it_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v the_o house_n of_o the_o live_n god_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v the_o pillar_n of_o truth_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o truth_n quest_n before_o the_o explanation_n of_o each_o of_o these_o title_n in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v determine_v whether_o these_o thing_n be_v speak_v of_o the_o catholic_n or_o of_o a_o particular_a church_n the_o particular_a church_n of_o ephesus_n answ_n although_o i_o have_v already_o affirm_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n differ_v from_o a_o particular_a true_a church_n only_o in_o the_o compass_n and_o comprehensiveness_n of_o it_o yet_o i_o very_o willing_o represent_v it_o over_o again_o in_o this_o instance_n these_o thing_n be_v true_o apply_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o every_o particular_a church_n nay_o it_o reach_v down_o to_o every_o single_a live_a member_n of_o the_o church_n so_o far_o that_o god_n make_v his_o abode_n with_o he_o dwell_v in_o he_o he_o be_v a_o pillar_n in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n the_o truth_n rest_v and_o dwell_v in_o he_o and_o shall_v be_v with_o he_o for_o ever_o so_o that_o he_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o have_v more_o of_o the_o church_n in_o he_o than_o great_a seem_a portion_n of_o it_o that_o err_v from_o the_o truth_n quest_n if_o you_o please_v now_o to_o proceed_v in_o the_o explanation_n of_o these_o title_n and_o first_o what_o be_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o house_n of_o god_n for_o the_o actuate_a the_o scripture_n answ_n god_n the_o most_o high_a possessor_n and_o owner_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n place_n his_o court_n family_n and_o particular_a residence_n where_o he_o please_v and_o he_o have_v choose_v the_o church_n to_o be_v this_o to_o he_o this_o be_v my_o rest_n here_o will_v i_o dwell_v for_o ever_o for_o i_o have_v desire_v it_o heaven_n be_v my_o throne_n earth_n be_v my_o footstool_n where_o be_v the_o house_n you_o will_v build_v i_o to_o this_o man_n will_v i_o look_v that_o tremble_v at_o my_o word_n and_o where_o god_n dwell_v there_o he_o manifest_v himself_o as_o a_o master_n of_o a_o family_n make_v know_v in_o his_o house_n and_o family_n his_o nature_n will_n law_n and_o government_n so_o god_n do_v in_o his_o church_n in_o judah_n be_v god_n know_v his_o name_n be_v great_a in_o israel_n in_o his_o church_n he_o show_v the_o light_n of_o his_o countenance_n expect_v and_o reward_n service_n as_o a_o great_a master_n and_o make_v know_v his_o dislike_n and_o displeasure_n this_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o church_n by_o those_o many_o way_n that_o god_n have_v of_o bring_v his_o word_n to_o any_o place_n or_o person_n give_v it_o reception_n among_o they_o and_o then_o stir_v up_o his_o child_n and_o servant_n to_o hear_v his_o voice_n to_o search_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n and_o to_o understand_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v as_o a_o voice_n continual_o behind_o they_o in_o his_o temple_n therefore_o in_o his_o house_n every_o one_o must_v needs_o speak_v of_o his_o glory_n his_o word_n can_v lie_v still_o for_o all_o be_v concern_v to_o meditate_v ponder_v inquire_v and_o discourse_n of_o it_o and_o be_v by_o supreme_a management_n excite_v so_o to_o do_v and_o so_o much_o as_o this_o exercise_n in_o his_o word_n be_v by_o any_o mean_v depress_v so_o far_o god_n be_v withdraw_v and_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o church-state_n lose_v now_o of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o house_n of_o god_n there_o be_v this_o great_a type_n god_n dwell_v in_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n as_o in_o a_o palace_n there_o be_v such_o a_o diet_n of_o shewbread_n change_v every_o day_n of_o sacrifice_n of_o all_o sort_n such_o perfume_n of_o incense_n and_o odour_n such_o officer_n and_o servant_n attend_v continual_o such_o resort_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n to_o the_o court_n of_o this_o great_a king_n and_o princely_a housholder_n together_o with_o this_o state_n run_v along_o in_o a_o mighty_a stream_n god_n show_v his_o word_n to_o jacob_n his_o statute_n and_o judgement_n to_o israel_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o pomp_n and_o ceremonial_a part_n be_v whole_o transfer_v into_o spirituality_n but_o spirituality_n be_v not_o low_o but_o high_a in_o the_o substance_n of_o all_o that_o can_v be_v figure_v by_o these_o thing_n and_o the_o substantial_a part_n of_o that_o state_n the_o communication_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v much_o exalt_v in_o the_o true_a christian_a church_n that_o the_o light_n of_o one_o day_n be_v now_o as_o much_o as_o the_o light_n of_o seven_o be_v before_o thus_o the_o church_n as_o the_o family_n of_o god_n can_v but_o actuate_v his_o word_n quest_n what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n of_o truth_n do_v the_o church_n support_v truth_n answ_n not_o so_o for_o itself_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n jesus_n christ_n himself_o be_v the_o chief_a cornerstone_n quest_n how_o then_o be_v it_o say_v to_o be_v the_o pillar_n of_o truth_n and_o of_o what_o importance_n be_v that_o to_o the_o actuate_a scripture_n answ_n as_o the_o law_n and_o ordinance_n of_o court_n and_o government_n be_v public_o fix_v that_o every_o one_o may_v know_v and_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o so_o the_o church_n in_o all_o its_o member_n but_o especial_o by_o depute_a minister_n give_v themselves_o whole_o to_o it_o proclaim_v preach_v and_o make_v offer_v of_o the_o most_o public_a notice_n of_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n within_o itself_o that_o all_o the_o child_n and_o servant_n of_o the_o family_n may_v be_v continual_o catechise_v and_o build_v up_o therein_o and_o stranger_n have_v opportunity_n to_o know_v if_o they_o will_v apply_v themselves_o to_o it_o thus_o it_o be_v a_o famous_a city_n set_v on_o a_o hill_n that_o can_v be_v hide_v and_o therefore_o its_o law_n constitution_n manner_n can_v but_o in_o all_o reason_n be_v inquire_v of_o by_o all_o that_o do_v so_o much_o as_o pass_v by_o it_o it_o be_v a_o candlestick_n bear_v the_o lofty_a torch_n of_o divine_a truth_n of_o this_o the_o pillar_n of_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o affix_v to_o they_o the_o roll_n of_o divine_a revelation_n be_v a_o eminent_a type_n and_o allude_v to_o by_o the_o apostle_n as_o therefore_o from_o a_o prince_n come_v forth_o edict_n proclamation_n manifesto_n and_o declaration_n according_a to_o law_n which_o be_v fasten_v to_o public_a pillar_n of_o the_o court_n itself_o and_o all_o open_a and_o conspicuous_a place_n of_o concourse_n so_o be_v there_o in_o the_o church_n the_o most_o advantageous_a publication_n of_o the_o divine_a truth_n and_o word_n to_o all_o both_o the_o native_n and_o freeborn_a of_o the_o church_n itself_o and_o ingenuous_a stranger_n that_o will_v hearken_v out_o the_o most_o reasonable_a proposal_n of_o truth_n or_o who_o god_n be_v please_v to_o naturalize_v to_o himself_o quest_n what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o how_o do_v this_o actuate_v scripture_n answ_n it_o mean_v nothing_o but_o the_o perpetuity_n and_o continuation_n of_o truth_n with_o the_o church_n establish_v itself_o by_o all_o that_o firmness_n of_o divine_a evidence_n and_o reason_n and_o on_o those_o very_a security_n take_v possession_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o ark_n of_o its_o strength_n where_o itself_o or_o the_o god_n that_o be_v truth_n itself_o place_v the_o sole_n of_o his_o foot_n as_o on_o his_o unmovable_a footstool_n for_o ever_o of_o which_o the_o ark_n in_o the_o holy_a be_v a_o type_n the_o footstool_n of_o the_o throne_n of_o mercy_n the_o secure_a repository_n of_o the_o table_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o ark_n of_o testimony_n over_o which_o the_o shecinah_n or_o glory_n appear_v as_o enthrone_v attend_v with_o cherubim_n and_o set_v its_o foot_n upon_o it_o the_o place_n of_o my_o throne_n and_o the_o place_n of_o the_o sole_n of_o my_o foot_n ezek._n 43._o 7._o for_o thus_o the_o true_a church_n against_o which_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n can_v prevail_v be_v the_o unchangeable_a rest_n of_o truth_n it_o adhere_v to_o truth_n it_o buy_v the_o truth_n and_o never_o sell_v it_o truth_n dwell_v with_o it_o for_o ever_o god_n never_o suffer_v it_o to_o apostatise_v from_o truth_n but_o by_o the_o constant_a hold_v of_o the_o judgement_n and_o retain_v the_o love_n and_o zeal_n of_o the_o affection_n of_o those_o that_o be_v indeed_o his_o church_n he_o have_v settle_v his_o word_n in_o his_o church_n on_o earth_n even_o as_o it_o be_v for_o ever_o settle_v in_o heaven_n the_o church_n therefore_o actuate_v scripture_n by_o find_v out_o reason_n debate_v enforce_v defend_v by_o
all_o argument_n that_o truth_n of_o scripture_n and_o so_o persist_v in_o it_o for_o ever_o quest_n can_v then_o the_o church_n fail_v answ_n it_o have_v be_v say_v before_o the_o true_a church_n can_v fail_v for_o the_o true_a church_n be_v as_o have_v be_v describe_v the_o house_n of_o god_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o which_o be_v so_o can_v fail_v and_o god_n will_v have_v such_o a_o church_n always_o in_o the_o world_n if_o any_o person_n city_n or_o nation_n that_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o church_n have_v this_o light_n eclipse_v the_o candlestick_n remove_v for_o it_o be_v only_o a_o candlestick_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o light_n and_o the_o pillar_n itself_o shake_v and_o fall_v if_o the_o record_v fix_v to_o it_o be_v take_v away_o and_o the_o palace_n and_o court_n remove_v with_o the_o prince_n who_o be_v always_o with_o his_o truth_n and_o the_o lively_a motion_n of_o it_o so_o much_o truth_n therefore_o and_o active_a display_v of_o it_o so_o much_o a_o church_n in_o any_o place_n and_o the_o truth_n remove_v or_o lie_v dead_a the_o church_n remove_v also_o or_o be_v ready_a to_o die_v in_o that_o place_n quest_n but_o be_v thâ—re_o no_o high_a sense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n answ_n no_o other_o but_o what_o arise_v from_o the_o most_o intimate_a and_o inseparable_a union_n betwixt_o the_o church_n and_o truth_n truth_n take_v a_o undefailable_a possession_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o wherever_o truth_n in_o that_o fullness_n as_o to_o lead_v to_o life_n and_o happiness_n be_v there_o be_v the_o church_n and_o no_o where_o else_o the_o true_a church_n then_o may_v be_v style_v a_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n in_o the_o high_a sense_n if_o right_o understoo_o that_o be_v truth_n itself_o that_o be_v the_o unmovable_a pillar_n and_o everlasting_a foundation_n have_v so_o close_o band_v the_o church_n with_o itself_o that_o it_o be_v one_o pillar_n and_o foundation_n with_o it_o thus_o the_o church_n may_v be_v both_o the_o building_n and_o the_o rock_n and_o foundation_n to_o succeed_a part_n and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o building_n as_o itself_o rest_v upon_o the_o pillar_n and_o foundation_n of_o truth_n else_o it_o can_v be_v the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o foundation_n of_o truth_n to_o the_o still_o succeed_a and_o rise_v church_n as_o it_o be_v one_o with_o truth_n itself_o to_o which_o every_o true_a member_n first_o come_v and_o unite_v and_o therein_o to_o the_o church_n even_o as_o every_o degree_n of_o building_n be_v a_o foundation_n and_o support_v to_o the_o still_o grow_a building_n not_o in_o itself_o but_o as_o it_o be_v sure_o cement_v to_o the_o foundation_n regulate_v by_o it_o and_o partake_v its_o strength_n yet_o if_o it_o swerve_v never_o so_o little_a from_o the_o foundation_n it_o be_v present_o a_o deformity_n and_o the_o more_o it_o swerve_v the_o great_a danger_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o itself_o and_o all_o that_o rest_v upon_o it_o quest_n may_v not_o this_o help_n to_o explain_v that_o so_o much_o dispute_v expression_n of_o our_o saviour_n thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n and_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o preval_fw-fr against_o it_o answ_n i_o shall_v be_v glad_a if_o it_o may_v give_v any_o light_n to_o it_o and_o hope_v it_o may_v for_o the_o apostle_n peter_n make_v that_o confession_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n not_o singular_a but_o represent_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o apostle_n and_o christian_n and_o be_v possess_v with_o and_o by_o that_o truth_n he_o confess_v be_v both_o part_n of_o the_o building_n upon_o that_o rock_n and_o as_o unite_z with_o that_o rock_n he_o become_v rock_n itself_o upon_o which_o succeee_a christian_n be_v to_o be_v build_v the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v in_o this_o sense_n foundation_n and_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n twelve_o foundation_n christ_n himself_o be_v the_o cornerstone_n in_o who_o alone_o the_o whole_a building_n even_o the_o apostolic_a foundation_n itself_o rise_v in_o a_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n quest_n be_v there_o not_o a_o good_a security_n then_o in_o join_v ourselves_o to_o the_o church_n to_o those_o that_o have_v be_v in_o the_o building_n before_o we_o answ_n no_o otherwise_o than_o as_o we_o join_v ourselves_o by_o their_o ministry_n to_o that_o foundation_n itself_o which_o always_o lie_v sure_a upon_o which_o they_o themselves_o must_v alone_o rest_v if_o the_o true_a church_n for_o by_o place_v ourselves_o not_o upon_o they_o but_o upon_o that_o common_a foundation_n we_o be_v adjust_v to_o the_o whole_a building_n that_o be_v before_o we_o that_o lie_v regular_a with_o that_o foundation_n by_o the_o care_n of_o he_o who_o be_v both_o the_o foundation_n cornerstone_n and_o be_v also_o he_o that_o build_v all_o thing_n even_o god_n in_o christ_n quest_n we_o must_v then_o seek_v to_o find_v the_o truth_n by_o itself_o and_o then_o the_o church_n by_o that_o truth_n and_o not_o the_o church_n by_o itself_o and_o then_o the_o truth_n by_o the_o church_n answ_n very_o true_a for_o god_n have_v so_o in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n establish_v the_o very_a nature_n of_o thing_n truth_n can_v give_v many_o assurance_n of_o itself_o to_o we_o by_o itself_o so_o suit_v to_o our_o faculty_n the_o church_n can_v give_v we_o none_o but_o by_o its_o agreement_n with_o truth_n reveal_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o can_v not_o have_v know_v such_o a_o congregation_n as_o the_o church_n at_o all_o to_o be_v much_o less_o which_o it_o be_v but_o by_o that_o word_n manifest_v itself_o in_o our_o conscience_n and_o so_o distinguish_v to_o we_o the_o true_a church_n among_o the_o many_o association_n in_o the_o world_n each_o call_n to_o we_o as_o have_v the_o best_a religion_n among_o themselves_o even_o the_o true_a apostle_n themselves_o can_v be_v know_v to_o be_v so_o and_o false_a apostle_n try_v and_o find_v liar_n no_o other_o way_n but_o by_o this_o truth_n view_v and_o consider_v single_o and_o distinct_o by_o itself_o quest_n but_o when_o we_o have_v find_v the_o church_n by_o the_o truth_n may_v we_o not_o then_o deliver_v up_o ourselves_o whole_o to_o the_o church_n as_o so_o unite_v to_o truth_n answ_n no_o by_o no_o mean_n we_o can_v never_o so_o deliver_v up_o ourselves_o nor_o will_v the_o true_a church_n desire_v any_o such_o thing_n of_o we_o see_v its_o office_n be_v not_o to_o hold_v out_o itself_o but_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o in_o do_v any_o thing_n else_o it_o act_v not_o as_o a_o church_n but_o as_o any_o other_o ordinary_a society_n and_o on_o no_o other_o term_n can_v we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o it_o for_o the_o very_a attempt_n to_o hold_v out_o as_o a_o church_n any_o law_n of_o its_o own_o aught_o to_o enter_v we_o into_o a_o jealousy_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o true_a church_n which_o be_v as_o a_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o rest_n of_o divine_a truth_n only_o quest_n what_o reason_n be_v there_o of_o such_o a_o jealousy_n when_o once_o we_o have_v find_v it_o a_o church_n by_o the_o truth_n it_o hold_v out_o answ_n because_o a_o church_n that_o have_v be_v a_o true_a church_n may_v several_a way_n decline_v from_o its_o state_n quest_n how_o then_o can_v it_o he_o say_v the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o answ_n that_o prophetic_a promise_n do_v not_o secure_v this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n but_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o seed_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n with_o which_o the_o covenant_n of_o god_n be_v eternal_a my_o word_n shall_v not_o depart_v out_o of_o thy_o mouth_n nor_o out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o thy_o seed_n or_o thy_o seed_n seed_n for_o ever_o but_o it_o be_v yet_o further_o true_a the_o true_a seed_n the_o holy_a seed_n the_o substance_n of_o the_o church_n can_v never_o utter_o and_o final_o fail_v in_o any_o particular_a member_n of_o it_o for_o if_o it_o can_v it_o be_v too_o great_a a_o violation_n of_o our_o saviour_n truth_n in_o that_o declaration_n the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o his_o church_n or_o force_v that_o immortal_a retrograde_a into_o mortality_n even_o that_o most_o dreadful_a one_o of_o the_o second_o death_n for_o which_o a_o succession_n of_o other_o and_o in_o the_o same_o danger_n be_v but_o a_o faint_a salvo_n though_o it_o go_v on_o so_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n quest_n who_o be_v this_o true_a church_n in_o every_o age_n and_o place_n answ_n they_o which_o be_v by_o true_a save_v faith_n unite_v to_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o rock_n of_o eternity_n and_o be_v so_o found_v upon_o he_o be_v pillar_n
that_o never_o remove_v and_o a_o rest_n of_o truth_n for_o ever_o have_v be_v teach_v and_o learn_v it_o as_o it_o be_v in_o jesus_n quest_n who_o be_v the_o professionary_n church_n only_a answ_n they_o that_o though_o they_o may_v as_o artificial_a pillar_n give_v some_o ornament_n to_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o offer_v truth_n yet_o not_o be_v indeed_o unite_v to_o the_o foundation_n be_v movable_a and_o may_v go_v out_o of_o the_o house_n they_o be_v such_o as_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n and_o obedience_n of_o it_o within_o themselves_o and_o so_o may_v fall_v away_o from_o it_o it_o can_v be_v say_v of_o they_o as_o of_o the_o former_a the_o truth_n shall_v be_v with_o they_o for_o ever_o have_v make_v its_o edraioma_n or_o settlement_n in_o they_o quest_n how_o do_v the_o professionary_n church_n fall_v away_o in_o the_o bulk_n and_o body_n of_o its_o professor_n and_o profession_n answ_n the_o office_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o actuate_v truth_n and_o only_a truth_n it_o may_v fail_v either_o in_o abate_v the_o fervour_n due_a to_o truth_n though_o nothing_o false_a or_o forreign_n be_v admit_v or_o in_o receive_v falsehood_n or_o thing_n of_o a_o base_a alloy_n for_o truth_n and_o waste_v those_o fervour_n due_a only_o to_o truth_n upon_o they_o the_o one_o may_v be_v call_v a_o depart_n from_o the_o true_a state_n of_o a_o church_n the_o other_o from_o the_o state_n of_o a_o true_a church_n and_o they_o usual_o meet_v one_o in_o another_o quest_n how_o do_v this_o come_v to_o pass_v answ_n from_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o present_a sinful_a state_n permit_v thing_n so_o to_o themselves_o that_o in_o very_a few_o instance_n it_o be_v but_o that_o the_o imperfection_n of_o good_a man_n and_o the_o prevail_a corruption_n of_o professionary_n christian_n change_v the_o holy_a lively_a activity_n of_o the_o true_a state_n of_o a_o church_n into_o lukewarmness_n and_o formality_n or_o by_o admit_v 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it_o debase_v pure_a worship_n into_o ceremonialness_n superstition_n or_o idolatry_n and_o the_o gospel_n rule_n and_o discipline_n it_o sell_v for_o a_o worldly_a polity_n and_o the_o true_a grace_n of_o christianity_n express_v in_o a_o holy_a conversation_n for_o what_o be_v much_o beneath_o or_o contrary_a sometime_o it_o forsake_v truth_n in_o some_o fundamental_a article_n that_o it_o swell_v out_o from_o the_o foundation_n in_o a_o breach_n ready_a to_o fall_v and_o there_o be_v one_o instance_n of_o all_o these_o in_o the_o antichurch_n which_o will_v deserve_v a_o great_a consideration_n quest_n how_o do_v god_n deal_v with_o such_o church_n answ_n sometime_o sweep_v they_o with_o the_o besom_n of_o destruction_n take_v away_o both_o the_o candlestick_n and_o place_n of_o it_o together_o alienes_n both_o to_o they_o and_o their_o religion_n thrust_v they_o out_o of_o their_o whole_a possession_n sometime_o he_o suffer_v they_o to_o continue_v even_o for_o age_n yet_o so_o 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distinction_n but_o carry_v they_o captive_a with_o the_o rest_n though_o in_o different_a basket_n as_o the_o prophet_n jeremy_n represent_v quest_n how_o do_v they_o survive_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o displace_v and_o deject_a candlestick_n answ_n they_o be_v either_o call_v out_o to_o a_o zealous_a appearance_n and_o suffer_v for_o truth_n or_o sometime_o retire_v into_o corner_n like_o the_o seven_o thousand_o in_o israel_n or_o the_o church_n in_o the_o wilderness_n that_o they_o can_v appear_v like_o a_o church_n offer_v those_o public_a notice_n of_o divine_a truth_n a_o church_n be_v design_v for_o quest_n how_o be_v a_o visible_a profession_n lose_v from_o particular_a person_n answ_n it_o be_v too_o often_o throw_v up_o by_o apostasy_n or_o profaneness_n or_o dwindle_v into_o a_o very_a spiritless_a form_n but_o very_o often_o a_o profession_n without_o the_o power_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o work_n of_o iniquity_n it_o may_v pass_v out_o of_o this_o world_n like_o a_o lamp_n burn_v but_o be_v find_v to_o burn_v only_o in_o a_o small_a temporary_a light_n without_o oil_n in_o the_o vessel_n a_o plenitude_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o heart_n shut_v out_o every_o lust_n it_o become_v a_o lamp_n put_v out_o in_o utter_a darkness_n quest_n what_o be_v to_o be_v infer_v from_o all_o this_o answ_n that_o there_o be_v no_o trust_n but_o in_o the_o lord_n himself_o the_o truth_n itself_o by_o which_o at_o all_o time_n the_o church_n that_o be_v indeed_o the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o wherein_o it_o be_v so_o will_v be_v know_v to_o we_o and_o in_o unite_n to_o truth_n we_o be_v unite_v to_o that_o quest_n there_o remain_v one_o thing_n yet_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v its_o power_n of_o govern_v even_o as_o it_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n under_o what_o notion_n i_o beseech_v you_o be_v that_o government_n express_v in_o scripture_n answ_n that_o power_n be_v by_o our_o saviour_n represent_v under_o the_o mataphor_n of_o key_n and_o the_o use_v of_o those_o key_n in_o open_v and_o shut_v or_o in_o bind_v and_o lose_v quest_n what_o be_v the_o meaning_n hereof_o answ_n the_o meaning_n be_v plain_o this_o when_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v by_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n inquire_v into_o all_o the_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o word_n of_o god_n it_o have_v in_o and_o according_a to_o that_o word_n and_o only_o so_o a_o power_n of_o application_n of_o that_o doctrine_n to_o particular_a case_n bind_v man_n under_o the_o sense_n of_o gild_n and_o fear_v of_o damnation_n in_o such_o or_o such_o sin_n and_o a_o impenitent_a continuance_n in_o they_o or_o of_o absolve_v and_o assure_v man_n of_o the_o divine_a favour_n and_o acceptance_n in_o a_o holy_a course_n of_o life_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n and_o of_o pardon_n upon_o repentance_n after_o fall_n into_o sin_n and_o disobedience_n and_o so_o of_o 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answ_n they_o be_v all_o hereby_o establish_v for_o they_o be_v the_o ordination_n of_o god_n to_o this_o very_a purpose_n to_o make_v man_n see_v to_o bring_v they_o light_n to_o clear_a thing_n to_o they_o that_o by_o the_o awaken_n their_o judgement_n the_o summon_n and_o collect_v their_o principle_n they_o may_v see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n the_o way_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n the_o holy_a spirit_n gracious_o adjoin_v itself_o to_o their_o ministry_n they_o have_v no_o dominion_n over_o their_o faith_n but_o be_v helper_n of_o their_o joy_n that_o be_v they_o facilitate_v and_o make_v pleasant_a the_o knowledge_n and_o assurance_n of_o religion_n and_o they_o rule_v by_o exhort_v admonish_a rebuke_v comfort_v and_o even_o command_v in_o the_o evidence_n of_o divine_a authority_n on_o account_n of_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v obey_v and_o high_o esteem_v for_o their_o work_n sake_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o no_o man_n be_v exclude_v from_o his_o own_o office_n to_o himself_o for_o every_o particular_a christian_a be_v in_o some_o sense_n a_o congregation_n and_o preacher_n to_o himself_o as_o solomon_n his_o conscience_n have_v the_o key_n bind_v and_o lose_v within_o itself_o nay_o christian_n be_v not_o exclude_v from_o rule_n in_o the_o church_n when_o they_o have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n on_o their_o side_n they_o may_v plead_v and_o reason_n with_o their_o mother_n hos_n 2._o 2._o when_o they_o have_v more_o understanding_n than_o their_o teacher_n or_o the_o ruler_n rule_v not_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n they_o that_o speak_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n even_o rule_v their_o ruler_n and_o prove_v the_o more_o noble_a organ_n of_o the_o church_n when_o those_o that_o shall_v rule_v it_o be_v as_o the_o idol_n eye_n that_o see_v not_o ear_n that_o hear_v not_o or_o as_o the_o idol_n shepherd_n a_o blâ—st_n be_v upon_o their_o right_a hand_n and_o right-eye_n that_o their_o arm_n be_v clean_o dry_v up_o and_o their_o eye_n utter_o darken_v the_o most_o naked_a unfurnished_a christian_a with_o outward_a accomplishment_n that_o yet_o know_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v among_o the_o prophet_n in_o such_o a_o time_n of_o necessity_n cap._n xii_o of_o schism_n and_o scandal_n quest_n from_o the_o precedent_a discourse_n of_o the_o church_n i_o conceive_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o schism_n may_v be_v deduce_v i_o desire_v you_o therefore_o to_o explain_v what_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o schism_n be_v answ_n the_o question_n concern_v the_o nature_n of_o schism_n follow_v very_o pertinent_o upon_o the_o right_a settlement_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n now_o the_o whole_a be_v of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o its_o union_n to_o god_n and_o christ_n in_o love_n according_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o word_n and_o that_o it_o receive_v all_o its_o member_n into_o union_n with_o itself_o by_o their_o be_v first_o unite_v as_o itself_o be_v schism_n which_o be_v division_n must_v needs_o in_o its_o strict_a and_o most_o formal_a notion_n be_v a_o division_n from_o that_o truth_n wherein_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v one_o and_o so_o from_o the_o love_n consequent_a upon_o such_o a_o union_n quest_n what_o be_v that_o truth_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o which_o the_o church_n be_v one_o answ_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n or_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o law_n and_o command_n in_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v quest_n how_o be_v the_o love_n of_o the_o church_n unite_v in_o these_o answ_n it_o be_v a_o love_n in_o the_o truth_n and_o hereby_o we_o know_v we_o love_v the_o brethren_n when_o we_o love_v god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n john_n epist_n 2._o no_o love_n how_o great_a soever_o be_v christian-love_n nor_o union_n how_o close_o soever_o christian-union_n if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o truth_n and_o commandment_n of_o god_n from_o whence_o it_o necessary_o follow_v the_o schism_n that_o be_v a_o schism_n from_o the_o church_n must_v be_v a_o disunion_n from_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o love_n spring_v from_o that_o faith_n and_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o any_o other_o schism_n from_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v a_o church_n quest_n how_o do_v schism_n differ_v from_o heresy_n answ_n heresy_n in_o the_o high_a sense_n and_o worst_a sense_n of_o it_o be_v a_o disunion_n from_o truth_n in_o some_o fundamental_a and_o grand_a concernment_n of_o religion_n either_o in_o the_o doctrine_n or_o command_v of_o god_n so_o that_o a_o man_n be_v subvert_v and_o sin_v and_o must_v needs_o be_v condemn_v of_o a_o separation_n from_o the_o assembly_n of_o truth_n both_o by_o himself_o and_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o that_o both_o as_o to_o faith_n and_o christian-love_n he_o be_v so_o separate_v schism_n be_v a_o disunion_n in_o some_o less_o momentous_a part_n of_o this_o truth_n under_o a_o apprehension_n of_o a_o great_a moment_n than_o there_o be_v indeed_o in_o the_o cause_n of_o such_o a_o disunion_n and_o a_o proportionable_a abatement_n of_o christian_a love_n arise_v from_o it_o all_o heresy_n therefore_o include_v schism_n but_o all_o schism_n do_v not_o rise_v up_o to_o heresy_n quest_n be_v these_o the_o scripture_n notion_n of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n according_a to_o its_o use_n of_o those_o word_n answ_n they_o be_v most_o agreeable_a with_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o but_o the_o word_n be_v not_o so_o set_v solemn_a and_o formal_a in_o scripture_n as_o afterward_o in_o ecclesiastic_a writer_n for_o dichostasyes_n or_o division_n into_o two_o or_o more_o party_n and_o contention_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n use_v to_o the_o same_o sense_n as_o schism_n and_o heresy_n sometimes_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o a_o sect_n or_o division_n though_o that_o be_v remarkable_o use_v in_o its_o worst_a sense_n by_o both_o the_o apostle_n paul_n and_o peter_n quest_n be_v every_o different_a apprehension_n and_o practise_v ensue_a upon_o it_o though_o distant_a from_o truth_n immediate_o to_o be_v condemn_v of_o schism_n answ_n by_o no_o mean_n if_o it_o be_v a_o modest_a and_o humble_a distrust_n and_o suspension_n concern_v the_o truth_n and_o command_v of_o god_n in_o some_o thing_n of_o small_a moment_n and_o doubtful_a yea_o though_o it_o come_v to_o a_o positive_a determination_n so_o far_o as_o a_o man_n judgement_n and_o yet_o erroneous_a can_v at_o the_o present_a discern_v it_o can_v be_v brand_v as_o schism_n if_o there_o be_v no_o stress_n lay_v upon_o the_o thing_n beyond_o its_o desert_n if_o the_o union_n in_o the_o great_a and_o clear_a truth_n and_o command_n remain_v firm_a and_o the_o love_n due_a to_o such_o a_o union_n with_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v sincere_a and_o fervent_a yea_o even_a dissent_n in_o great_a point_n thus_o qualify_v and_o free_a from_o ill_a practice_n have_v not_o be_v rigid_o censure_v for_o 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the_o world_n and_o the_o church_n ignorance_n the_o mother_n of_o false-devotion_n so_o bewitch_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n that_o they_o all_o wonder_v after_o the_o roman-state_n as_o new_o model_v under_o the_o beast_n arm_v with_o two_o horn_n like_o those_o of_o a_o lamb_n counterfeit_v power_n from_o christ_n the_o lamb_n but_o that_o speak_v as_o a_o dragon_n pursue_v all_o be_v pretend_o christian_n decree_n with_o the_o extreme_a salvageness_n of_o any_o of_o the_o great_a earthly_a tyrant_n but_o all_o under_o a_o mask_n of_o the_o catholic_n apostolic_a church_n by_o which_o fascination_n of_o zeal_n to_o the_o most_o excellent_a religion_n though_o so_o vitiate_v prince_n and_o people_n surrender_v their_o power_n to_o this_o great_a sorceress_n use_v at_o once_o all_o the_o fraud_n and_o cheat_n of_o false-prophesie_n and_o the_o art_n and_o policy_n of_o the_o most_o design_v universal_a monarchy_n thus_o while_o this_o antichurch_n steal_v into_o power_n by_o the_o best_a 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