whole_a particular_a church_n or_o a_o church_n consistory_n christ_n in_o matth._n 18._o 17_o 18._o establish_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o his_o church_n by_o divine_a institution_n do_v not_o restrain_v the_o exercise_n thereof_o to_o be_v apply_v only_o to_o a_o single_a brother_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n though_o he_o give_v the_o instance_n in_o such_o a_o one_o for_o he_o do_v institute_v that_o order_n in_o his_o kingdom_n whereby_o all_o scandal_n may_v be_v remove_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o cure_v by_o spiritual_a authority_n whether_o commit_v by_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o by_o a_o particular_a person_n or_o by_o whosoever_o and_o therefore_o if_o a_o particular_a sister_n church_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a society_n of_o many_o church_n do_v give_v a_o scandal_n to_o those_o other_o church_n they_o may_v by_o this_o institution_n of_o christ_n be_v bring_v into_o order_n by_o this_o spiritual_a power_n and_o sure_o it_o be_v clear_a even_o out_o of_o parker_n himself_o that_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o class_n may_v be_v prove_v from_o christ_n institution_n in_o matt._n 18._o 17_o 18._o for_o lib._n 3._o cap._n 24._o de_fw-la politiâ_fw-la ecclesiasticâ_fw-la he_o thus_o argue_v from_o the_o proportion_n christ_n command_v that_o upon_o the_o despise_v one_o man_n admonition_n we_o shall_v proceed_v to_o admonition_n by_o two_o or_o three_o and_o if_o that_o be_v contemn_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o if_o that_o be_v despise_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o why_o not_o therefore_o from_o the_o despise_n of_o one_o whole_a church_n to_o more_o in_o a_o classis_fw-la and_o again_o from_o those_o more_o in_o a_o classis_fw-la to_o yet_o more_o in_o a_o synod_n and_o therefore_o also_o by_o this_o institution_n of_o christ_n not_o a_o particular_a church_n only_o but_o a_o classis_fw-la and_o synod_n also_o have_v power_n give_v of_o excommunicate_v such_o as_o commit_v scandal_n if_o by_o this_o institution_n of_o christ_n the_o nature_n and_o authority_n of_o class_n and_o synod_n may_v be_v conclude_v and_o according_o in_o those_o hard_a time_n of_o the_o belgic_a church_n when_o the_o church_n among_o we_o be_v infest_a by_o the_o trouble_n and_o error_n of_o the_o remonstrant_n whole_a presbytery_n of_o church_n be_v exauthorate_v by_o the_o power_n of_o class_n and_o synod_n we_o reject_v therefore_o the_o contrary_a assertion_n 1._o of_o those_o who_o hold_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n to_o be_v so_o appropriate_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n so_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v attribute_v to_o class_n and_o synod_n but_o we_o hold_v that_o a_o particular_a church_n by_o reason_n of_o that_o arct_a ecclesiastical_a communion_n which_o it_o hold_v with_o other_o neighbour_n church_n in_o the_o same_o classis_fw-la or_o synod_n whereby_o it_o make_v up_o one_o ecclesiastical_a corporation_n or_o body_n and_o one_o visible_a sacred_a society_n with_o the_o associate_n church_n have_v not_o a_o absolute_a and_o complete_a power_n to_o cut_v off_o and_o cast_v out_o a_o member_n from_o that_o particular_a church_n because_o that_o member_n have_v a_o near_a arct_a and_o visible_a union_n and_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n associate_n among_o who_o he_o do_v daily_o converse_v and_o celebrate_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n so_o that_o he_o do_v occasion_n to_o they_o danger_n of_o scandal_n and_o infection_n and_o receive_v from_o they_o mean_n of_o edification_n wherefore_o without_o the_o judgement_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o associate_n church_n he_o may_v not_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o that_o brotherly_a and_o visible_a church_n communion_n by_o the_o decree_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n 2._o of_o those_o also_o who_o make_v the_o high_a power_n of_o synod_n and_o class_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n towards_o a_o particular_a church_n to_o consist_v in_o a_o deny_v or_o withdraw_v brotherly_a communion_n but_o this_o non-communion_n as_o it_o be_v call_v we_o conceive_v to_o be_v such_o a_o act_n as_o a_o brother_n may_v exercise_v towards_o a_o brother_n a_o particular_a church_n towards_o another_o particular_a church_n who_o yet_o can_v exercise_v any_o authority_n or_o censure_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n among_o themselves_o one_o over_o the_o other_o nor_o have_v it_o that_o efficacy_n by_o god_n ordinance_n to_o bind_v in_o heaven_n nor_o be_v it_o ordain_v by_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n for_o this_o end_n to_o save_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o teach_v from_o god_n such_o as_o be_v erroneous_a not_o to_o blaspheme_v which_o to_o the_o legitimate_a censure_n of_o excommunication_n do_v appertain_v matth._n 18._o 17_o 18_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 4._o 1_o tim._n 1._o 20._o in_o the_o correction_n of_o a_o sister_n church_n the_o same_o degree_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n matth._n 18._o 17_o 18._o which_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o correction_n of_o a_o brother_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o rest_v in_o the_o admonition_n of_o two_o or_o three_o church_n but_o by_o that_o order_n proceed_v to_o excommunication_n thereby_o to_o cast_v out_o from_o the_o holy_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n and_o to_o deliver_v to_o satan_n a_o obstinate_a offend_a church_n chap._n vii_o of_o set_a form_n question_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o church_n to_o prescribe_v to_o themselves_o constitute_v law_n and_o form_n and_o certain_a canon_n by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n wherein_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o thing_n necessary_o require_v by_o god_n for_o the_o government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n be_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n expound_v and_o determine_v and_o thing_n not_o necessary_o require_v be_v by_o ecclesiastical_a power_n prescribe_v according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o scripture_n from_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o holy_a prudence_n for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o order_n and_o decency_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o impose_v on_o particular_a church_n and_o church-governor_n as_o bond_n of_o peace_n and_o unity_n answer_n we_o grant_v in_o this_o controversy_n 1._o that_o these_o form_n be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o church_n for_o we_o know_v that_o the_o ancient_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n want_v such_o form_n when_o as_o be_v collect_v in_o one_o people_n they_o have_v express_v ritual_a law_n and_o the_o prophet_n frequent_a direction_n nor_o do_v the_o christian_a church_n want_v its_o be_v or_o well_o be_v before_o such_o time_n as_o the_o branch_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n gather_v out_o of_o several_a place_n of_o scripture_n be_v in_o a_o brief_a abstract_n join_v together_o in_o one_o 2._o we_o deny_v that_o these_o form_n or_o declaration_n of_o faith_n and_o church-government_n be_v to_o have_v that_o authority_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o authenticknesse_n attribute_v to_o they_o which_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v obtrude_v as_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o in_o the_o examination_n of_o doctrine_n and_o of_o church_n discipline_n judgement_n shall_v be_v make_v ex_fw-la formularum_fw-la terminis_fw-la as_o they_o speak_v by_o the_o letter_n of_o such_o form_n we_o approve_v not_o the_o judgement_n of_o those_o nor_o will_v have_v their_o practice_n to_o be_v imitate_v of_o who_o our_o divine_n do_v heretofore_o just_o complain_v in_o that_o writing_n which_o zacharias_n vrsinus_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o university_n of_o neostad_n oppose_v to_o the_o bergenses_n concordistae_fw-la who_o will_v obtrude_v the_o word_n of_o the_o augustan_n confession_n and_o the_o writing_n of_o luther_n as_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o ecclesiastical_a proceed_n see_v chap._n 4._o of_o that_o book_n where_o much_o be_v say_v concern_v the_o use_n and_o abuse_v of_o confession_n 3._o we_o judge_v form_n of_o confession_n and_o canon_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n to_o be_v declaration_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o discipline_n badge_n and_o token_n of_o union_n and_o communion_n in_o the_o church_n collect_v in_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o godly_a learned_a and_o ratify_v by_o a_o unanimous_a consent_n after_o a_o diligent_a inquiry_n out_o of_o scripture_n wherein_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o divers_a place_n of_o scripture_n pertain_v to_o the_o sum_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n gather_v as_o it_o be_v into_o a_o bundle_n be_v together_o and_o at_o once_o propose_v to_o a_o few_o eye_n and_o by_o the_o compare_v of_o all_o place_n wherein_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o article_n the_o wholesome_a truth_n in_o each_o one_o be_v express_v and_o explain_v that_o the_o controversy_n arise_v concern_v the_o
calvin_n instit_fw-la lib._n 4._o cap._n 1._o sect_n 7._o but_o ofttimes_o say_v he_o by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n the_o scripture_n intend_v the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o man_n throughout_o the_o world_n who_o profess_v to_o worship_v one_o god_n and_o christ_n be_v initiate_v by_o baptism_n into_o his_o faith_n testify_v by_o their_o partake_v the_o lord_n supper_n a_o unity_n in_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o charity_n consent_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o for_o the_o preach_v thereof_o maintain_v a_o ministry_n institute_v by_o christ_n but_o in_o this_o multitude_n be_v many_o mingle_v who_o be_v hypocrite_n and_o have_v nothing_o of_o christ_n but_o the_o name_n and_o show_v etc._n etc._n which_o in_o respect_n of_o man_n be_v call_v a_o church_n and_o we_o command_v to_o maintain_v the_o communion_n of_o it_o and_o sect_n 8._o he_o show_v that_o it_o be_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n alone_o to_o know_v who_o be_v unfeigned_a saint_n and_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o say_v he_o because_o he_o fore_o see_v that_o it_o be_v somewhat_o requisite_a that_o we_o shall_v know_v who_o be_v to_o be_v account_v for_o his_o child_n herein_o he_o appli_v himself_o to_o our_o capacity_n and_o because_o a_o certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o herein_o requisite_a he_o have_v in_o stead_n thereof_o appoint_v the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n in_o which_o judgement_n we_o acknowledge_v for_o member_n of_o the_o church_n those_o who_o in_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n and_o example_n of_o their_o life_n and_o participation_n of_o the_o sacrament_n profess_v the_o same_o god_n and_o christ_n with_o we_o hence_o ames_n affirm_v it_o to_o be_v false_a that_o the_o reform_a church_n require_v inward_a grace_n to_o the_o admit_v of_o any_o into_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o visible_a state_n thereof_o antibellarm_n tom_fw-mi 2._o iib._fw-la 2._o cap._n 1._o not_o 5._o and_o not_o 3._o of_o the_o same_o chapter_n he_o affirm_v out_o of_o augustine_n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o church_n the_o inward_a soul_n to_o wit_n the_o gift_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o body_n or_o outward_a profession_n whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o some_o be_v both_o of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n other_o of_o the_o body_n only_o and_o not_o the_o soul_n which_o say_v he_o be_v express_v by_o alexander_n alensis_n in_o other_o word_n when_o he_o say_v that_o evil_a man_n be_v of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n but_o not_o of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n not_o of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o a_o body_n or_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o union_n of_o the_o body_n mystical_a which_o distinction_n he_o prove_v out_o of_o 1_o joh._n 2._o 19_o rom._n 2._o 28._o a_o jew_n open_o and_o a_o jew_n in_o secret_a so_o trelcatius_n the_o elder_a in_o his_o common_a place_n loco_fw-la 15._o put_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a and_o of_o the_o invisible_a church_n in_o a_o lively_a faith_n purity_n of_o life_n certainty_n of_o election_n and_o salvation_n and_o perseverance_n in_o faith_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n invisible_a in_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n but_o in_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n visible_a only_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n ofttimes_o not_o in_o truth_n because_o of_o a_o vocation_n and_o profession_n external_a but_o oft_o hypocritical_a so_o almost_o all_o the_o eminent_a reform_a divine_n affirm_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n visible_a to_o be_v man_n outward_o call_v profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n for_o they_o define_v it_o to_o be_v a_o company_n of_o man_n who_o by_o a_o outward_a call_n or_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n and_o participation_n of_o the_o sacrament_n be_v call_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o ecclesiastical_a fellowship_n among_o themselves_o see_v both_o the_o trelcatii_n in_o their_o common_a place_n loco_fw-la de_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la the_o professor_n of_o leyden_n disp_n 40._o thes_n 33._o hence_o also_o have_v our_o belgic_a church_n in_o our_o nationall_n and_o provincial_n synod_n ordain_v that_o he_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n who_o have_v first_o make_v profession_n of_o his_o faith_n submit_v himself_o to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o bring_v testimony_n of_o unblameable_a life_n see_v the_o synod_n at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1574._o art_n 70._o and_o anno_fw-la 1578._o art_n 64._o at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1581._o art_n 43._o at_o the_o hage_n anno_fw-la 1586._o art_n 54._o at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1591._o art_n 51._o at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1619._o art_n 61._o we_o reject_v therefore_o these_o ensue_a opinion_n i._o of_o those_o who_o affirm_v the_o external_a and_o particular_a visible_a church_n to_o be_v the_o proper_a subject_n to_o which_o belong_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n the_o property_n and_o privilege_n which_o christ_n the_o mediator_n have_v purchase_v for_o his_o church_n the_o reason_n of_o our_o denial_n be_v 1._o because_o that_o church_n for_o which_o these_o privilege_n be_v purchase_v be_v perpetual_a which_o never_o fall_v away_o for_o this_o infallible_a promise_n be_v make_v to_o it_o from_o god_n jer._n 31._o 36._o matt._n 16._o 18._o but_o now_o no_o particular_a visible_a church_n be_v secure_v from_o fall_v away_o as_o our_o orthodox_n divine_v demonstrate_v against_o the_o papist_n it_o be_v not_o for_o it_o therefore_o that_o these_o privilege_n be_v purchase_v by_o christ_n the_o mediator_n 2._o those_o church_n for_o which_o all_o these_o promise_a privilege_n be_v procure_v be_v call_v out_o of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o word_n and_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o faith_n and_o holiness_n and_o have_v sincere_a and_o inward_a communion_n and_o fellowship_n with_o christ_n and_o all_o true_a believer_n whence_o frequent_o in_o scripture_n they_o be_v call_v the_o spouse_n and_o belove_v of_o christ_n cant._n 4._o 7._o eph._n 5._o 27._o the_o holy_a zion_n and_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n and_o the_o israel_n of_o god_n isai_n 52._o 1._o gal._n 4._o 26._o and_o 6._o 16._o so_o likewise_o the_o church_n which_o christ_n have_v purify_v for_o himself_o to_o present_v she_o to_o himself_o glorious_a not_o have_v spot_n or_o wrinkle_n eph._n 5._o 27._o the_o body_n of_o christ_n fit_o join_v together_o and_o compact_a by_o that_o which_o every_o joint_n suppli_v eph._n 4._o 16._o it_o be_v call_v christ_n people_n who_o he_o save_v from_o their_o sin_n joh._n 10._o 16._o matt._n 1._o 21._o god_n house_n and_o a_o holy_a priesthood_n 1_o pet._n 2._o 5._o the_o temple_n of_o god_n in_o which_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v dwell_v 1_o cor._n 3._o 16._o the_o lamb_n wife_n apoc._n 21._o 4._o all_o which_o and_o such_o like_a do_v not_o agree_v to_o a_o external_a visible_a particular_a church_n as_o such_o rom._n 9_o 6._o but_o only_a to_o the_o church_n invisible_a which_o christ_n have_v redeem_v with_o his_o blood_n act_v 20._o 28._o 3._o the_o privilege_n promise_v and_o procure_v for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n among_o many_o other_o be_v these_o that_o god_n put_v his_o law_n and_o his_o fear_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o member_n of_o it_o jer._n 31._o 33._o that_o they_o be_v all_o teach_v of_o god_n and_o know_v he_o joh._n 6._o 42._o that_o they_o be_v redeem_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n act._n 20._o 28._o eph._n 5._o 27._o but_o these_o agree_v not_o to_o a_o external_a and_o visible_a particular_a church_n therefore_o that_o external_a visible_a particular_a church_n be_v not_o the_o proper_a subject_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n or_o of_o these_o privilege_n which_o by_o christ_n our_o mediator_n be_v procure_v for_o the_o church_n whereunto_o the_o reform_a divine_n assent_v see_v among_o other_o the_o professor_n of_o leyden_n in_o their_o synopsis_n theologiae_n disput_fw-la 40._o thes_n 29_o 30_o 31._o and_o ames_n himself_o against_o bellarm._n tom_n 2._o lib._n 2._o cap._n 1._o not_o 10._o where_o he_o affirm_v that_o those_o glorious_a thing_n which_o be_v speak_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n that_o it_o be_v redeem_v by_o christ_n the_o body_n of_o christ_n the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n quicken_v act_v and_o guide_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n partake_v of_o all_o spiritual_a blessing_n so_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v never_o prevail_v against_o it_o do_v proper_o and_o full_o agree_v not_o to_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n but_o to_o those_o only_a that_o be_v true_a believer_n or_o they_o agree_v to_o the_o church_n militant_a according_a to_o iâ—s_n essential_a nature_n peculiar_a to_o true_a believer_n not_o according_a to_o
19_o 8_o 9_o and_o 20._o 17_o 18._o which_o do_v also_o very_o great_o abound_v in_o multitude_n of_o member_n as_o appear_v act._n 19_o 10_o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20._o and_o 20._o 20_o 21._o 1_o cor._n 16._o 8._o revel_v 2._o 2_o 3._o and_o yet_o meet_v in_o some_o private_a house_n for_o celebrate_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n act._n 19_o 9_o 10._o and_o 20._o 20._o but_o that_o this_o whole_a multitude_n can_v in_o one_o school_n or_o house_n celebrate_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v impossible_a it_o be_v certain_a therefore_o to_o we_o that_o they_o meet_v in_o divers_a place_n and_o at_o divers_a time_n under_o the_o inspection_n of_o divers_a pastor_n 3._o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n for_o celebrate_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n there_o be_v more_o holy_a assembly_n there_o in_o divers_a place_n there_o be_v a_o church_n in_o the_o house_n of_o aquila_n and_o priscilla_n rom._n 16._o 5._o paul_n when_o he_o be_v at_o rome_n have_v holy_a church_n assembly_n in_o his_o own_o house_n act_v 28._o 23_o 30_o 31._o which_o yet_o be_v not_o that_o whole_a collective_o take_v and_o famous_a church_n of_o the_o believe_a roman_n who_o faith_n be_v famous_a through_o the_o whole_a world_n rom._n 1._o 8._o other_o example_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o scripture_n of_o church_n due_o constitute_v according_a to_o god_n appointment_n which_o meet_v not_o in_o one_o place_n for_o exercise_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o do_v in_o divers_a place_n under_o a_o common_a presbytery_n of_o divers_a pastor_n perform_v holy_a duty_n hence_o also_o in_o our_o belgic_a church_n in_o some_o great_a town_n though_o there_o be_v more_o believer_n than_o can_v celebrate_v the_o holy_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o exercise_v other_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n together_o in_o one_o place_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o divide_v into_o several_a church_n but_o do_v together_o make_v one_o visible_a church_n under_o the_o common_a presbytery_n and_o government_n of_o divers_a pastor_n ii_o we_o affirm_v that_o a_o visible_a church_n describe_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o only_o parochial_a or_o particular_a but_o there_o be_v also_o a_o nationall_n church_n of_o one_o nation_n or_o kingdom_n which_o consist_v of_o many_o and_o divers_a parochial_a church_n join_v under_o one_o ecclesiastical_a government_n and_o knit_v together_o among_o themselves_o by_o a_o mutual_a visible_a communion_n and_o fellowship_n ecclesiastical_a we_o deny_v indeed_o that_o there_o can_v be_v any_o such_o typical_a nationall_n church_n now_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v wherein_o all_o of_o that_o nation_n be_v bind_v to_o a_o public_a and_o solemn_a typical_a worship_n to_o be_v perform_v in_o one_o place_n choose_v by_o god_n under_o the_o inspection_n of_o one_o visible_a pastor_n or_o priest_n who_o in_o worship_n and_o sacrifice_n do_v hold_v forth_o and_o represent_v the_o whole_a people_n or_o nation_n for_o this_o vanish_v away_o with_o the_o type_n and_o carnal_a precept_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o reject_v also_o that_o nationall_n and_o provincial_n form_n of_o a_o church_n introduce_v by_o man_n in_o which_o many_o church_n be_v unite_v and_o subject_v to_o a_o cathedral_n church_n and_o depend_v upon_o one_o visible_a pastor_n who_o be_v pastor_n and_o lord_n of_o all_o other_o pastor_n and_o inferior_a particular_a church_n wherein_o the_o inferior_a church_n enjoy_v god_n holy_a ordinance_n and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n by_o derivation_n and_o commission_n from_o the_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o that_o cathedral_n church_n or_o that_o nationall_n or_o provincial_n pastor_n and_o bishop_n for_o these_o be_v the_o invention_n of_o antichrist_n which_o bring_v a_o tyranny_n into_o the_o church_n and_o overthrow_v the_o power_n grant_v by_o god_n to_o the_o church_n and_o pastor_n yet_o such_o a_o nationall_n and_o provincial_a church_n we_o acknowledge_v wherein_o many_o particular_a church_n be_v by_o one_o visible_a ministry_n and_o church-government_n join_v into_o one_o collective_a ecclesiastical_a body_n visible_a for_o celebrate_v all_o those_o ordinance_n of_o god_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o visible_a ministerial_a government_n of_o those_o church_n and_o mutual_a ecclesiastical_a followship_n in_o it_o this_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n we_o deduce_v from_o scripture_n by_o these_o argument_n 1._o the_o church_n of_o god_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n consist_v of_o many_o particular_a church_n &_o synagogue_n which_o do_v in_o divers_a place_n celebrate_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o church-government_n as_o appear_v act._n 15._o 21._o act._n 13._o 15_o 16._o luk._n 21._o 12._o joh._n 12._o 42._o all_o which_o be_v yet_o conjoin_v into_o one_o national_a visible_a church_n which_o god_n have_v choose_v out_o of_o every_o nation_n and_o people_n deut._n 7._o 7._o and_o 32._o 8._o but_o the_o church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o form_n in_o all_o effentialls_n which_o do_v constitute_v a_o church_n as_o have_v the_o same_o faith_n the_o same_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o same_o sign_n of_o that_o covenant_n for_o substance_n the_o same_o way_n of_o salvation_n the_o same_o religion_n the_o same_o visible_a profession_n of_o faith_n which_o constitute_v a_o church_n visible_a common_a to_o both_o and_o differ_v only_o in_o accidental_a typical_a ceremony_n which_o change_v not_o the_o essence_n and_o form_n of_o a_o church_n hence_o protestant_a writer_n observe_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v not_o refuse_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o name_n synagogue_n to_o denote_v a_o christian_a church_n jam._n 2._o 2._o 2_o thes_n 2._o 1_o heb._n 10._o 25._o for_o when_o as_o the_o church_n of_o both_o testament_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o for_o essence_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o both_o people_n may_v not_o be_v describe_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o name_n say_v tilenus_n in_o his_o thesis_n part_n 2._o disput_fw-la 14._o thes_n 3._o it_o be_v moral_a and_o perpetual_a therefore_o that_o those_o many_o synagogue_n and_o parochial_a or_o particular_a church_n shall_v unite_v into_o one_o church_n nationall_n hence_o also_o the_o jewish_a church_n bring_v to_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n though_o disperse_v through_o divers_a country_n be_v join_v into_o one_o ecclesiastical_a body_n rule_v by_o the_o same_o law_n government_n and_o ecclesiastciall_a discipline_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 1_o 2._o compare_v with_o chap._n 5._o 1_o 2._o 2._o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n consist_v of_o many_o several_a particular_a church_n as_o appear_v gal._n 1._o 2._o and_o yet_o be_v unite_v into_o one_o ecclesiastical_a body_n of_o that_o nation_n and_o unite_v in_o a_o church_n society_n under_o one_o common_a discipline_n and_o government_n hence_o gal._n 5._o 9_o it_o be_v compare_v to_o a_o lump_n which_o be_v easy_o corrupt_v by_o a_o little_a leaven_n like_v as_o the_o unite_a and_o compact_a body_n of_o the_o corinthian_a church_n be_v set_v forth_o by_o the_o same_o similitude_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 6._o he_o give_v command_v to_o the_o galathian_o concern_v a_o uniformity_n of_o government_n in_o external_a discipline_n and_o worship_n to_o be_v observe_v among_o they_o against_o the_o seducer_n &_o false_a teacher_n gal._n 4._o 10._o etc._n etc._n and_o 5._o 9_o 10._o which_o intimate_v a_o unite_a authority_n in_o church_n government_n whereby_o the_o false_a teacher_n may_v be_v remove_v out_o of_o all_o the_o particular_a church_n the_o church_n of_o galathia_fw-la therefore_o be_v provincial_n 3._o the_o particular_a church_n of_o one_o province_n or_o nation_n which_o in_o the_o ministerial_a government_n in_o ecclesiastical_a fellowship_n and_o communion_n be_v conjoin_v and_o unite_v into_o one_o visible_a ecclesiastical_a body_n for_o the_o exercise_v visible_a act_n of_o church_n communion_n joint_o among_o themselves_o those_o constitute_v a_o church_n provincial_n or_o nationall_n for_o the_o member_n which_o do_v in_o a_o ecclesiastical_a manner_n mutual_o exercise_v among_o themselves_o visible_a act_n of_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n and_o do_v together_o joint_o participate_v in_o the_o same_o act_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o church_n they_o make_v one_o visible_a body_n of_o a_o church_n but_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o one_o nation_n do_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n exercise_n among_o themselves_o such_o visible_a ecclesiastical_a communion_n for_o they_o do_v by_o their_o particular_a member_n by_o their_o pastor_n and_o elder_n delegated_a sometime_o hear_v the_o same_o word_n frequent_a the_o same_o divine_a worship_n partake_v of_o the_o same_o sacrament_n and_o do_v ordinary_o avoid_v and_o shut_v out_o from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n the_o same_o excommunicate_v person_n exhort_v reprove_v comfort_n and_o mutual_o edify_v one_o another_o
doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o discipline_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v examine_v by_o ordinary_a ministerial_a knowledge_n may_v by_o common_a consent_n be_v explain_v and_o decide_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o agreement_n also_o about_o the_o proper_a form_n of_o speak_v and_o proceed_v agreeable_a to_o the_o phrase_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v what_o those_o church_n hold_v which_o set_v forth_o those_o confession_n and_o canon_n and_o what_o they_o judge_v out_o of_o scripture_n that_o all_o those_o orthodox_n with_o who_o they_o will_v keep_v communion_n shall_v hold_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o restraint_n of_o licentiousness_n in_o invent_v new_a opinion_n and_o order_n to_o distract_v and_o trouble_v the_o church_n and_o last_o that_o there_o may_v remain_v a_o testimony_n to_o posterity_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n of_o their_o ancestor_n that_o vicious_a or_o unnecessary_a and_o unprofitable_a innovation_n may_v be_v avoid_v and_o the_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n the_o concord_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n the_o better_o preserve_v they_o be_v useful_a therefore_o for_o the_o understanding_n divine_a scripture_n as_o handmaid_n with_o due_a subjection_n without_o any_o absolute_o necessary_a prescription_n of_o use_v they_o so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o agreement_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o true_a sense_n but_o be_v impediment_n and_o hindrance_n to_o those_o only_a who_o with_o licentiousness_n rather_o than_o liberty_n endeavour_v to_o overthrow_v and_o fear_v not_o to_o call_v in_o question_n those_o principle_n which_o be_v as_o the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o christian_a discipline_n and_o who_o assume_v to_o themselves_o a_o power_n to_o think_v and_o even_o to_o speak_v what_o they_o listen_v which_o the_o scripture_n do_v every_o where_n reject_v as_o be_v far_o from_o christian_a modesty_n 4._o we_o attribute_v therefore_o to_o these_o form_n only_o a_o hypotheticall_a necessity_n for_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o necessary_a occasion_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o writing_n arise_v only_o from_o the_o reformation_n of_o church_n heretic_n and_o erroneous_a person_n contention_n or_o sophistication_n fraudulent_a expression_n and_o interpretation_n or_o the_o adversary_n calumny_n or_o the_o necessity_n of_o instruct_v the_o ignorant_a or_o the_o testification_n of_o a_o consent_n with_o other_o church_n both_o ancient_a and_o present_a or_o a_o necessary_a declare_v the_o union_n of_o concord_n and_o consent_n 5._o therefore_o these_o form_n of_o faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v to_o be_v compose_v by_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n out_o of_o all_o place_n of_o scripture_n compare_v and_o can_v be_v prescribe_v to_o church_n but_o by_o college_n of_o prophet_n to_o who_o ecclesiastical_a power_n of_o government_n be_v commit_v hence_o the_o meeting_n of_o apostle_n and_o elder_n do_v by_o common_a consent_n compose_v explication_n out_o of_o scripture_n of_o opinion_n in_o controversy_n act._n 15._o and_o set_v out_o a_o epistle_n wherein_o by_o a_o form_n of_o confession_n concern_v the_o question_n in_o controversy_n it_o be_v decide_v and_o a_o canon_n prescribe_v to_o other_o church_n 6._o we_o consider_v these_o form_n either_o as_o touch_v the_o matter_n of_o they_o which_o be_v divine_a be_v deduce_v from_o scripture_n which_o we_o make_v use_v of_o as_o indices_fw-la in_o explain_v and_o determine_v dubious_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o controversy_n for_o be_v search_v out_o by_o so_o great_a diligence_n of_o godly_a teacher_n and_o approve_v by_o their_o consent_n and_o receive_v by_o those_o church_n wherein_o we_o live_v we_o can_v see_v that_o there_o be_v too_o much_o attribute_v to_o these_o form_n be_v examine_v and_o try_v by_o scripture_n if_o they_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o indices_fw-la of_o some_o controvert_v doctrine_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n of_o which_o the_o meditation_n even_o of_o a_o private_a christian_a much_o more_o of_o a_o numerous_a company_n of_o prophet_n may_v be_v a_o index_n or_o they_o be_v consider_v formal_o as_o they_o be_v synodical_a determination_n due_o conclude_v confirm_v with_o ecclesiaasticall_a authority_n carry_v in_o they_o the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o prophet_n as_o a_o badge_n of_o ecclesiastical_a union_n and_o communion_n and_o thus_o we_o make_v use_v of_o they_o as_o ecclesiastical_a judge_n in_o decide_v and_o explain_v ecclesiastical_a controversy_n in_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o when_o we_o consider_v they_o joint_o we_o attribute_v to_o they_o this_o authority_n which_o we_o propose_v in_o vrsin_n word_n their_o authority_n say_v he_o be_v show_v in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o one_o to_o recede_v from_o those_o doctrine_n which_o they_o recite_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nor_o be_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v innovaâ—â—â—_n in_o form_n of_o exposition_n or_o speech_n without_o just_a and_o necessary_a cause_n yea_o and_o if_o they_o either_o have_v indeed_o or_o seem_v to_o have_v any_o thing_n blame-worthy_a nothing_o yet_o be_v to_o be_v attempt_v in_o a_o rash_a disorderly_a and_o turbulent_a manner_n nothing_o to_o be_v spread_v abroad_o to_o the_o contrary_a without_o a_o previous_a communicate_v of_o opinion_n with_o such_o as_o be_v teacher_n and_o other_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o doctrine_n and_o the_o common_a knowledge_n and_o consent_n of_o those_o church_n wherein_o those_o form_n of_o confession_n be_v receive_v and_o approve_v though_o therefore_o the_o authority_n and_o power_n of_o synod_n which_o prescribe_v those_o form_n be_v not_o of_o itself_o infallible_a nor_o institute_v by_o god_n to_o be_v the_o supreme_a and_o infallible_a rule_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o therefore_o can_v by_o itself_o and_o its_o own_o authority_n oblige_v believer_n to_o believe_v that_o which_o be_v determine_v in_o those_o form_n yet_o we_o acknowledge_v in_o synod_n which_o constitute_v those_o form_n the_o supreme_a power_n of_o ecclesiastical_a judge_n and_o determine_v controversy_n give_v by_o god_n for_o avoid_v confusion_n and_o rend_n of_o church_n whereby_o they_o may_v inflict_v ecclesiastical_a censure_n on_o such_o as_o open_o oppose_v their_o decree_n hence_o have_v those_o form_n a_o excellent_a force_n and_o efficacy_n to_o beget_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o a_o persuasion_n of_o the_o true_a doctrine_n therein_o contain_v for_o as_o the_o learned_a camero_n well_o note_v tom_n 1._o prelect_v de_fw-fr ecclesia_fw-la in_o that_o discourse_n concern_v the_o infallability_n of_o the_o church_n so_o often_o as_o any_o thing_n be_v decree_v by_o a_o assembly_n of_o those_o who_o be_v place_v in_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n it_o make_v that_o this_o be_v not_o rash_o and_o without_o accurate_a and_o grave_a observation_n to_o be_v reject_v for_o a_o synod_n have_v a_o peculiar_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o so_o a_o great_a than_o that_o which_o belong_v to_o teacher_n judge_v single_o and_o apart_o they_o have_v also_o more_o certain_a mean_n of_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n to_o wit_n the_o prayer_n and_o fast_n &_o disputation_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o principal_a pastor_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n they_o have_v also_o a_o better_a course_n to_o know_v what_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n concern_v a_o controversy_n raise_v and_o what_o course_n the_o church_n observe_v therein_o so_o that_o they_o who_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o form_n constitute_v in_o a_o synod_n or_o upon_o light_n and_o probable_a reason_n judge_v they_o to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o do_v not_o certain_o know_v they_o so_o to_o be_v be_v bind_v so_o far_o to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o the_o form_n decree_v as_o may_v be_v agreeable_a to_o order_n and_o decency_n in_o that_o case_n which_o obedience_n be_v a_o observance_n of_o christian_a humility_n and_o modesty_n whereby_o the_o faithful_a in_o such_o case_n abstain_v from_o public_a or_o open_a profession_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o condemnation_n or_o confutation_n of_o the_o opinion_n determine_v in_o those_o form_n and_o this_o evident_a because_o for_o give_v obedience_n to_o the_o decree_n of_o church_n we_o have_v the_o certain_a and_o manifest_a authority_n of_o god_n command_v to_o obey_v they_o heb._n 13._o 17._o but_o for_o oppose_v they_o we_o have_v only_o uncertain_a and_o probable_a conjecture_n and_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o common_a rule_n be_v to_o be_v follow_v hold_v that_o which_o be_v certain_a and_o leave_v that_o which_o be_v uncertain_a again_o to_o oppose_v open_o the_o form_n of_o church_n upon_o argument_n but_o probable_a and_o less_o evident_a give_v a_o unbridled_a and_o endless_a licence_n of_o contradict_v any_o ecclesiastical_a decree_n whatever_o yea_o when_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o falsehood_n prescribe_v in_o those_o form_n of_o church_n
and_o that_o golden_a rule_n be_v to_o be_v follow_v to_o obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n yet_o a_o pious_a son_n of_o the_o church_n will_v not_o rude_o insult_v on_o they_o but_o with_o a_o reverential_a bashfulness_n avoid_v they_o as_o waldensis_n elsewhere_o speak_v but_o when_o form_n be_v compose_v and_o establish_v by_o synod_n call_v authority_n for_o the_o promote_a and_o decide_v of_o truth_n the_o establish_v integrity_n and_o order_n in_o church_n government_n they_o have_v then_o ecclesiastical_a and_o definitive_a authority_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v impose_v on_o particular_a church_n in_o doctrinal_a cause_n and_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o prophet_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 32_o and_o all_o the_o son_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n matth._n 18._o 17_o 18._o we_o hold_v therefore_o that_o to_o church_n congregat_v in_o synod_n there_o belong_v power_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o they_o may_v be_v ecclesiastical_a authority_n prescribe_v and_o impose_v form_n both_o of_o confession_n of_o faith_n and_o ecclesiastical_a government_n which_o particular_a church_n and_o their_o governor_n and_o private_a member_n be_v bind_v to_o confess_v and_o receive_v under_o pain_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n this_o assertion_n be_v prove_v 1._o because_o the_o synod_n at_o jerusalem_n by_o a_o ordinary_a power_n ecclesiastical_a do_v prescribe_v and_o impose_v such_o a_o form_n to_o other_o church_n in_o a_o question_n in_o controversy_n act_v 15._o 22_o 29._o and_o 16._o 4._o 2._o because_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o church_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o believe_v with_o the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a fiath_n and_o undoubted_a conscience_n these_o may_v synod_n also_o enjoin_v by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n to_o particular_a church_n for_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n their_o power_n extend_v to_o require_v of_o other_o obedience_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o may_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n with_o spiritual_a power_n bring_v under_o those_o that_o be_v obstinate_a and_o who_o stubborne_o oppose_v themselves_o against_o the_o decree_n and_o constitution_n of_o those_o that_o be_v to_o govern_v the_o church_n they_o may_v therefore_o by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n impose_v on_o other_o form_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o obedience_n to_o the_o faith_n draw_v up_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n 3._o church_n have_v ecclesiastical_a power_n to_o prescribe_v just_a and_o approve_a mean_n for_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o true_a doctrine_n and_o the_o peace_n and_o union_n of_o church_n and_o for_o overthrow_v the_o wicked_a counsel_n and_o endeavour_n of_o heretic_n and_o disturber_n 2_o cor._n 10._o 4_o 5_o 6._o and_o 13._o 10._o gal._n 5._o 12._o 1_o cor._n 4._o 21._o but_o form_n of_o service_n and_o confession_n determine_v concern_v question_n in_o controversy_n be_v approve_v and_o just_a mean_n for_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o church_n that_o they_o be_v not_o endanger_v by_o distraction_n and_o the_o poison_n of_o error_n act._n 15._o 23_o 24._o etc._n etc._n they_o may_v therefore_o be_v impose_v on_o particular_a church_n by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n according_o in_o the_o ancient_a synod_n of_o church_n such_o symbol_n ecclesiastical_a canon_n confession_n and_o declaration_n of_o faith_n be_v set_v forth_o that_o they_o may_v thereby_o testify_v not_o only_o what_o themselves_o do_v believe_v but_o also_o what_o ought_v to_o be_v believe_v by_o other_o with_o who_o they_o will_v hold_v their_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n as_o all_o the_o act_n of_o synod_n do_v testify_v in_o which_o where_o they_o speak_v concern_v doctrine_n of_o faith_n they_o do_v by_o paul_n example_n anathematise_v those_o who_o think_v or_o teach_v otherwise_o whence_o also_o be_v that_o preface_n of_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n whosoever_o will_v be_v save_v before_o all_o thing_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o he_o believe_v etc._n etc._n and_o calvin_n right_o epist_n 87._o to_o the_o protector_n of_o england_n it_o be_v requisite_a to_o provide_v against_o petulant_a wit_n who_o assume_v to_o themselves_o too_o great_a a_o licence_n and_o the_o gate_n be_v also_o to_o be_v shut_v against_o curious_a doctrine_n and_o the_o ready_a course_n for_o this_o purpose_n be_v one_o to_o wit_n that_o there_o be_v a_o sum_n of_o doctrine_n extant_a to_o be_v receive_v by_o all_o and_o this_o in_o preach_v to_o be_v follow_v by_o all_o and_o to_o the_o observance_n thereof_o all_o bishop_n and_o minister_n to_o be_v bind_v by_o oath_n so_o as_o none_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a function_n but_o who_o promise_v to_o retain_v that_o consent_n of_o doctrine_n inviolate_a that_o there_o be_v also_o a_o common_a form_n of_o catechism_n for_o the_o use_n of_o child_n and_o ignorant_a people_n thus_o will_v the_o truth_n be_v make_v familiar_a to_o they_o and_o withal_o they_o will_v learn_v to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o imposture_n and_o corruption_n which_o be_v apt_a by_o degree_n to_o creep_v upon_o the_o slothful_a for_o this_o you_o must_v be_v certain_o resolve_v of_o that_o the_o church_n of_o god_n can_v want_v catechise_v for_o that_o therein_o the_o true_a seed_n of_o sound_a doctrine_n be_v contain_v from_o whence_o a_o pure_a and_o good_a harvest_n be_v afterward_o to_o arise_v and_o so_o to_o be_v multiply_v more_o and_o more_o etc._n etc._n nor_o yet_o do_v the_o benefit_n of_o a_o catechism_n consist_v only_o in_o the_o instruction_n of_o child_n for_o there_o be_v withal_o this_o other_o benefit_n that_o both_o the_o people_n be_v thereby_o instruct_v will_v be_v better_a able_a to_o profit_v in_o the_o ordinary_a hear_n of_o the_o word_n and_o also_o if_o any_o one_o be_v puff_v up_o will_v bring_v in_o some_o new_a opinion_n be_v call_v to_o examination_n by_o the_o catechism_n he_o will_v straight_o be_v discover_v thus_o calvin_n and_o thus_o also_o in_o our_o belgic_a church_n be_v that_o authority_n apply_v to_o our_o form_n of_o harmony_n to_o wit_n the_o confession_n the_o catechism_n and_o ecclesiastical_a order_n decree_v and_o confirm_v in_o synod_n that_o the_o profession_n the_o doctrine_n and_o observation_n thereof_o be_v by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n enjoin_v to_o all_o who_o will_v enjoy_v the_o dignity_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n and_o who_o live_v in_o the_o holy_a union_n of_o our_o church_n see_v the_o syne_v at_o embden_n anno_fw-la 1571._o art_n 2._o at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1574._o art_n 2._o &_o anno_fw-la 1578._o art_n 8._o etc._n etc._n we_o reject_v therefore_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o grant_v it_o indeed_o lawful_a for_o a_o private_a person_n or_o even_o for_o a_o particular_a church_n yea_o and_o for_o all_o the_o church_n of_o a_o kingdom_n to_o make_v confession_n and_o form_n of_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n but_o hold_v it_o unlawful_a and_o unprofitable_a to_o prescribe_v they_o either_o by_o ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a authority_n as_o bind_v rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n that_o man_n shall_v be_v constrain_v to_o observe_v they_o in_o faith_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o divine_a worship_n but_o now_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o be_v retain_v with_o that_o firm_a faith_n and_o unmoved_a constancy_n and_o certainty_n of_o mind_n as_o that_o for_o the_o profession_n thereof_o all_o believer_n shall_v not_o doubt_v to_o shed_v their_o blood_n and_o suffer_v martyrdom_n and_o the_o church_n with_o the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a faith_n judge_v that_o so_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v those_o thing_n sure_o they_o may_v by_o ecclesiastical_a and_o spiritual_a authority_n prescribe_v to_o other_o and_o constrain_v man_n to_o observance_n thereof_o in_o faith_n and_o practice_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n but_o for_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o pure_a faith_n and_o of_o the_o spiritual_a government_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n all_o who_o be_v faithful_a son_n of_o the_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o shed_v their_o blood_n see_v rev._n 2._o 13._o act._n 7._o 57_o 58._o luk._n 21._o 15_o 16._o therefore_o canon_n and_o rule_n of_o this_o profession_n prescribe_v out_o of_o the_o undoubted_a word_n of_o god_n may_v be_v ecclesiastical_a authority_n be_v impose_v on_o the_o church_n of_o god_n by_o those_o who_o be_v by_o office_n to_o watch_v over_o the_o purity_n of_o faith_n and_o integrity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n yea_o and_o we_o may_v bind_v our_o soul_n by_o oath_n to_o preserve_v and_o profess_v the_o save_a truth_n of_o god_n in_o faith_n and_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n that_o we_o fall_v not_o away_o from_o the_o holy_a profession_n and_o exercise_n thereof_o see_v psal_n 119._o 106._o nehem._n 9_o 38._o and_o if_o we_o may_v lawful_o
pastor_n from_o that_o function_n chap._n v._o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n and_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o p._n 66_o q._n 1._o whether_o the_o end_n and_o effect_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n be_v only_o the_o confirmation_n and_o edification_n of_o those_o church-member_n who_o be_v already_o convert_v and_o true_o godly_a so_o as_o that_o pastor_n be_v not_o more_o oblige_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o ecclesiastical_a function_n to_o convert_v the_o stray_a soul_n of_o such_o as_o live_v in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o sin_n out_o of_o church-communion_n then_o all_o believer_n endue_v with_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v by_o the_o common_a duty_n of_o charity_n bind_v to_o do_v question_n 2._o p._n 70._o whether_o the_o minister_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v not_o only_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o gift_n and_o from_o the_o common_a duty_n of_o charity_n but_o also_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o ecclesiastical_a function_n lawful_o perform_v ministerial_a act_n of_o his_o office_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n of_o another_o particular_a church_n to_o who_o ordinary_a ministry_n he_o be_v not_o call_v question_n 3._o p._n 75_o whether_o the_o exercise_n of_o prophecy_n be_v a_o perpetual_a institution_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n whereby_o private_a man_n who_o bear_v no_o church-office_n may_v for_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n public_o before_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o church_n preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o all_o authority_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o explain_v and_o apply_v it_o for_o instruction_n confutation_n reprehension_n and_o consolation_n of_o the_o hearer_n question_n 4._o p._n 84_o whether_o those_o infant_n who_o next_o parent_n do_v not_o by_o a_o solemn_a church-covenant_n join_v themselves_o to_o some_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o to_o be_v baptize_v in_o the_o church_n but_o be_v to_o be_v account_v as_o incapable_a of_o baptism_n and_o to_o have_v no_o right_n to_o church-priviledge_n chap._n vi_o of_o class_n and_o synod_n and_o their_o authority_n p._n 89_o q._n 1._o whither_o class_n and_o synod_n have_v a_o authoritative_a power_n whereby_o they_o may_v authoritative_o judge_v cause_n ecclesiastical_a with_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n so_o as_o that_o particular_a church_n ought_v to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o their_o decree_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n question_n 2._o p._n 103_o whether_o class_n and_o synod_n have_v power_n of_o send_v or_o ordain_v pastor_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n question_n 3._o p._n 118_o whether_o synod_n and_o class_n have_v power_n of_o excommunication_n chap._n vii_o of_o set_a form_n p._n 130_o q._n 1._o whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o church_n to_o prescribe_v to_o themselves_o constitute_v law_n and_o form_n and_o certain_a canon_n by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n wherein_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o thing_n necessary_o require_v by_o god_n for_o the_o government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n be_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n expound_v and_o determine_v and_o thing_n not_o necessary_o require_v be_v by_o ecclesiastical_a power_n prescribe_v according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o scripture_n from_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o holy_a prudence_n for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o order_n and_o decency_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o impose_v on_o particular_a church_n and_o church-governor_n as_o bond_n of_o peace_n and_o unity_n question_n 2._o p._n 143_o whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o use_v in_o the_o church_n prescript_n form_n of_o prayer_n administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n etc._n etc._n or_o whether_o those_o church_n who_o use_v they_o be_v guilty_a of_o superstition_n and_o will-worship_n and_o whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o hold_v ecclesiastical_a communion_n with_o those_o church_n where_o such_o form_n in_o the_o public_a worship_n be_v in_o use_n finis_fw-la we_o who_o name_n be_v subscribe_v delegate_n of_o the_o walacrian_a classis_fw-la do_v testify_v that_o our_o reverend_a colleague_n mr_n william_n apollonius_n be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o say_v classis_fw-la that_o in_o these_o sad_a trouble_n of_o england_n he_o shall_v by_o write_v set_v down_o what_o be_v the_o government_n practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o unite_a province_n which_o we_o also_o judge_v agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o what_o be_v the_o controversy_n at_o this_o time_n agitate_a in_o england_n concern_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o state_n that_o controversy_n by_o way_n of_o thesis_n and_o antithesis_n show_v the_o ground_n of_o they_o and_o that_o we_o have_v diligent_o peruse_v and_o approve_v that_o write_n of_o he_o we_o desire_v from_o our_o soul_n that_o there_o be_v a_o way_n of_o government_n as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v uniform_a observe_v in_o all_o reform_a church_n for_o the_o great_a edification_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n we_o pray_v that_o the_o learned_a and_o worthy_a our_o brethren_n and_o fellow-labourer_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n will_v be_v please_v fair_o to_o interpret_v this_o our_o affection_n jacobus_n d'herde_n precedent_n of_o the_o wallacrian_a classis_fw-la pro_fw-la tempore_fw-la jodocus_n larenus_fw-la assessor_n pro_fw-la tempore_fw-la isaacus_n hoornbekius_n preacher_n at_o middleburgh_n cornelius_n beuckelarius_n preacher_n at_o vere_n melchior_n burr_n minister_n of_o the_o word_n at_o west-souburch_a maximilianus_n teellinck_fw-mi preacher_n at_o middleburgh_n this_o writing_n be_v set_v forth_o by_o prescript_n of_o the_o 46._o article_n of_o ecclesiastical_a policy_n establish_v by_o the_o most_o renown_a and_o noble_a the_o state_n of_o zealand_n melchior_n burr_n minister_n of_o the_o word_n at_o west-souburch_a
a_o consideration_n of_o certain_a controversy_n at_o this_o time_n agitate_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n concern_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god._n write_a at_o the_o command_n and_o appointment_n of_o the_o walachrian_a classis_fw-la by_o guilielmus_fw-la apollonii_fw-la minister_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n at_o middleburgh_n and_o send_v from_o the_o walachrian_a church_n to_o declare_v the_o sense_n and_o consent_n of_o their_o church_n to_o the_o synod_n at_o london_n octob._n 16._o 1644._o stilo_fw-it novo_fw-la translate_v out_o of_o latin_a according_a to_o the_o print_a copy_n london_n print_v by_o g._n m._n for_o tho._n vnderhill_n at_o the_o bible_n in_o woodstreet_n 1645._o to_o the_o most_o excellent_a and_o noble_a lord_n the_o lord_n william_n boreel_n lord_n of_o duynbeque_n etc._n etc._n counsellor_n and_o chief_a syndick_n of_o the_o city_n of_o amsterdam_n the_o lord_n john_n de_fw-fr reed_n lo._n of_o reinswoud_n etc._n etc._n deputy_n in_o ordinary_a in_o the_o general_n assembly_n of_o the_o unite_a province_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o province_n of_o vtrecht_n the_o lord_n albert_n joachimi_fw-la lord_n of_o oedekenskerk_n in_o oostende_v secretary_n of_o the_o republic_n of_o tergoes_a ambassador_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o high_a and_o mighty_a lord_n the_o state_n general_n of_o the_o unite_a province_n of_o the_o netherlands_o most_o excellent_a most_o noble_a magnificent_a and_o most_o illustrious_a lord_n the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o walachrian_a classis_fw-la be_v move_v with_o the_o deplorable_a face_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o english_a church_n will_v glad_o contribute_v some_o assistance_n for_o the_o quench_n of_o that_o flame_n of_o controversy_n rise_v among_o they_o concern_v the_o discipline_n and_o spiritual_a government_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n and_o afford_v not_o their_o prayer_n only_o but_o their_o counsel_n and_o assistance_n also_o meet_v for_o compose_v these_o contention_n whereby_o the_o billow_n of_o dissension_n may_v be_v assuage_v and_o a_o happy_a peace_n restore_v to_o those_o trouble_a church_n by_o their_o authority_n therefore_o and_o command_v they_o have_v employ_v i_o in_o this_o present_a work_n and_o out_o of_o pure_a zeal_n and_o brotherly_a love_n to_o those_o church_n have_v late_o enjoin_v i_o to_o exhibit_v to_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n at_o london_n our_o ecclesiastical_a government_n prove_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o confirm_v by_o ground_n of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o reform_a divine_n which_o work_n be_v now_o finish_v and_o after_o a_o diligent_a examination_n by_o those_o pastor_n approve_v i_o offer_v to_o your_o most_o noble_a and_o most_o excellent_a lordship_n for_o to_o you_o as_o be_v well_o know_v to_o we_o all_o the_o tender_a care_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o sacred_a peace_n and_o unity_n together_o with_o truth_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v by_o the_o command_n of_o the_o high_a and_o mighty_a lord_n the_o state_n general_n of_o the_o netherlands_o principal_o commit_v the_o promote_a whereof_z with_o all_o your_o utmost_a endeavour_n will_v even_o by_o the_o event_n be_v manifest_a if_o so_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o church_n there_o will_v permit_v and_o sure_o if_o god_n shall_v by_o his_o providence_n sometime_o prosper_v your_o endeavour_n and_o make_v the_o earnest_a prayer_n of_o we_o all_o effectual_a i_o do_v certain_o trust_v that_o the_o wound_n of_o the_o church_n of_o eng._n may_n by_o your_o assistance_n and_o help_n be_v cure_v and_o the_o dissension_n raise_v by_o your_o peaceable_a and_o prudent_a counsel_n be_v compose_v for_o god_n have_v confer_v on_o you_o large_a gift_n of_o wisdom_n prudence_n piety_n and_o zeal_n whereby_o the_o disturb_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o the_o moderate_a counsel_n of_o peace_n and_o the_o perplex_a affair_n of_o a_o shake_a kingdom_n to_o the_o straight_a bond_n of_o renew_a amity_n which_o that_o the_o great_a and_o gracious_a god_n may_v more_o and_o more_o stir_v up_o and_o increase_v in_o you_o and_o bless_v with_o prosperous_a success_n in_o the_o business_n commit_v to_o your_o most_o excellent_a lordship_n i_o beg_v with_o fervent_a prayer_n and_o from_o my_o soul_n desire_n that_o he_o will_v gracious_o preserve_v your_o most_o excellent_a most_o noble_a magnificent_a &_o most_o illustrious_a lordship_n and_o inspire_v those_o counsel_n into_o his_o royal_a majesty_n and_o the_o high_a court_n of_o parliament_n which_o you_o afford_v your_o assist_a endeavour_n may_v restore_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n peace_n and_o tranquillity_n together_o with_o edification_n in_o the_o faith_n and_o increase_v of_o love_n middleburgh_n the_o first_o of_o november_n 1644._o your_o most_o excellent_a and_o noble_a lordship_n most_o observant_a 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pierce_v our_o ear_n and_o when_o we_o serious_o consider_v the_o cause_n of_o your_o calamity_n o_o that_o our_o eye_n be_v resolve_v into_o fountain_n of_o water_n that_o we_o may_v lament_v day_n and_o night_n the_o desolation_n of_o the_o people_n our_o mind_n tremble_v to_o hear_v the_o desperate_a counsel_n and_o wicked_a attempt_n of_o those_o who_o endeavour_n have_v be_v to_o blot_v out_o from_o among_o you_o the_o whole_a face_n of_o a_o reform_a church_n and_o total_o to_o hinder_v all_o better_a counsel_n and_o have_v bring_v it_o thus_o to_o pass_v that_o the_o band_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v break_v all_o thing_n be_v now_o involve_v in_o a_o cruel_a war_n all_o hope_n of_o peace_n and_o agreement_n take_v away_o and_o the_o happiness_n of_o church_n and_o kingdom_n overthrow_v but_o as_o god_n do_v by_o his_o favour_n prosper_v right_a counsel_n so_o for_o the_o most_o part_n he_o bring_v the_o wicked_a plot_n of_o man_n upon_o the_o head_n of_o those_o who_o contrive_v they_o and_o by_o a_o divine_a wisdom_n do_v over-rule_v the_o vice_n of_o the_o world_n whereby_o his_o church_n be_v oppress_v either_o to_o the_o safety_n of_o his_o own_o or_o a_o trial_n of_o their_o piety_n for_o whoever_o they_o be_v that_o true_o love_v god_n they_o do_v not_o fasten_v the_o anchor_n of_o all_o their_o hope_n on_o the_o barren_a sand_n of_o mutable_a thing_n and_o humane_a strength_n but_o on_o the_o solid_a rock_n which_o can_v be_v move_v by_o any_o wave_n that_o be_v jesus_n christ_n the_o church_n husband_n peculiar_a and_o present_a with_o every_o one_o in_o who_o bosom_n whoever_o do_v with_o full_a confidence_n repose_v themselves_o and_o cast_v all_o their_o care_n on_o he_o alone_o be_v quiet_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o trouble_n and_o enjoy_v comfort_n and_o be_v as_o well_o thankful_a in_o adversity_n as_o in_o prosperity_n though_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n what_o be_v adverse_a but_o that_o which_o hinder_v we_o in_o our_o course_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n what_o be_v prosperous_a but_o that_o which_o conduce_v to_o it_o christ_n be_v both_o the_o husband_n the_o lord_n and_o physician_n of_o the_o church_n the_o husband_n because_o be_v out_o of_o love_n to_o we_o draw_v to_o die_v he_o have_v knit_v we_o to_o himself_o and_o himself_o to_o we_o in_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n the_o lord_n because_o by_o the_o price_n of_o his_o blood_n he_o have_v rescue_v we_o from_o the_o tyranny_n of_o satan_n he_o govern_v we_o and_o bear_v rule_v in_o we_o and_o dispose_v at_o his_o pleasure_n of_o his_o own_o propriety_n the_o physician_n because_o he_o be_v the_o saviour_n he_o alone_o do_v efficacious_o heal_v the_o evil_n of_o man_n dispel_v the_o disease_n and_o distemper_n of_o the_o soul_n purge_v his_o church_n and_o restore_v it_o to_o health_n he_o be_v ofttimes_o more_o merciful_a when_o he_o send_v bitter_a thing_n then_o when_o he_o refresh_v with_o sweet_a thing_n he_o know_v what_o be_v expedient_a for_o his_o
be_v certain_a also_o that_o believer_n among_o themselves_o have_v charge_n of_o each_o other_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n whereby_o they_o all_o disperse_v through_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v associate_v into_o one_o body_n eph._n 4._o 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6._o and_o 1_o thes_n 5._o 14_o 15._o and_o by_o the_o duty_n of_o charity_n which_o require_v this_o mutual_a care_n from_o all_o leu._n 19_o heb._n 3._o and_o 10._o 3._o we_o reject_v also_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o affirm_v that_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v sign_n and_o seal_n to_o confirm_v this_o church-covenant_n and_o so_o institute_v by_o god_n for_o the_o ratify_n of_o it_o that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v administer_v to_o those_o only_a who_o be_v by_o such_o a_o church-covenant_n unite_v among_o themselves_o but_o to_o be_v deny_v to_o other_o though_o know_v to_o be_v godly_a who_o be_v not_o in_o such_o a_o church-communion_n and_o strict_a fellowship_n whereas_o it_o do_v most_o clear_o appear_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o the_o sacrament_n be_v institute_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n chief_o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o be_v sign_n and_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o of_o the_o benefit_n promise_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o of_o salvation_n procure_v by_o christ_n for_o we_o as_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o sacrament_n of_o circumcision_n gen._n 17._o 7_o 10._o rom._n 4._o 11._o of_o the_o passeover_n 1_o cor._n 5._o of_o baptism_n mark_v 1._o 4._o act._n 2._o 38_o 39_o and_o 22._o 16._o rom._n 6._o 3_o 4._o tit._n 3._o 5._o and_o of_o the_o lord_n supper_n matth._n 26._o 26_o 27_o 28._o 1_o cor._n 11._o 24_o 25_o 26._o but_o in_o a_o secondary_a respect_n we_o acknowledge_v the_o sacrament_n to_o be_v seal_n of_o our_o outward_a engraft_v into_o the_o church_n visible_a and_o our_o conjunction_n into_o one_o body_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 2._o 41._o 1_o cor._n 12._o 12_o 13._o and_o that_o as_o we_o conceive_v of_o the_o catholic_a church_n so_o that_o he_o that_o be_v baptize_v be_v not_o baptize_v into_o the_o communion_n only_o of_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a or_o parochial_a church_n but_o be_v join_v into_o that_o one_o body_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_a and_o universal_a as_o the_o whole_a ministry_n of_o the_o church_n be_v give_v by_o christ_n to_o man_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o unity_n and_o conjunction_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_a and_o universal_a and_o to_o engraft_v they_o as_o member_n into_o it_o eph._n 4._o 11_o 12._o 1_o cor._n 12._o 28._o rom._n 12._o 5_o 6_o 7._o and_o as_o by_o excommunication_n due_o perform_v the_o person_n excommunicate_a be_v not_o cast_v out_o of_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n only_o but_o be_v bind_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o shut_v out_o from_o the_o brotherly_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a matth._n 18._o 17_o 18._o so_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v seal_n to_o a_o man_n of_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n not_o only_o in_o a_o particular_a church_n but_o in_o the_o church_n universal_a and_o therefore_o we_o hold_v that_o these_o sacrament_n be_v to_o be_v administer_v not_o to_o those_o only_o who_o by_o a_o church_n covenant_n have_v join_v themselves_o to_o some_o particular_a church_n but_o to_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_a who_o have_v due_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o the_o partake_n of_o they_o thus_o our_o belgic_a church_n deny_v not_o the_o seal_n of_o baptism_n to_o the_o child_n of_o those_o parent_n who_o have_v not_o by_o a_o confession_n of_o faith_n and_o submission_n to_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n join_v themselves_o to_o any_o particular_a church_n according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n josh_n 5._o 4_o 6._o as_o neither_o do_v we_o deny_v the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n to_o those_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o call_n can_v join_v themselves_o to_o any_o particular_a church_n but_o be_v force_v to_o travel_v through_o divers_a parochial_a church_n chap._n iii_o of_o a_o institute_n visible_a church_n question_n whether_o no_o other_o external_a visible_a church_n be_v describe_v in_o scripture_n and_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o a_o parochial_a or_o particular_a church_n which_o be_v confine_v to_o such_o limit_n as_o that_o of_o necessity_n it_o must_v be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v contain_v and_o aught_o to_o meet_v ordinary_o in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o celebrate_n of_o god_n public_a worship_n and_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n with_o mutual_a edification_n so_o that_o the_o constitution_n of_o such_o a_o church_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o multitude_n or_o some_o other_o cause_n can_v in_o all_o their_o member_n meet_v ordinary_o in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o exercise_n of_o all_o god_n ordinance_n be_v unlawful_a and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o apostle_n institution_n concern_v the_o constitution_n of_o a_o church_n describe_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n answer_n we_o judge_v a_o external_a visible_a particular_a church_n to_o be_v a_o church_n due_o and_o lawful_o constitute_v according_a to_o the_o pattern_n of_o the_o church_n erect_v by_o the_o apostle_n which_o when_o it_o may_v be_v do_v in_o one_o place_n under_o the_o inspection_n of_o one_o pastor_n and_o elder_n adjoin_v frequent_a the_o service_n of_o god_n for_o their_o mutual_a edification_n but_o when_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o multitude_n which_o god_n daily_o add_v to_o the_o church_n or_o some_o other_o cause_n it_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n but_o do_v in_o several_a place_n exercise_v the_o divine_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n under_o more_o pastor_n and_o elder_n join_v into_o one_o consistory_n presbytery_n or_o 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of_o its_o multitude_n or_o some_o other_o cause_n can_v meet_v ordinary_o in_o one_o place_n for_o celebrate_v divine_a worship_n and_o exercise_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n be_v lawful_a and_o consonant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o apostolical_a institution_n though_o they_o exercise_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o diverse_a place_n under_o several_a pastor_n and_o elder_n join_v into_o one_o presbytery_n this_o position_n be_v prove_v 1._o from_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n institute_v and_o erect_v by_o the_o apostle_n which_o can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n but_o must_v by_o reason_n of_o their_o multitude_n meet_v distributive_o from_o house_n to_o house_n in_o divers_a place_n under_o the_o inspection_n of_o divers_a pastor_n and_o yet_o be_v a_o visible_a institute_v church_n and_o be_v call_v in_o scripture_n a_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n for_o the_o number_n of_o that_o church_n be_v so_o great_a that_o three_o thousand_o be_v add_v to_o it_o in_o one_o day_n act._n 2._o 41._o and_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o believe_v and_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n grow_v up_o to_o the_o number_n of_o five_o thousand_o man_n act._n 4._o 4._o and_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o believe_v increase_v daily_o more_o and_o more_o both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n act._n 5._o 14._o act._n 2._o 47._o which_o yet_o daily_o meet_v and_o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n from_o house_n to_o house_n for_o perform_v the_o exercise_n of_o divine_a worship_n act._n 2._o 46._o and_o 5._o 42._o 2._o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n due_o constitute_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v one_o church_n revel_v 2._o 2._o which_o yet_o be_v govern_v by_o divers_a pastor_n join_v in_o a_o common_a presbytery_n for_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n act_v
ecclesiastical_o and_o when_o one_o of_o they_o have_v make_v defection_n from_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n other_o endeavour_v by_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n to_o reduce_v it_o into_o the_o right_a way_n and_o if_o they_o refuse_v to_o hearken_v to_o their_o ecclesiastical_a admonition_n they_o judge_v they_o as_o a_o company_n of_o heathen_n and_o publican_n avoid_v and_o exclude_v they_o from_o their_o holy_a communion_n since_o then_o the_o church_n of_o one_o people_n or_o nation_n perform_v among_o themselves_o these_o specifical_a exercise_n of_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n and_o union_n there_o be_v therefore_o a_o coalition_n of_o they_o into_o a_o church_n nationall_n hence_o also_o our_o church_n of_o the_o netherlands_o in_o their_o synodall_n canon_n have_v ordain_v not_o only_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n consistoriall_a presbyterial_a and_o classical_a but_o have_v also_o often_o decree_v that_o synod_n provincial_n and_o nationall_n be_v to_o be_v call_v for_o the_o ecclesiastical_a judge_v of_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o synod_n at_o emda_n anno_fw-la 1571._o art_n 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1578._o art_n 16_o 17._o at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1581._o art_n 20_o 21._o at_o the_o hagh_o anno_fw-la 1586._o art_n 26_o 27._o at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1591._o art_n 25_o 26._o at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1619._o art_n 29_o 30._o where_o it_o be_v decree_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v four_o sort_n of_o church_n assembly_n hold_v to_o wit_n consistory_n class_n synod_n provincial_n and_o nationall_n wherein_o nothing_o but_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n may_v be_v handle_v and_o that_o in_o a_o ecclesiastical_a manner_n iii_o we_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v describe_v in_o scripture_n a_o universal_a external_a church_n disperse_v through_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o in_o a_o visible_a polity_n make_v one_o ecclesiastical_a organical_a body_n under_o which_o be_v contain_v all_o particular_a classical_a provincial_n and_o nationall_n church_n as_o part_n of_o that_o whole_a this_o assertion_n we_o thus_o prove_v from_o scripture_n 1._o from_o 1_o cor._n 12._o 28._o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n where_o by_o the_o word_n church_n be_v signify_v that_o one_o body_n of_o which_o there_o be_v many_o member_n speak_v of_o ver_fw-la 12._o wherein_o be_v not_o describe_v the_o invisible_a and_o mystical_a church_n of_o christ_n as_o such_o but_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o visible_a and_o external_a as_o be_v that_o which_o be_v distinguish_v by_o the_o visible_a sacrament_n or_o sign_n of_o baptism_n ver_fw-la 13._o which_o consist_v of_o various_a and_o heterogeneous_a external_a member_n and_o organ_n ver_fw-la 15_o 16_o 17_o 18._o to_o which_o be_v give_v from_o god_n those_o various_a and_o external_a administration_n for_o edification_n speak_v of_o ver_fw-la 28._o which_o be_v subject_a to_o schism_n and_o separation_n ver_fw-la 25._o nor_o be_v it_o any_o particular_a church_n that_o be_v there_o describe_v but_o the_o universal_a and_o catholic_a church_n wherein_o all_o as_o well_o jew_n as_o gentile_n be_v join_v into_o one_o body_n ver_fw-la 13._o which_o comprehend_v all_o that_o be_v baptize_v in_o one_o spirit_n ver_fw-la 13._o to_o which_o be_v give_v from_o god_n apostles_n prophet_n teacher_n pastor_n the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o miracle_n etc._n etc._n ver_fw-la 28._o which_o be_v not_o give_v to_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a but_o to_o the_o catholic_a church_n visible_a there_o be_v therefore_o here_o describe_v a_o universal_a church_n 2._o there_o be_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n some_o fellowship_n and_o communion_n ecclesiastical_a between_o all_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n a_o universal_a body_n of_o the_o church_n for_o there_o be_v between_o they_o a_o internal_a fellowship_n and_o a_o obligation_n to_o mutual_a duty_n of_o christianity_n eph._n 4._o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6._o which_o require_v also_o a_o external_a ecclesiastical_a fellowship_n and_o communion_n in_o exhort_v reprove_v comfort_v and_o edify_v of_o all_o and_o bind_v we_o to_o offer_v prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n to_o god_n in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n in_o behalf_n of_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o reduce_v church_n go_v astray_o etc._n etc._n and_o that_o fellowship_n which_o the_o member_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n hold_v among_o themselves_o the_o same_o in_o a_o due_a proportion_n ought_v the_o provincial_n and_o nationall_n church_n to_o hold_v among_o themselves_o for_o the_o mutual_a edification_n and_o increase_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n by_o which_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n all_o nationall_n church_n do_v make_v up_o one_o universal_a ecclesiastical_a body_n 3._o so_o also_o we_o see_v in_o scripture_n ecclesiastical_a meeting_n hold_v which_o represent_v the_o church_n catholic_a and_o universal_a of_o the_o whole_a world_n wherein_o business_n be_v transact_v which_o concern_v the_o universal_a catholic_a church_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o act._n 1._o where_o a_o ecclesiastical_a meeting_n be_v hold_v by_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n or_o church-government_n ver_fw-la 15_o 16_o 26._o and_o that_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_a for_o there_o be_v the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_a the_o apostle_n send_v into_o the_o whole_a world_n matth._n 28._o 19_o with_o the_o brethren_n out_o of_o galilee_n and_o jerusalem_n ver_fw-la 15._o and_o they_o transact_v a_o business_n which_o concern_v the_o church_n universal_a to_o wit_n the_o election_n of_o a_o apostle_n to_o be_v a_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a and_o they_o who_o transact_v those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o rule_n government_n and_o oversight_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a aught_o to_o represent_v the_o church_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o all._n 15._o 22._o that_o meeting_n of_o apostle_n elder_n and_o brethren_n be_v call_v a_o church_n who_o by_o a_o ordinary_a power_n prescribe_v ecclesiastical_a decree_n and_o canon_n to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o impose_v they_o in_o a_o way_n of_o jurisdiction_n which_o no_o provincial_n or_o nationall_n much_o less_o parochial_a church_n may_v lawful_o do_v but_o be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n the_o reform_a divine_n also_o acknowledge_v a_o catholic_a visible_a church_n see_v among_o other_o walaeus_n in_o his_o common_a place_n loco_fw-la de_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la militante_fw-la pag._n 458._o of_o his_o work_n in_o folio_n where_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n visible_a after_o the_o definition_n of_o it_o he_o affirm_v that_o this_o church_n visible_a be_v consider_v two_o way_n either_o universal_o for_o the_o church_n which_o through_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n call_v out_o of_o the_o world_n which_o in_o some_o respect_n may_v be_v call_v also_o catholic_a or_o for_o a_o particular_a company_n confine_v to_o one_o certain_a place_n see_v also_o the_o position_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o leyden_n disp_n 40._o thes_n 27._o where_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o church_n visible_a be_v by_o some_o consounded_a with_o a_o church_n particular_a and_o the_o invisible_a with_o the_o universal_a but_o we_o say_v they_o save_v always_o better_a judgement_n think_v these_o member_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v confound_v and_o thes_n 33._o thus_o they_o say_v this_o church_n visible_a be_v consider_v two_o way_n either_o as_o a_o certain_a company_n of_o one_o particular_a village_n town_n or_o province_n those_o to_o wit_n who_o be_v knit_v together_o not_o only_o in_o a_o community_n of_o faith_n and_o sacrament_n but_o also_o in_o the_o form_n of_o external_a government_n and_o ecclesiastical_a rite_n or_o as_o a_o certain_a company_n occumenicall_a and_o universal_a disperse_v in_o divers_a place_n through_o the_o whole_a world_n though_o in_o the_o very_a external_a form_n of_o government_n and_o circumstantial_a rite_n they_o do_v often_o much_o differ_v among_o themselves_o yet_o agree_v in_o the_o essential_a community_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o sacrament_n whence_o also_o that_o be_v frequent_a in_o cyprian_a the_o bishopric_n be_v one_o whereof_o each_o several_o hold_v a_o part_n four_o we_o affirm_v that_o a_o company_n of_o presbyter_n meet_v together_o with_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n for_o transact_a church_n affair_n be_v a_o church_n to_o wit_n a_o ministerial_a or_o a_o govern_n and_o representative_a church_n as_o they_o call_v it_o and_o therefore_o call_v in_o scripture_n by_o the_o name_n church_n we_o confess_v that_o such_o a_o company_n of_o presbyter_n be_v not_o a_o church_n representative_a proper_o so_o call_v as_o if_o the_o elder_n be_v the_o delegate_n of_o the_o believer_n who_o in_o their_o name_n and_o their_o stead_n govern_v the_o
church_n and_o judge_v of_o church_n affair_n so_o as_o that_o the_o company_n of_o believer_n govern_v and_o judge_v by_o those_o elder_n as_o their_o instrument_n and_o deputy_n like_v as_o the_o king_n deputy_n represent_v the_o king_n himself_o for_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n have_v not_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n a_o power_n of_o rule_v and_o judge_a church_n affair_n by_o a_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n and_o therefore_o can_v delegate_v it_o to_o the_o elder_n and_o presbyter_n but_o the_o presbyter_n do_v themselves_o immediate_o from_o christ_n the_o king_n of_o the_o church_n receive_v power_n of_o rule_v and_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n 2_o cor._n 5._o 20._o 1_o cor._n 4._o 1._o in_o this_o sense_n therefore_o we_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v a_o representative_a church_n neither_o do_v we_o acknowledge_v such_o a_o representative_a church_n as_o by_o commission_n from_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n shall_v have_v absolute_a power_n by_o their_o law_n and_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n to_o bind_v the_o multitude_n and_o subject_a their_o faith_n and_o conscience_n so_o as_o without_o trial_n they_o shall_v receive_v and_o embrace_v what_o soever_o shall_v be_v determine_v by_o this_o church_n for_o this_o be_v the_o papist_n tyrannical_a antichristian_a representative_a church_n in_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o popish_a bishop_n which_o by_o reform_a church_n be_v deny_v and_o cast_v out_o but_o this_o representative_a church_n we_o acknowledge_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n viz._n a_o company_n of_o presbyter_n choose_v by_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o church_n which_o by_o authority_n and_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n receive_v from_o christ_n be_v set_v over_o and_o take_v care_n of_o the_o church_n and_o rule_v it_o by_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n and_o decree_n make_v consonant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o who_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o believer_n be_v bind_v to_o yield_v obedience_n in_o all_o thing_n which_o from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o by_o the_o power_n by_o christ_n commit_v to_o they_o they_o decree_v this_o govern_v ministerial_a or_o representative_a church_n be_v prove_v by_o these_o argument_n 1._o from_o matth._n 18_o 17_o 18._o tell_v the_o church_n this_o be_v that_o church_n which_o have_v the_o power_n oâ—_n the_o key_n the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n but_o now_o this_o power_n be_v not_o give_v to_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o believer_n but_o to_o the_o elder_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o must_v be_v obey_v in_o the_o lord_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o excommunication_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o a_o promiscuous_a and_o popular_a government_n but_o be_v commit_v by_o god_n to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o elder_n which_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o ruler_n and_o guide_n in_o the_o church_n this_o be_v that_o church_n which_o be_v to_o receive_v and_o judge_v of_o the_o believer_n complaint_n bring_v before_o they_o concern_v the_o scandal_n and_o offence_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o office_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o presbyter_n to_o who_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v prescribe_v law_n and_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o receive_v and_o judge_v of_o those_o complaint_n tit._n 1._o 13._o which_o to_o all_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n be_v not_o enjoin_v this_o be_v that_o church-which_a have_v the_o power_n of_o remit_v and_o retain_v sin_n which_o be_v give_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n matth._n 16._o 18_o 19_o joh._n 20._o 21_o 22._o but_o not_o where_o to_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o believer_n the_o roll_a and_o ministerial_a church_n of_o presbyter_n be_v therefore_o here_o understand_v whence_o also_o say_v beza_n upon_o matth._n 16._o 18._o that_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o word_n church_n be_v sometime_o use_v for_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n as_o matth._n 18._o 17._o to_o wit_n because_o convene_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n over_o which_o they_o be_v set_v it_o be_v elsewhere_o call_v by_o paul_n a_o presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o and_o that_o in_o this_o place_n by_o church_n the_o evangelist_n understand_v a_o college_n of_o elder_n he_o prove_v from_o hence_o that_o he_o do_v after_o make_v mention_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v which_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v always_o in_o their_o power_n who_o be_v therefore_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n and_o tremellius_n in_o his_o note_n upon_o the_o new_a testament_n translate_v out_o of_o syriack_n to_o the_o church_n say_v he_o that_o be_v to_o that_o council_n institute_v by_o god_n and_o the_o congregation_n of_o his_o saint_n that_o the_o authority_n both_o of_o bind_v and_o lose_v according_a to_o god_n shall_v be_v in_o their_o power_n as_o appear_v in_o this_o and_o the_o follow_a verse_n deodate_v in_o his_o note_n on_o the_o italian_a bible_n upon_o this_o place_n expound_v church_n to_o be_v a_o meeting_n of_o they_o that_o have_v the_o care_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n among_o christian_n and_o the_o inspection_n of_o the_o order_n peace_n and_o discipline_n thereof_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 3_o 4._o &_o 2_o cor._n 2._o 6._o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n which_o also_o have_v their_o consistory_n for_o correction_n of_o manner_n the_o doctor_n and_o professor_n of_o geneva_n in_o their_o note_n on_o the_o french_a bible_n in_o this_o place_n do_v understand_v those_o who_o have_v the_o care_n and_o ordinary_a call_n of_o administer_a doctrine_n and_o discipline_n in_o the_o church_n as_o there_o have_v always_o be_v use_n of_o it_o among_o god_n people_n but_o be_v special_o renew_v in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n under_o the_o apostle_n the_o dutch_a interpreter_n in_o their_o note_n on_o the_o new_a dutch_a translation_n upon_o this_o place_n expound_v church_n by_o church_n governor_n who_o as_o it_o be_v represent_v the_o whole_a church_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 28._o 2_o cor._n 2._o 6._o 2._o it_o be_v prove_v from_o 1_o cor._n 5._o where_o be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n describe_v which_o by_o a_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n transact_v the_o church_n affair_n and_o represent_v the_o church_n to_o wit_n the_o presbytery_n take_v care_n of_o the_o church_n discipline_n which_o be_v gather_v together_o with_o paul_n ministerial_a spirit_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n which_o christ_n as_o lord_n of_o his_o church_n only_o have_v revel_v 3._o 7._o which_o therefore_o consist_v only_o of_o the_o church_n minister_n and_o christ_n ambassador_n as_o be_v they_o who_o alone_o have_v the_o ministerial_a spirit_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n commit_v to_o they_o which_o be_v also_o gather_v together_o for_o this_o end_n to_o deliver_v to_o satan_n a_o incestuous_a person_n a_o church_n member_n which_o exercise_n be_v commit_v not_o to_o all_o the_o church-member_n but_o to_o the_o minister_n and_o pastor_n we_o must_v therefore_o acknowledge_v a_o govern_n and_o representative_a church_n we_o reject_v therefore_o these_o opposite_a opinion_n follow_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o church_n visible_a describe_v in_o scripture_n but_o a_o particular_a or_o parochial_a church_n which_o may_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n to_o celebrate_v the_o holy_a worship_n of_o god_n for_o there_o be_v such_o a_o visible_a church_n describe_v in_o scripture_n which_o have_v those_o attribute_n give_v to_o it_o which_o agree_v not_o to_o a_o particular_a church_n as_o such_o as_o that_o it_o be_v disperse_v through_o pontus_n galatia_n cappadocia_n asia_n and_o bithynia_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 1._o compare_v with_o chap._n 5._o 1_o 2._o that_o all_o both_o jew_n and_o greek_n whether_o bond_n or_o free_a make_v up_o one_o body_n thereof_o 1_o cor._n 12._o 13._o 2._o that_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n be_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n limit_v to_o such_o bound_n as_o that_o of_o necessity_n they_o may_v be_v ordinary_o contain_v and_o aught_o to_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n for_o perform_v the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n with_o mutual_a edification_n for_o we_o have_v show_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o such_o a_o church_n as_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o multitude_n or_o some_o other_o cause_n can_v ordinary_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n do_v well_o agree_v with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o apostolical_a institution_n for_o the_o essence_n and_o lawful_a constitution_n of_o a_o church_n depend_v not_o on_o the_o outward_a circumstance_n of_o place_n but_o on_o a_o due_a profession_n of_o faith_n and_o bond_n of_o holy_a communion_n for_o as_o ames_n say_v that_o same_o in_o
profession_n do_v constitute_v a_o church_n visible_a which_o in_o reality_n and_o its_o internal_a nature_n constitute_v the_o church_n mystical_a that_o be_v faith_n medulla_n lib._n 1._o cap._n 32._o thes_n 7._o 3._o that_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a institute_v church_n but_o that_o which_o be_v meet_v together_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o the_o ecclesiastical_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n for_o preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o all_o the_o office_n and_o spiritual_a gift_n in_o a_o constitute_v church_n but_o christ_n speak_v of_o a_o church_n mat._n 18._o 17._o meet_v together_o not_o for_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n but_o only_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o church_n discipline_n so_o likewise_o be_v that_o meeting_n call_v a_o church_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o by_o way_n of_o sermon_n preach_v the_o word_n nor_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n but_o only_o tell_v what_o god_n have_v do_v among_o the_o gentile_n act._n 14._o 27._o &_o 15._o 4._o or_o choose_v some_o to_o carry_v their_o decree_n to_o other_o act._n 15._o 22._o which_o be_v act_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n and_o therefore_o that_o meeting_n which_o meet_v only_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n and_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v also_o a_o church_n and_o so_o call_v in_o scripture_n chap._n four_o of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n question_n whether_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n or_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o multitude_n or_o all_o the_o member_n of_o a_o church_n as_o the_o first_o and_o immediate_a subject_n so_o as_o believer_n not_o bear_v any_o church_n office_n may_v by_o themselves_o immediate_o exercise_v all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n discipline_n and_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a save_v only_o the_o sacrament_n and_o consequent_o whether_o private_a christian_n be_v church_n member_n have_v such_o a_o ecclesiastical_a power_n as_o that_o they_o may_v authoritative_o admit_v church_n member_n to_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n reprove_v by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n such_o as_o commit_v offence_n bound_v by_o excommunication_n and_o church_n censure_n absolve_v from_o excommunication_n and_o authoritative_o remit_v sin_n whether_o to_o they_o also_o belong_v the_o confer_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n on_o the_o minister_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o power_n which_o give_v to_o the_o minister_n a_o ecclesiastical_a office_n and_o consequent_o the_o examination_n of_o pastor_n the_o send_n unto_o and_o confirm_v they_o in_o that_o church_n office_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o again_o authoritative_a suspending_a and_o remove_v pastor_n from_o that_o function_n answer_n the_o reform_a divine_n teach_v that_o none_o in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v his_o kingdom_n may_v arrogate_v any_o power_n to_o himself_o but_o from_o a_o divine_a calling_n and_o delegation_n from_o christ_n for_o whereas_o those_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n be_v administer_v in_o the_o church_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o with_o his_o power_n none_o may_v perform_v they_o but_o he_o to_o who_o they_o be_v commit_v by_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 4._o 1._o and_o 5._o 4._o 2_o cor._n 5._o 20._o and_o when_o as_o christ_n have_v vouchsafe_v this_o call_n and_o delegation_n to_o administer_v those_o holy_a function_n not_o to_o all_o in_o the_o church_n but_o to_o some_o only_a 1_o cor._n 12._o 28_o 29._o rom._n 12._o 4_o 5_o 6._o they_o therefore_o deny_v that_o this_o power_n belong_v to_o all_o they_o allow_v indeed_o to_o all_o believer_n and_o godly_a member_n in_o the_o church_n visible_a a_o spiritual_a dignity_n and_o authority_n of_o grace_n whereby_o they_o be_v king_n and_o priest_n to_o god_n for_o divine_a grace_n have_v a_o heavenly_a authority_n and_o majesty_n accompany_v it_o but_o deny_v that_o authority_n of_o office_n and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n or_o jurisdiction_n belong_v to_o they_o all_o we_o grant_v in_o this_o controversy_n 1._o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v by_o christ_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o of_o all_o believer_n for_o their_o spiritual_a edification_n ephes_n 4._o 11_o 12._o 2._o that_o to_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n belong_v power_n to_o choose_v their_o minister_n and_o pastor_n either_o by_o suffrage_n or_o by_o free_a consent_n for_o this_o power_n be_v find_v ground_v on_o rule_n of_o holy_a scripture_n act._n 1._o 23._o and_o 6._o 2_o 3_o 4._o &_o 14._o 22._o but_o by_o this_o election_n the_o believer_n do_v not_o confer_v or_o derive_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n on_o the_o minister_n or_o pastor_n choose_v but_o only_o design_v he_o on_o who_o the_o power_n of_o that_o church_n office_n be_v by_o divine_a institution_n to_o be_v confer_v by_o ecclesiastical_a ordination_n the_o whole_a derivation_n of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n and_o spiritual_a power_n on_o minister_n so_o far_o as_o it_o can_v be_v ministerial_o secondary_o and_o subordinate_o perform_v by_o the_o church_n be_v by_o the_o whole_a ecclesiastical_a vocation_n but_o by_o election_n be_v only_o the_o designation_n of_o the_o person_n on_o who_o that_o power_n be_v to_o be_v confer_v and_o by_o ordination_n he_o be_v authoritative_o send_v and_o put_v into_o possession_n of_o that_o function_n to_o which_o he_o be_v by_o election_n design_v to_o be_v ordain_v ordination_n therefore_o be_v a_o act_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n as_o the_o bishop_n of_o spalleto_n right_o discourse_v de_fw-fr repub_fw-la eccle_n lib._n 2._o cap._n 3._o num_fw-la 54._o but_o the_o act_n of_o election_n or_o nomination_n be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n or_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n but_o of_o the_o gift_n of_o discretion_n whereby_o they_o prove_v the_o spirit_n and_o discern_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o shepherd_n and_o choose_v he_o by_o who_o teach_v they_o will_v be_v lead_v for_o the_o better_a clear_n of_o this_o business_n when_o we_o consider_v of_o a_o pastor_n call_v entire_o and_o absolute_o and_o not_o in_o reference_n to_o some_o part_n of_o it_o by_o it_o be_v the_o whole_a derivation_n of_o ecclesiastical_a right_n on_o this_o or_o that_o person_n perform_v and_o thus_o it_o comprehend_v election_n and_o ordination_n election_n have_v three_o part_n examination_n approbation_n and_o nomination_n examination_n consist_v in_o the_o trial_n of_o his_o learning_n and_o gift_n and_o former_a conversation_n approbation_n lie_v in_o two_o thing_n judgement_n and_o assent_v judgement_n we_o call_v that_o sentence_n whereby_o the_o person_n examine_v be_v judge_v fit_a to_o undertake_v the_o ministry_n and_o may_v profitable_o perform_v it_o assent_n be_v of_o they_o who_o rest_v satisfy_v in_o this_o judgement_n nomination_n be_v when_o one_o by_o name_n be_v by_o common_a advise_v decern_v to_o be_v invite_v to_o the_o ministry_n of_o a_o church_n ordination_n comprehend_v mission_n and_o admission_n mission_n or_o send_v be_v a_o authoritative_a act_n of_o the_o presbytery_n whereby_o the_o office_n be_v confer_v on_o the_o person_n elect_v and_o he_o send_v and_o commend_v to_o the_o church_n for_o which_o he_o have_v be_v design_v and_o put_v in_o possession_n of_o his_o ministry_n initiation_n or_o admission_n be_v the_o public_a administration_n of_o a_o outward_a rite_n whereby_o the_o person_n elect_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o ministry_n of_o that_o church_n and_o be_v perform_v by_o explain_v the_o divine_a institution_n prayer_n and_o a_o solemn_a blessing_n the_o common_a symbol_n of_o this_o ordination_n be_v imposition_n of_o hand_n in_o this_o whole_a business_n therefore_o of_o vocation_n we_o grant_v to_o the_o people_n nomination_n which_o be_v at_o first_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o people_n in_o common_a the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n mean_v while_o moderate_v the_o whole_a action_n for_o they_o be_v better_a able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o quality_n of_o their_o learning_n and_o gift_n be_v therefore_o to_o perform_v this_o charge_n that_o according_a to_o the_o canon_n they_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v the_o people_n but_o to_o lead_v they_o for_o the_o election_n be_v chief_o the_o act_n of_o minister_n the_o work_n of_o the_o faithful_a people_n to_o consent_v to_o that_o election_n distinct_a 63._o cap._n nosse_fw-la &_o cap._n cum_fw-la longè_fw-la for_o it_o be_v clear_a by_o apostolical_a example_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_n that_o the_o minister_n be_v first_o to_o nominate_v and_o the_o people_n to_o assent_v to_o that_o nomination_n due_o perform_v or_o to_o consult_v in_o common_a about_o the_o person_n to_o be_v nominate_v or_o last_o if_o they_o have_v any_o cause_n why_o they_o may_v just_o oppose_v that_o nomination_n free_o to_o produce_v their_o judgement_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n their_o consent_n they_o signify_v ancient_o as_o junius_n acknowledge_v disput_fw-la
servant_n in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n by_o special_a office_n 2_o cor._n 4._o 5._o who_o know_v how_o to_o behave_v themselves_o aright_o in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 16._o and_o to_o give_v to_o those_o in_o the_o house_n their_o due_a portion_n in_o season_n math._n 24._o 25._o right_o to_o divide_v and_o distribute_v the_o word_n of_o god_n 2_o tim._n 2._o 15._o for_o the_o key_n be_v a_o sign_n of_o power_n entrust_v which_o be_v by_o christ_n commit_v to_o the_o steward_n and_o overseer_n in_o his_o house_n whereby_o to_o administer_v their_o power_n and_o by_o the_o key_n in_o scripture_n be_v signify_v authority_n faculty_n power_n administration_n of_o government_n which_o be_v exercise_v in_o command_v forbid_a allow_a restrain_v as_o isa_n 22._o 22._o compare_v with_o isa_n 9_o 6._o rev._n 1._o 18._o &_o 3._o 7._o and_o mat._n 16._o 18_o 19_o denote_v minister_n power_n and_o full_a administration_n they_o be_v commit_v therefore_o to_o those_o who_o be_v set_v over_o the_o church_n not_o to_o all_o in_o the_o church_n 2._o that_o opinion_n be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v which_o do_v overthrow_v the_o order_n constitute_v by_o christ_n in_o the_o church_n by_o which_o order_n christ_n have_v in_o the_o church_n visible_a as_o in_o a_o heterogeneous_a organical_a body_n constitute_v of_o divers_a integrall_a part_n to_o which_o he_o have_v give_v their_o peculiar_a function_n and_o operation_n in_o that_o ecclesiastical_a body_n for_o he_o have_v set_v in_o the_o church_n eye_n ear_n hand_n foot_n ruler_n and_o such_o as_o be_v over_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n overseer_n watchman_n pastor_n ambassador_n in_o christ_n name_n preacher_n father_n bvilder_n sower_n etc._n etc._n and_o a_o flock_n a_o people_n a_o house_n a_o field_n child_n and_o such_o as_o govern_v and_o who_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v those_o that_o be_v set_v over_o they_o etc._n etc._n see_v heb._n 13._o 17._o 1_o thes_n 5._o 12._o 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o 2_o cor._n 5._o 20._o 1_o cor._n 4._o 1_o 2_o 15._o 1_o cor._n 3._o 9_o etc._n etc._n but_o if_o all_o in_o the_o church_n have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n power_n of_o building_n rule_v the_o church_n by_o censure_n ecclesiastical_a etc._n etc._n all_o will_v be_v ambassador_n ruler_n father_n pastor_n watchman_n eye_n ear_n for_o to_o those_o part_n of_o the_o church_n do_v ecclesiastical_a and_o authoritative_a oversight_n and_o rule_n belong_v as_o their_o proper_a function_n therefore_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o exercise_n thereof_o be_v not_o common_a to_o all_o member_n of_o a_o church_n but_o be_v the_o proper_a function_n of_o the_o overseer_n and_o pastor_n to_o who_o the_o rod_n and_o that_o severe_a power_n be_v commit_v for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 4._o 21._o 2_o cor._n 13._o 10._o 3._o the_o cannon_n and_o rule_n propose_v in_o holy_a scripture_n whereby_o the_o right_a government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o due_a use_n of_o the_o key_n be_v direct_v be_v not_o give_v to_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o a_o church_n but_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n timothy_n and_o titus_n and_o other_o church-governor_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n instruct_v how_o to_o behave_v themselves_o in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n as_o faithful_a steward_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n and_o also_o 1_o cor._n chap._n 3._o &_o 4._o and_o the_o fault_n which_o be_v commit_v in_o mis-governing_a of_o church_n and_o abuse_v of_o the_o key_n be_v not_o by_o god_n impute_v as_o the_o fault_n of_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o a_o church_n but_o of_o some_o to_o wit_v the_o overseer_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 4_o 5_o 6._o tit._n 1._o 7._o 1_o pet._n 5._o 3._o revel_v 2._o 14_o 20._o 3._o joh._n 16._o 10._o the_o praise_n and_o reward_v promise_v for_o due_a order_n of_o church_n be_v not_o by_o god_n promise_v to_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o a_o church_n but_o to_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n who_o rule_v well_o in_o the_o lord_n 1_o thes_n 5._o 12._o heb._n 13._o 17._o 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o 2_o tim._n 4._o 4_o 5._o 1_o pet._n 5._o 4_o 5._o revel_v 22._o therefore_o to_o those_o only_o be_v the_o government_n of_o church_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o key_n entrust_v by_o christ_n 4._o to_o who_o christ_n give_v the_o power_n and_o exercise_v of_o the_o key_n or_o rule_n in_o the_o church_n to_o those_o he_o give_v the_o spirit_n for_o administration_n and_o those_o gift_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n for_o when_o god_n send_v any_o into_o his_o church_n he_o always_o qualifi_v they_o with_o gift_n sufficient_a and_o fit_a for_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o ministry_n and_o office_n commit_v to_o they_o as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o example_n of_o all_o who_o god_n have_v send_v into_o the_o church_n but_o where_o be_v the_o spirit_n promise_v to_o all_o whereby_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o a_o church_n may_v remit_v and_o retain_v sin_n speak_v of_o joh._n 20_o 21_o 22_o 23._o where_o be_v that_o prudence_n and_o wisdom_n promise_v to_o all_o whereby_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o rule_v the_o house_n of_o god_n to_o go_v in_o and_o out_o before_o the_o people_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n therefore_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o key_n be_v not_o by_o god_n commit_v to_o all_o hence_o also_o have_v the_o reform_a church_n always_o reject_v a_o popular_a church-government_n see_v sadeel_n treatise_n in_o french_a concern_v ecclesiastical_a discipline_n against_o morellius_n of_o who_o reverend_a beza_n libro_fw-la de_fw-fr ministrorum_fw-la gradibus_fw-la cap._n 25._o when_o he_o have_v describe_v the_o manner_n of_o election_n in_o the_o church_n say_v thus_o which_o order_n by_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n religious_o and_o prudent_o observe_v hitherto_o in_o this_o city_n when_o one_o democraticall_a fanatical_a morellius_n of_o paris_n be_v bold_a by_o word_n and_o writing_n to_o find_v fault_n with_o that_o his_o writing_n be_v both_o in_o this_o church_n and_o in_o france_n in_o many_o synod_n worthy_o condemn_v and_o in_o our_o synodical_a constitution_n the_o church_n ecclesiastical_a power_n judgement_n exercise_n of_o the_o key_n and_o church-government_n be_v every_o where_o commit_v to_o the_o pastor_n &_o elder_n to_o presbytery_n consistory_n class_n and_o synod_n see_v the_o synod_n at_o embden_n anno_fw-la 1571._o from_o article_n 25._o to_o art_n 35._o at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1578._o art_n 92._o to_o art_n 101._o at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1581._o art_n 58._o to_o art_n 66._o at_o the_o hagh_o anno_fw-la 1586._o art_n 64._o to_o art_n 74._o at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1591._o art_n 58._o to_o 75._o at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1619._o art_n 71._o to_o art_n 81._o ii_o we_o affirm_v that_o the_o power_n of_o send_v or_o ordain_v pastor_n or_o church-governor_n be_v commit_v by_o god_n in_o a_o settle_a church_n not_o to_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o church_n but_o to_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n of_o church_n we_o grant_v indeed_o as_o be_v say_v before_o that_o there_o be_v a_o liberty_n of_o nomination_n or_o election_n allow_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o all_o the_o member_n in_o a_o church_n so_o as_o no_o minister_n may_v without_o the_o agreement_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n be_v obtrude_v upon_o a_o church_n whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o which_o nomination_n or_o election_n do_v not_o yet_o confer_v ministerial_a power_n on_o the_o person_n elect_v but_o only_o design_v a_o person_n on_o who_o it_o may_v be_v due_o derive_v according_a to_o the_o institute_v rule_n by_o those_o who_o have_v under_o christ_n receive_v that_o power_n whereby_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n be_v derive_v on_o this_o or_o that_o person_n we_o deny_v not_o also_o but_o that_o extraordinary_o in_o a_o perplex_a and_o deprave_a estate_n of_o a_o whole_a visible_a church_n the_o multitude_n or_o faithful_a people_n in_o a_o church_n may_v choose_v their_o pastor_n and_o ruler_n and_o authoritative_o put_v they_o into_o the_o power_n right_a and_o possession_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o that_o by_o reason_n of_o a_o cogent_a necessity_n which_o admit_v no_o law_n and_o to_o which_o all_o positive_a law_n give_v place_n but_o we_o affirm_v that_o in_o a_o settle_a and_o constitute_v visible_a church_n the_o people_n by_o the_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n have_v not_o power_n of_o ordain_v or_o send_v their_o pastor_n but_o that_o potestative_a mission_n &_o ordination_n whereby_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n or_o the_o ministerial_a power_n be_v confer_v on_o this_o or_o that_o man_n design_v to_o the_o ministry_n belong_v to_o presbytery_n our_o assertion_n be_v prove_v 1._o from_o those_o precept_n describe_v in_o holy_a scripture_n concern_v ordination_n or_o
send_v ruler_n to_o a_o church_n whereby_o it_o be_v commit_v not_o to_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n but_o to_o the_o elder_n and_o church-governor_n 1_o tim._n 5._o 22._o 2_o tim._n 2._o 2._o tit._n 1._o 5._o etc._n etc._n 2._o from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostolic_a church_n wherein_o the_o power_n of_o send_v and_o ordain_v pastor_n be_v reserve_v to_o church-governor_n and_o never_o commit_v to_o the_o people_n see_v example_n act._n 6._o 6._o act._n 13._o 1_o 2_o 3._o 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o 2_o tim._n 1._o 6._o 3._o because_o the_o power_n of_o suspension_n or_o degrade_n minister_n of_o a_o church_n belong_v not_o to_o the_o multitude_n for_o to_o who_o belong_v the_o authority_n of_o take_v away_o a_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n to_o the_o same_o it_o belong_v to_o confer_v it_o for_o in_o what_o way_n any_o thing_n be_v obtain_v in_o the_o same_o way_n it_o be_v dissolve_v but_o no_o where_o in_o scripture_n be_v this_o commit_v to_o the_o people_n to_o pass_v a_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n on_o false_a minister_n or_o teacher_n or_o remove_v they_o from_o the_o ministry_n but_o be_v require_v of_o the_o angel_n of_o church_n and_o their_o presbyter_n tit._n 1._o 10_o 13._o reve._n 2._o 2_o 14_o 15_o 16_o 20._o act._n 20._o 28_o 29._o so_o also_o be_v it_o decree_v by_o our_o belgic_a church_n that_o the_o election_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n be_v not_o transact_v without_o the_o people_n suffrage_n or_o free_a assent_n yet_o that_o the_o mission_n or_o ordination_n into_o the_o ministry_n of_o a_o church_n as_o also_o the_o suspension_n and_o degradation_n of_o a_o minister_n be_v do_v by_o the_o consistoriall_a presbytery_n upon_o the_o judgement_n and_o assent_n of_o the_o classis_fw-la see_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o synod_n at_o middleburgh_n anno._n 1591._o art_n 3_o 4_o 5_o 11_o 58._o at_o the_o hagh_o anno._n 1586._o art_n 4_o 13_o 72._o at_o middleburgh_n anno._n 1581._o art_n 4_o 7_o 64._o at_o dort_n anno._n 1619._o art_n 4_o 5_o 79._o we_o reject_v therefore_o these_o contrary_a opinion_n follow_v i._o of_o those_o who_o ascribe_v to_o the_o people_n or_o multitude_n of_o believer_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n even_o where_o there_o be_v no_o ruler_n or_o governor_n so_o that_o a_o congregation_n of_o believer_n join_v in_o church-covenant_n though_o want_v church_n governor_n have_v power_n of_o excommunication_n and_o of_o exercise_v all_o act_n of_o the_o key_n or_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n and_o government_n save_v only_o the_o sacrament_n but_o to_o we_o it_o be_v certain_a from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o that_o church_n to_o which_o christ_n give_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v a_o organical_a body_n of_o divers_a member_n wherein_o be_v eye_n ear_n hand_n and_o foot_n pastor_n ruler_n and_o a_o flock_n which_o be_v lead_v and_o govern_v 1_o cor._n 12._o 14_o 15._o rom._n 12._o 4_o 5._o 6._o act._n 20._o 28_o 29._o but_o now_o believer_n join_v in_o church_n covenant_n destitute_a of_o church_n ruler_n do_v not_o make_v up_o such_o a_o organical_a body_n and_o therefore_o never_o in_o scripture_n do_v we_o meet_v with_o a_o church_n which_o exercise_v ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o yet_o be_v destitute_a of_o church_n ruler_n see_v 1_o cor._n 5._o 4._o act._n 20._o 28_o 29._o revel_v chap._n 2._o and_o 3._o therefore_o to_o no_o church_n of_o believer_n want_v ruler_n be_v we_o to_o ascribe_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n ii_o of_o those_o who_o affirm_v that_o the_o multitude_n of_o a_o church_n do_v derive_v ecclesiastical_a power_n on_o the_o church-governor_n and_o the_o church-governor_n be_v the_o believer_n servant_n proper_o so_o call_v the_o church_n mouth_n hand_n and_o instrument_n by_o who_o intervention_n she_o do_v execute_v her_o decree_n so_o that_o the_o church_n of_o believer_n under_o christ_n the_o lord_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n as_o his_o spouse_n and_o wife_n do_v communicate_v government_n stewardship_n and_o legal_a exercise_n of_o jurisdiction_n to_o some_o certain_a man_n choose_v by_o herself_o who_o as_o her_o servant_n and_o deputy_n by_o a_o authority_n borrow_v from_o the_o multitude_n as_o the_o first_o and_o immediate_a subject_n of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n do_v govern_v the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o exercise_v the_o chief_a act_n of_o their_o function_n but_o we_o in_o this_o cause_n do_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n thus_o judge_v 1._o that_o all_o the_o function_n and_o office_n and_o their_o authority_n be_v institute_v by_o christ_n in_o the_o church_n and_o house_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n do_v derive_v and_o receive_v the_o office_n which_o they_o bear_v and_o their_o power_n and_o authority_n not_o from_o man_n but_o from_o christ_n alone_o and_o his_o institution_n ephes_n 4._o 11_o 12._o 1_o cor._n 12._o 26_o 27_o 28_o 29._o act._n 20._o 28._o and_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o all_o authority_n of_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v primary_o in_o christ_n which_o christ_n do_v immediate_o communicate_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n therein_o 2._o that_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n in_o a_o church_n by_o this_o nomination_n or_o designation_n of_o a_o person_n on_o who_o it_o may_v according_a to_o christ_n institution_n be_v due_o confer_v do_v effect_n thus_o much_o that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a office_n and_o the_o power_n thereof_o by_o the_o donation_n of_o christ_n may_v be_v apply_v to_o this_o or_o that_o man_n but_o do_v not_o derive_v this_o power_n on_o that_o person_n but_o the_o presbytery_n of_o church_n by_o a_o potestative_a mission_n or_o authoritative_a ordination_n and_o imposition_n of_o hand_n do_v apply_v and_o send_v forth_o that_o person_n design_v by_o the_o people_n choice_n into_o the_o possession_n and_o exercise_n of_o that_o function_n and_o authority_n so_o that_o church_n office_n and_o their_o authority_n be_v immediate_o from_o christ_n confer_v on_o the_o church_n governor_n but_o the_o application_n of_o these_o office_n to_o these_o or_o those_o man_n be_v do_v by_o the_o potestative_a mission_n of_o the_o presbytery_n with_o the_o previous_a assent_n or_o nomination_n of_o the_o people_n 3._o the_o pastor_n therefore_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o all_o act_n of_o their_o office_n be_v not_o the_o church_n servant_n proper_o call_v but_o governor_n guide_n father_n ruler_n in_o the_o church_n to_o who_o the_o people_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v who_o government_n rod_n and_o authority_n they_o ought_v to_o submit_v to_o and_o embrace_v with_o due_a subjection_n and_o reverence_n heb._n 13._o 17._o 1_o thes_n 5._o 12_o 13._o 1_o cor._n 4._o 1._o and_o therefore_o when_o they_o be_v call_v the_o servant_n of_o the_o faithful_a 2_o cor._n 4._o 5._o they_o be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n not_o subjectiuè_n as_o if_o they_o derive_v and_o hold_v their_o authority_n from_o the_o church_n for_o than_o be_v they_o the_o servant_n of_o man_n not_o of_o god_n but_o finaliter_fw-la or_o objectiuè_fw-la because_o they_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n for_o the_o church_n for_o who_o good_a and_o benefit_n they_o labour_v as_o christ_n be_v call_v our_o servant_n mat._n 20._o 28._o and_o the_o angel_n be_v call_v minister_a spirit_n heb._n 1._o 14._o yet_o neither_o christ_n nor_o the_o angel_n have_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o vocation_n from_o we_o but_o exercise_v it_o for_o our_o good_a and_o service_n the_o church_n officer_n therefore_o be_v servant_n but_o servant_n of_o god_n and_o of_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 4._o 1._o in_o who_o name_n they_o be_v ambassador_n in_o all_o the_o act_n of_o their_o ecclesiastical_a function_n 2_o cor._n 5._o 20._o and_o be_v furnish_v with_o his_o command_n 2_o cor._n 5._o 18._o be_v his_o angel_n revel_v 2._o 1._o and_o steward_n in_o his_o house_n 1_o cor._n 4._o 1_o 2_o &_o 3_o 10._o iii_o we_o reject_v also_o the_o opposite_a opinion_n of_o those_o who_o teach_v that_o the_o exercise_n of_o excommunication_n can_v be_v due_o and_o lawful_o do_v but_o by_o the_o judgement_n and_o decree_n of_o the_o people_n so_o as_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o judge_n in_o the_o case_n of_o excommunication_n although_o we_o grant_v that_o no_o man_n may_v in_o the_o church_n be_v due_o excommunicate_v without_o the_o knowledge_n and_o against_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n but_o that_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o great_a excommunication_n ought_v to_o be_v with_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o whole_a people_n as_o be_v say_v before_o yet_o to_o set_v all_o the_o church_n member_n in_o the_o place_n of_o judge_n we_o certain_o believe_v will_v bring_v anarchy_n and_o confusion_n into_o the_o church_n
obedience_n of_o christ_n those_o who_o with_o high_a mind_n exalt_v themselves_o against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n 2_o cor._n 10._o 4_o 5._o we_o reject_v therefore_o the_o opposite_a position_n of_o those_o 1._o who_o affirm_v that_o the_o conversion_n of_o wicked_a man_n be_v not_o a_o effect_n intend_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v produce_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n as_o a_o mean_v appoint_v to_o that_o end_n and_o therefore_o that_o never_o any_o be_v convert_v by_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n by_o virtue_n of_o any_o ecclesiastical_a office_n but_o by_o accident_n as_o they_o be_v gift_v christian_n affirm_v that_o ordinary_o the_o conversion_n of_o such_o as_o go_v astray_o be_v by_o such_o christian_n endue_v with_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n for_o this_o end_n as_o the_o ordinary_a mean_n whereby_o such_o as_o be_v stranger_n and_o enemy_n to_o god_n may_v be_v reconcile_v 2_o cor._n 5._o 20._o and_o bring_v to_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 11._o 2_o 3_o 4._o 2._o of_o those_o who_o affirm_v that_o sincere_a conversion_n of_o man_n be_v a_o certain_a argument_n that_o those_o by_o who_o preach_v the_o word_n they_o be_v convert_v be_v send_v of_o god_n according_a to_o that_o rom._n 10._o 14_o 15._o jer._n 23._o 32._o but_o we_o judge_v that_o the_o send_v which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o rom._n 10._o 14_o 15._o be_v a_o send_n to_o a_o office_n in_o a_o due_a order_n whether_o extraordinary_a or_o ordinary_a ecclesiastical_o perform_v and_o that_o it_o consist_v not_o only_o in_o confer_v gift_n whereby_o a_o man_n be_v make_v fit_a for_o the_o ministry_n or_o prophecy_n but_o in_o confer_v authority_n and_o convey_v ministerial_a authority_n as_o the_o protestant_n prove_v by_o manifest_a argument_n against_o the_o socinian_o and_o although_o private_a christian_n in_o the_o duty_n of_o charity_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o gift_n wherein_o they_o be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o god_n do_v convert_v some_o from_o their_o sin_n yet_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o they_o be_v thus_o send_v as_o that_o they_o have_v authority_n as_o the_o ambassador_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o name_n to_o preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n authoritative_o because_o they_o want_v the_o authoritative_a mission_n by_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n whereby_o that_o ministry_n in_o the_o church_n be_v confer_v wherein_o man_n as_o the_o ambassador_n of_o christ_n preach_v the_o word_n of_o reconciliation_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o tit._n 1._o 5_o 9_o 10._o 2_o cor._n 5._o 20._o hence_o also_o our_o belgic_a reform_a church_n acknowledge_v that_o preach_a of_o the_o word_n by_o minister_n ecclesiastical_o call_v be_v the_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o man_n repentance_n and_o first_o reconciliation_n to_o god_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a form_n of_o establish_v pastor_n in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n through_o the_o whole_a netherlands_o question_n 2._o whether_o the_o minister_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v not_o only_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o gift_n and_o from_o the_o common_a duty_n of_o charity_n but_o also_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o ecclesiastical_a function_n lawful_o perform_v ministerial_a act_n of_o his_o office_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n of_o another_o particular_a church_n to_o who_o ordinary_a ministry_n he_o be_v not_o call_v answer_n our_o judgement_n in_o this_o question_n be_v that_o he_o who_o by_o a_o ecclesiastical_a call_n be_v lawful_o call_v be_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o office_n not_o only_o fasten_v to_o the_o particular_a church_n but_o also_o to_o the_o provincial_n nationall_n and_o universal_a church_n of_o god_n so_o that_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n ty_v he_o to_o this_o body_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a not_o only_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o gift_n he_o have_v receive_v but_o also_o by_o reason_n of_o special_a office_n which_o he_o bear_v in_o the_o church_n to_o which_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o bestow_v and_o apply_v the_o exercise_n and_o work_n of_o his_o office_n for_o the_o common_a edification_n of_o that_o whole_a body_n and_o therefore_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o authority_n and_o power_n of_o his_o ecclesiastical_a office_n to_o afford_v succour_n to_o the_o distress_n and_o indigency_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n throughout_o the_o earth_n yet_o without_o confusion_n and_o in_o due_a order_n and_o there_o lie_v on_o all_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n a_o pastoral_a charge_n and_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n for_o to_o this_o end_n do_v christ_n appoint_v pastor_n and_o give_v they_o to_o the_o church_n for_o the_o edification_n of_o his_o body_n that_o all_o may_v attain_v to_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n eph._n 4._o 11_o 12._o 1_o cor._n 12._o 24._o rom._n 12._o 5_o 6_o 7._o and_o therefore_o he_o may_v exercise_v the_o ministerial_a act_n of_o his_o office_n not_o only_o in_o one_o particular_a church_n but_o in_o other_o also_o when_o the_o edification_n of_o those_o church_n require_v it_o we_o grant_v indeed_o that_o by_o election_n a_o pastors_n ministry_n be_v restrain_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n for_o his_o ordinary_a charge_n yet_o by_o ordination_n and_o mission_n whereby_o authority_n and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o the_o whole_a right_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v commit_v to_o a_o man_n he_o be_v make_v a_o pastor_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o all_o church_n and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o have_v a_o pastoral_n care_n for_o the_o edification_n of_o all_o church_n and_o consequent_o may_v exercise_v ministerial_a act_n in_o any_o visible_a church_n throughout_o the_o world_n so_o that_o it_o be_v do_v without_o confusion_n and_o in_o a_o due_a order_n this_o assertion_n be_v prove_v 1._o because_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o one_o province_n may_v by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n send_v forth_o pastor_n to_o nation_n and_o people_n to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o yet_o make_v know_v or_o to_o other_o church_n in_o distress_n or_o want_v who_o be_v unsufficient_a for_o the_o call_v of_o their_o own_o pastor_n and_o work_v their_o own_o edification_n example_n of_o this_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n act_v 13._o 1_o 2_o 3._o but_o this_o send_v forth_o of_o pastor_n be_v a_o ministerial_a act_n which_o be_v perform_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o pastoral_a office_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n of_o another_o particular_a church_n a_o pastor_n therefore_o of_o one_o particular_a church_n may_v exercise_v ministerial_a act_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o another_o particular_a church_n 2._o a_o pastor_n as_o a_o pastor_n do_v exercise_v many_o ministerial_a act_n not_o only_o in_o reference_n to_o his_o own_o particular_a church_n to_o the_o ordinary_a ministry_n whereof_o he_o be_v fix_v but_o also_o in_o reference_n to_o other_o church_n particular_a provincial_n nationall_n yea_o and_o the_o universal_a church_n for_o by_o baptism_n he_o admit_v member_n into_o the_o church_n universal_a 1_o cor._n 12._o 13._o by_o excommunication_n he_o do_v cast_v member_n out_o not_o of_o his_o own_o particular_a church_n only_o but_o out_o of_o the_o provincial_n nationall_n and_o universal_a church_n matth_n 18._o 18_o 19_o by_o his_o pastoral_a office_n he_o offer_v up_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o other_o church_n distress_v he_o may_v preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o another_o particular_a church_n not_o only_o by_o virtue_n and_o reason_n of_o his_o gift_n but_o with_o pastoral_n authority_n so_o that_o by_o his_o preach_n he_o do_v bind_v and_o loose_v sinner_n he_o do_v retain_v and_o remit_v sin_n and_o as_o a_o ambassador_n send_v from_o god_n do_v beseech_v man_n to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n between_o divers_a particular_a church_n not_o only_o in_o the_o common_a gift_n of_o all_o christian_n but_o also_o in_o the_o pastoral_a action_n and_o administration_n for_o they_o be_v not_o perform_v beyond_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n particular_a church_n as_o they_o be_v church_n unite_v into_o a_o sacred_a fellowship_n do_v exhort_v reprove_v comfort_n and_o admonish_v one_o another_o mutual_o and_o consequent_o do_v maintain_v communion_n in_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n not_o only_o as_o they_o be_v saint_n but_o also_o as_o they_o be_v church_n ministerial_a act_n therefore_o may_v be_v lawful_o exercise_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o divers_a particular_a church_n by_o the_o pastor_n of_o one_o church_n and_o therefore_o this_o practice_n be_v hold_v forth_o in_o our_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n in_o the_o belgic_a church_n that_o the_o pastor_n of_o one_o church_n exercise_v ministerial_a act_n in_o another_o particular_a church_n
often_o testify_v that_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o name_n and_o his_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n he_o have_v constant_o keep_v and_o continue_v the_o grace_n of_o his_o covenant_n and_o the_o privilege_n promise_v for_o many_o age_n to_o those_o child_n who_o near_a ancestor_n rebel_a against_o god_n and_o unworthy_a of_o all_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n have_v revolt_v from_o god_n see_v psal_n 106._o 35_o 36_o 44_o 45._o isai_n 63._o 10_o 11._o and_o 51._o 1_o 2_o 3._o ezek._n 20._o 8._o etc._n etc._n again_o baptism_n be_v also_o institute_v by_o god_n to_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o our_o engraft_v into_o the_o communion_n not_o only_o of_o a_o parochial_a or_o particular_a church_n but_o of_o the_o church_n universal_a and_o catholic_a 1_o cor._n 12._o 13._o and_o therefore_o those_o who_o be_v within_o the_o visible_a catholic_a church_n though_o through_o neglect_n or_o want_v of_o opportunity_n or_o the_o like_a they_o have_v not_o join_v themselves_o to_o a_o particular_a parochial_a church_n by_o a_o confession_n of_o the_o faith_n the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o baptism_n as_o also_o their_o child_n but_o that_o any_o be_v constitute_v in_o the_o visible_a catholic_a church_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o he_o embrace_v the_o table_n of_o god_n covenant_n that_o be_v that_o he_o embrace_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n and_o profess_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n catholic_a and_o the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o live_v in_o that_o holy_a and_o visible_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o distinguish_v they_o from_o those_o that_o be_v stranger_n to_o the_o covenant_n and_o insidel_n we_o hence_o affirm_v therefore_o that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n baptism_n lawful_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v administer_v not_o only_o to_o those_o infant_n who_o next_o parent_n have_v join_v themselves_o in_o a_o church-covenant_n to_o some_o particular_a church_n and_o in_o that_o church-communion_n do_v lead_v their_o life_n pious_o but_o even_o to_o infant_n of_o those_o who_o have_v join_v themselves_o to_o no_o parochial_a church_n and_o by_o their_o wicked_a way_n have_v render_v themselves_o unworthy_a of_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n if_o so_o be_v they_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o christian_a stock_n and_o baptize_v parent_n who_o profess_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o by_o those_o parent_n or_o those_o that_o be_v near_o to_o they_o under_o who_o power_n they_o be_v be_v according_a to_o the_o accustom_a order_n of_o our_o church_n offer_v to_o baptism_n the_o reason_n on_o which_o we_o ground_n it_o be_v these_o 1._o because_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o child_n of_o the_o israelite_n be_v admit_v to_o circumcision_n although_o their_o next_o parent_n have_v make_v defection_n from_o god_n and_o wallow_v in_o sin_n to_o their_o life_n end_v have_v make_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o to_o themselves_o void_a as_o appear_v josh_n 5._o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7._o where_o the_o child_n of_o such_o israelite_n of_o who_o many_o have_v dye_v in_o their_o wickedness_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o godly_a be_v command_v to_o be_v circumcise_v 2._o because_o the_o child_n even_o of_o ungodly_a parent_n who_o in_o the_o visible_a church_n profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n covenant_n be_v under_o the_o covenant_n of_o god_n and_o endue_v with_o federall_a holiness_n for_o their_o infidelity_n do_v not_o make_v the_o faith_n of_o god_n and_o his_o constancy_n in_o dispense_n the_o grace_n of_o the_o covenant_n without_o effect_n rom._n 3._o 3_o hence_o god_n call_v the_o child_n of_o the_o ungodly_a israelite_n his_o child_n although_o they_o offer_v they_o to_o moloch_n ezek_n 16._o 20._o &_o 23._o 37._o for_o the_o ungodliness_n of_o their_o next_o parent_n do_v not_o make_v void_a the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o covenant_n towards_o the_o follow_a posterity_n which_o live_v in_o the_o visible_a church_n see_v ezek._n 20._o 18_o 19_o 23_o 36_o 37_o 42_o 43._o and_o therefore_o those_o privilege_n and_o promise_n of_o federall_a holiness_n belong_v to_o they_o and_o so_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o confer_v on_o they_o the_o sacrament_n as_o seal_n of_o that_o holiness_n 3._o because_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n those_o of_o year_n be_v all_o baptise_a by_o john_n baptist_n and_o the_o apostle_n publican_n soldier_n and_o whoever_o out_o of_o judea_n and_o the_o region_n round_o about_o come_v to_o his_o baptism_n without_o any_o long_a examination_n if_o so_o be_v they_o profess_v the_o faith_n and_o confess_v their_o sin_n though_o there_o be_v among_o they_o hypocrite_n generation_n of_o viper_n and_o debauch_a man_n and_o therefore_o the_o infant_n of_o such_o be_v likewise_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o baptism_n this_o question_n walaeus_n dispute_v at_o large_a in_o defence_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o his_o common_a place_n pag._n 494_o 495._o of_o his_o work_n in_o folio_n we_o reject_v therefore_o the_o contrary_a assertion_n 1._o of_o those_o who_o deny_v baptism_n to_o the_o child_n of_o such_o as_o live_v wicked_o and_o by_o their_o ungodly_a life_n make_v the_o efficacy_n of_o their_o baptism_n to_o themselves_o of_o none_o effect_n to_o these_o we_o oppose_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o leyden_n in_o their_o synopsis_n theologiae_n where_o they_o thus_o discourse_v disput_fw-la 44._o thes_n 50._o neither_o yet_o do_v we_o therefore_o exclude_v say_v they_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o this_o sacrament_n those_o infant_n who_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o christian_a stock_n and_o baptise_a parent_n though_o their_o parent_n by_o their_o ungodly_a life_n and_o corrupt_a faith_n have_v make_v the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o covenant_n seal_v in_o baptism_n to_o themselves_o of_o none_o effect_n if_o by_o those_o parent_n or_o those_o that_o be_v near_o to_o they_o under_o who_o power_n they_o be_v they_o be_v according_a to_o the_o order_n accustom_v in_o our_o church_n present_v to_o baptism_n because_o under_o the_o new_a covenant_n the_o son_n do_v not_o bear_v the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o father_n and_o god_n notwithstanding_o remain_v the_o god_n of_o such_o child_n as_o himself_o witness_v ezek._n 16._o &_o 23_o where_o he_o call_v the_o child_n of_o the_o wicked_a israelites_n his_o child_n who_o they_o have_v beget_v for_o god_n though_o they_o offer_v they_o to_o moloch_n and_o out_o of_o they_o also_o do_v god_n ordinary_o gather_v his_o church_n by_o the_o ordinary_a preach_v of_o the_o word_n wherefore_o also_o he_o command_v the_o child_n of_o such_o israelite_n many_o of_o who_o have_v dye_v in_o their_o wickedness_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o godly_a to_o be_v circumcise_v josh_n 5._o 4_o 6._o and_o that_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v do_v both_o the_o jewish_a and_o the_o primitive_a christian_a church_n have_v always_o hold_v without_o controversy_n thus_o the_o professor_n of_o leyden_n 2._o of_o those_o who_o deny_v baptism_n to_o the_o child_n of_o such_o as_o have_v not_o join_v themselves_o to_o any_o particular_a church_n by_o a_o church-covenant_n though_o they_o acknowledge_v they_o otherwise_o godly_a but_o for_o that_o baptism_n do_v unite_v man_n not_o to_o a_o particular_a church_n only_o but_o also_o to_o the_o universal_a church_n visible_a we_o hold_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v deny_v to_o none_o who_o belong_v to_o the_o universal_a church_n see_v what_o we_o have_v say_v above_o concern_v a_o church-covenant_n chap._n vi_o of_o class_n and_o synod_n and_o their_o authority_n question_v 1_o whither_o class_n and_o synod_n have_v a_o authoritative_a power_n whereby_o they_o may_v authoritative_o judge_v cause_n ecclesiastical_a with_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n so_o as_o that_o particular_a church_n ought_v to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o their_o decree_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n answer_n we_o judge_v that_o there_o be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a and_o sacred_a communion_n between_o particular_a church_n not_o only_o as_o they_o be_v join_v in_o a_o brotherly_a communion_n and_o profess_v one_o common_a faith_n and_o piety_n but_o also_o as_o they_o be_v church_n and_o body_n of_o a_o spiritual_a polity_n and_o have_v and_o exercise_v a_o government_n and_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n in_o common_a so_o ames_n himself_o confess_v medul_n theolog._n lib._n 1_o cap._n 39_o thes_n 27._o that_o particular_a church_n as_o their_o communion_n require_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o equity_n of_o scripture_n rule_v and_o example_n teach_v may_v and_o very_o often_o even_o ought_v to_o enter_v into_o mutual_a consociation_n or_o confederation_n among_o themselves_o in_o class_n
and_o synod_n that_o they_o may_v so_o far_o as_o convenient_o can_v be_v make_v use_n of_o common_a consent_n and_o mutual_a assistance_n especial_o in_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n but_o yet_o how_o much_o great_a and_o further_a space_n and_o remoteness_n of_o distance_n there_o be_v between_o particular_a church_n so_o much_o the_o less_o also_o be_v the_o visible_a communion_n of_o those_o church_n because_o the_o danger_n of_o scandal_n and_o infection_n and_o the_o opportunity_n of_o mutual_a edification_n be_v less_o or_o more_o according_a as_o the_o distinct_a distance_n of_o place_n be_v great_a or_o less_o wherefore_o there_o be_v a_o more_o strict_a visible_a ecclesiastical_a communion_n between_o the_o church_n of_o one_o province_n or_o nation_n then_o between_o the_o particular_a congregation_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a and_o consequent_o the_o jurisdiction_n and_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v also_o less_o visible_a between_o these_o then_o between_o the_o church_n of_o one_o nation_n this_o communion_n of_o church_n in_o government_n and_o church_n discipline_n be_v not_o only_o for_o the_o inform_v of_o church_n what_o be_v command_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o also_o for_o the_o govern_n of_o they_o by_o law_n and_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n for_o there_o be_v a_o authority_n and_o power_n of_o rule_n belong_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o church_n join_v in_o class_n and_o synod_n which_o to_o particular_a church_n single_o and_o several_o belong_v not_o to_o wit_n a_o power_n of_o make_v canon_n and_o law_n ecclesiastical_a which_o may_v bind_v all_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o one_o province_n or_o kingdom_n to_o obey_v they_o we_o grant_v in_o this_o controversy_n 1._o that_o the_o power_n of_o class_n and_o synod_n do_v not_o take_v away_o or_o hurt_v the_o power_n or_o liberty_n ecclesiastical_a of_o a_o particular_a church_n for_o it_o serve_v to_o direct_v preserve_v and_o promote_v the_o power_n of_o synod_n be_v not_o privative_a but_o cumulative_a and_o grant_v for_o this_o end_n that_o the_o power_n give_v to_o particular_a church_n may_v be_v more_o efficacious_a orderly_a regular_a able_a and_o apt_a for_o edify_v 2._o that_o there_o be_v a_o power_n belong_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n immediate_o grant_v from_o god_n not_o derive_v from_o class_n or_o synod_n as_o likewise_o there_o be_v belong_v to_o class_n and_o synod_n a_o power_n of_o their_o own_o immediate_o grant_v by_o god_n and_o not_o derive_v from_o the_o particular_a church_n for_o though_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o original_a or_o the_o rise_n and_o constitution_n of_o a_o synod_n particular_a church_n entire_a in_o themselves_o collateral_a one_o to_o another_o and_o equal_a in_o church_n power_n do_v in_o common_a contribute_v associate_n and_o exercise_v their_o church_n power_n and_o so_o make_v up_o a_o collective_a and_o combine_a body_n of_o a_o synod_n yet_o the_o synodical_a authority_n of_o itself_o be_v not_o grant_v to_o any_o other_o first_o subject_n from_o whence_o it_o shall_v be_v derive_v to_o the_o synod_n then_o to_o the_o synod_n itself_o to_o which_o alone_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o apostolical_a institution_n that_o power_n belong_v for_o no_o particular_a church_n single_o and_o several_o consider_v may_v exercise_v a_o synodical_a power_n over_o other_o church_n but_o we_o affirm_v 1._o that_o this_o union_n and_o communion_n of_o particular_a church_n in_o a_o government_n and_o discipline_n ecclesiastical_a in_o common_a which_o be_v exercise_v in_o synod_n and_o class_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n be_v propose_v to_o we_o to_o imitate_v 2._o that_o these_o synod_n and_o class_n have_v a_o power_n and_o authority_n synodall_n and_o classical_a whereby_o they_o do_v by_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n authoritative_o decern_v matter_n ecclesiastical_a and_o impose_v those_o decree_n under_o pain_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n on_o particular_a church_n our_o opinion_n be_v prove_v by_o these_o follow_a argument_n 1._o in_o act._n 15._o we_o have_v in_o the_o apostle_n practise_v a_o express_a example_n of_o a_o synod_n hold_v at_o jerusalem_n about_o a_o question_n concern_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n in_o which_o synod_n that_o business_n which_o have_v wrought_v a_o disturbance_n in_o the_o particular_a church_n ver_fw-la 2_o 4_o 5_o 23._o be_v by_o the_o deputy_n of_o several_a church_n ver_fw-la 2_o 6_o 23._o act._n 21._o 17_o 18_o 25._o determine_v with_o power_n authoritative_a to_o bind_v particular_a church_n to_o obedience_n ver_fw-la 22_o 28._o chap._n 16._o 4._o &_o 21_o 25._o and_o the_o false_a doctrine_n of_o those_o who_o subvert_v the_o soul_n of_o their_o hearer_n be_v by_o a_o ecclesiastical_a judgement_n condemn_v with_o spiritual_a power_n ver_fw-la 28_o 29._o which_o thing_n be_v a_o act_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n as_o appear_v revel_v 2._o 2_o 14_o 20._o and_o the_o determination_n of_o this_o ecclesiastical_a law_n be_v not_o by_o a_o extraordinary_a apostolic_a authority_n but_o by_o a_o ordinary_a authority_n ecclesiastical_a for_o it_o be_v do_v not_o by_o the_o apostle_n alone_o extraordinary_o act_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n but_o by_o the_o elder_n and_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n join_v with_o the_o apostle_n act_v not_o by_o their_o apostololicall_a but_o by_o their_o ordinary_a pastoral_n authority_n with_o great_a discussion_n and_o disputation_n and_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o church_n which_o argue_v that_o the_o decree_n of_o this_o synod_n be_v not_o make_v by_o a_o extraordinary_a apostolical_a authority_n but_o by_o a_o ordinary_a ecclesiastical_a power_n 2._o our_o assertion_n be_v prove_v from_o christ_n institution_n mat._n 18._o 17_o 18._o where_o he_o do_v institute_v such_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n as_o may_v by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n make_v provision_n and_o prepare_v efficacious_a remedy_n against_o all_o scandal_n and_o offence_n if_o the_o member_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n do_v give_v scandal_n to_o one_o another_o he_o bid_v that_o it_o be_v show_v to_o a_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a judge_n to_o wit_n the_o church_n representative_a which_o by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n do_v condemn_v and_o punish_v and_o remove_v from_o ecclesiastical_a and_o brotherly_a communion_n the_o person_n offend_v and_o therefore_o do_v likewise_o command_v that_o if_o particular_a church_n give_v offence_n to_o one_o another_o it_o shall_v be_v carry_v to_o a_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a judge_n which_o may_v by_o spiritual_a authority_n condemn_v punish_v and_o put_v from_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n the_o particular_a church_n offend_v for_o where_o the_o law_n make_v no_o distinction_n or_o restriction_n there_o must_v not_o we_o distinguish_v or_o restrain_v and_o certain_o the_o remedy_n institute_v in_o this_o place_n be_v ordain_v by_o christ_n for_o the_o remove_n out_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n all_o scandal_n not_o only_o cause_v by_o particular_a member_n but_o also_o by_o whole_a church_n and_o therefore_o there_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v a_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a assembly_n which_o may_v by_o authoritative_a ecclesiastical_a power_n judge_n of_o the_o scandal_n of_o particular_a church_n as_o well_o as_o a_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a judge_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v from_o this_o institution_n for_o judge_v the_o scandal_n of_o particular_a member_n for_o since_o that_o according_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o must_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n between_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o one_o province_n nation_n yea_o and_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o be_v prove_v before_o which_o communion_n be_v not_o only_o fraternal_a but_o ecclesiastical_a whereby_o church_n as_o church_n or_o body_n ecclesiastical_a be_v join_v and_o unite_v in_o doctrine_n government_n worship_n discipline_n and_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n and_o see_v that_o in_o this_o holy_a communion_n scandal_n be_v commit_v which_o be_v unbeseeming_a those_o church_n and_o to_o be_v cast_v forth_o from_o that_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n therefore_o both_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o this_o divine_a law_n here_o institute_v by_o christ_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v a_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a senate_n furnish_v with_o spiritual_a and_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n which_o may_v remove_v those_o scandal_n hence_o parker_n himself_o de_fw-la politia_fw-la ecclesiast_fw-la lib._n 3._o cap._n 24._o ground_v the_o authority_n of_o synod_n on_o this_o place_n and_o the_o professor_n of_o leyden_n disput_fw-la 49._o thes_n 10._o discourse_n thus_o the_o institution_n of_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n and_o so_o also_o of_o a_o synod_n be_v not_o of_o humane_a but_o of_o divine_a right_n be_v found_v on_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n tell_v the_o church_n if_o he_o hear_v not_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n whosoever_o you_o bound_v on_o earth_n etc._n etc._n where_o
synod_n a_o power_n dogmatic_a but_o deny_v a_o power_n diatacticall_a and_o critical_a a_o power_n dogmatic_a which_o be_v a_o power_n and_o right_n of_o judge_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n do_v so_o belong_v to_o synod_n as_o that_o it_o be_v also_o give_v by_o god_n to_o single_a pastor_n for_o the_o apostle_n require_v of_o elder_n not_o only_o to_o exhort_v by_o sound_a doctrine_n but_o also_o to_o convince_v gainsayer_n and_o to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o unruly_a vain-talker_n and_o deceiver_n tit._n 1._o 9_o 10_o 11_o 12._o do_v not_o this_o plain_o intimate_v that_o they_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o matter_n of_o faith_n if_o in_o a_o particular_a church_n there_o arise_v a_o disputation_n about_o any_o question_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o soundness_n in_o judgement_n of_o one_o who_o be_v reckon_v a_o member_n of_o that_o church_n be_v doubt_v of_o this_o therefore_o be_v not_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o synod_n which_o belong_v even_o to_o single_a pastor_n hence_o there_o be_v also_o attribute_v to_o synod_n a_o diatacticall_a power_n whereby_o they_o have_v right_a to_o manage_v the_o external_a government_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o god_n worship_n to_o the_o common_a edification_n of_o al._n not_o only_o the_o apostle_n but_o the_o elder_n also_o do_v in_o the_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n decree_n that_o the_o gentile_n who_o have_v give_v themselves_o up_o to_o christ_n shall_v abstain_v from_o thing_n offer_v to_o idol_n and_o from_o blood_n and_o thing_n strangle_v act_v 15._o 25_o 28._o so_o when_o paul_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v receive_v by_o the_o brethren_n not_o only_a james_n but_o the_o classis_fw-la of_o elder_n advise_v he_o for_o the_o believe_a jew_n sake_n to_o join_v himself_o with_o some_o though_o too_o much_o addict_v to_o the_o law_n who_o have_v a_o vow_n on_o they_o and_o decree_v to_o entreat_v he_o that_o for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o weak_a he_o will_v vouchsafe_v so_o far_o as_o in_o that_o case_n be_v yet_o lawful_a to_o submit_v himself_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o law_n act_v 21._o 20_o 21_o 22_o 23_o 24._o we_o see_v therefore_o that_o a_o classis_fw-la of_o elder_n do_v by_o a_o joint_a care_n and_o endeavour_n provide_v for_o the_o observe_n of_o what_o with_o one_o consent_n they_o judge_v expedient_a for_o the_o church_n i_o need_v not_o further_a instance_n in_o counsel_n in_o which_o that_o presbyter_n join_v in_o consultation_n and_o decision_n for_o the_o establish_n ecclesiastical_a decency_n and_o order_n be_v so_o clear_a by_o their_o act_n that_o none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a so_o the_o law_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n in_o the_o netherlands_o be_v by_o the_o synodical_a decree_n impose_v on_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o a_o critical_a power_n which_o contain_v the_o right_a of_o maitain_v and_o exercise_v the_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n give_v by_o god_n to_o the_o church_n for_o the_o judge_a and_o remove_v of_o scandal_n belong_v to_o synod_n and_o class_n of_o presbyter_n we_o shall_v by_o and_o by_o prove_v by_o place_n of_o scripture_n for_o a_o synod_n may_v assemble_v not_o only_o to_o admonish_v a_o offend_a presbytery_n or_o consistory_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n but_o also_o if_o they_o refuse_v to_o hear_v to_o censure_v they_o by_o suspension_n deposition_n or_o remove_v from_o their_o ecclesiastical_a function_n etc._n etc._n question_n 2._o whither_o class_n and_o synod_n have_v power_n of_o send_v or_o ordain_v pastor_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n answer_n we_o affirm_v in_o this_o controversy_n 1._o that_o some_o head_n in_o this_o argument_n be_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v hold_v undoubted_a which_o our_o reverend_a bucerus_n refer_v to_o these_o head_n first_o say_v he_o that_o election_n and_o ordination_n of_o minister_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n not_o to_o those_o that_o be_v without_o who_o be_v stranger_n from_o the_o commerce_n of_o believer_n and_o have_v not_o yet_o apply_v themselves_o to_o their_o fellowship_n and_o conjunction_n for_o no_o where_o do_v we_o read_v in_o scripture_n that_o such_o have_v vote_n in_o election_n of_o minister_n second_o that_o this_o holy_a action_n belong_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n that_o be_v to_o both_o its_o integrall_a part_n whereof_o the_o one_o be_v of_o those_o who_o be_v church_n minister_n the_o other_o of_o those_o to_o who_o they_o minister_v which_o be_v evident_o declare_v by_o testimony_n which_o may_v be_v bring_v from_o scripture_n three_o that_o this_o business_n be_v not_o to_o be_v commit_v to_o some_o one_o or_o few_o of_o the_o presbytery_n select_v but_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a college_n of_o presbyter_n in_o common_a which_o appear_v by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o antioch_n act_v 1._o 23._o &_o 6._o 2_o 3._o &_o 13._o 1_o 2._o &_o 15._o 22._o four_o that_o the_o principal_a part_n herein_o belong_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n for_o they_o be_v to_o preside_v and_o guide_v the_o church_n that_o the_o multitude_n through_o levity_n or_o tumult_n or_o ill_a design_n do_v not_o miscarry_v and_o therefore_o to_o teach_v and_o exhort_v every_o one_o and_o moderate_v the_o whole_a action_n of_o election_n with_o wholesome_a and_o right_a counsel_n which_o be_v manifest_o evince_v by_o the_o testimony_n we_o have_v produce_v i_o add_v last_o that_o the_o nomination_n be_v principal_o in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a person_n the_o people_n be_v by_o their_o suffrage_n to_o declare_v their_o consent_n to_o it_o so_o when_o one_o be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o into_o the_o place_n of_o judas_n the_o apostle_n name_v two_o and_o when_o one_o of_o they_o be_v choose_v by_o lot_n the_o church_n approbation_n be_v present_o add_v otherwise_o they_o do_v by_o their_o suffrage_n concur_v to_o the_o election_n but_o that_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o deacon_n do_v somewhat_o more_o condescend_v to_o the_o multitude_n act_v 6._o 3._o there_o be_v a_o peculiar_a reason_n for_o it_o for_o that_o they_o be_v especial_o in_o that_o tenderness_n of_o the_o church_n and_o when_o a_o murmur_a arise_v of_o the_o grecian_n against_o the_o hebrew_n to_o put_v off_o from_o themselves_o all_o sinister_a suspicion_n of_o those_o who_o suffrage_n do_v not_o approve_v they_o to_o this_o purpose_n calvin_n luke_n relate_v that_o there_o be_v elder_n constitute_v in_o every_o church_n by_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n but_o he_o note_v withal_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o it_o when_o he_o say_v that_o it_o be_v do_v by_o suffrage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d those_o two_o therefore_o do_v create_v they_o but_o the_o whole_a multitude_n as_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o grecian_n be_v in_o election_n declare_v by_o lift_v up_o their_o hand_n who_o they_o will_v have_v calvin_n instit_fw-la lib._n 4._o cap._n 3._o sect_n 15._o therefore_o the_o chief_a of_o what_o the_o people_n be_v to_o do_v be_v of_o those_o who_o be_v nominate_v to_o choose_v one_o all_o which_o be_v full_o clear_a from_o scripture_n thus_o bucerus_n dissert_v de_fw-fr gubernat_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la pag._n 323_o 324._o 2._o but_o because_o we_o be_v to_o account_v those_o in_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n with_o we_o not_o only_o who_o have_v join_v themselves_o to_o some_o one_o particular_a church_n as_o fix_a member_n but_o those_o also_o on_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o function_n the_o charge_n and_o care_n of_o many_o church_n do_v lie_v and_o who_o be_v to_o take_v care_n that_o in_o they_o all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o in_o order_n and_o to_o edification_n hence_o the_o power_n of_o ordain_v pastor_n be_v not_o so_o grant_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n as_o that_o absolute_o by_o themselves_o they_o may_v be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n perform_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v require_v to_o the_o ordination_n of_o their_o pastor_n but_o if_o the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v due_o perform_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v in_o church_n communion_n with_o the_o judgement_n consent_n and_o potestative_a mission_n of_o class_n or_o synod_n with_o who_o that_o particular_a church_n hold_v ecclesiastical_a communion_n for_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n be_v not_o a_o thing_n peculiar_a to_o one_o church_n and_o its_o member_n but_o a_o thing_n common_a to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o one_o classis_fw-la or_o synod_n and_o what_o concern_v all_o aught_o to_o be_v perform_v by_o all_o that_o therefore_o a_o particular_a church_n in_o such_o a_o matter_n of_o common_a concernment_n do_v not_o do_v aught_o which_o may_v disturb_v the_o common_a order_n or_o which_o in_o a_o like_a case_n may_v
prejudice_v other_o church_n they_o be_v in_o the_o vocation_n of_o pastor_n to_o proceed_v with_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o all_o the_o church_n of_o that_o synod_n 3._o in_o the_o act_n and_o exercise_n of_o power_n ecclesiastical_a in_o the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n we_o conceive_v there_o be_v this_o difference_n between_o a_o classis_fw-la or_o synod_n and_o a_o particular_a church_n 1._o that_o as_o it_o be_v the_o act_n of_o class_n and_o synod_n it_o be_v actus_fw-la imperatus_fw-la as_o it_o be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n be_v actus_fw-la elicitus_fw-la that_o be_v that_o synod_n and_o class_n be_v to_o take_v care_n and_o authoritative_o to_o enjoin_v particular_a church_n that_o they_o excite_v their_o power_n and_o exercise_v it_o for_o the_o ordain_v their_o pastor_n but_o the_o particular_a church_n be_v to_o do_v those_o ecclesiastical_a act_n whereby_o the_o ordination_n itself_o be_v perform_v 2._o that_o there_o belong_v to_o synod_n and_o class_n a_o authoritative_a judgement_n of_o the_o sufficiency_n and_o suitable_a sitnesse_n of_o the_o person_n to_o be_v ordain_v to_o the_o ministry_n and_o of_o the_o due_a and_o orderly_a manner_n of_o proceed_v in_o the_o whole_a election_n dispatch_v and_o the_o ordination_n to_o be_v perform_v 3._o that_o it_o belong_v to_o synod_n and_o class_n to_o decree_v canon_n and_o prescribe_v decrce_n for_o the_o common_a edification_n of_o all_o those_o church_n according_a to_o which_o the_o particular_a church_n ought_v to_o do_v those_o act_n whereby_o the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n be_v perform_v 4._o that_o the_o synod_n and_o classis_fw-la do_v authoritative_o concur_v with_o the_o particular_a church_n in_o the_o power_n of_o send_v pastor_n and_o in_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o by_o which_o a_o ecclesiastical_a right_n be_v derive_v on_o the_o minister_n for_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n which_o be_v confer_v on_o a_o minister_n by_o ordination_n be_v derive_v ministerial_o secondary_o and_o subordinate_o under_o god_n not_o only_o from_o the_o eldership_n of_o that_o particular_a church_n but_o from_o that_o whole_a minister_a or_o govern_v ecclesiastical_a society_n into_o which_o the_o pastor_n ordain_v be_v admit_v by_o ordination_n to_o perform_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n thus_o we_o conceive_v these_o act_n be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v in_o the_o legitimate_a ordination_n of_o pastor_n in_o a_o constitute_v and_o settle_a church_n 4._o in_o a_o case_n extraordinary_a when_o a_o nationall_n church_n be_v corrupt_v and_o deprave_a the_o due_a power_n of_o class_n and_o synod_n overturn_v and_o destroy_v and_o when_o the_o polity_n of_o the_o church_n so_o utter_o ruin_v as_o that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o any_o face_n of_o it_o to_o be_v see_v no_o where_o any_o to_o be_v find_v that_o labour_n in_o sound_a doctrine_n no_o mark_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n discernible_a by_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n who_o have_v receive_v from_o god_n right_o to_o ordain_v in_o this_o necessity_n by_o their_o own_o eldership_n and_o therefore_o where_o there_o be_v no_o such_o eldership_n they_o first_o go_v about_o the_o constitution_n of_o it_o and_o then_o be_v thus_o constitute_v they_o perform_v their_o ordination_n by_o it_o for_o that_o be_v sure_a which_o melancton_n do_v oft_o inculcate_v when_o the_o ordinary_a bishop_n say_v he_o become_v enemy_n to_o the_o church_n or_o refuse_v to_o afford_v ordination_n the_o church_n retain_v their_o own_o right_n for_o where_o ever_o there_o be_v a_o church_n there_o be_v power_n of_o dispense_n the_o gospel_n so_o that_o of_o necessity_n the_o church_n must_v retain_v a_o right_n of_o their_o own_o to_o call_v elect_v and_o ordain_v minister_n and_o this_o right_n be_v a_o gift_n grant_v to_o the_o church_n which_o no_o humane_a authority_n can_v take_v from_o it_o argum._n &_o respon_n part_n 7._o de_fw-la potest_fw-la epise_v argum_fw-la 2._o that_o this_o power_n shall_v be_v whole_o abrogate_a and_o bring_v to_o nothing_o for_o want_n of_o pastor_n be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v but_o common_a sense_n teach_v that_o it_o be_v better_a in_o such_o a_o case_n to_o enlarge_v it_o then_o that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v destitute_a of_o the_o large_a fruit_n of_o the_o gospel_n preach_v for_o that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v then_o deprive_v of_o this_o power_n when_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o be_v most_o chief_o require_v be_v absurd_a and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n when_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a church_n nor_o eldership_n in_o some_o place_n where_o there_o be_v a_o church_n to_o be_v plant_v and_o erect_v and_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v first_o introduce_v here_o the_o neighbour_a ecclesiastical_a assembly_n who_o be_v by_o the_o opportunity_n of_o occasion_n invite_v by_o god_n to_o afford_v their_o mutual_a help_n and_o assistance_n in_o this_o spiritual_a matter_n have_v power_n of_o send_v minister_n and_o pastor_n with_o ecclesiastical_a power_n for_o the_o gather_n erect_v and_o promote_a a_o church_n in_o that_o place_n for_o that_o manner_n of_o mission_n be_v warrant_v by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n act_n 13._o 1_o 2_o 3._o where_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n be_v send_v by_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n to_o the_o neighbour_n church_n hence_o therefore_o concern_v the_o power_n of_o class_n and_o synod_n in_o the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n and_o a_o particular_a church_n we_o maintain_v these_o assertion_n 1._o that_o a_o particular_a church_n want_v a_o presbytery_n may_v not_o in_o the_o ordinary_a and_o settle_a state_n of_o church_n perform_v the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n but_o the_o mission_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n into_o a_o sacted_a function_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v prove_v 1._o from_o express_v place_n of_o scripture_n wherein_o this_o ecclesiastical_a act_n be_v enjoin_v the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n 1_o tim._n 5._o 22._o lay_v hand_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n and_o 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o neglect_v not_o the_o gift_n which_o be_v in_o thou_o which_o be_v give_v thou_o by_o prophecy_n with_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o that_o by_o presbytery_n there_o be_v signify_v a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n be_v prove_v by_o most_o certain_a argument_n against_o the_o hierarchy_n our_o reverend_a bucerus_n discourse_v excellent_o of_o this_o place_n dissert_n de_fw-fr gubern_n ecclesiae_fw-la pag._n 339_o 340._o i_o know_v say_v he_o that_o the_o word_n presbytery_n may_v be_v expound_v either_o of_o the_o college_n of_o presbyter_n or_o of_o the_o office_n of_o presbyter_n but_o three_o reason_n chief_o persuade_v i_o to_o think_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o rest_v in_o the_o former_a signification_n the_o first_o be_v that_o we_o find_v it_o no_o where_o use_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n so_o far_o as_o i_o remember_v for_o the_o presbyter_n office_n but_o that_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v use_v to_o signify_v their_o meeting_n be_v evident_a for_o what_o luke_n relate_v chap._n 22._o 66._o that_o when_o christ_n be_v apprehend_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o people_n be_v gather_v together_o certain_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o presbyterial_a office_n so_o paul_n at_o jerusalem_n render_v a_o account_n of_o his_o faith_n for_o testimony_n of_o what_o he_o say_v cit_v the_o high_a priest_n and_o the_o presbytery_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act_v 22._o 5._o where_o every_o one_o understand_v the_o word_n presbytery_n to_o be_v take_v for_o the_o company_n of_o elder_n not_o the_o office_n a_o second_o reason_n be_v that_o there_o will_v appear_v a_o kind_n of_o tautology_n in_o paul_n speech_n if_o by_o the_o word_n presbytery_n we_o understand_v the_o presbyterial_a office_n for_o the_o gift_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o paul_n bid_v timothy_n not_o to_o neglect_v in_o the_o exposition_n of_o most_o signify_v that_o office_n itself_o join_v with_o a_o sufficiency_n of_o gift_n the_o apostle_n word_n therefore_o will_v sound_v to_o this_o purpose_n neglect_v not_o the_o presbyterial_a office_n which_o be_v give_v thou_o by_o prophecy_n with_o the_o imposition_n of_o hand_n of_o the_o presbyterial_a office_n in_o good_a earnest_n i_o like_v it_o not_o i_o know_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v understand_v by_o some_o only_o of_o the_o faculty_n of_o teach_v but_o when_o paul_n add_v that_o it_o be_v give_v timothy_n by_o prophecy_n whether_o or_o no_o will_n you_o not_o judge_v this_o expression_n to_o suit_n better_o to_o the_o office_n of_o teach_v for_o any_o one_o will_v easy_o discern_v with_o i_o that_o it_o be_v a_o harsh_a speech_n to_o say_v that_o the_o faculty_n of_o teach_v be_v
in_o one_o ecclesiastical_a body_n and_o society_n again_o that_o whole_a communion_n or_o society_n be_v by_o excommunication_n deprive_v of_o its_o member_n and_o so_o the_o particular_a church_n exercise_v excommunication_n in_o a_o business_n not_o proper_a to_o itself_o but_o in_o a_o matter_n common_a which_o concern_v all_o the_o church_n of_o that_o ecclesiastical_a body_n it_o ought_v therefore_o to_o be_v judge_v and_o handle_v by_o they_o all_o the_o end_n of_o excommunication_n that_o the_o evil_a and_o the_o leaven_n of_o infection_n be_v take_v away_o from_o among_o they_o the_o ecclesiastical_a society_n purge_v from_o offence_n concern_v not_o only_o the_o particular_a church_n but_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o classical_a or_o synodical_a society_n and_o therefore_o the_o excommunication_n be_v to_o be_v decern_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o that_o it_o may_v attain_v the_o proper_a end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o church_n see_v 1_o cor._n 5._o 6_o 7._o the_o censure_n of_o reprehension_n and_o condemnation_n against_o those_o brethren_n that_o trouble_v the_o church_n and_o subvert_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n and_o jerusalem_n be_v by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o synod_n perform_v and_o put_v in_o execution_n act._n 15._o 1_o 6_o 24._o that_o degree_n or_o step_n towards_o excommunication_n show_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o synod_n power_n the_o judgement_n of_o the_o excommunication_n for_o to_o that_o assembly_n to_o which_o belong_v a_o ecclesiastical_a reproof_n and_o censure_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o belong_v also_o in_o case_n of_o disobedience_n and_o obstinacy_n the_o authority_n and_o judgement_n of_o excommunication_n matth._n 18._o 17_o 18._o compare_v with_o 1_o cor._n 5_o 4_o 5._o and_o 2_o cor._n 2._o 6._o for_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o ecclesiastical_a bind_v as_o the_o reform_a divine_n do_v every_o where_o teach_v furthermore_o bind_v say_v bucer_n dissert_n de_fw-fr gubernation_n ecclesiae_fw-la pag._n 374._o consist_v partly_o in_o take_v knowledge_n of_o the_o sin_n which_o be_v commit_v with_o the_o offence_n of_o many_o partly_o in_o correction_n answerable_a to_o the_o quality_n and_o greatness_n of_o the_o sin_n whereby_o we_o provide_v both_o for_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o sinner_n and_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n the_o kind_n or_o degree_n of_o correction_n be_v reprehension_n abstention_n from_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o excommunication_n according_o in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o netherlands_o no_o particular_a church_n be_v permit_v to_o deliver_v any_o one_o to_o satan_n by_o excommunication_n but_o by_o the_o judgement_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o classis_fw-la see_v the_o synod_n at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1581._o art_n 62._o at_o the_o hagh_o anno_fw-la 1586._o art_n 69._o at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1591._o art_n 69._o at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1619._o art_n 76._o 4._o class_n and_o synod_n have_v power_n to_o exercise_v church_n discipline_n and_o censure_n on_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o in_o those_o act_n of_o excommunication_n which_o be_v appoint_v for_o keep_v of_o ecclesiastical_a person_n only_o to_o their_o duty_n which_o act_v consist_v in_o prohibition_n and_o execution_n prohibition_n be_v whereby_o the_o church_n forbid_v to_o pastor_n and_o whole_a presbytery_n under_o penalty_n to_o be_v inflict_v on_o the_o disobedient_a what_o ever_o thing_n be_v account_v scandalous_a to_o the_o sacred_a ministry_n or_o do_v hinder_v public_a edification_n as_o to_o involve_v themselves_o in_o secular_a employment_n to_o take_v money_n for_o admit_v to_o baptism_n to_o retain_v a_o adulterous_a wife_n to_o take_v up_o arm_n in_o sedition_n to_o keep_v hawk_n and_o hound_n for_o hunt_v to_o use_v game_n to_o be_v present_a at_o dance_n and_o stageplays_a which_o have_v be_v forbid_v in_o counsel_n with_o judicial_a and_o definitive_a authority_n as_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o act_n of_o the_o counsel_n by_o execution_n be_v understand_v ecclesiastical_a punishment_n which_o be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n to_o be_v inflict_v on_o offender_n which_o be_v various_a according_a to_o the_o quality_n and_o greatness_n of_o the_o offence_n the_o principal_a be_v suspension_n and_o deposition_n suspension_n when_o they_o prohibit_v any_o from_o the_o whole_a exercise_n of_o his_o office_n till_o such_o time_n as_o he_o have_v give_v the_o church_n satisfaction_n deposition_n i_o call_v that_o whereby_o they_o do_v whole_o put_v the_o offender_n from_o his_o function_n the_o greek_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o which_o there_o be_v also_o some_o degree_n for_o some_o when_o deprive_v from_o their_o office_n be_v only_o hinder_v from_o meddle_v with_o holy_a thing_n but_o do_v not_o whole_o abstain_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n other_o be_v debar_v from_o this_o also_o yea_o and_o shut_v out_o from_o all_o sacred_a communion_n and_o ecclesiastical_a fellowship_n of_o these_o censure_n the_o canon_n and_o history_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n do_v frequent_o make_v mention_n and_o that_o in_o inflict_v of_o these_o synod_n do_v improve_v their_o authority_n and_o endeavour_n be_v konw_v to_o all_o that_o be_v not_o stranger_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o counsel_n but_o let_v we_o consult_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o when_o the_o apostle_n command_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o ephesine_fw-la classis_fw-la to_o watch_v against_o such_o as_o shall_v speak_v perverse_a thing_n to_o draw_v disciple_n after_o they_o he_o intimate_v clear_o that_o they_o have_v a_o authority_n to_o drive_v away_o wolf_n act._n 20._o 30_o 31._o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v not_o a_o particular_a church_n of_o one_o congregation_n but_o a_o presbyterial_a church_n or_o a_o unite_a society_n of_o many_o particular_a church_n as_o we_o have_v prove_v before_o the_o synod_n at_o jerusalem_n pass_v a_o prohibition_n and_o condemnation_n in_o order_n to_o church_n censure_n on_o those_o pastor_n who_o teach_v perverse_a thing_n and_o trouble_v particular_a church_n with_o much_o disputation_n as_o have_v be_v say_v from_o act_n 15._o and_o thus_o censure_n suspension_n and_o deposition_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n from_o their_o ecclesiastical_a function_n in_o many_o case_n be_v attribute_v to_o the_o classical_a assembly_n and_o provincial_n synod_n in_o our_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n in_o the_o netherlands_o see_v the_o synod_n at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1578._o art_n 9_o 99_o 100_o at_o the_o hagh_o anno_fw-la 1586._o art_n 39_o 40_o 72_o at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1591._o art_n 58_o 59_o 60._o at_o dort_n anno_fw-la 1619._o art_n 79._o 5._o there_o belong_v authority_n to_o class_n and_o synod_n to_o pass_v a_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n against_o the_o whole_a consistory_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n in_o case_n they_o disturb_v the_o church_n with_o damnable_a error_n or_o pollute_v it_o with_o the_o leaven_n of_o vice_n and_o if_o they_o obstinate_o adhere_v to_o their_o perverse_a doctrine_n and_o corrupt_a manner_n then_o according_a to_o the_o quality_n and_o greatness_n of_o the_o sin_n by_o the_o dreadful_a sentence_n of_o excommunication_n to_o cast_v they_o out_o of_o the_o spiritual_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o deliver_v they_o to_o satan_n this_o assertion_n be_v prove_v because_o a_o synod_n of_o pastor_n by_o the_o concionall_a key_n may_v authoritative_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n denounce_v a_o anathema_n against_o a_o particular_a church_n err_v perverse_o for_o this_o one_o single_a pastor_n of_o a_o church_n may_v do_v by_o authority_n of_o the_o office_n commit_v to_o he_o how_o much_o more_o than_o a_o synod_n of_o pastor_n now_o to_o a_o unity_n or_o ecclesiastical_a college_n institute_v by_o god_n to_o who_o by_o authority_n of_o their_o office_n there_o belong_v the_o concionall_a or_o doctrinal_a key_n there_o belong_v also_o the_o key_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n and_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o for_o in_o a_o ecclesiastical_a college_n or_o society_n god_n have_v conjoin_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o give_v they_o together_o matth._n 18._o 17_o 18._o and_o in_o a_o particular_a church_n this_o appear_v evident_o to_o the_o consistory_n whereof_o god_n have_v give_v not_o only_o a_o concionall_a and_o comminatory_a power_n to_o denounce_v a_o anathema_n but_o also_o a_o power_n of_o excommunication_n join_v with_o it_o and_o consequent_o to_o great_a and_o superior_a church_n assembly_n also_o have_v god_n give_v both_o these_o power_n joint_o the_o apostle_n attribute_n to_o the_o unite_a association_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o galatia_n a_o power_n of_o cut_v off_o all_o those_o troubler_n who_o corrupt_v the_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n gal._n 5._o 9_o 10_o 11_o 12._o what_o hinder_v therefore_o but_o that_o they_o may_v exercise_v this_o power_n against_o a_o
which_o we_o ought_v to_o direct_v our_o prayer_n but_o also_o as_o a_o prayer_n which_o when_o we_o pray_v we_o may_v say_v pray_v you_o therefore_o thus_o say_v he_o our_o father_n etc._n etc._n mat._n 6._o 9_o and_o when_o you_o pray_v say_v our_o father_n etc._n etc._n luk._n 11._o 2._o our_o lord_n therefore_o do_v not_o only_o deliver_v a_o rule_n for_o prayer_n but_o compose_v this_o prayer_n in_o set_a word_n and_o commend_v it_o to_o we_o not_o only_o for_o imitation_n but_o to_o be_v use_v in_o prayer_n afford_v we_o in_o mercy_n a_o most_o useful_a help_n for_o our_o infirmity_n and_o not_o to_o be_v despise_v and_o a_o perfect_a supply_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o our_o prayer_n the_o use_n whereof_o though_o not_o always_o necessary_a yet_o we_o judge_v it_o ofttimes_o safe_a and_o convenient_a our_o lord_n himself_o suggest_v these_o word_n and_o commend_v the_o use_n of_o they_o hence_o in_o all_o the_o liturgy_n of_o reform_a church_n that_o be_v extent_n the_o rehearse_v the_o lords-prayer_n be_v prescribe_v so_o christ_n have_v prescribe_v we_o a_o express_a form_n of_o baptise_v matth._n 28._o mark_v 16._o and_o though_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o by_o absolute_a necessity_n tie_v to_o the_o syllable_n of_o it_o yet_o in_o the_o sense_n and_o substance_n of_o it_o we_o must_v admit_v no_o mutation_n as_o also_o the_o ancient_a jewish_a church_n have_v their_o set_a form_n in_o the_o use_n of_o prayer_n blessing_n and_o thanksgiving_n in_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o passeover_n which_o also_o christ_n by_o his_o practice_n do_v approve_v to_o be_v retain_v see_v mr_n beza_n on_o matth._n 26._o 20._o paulus_n brugensis_n on_o psalm_n 112._o and_o scaliger_n de_fw-fr emendat_fw-la temporum_fw-la lib._n 6._o who_o he_o there_o cit_v as_o also_o ainsworth_n himself_o on_o exod._n 12._o 8._o so_o likewise_o our_o saviour_n have_v by_o his_o example_n prescribe_v a_o form_n of_o word_n for_o the_o lord_n supper_n matth._n 26._o which_o the_o apostolic_a church_n think_v good_a to_o retain_v and_o be_v by_o the_o apostle_n propose_v to_o we_o to_o imitate_v as_o appear_v from_o 1_o cor._n 11._o hence_o also_o in_o almost_o all_o reform_a church_n ecclesiastical_a liturgy_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v approve_v as_o useful_a and_o conduce_v to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o our_o belgic_a church_n form_n of_o divine_a worship_n be_v together_o with_o our_o psalter_n and_o the_o great_a and_o lesser_a catechism_n allow_v and_o public_o extant_a to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o carry_v to_o the_o utmost_a indies_n masculine_a be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o eminent_a and_o reverend_a master_n john_n calvin_n epist_n 87._o to_o the_o protector_n of_o england_n as_o for_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o ecclesiastical_a rite_n say_v he_o i_o much_o approve_v it_o that_o there_o be_v one_o certain_a form_n extant_a from_o which_o minister_n in_o their_o function_n may_v not_o depart_v as_o well_o that_o thereby_o provision_n may_v be_v make_v for_o the_o simplicity_n and_o unskilfulnesse_n of_o some_o as_o also_o that_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o the_o church_n among_o themselves_o may_v so_o more_o certain_o appear_v last_o also_o that_o the_o petulant_a lightness_n of_o some_o may_v be_v prevent_v who_o affect_v innovation_n to_o which_o end_n also_o the_o catechism_n tend_v as_o i_o have_v before_o show_v so_o therefore_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o set_a form_n of_o catechism_n of_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o of_o public_a prayer_n these_o argument_n do_v also_o manifest_o show_v that_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n in_o divine_a worship_n may_v be_v hold_v with_o those_o church_n which_o retain_v set_v form_n of_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n in_o the_o public_a worship_n for_o no_o where_o have_v god_n command_v that_o a_o christian_n shall_v separate_v himself_o from_o that_o worship_n which_o be_v perform_v by_o a_o prescript_n form_n and_o christ_n himself_o have_v prescribe_v to_o his_o church_n form_n of_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n and_o celebrate_v the_o exercise_n of_o divine_a worship_n according_a to_o the_o appoint_a form_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o we_o think_v it_o uncharitable_a to_o condemn_v all_o those_o godly_a church_n as_o guilty_a of_o superstition_n and_o will-worship_n which_o from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a church_n downward_o even_o to_o this_o day_n have_v celebrate_v the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n in_o prescript_n and_o set_v form_n and_o therefore_o we_o blame_v the_o precise_a singularity_n of_o those_o man_n who_o banish_v all_o set_a form_n from_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o separate_v themselves_o from_o all_o the_o protestant_a church_n into_o private_a and_o separate_a congregation_n of_o their_o own_o because_o of_o the_o form_n use_v by_o the_o protestant_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n finis_fw-la a_o table_n of_o the_o chapter_n and_o question_n chap._n i._o of_o the_o qualification_n of_o church-member_n p._n 1._o q._n whither_o there_o be_v none_o to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o external_a visible_a church_n but_o who_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o real_a internal_a holiness_n of_o regeneration_n and_o with_o justify_v faith_n in_o christ_n or_o who_o upon_o strict_a examination_n do_v manifest_v such_o evident_a sign_n of_o true_a faith_n and_o real_a internal_a holiness_n as_o may_v convince_v the_o conscience_n of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o he_o join_v himself_o of_o his_o sincere_a faith_n repentance_n and_o communion_n in_o christ_n and_o that_o if_o any_o congregation_n admit_v other_o in_o who_o there_o be_v not_o evident_a proof_n of_o these_o sign_n they_o admit_v impure_a and_o false_a church-member_n chap._n ii_o of_o a_o church-covenant_n p._n 13_o q._n whither_o a_o church-covenant_n solemn_o make_v between_o the_o member_n and_o the_o governor_n of_o a_o church_n public_o before_o the_o whole_a church_n whereby_o the_o member_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v by_o a_o public_a and_o express_a agreement_n and_o promise_n associate_v and_o unite_v among_o themselves_o to_o exercise_v the_o fear_n and_o sacred_a worship_n of_o god_n unity_n of_o faith_n brotherly_a love_n mutual_a edification_n and_o all_o duty_n of_o piety_n in_o a_o holy_a communion_n with_o god_n and_o among_o themselves_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o true_a church_n so_o that_o without_o this_o covenant_n there_o be_v no_o true_a or_o pure_a church_n nor_o true_a church-member_n cha._n iii_o of_o a_o institute_v visible_a church_n p._n 24_o q._n whether_o no_o other_o external_a visible_a church_n be_v describe_v in_o scripture_n and_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o a_o parochial_a or_o particular_a church_n which_o be_v confine_v to_o such_o limit_n as_o that_o of_o necessity_n it_o must_v be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v contain_v and_o aught_o to_o meet_v ordinary_o in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o celebrate_n of_o god_n publikeworship_n and_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n with_o mutual_a edification_n so_o that_o the_o constitution_n of_o such_o a_o church_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o multitude_n or_o some_o other_o cause_n can_v in_o all_o their_o member_n meet_v ordinary_o in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o exercise_n of_o all_o god_n ordinance_n be_v unlawful_a and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o apostle_n institution_n concern_v the_o constitution_n of_o a_o church_n describe_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n chap._n four_o of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n p._n 43_o q._n whither_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n or_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o multitude_n or_o all_o the_o member_n of_o a_o church_n as_o the_o first_o and_o immediate_a subject_n so_o as_o believer_n not_o bear_v any_o church_n office_n may_v by_o themselves_o immediate_o exercise_v all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n discipline_n and_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a save_v only_o the_o sacrament_n and_o consequent_o whether_o private_a christian_n be_v church_n member_n have_v such_o a_o ecclesiastical_a power_n as_o that_o they_o may_v authoritative_o admit_v church_n member_n to_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n reprove_v by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n such_o as_o commit_v offence_n bound_v by_o excommunication_n and_o church_n censure_n absolve_v from_o excommunication_n and_o authoritative_o remit_v sin_n whether_o to_o they_o also_o belong_v the_o confer_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n on_o the_o minister_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o power_n which_o give_v to_o the_o minister_n a_o ecclesiastical_a office_n and_o consequent_o the_o examination_n of_o pastor_n the_o send_n unto_o and_o confirm_v they_o in_o that_o church_n office_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o again_o authoritative_a suspending_a and_o remove_v