o their_o sacrifice_n be_v appropriate_v to_o the_o temple_n so_o in_o some_o sense_n be_v their_o prayer_n which_o be_v offer_v up_o in_o virtue_n of_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o therefore_o this_o be_v a_o peculiar_a name_n for_o the_o temple_n that_o it_o be_v the_o house_n of_o prayer_n 8._o here_o god_n be_v more_o immediate_o present_a to_o hear_v those_o prayer_n which_o be_v offer_v to_o he_o according_a to_o solomon_n prayer_n at_o the_o dedication_n of_o the_o temple_n it_o be_v true_a the_o devout_a jew_n do_v pray_v to_o god_n where_o ever_o they_o be_v though_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o temple_n whether_o in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n or_o out_o of_o it_o but_o then_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n which_o show_v that_o relation_n their_o prayer_n have_v to_o the_o temple_n worship_n 1._o that_o their_o state_v hour_n of_o prayer_n be_v the_o hour_n of_o sacrifice_n which_o plain_o signify_v that_o they_o offer_v up_o their_o prayer_n in_o conjunction_n with_o those_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n offer_v in_o the_o temple_n and_o therefore_o that_o they_o pray_v only_o to_o that_o god_n to_o who_o they_o sacrifice_v for_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o the_o constant_a morning_n and_o evening_n sacrifice_n be_v not_o particular_a sacrifice_n but_o be_v offer_v for_o the_o whole_a congregation_n of_o israel_n and_o therefore_o every_o man_n have_v a_o share_n in_o they_o hence_o the_o time_n of_o offer_v the_o sacrifice_n be_v call_v the_o hour_n of_o prayer_n thus_o peter_n and_o john_n go_v up_o together_o into_o the_o temple_n at_o the_o hour_n of_o prayer_n be_v the_o nine_o hour_n 1._o that_o be_v the_o time_n of_o the_o evening_n sacrifice_n hence_o be_v such_o expression_n as_o that_o of_o the_o psalmist_n let_v my_o prayer_n be_v set_v before_o thou_o as_o incense_n and_o the_o lift_n up_o of_o my_o hand_n as_o the_o evening_n sacrifice_n nay_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o when_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v destroy_v and_o the_o people_n carry_v captive_a into_o babylon_n and_o the_o daily_a sacrifice_n cease_v yet_o the_o devout_a people_n observe_v the_o hour_n of_o sacrifice_n for_o their_o prayer_n thus_o daniel_n pray_v three_o time_n a_o day_n which_o most_o likely_o be_v evening_n and_o morning_n and_o noon_n 17._o where_o evening_n and_o morning_n no_o doubt_n signify_v the_o time_n of_o the_o evening_n and_o morning_n sacrifice_n and_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o angel_n gabriel_n come_v to_o daniel_n while_o he_o be_v pray_v 21._o and_o touch_v he_o about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o evening_n oblation_n but_o 2_o beside_o this_o when_o they_o offer_v up_o their_o prayer_n to_o god_n in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o nation_n or_o in_o other_o country_n they_o pray_v towards_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n as_o we_o now_o lift_v up_o our_o eye_n to_o heaven_n where_o god_n dwell_v thus_o solomon_n in_o his_o prayer_n of_o dedication_n do_v not_o only_o beg_v of_o god_n to_o hear_v those_o prayer_n which_o be_v make_v to_o he_o in_o that_o house_n but_o those_o also_o which_o be_v make_v towards_o it_o as_o the_o word_n must_v signify_v in_o several_a place_n in_o general_n he_o pray_v 30._o harken_v thou_o to_o the_o prayer_n of_o thy_o servant_n and_o of_o thy_o people_n israel_n when_o they_o shall_v pray_v towards_o this_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v signify_v both_o in_o and_o towards_o this_o place_n and_o here_o include_v both_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o follow_a instance_n which_o refer_v both_o to_o prayer_n make_v in_o the_o temple_n and_o to_o those_o prayer_n which_o be_v make_v towards_o the_o temple_n by_o person_n who_o be_v at_o a_o distance_n thus_o in_o what_o ever_o part_n of_o the_o nation_n they_o want_v rain_n which_o may_v be_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v to_o pray_v towards_o this_o place_n 35._o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o case_n of_o famine_n and_o pestilence_n etc._n etc._n or_o if_o they_o be_v besiege_v in_o any_o of_o their_o city_n when_o they_o can_v not_o go_v to_o the_o temple_n to_o pray_v 37._o nay_o what_o prayer_n or_o supplication_n soever_o shall_v be_v make_v by_o any_o man_n or_o by_o all_o thy_o people_n israel_n which_o shall_v know_v every_o man_n the_o plague_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n 39_o and_o spread_v forth_o his_o hand_n towards_o this_o house_n then_o hear_v thou_o in_o heaven_n thy_o dwell_a place_n and_o forgive_v thus_o when_o they_o go_v out_o to_o battle_n they_o be_v to_o pray_v towards_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n 44._o and_o towards_o the_o temple_n and_o when_o they_o be_v carry_v captive_a into_o their_o enemy_n land_n they_o be_v to_o pray_v to_o god_n towards_o the_o land_n which_o god_n have_v give_v they_o towards_o the_o holy_a city_n and_o towards_o the_o temple_n and_o according_o it_o be_v the_o constant_a practice_n of_o daniel_n 48._o when_o he_o be_v in_o babylon_n to_o pray_v three_o time_n a_o day_n to_o god_n with_o his_o window_n open_a in_o his_o chamber_n towards_o jerusalem_n 10._o so_o that_o though_o the_o temple_n be_v not_o the_o only_a place_n where_o they_o may_v lawful_o pray_v to_o god_n yet_o all_o their_o prayer_n be_v to_o be_v direct_v to_o the_o temple_n and_o receive_v their_o virtue_n and_o acceptation_n from_o their_o relation_n to_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o temple-worship_n this_o be_v a_o stand_a rule_n for_o the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n that_o whenever_o they_o pray_v they_o offer_v up_o their_o prayer_n in_o the_o temple_n or_o towards_o it_o and_o this_o be_v general_o observe_v by_o they_o to_o this_o day_n for_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o general_o now_o turn_v themselves_o towards_o the_o east_n when_o they_o pray_v be_v not_o out_o of_o any_o respect_n to_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n but_o because_o they_o live_v in_o western_a country_n 222_o and_o so_o by_o turn_v to_o the_o east_n they_o look_v towards_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o place_n where_o the_o temple_n stand_v and_o this_o be_v as_o plain_a evidence_n that_o all_o their_o prayer_n as_o well_o as_o sacrifice_n be_v to_o be_v offer_v only_o to_o that_o god_n who_o dwell_v in_o the_o temple_n and_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v command_v to_o pray_v to_o god_n 7â—_n and_o this_o be_v make_v the_o peculiar_a attribute_n of_o god_n that_o he_o hear_v prayer_n and_o therefore_o unto_o he_o shall_v all_o flesh_n come_v so_o they_o be_v express_o command_v not_o to_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o name_n of_o the_o heathen_a god_n that_o be_v not_o to_o pray_v to_o they_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o heathen_n consist_v of_o a_o frequent_a repetition_n of_o the_o name_n of_o their_o god_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n who_o cry_v from_o morning_n till_o evening_n 26._o say_v o_o baal_n hear_v we_o thus_o the_o jew_n be_v command_v to_o bring_v all_o their_o vow_n first_o fruit_n tithe_n and_o offering_n to_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a sign_n to_o who_o they_o be_v offer_v the_o seventh-day-sabbath_n be_v a_o sign_n that_o they_o worship_v
because_o we_o can_v expect_v no_o blessing_n from_o god_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o covenant_n which_o he_o purchase_v and_o seal_v with_o his_o blood_n but_o now_o a_o mediator_n of_o pure_a intercession_n without_o regard_n to_o any_o atonement_n make_v for_o sin_n or_o any_o covenant_n of_o redemption_n such_o as_o saint_n and_o angel_n and_o the_o bless_a virgin_n be_v make_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v a_o mighty_a reproach_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n it_o clothes_v god_n with_o the_o passion_n and_o infirmity_n of_o earthly_a prince_n represent_v he_o as_o extreme_o fond_a of_o some_o of_o his_o creature_n and_o very_o regardless_o of_o other_o as_o if_o his_o kindness_n to_o some_o favourite_n saint_n be_v a_o more_o powerful_a motive_n to_o he_o to_o do_v good_a than_o his_o own_o love_n to_o goodness_n as_o if_o he_o know_v not_o when_o nor_o to_o who_o to_o show_v mercy_n without_o their_o direction_n or_o counsel_n or_o will_v not_o do_v it_o without_o their_o importunity_n as_o if_o some_o of_o his_o creature_n have_v as_o much_o the_o ascendant_n over_o he_o as_o some_o favourite_n have_v over_o their_o prince_n who_o can_v with_o a_o word_n speak_v have_v any_o thing_n of_o they_o and_o extort_v favour_n from_o they_o even_o against_o their_o will_n and_o inclination_n no_o man_n can_v think_v there_o be_v any_o need_n of_o such_o intercessor_n and_o mediator_n with_o god_n who_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v infinite_o wise_a and_o to_o be_v infinite_o good_a to_o know_v when_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o hear_v and_o to_o answer_v and_o to_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o do_v what_o his_o own_o wisdom_n judge_n fit_a to_o be_v do_v there_o can_v be_v no_o place_n for_o such_o intercession_n and_o entreaty_n to_o a_o infinite_o perfect_a be_v for_o they_o always_o suppose_v some_o great_a weakness_n or_o defect_n in_o he_o who_o want_v they_o for_o even_o a_o wise_a and_o a_o good_a man_n want_v no_o mediator_n to_o persuade_v he_o to_o do_v that_o good_a which_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v the_o objection_n against_o this_o be_v very_o obvious_a and_o the_o answer_n i_o think_v be_v as_o easy_a the_o objection_n be_v this_o if_o god_n be_v so_o good_a that_o he_o need_v not_o such_o prayer_n and_o intercession_n to_o move_v he_o to_o do_v good_a why_o do_v we_o pray_v for_o ourselves_o why_o do_v we_o pray_v for_o one_o another_o why_o do_v we_o desire_v the_o prayer_n of_o good_a man_n here_o on_o earth_n why_o be_v it_o a_o great_a reproach_n to_o the_o divine_a perfection_n to_o beg_v the_o prayer_n of_o st._n paul_n or_o st._n peter_n now_o they_o be_v in_o heaven_n than_o to_o have_v beg_v their_o prayer_n while_o they_o have_v be_v on_o earth_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v when_o we_o pray_v for_o ourselves_o i_o suppose_v we_o do_v not_o pray_v as_o mediator_n but_o as_o supplicant_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o reasonable_a than_o that_o those_o who_o want_v mercy_n or_o any_o other_o blessing_n shall_v ask_v for_o it_o it_o be_v certain_o no_o reproach_n to_o the_o divine_a goodness_n that_o god_n make_v prayer_n the_o condition_n of_o our_o receive_n which_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a condition_n and_o very_o necessary_a to_o maintain_v a_o constant_a sense_n and_o reverence_n of_o god_n and_o a_o constant_a dependence_n on_o he_o and_o when_o we_o pray_v for_o one_o another_o on_o earth_n we_o be_v as_o mere_a supplicant_n as_o when_o we_o pray_v for_o ourselves_o and_o to_o pray_v as_o supplicant_n be_v a_o very_a different_a thing_n from_o pray_v as_o advocate_n as_o mediator_n as_o patron_n the_o virtue_n of_o the_o first_o consist_v only_o in_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o prayer_n the_o second_o in_o the_o favour_n and_o interest_n of_o the_o person_n this_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o own_v when_o she_o allow_v no_o mediator_n and_o advocate_n but_o saint_n in_o heaven_n which_o be_v a_o sign_n she_o make_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o prayer_n of_o saint_n on_o earth_n and_o saint_n in_o heaven_n there_o be_v great_a and_o wise_a reason_n why_o god_n shall_v command_v and_o encourage_v our_o mutual_a prayer_n for_o each_o other_o while_o we_o be_v on_o earth_n for_o this_o be_v the_o noble_a exercise_n of_o universal_a love_n and_o charity_n which_o be_v a_o necessary_a qualification_n to_o render_v our_o prayer_n acceptable_a to_o god_n this_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o require_v a_o sympathy_n and_o fellow-feeling_n of_o each_o other_o suffering_n this_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o public_a worship_n when_o we_o meet_v together_o to_o pray_v with_o and_o for_o each_o other_o to_o our_o common_a father_n and_o it_o give_v a_o great_a reputation_n to_o virtue_n and_o religion_n in_o this_o world_n when_o god_n hear_v the_o prayer_n of_o good_a man_n for_o the_o wicked_a and_o remove_v or_o divert_v those_o judgement_n which_o they_o be_v afraid_a of_o this_o become_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o be_v no_o blemish_n to_o his_o goodness_n to_o dispense_v his_o mercy_n and_o favour_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o may_v best_o serve_v the_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n in_o this_o world_n god_n do_v not_o command_v we_o to_o pray_v for_o ourselves_o or_o other_o because_o he_o want_v our_o importunity_n and_o solicitation_n to_o do_v good_a but_o because_o it_o serve_v the_o public_a end_n of_o religion_n and_o government_n and_o be_v that_o natural_a homage_n and_o worship_n which_o creature_n owe_v to_o their_o great_a creator_n and_o benefactor_n and_o sovereign_a lord_n but_o to_o imagine_v that_o god_n need_v advocate_n and_o mediator_n to_o solicit_v our_o cause_n for_o we_o in_o the_o court_n of_o heaven_n where_o none_o of_o these_o end_n can_v be_v serve_v by_o it_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a impeachment_n of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n as_o if_o he_o want_v great_a importunity_n to_o do_v good_a and_o be_v more_o move_v by_o a_o partial_a kindness_n and_o respect_n to_o some_o powerful_a favourite_n than_o by_o the_o care_n of_o his_o creature_n or_o his_o love_n to_o goodness_n erom_n hence_o it_o evident_o appear_v how_o inconsequent_a that_o reason_n be_v from_o our_o beg_v the_o prayer_n of_o good_a man_n on_o earth_n to_o prove_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o our_o pray_v to_o the_o saint_n in_o heaven_n to_o pray_v and_o intercede_v for_o we_o the_o first_o make_v they_o our_o fellow_n supplicant_n the_o second_o make_v they_o our_o mediator_n and_o intercessor_n and_o how_o little_a the_o church_n of_o rome_n gain_v by_o that_o distinction_n between_o a_o mediator_n of_o redemption_n and_o mediator_n of_o pure_a intercession_n for_o though_o they_o pray_v to_o saint_n and_o angel_n only_o as_o mediator_n of_o intercession_n yet_o this_o be_v a_o real_a reproach_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o government_n of_o god_n a_o mediator_n of_o redemption_n be_v very_o consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a glory_n and_o perfection_n a_o mediator_n of_o pure_a intercession_n be_v not_o and_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o advance_v the_o divine_a glory_n to_o worship_n saint_n and_o angel_n together_o with_o god_n that_o it_o be_v a_o real_a reproach_n and_o dishonour_n to_o he_o and_o therefore_o this_o can_v be_v no_o law_n nor_o institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o come_v not_o to_o abrogate_v the_o divine_a law_n but_o to_o fulfil_v and_o perfect_v they_o some_o think_v there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o dishonour_v god_n by_o that_o honour_n they_o give_v to_o saint_n and_o angel_n because_o they_o honour_v they_o as_o god_n friend_n and_o favourite_n as_o those_o who_o god_n have_v honour_v and_o advance_v to_o great_a glory_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o honour_n they_o do_v to_o they_o rebound_v back_o again_o on_o god_n and_o this_o may_v be_v true_a while_o we_o give_v no_o honour_n to_o saint_n and_o angel_n but_o what_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a glory_n but_o when_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o that_o honour_n and_o worship_n we_o pay_v to_o they_o be_v a_o diminution_n of_o god_n glory_n and_o a_o reproach_n to_o his_o infinite_a perfection_n as_o i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n be_v sure_o it_o can_v be_v for_o god_n glory_n to_o advance_v his_o creature_n by_o lessen_v himself_o sect_n vii_o 2._o let_v we_o now_o consider_v whether_o the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n together_o with_o god_n be_v a_o more_o perfect_a state_n of_o religion_n than_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n alone_o with_o respect_n to_o ourselves_o whether_o it_o put_v we_o into_o a_o more_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a state_n it_o do_v indeed_o mighty_o gratify_v the_o superstition_n of_o mankind_n to_o have_v a_o multitude_n of_o advocate_n and_o
at_o that_o time_n immediate_o apply_v this_o law_n against_o the_o worship_n of_o any_o other_o being_n but_o those_o which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n worship_v in_o the_o world_n if_o god_n give_v a_o law_n which_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o all_o being_n beside_o himself_o and_o particular_o apply_v this_o law_n to_o prohibit_v the_o worship_n of_o all_o those_o god_n which_o be_v then_o worship_v in_o the_o world_n will_v any_o one_o in_o their_o wit_n hence_o conclude_v that_o if_o the_o folly_n and_o superstition_n of_o man_n shall_v set_v up_o a_o new_a race_n and_o generation_n of_o god_n in_o after_o age_n that_o the_o worship_n of_o these_o new_a god_n be_v not_o as_o well_o forbid_v by_o this_o general_a law_n as_o the_o worship_n of_o those_o god_n which_o be_v worship_v at_o that_o time_n when_o this_o law_n be_v give_v if_o this_o be_v true_a possible_o pagan_a rome_n itself_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o idolatry_n for_o most_o if_o not_o all_o of_o their_o god_n may_v be_v of_o a_o late_a date_n than_o the_o give_v the_o law_n 3._o now_o since_o no_o such_o distinction_n as_o these_o appear_v in_o scripture_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v justify_v the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n which_o be_v so_o express_o forbid_v by_o the_o law_n if_o we_o will_v acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v distinct_a being_n from_o the_o supreme_a god_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o the_o supreme_a god_n we_o must_v not_o worship_v they_o for_o we_o must_v worship_v none_o but_o god_n no_o distinction_n can_v justify_v we_o in_o this_o case_n but_o such_o as_o god_n himself_o make_v for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o distinguish_v away_o any_o law_n of_o god_n humane_a law_n will_v admit_v of_o no_o distinction_n but_o such_o as_o they_o make_v themselves_o for_o a_o distinction_n do_v either_o confine_n and_o straighten_v or_o enlarge_v the_o law_n and_o he_o who_o have_v power_n to_o distinguish_v upon_o a_o law_n have_v so_o far_o power_n to_o make_v it_o if_o the_o law_n say_v that_o we_o shall_v worship_v no_o other_o be_v beside_o god_n and_o we_o have_v power_n if_o we_o have_v but_o wit_n enough_o to_o invent_v some_o new_a distinction_n between_o the_o worship_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a spirit_n between_o supreme_a and_o subordinate_a absolute_a and_o relative_a worship_n this_o make_v a_o new_a law_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o say_v thou_o shall_v worship_v god_n only_o and_o quite_o contrary_a to_o say_v thou_o shall_v worship_v god_n only_o and_o good_a spirit_n god_n with_o a_o supreme_a and_o absolute_a good_a spirit_n with_o a_o subordinate_a and_o relative_a worship_n this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o we_o must_v admit_v of_o no_o distinction_n upon_o a_o divine_a law_n but_o what_o the_o scripture_n itself_o own_v and_o therefore_o since_o those_o distinction_n with_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n justify_v her_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n be_v no_o where_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n they_o have_v no_o authority_n against_o a_o express_a law_n 3._o the_o next_o course_n the_o papist_n take_v to_o justify_v their_o creature-worship_n in_o contradiction_n to_o that_o law_n which_o express_o command_v we_o to_o worship_v none_o but_o god_n be_v a_o appeal_n to_o such_o authority_n as_o they_o think_v sufficient_a to_o decide_v this_o matter_n now_o i_o shall_v not_o say_v much_o to_o this_o for_o i_o believe_v all_o mankind_n will_v acknowledge_v that_o no_o authority_n less_o than_o divine_a can_v repeal_v a_o divine_a law_n and_o therefore_o unless_o god_n himself_o or_o such_o person_n as_o act_v by_o a_o divine_a authority_n have_v repeal_v this_o law_n no_o other_o authority_n can_v do_v it_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v not_o repeal_v this_o law_n i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o after_o age_n have_v any_o authority_n to_o repeal_v this_o law_n i_o desire_v they_o to_o prove_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o essential_o of_o faith_n and_o worship_n be_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o lawgiver_n but_o of_o witness_n the_o church_n never_o pretend_v in_o former_a age_n to_o make_v or_o to_o repeal_v any_o divine_a law_n but_o to_o declare_v and_o testify_v what_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolic_a church_n be_v and_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o think_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v any_o such_o authority_n for_o then_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o little_a purpose_n if_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n to_o make_v a_o new_a gospel_n of_o it_o when_o they_o please_v but_o indeed_o can_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v teach_v the_o christian_n of_o that_o age_n and_o the_o church_n in_o those_o age_n which_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n do_v practise_v the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n we_o shall_v have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v that_o we_o and_o not_o they_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o that_o law_n which_o command_v we_o to_o worship_v none_o but_o god_n but_o then_o none_o can_v be_v admit_v as_o competent_a witness_n of_o this_o matter_n but_o those_o who_o do_v immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n or_o converse_v with_o apostolical_a man_n and_o church_n and_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n there_o be_v no_o appearance_n of_o creature_n worship_n in_o those_o age_n we_o dare_v appeal_v to_o the_o testimony_n of_o father_n and_o council_n for_o above_o three_o hundred_o year_n and_o those_o who_o come_v after_o come_v a_o little_a too_o late_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o apostolic_a church_n especial_o when_o all_o the_o intermediate_v age_n know_v nothing_o of_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o fill_v up_o this_o discourse_n with_o particular_a citation_n which_o learned_a man_n know_v where_o to_o find_v since_o the_o roman_a doctor_n can_v find_v nothing_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o first_o father_n to_o justify_v the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n and_o the_o protestant_a writer_n find_v a_o great_a deal_n in_o those_o age_n against_o it_o indeed_o at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o four_o century_n some_o of_o the_o father_n use_v some_o rhetorical_a apostrophe_n to_o the_o saint_n and_o martyr_n in_o their_o oration_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n interpret_v to_o be_v prayer_n to_o they_o challenge_n but_o though_o other_o learned_a man_n have_v vindicate_v those_o passage_n so_o far_o as_o to_o show_v the_o vast_a difference_n between_o they_o and_o solemn_a and_o formal_a invocation_n which_o be_v not_o my_o business_n at_o this_o time_n yet_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n very_o well_o worth_a our_o observation_n towards_o the_o true_a state_v of_o this_o matter_n as_o 1._o that_o these_o father_n come_v too_o late_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o they_o can_v know_v no_o otherwise_o than_o we_o may_v know_v it_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n viz._n by_o the_o testimony_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n till_o that_o time_n this_o be_v no_o where_o pretend_v by_o they_o that_o the_o invocation_n of_o saint_n have_v be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o they_o can_v have_v no_o proof_n of_o this_o unless_o they_o have_v better_a record_n of_o former_a time_n than_o we_o have_v at_o this_o day_n and_o such_o as_o contradict_v all_o the_o record_n which_o we_o now_o have_v of_o the_o apostolic_a and_o primitive_a church_n and_o i_o believe_v few_o man_n will_v be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o assert_v this_o and_o methinks_v there_o shall_v be_v as_o few_o who_o be_v so_o credulous_a as_o to_o believe_v it_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v no_o man_n live_v who_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v it_o 2._o nay_o the_o particular_a say_n of_o these_o father_n by_o which_o the_o romanist_n prove_v the_o invocation_n of_o saint_n do_v not_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o that_o age_n they_o no_o where_o say_v that_o it_o be_v and_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v to_o be_v so_o by_o any_o other_o record_n let_v they_o show_v i_o any_o council_n before_o or_o in_o those_o time_n when_o these_o father_n live_v that_o be_v in_o the_o four_o century_n which_o decree_v the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n let_v they_o produce_v any_o public_a office_n of_o religion_n in_o those_o day_n which_o allow_v this_o worship_n and_o if_o no_o such_o thing_n appear_v those_o man_n must_v be_v very_o well_o prepare_v to_o believe_v this_o who_o will_v without_o any_o other_o evidence_n judge_v of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n only_o from_o some_o extravagant_a flight_n of_o poet_n and_o