the_o tabernacle_n of_o god_n with_o men_n or_o the_o visible_a church_n reform_v a_o discourse_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n tend_v to_o reformation_n by_o richard_n resbury_n minister_n of_o the_o word_n in_o oundle_n in_o northamptonshire_n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1649._o the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n reader_n there_o be_v many_o interest_n in_o this_o active_a age_n contend_v for_o the_o sovereign_a interest_n the_o king_n prerogative_n the_o state_n interest_n the_o privilege_n of_o parliament_n the_o popular_a interest_n the_o subject_n liberty_n there_o be_v one_o above_o all_o these_o to_o be_v heed_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o church_n as_o more_o excellent_a those_o civil_a this_o spiritual_a those_o the_o interest_n of_o man_n as_o man_n in_o their_o several_a station_n this_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o saint_n as_o saint_n those_o make_n for_o a_o political_a this_o for_o a_o spiritual_a those_o for_o a_o momentany_a this_o for_o eternal_a happiness_n this_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n himself_o who_o be_v head_n of_o his_o church_n aswell_o according_a to_o her_o visible_a and_o ministerial_a as_o her_o invisible_a and_o save_a state_n and_o therefore_o he_o alone_o it_o be_v who_o appoint_v her_o officer_n administration_n law_n privilege_n liberty_n in_o the_o grand_a charter_n of_o his_o word_n none_o of_o which_o may_v the_o high_a upon_o earth_n without_o crimen_fw-la laesae_fw-la majestatis_fw-la attempt_n against_o the_o crown_n of_o christ_n to_o violate_v neither_o be_v this_o only_a excellent_a above_o the_o rest_n but_o most_o advantageous_a to_o they_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o piety_n but_o the_o true_a policy_n of_o king_n parliament_n and_o people_n to_o give_v due_a heed_n to_o the_o settle_n of_o this_o which_o settle_v true_o settle_v all_o they_o sure_o and_o beautiful_o be_v wise_a now_o therefore_o o_o you_o king_n be_v instruct_v you_o judge_n of_o the_o earth_n kiss_v the_o son_n nay_o the_o obtain_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o world_n in_o all_o its_o claim_n shall_v renew_v the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a creation_n and_o make_v a_o new_a heaven_n and_o a_o new_a earth_n it_o have_v be_v my_o endeavour_n in_o the_o integrity_n of_o my_o heart_n so_o far_o as_o i_o have_v obtain_v mercy_n to_o discern_v that_o deceitful_a piece_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o true_a state_n and_o order_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o if_o i_o may_v to_o bring_v something_o if_o but_o a_o little_a goat_n hair_n towards_o the_o set_n up_o of_o the_o sanctuary_n one_o thing_n i_o have_v labour_v i_o hope_v not_o unuseful_a to_o bring_v down_o the_o enquiry_n particular_o to_o our_o condition_n in_o this_o nation_n that_o we_o may_v distinct_o consider_v what_o after_o so_o many_o engagement_n to_o the_o lord_n by_o his_o great_a work_n for_o we_o by_o our_o solemn_a covenant_n with_o he_o lie_v upon_o we_o to_o practice_v no_o more_o only_o i_o have_v if_o thou_o be_v faithful_a thy_o prayer_n if_o ingenuous_a thy_o indulgence_n where_o thou_o shall_v find_v slip_n thou_o in_o the_o service_n of_o the_o gospel_n ric._n resbury_n the_o head_n of_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n be_v these_o eight_o proposition_n or_o instruction_n follow_v i._o the_o true_a matter_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v visible_a saint_n only_o ii_o discipline_n be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n for_o order_v the_o visible_a church_n in_o her_o several_a congregation_n iii_o to_o the_o people_n of_o the_o church_n it_o belong_v by_o divine_a right_n to_o choose_v their_o officer_n iv_o christ_n have_v commit_v the_o power_n of_o discipline_n not_o to_o the_o officer_n alone_o but_o to_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o the_o officer_n with_o the_o brotherhood_n v._o there_o be_v a_o church-power_n formal_o distinct_a from_o the_o civil_a vi_o that_o bishop_n in_o office_n above_o presbyter_n be_v no_o church_n officer_n of_o divine_a institution_n it_o be_v plead_v by_o jerome_n from_o scripture_n and_o the_o high_a gospel-antiquity_n vii_o to_o a_o particular_a congregation_n of_o visible_a saint_n furnish_v with_o officer_n it_o belong_v to_o exercise_v all_o part_n of_o discipline_n within_o itself_o viii_o to_o a_o congregation_n of_o visible_a saint_n not_o yet_o possess_v of_o officer_n it_o belong_v to_o possess_v themselves_o of_o they_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o god_n with_o men._n or_o the_o visible_a church_n reform_v chap._n i._n the_o first_o instruction_n the_o true_a matter_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v visible_a saint_n only_o by_o visible_a saint_n we_o understand_v with_o bucer_n those_o in_o who_o conversation_n the_o necessary_a sign_n of_o regeneration_n appear_v for_o clear_v this_o 1._o we_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o the_o regeneration_n of_o the_o person_n can_v be_v certain_o conclude_v from_o such_o a_o conversation_n as_o we_o here_o require_v because_o the_o heart_n within_o may_v not_o be_v answerable_a therefore_o a_o hypocrite_n not_o discern_v may_v be_v the_o true_a matter_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n 2._o but_o our_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o conversation_n must_v be_v such_o as_o if_o the_o heart_n be_v answerable_a it_o be_v certain_a the_o person_n be_v regenerate_v to_o clear_v this_o further_a by_o instance_n not_o only_o such_o as_o be_v common_o grant_v scandalous_a be_v here_o shut_v out_o in_o who_o conversation_n as_o sin_n reign_v so_o in_o their_o heart_n for_o aught_o that_o may_v appear_v at_o the_o least_o but_o such_o also_o as_o we_o common_o call_v mere_o civil_a honest_a man_n because_o though_o their_o heart_n be_v answerable_a to_o their_o conversation_n yer_z be_v they_o stranger_n to_o regeneration_n the_o proposition_n thus_o clear_v we_o come_v to_o argument_n to_o confirm_v it_o 1._o to_o be_v visible_o of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v visible_o abraham_n seed_n to_o be_v visible_o abraham_n seed_n be_v to_o be_v visible_o of_o his_o faith_n and_o to_o be_v visible_o christ_n gal._n 3.29_o abraham_n flesh_n be_v to_o the_o jew_n the_o visible_a bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o to_o the_o proselyte_n and_o to_o the_o gentile_a church_n not_o his_o flesh_n but_o his_o faith_n 2._o to_o be_v visible_o of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v such_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n who_o shall_v indeed_o be_v save_v and_o therefore_o visible_o believer_n and_o holy_a the_o people_n of_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o all_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o gospel_n therefore_o a_o justify_v a_o sanctify_a people_n a_o people_n adopt_v a_o people_n of_o communion_n with_o god_n and_o christ_n a_o people_n of_o new_a obedience_n a_o spiritual_a people_n etc._n etc._n 3._o to_o be_v the_o visible_a church_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v visible_o his_o temple_n visible_o a_o habitation_n for_o himself_o by_o his_o spirit_n ephes_n 2.21_o 22._o but_o such_o be_v only_o they_o who_o be_v visible_o regenerate_v the_o temple_n be_v build_v of_o old_a of_o polish_a stone_n and_o costly_a timber_n it_o receive_v only_o the_o clean_a the_o visible_a church_n now_o be_v his_o visible_a temple_n make_v up_o of_o lively_a stone_n into_o a_o spiritual_a house_n 1_o pet._n 2.5_o to_o abide_v apart_o from_o the_o unclean_a that_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n may_v fill_v this_o temple_n of_o he_o 2_o cor._n 6.16_o 17._o 4._o from_o the_o end_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n which_o be_v that_o god_n may_v have_v a_o holy_a people_n separate_v from_o the_o world_n enjoy_v all_o ordinance_n perform_v in_o several_a congregation_n all_o solemn_a worship_n to_o he_o glorify_v his_o name_n by_o the_o light_n of_o good_a work_n etc._n etc._n but_o only_o such_o as_o be_v visible_o regenerate_v be_v in_o any_o measure_n fit_v for_o these_o end_n wicked_a man_n quite_o contrary_o affect_v therefore_o as_o he_o be_v in_o no_o wise_a to_o be_v own_v for_o a_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v no_o way_n fit_v for_o the_o end_n of_o the_o ministry_n but_o be_v manifest_o contrary_a thereto_o so_o neither_o be_v they_o to_o be_v own_v for_o member_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v qualify_v contrary_a to_o the_o end_n of_o church-communion_n 5._o from_o scripture-patterne_n who_o be_v they_o that_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o baptist_n and_o by_o the_o apostle_n such_o as_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o the_o word_n preach_v to_o a_o holy_a profession_n forsake_v false_a religion_n confess_v their_o sin_n profess_v their_o faith_n and_o repentance_n desire_v to_o be_v solemn_o receive_v and_o that_o when_o the_o profession_n of_o christian_a religion_n expose_v to_o great_a temptation_n in_o the_o world_n 1._o for_o the_o baptist_n mat._n 3.6_o it_o be_v a_o mean_a conceit_n at_o the_o best_a to_o think_v such_o a_o confession_n than_o serve_v the_o turn_n as_o be_v palpable_o a_o
frequent_o the_o seven_o angel_n that_o sound_v the_o seven_o trumpet_n and_o the_o seven_o angel_n that_o pour_v out_o the_o seven_o vial_n be_v not_o seven_o singular_a person_n but_o seven_o company_n or_o sort_n of_o man_n perform_v that_o service_n 3._o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n rev._n 2._o and_o 3._o must_v be_v take_v collective_o or_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n as_o be_v evident_a rev._n 2.24_o to_o you_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d write_v to_o the_o angel_n as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n have_v see_v the_o unwarrantableness_n of_o the_o diocesan_n bishop_n we_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o true_a officer_n for_o rule_n in_o the_o church_n for_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n they_o be_v doubt_v by_o none_o but_o the_o episcopal_a party_n for_o rule_v elder_n to_o they_o adjoin_v as_o it_o have_v be_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n general_o so_o of_o late_a there_o be_v diverse_a discourse_n easy_a to_o be_v meet_v with_o fair_o and_o clear_o plead_v their_o divine_a right_n among_o the_o rest_n the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o new_a england_n the_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o sum_n of_o the_o survey_n of_o discipline_n by_o master_n hooker_n i_o shall_v therefore_o pass_v to_o another_o instruction_n about_o particular_a congregation_n chap._n x._o the_o seven_o instruction_n to_o a_o particular_a congregation_n of_o visible_a saint_n furnish_v with_o officer_n it_o belong_v to_o exercise_v all_o part_n of_o discipline_n within_o itself_o in_o it_o power_n of_o all_o discipline_n whether_o all_o power_n of_o discipline_n or_o not_o 1._o the_o church_n instance_a in_o scripture_n of_o corinth_n ephesus_n etc._n etc._n thus_o far_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v each_o a_o particular_a congregation_n 1._o all_o the_o ordinary_a officer_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o people_n as_o officer_n in_o command_n to_o the_o flock_n in_o common_a this_o appear_v from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o people_n choice_n former_o of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n their_o minister_n be_v choose_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n 2._o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n the_o people_n general_o concur_v with_o the_o officer_n joint_o this_o from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o discipline_n former_o those_o officer_n former_o by_o they_o in_o common_a choose_v and_o thus_o the_o church_n true_a liberty_n be_v preserve_v as_o for_o that_o objection_n the_o number_n of_o christian_n and_o officer_n be_v so_o great_a they_o can_v not_o ordinary_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n for_o worship_n the_o answer_n be_v suppose_v that_o to_o be_v truth_n yet_o may_v the_o officer_n interchangeable_o administer_v to_o they_o as_o officer_n in_o common_a to_o the_o flock_n in_o common_a as_o well_o for_o all_o public_a administration_n of_o worship_n as_o for_o discipline_n joint_o as_o for_o the_o other_o main_a objection_n variety_n of_o language_n therefore_o their_o congregation_n must_v be_v many_o and_o fix_v answ_n there_o be_v interpreter_n of_o language_n that_o those_o who_o in_o the_o congregation_n understand_v not_o their_o language_n speak_v in_o may_v by_o interpretation_n understand_v it_o this_o argue_v their_o congregation_n be_v not_o fix_v according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o language_n 3._o where_o there_o be_v all_o sort_n of_o power_n for_o discipline_n there_o be_v a_o entire_a right_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o for_o power_n be_v for_o exercise_n but_o in_o every_o congregation_n there_o be_v all_o sort_n of_o power_n there_o be_v power_n of_o order_n and_o power_n of_o office_n and_o for_o office-power_n there_o be_v both_o sort_n of_o officer_n elder_n labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n and_o other_o for_o rule_n with_o they_o and_o in_o this_o they_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a and_o congregationall_a way_n agree_v 4._o where_o our_o saviour_n rule_n may_v be_v observe_v matth._n 18.15_o 16_o 17._o there_o be_v entire_a power_n of_o discipline_n but_o in_o every_o congregation_n so_o frame_v that_o rule_n may_v be_v observe_v admonition_n first_o single_a then_o before_o a_o witness_n or_o two_o and_o last_o by_o the_o church_n 5._o where_o authoritative_a suspension_n may_v be_v there_o may_v be_v excommunication_n but_o in_o every_o such_o congregation_n authoritative_a suspension_n may_v be_v this_o late_a be_v grant_v the_o former_a be_v thus_o confirm_v where_o there_o be_v power_n of_o church-admonition_n there_o be_v power_n of_o excommunication_n mat._n 18.17_o but_o where_o there_o be_v power_n of_o authoritative_a suspension_n there_o be_v power_n of_o church-admonition_n 1._o suspension_n suppose_v such_o admonition_n 2._o admonition_n be_v a_o less_o act_n of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n than_o suspension_n be_v 6._o where_o there_o be_v right_a to_o entire_a church-fellowship_n in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o public_a worship_n and_o private_a communion_n there_o be_v right_a for_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n this_o appear_v thus_o a_o scandalous_a sinner_n in_o such_o a_o society_n retain_v be_v leaven_n leaven_n the_o whole_a lump_n involve_v the_o whole_a society_n in_o guilt_n 1_o cor._n 5._o therefore_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n and_o in_o their_o power_n to_o cast_v he_o out_o but_o in_o every_o congregation_n so_o frame_v there_o be_v right_a for_o entire_a church-fellowship_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v not_o question_v hence_o to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n power_n be_v ascribe_v and_o she_o blame_v for_o not_o cast_v out_o the_o incestuous_a person_n not_o because_o she_o have_v thus_o and_o thus_o many_o officer_n but_o because_o she_o be_v a_o church_n entire_o frame_v for_o discipline_n have_v in_o her_o all_o kind_n of_o power_n for_o that_o purpose_n chap._n xi_o the_o eight_o instruction_n to_o a_o congregation_n of_o visible_a saint_n not_o yet_o possess_v of_o officer_n it_o belong_v to_o possess_v themselves_o of_o they_o here_o be_v two_o thing_n fall_v into_o consideration_n election_n ordination_n 1._o for_o election_n forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v the_o people_n right_a as_o such_o as_o have_v be_v prove_v in_o the_o three_o instruction_n hence_o it_o belong_v to_o any_o number_n of_o they_o join_v together_o into_o a_o congregation_n by_o choice_n to_o call_v officer_n to_o themselves_o 2._o if_o they_o have_v not_o this_o right_n among_o themselves_o whence_o shall_v it_o be_v derive_v to_o they_o 1._o from_o other_o church_n but_o how_o come_v they_o by_o their_o officer_n 2._o from_o a_o synod_n but_o a_o synod_n be_v make_v up_o of_o the_o delegate_n of_o settle_a congregation_n therefore_o congregation_n must_v first_o be_v settle_v there_o be_v the_o same_o answer_n for_o a_o classis_fw-la 3._o from_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n this_o have_v be_v prevent_v in_o the_o five_o instruction_n 4._o from_o the_o combination_n of_o diverse_a minister_n be_v it_o grant_v that_o the_o people_n now_o about_o to_o form_n into_o a_o disciplinary_a congregation_n and_o to_o choose_v their_o officer_n aught_o to_o consult_v and_o follow_v the_o just_a guidance_n of_o able_a and_o faithful_a minister_n proceed_v aright_o in_o direct_v they_o yet_o ought_v not_o those_o minister_n to_o appoint_v officer_n over_o they_o who_o they_o shall_v not_o upon_o their_o direction_n free_o consent_v to_o preacher_n to_o they_o not_o pastor_n and_o ruler_n over_o they_o may_v they_o with_o the_o help_n of_o civil_a authority_n fix_v among_o they_o in_o a_o settle_a congregation_n where_o by_o death_n or_o removal_n or_o censure_n only_o one_o officer_n be_v want_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o officer_n have_v not_o power_n to_o impose_v another_o upon_o the_o congregation_n without_o her_o choice_n as_o be_v clear_a by_o the_o three_o instruction_n former_o show_v the_o right_a of_o the_o people_n election_n but_o those_o her_o own_o officer_n have_v great_a authority_n over_o she_o than_o any_o combination_n of_o minister_n not_o yet_o disciplinary_o settle_v in_o several_a congregation_n much_o less_o have_v any_o one_o minister_n this_o power_n 2._o for_o ordination_n not_o to_o dispute_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o formal_a constitution_n of_o a_o officer_n or_o the_o solemn_a approbation_n of_o he_o by_o the_o people_n election_n formal_o constitute_v 1._o according_a to_o scripture-rule_a and_o thence_o the_o practice_n both_o of_o the_o primitive_a and_o reform_a church_n it_o ought_v to_o succeed_v the_o people_n election_n this_o be_v clear_a for_o a_o pastor_n or_o teacher_n to_o a_o church_n gather_v whatsoever_o may_v be_v say_v for_o a_o teacher_n by_o office_n for_o gather_v a_o church_n 2._o be_v it_o grant_v that_o the_o people_n have_v choose_v their_o officer_n aught_o to_o present_v they_o have_v the_o opportunity_n to_o some_o approve_a minister_n for_o imposition_n of_o hand_n it_o must_v likewise_o be_v grant_v that_o those_o minister_n without_o just_a exception_n against_o that_o people_n or_o their_o choice_n ought_v not_o to_o refuse_v the_o officer_n so_o present_v 3._o suppose_v such_o ordination_n can_v be_v have_v whether_o be_v the_o people_n to_o remain_v without_o the_o public_a ministry_n and_o so_o without_o the_o public_a ordinance_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n or_o do_v their_o election_n and_o approbation_n alone_o in_o this_o exigency_n invest_v with_o office-power_n let_v we_o endeavour_n to_o frame_v a_o judgement_n by_o instance_n of_o a_o case_n or_o two_o 1._o suppose_v a_o company_n of_o saint_n cast_v upon_o a_o remote_a island_n not_o near_o any_o church_n or_o minister_n and_o there_o they_o be_v to_o fix_v their_o habitation_n may_v they_o not_o have_v person_n among_o they_o fit_v settle_v among_o themselves_o a_o public_a ministry_n 2._o 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choice_n from_o minister_n seek_v unto_o as_o differ_v in_o judgement_n about_o the_o matter_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n why_o have_v not_o this_o congregation_n the_o same_o liberty_n in_o this_o case_n that_o the_o other_o have_v in_o the_o former_a object_n here_o they_o make_v themselves_o judge_n answ_n 1._o so_o in_o the_o former_a instance_n 2._o what_o way_n soever_o they_o be_v in_o or_o what_o government_n soever_o they_o be_v under_o except_o they_o see_v it_o with_o their_o own_o eye_n to_o be_v according_a to_o rule_v it_o be_v but_o blind_a walk_n and_o blind_a obedience_n and_o therefore_o unacceptable_a quest_n in_o case_n they_o go_v wrong_v and_o the_o ministry_n with_o other_o christian_n against_o they_o be_v right_a what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v answ_n 1._o for_o they_o they_o be_v to_o obey_v their_o own_o conscience_n though_o we_o can_v say_v err_a person_n have_v a_o right_a to_o obey_v their_o own_o conscience_n yet_o may_v we_o say_v that_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n a_o erroneous_a conscience_n bind_v 2._o for_o the_o ministry_n and_o orthodox_n christian_n against_o they_o as_o the_o church_n be_v to_o proceed_v against_o schismatic_n so_o be_v they_o against_o those_o in_o case_n they_o themselves_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o discipline_n and_o judge_v the_o offence_n of_o that_o moment_n quest_n suppose_v they_o be_v right_a and_o the_o ministry_n and_o christian_n against_o they_o wrong_v answ_n 1._o for_o the_o ministry_n etc._n etc._n as_o former_o on_o the_o other_o part_n here_o be_v their_o duty_n though_o not_o their_o right_n to_o proceed_v as_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o do_v against_o schismatic_n 2._o for_o the_o congregation_n it_o be_v their_o duty_n and_o their_o right_n to_o proceed_v as_o in_o other_o case_n the_o true_a church_n be_v to_o hold_v on_o her_o way_n though_o persecute_v as_o schismatical_a and_o heretical_a consectary_n with_o more_o evidence_n yet_o a_o minister_n consent_v with_o diverse_a 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have_v for_o ordain_v some_o among_o they_o to_o be_v their_o minister_n it_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o have_v but_o withal_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v have_v the_o call_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o church_n be_v sufficient_a as_o beza_n plead_v for_o the_o first_o reformer_n in_o act_n 14.23_o but_o further_a for_o clear_v this_o scruple_n we_o lie_v down_o chap._n viii_o the_o six_o instruction_n that_o bishop_n in_o office_n above_o presbyter_n be_v no_o church-officer_n of_o divine_a institution_n it_o be_v plead_v by_o jerome_n from_o scripture_n and_o the_o high_a gospel-antiquity_n there_o be_v a_o divine_a bishop_n one_o and_o the_o same_o with_o a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o pastor_n or_o teacher_n of_o a_o congregation_n and_o elder_a labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n there_o be_v a_o humane_a bishop_n one_o that_o plead_v his_o office_n to_o be_v above_o the_o presbyter_n or_o pastor_n office_n and_o two_o thing_n he_o challenge_v above_o the_o presbyter_n 1._o power_n of_o ordination_n 2._o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n jerome_n a_o learned_a father_n famous_a about_o 390_o year_n after_o christ_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o evagrius_n and_o in_o his_o commentary_n upon_o the_o epistle_n to_o titus_n speak_v clear_o to_o this_o question_n both_o from_o scripture_n and_o from_o the_o first_o gospel_n antiquity_n i_o have_v therefore_o think_v fit_a to_o translate_v that_o epistle_n and_o thence_o to_o observe_v his_o argument_n from_o scripture_n as_o likewise_o what_o he_o produce_v from_o antiquity_n that_o we_o may_v at_o once_o give_v double_a light_n to_o this_o question_n know_v well_o that_o where_o antiquity_n be_v use_v against_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v nothing_o worth_a but_o whereit_n stand_v fair_a with_o the_o scripture_n it_o may_v be_v a_o secondary_a confirmation_n of_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o impartial_a enquiter_n after_o truth_n and_o a_o argument_n full_o in_o force_n against_o the_o 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act_n 20._o will_v thou_o another_o example_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n thus_o paul_n write_v to_o the_o minister_n sacerdotes_fw-la of_o one_o church_n take_v heed_n to_o yourselves_o and_o to_o the_o whole_a flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o bishop_n for_o it_o be_v the_o same_o word_n here_o that_o every_o otherwhere_o be_v translate_v bishop_n that_o you_o may_v rule_v the_o church_n of_o the_o lord_n so_o he_o read_v it_o which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n and_o that_o no_o man_n may_v contentious_o wrangle_v that_o there_o be_v many_o bishop_n in_o one_o church_n hear_v yet_o another_o testimony_n by_o which_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_o prove_v 1._o tit._n 1._o that_o a_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o for_o this_o end_n i_o leave_v thou_o in_o crect_n that_o thou_o may_v redress_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v want_v that_o thou_o migh_o appoint_v presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n as_o i_o have_v also_o command_v thou_o if_o any_o man_n be_v without_o blame_n the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n have_v faithful_a child_n 4._o 1_o tim._n 4._o not_o accuse_v of_o riot_n or_o disobedient_a for_o it_o behoove_v a_o bishop_n to_o be_v without_o blame_n as_o the_o steward_n of_o god_n and_o to_o timothy_n neglect_v not_o the_o grace_n which_o be_v in_o thou_o which_o be_v give_v thou_o by_o prophecy_n with_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n but_o peter_n likewise_o in_o his_o first_o epistle_n say_v 5._o 1_o pet._n 5._o the_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n which_o be_v among_o you_o i_o entreat_v who_o be_o your_o fellow-eld_a and_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n and_o also_o a_o partaker_n of_o glory_n to_o come_v which_o be_v to_o be_v reveal_v that_o you_o rule_v the_o flock_n of_o christ_n and_o oversee_v it_o not_o of_o necessity_n but_o willing_o according_a to_o god_n which_o in_o the_o greek_a be_v more_o significant_o express_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishoping_a that_o be_v overseeing_a they_o from_o whence_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v draw_v do_v the_o testimony_n of_o these_o so_o great_a man_n seem_v small_a to_o thou_o let_v the_o gospel-trumpet_n sound_n the_o son_n of_o thunder_n who_o jesus_n love_v so_o much_o who_o drink_v the_o flow_a stream_n of_o doctrine_n out_o of_o his_o saviour_n breast_n the_o presbyter_n to_o the_o elect_a lady_n and_o to_o her_o child_n who_o i_o love_v in_o the_o truth_n and_o in_o another_o epistle_n the_o presbyter_n to_o the_o well-beloved_n caius_n who_o i_o love_v in_o the_o truth_n hitherto_o jerome_n here_o we_o have_v both_o clear_o affirm_v and_o strong_o confirm_v that_o a_o bishop_n in_o office_n above_o a_o presbyter_n be_v not_o where_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n but_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v two_o name_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o office_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o belong_v to_o any_o bishop_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o office_n the_o same_o belong_v to_o every_o presbyter_n as_o he_o be_v a_o presbyter_n for_o clear_v both_o his_o affirmation_n and_o confirmation_n we_o must_v observe_v that_o in_o his_o time_n the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n have_v obtain_v that_o some_o be_v single_a presbyter_n other_o so_o presbyter_n as_o withal_o bishop_n challenge_v above_o single_a presbyter_n the_o power_n of_o ordination_n at_o the_o least_o themselves_o likewise_o ordain_v not_o by_o single_a presbyter_n as_o they_o call_v they_o but_o by_o bishop_n and_o it_o be_v plead_v by_o the_o advocate_n of_o episcopacy_n at_o this_o day_n that_o the_o apostle_n before_o their_o death_n ordain_v several_a bishop_n in_o office_n above_o presbyter_n as_o former_o we_o lay_v down_o over_o the_o church_n in_o several_a city_n and_o these_o bishop_n in_o continual_a succession_n ordain_v other_o neither_o can_v a_o bishop_n be_v ordain_v by_o presbyter_n nor_o a_o presbyter_n without_o a_o bishop_n at_o least_o ordinary_o against_o this_o jerome_n plead_v tax_v the_o great_a error_n of_o they_o that_o will_v prefer_v a_o deacon_n to_o a_o presbyter_n that_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o prefer_v he_o to_o a_o bishop_n for_o according_a to_o scripture_n the_o one_o be_v neither_o great_a nor_o less_o than_o the_o other_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o such_o distinction_n of_o single_a presbyter_n from_o the_o bishop_n but_o they_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o and_o this_o he_o say_v the_o apostle_n teach_v clear_o and_o have_v affirm_v this_o he_o prove_v it_o by_o many_o argument_n 1._o from_o the_o grant_a operation_n belong_v to_o the_o presbyter_n office_n as_o such_o and_o therefore_o to_o every_o presbyter_n which_o be_v to_o consecrate_v the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n where_o be_v the_o high_a official_a operation_n there_o be_v the_o high_a office_n but_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o presbyter_n be_v the_o high_a official_a operation_n for_o we_o may_v not_o think_v that_o either_o imposition_n of_o hand_n in_o ordination_n or_o pass_v sentence_n in_o excommunication_n be_v act_n of_o high_a nature_n then_o consecrate_v the_o element_n in_o the_o supper_n and_o this_o belong_v to_o every_o presbyter_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o office_n therefore_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o presbyter_n be_v the_o high_a office_n the_o like_a argument_n we_o have_v 1_o tim._n 5.17_o those_o act_n which_o be_v most_o worthy_a of_o honour_n be_v the_o high_a but_o such_o be_v labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n belong_v to_o every_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n compare_v with_o rule_v challenge_v by_o the_o bishop_n 2._o argument_n from_o the_o two_o first_o testimony_n phil._n 1.1_o and_o act_v 20._o of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n there_o be_v but_o one_o belong_v to_o a_o city_n but_o here_o be_v many_o to_o one_o city_n to_o philippi_n to_o ephesus_n and_o these_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o