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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n apostle_n call_v church_n 3,145 5 4.2520 3 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61546 A discourse concerning the power of excommunication in a Christian church, by way of appendix to the Irenicum by Edward Stillingfleet ... Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.; Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. Irenicum. 1662 (1662) Wing S5583; ESTC R38297 24,655 38

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shall_v think_v as_o much_o of_o call_v any_o thing_n a_o law_n but_o what_o have_v a_o civil_a sanction_n but_o i_o suppose_v all_o those_o who_o dare_v free_o own_o a_o supreme_a and_o infinite_a essence_n to_o have_v be_v the_o creator_n and_o to_o be_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o world_n will_v acknowledge_v his_o power_n to_o oblige_v conscience_n without_o be_v behold_v to_o his_o own_o creature_n to_o enact_v his_o law_n that_o man_n may_v be_v bind_v to_o obey_v they_o be_v the_o great_a god_n fain_o to_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o civil_a authority_n he_o have_v over_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n their_o government_n be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o make_v his_o law_n obligatory_a to_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o jew_n what_o have_v not_o they_o their_o being_n from_o god_n and_o can_v there_o be_v any_o great_a ground_n of_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n than_o from_o thence_o whence_o come_v civil_a power_n to_o have_v any_o right_a to_o oblige_v man_n more_o than_o god_n consider_v as_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n can_v have_v can_v there_o be_v indeed_o no_o other_o law_n according_a to_o the_o leviathan_n hypothesis_n but_o only_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o civil_a law_n but_o i_o pray_v whence_o come_v the_o obligation_n to_o either_o of_o these_o that_o these_o be_v not_o as_o arbitrary_a as_o all_o other_o agreement_n be_v and_o be_v it_o not_o as_o strong_a a_o dictate_v of_o nature_n as_o any_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o a_o creature_n which_o receive_v its_o be_v from_o another_o shall_v be_v bind_v to_o obey_v he_o not_o only_o in_o the_o resultancy_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n but_o with_o the_o arbitrary_a constitution_n of_o his_o will_n be_v adam_n bind_v to_o obey_v god_n or_o no_o as_o to_o that_o positive_a precept_n of_o eat_v the_o forbid_v fruit_n if_o no_o civil_a sanction_n have_v be_v add_v to_o that_o law_n the_o truth_n be_v such_o hypothesis_n as_o these_o be_v when_o they_o be_v follow_v close_o home_o will_v be_v find_v to_o kennel_n in_o that_o black_a den_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o be_v think_v to_o have_v proceed_v 15._o and_o now_o suppose_v that_o every_o full_a declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o any_o positive_a institution_n have_v the_o force_n and_o power_n of_o a_o law_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o to_o who_o it_o be_v sufficient_o propose_v i_o proceed_v to_o make_v appear_v that_o such_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n there_o be_v for_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o church_n as_o a_o visible_a body_n and_o society_n in_o the_o world_n by_o which_o i_o be_o far_o from_o mean_v such_o a_o conspicuous_a society_n that_o must_v continue_v in_o a_o perpetual_a visibility_n in_o the_o same_o place_n i_o find_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n in_o scripture_n but_o that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v some_o where_o or_o other_o in_o the_o world_n a_o society_n own_v and_o profess_v christianity_n may_v be_v easy_o deduce_v from_o thence_o and_o especial_o on_o this_o account_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v require_v this_o as_o one_o of_o the_o condition_n in_o order_n to_o eternal_a felicity_n that_o all_o those_o who_o believe_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n must_v likewise_o confess_v he_o with_o their_o mouth_n to_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v man_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n there_o must_v be_v man_n that_o will_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o associate_v on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o doctrine_n he_o have_v promulge_v to_o the_o world_n that_o one_o phrase_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o frequent_o use_v by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n import_v a_o gospel_n state_n do_v evident_o declare_v a_o society_n which_o be_v constitute_v by_o he_o on_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n wherefore_o shall_v our_o saviour_n call_v disciple_n and_o make_v apostle_n and_o send_v they_o abroad_o with_o full_a commission_n to_o gather_v and_o initiate_v disciple_n by_o baptism_n do_v he_o not_o intend_v a_o visible_a society_n for_o his_o church_n have_v it_o not_o be_v enough_o for_o man_n to_o have_v cordial_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o they_o must_v be_v enter_v in_o a_o solemn_a visible_a way_n and_o join_v in_o participation_n of_o visible_a symbol_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n but_o that_o our_o saviour_n require_v external_a profession_n and_o society_n in_o the_o gospel_n as_o a_o necessary_a duty_n in_o order_n to_o obtain_v the_o privilege_n convey_v by_o his_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la in_o the_o gospel_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v by_o what_o argument_n we_o can_v prove_v that_o any_o humane_a legislator_n do_v ever_o intend_v a_o commonwealth_n to_o be_v govern_v according_a to_o his_o mode_n by_o which_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o christ_n by_o a_o positive_a law_n do_v command_v such_o a_o society_n as_o shall_v be_v govern_v in_o a_o visible_a manner_n as_o other_o society_n be_v do_v he_o not_o appoint_v officer_n himself_o in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o of_o many_o rank_n and_o degree_n do_v he_o not_o invest_v those_o officer_n with_o authority_n to_o rule_v his_o church_n be_v it_o not_o lay_v as_o a_o charge_n on_o they_o to_o take_v heed_n to_o that_o flock_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n be_v there_o not_o rule_n lay_v down_o for_o the_o peculiar_a exercise_n of_o their_o government_n over_o the_o church_n in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o be_v not_o these_o officer_n admit_v into_o their_o function_n by_o a_o most_o solemn_a visible_a rite_n of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o be_v all_o these_o solemn_a transaction_n a_o mere_a piece_n of_o sacred_a pageantry_n and_o they_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v little_o more_o if_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o mere_a arbitrary_a thing_n depend_v only_o upon_o consent_n and_o confederation_n and_o not_o subsist_v by_o virtue_n of_o any_o charter_n from_o christ_n or_o some_o positive_a law_n require_v all_o christian_n to_o join_v in_o church_n society_n together_o but_o if_o now_o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v as_o certain_o it_o can_v but_o appear_v that_o this_o society_n of_o the_o church_n do_v subsist_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n 16._o than_o it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v distinct_a from_o any_o civil_a society_n and_o that_o on_o these_o account_n first_o because_o there_o be_v a_o antecedent_n obligation_n on_o conscience_n to_o associate_v on_o the_o account_n of_o christianity_n whether_o humane_a law_n prohibit_v or_o command_v it_o from_o whence_o of_o necessity_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v real_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n because_o whether_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v for_o or_o against_o this_o society_n all_o that_o own_o it_o be_v bind_v to_o profess_v it_o open_o and_o declare_v themselves_o member_n of_o it_o whereas_o be_v the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n real_o and_o formal_o the_o same_o all_o obligation_n to_o church_n society_n will_v arise_v mere_o from_o the_o legislative_a power_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o now_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a law_n bind_v in_o conscience_n who_o obligation_n can_v be_v supersede_v by_o any_o humane_a law_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a where_o be_v such_o vast_o different_a obligation_n there_o be_v different_a power_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n i_o know_v no_o incongruity_n in_o admit_v imperium_fw-la in_o imperio_fw-la if_o by_o it_o we_o understand_v no_o external_a coactive_a power_n but_o a_o internal_a power_n lay_v obligation_n on_o conscience_n distinct_a from_o the_o power_n lodge_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n consider_v as_o such_o a_o outward_a coactive_a power_n be_v always_o disow_v by_o christ_n but_o certain_o not_o a_o internal_a power_n over_o conscience_n to_o oblige_v all_o his_o 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a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n by_o way_n of_o appendix_n to_o the_o irenicum_fw-la by_o edward_n stillingfleet_n rector_n of_o sutton_n in_o bedfordshire_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n near_o the_o little_a north-door_n 1662._o a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o daily_a observation_n and_o experience_n in_o the_o world_n 1._o how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o keep_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o understanding_n clear_a in_o its_o judgement_n of_o thing_n when_o it_o be_v too_o far_o engage_v in_o the_o dust_n of_o controversy_n it_o be_v so_o very_o difficult_a to_o well_o manage_v a_o impetuous_a pursuit_n after_o any_o opinion_n nothing_o be_v more_o common_a then_o to_o see_v man_n outrun_v their_o mark_n and_o through_o the_o force_n of_o their_o speed_n to_o be_v carry_v as_o far_o beyond_o it_o as_o other_o in_o their_o opinion_n fall_v short_a of_o it_o there_o be_v certain_o a_o kind_n of_o ebriety_n of_o the_o mind_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o body_n which_o make_v it_o so_o unstable_a and_o pendulous_a that_o it_o oft_o time_n reel_v from_o one_o extreme_a unto_o the_o quite_o contrary_a this_o as_o it_o be_v obvious_a in_o most_o eager_a controvertist_n of_o all_o age_n so_o especial_o in_o such_o who_o have_v discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o a_o opinion_n they_o be_v once_o confident_a of_o which_o they_o think_v they_o can_v never_o after_o run_v far_o enough_o from_o so_o that_o while_o they_o start_v at_o a_o apparition_n they_o so_o much_o dread_n they_o run_v into_o those_o untrodden_a path_n wherein_o they_o lose_v both_o themselves_o and_o the_o truth_n they_o seek_v for_o 2._o thus_o we_o find_v it_o to_o be_v in_o the_o present_a controversy_n for_o many_o out_o of_o their_o just_a zeal_n against_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o 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she_o of_o her_o expulsive_a faculty_n of_o noxious_a humour_n and_o so_o leave_v she_o under_o a_o miserere_fw-la mei_fw-la i_o shall_v therefore_o endeavour_v to_o give_v the_o church_n her_o due_a as_o well_o as_o caesar_n his_o 3._o by_o make_v good_a this_o follow_a principle_n or_o hypothesis_n upon_o which_o the_o whole_a hinge_n of_o this_o controversy_n turn_v viz._n that_o the_o power_n of_o inflict_a censure_n upon_o offender_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o fundamental_a right_n result_v from_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o society_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o the_o seat_n of_o this_o power_n be_v in_o those_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v derive_v their_o power_n original_o from_o the_o founder_n of_o this_o society_n and_o act_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o law_n of_o it_o 4._o for_o the_o clear_a state_v of_o this_o controversy_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o explain_v what_o that_o power_n be_v which_o i_o attribute_v to_o the_o church_n and_o in_o what_o notion_n the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o it_o exercise_v this_o power_n first_o concern_v the_o proper_a notion_n of_o power_n by_o it_o i_o can_v see_v any_o thing_n else_o to_o be_v understand_v than_o a_o right_a of_o govern_v or_o order_v thing_n which_o belong_v to_o a_o society_n and_o so_o power_n imply_v only_o a_o moral_a faculty_n in_o the_o person_n enjoy_v it_o to_o take_v care_n ne_fw-fr quid_fw-la civitas_fw-la detrimenti_fw-la capiat_fw-la whereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o every_o well_o constitute_v society_n must_v suppose_v a_o power_n within_o its_o self_n of_o order_v thing_n belong_v to_o its_o welfare_n or_o else_o it_o be_v impossible_a either_o the_o be_v or_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o society_n can_v be_v long_o preserve_v power_n then_o in_o its_o general_n and_o abstract_a notion_n do_v not_o necessary_o import_v either_o mere_a authority_n or_o proper_a coaction_n for_o these_o to_o any_o 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that_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o power_n neither_o proper_o coactive_a nor_o mere_o arbitrary_a viz._n such_o a_o one_o as_o immediate_o result_v from_o divine_a institution_n and_o do_v suppose_v consent_n to_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o a_o necessary_a duty_n in_o all_o the_o member_n of_o this_o society_n this_o power_n it_o be_v evident_a 6._o be_v not_o mere_o arbitrary_a either_o in_o the_o governor_n or_o member_n for_o the_o governor_n derive_v their_o power_n or_o right_a of_o govern_v from_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o his_o law_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o and_o the_o member_n though_o their_o consent_n be_v necessary_o suppose_v yet_o that_o consent_n be_v a_o duty_n in_o they_o and_o that_o duty_n do_v imply_v their_o submission_n to_o the_o ruler_n of_o this_o society_n neither_o can_v this_o power_n be_v call_v coactive_a in_o the_o sense_n it_o be_v common_o take_v for_o coactive_a power_n and_o external_a force_n be_v necessary_a correlate_n to_o each_o other_o but_o we_o suppose_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o power_n of_o outward_a force_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n as_o such_o for_o that_o proper_o belong_v to_o a_o commonwealth_n but_o the_o power_n which_o i_o suppose_v to_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o church_n be_v such_o a_o power_n as_o depend_v upon_o a_o law_n of_o a_o superior_a give_v right_a to_o govern_v to_o particular_a person_n over_o such_o a_o society_n and_o make_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o member_n of_o it_o to_o submit_v unto_o it_o upon_o no_o other_o penalty_n than_o the_o exclusion_n of_o they_o from_o the_o privilege_n which_o that_o society_n enjoy_v so_o that_o suppose_v such_o a_o society_n as_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v officer_n to_o rule_v it_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o those_o officer_n must_v derive_v
the_o subject_n be_v capable_a of_o these_o follow_a thing_n first_o that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o peculiar_a society_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o the_o commonwealth_n second_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n over_o its_o member_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o mere_a confederation_n or_o consent_n of_o party_n three_o that_o this_o power_n of_o the_o church_n do_v extend_v to_o the_o exclusion_n of_o offender_n from_o the_o privilege_n of_o it_o four_o that_o the_o fundamental_a right_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o escheat_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n upon_o their_o be_v unite_v in_o a_o christian_a state_n if_o these_o principle_n be_v establish_v the_o church_n power_n will_v stand_v upon_o they_o as_o on_o a_o firm_a and_o unmoveable_a basis_n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o 11._o that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o peculiar_a society_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o the_o commonwealth_n which_o i_o prove_v by_o these_o argument_n 1_o those_o society_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o subsist_v apart_o from_o each_o other_o be_v real_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o one_o another_o but_o so_o it_o be_v with_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a evidence_n of_o a_o real_a distinction_n than_o mutual_a separation_n and_o i_o think_v the_o prove_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o soul_n exist_v separate_a from_o the_o body_n be_v one_o of_o the_o strong_a argument_n to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v a_o substance_n real_o distinct_a from_o the_o body_n to_o which_o it_o be_v unite_v although_o we_o be_v often_o fain_o to_o go_v the_o other_o way_n to_o work_v and_o to_o prove_v possibility_n of_o separation_n from_o other_o argument_n evince_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v a_o distinct_a substance_n but_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o be_v for_o want_v of_o evidence_n as_o to_o the_o state_n of_o separate_a soul_n and_o their_o visible_a existence_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o immateriality_n of_o their_o nature_n but_o now_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n we_o have_v all_o evidence_n desirable_a for_o we_o be_v not_o put_v to_o prove_v possibility_n of_o separation_n mere_o from_o the_o different_a constitution_n of_o the_o thing_n unite_v but_o we_o have_v evidence_n to_o sense_n of_o it_o that_o the_o church_n have_v subsist_v when_o it_o have_v be_v not_o only_o separate_v from_o but_o persecute_v by_o all_o civil_a power_n it_o be_v with_o many_o man_n as_o to_o the_o union_n of_o church_n and_o state_n as_o it_o be_v with_o other_o as_o to_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n when_o they_o observe_v how_o close_o the_o union_n be_v and_o how_o much_o the_o soul_n make_v use_v of_o the_o animal_n spirit_n in_o most_o of_o its_o operation_n and_o how_o great_a a_o sympathy_n there_o be_v between_o they_o that_o like_o hippocrates_n his_o twin_n they_o laugh_v and_o weep_v '_o together_o they_o be_v shrewd_o put_v to_o it_o how_o to_o fancy_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v any_o thing_n else_o then_o a_o more_o vigorous_a mode_n of_o matter_n so_o these_o observe_v how_o close_o a_o union_n and_o dependence_n there_o be_v between_o the_o church_n and_o state_n in_o a_o christian_a commonwealth_n and_o how_o much_o the_o church_n be_v behold_v to_o the_o civil_a power_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o its_o function_n be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o the_o church_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o high_a mode_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n consider_v as_o christian._n but_o when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o the_o church_n have_v and_o may_v subsist_v suppose_v it_o abstract_v from_o all_o civil_a power_n it_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n that_o however_o near_o they_o may_v be_v when_o unite_a yet_o they_o be_v real_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o each_o other_o which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v 12._o 2_o those_o be_v distinct_a society_n which_o have_v every_o thing_n distinct_a in_o their_o nature_n from_o each_o other_o which_o belong_v to_o the_o constitution_n or_o government_n of_o they_o but_o this_o be_v evident_a as_o to_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n which_o will_v appear_v because_o their_o charter_n be_v distinct_a or_o that_o which_o give_v they_o their_o be_v as_o a_o society_n civil_a society_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o necessity_n of_o particular_a man_n part_v with_o their_o peculiar_a right_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o themselves_o which_o be_v the_o impulsive_a cause_n of_o their_o enter_v into_o society_n but_o that_o which_o actual_o speak_v they_o to_o be_v a_o society_n be_v the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o the_o several_a party_n join_v together_o whereby_o they_o make_v themselves_o to_o be_v one_o body_n and_o to_o have_v one_o common_a interest_n 21._o so_o cicero_n de_fw-fr repub._n define_v populus_fw-la to_o be_v caetus_fw-la multitudinis_fw-la juris_fw-la consensu_fw-la et_fw-la utilitatis_fw-la communione_fw-la sociatus_fw-la there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o god_n general_a providence_n be_v as_o evident_o see_v in_o bring_v the_o world_n into_o society_n and_o make_v they_o live_v under_o government_n as_o in_o dispose_v all_o particular_a event_n which_o happen_v in_o those_o society_n but_o yet_o the_o way_n which_o providence_n use_v in_o the_o constitution_n of_o these_o society_n be_v by_o incline_v man_n to_o consent_v to_o associate_v for_o their_o mutual_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n so_o that_o natural_a reason_n consult_v for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n as_o to_o those_o right_n which_o man_n enjoy_v in_o common_a with_o each_o other_o be_v the_o main_a foundation_n upon_o which_o all_o civil_a society_n be_v erect_v we_o find_v no_o positive_a law_n enact_v the_o be_v of_o civil_a society_n because_o nature_n its_o self_n will_v prompt_v man_n for_o their_o own_o conveniency_n to_o enter_v into_o they_o but_o the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o that_o society_n which_o we_o call_v a_o church_n be_v a_o matter_n which_o natural_a reason_n and_o common_a notion_n can_v never_o reach_v to_o and_o therefore_o a_o associate_a for_o the_o preserve_n of_o such_o may_v be_v a_o philosophical_a society_n but_o a_o christian_a it_o can_v be_v and_o that_o will_v make_v a_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o society_n of_o essen_n or_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o pythagorian_n who_o do_v either_o not_o understand_v or_o not_o consider_v whereon_o this_o christian_a society_n be_v found_v for_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o look_v on_o it_o as_o a_o mere_o voluntary_a thing_n that_o be_v not_o at_o all_o settle_a by_o any_o divine_a positive_a law_n the_o truth_n be_v 13._o there_o be_v no_o principle_n more_o consistent_a with_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o deny_v any_o church_n power_n in_o a_o christian_a state_n than_o this_o be_v and_o it_o be_v that_o which_o every_o one_o who_o will_v make_v good_a his_o ground_n must_v be_v drive_v to_o for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o matter_n mere_o voluntary_a and_o depend_v only_o on_o consideration_n such_o thing_n be_v liable_a to_o a_o magistrate_n power_n there_o can_v be_v no_o plea_n from_o mutual_a consent_n to_o justify_v any_o opposition_n to_o supreme_a authority_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n but_o then_o how_o such_o person_n can_v be_v christian_n when_o the_o magistrate_n will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v otherwise_o i_o can_v understand_v nor_o how_o the_o primitive_a martyr_n be_v any_o other_o than_o a_o company_n of_o fool_n or_o madman_n who_o will_v hazard_v their_o life_n for_o that_o which_o be_v a_o mere_a arbritrary_a thing_n and_o which_o they_o have_v no_o necessary_a obligation_n upon_o they_o to_o profess_v mistake_v i_o not_o i_o speak_v not_o here_o of_o mere_a act_n of_o discipline_n but_o of_o the_o duty_n of_o outward_a profess_v christianity_n if_o this_o be_v a_o duty_n than_o a_o christian_a society_n be_v settle_v by_o a_o positive_a law_n if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o duty_n than_o they_o be_v fool_n who_o suffer_v for_o it_o so_o that_o this_o question_n resolve_v into_o its_o principle_n lead_v we_o high_o than_o we_o think_v for_o and_o the_o main_a thing_n in_o debate_n must_v be_v whether_o there_o be_v a_o obligation_n upon_o conscience_n for_o man_n to_o associate_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n or_o no_o if_o there_o be_v than_o the_o church_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o such_o a_o association_n be_v establish_v upon_o a_o positive_a law_n of_o christ_n if_o there_o be_v not_o than_o those_o inconvenience_n follow_v which_o be_v already_o mention_v 14._o we_o be_v tell_v indeed_o by_o the_o leviathan_n with_o confidence_n enough_o that_o no_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v law_n till_o enact_v by_o civil_a authority_n but_o it_o be_v little_a wonder_n that_o he_o who_o think_v a_o immaterial_a substance_n imply_v a_o contradiction_n