of_o schism_n or_o to_o discover_v on_o which_o side_n the_o schism_n lie_v or_o to_o avoid_v it_o without_o renounce_v all_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n which_o course_n soever_o they_o take_v i_o leave_v all_o such_o case_n to_o god_n who_o know_v when_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o dispense_v with_o his_o own_o law_n and_o will_v take_v care_n of_o my_o own_o duty_n according_a to_o scripture-rule_n and_o not_o hope_v to_o justify_v the_o ordinary_a breach_n of_o know_a law_n by_o some_o extraordinary_a case_n and_o yet_o the_o case_n which_o you_o propose_v be_v not_o so_o unanswerable_a a_o difficulty_n as_o you_o imagine_v several_a council_n in_o palestine_n in_o rome_n in_o pontus_n and_o other_o place_n 23._o euseb_n b._n 5._o cap._n 23._o determine_v the_o celebration_n of_o easter_n on_o the_o day_n of_o the_o resurrection_n not_o on_o the_o fourteen_o day_n of_o the_o month_n which_o be_v the_o jewish_a passover_n which_o dispute_v you_o call_v a_o mistake_n in_o arithmetic_n but_o for_o what_o reason_n i_o know_v not_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n at_o the_o same_o time_n decree_v the_o observation_n of_o easter_n on_o the_o fourteen_o day_n whatever_o day_n of_o the_o week_n it_o fall_v on_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a observation_n of_o the_o asian_a church_n pope_n victor_n upon_o this_o writes_z to_z several_z bishop_n very_o bitter_o against_o they_o and_o be_v very_o desirous_a to_o have_v they_o excommunicate_v and_o do_v as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lay_v denounce_v the_o sentence_n against_o they_o 24._o cap._n 24._o but_o this_o be_v ill_o resent_v by_o other_o bishop_n in_o communion_n with_o he_o and_o particular_o ireneus_fw-la write_v a_o letter_n to_o he_o about_o it_o and_o earnest_o dissuade_v he_o from_o it_o and_o do_v prevent_v it_o from_o take_v effect_n if_o we_o will_v believe_v eusebius_n so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o be_v true_a as_o you_o assert_v that_o pope_n victor_n in_o a_o council_n excommunicate_v the_o poor_a asian_o what_o he_o do_v be_v only_o his_o own_o act_n which_o be_v displease_v to_o other_o bishop_n and_o which_o he_o be_v force_v to_o undo_v so_o that_o here_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o heat_n and_o warmth_n and_o tendency_n towards_o a_o schism_n but_o no_o schism_n follow_v upon_o it_o among_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o suppose_v pope_n victor_n have_v excommunicate_v the_o asian_a church_n and_o this_o excommunication_n have_v take_v effect_n this_o can_v not_o make_v the_o asian_a church_n schismatic_n for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o church_n and_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o a_o church_n the_o first_o be_v matter_n of_o censure_n the_o second_o be_v our_o own_o choice_n the_o first_o be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a punishment_n the_o second_o when_o it_o be_v causeless_a be_v schism_n so_o that_o have_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n excommunicate_v the_o asian_a church_n unless_o the_o asian_a church_n upon_o this_o have_v make_v a_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n this_o excommunication_n can_v not_o make_v they_o schismatic_n and_o therefore_o any_o one_o may_v safe_o communicate_v with_o they_o without_o partake_v in_o a_o schism_n nor_o be_v it_o a_o just_a reason_n for_o the_o asian_a church_n to_o have_v renounce_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n though_o they_o have_v be_v excommunicate_v by_o victor_n for_o this_o have_v be_v to_o do_v as_o ill_o a_o thing_n as_o victor_n have_v do_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o pope_n victor_n have_v set_v they_o a_o example_n and_o therefore_o we_o find_v saint_n cyprian_n of_o another_o temper_n when_o he_o and_o the_o african_a bishop_n be_v threaten_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n by_o pope_n stephen_n upon_o occasion_n of_o that_o warm_a dispute_n about_o rebaptise_v heretic_n at_o that_o very_a time_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o jubaianus_n he_o declare_v his_o resolution_n not_o to_o break_v communion_n with_o any_o church_n or_o bishop_n upon_o that_o account_n and_o therefore_o not_o with_o pope_n stephen_n himself_o notwithstanding_o his_o rash_a and_o furious_a censure_n and_o conclude_v that_o patience_n and_o forbearance_n be_v the_o best_a remedy_n in_o such_o case_n and_o therefore_o upon_o this_o occasion_n he_o say_v he_o write_v his_o book_n de_fw-fr bono_fw-mi patientiae_fw-la well_o but_o if_o the_o asiatic_a church_n be_v not_o schismatic_n yet_o pope_n victor_n have_v be_v a_o schismatic_a have_v he_o excommunicate_v the_o church_n of_o asia_n or_o withdraw_v communion_n from_o they_o and_o this_o have_v make_v the_o case_n of_o the_o roman_a christian_n very_a hard_a for_o they_o must_v either_o have_v suspend_v communion_n with_o both_o these_o divide_a church_n and_o live_v without_o the_o comfort_n and_o advantage_n of_o christian_a communion_n or_o they_o must_v have_v reject_v the_o communion_n of_o their_o own_o bishop_n and_o church_n or_o have_v reject_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n or_o have_v maintain_v communion_n with_o they_o both_o that_o be_v with_o two_o separate_a church_n which_o according_a to_o my_o principle_n be_v to_o communicate_v in_o a_o schism_n if_o they_o communicate_v with_o their_o own_o schismatical_a bishop_n this_o be_v to_o communicate_v in_o a_o schism_n by_o communicate_v with_o a_o schismatic_a if_o they_o renounce_v his_o communion_n when_o he_o impose_v no_o new_a unlawful_a term_n of_o communion_n upon_o they_o this_o be_v to_o separate_a from_o a_o sound_n and_o orthodox_n church_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o schismatical_a bishop_n if_o they_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n this_o be_v to_o break_v communion_n with_o their_o own_o bishop_n who_o have_v excommunicate_v they_o if_o they_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o they_o be_v unjust_o excommunicate_v this_o be_v to_o separate_a for_o a_o unjust_a cause_n which_o be_v a_o schism_n if_o they_o communicate_v with_o both_o they_o communicate_v with_o two_o separate_a church_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v schismatic_n on_o one_o side_n or_o other_o if_o you_o can_v find_v any_o more_o difficulty_n in_o this_o matter_n you_o may_v and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o i_o do_v believe_v the_o christian_n of_o rome_n may_v have_v communicate_v both_o with_o the_o roman_a and_o asian_a church_n without_o schism_n and_o this_o i_o believe_v upon_o these_o principle_n which_o i_o shall_v brief_o explain_v and_o confirm_v 1._o that_o the_o personal_a miscarriage_n of_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n can_v involve_v his_o whole_a church_n in_o the_o guilt_n of_o schism_n though_o it_o may_v make_v he_o a_o schismatic_a and_o certain_o since_o bishop_n be_v but_o man_n and_o subject_a to_o the_o like_a passion_n and_o infirmity_n that_o other_o man_n be_v it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a case_n if_o his_o personal_a schism_n shall_v be_v impute_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n though_o the_o bishop_n have_v the_o chief_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o say_v that_o every_o abuse_n of_o his_o authority_n be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n may_v not_o be_v schismatical_a when_o the_o bishop_n be_v and_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o communicate_v with_o a_o church_n who_o bishop_n be_v a_o schismatic_a without_o communicate_v in_o the_o schism_n and_o therefore_o though_o victor_n have_v schismatical_o excommunicate_v the_o asian_a church_n the_o christian_n of_o rome_n at_o that_o time_n may_v have_v communicate_v with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n without_o partake_v in_o victor_n schism_n for_o though_o a_o particular_a church-society_n consist_v in_o that_o relation_n which_o be_v between_o the_o bishop_n and_o his_o clergy_n and_o people_n yet_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o authority_n may_v violate_v the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o communion_n on_o which_o the_o christian_n of_o such_o a_o church_n unite_v into_o one_o body_n and_o society_n and_o when_o he_o do_v so_o it_o be_v a_o abuse_n of_o his_o episcopal_a authority_n it_o be_v his_o personal_a fault_n which_o can_v affect_v the_o whole_a church_n the_o case_n be_v very_o plain_a where_o there_o be_v a_o establish_v constitution_n in_o a_o church_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o oblige_v the_o bishop_n as_o well_o as_o people_n for_o shall_v any_o english_a bishop_n require_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o clergy_n or_o people_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o establish_v law_n and_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n or_o shall_v exercise_v any_o authority_n in_o censure_n and_o excommunication_n which_o be_v not_o allow_v he_o by_o those_o canon_n this_o can_v in_o no_o sense_n be_v call_v the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o be_v any_o one_o bind_v
thing_n and_o somewhat_o favour_v by_o scripture_n and_o by_o experience_n have_v be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o such_o convenience_n advantage_n and_o security_n to_o religion_n that_o mr._n baxter_n have_v more_o than_o once_o say_v 36._o say_v say_v say_v mr._n baxter_n plea_n for_o peace_n epist_n serm._n on_o gal._n 6._o 10._o p._n 24._o defence_n p._n 21._o par_fw-fr 1._o p._n 36._o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o he_o that_o will_v preserve_v religion_n here_o in_o its_o due_a advantage_n must_v endeavour_v to_o preserve_v the_o soundness_n concord_n and_o honour_n of_o the_o parish-church_n and_o mr._n corbet_n say_v 26._o say_v say_v say_v mr._n corbet_n account_n of_o the_o principle_n etc._n etc._n of_o several_a nonconformist_n p._n 26._o that_o the_o nullify_n and_o tread_v down_o the_o parish-church_n be_v a_o popish_a design_n but_o whatever_o opinion_n other_o may_v have_v of_o that_o form_n yet_o all_o of_o one_o sort_n and_o another_o agree_v that_o the_o church_n so_o call_v be_v or_o may_v be_v true_a church_n this_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n thus_o say_v a_o late_a 103._o late_a late_a late_a troughton_n apol._n p._n 103._o writer_n who_o though_o he_o be_v unwilling_a to_o grant_v that_o they_o do_v own_o the_o national_a church_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n yet_o do_v admit_v as_o he_o needs_o must_v at_o least_o that_o they_o do_v own_o the_o several_a parish_n or_o congregation_n in_o england_n to_o be_v true_a church_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o constitution_n and_o also_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n and_o that_o there_o be_v in_o they_o no_o such_o intolerable_a corruption_n as_o that_o all_o christian_n shall_v fly_v from_o they_o and_o even_o those_o that_o be_v in_o other_o respect_v opposite_a enough_o to_o the_o church_n do_v so_o declare_v it_o be_v say_v mr._n baxter_n the_o parish_n church_n that_o have_v the_o liturgy_n 49._o defence_n of_o his_o cure_n part_v 2._o p._n 178._o v._o letter_n of_o minister_n of_o old_a england_n to_o new_a p._n 49._o which_o mr._n h._n jacob_n the_o father_n of_o the_o congregational_a party_n write_v for_o communion_n with_o against_o fr._n johnson_n and_o in_o respect_n to_o which_o he_o call_v they_o separatist_n against_o who_o he_o write_v the_o same_o i_o may_v say_v of_o mr._n bradshaw_n dr._n ames_n and_o other_o nonconformist_n who_o the_o congregational_a brethren_n think_v be_v favourable_a to_o their_o way_n and_o if_o you_o will_v hearken_v to_o the_o abovesaid_a apologist_n he_o say_v again_o and_o again_o that_o the_o general_a sense_n â—17_n apol._n c._n 4._o p._n â—17_n of_o the_o present_a nonconformist_n both_o minister_n and_o people_n be_v that_o the_o parish_n of_o england_n general_o be_v true_a church_n both_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o the_o people_n be_v christian_n and_o as_o to_o the_o form_n their_o minister_n be_v true_a minister_n such_o as_o for_o their_o doctrine_n and_o manner_n deserve_v not_o to_o be_v degrade_v but_o lest_o he_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o incline_v to_o one_o side_n i_o shall_v produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o such_o as_o be_v of_o the_o congregational_a way_n as_o for_o those_o of_o new-england_n mr._n baxter_n do_v say_v that_o 177._o defence_n of_o his_o cure_n part_v 2_o p._n 177._o their_o own_o expression_n signify_v that_o they_o take_v the_o english_a parish_n that_o have_v godly_a minister_n for_o true_a church_n though_o faulty_a mr._n cotton_n profess_v that_o robinson_n denial_n of_o 8._o way_n clear_v p._n 8._o the_o parishional_a church_n to_o be_v true_a church_n be_v never_o receive_v into_o any_o heart_n among_o they_o and_o otherwhere_o say_v we_o dare_v not_o deny_v to_o bless_v the_o womb_n that_o bear_v we_o 1641._o his_o letter_n p._n 3._o print_v 1641._o and_o the_o pape_n that_o give_v we_o suck_v the_o five_o dissent_v brethren_n do_v declare_v 47._o declare_v declare_v declare_v apologet._n narr_n v._o hooker_n survey_n pref._n and_o part_n 1._o p._n 47._o we_o have_v this_o sincere_a profession_n to_o make_v before_o god_n and_o the_o world_n that_o all_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o defilement_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n etc._n etc._n do_v never_o work_v in_o we_o any_o other_o thought_n much_o less_o opinion_n but_o that_o multitude_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o parochial_a congregation_n thereof_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o body_n of_o christ_n to_o come_v near_o dr._n t._n goodwin_n 489._o on_o the_o ephes_n p._n 477_o 488_o 489._o do_v condemn_v it_o as_o a_o error_n in_o those_o who_o hold_v particular_a church_n those_o you_o call_v parish-church_n to_o be_v no_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o their_o minister_n to_o be_v no_o true_a minister_n and_o upon_o that_o ground_n forbear_v all_o church-communion_n with_o they_o in_o hear_v or_o in_o any_o other_o ordinance_n etc._n etc._n and_o say_v i_o acquit_v myself_o before_o from_o this_o and_o my_o brethren_n in_o the_o ministry_n but_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o only_o thus_o acknowledge_v a_o true_a church_n but_o have_v be_v also_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o most_o valuable_a in_o the_o world_n whether_o we_o consider_v the_o church_n itself_o or_o those_o that_o minister_n in_o it_o the_o church_n itself_o of_o which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o grave_n and_o modest_a confutation_n thus_o write_v all_o the_o know_a 6._o pag._n 6._o church_n in_o the_o world_n acknowledge_v our_o church_n for_o their_o sister_n and_o give_v unto_o we_o the_o right-hand_a of_o fellowship_n etc._n etc._n dr._n goodwin_n say_v if_o we_o shall_v not_o acknowledge_v these_o ibid._n ibid._n church_n so_o state_v i._n e._n parish-church_n to_o be_v the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o their_o minister_n true_a minister_n and_o their_o order_n such_o and_o hold_v communion_n with_o they_o too_o in_o the_o sense_n speak_v of_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v no_o church_n in_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n etc._n etc._n for_o they_o be_v all_o as_o full_a of_o mixture_n as_o we_o and_o mr._n j._n goodwin_n say_v visit_v zion_n college_n visit_v that_o there_o be_v more_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o power_n of_o religion_n in_o england_n under_o the_o late_a prelatical_a government_n than_o in_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o if_o we_o will_v have_v a_o character_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o it_o be_v then_o mr._n bradshaw_n 97._o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o separate_a p._n 97._o give_v it_o our_o church_n be_v not_o inferior_a for_o number_n of_o able_a man_n yea_o and_o painful_a minister_n to_o any_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o christ_n in_o foreign_a part_n etc._n etc._n and_o certain_o the_o number_n of_o such_o be_v much_o advance_v since_o his_o time_n but_o i_o can_v say_v more_o of_o this_o subject_a than_o i_o find_v in_o a_o page_n or_o two_o of_o a_o author_n i_o must_v frequent_o 263._o mr._n baxter_n cure_n of_o church_n division_n dir._n 56._o p._n 263._o use_v to_o which_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n before_o i_o proceed_v i_o shall_v only_o make_v this_o inference_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o if_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o true_a church_n the_o church_n true_a church_n the_o ministry_n a_o true_a ministry_n the_o doctrine_n sound_n and_o orthodox_n the_o worship_n in_o the_o main_a good_a and_o allowable_a and_o the_o defect_n such_o as_o render_v not_o the_o ordinance_n unacceptable_a to_o god_n and_o ineffectual_a to_o we_o i_o think_v there_o be_v much_o say_v towards_o the_o prove_a communion_n with_o that_o church_n lawful_a and_o to_o justify_v those_o that_o do_v join_v in_o it_o which_o bring_v to_o the_o second_o general_n which_o be_v to_o consider_v ii_o what_o opinion_n the_o sober_a and_o eminent_a nonconformist_n ii_o sect._n ii_o have_v of_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o they_o general_o hold_v 1._o that_o they_o be_v not_o total_o to_o separate_v from_o it_o this_o follow_v from_o the_o former_a and_o must_v be_v own_a by_o all_o they_o that_o hold_v she_o be_v a_o true_a church_n for_o to_o own_v it_o to_o be_v such_o and_o yet_o to_o separate_v total_o from_o it_o will_v be_v to_o own_o and_o disow_v it_o at_o the_o same_o time_n so_o say_v the_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n thus_o to_o 47._o paper_n for_o accommodation_n p._n 47._o depart_v from_o true_a church_n be_v not_o to_o hold_v communion_n with_o they_o as_o such_o but_o rather_o by_o depart_v to_o declare_v they_o not_o to_o be_v such_o and_o say_v mr._n baxter_n nothing_o will_v 464._o reason_n for_o the_o christian_a relig._n p._n 464._o warrant_v we_o to_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n as_o no_o church_n which_o yet_o be_v the_o case_n in_o total_a separation_n but_o the_o want_n of_o
authority_n for_o it_o be_v not_o so_o absurd_a as_o may_v by_o some_o be_v imagine_v for_o the_o common_a people_n to_o take_v upon_o trust_n from_o their_o lawful_a teacher_n what_o they_o be_v not_o competent_a judge_n of_o themselves_o but_o the_o difficulty_n here_o be_v how_o shall_v a_o private_a christian_a govern_v himself_o when_o the_o very_a guide_n and_o minister_n of_o religion_n determine_v different_o concern_v these_o matter_n in_o question_n among_o we_o some_o warrant_v and_o allow_v they_o other_o as_o much_o disapprove_v and_o condemn_v they_o by_o what_o rule_n shall_v he_o choose_v his_o guide_n to_o which_o i_o brief_o reply_v 1._o as_o for_o those_o who_o scruple_n at_o conformity_n and_o be_v tolerable_o able_a to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o let_v not_o such_o rely_v bare_o upon_o the_o authority_n either_o of_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o all_o we_o desire_v of_o they_o be_v that_o they_o will_v equal_o hear_v both_o side_n that_o they_o will_v think_v 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modest_a with_o it_o nor_o do_v we_o desire_v man_n to_o become_v our_o proselyte_n any_o further_a than_o we_o give_v they_o good_a scripture_n and_o reason_n for_o it_o 2._o but_o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o so_o capable_a of_o examine_v or_o judge_v for_o themselves_o as_o few_o of_o the_o common_a people_n who_o separate_v from_o we_o real_o be_v they_o not_o be_v able_a to_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o their_o dissent_n from_o we_o only_o in_o general_a word_n declaim_v against_o popery_n superstition_n antichristian_a and_o unscriptural_a ceremony_n humane_a tradition_n etc._n etc._n such_o have_v better_a trust_n to_o and_o depend_v on_o those_o minister_n of_o know_a sufficiency_n for_o their_o office_n who_o be_v regular_o and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n set_v over_o they_o than_o any_o other_o guide_n or_o teacher_n that_o they_o can_v choose_v for_o themselves_o this_o to_o be_v sure_o be_v the_o safe_a course_n which_o in_o doubtful_a case_n 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idle_a humour_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o ruin_n 4._o in_o order_n to_o the_o cure_n of_o our_o scruple_n we_o shall_v thorough_o understand_v and_o consider_v what_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o lawful_a and_o how_o it_o differ_v from_o what_o be_v necessary_a and_o from_o what_o be_v sinful_a that_o be_v necessary_a or_o our_o duty_n which_o god_n have_v express_o command_v that_o be_v sinful_a which_o god_n have_v forbid_v that_o be_v lawful_a which_o god_n have_v not_o by_o any_o law_n oblige_v we_o either_o command_v or_o forbid_v for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n say_v the_o apostle_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n rom._n 4._o 15._o there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n but_o either_o omit_v what_o the_o law_n command_v or_o do_v what_o the_o law_n forbid_v for_o instance_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v where_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v forbid_v in_o scripture_n where_o fit_v be_v require_v where_o pray_v by_o a_o form_n be_v forbid_v and_o extemporary_a 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out_o of_o england_n without_o interrupt_v our_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o the_o communion_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o all_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v in_o communion_n with_o each_o other_o though_o they_o may_v observe_v different_a rite_n and_o mode_n of_o worship_n and_o this_o i_o suppose_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o that_o other_o untoward_a consequence_n that_o if_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n may_v occasional_o communicate_v with_o the_o french_a church_n then_o constant_a communion_n be_v not_o always_o a_o duty_n where_o occasional_a communion_n be_v lawful_a i_o suppose_v because_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o a_o constant_a actual_a or_o presential_a communion_n with_o the_o french_a church_n though_o we_o may_v occasional_o communicate_v with_o it_o but_o certain_o sir_n have_v you_o ever_o consider_v what_o i_o discourse_v about_o constant_a and_o occasional_a communion_n you_o will_v not_o have_v 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the_o french_a church_n be_v in_o france_n and_o the_o dutch_a church_n be_v in_o holland_n though_o there_o be_v a_o french_a and_o dutch_a congregation_n allow_v in_o london_n these_o congregation_n belong_v to_o their_o own_o original_a church_n and_o be_v under_o their_o government_n and_o censure_n but_o there_o be_v no_o church-power_n and_o authority_n in_o england_n but_o only_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o though_o we_o may_v occasional_o communicate_v with_o the_o french_a congregation_n our_o obligation_n to_o constant_a communion_n be_v with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o alone_o have_v authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o england_n to_o require_v our_o communion_n and_o obedience_n one_o particular_a church_n be_v distinguish_v from_o another_o not_o by_o a_o distinct_a and_o separate_a communion_n which_o be_v schismatical_a but_o by_o distinct_a power_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o that_o church_n within_o who_o jurisdiction_n we_o live_v can_v only_o challenge_v our_o communion_n and_o i_o suppose_v
no_o man_n will_v say_v that_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o live_v in_o the_o french_a or_o dutch_a church_n because_o there_o be_v a_o french_a and_o dutch_a church_n allow_v among_o we_o 5._o your_o next_o query_n be_v whether_o a_o true_a christian_a though_o not_o visible_o admit_v into_o church-communion_n where_o he_o want_v the_o mean_n have_v not_o a_o virtual_a baptism_n in_o the_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n towards_o god_n according_a to_o 1._o peter_n 2._o 21._o ans_fw-fr what_o this_o concern_v i_o i_o can_v tell_v i_o speak_v only_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o visible_a communion_n in_o visible_a member_n you_o put_v a_o question_n whether_o the_o want_n of_o visible_a admission_n by_o baptism_n when_o it_o can_v be_v have_v may_v not_o be_v supply_v with_o the_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n towards_o god_n i_o hope_v in_o some_o case_n it_o may_v though_o i_o do_v not_o hope_v this_o from_o what_o st._n peter_n say_v who_o only_o speak_v of_o that_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n which_o be_v make_v at_o baptism_n not_o of_o that_o which_o be_v make_v without_o it_o but_o what_o god_n will_v accept_v of_o in_o this_o case_n be_v not_o my_o business_n to_o determie_n unbaptise_v person_n be_v no_o visible_a member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o not_o capable_a of_o visible_a communion_n and_o therefore_o not_o concern_v at_o all_o in_o this_o dispute_n 6._o query_n why_o a_o profess_a atheist_n who_o have_v be_v baptise_a and_o out_o of_o secular_a interest_n continue_v a_o communicant_a with_o this_o church_n be_v more_o a_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n then_o such_o as_o be_v above_o describe_v ans_fw-fr neither_o atheist_n nor_o schismatic_n be_v member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o this_o be_v a_o vile_a insinuation_n against_o the_o governor_n and_o government_n of_o our_o church_n as_o if_o profess_a atheist_n be_v admit_v to_o communion_n though_o possible_o there_o may_v be_v some_o atheist_n yet_o i_o never_o meet_v yet_o with_o one_o who_o will_v profess_v himself_o a_o atheist_n if_o i_o shall_v i_o assure_v you_o i_o will_v not_o admit_v he_o to_o communion_n and_o i_o hope_v there_o be_v no_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v and_o i_o be_o sure_a no_o man_n who_o have_v any_o kindness_n for_o the_o church_n with_o which_o he_o pretend_v to_o hold_v communion_n will_v ask_v such_o a_o question_n 7._o query_n whether_o as_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o body_n of_o man_n incorporate_v by_o one_o charter_n shall_v upon_o supposition_n of_o a_o possibility_n of_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o the_o charter_n to_o the_o whole_a body_n by_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o any_o of_o the_o officer_n do_v it_o likewise_o follow_v that_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o any_o of_o the_o officer_n or_o the_o church_n representative_a as_o i_o remember_v bishop_n sanderson_n call_v the_o clergy_n may_v forfeit_v the_o privilege_n give_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o church_n or_o at_o least_o may_v suspend_v they_o as_o suppose_v a_o protestant_a clergy_n take_v their_o power_n to_o be_v as_o large_a as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n claim_v shall_v deny_v the_o laity_n the_o sacrament_n as_o the_o popish_a do_v in_o venice_n and_o here_o in_o king_n john_n time_n during_o the_o interdict_v quid_fw-la inde_fw-la operatur_fw-la ans_fw-fr just_o as_o much_o as_o this_o query_n do_v the_o reason_n of_o which_o i_o can_v easy_o guess_v i_o assert_v indeed_o that_o as_o there_o be_v but_o one_o covenant_n on_o which_o the_o church_n be_v found_v so_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o church_n to_o which_o this_o covenant_n belong_v and_o therefore_o those_o who_o divide_v and_o separate_v themselves_o from_o this_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n forfeit_v etc._n resol_n of_o case_n p._n 8._o etc._n etc._n their_o right_n to_o this_o covenant_n which_o be_v make_v only_o with_o the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o i_o illustrate_v by_o the_o instance_n of_o a_o charter_n grant_v to_o a_o particular_a corporation_n which_o no_o man_n have_v any_o interest_n in_o who_o divide_v himself_o from_o that_o corporation_n to_o which_o this_o charter_n be_v grant_v but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o forfeit_v a_o charter_n by_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o officer_n i_o doubt_v sir_n your_o head_n have_v be_v warm_v with_o quo_n warranto_n which_o so_o affect_v your_o fancy_n that_o you_o can_v dream_v of_o nothing_o else_o i_o be_v almost_o afraid_a when_o your_o hand_n be_v in_o i_o shall_v never_o have_v see_v a_o end_n of_o these_o question_n and_o i_o know_v no_o more_o reason_n why_o you_o so_o soon_o leave_v off_o ask_v question_n than_o why_o you_o ask_v any_o at_o all_o for_o i_o will_v undertake_v to_o ask_v five_o hundred_o more_o as_o pertinent_a to_o the_o business_n as_o most_o of_o these_o you_o have_v not_o indeed_o do_v yet_o but_o have_v a_o reserve_v of_o particular_a query_n but_o general_a query_n be_v the_o most_o formidable_a thing_n because_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o find_v what_o they_o relate_v to_o than_o how_o to_o answer_v they_o you_o have_v three_o set_n of_o query_n relate_v to_o three_o several_a proposition_n beside_o a_o part_a blow_n of_o four_o query_n relate_v to_o my_o text._n the_o first_o proposition_n you_o be_v please_v to_o question_v i_o about_o be_v this_o that_o our_o saviour_n make_v the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n governor_n of_o his_o church_n with_o promise_n to_o be_v with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o i_o allege_v to_o prove_v that_o when_o the_o church_n be_v call_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n it_o do_v not_o signify_v a_o confuse_a multitude_n of_o christian_n but_o a_o regular_a society_n under_o order_n and_o government_n now_o sir_n be_v this_o true_a or_o false_a if_o it_o be_v false_a than_o the_o church_n be_v not_o a_o govern_a society_n be_v not_o a_o body_n but_o a_o confuse_a heap_n and_o multitude_n of_o independent_a individual_n which_o be_v somewhat_o worse_o than_o independent_a church_n if_o it_o be_v true_a why_o do_v you_o ask_v all_o these_o question_n unless_o you_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o confute_v our_o saviour_n and_o burlesque_fw-la his_o institution_n but_o since_o i_o be_o condemn_v to_o answer_v question_n i_o will_v brief_o consider_v they_o 1._o whether_o our_o saviour_n promise_n of_o divine_a assistance_n do_v not_o extend_v to_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n consider_v every_o man_n in_o his_o respective_a station_n and_o capacity_n as_o well_o as_o the_o apostle_n as_o church-governor_n for_o which_o you_o may_v compare_v st._n john_n with_o st._n matthew_n ans_fw-fr no_o doubt_n but_o there_o be_v promise_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o promise_n which_o belong_v to_o particular_a christian_n as_o well_o as_o promise_n which_o relate_v peculiar_o to_o the_o apostle_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o ministerial_a office_n and_o authority_n but_o what_o then_o christ_n be_v with_o his_o church_n with_o his_o minister_n with_o particular_a christian_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n but_o in_o a_o different_a manner_n and_o to_o different_a purpose_n and_o yet_o that_o promise_n there_o be_v peculiar_o make_v to_o the_o apostle_n include_v their_o successor_n also_o for_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v not_o to_o continue_v here_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n but_o a_o apostolical_a ministry_n be_v 2._o therefore_o query_n whether_o it_o signify_v any_o thing_n to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o promise_n to_o particular_a church_n provide_v there_o be_v to_o particular_a person_n such_o as_o be_v in_o charity_n with_o all_o man_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o communicate_v with_o any_o church_n which_o require_v no_o more_o of_o they_o than_o what_o they_o conceive_v to_o be_v their_o duty_n according_a to_o the_o divine_a covenant_n ans_fw-fr it_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v a_o hard_a query_n what_o this_o query_n mean_n or_o how_o it_o concern_v that_o authority_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v give_v to_o his_o apostle_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o this_o query_n relate_v i_o assert_v indeed_o that_o christ_n have_v make_v no_o covenant_n with_o any_o particular_a but_o only_o with_o the_o universal_a church_n which_o include_v particular_n as_o member_n of_o it_o nor_o have_v he_o make_v any_o promise_n to_o particular_a person_n but_o as_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o communion_n with_o it_o when_o it_o may_v be_v have_v upon_o lawful_a term_n whoever_o break_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n without_o necessary_a reason_n though_o he_o may_v in_o other_o thing_n be_v a_o very_a good_a nature_a man_n yet_o he_o have_v not_o true_a christian_a charity_n which_o unite_v all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n in_o one_o communion_n
be_v apt_a to_o breed_v scruple_n and_o perplexity_n in_o well_o meaning_n but_o less_o know_v member_n of_o it_o and_o by_o degree_n produce_v a_o distaste_n or_o dislike_n of_o our_o worship_n and_o plain_o hinder_v the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n as_o administer_v in_o our_o church_n while_o it_o create_v prejudices_fw-la in_o people_n against_o they_o as_o impure_a and_o corrupt_a and_o why_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o due_a regard_n have_v to_o those_o many_o who_o be_v offend_v at_o our_o dissenter_n conventicle_n worship_n as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v scandalize_v by_o our_o church_n service_n i_o can_v at_o all_o guess_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v here_o that_o irreverent_a sit_v at_o the_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n man_n unmannerly_a wear_v their_o hat_n in_o time_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o oftentimes_o put_v they_o off_o but_o half_a way_n at_o their_o prayer_n their_o indecent_a posture_n and_o antic_a gesture_n at_o their_o devotion_n the_o extravagancy_n and_o folly_n not_o to_o say_v worse_o some_o of_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o extemporary_a effusion_n the_o strange_a uncouth_a metaphor_n and_o phrase_n they_o use_v in_o their_o preach_a in_o a_o word_n the_o slovenly_a performance_n of_o divine_a worship_n among_o the_o dissenter_n be_v much_o more_o scandalous_a than_o all_o the_o ceremony_n of_o our_o church_n can_v ever_o be_v 4._o consider_v the_o scandal_n that_o be_v hereby_o give_v to_o magistrate_n and_o our_o superior_n by_o bring_v their_o law_n and_o authority_n into_o contempt_n concern_v which_o the_o forename_a mr._n jean_n in_o his_o first_o edition_n of_o his_o discourse_n about_o abstinence_n from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a have_v these_o word_n if_o say_v he_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o sea_n with_o a_o millstone_n about_o one_o neck_n than_o to_o offend_v a_o little_a one_o a_o poor_a and_o illiterate_a artisan_n what_o expression_n shall_v we_o then_o find_v answerable_a to_o the_o heinousness_n of_o a_o scandal_n give_v to_o a_o pious_a magistrate_n to_o a_o religious_a prince_n to_o a_o parliament_n and_o convocation_n to_o a_o whole_a church_n and_o commonwealth_n 5._o by_o this_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n great_a scandal_n be_v give_v to_o the_o papist_n not_o that_o they_o be_v displease_v at_o it_o they_o be_v not_o indeed_o offend_v in_o that_o sense_n but_o this_o serve_v wonderful_o to_o harden_v they_o in_o their_o false_a and_o idolatrous_a worship_n it_o increase_v their_o confidence_n that_o their_o church_n be_v the_o only_a true_a church_n of_o christ_n because_o among_o they_o only_o be_v find_v peace_n and_o unity_n and_o this_o be_v a_o mighty_a temptation_n to_o many_o waver_a christian_n to_o turn_v papist_n insomuch_o that_o mr._n baxter_n have_v tell_v we_o that_o thousand_o have_v be_v draw_v to_o popery_n or_o confirm_v in_o it_o by_o this_o argument_n already_o and_o he_o say_v of_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o all_o the_o argument_n else_o in_o bellarmin_n and_o all_o other_o book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v have_v not_o do_v so_o much_o to_o make_v papist_n in_o england_n as_o the_o multitude_n of_o sect_n among_o ourselves_o this_o indeed_o be_v a_o great_a scandal_n to_o our_o protestant_a religion_n and_o be_v that_o which_o the_o papist_n be_v on_o all_o occasion_n so_o forward_o to_o object_v against_o we_o and_o hit_v we_o in_o the_o tooth_n with_o and_o by_o our_o hearty_a unite_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n we_o may_v certain_o wrest_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n the_o most_o dangerous_a weapon_n they_o use_v against_o the_o reformation_n 6._o this_o tend_v to_o the_o scandal_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n it_o prejudice_v man_n against_o it_o as_o a_o uncertain_a thing_n a_o matter_n of_o endless_a dispute_n and_o debate_n it_o make_v some_o man_n utter_o reject_v it_o as_o consist_v most_o in_o little_a trifle_n and_o nicety_n about_o which_o they_o observe_v the_o great_a noise_n and_o contention_n to_o be_v make_v or_o as_o destructive_a of_o the_o public_a peace_n of_o society_n when_o they_o see_v what_o dangerous_a feud_n and_o quarrel_n commence_v from_o our_o religious_a difference_n and_o all_o the_o disorder_n and_o confusion_n that_o they_o have_v cause_v here_o in_o england_n shall_v by_o some_o be_v charge_v upon_o christianity_n itself_o thus_o our_o causeless_a separation_n and_o division_n open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o atheism_n and_o all_o kind_n of_o profaneness_n and_o irreligion_n after_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v of_o old_a and_o always_o will_v be_v where_o there_o be_v party_n in_o religion_n and_o one_o contend_v that_o their_o separation_n be_v lawful_a and_o the_o other_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a the_o common_a people_n soon_o become_v doubtful_a and_o ready_a to_o forsake_v all_o religion_n i_o may_v add_v here_o that_o such_o separation_n necessary_o occasion_n breach_n of_o charity_n they_o beget_v implacable_a enmity_n and_o animosity_n hence_o come_v strife_n emulation_n envy_v one_o party_n continual_o endeavour_v to_o overtop_v the_o other_o watch_v for_o one_o another_o halt_n rejoice_v in_o one_o another_o sin_n and_o misfortune_n constant_a undermine_a one_o another_o to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a government_n and_o endanger_v the_o civil_a peace_n of_o all_o which_o and_z much_o more_o than_o i_o can_v now_o mention_v the_o present_a distract_a condition_n of_o our_o nation_n be_v so_o great_a and_o undeniable_a a_o evidence_n that_o there_o need_v no_o more_o word_n to_o show_v the_o mischief_n that_o attend_v such_o division_n and_o now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n the_o maintain_n of_o charity_n among_o brethren_n the_o keep_n out_o popery_n and_o atheism_n the_o preservation_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o society_n we_o be_v member_n of_o the_o honour_n and_o credit_n of_o our_o religion_n last_o whether_o give_v offence_n to_o all_o both_o conformist_n and_o nonconformist_n those_o only_o except_v of_o our_o own_o particular_a sect_n and_o division_n nay_o scandalize_a they_o also_o in_o the_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n of_o scandal_n be_v not_o of_o far_o great_a and_o more_o weighty_a consideration_n than_o the_o fear_n of_o displease_v or_o grieve_v some_o few_o weak_a dissatisfied_a brethren_n woe_n to_o those_o by_o who_o offence_n come_v but_o these_o thing_n i_o have_v very_o light_o touch_v because_o they_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o many_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n late_o publish_v to_o sum_v up_o all_o i_o have_v say_v since_o they_o who_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o such_o weak_a person_n as_o st._n paul_n all_o along_o describe_v and_o provide_v for_o since_o we_o can_v by_o our_o conformity_n real_o scandalize_v or_o offend_v they_o in_o that_o sense_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n use_v those_o word_n since_o though_o we_o do_v give_v offence_n to_o they_o by_o our_o conformity_n yet_o that_o will_v not_o excuse_v we_o from_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o by_o refuse_v to_o conform_v we_o shall_v do_v both_o they_o and_o other_o great_a hurt_n and_o mischief_n i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o there_o can_v lie_v any_o obligation_n upon_o any_o private_a christian_n as_o the_o case_n now_o stand_v among_o we_o to_o absent_v himself_o from_o his_o parish-church_n or_o to_o forbear_v the_o use_n of_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n or_o ceremony_n by_o law_n appoint_v for_o fear_v of_o offend_a his_o weak_a brethren_n i_o end_v all_o with_o one_o word_n of_o advice_n first_o to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n second_o to_o those_o who_o be_v satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a 1._o to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n and_o therefore_o urge_v so_o hard_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v offend_v by_o we_o i_o will_v beseech_v they_o that_o they_o will_v take_v some_o care_n and_o make_v some_o conscience_n to_o avoid_v give_v any_o needless_a offence_n to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o this_o can_v but_o be_v think_v a_o reasonable_a request_n since_o they_o require_v all_o other_o to_o be_v so_o tender_a of_o they_o they_o ought_v not_o therefore_o to_o meet_v in_o such_o number_n nor_o at_o the_o same_o time_n at_o which_o we_o assemble_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o our_o public_a church_n let_v they_o not_o affront_v our_o service_n and_o common-prayer_n nor_o revile_v our_o bishop_n and_o minister_n nor_o put_v on_o their_o hat_n when_o at_o any_o time_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v present_a at_o our_o service_n in_o our_o church_n nor_o talk_v nor_o read_v in_o book_n nor_o make_v sour_a