by_o the_o immediate_a dictate_v of_o the_o spirit_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n can_v conclude_v nothing_o to_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o the_o true_a intent_n of_o his_o word_n without_o it_o this_o if_o it_o be_v mean_v only_o of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n witness_v with_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o seal_v the_o assurance_n of_o this_o favour_n to_o our_o person_n and_o action_n than_o will_v it_o not_o take_v away_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o and_o the_o mean_n by_o which_o we_o be_v effectual_o move_v and_o bring_v to_o be_v christian_n both_o in_o profession_n and_o in_o deed_n so_o that_o by_o consequence_n mean_n may_v be_v have_v whereby_o a_o man_n be_v own_o spirit_n may_v be_v enable_v to_o discern_v between_o the_o dictate_v of_o god_n spirit_n and_o that_o of_o the_o world_n but_o be_v advance_v in_o answer_n to_o this_o difficulty_n as_o the_o first_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o last_o resolution_n of_o it_o can_v be_v so_o understand_v but_o of_o necessity_n import_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v assure_v by_o the_o assurance_n of_o faith_n of_o any_o truth_n without_o that_o mean_n by_o which_o god_n reveal_v himself_o to_o they_o by_o who_o he_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o other_o that_o either_o any_o person_n on_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n or_o any_o private_a spirit_n shall_v pretend_v to_o any_o such_o endowment_n be_v contrary_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o their_o own_o proceed_n when_o they_o use_v the_o like_a mean_n to_o inform_v themselves_o both_o why_o to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n and_o what_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o and_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v as_o other_o man_n do_v and_o if_o they_o do_v pretend_v more_o they_o must_v show_v such_o evidence_n as_o god_n have_v ordain_v to_o convince_v the_o world_n before_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o oblige_v any_o man_n to_o believe_v they_o beside_o that_o so_o it_o will_v not_o be_v possible_a to_o render_v a_o reason_n why_o god_n have_v give_v his_o scripture_n at_o all_o see_v that_o notwithstanding_o he_o must_v furnish_v either_o some_o person_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n or_o all_o believer_n with_o revelation_n to_o convince_v they_o what_o be_v his_o will_n and_o meaning_n by_o the_o scripture_n but_o if_o they_o admit_v of_o such_o mean_n as_o god_n have_v appoint_v christian_n to_o decide_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n or_o of_o the_o world_n that_o witness_v with_o their_o spirit_n then_o be_v the_o question_n where_o it_o be_v because_o as_o god_n give_v his_o spirit_n to_o those_o that_o be_v christian_n upon_o such_o quality_n and_o to_o such_o intent_n as_o they_o who_o pretend_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n aught_o to_o find_v in_o themselves_o and_o to_o propose_v to_o themselves_o and_o no_o other_o so_o be_v they_o assure_v that_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n that_o move_v they_o because_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o those_o quality_n and_o intention_n in_o themselves_o and_o by_o no_o other_o mean_n now_o have_v show_v before_o upon_o what_o ground_n christianity_n be_v to_o be_v embrace_v i_o demand_v whether_o it_o be_v in_o the_o compass_n of_o any_o reason_n that_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n to_o question_v whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v or_o not_o certain_o he_o be_v a_o strange_a man_n that_o shall_v consent_v to_o be_v a_o jew_n or_o a_o mahumetane_a and_o yet_o make_v a_o question_n whether_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n come_v from_o moses_n or_o the_o alcoran_n from_o mahomet_n or_o not_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o we_o stand_v convict_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n by_o the_o same_o mean_n we_o stand_v assure_v that_o god_n have_v cause_v those_o great_a work_n to_o be_v do_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n by_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o apostle_n by_o which_o the_o world_n stand_v convict_v that_o they_o be_v send_v by_o god_n and_o by_o the_o same_o that_o the_o scripture_n wherein_o those_o work_n and_o their_o doctrine_n be_v relate_v be_v from_o god_n neither_o can_v the_o church_n act_n to_o the_o assure_v of_o any_o body_n herein_o as_o the_o church_n but_o as_o a_o multitude_n of_o man_n endow_v with_o common_a sense_n which_o can_v agree_v to_o deceive_v or_o to_o be_v deceive_v for_o if_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n go_v before_o the_o be_v of_o the_o church_n and_o christianity_n can_v be_v receive_v till_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v with_o the_o record_n thereof_o to_o be_v from_o god_n than_o this_o assurance_n though_o it_o come_v from_o the_o agreement_n of_o the_o man_n that_o make_v the_o church_n go_v in_o nature_n before_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o church_n and_o therefore_o come_v as_o well_o from_o the_o consent_n of_o jew_n for_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o of_o christian_n for_o the_o new_a nor_o let_v it_o trouble_v any_o man_n that_o by_o this_o mean_n faith_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v the_o work_n of_o reason_n &_o not_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n see_v it_o may_v very_o reasonable_o be_v demand_v where_o be_v the_o necessity_n of_o grace_n to_o enable_v a_o man_n to_o believe_v what_o he_o see_v reason_n to_o believe_v for_o though_o the_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v credible_a of_o itself_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a of_o itself_o &_o though_o sufficient_a reason_n may_v be_v show_v why_o a_o man_n ought_v to_o believe_v yet_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v many_o scandal_n and_o stumble_a block_n in_o the_o way_n to_o hinder_v he_o from_o believe_v the_o chief_a of_o which_o be_v the_o offence_n of_o the_o cross_n whereof_o our_o lord_n say_v happy_a be_v he_o that_o be_v not_o offend_v at_o i_o for_o it_o can_v seem_v strange_a that_o a_o man_n shall_v refuse_v to_o believe_v that_o which_o he_o see_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o convince_v he_o to_o believe_v when_o as_o by_o believe_v he_o become_v liable_a to_o bear_v the_o cross_n of_o christ_n special_o not_o be_v enforce_v by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n evidence_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o determine_v the_o assent_n of_o the_o mind_n as_o fire_n do_v wood_n to_o burn_v but_o sway_v by_o external_a motive_n work_v upon_o the_o mind_n according_a as_o they_o find_v it_o dispose_v to_o goodness_n for_o when_o this_o disposition_n be_v not_o perfect_o wrought_v by_o god_n grace_n nothing_o hinder_v sufficient_a motive_n to_o prove_v uneffectual_a to_o they_o who_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n scandalize_v this_o be_v resolve_v it_o follow_v by_o necessary_a consequence_n upon_o what_o reason_n and_o by_o what_o mean_n the_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n or_o rather_o the_o will_n of_o god_n concern_v all_o matter_n question_v in_o christianity_n be_v determinable_a for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n many_o time_n to_o know_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v to_o know_v how_o far_o it_o be_v god_n will_n that_o it_o bind_v the_o church_n the_o name_n of_o the_o scripture_n enforce_v no_o more_o but_o that_o all_o be_v true_a which_o it_o contain_v now_o it_o contain_v many_o time_n the_o say_n and_o do_n of_o evil_a man_n as_o well_o as_o of_o good_a of_o satan_n himself_o sometime_o wherein_o it_o intend_v only_o to_o assure_v that_o such_o and_o such_o thing_n be_v say_v and_o do_v and_o not_o to_o insist_v on_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o be_v all_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o no_o part_n of_o it_o bind_v to_o we_o as_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n because_o another_o disposition_n of_o god_n will_v may_v appear_v by_o other_o scripture_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n itself_o be_v find_v many_o thing_n that_o now_o have_v not_o the_o force_n of_o precept_n though_o it_o appear_v that_o they_o do_v sometime_o bind_v the_o church_n such_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o love_n which_o s._n paul_n press_v so_o hard_a as_o i_o show_v afore_o such_o be_v his_o precept_n that_o woman_n be_v veil_v man_n bare_a when_o they_o pray_v in_o the_o church_n the_o decree_n of_o the_o apostle_n at_o jerusalem_n against_o eat_v blood_n and_o thing_n strangle_v and_o sacrifice_v to_o idol_n the_o precept_n of_o s._n james_n of_o anoint_v the_o sick_a the_o ceremony_n of_o baptism_n which_o i_o show_v afore_o out_o of_o s._n paul_n to_o have_v be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n yea_o the_o very_a custom_n of_o drench_a in_o baptism_n which_o no_o man_n doubt_v but_o the_o institution_n signify_v and_o yet_o be_v now_o scarce_o any_o where_n in_o use_n if_o therefore_o there_o be_v question_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n what_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o how_o far_o it_o bind_v the_o church_n the_o
to_o persecute_v it_o for_o if_o it_o preserve_v the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n in_o those_o hand_n wherein_o it_o be_v find_v when_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v and_o receive_v any_o where_o then_o of_o necessity_n all_o right_n all_o good_n of_o this_o world_n in_o the_o possession_n whereof_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n profess_v to_o maintain_v all_o subject_n be_v by_o the_o gospel_n maintain_v in_o those_o hand_n that_o have_v they_o by_o just_a title_n of_o humane_a right_n and_o so_o that_o which_o i_o here_o suppose_v be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o receive_a position_n of_o divine_n that_o temporal_a dominion_n be_v not_o found_v in_o grace_n for_o mens_fw-la right_n power_n and_o privilege_n in_o civil_a society_n be_v no_o less_o their_o own_o and_o concern_v their_o estate_n no_o less_o than_o their_o good_n and_o possession_n therefore_o though_o much_o more_o evidence_n may_v be_v bring_v to_o prove_v this_o from_o the_o apostle_n command_v christian_n to_o obey_v secular_a power_n child_n their_o parent_n slave_n their_o master_n wife_n their_o husband_n and_o the_o like_a according_a to_o the_o law_n but_o above_o the_o law_n for_o conscience_n to_o god_n oblige_v thereby_o all_o state_n to_o maintain_v christianity_n yet_o this_o be_v a_o point_n which_o no_o party_n profess_v to_o stick_v at_o i_o will_v hereupon_o presume_v to_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v but_o though_o the_o church_n be_v not_o endow_v with_o any_o coactive_a power_n by_o divine_a right_n yet_o by_o divine_a right_n and_o by_o patent_n from_o god_n it_o be_v endow_v with_o a_o power_n of_o hold_v assembly_n for_o the_o common_a service_n of_o god_n before_o any_o grant_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n and_o against_o any_o interdict_v of_o they_o if_o so_o it_o fall_v out_o for_o the_o communion_n which_o the_o gospel_n establish_v among_o christian_n be_v not_o only_o invisible_a in_o the_o heart_n believe_v the_o same_o faith_n and_o dispose_v to_o live_v according_a to_o it_o but_o also_o outward_o visible_a not_o only_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n which_o may_v be_v common_a to_o those_o that_o communicate_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o also_o in_o the_o common_a service_n of_o god_n for_o see_v god_n have_v give_v his_o church_n the_o ordinance_n of_o his_o worship_n wherewith_o he_o require_v to_o be_v serve_v in_o common_a by_o his_o church_n some_o of_o they_o common_a both_o to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o synagogue_n that_o be_v to_o jew_n and_o christian_n other_o deliver_v by_o the_o gospel_n only_o to_o the_o church_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o church_n be_v privilege_v by_o god_n because_o command_v to_o join_v in_o serve_v he_o according_a to_o those_o ordinance_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o ask_v a_o express_a warrant_n in_o scripture_n for_o this_o whether_o duty_n or_o privilege_n because_o it_o be_v always_o in_o force_n among_o the_o people_n of_o god_n though_o not_o always_o free_a from_o the_o bondage_n of_o stranger_n the_o apostle_n true_o write_v to_o the_o hebrew_n not_o to_o fall_v away_o from_o christianity_n to_o judaisme_n for_o the_o persecution_n which_o the_o jew_n their_o native_n bring_v upon_o they_o which_o he_o that_o will_v diligent_o observe_v shall_v find_v to_o be_v the_o full_a scope_n of_o that_o epistle_n infer_v as_o a_o consequence_n heb._n x._o 25._o not_o to_o forsake_v the_o assemble_v of_o themselves_o show_v that_o christianity_n can_v be_v profess_v without_o so_o do_v though_o it_o bring_v persecution_n with_o it_o as_o we_o know_v the_o primitive_a christian_n frequent_v the_o service_n of_o god_n when_o they_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o the_o law_n because_o that_o which_o the_o law_n forbid_v be_v their_o assembly_n wherefore_o as_o within_o several_a commonwealth_n there_o be_v particular_a society_n college_n and_o corporation_n subsist_v by_o grant_n of_o their_o sovereign_n and_o as_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nation_n there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o society_n and_o commonwealth_n among_o those_o that_o be_v bind_v in_o the_o same_o vessel_n upon_o the_o same_o voyage_n which_o aristotle_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o there_o be_v also_o among_o they_o that_o travel_v together_o in_o the_o caravan_n of_o the_o east_n because_o they_o submit_v to_o some_o rule_n in_o regard_n of_o some_o common_a interess_n so_o must_v we_o understand_v the_o church_n to_o be_v a_o humane_a though_o not_o a_o civil_a society_n corporation_n or_o commonwealth_n not_o as_o these_o last_o name_v which_o consist_v of_o subject_n to_o several_a state_n warrant_v and_o protect_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nation_n nor_o as_o the_o former_a by_o charter_n from_o some_o sovereign_n but_o by_o that_o law_n of_o god_n whereby_o all_o nation_n be_v call_v to_o serve_v he_o by_o those_o ordinance_n which_o he_o have_v establish_v in_o the_o church_n therefore_o the_o main_a point_n of_o that_o charter_n which_o make_v the_o church_n such_o a_o society_n or_o commonwealth_n be_v the_o right_n of_o assemble_v and_o hold_v such_o assembly_n without_o warrant_n against_o all_o law_n of_o the_o world_n that_o forbid_v it_o the_o particular_n of_o it_o be_v those_o right_n which_o god_n have_v give_v his_o church_n to_o preserve_v unity_n and_o communion_n in_o the_o celebration_n of_o those_o ordinance_n for_o which_o it_o assemble_v for_o since_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n profess_v one_o church_n and_o that_o the_o unity_n thereof_o extend_v to_o this_o visible_a communion_n it_o be_v manifest_a hereby_o that_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v that_o all_o christian_n communicate_v with_o all_o christian_n in_o all_o ordinance_n of_o his_o service_n when_o occasion_n require_v a_o thing_n which_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o side_n confess_v for_o though_o this_o communion_n be_v interrupt_v with_o so_o many_o schism_n yet_o since_o all_o party_n labour_v to_o show_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o separation_n be_v not_o on_o their_o side_n they_o acknowledge_v all_o separation_n to_o be_v against_o god_n ordinance_n when_o they_o labour_v to_o clear_v themselves_o of_o the_o blame_n of_o it_o in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o be_v to_o inquire_v upon_o what_o title_n of_o right_n the_o church_n be_v ingraff_v into_o civil_a society_n and_o sovereignty_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o secular_a power_n exercise_v that_o right_n to_o which_o they_o pretend_v in_o church_n matter_n for_o i_o perceive_v those_o of_o the_o congregation_n oftentimes_o demand_v what_o ground_n we_o have_v in_o scripture_n for_o nationall_n church_n now_o the_o term_n of_o nationall_n church_n it_o seem_v be_v something_o unproper_a because_o as_o one_o and_o the_o same_o nation_n may_v be_v divide_v into_o several_a sovereignty_n and_o the_o church_n thereof_o by_o consequence_n subject_n to_o several_a sovereign_n so_o may_v the_o same_o sovereignty_n contain_v several_a nation_n and_o the_o church_n of_o they_o which_o in_o these_o case_n be_v not_o proper_o nationall_n church_n and_o yet_o be_v proper_o that_o which_o be_v signify_v by_o the_o term_n of_o nationall_n churches_n but_o set_v aside_o this_o exception_n i_o conceive_v those_o of_o the_o congregation_n have_v reason_n to_o make_v the_o demand_n and_o that_o the_o answer_n to_o it_o if_o once_o well_o make_v will_v be_v of_o consequence_n to_o settle_v many_o thing_n in_o debate_n for_o that_o the_o same_o right_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v due_a to_o christian_a prince_n and_o state_n which_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n practise_v under_o the_o law_n of_o itself_o no_o way_n appear_v because_o of_o the_o general_a difference_n between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v to_o tie_v the_o knot_n fast_o that_o there_o be_v this_o clear_a difference_n between_o they_o in_o the_o particular_a in_o hand_n that_o the_o law_n be_v confine_v to_o one_o people_n as_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o that_o covenant_n whereby_o god_n undertake_v to_o give_v they_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o to_o maintain_v they_o in_o the_o free_a and_o happy_a possession_n of_o it_o they_o undertake_v on_o their_o part_n to_o serve_v he_o and_o rule_v themselves_o by_o it_o but_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o new_a covenant_n by_o which_o god_n undertake_v to_o give_v life_n everlasting_a to_o those_o that_o take_v up_o christ_n cross_n to_o perform_v it_o the_o person_n therefore_o of_o who_o the_o church_n consist_v be_v of_o all_o nation_n all_o of_o they_o of_o equal_a interest_n in_o that_o wherein_o they_o communicate_v and_o therefore_o in_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o no_o sovereign_n can_v have_v more_o interest_n than_o another_o in_o create_v that_o right_a by_o virtue_n whereof_o the_o subject_n of_o several_a sovereignty_n communicate_v otherwise_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n must_v needs_o suffer_v one_o sovereign_n prescribe_v that_o as_o
may_v find_v perhaps_o large_a than_o it_o the_o rule_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o be_v the_o same_o that_o cathedral_n church_n be_v found_v in_o city_n though_o city_n be_v diverse_o reckon_v in_o several_a country_n nay_o though_o perhaps_o some_o country_n where_o the_o gospel_n come_v have_v scarce_o any_o thing_n worth_a the_o name_n of_o city_n where_o the_o rule_n must_v be_v execute_v according_a to_o the_o discretion_n of_o man_n that_o have_v it_o in_o hand_n and_o the_o condition_n of_o time_n this_o we_o may_v general_o observe_v that_o church_n be_v erect_v in_o great_a number_n when_o they_o be_v erect_v without_o endowment_n establish_v by_o temporal_a law_n so_o that_o in_o one_o of_o the_o african_a canon_n it_o be_v questionable_a whether_o a_o bishop_n have_v many_o presbyter_n under_o he_o few_o still_o where_o they_o be_v found_v by_o prince_n profess_v christianity_n upon_o temporal_a endowment_n and_o upon_o this_o consideration_n it_o will_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o this_o rule_n that_o in_o egypt_n till_o the_o time_n of_o demetrius_n there_o be_v no_o cathedral_n church_n but_o that_o of_o alexandria_n if_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o believe_v the_o late_a antiquity_n of_o that_o church_n publish_v out_o of_o eutychius_n because_o they_o seem_v to_o agree_v with_o that_o which_o s._n hierome_n report_v of_o that_o church_n as_o to_o this_o day_n if_o we_o believe_v the_o jesuit_n who_o relation_n you_o may_v see_v in_o godignus_n de_fw-la rebus_fw-la abassinorum_fw-la i._o 32._o there_o be_v but_o one_o for_o all_o prester_n john_n dominion_n or_o the_o county_n of_o the_o abassine_n for_o though_o man_n will_v not_o or_o can_v not_o execute_v the_o rule_n so_o as_o it_o take_v place_n in_o more_o civil_a country_n yet_o that_o such_o a_o rule_n there_o be_v be_v easy_a to_o believe_v when_o we_o see_v christianity_n suffer_v as_o it_o do_v in_o those_o country_n profess_v christ_n by_o the_o neglect_n of_o it_o before_o i_o leave_v this_o point_n i_o will_v touch_v one_o argument_n to_o the_o whole_a question_n draw_v from_o common_a sense_n presuppose_v historical_a truth_n for_o they_o that_o place_n the_o chief_a power_n in_o congregation_n or_o require_v at_o all_o several_a presbytery_n for_o the_o government_n of_o several_a congregation_n be_v bind_v at_o least_o to_o show_v we_o that_o congregation_n be_v distinguish_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o they_o will_v entitle_v their_o design_n to_o they_o which_o i_o utter_o deny_v that_o they_o be_v i_o do_v believe_v the_o presbyterian_o have_v convince_v those_o of_o the_o congregation_n that_o in_o s._n paul_n time_n the_o church_n to_o who_o he_o write_v contain_v such_o number_n as_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n assemble_v at_o once_o but_o several_a church_n they_o can_v not_o make_v be_v not_o distinguish_v into_o several_a congregation_n but_o meet_v together_o from_o time_n to_o time_n according_a to_o opportunity_n and_o order_n give_v about_o s._n cyprian_n time_n and_o not_o afore_o i_o find_v mention_n of_o congregation_n settle_v in_o the_o country_n for_o in_o his_o xxviii_o epistle_n you_o have_v mention_n of_o one_o gaius_n presbyter_n diddensis_fw-la which_o be_v the_o name_n of_o some_o place_n near_o carthage_n the_o church_n whereof_o be_v under_o the_o cure_n of_o this_o gaius_n and_o in_o the_o life_n of_o pope_n dionysius_n about_o this_o time_n it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o divide_v the_o diocese_n into_o church_n and_o in_o epiphanius_n against_o the_o manichee_n speak_v of_o the_o begin_n of_o they_o under_o probus_n about_o this_o time_n there_o be_v mention_n of_o one_o trypho_n presbyter_n of_o diodoris_n a_o village_n as_o it_o seem_v by_o his_o relation_n there_o under_o archelaus_n than_o bishop_n of_o caschara_n in_o mesopotamia_n likewise_o in_o a_o epistle_n of_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n report_v by_o eusebius_n eccles_n hist_o vii_o 24._o there_o be_v mention_n of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o teacher_n of_o the_o brethren_n in_o the_o village_n and_o those_o church_n of_o the_o country_n call_v mareote_n hard_o by_o alexandria_n which_o socrates_n eccles_n hist_o i._o 27._o say_v be_v parish_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n must_v needs_o be_v think_v to_o have_v be_v establish_v long_o before_o that_o time_n whereof_o he_o write_v there_o after_o this_o in_o the_o canon_n of_o ancyra_n and_o neocaesarea_n and_o those_o writing_n that_o follow_v there_o be_v oftentimes_o difference_n make_v between_o city_n and_o country_n presbyter_n in_o city_n this_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v begin_v long_o afore_o as_o we_o find_v mention_n of_o it_o at_o rome_n in_o the_o life_n of_o pope_n cain_n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o divide_v the_o title_n and_o coemitery_n among_o the_o presbyter_n and_o the_o distribution_n of_o the_o ward_n of_o alexandria_n and_o the_o church_n of_o they_o mention_v by_o epiphanius_n haer._n lxviii_o &_o lxix_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v make_v long_o before_o the_o time_n whereof_o he_o speak_v but_o when_o justin_n martyr_n say_v express_o apol._n ii_o that_o in_o his_o time_n those_o out_o of_o the_o country_n and_o those_o in_o the_o city_n assemble_v in_o one_o far_o be_v it_o from_o distinguish_v settle_a congregation_n under_o the_o apostle_n which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a the_o position_n which_o i_o have_v hitherto_o prove_v must_v needs_o be_v admit_v that_o the_o christian_n remain_v in_o several_a city_n and_o the_o territory_n of_o they_o be_v by_o the_o apostle_n order_v to_o be_v divide_v into_o several_a distinct_a body_n and_o society_n which_o the_o scripture_n call_v church_n and_o be_v now_o know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o cathedral_n church_n and_o the_o diocese_n of_o they_o constitute_v one_o whole_a church_n this_o be_v prove_v i_o shall_v not_o much_o thank_v any_o man_n to_o quit_v i_o the_o position_n upon_o which_o the_o congregation_n be_v ground_v to_o wit_n the_o chief_a power_n of_o the_o people_n in_o the_o church_n though_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v not_o yet_o agree_v themselves_o what_o the_o power_n of_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v morellus_n in_o the_o french_a church_n dispute_v downright_o that_o the_o state_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n aught_o to_o be_v democratic_a the_o people_n to_o be_v sovereign_n wherein_o by_o bezaes_n epistle_n it_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v support_v by_o ramus_n for_o the_o man_n who_o beza_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o describe_v by_o other_o circumlocution_n who_o put_v the_o french_a church_n to_o the_o trouble_n of_o divers_a synod_n to_o suppress_v this_o position_n as_o there_o it_o appear_v can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o ramus_n perhaps_o ramus_n his_o credit_n in_o our_o university_n be_v the_o first_o mean_n to_o bring_v this_o conceit_n in_o religion_n among_o we_o for_o about_o the_o time_n that_o he_o be_v most_o cry_v up_o in_o they_o brown_a and_o barow_n publish_v it_o unless_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a to_o fetch_v it_o from_o the_o trouble_n of_o francford_n for_o those_o that_o will_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o exercise_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o that_o estate_n because_o they_o be_v a_o congregation_n that_o assemble_v together_o for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n which_o power_n can_v not_o stand_v unless_o recourse_n may_v be_v have_v to_o excommunication_n do_v by_o express_a consequence_n challenge_v the_o public_a power_n of_o the_o church_n to_o all_o congregation_n which_o i_o have_v show_v to_o be_v otherwise_o and_o the_o contest_v there_o relate_v between_o one_o of_o the_o people_n and_o one_o of_o the_o pastor_n show_n that_o they_o ground_v themselves_o upon_o the_o right_n of_o the_o people_n so_o true_a it_o be_v that_o i_o say_v afore_o that_o the_o presbyterian_o have_v still_o hold_v the_o stirrup_n to_o those_o of_o the_o congregation_n to_o put_v themselves_o out_o of_o the_o saddle_n as_o now_o the_o design_n of_o the_o congregation_n be_v refine_v they_o will_v not_o have_v it_o say_v that_o they_o make_v the_o people_n chief_a in_o the_o church_n for_o they_o give_v they_o power_n which_o they_o will_v have_v subject_a to_o that_o authority_n which_o they_o place_n in_o the_o pastor_n &_o elder_n which_o serve_v not_o the_o turn_n we_o have_v a_o instance_n against_o it_o in_o the_o state_n of_o rome_n after_o they_o have_v drive_v away_o the_o tarquin_n they_o place_v authority_n in_o the_o senate_n and_o power_n in_o the_o people_n and_o i_o suppose_v the_o success_n of_o time_n show_v that_o which_o bodine_n dispute_v against_o polybius_n de_fw-fr repub._n ii_o 2._o to_o be_v most_o true_a that_o the_o state_n be_v thereby_o make_v a_o democraty_n so_o the_o congregation_n challenge_v to_o themselves_o right_o to_o make_v themselves_o church_n and_o by_o consequence_n who_o they_o please_v pastor_n must_v needs_o by_o
i_o no_o great_a thanks_o for_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o against_o god_n law_n that_o those_o who_o be_v not_o in_o holy_a order_n do_v preach_v for_o that_o which_o i_o have_v allege_v for_o this_o in_o the_o apostolical_a form_n of_o divine_a service_n p._n 420._o out_o of_o that_o notable_a epistle_n in_o eusebius_n eccles_n hist_o vi_o 20._o in_o behalf_n of_o origen_n who_o before_o he_o be_v presbyter_n be_v employ_v in_o preach_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o caesarea_n consist_v in_o divers_a instance_n of_o other_o person_n of_o origen_n rank_n which_o preach_v indeed_o but_o all_o by_o commission_n from_o their_o respective_a bishop_n who_o be_v themselves_o by_o their_o place_n the_o doctor_n in_o chief_a of_o their_o respective_a church_n and_o if_o this_o be_v against_o divine_a right_n as_o we_o agree_v it_o be_v for_o any_o under_o the_o rank_n of_o a_o presbyter_n to_o celebrate_v the_o eucharist_n how_o shall_v any_o church_n allow_v man_n to_o preach_v for_o trial_n of_o their_o ability_n before_o they_o attain_v that_o rank_n in_o which_o they_o be_v ordinary_o to_o do_v it_o that_o which_o have_v be_v say_v of_o preach_v be_v to_o be_v say_v much_o more_o in_o my_o opinion_n of_o baptism_n if_o the_o charge_n of_o baptise_v give_v the_o apostle_n have_v be_v mean_v of_o the_o office_n of_o minister_a not_o of_o the_o power_n of_o grant_v it_o what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v that_o s._n peter_n have_v convert_v cornelius_n and_o his_o company_n shall_v not_o baptize_v they_o in_o person_n but_o command_v they_o to_o be_v baptize_v act_v ix_o 48_o and_o if_o the_o apostle_n employ_v their_o deacon_n s._n philip_n to_o preach_v and_o to_o baptise_v be_v it_o not_o by_o consequence_n that_o the_o governor_n of_o particular_a church_n employ_v their_o deacon_n about_o the_o same_o in_o the_o synagogue_n it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o office_n of_o circumcise_n ever_o require_v any_o high_a quality_n then_o that_o of_o a_o person_n circumcise_v and_o therefore_o in_o the_o church_n if_o there_o can_v be_v any_o question_n whether_o a_o person_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o baptism_n or_o not_o it_o be_v the_o chief_a power_n of_o the_o church_n that_o must_v determine_v it_o or_o if_o the_o occasion_n require_v solemnity_n which_o may_v argue_v he_o that_o officiate_n it_o to_o be_v chief_a in_o the_o church_n no_o deacon_n nor_o presbyter_n must_v presume_v to_o do_v it_o before_o the_o bishop_n but_o because_o baptism_n be_v the_o gate_n as_o well_o of_o the_o invisible_a church_n as_o of_o the_o visible_a and_o because_o the_o occasion_n be_v many_o and_o divers_a which_z endanger_z the_o prevent_n of_o so_o necessary_a a_o office_n by_o death_n in_o this_o regard_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n allege_v by_o tertullian_n de_fw-fr bapt._n cap._n xviii_o must_v not_o be_v condemn_v whereby_o baptism_n give_v by_o he_o that_o be_v only_o baptize_v be_v not_o only_o valid_a but_o well_o do_v though_o my_o intent_n hereby_o be_v not_o to_o say_v that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v restrain_v to_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n when_o the_o church_n be_v so_o provide_v of_o they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o appearance_n that_o baptism_n can_v be_v prevent_v for_o want_v of_o one_o but_o though_o i_o do_v for_o these_o cause_n refuse_v the_o reason_n that_o presbyterian_o can_v give_v why_o only_a presbyter_n may_v celebrate_v the_o eucharist_n i_o be_o not_o therefore_o much_o more_o in_o love_n with_o that_o which_o the_o school_n doctor_n give_v when_o they_o conceive_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v make_v priest_n by_o our_o lord_n at_o his_o last_o supper_n when_o he_o say_v do_v this_o for_o we_o do_v not_o find_v this_o exposition_n of_o these_o word_n authorize_v by_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n or_o any_o writer_n of_o that_o time_n and_o where_o the_o school_n doctor_n speak_v not_o out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o make_v no_o difficulty_n to_o take_v they_o for_o none_o of_o my_o author_n and_o true_o in_o this_o case_n the_o text_n of_o the_o scripture_n seem_v to_o be_v plain_a enough_o for_o the_o command_n of_o our_o lord_n do_v this_o in_o remembrance_n of_o i_o must_v needs_o speak_v to_o the_o same_o person_n as_o the_o rest_n that_o go_v afore_o take_v eat_v drink_v divide_v this_o among_o you_o which_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n it_o be_v manifest_a the_o precept_n do_v this_o belong_v also_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n can_v make_v any_o difference_n of_o quality_n in_o it_o in_o this_o difficulty_n then_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o find_v any_o anchor_n so_o sure_a as_o that_o of_o tertullian_n de_fw-fr cor._n cap._n iii_o where_o make_v a_o catalogue_n of_o order_n and_o rule_n observe_v in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o find_v deliver_v in_o term_n of_o precept_n in_o the_o scripture_n he_o prosecute_v it_o thus_o eucharistiae_fw-la sacramentum_fw-la in_fw-la tempore_fw-la victus_fw-la &_o omnibus_fw-la à _fw-la domino_fw-la mandatum_fw-la etiam_fw-la antelucanis_fw-la coetibus_fw-la nec_fw-la nisi_fw-la de_fw-la manu_fw-la praesidentium_fw-la sumimus_fw-la the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n be_v commend_v to_o the_o church_n at_o meat_n say_v tertullian_n be_v not_o this_o the_o express_a word_n of_o our_o lord_n for_o when_o he_o say_v do_v this_o be_v it_o not_o manifest_a that_o he_o command_v to_o celebrate_v the_o eucharist_n at_o the_o end_n of_o supper_n as_o himself_o present_o have_v do_v sure_o enough_o the_o primitive_a church_n understand_v it_o so_o for_o the_o ministry_n of_o table_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o which_o the_o apostle_n provide_v themselves_o deacon_n and_o the_o feast_n of_o love_n which_o s._n paul_n regulate_v at_o corinth_n be_v enough_o to_o show_v we_o that_o the_o eucharist_n come_v at_o the_o end_n of_o they_o and_o so_o tertullian_n show_v that_o it_o be_v in_o his_o time_n when_o he_o say_v that_o they_o receive_v the_o eucharist_n at_o their_o assembly_n before_o day_n also_o that_o be_v to_o say_v as_o well_o as_o at_o their_o feast_n of_o love_n at_o which_o our_o lord_n ordain_v it_o but_o though_o there_o be_v no_o precept_n extant_a in_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o eucharist_n be_v use_v at_o those_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v hold_v mere_o for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n beside_o those_o feast_n of_o love_n yet_o if_o my_o reason_n propound_v in_o the_o apostolical_a form_n of_o divine_a service_n p._n 291._o have_v not_o fail_v which_o hitherto_o so_o far_o as_o i_o know_v be_v not_o contradict_v it_o do_v appear_v by_o the_o scripture_n that_o it_o be_v so_o under_o the_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o that_o only_a presbyter_n be_v to_o celebrate_v the_o eucharist_n the_o church_n will_v be_v confident_o assure_v because_o it_o appear_v by_o these_o word_n of_o tertullian_n that_o this_o be_v the_o primitive_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o if_o by_o any_o circumstance_n of_o scripture_n it_o may_v appear_v to_o have_v be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n which_o perhaps_o compare_v the_o premise_n with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o eucharist_n will_v not_o fail_v we_o to_o show_v that_o those_o who_o do_v eat_v of_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v accessary_a to_o their_o idolatry_n the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n x._o 16_o instance_v in_o the_o jew_n who_o by_o eat_v of_o their_o sacrifice_n do_v communicate_v with_o the_o altar_n that_o be_v with_o god_n to_o who_o that_o which_o be_v consume_v upon_o the_o altar_n belong_v and_o because_o christianity_n suppose_v that_o the_o gentile_n sacrifice_n be_v offer_v to_o devil_n therefore_o the_o gentile_n communicate_v with_o devil_n by_o eat_v the_o remains_o of_o their_o sacrifice_n as_o the_o jew_n with_o god_n that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o eat_v of_o their_o sacrifice_n for_o they_o that_o communicate_v with_o god_n in_o the_o eucharist_n as_o the_o jew_n do_v with_o the_o same_o true_a god_n and_o the_o gentile_n with_o the_o devil_n by_o their_o sacrifice_n thus_o the_o apostle_n argument_n suppose_v that_o in_o the_o eucharist_n christian_n do_v participate_v of_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o cross_n as_o jew_n and_o gentile_n do_v of_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o so_o that_o the_o purpose_n thereof_o be_v that_o by_o it_o we_o may_v participate_v of_o the_o sacrifice_n offer_v to_o god_n upon_o the_o cross_n which_o be_v carry_v by_o our_o lord_n within_o the_o veil_n into_o the_o most_o holy_a place_n of_o the_o heaven_n to_o be_v present_v to_o god_n as_o it_o be_v declare_v at_o large_a hebr._n ix_o 11_o be_v notwithstanding_o no_o less_o participate_v by_o christian_n than_o the_o jew_n do_v participate_v of_o their_o peace-offering_n which_o the_o apostle_n teach_v again_o when_o he_o tell_v the_o hebrew_n xiii_o 10._o that_o
out_o of_o the_o scripture_n it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o drive_v a_o worse_a trade_n of_o preach_v then_o ever_o priest_n do_v of_o private_a mass_n the_o one_o tend_v only_o to_o feed_v themselves_o the_o other_o to_o turn_v the_o good_a order_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o harbour_n of_o the_o church_n into_o public_a confusion_n to_o feed_v themselves_o the_o profane_v of_o god_n ordinance_n be_v common_a to_o both_o and_o if_o the_o take_n away_o of_o private_a mass_n must_v be_v by_o turn_v the_o eucharist_n out_o of_o door_n save_v twice_o or_o thrice_o a_o year_n for_o fashion_n sake_n it_o be_v but_o lycurgus_n his_o reformation_n to_o stock_n up_o the_o vine_n for_o fear_v man_n be_v drink_v with_o the_o wine_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v clear_a in_o this_o business_n the_o order_n whereof_o as_o it_o earnest_o sigh_n and_o groan_n towards_o the_o restore_n of_o public_a penance_n the_o only_a mean_a establish_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o maintain_v the_o church_n in_o estate_n to_o communicate_v continual_o so_o it_o recommend_v the_o continual_a celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n at_o all_o the_o more_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o lord_n day_n and_o festival_n as_o for_o the_o sermon_n it_o be_v to_o be_v when_o it_o can_v be_v have_v and_o be_v it_o now_o abate_v when_o such_o sermon_n can_v be_v have_v as_o be_v fit_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o undertake_v that_o there_o will_v be_v room_n enough_o leave_v for_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o reformer_n of_o this_o age_n have_v they_o consider_v so_o well_o as_o it_o behove_v they_o what_o they_o undertake_v shall_v easy_o have_v find_v that_o the_o continual_a celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n at_o all_o the_o more_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o penance_n to_o maintain_v the_o people_n in_o a_o disposition_n fit_a to_o communicate_v in_o it_o be_v such_o a_o point_n of_o reformation_n in_o the_o church_n that_o without_o restore_v it_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v but_o mere_a noise_n and_o pretence_n if_o not_o mischief_n now_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n be_v reserve_v to_o presbyter_n alone_o in_o consequence_n to_o the_o premise_n be_v very_o reasonable_a and_o will_v be_v effectual_a to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v common_a to_o all_o presbyter_n and_o therefore_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o lay_v elder_n for_o see_v all_o agree_v that_o presbyter_n have_v their_o share_n in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n though_o the_o chief_a interess_n in_o it_o be_v the_o bishop_n according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o see_v the_o work_n of_o this_o power_n be_v to_o admit_v to_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n as_o s._n john_n show_v when_o he_o describe_v excommunication_n by_o not_o pray_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o excommunicate_a and_o see_v it_o appear_v by_o s._n james_n that_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o they_o who_o the_o church_n pray_v for_o be_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o presbyter_n what_o can_v we_o conceive_v more_o reasonable_a and_o consequent_a to_o the_o premise_n then_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v convertible_a with_o the_o office_n of_o celebrate_v the_o eucharist_n belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n by_o virtue_n of_o it_o for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o agreeable_a then_o that_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n which_o the_o eucharist_n be_v celebrate_v with_o be_v offer_v by_o those_o that_o be_v to_o discern_v who_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v who_o exclude_v from_o the_o same_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o josephus_n the_o jew_n in_o epiphanius_n against_o the_o ebionite_n where_o be_v baptize_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o tiberias_n at_o his_o part_n he_o give_v he_o money_n say_v offer_v for_o i_o for_o it_o be_v write_v who_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v and_o who_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v express_v thereby_o the_o sense_n of_o primitive_a christian_n who_o when_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n which_o the_o eucharist_n be_v offer_v to_o god_n with_o make_v account_v thereby_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v pass_v and_o continual_o do_v pass_v upon_o they_o to_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n whereupon_o we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v a_o ordinary_a censure_n of_o the_o ancient_a canon_n that_o he_o which_o do_v so_o or_o so_o his_o oblation_n be_v not_o receive_v that_o be_v that_o he_o be_v out_o of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o for_o who_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v make_v which_o the_o eucharist_n be_v offer_v with_o therefore_o ignatius_n thus_o prosecute_v the_o word_n last_o quote_v he_o that_o be_v without_o the_o sanctuary_n say_v he_o come_v short_a of_o the_o bread_n of_o god_n for_o if_o the_o prayer_n of_o one_o or_o two_o be_v so_o forcible_a with_o god_n what_o shall_v we_o think_v of_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n depend_v upon_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v that_o which_o contain_v that_o unity_n it_o be_v therefore_o agreeable_a that_o those_o prayer_n which_o be_v of_o this_o efficacy_n be_v the_o prayer_n of_o they_o who_o this_o unity_n and_o the_o power_n which_o preserve_v it_o be_v trust_v with_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n though_o all_o christian_n be_v priest_n as_o the_o scripture_n say_v 1_o pet._n ii_o 5._o apoc._n i._n 6._o by_o a_o far_o better_a title_n than_o moses_n promise_v the_o israelite_n ex._n xix_o 6._o the_o sacrifice_n of_o prayer_n be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n yet_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v by_o good_a right_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v call_v sacerdotes_fw-la or_o sacrificer_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o same_o sacrifice_n of_o prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n for_o which_o all_o christian_n be_v call_v sacrificer_n that_o be_v to_o say_v by_o way_n of_o excellence_n because_o that_o which_o be_v the_o act_n of_o all_o be_v by_o ordinance_n of_o the_o apostle_n pass_v upon_o the_o whole_a church_n reserve_v to_o be_v execute_v and_o minister_v by_o they_o who_o that_o power_n which_o preserve_v that_o unity_n which_o enforce_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v trust_v with_o he_o that_o refuse_v this_o reason_n as_o build_v upon_o consequence_n that_o convince_v not_o must_v by_o consequence_n acknowledge_v that_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n be_v peculiar_a to_o presbyter_n mere_o by_o universal_a and_o perpetual_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n derive_v from_o the_o order_n settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n which_o whether_o those_o of_o the_o presbytery_n will_v admit_v i_o leave_v to_o themselves_o to_o advise_v for_o as_o for_o their_o pretence_n that_o the_o ministry_n of_o both_o sacrament_n be_v convertible_a with_o the_o office_n of_o preach_v upon_o which_o they_o style_v their_o pastor_n or_o preach_v elder_n minister_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n it_o appear_v to_o be_v as_o void_a of_o any_o ground_n from_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v wide_a from_o the_o original_n and_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n be_v the_o office_n of_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n the_o ministry_n of_o baptism_n and_o preach_v communicable_a to_o deacon_n and_o possible_o to_o lay_v man_n only_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n proper_a to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n but_o put_v all_o the_o reason_n that_o here_o be_v advance_v to_o compromise_n yet_o out_o of_o the_o premise_n we_o have_v two_o effectual_a argument_n to_o convince_v the_o nullity_n of_o lay_n elder_n the_o first_o from_o the_o manner_n of_o sit_v in_o the_o church_n in_o as_o much_o as_o it_o have_v be_v show_v that_o the_o order_n and_o custom_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o as_o be_v in_o use_n in_o their_o time_n for_o if_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o sit_v in_o the_o church_n be_v so_o distinguish_v that_o all_o the_o presbyter_n sit_v in_o one_o rank_n in_o the_o uppermost_a room_n with_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o midst_n that_o be_v in_o the_o head_n of_o they_o his_o seat_n advance_v above_o they_o as_o s._n hierome_n witness_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n from_o s._n mark_n from_o which_o manner_n of_o sit_v they_o be_v call_v by_o the_o greek_a father_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o in_o the_o scripture_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o tertullian_n praesidentes_fw-la how_o can_v common_a sense_n desire_v better_a evidence_n that_o there_o be_v but_o two_o quality_n
paul_n and_o barnabas_n be_v ordain_v by_o the_o immediate_a act_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n the_o solemnity_n thereof_o be_v perform_v by_o those_o in_o who_o we_o can_v imagine_v the_o power_n of_o send_v they_o to_o rest_v in_o which_o opinion_n i_o be_o much_o confirm_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o synagogue_n for_o though_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o custom_n of_o promote_a judge_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n come_v from_o the_o example_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o ordain_v of_o the_o lxx_o elder_n and_o joshua_n yet_o we_o must_v believe_v their_o record_n compile_v by_o maimoni_n â—â—_o de_fw-fr synedrio_fw-la cap._n iu._n when_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o process_n of_o time_n it_o be_v do_v without_o that_o solemnity_n by_o a_o instrument_n or_o so_o and_o yet_o still_o call_v nevertheless_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o now_o let_v they_o that_o demand_n what_o be_v that_o special_a act_n which_o bishop_n be_v able_a to_o do_v and_o presbyter_n not_o take_v their_o choice_n if_o they_o be_v content_a that_o the_o bishop_n act_v with_o this_o interest_n that_o without_o he_o nothing_o be_v do_v be_v count_v a_o special_a act_n they_o have_v the_o special_a act_n which_o they_o demand_v in_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n if_o they_o be_v not_o though_o it_o be_v easy_a enough_o to_o dispute_v it_o everlasting_o yet_o i_o will_v not_o contend_v with_o they_o about_o it_o see_v it_o be_v enough_o that_o nothing_o be_v do_v without_o he_o to_o make_v he_o a_o fair_a step_n above_o his_o presbyter_n and_o yet_o i_o conceive_v there_o be_v a_o act_n to_o be_v name_v peculiar_a to_o bishop_n which_o be_v to_o sit_v in_o a_o council_n which_o consist_v of_o the_o representative_n of_o all_o church_n and_o not_o capable_a of_o all_o presbyter_n and_o the_o bishop_n right_o be_v that_o without_o he_o nothing_o be_v do_v in_o his_o church_n it_o follow_v that_o by_o the_o right_n by_o which_o he_o be_v a_o bishop_n he_o be_v a_o member_n of_o his_o synod_n which_o no_o priest_n can_v be_v but_o by_o privilege_n see_v the_o whole_a order_n can_v and_o this_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n for_o by_o the_o premise_n the_o apostle_n have_v place_n in_o the_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n as_o ordinary_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n concern_v in_o it_o which_o church_n have_v there_o no_o other_o representative_n but_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n as_o head_n of_o the_o church_n which_o they_o have_v found_v so_o late_o act_v xiii_o fourteen_o as_o it_o appear_v when_o by_o they_o the_o decree_n be_v deliver_v to_o execution_n in_o the_o church_n act_n xvi_o 4._o as_o for_o the_o presbyter_n mention_v in_o it_o the_o same_o evidence_n which_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v presbyter_n assure_v we_o also_o that_o they_o be_v presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o none_o else_o this_o i_o conceive_v the_o fit_a to_o be_v think_v the_o special_a act_n of_o a_o bishop_n for_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n arise_v from_o the_o power_n deposit_v in_o each_o church_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o he_o that_o communicate_v with_o any_o one_o church_n in_o any_o rank_n of_o it_o communicate_v with_o all_o church_n in_o the_o same_o which_o be_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o effect_n of_o the_o literae_fw-la formatae_fw-la or_o letter_n of_o mark_n by_o which_o this_o unity_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v maintain_v in_o as_o much_o as_o he_o that_o travel_v with_o such_o a_o testimony_n of_o his_o rank_n in_o any_o one_o church_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o be_v receive_v in_o all_o church_n where_o he_o come_v and_o therefore_o synesius_n in_o the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n against_o andronicus_n which_o by_o his_o fifty_o seven_o epistle_n he_o publish_v to_o the_o church_n add_v that_o if_o any_o church_n contemn_v the_o sentence_n of_o his_o church_n as_o a_o small_a and_o a_o poor_a one_o shall_v receive_v andronieu_n to_o communion_n without_o satisfaction_n give_v to_o he_o and_o his_o church_n thereby_o it_o shall_v become_v guilty_a of_o schism_n this_o hold_v as_o such_o act_n be_v not_o question_v by_o any_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n as_o not_o concern_v the_o state_n of_o other_o church_n which_o if_o they_o be_v then_o as_o no_o church_n can_v be_v conclude_v but_o by_o the_o act_n to_o which_o themselves_o concur_v whereby_o all_o excommunication_n &_o ordination_n as_o well_o as_o make_v of_o canon_n be_v the_o subject_n of_o synod_n so_o the_o chief_a power_n must_v needs_o be_v most_o see_v in_o that_o act_n which_o conclude_v all_o church_n concern_v which_o be_v the_o act_n of_o a_o synod_n as_o concern_v the_o objection_n that_o there_o be_v no_o precept_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o bishop_n govern_v all_o church_n and_o that_o many_o thing_n ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v abolish_v in_o the_o church_n it_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o it_o come_v from_o less_o skill_n or_o proceed_v to_o worse_a consequence_n for_o unless_o we_o will_v betray_v the_o advantage_n of_o the_o church_n to_o very_o many_o and_o perhaps_o to_o all_o heresy_n and_o schism_n that_o ever_o be_v we_o must_v confess_v that_o as_o there_o be_v precept_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o oblige_v not_o so_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n not_o set_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o form_n of_o precept_n that_o oblige_v what_o can_v be_v deliver_v in_o a_o more_o express_a form_n of_o precept_n then_o that_o of_o saint_n paul_n that_o woman_n pray_v with_o their_o head_n cover_v man_n with_o they_o uncovered_v and_o yet_o where_o be_v it_o in_o force_n the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o the_o decree_n of_o jerusalem_n against_o eat_v thing_n strangle_v and_o blood_n on_o the_o other_o side_n we_o find_v by_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o apostle_n keep_v the_o lord_n day_n but_o do_v not_o find_v there_o that_o they_o command_v it_o to_o be_v keep_v as_o for_o the_o four_o commandment_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o rest_n on_o the_o day_n that_o god_n cease_v his_o work_n and_o another_o on_o the_o day_n that_o he_o begin_v it_o and_o if_o there_o be_v precept_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o now_o oblige_v not_o why_o may_v not_o secinus_fw-la dispute_n that_o the_o precept_n of_o baptism_n be_v temporary_a for_o they_o that_o have_v be_v enemy_n to_o the_o faith_n afore_o and_o though_o i_o say_v not_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v the_o better_a hand_n for_o the_o truth_n can_v be_v contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n yet_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v possible_a for_o every_o christian_n to_o discern_v whether_o he_o have_v it_o or_o no_o unless_o there_o be_v some_o more_o sensible_a ballast_n then_o nice_a consequence_n from_o the_o text_n of_o the_o scripture_n if_o it_o be_v thus_o of_o baptism_n much_o more_o of_o the_o eucharist_n which_o as_o you_o see_v be_v not_o use_v any_o more_o in_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v institute_v as_o for_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n it_o be_v absolute_o by_o this_o answer_n betray_v to_o the_o socinian_o who_o will_v have_v it_o peculiar_a to_o the_o apostle_n for_o it_o be_v not_o where_o deliver_v as_o a_o precept_n but_o only_o as_o a_o privilege_n what_o mean_n be_v there_o then_o to_o end_v everlasting_a difficulty_n sure_o the_o same_o that_o there_o be_v to_o understand_v all_o positive_a law_n that_o ever_o be_v for_o if_o the_o ancient_a interruption_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o any_o law_n secure_v the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v not_o give_v to_o all_o time_n and_o place_n sure_a that_o which_o be_v not_o mention_v as_o a_o precept_n and_o yet_o have_v be_v always_o in_o practice_n without_o interruption_n as_o it_o be_v in_o force_n afore_o it_o be_v mention_v so_o be_v intend_v to_o oblige_v not_o by_o the_o mention_n but_o by_o the_o act_n that_o first_o establish_v it_o evidence_v by_o practice_n which_o if_o it_o be_v so_o then_o be_v there_o no_o power_n on_o earth_n able_a to_o abolish_v the_o order_n of_o bishop_n have_v be_v in_o force_n in_o all_o church_n ever_o since_o the_o apostle_n i_o must_v not_o pass_v this_o place_n of_o limit_v all_o interest_n without_o a_o word_n or_o two_o of_o the_o office_n of_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n in_o regard_n of_o two_o extreme_a opinion_n one_o of_o geneva_n that_o make_v they_o mere_a lay_v man_n collector_n of_o alm_n by_o necessary_a consequence_n because_o under_o their_o lay_n elder_n the_o other_o of_o some_o that_o will_v have_v they_o understand_v to_o be_v presbyter_n as_o oft_o as_o s._n paul_n mention_n but_o two_o order_n of_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n phil._n i._n 1._o 1_o tim._n ii_o 9_o but_o as_o
in_o his_o gospel_n have_v leave_v concern_v marriage_n for_o if_o this_o be_v peculiar_a to_o christian_n as_o christian_n then_o whatsoever_o become_v questionable_a upon_o the_o interpretation_n of_o this_o law_n concern_v the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v the_o church_n must_v needs_o fall_v under_o the_o sentence_n of_o those_o that_o be_v enable_v to_o conclude_v the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v without_o question_n as_o ancient_a as_o christianity_n that_o no_o marriage_n be_v make_v which_o the_o church_n allow_v not_o the_o benediction_n whereof_o upon_o marriage_n be_v a_o sign_n of_o the_o allowance_n of_o the_o church_n presuppose_v as_o that_o upon_o the_o marriage_n of_o booz_n and_o ruth_n ruth_n iu._n 11._o presuppose_v the_o act_n to_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o elder_n or_o consistory_n of_o bethlehem_n as_o you_o have_v it_o afore_o these_o difficulty_n thus_o void_v it_o remain_v that_o the_o secular_a power_n stand_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o enforce_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n where_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o produce_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n or_o the_o quiet_a of_o the_o state_n as_o for_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o state_n in_o ordination_n the_o same_o reason_n hold_v it_o be_v very_o manifest_a by_o many_o example_n of_o commendable_a time_n under_o christian_a emperor_n that_o many_o ordination_n have_v be_v make_v at_o the_o instance_n and_o command_v of_o emperor_n and_o sovereign_a prince_n and_o why_o not_o what_o hinder_v they_o to_o make_v choice_n of_o fit_a person_n than_o the_o clergy_n and_o people_n can_v agree_v to_o choose_v and_o what_o hinder_v the_o church_n upon_o consideration_n of_o their_o choice_n to_o reform_v their_o own_o but_o when_o sovereign_a power_n by_o general_n law_n forbid_v ordination_n to_o proceed_v but_o upon_o person_n nominate_v by_o themselves_o how_o then_o shall_v the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n take_v place_n or_o what_o shall_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o s._n paul_n precept_n to_o timothy_n to_o lay_v hand_n hasty_o on_o no_o man_n lest_o he_o partake_v of_o other_o man_n sin_n which_o can_v take_v place_n unless_o he_o that_o ordain_v be_v free_a not_o to_o ordain_v the_o precedent_n thuanus_n write_v of_o the_o concordates_n between_o leo_n the_o ten_o and_o francis_n the_o first_o by_o which_o the_o canonical_a way_n of_o election_n of_o bishop_n be_v abolish_v in_o france_n say_v free_o that_o that_o great_a prince_n never_o prosper_v after_o that_o act_n give_v this_o for_o his_o reason_n because_o thereby_o that_o course_n of_o elect_a bishop_n be_v take_v away_o which_o have_v be_v introduce_v from_o the_o begin_n by_o the_o apostle_n in_o fine_a of_o this_o particular_a i_o shall_v need_v to_o say_v no_o more_o but_o this_o according_a to_o the_o general_a reason_n premise_v that_o quality_n ordain_v by_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v confer_v by_o person_n qualify_v so_o to_o do_v by_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n but_o with_o this_o moderation_n that_o secular_a power_n be_v satisfy_v not_o only_o that_o the_o person_n promote_v be_v not_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o state_n whereof_o they_o have_v charge_n by_o their_o proper_a quality_n but_o also_o that_o as_o christian_n they_o be_v not_o assistant_n to_o the_o promotion_n of_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o contrary_a of_o that_o which_o they_o as_o christian_n profess_v be_v bind_v to_o maintain_v in_o the_o last_o place_n it_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a from_o the_o premise_n to_o determine_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o state_n in_o settle_v maintain_v and_o dispose_v of_o the_o endowment_n of_o the_o church_n for_o see_v the_o reason_n premise_v which_o now_o be_v laugh_v at_o by_o those_o that_o will_v not_o understand_v wherein_o christianity_n consist_v have_v prevail_v so_o far_o with_o all_o christian_a people_n that_o all_o tithe_n and_o many_o other_o oblation_n and_o endowment_n be_v and_o have_v be_v in_o all_o part_n consecrate_v to_o god_n as_o the_o first-fruit_n of_o christian_n good_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o his_o service_n it_o remain_v the_o duty_n of_o the_o secular_a sword_n to_o maintain_v the_o church_n in_o that_o right_n for_o that_o public_a power_n that_o shall_v lay_v hand_n on_o such_o good_n shall_v rob_v both_o god_n and_o the_o people_n god_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o act_n of_o consecration_n pass_v upon_o such_o good_n the_o people_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o original_a right_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o church_n which_o first_o move_v christian_n to_o consecrate_v the_o same_o by_o virtue_n of_o which_o right_n that_o which_o first_o be_v consecrate_v be_v take_v away_o by_o force_n christian_a people_n remain_v no_o less_o oblige_v to_o separate_v from_o the_o remainder_n of_o their_o poverty_n that_o which_o shall_v be_v proportionable_a to_o that_o which_o all_o christian_a people_n have_v always_o consecrate_v to_o god_n out_o of_o their_o estate_n and_o those_z that_o persuade_v good_a christian_n that_o such_o consecration_n have_v proceed_v only_o from_o the_o cozenage_n of_o the_o clergy_n for_o their_o own_o advantage_n may_v as_o well_o persuade_v they_o that_o they_o be_v cozen_v when_o they_o be_v persuade_v to_o be_v christian_n see_v such_o consecration_n have_v be_v make_v by_o all_o christian_a people_n as_o for_o the_o dispose_n of_o that_o which_o be_v give_v to_o the_o public_a use_n of_o the_o church_n i_o say_v not_o the_o same_o i_o hold_v it_o necessary_a that_o the_o church_n satisfy_v the_o state_n that_o whatsoever_o be_v give_v to_o such_o use_n may_v be_v to_o the_o common_a good_a of_o the_o people_n and_o so_o leave_v the_o imperfection_n of_o law_n to_o blame_v that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n which_o i_o think_v may_v very_o reasonable_o be_v do_v for_o first_o all_o cathedral_n church_n be_v by_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n entire_a body_n in_o themselves_o distinct_a from_o other_o church_n according_a to_o that_o which_o have_v be_v prove_v of_o the_o dependence_n of_o church_n all_o oblation_n to_o any_o church_n original_o belong_v to_o the_o body_n thereof_o in_o common_a at_o the_o dispose_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n thereof_o which_o be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v the_o primitive_a order_n of_o the_o church_n derive_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o i_o have_v declare_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n though_o they_o have_v comply_v with_o the_o bounty_n of_o those_o that_o have_v endow_v parish_n church_n and_o consent_v to_o limit_v the_o endowment_n of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o to_o itself_o alone_o second_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o clergy_n be_v under_o such_o a_o discipline_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v to_o live_v in_o such_o a_o discipline_n they_o can_v neither_o waste_v the_o endowment_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o themselves_o nor_o use_v it_o to_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o family_n which_o discipline_n if_o the_o secular_a power_n be_v employ_v to_o retrieve_v it_o will_v not_o be_v thereby_o destructive_a to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n but_o cumulative_a as_o likewise_o if_o it_o be_v employ_v to_o the_o most_o advantageous_a distribution_n of_o that_o mass_n of_o church_n good_n which_o lie_v affect_v and_o depute_v to_o any_o cathedral_n church_n through_o the_o whole_a diocese_n thereof_o in_o case_n the_o distribution_n make_v by_o humane_a right_n appear_v prejudicial_a to_o those_o charitable_a purpose_n which_o be_v the_o mean_n by_o which_o the_o service_n of_o god_n through_o that_o church_n or_o diocese_n be_v maintain_v and_o advance_v provide_v always_o that_o a_o great_a sacrilege_n be_v not_o commit_v by_o rob_v the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o the_o right_n and_o power_n which_o they_o have_v from_o the_o apostle_n in_o dispose_v of_o the_o endowment_n of_o their_o church_n these_o thing_n promise_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o undertake_v that_o there_o never_o be_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o fruit_n of_o this_o land_n mortify_v and_o put_v out_o of_o commerce_n and_o apply_v and_o affect_v to_o the_o church_n but_o that_o it_o be_v in_o that_o estate_n more_o advantageous_a to_o the_o public_a strength_n security_n and_o plenty_n of_o the_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o charitable_a maintenance_n of_o those_o that_o attend_v it_o in_o case_n the_o secular_a power_n have_v be_v improve_v to_o dispose_v of_o it_o for_o the_o best_a than_o it_o can_v be_v in_o any_o particular_a hand_n especial_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o sacrilege_n chap._n v._n how_o the_o church_n may_v be_v reform_v without_o violate_v divine_a right_n what_o privilege_n and_o penalty_n a_o christian_a state_n may_v enforce_v christianity_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o
right_a understanding_n of_o christ_n cross_n and_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o christianity_n for_o if_o we_o be_v call_v to_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n by_o our_o christianity_n we_o can_v thereby_o be_v call_v to_o any_o advantage_n estate_n or_o possession_n of_o this_o world_n which_o we_o have_v not_o by_o our_o quality_n in_o the_o state_n and_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o temporal_a dominion_n be_v not_o found_v in_o grace_n it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o found_v in_o christianity_n because_o the_o great_a grace_n of_o god_n in_o give_v christ_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o other_o grace_n tend_v to_o life_n everlasting_a now_o if_o christianity_n import_v no_o right_n no_o interest_n no_o advantage_n of_o this_o world_n but_o maintain_v the_o state_n of_o this_o world_n in_o the_o same_o condition_n which_o it_o find_v when_o the_o world_n embrace_v christianity_n because_o it_o oblige_v all_o man_n to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o sovereign_a power_n which_o maintain_v all_o man_n in_o possession_n of_o their_o right_n for_o conscience_n sake_n then_o be_v the_o difficulty_n remove_v neither_o can_v it_o be_v prejudicial_a to_o state_n that_o the_o person_n whereof_o they_o consist_v be_v call_v by_o god_n to_o a_o society_n of_o the_o church_n subsist_v by_o the_o grant_n and_o patent_n of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o any_o state_n if_o it_o be_v thus_o the_o question_n will_v be_v ask_v in_o the_o next_o place_n how_o a_o society_n of_o man_n can_v subsist_v in_o this_o world_n without_o any_o privilege_n or_o right_v of_o this_o world_n and_o see_v it_o must_v be_v the_o grant_n of_o some_o privilege_n from_o god_n which_o the_o world_n give_v not_o that_o must_v make_v the_o church_n a_o society_n community_n corporation_n or_o spiritual_a commonwealth_n what_o this_o privilege_n be_v and_o wherein_o it_o consist_v for_o to_o the_o constitution_n of_o this_o society_n there_o go_v more_o than_o to_o believe_v the_o faith_n with_o the_o heart_n which_o be_v of_o itself_o invisible_a can_v be_v sufficient_a to_o constitute_v the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n which_o must_v be_v visible_a more_o than_o to_o profess_v christianity_n to_o the_o world_n for_o so_o do_v they_o we_o see_v that_o dispute_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o any_o society_n of_o the_o church_n because_o they_o suppose_v not_o that_o christianity_n oblige_v they_o to_o communicate_v in_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o ordinance_n wherein_o it_o consist_v but_o this_o be_v suppose_v together_o with_o the_o condition_n upon_o which_o man_n be_v admit_v to_o christianity_n as_o the_o condition_n upon_o which_o they_o communicate_v in_o the_o same_o there_o need_v nothing_o else_o to_o make_v the_o church_n such_o a_o society_n as_o we_o speak_v of_o it_o may_v perhaps_o seem_v strange_a that_o this_o privilege_n of_o hold_v assembly_n for_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o obligation_n which_o all_o christian_n be_v under_o of_o communicate_v in_o the_o same_o shall_v be_v advance_v for_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o all_o the_o right_a of_o the_o church_n stand_v see_v it_o be_v but_o collect_v by_o consequence_n and_o not_o express_o lay_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o precept_n or_o privilege_n for_o that_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n stand_v and_o the_o source_n from_o whence_o all_o the_o right_a thereof_o issue_v be_v not_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o salvation_n but_o of_o theological_a discourse_n by_o consequence_n of_o reason_n to_o be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n without_o which_o they_o may_v be_v as_o good_a christian_n which_o without_o it_o can_v acquit_v themselves_o of_o those_o difficulty_n which_o he_o that_o know_v the_o ground_n from_o whence_o the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n by_o consequence_n of_o reason_n may_v be_v deduce_v shall_v be_v able_a to_o resolve_v here_o than_o we_o have_v a_o privilege_n because_o grant_v by_o god_n against_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n not_o as_o to_o use_v any_o force_n of_o this_o world_n to_o defend_v ourselves_o in_o it_o for_o than_o shall_v the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n depend_v upon_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n but_o as_o to_o god_n to_o secure_a christian_n in_o conscience_n to_o god_n in_o case_n they_o disobey_v the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n to_o who_o they_o be_v always_o bind_v to_o be_v subject_n when_o they_o forbid_v they_o to_o communicate_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n at_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n which_o god_n command_v but_o no_o privilege_n of_o this_o world_n which_o count_v it_o no_o advantage_n to_o suffer_v for_o that_o duty_n to_o god_n which_o flesh_n and_o blood_n can_v spare_v with_o ease_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o patent_n or_o charter-privilege_n from_o god_n the_o church_n be_v constitute_v a_o visible_a society_n and_o community_n of_o all_o christian_n though_o to_o a_o invisible_a purpose_n it_o will_v not_o be_v out_o of_o the_o way_n to_o remember_v here_o a_o passage_n of_o pliny_n epistle_n x._o 97._o by_o which_o it_o may_v appear_v how_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o roman_n when_o he_o say_v that_o the_o apostate_n christian_n plead_v for_o themselves_o that_o they_o have_v not_o frequent_v the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n since_o that_o according_a to_o the_o instruction_n of_o trajane_n he_o have_v by_o his_o edict_n interdict_v corporation_n which_o he_o call_v hetaerias_n and_o the_o law_n collegia_fw-la or_o college_n digest_v xlvii_o 23._o for_o see_v on_o the_o one_o side_n tertullian_n de_fw-fr jejunio_fw-la cap._n xiii_o argue_v upon_o supposition_n that_o the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o against_o the_o law_n when_o he_o write_v on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o appear_v by_o the_o law_n 1_o &_o 3_o ff_n de_fw-fr collegiis_fw-la &_o corporibus_fw-la that_o the_o emperor_n by_o their_o instruction_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o province_n and_o the_o senate_n by_o their_o decree_n do_v make_v such_o society_n unlawful_a as_o often_o as_o they_o find_v cause_n it_o seem_v that_o so_o often_o as_o they_o please_v they_o comprise_v the_o christian_n within_o those_o law_n and_o that_o when_o the_o christian_n be_v comprise_v in_o those_o law_n their_o assembly_n be_v thereby_o interdict_v as_o they_o be_v by_o pliny_n edict_n josephus_n true_o antiq._n fourteen_o 17._o record_v a_o decree_n of_o julius_n caesar_n by_o which_o he_o declare_v that_o when_o he_o interdict_v other_o society_n of_o that_o nature_n he_o except_v the_o assembly_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o that_o since_o it_o appear_v that_o for_o divers_a year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o lord_n the_o christian_n go_v for_o jew_n without_o distinction_n at_o rome_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o at_o the_o first_o they_o be_v not_o inquire_v into_o by_o any_o law_n of_o this_o kind_n because_o the_o jew_n be_v not_o liable_a to_o the_o like_a but_o that_o when_o they_o be_v inquire_v into_o they_o hold_v themselves_o tie_v to_o assemble_v notwithstanding_o these_o law_n appear_v by_o pliny_n because_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o those_o who_o plead_v for_o themselves_o that_o they_o have_v leave_v the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n be_v apostate_n this_o privilege_n of_o hold_v assembly_n grant_v christianity_n by_o divine_a right_n on_o purpose_n to_o constitute_v the_o community_n of_o the_o church_n be_v suppose_v in_o that_o notable_a discourse_n of_o s._n paul_n eph._n iu._n 4-16_a wherein_o the_o apostle_n declare_v as_o i_o have_v show_v p._n 218._o that_o god_n have_v appoint_v two_o sort_n of_o grace_n in_o his_o church_n which_o may_v be_v distinguish_v by_o the_o term_n of_o corporal_a and_o spiritual_a corporal_n in_o support_v the_o assembly_n thereof_o by_o the_o good_n of_o this_o world_n and_o spiritual_a in_o edify_v the_o church_n to_o the_o perfection_n of_o christianity_n at_o those_o assembly_n so_o that_o the_o end_n of_o all_o the_o grace_n which_o god_n have_v give_v his_o church_n be_v the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n &_o the_o mean_n of_o that_o edification_n the_o frequentation_n of_o the_o assembly_n thereof_o and_o the_o condition_n of_o that_o mean_n the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n it_o must_v needs_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v a_o society_n of_o the_o church_n because_o he_o argue_v upon_o the_o mean_n which_o god_n have_v provide_v to_o maintain_v the_o visible_a assembly_n thereof_o in_o unity_n so_o that_o all_o may_v be_v edify_v at_o those_o assembly_n to_o perfection_n in_o christianity_n for_o see_v the_o unity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n import_v the_o communion_n of_o all_o christian_n in_o all_o the_o office_n of_o divine_a service_n it_o
province_n be_v constitute_v by_o in_o the_o babylonian_a and_o after_o it_o in_o the_o persian_a empire_n then_o by_o any_o right_n belong_v to_o he_o among_o his_o own_o people_n such_o as_o the_o posterity_n of_o zorebabel_n have_v to_o be_v governor_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o remain_v in_o babylonia_n when_o they_o be_v privilege_v to_o live_v according_a to_o their_o own_o law_n by_o their_o sovereign_n but_o whether_o this_o or_o that_o as_o to_o the_o point_n here_o in_o hand_n both_o be_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n i_o must_v not_o pass_v over_o this_o place_n without_o take_v into_o consideration_n the_o reason_n upon_o which_o and_o the_o consequence_n to_o which_o erastus_n his_o opinion_n seem_v to_o be_v advance_v in_o the_o late_a sharp_a work_n de_fw-fr cive_z where_o it_o be_v determine_v that_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o which_o i_o may_v as_o well_o say_v the_o power_n of_o give_v law_n to_o the_o church_n see_v the_o great_a difficulty_n lie_v in_o determine_a controversy_n of_o faith_n the_o constitution_n of_o pastor_n the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v belong_v to_o every_o christian_a state_n to_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o this_o may_v take_v place_n then_o be_v all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v to_o no_o purpose_n and_o true_o i_o must_v embrace_v and_o applaud_v one_o position_n upon_o which_o all_o this_o proceed_v that_o the_o church_n to_o which_o any_o right_n or_o power_n of_o act_v according_a to_o any_o right_n be_v attribute_v in_o the_o scripture_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o society_n that_o may_v be_v assemble_v and_o therefore_o stand_v oblige_v to_o assemble_v but_o that_o hereupon_o alone_o it_o shall_v be_v infer_v and_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o therefore_o a_o christian_a state_n and_o a_o christian_a church_n be_v both_o the_o same_o thing_n distinguish_v by_o two_o several_a cause_n and_o consideration_n when_o both_o consist_v of_o the_o same_o person_n i_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o stand_v astonish_v for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o person_n which_o be_v suppose_v here_o to_o be_v the_o same_o that_o any_o question_n can_v be_v make_v of_o neither_o can_v the_o church_n and_o the_o state_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n because_o they_o be_v all_o the_o same_o for_o we_o speak_v not_o here_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o person_n their_o soul_n or_o body_n or_o any_o thing_n that_o either_o of_o both_o be_v endow_v with_o but_o we_o speak_v here_o of_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o state_n or_o a_o church_n affect_v all_o those_o person_n together_o upon_o some_o voluntary_a act_n of_o god_n or_o of_o themselves_o or_o both_o without_o make_v any_o change_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o any_o person_n so_o qualify_v only_o suppose_v the_o person_n who_o act_n it_o be_v able_a to_o do_v the_o act_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v qualify_v to_o be_v a_o state_n or_o a_o church_n and_o by_o do_v it_o to_o oblige_v or_o privilege_v the_o person_n on_o who_o it_o pass_v which_o kind_n of_o thing_n be_v oftentimes_o by_o philosopher_n divine_n and_o lawyer_n call_v to_o very_o good_a purpose_n moral_a thing_n such_o be_v all_o manner_n of_o right_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o society_n whatsoever_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o ability_n of_o do_v something_o which_o be_v not_o in_o other_o man_n not_o endow_v with_o the_o same_o so_o likewise_o see_v that_o all_o the_o object_n of_o any_o faculty_n natural_a or_o moral_a any_o habit_n of_o virtue_n or_o vice_n or_o that_o which_o be_v neither_o but_o consist_v in_o skill_n or_o knowledge_n or_o any_o perfection_n of_o nature_n for_o which_o a_o man_n be_v neither_o good_a nor_o bad_a may_v be_v denominate_v and_o qualify_v by_o the_o faculty_n or_o habit_n that_o be_v exercise_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n as_o colour_n be_v say_v to_o be_v see_v or_o as_o that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v right_a and_o just_a which_o be_v do_v according_a to_o justice_n therefore_o by_o the_o same_o common_a reason_n if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o holiness_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o dispose_v they_o to_o reverence_n god_n by_o tender_v he_o that_o service_n which_o may_v express_v it_o then_o be_v the_o mean_n and_o the_o circumstance_n the_o time_n the_o place_n and_o the_o person_n by_o which_o this_o reverence_n be_v public_o tender_v to_o god_n capable_a to_o be_v denominate_v holy_a by_o a_o moral_a quality_n derive_v from_o that_o holiness_n which_o dwell_v in_o the_o soul_n of_o christian_n and_o not_o only_o capable_o but_o actual_o so_o qualify_v in_o point_n of_o right_n suppose_v that_o which_o have_v be_v prove_v p._n 212_o that_o the_o practice_n of_o god_n people_n evidence_v by_o the_o scripture_n prove_v the_o reverence_n of_o the_o same_o to_o be_v effectual_a and_o necessary_a for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o that_o reverence_n of_o god_n in_o those_o act_n of_o his_o service_n wherein_o the_o holiness_n of_o christian_n consist_v this_o though_o it_o belong_v not_o to_o my_o present_a purpose_n i_o have_v set_v down_o upon_o this_o occasion_n out_o of_o a_o desire_n further_o to_o declare_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o holiness_n for_o which_o time_n place_n and_o person_n as_o also_o all_o other_o mean_n which_o god_n be_v serve_v by_o be_v say_v to_o be_v holy_a and_o for_o what_o reason_n i_o call_v it_o p._n 217._o sometime_o moral_a sometime_o ecclesiastical_a holiness_n sometime_o also_o relative_n as_o other_o many_o time_n do_v call_v it_o for_o see_v it_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o relation_n which_o be_v between_o all_o faculty_n moral_a or_o natural_a between_o all_o habit_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n or_o whatever_o else_o and_o the_o object_n which_o they_o be_v exercise_v about_o it_o be_v manifest_a how_o proper_o it_o be_v call_v relative_n again_o see_v it_o have_v be_v declare_v that_o those_o qualification_n and_o denomination_n which_o arise_v upon_o some_o act_n of_o god_n or_o man_n have_v power_n to_o oblige_v either_o other_o or_o themselves_o be_v therefore_o call_v moral_a in_o opposition_n to_o such_o as_o make_v a_o change_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o body_n when_o they_o become_v endow_v therewith_o because_o these_o moral_a quality_n accrue_v without_o any_o change_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o to_o who_o they_o accrue_v therefore_o that_o holiness_n which_o belong_v to_o thing_n uncapable_a of_o that_o holiness_n which_o dwell_v in_o the_o soul_n of_o christian_n be_v proper_o call_v moral_a holiness_n as_o ground_v upon_o the_o will_n of_o god_n appear_v to_o have_v appoint_v the_o reverence_n of_o they_o to_o maintain_v that_o reverence_n of_o he_o wherein_o holiness_n consist_v and_o as_o for_o this_o reason_n in_o general_a it_o be_v call_v moral_a holiness_n so_o it_o be_v also_o call_v ecclesiastical_a for_o the_o same_o reason_n express_v in_o particular_a as_o depend_v upon_o that_o will_n of_o god_n by_o which_o christianity_n and_o the_o church_n and_o the_o service_n of_o god_n therein_o subsi_v to_o return_v then_o to_o my_o purpose_n which_o give_v i_o occasion_n to_o declare_v this_o here_o see_v that_o when_o the_o question_n be_v make_v whether_o the_o church_n and_o the_o state_n consist_v of_o the_o same_o person_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n or_o not_o there_o can_v be_v no_o question_n understand_v of_o the_o nature_n that_o be_v the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o the_o person_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o same_o but_z of_o the_o moral_a be_v of_o a_o state_n whether_o the_o same_o give_v it_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o church_n or_o not_o 3._o and_o see_v the_o be_v of_o such_o thing_n depend_v upon_o the_o act_n by_o which_o they_o be_v constitute_v we_o have_v no_o more_o to_o inquire_v but_o this_o whether_o the_o same_o act_n constitute_v a_o church_n which_o constitute_v a_o state_n and_o then_o a_o very_a little_a enquiry_n will_v serve_v to_o show_v that_o though_o all_o church_n and_o all_o state_n subsist_v by_o the_o act_n both_o of_o god_n and_o man_n yet_o they_o be_v several_a act_n by_o which_o they_o be_v state_n and_o by_o which_o they_o be_v church_n so_o several_a that_o the_o church_n subsist_v by_o immediate_a revelation_n from_o god_n by_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o no_o state_n do_v and_o whatsoever_o it_o be_v that_o make_v any_o man_n a_o member_n of_o any_o state_n it_o be_v not_o that_o which_o make_v he_o a_o christian_a and_o so_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o something_o else_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v a_o fault_n in_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o inference_n propound_v which_o conclude_v thus_o that_o a_o church_n must_v be_v that_o which_o have_v power_n to_o assemble_v the_o
be_v prove_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o colossian_n i_o 7._o and_o therefore_o a_o evangelist_n to_o they_o but_o no_o appearance_n of_o any_o commission_n to_o govern_v that_o church_n his_o charge_n to_o the_o colossian_n not_o hinder_v his_o employment_n to_o s._n paul_n from_o the_o philippian_n on_o the_o contrary_a the_o commission_n give_v timothy_n and_o titus_n by_o the_o epistle_n direct_v to_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v temporary_a that_o he_o be_v no_o sober_a man_n that_o will_v give_v they_o to_o he_o who_o charge_n be_v intend_v to_o cease_v to_o morrow_n hence_o we_o have_v a_o competent_a reason_n why_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n shall_v be_v common_a to_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n though_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o power_n never_o be_v because_o the_o chief_a bishop_n of_o that_o time_n bear_v another_o quality_n of_o apostle_n evangelist_n or_o apostle_n of_o the_o apostle_n by_o which_o while_o they_o be_v call_v it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o other_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n between_o who_o there_o be_v not_o that_o distance_n as_o between_o the_o great_a of_o they_o and_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n shall_v be_v call_v by_o the_o common_a name_n of_o bishop_n a_o instance_n you_o have_v in_o the_o synagogue_n for_o the_o body_n of_o jew_n reside_v in_o the_o several_a city_n of_o their_o dispersion_n be_v govern_v by_o college_n or_o consistory_n of_o presbyter_n both_o the_o head_n and_o the_o member_n of_o those_o college_n be_v call_v by_o a_o common_a name_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act_v xviii_o 8_o 17_o or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d xiii_o 15._o which_o in_o the_o gospel_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d absolute_o luc._n fourteen_o 1._o which_o notwithstanding_o we_o find_v express_o in_o epiphanius_n that_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o be_v call_v also_o archisynagogus_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d his_o inferior_n presbyter_n the_o deacon_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o epiphanius_n his_o greek_a as_o in_o the_o jew_n writing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o that_o we_o be_v to_o think_v that_o in_o those_o time_n also_o whereof_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n speak_v there_o be_v one_o set_v over_o the_o rest_n though_o all_o go_v by_o one_o name_n because_o we_o know_v that_o in_o the_o great_a consistory_n whether_o at_o jerusalem_n or_o in_o their_o dispersion_n so_o it_o be_v always_o by_o this_o correspondence_n have_v show_v afore_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o consistory_n be_v that_o which_o the_o church_n succeed_v the_o synagogue_n in_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o all_o the_o seem_a difficulty_n of_o this_o little_a objection_n be_v remove_v to_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n i_o add_v only_o a_o reply_n to_o the_o answer_n that_o be_v now_o bring_v that_o angel_n stand_v there_o for_o presbytery_n or_o college_n of_o presbyter_n for_o now_o it_o appear_v too_o gross_a to_o take_v angel_n for_o church_n in_o that_o place_n because_o the_o scripture_n say_v express_o apoc._n i._n 20._o that_o the_o church_n be_v there_o signify_v by_o candlestick_n and_o it_o appear_v now_o a_o inconvenience_n to_o take_v the_o candlestick_n for_o the_o candle_n but_o no_o less_o inconvenience_n will_v be_v see_v in_o this_o answer_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o must_v be_v prove_v to_o signify_v so_o either_o by_o some_o reason_n of_o grammar_n or_o of_o rhetoric_n that_o a_o angel_n be_v put_v for_o a_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n be_v a_o metaphor_n very_o reasonable_a because_o of_o the_o correspondence_n between_o they_o but_o a_o angel_n can_v stand_v for_o presbyter_n by_o reason_n of_o grammar_n unless_o either_o the_o word_n be_v a_o collective_a signify_v a_o multitude_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n or_o else_o the_o construction_n show_v that_o the_o singular_a stand_v for_o the_o plural_a nor_o by_o reason_n of_o rhetoric_n unless_o some_o body_n can_v show_v we_o how_o a_o angel_n be_v like_o a_o college_n none_o of_o which_o reason_n be_v to_o be_v see_v either_o in_o the_o text_n or_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_a to_o the_o premise_n i_o add_v now_o this_o argument_n draw_v from_o that_o observation_n which_o i_o have_v advance_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o apostolical_a form_n of_o divine_a service_n p._n 71._o out_o of_o the_o apostolical_a constitution_n ignatius_n dionysius_n arcopagita_n and_o the_o jew_n constitution_n that_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o presbyter_n be_v wont_a to_o sit_v by_o themselves_o in_o a_o half_a circle_n at_o the_o east_n end_n of_o the_o church_n with_o their_o face_n turn_v to_o the_o face_n of_o the_o people_n the_o deacon_n stand_v behind_o they_o as_o wait_v on_o they_o but_o the_o bishop_n on_o a_o throne_n by_o himself_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o presbyter_n seat_n for_o if_o this_o form_n be_v in_o use_n under_o the_o apostle_n than_o be_v the_o difference_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n bring_v in_o by_o ordinance_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o it_o be_v in_o use_n under_o the_o apostle_n may_v appear_v by_o the_o representation_n of_o the_o church_n triumphant_a apoc._n iu._n v._o for_o he_o that_o know_v the_o premise_n and_o find_v there_o xxiv_o elder_n equal_a in_o number_n to_o the_o xii_o head_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o xii_o apostle_n surround_v with_o minister_a spirit_n stand_v about_o they_o as_o the_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n stand_v about_o the_o presbyter_n the_o congregation_n stand_v with_o their_o face_n turn_v to_o the_o presbyter_n as_o the_o people_n in_o the_o church_n at_o divine_a service_n how_o can_v he_o doubt_v that_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o throne_n of_o the_o xxiv_o presbyter_n be_v correspondent_a to_o the_o bishop_n chair_n in_o the_o church_n militant_a under_o the_o apostle_n know_v that_o so_o soon_o after_o the_o apostle_n just_o so_o it_o be_v seat_v they_o that_o expound_v this_o vision_n to_o resemble_v the_o camp_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o desert_n numb_a ii_o where_o about_o the_o ark_n be_v iv_o standard_n answerable_a to_o the_o iv_o creature_n about_o the_o throne_n then_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n environ_v the_o sanctuary_n and_o the_o camp_n of_o israel_n that_o do_v make_v the_o iv_o creature_n as_o far_o distant_a from_o the_o throne_n as_o the_o standard_n of_o the_o iv_o lead_v tribe_n be_v from_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o the_o presbyter_n seat_n to_o compass_v the_o throne_n behind_o before_o and_o on_o both_o side_n whereas_o in_o the_o vision_n of_o esay_n vi_o 1_o and_o ezekiel_n i._n 1_o which_o all_o agree_v that_o this_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o iv_o creature_n stand_v close_a to_o the_o throne_n as_o attend_v peculiar_o upon_o god_n immediate_a command_n beside_o the_o iv_o creature_n be_v say_v to_o stand_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d iu_o 6._o that_o be_v two_o at_o the_o two_o before_o corner_n and_o two_o at_o the_o two_o hind_a corner_n of_o the_o throne_n for_o otherwise_o it_o can_v be_v understand_v how_o they_o can_v be_v say_v to_o stand_v both_o round_a about_o the_o throne_n and_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o throne_n which_o the_o test_n say_v express_o that_o be_v in_o the_o distance_n between_o the_o throne_n and_o the_o presbyter_n seat_n which_o word_n can_v have_v no_o sense_n if_o we_o conceive_v the_o iv_o creature_n to_o stand_v where_o the_o iv_o sandard_n of_o the_o camp_n stand_v beside_o the_o lamb_n be_v say_v to_o stand_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vii_o 6._o which_o be_v more_o express_o say_v v._o 6._o to_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o throne_n creature_n and_o elder_n which_o word_n express_o describe_v that_o compass_n of_o a_o half_a circle_n which_o the_o throne_n environ_v with_o the_o iv_o creature_n and_o the_o xxiv_o presbyter_n seat_n make_v in_o which_o compass_n the_o lamb_n be_v proper_o describe_v to_o stand_v before_o the_o throne_n again_o the_o multitude_n that_o stand_v before_o the_o throne_n and_o the_o lamb_n vii_o 19_o be_v manifest_o the_o same_o that_o be_v call_v the_o soul_n under_o the_o altar_n vi_o 10._o though_o common_o they_o be_v conceive_v to_o lie_v under_o the_o altar_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o cry_v for_o vengeance_n for_o the_o altar_n there_o mention_v be_v not_o the_o altar_n of_o burn_a sacrifice_n but_o the_o altar_n of_o incense_n before_o the_o veil_n which_o incense_n in_o this_o case_n be_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o saint_n which_o the_o elder_n offer_v v._o 8._o &_o the_o angel_n put_v incese_n to_o viii_o 3._o whereupon_o follow_v the_o vengeance_n which_o the_o soul_n under_o the_o altar_n
lay_v they_o down_o at_o the_o apostle_n foot_n to_o signify_v that_o they_o submit_v they_o to_o their_o dispose_n for_o this_o cause_n deacon_n be_v create_v to_o execute_v their_o disposition_n of_o the_o same_o for_o this_o cause_n the_o contribution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o antiochia_n be_v consign_v to_o the_o presbyter_n of_o jerusalem_n act_v xi_o 30._o that_o they_o who_o be_v ordain_v by_o that_o time_n for_o afore_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o they_o may_v dispose_v of_o they_o under_o the_o apostle_n for_o this_o cause_n timothy_n be_v direct_v how_o to_o bestow_v this_o stock_n among_o the_o widow_n and_o presbyter_n that_o the_o widow_n may_v attend_v upon_o prayer_n day_n and_o night_n and_o upon_o other_o good_a work_n concern_v the_o community_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n v._o 5_o 10._o as_o anna_n the_o widow_n in_o the_o gospel_n luc._n ii_o 36_o 37._o and_o as_o the_o good_a woman_n that_o keep_v guard_n about_o the_o tabernacle_n ex._n xxxviii_o 8._o 1_o sam._n ii_o 22._o and_o for_o this_o cause_n s._n peter_n forbid_v the_o presbyter_n to_o domineer_v over_o the_o clergy_n 1_o pet._n v._o 3._o to_o wit_n in_o dispose_v of_o their_o maintenance_n out_o of_o this_o common_a stock_n of_o the_o church_n here_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o all_o this_o express_v no_o quantity_n ot_fw-mi part_n of_o every_o man_n estate_n to_o ground_v a_o right_n of_o tithe_n and_o that_o no_o man_n desire_v better_a then_o to_o give_v what_o he_o listen_v and_o the_o answer_n be_v as_o ready_a that_o no_o man_n desire_v more_o provide_v he_o listen_v to_o give_v what_o christianity_n require_v and_o that_o for_o the_o determination_n of_o what_o christianity_n require_v he_o listen_v to_o stand_v to_o the_o perpetual_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n when_o as_o by_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o find_v record_v in_o the_o scripture_n it_o appear_v to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o first_o it_o be_v not_o the_o law_n that_o first_o command_v to_o pay_v tithe_n because_o we_o know_v they_o be_v pay_v by_o abraham_n and_o jacob_n they_o that_o think_v they_o be_v not_o due_a by_o right_n before_o the_o law_n because_o jacob_n vow_v they_o gen._n xxviii_o 20._o do_v not_o remember_v our_o vow_n of_o baptism_n the_o subject_n whereof_o be_v thing_n due_a before_o &_o god_n require_v they_o as_o his_o own_o before_o for_o god_n say_v first_o that_o tithe_n be_v his_o own_o leu._n xxvii_o 30._o to_o wit_n by_o a_o law_n in_o force_n afore_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o then_o give_v they_o to_o the_o priest_n for_o their_o service_n in_o the_o tabernacle_n then_o it_o can_v stand_v with_o christianity_n which_o suppose_v great_a grace_n of_o god_n than_o the_o law_n to_o allow_v a_o scarce_a proportion_n to_o the_o maintenance_n of_o god_n service_n than_o the_o law_n require_v now_o the_o law_n require_v first_o two_o sort_n of_o first_o fruit_n the_o one_o to_o be_v take_v by_o the_o priest_n at_o the_o barn_n num._n xviii_o 12._o the_o other_o to_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o sanctuary_n exod._n xxii_o 29._o xxiii_o 19_o deut._n xxvi_o 1_o the_o quantity_n of_o either_o be_v in_o the_o moderate_a account_n a_o fifty_o as_o s._n hierome_n upon_o ezek._n xlv_o agree_v with_o the_o jew_n constitution_n in_o maimoni_n of_o first-fruit_n cap._n ii_o and_o of_o separation_n cap._n iii_o determine_v it_o though_o the_o scripture_n ezek._n xlv_o 13._o require_v but_o the_o sixti_v after_o that_o a_o be_fw-mi of_o the_o remainder_n to_o the_o levite_n then_o another_z be_fw-mi of_o the_o remainder_n to_o be_v spend_v in_o sacrifice_v at_o jerusalem_n that_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n upon_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n to_o who_o and_o to_o the_o poor_a it_o whole_o belong_v every_o three_o year_n deut._n fourteen_o 22_o 28._o ex._n xxiii_o 19_o xxxiv_o 20._o add_v hereunto_o the_o first-born_a all_o sinne-offering_n and_o the_o priest_n part_v of_o peace-offering_n the_o skin_n of_o sacrifice_n which_o alone_a philo_n make_v a_o chief_a part_n of_o their_o revenue_n all_o consecration_n and_o the_o levite_n city_n and_o it_o will_v easy_o appear_v it_o can_v not_o be_v so_o little_a as_o a_o five_o part_n of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o land_n that_o come_v to_o their_o share_n now_o that_o any_o rate_n shall_v be_v determine_v by_o the_o gospel_n agree_v not_o with_o the_o difference_n between_o it_o and_o the_o law_n this_o constrain_a obedience_n by_o fear_n command_n under_o penalty_n of_o vengeance_n from_o heaven_n to_o pay_v somuch_o that_o persuade_v man_n first_o free_o to_o give_v themselves_o to_o god_n can_v doubt_v that_o they_o which_o do_v so_o will_v free_o part_v with_o their_o good_n for_o his_o service_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o perpetual_a practice_n of_o christian_n must_v limit_v the_o sense_n of_o those_o law_n which_o the_o scripture_n limit_n not_o we_o see_v the_o first_o christian_n at_o jerusalem_n far_o outdo_v any_o thing_n that_o ever_o be_v do_v under_o the_o law_n and_o we_o see_v that_o all_o christian_a people_n in_o all_o succeed_a age_n have_v do_v what_o the_o church_n now_o require_v but_o to_o be_v continue_v to_o this_o original_a title_n accrue_v another_o by_o consecration_n which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o man_n enforce_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n there_o be_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n one_o kind_n of_o ceremonial_a holiness_n proper_a to_o person_n consist_v in_o a_o distance_n from_o thing_n not_o real_o unclean_a but_o as_o sign_n of_o real_a uncleanness_n as_o from_o meat_n and_o drink_n and_z touch_v creature_n &_o man_n and_o woman_n in_o some_o disease_n of_o which_o our_o lord_n have_v say_v that_o what_o go_v into_o the_o mouth_n pollute_v not_o much_o less_o what_o a_o man_n only_o touch_v and_o so_o have_v show_v that_o all_o this_o cease_v under_o the_o gospel_n but_o there_o be_v another_o kind_n of_o holiness_n belong_v to_o time_n and_o place_n as_o well_o as_o person_n command_v in_o the_o law_n upon_o a_o reason_n common_a to_o the_o gospel_n when_o it_o be_v say_v leu._n xix_o 30._o observe_v my_o sabbath_n and_o reverence_v my_o sanctuary_n for_o do_v this_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o temple_n or_o tabernacle_n institute_v by_o god_n express_a command_n for_o that_o ceremonial_a service_n of_o god_n which_o be_v unlawful_a any_o where_n else_o it_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o to_o vanish_v with_o the_o gospel_n but_o the_o perpetual_a practice_n of_o that_o people_n show_v that_o hereby_o they_o be_v command_v to_o use_v reverence_n in_o their_o synagogue_n which_o be_v neither_o institute_v by_o any_o write_a precept_n of_o the_o law_n nor_o for_o the_o ceremonial_a service_n of_o god_n which_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o temple_n but_o for_o public_a assembly_n to_o hear_v the_o law_n read_v and_o expound_v and_o to_o offer_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o people_n to_o god_n for_o in_o the_o psalm_n of_o asaph_n which_o be_v the_o only_a mention_n of_o synagogue_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o be_v call_v not_o only_o house_n and_o assembly_n of_o god_n but_o also_o sanctuary_n as_o here_o ps_n lxxiii_o 17._o lxxiv_o 4_o 7_o 8._o lxxxiv_o 13._o and_o the_o talmud_n doctor_n relate_v by_o maimoni_n extend_v this_o precept_n to_o they_o show_v at_o large_a the_o reverence_n which_o they_o require_v whereupon_o philo_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr legatione_fw-la ad_fw-la caium_fw-la call_v they_o place_n of_o secondary_a holiness_n to_o wit_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o in_o maimoni_n in_o the_o title_n of_o prayer_n and_o the_o priest_n blessing_n cap._n xi_o you_o have_v at_o large_a of_o the_o holiness_n of_o synagogue_n and_o school_n which_o they_o esteem_v more_o holy_a than_o synagogue_n they_o may_v have_v joy_n of_o their_o doctrine_n that_o endeavour_n to_o show_v that_o the_o jew_n synagogue_n be_v not_o count_v holy_a place_n because_o in_o the_o gospel_n as_o well_o as_o in_o eusebius_n history_n iu_o 16._o where_o he_o allege_v out_o of_o a_o certain_a ancient_a writing_n against_o the_o montanist_n that_o none_o of_o they_o be_v ever_o scourge_v by_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o synagogue_n and_o epiphanius_n against_o the_o ebionite_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o jew_n use_v to_o punish_v by_o scourge_v in_o their_o synagogue_n for_o it_o have_v take_v so_o good_a effect_n as_o to_o turn_v church_n to_o stable_n but_o he_o that_o understand_v their_o reason_n right_a will_v infer_v the_o contradictory_n of_o their_o conclusion_n from_o it_o for_o because_o synagogue_n be_v the_o place_n where_o matter_n of_o god_n law_n be_v sentence_v as_o i_o show_v afore_o therefore_o be_v that_o sentence_n to_o be_v execute_v in_o synagogue_n the_o like_a reason_n there_o be_v for_o the_o holiness_n of_o person_n consecrate_v
his_o apostle_n extend_v it_o in_o one_o visible_a society_n beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o any_o dominion_n with_o equal_a interest_n in_o the_o part_n of_o it_o through_o several_a dominion_n what_o title_n but_o force_n can_v any_o state_n have_v to_o do_v it_o if_o we_o presuppose_v the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n as_o such_o unable_a to_o do_v it_o therefore_o by_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o christian_n as_o member_n thereof_o it_o must_v be_v do_v whatsoever_o be_v do_v either_o in_o reform_v the_o church_n or_o in_o separate_n from_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o congregation_n when_o they_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o a_o right_o found_v upon_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o christianity_n than_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o presbytery_n when_o they_o pretend_v to_o reform_v the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o parliament_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v as_o great_a as_o any_o secular_a power_n can_v be_v in_o church_n matter_n but_o i_o intend_v not_o hereby_o to_o grant_v that_o it_o be_v a_o rightful_a title_n upon_o which_o those_o of_o the_o congregation_n separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o as_o man_n can_v make_v themselves_o christian_n but_o the_o do_v of_o it_o must_v presuppose_v a_o church_n as_o at_o the_o first_o it_o presuppose_v the_o power_n of_o constitute_v a_o church_n estate_v by_o our_o lord_n upon_o his_o apostle_n because_o our_o lord_n have_v require_v of_o those_o that_o will_v be_v save_v not_o only_o to_o believe_v his_o gospel_n but_o also_o to_o profess_v christianity_n and_o this_o profession_n to_o be_v consign_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o he_o trust_v with_o the_o conduct_n of_o his_o church_n and_o by_o they_o accept_v because_o if_o not_o sincere_a and_o complete_a it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v so_o the_o continuance_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n presuppose_v a_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o christianity_n profess_v therein_o to_o contain_v nothing_o destructive_a to_o salvation_n profess_v a_o obligation_n of_o acknowledge_v the_o governor_n thereof_o in_o order_n to_o the_o same_o and_o this_o obligation_n unavoidable_a by_o the_o premise_n unless_o christian_a people_n by_o those_o governor_n appear_v to_o be_v defeat_v of_o the_o benefit_n of_o such_o law_n give_v the_o church_n by_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o appear_v to_o be_v of_o great_a consequence_n to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n for_o which_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n subsist_v than_o the_o personal_a succession_n of_o governor_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o it_o consist_v can_v be_v imagine_v to_o be_v which_o in_o our_o present_a case_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o the_o premise_n be_v true_a all_o the_o particular_n for_o which_o the_o congregation_n separate_v and_o which_o the_o presbytery_n will_v reform_v the_o chief_a power_n of_o the_o clergy_n over_o the_o people_n the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n the_o dependence_n of_o congregation_n upon_o the_o city_n church_n the_o power_n of_o give_v law_n to_o the_o church_n the_o right_a of_o first-fruit_n tithe_n and_o all_o consecrate_v thing_n and_o above_o all_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o personal_a succession_n of_o governor_n in_o which_o it_o consist_v be_v all_o demonstrate_v to_o have_v be_v ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o the_o ceremony_n as_o to_o the_o whole_a kind_n though_o not_o to_o the_o particular_n question_v for_o first_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o charity_n require_v all_o christian_n to_o forbear_v the_o use_n of_o that_o freedom_n which_o christianity_n allow_v in_o all_o thing_n determine_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n not_o contrary_a to_o go_n second_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o particular_n question_v be_v not_o institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o indeed_o the_o custom_n of_o several_a nation_n that_o have_v receive_v christianity_n be_v so_o different_a that_o for_o example_n that_o which_o the_o apostle_n command_v that_o man_n pray_v cover_v 1_o cor._n xi_o 3._o can_v be_v use_v among_o those_o nation_n that_o uncover_v the_o head_n in_o sign_n of_o reverence_n which_o the_o ancient_n do_v not_o and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o the_o same_o ceremony_n of_o divine_a service_n be_v not_o in_o use_n now_o as_o under_o the_o apostle_n yet_o whosoever_o shall_v separate_v from_o the_o church_n upon_o this_o ground_n that_o significative_a ceremony_n be_v not_o to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n shall_v do_v it_o to_o establish_v a_o law_n contrary_n to_o the_o apostle_n who_o ordain_v such_o to_o be_v use_v as_o i_o show_v afore_o beside_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o governor_n thereof_o do_v not_o maintain_v any_o infallible_a power_n of_o conduct_v the_o church_n profess_v themselves_o the_o reformation_n which_o their_o predecessor_n make_v and_o therefore_o be_v so_o far_o from_o refuse_v any_o law_n of_o god_n to_o be_v a_o law_n of_o this_o church_n that_o if_o any_o humane_a constitution_n have_v be_v recommend_v to_o they_o evident_o necessary_a or_o useful_a to_o make_v the_o law_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o apostle_n effectual_a to_o this_o particular_a church_n by_o such_o a_o authority_n as_o the_o secular_a power_n have_v over_o they_o it_o be_v visible_a to_o all_o english_a that_o for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o themselves_o they_o will_v not_o have_v refuse_v it_o and_o therefore_o the_o true_a reason_n of_o this_o separation_n or_o reformation_n be_v because_o they_o will_v not_o part_v with_o that_o power_n which_o be_v in_o they_o derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o at_o once_o with_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n necessary_o in_o this_o case_n depend_v on_o the_o same_o i_o suppose_v what_o will_v be_v answer_v that_o all_o this_o be_v do_v to_o reform_v the_o church_n to_o bring_v in_o plentiful_a and_o powerful_a preach_v and_o pray_v as_o the_o spirit_n shall_v indite_v for_o not_o know_v any_o thing_n else_o to_o be_v pretend_v and_o have_v show_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o change_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o apostle_n though_o i_o see_v no_o man_n be_v so_o hard_o heart_v as_o not_o to_o think_v his_o own_o design_n to_o be_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n without_o ever_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v so_o yet_o i_o must_v needs_o think_v it_o part_n of_o my_o charge_n to_o say_v somewhat_o also_o to_o this_o i_o do_v acknowledge_v then_o a_o charge_n upon_o the_o church_n to_o provide_v that_o christian_n make_v member_n of_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n be_v teach_v more_o and_o more_o in_o the_o true_a intent_n of_o their_o christianity_n and_o exhort_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o precept_n of_o our_o lord_n mat._n xxviii_o 19_o 20._o go_v preach_v and_o make_v disciple_n all_o nation_n baptise_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v they_o to_o observe_v all_o that_o i_o have_v command_v you_o which_o be_v give_v the_o apostle_n be_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n give_v to_o all_o who_o they_o shall_v assume_v or_o ordain_v or_o cause_n to_o be_v ordain_v to_o exercise_v their_o power_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o in_o dependence_n upon_o the_o same_o and_o according_a as_o the_o same_o shall_v determine_v in_o time_n or_o place_n but_o that_o any_o thing_n be_v determine_v as_o of_o divine_a right_n or_o by_o the_o scripture_n when_o where_o how_o often_o how_o seldom_o in_o what_o manner_n and_o how_o frequent_a preach_v be_v by_o the_o church_n to_o be_v furnish_v to_o the_o church_n he_o will_v make_v himself_o ridiculous_a that_o undertake_v to_o affirm_v that_o the_o church_n be_v to_o endeavour_v that_o this_o office_n be_v as_o frequent_v as_o may_v be_v to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n appear_v indeed_o by_o the_o scripture_n not_o those_o which_o speak_v of_o publish_v the_o gospel_n under_o the_o term_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o any_o equivalent_a as_o rom._n x._o 14-1_a tim._n iu._n 2_o 5._o 1_o cor._n ix_o 16._o but_o those_o that_o express_v the_o diligence_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o apostolical_a person_n of_o their_o time_n in_o teach_v the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n act_n ii_o 42_o 46._o v._o 42._o vi_o 2_o 4._o xi_o 26._o and_o the_o frequent_v of_o this_o office_n in_o those_o time_n 1_o cor._n fourteen_o 1_o tim._n v._o 17._o rom._n xii_o 6._o 7._o but_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o easy_a for_o they_o that_o now_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n to_o
be_v manifest_a that_o he_o which_o require_v the_o unity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n suppose_v a_o society_n of_o the_o church_n to_o procure_v and_o maintain_v the_o same_o but_o it_o be_v not_o this_o passage_n of_o s._n paul_n alone_o wherein_o this_o privilege_n be_v suppose_v intimate_v or_o express_v but_o wheresoever_o there_o be_v mention_n in_o any_o part_n of_o scripture_n of_o any_o ordinance_n of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n institute_v or_o exercise_v at_o the_o assembly_n of_o god_n faithful_a people_n provide_v that_o it_o may_v appear_v otherwise_o by_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v common_a to_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n there_o you_o have_v the_o charter_n or_o patent_n of_o this_o grant_n and_o privilege_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n found_v upon_o it_o but_o though_o erastus_n secure_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o christian_a state_n have_v right_a to_o exercise_v their_o sovereign_a power_n in_o church_n matter_n because_o it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o synagogue_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o he_o will_v convince_v they_o that_o at_o this_o time_n deny_v this_o consequence_n among_o we_o see_v there_o be_v so_o much_o difference_n between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n between_o the_o church_n and_o the_o synagogue_n that_o that_o which_o be_v hold_v in_o the_o one_o can_v be_v presume_v to_o hold_v under_o the_o other_o without_o a_o reason_n common_a to_o both_o and_o so_o far_o as_o that_o reason_n prevail_v and_o no_o further_o must_v the_o power_n and_o interest_n of_o state_n in_o church_n matter_n be_v understand_v to_o prevail_v and_o true_o there_o be_v a_o say_n of_o s._n jeromes_n which_o may_v just_o move_v a_o tender_a spirit_n to_o doubt_n whether_o this_o interest_n of_o state_n in_o church_n matter_n be_v from_o god_n or_o not_o for_o see_v it_o be_v most_o true_a and_o visible_a to_o experience_n which_o he_o say_v ecclesiam_fw-la postquam_fw-la coepit_fw-la habere_fw-la christianos_n magistratus_fw-la factam_fw-la esse_fw-la opibus_fw-la majorem_fw-la virtutibus_fw-la autem_fw-la minorem_fw-la that_o the_o church_n since_o it_o begin_v to_o have_v christian_a magistrate_n be_v become_v great_a in_o wealth_n or_o power_n but_o less_o in_o virtue_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o presumption_n in_o reason_n that_o that_o which_o go_v before_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o which_o follow_v upon_o it_o when_o no_o other_o cause_n appear_v well_o may_v it_o be_v doubt_v that_o the_o interest_n of_o secular_a power_n in_o church_n matter_n be_v not_o from_o god_n from_o which_o so_o great_a a_o decay_n of_o christianity_n proceed_v which_o must_v not_o be_v impute_v to_o any_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v to_o which_o agree_v that_o legend_n in_o the_o life_n of_o pope_n sylvester_n which_o say_v that_o when_o constantine_n have_v endow_v the_o church_n so_o large_o there_o be_v a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n hear_v to_o say_v hodie_fw-la venenum_fw-la effusum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o ecclesiam_fw-la to_o day_n be_v there_o poison_v pour_v out_o upon_o the_o church_n the_o reason_n then_o which_o here_o i_o render_v upon_o which_o the_o king_n of_o god_n ancient_a people_n have_v that_o power_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o by_o the_o scripture_n we_o know_v they_o do_v exercise_v i_o hope_v will_v appear_v reasonable_a to_o they_o that_o have_v peruse_v the_o iv_o chapter_n and_o see_v how_o it_o be_v not_o destructive_a but_o cumulative_a to_o that_o which_o by_o the_o law_n in_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n be_v give_v to_o the_o consistory_n and_o since_o it_o accrue_v to_o the_o king_n not_o by_o the_o law_n because_o not_o constitute_v by_o it_o but_o by_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o people_n admit_v and_o assent_v unto_o by_o god_n by_o which_o he_o become_v head_n of_o a_o people_n already_o in_o covenant_n with_o god_n what_o difference_n be_v there_o between_o this_o case_n and_o the_o case_n of_o a_o whole_a people_n together_o with_o the_o power_n of_o the_o same_o convert_v to_o christianity_n but_o this_o that_o the_o israelite_n be_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n before_o they_o be_v under_o king_n for_o though_o moses_n and_o the_o judge_n have_v regal_a power_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o by_o a_o stand_a law_n christian_n nation_n under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n before_o they_o become_v christian_n unless_o it_o be_v further_o that_o the_o church_n be_v one_o of_o all_o nation_n the_o synagogue_n of_o equal_a extent_n with_o the_o people_n of_o isâ—ael_n which_o be_v not_o of_o consequence_n to_o this_o purpose_n the_o apostle_n render_v a_o reason_n why_o he_o command_v secular_a power_n to_o be_v pray_v for_o at_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n ii_o 2_o 3_o 4._o assign_v the_o end_n of_o they_o to_o be_v that_o we_o may_v lead_v a_o quiet_a life_n in_o all_o godliness_n and_o honesty_n which_o be_v manifest_o say_v in_o respect_n of_o secular_a power_n that_o be_v not_o christian_a for_o of_o they_o the_o church_n just_o expect_v protection_n and_o quietness_n pay_v they_o prayer_n subjection_n and_o duty_n but_o he_o add_v further_o this_o reason_n because_o this_o be_v good_a and_o acceptable_a to_o god_n our_o saviour_n who_o will_v have_v no_o man_n to_o perish_v but_o to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o truth_n if_o then_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v that_o the_o sovereign_a power_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n be_v it_o not_o his_o will_n that_o they_o employ_v themselves_o to_o the_o advancement_n of_o it_o not_o only_o as_o christian_n but_o as_o sovereign_n which_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o gentile_n there_o be_v reason_n therefore_o to_o ground_n this_o interest_n upon_o the_o declare_a will_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n the_o apostle_n have_v declare_v that_o their_o secular_a power_n be_v invite_v to_o the_o faith_n and_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v declare_v that_o their_o king_n &_o queen_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o church_n and_o advance_v it_o psal_n ii_o 10_o 11_o 12._o lxxii_o 10_o 11._o es_fw-ge xlix_o 23._o lx._n 13._o this_o reason_n be_v far_o more_o effectual_a to_o i_o by_o the_o prophecy_n leave_v the_o church_n in_o the_o apocalypse_n the_o main_a scope_n and_o drift_n whereof_o i_o be_o much_o persuade_v to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o foretell_v the_o conversion_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n to_o christianity_n and_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o heathen_n that_o persecute_v the_o same_o for_o if_o the_o intent_n of_o those_o prophecy_n be_v to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v god_n will_v that_o the_o empire_n shall_v become_v christian_n and_o that_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o saint_n upon_o earth_n there_o foretell_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o advancement_n of_o christianity_n to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o other_o kingdom_n into_o which_o the_o empire_n be_v to_o be_v dissolve_v it_o can_v be_v doubt_v that_o christian_a power_n attain_v the_o same_o right_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o the_o king_n of_o god_n ancient_a people_n always_o have_v by_o the_o make_n of_o christianity_n the_o religion_n of_o any_o state_n this_o opinion_n it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o publish_v at_o the_o write_n of_o this_o discourse_n because_o it_o be_v like_a to_o become_v a_o mark_n of_o contradiction_n to_o the_o most_o part_n be_v possess_v more_o or_o less_o of_o a_o far_a other_o sense_n but_o have_v consider_v since_o how_o many_o and_o horrible_a scandal_n be_v on_o foot_n by_o the_o consequence_n of_o that_o sense_n so_o that_o i_o can_v condemn_v myself_o of_o give_v scandal_n by_o publish_v the_o best_a mean_n i_o can_v see_v to_o take_v it_o away_o and_o have_v meet_v with_o another_o reason_n necessitate_v i_o to_o declare_v it_o for_o the_o effectual_a proceed_n of_o this_o discourse_n i_o will_v put_v it_o down_o in_o the_o review_n of_o the_o last_o chapter_n where_o that_o necessity_n rise_v desire_v those_o that_o seek_v further_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o reason_n to_o read_v it_o there_o for_o that_o purpose_n as_o for_o the_o objection_n that_o be_v make_v from_o the_o decay_n of_o christianity_n after_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n protect_v it_o and_o enrich_v the_o church_n it_o be_v a_o mere_a mistake_n of_o that_o which_o be_v accidental_a for_o the_o true_a cause_n for_o the_o come_n in_o of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o church_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o state_n in_o church_n matter_n be_v another_o though_o this_o depend_v upon_o that_o and_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o come_n of_o the_o world_n into_o the_o church_n be_v the_o decay_n of_o christianity_n but_o the_o power_n of_o the_o state_n in_o the_o church_n be_v a_o prop_n to_o sustain_v it_o from_o
of_o their_o lawful_a sovereign_n the_o subject_n of_o their_o sermon_n see_v that_o all_o part_n of_o christianity_n may_v be_v thorough_o teach_v the_o people_n and_o every_o person_n of_o the_o people_n as_o full_o understand_v how_o grievous_a every_o sin_n be_v as_o if_o they_o be_v stir_v to_o malign_v and_o detest_v their_o superior_n by_o be_v tell_v of_o their_o sin_n how_o much_o more_o when_o the_o action_n in_o their_o whole_a kind_n be_v not_o sin_n but_o may_v be_v involve_v with_o such_o circumstance_n as_o make_v they_o consistent_a with_o christianity_n beside_o see_v it_o be_v not_o every_o preacher_n that_o be_v to_o regulate_v the_o proceed_n of_o the_o church_n in_o such_o sin_n of_o public_a person_n as_o appear_v to_o destroy_v christianity_n to_o run_v before_o the_o public_a censure_n of_o the_o church_n in_o declare_v what_o it_o ought_v to_o do_v be_v not_o the_o zeal_n of_o a_o christian_a but_o such_o a_o scandal_n as_o leave_v the_o person_n that_o do_v it_o liable_a himself_o to_o censure_v the_o sin_n of_o will-worship_n which_o i_o acknowledge_v p._n 188._o be_v as_o far_o distant_a from_o that_o voluntary_a service_n of_o god_n under_o the_o gospel_n which_o answer_v to_o the_o voluntary_a sacrifice_n of_o the_o law_n in_o my_o meaning_n as_o it_o be_v in_o deed_n for_o as_o the_o law_n have_v voluntary_a sacrifice_n or_o freewill_n offering_n not_o command_v by_o it_o but_o to_o be_v offer_v according_a to_o it_o the_o price_n whereof_o consist_v in_o the_o frank_a disposition_n of_o he_o that_o offer_v the_o same_o so_o can_v it_o not_o be_v doubt_v that_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o christian_n their_o prayer_n and_o their_o alm_n all_o the_o work_n of_o free_a bounty_n and_o goodness_n together_o with_o fast_v and_o single_a life_n with_o continence_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o give_v man_n more_o mean_n and_o advantage_n to_o abound_v in_o the_o same_o may_v be_v offer_v to_o god_n out_o of_o our_o freewill_n not_o be_v under_o any_o law_n require_v it_o at_o our_o hand_n only_o the_o difference_n be_v this_o that_o whereas_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o law_n be_v thing_n neither_o good_a nor_o bad_a but_o as_o they_o be_v tender_v to_o god_n either_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n or_o according_a to_o the_o same_o all_o sacrifice_n which_o we_o can_v tender_v to_o god_n under_o the_o gospel_n must_v needs_o consist_v in_o the_o spiritual_a worship_n of_o god_n not_o in_o the_o mean_n whereby_o it_o be_v advance_v that_o be_v more_o plentiful_o or_o cordial_o perform_v now_o though_o the_o spiritual_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v always_o command_v yet_o see_v it_o be_v not_o command_v to_o be_v do_v and_o exercise_v always_o it_o be_v much_o in_o the_o disposition_n of_o christian_n what_o time_n what_o place_n what_o manner_n what_o measure_n what_o circumstance_n they_o will_v determine_v to_o themselves_o be_v not_o always_o determine_v by_o god_n law_n for_o the_o tender_v of_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v so_o determine_v shall_v be_v as_o true_o a_o voluntary_a sacrifice_n or_o freewill_n offer_v as_o any_o under_o the_o law_n and_o so_o much_o more_o excellent_a as_o the_o law_n be_v less_o excellent_a than_o the_o gospel_n if_o this_o may_v be_v receive_v to_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o will-worship_n i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o count_a will-worship_n a_o sin_n that_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o to_o be_v the_o height_n of_o christianity_n from_o whence_o it_o proceed_v but_o i_o conceive_v the_o word_n be_v not_o improper_o use_v to_o signify_v that_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v reprove_v by_o our_o lord_n after_o the_o prophet_n esay_n for_o because_o they_o worship_v god_n according_a to_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o tradition_n of_o man_n not_o because_o they_o practise_v the_o law_n according_a to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o greek_a consistory_n which_o as_o i_o have_v many_o way_n show_v they_o have_v express_v power_n by_o the_o law_n to_o make_v and_o therefore_o our_o lord_n also_o command_v they_o to_o obey_v mat._n xxiii_o 2._o but_o because_o they_o think_v there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o holiness_n in_o practise_v the_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n precise_o as_o their_o elder_n have_v determine_v which_o set_v aside_o the_o obedience_n of_o god_n ordinance_n be_v nothing_o in_o god_n esteem_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o justice_n and_o mercy_n and_o piety_n wherein_o the_o service_n of_o god_n then_o as_o always_o consist_v we_o can_v but_o observe_v that_o this_o sin_n be_v tax_v by_o the_o prophet_n oftentimes_o as_o well_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o precept_n which_o be_v express_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o moses_n his_o law_n as_o by_o our_o lord_n and_o the_o prophet_n esay_n in_o the_o ptactice_n of_o those_o which_o be_v introduce_v by_o humane_a authority_n psal_n xl._n 7_o l._n 8_o es_fw-ge i._o 12_o jerem._n vii_o 21_o and_o therefore_o consist_v not_o in_o observe_v thing_n introduce_v by_o man_n but_o in_o tender_v to_o god_n for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n that_o which_o be_v not_o necessary_o join_v with_o the_o inward_a holiness_n of_o the_o heart_n which_o god_n be_v to_o be_v serve_v with_o this_o sin_n of_o the_o jew_n i_o conceive_v be_v find_v correspondent_o in_o other_o profession_n not_o only_o of_o gentile_n and_o mahumetanes_n which_o can_v worship_v god_n without_o it_o but_o also_o of_o christian_n profess_v true_a christianity_n when_o they_o worship_v not_o god_n according_a to_o it_o but_o not_o because_o they_o acknowledge_v humane_a constitution_n which_o by_o god_n ordinance_n can_v be_v avoid_v but_o because_o they_o may_v vain_o please_v themselves_o in_o imagine_v that_o they_o please_v god_n in_o observe_v they_o without_o that_o disposition_n of_o the_o heart_n which_o god_n be_v to_o be_v serve_v with_o and_o this_o sin_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o eusebius_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o epiphanius_n also_o in_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a heretic_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o satisfy_v i_o that_o it_o may_v be_v call_v will-worship_n in_o english_a though_o whether_o the_o former_a voluntary_a and_o frank_a service_n of_o god_n be_v not_o also_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o dispute_v not_o here_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o ceremony_n of_o divine_a service_n which_o be_v here_o p._n 192._o prove_v to_o have_v be_v use_v under_o the_o apostle_n can_v continue_v the_o same_o in_o the_o church_n of_o all_o time_n and_o place_n i_o have_v brief_o express_v p._n 325._o so_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o public_a aught_o to_o be_v such_o as_o may_v conduce_v to_o the_o same_o end_n for_o which_o it_o may_v appear_v those_o be_v institute_v which_o be_v in_o force_n under_o the_o apostle_n that_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n to_o think_v that_o sovereign_a power_n be_v call_v god_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o be_v say_v p._n 214._o appear_v further_a by_o exod._n xxii_o 28._o thou_o shall_v not_o curse_v god_n neither_o shall_v thou_o speak_v evil_a of_o the_o ruler_n of_o thy_o people_n for_o in_o this_o place_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o people_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o name_n common_a to_o king_n judges_z and_o all_o their_o governor_n in_o chief_a that_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nation_n whether_o absolute_a or_o under_o stranger_n therefore_o the_o sacrifice_n enjoin_v levit._n iu._n 22._o belong_v to_o the_o king_n when_o they_o be_v under_o king_n as_o the_o jew_n agree_v therefore_o it_o be_v give_v the_o king_n also_o ezek._n xii_o 10._o vii_o 27._o xix_o 1._o and_o therefore_o this_o law_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o s._n paul_n to_o belong_v to_o the_o high_a priest_n act_n xxiii_o 5._o because_o as_o i_o say_v afore_o the_o high_a priest_n have_v then_o the_o chief_a power_n within_o their_o own_o people_n as_o they_o have_v upon_o the_o return_n from_o babylonia_n wherefore_o see_v this_o precept_n consist_v of_o two_o part_n the_o second_o whereof_o belong_v to_o the_o king_n the_o first_o must_v belong_v to_o the_o judge_n of_o their_o consistory_n according_a to_o the_o resolution_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o all_o and_o only_a judge_n make_v by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n be_v call_v god_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o which_o be_v here_o say_v p._n 228._o of_o the_o quality_n of_o governor_n under_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n in_o which_o and_o by_o which_o nehemiah_n restore_v the_o law_n and_o swear_v the_o people_n to_o it_o be_v to_o be_v compare_v with_o that_o which_o you_o find_v here_o since_o in_o the_o 57_o page_n of_o this_o review_n whereby_o it_o will_v rather_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v governor_n of_o that_o province_n by_o the_o like_a commission_n as_o other_o governor_n of_o
person_n whereof_o it_o consist_v now_o the_o state_n be_v it_o which_o have_v power_n to_o do_v that_o for_o as_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o all_o state_n must_v needs_o have_v power_n to_o assemble_v themselves_o so_o it_o must_v not_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o church_n have_v not_o power_n to_o do_v the_o same_o because_o it_o have_v be_v prove_v here_o from_o the_o beginning_n that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n of_o assemble_v not_o from_o any_o state_n but_o immediate_o and_o original_o from_o god_n whether_o for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n or_o for_o determine_v whatsoever_o shall_v become_v determinable_a for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o unity_n among_o all_o those_o that_o be_v to_o communicate_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o office_n of_o the_o same_o true_o so_o long_o as_o by_o circumcision_n man_n become_v both_o member_n of_o a_o state_n and_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o god_n service_n the_o church_n and_o the_o state_n be_v all_o one_o society_n as_o have_v often_o be_v observe_v here_o for_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n both_o subsist_v by_o the_o same_o act_n of_o god_n call_v they_o to_o be_v his_o people_n and_o to_o inherit_v the_o land_n of_o promise_n both_o upon_o condition_n of_o keep_v his_o law_n and_o by_o the_o same_o act_n of_o the_o people_n embrace_v the_o same_o which_o hold_v not_o in_o christianity_n address_v itself_o to_o all_o nation_n and_o therefore_o preserve_v state_n in_o the_o condition_n which_o it_o find_v and_o yet_o sound_v a_o society_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o privilege_n and_o charter_n of_o assemble_v for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n which_o be_v requisite_a to_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o all_o that_o assemble_v in_o the_o condition_n upon_o which_o they_o communicate_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n which_o society_n as_o it_o be_v visible_o distinct_a from_o all_o state_n for_o all_o the_o time_n between_o our_o lord_n and_o constantine_n so_o be_v it_o acknowledge_v by_o this_o author_n to_o have_v subsist_v even_o under_o the_o apostle_n when_o as_o he_o allege_n their_o write_n to_o prove_v those_o right_n which_o they_o attribute_v to_o the_o church_n to_o belong_v to_o those_o state_n which_o be_v christian_a which_o for_o my_o part_n i_o very_o much_o marvel_n how_o he_o can_v think_v fit_a to_o do_v know_v that_o such_o act_n as_o the_o apostle_n attribute_v to_o the_o church_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o state_n under_o which_o the_o church_n then_o be_v that_o they_o be_v prohibit_v by_o it_o so_o often_o as_o the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n be_v forbid_v as_o you_o have_v see_v that_o many_o time_n they_o be_v by_o that_o which_o have_v be_v say_v it_o may_v appear_v what_o reason_n ecclesiastical_a writer_n have_v to_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o name_n of_o the_o synagogue_n and_o the_o church_n appropriate_v the_o former_a to_o the_o jew_n and_o this_o to_o the_o christian_n which_o i_o for_o my_o part_n so_o far_o as_o custom_n will_v give_v leave_n desire_v to_o observe_v though_o for_o the_o original_a signification_n i_o see_v the_o name_n of_o ecclesia_fw-la be_v at_o the_o first_o most_o proper_o attribute_v to_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o god_n people_n assemble_v together_o in_o the_o wilderness_n as_o for_o example_n at_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law_n for_o in_o all_o the_o divers_a signification_n in_o which_o it_o be_v use_v speak_v of_o christianity_n there_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o consideration_n of_o assemble_v together_o to_o be_v see_v though_o upon_o several_a reason_n and_o to_o several_a purpose_n from_o the_o synagogue_n the_o whole_a company_n of_o those_o that_o shall_v meet_v and_o assemble_v together_o in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v be_v call_v sometime_o the_o church_n and_o so_o be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n upon_o earth_n because_o though_o they_o can_v meet_v bodily_a to_o communicate_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n yet_o they_o ought_v to_o meet_v with_o that_o judgement_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n that_o they_o may_v both_o communicate_v bodily_a in_o this_o world_n when_o occasion_n be_v and_o actual_o meet_v altogether_o in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v so_o be_v the_o company_n of_o christian_n contain_v in_o either_o bare_o one_o city_n or_o the_o head_n city_n of_o a_o province_n or_o nation_n call_v the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n province_n or_o nation_n because_o they_o so_o meet_v several_o that_o any_o of_o they_o may_v assemble_v with_o any_o because_o under_o the_o same_o condition_n but_o when_o one_o congregation_n be_v call_v a_o church_n as_o sometime_o it_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v for_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o assemble_v as_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n be_v assemble_v in_o the_o wilderness_n these_o thing_n general_o premise_v it_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a to_o defeat_v the_o production_n of_o this_o assumption_n in_o the_o particular_n specify_v and_o first_o according_a to_o that_o which_o be_v here_o determine_v p._n 192._o i_o admit_v that_o the_o power_n of_o interpret_n the_o scripture_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o power_n of_o determine_v controversy_n of_o faith_n though_o it_o be_v not_o as_o by_o consequence_n to_o be_v admit_v that_o those_o interpretation_n which_o come_v from_o this_o power_n be_v as_o much_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o that_o which_o be_v interpret_v by_o the_o same_o or_o infallible_a or_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o stand_v to_o they_o as_o much_o as_o to_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o we_o will_v understand_v it_o proper_o be_v that_o only_a and_o all_o that_o which_o god_n give_v in_o commission_n to_o be_v declare_v and_o enjoin_v his_o people_n and_o therefore_o this_o author_n very_o skilful_o observe_v that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v as_o much_o as_o the_o gospel_n which_o god_n give_v in_o charge_n to_o our_o lord_n christ_n and_o he_o to_o his_o apostle_n to_o be_v publish_v to_o the_o world_n with_o a_o charge_n from_o god_n to_o embrace_v it_o for_o so_o also_o the_o law_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o moses_n and_o all_o the_o revelation_n grant_v the_o patriarch_n and_o prophet_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o they_o because_o by_o they_o god_n declare_v how_o he_o will_v conduct_v his_o people_n whereas_o after_o the_o propher_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n though_o we_o find_v that_o there_o be_v prophet_n that_o speak_v by_o inspiration_n not_o only_o by_o josephus_n speak_v of_o those_o time_n of_o god_n people_n whereof_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n in_o the_o scripture_n but_o also_o by_o that_o which_o be_v say_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o simeon_n and_o anna_n zachary_n and_o the_o bless_a virgin_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n of_o church_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o find_v it_o say_v that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o any_o of_o they_o because_o they_o receive_v nothing_o in_o charge_n from_o god_n to_o his_o people_n wherefore_o that_o which_o the_o church_n have_v receive_v from_o those_o person_n that_o speak_v not_o only_o by_o inspiration_n and_o revelation_n but_o also_o by_o commission_n from_o god_n the_o evidence_n of_o which_o commission_n contain_v all_o the_o motive_n to_o christianity_n must_v not_o be_v compare_v with_o any_o thing_n which_o it_o may_v receive_v in_o charge_n any_o other_o way_n though_o it_o be_v such_o as_o may_v produce_v a_o obligation_n to_o receive_v and_o observe_v it_o of_o a_o nature_n answerable_a to_o the_o ground_n and_o intent_n of_o it_o which_o i_o have_v declare_v in_o the_o place_n afore_o quote_v neither_o be_v it_o to_o be_v say_v that_o god_n fail_v his_o church_n in_o any_o thing_n due_a to_o it_o upon_o those_o promise_n whereby_o it_o subsi_v if_o he_o have_v not_o provide_v it_o of_o such_o a_o power_n to_o be_v receive_v as_o infallible_a unless_o we_o will_v say_v that_o god_n have_v tie_v himself_o to_o preserve_v it_o free_a from_o the_o temptation_n and_o trial_n of_o heresy_n and_o schism_n which_o he_o have_v sufficient_o declare_v that_o he_o never_o intend_v to_o do_v now_o that_o have_v determine_v a_o infallible_a power_n to_o be_v requisite_a for_o the_o determine_n of_o matter_n of_o faith_n by_o interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n this_o author_n in_o consequence_n to_o his_o assumption_n which_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o shall_v challenge_v it_o to_o belong_v to_o all_o christian_a state_n i_o can_v choose_v but_o marvel_n see_v that_o as_o the_o scripture_n come_v by_o revelation_n and_o inspiration_n from_o god_n so_o whatsoever_o shall_v pretend_v to_o like_a authority_n must_v needs_o proceed_v from_o the_o same_o which_o if_o the_o church_n that_o be_v