proceed_n but_o here_o the_o matter_n be_v to_o be_v establish_v by_o witness_n ergo_fw-la it_o be_v a_o matter_n not_o to_o be_v transact_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o this_o author_n will_v have_v these_o private_a injury_n 5._o it_o be_v unimaginable_a that_o christ_n will_v have_v we_o count_v our_o brother_n a_o heathen_a or_o a_o publican_n and_o will_v have_v he_o bind_v in_o heaven_n for_o persist_v in_o a_o fact_n that_o either_o be_v no_o sin_n against_o god_n or_o which_o be_v not_o consider_v as_o a_o sin_n against_o god_n do_v the_o holy_a ghost_n any_o where_o speak_v so_o of_o private_a injury_n consider_v as_o such_o no_o sure_a but_o if_o private_a injury_n be_v to_o be_v thus_o note_v with_o censure_n by_o god_n and_o man_n it_o be_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o heinous_a sin_n as_o they_o offend_v god_n and_o scandalize_v his_o people_n and_o if_o so_o then_o scandal_n be_v here_o mean_v for_o if_o such_o injury_n be_v here_o speak_v of_o for_o that_o which_o be_v 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our_o lord_n will_v prescribe_v for_o take_v away_o the_o distemper_n of_o a_o gall_a mind_n that_o his_o adversary_n so_o the_o stubborn_a offender_n look_v upon_o the_o other_o shall_v choose_v the_o person_n before_o who_o he_o be_v to_o be_v convent_v and_o who_o shall_v judge_n he_o this_o i_o can_v be_v induce_v to_o believe_v except_o i_o see_v more_o proof_n of_o it_o than_o our_o author_n be_v bare_a say_n it_o be_v so_o 2._o we_o must_v conceive_v that_o these_o three_o step_n of_o proceed_v here_o prescribe_v have_v some_o notable_a difference_n one_o from_o another_o and_o be_v remedy_n of_o different_a virtue_n and_o operation_n apply_v to_o this_o stubborn_a disease_n now_o the_o first_o step_n be_v secret_a admonition_n the_o second_o be_v private_a and_o charitable_a not_o judicial_a the_o three_o than_o must_v be_v different_a from_o both_o which_o i_o can_v conceive_v how_o it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o authoritative_a in_o this_o author_n opinion_n it_o be_v no_o 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those_o who_o be_v harm_v by_o it_o now_o if_o the_o last_o mean_v be_v only_a arbitration_n and_o no_o juridical_a authoritative_a act_n this_o end_n can_v never_o be_v attain_v for_o neither_o be_v the_o stubborn_a offender_n gain_v nor_o be_v he_o take_v away_o that_o he_o may_v not_o the_o same_o way_n trouble_v the_o other_o party_n as_o before_o what_o great_a matter_n be_v gain_v if_o the_o wilful_a party_n will_v not_o hear_v this_o advise_v church_n our_o author_n dream_v of_o he_o be_v still_o a_o church-member_n enjoy_v the_o public_a fellowship_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n for_o all_o that_o these_o arbitrator_n can_v do_v and_o suppose_v some_o do_v withdraw_v private_a intimacy_n with_o they_o yet_o we_o can_v think_v that_o all_o be_v oblige_v to_o it_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o private_a arbitrator_n declare_v he_o stubborn_a when_o all_o do_v not_o know_v the_o cause_n which_o make_v they_o so_o determine_v nor_o the_o proof_n that_o do_v convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v allege_v against_o he_o it_o be_v then_o evident_a that_o this_o last_o remedy_n of_o the_o miscarriage_n be_v what_o it_o will_v of_o a_o stubborn_a offender_n which_o christ_n here_o prescribe_v be_v a_o authoritative_a act_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n here_o be_v no_o company_n of_o private_a man_n for_o arbitration_n 4._o though_o we_o grant_v that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v any_o company_n call_v together_o yet_o here_o it_o must_v be_v of_o more_o restricted_a signification_n and_o must_v needs_o signify_v a_o company_n call_v out_o of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o gospel_n to_o worship_n god_n and_o to_o serve_v he_o in_o the_o manage_n of_o his_o affair_n and_o institution_n which_o be_v not_o applicable_a to_o a_o company_n of_o arbitrator_n call_v by_o a_o man_n not_o by_o the_o gospel_n to_o agree_v contend_v party_n which_o be_v a_o work_n of_o duty_n common_a to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o none_o of_o the_o special_a work_n of_o the_o church_n as_o distinguish_v from_o other_o society_n now_o that_o the_o word_n church_n must_v be_v thus_o understand_v and_o not_o as_o mr._n still_v will_v have_v it_o i_o prove_v two_o it_o be_v constant_o so_o use_v by_o the_o writer_n of_o holy_a scripture_n neither_o can_v a_o instance_n be_v bring_v in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o any_o ever_o put_v ecclesia_fw-la for_o a_o company_n meet_v about_o any_o business_n save_v that_o the_o town-clerk_n of_o ephesus_n use_v it_o otherwise_o act_v 19_o 39_o and_o luke_n speak_v of_o he_o in_o his_o own_o dialect_n use_v it_o as_o he_o do_v ver_fw-la 40._o but_o when_o christ_n here_o speak_v of_o a_o church_n to_o which_o he_o send_v his_o offend_a people_n by_o a_o stand_a law_n for_o the_o redress_n of_o their_o grievance_n we_o must_v certain_o conceive_v that_o he_o will_v have_v they_o by_o the_o church_n to_o understand_v that_o which_o be_v ordinary_o know_v by_o that_o name_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o how_o shall_v they_o know_v the_o meaning_n of_o a_o ambiguous_a word_n but_o by_o the_o constant_a use_n of_o it_o in_o the_o scripture_n 2._o the_o demonstrative_a article_n add_v in_o the_o greek_a put_v the_o matter_n beyond_o all_o question_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v a_o particular_o design_v church_n which_o they_o to_o who_o it_o be_v say_v have_v point_v out_o unto_o they_o not_o any_o church_n this_o or_o that_o a_fw-mi individuum_fw-la vagum_fw-la or_o such_o a_o church_n as_o themselves_o may_v particularize_v or_o pitch_v upon_o it_o be_v not_o asleep_o church_n but_o the_o church_n now_o a_o company_n of_o arbitrator_n choose_v ad_fw-la libitum_fw-la by_o the_o grieve_a party_n be_v not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n particular_o as_o individuum_fw-la determinatum_fw-la design_v by_o christ_n they_o be_v at_o best_a but_o asleep_o church_n and_o shall_v be_v here_o design_v only_o confusè_fw-la or_o vage_fw-la huic_fw-la aut_fw-la illi_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la which_o the_o word_n can_v bear_v now_o if_o we_o take_v it_o for_o a_o ruling-church_n or_o whatever_o church_n in_o scripture-sense_n it_o be_v here_o determine_v what_o church_n we_o shall_v bring_v the_o matter_n to_o viz._n that_o particular_a church_n we_o live_v in_o at_o least_o in_o prima_fw-la instantia_fw-la and_o it_o be_v not_o leave_v to_o our_o liberty_n to_o choose_v what_o church_n of_o many_o particular_n we_o will_v complain_v unto_o or_o if_o we_o take_v the_o article_n here_o prefix_v to_o denote_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o that_o church_n here_o speak_v of_o and_o to_o determine_v the_o word_n to_o its_o famosius_fw-la significatum_fw-la it_o have_v the_o same_o strength_n of_o a_o argument_n for_o not_o a_o company_n of_o private_a
name_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o be_v incumbent_a on_o this_o author_n to_o answer_v and_o not_o to_o shift_v the_o matter_n with_o say_v that_o other_o man_n think_v otherwise_o i_o shall_v give_v but_o this_o instance_n or_o hint_n which_o may_v satisfy_v any_o what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n in_o scripture_n tit._n 2._o the_o apostle_n leave_v in_o crete_n titus_n to_o ordain_v elder_n or_o presbyter_n verse_n 5._o and_o tell_v he_o how_o they_o must_v be_v qualify_v verse_n 6_o and_o give_v this_o reason_n why_o they_o must_v have_v such_o qualification_n verse_n 7._o for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a if_o a_o bishop_n be_v another_o thing_n than_o a_o presbyter_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v this_o reason_n here_o bring_v ergo_fw-la they_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o if_o any_o affirm_v that_o these_o word_n signify_v different_a thing_n in_o any_o place_n of_o scripture_n let_v he_o prove_v it_o and_o we_o shall_v yield_v the_o cause_n i_o may_v also_o show_v that_o the_o same_o office_n and_o work_n be_v every_o where_o in_o scripture_n lay_v on_o both_o these_o and_o that_o never_o any_o thing_n be_v give_v to_o the_o one_o but_o what_o be_v give_v to_o the_o other_o but_o this_o have_v be_v do_v and_o other_o argument_n manage_v full_o by_o our_o writer_n against_o episcopacy_n neither_o have_v mr._n still_v have_v the_o confidence_n to_o answer_v they_o though_o destroy_v this_o his_o assertion_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v supersede_n this_o labour_n for_o the_o name_n of_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n the_o argument_n bring_v from_o it_o be_v not_o we_o but_o our_o opposite_n sect._n 12._o his_o 2d_o argument_n for_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n p._n 290._o be_v that_o the_o place_n of_o scripture_n most_o in_o controversy_n about_o the_o form_n of_o government_n may_v be_v without_o any_o incongruity_n understand_v of_o either_o of_o the_o different_a form_n which_o he_o make_v out_o by_o go_v through_o the_o several_a place_n the_o first_o be_v act_v 11._o 30._o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o relief_n for_o the_o brethren_n of_o judea_n be_v send_v to_o the_o elder_n there_o be_v nothing_o here_o say_v he_o to_o show_v whether_o there_o be_v the_o local_a elder_n of_o jerusalem_n or_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o several_a church_n of_o judea_n answ._n i_o wonder_v why_o he_o shall_v have_v bring_v this_o as_o the_o first_o or_o as_o one_o of_o these_o few_o scripture_n that_o he_o undertake_v to_o answer_v for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o most_o pungent_a scripture_n against_o his_o design_n he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v for_o i_o think_v it_o be_v very_o little_o insist_v on_o by_o either_o party_n nor_o can_v i_o remember_v that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o it_o as_o bring_v to_o prove_v either_o parity_n or_o imparity_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o at_o least_o some_o probability_n may_v be_v hence_o bring_v that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o parity_n of_o elder_n for_o which_o i_o lay_v down_o brief_o these_o ground_n first_o the_o elder_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n this_o he_o do_v not_o deny_v two_o they_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n this_o he_o say_v be_v not_o sure_a for_o they_o may_v be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n but_o against_o this_o i_o argue_v 1._o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o say_v they_o may_v be_v but_o what_o ground_n be_v there_o to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o judea_n we_o bring_v probable_a ground_n for_o what_o we_o assert_v but_o what_o can_v be_v say_v for_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v a_o bold_a way_n of_o expound_v scripture_n to_o say_v such_o a_o sense_n it_o may_v have_v when_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o it_o have_v such_o a_o sense_n but_o some_o ground_n to_o the_o contrary_n 2._o however_o the_o relief_n ought_v to_o be_v send_v to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n yet_o it_o be_v deliver_v at_o jerusalem_n to_o be_v send_v abroad_o for_o it_o be_v deliver_v to_o these_o elder_n by_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n who_o it_o be_v not_o like_a they_o send_v through_o the_o several_a church_n of_o judea_n it_o be_v speak_v of_o as_o one_o single_a act_n of_o they_o deliver_v the_o other_o to_o a_o company_n of_o elder_n meet_v together_o now_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o judea_n be_v meet_v together_o on_o this_o occasion_n for_o what_o need_v such_o a_o convention_n for_o receive_v alm_n yea_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v so_o natural_a to_o they_o beforehand_o as_o that_o they_o can_v meet_v about_o it_o neither_o have_v that_o conceit_n of_o some_o any_o probability_n that_o these_o bishop_n do_v reside_v at_o jerusalem_n such_o man_n do_v not_o begin_v so_o soon_o to_o slight_v their_o particular_a charge_n but_o of_o this_o after_o these_o elder_n than_o be_v the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n 3._o we_o find_v a_o company_n of_o elder_n ordinary_o at_o jerusalem_n not_o only_o act_n 15._o 6._o which_o may_v be_v upon_o the_o solemn_a occasion_n of_o the_o council_n but_o act._n 21._o 18._o that_o these_o be_v the_o elder_n of_o judea_n come_v up_o with_o their_o flock_n to_o keep_v the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n as_o mr._n still_o guess_v be_v a_o most_o irrational_a conceit_n for_o though_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n be_v zealous_a of_o the_o law_n shall_v we_o think_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v set_v teacher_n over_o they_o who_o be_v no_o better_o instruct_v in_o the_o gospel_n than_o so_o and_o beside_o these_o believe_a jew_n ver_fw-la 20._o who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v zealous_a of_o the_o law_n can_v neither_o be_v prove_v to_o have_v be_v then_o present_a at_o jerusalem_n for_o they_o may_v hear_v of_o paul_n condescendency_n to_o their_o custom_n though_o they_o be_v not_o there_o neither_o that_o they_o be_v those_o of_o the_o country_n of_o judea_n they_o may_v be_v of_o jerusalem_n itself_o but_o i_o incline_v rather_o to_o the_o first_o now_o we_o find_v not_o any_o other_o company_n of_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o judea_n meet_v in_o one_o place_n these_o be_v then_o the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n 4._o it_o be_v then_o observe_v both_o by_o the_o ordinary_a gloss_n and_o by_o lyra_n in_o loc_n that_o this_o famine_n be_v main_o like_a to_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n the_o believer_n there_o be_v spoil_v of_o their_o movable_a good_n in_o the_o persecution_n about_o stephen_n and_o therefore_o this_o relief_n be_v chief_o to_o they_o ergo_fw-la they_o be_v the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o here_o receive_v it_o now_o from_o these_o ground_n it_o easy_o follow_v what_o we_o intend_v viz._n if_o there_o be_v a_o company_n of_o elder_n who_o be_v ruler_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n then_o this_o church_n of_o the_o rest_n there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n be_v not_o govern_v by_o a_o bishop_n but_o by_o presbyter_n act_v in_o parity_n it_o be_v strange_a if_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v speak_v of_o and_o no_o notice_n take_v of_o my_o lord_n bishop_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o person_n in_o such_o a_o matter_n sect._n 13._o the_o second_o place_n be_v act._n 14._o 23_o when_o they_o have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n to_o which_o he_o join_v the_o 3d_o tit._n 1._o 5._o that_o thou_o shall_v ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n of_o which_o place_n he_o say_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v no_o more_o but_o ecclesiatim_fw-la and_o oppidatim_fw-la so_o that_o the_o place_n may_v well_o be_v understand_v of_o ordain_v one_o elder_a in_o every_o church_n and_o city_n or_o of_o more_o but_o do_v not_o determine_v whether_o one_o or_o more_o be_v ordain_v in_o they_o but_o grant_v all_o that_o he_o allege_v a_o strong_a argument_n for_o our_o purpose_n may_v be_v bring_v from_o these_o place_n thus_o there_o be_v at_o least_o in_o every_o church_n one_o elder_a in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o such_o a_o elder_a as_o be_v also_o a_o bishop_n and_o have_v govern_v power_n over_o the_o church_n as_o appear_v by_o compare_v vers_n 7._o of_o tit._n 2._o with_o this_o vers_n 5._o but_o there_o can_v not_o be_v in_o every_o church_n a_o diocesan_n bishop_n rule_v over_o presbyter_n for_o one_o of_o these_o be_v over_o many_o church_n ergo._fw-la the_o church_n be_v then_o govern_v by_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o several_a church_n act_v in_o parity_n for_o if_o every_o church_n have_v its_o elder_a or_o elder_n and_o these_o all_o be_v ruler_n than_o the_o rule_n be_v not_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o
any_o who_o in_o extraordinary_a case_n act_v the_o part_n of_o the_o ordinary_a guide_n of_o the_o church_n sect._n 7._o i_o agree_v to_o the_o argument_n of_o mr._n gillespy_n cite_v by_o the_o author_n that_o unless_o we_o understand_v the_o word_n church_n as_o usual_o it_o will_v be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o know_v what_o christ_n here_o mean_v by_o the_o church_n for_o see_v this_o be_v to_o be_v a_o stand_a law_n in_o all_o age_n it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o the_o lord_n will_v have_v we_o otherwise_o understand_v the_o term_n of_o it_o than_o they_o be_v ordinary_o use_v in_o the_o bible_n which_o he_o intend_v shall_v constant_o be_v in_o his_o people_n hand_n neither_o be_v that_o of_o any_o weight_n which_o our_o author_n oppose_v to_o this_o that_o such_o as_o so_o argue_v will_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v how_o those_o to_o who_o christ_n speak_v shall_v apprehend_v his_o meaning_n if_o he_o speak_v in_o a_o sense_n they_o never_o hear_v of_o before_o we_o consider_v that_o they_o may_v easy_o understand_v christ_n word_n because_o he_o have_v often_o before_o speak_v to_o they_o of_o the_o gospel-church_n that_o be_v to_o be_v set_v up_o and_o even_o in_o this_o very_a term_n of_o a_o church_n as_o matth._n 16._o 19_o and_o frequent_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n which_o they_o may_v easy_o apprehend_v to_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o church_n wherefore_o the_o author_n do_v not_o well_o consider_v what_o he_o say_v when_o he_o suppose_v this_o language_n to_o be_v unknown_a to_o the_o disciple_n hence_o all_o that_o he_o say_v of_o the_o way_n of_o understand_a scripture_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n then_o common_a be_v not_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o christ_n have_v make_v this_o sense_n common_a among_o they_o neither_o must_v we_o understand_v the_o word_n as_o it_o be_v then_o common_o apprehend_v among_o the_o jew_n but_o as_o it_o be_v apprehend_v among_o christ_n ordinary_a hearer_n who_o be_v in_o expectation_n of_o another_o church_n and_o another_o way_n of_o government_n in_o it_o to_o be_v set_v up_o than_o be_v then_o among_o the_o jew_n i_o find_v no_o more_o in_o the_o author_n that_o be_v argumentative_a either_o against_o our_o opinion_n of_o this_o text_n or_o for_o his_o own_o he_o conclude_v p._n 228._o that_o this_o place_n though_o it_o speak_v not_o of_o church-government_n yet_o it_o may_v have_v some_o influence_n on_o it_o by_o way_n of_o analogy_n viz._n in_o prove_v 1._o gradual_a appeal_n 2._o church-censure_n 3._o the_o lawfulness_n of_o excommunication_n this_o he_o yield_v at_o least_o that_o something_o of_o church-government_n may_v be_v infer_v from_o this_o place_n then_o ex_fw-la concessis_fw-la it_o be_v not_o so_o impertinent_a to_o this_o purpose_n as_o he_o will_v have_v make_v we_o believe_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n sect._n 8._o but_o let_v we_o see_v if_o we_o can_v draw_v any_o more_o out_o of_o it_o than_o he_o will_v yield_v we_o we_o have_v already_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v direct_o mean_v of_o church-government_n and_o to_o give_v rule_n for_o the_o right_a manage_n of_o it_o now_o i_o assert_v that_o it_o do_v implicit_o determine_v the_o form_n of_o church-government_n viz._n that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v by_o parity_n not_o episcopacy_n which_o i_o thus_o make_v out_o the_o first_o authority_n before_o which_o the_o complaint_n of_o the_o grieve_a party_n be_v to_o be_v bring_v be_v the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v also_o the_o last_o but_o if_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o bishop_n this_o shall_v not_o be_v ergo_fw-la the_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o bishop_n the_o major_n be_v clear_a for_o after_o secret_a and_o private_a admonition_n which_o be_v not_o authoritative_a immediate_o succee_v tell_v the_o church_n sure_o this_o church_n must_v be_v that_o authority_n which_o we_o must_v go_v to_o prima_fw-la instantia_fw-la and_o also_o that_o which_o must_v final_o decide_v the_o matter_n see_v excommunication_n do_v immediate_o so_o low_a upon_o disoblige_v this_o authority_n the_o minor_a i_o prove_v thus_o in_o the_o episcopal_a way_n the_o complaint_n must_v be_v bring_v to_o the_o bishop_n or_o to_o his_o delegate_n or_o delegate_n which_o be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o authority_n and_o he_o must_v be_v the_o last_o that_o must_v determine_v and_o on_o disobedience_n to_o he_o follow_v excommunication_n but_o the_o bishop_n be_v not_o the_o church_n ergo_fw-la in_o the_o episcopal_a way_n complaint_n can_v be_v make_v to_o the_o church_n nor_o do_v the_o church_n final_o decide_v the_o matter_n the_o minor_a of_o this_o last_o syllogism_n be_v evident_a for_o neither_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o word_n nor_o scripture-use_a will_v bear_v that_o one_o man_n shall_v be_v call_v the_o church_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v so_o model_v as_o the_o bishop_n with_o the_o presbyter_n may_v judge_n of_o the_o offence_n and_o they_o may_v well_o be_v call_v the_o church_n answ._n in_o that_o case_n either_o the_o presbyter_n have_v a_o decisive_a vote_n as_o well_o as_o the_o bishop_n or_o they_o be_v only_o his_o adviser_n in_o the_o first_o case_n the_o bishop_n be_v only_o a_o praeses_fw-la which_o be_v not_o that_o episcopacy_n plead_v against_o though_o we_o judge_v it_o inconvenient_a in_o the_o 2d_o the_o bishop_n be_v the_o only_a power_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o such_o church_n as_o here_o mean_v for_o the_o church_n here_o be_v a_o church_n clothe_v with_o authority_n who_o the_o party_n ought_v to_o hear_v i._n e._n obey_v and_o for_o contumacy_n against_o which_o he_o be_v excommunicate_v but_o the_o bishop_n and_o his_o counsel_n be_v not_o such_o a_o church_n for_o his_o counsel_n have_v no_o authority_n and_o himself_o can_v make_v a_o church_n and_o therefore_o both_o take_v together_o make_v no_o church_n have_v authority_n chap._n vi_o here_o mr._n still_v do_v undertake_v to_o lay_v aside_o apostolical_a practice_n from_o be_v a_o pattern_n for_o we_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o church-government_n what_o success_n he_o have_v in_o this_o attempt_n we_o now_o examine_v his_o two_o main_a scope_n in_o this_o chapter_n be_v that_o it_o can_v be_v know_v what_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v in_o this_o and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v know_v it_o be_v no_o bind_v example_n to_o we_o which_o desperate_a assertion_n do_v not_o a_o little_a reflect_v upon_o the_o scripture_n and_o tend_v to_o the_o cast_v loose_a the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n the_o latter_a of_o they_o i_o have_v speak_v to_o before_o and_o purpose_n to_o examine_v what_o he_o say_v for_o it_o concern_v the_o former_a i_o shall_v premise_v but_o this_o to_o our_o try_v of_o his_o proof_n that_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n have_v write_v so_o much_o of_o their_o practice_n both_o historical_o and_o imply_v it_o in_o doctrinal_a assertion_n and_o precept_n if_o for_o all_o this_o we_o can_v know_v what_o it_o be_v which_o if_o it_o do_v not_o accuse_v the_o scripture-relation_n of_o thing_n of_o great_a imperfection_n i_o know_v nothing_o for_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o scripture_n do_v purposely_o set_v down_o much_o of_o their_o practice_n both_o in_o preach_v administration_n of_o sacrament_n ordination_n of_o officer_n direct_v these_o officer_n in_o their_o behaviour_n in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n censure_n and_o other_o part_n of_o government_n if_o yet_o we_o can_v know_v by_o scripture_n what_o be_v their_o way_n in_o rule_v the_o account_n give_v of_o these_o thing_n must_v be_v very_o imperfect_a i_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v impute_v to_o any_o writer_n of_o the_o history_n of_o a_o church_n if_o out_o of_o his_o history_n can_v not_o be_v gather_v what_o be_v the_o government_n of_o that_o church_n shall_v we_o then_o think_v that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n who_o have_v undertake_v to_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v so_o deficient_a especial_o many_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v add_v by_o the_o same_o spirit_n out_o of_o which_o much_o may_v be_v gather_v to_o this_o purpose_n but_o let_v we_o hear_v how_o he_o make_v out_o this_o his_o strange_a opinion_n i_o insist_v not_o on_o what_o he_o write_v of_o the_o apostle_n commission_n i_o confess_v the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v not_o express_v in_o it_o though_o we_o have_v ground_n to_o think_v that_o when_o christ_n charge_v they_o to_o teach_v his_o people_n to_o observe_v all_o he_o command_v they_o matth._n 28._o 20._o that_o it_o be_v his_o will_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o leave_v so_o great_a a_o matter_n as_o be_v the_o form_n of_o church-government_n to_o man_n will_n but_o that_o his_o
one_o superior_a over_o many_o church_n nothing_o can_v be_v question_v in_o this_o argument_n except_o it_o be_v say_v that_o every_o church_n here_o be_v not_o every_o congregational_a but_o diocesan_n church_n but_o this_o can_v in_o no_o wise_n be_v for_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o elder_a or_o elder_n in_o every_o congregational_a church_n for_o the_o people_n instruction_n if_o these_o than_o do_v rule_v the_o church_n be_v rule_v by_o the_o elder_n of_o congregational_a church_n the_o next_o place_n be_v act_n 20._o 17._o and_o from_o miletus_n paul_n send_v and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n these_o say_v we_o be_v elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o who_o in_o common_a paul_n commit_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n vers_fw-la 28._o not_o to_o one_o bishop_n over_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o parity_n of_o elder_n to_o this_o place_n he_o answer_v by_o show_v some_o probability_n for_o both_o meaning_n viz._n that_o these_o be_v the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n and_o that_o they_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n but_o take_v no_o pain_n to_o answer_v what_o be_v say_v on_o either_o hand_n only_o conclude_v that_o because_o there_o be_v probability_n on_o both_o hand_n there_o be_v no_o fix_a truth_n on_o either_o which_o be_v most_o detestable_a scepticism_n for_o if_o there_o be_v argument_n for_o both_o part_n sure_a both_o can_v be_v true_a see_v they_o be_v contradictory_n neither_o can_v both_o be_v false_a for_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o contradictoriarum_fw-la altera_fw-la semper_fw-la est_fw-la vera_fw-la altera_fw-la semper_fw-la est_fw-la falsa_fw-la than_o it_o be_v his_o part_n either_o to_o show_v that_o neither_o of_o the_o argument_n prove_v any_o thing_n by_o answer_v to_o they_o or_o to_o hold_v to_o the_o one_o as_o true_a and_o not_o to_o hang_v between_o two_o but_o i_o prove_v that_o these_o elder_n be_v the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n not_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n 1._o which_o argument_n he_o mention_v but_o he_o answer_v not_o the_o article_n in_o the_o greek_a make_v it_o clear_a it_o be_v demonstratory_n do_v apply_v his_o speech_n to_o the_o church_n which_o he_o have_v mention_v in_o particular_a where_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o may_v well_o be_v translate_v of_o that_o church_n it_o point_v out_o that_o church_n and_o no_o other_o it_o be_v a_o unheard_a of_o way_n of_o speak_v when_o a_o particular_a thing_n or_o person_n be_v mention_v and_o the_o demonstrative_a article_n join_v to_o it_o that_o that_o speech_n shall_v be_v understand_v of_o any_o other_o but_o that_o 2._o paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n for_o these_o elder_n not_o through_o the_o several_a part_n of_o asia_n ergo._fw-la they_o be_v at_o ephesus_z not_o in_o other_o church_n that_o he_o do_v not_o send_v through_o other_o place_n to_o gather_v they_o together_o be_v evident_a both_o because_o the_o text_n mention_v send_v to_o ephesus_n not_o other_o place_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a if_o he_o send_v through_o all_o asia_n and_o mention_n be_v only_o make_v of_o send_v to_o one_o place_v not_o to_o any_o other_o also_o because_o paul_n be_v then_o in_o haste_n pass_v by_o they_o vers_n 16._o wherefore_o it_o be_v not_o like_a that_o he_o can_v stay_v for_o the_o convening_n of_o a_o synod_n of_o bishop_n from_o many_o remote_a part_n that_o which_o be_v allege_v by_o some_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n do_v reside_v at_o ephesus_n and_o thence_o be_v send_v for_o by_o paul_n be_v most_o absurd_a for_o 1._o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o shadow_n or_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o non_fw-fr residence_n of_o fix_a officer_n do_v so_o soon_o creep_v into_o the_o church_n let_v we_o see_v any_o instance_n or_o warrant_n to_o think_v that_o any_o who_o have_v a_o fix_a charge_n do_v leave_v it_o long_o or_o often_o or_o at_o all_o but_o upon_o some_o weighty_a and_o extraordinary_a emergent_a 2._o what_o can_v be_v their_o business_n at_o ephesus_n their_o work_n lie_v elsewhere_o and_o there_o they_o can_v do_v nothing_o except_v to_o meet_v and_o consult_v about_o matter_n of_o common_a concerment_n which_o will_v not_o infer_v ordinary_a residence_n there_o 3._o the_o work_n of_o these_o elder_n be_v particular_a inspection_n over_o their_o flock_n vers_fw-la 28._o over_o all_o the_o flock_n which_o they_o can_v not_o have_v if_o they_o reside_v at_o ephesus_n and_o have_v their_o charge_n lie_v up_o and_o down_o asia_n for_o that_o probability_n which_o he_o bring_v for_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v none_o at_o all_o viz._n it_o be_v say_v vers_fw-la 18._o that_o he_o have_v be_v with_o they_o at_o all_o season_n but_o he_o be_v not_o all_o the_o time_n in_o ephesus_n but_o abroad_o in_o asia_n as_o act._n 19_o 10_o 22_o 26._o answ._n at_o all_o season_n must_v not_o be_v take_v in_o such_o rigour_n as_o if_o he_o have_v never_o stir_v a_o foot_n out_o of_o ephesus_n but_o that_o he_o have_v his_o residence_n and_o preach_v most_o thâ—re_a which_o be_v evident_a from_o act._n 19_o 1_o 9_o 10._o he_o dispute_v daily_o in_o the_o school_n of_o tyrannus_n this_o be_v at_o ephesus_n and_o it_o be_v say_v that_o it_o continue_v 2_o year_n i._n e._n for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o time_n he_o be_v there_o and_o yet_o may_v sometime_o preach_v elsewhere_o for_o the_o humane_a testimony_n he_o bring_v for_o either_o part_n i_o weâ—e_v then_o in_o the_o same_o balance_n with_o he_o and_o shall_v be_v content_a to_o lay_v no_o stress_n upon_o they_o as_o for_o the_o 1_o tim._n 3_o 1._o which_o be_v his_o other_o place_n we_o make_v no_o argument_n from_o it_o but_o maintain_v that_o it_o speak_v not_o of_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n let_v they_o who_o assert_v the_o contrary_n prove_v it_o his_o discourse_n p._n 293._o be_v a_o very_a unsavory_n compare_v of_o some_o philosophical_a problem_n which_o can_v well_o be_v determine_v and_o therefore_o we_o may_v hesitate_n about_o they_o with_o point_n of_o truth_n reveal_v in_o scripture_n as_o if_o we_o may_v also_o be_v sceptic_a in_o these_o but_o sure_a the_o comparison_n be_v miserable_o lame_a for_o 1._o these_o do_v not_o concern_v our_o faith_n or_o duty_n as_o these_o other_o do_v and_o therefore_o there_o be_v much_o less_o hazard_n in_o scepticism_n about_o the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o 2._o even_o in_o those_o point_v the_o motion_n of_o the_o earth_n or_o heaven_n the_o flux_n and_o reflux_n of_o the_o sea_n there_o be_v some_o truth_n in_o they_o though_o man_n through_o darkness_n can_v see_v it_o neither_o must_v we_o say_v that_o nothing_o there_o be_v because_o there_o be_v nothing_o certain_a to_o we_o in_o these_o thing_n or_o that_o man_n may_v impose_v on_o our_o belief_n what_o they_o please_v in_o they_o hence_o man_n be_v the_o more_o studious_a in_o search_v out_o these_o secret_n and_o give_v they_o not_o over_o as_o be_v destitute_a of_o all_o objective_a truth_n but_o he_o deal_v worse_a with_o the_o thing_n of_o church-government_n he_o will_v have_v no_o objective_a truth_n in_o it_o and_o no_o duty_n to_o lie_v on_o we_o in_o search_v out_o the_o truth_n but_o that_o we_o must_v believe_v what_o man_n say_v of_o it_o for_o conclusion_n of_o what_o i_o will_v say_v to_o this_o ground_n of_o his_o scepticism_n about_o church-government_n i_o will_v but_o mention_v several_a scripture_n on_o which_o the_o truth_n in_o this_o be_v build_v viz._n that_o the_o apostolic_a form_n be_v parity_n which_o mr._n still_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o touch_v neither_o need_v i_o insist_v on_o they_o see_v argument_n from_o they_o be_v establish_v by_o our_o writer_n and_o not_o enervate_v by_o he_o one_o place_n be_v 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o where_o tim._n be_v say_v to_o be_v ordain_v by_o a_o presbytery_n or_o company_n of_o elder_n join_v with_o paul_n in_o that_o action_n this_o can_v not_o have_v be_v if_o elder_n have_v not_o have_v a_o parity_n of_o power_n another_o be_v 1_o cor._n 5._o 4_o 5._o where_o excommunication_n be_v transact_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o community_n not_o of_o a_o single_a person_n and_o so_o be_v the_o relax_n of_o that_o sentence_n 2_o cor._n 2._o 8._o 10._o also_o 1_o thess._n 5._o 12._o they_o who_o rule_v that_o church_n who_o be_v over_o they_o and_o must_v be_v obey_v be_v many_o not_o one_o person_n yea_o that_o work_n and_o the_o work_n of_o labour_v among_o the_o people_n and_o admonish_v they_o be_v make_v to_o be_v the_o business_n of_o the_o same_o person_n which_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n do_v rule_v in_o common_a and_o not_o a_o bishop_n over_o