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scripture_n authority_n church_n reject_v 2,895 5 9.0049 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A63266 An apology for the non-conformists shewing their reasons, both for their not conforming, and for their preaching publickly, though forbidden by law : with an answer to Dr. Stillingfleet's sermon, and his defence of it, so much as concerneth the non-conformists preaching / by John Troughton ... Troughton, John, 1637?-1681. 1681 (1681) Wing T2312; ESTC R1706 102,506 125

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of_o man_n appoint_v by_o david_n by_o divine_a inspiration_n for_o this_o work_n and_o so_o the_o manner_n and_o method_n also_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o art_n and_o rule_n of_o music_n be_v then_o acceptable_a and_o part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n but_o there_o be_v such_o office_n nor_o such_o service_n appoint_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o be_v no_o warrant_n for_o our_o response_n neither_o do_v the_o scripture_n give_v any_o warrant_n or_o example_n for_o observe_v day_n as_o sacred_a in_o the_o honour_n of_o saint_n or_o of_o institute_v new_a office_n in_o the_o church_n or_o new_a ceremony_n of_o worship_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a our_o saviour_n declare_v that_o man_n worship_v in_o vain_a that_o teach_v for_o doctriens_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n matth._n 15.9_o it_o seem_v then_o that_o decency_n and_o order_n which_o man_n purposely_o devise_v to_o add_v significancy_n or_o comeliness_n to_o god_n worship_n be_v abominable_a in_o his_o sight_n he_o have_v no_o need_n of_o man_n service_n and_o therefore_o will_v accept_v of_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v appoint_v and_o carry_v on_o by_o his_o own_o spirit_n neither_o do_v the_o scripture_n appoint_v or_o warrant_v any_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n above_o ordinary_a minister_n at_o least_o not_o such_o as_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v sole_a power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n the_o high_a priest_n of_o old_a have_v no_o such_o power_n of_o the_o priest_n as_o this_o learned_a doctor_n have_v prove_v in_o his_o irenicum_fw-la they_o have_v some_o peculiar_a thing_n appropriate_v to_o their_o office_n but_o be_v themselves_o subject_a to_o the_o sanhedrim_n the_o apostle_n be_v all_o of_o one_o order_n and_o have_v no_o authority_n over_o each_o other_o and_o govern_v the_o church_n only_o by_o consent_n gal._n 2.9_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o distinction_n make_v betwixt_o ordinary_a minister_n except_o what_o they_o see_v needful_a to_o make_v among_o themselves_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n this_o all_o our_o old_a bishop_n acknowledge_v and_o therefore_o plead_v for_o episcopacy_n only_o as_o a_o humane_a constitution_n and_o those_o who_o of_o late_o write_v for_o its_o divine-right_a do_v yet_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v from_o scripture_n unless_o perhaps_o from_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n which_o this_o dr._n have_v solid_o confute_v it_o be_v always_o object_v to_o the_o nonconformist_n that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o forbid_v those_o thing_n though_o they_o do_v not_o command_v they_o but_o they_o reply_v that_o the_o non-command_a of_o any_o thing_n in_o god_n worship_n and_o church_n be_v a_o prohibition_n except_o of_o those_o thing_n only_o that_o occasional_o become_v necessary_a or_o that_o be_v natural_o necessary_a circumstance_n of_o such_o action_n as_o be_v command_v for_o it_o will_v argue_v great_a imperfection_n in_o the_o law_n if_o it_o shall_v omit_v thing_n that_o be_v constant_o or_o general_o necessary_a for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o moses_n close_v his_o law_n with_o this_o command_n that_o none_o shall_v add_v or_o diminish_v it_o so_o christ_n have_v give_v his_o law_n to_o his_o church_n and_o appoint_v officer_n with_o power_n to_o make_v govern_z and_o cast_v member_n out_o of_o it_o as_o there_o be_v need_v without_o give_v they_o liberty_n to_o add_v or_o alter_v he_o also_o do_v virtual_o prohibit_v such_o addition_n or_o alteration_n till_o he_o shall_v come_v again_o and_o their_o commission_n be_v only_o to_o teach_v baptize_v and_o to_o teach_v all_o that_o christ_n command_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n mat._n 28.18.19_o this_o do_v sufficient_o restrain_v they_o from_o make_v or_o teach_v cammand_n of_o their_o own_o all_o their_o authority_n be_v ground_v on_o that_o commission_n 2._o from_o antiquity_n the_o nonconformist_n allege_v that_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o many_o hundred_o year_n have_v not_o state_v liturgy_n prescribe_v the_o word_n as_o well_o as_o method_n of_o worship_n justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o second_o apoligy_n design_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o christian_a worship_n viz_o the_o order_n and_o method_n of_o pray_v preach_v admit_v of_o member_n administer_a both_o sacrament_n but_o have_v no_o word_n of_o a_o prescribe_a form_n but_o he_o say_v the_o minister_n pray_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o he_o be_v able_a tertullian_n give_v the_o same_o account_n in_o his_o apol._n cap._n 39_o say_v likewise_o sine_fw-la monitore_fw-la quia_fw-la de_fw-la pectore_fw-la oramus_fw-la they_o pray_v by_o heart_n and_o therefore_o have_v no_o prompter_n much_o less_o a_o book_n we_o read_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a 19.20_o euseb_n de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr constant_a l._n 4._o cap_n 19.20_o have_v abolish_v idolatry_n compose_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n for_o his_o heathen_a soldier_n wherein_o it_o hey_n shall_v pray_v to_o one_o god_n the_o creator_n of_o all_o thing_n but_o we_o read_v of_o no_o form_n impose_v on_o christian_n there_o be_v indeed_o liturgy_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o apostle_n james_n basil_n chrysostome_n and_o ambrose_n but_o they_o convince_v themselves_o to_o be_v forge_v by_o late_a man_n and_o so_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n but_o when_o the_o church_n be_v overrun_v with_o error_n and_o superstition_n it_o be_v appoint_v in_o africa_n that_o the_o minister_n shall_v either_o receive_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n from_o their_o bishop_n 12._o cansil_n milevet_fw-la 2_o dum_fw-la can._n 12._o or_o show_v their_o own_o prayer_n to_o they_o for_o their_o approbation_n but_o this_o be_v above_o 400_o year_n after_o christ_n the_o usurpation_n of_o bishop_n lazine_n and_o ambition_n of_o minister_n ignorance_n and_o superstition_n in_o the_o people_n breed_v liturgy_n and_o they_o grow_v up_o together_o nor_o be_v their_o any_o mention_n of_o response_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n a_o superstition_n story_n of_o a_o vision_n of_o angel_n sing_v a_o hymn_n in_o that_o manner_n by_o turn_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v see_v by_o ignatius_n dead_a long_o before_o nor_o have_v the_o ancient_a church_n day_n holy_a to_o saint_n for_o 300_o year_n and_o upward_a we_o find_v only_a mention_n among_o they_o of_o easter-day_n and_o yet_o that_o cause_v such_o division_n and_o contention_n that_o it_o may_v have_v be_v a_o warning_n to_o after_o age_n for_o contend_v about_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v not_o command_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v indeed_o read_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n very_o ancient_o though_o they_o never_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n but_o it_o be_v more_o excusable_a in_o they_o then_o in_o we_o because_o it_o be_v long_o ere_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n especial_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v gather_v into_o one_o volumn_n or_o it_o be_v agree_v among_o the_o church_n which_o be_v canonical_a and_o which_o apocryphal_a for_o some_o of_o the_o apocryphal_a be_v read_v in_o some_o church_n as_o canonical_a and_o some_o of_o the_o canonical_a be_v by_o some_o church_n reject_v the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n be_v so_o long_o unknown_a to_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o say_v when_o it_o come_v in_o though_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n be_v common_o use_v among_o they_o upon_o their_o clothes_n in_o their_o hat_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o heathen_n and_o as_o a_o token_n that_o they_o be_v christian_n the_o montanist_n begin_v to_o make_v a_o superstititious_a use_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o so_o do_v many_o other_o soon_o after_o constantine_n himself_o can_v scarce_o be_v excuse_v if_o eusebius_n be_v credit_v but_o that_o it_o be_v annex_v to_o baptism_n and_o make_v a_o symbol_n of_o man_n embrace_v christianity_n there_o be_v no_o record_n kneel_v at_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v not_o enjoin_v till_o transubstantion_n be_v establish_v above_o 1200_o year_n after_o christ_n nor_o be_v any_o general_a example_n for_o it_o pretnede_v in_o former_a age_n the_o surplice_n be_v much_o elder_a than_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n or_o kneel_v at_o the_o supper_n yet_o for_o 200_o year_n and_o upward_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o know_v when_o or_o how_o it_o come_v in_o many_o rite_n custom_n and_o ceremony_n be_v use_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n some_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o jew_n some_o from_o the_o heathen_n by_o the_o convert_v of_o both_o sort_n yet_o not_o impose_v upon_o other_o the_o apostle_n rule_v be_v yet_o observe_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v judge_v another_o in_o meat_n or_o drink_n 14._o col._n 2.16_o rom._n 14._o or_o in_o respect_n of_o a_o holy_a day_n i._n e._n the_o jewish_a festival_n which_o be_v once_o of_o divine_a institution_n nor_o do_v the_o
a_o better_a and_o public_o authorize_v translation_n they_o judge_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o no_o small_a offence_n 7._o the_o read_n of_o the_o apocryphal_a scripture_n as_o part_n of_o the_o public_a worship_n and_o that_o without_o any_o distinction_n from_o the_o canonical_a they_o account_v it_o a_o intolerable_a thing_n that_o fable_n and_o fiction_n shall_v be_v solemn_o read_v to_o the_o people_n with_o the_o same_o reverence_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o such_o be_v many_o of_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v only_o of_o humane_a authority_n the_o read_n of_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v make_v a_o solemn_a part_n of_o divine_a worship_n the_o conformist_n say_v that_o read_v the_o scripture_n be_v preach_v and_o the_o nonconformist_n say_v it_o be_v not_o fit_a mere_a humane_a or_o fabulous_a writing_n shall_v be_v preach_v to_o god_n people_n when_o they_o meet_v to_o worship_v he_o by_o hear_v his_o word_n above_o all_o they_o be_v offend_v that_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v leave_v out_o of_o the_o liturgy_n and_o so_o never_o to_o be_v read_v in_o the_o congregation_n and_o apocryphal_a chapter_n put_v in_o their_o room_n 8._o holiday_n or_o festival_n in_o the_o honour_n of_o saint_n they_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o if_o the_o church_n think_v fit_a they_o may_v observe_v the_o day_n of_o our_o saviour_n nativity_n passion_n resurrection_n ascension_n and_o send_v the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o other_o protestant_a church_n do_v provide_v they_o may_v be_v keep_v serious_o and_o not_o make_v of_o the_o same_o necessity_n with_o the_o sabbath_n but_o when_o all_o divine_a worship_n of_o the_o creature_n be_v idolatrous_a and_o the_o keep_n of_o day_n in_o honour_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o building_n temple_n to_o they_o be_v ever_o reckon_v a_o part_n of_o divine_a honour_n and_o to_o be_v sure_o be_v more_o honour_n than_o ever_o god_n command_v or_o allow_v to_o any_o of_o his_o servant_n they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o excuse_v this_o practice_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o part_n of_o a_o church_n liturgy_n 9_o nor_o can_v they_o approve_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o certain_a regeneration_n of_o all_o in_o baptism_n and_o that_o infant_n die_v after_o baptism_n before_o the_o commission_n of_o actual_a sin_n be_v undoubted_o save_v which_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o liturgy_n as_o undoubted_a article_n of_o faith_n whereas_o there_o be_v no_o scripture_n that_o clear_o prove_v either_o of_o they_o and_o at_o best_o they_o be_v point_v dispute_v on_o by_o learned_a man_n on_o both_o side_n nor_o can_v they_o excuse_v the_o practice_n of_o refuse_v parent_n to_o promise_v for_o their_o own_o child_n in_o baptism_n see_v it_o be_v upon_o their_o account_n only_o and_o god_n covenant_n with_o they_o that_o the_o child_n be_v admit_v to_o be_v baptise_a and_o they_o be_v thereby_o engage_v to_o breed_v they_o up_o in_o faith_n and_o obedience_n much_o less_o that_o stranger_n 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therefore_o person_n be_v most_o common_o prefer_v not_o for_o true_a episcopal_a qualification_n but_o because_o they_o can_v make_v interest_n with_o superior_n but_o principal_o because_o the_o bishop_n arrogate_a to_o themselves_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o exclude_v all_o the_o minister_n from_o any_o share_n therein_o a_o thing_n most_o unexcusable_a in_o they_o who_o acknowledge_v themselves_o to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o presbyter_n and_o only_o in_o a_o degree_n of_o honour_n above_o they_o and_o that_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n whereas_o even_o those_o that_o with_o any_o probability_n or_o sobriety_n maintain_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n do_v nevertheless_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o may_v neither_o ordain_v nor_o govern_v without_o the_o advice_n and_o consent_n of_o his_o presbyter_n this_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o intolerable_a that_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n which_o be_v commit_v by_o christ_n to_o all_o his_o minister_n shall_v be_v wrest_v from_o they_o general_o by_o a_o few_o of_o their_o brethren_n and_o that_o they_o who_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o dispense_v the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n the_o chief_n key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n whereby_o man_n be_v bring_v to_o the_o faith_n admit_v into_o the_o church_n and_o bnilt_n up_o in_o it_o shall_v not_o have_v power_n to_o censure_v offender_n and_o to_o receive_v the_o penitent_a again_o to_o communion_n which_o be_v thing_n of_o lesser_a moment_n and_o depend_v on_o the_o former_a and_o yet_o without_o which_o the_o former_a can_v not_o be_v manage_v in_o a_o fit_a manner_n for_o edification_n by_o this_o mean_n minister_n be_v deprive_v of_o one_o half_a of_o their_o office_n and_o power_n and_o be_v both_o discourage_v and_o hinder_v in_o the_o other_o half_a for_o who_o will_v regard_v their_o preach_a who_o have_v not_o liberty_n to_o judge_v what_o person_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n or_o who_o in_o it_o deserve_v censure_v or_o to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o and_o the_o bishop_n themselves_o in_o undertake_v the_o whole_a work_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n take_v that_o upon_o they_o which_o they_o never_o can_v nor_o do_v manage_n for_o the_o church_n edification_n r._n 3d._n the_o nonconformist_n be_v much_o dissatisfy_v about_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o it_o and_o the_o officer_n that_o manage_v it_o the_o rule_n they_o say_v be_v not_o take_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n and_o law_n of_o christ_n church_n but_o it_o be_v the_o roman_a civil_a and_o canon_n law_n which_o at_o best_o be_v suit_v to_o their_o own_o time_n and_o people_n in_o many_o thing_n very_o defective_a and_o in_o other_o erroneous_a and_o superstitious_a there_o
that_o our_o nearness_n to_o rome_n will_v endanger_v our_o return_v to_o she_o again_o and_o see_v conformity_n itself_o to_o law_n and_o canon_n will_v signify_v little_a unless_o a_o man_n will_v go_v beyond_o both_o in_o obedience_n to_o his_o superior_n to_o promote_v the_o new_a design_n this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n till_o the_o long_a parliament_n stop_v the_o stream_n upon_o the_o whole_a we_o may_v observe_v the_o case_n betwixt_o our_o former_a nonconformist_n and_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v the_o same_o in_o substance_n as_o betwixt_o the_o brethren_n of_o bohemiah_n and_o the_o calixtine_n the_o calvinist_n and_o lutheran_n in_o germany_n the_o bohemian_a calextine_n if_o the_o pope_n will_v grant_v they_o the_o cup_n in_o the_o sacrament_n and_o three_o or_o four_o more_o reformation_n of_o abuse_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n they_o think_v it_o reformation_n enough_o and_o that_o they_o need_v go_v no_o far_o and_o they_o will_v compel_v the_o brethren_n who_o be_v for_o a_o total_a desertion_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o practice_v with_o they_o and_o that_o by_o force_n of_o arms._n the_o lutheran_n in_o germany_n have_v only_o reform_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o mass_n and_o cast_v off_o the_o pope_n tyranny_n and_o some_o other_o corruption_n of_o rome_n yet_o retain_v adoration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n kneel_v to_o it_o surplice_n image_n holy_a day_n and_o can_v not_o be_v content_a to_o do_v this_o themselves_o unless_o they_o can_v persuade_v and_o enforce_v all_o protestant_n to_o do_v so_o likewise_o hence_o they_o will_v not_o own_o the_o calvinist_n as_o brethren_n nor_o hold_v any_o communion_n with_o they_o nor_o recee_v from_o any_o thing_n they_o have_v take_v up_o but_o rather_o proceed_v to_o take_v in_o more_o of_o the_o popish_a doctrine_n as_o those_o we_o call_v arminianism_n and_o have_v often_o treat_v serious_o some_o of_o they_o about_o reconciliation_n with_o the_o papist_n but_o always_o frustrate_v yea_o detest_v any_o endeavour_n of_o it_o with_o the_o calvinist_n thus_o the_o conformist_n of_o england_n have_v contend_v so_o much_o for_o their_o liturgy_n and_o service_n and_o government_n etc._n etc._n that_o they_o will_v compel_v all_o to_o be_v content_a with_o the_o same_o moddle_n with_o themselves_o and_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o to_o be_v minister_n or_o member_n of_o the_o church_n that_o will_v desire_v any_o further_a reformation_n and_o at_o last_o come_v to_o this_o pitch_n that_o they_o will_v rather_o take_v in_o more_o of_o rome_n yea_o reconcile_v with_o she_o upon_o some_o term_n than_o abate_v any_o thing_n to_o their_o brethren_n nor_o be_v these_o the_o action_n of_o a_o few_o particular_a man_n but_o of_o all_o the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n arch-bishop_n and_o bishop_n general_o age_n after_o age_n the_o worst_a of_o their_o principle_n and_o practice_n be_v never_o condemn_v by_o the_o church_n but_o make_v the_o way_n to_o the_o high_a preferment_n so_o that_o the_o moderation_n of_o a_o few_o among_o they_o will_v no_o more_o excuse_v the_o church_n of_o england_n than_o a_o few_o sober_a papist_n may_v excuse_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n chap._n iu._n the_o nonconformist_n instify_v in_o their_o principle_n by_o scripture_n antiquity_n and_o the_o example_n of_o all_o reform_a church_n the_o nonconformist_n as_o they_o give_v the_o forename_a reason_n why_o they_o can_v not_o approve_v of_o or_o subscribe_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o they_o suppose_v that_o this_o their_o dissent_n be_v not_o ground_v upon_o mere_a scruple_n and_o weakness_n of_o judgement_n though_o their_o opposite_n love_v to_o impute_v it_o to_o such_o cause_n but_o they_o allege_v for_o themselves_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o example_n both_o of_o the_o primitive_a and_o the_o late_a reform_a church_n 1._o from_o the_o scripture_n they_o plead_v that_o there_o be_v neither_o command_n example_n nor_o shadow_n of_o any_o liturgy_n i._n e._n prescript_n form_n of_o word_n wherein_o all_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v administer_v either_o in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n under_o the_o law_n the_o external_o and_o circumstance_n of_o god_n worship_n be_v much_o more_o prescribe_v and_o limit_v than_o under_o the_o gospel_n as_o the_o place_n the_o tabernacle_n or_o temple_n time_n morning_n and_o evening_n yet_o be_v it_o never_o command_v that_o all_o the_o priest_n and_o people_n shall_v use_v the_o same_o form_n of_o word_n in_o prayer_n when_o and_o where_o ever_o they_o meet_v there_o be_v indeed_o a_o form_n of_o blessing_n the_o people_n when_o the_o assembly_n be_v to_o be_v dismiss_v but_o that_o consist_v in_o but_o a_o few_o word_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v prove_v that_o they_o use_v always_o those_o very_a word_n or_o that_o it_o be_v so_o intend_v in_o the_o command_n num._n 6.22_o to_o the_o end_n the_o same_o word_n be_v often_o use_v in_o scripture_n to_o signify_v the_o same_o sense_n or_o to_o that_o purpose_n not_o the_o same_o syllable_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o all_o author_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o form_n of_o word_n prescribe_v wherein_o man_n shall_v confess_v their_o sin_n over_o the_o sacrifice_n or_o wherein_o circumcision_n or_o the_o passover_n shall_v be_v administer_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_n we_o find_v david_n solomon_n jehosaphat_n hazekiah_n ezra_n the_o levite_n in_o nehemiah_n time_n and_o other_o pray_v pro_fw-la re_fw-mi nata_fw-la according_a to_o the_o occasion_n as_o their_o own_o heart_n direct_v they_o and_o therefore_o it_o seem_v as_o god_n do_v not_o command_v so_o neither_o do_v the_o jewish_a church_n make_v and_o enjoin_v any_o state_v liturgy_n unless_o any_o shall_v unhappy_o take_v the_o superstitious_a and_o ridiculous_a liturgy_n of_o the_o present_a jew_n to_o have_v be_v use_v among_o they_o from_o the_o beginning_n certain_o there_o be_v no_o footstep_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n who_o due_o keep_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o break_v no_o good_a order_n of_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n also_o as_o long_o as_o they_o can_v frequent_v the_o jewish_a temple_n and_o synagogue_n but_o of_o any_o platform_n of_o prayer_n or_o service_n other_o than_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o law_n we_o find_v no_o memorial_n now_o if_o the_o jewish_a priesthood_n be_v able_a to_o discharge_v their_o office_n without_o prescript_n form_n of_o word_n and_o that_o people_n may_v be_v safe_o commit_v to_o their_o priest_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o each_o man_n own_o gift_n how_o much_o better_a may_v it_o be_v do_v and_o such_o liberty_n grant_v both_o to_o minister_n and_o people_n under_o the_o gospel_n where_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n be_v give_v much_o more_o abundant_o nor_o be_v there_o more_o evidence_n of_o any_o liturgy_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o their_o be_v in_o the_o old_a either_o prescribe_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n or_o use_v by_o they_o or_o command_v to_o future_a church_n nor_o any_o rule_n lay_v down_o whereupon_o church_n may_v ground_v their_o practice_n of_o frame_v and_o impose_v such_o liturgy_n but_o we_o read_v that_o when_o our_o lord_n jesus_n ascend_v into_o heaven_n he_o give_v gift_n to_o man_n eph._n 4.16_o etc._n etc._n viz._n apostles_n prophet_n and_o evangelist_n to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o his_o church_n and_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n for_o the_o perfect_a the_o saint_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n till_o we_o all_o come_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n unto_o a_o perfect_a man_n unto_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n in_o jesus_n christ_n ver_fw-la 12_o 13._o from_o whence_o it_o seem_v plain_a that_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n think_v it_o sufficient_a to_o appoint_v a_o stand_a ministry_n to_o take_v care_n of_o his_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o to_o furnish_v they_o with_o the_o gift_n of_o his_o spirit_n to_o edify_v the_o people_n and_o to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n with_o out_o require_v or_o authorise_v they_o to_o make_v liturgy_n whereby_o to_o fetter_v themselves_o or_o other_o moreover_o the_o scripture_n give_v neither_o command_n example_n nor_o countenance_n to_o the_o people_n answer_v in_o public_a worship_n more_o than_o amen_o only_a at_o the_o close_a of_o public_a prayer_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o the_o singer_n in_o the_o temple_n stand_v ward_n against_o ward_n do_v sing_v alternate_o i._n e._n one_o rank_n one_o sentence_n and_o another_o rank_n another_o as_o they_o do_v in_o our_o cathedral_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o people_n and_o they_o be_v a_o order_n
meet_v within_o the_o city_n the_o people_n assist_v in_o carry_v the_o material_n and_o set_v up_o the_o church_n in_o the_o suburb_n yea_o say_v socrates_n the_o people_n will_v have_v be_v admit_v into_o their_o communion_n if_o the_o novatian_o have_v be_v willing_a and_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o history_n the_o novatian_o never_o cease_v till_o the_o clamour_n against_o they_o as_o dangerous_a and_o intolerable_a person_n be_v at_o end_n and_o little_a or_o no_o notice_n be_v take_v of_o they_o indeed_o can_v it_o be_v prove_v that_o any_o particular_a church_n under_o the_o gospel_n whether_o national_a diocesan_n or_o parochial_a be_v of_o the_o same_o constitution_n with_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o be_v member_n of_o it_o or_o all_o that_o live_v within_o their_o precinct_n or_o at_o least_o all_o that_o once_o have_v be_v member_n be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o continue_v so_o than_o it_o be_v a_o damn_v sin_n to_o separate_v from_o they_o but_o when_o it_o be_v original_o as_o free_a for_o every_o christian_n to_o choose_v his_o church_n as_o to_o choose_v the_o place_n of_o his_o abode_n and_o nothing_o but_o the_o convenience_n of_o his_o own_o edification_n in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o next_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o neighbourhood_n oblige_v he_o to_o join_v with_o and_o to_o continue_v in_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n it_o can_v be_v no_o sin_n of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n though_o it_o be_v blame-worthy_a for_o he_o to_o withdraw_v without_o just_a reason_n 3._o say_v that_o all_o separation_n be_v as_o great_a a_o sin_n as_o our_o author_n will_v insinuate_v what_o mean_n do_v he_o prescribe_v to_o prevent_v it_o why_o he_o say_v all_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v and_o submit_v to_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v lawful_a to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o divide_n of_o the_o church_n true_a all_o thing_n that_o be_v real_o lawful_a but_o not_o to_o all_o that_o the_o imposer_n say_v be_v lawful_a if_o man_n must_v judge_v for_o themselves_o what_o be_v lawful_a absolute_o and_o what_o not_o and_o what_o be_v lawful_a or_o not_o in_o their_o circumstance_n will_v not_o this_o open_a a_o door_n for_o separation_n as_o much_o as_o any_o thing_n his_o opposite_n have_v say_v he_o blame_v they_o for_o allow_v people_n to_o separate_v upon_o pretence_n of_o their_o minister_n insufficiency_n or_o scandal_n or_o interruption_n on_o they_o againist_n their_o will_n for_o doubtful_a ceremony_n for_o mode_n of_o worship_n for_o want_v of_o discipline_n or_o right_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o say_v which_o be_v his_o most_o plausible_a argument_n that_o some_o of_o these_o the_o papist_n may_v have_v retort_v upon_o our_o first_o reformer_n and_o all_o such_o pretence_n will_v justify_v the_o ancient_a schism_n and_o make_v way_n to_o endless_a separation_n for_o the_o future_a but_o he_o wrong_v these_o author_n which_o be_v a_o common_a shift_n almost_o to_o all_o that_o write_v on_o this_o subject_n when_o he_o intimate_v that_o they_o allow_v separation_n upon_o any_o pretence_n of_o such_o cause_n be_v there_o no_o difference_n betwixt_o pretend_v and_o real_o prove_v the_o gross_a insufficiency_n error_n or_o scandal_n of_o a_o minister_n or_o gross_a usurpation_n over_o man_n conscience_n and_o liberty_n do_v any_o prudent_a man_n allow_v separation_n without_o good_a cause_n full_a proof_n all_o endeavour_n of_o amendment_n patient_a wait_a and_o mature_a advice_n and_o consideration_n of_o all_o circumstance_n what_o then_o be_v there_o no_o prevent_v endless_a separation_n but_o tyranny_n over_o man_n conscience_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v compel_v to_o approve_v and_o do_v whatsoever_o their_o ruler_n please_v as_o the_o papist_n teach_v yes_o the_o dr_n final_a determination_n be_v page_n 208._o a_o prudent_a and_o due_a submission_n in_o lawful_a thing_n be_v a_o medium_n betwixt_o tyranny_n over_o man_n conscience_n and_o endless_a separation_n what_o be_v here_o more_o than_o any_o brownist_n will_v grant_v that_o understand_v himself_o viz._n that_o as_o ruler_n must_v not_o tyrannize_v over_o man_n conscience_n so_o the_o people_n must_v not_o be_v give_v to_o endless_a separation_n and_o that_o the_o way_n to_o prevent_v both_o be_v that_o the_o ruler_n rule_v with_o due_a and_o prudent_a discipline_n and_o that_o the_o people_n yield_v prudent_a and_o due_a submission_n and_o that_o this_o government_n and_o submission_n be_v exercise_v only_o in_o lawful_a thing_n but_o still_o must_v not_o the_o people_n in_o submit_v as_o well_o as_o the_o governor_n in_o rule_v judge_v whether_o thing_n be_v lawful_a or_o not_o whether_o submission_n be_v due_a and_o how_o far_o and_o in_o what_o case_n it_o be_v prudent_a to_o yield_v or_o to_o deny_v it_o if_o the_o people_n must_v not_o judge_v than_o you_o establish_v a_o tyranny_n over_o their_o conscience_n that_o they_o must_v approve_v what_o ever_o their_o ruler_n command_v or_o hobbisme_n that_o they_o must_v do_v what_o ever_o their_o ruler_n command_v though_o they_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v sinful_a or_o inconvenient_a if_o the_o people_n must_v judge_v for_o themselves_o in_o the_o thing_n that_o concern_v they_o than_o they_o must_v judge_v of_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o their_o minister_n the_o legallity_n of_o his_o call_n and_o the_o like_a but_o how_o then_o have_v the_o dr._n put_v a_o stop_n to_o separation_n more_o than_o they_o may_v not_o man_n pretend_v thing_n require_v to_o be_v unlawful_a submission_n not_o to_o be_v due_a nor_o prudent_a and_o so_o without_o end_n their_o argument_n therefore_o be_v but_o sophism_n like_o those_o that_o plead_v against_o all_o certainty_n of_o sense_n or_o reason_n because_o many_o man_n be_v certain_a i._n e._n confident_a when_o they_o be_v mistake_v that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a he_o see_v hear_v or_o feel_v because_o he_o have_v many_o time_n think_v he_o do_v so_o in_o his_o dream_n when_o it_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a way_n of_o prove_v that_o man_n be_v awake_a and_o use_v their_o sense_n so_o there_o be_v as_o certain_a a_o way_n to_o prove_v by_o plain_a scripture_n when_o minister_n be_v insufficient_a when_o imposition_n be_v unlawful_a when_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o withstand_v usurpation_n on_o the_o church_n privilege_n etc._n etc._n what_o ever_o sophister_n will_v cavil_v against_o it_o and_o if_o man_n will_v pretend_v cause_n of_o separation_n when_o there_o be_v none_o or_o manifest_o insufficient_a or_o but_o dubious_a they_o may_v be_v convict_v and_o if_o they_o separate_v bear_v their_o blame_n but_o whilst_o man_n be_v subject_a to_o mistake_v to_o passion_n and_o partiality_n which_o will_v be_v till_o our_o lord_n come_v what_o shall_v put_v a_o stop_n to_o separation_n but_o necessary_a moderation_n in_o ruler_n in_o impose_v one_o reverence_n in_o the_o people_n in_o submit_v and_o meekness_n towards_o those_o who_o notwithstanding_o all_o care_n weak_o or_o peevish_o may_v dissent_v in_o thing_n that_o be_v tolerable_a this_o learned_a man_n have_v not_o show_v we_o nor_o the_o experience_n of_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n the_o popish_a cruelty_n can_v not_o prevent_v separation_n episcopal_a authority_n can_v not_o prevent_v they_o the_o donatist_n and_o novatian_n have_v their_o bishop_n impose_v uniformity_n in_o ceremony_n can_v not_o the_o first_o division_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n rise_v about_o the_o keep_n of_o easter-day_n if_o people_n offend_v against_o the_o plain_a rule_n of_o scripture_n or_o the_o plain_a rule_n of_o good_a government_n and_o order_n let_v they_o be_v punish_v according_a to_o their_o offence_n but_o not_o for_o thing_n doubtful_a in_o scripture_n or_o burdensome_a in_o government_n if_o man_n offend_v in_o lesser_a matter_n and_o can_v be_v convince_v let_v they_o be_v bear_v with_o till_o inconvenience_n be_v see_v to_o arise_v from_o such_o clemency_n and_o then_o it_o be_v time_n enough_o to_o retract_v or_o retrench_v it_o if_o this_o be_v not_o daily_o do_v in_o nation_n and_o family_n no_o civil_a society_n can_v stand_v how_o then_o shall_v the_o contrary_a severity_n establish_v the_o church_n obj_fw-la the_o dr._n object_n the_o reformer_n teach_v that_o where_o there_o be_v soundness_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n people_n ought_v not_o to_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n for_o lesser_a defect_n real_a or_o apparent_a and_o that_o they_o insist_v on_o the_o corruption_n of_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n as_o the_o only_a cause_n of_o their_o separation_n from_o rome_n answ_n 1._o doctrine_n and_o worship_n be_v indeed_o the_o chief_a thing_n in_o a_o church_n for_o if_o god_n be_v true_o worship_v and_o his_o knowledge_n be_v true_o teach_v man_n life_n will_v be_v better_v and_o their_o soul_n save_v by_o it_o but_o than_o it_o must_v not_o