of_o convert_a soul_n towards_o god_n be_v like_o the_o turn_n of_o the_o needle_n touch_v with_o a_o loadstone_n to_o the_o north_n for_o be_v touch_v with_o the_o magnet_n of_o his_o love_n they_o draw_v incessant_o towards_o he_o in_o such_o soul_n the_o attraction_n of_o freegrace_n be_v so_o strong_a that_o nothing_o can_v possible_o prevent_v it_o the_o saint_n be_v sensible_a of_o great_a slackness_n and_o backwardness_n in_o their_o spiritual_a progress_n of_o many_o stop_n and_o hindrance_n in_o their_o christian_a race_n but_o they_o be_v secure_v against_o total_a and_o final_a apostasy_n by_o god_n everlasting_a covenant_n of_o freegrace_n seal_v and_o ratify_v in_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n by_o many_o sweet_a and_o precious_a promise_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o fall_v away_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o mystical_a union_n with_o christ_n and_o the_o prayer_n and_o intercession_n of_o christ_n for_o they_o they_o meet_v with_o many_o assault_n from_o sin_n satan_n and_o the_o world_n but_o sin_n can_v separate_v they_o from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n because_o that_o be_v pardon_v in_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n satan_n can_v vanquish_v they_o because_o christ_n have_v subdue_v he_o and_o the_o world_n can_v overcome_v they_o because_o christ_n have_v overcome_v the_o world_n but_o tho'_o the_o saint_n be_v secure_v from_o all_o danger_n of_o final_a and_o total_a apostasy_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o carelessness_n and_o carnal_a confidence_n to_o they_o the_o way_n of_o their_o salvation_n be_v of_o god_n own_o order_n and_o appoint_v and_o it_o be_v this_o 1.2_o pet._n 1.2_o they_o be_v elect_v according_a to_o the_o foreknowledge_n of_o god_n the_o father_n through_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n unto_o obedience_n and_o sprinkle_v of_o the_o blood_n of_o jesus_n christ_n mark_v this_o passage_n through_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n unto_o obedience_n they_o be_v not_o elect_v to_o salvation_n without_o the_o spirit_n sanctification_n unto_o obedience_n but_o they_o be_v elect_v to_o attain_v salvation_n by_o sanctification_n as_o the_o mean_n to_o the_o end_n and_o be_v sanctify_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n they_o be_v thereby_o enable_v to_o perform_v obedience_n to_o the_o gospel_n god_n do_v not_o elect_a they_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v careless_a 1.4_o â—…ph_n 1.4_o but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v careful_a for_o they_o be_v choose_v of_o he_o in_o christ_n before_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v holy_a and_o without_o blame_n before_o he_o in_o love_n they_o be_v choose_v to_o the_o mean_n and_o the_o diligent_a use_n thereof_o as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o end_n 2.10_o h._n 2.10_o for_o they_o be_v god_n workmanship_n create_v in_o christ_n jesus_n unto_o good_a work_n which_o god_n have_v before_o ordain_v that_o they_o shall_v walk_v in_o they_o this_o denote_v their_o course_n it_o be_v a_o walk_n in_o good_a work_n they_o be_v elect_v to_o live_v in_o the_o constant_a exercise_n of_o all_o grace_n infuse_v into_o they_o and_o of_o all_o duty_n require_v of_o they_o they_o then_o most_o horrid_o abuse_v the_o precious_a doctrine_n of_o the_o saint_n perseverance_n who_o call_v it_o a_o doctrine_n of_o looseness_n and_o libertinism_n and_o pretend_v it_o take_v away_o all_o watchfulness_n and_o diligence_n in_o duty_n whereas_o it_o require_v all_o possible_a strictness_n and_o exactness_n from_o the_o saint_n and_o certain_o no_o person_n in_o the_o world_n can_v consider_v themselves_o under_o strong_a tie_n to_o obedience_n than_o they_o who_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n method_n in_o their_o salvation_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o it_o of_o free_a grace_n through_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n unto_o obedience_n and_o sprinkle_v of_o the_o blood_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o believe_v this_o to_o be_v god_n way_n of_o salvation_n they_o will_v endeavour_v to_o be_v find_v in_o it_o and_o know_v that_o god_n have_v choose_v they_o to_o salvation_n through_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n 17._o thes_n 2.13_o 15_o 17._o and_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o will_v pray_v that_o they_o may_v stand_v fast_o and_o have_v their_o heart_n comfort_v and_o establish_v in_o every_o good_a word_n and_o work_n upon_o this_o score_n it_o be_v namely_o election_n in_o christ_n and_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o prince_n become_v true_o religious_a and_o so_o high_o eminent_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o by_o virtue_n thereof_o their_o dominion_n be_v found_v in_o grace_n and_o have_v a_o spiritual_a superad_v to_o their_o political_a right_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o godly_a or_o gracious_a only_o have_v a_o political_a right_o to_o govern_v but_o that_o gracious_a prince_n have_v a_o double_a one_o first_o as_o prince_n and_o second_o much_o more_o i_o be_o sure_a much_o better_a as_o be_v gracious_a prince_n by_o how_o much_o the_o unction_n of_o the_o spirit_n excel_v that_o of_o the_o body_n by_o so_o much_o the_o sceptre_n polish_v with_o grace_n outshine_v its_o native_a lustre_n impious_a ruler_n be_v compare_v by_o solomon_n to_o roar_a lion_n and_o range_a bear_n the_o most_o savage_a beast_n of_o prey_n 28.15_o prov._n 28.15_o to_o set_v forth_o their_o violence_n cruelty_n and_o oppression_n lion_n and_o bear_n the_o naturalist_n tell_v we_o be_v natural_o cruel_a than_o other_o wild_a creature_n but_o when_o pinch_v with_o hunger_n superant_fw-la sed_fw-la cum_fw-la fame_n premuntur_fw-la seipsos_fw-la crudelitate_fw-la superant_fw-la they_o exceed_v the_o cruelty_n of_o their_o nature_n in_o those_o creature_n we_o have_v a_o lively_a portraiture_n of_o arbitrary_a and_o tyrannical_a governor_n who_o as_o cruel_o prey_n upon_o the_o poor_a oppress_a people_n as_o they_o do_v upon_o the_o beast_n of_o the_o field_n 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d tenui_fw-la populo_fw-la ar._n mont._n rom._n 13.3_o 4._o with_o a_o little_a variation_n of_o the_o apostle_n word_n we_o may_v say_v of_o they_o they_o be_v a_o terror_n to_o good_a work_n and_o revenger_n to_o execute_v wrath_n upon_o they_o that_o do_v well_o they_o be_v perverter_n of_o public_a peace_n and_o order_n and_o man_n have_v no_o security_n notwithstanding_o law_n of_o life_n or_o property_n under_o they_o for_o they_o care_v not_o what_o ravage_v and_o spoil_v they_o make_v of_o their_o counrrey_n vain_o fancy_v the_o people_n be_v make_v for_o they_o not_o they_o make_v for_o the_o people_n contrary_a to_o what_o seneca_n write_v to_o nero_n that_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v not_o they_o to_o use_v as_o they_o listen_v 19_o non_fw-la republicam_fw-la svam_fw-la esse_fw-la sed_fw-la se_fw-la republicae_fw-la de_fw-fr clem._n l._n 1._o c._n 19_o but_o they_o be_v the_o commonwealth_n which_o make_v i_o stand_v amaze_v when_o i_o read_v or_o hear_v what_o unsuitable_a title_n some_o parasite_n give_v they_o and_o how_o jeroboam_n herod_n maximine_n dioclesian_n and_o julian_n idolater_n adulterer_n bloody_a persecutor_n and_o infamous_a apostate_n be_v complemented_a with_o the_o glorious_a appellation_n of_o the_o lord_n anoint_v â—_o sen._n epist_n 5â—_n q._n curt._n l._n â—_o and_o minister_n of_o god_n as_o the_o heathen_a priest_n flatter_v alexander_n and_o persuade_v he_o to_o be_v jupiter_n son_n tho'_o king_n philip_n be_v his_o father_n but_o as_o wicked_a ruler_n be_v like_o roar_a lion_n and_o range_a bear_n 49.23_o isai_n 49.23_o so_o religious_a king_n and_o queen_n be_v compare_v to_o nurse_n father_n and_o nurse_n mother_n the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o welfare_n of_o their_o people_n sway_v more_o with_o such_o than_o their_o own_o self-interest_n or_o personal_a greatness_n they_o always_o postpone_v their_o private_a advantage_n to_o the_o public_a good_a and_o make_v less_o reckon_n of_o their_o own_o than_o their_o subject_n safety_n and_o this_o be_v notorious_a from_o those_o many_o danger_n they_o voluntary_o expose_v themselves_o to_o which_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a they_o will_v ever_o do_v if_o they_o have_v not_o more_o regard_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o subject_n weal_n than_o to_o their_o own_o applause_n and_o interest_n the_o greek_a and_o roman_a history_n inform_v we_o of_o some_o that_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n upon_o their_o country_n score_n as_o codrus_n decius_n and_o several_a other_o but_o whence_o spring_v this_o adventurous_a love_n from_o natural_a courage_n ambition_n vain_a glory_n affectation_n of_o a_o statue_n superstitious_a observation_n of_o oracle_n or_o the_o like_a but_o true_o religious_a prince_n act_v from_o noble_a principle_n and_o be_v move_v by_o the_o mighty_a impulse_n of_o he_o who_o sit_v upon_o the_o circle_n of_o the_o earth_n 23._o isa_n 40.22_o 23._o and_o the_o inhabitant_n thereof_o be_v as_o grasshopper_n that_o bring_v wicked_a prince_n to_o nothing_o and_o make_v the_o judge_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o vanity_n now_o who_o
of_o their_o calamity_n which_o real_o be_v not_o thus_o wicked_a ahab_n charge_v the_o prophet_n elijah_n with_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o sore_a famine_n in_o samaria_n 18.17_o luke_n 4.25_o 1_o king_n 18.17_o when_o the_o heaven_n be_v shut_v up_o three_o year_n and_o six_o month_n say_v be_v thou_o he_o that_o trouble_v israel_n thus_o the_o innocent_a apostle_n be_v accuse_v for_o be_v disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n 17.6_o act_n 17.6_o and_o turner_n of_o the_o world_n upside_o down_o paul_n be_v implead_v by_o tertullus_n for_o a_o pestilent_a fellow_n 24.5_o ch._n 24.5_o and_o a_o mover_n of_o sedition_n and_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v traduce_v by_o the_o heathen_a persecutor_n 30._o tertul._n apol._n c._n 37._o p._n 30._o as_o the_o pest_n and_o enemy_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o they_o and_o their_o doctrine_n procure_v all_o the_o evil_n that_o so_o frequent_o befall_v the_o roman_a empire_n hence_o arise_v that_o general_a outcry_n against_o the_o christian_n in_o those_o day_n 1._o cypr._n ep._n ad_fw-la demetr_v p._n 197._o arnob._n adv_o gen_fw-la l._n 1._o p._n 1._o when_o any_o misfortune_n happen_v christianos_n ad_fw-la leones_n away_o with_o the_o christian_n to_o the_o lion_n for_o it_o be_v the_o common_a objection_n upon_o every_o occasion_n that_o they_o be_v the_o author_n of_o all_o public_a calamity_n but_o as_o then_o they_o who_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o flesh_n persecute_v they_o who_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o spirit_n even_o so_o it_o have_v be_v of_o late_a among_o we_o and_o will_v it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v be_v so_o now_o have_v some_o man_n the_o power_n they_o former_o have_v do_v not_o they_o object_v the_o distress_n of_o the_o present_a age_n to_o the_o pious_a and_o sober_a people_n of_o the_o nation_n as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o procurer_n of_o their_o misfortune_n and_o the_o troubler_n of_o their_o israel_n how_o often_o do_v we_o hear_v it_o urge_v that_o dissenter_n be_v worse_o than_o papist_n that_o it_o will_v never_o be_v well_o in_o england_n so_o long_o as_o the_o act_n of_o indulgence_n stand_v and_o that_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v omnium_fw-la malorum_fw-la fons_n the_o fountain_n of_o all_o mischief_n but_o alas_o poor_a envious_a and_o mistake_v wretch_n who_o do_v they_o reproach_v and_o blaspheme_v and_o against_o who_o do_v they_o exalt_v their_o voice_n and_o lift_v up_o their_o eye_n on_o high_a 37.23_o isa_n 37.23_o even_o against_o the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n in_o compassion_n to_o their_o soul_n i_o can_v wish_v they_o know_v what_o spirit_n they_o be_v of_o and_o be_v convince_v how_o contrary_a a_o persecute_v temper_n be_v to_o the_o example_n and_o precept_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o to_o the_o whole_a genius_n scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n let_v they_o read_v the_o scripture_n and_o show_v i_o where_o persecution_n be_v teach_v in_o term_n or_o consequence_n and_o i_o will_v believe_v it_o then_o to_o be_v lawful_a to_o plunder_n and_o imprison_v my_o neighbour_n yea_o to_o execute_v the_o writ_n de_fw-fr haeretico_fw-la comburendo_fw-la but_o till_o it_o be_v prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o i_o may_v lawful_o persecute_v my_o neighbour_n pure_o for_o religion_n and_o because_o he_o judge_n of_o spiritual_a thing_n otherwise_o than_o i_o do_v i_o will_v always_o believe_v a_o persecute_v spirit_n to_o be_v antichristian_a and_o as_o opposite_a to_o the_o gospel_n as_o darkness_n be_v to_o light_n and_z papal_z cruelty_n to_o apostolical_a meekness_n to_o correct_v these_o man_n mistake_v be_v to_o show_v they_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o all_o their_o trouble_n by_o resolve_v they_o into_o their_o proper_a original_n their_o sin_n and_o apostasy_n from_o god_n thus_o elijah_n tell_v ahab_n i_o have_v not_o trouble_v israel_n 18.18_o 1_o king_n 18.18_o but_o thou_o and_o thy_o father_n house_n in_o that_o you_o have_v forsake_v the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o thou_o have_v follow_v baalim_fw-la and_o the_o ancient_a apologist_n tertullian_n cyprian_n arnobius_n and_o other_o take_v this_o as_o the_o most_o successful_a course_n to_o stop_v the_o slanderous_a mouth_n of_o their_o adversary_n the_o heathen_a charge_v the_o christian_n with_o their_o public_a misfortune_n the_o christian_n clear_v themselves_o from_o those_o aspersion_n and_o show_v their_o adversary_n how_o to_o resolve_v their_o evil_n into_o their_o true_a cause_n such_o as_o idolatry_n debauchery_n and_o ingratitude_n the_o crime_n not_o only_o of_o the_o ancient_a pagan_n but_o of_o too_o many_o modern_a professor_n of_o christianity_n but_o some_o will_v ask_v perhaps_o be_v it_o not_o a_o contradiction_n to_o say_v christian_a idolater_n i_o answer_v no_o because_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o such_o in_o the_o world_n the_o papist_n be_v gross_a idolater_n for_o to_o worship_n god_n by_o in_o or_o through_o any_o image_n or_o similitude_n of_o saint_n or_o angel_n as_o they_o do_v be_v gross_a idolatry_n a_o late_a popish_a author_n endeavour_v to_o excuse_v this_o practice_n 2._o practice_n a_o papist_n misrepr_fw-la and_o represent_v p._n 2._o all_o the_o veneration_n say_v he_o that_o the_o papist_n express_v before_o image_n whether_o by_o kneel_v pray_v lift_v up_o the_o eye_n burn_a candle_n incense_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o do_v for_o the_o image_n but_o be_v whole_o reserve_v to_o the_o thing_n represent_v which_o he_o intend_v to_o honour_v by_o these_o action_n but_o this_o will_v not_o do_v unless_o he_o can_v persuade_v we_o the_o religious_a use_n of_o image_n be_v enjoin_v in_o the_o second_o commandment_n and_o all_o his_o superstitious_a custom_n allow_v by_o it_o which_o will_v never_o be_v so_o long_o as_o we_o have_v our_o bibles_n and_o see_v all_o image-worship_n express_o forbid_v therein_o there_o be_v also_o another_o sort_n of_o idolater_n who_o be_v more_o refine_v than_o the_o bigoted_a romanist_n and_o yet_o be_v no_o less_o guilty_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n than_o they_o now_o the_o idolatry_n of_o these_o man_n consist_v in_o perform_v that_o unto_o the_o true_a god_n which_o have_v a_o similitue_n show_v and_o resemblance_n of_o his_o service_n but_o be_v not_o so_o indeed_o because_o he_o 12.32_o he_o deut._n 12.32_o require_v it_o not_o at_o our_o hand_n and_o therefore_o be_v but_o a_o 2.23_o a_o col._n 2.23_o will-worship_n or_o voluntary_a religion_n a_o thing_n devise_v and_o do_v 13.2_o do_v hos_fw-la 13.2_o according_a to_o our_o own_o understanding_n see_v ainsworth_n arrow_n against_o idolatry_n c._n 1._o p._n 3_o 4._o it_o be_v well_o if_o the_o church_n of_o england_n can_v clear_v herself_o of_o this_o kind_n of_o idolatry_n she_o know_v the_o dissenter_n charge_n have_v be_v often_o draw_v up_o against_o she_o and_o prove_v by_o a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n and_o if_o she_o can_v make_v no_o better_a defence_n than_o hitherto_o she_o have_v make_v it_o will_v be_v both_o her_o wisdom_n and_o honour_n to_o acknowledge_v her_o gild_n and_o return_v unto_o god_n by_o repentance_n and_o reformation_n the_o second_o commandment_n say_v the_o 24._o the_o arrow_n against_o idol_n c._n 1._o p._n 4_o 5._o joh._n 4.20_o 24._o excellent_a ainsworth_n etc._n ainsworth_n deu._n 12.32_o &_o 4.1_o 2_o 5_o 6_o etc._n etc._n bind_v to_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n which_o be_v only_o 22._o only_o psal_n 119.113_o isa_n 29.13_o col_fw-fr 2.23_o &_o 22._o as_o himself_o command_v and_o by_o the_o mean_n rite_n and_o service_n that_o he_o ordain_v and_o it_o forbid_v 1._o all_o invention_n of_o our_o own_o to_o worship_n god_n by_o voluntary_a religion_n opinion_n and_o doctrine_n of_o man_n 2._o all_o imitation_n of_o 17.2_o of_o leu._n 18.2_o 3._o deut._n 12.30.31_o rev._n 17.2_o heathen_n or_o antichristian_o in_o their_o god_n service_n to_o do_v the_o like_a unto_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n 3._o all_o imitation_n or_o counterfeit_n 8.14_o counterfeit_n 1_o king_n 12.28.32_o amos_n 4.4_o 5._o &_o 5.21.22_o 23._o hos_fw-la 8.14_o of_o god_n own_o ordinance_n and_o institution_n as_o to_o make_v temple_n like_o his_o temple_n feast_n like_o his_o feast_n altar_n like_o he_o minister_n like_o he_o which_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o israel_n 4._o all_o neglect_n of_o god_n service_n or_o of_o the_o mean_n and_o instrument_n by_o he_o ordain_v all_o irreligious_a profaneness_n or_o hypocrisy_n together_o with_o all_o communion_n with_o such_o kind_n of_o idolatry_n all_o cause_n occasion_n and_o provocation_n thereunto_o now_o when_o a_o nation_n be_v overrun_v with_o idolatry_n and_o other_o sort_n of_o wickedness_n to_o the_o great_a dishonour_n of_o god_n and_o scandal_n of_o good_a man_n it_o be_v the_o business_n of_o religious_a prince_n to_o endeavour_v to_o retrieve_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o satisfy_v pious_a mind_n by_o a_o general_a suppression_n of_o idolatry_n
what_o they_o be_v never_o able_a to_o do_v that_o they_o be_v 312._o be_v god_n be_v its_o alone_a head_n the_o government_n be_v a_o theocracy_n jerubbaal_n p._n 312._o head_n of_o the_o church_n because_o as_o the_o learned_a answerer_n of_o mr._n tomb's_n theodulia_n say_v betwixt_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a disproportion_n many_o thing_n be_v of_o old_a lawful_a which_o now_o to_o practice_n be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o denial_n of_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o flesh_n and_o a_o little_a after_o the_o same_o worthy_a author_n say_v that_o neither_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o jew_n or_o any_o other_o nation_n have_v the_o jure_v any_o such_o dominion_n or_o power_n over_o their_o subject_n as_o to_o make_v law_n introduce_v constitution_n of_o their_o own_o frame_n in_o matter_n relate_v to_o worship_n and_o compel_v they_o by_o force_n and_o violence_n to_o be_v subject_a thereunto_o as_o little_a success_n they_o have_v have_v who_o urge_v the_o power_n assume_v by_o the_o first_o christian_n emperor_n for_o if_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o headship_n of_o the_o church_n they_o invade_v christ_n prerogative_n and_o it_o be_v not_o what_o they_o do_v but_o what_o they_o have_v warrant_n from_o the_o word_n to_o do_v that_o be_v precedential_n to_o we_o those_o jewish_a king_n david_n hezekiah_n and_o josiah_n have_v divine_a warrant_n for_o what_o they_o do_v and_o solomon_n in_o depose_v abiathar_n from_o the_o priesthood_n act_v not_o as_o head_n of_o the_o church_n but_o as_o king_n of_o israel_n for_o as_o the_o author_n before_o mention_v true_o distinguish_v 314_o jerubbaal_n p._n 314_o solomon_n depose_v abiathar_n not_o as_o high_a pontifee_n or_o head_n of_o the_o church_n for_o male_a administration_n in_o church_n affair_n but_o as_o king_n of_o israel_n for_o treason_n against_o the_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o business_n of_o adonijah_n but_o though_o christ_n have_v constitute_v no_o head_n vicar_n or_o deputy_n over_o his_o church_n yet_o he_o have_v not_o leave_v they_o without_o a_o power_n to_o act_v by_o in_o church_n society_n for_o when_o people_n by_o the_o inward_a work_n of_o the_o spirit_n through_o the_o outward_a ministry_n of_o the_o word_n be_v effectual_o wrought_v upon_o and_o have_v voluntary_o join_v themselves_o into_o church_n fellowship_n for_o the_o mutual_a participation_n of_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n they_o have_v then_o a_o power_n to_o elect_a such_o person_n as_o they_o shall_v judge_v fit_v with_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o qualification_n for_o the_o ministry_n and_o exercise_n of_o the_o same_o power_n and_o therein_o they_o be_v to_o proceed_v by_o a_o close_a adherence_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o prevent_v all_o mistake_v touch_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o his_o church_n i_o do_v not_o assert_v any_o sovereign_n 163._o â—…wen's_n true_a â—ature_n of_o a_o goâ—…el_n ch._n c._n 8._o â—_o 163._o legislative_a or_o lordly_a power_n but_o such_o as_o be_v declarative_a or_o ministerial_a only_o with_o respect_n to_o christ_n authority_n and_o the_o church_n liberty_n and_o in_o its_o nature_n be_v pure_o spiritual_a for_o whether_o we_o consider_v the_o object_n the_o soul_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n or_o the_o end_n the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o direct_v of_o they_o to_o live_v unto_o god_n and_o to_o come_v to_o the_o fruition_n of_o he_o or_o the_o rule_n the_o word_n and_o command_n of_o christ_n himself_o alone_o or_o the_o act_n and_o exercise_n of_o it_o in_o bind_v and_o loose_v in_o remit_v and_o retain_v sin_n in_o open_v and_o shut_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n it_o be_v in_o every_o part_n mere_o and_o only_o spiritual_a from_o whence_o the_o conclusion_n be_v plain_a that_o all_o such_o act_n and_o exercise_n of_o rule_n or_o government_n from_o any_o interest_n in_o church_n affair_n which_o be_v carnal_a political_n despotical_a of_o external_n operation_n or_o not_o entire_o spiritual_a be_v utter_o to_o be_v exclude_v as_o whole_o heterogeneous_a to_o christ_n headship_n and_o government_n 2._o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o national_a or_o political_n body_n government_n see_v assembly_n in_o their_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la rutherford_n in_o his_o divine_a right_n of_o ch._n government_n as_o state_n and_o commonwealth_n but_o they_o be_v congregational_a and_o spiritual_a society_n and_o have_v law_n and_o office_n distinct_a from_o those_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n 1._o they_o have_v law_n formal_o different_a from_o those_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n viz._n the_o precept_n of_o christ_n himself_o alone_o as_o 1._o about_o church_n officer_n they_o must_v have_v a_o divine_a call_n and_o mission_n mark_v 16.15_o and_o john_n 20.21_o 2._o about_o church_n duty_n as_o prayer_n preach_v etc._n etc._n which_o must_v all_o be_v perform_v according_a to_o the_o word_n 3._o about_o church_n gather_v and_o discipline_n member_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v and_o offender_n deal_v with_o as_o the_o rule_n the_o command_n of_o christ_n direct_v 2._o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v officer_n distinct_a from_o those_o of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n they_o be_v of_o his_o send_n and_o appointment_n eph._n 4.8.11_o and_o 1_o cor._n 12.28_o they_o be_v elect_v and_o ordain_v by_o the_o church_n act_v 6.3_o 4_o and_z 14_o 23._o 1_o tim._n 4.14_o and_o act_v 13.1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o they_o act_n in_o christ_n name_n and_o by_o his_o authority_n 1_o cor._n 4.1_o 2_o cor._n 5.20_o gal._n 1.1_o and_o mat._n 28.19_o 20._o it_o be_v the_o say_n of_o optatus_n milevitanus_fw-la a_o african_a bishop_n 3._o bishop_n non_fw-la enim_fw-la republica_n est_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la sed_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la republicâ_fw-la lib._n 3._o that_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n but_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a truth_n for_o be_v it_o otherwise_o the_o two_o society_n will_v be_v confound_v which_o be_v essential_o distinct_a from_o each_o other_o if_o the_o commonwealth_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o church_n than_o there_o can_v be_v no_o church_n but_o there_o must_v also_o be_v a_o commonwealth_n and_o wheresoever_o there_o be_v a_o commonwealth_n there_o will_v be_v a_o church_n but_o this_o be_v so_o absurd_a i_o will_v not_o spend_v time_n in_o the_o confutation_n of_o it_o we_o learn_v from_o the_o word_n that_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v gather_v out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o unite_v into_o body_n by_o other_o bond_n and_o confederation_n than_o civil_a society_n be_v the_o member_n of_o the_o one_o may_v be_v member_n of_o the_o other_o society_n but_o the_o law_n officer_n and_o manner_n of_o administration_n be_v perfect_o distinct_a 3._o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v no_o legislative_a or_o coercive_a power_n in_o thing_n of_o mere_a religion_n it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o protect_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o free_a exercise_n of_o religious_a worship_n to_o punish_v vice_n and_o profaneness_n and_o to_o minister_v justice_n to_o evil_a doer_n but_o he_o have_v no_o power_n to_o institute_v alter_v change_n or_o abolish_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n or_o to_o punish_v the_o man_n for_o his_o conscience_n 4._o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v to_o rule_v his_o subject_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v a_o nurse_n father_n to_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n he_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o person_n as_o david_n be_v a_o man_n after_o god_n own_o heart_n a_o man_n exemplary_a for_o holiness_n righteousness_n and_o all_o other_o virtue_n and_o to_o promote_v as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lie_v by_o precept_n recommendation_n and_o example_n true_a piety_n and_o religion_n in_o their_o dominion_n obs_n 3_o three_o religious_a prince_n can_v be_v capable_a of_o a_o great_a honour_n in_o this_o world_n than_o to_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o a_o godly_a reformation_n among_o their_o subject_n some_o prince_n have_v be_v bloody_a murderer_n of_o their_o country_n and_o cruel_a persecutor_n of_o their_o people_n and_o have_v make_v law_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o their_o barbarity_n 4._o vide_fw-la aug._n tom_n 4._o thus_o valerian_n enact_v against_o the_o poor_a christian_n that_o unless_o they_o sacrifice_v to_o the_o heathen_a god_n they_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o divers_a kind_n of_o punishment_n and_o dioclesian_n edict_n against_o they_o be_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v sell_v mart._n beda_n in_o hymno_fw-la jul._n mart._n or_o secret_o give_v they_o any_o thing_n except_o they_o will_v first_o burn_v incense_n to_o the_o go_n these_o and_o all_o like_o they_o shall_v stink_v for_o ever_o in_o the_o infamy_n of_o their_o name_n while_o the_o memory_n of_o good_a prince_n shall_v be_v always_o precious_a the_o