edward_n mayor_n martis_n 14._o die_v octobris_fw-la 1679._o annoque_fw-la regni_fw-la regis_fw-la caroli_n secundi_fw-la angliae_fw-la etc._n etc._n xxxi_o this_o court_n do_v desire_n mr._n williams_n to_o print_v his_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o guild-hall_n chappel_n on_o sunday_n last_o before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n and_o alderman_n of_o this_o city_n wagstaffe_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o right_n honourable_a the_o lord_n mayor_n and_o aldermen_z of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n at_o the_o guild-hall_n chapel_n october_n 12._o 1679._o by_o john_n williams_z rector_n of_o st._n mildred_n poultry_n london_n london_n print_v by_o m._n clark_n for_o r._n chiswel_o and_o w._n kettilby_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n and_o at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1679._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a sir_n james_n edward_n lord_n mayor_z of_o london_n and_o to_o the_o court_n of_o alderman_n right_o honourable_a what_o the_o term_n be_v upon_o which_o our_o church_n have_v stand_v with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n since_o the_o reformation_n and_o how_o well_o it_o have_v acquit_v itself_o in_o the_o matter_n dispute_v betwixt_o we_o be_v very_o well_o know_v to_o the_o world_n but_o notwithstanding_o the_o power_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o success_n that_o have_v aforetime_o attend_v the_o endeavour_n of_o such_o as_o have_v among_o we_o maintain_v it_o we_o have_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o we_o have_v of_o late_o gain_v little_a upon_o they_o by_o all_o our_o diligence_n what_o political_a reason_n there_o be_v for_o it_o beside_o become_v not_o i_o to_o inquire_v but_o that_o our_o division_n among_o ourselves_o have_v be_v a_o principal_a one_o and_o give_v our_o adversary_n both_o the_o confidence_n to_o set_v upon_o we_o afresh_o and_o also_o a_o opportunity_n of_o so_o do_v with_o great_a security_n be_v what_o no_o one_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o this_o be_v one_o evident_a cause_n of_o our_o present_a danger_n and_o what_o we_o can_v therefore_o never_o hope_v to_o avoid_v without_o unite_n upon_o some_o common_a principle_n and_o foundation_n it_o be_v this_o that_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o point_n and_o make_v out_o in_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n with_o what_o success_n i_o must_v leave_v other_o to_o judge_n but_o which_o i_o hope_v may_v be_v the_o better_o receive_v as_o it_o have_v your_o approbation_n and_o have_v now_o your_o order_n and_o desire_n to_o have_v it_o make_v more_o public_a in_o obedience_n to_o which_o i_o have_v venture_v it_o abroad_o that_o i_o may_v thereby_o publish_v how_o much_o i_o be_o right_o honourable_a your_o humble_a servant_n john_n williams_n a_o sermon_n on_o ephes._n four_o 16._o from_o who_o the_o whole_a body_n fit_o join_v together_o and_o compact_v by_o that_o which_o every_o joint_n supply_v according_a to_o the_o effectual_a work_n in_o the_o measure_n of_o every_o part_n make_v increase_v of_o the_o body_n unto_o the_o edify_n of_o itself_o in_o love_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o chapter_n the_o apostle_n do_v exhort_v the_o ephesian_n to_o the_o christian_a duty_n of_o charity_n and_o that_o he_o may_v come_v upon_o they_o with_o the_o great_a advantage_n do_v make_v use_n of_o several_a argument_n to_o enforce_v it_o v_o 4_o 5_o 6._o take_v from_o the_o state_n they_o be_v in_o and_o the_o profession_n they_o be_v of_o that_o there_o be_v one_o body_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n one_o spirit_n by_o which_o they_o be_v quicken_v one_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n by_o which_o they_o be_v excite_v one_o lord_n who_o they_o profess_v to_o obey_v one_o faith_n and_o form_n of_o belief_n that_o they_o embrace_v one_o baptism_n by_o which_o they_o be_v initiate_v into_o the_o church_n and_o one_o god_n who_o they_o do_v depend_v upon_o and_o from_o who_o they_o do_v receive_v all_o temporal_a and_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o blessing_n and_o whereas_o it_o may_v be_v think_v that_o the_o variety_n of_o gift_n and_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n shall_v minister_v to_o contention_n he_o add_v that_o however_o they_o may_v be_v abuse_v and_o the_o person_n in_o those_o circumstance_n may_v happen_v to_o pervert_v they_o yet_o as_o they_o be_v primary_o intend_v by_o christ_n the_o dispenser_n and_o disposer_n of_o all_o for_o the_o order_n the_o safety_n and_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o do_v make_v much_o for_o it_o v_o 11_o 12_o 13_o 14._o for_o it_o be_v from_o he_o that_o the_o whole_a body_n fit_o join_v together_o and_o compact_a etc._n etc._n make_v increase_v of_o the_o body_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o word_n there_o be_v a_o comparison_n employ_v betwixt_o the_o natural_a body_n and_o the_o christian_a church_n call_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n v_o 12._o that_o as_o the_o natural_a body_n do_v consist_v of_o several_a part_n and_o those_o part_n have_v a_o dependence_n upon_o the_o head_n and_o be_v so_o fit_o compact_v and_o unite_v among_o themselves_o that_o there_o be_v a_o distribution_n of_o nourishment_n to_o all_o of_o they_o according_a to_o their_o measure_n and_o capacity_n so_o there_o be_v in_o the_o church_n 1._o a_o supreme_a power_n in_o christ_n the_o head_n 2._o a_o due_a subordination_n of_o the_o several_a part_n to_o the_o head_n 3._o a_o strict_a relation_n betwixt_o these_o several_a part_n to_o the_o head_n and_o to_o each_o other_o 4._o a_o derivation_n of_o all_o necessary_a supply_n from_o the_o head_n and_o from_o each_o communicate_v to_o the_o other_o according_a to_o their_o measure_n proportion_n and_o relation_n all_o that_o i_o shall_v at_o present_a take_v notice_n of_o from_o hence_o be_v 1._o the_o firmness_n of_o the_o union_n that_o be_v to_o be_v among_o christian_n they_o be_v join_v and_o compact_v together_o not_o only_o as_o they_o be_v at_o large_a member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n call_v here_o the_o whole_a body_n but_o also_o as_o they_o be_v more_o strict_o combine_v according_a to_o the_o place_n of_o their_o residence_n in_o particular_a society_n and_o church_n have_v officer_n to_o guide_v and_o minister_v unto_o they_o and_o law_n by_o which_o they_o regulate_v themselves_o in_o such_o combination_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v signify_v in_o this_o verse_n 1_o in_o the_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d every_o joint_n which_o i_o conceive_v have_v respect_n to_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o extraordinary_a as_o apostle_n prophet_n and_o evangelist_n or_o ordinary_a as_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n v_o 11._o which_o the_o apostle_n say_v v_o 12._o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o perfect_a and_o compact_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o upon_o who_o the_o gift_n do_v primary_o descend_v for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n v_o 12._o these_o be_v as_o ligament_n and_o joint_n to_o the_o body_n that_o do_v move_v strengthen_v preserve_v and_o secure_v it_o 2._o it_o be_v further_o signify_v in_o the_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d every_o part_n by_o which_o i_o conceive_v be_v to_o be_v understand_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o limb_n of_o a_o natural_a body_n the_o particular_a church_n which_o christian_n according_a to_o their_o convenience_n of_o abode_n and_o affair_n be_v cast_v and_o distribute_v into_o and_o this_o i_o the_o rather_o think_v because_o i_o find_v particular_a christian_n call_v often_o in_o scripture_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d member_n of_o christ_n 1_o cor._n twelve_o 26_o 27._o but_o this_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d part_n be_v never_o so_o apply_v to_o any_o particular_a person_n and_o when_o on_o other_o occasion_n it_o be_v make_v use_n of_o it_o constant_o have_v a_o respect_n to_o number_n and_o multitude_n as_o act_v xxiii_o 6._o one_o part_n be_v jew_n etc._n etc._n and_o this_o may_v further_o be_v presume_v from_o what_o the_o apostle_n say_v chap._n two_o 19_o 20._o where_o after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o catholic_n church_n of_o which_o all_o christian_n be_v fellow-citizen_n he_o proceed_v to_o their_o particular_a union_n as_o a_o christian_a church_n in_o that_o place_n v_o 22._o in_o who_o you_o also_o be_v build_v together_o for_o a_o habitation_n of_o god_n through_o the_o spirit_n 2._o here_o be_v the_o advantage_n of_o such_o a_o union_n it_o make_v increase_v of_o the_o body_n and_o be_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o it_o as_o ver_fw-la 14._o do_v imply_v that_o we_o henceforth_o be_v no_o more_o child_n toss_v to_o and_o fro_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v to_o be_v prevent_v by_o the_o compact_n the_o saint_n together_o ver_fw-la 12._o from_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o say_v i_o observe_v 1._o that_o a_o constitution_n or_o fix_a order_n in_o the_o church_n do_v make_v much_o for_o the_o increase_n and_o safety_n
and_o find_v out_o the_o interest_n design_n and_o inclination_n of_o other_o and_o supply_v with_o all_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v necessary_a for_o such_o a_o undertake_n have_v a_o great_a advantage_n over_o any_o people_n that_o be_v without_o such_o instrument_n 2._o there_o be_v beside_o great_a preferment_n and_o hope_n of_o gain_v they_o to_o whet_v their_o industry_n and_o encourage_v their_o endeavour_n for_o those_o of_o all_o kind_n that_o church_n do_v abound_v in_o and_o flow_v with_o that_o wealth_n gather_v from_o first_o fruit_n ten_o appeal_n dispensation_n pardon_n jubilee_n pilgrimage_n and_o other_o innumerable_a way_n of_o advantage_n as_o that_o no_o design_n shall_v fail_v for_o want_v of_o succour_n in_o that_o kind_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o settle_a conformity_n throughout_o that_o church_n and_o all_o agree_v in_o their_o service_n as_o it_o be_v now_o establish_v that_o whatever_o difference_n there_o be_v among_o they_o yet_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v one_o to_o other_o and_o be_v real_o so_o in_o what_o make_v for_o their_o own_o advantage_n and_o security_n 4._o they_o have_v a_o great_a power_n over_o the_o laity_n in_o the_o interest_n they_o make_v among_o they_o for_o the_o reason_n abovesaid_a and_o by_o oblige_v they_o to_o auricular_a confession_n by_o which_o their_o secret_n be_v pour_v into_o the_o priest_n bosom_n and_o so_o as_o they_o be_v under_o a_o tie_n not_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n which_o they_o will_v not_o trust_v he_o with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o so_o if_o they_o have_v commit_v a_o secret_a to_o he_o dare_v not_o disoblige_v he_o for_o fear_n he_o shall_v disclose_v it_o by_o which_o mean_v man_n dare_v not_o own_o their_o doubt_n or_o so_o much_o as_o entertain_v a_o thought_n of_o do_v otherwise_o than_o the_o church_n will_v allow_v last_o there_o be_v such_o permission_n and_o allowance_n in_o their_o church_n that_o for_o the_o service_n and_o good_a of_o it_o man_n may_v shape_v their_o course_n as_o they_o please_v take_v up_o any_o garb_n and_o fashion_n themselves_o to_o any_o temper_n of_o man_n or_o state_n of_o people_n whatsoever_o for_o such_o a_o end_n so_o that_o from_o a_o church_n thus_o constitute_v and_o establish_v with_o power_n and_o policy_n there_o need_v all_o the_o industry_n consideration_n and_o unity_n that_o can_v be_v to_o preserve_v those_o that_o be_v threaten_v by_o it_o and_o this_o without_o a_o settle_a general_n and_o national_a constitution_n i_o see_v not_o how_o it_o may_v be_v we_o may_v as_o well_o think_v to_o go_v out_o against_o a_o veterane_n and_o well_o discipline_v host_n and_o hope_v to_o overcome_v they_o without_o any_o know_a order_n to_o be_v observe_v or_o officer_n to_o lead_v and_o command_n as_o to_o defend_v ourselves_o against_o the_o invasion_n of_o so_o powerful_a and_o form_v a_o church_n as_o that_o be_v for_o have_v we_o no_o form_n at_o all_o or_o be_v there_o different_a petty_a form_n without_o submission_n to_o one_o as_o supreme_a there_o will_v it_o be_v likely_a be_v as_o many_o faction_n as_o form_n and_o those_o so_o furious_o contend_v with_o each_o other_o that_o the_o very_a approach_n of_o the_o enemy_n will_v hardly_o be_v able_a to_o curb_v the_o violence_n with_o w_z ch_z each_o will_v bear_v upon_o the_o other_o or_o however_o there_o can_v not_o be_v that_o good_a understanding_n that_o necessary_a intelligence_n that_o sober_a advice_n that_o mutual_a care_n for_o each_o other_o safety_n and_o that_o ability_n to_o advance_v it_o as_o when_o there_o be_v but_o one_o the_o adversary_n will_v have_v a_o opportunity_n of_o sow_v dissension_n of_o widn_v difference_n and_o of_o infect_v the_o multitude_n with_o such_o principle_n as_o shall_v make_v they_o a_o fit_a prey_n for_o his_o own_o power_n when_o there_o be_v a_o fit_a season_n for_o it_o from_o all_o which_o the_o necessity_n of_o have_v a_o general_n and_o national_a constitution_n do_v appear_v where_o it_o be_v not_o and_o of_o maintain_v one_o where_o it_o be_v 2._o i_o shall_v consider_v what_o that_o constitution_n be_v that_o may_v best_o preserve_v a_o church_n and_o a_o church_n who_o welfare_n be_v malign_v by_o such_o a_o adversary_n as_o i_o have_v before_o describe_v and_o that_o i_o shall_v do_v by_o lay_v down_o some_o character_n which_o may_v belong_v to_o such_o a_o constitution_n and_o then_o by_o search_v for_o such_o a_o church_n as_o may_v have_v a_o correspondence_n to_o these_o character_n 1._o that_o constitution_n which_o be_v agreeable_a to_o scripture_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o universal_a church_n be_v most_o likely_a to_o maintain_v itself_o against_o all_o opposition_n for_o than_o it_o be_v able_a to_o encounter_v a_o adversary_n with_o great_a advantage_n and_o beat_v he_o from_o his_o strong_a hold_n so_o far_o as_o authority_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o case_n if_o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n on_o our_o side_n none_o can_v ever_o warrantable_o throw_v we_o out_o of_o possession_n or_o make_v good_a any_o charge_n against_o we_o since_o whatever_o we_o hold_v or_o do_v by_o virtue_n of_o its_o authority_n will_v remain_v firm_a and_o unshaken_a and_o which_o none_o can_v touch_v upon_o but_o they_o must_v strike_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o truth_n and_o religion_n and_o if_o we_o have_v the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o record_n of_o the_o first_o age_n to_o stand_v by_o we_o as_o we_o have_v thereby_o the_o best_a expositor_n of_o scripture_n so_o the_o best_a authority_n next_o to_o it_o and_o which_o none_o can_v whole_o reject_v without_o great_a rashness_n and_o arrogance_n 2._o that_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v a_o constitution_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o the_o adversary_n do_v most_o of_o all_o oppose_v and_o seek_v the_o downfall_n of_o if_o we_o see_v a_o enemy_n bend_v all_o his_o force_n against_o a_o particular_a place_n and_o pass_v by_o other_o with_o all_o haste_n and_o diligence_n imaginable_a seek_v to_o surprise_v it_o by_o stratagem_n or_o overthrow_v it_o by_o violence_n we_o may_v well_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n and_o what_o he_o be_v most_o of_o all_o apprehensive_a of_o danger_n from_o and_o if_o we_o find_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n always_o undermine_v and_o assault_v some_o particular_a establishment_n among_o we_o or_o some_o one_o church_n more_o than_o other_o in_o the_o world_n we_o have_v good_a cause_n to_o think_v such_o a_o church_n and_o constitution_n to_o be_v considerable_a in_o itself_o and_o what_o be_v also_o a_o great_a affliction_n and_o obstruction_n to_o they_o 3._o that_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v a_o constitution_n of_o this_o kind_n which_o best_a suit_n the_o civil_a government_n that_o have_v such_o a_o dependence_n upon_o it_o and_o be_v so_o complicate_v with_o it_o that_o it_o can_v can_v carry_v on_o a_o different_a interest_n from_o or_o seek_v the_o trouble_n and_o ruin_n of_o the_o state_n but_o it_o must_v also_o trouble_v and_o ruin_v itself_o whereas_o if_o these_o two_o be_v divide_v or_o have_v several_a centre_n to_o respect_n there_o will_v be_v a_o continual_a contention_n which_o can_v end_v in_o nothing_o but_o destruction_n 4._o that_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v a_o constitution_n for_o this_o purpose_n which_o be_v most_o general_o suit_v to_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o people_n and_o which_o even_o the_o great_a part_n of_o dissenter_n will_v choose_v to_o dwell_v under_o rather_o than_o another_o there_o can_v be_v a_o constitution_n which_o all_o will_v equal_o like_v approve_v of_o and_o agree_v in_o and_o since_o a_o national_a constitution_n be_v necessary_a for_o our_o preservation_n that_o which_o will_v come_v near_o to_o this_o be_v most_o eligible_a 5._o that_o constitution_n may_v be_v presume_v to_o be_v fit_a for_o this_o end_n which_o we_o have_v have_v good_a experience_n of_o and_o know_v what_o it_o be_v able_a to_o do_v and_o be_v sufficient_a for_o for_o whatever_o semblance_n another_o may_v have_v of_o great_a virtue_n and_o sufficiency_n yet_o nothing_o can_v be_v positive_o conclude_v because_o that_o which_o have_v not_o be_v at_o all_o or_o not_o full_o try_v be_v very_o uncertain_a and_o so_o unsafe_a especial_o in_o a_o dangerous_a season_n it_o may_v then_o be_v what_o people_n may_v as_o much_o slight_a as_o they_o do_v before_o desire_v it_o and_o as_o soon_o grow_v weary_a of_o it_o as_o before_o they_o be_v forward_o to_o embrace_v it_o it_o may_v come_v for_o aught_o we_o know_v to_o yield_v the_o cause_n instead_o of_o maintain_v it_o and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o resist_a popery_n that_o it_o may_v be_v swallow_v up_o by_o it_o 6._o that_o constitution_n seem_v most_o fit_v to_o this_o end_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o best_a consultation_n and_o most_o vigorous_a prosecution_n where_o the_o
person_n concern_v in_o preserve_v it_o neither_o want_n education_n nor_o experience_n to_o know_v what_o may_v be_v for_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n and_o have_v also_o a_o sufficient_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o provide_v it_o for_o without_o these_o advantage_n of_o train_v they_o up_o in_o the_o way_n of_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n those_o to_o who_o the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n be_v commit_v will_v rather_o ruin_v than_o preserve_v it_o rather_o betray_v than_o rescue_v it_o by_o their_o weakness_n or_o their_o ignorance_n 7._o i_o may_v add_v to_o this_o that_o which_o have_v encouragement_n for_o learning_n and_o industry_n and_o way_n to_o bring_v they_o up_o in_o the_o one_o and_o quicken_v they_o to_o the_o other_o without_o these_o learning_n will_v be_v scarce_o and_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n sluggish_a and_o heâ—â—â—_n and_o without_o these_o a_o church_n that_o be_v eminent_a â—â—â—rein_o as_o rome_n be_v will_v quick_o espy_v and_o make_v their_o advantage_n as_o she_o have_v already_o do_v in_o the_o eastern_a church_n which_o in_o little_o more_o than_o a_o age_n be_v almost_o overrun_v by_o she_o and_o that_o though_o they_o have_v a_o settle_a and_o ancient_a constitution_n and_o be_v general_o sufficient_o prejudice_v against_o the_o romish_a usurpation_n yet_o what_o from_o their_o poverty_n and_o their_o ignorance_n which_o follow_v from_o the_o former_a the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o pope_n be_v now_o there_o in_o very_a many_o part_n their_o avow_a principle_n and_o if_o at_o that_o distance_n they_o have_v thus_o far_o prevail_v they_o must_v necessary_o meet_v with_o the_o like_a success_n in_o a_o church_n when_o near_o to_o they_o if_o learning_n be_v not_o encourage_v by_o a_o honourable_a maintenance_n 8._o that_o constitution_n be_v likely_a to_o answer_v this_o end_n which_o bystander_n and_o so_o the_o most_o impartial_a person_n have_v give_v their_o verdict_n for_o and_o which_o they_o promise_v themselves_o great_a security_n by_o if_o they_o can_v obtain_v it_o 9_o that_o be_v best_a for_o we_o which_o in_o such_o a_o time_n of_o fear_n as_o this_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o create_v least_o disturbance_n and_o expose_v we_o to_o the_o least_o danger_n for_o the_o particular_a case_n now_o be_v to_o give_v we_o a_o rule_n and_o that_o be_v best_a to_o we_o which_o will_v best_o secure_v we_o against_o the_o public_a mischief_n have_v go_v thus_o far_o to_o show_v that_o a_o settle_a national_a and_o general_n constitution_n be_v necessary_a towards_o our_o preservation_n and_o to_o find_v out_o such_o character_n as_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o unbiased_a and_o consider_v person_n may_v fit_v such_o a_o constitution_n as_o be_v best_a for_o we_o i_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o to_o find_v out_o a_o constitution_n which_o may_v fit_v those_o character_n but_o by_o this_o time_n you_o will_v prevent_v i_o in_o your_o thought_n and_o perceive_v how_o these_o thing_n do_v agree_v with_o our_o present_a constitution_n and_o what_o reason_n we_o have_v to_o maintain_v it_o but_o before_o i_o proceed_v to_o draw_v the_o parallel_n and_o set_v it_o before_o you_o i_o shall_v premise_v first_o that_o we_o be_v to_o take_v the_o several_a character_n before_o lay_v down_o together_o for_o that_o be_v the_o best_a which_o all_o agree_v in_o second_o that_o these_o character_n be_v not_o to_o be_v apply_v to_o any_o single_a part_n of_o the_o constitution_n but_o to_o the_o whole_a for_o we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o maintain_v that_o every_o particular_a thing_n in_o our_o church_n be_v the_o best_a and_o that_o nothing_o in_o it_o can_v be_v mend_v for_o it_o be_v free_o declare_v otherwise_o as_o particular_o in_o the_o commination_n to_o be_v use_v the_o first_o day_n of_o lent_n it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o constitution_n be_v in_o the_o whole_a agreeable_a to_o those_o character_n three_o much_o less_o do_v i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o defend_v the_o miscarriage_n that_o may_v be_v in_o the_o administration_n of_o what_o belong_v to_o the_o constitution_n when_o they_o flow_v not_o from_o the_o constitution_n itself_o for_o they_o be_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o person_n not_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o constitution_n but_o four_o i_o say_v that_o the_o present_a constitution_n among_o we_o best_a suit_n those_o character_n and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o the_o best_a constitution_n that_o i_o know_v of_o upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n so_o it_o be_v most_o fit_a for_o we_o and_o be_v to_o be_v best_a thought_n of_o by_o we_o and_o this_o will_v appear_v by_o compare_v our_o constitution_n with_o the_o character_n before_o lay_v down_o 1._o our_o constitution_n be_v agreeable_a to_o scripture_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o universal_a church_n it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o scripture_n for_o it_o own_v nothing_o for_o canonical_a but_o what_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o make_v nothing_o necessary_a but_o what_o be_v thereby_o make_v necessary_a whatever_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o of_o a_o middle_a nature_n be_v take_v in_o be_v only_o use_v as_o indifferent_a and_o what_o be_v therefore_o alterable_a in_o themselves_o and_o upon_o just_a cause_n may_v be_v alter_v and_o change_v and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v esteem_v equal_a with_o god_n law_n as_o our_o church_n declare_v etc._n and_o those_o that_o be_v in_o use_n be_v what_o she_o have_v the_o ancient_a church_n for_o her_o pattern_n in_o her_o government_n in_o the_o substance_n and_o essential_a part_n of_o it_o be_v what_o be_v unanimous_o and_o universal_o the_o government_n in_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o authentic_a record_n that_o we_o have_v in_o be_v 2._o this_o constitution_n of_o we_o be_v the_o more_o considerable_a as_o it_o be_v what_o our_o adversary_n of_o rome_n do_v most_o inveigh_v against_o and_o labour_n to_o overthrow_v it_o be_v the_o weakness_n of_o some_o to_o accuse_v we_o of_o popery_n because_o of_o episcopacy_n and_o a_o liturgy_n and_o other_o thing_n in_o which_o we_o do_v agree_v for_o although_o they_o have_v episcopacy_n and_o a_o liturgy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n yet_o our_o episcopacy_n and_o liturgy_n be_v what_o they_o bear_v a_o immortal_a hatred_n unto_o neither_o own_v the_o former_a nor_o suffer_v their_o people_n to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o latter_a for_o as_o long_o as_o episcopacy_n do_v not_o acknowledge_v the_o pope_n supremacy_n and_o as_o long_o as_o our_o liturgy_n be_v discharge_v of_o the_o foppery_n and_o idolatry_n that_o they_o be_v stuff_v with_o it_o be_v to_o their_o reproach_n this_o of_o we_o be_v not_o only_o a_o establish_a but_o also_o a_o very_a regular_a constitution_n and_o bear_v in_o it_o so_o great_a a_o conformity_n to_o the_o ancient_a order_n of_o the_o church_n that_o there_o be_v none_o in_o the_o world_n which_o they_o so_o much_o try_v their_o skill_n and_o their_o practice_n upon_o and_o therefore_o whereas_o they_o let_v the_o write_n of_o other_o party_n among_o we_o lie_v by_o with_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o contempt_n that_o i_o remember_v not_o above_o two_o that_o for_o this_o twenty_o year_n they_o have_v vouchsafe_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o to_o reply_v to_o and_o for_o which_o i_o can_v give_v a_o particular_a reason_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o have_v run_v upon_o the_o church_n with_o all_o their_o might_n and_o pick_v out_o the_o goliah_n of_o their_o party_n to_o encounter_v the_o writer_n among_o we_o as_o well_o know_v if_o they_o can_v make_v they_o to_o give_v ground_n and_o retreat_n the_o day_n be_v like_a to_o be_v their_o own_o this_o i_o observe_v not_o to_o disparage_v the_o labour_n of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n in_o that_o kind_n but_o to_o show_v wherein_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n be_v think_v even_o by_o our_o adversary_n to_o consist_v 3._o our_o constitution_n do_v best_a suit_n the_o civil_a government_n as_o it_o do_v maintain_v the_o king_n in_o his_o just_a right_n and_o do_v not_o invade_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o subject_a the_o case_n in_o these_o nation_n former_o be_v that_o the_o church-constitution_n render_v the_o condition_n of_o prince_n and_o people_n unsafe_a and_o perplex_a for_o have_v a_o dependence_n upon_o and_o give_v themselves_o over_o to_o a_o blind_a obedience_n to_o a_o foreign_a power_n viz._n the_o pope_n there_o be_v always_o jealousy_n of_o each_o other_o and_o very_o turbulent_a faction_n maintain_v to_o the_o great_a prejudice_n of_o the_o kingdom_n as_o in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o i._o by_o anselm_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o henry_n the_o ii_o by_o becket_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n but_o now_o the_o supremacy_n be_v settle_v upon_o the_o king_n and_o maintain_v by_o the_o church_n there_o be_v but_o