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he_o see_v the_o saint_n that_o spring_v up_o under_o his_o doctrine_n be_v the_o gospel_n or_o protestant_n religion_n the_o worse_a therefore_o a_o â—as_v for_o the_o other_o part_n of_o your_o rule_n of_o trial_n the_o make_v of_o faction_n let_v the_o magistrate_n spare_v none_o where_o it_o be_v find_v no_o upon_o his_o peril_n and_o as_o he_o will_v answer_v it_o before_o the_o lord_n let_v he_o not_o spare_v any_o for_o this_o indeed_o be_v the_o main_a end_n of_o his_o authority_n to_o keep_v the_o people_n commit_v unto_o he_o in_o peace_n and_o to_o be_v a_o nurse_n father_n unto_o the_o church_n if_o any_o be_v in_o his_o dominion_n but_o who_o be_v these_o faction-maker_n sure_o not_o the_o meek_a in_o the_o earth_n the_o weapon_n of_o who_o warfare_n be_v argument_n reason_n and_o scripture_n and_o who_o will_v have_v man_n be_v at_o peace_n with_o all_o man_n not_o man_n that_o be_v gentle_a sofe_n strive_v only_o with_o the_o cord_n of_o a_o man_n viz._n reason_n and_o understanding_n and_o not_o with_o the_o whip_n of_o horse_n and_o the_o goad_n of_o oxen._n be_v not_o the_o bishop_n a_o factious_a generation_n and_o wherein_o do_v it_o appear_v be_v it_o not_o by_o their_o insinuation_n into_o the_o magistracy_n to_o have_v their_o way_n maintain_v urge_v and_o press_v upon_o man_n by_o a_o law_n by_o fine_n imprisonment_n banishment_n whip_n and_o pillory_n by_o procure_v law_n and_o canon_n decree_n and_o injunction_n to_o press_v man_n against_o the_o truth_n their_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n unto_o obedience_n thereof_o and_o have_v not_o this_o state-troubling_a generation_n raise_v up_o and_o kindle_v that_o consume_a fire_n that_o be_v like_o now_o to_o devour_v the_o kingdom_n well_o if_o this_o evil_a spirit_n of_o distraction_n contention_n and_o faction_n be_v find_v in_o the_o congregationall_a party_n let_v not_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o magistrate_n spare_v they_o but_o let_v he_o take_v heed_n that_o he_o do_v not_o condemn_v 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that_o i_o have_v follow_v these_o objection_n with_o a_o spirit_n that_o intend_v not_o to_o receive_v satisfaction_n i_o call_v he_o to_o witness_v before_o who_o tribunal_n i_o and_o all_o the_o purpose_n of_o my_o heart_n must_v stand_v naked_a one_o day_n for_o to_o be_v judge_v my_o very_a heart_n if_o i_o understand_v my_o own_o heart_n stand_v open_a to_o receive_v all_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n whoever_o bring_v they_o with_o what_o external_a inconvenience_n soever_o they_o come_v accompany_v i_o have_v urge_v my_o doubt_n it_o may_v be_v think_v with_o somewhat_o too_o much_o earnestness_n and_o heat_n i_o be_o sure_a with_o all_o singleness_n of_o heart_n aim_v at_o nothing_o but_o to_o know_v more_o of_o the_o mind_n and_o way_n of_o god_n that_o god_n may_v be_v more_o glorify_v in_o i_o grace_n be_v with_o we_o all_o your_o true_a friend_n to_o love_n and_o serve_v you_o and_o you_o in_o christ_n jesus_n etc._n etc._n reply_n these_o be_v the_o answer_n which_o for_o the_o present_a i_o humble_o return_v unto_o your_o argument_n which_o i_o must_v confess_v again_o have_v be_v tender_v with_o more_o sweetness_n and_o candidnesse_n of_o language_n phrase_n and_o expression_n than_o ever_o yet_o i_o do_v read_v any_o argument_n of_o this_o nature_n before_o wherein_z if_o i_o have_v show_v that_o which_o be_v indeed_o i_o own_o viz._n weakness_n insufficiency_n and_o mistake_n i_o hope_v the_o power_n of_o christ_n in_o you_o viz._n the_o spirit_n of_o love_n will_v cover_v they_o all_o and_o here_o again_o i_o must_v renew_v my_o former_a request_n viz._n the_o let_a slip_n if_o any_o thing_n be_v weak_a and_o your_o more_o serious_a thought_n upon_o that_o which_o be_v more_o valid_a and_o considerable_a to_o presume_v your_o satisfaction_n will_v be_v too_o great_a ambition_n though_o to_o assure_v myself_o of_o your_o acceptation_n be_v my_o perfect_a confidence_n sir_n i_o leave_v what_o i_o have_v here_o tender_v unto_o your_o prudent_a consideration_n desire_v the_o almighty_a to_o lead_v we_o all_o into_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n knit_v our_o heart_n together_o in_o love_n and_o so_o guide_v we_o by_o his_o counsel_n to_o bring_v we_o to_o his_o glory_n which_o be_v the_o hearty_a prayer_n sir_n of_o you_o in_o all_o christian_a love_n and_o sincerity_n j._n p._n finis_fw-la
sure_o we_o be_v some_o have_v be_v imprison_v some_o banish_v that_o plead_v religion_n and_o mere_a conscience_n and_o be_v not_o otherwise_o disturber_n of_o the_o civil_a peace_n than_o the_o congregationall_a way_n be_v like_a to_o be_v here_o so_o that_o if_o our_o magistrate_n and_o presbyter_n must_v be_v rule_v by_o gamaliels_n advice_n and_o suffer_v all_o opinion_n till_o god_n disclaim_v and_o fight_v against_o they_o from_o heaven_n why_o be_v not_o his_o advice_n send_v over_o to_o they_o lest_o they_o shall_v fight_v against_o any_o way_n that_o call_v god_n father_n if_o old-england_n be_v say_v to_o persecute_v for_o suppress_v sect_n and_o opinion_n because_o threaten_v the_o truth_n and_o civil_a peace_n why_o may_v not_o the_o same_o name_n be_v put_v upon_o new-england_n who_o be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o work_n and_o way_n and_o if_o both_o he_o guilty_a it_o be_v wisdom_n and_o piety_n for_o our_o congregationall_a divine_n to_o east_n the_o first_o stone_n at_o 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go_v so_o far_o to_o accuse_v our_o brethren_n abroad_o three_o i_o humble_o suppose_v it_o be_v out_o of_o your_o certain_a knowledge_n that_o the_o congregationall_a divine_n have_v not_o at_o all_o write_v unto_o their_o brethren_n of_o new-england_n about_o this_o business_n and_o have_v not_o receive_v satisfaction_n herein_o i_o suppose_v likewise_o i_o have_v as_o much_o reason_n if_o not_o more_o to_o affirm_v that_o they_o have_v as_o you_o that_o they_o have_v not_o but_o four_o suppose_v they_o have_v not_o write_v this_o will_v prove_v but_o the_o remissness_n of_o their_o duty_n at_o the_o most_o and_o will_v not_o facilitate_v and_o ease_v the_o business_n in_o the_o least_o doubtless_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n not_o all_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n even_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o brethren-presbyterians_a of_o this_o nation_n and_o if_o so_o may_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v retort_v upon_o they_o which_o you_o do_v here_o upon_o these_o five_o as_o for_o those_o jealousy_n which_o you_o say_v be_v in_o some_o about_o the_o congregationall_a brethren_n simplicity_n and_o sincerity_n of_o spirit_n in_o prefer_v god_n will_v and_o the_o naked_a truth_n above_o any_o end_n of_o their_o own_o as_o god_n royal_a prerogative_n in_o search_v all_o heart_n shall_v stifle_v such_o misprision_n and_o quit_v all_o such_o unworthy_a surmising_n till_o better_a proof_n appear_v so_o any_o man_n reason_n not_o master_v with_o prejudice_n and_o discontent_n shall_v full_o discharge_v all_o such_o vain_a unworthy_a and_o uncharitable_a imagination_n concern_v their_o brethren_n for_o except_v man_n end_n and_o aim_n shall_v be_v sorrow_n trouble_n reproach_n and_o contempt_n perplexity_n and_o misery_n penury_n and_o want_n what_o other_o end_n can_v they_o have_v be_v not_o some_o of_o these_o for_o the_o present_a and_o all_o of_o they_o for_o the_o future_a the_o threaten_a issue_n product_n and_o consequence_n of_o their_o way_n and_o practice_n sure_o man_n shall_v make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o their_o own_o personal_a weakness_n viz._n their_o own_o sinful_a end_n and_o aim_n and_o by-respect_n in_o their_o own_o heart_n then_o to_o make_v they_o the_o measure_n and_o rule_v to_o judge_v of_o their_o brethren_n heart_n by_o every_o man_n shall_v think_v better_o of_o his_o brother_n then_o of_o himself_o sure_o the_o man_n of_o their_o jealousy_n be_v not_o usual_o steer_v up_o and_o down_o from_o one_o place_n to_o another_o by_o the_o golden_a lure_n of_o a_o hundred_o or_o two_o or_o three_o hundred_o a_o year_n as_o many_o of_o their_o censorious_a judge_n be_v but_o it_o be_v worthy_a our_o observation_n the_o saint_n of_o our_o most_o high_a god_n many_o time_n be_v chief_o charge_v for_o those_o thing_n whereof_o they_o be_v least_o guilty_a and_o where_o they_o be_v most_o innocent_a and_o therefore_o most_o able_a to_o bear_v the_o same_o thus_o joseph_n for_o incontinency_n elisha_n for_o the_o troubler_n of_o israel_n though_o indeed_o the_o horseman_n and_o chariot_n of_o israel_n thus_o david_n for_o seek_v saul_n life_n who_o heart_n smite_v he_o for_o but_o cut_v off_o one_o of_o the_o skirt_n of_o his_o garment_n thus_o jesus_n christ_n for_o a_o deceiver_n who_o be_v the_o truth_n itself_o and_o for_o a_o familiar_a with_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o devil_n who_o be_v indeed_o the_o great_a enemy_n to_o he_o and_o his_o work_n and_o as_o it_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n so_o it_o be_v now_o the_o humble_a the_o meek_a the_o simplehearted_n the_o peaceable_a the_o most_o forward_o for_o reformation_n yea_o when_o their_o zeal_n therein_o cast_v they_o into_o imprisonment_n sorrow_n trouble_n etc._n etc._n these_o man_n i_o say_v be_v under_o jealousy_n nay_o evident_a and_o express_a censure_n of_o be_v proud_a perverse_a deceitful_a disturber_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o state_n hinderer_n of_o reformation_n with_o many_o such_o like_a and_o unworthy_a reproach_n but_o the_o faithful_a witness_n and_o judge_n of_o all_o heart_n will_v one_o day_n bring_v forth_o their_o innocency_n as_o the_o light_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n support_v their_o spirit_n under_o all_o those_o hard_a speech_n thought_n and_o calumny_n of_o this_o world_n argum._n iu._n titus_n 1.10_o 11._o there_o be_v many_o unruly_a talker_n and_o deceiver_n who_o subvert_v whole_a house_n teach_v thing_n which_o they_o ought_v not_o who_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v but_o church-censure_n or_o sentence_n of_o non-communion_n will_v not_o stop_v their_o mouth_n for_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o apologetical_a narration_n they_o be_v of_o another_o way_n and_o judgement_n it_o bind_v not_o their_o conscience_n and_o so_o dare_v pish_o at_o the_o sentence_n of_o non-communion_n of_o excommunication_n let_v the_o presbyterian_o pronounce_v a_o sentence_n against_o congregationall_a church_n or_o let_v congregationall_a church_n pronounce_v any_o sentence_n against_o presbyterian_o antinomian_o anabaptist_n who_o will_v teach_v thing_n as_o they_o think_v which_o they_o ought_v not_o and_o see_v when_o this_o sentence_n stop_v their_o mouth_n but_o paul_n say_v their_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v church-censure_n do_v it_o not_o therefore_o if_o they_o must_v be_v stop_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n must_v strike_v in_o to_o stop_v they_o else_o they_o will_v ever_o be_v open_a to_o subvert_v whole_a house_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n what_o church-censure_n can_v not_o reach_v to_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o power_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n to_o subdue_v and_o master_n and_o supply_v the_o office_n of_o a_o magistrate_n but_o now_o when_o god_n have_v blessed_v a_o christian_a commonwealth_n with_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n if_o church-censure_n will_v not_o stop_v deceiver_n mouth_n but_o still_o they_o will_v subvert_v man_n precious_a soul_n the_o magistrate_n must_v exercise_v
saint_n together_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o which_o love_n i_o come_v to_o your_o argument_n four_o that_o no_o case_n be_v so_o clear_a but_o some_o question_n may_v be_v raise_v about_o it_o to_o which_o present_a satisfaction_n may_v not_o be_v give_v it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o the_o main_a thing_n thing_n be_v justify_v argument_n i._n let_v it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v congregationall_a for_o all_o national_a profession_n in_o the_o world_n be_v either_o jewish_a or_o heathenish_a yet_o if_o they_o be_v to_o be_v the_o precedent_n of_o the_o form_n of_o church-ordering_a and_o government_n for_o ever_o under_o the_o gospel_n how_o can_v all_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n have_v constitute_v up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n yea_o and_o all_o particular_a christian_n be_v so_o corrupt_v as_o to_o suffer_v the_o government_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n to_o be_v take_v from_o they_o so_o easy_o as_o that_o none_o that_o i_o can_v hear_v of_o be_v find_v upon_o record_n to_o have_v stand_v up_o for_o christ_n and_o the_o truth_n but_o nationall-church-government_n be_v bring_v in_o and_o we_o can_v learn_v that_o there_o be_v any_o scuffle_n on_o contestation_n against_o it_o i_o do_v not_o think_v there_o can_v be_v name_v one_o truth_n of_o god_n that_o antichrist_n or_o any_o other_o heretic_n fight_v against_o but_o it_o be_v possible_a with_o a_o little_a search_n or_o study_v to_o name_v those_o â—_z that_o dispute_v or_o wâ—it_n on_o suffer_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o and_o stand_v in_o the_o gap_n to_o keep_v out_o the_o error_n only_o in_o this_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n suffer_v the_o government_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v so_o dear_a to_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o saint_n to_o be_v destroy_v and_o a_o false_a antichristian_a government_n and_o worship_n to_o be_v obtrude_v on_o they_o and_o all_o side_n be_v silent_a in_o the_o business_n where_o be_v the_o scribe_n be_v there_o no_o disputer_n no_o martyr_n to_o be_v find_v what_o not_o one_o that_o retain_v any_o spark_n of_o zeal_n for_o christ_n that_o after_o age_n can_v speak_v of_o either_o oâ—th_a approbation_n or_o detestation_n for_o willing_o suffer_v shame_n spoil_v of_o good_n banishment_n death_n rather_o than_o christ_n shall_v be_v pull_v down_o in_o his_o worship_n and_o a_o nationall_n false_a church-government_n set_v up_o in_o the_o room_n of_o it_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v that_o all_o christian_a church_n shall_v fall_v at_o once_o into_o such_o a_o dead_a sleep_n to_o suffer_v the_o evil_a one_o thus_o to_o pluck_v up_o and_o thus_o to_o plant_v or_o else_o if_o their_o eye_n be_v open_a i_o can_v but_o call_v it_o the_o great_a piece_n of_o cow_n ardise_n that_o ever_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v guilty_a of_o to_o stand_v idle_a speechless_a spectator_n by_o where_o be_v the_o valour_n of_o their_o faith_n heb._n 11.33_o 34._o or_o if_o they_o do_v dispute_v and_o suffer_v for_o it_o i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o the_o great_a unfaithfulnesse_n and_o oversight_n the_o church_n be_v ever_o guilty_a of_o not_o to_o transmit_v the_o story_n to_o posterity_n reply_n first_o this_o argument_n implead_v presbytery_n as_o well_o as_o congregationall_a government_n for_o where_o read_v we_o of_o sufferer_n for_o presbytery_n second_o to_o come_v more_o direct_o to_o the_o point_n you_o grant_v the_o church_n constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n congregationall_a now_o if_o we_o show_v this_o practice_n of_o they_o be_v intend_v as_o a_o pattern_n for_o we_o and_o so_o take_v by_o the_o most_o primitive_a church_n we_o hope_v your_o demand_n will_v be_v satisfy_v though_o we_o can_v not_o distinct_o show_v you_o why_o none_o appear_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o of_o which_o anon_o first_o god_n and_o nature_n do_v nothing_o in_o vain_a be_v the_o say_n of_o the_o ancient_a naturalist_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v so_o distinct_o set_v down_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n by_o moses_n that_o posterity_n may_v have_v a_o distinct_a pattern_n as_o well_o as_o a_o rule_n to_o walk_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v to_o some_o purpose_n sure_o so_o punctual_o note_v the_o manner_n of_o gather_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o what_o can_v this_o purpose_n be_v but_o our_o imitation_n in_o thing_n lawful_a and_o possible_a for_o all_o in_o the_o new_a as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n and_o follow_v i_o say_v the_o apostle_n and_o that_o by_o way_n of_o forbear_v and_o negative_o as_o by_o way_n of_o do_v and_o affirmative_o that_o be_v we_o may_v not_o do_v what_o they_o do_v not_o when_o they_o may_v and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n seem_v to_o require_v it_o as_o the_o subject_n particular_a church_n to_o a_o combination_n of_o elder_n which_o shall_v have_v ordinary_a authority_n over_o the_o several_a congregation_n which_o they_o may_v have_v do_v as_o well_o as_o to_o keep_v up_o the_o government_n in_o one_o city_n which_o they_o do_v and_o as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o france_n at_o this_o day_n though_o under_o persecution_n yet_o keep_v their_o government_n and_o when_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n and_o the_o temptation_n of_o persecution_n they_o have_v much_o need_n of_o the_o help_n of_o government_n and_o no_o hindrance_n why_o they_o may_v not_o see_v though_o by_o reason_n of_o persecution_n they_o may_v have_v be_v hinder_v for_o a_o time_n and_o in_o some_o place_n yet_o the_o rule_n of_o such_o a_o government_n if_o it_o have_v be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n have_v be_v useful_a and_o though_o they_o have_v be_v disturb_v in_o one_o place_n yet_o it_o will_v have_v be_v exercise_v in_o some_o other_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n for_o god_n to_o use_v jer._n 7.31_o they_o do_v which_o i_o command_v they_o not_o and_o for_o the_o apostle_n heb._n 7.14_o of_o which_o moses_n speak_v nothing_o ergo_fw-la god_n intend_v it_o not_o and_o so_o affirmative_o what_o they_o do_v for_o substance_n we_o must_v hence_o gualther_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o comment_n on_o the_o act_n say_v they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v listen_v unto_o that_o tell_v we_o the_o way_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o constitute_a church_n be_v not_o a_o pattern_n for_o we_o to_o follow_v second_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n do_v take_v the_o apostle_n practice_n for_o their_o pattern_n and_o therefore_o every_o church_n do_v transact_v all_o their_o ordinary_a affair_n within_o themselves_o as_o admission_n of_o member_n choice_n and_o ordination_n of_o officer_n excommunication_n of_o scandalous_a person_n deposition_n of_o their_o officer_n where_o just_a cause_n be_v in_o difficult_a case_n indeed_o they_o use_v the_o counsel_n and_o help_v of_o other_o church_n but_o as_o be_v engage_v thereunto_o only_o out_o of_o the_o bond_n of_o mutual_a love_n and_o fellowship_n not_o of_o necessity_n or_o subjection_n and_o where_o any_o church_n be_v more_o famous_a for_o gift_n number_n minister_n etc._n etc._n to_o these_o they_o give_v the_o great_a respect_n and_o do_v more_o depend_v upon_o their_o guidance_n till_o this_o voluntary_a and_o occasional_a office_n of_o love_n become_v a_o custom_n viz._n for_o the_o lesser_a and_o obscure_a church_n to_o do_v nothing_o without_o the_o great_a and_o for_o the_o great_a to_o exercise_v inspection_n and_o some_o kind_n of_o jurisdiction_n towards_o the_o lesser_a by_o way_n of_o charge_n and_o office_n till_o in_o the_o three_o century_n it_o be_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a establish_v by_o a_o canon_n for_o a_o church-law_n at_o which_o time_n antichrist_n have_v make_v much_o progress_n towards_o his_o usurpation_n for_o proof_n of_o all_o which_o i_o shall_v show_v you_o some_o of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o centurie_n writer_n touch_v this_o argument_n and_o first_o of_o the_o constitution_n of_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n 1._o câ—nt_fw-la lib._n 2._o cap._n 7._o the_o gubernation_n ecclestitul_n de_fw-fr consociatione_fw-la etc._n etc._n if_o it_o be_v say_v these_o consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n and_o so_o be_v presbyterial_a i_o answer_v it_o can_v be_v prove_v they_o be_v so_o second_o nor_o disprove_v that_o they_o be_v one_o congregation_n because_o we_o read_v so_o often_o both_o in_o scripturall_a and_o ecclesiastical_a story_n that_o they_o have_v one_o eldership_n not_o several_a over_o they_o and_o that_o they_o all_o meet_v upon_o one_o great_a occasion_n together_o as_o upon_o the_o choice_n or_o deposition_n of_o minister_n excommunication_n of_o member_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o they_o do_v meet_v in_o several_a place_n yet_o have_v one_o