Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	aaron_n	beard_n	head_n	203	3	6.3158	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59963	A hind let loose, or, An historical representation of the testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the interest of Christ with the true state thereof in all its periods : together with a vindication of the present testimonie, against the Popish, prelatical, & malignant enemies of that church ... : wherein several controversies of greatest consequence are enquired into, and in some measure cleared, concerning hearing of the curats, owning of the present tyrannie, taking of ensnaring oaths & bonds, frequenting of field meetings, defensive resistence of tyrannical violence ... / by a lover of true liberty.	Shields, Alexander, 1660?-1700.	1687 (1687)	Wing S3431; ESTC R24531	567,672	774

call_v in_o one_o hope_n profess_v one_o lord_n confess_v one_o faith_n seal_v with_o one_o baptism_n eph._n 4._o 3._o etc._n etc._n and_o for_o brethren_n to_o dwell_v together_o in_o unity_n be_v good_a &_o pleasant_a and_o like_o the_o precious_a ointment_n upon_o the_o head_n that_o run_v down_o upon_o aaron_n beard_n psal._n 133._o 1_o 2._o a_o fragrant_a ointment_n indeed_o if_o it_o be_v compose_v aright_o of_o gospel-simple_n according_a to_o divine_a art_n and_o the_o wisdom_n that_o be_v from_o above_o which_o be_v first_o pure_a &_o then_o peaceable_a and_o not_o make_v up_o of_o adulterate_a politic_n that_o union_n that_o have_v the_o spirit_n for_o its_o author_n the_o scripture_n for_o its_o rule_n peace_n for_o its_o bond_n &_o beauty_n love_v for_o its_o cement_n faith_n for_o its_o foment_n christ_n for_o its_o foundation_n and_o truth_n &_o holiness_n for_o its_o constant_a companion_n can_v but_o be_v intense_o desire_v enixe_o endeavour_v and_o fervent_o follow_v by_o all_o the_o professor_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o peace_n &_o subject_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o peace_n which_o make_v division_n &_o schism_n not_o only_o a_o great_a misery_n but_o a_o grand_a sin_n but_o it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n &_o duty_n and_o consistent_a with_o holiness_n &_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n otherwise_o if_o it_o be_v in_o the_o way_n of_o apostasy_n &_o defection_n it_o be_v but_o a_o confederacy_n &_o conspiracy_n against_o the_o lord_n and_o true_a union_n can_v neither_o be_v attain_v nor_o retain_v nor_o recover_v except_o the_o sinful_a cause_n of_o division_n defection_n and_o the_o holy_a overrule_a cause_n the_o anger_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v remove_v in_o turn_v to_o &_o follow_v he_o ii_o tho'_o there_o be_v not_o perfect_a union_n but_o diversity_n both_o of_o judgement_n and_o practice_n in_o several_a case_n there_o may_v be_v communion_n with_o a_o church_n in_o its_o ordinance_n and_o ministry_n as_o 1._o we_o may_v have_v a_o catholic_n communion_n with_o all_o christian_a minister_n &_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n consider_v as_o such_o hold_v the_o head_n christ_n and_o the_o foundation_n sure_a and_o so_o we_o may_v meet_v for_o worship_n with_o all_o devout_a man_n in_o every_o nation_n under_o heaven_n whether_o they_o be_v parthian_n or_o mede_n or_o elamites_n or_o french_a or_o dutch_a etc._n etc._n tho'_o differ_v in_o controversy_n of_o lesser_a moment_n not_o overturning_a that_o if_o they_o hold_v the_o universal_a testimony_n of_o the_o gospel_n against_o the_o common_a enemy_n thereof_o jew_n turk_n or_o pagan_n for_o there_o be_v neither_o greek_a nor_o jew_n if_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n christ_n be_v all_o and_o in_o all_o col._n 3._o 11._o but_o if_o they_o be_v heretic_n we_o can_v have_v no_o communion_n with_o they_o 2._o we_o may_v have_v a_o more_o special_a communion_n with_o all_o protestant_a minister_n &_o member_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n consider_v as_o such_o more_o strict_o and_o upon_o strict_a condition_n provide_v they_o hold_v not_o only_o the_o universal_a of_o christian_n but_o the_o general_n testimony_n of_o protestant_n against_o the_o great_a &_o lesser_a antichrist_n tho'_o differ_v from_o we_o in_o some_o circumstantial_a point_n not_o reform_v and_o not_o contradictory_n unto_o the_o protestant_a testimony_n against_o popery_n &_o all_o heresy_n nor_o decline_v from_o their_o owned_a reformation_n by_o defection_n or_o schism_n and_o consequently_n its_o lawful_a to_o oune_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o the_o unite_a province_n and_o take_v ordination_n from_o they_o tho'_o they_o have_v some_o form_n not_o allowable_a from_o which_o they_o be_v never_o reform_v because_o they_o be_v sound_a in_o the_o protestant_a testimony_n but_o with_o the_o sectarian_n or_o schismatic_n or_o apostate_n among_o they_o we_o can_v oune_v that_o special_a communion_n 3._o we_o may_v have_v a_o more_o particular_a communion_n upon_o yet_o strict_a condition_n with_o all_o our_o covenant_v brethren_n minister_n &_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o britain_n &_o ireland_n consider_v as_o such_o provide_v they_o hold_v not_o only_o the_o universal_a not_o only_o the_o more_o special_a protestant_a testimony_n against_o the_o great_a &_o lesser_a antichrist_n but_o the_o covenant_v testimony_n for_o the_o reformation_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n &_o government_n against_o popery_n prelacy_n superstition_n heresy_n schism_n &_o profanness_n according_a to_o the_o covenant_n tho'_o differ_v from_o we_o in_o those_o controversial_a point_n never_o reform_v and_o which_o be_v never_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n patience_n and_o do_v not_o overturn_v the_o covenant_v testimony_n but_o with_o those_o that_o contradict_v &_o counteract_v that_o we_o can_v oune_v that_o particular_a communion_n 4._o we_o may_v have_v yet_o a_o near_a organical_a communion_n upon_o strict_a condition_n still_o with_o all_o the_o minister_n &_o member_n of_o the_o national_a church_n of_o scotland_n constitute_v &_o confederate_n under_o one_o reform_a government_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n provide_v they_o hold_v not_o only_o all_o the_o former_a testimony_n under_o the_o foresay_a consideration_n but_o the_o presbyterian_a testimony_n as_o state_v in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n and_o swear_v to_o in_o the_o national_a covenant_n &_o engagement_n of_o that_o church_n found_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n against_o popery_n prelacy_n erastianisme_n sectarianisme_n toleration_n schism_n &_o defection_n tho'_o differ_v in_o some_o thing_n from_o we_o never_o reform_v never_o consider_v in_o ecclesiastical_a judicatories_n never_o engage_v against_o in_o our_o covenant_n never_o state_v as_o the_o word_n of_o patience_n and_o matter_n of_o testimony_n but_o with_o those_o that_o oppose_v suppress_v reproach_n and_o abandon_v this_o testimony_n we_o can_v oune_v this_o organical_a communion_n in_o this_o break_a state_n of_o the_o church_n we_o may_v have_v yet_o a_o strict_a congregational_a communion_n upon_o strict_a condition_n in_o and_o with_o the_o ordinary_a or_o extraordinary_a meeting_n or_o society_n of_o the_o lord_n people_n for_o gospel_n ordinance_n with_o any_o minister_n or_o minister_n due_o &_o true_o admit_v to_o that_o function_n according_a to_o christ_n appointment_n and_o the_o call_v of_o the_o people_n whether_o in_o a_o fix_a or_o unfixed_a relation_n provice_v he_o hold_v the_o testimony_n of_o christ_n under_o all_o the_o former_a consideration_n and_o ounes_z and_o adhere_v unto_o the_o true_a receive_v principle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n &_o government_n found_v upon_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n and_o whatsoever_o declaration_n or_o testimony_n former_a or_o latter_a particular_a or_o more_o general_n be_v agreeable_a thereunto_o tho'_o differ_v from_o we_o in_o some_o of_o the_o integral_a &_o not_o essential_a part_n of_o our_o testimony_n against_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o covenant_v reformation_n but_o with_o such_o as_o deny_v or_o decline_v from_o it_o by_o schism_n or_o defection_n or_o compliance_n with_o the_o enemy_n thereof_o we_o can_v oune_v this_o congregational_a communion_n in_o this_o break_a state_n of_o the_o church_n iii_o tho'_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o a_o church_n to_o brangle_v &_o lessen_v the_o comfort_n of_o our_o communion_n with_o it_o and_o the_o ministry_n thereof_o yet_o we_o may_v keep_v fellowship_n with_o a_o true_a church_n tho'_o in_o many_o thing_n faulty_a and_o corrupt_a as_o all_o church_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n in_o this_o militant_a state._n as_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n have_v many_o corruption_n in_o their_o practice_n yet_o no_o separation_n be_v enjoin_v from_o it_o and_o the_o lord_n do_v not_o require_v separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o perga●●●_n &_o thyatira_n though_o they_o have_v many_o corruption_n &_o deficiency_n in_o discipline_n in_o a_o toleration_n of_o heretic_n and_o will_v lay_v no_o other_o burden_n upon_o they_o but_o to_o hold_v fast_o what_o they_o have_v as_o mr_n durham_n show_v in_o his_o comment_n on_o the_o revel_n chap._n 2._o lect._n 6._o pag._n 148_o 149._o as_o also_o chap._n 18._o lect._n 1_o pag._n 585._o in_o 4_o to_o this_o must_v be_v grant_v especial_o in_o these_o case_n 1._o in_o the_o infant_n state_n of_o the_o church_n when_o the_o reformation_n be_v only_o begin_v then_o many_o thing_n may_v be_v tolerate_v before_o they_o be_v gradual_o reform_v which_o in_o a_o adult_n state_n be_v not_o to_o be_v suffer_v 2._o in_o a_o grow_a case_n of_o the_o church_n advance_v out_o of_o corruption_n then_o many_o thing_n may_v be_v bear_v with_o while_o they_o be_v ascend_v &_o wrestle_v up_o the_o hill_n which_o in_o a_o decline_a state_n when_o the_o church_n be_v go_v backward_o must_v not_o be_v yield_v unto_o see_v that_o objection_n of_o hear_v prelatical_a man_n in_o the_o time_n of_o

person_n twice_o once_o to_o have_v their_o ear_n cut_v and_o be_v banish_v and_o after_o the_o lop_n of_o their_o ear_n some_o have_v be_v re-examined_a and_o sentence_v to_o death_n and_o execute_v 23._o they_o have_v sentence_v some_o and_o hang_v they_o both_o in_o one_o day_n other_o early_o in_o the_o morning_n both_o to_o surprise_v the_o person_n that_o be_v to_o die_v and_o to_o prevent_v spectator_n of_o the_o sight_n of_o their_o cruelty_n other_o have_v be_v keep_v in_o suspense_n till_o the_o very_a day_n &_o hour_n of_o their_o execution_n 24._o not_o only_o have_v they_o murder_v serious_a &_o zealous_a follower_n of_o christ_n in_o take_v away_o their_o life_n but_o endeavour_v to_o murder_v their_o name_n and_o to_o murder_v the_o cause_n for_o which_o they_o suffer_v load_v it_o with_o all_o reproach_n as_o sedition_n &_o rebellion_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v their_o peculiar_a policy_n to_o bring_v the_o head_n of_o suffering_n to_o point_n that_o be_v most_o obnoxious_a to_o man_n censure_n and_o account_v most_o extrinsic_a to_o religion_n whereby_o they_o level_v their-design_n against_o religion_n not_o direct_o under_o that_o notion_n but_o oblique_o in_o the_o destruction_n of_o its_o professor_n under_o the_o odium_fw-la &_o reproach_n of_o enemy_n to_o government_n 25._o but_o chief_o they_o labour_v to_o murder_v the_o soul_n defile_v the_o conscience_n and_o only_o consult_v to_o cast_v a_o man_n down_o from_o his_o excellency_n which_o be_v his_o integrity_n that_o be_v a_o christian_n croun_n and_o that_o they_o will_v rather_o rob_v he_o of_o as_o any_o thing_n either_o by_o hector_v or_o flatter_v he_o from_o the_o testimony_n which_o they_o endeavour_v by_o propose_v many_o offer_n with_o many_o threaten_n in_o subtle_a term_n and_o pretend_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o tenderness_n protest_v they_o will_v be_v as_o tender_v of_o their_o blood_n as_o of_o their_o owned_a soul_n which_o in_o some_o sense_n be_v true_a for_o they_o have_v none_o at_o all_o of_o their_o owned_a soul_n and_o purge_v themselves_o as_o pilate_n do_v and_o charge_v it_o upon_o their_o owned_a head_n 26._o they_o will_v be_v very_o easy_a in_o their_o accommodation_n where_o they_o find_v the_o poor_a man_n begin_n to_o faint_a and_o hearken_v to_o their_o overture_n wherein_o they_o will_v grant_v he_o his_o life_n yield_v to_o he_o as_o cunning_a angler_n do_v with_o fish_n and_o to_o persuade_v he_o to_o some_o length_n in_o comply_v they_o will_v offer_v conference_n sometime_o or_o reason_v upon_o the_o point_n to_o satisfy_v &_o inform_v his_o conscience_n as_o they_o pretend_v but_o real_o to_o catch_v he_o with_o their_o busked_a hook_n 27._o if_o they_o have_v any_o hope_n of_o prevail_v they_o will_v change_v a_o man_n prison_n and_o take_v he_o out_o from_o among_o the_o more_o strict_a &_o fervent_a in_o the_o cause_n that_o may_v sharpen_v &_o strengthen_v his_o zeal_n and_o put_v he_o in_o among_o the_o more_o cool_a &_o remiss_a 28._o sometime_o they_o use_v to_o stage_n several_a together_o whereof_o they_o know_v some_o will_v comply_v to_o tantalise_v the_o rest_n with_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o other_o liberty_n and_o make_v they_o bite_v the_o more_o eager_o at_o their_o bait_n to_o catch_v the_o conscience_n but_o when_o they_o have_v do_v all_o they_o can_v christ_n have_v many_o witness_n who_o do_v retain_v the_o croun_n of_o their_o testimony_n in_o the_o small_a point_n till_o they_o obtain_v the_o croun_n of_o martyrdom_n and_o attain_v to_o the_o croun_n of_o glory_n speak_v bold_o to_o they_o without_o fear_n or_o shame_n and_o disdain_v their_o flatter_a proposal_n but_o look_v on_o they_o under_o a_o right_a notion_n as_o state_v there_o in_o opposition_n to_o christ_n whereby_o they_o find_v this_o advantage_n that_o hence_o they_o be_v restrain_v from_o all_o sinful_a tamper_n with_o they_o or_o entertain_v any_o discourse_n with_o they_o but_o what_o be_v suitable_a to_o speak_v to_o christ_n enemy_n or_o do_v any_o thing_n to_o save_v their_o life_n but_o what_o become_v christ_n witness_n who_o love_v not_o their_o life_n unto_o the_o death_n of_o who_o universal_o this_o be_v observe_v that_o to_o the_o admiration_n of_o all_o the_o conviction_n of_o many_o enemy_n the_o confirmation_n of_o many_o friend_n the_o establishment_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o their_o redeeme●_n they_o go_v off_o the_o stage_n with_o so_o much_o of_o the_o lord_n countenance_n so_o much_o assurance_n of_o pardon_n &_o eternal_a peace_n so_o much_o hope_n of_o the_o lord_n return_v to_o revive_v his_o work_n and_o plead_v his_o cause_n again_o in_o these_o land_n that_o never_o any_o suffer_v with_o more_o meekness_n humility_n &_o composure_n of_o spirit_n and_o with_o more_o faithfulness_n steadfastness_n &_o resolution_n than_o these_o worthy_n do_v for_o these_o despise_a &_o reproach_v truth_n for_o which_o their_o survive_a brethren_n be_v now_o contend_v &_o suffer_v while_o other_o be_v at_o ease_n part_n iii_o the_o present_a testimony_n state_v and_o vindicated_n in_o its_o principal_a head_n by_o what_o be_v above_o premit_v the_o reader_n may_v see_v the_o series_n &_o succession_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o christ_n witness_n in_o scotland_n from_o time_n to_o time_n in_o all_o the_o period_n of_o that_o church_n how_o it_o have_v be_v transmit_v from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o down_n to_o our_o hand_n how_o far_o it_o have_v be_v extend_v and_o what_o increment_n it_o have_v receive_v in_o every_o period_n how_o it_o have_v be_v oppose_v by_o a_o continue_a prosecution_n of_o a_o hereditary_a war_n against_o christ_n by_o a_o atheistical_a papistical_a prelatical_a and_o tyrannical_a faction_n and_o how_o it_o have_v be_v concert_v contend_v for_o maintain_v &_o seal_v active_o &_o passive_o by_o a_o anti-pagan_a anti-popish_a anti-prelatical_a anti-erastian_a antisectarian_a and_o anti-tyrannical_a remnant_n of_o the_o follower_n professor_n confessor_n &_o martyr_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o age_n now_o it_o remain_v in_o the_o three_o &_o last_o place_n to_o consider_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n as_o it_o be_v now_o state_v to_o see_v whether_o it_o will_v bear_v the_o weight_n of_o those_o great_a suffering_n wherewith_o it_o have_v be_v seal_v i_o hope_v all_o the_o lover_n of_o christ_n who_o have_v a_o estee●_n ●ven_v of_o his_o reproach_n above_o all_o the_o treasure_n of_o egypt_n will_v grant_v that_o if_o these_o suffering_n be_v state_v on_o the_o least_o or_o low_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n than_o they_o be_v not_o misstate_v no●_n build_v upon_o a_o bottom_n that_o will_v not_o bear_v they_o or_o be_v not_o of_o that_o worth_a to_o sustain_v they_o for_o certain_o every_o truth_n the_o least_o of_o truth_n be_v of_o great_a value_n than_o any_o thing_n that_o we_o can_v suffer_v the_o loss_n of_o for_o it_o yea_o of_o infinite_o great_a value_n than_o the_o whole_a world_n so_o that_o if_o i_o prove_v these_o head_n of_o suffer_v to_o be_v truth_n wherein_o conscience_n be_v concern_v the_o cause_n will_v be_v sufficient_o vindicate_v from_o the_o loading_n &_o lashing_n of_o such_o as_o prefer_v peace_n to_o truth_n &_o ease_n to_o duty_n who_o to_o justify_v their_o owned_a backwardness_n &_o detastable_n lukwarmness_n call_v some_o of_o they_o only_a state_n question_n about_o thing_n civil_a and_o not_o gospel-truths_n and_o head_n to_o state_n suffer_v upon_o and_o if_o they_o be_v truth_n &_o duty_n the_o cause_n will_v some_o way_n be_v render_v more_o illustrious_a that_o it_o be_v state_v upon_o the_o small_a hoof_n &_o hair-breadth_n of_o the_o concern_v of_o christ_n declarative_a glory_n as_o be_v a_o great_a witness_n of_o its_o ouner_n love_n &_o loyalty_n to_o christ_n and_o of_o their_o pure_a &_o tender_a zeal_n for_o his_o honour_n than_o if_o for_o more_o substantial_a &_o fundamental_a truth_n which_o a_o natural_a conscience_n may_v reclaim_v to_o decline_v when_o for_o the_o mean_a circumstantial_o of_o christ_n truth_n they_o dare_v &_o be_v ambitious_a to_o bestow_v their_o dear_a blood_n but_o if_o the_o complexe_n of_o they_o be_v impartial_o consider_v no_o unprejudiced_a arbiter_n will_v suffer_v himself_o to_o have_v such_o extenuate_a impression_n of_o the_o present_a word_n of_o patience_n &_o testimony_n of_o the_o suffering_n remant_fw-fr in_o scotland_n this_o day_n but_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v a_o very_a weighty_a &_o worthy_a concern_v as_o any_o that_o either_o man_n or_o christian_n can_v be_v call_v to_o witness_v for_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o all_o mankind_n the_o duty_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o the_o dignity_n of_o all_o church_n to_o assert_v it_o be_v for_o the_o glory_n &_o croun_n prerogative_n and_o imperial_a regalia_z of_o the_o king_n of_o king_n with_o reference_n to_o his_o

gospel_n &_o destruction_n of_o many_o poor_a soul_n but_o through_o the_o ignorance_n &_o neglect_n of_o this_o duty_n of_o try_v who_o we_o shall_v hear_v by_o seek_v some_o satisfie_v evidence_n of_o their_o be_v clothe_v with_o authority_n from_o christ_n the_o world_n have_v be_v leave_v louse_n in_o a_o licence_n to_o hear_v what_o they_o please_v and_o so_o have_v receive_v the_o poison_n of_o error_n from_o monte_fw-fr bank_n instead_o of_o the_o true_a &_o wholesome_a potion_n of_o christ_n prescript_n from_o they_o that_o have_v power_n &_o skill_n to_o administer_v they_o hence_o the_o many_o sect_n &_o schism_n &_o error_n that_o have_v pester_v the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n have_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n proceed_v from_o this_o latitude_n &_o laxness_n of_o promiscous_a hear_n of_o all_o who_o they_o please_v who_o either_o the_o world_n authority_n impower_v or_o by_o other_o mean_n be_v possess_v of_o the_o place_n of_o preach_v without_o take_v any_o cognizance_n whether_o they_o have_v the_o character_n of_o christ_n ambassador_n or_o not_o if_o this_o have_v be_v observe_v and_o people_n have_v scruple_v &_o refuse_v to_o hear_v these_o who_o they_o may_v know_v shall_v not_o have_v preach_v neither_o the_o great_a antichrist_n nor_o the_o many_o lesser_a antichrist_n will_v have_v have_v such_o foot_n in_o the_o world_n as_o they_o have_v this_o day_n it_o be_v then_o of_o no_o small_a consequence_n to_o have_v this_o question_v clear_v neither_o be_v it_o of_o small_a difficulty_n to_o solve_v the_o intricacy_n of_o it_o what_o character_n to_o fix_v for_o a_o discovery_n of_o christ_n true_a minister_n who_o we_o shall_v submit_v to_o &_o obey_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o love_n &_o esteem_v they_o for_o their_o work_n sake_n and_o for_o their_o quality_n sake_n as_o stand_v in_o christ_n stead_n have_v the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o word_n of_o reconciliation_n commit_v to_o they_o and_o how_o we_o may_v discern_v those_o character_n what_o judgement_n be_v incumbent_n to_o private_a christian_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o theiroun_n conscience_n in_o the_o case_n and_o how_o they_o ought_v to_o demean_v themselves_o in_o their_o practice_n with_o out_o scandal_n on_o either_o hand_n or_o sin_n against_o their_o owned_a conscience_n how_o to_o avoid_v the_o rock_n &_o extreme_n that_o inadvertency_n or_o precipitancy_n in_o this_o matter_n may_v rush_v upon_o so_o as_o to_o escape_v &_o sail_v by_o the_o scylla_n of_o sinful_a separation_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o charybdis_n of_o sinful_a union_n &_o communion_n on_o the_o other_o which_o be_v equal_o dangerous_a especial_o how_o these_o caution_n be_v to_o be_v manage_v in_o a_o break_a and_o disturb_v &_o divide_a case_n of_o the_o church_n the_o question_n also_o be_v the_o more_o difficult_a that_o as_o it_o be_v never_o so_o much_o question_v before_o this_o time_n and_o never_o so_o much_o seek_v to_o be_v obscure_v by_o the_o perverse_a dispute_n of_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n to_o find_v out_o evasion_n to_o cover_v sin_n &_o escape_v suffering_n upon_o this_o account_n so_o it_o have_v never_o be_v discuss_v by_o divine_n either_o at_o home_n or_o abroad_o with_o relation_n to_o our_o case_n except_o what_o have_v be_v of_o late_a by_o some_o faithful_a man_n who_o have_v suffer_v upon_o this_o head_n from_o who_o i_o shall_v gather_v the_o most_o of_o my_o argument_n in_o as_o compendious_a a_o way_n as_o i_o can_v without_o wrong_v they_o the_o reason_n i_o fancy_n that_o we_o be_v at_o such_o a_o loss_n in_o our_o help_n from_o the_o learned_a on_o this_o head_n be_v partly_o that_o they_o have_v write_v with_o relation_n to_o their_o owned_a time_n in_o a_o constitute_v case_n of_o the_o church_n when_o corruption_n &_o disorder_n may_v be_v orderly_o rectify_v and_o people_n may_v have_v access_n to_o get_v their_o scruple_n remove_v in_o a_o legal_a way_n by_o church-order_n in_o which_o case_n the_o learned_a &_o judicious_a mr_n durham_n have_v write_v excellent_o in_o his_o book_n on_o scandal_n but_o therein_o neither_o he_o nor_o other_o do_v consult_v nor_o can_v have_v a_o prospect_n of_o such_o a_o case_n as_o we_o be_v and_o partly_o that_o foreign_a divine_n not_o have_v this_o for_o their_o exercise_n can_v not_o be_v acquaint_v with_o our_o circumstantiate_a case_n and_o so_o be_v not_o fit_v nor_o competent_a arbiter_n to_o decide_v this_o contraversie_n hence_o many_o of_o they_o do_v wonder_n at_o our_o suffering_n upon_o this_o head_n every_o church_n be_v best_a acquaint_v with_o her_o owned_a testimony_n yet_o we_o want_v not_o the_o suffrage_n of_o some_o of_o the_o learn_a of_o they_o as_o the_o great_a gisb._n voetius_fw-la in_o his_o polit_n eccles._n in_o several_a place_n come_v near_o to_o favour_v we_o where_o he_o allow_v people_n to_o leave_v some_o &_o hear_v such_o minister_n as_o they_o profit_v most_o by_o from_o these_o ground_n that_o people_n shall_v choose_v the_o best_a &_o most_o edify_a gift_n and_o from_o that_o scripture_n 1_o thess._n 5._o 21._o prove_v all_o thing_n etc._n etc._n and_o answer_v objection_n to_o the_o contrare_fw-la and_o grant_v that_o upon_o several_a occasion_n one_o may_v abstain_v from_o explicit_a communion_n with_o a_o corrupt_a church_n for_o these_o reason_n that_o such_o communion_n be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a necessitate_v either_o medii_fw-la or_o precepti_fw-la where_o the_o christian_a shall_v have_v more_o peace_n of_o conscience_n and_o free_a exercise_n of_o christian_a duty_n elsewhere_o and_o that_o he_o may_v keep_v communion_n with_o more_o purity_n in_o other_o place_n polit._n ecces_n quest._n 17._o pag._n 68_o and_o he_o approve_v of_o people_n refuse_v to_o bring_v their_o child_n to_o be_v baptize_v by_o such_o corrupt_a minister_n because_o they_o may_v wait_v until_o they_o have_v occasion_n of_o a_o minister_n for_o if_o the_o best_a gift_n be_v to_o be_v covet_v why_o shall_v not_o the_o best_a minister_n be_v prefer_v and_o why_o shall_v not_o christian_n show_v by_o their_o deed_n that_o they_o honour_v such_o as_o fear_v the_o lord_n &_o contemn_v a_o vile_a person_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o partake_v of_o other_o man_n sin_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 9_o 11._o eph._n 5._o 11._o they_o shall_v not_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o make_v sad_a the_o godly_a the_o authority_n of_o such_o minister_n shall_v not_o be_v strengthen_v voet._n polit_n eccles._n pag._n 637._o to_o 640._o but_o though_o it_o labour_v under_o all_o these_o disadvantage_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o the_o less_o but_o so_o much_o the_o rather_o necessary_a to_o say_v somewhat_o to_o clear_v it_o with_o dependence_n upon_o light_n from_o the_o fountain_n and_o with_o the_o help_n of_o those_o faithful_a man_n who_o have_v sufficient_o clear_v it_o up_o to_o all_o that_o have_v a_o conscience_n not_o blind_v or_o bribe_v with_o some_o prejudices_fw-la by_o which_o more_o light_n have_v accrue_v to_o the_o church_n in_o this_o point_n of_o withdraw_a from_o corrupt_a minister_n 〈◊〉_d ever_o be_v attain_v in_o former_a time_n which_o be_v all_o the_o good_a we_o have_v get_v of_o prelacy_n in_o so_o much_o that_o i_o may_v spare_v labour_n in_o add_v any_o thing_n be_v it_o not_o that_o i_o will_v make_v the_o argument_n vindicate_v this_o cause_n of_o suffer_v alittle_o more_o public_a and_o take_v occasion_n to_o show_v that_o the_o ground_n espouse_v by_o the_o present_a &_o reproach_v party_n for_o their_o withdrawing_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v stretch_v be_v no_o other_o than_o have_v be_v ow_v by_o our_o writer_n on_o this_o head_n to_o the_o intent_n it_o may_v appear_v there_o be_v no_o discrepancy_n but_o great_a likeness_n &_o harmony_n between_o the_o argument_n &_o ground_n of_o withdraw_a in_o the_o late_a informatorie_n vindication_n etc._n etc._n and_o those_o that_o be_v find_v in_o other_o write_n and_o so_o much_o the_o rather_o i_o think_v it_o needful_a to_o touch_v this_o subject_n now_o that_o not_o only_o this_o have_v be_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o our_o suffering_n but_o many_o that_o suffer_v a_o while_n for_o it_o now_o have_v faint_v and_o condemn_v all_o their_o former_a contending_n for_o this_o part_n of_o the_o testimony_n call_v in_o question_n all_o these_o reason_n that_o former_o satisfy_v satisfy_v they_o but_o to_o proceed_v with_o some_o distinctness_n in_o this_o thorny_a point_n some_o concessory_a assertion_n must_v first_o be_v premit_v and_o then_o our_o ground_n propound_v first_o i_o willing_o yield_v to_o &_o cordial_o close_a with_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o assertion_n i._o the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n aught_o to_o be_v the_o endeavour_n of_o all_o that_o be_v member_n of_o the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n partaker_n of_o his_o one_o spirit_n