conduce_v to_o that_o end_n or_o else_o we_o be_v wilful_o divide_v and_o no_o way_n will_v serve_v the_o turn_n but_o our_o own_o the_o first_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o our_o difference_n in_o judgement_n the_o second_o of_o our_o disaffection_n and_o without_o a_o unity_n of_o the_o whole_a or_o at_o least_o of_o the_o major_a part_n the_o business_n will_v hardly_o be_v effect_v for_o we_o be_v not_o in_o any_o immediate_a capacity_n of_o a_o general_a unity_n till_o time_n have_v waste_v and_o consume_v some_o of_o our_o division_n and_o also_o the_o bitter_a enmity_n and_o rancour_n which_o continue_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o many_o to_o this_o day_n therefore_o our_o settlement_n must_v begin_v in_o general_n and_o necessary_n and_o proceed_v by_o degree_n 2._o the_o foundation_n to_o be_v lay_v be_v first_o to_o find_v out_o the_o ancient_a constitution_n before_o it_o be_v corrupt_v too_o much_o and_o understand_v the_o great_a wisdom_n of_o our_o ancestor_n gain_v by_o long_a experience_n in_o the_o constitution_n of_o this_o our_o state._n this_o may_v be_v do_v by_o some_o experience_a statesman_n and_o antiquary_n in_o law_n and_o that_o as_o well_o if_o not_o better_o out_o of_o parliament_n than_o in_o parliament_n for_o a_o parliament_n itself_o must_v have_v some_o foundation_n and_o certain_a rule_n of_o their_o very_a be_v before_o they_o can_v act_v steady_o and_o regular_o and_o not_o spend_v their_o time_n of_o every_o several_a parliament_n in_o mould_v their_o government_n a_o new_a it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o presumptuous_a imagination_n to_o think_v that_o we_o have_v attain_v to_o a_o great_a measure_n of_o wisdom_n than_o our_o ancestor_n attain_v unto_o and_o let_v we_o not_o undo_v what_o be_v already_o do_v if_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o best_a model_n 3._o let_v no_o man_n think_v that_o the_o public_a interest_n either_o ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a of_o england_n be_v the_o interest_n of_o any_o one_o person_n or_o family_n or_o any_o few_o person_n or_o family_n much_o less_o of_o any_o sect_n party_n faction_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o whilst_o the_o succession_n of_o our_o king_n be_v limit_v to_o a_o family_n the_o succession_n be_v more_o certain_a for_o so_o the_o next_o successor_n be_v more_o easy_o know_v and_o competition_n which_o in_o this_o case_n be_v so_o dangerous_a be_v more_o easy_o avoid_v yet_o even_o this_o can_v not_o prevent_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o house_n of_o york_n and_o lancaster_n and_o when_o the_o issue_n of_o henry_n 8_o fail_v we_o have_v be_v in_o great_a danger_n if_o the_o king_n of_o scot_n have_v not_o be_v a_o protestant_n and_o one_o who_o be_v conceive_v will_v prove_v firm_a to_o the_o english_a protestant_a interest_n but_o when_o this_o limit_a succession_n shall_v prove_v as_o it_o may_v do_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o public_a interest_n it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o be_v regard_v for_o why_o shall_v the_o honour_n or_o privilege_n of_o one_o family_n prejudice_n the_o universal_a safety_n of_o a_o nation_n we_o know_v that_o vast_a empire_n and_o kingdom_n have_v by_o a_o unlimited_a election_n continue_v long_o and_o that_o which_o may_v help_v much_o in_o this_o case_n be_v that_o policy_n of_o the_o german_a empire_n in_o the_o interregnum_fw-la to_o have_v a_o administrator_n general_n 4._o in_o model_v the_o government_n we_o must_v have_v a_o special_a eye_n unto_o the_o constitution_n that_o it_o be_v such_o as_o that_o it_o may_v not_o only_o be_v consistent_a with_o but_o effectual_o conduce_v to_o the_o promote_a of_o peace_n and_o righteousness_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o state_n and_o also_o to_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o church_n and_o i_o conceive_v our_o ancient_a government_n for_o these_o end_n be_v excellent_a and_o do_v also_o preserve_v and_o regulate_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o people_n and_o also_o wise_o limit_v the_o supreme_a magistrate_n 5._o the_o parliament_n be_v a_o general_a representative_a of_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o now_o of_o three_o and_o trust_v with_o our_o liberty_n estate_n life_n member_n and_o in_o some_o measure_n with_o the_o religion_n we_o profess_v shall_v consist_v and_o be_v make_v up_o of_o eminent_a and_o wise_a man_n therefore_o the_o election_n of_o they_o for_o the_o manner_n shall_v be_v more_o regular_a and_o orderly_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o elector_n and_o better_o limit_v and_o more_o strict_o tie_v to_o a_o right_a qualification_n of_o the_o person_n elect_v which_o shall_v neither_o be_v unworthy_a nor_o unfit_a it_o may_v indeed_o fall_v so_o out_o that_o in_o these_o irregular_a and_o sometime_o tumultuous_a election_n some_o wise_a and_o eminent_a person_n may_v be_v choose_v and_o the_o same_o may_v prove_v predominant_a and_o lead_a member_n in_o that_o great_a assembly_n but_o this_o be_v but_o a_o chance_n and_o no_o certainty_n nor_o use_n of_o right_a reason_n in_o it_o 6_o when_o a_o parliament_n be_v once_o assemble_v and_o begin_v to_o act_v first_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n that_o concern_v the_o preservation_n and_o continuance_n either_o of_o the_o be_v of_o the_o state_n or_o of_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n that_o must_v be_v first_o dispatch_v and_o the_o next_o the_o punishment_n of_o cry_v sin_n which_o be_v the_o ruin_n of_o state_n 7_o as_o for_o religion_n so_o far_o as_o it_o concern_v the_o state_n it_o be_v fit_a that_o there_o be_v some_o general_a rule_n both_o of_o our_o profession_n and_o worship_n but_o the_o rule_n of_o profession_n must_v be_v brief_a and_o ground_v upon_o plain_a scripture_n and_o so_o near_o to_o ancient_a confession_n as_o that_o no_o rational_a christian_n who_o acknowledge_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v or_o will_v scruple_n the_o rule_n of_o worship_n also_o must_v be_v plain_a and_o clear._n let_v nothing_o be_v impose_v upon_o all_o which_o any_o rational_a christian_a as_o such_o may_v not_o receive_v without_o scruple_n as_o for_o discipline_n as_o i_o have_v begin_v so_o i_o will_v go_v on_o in_o the_o next_o chapter_n but_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v and_o will_v be_v consider_v by_o far_o wise_a man_n therefore_o i_o will_v not_o enlarge_v section_n 23_o i_o may_v have_v say_v something_o more_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o dispose_v sovereign_a power_n and_o with_o besoldus_n have_v observe_v that_o as_o there_o may_v be_v two_o person_n who_o make_v but_o one_o monarch_n so_o there_o may_v be_v one_o king_n of_o two_o or_o more_o distinct_a and_o several_a kingdom_n this_o latter_a disposal_n be_v debate_v much_o in_o calvin_n case_n by_o the_o sage_a judge_n of_o the_o land_n in_o which_o debate_n some_o of_o they_o especial_o chancellor_n egerton_n do_v little_o less_o than_o make_v the_o king_n a_o absolute_a monarch_n and_o the_o two_o kingdom_n in_o effect_n one_o but_o the_o parliament_n be_v of_o another_o mind_n and_o the_o matter_n be_v far_o above_o their_o court_n and_o cognizance_n the_o union_n can_v not_o be_v determine_v but_o by_o the_o parliament_n of_o both_o kingdom_n neither_o can_v this_o be_v do_v by_o they_o if_o the_o union_n make_v any_o alteration_n in_o the_o constitution_n of_o either_o kingdom_n in_o respect_n of_o my_o intention_n this_o chapter_n be_v very_o large_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o matter_n very_o brief_a and_o my_o desire_n be_v that_o other_o will_v more_o serious_o and_o impartial_o inquire_v into_o this_o subject_n so_o far_o as_o it_o concern_v our_o own_o constitution_n which_o no_o doubt_n may_v be_v find_v out_o and_o if_o it_o prove_v defective_a may_v be_v perfect_v if_o man_n be_v peaceable_a and_o seek_v the_o public_a good_a chap._n ix_o of_o the_o disposition_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o first_o whether_o it_o be_v due_a unto_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n section_n 1_o the_o most_o difficult_a point_n in_o politic_n be_v that_o of_o the_o jura_n majestatis_fw-la and_o the_o right_a disposal_n of_o they_o in_o a_o fit_a subject_n and_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o civil_a power_n the_o manner_n of_o acquire_v and_o dispose_n of_o it_o i_o have_v already_o speak_v and_o also_o of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o the_o acquisition_n thereof_o now_o it_o remain_v i_o say_v something_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o dispose_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o the_o right_a subject_n this_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a dispute_n in_o these_o our_o time_n therefore_o when_o i_o expect_v to_o find_v all_o clear_a because_o a_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la ground_v on_o the_o scripture_n be_v pretend_v on_o all_o hand_n i_o find_v it_o otherwise_o as_o when_o one_o of_o our_o worthy_n have_v disemboke_v the_o megellanick_n strait_n and_o be_v enter_v into_o that_o sea_n they_o call_v pacificum_fw-la he_o find_v the_o word_n pacifick_n
distinct_a and_o determinate_a form_n of_o consecration_n and_o ordination_n and_o except_v this_o form_n be_v determine_v by_o a_o special_a precept_n of_o scripture_n it_o can_v be_v of_o divine_a obligation_n but_o any_o such_o special_a precept_n which_o shall_v prescribe_v the_o distinct_a form_n of_o consecration_n and_o ordination_n we_o find_v not_o at_o all_o we_o have_v some_o example_n of_o constitute_a church-officer_n by_o election_n with_o the_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o prayer_n yet_o this_o be_v common_a to_o all_o even_o to_o deacon_n so_o that_o the_o very_a form_n of_o make_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n as_o we_o find_v they_o both_o in_o the_o english_a book_n of_o ordination_n and_o the_o pontifical_a of_o rome_n be_v mere_o arbitrary_a as_o have_v no_o particular_a ground_n but_o at_o the_o best_a only_a a_o general_a rule_n in_o scripture_n which_o leave_v a_o liberty_n for_o several_a distinct_a form_n if_o any_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o out_o of_o a_o high_a conceit_n of_o episcopacy_n will_v refuse_v communion_n with_o such_o church_n which_o have_v no_o bishop_n and_o yet_o be_v orthodox_n or_o will_v account_v those_o no_o minister_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o presbyter_n without_o a_o bishop_n let_v such_o take_v heed_n lest_o they_o prove_v guilty_a of_o schism_n the_o substance_n of_o all_o this_o be_v that_o bishop_n be_v not_o the_o primary_n subject_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n chap._n xii_o whether_o presbytery_n or_o presbyter_n be_v the_o primary_n subject_a of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n section_n 1_o in_o divers_a part_n of_o europe_n where_o episcopacy_n have_v be_v abolish_v presbytery_n do_v succeed_v and_o that_o as_o it_o be_v assert_v by_o many_o upon_o such_o ground_n as_o will_v prove_v it_o as_o pure_a a_o aristocracy_n as_o that_o of_o episcopacy_n be_v the_o party_n indeed_o have_v be_v change_v and_o instead_o of_o bishop_n we_o have_v presbyter_n and_o though_o the_o former_a imparity_n be_v take_v away_o yet_o the_o form_n of_o government_n which_o be_v aristocratical_a remain_v i_o have_v former_o hear_v many_o complain_n that_o the_o bishop_n have_v cast_v off_o the_o presbyter_n and_o now_o some_o do_v not_o like_v it_o well_o that_o the_o presbyter_n have_v cast_v off_o the_o bishop_n yet_o both_o do_v seem_v to_o agree_v to_o exclude_v the_o people_n as_o distinct_a from_o the_o clergy_n engross_a the_o whole_a power_n to_o themselves_o these_o pure_a aristocratical_a form_n have_v for_o the_o most_o part_n prove_v dangerous_a especial_o in_o the_o church_n because_o they_o do_v much_o incline_v unto_o oligarchy_n and_o usual_o degenerate_a into_o the_o same_o section_n 2_o but_o to_o observe_v some_o order_n i_o will_v 1._o examine_v what_o these_o presbyter_n be_v 2._o whether_o these_o be_v know_v can_v according_a to_o christ_n institution_n be_v the_o primary_n subject_a of_o this_o power_n 3._o add_v something_o concern_v our_o english_a presbytery_n 1._o these_o presbyter_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n 1._o some_o be_v preach_v 2._o some_o be_v not_o preach_v but_o only_o rule_v presbyter_n or_o elder_n the_o former_a be_v trust_v with_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n the_o latter_a be_v not_o both_o have_v the_o same_o name_n and_o be_v elder_n yet_o differ_v much_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o ecclesiastical_a be_v of_o the_o preach_a elder_n i_o shall_v speak_v more_o at_o large_a in_o the_o second_o book_n in_o the_o chapter_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n this_o word_n elder_a we_o do_v not_o find_v use_v either_o in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n in_o a_o ecclesiastical_a sense_n before_o we_o read_v it_o in_o the_o act_n and_o after_o that_o we_o find_v it_o use_v about_o fifteen_o time_n in_o that_o kind_n of_o notion_n the_o first_o place_n be_v act_n 11.30_o the_o last_o 1_o pet._n 5.1_o except_o we_o add_v that_o of_o 2_o john_n 1._o in_o many_o of_o these_o place_n the_o word_n do_v signify_v a_o preach_v elder_a and_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o most_o clear_o and_o evident_o and_o if_o in_o any_o place_n it_o do_v signify_v some_o other_o elder_a it_o will_v be_v most_o difficult_a if_o not_o impossible_a to_o define_v what_o he_o shall_v be_v yet_o this_o elder_n which_o be_v presuppose_v to_o be_v distinct_a from_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n which_o together_o with_o the_o preach_a presbyter_n have_v power_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o eccesiastical_a cause_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o elder_a and_o that_o of_o divine_a institution_n three_o place_n be_v principal_o insist_v upon_o and_o these_o i_o find_v discuss_v and_o expound_v 1._o in_o the_o london_n divine_v 2._o before_o they_o in_o gillaspec_n 3._o before_o he_o in_o gersome_a bucerus_n and_o they_o all_o go_v one_o way_n the_o first_o of_o these_o we_o read_v rom._n 12.8_o he_o that_o rule_v with_o diligence_n that_o be_v let_v he_o that_o rule_v rule_n with_o diligence_n where_o he_o that_o rule_v must_v be_v a_o roll_a elder_a distinct_a from_o the_o preach_n but_o 1._o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o proper_o signify_v a_o governor_n or_o ruler_n invest_v with_o power_n of_o command_n and_o jurisdiction_n but_o a_o prime_a person_n set_v above_o before_o over_o other_o for_o inspection_n guidance_n and_o due_a order_n of_o person_n thing_n or_o action_n 2._o suppose_v in_o this_o place_n it_o shall_v signify_v one_o invest_v with_o jurisdiction_n how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o ruler_n ecclesiastical_a as_o be_v distinct_a from_o a_o preach_v elder_a there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o place_n to_o evince_v it_o 3._o see_v a_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o ruler_n in_o discipline_n as_o be_v by_o themselves_o confess_v how_o may_v it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o person_n here_o mean_v be_v not_o the_o preach_v elder_a though_o not_o as_o a_o preach_a elder_n but_o a_o pastor_n over_o a_o flock_n for_o it_o must_v signify_v he_o alone_o or_o he_o joint_o with_o that_o other_o kind_n of_o elder_n for_o if_o both_o be_v ruler_n both_o must_v rule_v well_o 4._o it_o can_v be_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o place_n speak_v of_o discipline_n at_o all_o for_o the_o place_n speak_v of_o gift_n whereof_o one_o person_n may_v have_v many_o and_o his_o duty_n be_v to_o exercise_v they_o all_o for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n section_n 3_o the_o second_o place_n be_v 1_o cor._n 12.28_o where_o the_o word_n translate_v government_n must_v signify_v this_o rule_v officer_n distinct_a from_o the_o preach_v elder_a but_o first_o we_o find_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d take_v for_o to_o signify_v a_o pilot_n act_v 27.11_o and_o the_o same_o word_n in_o the_o septuagint_n use_v in_o the_o same_o signification_n ezek._n 27.28_o 29._o and_o jonah_n 1.6_o when_o the_o hebrew_n word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chobel_n in_o they_o also_o i_o find_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d tachbuloth_n six_o several_a time_n to_o signify_v counsel_n or_o wisdom_n and_o translate_v in_o four_o of_o these_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 12.5_o as_o prov._n 1.5_o c._n 11.14_o c._n 20.21_o c._n 24.6_o and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o wisdom_n and_o counsel_n be_v necessary_o require_v in_o a_o good_a governor_n invest_v with_o power_n yet_o always_o they_o be_v essential_a to_o a_o good_a counsellor_n and_o without_o they_o he_o can_v give_v good_a direction_n but_o 2._o if_o we_o parallel_v the_o 28.29_o 30._o verse_n with_o the_o 8.9_o 10._o verse_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o government_n signify_v such_o as_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o wisdom_n 2._o let_v government_n be_v governor_n and_o the_o same_o ecclesiastical_a will_v it_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v rule_v elder_n distinct_a from_o preach_v and_o rule_v elder_n be_v there_o none_o other_o kind_n of_o governor_n but_o these_o 3._o this_o place_n do_v not_o speak_v of_o external_a government_n and_o discipline_n but_o of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n give_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n and_o i_o never_o know_v rational_a and_o impartial_a scholar_n ground_n so_o great_a a_o office_n upon_o so_o weak_a a_o foundation_n and_o argue_v from_o such_o a_o obscure_a place_n in_o respect_n of_o this_o eldership_n it_o be_v far_o from_o prove_v any_o divine_a institution_n of_o such_o a_o office_n as_o it_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o imply_v it_o section_n 4_o the_o three_o place_n be_v 1_o tim._n 5.17_o let_v the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n especial_o those_o who_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n from_o hence_o they_o infer_v that_o there_o be_v roll_a elder_n which_o labour_n in_o the_o
be_v so_o much_o reason_n and_o wisdom_n in_o their_o determination_n as_o that_o they_o will_v bind_v more_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o matter_n than_o the_o authority_n and_o vote_n of_o their_o person_n we_o may_v add_v that_o in_o these_o independent_a congregation_n there_o be_v neither_o any_o conveniency_n or_o necessity_n that_o all_o the_o member_n shall_v meet_v either_o for_o juridical_a or_o legislative_a act_n though_o it_o be_v expedient_a that_o all_o shall_v know_v what_o be_v do_v they_o call_v woman_n and_o child_n together_o for_o worship_n but_o not_o for_o matter_n of_o judgement_n and_o discipline_n it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o such_o as_o be_v rational_a and_o judicious_a have_v suffrage_n in_o the_o same_o matter_n marsilius_n in_o his_o defensor_fw-la pacis_fw-la determine_v the_o power_n of_o legislation_n to_o be_v in_o populo_fw-la aut_fw-la civium_fw-la universitate_fw-la yet_o he_o grant_v that_o the_o law_n may_v be_v make_v per_fw-la valentiorem_fw-la partem_fw-la or_o their_o trustee_n and_o that_o what_o be_v so_o do_v by_o they_o be_v do_v by_o all_o but_o in_o this_o particular_a he_o exclude_v woman_n child_n servant_n stranger_n though_o inhabitant_n if_o not_o incorporate_v likewise_o mr._n parker_n who_o give_v the_o whole_a and_o independent_a power_n of_o the_o key_n into_o a_o congregation_n under_o a_o democratical_a form_n yet_o will_v have_v the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n in_o the_o officer_n in_o a_o aristocratical_a mode_n see_v therefore_o that_o neither_o multitude_n of_o person_n nor_o distance_n of_o place_n nor_o impossibility_n of_o a_o virtual_a and_o sufficient_a convention_n of_o all_o the_o member_n be_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o national_a and_o congregational_a church_n and_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o impediment_n of_o good_a government_n be_v no_o impediment_n i_o know_v no_o reason_n but_o that_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o nation_n may_v be_v as_o well_o govern_v by_o a_o subjection_n to_o one_o supreme_a judicatory_a as_o a_o congregation_n independent_a section_n 13_o but_o let_v we_o oppose_v this_o national_a community_n under_o one_o supreme_a tribunal_n to_o a_o thousand_o or_o more_o independent_a congregation_n as_o hitherto_o we_o have_v compare_v it_o with_o one_o single_a congregation_n and_o than_o that_o which_o be_v affirm_v will_v be_v more_o apparent_a for_o 1._o a_o national_a community_n christian_n may_v have_v the_o same_o member_n the_o same_o gift_a man_n the_o same_o officer_n and_o the_o like_a assembly_n for_o worship_n as_o subject_v unto_o one_o tribunal_n which_o the_o same_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o same_o nature_n divide_v into_o a_o thousand_o or_o more_o independent_a polity_n may_v have_v and_o the_o same_o gift_a man_n and_o officer_n may_v act_v more_o effectual_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a when_o they_o be_v thus_o unite_v then_o when_o scatter_a and_o divide_v like_o the_o vital_a spirit_n in_o so_o many_o several_a body_n for_o vis_fw-la unita_fw-la fortior_fw-la and_o the_o be_v more_o firm_o orderly_o and_o regular_o unite_v may_v more_o easy_o animate_v and_o effectual_o move_v and_o direct_v one_o body_n though_o great_a then_o so_o many_o body_n independent_a one_o upon_o another_o and_o sever_v though_o little_a 2._o again_o in_o this_o national_a body_n every_o congregation_n classis_fw-la province_n may_v act_v order_n hear_v and_o determine_v matter_n belong_v to_o their_o cognisance_n and_o within_o their_o precinct_n without_o trouble_v any_o general_a representative_a except_o in_o the_o high_a most_o difficult_a business_n of_o general_a concernment_n which_o with_o all_o extraordinary_a matter_n be_v reserve_v for_o that_o high_a assembly_n and_o all_o this_o be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o government_n allow_v by_o god_n and_o practise_v by_o the_o best_a polity_n in_o the_o world._n 3._o the_o congregationals_n grant_v that_o any_o of_o their_o single_a congregation_n independent_a in_o a_o difficult_a point_n or_o business_n may_v take_v the_o advice_n of_o twenty_o thirty_o forty_o other_o congregation_n or_o more_o yet_o if_o the_o major_a part_n of_o they_o or_o all_o shall_v agree_v and_o give_v their_o judgement_n that_o one_o congregation_n shall_v not_o be_v bind_v by_o their_o advice_n but_o shall_v have_v power_n to_o judge_v against_o it_o or_o subscribe_v unto_o it_o see_v in_o this_o case_n no_o scripture_n bind_v this_o or_o other_o congregation_n to_o be_v independent_a or_o perhaps_o allow_v any_o such_o thing_n except_o in_o some_o extraordinary_a case_n it_o be_v worth_a the_o serious_a consideration_n of_o wise_a man_n whether_o it_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o good_a government_n and_o the_o general_a precept_n of_o church-discipline_n that_o one_o of_o these_o congregation_n alone_o shall_v have_v the_o power_n to_o determine_v and_o that_o final_o this_o difficult_a cause_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n only_o to_o advise_v then_o that_o joint_o with_o this_o one_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o most_o of_o they_o as_o good_a and_o some_o perhaps_o better_a shall_v have_v power_n not_o only_o to_o advise_v but_o determine_v and_o whether_o this_o determination_n of_o all_o joint_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o prove_v better_a and_o more_o effectual_a and_o more_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o discipline_n than_o that_o determination_n of_o one_o but_o against_o this_o two_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v 1._o that_o all_o those_o other_o congregation_n may_v err_v but_o this_o be_v but_o to_o suppose_v and_o to_o suppose_v a_o thing_n both_o unlikely_a and_o extraordinary_a that_o forty_o well_o constitute_v church_n may_v err_v and_o that_o one_o be_v free_a from_o error_n 2._o by_o this_o it_o seem_v to_o follow_v that_o in_o some_o difficult_a case_n one_o national_a church_n may_v not_o only_o take_v the_o advice_n of_o many_o other_o but_o subject_n themselves_o unto_o they_o but_o 1._o we_o be_v bind_v only_o to_o submit_v unto_o the_o word_n of_o god_n make_v clear_a unto_o we_o though_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o many_o seek_v god_n and_o make_v right_a use_n of_o the_o mean_n be_v more_o likely_a to_o find_v out_o truth_n and_o understand_v the_o word_n of_o god_n better_a than_o one_o 2._o i_o stay_v at_o a_o national_a church_n and_o do_v not_o expatiate_v further_o because_o experience_n have_v teach_v we_o how_o prejudicial_a it_o have_v be_v even_o to_o this_o state_n to_o suffer_v appeal_n to_o be_v make_v either_o unto_o foreign_a church_n or_o state_n neither_o be_v it_o fit_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o civil_a sovereign_n christian_a that_o the_o church_n within_o this_o state_n shall_v any_o way_n depend_v upon_o any_o other_o church_n whatsoever_o section_n 14_o i_o have_v say_v before_o that_o a_o national_a multitude_n of_o christian_n associate_v into_o one_o body_n and_o subject_v to_o one_o supreme_a power_n of_o the_o key_n may_v be_v as_o easy_o and_o as_o well_o govern_v and_o edify_v as_o if_o they_o be_v divide_v into_o many_o several_a community_n and_o independent_a congregation_n now_o i_o add_v that_o in_o divers_a case_n they_o may_v be_v more_o easy_o and_o better_a govern_v and_o edify_v this_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a 1._o from_o the_o many_o convenience_n which_o will_v follow_v from_o the_o multiplication_n of_o independency_n in_o a_o national_a church_n and_o christian_a state_n all_o which_o by_o a_o internal_a connexion_n and_o subordination_n may_v be_v avoid_v history_n read_v with_o attention_n and_o understanding_n will_v manifest_v this_o and_o the_o experience_n of_o these_o time_n in_o our_o church_n and_o nation_n 2._o from_o the_o disproportion_n and_o also_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o church_n and_o state_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o extent_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o independent_a polity_n ecclesiastical_a within_o the_o bowel_n of_o one_o entire_a civil_a commonwealth_n christian._n i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n shall_v be_v the_o same_o so_o that_o if_o the_o state_n be_v monarchical_a the_o church_n shall_v be_v such_o too_o or_o if_o aristocratical_a it_o shall_v be_v aristocratical_a for_o though_o god_n have_v determine_v the_o model_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o he_o have_v not_o so_o particular_o define_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o state._n neither_o do_v i_o affirm_v that_o the_o church_n by_o any_o divine_a precept_n be_v bind_v to_o be_v coadequate_a to_o the_o state_n only_o this_o i_o say_v it_o will_v be_v convenient_a advantageous_a to_o the_o church_n and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o decency_n and_o order_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v coadequate_a to_o the_o state._n 2._o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o independent_a church_n in_o in_o one_o national_a state_n except_o there_o be_v some_o special_a impediment_n but_o not_o to_o insist_v so_o much_o upon_o these_o a_o three_o and_o great_a reason_n to_o prove_v this_o be_v take_v from_o the_o insufficiency_n