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state_n bishop_n church_n presbyter_n 1,153 5 10.3687 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A34541 The point of church-unity and schism discuss'd by a nonconformist, with respect to the church-divisions in England. Corbet, John, 1620-1680. 1679 (1679) Wing C6260; ESTC R37663 30,758 79

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the_o point_n of_o church-unity_n and_o schism_n discuss_v by_o a_o nonconformist_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o church-division_n in_o england_n london_n print_v for_o thomas_n parkhurst_n at_o the_o bible_n and_o three_o crown_n at_o the_o low_a end_n of_o cheapside_n 1679._o the_o content_n chap._n i._n of_o the_o church_n and_o its_o polity_n what_o the_o church_n be_v both_o in_o its_o invisible_a and_o visible_a state_n the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n the_o state_n of_o particular_a church_n and_o their_o pastor_n elder_n or_o bishop_n of_o the_o partition_n of_o church_n by_o local_a bound_n of_o the_o interest_n of_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n in_o any_o assign_a circuit_n of_o ground_n of_o the_o association_n or_o combination_n of_o church_n of_o a_o national_a church_n of_o the_o interest_n of_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o a_o diocese_n and_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n of_o exercise_v the_o ministry_n without_o subordination_n to_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n no_o human_a power_n may_v prejudice_v christ_n interest_n in_o his_o minister_n or_o people_n all_o have_v a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n about_o their_o own_o act_n chap._n ii_o of_o true_a church-unity_n the_o name_n of_o unity_n and_o schism_n shall_v be_v right_o apply_v true_a church-unity_n be_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n what_o be_v include_v therein_o true_a unity_n be_v primary_o of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o mystical_a secondary_o in_o its_o visible_a state_n holy_a love_n be_v the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o this_o unity_n church-unity_n consider_v in_o three_o point_n 1._o in_o the_o essential_o and_o all_o weighty_a matter_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o life_n 2._o in_o the_o essential_o and_o integral_n of_o church-state_n 3._o in_o the_o accidental_n of_o religion_n the_o different_a value_n of_o these_o different_a point_n of_o unity_n the_o rule_n of_o unity_n be_v god_n word_n of_o the_o scripture_n sufficiency_n as_o a_o rule_n thereof_o of_o thing_n leave_v to_o human_a determination_n with_o the_o pastor_n and_o magistrate_n interest_n therein_o the_o ruler_n wisdom_n in_o settle_v the_o right_a bound_n of_o unity_n the_o burden_n of_o thing_n unnecessary_a not_o to_o be_v lay_v on_o the_o church_n unity_n of_o external_a order_n be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o faith_n and_o holiness_n chap._n iii_o of_o schism_n true_o so_o call_v schism_n be_v the_o violation_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n separation_n and_o schism_n be_v not_o of_o equal_a extent_n the_o violation_n of_o holy_a love_n be_v the_o root_n of_o schism_n schism_n lie_v primary_o in_o a_o breach_n make_v upon_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n as_o mystical_a and_o secondary_o as_o visible_a the_o high_a point_n of_o schism_n against_o the_o church_n as_o visible_a be_v that_o which_o be_v about_o the_o essential_o and_o weighty_a matter_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o life_n how_o both_o person_n and_o church_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o it_o the_o next_o point_n of_o schism_n be_v about_o the_o essential_o and_o integral_n of_o church_n state_n this_o may_v be_v either_o against_o the_o catholic_n or_o a_o particular_a church_n instance_n of_o both_o kind_n the_o low_a point_n of_o schism_n be_v about_o the_o accidental_n of_o religion_n how_o any_o be_v guilty_a or_o not_o guilty_a in_o this_o point_n a_o preposterous_a valuation_n make_v of_o the_o aforesaid_a different_a point_n tend_v to_o schism_n the_o set_n of_o other_o bound_n of_o unity_n than_o god_n word_n allow_v be_v to_o make_v a_o breach_n upon_o it_o term_n of_o unity_n may_v be_v allow_v of_o god_n as_o to_o the_o submitter_n when_o they_o be_v not_o allow_v as_o to_o the_o imposer_n the_o danger_n of_o act_v against_o conscience_n rational_o doubt_v it_o be_v a_o false_a unity_n that_o be_v set_v up_o to_o the_o hindrance_n of_o faith_n and_o holiness_n and_o not_o to_o adhere_v to_o it_o be_v no_o schism_n but_o duty_n instance_n hereof_o of_o the_o right_n of_o draw_v together_o into_o new_a congregation_n on_o such_o occasion_n what_o endeavour_n of_o reformation_n be_v unlawful_a to_o subject_n a_o difference_n between_o inimical_a separation_n and_o amicable_a necessary_a segregation_n the_o object_v inconvenience_n against_o the_o amicable_a segregation_n answer_v the_o import_n of_o the_o text_n rom._n 16._o 17._o open_v chap._n iu._n of_o the_o schism_n that_o be_v in_o the_o more_o ancient_a time_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o different_a case_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n in_o these_o time_n of_o the_o donatist_n of_o the_o novatian_o whether_o the_o case_n of_o the_o present_a nonconformist_n be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o case_n of_o these_o or_o any_o other_o ancient_o repute_v schismatic_n the_o case_n of_o such_o nonconformist_n as_o be_v more_o remote_a from_o accommodation_n with_o the_o establish_v order_n the_o case_n of_o such_o of_o they_o as_o be_v more_o dispose_v to_o accommodation_n a_o answer_n to_o objection_n against_o relax_v the_o term_n of_o conformity_n of_o diverse_a other_o remarkable_a schism_n in_o the_o ancient_a time_n and_o the_o nonconformist_n case_n different_a from_o they_o a_o appeal_n to_o antiquity_n and_o to_o our_o superior_n chap._n v._n of_o make_v a_o right_a estimate_n of_o the_o guilt_n of_o schism_n and_o something_o more_o of_o the_o right_a way_n to_o unity_n the_o great_a abuse_n of_o the_o name_n schism_n and_o the_o bad_a consequence_n thereof_o the_o degree_n of_o the_o schism_n to_o be_v due_o consider_v for_o make_v a_o equal_a judgement_n of_o the_o guilt_n thereof_o example_n of_o schismatical_a animosity_n in_o worthy_n of_o ancient_a time_n charity_n in_o censure_v thence_o infer_v true_a unity_n be_v found_v in_o true_a holiness_n and_o promote_v by_o impartiality_n and_o equity_n towards_o all_o real_a christian_n and_o by_o the_o due_a exercise_n of_o true_a church-discipline_n and_o by_o remove_v the_o snare_n of_o division_n and_o as_o by_o the_o equity_n and_o charity_n of_o superior_n so_o by_o the_o humility_n and_o due_a submission_n of_o inferior_n a_o question_n consider_v about_o the_o warrantableness_n of_o submission_n to_o thing_n not_o in_o themselves_o unlawful_a but_o inexpedient_a errata_fw-la pag._n 2._o lin_v 2._o r._n regeneration_n p._n 12._o l._n 8._o r._n without_o ib._n l._n 16._o r._n and_o in_o p._n 22._o l._n 6._o r._n due_a extent_n p._n 25._o l._n 14._o r._n account_n of_o accidental_a p._n 32._o l._n 16._o r._n injure_a christian_n as_o be_v p._n 33._o l._n 25._o r._n segregation_n p._n 42._o l._n 27._o r._n renounce_v p._n 47._o l._n 21._o r._n depose_v the_o point_n of_o church-unity_n and_o schism_n discuss_v chap._n i._n of_o the_o church_n and_o its_o polity_n the_o church_n be_v a_o spiritual_a commonwealth_n which_o according_a to_o its_o primary_n and_o invisible_a state_n be_v a_o society_n of_o regenerate_a person_n who_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n christ_n their_o head_n and_o one_o to_o another_o as_o fellow_n member_n by_o a_o mystical_a union_n through_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o be_v justify_v sanctify_a and_o adopt_v to_o the_o inheritance_n of_o eternal_a life_n but_o according_a to_o its_o secondary_a and_o visible_a state_n it_o be_v a_o society_n of_o person_n profess_v christianity_n or_o regeration_n and_o external_o join_v to_o christ_n and_o to_o one_o another_o by_o the_o symbal_n of_o that_o profession_n and_o make_v partaker_n of_o the_o external_a privilege_n thereunto_o belong_v there_o be_v one_o catholic_n church_n which_o according_a to_o the_o invisible_a form_n be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o true_a believer_n throughout_o the_o world_n and_o according_a to_o its_o visible_a form_n be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o visible_a believer_n throughout_o the_o world_n or_o believer_n according_a to_o human_a judgement_n this_o church_n have_v one_o head_n and_o supreme_a lord_n even_o christ_n and_o one_o charter_n and_o system_n of_o law_n the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o member_n that_o be_v free_a denizen_n of_o the_o whole_a society_n and_o one_o form_n of_o admission_n or_o solemn_a initiation_n for_o its_o member_n and_o one_o kind_n of_o ministry_n and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n this_o church_n have_v not_o the_o power_n of_o its_o own_o fundamental_a constitution_n or_o of_o the_o law_n and_o officer_n and_o administration_n intrinsical_o belong_v to_o it_o but_o have_v receive_v all_o these_o from_o christ_n its_o head_n king_n and_o lawgiver_n and_o be_v limit_v by_o he_o in_o they_o all_o nevertheless_o it_o have_v according_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o its_o act_n that_o be_v according_a to_o its_o several_a part_n a_o power_n of_o make_v secondary_a law_n or_o canon_n either_o to_o impress_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n upon_o its_o member_n or_o to_o regulate_v circumstantial_o and_o accidental_n in_o religion_n by_o determine_v thing_n necessary_a in_o genere_fw-la not_o determine_v of_o christ_n in_o specie_fw-la as_o the_o
right_n of_o such_o a_o church_n or_o bishop_n or_o of_o any_o precept_n or_o precedent_n thereof_o in_o scripture_n for_o every_o particular_a church_n mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v but_o one_o distinct_a state_v society_n have_v its_o own_o proper_a and_o immediate_a bishop_n or_o bishop_n elder_a or_o elder_n pastor_n or_o pastor_n who_o do_v personal_o and_o immediate_o superintend_v over_o the_o whole_a flock_n which_o ordinary_o hold_v either_o at_o once_o together_o or_o by_o turn_n personal_a present_a communion_n with_o each_o other_o in_o god_n worship_n but_o a_o diocese_n consist_v of_o several_a state_v society_n to_o wit_n the_o parish_n which_o be_v constitute_v several_o of_o a_o proper_a and_o immediate_a presbyter_n or_o elder_n have_v cure_n of_o soul_n and_o common_o call_v a_o rector_n and_o the_o people_n which_o be_v his_o proper_a and_o immediate_a charge_n or_o cure_v and_o the_o people_n of_o the_o diocese_n do_v not_o live_v under_o the_o personal_a and_o immediate_a oversight_n of_o their_o diocesan_n but_o under_o his_o delegate_n and_o substitute_n nor_o do_v they_o ordinary_o hold_v personal_n present_a communion_n with_o each_o other_o in_o god_n worship_n either_o at_o once_o together_o or_o by_o turn_n nevertheless_o which_o way_n soever_o a_o diocese_n be_v consider_v i_o have_v nothing_o to_o object_n against_o submission_n to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o diocesan_n as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n under_o the_o king_n supremacy_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o office_n of_o presbyterate_a which_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o pastoral_a office_n that_o show_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v exercise_v no_o otherwise_o than_o in_o subordination_n to_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o author_n and_o only_o proper_a giver_n of_o all_o spiritual_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n have_v not_o so_o limit_v the_o say_a office_n and_o man_n can_v by_o any_o act_n of_o they_o enlarge_v or_o lessen_v it_o as_o to_o its_o nature_n or_o essential_a state_n or_o define_v it_o otherwise_o than_o it_o be_v state_v of_o christ_n in_o his_o word_n no_o power_n ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a can_v discharge_v any_o minister_n of_o christ_n from_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o ministry_n in_o those_o circumstance_n wherein_o christ_n command_v he_o to_o exercise_v it_o nor_o any_o christian_n from_o those_o duty_n of_o religion_n to_o which_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n oblige_v they_o as_o the_o magistrate_n be_v to_o judge_v what_o law_n touch_v religion_n be_v fit_a for_o he_o to_o enact_v and_o execute_v so_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o use_v a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n about_o their_o own_o pastoral_n act_n and_o all_o christian_n be_v to_o do_v the_o same_o about_o their_o own_o act_n of_o church-communion_n the_o too_o common_a abuse_n of_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n can_v abrogate_v the_o right_a use_n thereof_o it_o be_v so_o necessary_a that_o without_o it_o man_n can_v act_v as_o man_n nor_o offer_v to_o god_n a_o reasonable_a service_n chap._n ii_o of_o true_a church-unity_n when_o the_o name_n of_o unity_n and_o schism_n be_v by_o partiality_n and_o selfishness_n common_o and_o gross_o abuse_v and_o misapply_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o which_o those_o name_n do_v of_o right_o belong_v aught_o to_o be_v diligent_o inquire_v into_o and_o clear_o and_o distinct_o lay_v open_a for_o a_o groundwork_n in_o this_o inquiry_n i_o fix_v upon_o two_o very_a note_a text_n of_o scripture_n the_o one_o be_v eph._n 4._o 3._o endeavour_v to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n the_o other_o be_v rom._n 16._o 17._o mark_v they_o that_o cause_n division_n and_o offence_n contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n that_o you_o have_v learn_v and_o avoid_v they_o the_o former_a guide_v we_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o true_a church-unity_n and_o the_o latter_a show_v we_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o schism_n by_o the_o former_a of_o these_o text_n all_o christian_n be_v oblige_v to_o maintain_v that_o spiritual_a unity_n which_o they_o have_v one_o with_o another_o under_o christ_n their_o head_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o all_o due_a act_n of_o holy_a communion_n in_o peace_n and_o concord_n several_a important_a thing_n be_v here_o to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o 1._o there_o be_v a_o spiritual_a unity_n between_o all_o christian_n in_o the_o form_n of_o one_o mystical_a body_n as_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a unity_n between_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o natural_a body_n the_o member_n be_v many_o be_v one_o body_n and_o member_n one_o of_o another_o 2._o this_o unity_n be_v under_o christ_n as_o the_o head_n of_o it_o what_o the_o head_n be_v to_o the_o natural_a body_n that_o be_v christ_n and_o much_o more_o to_o his_o mystical_a body_n the_o church_n 3._o this_o unity_n of_o christian_n one_o with_o another_o under_o christ_n be_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o call_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n the_o head_n do_v seize_v upon_o and_o reside_v in_o all_o the_o faithful_a by_o which_o they_o become_v christ_n mystical_a body_n and_o be_v join_v one_o to_o another_o as_o fellow-member_n 4._o this_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n among_o christian_n be_v witness_v maintain_v and_o strengthen_v by_o their_o holy_a communion_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n one_o with_o another_o but_o be_v darken_v weaken_a and_o lessen_v by_o their_o uncharitable_a dissension_n hence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o unity_n here_o commend_v be_v primary_o that_o of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o internal_a and_o invisible_a state_n or_o the_o union_n and_o communion_n of_o saint_n have_v in_o themselves_o the_o spirit_n and_o life_n and_o power_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n we_o be_v charge_v to_o keep_v in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n but_o concord_n in_o any_o external_a order_n with_o a_o vital_a union_n with_o christ_n and_o holy_a soul_n his_o live_a member_n be_v not_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v to_o partake_v of_o the_o same_o new_a nature_n and_o divine_a life_n secondary_o it_o be_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o external_a and_o visible_a state_n which_o be_v consequent_a and_o subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o internal_a and_o stand_v in_o the_o profession_n and_o appearance_n of_o it_o in_o the_o profess_a observation_n of_o the_o duty_n arise_v from_o it_o where_o there_o be_v not_o a_o credible_a profession_n of_o faith_n unfeigned_a and_o true_a holiness_n there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o external_a and_o visible_a unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n therefore_o a_o sensual_a earthly_a generation_n of_o man_n who_o be_v apparent_o lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n and_o not_o by_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v of_o god_n have_v little_a cause_n to_o glory_n in_o their_o adhere_n to_o a_o external_a church_n order_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v holy_a love_n which_o be_v unself_v and_o impartial_a be_v the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o this_o unity_n without_o which_o it_o be_v but_o a_o dead_a thing_n as_o the_o body_n without_o the_o soul_n be_v dead_a and_o this_o love_n be_v the_o bond_n of_o perfectness_n that_o cement_n that_o hold_v altogether_o in_o this_o mystical_a society_n for_o this_o be_v seat_v in_o the_o several_a member_n dispose_v they_o to_o look_v not_o to_o their_o own_o thing_n but_o also_o to_o the_o thing_n of_o other_o and_o not_o to_o the_o undue_a advancement_n of_o a_o party_n but_o to_o the_o common_a good_a of_o the_o whole_a body_n whosoever_o want_v this_o love_n have_v no_o vital_a union_n with_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n and_o no_o part_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n the_o church_n be_v much_o more_o ennoble_v strengthen_v and_o every_o way_n bless_v by_o the_o communion_n of_o holy_a love_n among_o all_o its_o live_a member_n or_o real_a christian_n than_o by_o a_o outside_n uniformity_n in_o the_o minute_n circumstance_n or_o accidental_a mode_n of_o religion_n by_o this_o love_n it_o be_v more_o beautiful_a and_o lovely_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o intelligent_a beholder_n than_o by_o outward_a pomp_n and_o ornament_n or_o any_o worldly_a splendour_n the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n as_o visible_a whether_o catholic_n or_o particular_a may_v be_v consider_v in_o a_o threefold_a respect_n or_o in_o three_o very_a different_a point_n the_o first_o and_o chief_a point_n thereof_o be_v in_o the_o essential_o and_o all_o weighty_a matter_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o life_n the_o second_o and_o next_o in_o account_n be_v in_o the_o essential_o and_o integral_n of_o church_n state_n that_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a church-worship_n ministry_n and_o discipline_n consider_v as_o of_o christ_n institution_n and_o abstract_v from_o all_o thing_n
which_o weak_a conscience_n will_v take_v offence_n my_o liberty_n be_v turn_v into_o bondage_n and_o i_o be_o leave_v in_o thraldom_n to_o other_o man_n endless_a scrupulosity_n this_o be_v i_o think_v a_o yoke_n which_o christian_n be_v not_o fit_v nor_o able_a to_o bear_v this_o bondage_n be_v great_a and_o the_o burden_n lie_v heavy_a upon_o i_o if_o by_o reason_n of_o other_o weakness_n i_o must_v be_v bind_v up_o from_o observe_v a_o indifferent_a thing_n at_o the_o command_n of_o ruler_n and_o by_o they_o make_v the_o condition_n of_o my_o liberty_n for_o public_a service_n in_o the_o church_n when_o my_o conscience_n be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o otherwise_o expedient_a for_o i_o to_o do_v it_o as_o for_o the_o warrantableness_n of_o enjoin_v the_o ruler_n must_v look_v to_o that_o be_v some_o displease_v and_o grieve_v that_o i_o do_v it_o as_o many_o or_o more_o may_v be_v displease_v and_o grieve_v if_o i_o do_v it_o not_o do_v some_o take_v occasion_n by_o my_o necessary_a use_n of_o a_o just_a liberty_n to_o embolden_v themselves_o to_o sin_n my_o forbear_n of_o it_o may_v be_v a_o occasion_n of_o sin_n to_o other_o as_o their_o persist_v in_o some_o troublesome_a error_n to_o their_o own_o and_o other_o spiritual_a damage_n and_o in_o unwarrantable_a noncompliance_n with_o their_o governor_n and_o the_o loss_n of_o my_o liberty_n for_o public_a service_n consequent_a to_o such_o forbearance_n must_v also_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o balance_n when_o both_o the_o use_n and_o forbear_v of_o m●_n liberty_n be_v clog_v with_o evil_a consequent_n i_o kno●_n no_o safe_a way_n than_o due_o to_o consider_v of_o what_o moment_n the_o consequent_n be_v on_o either_o side_n and_o t●_n incline_v to_o that_o which_o have_v the_o lesser_a evil_n here_o in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o prudent_a be_v to_o direct_v his_o wa●_n upon_o the_o impartial_a view_n of_o all_o circumstance_n which_o come_v under_o his_o prospect_n and_o if_o goo●_n conscience_n and_o right_a reason_n guide_v by_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o god_n word_n lead_v i_o to_o make_v us●_n of_o my_o christian_a liberty_n in_o compliance_n with_o m●_n superior_n i_o must_v humble_o and_o charitable_o apply_v myself_o to_o remove_v the_o offence_n that_o some_o take_v by_o clear_v the_o lawfulness_n and_o expediency_n o●_n my_o act_n to_o their_o judgement_n but_o if_o that_o canno●_n be_v discern_v by_o they_o i_o be_o by_o my_o christia●_n good_a behaviour_n to_o make_v it_o evident_a to_o thei●_n conscience_n what_o in_o i_o lie_v that_o what_o i_o do_v 〈◊〉_d do_v sincere_o and_o faithful_o and_o that_o i_o be_o n●_n temporizer_n man-pleas_a and_o self-seek_a 〈◊〉_d humble_o conceive_v that_o that_o high_a say_n of_o th●_n apostle_n if_o meat_n make_v my_o brother_n to_o offend_v 〈◊〉_d will_v eat_v no_o flesh_n while_o the_o world_n stand_v do_v admit_v such_o equitable_a interpretation_n as_o th●_n circumstance_n of_o time_n place_n person_n and_o th●_n whole_a state_n of_o thing_n declare_v to_o be_v most_o reasonable_a a_o humble_a representation_n of_o my_o own_o case_n touch_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o ministry_n i_o have_v be_v in_o the_o ministry_n near_o forty_o year_n have_v be_v ordain_v presbyter_n according_a to_o the_o form_n of_o ordination_n use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o be_v call_v to_o this_o sacred_a order_n i_o hold_v myself_o ●ndispensibly_o oblige_v to_o the_o work_n thereof_o as_o god_n enable_v i_o and_o give_v i_o opportunity_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o office_n be_v signify_v in_o the_o form_n of_o word_n by_o which_o i_o be_v solemn_o set_v apart_o thereunto_o viz._n receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o sin_n thou_o do_v forgive_v they_o be_v forgive_v and_o who_o sin_n thou_o do_v retain_v ●hey_n be_v retain_v and_o be_v thou_o a_o faithful_a dispenser_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o holy_a sacrament_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n amen_n the_o former_a part_n of_o these_o word_n be_v use_v by_o ●our_n saviour_n to_o his_o apostle_n in_o confer_v upon_o they_o the_o pastoral_n authority_n full_o prove_v that_o the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n be_v pastoral_n and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o which_o be_v ordinary_a in_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o which_o they_o have_v successor_n likewise_o this_o church_n do_v then_o appoint_v that_o at_o the_o order_n of_o priest_n or_o presbyter_n certain_a portion_n of_o scripture_n shall_v be_v read_v as_o belong_v to_o their_o office_n to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o viz._n that_o portion_n o●_n act._n 20._o which_o relate_v st._n paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o congregation_n with_o his_o exhortation_n to_o they_o to_o take_v heed_n to_o themselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n to_o rule_v the_o congregation_n of_o god_n or_o else_o 1_o tim._n 3._o which_o set_v forth_o the_o office_n and_o due_a qualification_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o afterward_o the_o bishop_n speak_v to_o they_o that_o be_v to_o receive_v the_o office_n of_o priesthood_n in_o this_o form_n of_o word_n you_o have_v hear_v brethren_n as_o well_o in_o your_o private_a examination_n and_o in_o the_o exhortation_n and_o holy_a lesson_n take_v out_o of_o the_o gospel_n and_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n of_o what_o dignity_n and_o how_o great_a importance_n this_o office_n be_v whereto_o you_o be_v call_v that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o messenger_n the_o watchmen_z the_o pastor_n and_o steward_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o teach_v to_o premonish_v to_o feed_v to_o provide_v for_o the_o lord_n family_n i_o mention_v my_o ordination_n according_a to_o the_o episcopal_a form_n because_o it_o be_v of_o great_a esteem_n with_o they_o to_o who_o this_o representation_n be_v more_o especial_o tender_v nevertheless_o i_o own_o the_o validity_n of_o presbyterial_a ordination_n and_o judge_v that_o minister_n so_o ordain_v may_v make_v the_o same_o defence_n for_o exercise_v the_o ministry_n in_o the_o same_o case_n that_o be_v here_o represent_v christ_n be_v the_o author_n and_o the_o only_a proper_a giver_n of_o this_o office_n and_o though_o he_o give_v it_o by_o the_o mediation_n of_o man_n yet_o not_o by_o they_o as_o give_v the_o office_n but_o as_o instrument_n of_o the_o designation_n or_o of_o the_o solemn_a investiture_n of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o he_o give_v it_o as_o the_o king_n be_v the_o immediate_a giver_n of_o the_o power_n of_o a_o mayor_n in_o a_o town_n corporate_a when_o he_o give_v it_o by_o the_o mediation_n of_o elector_n and_o certain_a officer_n only_o as_o instrument_n of_o the_o designation_n or_o of_o the_o solemn_a investiture_n of_o the_o person_n i_o be_o not_o conscious_a of_o disable_n myself_o to_o the_o sacred_a ministration_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n by_o any_o opinion_n or_o practice_n that_o may_v render_v i_o unfit_a for_o the_o same_o touch_v which_o matter_n i_o humble_o offer_v myself_o to_o the_o trial_n of_o my_o superior_n to_o be_v make_v according_a to_o god_n word_n nothing_o necessary_a to_o authorise_v i_o to_o those_o ministration_n be_v want_v that_o i_o know_v of_o i_o be_o christ_n commissioned_n officer_z and_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o have_v revoke_v the_o authority_n which_o i_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o and_o without_o the_o warrant_n of_o his_o law_n no_o man_n can_v take_v it_o from_o i_o nor_o do_v i_o find_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o office_n or_o the_o declare_a will_n of_o christ_n require_v that_o it_o be_v exercise_v no_o otherwise_o than_o in_o subordination_n to_o a_o disocesan_n bishop_n that_o i_o do_v not_o exercise_v the_o ministry_n under_o the_o regulation_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n and_o in_o other_o circumstance_n according_a to_o the_o present_a establish_a order_n the_o cause_n be_v not_o in_o i_o who_o be_o ready_a to_o submit_v thereunto_o but_o a_o bar_n be_v lay_v against_o i_o by_o the_o injunction_n of_o some_o term_n in_o the_o lawfulness_n whereof_o i_o be_o not_o satisfy_v whereof_o i_o be_o ready_a to_o give_v a_o account_n when_o it_o be_v require_v i_o do_v not_o understand_v that_o i_o be_o under_o any_o oath_n or_o promise_n to_o exercise_v the_o ministry_n no_o otherwise_o than_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o bishop_n or_o the_o ordinary_a of_o the_o place_n the_o promise_n make_v at_o my_o ordination_n to_o obey_v my_o ordinary_a and_o other_o chief_a minister_n to_o who_o the_o government_n and_o charge_n over_o i_o be_v commit_v concern_v i_o only_o as_o a_o presbyter_n stand_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o bishop_n or_o ordinary_a as_o one_o of_o the_o clergy_n of_o