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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
spirit_n ghost_n holy_a paul_n 7,516 5 6.4255 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A27392 An answer to the dissenters pleas for separation, or, An abridgment of the London cases wherein the substance of those books is digested into one short and plain discourse. Bennet, Thomas, 1673-1728. 1700 (1700) Wing B1888; ESTC R16887 202,270 335

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by_o their_o curiosity_n about_o some_o external_a observance_n they_o therefore_o who_o be_v so_o scrupulous_a about_o little_a indifferent_a matter_n aught_o to_o approve_v their_o honesty_n and_o sincerity_n by_o the_o most_o accurate_a diligence_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o other_o duty_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v plain_o and_o undoubted_o such_o they_o who_o pretend_v to_o such_o a_o tender_a conscience_n above_o other_o man_n must_v know_v that_o the_o world_n will_v watch_v they_o as_o to_o the_o fairness_n and_o justice_n of_o their_o deal_n the_o calmness_n of_o their_o temper_n their_o behaviour_n in_o their_o several_a relation_n their_o modesty_n humility_n charity_n peaceableness_n and_o the_o like_a if_o in_o all_o these_o thing_n they_o keep_v the_o same_o tenor_n use_v the_o same_o caution_n and_o circumspection_n and_o be_v uniform_o conscientious_a than_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v only_a weakness_n or_o ignorance_n that_o raise_v their_o 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because_o he_o dislike_v the_o garment_n of_o the_o minister_n do_v god_n regard_v any_o particular_a gesture_n or_o habit_n which_o be_v neither_o dishonourable_a to_o he_o nor_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o religious_a performance_n so_o far_o as_o that_o the_o acceptance_n of_o our_o worship_n shall_v depend_v upon_o such_o circumstance_n to_o surmise_v any_o such_o thing_n be_v sure_o to_o dishonour_v god_n as_o if_o he_o be_v a_o low_a poor_a humoursom_a be_v like_o a_o father_n that_o shall_v disinherit_v his_o dutiful_a child_n only_o because_o he_o do_v not_o like_o his_o complexion_n or_o the_o colour_n of_o his_o hair_n the_o wise_a and_o great_a any_o person_n be_v to_o who_o we_o address_v ourselves_o the_o less_o he_o will_v stand_v upon_o little_a punctilio_n mean_a thought_n of_o god_n be_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o all_o superstition_n when_o we_o think_v to_o court_v and_o please_v he_o by_o make_v great_a conscience_n about_o little_a thing_n and_o 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superstition_n 2._o we_o shall_v lay_v out_o our_o great_a care_n and_o zeal_n about_o the_o necessary_a and_o essential_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o this_o will_v make_v we_o less_o concern_v about_o thing_n of_o a_o idifferent_a and_o inferior_a nature_n st._n paul_n say_v rom._n 14.17_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v not_o meat_n nor_o drink_n but_o righteousness_n peace_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n what_o need_v all_o this_o stir_n and_o bustle_v this_o censure_v dispute_v and_o divide_v about_o stand_v or_o kneel_v these_o be_v not_o the_o great_a matter_n of_o our_o faith_n they_o be_v not_o worth_a so_o much_o noise_n and_o contention_n the_o great_a stress_n and_o weight_n in_o our_o religion_n be_v lay_v upon_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o righteous_a and_o holy_a life_n and_o a_o peaceable_a spirit_n and_o conversation_n for_o say_v st._n paul_n ver_fw-la 18._o he_o that_o in_o these_o thing_n serve_v christ_n be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o approve_v of_o
good_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o evil._n we_o have_v not_o one_o doctrine_n or_o ceremony_n that_o be_v pure_o popish_a but_o we_o must_v part_v with_o the_o best_a thing_n in_o our_o religion_n if_o all_o those_o thing_n be_v sinful_a which_o the_o papist_n abuse_n and_o as_o for_o the_o papist_n themselves_z we_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o countenance_n they_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o they_o be_v wrong_v by_o agree_v with_o they_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o they_o be_v right_a chap._n ix_o the_o objection_n of_o mixt-communion_n answer_v some_o think_v that_o the_o church_n be_v to_o consist_v of_o none_o but_o real_a saint_n and_o therefore_o find_v many_o corrupt_a member_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n they_o separate_v from_o her_o communion_n and_o set_v up_o church_n of_o their_o own_o consist_v in_o their_o judgement_n of_o none_o but_o true_o unessayed_v person_n the_o ground_n of_o this_o dangerous_a mistake_n be_v their_o false_a notion_n of_o that_o holiness_n which_o the_o scripture_n apply_v to_o god_n church_n holiness_n in_o scripture_n be_v twofold_a 1._o inherent_a holiness_n and_o that_o can_v be_v in_o none_o proper_o but_o god_n angel_n and_o men._n in_o god_n originally_n as_o he_o be_v that_o be_v in_o who_o all_o excellency_n do_v possess_v infinite_a perfection_n and_o hence_o he_o be_v call_v the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n in_o angel_n and_o man_n by_o way_n of_o participation_n 2._o relative_n holiness_n found_v in_o a_o separation_n of_o any_o thing_n from_o common_a use_n and_o a_o appropriate_a it_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n thus_o the_o sabbath_n be_v holy_a and_o judea_n and_o jerusalem_n be_v holy_a and_o thus_o the_o church_n be_v holy_a that_o be_v a_o society_n separate_v from_o the_o world_n to_o serve_v god_n after_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n thus_o the_o israelite_n even_o when_o very_o much_o corrupt_v be_v call_v god_n holy_a people_n deut._n 7.6_o and_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o church_n by_o the_o name_n of_o saint_n though_o there_o be_v strange_a immorality_n among_o they_o because_o they_o be_v separate_v to_o god_n and_o in_o covenant_n with_o he_o well_o but_o do_v not_o christ_n die_v that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v holy_a and_o without_o blemish_n eph._n 5.27_o that_o be_v real_o holy_a yes_o but_o then_o by_o church_n we_o must_v understand_v not_o the_o whole_a universal_a church_n but_o either_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v real_o holy_a in_o this_o world_n or_o that_o church_n which_o shall_v be_v hereafter_o when_o the_o corrupt_a member_n shall_v be_v utter_o cut_v off_o neither_o be_v this_o to_o make_v two_o church_n but_o only_o to_o assign_v two_o different_a state_n of_o the_o same_o church_n this_o be_v premise_v i_o shall_v prove_v these_o three_o proposition_n 1._o that_o a_o external_a profession_n of_o the_o christian_n faith_n be_v enough_o to_o qualify_v a_o person_n to_o be_v admit_v a_o member_n of_o christ_n church_n 2._o that_o every_o such_o member_n have_v a_o right_a to_o all_o the_o external_a privilege_n of_o the_o church_n till_o by_o the_o just_a censure_n of_o the_o church_n he_o be_v exclude_v from_o those_o privilege_n 3._o that_o some_o corrupt_a member_n remain_v in_o the_o church_n be_v no_o just_a cause_n of_o separation_n from_o she_o first_o then_o a_o external_a profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n make_v either_o by_o himself_o or_o by_o his_o surety_n be_v enough_o to_o qualify_v a_o person_n to_o be_v admit_v a_o member_n of_o christ_n church_n for_o 1._o this_o be_v the_o qualification_n prescribe_v by_o our_o lord_n go_v teach_v all_o nation_n that_o be_v make_v disciple_n of_o all_o nation_n baptise_v they_o etc._n etc._n matth._n 28.19_o now_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n can_v know_v the_o sincerity_n of_o man_n heart_n but_o their_o profession_n of_o christianity_n entitle_v they_o to_o baptism_n by_o this_o rule_n the_o apostle_n act_v whilst_o christ_n be_v upon_o earth_n and_o baptise_a more_o than_o be_v sincere_a for_o of_o so_o many_o person_n that_o be_v baptise_a not_o above_o 120_o continue_v with_o christ_n to_o the_o last_o 2._o by_o the_o same_o rule_n they_o act_v afterward_o for_o st._n peter_n baptise_a about_o 3000_o in_o one_o day_n upon_o their_o profess_v the_o word_n act_v 2.41_o though_o all_o will_v not_o probable_o prove_v sincere_a and_o two_o of_o they_o ananias_n and_o sapphira_n be_v gross_a hypocrite_n st._n philip_n act_v 8.12_o baptise_a both_o man_n and_o woman_n at_o samaria_n and_o and_o among_o they_o be_v simon_n magus_n who_o the_o holy_a deacon_n may_v just_o suspect_v for_o his_o former_a practice_n and_o who_o hypocrisy_n appear_v afterward_o such_o other_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v demas_n hymeneus_n and_o alexander_n who_o bare_a profession_n entitle_v they_o to_o that_o privilege_n 3._o christ_n foretell_v 15.1_o foretell_v matth._n 3.12_o and_o 13.24_o etc._n etc._n joh._n 15.1_o that_o his_o church_n shall_v consist_v of_o good_a and_o bad_a by_o compare_v it_o to_o a_o field_n of_o wheat_n and_o tare_n a_o net_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o fish_n a_o flour_n of_o corn_n and_o chaff_n etc._n etc._n st._n paul_n say_v 9.6_o say_v rom._n 9.6_o they_o be_v not_o all_o israel_n that_o be_v of_o israel_n and_o christ_n say_v that_o many_o be_v call_v but_o few_o choose_v 4._o the_o many_o corrupt_a member_n 3._o member_n 1_o cor._n 11.20_o 21._o 2_o cor._n 12.20_o 21._o 1_o cor._n 6._o gal._n 3._o rev._n 3._o of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n galatia_n and_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n prove_v the_o same_o for_o if_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o admit_v mere_a formal_a professor_n we_o may_v conclude_v that_o they_o think_v it_o god_n will_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o 5._o no_o other_o rule_n in_o admit_v person_n into_o the_o church_n be_v practicable_a since_o the_o officer_n of_o christ_n can_v make_v a_o certain_a judgement_n of_o man_n because_o they_o themselves_o have_v short_a and_o fallible_a understanding_n second_o therefore_o every_o such_o member_n have_v a_o right_a to_o all_o the_o external_n privilege_n of_o the_o church_n till_o by_o the_o just_a censure_n of_o the_o church_n he_o be_v exclude_v from_o those_o privilege_n by_o external_n privilege_n i_o mean_v only_o a_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n in_o the_o word_n and_o ordinance_n for_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n and_o comfort_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n etc._n etc._n be_v internal_a privilege_n which_o belong_v to_o none_o but_o the_o true_o good_a who_o be_v bear_v not_o of_o water_n only_o but_o of_o the_o spirit_n now_o when_o a_o man_n by_o gross_a and_o notorious_a wickedness_n have_v forfeit_v the_o internal_a privilege_n of_o the_o church_n he_o ought_v by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o external_n privilege_n also_o but_o till_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o church_n be_v pass_v upon_o he_o we_o must_v not_o forsake_v the_o church_n ourselves_o to_o avoid_v communion_n with_o he_o because_o till_o then_o his_o right_n to_o they_o remain_v inviolable_a and_o that_o for_o several_a reason_n 1._o because_o the_o baptismal_a covenant_n give_v man_n a_o right_a to_o god_n promise_n as_o far_o as_o they_o perform_v the_o condition_n if_o a_o bare_a federal_a holiness_n give_v man_n a_o relation_n to_o god_n than_o it_o give_v they_o a_o title_n to_o the_o blessing_n that_o belong_v to_o that_o relation_n not_o that_o unworthy_a man_n shall_v receive_v the_o special_a reward_n of_o the_o true_o good_a but_o they_o be_v to_o be_v allow_v the_o liberty_n to_o partake_v of_o those_o external_n blessing_n which_o he_o in_o common_a bestow_v upon_o the_o whole_a family_n 2._o church-membership_n necessary_o imply_v church-communion_n or_o else_o it_o signify_v nothing_o for_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v a_o man_n a_o member_n of_o a_o society_n if_o he_o can_v enjoy_v the_o privilege_n of_o it_o 3._o all_o the_o jew_n be_v command_v to_o join_v in_o the_o public_a worship_n though_o i_o doubt_v many_o of_o they_o be_v wicked_a liver_n and_o therefore_o mere_a circumcision_n be_v enough_o to_o put_v a_o man_n into_o a_o capacity_n of_o communicate_v with_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o its_o most_o solemn_a and_o sacred_a ordinance_n 4._o it_o appear_v that_o st._n paul_n make_v the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n to_o be_v as_o great_a as_o that_o of_o those_o that_o be_v baptise_a for_o they_o be_v all_o make_v to_o drink_v into_o one_o spirit_n 1_o cor._n 12.13_o that_o be_v in_o the_o cup_n of_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n and_o all_o be_v partaker_n of_o one_o bread_n 10.17_o and_o we_o read_v that_o they_o all_o the_o 3000_o ananias_n and_o sapphira_n be_v of_o the_o number_n continue_v in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o in_o break_v of_o bread_n and_o
better_a edification_n among_o the_o dissenter_n and_o therefore_o they_o may_v lawful_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o first_o what_o pure_a ordinance_n will_v man_n have_v than_o those_o of_o our_o saviour_n own_o institution_n without_o any_o corrupt_a and_o sinful_a mixture_n to_o spoil_v their_o virtue_n and_o efficacy_n the_o purity_n of_o divine_a administration_n must_v consist_v in_o their_o agreement_n with_o the_o institution_n that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o such_o defect_n or_o addition_n as_o alter_v their_o nature_n and_o destroy_v their_o virtue_n but_o he_o who_o think_v that_o the_o sacrament_n lose_v their_o efficacy_n unless_o they_o be_v administer_v in_o that_o way_n which_o he_o like_v best_o be_v guilty_a of_o gross_a superstition_n and_o attribute_n the_o virtue_n of_o sacrament_n to_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o administration_n not_o to_o their_o divine_a institution_n second_o the_o pretence_n of_o better_a edification_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n justify_v separation_n for_o this_o edification_n must_v be_v understand_v either_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n or_o of_o particular_a christian_n now_o edification_n be_v build_v up_o and_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n consider_v as_o god_n house_n and_o temple_n this_o be_v the_o true_a scripture_n notion_n of_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o many_o text_n 1_o cor._n 3.9_o 10._o and_o 8.1_o and_o 14.5_o 12._o eph._n 2.21_o and_o 4.12_o 13_o 15_o 16._o matth._n 21.42_o act_n 4.11_o 2_o cor._n 10.8_o 12_o 19_o and_o 13.10_o now_o it_o be_v a_o odd_a way_n of_o build_v up_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n by_o divide_v and_o separate_v the_o part_n of_o it_o from_o each_o other_o as_o for_o the_o edification_n of_o particular_a person_n which_o be_v also_o speak_v of_o in_o scripture_n 1_o thess_n 5.11_o it_o be_v therefore_o call_v edification_n because_o it_o be_v a_o improvement_n of_o a_o man_n spiritual_a condition_n and_o it_o be_v wrought_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o make_v particular_a christian_n one_o spiritual_a house_n and_o temple_n by_o a_o firm_a close_a union_n and_o communion_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o every_o christian_n be_v edify_v as_o he_o grow_v up_o in_o all_o christian_a grace_n and_o virtue_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o indeed_o if_o our_o growth_n in_o grace_n be_v more_o owe_v to_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n spirit_n than_o to_o the_o external_a administration_n as_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 1_o cor._n 3.6_o 7._o and_o if_o the_o spirit_n confine_v his_o influence_n to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v but_o one_o body_n and_o one_o spirit_n eph._n 4.4_o than_o it_o do_v not_o seem_v a_o very_a likely_a way_n for_o edification_n to_o cut_v ourselves_o off_o from_o the_o unity_n of_o christ_n body_n st._n judas_n v._o 19_o seem_v to_o tell_v we_o that_o true_a edification_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o those_o who_o separate_v from_o the_o common_a building_n but_o those_o who_o keep_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n build_v up_o themselves_o in_o their_o most_o holy_a faith_n and_o pray_v in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o a_o man_n may_v with_o great_a assurance_n expect_v the_o blessing_n of_o god_n if_o he_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n than_o if_o he_o separate_v but_o i_o shall_v examine_v this_o pretence_n at_o large_a and_o show_v that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o any_o particular_a christian_a to_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n because_o he_o think_v he_o can_v edify_v better_o among_o the_o dissenter_n this_o i_o shall_v prove_v by_o four_o argument_n 1._o because_o better_a edification_n can_v be_v have_v in_o separate_a meeting_n than_o in_o our_o church_n as_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v first_o how_o fit_a our_o constitution_n be_v to_o edify_v man_n soul_n second_o that_o this_o constitution_n be_v well_o manage_v for_o edification_n first_o then_o that_o our_o constitution_n be_v fit_a to_o edify_v soul_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v four_o thing_n 1._o our_o creed_n contain_v all_o fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o we_o have_v no_o nice_a and_o obscure_a matter_n in_o they_o we_o believe_v all_o that_o the_o early_a christian_n in_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n think_v needful_a that_o be_v all_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v and_o this_o faith_n will_v sufficient_o and_o effectual_o edify_v the_o soul_n of_o men._n 2._o the_o necessity_n the_o church_n lay_v upon_o a_o good_a life_n and_o work_n the_o article_n of_o her_o creed_n when_o firm_o believe_v do_v plain_o tend_v to_o make_v man_n good_a she_o declare_v that_o without_o preparatory_a virtue_n the_o most_o zealous_a devotion_n be_v not_o please_v to_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v but_o show_v unless_o obedience_n follow_v such_o a_o faith_n she_o lay_v down_o as_o fundamental_a to_o salvation_n as_o produce_v excellent_a virtue_n and_o determine_v that_o without_o faith_n and_o good_a work_v no_o man_n shall_v see_v god_n her_o festival_n commemorate_v the_o virtue_n and_o recommend_v the_o example_n of_o excellent_a men._n her_o ceremony_n be_v decent_a her_o prayer_n be_v for_o holiness_n her_o discipline_n be_v to_o force_v and_o her_o homily_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o that_o piety_n which_o her_o whole_a constitution_n aim_v at_o she_o tell_v sinner_n plain_o that_o unless_o they_o repent_v they_o must_v perish_v and_o say_v that_o plain_a virtue_n be_v the_o ornament_n and_o soul_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o certain_o the_o civil_a interest_n of_o a_o nation_n be_v edify_v by_o such_o a_o church_n as_o teach_v man_n to_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o their_o several_a relation_n so_o exact_o 3._o she_o be_v fit_o constitute_v to_o excite_v true_a devotion_n because_o she_o give_v we_o true_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o ourselves_o by_o describe_v his_o attribute_n and_o our_o want_n her_o prayer_n be_v grave_a and_o of_o a_o due_a length_n and_o she_o have_v proper_a prayer_n for_o most_o particular_a occasion_n she_o have_v office_n to_o quicken_v our_o affection_n and_o confirm_v our_o obedience_n the_o office_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n baptism_n and_o burial_n be_v extreme_o good_a in_o their_o kind_n bring_v but_o a_o honest_a mind_n and_o good_a affection_n to_o all_o these_o part_n of_o devotion_n and_o they_o will_v make_v the_o church_n a_o choir_n of_o angel_n 4._o her_o order_n and_o discipline_n be_v such_o that_o she_o make_v religion_n neither_o slovenly_a nor_o too_o gay_a wise_a and_o good_a man_n have_v judge_v all_o her_o ceremony_n to_o be_v decent_a and_o useful_a and_o they_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n and_o fit_a to_o make_v our_o service_n comely_a and_o true_o whilst_o we_o have_v body_n these_o outward_a help_n be_v very_o convenient_a if_o not_o necessary_a her_o government_n be_v so_o well_o temper_v that_o her_o member_n may_v not_o be_v dissolute_a nor_o her_o ruler_n insolent_a and_o if_o all_o vice_n be_v not_o chastise_v the_o reason_n be_v because_o unnecessary_a division_n have_v stop_v her_o discipline_n upon_o offender_n her_o government_n be_v apostolical_a primitive_a and_o universal_a none_o of_o her_o part_n or_o office_n give_v just_a cause_n for_o any_o to_o revolt_v from_o she_o but_o consider_v all_o thing_n she_o be_v the_o best_a constitute_v church_n in_o the_o world_n if_o therefore_o 14.3_o therefore_o heb._n 6.1_o 2_o pet._n 3.18_o rom._n 15.2_o 1_o cor._n 14.3_o edification_n be_v go_v on_o to_o perfection_n or_o grow_v in_o grace_n if_o it_o be_v do_v good_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n if_o it_o be_v to_o make_v plain_a the_o great_a thing_n in_o religion_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o man_n than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o this_o church_n second_o that_o our_o constitution_n be_v well_o manage_v for_o edification_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o pastor_n be_v not_o leave_v to_o their_o liberty_n but_o strict_o command_v under_o great_a temporal_a penalty_n to_o direct_v their_o flock_n to_o preserve_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n with_o substantial_a devotion_n which_o will_v to_o the_o purpose_n edify_v man_n soul_n and_o effectual_o save_v they_o 2._o that_o these_o command_n be_v obey_v by_o our_o pastor_n for_o this_o we_o appeal_v to_o good_a and_o wise_a man_n in_o our_o communion_n who_o have_v honesty_n and_o judgement_n enough_o to_o confess_v that_o they_o have_v find_v it_o true_a and_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v prejudice_v and_o want_v sincerity_n and_o knowledge_n to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n be_v uncharitable_a our_o protestant_a neighbour_n have_v commend_v our_o government_n condemn_v the_o separation_n magnify_v our_o pastor_n and_o wish_v they_o be_v under_o such_o a_o discipline_n and_o translate_v many_o of_o our_o man_n work_n to_o edify_v their_o people_n dissenter_n