will_v either_o have_v be_v find_v unfit_a upon_o trial_n or_o if_o not_o hearty_a to_o the_o work_n will_v have_v hinder_v the_o success_n thereof_o 3._o if_o but_o one_o three_o part_n of_o those_o choose_a hold_n and_o who_o be_v upon_o trial_n find_v fit_a be_v confirm_v by_o they_o their_o authority_n be_v as_o bind_v as_o if_o five_o time_n their_o number_n have_v embrace_v it_o and_o the_o few_o there_o be_v the_o more_o commendable_a be_v their_o resolution_n against_o difficulty_n and_o the_o less_o fear_n of_o dissension_n who_o also_o if_o they_o find_v the_o work_n too_o hard_o as_o opportunity_n be_v offer_v may_v admit_v of_o additional_a assistance_n 4._o the_o numerousnesse_n of_o the_o presbytery_n be_v one_o of_o the_o block_n cast_v in_o the_o way_n of_o reformation_n therefore_o there_o be_v less_o need_n to_o stumble_v at_o their_o paucity_n if_o able_a to_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n ob._n 22._o but_o be_v it_o meet_v all_o man_n shall_v come_v before_o the_o eldership_n to_o be_v examine_v before_o admittance_n i_o think_v they_o shall_v go_v to_o the_o house_n of_o some_o man_n of_o best_a rank_n and_o converse_v with_o they_o there_o answ_n unless_o in_o case_n of_o sickness_n or_o the_o like_a it_o be_v very_o unfit_a for_o 1._o it_o be_v exemplary_a give_v occasion_n to_o other_o to_o expect_v the_o like_a and_o set_v open_v a_o door_n of_o charge_v the_o eldership_n with_o partiality_n and_o un-even_a deal_n in_o distribution_n of_o divine_a ordinance_n 2._o it_o must_v needs_o draw_v contempt_n both_o upon_o governor_n and_o government_n and_o ordinance_n 3._o it_o be_v a_o endless_a work_n and_o let_v man_n be_v never_o so_o high_a in_o the_o world_n yet_o if_o they_o owe_v not_o so_o much_o respect_n for_o the_o work_n sake_n to_o those_o who_o god_n have_v set_v over_o they_o in_o the_o church_n as_o to_o come_v before_o they_o such_o man_n will_v never_o receive_v benefit_n by_o the_o ordinance_n and_o if_o such_o a_o spirit_n predominate_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v against_o the_o rule_n lay_v down_o by_o the_o apostle_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o yea_o and_o derogate_v very_o much_o from_o the_o disposition_n of_o every_o one_o that_o be_v either_o fit_a for_o church_n communion_n or_o heavenly_a entertainment_n mark_v 10.15_o very_o very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o whosoever_o shall_v not_o receive_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n as_o a_o little_a child_n he_o shall_v not_o enter_v therein_o so_o also_o matth._n 18.4_o whosoever_o therefore_o shall_v humble_v himself_o as_o this_o little_a child_n the_o same_o be_v great_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n david_n a_o king_n yet_o think_v it_o his_o honour_n to_o be_v humble_a 131.2_o psal_n 131.2_o profess_v himself_o to_o be_v as_o a_o wean_a child_n 4._o where_o the_o soul_n true_o thirst_v after_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o ordinance_n it_o will_v easy_o step_v over_o this_o block_n hunger_n will_v break_v stone_n wall_n and_o although_o the_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n endeavour_v to_o hedge_v up_o thy_o way_n to_o the_o ordinance_n yet_o if_o thou_o spiritual_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n all_o these_o will_v be_v lay_v low_o every_o one_o that_o have_v the_o knowledge_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v learned_a to_o deny_v himself_o 5._o although_o the_o eldership_n will_v willing_o use_v all_o good_a mean_n to_o win_v man_n by_o love_n and_o ready_a to_o deny_v themselves_o as_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n for_o the_o avoid_n of_o offence_n and_o the_o enlargement_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o herein_o they_o shall_v but_o please_v some_o and_o displease_v many_o more_o and_o bring_v such_o a_o endless_a task_n upon_o themselves_o as_o will_v take_v up_o much_o time_n and_o abundant_o retard_v the_o work_n 6._o it_o be_v not_o a_o work_n either_o command_v or_o commend_v to_o any_o particular_a eldership_n by_o the_o classical_a assembly_n how_o ever_o in_o some_o extraordinary_a case_n something_o of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v do_v leave_v to_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o particular_a presbytery_n and_o who_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o will_v condescend_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v promote_v the_o work_n of_o god_n ob._n 23._o but_o if_o man_n and_o woman_n must_v both_o be_v examine_v it_o may_v fall_v out_o a_o man_n may_v be_v find_v unfit_a and_o his_o wife_n may_v be_v receive_v sometime_o the_o man_n receive_v and_o his_o wife_n unfit_a what_o a_o kind_n of_o confusion_n will_v this_o be_v do_v not_o the_o apostle_n paul_n say_v the_o unbelieving_a woman_n be_v sanctify_v by_o the_o believe_a man_n and_o the_o unbelieving_a man_n by_o the_o believe_a woman_n 1_o cor._n 7.14_o a._n the_o apostle_n speak_v there_o concern_v the_o reason_n why_o unbeliever_n and_o believer_n may_v cohabit_v and_o continue_v in_o a_o conjugal_a estate_n of_o matrimony_n and_o be_v not_o so_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o that_o the_o wife_n can_v be_v save_v by_o the_o husband_n faith_n or_o the_o husband_n by_o the_o wife_n this_o be_v to_o cross_v the_o doctrine_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n for_o every_o man_n must_v know_v and_o believe_v for_o himself_o the_o just_a shall_v live_v by_o his_o faith_n neither_o abraham_n noah_n job_n or_o daniel_n can_v deliver_v any_o man_n soul_n by_o their_o faith_n though_o never_o so_o near_o relate_v the_o apostle_n only_o signify_v three_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o depart_v matrimonial_a society_n because_o both_o be_v not_o believer_n for_o that_o if_o the_o one_o do_v believe_v it_o give_v their_o child_n right_a to_o external_a christian_a church_n privilege_n and_o such_o ordinance_n as_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o as_o circumcision_n under_o the_o law_n baptism_n in_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n not_o that_o the_o parent_n can_v either_o add_v or_o infuse_v grace_n into_o their_o child_n for_o the_o dear_a of_o god_n saint_n may_v have_v child_n destitute_a of_o grace_n and_o uncapable_a either_o of_o church-fellowship_n or_o the_o least_o share_n in_o jesus_n christ_n neither_o be_v there_o the_o least_o hint_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o text_n of_o sacramental_a communion_n or_o of_o thing_n pertain_v to_o life_n and_o salvation_n for_o in_o such_o case_n every_o man_n and_o woman_n must_v plead_v their_o own_o interest_n and_o either_o have_v particular_a and_o peculiar_a save_a grace_n or_o the_o near_a relation_n they_o have_v to_o the_o most_o holy_a can_v do_v they_o no_o good_a he_o that_o believe_v shall_v be_v save_v he_o that_o believe_v on_o the_o son_n have_v everlasting_a life_n and_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o the_o son_n shall_v not_o see_v life_n but_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n abide_v on_o he_o 3.16_o john_n 3.16_o and_o hence_o be_v it_o that_o in_o the_o great_a and_o general_a judgement_n man_n and_o woman_n of_o near_a relation_n be_v separate_v two_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o field_n the_o one_o take_v and_o the_o other_o leave_v two_o woman_n grind_v at_o the_o mill_n the_o one_o take_v and_o the_o other_o leave_v march_n 24.40_o 41._o 2._o as_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n there_o be_v neither_o marry_v 12.16_o mark_v 12.16_o nor_o give_v in_o marriage_n but_o all_o be_v as_o the_o angel_n so_o the_o church_n of_o god_n on_o earth_n take_v no_o cognizance_n whether_o man_n be_v marry_v or_o single_a wife_n or_o virgin_n but_o he_o or_o she_o that_o be_v capable_a of_o church_n communion_n aught_o to_o be_v admit_v and_o must_v be_v visible_a saint_n and_o although_o never_o so_o near_o relate_v if_o not_o so_o aught_o to_o be_v shut_v out_o 3._o suppose_v a_o man_n upâ—â—_n examination_n be_v admit_v and_o his_o wife_n respite_v for_o her_o incapacity_n a_o while_n till_o god_n shall_v enable_v she_o or_o suppose_v the_o wife_n be_v admit_v and_o her_o husband_n for_o like_a reason_n suspend_v be_v it_o not_o better_o for_o that_o party_n find_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v and_o the_o party_n unfit_a to_o be_v debar_v then_o either_o both_o to_o be_v admit_v or_o both_o keep_v back_o or_o that_o either_o of_o they_o shall_v deny_v themselves_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o ordinance_n for_o 1._o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o ordinance_n of_o the_o church_n and_o tend_v much_o to_o the_o comfort_n of_o the_o communicant_a to_o be_v admit_v if_o worthy_a and_o to_o admit_v the_o unworthy_a be_v contrary_a to_o all_o 2._o what_o comfort_n can_v it_o be_v to_o thou_o while_o thou_o be_v participate_v the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o jesus_n christ_n if_o thy_o wife_n unworthy_o admit_v not_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n be_v eat_v and_o drink_v damnation_n to_o herself_o or_o contrariwise_o if_o thy_o wife_n be_v a_o worthy_a communicant_a it_o will_v be_v the_o terror_n of_o her_o soul_n to_o see_v her_o husband_n hail_v destruction_n upon_o himself_o by_o
be_v wise_a for_o the_o body_n then_o for_o the_o soul_n which_o be_v more_o worth_a than_o the_o whole_a world_n 5._o although_o man_n be_v never_o so_o rich_a and_o great_a in_o the_o world_n yet_o if_o they_o be_v call_v and_o qualify_v for_o this_o work_n they_o must_v become_v fool_n child_n and_o servant_n or_o else_o not_o fit_a 5.17_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o either_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n or_o to_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v one_o obsticle_n in_o the_o way_n of_o great_a man_n who_o if_o they_o have_v eye_n to_o see_v they_o may_v know_v that_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o his_o church_n be_v not_o only_o the_o great_a freedom_n 4.20_o 1_o cor._n 4.20_o but_o the_o high_a honour_n 6._o it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o ignorant_a and_o carnal_a heart_n and_o of_o such_o as_o be_v utter_o unacquainted_a with_o jesus_n christ_n thus_o to_o stumble_v at_o his_o cross_n be_v it_o not_o the_o ignorance_n and_o impiety_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n thus_o to_o do_v do_v not_o they_o say_v of_o the_o lord_n christ_n be_v not_o this_o the_o carpenter_n son_n be_v not_o his_o brethren_n with_o we_o etc._n etc._n do_v any_o of_o the_o ruler_n believe_v in_o he_o etc._n etc._n who_o be_v it_o that_o count_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n foolishness_n but_o man_n worldly_a wise_n and_o be_v not_o we_o apt_a to_o say_v what_o be_v such_o or_o such_o a_o one_o do_v not_o we_o know_v they_o well_o enough_o take_n exception_n at_o man_n excellent_o quallisied_a if_o not_o so_o great_a in_o the_o world_n as_o ourselves_o 7._o know_v this_o be_v only_o a_o block_n cast_v in_o the_o way_n by_o satan_n that_o man_n may_v stumble_v without_o cause_n and_o fall_v notwithstanding_o man_n of_o abilicie_n and_o know_a fidelity_n be_v in_o most_o place_n choose_v yet_o it_o be_v ordinary_a with_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o instrument_n to_o obstruct_v therefore_o if_o he_o can_v quarrel_v with_o the_o ordinance_n then_o with_o dispensation_n if_o no_o cause_n there_o then_o with_o the_o instrument_n and_o if_o with_o none_o of_o those_o then_o with_o christ_n with_o truth_n itself_o for_o he_o know_v the_o settlement_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n will_v exceed_o obstruct_v the_o increase_n of_o his_o kingdom_n when_o corruption_n be_v cast_v out_o and_o person_n ignorant_a and_o scandalous_a debar_v that_o ordinance_n which_o make_v they_o ten_o fold_n more_o the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n by_o unworthy_a participate_v for_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o he_o either_o to_o make_v man_n rush_v hand_n overhead_o upon_o the_o ordinance_n to_o their_o ruin_n or_o to_o raise_v a_o prejudice_n against_o the_o duty_n and_o instrument_n employ_v to_o deprive_v they_o of_o that_o mercy_n which_o by_o god_n blessing_n may_v be_v very_o instrumental_a to_o their_o salvation_n 8._o if_o they_o be_v legal_o choose_v have_v past_o the_o trial_n and_o the_o time_n of_o exception_n not_o make_v use_n of_o blame_v yourselves_o nevertheless_o if_o they_o be_v unfit_a there_o be_v place_n of_o appeal_n and_o remedy_n 9_o ob._n i_o think_v the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n in_o presbyterian_a congregation_n be_v neither_o right_o call_v nor_o fit_o qualify_v a_o i._o although_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o many_o yea_o the_o most_o of_o they_o be_v as_o well_o qualify_v as_o we_o can_v expect_v for_o that_o as_o we_o can_v expect_v perfection_n here_o nor_o in_o a_o legal_a sense_n any_o fit_o qualify_v yet_o evangelical_o consider_v although_o none_o be_v sufficient_a the_o lord_n look_v upon_o they_o with_o approbation_n and_o acceptance_n 2._o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v also_o sufficient_a provision_n make_v for_o the_o removal_n of_o such_o whether_o pastor_n or_o elder_n as_o be_v uncapable_a either_o by_o ignorance_n or_o scandal_n it_o be_v not_o here_o as_o in_o independent_a church_n where_o if_o the_o people_n injure_v their_o pastor_n or_o elder_n etc._n etc._n or_o the_o officer_n injure_v the_o people_n without_o redress_n but_o if_o either_o party_n be_v find_v faulty_a they_o be_v responsible_a and_o satisfaction_n be_v give_v to_o the_o suffer_a party_n according_a to_o the_o demerit_n and_o doubtless_o corruption_n will_v creep_v especial_o into_o church_n where_o provision_n be_v not_o make_v to_o keep_v it_o out_o 3._o although_o i_o will_v not_o plead_v for_o the_o unsutablenesse_n or_o incapacitie_n of_o any_o call_v to_o the_o mean_a office_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n yet_o i_o will_v have_v they_o look_v upon_o as_o man_n subject_a to_o infirmity_n not_o as_o angel_n and_o if_o we_o will_v not_o have_v such_o we_o must_v ascend_v high_a to_o look_v for_o pastor_n elder_n etc._n etc._n then_o either_o god_n or_o man_n ordain_v or_o expect_v and_o yet_o ordinary_o those_o that_o stumble_v most_o at_o the_o inablity_n of_o church-officer_n be_v man_n most_o incapable_a of_o church_n communion_n second_o for_o the_o call_v of_o church-officer_n if_o pastor_n teacher_n elder_n etc._n etc._n be_v choose_v according_a to_o those_o direction_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o ordinance_n and_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o door_n of_o trial_n according_o as_o in_o most_o place_n they_o have_v or_o otherways_o man_n disaffect_v to_o the_o government_n will_v quick_o have_v let_v they_o know_v it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a exception_n especial_o if_o the_o time_n limit_v for_o exception_n be_v more_o than_o pass_v abundant_o unless_o you_o deny_v the_o public_a congregation_n in_o england_n to_o be_v true_a church_n which_o have_v be_v and_o be_v general_o attest_v not_o only_o by_o the_o national_a synod_n now_o sit_v the_o godly_a learned_a in_o general_a whether_o episcopal_a or_o presbyterian_a but_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n nay_o the_o most_o pious_a and_o prudent_a of_o the_o independent_a judgement_n also_o have_v public_o positive_o and_o affirmative_o declare_v they_o to_o be_v true_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n however_o confess_v on_o all_o side_n to_o be_v full_a of_o corruptiâ—ns_n or_o else_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o need_n of_o reformation_n many_o godly_a and_o learned_a divine_n have_v take_v much_o pain_n in_o public_a to_o defend_v the_o truth_n against_o all_o opposer_n and_o indeed_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o such_o weak_a christian_n as_o stumble_v hereat_o together_o with_o that_o other_o scruple_n of_o participate_v the_o sacrament_n in_o mix_a assembly_n be_v the_o chief_a cause_n of_o my_o own_o undertake_n that_o subject_a publish_v for_o common_a benefit_n in_o the_o book_n call_v the_o bramble_n berry_n wherein_o there_o be_v full_a satisfaction_n give_v to_o that_o point_n therefore_o not_o willing_a now_o to_o insist_v further_o i_o refer_v such_o as_o yet_o scruple_n thither_o 10._o q._n but_o why_o must_v we_o appeal_v to_o class_n have_v they_o any_o power_n to_o determine_v difference_n and_o to_o reform_v abuse_n in_o particular_a congregation_n a._n yea_o and_o that_o for_o very_o good_a reason_n for_o 1._o beside_o the_o appointment_n by_o parliament_n and_o assembly_n they_o be_v our_o own_o trustee_n or_o representative_n such_o as_o be_v choose_v by_o particular_a congregation_n to_o hear_v and_o determine_v difference_n and_o reform_v such_o abuse_n as_o in_o case_n of_o error_n or_o injury_n they_o themselves_o can_v for_o be_v it_o not_o for_o classis_fw-la the_o pastor_n elder_n &c_n &c_n may_v injure_v the_o congregation_n or_o the_o people_n injure_v the_o pastor_n etc._n etc._n and_o remain_v remediless_a classis_fw-la therefore_o be_v as_o committee_n choose_v out_o or_o make_v up_o of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n out_o of_o particular_a church_n and_o although_o they_o have_v appointment_n by_o authority_n of_o parliament_n and_o assembly_n so_o they_o be_v approve_v and_o choose_v by_o particular_a church_n as_o their_o trustee_n so_o that_o every_o particular_a church_n have_v like_o interest_n and_o so_o receive_v like_o redress_n in_o point_n of_o appeal_n and_o that_o these_o may_v not_o be_v oppressive_a or_o injurous_a they_o be_v responsible_a to_o the_o provincial_n which_o be_v also_o make_v up_o of_o so_o many_o delegate_n as_o be_v think_v fit_a out_o of_o the_o several_a classis_fw-la as_o their_o representative_n and_o those_o also_o responsible_a to_o a_o national_a synod_n and_o they_o likewise_o to_o a_o parliament_n so_o that_o as_o much_o provision_n as_o may_v be_v be_v make_v to_o keep_v out_o arbitrary_a proceed_v and_o tyranny_n and_o to_o redress_v all_o abuse_n and_o that_o neither_o pastor_n or_o other_o officer_n be_v wrong_v by_o the_o people_n or_o the_o people_n by_o the_o pastor_n etc._n etc._n or_o joint_o fall_v into_o error_n without_o remedy_n 2._o although_o its_o true_a we_o read_v of_o no_o such_o power_n in_o the_o church_n as_o classis_fw-la provincial_n nationalls_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o we_o find_v something_o
vain_a be_v to_o set_v thing_n to_o right_n between_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n in_o secret_a which_o be_v the_o great_a work_n the_o apostle_n urge_v that_o only_a not_o intend_v to_o exclude_v examination_n by_o the_o church_n as_o needless_a and_o be_v it_o not_o for_o this_o purpose_n the_o apostle_n peter_n lay_v down_o that_o apostolical_a injunction_n 1._o pet._n 3.15_o be_v ready_a always_o to_o give_v answer_n to_o every_o man_n that_o ask_v you_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o you_o with_o meekness_n and_o fear_n first_o say_v he_o sanctify_v the_o lord_n god_n in_o your_o heart_n that_o be_v be_v sure_o the_o heart_n be_v upright_o with_o god_n and_o then_o be_v ready_a always_o to_o render_v account_n etc._n etc._n if_o a_o man_n must_v be_v always_o ready_a and_o to_o all_o man_n to_o give_v account_n sure_o especial_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o although_o christian_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v ashamed_a to_o confess_v jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o make_v profession_n of_o their_o faith_n even_o to_o heathen_n or_o persecutor_n if_o call_v to_o it_o yet_o it_o be_v main_o intend_v that_o none_o shall_v refuse_v to_o render_v a_o reason_n of_o their_o faith_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n yea_o and_o that_o scripture_n hold_v forth_o that_o they_o must_v be_v both_o know_v and_o faithful_a that_o render_v account_n as_o well_o as_o man_n ignorant_a or_o scandalous_a now_o that_o examination_n by_o the_o eldership_n be_v very_o requisite_a will_v appear_v by_o these_o and_o such_o like_a ensue_a argument_n it_o be_v already_o sufficient_o prove_v that_o pastor_n teacher_n elder_n their_o office_n title_n and_o employment_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o also_o that_o their_o title_n be_v suitable_a to_o their_o employment_n they_o be_v in_o scripture_n call_v ruler_n governor_n overseer_n steward_n watchman_n etc._n etc._n and_o their_o office_n as_o have_v be_v large_o prove_v be_v to_o order_v out_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o church_n decent_o to_o admit_v or_o suspend_v from_o the_o sacrament_n according_a to_o man_n several_a capacity_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o examination_n must_v inevitable_o follow_v for_o argum._n 1_o they_o that_o be_v bind_v to_o give_v account_n to_o god_n concern_v the_o church_n and_o the_o particular_a member_n thereof_o aught_o to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o their_o spiritual_a condition_n but_o pastor_n teacher_n and_o elder_n of_o particular_a congregation_n be_v bind_v to_o give_v account_n to_o god_n of_o the_o particular_a member_n of_o their_o church_n therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o their_o spiritual_a condition_n argum._n 2_o those_o to_o who_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v and_o obey_v in_o the_o church_n to_o they_o we_o ought_v to_o render_v account_n of_o our_o faith_n if_o call_v to_o it_o examination_n be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o the_o church_n but_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o and_o to_o obey_v the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o church_n ordinance_n therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o obey_v they_o in_o this_o ordinance_n of_o examination_n argum._n 3_o if_o none_o but_o man_n sit_v to_o participate_v the_o sacrament_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v and_o that_o the_o unfit_a be_v to_o be_v keep_v back_o by_o the_o eldership_n it_o be_v of_o necessity_n they_o shall_v know_v who_o be_v fit_a and_o who_o be_v not_o which_o can_v be_v do_v without_o examination_n but_o the_o worthy_a be_v to_o be_v admit_v and_o the_o unworthy_a to_o be_v suspend_v by_o the_o eldership_n neither_o can_v they_o know_v man_n several_a capacity_n or_o condition_n without_o examination_n therefore_o examination_n by_o the_o eldership_n be_v of_o necessity_n without_o which_o they_o can_v separate_v between_o the_o precious_a and_o the_o vile_a as_o their_o duty_n be_v 15..19_o jer._n 15..19_o many_o argument_n may_v more_o be_v offer_v but_o the_o matter_n be_v so_o plain_a that_o to_o any_o reasonable_a man_n there_o can_v remain_v no_o scruple_n neither_o do_v i_o quotescripture_n to_o those_o argument_n by_o reason_n they_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o former_a scripture_n allege_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o eldership_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n i_o shall_v only_o propound_v this_o one_o text_n which_o will_v answer_v all_o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o and_o submit_v yourselves_o for_o they_o watch_v for_o your_o soul_n as_o they_o that_o must_v give_v account_n that_o they_o may_v do_v it_o with_o joy_n and_o not_o with_o grief_n for_o that_o be_v not_o profitable_a for_o you_o heb._n 13.17_o in_o which_o scripture_n all_o may_v clear_o see_v that_o the_o forego_n argument_n and_o many_o more_o be_v strong_o hold_v forth_o there_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o word_n these_o follow_a truth_n 1._o that_o subjection_n and_o obedience_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o those_o that_o rule_n and_o govern_v in_o the_o church_n 2._o that_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n must_v obey_v those_o that_o rule_n in_o the_o church_n be_v for_o that_o they_o be_v set_n over_o their_o soul_n as_o watchman_n and_o must_v give_v account_n to_o god_n concern_v those_o commit_v to_o their_o charge_n 3._o that_o its_o a_o occasion_n of_o joy_n to_o governor_n in_o the_o church_n when_o people_n be_v obedient_a to_o the_o ordinance_n thereof_o and_o of_o grief_n when_o they_o disobey_v 4._o that_o the_o hurt_n that_o follow_v upon_o the_o people_n non_fw-fr obedience_n and_o the_o good_a that_o attend_v their_o obedience_n redound_v to_o themselves_o 5._o that_o its_o the_o sin_n of_o particular_a member_n of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o obey_v they_o that_o in_o the_o lord_n be_v set_v over_o they_o in_o the_o church_n certain_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o office_n and_o the_o end_n of_o their_o appointment_n to_o they_o be_v argument_n enough_o doubtless_o he_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v a_o steward_n nor_o can_v possible_o give_v account_n that_o know_v not_o the_o state_n of_o his_o charge_n neither_o be_v he_o fit_a to_o be_v a_o shepherd_n that_o know_v not_o the_o state_n of_o his_o flock_n and_o if_o elder_n must_v reprove_v rebuke_n exhort_v admonish_v and_o encourage_v as_o occasion_n be_v how_o shall_v they_o do_v this_o without_o examine_v those_o with_o who_o they_o have_v to_o do_v 4.2_o 2_o tim._n 4.2_o notwithstanding_o by_o reason_n of_o that_o general_a averseness_n to_o this_o necessary_a duty_n i_o add_v these_o ensue_a consideration_n be_v willing_a to_o satisfy_v all_o 1._o consider_v if_o public_a profession_n and_o confession_n be_v requisite_a in_o man_n grow_v to_o maturity_n before_o they_o can_v be_v baptize_v much_o more_o requisite_a be_v it_o before_o admittance_n to_o this_o ordinance_n the_o eunuch_n although_o a_o man_n of_o great_a authority_n and_o well_o instruct_v by_o philip_n and_o although_o come_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o worship_n yet_o can_v not_o be_v baptize_v till_o he_o make_v profession_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o be_v first_o well_o catechise_v concern_v christ_n act._n 8.37_o if_o thou_o believe_v with_o all_o thy_o heart_n thou_o may_v and_o he_o answer_v and_o say_v i_o believe_v etc._n etc._n and_o although_o the_o jew_n be_v circumcise_v and_o be_v of_o the_o nationall_n church_n of_o god_n yet_o be_v none_o of_o they_o receive_v into_o the_o particular_a congregation_n and_o church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n without_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o confession_n of_o sin_n out_o of_o which_o we_o may_v gather_v that_o our_o baptism_n give_v we_o no_o right_n at_o all_o to_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n unless_o we_o be_v suitable_o qualify_v we_o may_v eat_v and_o drink_v our_o own_o damnation_n 2._o consider_v there_o be_v in_o every_o christian_a require_v not_o only_o a_o believe_a heart_n but_o a_o verbal_a profession_n of_o faith_n in_o christ_n rom._n 10.10_o for_o with_o the_o heart_n man_n believe_v unto_o righteousness_n and_o with_o the_o mouth_n confession_n be_v make_v to_o salvation_n 3._o although_o every_o man_n ought_v to_o examine_v himself_o that_o come_v to_o the_o table_n of_o the_o lord_n yet_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n must_v also_o examine_v else_o how_o shall_v they_o know_v who_o be_v able_a to_o examine_v himself_o and_o i_o fear_v they_o that_o plead_v most_o against_o examination_n by_o the_o eldership_n be_v both_o least_o capable_a and_o most_o careless_a of_o that_o especial_a duty_n of_o self_n examination_n beside_o self_n examination_n be_v all_o that_o be_v require_v of_o any_o man_n after_o first_o admittance_n those_o the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o 1._o cor._n 11.28_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v before_o admittance_n make_v profession_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o christ_n 4._o methinks_v particular_a man_n shall_v not_o stumble_v at_o examination_n see_v those_o that_o be_v in_o place_n of_o