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scripture_n according_a church_n word_n 5,622 5 4.1542 3 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A51052 The case of the accommodation lately proposed by the Bishop of Dumblane to the non-conforming ministers examined wherein also the antient Prostasia, or, Episcopus Præses is considered, and the Solemne League and Covenant occasionally vindicat : together with a copy of the two letters herein reviewed : vvhereunto also is subjoined an appendix in ansvver to a narrative of the issue of the treaty anent accommodation. McWard, Robert, 1633?-1687. 1671 (1671) Wing M231; ESTC R5121 109,669 138

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yet_o i_o be_o assure_v that_o as_o in_o itself_o it_o be_v most_o sound_a and_o rational_a so_o it_o may_v testify_v on_o our_o part_n a_o most_o fair_a and_o ingenuous_a candour_n in_o asmuch_o as_o although_o the_o english_v do_v first_o seek_v to_o we_o and_o willing_o &_o free_o engage_v with_o we_o to_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o reformation_n whereunto_o we_o have_v then_o attain_v y●t_o in_o the_o confidence_n of_o the_o truth_n wherein_o it_o be_v bottom_v and_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o the_o world_n how_o little_a we_o be_v either_o addict_v to_o any_o thing_n as_o our_o own_o or_o incline_v to_o abuse_v and_o impose_v upon_o their_o distress_n we_o agree_v to_o covenant_n to_o the_o endeavour_n of_o their_o reformation_n not_o precise_o according_a to_o our_o example_n though_o we_o veer_v full_o persuade_v of_o its_o divine_a warrant_n but_o according_a to_o the_o unerring_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o which_o we_o be_v always_o and_o be_v still_o 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more_o allow_v the_o angel_n represent_v the_o pastor_n than_o the_o star_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n nay_o or_o the_o candlestick_n the_o church_n to_o be_v take_v for_o single_a person_n but_o for_o further_a clear_v of_o all_o these_o and_o like_a objection_n i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o many_o author_n by_o who_o these_o thing_n be_v more_o full_o handle_v these_o ground_n then_o be_v all_o undoubted_o scriptural_a with_o what_o confidence_n can_v it_o be_v demand_v where_o do_v the_o scripture_n hold_v out_o a_o parity_n among_o minister_n or_o how_o can_v it_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o episcopus_fw-la praeses_fw-la contend_v for_o special_o with_o his_o necessary_a presence_n in_o ordination_n as_o we_o will_v afterward_o hear_v be_v not_o contrary_a but_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o as_o our_o presbyterian_a parity_n be_v plain_o warrant_v both_o by_o general_a gospel-rule_n and_o very_o express_a instance_n contain_v in_o scripture_n so_o the_o apparent_a lawfulness_n of_o any_o other_o form_n of_o man_n devise_v can_v be_v no_o justification_n thereof_o but_o it_o be_v object_v if_o this_o ground_n be_v reject_v how_o will_v we_o maintain_v or_o where_o will_v we_o find_v a_o express_a command_n or_o rule_v for_o our_o own_o model_n of_o kirk-session_n presbytery_n syond_n provincial_a and_o national_a with_o a_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n in_o their_o several_a dependency_n and_o subordination_n and_o the_o change_n of_o the_o moderator_n in_o these_o meeting_n except_v that_o only_a of_o the_o kirk-session_n wherein_o the_o minister_n do_v constant_o moderate_a for_o without_o this_o express_a kule_n a_o bishop_n or_o fix_a precedent_n may_v very_o well_o consist_v with_o that_o frame_n which_o we_o conten●_n for_o and_o it_o be_v real_o and_o actual_o so_o at_o this_o present_a in_o this_o church_n in_o answer_v this_o objection_n i_o must_v begin_v with_o its_o latter_a part_n which_o be_v so_o direct_o contradict_v by_o the_o present_a constitution_n both_o in_o its_o legal_a establishment_n and_o know_v exercise_n as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o i_o marvel_v how_o it_o can_v escape_v any_o person_n of_o ordinary_a understanding_n as_o for_o the_o main_a thing_n object_v have_v from_o the_o scripture_n assert_v the_o warrant_n of_o our_o parity_n its_o difficulty_n be_v easy_o satisfy_v for_o see_v that_o by_o divine_a institution_n the_o church_n be_v erect_v into_o one_o society_n and_o officer_n in_o a_o equal_a parity_n for_o its_o oversight_n and_o government_n thereto_o appoint_v and_o see_v that_o in_o every_o concession_n the_o thing_n natural_a and_o proper_a to_o what_o be_v concede_v must_v be_v understand_v to_o be_v therein_o import_v the_o liberty_n and_o power_n of_o common_a counsel_n together_o with_o the_o subordination_n of_o the_o part_n to_o the_o whole_a do_v thence_o necessary_o result_v the_o premise_n of_o which_o argument_n be_v so_o consistent_o compose_v of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n thereon_o dependent_a i_o need_v not_o here_o enlarge_v in_o any_o explication_n sure_o i_o be_o he_o who_o due_o perpend_v these_o uncontrovertible_a scripture-truth_n that_o the_o church_n be_v gather_v into_o one_o body_n that_o the_o apostle_n together_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n together_o be_v incharged_a with_o its_o oversight_n and_o rule_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v subject_a unto_o the_o prophet_n and_o that_o where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o the_o lord_n name_v there_o he_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v remain_v doubtful_a of_o the_o divine_a warrant_n and_o authority_n of_o our_o meeting_n conform_v to_o which_o truth_n and_o principle_n we_o not_o only_o find_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o church_n govern_v by_o common_a counsel_n but_o the_o same_o meeting_n and_o counsel_n inspire_v and_o direct_v by_o that_o humility_n love_n and_o harmony_n that_o no_o more_o than_o a_o chair_n man_n for_o the_o time_n &_o no_o sixed_a moderator_n can_v therein_o be_v discern_v if_o these_o ground_n be_v not_o both_o solid_o and_o evident_o conclusive_a of_o all_o necessary_a for_o i_o to_o prove_v i_o may_v easy_o without_o either_o worm_a or_o strain_v as_o our_o moderatist_n phrase_v it_o adduce_v and_o make_v out_o from_o scripture_n precedent_n more_o exact_o correspondent_a to_o our_o form_n but_o see_v the_o right_a and_o privilege_n of_o common_a counsel_n for_o government_n in_o order_n both_o to_o the_o whole_a and_o certain_a of_o the_o parte_v be_v by_o scripture-practi●e_a obvious_o hold_v forth_o its_o extension_n to_o all_o the_o part_n and_o their_o subordination_n to_o the_o whole_a do_v so_o natural_o and_o necessary_o ●ollow_v tha●_n i_o judge_v it_o superfluous_a to_o engage_v myself_o further_o into_o our_o adversary_n scrupulous_a quibling_n now_o as_o for_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n whereof_o scripture_n warrant_n be_v also_o require_v see_v we_o do_v not_o hold_v it_o to_o be_v a_o ordinary_a church-judicatorie_a but_o do_v only_o regard_v it_o as_o a_o delegation_n from_o the_o precede_v national-assemble_o elicit_a by_o extraordinary_a exigence_n and_o precise_o accountable_a to_o the_o next_o ensue_v it_o be_v right_o be_v so_o certain_o parallel_v to_o that_o of_o every_o committee_n appoint_v by_o any_o meeting_n for_o dispatch_n that_o unless_o it_o be_v allege_v that_o this_o power_n of_o commissionate_v be_v by_o scripture_n inhibit_v it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v understand_v to_o be_v found_v in_o the_o same_o warrant_n with_o the_o assembly_n from_o which_o it_o do_v flow_v &_o receive_v its_o confirmation_n i_o contend_v not_o but_o our_o observance_n in_o practice_n may_v have_v have_v its_o own_o fail_n in_o this_o point_n but_o see_v the_o excess_n in_o this_o matter_n if_o any_o be_v do_v probable_o flow_v from_o the_o mistake_n of_o a_o suppo●sed_a expediencie_n the_o evidence_n of_o its_o warrant_n and_o right_a use_n by_o such_o and_o error_n in_o fact_n can_v at_o all_o be_v impugn_a but_o the_o minister_n their_o be_v constant_o moderator_n in_o kirk-session_n among_o the_o elder_n join_v with_o they_o for_o discipline_n be_v that_o which_o our_o adversary_n do_v urge_v as_o a_o great_a advantage_n for_o prove_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o fix_a moderator_n in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n and_o our_o inconsequence_n in_o deny_v the_o same_o in_o the_o fond_a conceit_n of_o which_o argument_n it_o have_v be_v and_o be_v so_o frequent_o by_o they_o inculcat_fw-la that_o here_o be_v a_o presbyter_n have_v a_o fix_a presidencie_n among_o presbyter_n that_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o may_v ●ustly_o nauseat_v or_o move_v to_o laughter_n any_o indifferent_a observer_n to_o begin_v therefore_o with_o this_o childish_a emphasis_n take_v from_o the_o term_n presbyter_n and_o the_o call_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o parochial-elders_a both_o of_o they_o presbyter_n such_o indeed_o they_o be_v but_o see_v the_o scripture_n do_v warrant_v the_o office_n of_o our_o rule_v elder_a &_o also_o attribute_v several_a other_o name_n to_o minister_n agreeable_a to_o the_o main_a labour_n and_o to_o these_o parochial_a elder_n only_o that_o of_o presbyter_n or_o elder_n and_o yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o classical_a assembly_n principal_o consist_v of_o minister_n be_v common_o call_v presbytery_n if_o use_n for_o distinction_n have_v appropriate_a to_o these_o parochial-elders_a the_o name_n of_o elder_n rather_o than_o that_o of_o presbyter_n what_o folly_n be_v it_o to_o think_v that_o a_o contrary_a usurpation_n of_o name_n can_v be_v of_o any_o import_n or_o wherefore_o do_v not_o our_o adversary_n if_o they_o have_v such_o a_o complaisance_n for_o these_o conceit_n tell_v we_o further_o what_o a_o qstrange_v thing_n it_o be_v to_o see_v a_o presbytery_n for_o so_o a_o kirck-session_n may_v well_o be_v term_v consist_v only_o of_o one_o minister_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n laik_v as_o they_o speak_v and_o withal_o reflect_v upon_o these_o more_o pungent_a retorsion_n near_a home_n viz._n that_o in_o their_o way_n a_o bishop_n pretend_v to_o a-superiority_n or_o presidencie_n over_o many_o bishop_n and_o a_o single_a presbyter_n must_v have_v the_o pre-eminence_n over_o his_o fellow-presbyters_a but_o leave_v these_o foppery_n and_o take_v word_n according_a to_o the_o determination_n of_o custom_n in_o such_o case_n in_o answer_n to_o what_o be_v material_a in_o the_o objection_n i_o say_v 1._o that_o where_o there_o be_v two_o minister_n in_o a_o parish_n they_o moderate_a in_o the_o session_n by_o turn_n 2_o where_o the_o session_n do_v consist_v of_o one_o minister_n both_o a_o prea_n and_o a_o roll_a elder_n and_o the_o other_o elder_n of_o the_o congregation_n who_o be_v but_o his_o helper_n in_o discipline_n his_o different_a quality_n with_o the_o double_a honour_n allow_v to_o he_o by_o the_o
very_a adversary_n destitute_a of_o all_o satisfy_a pretence_n for_o asmuch_o then_n as_o our_o lord_n have_v very_o clear_o and_o positive_o command_v the_o parity_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o in_o they_o of_o all_o his_o minister_n by_o declare_v they_o to_o be_v brethren_n in_o direct_a opposition_n to_o that_o pharisaic_a pride_n which_o may_v have_v tempt_v they_o to_o the_o like_a affectation_n and_o further_o do_v adduce_v his_o own_o blessed_a example_n that_o by_o the_o consideration_n of_o his_o ministerial_a lowliness_n in_o the_o manner_n both_o of_o his_o administration_n and_o conversation_n compare_v with_o the_o infinite_a excellency_n of_o his_o person_n power_n and_o dignity_n he_o may_v the_o more_o effectual_o obviate_v all_o imaginable_a temptation_n &_o utter_o ruin_v the_o very_a thought_n of_o any_o inequality_n of_o a_o state_v superiority_n among_o they_o let_v we_o with_o all_o fear_n and_o reverence_n acknowledge_v his_o holy_a wisdom_n and_o appointment_n and_o constant_o disow_v and_o reject_v the_o vanity_n of_o all_o contrary_a invention_n special_o see_v it_o be_v mo●t_o certain_a that_o however_o man_n may_v endeavour_v by_o specious_a pretex●s_n to_o obscure_v the_o prohibition_n and_o to_o palliate_v this_o corruption_n yet_o its_o wicked_a pernicious_a and_o abominable_a effect_n and_o consequence_n have_v render_v it_o to_o all_o the_o sincere_a lover_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n palpable_o odious_a that_o which_o do_v next_o occur_v be_v two_o objection_n in_o the_o author_n second_o and_o seven_o consideration_n the_o one_o that_o the_o fix_a presidency_n of_o bishop_n in_o synod_n have_v as_o much_o warrant_n as_o the_o fix_a moderate_v of_o a_o presbyter_n in_o a_o kirk-session_n of_o rule_v elder_n the_o other_o that_o it_o can_v as_o little_o be_v quarrel_v for_o want_v of_o a_o express_a command_n in_o scripture_n as_o kirk-session_n presbytery_n synod_n and_o national_a assembly_n and_o their_o commission_n which_o 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the_o same_o thing_n without_o the_o least_o insinuation_n of_o a_o more_o proper_a application_n either_o of_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o to_o any_o thing_n distinct_a &_o thence_o do_v strong_o infer_v that_o aftertime_n do_v very_o unwarrantable_o and_o contrary_a to_o scripture-ground_n divide_v both_o the_o thing_n and_o name_n and_o this_o our_o author_n do_v very_o light_o turn_v over_o as_o if_o all_o the_o question_n anent_o a_o divine_a warrant_n for_o the_o identity_n or_o distinction_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v only_o a_o plea_n of_o word_n and_o whether_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o scripture_n common_o and_o promiscouslie_o use_v may_v lawful_o afterward_o be_v several_o appropriate_a without_o the_o least_o notice_n take_v that_o in_o scripture_n the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n be_v no_o more_o common_a than_o the_o thing_n the_o same_o and_o that_o therefore_o the_o separation_n afterward_o make_v be_v a_o mere_a human_a invention_n but_o he_o add_v for_o a_o reason_n that_o the_o name_n be_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n use_v in_o some_o primitive_a writer_n who_o in_o other_o passage_n do_v clear_o own_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n and_o be_v themselves_o of_o that_o degree_n what_o then_o a_o man_n may_v indeed_o hence_o conclude_v that_o in_o the_o time_n succeed_v the_o pure_a with_o the_o distinction_n introduce_v of_o a_o superior_a bishop_n over_o a_o presbyter_n the_o name_n beside_o th●ir_n common_a use_n become_v to_o be_v usurp_v to_o peculiar_a signification_n but_o see_v this_o manner_n of_o writing_n observe_v in_o these_o primitive_a writter_n do_v no_o way_n hold_v in_o sacred_a write_v whence_o we_o ought_v to_o search_v for_o our_o warrant_n and_o wherein_o there_o be_v no_o passage_n which_o do_v in_o the_o least_o favour_n the_o different_a degree_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n what_o can_v be_v gather_v from_o these_o indigested_a reflectious_a save_o this_o that_o the_o primitive_a time_n soon_o vary_v from_o th●_n primitive_a simplicity_n and_o consequent_o swerve_v from_o the_o primitive_a purity_n see_v then_o that_o all_o the_o weakness_n of_o this_o argument_n be_v from_o the_o author_n his_o own_o mistake_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o his_o attempt_n to_o baffle_v the_o reason_n from_o this_o topick_n as_o too_o weak_a and_o unworthy_a of_o any_o serious_a person_n insi_v upon_o it_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o be_v ridiculous_o serious_a in_o his_o folly_n but_o he_o proceed_v to_o tell_v we_o in_o his_o six_o assertion_n that_o it_o be_v yet_o more_o strange_a to_o be_v offend_v with_o the_o solemn_a way_n of_o blessing_n or_o consecrate_v bishop_n to_o that_o presidency_n with_o the_o imposition_n of_o hand_n as_o if_o a_o grave_n and_o solemn_a admission_n to_o a_o high_a and_o holy_a employment_n be_v apt_a to_o unhallow_v it_o and_o be_v in_o appearance_n so_o proper_a a_o instrument_n of_o make_v it_o the_o better_a shall_v yet_o effectual_o make_v it_o the_o worse_o how_o the_o author_n com●s_v to_o term_v it_o strange_a yea_o more_o strange_a that_o we_o shall_v be_v offend_v with_o a_o practice_n which_o yet_o for_o all_o his_o suprisal_n by_o reason_n of_o our_o offence_n he_o himself_o dar_fw-ge not_o distinct_o avow_v may_v be_v to_o we_o real_o so_o be_v it_o not_o that_o our_o experience_n of_o his_o method_n do_v abundant_o satisfy_v we_o that_o all_o the_o art_n of_o insinuation_n be_v familiar_a unto_o he_o the_o thing_n he_o here_o point_v at_o be_v without_o doubt_n to_o justify_v the_o peculiar_a ordination_n of_o his_o bishop_n or_o episcopus_fw-la praeses_fw-la know_v that_o a_o distinct_a ordination_n do_v certain_o require_v and_o infer_v thing_n altogether_o incononsistent_a with_o his_o description_n o●_n his_o episcopus_fw-la praeses_fw-la he_o therefore_o endeavour_n to_o smooth_v it_o over_o as_o if_o all_o considerable_a in_o the_o case_n be_v only_o a_o more_o solemn_a way_n of_o blessing_n or_o consecrate_v of_o bishop_n to_o their_o presidencie_n but_o not_o to_o stand_v with_o he_o upon_o the_o matter_n of_o word_n the_o thing_n that_o we_o be_v indeed_o offend_v at_o be_v 1._o that_o where_o in_o his_o episcopal_a consecration_n both_o the_o word_n manner_n and_o whole_a form_n of_o a_o special_a ordination_n be_v most_o exact_o use_v yet_o he_o will_v have_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o all_o transact_v by_o this_o performance_n be_v only_o a_o more_o solemn_a benediction_n if_o any_o man_n inquire_v the_o difference_n that_o more_o solemn_a lawful_a action_n if_o capable_a of_o a_o solemn_a benediction_n be_v know_v and_o obvious_a whereas_o although_o ordination_n be_v accompany_v with_o benediction_n yet_o both_o the_o notation_n of_o the_o word_n and_o reason_n itself_o do_v plain_o intimate_fw-la that_o it_o be_v not_o formal_o a_o benediction_n but_o that_o its_o principal_a act_n as_o it_o be_v perform_v by_o man_n be_v a_o ministerial_a conserring_n in_o the_o name_n person●_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n of_o a_o special_a church-office_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o suppose_v aswell_o the_o office_n itself_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o conveyance_n to_o depend_v upon_o our_o lord_n institution_n and_o warrant_v whereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o either_o this_o place_n of_o presidencie_n be_v only_o a_o humane_a contrivance_n upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o order_n of_o a_o superior_a eminency_n for_o the_o better_a conduct_n of_o common_a administration_n can_v at_o all_o bear_n or_o admit_v of_o it_o or_o that_o under_o the_o proposal_n of_o this_o presidencie_n it_o be_v in_o effect_n not_o only_o a_o high_a degree_n but_o a_o high_a order_n o●_n church-officer_n that_o be_v intend_v to_o be_v introduce_v which_o how_o pernicious_a it_o have_v prove_v and_o may_v yet_o again_o prove_v to_o the_o ghurch_n of_o christ_n both_o the_o proud_a usurpation_n of_o prelacy_n &_o the_o height_n of_o papacy_n do_v sufficient_o testify_v but_o the_o second_o thing_n that_o