be_v there_o any_o reason_n for_o they_o to_o oppose_v god_n and_o the_o church_n as_o they_o usual_o do_v on_o this_o and_o other_o occasion_n if_o the_o church_n authority_n be_v receive_v from_o god_n than_o what_o be_v do_v by_o she_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v to_o come_v from_o he_o the_o same_o way_n as_o what_o be_v do_v by_o any_o man_n proxy_n be_v presume_v to_o be_v his_o own_o act_n and_o as_o what_o be_v do_v by_o a_o inferior_a magistrate_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o office_n be_v presume_v to_o come_v from_o the_o supreme_a which_o will_v especial_o hold_v as_o a_o presumption_n that_o be_v where_o there_o be_v no_o clear_a proof_n of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n mind_n be_v contrary_a to_o that_o of_o the_o inferior_a than_o our_o adversary_n can_v pretend_v to_o for_o prove_v the_o inseparable_a union_n of_o these_o power_n by_o divine_a institution_n if_o they_o be_v then_o unite_v by_o god_n because_o they_o be_v unite_v by_o the_o man_n who_o represent_v god_n why_o be_v they_o not_o disunite_v by_o god_n now_o when_o man_n alike_o empower_v by_o he_o have_v disunite_v they_o why_o shall_v they_o not_o oblige_v god_n in_o one_o case_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o especial_o when_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o commission_n itself_o that_o imply_v confinement_n in_o one_o case_n rather_o than_o the_o other_o and_o when_o the_o whole_a reason_n of_o judge_v be_v take_v only_o from_o the_o actual_a practice_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o actual_a practice_n can_v prescribe_v against_o the_o power_n that_o introduce_v it_o that_o it_o may_v not_o introduce_v a_o different_a practice_n as_o arbitrary_o as_o it_o introduce_v this_o if_o there_o have_v be_v a_o distinct_a authority_n for_o make_v the_o union_n of_o these_o two_o power_n inseparable_a distinct_a from_o that_o which_o unite_v they_o only_o in_o practice_n or_o if_o the_o same_o authority_n of_o man_n which_o unite_v they_o in_o practice_n have_v declare_v god_n pleasure_n to_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v for_o ever_o be_v so_o unite_v though_o they_o may_v reverse_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o own_o practice_n yet_o it_o may_v not_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o evacuate_v their_o own_o declaration_n because_o those_o be_v suppose_v to_o belong_v to_o a_o authority_n great_a than_o their_o own_o and_o antecedent_n to_o it_o and_o therefore_o may_v rational_o be_v suppose_v such_o as_o may_v null_n all_o future_a act_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o it_o but_o such_o distinct_a authority_n or_o distinct_a declaration_n our_o adversary_n can_v pretend_v in_o our_o present_a case_n §_o xxv_o and_o if_o they_o can_v prove_v this_o inseparable_a union_n of_o these_o two_o power_n by_o the_o divine_a appointment_n our_o adversary_n will_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v whether_o it_o will_v be_v more_o for_o their_o interest_n or_o their_o disadvantage_n that_o be_v whether_o it_o will_v not_o rather_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v no_o presbyter_n at_o all_o who_o have_v receive_v episcopal_a ordination_n that_o they_o have_v no_o power_n of_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n because_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n than_o that_o they_o must_v have_v receive_v the_o power_n of_o ordain_v other_o presbyter_n because_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o power_n of_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n the_o negative_a consequence_n be_v as_o unavoidable_a from_o the_o inseparableness_n of_o these_o two_o power_n as_o the_o affirmative_a that_o be_v it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o where_o one_o of_o those_o power_n be_v certain_o not_o give_v there_o nothing_o be_v give_v because_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v give_v alone_o as_o that_o if_o one_o be_v give_v the_o other_o must_v be_v give_v also_o as_o therefore_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o ordeiner_n intend_v to_o reserve_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n from_o the_o person_n ordain_v presbyter_n by_o they_o so_o it_o will_v follow_v by_o this_o principle_n that_o if_o the_o whole_a power_n be_v not_o intend_v none_o be_v so_o and_o if_o what_o be_v not_o intend_v be_v not_o give_v and_o what_o be_v not_o give_v be_v not_o receive_v and_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n be_v not_o receive_v then_o neither_o can_v the_o power_n of_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n be_v receive_v also_o and_o if_o so_o then_o let_v they_o be_v call_v by_o what_o name_n they_o please_v yet_o real_o they_o will_v be_v no_o presbyter_n at_o least_o not_o in_o the_o scripture-sence_n if_o either_o of_o these_o power_n be_v essential_a to_o such_o a_o scripture-presbyter_n and_o then_o in_o vain_a do_v they_o challenge_v the_o power_n of_o such_o presbyter_n when_o they_o be_v not_o those_o presbyter_n to_o who_o those_o power_n belong_v and_o certain_o it_o be_v much_o more_o certain_a and_o prudent_a to_o argue_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o power_n give_v to_o they_o that_o they_o be_v presbyter_n in_o the_o scripture-sence_n who_o have_v the_o power_n give_v they_o which_o be_v suppose_v to_o belong_v to_o scripture-presbyter_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o they_o be_v not_o presbyter_n in_o the_o scripture-sence_n who_o have_v not_o that_o power_n give_v they_o than_o that_o they_o must_v have_v the_o power_n because_o they_o have_v the_o name_n and_o that_o intend_a in_o the_o scripture_n signification_n name_n be_v impose_v arbitrary_o to_o signify_v what_o man_n please_v and_o if_o they_o please_v by_o the_o name_n presbyter_n to_o signify_v he_o who_o the_o scripture_n call_v so_o yet_o still_o it_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v to_o signify_v that_o sense_n which_o they_o understand_v to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n though_o they_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o name_n can_v alter_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o power_n which_o be_v give_v to_o they_o though_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o power_n may_v alter_v the_o justice_n of_o their_o title_n to_o the_o name_n if_o they_o have_v less_o power_n give_v they_o than_o shall_v belong_v to_o scripture-presbyter_n it_o must_v certain_o follow_v that_o the_o name_n will_v be_v give_v they_o improper_o and_o certain_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o can_v think_v it_o just_a that_o they_o who_o be_v improper_o call_v scripture-presbyter_n shall_v claim_v the_o privilege_n of_o they_o who_o be_v call_v so_o proper_o §_o xxvi_o indeed_o if_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o power_n be_v mutual_o inseparable_a it_o will_v be_v reasonable_a to_o argue_v that_o where_o one_o be_v give_v both_o must_v be_v so_o or_o if_o at_o least_o on_o one_o side_n this_o inseparableness_n hold_v it_o be_v just_a to_o conclude_v that_o the_o other_o power_n must_v be_v give_v if_o this_o be_v that_o from_o which_o that_o other_o be_v inseparable_a but_o not_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o separable_a power_n must_v be_v give_v because_o that_o power_n be_v give_v from_o which_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v separable_a and_o on_o this_o account_n there_o be_v indeed_o some_o colour_n of_o reason_n to_o presume_v that_o where_o a_o high_a power_n be_v give_v the_o inferior_a be_v give_v also_o because_o usual_o the_o inferior_a be_v include_v in_o the_o superior_a though_o it_o be_v not_o always_o so_o but_o it_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n follow_v that_o a_o superior_a power_n must_v follow_v that_o which_o be_v inferior_a because_o here_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n either_o of_o inseparable_a connexion_n or_o of_o inclusion_n now_o this_o be_v plain_o the_o case_n here_o all_o that_o our_o adversary_n can_v direct_o prove_v to_o have_v be_v give_v to_o their_o first_o predecessor_n who_o receive_v their_o order_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v only_o a_o power_n of_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n in_o their_o own_o person_n but_o the_o power_n of_o give_v this_o power_n to_o other_o be_v certain_o a_o power_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n than_o the_o power_n of_o administer_a in_o their_o own_o person_n if_o therefore_o both_o these_o power_n be_v essential_a to_o a_o scripture-presbyter_n and_o they_o can_v prove_v that_o any_o more_o than_o one_o of_o they_o be_v give_v to_o their_o predecessor_n neither_o by_o any_o express_a donation_n nor_o by_o any_o inseparable_a connexion_n with_o that_o which_o be_v express_o give_v it_o will_v clear_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v not_o make_v presbyter_n in_o that_o sense_n which_o our_o adversary_n understand_v to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o that_o they_o can_v claim_v the_o privilege_n which_o they_o conceive_v due_a to_o scripture-presbyter_n and_o for_o my_o part_n i_o do_v not_o understand_v a_o more_o prudent_a rule_n for_o distinguish_v when_o the_o negative_a way_n of_o argue_v be_v seasonable_a from_o this_o topick_n that_o neither_o power_n be_v give_v because_o it_o be_v
such_o a_o separation_n as_o deny_v not_o only_o actual_a obedience_n but_o the_o lawful_a jurisdiction_n of_o superior_n and_o withdraw_v subject_n from_o the_o proper_a legal_a coertion_n of_o such_o a_o society_n especial_o if_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o district_v where_o separation_n from_o government_n be_v not_o intelligible_a without_o opposition_n to_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v schismatical_a for_o where_o there_o be_v two_o government_n not_o subordinate_a there_o must_v needs_o be_v two_o body_n politic_a and_o therefore_o that_o separation_n which_o interrupt_v this_o subordination_n and_o erect_v a_o independent_a government_n must_v consequent_o dissolve_v this_o political_a unity_n and_o be_v schismatical_a this_o therefore_o be_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o this_o notion_n of_o schism_n must_v be_v the_o principal_a thing_n requisite_a to_o be_v prove_v against_o our_o adversary_n and_o whether_o it_o be_v prove_v direct_o that_o the_o church_n be_v such_o a_o body_n politic_a and_o it_o be_v thence_o infer_v that_o such_o a_o separation_n as_o that_o i_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o be_v proper_o schismatical_a or_o whether_o the_o separation_n be_v first_o prove_v schismatical_a and_o this_o political_a unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v thence_o deduce_v both_o way_n of_o proceed_v will_v come_v to_o the_o same_o event_n §_o xlii_o especial_o consider_v 2._o that_o though_o indeed_o we_o can_v by_o reason_n prove_v it_o very_o convinient_a and_o avaylable_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o particular_a person_n that_o they_o be_v thus_o confederated_a into_o political_a society_n yet_o we_o can_v prove_v it_o so_o necessary_a as_o that_o antecedent_o to_o all_o positive_a revelation_n we_o may_v have_v be_v able_a to_o conclude_v that_o god_n must_v have_v thus_o confederate_v they_o for_o beside_o the_o great_a presumption_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v what_o god_n must_v have_v do_v from_o what_o we_o esteem_v fit_a and_o convenient_a acknowledge_v by_o all_o equal_a person_n in_o instance_n whereof_o they_o may_v be_v presume_v equal_a judge_n that_o be_v when_o this_o argument_n be_v produce_v in_o favour_n of_o adversary_n the_o argument_n be_v then_o more_o especial_o weak_a and_o imprudent_a when_o the_o convenience_n be_v no_o great_a than_o still_o to_o leave_v many_o thing_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o humane_a prudence_n and_o such_o they_o be_v here_o and_o when_o we_o can_v have_v secure_a way_n of_o argue_v as_o none_o will_v doubt_v but_o that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o secure_a to_o inquire_v what_o god_n have_v actual_o do_v from_o actual_a revelation_n than_o from_o our_o own_o fallible_a conjecture_n what_o be_v fit_a to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o he_o especial_o in_o thing_n so_o indifferent_a and_o arbitrary_a as_o these_o be_v concern_v which_o i_o be_o at_o present_a discourse_v if_o therefore_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o god_n have_v actual_o make_v the_o church_n a_o body_n politic_a it_o will_v follow_v that_o resistance_n to_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n must_v be_v actual_o condemn_v by_o god_n as_o shismatical_a and_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n have_v actual_o condemn_v resistance_n to_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n as_o schismatical_a it_o will_v also_o follow_v that_o he_o have_v make_v the_o church_n a_o body_n politic_a there_o be_v no_o other_o difference_n betwixt_o these_o two_o way_n of_o argue_v but_o that_o one_o of_o they_o be_v a_o priori_fw-la the_o other_o a_o posteriori_fw-la but_o in_o both_o of_o they_o the_o connexion_n be_v equal_o certain_a from_o its_o own_o rational_a evidence_n §_o xliii_o 3._o therefore_o as_o this_o actual_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v most_o proper_a to_o be_v prove_v from_o scripture_n so_o the_o most_o satisfactory_a way_n of_o prove_v it_o thence_o will_v be_v not_o only_o to_o prove_v thence_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n to_o be_v require_v from_o subject_n to_o their_o ecclesiastical_a superior_n but_o also_o to_o discover_v from_o thence_o the_o mischief_n likely_a to_o befall_v subject_n upon_o their_o disobedience_n for_o 1._o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o constitute_v a_o government_n or_o a_o body_n politic_a proper_o so_o call_v without_o a_o coercive_a power_n over_o its_o particular_a refractory_a member_n and_o therefore_o if_o in_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n as_o establish_v in_o the_o scripture_n there_o appear_v nothing_o coercive_a over_o its_o particular_a member_n to_o force_v they_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o their_o duty_n under_o pain_n of_o a_o great_a prejudice_n to_o be_v incur_v by_o they_o in_o case_n of_o refusal_n than_o that_o of_o bare_o act_v irrational_o and_o indecorous_o this_o very_a omission_n will_v make_v it_o suspicious_a that_o the_o duty_n exact_v from_o they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o that_o reverential_n respect_n which_o we_o common_o conceive_v due_a to_o person_n of_o excellent_a accomplishment_n or_o from_o who_o we_o have_v receive_v particular_a obligation_n though_o they_o have_v no_o right_n of_o jurisdiction_n over_o we_o but_o not_o that_o obedience_n which_o be_v proper_o due_a to_o governor_n of_o society_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n without_o any_o regard_n to_o their_o personal_a accomplishment_n and_o our_o obligation_n to_o they_o so_o that_o this_o real_a prejudice_n which_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v incur_v by_o the_o subject_a in_o case_n of_o disobedience_n be_v very_o necessary_a to_o be_v discover_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o scripture_n even_o in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o obligation_n of_o this_o authority_n §_o xliv_o and_o 2._o the_o church_n be_v on_o this_o supposal_n a_o external_n body_n politic_a its_o coercive_a power_n must_v also_o be_v external_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o validity_n of_o her_o censure_n be_v derive_v from_o god_n second_v they_o that_o be_v from_o his_o remit_v or_o bind_v in_o heaven_n what_o she_o remit_v or_o bind_v on_o earth_n yet_o this_o power_n will_v indeed_o be_v very_o little_a coercive_a if_o god_n confirmation_n be_v think_v easy_o separable_a from_o the_o church_n act._n for_o see_v that_o a_o society_n of_o this_o nature_n can_v imply_v any_o external_n coercion_n of_o the_o external_n act_n all_o the_o coercion_n she_o can_v pretend_v to_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o deprivation_n of_o those_o privilege_n which_o be_v enjoy_v and_o may_v be_v pretend_v to_o by_o virtue_n of_o her_o visible_a membership_n and_o a_o expose_v the_o person_n so_o deprive_v to_o all_o the_o calamity_n consequent_a to_o such_o a_o deprivation_n but_o if_o the_o confirmation_n of_o these_o censure_n by_o god_n be_v whole_o resolve_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n for_o which_o they_o be_v inflict_v they_o can_v never_o be_v fear_v nor_o consequent_o prove_v coercive_a to_o their_o subject_n who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n itself_o which_o in_o the_o event_n will_v make_v they_o never_o proper_o coercive_a at_o all_o especial_o in_o regard_n of_o a_o government_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v fallible_a as_o the_o church_n be_v general_o by_o protestant_n for_o it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v that_o all_o who_o stand_v out_o so_o obstinate_o against_o the_o church_n authority_n as_o to_o provoke_v her_o censure_n either_o be_v not_o or_o pretend_v not_o to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o justice_n of_o her_o decree_n and_o therefore_o if_o their_o own_o judgement_n may_v be_v take_v as_o all_o the_o coerciveness_n of_o such_o censure_n as_o these_o be_v which_o be_v not_o external_o coercive_a must_v be_v derive_v from_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o person_n lie_v under_o they_o concern_v their_o validity_n there_o can_v be_v no_o hope_n of_o reclaim_v they_o by_o censure_n who_o be_v not_o already_o such_o as_o may_v be_v presume_v satisfy_v concern_v the_o justice_n of_o the_o cause_n for_o which_o they_o be_v inflict_v and_o yet_o such_o alone_o be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o coercive_a power_n §_o xlv_o beside_o those_o censure_n which_o be_v suppose_v only_o declarative_a not_o operative_a be_v not_o proper_o the_o act_n of_o authorize_v but_o skilful_a person_n for_o it_o be_v skill_n not_o authority_n that_o be_v a_o prudent_a presumption_n that_o any_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o it_o be_v declare_v and_o therefore_o the_o opinion_n of_o learned_a doctor_n though_o but_o private_a person_n will_v in_o this_o way_n of_o proceed_v be_v much_o more_o formidable_a than_o the_o peremptory_a sentence_n of_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n as_o they_o be_v consider_v only_o under_o that_o relation_n i_o can_v see_v how_o this_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o those_o who_o conceive_v the_o declaration_n to_o be_v purely-speculative_a and_o to_o be_v of_o no_o further_a force_n for_o oblige_v particular_a person_n than_o as_o upon_o
covenant_n and_o see_v the_o church_n with_o who_o this_o covenant_n be_v make_v be_v still_o a_o body_n politic_a as_o former_o though_o not_o a_o civil_a one_o and_o see_v that_o god_n have_v design_v to_o oblige_v all_o person_n to_o enter_v into_o this_o society_n &_o to_o maintain_v its_o peace_n which_o can_v not_o be_v significant_a if_o person_n may_v ordinary_o hope_v for_o the_o same_o advantage_n out_o of_o it_o as_o in_o it_o they_o will_v both_o of_o they_o seem_v to_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o the_o promise_n be_v in_o both_o alike_o confine_v to_o the_o covenant_n at_o least_o as_o to_o a_o ordinary_a way_n §_o fourteen_o but_o beside_o these_o argument_n from_o testimony_n this_o confinement_n of_o the_o evangelical_n promise_v to_o the_o evangelical_n covenant_n will_v appear_v from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o even_o according_a to_o that_o account_n of_o they_o which_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n themselves_o conceive_v to_o be_v rational_a to_o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o admit_v mankind_n to_o this_o favour_n be_v not_o his_o own_o essential_a goodness_n alone_o but_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o christ_n by_o which_o it_o be_v purchase_v and_o by_o which_o it_o be_v make_v reconcilable_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o government_n to_o admit_v of_o this_o impunity_n of_o our_o offence_n without_o any_o fear_n of_o inconvenience_n that_o must_v otherwise_o follow_v from_o such_o a_o example_n of_o impunity_n and_o favour_n to_o person_n so_o offend_v whence_o it_o will_v further_o follow_v that_o see_v they_o be_v the_o purchase_n of_o christ_n blood_n they_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o belong_v to_o his_o right_n and_o therefore_o as_o disposable_a only_o according_a to_o his_o pleasure_n now_o they_o themselves_o acknowledge_v a_o covenant_n betwixt_o god_n the_o father_n and_o christ_n concern_v this_o purchase_n not_o only_o that_o the_o promise_n be_v to_o become_v his_o property_n but_o also_o that_o their_o actual_a distribution_n and_o extent_n shall_v be_v according_a to_o his_o appointment_n however_o whether_o the_o distribution_n of_o they_o depend_v on_o his_o pleasure_n or_o not_o yet_o as_o to_o the_o positive_a way_n of_o argue_v we_o who_o have_v a_o interest_n in_o christ_n be_v sufficient_o secure_a of_o obtain_v they_o 26.27_o st._n joh._n xuj_o 26.27_o because_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o satisfaction_n his_o father_n himself_o as_o himself_o have_v tell_v we_o love_v we_o and_o be_v as_o careful_a for_o the_o performance_n as_o if_o himself_o have_v be_v the_o person_n interest_v in_o our_o behalf_n and_o according_o he_o have_v give_v our_o saviour_n this_o power_n for_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o shall_v give_v eternal_a life_n to_o we_o 40_o st._n joh._n vi_fw-la 40_o and_o he_o have_v receive_v a_o commandment_n from_o the_o father_n to_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o we_o and_o the_o very_a person_n be_v as_o true_o give_v he_o by_o the_o father_n as_o the_o father_n himself_o have_v confine_v these_o favour_n only_o to_o the_o person_n which_o he_o shall_v give_v he_o 6.9.11.12_o st._n joh._n vi_fw-la 37.39_o xvii_o 6.9.11.12_o and_o if_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n will_v only_o be_v please_v to_o consider_v further_o that_o the_o covenant_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o we_o be_v only_a pursuant_n to_o that_o betwixt_o he_o and_o his_o father_n and_o only_o design_v for_o its_o application_n to_o particular_n that_o as_o by_o the_o covenant_n betwixt_o he_o and_o his_o father_n it_o be_v resolve_v that_o only_a his_o shall_v have_v a_o interest_n in_o these_o promise_n so_o by_o the_o covenant_n betwixt_o he_o and_o mankind_n particular_a rule_n be_v agree_v upon_o for_o know_v who_o shall_v be_v account_v he_o and_o that_o christ_n transact_v this_o whole_a affair_n as_o a_o public_a person_n the_o same_o way_n as_o adam_n have_v do_v in_o the_o former_a covenant_n and_o that_o according_o as_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o former_a covenant_n belong_v to_o all_o who_o bear_v the_o image_n of_o the_o first_o adam_n so_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o late_a covenant_n can_v be_v challenge_v by_o any_o but_o those_o who_o bear_v the_o image_n of_o the_o second_o nay_o that_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n be_v more_o express_o apply_v to_o the_o multitude_n represent_v by_o he_o than_o that_o of_o adam_n be_v to_o the_o multitude_n represent_v by_o adam_n that_o only_a adam_n and_o his_o wife_n be_v call_v adam_n but_o all_o who_o have_v a_o interest_n in_o the_o new_a covenant_n be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n that_o only_a eve_n be_v say_v to_o be_v flesh_n of_o adam_n flesh_n and_o bone_n of_o his_o bone_n and_o one_o flesh_n with_o he_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o singular_a manner_n of_o her_o production_n out_o of_o he_o but_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v say_v to_o be_v of_o the_o flesh_n and_o bone_n of_o christ_n nay_o that_o this_o unity_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n be_v express_o urge_v so_o far_o as_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v do_v to_o the_o church_n be_v in_o a_o legal_a sense_n 17_o 1_o cor._n twelve_o 12_o eph._n v._n 30_o act._n ix_o 4_o 2_o cor._n 1.5.7_o 1_o pet._n four_o 13_o col._n 1.24_o gal._n vi_fw-la 17_o repute_v as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v do_v to_o christ_n himself_o and_o what_o be_v not_o confer_v on_o his_o member_n be_v say_v to_o be_v want_v to_o himself_o their_o head_n so_o he_o be_v persecute_v by_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o member_n and_o the_o remainder_n of_o his_o suffering_n in_o the_o flesh_n be_v fulfil_v by_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o same_o st._n paul_n when_o now_o a_o christian_a and_o he_o bear_v in_o his_o body_n the_o die_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o from_o this_o relation_n of_o we_o to_o christ_n as_o of_o member_n to_o our_o head_n the_o same_o apostle_n conclude_v it_o as_o impossible_a for_o he_o to_o have_v rise_v if_o we_o shall_v not_o rise_v also_o as_o it_o be_v for_o the_o head_n to_o be_v enliven_v while_o at_o the_o same_o time_n its_o member_n lie_v rot_v in_o the_o grave_n where_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o disputant_n from_o reason_n not_o as_o a_o proposer_n of_o revelation_n whence_o it_o will_v plain_o follow_v that_o christian_n be_v also_o include_v in_o this_o legal_a person_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v sustain_v by_o he_o in_o transact_v the_o new_a covenant_n and_o therefore_o that_o as_o all_o christian_n must_v necessary_o have_v a_o title_n to_o these_o promise_n which_o can_v otherwise_o be_v say_v to_o be_v perform_v to_o christ_n in_o this_o latitude_n so_o that_o none_o but_o they_o can_v have_v a_o legal_a title_n to_o they_o because_o none_o can_v have_v a_o legal_a title_n to_o they_o but_o by_o purchase_n and_o none_o but_o christ_n have_v purchase_v they_o and_o none_o but_o they_o have_v a_o legal_a title_n to_o the_o name_n and_o consequent_o to_o the_o purchase_n of_o christ_n if_o i_o say_v these_o thing_n have_v be_v impartial_o consider_v i_o do_v not_o conceive_v what_o can_v have_v be_v further_o necessary_a for_o show_v that_o this_o legal_a title_n to_o these_o promise_n be_v confine_v not_o only_o to_o the_o covenant_n betwixt_o god_n and_o christ_n but_o also_o to_o that_o betwixt_o christ_n and_o mankind_n §_o xv_o nor_o indeed_o can_v i_o conceive_v how_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o covenant_n be_v otherwise_o explicable_a in_o these_o evangelical_n transaction_n for_o consider_v that_o that_o do_v imply_v not_o only_o a_o legal_a but_o a_o mutual_a contract_n it_o must_v follow_v that_o there_o must_v be_v mutual_a promise_n and_o mutual_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o that_o as_o god_n be_v please_v in_o this_o covenant_n to_o oblige_v we_o in_o a_o legal_a way_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o our_o duty_n so_o we_o may_v expect_v that_o he_o will_v also_o be_v please_v to_o oblige_v himself_o by_o promise_v some_o advantage_n to_o we_o to_o encourage_v we_o in_o it_o if_o he_o have_v in_o another_o way_n exact_v our_o duty_n on_o the_o bare_a account_n of_o his_o absolute_a authority_n over_o we_o without_o any_o promise_n on_o his_o part_n it_o may_v indeed_o have_v be_v call_v a_o command_n but_o can_v never_o have_v be_v proper_o style_v a_o covenant_n and_o if_o god_n oblige_v himself_o to_o any_o promise_n in_o this_o covenant_n with_o we_o it_o be_v least_o of_o all_o credible_a that_o he_o shall_v leave_v out_o those_o promise_n which_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o considerable_a as_o these_o be_v of_o which_o we_o be_v here_o discourse_v beside_o that_o indeed_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o a_o promise_n infer_v a_o legal_a obligation_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o
as_o person_n authorize_v to_o transact_v with_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o their_o respective_a society_n and_o then_o to_o oblige_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o covenant_n to_o employ_v their_o authority_n for_o that_o design_n for_o which_o it_o be_v intend_v by_o he_o when_o he_o give_v it_o they_o so_o that_o in_o this_o regard_n they_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o concern_v on_o the_o part_n of_o mankind_n on_o which_o account_n i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o invest_v they_o with_o such_o a_o authority_n but_o consider_v god_n as_o a_o governor_n they_o will_v be_v relate_v to_o he_o under_o that_o notion_n as_o subordinate_a governor_n to_o their_o principal_a head_n and_o original_a of_o authority_n and_o so_o they_o will_v be_v concern_v not_o on_o man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o on_o god_n so_o that_o he_o will_v be_v more_o immediate_o concern_v in_o the_o duty_n and_o respect_n that_o be_v pay_v to_o they_o and_o consequent_o the_o principal_a duty_n covenant_v for_o on_o our_o part_n be_v a_o submission_n to_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o a_o performance_n of_o all_o his_o command_n temporary_a and_o prudential_n as_o well_o as_o of_o such_o as_o be_v eternal_o obligatory_a we_o can_v perform_v our_o covenant_n with_o god_n without_o be_v dutiful_a to_o they_o because_o they_o be_v invest_v with_o his_o authority_n as_o he_o be_v account_v a_o rebel_n against_o his_o prince_n who_o resist_v any_o of_o his_o inferior_a officer_n who_o be_v legal_o empower_v and_o commission_v by_o he_o not_o only_o in_o thing_n for_o which_o they_o have_v his_o particular_a express_a warrant_n but_o also_o in_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v to_o have_v be_v leave_v to_o their_o prudence_n to_o determine_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o general_n commission_n §_o iii_o and_o it_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a use_n of_o this_o distinction_n to_o observe_v that_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n be_v invest_v with_o a_o power_n of_o government_n in_o both_o these_o respect_n can_v be_v accountable_a to_o their_o subject_n as_o our_o independent_a brethren_n will_v have_v they_o indeed_o this_o may_v have_v be_v the_o case_n if_o they_o have_v be_v consider_v only_o as_o our_o representative_n and_o god_n have_v withal_o permit_v we_o to_o our_o natural_a liberty_n both_o to_o appoint_v they_o and_o to_o allow_v they_o what_o degree_n of_o trust_n we_o have_v please_v for_o than_o we_o may_v as_o well_o have_v allow_v they_o a_o limit_v power_n as_o some_o democratical_a government_n in_o the_o like_a manner_n derive_v from_o the_o consent_n of_o their_o particular_a member_n have_v confess_o do_v and_o then_o by_o the_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o democracy_n all_o person_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o multitude_n in_o all_o such_o instance_n wherein_o they_o have_v not_o be_v particular_o empower_v and_o all_o power_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o multitude_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o if_o they_o shall_v presume_v to_o transgress_v the_o limit_n allow_v they_o they_o be_v still_o usurper_n and_o therefore_o still_o subject_a and_o accountable_a for_o such_o misdemeanour_n to_o those_o who_o have_v empower_v they_o but_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o multitude_n as_o prevent_v even_o in_o this_o their_o natural_a right_n of_o choose_v and_o empower_v their_o representative_n as_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o god_n may_v prevent_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o authority_n over_o they_o antecedent_n to_o any_o compact_n whatsoever_o and_o it_o be_v credible_a that_o he_o will_v if_o he_o shall_v think_v a_o government_n independent_a on_o the_o subject_n most_o likely_a to_o promote_v the_o design_n of_o such_o a_o government_n as_o this_o be_v and_o much_o more_o if_o we_o consider_v they_o as_o concern_v on_o god_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n so_o it_o will_v plain_o appear_v that_o they_o must_v derive_v their_o authority_n whole_o from_o god_n and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o other_o bound_n than_o he_o be_v please_v to_o prescribe_v they_o and_o even_o in_o case_n of_o their_o transgress_v these_o they_o can_v be_v accountable_a for_o such_o transgression_n only_o to_o god_n not_o to_o the_o multitude_n from_o who_o as_o no_o authority_n be_v in_o this_o case_n derive_v so_o none_o can_v be_v reserve_v from_o they_o which_o may_v make_v the_o multitude_n their_o competent_a superior_n so_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o manner_n of_o conveyance_n of_o government_n must_v make_v the_o governor_n to_o who_o it_o be_v convey_v absolute_a and_o unaccountable_a at_o least_o to_o any_o humane_a judgement_n at_o least_o if_o the_o multitude_n will_v challenge_v any_o jurisdiction_n this_o way_n they_o ought_v to_o derive_v their_o claim_n from_o the_o same_o original_a by_o as_o clear_v and_o express_a donation_n from_o god_n himself_o as_o their_o governor_n do_v which_o be_v not_o that_o i_o know_v of_o as_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a strong_a presumption_n against_o they_o that_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v never_o derive_v from_o they_o that_o indeed_o they_o never_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o do_v it_o the_o primitive_a convert_v be_v never_o unite_v into_o a_o body_n antecedent_o to_o their_o admission_n into_o christianity_n but_o be_v admit_v by_o single_a person_n and_o successive_o and_o such_o can_v not_o even_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o democracy_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v a_o power_n of_o dispose_n of_o the_o original_a inherent_a right_n of_o the_o multitude_n beside_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o first_o propagator_n of_o christianity_n christ_n himself_o and_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o right_n of_o form_v a_o society_n independent_a on_o the_o consent_n of_o its_o particular_a nember_n and_o their_o admission_n of_o all_o the_o first_o believer_n into_o their_o society_n by_o baptism_n do_v plain_o show_v that_o they_o act_v and_o own_a themselves_o to_o act_n by_o a_o power_n that_o can_v not_o have_v be_v derive_v from_o they_o but_o for_o prove_v this_o i_o may_v elsewhere_o have_v a_o more_o convenient_a occasion_n §_o iv_o to_o return_n therefore_o to_o my_o subject_n from_o which_o i_o have_v hitherto_o digress_v that_o god_n as_o a_o governor_n be_v concern_v to_o erect_v the_o church_n into_o a_o body_n politic_a and_o to_o appoint_v subordinate_a governor_n under_o himself_o in_o order_n to_o the_o see_v his_o will_n perform_v this_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o understand_v if_o it_o be_v consider_v 1._o that_o no_o society_n whatsoever_o be_v governable_a only_o by_o general_n and_o immutable_a law_n without_o particular_a prudential_a accommodation_n to_o present_a circumstance_n both_o of_o which_o must_v be_v derive_v from_o the_o same_o authority_n and_o therefore_o that_o there_o must_v be_v also_o in_o the_o church_n if_o it_o be_v govern_v by_o god_n as_o well_o particular_a divine_a command_n for_o thing_n which_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o it_o in_o particular_a circumstance_n as_o for_o those_o which_o be_v to_o immutable_o and_o eternal_o §_o v_o that_o 2._o god_n do_v not_o appear_v to_o declare_v his_o will_n in_o these_o particular_a circumstance_n by_o particular_a extraordinary_a revelation_n and_o therefore_o as_o in_o other_o case_n wherein_o a_o prince_n can_v be_v consult_v with_o in_o thing_n belong_v to_o his_o authority_n that_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v the_o prince_n pleasure_n which_o be_v propose_v as_o such_o by_o his_o ordinary_a officer_n and_o disobedience_n to_o such_o injunction_n of_o ordinary_a officer_n be_v punish_v as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v commit_v against_o the_o prince_n himself_o so_o god_n must_v also_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v provide_v for_o such_o case_n by_o that_o general_a power_n which_o he_o must_v therefore_o give_v to_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n who_o we_o be_v therefore_o according_o to_o revere_a as_o we_o will_v approve_v ourselves_o obedient_a to_o god_n himself_o §_o vi_o that_o 3._o beside_o that_o general_a law_n can_v reach_v all_o particular_a circumstance_n because_o indeed_o what_o be_v good_a in_o circumstance_n be_v evil_a if_o consider_v in_o general_a and_o therefore_o no_o way_n fit_a to_o be_v general_o impose_v i_o say_v beside_o this_o even_o in_o particular_n that_o be_v reducible_a to_o they_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o govern_v any_o society_n without_o officer_n entrust_v with_o a_o power_n of_o authentical_o expound_v they_o so_o that_o subject_n may_v be_v oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o their_o decision_n and_o of_o compel_a subject_n to_o submission_n in_o their_o practice_n for_o if_o subject_n be_v willing_a to_o perform_v their_o duty_n and_o able_a to_o discern_v it_o in_o all_o particular_a case_n there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o authority_n but_o if_o authority_n be_v suppose_v necessary_a and_o that_o some_o subject_n will_v in_o all_o likelihood_n prove_v disingenuous_a as_o well_o as_o mistake_v the_o
belong_v to_o he_o as_o a_o presbyter_n though_o he_o be_v not_o also_o a_o precedent_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o therefore_o can_v take_v it_o for_o a_o prerogative_n of_o his_o office_n as_o precedent_n that_o it_o be_v therefore_o from_o some_o such_o a_o presbytery_n as_o this_o that_o they_o must_v derive_v the_o validity_n of_o their_o order_n appear_v from_o the_o principle_n already_o premise_v that_o no_o other_o presbytery_n can_v make_v out_o their_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n that_o particular_a member_n of_o even_o these_o presbytery_n can_v do_v it_o alone_o in_o a_o separation_n from_o they_o that_o multitude_n of_o such_o particular_a person_n though_o meet_v together_o can_v make_v up_o such_o a_o church_n among_o they_o as_o be_v requisite_a to_o attest_v the_o order_n of_o person_n ordain_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n who_o maintain_v correspondence_n with_o they_o §_o xiii_o consider_v therefore_o these_o episcopal_a presbytery_n only_o as_o presbyter_n and_o the_o bishop_n himself_o as_o act_v herein_o by_o no_o high_a a_o power_n than_o that_o of_o a_o ordinary_a presbyter_n yet_o even_o so_o no_o order_n can_v be_v valid_a but_o those_o which_o be_v confer_v by_o the_o prevail_a vote_n of_o even_o such_o a_o presbytery_n at_o least_o those_o be_v invalid_a which_o be_v give_v by_o the_o vote_n of_o a_o small_a over_v vote_v part_n of_o they_o even_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o aristocratical_a government_n though_o it_o be_v doubtful_a whether_o the_o great_a part_n may_v dispose_v a_o right_n common_a to_o they_o all_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o every_o particular_a yet_o it_o hardly_o can_v be_v doubtful_a whether_o a_o small_a part_n can_v dispose_v of_o such_o a_o common_a right_n though_o over-voted_n by_o a_o great_a number_n of_o suffrage_n than_o their_o own_o though_o it_o may_v be_v think_v reasonable_a that_o some_o reserve_a case_n of_o that_o nature_n wherein_o the_o whole_a society_n be_v deep_o concern_v shall_v not_o pass_v without_o the_o unanimous_a suffrage_n of_o every_o individual_a member_n yet_o as_o there_o be_v no_o justice_n antecedent_o to_o compact_n that_o any_o individual_n shall_v dispose_v of_o the_o right_n of_o other_o though_o less_o considerable_a than_o themselves_o till_o by_o the_o general_a act_n and_o compact_n of_o all_o whereby_o polyarchical_a society_n be_v most_o natural_o settle_v such_o general_a rule_n be_v agree_v on_o by_o which_o some_o particular_a member_n may_v for_o peace_n sake_n be_v allow_v to_o dispose_v of_o the_o common_a right_n of_o their_o fellow-member_n without_o their_o express_a consent_n in_o the_o particular_a but_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o general_a consent_n once_o give_v to_o such_o general_a rule_n so_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n in_o prudence_n that_o where_o unanimous_a consent_n can_v be_v have_v and_o it_o be_v therefore_o necessary_a that_o one_o part_n yield_v to_o the_o other_o the_o great_a shall_v be_v sway_v by_o the_o small_a part_n the_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o all_o this_o public_a justice_n be_v that_o where_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o choice_n the_o public_a be_v prefer_v before_o private_a interest_n that_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o just_a to_o bear_v with_o injury_n to_o private_a person_n when_o they_o can_v be_v avoid_v without_o injury_n to_o the_o public_a which_o will_v in_o generosity_n oblige_v a_o small_a part_n to_o yield_v to_o a_o great_a but_o can_v on_o no_o term_n oblige_v the_o great_a to_o yield_v to_o the_o small_a because_o indeed_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o great_a part_n be_v more_o the_o public_a interest_n than_o that_o of_o the_o small_a §_o fourteen_o beside_o the_o reason_n of_o all_o compact_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o refer_v their_o difference_n to_o a_o public_a decision_n be_v the_o presume_a equality_n of_o the_o decision_n above_o what_o will_v be_v among_o the_o interest_v person_n themselves_o and_o the_o power_n to_o execute_v what_o be_v resolve_v on_o beyond_o the_o resistance_n of_o those_o against_o who_o the_o cause_n be_v decide_v and_o therefore_o if_o we_o shall_v again_o suppose_v man_n free_a as_o they_o be_v before_o these_o compact_n i_o be_o speak_v of_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o presume_v that_o they_o will_v settle_v this_o power_n of_o decide_v their_o difference_n in_o such_o hand_n where_o there_o may_v be_v presume_v less_o danger_n of_o corruption_n and_o where_o there_o be_v the_o great_a power_n to_o execute_v their_o own_o decree_n and_o both_o these_o reason_n give_v the_o preference_n to_o these_o major_a vote_n above_o the_o small_a part_n it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a to_o corrupt_v a_o great_a as_o it_o be_v to_o corrupt_v a_o small_a part_n and_o when_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o decree_n be_v execute_v the_o power_n of_o the_o great_a be_v great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o small_a part_n where_o the_o particular_a subject_n of_o power_n be_v suppose_v equal_a as_o they_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n and_o though_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a in_o after_o case_n that_o it_o may_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o the_o great_a right_n may_v sometime_o belong_v to_o that_o side_n where_o there_o be_v the_o small_a power_n yet_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o only_a reason_n why_o it_o come_v to_o be_v so_o be_v the_o unexpectedness_n of_o revolution_n to_o which_o humane_a affair_n be_v obnoxious_a which_o can_v not_o be_v so_o much_o as_o probable_o foresee_v when_o the_o rule_n of_o such_o society_n be_v first_o agree_v on_o otherwise_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o presume_v that_o at_o the_o first_o constitution_n of_o those_o rule_n they_o will_v choose_v the_o great_a power_n and_o interest_n for_o the_o fit_a seat_n of_o authority_n because_o they_o will_v by_o that_o be_v best_o secure_v of_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o sentence_n give_v by_o they_o and_o therefore_o where_o we_o may_v presume_v the_o great_a power_n lie_v at_o the_o pass_n of_o those_o compact_n and_o where_o they_o who_o make_v those_o compact_n have_v reason_n to_o see_v the_o great_a power_n will_v always_o be_v there_o we_o have_v also_o reason_n to_o presume_v that_o they_o will_v intend_v to_o place_v the_o great_a authority_n §_o xv_o and_o this_o be_v a_o reason_n which_o may_v in_o all_o probability_n induce_v they_o to_o resolve_v that_o the_o major_a vote_n shall_v prevail_v through_o all_o succeed_a generation_n because_o the_o major_a vote_n in_o the_o case_n i_o be_o speak_v of_o must_v inseparable_o carry_v with_o it_o the_o great_a power_n and_o this_o be_v a_o reason_n that_o alike_o concern_v all_o by_o who_o the_o government_n be_v at_o first_o settle_v whether_o it_o be_v by_o compact_n of_o the_o party_n themselves_o who_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v or_o whether_o the_o government_n be_v place_v over_o they_o by_o a_o power_n who_o have_v a_o jurisdiction_n over_o they_o antecedent_o to_o their_o own_o consent_n there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n why_o such_o a_o power_n shall_v decree_v that_o the_o small_a number_n of_o suffrage_n in_o opposition_n to_o a_o great_a number_n shall_v be_v null_a in_o society_n to_o be_v establish_v by_o he_o as_o that_o the_o party_n themselves_o shall_v at_o first_o agree_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o the_o reason_n now_o mention_v proceed_v alike_o in_o both_o case_n which_o i_o therefore_o observe_v that_o our_o adversary_n may_v perceive_v that_o as_o to_o the_o case_n of_o which_o i_o be_o now_o speak_v it_o will_v come_v to_o the_o same_o event_n whether_o the_o power_n of_o the_o presbytery_n do_v come_v from_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o particular_a presbyter_n or_o whether_o it_o proceed_v immediate_o from_o the_o divine_a institution_n still_o it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v that_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v decide_v by_o the_o vote_n of_o the_o great_a part_n where_o nothing_o be_v otherwise_o express_o determine_v because_o this_o way_n of_o determination_n be_v so_o certain_o for_o the_o public_a interest_n for_o which_o we_o have_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o presume_v that_o god_n will_v be_v solicitous_a as_o that_o the_o presbyter_n themselves_o will_v be_v so_o §_o xvi_o by_o this_o it_o appear_v even_o from_o the_o principle_n of_o aristocratical_a government_n how_o invalid_a as_o well_o as_o how_o irregular_a it_o must_v be_v for_o a_o small_a over-voted_n number_n of_o the_o presbyter_n to_o undertake_v to_o dispose_v of_o the_o common_a right_n of_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n whether_o as_o act_v by_o themselves_o or_o as_o act_v in_o presbytery_n make_v up_o of_o multitude_n of_o such_o presbyter_n as_o have_v be_v several_o over-voted_n in_o the_o presbytery_n to_o which_o each_o of_o they_o do_v at_o first_o belong_v now_o that_o the_o power_n give_v in_o the_o ordination_n of_o a_o presbyter_n
must_v be_v a_o right_a of_o the_o presbytery_n in_o common_a according_a to_o our_o adversary_n principle_n who_o conceive_v government_n to_o be_v a_o right_n common_a to_o they_o i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o will_v think_v it_o necessary_a for_o i_o to_o prove_v if_o the_o supreme_a visible_a government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o right_n of_o such_o presbytery_n in_o common_a not_o of_o particular_a presbyter_n single_o consider_v i_o can_v conceive_v how_o such_o a_o government_n can_v be_v practicable_a unless_o the_o valid_a investiture_n of_o subordinate_a governor_n be_v also_o appropriate_v to_o they_o §_o xvii_o i_o be_o not_o concern_v whether_o they_o will_v here_o allow_v the_o power_n give_v at_o the_o ordination_n of_o a_o presbyter_n to_o be_v a_o proper_a power_n of_o government_n it_o suffice_v at_o present_a that_o the_o power_n give_v to_o particular_a presbyter_n be_v as_o proper_o a_o power_n of_o government_n as_o that_o be_v of_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n be_v only_o a_o aggregate_v result_v from_o the_o valid_a succession_n of_o the_o particular_a presbyter_n whereof_o it_o consist_v and_o the_o power_n of_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n which_o be_v give_v to_o particular_a presbyter_n at_o their_o ordination_n be_v that_o on_o which_o their_o power_n of_o government_n be_v ground_v that_o be_v the_o reason_n which_o oblige_v all_o private_a person_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o presbytery_n and_o to_o all_o their_o lawful_a imposition_n because_o god_n have_v put_v it_o in_o their_o power_n to_o exclude_v refractory_a person_n from_o the_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o salvation_n and_o as_o far_o as_o this_o power_n of_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n be_v grant_v to_o particular_a presbyter_n when_o they_o be_v ordain_v presbyter_n so_o far_o also_o it_o be_v put_v in_o their_o power_n to_o exclude_v private_a person_n from_o the_o sacrament_n by_o refuse_v to_o perform_v their_o office_n to_o they_o only_o because_o this_o exclusion_n by_o a_o particular_a presbyter_n do_v not_o hinder_v other_o presbyter_n who_o have_v as_o great_a a_o power_n as_o himself_o who_o shall_v exclude_v one_o from_o perform_v their_o duty_n to_o a_o person_n so_o exclude_v and_o the_o exclusion_n do_v oblige_v the_o person_n exclude_v to_o submission_n no_o further_o than_o as_o he_o can_v hope_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o sacrament_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o excluder_n therefore_o it_o can_v only_o be_v to_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n that_o every_o member_n of_o a_o church_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o submit_v because_o it_o be_v the_o presbytery_n alone_o that_o can_v oblige_v all_o to_o ratify_v their_o censure_n so_o that_o the_o sacrament_n can_v at_o all_o be_v get_v without_o their_o consent_n they_o can_v oblige_v their_o own_o member_n to_o ratify_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o subjection_n which_o each_o of_o they_o owe_v to_o the_o whole_a community_n and_o they_o can_v oblige_v all_o other_o church_n and_o presbytery_n to_o ratify_v their_o censure_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o correspondence_n which_o all_o church_n and_o presbytery_n be_v oblige_v to_o maintain_v with_o each_o other_o on_o account_n of_o their_o common_a interest_n but_o still_o this_o do_v not_o hinder_v but_o that_o the_o power_n of_o particular_a presbyter_n must_v be_v of_o the_o same_o kind_n with_o the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n though_o it_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o extent_n which_o on_o the_o principle_n now_o mention_v be_v sufficient_a to_o appropriate_v the_o disposal_n of_o it_o to_o the_o common_a right_n of_o government_n §_o xviii_o and_o as_o by_o the_o former_a argument_n it_o have_v appear_v that_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la no_v such_o power_n be_v actual_o design_v for_o they_o by_o their_o first_o ordeiner_n as_o be_v at_o present_a exercise_v by_o our_o brethren_n in_o their_o separation_n so_o by_o this_o late_a topick_n it_o appear_v that_o it_o do_v not_o the_o jure_fw-la belong_v to_o they_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o thing_n give_v they_o by_o the_o episcopal_a presbytery_n though_o we_o consider_v they_o as_o our_o brethren_n be_v willing_a to_o consider_v they_o in_o this_o act_n of_o ordination_n only_o as_o presbytery_n or_o at_o the_o utmost_a only_o as_o presbytery_n with_o a_o precedent_n which_o can_v make_v any_o substantial_a difference_n much_o less_o can_v the_o honour_n of_o preside_v lose_v the_o precedent_n any_o of_o that_o honour_n which_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o a_o single_a presbyter_n which_o i_o therefore_o observe_v that_o our_o brethren_n may_v see_v how_o unjustifiable_a their_o ordination_n be_v upon_o any_o term_n though_o this_o power_n have_v be_v design_v for_o they_o by_o their_o ordeiner_n or_o though_o their_o be_v make_v presbyter_n by_o their_o ordeiner_n do_v as_o they_o think_v confer_v this_o power_n upon_o they_o real_o how_o little_a soever_o it_o be_v design_v for_o they_o yet_o neither_o of_o these_o pretence_n can_v be_v available_a if_o their_o act_n be_v not_o valid_a act_n of_o the_o presbytery_n if_o they_o be_v not_o they_o can_v not_o give_v what_o they_o do_v intend_v to_o give_v they_o because_o they_o can_v not_o confer_v a_o valid_a legal_a title_n to_o that_o which_o be_v not_o their_o own_o to_o give_v so_o far_o must_v they_o be_v in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o from_o give_v real_o more_o than_o they_o intend_v to_o give_v if_o they_o think_v it_o usurpation_n for_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n who_o adhere_v to_o they_o to_o act_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n how_o much_o great_a usurpation_n must_v it_o be_v for_o a_o small_a over-voted_n number_n of_o presbyter_n to_o attempt_v the_o same_o without_o the_o bishop_n certain_o his_o presence_n though_o only_o as_o a_o first_o presbyter_n must_v add_v great_a authority_n to_o the_o legitimate_v their_o assembly_n as_o that_o must_v also_o do_v to_o the_o validity_n of_o their_o act_n in_o they_o §_o xix_o nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a as_o they_o can_v either_o by_o any_o precedent_n or_o any_o reason_n defend_v the_o validity_n of_o such_o act_n of_o a_o small_a part_n of_o the_o presbyter_n without_o the_o bishop_n so_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o they_o can_v avoid_v the_o own_n the_o validity_n even_o of_o the_o act_n of_o a_o small_a number_n of_o presbyter_n in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o bishop_n if_o they_o will_v consider_v their_o own_o interest_n in_o they_o the_o presbyter_n who_o assist_v the_o bishop_n in_o the_o solemnity_n of_o ordain_v their_o first_o predecessor_n be_v much_o the_o small_a part_n of_o the_o presbytery_n as_o for_o the_o rest_n their_o consent_n be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o require_v neither_o by_o any_o express_a act_n of_o their_o own_o nor_o by_o any_o delegation_n of_o their_o power_n to_o those_o who_o be_v present_a nor_o presume_v from_o their_o absence_n after_o a_o canonical_a summons_n and_o yet_o if_o these_o act_n be_v not_o valid_a our_o brethren_n can_v possible_o defend_v the_o validity_n of_o their_o own_o ordination_n but_o if_o they_o be_v i_o may_v then_o show_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v that_o the_o validity_n of_o such_o act_n can_v be_v derive_v from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o how_o necessary_a it_o be_v that_o they_o be_v resolve_v into_o a_o absolute_a power_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o how_o much_o they_o will_v be_v oblige_v to_o own_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n that_o they_o may_v defend_v the_o validity_n of_o their_o own_o order_n and_o consider_v that_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n make_v up_o one_o government_n it_o be_v impossible_a if_o he_o be_v absolute_a that_o they_o can_v be_v so_o too_o and_o therefore_o if_o he_o can_v valid_o dispose_v of_o the_o common_a right_n without_o their_o consent_n they_o can_v possible_o dispose_v of_o it_o without_o he_o which_o will_v again_o invalidate_v the_o act_n of_o those_o presbytery_n for_o which_o our_o brethren_n be_v concern_v and_o if_o this_o power_n of_o ordain_v other_o be_v never_o give_v to_o our_o brethren_n de_fw-fr facto_fw-la and_o if_o withal_o the_o validity_n of_o the_o conveyance_n fail_v by_o which_o they_o may_v pretend_v to_o it_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la beside_o the_o intention_n of_o their_o ordeiner_n i_o do_v not_o understand_v what_o more_o can_v be_v requisite_a for_o overthrow_v the_o validity_n of_o their_o ordination_n §_o xx_o that_o which_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o object_n after_o all_o be_v that_o they_o be_v make_v presbyter_n and_o be_v design_v to_o be_v make_v so_o and_o to_o be_v make_v so_o in_o the_o scripture_n notion_n of_o that_o word_n and_o that_o ordination_n be_v a_o right_n belong_v to_o a_o scripture_n presbyter_n but_o why_o shall_v they_o presume_v that_o their_o design_n be_v to_o make_v presbyter_n in_o
be_v long_o since_o discontinue_v and_o be_v not_o observe_v in_o the_o case_n of_o those_o prince_n to_o who_o st._n paul_n notwithstanding_o advise_v the_o christian_n of_o his_o time_n to_o be_v subject_a in_o regard_n of_o conscience_n 5_o rom._n xiii_o 5_o yet_o those_o emperor_n of_o the_o julian_n family_n be_v think_v usurper_n in_o that_o age_n and_o have_v no_o more_o to_o excuse_v they_o from_o be_v so_o beside_o their_o prescription_n for_o the_o time_n they_o have_v be_v peaceable_o possess_v of_o the_o honour_n enjoy_v by_o they_o and_o their_o not_o have_v any_o visible_a just_a competitor_n and_o particular_o concern_v nero_n in_o who_o time_n st._n paul_n be_v think_v to_o have_v write_v that_o epistle_n it_o be_v very_o well_o know_v by_o what_o wicked_a art_n of_o his_o mother_n agrippina_n he_o get_v the_o empire_n yet_o when_o he_o be_v free_a from_o a_o more_o just_a competitor_n britannicus_n britannicus_n this_o do_v not_o hinder_v his_o authority_n from_o be_v from_o god_n nor_o resistance_n to_o he_o from_o be_v a_o resistance_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o in_o that_o regard_n from_o deserve_a damnation_n 2._o rom._n xiii_o 1_o 2._o and_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o case_n wherever_o god_n himself_o do_v not_o immediate_o reveal_v himself_o nor_o the_o person_n authorize_v by_o he_o perform_v their_o credential_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o person_n oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o they_o must_v then_o assure_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n only_o by_o humane_a testimony_n yet_o because_o when_o they_o be_v once_o assure_v of_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o can_v be_v assure_v of_o but_o by_o humane_a testimony_n it_o will_v then_o follow_v that_o the_o revelation_n be_v from_o god_n therefore_o the_o obligation_n to_o believe_v these_o revelation_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v so_o too_o and_o the_o punishment_n of_o disbelief_n be_v thereupon_o proportion_v to_o the_o disbelief_n not_o of_o a_o humane_a but_o a_o divine_a authority_n and_o therefore_o this_o may_v also_o be_v the_o obligation_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o jurisdiction_n notwithstanding_o that_o their_o certain_a bound_n be_v prefix_v by_o a_o humane_a authority_n §_o ix_o now_o from_o this_o divine_a right_n of_o jurisdiction_n two_o consequence_n will_v follow_v which_o it_o will_v serious_o concern_v our_o adversary_n to_o consider_v impartial_o the_o first_o be_v positive_a that_o they_o must_v be_v under_o a_o divine_a obligation_n to_o own_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o jurisdiction_n while_o they_o live_v within_o they_o i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o they_o be_v oblige_v never_o to_o go_v out_o of_o they_o or_o that_o when_o they_o be_v out_o of_o they_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o their_o local_a constitution_n any_o more_o than_o any_o be_v oblige_v to_o live_v for_o ever_o in_o their_o native_a kingdom_n or_o to_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o it_o when_o they_o be_v in_o country_n of_o constitution_n different_a from_o it_o but_o only_o that_o they_o be_v the_o same_o way_n oblige_v by_o god_n to_o acknowledge_v and_o submit_v to_o the_o jurisdiction_n while_o they_o live_v in_o it_o on_o the_o same_o account_n as_o they_o who_o believe_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o secular_a government_n believe_v all_o the_o subject_n oblige_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n of_o their_o country_n while_o they_o live_v in_o it_o as_o they_o will_v answer_v it_o to_o god_n now_o that_o which_o will_v follow_v from_o this_o positive_a obligation_n be_v that_o they_o do_v embrace_v the_o communion_n and_o submit_v to_o all_o the_o unsinful_a imposition_n of_o it_o that_o be_v all_o which_o be_v unsinful_a to_o the_o submitter_n whatever_o they_o be_v to_o the_o imposer_n and_o lay_v out_o their_o endeavour_n to_o secure_v the_o peace_n of_o it_o and_o to_o prevent_v the_o disturbance_n of_o other_o as_o they_o will_v think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o do_v in_o the_o secular_a society_n to_o which_o they_o be_v respective_o relate_v without_o these_o thing_n they_o can_v no_o more_o be_v suppose_v to_o own_o the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n than_o they_o can_v the_o civil_a if_o they_o will_v wilful_o abstain_v from_o their_o privilege_n in_o it_o and_o refuse_v obedience_n to_o its_o law_n or_o countenance_v other_o in_o their_o disobedience_n to_o they_o §_o x_o the_o second_o consequence_n be_v negative_a that_o from_o this_o divine_a authority_n of_o jurisdiction_n they_o must_v find_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o forbear_v all_o opposite_a communion_n or_o assembly_n within_o those_o jurisdiction_n this_o seem_v so_o evident_a of_o itself_o as_o that_o i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o any_o will_v doubt_v of_o it_o but_o in_o such_o case_n wherein_o evident_a interest_n make_v they_o just_o suspicious_a of_o be_v partial_a none_o doubt_v but_o that_o other_o authority_n independent_a on_o the_o supreme_a in_o secular_a society_n do_v manifest_o ruin_v the_o authority_n and_o security_n of_o such_o society_n and_o that_o he_o who_o secret_o countenance_n such_o independent_a authority_n can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v take_v for_o a_o good_a subject_a and_o well_o affect_v to_o the_o visible_a government_n of_o his_o society_n but_o much_o more_o if_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o open_o they_o will_v in_o all_o likelihood_n think_v so_o if_o themselves_o be_v concern_v for_o the_o government_n of_o it_o they_o will_v not_o think_v such_o person_n well_o affect_v to_o they_o will_v deal_v with_o they_o as_o they_o do_v with_o their_o superior_n if_o the_o power_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n be_v from_o god_n then_o plain_o it_o be_v a_o invasion_n of_o their_o right_n for_o other_o to_o arrogate_v or_o exercise_v power_n in_o their_o jurisdiction_n without_o their_o leave_n it_o be_v so_o even_o for_o person_n who_o have_v real_o power_n in_o other_o jurisdiction_n but_o much_o more_o for_o they_o who_o never_o have_v any_o power_n give_v they_o much_o more_o for_o their_o own_o subject_n who_o by_o the_o common_a rule_n of_o subjection_n in_o all_o society_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v oblige_v to_o duty_n within_o their_o particular_a district_n this_o must_v be_v a_o double_a sacrilege_n not_o only_o as_o the_o right_n of_o the_o jurisdiction_n itself_o be_v on_o these_o principle_n suppose_v to_o be_v sacred_a and_o consequent_o such_o as_o can_v be_v usurp_v by_o any_o how_o sacred_a soever_o themselves_o be_v without_o sacrilege_n but_o also_o because_o the_o person_n themselves_o be_v not_o sacred_a who_o invade_v those_o sacred_a jurisdiction_n §_o xi_o and_o it_o be_v particular_o to_o be_v remark_v that_o the_o common_a right_n by_o which_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o these_o particular_a society_n and_o jurisdiction_n subsist_v must_v peculiar_o belong_v to_o god_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v violate_v without_o the_o most_o direct_a affront_n to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n and_o the_o most_o terrible_a expectation_n of_o punishment_n they_o belong_v i_o say_v more_o immediate_o to_o his_o care_n than_o those_o thing_n which_o even_a man_n be_v empower_v to_o take_v care_n of_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o general_a authority_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o and_o which_o only_o concern_v their_o own_o society_n respective_o in_o all_o subordination_n of_o governor_n by_o how_o much_o any_o rule_n be_v of_o more_o general_a concernment_n by_o so_o much_o more_o proper_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o exceed_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o power_n of_o inferior_a governor_n and_o therefore_o to_o belong_v more_o proper_o to_o he_o who_o have_v the_o right_a of_o that_o whole_a extent_n which_o be_v concern_v in_o those_o rule_n and_o therefore_o see_v that_o the_o right_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o general_n be_v of_o much_o great_a extent_n than_o any_o particular_a jurisdiction_n therefore_o it_o can_v belong_v to_o the_o right_n of_o particular_a governor_n and_o because_o it_o be_v the_o common_a concernment_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n therefore_o it_o must_v according_o be_v proper_a for_o he_o alone_o who_o alone_o be_v concern_v for_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n in_o general_a beside_o that_o it_o be_v antecedent_n to_o the_o right_n of_o all_o particular_a governor_n for_o the_o right_n of_o particular_a governor_n within_o particular_a jurisdiction_n be_v found_v on_o the_o right_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o general_n therefore_o it_o be_v that_o particular_a governor_n have_v right_a within_o particular_a jurisdiction_n because_o there_o be_v in_o general_a a_o right_n in_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o distinguish_v jurisdiction_n and_o to_o appropriate_v the_o power_n of_o they_o to_o their_o respective_a officer_n when_o they_o be_v so_o distinguish_v and_o because_o according_a to_o the_o common_a rule_n of_o equity_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o make_v this_o distinction_n this_o particular_a jurisdiction_n have_v fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o these_o
by_o any_o one_o before_o he_o can_v be_v qualify_v for_o judge_v concern_v they_o he_o must_v in_o the_o same_o prudence_n think_v it_o the_o safe_a course_n to_o rely_v on_o the_o judgement_n of_o such_o as_o be_v skilful_a and_o when_o he_o must_v in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o discourse_n find_v himself_o oblige_v to_o trust_v some_o guide_n there_o be_v peculiar_a reason_n why_o he_o shall_v in_o prudence_n submit_v himself_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o ecclesiastical_a superior_n rather_o then_o any_o other_o beside_o the_o equal_a skilfulness_n of_o such_o superior_n with_o any_o other_o who_o may_v pretend_v to_o guide_v he_o beside_o the_o peculiar_a obligation_n of_o providence_n to_o direct_v they_o who_o as_o superior_n have_v so_o many_o presumption_n in_o favour_n of_o they_o to_o oblige_v other_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o their_o determination_n and_o therefore_o who_o error_n must_v in_o this_o regard_n prove_v of_o so_o fatal_a consequence_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o multitude_n of_o good_a and_o well-meaning_a person_n i_o say_v beside_o these_o thing_n he_o will_v hereby_o secure_v himself_o the_o use_n of_o the_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o salvation_n which_o must_v needs_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v a_o very_a prudent_a and_o affect_a consideration_n to_o sway_v a_o doubtful_a practice_n he_o who_o be_v truâ—â—_n sensible_a how_o much_o he_o must_v be_v a_o loser_n by_o live_v out_o of_o all_o 〈◊〉_d so_o as_o to_o want_v those_o ordinary_a assistance_n to_o which_o communicant_n be_v entitle_v and_o which_o a_o daily_a experience_n of_o his_o own_o frailty_n will_v make_v he_o very_o unwilling_a to_o want_v and_o be_v withal_o sensible_a how_o not_o only_o fruitless_a but_o mischievous_a it_o will_v be_v to_o gain_v the_o external_a element_n in_o a_o unwarrantable_a communion_n will_v find_v that_o within_o he_o which_o will_v never_o suffer_v he_o to_o forfeit_v the_o external_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o upon_o reason_n extreme_o weighty_a and_o considerable_a as_o nothing_o under_o sin_n will_v be_v judge_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n so_o neither_o will_v any_o evidence_n concern_v the_o sinfulness_n of_o a_o condition_n of_o communion_n be_v judge_v sufficient_a but_o such_o as_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n not_o from_o any_o contrary_a humane_a authority_n nor_o even_o any_o such_o evidence_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o of_o great_a importance_n and_o more_o convictive_a than_o those_o which_o recommend_v the_o credibility_n of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n which_o will_v yet_o further_o diminish_v the_o number_n of_o the_o doubt_n of_o this_o kind_n which_o may_v be_v suppose_v incident_a to_o candid_a though_o illiterate_a person_n §_o xvii_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v they_o advance_v yet_o high_a to_o be_v convince_v by_o reason_n intrinsic_a to_o the_o thing_n of_o its_o sinfulness_n and_o suppose_v we_o those_o reason_n strong_a than_o the_o reason_n of_o credibility_n of_o their_o ecclesiastical_a superior_n all_o that_o will_v follow_v even_o so_o will_v be_v that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v do_v for_o the_o credit_n of_o any_o humane_a authority_n that_o shall_v call_v it_o lawful_a but_o may_v it_o not_o be_v sometime_o do_v when_o it_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o a_o great_a sin_n will_v it_o not_o in_o such_o a_o case_n cease_v to_o be_v a_o sin_n when_o both_o be_v unavoidable_a undoubted_o it_o will_v if_o its_o sinfulness_n depend_v on_o circumstance_n which_o be_v the_o most_o our_o adversary_n can_v pretend_v concern_v our_o condition_n of_o communion_n for_o from_o our_o principle_n it_o have_v appear_v that_o the_o sin_n of_o disobedience_n to_o ecclesiastical_a superior_n and_o of_o divide_v the_o church_n or_o separate_v from_o it_o be_v of_o a_o high_a guilt_n than_o can_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v in_o those_o sinful_a condition_n even_o according_a to_o they_o who_o believe_v the_o condition_n sinful_a they_o will_v not_o pretend_v the_o sin_n of_o wear_v a_o surplice_n etc._n etc._n equal_a to_o the_o sin_n unto_o death_n to_o that_o against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o those_o speak_v of_o heb._n vi_o or_o x._o §_o xviii_o but_o if_o the_o real_a sinfulness_n of_o such_o a_o condition_n be_v yet_o further_o suppose_v not_o to_o be_v circumstantial_a but_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n absolute_o consider_v then_o i_o confess_v the_o thing_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v do_v not_o that_o it_o be_v at_o any_o hand_n lawful_a to_o avoid_v it_o by_o fly_v into_o a_o great_a sin_n but_o because_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o do_v either_o he_o that_o can_v communicate_v but_o on_o condition_n which_o he_o believe_v sinful_a may_v forbear_v the_o communion_n which_o he_o can_v keep_v but_o on_o such_o condition_n but_o such_o forbearance_n will_v be_v no_o sin_n as_o separation_n will_v be_v even_o in_o such_o a_o case_n for_o still_o divide_v of_o the_o church_n disrespect_n to_o superior_n usurpation_n of_o a_o sacred_a power_n or_o abet_v such_o a_o usurpation_n will_v be_v as_o essential_o and_o unalterable_o sinful_a as_o such_o condition_n of_o communion_n can_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v and_o therefore_o even_o in_o such_o a_o case_n he_o will_v continue_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o avoid_v separation_n as_o to_o avoid_v the_o communion_n which_o can_v not_o be_v have_v without_o such_o sinful_a compliance_n nay_o by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o as_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o such_o a_o separation_n must_v be_v suppose_v great_a than_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o such_o a_o communion_n which_o will_v let_v even_o the_o ignorant_a person_n i_o be_o speak_v of_o see_v his_o obligation_n to_o passive_a obedience_n where_o he_o can_v pay_v active_a to_o his_o ecclesiastical_a superior_n and_o that_o this_o duty_n of_o his_o passive_a obedience_n will_v oblige_v he_o to_o forbear_v opposite_a communion_n even_o where_o he_o can_v by_o any_o lawful_a compliance_n enjoy_v the_o lawful_a one_o this_o do_v at_o least_o reach_v the_o case_n of_o laic_n and_o with_o regard_n to_o communion_n destitute_a of_o sufficient_a authority_n for_o which_o i_o be_o at_o present_a concern_v §_o xix_o but_o beside_o this_o general_a suitableness_n of_o our_o hypothesis_n for_o practice_n it_o be_v particular_o considerable_a 2._o that_o it_o be_v peculiar_o suit_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o society_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o the_o church_n for_o preserve_a unity_n and_o a_o due_a respect_n to_o authority_n in_o it_o for_o the_o church_n as_o a_o body_n politic_a must_v always_o preserve_v a_o coercive_a power_n over_o she_o own_o subject_n and_o that_o 1._o as_o well_o in_o persecution_n as_o prosperity_n for_o persecution_n be_v indeed_o the_o principal_a let_v she_o have_v reason_n to_o expect_v when_o her_o government_n be_v first_o establish_v and_o for_o which_o it_o be_v therefore_o most_o credible_a that_o her_o government_n then_o be_v peculiar_o fit_v and_o therefore_o she_o must_v have_v be_v enable_v to_o maintain_v this_o authority_n independent_o on_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o secular_a magistrate_n and_o therefore_o 2._o she_o must_v have_v be_v enable_v for_o this_o purpose_n without_o any_o title_n to_o the_o body_n or_o fortune_n of_o her_o subject_n and_o so_o without_o any_o power_n of_o use_v coercive_a mean_n of_o these_o kind_n whether_o by_o employ_v her_o obedient_a subject_n to_o inflict_v such_o penalty_n on_o her_o disobedient_a one_o or_o by_o move_v the_o secular_a magistrate_n to_o it_o because_o these_o be_v thing_n to_o which_o as_o she_o can_v pretend_v no_o right_a as_o a_o spiritual_a society_n so_o she_o can_v expect_v to_o have_v they_o actual_o in_o her_o power_n in_o such_o a_o time_n of_o persecution_n §_o xx_o now_o for_o maintain_v such_o a_o coercive_a power_n in_o a_o society_n under_o such_o disadvantage_n it_o be_v plain_a 1._o that_o the_o authority_n must_v be_v pure_o spiritual_a and_o coercive_a only_o over_o the_o conscience_n of_o its_o subject_n it_o must_v be_v spiritual_a because_o christ_n have_v give_v his_o officer_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o be_v officer_n of_o his_o church_n no_o title_n to_o any_o temporal_n at_o all_o and_o therefore_o they_o can_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o be_v his_o officer_n have_v so_o much_o as_o a_o good_a title_n to_o dispossess_v their_o subject_n of_o their_o life_n or_o fortune_n it_o can_v only_o be_v over_o their_o subject_n conscience_n because_o by_o want_n of_o their_o title_n to_o external_o they_o can_v have_v no_o coercive_a power_n over_o their_o body_n and_o therefore_o what_o coercive_a power_n they_o have_v must_v be_v over_o their_o conscience_n or_o they_o can_v have_v none_o at_o all_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o they_o must_v needs_o destroy_v all_o coercive_a power_n in_o the_o church_n who_o pretend_v that_o ecclesiastical_a law_n do_v not_o oblige_v the_o
in_o order_n to_o the_o oblige_a subject_n to_o this_o compliance_n to_o their_o spiritual_a superior_n it_o be_v also_o further_o necessary_a that_o the_o distribution_n of_o these_o spiritual_a reward_n and_o the_o infliction_n of_o these_o spiritual_a punishment_n be_v some_o way_n at_o the_o disposal_n of_o these_o spiritual_a governor_n and_o therefore_o that_o god_n do_v not_o so_o immediate_o and_o arbitrary_o give_v the_o one_o or_o inflict_v the_o other_o but_o that_o the_o church_n may_v have_v a_o influence_n on_o the_o actual_a determination_n of_o the_o divine_a pleasure_n in_o these_o affair_n so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v presume_v that_o god_n will_v bestow_v his_o spiritual_a blessing_n or_o inflict_v his_o spiritual_a punishment_n according_a to_o the_o churchâ—s_a censure_n or_o recommendation_n for_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o determine_v man_n respect_n to_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n for_o as_o no_o governor_n can_v awe_v without_o he_o have_v the_o disposal_n of_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n belong_v to_o his_o respective_a jurisdiction_n so_o neither_o can_v ecclesiastical_a officer_n compel_v any_o by_o their_o spiritual_a authority_n without_o the_o disposal_n of_o these_o spiritual_a reward_n and_o punishment_n §_o xxvi_o and_o 3._o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o evidence_n be_v give_v to_o convince_v subject_n that_o they_o may_v expect_v spiritual_a reward_n by_o their_o obedience_n to_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n and_o fear_v spiritual_a punishment_n upon_o their_o disobedience_n and_o that_o this_o evidence_n be_v suit_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o person_n to_o be_v affect_v with_o it_o for_o unless_o they_o can_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o it_o can_v never_o awe_v they_o and_o unless_o it_o be_v suit_v to_o their_o capacity_n it_o can_v never_o convince_v they_o now_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o immediate_a disposal_n of_o these_o spiritual_a reward_n and_o punishment_n can_v be_v entrust_v to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n as_o the_o power_n of_o temporal_a reward_n and_o punishment_n may_v be_v to_o the_o secular_o who_o when_o they_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n once_o commit_v to_o they_o need_v no_o further_o assistance_n of_o the_o power_n that_o give_v it_o they_o for_o reward_v their_o obedient_a and_o punish_v their_o refractory_a subject_n but_o spiritual_a reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v not_o immediate_o capable_a of_o be_v give_v to_o man_n in_o this_o life_n and_o though_o they_o be_v yet_o subject_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v assure_v of_o they_o because_o they_o be_v not_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o discovery_n of_o sense_n and_o therefore_o the_o only_a way_n for_o subject_n to_o be_v convince_v that_o the_o reward_n promise_v and_o the_o punishment_n denounce_v by_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v perform_v according_o must_v be_v to_o assure_v they_o that_o god_n in_o who_o power_n alone_o they_o be_v immediate_o will_v oblige_v himself_o to_o act_v in_o these_o particular_n according_a to_o the_o church_n determination_n and_o yet_o because_o church-officer_n be_v fallible_a and_o like_o other_o man_n obnoxious_a to_o humane_a frailty_n and_o there_o be_v therefore_o a_o extreme_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o be_v avoid_v in_o the_o divine_a government_n of_o the_o church_n that_o in_o case_n of_o error_n of_o the_o key_n many_o very_a innocent_a person_n must_v miscarry_v many_o time_n only_o for_o act_v according_a to_o their_o own_o more-rightly-informed_n conscience_n and_o therein_o only_o for_o preserve_v their_o loyalty_n only_o to_o their_o supreme_a in_o opposition_n to_o their_o subordinate_a governor_n that_o be_v indeed_o for_o do_v that_o which_o if_o they_o have_v neglect_v have_v make_v they_o obnoxious_a to_o punishment_n if_o god_n shall_v peremptory_o have_v oblige_v himself_o to_o have_v conform_v his_o own_o act_n to_o the_o church_n determination_n §_o xxvii_o therefore_o 4._o the_o most_o prudent_a expedient_a so_o to_o provide_v for_o these_o hard_a and_o rare_a case_n as_o yet_o not_o to_o deprive_v the_o church_n of_o that_o assurance_n of_o the_o validity_n of_o her_o sentence_n as_o may_v terrify_v her_o subject_n from_o disobedience_n be_v this_o to_o give_v much_o better_a assurance_n that_o the_o church_n promise_n shall_v be_v ratify_v by_o god_n and_o a_o great_a fear_n that_o the_o church_n threat_n shall_v be_v inflict_v than_o otherwise_o for_o this_o as_o i_o have_v show_v will_v oblige_v man_n in_o prudence_n to_o presume_v for_o the_o church_n as_o the_o safe_a way_n and_o never_o to_o disobey_v she_o but_o on_o extreme_o hard_a and_o evident_a danger_n of_o sin_n and_o where_o they_o do_v so_o to_o be_v wary_a of_o transgress_v their_o own_o bound_n not_o to_o deny_v passive_a where_o they_o can_v give_v active_a obedience_n for_o fear_v of_o weaken_v their_o title_n to_o the_o equity_n of_o god_n and_o make_v their_o already-uncomfortable_a condition_n yet_o more_o hazardous_a and_o as_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o condition_n of_o such_o dissenter_n be_v not_o make_v desperate_a so_o it_o be_v very_o fit_a it_o shall_v lie_v under_o some_o discouragement_n both_o because_o the_o instance_n be_v comparative_o but_o very_o rare_a and_o unlikely_a and_o the_o person_n very_o few_o that_o be_v requisite_a for_o manage_v such_o a_o breach_n conscientious_o and_o it_o be_v a_o constant_a rule_n of_o prudence_n to_o frame_v general_a provision_n by_o general_a case_n and_o to_o be_v less_o solicitous_a for_o the_o rare_a and_o to_o discourage_v other_o from_o such_o attempt_n who_o may_v not_o be_v likely_a to_o manage_v they_o with_o the_o like_a good_a design_n and_o moderation_n and_o to_o oblige_v even_o such_o good_a person_n themselves_o to_o a_o great_a wariness_n in_o make_v the_o breach_n at_o first_o and_o a_o constant_a industry_n and_o calmness_n of_o spirit_n to_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o be_v reconcile_v on_o any_o tolerable_a term_n and_o these_o be_v certain_o design_n very_o necessary_a for_o such_o a_o government_n as_o this_o we_o speak_v of_o §_o xxviii_o and_o 5._o as_o wise_a a_o way_n as_o can_v be_v take_v for_o secure_v the_o assurance_n of_o salvation_n great_a in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n than_o out_o of_o it_o be_v to_o confine_v a_o legal_a title_n to_o the_o promise_n even_o on_o performance_n of_o the_o moral_a condition_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o allow_v no_o other_o plea_n but_o that_o of_o equity_n without_o it_o and_o this_o have_v appear_v from_o our_o principle_n to_o be_v not_o only_o wise_a but_o just_a too_o §_o xxix_o and_z 6._o the_o best_a way_n of_o put_v it_o in_o the_o church_n power_n to_o admit_v to_o or_o exclude_v from_o a_o legal_a title_n to_o the_o promise_n be_v to_o put_v the_o covenant_n in_o her_o power_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o god_n be_v in_o a_o legal_a way_n oblige_v to_o fulfil_v his_o promise_n §_o xxx_o and_z 7._o the_o only_a way_n of_o put_v this_o covenant_n in_o her_o power_n be_v to_o confine_v all_o its_o legal_a obligation_n to_o some_o external_a solemnity_n which_o may_v be_v capable_a of_o be_v confine_v and_o be_v know_v to_o be_v so_o to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v only_o of_o these_o external_o that_o subject_n can_v judge_v and_o these_o be_v indeed_o the_o only_a thing_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v only_o by_o god_n confine_v his_o own_o influence_n on_o the_o spiritual_a reward_n to_o these_o external_a solemnity_n that_o he_o can_v put_v the_o reward_n themselves_o in_o the_o power_n of_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n at_o least_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n we_o know_v of_o which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o expect_v any_o other_o §_o xxxi_o and_z 8._o the_o best_a way_n of_o appropriate_v these_o solemnity_n to_o church-governor_n be_v by_o give_v they_o only_o a_o legal_a power_n of_o act_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n the_o want_n of_o which_o legal_a power_n will_v invalidate_v a_o legal_a obligation_n in_o what_o be_v do_v in_o supposition_n of_o it_o either_o as_o subordinate_a governor_n or_o as_o person_n peculiar_o consecrate_v for_o that_o purpose_n and_o for_o our_o present_a design_n it_o be_v very_o sufficient_a that_o god_n do_v on_o the_o performance_n of_o these_o external_a solemnity_n admit_v we_o to_o a_o actual_a legal_a title_n to_o the_o promise_n as_o far_o as_o the_o covenant_n itself_o be_v capable_a of_o give_v we_o a_o legal_a title_n to_o they_o that_o be_v no_o otherwise_o than_o on_o performance_n of_o obedience_n and_o that_o the_o church_n exclusion_n from_o these_o solemnity_n do_v also_o exclude_v man_n from_o such_o a_o legal_a title_n but_o neither_o of_o these_o do_v oblige_v god_n to_o any_o unequal_a deal_n to_o person_n wrongful_o excommunicate_a for_o still_o there_o be_v no_o
be_v which_o disprove_v thing_n who_o truth_n appear_v by_o principle_n much_o more_o notorious_a and_o more_o confess_v and_o more_o certain_a than_o those_o be_v by_o which_o they_o be_v disprove_v nay_o which_o go_v against_o those_o general_a presumption_n for_o practice_n which_o the_o prudence_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o unconcerned_a part_n of_o mankind_n have_v agree_v on_o as_o much_o more_o certain_a than_o any_o evidence_n that_o can_v be_v pretend_v to_o the_o contrary_a and_o which_o therefore_o all_o that_o own_o those_o principle_n must_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v false_a though_o they_o do_v not_o as_o yet_o understand_v the_o particular_a sophism_n nay_o it_o be_v no_o more_o thought_n prudent_a to_o be_v scrupulous_a in_o practice_n on_o subtlety_n pretend_v to_o disprove_v what_o appear_v true_a upon_o such_o principle_n than_o diogenes_n think_v himself_o concern_v to_o forbear_v motion_n because_o zeno_n offer_v to_o prove_v it_o impossible_a or_o to_o vouchsafe_v such_o objection_n a_o serious_a answer_n and_o when_o these_o dispute_n be_v cut_v off_o how_o few_o will_v there_o remain_v that_o can_v perplex_v the_o illiterate_a reader_n what_o number_n of_o our_o adversary_n volume_n will_v he_o find_v himself_o unconcerned_a in_o how_o easy_a will_v it_o be_v to_o find_v the_o truth_n in_o these_o matter_n in_o comparison_n of_o what_o it_o be_v common_o understand_v and_o must_v be_v so_o by_o he_o who_o have_v not_o consider_v the_o thing_n here_o suggest_v but_o beside_o the_o multitude_n of_o dispute_n which_o be_v here_o avoid_v §_o xlviii_o 2._o another_z thing_n that_o will_v very_o much_o facilitate_v the_o judgement_n concern_v these_o thing_n to_o a_o illiterate_a reader_n be_v that_o the_o remain_a dispute_n be_v reduce_v to_o such_o thing_n which_o even_o illiterate_a person_n must_v be_v suppose_v experience_v in_o even_o in_o their_o worldly_a affair_n it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a even_o for_o such_o a_o person_n to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o nature_n of_o contract_n in_o general_a and_o of_o the_o general_a equity_n and_o measure_n of_o their_o obligation_n they_o be_v of_o so_o familiar_a inevitable_a use_n to_o he_o in_o his_o worldly_a conversation_n he_o can_v but_o even_o there_o find_v it_o repute_v very_o ill_o in_o any_o to_o put_v another_o seal_n to_o a_o covenant_n without_o his_o authority_n if_o himself_n be_v serve_v so_o he_o will_v not_o only_o think_v himself_o in_o no_o equity_n oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o such_o a_o covenant_n but_o will_v certain_o resent_v it_o as_o a_o great_a injury_n do_v to_o he_o he_o find_v this_o yet_o more_o severe_o think_v of_o by_o all_o community_n in_o conveyance_n of_o power_n that_o it_o be_v treason_n by_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o all_o society_n not_o only_o for_o a_o person_n to_o presume_v to_o seal_v himself_o either_o a_o pardon_n or_o a_o patent_n for_o authority_n without_o leave_n from_o the_o supreme_a visible_a magistrate_n but_o also_o for_o all_o such_o as_o abet_v or_o defend_v he_o in_o it_o or_o own_o any_o authority_n in_o he_o by_o virtue_n of_o such_o a_o invalid_a patent_n he_o know_v himself_o how_o illiterate_a soever_o will_v be_v proceed_v against_o as_o a_o traitor_n if_o he_o shall_v offend_v in_o either_o of_o these_o kind_n against_o the_o community_n wherein_o he_o live_v he_o know_v conveyance_n of_o power_n ought_v to_o be_v notorious_a and_o be_v every_o where_o presume_v to_o be_v so_o because_o no_o pretence_n of_o ignorance_n be_v accept_v of_o by_o any_o community_n to_o excuse_v any_o who_o be_v find_v guilty_a of_o any_o irregularity_n of_o this_o kind_n he_o know_v succession_n be_v the_o way_n every_o where_o agree_v on_o for_o conveyance_n of_o power_n especial_o of_o the_o supreme_a visible_a power_n and_o he_o may_v find_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o think_v of_o any_o other_o notorious_a way_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o other_o how_o ecclesiastical_a power_n can_v be_v derive_v from_o christ_n or_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o distance_n of_o seventeen_o age_n especial_o where_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o god_n do_v not_o now_o give_v any_o power_n immediate_o he_o will_v find_v that_o by_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o equity_n a_o presumptive_a title_n be_v sufficient_a in_o present_a governor_n where_o it_o can_v be_v certain_o disprove_v and_o that_o what_o we_o have_v say_v concern_v the_o equity_n of_o god_n deal_v with_o man_n will_v make_v it_o more_o particular_o credible_a in_o the_o conveyance_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n that_o therefore_o as_o in_o a_o disputable_a title_n to_o secular_a government_n none_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o be_v inform_v of_o all_o past_a age_n for_o example_n to_o prove_v the_o title_n of_o our_o present_a prince_n from_o the_o caesar_n who_o be_v once_o rightful_o possess_v of_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o the_o original_n of_o the_o last_o innovation_n so_o neither_o can_v it_o be_v necessary_a for_o know_v the_o want_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n in_o present_a pretender_n to_o it_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o succession_n be_v as_o perfect_o ruin_v by_o a_o failure_n of_o 200_o as_o by_o one_o of_o 1600_o year_n stand_v that_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o be_v concern_v to_o know_v as_o little_a history_n for_o the_o title_n of_o the_o present_a nonconformist_a minister_n as_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o know_v for_o know_v which_o part_n to_o join_v with_o where_o different_a party_n be_v make_v for_o a_o ambiguous_a title_n to_o secular_a government_n i_o will_v not_o on_o this_o occasion_n recapitulate_v the_o head_n of_o my_o whole_a discourse_n these_o general_a head_n be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o material_n be_v general_o such_o as_o even_o ordinary_a illiterate_a person_n who_o have_v but_o that_o prudence_n which_o be_v requisite_a for_o manage_v their_o secular_a affair_n be_v competent_a judge_n of_o they_o and_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v so_o by_o the_o general_a proceed_n of_o all_o society_n and_o disinterest_v judge_n they_o can_v neither_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o secular_a government_n they_o live_v under_o nor_o of_o several_a tenor_n of_o their_o land_n and_o charter_n nor_o of_o their_o unrepealed_a law_n without_o recourse_n to_o original_n of_o as_o difficult_a enquiry_n as_o these_o be_v which_o will_v suffice_v for_o the_o question_n of_o schism_n upon_o the_o principle_n here_o promote_v §_o xlix_o and_o this_o same_o experience_n in_o their_o worldly_a affair_n will_v enable_v they_o to_o judge_n of_o the_o unexcusableness_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o schism_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o it_o be_v undoubted_o a_o great_a mischief_n even_o to_o such_o capacity_n to_o be_v deprive_v of_o all_o title_n to_o those_o advantage_n which_o we_o enjoy_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o evangelical_n contract_n and_o to_o such_o as_o these_o who_o be_v lead_v general_o by_o sense_n and_o be_v therefore_o very_o inclinable_a to_o disbelieve_v the_o be_v of_o that_o which_o do_v not_o appear_v to_o they_o it_o must_v be_v a_o prevail_a argument_n to_o distrust_v their_o interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n when_o they_o see_v themselves_o deprive_v of_o the_o external_a solemnity_n by_o which_o this_o interest_n in_o the_o covenant_n itself_o be_v ordinary_o get_v and_o maintain_v the_o equity_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v too_o subtle_a a_o thing_n for_o these_o to_o judge_v or_o to_o be_v confident_a of_o when_o they_o find_v themselves_o uncapable_a of_o a_o legal_a claim_n and_o yet_o if_o they_o be_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o divine_a equity_n by_o those_o rule_n which_o they_o shall_v think_v equal_a for_o themselves_o if_o they_o be_v oblige_v as_o god_n be_v they_o can_v not_o think_v god_n oblige_v even_o in_o equity_n in_o the_o matter_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o if_o themselves_o have_v make_v a_o covenant_n upon_o condition_n of_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o solemnity_n of_o it_o by_o the_o person_n with_o who_o they_o have_v be_v please_v thus_o to_o covenant_n they_o will_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o give_v the_o gift_n upon_o non-performance_n of_o the_o condition_n though_o the_o performance_n have_v in_o the_o event_n prove_v impossible_a and_o of_o such_o a_o nature_n the_o covenant_n of_o god_n with_o mankind_n appear_v to_o be_v upon_o our_o principle_n his_o promise_n be_v mere_a gift_n and_o therefore_o upon_o non-performance_n he_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o return_v to_o the_o same_o freedom_n whether_o he_o will_v give_v they_o again_o wherein_o he_o be_v before_o the_o covenant_n be_v make_v nay_o though_o the_o condition_n to_o be_v perform_v have_v be_v a_o valuable_a consideration_n and_o so_o have_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o equity_n upon_o non-performance_n of_o the_o