there_o be_v good_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o lawful_a for_o these_o that_o now_o govern_v in_o this_o church_n but_o if_o prejudice_n hinder_v not_o may_v prove_v expedient_a and_o useful_a for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n itself_o that_o they_o do_v use_v in_o some_o instance_n a_o little_a more_o authority_n nor_o they_o do_v and_o yet_o may_v still_o be_v very_o far_o off_o from_o proud_a and_o tyrannical_a domination_n never_o apply_v their_o power_n to_o obstruct_v what_o be_v good_a but_o to_o advance_v it_o and_o not_o at_o all_o against_o the_o truth_n but_o always_o for_o it_o and_o while_o they_o do_v so_o the_o atheism_n and_o profanness_n that_o abound_v can_v reasonable_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o government_n as_o too_o common_o it_o be_v by_o some_o but_o rather_o to_o the_o schism_n that_o be_v make_v by_o withdraw_a and_o divide_v from_o it_o for_o there_o be_v not_o a_o great_a enemy_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o power_n of_o religion_n than_o the_o wrangling_n and_o bitter_a contention_n that_o be_v cause_v about_o the_o external_a form_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o nazianzen_n pathetical_o begin_v one_o of_o his_o oration_n for_o peace_n i_o confess_v i_o have_v sometime_o wonder_v to_o see_v some_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n after_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v to_o they_o make_v so_o great_a reckon_n of_o certain_a metaphysical_a exception_n against_o foam_n little_a word_n &_o formality_n of_o difference_n in_o the_o government_n and_o set_v so_o little_a a_o value_n upon_o so_o great_a a_o thing_n as_o be_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n oh_o when_o shall_v the_o loud_a and_o harsh_a noise_n of_o our_o debate_n be_v turn_v to_o the_o sweet_a sound_n of_o unite_a prayer_n for_o this_o bless_a peace_n that_o we_o may_v cry_v with_o one_o heart_n and_o voice_n to_o the_o god_n of_o peace_n who_o alone_o can_v give_v it_o pacem_fw-la te_fw-la poscimus_fw-la omnes_fw-la 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contest_v about_o name_n especial_o in_o so_o grave_a a_o matter_n be_v trivial_a and_o childish_a but_o that_o the_o question_n be_v about_o their_o powâ—r_n than_o we_o beg_v that_o it_o may_v be_v so_o let_v that_o be_v all_o the_o question_n betwixt_o we_o and_o then_o we_o hope_v the_o controversy_n will_v be_v quick_o end_v for_o we_o trust_v we_o shall_v be_v find_v not_o at_o all_o desireous_a to_o usurp_v or_o effect_v any_o undue_a power_n but_o rather_o to_o abate_v of_o that_o power_n which_o be_v reasonable_a and_o conform_a even_o to_o primitive_a episcopacy_n then_o that_o a_o schism_n shall_v continue_v in_o this_o church_n upon_o that_o score_n but_o be_v it_o suppose_v that_o bisbop_n do_v stretch_v their_o power_n somewhat_o beyond_o their_o line_n let_v all_o the_o world_n judge_n whether_o minister_n be_v for_o that_o engage_v to_o leave_v their_o station_n and_o withdraw_v from_o those_o meeting_n of_o the_o church_n which_o themselves_o approve_v of_o for_o the_o 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either_o the_o communion_n of_o it_o or_o our_o station_n in_o it_o what_o will_v there_o be_v but_o endless_a swarm_n of_o separation_n and_o division_n in_o any_o church_n under_o the_o sun_n but_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n in_o this_o business_n of_o we_o that_o stick_v after_o all_o the_o rest_n the_o covenant_n as_o to_o that_o wave_v all_o the_o irregularity_n of_o it_o though_o so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o diverse_a both_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n they_o seem_v to_o annul_v the_o obligation_n of_o it_o suppose_v it_o still_o to_o bind_v all_o that_o take_v it_o and_o suppose_v likewise_o that_o the_o present_a episcopacy_n in_o this_o church_n be_v that_o same_o that_o be_v abjure_v in_o that_o covenant_n yet_o the_o article_n relate_v thereto_o oblige_v each_o one_o only_o to_o this_o to_o endeavour_v whithin_o there_o call_v and_o station_n
the_o present_a presbytery_n and_o synod_n i_o clear_o state_n the_o question_n thus_o whether_o a_o constant_a moderator_n or_o fix_a proeslos_n for_o term_v of_o life_n in_o church-meeting_n be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o lawful_a and_o how_o far_o it_o be_v by_o we_o admissible_a and_o what_o compliance_n we_o may_v have_v â—or_a it_o and_o because_o there_o be_v some_o paper_n go_v abroad_o from_o the_o bishop_n of_o glasgow_n as_o be_v suppose_v upon_o this_o subject_n and_o that_o the_o current_n of_o the_o speech_n at_o pase_o whereof_o the_o same_o strain_n i_o conceive_v for_o render_v of_o the_o debate_n more_o certain_a it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o that_o i_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o particular_a and_o exact_a review_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o these_o paper_n we_o find_v it_o assert_v that_o episcopal_a government_n manage_v in_o conjunction_n with_o presbyter_n in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n be_v not_o contrary_a either_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o scripture_n or_o the_o 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divine_a warrant_n more_o pregnant_a than_o what_o in_o other_o particular_n be_v acknowledge_v for_o such_o even_o by_o our_o opposite_n the_o follow_a head_n do_v plain_o evince_v and_o first_o that_o jesus_n christ_n king_n in_o zion_n sit_v and_o rule_v upon_o his_o throne_n to_o who_o all_o power_n be_v give_v and_o who_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o body_n when_o he_o ascend_v on_o high_a send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n to_o gather_v feed_v and_o rule_v his_o church_n promise_v to_o be_v with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o thereby_o have_v appoint_v a_o government_n in_o his_o house_n suitable_a to_o these_o holy_a end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v design_v be_v not_o more_o evident_o found_v upon_o the_o scripture-ground_n insinuat_fw-la then_o firm_a in_o its_o connexion_n and_o inference_n 2._o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n be_v the_o only_a perpetual_a pastor_n ordain_v by_o our_o lord_n for_o as_o for_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o seventy_o 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vestige_n of_o imparity_n either_o in_o power_n or_o presidencie_n nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a with_o a_o manifest_a equality_n except_o it_o be_v in_o some_o note_n of_o apparent_a pre-eminence_n in_o these_o by_o man_n esteem_v inferior_a express_o as_o it_o seem_v record_v to_o counterbalance_n the_o vanity_n of_o ambition_n of_o after_o age_n who_o in_o favour_n of_o other_o may_v imagine_v a_o superiority_n and_o such_o be_v the_o principal_a resort_n make_v to_o james_n his_o moderate_v rather_o then_o peter_n in_o the_o meeting_n at_o jerusalem_n paul_n resistance_n to_o peter_n and_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n give_v to_o he_o by_o james_n cephas_n and_o john_n and_o the_o like_a 4._o the_o pastor_n appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v their_o successor_n both_o in_o their_o ordinary_a power_n and_o blessing_n whatever_o may_v be_v the_o inequality_n betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o apostle_n either_o from_o the_o immediacy_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o apostle_n their_o mission_n their_o infallible_a assistance_n and_o great_a eminency_n of_o gift_n or_o by_o reason_n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o lord_n choose_v witness_n and_o author_n of_o conversion_n to_o most_o of_o they_o who_o they_o ordain_v yet_o as_o to_o the_o perpetual_a and_o ordinary_a power_n give_v to_o and_o transmit_v by_o they_o in_o the_o church_n it_o be_v evident_a from_o scripture_n that_o in_o that_o they_o neither_o claim_v nor_o exercise_v either_o superiority_n or_o presidencie_n over_o other_o minister_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o as_o they_o call_v and_o account_v they_o their_o brethren_n partner_n fellow-labourer_n and_o themselves_o fellow-elders_a with_o they_o so_o we_o find_v that_o what_o in_o on_o place_n paul_n ascribe_v to_o the_o lay_v on_o of_o his_o own_o hand_n in_o another_o he_o attribute_n to_o the_o lay_v on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o the_o same_o paul_n who_o be_v not_o a_o whit_n behind_o the_o very_o chief_a apostle_n 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be_v nothing_o enjoin_v or_o recommend_v in_o paul_n epistle_n to_o timothy_n which_o be_v not_o proper_a for_o every_o pastor_n unless_o what_o be_v evident_o referable_a to_o his_o office_n of_o a_o evangelist_n there_o express_v 2._o the_o command_n give_v to_o titus_n to_o ordain_v elder_n be_v by_o way_n of_o express_a commission_n and_o not_o in_o the_o least_o exclusive_a of_o the_o concurrence_n of_o other_o elder_n where_o they_o may_v be_v find_v in_o the_o place_n 3_o that_o it_o be_v in_o these_o very_a epistle_n more_o than_o any_o where_o else_o in_o scripture_n that_o both_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o elder_n be_v promiscuous_o use_v and_o the_o thing_n and_o office_n thereby_o signify_v hold_v forth_o to_o be_v the_o same_o and_o last_o that_o the_o know_a use_n &_o elegancy_n of_o the_o singular_a number_n for_o the_o plural_a with_o the_o figurative_a speech_n and_o tenor_n of_o the_o seven_o epistle_n in_o the_o revelation_n do_v no_o
matter_n of_o god_n study_v his_o own_o way_n if_o we_o neglect_v this_o sure_a and_o excellent_a ordinance_n of_o a_o self-denied_n and_o lowly_a gospel_n ministry_n with_o these_o prescription_n of_o truth_n humility_n and_o loveâ—_n give_v to_o we_o as_o the_o remedy_n against_o all_o disorder_n schism_n and_o heresy_n and_o indulge_v to_o our_o own_o device_n where_o will_v we_o subsist_v i_o need_v not_o represent_v the_o subtlety_n and_o presumption_n of_o man_n delusion_n special_o for_o promote_a that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n that_o work_v in_o ecclesiastic_a aspire_n if_o our_o blind_a probability_n be_v sufficient_a to_o authorise_v the_o mean_n of_o peace_n and_o order_n there_o be_v no_o question_n carnal_a reason_n will_v again_o insinuat_fw-la according_a to_o the_o pretension_n that_o raise_v the_o papacy_n and_o the_o frequent_a suggestion_n of_o our_o time_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o magistrate_n that_o the_o proper_a and_o assure_a way_n to_o a_o firm_a establishment_n be_v to_o resolve_v either_o man_n belief_n or_o his_o obedience_n into_o the_o uncontrollable_a determination_n either_o of_o the_o pope_n or_o of_o the_o prince_n but_o as_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o sovereign_n and_o only_a wise_a god_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fathom_v let_v be_v regulat_fw-la by_o our_o narrow_a and_o weak_a capacity_n so_o ought_v we_o always_o to_o revere_v these_o peremptory_a and_o severe_a restraint_n where_o with_o he_o have_v bound_v the_o darring_n of_o vain_a reason_n not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o think_v in_o these_o thing_n above_o what_o be_v write_v special_o in_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n when_o not_o only_o manifest_a disappointment_n as_o to_o the_o end_v pretend_v but_o the_o worst_a of_o consequence_n have_v by_o a_o very_a visible_a progress_n open_o discover_v both_o the_o folly_n and_o prejudice_n of_o this_o presidencie_n under_o question_n for_o evince_v whereof_o i_o observe_v .2_o that_o as_o it_o be_v not_o unto_o this_o fix_a presidencie_n as_o such_o but_o unto_o the_o more_o abound_a grace_n of_o god_n under_o these_o frequent_a and_o grievous_a persecution_n wherewith_o the_o church_n be_v then_o exercise_v that_o the_o singular_a order_n unity_n and_o charity_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v so_o the_o gradual_a advance_v of_o this_o prostasia_fw-la together_o with_o the_o joint_n and_o perpetual_a decline_v of_o true_a knowledge_n &_o piety_n &_o concur_v increase_n of_o pride_n contention_n irreligion_n &_o superstition_n be_v very_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o its_o vanity_n i_o need_v not_o note_v that_o the_o first_o time_n to_o which_o this_o presidencie_n can_v lay_v any_o claim_n be_v the_o pure_a its_o first_o set_v up_o as_o most_o acknowledge_v be_v in_o the_o second_o centurie_n in_o a_o simple_a protocathedria_n to_o the_o senior_a presbyter_n short_o thereafter_o it_o turn_v to_o a_o prostasia_fw-la give_v by_o election_n and_o then_o still_o ascend_v even_o under_o the_o discountenance_n and_o persecution_n of_o the_o heathenish_a power_n and_o people_n it_o do_v notwithstanding_o what_o by_o wrest_v the_o election_n in_o many_o place_n from_o the_o presbyter_n and_o what_o by_o usurp_v the_o power_n of_o ordinantion_n and_o censure_n advance_v to_o a_o very_a high_a degree_n of_o prelacy_n as_o be_v abundant_o confirm_v by_o what_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o record_n of_o these_o time_n and_o especial_o by_o good_a cyprian_n his_o word_n to_o his_o presbyter_n epist._n 6._o a_o primordio_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la mei_fw-la statui_fw-la nihil_fw-la sine_fw-la consilio_fw-la vestro_fw-la privata_fw-la sententia_fw-la gerere_fw-la whereby_o as_o it_o be_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o then_o corrupt_a custom_n of_o other_o bishop_n he_o plain_o insinuate_v his_o contrary_a resolution_n now_o what_o under_o this_o progress_n of_o the_o prostasia_fw-la still_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o remedy_n be_v the_o growth_n of_o the_o evil_n both_o of_o contention_n schism_n and_o heresy_n special_o in_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n suffering_n wherewith_o these_o several_a degree_n be_v manifest_o attend_v need_v not_o to_o be_v enforce_v by_o many_o instance_n that_o of_o victor_n as_o to_o superstition_n contention_n and_o schism_n who_o for_o a_o different_a observation_n of_o pasch_fw-mi a_o weighty_a point_n forsooth_o do_v excommunicate_a the_o better_a half_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n may_v stand_v for_o a_o thousand_o and_o as_o for_o heresy_n their_o catalogue_n be_v almost_o endless_a but_o though_o its_o rise_n under_o so_o great_a pressure_n do_v very_o convince_o argue_v the_o strong_a and_o subtle_a spirit_n work_v in_o its_o elevation_n yet_o it_o be_v from_o the_o time_n of_o constantin_n empire_n and_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n of_o prosperity_n upon_o the_o church_n that_o it_o do_v yet_o more_o evident_o begin_v to_o discover_v itself_o in_o its_o proper_a colour_n and_o from_o this_o period_n indeed_o it_o be_v that_o more_o and_o more_o exalt_v and_o explicate_v its_o power_n it_o cease_v not_o until_o through_o proud_a and_o fervid_v contention_n of_o the_o prelate_n among_o themselves_o for_o precedency_n more_o dangerous_a by_o far_o then_o all_o the_o petty_a contest_v that_o can_v arise_v among_o presbyter_n and_o these_o still_o varnish_v with_o he_o pretext_n of_o unity_n peace_n and_o apostolic_a example_n but_o real_o animat_fw-la by_o pride_n and_o ambition_n and_o accompany_v with_o covetousness_n luxury_n neglect_v of_o truth_n abound_v of_o error_n superstition_n and_o irreligion_n it_o at_o length_n arrive_v at_o the_o papacy_n which_o by_o its_o tyrannous_a infallibility_n and_o implicit_a faith_n do_v in_o the_o end_n indeed_o bring_v forth_o in_o the_o destroy_n of_o true_a knowledge_n and_o conscience_n a_o apparent_a peace_n and_o unity_n most_o like_a to_o that_o indifferency_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o surrender_v and_o abjection_n of_o conscience_n which_o the_o abettor_n of_o our_o supremacy_n do_v under_o the_o same_o plausible_a name_n and_o pretence_n so_o much_o endeavour_v to_o introduce_v this_o be_v then_o the_o growth_n progress_n and_o product_n of_o this_o prostasia_fw-la &_o its_o lie_a pretence_n of_o remedy_v &_o prevent_v schism_n in_o effect_n nothing_o else_o then_o the_o suitable_a revelation_n of_o that_o mystery_n which_o at_o first_o do_v more_o latent_o begin_v to_o work_v under_o its_o less_o discernible_a appearance_n what_o judgement_n be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o i_o leave_v to_o every_o man_n ingenuity_n if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o although_o the_o ensue_a of_o prelacy_n and_o papacy_n and_o all_o their_o evil_n upon_o the_o ancient_a episcopacy_n may_v give_v a_o colour_n to_o the_o premise_a discourse_n yet_o it_o be_v easy_a in_o such_o matter_n to_o strain_v observation_n and_o these_o consequence_n may_v be_v only_o its_o accidental_a and_o not_o its_o proper_a effect_n it_o be_v answer_v not_o to_o insist_v upon_o the_o natural_a and_o gradual_a connexion_n of_o the_o thing_n represent_v more_o easy_a to_o be_v discern_v by_o impartial_a reflection_n then_o persuade_v by_o superfluous_a argue_v it_o be_v very_o observable_a first_o that_o the_o great_a if_o not_o the_o sole_a reason_n that_o from_o the_o beginning_n have_v be_v or_o can_v be_v allege_v for_o the_o â—ixed_a presidencie_n viz._n the_o ear_n of_o division_n and_o prevention_n of_o schism_n be_v that_o which_o in_o the_o righteous_a judgement_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o deceivablenesse_n of_o unrighteousness_n be_v still_o make_v use_n of_o for_o carry_v on_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n until_o that_o at_o length_n it_o appear_v in_o its_o own_o colour_n and_o discover_v its_o effect_n infinite_o more_o pernicious_a than_o the_o evil_n which_o it_o pretend_v to_o obviate_v 2_o that_o in_o matter_n religious_a the_o want_n of_o divine_a institution_n and_o consequent_o of_o our_o lord_n promise_v and_o blessing_n together_o with_o the_o actual_a follow_v of_o bad_a fruit_n &_o effect_n be_v a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n that_o the_o thing_n question_v be_v thereof_o proper_o productive_a i_o need_v not_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v upon_o this_o ground_n that_o the_o pope_n primacy_n and_o headship_n be_v very_o just_o charge_v with_o all_o rome_n superstition_n and_o abomination_n if_o of_o old_a i_o send_v they_o not_o therefore_o they_o shall_v not_o profit_v this_o people_n be_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n make_v a_o sure_a and_o firm_a conclusion_n shall_v not_o then_o the_o visible_a accomplishment_n i_o appoint_v it_o not_o and_o it_o have_v not_o profit_v but_o be_v attend_v with_o many_o grievous_a mischief_n prove_v a_o evidence_n equal_o convince_a but_o it_o be_v say_v admit_v that_o this_o be_v indeed_o the_o course_n of_o its_o exaltation_n in_o these_o time_n yet_o the_o proposal_n of_o it_o be_v now_o make_v with_o a_o manifest_o contrary_a design_n and_o in_o effect_n to_o low_a and_o reduce_v prelacy_n the_o precede_a representation_n be_v of_o
abjure_v how_o can_v we_o in_o conscience_n again_o admit_v of_o it_o 2._o not_o to_o examine_v subtle_o and_o strict_o the_o import_n of_o the_o word_n power_n see_v its_o fixedness_n and_o its_o concomitant_a dignity_n that_o in_o a_o great_a part_n do_v advance_v this_o moderatorship_n which_o otherwise_o will_v be_v only_o a_o office_n unto_o a_o superority_n and_o thereto_o add_v a_o influence_n of_o power_n be_v rather_o a_o beg_n of_o the_o question_n and_o therefore_o though_o in_o civil_n this_o fixedness_n with_o its_o many_o other_o prerogative_n and_o power_n be_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o subject_a matter_n and_o expediency_n of_o humane_a affair_n very_o lawful_a and_o allowable_a yet_o in_o ecclesiastic_n the_o very_a same_o reason_n of_o the_o different_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n with_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o gospel-ministry_n and_o the_o contradistinction_n which_o our_o lord_n himself_o have_v found_v betwixt_o it_o and_o the_o manner_n of_o civil_a government_n do_v clear_o render_v this_o fix_a presidency_n a_o undue_a gravamen_n imp_v upon_o the_o brotherly_a parity_n and_o just_a liberty_n of_o his_o minister_n and_o certain_o if_o the_o necessary_a privilege_n of_o the_o naked_a office_n viz._n that_o of_o propose_v direct_v the_o consultationâ—_n state_v the_o question_n ask_v of_o opinion_n and_o vote_n and_o the_o cast_a vote_n in_o case_n of_o equality_n be_v of_o such_o noment_n in_o the_o conduct_n of_o affaâ—res_n that_o all_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o unfixedness_n and_o accountablenesse_n of_o the_o chairman_n be_v scarce_o sufficient_a to_o secure_v they_o from_o abuse_n to_o enforce_v they_o by_o a_o fixation_n contrary_a to_o the_o lord_n appointment_n of_o a_o ministerial_a parity_n be_v not_o more_o unwarrantable_a than_o inconvenient_a but_o 3._o as_o these_o reason_n do_v militat_fw-la against_o the_o controvert_v presidency_n in_o its_o great_a simplicity_n so_o the_o presidency_n now_o offer_v unto_o we_o for_o all_o the_o abatement_n pretend_v be_v still_o that_o of_o a_o bishop_n absolute_o at_o this_o majesty_n nomination_n not_o accountable_a to_o these_o over_o who_o he_o preside_v vest_v with_o great_a temporalitiesâ—_n and_o lastly_a whole_o dependent_a upon_o the_o beck_n of_o the_o supremacy_n be_v without_o all_o question_n a_o thing_n most_o anti-scriptural_a unreasonable_a &_o disconform_v to_o all_o pure_a antiquity_n now_o that_o thus_o it_o isâ—_n both_o as_o to_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n offeredâ—_n &_o the_o censure_n i_o have_v pass_v upon_o it_o i_o here_o open_o challenge_v the_o author_n and_o all_o his_o partaker_n if_o they_o dare_v adventure_v to_o contradict_v i_o what_o other_o construction_n can_v therefore_o be_v make_v of_o the_o allege_a condescendence_n then_o that_o in_o such_o a_o mixture_n they_o be_v only_o empty_a foolish_a pretension_n and_o what_o other_o judgement_n can_v be_v give_v upon_o the_o author_n offer_v to_o abate_v of_o his_o reasonable_a power_n warrant_v by_o primitive_a example_n then_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o reason_n and_o pure_a antiquity_n be_v no_o less_o false_a than_o the_o offer_v make_v be_v simulat_fw-la and_o elusory_a but_o see_v the_o author_n for_o all_o the_o warrant_n pretendedâ—_n do_v at_o least_o acknowledge_v himself_o not_o to_o be_v thereby_o astrict_v but_o that_o he_o can_v come_v &_o go_v in_o their_o matter_n at_o his_o pleasure_n if_o he_o do_v indeed_o sincere_o hate_v schism_n as_o he_o profess_v let_v hâ—m_n also_o confess_v the_o violence_n do_v both_o to_o our_o conscience_n and_o person_n in_o such_o free_a &_o arbitrary_a thing_n nay_o in_o his_o dialect_n trifle_n and_o repent_v of_o his_o late_a inconsiderate_a accession_n pass_o therefore_o his_o delude_a belief_n of_o the_o bishop_n their_o not_o be_v desirous_a to_o usurp_v any_o undue_a power_n but_o rather_o to_o abate_v contrary_a to_o their_o continual_a practice_n &_o the_o church_n experience_n now_o for_o the_o space_n of_o 1200_o year_n &_o upward_o and_o evident_o repugnant_a to_o the_o manifest_a conviction_n of_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o our_o case_n i_o go_v on_o to_o his_o next_o supposition_n viz._n that_o though_o bishop_n do_v stretch_v their_o power_n some_o what_o beyond_o their_o line_n yet_o let_v all_o the_o world_n judge_n whether_o minister_n be_v for_o that_o engage_v to_o leave_v their_o station_n and_o withdraw_v from_o these_o meeting_n for_o discipline_n which_o themselves_o approve_v and_o to_o this_o the_o answer_n be_v obvious_a that_o neither_o the_o sinful_a thrust_v in_o of_o bishop_n nor_o yet_o their_o excessive_a stretchinâ—s_n be_v the_o principal_a cause_n of_o our_o leave_v and_o withdraw_v when_o in_o former_a time_n k._n james_n introduce_v prelate_n into_o this_o church_n and_o they_o from_o time_n to_o time_n extend_v their_o usurpation_n many_o of_o the_o â—ords_n faithful_a servant_n in_o these_o day_n do_v neither_o desert_n nor_o withdraw_v but_o continue_v with_o much_o steadfastness_n do_v constant_o resist_v and_o testify_v against_o all_o the_o corruption_n then_o invade_v the_o true_a church-government_n whereof_o they_o be_v possess_v but_o as_o the_o author_n do_v here_o fallacious_o join_v our_o leave_v of_o our_o station_n which_o be_v false_a we_o have_v be_v thence_o violent_o expel_v and_o our_o withdraw_n from_o their_o meeting_n groundless_o allege_v to_o be_v by_o we_o approven_v which_o we_o hold_v to_o be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n so_o whoever_o consider_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o late_a overturning_a by_o summary_n eject_v of_o many_o of_o we_o dissolve_v all_o our_o church_n assembly_n establish_v a_o new_a government_n not_o in_o but_o over_o the_o church_n by_o the_o king_n and_o his_o prelate_n wherein_o we_o never_o have_v any_o place_n will_v easy_o be_v convincedâ—_n that_o we_o be_v not_o more_o calumnious_o accuse_v by_o these_o who_o will_v have_v their_o own_o crime_n to_o be_v our_o sin_n of_o leave_v our_o station_n then_o clear_o justifiable_a for_o withdraw_v from_o these_o their_o court_n which_o be_v whole_o dependent_a on_o the_o supremacy_n and_o very_o corrupt_a assembly_n which_o we_o never_o approve_v but_o have_v express_o abjure_v it_o be_v not_o therefore_o as_o g._n b._n apprehend_v it_o only_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o bishop_n undue_a assume_v of_o the_o presidency_n in_o these_o meeting_n nor_o yet_o because_o we_o be_v by_o they_o restrain_v in_o and_o debar_v from_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o power_n in_o ordination_n and_o excommunication_n although_o these_o be_v very_o material_a grievance_n that_o we_o do_v abstain_v from_o their_o court_n no_o but_o the_o plain_a truth_n be_v that_o over_z and_o above_o the_o forego_n cause_n we_o hold_v the_o very_a constitution_n to_o be_v so_o much_o alter_v from_o that_o of_o a_o true_a eccleasiastick_a judicatory_a call_v in_o our_o lord_n name_v and_o act_v by_o his_o authority_n unto_o meeting_n appoint_v mere_o by_o the_o king_n and_o recognosce_v his_o supremacy_n that_o we_o judge_v our_o not_o conveen_v therein_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v so_o much_o as_o term_v a_o privative_a withdraw_n but_o that_o it_o be_v in_o effect_n a_o negative_a disow_n of_o they_o as_o of_o assembly_n wherein_o we_o never_o have_v either_o part_n or_o place_n which_o be_v a_o ground_n by_o himself_o acknowledge_v as_o i_o â—ave_n above_o observe_v the_o doctor_n be_v argument_n that_o the_o ministry_n be_v a_o complexe_n power_n and_o that_o as_o some_o of_o we_o have_v accept_v a_o liberty_n to_o preach_v administer_v the_o sacrament_n and_o exercise_v discipline_n congregational_o without_o liberty_n to_o meet_v in_o presbytery_n and_o ordain_v so_o they_o may_v come_v to_o presbytery_n notwithstanding_o they_o shall_v be_v exclude_v fâ—om_o the_o full_a excercise_n of_o all_o their_o power_n be_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o nonexistence_n of_o the_o subject_n viz._n true_a presbytery_n utter_o cut_v off_o beside_o that_o it_o also_o labour_n of_o a_o manifest_a inconsequence_n in_o asmuch_o as_o a_o minister_n do_v in_o the_o first_o case_n all_o that_o he_o be_v permit_v and_o only_o forbear_v where_o a_o vis_fw-fr major_a do_v impede_fw-la be_v no_o just_a ground_n to_o infer_v that_o therefore_o in_o the_o second_o case_n he_o may_v come_v to_o a_o meeting_n and_o there_o by_o surcease_n the_o exercise_n of_o his_o function_n and_o make_v himself_o a_o câ—pher_n for_o strengthen_v &_o increase_n of_o the_o bishop_n usurpation_n in_o effect_n tacit_o surrender_v the_o power_n that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o maintain_v which_o tacit_a surrender_v i_o do_v real_o judge_v to_o be_v more_o strong_o imply_v aâ—d_v of_o a_o more_o sinistruous_a consequence_n then_o can_v be_v purge_v by_o a_o naked_a protestation_n especial_o the_o same_o be_v precontrive_v &_o capitulat_fw-la whereby_o without_o doubt_n the_o significancy_n of_o this_o remedy_n most_o commend_v by_o the_o necessity_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o surprisal_n of_o the_o