Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	answer_n	church_n	word_n	2,485	5	4.1382	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A56167	A fvll reply to Certaine briefe observations and anti-queries on Master Prynnes twelve questions about church-government wherein the frivolousnesse, falseness, and grosse mistakes of this anonymous answerer (ashamed of his name) and his weak grounds for independency, and separation, are modestly discovered, reselled : together with certaine briefe animadversions on Mr. Iohn Goodwins Theomachia, in justification of independency examined, and of the ecclesisticall jurisdiction and rights of Parliament, which he fights against / by William Prynne ...	Prynne, William, 1600-1669.	1644 (1644)	Wing P3967; ESTC R3868	34,873	26

a_o full_a reply_n to_o certain_a brief_a observation_n and_o anti-query_n on_o master_n prynne_n twelve_o question_n about_o church-government_n wherein_o the_o frivolousness_n falseness_n and_o gross_a mistake_v of_o this_o anonymous_a answerer_n ashamed_a of_o his_o name_n and_o his_o weak_a ground_n for_o independency_n and_o separation_n be_v modest_o discover_v refell_v together_o with_o certain_a brief_a animadversion_n on_o mr._n john_n goodwin_n theomachia_n in_o justification_n of_o independency_n examine_v and_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n and_o right_n of_o parliament_n which_o he_o fight_v against_o by_o william_n prynne_n of_o lincoln_n inn_n esquire_n socrates_n scholasticus_n eccles._n hist._n l._n 5._o c._n 20._o ecclesia_fw-la cum_fw-la semel_fw-la esset_fw-la divisa_fw-la non_fw-la una_fw-la divisione_fw-la acquievit_fw-la sed_fw-la homines_fw-la ab_fw-la se_fw-la mutuò_fw-la aversi_fw-la alter_fw-la ab_fw-la altero_fw-la denuò_fw-la scesserunt_fw-la atque_fw-la adeò_fw-la exigvam_fw-la leviculamqve_fw-la occasionem_fw-la nacti_fw-la mutuae_fw-la communionis_fw-la consociationisque_fw-la vincula_fw-la disruperunt_fw-la have_v salt_n in_o yourselves_o and_o have_v peace_n one_o with_o another_o mark_n 2._o 50._o to_o this_o end_n be_v i_o bear_v and_o for_o this_o cause_n come_v i_o into_o the_o world_n that_o i_o shall_v bear_v witness_n unto_o the_o truth_n ioh._n 18_o 37._o be_o i_o therefore_o become_v your_o enemy_n because_o i_o tell_v you_o the_o truth_n gal._n 4._o 16._o imprimatur_fw-la october_n 14._o 1644_o john_n white_n the_o second_o edition_n some_o what_o enlarge_v with_o material_a addition_n london_n print_v by_o f._n l._n for_o michael_n spark_n senior_a and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o the_o blew-bible_n in_o green-arbour_n 1644._o of_o all_o the_o vanity_n and_o vexation_n of_o spirit_n enumerate_v by_o the_o royal_a preacher_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a a_o that_o for_o all_o travel_n and_o every_o right_a work_n a_o man_n be_v envy_v yea_o many_o time_n hate_v oppugn_v by_o his_o neighbour_n this_o have_v be_v always_o my_o condition_n 4._o heretofore_o and_o now_o my_o best_a action_n and_o public_a service_n for_o the_o common_a good_a have_v be_v misconstrue_v traduce_v nay_o censure_v in_o a_o high_a degree_n as_o ●…vill_a by_o many_o though_o bless_a be_v god_n approve_v yea_o grateful_o accept_v by_o the_o best-affected_a to_o the_o church_n and_o state_n the_o importunity_n of_o some_o reverend_a friend_n lament_v the_o deplorable_a distraction_n of_o our_o church_n which_o threaten_v disunion_n and_o so_o ruin_n to_o we_o in_o these_o unhappy_a time_n of_o intestine_a war_n prevail_v so_o far_o as_o to_o induce_v i_o to_o compile_v and_o publish_v twelve_o considerable_a serious_a question_n touch_v church-government_n out_o of_o a_o córdial_a desire_n as_o much_o as_o in_o i_o lay_v to_o close_v up_o not_o widen_v our_o division_n which_o though_o they_o have_v give_v ample_a satisfaction_n to_o many_o true_o religious_a of_o all_o rank_n and_o quality_n who_o have_v return_v i_o special_a thanks_o yet_o they_o have_v find_v very_o harsh_a entertainment_n from_o other_o who_o of_o friend_n b_o 16._o be_v become_v my_o profess_a antagonist_n if_o not_o enemy_n in_o print_n because_o i_o have_v tell_v they_o the_o truth_n to_o who_o i_o shall_v have_v return_v no_o reply_n but_o silence_n there_o be_v nought_o in_o these_o observation_n worthy_a answer_n but_o only_o to_o rectisie_v some_o mistake_n therein_o and_o show_v the_o opposite_a party_n those_o common_a error_n whereby_o they_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o other_o the_o first_o thing_n this_o nameless_a respondent_fw-la quarrel_n with_o be_v c_o 2._o for_o my_o writing_n by_o way_n of_o quere_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o i_o have_v both_o precedent_n and_o reason_n for_o it_o precedent_n from_o our_o saviour_n himself_o who_o both_o instruct_v refute_v convince_v his_o opposite_n and_o auditor_n by_o demand_v *_o 26._o question_n only_o precedent_n from_o philosopher_n father_n schoolman_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o writer_n ancient_a modern_a over-tedious_a to_o recite_v reason_n 1._o i_o conceive_v the_o question_n touch_v church-government_n be_v not_o right_o state_v by_o most_o and_o that_o the_o right_n state_v of_o they_o by_o way_n of_o question_n will_v be_v the_o best_a and_o speedy_a mean_n to_o decide_v they_o 2._o the_o independent_a party_n have_v neither_o then_o nor_o since_o to_o my_o knowledge_n dogmatical_o resolve_v or_o discover_v in_o print_n what_o that_o church-government_n be_v they_o so_o eager_o contend_v for_o and_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o plain_o set_v down_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v not_o y●…t_o all_o agree_v what_o they_o hold_v or_o shall_v desire_v except_o it_o be_v this_o to_o be_v leave_v at_o free_a liberty_n to_o do_v what_o they_o please_v and_o therefore_o i_o conjecture_v such_o query_n to_o be_v the_o only_a mean_n to_o discover_v and_o refute_v their_o conceal_a platform_n 3._o the_o controversy_n concerning_o church-government_n be_v then_o and_o now_o in_o agitation_n in_o the_o synod_n and_o high_a court_n of_o parliament_n the_o proper_a judge_n of_o they_o therefore_o i_o think_v it_o better_o become_v i_o in_o point_n of_o modesty_n and_o good_a manner_n to_o express_v my_o opinion_n of_o they_o by_o way_n of_o question_n than_o decision_n final_o i_o find_v all_o independent_n guilty_a of_o petitio_fw-la principii_fw-la in_o their_o writing_n sermon_n discourse_n peremptory_o conclude_v their_o form_n of_o church-government_n to_o d_o other_o be_v the_o only_a government_n institute_v by_o christ_n the_o only_a way_n of_o god_n which_o have_v more_o of_o god_n and_o christ_n in_o it_o then_o any_o other_o the_o kingdom_n sceptre_n and_o throne_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o no_o other_o way_n beside_o it_o e_o 111._o that_o by_o the_o beauty_n and_o perfect_a consonancy_n of_o this_o government_n with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o may_v very_o reasonable_o yea_o and_o upon_o high_a term_n than_o of_o reason_n be_v think_v that_o in_o time_n it_o can_v but_o overthrow_v all_o 〈◊〉_d of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n and_o i_o fear_v civil_a too_o by_o the_o selfsame_a reason_n and_o stand_v up_o itself_o in_o their_o stead_n which_o they_o closeup_v with_o a_o faxit_fw-la deus_fw-la and_o festinet●…_n and_o that_o writi●…g_v or_o dispute_v against_o this_o government_n or_o oppose_v it_o in_o any_o kind_n yea_o in_o thought_n be_v no_o less_o than_o f_o {non-roman}_o a_o fight_n against_o god_n which_o will_v bring_v certain_a ruin_n on_o our_o realm_n in_o general_a and_o all_o private_a open_a opposer_n of_o it_o yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o nor_o this_o respondent_fw-la have_v hitherto_o full_o discover_v to_o we_o what_o this_o way_n or_o government_n be_v nor_o produce_v any_o one_o scripture_n or_o reason_n to_o warrant_v these_o superlative_a encomium_n of_o it_o but_o we_o must_v take_v all_o they_o say_v as_o gospel_n upon_o their_o own_o bare_a word_n without_o examination_n or_o dispute_n and_o therefore_o i_o propose_v these_o with_o 12_o other_o subsequent_a question_n to_o they_o to_o induce_v they_o to_o make_v good_a these_o transcendent_a that_o i_o say_v not_o arrogant_a position_n touch_v their_o way_n since_o i_o serious_o profess_v before_o god_n angel_n and_o man_n that_o i_o can_v never_o yet_o discover_v the_o least_o footstep_n of_o it_o in_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n nor_o descry_v this_o their_o pattern_n in_o the_o mount_n which_o no_o age_n till_o we_o have_v ever_o the_o happiness_n to_o behold_v if_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o view_v when_o unveil_v by_o they_o to_o we_o have_v thus_o give_v this_o respondent_fw-la the_o true_a ground_n of_o my_o writing_n by_o way_n of_o question_n i_o shall_v brief_o answer_v all_o his_o material_a observation_n and_o anti-query_n upon_o my_o twelve_o question_n pretermit_v his_o impertinency_n 1._o to_o the_o first_o question_n the_o respondent_fw-la give_v no_o answer_n at_o all_o to_o the_o thing_n demand_v but_o only_o misrecite_v the_o question_n without_o my_o limitation_n and_o then_o seem_v to_o refute_v what_o himself_o propound_v not_o i_o he_o shall_v have_v demonstrate_v by_o direct_a scripture_n that_o christ_n have_v prescribe_v one_o set_v immutable_a form_n of_o government_n to_o all_o christian_a nation_n church_n in_o the_o world_n from_o which_o none_o must_v vary_v in_o the_o least_o degree_n without_o sin_n schism_n or_o be_v no_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n with_o who_o good_a christian_n may_v with_o safe_a conscience_n communicate_v and_o that_o nothing_o herein_o be_v or_o can_v be_v leave_v free_a to_o human_a prudence_n though_o themselves_o most_o stiff_o plead_v that_o christ_n have_v prescribe_v no_o *_o discipline_n set_a form_n of_o pray_v or_o preach_v to_o minister_n people_n but_o leave_v all_o man_n free_a to_o use_v their_o liberty_n and_o several_a gift_n in_o both_o on_o which_o ground_n they_o condemn_v all_o set_a form_n of_o public_a if_o not_o

you_o mean_v it_o of_o any_o other_o light_n that_o be_v true_o such_o we_o bless_v god_n for_o it_o and_o desire_v to_o walk_v brotherly_a and_o unanimous_o in_o it_o in_o the_o seven_o he_o grant_v that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o instruct_v man_n to_o unite_v themselves_o into_o one_o national_a state_n or_o civil_a government_n do_v likewise_o teach_v they_o to_o join_v themselves_o into_o subject_n themselves_o unto_o one_o national_a church_n and_o to_o national_a synod_n parliament_n in_o point_n of_o church-government_n in_o which_o every_o particular_a man_n have_v his_o vote_n though_o not_o in_o proper_a person_n which_o he_o object_v be_v necessary_a but_o i_o deny_v since_o all_o can_v possible_o assemble_v yet_o in_o their_o deputy_n knight_n burgess_n or_o select_v commissioner_n and_o though_o it_o be_v t●ue_a that_o christ_n have_v not_o give_v magistrate_n such_o absolute_a authority_n over_o man_n conscience_n as_o body_n as_o you_o object_n yet_o he_o have_v enjoin_v we_o to_o be_v *_o 14._o subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n and_o to_o every_o lawful_a ordinance_n of_o man_n not_o repugnant_a to_o his_o word_n even_a for_o conscience_n sake_n and_o the_o lord_n sake_n too_o for_o my_o passage_n that_o there_o be_v no_o example_n of_o gather_v independent_a congregation_n not_o of_o infidel_n but_o of_o man_n already_o convert_v to_o and_o settle_v in_o the_o christian_a faith_n unless_o derive_v from_o the_o private_a conventicle_n of_o arrian_n novatian_n donatist_n and_o other_o heretic_n who_o yet_o w●re_n not_o independent_a among_o themselves_o it_o be_v not_o a_o bitter_a speech_n as_o you_o phrase_v it_o but_o a_o true_a one_o and_o only_o bitter_a to_o you_o because_o undeniable_a for_o as_o it_o be_v the_o *_o 33._o common_a practice_n of_o those_o seduce_a heretic_n sectary_n to_o gather_v private_a conventicle_n of_o their_o own_o and_o labour_n to_o 1._o draw_v other_o orthodox_a christian_n from_o their_o proper_a minister_n to_o incorporate_v themselves_o into_o their_o private_a separate_a congregation_n as_o historian_n inform_v we_o so_o no_o such_o practice_n of_o allure_a and_o steal_v away_o other_o pastor_n sheep_n from_o their_o proper_a shepherd_n who_o first_o convert_v they_o to_o and_o edify_v they_o in_o the_o faith_n and_o grace_n of_o christ_n can_v be_v produce_v but_o only_o in_o these_o heretic_n and_o sectary_n who_o practice_n your_o independent_n imitate_v as_o for_o those_o private_a conventicle_n as_o he_o phrase_v they_o for_o which_o he_o say_v i_o may_v bless_v god_n that_o i_o be_v remember_v in_o they_o with_o tear_n when_o other_o dare_v not_o name_v i_o as_o i_o do_v real_o bless_v god_n for_o they_o and_o those_o who_o remember_v i_o effectual_o in_o they_o so_o i_o dare_v not_o style_v they_o conventicle_n in_o a_o ill_a sense_n since_o not_o †_o 8._o such_o by_o law_n be_v only_o lawful_a assembly_n of_o private_a christian_n to_o seek_v unto_o god_n by_o prayer_n and_o fast_v upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n which_o all_o good_a christian_n can_v but_o approve_v but_o all_o these_o meeting_n be_v far_o from_o be_v then_o style_v repute_v independent_a church_n or_o have_v any_o affinity_n with_o they_o so_o as_o they_o make_v nothing_o for_o his_o cause_n 8._o to_o the_o eight_o quere_n he_o give_v a_o negative_a answer_n first_o in_o general_n next_o in_o particular_a to_o some_o instance_n first_o he_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v a_o national_a church_n yea_o national_a assembly_n parliament_n determine_v church-affair_n of_o the_o jew_n but_o these_o say_v he_o can_v be_v a_o pattern_n for_o we_o now_o because_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o make_v with_o any_o one_o particular_a nation_n as_o with_o the_o jew_n but_o to_o all_o nation_n that_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n and_o believe_v in_o christ_n you_o have_v no_o promise_n nor_o prophesy_v of_o any_o nation_n to_o be_v holy_a to_o god_n but_o the_o jew_n nation_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v call_v again_o to_o which_o i_o reply_v first_o that_o independent_n have_v not_o the_o least_o precept_n or_o example_n for_o any_o solemn_a covenant_n make_v betwixt_o god_n and_o man_n to_o walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n but_o only_o *_o etc._n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o church_n of_o the_o israelite_n and_o that_o no_o private_a congregational_a but_o publ●…ke_v national_a covenant_n prescribe_v by_o the_o supreme_a temporal_a magistrate_n and_o assembly_n not_o by_o the_o priest_n or_o private_a synagogue_n yea_o the_o principal_a precept_n precedent_n for_o public_a or_o private_a fast_n sanctify_v the_o sabbath_n etc._n etc._n you_o likewise_o derive_v from_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o church_n why_o then_o shall_v not_o their_o national_a church_n be_v a_o pattern_n for_o we_o and_o you_o to_o imitate_v as_o well_o as_o their_o national_a covenant_n fast_v sabbath-keeping_n the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v all_o one_o as_o it_o be_v a_o church_n both_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o new_a and_o the_o pattern_n of_o it_o under_o the_o law_n a_o better_a pesident_n for_o the_o church_n under_o the_o gospel_n of_o which_o it_o be_v a_o type_n and_o forerunner_n than_o the_o pattern_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n show_v in_o the_o mount_n so_o frequent_a in_o your_o lip_n and_o book_n a_o precedent_n for_o your_o independent_a model_n to_o which_o it_o have_v no_o analogy_n 2._o this_o reason_n be_v most_o absurd_a and_o false_a the_o covenant_n of_o the_o gospel_n extend_v not_o only_o to_o particular_a person_n but_o to_o *_o 18._o all_o nation_n and_o people_n whatsoever_o who_o be_v both_o prophesy_v and_o promise_v to_o become_v christ_n own_o inheritance_n possession_n people_n spouse_n church_n and_o to_o be_v a_o holy_a nation_n a_o peculiar_a people_n etc._n etc._n to_o the_o lord_n in_o infinite_a text_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o i_o wonder_v the_o respondent_fw-la shall_v either_o not_o see_v or_o forget_v be_v ten_o thousand_o fold_n more_o clear_a and_o visible_a than_o his_o independent_a platform_n which_o few_o or_o none_o can_v yet_o espy_v in_o scripture_n history_n or_o politic_n 2._o he_o add_v that_o i_o can_v sh●…w_v any_o nation_n every_o member_n whereof_o be_v qualify_v sufficient_o to_o make_v up_o a_o church_n which_o be_v christ_n body_n unless_o i_o will_v take_v in_o drunkard_n whoremaster_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v member_n of_o a_o church_n whereas_o the_o word_n say_v they_o must_v be_v visible_a saint_n and_o this_o can_v be_v avoid_v in_o a_o national_a church_n i_o answer_v that_o i_o dare_v not_o be_v wise_a than_o my_o master_n christ_n who_o inform_v i_o that_o there_o will_v and_o must_v be_v always_o in_o the_o visible_a church_n on_o earth_n be_v it_o national_a parochial_a presbyterial_a or_o congregational_a *_o 33._o goat_n among_o the_o sheep_n chaff_n among_o the_o wheat_n which_o must_v grow_v together_o ●…ill_o the_o harvest_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o wit_v the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o good_a fish_n mix_v with_o the_o bad_a in_o the_o church_n net_n 2._o i_o find_v a_o a_o 71_o judas_n a_o devil_n among_o the_o apostle_n many_o b_o prophet_n gross_a sinner_n idolater_n and_o corruption_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n many_o abuse_n epicure_n drunkard_n whoremaster_n l_n bertine_n unclean●…_n person_n and_o false_a teacher_n in_o the_o church_n of_o galatla_fw-mi ephesus_n coloss_n pergamus_n smyrna_n thyatira_n and_o laodicea_n yet_o the_o scripture_n express_o style_v they_o c_o 27._o the_o body_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o repute_v such_o member_n though_o corrupt_a one_o of_o those_o church_n who_o do_v not_o actual_o cease_v to_o be_v member_n when_o excommunicate_v or_o suspend_v for_o a_o season_n after_o they_o be_v baptise_v and_o profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n nor_o do_v any_o separate_a from_o these_o church_n though_o they_o have_v some_o corruption_n and_o evil_a member_n for_o you_o therefore_o to_o separate_v from_o and_o unchurch_v such_o national_a or_o parochial_a church_n which_o have_v some_o such_o member_n in_o they_o be_v to_o unchurch_v all_o church_n both_o in_o the_o old_a the_o new_a testament_n and_o world_n itself_o yea_o your_o own_o church_n too_o 3._o the_o scripture_n be_v express_v d_o 24._o that_o many_o be_v call_v but_o few_o choose_a and_o save_v that_o all_o must_v be_v compel_v to_o come_v into_o the_o church_n though_o they_o want_v the_o wedding-garment_n there_o never_o be_v nor_o shall_v be_v here_o on_o earth_n any_o one_o visible_a church_n compact_v whole_o of_o real_a elect_a saint_n without_o any_o mixture_n of_o reprobate_n such_o a_o church_n we_o shall_v meet_v with_o only_a in_o heaven_n i_o be_o sure_a you_o can_v gather_v none_o such_o on_o earth_n 4._o be_v there_o no_o corrupt_a or_o drunken_a member_n in_o your_o independent_a church_n

but_o only_o real_a visible_a saint_n be_v there_o no_o usurer_n oppressor_n corrupt_a dealer_n covetous_a proud_a malicious_a uncharitable_a censorious_a person_n no_o apparent_a hypocrite_n or_o dissembler_n yea_o be_v there_o not_o many_o sin_n and_o corruption_n in_o the_o best_a the_o choice_a of_o all_o your_o member_n who_o can_v depart_v away_o or_o quite_o separate_v themselves_o from_o their_o *_o 15_o own_o bosom_n corruption_n as_o there_o be_v and_o will_v be_v in_o the_o best_a of_o man_n during_o their_o mortality_n if_o your_o independent_a congregation_n consist_v of_o such_o member_n as_o these_o of_o man_n subject_a to_o like_o passion_n sin_n infirmity_n as_o other_o in_o presbyterial_a church_n what_o then_o be_v become_v of_o this_o your_o reason_n and_o principal_a ground_n of_o independency_n or_o rather_o separation_n or_o brownism_n its_o ancient_a proper_a title_n you_o may_v lay_v it_o up_o in_o lavender_n for_o another_o world_n but_o can_v make_v no_o use_n of_o it_o in_o this_o where_o you_o can_v so_o much_o as_o dream_v of_o a_o church_n of_o real_a saint_n without_o any_o mixture_n of_o corruption_n and_o therefore_o rather_o than_o separate_v or_o leave_v we_o in_o a_o p●…lt_n because_o you_o can_v have_v your_o will_n in_o all_o thing_n you_o shall_v with_o bless_a paul_n as_o tender-conscienced_a no_o doubt_n as_o any_o of_o you_o and_o a_o lawful_a pattern_n for_o your_o imitation_n *_o 24_o to_o the_o jew_n become_v as_o jew_n that_o you_o may_v gain_v the_o jew_n to_o they_o that_o be_v under_o the_o law_n as_o under_o the_o law_n that_o you_o may_v gain_v they_o that_o be_v under_o the_o law_n to_o they_o that_o be_v without_o law_n as_o be_v not_o without_o law_n to_o god_n but_o under_o the_o law_n to_o christ_n that_o you_o may_v gain_v they_o who_o be_v without_o law_n to_o the_o weak_a you_o shall_v become_v as_o weak_a that_o you_o may_v gain_v the_o weak_a yea_o be_v make_v all_o thing_n to_o all_o man_n that_o you_o may_v by_o all_o mean_n gain_v some_o which_o how_o far_o you_o in_o your_o new_a way_n be_v from_o let_v all_o man_n judge_n 3._o for_o his_o answer_n to_o that_o of_o act_n 15._o all_o age_n church_n till_o this_o present_a have_v hold_v it_o both_o a_o express_a warrant_n and_o precedent_n for_o the_o lawfulness_n usefulness_n of_o national_a and_o provincial_n synod_n to_o determine_v difference_n in_o religion_n which_o particular_a church_n person_n can_v decide_v and_o make_v necessary_a canon_n for_o church-affair_n neither_o can_v all_o his_o shift_n elude_v it_o to_o his_o first_o and_o second_o reason_n or_o rather_o evasion_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v clear_a by_o act._n 15._o 2._o that_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n itself_o can_v not_o decide_v the_o question_n nor_o paul_n nor_o barnabas_n satisfactory_o determine_v it_o so_o far_o as_o to_o quiet_v all_o party_n and_o therefore_o they_o send_v delegate_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n at_o jerusalem_n there_o to_o decide_v it_o none_o be_v so_o ignorant_a but_o know_v that_o there_o be_v many_o controversy_n now_o on_o foot_n concerning_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o church-government_n which_o no_o particular_a congregation_n nay_o hardly_o a_o whole_a synod_n and_o parliament_n together_o be_v sufficient_a to_o settle_v and_o determine_v therefore_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o necessity_n of_o national_a synod_n as_o well_o as_o of_o parliament_n whence_o all_o age_n church_n have_v use_v they_o to_o his_o three_o reason_n i_o reply_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o express_a word_n vers._n 2._o 5._o 6._o 7._o 10._o 19_o 20._o 24._o that_o the_o principal_a end_n why_o the_o apostle_n go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o why_o this_o synod_n ass●…mbled_v be_v not_o to_o prove_v the_o false_a apostle_n liar_n as_o he_o affirm_v but_o to_o debate_v and_o consider_v this_o question_n and_o matter_n wheth●…r_o ●…he_v gen●…les_n ought_v ●…o_o bec●…rcumci_fw-la s●…d_fw-la to_o his_o four_o i_o say_v that_o though_o this_o meeting_n be_v occasional_a yet_o it_o i●…_z a_o sufficient_a warrant_n for_o general_a meeting_n which_o be_v usua●…ly_o call_v only_o upon_o special_a occasion_n of_o moment_n in_o it_o there_o be_v a_o general_a assemble_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n elder_n and_o brethren_n at_o jerusalem_n where_o there_o be_v then_o divers_a particular_a congregation_n as_o our_o assembly_n long_o since_o resolve_v from_o act_n 2._o 6._o 41_o 42_o 46_o 47._o c._n 4._o 4._o c._n 5._o 14_o 15_o 16_o 42._o c._n 6._o 1._o to_o 9_o c._n 8._o 2_o 3_o 4._o c._n 11._o 1_o 2._o c._n 12._o 12_o 13._o c._n 21._o 17_o 18_o 23_o 22._o which_o if_o independent_n deny_v than_o they_o must_v prove_v that_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v pastor_n but_o of_o oneand_a the_o selfsame_a individual_a congregation_n and_o than_o what_o become_v of_o their_o independent_a church_n which_o have_v no_o apostle_n and_o only_o one_o pastor_n but_o scarce_o any_o elder_n in_o they_o who_o upon_o this_o special_a and_o some_o other_o public_a occasion_n meet_v all_o together_o and_o that_o not_o to_o advise_v only_o but_o determine_v and_o resolve_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o verse_n 6._o to_o 32._o c._n 16._o 4._o c._n 21._o 25._o which_o compare_v with_o the_o text_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o margin_n of_o my_o quere_n where_o we_o find_v frequent_a national_a general_a assembly_n synod_n or_o parliament_n if_o i_o may_v so_o style_v they_o among_o the_o israelite_n prescribe_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o no_o way_n contradict_v revoke_v under_o the_o gospel_n determine_v †_o 32._o all_o ecclesiastical_a controversy_n settle_v order_v all_o church-affair_n matter_n concerning_o the_o ark_n temple_n sacrifice_n passover_n priest_n national_a covenant_n fasting-day_n festival_n suppression_n of_o idolatry_n false-worship_n relic_n of_o idolatry_n and_o the_o like_a be_v a_o impregnable_a evidence_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o national_a synod_n parliament_n assembly_n in_o all_o christian_a kingdom_n republic_n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n and_o that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o equivalent_a authority_n there_o be_v no_o one_o text_n in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n nor_o any_o shadow_n of_o reason_n but_o mee●…_n shift_n or_o obs●…inacy_n of_o spirit_n against_o public_a govetment_n order_n and_o authority_n to_o control_v it_o if_o any_o pretend_v they_o do_v it_o only_o out_o of_o consci●…nce_n if_o they_o will_v but_o serious_o gauge_v their_o own_o deceitful_a heart_n i_o fear_v their_o conscience_n will_v prove_v but_o wilfulness_n have_v neithe●…_n precept_n pre●…dent_a nor_o right_a reason_n to_o direct_v it_o so_o as_o i_o may_v true_o 〈◊〉_d his_o own_o calumny_n against_o i_o on_o he_o and_o he_o that_o his_o and_o their_o own_o name_n will_n or_o opinion_n be_v their_o only_a argument_n against_o this_o shine_a truth_n which_o all_o age_n church_n have_v acknowledge_v ratify_v practise_v without_o the_o least_o dispute_n 9_o to_o my_o nine_o quere_n and_o argument_n in_o it_o he_o return_v nothing_o worthy_a reply_n but_o upon_o this_o petitio_fw-la principii_fw-la or_o beg_v of_o the_o thing_n dispute_v that_o the_o scripture_n and_o apostle_n have_v prescribe_v a_o set_a form_n of_o government_n in_o all_o after_o ●…ges_n for_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o he_o neither_o can_v nor_o endeavour_n to_o prove_v and_o that_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n be_v independent_a though_o doubtless_o all_o church_n be_v then_o subject_a to_o the_o apostle_n law_n orde●…s_n edict_n decision_n though_o no_o immediate_a minister_n or_o pastor_n of_o they_o as_o appear_v by_o their_o epistle_n to_o they_o therefore_o not_o independent_a so_o as_o my_o argument_n hold_v firm_a and_o his_o answer_n weak_a as_o for_o his_o retort_a argument_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o wise_a and_o better_a scripture_n may_v be_v write_v now_o it_o be_v a_o blasphemous_a and_o absurd_a conclusion_n they_o be_v all_o writ_n by_o the_o spirit_n and_o inspiration_n of_o god_n himself_o the_o very_a *_o 13._o a●…cient_a of_o day_n who_o have_v neither_o infancy_n nor_o imperfection_n as_o the_o church_n have_v to_o his_o second_o objection_n that_o i_o will_v needs_o make_v a_o national_a church_n state_n more_o perfect_a understanding_n and_o wise_a than_o a_o congregational_a i_o f●…are_v be_v not_o to_o aver_v it●…_n since_o warrant_v by_o *_o 4._o direct_a scriptu●…e_n and_o since_o yourselves_o must_v grant_v that_o the_o church_n under_o the_o law_n be_v more_o perfect_a than_o that_o before_o it_o the_o church_n under_o the_o gospel_n more_o perfect_a than_o under_o the_o law_n and_o the_o church_n under_o the_o gospel_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o apostle_n day_n when_o furnish_v with_o more_o divine_a knowledge_n scripture_n gospel_n officer_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n manner_n