will_v either_o have_v be_v find_v unfit_a upon_o trial_n or_o if_o not_o hearty_a to_o the_o work_n will_v have_v hinder_v the_o success_n thereof_o 3._o if_o but_o one_o three_o part_n of_o those_o choose_a hold_n and_o who_o be_v upon_o trial_n find_v fit_a be_v confirm_v by_o they_o their_o authority_n be_v as_o bind_v as_o if_o five_o time_n their_o number_n have_v embrace_v it_o and_o the_o few_o there_o be_v the_o more_o commendable_a be_v their_o resolution_n against_o difficulty_n and_o the_o less_o fear_n of_o dissension_n who_o also_o if_o they_o find_v the_o work_n too_o hard_o as_o opportunity_n be_v offer_v may_v admit_v of_o additional_a assistance_n 4._o the_o numerousnesse_n of_o the_o presbytery_n be_v one_o of_o the_o block_n cast_v in_o the_o way_n of_o reformation_n therefore_o there_o be_v less_o need_n to_o stumble_v at_o their_o paucity_n if_o able_a to_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n ob._n 22._o but_o be_v it_o meet_v all_o man_n shall_v come_v before_o the_o eldership_n to_o be_v examine_v before_o admittance_n i_o think_v they_o shall_v go_v to_o the_o house_n of_o some_o man_n of_o best_a rank_n and_o converse_v with_o they_o there_o answ_n unless_o in_o case_n of_o sickness_n or_o the_o like_a it_o be_v very_o unfit_a for_o 1._o it_o be_v exemplary_a give_v occasion_n to_o other_o to_o expect_v the_o like_a and_o set_v open_v a_o door_n of_o charge_v the_o eldership_n with_o partiality_n and_o un-even_a deal_n in_o distribution_n of_o divine_a ordinance_n 2._o it_o must_v needs_o draw_v contempt_n both_o upon_o governor_n and_o government_n and_o ordinance_n 3._o it_o be_v a_o endless_a work_n and_o let_v man_n be_v never_o so_o high_a in_o the_o world_n yet_o if_o they_o owe_v not_o so_o much_o respect_n for_o the_o work_n sake_n to_o those_o who_o god_n have_v set_v over_o they_o in_o the_o church_n as_o to_o come_v before_o they_o such_o man_n will_v never_o receive_v benefit_n by_o the_o ordinance_n and_o if_o such_o a_o spirit_n predominate_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v against_o the_o rule_n lay_v down_o by_o the_o apostle_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o yea_o and_o derogate_v very_o much_o from_o the_o disposition_n of_o every_o one_o that_o be_v either_o fit_a for_o church_n communion_n or_o heavenly_a entertainment_n mark_v 10.15_o very_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o whosoever_o shall_v not_o receive_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n as_o a_o little_a child_n he_o shall_v not_o enter_v therein_o so_o also_o matth._n 18.4_o whosoever_o therefore_o shall_v humble_v himself_o as_o this_o little_a child_n the_o same_o be_v great_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n david_n a_o king_n yet_o think_v it_o his_o honour_n to_o be_v humble_a 131.2_o psal_n 131.2_o profess_v himself_o to_o be_v as_o a_o wean_a child_n 4._o where_o the_o soul_n true_o thirst_v after_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o ordinance_n it_o will_v easy_o step_v over_o this_o block_n hunger_n will_v break_v stone_n wall_n and_o although_o the_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n endeavour_v to_o hedge_v up_o thy_o way_n to_o the_o ordinance_n yet_o if_o thou_o spiritual_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n all_o these_o will_v be_v lay_v low_o every_o one_o that_o have_v the_o knowledge_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v learned_a to_o deny_v himself_o 5._o although_o the_o eldership_n will_v willing_o use_v all_o good_a mean_n to_o win_v man_n by_o love_n and_o ready_a to_o deny_v themselves_o as_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n for_o the_o avoid_n of_o offence_n and_o the_o enlargement_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o herein_o they_o shall_v but_o please_v some_o and_o displease_v many_o more_o and_o bring_v such_o a_o endless_a task_n upon_o themselves_o as_o will_v take_v up_o much_o time_n and_o abundant_o retard_v the_o work_n 6._o it_o be_v not_o a_o work_n either_o command_v or_o commend_v to_o any_o particular_a eldership_n by_o the_o classical_a assembly_n how_o ever_o in_o some_o extraordinary_a case_n something_o of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v do_v leave_v to_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o particular_a presbytery_n and_o who_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o will_v condescend_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v promote_v the_o work_n of_o god_n ob._n 23._o but_o if_o man_n and_o woman_n must_v both_o be_v examine_v it_o may_v fall_v out_o a_o man_n may_v be_v find_v unfit_a and_o his_o wife_n may_v be_v receive_v sometime_o the_o man_n receive_v and_o his_o wife_n unfit_a what_o a_o kind_n of_o confusion_n will_v this_o be_v do_v not_o the_o apostle_n paul_n say_v the_o unbelieving_a woman_n be_v sanctify_v by_o the_o believe_a man_n and_o the_o unbelieving_a man_n by_o the_o believe_a woman_n 1_o cor._n 7.14_o a._n the_o apostle_n speak_v there_o concern_v the_o reason_n why_o unbeliever_n and_o believer_n may_v cohabit_v and_o continue_v in_o a_o conjugal_a estate_n of_o matrimony_n and_o be_v not_o so_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o that_o the_o wife_n can_v be_v save_v by_o the_o husband_n faith_n or_o the_o husband_n by_o the_o wife_n this_o be_v to_o cross_v the_o doctrine_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n for_o every_o man_n must_v know_v and_o believe_v for_o himself_o the_o just_a shall_v live_v by_o his_o faith_n neither_o abraham_n noah_n job_n or_o daniel_n can_v deliver_v any_o man_n soul_n by_o their_o faith_n though_o never_o so_o near_o relate_v the_o apostle_n only_o signify_v three_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o depart_v matrimonial_a society_n because_o both_o be_v not_o believer_n for_o that_o if_o the_o one_o do_v believe_v it_o give_v their_o child_n right_a to_o external_a christian_a church_n privilege_n and_o such_o ordinance_n as_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o as_o circumcision_n under_o the_o law_n baptism_n in_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n not_o that_o the_o parent_n can_v either_o add_v or_o infuse_v grace_n into_o their_o child_n for_o the_o dear_a of_o god_n saint_n may_v have_v child_n destitute_a of_o grace_n and_o uncapable_a either_o of_o church-fellowship_n or_o the_o least_o share_n in_o jesus_n christ_n neither_o be_v there_o the_o least_o hint_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o text_n of_o sacramental_a communion_n or_o of_o thing_n pertain_v to_o life_n and_o salvation_n for_o in_o such_o case_n every_o man_n and_o woman_n must_v plead_v their_o own_o interest_n and_o either_o have_v particular_a and_o peculiar_a save_a grace_n or_o the_o near_a relation_n they_o have_v to_o the_o most_o holy_a can_v do_v they_o no_o good_a he_o that_o believe_v shall_v be_v save_v he_o that_o believe_v on_o the_o son_n have_v everlasting_a life_n and_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o the_o son_n shall_v not_o see_v life_n but_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n abide_v on_o he_o 3.16_o john_n 3.16_o and_o hence_o be_v it_o that_o in_o the_o great_a and_o general_a judgement_n man_n and_o woman_n of_o near_a relation_n be_v separate_v two_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o field_n the_o one_o take_v and_o the_o other_o leave_v two_o woman_n grind_v at_o the_o mill_n the_o one_o take_v and_o the_o other_o leave_v march_n 24.40_o 41._o 2._o as_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n there_o be_v neither_o marry_v 12.16_o mark_v 12.16_o nor_o give_v in_o marriage_n but_o all_o be_v as_o the_o angel_n so_o the_o church_n of_o god_n on_o earth_n take_v no_o cognizance_n whether_o man_n be_v marry_v or_o single_a wife_n or_o virgin_n but_o he_o or_o she_o that_o be_v capable_a of_o church_n communion_n aught_o to_o be_v admit_v and_o must_v be_v visible_a saint_n and_o although_o never_o so_o near_o relate_v if_o not_o so_o aught_o to_o be_v shut_v out_o 3._o suppose_v a_o man_n upâ—â—_n examination_n be_v admit_v and_o his_o wife_n respite_v for_o her_o incapacity_n a_o while_n till_o god_n shall_v enable_v she_o or_o suppose_v the_o wife_n be_v admit_v and_o her_o husband_n for_o like_a reason_n suspend_v be_v it_o not_o better_o for_o that_o party_n find_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v and_o the_o party_n unfit_a to_o be_v debar_v then_o either_o both_o to_o be_v admit_v or_o both_o keep_v back_o or_o that_o either_o of_o they_o shall_v deny_v themselves_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o ordinance_n for_o 1._o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o ordinance_n of_o the_o church_n and_o tend_v much_o to_o the_o comfort_n of_o the_o communicant_a to_o be_v admit_v if_o worthy_a and_o to_o admit_v the_o unworthy_a be_v contrary_a to_o all_o 2._o what_o comfort_n can_v it_o be_v to_o thou_o while_o thou_o be_v participate_v the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o jesus_n christ_n if_o thy_o wife_n unworthy_o admit_v not_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n be_v eat_v and_o drink_v damnation_n to_o herself_o or_o contrariwise_o if_o thy_o wife_n be_v a_o worthy_a communicant_a it_o will_v be_v the_o terror_n of_o her_o soul_n to_o see_v her_o husband_n hail_v destruction_n upon_o himself_o by_o
be_v wise_a for_o the_o body_n then_o for_o the_o soul_n which_o be_v more_o worth_a than_o the_o whole_a world_n 5._o although_o man_n be_v never_o so_o rich_a and_o great_a in_o the_o world_n yet_o if_o they_o be_v call_v and_o qualify_v for_o this_o work_n they_o must_v become_v fool_n child_n and_o servant_n or_o else_o not_o fit_a 5.17_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o either_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n or_o to_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v one_o obsticle_n in_o the_o way_n of_o great_a man_n who_o if_o they_o have_v eye_n to_o see_v they_o may_v know_v that_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o his_o church_n be_v not_o only_o the_o great_a freedom_n 4.20_o 1_o cor._n 4.20_o but_o the_o high_a honour_n 6._o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o ignorant_a and_o carnal_a heart_n and_o of_o such_o as_o be_v utter_o unacquainted_a with_o jesus_n christ_n thus_o to_o stumble_v at_o his_o cross_n be_v it_o not_o the_o ignorance_n and_o impiety_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n thus_o to_o do_v do_v not_o they_o say_v of_o the_o lord_n christ_n be_v not_o this_o the_o carpenter_n son_n be_v not_o his_o brethren_n with_o we_o etc._n etc._n do_v any_o of_o the_o ruler_n believe_v in_o he_o etc._n etc._n who_o be_v it_o that_o count_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n foolishness_n but_o man_n worldly_a wise_n and_o be_v not_o we_o apt_a to_o say_v what_o be_v such_o or_o such_o a_o one_o do_v not_o we_o know_v they_o well_o enough_o take_n exception_n at_o man_n excellent_o quallisied_a if_o not_o so_o great_a in_o the_o world_n as_o ourselves_o 7._o know_v this_o be_v only_o a_o block_n cast_v in_o the_o way_n by_o satan_n that_o man_n may_v stumble_v without_o cause_n and_o fall_v notwithstanding_o man_n of_o abilicie_n and_o know_a fidelity_n be_v in_o most_o place_n choose_v yet_o it_o be_v ordinary_a with_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o instrument_n to_o obstruct_v therefore_o if_o he_o can_v quarrel_v with_o the_o ordinance_n then_o with_o dispensation_n if_o no_o cause_n there_o then_o with_o the_o instrument_n and_o if_o with_o none_o of_o those_o then_o with_o christ_n with_o truth_n itself_o for_o he_o know_v the_o settlement_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n will_v exceed_o obstruct_v the_o increase_n of_o his_o kingdom_n when_o corruption_n be_v cast_v out_o and_o person_n ignorant_a and_o scandalous_a debar_v that_o ordinance_n which_o make_v they_o ten_o fold_n more_o the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n by_o unworthy_a participate_v for_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o he_o either_o to_o make_v man_n rush_v hand_n overhead_o upon_o the_o ordinance_n to_o their_o ruin_n or_o to_o raise_v a_o prejudice_n against_o the_o duty_n and_o instrument_n employ_v to_o deprive_v they_o of_o that_o mercy_n which_o by_o god_n blessing_n may_v be_v very_o instrumental_a to_o their_o salvation_n 8._o if_o they_o be_v legal_o choose_v have_v past_o the_o trial_n and_o the_o time_n of_o exception_n not_o make_v use_n of_o blame_v yourselves_o nevertheless_o if_o they_o be_v unfit_a there_o be_v place_n of_o appeal_n and_o remedy_n 9_o ob._n i_o think_v the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n in_o presbyterian_a congregation_n be_v neither_o right_o call_v nor_o fit_o qualify_v a_o i._o although_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o many_o yea_o the_o most_o of_o they_o be_v as_o well_o qualify_v as_o we_o can_v expect_v for_o that_o as_o we_o can_v expect_v perfection_n here_o nor_o in_o a_o legal_a sense_n any_o fit_o qualify_v yet_o evangelical_o consider_v although_o none_o be_v sufficient_a the_o lord_n look_v upon_o they_o with_o approbation_n and_o acceptance_n 2._o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v also_o sufficient_a provision_n make_v for_o the_o removal_n of_o such_o whether_o pastor_n or_o elder_n as_o be_v uncapable_a either_o by_o ignorance_n or_o scandal_n it_o be_v not_o here_o as_o in_o independent_a church_n where_o if_o the_o people_n injure_v their_o pastor_n or_o elder_n etc._n etc._n or_o the_o officer_n injure_v the_o people_n without_o redress_n but_o if_o either_o party_n be_v find_v faulty_a they_o be_v responsible_a and_o satisfaction_n be_v give_v to_o the_o suffer_a party_n according_a to_o the_o demerit_n and_o doubtless_o corruption_n will_v creep_v especial_o into_o church_n where_o provision_n be_v not_o make_v to_o keep_v it_o out_o 3._o although_o i_o will_v not_o plead_v for_o the_o unsutablenesse_n or_o incapacitie_n of_o any_o call_v to_o the_o mean_a office_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n yet_o i_o will_v have_v they_o look_v upon_o as_o man_n subject_a to_o infirmity_n not_o as_o angel_n and_o if_o we_o will_v not_o have_v such_o we_o must_v ascend_v high_a to_o look_v for_o pastor_n elder_n etc._n etc._n then_o either_o god_n or_o man_n ordain_v or_o expect_v and_o yet_o ordinary_o those_o that_o stumble_v most_o at_o the_o inablity_n of_o church-officer_n be_v man_n most_o incapable_a of_o church_n communion_n second_o for_o the_o call_v of_o church-officer_n if_o pastor_n teacher_n elder_n etc._n etc._n be_v choose_v according_a to_o those_o direction_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o ordinance_n and_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o door_n of_o trial_n according_o as_o in_o most_o place_n they_o have_v or_o otherways_o man_n disaffect_v to_o the_o government_n will_v quick_o have_v let_v they_o know_v it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a exception_n especial_o if_o the_o time_n limit_v for_o exception_n be_v more_o than_o pass_v abundant_o unless_o you_o deny_v the_o public_a congregation_n in_o england_n to_o be_v true_a church_n which_o have_v be_v and_o be_v general_o attest_v not_o only_o by_o the_o national_a synod_n now_o sit_v the_o godly_a learned_a in_o general_a whether_o episcopal_a or_o presbyterian_a but_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n nay_o the_o most_o pious_a and_o prudent_a of_o the_o independent_a judgement_n also_o have_v public_o positive_o and_o affirmative_o declare_v they_o to_o be_v true_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n however_o confess_v on_o all_o side_n to_o be_v full_a of_o corruptiâ—ns_n or_o else_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o need_n of_o reformation_n many_o godly_a and_o learned_a divine_n have_v take_v much_o pain_n in_o public_a to_o defend_v the_o truth_n against_o all_o opposer_n and_o indeed_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o such_o weak_a christian_n as_o stumble_v hereat_o together_o with_o that_o other_o scruple_n of_o participate_v the_o sacrament_n in_o mix_a assembly_n be_v the_o chief_a cause_n of_o my_o own_o undertake_n that_o subject_a publish_v for_o common_a benefit_n in_o the_o book_n call_v the_o bramble_n berry_n wherein_o there_o be_v full_a satisfaction_n give_v to_o that_o point_n therefore_o not_o willing_a now_o to_o insist_v further_o i_o refer_v such_o as_o yet_o scruple_n thither_o 10._o q._n but_o why_o must_v we_o appeal_v to_o class_n have_v they_o any_o power_n to_o determine_v difference_n and_o to_o reform_v abuse_n in_o particular_a congregation_n a._n yea_o and_o that_o for_o very_o good_a reason_n for_o 1._o beside_o the_o appointment_n by_o parliament_n and_o assembly_n they_o be_v our_o own_o trustee_n or_o representative_n such_o as_o be_v choose_v by_o particular_a congregation_n to_o hear_v and_o determine_v difference_n and_o reform_v such_o abuse_n as_o in_o case_n of_o error_n or_o injury_n they_o themselves_o can_v for_o be_v it_o not_o for_o classis_fw-la the_o pastor_n elder_n &c_n &c_n may_v injure_v the_o congregation_n or_o the_o people_n injure_v the_o pastor_n etc._n etc._n and_o remain_v remediless_a classis_fw-la therefore_o be_v as_o committee_n choose_v out_o or_o make_v up_o of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n out_o of_o particular_a church_n and_o although_o they_o have_v appointment_n by_o authority_n of_o parliament_n and_o assembly_n so_o they_o be_v approve_v and_o choose_v by_o particular_a church_n as_o their_o trustee_n so_o that_o every_o particular_a church_n have_v like_o interest_n and_o so_o receive_v like_o redress_n in_o point_n of_o appeal_n and_o that_o these_o may_v not_o be_v oppressive_a or_o injurous_a they_o be_v responsible_a to_o the_o provincial_n which_o be_v also_o make_v up_o of_o so_o many_o delegate_n as_o be_v think_v fit_a out_o of_o the_o several_a classis_fw-la as_o their_o representative_n and_o those_o also_o responsible_a to_o a_o national_a synod_n and_o they_o likewise_o to_o a_o parliament_n so_o that_o as_o much_o provision_n as_o may_v be_v be_v make_v to_o keep_v out_o arbitrary_a proceed_v and_o tyranny_n and_o to_o redress_v all_o abuse_n and_o that_o neither_o pastor_n or_o other_o officer_n be_v wrong_v by_o the_o people_n or_o the_o people_n by_o the_o pastor_n etc._n etc._n or_o joint_o fall_v into_o error_n without_o remedy_n 2._o although_o its_o true_a we_o read_v of_o no_o such_o power_n in_o the_o church_n as_o classis_fw-la provincial_n nationalls_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o we_o find_v something_o
as_o equivalent_a to_o they_o as_o those_o time_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o condition_n thereof_o can_v admit_v for_o in_o case_n of_o controversy_n of_o doubt_n of_o error_n or_o injury_n etc._n etc._n we_o find_v the_o particular_a church_n appeal_n to_o a_o assembly_n of_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n from_o who_o they_o receive_v direction_n decree_n and_o in_o who_o determination_n the_o particular_a church_n acquiesce_v as_o in_o that_o great_a dissension_n that_o arise_v in_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n about_o circumcision_n paul_n and_o barnabas_n be_v send_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o church_n to_o receive_v the_o direction_n and_o determination_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n there_o act._n 15.1.2_o have_v have_v much_o debate_n and_o dispute_v of_o the_o matter_n send_v down_o their_o determination_n by_o messenger_n from_o among_o themselves_o together_o with_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n viz._n barsabas_n and_o sylas_n who_o carry_v they_o both_o by_o word_n and_o writing_n the_o effect_n whereof_o be_v in_o 28_o 29._o verse_n for_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o to_o lay_v upon_o you_o no_o great_a burden_n than_o these_o necessary_a thing_n that_o you_o abstain_v from_o meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n and_o from_o blood_n and_o from_o thing_n strangle_v and_o from_o fornication_n from_o which_o if_o you_o keep_v yourselves_o you_o shall_v do_v well_o farewell_n after_o the_o receive_n of_o this_o determination_n we_o read_v of_o no_o more_o contend_v about_o circumcision_n but_o all_o be_v quiet_a so_o that_o we_o see_v here_o be_v something_o of_o like_a nature_n to_o a_o synodical_a assembly_n although_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n at_o that_o time_n neither_o have_v need_n of_o nor_o can_v possible_o set_v up_o either_o nationall_n provincial_n or_o classical_a assembly_n 1._o they_o have_v less_o need_n than_o now_o by_o reason_n the_o church_n be_v not_o so_o numerous_a 2._o there_o pastor_n and_o elder_n be_v endow_v with_o a_o more_o infallible_a spirit_n less_o need_n of_o apostle_n 2._o not_o possible_a 1._o for_o that_o the_o church_n be_v in_o its_o infancy_n they_o have_v not_o a_o competent_a number_n of_o apostle_n elder_n etc._n etc._n to_o make_v many_o assembly_n 2._o and_o more_o especial_o they_o live_v not_o under_o christian_a magistrate_n there_o be_v then_o no_o nationall_n church_n they_o neither_o have_v countenance_n nor_o encouragement_n from_o the_o civil_a majestracy_n there_o be_v neither_o nation_n province_n or_o city_n that_o general_o profess_a christ_n they_o have_v a_o particular_a church_n here_o and_o there_o and_o these_o liable_a ever_o and_o anon_o to_o be_v dissipate_v by_o persecution_n etc._n etc._n now_o there_o can_v be_v no_o nationall_n provincial_n or_o classical_a assembly_n where_o the_o nation_n province_n or_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o kingdom_n do_v not_o profess_v christ_n now_o if_o there_o be_v much_o corruption_n where_o so_o great_a provision_n be_v make_v to_o reform_v how_o much_o more_o where_o there_o be_v no_o place_n of_o appeal_n therefore_o i_o shall_v affirm_v this_o to_o the_o whole_a world_n that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o government_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o substantial_o of_o it_o hold_v forth_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n then_o presbyterian_a for_o the_o circumstancialls_n the_o state_n of_o the_o time_n and_o constitution_n of_o our_o kingdom_n can_v expect_v to_o find_v record_v in_o all_o thing_n conducible_a to_o the_o well_o be_v of_o a_o church_n in_o regard_n of_o union_n and_o order_n i_o will_v to_o god_n we_o have_v more_o wisdom_n then_o to_o quarrel_v about_o circumstance_n certain_o will_v we_o promote_v the_o substantial_o of_o reformation_n wherein_o both_o presbyterian_a and_o independent_a agree_v other_o thing_n will_v be_v easy_o reconcile_v but_o while_o we_o thus_o contend_v about_o that_o punctillo_n of_o appeal_n the_o work_n of_o reformation_n be_v most_o sinful_o and_o shameful_o neglect_v for_o as_o i_o say_v former_o independent_a government_n be_v presbyterian_a except_o in_o point_n of_o appeal_n nay_o episcopacy_n regulate_v viz._n when_o their_o lordly_a usurp_a power_n their_o diocesan_n dominion_n their_o temporal_a civil_a and_o secular_a jurisdiction_n be_v take_v off_o be_v also_o presbyterian_a a_o scripture_n bishop_n be_v a_o pastor_n or_o presbyter_n or_o elder_a only_o every_o pastor_n be_v a_o elder_a but_o every_o elder_a not_o a_o pastor_n some_o rule_n some_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n so_o that_o bishop_n pastor_n teacher_n presbyter_n elder_a will_v admit_v of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o interpretation_n therefore_o let_v we_o cease_v contend_v about_o word_n that_o tend_v rather_o to_o strife_n then_o edify_v let_v we_o not_o tithe_v mint_n and_o annis_n etc._n etc._n while_o we_o neglect_v judgement_n mercy_n and_o fidelity_n etc._n etc._n while_o we_o quarrel_n in_o circumstance_n in_o the_o neglect_n of_o the_o substance_n of_o god_n worship_n like_o a_o foolish_a builder_n we_o be_v conver_v the_o house_n before_o the_o foundation_n be_v well_o lay_v lie_v a_o stargazing_a while_o the_o ship_n be_v ready_a to_o sink_v under_o we_o we_o quarrel_v about_o rosemary_n and_o bay_n while_o church_n and_o state_n run_v both_o to_o ruin_v and_o our_o neighbour_a nation_n wallow_v in_o its_o blood_n stand_v comb_v and_o trime_a our_o beard_n while_o our_o house_n be_v on_o fire_n over_o our_o head_n true_o thus_o and_o far_o more_o ridiculous_a be_v our_o condition_n the_o lord_n help_v we_o to_o see_v it_o and_o doubtless_o it_o be_v just_a with_o god_n to_o give_v we_o over_o to_o pursue_v shadow_n and_o lie_v vanity_n in_o the_o neglect_n of_o our_o own_o mercy_n for_o that_o we_o be_v so_o weded_a to_o promote_v the_o circumstance_n in_o the_o retard_v and_o overthrow_v of_o the_o substantial_o of_o god_n worship_n and_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n etc._n etc._n the_o three_o and_o four_o particular_a concern_v the_o lawfullnesse_n and_o usefulness_n of_o examination_n by_o the_o eldership_n as_o follow_v 11._o ob._n but_o they_o say_v now_o none_o must_v come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n without_o examination_n by_o the_o eldership_n which_o some_o hold_n to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o point_n of_o popery_n however_o it_o be_v very_o needless_a and_o ridiculous_a for_o ancient_a man_n that_o have_v bear_v all_o office_n in_o the_o parish_n and_o church_n too_o live_v long_o under_o the_o mean_n often_o former_o admit_v now_o to_o be_v catichise_v like_o boy_n neither_o do_v i_o believe_v there_o be_v any_o rule_n for_o it_o in_o the_o word_n the_o apostle_n say_v let_v every_o man_n examine_v himself_o and_o so_o let_v he_o eat_v etc._n etc._n 1_o cor._n 11.28_o a._n it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o none_o be_v now_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n but_o who_o ought_v to_o be_v examine_v and_o that_o upon_o good_a ground_n neither_o be_v there_o the_o least_o punctillo_n of_o popery_n in_o it_o or_o be_v it_o either_o needless_a or_o ridiculous_a but_o a_o very_a necessary_a duty_n and_o ground_v both_o upon_o scripture_n and_o good_a reason_n as_o well_o for_o ancient_a as_o young_a people_n and_o see_v this_o be_v the_o grand_a stumbling-block_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v its_o removal_n especial_o and_o for_o that_o indeed_o without_o examination_n there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a reformation_n 1._o for_o that_o it_o be_v object_v as_o tend_v to_o popery_n whosoever_o think_v so_o it_o be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o ignorance_n for_o it_o be_v not_o intend_v either_o by_o parliament_n or_o synod_n or_o any_o particular_a congregationall_a eldership_n to_o expect_v auricular_a confession_n but_o only_o a_o account_n of_o a_o reason_n of_o man_n faith_n which_o man_n may_v do_v and_o yet_o have_v little_a share_n in_o jesus_n christ_n true_a if_o a_o man_n render_v a_o competent_a account_n of_o his_o knowledge_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n if_o nothing_o of_o scandal_n appear_v in_o the_o life_n he_o can_v be_v keep_v back_o from_o sacramental_a visible_a communion_n although_o as_o before_o a_o stranger_n from_o union_n with_o christ_n therefore_o be_v it_o there_o be_v a_o twofold_a examination_n requisite_a 1._o examination_n of_o a_o man_n own_o heart_n whether_o he_o have_v the_o sincerity_n godly_a zeal_n knowledge_n faith_n repentance_n love_n etc._n etc._n with_o such_o grace_n as_o indeed_o give_v a_o man_n right_a not_o only_o to_o the_o element_n but_o to_o jesus_n christ_n without_o which_o he_o can_v have_v no_o comfort_n in_o participate_v 2._o examination_n by_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n whereby_o he_o be_v know_v fit_a for_o visible_a communion_n for_o although_o a_o man_n may_v give_v the_o eldership_n a_o fair_a account_n yet_o may_v he_o be_v a_o hypocrite_n a_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n the_o principal_a part_n without_o which_o all_o be_v