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sense_n church_n concern_v scripture_n 2,937 5 6.3818 4 true
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A88947 A modest & brotherly ansvver to Mr. Charles Herle his book, against the independency of churches. Wherein his foure arguments for the government of synods over particular congregations, are friendly examined, and clearly answered. Together, with Christian and loving animadversions upon sundry other observable passages in the said booke. All tending to declare the true use of synods, and the power of congregationall churches in the points of electing and ordaining their owne officers, and censuring their offendors. By Richard Mather teacher of the Church at Dorchester; and William Tompson pastor of the Church at Braintree in New-England. Sent from thence after the assembly of elders were dissolved that last met at Cambridg to debate matters about church-government. Mather, Richard, 1596-1669.; Tompson, William, d. 1666. 1644 (1644) Wing M1274; Thomason E37_19; ESTC R16954 50,642 62

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not_o clear_a that_o by_o church_n be_v mean_v only_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o that_o all_o the_o step_n of_o such_o gradual_a proceed_n as_o our_o saviour_n do_v prescribe_v be_v former_o command_v to_o the_o jew_n and_o yourself_o profess_v in_o your_o epistle_n to_o the_o gentleman_n prefix_v before_o your_o book_n that_o you_o like_o d._n moulins_n resolution_n rather_o to_o bring_v one_o argument_n then_o ten_o author_n if_o according_o you_o have_v confirm_v this_o minor_a proposition_n with_o some_o further_a proof_n then_o only_o the_o name_n of_o author_n it_o can_v have_v give_v better_a satisfaction_n but_o what_o ever_o become_v of_o the_o minor_a the_o consequence_n of_o the_o major_n may_v just_o be_v deny_v for_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o our_o saviour_n word_n tell_v the_o church_n be_v speak_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o jewish_a church-government_n in_o this_o sense_n that_o this_o gradual_a proceed_n in_o all_o the_o step_n of_o it_o be_v former_o command_v to_o the_o jew_n yet_o this_o be_v nothing_o to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o dependence_n of_o congregation_n upon_o the_o government_n of_o synod_n which_o be_v our_o question_n because_o there_o may_v be_v such_o gradual_a proceed_n to_o the_o fulfil_n of_o our_o saviour_n rule_n without_o any_o use_n of_o a_o synod_n at_o all_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o synod_n have_v need_v to_o be_v more_o frequent_a than_o they_o be_v or_o ever_o be_v or_o be_v ever_o like_a to_o be_v for_o this_o rule_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v of_o very_o frequent_a use_n and_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v also_o that_o by_o church_n our_o saviour_n mean_v the_o elder_n which_o be_v the_o other_o sense_n of_o your_o word_n of_o reference_n to_o the_o jewish_a church-government_n yet_o neither_o will_v this_o prove_v the_o dependence_n of_o congregation_n upon_o the_o government_n of_o synod_n because_o there_o may_v be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v elder_n and_o a_o eldership_n or_o presbytery_n in_o every_o particular_a congregation_n and_o by_o tell_v those_o elder_n that_o rule_n may_v be_v observe_v if_o our_o saviour_n word_n be_v take_v in_o that_o sense_n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v yourself_o do_v so_o understand_v they_o as_o appear_v in_o pag._n 17._o of_o your_o book_n and_o likewise_o in_o this_o place_n now_o in_o hand_n because_o one_o of_o those_o author_n who_o you_o allege_v for_o the_o meaning_n of_o our_o saviour_n word_n be_v mr._n johnson_n who_o in_o his_o latter_a time_n do_v so_o understand_v they_o of_o who_o you_o say_v even_o mr._n johnson_n himself_o though_o a_o pastor_n of_o separatist_n in_o a_o peculiar_a treatise_n reduce_v himself_o from_o his_o former_a error_n in_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n to_o this_o judgement_n too_o whereby_o it_o seem_v that_o for_o the_o meaning_n of_o this_o text_n you_o concur_v in_o opinion_n or_o judgement_n with_o mr._n johnson_n and_o if_o so_o then_o though_o you_o may_v by_o church_n understand_v the_o elder_n as_o he_o do_v yet_o than_o you_o must_v also_o acknowledge_v the_o independency_n of_o particular_a congregation_n and_o the_o pastor_n thereof_o for_o it_o be_v certain_a and_o plain_a that_o mr._n johnson_n be_v of_o that_o opinion_n and_o judgement_n too_o notwithstanding_o that_o his_o exposition_n of_o matth._n 18._o and_o do_v never_o reduce_v himself_o to_o this_o opinion_n that_o congregation_n must_v be_v dependent_a upon_o the_o government_n of_o synod_n which_o be_v your_o plea_n for_o which_o purpose_n you_o may_v consider_v what_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o his_o christian_a plea_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o last_o book_n that_o ever_o he_o write_v now_o in_o pag._n 250_o 251._o of_o that_o book_n be_v these_o word_n viz._n see_v now_o every_o particular_a constitute_a church_n have_v right_a and_o power_n within_o itself_o to_o celebrate_v the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v answerable_a to_o the_o passover_n that_o be_v keep_v at_o jerusalem_n this_o show_v that_o now_o every_o particular_a church_n be_v to_o be_v esteem_v as_o jerusalem_n and_o so_o to_o stand_v immediate_o under_o jesus_n christ_n the_o arch-pastor_n of_o his_o sheep_n and_o high_a priest_n of_o our_o profession_n and_o again_o all_o particular_a church_n with_o their_o pastor_n do_v stand_v immediate_o under_o jesus_n christ_n the_o arch-pastor_n without_o any_o strange_a ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o authority_n interpose_v between_o whether_o it_o be_v of_o the_o prelate_n or_o of_o their_o unlawful_a usurp_a synod_n or_o any_o such_o like_a and_o in_o the_o word_n follow_v speak_v how_o all_o church_n and_o the_o minister_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v ready_a and_o willing_a to_o help_v and_o advise_v one_o another_o he_o add_v thus_o viz._n and_o so_o to_o this_o end_n and_o in_o this_o manner_n may_v be_v have_v a_o lawful_a and_o profitable_a use_n of_o synod_n class_n etc._n etc._n for_o mutual_a help_n and_o advise_v so_o as_o always_o it_o be_v provide_v that_o they_o do_v not_o challenge_v or_o usurp_v any_o unlawful_a jurisdiction_n or_o power_n over_o the_o particular_a church_n or_o their_o pastor_n and_o governor_n by_o which_o word_n it_o plain_o appear_v that_o though_o mr._n johnson_n by_o church_n in_o matth._n 18._o do_v understand_v the_o elder_n yet_o he_o never_o hold_v that_o particular_a church_n and_o the_o elder_n thereof_o shall_v depend_v upon_o the_o government_n of_o synod_n but_o be_v immediate_o under_o the_o government_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o depend_v no_o other_o way_n upon_o synod_n but_o only_a for_o their_o advice_n and_o counsel_n and_o therefore_o his_o exposition_n of_o matth._n 18._o will_v stand_v you_o in_o no_o stead_n to_o prove_v the_o dependence_n of_o particular_a church_n upon_o synod_n wherefore_o to_o wind_v up_o our_o answer_n to_o this_o argument_n though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o when_o our_o saviour_n say_v tell_v the_o church_n he_o mean_v tell_v the_o elder_n and_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v also_o that_o enjoy_v such_o a_o gradual_a proceed_n he_o prescribe_v no_o new_a rule_n but_o the_o same_o that_o have_v be_v give_v before_o unto_o the_o jew_n yet_o neither_o of_o these_o do_v prove_v that_o congregation_n must_v depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o synod_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o both_o these_o may_v be_v perform_v in_o a_o particular_a congregation_n for_o therein_o a_o man_n may_v proceed_v by_o such_o step_n and_o degree_n as_o our_o saviour_n enjoin_v and_o may_v also_o tell_v his_o matter_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o that_o particular_a church_n and_o so_o the_o consequence_n of_o your_o major_a proposition_n fail_v the_o whole_a argument_n must_v fail_v also_o though_o the_o minor_a be_v never_o so_o strong_o prove_v and_o how_o much_o more_o when_o the_o minor_a be_v leave_v so_o weak_a neither_o of_o these_o particular_n be_v sufficient_o clear_v and_o make_v good_a by_o you_o that_o by_o church_n be_v mean_v the_o elder_n nor_o that_o all_o that_o our_o saviour_n in_o that_o place_n prescribe_v be_v before_o command_v to_o the_o jew_n but_o inasmuch_o as_o your_o word_n be_v that_o this_o of_o matth._n 18._o be_v speak_v by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o jewish_a church-government_n before_o urge_v therefore_o we_o may_v give_v a_o further_a answer_n to_o this_o argument_n out_o of_o that_o which_o before_o have_v be_v answer_v when_o the_o argument_n from_o the_o jewish_a church-government_n be_v urge_v for_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o christ_n speak_v in_o reference_n to_o that_o government_n yea_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v which_o we_o suppose_v none_o will_v affirm_v that_o all_o that_o be_v use_v among_o the_o jew_n be_v here_o prescribe_v by_o christ_n yet_o all_o this_o be_v too_o short_a to_o prove_v that_o our_o congregation_n must_v depend_v upon_o the_o government_n of_o synod_n unless_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o jewish_a congregation_n do_v so_o depend_v which_o we_o have_v former_o show_v to_o be_v otherwise_o the_o great_a synedrion_fw-mi at_o jerusalem_n upon_o which_o their_o lesser_a congregation_n do_v depend_v if_o they_o be_v dependent_a at_o all_o be_v not_o any_o synod_n but_o a_o assembly_n of_o another_o nature_n but_o you_o will_v improve_v this_o text_n further_o and_o therefore_o after_o some_o speech_n of_o a_o indefinite_a proposition_n in_o logic_n and_o a_o indefinite_a command_n in_o divinity_n and_o of_o five_o gradual_a if_n in_o our_o saviour_n word_n if_o he_o shall_v offend_v etc._n etc._n you_o come_v thus_o to_o argue_v viz._n the_o remedy_n of_o complaint_n or_o appeal_n must_v be_v as_o large_a as_o the_o malady_n offence_n otherwise_o christ_n salve_n be_v not_o equal_a to_o the_o sore_a but_o offence_n may_v arise_v as_o well_o between_o divers_a congregation_n in_o the_o same_o church_n as_o between_o divers_a member_n in_o the_o same_o congregation_n
their_o sore_n but_o so_o many_o sinner_n must_v be_v leave_v lawless_a and_o their_o offence_n remediless_a god_n forbid_v the_o lord_n have_v provide_v good_a store_n of_o help_n for_o all_o these_o but_o every_o salve_n be_v not_o for_o every_o sore_a such_o person_n as_o be_v in_o the_o church_n all_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n administer_v therein_o so_o that_o if_o need_v so_o require_v they_o may_v be_v excommunicate_v and_o cast_v out_o whole_a church_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o wholesome_a advice_n and_o counsel_n of_o other_o church_n and_o so_o far_o as_o the_o same_o shall_v be_v according_a to_o god_n they_o ought_v to_o harken_v thereunto_o and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o they_o may_v lawful_o be_v renounce_v by_o other_o church_n from_o all_o church-communion_n with_o they_o and_o as_o for_o indian_n or_o other_o that_o be_v no_o church_n nor_o member_n of_o church_n though_o our_o saviour_n rule_n of_o tell_v the_o church_n be_v not_o intend_v for_o they_o yet_o both_o they_o and_o christian_a church_n likewise_o and_o the_o member_n of_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o high_a power_n who_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o be_v keeper_n of_o both_o table_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o to_o do_v their_o endeavour_n that_o all_o the_o subject_n may_v lead_v a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a life_n in_o all_o godliness_n and_o honesty_n rom._n 13._o 1._o 1_o tim._n 2._o 2._o but_o say_v you_o a_o offence_n may_v be_v so_o general_a as_o to_o defile_v and_o make_v guilty_a a_o whole_a land_n and_o why_o not_o then_o the_o remedy_n as_o large_a as_o it_o tell_v the_o church_n pag._n 11._o ans._n in_o such_o case_n of_o general_a and_o national_a defilement_n the_o remedy_n be_v general_a and_o national_a repentance_n whereto_o all_o the_o people_n must_v be_v provoke_v and_o exhort_v by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n in_o their_o several_a congregation_n and_o when_o the_o high_a power_n do_v give_v example_n thereof_o in_o their_o own_o person_n and_o by_o some_o act_n of_o their_o authority_n do_v call_v upon_o all_o the_o people_n for_o the_o same_o this_o be_v a_o notable_a remedy_n through_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n against_o the_o defilement_n of_o national_a sin_n and_o the_o danger_n that_o may_v come_v thereby_o which_o as_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o asa_n hezekiah_n josiah_n and_o the_o state_n of_o judah_n in_o their_o time_n so_o we_o have_v cause_n with_o all_o humble_a thankfulness_n to_o bless_v the_o lord_n that_o put_v the_o like_a care_n into_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o commons_o assemble_v in_o parliament_n in_o our_o dear_a native_a country_n who_o by_o a_o ordinance_n of_o both_o house_n think_v it_o meet_v to_o exhort_v all_o the_o subject_n of_o england_n and_o wales_n to_o the_o duty_n of_o repentance_n both_o for_o personal_a and_o national_a sin_n but_o suppose_v the_o magistrate_n be_v a_o enemy_n to_o religion_n and_o the_o land_n or_o whole_a church_n therein_o have_v occasion_n to_o make_v a_o solemn_a renewal_n of_o their_o covenant_n with_o god_n shall_v not_o this_o whole_a church_n or_o number_n in_o their_o collective_a body_n have_v power_n to_o enjoin_v it_o ans._n if_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n be_v a_o enemy_n to_o religion_n it_o be_v not_o like_o but_o most_o or_o many_o of_o the_o people_n will_v be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n regis_fw-la ad_fw-la exemplum_fw-la totus_fw-la as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n in_o france_n and_o spain_n and_o be_v in_o england_n in_o the_o day_n of_o queen_n mary_n and_o other_o popish_a prince_n and_o than_o the_o believer_n in_o the_o land_n will_v not_o be_v so_o many_o as_o to_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o land_n or_o nation_n but_o of_o a_o small_a part_n thereof_o and_o so_o at_o that_o time_n it_o will_v not_o be_v require_v of_o they_o to_o make_v any_o national_a covenant_n or_o to_o enjoin_v the_o same_o nor_o can_v it_o well_o be_v conceive_v how_o they_o shall_v assemble_v in_o a_o national_a synod_n for_o that_o or_o any_o other_o purpose_n when_o the_o magistrate_n be_v a_o profess_a enemy_n to_o their_o religion_n at_o such_o time_n it_o be_v more_o like_o their_o meeting_n in_o small_a congregation_n will_v be_v full_a of_o danger_n rather_o than_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v liberty_n safe_o and_o free_o to_o meet_v in_o such_o great_a assembly_n as_o national_a synod_n and_o though_o for_o lack_n of_o such_o a_o national_a covenant_n the_o remedy_n be_v not_o equal_a to_o the_o offence_n or_o need_n yet_o at_o such_o time_n that_o remedy_n be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o such_o believer_n as_o be_v in_o the_o land_n it_o be_v not_o require_v at_o their_o hand_n if_o a_o whole_a congregation_n great_a or_o small_a play_v the_o fox_n and_o spoil_v the_o vineyard_n why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v take_v and_o restrain_v pa._n 11._o ans._n no_o doubt_n but_o it_o may_v but_o ever_o in_o the_o way_n and_o by_o the_o mean_n which_o christ_n have_v appoint_v if_o those_o fox_n be_v particular_a member_n of_o the_o church_n they_o may_v be_v restrain_v by_o doctrine_n by_o discipline_n and_o by_o the_o magistrate_n authority_n if_o they_o be_v whole_a church_n they_o may_v be_v restrain_v by_o doctrine_n and_o by_o the_o advice_n and_o counsel_n of_o other_o church_n and_o also_o by_o the_o magistrate_n but_o if_o they_o be_v not_o member_n of_o the_o church_n they_o can_v not_o be_v restrain_v by_o church_n discipline_n but_o only_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n to_o this_o argument_n the_o independent_a party_n reply_n or_o rather_o labour_v to_o obtain_v out_o of_o the_o text_n three_o thing_n first_o that_o our_o saviour_n speak_v here_o of_o a_o single_a church_n or_o congregation_n second_o to_o this_o single_a church_n and_o to_o all_o this_o church_n entire_o not_o distinguish_v between_o elder_n and_o member_n he_o give_v the_o key_n of_o excommunication_n and_o absolution_n three_o over_o this_o church_n to_o assume_v a_o church_n power_n of_o judicature_n be_v a_o lording_n it_o over_o christ_n heritage_n to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o exception_n we_o answer_v that_o it_o no_o way_n appear_v that_o our_o saviour_n in_o this_o place_n or_o that_o the_o scripture_n elsewhere_o usual_o mean_v a_o single_a congregation_n by_o the_o word_n church_n but_o that_o the_o contrary_a rather_o be_v easy_o evincible_a first_o that_o he_o here_o speak_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o jewish_a church_n which_o way_n no_o single_a congregation_n have_v above_o sufficient_o appear_v pag._n 11._o ans._n but_o how_o in_o reference_n if_o you_o mean_v in_o this_o sense_n that_o what_o ever_o be_v use_v in_o that_o church_n must_v be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a or_o that_o as_o that_o church_n be_v national_a so_o christian_a church_n must_v be_v the_o like_a than_o we_o may_v say_v no_o such_o thing_n have_v appear_v at_o all_o nor_o have_v be_v so_o much_o as_o undertake_v to_o be_v prove_v if_o you_o mean_v only_o thus_o that_o there_o be_v such_o gradual_a proceed_n in_o that_o church_n as_o christ_n in_o this_o place_n require_v or_o that_o the_o word_n church_n may_v signify_v the_o elder_n or_o ruler_n than_o we_o may_v say_v neither_o of_o these_o have_v sufficient_o appear_v by_o any_o proof_n that_o you_o have_v bring_v and_o if_o they_o be_v both_o grant_v they_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o matter_n now_o in_o question_n viz._n that_o the_o word_n church_n do_v not_o signify_v one_o single_a congregation_n for_o both_o these_o particular_n may_v be_v find_v and_o make_v use_n of_o in_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v of_o no_o large_a extent_n next_o that_o he_o have_v reference_n herein_o to_o that_o of_o deut._n 19_o 15._o appear_v by_o his_o citation_n of_o the_o very_a word_n of_o that_o text_n that_o in_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n every_o word_n may_v be_v establish_v now_o there_o the_o witness_n and_o offender_n be_v by_o way_n of_o further_a appeal_n to_o stand_v before_o the_o lord_n before_o the_o priest_n for_o judgement_n vers._n 17._o pag._n 12._o answ._n the_o word_n be_v not_o as_o you_o cite_v they_o before_o the_o priest_n for_o judgement_n but_o before_o the_o priest_n and_o judge_n which_o shall_v be_v in_o those_o day_n and_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o punishment_n which_o these_o judge_n must_v inflict_v upon_o the_o guilty_a person_n there_o speak_v of_o life_n for_o life_n eye_n for_o eye_n tooth_n for_o tooth_n etc._n etc._n v._n 21._o that_o if_o our_o saviour_n refer_v his_o church_n to_o do_v like_o unto_o that_o judicatory_n which_o you_o say_v he_o have_v
reference_n unto_o than_o the_o church_n must_v have_v power_n to_o inflict_v corporal_a punishment_n even_o to_o the_o take_v away_o of_o life_n itself_o because_o that_o judicatory_n have_v such_o power_n last_o no_o other_o place_n can_v be_v show_v where_o our_o saviour_n use_v the_o word_n church_n for_o a_o single_a congregation_n ans._n nor_o can_v any_o other_o place_n be_v show_v where_o he_o use_v the_o word_n church_n for_o a_o synod_n nor_o that_o he_o ever_o use_v the_o word_n at_o all_o but_o only_o here_o and_o in_o matth._n 16._o upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n in_o which_o place_n he_o mean_v a_o synod_n no_o more_o than_o a_o single_a congregation_n but_o for_o the_o scripture_n language_n nothing_o be_v more_o manifest_a then_o as_o it_o never_o anywhere_o use_v the_o word_n church_n for_o a_o single_a congregation_n unless_o happy_o in_o 1_o cor._n 14._o so_o nothing_o be_v more_o frequent_a therein_o then_o to_o call_v many_o congregation_n 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together_o of_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o bear_v witness_n before_o the_o church_n of_o come_v together_o in_o the_o church_n of_o come_v together_o into_o one_o place_n of_o gather_v the_o multitude_n together_o and_o the_o like_a which_o place_n do_v abundant_o show_v that_o a_o company_n that_o be_v gather_v together_o into_o one_o place_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o congregation_n be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n and_o the_o christian_n of_o cenchrea_n which_o be_v but_o a_o little_a village_n and_o therefore_o not_o like_a to_o be_v many_o congregation_n yet_o they_o be_v style_v by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n rom._n 16._o 1._o and_o though_o cenchrea_n be_v but_o the_o port_n of_o corinth_n and_o not_o far_o from_o it_o like_o radcliffe_n or_o lymehouse_n to_o london_n as_o some_o have_v observe_v yet_o be_v a_o congregation_n of_o itself_o it_o be_v a_o distinct_a church_n of_o itself_o as_o well_o as_o corinth_n be_v much_o more_o 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church_n in_o the_o singular_a which_o do_v strong_o imply_v that_o if_o they_o be_v many_o congregation_n than_o they_o be_v not_o one_o church_n but_o many_o for_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v how_o the_o scripture_n mention_v not_o the_o church_n but_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n gal._n 1._o 1._o 1_o cor._n 16._o 1._o of_o macedonia_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 1._o of_o judea_n 1_o thess._n 2._o 14._o gal._n 1._o 21._o of_o galilee_n and_o of_o samaria_n act_n 9_o 31._o of_o syria_n and_o cilitia_n act_n 15._o 41._o and_o of_o asia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 19_o in_o which_o one_o province_n there_o be_v seven_o famous_a church_n at_o once_o mention_v revel._n 1._o 4._o beside_o other_o that_o be_v mention_v elsewhere_o now_o as_o all_o these_o instance_n do_v sufficient_o show_v that_o something_o be_v more_o frequent_a in_o scripture_n then_o to_o call_v many_o congregation_n by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n so_o it_o be_v worth_a our_o consideration_n what_o shall_v be_v 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4._o 4._o and_o afterward_o abundant_o large_a it_o be_v impossible_a all_o the_o member_n shall_v meet_v but_o by_o way_n of_o distribution_n into_o several_a congregation_n pag._n 12._o answ._n how_o large_a soever_o that_o church_n be_v in_o those_o place_n you_o allege_v yet_o if_o the_o scripture_n say_v they_o do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n than_o we_o must_v believe_v it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o so_o to_o do_v and_o that_o as_o they_o be_v but_o one_o church_n so_o they_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n now_o the_o text_n be_v plain_a first_o of_o all_o that_o when_o they_o be_v but_o 120._o they_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o otherwise_o how_o can_v peter_n stand_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o make_v a_o speech_n to_o they_o all_o about_o the_o election_n of_o another_o apostle_n in_o the_o room_n of_o judas_n as_o he_o be_v record_v to_o have_v do_v act_n 115._o next_o of_o all_o when_o 3000_o be_v add_v to_o they_o act_n 2._o 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