same_o may_v be_v say_v in_o this_o case_n suppose_v the_o magistrate_n proclamation_n shall_v be_v a_o cause_n or_o a_o occasion_n rather_o of_o bring_v some_o into_o the_o church_n who_o come_v not_o of_o their_o own_o voluntary_a mind_n but_o for_o fear_n or_o for_o obtain_v favour_n yet_o this_o can_v hinder_v but_o other_o may_v voluntary_o and_o free_o covenant_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n such_o subjection_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o it_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o themselves_o do_v hearty_o desire_v though_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v have_v say_v nothing_o in_o it_o if_o any_o shall_v hereupon_o infer_v that_o if_o the_o parishional_a assembly_n be_v church_n than_o the_o member_n of_o they_o may_v be_v admit_v to_o church_n privilege_n in_o new_a england_n before_o they_o join_v to_o our_o church_n such_o one_o may_v find_v his_o answer_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o ten_o of_o the_o thirty-two_a question_n whereunto_o we_o do_v refer_v the_o reader_n for_o this_o point_n only_o add_v this_o that_o this_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n who_o do_v not_o admit_v a_o man_n for_o member_n without_o personal_a profession_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o join_v in_o covenant_n though_o he_o have_v former_o be_v a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n in_o another_o place_n as_o be_v show_v before_o out_o of_o master_n parker_n last_o if_o any_o say_v that_o if_o these_o reason_n prove_v the_o english_a congregation_n to_o have_v such_o a_o covenant_n as_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v church_n then_o why_o may_v not_o rome_n and_o the_o assembly_n of_o papist_n go_v for_o true_a church_n also_o for_o some_o man_n may_v think_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v for_o they_o that_o here_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o eleven_o objection_n be_v say_v for_o the_o parish_n in_o england_n such_o one_o must_v remember_v two_o thing_n first_o that_o we_o do_v not_o say_v simple_o a_o covenant_n make_v a_o company_n a_o true_a church_n but_o as_o be_v say_v before_o a_o covenant_n to_o walk_v in_o such_o way_n of_o worship_n to_o god_n and_o edification_n of_o one_o another_o as_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n require_v for_o who_o doubt_n but_o there_o may_v be_v a_o agreement_n among_o thief_n pro._n 1._o a_o confederation_n among_o god_n enemy_n psal_n 83._o a_o conspiracy_n among_o the_o arabian_n the_o ammonite_n and_o ashdodite_n to_o hinder_v the_o build_n of_o jerusalem_n neh._n 4._o 7_o 8._o and_o yet_o none_o of_o these_o be_v make_v true_a church_n by_o such_o kind_n of_o confederacy_n or_o agreement_n and_o so_o we_o may_v say_v of_o the_o assembly_n of_o papist_n especial_o since_o the_o counsel_n of_o trent_n if_o there_o be_v any_o agreement_n or_o confederacy_n among_o they_o it_o be_v not_o to_o walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o in_o way_n contrary_a to_o the_o fundamental_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o idolatry_n in_o worship_n heresy_n in_o doctrine_n and_o other_o antichristian_a pollution_n and_o corruption_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o combine_v in_o these_o thing_n such_o combination_n will_v never_o prove_v they_o true_a church_n the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 15._o but_o the_o religion_n of_o papist_n be_v so_o far_o from_o truth_n that_o whosoever_o live_v and_o believe_v according_a to_o it_o without_o repentance_n can_v be_v save_v witness_v their_o doctrine_n in_o the_o point_n of_o vilify_a the_o scripture_n and_o in_o point_n of_o freewill_n and_o of_o justification_n by_o work_n of_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n of_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n of_o worship_v of_o image_n etc._n etc._n in_o regard_n of_o which_o and_o such_o like_a the_o holy_a ghost_n say_v that_o their_o religion_n be_v a_o sea_n become_v as_o the_o blood_n of_o a_o dead_a man_n and_o every_o soul_n in_o that_o sea_n die_v rev._n 16._o 3._o and_o therefore_o agreement_n in_o such_o a_o religion_n will_v never_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v true_a church_n nor_o any_o assembly_n of_o arrian_n antitrinitary_n anabaptist_n or_o famelist_n suppose_v they_o also_o to_o be_v combine_v by_o covenant_n among_o themselves_o but_o now_o for_o the_o assembly_n in_o england_n the_o case_n be_v far_o otherwise_o for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o article_n of_o religion_n which_o they_o profess_v and_o which_o they_o promise_v to_o hold_v and_o observe_v though_o some_o thing_n be_v amiss_o in_o some_o of_o those_o article_n and_o though_o many_o person_n live_v contrary_a in_o their_o life_n yet_o the_o doctrine_n be_v such_o that_o whosoever_o believe_v and_o live_v according_a to_o it_o shall_v undoubted_o be_v save_v and_o many_o thousand_o have_v be_v save_v therein_o and_o therefore_o assembly_n unite_v by_o covenant_n to_o observe_v this_o doctrine_n may_v be_v true_a church_n when_o the_o assembly_n of_o papist_n and_o other_o may_v be_v false_a although_o they_o also_o be_v combine_v by_o covenant_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n rise_v from_o the_o difference_n that_o be_v in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o religion_n which_o they_o several_o profess_v and_o by_o covenant_n bind_v themselves_o to_o observe_v the_o one_o be_v fundamental_o corrupt_a and_o consequent_o pernicious_a the_o other_o in_o the_o fundamental_a point_n orthodoxal_a and_o sound_a second_o it_o must_v be_v remember_v also_o which_o be_v intimate_v before_o that_o if_o fundamental_a corruption_n be_v profess_v in_o with_o impenitency_n and_o obstinacy_n than_o god_n may_v disannul_v the_o covenant_n on_o his_o part_n and_o give_v a_o bill_n of_o divorce_n to_o such_o a_o people_n jere._n 3._o 8._o now_o experience_n and_o the_o scripture_n also_o do_v witness_n of_o the_o jesuited_a and_o trent-papists_a that_o they_o repent_v not_o of_o the_o work_n of_o their_o hand_n of_o worship_v devil_n and_o idol_n of_o gold_n etc._n etc._n neither_o repent_v they_o of_o their_o murder_n nor_o of_o their_o sorcery_n nor_o of_o their_o fornication_n nor_o of_o their_o theft_n rev._n 9_o 20_o 21._o but_o now_o for_o the_o parish_n assembly_n in_o england_n we_o hope_v that_o we_o may_v safe_o say_v they_o do_v not_o sin_n of_o obstinacy_n but_o of_o ignorance_n have_v not_o be_v convince_v and_o many_o of_o they_o never_o have_v have_v mean_n to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o corruption_n that_o be_v among_o they_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o constitution_n and_o worship_n and_o ministry_n and_o so_o the_o covenant_n remain_v among_o they_o may_v prove_v they_o to_o be_v church_n when_o it_o can_v stand_v the_o papist_n in_o like_a stead_n they_o be_v impenitent_a and_o obstinate_a which_o we_o do_v not_o speak_v to_o justify_v the_o parish_n altogether_o as_o if_o there_o be_v not_o dangerous_a corruption_n find_v in_o they_o nay_o rather_o the_o lord_n be_v merciful_a to_o the_o sin_n of_o his_o people_n we_o may_v lament_v it_o with_o tear_n that_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o member_n and_o ministry_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o worship_n and_o walking_n in_o many_o of_o those_o assembly_n there_o be_v find_v such_o apparent_a corruption_n as_o be_v just_o grievous_a to_o a_o godly_a soul_n that_o be_v enlighten_v to_o discern_v they_o and_o great_o displease_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o indeed_o have_v need_n to_o be_v repent_v of_o betimes_o lest_o otherwise_o the_o lord_n remove_v the_o candlestick_n and_o unchurch_n they_o rev._n 2._o 5._o in_o a_o word_n the_o corruption_n remain_v be_v just_a cause_n of_o repentance_n and_o humiliation_n but_o yet_o in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o article_n of_o religion_n which_o they_o profess_v contain_v such_o wholesome_a doctrine_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v and_o walk_v according_a thereunto_o in_o sincerity_n shall_v undoubted_o be_v save_v and_o in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o corruption_n be_v not_o persist_v in_o with_o obstinacy_n therefore_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o they_o have_v the_o truth_n of_o church_n remain_v but_o this_o opinion_n of_o church-covenant_n be_v hold_v by_o none_o but_o the_o 12._o brownist_n or_o those_o of_o the_o separation_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v receive_v this_o ground_n can_v be_v make_v good_a that_o none_o but_o they_o of_o the_o answ_n separation_n be_v for_o church-covenant_n for_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n general_o as_o be_v show_v before_o in_o answer_n to_o objection_n the_o ten_o be_v for_o it_o in_o their_o judgement_n &_o practice_n and_o shall_v all_o they_o be_v condemn_v for_o separation_n brownist_n or_o maintain_v unlawful_a separation_n from_o the_o church_n also_o master_n parker_n and_o doctor_n ames_n man_n of_o our_o own_o nation_n famous_a for_o holiness_n and_o learning_n and_o moderation_n both_o of_o they_o plead_v for_o church-covenant_n and_o yet_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v brownist_n but_o bare_a witness_n against_o that_o rigid_a
sin_n for_o that_o censure_n put_v he_o away_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 2._o 13._o and_o make_v he_o as_o a_o heathen_a or_o publican_n mat._n 18._o 17._o so_o that_o in_o that_o case_n he_o can_v have_v no_o right_n to_o sacrament_n by_o his_o member-ship_n though_o he_o still_o continue_v a_o baptise_a person_n 2._o by_o his_o voluntary_a depart_n from_o the_o church_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o same_o when_o it_o be_v unjust_o do_v 1_o joh._n 2._o 19_o jude_n 19_o heb._n 10._o 25._o in_o which_o case_n dr._n ames_n resolve_v such_o schismatic_n to_o be_v no_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n case_n cons_n lib._n 5._o c._n 12_o q._n 4._o resp._n 3._o 3._o by_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n for_o church_n member-ship_n be_v in_o relation_n to_o a_o church_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o church_n cease_v the_o membership_n must_v cease_v also_o relatum_fw-la &_o correlatum_fw-la quâ_fw-la â—alia_fw-la sunt_fw-la simul_fw-la adeoquese_n mutuoponunt_fw-la et_fw-la tollunt_fw-la now_o a_o church_n may_v be_v dissolve_v 1._o by_o apostasy_n and_o god_n give_v they_o a_o bill_n of_o divorce_n thereupon_o jer._n 3._o 8._o when_o yet_o there_o may_v be_v in_o such_o a_o church_n some_o particular_a person_n or_o person_n dear_a to_o god_n who_o in_o such_o a_o case_n be_v bid_v to_o come_v out_o from_o such_o a_o apostate_n church_n rev._n 18._o 4._o hose_n 2._o 1_o 2._o &_o 4_o 15_o 17._o 2._o by_o death_n as_o by_o some_o grievous_a pestilence_n or_o masacre_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o case_n one_o particular_a person_n survive_v can_v be_v count_v a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n when_o that_o church_n be_v extinct_a of_o which_o he_o be_v and_o yet_o he_o remain_v a_o person_n baptize_v if_o he_o be_v baptize_v afore_o 3._o if_o that_o be_v true_a which_o be_v teach_v by_o dr._n ames_n case_n cons_n lib._n 5._o c._n 12._o q._n 3._o resp_n 2._o that_o in_o some_o case_n it_o be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a to_o withdraw_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o true_a church_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o ground_n of_o scripture_n ephes_n 5._o 11._o 2_o chrâ—_n 11._o 14._o then_o that_o will_v be_v another_o case_n wherein_o church_n membership_n be_v disannul_v for_o how_o a_o man_n can_v be_v count_v in_o that_o state_n a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n when_o he_o have_v lawful_o and_o necessary_o withdraw_v himself_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n we_o do_v not_o understand_v and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v for_o answer_n unto_o this_o point_n whether_o baptism_n make_v man_n member_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n which_o as_o we_o conceive_v be_v the_o scope_n and_o drift_n of_o this_o question_n yet_o before_o we_o proceed_v to_o make_v answer_n to_o the_o next_o something_o also_o may_v be_v say_v concern_v some_o passage_n in_o your_o amplification_n of_o this_o four_o question_n as_o first_o concern_v those_o word_n wherein_o you_o ask_v whether_o they_o that_o be_v baptize_v have_v not_o right_a quoad_fw-la nos_fw-la to_o all_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o fit_a concern_v which_o word_n we_o may_v say_v 1._o that_o those_o word_n of_o your_o parenthesis_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o fit_a do_v plain_o imply_v that_o in_o your_o judgement_n though_o one_o have_v receive_v baptism_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o give_v he_o right_o to_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n unless_o other_o thing_n do_v concur_v to_o make_v he_o fit_a wherein_o we_o consent_v with_o you_o now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o than_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o answer_n to_o that_o which_o as_o we_o conceive_v be_v the_o main_a intent_n of_o the_o question_n for_o how_o can_v it_o be_v that_o baptism_n alone_o shall_v give_v man_n right_a to_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n as_o member_n thereof_o as_o the_o question_n seem_v to_o import_v when_o in_o the_o amplification_n of_o it_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o person_n baptize_v have_v no_o such_o right_a except_o other_o thing_n do_v concur_v to_o make_v they_o fit_a we_o do_v not_o see_v how_o these_o thing_n do_v stand_v together_o second_o those_o word_n as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o fit_a as_o they_o seem_v to_o imply_v that_o which_o contradict_v the_o main_a scope_n of_o the_o question_n so_o they_o be_v so_o general_a and_o of_o such_o a_o latitude_n as_o that_o when_o the_o question_n be_v answer_v the_o reader_n be_v still_o leave_v at_o uncertainty_n for_o if_o such_o a_o parenthesis_n may_v be_v annex_v so_o far_o as_o man_n be_v otherwise_o fit_a then_o the_o like_a question_n may_v be_v apply_v to_o many_o other_o thing_n beside_o baptism_n and_o will_v receive_v the_o very_a same_o answer_n as_o in_o case_n of_o baptism_n it_o will_v receive_v as_o for_o example_n if_o one_o shall_v ask_v whether_o moral_a honesty_n or_o literal_a knowledge_n in_o the_o scripture_n or_o historical_a faith_n or_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n whether_o any_o of_o these_o do_v not_o give_v man_n right_a to_o church_n privilege_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o fit_a you_o know_v the_o answer_n will_v be_v yea._n for_o though_o none_o of_o these_o be_v sufficient_a alone_o to_o give_v man_n right_a to_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o they_o be_v such_o as_o they_o that_o have_v they_o have_v right_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o fit_a and_o so_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o they_o that_o have_v receive_v baptism_n have_v right_a as_o you_o say_v to_o all_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o fit_a yet_o as_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o baptism_n alone_o do_v give_v man_n such_o a_o right_n so_o still_o it_o remain_v to_o be_v consider_v and_o more_o particular_o declare_v what_o those_o other_o thing_n be_v that_o beside_o baptism_n must_v concur_v to_o make_v one_o fit_a and_o unless_o those_o thing_n be_v express_v in_o particular_a the_o question_n with_o such_o a_o general_a qualification_n as_o be_v here_o set_v down_o may_v be_v answer_v affirmative_o and_o yet_o the_o reader_n will_v be_v still_o in_o the_o dark_a and_o as_o much_o to_o seek_v as_o before_o last_o those_o word_n in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o this_o question_n have_v need_v to_o be_v further_o clear_v wherein_o you_o ask_v whether_o baptise_a person_n have_v not_o right_a to_o all_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n quoad_fw-la nos_fw-la until_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o by_o excommunication_n for_o suppose_v a_o open_a blasphemer_n a_o sabath-breaker_n a_o adulterer_n a_o drunkard_n etc._n etc._n that_o deserve_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v be_v not_o proceed_v against_o according_a to_o rule_v but_o be_v suffer_v to_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n through_o bribery_n or_o other_o corruption_n of_o the_o time_n will_v you_o say_v that_o such_o a_o person_n have_v right_o either_o before_o god_n or_o quoad_fw-la nos_fw-la to_o all_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n only_o because_o he_o be_v baptize_v sure_o your_o word_n do_v import_v so_o much_o unless_o that_o parenthesis_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o fit_a may_v be_v any_o help_n in_o this_o case_n and_o yet_o we_o hope_v you_o doubt_v not_o but_o such_o dog_n and_o swine_n have_v no_o right_a either_o quoad_fw-la nos_fw-la or_o otherwise_o to_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n as_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v in_o that_o state_n although_o they_o have_v receive_v baptism_n and_o although_o through_o the_o sinful_a neglect_n of_o man_n they_o be_v not_o cast_v out_o by_o excommunication_n as_o they_o do_v deserve_v for_o if_o gross_a sinner_n have_v such_o right_n to_o church_n privilege_n only_o because_o they_o be_v baptize_v then_o by_o what_o right_o can_v the_o church_n cast_v they_o out_o by_o excommunication_n as_o you_o seem_v to_o confess_v that_o she_o may_v for_o can_v she_o castiman_n out_o from_o such_o privilege_n whereunto_o they_o have_v right_a doubtless_o such_o proceed_n be_v not_o right_a unless_o the_o church_n have_v such_o a_o transcendent_a power_n as_o the_o apostle_n never_o have_v for_o they_o can_v do_v nothing_o against_o the_o truth_n but_o for_o the_o truth_n nor_o have_v they_o any_o power_n for_o destruction_n but_o for_o edification_n 2_o cor._n 13._o 8._o 10._o wherefore_o we_o dare_v not_o say_v such_o man_n have_v right_a to_o church_n privilege_n quoad_fw-la nos_fw-la until_o they_o be_v actual_o cast_v out_o because_o before_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o it_o must_v be_v clear_a to_o the_o church_n that_o they_o have_v no_o such_o right_a or_o else_o she_o can_v have_v no_o lawful_a right_o to_o cast_v they_o out_o 1._o infant_n with_o we_o be_v admit_v member_n in_o
authority_n as_o the_o king_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o earth_n do_v matth._n 20._o 25_o 26._o luk._n 22._o 25_o 26._o they_o be_v not_o so_o to_o rule_v as_o to_o do_v what_o themselves_o please_v but_o they_o must_v do_v whatsoever_o christ_n have_v command_v mat._n 28._o 20._o mr._n baine_n show_v from_o these_o word_n there_o be_v diversity_n of_o ministery_n but_o one_o lord_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 5._o that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o church_n more_o lord_n than_o one_o and_o say_v he_o look_v as_o great_a lord_n have_v in_o their_o house_n minister_n of_o more_o and_o less_o honour_n from_o the_o steward_n to_o the_o scullery_n but_o no_o lordlike_o or_o master-like_a power_n in_o any_o beside_o themselves_o so_o be_v it_o with_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n which_o be_v the_o house_n of_o god_n wherein_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n apostle_n and_o other_o have_v more_o or_o less_o honourable_a service_n but_o no_o masterlike_a power_n over_o the_o mean_a of_o their_o fellow_n servant_n on_o ephes_n 1._o 22._o p._n 395._o and_o elsewhere_o he_o say_v no_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n have_v any_o power_n but_o ministerial_a in_o the_o church_n the_o power_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o evangelist_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act_v 20._o 2_o tim._n 4._o yea_o such_o a_o service_n as_o do_v make_v the_o minister_n have_v it_o so_o servant_n that_o they_o be_v no_o way_n lord_n many_o minister_n one_o lord_n we_o preach_v christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n ourselves_o your_o servant_n for_o jesus_n sake_n diocese_n trial_n q._n 2._o p._n 74._o the_o elder_n be_v to_o rule_v as_o steward_n mat._n 24._o 45._o luke_n 12._o 42._o as_o shepherd_n act._n 20._o 28._o as_o captain_n guide_n leader_n or_o overseer_n by_o go_v before_o the_o people_n and_o show_v they_o the_o word_n and_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 1._o 5._o &_o 5._o 17._o 1_o thes_n 5._o 12._o hâ—b_n 13._o 17._o 2._o how_o they_o rule_v more_o than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o congregation_n do_v whereto_o the_o answer_n be_v that_o this_o be_v more_o than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o congregation_n do_v in_o these_o act_n even_o as_o act_v be_v more_o than_o consent_v and_o as_o it_o be_v more_o to_o be_v a_o steward_n over_o of_o the_o house_n then_o one_o of_o the_o household_n or_o to_o be_v a_o guide_n or_o leader_n then_o to_o be_v guide_v or_o lead_v 3._o over_o who_o they_o do_v rule_v even_o over_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o general_a and_o every_o member_n in_o particular_a even_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n act._n 20._o 28._o 1_o pet._n 3._o 2._o the_o rule_n be_v express_v and_o plain_a that_o woman_n ought_v not_o to_o 16._o speak_v in_o the_o church_n but_o to_o be_v in_o silence_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 34._o 1_o tim._n 2_o 11_o 12._o and_o therefore_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o vote_n in_o church_n matter_n beside_o vote_v import_v some_o kind_n of_o government_n and_o authority_n and_o power_n now_o it_o be_v not_o government_n and_o authority_n but_o subjection_n and_o obedience_n which_o belong_v unto_o woman_n by_o the_o rule_n and_o so_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o woman_n among_o we_o church_n matter_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v determine_v mere_o by_o 17._o multitude_n or_o plurality_n of_o vote_n but_o by_o rule_n from_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n who_o will_n and_o not_o the_o will_v either_o of_o the_o major_n or_o minor_a part_n of_o man_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n and_o law_n for_o church_n jam._n 4._o 12._o isa_n 33._o 22._o mat._n 23._o 8_o 9_o exod._n 23._o 2._o 21._o 22._o for_o our_o practice_n among_o we_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o church_n yea_o usual_o the_o whole_a church_n do_v consent_n and_o agree_v in_o one_o mind_n and_o one_o judgement_n and_o so_o give_v a_o joint_n unanimus_fw-la vote_n and_o the_o rule_n require_v it_o shall_v be_v so_o rom._n 15._o 6._o and_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a apostolic_a church_n where_o thing_n be_v carry_v nor_o mere_o by_o the_o major_a or_o minor_a part_n the_o rest_n dissent_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o with_o one_o accord_n act._n 1._o 14._o &_o â—_o 46_o &_o 4._o 24._o &_o â—_o 12._o &_o 15._o 25._o so_o that_o in_o this_o sense_n matter_n with_o we_o be_v carry_v according_a to_o the_o vote_n of_o the_o major_a part_n that_o be_v with_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o yet_o because_o it_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n but_o it_o may_v be_v your_o meaning_n be_v in_o this_o question_n to_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o the_o church_n will_v be_v divide_v in_o their_o vote_n and_o to_o know_v what_o course_n we_o take_v at_o such_o time_n but_o if_o church_n lay_v aside_o their_o own_o affection_n and_o give_v attendance_n to_o the_o rule_n and_o be_v as_o all_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v man_n of_o humble_a spirit_n and_o sincere_a and_o withal_o depend_v on_o christ_n their_o head_n and_o king_n for_o guidance_n in_o their_o work_n we_o know_v no_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o supposal_n that_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v divide_v in_o their_o vote_n especial_o consider_v what_o promise_n he_o have_v make_v unto_o his_o church_n of_o godly_a concord_n and_o agreement_n among_o themselves_o and_o of_o his_o own_o gracious_a presence_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o jer._n 32._o 39_o zeph._n 3._o 9_o mat._n 18._o 20._o which_o promife_n we_o believe_v be_v not_o in_o vain_a nevertheless_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o through_o the_o corruption_n &_o distemper_n of_o man_n some_o dissension_n may_v arise_v for_o a_o time_n in_o a_o true_a church_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n at_o corinth_n and_o if_o any_o such_o thing_n fall_v out_o among_o we_o which_o we_o bless_v god_n be_v not_o often_o then_o before_o matter_n be_v put_v to_o the_o vote_n our_o course_n of_o proceed_v be_v after_o this_o manner_n if_o the_o elder_n and_o major_a part_n of_o the_o church_n consent_n in_o one_o conclusion_n yet_o if_o any_o brother_n dissent_n he_o be_v patient_o hear_v and_o his_o alledgement_n of_o scripture_n or_o good_a reason_n be_v due_o weigh_v if_o it_o appear_v that_o his_o judgement_n be_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n the_o whole_a church_n will_v ready_o yield_v though_o before_o they_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v but_o if_o it_o appear_v they_o who_o dissent_v from_o the_o major_a part_n be_v factious_o or_o partial_o carry_v the_o rest_n labour_n to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n by_o the_o rule_n if_o they_o yield_v the_o consent_n of_o all_o comfortable_o concur_v in_o the_o matter_n if_o they_o still_o continue_v obstinate_a they_o be_v admonish_v and_o so_o stand_v under_o censure_n their_o vote_n be_v nullify_v if_o they_o without_o obstinate_a opposition_n of_o the_o rest_n do_v dissent_v still_o yet_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o body_n they_o be_v not_o wont_a to_o proceed_v to_o sentence_n if_o the_o matter_n be_v weighty_a as_o in_o excommunication_n till_o the_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n have_v be_v due_o ponder_v and_o all_o brotherly_a mean_n have_v be_v use_v for_o mutual_a information_n and_o conviction_n if_o the_o difference_n still_o continue_v the_o sentence_n if_o the_o matter_n be_v weighty_a be_v still_o demur_v even_o till_o other_o church_n have_v be_v consult_v with_o who_o in_o such_o a_o case_n will_v send_v their_o elder_n to_o communicate_v their_o apprehension_n and_o light_n which_o they_o do_v not_o pro_fw-la imperio_fw-la bind_v the_o church_n to_o rest_v in_o their_o dictate_v but_o by_o propound_v their_o ground_n from_o the_o scripture_n these_o course_n with_o god_n presence_n and_o blessing_n which_o usual_o deny_v his_o ordinance_n faithful_o take_v and_o follow_v will_v prevail_v either_o to_o settle_v one_o unanimous_a consent_n in_o the_o thing_n or_o at_o least_o to_o preserve_v peace_n in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o dissentor_n submission_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o major_a part_n though_o they_o see_v not_o light_v sufficient_a to_o warrant_v they_o to_o act_v in_o the_o business_n such_o subjection_n be_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n ephes_n 5._o 21._o 1_o pet._n 5._o 5._o if_o the_o church_n or_o the_o elder_n shall_v refuse_v the_o testimony_n of_o other_o church_n according_a to_o god_n they_o will_v after_o brotherly_a admonition_n and_o due_a patient_a wait_a deny_v they_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n till_o they_o shall_v give_v better_a evidence_n of_o their_o subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n but_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n we_o never_o have_v occasion_n of_o such_o withdraw_a communion_n of_o one_o church_n from_o
in_o favour_n many_o of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n become_v jew_n esth_n 8._o 17._o but_o why_o be_v there_o so_o little_a proof_n of_o this_o church-covenant_n in_o the_o new_a 7._o testament_n 1._o suppose_v the_o new_a testament_n say_v nothing_o of_o it_o yet_o it_o may_v answ_n have_v ground_n sufficient_a from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o if_o it_o be_v god_n reveal_v will_n in_o those_o day_n that_o a_o company_n shall_v become_v a_o church_n and_o particular_a person_n become_v member_n of_o that_o church_n by_o way_n of_o covenant_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a it_o be_v so_o now_o likewise_o unless_o covenant_v be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o jewish_a paedigogie_n indeed_o if_o it_o have_v never_o be_v use_v in_o those_o time_n but_o be_v some_o new_a ordinance_n peculiar_a to_o the_o day_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o such_o case_n also_o a_o ground_n from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v necessary_a as_o there_o be_v in_o all_o such_o thing_n wherein_o there_o be_v any_o change_n or_o variation_n from_o what_o be_v use_v in_o those_o time_n afore_o christ_n as_o that_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v national_n church_n but_o congregationall_a and_o not_o one_o visible_a church_n but_o many_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n these_o be_v matter_n that_o be_v not_o find_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n nor_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v use_v in_o those_o day_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v have_v warrant_n for_o they_o in_o the_o new_a and_o so_o we_o have_v but_o for_o the_o covenant_n it_o be_v otherwise_o it_o be_v no_o new_a ordinance_n peculiar_a to_o the_o day_n of_o the_o gospel_n nor_o any_o leviticall_a ordinance_n peculiar_a to_o the_o jewish_a pedigogie_n and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o give_v warrant_v for_o it_o may_v be_v sufficient_a as_o have_v be_v show_v afore_o 2._o and_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o want_v good_a warrant_n for_o it_o that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o 1._o the_o prophet_n do_v foretell_v it_o isa_n 56._o 6_o 7._o and_o 44._o 5._o and_o jer._n 50._o 5._o ezek._n 20._o 37._o and_o in_o sundry_a other_o place_n to_o omit_v the_o rest_n at_o this_o time_n because_o some_o of_o they_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o before_o only_o let_v those_o word_n of_o isa_n 44._o 5._o be_v well_o consider_v and_o see_v if_o they_o do_v not_o plain_o hold_v forth_o that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n man_n shall_v open_o profess_v their_o faith_n and_o solemn_o bind_v themselves_o by_o covenant_n to_o be_v the_o lord_n people_n one_o shall_v say_v i_o be_o the_o lord_n and_o another_o shall_v call_v himself_o by_o the_o name_n of_o jacob_n and_o another_o shall_v subscribe_v with_o his_o hand_n and_o surname_n himself_o by_o the_o name_n of_o israel_n these_o word_n be_v so_o plain_a for_o open_v profess_v of_o faith_n in_o the_o lord_n and_o open_a bind_v of_o man_n self_n by_o covenant_n unto_o he_o as_o we_o conceive_v nothing_o need_v be_v more_o 2._o the_o apostle_n do_v sufficient_o testify_v that_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v practise_v in_o their_o day_n else_o how_o shall_v we_o understand_v that_o fellowship_n in_o the_o gospel_n in_o its_o full_a latitude_n and_o breadth_n phil._n 1._o 5._o if_o this_o combine_v into_o church-fellowship_n be_v no_o part_n thereof_o yea_o when_o it_o be_v say_v they_o continue_v steadfast_o or_o as_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v well_o be_v translate_v they_o strong_o do_v cleave_v together_o or_o hold_v together_o in_o such_o a_o fellowship_n which_o be_v not_o preach_v and_o hear_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n nor_o sacrament_n nor_o prayer_n but_o a_o thing_n distinct_a from_o all_o these_o if_o this_o combine_a themselves_o into_o a_o spiritual_a fellowship_n and_o society_n of_o church-state_n be_v no_o part_n thereof_o we_o know_v not_o how_o to_o understand_v it_o nor_o what_o that_o fellowship_n shall_v mean_v if_o doctrine_n and_o sacrament_n and_o prayer_n have_v not_o be_v particular_o mention_v in_o the_o same_o place_n it_o may_v have_v be_v think_v that_o the_o fellowship_n in_o which_o they_o so_o steadfast_o cleave_v together_o have_v be_v no_o more_o but_o their_o come_n together_o to_o observe_v these_o say_a ordinance_n and_o their_o communion_n therein_o but_o when_o all_o these_o be_v particular_o mention_v and_o fellowship_n mention_v among_o they_o as_o a_o thing_n distinct_a from_o the_o rest_n we_o may_v not_o confound_v it_o with_o the_o rest_n we_o may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o by_o doctrine_n be_v mean_v sacrament_n and_o by_o sacrament_n be_v mean_v prayer_n as_o to_o say_v that_o by_o fellowship_n be_v mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o exercise_n of_o doctrine_n and_o sacrament_n and_o prayer_n and_o if_o these_o as_o they_o be_v distinct_o name_v be_v distinct_a ordinance_n and_o may_v not_o be_v confound_v than_o fellowship_n be_v name_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n import_v something_o distinct_a from_o they_o all_o and_o may_v not_o be_v confound_v with_o they_o nor_o with_o any_o of_o they_o no_o more_o than_o the_o other_o may_v be_v confound_v one_o with_o another_o and_o if_o so_o then_o as_o this_o fellowship_n may_v import_v the_o communion_n of_o their_o gift_n and_o good_n one_o for_o the_o help_n of_o another_o so_o it_o must_v first_o of_o all_o imply_v a_o combine_a of_o themselves_o into_o church-state_n by_o mutual_a agreement_n consent_n or_o covenant_n furthermore_o when_o the_o apostle_n write_v that_o by_o experience_n of_o the_o corinthian_n liberal_a contribution_n to_o the_o poor_a saint_n man_n glorify_v god_n for_o their_o profess_a subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n 2._o cor._n 9_o 13._o he_o plain_o employ_v thereby_o that_o the_o corinthian_n have_v make_v a_o profession_n or_o promise_n of_o such_o subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n as_o do_v comprehend_v this_o particular_a of_o distribute_v to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o saint_n among_o other_o thing_n and_o their_o liberal_a distribution_n which_o he_o there_o speak_v of_o be_v look_v at_o as_o one_o point_n of_o their_o real_a performance_n of_o that_o subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n which_o they_o have_v before_o profess_v and_o promise_v now_o the_o church-covenant_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o profess_v or_o promise_v of_o such_o subjection_n and_o therefore_o this_o place_n be_v another_o proof_n of_o church-covenant_n beside_o it_o have_v be_v show_v afore_o in_o argument_n 3._o that_o those_o place_n which_o speak_v of_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n of_o join_v or_o assay_v to_o join_v unto_o the_o church_n act._n 2._o 47._o and_o 5_o 13._o and_o 9_o 26._o be_v not_o expound_v according_a to_o the_o full_a meaning_n of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v understand_v of_o any_o other_o join_v if_o join_v in_o covenant_n be_v leave_v out_o and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v bear_v good_a witness_n unto_o church-covenant_n though_o as_o we_o say_v before_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n may_v have_v be_v sufficient_a if_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v speak_v nothing_o of_o it_o but_o baptism_n make_v man_n member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o therefore_o 8._o the_o covenant_n be_v needless_a this_o be_v answer_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o four_o of_o the_o 32._o question_n answ_n where_o it_o be_v show_v at_o large_a that_o baptism_n â—â—_o a_o seal_v of_o the_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o the_o church_n but_o neither_o make_v the_o church_n nor_o member_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o always_o so_o much_o as_o prove_v man_n to_o be_v member_n this_o church-covenant_n be_v a_o late_a devise_n and_o be_v not_o know_v in_o ancient_a 9_o time_n and_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v first_o true_a antiquity_n be_v that_o of_o the_o scripture_n now_o since_o answ_n church_n covenant_n be_v warrant_v by_o the_o scripture_n as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o in_o this_o discourse_n it_o can_v be_v charge_v to_o want_v true_a antiquity_n when_o the_o papist_n be_v wont_a to_o charge_v the_o doctrine_n of_o protestant_n with_o novelty_n and_o such_o as_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o before_o luther_n the_o orthodox_n be_v wont_a to_o answer_v that_o if_o the_o doctrine_n do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o scripture_n then_o let_v it_o be_v condemn_v for_o novelty_n and_o if_o it_o do_v it_o be_v warrant_v by_o the_o best_a antiquity_n even_o the_o testimony_n of_o god_n himself_o who_o be_v the_o ancient_n of_o day_n our_o faith_n faith_n doctor_n white_a be_v in_o all_o point_v the_o same_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o so_o consequent_o of_o the_o same_o antiquity_n and_o therefore_o all_o they_o that_o say_v it_o
baptism_n therefore_o do_v not_o make_v they_o christian_a soul_n but_o do_v solemn_o signify_v and_o seal_v their_o engraft_v into_o christ_n and_o that_o communion_n which_o the_o member_n of_o christ_n have_v with_o he_o their_o head_n and_o do_v confirm_v that_o they_o be_v acknowledge_v member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o enter_v into_o it_o 1_o pet._n 3._o 21._o 3._o the_o lord_n have_v have_v his_o church_n when_o there_o be_v neither_o baptism_n nor_o circumcision_n and_o therefore_o baptism_n or_o circumcision_n can_v be_v that_o which_o constitute_v the_o church_n the_o church_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o essence_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o end_n thereof_o viz._n a_o company_n of_o people_n combine_v together_o by_o holy_a covenant_n with_o god_n and_o one_o with_o another_o and_o this_o have_v be_v before_o baptism_n and_o likewise_o before_o circumcision_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o patriarch_n afore_o abraham_n yea_o if_o baptism_n now_o or_o circumcision_n in_o former_a time_n do_v make_v man_n member_n of_o the_o church_n then_o for_o forty_o year_n together_o there_o be_v no_o make_v member_n of_o the_o church_n for_o so_o long_a circumcision_n be_v discontinue_v when_o baptism_n be_v not_o yet_o institute_v joss_n 5._o 2_o 3._o etc._n etc._n and_o so_o by_o this_o mean_v all_o that_o generation_n of_o the_o israelite_n that_o be_v not_o circumcise_v till_o their_o come_n over_o jordan_n unto_o gilgall_n shall_v have_v be_v no_o member_n of_o the_o church_n afore_o that_o time_n of_o their_o circumcision_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n which_o as_o it_o give_v the_o name_n and_o title_n of_o a_o church_n to_o the_o body_n of_o this_o people_n when_o they_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n act._n 7._o â—8_o and_o they_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n 40._o year_n in_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o which_o time_n there_o be_v few_o leave_v remain_v that_o have_v be_v circumcise_v so_o it_o witness_v that_o afore_o this_o time_n of_o their_o circumcision_n they_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o his_o church_n deut._n 29._o 10_o 11_o 12._o for_o that_o covenant_n be_v not_o make_v with_o their_o father_n that_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n and_o be_v circumcise_v there_o because_o that_o generation_n be_v consume_v in_o the_o wilderness_n for_o their_o murmur_a afore_o this_o time_n but_o this_o covenant_n be_v make_v with_o the_o child_n that_o as_o yet_o be_v uncircumcised_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o circumcision_n that_o make_v man_n member_n of_o the_o church_n 4._o baptism_n have_v be_v administer_v and_o no_o church_n nor_o member_n make_v thereby_o and_o man_n have_v be_v make_v member_n of_o church_n and_o not_o then_o baptize_v but_o before_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o baptism_n that_o make_v man_n member_n of_o the_o church_n jerusalem_n and_o all_o judea_n and_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o jordan_n be_v baptize_v of_o john_n confess_v their_o sin_n mat._n 3._o 6._o and_o christ_n make_v and_o baptize_v more_o disciple_n than_o john_n joh._n 4._o 1._o and_o yet_o neither_o christ_n nor_o john_n do_v make_v new_a church_n nor_o gather_v man_n into_o they_o themselves_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o live_v and_o die_a member_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n which_o be_v not_o yet_o dissolve_v until_o upon_o their_o reject_v of_o christ_n not_o only_o of_o his_o person_n upon_o the_o cross_n but_o of_o his_o gospel_n in_o blaspheme_v and_o persecute_v grace_n offer_v they_o the_o two_o staff_n of_o beauty_n and_o band_n be_v break_v and_o cut_v asunder_o whereby_o god_n do_v break_v the_o covenant_n that_o he_o have_v make_v with_o that_o people_n and_o the_o brotherhood_n between_o juda_n and_o israel_n that_o be_v he_o do_v un_o church_n they_o zach._n 11._o 10_o 11._o etc._n etc._n to_o 15._o so_o that_o here_o be_v baptism_n administer_v by_o john_n and_o christ_n and_o yet_o man_n not_o receive_v thereby_o into_o the_o church_n as_o member_n for_o they_o be_v member_n long_o afore_o again_o when_o any_o of_o those_o of_o jerusalem_n judea_n and_o the_o region_n round_o about_o jordan_n that_o be_v baptize_v of_o john_n or_o any_o of_o those_o many_o more_o that_o be_v baptize_v of_o christ_n be_v afterward_o join_v as_o member_n to_o those_o christian_n church_n in_o judea_n samaria_n and_o galilee_n act._n 9_o 31._o as_o no_o doubt_n many_o of_o they_o be_v they_o be_v not_o make_v member_n of_o those_o christian_a church_n by_o be_v baptize_v for_o they_o be_v baptize_v long_o afore_o by_o john_n and_o christ_n so_o that_o those_o man_n be_v member_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n which_o be_v not_o yet_o dissolve_v and_o be_v baptize_v afterward_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o baptism_n that_o make_v they_o member_n either_o of_o the_o one_o church_n or_o of_o the_o other_o 5._o there_o be_v sundry_a inconvenience_n which_o for_o aught_o we_o see_v will_v unavoidable_o follow_v if_o we_o shall_v say_v that_o baptism_n make_v man_n member_n of_o the_o church_n for_o first_o if_o baptism_n be_v that_o which_o constitute_v the_o church_n than_o baptism_n may_v be_v dispense_v by_o they_o that_o be_v no_o minister_n for_o extraordinary_a minister_n as_o apostle_n and_o such_o like_a be_v now_o cease_v and_o ordinary_a minister_n have_v no_o power_n to_o dispense_v baptism_n to_o any_o but_o only_o to_o they_o that_o be_v already_o member_n of_o the_o church_n see_v their_o commission_n and_o power_n be_v limit_v to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o flock_n of_o god_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n act_n 20._o 28._o beside_o the_o church_n be_v before_o the_o minister_n see_v the_o power_n of_o choose_v minister_n be_v give_v by_o christ_n unto_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o if_o baptism_n be_v that_o which_o make_v the_o church_n than_o man_n must_v be_v baptize_v afore_o there_o be_v minister_n to_o baptise_v they_o and_o consequent_o without_o minister_n second_o if_o baptism_n right_o for_o substance_n partake_v do_v make_v man_n member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n than_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o papist_n be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n for_o they_o have_v baptism_n so_o far_o right_a for_o substance_n as_o that_o it_o need_v not_o be_v repeat_v but_o mr._n perkins_n teach_v that_o this_o baptism_n prove_v not_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o which_o all_o papist_n be_v member_n to_o be_v any_o true_a church_n of_o god_n and_o give_v sundry_a reason_n for_o the_o same_o in_o answer_n to_o they_o that_o from_o baptism_n right_o for_o substance_n administer_v in_o popish_a assembly_n will_v prove_v those_o assembly_n to_o be_v true_a church_n exposit_n of_o creed_n in_o the_o article_n i_o believe_v the_o holy_a catholic_a church_n and_o sure_o for_o our_o part_n we_o do_v not_o see_v how_o it_o will_v be_v avoid_v but_o if_o baptism_n make_v man_n member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n either_o papist_n be_v member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n a_o true_a visible_a church_n or_o else_o we_o must_v renounce_v their_o baptism_n as_o corrupt_v and_o false_a even_o for_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o and_o so_o all_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v convert_v from_o among_o they_o must_v be_v baptize_v again_o as_o not_o have_v have_v the_o substance_n of_o baptism_n before_o such_o dangerous_a consequence_n do_v follow_v from_o say_v that_o baptism_n right_o for_o substance_n partake_v do_v make_v they_o that_o be_v so_o baptise_a member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n if_o any_o shall_v say_v though_o baptism_n do_v not_o make_v man_n member_n of_o object_n the_o church_n yet_o it_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v member_n as_o a_o cause_n be_v prove_v by_o the_o effect_n or_o a_o antecedent_n by_o a_o consequent_a and_o therefore_o all_o baptise_a person_n shall_v be_v admit_v to_o all_o church_n privilege_n as_o member_n wherever_o they_o become_v we_o answer_v that_o this_o will_v not_o hold_v neither_o but_o suppose_v answ_n a_o man_n have_v receive_v baptism_n as_o a_o member_n of_o some_o visible_a church_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v administer_v to_o he_o have_v he_o not_o be_v a_o member_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v a_o member_n still_o and_o so_o give_v he_o right_o to_o all_o church_n privilege_n though_o he_o do_v remain_v always_o as_o a_o baptise_a person_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o his_o baptism_n may_v remain_v when_o his_o church_n fellowship_n may_v be_v dissolve_v as_o that_o he_o can_v have_v no_o right_n to_o sacrament_n thereby_o the_o church_n member-ship_n of_o a_o baptise_a person_n may_v be_v thus_o dissolve_v by_o sundry_a mean_n 1._o by_o some_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n just_o pass_v against_o he_o for_o his_o
that_o may_v be_v infect_v with_o corrupt_a opinion_n of_o arminianism_n familisme_n etc._n etc._n or_o any_o other_o dangerous_a error_n against_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n as_o know_v how_o easy_o such_o man_n if_o they_o be_v admit_v may_v infect_v other_o and_o perhaps_o destroy_v the_o faith_n of_o some_o and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v intend_v in_o your_o second_o particular_a for_o both_o these_o we_o have_v our_o warrant_n as_o in_o general_n from_o those_o place_n which_o show_v how_o church_n member_n ought_v to_o be_v qualify_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v saint_n faithful_a in_o christ_n jesus_n etc._n etc._n so_o in_o special_a from_o that_o math._n 3._o 6._o act_n 19_o 18_o &_o act_n 8._o 37._o 38._o where_o man_n before_o they_o be_v admit_v make_v profession_n of_o repentance_n towards_o god_n and_o faith_n towards_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n for_o it_o be_v express_o say_v that_o they_o confess_v their_o sin_n they_o confess_v and_o show_v their_o deed_n they_o profess_v their_o faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n three_o when_o this_o be_v do_v those_o that_o by_o manifestation_n of_o repentance_n and_o faith_n be_v approve_v as_o fit_a member_n for_o a_o church_n do_v open_o profess_v their_o subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n in_o that_o church_n where_o now_o they_o join_v as_o member_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v your_o three_o particular_a in_o this_o quaerie_n the_o distinction_n of_o particular_a church_n one_o from_o another_o as_o several_a and_o distinct_a society_n seem_v to_o we_o a_o necessary_a ground_n for_o this_o practice_n for_o without_o this_o kind_n of_o covenant_v we_o know_v not_o how_o it_o will_v be_v avoid_v but_o all_o church_n will_v be_v confound_v into_o one_o inasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v neither_o faith_n nor_o entire_a affection_n nor_o towne-dwelling_a nor_o frequent_v the_o assembly_n that_o can_v make_v a_o man_n a_o member_n or_o distinguish_v church_n member_n from_o other_o man_n see_v the_o apology_n 4._o your_o four_o particular_a in_o this_o quaerie_n be_v answer_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o six_o position_n send_v the_o last_o year_n beside_o all_o these_o we_o hear_v the_o testimony_n of_o other_o if_o there_o be_v any_o that_o can_v speak_v of_o the_o conversion_n and_o godly_a conversation_n of_o such_o person_n which_o we_o judge_v to_o be_v a_o warrantable_a course_n from_o act_n 9_o 26_o 27._o it_o be_v the_o second_o of_o your_o query_n what_o thing_n we_o hold_v necessary_a 9_o to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n in_o general_n which_o be_v answereâ—_n this_o of_o the_o parish_n assembly_n in_o england_n in_o particular_a whether_o we_o hold_v all_o or_o the_o most_o of_o they_o to_o be_v church_n we_o conceive_v might_n well_o have_v be_v spare_v they_o that_o now_o the_o state_n of_o those_o assembly_n may_v make_v application_n of_o the_o general_n to_o the_o particular_n if_o they_o have_v a_o call_n thereunto_o yet_o because_o you_o be_v please_v to_o put_v we_o to_o this_o also_o we_o thus_o answer_v 1._o that_o we_o doubt_v not_o but_o of_o ancient_a time_n there_o have_v be_v many_o true_a church_n in_o england_n consist_v of_o right_a matter_n and_o compact_a and_o unite_v together_o by_o the_o right_a form_n of_o a_o holy_a covenant_n for_o mr._n fox_n show_v at_o large_a that_o the_o gospel_n be_v bring_v into_o england_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o within_o a_o little_a while_n after_o act_n &_o moâ—_n lib._n 2._o begin_n p._n 137._o where_o he_o report_v out_o of_o gildas_n that_o england_n receive_v the_o gospel_n in_o the_o time_n of_o tiberius_n the_o emperor_n under_o who_o christ_n suffer_v and_o that_o joseph_n of_o arin_n athea_n be_v send_v of_o philip_n the_o apostle_n from_o france_n to_o england_n about_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 63._o and_o remain_v in_o england_n all_o his_o time_n and_o so_o he_o with_o his_o fellow_n lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n among_o the_o britain_n people_n and_o other_o preacher_n and_o teacher_n come_v afterward_o confirm_v the_o same_o and_o increase_v it_o also_o the_o say_a mr._n fox_n report_v out_o of_o tâ—rtullian_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v disperse_v abroad_o by_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o apostle_n into_o many_o nation_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n into_o britain_n yea_o into_o the_o wild_a place_n of_o britain_n which_o the_o roman_n can_v never_o attain_v unto_o and_o allege_v also_o out_o of_o necephorus_n that_o simon_n zelotes_n do_v spread_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o west_n ocean_n and_o bring_v the_o same_o into_o the_o isle_n of_o brittany_n and_o sundry_a other_o proof_n he_o there_o have_v for_o the_o same_o point_n now_o if_o the_o gospel_n and_o christian_a religion_n be_v bring_v into_o england_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o by_o their_o mean_n it_o be_v like_o there_o be_v church_n plant_v there_o of_o saint_n by_o call_v which_o be_v the_o right_a matter_n of_o church_n and_o by_o way_n of_o holy_a covenant_n as_o the_o right_a form_n for_o that_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o constitute_a church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o also_o in_o the_o time_n afore_o christ_n as_o have_v be_v show_v from_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o apology_n and_o the_o footstep_n hereof_o though_o mix_v with_o manifold_a corruption_n that_o have_v grow_v in_o aftertime_n be_v remain_v in_o many_o place_n of_o the_o land_n to_o this_o day_n as_o appear_v by_o those_o 3_o question_n and_o answer_n at_o baptism_n abrenuntias_fw-la abrenuntio_fw-la credis_fw-la credo_fw-la spondes_fw-la spondeo_fw-la do_v thou_o renounce_v the_o devil_n and_o all_o his_o work_n i_o renounce_v they_o all_o do_v thou_o believe_v in_o god_n the_o father_n &_o c_o i_o do_v believe_v do_v thou_o promise_v to_o walk_v according_a to_o this_o faith_n &_o c_o i_o do_v promise_n for_o though_o it_o may_v be_v they_o conceive_v that_o man_n enter_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n yet_o hereby_o it_o appear_v that_o their_o judgement_n be_v that_o when_o man_n enter_v into_o the_o church_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o renounce_n of_o sin_n and_o believe_v on_o christ_n and_o a_o open_a profess_v of_o these_o thing_n with_o a_o promise_n to_o walk_v according_o second_o though_o popish_a apostasy_n do_v afterward_o for_o many_o age_n overspread_v all_o the_o church_n in_o england_n as_o in_o other_o country_n yet_o we_o believe_v god_n still_o reserve_v a_o remnant_n according_a to_o the_o election_n of_o grace_n among_o they_o for_o who_o sake_n he_o reserve_v the_o holy_a scripture_n among_o they_o and_o baptism_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o trinity_n only_o and_o when_o god_n of_o his_o rich_a grace_n be_v please_v to_o stir_v up_o the_o spirit_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o six_o and_o queen_n elizabeth_n to_o cast_v off_o the_o pope_n and_o all_o fundamental_a error_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n and_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o tyranny_n of_o popish_a church_n government_n though_o at_o first_o some_o shire_n and_o sundry_a parish_n stand_v out_o against_o that_o reformation_n for_o a_o time_n yet_o afterward_o they_o general_o receive_v the_o article_n of_o religion_n agree_v upon_o anno_fw-la 1562._o which_o be_v publish_v and_o consent_v to_o by_o all_o the_o minister_n endow_v in_o every_o congregation_n with_o the_o silent_a consent_n also_o of_o the_o people_n and_o subscription_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o wherein_o they_o do_v acknowledge_v no_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o manner_n but_o the_o holy_a scripture_n no_o divine_a worship_n but_o to_o god_n only_o no_o mediation_n nor_o salvation_n but_o in_o christ_n only_o no_o conversion_n by_o man_n free_a will_n but_o by_o god_n free_a grace_n no_o justification_n but_o by_o faith_n no_o perfection_n nor_o merit_n of_o work_n with_o sundry_a other_o necessary_a and_o save_a truth_n all_o which_o contain_v the_o marrow_n and_o sum_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o eloquia_fw-la des_fw-mi concredit_v only_o to_o the_o church_n rom._n 3._o 1._o 2._o and_o which_o be_v that_o save_a doctrine_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v fruitful_a in_o all_o the_o world_n where_o it_o come_v â—olo_fw-la 1._o 5_o 6._o and_o upon_o which_o the_o church_n be_v ground_v and_o build_v and_o which_o also_o it_o hold_v forth_o and_o maintain_v 1_o tim._n 3._o 15._o we_o do_v therefore_o acknowledge_v that_o where_o the_o people_n do_v with_o common_a and_o mutual_a consent_n gather_v into_o settle_a congregation_n ordinary_o every_o lord_n day_n as_o in_o england_n they_o do_v to_o hear_v and_o teach_v this_o doctrine_n and_o do_v profess_v their_o subjection_n thereunto_o and_o do_v bind_v themselves_o and_o their_o
particular_a congregation_n 1_o cor._n 5_o 4_o &_o 14._o 23._o &_o 11._o 17._o 20._o and_o have_v power_n of_o judgeing_a her_o own_o member_n as_o all_o visible_a church_n have_v yet_o have_v no_o power_n of_o judgeing_a any_o but_o such_o as_o be_v within_o that_o particular_a congregation_n as_o all_o they_o they_o have_v power_n to_o judge_v whether_o they_o be_v believer_n in_o christ_n or_o no._n mr._n bâ—iâ—â—_n as_o we_o say_v before_o be_v very_o large_a and_o clear_a in_o prove_v this_o position_n that_o the_o church_n institute_v by_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n be_v only_o such_o as_o may_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n ordinary_o and_o answer_v many_o objection_n to_o the_o contrary_a diâ—ces_n trial_n q._n 1._o 4._o for_o the_o question_n itself_o we_o hold_v that_o every_o believer_n if_o possible_o he_o can_v be_v always_o bind_v to_o join_v himself_o as_o a_o member_n to_o some_o particular_a congregation_n or_o other_o and_o yet_o not_o because_o else_o he_o be_v a_o heathen_a and_o publican_n or_o out_o of_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n as_o this_o question_n suggest_v but_o upon_o other_o ground_n 1._o because_o of_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n cant._n 1._o 8._o math._n 6._o 10._o 33._o 2._o because_o willing_o not_o to_o do_v this_o be_v a_o secret_a disparagement_n to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n that_o have_v ordain_v churches_n with_o give_v power_n and_o privilegde_n thereunto_o mat._n 18._o 17._o 1_o cor._n 5._o 4._o and_o promise_n of_o his_o gration_n presence_n to_o be_v with_o they_o and_o among_o they_o mat._n 18._o 20._o rev._n 2._o 1._o exod._n 20._o 24._o now_o to_o what_o end_n be_v all_o these_o if_o believer_n shall_v live_v and_o noâ—_n join_v themselves_o to_o some_o church_n these_o privilege_n and_o promise_n will_v in_o such_o case_n be_v all_o in_o vain_a and_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n offer_v therein_o unthankful_o neglect_v three_o voluntary_o abstain_v from_o join_v to_o the_o church_n be_v note_v and_o condemn_v as_o a_o sin_n heb._n 10._o 25._o and_o a_o sign_n of_o fearful_a unbeliever_n act._n 5._o 13._o of_o the_o rest_n dare_v no_o man_n join_v unto_o they_o four_o good_a man_n in_o scripture_n have_v be_v forward_o in_o practice_v this_o way_n isaiah_n 2._o 2_o 3._o zach._n 8._o 23._o act._n 2._o 41_o 42._o and_o 9_o 26._o and_o have_v mourn_v with_o much_o bitterness_n when_o they_o have_v be_v deprive_v of_o liberty_n so_o to_o do_v isaiah_n 56._o 3._o and_o ps_n 42._o and_o 63._o and_o 84._o five_o this_o join_n be_v a_o part_n of_o that_o order_n and_o orderly_o walk_v which_o be_v require_v of_o believer_n col._n 2._o 5._o 1_o cor._n 14._o 40._o six_o if_o believer_n do_v neglect_v this_o join_n it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o wrong_n to_o themselves_o but_o also_o a_o great_a unkindness_n to_o god_n for_o if_o one_o believer_n may_v do_v this_o why_o not_o another_o and_o if_z two_o why_o not_o three_o four_o etc._n etc._n and_o if_o all_o believer_n shall_v do_v thus_o god_n shall_v have_v no_o visible_a church_n upon_o earth_n unless_o he_o will_v acknowledge_v the_o assembly_n to_o be_v of_o unbeliever_n church_n foras_fw-la stone_n in_o the_o mountain_n be_v not_o a_o house_n until_o they_o be_v join_v together_o though_o they_o be_v dig_v up_o out_o of_o the_o quarry_n and_o square_v &_o hew_v and_o hereby_o be_v make_v fit_a to_o be_v join_v together_o and_o so_o to_o become_v a_o house_n so_o believer_n be_v not_o a_o church_n till_o they_o be_v join_v in_o holy_a covenant_n in_o some_o congregation_n though_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n and_o faith_n in_o their_o soul_n have_v make_v they_o fit_a and_o meet_v to_o be_v a_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o house_n of_o the_o live_a god_n or_o as_o the_o humane_a soul_n and_o body_n be_v not_o a_o man_n unless_o they_o be_v unite_v so_o christian_n or_o believer_n be_v not_o a_o visible_a church_n without_o visible_a union_n into_o some_o particular_a congregation_n mr._n perkins_n have_v say_v that_o forth_o of_o the_o militant_a church_n there_o be_v no_o mean_n of_o salvation_n no_o preach_n of_o god_n word_n no_o invocation_n of_o god_n name_n no_o sacrament_n and_o therefore_o no_o salvation_n conclude_v with_o these_o word_n for_o this_o cause_n every_o man_n must_v be_v admonish_v evermore_o to_o join_v himself_o to_o some_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o sound_a member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n expos_n of_o creed_n in_o the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n and_o doctor_n ames_n give_v 6._o reason_n why_o every_o christian_a shall_v join_v himself_o to_o some_o particular_a church_n or_o other_o case_n consâ—_n l._n 4._o c._n 24._o q._n 1._o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o have_v these_o word_n illi_fw-la igitur_fw-la qui_fw-la occasionâ—â—_n habent_fw-la adjungendi_fw-la seize_v ecclesiae_fw-la &_o â—am_fw-la negligunt_fw-la gravissimè_fw-la peccant_a non_fw-la tantum_fw-la in_o deum_fw-la ratione_fw-la institutionis_fw-la sed_fw-la etiam_fw-la in_o svas_fw-la proprias_fw-la animas_fw-la ratione_fw-la benedictionis_fw-la adjunctae_fw-la etsi_fw-la obstinatè_fw-la persistant_n in_fw-la ipsa_fw-la incuâ—ia_fw-la quicquid_fw-la alius_fw-la profitentur_fw-la vix_fw-la possunt_fw-la haberi_fw-la pro_fw-la fidelibus_fw-la regnum_fw-la dei_fw-la verè_fw-la quaerentibus_fw-la medul_a theol._n l._n 1._o c._n 32._o sect._n 28._o first_o whereas_o this_o 13_o question_n speak_v of_o private_a 13._o and_o illiterate_a person_n into_o a_o church_n body_n combine_v we_o look_v at_o this_o as_o a_o incongruous_a expression_n if_o not_o a_o contradiction_n for_o a_o company_n so_o combine_v as_o to_o make_v a_o church_n be_v not_o fit_o call_v private_a though_o they_o be_v illiterate_a in_o respect_n of_o humane_a learning_n in_o as_o much_o as_o a_o church_n or_o a_o church-body_n especial_o in_o time_n and_o place_n of_o peace_n and_o liberty_n be_v a_o public_a congregation_n and_o society_n and_o the_o act_n of_o communion_n which_o they_o have_v among_o themselves_o such_o as_o be_v the_o election_n and_o depose_n of_o minister_n whereof_o the_o question_n make_v mention_v be_v not_o private_a act_n but_o public_a or_o people-like_a neither_o be_v literate_a or_o learned_a man_n therefore_o public_a because_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o humane_a learning_n unless_o withal_o they_o be_v call_v to_o public_a office_n or_o employment_n in_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n and_o therefore_o if_o illiterate_a be_v a_o exegesis_n of_o private_a we_o conceive_v that_o exegesis_n be_v not_o good_a second_o whereas_o this_o question_n ask_v whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o convenient_a that_o such_o a_o company_n shall_v themselves_o ordinary_o examine_v elect_v ordain_v and_o depose_v their_o own_o minister_n if_o ordinary_o be_v as_o much_o as_o frequent_o we_o answer_v three_o thing_n first_o that_o if_o one_o church_n do_v frequent_o come_v to_o such_o action_n that_o be_v to_o take_v in_o and_o put_v out_o the_o same_o man_n this_o be_v not_o without_o suspicion_n of_o much_o levity_n and_o rashness_n in_o the_o people_n or_o unfaithfulnesse_n or_o unworthy_a walk_n in_o the_o minister_n or_o both_o and_o therefore_o ordinary_o that_o be_v frequent_a take_v in_o and_o put_v out_o again_o in_o this_o manner_n be_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v to_o be_v avoid_v second_o when_o such_o thing_n do_v often_o and_o frequent_o fall_v out_o it_o be_v doubtless_o a_o judgement_n of_o god_n upon_o such_o a_o people_n to_o have_v so_o many_o change_n in_o their_o minister_n as_o be_v that_o of_o which_o it_o be_v say_v three_o shepherd_n have_v i_o cut_v off_o in_o one_o month_n zach._n 11._o 8._o that_o people_n shall_v be_v so_o oft_o as_o sheep_n have_v no_o shepherd_n for_o the_o transgression_n of_o a_o land_n many_o be_v the_o prince_n thereof_o pro._n 28._o 2._o so_o in_o like_a sort_n for_o the_o transgression_n of_o a_o church_n many_o be_v the_o minister_n thereof_o we_o mean_v when_o they_o have_v many_o minister_n by_o the_o come_n in_o and_o go_v out_o of_o the_o same_o man_n or_o the_o remove_n of_o some_o and_o the_o take_n in_o of_o other_o in_o their_o room_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v a_o blessing_n of_o god_n when_o a_o church_n be_v furnish_v with_o variety_n of_o minister_n at_o the_o same_o time_n act_v 13._o 1._o &_o 21._o 18._o phil._n 1._o 1._o three_o yet_o this_o word_n ordinary_o do_v seem_v to_o imply_v that_o in_o your_o judgement_n sometime_o this_o may_v be_v lawful_a and_o convenient_a to_o be_v do_v now_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o may_v be_v do_v sometime_o upon_o the_o same_o it_o may_v be_v do_v at_o other_o time_n if_o there_o be_v just_a occasion_n three_o for_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o other_o church_n of_o which_o this_o question_n make_v mention_v if_o this_o be_v only_o by_o way_n of_o counsel_n or_o advice_n we_o know_v nothing_o unlawful_a or_o
carry_v matter_n just_o and_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n matth._n 16._o 19_o among_o other_o thing_n note_v ministerial_a or_o delegated_a power_n of_o government_n and_o this_o power_n be_v commit_v by_o christ_n unto_o the_o church_n as_o may_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v first_o to_o who_o christ_n direct_v his_o speech_n in_o that_o place_n of_o scripture_n not_o to_o peter_n alone_o but_o to_o all_o the_o disciple_n also_o for_o to_o they_o all_o the_o question_n be_v propound_v by_o christ_n vers_fw-la 15._o and_o â—eter_a answer_v in_o all_o their_o name_n second_o that_o he_o and_o they_o be_v not_o then_o look_v upon_o as_o apostle_n or_o general_a officer_n of_o all_o church_n for_o that_o commission_n be_v not_o yet_o give_v they_o but_o as_o disciple_n and_o believer_n believe_v with_o the_o heart_n and_o confess_v with_o the_o mouth_n jesus_n christ_n the_o rock_n upon_o who_o the_o church_n be_v build_v wherein_o as_o they_o do_v represent_v all_o believer_n so_o in_o peter_n and_o the_o rest_n the_o key_n be_v commit_v to_o all_o believer_n that_o shall_v join_v together_o in_o the_o same_o confession_n according_a to_o the_o order_n and_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o afterward_o this_o power_n of_o government_n be_v express_o give_v to_o the_o church_n matth._n 18._o 17._o according_a hereunto_o in_o that_o description_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n as_o it_o be_v institute_v by_o christ_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n rev._n 4._o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v see_v by_o john_n in_o a_o vision_n sit_v on_o throne_n clothe_v with_o white_a raiment_n have_v on_o their_o head_n crown_n of_o gold_n vers_fw-la 14._o now_o throne_n and_o crown_n be_v ensign_n of_o authority_n and_o power_n to_o note_v unto_o we_o that_o authority_n and_o govern_v power_n which_o be_v commit_v by_o christ_n unto_o the_o church_n doctor_n fulke_n have_v this_o say_n the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n whatsoever_o they_o be_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o not_o to_o one_o person_n only_o as_o cyprian_n augustine_n chrysostome_n jerome_n and_o all_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n agreeable_o to_o the_o scripture_n do_v confess_v against_o the_o pope_n pardon_n chap._n 3._o p._n 381._o and_o elsewhere_o he_o say_v the_o authority_n of_o excommunication_n pertain_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n although_o the_o judgement_n and_o execution_n thereof_o be_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o exercise_n that_o authority_n as_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n so_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whoâ—e_a church_n whereof_o they_o be_v appoint_v governor_n to_o avoid_v confusion_n against_o the_o rhemist_n on_o 1_o cor._n 5._o sect._n 3_o and_o doctor_n whitaker_n have_v these_o word_n hoc_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la nos_fw-la dicimus_fw-la petrum_fw-la gessisse_fw-la personam_fw-la omnium_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la quare_fw-la hanc_fw-la promissionem_fw-la non_fw-la uni_fw-la petro_n sed_fw-la toti_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la factam_fw-la esse_fw-la &_o totam_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la in_o illo_fw-la clave_n accepisse_fw-la de_fw-fr pontiff_a roman_n q._n 2._o c._n 4._o sect._n 17._o and_o in_o that_o book_n he_o be_v pregnant_a and_o plain_a in_o this_o that_o by_o the_o key_n be_v mean_v all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o that_o these_o key_n be_v give_v in_o peter_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n the_o same_o be_v also_o teach_v by_o master_n parker_n polit._n eccles_n l._n 3._o c._n 1._o 2._o 3._o 4._o 5_o 6._o where_o he_o prove_v by_o many_o argument_n that_o every_o visible_a church_n which_o he_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v no_o other_o but_o a_o particular_a congregation_n have_v the_o power_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a government_n and_o jurisdiction_n commit_v to_o it_o by_o christ_n jesus_n and_o answer_v many_o objection_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o page_n 2_o of_o that_o three_o book_n make_v mention_n of_o four_o opinion_n concern_v those_o word_n of_o the_o key_n and_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v matth._n 16._o 19_o the_o first_o of_o they_o that_o understand_v the_o pope_n only_o to_o be_v mean_v thereby_o as_o peter_n successor_n the_o second_o of_o they_o that_o understand_v it_o of_o the_o diocesan_n bishop_n the_o three_o of_o they_o that_o understand_v those_o word_n as_o mean_v of_o the_o minister_n but_o the_o minister_n alone_o the_o four_o of_o they_o that_o understand_v peter_n to_o represent_v the_o church_n in_o that_o place_n and_o therefore_o that_o that_o promise_n be_v make_v unto_o the_o church_n of_o these_o he_o refuse_v the_o three_o first_o as_o unsound_a and_o maintain_v the_o four_o as_o only_o agree_v to_o the_o truth_n and_o master_n baine_n say_v every_o church_n by_o christ_n institution_n have_v power_n of_o government_n diocese_n trial_n quest_n 1._o p._n 8._o and_o he_o tell_v we_o page_n 11._o what_o he_o mean_v by_o church_n the_o word_n church_n say_v he_o we_o understand_v here_o not_o figurative_o tataken_v metonymical_o for_o the_o place_n synâ—cdochecally_o for_o minister_n administer_a ordinance_n but_o proper_o for_o a_o body_n politic_a stand_v of_o people_n to_o be_v teach_v and_o govern_v and_o of_o teacher_n and_o governor_n so_o that_o in_o his_o judgement_n every_o church_n proper_o so_o call_v have_v power_n of_o government_n within_o itself_o and_o by_o these_o word_n of_o he_o it_o may_v also_o be_v conclude_v that_o all_o power_n of_o government_n be_v not_o in_o the_o elder_n alone_o for_o the_o power_n of_o government_n by_o church_n institution_n be_v in_o every_o church_n proper_o so_o call_v but_o minister_n be_v not_o a_o church_n in_o propriety_n of_o speech_n but_o only_o figurative_o by_o a_o synecdoche_n and_o therefore_o all_o power_n of_o government_n be_v not_o in_o the_o minister_n alone_o but_o a_o church_n proper_o so_o call_v be_v the_o body_n politic_a consist_v of_o people_n and_o minister_n but_o of_o this_o more_o may_v be_v say_v in_o the_o next_o question_n four_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o independency_n whereof_o this_o question_n also_o make_v mention_n we_o do_v confess_v the_o church_n be_v not_o so_o independent_a but_o that_o it_o ought_v to_o depend_v on_o christ_n both_o for_o direction_n from_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o holy_a word_n joh._n 10._o 27._o act._n 3._o 23._o and_o for_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o discern_v those_o rule_n and_o to_o walk_v according_a to_o they_o when_o they_o shall_v be_v discern_v joh._n â—5_n 5._o and_o 16._o 13._o but_o for_o dependency_n upon_o man_n or_o other_o church_n or_o other_o subordination_n unto_o they_o in_o regard_n of_o church_n government_n or_o power_n we_o know_v not_o of_o any_o such_o appoint_a by_o christ_n in_o his_o word_n our_o saviour_n word_n be_v plain_a if_o a_o man_n hear_v not_o the_o church_n let_v he_o beto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a or_o publican_n and_o his_o promise_n unto_o his_o church_n be_v plain_a also_o that_o whatsoever_o they_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n mat._n 18._o 17._o etc._n etc._n and_o the_o apostle_n bid_v the_o church_n deliver_v the_o impenitent_a sinner_n unto_o satan_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 4._o 5_o 6._o now_o when_o the_o man_n upon_o the_o church_n censure_n come_v to_o be_v in_o case_n as_o a_o heathen_a or_o publican_n yea_o become_v bind_v in_o heaven_n as_o well_o as_o bind_v in_o earth_n and_o also_o deliver_v unto_o satan_n this_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o be_v such_o a_o firm_a ratification_n of_o the_o church_n censure_n as_o leave_v no_o room_n for_o any_o other_o ecclesiastical_a power_n on_o earth_n to_o reverse_v or_o disannul_v the_o same_o and_o so_o take_v away_o that_o kind_n of_o dependency_n and_o subordination_n of_o church_n nos_fw-la plane_n dicimus_fw-la â—cclesias_fw-la initiò_fw-la regi_fw-la solitas_fw-la esse_fw-la à _fw-la suis_fw-la pastoribus_fw-la sic_fw-la quidem_fw-la ut_fw-la nullis_fw-la essent_fw-la externis_fw-la aut_fw-la ecclesiâ—s_fw-la aut_fw-la episcopis_fw-la subditae_fw-la non_fw-la colossensis_fw-la ephaesiâ—ae_fw-la non_fw-la philippensis_fw-la thessaloniensi_fw-la non_fw-la hâ—_n romanae_fw-la non_fw-la romanae_fw-la cviquam_fw-la seâ—_n paris_n omnes_fw-la inter_fw-la se_fw-la juris_fw-la essent_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la svi_fw-la omnes_fw-la juris_fw-la et_fw-la mancipij_fw-la whitak_n de_fw-fr pontif._n roman_n question_v 1_o chapter_n 1._o section_n 3._o that_o be_v in_o sum_n the_o church_n be_v not_o dependent_a and_o subordinate_a to_o other_o but_o all_o of_o they_o absolute_o free_a and_o independent_a we_o affirm_v say_v master_n baine_n that_o all_o church_n be_v singular_a congregation_n equal_a in_o dependent_a each_o of_o other_o in_o regard_n of_o subjection_n diocese_n trial_n q_o 1._o pag._n 13._o the_o twenty_o chapter_n of_o mr._n parker_n his_o three_o book_n of_o eccles_n polity_n have_v this_o title_n de_fw-fr summitate_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la particularis_fw-la and_o
ecclesiae_fw-la consensu_fw-la excommunicari_fw-la nemo_fw-la debet_fw-la and_o then_o compare_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o roman_a commonwealth_n which_o have_v the_o dictator_n the_o senate_n and_o the_o quirite_n and_o show_v that_o the_o church_n government_n in_o respect_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o monarchy_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o presbyter_n a_o aristocratie_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o people_n a_o democraty_n he_o conclude_v thus_o in_o rebus_fw-la igitur_fw-la gravissimis_fw-la quae_fw-la ad_fw-la totum_fw-la corpus_fw-la pertinent_a uti_fw-la est_fw-la excommunicatio_fw-la sine_fw-la consensu_fw-la et_fw-la authoritate_fw-la totius_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la nihil_fw-la fieri_fw-la debet_fw-la de_fw-fr redempt_n in_o prae_fw-la c._n 4._o pag._n 983._o etc._n etc._n calvin_n word_n be_v these_o cyprianus_n cum_fw-la meminit_fw-la per_fw-la quos_fw-la svo_fw-la tempore_fw-la exerceretur_fw-la viz._n potestas_fw-la jurisdictionis_fw-la adjungere_fw-la solet_fw-la totum_fw-la clerum_fw-la episcopo_fw-la sed_fw-la libi_fw-la quoque_fw-la demonstrat_fw-la sic_fw-la praefuisse_fw-la clerum_fw-la ipsum_fw-la ut_fw-la plebs_fw-la interim_n à _fw-la cognition_n non_fw-la excluderetur_fw-la sic_fw-la enim_fw-la scribit_fw-la ab_fw-la initio_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la mei_fw-la statui_fw-la sine_fw-la cleri_fw-la consilio_fw-la &_o plebis_fw-la consensu_fw-la nihil_fw-la agere_fw-la instit._fw-la 1._o 4._o c._n 11._o sect._n 6._o and_o again_o hoc_fw-la addo_fw-la illam_fw-la esse_fw-la legitimam_fw-la in_o excommunicando_fw-la homine_fw-la progressionem_fw-la quam_fw-la demonstrat_fw-la paulus_n si_fw-la non_fw-la soli_fw-la seniores_fw-la seorsim_fw-la id_fw-la faciant_fw-la sed_fw-la conscia_fw-la &_o approbante_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la in_fw-la eum_fw-la scilicet_fw-la modum_fw-la ut_fw-la plebis_fw-la multitudo_fw-la non_fw-la regat_fw-la actionem_fw-la sed_fw-la observet_fw-la ut_fw-la testis_fw-la &_o custos_fw-la ne_fw-la quid_fw-la per_fw-la libidinem_fw-la à _fw-la paucis_fw-la geratur_fw-la instit_n l._n 4._o c._n 12._o sect._n 7._o those_o minister_n that_o pen_v the_o christian_a and_o modest_a offer_n of_o disputation_n do_v say_v that_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n that_o exercise_v ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n ought_v not_o to_o perform_v any_o main_a and_o material_a ecclesiastical_a act_n without_o the_o free_a consent_n of_o the_o congregation_n in_o propos_fw-fr 8._o the_o refuter_fw-la of_o doctor_n downams_n sermon_n for_o the_o superiority_n of_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v plain_a and_o full_a also_o in_o this_o point_n in_o part_n 2._o of_o his_o reply_n p._n 104_o 105_o 106._o where_n answer_v doctor_n downam_n that_o count_v it_o schismatical_a novelty_n that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o church_n government_n shall_v be_v hold_v in_o part_n to_o be_v democrattcall_a and_o that_o his_o refuter_fw-la for_o so_o hold_v be_v a_o brownist_n or_o anabaptist_n he_o not_o only_o prove_v the_o power_n of_o the_o people_n from_o the_o scripture_n and_o deliver_v his_o own_o judgement_n that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v of_o a_o mix_a form_n compound_v of_o all_o three_o estate_n but_o for_o the_o same_o tenant_n and_o that_o the_o church_n government_n be_v in_o part_n democraticall_a or_o popular_a he_o allege_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o century_n of_o illyricus_n of_o doctor_n fulke_n doctor_n willet_n cyprian_n augustine_n p._n martyr_n dr_n whitaker_n and_o other_o master_n baines_n his_o judgement_n we_o hear_v before_o in_o the_o former_a question_n vrsinus_n speak_v of_o that_o question_n quibus_fw-la commissa_fw-la est_fw-la potestas_fw-la clavium_fw-la have_v these_o word_n quibus_fw-la denunciatio_fw-la verbi_fw-la divini_fw-la delegata_fw-la est_fw-la iisdem_fw-la &_o potestas_fw-la illa_fw-la clavium_fw-la quae_fw-la verò_fw-la denunciatio_fw-la fit_a in_fw-la ecclesiastica_fw-la disciplina_fw-la est_fw-la totius_fw-la ecclesie_n ad_fw-la totam_fw-la enim_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la pertinet_fw-la disciplina_fw-la &_o jurisdictio_fw-la spiritualis_fw-la sed_fw-la alio_fw-la modo_fw-la fit_a illa_fw-la denunciatio_fw-la in_o verbi_fw-la divini_fw-la ministerio_fw-la quam_fw-la in_o ecclesiae_fw-la judicio_fw-la and_o then_o tell_v how_o this_o denunciation_n be_v do_v in_o the_o ministry_n and_o by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n he_o come_v to_o declare_v how_o it_o be_v do_v in_o church_n censure_n in_o ecclesiastico_fw-la judicio_fw-la say_v he_o gratiae_fw-la &_o irae_fw-la dei_fw-la non_fw-la fit_a denunciati_fw-la ab_fw-la uno_fw-la aliquo_fw-la privatim_fw-la sed_fw-la à _fw-la tota_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la aut_fw-la nomine_fw-la totius_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la '_o ab_fw-la it_o qui_fw-la ad_fw-la hoc_fw-la delecti_fw-la sunt_fw-la communi_fw-la omnium_fw-la consensu_fw-la and_o a_o little_a after_o answer_v objection_n bring_v against_o the_o use_n of_o excommunication_n he_o have_v these_o word_n potest_fw-la concedi_fw-la quod_fw-la christus_fw-la non_fw-la intelligat_fw-la presbyterium_fw-la viz._n in_o that_o place_n matth._n 18._o tell_v the_o church_n sed_fw-la propriè_fw-la sumat_fw-la vocabulum_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ante_fw-la christum_fw-la jdaicaeâ—_n post_n christum_fw-la christianae_n sed_fw-la in_o ecclesiae_fw-la jurisdictione_n oportet_fw-la aliquem_fw-la esse_fw-la ordinem_fw-la aliquos_fw-la oportet_fw-la esse_fw-la constitutos_fw-la ab_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la alioquin_fw-la esset_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o speak_v of_o that_o question_n quis_fw-la ordo_fw-la seruari_fw-la debeat_fw-la in_o exercenda_fw-la clavium_fw-la potestate_fw-la he_o say_v principalis_fw-la pars_fw-la in_o excommunicatione_n est_fw-la denunciatio_fw-la qua_fw-la etc._n etc._n atque_fw-la haec_fw-la denunciatio_fw-la qua_fw-la quis_fw-la excommunicatur_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la penes_fw-la ministrum_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la sed_fw-la penes_fw-la ipsam_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la &_o ejus_fw-la nomine_fw-la fit_a quia_fw-la mandatum_fw-la hoc_fw-la à _fw-la christo_fw-la datum_fw-la est_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la nam_fw-la ipse_fw-la ait_fw-la expressè_fw-la dic_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la and_o final_o speak_v of_o abuse_n to_o be_v avoid_v and_o caution_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o excommunication_n he_o have_v such_o word_n in_o the_o four_o proposition_n or_o rule_v there_o annex_v as_o do_v declare_v it_o to_o be_v his_o judgement_n that_o if_o excommunication_n shall_v be_v pass_v by_o a_o few_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n such_o proceed_n will_v be_v both_o oligarchy_n and_o tyranny_n attentem_fw-la expendatum_fw-la say_v he_o à _fw-la toto_fw-la presbyterio_n probetur_fw-la ab_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la non_fw-la suscipiatur_fw-la private_a â_fw-la authoritate_fw-la ne_fw-la ministerium_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la convertatur_fw-la in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o tyrannidem_fw-la in_o his_o comment_n upon_o the_o catechism_n in_o the_o place_n de_fw-fr clavibus_fw-la regni_fw-la coelorum_fw-la pareus_n deliver_v certain_a porismata_fw-la or_o conclusion_n concern_v excommunication_n have_v this_o for_o the_o five_o of_o they_o quòd_fw-la excommunicandi_fw-la potestas_fw-la non_fw-la fit_a penes_fw-la unum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la vel_fw-la paucos_fw-la pastor_n sed_fw-la penes_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la proindelicet_fw-la pastor_n &_o presbyteri_fw-la ordinis_fw-la cau_o â_fw-la primas_fw-la habeant_fw-la part_n circa_fw-la censuras_fw-la ecclesiasticas_fw-la &_o per_fw-la eos_fw-la hâ—_n administrentur_fw-la quod_fw-la tamen_fw-la citra_fw-la consensum_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la pastor_n ad_fw-la exclusionem_fw-la procedâ—re_fw-la non_fw-la debeant_fw-la alibi_fw-la demonstravimus_fw-la in_o 1_o cor._n 5._o and_o a_o little_a after_o answer_v stapletons_n objection_n that_o will_v have_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n to_o be_v in_o the_o bishop_n alone_o he_o bring_v in_o the_o case_n of_o cyprian_a who_o can_v not_o absolve_v the_o lapsi_fw-la without_o the_o people_n cyprianus_n say_v he_o ad_fw-la cornelium_n romanum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la scribit_fw-la sâ—_n multum_fw-la apua_fw-la plebem_fw-la laborasse_fw-la ut_fw-la pax_fw-la daretur_fw-la lapsis_fw-la quam_fw-la si_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la dare_v potuisset_fw-la non_fw-la erat_fw-la cur_n adeo_fw-la in_o persuadenda_fw-la plebe_fw-la se_fw-la fatigasset_fw-la so_o that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o pareus_n and_o cyprian_n all_o power_n of_o church_n government_n be_v not_o in_o the_o presbyter_n but_o some_o power_n be_v in_o the_o people_n musculus_fw-la although_o he_o think_v there_o be_v little_a use_n of_o excommunication_n and_o church_n discipline_n where_o there_o be_v a_o christian_a magistrate_n yet_o when_o it_o be_v to_o be_v use_v he_o will_v not_o have_v the_o people_n exclude_v from_o have_v any_o hand_n therein_o as_o may_v appear_v by_o those_o word_n of_o he_o where_o he_o speak_v de_fw-fr disciplina_fw-la ecclesiastica_fw-la hisce_fw-la de_fw-la rebus_fw-la non_fw-la constituet_fw-la minister_n svo_fw-la proprio_fw-la arbitratu_fw-la sed_fw-la erit_fw-la ad_fw-la institutionem_fw-la earum_fw-la director_n &_o adhibebit_fw-la suffragia_fw-la &_o consensum_fw-la sue_v plebis_fw-la ne_fw-la quicquam_fw-la invitae_fw-la ecclesie_n imponatur_fw-la denique_fw-la curabit_fw-la ut_fw-la plebs_fw-la ipsa_fw-la viros_fw-la grave_n timentes_fw-la dei_fw-la ac_fw-la boni_fw-la testimonii_fw-la deligat_fw-la quorum_fw-la curâ_fw-la &_o vigilantiâ_fw-la disciplina_fw-la ecclesiastica_fw-la administratur_fw-la &_o si_fw-la quid_fw-la gravioris_fw-la momenti_fw-la accidat_fw-la ad_fw-la ipsam_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la referatur_fw-la loc._n come_v de_fw-fr ministris_fw-la verbi_fw-la dei_fw-la in_o tit_n de_fw-fr potestate_fw-la ministrorum_fw-la p._n 377._o and_o afterward_o in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o that_o place_n come_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o depose_n of_o unworthy_a minister_n he_o have_v these_o word_n quaeritur_fw-la hic_fw-la per_fw-la quos_fw-la disciplina_fw-la ista_fw-la administrari_fw-la debeat_fw-la respondeo_fw-la
another_o though_o now_o and_o then_o as_o need_n require_v church_n send_v to_o other_o church_n for_o their_o counsel_n and_o advice_n mean_v to_o preserve_v the_o church_n in_o unity_n and_o verity_n 18._o and_o to_o reform_v any_o that_o may_v err_v thanks_n be_v to_o god_n we_o have_v sundry_a first_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n for_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 15_o 16._o 2_o pet._n 1._o 19_o psal_n 19_o 7_o 8._o second_o the_o ministry_n appoint_v by_o christ_n viz._n of_o pastor_n teacher_n elder_n and_o deacon_n ephes_n 4._o 11_o 12._o 1_o cor_fw-la 12._o 28._o 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o 1._o tim._n 3._o 1_o 2._o &c_n &c_n and_o vers_fw-la 8._o and_o in_o both_o these_o we_o have_v frequent_o hold_v forth_o unto_o we_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n wherein_o he_o require_v church_n to_o be_v of_o one_o mind_n and_o one_o judgement_n in_o the_o truth_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 10._o &_o 2._o 13._o 11._o ephes_n 4._o 3._o &_o phil._n 1._o 27._o &_o 2._o 1._o 2._o and_o his_o promise_n to_o lead_v his_o people_n into_o all_o truth_n and_o holy_a agreement_n therein_o jer._n 32._o 29._o isa_n 11_o 6_o 7_o etc._n etc._n zeph._n 3._o 9_o joh._n 16._o 13._o with_o many_o motive_n and_o rule_n from_o scripture_n for_o continue_v in_o the_o say_a truth_n and_o love_n now_o faith_n make_v use_v of_o these_o promise_n and_o submit_v to_o these_o precept_n and_o exhortation_n and_o so_o both_o these_o be_v mix_v with_o faith_n be_v profitable_a mean_n by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n for_o that_o end_n aforesaid_a heb._n 4._o 2._o as_o these_o church_n have_v find_v by_o experience_n for_o these_o year_n since_o our_o come_n into_o this_o country_n and_o any_o other_o mean_v sanctify_v of_o god_n for_o the_o aforesaid_a end_n we_o hope_v we_o shall_v be_v glad_a with_o thankful_a heart_n to_o improve_v and_o make_v use_n of_o as_o the_o lord_n shall_v help_v as_o for_o a_o platform_n of_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n which_o you_o mention_v as_o one_o mean_v hereunto_o if_o thereby_o you_o mean_v no_o more_o but_o a_o confession_n of_o faith_n of_o the_o holy_a doctrine_n which_o be_v according_a to_o godliness_n we_o know_v nothing_o but_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_a and_o expedient_a in_o some_o case_n for_o any_o particular_a person_n that_o have_v receive_v the_o gift_n to_o do_v it_o or_o any_o church_n or_o aâ—l_o the_o church_n in_o any_o christian_a commonwealth_n to_o compile_v and_o set_v forth_o such_o a_o platform_n the_o practice_n of_o those_o church_n who_o confession_n be_v contain_v in_o that_o book_n call_v the_o harmony_n of_o confession_n as_o also_o of_o master_n robinson_n at_o leiden_fw-mi and_o other_o of_o our_o nation_n in_o other_o part_n in_o the_o low-countries_n who_o have_v publish_v such_o platform_n we_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o condemn_v or_o disallow_v neither_o count_v we_o it_o unlawful_a or_o inexpedient_a for_o any_o church_n or_o church_n or_o person_n or_o person_n in_o the_o country_n upon_o just_a occasion_n to_o do_v the_o like_a but_o if_o your_o meaning_n be_v of_o a_o platform_n to_o be_v impose_v by_o authority_n upon_o other_o or_o ourselves_o as_o a_o bind_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n so_o that_o all_o man_n must_v believe_v and_o walk_v according_a to_o that_o platform_n without_o add_v alter_v or_o omit_v than_o we_o be_v doubtful_a whether_o such_o platform_n be_v lawful_a or_o expedient_a for_o if_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v therein_o do_v in_o any_o particular_a swerve_v from_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o scripture_n then_o the_o impose_v of_o they_o be_v so_o far_o forth_o unlawful_a and_o if_o they_o be_v according_a to_o it_o than_o they_o may_v seem_v needless_a in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o form_n of_o wholesome_a word_n contain_v in_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_a which_o reason_n against_o such_o platform_n make_v nothing_o against_o sermon_n or_o preach_a though_o sermon_n must_v be_v according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o scripture_n because_o preach_v be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o not_o needless_a which_o we_o can_v say_v of_o such_o platform_n beside_o as_o they_o be_v not_o necessary_a so_o they_o may_v be_v a_o snare_n unto_o man_n and_o a_o dangerous_a temptation_n of_o attend_v more_o to_o the_o form_n of_o doctrine_n deliver_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o imposer_n then_o to_o the_o examine_v thereof_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o scripture_n and_o so_o their_o faith_n may_v by_o this_o mean_n stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n or_o will_n of_o man_n rather_o than_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n as_o if_o man_n have_v dominion_n over_o their_o faith_n which_o thing_n ought_v not_o so_o to_o be_v 1_o cor._n 2._o 5._o &_o 2._o 1._o ver_fw-la christian_n have_v liberty_n from_o god_n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o try_v all_o thing_n and_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a act._n 17._o 11._o joh._n 5._o 39_o 1_o thess_n 5._o 21._o but_o the_o foresay_a impose_v of_o platform_n and_o confession_n compile_v by_o man_n do_v seem_v to_o abridge_v they_o of_o that_o liberty_n and_o if_o it_o be_v any_o mean_n of_o unity_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v a_o dangerous_a hindrance_n of_o some_o verity_n and_o degree_n of_o truth_n as_o bind_v man_n to_o rest_n in_o their_o former_a apprehension_n and_o knowledge_n without_o liberty_n to_o better_v their_o judgement_n in_o those_o point_n and_o shut_v the_o door_n against_o any_o further_a light_n which_o god_n may_v give_v to_o his_o best_a servant_n and_o most_o discern_a beyond_o what_o they_o see_v at_o first_o and_o therefore_o we_o doubt_v such_o impose_v platform_n be_v not_o lawful_a or_o at_o least_o wise_a not_o expedient_a the_o consociation_n of_o church_n into_o class_n and_o synod_n we_o hold_v to_o be_v lawful_a and_o in_o some_o case_n necessary_a as_o namely_o in_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o one_o church_n but_o common_a to_o they_o all_o and_o likewise_o when_o a_o church_n be_v not_o able_a to_o end_v any_o matter_n that_o concern_v only_o themselves_o than_o they_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o counsel_n and_o advice_n from_o neighbour_n church_n as_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n do_v send_v unto_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n act_v 15._o 2._o the_o ground_n and_o use_v of_o class_n and_o synod_n with_o the_o limitation_n therein_o to_o be_v observe_v be_v summary_o lay_v down_o by_o doctor_n ames_n medul_n theol._n l_o 1._o c._n 39_o sect._n 27._o unto_o who_o we_o do_v whole_o consent_v in_o this_o matter_n but_o when_o you_o speak_v of_o do_v no_o weighty_a matter_n without_o the_o consent_n and_o counsel_n of_o a_o class_n we_o dare_v not_o so_o far_o restrain_v the_o particular_a church_n as_o fear_v this_o will_v be_v to_o give_v the_o class_n a_o undue_a power_n and_o more_o than_o belong_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o word_n as_o be_v also_o a_o abridgement_n of_o that_o power_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o every_o particular_a church_n to_o transact_v their_o own_o matter_n whether_o more_o or_o less_o weighty_a among_o themselves_o if_o so_o be_v they_o be_v able_a without_o such_o necessary_a dependence_n upon_o class_n as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o in_o answer_n to_o q._n 14._o sect._n 3_o &_o 4._o of_o that_o answer_n and_o master_n parker_n testify_v that_o in_o genevah_n and_o in_o the_o low-countries_n where_o they_o have_v some_o use_n of_o class_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o their_o particular_a congregation_n be_v absque_fw-la potestate_fw-la omni_fw-la in_o rebus_fw-la grandtoribus_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o excommunicatione_n the_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o without_o power_n in_o the_o more_o weighty_a matter_n as_o in_o excommunication_n polit._n eccles_n li._n 2._o c._n 36._o sect._n 11._o p._n 310._o and_o master_n baine_n show_v the_o same_o say_v they_o have_v power_n of_o govern_v themselves_o but_o for_o great_a edification_n voluntary_o confederate_a not_o to_o use_v or_o exercise_v their_o power_n but_o with_o mutual_a communion_n one_o ask_v the_o counsel_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o other_o diocese_n trial_o q._n 1._o p._n 21._o and_o a_o little_a after_o geneva_n make_v his_o consociation_n not_o as_o if_o the_o prime_a church_n be_v imperfect_a and_o to_o make_v one_o church_n by_o this_o union_n but_o because_o though_o they_o be_v entire_a church_n and_o have_v the_o power_n of_o church_n yet_o they_o need_v support_v in_o exercise_v of_o it_o etc._n etc._n which_o be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o we_o say_v before_o in_o q._n 14_o viz._n that_o all_o church_n have_v right_a of_o government_n within_o themselves_o but_o some_o have_v need_n of_o counsel_n and_o advice_n of_o other_o because_o they_o be_v of_o less_o ability_n to_o transact_v their_o own_o matter_n
the_o lesser_a now_o ordination_n be_v less_o than_o election_n and_o depend_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o necessary_a antecedent_n by_o divine_a institution_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o it_o be_v just_o administer_v be_v indeed_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o admission_n of_o a_o person_n lawful_o elect_v into_o his_o office_n or_o a_o put_n of_o he_o into_o possession_n thereof_o whereunto_o he_o have_v right_o before_o by_o election_n as_o be_v say_v before_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o precedent_a question_n 3._o if_o a_o church_n have_v minister_n or_o elder_n before_o than_o this_o ordination_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o their_o assembly_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o as_o also_o many_o other_o act_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v by_o they_o 4._o this_o ordination_n thus_o perform_v by_o the_o elder_n for_o the_o church_n may_v fit_o be_v call_v the_o act_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n as_o it_o be_v the_o whole_a man_n that_o see_v that_o hear_v that_o speak_v when_o these_o act_n be_v instrumental_o perform_v by_o the_o eye_n the_o ear_n and_o the_o tongue_n in_o which_o sense_n master_n parker_n say_v ecclesia_fw-la per_fw-la alios_fw-la docet_fw-la baptisaâ—que_fw-la polit._n eccles_n l._n 3._o c._n 7._o p._n 26._o 5._o but_o when_o a_o church_n have_v no_o officer_n but_o the_o first_o officer_n themselves_o be_v to_o be_v ordain_v than_o this_o ordination_n by_o the_o rite_n of_o impose_v of_o hand_n may_v be_v perform_v for_o the_o church_n by_o the_o most_o prime_a grave_n and_o able_a man_n from_o among_o themselves_o as_o the_o church_n shall_v depute_v hereunto_o as_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n do_v lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o levite_n numb_a 8._o 10._o now_o all_o the_o congregation_n can_v not_o impose_v all_o their_o hand_n upon_o they_o together_o all_o their_o hand_n can_v not_o possible_o reach_v they_o together_o and_o therefore_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o congregation_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n perform_v this_o rite_n and_o as_o this_o scripture_n show_v that_o the_o people_n may_v in_o some_o case_n lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o church_n officer_n for_o the_o levite_n be_v such_o upon_o who_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n do_v lay_v their_o hand_n so_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v whether_o these_o reason_n do_v not_o further_o make_v it_o manifest_a 1._o man_n that_o be_v in_o no_o office_n may_v elect_v therefore_o they_o may_v ordain_v because_o ordination_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o execution_n of_o election_n 2._o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o then_o one_o of_o these_o will_v follow_v either_o that_o the_o officer_n must_v minister_v without_o any_o ordination_n at_o all_o or_o else_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o former_a ordination_n receive_v in_o some_o other_o church_n or_o else_o they_o must_v be_v ordain_v by_o some_o other_o minister_n or_o minister_n of_o some_o other_o church_n that_o be_v ordain_v afore_o they_o and_o so_o the_o ministry_n to_o be_v by_o succession_n but_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v against_o the_o scripture_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o heb._n 6._o 2._o and_o the_o second_o be_v to_o establish_v the_o popish_a opinion_n of_o the_o indelible_a character_n imprint_v as_o they_o imagine_v in_o their_o sacrament_n of_o holy_a order_n whereas_o for_o aught_o we_o can_v discern_v if_o when_o they_o be_v call_v to_o office_n in_o any_o church_n they_o have_v need_n of_o a_o new_a election_n notwithstanding_o their_o former_a election_n into_o another_o church_n than_o they_o have_v by_o the_o same_o ground_n need_n of_o a_o new_a ordination_n for_o ordination_n depend_v upon_o election_n if_o their_o former_a election_n be_v cease_v their_o former_a ordination_n be_v cease_v also_o and_o they_o can_v no_o more_o minister_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o former_a ordination_n unto_o another_o church_n then_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o former_a election_n and_o for_o the_o three_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v what_o authority_n ordinary_a officer_n can_v have_v to_o ordain_v minister_n to_o such_o a_o church_n of_o which_o themselves_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o member_n beside_o at_o some_o time_n namely_o at_o the_o first_o reformation_n after_o the_o time_n of_o popery_n there_o be_v no_o other_o to_o be_v have_v but_o from_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o bishop_n and_o priest_n now_o it_o be_v a_o pitiful_a case_n if_o the_o sheep_n must_v have_v no_o shepherd_n but_o such_o as_o be_v appoint_v to_o they_o by_o the_o wolf_n that_o be_v if_o god_n people_n may_v not_o have_v minister_n but_o only_o from_o the_o popish_a bishop_n this_o be_v to_o say_v either_o that_o the_o minister_n of_o antichrist_n must_v or_o may_v ordain_v minister_n to_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n or_o else_o that_o the_o popish_a bishop_n be_v true_a minister_n of_o christ_n and_o if_o protestant_n think_v it_o necessary_a that_o their_o first_o minister_n shall_v be_v ordain_v by_o the_o popish_a bishop_n it_o be_v no_o marvel_n if_o the_o papist_n do_v thereupon_o believe_v that_o their_o church_n be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o their_o bishop_n true_a minister_n such_o a_o scandal_n be_v it_o unto_o they_o to_o maintain_v this_o personal_a succession_n of_o the_o ministry_n but_o god_n do_v so_o much_o abhor_v antichrist_n that_o he_o will_v not_o have_v his_o people_n to_o seek_v to_o he_o nor_o his_o priest_n to_o ordain_v christ_n minister_n as_o he_o will_v not_o take_v of_o babylon_n a_o stone_n for_o a_o corner_n nor_o a_o stone_n for_o a_o foundation_n jer._n 51._o 26._o 3._o it_o be_v thus_o in_o civil_a corporation_n and_o city_n the_o major_a bailiff_n or_o other_o chief_a officer_n elect_v be_v at_o his_o entrance_n and_o inauguration_n to_o receive_v at_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o predecessor_n the_o sword_n or_o key_n of_o the_o city_n or_o to_o have_v some_o other_o solemn_a ceremony_n by_o he_o perform_v unto_o he_o yet_o if_o either_o there_o be_v no_o former_a as_o at_o the_o first_o or_o that_o the_o former_a be_v dead_a or_o upon_o necessity_n absent_a when_o his_o successor_n enter_v then_o be_v this_o ceremony_n and_o work_n perform_v by_o some_o other_o the_o fit_a instrument_n neither_o need_v that_o city_n borrow_v any_o officer_n of_o another_o city_n neither_o can_v he_o intermeddle_v there_o without_o usurpation_n though_o both_o the_o corporation_n have_v the_o same_o charter_n under_o the_o same_o king_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o this_o spiritual_a corporation_n or_o city_n the_o church_n of_o god_n 4._o that_o this_o point_n may_v seem_v the_o less_o strange_a to_o you_o we_o pray_v you_o consider_v with_o we_o a_o little_a further_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o ordination_n and_o then_o we_o will_v add_v the_o testimony_n of_o some_o eminent_a protestant_a writer_n in_o this_o case_n that_o you_o may_v see_v this_o be_v not_o any_o singular_a opinion_n of_o we_o for_o the_o former_a some_o indeed_o have_v so_o high_o advance_v this_o ordination_n that_o they_o have_v prefer_v it_o far_o above_o preach_v the_o word_n minister_a the_o sacrament_n and_o prayer_n make_v it_o and_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n the_o two_o incommunicable_a prerogative_n of_o a_o bishop_n above_o a_o ordinary_a minister_n yet_o the_o scripture_n teach_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o rather_o the_o contrary_a for_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v send_v out_o by_o christ_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o ordination_n in_o that_o commission_n of_o they_o but_o only_o of_o teach_v &_o preach_v &_o baptise_v mat._n 28._o 19_o 20._o mark_n 16._o 15_o 16._o if_o ordination_n of_o minister_n have_v be_v such_o a_o special_a work_n there_o will_v belike_o have_v be_v some_o mention_n of_o it_o in_o their_o commission_n and_o certain_a it_o be_v the_o apostle_n count_v preach_v the_o word_n their_o principal_a work_n and_o after_o it_o prayer_n and_o the_o minister_a of_o the_o sacrament_n act._n 6._o 4._o 1_o cor._n 1._o 17._o if_o ordain_v of_o minister_n have_v be_v in_o their_o account_n so_o prime_a a_o work_n it_o may_v seem_v paul_n will_v rather_o have_v tarry_v in_o crete_n to_o have_v ordain_v elder_n there_o then_o have_v go_v himself_o about_o preach_v seave_v titus_n for_o the_o other_o tit._n 1_o 5._o by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o ordain_v of_o minister_n be_v not_o such_o a_o eminent_a work_n as_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v prefer_v above_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o minister_a the_o sacrament_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v perform_v by_o they_o that_o be_v superior_n unto_o ordinary_a minister_n preach_v and_o minister_a the_o sacrament_n be_v leave_v as_o inferior_a work_n unto_o minister_n of_o a_o inferior_a rank_n as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o that_o stand_v for_o the_o superiority_n of_o docesan_n bishop_n neither_o be_v it_o equal_a unto_o those_o other_o work_v afore_o
be_v the_o case_n of_o any_o church_n when_o they_o come_v to_o be_v without_o officer_n as_o by_o war_n pestilence_n etc._n etc._n it_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v there_o be_v some_o thing_n common_a to_o pastor_n with_o teacher_n 22._o as_o that_o they_o be_v both_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n appoint_v by_o christ_n both_o elder_n or_o bishop_n to_o rule_v and_o feed_v the_o church_n by_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n act._n 20_o 28_o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1._o tit._n 1._o 5_o 7._o and_o therefore_o the_o name_n of_o pastor_n in_o a_o general_a sense_n may_v be_v give_v to_o they_o both_o jer._n 3._o 15._o as_o also_o the_o name_n of_o teacher_n isa_n 30._o 20._o as_o those_o name_n may_v also_o be_v give_v to_o apostle_n in_o as_o much_o as_o they_o also_o be_v elder_n pastor_n teacher_n to_o rule_v to_o feed_v to_o teach_v the_o church_n of_o god_n 1_o pet._n 5._o 1._o joh._n 21._o 15._o 16._o 1_o tim._n 2._o 7._o &_o 2._o 1._o 11._o and_o if_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n be_v both_o of_o they_o church_n officer_n to_o feed_v and_o rule_v the_o church_n by_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n they_o must_v not_o do_v this_o without_o application_n of_o it_o to_o the_o conscience_n and_o state_n of_o the_o hearer_n as_o god_n shall_v help_v they_o for_o this_o application_n be_v one_o part_n of_o his_o work_n that_o be_v by_o his_o office_n to_o preach_v the_o word_n without_o which_o the_o word_n be_v not_o handle_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v 2_o tim._n 2._o 15._o 1_o cor._n 14._o 25._o luk._n 12._o 42._o and_o many_o hearer_n need_v this_o the_o word_n deliver_v in_o general_a without_o application_n of_o it_o be_v to_o they_o as_o bread_n set_v before_o child_n in_o the_o whole_a loaf_n and_o if_o both_o of_o they_o must_v labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n and_o not_o only_o in_o a_o general_a way_n but_o with_o application_n we_o see_v not_o but_o they_o may_v both_o of_o they_o administer_v the_o seal_n or_o sacrament_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o special_a application_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n therein_o unto_o the_o faithful_a and_o believe_a receiver_n 2._o and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o community_n between_o they_o they_o be_v not_o in_o propriety_n of_o speech_n the_o same_o officer_n but_o distinct_a and_o so_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o they_o ephes_n 4._o 11._o for_o if_o a_o man_n will_v say_v their_o office_n be_v confound_v because_o the_o same_o general_a work_n of_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o apply_v the_o same_o belong_v unto_o they_o both_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n a_o man_n may_v say_v the_o office_n of_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n be_v confound_v for_o both_o of_o they_o be_v to_o preach_v the_o word_n with_o application_n of_o the_o same_o by_o doctrine_n and_o seal_n and_o also_o that_o the_o ordinary_a pastor_n be_v the_o same_o office_n with_o they_o both_o because_o he_o also_o be_v to_o do_v the_o same_o work_n of_o preach_v and_o apply_v but_o a_o apostle_n be_v to_o feed_v and_o rule_v and_o teach_v by_o way_n of_o doctrine_n and_o application_n as_o a_o apostle_n a_o evangelist_n as_o a_o evangelist_n and_o a_o ordinary_a pastor_n as_o a_o ordinary_a pastor_n and_o therein_o lie_v the_o difference_n and_o we_o may_v add_v a_o teacher_n as_o a_o teacher_n and_o therein_o be_v he_o distinguish_v both_o from_o the_o pastor_n and_o from_o all_o other_o church_n officer_n even_o as_o by_o the_o same_o they_o all_o be_v distinguish_v one_o from_o another_o the_o same_o general_a work_n of_o doctrine_n and_o application_n be_v common_a to_o they_o all_o 3._o and_o for_o the_o teacher_n and_o pastor_n the_o difference_n between_o they_o lie_v in_o this_o that_o the_o one_o be_v principal_o to_o attend_v upon_o point_n of_o knowledge_n and_o doctrine_n though_o not_o without_o application_n and_o the_o other_o to_o point_n of_o practice_n though_o not_o without_o doctrine_n and_o therefore_o the_o one_o of_o they_o be_v call_v he_o that_o teach_v and_o his_o work_n be_v thus_o express_v let_v he_o attend_v on_o teach_v and_o the_o other_o he_o that_o exhort_v and_o his_o work_n to_o attend_v on_o exhortation_n rom._n 12._o 7_o 8._o and_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o one_o be_v call_v a_o word_n of_o knowledge_n and_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o other_o a_o word_n of_o wisdom_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 8._o as_o experience_n also_o show_v that_o one_o man_n gift_n be_v more_o doctrinal_a and_o for_o point_n of_o knowledge_n and_o another_o more_a exhortatory_n and_o for_o point_n of_o practice_n it_o be_v not_o the_o manner_n of_o elder_n among_o we_o whether_o rule_v 23._o only_o or_o rule_v and_o teach_v also_o to_o strive_v for_o authority_n or_o pre-eminence_n one_o above_o another_o as_o remember_v what_o lesson_n our_o saviour_n teach_v his_o disciple_n when_o they_o be_v at_o strife_n among_o they_o which_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a luk._n 22._o 24_o 25._o etc._n etc._n if_o diotrephes_n strive_v for_o pre-eminence_n 3_o joh._n 9_o 10._o very_o we_o abhor_v such_o strive_v and_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n respect_v one_o another_o as_o brethren_n as_o for_o the_o people_n duty_n towards_o their_o elder_n it_o be_v teach_v they_o plain_o in_o that_o place_n 1_o thes_n 5._o 12_o 13._o as_o also_o in_o that_o of_o 1_o tim._n 5._o 17_o let_v the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n special_o they_o that_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n and_o this_o word_n special_o show_v they_o that_o as_o they_o be_v to_o account_v all_o their_o elder_n worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n so_o in_o special_a manner_n their_o teach_v or_o preach_v elder_n these_o be_v answer_v in_o that_o which_o be_v send_v the_o last_o 25._o year_n we_o do_v believe_v that_o every_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n ought_v 26._o to_o be_v maintain_v with_o sufficient_a and_o honourable_a maintenance_n according_a to_o his_o need_n and_o occasion_n in_o regard_n of_o his_o person_n call_v charge_v of_o child_n and_o hospitality_n so_o as_o he_o that_o preach_v the_o gospel_n may_v in_o all_o these_o respect_n live_v of_o the_o gospel_n 1_o cor._n 9_o 14._o gal_n 6._o 6._o 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o and_o this_o maintenance_n be_v not_o to_o be_v allow_v as_o alm_n and_o courtesy_n but_o as_o debt_n and_o duty_n to_o be_v pay_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o justice_n the_o labourer_n be_v worthy_a of_o his_o wage_n luk._n 10._o 17._o which_o the_o apostle_n show_v to_o be_v according_a to_o all_o law_n of_o nature_n nation_n moses_n and_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 9_o but_o for_o settle_a and_o stint_a maintenance_n there_o be_v nothing_o do_v that_o way_n among_o we_o except_o from_o year_n to_o year_n because_o the_o condition_n of_o minister_n may_v vary_v and_o of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o they_o do_v belong_v neither_o do_v we_o know_v any_o such_o thing_n to_o be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n our_o lord_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o these_o day_n but_o this_o we_o know_v that_o the_o great_a mountain_n burn_v with_o fire_n cast_v into_o the_o sea_n upon_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o second_o trumpet_n rev._n 8._o 8_o 9_o be_v apply_v by_o some_o good_a writer_n to_o those_o time_n when_o constantine_n bring_v settle_v endowment_n into_o the_o church_n with_o ampla_fw-la praedia_fw-la as_o they_o be_v call_v be_v count_v by_o some_o to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o poison_n to_o the_o church_n as_o the_o story_n say_v that_o upon_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o good_a emperor_n a_o voice_n be_v hear_v which_o say_v hodie_fw-la seminatum_fw-la est_fw-la virus_fw-la in_o ecclesiam_fw-la and_o if_o those_o writer_n be_v not_o deceive_v which_o so_o expound_v that_o scripture_n as_o for_o our_o part_n we_o know_v not_o but_o they_o expound_v it_o true_o then_o in_o as_o much_o as_o upon_o the_o cast_n of_o that_o mountain_n into_o the_o sea_n a_o three_o part_n of_o it_o become_v blood_n and_o a_o three_o part_n of_o live_a creature_n die_v and_o a_o three_o part_n of_o ship_n be_v destroy_v it_o may_v be_v true_o gather_v thence_o that_o the_o bring_n in_o of_o settle_a endowment_n and_o eminent_a preferment_n into_o the_o church_n have_v be_v the_o corruption_n and_o to_o some_o the_o destruction_n of_o such_o as_o live_v by_o they_o both_o church-officer_n and_o church-member_n we_o do_v not_o permit_v and_o call_v upon_o such_o who_o you_o call_v 27._o mere_a lay_v man_n and_o private_a person_n neither_o be_v in_o the_o ministry_n nor_o intend_v to_o it_o ordinary_o to_o preach_v or_o prophesy_v public_o in_o or_o before_o the_o congregation_n if_o by_o ordinary_o you_o mean_v frequent_o
and_o usual_o for_o where_o ordinary_a officer_n be_v not_o want_v to_o a_o church_n and_o neither_o detain_v from_o their_o work_n by_o sickness_n nor_o just_a absence_n we_o think_v it_o most_o meet_a to_o offer_v our_o sacrifice_n to_o god_n and_o to_o the_o church_n of_o our_o best_a gift_n but_o yet_o if_o you_o oppose_v ordinary_a to_o extraordinary_a we_o do_v confess_v that_o some_o private_a member_n to_o wit_n such_o as_o be_v eminent_o fit_v with_o knowledge_n and_o utterance_n be_v also_o man_n of_o humble_a spirit_n and_o holy_a life_n all_o which_o qualification_n we_o find_v but_o in_o a_o few_o may_v without_o a_o extraordinary_a call_n from_o god_n be_v call_v forth_o by_o by_o the_o church_n upon_o some_o occasion_n and_o namely_o in_o the_o absence_n or_o bodily_a weakness_n of_o minister_n or_o for_o trial_n of_o gift_n when_o a_o man_n intend_v the_o ministry_n to_o speak_v to_o edification_n exhortation_n and_o comfort_n jehosaphat_n send_v prince_n who_o neither_o be_v minister_n nor_o intend_v so_o to_o be_v to_o teach_v with_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n to_o wit_n at_o least_o to_o encourage_v the_o people_n to_o hearken_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n come_v among_o they_o 2_o chron._n 17._o 7_o 8_o 9_o as_o jehosaphat_n himself_o also_o do_v the_o like_a 2_o chron._n 20._o 20._o yea_o and_o be_v their_o mouth_n also_o to_o god_n in_o prayer_n v_o 2._o 5._o to_o 13._o as_o for_o that_o prophesy_a 1_o cor._n 14._o we_o conceive_v as_o some_o thing_n in_o it_o be_v extraordinary_a so_o some_o thing_n ordinary_a extraordinary_a that_o private_a man_n and_o new_a convert_n shall_v be_v so_o soon_o &_o so_o sudden_o &_o so_o much_o enlighten_v &_o enlarge_v as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o prophesy_v public_o to_o the_o edification_n of_o a_o whole_a church_n but_o yet_o this_o we_o conceive_v to_o be_v ordinary_a that_o some_o private_a man_n may_v be_v find_v at_o least_o in_o some_o church_n grow_v christian_n of_o able_a gift_n who_o may_v have_v receive_v a_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o for_o such_o we_o do_v not_o think_v it_o require_v any_o more_o a_o extraordinary_a call_n for_o they_o to_o prophesy_v in_o our_o church_n then_o for_o jehosaphat_n and_o his_o prince_n to_o prophecy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n our_o answer_n to_o this_o question_n be_v that_o we_o never_o know_v any_o 28._o minister_n that_o do_v call_v upon_o the_o people_n thus_o to_o do_v and_o as_o for_o we_o such_o call_n upon_o they_o be_v far_o from_o we_o all_o that_o we_o know_v to_o be_v hold_v in_o this_o case_n be_v this_o that_o some_o think_v the_o people_n have_v a_o liberty_n to_o ask_v a_o question_n public_o for_o their_o better_a satisfaction_n upon_o very_o urgent_a and_o weighty_a cause_n though_o even_o this_o be_v doubt_v of_o by_o other_o and_o all_o judge_n the_o ordinary_a practice_n of_o it_o not_o necessary_a but_o if_o it_o be_v not_o meek_o and_o wise_o carry_v to_o be_v inconvenient_a if_o not_o utter_o unlawful_a and_o therefore_o such_o ask_n of_o question_n be_v seldom_o use_v in_o any_o church_n among_o we_o and_o in_o most_o church_n never_o true_a it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n a_o little_a afore_o the_o synod_n divers_a that_o be_v infect_v with_o corrupt_a opinion_n be_v very_o bold_a &_o forward_o in_o this_o kind_n of_o ask_v question_n after_o sermon_n especial_o when_o they_o have_v hear_v something_o deliver_v public_o that_o do_v make_v against_o their_o tenant_n by_o which_o kind_n of_o ask_v question_n they_o plain_o discover_v of_o what_o spirit_n they_o be_v but_o for_o be_v call_v upon_o by_o we_o thus_o to_o do_v as_o it_o seem_v to_o your_o question_n that_o you_o have_v be_v inform_v the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v no_o such_o matter_n but_o now_o these_o man_n be_v long_o since_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o to_o a_o island_n call_v aquedneck_n depart_v from_o among_o we_o some_o of_o they_o be_v excommunicate_v or_o banish_v or_o both_o &_o other_o depart_v voluntary_o or_o for_o fear_n of_o the_o like_a censure_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o departure_n of_o these_o troublesome_a spirit_n from_o among_o we_o and_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o synod_n &_o sermon_n that_o have_v lay_v open_a &_o reprove_v this_o disorderly_a ask_n of_o question_n a_o man_n may_v now_o live_v from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o year_n unto_o another_o in_o these_o congregation_n &_o not_o hear_v any_o man_n open_a his_o mouth_n in_o such_o kind_n of_o ask_v question_n 1._o the_o conversion_n of_o sinner_n unto_o god_n do_v not_o always_o 29._o follow_v the_o preach_n of_o every_o one_o that_o be_v in_o a_o lawful_a office_n of_o ministry_n as_o experience_n and_o scripture_n do_v abundant_o witness_v isaiah_n 49._o 4_o 5._o &_o 53._o 1._o ezech._n 3._o 7._o 2_o king_n 17._o 13_o 14._o mat._n 11._o 20_o 21._o etc._n etc._n john_n 12._o 37._o 2._o and_o when_o it_o do_v follow_v it_o be_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o he_o or_o of_o his_o office_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o god_n blessing_n and_o the_o mighty_a operation_n of_o his_o spirit_n as_o he_o please_v without_o which_o the_o minister_n and_o his_o office_n can_v have_v have_v no_o virtue_n at_o all_o to_o convert_v sinner_n unto_o god_n 1_o cor._n 3._o 6._o no_o more_o than_o peter_n and_o john_n can_v heal_v the_o lame_a man_n by_o virtue_n of_o any_o power_n or_o holiness_n that_o be_v in_o they_o act._n 3._o 12._o for_o otherwise_o faithful_a minister_n shall_v not_o have_v their_o labour_n bless_v for_o conversion_n some_o more_o and_o some_o less_o but_o all_o in_o the_o same_o measure_n inasmuch_o as_o one_o of_o they_o be_v no_o more_o a_o minister_n then_o another_o nor_o no_o more_o in_o office_n then_o another_o their_o office_n be_v the_o same_o the_o effect_n in_o conversion_n will_v be_v the_o same_o if_o conversion_n be_v by_o the_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n the_o truth_n it_o be_v the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n that_o convert_v the_o soul_n psal_n 19_o 7._o and_o the_o gospel_n that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n rom._n 1._o 16._o and_o therefore_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o man_n to_o god_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o god_n and_o to_o the_o word_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o not_o to_o the_o minister_n nor_o any_o virtue_n of_o his_o office_n 3._o but_o this_o we_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o sound_a conversion_n of_o sinner_n whensoever_o such_o a_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v do_v argue_v that_o the_o instrument_n of_o such_o conversion_n be_v send_v of_o god_n god_n will_v not_o so_o have_v bless_v they_o as_o to_o convert_v any_o by_o they_o if_o himself_o have_v not_o send_v they_o at_o all_o rom._n 10._o 14_o 15._o jer._n 23._o 32._o 4._o and_o yet_o we_o dare_v not_o say_v that_o god_n word_n be_v not_o make_v effectual_a to_o conversion_n unless_o the_o man_n that_o speak_v it_o be_v a_o minister_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o church_n officer_n for_o the_o contrary_n be_v evident_a from_o the_o scripture_n john_n 4._o 39_o act._n 8._o 4._o with_o 11._o 19_o 20_o 21._o 1_o cor._n 7._o 16._o they_o that_o be_v scatter_v abroad_o upon_o the_o persecution_n that_o arise_v about_o steven_n be_v not_o church_n officer_n at_o least_o all_o of_o they_o for_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v their_o chief_n if_o not_o their_o only_a preach_v officer_n be_v not_o scatter_v abroad_o upon_o that_o persecution_n but_o remain_v still_o at_o jerusalem_n act_v 8._o 1._o and_o yet_o these_o man_n do_v so_o preach_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o grecian_n that_o through_o the_o good_a hand_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o be_v with_o they_o a_o great_a number_n believe_v and_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o same_o we_o say_v of_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n by_o who_o testimony_n of_o christ_n many_o of_o the_o samaritan_n believe_v on_o he_o to_o restrain_v the_o efficacy_n of_o god_n word_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o to_o say_v that_o none_o can_v be_v convert_v by_o it_o unless_o he_o that_o speak_v it_o be_v a_o minister_n be_v to_o limit_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n where_o he_o have_v not_o limit_v himself_o who_o be_v free_a in_o work_v by_o who_o he_o please_v and_o as_o he_o will_v 1_o cor._n 12._o 11._o even_o as_o the_o wind_n blow_v where_o it_o list_v john_n 3._o 8._o and_o sometime_o do_v bring_v to_o pass_v great_a thing_n by_o weak_a mean_n that_o his_o own_o glory_n may_v be_v the_o more_o 1_o cor._n 1._o 27_o 28_o 29._o if_o any_o say_v how_o can_v these_o thing_n stand_v together_o that_o a_o man_n that_o be_v no_o minister_n may_v be_v a_o instrument_n of_o conversion_n and_o yet_o
how_o approvable_a the_o man_n may_v be_v and_o what_o discipline_n it_o be_v that_o they_o will_v set_v up_o for_o shall_v we_o in_o such_o general_a word_n as_o be_v there_o express_v promise_v to_o accept_v of_o a_o company_n as_o a_o sister_n church_n that_o shall_v set_v up_o and_o practice_v another_o discipline_n and_o then_o shall_v be_v take_v at_o the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o our_o word_n we_o may_v by_o this_o mean_n be_v bind_v to_o accept_v of_o a_o company_n of_o papist_n or_o arminian_n or_o familist_n or_o anabaptist_n as_o a_o sister_n church_n for_o there_o be_v none_o of_o these_o but_o something_o may_v be_v find_v in_o they_o and_o in_o their_o discipline_n that_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n approvable_a and_o yet_o we_o pray_v you_o hearty_o in_o the_o lord_n so_o conceive_v of_o we_o in_o this_o passage_n that_o we_o be_v far_o from_o make_v any_o such_o comparison_n as_o if_o yourselves_o be_v not_o approve_v in_o our_o conscience_n far_o above_o the_o best_a 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pure_a language_n that_o they_o may_v all_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o serve_v he_o with_o one_o consent_n jer._n 32._o 39_o zeph._n 3._o 9_o we_o have_v confidence_n in_o you_o through_o the_o lord_n that_o you_o will_v be_v none_o otherwise_o mind_v but_o if_o in_o any_o thing_n you_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v god_n shall_v reveal_v even_o this_o unto_o you_o gal._n 5._o 10._o phil._n 3._o 15._o this_o be_v answer_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o posit_n 1._o &_o 2._o send_v unto_o you_o 32._o the_o last_o year_n finis_fw-la a_o apology_n of_o the_o church_n in_o new-england_a for_o church-covenant_n or_o a_o discourse_n touch_v the_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o especial_o concern_v church-covenant_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o covenant_n which_o a_o company_n do_v enter_v into_o when_o they_o become_v a_o church_n and_o which_o a_o particular_a person_n enter_v into_o when_o he_o become_v a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n send_v over_o in_o answer_n to_o master_n bernard_n in_o the_o year_n 1639._o and_o now_o publish_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o all_o who_o desire_n resolution_n in_o this_o point_n london_n print_v by_o t._n p._n and_o m._n s._n for_o benjamin_n allen._n 1643._o a_o discourse_n touch_v the_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o especial_o concern_v church-covenant_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o covenant_n which_o a_o company_n do_v enter_v into_o when_o they_o become_v a_o church_n and_o which_o a_o particular_a person_n enter_v into_o when_o he_o become_v a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n 1639._o jer_n 50._o 5._o come_v let_v we_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o lord_n in_o a_o perpetual_a covenant_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v forget_v although_o that_o which_o be_v foretell_v in_o these_o two_o chapter_n and_o namely_o in_o the_o four_o and_o five_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n be_v in_o part_n fulfil_v when_o the_o people_n of_o god_n return_v from_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n at_o the_o end_n of_o 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thing_n concern_v the_o people_n of_o god_n in_o these_o latter_a day_n in_o which_o respect_n sincere_a convert_n be_v call_v jew_n rome_n 2._o 29._o and_o israelites_n gal._n 6._o 16._o joh._n 1._o 47._o and_o our_o sacrament_n be_v make_v antitype_n of_o they_o 1_o cor._n 10._o 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o rome_n be_v call_v babylon_n rev._n 17._o 5._o and_o papist_n be_v call_v gentile_n rev._n 11._o 2._o and_o therefore_o the_o captivity_n of_o babylon_n may_v well_o be_v a_o type_n of_o the_o spiritual_a captivity_n of_o god_n people_n to_o antichristian_a bondage_n and_o their_o return_n from_o babylon_n to_o zion_n a_o type_n of_o the_o return_n of_o christian_n from_o romish_a slavery_n to_o the_o true_a zion_n the_o christian_a church_n and_o this_o may_v be_v add_v further_o that_o this_o place_n seem_v not_o only_o to_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o private_a or_o personal_a conversion_n of_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a christian_a but_o also_o further_o of_o the_o open_a and_o joint_a call_n of_o a_o company_n because_o it_o be_v say_v they_o shall_v come_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o child_n of_o judah_n together_o and_o that_o their_o say_n shall_v not_o be_v let_v i_o join_v etc._n etc._n but_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n let_v we_o join_v ourselves_o unto_o the_o lord_n so_o note_v the_o join_n of_o a_o company_n together_o in_o holy_a covenant_n with_o god_n concern_v which_o covenant_n with_o god_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o that_o which_o follow_v first_o brief_o to_o show_v how_o diverse_o covenant_n be_v take_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o sometime_o import_v general_o any_o firm_a appointment_n or_o promise_n of_o god_n when_o man_n do_v not_o promise_n
must_v have_v in_o it_o both_o matter_n and_o form_n and_o as_o the_o matter_n by_o god_n appointment_n be_v visible_a saint_n or_o visible_a believer_n ephes_n 1._o 1._o 1_o cor._n 1._o 2._o and_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n only_o so_o many_o as_o may_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n so_o the_o form_n be_v a_o unite_n or_o combine_v or_o knit_v of_o those_o saint_n together_o into_o one_o visible_a body_n by_o the_o band_n of_o this_o holy_a covenant_n some_o union_n or_o band_n there_o must_v be_v among_o they_o whereby_o they_o come_v to_o stand_v in_o a_o new_a relation_n to_o god_n and_o one_o towards_o another_o other_o than_o they_o be_v in_o before_o or_o else_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o a_o church_n though_o they_o be_v fit_a material_n for_o a_o church_n even_o as_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v not_o a_o man_n unless_o they_o be_v unite_v nor_o stone_n and_o timber_n a_o house_n till_o they_o be_v compact_v and_o conjoin_v now_o that_o a_o company_n become_v a_o 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they_o in_o this_o point_n 3._o though_o it_o be_v of_o all_o the_o people_n we_o may_v not_o say_v it_o prove_v that_o when_o we_o look_v at_o the_o material_a cause_n of_o a_o church_n there_o may_v be_v a_o promiscuous_a take_n in_o of_o all_o comer_n without_o distinction_n or_o separation_n of_o the_o precious_a from_o the_o vile_a for_o first_o when_o god_n take_v in_o this_o nation_n to_o be_v his_o people_n he_o separate_v they_o from_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n beside_o so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o distinction_n and_o separation_n of_o some_o from_o other_o second_o this_o generation_n be_v general_o a_o generation_n of_o believer_n for_o it_o be_v they_o that_o be_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o land_n within_o a_o while_n after_o for_o they_o be_v forty_o year_n in_o the_o wilderness_n &_o this_o covenant_n be_v make_v in_o the_o last_o month_n save_o one_o of_o the_o last_o of_o those_o forty_o year_n deut._n 1._o 3._o and_o their_o carcase_n fall_v not_o in_o the_o wilderness_n through_o unbelief_n as_o their_o father_n do_v num_fw-la 14._o heb._n 3._o but_o enter_v by_o faith_n and_o when_o they_o be_v enter_v subdue_v kingdom_n by_o their_o faith_n heb._n 11._o 33._o and_o serve_v the_o lord_n all_o the_o day_n of_o joshua_n and_o of_o the_o elder_n that_o out_o live_v joshua_n josh_n 24_o 31._o as_o for_o that_o which_o be_v say_v of_o they_o ver_fw-la 4_o 5._o of_o this_o chap._n that_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o give_v they_o eye_n to_o see_v etc._n etc._n that_o prove_v not_o that_o they_o be_v whole_o harden_v in_o a_o carnal_a estate_n but_o only_o that_o they_o be_v dull_a and_o slow_a of_o heart_n to_o consider_v of_o sundry_a dispensation_n of_o god_n towards_o they_o for_o as_o much_o be_v say_v of_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n mar._n 8._o 17_o 18._o when_o doubtless_o they_o be_v not_o mere_a carnal_a or_o natural_a person_n this_o people_n deut._n 29._o can_v not_o become_v the_o lord_n people_n by_o enter_v 2_o into_o solemn_a covenant_n with_o god_n for_o they_o be_v the_o lord_n church_n and_o people_n already_o before_o this_o 1._o if_o they_o be_v yet_o that_o be_v by_o enter_v into_o solemn_a covenant_n answer_n with_o god_n on_o mount_n sinai_n when_o the_o lord_n have_v bring_v they_o up_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n for_o than_o they_o enter_v into_o solemn_a covenant_n with_o god_n and_o god_n with_o they_o and_o so_o they_o becâ—me_v the_o lord_n peculiar_a people_n exod._n 19_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 8._o etc._n etc._n if_o they_o be_v his_o people_n before_o that_o yet_o that_o also_o be_v by_o covenant_n make_v with_o they_o in_o the_o loin_n of_o abraham_n when_o god_n take_v he_o and_o his_o seed_n to_o be_v his_o church_n and_o people_n yet_o separate_v ishmael_n from_o isaac_n and_o esâ—â—_n from_o jacob_n that_o the_o inheritance_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o god_n and_o of_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n may_v rest_v in_o the_o house_n of_o jacob._n 2._o yet_o it_o be_v not_o 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promise_v and_o covenant_v to_o walk_v in_o all_o the_o way_n of_o god_n in_o all_o his_o statute_n and_o commandment_n and_o judgement_n they_o promise_v these_o duty_n of_o love_n and_o watchfulness_n and_o edification_n one_o towards_o another_o because_o these_o be_v duty_n command_v and_o require_v of_o god_n leu._n 19_o 17._o deut._n 29_o 8._o the_o neglect_n whereof_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o achan_n be_v the_o sin_n of_o all_o the_o congregation_n and_o bring_v judgement_n upon_o they_o all_o josh_n 7._o 11_o 12._o yea_o by_o this_o covenant_n they_o be_v bind_v to_o duty_n towards_o they_o that_o be_v not_o then_o present_a but_o child_n afterward_o to_o be_v bear_v and_o proselyte_n that_o afterward_o shall_v be_v add_v to_o they_o ver_fw-la 14_o 15._o like_o as_o
our_o church-covenant_n be_v with_o they_o that_o now_o be_v and_o that_o hereafter_o shall_v become_v member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n when_o jehojada_n make_v a_o covenant_n between_o the_o king_n and_o the_o people_n 2_o king_n 11._o 17._o that_o covenant_n be_v but_o a_o branch_n of_o the_o lord_n covenant_n with_o they_o all_o both_o king_n and_o people_n for_o the_o king_n promise_v but_o to_o rule_v the_o people_n righteous_o according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o the_o people_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o king_n so_o rule_v now_o these_o duty_n of_o the_o king_n to_o they_o and_o of_o they_o to_o the_o king_n be_v such_o as_o god_n require_v in_o his_o covenant_n both_o of_o he_o and_o they_o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o church-covenant_n the_o duty_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o member_n and_o the_o member_n to_o the_o church_n and_o one_o another_o be_v no_o other_o but_o such_o as_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n require_v both_o of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o member_n of_o it_o in_o their_o several_a place_n but_o this_o place_n of_o deut._n 29._o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v a_o church-covenant_n 4_o in_o these_o day_n because_o it_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o what_o soever_o must_v be_v use_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n must_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o else_o it_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v aside_o 1._o the_o church-covenant_n may_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o new_a testament_n answer_n also_o as_o will_n afterward_o appear_v 2._o but_o suppose_v there_o be_v not_o pregnant_a place_n for_o it_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o prove_v the_o same_o unlawful_a for_o whatsoever_o ordinance_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v not_o repeal_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o peculiar_a to_o the_o jewish_a paedagogie_n but_o be_v of_o moral_a and_o perpetual_a equity_n the_o same_o bind_v we_o in_o these_o day_n and_o be_v to_o be_v account_v the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n though_o it_o be_v not_o particular_o and_o express_o mention_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n else_o how_o shall_v we_o prove_v it_o unlawful_a for_o a_o man_n to_o marry_v his_o sister_n or_o his_o aunt_n how_o shall_v we_o prove_v it_o warrantable_a and_o necessary_a for_o magistrate_n to_o punish_v sabbath-breaking_a blasphemy_n and_o idolatry_n how_o shall_v we_o prove_v it_o lawful_a to_o apply_v the_o seal_n of_o god_n covenant_n unto_o infant_n or_o to_o admit_v woman_n to_o eat_v of_o the_o holy_a thing_n for_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v speak_v little_a in_o these_o case_n only_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v give_v direction_n and_o light_n about_o they_o lev_n 18._o &_o 19_o neh._n 13._o 15._o etc._n etc._n 2_o chron._n 15._o 16._o &_o 2_o king_n 23._o gen._n 17._o 2._o &_o exod._n 12._o 4._o 6._o and_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v nothing_o to_o the_o contrary_a and_o they_o be_v all_o according_a to_o moral_a equity_n and_o reason_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n though_o there_o be_v nothing_o express_o for_o they_o in_o the_o new_a and_o the_o same_o we_o say_v of_o the_o particular_a in_o hand_n for_o that_o a_o company_n shall_v be_v combine_v together_o into_o one_o body_n in_o way_n of_o government_n and_o subjection_n by_o way_n of_o mutual_a free_a covenant_n as_o man_n do_v when_o they_o enter_v into_o church_n estate_n nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a or_o agreeable_a to_o moral_a equity_n nay_o it_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o very_a name_n of_o liberty_n or_o freedom_n that_o freeman_n shall_v take_v upon_o they_o authority_n or_o power_n over_o free_a man_n without_o their_o free_a consent_n and_o voluntary_a and_o mutual_a covenant_n or_o engagement_n and_o therefore_o see_v this_o covenant_n be_v not_o repeal_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a be_v sufficient_a warrant_n for_o it_o another_o scripture_n to_o prove_v the_o same_o be_v deut._n 26._o 16_o 17_o 18._o with_o deut._n 27._o 9_o this_o day_n the_o lord_n have_v command_v thou_o to_o do_v these_o statute_n and_o judgement_n thou_o shall_v therefore_o keep_v and_o do_v they_o etc._n etc._n thou_o have_v avouch_v the_o lord_n this_o day_n to_o be_v thy_o god_n and_o to_o walk_v in_o his_o way_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o statute_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o lord_n have_v avouch_v thou_o this_o day_n to_o be_v his_o peculiar_a people_n take_v heed_n and_o hearken_v o_o israel_n this_o day_n thou_o be_v become_v the_o people_n of_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n this_o scripture_n plain_o show_v these_o thing_n 1._o that_o here_o be_v the_o make_n of_o a_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o man_n for_o that_o avouch_v of_o god_n to_o they_o and_o they_o to_o god_n be_v the_o make_n of_o covenant_n ver_fw-la 17_o 18._o 2._o this_o be_v not_o of_o one_o person_n but_o of_o a_o company_n together_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o israel_n 26._o 18._o &_o 27._o 9_o 3_o here_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o this_o covenant_n that_o thereby_o they_o become_v the_o lord_n people_n ver_fw-la 9_o so_o that_o when_o a_o company_n do_v enter_v into_o holy_a covenant_n with_o god_n they_o become_v thereby_o the_o lord_n people_n that_o be_v to_o say_v his_o church_n so_o ezech._n 16._o 8._o prove_v the_o same_o likewise_o i_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o thou_o say_v the_o lord_n and_o thou_o became_v my_o here_o also_o be_v the_o make_n of_o covenant_n between_o the_o lord_n and_o man_n and_o this_o covenant_n be_v not_o personal_a but_o of_o a_o company_n for_o it_o be_v with_o jerusalem_n ver_fw-la 2._o which_o be_v a_o whole_a city_n it_o be_v with_o they_o that_o be_v multiply_v as_o the_o bud_n of_o the_o field_n ver_fw-la 7._o and_o it_o be_v with_o they_o that_o do_v prosper_v into_o a_o kingdom_n ver_fw-la 13._o and_o therefore_o not_o mean_v only_o of_o any_o one_o particular_a person_n and_o by_o this_o covenant_n they_o become_v the_o lord_n that_o be_v the_o lord_n church_n and_o people_n for_o it_o be_v express_o say_v i_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o thou_o and_o thou_o become_v my_o so_o that_o when_o a_o company_n enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o god_n with_o they_o they_o become_v thereby_o the_o lord_n church_n and_o people_n likewise_o ezek._n 20._o 37._o i_o will_v cause_v you_o to_o pass_v under_o the_o rod_n and_o i_o will_v bring_v you_o into_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o which_o place_n there_o be_v first_o mention_n of_o a_o holy_a covenant_n second_o this_o be_v not_o of_o one_o person_n but_o of_o a_o company_n the_o whole_a house_n of_o israel_n ver_fw-la 30._o 39_o three_o and_o this_o covenant_n be_v call_v a_o bond_n because_o it_o be_v by_o covenant_n that_o a_o people_n be_v bind_v and_o tie_v and_o knit_v together_o as_o one_o church_n all_o of_o they_o unto_o the_o lord_n and_o one_o unto_o another_o so_o that_o the_o covenant_n be_v the_o bond_n of_o union_n by_o which_o a_o company_n be_v so_o combine_v and_o unite_v as_o that_o they_o become_v a_o church_n it_o be_v also_o observable_a how_o the_o lord_n before_o he_o will_v bring_v they_o into_o this_o bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n he_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o pass_v under_o the_o rod_n by_o which_o phrase_n as_o junius_n upon_o the_o place_n well_o observe_v be_v mean_v trial_n and_o probation_n draw_v from_o the_o manner_n of_o shepherd_n or_o owner_n of_o cattle_n who_o go_v among_o their_o sheep_n or_o other_o cattle_n with_o a_o rod_n and_o therewith_o point_v out_o such_o as_o be_v for_o the_o lord_n holy_a use_n as_o leu._n 27._o 32._o and_o so_o hereby_o be_v note_v that_o god_n will_v not_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v man_n to_o be_v bring_v into_o his_o church_n hand_n over_o head_n but_o he_o will_v first_o cause_v they_o to_o pass_v under_o the_o rod_n of_o due_a trial_n and_o probation_n and_o then_o such_o as_o upon_o trial_n be_v find_v to_o be_v holy_a for_o god_n or_o meet_v matter_n for_o his_o church_n shall_v solemn_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o that_o covenant_n shall_v be_v the_o bond_n that_o shall_v combine_v they_o and_o knit_v they_o together_o into_o one_o that_o so_o they_o that_o be_v many_o particular_a person_n shall_v all_o become_v one_o body_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o church_n and_o so_o much_o of_o the_o first_o argument_n draw_v from_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n a_o second_o argument_n may_v be_v take_v from_o the_o
title_n that_o be_v give_v 2._o to_o the_o church_n as_o first_o that_o the_o church_n be_v say_v to_o be_v marry_v or_o espouse_v unto_o christ_n jer._n 2._o 2._o &_o 3._o 14._o 2_o cor._n 11._o 2._o from_o whence_o the_o argument_n may_v be_v form_v thus_o if_o every_o church_n become_v a_o church_n by_o be_v marry_v or_o espouse_v unto_o christ_n than_o a_o company_n become_v a_o church_n by_o way_n of_o covenant_n but_o the_o former_a be_v true_a therefore_o the_o latter_a be_v true_a also_o the_o assumption_n that_o a_o church_n become_v a_o church_n by_o be_v marry_v unto_o christ_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o former_a scripture_n where_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o enter_v into_o church-estate_n be_v say_v to_o be_v espouse_v and_o marry_v unto_o christ_n as_o a_o love_a and_o chaste_a virgin_n to_o one_o husband_n which_o spiritual_a marriage_n between_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n be_v also_o teach_v in_o the_o type_n of_o the_o marriage_n between_o king_n solomon_n and_o pharoahs_n daughter_n psal_n 45._o the_o consequence_n of_o the_o proposition_n be_v plain_a in_o reason_n for_o there_o be_v no_o marriage_n but_o by_o way_n of_o covenant_n no_o woman_n become_v a_o man_n wife_n but_o by_o way_n of_o bestow_v herself_o in_o covenant_n upon_o such_o a_o man_n neither_o do_v a_o man_n become_v a_o husband_n but_o by_o the_o same_o mean_n and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o violation_n of_o marriage_n call_v it_o a_o violation_n of_o covenant_n prov._n 2._o 17._o christ_n have_v but_o one_o wife_n or_o spouse_n cant._n 6_o 9_o 1._o the_o catholic_a church_n indeed_o be_v but_o one_o viz_o the_o whole_a company_n answer_n of_o god_n elect_a in_o heaven_n in_o earth_n dead_a now_o live_v and_o not_o yet_o bear_v but_o as_o there_o be_v the_o church-catholique_a which_o be_v but_o one_o so_o there_o be_v particular_a and_o visible_a church_n which_o be_v in_o number_n many_o and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o church_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 1._o 19_o gal._n 1._o 2._o of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n rom._n 16._o 4._o of_o seven_o church_n rev._n 1._o 4._o of_o all_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 33._o &_o 7._o 17._o rev._n 2._o 23._o but_o if_o every_o particular_a church_n be_v the_o wife_n of_o christ_n how_o many_o hundred_o 2._o wife_n shall_v he_o have_v 1._o if_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n jer._n 2._o 2._o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 2_o answ_n cor._n 11._o 2._o the_o jewish_a church_n rev._n 19_o 7._o be_v the_o spouse_n and_o wife_n of_o christ_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n but_o other_o shall_v be_v the_o same_o also_o especial_o see_v there_o be_v no_o particular_a church_n but_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o church_n estate_n they_o may_v decline_v and_o go_v a_o whore_v from_o christ_n and_o that_o show_v that_o they_o be_v first_o espouse_v to_o he_o for_o no_o woman_n can_v be_v say_v to_o go_v a_o whore_v from_o a_o man_n if_o she_o be_v never_o marry_v nor_o espouse_v to_o he_o at_o all_o 2._o this_o that_o seem_v a_o absurdity_n and_o be_v a_o sinful_a practice_n among_o man_n in_o respect_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o certain_a truth_n and_o no_o dishonour_n unto_o he_o at_o all_o to_o have_v more_o spouse_n than_o one_o upon_o earth_n many_o spiritual_a spouse_n man_n can_v give_v themselves_o whole_o and_o entire_o to_o many_o as_o christ_n can_v every_o faithful_a soul_n be_v espouse_v and_o marry_v unto_o christ_n and_o in_o that_o respect_n he_o have_v not_o only_o many_o hundred_o but_o many_o thousand_o yea_o many_o million_o of_o spiritual_a spouse_n but_o this_o spiritual_a marriage_n be_v between_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n but_o 3_o the_o church-covenant_n be_v between_o the_o church_n and_o the_o member_n and_o therefore_o this_o marriage_n do_v not_o prove_v the_o church-covenant_n 1._o in_o some_o sort_n there_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o marriage_n between_o the_o answer_n church_n and_o the_o member_n viz._n in_o respect_n of_o that_o dear_a love_n and_o affection_n that_o aught_o to_o be_v between_o they_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v as_o a_o young_a man_n marry_v a_o virgin_n so_o shall_v the_o child_n of_o the_o church_n be_v marry_v to_o the_o church_n isa_n 62._o 5._o 2._o but_o proper_o the_o marriage_n be_v between_o christ_n &_o the_o church_n and_o so_o be_v the_o covenant_n also_o so_o far_o as_o therein_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o christ_n as_o unto_o a_o head_n and_o lord_n as_o a_o woman_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o marriage_n do_v give_v up_o herself_o unto_o her_o husband_n and_o the_o performance_n of_o such_o duty_n as_o the_o church_n and_o the_o member_n owe_v one_o unto_o another_o be_v a_o branch_n of_o that_o marriage-covenant_n wherein_o they_o be_v tie_v to_o christ_n for_o christ_n himself_o in_o his_o covenant_n require_v not_o only_o that_o they_o shall_v give_v up_o themselves_o to_o he_o but_o also_o that_o they_o shall_v perform_v these_o duty_n one_o unto_o another_o and_o according_o it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o church_n in_o macedonia_n that_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o first_o to_o the_o lord_n and_o then_o to_o we_o by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 5._o true_a it_o be_v they_o do_v also_o bind_v themselves_o by_o covenant_n one_o unto_o another_o but_o in_o that_o respect_n the_o covenant_n be_v proper_o a_o brotherly_a covenant_n like_o that_o 1_o sam._n 20_o 8._o amos_n 1._o 9_o because_o there_o the_o engagement_n be_v to_o one_o another_o as_o brethren_n fellow-member_n and_o fellow-helper_n and_o not_o as_o to_o one_o head_n or_o lord_n as_o it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o in_o that_o respect_n it_o be_v not_o so_o proper_o a_o marriage-covenant_n as_o it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o christ_n though_o duty_n to_o one_o another_o be_v promise_v in_o their_o covenant_n with_o one_o another_o and_o also_o in_o their_o covenant_n with_o christ_n in_o brief_a thus_o they_o promise_v unto_o christ_n duty_n to_o he_o and_o duty_n to_o one_o another_o according_a to_o he_o and_o so_o their_o covenant_n be_v a_o marriage-covenant_n with_o christ_n they_o promise_v also_o to_o one_o another_o duty_n to_o one_o another_o and_o so_o it_o be_v a_o brotherly_a covenant_n another_o title_n give_v to_o the_o church_n which_o also_o prove_v that_o a_o church_n be_v make_v by_o covenant_n be_v the_o title_n of_o a_o city_n or_o city_n of_o god_n psal_n 87._o 3._o &_o 48_o 1._o 8._o &_o 122._o 3._o ephes_n 2._o 19_o the_o argument_n lie_v thus_o if_o a_o true_a church_n be_v a_o city_n of_o god_n than_o a_o church_n become_v a_o church_n by_o covenant_n but_o every_o true_a church_n be_v a_o city_n of_o god_n ergo._fw-la the_o assumption_n be_v prove_v by_o the_o scripture_n forealledge_v the_o consequence_n of_o the_o proposition_n be_v plain_a in_o reason_n for_o every_o city_n be_v unite_v by_o some_o covenant_n among_o themselves_o the_o citizen_n be_v receive_v into_o jus_o civitatis_fw-la or_o right_a of_o city_n privilege_n by_o some_o covenant_n or_o oath_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v so_o likewise_o in_o this_o city_n of_o god_n the_o church_n and_o man_n become_v citizen_n of_o the_o church_n by_o solemn_a covenant_n the_o three_o argument_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o mean_n of_o reform_v 3_o and_o restore_v a_o church_n when_o it_o be_v corrupt_v which_o be_v by_o enter_v into_o covenant_n a_o new_a with_o god_n 2_o chron._n 15_o 10._o &_o 29._o 10._o &_o neh._n 9_o 38._o &_o 10._o 28_o 29._o jer._n 50._o 4_o 5._o the_o reason_n may_v be_v take_v thus_o if_o a_o church_n decay_a be_v to_o be_v restore_v and_o reform_v by_o renew_v covenant_n with_o god_n than_o it_o be_v institute_v and_o erect_v at_o the_o first_o by_o way_n of_o covenant_n the_o reason_n of_o which_o consequence_n be_v because_o abuse_n and_o corruption_n be_v to_o be_v reform_v by_o bring_v thing_n back_o to_o the_o first_o institution_n thus_o christ_n reform_v the_o abuse_n of_o marriage_n by_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o first_o institution_n of_o that_o ordinance_n from_o the_o beginning_n it_o be_v not_o so_o mat._n 19_o 8._o and_o thus_o paul_n reform_v the_o abuse_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n by_o tell_v they_o what_o be_v the_o first_o institution_n thereof_o 1_o cor._n 11._o 23_o etc._n etc._n and_o thus_o the_o lord_n jesus_n call_v on_o the_o decline_a church_n of_o ephesus_n for_o reformation_n bid_v she_o remember_v from_o whence_o she_o be_v fall_v and_o repent_v and_o do_v her_o first_o work_n rev._n 2._o 5._o now_o the_o assumption_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o text_n above_o allege_a that_o at_o the_o reform_n of_o a_o church_n there_o be_v to_o be_v a_o
renew_v of_o covenant_n and_o thence_o it_o follow_v that_o at_o the_o first_o erect_v of_o a_o church_n there_o be_v the_o make_n of_o a_o covenant_n with_o god_n for_o else_o this_o renew_v of_o covenant_n will_v not_o have_v be_v the_o way_n to_o reform_v it_o the_o four_o argument_n be_v take_v from_o that_o which_o do_v dissolve_v 4._o a_o church_n which_o be_v the_o dissolve_v or_o break_v of_o the_o covenant_n zach._n 11._o 9_o 10_o 14._o if_o dissolve_v the_o covenant_n be_v that_o which_o do_v dissolve_v the_o church_n than_o the_o make_n of_o covenant_n be_v that_o which_o constitute_v a_o church_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v plain_a because_o otherwise_o the_o covenant_n may_v be_v dissolve_v &_o the_o church_n stand_v still_o if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o make_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o do_v constitute_v the_o church_n but_o if_o dissipate_v stone_n in_o a_o building_n do_v dissolve_v the_o house_n than_o the_o compact_n and_o conjoin_v of_o they_o be_v that_o which_o make_v the_o house_n if_o separation_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v that_o which_o destroy_v the_o man_n that_o then_o we_o say_v he_o be_v not_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o unite_n of_o they_o that_o do_v constitute_v &_o make_v the_o man_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o dissolve_v the_o covenant_n be_v that_o which_o dissolve_v a_o church_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o text_n allege_v zach._n 11._o where_o the_o break_n of_o the_o two_o staff_n of_o beauty_n and_o band_n that_o be_v the_o unchurch_a of_o the_o jew_n be_v interpret_v to_o be_v the_o break_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o god_n have_v make_v with_o that_o people_n and_o the_o brotherhood_n that_o be_v between_o judah_n and_o israel_n the_o five_o argument_n be_v take_v from_o the_o distinction_n which_o god_n 5._o have_v appoint_v among_o church_n and_o the_o confound_a of_o all_o church_n into_o one_o if_o there_o be_v not_o this_o covenant_n to_o distinguish_v they_o if_o church_n be_v distinct_a society_n and_o may_v not_o be_v confound_v than_o church_n be_v compact_v and_o combine_v by_o covenant_n but_o the_o former_a be_v true_a ergo._fw-la that_o church_n be_v distinct_a society_n be_v plain_a in_o the_o scripture_n where_o we_o have_v mention_n of_o many_o church_n in_o one_o country_n or_o province_n gal._n 1._o 1._o 1_o thes_n 2._o 14._o of_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n rev._n 1._o 4._o and_o of_o all_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 33._o rev._n 2._o 23._o ephesus_z be_v not_o smyrna_n nor_o smyrna_n be_v not_o thyatira_n nor_o either_o of_o they_o pergamus_n but_o each_o one_o distinct_a of_o themselves_o have_v officer_n of_o their_o own_o which_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o other_o virtue_n of_o their_o own_o for_o which_o other_o be_v not_o praise_v corruption_n of_o their_o own_o for_o which_o other_o be_v not_o blame_v if_o it_o be_v not_o thus_o then_o when_o lacdicea_n be_v condemn_v for_o lukewarmenesse_n or_o ephesus_n for_o decline_v all_o the_o rest_n shall_v be_v reprove_v also_o and_o when_o philadelfia_fw-mi be_v praise_v all_o the_o rest_n shall_v be_v praise_v also_o which_o we_o see_v be_v otherwise_o now_o from_o hence_o the_o consequence_n be_v certain_a that_o therefore_o they_o be_v combine_v by_o some_o covenant_n each_o one_o among_o themselves_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o without_o this_o that_o will_v sufficient_o distinguish_v they_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o faith_n in_o their_o heart_n be_v common_a to_o all_o christian_n under_o heaven_n and_o in_o heaven_n also_o and_o therefore_o this_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n that_o make_v distinction_n nor_o be_v it_o habitation_n in_o the_o same_o town_n together_o for_o that_o may_v be_v common_a to_o such_o christian_n as_o be_v not_o of_o this_o church_n and_o usual_o be_v to_o many_o that_o be_v no_o christian_n as_o it_o be_v with_o company_n in_o london_n as_o the_o company_n of_o goldsmith_n etc._n etc._n that_o many_o other_o dwell_v in_o the_o same_o town_n with_o they_o yea_o it_o may_v be_v in_o the_o same_o street_n that_o be_v not_o of_o their_o company_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o habitation_n that_o do_v distinguish_v they_o from_o other_o but_o some_o combination_n and_o agreement_n among_o themselves_o so_o it_o be_v not_o habitation_n in_o the_o same_o town_n that_o distinguish_v church_n and_o church-member_n from_o other_o man_n but_o their_o mutual_a agreement_n and_o combination_n and_o join_v themselves_o together_o in_o a_o holy_a covenant_n with_o god_n if_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o faith_n in_o their_o heart_n can_v distinguish_v one_o object_n church_n from_o another_o because_o these_o be_v common_a to_o they_o all_o then_o how_o can_v covenant_n distinguish_v they_o since_o all_o church_n be_v join_v by_o covenant_n one_o as_o well_o as_o another_o it_o be_v not_o a_o covenant_n simple_o or_o a_o covenant_n in_o general_a that_o do_v answer_n constitute_v a_o church_n or_o distinguish_v one_o church_n from_o another_o but_o a_o covenant_n with_o application_n and_o appropriation_n to_o these_o person_n even_o as_o it_o be_v in_o marriage_n though_o all_o marry_a couple_n be_v unite_v by_o covenant_n and_o a_o covenant_n wherein_o one_o couple_n promise_v the_o same_o duty_n that_o another_o couple_n do_v yet_o a_o covenant_n with_o application_n and_o appropriation_n of_o the_o duty_n covenant_v to_o this_o man_n and_o this_o woman_n in_o particular_a such_o a_o covenant_n be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o make_v a_o couple_n man_n and_o wife_n together_o and_o give_v they_o mutual_a power_n over_o each_o other_o as_o husband_n and_o wife_n and_o put_v a_o distinction_n between_o they_o and_o all_o other_o man_n and_o woman_n in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o this_o case_n a_o covenant_n to_o perform_v church-duty_n with_o application_n and_o appropriation_n to_o such_o person_n be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o constitute_v a_o church_n and_o distinguish_v one_o church_n from_o another_o and_o thus_o much_o concern_v the_o former_a of_o the_o two_o particular_n to_o show_v the_o use_n of_o church-covenant_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v that_o whereby_o a_o company_n do_v become_v a_o church_n the_o second_o particular_a be_v this_o that_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n or_o join_v in_o it_o be_v that_o which_o make_v a_o particular_a person_n a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n and_o this_o follow_v upon_o the_o former_a and_o that_o may_v be_v the_o first_o argument_n to_o prove_v it_o if_o join_v in_o covenant_n be_v that_o which_o make_v a_o company_n to_o become_v 1._o a_o church_n then_o take_v hold_v of_o that_o covenant_n be_v requisite_a to_o make_v a_o particular_a person_n become_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o the_o first_o be_v true_a as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o therefore_o the_o second_o be_v true_a also_o if_o compact_v and_o conjoin_v of_o stone_n and_o piece_n of_o timber_n be_v that_o that_o make_v a_o house_n than_o a_o particular_a stone_n can_v become_v a_o part_n of_o that_o house_n till_o it_o be_v compact_v and_o conâ—oyned_v to_o the_o rest_n but_o the_o former_a be_v true_a even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o spiritual_a spouse_n and_o city_n of_o god_n live_a stone_n christian_n believer_n must_v be_v compact_v together_o and_o build_v up_o together_o ephes_n 2._o 21._o 22._o psal_n 12â—_n 3._o and_o therefore_o the_o latter_a be_v true_a also_o that_o a_o particular_a christian_a become_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n a_o part_n of_o that_o build_n by_o be_v combine_v with_o the_o rest_n a_o second_o argument_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o scripture_n isa_n 56._o 2._o 3_o 6_o 7._o let_v not_o the_o son_n of_o the_o stranger_n that_o have_v join_v himself_o to_o the_o lord_n speak_v say_v the_o lord_n have_v utter_o separate_v i_o from_o his_o people_n etc._n etc._n the_o son_n of_o the_o stranger_n that_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n to_o serve_v he_o etc._n etc._n and_o take_v hold_v of_o my_o covenant_n even_o they_o will_v i_o bring_v to_o my_o holy_a mountain_n and_o make_v they_o joyful_a in_o my_o house_n of_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n concern_v which_o scripture_n note_v three_o thing_n to_o the_o present_a purpose_n first_o that_o these_o stranger_n be_v member_n of_o christ_n true_a believer_n join_v to_o god_n by_o faith_n for_o it_o be_v say_v they_o have_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n v_o 3_o &_o v_o 6._o that_o they_o love_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n serve_v he_o and_o keep_v his_o sabbath_n v_o 6._o and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o they_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o join_v as_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v join_v there_o will_v have_v be_v no_o cause_n for_o such_o a_o complaint_n the_o lord_n
have_v separate_v i_o from_o his_o people_n v_o 3._o beside_o bring_v they_o into_o the_o church_n as_o member_n and_o grant_v they_o the_o privilege_n of_o member_n be_v promise_v as_o a_o reward_n and_o blessing_n upon_o this_o their_o join_n to_o the_o lord_n by_o faith_n and_o obedience_n v_o 7._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o the_o same_o but_o a_o distinct_a thing_n from_o it_o the_o one_o be_v promise_v as_o a_o reward_n and_o blessing_n upon_o the_o other_o second_o the_o lord_n promise_v that_o he_o will_v make_v they_o member_n of_o his_o church_n they_o will_v i_o bring_v to_o my_o holy_a mountain_n and_o make_v they_o joyful_a in_o my_o house_n of_o prayer_n three_o that_o among_o other_o thing_n requisite_a to_o make_v they_o member_n this_o be_v one_o viz._n the_o take_a hold_n of_o that_o covenant_n which_o be_v between_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n and_o god_n v_o 6._o so_o that_o hence_o we_o may_v gather_v that_o man_n may_v be_v member_n of_o christ_n join_v to_o the_o lord_n by_o faith_n and_o love_n and_o yet_o for_o the_o present_v not_o be_v member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o that_o when_o god_n be_v so_o gracious_a to_o true_a believer_n as_o to_o make_v they_o member_n of_o his_o visible_a church_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o they_o join_v in_o covenant_n before_o but_o may_v not_o faith_n in_o christ_n believe_v in_o heart_n on_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n object_n be_v all_o the_o take_a hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o be_v here_o mean_v not_o so_o but_o over_o and_o above_o that_o here_o be_v also_o mean_v their_o open_a answer_n profession_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o open_a bind_v of_o themselves_o by_o covenant_n to_o all_o such_o duty_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n as_o god_n require_v of_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o member_n thereof_o now_o distinct_o take_v the_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n in_o three_o or_o four_o particular_a proposition_n first_o there_o be_v a_o covenant_n between_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n and_o god_n exod._n 19_o 5_o 6_o 7_o 8._o ezek_n 16._o 8._o deut._n 29._o 10._o etc._n etc._n second_o this_o covenant_n be_v mutual_a not_o only_o a_o promise_n on_o god_n part_n to_o be_v their_o god_n and_o to_o take_v they_o for_o his_o people_n but_o also_o reciprocal_o on_o their_o part_n to_o give_v up_o themselves_o unto_o god_n to_o be_v his_o people_n and_o to_o do_v the_o duty_n of_o people_n to_o their_o god_n the_o covenant_n be_v not_o mere_o to_o receive_v from_o god_n and_o promise_v nothing_o back_o again_o to_o he_o nor_o do_v god_n bind_v himself_o therein_o and_o leave_v man_n at_o liberty_n but_o it_o be_v mutual_a on_o both_o part_n as_o these_o scripture_n declare_v gen._n 17._o 1._o exod._n 197._o 8._o deut._n 5._o 27._o &_o 26._o 16_o 17._o hos_fw-la 2._o 23._o &_o zach._n 13._o 9_o three_o hereupon_o it_o follow_v that_o if_o man_n have_v not_o promise_v and_o also_o perform_v in_o some_o measure_n of_o truth_n the_o duty_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n unto_o god_n they_o have_v not_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n but_o have_v discovenant_v themselves_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n unto_o their_o father_n or_o other_o thus_o though_o god_n promise_v abraham_n to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o he_o and_o to_o his_o seed_n in_o their_o generation_n gen._n 17._o 7._o yet_o the_o ishmaelite_n and_o edomite_n descend_v from_o abraham_n be_v discovenant_v by_o not_o promise_v nor_o perform_v those_o duty_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n which_o god_n require_v on_o the_o people_n part_n when_o a_o covenant_n contain_v promise_n on_o god_n part_n and_o duty_n also_o on_o man_n he_o do_v not_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o take_v one_o part_n and_o leave_v another_o four_o to_o believe_v what_o god_n promise_v in_o the_o covenant_n for_o his_o part_n and_o to_o promise_v in_o a_o private_a way_n the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n on_o man_n part_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v these_o stranger_n member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o they_o must_v do_v it_o open_o and_o in_o the_o view_n of_o the_o church_n else_o the_o church_n can_v have_v have_v no_o warrant_n to_o have_v admit_v such_o into_o their_o fellowship_n if_o their_o faith_n and_o obedience_n have_v not_o be_v visible_o profess_v exod._n 12._o 43._o 48_o 2_o chron._n 23._o 19_o and_o in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o covenant_n be_v mutual_a when_o these_o stranger_n do_v manifest_v their_o take_n hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n they_o manifest_v and_o profess_v both_o faith_n and_o obedience_n both_o that_o they_o believe_v what_o god_n promise_v and_o that_o they_o will_v be_v obedient_a to_o what_o he_o require_v if_o any_o shall_v have_v claim_v church-fellowship_n say_v i_o believe_v the_o promise_n but_o will_v not_o bind_v himself_o to_o any_o duty_n of_o evangelicall_n obedience_n this_o have_v be_v a_o take_a hold_n of_o the_o covenant_n by_o the_o half_n a_o take_n of_o one_o part_n of_o it_o in_o seem_v and_o pretence_n and_o a_o leave_v of_o another_o but_o it_o will_v not_o have_v be_v sufficient_a to_o have_v bring_v a_o man_n into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n such_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n as_o will_v not_o come_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n be_v to_o be_v separate_v from_o the_o church_n in_o the_o day_n of_o ezra_n ezra_n 10._o 8._o and_o therefore_o such_o as_o be_v stranger_n shall_v refuse_v to_o enter_v into_o it_o can_v not_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o take_a hold_n of_o god_n covenant_n which_o be_v there_o require_v to_o make_v these_o stranger_n member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o believe_a in_o heart_n on_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o a_o open_a profession_n that_o they_o do_v believe_v and_o likewise_o a_o promise_n of_o obedience_n or_o subjection_n unto_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o a_o open_a profess_v of_o such_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n and_o that_o be_v the_o join_n in_o covenant_n which_o we_o stand_v for_o before_o a_o man_n can_v be_v a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n even_o a_o open_a profession_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o obedience_n a_o three_o argument_n be_v take_v from_o those_o scripture_n which_o show_v 3_o that_o man_n become_v member_n by_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n or_o be_v join_v to_o they_o act._n 2._o 47._o &_o 5._o 13._o &_o 9_o 26._o if_o man_n become_v member_n of_o the_o church_n by_o be_v add_v or_o join_v then_o join_v in_o covenant_n or_o profess_v of_o subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n or_o covenant_n of_o god_n be_v that_o whereby_o a_o man_n become_v a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n but_o the_o former_a be_v true_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o scripture_n foremention_v and_o therefore_o the_o latter_a be_v true_a also_o but_o all_o the_o doubt_n in_o this_o argument_n will_v be_v concern_v the_o consequence_n of_o the_o major_a proposition_n but_o that_o may_v be_v make_v good_a by_o this_o reason_n and_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o viz._n that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v add_v or_o join_v to_o the_o church_n by_o any_o other_o mean_n without_o this_o join_n in_o covenant_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o assertion_n will_v appear_v by_o show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o all_o other_o mean_n without_o this_o join_n in_o covenant_n and_o that_o may_v be_v do_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n ensue_v when_o man_n be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n it_o may_v be_v no_o more_o be_v mean_v 1._o but_o that_o god_n do_v convert_v they_o and_o work_v faith_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o that_o convert_n of_o they_o be_v the_o add_v of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n this_o can_v be_v all_o for_o first_o saul_n be_v convert_v and_o have_v faith_n answer_n wrought_v in_o his_o heart_n and_o yet_o he_o be_v not_o at_o the_o first_o receive_v for_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n though_o he_o assay_v to_o be_v join_v unto_o they_o till_o they_o be_v better_o satisfy_v in_o his_o spiritual_a estate_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o barnabas_n act._n 9_o 26_o 27_o 28._o and_o those_o stranger_n isa_n 56._o as_o be_v say_v before_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n by_o be_v convert_v and_o have_v faith_n wrought_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o yet_o they_o do_v lament_v it_o with_o grief_n that_o they_o be_v not_o join_v as_o member_n to_o the_o visible_a church_n the_o lord_n have_v separate_v i_o from_o his_o people_n say_v they_o ver_fw-la 3._o the_o old_a say_n be_v true_a concern_v the_o visible_a church_n there_o be_v many_o wolf_n within_o and_o many_o sheep_n without_o second_o those_o that_o be_v join_v be_v believer_n before_o they_o join_v for_o it_o be_v say_v divers_a be_v
and_o child_n and_o these_o need_v no_o covenant_n there_o be_v no_o covenant_n to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o parent_n or_o a_o child_n there_o be_v also_o violent_a relation_n as_o between_o conqueror_n and_o captive_n and_o in_o these_o there_o be_v no_o covenant_n neither_o but_o other_o be_v voluntary_a and_o these_o always_o imply_v a_o covenant_n and_o be_v found_v therein_o whether_o they_o be_v moral_a and_o civil_a as_o between_o husband_n and_o wife_n pro._n 2._o 17._o between_o master_n and_o servant_n luk._n 15._o 15._o between_o prince_n and_o subject_a between_o partner_n in_o trade_n 2_o chro._n 20._o 35_o 36_o 37._o where_o the_o covenant_n or_o agreement_n be_v that_o man_n shall_v bare_v such_o a_o share_n of_o charge_n and_o receive_v such_o a_o share_n of_o profit_n or_o religious_a as_o between_o minister_n and_o people_n between_o the_o church_n and_o the_o member_n all_o these_o be_v do_v by_o way_n of_o covenant_n a_o man_n can_v join_v himself_o to_o a_o woman_n as_o her_o husband_n but_o by_o way_n of_o covenant_n a_o man_n can_v join_v himself_o to_o another_o as_o a_o servant_n or_o apprentice_n but_o by_o way_n of_o covenant_n and_o so_o may_v we_o say_v of_o all_o the_o rest_n nor_o into_o any_o body_n corporate_a but_o by_o the_o same_o way_n and_o mean_n if_o man_n be_v unite_v into_o a_o body_n politic_a or_o incorporate_a a_o man_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v join_v to_o they_o by_o mere_a hearty_a affection_n unless_o withal_o he_o join_v himself_o unto_o they_o by_o some_o contract_n or_o covenant_n now_o of_o this_o nature_n be_v every_o particular_a church_n a_o body_n incorporate_v 1_o cor._n 12._o 27._o you_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n and_o have_v power_n to_o cast_v out_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 13._o and_o to_o forgive_v and_o receive_v in_o penitent_n 2_o cor._n 2._o 7._o 8_o as_o a_o body_n incorporate_a and_o therefore_o he_o that_o will_v join_v unto_o they_o must_v do_v it_o by_o way_n of_o covenant_n or_o agreement_n and_o so_o this_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n may_v be_v a_o four_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o point_n in_o hand_n that_o join_v in_o covenant_n be_v that_o which_o make_v a_o man_n a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n all_o voluntary_a relation_n all_o relation_n which_o be_v neither_o natural_a 4._o nor_o violent_a be_v enter_v into_o by_o way_n of_o covenant_n but_o he_o that_o join_v into_o a_o church_n as_o a_o member_n or_o enter_v into_o a_o church_n do_v take_v upon_o he_o such_o a_o relation_n therefore_o join_v to_o a_o church_n as_o a_o member_n be_v by_o way_n of_o covenant_n a_o five_o argument_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o power_n which_o all_o 5._o church_n officer_n and_o member_n have_v over_o all_o their_o member_n in_o the_o lord_n if_o all_o church_n officer_n and_o member_n have_v power_n in_o the_o lord_n over_o all_o their_o member_n then_o join_v in_o covenant_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n but_o the_o former_a be_v true_a therefore_o the_o latter_a be_v true_a also_o the_o assumption_n in_o this_o argument_n that_o all_o church_n have_v power_n over_o their_o member_n be_v prove_v from_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 4_o 5._o 13._o where_o the_o apostle_n reprove_v the_o corinthian_n for_o suffer_v the_o incestuous_a man_n among_o they_o and_o command_v they_o to_o deliver_v he_o to_o satan_n and_o cast_v he_o out_o from_o among_o they_o now_o this_o he_o will_v not_o have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v have_v no_o power_n over_o he_o or_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o room_n for_o they_o to_o say_v we_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o he_o we_o have_v no_o power_n over_o he_o and_o the_o same_o be_v prove_v in_o other_o scripture_n also_o as_o mat._n 18._o 17._o psal_n 149._o 6._o 7_o 8_o 9_o and_o the_o consequence_n of_o the_o major_a proposition_n viz._n that_o then_o member_n do_v engage_v themselves_o by_o covenant_n be_v prove_v by_o this_o reason_n that_o church_n have_v no_o power_n over_o such_o as_o have_v not_o engage_v themselves_o by_o covenant_n and_o commit_v power_n unto_o they_o by_o profess_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n among_o they_o the_o truth_n whereof_o may_v appear_v by_o two_o reason_n first_o because_o all_o christian_n have_v power_n and_o right_n jure_fw-la divino_fw-la to_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n to_o who_o they_o commit_v their_o soul_n act._n 6._o &_o 1_o &_o 14._o 23._o where_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d import_v choose_v by_o election_n and_o so_o the_o word_n be_v use_v and_o translate_v 2_o cor._n 8._o 19_o he_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v not_o ministerial_a gift_n that_o make_v a_o man_n a_o minister_n to_o every_o church_n nor_o invest_v he_o with_o spiritual_a power_n over_o they_o nor_o though_o he_o dwell_v among_o they_o unless_o they_o call_v he_o and_o he_o accept_v of_o that_o call_v and_o as_o they_o have_v power_n to_o choose_v their_o officer_n so_o likewise_o to_o choose_v their_o brethren_n according_a to_o god_n rom._n 14._o 1._o now_o if_o they_o have_v power_n to_o choose_v their_o officer_n and_o brethren_n than_o none_o can_v have_v power_n over_o they_o as_o officer_n and_o brethren_n without_o their_o own_o consent_n and_o who_o they_o never_o choose_v nor_o promise_v by_o any_o covenant_n or_o engagement_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o lord_n second_o if_o the_o church_n shall_v exercise_v any_o act_n of_o church-power_n over_o such_o a_o man_n as_o never_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o they_o suppose_n to_o excommunicate_v he_o for_o whoredom_n or_o drunkenness_n or_o the_o like_a the_o man_n may_v protest_v against_o their_o act_n and_o their_o sentence_n as_o coram_fw-la non_fw-la judice_fw-la and_o they_o can_v not_o justify_v their_o proceed_n if_o indeed_o there_o have_v pass_v no_o covenant_n or_o engagement_n between_o he_o and_o they_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v you_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v to_o pass_v sentence_n or_o censure_n upon_o i_o i_o be_o none_o of_o your_o church_n but_o of_o another_o church_n suppose_v in_o holland_n in_o france_n etc._n etc._n and_o i_o be_o only_o here_o now_o for_o merchandise_n sake_n or_o upon_o some_o other_o occasion_n what_o shall_v they_o say_v to_o stop_v his_o mouth_n if_o there_o never_o pass_v any_o covenant_n between_o he_o and_o they_o but_o minister_n have_v power_n over_o the_o people_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n object_n heb._n 13._o 17._o 1_o thes_n 5._o 12._o 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o and_o not_o by_o man_n engage_v themselves_o by_o covenant_n but_o what_o be_v it_o that_o make_v man_n minister_n to_o such_o a_o people_n officer_n answer_n to_o such_o a_o church_n or_o make_v they_o sheep_n of_o my_o flock_n be_v it_o not_o those_o scripture_n that_o make_v every_o man_n a_o pastor_n or_o teacher_n or_o ruler_n to_o a_o people_n unless_o they_o call_v he_o to_o that_o office_n and_o then_o in_o so_o do_v they_o covenant_n and_o engage_v themselves_o to_o be_v subject_a to_o he_o in_o the_o lord_n and_o then_o those_o scripture_n take_v hold_v on_o they_o one_o may_v as_o well_o say_v it_o be_v not_o the_o covenant_n of_o a_o wife_n to_o her_o husband_n that_o give_v he_o power_n over_o she_o but_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n command_v people_n to_o obey_v their_o minister_n so_o it_o command_v wife_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o husband_n ephes_n 5._o 22._o and_o yet_o all_o man_n know_v a_o man_n can_v take_v this_o woman_n for_o he_o wife_n but_o by_o covenant_n so_o that_o if_o she_o once_o make_v herself_o a_o wife_n by_o she_o own_o voluntary_a covenant_n than_o the_o word_n of_o god_n take_v hold_v on_o she_o and_o bind_v she_o to_o do_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o wife_n but_o if_o she_o have_v make_v no_o covenant_n the_o man_n have_v no_o power_n over_o she_o as_o her_o husband_n neither_o be_v she_o his_o wife_n so_o if_o man_n once_o make_v themselves_o member_n of_o such_o a_o church_n sheep_n of_o such_o a_o man_n flock_n by_o their_o own_o voluntary_a covenant_n than_o the_o word_n of_o god_n take_v hold_v of_o they_o and_o bind_v they_o to_o do_v the_o duty_n of_o member_n to_o their_o fellow-brethren_n and_o of_o people_n to_o their_o pastor_n or_o minister_n but_o if_o they_o never_o choose_v such_o a_o man_n to_o be_v their_o minister_n nor_o covenant_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o he_o in_o the_o lord_n he_o then_o can_v have_v no_o power_n over_o they_o as_o a_o minister_n unto_o they_o because_o they_o have_v right_a to_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n a_o six_o argument_n may_v be_v take_v from_o the_o distinction_n that_o be_v 6._o between_o member_n and_o not_o
17._o that_o offence_n may_v be_v prevent_v and_o heal_v etc._n etc._n polit._n eccles_n lib._n 3_o cap._n 16._o §_o 4._o pag._n 171_o 172._o much_o more_o he_o have_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n in_o that_o place_n allege_v sundry_a canon_n and_o decree_n of_o synod_n of_o reform_a church_n wherein_o they_o have_v determine_v that_o none_o shall_v be_v receive_v into_o their_o church_n but_o by_o this_o way_n of_o solemn_a covenant_n and_o other_o that_o have_v live_v among_o they_o may_v have_v be_v eye-witness_n that_o this_o be_v their_o usual_a practice_n but_o what_o shall_v be_v say_v of_o the_o congregation_n in_o england_n if_o church_n 11._o must_v be_v combine_v by_o covenant_n do_v not_o this_o doctrine_n blot_v out_o all_o those_o congregation_n out_o of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o church_n for_o what_o ever_o covenant_n may_v be_v find_v in_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o other_o part_n yet_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o english_a have_v none_o though_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o the_o covenant_n in_o many_o of_o those_o congregation_n ansâ—_n be_v more_o implicit_a and_o not_o so_o plain_a as_o be_v to_o be_v desire_v and_o what_o be_v amiss_o in_o they_o in_o their_o material_n or_o in_o want_n of_o explicit_a combine_v of_o pure_a matter_n or_o many_o of_o their_o way_n we_o will_v not_o take_v upon_o we_o to_o defend_v yet_o we_o hope_v we_o may_v say_v of_o they_o with_o master_n parker_n polit._n eccles_n lib_n 3._o cap._n 16._o §_o 1._o pag._n 167._o non_fw-mi abo_v ea_fw-la realis_fw-la &_o substantialis_fw-la quanquam_fw-la magis_fw-la quam_fw-la parâ—rat_fw-la implicita_fw-la coitio_fw-la in_fw-la foedus_fw-la eaque_fw-la voluntaria_fw-la professio_fw-la fidei_fw-la substantialis_fw-la quâ_fw-la deo_fw-la gratia_fw-la essentiam_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la idque_fw-la visibilis_fw-la hacusque_fw-la sartam_fw-la tectam_fw-la in_o angliâ_fw-la conservavit_fw-la that_o be_v there_o want_v not_o that_o real_a and_o substantial_a come_n together_o or_o agree_v in_o covenant_n though_o more_o implicate_v then_o be_v meet_v and_o that_o substantial_a profession_n of_o faith_n which_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n have_v preserve_v the_o essence_n of_o visible_a church_n in_o england_n unto_o this_o day_n the_o reason_n why_o we_o be_v loath_a to_o say_v that_o the_o congregation_n in_o england_n be_v utter_o without_o a_o covenant_n be_v these_o first_o because_o there_o be_v many_o christian_a church_n in_o england_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o within_o a_o while_n after_o as_o master_n fox_n show_v at_o large_a act._n &_o mon._n lib._n 2._o beginning_n pag_n 137._o where_o he_o report_v out_o of_o gildas_n that_o england_n receive_v the_o gospel_n in_o the_o time_n of_o tiberius_n the_o emperor_n under_o who_o christ_n suffer_v and_o that_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n be_v send_v of_o philip_n the_o apostie_a from_o france_n to_o england_n about_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 63._o and_o remain_v in_o england_n all_o his_o time_n and_o so_o he_o with_o his_o fellow_n lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o christian_a faith_n among_o the_o britain_n people_n and_o other_o preacher_n and_o teacher_n come_v afterward_o confirm_v the_o same_o and_o increase_v it_o also_o the_o say_a master_n fox_n report_v out_o of_o tertullian_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v disperse_v abroad_o by_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o apostle_n into_o many_o nation_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n into_o britain_n yea_o into_o the_o wild_a place_n of_o britain_n which_o the_o roman_n can_v never_o attain_v unto_o and_o allege_v also_o out_o of_o niâ—â—phorus_n that_o simon_n zelotes_n do_v spread_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o west_n ocean_n and_o bring_v the_o same_o into_o the_o isle_n of_o britain_n and_o sundry_a other_o proof_n he_o there_o have_v for_o the_o same_o point_n now_o if_o the_o gospel_n and_o christian_a religion_n be_v bring_v into_o england_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o by_o their_o mean_n it_o be_v like_a that_o the_o english_a church_n be_v then_o constitute_v by_o way_n of_o covenant_n because_o that_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o constitute_a church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o also_o in_o the_o time_n asore_n christ_n as_o have_v be_v show_v from_o the_o scripture_n before_o in_o this_o discourse_n and_o if_o christian_a congregation_n in_o england_n be_v in_o those_o time_n combine_v by_o covenant_n than_o eternity_n of_o god_n covenant_n be_v such_o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o interposition_n of_o many_o corruption_n that_o may_v arise_v in_o after_o time_n that_o can_v disannul_v the_o same_o except_o when_o man_n wilful_o break_v covenant_n and_o reject_v the_o offer_n of_o the_o gospel_n through_o obstinacy_n which_o we_o persuade_v ourselves_o they_o be_v not_o come_v unto_o and_o consequent_o the_o covenant_n remain_v which_o have_v preserve_v the_o essence_n of_o church_n to_o this_o day_n though_o the_o mixture_n of_o manifold_a corruption_n have_v make_v the_o covenant_n more_o implicit_a than_o be_v meet_v second_o because_o there_o want_v no_o good_a record_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o selden_n history_n of_o tithe_n to_o prove_v that_o in_o former_a time_n in_o england_n it_o be_v free_a for_o man_n to_o pay_v their_o tithe_n and_o oblation_n where_o themselves_o please_v now_o this_o pay_v of_o tithe_n be_v account_v as_o a_o duty_n of_o people_n to_o their_o minister_n or_o sheep_n to_o their_o pastor_n and_o therefore_o see_v this_o be_v by_o their_o own_o voluntary_a agreement_n and_o consent_n their_o join_n to_o the_o church_n as_o member_n thereof_o &_o to_o the_o ministry_n thereof_o as_o sheep_n of_o such_o a_o man_n flock_n be_v also_o by_o their_o own_o voluntary_a agreement_n and_o consent_n and_o this_o do_v imply_v a_o covenant_n â—â—_o be_v not_o the_o precinct_n of_o parish_n that_o do_v limit_v man_n in_o those_o day_n but_o their_o own_o choice_n three_o those_o question_n and_o answer_v minister_v at_o baptism_n speak_v of_o before_o viz._n doâ—st_v thou_o renounce_v i_o do_v renounce_v do_v thou_o believe_v i_o do_v believe_v do_v thou_o promise_v i_o do_v promise_n as_o they_o be_v use_v in_o other_o place_n so_o be_v they_o also_o in_o england_n and_o be_v unto_o this_o day_n though_o not_o without_o the_o mixture_n of_o sundry_a corruption_n now_o this_o do_v imply_v a_o covenant_n and_o when_o the_o child_n come_v to_o age_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n before_o they_o have_v make_v personal_a confession_n of_o their_o own_o faith_n and_o ratify_v the_o covenant_n which_o be_v make_v at_o their_o baptism_n by_o their_o parent_n which_o course_n indeed_o afterward_o do_v grow_v into_o a_o sacrament_n of_o confirmation_n but_o that_o be_v a_o abuse_n of_o a_o good_a order_n if_o here_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o member_n of_o the_o parishional_a assembly_n be_v not_o bring_v in_o by_o their_o own_o voluntary_a profession_n but_o by_o the_o authority_n and_o proclamation_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v no_o such_o covenant_n the_o answer_n be_v that_o the_o christian_a prince_n do_v but_o his_o duty_n when_o he_o do_v not_o tolerate_v within_o his_o dominion_n any_o open_a idolatry_n or_o the_o open_a worship_n of_o false_a god_n by_o baptize_v person_n but_o suppress_v the_o same_o and_o likewise_o when_o he_o give_v free_a liberty_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o true_a religion_n according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n with_o countenance_n also_o and_o encouragement_n unto_o all_o those_o who_o heart_n be_v willing_o bend_v thereunto_o ezra_n 1._o 1._o 3._o &_o 7._o 13._o and_o therefore_o this_o practice_n of_o he_o can_v overthrow_v the_o freeness_n of_o man_n join_v in_o church_n communion_n because_o one_o duty_n can_v oppose_v nor_o contradict_v another_o and_o suppose_v that_o this_o course_n of_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o force_n of_o some_o to_o come_v in_o for_o member_n who_o be_v unfit_a in_o which_o case_n it_o be_v not_o justifiable_a yet_o this_o do_v not_o hinder_v the_o voluntary_a subjection_n of_o other_o who_o with_o all_o their_o heart_n desire_v it_o when_o the_o israelite_n depart_v out_o of_o egypt_n there_o go_v a_o mix_a multitude_n with_o they_o many_o go_n with_o they_o that_o be_v not_o israelites_n indeed_o exod._n 12._o and_o in_o the_o day_n of_o mordecay_n and_o hesther_n many_o of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n become_v jew_n when_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o favour_n and_o respect_n est_fw-la 8._o 17._o and_o so_o join_v to_o they_o not_o of_o their_o own_o voluntary_a mind_n nor_o of_o any_o sincere_a heart_n towards_o god_n but_o mere_o for_o the_o favour_n or_o â—eare_z of_o man_n yet_o this_o force_a or_o sein_v join_v of_o some_o can_v not_o hinder_v those_o that_o be_v israelites_n indeed_o from_o be_v israelite_n nor_o make_v the_o jew_n to_o be_v no_o jew_n no_o church-member_n and_o the_o