their_o faith_n their_o religion_n nor_o the_o guidance_n of_o their_o manner_n to_o a_o authority_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n but_o only_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v a_o infallible_a authority_n upon_o this_o ground_n the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n have_v reason_n to_o condemn_v the_o synod_n of_o charenton_n for_o have_v tax_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o independent_n with_o error_n which_o consist_v as_o say_v the_o synod_n in_o what_o they_o teach_v that_o every_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o its_o own_o law_n without_o any_o dependence_n upon_o any_o in_o matter_n ecclesiastical_a and_o without_o any_o obligation_n to_o acknowledge_v the_o authority_n of_o synod_n for_o its_o governance_n and_o conduct_n than_o a_o little_a after_o this_o same_o synod_n decide_v that_o this_o sect_n be_v as_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o state_n as_o to_o the_o church_n that_o it_o open_v a_o door_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o irregularity_n and_o extravagancy_n that_o it_o take_v away_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o bring_v any_o remedy_n to_o they_o and_o that_o if_o it_o have_v field-room_n enough_o it_o will_v form_v to_o itself_o as_o many_o religion_n as_o parish_n or_o particular_a assembly_n these_o last_o word_n say_v the_o bishop_n discover_z that_o it_o be_v principal_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o the_o synod_n will_v establish_v dependency_n since_o the_o great_a inconvenience_n that_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o into_o which_o the_o faithful_a people_n of_o god_n will_v fall_v by_o independency_n be_v that_o they_o will_v frame_v as_o many_o religion_n as_o parish_n then_o say_v he_o of_o necessity_n according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o synod_n each_o church_n and_o by_o a_o strong_a reason_n each_o particular_a must_v depend_v as_o to_o what_o respect_v faith_n upon_o a_o supreme_a authority_n which_o reside_v in_o some_o assembly_n or_o in_o some_o body_n to_o which_o authority_n all_o the_o faithful_a people_n of_o god_n 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indisputableness_n which_o they_o invest_v their_o supreme_a authority_n withal_o carry_v the_o same_o obligation_n along_o with_o it_o to_o obedience_n and_o submission_n a_o great_a divine_a of_o we_o who_o relate_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o protestant_n hereupon_o libr._n 1._o cap._n 8._o de_fw-la clavibus_fw-la express_v himself_o in_o these_o word_n huius_fw-la ligamenti_fw-la quo_fw-la pastor_n ecelesiae_fw-la constringunt_fw-la peccatores_fw-la tanta_fw-la est_fw-la vis_fw-la &_o certitudo_fw-la ut_fw-la christus_fw-la pronunciet_a si_fw-la quid_fw-la ligaverint_fw-la pastor_n in_fw-la terris_fw-la id_fw-la fore_fw-la ligâ—tum_fw-la in_o coelo_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la deum_fw-la ratum_fw-la habiturum_fw-la hanc_fw-la ligationem_fw-la potest_fw-la fieri_fw-la aliquando_fw-la ut_fw-la ligatio_fw-la sit_fw-la injusta_fw-la vult_fw-la tamen_fw-la christus_fw-la eam_fw-la ratam_fw-la esse_fw-la non_fw-la enim_fw-la fas_fw-la est_fw-la homini_fw-la qui_fw-la injust_a excommunicatus_fw-la est_fw-la invaaere_fw-la sacram_fw-la coenam_fw-la &_o invitis_fw-la pastoribus_fw-la irrumpere_fw-la in_o communionem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la be_v not_o that_o to_o tell_v we_o that_o a_o man_n excommunicate_v unjust_o be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o submit_v himself_o to_o the_o excommunication_n pronounce_v against_o he_o by_o a_o authority_n which_o have_v err_v as_o when_o it_o be_v give_v by_o a_o authority_n which_o have_v not_o err_v and_o be_v not_o that_o to_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o every_o way_n whither_o just_o or_o unjust_o a_o person_n deliver_v to_o satan_n as_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o all_o protestant_n except_v my_o father_n that_o to_o deliver_v to_o satan_n and_o to_o excommunicate_v be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n ought_v not_o to_o dispute_v oâ—â—_n resist_v that_o authority_n which_o have_v deliver_v he_o up_o to_o that_o evil_a spirit_n to_o conclude_v be_v not_o that_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o canon_n si_fw-mi papa_n distinct_a 40_o which_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n permit_v a_o person_n cast_v thus_o to_o the_o devil_n although_o against_o all_o right_a and_o justice_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pope_n to_o resist_v that_o supreme_a authority_n the_o bishop_n likewise_o have_v no_o less_o good_a reason_n to_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o conjunction_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o romish_a church_n in_o one_o body_n will_v be_v unreasonable_a if_o they_o be_v not_o cement_v by_o infallibility_n and_o to_o divest_v it_o of_o its_o infallibility_n be_v to_o break_v it_o in_o piece_n be_v to_o cast_v every_o of_o its_o least_o part_n into_o independency_n and_o to_o give_v liberty_n to_o every_o of_o they_o to_o govern_v themselves_o according_a to_o their_o own_o mode_n and_o way_n and_o to_o do_v their_o business_n by_o themselves_o but_o here_o we_o shall_v observe_v as_o we_o go_v along_o that_o of_o two_o depth_n of_o satan_n the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o infallibility_n the_o first_o be_v a_o lie_n a_o imposture_n and_o a_o cheat_n but_o that_o presuppose_v that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o cheat_n but_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a and_o true_a and_o the_o use_n of_o which_o be_v necessary_a in_o the_o church_n infallibility_n be_v natural_o and_o reasonable_o a_o consequence_n of_o it_o and_o in_o truth_n our_o reformer_n have_v place_v incontestability_n in_o the_o room_n of_o infallibility_n but_o it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o if_o infallibility_n be_v a_o pure_a cheat_n the_o other_o be_v a_o pure_a and_o absolute_a tyranny_n and_o it_o be_v less_o reasonable_a in_o not_o be_v a_o natural_a consequence_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n incontestability_n be_v a_o thousand_o time_n worse_o than_o infallibility_n except_o it_o be_v in_o one_o thing_n and_o that_o be_v that_o it_o have_v not_o be_v of_o so_o long_a a_o duration_n it_o be_v here_o no_o doubt_n wherein_o the_o illumination_n of_o humane_a reason_n be_v not_o so_o great_a to_o our_o first_o reformer_n as_o to_o the_o generation_n of_o man_n in_o this_o age_n for_o as_o those_o soresaw_v in_o it_o that_o a_o submission_n of_o so_o many_o prince_n and_o people_n who_o differ_v in_o custom_n law_n and_o language_n to_o a_o authority_n subject_a to_o error_n be_v not_o only_o unreasonable_a but_o also_o impossible_a to_o prevent_v the_o revolt_n both_o of_o king_n and_o people_n they_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o justice_n invest_v it_o with_o infallibility_n and_o it_o be_v here_o too_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n triumph_v over_o we_o and_o have_v great_a reason_n for_o it_o on_o his_o side_n when_o he_o reproach_n we_o that_o we_o have_v be_v deficient_a in_o our_o politic_n in_o not_o erect_v among_o we_o a_o infallible_a tribunal_n and_o that_o we_o be_v much_o to_o blame_v for_o oblige_v the_o faithful_a people_n of_o god_n with_o so_o much_o rigour_n and_o severity_n to_o submit_v to_o a_o tribunal_n subject_a to_o error_n but_o those_o of_o rome_n be_v not_o so_o for_o they_o oblige_v their_o people_n to_o submit_v to_o one_o that_o be_v infallible_a but_o the_o independent_n as_o they_o be_v lead_v by_o
to_o obey_v he_o reasonable_o without_o make_v use_n of_o our_o iwn_a illumination_n to_o know_v it_o and_o to_o judge_v whither_o it_o be_v just_a and_o reasonable_a to_o obey_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n if_o he_o will_v not_o have_v a_o humane_a judgement_n submit_v to_o that_o which_o discover_v its_o infallibility_n with_o so_o much_o dazzle_v and_o lustre_n unless_o reason_n lead_v one_o to_o it_o by_o a_o argument_n à _fw-fr fortiori_fw-la will_v he_o approve_v of_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o independent_n as_o reasonable_a when_o they_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o a_o judgement_n that_o be_v humane_a and_o fallible_a but_o the_o true_a constitution_n of_o synod_n according_a to_o they_o when_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n of_o divine_n and_o of_o faithful_a people_n and_o the_o true_a use_n they_o make_v of_o they_o and_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v make_v of_o they_o be_v to_o ask_v and_o receive_v from_o they_o advice_n and_o counsel_n as_o one_o expect_v and_o as_o one_o ought_v to_o receive_v it_o from_o wise_a and_o experience_a man_n and_o not_o by_o way_n of_o command_n and_o impulse_n that_o be_v all_o the_o authority_n that_o the_o great_a archbishop_n of_o armagh_n and_o mr._n baxter_n give_v they_o when_o they_o consider_v they_o as_o such_o and_o also_o the_o ecumenical_a synod_n which_o be_v hold_v under_o constantine_n and_o martian_a have_v no_o more_o before_o those_o emperor_n give_v to_o their_o conclusion_n the_o force_n and_o prevalence_n of_o canon_n and_o the_o sanction_n of_o imperial_a law_n they_o take_v the_o apostolical_a synod_n for_o the_o model_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o synod_n at_o least_o of_o that_o which_o they_o will_v attribute_v to_o themselves_o and_o although_o it_o be_v the_o only_a synod_n that_o be_v guide_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o infallibility_n and_o its_o authority_n be_v much_o more_o eminent_a otherwise_o than_o that_o of_o all_o the_o synodal_n assembly_n in_o the_o succeed_a age_n yet_o it_o never_o go_v as_o the_o other_o have_v do_v since_o to_o throw_v out_o anathema_n at_o the_o head_n of_o those_o who_o refuse_v to_o be_v obedient_a to_o they_o but_o it_o only_o conclude_v with_o this_o exhortation_n if_o you_o keep_v these_o canon_n you_o will_v do_v well_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o power_n and_o call_n of_o pastor_n and_o of_o their_o ordination_n and_o according_a to_o the_o good_a maxim_n of_o monsieur_n mestrozat_n mounseur_fw-fr pajon_n and_o mounseur_fw-fr claude_n and_o their_o doctor_n be_v the_o first_o who_o have_v establish_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o schism_n as_o to_o what_o respect_v the_o power_n the_o authority_n and_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o pastor_n they_o acknowledge_v no_o other_o in_o the_o church_n than_o that_o which_o be_v confine_v in_o every_o particular_a church_n and_o which_o go_v not_o beyond_o persuasion_n or_o at_o the_o far_a a_o declaration_n that_o it_o make_v that_o it_o no_o long_o own_v such_o and_o such_o either_o for_o the_o pastor_n or_o member_n of_o its_o society_n and_o this_o be_v what_o be_v do_v by_o a_o natural_a right_n and_o not_o in_o shoot_v out_o the_o thunderclap_n of_o excommunication_n or_o deposition_n against_o they_o for_o excommunication_n be_v not_o a_o business_n that_o be_v much_o dispute_v of_o among_o they_o the_o heretic_n and_o the_o wicked_a be_v condemn_v by_o their_o own_o confession_n have_v no_o need_n to_o be_v excommunicate_v because_o they_o be_v excommunicate_v of_o themselves_o as_o the_o bishop_n godean_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o paraphrase_n upon_o the_o eleven_o verse_n of_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistile_a to_o titus_n a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n reject_v know_v that_o he_o that_o be_v such_o be_v subvert_v and_o sin_v be_v condemn_v of_o himself_o and_o it_o be_v what_o he_o say_v after_o saint_n jerome_n if_o any_o one_o of_o their_o assembly_n practise_v excommunication_n it_o be_v that_o of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n it_o be_v not_o a_o privation_n from_o the_o holy_a supper_n but_o a_o ejection_n of_o the_o body_n out_o of_o the_o assembly_n no_o long_o to_o be_v reckon_v any_o of_o their_o member_n chap._n vi_o a_o answer_n to_o those_o who_o say_v that_o the_o congregational_a way_n be_v incompatible_a with_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o that_o it_o deprive_v the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o right_n he_o have_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v introductory_n of_o irreligion_n ignorance_n and_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n the_o four_o and_o twenty_o chapter_n of_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n condemn_v those_o who_o speak_v of_o they_o as_o of_o person_n that_o despise_v superior_a power_n for_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o their_o way_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v as_o mounseur_fw-fr daille_n believe_v pernicious_a and_o such_o as_o trouble_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o world_n or_o which_o over-throws_a the_o government_n of_o it_o and_o the_o authority_n both_o of_o sovereign_n and_o their_o state_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v no_o way_n in_o the_o world_n which_o contribute_v more_o to_o the_o strengthen_n of_o empire_n especial_o of_o monarchy_n and_o which_o ought_v less_o disquiet_v the_o crown_a head_n for_o fear_n lest_o they_o shall_v cause_v by_o it_o any_o commotion_n in_o the_o state_n than_o they_o for_o as_o they_o do_v not_o set_v up_o and_o establish_v any_o ecclesiastical_a tribunal_n independent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n which_o draw_v along_o with_o it_o the_o two_o three_o of_o the_o most_o considerable_a person_n of_o the_o state_n especial_o those_o who_o be_v most_o nice_a and_o scrupulous_a in_o religion_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o trouble_v make_v by_o league_n and_o confederation_n in_o that_o manner_n as_o may_v be_v in_o all_o the_o presbyterian_a church_n of_o a_o nation_n and_o as_o those_o practice_n it_o when_o they_o form_n to_o themselves_o as_o oft_o time_n they_o have_v do_v a_o assembly_n of_o their_o deputy_n all_o the_o world_n know_v that_o these_o general_a and_o national_a assembly_n of_o the_o clergy_n have_v be_v formidable_a to_o king_n and_o parliament_n because_o they_o be_v as_o a_o altar_n and_o a_o sovereign_n ecclesiastical_a power_n oppose_v to_o a_o sovereign_n and_o civil_a power_n of_o which_o there_o have_v be_v see_v pernicious_a effect_n in_o scotland_n and_o which_o france_n will_v have_v find_v if_o the_o reform_a religion_n have_v prevail_v over_o the_o romish_a and_o i_o be_o very_o much_o persuade_v that_o nothing_o so_o much_o divert_v henry_n the_o four_o from_o the_o thought_n he_o may_v have_v have_v to_o establish_v the_o reform_a religion_n in_o france_n as_o the_o apprehension_n he_o have_v that_o his_o action_n be_v somewhat_o free_a may_v be_v too_o far_o look_v into_o and_o examine_v by_o the_o synod_n and_o the_o consistory_n and_o that_o his_o person_n shall_v be_v bring_v under_o their_o jurisdiction_n as_o therefore_o the_o independent_n do_v condemn_v these_o maxim_n and_o these_o practice_n which_o be_v absolute_o contrary_a to_o they_o how_o ill_o intend_v soever_o they_o be_v or_o may_v be_v it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o set_v up_o in_o a_o kingdom_n a_o sovereign_n ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n than_o for_o all_o the_o company_n of_o merchant_n and_o tradesman_n or_o for_o all_o the_o family_n of_o france_n to_o erect_v a_o tribunal_n and_o a_o merchandize_v or_o ecumenical_a power_n which_o may_v be_v equal_a with_o that_o of_o the_o civil_a state_n in_o a_o word_n as_o the_o congregational_a church_n do_v neither_o receive_v ordinance_n nor_o commandment_n from_o their_o synod_n but_o only_a counsel_n and_o advice_n and_o that_o they_o can_v assemble_v in_o a_o body_n by_o their_o deputy_n they_o give_v a_o great_a advantage_n unto_o magistrate_n to_o possess_v a_o entire_a and_o perfect_a sovereignty_n and_o to_o take_v for_o their_o motto_n divide_v &_o impera_fw-la for_o those_o who_o deprive_v their_o synod_n of_o all_o authority_n and_o who_o do_v not_o attribute_v to_o themselves_o any_o other_o power_n than_o that_o of_o persuasion_n be_v the_o most_o remote_a of_o all_o from_o frame_v to_o themselves_o either_o a_o empire_n or_o one_o to_o be_v chief_a over_o they_o it_o be_v true_a their_o weakness_n be_v their_o subscribe_v to_o that_o maxim_n of_o cicero_n libr._n de_fw-fr officiis_n ut_fw-la tutela_fw-la sic_fw-la procuratio_fw-la reipublicae_fw-la ad_fw-la utilitatem_fw-la eorum_fw-la qui_fw-la commissi_fw-la sunt_fw-la non_fw-la ad_fw-la eorum_fw-la quibus_fw-la commissa_fw-la est_fw-la gerunda_fw-la est_fw-la and_o to_o that_o of_o salvian_n libr._n de_fw-fr providentia_fw-la infinitam_fw-la regiae_n majestatis_fw-la potestatem_fw-la isti_fw-la agnoscunt_fw-la qui_fw-la infinitam_fw-la divini_fw-la numinis_fw-la
in_o his_o catechism_n yet_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o from_o the_o second_o age_n they_o be_v distinguish_v in_o name_n and_o office_n that_o the_o first_o priest_n or_o bishop_n attend_v more_o peculiarly_a upon_o preach_v in_o public_a and_o the_o priest_n and_o deacon_n upon_o the_o function_n of_o lesser_a consequence_n as_o almsgiving_n etc._n etc._n from_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o read_v so_o often_o of_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n that_o such_o a_o one_o create_v so_o many_o priest_n so_o many_o deacon_n and_o that_o hyggen_n in_o the_o year_n 141._o create_v fifteen_o priest_n fifteen_o deacon_n and_o six_o bishop_n that_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o the_o year_n 184_o ordain_v 12_o priest_n 8_o deacon_n and_o 15_o bishop_n not_o to_o serve_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o in_o other_o place_n where_o the_o bishop_n who_o have_v ordain_v they_o be_v to_o attend_v upon_o the_o preach_n in_o public_a and_o the_o priest_n and_o deacon_n upon_o the_o other_o function_n of_o the_o holy_a ministry_n for_o their_o ministry_n be_v less_o fix_v they_o go_v to_o break_v bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n they_o instruct_v they_o comfort_v they_o confirm_v christian_n and_o those_o who_o they_o call_v fideles_fw-la in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o piety_n and_o draw_v over_o jew_n and_o gentile_n to_o they_o and_o they_o baptize_v they_o add_v every_o day_n some_o or_o other_o to_o the_o church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v save_v in_o a_o word_n they_o form_v almost_o as_o many_o independent_a church_n as_o there_o be_v family_n but_o which_o then_o do_v not_o constitute_v a_o communion_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o same_o fideles_fw-la in_o the_o great_a and_o more_o numerous_a assembly_n and_o where_o they_o assist_v not_o only_o at_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o word_n but_o also_o at_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o holy_a supper_n and_o all_o the_o sacred_a ceremony_n as_o mounsieur_fw-fr le_fw-fr sueur_n tell_v we_o i_o must_v needs_o make_v one_o observation_n here_o which_o will_v be_v of_o no_o mean_a consequence_n as_o to_o what_o i_o have_v say_v about_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n priest_n elder_n sacerdote_fw-la and_o deacon_n in_o the_o same_o ministry_n against_o those_o who_o will_v fain_o persuade_v we_o that_o not_o only_o this_o intendance_n of_o a_o bishop_n over_o the_o priest_n but_o also_o the_o prerogative_n that_o they_o attribute_v to_o themselves_o of_o have_v alone_o the_o authority_n and_o the_o right_a to_o ordain_v pastor_n be_v of_o divine_a right_n and_o by_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n i_o must_v needs_o observe_v i_o say_v that_o since_o the_o word_n and_o the_o office_n have_v be_v distinguish_v christian_a antiquity_n never_o think_v this_o intendance_n and_o prerogative_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n because_o it_o be_v in_o the_o liberty_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o abandon_v the_o order_n or_o office_n of_o bishop_n without_o quit_v the_o office_n of_o priest_n or_o of_o minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o indeed_o without_o be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o unless_o he_o be_v constrain_v to_o it_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o deposition_n they_o do_v deprive_v themselves_o then_o of_o a_o humane_a arbitrary_a and_o mutable_a order_n unto_o which_o they_o be_v call_v by_o man_n but_o they_o can_v not_o divest_v themselves_o of_o that_o which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o jesus_n christ_n that_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o council_n of_o ancyra_n in_o the_o year_n 314._o which_o have_v depose_v some_o person_n from_o the_o episcopacy_n jest_n they_o in_o the_o presbytry_n this_o be_v what_o the_o six_o ecumenical_a council_n do_v canon_n twenty_o which_o depose_v a_o bishop_n but_o do_v not_o take_v from_o he_o the_o presbytry_n so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v then_o a_o indelible_a character_n it_o be_v not_o that_o of_o bishop_n but_o that_o of_o tresbyter_n and_o this_o be_v the_o far_o confirm_v and_o more_o strong_o by_o this_o consideration_n that_o as_o it_o be_v a_o usurpation_n or_o at_o least_o a_o right_n pure_o humane_a when_o one_o of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o presbytry_n who_o be_v call_v bishop_n attribute_v to_o himself_o alone_o the_o right_n and_o the_o office_n of_o preach_v in_o public_a and_o not_o of_o communicate_v it_o to_o other_o but_o only_o as_o far_o as_o he_o please_v the_o same_o judgement_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v of_o this_o intendance_n over_o priest_n and_o this_o prerogative_n to_o ordain_v and_o to_o conclude_v that_o neither_o episcopacy_n nor_o the_o power_n to_o ordain_v nor_o that_o to_o preach_v in_o public_a which_o one_o person_n reserve_v peculiar_o to_o himself_o be_v of_o christ_n institution_n this_o be_v if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v a_o observation_n which_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o by_o any_o be_v think_v on_o but_o which_o be_v the_o unravel_v of_o all_o the_o difficulty_n that_o those_o great_a man_n mounsieur_fw-fr daille_n the_o father_n mounsieur_fw-fr larroque_n etc._n etc._n on_o one_o side_n and_o mounsieur_fw-fr pearson_n bishop_n of_o chester_n on_o the_o other_o have_v form_v concern_v either_o the_o establishment_n or_o the_o overthrow_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o here_o now_o be_v the_o resolution_n of_o the_o word_n of_o saint_n jerome_n which_o have_v put_v so_o many_o people_n on_o the_o rack_n and_o have_v spend_v both_o so_o much_o precious_a time_n and_o paper_n quid_fw-la facit_fw-la episcopus_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la facit_fw-la presbyter_n except_o ordinatione_n which_o word_n marsillus_n de_fw-fr padoüa_n understand_v of_o the_o power_n that_o the_o bishop_n reserve_v alone_o to_o himself_o by_o a_o right_n pure_o humane_a to_o regulate_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n because_o it_o will_v be_v a_o thing_n altogether_o absurd_a to_o make_v saint_n jerome_n say_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v in_o all_o thing_n equal_v the_o priest_n to_o the_o bishop_n except_o the_o power_n to_o ordain_v and_o now_o also_o you_o may_v see_v by_o all_o these_o declaration_n and_o discovery_n a_o very_a strong_a establishment_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n but_o i_o now_o will_v return_v from_o this_o digression_n to_o pursue_v the_o subject_n i_o leave_v off_o for_o it_o the_o conduct_n and_o government_n of_o the_o christian_n under_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o before_o that_o of_o constantine_n differ_v very_o much_o from_o the_o manner_n which_o be_v observe_v when_o the_o emperor_n be_v christian_n and_o when_o they_o assemble_v together_o both_o more_o public_o and_o in_o great_a number_n enjoy_v their_o full_a liberty_n as_o a_o rigorous_a discipline_n under_o those_o christian_a emperor_n can_v not_o be_v practise_v but_o upon_o a_o small_a number_n in_o great_a town_n as_o rome_n antioch_n alexandria_n canstantinople_n etc._n etc._n most_o of_o the_o person_n who_o can_v not_o be_v distinguish_v one_o from_o another_o in_o the_o crowd_n and_o multitude_n and_o on_o who_o they_o can_v lay_v nothing_o by_o way_n of_o reproach_n either_o enter_v into_o no_o discipline_n and_o be_v neither_o poenitentes_fw-la nor_o catechumeni_fw-la or_o else_o they_o pass_v for_o those_o who_o be_v call_v fideles_fw-la and_o who_o they_o never_o so_o much_o as_o question_v whether_o they_o be_v baptize_v or_o not_o for_o saint_n ambrose_n who_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o very_a good_a man_n and_o one_o of_o the_o fideles_fw-la that_o frequent_v the_o religious_a assembly_n both_o in_o public_a and_o private_a be_v neither_o in_o order_n nor_o baptize_v when_o the_o people_n of_o milan_n take_v he_o and_o carry_v he_o away_o as_o a_o holy_a body_n to_o be_v a_o bishop_n will_v they_o say_v that_o after_o he_o be_v a_o bishop_n he_o pass_v through_o all_o the_o degree_n of_o discipline_n or_o penitence_n and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o catechumen_n and_o afterward_o a_o fidelis_fw-la which_o name_n be_v give_v only_o to_o those_o who_o be_v call_v lay_v or_o secular_a person_n and_o the_o example_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a who_o be_v baptize_v at_o the_o very_a point_n and_o moment_n of_o his_o death_n and_o that_o of_o satyrus_n the_o brother_n of_o ambrose_n and_o of_o valentinian_n who_o that_o father_n so_o high_o commend_v and_o who_o die_v before_o they_o be_v baptize_v be_v a_o very_a strong_a proof_n and_o argument_n for_o that_o which_o i_o here_o maintain_v now_o those_o of_o the_o faithful_a who_o be_v so_o rather_o in_o reality_n than_o the_o name_n do_v not_o under_o those_o christian_a emperor_n quit_v their_o good_a custom_n of_o convert_v their_o house_n and_o their_o family_n into_o so_o many_o little_a church_n they_o perform_v there_o the_o same_o exercise_n of_o piety_n both_o during_o their_o repast_n and_o out_o of_o they_o but_o i_o must_v here_o make_v one_o remark_n by_o the_o way_n upon_o the_o passage_n of_o
nor_o learned_a enough_o to_o give_v a_o right_a judgement_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n carneades_n say_v that_o the_o state_n of_o athens_n be_v unhappy_a in_o which_o wise_a man_n make_v fair_a overture_n and_o give_v good_a counsel_n but_o fool_n judge_v of_o they_o and_o order_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o their_o idle_a and_o extravagant_a fancy_n and_o indeed_o wise_a man_n may_v consult_v but_o it_o be_v the_o great_a number_n or_o the_o long_a and_o best_a sword_n that_o determine_v which_o be_v too_o often_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o have_v more_o strength_n of_o power_n than_o force_n of_o judgement_n so_o that_o by_o this_o establishment_n of_o a_o national_a ecclesiastical_a government_n thousand_o of_o christian_n and_o faithful_a soul_n be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o religion_n of_o a_o whole_a empire_n according_a to_o the_o establishment_n which_o shall_v be_v make_v of_o it_o by_o a_o idolatrous_a rehoboam_n by_o a_o arrian_n constantius_n by_o a_o apostate_n julian_n by_o a_o popish_a mary_n queen_n of_o england_n as_o to_z that_o which_o shall_v be_v set_v up_o by_o a_o david_n by_o a_o constantine_n the_o the_o great_a and_o by_o a_o queen_n elizabeth_n of_o ever_o bless_a memory_n which_o inconvenience_n neither_o can_v nor_o ever_o will_v be_v able_a to_o happen_v in_o a_o place_n where_o the_o congregational_a way_n shall_v be_v establish_v it_o may_v be_v one_o sovereign_a who_o shall_v be_v as_o heretic_n as_o constantius_n will_v issue_v forth_o his_o command_n for_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o heresy_n in_o all_o the_o place_n of_o his_o dominion_n as_o theodosius_n the_o second_o make_v another_o for_o that_o of_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n when_o he_o command_v that_o all_o the_o subject_n of_o his_o empire_n shall_v receive_v the_o faith_n from_o damaseus_fw-la of_o rome_n and_o from_o peter_n of_o alexandria_n but_o it_o may_v likewise_o fall_v out_o that_o that_o same_o emperor_n to_o wit_n theodosius_n the_o second_o may_v make_v two_o ordinance_n which_o may_v mutual_o destroy_v one_o another_o for_o he_o convoke_v the_o first_o synod_n of_o ephesus_n which_o condemn_v the_o opinion_n of_o nestorius_n and_o some_o year_n after_o he_o convoke_v the_o second_o synod_n of_o ephesus_n which_o contradict_v it_o and_o allow_v the_o opinion_n of_o nestorius_n 2._o this_o same_o inconvenience_n be_v verify_v by_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n i_o mean_v that_o of_o luther_n and_o of_o calvin_n for_o as_o the_o reformation_n be_v that_o of_o a_o national_a church_n of_o the_o same_o extent_n with_o that_o of_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o sovereign_n where_o it_o be_v establish_v so_o likewise_o do_v it_o carry_v the_o obligation_n into_o germany_n sweedland_n and_o denmark_n that_o they_o shall_v submit_v to_o consubstantiation_n without_o any_o body_n have_v the_o liberty_n to_o form_v assembly_n to_o themselves_o which_o may_v reject_v it_o which_o church_n may_v do_v if_o they_o be_v independent_a the_o same_o inconvenience_n be_v happen_v and_o must_v happen_v from_o the_o national_a establishment_n of_o the_o reformation_n which_o calvin_n have_v make_v in_o england_n holland_n some_o part_n of_o germany_n and_o elsewhere_o and_o how_o pure_a soever_o the_o reformation_n be_v as_o for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o holy_a man_n it_o be_v extreme_o defective_a as_o to_o the_o discipline_n the_o power_n ecclesiastic_a and_o that_o tribunal_n which_o he_o erect_v in_o geneva_n distinct_a and_o independent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o pretend_a divine_a right_n and_o power_n which_o have_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o those_o infinite_a disorder_n confusion_n and_o even_a schism_n in_o england_n scotland_n holland_n and_o geneva_n even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o calvin_n as_o we_o read_v in_o his_o epistle_n 3._o one_o great_a convenience_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o a_o national_a government_n be_v that_o it_o be_v always_o ground_v upon_o humane_a principle_n cruel_a and_o barbarous_a as_o to_o constrain_v to_o persecute_v and_o even_o to_o burn_v those_o who_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n do_v not_o embrace_v that_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n or_o of_o the_o magistrate_n that_o establish_v it_o and_o do_v not_o conform_v to_o all_o the_o practice_n that_o he_o appoint_v and_o command_v 4._o they_o say_v that_o this_o national_a establishment_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n deprive_v man_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o his_o natural_a and_o religious_a liberty_n in_o the_o choice_n he_o ought_v to_o make_v of_o his_o god_n and_o of_o the_o worship_n he_o ought_v to_o render_v he_o and_o to_o which_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v constrain_v but_o persuade_v neither_o to_o be_v bring_v to_o it_o by_o custom_n nor_o by_o birth_n nor_o likewise_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n unless_o he_o be_v convince_v that_o his_o ordinance_n and_o command_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v conformable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o they_o press_v mighty_o upon_o this_o consideration_n that_o this_o establishment_n dive_v man_n of_o the_o same_o liberty_n in_o his_o religious_a life_n as_o he_o have_v in_o the_o civil_a where_o he_o be_v not_o restrain_v by_o any_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o choose_v his_o house_n his_o wife_n his_o master_n his_o servant_n his_o lawyer_n his_o physician_n his_o call_v nor_o any_o one_o particular_a manner_n how_o to_o govern_v his_o family_n provide_v it_o may_v be_v do_v without_o break_v the_o public_a peace_n 5._o they_o say_v that_o how_o unjust_a or_o how_o extravagant_a soever_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n may_v be_v for_o the_o regulate_v of_o polity_n yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o unreasonable_a neither_o in_o the_o magistrate_n general_o to_o command_v the_o practice_n of_o they_o nor_o in_o all_o subject_n submit_v to_o they_o without_o reserve_n or_o exception_n so_o long_a as_o the_o importance_n of_o those_o law_n do_v not_o extend_v beyond_o the_o present_a life_n but_o if_o it_o reach_v further_o and_o conscience_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n be_v concern_v therein_o they_o believe_v that_o a_o uniformity_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o religion_n which_o shall_v be_v impose_v upon_o we_o how_o good_a so_o ever_o the_o thing_n may_v be_v in_o its_o self_n it_o will_v be_v wicked_a and_o unreasonable_a because_o it_o will_v do_v violence_n to_o the_o conscience_n of_o which_o the_o magistrate_n be_v not_o the_o master_n nor_o the_o arbiter_n as_o he_o be_v of_o the_o body_n and_o estate_n of_o men._n chap._n iii_o that_o upon_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n that_o every_o supreme_a authority_n either_o in_o the_o popish_a or_o the_o presbyterian_a church_n be_v subject_a to_o error_n mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr condom_n have_v reason_n to_o approve_v of_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o the_o independency_n of_o particular_a church_n on_o any_o other_o authority_n than_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o word_n but_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o do_v more_o reasonable_o establish_v the_o independency_n of_o particular_a church_n nor_o which_o more_o powerful_o destroy_v this_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n by_o a_o divine_a right_n and_o the_o necessity_n there_o be_v that_o a_o person_n or_o a_o particular_a church_n shall_v depend_v upon_o its_o ordinance_n unless_o that_o supreme_a authority_n be_v infallible_a for_o if_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n do_v violence_n to_o the_o christian_a liberty_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o so_o degenerate_a into_o a_o tyrannical_a authority_n there_o be_v nothing_o i_o say_v which_o establish_v more_o reasonable_o the_o independency_n of_o particular_a church_n nor_o which_o more_o powerful_o destroy_v their_o dependency_n than_o the_o account_n which_o the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n give_v of_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o independent_n and_o of_o the_o sentence_n that_o the_o synod_n of_o charenton_n pronounce_v against_o they_o they_o believe_v say_v he_o that_o every_o faithful_a member_n ought_v to_o follow_v the_o illumination_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n without_o submit_v his_o judgement_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o body_n nor_o any_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n and_o they_o do_v not_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nor_o to_o embrace_v the_o decision_n of_o synod_n when_o after_o a_o due_a and_o through_o examination_n of_o they_o they_o find_v they_o reasonable_a that_o which_o they_o refuse_v to_o do_v be_v to_o submit_v their_o judgement_n to_o that_o of_o any_o assembly_n because_o it_o be_v a_o society_n of_o man_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n the_o gospel_n itself_o be_v not_o more_o true_a than_o this_o persuasion_n of_o independent_n and_o that_o bishop_n can_v not_o approve_v of_o one_o more_o reasonable_a to_o wit_n that_o a_o particular_a person_n or_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o submit_v
omnipotentiam_fw-la non_fw-la credunt_fw-la it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v accuse_v for_o deprive_v the_o magistrate_n from_o the_o same_o authority_n and_o sovereign_a intendence_n over_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n as_o over_z that_o of_o the_o civil_a but_o notwithstanding_o they_o do_v sufficient_o satisfy_v all_o reasonable_a and_o considerate_a person_n of_o this_o in_o the_o four_o and_o twenty_o chapter_n of_o their_o confession_n beside_o those_o who_o condemn_v that_o collaterality_n of_o government_n and_o of_o tribunal_n the_o one_o ecclesiastical_a and_o the_o other_o civil_a in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o territory_n and_o who_o believe_v that_o it_o come_v from_o the_o forge_n of_o antichrist_n and_o that_o it_o have_v introduce_v popery_n into_o the_o world_n do_v not_o trouble_v themselves_o about_o resolve_v the_o difficulty_n nor_o about_o assign_v to_o each_o his_o law_n his_o court_n his_o officer_n his_o sovereign_n and_o the_o measure_n of_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n i_o add_v that_o as_o the_o force_n and_o efficacy_n of_o law_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o whither_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a nor_o in_o their_o goodness_n justice_n and_o truth_n but_o in_o the_o will_n of_o he_o or_o those_o who_o sit_v at_o the_o helm_n of_o affair_n the_o congregational_a church_n must_v of_o necessity_n acknowledge_v the_o force_n of_o all_o those_o law_n whither_o for_o the_o ecclesiastical_a or_o the_o civil_a state_n only_o they_o affirm_v that_o as_o the_o magistrate_n be_v not_o infallible_a he_o may_v possible_o abuse_v his_o right_n and_o orr_n either_o in_o the_o publication_n or_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o law_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o they_o be_v and_o as_o they_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o obey_v all_o civil_a law_n no_o more_o be_v they_o oblige_v to_o obey_v all_o law_n ecclesiastical_a they_o affirm_v also_o that_o as_o the_o empire_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v not_o over_o the_o body_n but_o over_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n the_o magistrate_n who_o be_v the_o protector_n and_o defender_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o territory_n sin_n extreme_o when_o he_o make_v law_n and_o ordinance_n that_o do_v violence_n to_o the_o body_n of_o his_o subject_n and_o that_o take_v from_o they_o that_o liberty_n which_o every_o man_n ought_v to_o have_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o his_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o serve_v god_n but_o that_o crime_n which_o be_v impose_v on_o they_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v one_o be_v incomparable_o less_o than_o that_o of_o presbyterian_a church_n all_o which_o follow_v the_o establishment_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o calvin_n who_o set_v up_o in_o geneva_n a_o ecclesiastical_a tribunal_n independent_a and_o distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n insomuch_o that_o a_o learned_a man_n name_v mounseur_fw-fr jurieu_fw-fr have_v write_v a_o large_a book_n wherein_o he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o sovereign_a magistrate_n consider_v as_o such_o have_v not_o any_o jurisdiction_n nor_o intendence_n over_o the_o collect_v church_n in_o his_o dominion_n and_o that_o he_o have_v no_o other_o right_n than_o that_o of_o inspection_n and_o consider_v as_o a_o christian_a and_o one_o of_o his_o principal_a member_n wherein_o mounseur_fw-fr jurieu_fw-fr be_v more_o independent_a than_o the_o independent_n themselves_o and_o he_o do_v not_o afford_v so_o much_o authority_n to_o the_o magistrate_n over_o the_o church_n that_o be_v collect_v within_o his_o territory_n and_o dominion_n as_o the_o independent_n do_v the_o independent_a church_n and_o their_o pastor_n be_v very_o wide_a from_o these_o thought_n and_o practice_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o every_o congregation_n be_v as_o that_o of_o every_o family_n what_o liberty_n soever_o it_o have_v to_o govern_v itself_o according_a to_o its_o own_o way_n and_o humour_n it_o be_v not_o neither_o in_o right_n nor_o in_o power_n nor_o even_o in_o will_n to_o set_v up_o a_o tribunal_n distinct_a from_o and_o independent_a on_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n after_o all_o a_o prince_n who_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o establish_v a_o arbitrary_a power_n in_o his_o kingdom_n that_o shall_v depend_v only_o upon_o god_n and_o his_o sword_n may_v imagine_v he_o shall_v be_v less_o hinder_v by_o several_a thousand_o of_o independent_a congregation_n not_o only_o on_o he_o and_o on_o his_o court_n but_o also_o the_o one_o independent_a on_o the_o other_o than_o by_o one_o entire_a body_n of_o all_o those_o church_n which_o shall_v set_v up_o by_o their_o deputy_n a_o ecclesiastical_a tribunal_n distinct_a from_o and_o independent_a on_o the_o civil_a for_o the_o strengeh_a of_o all_o those_o independent_a congregation_n will_v be_v like_o that_o of_o several_a thread_n which_o may_v easy_o be_v break_v one_o after_o another_o whereas_o the_o strength_n of_o all_o those_o church_n join_v in_o one_o body_n will_v be_v like_a to_o that_o of_o all_o those_o thread_n twist_v together_o which_o it_o will_v be_v almost_o if_o not_o absolute_o impossible_a to_o break_v or_o to_o undo_v but_o by_o the_o same_o way_n that_o alexander_n take_v to_o break_v the_o gordian-knot_n as_o the_o independent_a church_n do_v come_v the_o near_a to_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n so_o likewise_o they_o be_v further_o off_o than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o reform_a church_n from_o that_o thought_n and_o practice_v which_o have_v accomplish_v the_o mystery_n of_o inquity_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o so_o consequent_o that_o of_o the_o pope_n in_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o secular_a power_n under_o the_o mask_n and_o disguise_n of_o religion_n and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n as_o to_o the_o objection_n that_o be_v make_v against_o they_o that_o in_o case_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o other_o ecclesiastical_a establishment_n in_o a_o kingdom_n than_o they_o the_o three_o fourth_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n will_v live_v in_o great_a negligence_n and_o a_o gross_a ignorance_n of_o religion_n to_o that_o they_o say_v that_o their_o way_n do_v not_o exempt_a pastor_n from_o attend_v upon_o the_o office_n of_o their_o ministry_n at_o all_o time_n and_o place_n both_z within_z and_o without_o their_o particular_a congregation_n and_o to_o take_v the_o same_o pain_n as_o the_o presbyterian_a minister_n do_v for_o what_o repect_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o most_o public_a place_n also_o they_o do_v very_o much_o approve_v that_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v erect_v academy_n and_o college_n assign_v tithe_n and_o revenue_n and_o temple_n establish_v person_n to_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o instruction_n of_o people_n in_o public_a to_o invite_v they_o to_o it_o and_o to_o excite_v the_o ignorant_a to_o frequent_v the_o school_n and_o the_o lecture_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o art_n and_o science_n where_o they_o shall_v go_v for_o the_o love_n of_o virtue_n and_o knowledge_n without_o be_v constrain_v as_o to_o the_o crime_n of_o schism_n which_o be_v impose_v on_o they_o as_o their_o be_v separate_v from_o all_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o donatist_n the_o novatian_o and_o the_o luciferian_o do_v it_o be_v a_o false_a accu_fw-la sation_n those_o who_o accuse_v they_o of_o schism_n do_v not_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o schism_n 1._o it_o be_v not_o schism_n when_o a_o particular_a church_n separate_v from_o another_o church_n as_o the_o church_n of_o luther_n from_o that_o of_o calvin_n nor_o the_o protestant_n from_o the_o papist_n nor_o even_o one_o particular_a reform_a church_n from_o some_o other_o with_o which_o it_o make_v before_o but_o one_o body_n of_o a_o church_n but_o true_a schism_n be_v form_v among_o the_o member_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o particular_a church_n as_o be_v that_o of_o corinth_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o schism_n when_o a_o number_n of_o heretic_n separate_v from_o the_o orthodox_n party_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n to_o make_v a_o congregation_n apart_o to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v profess_v their_o heresy_n with_o great_a liberty_n but_o it_o be_v a_o apostasy_n and_o a_o abandon_v and_o forsake_v of_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n or_o church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v catholic_n and_o visible_a and_o upon_o this_o ground_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o a_o schismatical_a but_o a_o apostate_n church_n although_o it_o be_v one_o for_o the_o first_o reason_n because_o that_o what_o engagement_n or_o tie_v soever_o all_o its_o member_n have_v to_o one_o head_n however_o they_o be_v not_o all_o agree_v together_o schism_n proper_o be_v when_o the_o member_n of_o one_o church_n be_v at_o variance_n as_o be_v those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n there_o be_v always_o a_o schism_n in_o the_o romish_a church_n 3._o there_o be_v no_o schism_n among_o several_a particular_a church_n that_o
be_v impossible_a i_o say_v that_o he_o can_v suffice_v and_o attend_v upon_o the_o instruction_n of_o all_o those_o auditor_n and_o of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o in_o particular_a which_o be_v most_o easy_a to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o way_n that_o the_o pastor_n of_o independent_a church_n take_v whereof_o every_o congregation_n be_v not_o at_o the_o most_o above_o two_o hundred_o person_n and_o who_o be_v also_o ease_v and_o help_v by_o their_o coadjutor_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o holy_a ministry_n so_o that_o this_o kind_n of_o congregational_a way_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o god_n be_v to_o make_v in_o the_o least_a time_n with_o his_o people_n where_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o need_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o bishop_n or_o to_o his_o curate_n for_o receive_v instruction_n because_o every_o person_n who_o be_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o the_o great_a number_n of_o those_o who_o compose_v those_o congregation_n do_v belong_v to_o that_o covenant_n shall_v be_v fill_v with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o pastor_n himself_o shall_v go_v to_o visit_v his_o sheep_n and_o take_v a_o particular_a care_n of_o they_o so_o likewise_o this_o be_v the_o way_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o little_a flock_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o he_o will_v give_v the_o kingdom_n there_o be_v also_o other_o consideration_n which_o confirm_v i_o absolute_o in_o this_o opinion_n that_o god_n in_o a_o more_o especial_a manner_n approve_v of_o the_o congregational_a way_n one_o be_v that_o most_o a_o end_n in_o all_o other_o the_o minister_n be_v influence_v by_o worldly_a interest_n by_o ambition_n and_o the_o desire_n of_o rule_v that_o its_o establishment_n can_v never_o be_v make_v without_o noise_n and_o without_o the_o opposition_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o the_o people_n for_o they_o have_v be_v always_o against_o this_o erection_n of_o a_o national_a tribunal_n independent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n who_o never_o have_v give_v their_o consent_n to_o it_o till_o after_o the_o advocate_n and_o pleader_n for_o this_o national_a tribunal_n have_v be_v indefatigable_o buzz_v into_o their_o ear_n these_o fair_a and_o specious_a remonstrance_n that_o it_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n and_o of_o jesus_n chriâ—t_n that_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v govern_v by_o two_o collateral_a power_n this_o be_v what_o the_o decretal_n make_v the_o king_n and_o the_o people_n to_o believe_v in_o the_o nine_o age_n and_o they_o strong_o insist_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v to_o be_v at_o the_o head_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o to_o prescribe_v law_n to_o they_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o his_o clergy_n for_o the_o regulate_v of_o religion_n and_o for_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o be_v what_o calvin_n also_o make_v those_o to_o believe_v who_o leave_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n when_o he_o erect_v a_o tribunal_n for_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n in_o which_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v not_o be_v see_v in_o the_o quality_n of_o magistrate_n but_o only_o as_o member_n of_o the_o consistory_n but_o yet_o a_o tribunal_n that_o shall_v be_v as_o much_o invest_v with_o incontestability_n and_o with_o a_o power_n not_o to_o appeal_v from_o it_o as_o that_o of_o rome_n be_v with_o infallibility_n and_o this_o be_v what_o calvin_n carry_v by_o main_a force_n not_o only_o against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o of_o the_o people_n of_o geneva_n but_o against_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o church_n and_o against_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o the_o divine_n of_o his_o time_n but_o it_o have_v not_o be_v so_o with_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n to_o which_o the_o people_n have_v have_v as_o great_a a_o inclination_n and_o natural_a forwardness_n as_o the_o pastor_n themselves_o which_o have_v be_v see_v in_o england_n for_o above_o this_o forty_o year_n for_o of_o more_o than_o sixscore_o person_n who_o make_v up_o the_o assembly_n of_o minister_n there_o be_v above_o a_o hundred_o of_o they_o for_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n and_o about_o eight_o or_o ten_o for_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o two_o only_a coleman_n and_o lightfoot_n for_o the_o opinion_n of_o erastus_n yet_o nevertheless_o when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o execution_n and_o practice_n there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o ten_o thousand_o people_n that_o will_v submit_v to_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n and_o one_o of_o they_o who_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a confess_v to_o i_o that_o be_v pastor_n of_o the_o great_a parish_n in_o london_n he_o be_v never_o able_a to_o establish_v in_o it_o a_o consistory_n nor_o find_v any_o that_o will_v be_v of_o it_o but_o a_o pitiful_a scotch_a tailor_n this_o difficulty_n be_v not_o see_v as_o to_o the_o congregational_a way_n for_o whereas_o only_o the_o pastor_n be_v for_o the_o presbyterian_a way_n there_o be_v proportionable_o as_o many_o people_n as_o minister_n who_o join_v in_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n which_o they_o do_v with_o more_o heat_n and_o fervour_n than_o the_o parliament_n will_v have_v have_v they_o in_o so_o much_o that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o publish_v a_o declaration_n by_o which_o they_o exhort_v the_o people_n to_o put_v off_o the_o gather_n of_o church_n till_o the_o parliament_n have_v make_v a_o more_o public_a regulation_n thereof_o as_o to_o the_o opinion_n of_o erastus_n though_o it_o be_v not_o approve_v in_o the_o assembly_n but_o by_o two_o divine_n it_o have_v notwithstanding_o the_o applause_n of_o most_o of_o the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o more_o illuminate_v who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o gown_n which_o discover_v 1._o that_o interest_n be_v the_o tool_n and_o engine_n that_o move_v most_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o if_o the_o magistrate_n be_v for_o a_o intendance_n which_o the_o presbyterian_o will_v take_v away_o from_o they_o these_o be_v no_o less_o in_o love_n with_o and_o eager_a of_o it_o 2._o that_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o the_o advocate_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n be_v sincere_a while_o their_o number_n have_v a_o just_a proportion_n of_o minister_n magistrate_n and_o people_n that_o be_v much_o for_o it_o i_o prove_v in_o the_o six_o chapter_n of_o my_o jugulum_fw-la causae_fw-la that_o of_o these_o two_o truth_n the_o first_o be_v put_v beyond_o all_o peradventure_o that_o totus_fw-la mundus_fw-la exercet_fw-la histrionem_fw-la that_o the_o great_a man_n do_v oft_o time_n mix_v some_o grain_n of_o worldly_a interest_n with_o that_o of_o heaven_n add_v not_o the_o utile_a to_o the_o honestum_fw-la but_o the_o honestum_fw-la to_o the_o utile_a espouse_v or_o quit_v their_o opinion_n according_a as_o they_o be_v actuate_v by_o the_o move_a principle_n of_o sua_fw-la cuique_fw-la utilitas_fw-la as_o tacitus_n speak_v for_o they_o resemble_v pope_n pius_n two_o d._n who_o be_v a_o cardinal_n submit_v the_o pope_n to_o the_o council_n but_o he_o change_v his_o opinion_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o he_o come_v to_o be_v pope_n himself_o much_o about_o twenty_o year_n since_o the_o learned_a dr._n stillingfleet_n prefer_v the_o presbyterian_a government_n to_o the_o episcopal_a but_o now_o he_o have_v have_v several_a fat_a benefice_n bestow_v upon_o he_o and_o he_o be_v advance_v to_o the_o deanery_n of_o s._n paul_n episcopacy_n be_v most_o excellent_a both_o in_o his_o esteem_n and_o opinion_n and_o in_o his_o write_n this_o way_n be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o excellent_a just_a and_o reasonable_a as_o it_o have_v a_o compatibility_n with_o the_o government_n of_o a_o national_a church_n which_o make_v but_o one_o entire_a body_n with_o that_o of_o the_o republic_n as_o under_o the_o legal_a oeconomy_n whereas_o the_o government_n of_o a_o national_a church_n distinct_a and_o independent_a upon_o that_o of_o the_o republic_n be_v not_o compatible_a with_o any_o government_n neither_o with_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n nor_o with_o that_o of_o the_o congregational_a church_n though_o the_o government_n of_o this_o latter_a may_v be_v compatible_a with_o all_o kind_n of_o government_n if_o it_o will_v be_v suffer_v for_o a_o multitude_n of_o small_a congregational_a church_n be_v as_o much_o compatible_a with_o the_o civil_a state_n as_o be_v a_o multitude_n of_o family_n because_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o do_v form_n to_o themselves_o a_o body_n by_o their_o deputy_n which_o establish_v a_o tribunal_n distinct_a from_o and_o independent_a on_o that_o of_o the_o civil_a state_n whereas_o the_o popish_a episcopal_a and_o presbyterian_a government_n erect_v a_o tribunal_n in_o every_o territory_n independent_a on_o all_o other_o calvin_n give_v the_o first_o model_n of_o it_o in_o geneva_n volui_fw-la say_v he_o ut_fw-la judicium_fw-la ecclesiasticum_fw-la disticium_fw-la esset_fw-la à _fw-la civili_fw-la
fourteen_o remark_n upon_o the_o fault_n that_o some_o may_v find_v in_o the_o title_n of_o this_o discourse_n i_o will_v finish_v these_o conderation_n by_o the_o discussion_n and_o explication_n of_o the_o title_n of_o this_o discourse_n to_o which_o some_o have_v except_v because_o they_o find_v there_o be_v not_o one_o ecclesiastical_a government_n even_o of_o those_o which_o differ_v most_o from_o one_o another_o that_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o this_o conformity_n as_o indeed_o they_o have_v either_o more_o or_o less_o for_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o they_o no_o not_o even_o of_o those_o that_o be_v the_o far_a off_o from_o the_o doctrine_n and_o government_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n and_o that_o have_v but_o very_o little_a agreement_n one_o with_o the_o other_o there_o be_v not_o one_o i_o say_v but_o what_o have_v in_o something_o a_o conformity_n with_o they_o every_o way_n of_o government_n boast_v of_o their_o retain_v this_o conformity_n with_o the_o ancient_a christian_n i_o myself_o pretend_v to_o this_o glory_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n not_o long_o since_o a_o learned_a minister_n of_o roüen_o publish_v a_o book_n entitle_v the_o conformity_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n of_o france_n to_o that_o of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n beside_o though_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v not_o any_o agreement_n with_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o france_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o two_o discipline_n so_o disagree_v to_o each_o other_o shall_v have_v both_o of_o they_o much_o conformity_n to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n yet_o it_o have_v so_o happen_v that_o a_o famous_a divine_a in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o english_a translation_n of_o the_o novelty_n of_o popery_n maintain_v very_o zealous_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o mounseur_fw-fr larroque_n have_v do_v in_o favour_n of_o those_o of_o france_n if_o i_o be_v say_v he_o to_o speak_v to_o frenchman_n i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o convince_v they_o full_o that_o we_o retain_v in_o england_n more_o of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolic_a government_n than_o all_o the_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n dr._n floyd_n and_o dr._n tillotson_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n but_o i_o believe_v that_o this_o conformity_n be_v much_o what_o like_v to_o that_o which_o be_v between_o jesus_n christ_n and_o st._n francis_n for_o i_o do_v open_o maintain_v that_o of_o all_o the_o establishment_n of_o religion_n that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v wide_a from_o the_o discipline_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n but_o he_o be_v not_o the_o only_a person_n have_v speak_v after_o this_o manner_n england_n be_v full_a of_o book_n upon_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o conformity_n of_o its_o hierarchy_n and_o of_o its_o episcopal_a government_n to_o that_o of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n the_o bishop_n bilson_n andrews_n hall_n morton_n and_o pearson_n find_v it_o in_o clemens_n romanus_n and_o in_o ignatius_n some_o of_o the_o doctor_n of_o rome_n meet_v with_o it_o in_o denis_n the_o areopagite_n but_o unless_o this_o conformity_n be_v restrain_v to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o which_o i_o find_v more_o footstep_n in_o the_o congregational_a way_n than_o in_o any_o other_o i_o believe_v we_o be_v all_o in_o a_o error_n as_o to_o what_o concern_v our_o conformity_n to_o the_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o life_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n above_o all_o the_o disagreement_n be_v find_v in_o the_o life_n which_o be_v heretofore_o much_o more_o exact_a and_o exemplary_a than_o in_o these_o last_o time_n it_o be_v the_o devotion_n of_o our_o day_n be_v but_o cold_a and_o languish_a in_o comparison_n of_o they_o it_o be_v in_o that_o that_o their_o glory_n do_v consist_v whereas_o we_o be_v in_o have_v a_o great_a knowledge_n and_o a_o more_o full_a and_o ample_a illumination_n into_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n than_o the_o first_o christian_n have_v also_o to_o be_v better_o verse_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o apostolical_a conduct_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o its_o authority_n and_o of_o that_o of_o its_o pastor_n who_o be_v the_o christian_n that_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n i_o will_v finish_v where_o i_o begin_v and_o that_o shall_v be_v by_o the_o force_n of_o those_o prejudices_fw-la wherewith_o all_o christian_n as_o well_o protestant_n as_o papist_n be_v anticipate_v and_o prepossess_v when_o they_o general_o imagine_v that_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v more_o orthodox_n and_o pure_a in_o doctrine_n than_o that_o of_o the_o follow_a age_n because_o of_o their_o nearness_n with_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o i_o be_o as_o much_o persuade_v of_o the_o contrary_a as_o of_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n never_o build_v a_o temple_n near_o to_o which_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o salvation_n have_v not_o build_v a_o chapel_n but_o than_o it_o be_v a_o chapel_n both_o great_a and_o more_o spacious_a than_o the_o temple_n itself_o for_o during_o the_o time_n while_o god_n build_v a_o little_a temple_n wherein_o he_o have_v circumscribe_v the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o a_o small_a flock_n of_o faithful_a people_n who_o conform_v themselves_o to_o the_o purity_n their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o life_n a_o number_n incomparable_o great_a of_o false_a apostle_n false_a doctor_n and_o false_a brethren_n separate_v from_o they_o for_o even_o in_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n of_o christianity_n all_o or_o the_o most_o part_n of_o sincere_a person_n and_o also_o of_o father_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o false_a allay_n mix_v among_o their_o gold_n this_o be_v what_o we_o learn_v from_o eutychius_n who_o live_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n from_o who_o we_o have_v the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n in_o arabyck_n publish_v by_o mr._n selden_n and_o mr._n pocock_n and_o who_o they_o recommend_v for_o a_o author_n of_o a_o irreprochable_a fidelity_n there_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o constantine_n the_o great_a send_v to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o his_o empire_n letter_n to_o let_v they_o understand_v that_o they_o be_v to_o make_v choice_n of_o the_o most_o religious_a bishop_n and_o those_o that_o be_v most_o learned_a in_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o that_o they_o then_o immediate_o set_v themselves_o to_o obey_v the_o order_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o that_o two_o thousand_o and_o forty_o eight_o bishop_n come_v to_o the_o town_n of_o nice_a whereof_o near_o two_o thousand_o how_o pious_a and_o sincere_a soever_o otherwise_o they_o be_v be_v either_o most_o ignorant_a or_o most_o erroneous_a in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o they_o be_v either_o manichee_n or_o murcionite_n or_o montanist_n or_o valentinian_o or_o samosatenian_o or_o arrian_n and_o in_o that_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n there_o be_v but_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o who_o have_v a_o affection_n for_o and_o engage_v themselves_o to_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n which_o be_v that_o of_o alexander_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n this_o relation_n according_a to_o eutychius_n be_v much_o more_o probable_a than_o after_o that_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v report_v by_o eusebius_n by_o socrates_n by_o baronius_n and_o by_o mounseur_fw-fr claude_n for_o what_o likelihood_n be_v there_o that_o that_o number_n of_o bishop_n convoke_v from_o all_o place_n of_o europe_n a_o great_a part_n of_o africa_n and_o also_o of_o asia_n phoenicia_n greece_n maceaonia_n thessalia_n palestine_n arabia_n pamphilia_n bythinia_n capadocia_n thrace_n cilicia_n pontus_n persia_n and_o scythia_n shall_v amount_v but_o to_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n there_o be_v also_o less_o likelihood_n that_o those_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n shall_v appear_v so_o sharp_a and_o so_o divide_v among_o themselves_o as_o to_o put_v out_o libel_n of_o accusation_n one_o against_o another_o and_o that_o during_o their_o session_n they_o make_v a_o cruel_a war_n within_o themselves_o these_o accusation_n may_v be_v true_a as_o to_o the_o other_o bishop_n who_o be_v as_o much_o divide_v in_o affection_n as_o in_o judgement_n but_o not_o of_o these_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o who_o because_o they_o be_v all_o orthodox_n and_o child_n of_o peace_n and_o well_o unite_v in_o their_o affection_n such_o as_o be_v alexander_n spiridion_n and_o paphnutius_fw-la be_v choose_v by_o constantine_n and_o alexander_n out_o of_o the_o multitude_n of_o heretic_n factious_a and_o contentious_a person_n beside_o the_o unanimity_n of_o these_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n in_o the_o compose_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o council_n have_v but_o four_o bishop_n that_o refuse_v subscribe_v to_o it_o plain_o show_v
that_o their_o spirit_n be_v not_o that_o of_o contention_n nor_o animosity_n one_o against_o another_o but_o of_o peace_n and_o concord_n if_o the_o book_n of_o that_o excellent_a author_n eutychius_n the_o patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n have_v appear_v with_o all_o its_o truth_n and_o have_v be_v see_v by_o all_o those_o that_o have_v eye_n and_o will_v use_v they_o during_o the_o life_n of_o monsieur_n salmasius_n mounseur_fw-fr blundel_n etc._n etc._n they_o have_v be_v yet_o more_o strong_o persuade_v than_o they_o be_v that_o all_o those_o circumstance_n so_o distant_a from_o the_o relation_n that_o eutychius_n make_v of_o they_o savour_v as_o much_o of_o romance_n as_o those_o three_o cross_n which_o helena_n mother_n of_o constantine_n find_v or_o as_o the_o donation_n of_o that_o emperor_n to_o silvester_n certain_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n do_v clear_o appear_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o those_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o god_n and_o not_o man_n when_o he_o raise_v up_o the_o good_a bishop_n of_o alexandria_n to_o recommend_v they_o to_o constantine_n and_o when_o he_o incline_v the_o heart_n of_o that_o prince_n to_o hearken_v to_o his_o counsel_n for_o if_o the_o emperor_n have_v let_v himself_o be_v overrule_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o counsel_n by_o any_o other_o bishop_n as_o he_o do_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o life_n the_o first_o establishment_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n have_v be_v that_o of_o arrianisme_n whereas_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n take_v the_o first_o possession_n under_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n this_o serve_v most_o powerful_o to_o gain_v it_o credit_n and_o to_o make_v it_o pass_v and_o transmit_v it_o to_o posterity_n i_o will_v ask_v here_o by_o the_o way_n those_o that_o deprive_v the_o sovereign_a magistrate_n of_o the_o intendance_n of_o regulate_v by_o a_o sovereign_a authority_n in_o all_o place_n either_o of_o a_o empire_n or_o a_o territory_n the_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o give_v he_o no_o other_o authority_n than_o that_o of_o a_o private_a person_n i_o will_v ask_v those_o i_o say_v what_o expedient_a a_o good_a bishop_n such_o as_o this_o of_o alexandria_n can_v be_v able_a to_o find_v out_o to_o authorise_v the_o faith_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o of_o arrius_n in_o case_n god_n have_v not_o incline_v the_o heart_n of_o constantine_n to_o establish_v it_o by_o his_o command_n in_o all_o the_o place_n of_o his_o empire_n i_o ought_v not_o to_o forget_v here_o one_o circumstance_n in_o our_o author_n that_o extreme_o fortify_v the_o right_a of_o the_o magistrate_n especial_o if_o he_o be_v orthodox_n to_o the_o sovereign_a intendance_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o which_o moreover_o strong_o prove_v that_o the_o rule_n canon_n censure_n and_o anathemas_n of_o council_n be_v only_a council_n and_o the_o declaration_n of_o wise_a and_o experience_a man_n before_o the_o magistrate_n have_v give_v they_o authority_n by_o his_o sanction_n in_o short_a this_o passage_n of_o eutychius_n be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o pprophecy_n of_o s._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 6._o 2._o know_v you_o not_o that_o the_o saint_n shall_v judge_v the_o world_n that_o be_v to_o say_v know_v you_o not_o that_o god_n will_v one_o day_n establish_v faithful_a magistrate_n who_o shall_v be_v governor_n in_o chief_a of_o the_o church_n he_o say_v than_o that_o the_o choice_n of_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n be_v make_v constantine_n enter_v into_o their_o assembly_n and_o after_o he_o have_v salute_v and_o harrangued_a to_o they_o he_o lay_v his_o sceptre_n upon_o the_o table_n his_o ring_n and_o his_o sword_n and_o say_v to_o they_o i_o give_v you_o the_o power_n of_o regulate_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n that_o do_v the_o father_n humble_o thank_v he_o for_o the_o authority_n which_o he_o be_v please_v to_o fortify_v they_o with_o and_o render_v he_o his_o sceptre_n his_o ring_n and_o his_o sword_n it_o be_v true_a if_o constantine_n have_v be_v a_o arrian_n his_o erroneous_a opinion_n have_v do_v as_o much_o mischief_n as_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n to_o that_o of_o arrius_n and_o wherewith_o he_o be_v possess_v do_v good_a by_o its_o establishment_n but_o it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o if_o the_o sovereign_n of_o a_o empire_n have_v no_o other_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n than_o that_o of_o a_o private_a person_n it_o will_v never_o be_v possible_a and_o it_o can_v never_o happen_v that_o a_o orthodox_n prince_n will_v be_v able_a to_o establish_v the_o true_a religion_n by_o his_o commandment_n in_o all_o the_o place_n of_o his_o empire_n it_o be_v true_a by_o this_o sovereign_a authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n error_n and_o impiety_n may_v as_o well_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n as_o truth_n and_o piety_n but_o it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o when_o the_o sovereign_a magistrate_n either_o have_v no_o part_n nor_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o religion_n as_o during_o the_o three_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n nothing_o can_v keep_v the_o bishop_n as_o be_v those_o two_o thousand_o and_o forty_o eight_o of_o who_o eutychius_n speak_v from_o divind_a into_o many_o erroneous_a party_n and_o the_o orthodox_n party_n to_o be_v always_o the_o least_o in_o number_n and_o this_o can_v happen_v when_o god_n give_v to_o the_o church_n such_o prince_n as_o resemble_v constantine_n the_o great_a theodosius_n and_o martian_a it_o happen_v notwithstanding_o that_o during_o such_o disorder_n and_o such_o confusion_n of_o diverse_a opinion_n as_o be_v those_o of_o the_o two_o thousand_o and_o forty_o that_o god_n reserve_v always_o a_o small_a number_n of_o good_a pastor_n as_o be_v those_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o who_o form_n in_o a_o great_a empire_n such_o as_o be_v the_o roman_a several_a little_a congregation_n all_o like_a to_o those_o of_o our_o independent_n who_o god_n make_v use_v of_o amid_o the_o great_a corruption_n and_o confusion_n to_o keep_v and_o perpetuate_v to_o himself_o a_o orthodox_n and_o faithful_a people_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v true_a then_o that_o whither_o god_n give_v a_o christian_a magistrate_n but_o a_o heretic_n or_o whether_o he_o do_v not_o give_v any_o if_o he_o be_v not_o possible_o a_o heathen_a as_o during_o the_o three_o first_o age_n the_o inconvenience_n be_v great_a but_o it_o be_v otherwise_o certain_a that_o when_o god_n bless_v his_o church_n with_o a_o magistrate_n that_o favour_v the_o orthodox_n and_o true_a worshipper_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v incomparable_o more_o happy_a than_o under_o any_o other_o establishment_n of_o religion_n or_o of_o the_o state_n for_o although_o persecution_n ought_v to_o unite_v christian_n by_o a_o holy_a and_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o by_o a_o life_n correspondent_a to_o it_o yet_o it_o have_v not_o that_o efficacy_n nor_o that_o virtue_n to_o produce_v those_o two_o good_a effect_n which_o common_o follow_v under_o the_o reign_n of_o good_a prince_n as_o david_n hezekiah_n josiah_n constantine_n theodosius_n etc._n etc._n under_o who_o the_o people_n be_v unite_v well_o otherwise_o and_o keep_v in_o good_a order_n and_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o and_o a_o good_a religion_n which_o they_o be_v not_o under_o persecution_n for_o even_o the_o church_n be_v not_o without_o disorder_n and_o violent_a shake_n under_o the_o best_a and_o most_o orthodox_n prince_n which_o happen_v by_o their_o indulgence_n who_o keep_v not_o up_o that_o authority_n they_o ought_v to_o take_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o who_o delegate_v it_o to_o the_o clergy_n and_o permit_v they_o to_o exercise_v by_o a_o pretend_a power_n derive_v from_o jesus_n christ_n independent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n and_o who_o in_o short_a raise_v up_o bishop_n to_o such_o a_o greatness_n and_o wealth_n as_o to_o have_v credit_n enough_o to_o partake_v and_o share_v the_o sovereignty_n and_o to_o dispute_v the_o moiety_n of_o it_o with_o he_o who_o of_o right_n be_v the_o sovereign_n of_o the_o whole_a leave_v he_o the_o temporal_a sovereignty_n and_o reserve_v to_o themselves_o the_o spiritual_a as_o they_o call_v it_o but_o these_o matter_n i_o discourse_v of_o in_o my_o book_n not_o yet_o print_v entitle_v a_o essay_n towards_o a_o true_a ecclesiastical_a history_n one_o theophilus_n of_o alexandria_n and_o his_o successor_n cyrillus_n be_v equal_a and_o go_v check_v by_o jowl_n in_o authority_n with_o the_o emperor_n and_o have_v build_v a_o empire_n in_o that_o of_o their_o sovereign_n for_o even_o those_o and_o their_o successor_n have_v build_v several_a of_o they_o when_o a_o pope_n be_v set_v up_o among_o they_o who_o subjugate_v they_o all_o and_o make_v they_o all_o agree_v to_o set_v up_o but_o one_o catholic_n church_n for_o before_o there_o be_v in_o