by_o christ_n nor_o any_o of_o his_o apostle_n for_o they_o themselves_o confess_v it_o be_v a_o new_a way_n and_o a_o newborn_a truth_n and_o a_o new_a light_n and_o therefore_o not_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o such_o novelty_n be_v not_o to_o be_v entertain_v nor_o embrace_v nor_o the_o teacher_n of_o they_o if_o we_o will_v be_v obedient_a to_o apostolical_a precept_n i_o desire_v therefore_o those_o of_o the_o independent_a brethren_n to_o produce_v any_o one_o testimony_n or_o any_o one_o precedent_n out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n where_o these_o thing_n follow_v be_v teach_v or_o have_v be_v practise_v first_o that_o although_o man_n and_o woman_n believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v they_o be_v not_o yet_o to_o be_v admit_v as_o join_v member_n till_o they_o have_v walk_v some_o time_n in_o fellowship_n with_o the_o church_n for_o approbation_n of_o their_o conversation_n this_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n i_o desire_v of_o the_o brethren_n either_o a_o precept_n or_o a_o example_n for_o this_o in_o god_n word_n the_o second_o where_o it_o be_v command_v that_o those_o that_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v shall_v not_o be_v admit_v as_o member_n of_o the_o church_n without_o a_o public_a confession_n of_o their_o faith_n before_o the_o church_n the_o three_o where_o it_o be_v enjoin_v that_o to_o their_o faith_n and_o baptism_n they_o shall_v bring_v in_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o conversion_n before_o they_o can_v be_v capable_a of_o their_o membership_n the_o four_o where_o it_o be_v command_v that_o they_o shall_v enter_v into_o a_o solemn_a and_o private_a covenant_n before_o they_o can_v be_v admit_v to_o church-fellowship_n the_o five_o where_o it_o be_v impose_v upon_o those_o that_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o congregation_n six_o where_o it_o be_v command_v that_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v run_v about_o from_o their_o own_o place_n and_o charge_n into_o the_o sheepfold_n of_o their_o fellow-shepheard_n and_o separate_v and_o pick_v out_o all_o their_o best_a sheep_n and_o bring_v they_o into_o their_o own_o fold_n and_o debar_v they_o from_o all_o church-fellowship_n and_o communicate_v with_o the_o other_o believer_n in_o god_n holy_a ordinance_n and_o sacrament_n or_o where_o ever_o it_o be_v command_v that_o the_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v gather_v believe_a christian_n from_o among_o believe_a christian_n &_o separate_v they_o from_o the_o other_o sheep_n into_o independent_a congregation_n and_o shall_v proclaim_v all_o that_o be_v not_o thus_o mould_v up_o after_o this_o new_a model_n to_o be_v people_n out_o of_o covenant_n and_o to_o have_v no_o right_n to_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n neither_o they_o nor_o their_o child_n though_o believer_n all_o these_o thing_n i_o desire_v the_o brethren_n by_o evident_a place_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o make_v good_a and_o to_o confirm_v or_o by_o any_o precedent_n or_o example_n to_o declare_v to_o have_v be_v practise_v either_o by_o christ_n or_o his_o bless_a apostle_n for_o i_o look_v for_o a_o law_n from_o christ_n the_o king_n of_o his_o church_n who_o be_v as_o faithful_a in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n as_o moses_n be_v and_o have_v not_o leave_v the_o order_n and_o dispose_n of_o his_o church_n to_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o have_v command_v the_o church_n to_o hear_v his_o voice_n who_o be_v the_o great_a pastor_n and_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o the_o teacher_n of_o his_o church_n his_o word_n therefore_o i_o look_v for_o for_o a_o warrant_n for_o the_o ratify_n of_o all_o these_o doctrine_n and_o i_o have_v good_a ground_n and_o reason_n to_o demand_v of_o they_o a_o warrant_n and_o authority_n out_o of_o god_n word_n for_o what_o they_o both_o teach_v and_o practice_n for_o we_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n the_o only_a prophet_n of_o his_o church_n that_o they_o that_o serve_v god_n after_o the_o precept_n of_o man_n offer_v he_o a_o vain_a worship_n and_o it_o stand_v with_o all_o good_a reason_n that_o if_o all_o humane_a tradition_n though_o of_o never_o so_o ancient_a stand_n and_o of_o never_o so_o long_a antiquity_n be_v all_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n because_o they_o have_v no_o footing_n or_o ground_n in_o god_n word_n that_o all_o novelty_n or_o new_a invention_n of_o man_n which_o notwithstanding_o be_v impose_v upon_o the_o people_n as_o the_o way_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v abrogate_a and_o nullify_v and_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v record_v in_o holy_a writ_n joshua_n 9_o that_o the_o gibeonite_n deceive_v joshua_n and_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n under_o pretence_n that_o they_o come_v from_o a_o far_a country_n and_o for_o proof_n of_o that_o they_o produce_v their_o mouldy_a bread_n and_o their_o totter_a boot_n &_o their_o old_a shoe_n and_o they_o take_v what_o they_o say_v pro_fw-la confesso_fw-la and_o not_o consult_v with_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o it_o be_v full_o relate_v in_o that_o chapter_n be_v deceive_v by_o they_o and_o enter_v into_o a_o league_n with_o their_o enemy_n and_o thus_o the_o papist_n and_o prelate_n for_o these_o many_o hundred_o year_n have_v delude_v the_o world_n under_o pretence_n of_o their_o mouldy_a antiquity_n &_o totter_a rag_n of_o tradition_n and_o in_o all_o this_o time_n they_o prevail_v to_o mislead_v the_o poor_a people_n because_o they_o consult_v not_o with_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n nor_o examine_v thing_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o the_o noble_a berean_o do_v now_o whatsoever_o be_v write_v be_v write_v for_o our_o instruction_n upon_o who_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v come_v and_o therefore_o as_o it_o be_v the_o error_n of_o the_o israelite_n that_o they_o receive_v thing_n bare_o upon_o report_n without_o consult_v with_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o honour_n and_o praise_n of_o those_o noble_a berean_o that_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n to_o see_v whether_o the_o preach_n of_o paul_n be_v according_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n so_o if_o we_o shall_v receive_v these_o new_a bear_v truth_n these_o new_a light_n these_o new_a way_n without_o consult_v with_o the_o live_a oracle_n we_o shall_v offend_v as_o the_o israelite_n do_v in_o believe_v the_o gibeonite_n upon_o their_o word_n and_o shall_v degenerate_v and_o be_v unlike_a to_o those_o the_o renown_a berean_o who_o will_v not_o receive_v paul_n doctrine_n though_o a_o apostle_n without_o search_v the_o scripture_n whether_o thing_n be_v so_o or_o no_o as_o he_o teach_v they_o and_o sure_o now_o much_o more_o ought_v we_o to_o try_v all_o thing_n by_o the_o word_n in_o these_o erroneous_a time_n whosoever_o they_o be_v that_o preach_v they_o unto_o we_o and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o evident_o prove_v unto_o we_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n we_o may_v not_o admit_v of_o they_o for_o it_o will_v be_v not_o only_o a_o sin_n but_o for_o our_o immortal_a shame_n to_o be_v delude_v with_o novelty_n much_o more_o than_o it_o be_v our_o ancestor_n disgrace_v to_o be_v deceive_v by_o pretend_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o every_o christian_n serious_o to_o consider_v with_o themselves_o that_o these_o be_v matter_n of_o god_n and_o concern_v no_o less_o than_o our_o eternal_a welfare_n and_o in_o that_o regard_n we_o may_v not_o call_v man_n way_n god_n way_n but_o we_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o the_o old_a way_n jer._n 6._o we_o be_v to_o examine_v christ_n and_o his_o holy_a apostle_n way_n in_o gather_v of_o church_n and_o make_v of_o member_n and_o if_o we_o find_v no_o footstep_n in_o all_o god_n word_n of_o these_o new_a way_n we_o ought_v to_o relinquish_v they_o and_o turn_v again_o into_o the_o path_n that_o god_n have_v command_v we_o to_o walk_v in_o wherein_o we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v rest_n for_o our_o soul_n and_o comfort_n in_o life_n and_o death_n and_o it_o will_v be_v no_o disgrace_n to_o any_o to_o be_v undeceive_v for_o they_o be_v deceive_v and_o that_o great_o and_o dangerous_o that_o think_v or_o believe_v that_o any_o man_n mortal_a can_v show_v or_o teach_v a_o better_a way_n to_o heaven_n or_o set_v down_o a_o better_a way_n of_o convert_v soul_n and_o of_o gather_v of_o church_n and_o make_v of_o member_n and_o of_o set_v up_o christ_n as_o king_n upon_o his_o throne_n than_o that_o which_o christ_n himself_o and_o his_o bless_a apostle_n have_v teach_v and_o set_v down_o to_o all_o posterity_n and_o from_o the_o which_o rule_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o swerve_v though_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v teach_v we_o otherwise_o gal._n 1._o ver_fw-la 8_o 9_o
can_v not_o do_v it_o ergo._n so_o in_o like_a manner_n these_o man_n argue_v except_o say_v they_o the_o presbyter_n by_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o hand_n upon_o their_o disciple_n can_v enable_v they_o on_o a_o sudden_a to_o speak_v with_o strange_a tongue_n to_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v and_o heal_v the_o sick_a etc._n etc._n we_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v true_a elder_n but_o let_v they_o do_v all_o these_o thing_n by_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o hand_n and_o then_o we_o will_v acknowledge_v they_o for_o a_o true_a presbytery_n see_v the_o vanity_n of_o these_o man_n and_o the_o instability_n of_o their_o faith_n by_o their_o own_o confession_n miracle_n will_v make_v they_o believe_v any_o thing_n if_o we_o may_v credit_n their_o own_o word_n though_o never_o so_o contrary_a to_o their_o judgement_n and_o to_o the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n it_o be_v well_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a that_o the_o apostle_n and_o those_o primitive_a christian_n have_v extraordinary_a and_o wonderful_a gift_n that_o ravish_v the_o world_n then_o into_o admiration_n and_o it_o be_v confess_v also_o by_o all_o understand_a christian_n that_o those_o wonder-working_a miracle_n be_v but_o temporary_a as_o the_o miraculous_a feed_n of_o the_o people_n with_o manna_n in_o the_o wilderness_n where_o they_o be_v fellow-communers_a with_o the_o angel_n and_o continue_v but_o till_o they_o come_v into_o the_o land_n that_o flow_v with_o milk_n and_o honey_n so_o those_o miracle_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n continue_v but_o for_o a_o time_n till_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o doctrine_n be_v confirm_v and_o establish_v which_o be_v once_o do_v and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v leave_v to_o posterity_n and_o to_o which_o we_o be_v tie_v and_o command_v not_o to_o be_v wise_a above_o that_o which_o be_v write_v 1_o cor._n 4.6_o and_o forbid_v in_o gal._n 1.8_o 9_o to_o believe_v otherwise_o then_o we_o have_v be_v teach_v though_o the_o apostle_n or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v teach_v otherwise_o after_o i_o say_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o religion_n be_v confirm_v the_o ordinary_a work_n of_o miracle_n cease_v and_o it_o be_v say_v of_o antichrist_n in_o 2_o thess_n chap._n 2._o that_o he_o shall_v come_v with_o strong_a delusion_n and_o lie_a wonder_n and_o with_o all_o deceiveablenes_n in_o they_o that_o perish_v because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v so_o that_o i_o can_v sufficient_o wonder_v to_o see_v the_o deal_n of_o these_o man_n who_o in_o these_o day_n expect_v and_o look_v for_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v their_o faith_n when_o notwithstanding_o we_o be_v forwarn_v to_o take_v heed_n of_o all_o false_a delusion_n and_o command_v to_o the_o contrary_n show_v we_o some_o miracle_n say_v they_o and_o then_o we_o will_v believe_v you_o be_v true_a presbyter_n so_o deal_v the_o jew_n with_o christ_n what_o sign_n show_v thou_o that_o we_o may_v believe_v in_o thou_o but_o when_o christ_n have_v show_v they_o sign_n upon_o sign_n and_o miracle_n upon_o miracle_n be_v they_o ever_o the_o more_o convince_v do_v those_o miracle_n create_v belief_n in_o they_o no_o sure_o but_o rather_o harden_v they_o and_o make_v they_o blaspheme_v when_o he_o cast_v out_o devil_n they_o say_v he_o do_v it_o by_o the_o prince_n of_o devil_n so_o without_o doubt_n if_o the_o presbyter_n have_v those_o gift_n of_o miracle_n that_o they_o can_v gratify_v these_o man_n with_o daily_a prodigy_n and_o work_n of_o wonder_n they_o will_v then_o say_v they_o come_v with_o lie_v wonder_n and_o with_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n and_o they_o will_v make_v the_o world_n abhor_v they_o the_o more_o there_o be_v a_o old_a say_n that_o he_o must_v rise_v early_o and_o never_o go_v to_o bed_n that_o will_v please_v all_o man_n and_o true_o it_o will_v be_v not_o only_o difficult_a but_o a_o impossible_a thing_n for_o any_o state_n or_o great_a council_n be_v it_o never_o so_o wise_a to_o please_v all_o the_o people_n under_o they_o god_n himself_o nor_o moses_n nor_o aaron_n his_o servant_n can_v please_v the_o israelite_n though_o they_o see_v never_o such_o wonder_n continual_o before_o their_o eye_n to_o confirm_v their_o authority_n yea_o they_o tell_v moses_n and_o aaron_n to_o their_o face_n that_o they_o take_v too_o much_o upon_o they_o and_o afterward_o they_o cast_v off_o god_n own_o government_n and_o god_n himself_o as_o the_o lord_n complain_v to_o samuel_n in_o 1_o samuel_n and_o will_v set_v up_o a_o government_n after_o the_o model_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n as_o it_o be_v at_o large_a set_v down_o in_o that_o book_n and_o not_o long_o after_o they_o change_v the_o manner_n of_o god_n worship_n in_o jeroboam_n time_n and_o teach_v the_o fear_n of_o god_n as_o the_o lord_n complain_v isay_n 29._o after_o the_o precept_n of_o man_n and_o reject_v god_n commandment_n as_o christ_n say_v matth._n 15._o and_o mark_v 7._o so_o that_o what_o they_o think_v best_a in_o their_o own_o eye_n that_o be_v ever_o best_o please_v unto_o they_o they_o will_v not_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o write_a word_n though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o often_o by_o moses_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n command_v to_o cleave_v unto_o it_o say_v to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n isay_n 8._o even_o so_o it_o be_v now_o in_o these_o day_n they_o content_v not_o themselves_o with_o that_o ordinance_n that_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o write_a word_n but_o say_v come_v show_v we_o some_o miracle_n and_o then_o we_o will_v believe_v you_o be_v a_o right_a presbytery_n our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o the_o jew_n concern_v s._n john_n the_o baptist_n and_o himself_o john_n say_v he_o come_v neither_o eat_n nor_o drink_v and_o you_o say_v behold_v he_o have_v a_o devil_n the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v both_o eat_n and_o drink_v and_o you_o say_v he_o be_v a_o wine-bibber_n a_o friend_n of_o publican_n and_o sinner_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o method_n or_o way_n god_n use_v to_o convert_v they_o they_o cavile_v against_o it_o and_o be_v never_o satisfy_v always_o resist_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o stephen_n tell_v they_o in_o act_n 7._o so_o now_o in_o these_o our_o time_n they_o look_v for_o miracle_n and_o a_o new_a way_n of_o teach_v but_o all_o good_a christian_n be_v forbid_v to_o listen_v after_o or_o to_o give_v heed_n to_o miracle_n and_o be_v send_v unto_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n luke_n 16._o and_o be_v command_v to_o search_v the_o scripture_n john_n 5._o yea_o our_o saviour_n himself_o in_o the_o person_n of_o abraham_n luke_n 16._o say_v that_o if_o man_n will_v not_o believe_v moses_n &_o the_o prophet_n they_o will_v not_o be_v persuade_v by_o miracle_n and_o i_o be_o confident_a that_o can_v the_o presbyter_n do_v all_o those_o miracle_n these_o man_n desire_v they_o will_v the_o more_o reprocah_n they_o and_o exclaim_v against_o they_o &_o affirm_v they_o wrought_v by_o the_o devil_n as_o the_o jew_n tell_v our_o saviour_n he_o do_v i_o must_v confess_v i_o be_o of_o a_o contrary_a opinion_n to_o these_o man_n not_o only_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o miracle_n but_o in_o all_o external_a performance_n for_o i_o be_o instruct_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o the_o devil_n can_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n and_o that_o the_o deceiver_n and_o false_a teacher_n shall_v come_v forth_o in_o sheep_n clothing_n and_o for_o outward_a appearance_n shall_v equalise_v if_o not_o exceed_v the_o faithful_a and_o true_a pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v in_o special_a command_v to_o take_v heed_n of_o such_o and_o for_o my_o particular_a if_o any_o man_n whatsoever_o of_o never_o such_o seem_a sanctity_n sufficient_a ability_n unblameable_a life_n shall_v come_v forth_o and_o teach_v any_o other_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n manner_n or_o government_n then_o that_o i_o have_v be_v teach_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o shall_v confirm_v this_o their_o doctrine_n with_o never_o so_o many_o miracle_n i_o will_v still_o continue_v steadfast_a in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o cleave_v unto_o the_o write_a word_n and_o will_v never_o believe_v contrary_a to_o that_o though_o i_o shall_v undergo_v the_o great_a misery_n or_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o great_a want_n by_o it_o that_o any_o man_n ever_o see_v for_o i_o know_v that_o all_o these_o momentary_a trial_n and_o affliction_n be_v not_o worthy_a that_o exceed_a weight_n of_o glory_n that_o shall_v be_v reveal_v and_o for_o this_o very_a point_n of_o the_o
place_n or_o congregation_n to_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o of_o necessity_n must_v be_v distribute_v into_o divers_a assembly_n and_o congregation_n but_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n there_o be_v eight_o thousand_o new_a convert_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n by_o virtue_n of_o some_o few_o miracle_n and_o sermon_n after_o christ_n resurrection_n add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o society_n of_o believer_n beside_o those_o that_o be_v convert_v by_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n ministry_n before_o his_o suffering_n and_o to_o which_o also_o there_o be_v afterward_o great_a multitude_n of_o believer_n both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n and_o a_o great_a company_n of_o priest_n also_o join_v insomuch_o as_o they_o keep_v the_o very_a officer_n and_o soldier_n in_o awe_n and_o strike_v a_o fear_n and_o terror_n into_o they_o ergò_fw-la they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n to_o 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they_o up_o in_o their_o holy_a faith_n which_o be_v their_o call_n and_o employment_n and_o this_o they_o can_v not_o have_v do_v unless_o they_o teach_v those_o nation_n in_o their_o several_a language_n and_o that_o they_o can_v not_o do_v without_o confusion_n unless_o they_o be_v distribute_v in_o several_a assembly_n where_o they_o may_v distinct_o hear_v their_o own_o language_n for_o otherwise_o as_o saint_n paul_n say_v in_o the_o 1_o cor._n 14.23_o if_o man_n shall_v speak_v to_o the_o people_n with_o unknown_a tongue_n if_o the_o unlearned_a say_v he_o come_v in_o and_o unbeliever_n will_v they_o not_o say_v that_o they_o be_v all_o mad_a and_o therefore_o tongue_n be_v give_v for_o a_o sign_n not_o to_o they_o that_o believe_v but_o to_o they_o that_o believe_v not_o now_o they_o be_v devout_a man_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o believer_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n be_v to_o speak_v to_o they_o several_o in_o their_o own_o language_n and_o for_o that_o 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scripture_n in_o express_a word_n and_o in_o diverse_a place_n have_v declare_v unto_o we_o that_o every_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v but_o the_o scripture_n in_o express_a word_n and_o in_o diverse_a place_n have_v declare_v unto_o we_o that_o there_o be_v diverse_a assembly_n and_o congregation_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n do_v continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o that_o they_o break_v bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n and_o that_o daily_a in_o the_o temple_n and_o in_o every_o house_n they_o cease_v not_o to_o teach_v and_o preach_v jesus_n christ_n ergo_fw-la there_o be_v diverse_a congregation_n and_o several_a assembly_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n where_o they_o do_v daily_o partake_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n and_o enjoy_v all_o act_n of_o worship_n for_o the_o major_n no_o christian_a can_v deny_v it_o for_o the_o minor_a it_o be_v manifest_a from_o 46_o verse_n of_o the_o 2_o chapter_n and_o chap._n 5._o v._n 12._o &_o v._o 42._o &_o chap._n 3._o v._n 12_o 13._o and_o many_o more_o place_n that_o may_v be_v produce_v and_o in_o those_o place_n it_o be_v not_o only_o say_v they_o preach_v in_o every_o house_n but_o that_o they_o break_v bread_n from_o from_o house_n to_o house_n by_o which_o expression_n all_o writer_n interpret_v the_o holy_a communion_n and_o partake_v of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o if_o it_o shall_v not_o so_o be_v understand_v we_o never_o can_v read_v that_o any_o christian_n in_o jerusalem_n beside_o the_o apostle_n ever_o enjoy_v all_o act_n of_o worship_n especial_o those_o that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o church_n communion_n it_o be_v relate_v often_o that_o they_o preach_v the_o word_n daily_o in_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v common_a to_o jew_n and_o christian_n though_o no_o jewish_a
the_o order_n of_o all_o man_n heart_n in_o his_o hand_n do_v so_o dispose_v of_o all_o thing_n that_o by_o their_o own_o principle_n they_o shall_v give_v toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n in_o their_o several_a country_n and_o jurisdiction_n so_o that_o his_o people_n be_v scatter_v here_o and_o there_o through_o other_o nation_n by_o their_o sin_n yet_o find_v this_o favour_n that_o they_o also_o for_o the_o most_o part_n enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o their_o religion_n though_o they_o meet_v sometime_o with_o most_o hot_a persecution_n but_o all_o this_o be_v ever_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o god_n alone_o as_o i_o say_v before_o and_o to_o his_o over-swaying_a providence_n and_o guidance_n who_o ever_o preserve_v those_o that_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o serve_v he_o according_a to_o his_o reveal_v will_n though_o it_o be_v in_o babylon_n itself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o good_a nature_n of_o the_o heathen_a neither_o will_v that_o toleration_n 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toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n for_o that_o have_v be_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o against_o their_o own_o example_n for_o in_o the_o 22._o of_o joshua_n we_o read_v that_o because_o the_o people_n have_v build_v but_o a_o altar_n on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o jordan_n they_o intend_v forthwith_o to_o make_v war_n upon_o they_o a_o precedent_n to_o teach_v christian_n that_o they_o may_v fight_v for_o their_o religion_n and_o they_o have_v go_v out_o to_o battle_n against_o they_o and_o have_v destroy_v they_o have_v they_o not_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n that_o they_o have_v no_o intent_n to_o bring_v in_o any_o innovation_n in_o religion_n and_o therefore_o this_o be_v but_o a_o poor_a cavil_n now_o for_o that_o they_o pretend_v out_o of_o gamaliel_n speech_n act_v 5._o ver_fw-la 38_o 39_o where_o he_o say_v refrain_v from_o these_o man_n speak_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o let_v they_o alone_o for_o if_o this_o counsel_n or_o this_o work_n be_v of_o man_n it_o will_v come_v to_o nought_o but_o if_o it_o be_v of_o god_n you_o can_v overthrow_v it_o least_o happy_o you_o be_v find_v fighter_n against_o god_n ergo_fw-la all_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v tolerate_v this_o objection_n have_v sufficient_o show_v that_o our_o brethren_n the_o independent_o that_o thus_o argue_v may_v well_o be_v make_v fellow_n of_o gotham-colledge_n as_o know_v not_o as_o yet_o their_o primer_n in_o polititick_n nor_o their_o catechism_n in_o divinity_n for_o who_o know_v not_o that_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a with_o god_n who_o be_v of_o infinite_a wisdom_n out_o of_o man_n foolishness_n to_o procure_v safety_n for_o his_o own_o people_n as_o it_o be_v for_o he_o out_o of_o achitaphels_n wisdom_n to_o bring_v destruction_n upon_o himself_o and_o to_o turn_v his_o wisdom_n into_o foolishness_n for_o that_o which_o gamaliel_n speak_v be_v neither_o as_o a_o wise_a man_n nor_o as_o a_o christian_a for_o he_o will_v never_o be_v think_v a_o wise_a man_n that_o hear_v of_o any_o commotion_n in_o the_o kingdom_n and_o have_v the_o power_n in_o his_o hand_n to_o suppress_v it_o shall_v say_v if_o it_o be_v of_o man_n it_o will_v come_v to_o naught_o but_o if_o it_o be_v of_o god_n if_o we_o shall_v oppose_v it_o we_o shall_v be_v find_v fighter_n against_o god_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o let_v they_o alone_o will_v not_o all_o the_o world_n think_v this_o man_n a_o ninny_n that_o shall_v thus_o speak_v and_o a_o man_n unworthy_a to_o sit_v in_o counsel_n in_o any_o state_n whereas_o a_o wise_a man_n if_o he_o hear_v of_o any_o insurrection_n he_o will_v forthwith_o use_v the_o weapon_n of_o his_o right_a hand_n and_o first_o seek_v god_n by_o prayer_n and_o in_o his_o ordinance_n and_o then_o betake_v himself_o to_o the_o weapon_n of_o the_o left_a hand_n and_o use_v the_o sword_n to_o suppress_v they_o and_o this_o man_n will_v be_v think_v a_o wise_a man_n that_o shall_v so_o do_v and_o not_o he_o that_o with_o gamaliel_n shall_v say_v if_o it_o be_v of_o man_n it_o will_v come_v to_o nought_o and_o so_o let_v they_o go_v on_o to_o do_v mischief_n neither_o do_v he_o answer_v as_o a_o christian_n for_o what_o christian_n that_o shall_v hear_v of_o any_o new_a monstrous_a religion_n new_o print_v &_o new_o come_v forth_o as_o there_o be_v many_o at_o this_o day_n to_o be_v sell_v about_o town_n and_o country_n for_o penny_n apiece_o and_o shall_v understand_v that_o some_o of_o those_o ancient_a heresy_n be_v again_o revive_v as_o that_o of_o the_o arian_n pelagian_o or_o nestorian_n shall_v say_v let_v they_o alone_o for_o if_o they_o be_v of_o man_n they_o will_v come_v to_o nought_o but_o if_o they_o be_v of_o god_n you_o can_v overthrow_v they_o lest_o you_o will_v be_v find_v fighter_n against_o god_n and_o so_o let_v the_o seducer_n go_v on_o without_o question_v they_o or_o suppress_v their_o heresy_n will_v not_o every_o man_n that_o have_v any_o fear_n of_o god_n in_o he_o say_v sure_o that_o man_n that_o shall_v thus_o answer_v do_v not_o speak_v like_o a_o christian_n for_o a_o good_a christian_n like_o the_o good_a berean_o will_v say_v come_v let_v we_o sit_v down_o and_o examine_v these_o new_a doctrine_n new_o bring_v into_o the_o world_n by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o let_v we_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n act._n ch_n 15._o in_o that_o assembly_n and_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o if_o we_o find_v they_o not_o to_o be_v ground_v on_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nor_o to_o be_v of_o god_n let_v we_o forthwith_o as_o god_n himself_o have_v command_v suppress_v they_o and_o not_o say_v without_o examine_v of_o they_o as_o wise_a gamaliel_n let_v they_o alone_o that_o be_v not_o god_n method_n for_o god_n send_v his_o people_n to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n isa_n 8_o and_o proclaim_v that_o all_o that_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o they_o it_o be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o and_o that_o all_o opinion_n not_o ground_v on_o the_o word_n be_v but_o darkness_n and_o error_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v tolerate_v or_o suffer_v so_o that_o for_o any_o man_n to_o gather_v a_o toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n from_o gamaliels_n speech_n be_v but_o to_o prove_v himself_o a_o mere_a groll_n and_o as_o little_a to_o the_o purpose_n be_v that_o they_o urge_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n matth._n 22._o where_n answer_v the_o sadducee_n he_o say_v you_o doc_fw-fr err_v not_o know_v the_o scripture_n nor_o the_o power_n of_o god_n v._o 29._o from_o whence_o the_o independent_a brethren_n conclude_v a_o toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n for_o our_o saviour_n say_v they_o only_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n and_o yet_o tolerate_v
wife_n and_o many_o small_a child_n come_v upon_o i_o by_o it_o through_o the_o power_n and_o exorbitant_a authority_n of_o the_o prelate_n so_o that_o for_o my_o duty_n and_o loyalty_n to_o the_o king_n i_o have_v a_o prison_n for_o my_o reward_n and_o the_o scorn_v and_o contumely_n of_o the_o world_n to_o comfort_v i_o in_o it_o and_o when_o i_o most_o humble_o petition_v his_o highness_n complain_v against_o the_o injustice_n do_v i_o and_o most_o submissive_o supplicate_v his_o majesty_n who_o be_v the_o caesar_n to_o who_o only_o i_o can_v then_o appeal_v that_o he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o grant_v i_o one_o of_o these_o humble_a request_n either_o that_o his_o majesty_n will_v be_v please_v but_o for_o one_o hour_n to_o give_v i_o a_o hear_n of_o my_o just_a defence_n or_o if_o that_o can_v not_o be_v grant_v that_o at_o lest_o he_o will_v then_o grant_v i_o that_o liberty_n in_o his_o kingdom_n that_o he_o deny_v not_o to_o crow_n and_o kite_n and_o other_o vermin_n that_o i_o may_v provide_v for_o my_o young_a one_o and_o if_o his_o highness_n will_v not_o be_v please_v to_o condescend_v unto_o either_o of_o the_o former_a just_a demand_n that_o then_o he_o will_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o depart_v the_o kingdom_n and_o to_o go_v into_o any_o other_o country_n where_o i_o may_v enjoy_v my_o liberty_n and_o provide_v for_o my_o poor_a distress_a family_n i_o be_o most_o assure_v there_o be_v never_o a_o more_o equal_a petition_n put_v up_o to_o any_o prince_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o his_o majesty_n vouchsafe_v not_o to_o yield_v unto_o any_o of_o these_o my_o request_n nor_o to_o any_o other_o petition_v put_v up_o either_o by_o my_o poor_a distress_a wife_n or_o calamitous_a child_n so_o that_o without_o any_o wrong_n unto_o his_o majesty_n i_o may_v true_o say_v that_o paul_n find_v more_o favour_n from_o a_o heathen_a roman_a caesar_n than_o i_o have_v from_o a_o christian_a king_n the_o defender_n of_o the_o faith_n after_o i_o see_v all_o possibility_n of_o relief_n be_v now_o take_v from_o i_o i_o write_v my_o apology_n to_o the_o bishop_n themselves_o discover_v unto_o they_o their_o unjust_a proceed_n in_o their_o court_n and_o their_o unrighteous_a deal_n towards_o myself_o and_o give_v they_o my_o reason_n of_o all_o i_o speak_v without_o any_o offensive_a language_n and_o without_o any_o purturbation_n of_o spirit_n and_o dedicate_v this_o my_o book_n to_o the_o lord_n of_o his_o majesty_n privy_a council_n expect_v aid_n and_o relief_n from_o they_o and_o indeed_o i_o have_v no_o hope_n of_o succour_n from_o any_o other_o nor_o know_v none_o to_o who_o i_o can_v better_o apply_v myself_o earnest_o implore_v their_o patronage_n but_o they_o as_o it_o be_v well_o know_v of_o patron_n become_v my_o unjust_a judge_n and_o after_o they_o have_v make_v i_o a_o spectacle_n to_o man_n and_o angel_n and_o expose_v i_o to_o the_o scorn_n and_o ludibry_n of_o the_o world_n send_v i_o into_o banishment_n where_o i_o live_v a_o live_a death_n and_o a_o die_a life_n and_o suffer_v such_o intolerable_a misery_n of_o all_o sort_n as_o will_v exceed_v belief_n to_o relate_v and_o i_o be_o most_o confident_a if_o all_o the_o particular_n be_v true_o know_v the_o world_n never_o hear_v the_o like_a and_o there_o i_o have_v end_v my_o doleful_a life_n have_v not_o god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n call_v this_o parliament_n and_o put_v into_o their_o heart_n to_o redeem_v i_o from_o my_o capacity_n for_o the_o which_o incomparable_a favour_n i_o do_v as_o of_o duty_n i_o be_o ever_o bind_v profess_v myself_o to_o the_o last_o drop_n of_o my_o blood_n to_o be_v their_o servant_n in_o the_o lord_n and_o in_o all_o their_o most_o just_a and_o honourable_a employment_n i_o hope_v with_o all_o fidelity_n to_o answer_v to_o the_o expectation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o shall_v in_o life_n and_o death_n show_v myself_o to_o be_v one_o that_o without_o all_o by-respect_n shall_v ever_o aim_v at_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o honour_n of_o they_o and_o my_o country_n and_o the_o common_a good_a of_o all_o and_o shall_v never_o by_o god_n assistance_n do_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o concernment_n that_o shall_v be_v unbeseeming_a a_o man_n and_o a_o christian_n now_o because_o by_o my_o sad_a experience_n i_o find_v that_o i_o can_v neither_o from_o king_n nor_o noble_n have_v protection_n i_o resolve_v never_o any_o more_o in_o god_n matter_n to_o shroud_v myself_o under_o any_o covert_n but_o divine_a providence_n and_o that_o i_o with_o a_o assure_a confidence_n promise_v myself_o especial_o when_o i_o now_o maintain_v the_o prerogative_n royal_a of_o the_o king_n of_o saint_n &_o king_n of_o king_n the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v our_o lawgiver_n upon_o who_o shoulder_n the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n be_v lay_v who_o be_v the_o wonderful_a counsellor_n the_o prince_n of_o peace_n who_o dignity_n and_o royalty_n in_o all_o this_o dispute_n between_o i_o and_o mr._n walter_n montague_n i_o have_v to_o the_o uttermost_a of_o my_o power_n maintain_v under_o the_o shadow_n of_o who_o wing_n i_o have_v ever_o find_v there_o be_v only_a safety_n who_o bless_a assistance_n in_o all_o calamity_n they_o that_o trust_v in_o he_o may_v be_v most_o assure_v of_o his_o patronage_n now_o and_o his_o defence_n be_v my_o shield_n who_o cause_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o who_o kingdom_n at_o this_o time_n i_o contend_v for_o and_o howsoever_o in_o all_o my_o life_n in_o all_o humane_a learning_n i_o be_v never_o so_o wed_v to_o my_o own_o resolve_n but_o upon_o better_a reason_n i_o can_v easy_o be_v divorce_v from_o they_o yet_o in_o god_n matter_n if_o a_o angel_n shall_v come_v from_o heaven_n and_o teach_v i_o that_o that_o there_o be_v another_o way_n to_o happiness_n then_o by_o that_o new_a and_o live_a way_n the_o blood_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o lamb_n slay_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n i_o will_v count_v he_o anathema_n or_o if_o a_o angel_n shall_v tell_v i_o there_o be_v a_o new_a way_n of_o worship_v god_n and_o serve_v he_o then_o that_o which_o god_n himself_o have_v set_v down_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n i_o will_v account_v he_o accurse_v for_o i_o have_v learned_a to_o believe_v god_n and_o faith_n upon_o their_o word_n and_o bond_n without_o any_o either_o angelical_a or_o humane_a reason_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o counsel_n and_o father_n and_o whatsoever_o i_o find_v a_o warrant_n in_o god_n word_n for_o i_o have_v learned_a to_o cleave_v close_o to_o it_o against_o all_o humane_a reason_n suppose_v such_o man_n none_o of_o god_n nor_o faith_n true_a friend_n that_o will_v not_o believe_v they_o upon_o their_o own_o word_n and_o bond_n except_o they_o have_v reason_n humane_a authority_n counsel_n and_o father_n and_o vain_a tradition_n join_v with_o they_o for_o surety_n again_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v go_v about_o to_o persuade_v i_o that_o there_o be_v any_o other_o government_n establish_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n than_o a_o aristocratical_a and_o a_o presbyterian_a one_o i_o shall_v notwithstanding_o all_o humane_a reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a submit_v myself_o to_o that_o kind_n of_o government_n as_o be_v most_o confident_o assure_v that_o it_o be_v warrant_v in_o god_n word_n which_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v for_o ever_o to_o make_v the_o rule_n and_o square_n both_o of_o our_o faith_n manner_n and_o government_n and_o here_o i_o must_v mind_v all_o those_o that_o shall_v read_v this_o book_n that_o this_o be_v no_o new_a opinion_n of_o i_o but_o that_o which_o i_o have_v once_o and_o again_o suffer_v for_o and_o if_o ever_o they_o have_v read_v my_o elenchus_n religionis_fw-la papisticis_fw-la or_o my_o flagellum_fw-la pontificis_fw-la or_o my_o apology_n or_o any_o of_o my_o latin_a book_n in_o all_o those_o they_o will_v find_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o all_o my_o suffering_n be_v this_o and_o this_o only_a that_o i_o maintain_v that_o all_o church_n be_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o a_o aristocratical_a and_o presbyterian_a government_n which_o in_o those_o book_n i_o have_v clear_o and_o full_o through_o god_n assistance_n make_v good_a yea_o in_o my_o answer_n to_o the_o bill_n of_o information_n put_v up_o against_o i_o in_o the_o star-chamber_n they_o shall_v have_v some_o reason_n i_o give_v there_o of_o this_o my_o tenant_n to_o the_o lord_n of_o his_o majesty_n privy_a council_n and_o judge_n in_o the_o star-chamber_n so_o that_o i_o stand_v to_o my_o principle_n and_o be_o no_o starter_n and_o if_o then_o among_o god_n people_n it_o be_v think_v a_o opinion_n worthy_a the_o suffering_n for_o and_o my_o christian_a brethren_n deem_v i_o worthy_a of_o honour_n for_o it_o and_o afford_v i_o their_o prayer_n and_o show_v i_o
officer_n and_o in_o appoint_v the_o time_n of_o meeting_n and_o the_o place_n where_o and_o within_o these_o limit_n as_o i_o conceive_v be_v all_o the_o power_n give_v to_o the_o presbyter_n terminate_v and_o this_o they_o be_v by_o god_n ordinance_n joint_o and_o by_o the_o common-counsel_n of_o presbyter_n to_o exercise_v and_o therefore_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n be_v the_o order_n of_o rule_v and_o govern_v all_o church_n that_o god_n himself_o establish_v and_o be_v to_o be_v continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n neither_o do_v i_o ever_o read_v that_o the_o people_n or_o the_o congregation_n be_v join_v with_o they_o in_o their_o commission_n or_o have_v any_o power_n give_v they_o of_o rule_v for_o saint_n paul_n profess_v of_o himself_o in_o 1_o cor._n 14.37_o that_o whatsoever_o he_o write_v in_o his_o epistle_n be_v the_o command_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o all_o the_o other_o apostle_n now_o paul_n write_v to_o titus_n that_o the_o church_n in_o all_o city_n shall_v be_v govern_v by_o a_o presbytery_n and_o in_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n he_o command_v timothy_n again_o and_o again_o in_o chap._n 5._o vers_fw-la 21._o and_o in_o chap._n 6._o v._n 12_o 13._o i_o give_v thou_o charge_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n that_o thou_o keep_v this_o command_n without_o spot_n unblameable_a till_o the_o appear_a of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n here_o timothy_n and_o all_o minister_n in_o he_o be_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n bind_v to_o maintain_v that_o government_n unblameable_a that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o be_v the_o presbyterian_a government_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o all_o church_n by_o joint_a consent_n and_o a_o common-counsel_n or_o college_n of_o presbyter_n so_o that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v do_v or_o transact_v of_o public_a concernment_n without_o their_o joint_n and_o mutual_a accord_n or_o agreement_n and_o common_a consent_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o therefore_o when_o diotrephes_n assume_v unto_o himself_o and_o his_o particular_a congregation_n a_o power_n and_o authority_n to_o rule_v according_a to_o his_o will_n &_o pleasure_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o presbytery_n &_o oppose_a john_n the_o presbyter_n he_o sharp_o reprove_v his_o proceed_n &_o signify_v to_o the_o church_n epist_n 3._o that_o when_o he_o come_v he_o will_v remember_v his_o word_n and_o teach_v he_o how_o to_o prate_v against_o the_o presbytery_n with_o malicious_a word_n for_o he_o say_v s._n john_n content_v not_o himself_o only_o to_o prate_v malicious_o against_o we_o but_o he_o will_v not_o receive_v the_o brethren_n nor_o suffer_v other_o but_o cast_v they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v a_o evil_a thing_n in_o he_o say_v saint_n john_n but_o for_o you_o say_v he_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n follow_v not_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a but_o that_o which_o be_v good_a it_o be_v evil_a in_o he_o to_o assume_v unto_o himself_o alone_o and_o his_o particular_a congregation_n that_o power_n that_o belong_v unto_o the_o college_n or_o council_n of_o presbyter_n and_o be_v to_o be_v moderate_v and_o exercise_v only_o by_o the_o conjoynt_v and_o common_a consent_n of_o the_o presbytery_n for_o god_n have_v appoint_v that_o his_o church_n shall_v be_v govern_v by_o a_o presbytery_n and_o diotrephes_n will_v have_v his_o congregation_n independent_a and_o have_v a_o absolute_a jurisdiction_n within_o itself_o which_o say_v saint_n john_n be_v a_o evil_a thing_n so_o that_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_n that_o our_o brethren_n the_o independent_o shall_v call_v diotrephes_n the_o patriarch_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o as_o one_o of_o they_o do_v to_o i_o not_o long_o since_o whereas_o if_o the_o place_n be_v due_o weigh_v and_o consider_v it_o will_v appear_v that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o that_o oppose_v the_o presbyterian_a government_n and_o for_o the_o which_o he_o be_v by_o saint_n john_n sharp_o reprove_v and_o in_o he_o all_o that_o follow_v his_o step_n and_o will_v not_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o presbytry_n which_o be_v god_n ordinance_n and_o that_o will_v not_o receive_v the_o brethren_n into_o the_o church_n but_o upon_o their_o own_o term_n and_o condition_n but_o of_o this_o business_n when_o i_o come_v to_o the_o second_o question_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n it_o be_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n sufficient_o confirm_v that_o all_o the_o church_n we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v so_o many_o corporation_n in_o christ_n kingdom_n which_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o a_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n and_o so_o for_o many_o year_n after_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v govern_v communi_fw-la consilio_fw-la presbytererum_fw-la as_o our_o brethren_n the_o independent_o do_v confess_v and_o prove_v by_o antiquity_n and_o humane_a authority_n which_o weapon_n i_o do_v wonder_n they_o will_v contend_v with_o in_o decide_v of_o god_n matter_n which_o be_v only_o out_o of_o his_o holy_a word_n to_o be_v prove_v which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o it_o seem_v saint_n ambrose_n his_o authority_n please_v they_o well_o though_o if_o we_o look_v into_o it_o it_o make_v much_o against_o they_o he_o live_v as_o the_o author_n that_o cite_v he_o say_v within_o the_o four_o centory_n his_o word_n be_v these_o upon_o the_o first_o of_o timothy_n synagoga_fw-la &_o postea_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la seniores_fw-la habuit_fw-la quorum_fw-la sine_fw-la consilio_fw-la nihil_fw-la agebatur_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la quod_fw-la quâ_fw-la negligentia_fw-la obsoleverit_fw-la nescio_fw-la nisi_fw-la doctorum_fw-la desidia_fw-la aut_fw-la magis_fw-la superbia_fw-la dum_fw-la soli_fw-la volunt_fw-la aliquid_fw-la videri_fw-la take_v with_o it_o his_o own_o interpretation_n the_o jew_n synagogue_n say_v he_o and_o afterward_o the_o christian_a church_n have_v elder_n without_o who_o counsel_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n which_o by_o what_o neglect_v it_o grow_v out_o of_o use_n i_o know_v not_o unless_o it_o be_v perhaps_o the_o sloth_n or_o rather_o pride_n of_o the_o teacher_n while_o alone_o they_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v some_o body_n here_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o their_o own_o testimony_n that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o many_o year_n after_o the_o apostle_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n without_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o presbyter_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a the_o primitive_a church_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o joint_n and_o common_a council_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o the_o people_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o it_o we_o may_v add_v here_o unto_o saint_n ambrose_n saint_n jeromes_n testimony_n who_o in_o his_o commentary_n upon_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o paul_n to_o titus_n large_o declare_v himself_o as_o in_o many_o other_o place_n concern_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o change_n of_o that_o government_n establish_v by_o the_o apostle_n say_v idem_fw-la est_fw-la ergo_fw-la presbyter_n qui_fw-la &_o episcopus_fw-la &_o antequà m_fw-la diaboli_fw-la instinctu_fw-la studia_fw-la in_o religione_fw-la fierent_fw-la &_o diceretur_fw-la in_o populis_fw-la ego_fw-la sum_fw-la pauli_n ego_fw-la apollo_n ego_fw-la autem_fw-la cephae_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernabantur_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o the_o which_o word_n he_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o first_o institution_n all_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o not_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o people_n yea_o the_o very_a canon_n of_o the_o pope_n in_o the_o first_o part_n and_o the_o 95._o distinction_n give_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n come_v to_o be_v change_v and_o the_o hierarchiall_a be_v put_v in_o the_o place_n affirm_v that_o it_o be_v through_o faction_n and_o for_o the_o avoid_n of_o further_a schism_n and_o rent_n in_o the_o church_n and_o city_n the_o very_a word_n before_o coat_v out_o of_o saint_n jerome_n and_o confess_v that_o before_o that_o time_n the_o church_n be_v govern_v communi_fw-la consilio_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la not_o by_o the_o people_n or_o any_o one_o prelate_n but_o by_o the_o presbytery_n and_o their_o council_n and_o if_o humane_a authority_n be_v needful_a in_o this_o business_n i_o may_v make_v a_o volume_n with_o their_o very_a expression_n to_o prove_v the_o novelty_n of_o the_o hirarchicall_a government_n and_o that_o of_o the_o people_n jurisdiction_n assume_v the_o authority_n of_o govern_v into_o their_o hand_n and_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o that_o by_o the_o enemy_n own_o confession_n but_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o cleave_v only_o unto_o the_o word_n and_o sound_a reason_n deduce_v from_o thence_o for_o the_o decide_n of_o this_o controversy_n be_v sorry_a that_o there_o be_v so_o much_o as_o occasion_n of_o name_v humane_a authority_n in_o a_o point_n of_o divinity_n as_o for_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n in_o
the_o sense_n that_o i_o understand_v it_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o clear_a to_o i_o in_o all_o the_o holy_a scripture_n yea_o the_o very_a word_n and_o name_n of_o presbytery_n signify_v a_o magistracy_n or_o aristocracy_n or_o signory_n or_o court_n that_o be_v a_o company_n or_o senate_n or_o council_n of_o grave_n wise_a and_o understand_a man_n invest_v with_o authority_n and_o power_n of_o rule_v order_v and_o command_v and_o in_o who_o hand_n the_o government_n be_v put_v and_o as_o the_o word_n be_v take_v in_o the_o civil_a polity_n and_o government_n so_o in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a by_o a_o presbytery_n we_o understand_v a_o religious_a grave_a solid_a learned_a and_o wise_a council_n of_o divine_n and_o minister_n or_o man_n of_o inveterate_a experience_n and_o such_o as_o know_v how_o to_o rule_v and_o govern_v those_o that_o be_v under_o their_o command_n with_o wisdom_n and_o moderation_n and_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o which_o man_n 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be_v understand_v the_o exercise_n of_o all_o lawful_a and_o moderate_a authority_n agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n over_o they_o so_o the_o presbyter_n and_o minister_n be_v call_v the_o pastor_n and_o shepherd_n yea_o and_o steward_n over_o the_o flock_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n and_o they_o be_v command_v to_o feed_v they_o by_o which_o metaphor_n they_o be_v invest_v with_o the_o authority_n and_o power_n both_o of_o preach_v and_o rule_v and_o have_v the_o government_n over_o those_o flock_n put_v into_o their_o hand_n which_o they_o must_v always_o exercise_v according_a to_o god_n word_n they_o must_v feed_v they_o and_o rule_v they_o in_o the_o lord_n and_o not_o after_o their_o own_o will_n and_o pleasure_n they_o may_v not_o have_v dominion_n over_o our_o faith_n as_o paul_n say_v in_o the_o 2._o of_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n 1._o vers_fw-la 24._o but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v helper_n of_o our_o joy_n that_o be_v they_o may_v not_o usurp_v a_o absolute_a sovereignty_n or_o power_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o people_n as_o if_o the_o spiritual_a state_n and_o welfare_n of_o their_o flock_n depend_v on_o they_o which_o be_v only_o ground_v upon_o their_o faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n but_o as_o they_o be_v the_o steward_n of_o god_n and_o minister_n and_o servant_n of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o shall_v comfort_v they_o and_o rejoice_v their_o heart_n in_o the_o lord_n and_o establish_v they_o in_o the_o faith_n and_o use_v all_o the_o care_n and_o diligence_n that_o be_v possible_a like_o good_a shepherd_n to_o preserve_v the_o flock_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n that_o they_o straggle_v and_o stray_v not_o from_o christ_n fold_n and_o run_v not_o into_o the_o byway_n and_o thicket_n of_o sin_n and_o error_n and_o be_v corrupt_v with_o noisome_a food_n and_o false_a doctrine_n and_o if_o they_o have_v any_o among_o they_o that_o be_v unruly_a that_o they_o bring_v and_o reduce_v they_o into_o order_n or_o if_o they_o have_v any_o sick_a feeble_a poor_a or_o weak_a that_o they_o cure_n relieve_v comfort_n and_o restore_v such_o and_o if_o they_o have_v any_o that_o be_v infect_v or_o scabby_a that_o they_o remove_v such_o from_o the_o sound_n till_o they_o be_v recover_v or_o if_o they_o have_v any_o break_a or_o wound_v that_o they_o heal_v and_o recover_v they_o with_o all_o lenity_n and_o humanity_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v by_o common_a council_n govern_v and_o order_v their_o flock_n and_o take_v special_a care_n that_o the_o particular_a pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n under_o their_o presbytery_n and_o charge_n assume_v not_o any_o sole_a and_o sovereign_a authority_n to_o themselves_o over_o the_o flock_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n of_o public_a concernment_n without_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o that_o presbytery_n or_o spiritual_a corporation_n under_o who_o command_n they_o be_v and_o it_o stand_v with_o all_o reason_n that_o a_o common_a council_n of_o godly_a grave_a learned_a and_o experience_a minister_n shall_v ever_o be_v more_o able_a to_o manage_v and_o order_v a_o government_n than_o two_o or_o three_o unexperienced_a man_n or_o two_o or_o three_o hundred_o young_a people_n of_o which_o most_o congregation_n consist_v in_o who_o the_o sap_n of_o youth_n be_v not_o yet_o dry_v up_o or_o if_o many_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v of_o ripe_a year_n yet_o they_o know_v little_a what_o belong_v to_o government_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v never_o be_v so_o well_o able_a to_o govern_v as_o man_n both_o of_o know_a learning_n ancient_a experience_n and_o honesty_n and_o approve_a judgement_n and_o integrity_n as_o a_o whole_a college_n or_o a_o assembly_n of_o learned_a presbyter_n common_o be_v who_o by_o god_n himself_o have_v the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o order_n and_o rule_v of_o the_o church_n commit_v unto_o they_o and_o who_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o in_o all_o ordinary_a act_n of_o worship_n and_o in_o govern_v and_o rule_v the_o flock_n commit_v to_o their_o several_a charge_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n but_o by_o the_o way_n a_o objection_n be_v here_o to_o be_v answer_v unto_o make_v by_o some_o of_o the_o independent_o after_o this_o manner_n the_o elder_n and_o presbyter_n of_o the_o apostle_n time_n say_v they_o by_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o hand_n give_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o pprophecy_n act_v 19.1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5._o and_o the_o 8.18_o and_o 1_o tim._n 4.14_o and_o heal_v the_o sick_a james_n 5.14_o 15._o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n promise_n mark_v 16.18_o let_v say_v they_o the_o presbyter_n of_o our_o time_n let_v they_o impose_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o sick_a and_o heal_v they_o let_v they_o by_o impose_v hand_n upon_o their_o disciple_n enable_v they_o on_o a_o sudden_a to_o speak_v with_o strange_a tongue_n and_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v and_o then_o we_o will_v acknowledge_v they_o for_o a_o true_a presbytery_n then_o will_v they_o be_v a_o right_a assembly_n of_o elder_n and_o the_o apostle_n successor_n but_o if_o they_o can_v give_v to_o other_o nor_o yet_o have_v for_o themselves_o in_o store_n any_o of_o the_o true_a apostle_n any_o of_o the_o right_a presbyter_n gift_n and_o character_n we_o may_v not_o we_o dare_v not_o acknowledge_v they_o as_o such_o these_o be_v their_o formal_a word_n in_o print_n before_o i_o come_v to_o my_o answer_n i_o desire_v there_o may_v be_v special_a notice_n take_v of_o this_o objection_n and_o such_o like_a for_o for_o aught_o that_o i_o know_v if_o any_o man_n will_v argue_v after_o this_o manner_n all_o christian_a religion_n may_v be_v call_v in_o question_n and_o no_o man_n will_v have_v any_o creed_n or_o belief_n except_o he_o may_v make_v his_o own_o article_n as_o thomas_n do_v who_o say_v unless_o i_o put_v my_o hand_n into_o his_o side_n and_o my_o finger_n into_o the_o print_n of_o the_o nail_n i_o will_v not_o believe_v and_o as_o the_o jew_n say_v unto_o our_o bless_a saviour_n thou_o that_o save_v other_o now_o save_v thyself_o come_v down_o from_o the_o cross_n and_o then_o we_o will_v believe_v in_o thou_o do_v this_o miracle_n and_o then_o thou_o will_v persuade_v we_o here_o we_o see_v they_o will_v make_v their_o own_o article_n or_o else_o they_o will_v have_v no_o creed_n the_o jew_n have_v learn_v this_o method_n of_o dispute_v from_o the_o devil_n who_o at_o his_o meeting_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n and_o at_o his_o first_o assault_n thus_o dispute_v if_o thou_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n say_v he_o and_o will_v have_v the_o world_n so_o believe_v and_o i_o too_o on_o thou_o then_o command_v these_o stone_n to_o be_v make_v bread_n do_v this_o miracle_n first_o but_o thou_o
presbytery_n in_o that_o sense_n i_o take_v it_o i_o be_o so_o well_o assure_v that_o it_o be_v god_n ordinance_n as_o i_o be_o of_o any_o point_n of_o religion_n but_o as_o i_o say_v before_o if_o man_n may_v argue_v afthi_v way_n the_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n do_v miracle_n and_o speak_v with_o strange_a tongue_n and_o their_o scholar_n and_o disciple_n do_v the_o same_o do_v you_o likewise_o and_o then_o we_o will_v acknowledge_v you_o to_o be_v true_a presbytter_v otherwise_o we_o will_v not_o thus_o the_o jew_n may_v have_v argue_v against_o all_o their_o prophet_n as_o against_o isaiah_n jeremy_n ezekiel_n etc._n etc._n moses_n and_o elias_n fast_v forty_o day_n and_o forty_o night_n and_o do_v many_o miracle_n do_v you_o so_o and_o then_o we_o will_v believe_v you_o be_v true_a prophet_n and_o send_v to_o we_o of_o god_n otherwise_o we_o will_v not_o believe_v you_o to_o be_v true_a prophet_n yea_o all_o the_o wicked_a and_o ungodly_a man_n of_o these_o time_n may_v argue_v thus_o also_o god_n give_v unto_o his_o church_n apostle_n evangelist_n prophet_n etc._n etc._n and_o they_o speak_v all_o strange_a tongue_n and_o divers_a language_n and_o do_v many_o miracle_n but_o you_o and_o your_o congregation_n have_v neither_o apostle_n prophet_n nor_o evangelist_n nor_o you_o have_v not_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n nor_o you_o can_v do_v no_o miracle_n ergò_fw-la you_o be_v not_o the_o true_a church_n the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n in_o those_o time_n have_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o prophecy_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n come_v down_o upon_o they_o and_o they_o speak_v by_o direction_n from_o god_n his_o infallible_a truth_n and_o gospel_n who_o speech_n be_v not_o tie_v to_o time_n and_o to_o one_o speaker_n but_o many_o speak_v one_o after_o another_o by_o interpreter_n as_o it_o be_v at_o large_a set_v down_o in_o the_o 1._o of_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n 14._o vers_fw-la 27_o 28_o 29_o 30._o etc._n etc._n so_o that_o they_o speak_v infallible_a truth_n by_o direction_n from_o god_n but_o you_o have_v none_o in_o your_o congregation_n so_o miraculous_o inspire_v with_o sundry_a language_n and_o divers_a tongue_n nor_o you_o do_v not_o speak_v infallible_a truth_n by_o direction_n from_o god_n nor_o you_o can_v cure_v disease_n nor_o do_v miracle_n ergò_fw-la your_o religion_n be_v not_o the_o same_o religion_n nor_o your_o congregation_n the_o true_a church_n show_v we_o these_o miracle_n and_o then_o we_o will_v believe_v you_o to_o be_v the_o true_a church_n otherwise_o we_o may_v not_o we_o dare_v not_o acknowledge_v you_o to_o be_v the_o true_a church_n again_o they_o may_v argue_v thus_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a pastor_n and_o teacher_n preach_v free_o and_o labour_v with_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o be_v helpful_a to_o the_o necessity_n of_o other_o and_o be_v not_o burdensome_a and_o exact_v from_o other_o and_o speak_v ex_fw-la tempore_fw-la by_o direction_n from_o god_n but_o your_o minister_n in_o your_o congregation_n do_v not_o preach_v free_o nor_o labour_v not_o with_o their_o own_o hand_n nor_o be_v not_o helpful_a to_o other_o necessity_n but_o be_v rather_o burdensome_a and_o exact_v from_o other_o nor_o they_o do_v no_o miracle_n nor_o speak_v not_o immediate_o by_o inspiration_n and_o ex_fw-la tempore_fw-la but_o by_o study_n and_o out_o of_o their_o book_n and_o be_v confine_v to_o time_n and_o speak_v not_o in_o strange_a tongue_n and_o language_n one_o after_o another_o by_o interpreter_n ergò_fw-la your_o minister_n be_v not_o god_n minister_n nor_o your_o congregation_n the_o true_a church_n nor_o your_o people_n true_a christian_n for_o you_o want_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v there_o be_v a_o pamphlet_n late_o come_v out_o and_o high_o esteem_v and_o prise_v among_o many_o full_a of_o such_o consequence_n as_o these_o which_o if_o they_o hold_v good_a against_o the_o presbyter_n they_o may_v also_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v be_v of_o equal_a validity_n to_o overthrow_v not_o only_o all_o christian_a congregation_n but_o indeed_o all_o christian_a religion_n but_o brief_o to_o answer_v we_o look_v upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a presbyter_n as_o man_n miraculous_o and_o extraordinary_o gift_v and_o as_o wonder-working_a man_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o all_o succeed_a age_n and_o we_o consider_v in_o they_o and_o in_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n something_o extraordinary_a and_o temporary_a as_o their_o work_n of_o miracle_n and_o speak_v of_o strange_a tongue_n and_o gift_n of_o heal_a etc._n etc._n and_o those_o we_o conceive_v be_v to_o continue_v no_o long_o in_o the_o church_n then_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n christ_n himself_o proclaim_v those_o bless_a that_o believe_v without_o see_v of_o miracle_n speak_v unto_o thomas_n john_n 20.29_o because_o thou_o have_v see_v i_o say_v he_o thou_o believe_v bless_a be_v they_o that_o have_v not_o see_v and_o have_v believe_v so_o that_o miracle_n now_o be_v not_o ordinary_a and_o we_o be_v tie_v to_o the_o write_a word_n but_o we_o consider_v likewise_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a presbyter_n that_o that_o be_v permanent_a and_o to_o continue_v in_o all_o minister_n and_o presbyter_n in_o all_o succeed_a age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o be_v the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o preach_v and_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n that_o be_v of_o rule_v which_o be_v not_o deny_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o the_o independent_o themselves_o and_o this_o i_o have_v prove_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o be_v transact_v over_o to_o all_o christian_a church_n who_o presbyter_n have_v that_o power_n give_v unto_o they_o neither_o will_v the_o learned_a brethren_n deny_v it_o what_o so_o ever_o the_o ignorant_a may_v do_v yea_o the_o very_a name_n of_o a_o presbytery_n as_o i_o say_v before_o if_o we_o look_v through_o the_o whole_a scripture_n signify_v a_o magistracy_n or_o signiory_n or_o corporation_n invest_v with_o authority_n of_o govern_v and_o rule_v and_o such_o a_o counsel_n and_o company_n of_o man_n as_o upon_o who_o the_o government_n under_o christ_n be_v lay_v and_o to_o be_v extend_v so_o far_o as_o their_o jurisdiction_n extend_v and_o as_o far_o as_o by_o common_a consent_n it_o may_v make_v for_o the_o good_a and_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n and_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o same_o and_o such_o be_v the_o government_n of_o all_o those_o church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v as_o so_o many_o committee_n their_o limit_n and_o bound_n prefix_v they_o as_o at_o this_o day_n all_o committee_n through_o the_o kingdom_n have_v in_o their_o several_a hundred_o wapentake_n and_o city_n to_o who_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o those_o place_n that_o be_v under_o they_o be_v commit_v so_o that_o all_o that_o be_v do_v or_o transact_v must_v be_v do_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n and_o counsel_n of_o the_o whole_a committee_n not_o any_o particular_a man_n or_o any_o two_o of_o they_o several_o consider_v by_o themselves_o can_v make_v a_o order_n but_o that_o order_n only_o be_v bind_v which_o be_v make_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n and_o common_a agreement_n of_o they_o all_o or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o assemble_v together_o even_o so_o all_o those_o particular_a congregation_n that_o be_v within_o the_o compass_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o several_a presbytery_n be_v to_o be_v order_v and_o govern_v by_o the_o common_a and_o joint_a counsel_n of_o the_o several_a presbyter_n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o for_o this_o be_v the_o order_n the_o apostle_n establish_v appoint_v in_o every_o city_n a_o presbytery_n and_o when_o they_o have_v so_o order_v the_o church_n they_o set_v they_o all_o to_o their_o several_a employment_n the_o presbyter_n to_o command_v and_o all_o the_o people_n and_o particular_a assembly_n and_o congregation_n under_o they_o to_o obey_v neither_o be_v it_o ever_o find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o the_o people_n be_v join_v with_o the_o presbyter_n in_o their_o commission_n so_o that_o they_o that_o oppose_v this_o government_n resist_v god_n ordinance_n and_o if_o we_o look_v into_o all_o the_o epistle_n write_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o several_a church_n we_o shall_v find_v in_o they_o that_o they_o enjoin_v all_o the_o several_a congregation_n to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o their_o pastor_n and_o ruler_n over_o they_o and_o signify_v unto_o they_o that_o they_o owe_v unto_o they_o double_a honour_n especial_o such_o as_o labour_v in_o word_n and_o doctrine_n that_o be_v they_o must_v yield_v unto_o they_o not_o only_o due_a reverence_n and_o subjection_n and_o obedience_n to_o their_o counsel_n and_o just_a
jairus_n here_o be_v a_o special_a ecce_fw-la add_v to_o take_v notice_n that_o a_o great_a man_n and_o one_o in_o authority_n come_v unto_o christ_n and_o that_o in_o a_o public_a way_n and_o one_o of_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o sin_n gogue_n so_o that_o we_o may_v observe_v the_o people_n in_o every_o synagogue_n be_v govern_v and_o command_v by_o their_o ruler_n and_o they_o be_v to_o yield_v obedience_n unto_o they_o and_o be_v not_o join_v with_o they_o in_o commission_n but_o stand_v to_o their_o determination_n as_o all_o man_n use_v to_o do_v in_o court_n of_o judicature_n that_o appeal_v unto_o they_o for_o justice_n and_o this_o custom_n and_o manner_n of_o government_n be_v transact_v over_o to_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o those_o that_o be_v call_v ruler_n among_o they_o be_v among_o christian_n sometime_o call_v presbyter_n sometime_o guide_n sometime_o ruler_n and_o by_o christ_n himself_o and_o by_o his_o apostle_n be_v appoint_v over_o all_o christian_a church_n as_o so_o many_o corporation_n to_o which_o all_o the_o assembly_n and_o congregation_n under_o they_o and_o commit_v to_o their_o charge_n be_v to_o yield_v obedience_n and_o submission_n in_o whatsoever_o they_o command_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o according_a to_o his_o bless_a word_n for_o that_o must_v be_v the_o rule_n both_o of_o their_o command_a and_o of_o the_o people_n obey_v and_o this_o presbyterian_a government_n be_v that_o manner_n and_o way_n of_o rule_v all_o assembly_n and_o particular_a congregation_n under_o it_o that_o god_n have_v appoint_v in_o his_o church_n to_o be_v continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n the_o which_o whosoever_o resist_v resist_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v to_o have_v speak_v in_o general_a in_o way_n of_o proof_n that_o all_o church_n we_o have_v mention_n of_o under_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v aristocratical_o and_o presbyterial_o govern_v that_o be_v be_v under_o the_o government_n of_o a_o college_n or_o assembly_n of_o presbyter_n and_o now_o i_o come_v to_o prove_v in_o order_n the_o four_o proposition_n or_o conclusion_n i_o undertake_v to_o make_v good_a the_o first_o be_v that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n and_o several_a assembly_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o which_o they_o have_v all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o do_v partake_v of_o all_o ordinance_n and_o of_o church-fellowship_n and_o that_o before_o the_o persecution_n we_o read_v of_o act_n 8._o and_o under_o the_o persecution_n and_o after_o the_o persecution_n and_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o proposition_n and_o every_o branch_n of_o it_o i_o will_v first_o produce_v such_o place_n of_o scripture_n as_o make_v for_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o from_o thence_o frame_v and_o form_v my_o argument_n mat._n 3._o ver_fw-la 1_o 2_o 5_o 6._o in_o those_o day_n come_v john_n the_o baptist_n preach_v in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o judaea_n and_o say_v repent_v you_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v at_o hand_n then_o go_v out_o to_o he_o jerusalem_n and_o all_o judaea_n and_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o jordan_n and_o be_v baptize_v of_o he_o in_o jordan_n confess_v their_o sin_n the_o baptism_n of_o john_n as_o all_o the_o learned_a know_v be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n for_o he_o preach_v the_o baptism_n of_o repentance_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o baptise_a all_o that_o come_v to_o he_o into_o jesus_n christ_n say_v unto_o the_o people_n that_o they_o shall_v believe_v on_o he_o which_o shall_v come_v after_o he_o that_o be_v on_o christ_n jesus_n act._n 19_o ver_fw-la 4._o he_o have_v his_o commission_n also_o from_o god_n as_o well_o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o baptise_a christ_n himself_o he_o preach_v also_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n as_o well_o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o have_v many_o honourable_a testimony_n from_o christ_n himself_o as_o that_o he_o be_v the_o great_a prophet_n that_o ever_o be_v bear_v of_o woman_n and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o bright_a shine_a light_n and_o that_o he_o be_v his_o witness_n and_o many_o other_o encomium_n and_o praise_n do_v christ_n give_v of_o he_o to_o ratify_v his_o authority_n and_o to_o show_v that_o he_o be_v send_v of_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v that_o elias_n that_o be_v to_o come_v before_o the_o messiah_n and_o all_o the_o people_n own_v and_o take_v he_o for_o a_o man_n send_v of_o god_n and_o jerusalem_n go_v out_o to_o he_o and_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o and_o be_v baptise_a of_o he_o in_o these_o word_n we_o find_v that_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v all_o turn_v christian_n and_o make_v member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v believer_n for_o which_o way_n soever_o the_o word_n jerusalem_n be_v take_v it_o signify_v a_o numberless_a multitude_n of_o man_n or_o a_o innumerable_a company_n for_o if_o we_o consider_v jerusalem_n at_o this_o time_n she_o be_v a_o most_o populous_a city_n the_o historian_n that_o write_v of_o that_o age_n relate_v that_o she_o have_v sometime_o in_o she_o no_o less_o than_o eleven_o or_o twelve_o hundred_o thousand_o but_o let_v it_o be_v take_v that_o there_o be_v but_o six_o hundred_o thousand_o inhabitant_n it_o be_v a_o vast_a multitude_n and_o yet_o seldom_o be_v there_o less_o inhabitant_n in_o jerusalem_n if_o any_o belief_n may_v be_v have_v to_o historian_n for_o at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o metropolis_n city_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o nation_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n and_o beside_o there_o be_v then_o great_a expectation_n as_o we_o may_v read_v luke_n 19.11_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n shall_v immediate_o appear_v and_o all_o the_o jew_n out_o of_o all_o nation_n where_o they_o be_v scatter_v now_o repair_v to_o jerusalem_n and_o return_v into_o their_o own_o country_n expect_v the_o messiah_n so_o that_o at_o this_o time_n we_o can_v conceive_v but_o that_o there_o be_v infinite_n of_o people_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o it_o be_v say_v that_o jerusalem_n go_v out_o and_o be_v baptize_v by_o john_n by_o jerusalem_n here_o metonimycal_o the_o place_n be_v take_v for_o the_o people_n now_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o a_o city_n go_v out_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v either_o of_o the_o whole_a people_n man_n woman_n and_o child_n old_a and_o young_a with_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n as_o many_o time_n it_o happen_v in_o great_a earth_n quake_v or_o some_o pestilence_n or_o inundation_n that_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n be_v force_v to_o leave_v a_o city_n and_o to_o seek_v some_o other_o habitation_n but_o we_o can_v conceive_v the_o go_v out_o of_o jerusalem_n to_o john_n baptist_n in_o this_o large_a sense_n and_o expression_n so_o that_o in_o this_o place_n it_o must_v be_v take_v synecdochical_o and_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v a_o great_a part_n or_o a_o chief_a part_n for_o the_o whole_a as_o when_o a_o city_n be_v say_v to_o entertain_v a_o king_n or_o to_o go_v out_o to_o meet_v a_o king_n here_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v principal_o of_o the_o chief_a officer_n as_o the_o lord_n mayor_n aldermen_z and_o the_o common-counsel_n and_o all_o their_o several_a company_n and_o chief_a captain_n and_o commander_n with_o all_o their_o magnificence_n so_o that_o in_o this_o notion_n the_o common_a people_n and_o the_o ordinary_a citizen_n be_v not_o think_v on_o or_o at_o least_o be_v not_o number_v as_o when_o jesus_n be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n and_o the_o wise_a man_n come_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o inquire_v where_o they_o shall_v find_v he_o that_o be_v bear_v king_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o they_o may_v worship_v he_o for_o they_o have_v see_v his_o star_n it_o be_v say_v that_o when_o herod_n hear_v these_o thing_n he_o and_o all_o jerusalem_n be_v trouble_v with_o he_o here_o by_o all_o jerusalem_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v all_o the_o chief_a officer_n and_o courtier_n for_o the_o common_a people_n be_v glad_a of_o it_o for_o that_o be_v the_o day_n they_o have_v long_o look_v for_o and_o rejoice_v at_o but_o herod_n be_v a_o usurper_n and_o a_o tyrant_n and_o all_o his_o noble_n peer_n and_o great_a man_n be_v confederate_a with_o he_o and_o adjutor_n in_o his_o usurpation_n and_o tyranny_n and_o conceive_v that_o christ_n be_v a_o earthly_a monarch_n and_o that_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n he_o will_v not_o only_o pull_v down_o the_o usurper_n but_o likewise_o call_v all_o they_o in_o question_n as_o guilty_a of_o high_a treason_n and_o cut_v they_o off_o as_o complicer_n and_o abettor_n this_o make_v they_o tremble_v and_o fear_v and_o because_o it_o be_v the_o general_a fear_n of_o all_o the_o great_a man_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o
but_o before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o particular_n i_o must_v answer_v to_o some_o objection_n make_v by_o our_o brethren_n the_o independent_o the_o first_o of_o the_o which_o be_v out_o of_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n from_o which_o they_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o number_n and_o multitude_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o they_o may_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o room_n or_o place_n and_o in_o one_o congregation_n to_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n the_o word_n on_o which_o they_o ground_n their_o argument_n be_v these_o and_o in_o those_o day_n peter_n stand_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o disciple_n and_o say_v the_o number_n of_o the_o name_n together_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o men_n and_o brethren_n etc._n etc._n from_o whence_o they_o conclude_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o jerusalem_n that_o be_v to_o say_v all_o the_o believer_n do_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n for_o in_o this_o number_n of_o name_n they_o will_v have_v all_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o jerusalem_n include_v or_o confine_v which_o to_o i_o be_v a_o wonder_n that_o such_o learned_a man_n as_o many_o of_o they_o be_v shall_v so_o argue_v for_o this_o must_v be_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o argument_n if_o they_o intend_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o all_o the_o believer_n there_o be_v not_o so_o numerous_a but_o that_o they_o may_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n and_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o that_o these_o in_o peter_n company_n be_v all_o that_o church_n and_o all_o the_o believer_n that_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n this_o i_o say_v must_v of_o necessity_n be_v their_o meaning_n or_o else_o their_o argument_n conclude_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n the_o invalidity_n of_o the_o which_o i_o be_o most_o confident_a will_n by_o and_o by_o evident_o appear_v though_o all_o the_o former_a argument_n to_o the_o contrary_n shall_v not_o so_o much_o as_o be_v think_v of_o and_o withal_o it_o will_v also_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o judicious_a man_n that_o in_o all_o respect_v their_o argument_n make_v much_o against_o themselves_o for_o if_o i_o shall_v grant_v unto_o they_o that_o at_o this_o instant_n of_o time_n that_o that_o place_n speak_v of_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o jerusalem_n or_o the_o number_n then_o of_o believer_n be_v no_o more_o but_o that_o one_o place_n may_v have_v contain_v they_o all_o for_o the_o enjoy_n of_o all_o ordinance_n which_o i_o can_v do_v for_o innumerable_a reason_n and_o some_o of_o they_o above_o specify_v yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v nor_o evince_n that_o after_o there_o be_v daily_o such_o addition_n of_o believer_n and_o such_o multitude_n of_o new_a convert_v add_v unto_o the_o church_n that_o then_o also_o one_o place_n or_o room_n can_v contain_v they_o all_o and_o that_o they_o may_v still_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n and_o all_o together_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n for_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o name_n for_o there_o be_v no_o more_o in_o this_o assembly_n and_o in_o many_o ten_o thousand_o which_o all_o the_o world_n know_v can_v not_o be_v contain_v in_o any_o one_o place_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o communicate_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n though_o that_o place_n have_v equallize_v the_o most_o magnificent_a structure_n that_o ever_o the_o world_n yet_o see_v especial_o they_o can_v not_o have_v all_o meet_v there_o to_o edification_n for_o they_o can_v not_o have_v all_o hear_v and_o understand_v and_o we_o know_v that_o in_o the_o church_n all_o must_v be_v do_v to_o edification_n and_o this_o will_v rather_o have_v hinder_v the_o mutual_a edification_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o have_v bring_v a_o confusion_n rather_o than_o any_o profit_n or_o benefit_n unto_o they_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o number_n of_o name_n here_o speak_v of_o if_o we_o will_v go_v to_o the_o genuine_a interpretation_n of_o the_o place_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o all_o the_o learned_a interpreter_n who_o gather_v that_o in_o this_o assembly_n the_o seventy_o disciple_n the_o lord_n jesus_n send_v out_o to_o preach_v through_o all_o judea_n and_o all_o those_o other_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o have_v be_v christ_n and_o saint_n john_n the_o baptist_n disciple_n every_o one_o of_o the_o which_o be_v think_v fit_a for_o learning_n and_o divine_a knowledge_n to_o succeed_v judas_n in_o his_o apostleship_n and_o to_o be_v a_o disciple_n all_o these_o or_o most_o of_o they_o or_o such_o like_a be_v those_o that_o be_v include_v in_o this_o number_n of_o name_n i_o say_v to_o omit_v this_o interpretation_n of_o all_o the_o most_o orthodox_n divine_n and_o their_o universal_a agreement_n and_o harmony_n in_o their_o learned_a commentary_n about_o this_o portion_n of_o scripture_n the_o very_a word_n themselves_o follow_v show_n they_o be_v select_a and_o eminent_a man_n and_o man_n of_o note_n and_o disciple_n of_o long_a stand_n and_o all_o of_o they_o or_o the_o most_o of_o they_o minister_n &_o preacher_n themselves_o and_o be_v indeed_o the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o with_o the_o apostle_n the_o power_n of_o rule_v be_v commit_v and_o who_o within_o themselves_o and_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o common_a multitude_n of_o believer_n have_v power_n to_o ordain_v their_o own_o officer_n and_o that_o by_o their_o own_o authority_n as_o we_o may_v see_v verse_n 21.22_o wherefore_o say_v s._n peter_n of_o these_o man_n which_o have_v company_v with_o we_o all_o the_o time_n that_o the_o lord_n jesus_n go_v in_o and_o out_o among_o we_o begin_v from_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n unto_o that_o same_o day_n he_o be_v take_v up_o from_o we_o must_v one_o be_v ordain_v to_o be_v a_o witness_n with_o we_o of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o they_o appoint_v two_o etc._n etc._n and_o they_o pray_v etc._n etc._n and_o they_o give_v forth_o the_o lot_n etc._n etc._n all_o business_n here_o be_v manage_v and_o carry_v in_o a_o aristocratical_a and_o presbyterian_a way_n and_o all_o be_v do_v by_o a_o joint_a consent_n and_o the_o common_a counsel_n of_o they_o all_o here_o we_o find_v none_o of_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o people_n though_o believer_n here_o be_v no_o woman_n that_o give_v forth_o their_o lot_n neither_o do_v the_o apostle_n peter_n say_v man_n mother_n and_o brethren_n or_o man_n woman_n and_o brethren_n or_o man_n brethren_n and_o sister_n but_o man_n and_o brethren_n for_o howsoever_o in_o the_o forego_n verse_n it_o be_v say_v that_o these_o mean_v the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n all_o continue_a with_o one_o accord_n in_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n with_o the_o woman_n and_o mary_n the_o mother_n of_o jesus_n and_o with_o his_o brethren_n by_o which_o they_o fit_v themselves_o for_o the_o ministry_n after_o they_o shall_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n though_o i_o say_v they_o join_v with_o they_o in_o those_o duty_n of_o humiliation_n and_o prayer_n which_o any_o woman_n may_v do_v in_o the_o society_n and_o company_n of_o godly_a minister_n yet_o when_o they_o go_v about_o other_o act_n of_o church_n government_n as_o choose_v of_o a_o apostle_n than_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n only_o by_o themselves_o to_o who_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v order_v that_o business_n and_o leave_v the_o woman_n to_o their_o private_a devotion_n and_o their_o several_a employment_n for_o in_o this_o action_n of_o give_v forth_o their_o lot_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o woman_n and_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o text_n itself_o that_o this_o choose_n of_o mathias_n be_v at_o another_o time_n and_o without_o all_o doubt_n upon_o a_o set_a day_n for_o this_o purpose_n for_o it_o be_v say_v verse_n 15._o and_o in_o those_o day_n peter_n stand_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o disciple_n and_o say_v man_n and_o brethren_n here_o be_v only_a disciple_n man_n and_o brethren_n and_o no_o sister_n till_o pope_n joan_n time_n and_o our_o day_n peter_n key_n never_o hang_v at_o any_o woman_n girdle_n and_o we_o hear_v not_o in_o scripture_n that_o they_o have_v any_o voice_n in_o choose_v of_o church-officer_n and_o admit_v of_o member_n into_o the_o church_n or_o cast_v out_o of_o any_o till_o these_o unhappy_a time_n a_o usurpation_n not_o beseem_v that_o sex_n as_o afterward_o in_o its_o due_a place_n i_o hope_v to_o make_v appear_v but_o this_o by_o the_o way_n now_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n i_o say_v it_o be_v apparent_a to_o any_o that_o will_v not_o shut_v their_o eye_n that_o all_o those_o or_o most_o of_o they_o that_o be_v in_o peter_n company_n and_o at_o
that_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n daily_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o in_o every_o house_n cease_v not_o to_o teach_v &_o preach_v jesus_n christ._n that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o preach_v both_o public_o and_o private_o and_o the_o very_a place_n where_o they_o preach_v be_v set_v down_o as_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o in_o every_o house_n so_o that_o of_o necessity_n there_o must_v be_v several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n of_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n according_a to_o that_o in_o the_o 2._o of_o the_o act_n vers_fw-la the_o 46._o where_o it_o say_v that_o they_o continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o break_v of_o bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n which_o by_o all_o interpreter_n be_v understand_v the_o administration_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o that_o the_o several_a assembly_n and_o congregation_n be_v wont_v usual_o to_o meet_v in_o private_a house_n be_v frequent_a mention_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o in_o the_o 16._o of_o the_o roman_n verse_n the_o 5._o and_o in_o the_o 1._o of_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n 16._o vers_fw-la 19_o col._n 4.14_o and_o saint_n paul_n in_o the_o 20._o of_o the_o act_n vers_fw-la 20._o say_v that_o he_o keep_v back_o nothing_o that_o be_v profitable_a unto_o they_o but_o teach_v they_o public_o and_o from_o house_n to_o house_n so_o that_o they_o have_v their_o assembly_n as_o well_o private_a as_o public_a even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n where_o they_o do_v partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o in_o that_o church_n also_o they_o have_v many_o presbyter_n and_o yet_o be_v but_o one_o church_n but_o now_o i_o will_v pass_v on_o to_o the_o six_o chapter_n where_o in_o the_o 1_o 2_o 3_o and_z 7_o verses_z it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o those_o day_n when_o the_o number_n of_o disciple_n be_v multiply_v there_o arise_v a_o murmur_a of_o the_o grecian_n against_o the_o hebrew_n because_o their_o widow_n be_v neglect_v in_o their_o daily_a ministration_n then_o the_o twelve_o call_v the_o multitude_n of_o the_o disciple_n unto_o they_o and_o say_v it_o be_v not_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v leave_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o serve_v table_n wherefore_o brethren_n look_v you_o out_o among_o you_o seven_o man_n of_o honest_a report_n and_o full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o wisdom_n who_o we_o may_v appoint_v over_o this_o business_n but_o we_o will_v give_v ourselves_o continual_o to_o prayer_n and_o to_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n vers_fw-la 7._o and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n increase_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o disciple_n multiply_v in_o jerusalem_n great_o and_o a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v obedient_a unto_o the_o faith_n in_o the_o which_o word_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n brief_o of_o these_o observables_n the_o first_o of_o the_o cunning_a and_o policy_n of_o the_o devil_n who_o when_o he_o can_v by_o all_o his_o wile_n and_o stratagem_n assault_v the_o church_n without_o than_o he_o labour_v to_o assail_v it_o within_o as_o here_o with_o civil_a discord_n and_o difference_n among_o brethren_n and_o in_o other_o church_n in_o all_o age_n even_o in_o and_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n by_o dissension_n in_o opinion_n by_o sect_n schism_n faction_n and_o heresy_n and_o by_o these_o his_o wile_n and_o craft_n he_o first_o bring_v in_o difference_n in_o opinion_n and_o afterward_o diversity_n of_o affection_n and_o that_o among_o brethren_n and_o all_o this_o he_o do_v that_o in_o fine_a he_o may_v bring_v ruin_n upon_o they_o all_o and_o thus_o he_o begin_v with_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n raise_v a_o controversy_n between_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o greek_n who_o complain_v that_o their_o widow_n be_v neglect_v in_o the_o daily_a ministration_n as_o either_o that_o they_o be_v not_o make_v deaconess_n as_o the_o widow_n of_o the_o hebrew_n be_v or_o that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o equal_a distribution_n of_o the_o alm_n according_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o church_n who_o sell_v their_o possession_n and_o good_n to_o that_o end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v part_v to_o all_o man_n as_o every_o one_o shall_v have_v need_n act_v 2._o vers_fw-la 44_o 45._o chap._n 4._o v._n 35._o and_o this_o their_o supposition_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o controversy_n the_o second_o abservable_a be_v to_o who_o the_o differ_v and_o dissent_v party_n do_v apply_v themselves_o and_o appeal_v and_o that_o be_v to_o the_o presbytery_n or_o college_n of_o apostle_n not_o to_o any_o one_o of_o they_o particular_o but_o to_o the_o twelve_o as_o in_o that_o difference_n at_o antioch_n act_v 15._o paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o certain_a other_o of_o the_o brethren_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n appeal_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n and_o in_o both_o those_o difference_n all_o the_o church_n submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o apostle_n order_n and_o that_o willing_o and_o this_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o rule_n for_o order_v of_o all_o controversy_n that_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n set_v before_o they_o decide_v all_o debate_n in_o religion_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o according_a to_o the_o precedent_n they_o have_v lay_v down_o unto_o they_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n in_o jerusalem_n here_o i_o say_v the_o whole_a presbytery_n and_o college_n of_o the_o apostle_n determine_v the_o business_n neither_o do_v we_o read_v that_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o hebrew_n and_o greek_n at_o jerusalem_n or_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n pretend_v their_o own_o independent_a authority_n though_o several_a congregation_n or_o challenge_v a_o power_n within_o themselves_o of_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n or_o determine_v of_o difference_n among_o themselves_o or_o plead_v that_o they_o have_v authority_n within_o themselves_o to_o make_v their_o own_o law_n by_o which_o they_o will_v be_v order_v or_o that_o they_o challenge_v any_o such_o privilege_n unto_o themselves_o but_o they_o all_o appeal_v unto_o the_o presbytery_n at_o jerusalem_n as_o the_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a court_n and_o free_o submit_v themselves_o to_o their_o arbitrement_n and_o to_o the_o order_n they_o set_v down_o as_o the_o story_n specifi_v the_o three_o observable_a be_v the_o employment_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n be_v all_o take_v up_o and_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o and_o their_o employment_n be_v say_v to_o be_v continue_v in_o prayer_n and_o the_o ministry_n and_o preach_v of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o this_o their_o ministry_n be_v that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n increase_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o disciple_n multiply_v in_o jerusalem_n great_o and_o a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v obedient_a to_o the_o faith_n by_o all_o which_o it_o be_v most_o apparent_a that_o such_o multitude_n be_v daily_o add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o where_o there_o be_v such_o variety_n of_o teacher_n and_o so_o many_o apostle_n and_o all_o of_o they_o take_v up_o in_o preach_v and_o where_o there_o be_v so_o many_o different_a nation_n and_o such_o diversity_n of_o tongue_n and_o language_n as_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o at_o any_o one_o time_n or_o in_o any_o one_o place_n to_o edification_n and_o that_o they_o may_v all_o communicate_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n but_o of_o necessity_n they_o must_v be_v distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n if_o they_o will_v avoid_v confusion_n and_o all_o that_o i_o now_o speak_v be_v evident_a by_o the_o very_a light_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o reason_n and_o therefore_o it_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v many_o assembly_n and_o congregation_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o yet_o all_o make_v but_o one_o church_n and_o that_o that_o church_n be_v presbyterian_o govern_v but_o that_o i_o may_v make_v this_o truth_n more_o evident_o yet_o appear_v i_o will_v first_o out_o of_o the_o former_a discourse_n frame_v several_a argument_n and_o then_o go_v on_o to_o the_o ensue_a history_n and_o out_o of_o all_o these_o six_o chapter_n i_o thus_o argue_v where_o there_o be_v eight_o thousand_o new_a convert_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n by_o virtue_n of_o some_o few_o miracle_n and_o sermon_n after_o christ_n resurrection_n add_v to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o society_n of_o believer_n beside_o those_o that_o be_v convert_v by_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n ministry_n before_o his_o suffering_n and_o to_o the_o which_o also_o there_o be_v afterward_o great_a multitude_n of_o believer_n both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n and_o a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n join_v in_o so_o much_o that_o they_o keep_v the_o very_a officer_n and_o soldier_n in_o awe_n and_o strike_v a_o fear_n and_o terror_n into_o they_o there_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o any_o one_o
worship_n as_o all_o man_n acknowledge_v and_o by_o evident_a argument_n it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o they_o never_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n in_o the_o temple_n those_o discriminate_n and_o distinguish_v ordinance_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o all_o the_o most_o orthodox_n interpreter_n gather_v from_o the_o ensue_a word_n where_o it_o be_v say_v they_o continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n but_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n it_o be_v express_v in_o these_o word_n and_o break_v of_o bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n which_o be_v interpret_v by_o all_o divine_n of_o sacramental_a bread_n which_o phrase_n and_o manner_n of_o speak_v be_v usual_o so_o expound_v by_o all_o the_o learned_a upon_o act_n the_o 20._o vers_fw-la the_o 7._o and_o our_o brethren_n do_v not_o deny_v this_o and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v their_o meeting_n and_o assembly_n in_o private_a house_n as_o by_o the_o many_o place_n be_v manifest_a which_o i_o cite_v but_o a_o little_a before_o beside_o the_o sacrament_n of_o break_v bread_n be_v no_o temple-ordinance_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v administer_v in_o the_o temple_n with_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o believer_n for_o if_o they_o be_v so_o high_o displease_v with_o the_o apostle_n for_o preach_v jesus_n and_o the_o resurrection_n in_o the_o temple_n as_o it_o appear_v act._n 4.2_o they_o will_v not_o have_v suffer_v they_o to_o have_v administer_v the_o sacrament_n there_o and_o if_o paul_n be_v so_o assault_v act_v 21.28_o for_o be_v but_o suppose_v to_o have_v bring_v greek_n into_o the_o temple_n what_o will_v these_o man_n have_v do_v if_o one_o shall_v have_v bring_v in_o a_o new_a ordinance_n and_o a_o new_a worship_n and_o service_n and_o that_o so_o contrary_a to_o their_o legal_a right_n sure_o the_o jew_n will_v never_o have_v suffer_v it_o neither_o do_v the_o brethren_n contend_v for_o this_o now_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o not_o every_o day_n yet_o every_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n at_o least_o they_o meet_v together_o to_o break_v bread_n that_o be_v to_o receive_v the_o holy_a sacrament_n which_o never_o be_v without_o preach_v as_o we_o see_v in_o act._n 20.7_o and_o in_o the_o place_n above_o quote_v in_o which_o it_o be_v say_v they_o daily_o break_v bread_n together_o and_o that_o in_o several_a and_o particular_a house_n and_o that_o of_o necessity_n must_v be_v for_o a_o few_o house_n can_v not_o have_v hold_v so_o many_o thousand_o as_o all_o reason_n will_v dictate_v and_o if_o they_o be_v or_o can_v be_v contain_v under_o one_o roof_n yet_o they_o must_v be_v force_v to_o be_v in_o diverse_a and_o several_a chamber_n or_o room_n so_o that_o what_o be_v do_v and_o speak_v in_o the_o one_o the_o other_o know_v nothing_o of_o it_o so_o that_o they_o be_v still_o several_a congregation_n as_o under_o the_o roof_n of_o paul_n there_o be_v diverse_a meeting-place_n where_o man_n may_v partake_v in_o all_o ordinance_n and_o they_o be_v call_v several_a church_n and_o they_o that_o meet_v there_o several_a congregation_n though_o under_o one_o roof_n for_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o place_n under_o one_o covert_n make_v always_o a_o distinct_a assembly_n as_o it_o be_v daily_o see_v in_o the_o several_a commit_v at_o westminster_n where_o every_o committee_n of_o both_o house_n have_v their_o several_a room_n and_o equal_a authority_n and_o be_v yet_o all_o but_o one_o parliament_n though_o distribute_v into_o so_o many_o several_a assembly_n so_o here_o they_o have_v several_a assembly_n and_o that_o in_o several_a house_n as_o be_v declare_v and_o reason_n itself_o without_o any_o testimony_n of_o holy_a scripture_n will_v persuade_v this_o for_o the_o apostle_n they_o all_o preach_v and_o that_o daily_a and_o they_o must_v have_v several_a room_n to_o preach_v in_o to_o avoid_v confusion_n for_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n must_v be_v do_v in_o order_n and_o they_o must_v have_v several_a auditory_n or_o assembly_n or_o else_o they_o shall_v preach_v to_o the_o wall_n so_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n will_v all_o preach_v and_o the_o people_n all_o hair_n of_o necessity_n they_o must_v be_v distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n &_o assembly_n to_o avoid_v disorder_n and_o that_o there_o be_v several_a congregation_n and_o several_a assembly_n the_o place_n above_o specify_v do_v declare_v and_o tell_v we_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o man_n that_o resolve_v not_o to_o oppose_v all_o truth_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o receive_a opinion_n but_o may_v evident_o perceive_v that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o yet_o they_o all_o make_v but_o one_o church_n and_o be_v govern_v by_o one_o presbytery_n as_o the_o many_o committee_n in_o both_o house_n be_v in_o divers_a room_n and_o make_v divers_a assembly_n and_o have_v equal_a power_n and_o authority_n among_o themselves_o and_o yet_o they_o all_o make_v but_o one_o parliament_n and_o all_o those_o several_a commit_v be_v govern_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o great_a civil_a presbytery_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v all_o the_o parliament_n and_o all_o this_o without_o confusion_n yea_o with_o most_o excellent_a order_n and_o decency_n have_v thus_o evident_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n before_o the_o persecution_n i_o will_v now_o by_o god_n assistance_n make_v good_a that_o there_o be_v also_o many_o assembly_n under_o the_o persecution_n and_o after_o the_o persecution_n and_o this_o i_o do_v the_o rather_o undertake_v because_o some_o of_o the_o brethren_n have_v say_v that_o howsoever_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o before_o the_o persecution_n there_o be_v many_o several_a assembly_n yet_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o believer_n the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v so_o waste_v and_o scatter_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o leave_v than_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n and_o be_v it_o so_o that_o after_o the_o scatter_n of_o the_o believer_n and_o christian_n in_o jerusalem_n it_o can_v never_o be_v evince_v and_o make_v good_a that_o there_o be_v more_o than_o can_v meet_v altogether_o in_o one_o place_n yet_o all_o this_o be_v nothing_o for_o the_o enervate_n of_o the_o argument_n for_o we_o must_v ever_o look_v upon_o the_o first_o constitution_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o what_o it_o be_v original_o and_o by_o divine_a constitution_n and_o not_o what_o it_o be_v accidental_o and_o through_o persecution_n and_o oppression_n and_o by_o the_o violence_n of_o man_n for_o government_n of_o church_n be_v often_o change_v from_o their_o primordiall_a state_n through_o many_o casualty_n as_o it_o happen_v often_o in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o in_o all_o reformation_n thing_n be_v to_o be_v reduce_v to_o the_o first_o rule_n and_o original_a pattern_n and_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o by_o occasion_n they_o vary_v or_o change_v through_o the_o injury_n of_o the_o time_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o she_o be_v in_o her_o youth_n and_o in_o she_o most_o flourish_a age_n we_o shall_v find_v she_o consist_v of_o divers_a congregation_n and_o many_o assembly_n and_o all_o they_o govern_v by_o a_o common_a council_n and_o joint_a consent_n of_o a_o presbytery_n which_o must_v be_v the_o pattern_n of_o all_o church_n government_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n if_o we_o will_v in_o our_o reformation_n conform_v ourselves_o to_o god_n ordinance_n and_o to_o the_o first_o constitution_n but_o because_o i_o say_v they_o think_v it_o so_o difficult_a a_o thing_n to_o prove_v many_o congregation_n in_o jerusalem_n after_o the_o persecution_n i_o will_v now_o god-willing_o make_v it_o evident_a and_o not_o only_o after_o the_o persecution_n but_o even_o in_o and_o under_o the_o persecution_n and_o i_o will_v do_v it_o first_o out_o of_o that_o very_a place_n our_o brethren_n bring_v against_o we_o and_o by_o which_o they_o labour_v to_o evince_v the_o contrary_a the_o place_n be_v in_o the_o 8._o of_o the_o act_n verse_n 1_o 2_o 4._o in_o these_o word_n and_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v a_o great_a persecution_n against_o the_o church_n which_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o they_o be_v all_o scatter_a abroad_o through_o the_o region_n of_o judea_n and_o samaria_n except_o the_o apostle_n verse_n 3_o as_o for_o saul_n he_o make_v havoc_n of_o the_o church_n enter_v into_o every_o house_n and_o hale_v man_n and_o woman_n commit_v they_o to_o prison_n therefore_o they_o that_o be_v scatter_v abroad_o go_v every_o where_o preach_v the_o word_n from_o
whence_o the_o brethren_n gather_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o beleiver_n leave_v than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n before_o i_o come_v to_o prove_v my_o assertion_n i_o must_v give_v some_o reason_n to_o evince_n and_o make_v good_a that_o this_o dispersion_n and_o scatter_n of_o the_o beleiver_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v not_o so_o general_a and_o universal_a and_o so_o great_a as_o that_o there_o may_v not_o yet_o remain_v more_o congregation_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o more_o people_n than_o can_v possible_o meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o two_o for_o persecution_n be_v the_o bellows_o of_o the_o gospel_n which_o blow_v every_o spark_n into_o a_o flame_n so_o that_o this_o their_o division_n prove_v their_o multiplycation_n at_o home_n and_o abroad_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v after_o i_o have_v set_v down_o my_o argument_n and_o reason_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o cause_n why_o we_o shall_v conceive_v that_o there_o be_v few_o assembly_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o before_o for_o although_o i_o shall_v grant_v that_o this_o persecution_n be_v very_o great_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o persecutor_n as_o reach_v to_o imprisonment_n and_o death_n of_o all_o sort_n chap._n 22._o verse_n 4._o and_o although_o i_o shall_v likewise_o accord_v that_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o extent_n of_o it_o it_o reach_v to_o all_o sort_n both_o preacher_n and_o christian_n because_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v all_o scatter_a abroad_o through_o all_o the_o region_n etc._n etc._n except_o the_o apostle_n both_o which_o notwithstanding_o i_o can_v yield_v unto_o for_o some_o reason_n follow_v but_o i_o say_v shall_v i_o grant_v all_o this_o yet_o i_o affirm_v that_o this_o persecution_n rather_o make_v more_o congregation_n in_o jerusalem_n then_o few_o then_o there_o be_v before_o though_o they_o may_v be_v small_a and_o lesser_a than_o so_o to_o waste_v they_o and_o bring_v they_o to_o such_o a_o paucity_n as_o they_o may_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n for_o this_o their_o division_n be_v a_o cause_n of_o their_o multiplication_n at_o home_n and_o abroad_o as_o i_o say_v before_o and_o will_v afterward_o appear_v and_o even_o as_o it_o be_v here_o in_o england_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prelate_n power_n when_o any_o assembly_n of_o those_o they_o call_v puritan_n be_v at_o any_o time_n find_v together_o they_o be_v hale_v before_o authority_n as_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n can_v witness_v and_o these_o people_n be_v all_o scatter_a yet_o so_o as_o they_o still_o have_v their_o meeting_n in_o less_o number_n and_o whereas_o before_o they_o meet_v perhaps_o a_o hundred_o in_o a_o company_n now_o this_o hundred_o be_v divide_v into_o three_o or_o four_o several_a assembly_n which_o be_v so_o many_o several_a church_n for_o in_o all_o these_o they_o enjoy_v all_o the_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o do_v partake_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n as_o full_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v in_o the_o most_o crowd_a aslembly_n but_o this_o they_o do_v for_o their_o own_o safety_n and_o that_o there_o may_v not_o be_v such_o notice_n take_v of_o they_o for_o common_o if_o man_n see_v a_o good_a company_n of_o people_n go_v into_o a_o house_n and_o none_o of_o they_o come_v out_o again_o they_o will_v by_o and_o by_o gather_v that_o there_o be_v something_o there_o to_o be_v do_v more_o than_o ordinary_a and_o that_o there_o be_v some_o exercise_n of_o religion_n or_o some_o consultation_n and_o plot_v about_o some_o design_n or_o other_o and_o therefore_o it_o stir_v up_o the_o people_n to_o take_v more_o notice_n of_o it_o and_o then_o they_o begin_v to_o examine_v the_o occasion_n of_o that_o concourse_n and_o to_o pry_v into_o their_o proceed_n whereas_o if_o they_o come_v but_o in_o slender_a company_n they_o conceive_v it_o to_o be_v some_o ordinary_a entertainment_n and_o think_v no_o far_o of_o it_o so_o that_o they_o then_o more_o peaceable_o enjoy_v the_o society_n and_o fellowship_n one_o of_o another_o without_o any_o interruption_n which_o they_o can_v not_o so_o well_o have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v come_v in_o great_a assembly_n and_o company_n and_o even_o so_o it_o be_v among_o the_o beleiver_n and_o christian_n in_o jerusalem_n in_o that_o persecution_n they_o can_v not_o now_o meet_v in_o the_o temple_n nor_o possible_o at_o their_o wont_a meeting_n house_n and_o yet_o even_o then_o they_o have_v their_o assembly_n no_o terror_n can_v make_v they_o forsake_v the_o company_v of_o themselves_o together_o for_o in_o that_o persecution_n that_o be_v speak_v of_o in_o the_o 12._o of_o the_o act_n we_o find_v the_o church_n assemble_v in_o several_a place_n for_o they_o be_v pray_v in_o the_o house_n of_o mary_n verse_n 12._o there_o be_v one_o congregation_n to_o which_o peter_n come_v and_o relate_v unto_o they_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o delivery_n and_o bid_v they_o go_v and_o tell_v it_o james_n and_o the_o brethren_n and_o there_o be_v another_o assembly_n and_o without_o doubt_n peter_n go_v unto_o a_o three_o for_o he_o will_v not_o go_v among_o the_o enemy_n and_o it_o stand_v with_o all_o reason_n that_o in_o this_o persecution_n also_o they_o be_v as_o zealous_a as_o then_o and_o therefore_o do_v not_o forsake_v the_o assemble_v of_o themselves_o together_o neither_o will_v the_o apostle_n be_v idle_a who_o give_v themselves_o continual_o to_o prayer_n and_o the_o minister_a of_o the_o word_n which_o they_o can_v not_o have_v do_v if_o there_o have_v be_v but_o as_o many_o christian_n in_o jerusalem_n as_o can_v all_o have_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n and_o in_o one_o congregation_n for_o one_o or_o two_o of_o the_o apostle_n can_v have_v preach_v unto_o they_o all_o and_o then_o to_o what_o end_n or_o purpose_n do_v all_o the_o other_o apostle_n tarry_v in_o jerusalem_n who_o in_o all_o their_o motion_n and_o stay_v be_v direct_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n unless_o it_o be_v to_o comfort_v and_o support_v the_o church_n there_o in_o the_o heat_n and_o rage_n of_o this_o persecution_n when_o they_o have_v scatter_v their_o other_o teacher_n from_o they_o from_o all_o which_o it_o may_v evident_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a multitude_n of_o believer_n at_o this_o time_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o diminish_v or_o scatter_v though_o all_o their_o pastor_n and_o minister_n save_v the_o apostle_n be_v and_o i_o have_v very_o good_a reason_n to_o induce_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o this_o persecution_n do_v not_o extend_v to_o all_o christian_n promiscuous_o and_o that_o all_o the_o believer_n be_v scatter_v and_o disperse_v except_o the_o apostle_n as_o our_o brethren_n conceive_v for_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o usual_a method_n of_o the_o persecute_v jew_n and_o the_o manner_n and_o custom_n of_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n we_o shall_v ever_o observe_v that_o they_o chief_o aim_v at_o the_o take_v away_o and_o extirpate_v of_o their_o teacher_n and_o minister_n and_o those_o that_o instruct_v they_o so_o the_o jew_n malice_n be_v great_a against_o the_o prophet_n in_o all_o age_n as_o we_o may_v see_v mat._n 5._o ver_fw-la 12._o for_o so_o they_o persecute_v the_o prophet_n and_o in_o the_o 23._o of_o matthew_n our_o saviour_n say_v verse_n 29._o woe_n unto_o you_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n hypocrite_n because_o you_o build_v the_o tomb_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o say_v if_o we_o have_v live_v in_o the_o day_n of_o our_o father_n we_o will_v not_o have_v be_v partaker_n with_o they_o of_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o therefore_o you_o witness_v unto_o yourselves_o that_o you_o be_v the_o child_n of_o they_o which_o kill_v the_o prophet_n wherefore_o behold_v i_o send_v unto_o you_o prophet_n and_o wise_a man_n and_o scribe_n and_o some_o of_o they_o you_o shall_v kill_v and_o crucify_v etc._n etc._n here_o our_o saviour_n christ_n declare_v what_o method_n they_o have_v former_o use_v in_o their_o persecution_n and_o that_o be_v chief_o to_o persecute_v their_o teacher_n and_o what_o method_n they_o will_v for_o the_o future_a take_v and_o that_o be_v principal_o to_o kill_v and_o crucify_v the_o prophet_n wiseman_n and_o scribe_n which_o prophesy_v of_o christ_n be_v here_o in_o this_o persecution_n manifest_o fulfil_v for_o here_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v all_o viz._n their_o teacher_n scatter_v abroad_o and_o persecute_v except_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v i_o say_v ever_o the_o method_n and_o custom_n of_o persecutor_n to_o aim_v principal_o at_o the_o root_n out_o and_o take_v away_o of_o those_o they_o suppose_v be_v able_a to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v the_o people_n and_o this_o enrage_a they_o against_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o christ_n himself_o and_o that_o make_v they_o at_o this_o time_n so_o mischievous_o to_o
persecute_v their_o minister_n and_o teacher_n neither_o do_v i_o read_v in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n before_o this_o persecution_n that_o as_o yet_o they_o be_v come_v to_o the_o massacre_v of_o the_o common_a people_n they_o have_v slay_v the_o lord_n of_o life_n and_o stone_v stephen_n and_o after_o in_o the_o 12._o of_o the_o act_n we_o read_v how_o herod_n slay_v james_n and_o because_o it_o please_v the_o jew_n he_o proceed_v to_o take_v peter_n they_o always_o have_v their_o eye_n upon_o their_o teacher_n and_o hale_v they_o to_o prison_n as_o they_o do_v peter_n and_o john_n in_o the_o 4._o of_o the_o act_n but_o for_o the_o people_n the_o only_a punishment_n they_o undergo_v till_o this_o persecution_n be_v this_o that_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n if_o any_o of_o they_o do_v public_o profess_v christ_n indeed_o in_o this_o persecution_n their_o violence_n extend_v to_o the_o hale_v of_o man_n and_o woman_n to_o prison_n but_o before_o we_o read_v of_o no_o violence_n offer_v unto_o the_o people_n only_o they_o rail_v on_o they_o revile_v and_o reproach_v they_o as_o all_o wicked_a man_n who_o tongue_n be_v set_v on_o fire_n from_o hell_n use_v to_o do_v on_o all_o the_o generation_n of_o the_o just_a the_o same_o method_n do_v the_o prelate_n here_o in_o england_n use_v they_o chief_o and_o more_o principal_o persecute_v the_o faithful_a and_o painful_a preacher_n and_o minister_n every_o where_o and_o such_o as_o they_o think_v best_o able_a to_o instruct_v the_o people_n and_o select_v but_o here_o and_o there_o some_o private_a family_n for_o to_o scare_v other_o and_o this_o method_n antichrist_n and_o his_o complice_n have_v learn_v from_o the_o devil_n and_o the_o jew_n so_o that_o when_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v all_o scatter_a except_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v that_o all_o their_o preacher_n and_o teacher_n the_o apostle_n only_o except_v be_v scatter_v for_o the_o word_n all_o in_o this_o place_n must_v be_v understand_v either_o of_o all_o the_o believer_n or_o of_o all_o the_o teacher_n and_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n except_o the_o apostle_n but_o it_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o all_o the_o believer_n that_o they_o be_v all_o scatter_a and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o all_o the_o teacher_n and_o that_o for_o many_o reason_n the_o first_o if_o all_o the_o believer_n have_v be_v scatter_v and_o none_o leave_v to_o what_o end_n then_o shall_v the_o twelve_o apostle_n have_v remain_v in_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v not_o to_o preach_v to_o the_o wall_n neither_o will_v they_o have_v remain_v there_o idle_a but_o will_v rather_o have_v shake_v off_o the_o dust_n off_o their_o foot_n as_o christ_n command_v they_o for_o a_o witness_n against_o they_o luke_n 10._o and_o will_v have_v depart_v and_o have_v go_v away_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o teacher_n as_o all_o good_a reason_n persuade_v a_o second_o reason_n be_v because_o if_o this_o particle_n all_o be_v always_o exceptive_a or_o take_v to_o the_o utmost_a and_o in_o the_o large_a extent_n as_o some_o of_o the_o brethren_n imply_v and_o will_v have_v it_o then_o there_o shall_v not_o one_o believer_n have_v be_v leave_v in_o jerusalem_n beside_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v express_o against_o the_o text_n for_o vers_fw-la 3._o it_o be_v say_v that_o saul_n break_v into_o house_n hale_v man_n and_o woman_n commit_v they_o to_o prison_n and_o this_o he_o do_v at_o jerusalem_n at_o this_o time_n as_o he_o acknowledge_v himself_o act_v 26._o ver_fw-la 10._o and_o therefore_o of_o necessity_n it_o must_v follow_v that_o all_o the_o believer_n be_v not_o scatter_v abroad_o for_o some_o of_o they_o be_v in_o prison_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o for_o aught_o i_o can_v gather_v all_o the_o rest_n be_v in_o their_o several_a house_n or_o else_o the_o apostle_n can_v have_v have_v no_o harbour_n for_o if_o all_o their_o friend_n have_v be_v scatter_v by_o this_o tempest_n and_o if_o all_o the_o sheep_n have_v be_v drive_v away_o and_o the_o whole_a flock_n disperse_v their_o pastor_n without_o doubt_n will_v have_v follow_v they_o for_o he_o will_v be_v count_v a_o very_a bad_a shepherd_a that_o shall_v not_o follow_v or_o look_v after_o the_o poor_a sheep_n that_o be_v scatter_v by_o the_o wolf_n neither_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o the_o apostle_n that_o be_v the_o pastor_n of_o the_o flock_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o who_o care_n he_o have_v commit_v his_o sheep_n and_o his_o lamb_n with_o a_o special_a charge_n that_o they_o shall_v feed_v they_o will_v relinquish_v their_o care_n and_o choose_v rather_o to_o dwell_v among_o a_o company_n of_o wolf_n from_o who_o they_o can_v expect_v no_o fair_a measure_n then_o among_o the_o sheep_n but_o in_o that_o all_o the_o apostle_n still_o remain_v in_o jerusalem_n i_o rather_o gather_v and_o that_o without_o all_o controversy_n they_o continue_v there_o for_o this_o very_a purpose_n that_o they_o may_v comfort_v and_o support_v the_o church_n there_o and_o refresh_v the_o believer_n in_o this_o heat_n of_o persecution_n when_o they_o want_v the_o help_n of_o their_o other_o faithful_a minister_n and_o pastor_n three_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a from_o the_o text_n they_o be_v only_o the_o preacher_n that_o be_v scatter_v for_o verse_n 4._o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o that_o be_v scatter_v go_v every_o where_o preach_v the_o word_n which_o expression_n in_o the_o original_a as_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o innumetable_a place_n signify_v such_o teacher_n as_o be_v minister_n by_o office_n and_o such_o as_o preach_v by_o way_n of_o sermon_n to_o a_o multitude_n though_o they_o may_v likewise_o in_o private_a conference_n instruct_v which_o their_o public_a ministry_n do_v not_o exempt_v they_o from_o and_o although_o private_a christian_n may_v teach_v and_o instruct_v one_o another_o as_o aquilla_n and_o priscilla_n teach_v apollo_n and_o as_o all_o christian_n be_v command_v to_o instruct_v one_o another_o col._n 3._o ver_fw-la 16._o yet_o this_o text_n speak_v not_o of_o such_o a_o teach_n but_o of_o preach_v they_o go_v every_o where_o say_v the_o scripture_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d preach_v the_o word_n for_o teach_v may_v be_v a_o act_n of_o charity_n but_o preach_v be_v a_o act_n of_o office_n for_o how_o can_v they_o preach_v except_o they_o be_v send_v rom._n 10._o so_o that_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n they_o may_v both_o public_o preach_v and_o in_o private_a converse_n also_o instruct_v other_o wheresoever_o they_o come_v whether_o they_o be_v send_v out_o by_o persecution_n or_o by_o mission_n as_o i_o do_v conceive_v of_o any_o of_o those_o godly_a minister_n that_o be_v not_o many_o year_n since_o drive_v from_o their_o habitation_n and_o that_o be_v persecute_v out_o of_o their_o place_n by_o the_o prelate_n that_o they_o may_v have_v preach_v public_o in_o any_o congregration_n as_o minister_n and_o man_n in_o office_n and_o may_v also_o have_v instruct_v private_o but_o the_o one_o be_v a_o act_n of_o duty_n as_o it_o be_v their_o office_n and_o the_o other_o of_o love_n and_o charity_n and_o so_o may_v a_o well_o gift_a private_a christian_n instruct_v and_o teach_v other_o upon_o occasion_n and_o in_o private_a conference_n which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o love_n but_o he_o can_v proper_o be_v say_v to_o preach_v which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o one_o in_o office_n and_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o pastor_n and_o such_o as_o for_o their_o sufficient_a learning_n and_o ability_n be_v call_v unto_o the_o ministry_n and_o ordain_v and_o set_v a_o part_n to_o this_o office_n and_o such_o only_o be_v those_o that_o be_v scatter_v except_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o all_o probability_n these_o minister_n and_o preacher_n that_o be_v scatter_v be_v those_o that_o be_v at_o the_o choose_n of_o mathias_n the_o seventy_o disciple_n and_o many_o more_o so_o that_o for_o aught_o i_o can_v gather_v all_o the_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n yet_o remain_v in_o their_o several_a habitation_n and_o dwelling_n except_o those_o that_o be_v hale_v to_o prison_n and_o therefore_o of_o necessity_n there_o must_v be_v many_o assembly_n and_o congregation_n yet_o in_o jerusalem_n that_o make_v all_o the_o apostle_n abide_v and_o continue_v still_o among_o they_o all_o which_o make_v exceed_v strong_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v innumerable_a multitude_n of_o believer_n still_o in_o jerusalem_n which_o of_o necessity_n be_v force_v to_o divide_v their_o assembly_n into_o more_o distribution_n and_o less_o congregation_n then_o former_o and_o therefore_o rather_o multiply_v their_o assembly_n then_o otherwise_o that_o by_o such_o privacy_n they_o may_v avoid_v persecution_n as_o in_o our_o time_n good_a christian_n here_o in_o london_n be_v wont_a to_o
do_v when_o the_o prelate_n be_v in_o their_o ruff_n but_o out_o of_o this_o place_n i_o thus_o argue_v where_o there_o be_v twelve_o of_o the_o most_o able_a painfull_a and_o diligent_a preacher_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o give_v themselves_o continual_o to_o prayer_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o at_o such_o a_o time_n as_o there_o be_v most_o need_n of_o preach_v and_o when_o they_o can_v not_o public_o come_v together_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o persecution_n and_o where_o there_o be_v innumerable_a multitude_n of_o believer_n of_o all_o nation_n to_o be_v teach_v and_o preach_v unto_o in_o their_o several_a language_n and_o tongue_n there_o of_o necessity_n there_o must_v be_v several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n for_o the_o employment_n of_o they_o all_o both_o preacher_n and_o hearer_n but_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o hot_a persecution_n there_o be_v the_o twelve_o apostle_n the_o most_o able_a painful_a and_o diligent_a preacher_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o give_v themselves_o continual_o to_o prayer_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o when_o they_o can_v not_o public_o come_v together_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o persecution_n and_o where_o there_o be_v innumerable_a multitude_n of_o believer_n of_o all_o nation_n to_o be_v teach_v and_o preach_v unto_o in_o their_o several_a language_n and_o tongue_n therefore_o of_o necessity_n there_o must_v be_v several_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n for_o the_o employment_n of_o they_o all_o both_o preacher_n and_o hearer_n for_o this_o syllogism_n all_o and_o every_o part_n of_o it_o be_v so_o clear_v by_o what_o have_v former_o be_v say_v as_o i_o be_o most_o assure_v no_o rational_a man_n will_v call_v either_o of_o the_o proposition_n in_o question_n but_o from_o the_o former_a place_n i_o thus_o further_o argue_v where_o there_o be_v such_o multitude_n of_o believer_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o country_n still_o remain_v even_o in_o the_o hot_a time_n of_o persecution_n as_o have_v for_o many_o year_n employ_v and_o continual_o take_v up_o above_o a_o hundred_o painful_a minister_n and_o teacher_n there_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o room_n but_o of_o necessity_n must_v be_v distribute_v into_o divers_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n if_o they_o will_v all_o be_v edify_v and_o much_o more_o now_o they_o be_v force_v unto_o it_o if_o they_o will_v avoid_v persecution_n and_o provide_v for_o their_o own_o safety_n but_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o hot_a time_n of_o persecution_n there_o be_v such_o multitude_n of_o believer_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o country_n still_o remain_v as_o have_v for_o many_o year_n employ_v and_o continual_o take_v up_o above_o a_o hundred_o painful_a minister_n and_o teacher_n ergo_fw-la they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o room_n but_o of_o necessity_n must_v be_v distribute_v into_o divers_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n if_o they_o will_v all_o be_v edify_v and_o much_o more_o now_o be_v they_o force_v unto_o it_o if_o they_o will_v avoid_v persecution_n and_o provide_v for_o their_o own_o safety_n the_o major_n of_o this_o syllogism_n by_o the_o very_a light_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n which_o we_o may_v not_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o disputation_n especial_o relinquish_v be_v manifest_a and_o evident_a for_o the_o minor_a it_o be_v also_o apparent_a from_o the_o forego_n discourse_n by_o which_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o their_o preacher_n only_o be_v scatter_v and_o all_o those_o minister_n that_o be_v at_o the_o choose_v the_o apostle_n mathias_n chap._n 1._o and_o many_o more_o that_o instruct_v the_o people_n but_o for_o the_o people_n and_o believer_n they_o remain_v still_o in_o jerusalem_n the_o conclusion_n therefore_o be_v firm_a but_o i_o will_v now_o go_v on_o to_o evince_v that_o after_o the_o persecution_n there_o be_v more_o believer_n still_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n and_o room_n together_o and_o therefore_o of_o necessity_n they_o must_v be_v distribute_v into_o many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n and_o for_o proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n the_o place_n follow_v will_v suffice_v and_o first_o that_o in_o the_o 9_o chap._n of_o the_o act_n verse_n 31._o then_o have_v the_o church_n rest_n through_o all_o juden_n and_o galilee_n and_o samaria_n and_o be_v all_o edify_v and_o walk_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o in_o the_o comfort_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v multiply_v out_o of_o which_o word_n it_o may_v evident_o appear_v that_o persecution_n be_v but_o the_o bellows_o of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o which_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n think_v to_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o extinguish_v the_o light_n of_o it_o make_v it_o but_o more_o glorious_o shine_v forth_o and_o the_o far_a to_o spread_v its_o ray_n for_o by_o blow_v and_o puff_v at_o it_o they_o spread_v it_o the_o more_o and_o extend_v it_o here_o and_o there_o far_o abroad_o as_o we_o see_v by_o this_o persecution_n and_o scatter_n of_o those_o preacher_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o this_o their_o dispersion_n by_o which_o the_o persecuter_n have_v think_v to_o have_v waste_v the_o church_n be_v a_o occasion_n of_o the_o multiplication_n of_o they_o and_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o increase_n of_o believer_n every_o where_n and_o here_o we_o may_v also_o observe_v that_o by_o how_o much_o more_o the_o rage_n of_o the_o enemy_n be_v great_a and_o violent_a by_o so_o much_o it_o be_v less_o durable_a for_o this_o great_a persecution_n be_v but_o short_a and_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v but_o they_o who_o be_v scatter_v by_o persecution_n will_v upon_o the_o cease_n of_o it_o return_v again_o to_o jerusalem_n as_o most_o people_n common_o do_v to_o their_o own_o country_n city_n and_o place_n of_o habitation_n after_o persecution_n and_o this_o also_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n to_o induce_v other_o to_o the_o love_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o they_o see_v god_n so_o much_o favour_v the_o lover_n and_o prefessor_n of_o the_o which_o the_o lord_n so_o preserve_v comfort_v and_o follow_v with_o so_o many_o mercy_n and_o uphold_v in_o all_o their_o affliction_n and_o trial_n never_o forsake_v nor_o never_o leave_v they_o but_o if_o those_o that_o be_v scatter_v have_v never_o return_v that_o make_v nothing_o for_o the_o weak_z the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n still_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o this_o text_n prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o decrease_v after_o the_o dispersion_n out_o of_o the_o which_o word_n i_o thus_o argue_v that_o church_n before_o the_o persecution_n and_o dispersion_n of_o who_o minister_n and_o pastor_n be_v so_o numerous_a and_o have_v such_o multitude_n of_o believer_n in_o it_o of_o all_o nation_n as_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o room_n for_o edification_n and_o to_o partake_v in_o all_o ast_n of_o worship_n but_o be_v force_v to_o preach_v in_o divers_a and_o sundry_a place_n as_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o from_o house_n to_o house_n and_o after_o the_o persecution_n cease_v and_o the_o church_n have_v rest_n be_v greatly_o yet_o multiply_v than_o before_o and_o who_o company_n be_v more_o and_o more_o in_o number_n increase_v they_o of_o necessity_n can_v not_o all_o meet_v together_o in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o room_n for_o edification_n and_o to_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o must_v necessary_o be_v distribute_v into_o divers_a and_o sundry_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n if_o they_o will_v all_o be_v edify_v but_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n before_o the_o persecution_n and_o dispersion_n of_o her_o minister_n and_o pastor_n be_v so_o numerous_a and_o have_v such_o multitude_n of_o believer_n in_o it_o of_o all_o nation_n as_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o room_n for_o edification_n and_o to_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o be_v force_v to_o preach_v indivers_a and_o sundry_a place_n as_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o from_o house_n to_o house_n and_o after_o the_o persecution_n cease_v and_o the_o church_n have_v rest_n be_v greatly_o yet_o multiply_v than_o before_o and_o who_o company_n be_v more_o and_o more_o in_o number_n increase_v ergo_fw-la of_o necessity_n after_o the_o persecution_n there_o be_v more_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o can_v all_o meet_v together_o in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o room_n for_o edification_n and_o to_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o must_v necessary_o be_v distribute_v into_o divers_a congregation_n and_o assembly_n if_o they_o will_v be_v edify_v for_o the_o major_n beside_o
common_a understanding_n and_o ordinary_a reason_n which_o confirm_v it_o it_o be_v manfe_v from_o the_o 2.3_o and_o 5._o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n which_o in_o express_a word_n signify_v that_o they_o meet_v daily_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o from_o house_n to_o house_n yea_o in_o every_o house_n and_o therefore_o that_o be_v true_a and_o out_o of_o all_o doubt_n and_o for_o the_o minor_a it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o place_n above_o cite_v where_o it_o be_v say_v the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v all_o the_o church_n in_o judea_n of_o which_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o mother_n church_n be_v multiply_v the_o word_n in_o the_o original_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v proper_o a_o increase_n in_o number_n and_o multitude_n and_o not_o in_o measure_n and_o be_v so_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o this_o place_n and_o can_v being_n apply_v unto_o person_n be_v otherwise_o take_v whatsoever_o it_o may_v of_o sin_n and_o grace_n and_o then_o also_o the_o word_n be_v capable_a of_o this_o construction_n as_o may_v be_v prove_v if_o need_v require_v so_o that_o the_o conclusion_n do_v follow_v and_o true_o that_o of_o saint_n paul_n in_o the_o 1._o of_o the_o galatian_n be_v a_o excellent_a argument_n to_o evince_v there_o be_v more_o congregation_n in_o jerusalem_n then_o one_o where_o prove_v that_o he_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o gospel_n which_o he_o preach_v from_o man_n but_o from_o god_n he_o use_v this_o reason_n that_o if_o he_o have_v receive_v it_o from_o man_n it_o must_v be_v from_o the_o jew_n and_o from_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o gentile_n be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o and_o he_o be_v to_o carry_v the_o gospel_n unto_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o can_v not_o teach_v it_o he_o and_o to_o prove_v that_o he_o receive_v it_o not_o from_o the_o apostle_n he_o thus_o speak_v of_o himself_o when_o it_o please_v god_n to_o reveal_v his_o son_n unto_o i_o that_o i_o may_v preach_v he_o among_o the_o heathen_a immediate_o i_o confer_v not_o with_o flesh_n and_o blood_n neither_o go_v i_o up_o to_o jerusalem_n to_o they_o that_o be_v apostle_n before_o i_o but_o i_o go_v into_o arabia_n then_o after_o three_o year_n i_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n to_o see_v peter_n and_o abode_n with_o he_o fifteen_o day_n but_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n see_v i_o none_o save_v james_n the_o lord_n brother_n out_o of_o the_o which_o word_n beside_o the_o singular_a testimony_n we_o have_v that_o the_o preach_v and_o write_n of_o s._n paul_n be_v the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o live_a god_n against_o the_o papist_n we_o may_v evident_o gather_v against_o the_o independent_o that_o after_o the_o persecution_n there_o be_v more_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n then_o either_o do_v or_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n for_o in_o say_v that_o he_o be_v with_o peter_n fifteen_o day_n but_o in_o all_o that_o time_n see_v none_o of_o the_o apostle_n save_o james_n this_o i_o say_v be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o prove_v more_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o so_o employ_v the_o apostle_n in_o their_o several_a ministery_n as_o they_o have_v not_o so_o much_o spare_v time_n to_o visit_v paul_n and_o that_o paul_n also_o be_v so_o take_v up_o in_o preach_v there_o that_o he_o have_v no_o leisure_n to_o visit_v they_o and_o for_o the_o diligence_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o ministry_n it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o six_o of_o the_o act_n that_o they_o give_v themselves_o continual_o to_o prayer_n and_o to_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v never_o idle_a and_o that_o the_o apostle_n either_o all_o or_o the_o most_o of_o they_o continue_v resident_a for_o many_o year_n in_o jerusalem_n before_o they_o distribute_v themselves_o into_o several_a nation_n and_o country_n and_o that_o very_o few_o of_o they_o be_v send_v abroad_o there_o be_v frequent_a testimony_n in_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n neither_o as_o yet_o do_v i_o ever_o hear_v it_o scruple_v or_o call_v in_o question_n whether_o the_o apostle_n be_v then_o there_o or_o no_o when_o paul_n be_v at_o jerusalem_n for_o it_o be_v take_v pro_fw-la confesso_fw-la that_o either_o all_o or_o the_o most_o of_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n in_o jerusalem_n neither_o do_v saint_n paul_n say_v i_o see_v none_o of_o the_o other_o apostle_n because_o they_o be_v absent_a or_o be_v go_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o other_o place_n and_o for_o saint_n paul_n we_o read_v that_o wheresoever_o he_o come_v he_o go_v into_o their_o synagogue_n and_o into_o their_o assembly_n to_o preach_v and_o that_o he_o preach_v from_o house_n to_o house_n and_o he_o that_o give_v so_o strict_a a_o charge_n to_o timothy_n and_o in_o he_o to_o all_o minister_n that_o he_o shall_v preach_v in_o season_n and_o out_o of_o season_n he_o himself_o without_o all_o doubt_n will_v not_o neglect_v his_o duty_n who_o in_o the_o 20._o of_o the_o act_n set_v his_o own_o example_n before_o all_o the_o presbyter_n for_o their_o imitation_n in_o their_o diligent_a preach_n and_o he_o ordinary_o preach_v by_o the_o day_n and_o by_o the_o night_n as_o be_v manifest_a out_o of_o the_o same_o chapter_n and_o many_o other_o place_n and_o sure_o the_o time_n he_o remain_v with_o peter_n in_o jerusalem_n he_o be_v as_o diligent_a in_o preach_v as_o he_o be_v in_o any_o of_o the_o other_o church_n and_o he_o profess_v of_o himself_o that_o the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n lay_v upon_o he_o and_o that_o he_o labour_v more_o than_o all_o the_o other_o apostle_n in_o their_o particular_n so_o that_o it_o stand_v with_o all_o reason_n that_o while_o he_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n he_o be_v very_o sedulous_a in_o preach_v as_o who_o have_v both_o strength_n of_o body_n and_o god_n special_a assistance_n and_o his_o immediate_a inspiration_n always_o to_o help_v he_o in_o his_o ministry_n so_o that_o i_o conceive_v as_o of_o charity_n i_o be_o bind_v that_o paul_n be_v daily_o in_o one_o assembly_n or_o other_o now_o if_o there_o have_v be_v at_o that_o time_n no_o more_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n then_o can_v have_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n congregation_n and_o assembly_n then_o of_o necessity_n paul_n must_v have_v see_v the_o other_o apostle_n there_o as_o well_o as_o peter_n and_o james_n for_o they_o also_o be_v good_a churchman_n to_o speak_v a_o little_a in_o the_o prelate_n dialect_n and_o they_o never_o leave_v the_o word_n but_o be_v always_o take_v up_o either_o in_o pray_v or_o preach_v among_o they_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o from_o house_n to_o house_n yea_o in_o every_o house_n and_o if_o there_o have_v be_v but_o one_o congregation_n or_o assembly_n of_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n the_o apostle_n will_v daily_o upon_o all_o occasion_n have_v be_v with_o their_o flock_n now_o in_o that_o paul_n see_v they_o not_o in_o all_o that_o time_n he_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n it_o be_v evident_o apparent_a there_o be_v more_o congregation_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n then_o one_o and_o more_o christian_n than_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o any_o one_o or_o a_o few_o place_n but_o to_o proceed_v to_o a_o place_n or_o two_o more_o for_o the_o further_a confirmation_n of_o this_o truth_n act_v 12._o verse_n 24._o it_o be_v say_v there_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n grow_v and_o multiply_v here_o also_o we_o have_v another_o good_a effect_n of_o a_o new_a fierce_a persecution_n in_o jerusalem_n it_o increase_v the_o number_n and_o multitude_n of_o believer_n there_o after_o the_o persecutor_n be_v take_v away_o for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n grow_v and_o multiply_v say_v the_o holy_a ghost_n out_o of_o which_o word_n i_o thus_o argue_v where_o the_o word_n of_o god_n daily_o more_o and_o more_o grow_v and_o multiply_v after_o the_o persecution_n that_o be_v to_o say_v where_o there_o be_v more_o multitude_n and_o great_a number_n of_o believer_n add_v unto_o the_o church_n through_o the_o ministry_n and_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n than_o be_v before_o which_o notwithstanding_o be_v then_o so_o numerous_a as_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o room_n to_o enjoy_v all_o the_o ordinance_n to_o edification_n there_o of_o necessity_n they_o must_v be_v distribute_v into_o diverse_a assembly_n and_o congregation_n to_o enjoy_v all_o the_o ordinance_n to_o edification_n but_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o a_o double_a persecution_n the_o word_n of_o god_n daily_o more_o and_o more_o grow_v and_o multiply_v that_o be_v to_o say_v there_o be_v more_o multitude_n and_o great_a number_n of_o believer_n add_v unto_o the_o church_n through_o the_o ministry_n and_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o
be_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n i_o report_v myself_o to_o any_o that_o have_v not_o the_o pearl_n of_o prejudice_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o their_o judgement_n and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v to_o have_v speak_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o my_o first_o assertion_n the_o second_o now_o follow_v viz._n that_o all_o these_o congregation_n and_o several_a assembly_n make_v but_o one_o church_n and_o for_o proof_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o use_v many_o word_n or_o any_o great_a dispute_n for_o the_o brethren_n themselves_o acknowledge_v that_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n be_v all_o member_n of_o that_o church_n and_o they_o accord_v further_o that_o it_o be_v but_o one_o church_n and_o it_o be_v manifest_a out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o it_o be_v say_v they_o that_o be_v convert_v be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o member_n of_o it_o and_o that_o they_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n communion_n and_o in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o put_v their_o estate_n in_o the_o church_n common_a treasury_n and_o choose_v officer_n for_o the_o church_n all_o this_o i_o say_v our_o brethren_n do_v acknowledge_v and_o take_v this_o fellowship_n of_o these_o member_n for_o a_o pattern_n of_o ordinary_a church_n communion_n and_o therefore_o this_o my_o second_o assertion_n be_v without_o controversy_n it_o be_v in_o express_a word_n set_v down_o in_o the_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 6._o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n and_o many_o more_o place_n of_o the_o same_o story_n and_o consent_v to_o by_o the_o brethren_n i_o now_o come_v to_o prove_v my_o three_o assertion_n viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n govern_v order_v and_o rule_v this_o church_n consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n by_o a_o common-council_n and_o presbytery_n which_o be_v also_o evident_a by_o the_o place_n follow_v act._n 11._o and_o in_o those_o day_n there_o come_v prophet_n from_o jerusalem_n to_o antioch_n and_o there_o stand_v up_o one_o of_o they_o name_v agabus_n and_o signify_v by_o the_o spirit_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v great_a dearth_n through_o all_o the_o world_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n caesar_n then_o the_o disciple_n every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o ability_n determine_v to_o send_v relief_n unto_o the_o brethren_n that_o dwell_v in_o judea_n which_o also_o they_o do_v and_o send_v it_o to_o the_o presbyter_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o barnabas_n and_o saul_n here_o in_o these_o last_o word_n we_o see_v that_o the_o presbyter_n and_o none_o but_o the_o presbyter_n receive_v the_o alm_n for_o it_o be_v say_v they_o send_v it_o to_o the_o presbyter_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o barnabas_n and_o saul_n which_o sufficient_o prove_v that_o the_o presbyter_n in_o all_o church_n be_v the_o man_n in_o government_n as_o who_o have_v the_o order_n and_o authority_n of_o appoint_v unto_o the_o deacon_n how_o they_o shall_v distribute_v those_o money_n that_o they_o may_v be_v best_o improve_v and_o dispose_v of_o which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o government_n as_o all_o man_n that_o know_v what_o belong_v unto_o government_n will_v acknowledge_v now_o shall_v it_o be_v grant_v that_o these_o presbyter_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v the_o presbyter_n of_o judea_n which_o notwithstanding_o be_v not_o specify_v but_o only_o the_o distress_a brethren_n in_o judea_n yet_o have_v it_o be_v in_o express_a word_n set_v down_o that_o the_o alm_n have_v be_v send_v to_o the_o presbytery_n of_o judea_n the_o presbytery_n of_o jerusalem_n must_v necessary_o have_v be_v include_v in_o it_o as_o be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o judea_n and_o it_o be_v a_o ordinary_a thing_n for_o the_o church_n abroad_o and_o particular_o that_o of_o antioch_n to_o send_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o we_o may_v see_v act._n 11._o ver_fw-la 22._o and_o act._n 15._o and_o by_o all_o probability_n paul_n and_o barnabas_n bring_v these_o alm_n to_o the_o presbyter_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o he_o in_o the_o fifteen_o chapter_n of_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n make_v mention_n of_o a_o contribution_n that_o be_v make_v in_o macedonia_n and_o achaia_n for_o the_o poor_a saint_n in_o jerusalem_n whether_o the_o apostle_n say_v he_o be_v go_v to_o minister_v unto_o they_o and_o desire_v the_o roman_n to_o pray_v for_o he_o that_o he_o may_v be_v deliver_v from_o the_o unbelieved_a jew_n and_o that_o his_o service_n for_o jerusalem_n may_v be_v accept_v of_o the_o saint_n which_o by_o the_o learned_a interpreter_n be_v general_o take_v that_o paul_n speak_v of_o this_o time_n and_o that_o they_o be_v then_o send_v from_o jerusalem_n to_o antioch_n but_o howsoever_o it_o shall_v be_v understand_v that_o these_o alm_n be_v send_v to_o the_o presbyter_n in_o judea_n yet_o these_o two_o conclusion_n necessary_o result_v from_o it_o the_o first_o that_o this_o expression_n comprehend_v also_o the_o presbyter_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o be_v the_o chief_a city_n of_o judea_n the_o second_o that_o the_o presbyter_n in_o all_o church_n be_v the_o man_n to_o who_o the_o government_n and_o order_n of_o business_n be_v commit_v and_o in_o who_o hand_n the_o power_n and_o authority_n lie_v of_o dispose_n of_o the_o very_a charity_n and_o bounty_n of_o the_o brethren_n to_o all_o the_o necessitate_a disciple_n within_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o who_o give_v direction_n to_o the_o deacon_n how_o they_o shall_v be_v distribute_v to_o the_o best_a emolument_fw-fr and_o benefit_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o according_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o these_o benefactor_n which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o government_n and_o that_o a_o principal_a one_o so_o of_o necessity_n the_o presbyter_n must_v then_o meet_v together_o that_o by_o their_o joint_n and_o common_a consent_n and_o counsel_n all_o thing_n may_v be_v right_o order_v but_o in_o the_o chap._n 15._o v._n 2.4.6.22_o the_o presbyter_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o name_n be_v express_v and_o in_o chap._n 16._o and_o in_o act._n 21._o v._n 17_o 18._o in_o these_o word_n then_o they_o determine_v that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o certain_a other_o of_o they_o shall_v go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n unto_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n about_o this_o question_n and_o they_o be_v receive_v of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n to_o who_o they_o declare_v all_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v do_v with_o they_o and_o how_o that_o there_o rise_v up_o certain_a of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pharise_n which_o believe_v say_v that_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o circumcize_v they_o and_o to_o command_v they_o to_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n come_v together_o to_o consider_v of_o this_o matter_n etc._n etc._n ver_fw-la 22._o then_o please_v it_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n with_o the_o whole_a church_n etc._n etc._n and_o chap._n 16._o v._n 4._o and_o as_o they_o go_v through_o the_o city_n they_o deliver_v they_o the_o decree_n to_o keep_v that_o be_v ordain_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o presbyter_n which_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n and_o chap._n 21_o v._o 17_o 18._o and_o when_o we_o be_v come_v to_o jerusalem_n the_o brethren_n receive_v we_o glad_o and_o the_o day_n follow_v paul_n go_v in_o with_o we_o unto_o james_n and_o all_o the_o presbyter_n be_v present_a and_o v._o 25._o as_o touch_v the_o gentile_n which_o believe_v we_o have_v write_v and_o conclude_v say_v the_o presbyter_n that_o they_o observe_v no_o such_o thing_n out_o of_o all_o which_o place_n before_o i_o frame_v my_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o presbytery_n that_o be_v by_o the_o joint_a consent_n &_o common_a council_n of_o the_o apostle_n &_o presbyter_n which_o make_v but_o a_o grand_a presbytery_n i_o shall_v desire_v all_o man_n to_o consider_v that_o howsoever_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o place_n above_o specify_v be_v difference_v by_o that_o title_n from_o the_o presbyter_n yet_o in_o all_o act_n of_o government_n perform_v by_o they_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v for_o the_o substance_n of_o they_o ordinary_a act_n such_o as_o presbyter_n daily_o perform_v and_o therefore_o answerable_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v in_o they_o to_o be_v consider_v as_o presbyter_n that_o be_v man_n govern_v in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n as_o such_o as_o have_v receive_v the_o key_n which_o be_v the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n &_o therefore_o be_v in_o their_o ordinary_a employment_n though_o at_o other_o time_n in_o their_o several_a ministry_n and_o go_v from_o nation_n to_o nation_n to_o preach_v as_o christ_n extraordinary_a ambassador_n 2_o cor._n 5._o they_o use_v superlative_a authority_n and_o i_o be_o induce_v
of_o ordain_v of_o officer_n it_o be_v not_o where_o extant_a in_o god_n word_n but_o that_o the_o woman_n shall_v have_v a_o voice_n in_o the_o church_n either_o for_o receive_v in_o or_o cast_v out_o of_o member_n or_o officer_n or_o shall_v have_v any_o thing_n to_o do_v with_o peter_n key_n it_o be_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o nature_n for_o paul_n in_o the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinth_n 14._o make_v it_o one_o of_o the_o mark_n of_o confusion_n in_o any_o church_n where_o woman_n have_v their_o voice_n say_v god_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n but_o of_o peace_n as_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n follow_v in_o express_a word_n say_v let_v your_o woman_n keep_v silence_n in_o church_n for_o it_o be_v not_o permit_v unto_o they_o to_o speak_v but_o they_o be_v command_v to_o be_v under_o obedience_n as_o also_o say_v the_o law_n and_o if_o they_o will_v learn_v any_o thing_n let_v they_o ask_v their_o husband_n at_o home_n for_o it_o be_v a_o shame_n for_o woman_n to_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n and_o what_o s._n paul_n write_v to_o this_o church_n of_o corinth_n he_o write_v to_o all_o church_n and_o proclaim_v that_o what_o he_o write_v to_o they_o be_v the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n ver_fw-la 37._o so_o that_o god_n have_v command_v that_o the_o woman_n shall_v not_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n and_o say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o shame_n they_o shall_v and_o yet_o in_o these_o our_o day_n and_o in_o many_o of_o the_o new_a congregation_n they_o have_v their_o voice_n in_o choose_v of_o officer_n and_o admit_v of_o member_n and_o have_v all_o of_o they_o peter_n key_n as_o their_o girdle_n and_o make_v learned_a part_n of_o speech_n in_o the_o congregation_n and_o dispute_v question_n and_o debate_n of_o matter_n and_o give_v their_o reason_n con_v &_o pro_fw-la as_o it_o be_v credible_o report_v and_o other_o of_o they_o set_v forth_o and_o print_v learned_a treatise_n in_o polemicall_a divinity_n with_o great_a applause_n and_o admiration_n of_o the_o independent_a minister_n who_o cite_v their_o authority_n and_o quote_v they_o in_o their_o writing_n as_o classical_a author_n to_o the_o shame_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o ludibry_n of_o religion_n and_o howsoever_o there_o be_v not_o any_o that_o shall_v more_o honour_v the_o true_o virtuous_a and_o pious_a of_o that_o sex_n than_o myself_o yet_o i_o must_v confess_v when_o i_o see_v how_o far_o they_o become_v transgressor_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n &_o do_v those_o thing_n that_o the_o holy_a apostle_n have_v not_o only_o forbid_v but_o proclaim_v a_o shame_n i_o can_v but_o exceed_o blame_v they_o &_o those_o minister_n that_o allow_v of_o and_o approve_v of_o such_o rebellion_n against_o god_n and_o nature_n and_o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v the_o special_a care_n in_o the_o apostle_n to_o prevent_v this_o evil_a of_o woman_n intermeddle_v in_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n he_o foresee_v the_o confusion_n that_o will_v be_v bring_v in_o upon_o it_o in_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o in_o he_o to_o all_o minister_n to_o who_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v commit_v he_o give_v he_o direction_n how_o to_o behave_v himself_o in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o church_n of_o the_o live_a god_n in_o cap._n 2._o ver_fw-la 11.12_o he_o say_v let_v the_o woman_n learn_v in_o silence_n with_o all_o subjection_n for_o i_o suffer_v not_o a_o woman_n to_o teach_v nor_o to_o usurp_v authority_n over_o the_o man_n but_o to_o be_v in_o silence_n for_o adam_n be_v first_o make_v than_o eve_n and_o adam_n be_v not_o deceive_v but_o the_o woman_n be_v deceive_v be_v in_o the_o transgression_n etc._n etc._n here_o the_o apostle_n again_o and_o agun_fw-ge twice_o in_o these_o few_o word_n enjoin_v they_o silence_n in_o the_o church_n and_o impose_v upon_o they_o subjection_n and_o obedience_n i_o suffer_v not_o say_v he_o a_o woman_n to_o teach_v or_o to_o usurp_v authority_n over_o the_o man_n but_o to_o be_v in_o silence_n and_o he_o give_v his_o reason_n of_o this_o his_o command_n because_o say_v he_o adam_n be_v first_o make_v not_o by_o the_o woman_n nor_o of_o the_o woman_n but_o the_o contrary_a and_o therefore_o she_o may_v usurp_v no_o authority_n over_o the_o masculine_a sex_n especial_o in_o god_n matter_n and_o she_o be_v to_o be_v the_o disciple_n if_o the_o man_n and_o not_o the_o man_n her_o scholar_n and_o therefore_o that_o superiority_n that_o the_o god_n of_o order_n have_v establish_v upon_o the_o man_n in_o the_o first_o creation_n he_o do_v now_o re-establish_a upon_o he_o again_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n after_o all_o thing_n through_o sin_n have_v be_v disorder_v and_o confuse_a and_o command_v the_o woman_n to_o be_v both_o subject_n and_o silent_a especial_o in_o the_o church_n another_o reason_n of_o this_o his_o command_n be_v because_o the_o woman_n be_v first_o in_o the_o transgression_n and_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o adam_n fall_n as_o he_o accuse_v she_o and_o her_o dispute_v and_o voice_n of_o it_o then_o bring_v confusion_n upon_o all_o mankind_n and_o for_o this_o she_o so_o do_v s._n paul_n conclude_v for_o ever_o hereafter_o that_o she_o ought_v to_o hold_v her_o peace_n &_o be_v in_o subjection_n to_o her_o husband_n and_o aught_o to_o learn_v in_o silence_n at_o home_n but_o more_o especial_o in_o the_o church_n for_o if_o they_o come_v to_o voice_n it_o once_o again_o in_o the_o church_n as_o eve_n bring_v confusion_n upon_o mankind_n by_o her_o disputation_n and_o reason_n so_o these_o with_o their_o loquacity_n and_o babble_n and_o confusion_n of_o voice_n will_v bring_v in_o a_o new_a babel_n into_o the_o church_n and_o state_n as_o they_o have_v pretty_o well_o already_o begin_v to_o do_v saint_n paul_n say_v i_o suffer_v not_o a_o woman_n to_o teach_v nor_o to_o usurp_v authority_n over_o the_o man_n but_o to_o be_v in_o silence_n here_o the_o apostle_n as_o in_o the_o place_n above_o cite_v out_o of_o the_o cor._n chap._n 14._o command_v they_o silence_n and_o permit_v they_o not_o to_o speak_v and_o express_o forbid_v they_o to_o usurp_v authority_n over_o the_o man_n that_o be_v the_o virill_a sex_n now_o i_o appeal_v unto_o any_o understand_a creature_n whether_o or_o no_o to_o make_v large_a part_n of_o speech_n in_o the_o church_n as_o many_o of_o they_o upon_o occasion_n do_v and_o dispute_v and_o give_v their_o reason_n con_v &_o pro_fw-la be_v not_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n and_o whither_o to_o have_v their_o voice_n in_o either_o admit_v of_o member_n or_o officer_n or_o in_o the_o cast_n of_o they_o out_o be_v not_o to_o usurp_v authority_n over_o the_o man_n for_o all_o the_o world_n know_v that_o they_o that_o have_v the_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n of_o either_o admit_v of_o any_o into_o the_o fellowship_n or_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o hinder_v their_o come_n in_o or_o have_v their_o voice_n for_o the_o cast_n of_o they_o out_o when_o they_o be_v receive_v exercise_n and_o usurp_v authority_n over_o those_o they_o so_o deal_v with_o and_o therefore_o they_o do_v against_o the_o express_a prohibition_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o all_o those_o woman_n that_o have_v usurp_v this_o authority_n and_o all_o those_o minister_n that_o have_v permit_v they_o so_o to_o do_v or_o tanght_n this_o doctrine_n unto_o they_o be_v all_o guilty_a of_o great_a contumacy_n against_o god_n and_o ought_v serious_o to_o repent_v for_o this_o their_o temerity_n and_o rebellion_n and_o it_o will_v be_v the_o immortal_a honour_n of_o those_o woman_n that_o have_v not_o intermedle_v &_o if_o there_o be_v not_o some_o speedy_a course_n take_v by_o authority_n to_o forbid_v such_o disorder_n we_o may_v promise_v nothing_o to_o the_o church_n and_o whole_a kingdom_n but_o confusion_n it_o have_v ever_o be_v observe_v that_o hermaphrodite_n counsel_v in_o any_o kingdom_n or_o country_n when_o woman_n that_o be_v subject_n intermeddle_v in_o government_n and_o matter_n of_o state_n that_o that_o kingdom_n and_o country_n be_v very_o craze_a and_o not_o far_o from_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n and_o we_o need_v not_o look_v into_o many_o age_n or_o country_n for_o precedent_n of_o this_o kind_n &_o if_o hermaphrodite_n counsel_v in_o kingdom_n have_v ever_o be_v so_o fatal_a unto_o they_o what_o may_v any_o man_n think_v in_o time_n will_v become_v of_o this_o church_n and_o kingdom_n when_o the_o woman_n have_v get_v peter_n key_n at_o their_o girdle_n and_o have_v their_o voice_n in_o many_o congregation_n and_o a_o power_n of_o order_v and_o dispose_n of_o thing_n in_o church_n affair_n certain_o nothing_o but_o confusion_n can_v be_v expect_v for_o this_o their_o do_v be_v
church_n and_o the_o saviour_n of_o all_o those_o that_o true_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o this_o be_v to_o set_v up_o christ_n upon_o his_o throne_n and_o the_o brethren_n themselves_o accord_v unto_o this_o now_o when_o the_o minister_n of_o england_n teach_v this_o doctrine_n in_o their_o preach_n and_o write_n how_o can_v they_o be_v true_o say_v to_o deny_v disclaim_v and_o preach_v against_o christ_n kingly_a government_n over_o man_n conscience_n and_o church_n and_o how_o can_v that_o people_n be_v say_v true_o to_o deny_v christ_n kingly_a government_n who_o do_v both_o believe_v and_o to_o the_o uttermost_a of_o their_o power_n practise_v this_o doctrine_n and_o follow_v only_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n and_o word_n both_o for_o doctrine_n and_o government_n who_o be_v king_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o therefore_o this_o be_v not_o a_o unjust_a and_o unchristian_a calumny_n lay_v both_o upon_o the_o minister_n and_o people_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o any_o moderate_a mind_a christian_n doubtless_o all_o charitable_a mind_a christian_n if_o they_o consider_v allthing_n aright_o will_v not_o think_v so_o dishonourable_o neither_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o england_n nor_o of_o the_o people_n under_o their_o ministry_n for_o they_o deserve_v not_o to_o be_v account_v the_o profess_a enemy_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v free_v from_o that_o heavy_a accusation_n by_o christ_n own_o testimony_n who_o when_o it_o be_v relate_v unto_o he_o by_o saint_n john_n mark_v 9_o ver_fw-la 38._o that_o they_o have_v see_v one_o cast_v out_o devil_n in_o his_o name_n which_o follow_v they_o not_o and_o that_o the_o disciple_n have_v forbid_v he_o because_o he_o do_v not_o follow_v they_o our_o saviour_n christ_n reply_v forbid_v he_o not_o say_v he_o for_o whosoever_o be_v not_o against_o we_o be_v on_o our_o part_n now_o these_o minister_n that_o open_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o blind_a and_o turn_v they_o from_o darkness_n to_o light_n and_o from_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n to_o god_n they_o can_v be_v eâ—â—â—emed_v enemy_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o be_v against_o christ_n but_o for_o he_o and_o ought_v high_o to_o be_v honour_v for_o their_o work_n sake_n 1_o thes_n chap._n 5._o ver_fw-la 13._o and_o singular_o to_o be_v belove_v and_o deserve_v not_o to_o be_v malign_v and_o reproach_v especial_o by_o brethren_n who_o owe_v all_o their_o conversion_n next_o unto_o god_n to_o their_o ministry_n yea_o both_o the_o pastor_n and_o people_n of_o all_o the_o new_a congregat_v church_n be_v behold_v unto_o they_o for_o their_o conversion_n for_o they_o admit_v none_o into_o their_o assembly_n but_o believer_n and_o they_o be_v make_v believer_n and_o convert_v by_o their_o ministry_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v friend_n of_o christ_n and_o not_o his_o enemy_n and_o they_o ought_v all_o of_o they_o to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o their_o father_n and_o on_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o their_o mother_n and_o on_o the_o believer_n of_o england_n as_o their_o brethren_n and_o ought_v not_o thus_o unchristian_o and_o ungrateful_o to_o cast_v dirt_n in_o all_o their_o face_n saint_n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o phillippian_o chap._n 1._o have_v these_o word_n some_o say_v he_o preach_v christ_n even_o of_o envy_n and_o strife_n and_o some_o also_o of_o good_a will_n the_o one_o preach_v christ_n of_o contention_n and_o not_o sincere_o think_v to_o add_v affliction_n to_o my_o bond_n but_o the_o other_o of_o love_n what_o then_o notwithstanding_o every_o way_n whether_o in_o pretence_n or_o in_o truth_n christ_n be_v preach_v i_o therein_o do_v rejoice_v yea_o and_o i_o will_v rejoice_v s._n paul_n speak_v here_o of_o such_o as_o preach_v pure_a doctrine_n though_o not_o with_o a_o pure_a mind_n and_o be_v glad_a that_o christ_n be_v preach_v and_o count_v they_o not_o the_o enemy_n of_o christ_n as_o he_o do_v the_o false_a teacher_n among_o the_o galatian_n who_o join_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o their_o own_o invention_n with_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o he_o wish_v that_o they_o be_v cut_v off_o but_o in_o this_o place_n he_o rejoice_v that_o christ_n and_o the_o gospel_n be_v pure_o preach_v though_o it_o be_v of_o envy_n now_o when_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v not_o only_o preach_v the_o gospel_n pure_o but_o of_o sincerity_n and_o of_o love_n and_o mingle_v not_o their_o own_o tradition_n and_o invention_n with_o the_o gospel_n but_o follow_v their_o commission_n how_o can_v any_o man_n without_o intolerable_a injustice_n proclaim_v they_o the_o enemy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o make_v they_o odious_a to_o the_o people_n under_o the_o name_n of_o presbiterian_o who_o they_o persuade_v all_o man_n that_o they_o will_v prove_v more_o cruel_a taskmaster_n than_o the_o prelate_n yea_o and_o they_o have_v general_o possess_v the_o people_n with_o so_o prejudicate_a a_o opinion_n of_o they_o all_o as_o if_o they_o will_v more_o lord_n it_o over_o they_o than_o ever_o the_o bishop_n do_v and_o causeless_o have_v move_v the_o people_n to_o hate_v the_o name_n of_o presbitry_n and_o notwithstanding_o they_o themselves_o pretend_v they_o contend_v for_o the_o ancient_a presbitry_n and_o by_o this_o make_v themselves_o presbiterian_o as_o well_v as_o the_o other_o what_o justice_n or_o equity_n than_o be_v there_o in_o their_o deal_n to_o make_v their_o brethren_n odious_a to_o the_o world_n for_o endeavour_v to_o set_v up_o a_o presbitry_n after_o god_n word_n when_o they_o themselves_o be_v presbiterian_o and_o labour_n to_o set_v up_o a_o presbitry_n of_o their_o own_o and_o therefore_o if_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n be_v odious_a in_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n no_o reason_n can_v gainsay_v it_o but_o that_o they_o also_o shall_v be_v as_o odious_a to_o the_o people_n as_o their_o brethren_n for_o they_o also_o be_v presbiterian_o but_o that_o the_o truth_n may_v the_o better_o appear_v whether_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n or_o the_o independent_a minister_n be_v most_o guilty_a of_o all_o the_o accusation_n lay_v to_o their_o charge_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o compare_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o independent_a minister_n together_o and_o that_o both_o for_o their_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n and_o in_o their_o several_a study_n and_o eudeavour_n for_o the_o advance_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n and_o by_o so_o do_v it_o will_v be_v easy_a for_o any_o to_o judge_v which_o of_o their_o government_n and_o which_o of_o the_o minister_n be_v more_o intolerable_a and_o which_o of_o they_o be_v most_o guilty_a of_o those_o foul_a reproach_n the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v asperse_v with_o by_o their_o brethren_n for_o he_o have_v a_o shallow_a understanding_n and_o a_o very_a dim_a sight_n that_o can_v discern_v whether_o those_o that_o advance_v christ_n their_o king_n word_n and_o law_n only_o and_o follow_v his_o commission_n and_o the_o example_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n in_o their_o ministry_n and_o that_o of_o john_n baptist_n and_o the_o primitive_a preacher_n or_o those_o that_o set_v up_o their_o own_o invention_n and_o prefer_v they_o before_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n and_o have_v neither_o precept_n nor_o precedent_n for_o their_o do_n in_o all_o the_o holy_a word_n of_o god_n he_o i_o say_v that_o can_v judge_v which_o of_o these_o most_o advance_v christ_n for_o their_o king_n either_o those_o that_o obey_v christ_n law_n or_o those_o that_o observe_v their_o own_o neglect_v christ_n be_v of_o a_o very_a shallow_a capacity_n but_o now_o let_v we_o compare_v they_o together_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n preach_v faith_n and_o repentance_n the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o christ_n commission_n give_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o they_o receive_v all_o into_o the_o church_n that_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v and_o such_o as_o but_o desire_n to_o be_v admit_v they_o demand_v of_o they_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v to_o be_v save_v and_o in_o their_o so_o do_v they_o have_v both_o precept_n and_o precedent_n for_o christ_n in_o his_o commission_n unto_o they_o have_v give_v they_o auhority_n so_o to_o do_v neither_o do_v he_o ever_o say_v unto_o his_o apostle_n and_o minister_n admit_v none_o into_o the_o church_n although_o they_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v without_o they_o walk_v with_o you_o some_o day_n week_n month_n or_o year_n that_o you_o may_v behold_v their_o conversation_n and_o manner_n of_o life_n and_o after_o you_o have_v have_v some_o trial_n and_o experience_n of_o they_o see_v then_o that_o they_o make_v a_o public_a confession_n of_o their_o faith_n before_o the_o church_n and_o give_v in_o the_o
evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o conversion_n before_o the_o congregation_n and_o enter_v into_o a_o private_a and_o solemn_a covenant_n and_o be_v admit_v by_o the_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o church_n or_o otherwise_o if_o they_o will_v not_o submit_v themselves_o to_o this_o law_n and_o come_v into_o the_o church_n upon_o these_o condition_n receive_v they_o not_o into_o your_o assembly_n nor_o admit_v of_o they_o for_o member_n here_o be_v nothing_o of_o all_o this_o in_o christ_n commission_n nor_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n nor_o any_o precedent_n of_o the_o same_o in_o all_o sacred_a authority_n and_o therefore_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o the_o holy_a apostle_n and_o primitive_a minister_n admit_v all_o that_o come_v unto_o they_o and_o such_o as_o but_o demand_v of_o they_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v to_o be_v save_v and_o baptize_v they_o and_o receive_v they_o into_o the_o church-without_a any_o gainsay_n or_o question_n as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o 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and_o prophetical_a dignity_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o as_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o his_o royalty_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n but_o all_o other_o popery_n under_o whatsoever_o name_n or_o title_n it_o be_v intrude_v upon_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v eliminate_v and_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o whether_o this_o be_v not_o a_o new_a kind_n of_o popery_n to_o bring_v in_o new_a way_n and_o new_o bear_v truth_n and_o new_a light_n and_o impose_v they_o upon_o the_o people_n as_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o to_o excommunicate_v and_o unchurch_n all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n but_o their_o own_o assembly_n i_o refer_v myself_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o any_o intelligible_a christian_n saint_n paul_n write_v to_o the_o galatian_n blame_v those_o false_a teacher_n among_o they_o that_o will_v have_v join_v but_o the_o
ceremonial_a law_n with_o the_o gospel_n &_o call_v it_o a_o pervert_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n &_o wish_n that_o such_o teacher_n be_v cut_v off_o gal._n 5._o v._n 12._o and_o blame_v likewise_o those_o galatian_n that_o receive_v their_o doctrine_n say_v oh_o foolish_a galatian_n who_o have_v bewitch_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v not_o obey_v the_o truth_n and_o yet_o they_o only_o urge_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n which_o god_n by_o moses_n have_v appoint_v to_o remain_v till_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n but_o be_v now_o abrogate_a they_o be_v not_o their_o own_o tradition_n they_o be_v no_o new_a bear_v light_n no_o new_a way_n no_o new_a truth_n now_o if_o paul_n be_v so_o displease_v or_o god_n rather_o with_o the_o galatian_n both_o teacher_n and_o hearer_n the_o one_o for_o bring_v in_o or_o join_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o other_o for_o admit_v of_o they_o how_o high_o will_v god_n have_v be_v displease_v with_o they_o if_o they_o have_v 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church_n and_o in_o the_o four_o chapter_n and_o sixth_o verse_n under_o his_o own_o and_o apollo_n name_n he_o set_v a_o example_n before_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v contain_v themselves_o with_o in_o the_o limit_n and_o bound_n of_o that_o doctrine_n and_o manner_n of_o preach_v prescribe_v and_o set_v down_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o use_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o command_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v learn_v in_o the_o apostle_n not_o to_o presume_v or_o to_o be_v wise_a above_o that_o which_o be_v write_v and_o enjoin_v all_o christian_n to_o reject_v all_o way_n of_o teach_v that_o have_v not_o god_n word_n for_o their_o warrant_n now_o in_o all_o god_n word_n there_o be_v nothing_o of_o all_o this_o write_v that_o after_o man_n believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v they_o shall_v not_o yet_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n without_o they_o have_v walk_v sometime_o with_o they_o for_o their_o approbation_n and_o without_o they_o have_v make_v a_o public_a 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pretence_n of_o their_o long_a prayer_n which_o our_o saviour_n christ_n sharp_o reprove_v they_o for_o and_o denounce_v a_o woe_n against_o they_o for_o their_o so_o do_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v these_o false_a teacher_n among_o the_o corinthian_n who_o make_v their_o own_o tradition_n join_v member_n with_o the_o gospel_n as_o if_o they_o have_v have_v a_o more_o fine_a neat_a and_o eligant_a way_n of_o gather_v of_o church_n and_o admit_v of_o member_n than_o paul_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n but_o the_o apostle_n bid_v the_o corinthian_n take_v heed_n of_o all_o such_o how_o glorious_a soever_o they_o seem_v to_o appear_v and_o tell_v they_o they_o can_v teach_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o happiness_n better_o than_o he_o and_o the_o other_o apostle_n have_v do_v and_o yet_o neither_o saint_n paul_n or_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n in_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n teach_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v admit_v of_o none_o to_o be_v join_v member_n of_o the_o 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and_o be_v none_o of_o that_o multitude_n here_o speak_v of_o so_o that_o of_o necessity_n by_o the_o multitude_n in_o this_o place_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o greek_n only_o and_o the_o hebrew_n for_o so_o in_o express_a word_n it_o be_v specify_v and_o this_o every_o rational_a man_n can_v easy_o perceive_v again_o by_o multitude_n here_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o a_o confuse_a company_n go_v in_o a_o tumultuous_a way_n but_o a_o considerable_a number_n of_o rational_a man_n of_o each_o differ_v and_o dissent_v party_n and_o such_o as_o be_v call_v and_o send_v for_o by_o the_o apostle_n as_o it_o be_v common_o see_v in_o those_o that_o go_v by_o way_n of_o complaint_n to_o petition_n to_o any_o council_n they_o send_v a_o compitent_a multitude_n of_o understanding_n and_o able_a man_n to_o grace_v their_o cause_n and_o to_o manage_v the_o business_n and_o not_o every_o particular_a and_o individual_a person_n man_n and_o woman_n to_o negotiate_v it_o which_o can_v 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most_o rational_a objection_n that_o as_o yet_o i_o ever_o hear_v from_o they_o to_o the_o which_o i_o have_v brief_o give_v my_o several_a answer_n which_o i_o hope_v by_o god_n assistance_n i_o shall_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o make_v good_a against_o they_o all_o and_o now_o i_o will_v go_v on_o to_o prove_v that_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o divers_a miracle_n daily_o wrought_v by_o they_o after_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n there_o be_v such_o addition_n of_o multitude_n of_o believer_n to_o those_o that_o be_v convert_v by_o saint_n john_n the_o baptist_n and_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o discple_n before_o the_o death_n of_o john_n and_o the_o suffering_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o that_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v at_o any_o one_o time_n &_o in_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n to_o partake_v in_o all_o ordinance_n no_o nor_o in_o a_o few_o but_o be_v of_o necessity_n force_v to_o be_v distribute_v into_o several_a assembly_n and_o congregation_n and_o that_o before_o the_o persecution_n under_o the_o persecution_n &_o after_o the_o persecution_n and_o for_o prove_v of_o what_o i_o lay_v down_o which_o be_v still_o but_o the_o first_o conclusion_n i_o undertake_v to_o make_v good_a i_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o first_o eight_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n and_o then_o go_v forward_o to_o the_o ensue_a story_n of_o the_o same_o book_n in_o order_n to_o prove_v my_o assertion_n in_o the_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o &_o 6_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n it_o be_v relate_v how_o the_o holy_a apostle_n employ_v themselves_o in_o their_o several_a ministery_n after_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o be_v endue_v with_o all_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o have_v receive_v the_o gift_n also_o of_o tongue_n and_o language_n and_o the_o effect_n also_o of_o their_o ministry_n preach_v and_o miracle_n be_v there_o set_v down_o at_o large_a and_o it_o be_v specify_v that_o by_o mean_n of_o that_o first_o miracle_n when_o all_o the_o people_n of_o several_a nation_n hear_v the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o they_o every_o one_o in_o their_o several_a tongue_n and_o language_n who_o be_v very_o well_o know_v to_o be_v galileane_o that_o they_o be_v amaze_v to_o hear_v the_o wonderful_a work_n of_o god_n and_o from_o their_o amazement_n it_o be_v say_v they_o give_v attention_n to_o the_o sermon_n of_o peter_n the_o sermon_n itself_o be_v there_o set_v down_o and_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o which_o be_v that_o when_o they_o have_v hear_v it_o they_o be_v prick_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o say_v unto_o peter_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n man_n and_o brethren_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v then_o peter_n say_v unto_o they_o repent_v and_o be_v baptise_a every_o one_o of_o you_o in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o the_o
remission_n of_o sin_n and_o you_o shall_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n etc._n etc._n then_o they_o that_o glad_o receive_v his_o word_n be_v baptize_v and_o the_o same_o day_n be_v add_v unto_o they_o about_o three_o thousand_o soul_n and_o they_o continue_v steadfast_a in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o fellowship_n and_o in_o break_v of_o bread_n and_o prayer_n and_o fear_n come_v upon_o every_o soul_n and_o many_o sign_n and_o wonder_n be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o all_o that_o believe_v be_v together_o and_o have_v all_o thing_n common_a and_o they_o continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o break_v bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n do_v eat_v their_o meat_n with_o gladness_n and_o singleness_n of_o heart_n praise_v god_n and_o have_v favour_n with_o all_o the_o people_n and_o the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v he_o save_v here_o we_o see_v that_o by_o virtue_n of_o one_o miracle_n and_o sermon_n god_n work_v with_o they_o be_v add_v to_o the_o believer_n that_o saint_n john_n the_o baptist_n and_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n have_v convert_v and_o such_o as_o be_v former_o baptize_v three_o thousand_o more_o a_o great_a miracle_n all_o which_o with_o the_o many_o other_o that_o be_v convert_v afterward_o be_v call_v but_o one_o church_n for_o it_o be_v express_o say_v that_o the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v we_o hear_v of_o the_o great_a multitude_n and_o of_o a_o world_n of_o such_o as_o believe_v in_o christ_n before_o this_o miracle_n and_o sermon_n and_o can_v any_o man_n in_o reason_n conceive_v that_o all_o these_o can_v meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n to_o partake_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o let_v we_o go_v on_o in_o the_o 3_o and_o 4_o chapter_n by_o mean_n of_o that_o miracle_n that_o be_v wrought_v upon_o the_o impotent_a man_n who_o be_v know_v to_o all_o the_o people_n to_o have_v be_v a_o cripple_n from_o his_o mother_n womb_n and_o through_o the_o powerful_a preach_n of_o peter_n who_o exhort_v they_o to_o repent_v and_o to_o be_v convert_v that_o their_o sin_n may_v be_v blot_v out_o when_o the_o time_n of_o refresh_v shall_v come_v from_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v say_v that_o many_o which_o hear_v the_o word_n believe_v and_o the_o number_n of_o those_o new_a believer_n be_v there_o specify_v to_o be_v about_o five_o thousand_o man_n which_o be_v also_o add_v unto_o the_o church_n and_o join_v to_o all_o the_o former_a believer_n so_o that_o we_o have_v here_o eight_o thousand_o new_a member_n add_v unto_o the_o church_n in_o a_o very_a little_a time_n and_o this_o be_v a_o great_a miracle_n than_o the_o former_a so_o that_o the_o prophecy_n in_o the_o 110_o psalm_n vers_fw-la 3._o be_v not_o fulfil_v that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n power_n his_o willing_a people_n from_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o morning_n shall_v be_v multiply_v as_o the_o dew_n upon_o the_o earth_n and_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v pass_v by_o without_o due_a notice_n it_o be_v suppose_v by_o the_o best_a interpreter_n and_o the_o most_o orthodox_n writer_n and_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o that_o these_o new_a convert_v be_v man_n not_o woman_n and_o child_n and_o without_o doubt_n these_o new_a believer_n endeavour_v to_o convert_v their_o wife_n child_n servant_n and_o neighbour_n and_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n also_o why_o we_o shall_v be_v induce_v to_o believe_v that_o truth_n with_o such_o wonder_n and_o miracle_n annex_v to_o it_o shall_v be_v as_o prevalent_a to_o convert_v woman_n child_n servant_n and_o neighbour_n and_o whole_a family_n as_o error_n and_o novelty_n in_o these_o our_o day_n be_v able_a to_o mislead_a those_o poor_a creature_n that_o be_v ever_o learning_n and_o never_o come_v to_o knowledge_n and_o the_o which_o be_v carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o believe_v every_o newborn_a truth_n as_o they_o term_v it_o and_o follow_v every_o new_a light_n and_o every_o new-found_a way_n though_o it_o tend_v to_o the_o confusion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n it_o be_v say_v of_o that_o man_n of_o sin_n that_o son_n of_o perdition_n that_o he_o shall_v come_v after_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n and_o with_o all_o deceiveablenesse_n and_o unrighteousness_n in_o they_o that_o perish_v because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v 2_o thess_n 2._o but_o to_o see_v people_n so_o delude_v without_o miracle_n be_v a_o miracle_n so_o that_o those_o poor_a woman_n that_o be_v carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n from_o that_o truth_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o confirm_v by_o so_o many_o miracle_n and_o those_o that_o do_v and_o have_v mislead_v they_o have_v all_o of_o they_o a_o great_a deal_n to_o answer_v for_o but_o this_o i_o speak_v by_o the_o way_n conceive_v that_o all_o those_o new_a convert_v will_v endeavour_v as_o the_o good_a samaritan_n woman_n do_v after_o conversion_n not_o only_o to_o bring_v their_o wife_n child_n and_o family_n but_o their_o neighbour_n also_o and_o whole_a city_n to_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o i_o have_v that_o opinion_n also_o of_o all_o the_o woman_n and_o people_n of_o that_o age_n that_o they_o be_v as_o ready_a to_o embrace_v the_o truth_n as_o the_o woman_n and_o people_n of_o this_o age_n and_o in_o these_o our_o time_n be_v to_o follow_v error_n but_o let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o effect_n the_o other_o miracle_n wrought_v upon_o the_o people_n that_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o five_o chapter_n as_o of_o ananias_n and_o saphira_n his_o wife_n who_o for_o tempt_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v both_o strike_v down_o dead_a and_o give_v up_o the_o ghost_n and_o the_o other_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v say_v in_o verse_n 11._o that_o fear_n come_v upon_o all_o the_o church_n and_o to_o as_o many_o that_o hear_v these_o thing_n and_o that_o to_o the_o rest_n viz._n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n the_o malignant_a party_n dare_v no_o man_n join_v himself_o and_o believer_n be_v add_v unto_o the_o lord_n multitude_n both_o man_n and_o woman_n here_o come_v in_o the_o good_a woman_n now_o and_o in_o verse_n 26._o it_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o captain_n with_o the_o officer_n bring_v the_o apostle_n without_o violence_n for_o they_o fear_v the_o people_n lest_o they_o shall_v have_v stone_v they_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o brief_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o several_a effect_n these_o miracle_n wrought_v the_o first_o be_v that_o great_a fear_n of_o offend_a god_n come_v on_o all_o the_o church_n god_n own_o people_n which_o notwithstanding_o of_o the_o many_o addition_n of_o believer_n be_v call_v still_o but_o one_o church_n the_o second_o that_o none_o dare_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o contrary_a party_n the_o pharisaical_a malignant_a crew_n the_o three_o that_o believer_n be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o that_o multitude_n no_o small_a company_n both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n here_o be_v a_o new_a increase_n and_o that_o a_o great_a one_o the_o four_o be_v that_o the_o very_a captain_n and_o officer_n be_v awe_v and_o keep_v in_o fear_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n so_o that_o those_o that_o fear_v not_o god_n be_v afraid_a of_o his_o servant_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v gather_v that_o the_o party_n of_o believer_n do_v balance_v the_o number_n of_o the_o incredulous_a and_o pharisaical_a party_n if_o not_o by_o far_o exceed_v they_o and_o therefore_o by_o all_o probability_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o innumerable_a company_n and_o a_o mighty_a multitude_n and_o such_o a_o number_n as_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o congregation_n to_o partake_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n and_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o diversity_n of_o tongue_n and_o language_n which_o be_v not_o give_v to_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v useless_a and_o of_o no_o profit_n nor_o to_o speak_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o divers_a jew_n that_o be_v then_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n devout_a man_n and_o woman_n out_o of_o every_o nation_n under_o heaven_n which_o notwithstanding_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o all_o have_v their_o several_a meet_v place_n and_o their_o several_a minister_n to_o preach_v unto_o they_o in_o their_o several_a language_n that_o they_o may_v be_v edify_v i_o say_v for_o the_o present_a to_o wave_v all_o this_o let_v we_o take_v notice_n what_o be_v positive_o set_v down_o in_o the_o last_o verse_n of_o the_o five_o chapter_n