but_o they_o be_v only_o a_o visible_a number_n of_o saint_n we_o have_v be_v thus_o large_a in_o clear_v this_o scripture_n because_o we_o conceive_v the_o chief_a strength_n of_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n to_o lie_v in_o it_o and_o this_o be_v answer_v the_o light_n of_o it_o we_o hope_v will_v scatter_v the_o darkness_n that_o be_v bring_v upon_o divers_a other_o scripture_n which_o be_v draw_v to_o prove_v such_o a_o kind_n of_o catholic_n church_n as_o rom._n 12._o 4._o etc._n etc._n col._n 1._o 25._o 1_o tim._n 3._o 15._o ephes_n 4._o 11._o in_o which_o last_o scripture_n we_o never_o doubt_v but_o that_o the_o officer_n be_v give_v not_o for_o that_o particular_a church_n of_o ephesus_n only_o much_o less_o to_o such_o a_o diminutive_a congregation_n consist_v of_o 40_o 60_o or_o 100_o only_a as_o if_o we_o intend_v to_o impawn_v all_o power_n in_o this_o or_o that_o congregational_a body_n but_o to_o a_o congregationall_a church_n consider_v as_o the_o genus_fw-la of_o all_o 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large_a as_o it_o be_v impossible_a yea_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a parallel_n james_n 2._o 2._o where_o writing_n to_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n scatter_v abroad_o yet_o he_o speak_v of_o a_o man_n come_v into_o their_o assembly_n which_o can_v be_v mean_v collective_o as_o if_o they_o have_v one_o assembly_n among_o they_o all_o but_o distributive_o of_o any_o assembly_n 2_o though_o they_o be_v call_v a_o flock_n not_o flock_n yet_o this_o as_o baines_n observe_v be_v not_o because_o it_o be_v one_o flock_n real_o in_o themselves_o but_o in_o some_o respect_n of_o reason_n which_o also_o he_o expound_v to_o be_v per_fw-la internam_fw-la we_o have_v rather_o say_v spiritualem_fw-la unionem_fw-la but_o not_o per_fw-la externam_fw-la combinationem_fw-la in_o respect_n of_o which_o spiritual_a union_n that_o be_v true_a which_o mr._n ball_n cit_v out_o of_o cyprian_a etsi_fw-la pastor_n 7._o multi_fw-la sumus_fw-la unam_fw-la tamen_fw-la gregem_fw-la pascimus_fw-la as_o also_o that_o there_o be_v episcopatus_fw-la unus_fw-la &_o ecclesia_fw-la una_fw-la in_o toto_fw-la mundo_fw-la hence_o also_o may_v appear_v a_o answer_n to_o divers_a argument_n the_o chief_a whereof_o we_o shall_v run_v through_o object_n 1._o if_o by_o baptism_n we_o be_v not_o admit_v into_o one_o particular_a church_n but_o into_o the_o whole_a catholic_n visible_a church_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 13._o then_o there_o be_v such_o a_o catholic_n church_n answ_n baptism_n admit_v we_o into_o the_o whole_a mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n whether_o visible_a or_o invisible_a of_o all_o age_n but_o this_o be_v not_o a_o catholic_n political_a body_n of_o which_o we_o speak_v for_o then_o every_o baptize_v person_n shall_v be_v a_o member_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n and_o have_v a_o oaâ—e_n in_o every_o boat_n in_o elect_a officer_n admit_v member_n censure_v offender_n etc._n etc._n which_o mr._n ball_n will_v not_o grant_v and_o indeed_o will_v bring_v in_o endless_a confusion_n into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n beside_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o member_n of_o any_o combine_a society_n without_o their_o consent_n for_o otherwise_o so_o many_o may_v crowd_n into_o the_o church_n because_o baptize_v as_o shall_v overthrow_v the_o edification_n thereof_o and_o that_o against_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o the_o officer_n thereof_o object_n 2._o when_o any_o scandalous_a person_n be_v deliver_v to_o satan_n he_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n ergo_fw-la he_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n for_o be_v can_v be_v cast_v out_o who_o be_v never_o within_o answ_n 1_o some_o answer_n that_o he_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o all_o only_o consequenter_fw-la by_o reason_n of_o communion_n of_o church_n neither_o do_v we_o see_v that_o this_o be_v take_v away_o by_o say_v that_o as_o when_o the_o left_a hand_n cut_v off_o a_o finger_n of_o the_o right_a hand_n it_o be_v not_o the_o left_a hand_n only_o that_o cut_v it_o off_o but_o the_o whole_a man_n deliberate_a reason_n and_o will_n consent_v for_o if_o this_o similitude_n will_v suit_v than_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n must_v be_v call_v to_o consult_v and_o consent_v antecedenter_n before_o a_o particular_a church_n can_v cut_v off_o any_o member_n which_o ordinary_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v attain_v 2_o but_o further_o according_a to_o our_o former_a principle_n lay_v down_o we_o say_v he_o that_o be_v just_o cast_v out_o of_o one_o church_n he_o be_v moral_o excommunicate_v out_o of_o all_o but_o not_o political_o and_o formal_o for_o to_o excommunicate_v political_o and_o formal_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o superior_a authority_n next_o under_o christ_n so_o that_o what_o be_v bind_v by_o they_o be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n in_o which_o act_n the_o minister_n do_v not_o only_o bind_v the_o person_n but_o also_o by_o virtue_n of_o he_o office_n charge_v the_o church_n not_o to_o have_v communion_n with_o he_o but_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o our_o brethren_n will_v say_v that_o one_o church_n put_v forth_o such_o a_o act_n of_o superior_a authority_n bind_v or_o charge_v all_o church_n politicè_fw-la and_o judicialitèr_v not_o to_o have_v communion_n with_o he_o for_o so_o one_o church_n shall_v exercise_v jurisdiction_n overall_a church_n and_o that_o without_o their_o actual_a approbation_n for_o quod_fw-la spectat_fw-la ad_fw-la omnes_fw-la debet_fw-la ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la approbari_fw-la if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o a_o particular_a church_n do_v excommunicate_a by_o a_o intrinsical_a power_n not_o only_o in_o itself_o but_o intrinsical_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n the_o question_n will_v be_v what_o be_v that_o intrinsical_v power_n be_v it_o natural_a or_o voluntary_a to_o say_v it_o be_v natural_a be_v too_o absurd_a if_o voluntary_a than_o neither_o congregation_n class_n province_n nation_n have_v power_n to_o excommunicate_v without_o the_o praevious_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n which_o must_v voluntary_o concur_v thereunto_o and_o if_o the_o catholic_n presbytery_n as_o be_v say_v have_v no_o next_o but_o a_o a_o remote_a power_n of_o excommunication_n and_o this_o remote_a power_n be_v extraordinary_a or_o raro_fw-la contingens_fw-la or_o almost_o never_o than_o the_o ordinary_a power_n of_o excommunication_n which_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o be_v not_o from_o a_o intrinsical_a power_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_a on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o it_o be_v say_v this_o power_n be_v in_o the_o whole_a but_o not_o derive_v from_o the_o whole_a to_o the_o part_n as_o the_o power_n of_o see_v be_v first_o in_o the_o man_n then_o in_o the_o eye_n yet_o not_o derive_v from_o hand_n leg_n shoulder_n etc._n etc._n and_o as_o the_o great_a body_n of_o the_o sun_n have_v intrinsical_v light_n in_o every_o part_n not_o by_o derivation_n from_o one_o part_n to_o another_o so_o this_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v from_o christ_n the_o head_n to_o all_o the_o integral_a part_n in_o point_n that_o several_o concern_v the_o same_o first_o if_o this_o be_v so_o than_o every_o particular_a congregation_n receive_v its_o power_n of_o the_o key_n immediate_o from_o christ_n not_o by_o derivation_n from_o any_o presbytery_n or_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o be_v in_o that_o respect_n independent_a neither_o also_o can_v congregation_n derive_v the_o power_n seat_v in_o they_o to_o presbytery_n nor_o any_o great_a body_n take_v it_o from_o they_o second_o though_o we_o acknowledge_v this_o intrinsical_a power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o particular_a congregation_n as_o be_v there_o proper_o seat_v by_o christ_n yet_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o political_a church_n classical_a provincial_n national_n or_o catholic_n that_o have_v any_o such_o intrinsical_a power_n as_o be_v in_o the_o sun_n this_o be_v not_o yet_o prove_v to_o our_o understanding_n we_o deny_v not_o the_o use_n of_o lesser_a and_o great_a synod_n nor_o
a_o treatise_n of_o liturgy_n power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o of_o matter_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o reverend_a servant_n of_o christ_n mr._n john_n ball._n by_o thomas_n shephard_n sometime_o fellow_n of_o emanuel-colledge_n in_o cambridge_n and_o late_a pastor_n of_o cambridge_n in_o new-england_n veritas_fw-la nihil_fw-la erubescit_fw-la praeterquam_fw-la abscondi_fw-la turtul_n sua_fw-la silentia_fw-la amat_fw-la spiritus_fw-la per_fw-la quae_fw-la nobis_fw-la illabitur_fw-la seque_fw-la insinuat_fw-la cupidis_fw-la non_fw-la gloriae_fw-la sed_fw-la cognoscendae_fw-la veritatis_fw-la melanct._n let_v the_o blessing_n come_v upon_o the_o head_n of_o joseph_n and_o upon_o the_o top_n of_o the_o head_n of_o he_o that_o be_v separate_v from_o his_o brethren_n deut._n 33._o 16._o london_n print_v by_o e._n cotes_n for_o andrew_n crook_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o the_o green_a dragon_n in_o paul_n churchyard_n 1653._o the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n it_o be_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n before_o pilate_n when_o he_o question_v with_o he_o about_o his_o kingdom_n john_n 18._o 37._o that_o for_o this_o cause_n he_o be_v bear_v and_o come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o bear_v witness_n of_o the_o truth_n many_o truth_n about_o the_o spiritual_a kingdom_n of_o christ_n have_v he_o impart_v to_o we_o if_o therefore_o we_o be_v bear_v into_o the_o world_n or_o send_v into_o this_o wilderness_n to_o bear_v witness_n to_o his_o truth_n it_o be_v unto_o we_o reward_v sufficient_a that_o we_o shall_v be_v witness_n thereunto_o even_o to_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n we_o confess_v we_o have_v be_v too_o slow_a in_o this_o service_n of_o christ_n not_o have_v to_o this_o day_n set_v forth_o a_o unanimous_a confession_n of_o that_o form_n of_o wholesome_a word_n which_o be_v preach_v receive_v and_o profess_v in_o these_o church_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o which_o we_o be_v not_o unmindful_a of_o though_o our_o distance_n and_o other_o difficulty_n may_v delay_v the_o opportunity_n but_o this_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o profess_v in_o general_a that_o so_o far_o as_o we_o know_v there_o be_v the_o same_o bless_a spirit_n of_o truth_n breathe_v in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o country_n the_o same_o faith_n embrace_v and_o profess_v in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v general_o receive_v as_o the_o orthodox_n doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n and_o particular_o by_o our_o godly_a learned_a brethren_n of_o england_n and_o scotland_n and_o though_o error_n have_v spring_v up_o among_o we_o and_o some_o be_v go_v out_o from_o we_o that_o we_o fear_v be_v not_o of_o we_o yet_o we_o have_v bear_v witness_n against_o they_o and_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n by_o the_o breath_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o servant_n they_o have_v be_v blast_v neither_o do_v we_o understand_v that_o these_o church_n be_v accuse_v of_o any_o error_n about_o the_o save_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o we_o think_v ourselves_o not_o so_o much_o call_v of_o god_n to_o such_o a_o confession_n at_o present_a as_o to_o clear_v up_o to_o the_o world_n those_o truth_n we_o profess_v about_o the_o kingdom_n and_o government_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n which_o be_v the_o great_a work_n of_o this_o age_n and_o of_o this_o nick_n of_o time_n and_o yet_o here_o also_o we_o fear_v that_o we_o have_v be_v too_o slack_a for_o though_o it_o be_v say_v we_o be_v the_o volunteer_n such_o as_o cry_v up_o this_o way_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o it_o seem_v we_o be_v apprehend_v to_o be_v one_o cause_n of_o these_o present_a difference_n yet_o if_o thing_n be_v well_o weigh_v we_o may_v seem_v rather_o to_o be_v far_o behind_o in_o the_o duty_n that_o lie_v upon_o we_o indeed_o some_o brief_a answer_n send_v over_o to_o some_o particular_a person_n to_o satisfy_v brethren_n what_o our_o practice_n be_v with_o some_o brief_a touch_n of_o our_o reason_n rather_o then_o to_o discuss_v those_o point_n have_v be_v print_v by_o some_o without_o our_o knowledge_n or_o assent_v upon_o what_o ground_n they_o best_o know_v and_o some_o short_a treatise_n by_o some_o reverend_a brethren_n have_v be_v publish_v to_o declare_v their_o affectionate_a desire_n of_o the_o unanimous_a endeavour_n of_o all_o our_o dear_a brethren_n for_o a_o general_a and_o holy_a reformation_n but_o what_o have_v be_v say_v or_o do_v that_o either_o may_v just_o offend_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o godly_a provoke_v their_o spirit_n disunite_v their_o affection_n or_o hinder_v a_o godly_a reformation_n yea_o we_o have_v be_v too_o slow_a to_o clear_v our_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n from_o the_o many_o objection_n harsh_a interpretation_n and_o manifold_a crimination_n cast_v upon_o the_o same_o wherein_o we_o fear_v our_o loathness_n to_o intermeddle_v in_o these_o controversy_n for_o fear_n of_o make_v the_o breach_n wide_o among_o brethren_n and_o our_o desire_n rather_o to_o attend_v what_o light_n we_o may_v receive_v from_o other_o in_o these_o point_n wherein_o we_o profess_v ourselves_o seeker_n after_o the_o truth_n have_v make_v we_o guilty_a of_o neglect_n in_o this_o our_o duty_n but_o now_o we_o see_v ourselves_o press_v hereto_o by_o a_o necessity_n of_o justify_v our_o way_n against_o the_o many_o aspersion_n cast_v upon_o they_o as_o well_o as_o against_o the_o reason_n use_v against_o they_o for_o we_o perceive_v by_o the_o first_o letter_n of_o our_o brethren_n how_o the_o withdraw_a of_o christian_n from_o the_o liturgy_n be_v impute_v to_o we_o and_o by_o this_o reply_n both_o in_o the_o epistle_n and_o divers_a passage_n we_o can_v but_o see_v what_o apprehension_n be_v raise_v of_o we_o yea_o many_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o if_o we_o have_v say_v nothing_o yet_o our_o very_a act_n in_o forsake_v the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o our_o dear_a native_a country_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n there_o together_o with_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o church_n think_v to_o be_v so_o different_a from_o the_o reform_a church_n have_v be_v not_o only_o a_o great_a weaken_n to_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o godly_a that_o have_v stand_v by_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n but_o also_o have_v cause_v great_a disturbance_n to_o the_o reformation_n in_o hand_n to_o which_o much_o may_v be_v say_v but_o that_o we_o shall_v exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o epistle_n yet_o let_v we_o entreat_v all_o the_o godly_a wise_a to_o consider_v and_o look_v back_o upon_o the_o season_n of_o this_o great_a enterprise_n undertake_v by_o we_o and_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o proceed_n in_o it_o with_o the_o admirable_a work_n of_o god_n providence_n first_o and_o last_o about_o it_o and_o we_o think_v though_o we_o be_v silent_a they_o may_v easy_o satisfy_v themselves_o whether_o this_o be_v of_o god_n or_o man_n a_o sinful_a neglect_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n or_o a_o manifest_a attestation_n to_o the_o truth_n by_o open_a profession_n against_o corruption_n of_o worship_n in_o use_n and_o for_o the_o necessity_n of_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o confirm_v by_o no_o small_a degree_n of_o suffering_n for_o the_o same_o for_o be_v it_o not_o a_o time_n when_o humane_a worship_n and_o invention_n be_v grow_v to_o such_o a_o intolerable_a height_n that_o the_o conscience_n of_o god_n saint_n and_o servant_n enlighten_v in_o the_o truth_n can_v no_o long_o bear_v they_o be_v not_o the_o power_n of_o the_o tyrannical_a prelate_n so_o great_a that_o like_o a_o strong_a current_n carry_v all_o down_o stream_n before_o it_o what_o ever_o be_v from_o the_o law_n or_o otherwise_o set_v in_o their_o way_n do_v not_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n general_o fail_v they_o where_o be_v the_o people_n to_o be_v find_v that_o will_v cleave_v to_o their_o godly_a minister_n in_o their_o suffering_n but_o rather_o think_v it_o their_o discretion_n to_o provide_v for_o their_o own_o quiet_a and_o safety_n yea_o when_o some_o free_o in_o zeal_n of_o the_o truth_n preach_v or_o profess_v against_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o time_n do_v not_o some_o take_v offence_n at_o it_o judge_v it_o rashness_n and_o to_o be_v against_o all_o rule_n of_o discretion_n who_o since_o be_v ready_a to_o censure_v we_o for_o desert_v the_o cause_n many_o then_o think_v it_o be_v a_o evil_a time_n the_o prudent_a shall_v hold_v their_o peace_n and_o may_v we_o not_o say_v this_o be_v not_o our_o rest_a place_n and_o what_o will_v man_n have_v we_o do_v in_o such_o a_o case_n must_v we_o study_v some_o distinction_n to_o salve_v our_o conscience_n in_o comply_v with_o so_o manifold_a corruption_n in_o god_n worship_n or_o shall_v we_o live_v without_o god_n ordinance_n because_o we_o can_v not_o partake_v in_o the_o corrupt_a administration_n thereof_o or_o content_v ourselves_o to_o live_v
without_o those_o ordinance_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o communion_n of_o saint_n which_o he_o call_v we_o unto_o and_o our_o soul_n breathe_v after_o or_o shall_v we_o forsake_v the_o public_a assembly_n and_o join_v together_o in_o private_a separate_a church_n how_o unsufferable_a it_o will_v then_o have_v be_v the_o great_a offence_n that_o now_o be_v take_v at_o it_o be_v a_o full_a evidence_n and_o if_o in_o city_n or_o some_o such_o great_a town_n that_o may_v have_v be_v do_v yet_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o so_o many_o scatter_a christian_n all_o over_o the_o country_n it_o be_v true_a we_o may_v have_v suffer_v if_o we_o have_v seek_v it_o we_o may_v easy_o have_v find_v the_o way_n to_o have_v fill_v the_o prison_n and_o some_o have_v their_o share_n therein_o but_o whether_o we_o be_v call_v thereunto_o when_o a_o wide_a door_n be_v set_v open_a of_o liberty_n otherwise_o and_o our_o witness_n to_o the_o truth_n through_o the_o malignant_a policy_n of_o those_o time_n can_v not_o be_v open_a before_o the_o world_n but_o rather_o smother_v up_o in_o close_a prison_n or_o some_o such_o way_n together_o with_o ourselves_o we_o leave_v to_o be_v consider_v we_o can_v see_v but_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o saint_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o god_n saint_n in_o all_o age_n may_v allow_v we_o this_o liberty_n as_o well_o as_o other_o to_o fly_v into_o the_o wilderness_n from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o dragon_n but_o if_o it_o have_v be_v so_o that_o the_o godly_a minister_n and_o christian_n that_o flee_v to_o new-england_n be_v the_o most_o timorous_a and_o faint_a heart_a of_o all_o their_o brethren_n that_o stay_v behind_o and_o that_o those_o suffering_n be_v nothing_o in_o comparison_n of_o their_o brethren_n for_o why_o shall_v any_o bâ—ast_n of_o suffering_n yet_o who_o do_v not_o know_v that_o the_o spirit_n who_o give_v various_a gift_n and_o all_o to_o profit_v withal_o in_o such_o time_n do_v single_a out_o every_o one_o to_o such_o work_n as_o he_o in_o wisdom_n intend_v to_o call_v they_o unto_o and_o who_o the_o lord_n will_v honour_v by_o suffer_v for_o his_o cause_n by_o imprisonment_n etc._n etc._n he_o give_v they_o spirit_n suitable_a thereto_o who_o the_o lord_n will_v reserve_v for_o other_o service_n or_o employ_v in_o other_o place_n high_a incline_v their_o heart_n rather_o to_o fly_v give_v they_o a_o heart_n suitable_a to_o such_o a_o condition_n it_o be_v a_o case_n of_o conscience_n frequent_o put_v and_o oft_o resolve_v by_o holy_a bradford_n peter_n martyr_n philpot_n and_o other_o in_o queen_n mary_n bloody_a day_n viz._n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o flee_v out_o of_o the_o land_n to_o which_o their_o answer_n be_v that_o if_o god_n give_v a_o spirit_n of_o courage_n and_o willingness_n to_o glorify_v he_o by_o suffering_n they_o shall_v stay_v but_o if_o they_o find_v not_o such_o a_o spirit_n they_o may_v lawful_o fly_v yea_o they_o advise_v they_o thereunto_o those_o servant_n of_o christ_n though_o full_a of_o the_o spirit_n of_o glory_n and_o of_o christ_n to_o outface_v the_o great_a persecuter_n in_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n unto_o the_o death_n yet_o do_v not_o complain_v of_o the_o cowardice_n of_o such_o as_o flee_v because_o they_o desert_v they_o and_o the_o cause_n but_o rather_o advise_v divers_a so_o to_o do_v and_o rejoice_v when_o god_n give_v liberty_n to_o their_o brethren_n to_o escape_v with_o their_o life_n to_o the_o place_n of_o liberty_n to_o serve_v the_o lord_n according_a to_o his_o word_n neither_o be_v those_o faithful_a saint_n and_o servant_n of_o god_n useless_a and_o unprofitable_a in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o flee_v from_o the_o bloody_a prelate_n the_o infinite_a and_o only_a wise_a god_n have_v many_o work_n to_o do_v in_o the_o world_n and_o he_o do_v by_o his_o singular_a providence_n give_v gift_n to_o his_o servant_n and_o dispose_v they_o to_o his_o work_n as_o seem_v best_a to_o himself_o if_o the_o lord_n will_v have_v some_o to_o bear_v witness_n by_o imprisonment_n dismember_n etc._n etc._n we_o honour_v they_o therein_o if_o he_o will_v have_v other_o instrumental_a to_o promote_v reformation_n in_o england_n we_o honour_v they_o and_o rejoice_v in_o their_o holy_a endeavour_n pray_v for_o a_o blessing_n upon_o themselves_o and_o labour_n and_o what_o if_o god_n will_v have_v his_o church_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n go_v up_o also_o in_o these_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o his_o name_n may_v be_v know_v to_o the_o heathen_a or_o whatsoever_o other_o end_n he_o have_v and_o to_o this_o end_n will_v send_v forth_o a_o company_n of_o weakhearted_a christian_n which_o dare_v not_o stay_v at_o home_n to_o suffer_v why_o shall_v we_o not_o let_v the_o lord_n alone_o and_o rejoice_v that_o christ_n be_v preach_v howsoever_o and_o wheresoever_o and_o who_o can_v say_v that_o this_o work_n be_v not_o undertake_v and_o carry_v on_o with_o sincere_a and_o right_a end_n and_o in_o a_o holy_a serious_a manner_n by_o the_o chief_a and_o the_o body_n of_o such_o as_o undertake_v the_o same_o the_o lord_n know_v whether_o the_o sincere_a desire_n of_o worship_v himself_o according_a to_o his_o will_n of_o promote_a and_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n be_v not_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o very_a many_o in_o this_o enterprise_n and_o he_o that_o see_v in_o secret_a and_o reward_v open_o know_v what_o prayer_n and_o tear_n have_v be_v pour_v out_o to_o god_n by_o many_o alone_a and_o in_o day_n of_o fast_v and_o prayer_n of_o god_n servant_n together_o for_o his_o counsel_n direction_n assistance_n blessing_n in_o this_o work_n how_o many_o long_n and_o pant_n of_o heart_n have_v be_v in_o many_o after_o the_o lord_n jesus_n to_o see_v his_o go_n in_o his_o sanctuary_n as_o the_o one_o thing_n their_o soul_n desire_v and_o request_v of_o god_n that_o they_o may_v dwell_v in_o his_o house_n for_o ever_o the_o fruit_n of_o which_o prayer_n and_o desire_n this_o liberty_n of_o new-england_n have_v be_v take_v to_o be_v and_o thankful_o receive_v from_o god_n yea_o how_o many_o serious_a consultation_n with_o one_o another_o and_o with_o the_o faithful_a minister_n and_o other_o eminent_a servant_n of_o christ_n have_v be_v take_v about_o this_o work_n be_v not_o unknown_a to_o some_o which_o clear_v we_o from_o any_o rash_a heady_a rush_v into_o this_o place_n out_o of_o discontent_n as_o many_o be_v ready_a to_o conceive_v we_o will_v here_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o person_n who_o heart_n the_o lord_n stir_v up_o in_o this_o business_n sure_o all_o be_v not_o rash_a weake-spirited_n inconsiderate_a of_o what_o they_o leave_v behind_o or_o of_o what_o it_o be_v to_o go_v into_o a_o wilderness_n but_o if_o it_o be_v well_o know_v and_o consider_v or_o if_o we_o be_v able_a to_o express_v and_o recount_v the_o singular_a work_n of_o divine_a providence_n for_o the_o bring_n on_o of_o this_o work_n to_o what_o it_o be_v come_v unto_o it_o will_v stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o all_o that_o have_v not_o a_o heart_n to_o accuse_v and_o blaspheme_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o his_o glorious_a work_n whatever_o many_o may_v say_v or_o think_v we_o believe_v aftertime_n will_v admire_v and_o adore_v the_o lord_n herein_o when_o all_o his_o holy_a end_n and_o the_o way_n he_o have_v use_v to_o bring_v they_o about_o shall_v appear_v look_v from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o heaven_n to_o another_o whether_o the_o lord_n have_v assay_v to_o do_v such_o a_o work_n as_o this_o in_o any_o nation_n so_o to_o carry_v out_o a_o people_n of_o his_o own_o from_o so_o flourish_v a_o state_n to_o a_o wilderness_n so_o far_o distant_a for_o such_o end_n and_o for_o such_o a_o work_n yea_o and_o in_o few_o year_n have_v do_v for_o they_o as_o he_o have_v here_o do_v for_o his_o poor_a despise_a people_n when_o we_o look_v back_o and_o consider_v what_o a_o strange_a poise_n of_o spirit_n the_o lord_n have_v lay_v upon_o many_o of_o our_o heart_n we_o can_v but_o wonder_v at_o ourselves_o that_o so_o many_o and_o some_o so_o weak_a and_o tender_a with_o such_o cheerfulness_n and_o constant_a resolution_n against_o so_o many_o persuasion_n of_o friend_n discouragement_n from_o the_o ill_a report_n of_o this_o country_n the_o strait_n want_n and_o trial_n of_o god_n people_n in_o it_o etc._n etc._n yet_o shall_v leave_v our_o accommodation_n and_o comfort_n shall_v forsake_v our_o dear_a relation_n parent_n brethren_n sister_n christian_a friend_n and_o acquaintance_n overlook_v all_o the_o danger_n and_o difficulty_n of_o the_o vast_a sea_n the_o thought_n whereof_o be_v a_o terror_n to_o many_o and_o all_o this_o to_o go_v to_o a_o wilderness_n where_o we_o can_v forecast_v nothing_o but_o care_n
doctrine_n and_o practice_n about_o church-government_n when_o we_o give_v discipline_n as_o well_o as_o other_o ordinance_n to_o particular_a church_n not_o subject_v they_o to_o any_o government_n out_o of_o themselves_o but_o only_o to_o take_v the_o brotherly_a counsel_n and_o help_v one_o of_o another_o but_o how_o this_o shall_v hinder_v a_o general_a reformation_n we_o see_v not_o for_o if_o every_o church_n so_o reform_v themselves_o as_o be_v aforesaid_a and_o have_v such_o officer_n over_o they_o as_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n require_v 1_o tim._n 3._o tit._n 2._o we_o need_v not_o fear_v to_o betrust_v the_o church_n have_v such_o officer_n with_o that_o power_n which_o we_o conceive_v christ_n have_v give_v to_o the_o same_o other_o church_n watch_v over_o they_o counsel_v and_o admonish_v they_o in_o the_o lord_n but_o if_o there_o be_v not_o such_o a_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o such_o guide_v set_v over_o they_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o a_o presbytery_n of_o such_o pastor_n as_o may_v not_o be_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n may_v as_o much_o abuse_v they_o as_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v do_v and_o it_o may_v be_v to_o the_o hurt_n of_o many_o who_o will_v use_v they_o better_o in_o their_o own_o congregation_n than_o they_o can_v in_o a_o classis_fw-la be_v over-voted_n there_o and_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o both_o the_o care_n of_o reform_v the_o matter_n of_o a_o church_n and_o the_o recall_v of_o the_o power_n of_o government_n to_o the_o church_n tend_v much_o to_o further_o this_o work_n of_o reformation_n no_o way_n to_o hinder_v the_o same_o and_o if_o we_o may_v obtain_v that_o of_o our_o dear_a brethren_n which_o we_o humble_o crave_v viz._n that_o our_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n may_v be_v take_v candid_o according_a to_o our_o plain_a meaning_n and_o declaration_n and_o not_o represent_v unto_o the_o world_n under_o such_o shape_n and_o form_n as_o make_v it_o seem_v rigid_a all_o one_o with_o the_o most_o rigid_a separatist_n donatist_n arminian_n socinian_o etc._n etc._n we_o shall_v hope_v that_o we_o shall_v go_v for_o lover_n and_o friend_n to_o a_o godly_a and_o general_a reformation_n not_o for_o disturber_n of_o the_o same_o but_o the_o contrary_a deal_n we_o meet_v with_o too_o too_o oft_o through_o the_o mistake_v of_o brethren_n this_o learned_a author_n mr._n ball_n though_o in_o the_o epistle_n he_o desire_v we_o to_o rest_v assure_v that_o although_o he_o have_v conceive_v such_o thought_n of_o we_o as_o lean_v to_o separation_n yet_o he_o will_v glad_o receive_v every_o syllable_n from_o we_o that_o shall_v dislodge_v such_o thought_n yet_o against_o our_o plain_a profession_n sometime_o he_o will_v needs_o fasten_v the_o opinion_n of_o separation_n upon_o we_o and_o very_o frequent_o set_v mr._n robinson_n in_o a_o parallel_n with_o our_o opinion_n as_o if_o we_o general_o go_v that_o way_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v well_o know_v to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o many_o of_o our_o godly_a and_o best_a reformer_n the_o learned_a may_v plain_o see_v how_o easy_a it_o have_v be_v for_o we_o and_o upon_o better_a ground_n to_o have_v fill_v our_o margin_n with_o quotation_n out_o of_o papist_n and_o prelate_n as_o parallel_v with_o many_o passage_n of_o this_o reply_n but_o we_o have_v purposely_o abstain_v from_o so_o do_v that_o we_o may_v not_o cast_v any_o blur_v or_o provoke_v the_o spirit_n of_o brethren_n and_o see_v we_o be_v enforce_v to_o wipe_v off_o such_o aspersion_n we_o humble_o desire_v our_o belove_a brethren_n who_o learned_a labour_n we_o honour_v to_o bear_v with_o we_o if_o we_o light_o touch_v this_o sore_a for_o we_o confess_v it_o bring_v blush_v into_o our_o face_n and_o sadness_n to_o our_o heart_n to_o read_v so_o often_o such_o harsh_a imputation_n cast_v upon_o we_o which_o we_o can_v conceive_v but_o fall_v from_o such_o pen_n they_o breed_v a_o strange_a loathe_n of_o we_o in_o the_o stomach_n of_o many_o that_o read_v book_n without_o serious_a examination_n thereof_o first_o how_o oft_o do_v we_o meet_v with_o that_o imputation_n that_o we_o make_v none_o member_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n but_o such_o as_o be_v real_o saint_n and_o believer_n contrary_a to_o our_o frequent_a profession_n that_o visible_a saint_n that_o be_v such_o in_o judgement_n of_o charity_n be_v fit_a matter_n of_o the_o church_n second_o that_o we_o make_v a_o vocal_a church_n oath_n or_o covenant_n the_o essential_a form_n of_o a_o church_n when_o as_o we_o frequent_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o covenant_n which_o constitute_v a_o church_n iâ—_n either_o implicit_a or_o explicit_a and_o that_o congregation_n in_o england_n be_v true_o church_n have_v a_o implicit_a covenant_n and_o it_o be_v far_o from_o our_o practice_n to_o use_v any_o oath_n in_o our_o covenant_n and_o strange_a to_o we_o to_o read_v so_o many_o page_n against_o our_o church_n oath_n and_o swear_v to_o a_o covenant_n to_o make_v our_o course_n horrid_a and_o too_o too_o rigorous_a three_o that_o we_o set_v up_o a_o popular_a government_n make_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n no_o more_o but_o moderator_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o minister_n receive_v their_o power_n from_o the_o people_n be_v their_o servant_n and_o administer_v in_o their_o name_n as_o mr._n ball_n and_o other_o object_n when_o we_o oft_o profess_v the_o contrary_a that_o all_o authority_n proper_o so_o call_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o elder_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v carry_v in_o a_o way_n of_o subjection_n and_o obedience_n to_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n neither_o do_v it_o follow_v from_o any_o doctrine_n of_o we_o no_o more_o then_o from_o the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n by_o the_o presbytery_n that_o they_o be_v their_o servant_n etc._n etc._n four_o that_o if_o a_o congregation_n reject_v a_o pastor_n for_o no_o fault_n they_o take_v both_o nomen_fw-la &_o esse_fw-la the_o name_n and_o nature_n of_o a_o pastor_n from_o he_o for_o this_o the_o reader_n be_v refer_v to_o our_o answer_n of_o the_o twenty_o five_o question_n of_o the_o thirty_o two_o question_n send_v unto_o we_o where_o nothing_o at_o all_o be_v say_v but_o reference_n be_v make_v to_o our_o answer_n to_o the_o nine_o question_n among_o which_o the_o seven_o be_v of_o this_o very_a point_n our_o answer_n be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o be_v impute_v to_o we_o our_o word_n be_v these_o concern_v the_o minister_n himself_o thus_o depose_v etc._n etc._n we_o conceive_v though_o he_o be_v by_o they_o deprive_v of_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o ministry_n among_o they_o yet_o until_o he_o accept_v of_o a_o call_n to_o another_o people_n he_o still_o remain_v a_o minister_n of_o christ_n in_o who_o account_n he_o have_v true_a right_n of_o administration_n among_o the_o people_n now_o if_o he_o remain_v a_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o have_v true_a right_a to_o administer_v let_v any_o judge_n whether_o we_o take_v away_o nomen_fw-la or_o esse_fw-la or_o that_o we_o make_v church_n censure_n work_v ex_fw-la opere_fw-la operato_fw-la cleave_v errante_fw-la as_o be_v also_o impute_v to_o we_o many_o such_o mistake_v we_o find_v but_o let_v these_o suffice_v to_o inform_v the_o reader_n how_o wary_a he_o have_v need_n be_v in_o receive_v such_o report_n against_o brethren_n and_o this_o charity_n we_o have_v cause_v the_o more_o earnest_o to_o crave_v of_o all_o that_o they_o will_v reserve_v one_o ear_n to_o hear_v what_o their_o poor_a outcast_a brethren_n can_v say_v for_o themselves_o because_o we_o be_v place_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n and_o disadvantage_n that_o ofttimes_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o such_o objection_n and_o return_v a_o answer_n under_o a_o year_n or_o almost_o two_o year_n whereby_o satan_n have_v a_o marvelous_a advantage_n to_o work_v strange_a thoughtâ—_n and_o distasteful_a affection_n towards_o we_o and_o fasten_v they_o so_o deep_o that_o hardly_o they_o will_v be_v take_v off_o again_o but_o thus_o it_o fall_v out_o too_o too_o frequent_o that_o when_o brethren_n otherwise_o dear_a to_o each_o other_o differ_v in_o their_o judgement_n and_o break_v out_o to_o open_a contention_n about_o the_o same_o they_o be_v very_o apt_a to_o make_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o contrary_a party_n as_o unpleasing_a and_o absurd_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o other_o as_o may_v be_v whence_o grief_n offence_n and_o alienation_n of_o affection_n through_o the_o subtlety_n of_o satan_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o our_o heart_n be_v ready_a to_o follow_v and_o this_o make_v we_o both_o fearful_a of_o ourselves_o lest_o we_o shall_v give_v way_n to_o any_o unloving_a thought_n towards_o the_o dear_a servant_n of_o christ_n or_o return_v any_o offensive_a language_n unto_o they_o yea_o this_o cause_v we_o
be_v not_o this_o fulfil_v in_o these_o time_n which_o we_o wish_v may_v well_o be_v lay_v to_o heart_n the_o second_o thing_n which_o we_o conceive_v may_v chief_o hinder_v this_o close_n be_v that_o point_n of_o church_n government_n which_o concern_v the_o power_n and_o liberty_n of_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n and_o here_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v the_o distance_n be_v too_o great_a for_o on_o the_o one_o side_n we_o can_v see_v either_o by_o treatise_n or_o by_o the_o directory_n for_o worship_n that_o congregation_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v complete_a church_n especial_o stand_v among_o other_o church_n or_o that_o any_o power_n or_o liberty_n be_v give_v to_o they_o to_o administer_v church_n censure_n no_o not_o so_o long_o as_o they_o administer_v right_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n but_o all_o such_o power_n be_v take_v indeed_o from_o the_o church_n though_o in_o word_n they_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v to_o strengthen_v they_o and_o if_o this_o also_o come_v down_o from_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o so_o to_o lesser_a synod_n the_o great_a part_n have_v power_n over_o the_o less_o as_o it_o be_v jure_fw-la divino_fw-la it_o will_v strike_v sore_o at_o the_o liberty_n and_o power_n of_o particular_a church_n but_o what_o here_o to_o say_v of_o the_o distance_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n we_o can_v tell_v we_o see_v or_o read_v nothing_o but_o that_o our_o dear_a and_o honour_a brethren_n do_v free_o embrace_v communion_n of_o church_n in_o consultative_a synod_n for_o the_o brotherly_a help_n of_o each_o other_o and_o the_o weak_a church_n yea_o and_o in_o a_o doctrinal_a way_n to_o declare_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o threaten_v his_o judgement_n against_o such_o as_o shall_v refuse_v wholesome_a counsel_n and_o withdraw_v communion_n from_o such_o as_o wilful_o refuse_v to_o hear_v what_o be_v propound_v according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o shall_v we_o here_o say_v but_o on_o the_o bend_a knee_n of_o our_o soul_n entreat_v our_o reverend_a brethren_n to_o consider_v what_o power_n any_o or_o many_o church_n can_v challenge_v over_o another_o to_o require_v they_o to_o give_v up_o their_o right_n to_o they_o to_o rule_v in_o common_a if_o a_o sister_n church_n furnish_v with_o officer_n shall_v refuse_v the_o same_o or_o what_o rule_n bind_v the_o church_n of_o a_o hundred_o or_o any_o such_o civil_a division_n to_o come_v into_o such_o a_o combination_n with_o those_o church_n rather_o than_o other_o if_o that_o refuse_v church_n have_v just_a reason_n to_o object_n against_o such_o church_n or_o their_o officer_n we_o think_v the_o more_o voluntary_a and_o free_a such_o consociation_n be_v the_o better_a here_o we_o shall_v be_v bold_a to_o propound_v this_o one_o thing_n viz._n why_o may_v not_o the_o five_o and_o six_o article_n of_o agreement_n public_o profess_v to_o the_o world_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o prelatical_a petition_n obtain_v among_o our_o brethren_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o the_o disappointment_n of_o their_o hope_n that_o the_o prelate_n be_v down_o the_o agreement_n will_v be_v easy_a as_o be_v there_o say_v viz._n ar._n 5._o each_o particular_a church_n have_v she_o own_o power_n and_o authority_n and_o the_o use_n and_o benefit_n of_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o express_a or_o tacit_n consent_n of_o the_o congregation_n in_o matter_n which_o be_v proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o a_o particular_a church_n whether_o in_o election_n or_o ordination_n of_o minister_n or_o in_o admit_v or_o excommunicate_v of_o member_n ar._n 6._o it_o be_v in_o many_o respect_v expedient_a both_o for_o the_o member_n of_o each_o church_n whether_o minister_n or_o people_n and_o for_o the_o right_a govern_n and_o well-being_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n in_o a_o nation_n profess_v christian_a religion_n that_o beside_o their_o particular_a assembly_n and_o eldership_n they_o meet_v by_o their_o commissioner_n minister_n and_o elder_n in_o great_a assembly_n that_o matter_n that_o concern_v all_o the_o church_n within_o their_o bound_n respective_a may_v with_o common_a advice_n and_o consent_n be_v agree_v upon_o for_o their_o good_a and_o edification_n and_o we_o hope_v the_o lord_n may_v yet_o have_v such_o a_o mercy_n for_o england_n if_o the_o cry_a sin_n thereof_o be_v not_o still_o impenitent_o against_o this_o glorious_a shine_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n persist_v in_o which_o we_o confess_v be_v our_o great_a fear_n godly_a brethren_n we_o hope_v will_v agree_v if_o england_n sin_n hinder_v not_o we_o confess_v it_o be_v the_o sad_a news_n that_o this_o year_n come_v unto_o our_o ear_n that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v hardly_o like_a to_o obtain_v so_o much_o jealousy_n there_o be_v lest_o the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n shall_v cross_n the_o licentionsnesse_n of_o this_o age_n yea_o that_o general_o there_o be_v no_o more_o regard_n of_o the_o solemn_a covenant_n especial_o in_o personal_a reformation_n then_o if_o it_o be_v never_o make_v that_o many_o reject_v the_o reformation_n they_o seem_v to_o desire_v at_o the_o first_o these_o with_o other_o sad_a thing_n come_v to_o our_o ear_n which_o sadden_fw-mi our_o spirit_n oh_o england_n england_n our_o belove_a england_n will_v thou_o not_o be_v make_v clean_o when_o will_v it_o once_o be_v will_v thou_o still_o return_v the_o lord_n jesus_n gracious_o strive_v with_o thou_o for_o to_o save_v thou_o such_o a_o unkind_a answer_n we_o will_v not_o have_v this_o man_n reign_n over_o we_o have_v thou_o not_o yet_o learned_a so_o much_o wisdom_n as_o to_o kiss_v the_o son_n no_o not_o now_o when_o he_o be_v angry_a and_o the_o sword_n in_o his_o hand_n that_o voice_n of_o god_n sound_v oft_o in_o our_o ear_n when_o we_o think_v of_o england_n put_v off_o thy_o ornament_n that_o i_o may_v know_v what_o to_o do_v unto_o thou_o but_o for_o aught_o we_o hear_v the_o pride_n of_o england_n do_v never_o so_o much_o testify_v to_o their_o face_n as_o now_o when_o sackcloth_n and_o ash_n be_v more_o suitable_a the_o lord_n humble_a the_o heart_n of_o our_o dear_a countryman_n or_o else_o we_o fear_v the_o yoke_n of_o christ_n will_v never_o be_v bear_v and_o how_o the_o lord_n jesus_n will_v bear_v and_o endure_v that_o we_o tremble_v to_o think_v but_o what_o do_v we_o thus_o to_o take_v upon_o we_o and_o let_v loose_v our_o pen_n so_o far_o pardon_v we_o beseech_v you_o christian_a reader_n this_o seem_a boldness_n it_o be_v our_o hearty_a affection_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o prosperity_n of_o our_o dear_a country_n and_o the_o saint_n of_o god_n in_o it_o that_o have_v draw_v these_o thing_n from_o we_o say_v not_o what_o call_v have_v these_o thus_o to_o admonish_v and_o censure_v we_o censure_n we_o do_v not_o that_o we_o will_v do_v only_o to_o ourselves_o but_o faithful_o to_o admonish_v and_o exhort_v in_o the_o lord_n we_o hope_v we_o may_v presume_v neither_o have_v we_o take_v upon_o we_o this_o whole_a weighty_a work_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n but_o at_o the_o request_n and_o call_v of_o divers_a our_o reverend_a brethren_n who_o voice_n herein_o we_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n nor_o have_v we_o accept_v that_o call_v out_o of_o any_o lust_n we_o have_v to_o contend_v or_o enter_v the_o list_n of_o disputation_n with_o any_o we_o love_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o unity_n and_o concord_n with_o all_o our_o dear_a and_o godly_a brethren_n too_o well_o to_o have_v any_o such_o end_n and_o though_o we_o be_v not_o unwilling_a to_o receive_v and_o consider_v any_o return_n that_o may_v be_v make_v and_o we_o hope_v with_o a_o mind_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o truth_n yet_o we_o must_v profess_v two_o thing_n chief_o incline_v we_o to_o undertake_v this_o work_n first_o to_o clear_v up_o such_o truth_n as_o we_o conceive_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v obscure_v by_o this_o reply_n second_o and_o that_o especial_o hope_v that_o what_o we_o shall_v write_v will_v tend_v rather_o to_o a_o peaceable_a heal_n of_o offence_n and_o difference_n than_o otherwise_o and_o therefore_o have_v presume_v to_o preface_n thus_o far_o and_o so_o to_o present_v these_o our_o affectionate_a request_n to_o our_o dear_a brethren_n and_o countryman_n which_o we_o hearty_o recommend_v to_o their_o serious_a consideration_n and_o to_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n who_o only_o can_v incline_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o attend_v to_o any_o thing_n of_o god_n set_v before_o they_o though_o we_o be_v the_o mean_a and_o weak_a of_o many_o to_o take_v upon_o we_o thus_o to_o speak_v to_o our_o dear_a countryman_n yet_o through_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n who_o put_v we_o into_o the_o ministry_n we_o
knowledge_n of_o and_o if_o any_o by_o such_o write_n do_v abstain_v from_o the_o sacrament_n for_o such_o corruption_n as_o their_o conscience_n will_v be_v defile_v with_o no_o hindrance_n from_o we_o be_v in_o the_o way_n but_o that_o you_o may_v call_v they_o to_o account_v before_o the_o church_n and_o convince_v and_o censure_v they_o if_o there_o be_v just_a cause_n which_o be_v the_o objection_n against_o mr._n p._n in_o fly_v present_o to_o the_o classis_fw-la chap._n iii_o 2_o position_n that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o join_v in_o prayer_n or_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n where_o a_o stint_a liturgy_n be_v use_v or_o as_o we_o conceive_v your_o meaning_n to_o be_v in_o this_o as_o in_o the_o former_a etc._n etc._n viz._n where_o and_o when_o that_o stint_a liturgy_n be_v use_v reply_n if_o we_o mistake_v not_o your_o judgement_n and_o practice_n both_o you_o have_v bear_v witness_n against_o both_o that_o you_o call_v the_o rigid_a separation_n and_o this_o more_o moderate_a also_o and_o we_o humble_o wish_v that_o the_o moderate_a do_v not_o degenerate_a into_o the_o rigid_a ere_o long_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a if_o they_o take_v not_o great_a encouragement_n upon_o your_o ground_n answ_n if_o you_o will_v needs_o account_v not_o join_v in_o that_o stint_v impose_v liturgy_n to_o be_v a_o moderate_a separation_n we_o must_v confess_v we_o have_v witness_v against_o such_o separation_n yea_o not_o only_o conform_v to_o that_o corrupt_a worship_n but_o also_o to_o divers_a of_o the_o ceremony_n thereof_o some_o of_o we_o with_o shame_n before_o the_o lord_n may_v confess_v it_o but_o we_o desire_v that_o may_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n since_o discover_v to_o we_o but_o we_o have_v ever_o conceive_v that_o the_o separation_n witness_v against_o both_o by_o yourselves_o and_o we_o have_v be_v such_o as_o to_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o no_o true_a church_n the_o ministry_n as_o no_o true_a ministry_n their_o separation_n from_o corruption_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n their_o endeavour_n to_o enjoy_v all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n in_o purity_n if_o we_o be_v not_o mistake_v your_o judgement_n and_o practice_n with_o we_o have_v always_o approve_v and_o the_o question_n now_o in_o hand_n be_v not_o about_o a_o new_a kind_n of_o separation_n more_o moderate_a from_o the_o church_n and_o ministry_n of_o england_n but_o whether_o the_o liturgy_n of_o england_n be_v not_o indeed_o one_o of_o those_o corruption_n in_o worship_n which_o you_o and_o we_o have_v need_n reject_v as_o well_o as_o the_o ceremony_n and_o no_o long_o conform_v to_o the_o same_o and_o we_o hearty_o wish_v that_o the_o grow_a endeavour_n of_o the_o godly_a after_o more_o purity_n of_o worship_n and_o to_o be_v purge_v from_o all_o the_o pollution_n of_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n be_v not_o too_o rash_o brand_v with_o the_o odium_fw-la of_o separation_n and_o breach_n of_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o degenerate_v into_o the_o rigid_a separation_n we_o think_v you_o need_v not_o fear_v it_o upon_o our_o principle_n no_o more_o then_o upon_o the_o common_a ground_n of_o nonconformist_n and_o you_o know_v what_o they_o infer_v upon_o those_o principle_n now_o just_o it_o concern_v you_o to_o consider_v as_o well_o as_o we_o but_o as_o it_o be_v true_o observe_v in_o england_n it_o be_v the_o justification_n and_o press_v of_o ceremony_n and_o other_o corruption_n that_o drive_v many_o to_o separation_n not_o the_o endeavour_n of_o further_a reformation_n so_o you_o may_v fear_v the_o too_o too_o much_o conformity_n of_o minister_n to_o humane_a imposition_n and_o justification_n of_o the_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n have_v and_o will_v more_o dangerous_o alienate_v godly_a mind_n from_o your_o church_n and_o ministry_n and_o so_o drive_v to_o separation_n then_o all_o the_o principle_n and_o progress_n of_o the_o godly_a in_o way_n of_o reformation_n and_o we_o shall_v refer_v it_o to_o the_o judicious_a and_o common_a experience_n whether_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o corrupt_a worship_n in_o the_o liturgy_n or_o contrary_a conformity_n to_o it_o be_v the_o great_a block_n of_o offence_n and_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o separatist_n most_o which_o yet_o you_o after_o object_n unto_o we_o we_o suppose_v the_o worthy_n of_o this_o renown_a parliament_n together_o with_o those_o of_o the_o reverend_a assembly_n will_v not_o so_o soon_o have_v remove_v the_o whole_a frame_n and_o fabric_n of_o this_o book_n nor_o whole_o stop_v up_o this_o pit_n if_o build_v of_o battlement_n about_o it_o and_o keep_v watchman_n near_o it_o to_o bid_v passenger_n take_v heed_n have_v be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o cure_v separation_n nor_o do_v we_o think_v that_o this_o reverend_a man_n of_o god_n will_v have_v be_v in_o more_o jealousy_n and_o fear_n of_o we_o if_o he_o have_v consider_v how_o tender_o we_o return_v our_o answer_n to_o the_o question_n then_o of_o those_o faithful_a witness_n in_o scotland_n who_o separate_v their_o life_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o death_n rather_o than_o communicate_v in_o the_o use_n of_o this_o book_n and_o yet_o we_o think_v they_o deserve_v a_o better_a place_n then_o to_o be_v rank_v so_o near_o to_o the_o rigid_a separation_n notwithstanding_o for_o ourselves_o we_o be_v hearty_o thankful_a for_o what_o he_o humble_o wish_v and_o for_o his_o jealousy_n over_o we_o so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v godly_a but_o so_o far_o as_o such_o wish_n cast_v a_o cloud_n of_o evil_a suspicion_n over_o we_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o other_o as_o if_o we_o be_v go_v fast_a than_o we_o know_v where_o to_o stay_v we_o wish_v humble_o such_o word_n have_v be_v spare_v till_o some_o other_o time_n concern_v this_o distinction_n a_o letter_n of_o this_o subject_n be_v cite_v print_v without_o the_o author_n knowledge_n that_o put_v a_o difference_n indeed_o between_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o separatist_n proper_a to_o they_o qua_fw-la tale_n and_o other_o reason_n use_v by_o himself_o common_a to_o other_o studious_a of_o reformation_n to_o which_o we_o answer_v 1_o that_o letter_n acknowledge_v no_o such_o distinction_n of_o separation_n rigid_a and_o moderate_a only_o if_o you_o will_v a_o separation_n from_o church_n and_o separation_n from_o the_o sin_n and_o corruption_n of_o church_n which_o latter_a be_v all_o we_o profess_v 2_o those_o reason_n which_o the_o letter_n ascribe_v to_o they_o qua_fw-la tale_n will_v we_o suppose_v be_v find_v in_o their_o book_n thus_o far_o that_o the_o prayer_n preach_n sacrament_n etc._n etc._n be_v unlawful_a because_o offer_v in_o a_o false_a church_n by_o a_o false_a ministry_n for_o the_o subject_n of_o antichrist_n kingdom_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o separatist_n in_o the_o world_n because_o none_o it_o be_v say_v none_o plead_v against_o the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n as_o unlawful_a because_o offer_v up_o in_o a_o false_a church_n be_v strange_a to_o we_o that_o this_o learned_a author_n shall_v not_o read_v or_o observe_v the_o same_o exceed_v frequent_o in_o the_o separatist_n write_n take_v but_o a_o taste_n in_o the_o first_o page_n of_o mr._n smith_n against_o bernard_n in_o his_o parallel_n censure_n and_o observation_n his_o word_n pag._n 9_o be_v these_o he_o will_v prove_v that_o a_o erroneous_a constitution_n of_o a_o church_n be_v a_o real_a idol_n and_o the_o prayer_n they_o offer_v with_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o wicked_a come_v from_o that_o false_a constitution_n be_v taint_v with_o the_o idolatry_n of_o that_o constitution_n and_o pag._n 10._o it_o be_v idolatry_n to_o offer_v up_o service_n to_o god_n in_o a_o church_n of_o a_o false_a constitution_n and_o pag._n 13._o tell_v i_o mr._n bernard_n can_v there_o be_v a_o true_a ministry_n true_a baptism_n true_a faith_n true_a prayer_n true_a preach_v and_o administer_a the_o supper_n true_a excommunication_n in_o a_o church_n which_o be_v false_o constitute_v do_v the_o lord_n accept_v the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o church_n constitute_v by_o jeroboam_n so_o page_n 14._o a_o church_n false_o constitute_v be_v not_o accept_v of_o god_n neither_o be_v their_o action_n ecclesiastical_a as_o prayer_n preach_v etc._n etc._n acceptable_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o again_o a_o false_a ministry_n worship_n government_n may_v be_v in_o a_o true_a church_n through_o ignorance_n and_o the_o like_a but_o a_o true_a ministry_n worship_n government_n can_v possible_o be_v in_o a_o false_a church_n we_o think_v it_o needless_a to_o recite_v more_o testimony_n aliquando_fw-la bone_fw-la dormitat_fw-la homerus_fw-la a_o good_a memory_n may_v sometime_o fall_v asleep_a and_o not_o see_v that_o which_o be_v sometime_o most_o obvious_a and_o visible_a but_o what_o other_o argument_n they_o have_v be_v or_o may_v be_v common_a to_o other_o studious_a of_o reformation_n as_o their_o
of_o the_o people_n in_o join_v with_o the_o read_n of_o this_o liturgy_n or_o so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o be_v read_v usual_o by_o such_o idol-priest_n first_o concern_v the_o liturgy_n itself_o if_o you_o respect_v the_o matter_n and_o form_n or_o manner_n of_o it_o it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a to_o rip_v up_o what_o for_o matter_n have_v be_v object_v by_o the_o godly_a reformer_n consider_v but_o two_o thing_n object_v strong_o by_o mr._n cartwright_n against_o the_o form_n or_o manner_n of_o it_o first_o that_o it_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o popish_a masse-book_n concern_v which_o he_o affirm_v that_o although_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o unlawful_a or_o against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o say_v he_o i_o wish_v there_o be_v not_o yet_o no_o word_n of_o god_n no_o reason_n nor_o example_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n jewish_n or_o christian_a will_v permit_v we_o to_o use_v the_o same_o form_n and_o ceremony_n viz._n with_o papist_n be_v neither_o command_v of_o god_n nor_o such_o as_o there_o may_v not_o be_v as_o good_a as_o they_o and_o rather_o better_a establish_v yea_o consider_v how_o near_o the_o papist_n live_v among_o we_o it_o be_v more_o safe_a to_o conform_v to_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o turk_n that_o be_v far_o off_o and_o this_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o form_n of_o liturgy_n as_o well_o as_o ceremony_n cartw._n reply_n to_o whitgift_n answer_v to_o the_o admonition_n to_o the_o parliament_n pag._n 131_o 132._o and_o although_o you_o seem_v to_o make_v light_n of_o this_o objection_n after_o page_n 15._o end_n yet_o in_o a_o like_a case_n when_o whitgift_n have_v say_v it_o be_v not_o material_a that_o dean_n canon_n come_v from_o the_o pope_n cartwright_n reply_v thus_o it_o be_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v it_o skill_v not_o if_o they_o come_v out_o of_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n for_o whatsoever_o come_v from_o the_o pope_n who_o be_v antichrist_n come_v first_o from_o the_o devil_n cartw._n reply_v pag._n 204._o second_o he_o object_v that_o absurd_a manner_n of_o chap_a and_o interrupt_v the_o prayer_n of_o which_o mr._n cartwright_n say_v that_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v make_v such_o a_o supplication_n to_o a_o prince_n he_o will_v think_v he_o to_o make_v his_o supplication_n before_o he_o know_v what_o to_o ask_v or_o that_o he_o have_v forget_v some_o piece_n of_o his_o suit_n or_o that_o he_o be_v 138._o distract_v in_o his_o understanding_n much_o more_o may_v be_v add_v but_o we_o have_v only_o touch_v this_o sore_a and_o in_o the_o word_n of_o that_o learned_a and_o zealous_a reformer_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v neither_o the_o opinion_n of_o that_o book_n nor_o the_o reason_n against_o it_o be_v so_o new_a or_o proper_a to_o the_o separatist_n as_o be_v pretend_v now_o what_o comfort_n can_v anygodly_a conscience_n have_v to_o join_v in_o or_o conform_v unto_o such_o a_o form_n of_o worship_n as_o this_o be_v further_o consider_v the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n according_a to_o the_o book_n as_o we_o speak_v still_o of_o join_v in_o it_o who_o know_v not_o that_o such_o must_v subject_v their_o child_n to_o that_o gross_a idol_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o see_v and_o approve_v the_o pollution_n of_o god_n ordinance_n with_o the_o same_o and_o at_o the_o lord_n table_n join_v in_o that_o idolatrous_a gesture_n of_o kneel_v and_o therefore_o how_o the_o godly_a can_v join_v lawful_o in_o the_o whole_a or_o such_o part_n as_o those_o idol-priest_n dispense_v let_v all_o nonconformist_n judge_n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v how_o superstitious_o precise_a such_o be_v in_o press_v all_o conformity_n to_o every_o gesture_n and_o ceremony_n prescribe_v in_o their_o book_n which_o they_o so_o idolize_v as_o they_o have_v good_a cause_n be_v that_o which_o maintain_v they_o second_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o imposition_n hereof_o by_o the_o prelate_n and_o late_a strict_a press_v thereof_o upon_o the_o people_n to_o be_v present_a and_o conform_v full_o to_o it_o as_o well_o as_o upon_o minister_n to_o use_v it_o the_o very_a yield_v of_o conformity_n thereto_o do_v miserable_o cast_v away_o the_o liberty_n purchase_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o church_n enthral_v the_o church_n to_o antichrist_n and_o lift_v up_o the_o power_n of_o antichrist_n in_o his_o tyrannous_a usurpation_n upon_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n three_o we_o may_v add_v the_o dangerous_a consequence_n and_o scandal_n that_o follow_v from_o admit_v this_o liturgy_n which_o be_v touch_v in_o our_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o position_n we_o here_o pass_v over_o these_o thing_n consider_v it_o appear_v not_o only_o that_o there_o be_v need_v to_o disprove_v the_o first_o part_n of_o your_o disjunction_n which_o you_o decline_v in_o state_v the_o question_n but_o also_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o position_n itself_o be_v confirm_v now_o let_v we_o consider_v your_o proof_n of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o your_o disjunction_n which_o be_v thus_o reply_v if_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o minister_n than_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o join_v with_o such_o a_o one_o in_o any_o ordinanee_n of_o god_n for_o if_o the_o minister_n make_v it_o unlawful_a than_o all_o communion_n in_o any_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n with_o such_o minister_n be_v unlawful_a and_o so_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n christ_n the_o apostle_n and_o the_o faithful_a in_o the_o primitive_a church_n sin_v in_o hold_v communion_n with_o such_o when_o the_o priest_n be_v dumb_a dog_n etc._n etc._n but_o we_o never_o read_v that_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n christ_n the_o apostle_n do_v ever_o forbear_v themselves_o or_o warn_v the_o faithful_a not_o to_o communicate_v with_o such_o in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o worship_n our_o saviour_n charge_v the_o disciple_n to_o beware_v of_o the_o leaven_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n but_o never_o forbid_v they_o to_o communicate_v with_o they_o in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n answ_n to_o this_o we_o answer_v first_o that_o if_o you_o speak_v to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n of_o those_o unable_a and_o ungodly_a minister_n of_o england_n reader_n as_o they_o be_v call_v of_o the_o common-service_n we_o grant_v it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o communicate_v in_o a_o state_v way_n with_o they_o in_o any_o ordinance_n of_o worship_n proper_o ministerial_a in_o any_o act_n that_o private_a person_n may_v perform_v we_o may_v communicate_v with_o they_o but_o not_o in_o ministerial_a work_n as_o sacrament_n for_o although_o be_v impose_v on_o any_o church_n as_o minister_n and_o so_o receive_v by_o they_o their_o ministerial_a act_n be_v not_o a_o nullity_n yet_o if_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o such_o their_o act_n of_o receive_v they_o than_o the_o church_n sin_v in_o choose_v they_o or_o be_v impose_v in_o receive_v they_o and_o submit_v to_o their_o ministry_n be_v such_o as_o be_v utter_o contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n and_o reject_v of_o he_o and_o by_o the_o like_a reason_n the_o godly_a sin_n in_o receive_v sacrament_n etc._n etc._n from_o they_o as_o minister_n of_o christ_n know_v they_o intrude_v into_o that_o office_n and_o have_v no_o authority_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n so_o to_o do_v we_o may_v hear_v a_o private_a gift_a christian_a prophecy_n but_o if_o he_o intrude_v without_o a_o lawful_a call_n into_o the_o ministry_n we_o may_v not_o receive_v he_o nor_o approve_v of_o he_o therein_o cyprian_n speech_n be_v common_o note_v that_o plebs_fw-la maxim_n habeâ—_n potestatem_fw-la vel_fw-la eligendi_fw-la dignos_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la vel_fw-la indignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la yet_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o be_v not_o so_o general_o observe_v which_o be_v this_o plebs_fw-la obsequens_fw-la praeceptis_fw-la dominicis_fw-la deum_fw-la metuens_fw-la à _fw-la peccatore_fw-la proposito_fw-la separare_fw-la se_fw-la debet_fw-la nec_fw-la se_fw-la ad_fw-la sacrilegia_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la sacrificia_fw-la miscere_fw-la â—um_fw-la ipse_fw-la maxim_n habet_fw-la potestatem_fw-la eligendi_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v the_o people_n observe_v divine_a precept_n and_o fear_v god_n aught_o to_o separate_v themselves_o from_o a_o wicked_a minister_n neither_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o a_o sacrilegious_a priest_n see_v they_o chief_o have_v power_n of_o choose_v worthy_a minister_n and_o reject_v unworthy_a second_o we_o see_v no_o demonstrative_a argument_n that_o the_o priest_n and_o pharisee_n be_v whole_o unable_a for_o the_o work_n of_o those_o time_n as_o these_o we_o speak_v of_o be_v for_o though_o the_o priest_n isaiah_n 56._o 10._o be_v dumb_a dog_n that_o can_v bark_v yet_o it_o seem_v by_o the_o place_n to_o be_v mean_v actual_o rather_o than_o habitual_o through_o their_o slumber_n or_o security_n there_o mention_v not_o tell_v the_o people_n of_o their_o sin_n nor_o warn_v they_o of_o judgement_n rather_o
needless_a to_o search_v all_o record_n and_o to_o compare_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o prayer_n and_o rite_n of_o these_o with_o former_a time_n we_o read_v of_o very_a few_o form_n use_v for_o 300._o year_n some_o short_a one_o they_o have_v which_o be_v retain_v yet_o in_o our_o liturgy_n with_o many_o more_o and_o those_o form_n they_o have_v not_o impose_v nor_o stint_v which_o be_v the_o great_a offence_n of_o this_o until_o about_o the_o year_n 406._o and_o there_o we_o read_v in_o the_o milevitâ—n_a council_n that_o no_o prayer_n shall_v be_v use_v in_o church_n but_o what_o be_v either_o compose_v of_o able_a and_o sufficient_a man_n or_o approve_v by_o the_o synod_n and_o this_o be_v determine_v only_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o ignorant_a ministry_n of_o those_o contentious_a and_o heretical_a 12._o time_n as_o chemnitius_n observe_v ne_fw-fr forte_fw-fr aliquid_fw-la contra_fw-la fidem_fw-la vel_fw-la per_fw-la ignorantiam_fw-la vel_fw-la per_fw-la minus_fw-la studium_fw-la sit_fw-la compositum_fw-la if_o the_o roman_a bishop_n do_v multiply_v as_o indeed_o they_o do_v excessive_o unless_o their_o own_o admirer_n err_v gross_o rite_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n yet_o it_o be_v well_o know_v how_o long_o it_o be_v ere_o the_o church_n in_o other_o place_n submit_v to_o their_o power_n so_o that_o this_o comparison_n may_v well_o have_v be_v spare_v to_o conclude_v though_o we_o say_v not_o that_o all_o church_n since_o 200._o year_n after_o christ_n be_v so_o miserable_o decay_v that_o the_o faithful_a may_v not_o without_o sin_n communicate_v with_o they_o yet_o we_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v many_o of_o they_o be_v so_o corrupt_a that_o the_o faithful_a do_v not_o nor_o can_v not_o communicate_v in_o many_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n without_o sin_n of_o ignorance_n conform_v to_o the_o corruption_n themselves_o and_o that_o if_o they_o have_v see_v and_o discover_v the_o evil_a of_o they_o they_o ought_v and_o we_o believe_v will_v have_v abstain_v from_o divers_a ordinance_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o corrupt_a administration_n of_o they_o yea_o after_o all_o mean_v use_v to_o purge_v they_o out_o and_o not_o prevail_v they_o ought_v and_o will_v have_v withdraw_v themselves_o to_o more_o pure_a church_n or_o erect_v such_o among_o themselves_o reply_n the_o prayer_n of_o the_o minister_n conceive_v or_o stint_v in_o a_o set_a form_n be_v not_o his_o private_a prayer_n but_o the_o public_a prayer_n of_o the_o assembly_n but_o you_o will_v not_o say_v the_o people_n ought_v not_o to_o join_v with_o their_o pastor_n therein_o if_o ought_v be_v amiss_o for_o matter_n manner_n or_o both_o answ_n there_o be_v a_o wide_a difference_n between_o the_o whole_a liturgy_n so_o impose_v and_o so_o clog_v as_o be_v before_o show_v and_o such_o prayer_n of_o the_o minister_n have_v something_o amiss_o but_o you_o may_v put_v the_o case_n so_o as_o it_o will_v be_v unlawful_a for_o people_n to_o join_v in_o such_o prayer_n also_o as_o if_o the_o minister_n for_o matter_n usual_o pray_v to_o saint_n for_o manner_n turn_v himself_o and_o fix_v his_o eye_n on_o a_o crucifix_n reply_n it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o the_o people_n in_o this_o â—ase_n whether_o the_o fault_n be_v personal_a as_o some_o distinguish_v or_o otherwise_o know_v before_o hand_n or_o not_o know_v for_o if_o simple_a presence_n defile_v whether_o know_v before_o hand_n or_o not_o all_o presence_n be_v faulty_a and_o if_o simple_a presence_n defile_v not_o our_o presence_n be_v not_o condemn_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o corruption_n know_v whereof_o we_o stand_v not_o guilty_a answ_n first_o we_o distinguish_v not_o here_o between_o personal_a and_o ministerial_a fault_n but_o object_n against_o the_o personal_a act_n of_o he_o that_o join_v with_o that_o whole_a liturgy_n and_o so_o in_o the_o corruption_n of_o it_o as_o he_o must_v needs_o do_v that_o join_v with_o the_o whole_a not_o only_a say_n amen_o to_o they_o but_o as_o be_v know_v he_o take_v his_o share_n in_o those_o shred_n of_o prayer_n respond_v etc._n etc._n which_o in_o mr._n cartwright_n judgement_n be_v so_o absurd_a as_o make_v a_o man_n seem_v out_o of_o his_o wit_n and_o therefore_o his_o personal_a actual_a conformity_n must_v needs_o carry_v guilt_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v more_o than_o simple_a presence_n in_o this_o case_n as_o be_v clear_a to_o any_o understanding_n second_o it_o be_v not_o all_o one_o whether_o the_o fault_n be_v know_v or_o not_o know_v before_o hand_n as_o appear_v plain_o 1_o cor._n 10._o 27_o 28_o 29._o where_o we_o see_v if_o a_o man_n come_v to_o a_o feast_n and_o know_v not_o they_o eat_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o idol_n nor_o that_o any_o take_v offence_n he_o may_v eat_v without_o ask_v any_o question_n but_o if_o he_o know_v such_o thing_n he_o may_v not_o eat_v beside_o public_a sinful_a action_n of_o minister_n be_v either_o 1_o accidental_a &_o occasional_a or_o 2_o know_v &_o appoint_v in_o a_o state_v service_n now_o the_o frailty_n of_o a_o minister_n which_o accidental_o fall_v in_o and_o be_v not_o know_v before_o nor_o be_v any_o part_n and_o essence_n of_o the_o service_n unto_o which_o man_n that_o come_v do_v or_o shall_v take_v themselves_o to_o be_v call_v hinder_v not_o communion_n because_o they_o do_v not_o prae_fw-la se_fw-la far_o by_o their_o presence_n to_o attend_v and_o observe_v they_o but_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o liturgy_n be_v know_v and_o appoint_v and_o to_o which_o and_o with_o which_o the_o imposer_n call_v other_o to_o join_v as_o in_o a_o state_v service_n to_o god_n the_o use_n of_o which_o if_o it_o be_v a_o humane_a frailty_n in_o god_n minister_n not_o yet_o convince_v of_o the_o evil_a thereof_o yet_o for_o those_o to_o communicate_v herein_o who_o know_v such_o evil_n have_v sure_o pass_v the_o bound_n of_o frailty_n and_o infirmity_n because_o in_o this_o action_n of_o prayer_n there_o be_v not_o only_a communion_n by_o way_n of_o presence_n as_o it_o be_v in_o hear_v the_o word_n but_o communion_n of_o action_n public_a prayer_n be_v the_o common_a action_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n towards_o god_n there_o can_v be_v no_o prayer_n by_o any_o man_n offer_v to_o god_n but_o there_o will_v be_v some_o humane_a frailty_n attend_v on_o it_o if_o therefore_o for_o this_o cause_n we_o shall_v reject_v communion_n in_o prayer_n we_o shall_v reject_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o never_o join_v in_o any_o prayer_n in_o this_o world_n but_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o liturgy_n be_v not_o such_o but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o easy_o cast_v off_o then_o keep_v this_o case_n stand_v not_o in_o tolerate_v fault_n in_o another_o as_o the_o reply_n make_v it_o but_o in_o actual_a join_n with_o the_o sin_n of_o another_o wherein_o he_o that_o join_v be_v involve_v and_o therefore_o whether_o they_o be_v corruption_n that_o may_v be_v tolerate_v or_o not_o in_o another_o yet_o if_o sin_n they_o may_v not_o be_v practise_v and_o so_o join_v in_o with_o another_o and_o therefore_o the_o case_n you_o put_v of_o communion_n with_o any_o person_n obstinate_a in_o error_n till_o he_o may_v be_v convince_v be_v nothing_o to_o this_o purpose_n for_o we_o must_v not_o join_v with_o he_o in_o his_o error_n no_o not_o a_o hour_n though_o we_o may_v tolerate_v he_o a_o month_n reply_n have_v not_o christian_n wisdom_n and_o experience_n of_o humane_a frailty_n lesson_v you_o dear_a brethren_n to_o bear_v one_o with_o another_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a consequence_n than_o any_o have_v or_o can_v be_v object_v true_o against_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o use_n among_o we_o answ_n the_o lord_n have_v lesson_v we_o to_o tolerate_v and_o bear_v with_o many_o humane_a frailty_n not_o only_o in_o one_o another_o but_o also_o in_o our_o dear_a brethren_n abroad_o but_o to_o join_v with_o the_o best_a of_o man_n in_o conformity_n to_o know_v and_o gross_a corruption_n in_o worship_v god_n or_o to_o stoop_v so_o low_a to_o the_o insolent_a tyranny_n of_o usurp_a prelate_n as_o to_o bear_v on_o our_o back_n their_o whole_a liturgy_n and_o the_o corruption_n thereof_o we_o confess_v we_o have_v not_o yet_o learned_a and_o now_o we_o hope_v never_o to_o go_v to_o that_o school_n again_o to_o learn_v the_o same_o reply_n and_o why_o such_o corruption_n shall_v not_o be_v ascribe_v to_o humane_a frailty_n we_o see_v not_o for_o if_o a_o godly_a minister_n make_v use_n of_o a_o book_n in_o thing_n which_o he_o judge_v lawful_a for_o matter_n and_o manner_n the_o corruption_n of_o he_o that_o use_v it_o according_a to_o his_o judgement_n from_o what_o cause_n can_v it_o spring_v but_o humane_a ignorance_n and_o frailty_n answ_n first_o the_o learned_a reply_o be_v very_o apt_a to_o forget_v the_o term_n of_o the_o proposition_n which_o
but_o this_o one_o impute_v to_o chrysostome_n sanctissimae_fw-la deiparae_fw-la &_o semper_fw-la virgin_n mariae_fw-la cum_fw-la omnibus_fw-la sanctis_fw-la memoriam_fw-la agentes_fw-la nos_fw-la ipsos_fw-la &_o omnem_fw-la vitam_fw-la nostram_fw-la christo_fw-la deo_fw-la nostro_fw-la commendamus_fw-la which_o litany_n at_o first_o be_v use_v more_o seldom_o at_o some_o time_n of_o the_o year_n afterward_o grow_v into_o ordinary_a use_n to_o every_o end_n of_o which_o the_o people_n add_v lord_n have_v mercy_n upon_o we_o and_o exaudi_fw-la domine_fw-la we_o beseech_v thou_o to_o hear_v we_o good_a lord_n 5_o from_o commemoration_n of_o saint_n be_v so_o near_o the_o brink_n they_o soon_o come_v on_o to_o invocation_n of_o they_o first_o in_o private_a prayer_n then_o in_o public_a and_o that_o by_o degree_n for_o first_o they_o call_v upon_o christ_n to_o hear_v their_o intercession_n for_o they_o intercessionibus_fw-la sanctorum_fw-la tâ—orum_fw-la salvator_n salva_fw-la nos_fw-la and_o thence_o they_o fall_v to_o direct_v and_o immediate_a invocation_n of_o they_o maria_fw-la deo_fw-la supplica_fw-la ut_fw-la animas_fw-la nostras_fw-la salvet_fw-la 6_o at_o last_o they_o become_v so_o superstitious_a in_o their_o litany_n or_o liturgy_n that_o pray_v be_v magnify_v above_o all_o preach_n and_o almost_o all_o preach_n be_v change_v into_o formal_a corrupt_a and_o blind_a pray_v and_o thus_o it_o be_v general_o in_o the_o church_n till_o about_o the_o six_o century_n as_o if_o need_n be_v may_v be_v show_v at_o large_a 7_o though_o other_o church_n be_v thus_o overgrow_v with_o form_n of_o worship_n yet_o the_o roman_a bishop_n especial_o do_v multiply_v form_n and_o superstitious_a rite_n excessive_o rome_n be_v in_o god_n secret_a providence_n leave_v to_o become_v the_o very_a seat_n and_o throne_n of_o antichrist_n the_o bishop_n themselves_o also_o find_v it_o exceed_v hard_o to_o bring_v in_o the_o religion_n of_o christ_n without_o conform_v to_o the_o pagan_a rite_n as_o casaubon_n observe_v for_o it_o appear_v even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o theodosius_n wherein_o christianity_n be_v rise_v to_o a_o great_a head_n the_o comment_n senate_n be_v send_v unto_o by_o he_o to_o renounce_v their_o pagan_a religion_n and_o receive_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n they_o return_v answer_v that_o they_o will_v not_o but_o that_o they_o will_v observe_v the_o ancient_a law_n pompilian_n to_o avoid_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n which_o they_o fear_v may_v come_v by_o the_o change_n of_o religion_n the_o roman_a bishop_n also_o for_o 400_o year_n together_o can_v never_o obtain_v of_o the_o senate_n nor_o multitude_n of_o the_o roman_a idolater_n to_o renounce_v their_o inveterate_a idolatry_n and_o receive_v the_o gospel_n hence_o they_o conform_v their_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n to_o the_o pagan_a and_o idolatrous_a custom_n the_o better_a to_o allure_v they_o to_o christ_n according_a to_o their_o carnalll_v policy_n we_o find_v all_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o mass_n to_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o idolatrous_a pagan_n and_o to_o have_v their_o original_n from_o numa_n pompilius_n that_o conjurer_n who_o live_v 700_o year_n before_o christ_n to_o adorn_v and_o deck_v as_o the_o bishop_n thought_n the_o religion_n of_o christ_n jesus_n to_o the_o which_o with_o much_o ado_n at_o last_o the_o roman_n be_v convert_v to_o which_o principal_a part_n viz._n vestment_n holywater_n the_o conâ—iteoâ—_fw-la organ_n incense_n offertory_n etc._n etc._n other_o decking_n be_v add_v also_o as_o divers_a litany_n and_o the_o kurie_n elyson_n to_o be_v sing_v nine_o time_n invent_v by_o gregory_n a_o monk_n at_o first_o well_o study_v in_o the_o law_n of_o numâ—_n and_o tullus_n hostilius_n damasus_n as_o platina_n and_o sabellius_n show_v enrich_v it_o with_o gloria_fw-la patri_fw-la etc._n etc._n i._n e._n glory_n be_v to_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n sergius_n with_o a_o agnus_n dei_fw-la to_o be_v sing_v three_o time_n alexander_n and_o other_o bishop_n add_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o mass_n other_o the_o epistle_n and_o gospel_n the_o gradual_a and_o collect_v be_v add_v by_o gelasius_n anno_fw-la 493._o the_o gloria_fw-la in_o excelsis_fw-la by_o symmachus_n 508._o at_o last_o come_v the_o host_n in_o about_o 1062._o much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v all_o which_o when_o we_o consider_v we_o confess_v we_o be_v push_v to_o discern_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o sound_a part_n and_o the_o scab_n for_o if_o the_o principal_a formality_n of_o the_o mass_n out_o of_o which_o our_o liturgy_n be_v take_v as_o be_v confess_v arise_v out_o of_o a_o politic_a push_n to_o conform_v the_o christian_a to_o the_o pagan_a religion_n and_o the_o decking_n of_o it_o from_o the_o itch_a humour_n of_o the_o roman_a busy_a bishop_n admirer_n of_o humane_a invention_n and_o ceremony_n let_v the_o reader_n than_o judge_n what_o sound_a part_n be_v leave_v beside_o the_o scab_n we_o do_v not_o speak_v this_o to_o condemn_v everything_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o that_o be_v in_o the_o common-prayer-book_n yea_o we_o honour_v the_o affection_n and_o piety_n of_o the_o first_o reformer_n and_o the_o godly_a then_o that_o be_v glad_a to_o hear_v prayer_n in_o their_o own_o tongue_n and_o according_a to_o the_o glimmer_a light_n of_o those_o time_n aim_v at_o the_o win_n of_o papist_n to_o the_o true_a religion_n by_o such_o a_o form_n of_o worship_n but_o now_o since_o experience_n have_v teach_v it_o rather_o harden_v they_o against_o the_o truth_n then_o draw_v they_o towards_o it_o when_o we_o see_v the_o press_n of_o it_o be_v rather_o a_o temptation_n to_o conform_v to_o popery_n than_o otherwise_o we_o very_o believe_v if_o they_o have_v live_v in_o these_o time_n of_o further_a light_n they_o will_v have_v bear_v witness_n against_o it_o as_o other_o have_v do_v last_o though_o the_o original_n have_v be_v good_a which_o yet_o be_v contrary_a we_o may_v answer_v in_o the_o word_n of_o peter_n martyr_n to_o such_o as_o do_v plead_v for_o a_o lawful_a presence_n at_o mass_n because_o the_o original_n idol_n be_v good_a who_o answer_v thus_o in_o â—isce_fw-la reâ—us_fw-la non_fw-la â—rigo_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o these_o matter_n not_o the_o original_a but_o the_o nature_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v for_o the_o brazen_a serpent_n have_v its_o original_n from_o god_n and_o be_v honour_v with_o miraculous_a work_n yet_o when_o abuse_v piis_fw-la hominibus_fw-la redditus_fw-la est_fw-la detestabilis_fw-la it_o become_v most_o loathsome_a to_o godly_a man_n reply_n it_o be_v no_o hard_a taâ—k_n to_o show_v that_o our_o service-book_n be_v reform_v in_o most_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o pure_a liturgy_n which_o be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o church_n long_o before_o the_o mass_n be_v hear_v of_o in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o that_o can_v not_o be_v show_v yet_o form_n of_o speech_n general_o take_v we_o speak_v not_o of_o this_o or_o that_o special_a word_n or_o phrase_n be_v no_o more_o defile_v by_o idolatry_n than_o the_o light_n air_n or_o place_n where_o idolatry_n be_v commit_v etc._n etc._n answ_n it_o be_v just_a cause_n of_o grief_n unto_o we_o that_o this_o reverend_a author_n shall_v thus_o use_v the_o prelate_n plea_n for_o surplice_n and_o other_o ceremony_n to_o justify_v this_o corrupt_a liturgy_n for_o these_o be_v before_o the_o mass_n and_o many_o other_o idol_n of_o the_o papist_n and_o though_o a_o phrase_n oâ—_n word_n be_v not_o pollute_v by_o their_o use_n of_o it_o yet_o a_o needless_a ceremony_n and_o so_o a_o devise_a form_n of_o worship_n and_o a_o bundle_n of_o ceremonious_a and_o corrupt_a worship_n must_v needs_o be_v pollute_v by_o the_o use_n of_o they_o better_a to_o use_v the_o form_n of_o turk_n then_o papist_n say_v cartw._n supra_fw-la reply_n four_o put_v case_n the_o minister_n in_o read_v give_v offence_n give_v unlawful_a honour_n to_o a_o thing_n abuse_v to_o idolatry_n and_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v sinful_o limit_v in_o read_v what_o be_v that_o to_o the_o faithful_a this_o can_v be_v no_o ground_n that_o the_o people_n may_v not_o join_v etc._n etc._n answ_n we_o do_v not_o conclude_v that_o they_o do_v sin_n but_o fearful_a we_o be_v lest_o they_o may_v so_o do_v all_o thing_n consider_v in_o this_o case_n as_o have_v be_v before_o propound_v if_o indeed_o the_o case_n stand_v as_o former_o it_o have_v do_v in_o england_n we_o will_v have_v be_v less_o scrupulous_a and_o doubtful_a of_o the_o matter_n but_o if_o by_o the_o out-breaking_a of_o light_n after_o so_o long_a toleration_n of_o the_o book_n we_o see_v so_o many_o evil_a effect_n of_o it_o and_o see_v such_o superstitious_a opinion_n of_o it_o increase_v and_o such_o press_v the_o same_o to_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o church_n so_o many_o fall_n so_o many_o weak_a one_o stagger_v and_o look_v at_o the_o example_n of_o their_o guide_n if_o now_o when_o all_o be_v call_v of_o god_n
not_o the_o english_a church_n out_o of_o the_o number_n and_o herein_o we_o deal_v no_o otherwise_o with_o they_o then_o with_o the_o member_n of_o our_o own_o church_n reply_n all_o possible_a care_n to_o keep_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n from_o contempt_n we_o allow_v and_o commend_v so_o you_o deny_v not_o church_n privilege_n to_o who_o they_o be_v due_a nor_o the_o name_n of_o church_n to_o such_o as_o god_n have_v bless_v with_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o have_v receive_v the_o table_n and_o seal_n and_o enter_v covenant_n with_o god_n your_o liberty_n to_o receive_v such_o satisfaction_n as_o be_v meet_v be_v not_o question_v nor_o whether_o you_o be_v to_o keep_v the_o bond_n of_o the_o spirit_n inviolable_a according_a to_o order_n but_o whether_o this_o be_v according_a too_o order_n to_o exclude_v from_o the_o sacrament_n true_a visible_a christian_n or_o know_v recommend_v christian_n former_o member_n of_o visible_a church_n among_o we_o and_o their_o child_n and_o to_o put_v such_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o such_o as_o be_v in_o your_o church_n order_n answ_n 1_o if_o the_o learned_a author_n will_v hold_v to_o what_o here_o be_v grant_v we_o hope_v this_o controversy_n will_v soon_o be_v at_o a_o issue_n but_o it_o will_v appear_v after_o this_o order_n allow_v bind_v only_o in_o case_n of_o the_o minister_n to_o dispense_v sacrament_n but_o christian_n be_v leave_v at_o a_o loose_a end_n in_o respect_n of_o combine_v themselves_o unto_o particular_a church_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n we_o plead_v for_o 2_o we_o have_v not_o deny_v the_o name_n of_o church_n to_o such_o as_o be_v say_v to_o have_v plentiful_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n table_n seales_n and_o covenant_n 3_o concern_v the_o state_v of_o the_o question_n too_o much_o liberty_n be_v take_v as_o in_o other_o case_n for_o neither_o in_o the_o position_n or_o in_o our_o answer_n do_v we_o limit_v the_o question_n to_o member_n in_o 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question_n in_o its_o right_a term_n viz._n whether_o the_o child_n of_o godly_a parent_n or_o themselves_o though_o of_o approve_a piety_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o seal_n not_o be_v member_n of_o some_o particular_a congregation_n or_o until_o they_o be_v such_o chap._n iu._n reply_n to_o the_o first_o consideration_n if_o by_o the_o church_n be_v understand_v the_o society_n of_o man_n profess_v the_o entire_a faith_n the_o seal_n be_v give_v to_o it_o as_o peculiar_a privilege_n but_o if_o you_o understand_v a_o congregationall_a assembly_n the_o seal_n be_v never_o appropriate_v to_o it_o answ_n 1_o our_o meaning_n be_v plain_a in_o the_o second_o sense_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o reason_n allege_v against_o any_o such_o universal_a church_n as_o institute_v and_o political_a wherein_o the_o seal_n be_v dispense_v which_o reason_n you_o answer_v not_o but_o grant_v there_o be_v no_o such_o catholic_n church_n in_o our_o sense_n pag._n 21._o and_o if_o no_o such_o church_n wherein_o the_o seal_n be_v administer_v as_o we_o prove_v than_o the_o cause_n itself_o be_v yield_v and_o the_o seal_n must_v belong_v to_o particular_a church_n 2._o see_v the_o main_a hinge_n of_o this_o question_n turn_v upon_o this_o point_n to_o what_o church_n the_o administration_n and_o participation_n of_o the_o seal_n belong_v we_o shall_v a_o little_a further_o open_v ourselves_o in_o this_o point_n and_o because_o we_o affect_v and_o study_v peace_n with_o truth_n we_o shall_v free_o acknowledge_v first_o that_o as_o there_o be_v a_o invisible_a church_n and_o body_n of_o christ_n consist_v of_o all_o the_o elect_a effectual_o call_v throughout_o the_o world_n in_o all_o age_n of_o it_o the_o whole_a family_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n so_o unto_o jesus_n christ_n all_o the_o visible_a believer_n and_o church_n of_o the_o world_n be_v as_o one_o body_n to_o he_o he_o govern_v protect_a instruct_v all_o as_o his_o visible_a body_n second_o we_o acknowledge_v a_o visible_a communion_n of_o all_o the_o true_a church_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n in_o all_o office_n of_o brotherly_a love_n and_o in_o the_o holy_a thing_n of_o christ_n so_o far_o as_o may_v appear_v the_o lord_n have_v ordain_v and_o command_v and_o by_o his_o providence_n call_v they_o to_o exercise_v one_o with_o another_o three_o we_o grant_v that_o all_o true_a believer_n wherever_o they_o be_v have_v by_o faith_n in_o christ_n a_o true_a right_n and_o interest_n unto_o jesus_n christ_n and_o all_o his_o benefit_n whatsoever_o he_o have_v purchase_v for_o they_o but_o here_o we_o must_v first_o distinguish_v of_o these_o benefit_n of_o christ_n whereof_o some_o be_v mere_o spiritual_a inward_a and_o flow_v immediate_o from_o christ_n unto_o they_o and_o therefore_o peculiar_a to_o true_a believer_n as_o justification_n sanctification_n adoption_n access_n to_o god_n in_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n some_o be_v outward_a and_o tend_v to_o the_o help_n and_o furtherance_n of_o our_o spiritual_a communion_n with_o christ_n be_v outward_a and_o visible_a mean_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o be_v also_o extend_v to_o hypocrite_n be_v visible_a believer_n as_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n seal_n church-discipline_n etc._n etc._n and_o these_o can_v be_v dispense_v by_o christ_n immediate_o nor_o ordinary_o but_o by_o mean_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n 2._o we_o distinguish_v of_o right_a to_o these_o outward_a benefit_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v either_o remote_a call_v jus_o ad_fw-la rem_fw-la or_o near_o and_o immediate_a call_v jus_o in_o râ—_n right_a to_o the_o enjoyment_n and_o fruition_n of_o it_o now_o in_o the_o first_o sense_n we_o grant_v all_o visible_a believer_n have_v a_o right_n to_o seal_n etc._n etc._n but_o the_o immediate_a fruition_n of_o they_o they_o must_v have_v mediante_fw-la ecclesiâ_fw-la visibili_fw-la now_o here_o lie_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n whether_o the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v ordain_v a_o universal_a visible_a church_n in_o which_o and_o unto_o which_o by_o the_o officer_n thereof_o all_o these_o outward_a visible_a privilege_n and_o mean_n of_o grace_n be_v to_o be_v dispense_v and_o immediate_o enjoy_v of_o the_o faithful_a or_o whether_o not_o the_o remote_a right_n but_o the_o immediate_a fruition_n and_o administration_n of_o all_o these_o ordinance_n by_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n be_v give_v to_o particular_a visible_a church_n and_o sure_o to_o who_o one_o of_o these_o be_v give_v all_o be_v give_v for_o there_o be_v the_o same_o nature_n reason_n and_o use_v of_o all_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n seal_n discipline_n all_o be_v outward_a ordinance_n privilege_n mean_n of_o grace_n belong_v to_o the_o visible_a church_n where_o christ_n have_v give_v one_o he_o have_v give_v all_o but_o we_o must_v confess_v however_o you_o call_v this_o a_o new_a church_n way_n it_o be_v new_a to_o we_o to_o read_v so_o much_o of_o late_a of_o such_o a_o catholic_n church_n to_o which_o administration_n of_o seal_n censure_n etc._n etc._n belong_v we_o be_v yet_o of_o the_o opinion_n of_o baynes_n parker_n and_o cartwright_n etc._n etc._n that_o have_v against_o papist_n and_o prelate_n maintain_v that_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v no_o institute_v catholic_n national_n or_o provincial_n church_n but_o only_o the_o church_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n both_o for_o the_o reason_n allege_v in_o our_o answer_n as_o also_o for_o the_o impossibility_n thereof_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n when_o the_o lord_n jesus_n send_v his_o apostle_n into_o all_o the_o world_n therefore_o impossible_a both_o in_o regard_n of_o distance_n of_o place_n and_o variety_n of_o language_n almost_o ever_o to_o meet_v in_o one_o so_o much_o as_o by_o representation_n and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o accident_n as_o may_v befall_v a_o particular_a church_n by_o sickness_n persecution_n etc._n etc._n
but_o by_o the_o necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o invincible_a hindrance_n foresee_v by_o christ_n and_o intend_v by_o he_o and_o therefore_o as_o the_o lord_n limit_v his_o church_n to_o one_o nation_n unite_v it_o into_o that_o form_n of_o a_o national_n church_n ordain_v one_o place_n state_v time_n and_o duty_n of_o worship_n and_o one_o government_n for_o the_o same_o so_o now_o the_o lord_n neglect_v all_o such_o thing_n have_v ordain_v a_o complete_a administration_n of_o all_o his_o ordinance_n in_o particular_a congregation_n and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o institute_v visible_a church_n but_o of_o a_o congregation_n and_o seal_n in_o their_o administration_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n our_o first_o consideration_n will_v still_o hold_v firm_a but_o see_v in_o so_o vast_a a_o subject_n to_o say_v little_a be_v to_o say_v nothing_o and_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o truth_n in_o this_o wily_a age_n but_o be_v almost_o dispute_v out_o of_o countenance_n and_o much_o darken_v with_o humane_a evasion_n and_o see_v much_o depend_v upon_o this_o controversy_n it_o may_v be_v so_o most_o useful_a before_o we_o come_v to_o the_o defence_n of_o our_o argument_n to_o take_v into_o consideration_n the_o nature_n and_o order_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n catholic_n and_o particular_a we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o knot_n and_o difficulty_n of_o this_o question_n which_o of_o late_o have_v so_o much_o exercise_v the_o mind_n of_o many_o godly-learned_n and_o we_o think_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o catholic_n church_n as_o it_o be_v now_o hold_v be_v but_o new_o take_v up_o among_o godly_a reformer_n who_o former_o run_v in_o another_o channel_n as_o be_v ingenuous_o confess_v by_o some_o according_a to_o the_o truth_n this_o new-birth_n seem_v not_o yet_o so_o form_v to_o its_o distinct_a proportion_n as_o time_n may_v bring_v it_o unto_o and_o it_o may_v make_v we_o afraid_a be_v the_o weak_a of_o many_o to_o venture_v upon_o so_o diffuse_v and_o knotty_a a_o question_n when_o we_o look_v upon_o our_o own_o insufficiency_n to_o such_o a_o task_n and_o the_o learned_a labour_n of_o such_o in_o this_o point_n who_o we_o reverence_v in_o the_o lord_n yet_o when_o we_o consider_v of_o what_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n the_o clear_n up_o of_o this_o truth_n will_v be_v unto_o the_o orderly_a proceed_n of_o the_o great_a work_n of_o reformation_n in_o hand_n 2_o how_o avoidable_o it_o lie_v in_o our_o way_n in_o this_o work_n the_o lord_n have_v call_v we_o unto_o and_o that_o he_o sometime_o do_v vouchsafe_v to_o speak_v by_o weak_a one_o that_o the_o praise_n may_v be_v his_o own_o in_o hope_n of_o his_o bless_a guidance_n which_o we_o depend_v upon_o herein_o take_v the_o light_n of_o his_o word_n in_o our_o hand_n we_o shall_v rather_o as_o learner_n then_o otherwise_o venture_v to_o propound_v what_o be_v suggest_v to_o we_o herein_o concern_v which_o have_v digress_v a_o while_n we_o shall_v return_v we_o hope_v with_o some_o advantage_n of_o clear_a evidence_n to_o justify_v the_o first_o argument_n of_o the_o answer_n against_o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o reply_n chap._n v._n a_o digression_n tend_v to_o clear_v the_o state_n of_o that_o controversy_n concern_v a_o catholic_n visible_a church_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o nature_n unity_n visibility_n and_o priority_n of_o the_o same_o the_o world_n have_v be_v long_o trouble_v with_o the_o equivocation_n of_o the_o word_n church_n and_o therefore_o as_o it_o be_v needful_a we_o shall_v labour_v to_o set_v down_o our_o thought_n as_o distinct_o and_o plain_o as_o we_o can_v in_o certain_a proposition_n that_o may_v be_v some_o ground_n of_o our_o discourse_n propos_fw-fr 1._o the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n be_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o elect_a and_o call_v one_o out_o of_o the_o world_n to_o fellowship_n with_o jesus_n christ_n their_o head_n with_o who_o they_o make_v up_o one_o mystical_a body_n ephes_n 1._o 23._o this_o whole_a church_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o one_o in_o essence_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o end_n for_o this_o church_n christ_n lay_v down_o his_o life_n ephes_n 5._o 26._o joh._n 10._o 15._o and_o therefore_o he_o add_v vers_fw-la 16._o such_o as_o be_v not_o yet_o of_o his_o fold_n actual_o shall_v be_v bring_v into_o the_o same_o viz._n by_o effectual_a call_n that_o there_o may_v be_v one_o shepherd_n and_o one_o sheepfold_a whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o whole_a fold_n of_o christ_n to_o which_o he_o stand_v as_o one_o shepherd_n contain_v all_o his_o member_n and_o sheep_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v one_o fold_n in_o relation_n to_o christ_n that_o one_o shepherd_n propos_fw-fr 2d_o this_o one_o entire_a body_n of_o christ_n do_v natural_o fall_v under_o various_a notion_n and_o consideration_n as_o omit_v other_o when_o it_o be_v consider_v according_a to_o the_o adjunct_n of_o visibility_n and_o invisibility_n which_o be_v only_a adjunct_n of_o the_o same_o church_n as_o be_v general_o observe_v by_o divine_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o inward_a union_n which_o every_o such_o member_n have_v with_o christ_n the_o head_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o faith_n whereby_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o it_o be_v call_v invisible_a because_o this_o union_n be_v not_o visible_a to_o man_n in_o respect_n of_o some_o visible_a fruit_n and_o manifestation_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n it_o be_v call_v visible_a and_o hence_o though_o true_a believer_n be_v only_o univoce_fw-la and_o proper_o member_n of_o this_o body_n of_o christ_n yet_o to_o man_n that_o judge_v only_o by_o outward_a effect_n many_o hypocrite_n eccle._n equivoce_fw-la and_o improper_o be_v account_v of_o the_o church_n and_o hence_o the_o scripture_n frequent_o speak_v of_o visible_a church_n as_o if_o they_o be_v all_o real_o saint_n propos_fw-fr 3._o as_o this_o church_n come_v to_o be_v visible_a so_o it_o become_v a_o fit_a and_o capable_a subject_n of_o visible_a policy_n and_o visible_a communion_n with_o christ_n their_o head_n and_o one_o with_o another_o in_o all_o the_o visible_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n a_o capable_a subject_n we_o say_v or_o matter_n fit_a for_o such_o a_o state_n for_o by_o its_o visibility_n itself_o it_o be_v not_o so_o have_v yet_o no_o more_o than_o a_o spiritual_a relation_n to_o christ_n and_o one_o another_o no_o visible_a combination_n one_o with_o another_o for_o visible_a believer_n may_v be_v so_o scatter_v in_o several_a country_n that_o they_o can_v make_v up_o one_o society_n propos_fw-fr 4._o and_o therefore_o we_o add_v that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n for_o this_o church_n to_o enjoy_v actual_a visible_a communion_n under_o the_o visible_a government_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o the_o visible_a institute_v ordinance_n of_o christ_n but_o in_o a_o society_n a_o thousand_o uncombined_a person_n meet_v occasional_o in_o one_o place_n though_o their_o natural_a relation_n be_v as_o near_o as_o brethren_n yet_o have_v no_o power_n of_o government_n or_o actual_a communion_n in_o any_o civil_a privilege_n if_o they_o stand_v not_o in_o relation_n to_o one_o another_o as_o a_o combine_a society_n as_o after_o shall_v be_v show_v so_o here_o and_o therefore_o act_v 2._o 41_o 42._o first_o they_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o then_o follow_v their_o fellowship_n in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o church_n as_o after_o will_v more_o full_o appear_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v say_v act_v 5._o 14._o believer_n be_v add_v first_o they_o be_v believer_n stand_v in_o that_o spiritual_a relation_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o whole_a body_n and_o then_o add_v to_o the_o church_n by_o visible_a combination_n propos_fw-fr 5._o there_o be_v no_o visible_a society_n of_o a_o church_n who_o have_v actual_a and_o immediate_a right_n unto_o and_o communion_n in_o the_o visible_a government_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o institute_v worship_n and_o ordinance_n but_o such_o a_o society_n as_o the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v in_o the_o gopel_n institute_v and_o ordain_v for_o that_o end_n we_o say_v actual_a and_o immediate_a right_n unto_o the_o same_o for_o though_o a_o believer_n quâ_fw-la believer_n have_v a_o immediate_a right_n and_o actual_a enjoyment_n of_o such_o benefit_n of_o christ_n as_o necessary_o and_o immediate_o flow_v from_o his_o internal_a union_n with_o christ_n as_o justification_n adoption_n etc._n etc._n and_o such_o right_a to_o christian_a communion_n with_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o their_o prayer_n gift_n etc._n etc._n as_o flow_v from_o his_o spiritual_a relation_n unto_o they_o yea_o and_o also_o he_o have_v a_o true_a right_n to_o all_o benefit_n purchase_v by_o christ_n in_o a_o due_a order_n and_o manner_n yet_o we_o say_v institute_v privilege_n and_o ordinance_n do_v not_o
be_v say_v the_o conclusion_n as_o we_o conceive_v do_v easy_o and_o natural_o follow_v that_o as_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o be_v say_v there_o be_v no_o catholic_n visible_a body_n of_o mankind_n to_o which_o or_o to_o the_o officer_n whereof_o be_v give_v the_o power_n and_o privilege_n of_o civil_a government_n to_o rule_v this_o catholic_n body_n either_o as_o one_o totum_fw-la politicum_fw-la or_o the_o part_n of_o it_o family_n city_n kingdom_n in_o communi_fw-la by_o subordination_n of_o all_o society_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o whole_a or_o so_o as_o every_o king_n major_n etc._n etc._n shall_v be_v a_o officer_n of_o the_o whole_a so_o these_o and_o like_a consequence_n will_v not_o follow_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o guide_n government_n privilege_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n notwithstanding_o all_o that_o be_v say_v from_o these_o consideration_n of_o unity_n visibility_n priority_n of_o nature_n etc._n etc._n 1_o object_n if_o any_o shall_v object_n the_o case_n be_v not_o alike_o because_o in_o this_o catholic_n church_n be_v universal_a officer_n set_v up_o as_o the_o apostle_n not_o so_o in_o the_o world_n of_o mankind_n ans_fw-fr we_o say_v these_o be_v but_o for_o a_o time_n in_o the_o first_o beginning_n for_o the_o set_n up_o of_o the_o firâ—â—_n order_n in_o all_o the_o church_n who_o be_v dead_a there_o be_v none_o to_o succeed_v they_o in_o that_o respect_n of_o catholic_n power_n second_o we_o say_v likewise_o at_o the_o first_o for_o a_o time_n adam_n and_o after_o noah_n have_v a_o general_a power_n over_o mankind_n though_o after_o they_o none_o have_v the_o like_a as_o it_o be_v here_o and_o therefore_o the_o comparison_n still_o run_v clear_a 2_o object_n if_o any_o object_n as_o some_o do_v in_o answer_n to_o a_o argument_n somewhat_o like_o this_o that_o this_o similitude_n hold_v not_o because_o there_o be_v not_o that_o external_a union_n of_o visible_a communion_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o world_n as_o in_o the_o church_n if_o one_o say_v god_n have_v place_v king_n duke_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n as_o in_o one_o organical_a body_n who_o have_v one_o head_n who_o give_v influence_n to_o so_o many_o organ_n of_o head_n foot_n etc._n etc._n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o the_o body_n the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 12._o then_o indeed_o all_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o world_n will_v make_v but_o one_o body_n answ_n to_o the_o scripture_n allege_v we_o shall_v speak_v after_o here_o only_o let_v we_o clear_v our_o parallel_n and_o first_o take_v the_o similitude_n as_o it_o be_v state_v by_o we_o and_o it_o will_v be_v clear_a first_o compare_v the_o catholic_n number_n of_o mankind_n with_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o be_v the_o number_n of_o call_v one_o and_o then_o there_o be_v as_o much_o external_a union_n of_o visible_a communion_n in_o one_o as_o in_o the_o other_o for_o first_o all_o mankind_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o maintain_v civil_a communion_n one_o with_o another_o in_o all_o office_n of_o humanity_n for_o the_o common_a good_a of_o the_o whole_a as_o the_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n do_v or_o aught_o to_o do_v and_o common_a humanity_n and_o the_o command_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n bind_v thereto_o as_o well_o as_o christianity_n and_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n bind_v here_o second_o if_o we_o compare_v civil_a society_n as_o family_n city_n commonwealth_n with_o institute_v church_n it_o be_v as_o possible_a and_o as_o well_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o world_n by_o principle_n of_o humanity_n and_o the_o moral_a law_n in_o all_o man_n heart_n to_o maintain_v external_a union_n of_o league_n of_o friendship_n and_o communion_n in_o all_o office_n of_o civil_a society_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a and_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o church_n society_n by_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n and_o rule_v of_o the_o gospel_n to_o maintain_v external_a union_n of_o visible_a communion_n in_o the_o duty_n of_o church_n society_n three_o not_o to_o dispute_v here_o whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o external_a union_n of_o visible_a communion_n among_o all_o the_o visible_a church_n as_o part_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n if_o the_o reason_n allege_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o same_o viz._n because_o there_o be_v one_o head_n in_o the_o church_n who_o give_v influence_n to_o so_o many_o organ_n of_o head_n foot_n eye_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o church_n then_o still_o our_o parallel_n will_v hold_v for_o as_o this_o head_n be_v no_o other_o than_o christ_n jesus_n in_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n the_o church_n give_v that_o influence_n name_v so_o the_o same_o lord_n that_o be_v king_n and_o head_n over_o all_o 1_o chron._n 29._o 11._o ephes_n 1._o 22._o do_v give_v influence_n to_o many_o organ_n in_o this_o body_n of_o mankind_n even_o to_o all_o king_n judges_z father_n of_o family_n and_o christ_n be_v the_o same_o in_o respect_n of_o all_o authority_n power_n gifts_z administration_n civil_a etc._n etc._n to_o this_o kingdom_n of_o man_n as_o he_o be_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o his_o church_n of_o all_o power_n spiritual_a and_o although_o the_o church_n be_v a_o body_n of_o near_a relation_n to_o christ_n than_o the_o body_n of_o mankind_n yet_o in_o regard_n of_o a_o common_a relation_n between_o a_o head_n and_o body_n there_o be_v a_o similitude_n which_o be_v sufficient_a in_o this_o case_n there_o be_v one_o thing_n more_o we_o meet_v withal_o that_o here_o we_o shall_v remove_v viz._n when_o it_o be_v object_v that_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n can_v be_v one_o because_o it_o can_v convent_v together_o in_o one_o society_n it_o be_v answer_v usual_o that_o such_o come_n together_o in_o one_o society_n be_v not_o needful_a because_o as_o a_o kingdom_n may_v be_v one_o though_o all_o part_n of_o it_o never_o meet_v together_o have_v the_o same_o king_n law_n etc._n etc._n and_o as_o a_o army_n may_v be_v one_o have_v the_o same_o general_n the_o same_o law_n of_o discipline_n the_o same_o cause_n etc._n etc._n though_o the_o several_a brigade_n shall_v never_o be_v draw_v up_o into_o one_o body_n so_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v the_o same_o king_n law_n cause_n enemy_n be_v but_o one_o though_o it_o never_o meet_v to_o this_o we_o shall_v here_o reply_v so_o far_o as_o it_o lie_v in_o our_o way_n 1_o as_o all_o union_n be_v for_o communion_n and_o all_o communion_n flow_v from_o union_n so_o look_v of_o what_o nature_n the_o union_n be_v such_o and_o no_o other_o be_v the_o communion_n and_o look_v of_o what_o nature_n the_o communion_n ought_v to_o be_v of_o like_a nature_n ought_v the_o union_n to_o be_v else_o it_o will_v not_o reach_v the_o end_n and_o therefore_o here_o as_o the_o mystical_a spiritual_a union_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o christ_n the_o head_n by_o faith_n and_o to_o one_o another_o by_o love_n be_v sufficient_a to_o afford_v spiritual_a communion_n with_o the_o same_o so_o unto_o political_a communion_n there_o must_v be_v a_o political_a union_n into_o one_o policy_n and_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o political_a communion_n be_v such_o must_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o union_n be_v that_o it_o may_v reach_v the_o end_n to_o apply_v this_o a_o political_a church_n be_v institute_v of_o christ_n for_o communion_n in_o all_o the_o worship_n and_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n institute_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n the_o seal_n and_o discipline_n now_o no_o church_n as_o one_o can_v have_v communion_n with_o christ_n and_o one_o another_o in_o these_o thing_n but_o it_o must_v have_v a_o political_a union_n suitable_a thereunto_o that_o be_v they_o must_v be_v one_o society_n that_o can_v at_o least_o meet_a to_o combine_v together_o and_o therefore_o if_o all_o church_n make_v one_o political_a body_n for_o political_a communion_n it_o must_v be_v such_o a_o union_n as_o will_v reach_v that_o end_n which_o can_v be_v imagine_v in_o such_o a_o catholic_n totum_fw-la politicum_fw-la as_o the_o catholic_n church_n it_o be_v true_a distinct_a church_n as_o distinct_a kingdom_n may_v have_v communion_n in_o some_o political_a privilege_n answerable_a to_o their_o union_n consist_v in_o a_o fraternal_a relation_n one_o unto_o another_o yet_o not_o make_v up_o one_o body_n political_a of_o which_o we_o speak_v second_o to_o the_o similitude_n bring_v we_o answer_v this_o whole_a kingdom_n or_o army_n be_v proper_o and_o clear_o one_o political_a body_n under_o one_o political_a head_n the_o king_n or_o general_n as_o stands_z by_o covenant_n as_o member_n of_o that_o one_o policy_n and_o those_o who_o have_v right_a to_o choose_v their_o king_n or_o general_n may_v and_o do_v some_o time_n or_o other_o convene_v let_v the_o like_o be_v show_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o all_o political_a
church_n be_v mould_v up_o into_o one_o political_a body_n either_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la or_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la or_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a as_o the_o case_n stand_v so_o to_o be_v and_o then_o the_o similitude_n will_v be_v of_o some_o use_n three_o in_o a_o kingdom_n or_o army_n suppose_v they_o never_o meet_v yet_o there_o be_v such_o political_a union_n as_o full_o reach_v the_o political_a communion_n for_o which_o end_n it_o be_v combine_v viz._n that_o they_o shall_v enjoy_v peace_n and_o justice_n in_o and_o by_o a_o just_a government_n or_o by_o the_o protection_n of_o the_o army_n but_o if_o such_o a_o political_a body_n be_v combine_v to_o have_v such_o communion_n as_o a_o church-communion_n be_v than_o it_o will_v require_v convent_v together_o as_o elsewhere_o we_o shall_v more_o full_o manifest_a for_o our_o part_n we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o christ_n have_v ordain_v the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n as_o one_o to_o have_v political_a communion_n together_o which_o be_v impossible_a and_o therefore_o we_o see_v no_o need_n of_o such_o a_o political_a combination_n but_o as_o he_o have_v ordain_v a_o brotherly_a communion_n of_o counsel_n and_o helpfulnesse_n one_o to_o another_o as_o need_n require_v so_o a_o spiritual_a relation_n and_o brotherly_a consociation_n of_o church_n together_o be_v union_n sufficient_a for_o such_o a_o communion_n and_o thus_o far_o we_o have_v endeavour_v to_o take_v away_o all_o those_o argument_n which_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o general_a consideration_n of_o the_o unity_n visibility_n and_o priority_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o we_o leave_v to_o the_o consideration_n and_o examination_n of_o the_o judicious_a we_o shall_v now_o as_o the_o lord_n shall_v help_v we_o come_v to_o clear_v the_o state_n of_o this_o knotty_a controversy_n as_o we_o think_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v state_v and_o carry_v viz._n what_o be_v that_o form_n of_o a_o political_a church_n which_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v institute_v and_o appoint_v as_o the_o subject_n of_o church_n power_n of_o government_n and_o administration_n of_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o actual_a communion_n with_o christ_n and_o one_o with_o another_o therein_o and_o here_o give_v we_o leave_v before_o we_o enter_v into_o the_o question_n itself_o to_o make_v a_o little_a further_o use_v of_o our_o former_a similitude_n for_o illustration_n and_o then_o we_o will_v show_v where_o the_o ne_fw-fr plus_fw-fr ultra_fw-la as_o we_o conceive_v must_v stand_v it_o have_v be_v show_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o body_n of_o mankind_n that_o although_o much_o may_v be_v say_v for_o the_o unity_n visibility_n and_o priority_n thereof_o before_o any_o part_n of_o it_o yet_o no_o reason_n will_v enforce_v that_o it_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o civil_a power_n etc._n etc._n in_o respect_n of_o actual_a administration_n and_o immediate_a enjoyment_n thereof_o and_o so_o here_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o church_n we_o will_v now_o add_v but_o this_o one_o thing_n more_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o such_o reason_n yet_o in_o execution_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a the_o least_o civil_a society_n yea_o a_o family_n may_v be_v and_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o civil_a power_n and_o privilege_n of_o civil_a government_n so_o the_o least_o political_a church_n society_n may_v be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o these_o key_n of_o church_n power_n in_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o and_o of_o immediate_a communion_n in_o all_o visible_a ordinance_n and_o we_o think_v that_o there_o by_o divine_a institution_n it_o be_v seat_v and_o the_o edification_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n may_v best_o be_v attain_v thereby_o concern_v family_n we_o see_v no_o footstep_n in_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n from_o adam_n and_o noah_n of_o any_o sovereign_a or_o universal_a government_n further_o than_o in_o the_o first_o father_n of_o mankind_n after_o who_o as_o they_o increase_v family_n go_v out_o and_o combine_v make_v city_n and_o so_o commonwealth_n by_o mutual_a consent_n as_o in_o gen._n 10._o and_o other_o story_n appear_v except_o by_o the_o tyrannous_a usurpation_n of_o some_o as_o nimrod_n the_o rest_n be_v bring_v under_o and_o this_o no_o doubt_n among_o any_o free_a people_n be_v still_o the_o most_o orderly_o just_a and_o safe_a way_n of_o erect_v all_o form_n of_o civil_a government_n family_n to_o combine_v into_o town_n city_n kingdom_n or_o aristocratical_a state_n but_o here_o some_o will_v say_v if_o so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o similitude_n a_o particular_a congregation_n may_v be_v the_o first_o church_n that_o have_v the_o key_n of_o church_n power_n and_o church_n communion_n then_o as_o family_n shall_v combine_v into_o town_n and_o city_n and_o they_o into_o great_a commonwealth_n for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o mankind_n so_o here_o these_o first_o church_n may_v not_o stand_v independent_o but_o aught_o to_o combine_v into_o great_a body_n till_o they_o come_v to_o be_v one_o whole_a church_n to_o this_o we_o say_v this_o will_v not_o follow_v upon_o this_o evident_a reason_n because_o civil_a society_n and_o government_n thereof_o be_v herein_o leave_v to_o rule_n of_o humane_a prudence_n by_o the_o lord_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o therefore_o may_v admit_v various_a form_n of_o government_n various_a law_n and_o constitution_n various_a privilege_n etc._n etc._n according_a as_o man_n shall_v conceive_v best_a for_o themselves_o so_o they_o be_v not_o against_o the_o common_a moral_a rule_n of_o equity_n and_o the_o good_a of_o those_o society_n but_o here_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n as_o we_o must_v attend_v what_o kind_n of_o church_n he_o have_v institute_v so_o we_o must_v cleave_v to_o such_o rule_n privilege_n and_o form_n of_o government_n and_o administration_n as_o he_o have_v ordain_v not_o presume_v to_o go_v one_o step_n beyond_o the_o same_o and_o hence_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o church_n to_o alienate_v the_o power_n right_n or_o privilege_n christ_n have_v set_v in_o the_o same_o or_o to_o mould_n up_o any_o other_o political_a church_n than_o he_o have_v appoint_v and_o here_o we_o conceive_v stand_v immovable_o the_o ne_fw-la plus_fw-la ultra_fw-la of_o this_o similitude_n between_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o the_o estate_n of_o mankind_n in_o reference_n to_o power_n and_o government_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o thing_n well_o weigh_v to_o we_o seem_v to_o overthrow_v all_o such_o intermediate_v form_n of_o church_n or_o the_o usual_a church_n as_o mr._n ball_n call_v the_o same_o as_o classical_a provincial_n diocesan_n national_n patriarchicall_a etc._n etc._n which_o we_o see_v not_o how_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n they_o can_v be_v constitute_v either_o descendendo_fw-la from_o the_o common_a nature_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n or_o ascendendo_fw-la from_o the_o combination_n of_o particular_n except_o institution_n can_v be_v find_v for_o the_o same_o we_o find_v indeed_o that_o some_o endeavour_n to_o build_v such_o form_n upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o moral_a principle_n and_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o that_o god_n have_v give_v government_n to_o be_v over_o a_o multitude_n and_o that_o of_o many_o society_n as_o well_o as_o person_n that_o one_o society_n may_v not_o suffer_v as_o well_o as_o one_o person_n and_o that_o therefore_o must_v be_v give_v of_o the_o god_n of_o grace_n to_o a_o society_n and_o multitude_n of_o little_a church_n power_n of_o external_a government_n to_o which_o we_o answer_v 1_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o principle_n in_o nature_n that_o general_o bind_v free_a society_n to_o submit_v to_o one_o common_a government_n must_v many_o kingdom_n etc._n etc._n by_o consequence_n all_o kingdom_n combine_v in_o government_n lest_o one_o kingdom_n be_v hurt_v â—_o must_v moab_n ammon_n edom_n tyre_n sydon_n judea_n etc._n etc._n be_v so_o contiguous_a in_o near_a vicinity_n to_o each_o other_o combine_v in_o one_o government_n 2_o be_v it_o not_o as_o suitable_a to_o morality_n and_o reason_n in_o such_o combination_n that_o they_o set_v up_o one_o to_o rule_v over_o they_o when_o many_o grow_v ignorant_a evil_a or_o heady_a to_o preserve_v peace_n and_o prevent_v wrong_a as_o to_o set_v up_o many_o 3_o do_v abraham_n lot_n melchisedeck_v and_o such_o family_n church_n walk_v against_o ground_n of_o morality_n and_o nature_n that_o do_v not_o so_o combine_v we_o may_v add_v more_o but_o forbear_v but_o we_o can_v desire_v our_o dear_a brethren_n to_o be_v wary_a of_o scatter_v such_o principle_n for_o though_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n and_o worship_n and_o government_n of_o christ_n grace_n do_v not_o destroy_v nature_n yet_o look_v as_o a_o particular_a church_n constitution_n and_o government_n be_v never_o erect_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o divine_a institution_n so_o for_o the_o
in_o the_o high_a sanhedrin_n of_o israel_n but_o there_o be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n nor_o like_v to_o be_v such_o a_o supreme_a court_n where_o such_o appeal_n may_v be_v end_v ergo._fw-la object_n 2_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o what_o a_o particular_a church_n bind_v on_o earth_n be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n except_o they_o err_v but_o then_o appeal_n may_v be_v make_v and_o their_o power_n be_v go_v answ_n on_o this_o ground_n the_o universal_a church_n shall_v not_o have_v power_n to_o bind_v on_o earth_n so_o as_o in_o heaven_n without_o appeal_n for_o they_o may_v err_v and_o that_o not_o only_o rare_o but_o frequent_o witness_v the_o complaint_n of_o nazianzen_n and_o other_o of_o the_o time_n pass_v yea_o they_o may_v be_v as_o much_o incline_v to_o err_v consider_v the_o great_a part_n of_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n corrupt_v yea_o though_o they_o may_v have_v better_a eye_n yet_o they_o be_v further_o from_o the_o mark_n if_o particular_a church_n have_v no_o power_n of_o excommunication_n because_o they_o may_v err_v be_v corrupt_a be_v partial_a or_o be_v divide_v upon_o the_o same_o consideration_n neither_o classical_a national_n or_o oecumeniall_a counsel_n have_v any_o such_o power_n for_o they_o may_v err_v grow_v corrupt_a be_v partial_a and_o be_v miserable_o divide_v as_o well_o as_o a_o congregationall_a church_n other_o church_n may_v admonish_v in_o case_n of_o scandal_n and_o counsel_n when_o a_o particular_a congregation_n want_v light_a and_o moderate_a if_o desire_v in_o case_n of_o difference_n but_o still_o the_o power_n be_v in_o the_o particular_a church_n other_o argument_n may_v be_v add_v but_o see_v this_o controversy_n as_o we_o hope_v will_v be_v more_o full_o and_o purposely_o dispute_v by_o a_o far_o better_a hand_n therefore_o we_o shall_v fall_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o such_o scripture_n and_o some_o few_o general_a argument_n which_o we_o meet_v withal_o in_o mr._n ball_n brief_o propound_v and_o in_o divers_a other_o author_n more_o large_o insist_v upon_o which_o if_o the_o lord_n be_v please_v to_o help_v we_o to_o vindicate_v and_o clear_v up_o we_o think_v other_o reason_n and_o scripture_n of_o less_o force_n will_v fall_v of_o themselves_o and_o first_o we_o find_v cant._n 6._o 4._o etc._n etc._n to_o prove_v the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n visible_a to_o be_v one_o ministerial_a body_n because_o it_o be_v call_v one_o compare_v to_o a_o army_n terrible_a with_o banner_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o order_n of_o discipline_n and_o describe_v as_o be_v a_o organical_a body_n have_v eye_n hair_z tooth_n etc._n etc._n answ_n 1_o theologia_n symbolica_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la argumentativa_fw-la except_o it_o can_v be_v make_v clear_a that_o the_o parable_n be_v apply_v according_a to_o the_o true_a scope_n of_o it_o and_o no_o further_o which_o here_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o evince_v we_o know_v the_o whole_a book_n of_o the_o canticle_n be_v various_o apply_v by_o good_a interpreter_n brightman_n none_o of_o the_o mean_a in_o this_o kind_n of_o loc._n scripture_n apply_v this_o place_n to_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n and_o the_o time_n of_o pure_a church_n to_o arise_v after_o it_o which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v terrible_a as_o a_o army_n with_o banner_n not_o in_o respect_n of_o discipline_n but_o in_o respect_n of_o warlike_a power_n whereby_o that_o state_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v defend_v itself_o 2_o but_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v a_o description_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n visible_a yet_o it_o can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n that_o it_o be_v one_o ministerial_a church_n for_o first_o the_o catholic_a church_n be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o age_n and_o therefore_o by_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v a_o catholic_a ministerial_a body_n as_o well_o in_o the_o day_n from_o adam_n to_o abraham_n etc._n etc._n as_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n second_o by_o this_o argument_n we_o may_v prove_v christ_n the_o head_n and_o husband_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v a_o organical_a body_n as_o he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n for_o cant._n 5._o 10_o 11._o etc._n etc._n the_o church_n do_v allegorical_o describe_v the_o beauty_n and_o excellency_n of_o christ_n in_o several_a organ_n and_o part_n but_o we_o suppose_v though_o christ_n jesus_n in_o his_o humane_a nature_n have_v member_n yet_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o set_v forth_o the_o member_n of_o his_o humane_a body_n but_o the_o glorious_a excellency_n and_o spiritual_a perfection_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o redeemer_n and_o saviour_n of_o his_o church_n according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o lover_n who_o be_v take_v with_o the_o beauty_n of_o their_o spouse_n in_o all_o their_o member_n when_o the_o spouse_n say_v cant._n 1._o 1._o let_v he_o kiss_v i_o with_o the_o kiss_n of_o his_o mouth_n it_o be_v too_o gross_a to_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o humanity_n of_o christ_n or_o to_o argue_v from_o thence_o that_o christ_n the_o husband_n of_o his_o church_n be_v a_o organical_a body_n three_o and_o last_o when_o the_o church_n be_v call_v one_o the_o only_a one_o of_o her_o mother_n though_o it_o be_v true_a she_o be_v one_o it_o seem_v rather_o to_o set_v out_o her_o excellency_n as_o rare_a and_o but_o one_o than_o her_o unity_n and_o so_o the_o other_o description_n all_o tend_v to_o set_v forth_o her_o beauty_n in_o the_o eye_n and_o esteem_v of_o christ_n neither_o be_v it_o any_o thing_n that_o the_o church_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o army_n terrible_a with_o banner_n for_o in_o the_o same_o chap._n vers_fw-la the_o last_o she_o be_v compare_v to_o the_o company_n of_o mahanaim_n or_o two_o army_n which_o be_v all_o one_o for_o the_o company_n of_o mahanaim_n consist_v of_o two_o army_n gen._n 32._o 1_o 2_o 3._o where_o jacob_n host_n meet_v a_o host_n of_o angel_n he_o call_v the_o place_n mahanaim_n or_o two_o host_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v as_o well_o say_v the_o catholic_n church_n be_v terrible_a with_o two_o army_n of_o banner_n as_o one_o answ_n a_o second_o and_o chief_a scripture_n we_o meet_v withal_o in_o divers_a author_n be_v 1_o cor._n 12._o 12_o 13._o etc._n etc._n whence_o the_o reason_n stand_v thus_o that_o church_n wherein_o apostle_n prophet_n teacher_n etc._n etc._n be_v set_v be_v a_o organical_a church_n but_o those_o be_v set_v in_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n ergo._fw-la for_o the_o better_a clear_n of_o this_o scripture_n it_o be_v needful_a that_o we_o attend_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o come_v now_o to_o another_o branch_n of_o the_o thing_n this_o church_n have_v write_v unto_o he_o about_o chap._n 7._o 1._o &_o 8._o 1._o &_o 12._o 1._o and_o this_o about_o spiritual_a gift_n wherein_o they_o abound_v chap._n 1._o 7._o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o all_o their_o contention_n and_o disorder_n chap._n 1._o 12_o 13._o hence_o he_o be_v studious_a the_o more_o to_o reunite_v they_o again_o chap._n 12._o 13._o and_o to_o direct_v they_o how_o to_o improve_v their_o gift_n orderly_o to_o edification_n chap._n 14._o and_o in_o this_o chapter_n he_o persuade_v their_o mind_n to_o unity_n who_o be_v divide_v partly_o through_o pride_n in_o their_o own_o gift_n partly_o by_o disdain_n of_o other_o not_o so_o gift_v hence_o he_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n 1_o what_o once_o they_o be_v follow_v dumb_a idol_n 2_o that_o all_o gift_n be_v from_o the_o free_a dispensation_n of_o god_n and_o that_o one_o god_n one_o lord_n one_o spirit_n 3_o that_o god_n in_o his_o wisdom_n have_v dispense_v great_a variety_n of_o gift_n operation_n and_o administration_n 4_o that_o all_o be_v give_v to_o profit_v withal_o and_o these_o thing_n he_o illustrate_v by_o a_o simile_n take_v from_o a_o natural_a body_n which_o have_v large_o present_v and_o apply_v to_o this_o church_n vers_fw-la 27._o he_o conclude_v with_o the_o variety_n of_o administration_n in_o such_o thing_n wherein_o they_o so_o much_o differ_v chap._n 1._o 12_o 13._o god_n have_v set_v say_v he_o in_o the_o church_n not_o only_a apostle_n or_o prophet_n or_o tongue_n etc._n etc._n but_o all_o these_o be_v all_o apostle_n be_v all_o prophet_n &_o c_o no_o but_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n have_v give_v you_o variety_n of_o these_o gift_n and_o administration_n and_o therefore_o chap._n 3._o to_o quiet_v they_o he_o say_v paul_n a_o apostle_n apollo_n a_o evangelist_n etc._n etc._n all_o be_v you_o and_o as_o this_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o we_o see_v nothing_o in_o the_o chapter_n but_o be_v appliable_a to_o corinth_n in_o particular_a yea_o apply_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o apostle_n as_o what_o he_o speak_v vers_fw-la 22._o of_o one_o body_n he_o apply_v to_o they_o vers_n 27._o what_o he_o speak_v vers_fw-la 28._o of_o apostle_n and_o
christ_n have_v set_v in_o the_o church_n and_o not_o to_o give_v it_o up_o to_o many_o no_o more_o then_o to_o one_o if_o testimony_n be_v needful_a we_o may_v produce_v zanchi_n zwinglius_fw-la parker_n baines_n and_o other_o who_o be_v full_o with_o we_o in_o this_o doctrine_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n yea_o dr._n downam_n himself_o confess_v that_o the_o most_o of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n do_v not_o exceed_v the_o proportion_n of_o a_o populous_a congregation_n and_o this_o confession_n put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o a_o witty_a passage_n of_o his_o refuter_fw-la or_o his_o epistoler_n who_o against_o the_o bishop_n maintain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o congregationall_a church_n with_o we_o with_o who_o expression_n for_o the_o recreation_n of_o ourselves_o and_o the_o reader_n we_o will_v conclude_v the_o papist_n say_v he_o he_o tell_v we_o just_a as_o the_o organ_n go_v at_o rome_n that_o the_o extent_n of_o a_o bishop_n jurisdiction_n be_v not_o limit_v but_o by_o the_o pope_n appointment_n his_o power_n of_o itself_o indifferent_o reaching_z over_o all_o the_o world_n our_o prelatist_n will_v persuade_v we_o to_o the_o tune_n of_o canterbury_n that_o neither_o church_n nor_o bishop_n have_v his_o bound_n determine_v by_o the_o pope_n nor_o yet_o by_o christ_n in_o the_o scripture_n but_o leave_v to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o prince_n to_o be_v cast_v into_o one_o mould_n with_o the_o civil_a state_n now_o the_o plain_a christian_n find_v nothing_o but_o humane_a uncertainty_n in_o either_o of_o these_o devise_n be_v content_v himself_o with_o plain_a song_n and_o know_v that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v christian_n to_o gather_v themselves_o into_o such_o society_n as_o may_v assemble_v themselves_o together_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o that_o unto_o such_o he_o have_v give_v their_o peculiar_a pastor_n he_o i_o say_v in_o his_o simplicity_n call_v these_o assembly_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o these_o pastor_n his_o bishop_n thus_o much_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o it_o be_v institute_v in_o the_o gospel_n now_o in_o the_o second_o place_n we_o be_v to_o show_v how_o church_n government_n and_o ordinance_n be_v give_v to_o it_o as_o to_o the_o proper_a subject_n of_o the_o same_o where_o we_o shall_v propound_v these_o thesis_n for_o explication_n of_o ourselves_o first_o though_o pastourship_n consider_v as_o a_o office_n in_o relation_n to_o a_o people_n to_o feed_v they_o anthoritative_o be_v one_o of_o these_o ordinance_n give_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n yet_o christ_n have_v give_v it_o for_o the_o gather_n in_o of_o his_o elect_a unto_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o we_o grant_v some_o act_n of_o the_o ministry_n viz._n the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v extend_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o church_n second_o seal_n and_o other_o privilege_n although_o de_fw-la jure_fw-la and_o remote_o they_o belong_v to_o the_o catholic_a church_n or_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n yet_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la and_o next_o they_o belong_v proper_o to_o this_o subject_a which_o we_o speak_v of_o as_o we_o hope_v to_o make_v good_a three_o they_o be_v not_o so_o appropriate_v to_o such_o congregation_n only_o as_o to_o exclude_v the_o member_n of_o those_o congregation_n which_o be_v undeâ—_n the_o government_n of_o a_o common_a presbytery_n or_o other_o form_n of_o government_n for_o we_o have_v a_o brotherly_a esteem_n of_o such_o congregaâ—ions_n notwithstanding_o that_o tertium_fw-la quoddam_fw-la separabile_fw-la of_o government_n as_o mr._n baines_n call_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o a_o church_n now_o constitute_v and_o may_v be_v absent_a the_o church_n remain_v a_o church_n four_o although_o it_o be_v say_v by_o some_o divine_n that_o as_o faith_n be_v the_o internal_a form_n of_o the_o church_n so_o profession_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o outward_a form_n and_o that_o therefore_o bare_a profession_n of_o say_v make_v a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n yet_o this_o must_v be_v understand_v according_a to_o the_o interpretation_n of_o some_o of_o they_o who_o so_o speak_v for_o there_o be_v a_o double_a profession_n of_o faith_n personal_a which_o be_v act_v several_o by_o particular_a person_n and_o common_a which_o be_v act_v conjoint_o in_o and_o with_o a_o society_n the_o first_o make_v a_o man_n of_o the_o catholic_a number_n of_o visible_a saint_n and_o so_o fit_a matter_n for_o political_a church-society_n the_o other_o make_v a_o man_n of_o the_o political_a church_n formal_o and_o complete_o and_o in_o this_o latter_a sense_n profession_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o external_a form_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n but_o not_o in_o the_o other_o now_o that_o in_o and_o to_o this_o subject_n so_o profess_v the_o seal_n and_o other_o ordinance_n belong_v may_v be_v prove_v thus_o argum._n 1._o first_o the_o seal_n and_o other_o church-ordinance_n must_v either_o belong_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o such_o or_o to_o the_o particular_a church_n but_o these_o can_v belong_v to_o the_o catholic_n in_o actual_a dispensation_n whereof_o we_o now_o speak_v ergo._fw-la for_o that_o church_n which_o be_v uncapable_a of_o actual_a dispensation_n of_o seal_n censure_n etc._n etc._n be_v uncapable_a of_o the_o participation_n thereof_o in_o a_o orderly_a and_o ordinary_a way_n but_o the_o catholic_n number_n of_o visible_a believer_n as_o catholic_n and_o out_o of_o particular_a society_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o dispense_n the_o same_o ergo._fw-la the_o proposition_n be_v evident_a for_o it_o can_v be_v show_v that_o any_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v ever_o capable_a of_o participate_v in_o seal_n that_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o dispense_n they_o at_o least_o not_o have_v a_o next_o power_n to_o elect_v officer_n to_o do_v it_o the_o assumption_n be_v evident_a from_o what_o have_v be_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v no_o political_a body_n the_o sole_a subject_n of_o church_n administration_n neither_o in_o the_o whole_a nor_o in_o the_o part_n as_o exist_v out_o of_o congregation_n argum._n 2._o if_o the_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v bind_v to_o join_v into_o particular_a society_n that_o they_o may_v partake_v of_o seal_n etc._n etc._n then_o the_o seal_n be_v not_o to_o be_v administer_v immediate_o to_o they_o for_o than_o they_o shall_v have_v the_o end_n without_o the_o mean_n but_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o join_v in_o such_o society_n for_o that_o end_n for_o otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o erect_v any_o particular_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o all_o the_o glory_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o respect_n shall_v be_v lay_v in_o the_o dust_n and_o these_o particular_a temple_n destroy_v and_o thus_o a_o door_n of_o liberty_n be_v open_v to_o many_o to_o live_v loose_o without_o the_o care_n and_o watch_v and_o communion_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n in_o the_o world_n argum._n 3._o if_o the_o seal_n be_v to_o be_v administer_v immediate_o to_o believer_n or_o profess_v believer_n as_o such_o than_o they_o may_v be_v administer_v private_o to_o any_o one_o wherever_o he_o be_v find_v but_o that_o be_v very_o irregular_a and_o against_o the_o common_a doctrine_n of_o protestant_a divine_n who_o give_v large_a testimony_n against_o private_a baptism_n or_o of_o the_o lord_n supper_n neither_o do_v we_o see_v any_o weight_n in_o the_o argument_n of_o the_o papist_n or_o anabaptist_n allege_v for_o the_o contrary_n argum._n 4._o lest_o we_o seem_v to_o stand_v alone_o in_o this_o controversy_n let_v the_o argument_n produce_v by_o didoclavius_n and_o he_o that_o write_v concern_v perth_n assembly_n against_o private_a baptism_n be_v consider_v and_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o most_o of_o they_o do_v strong_o conclude_v against_o administration_n thereof_o to_o any_o but_o church-member_n argum._n 5._o the_o learned_a author_n mr._n ball_n in_o this_o his_o dispute_n against_o our_o conclusion_n yet_o in_o his_o discourse_n let_v fall_v sundâ—y_a thing_n that_o confirm_v it_o as_o when_o he_o describe_v the_o catholic_n church_n to_o be_v the_o society_n 22._o of_o man_n profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n divide_v into_o many_o particular_a church_n whence_o we_o argue_v if_o the_o catholic_n church_n exi_v only_o in_o these_o particular_a church_n the_o seal_n must_v only_o be_v give_v to_o they_o and_o the_o member_n thereof_o also_o that_o baptism_n be_v a_o solemn_a admission_n 68_o into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v administer_v in_o a_o particular_a society_n whence_o three_o thing_n will_v follow_v first_o that_o baptism_n sometime_o administer_v private_o by_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o a_o ordinary_a pattern_n second_o that_o baptism_n be_v not_o to_o be_v administer_v to_o believer_n as_o such_o immediate_o if_o of_o necessity_n it_o must_v be_v administer_v in_o a_o
may_v ordinary_o be_v have_v or_o give_v to_o such_o as_o set_v loose_a from_o all_o society_n the_o apostle_n have_v extraordinary_a power_n be_v general_a pastor_n over_o all_o person_n believe_v as_o well_o as_o church_n and_o therefore_o at_o some_o time_n by_o special_a guidance_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o may_v do_v that_o which_o ordinary_a pastor_n may_v not_o do_v reply_n second_o as_o the_o seal_n so_o the_o word_n of_o salvation_n preach_v and_o receive_v be_v a_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n if_o by_o preach_v be_v mean_v the_o give_n of_o the_o word_n unto_o a_o people_n to_o abide_v and_o continue_v with_o they_o and_o consequent_o the_o receive_n of_o it_o at_o least_o in_o profession_n than_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n answ_n we_o grant_v in_o some_o sense_n it_o be_v a_o privilege_n and_o proper_a to_o the_o church_n so_o to_o have_v the_o word_n but_o this_o no_o way_n take_v away_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o seal_n and_o the_o word_n which_o the_o answer_n make_v viz_o that_o the_o word_n be_v not_o such_o a_o peculiar_a privilege_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o seal_n in_o that_o the_o one_o be_v dispense_v not_o only_o to_o the_o church_n but_o also_o to_o other_o for_o the_o gather_n of_o they_o which_o be_v not_o so_o in_o the_o seal_n for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n receive_v in_o corinth_n abide_v with_o they_o profess_v of_o they_o be_v not_o so_o peculiar_a but_o a_o idiot_n come_v in_o might_n partake_v in_o the_o same_o but_o not_o so_o in_o the_o sacrament_n 1_o cor._n 14._o reply_n the_o word_n make_v disciple_n the_o word_n give_v unto_o a_o people_n be_v god_n covenant_v with_o they_o and_o the_o people_n receive_v this_o word_n and_o profess_v their_o faith_n in_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o take_n of_o god_n to_o be_v their_o god_n the_o law_n and_o statute_n which_o god_n give_v unto_o israel_n be_v a_o testimony_n that_o god_n have_v separate_v they_o from_o all_o other_o people_n the_o word_n of_o reconciliation_n be_v send_v and_o give_v to_o the_o world_n reconcile_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o they_o that_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n law_n or_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o disciple_n servant_n and_o people_n of_o god_n answ_n in_o these_o word_n and_o that_o which_o follow_v in_o the_o second_o paragraph_n there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o double_a scope_n first_o to_o prove_v the_o word_n proper_a to_o the_o church_n to_o which_o be_v answer_v afore_o second_o that_o wherever_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v there_o be_v the_o true_a visible_a church_n and_o so_o where_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v there_o be_v a_o mark_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o where_o it_o be_v receive_v and_o confess_v to_o which_o we_o answer_v 1_o there_o be_v a_o covenant_v between_o god_n and_o man_n which_o be_v personal_a and_o so_o whosoever_o receive_v the_o word_n of_o god_n grace_n by_o faith_n send_v unto_o he_o by_o god_n enter_v into_o covenant_n to_o be_v his_o and_o that_o before_o he_o make_v any_o visible_a profession_n thereof_o and_o so_o every_o believer_n be_v a_o disciple_n a_o servant_n of_o god_n and_o one_o of_o god_n people_n but_o many_o thousand_o of_o these_o consider_v only_o in_o this_o their_o personal_a relation_n to_o god_n do_v not_o make_v a_o visible_a church_n many_o such_o may_v be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o no_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n until_o they_o come_v and_o join_v to_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n of_o old_a or_o to_o the_o visible_a church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n 2_o there_o be_v a_o social_a or_o common_a covenant_v between_o god_n and_o a_o people_n to_o be_v a_o god_n to_o they_o and_o they_o a_o people_n unto_o god_n in_o outward_a visible_a profession_n of_o his_o worship_n and_o so_o the_o lord_n take_v abraham_n and_o his_o seed_n into_o covenant_n and_o renew_v that_o covenant_n with_o they_o as_o a_o holy_a nation_n and_o peculiar_a people_n to_o he_o and_o in_o this_o covenant_n of_o god_n with_o a_o people_n whereby_o they_o become_v a_o church_n there_o be_v require_v first_o that_o they_o be_v many_o not_o one_o second_o that_o these_o many_o become_v one_o body_n one_o people_n three_o that_o they_o make_v visible_a profession_n of_o their_o covenant_n with_o god_n real_o or_o vocal_o four_o that_o this_o covenant_n contain_v a_o profession_n of_o subjection_n to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n worship_n wherein_o god_n require_v a_o church_n to_o walk_v together_o before_o he_o and_o all_o these_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n who_o receive_v god_n law_n indeed_o but_o so_o as_o they_o become_v one_o people_n to_o god_n visible_o avouch_v god_n for_o their_o god_n receive_v and_o submit_v unto_o all_o the_o law_n of_o his_o worship_n government_n and_o other_o ordinance_n and_o this_o be_v express_o or_o implicit_o in_o every_o true_a visible_a church_n though_o more_o or_o less_o full_o and_o pure_o now_o if_o you_o intend_v such_o a_o covenant_v of_o a_o people_n with_o god_n by_o a_o profess_a receive_v of_o his_o word_n and_o subjection_n to_o his_o ordinance_n we_o grant_v such_o to_o be_v true_a church_n and_o to_o such_o the_o seal_n do_v belong_v and_o therefore_o we_o willing_o close_v with_o the_o conclusion_n that_o follow_v they_o that_o have_v receive_v the_o word_n of_o salvation_n entire_o and_o have_v pastor_n godly_a and_o faithful_a to_o feed_v and_o guide_v they_o they_o and_o their_o seed_n have_v right_a to_o the_o seal_n in_o order_n and_o they_o that_o join_v together_o in_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n according_a to_o his_o will_n with_o godly_a and_o faithful_a pastor_n they_o have_v right_a to_o the_o sacrament_n according_a to_o divine_a institution_n these_o conclusion_n we_o willing_o embrace_v and_o infer_v that_o if_o the_o seal_n belong_v to_o such_o a_o church_n then_o to_o particular_a congregation_n for_o where_o shall_v we_o find_v a_o people_n join_v together_o with_o godly_a pastor_n but_o in_o such_o particular_a assembly_n for_o we_o doubt_v not_o our_o brethren_n do_v disclaim_v all_o diocesan_n pastor_n or_o provincial_n etc._n etc._n reply_n that_o there_o be_v now_o no_o visible_a catholic_n church_n in_o your_o sense_n will_v easy_o be_v grant_v etc._n etc._n if_o this_o be_v grant_v in_o our_o sense_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o catholic_n church_n wherein_o seal_n be_v to_o be_v dispense_v then_o it_o will_v fall_v to_o be_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o particular_a congregation_n to_o have_v the_o seal_n in_o the_o administration_n proper_a to_o they_o and_o so_o the_o cause_n be_v yield_v but_o because_o there_o be_v so_o much_o here_o speak_v of_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n and_o so_o much_o urge_v from_o it_o we_o shall_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o what_o be_v say_v before_o only_o one_o thing_n we_o shall_v note_v about_o the_o instance_n of_o athanasius_n that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n but_o of_o no_o particular_a society_n reply_n you_o say_v it_o be_v evidence_v in_o that_o a_o christian_n as_o athanasius_n for_o a_o example_n may_v be_v cut_v off_o unjust_o from_o the_o particular_a visible_a church_n wherein_o he_o be_v bear_v and_o yet_o remain_v a_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n visible_a orthodox_n church_n answ_n this_o case_n prove_v nothing_o for_o look_v how_o such_o a_o christian_a stand_v to_o the_o catholic_n so_o he_o stand_v to_o the_o particular_a church_n if_o he_o be_v unjust_o censure_v as_o he_o remain_v before_o god_n a_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n so_o also_o the_o particular_a church_n for_o clavis_fw-la errans_fw-la non_fw-la ligat_fw-la and_o in_o respect_n of_o man_n and_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n in_o the_o seal_n if_o they_o receive_v he_o be_v satisfy_v that_o he_o be_v unjust_o cast_v out_o they_o may_v receive_v he_o not_o for_o his_o general_a interest_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o true_a membership_n in_o the_o particular_a church_n that_o unjust_o cast_v he_o out_o whereas_o if_o the_o church_n be_v not_o persuade_v but_o that_o he_o be_v just_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o particular_a they_o ought_v not_o to_o admit_v he_o to_o seal_n be_v he_o as_o orthodox_n as_o athanasius_n himself_o in_o doctrine_n and_o as_o holy_a in_o his_o life_n reply_n though_o there_o be_v no_o universal_a congregation_n nor_o can_v be_v imagine_v yet_o there_o be_v and_o have_v be_v many_o visible_a assembly_n or_o society_n true_a church_n of_o christ_n to_o who_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o seal_n be_v give_v which_o have_v not_o be_v unite_v and_o knit_v together_o into_o one_o congregation_n or_o society_n in_o church-order_n for_o every_o society_n in_o
ten_o man_n in_o a_o city_n 2_o that_o they_o can_v not_o burn_v their_o book_n open_o without_o danger_n to_o the_o church_n except_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o city_n believe_v seem_v a_o strange_a reason_n as_o if_o believer_n dare_v not_o profess_v open_o except_o they_o have_v a_o great_a number_n to_o maintain_v they_o with_o club-law_n open_a profession_n in_o those_o time_n even_o among_o a_o few_o be_v not_o wont_a to_o be_v daunt_v with_o the_o grim_a look_n of_o persecution_n 3_o and_o last_o we_o grant_v ephesus_n may_v be_v a_o numerous_a church_n yet_o neither_o there_o nor_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v say_v from_o rev._n 2._o 7._o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v to_o the_o church_n can_v persuade_v we_o that_o it_o be_v any_o more_o than_o one_o congregation_n for_o that_o argue_v no_o more_o that_o ephesus_n be_v a_o compound_n of_o many_o church_n then_o that_o it_o be_v compound_v with_o all_o the_o other_o six_o church_n of_o asia_n yea_o the_o church_n of_o all_o the_o world_n for_o what_o the_o spirit_n speak_v to_o one_o church_n be_v speak_v for_o the_o use_n of_o all_o reply_n it_o be_v not_o essential_a to_o the_o church_n to_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n ordinary_o nor_o be_v the_o society_n break_v off_o by_o persecution_n when_o their_o meeting_n together_o in_o one_o place_n be_v interrupt_v answ_n it_o be_v true_a one_o church_n or_o society_n by_o persecution_n or_o otherwise_o may_v meet_v in_o several_a company_n neither_o do_v we_o say_v that_o place_n or_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n be_v proper_o essential_a to_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o be_v necessary_a both_o necessitate_v praecepti_fw-la &_o medii_fw-la to_o be_v able_a at_o least_o so_o to_o do_v for_o though_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o society_n thus_o to_o meet_v together_o yet_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o communion_n thereof_o in_o all_o ordinance_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o unity_n of_o a_o classical_a presbytery_n to_o meet_v ordinary_o in_o one_o place_n but_o unto_o the_o communion_n thereof_o it_o be_v necessary_a when_o the_o papist_n to_o maintain_v their_o private_a mass_n say_v that_o place_n be_v but_o accidental_a to_o the_o ordinance_n and_o that_o christian_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o place_n as_o hardin_n object_n any_o more_o then_o to_o observe_v day_n month_n time_n condemn_v as_o beggarly_a element_n by_o the_o apostle_n gal._n 4._o as_o also_o that_o all_o the_o faithful_a be_v unite_v together_o by_o the_o sacrament_n though_o they_o meet_v not_o in_o the_o same_o place_n as_o the_o ancient_n note_n how_o do_v learned_a chamier_n answer_v they_o he_o tell_v 13._o they_o that_o although_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a place_n be_v not_o necessary_a yet_o a_o place_n indefinite_o take_v be_v and_o that_o the_o sacrament_n be_v restrain_v to_o be_v administer_v in_o a_o place_n because_o it_o can_v be_v administer_v but_o conventu_fw-la fidelium_fw-la and_o this_o conventus_fw-la must_v be_v in_o some_o place_n and_o he_o add_v that_o although_o all_o the_o faithful_a have_v communion_n in_o the_o sacrament_n though_o they_o meet_v not_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o place_n yet_o this_o he_o say_v be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o spiritual_a not_o sacramental_a communion_n nunquam_fw-la enim_fw-la auditum_fw-la qui_fw-la hierosolymis_fw-la erant_fw-la sacramentaliter_fw-la communicasse_fw-la cum_fw-la iis_fw-la qui_fw-la alexandria_n and_o therefore_o he_o think_v communion_n in_o one_o place_n together_o necessary_a to_o church-communion_n as_o we_o do_v reply_n seven_o see_v then_o both_o the_o seal_n in_o ordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a dispensation_n etc._n etc._n answ_n this_o with_o that_o which_o follow_v be_v but_o a_o recapitulation_n of_o the_o several_a reply_v make_v we_o shall_v leave_v it_o to_o the_o judicious_a have_v well_o observe_v our_o answer_n to_o embrace_v or_o reject_v the_o conclusion_n chap._n vii_o consid_n 2._o reply_v to_o the_o second_o consideration_n of_o the_o answer_n the_o proposition_n be_v grant_v that_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o sacrament_n both_o ordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a be_v limit_v to_o the_o ministry_n but_o in_o that_o you_o allege_v for_o confirmation_n some_o thing_n may_v be_v note_v 1_o the_o first_o institution_n of_o baptism_n be_v not_o contain_v in_o that_o passage_n but_o confirm_v for_o the_o seal_n be_v institute_v before_o his_o death_n etc._n etc._n answ_n the_o proposition_n be_v grant_v and_o the_o proof_n mat._n 28._o 19_o being_n we_o doubt_v not_o pertinent_a in_o the_o author_n own_o judgement_n as_o well_o as_o we_o brotherly_a love_n may_v easy_o have_v pass_v over_o great_a mistake_n than_o the_o answer_n seem_v to_o have_v fall_v into_o for_o by_o first_o institution_n here_o we_o mean_v no_o more_o then_o that_o it_o be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n himself_o institute_v in_o that_o first_o time_n of_o all_o divine_a ordinance_n we_o be_v not_o so_o ignorant_a to_o think_v there_o be_v no_o use_n and_o so_o no_o institution_n of_o baptism_n before_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o this_o confutation_n may_v have_v be_v spare_v reply_n second_o we_o see_v not_o how_o you_o can_v apply_v that_o text_n matth._n 28_o 19_o to_o preach_v by_o office_n which_o by_o your_o exposition_n be_v a_o dispense_n of_o a_o fit_a portion_n to_o every_o one_o of_o the_o household_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a the_o apostle_n be_v send_v to_o preach_v to_o every_o creature_n etc._n etc._n answ_n as_o if_o that_o commission_n matth._n 28._o do_v not_o authorise_v they_o also_o and_o require_v they_o to_o dispense_v fit_a portion_n to_o the_o church_n do_v not_o the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n lie_v on_o the_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 11._o 28._o so_o also_o 1_o cor._n 7._o 17._o be_v not_o apostle_n give_v to_o the_o church_n for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n as_o well_o as_o other_o officer_n ephes_n 4._o 11_o 12._o 1_o cor._n 12._o 28._o and_o therefore_o this_o note_n also_o may_v well_o have_v be_v spare_v reply_n three_o if_o under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n you_o comprehend_v preach_v by_o office_n dispense_n seal_v etc._n etc._n we_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n or_o community_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o those_o passage_n which_o speak_v of_o this_o power_n the_o execution_n of_o this_o authority_n be_v give_v to_o they_o to_o who_o the_o authority_n be_v commit_v answ_n this_o of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o the_o execution_n thereof_o be_v only_o in_o the_o answer_n touch_v by_o the_o way_n to_o prevent_v the_o objection_n of_o some_o 1_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o it_o be_v no_o new_a opinion_n to_o hold_v that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n and_o to_o allege_v matth._n 16._o &_o 18._o for_o the_o same_o and_o therefore_o may_v as_o well_o have_v be_v set_v in_o the_o margin_n many_o ancient_a divine_n and_o our_o own_o modern_a as_o fulke_n whittaker_n baine_n parker_n and_o other_o as_o robinson_n if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o desire_n to_o possess_v people_n with_o that_o conceit_n that_o we_o go_v in_o new_a way_n with_o the_o separatist_n alone_o 2_o we_o distinguish_v between_o power_n and_o authority_n there_o be_v a_o power_n right_a or_o privilege_n as_o joh._n 1._o 12._o which_o be_v not_o authority_n proper_o so_o call_v the_o first_o be_v in_o the_o whole_a church_n by_o which_o they_o have_v right_a to_o choose_v officer_n act_n 6._o &_o 14._o receive_a member_n etc._n etc._n authority_n proper_o so_o call_v we_o ascribe_v only_o to_o the_o officer_n under_o christ_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v who_o the_o church_n must_v obey_v now_o we_o grant_v that_o where_o authority_n be_v give_v there_o power_n to_o exercise_v it_o be_v give_v also_o as_o mat._n 28._o joh._n 20._o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v give_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n and_o so_o where_o power_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n there_o power_n to_o exercise_v the_o same_o orderly_o be_v give_v also_o as_o mat._n 18._o 1_o cor._n 5._o 2_o cor._n 2._o 10._o reply_n if_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n themselves_o must_v derive_v their_o authority_n immediate_o from_o the_o church_n and_o not_o from_o christ_n for_o the_o power_n must_v be_v derive_v from_o they_o unto_o who_o it_o be_v give_v etc._n etc._n answ_n we_o deny_v your_o consequence_n for_o the_o lord_n may_v give_v power_n to_o his_o church_n in_o all_o ordinary_a case_n and_o yet_o reserve_v to_o himself_o that_o prerogative_n to_o do_v what_o he_o please_v immediate_o without_o the_o church_n as_o be_v clear_a that_o in_o this_o case_n he_o have_v first_o call_v his_o twelve_o apostle_n mat._n 10._o
visible_a member_n of_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n understand_v that_o particular_a church_n out_o of_o which_o they_o be_v cast_v so_o the_o right_n of_o baptism_n belong_v to_o their_o infant_n which_o be_v so_o they_o be_v not_o without_o that_o church_n though_o debar_v unjust_o of_o the_o present_a communion_n with_o it_o unless_o he_o renounce_v that_o church_n or_o other_o reply_n second_o if_o such_o church_n renounce_v it_o as_o be_v no_o member_n of_o a_o politic_a spiritual_a fellowship_n be_v without_o than_o the_o member_n of_o one_o church_n be_v without_o unto_o another_o etc._n etc._n answ_n this_o objection_n we_o have_v have_v and_o answer_v oft_o before_o in_o a_o word_n there_o can_v be_v the_o like_a reason_n no_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o that_o other_o church_n who_o may_v in_o a_o due_a order_n of_o christ_n persecute_v the_o censure_n against_o they_o though_o not_o complete_o among_o themselves_o which_o can_v be_v say_v of_o such_o as_o have_v not_o join_v themselves_o to_o any_o church_n and_o therefore_o we_o deny_v that_o the_o apostle_n reason_n be_v because_o they_o be_v without_o to_o corinth_n but_o without_o to_o all_o church_n reply_n three_o the_o fornicator_n of_o this_o world_n do_v they_o not_o explain_v who_o the_o apostle_n point_v unto_o by_o the_o title_n of_o be_v without_o verse_n the_o 10._o 11._o such_o as_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n answ_n we_o never_o think_v otherwise_o but_o that_o the_o fornicator_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o heathen_a be_v most_o proper_o without_o in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n but_o if_o our_o word_n be_v observe_v that_o in_o a_o certain_a respect_n or_o as_o our_o word_n be_v in_o regard_n of_o visible_a church_n communion_n such_o as_o be_v in_o no_o church_n society_n be_v say_v to_o be_v without_o what_o great_a offence_n have_v we_o give_v for_o first_o be_v not_o a_o godly_a man_n if_o just_o excommunicate_v without_o in_o this_o sense_n second_o do_v not_o the_o apostle_n john_n express_o call_v they_o without_o that_o forsake_v the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o john_n 2._o 19_o saying_n they_o go_v out_o three_o be_v not_o the_o catechumeni_fw-la of_o old_a in_o this_o respect_n without_o and_o the_o lapse_v in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o the_o like_a who_o in_o those_o zealous_a and_o severe_a time_n of_o church_n discipline_n be_v not_o only_o say_v to_o be_v without_o but_o stand_v without_o though_o weep_v and_o pray_v as_o penitent_n at_o the_o church_n door_n sometime_o for_o two_o or_o three_o year_n and_o after_o this_o degree_n of_o preparation_n for_o entrance_n into_o the_o church_n which_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o be_v three_o more_o before_o they_o be_v receive_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o severity_n though_o we_o approve_v not_o yet_o it_o may_v mollify_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o godly_a learned_a that_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v offend_v at_o such_o a_o word_n from_o we_o four_o our_o saviour_n himself_o express_o say_v and_o that_o not_o only_o of_o those_o of_o no_o church_n but_o such_o as_o be_v even_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o his_o ordinary_a hearer_n that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o man_n without_o and_o therefore_o this_o application_n of_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 12._o need_v not_o be_v call_v insolent_a or_o raise_v such_o a_o hubbub_n abroad_o as_o we_o perceive_v it_o do_v reply_n four_o church_n order_n be_v necessary_a we_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v a_o constant_a set_a member_n of_o a_o particular_a society_n by_o covenant_n to_o make_v he_o a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n or_o to_o give_v he_o title_n or_o interest_n to_o the_o public_a order_n this_o be_v not_o teach_v of_o god_n this_o be_v but_o a_o bare_a denial_n of_o the_o position_n itself_o but_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o public_a order_n we_o know_v not_o or_o where_o the_o order_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v grant_v to_o be_v necessary_a can_v be_v find_v but_o in_o particular_a church_n we_o be_v yet_o to_o learn_v neither_o be_v it_o any_o where_o teach_v in_o this_o reply_n and_o we_o will_v glad_o learn_v how_o that_o church_n shall_v orderly_o deal_v with_o such_o a_o man_n in_o case_n of_o offence_n that_o be_v of_o no_o particular_a church_n reply_n five_o paul_n divide_v all_o man_n into_o two_o rank_n the_o first_o and_o great_a without_o the_o last_o and_o lesser_a within_o but_o that_o believer_n etc._n etc._n and_o their_o child_n shall_v be_v reckon_v without_o we_o read_v not_o in_o any_o scripture_n but_o in_o scripture_n phrase_n heretic_n themselves_o be_v within_o 1_o john_n 2_o 19_o 1_o cor._n 11._o 19_o answ_n all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o this_o objection_n except_o the_o last_o clause_n be_v but_o a_o repeat_v denial_n of_o the_o conclusion_n in_o other_o word_n to_o the_o objection_n about_o heretic_n within_o we_o grant_v they_o be_v within_o till_o cast_v out_o or_o go_v out_o of_o the_o church_n 1_o john_n 2._o 19_o and_o if_o go_v out_o how_o be_v they_o within_o and_o so_o if_o a_o orthodox_n professor_n will_v froward_o forsake_v all_o church_n and_o live_v alone_o or_o among_o the_o heathen_a how_o be_v he_o within_o we_o speak_v only_o in_o general_n reply_n six_o this_o have_v not_o be_v believe_v in_o the_o church_n answ_n we_o be_v not_o bind_v in_o every_o thing_n to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n faith_n and_o what_o we_o have_v say_v before_o may_v satisfy_v here_o reply_n seven_o without_o be_v dog_n etc._n etc._n rev._n 22._o 15._o not_o such_o as_o be_v faithful_a holy_a etc._n etc._n answ_n true_o proper_o such_o be_v without_o not_o these_o yet_o in_o some_o respect_n as_o have_v be_v say_v other_o also_o may_v be_v without_o as_o such_o as_o forsake_v the_o church_n etc._n etc._n as_o be_v before_o say_v more_o full_o reply_n eight_o they_o that_o be_v without_o in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n be_v alien_n from_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n stranger_n from_o the_o covenant_n of_o promise_n have_v no_o hope_n and_o without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n but_o we_o hope_v you_o will_v not_o pass_v such_o rash_a censure_n upon_o the_o brethren_n who_o be_v not_o gather_v into_o the_o society_n as_o set_v member_n answ_n to_o say_v some_o believer_n may_v be_v without_o in_o some_o respect_n be_v far_o from_o such_o a_o censure_n the_o scripture_n say_v of_o israel_n in_o their_o corrupt_a estate_n and_o defect_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n that_o they_o be_v a_o long_a time_n without_o god_n without_o law_n without_o a_o teach_a priest_n yet_o that_o hard_a expression_n do_v not_o equal_v they_o with_o the_o heathen_a much_o less_o to_o say_v some_o believer_n be_v without_o the_o visible_a church_n in_o regard_n of_o visible_a church_n communion_n and_o we_o judge_v no_o otherwise_o of_o such_o then_o of_o ourselves_o when_o we_o be_v in_o the_o like_a case_n reply_n nine_o let_v this_o interpretation_n stand_v and_o he_o shall_v be_v without_o also_o that_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o community_n of_o the_o particular_a combination_n few_o or_o many_o without_z or_o with_o officer_n and_o so_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n that_o ascribe_v the_o key_n to_o the_o presbytery_n or_o classis_fw-la and_o not_o to_o the_o community_n and_o some_o among_o yourselves_o if_o not_o most_o shall_v be_v without_o also_o and_o therefore_o we_o can_v think_v that_o approve_a christian_n desire_v seal_n be_v either_o without_o or_o not_o capable_a of_o church_n censure_n if_o they_o offend_v though_o no_o set_a member_n for_o desire_v seal_n they_o put_v themselves_o under_o the_o ordinance_n for_o a_o time_n and_o may_v be_v proceed_v withal_o as_o offend_a member_n answ_n this_o objection_n have_v no_o colour_n without_o extreme_a strain_n of_o our_o application_n of_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 12._o see_v we_o never_o limit_v the_o position_n to_o church_n of_o the_o same_o judgement_n or_o in_o like_a degree_n of_o order_n to_o we_o it_o be_v only_o a_o force_a odium_fw-la which_o be_v cast_v upon_o we_o but_o we_o can_v bear_v more_o at_o our_o brethren_n hand_n neither_o do_v we_o know_v any_o church_n or_o elder_a that_o ascribe_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o the_o presbytery_n or_o classis_fw-la exclude_v the_o community_n among_o we_o second_o for_o that_o objection_n that_o such_o put_v themselves_o under_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o time_n if_o with_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o subjection_n to_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n they_o desire_v seal_n it_o be_v something_o but_o that_o the_o very_o desire_v of_o seal_n do_v include_v such_o a_o subjection_n in_o itself_o be_v but_o for_o this_o or_o that_o act_n of_o administration_n
gracious_a promise_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n who_o be_v the_o counsellor_n so_o we_o confess_v to_o his_o praise_n that_o we_o find_v the_o judgement_n of_o a_o church_n of_o saint_n in_o matter_n orderly_o carry_v and_o gather_v up_o from_o the_o various_a gift_n of_o wisdom_n grace_n and_o experience_n of_o many_o christian_n when_o need_n be_v to_o be_v a_o bless_a privilege_n of_o god_n people_n to_o enjoy_v and_o sanctify_v oft_o to_o the_o great_a good_a of_o his_o saint_n and_o be_v neglect_v and_o slight_v have_v be_v oft_o follow_v with_o sad_a event_n reply_n the_o nature_n of_o your_o church-covenant_n infer_v not_o a_o necessity_n of_o bring_v every_o such_o business_n to_o the_o church_n for_o you_o bind_v yourselves_o mutual_o to_o watch_v one_o over_o another_o etc._n etc._n but_o this_o essential_o tie_v not_o any_o man_n to_o a_o perpetual_a residence_n in_o one_o place_n for_o then_o even_o occasional_a absence_n shall_v be_v a_o breach_n of_o covenant_n without_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n answ_n we_o grant_v our_o church-covenant_n neither_o require_v every_o business_n to_o come_v to_o public_a counsel_n nor_o perpetual_a residence_n in_o one_o place_n neither_o be_v it_o so_o hold_v by_o we_o in_o judgement_n or_o practice_n reply_n you_o say_v you_o bind_v yourselves_o to_o no_o new_a duty_n but_o in_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n it_o be_v not_o require_v neither_o direct_o nor_o by_o consequence_n that_o no_o member_n of_o a_o church_n shall_v remove_v or_o occasional_o be_v absent_a from_o his_o habitation_n before_o he_o have_v acquaint_v the_o church_n whither_o he_o go_v and_o on_o what_o occasion_n etc._n etc._n answ_n it_o can_v but_o grieve_v we_o to_o see_v how_o the_o replyer_n still_o not_o content_a to_o take_v all_o thing_n in_o the_o harsh_a sense_n but_o will_v also_o wind_v in_o other_o matter_n into_o his_o discourse_n which_o may_v make_v our_o practice_n seem_v far_o more_o rigid_a than_o it_o be_v first_o he_o urge_v we_o as_o if_o we_o bring_v all_o case_n of_o remove_n and_o the_o occasion_n thereof_o as_o marriage_n etc._n etc._n to_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n second_o he_o will_v by_o consequence_n infer_v the_o like_a of_o occasional_a absence_n and_o now_o he_o weave_v in_o that_o also_o as_o if_o it_o be_v practise_v by_o we_o to_o require_v man_n to_o acquaint_v the_o church_n with_o the_o place_n whither_o they_o go_v and_o the_o occasion_n of_o their_o occasional_a absence_n which_o be_v far_o from_o we_o reply_n and_o if_o such_o business_n must_v be_v determine_v on_o the_o lord_n day_n etc._n etc._n answ_n we_o deny_v not_o but_o the_o best_a church_n through_o weakness_n and_o temptation_n may_v spend_v too_o much_o time_n in_o the_o most_o necessary_a administration_n of_o censure_n or_o other_o affair_n but_o to_o possess_v the_o world_n with_o such_o fear_n upon_o so_o little_a ground_n may_v argue_v the_o author_n charity_n concern_v our_o wisdom_n and_o christian_n care_n of_o the_o sabbath_n be_v not_o very_o great_a reply_n as_o for_o the_o covenant_n itself_o etc._n etc._n but_o if_o you_o constrain_v man_n to_o meddle_v with_o thing_n that_o belong_v not_o to_o they_o and_o wind_v they_o up_o high_a than_o god_n will_v and_o strain_v every_o thing_n to_o the_o pitch_n you_o seem_v here_o to_o do_v a_o godly_a sober_a mind_n may_v well_o pause_v before_o he_o make_v such_o a_o promise_n answ_n if_o the_o author_n have_v not_o strain_v and_o aggravate_v thing_n beyond_o our_o meaning_n in_o the_o answer_n and_o our_o practice_n this_o will_v not_o have_v come_v to_o so_o high_a a_o pitch_n to_o trouble_v a_o sober_a godly_a mind_n we_o be_v persuade_v that_o general_o sober_a godly_a mind_n that_o have_v their_o pride_n and_o self-willednesse_a in_o any_o good_a measure_n mortify_v do_v count_v the_o yoke_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o our_o practice_n of_o this_o point_n to_o be_v both_o easy_a and_o profitable_a neither_o do_v we_o require_v such_o a_o promise_n of_o any_o as_o be_v say_v but_o if_o any_o stumble_v at_o the_o four_o branch_n of_o the_o first_o reason_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o covenant_n let_v we_o a_o little_a here_o clear_a that_o scruple_n when_o we_o reason_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o branch_v our_o reason_n into_o four_o thing_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v so_o take_v as_o if_o every_o one_o of_o those_o four_o thing_n be_v make_v a_o distinct_a promise_n in_o our_o solemn_a covenant_n for_o the_o four_o be_v but_o a_o inference_n from_o the_o three_o former_a as_o be_v easy_a to_o observe_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v never_o make_v by_o we_o a_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_n or_o a_o distinct_a promise_n of_o it_o either_o in_o our_o judgement_n or_o practice_n if_o because_o we_o extend_v our_o watch_n to_o the_o removal_n of_o brethren_n it_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v that_o we_o require_v such_o a_o promise_n it_o will_v no_o more_o follow_v then_o that_o we_o require_v promise_n in_o admission_n in_o a_o thousand_o case_n to_o which_o our_o watch_n also_o extend_v reply_n if_o any_o shall_v not_o meddle_v with_o every_o business_n of_o this_o kind_n as_o question_v whether_o it_o do_v belong_v to_o he_o or_o no_o or_o not_o ask_v the_o advice_n of_o the_o whole_a society_n as_o know_v the_o most_o be_v unfit_a to_o counsel_v in_o such_o a_o case_n do_v he_o break_v his_o covenant_n therein_o and_o so_o commit_v a_o sin_n in_o a_o sort_n like_o the_o sin_n of_o ananias_n and_o saphira_n judge_v yourselves_o if_o in_o other_o case_n you_o will_v not_o censure_v this_o to_o be_v a_o high_a encroachment_n upon_o christian_a liberty_n and_o a_o strict_a bind_n of_o man_n conscience_n by_o humane_a constitution_n answ_n to_o extend_v our_o watch_n so_o far_o as_o have_v be_v say_v unto_o these_o case_n of_o removall_n from_o a_o church_n to_o prevent_v sin_n in_o abrupt_a break_v off_o and_o forsake_v fellowship_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o hurt_n and_o damage_n which_o the_o sheep_n of_o christ_n oft_o fall_v into_o in_o their_o unadvised_a break_n out_o of_o the_o fold_n the_o lord_n have_v place_v they_o in_o and_o to_o further_a their_o best_a good_a in_o their_o removall_n whatever_o be_v think_v of_o it_o we_o count_v it_o no_o breach_n of_o christian_a liberty_n but_o a_o privilege_n of_o the_o saint_n to_o be_v under_o such_o a_o watch_n and_o therefore_o if_o any_o shall_v neglect_v any_o duty_n that_o one_o owe_v to_o another_o so_o far_o as_o it_o tend_v necessary_o to_o those_o end_n we_o may_v well_o reckon_v it_o as_o a_o neglect_n of_o our_o covenant_n but_o because_o it_o be_v offensive_a to_o compare_v this_o with_o the_o sin_n of_o ananias_n etc._n etc._n we_o entreat_v our_o reverend_a brethren_n and_o the_o christian_a reader_n to_o consider_v that_o in_o the_o answer_n this_o stand_v in_o the_o three_o thing_n note_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o have_v reference_n to_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o general_a and_o be_v not_o apply_v to_o this_o particular_a case_n by_o we_o nor_o well_o appliable_a in_o the_o manner_n here_o express_v second_o it_o be_v moderate_v in_o the_o answer_n which_o say_v in_o some_o sort_n he_o shall_v commit_v that_o sin_n if_o these_o thing_n do_v not_o satisfy_v we_o wish_v it_o expunge_v or_o any_o other_o seem_a harshness_n rather_o than_o offence_n be_v give_v to_o any_o last_o that_o you_o may_v not_o impute_v unto_o we_o the_o infringement_n of_o christian_a liberty_n herein_o we_o will_v acquaint_v all_o man_n with_o these_o two_o thing_n first_o that_o removal_n from_o one_o town_n and_o church_n to_o another_o and_o from_o full_a to_o new_a plantation_n be_v frequent_o practise_v among_o we_o with_o consent_n and_o approbation_n second_o that_o we_o find_v in_o experience_n that_o as_o there_o be_v in_o sheep_n a_o wander_a disposition_n so_o in_o this_o large_a wilderness_n wherein_o the_o lord_n have_v exercise_v his_o people_n with_o various_a temptation_n by_o liberty_n by_o offer_n of_o large_a outward_a accommodation_n by_o want_n and_o straits_n by_o various_a opinion_n vent_v by_o satan_n and_o his_o instrument_n etc._n etc._n in_o these_o respect_v the_o sheep_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o subject_a many_o time_n to_o outrunnings_n that_o we_o find_v more_o than_o ordinary_a need_n of_o care_n and_o wisdom_n in_o this_o point_n of_o our_o watch_n in_o many_o case_n and_o many_o that_o have_v break_v loose_a from_o the_o counsel_n of_o their_o officer_n friend_n and_o of_o the_o church_n have_v deep_o smart_v for_o it_o how_o sad_a a_o case_n be_v it_o when_o some_o brainsick_a master_n of_o a_o family_n transport_v with_o a_o fancy_n a_o odd_a opinion_n will_v needs_o carry_v his_o whole_a
these_o particular_a imputation_n in_o this_o short_a chapter_n and_o upon_o what_o ground_n they_o be_v build_v as_o page_n 79._o that_o we_o hinder_v man_n from_o entrance_n into_o church_n society_n because_o they_o can_v promise_v continuance_n in_o the_o place_n and_o run_a upon_o this_o strain_n he_o say_v be_v it_o ever_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n from_o the_o begin_n thereof_o unto_o this_o day_n that_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v propound_v unto_o and_o require_v of_o member_n to_o be_v admit_v into_o church_n fellowship_n here_o be_v a_o loud_a outcry_n and_o who_o will_v not_o think_v but_o that_o we_o usual_o propound_v and_o require_v such_o a_o thing_n in_o our_o admission_n which_o yet_o be_v nothing_o so_o but_o what_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o this_o look_v a_o little_a before_o and_o he_o say_v if_o such_o a_o promise_n be_v require_v again_o ibidem_fw-la say_v he_o we_o think_v the_o church_n be_v overrigid_a in_o exact_v such_o a_o condition_n of_o the_o member_n and_o the_o member_n go_v beyond_o their_o measure_n as_o busy_a body_n and_o what_o be_v the_o ground_n it_o follow_v if_o they_o arrogate_v such_o a_o power_n to_o themselves_o so_o page_n next_o 80._o in_o the_o word_n it_o be_v not_o command_v that_o no_o member_n shall_v remove_v or_o occasional_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o place_n of_o his_o habitation_n before_o he_o have_v acquaint_v the_o congregation_n whither_o he_o go_v on_o what_o occasion_n etc._n etc._n to_o what_o end_n be_v this_o insert_v if_o not_o to_o suggest_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o practice_n among_o we_o that_o a_o man_n may_v not_o occasional_o be_v absent_a etc._n etc._n which_o be_v far_o from_o we_o and_o what_o be_v the_o ground_n see_v a_o few_o line_n after_o the_o church_n shall_v burden_n herself_o etc._n etc._n if_o she_o take_v upon_o she_o to_o intermeddle_v in_o all_o such_o occasion_n and_o immediate_o after_o we_o fear_v the_o time_n appoint_v for_o religious_a exercise_n shall_v be_v profane_v by_o unseasonable_a dispute_n but_o what_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o fear_n conceive_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n viz._n if_o such_o business_n must_v be_v determine_v on_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o that_o before_o the_o ordinance_n etc._n etc._n because_o it_o seem_v robinson_n in_o case_n of_o some_o notorious_a obstinate_a offender_n will_v have_v some_o censure_n pass_v to_o prevent_v pollution_n of_o a_o ordinance_n and_o be_v this_o ground_n sufficient_a again_o in_o the_o same_o page_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v thick_o sow_v herein_o say_v he_o you_o have_v devise_v a_o expedient_a or_o necessary_a rite_n or_o custom_n to_o preserve_v unity_n etc._n etc._n but_o if_o you_o seek_v a_o ground_n it_o will_v be_v find_v a_o mistake_n â—s_v be_v show_v before_o and_o contrary_a to_o the_o express_a profession_n of_o the_o answer_n that_o we_o promise_v no_o new_a duty_n but_o only_o such_o as_o the_o gospel_n require_v of_o all_o saint_n in_o church_n order_n much_o less_o do_v we_o set_v up_o new_a rite_n and_o custom_n and_o as_o if_o all_o these_o particular_a imputation_n in_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o leaf_n be_v two_o little_a page_z next_z 81._o we_o have_v a_o whole_a catalogue_n gather_v together_o from_o other_o place_n and_o this_o that_o by_o lay_v thing_n together_o the_o odium_fw-la raise_v may_v stick_v the_o deep_a for_o thus_o the_o word_n be_v but_o to_o press_v custom_n expedient_a for_o the_o time_n as_o stand_a rule_n necessary_a at_o all_o time_n and_o all_o person_n to_o put_v authority_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n which_o god_n never_o put_v upon_o they_o and_o to_o oblige_v they_o to_o intermeddle_v to_o bind_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n and_o that_o upon_o so_o heavy_a a_o penalty_n as_o the_o sin_n of_o ananias_n and_o saphira_n where_o god_n have_v not_o bind_v it_o to_o debar_v know_v christian_n from_o the_o seal_n because_o they_o can_v promise_v to_o abide_v in_o the_o church_n as_o settle_a member_n and_o yet_o charge_v they_o in_o the_o mean_a season_n against_o light_n to_o refuse_v subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n concern_v all_o which_o we_o do_v not_o know_v any_o of_o they_o to_o be_v true_a nor_o approve_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o any_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v find_v among_o we_o and_o what_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o this_o true_o weak_a enough_o as_o have_v be_v show_v in_o our_o discourse_n and_o here_o it_o be_v the_o suspicion_n of_o the_o author_n for_o thus_o he_o add_v this_o be_v that_o we_o can_v approve_v and_o yet_o we_o suspect_v will_v follow_v from_o your_o judgement_n these_o thing_n we_o have_v thus_o brief_o present_v in_o one_o view_v not_o to_o dishonour_v the_o learned_a and_o reverend_a author_n who_o memory_n we_o honour_v two_o thing_n we_o charitable_o take_v notice_n of_o to_o remove_v over_o hard_a thought_n of_o he_o first_o we_o consider_v his_o spirit_n may_v be_v over_o grieve_v and_o provoke_v to_o this_o harshness_n by_o the_o withdrawing_n of_o many_o christian_n from_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n because_o dispense_v according_a to_o the_o corrupt_a liturgy_n in_o which_o cause_n he_o stand_v too_o far_o engage_v and_o suppose_v new-england_n way_n the_o cause_n of_o it_o he_o be_v the_o more_o sharp_a second_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o reply_n be_v not_o intend_v by_o he_o to_o be_v publish_v to_o the_o world_n but_o to_o be_v send_v unto_o we_o and_o therefore_o he_o be_v in_o our_o heart_n the_o less_o blamable_a but_o see_v these_o thing_n be_v now_o publish_v and_o the_o harshness_n thereof_o may_v do_v much_o hurt_n we_o be_v press_v to_o clear_v ourselves_o wherein_o if_o any_o thing_n reflect_v upon_o the_o author_n or_o publisher_n we_o can_v avoid_v it_o neither_o do_v we_o write_v thus_o as_o if_o we_o will_v whole_o justify_v ourselves_o and_o all_o the_o particular_a miscarriage_n that_o happy_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o in_o some_o church_n or_o other_o may_v have_v happen_v we_o have_v much_o cause_n to_o humble_v ourselves_o before_o our_o god_n and_o abase_v ourselves_o to_o the_o dust_n before_o man_n for_o all_o the_o weakness_n sin_n error_n and_o miscarriage_n that_o have_v be_v find_v among_o we_o in_o one_o kind_n and_o another_o only_o this_o we_o may_v profess_v before_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n that_o in_o the_o main_a scope_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o endeavour_n of_o our_o life_n we_o have_v seek_v after_o such_o a_o form_n of_o worship_n and_o frame_v of_o discipline_n as_o we_o can_v conceive_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o help_n of_o the_o best_a reformer_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n not_o allow_v ourselves_o in_o any_o evil_n discover_v unto_o we_o but_o bewail_v our_o great_a defect_n in_o all_o reply_n and_o here_o we_o crave_v leave_v to_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n of_o what_o you_o have_v consider_v already_o that_o the_o church_n and_o every_o member_n have_v enter_v into_o covenant_n to_o take_v god_n for_o their_o god_n etc._n etc._n but_o we_o never_o find_v that_o they_o be_v call_v to_o give_v account_n of_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n wrought_v in_o their_o soul_n or_o that_o the_o whole_a congregation_n be_v to_o be_v judge_n thereof_o you_o stand_v here_o all_o this_o day_n say_v moses_n before_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n etc._n etc._n that_o thou_o shall_v enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n all_o that_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o wilderness_n joshua_n circumcise_v but_o it_o be_v uncredible_a to_o think_v there_o be_v none_o that_o do_v not_o give_v good_a testimony_n of_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n etc._n etc._n because_o it_o be_v a_o principal_a thing_n especial_o in_o the_o builder_n of_o the_o church_n to_o know_v their_o material_n and_o because_o the_o reverend_a and_o learned_a author_n step_v somewhat_o out_o of_o his_o way_n to_o call_v we_o to_o give_v answer_n in_o this_o controversy_n of_o such_o great_a weight_n especial_o in_o this_o present_a turn_n of_o time_n we_o shall_v therefore_o glad_o accept_v of_o this_o occasion_n to_o declare_v ourselves_o with_o as_o much_o brevity_n as_o we_o may_v to_o the_o two_o branch_n of_o the_o question_n qu._n first_o whether_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v call_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n at_o there_o admission_n thereunto_o answ_n 1._o second_o whether_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v to_o be_v judge_n hereof_o whether_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v call_v etc._n etc._n for_o answer_v to_o which_o we_o shall_v express_v ourselves_o in_o these_o particular_n to_o prevent_v mistake_n first_o that_o the_o question_n be_v not_o of_o what_o may_v keep_v a_o church_n already_o constitute_v from_o be_v account_v no_o church_n
if_o they_o be_v to_o receive_v they_o they_o must_v by_o some_o mean_n know_v they_o to_o be_v such_o as_o they_o may_v comfortable_o receive_v into_o their_o affection_n a_o little_a leaven_n leaven_n the_o whole_a lump_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 3_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v first_o private_o to_o examine_v they_o and_o prepare_v they_o for_o admission_n be_v to_o show_v the_o church_n the_o rule_n on_o which_o the_o church_n be_v to_o receive_v they_o and_o themselves_o be_v ready_a to_o admit_v they_o act._n 10._o 37._o can_v any_o forbid_v water_n etc._n etc._n this_o rule_n be_v best_a see_v by_o that_o public_a profession_n before_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o if_o no_o just_a exception_n be_v make_v as_o one_o shall_v be_v without_o conviction_n they_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v by_o the_o officer_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o member_n hereunto_o for_o if_o public_a profession_n be_v needful_a at_o least_o before_o the_o church_n though_o not_o the_o world_n always_o as_o didoclavius_n observe_v to_o the_o entrance_n into_o the_o covenant_n and_o church_n by_o baptism_n we_o see_v no_o reason_n but_o person_n former_o baptize_v and_o enter_v a_o new_a into_o the_o church_n but_o they_o shall_v open_o profess_v their_o faith_n again_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v build_v upon_o this_o rock_n matth._n 16._o 16_o 18._o viz._n profession_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o last_o if_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o necessity_n for_o such_o a_o profession_n yet_o if_o this_o be_v desire_v of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n for_o the_o increase_n of_o their_o own_o joy_n to_o see_v god_n glorify_v and_o christ_n name_n profess_v and_o his_o virtue_n hold_v forth_o and_o for_o the_o increase_n of_o their_o love_n to_o those_o that_o join_v with_o they_o why_o shall_v it_o not_o be_v do_v before_o saint_n which_o shall_v be_v do_v before_o persecutor_n 1_o pet._n 3._o 15._o what_o be_v now_o say_v we_o think_v sufficient_a to_o undermine_v what_o be_v oppose_v herein_o by_o other_o and_o may_v easy_o give_v answer_n to_o the_o three_o argument_n of_o the_o learned_a author_n from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n john_n baptist_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o clear_o up_o our_o practice_n and_o judgement_n to_o the_o world_n from_o the_o aspersion_n of_o our_o rigidum_fw-la examen_fw-la for_o which_o we_o be_v by_o some_o condemn_v but_o for_o further_a clear_v we_o shall_v answer_v to_o the_o particular_n now_o to_o your_o reason_n more_o particular_o against_o this_o from_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o enter_v and_o renew_v covenant_n then_o answ_n we_o answer_v first_o when_o as_o you_o say_v they_o profess_v the_o covenant_n promise_v to_o take_v god_n for_o their_o god_n to_o keep_v the_o word_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o do_v they_o to_o seek_v the_o lord_n with_o all_o their_o heart_n to_o walk_v before_o he_o in_o truth_n and_o uprightnes_n this_o imply_v a_o profession_n of_o a_o work_n of_o grace_n second_o they_o do_v not_o immediate_o enter_v into_o covenant_n but_o the_o lord_n be_v long_o before_o prepare_v they_o for_o it_o for_o they_o be_v humble_v much_o in_o egypt_n in_o so_o much_o as_o their_o sigh_n come_v up_o to_o god_n exod._n 2._o 23_o 24_o 25._o they_o have_v see_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n for_o their_o good_a against_o pharaoh_n and_o all_o that_o land_n by_o many_o miracle_n they_o have_v god_n visible_a presence_n in_o the_o cloud_n be_v instruct_v by_o moses_n concern_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n make_v with_o they_o in_o abraham_n they_o be_v mighty_o deliver_v at_o the_o red_a sea_n so_o that_o they_o believe_v moses_n and_o fear_v the_o lord_n and_o sing_v his_o praise_n exod._n 14._o 31._o psalm_n 106._o 12._o they_o be_v also_o instruct_v again_o concern_v the_o covenant_n and_o be_v to_o sanctify_v themselves_o three_o day_n legal_o which_o be_v for_o spiritual_a end_n and_o of_o spiritual_a use_n exod._n 19_o 10._o and_o thus_o be_v prepare_v as_o fit_a matter_n for_o covenant_n they_o then_o enter_v thereinto_o and_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v thus_o external_o and_o ecclesiastical_o holy_a though_o many_o be_v internal_o stiffnecked_a blind_a and_o profane_a and_o for_o our_o part_n we_o desire_v no_o more_o than_o such_o a_o preparation_n in_o some_o work_n of_o grace_n if_o appear_v though_o not_o indeed_o real_a as_o may_v make_v way_n for_o church_n covenant_n among_o a_o people_n now_o as_o we_o see_v be_v then_o reply_n when_o john_n baptist_n begin_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o gather_v a_o new_a people_n for_o christ_n he_o admit_v none_o but_o upon_o confession_n of_o their_o sin_n but_o we_o read_v of_o no_o question_n that_o he_o put_v forth_o to_o they_o to_o discover_v the_o work_n of_o grace_n in_o their_o soul_n or_o repel_v any_o upon_o that_o pretence_n that_o voluntary_o submit_v themselves_o answ_n though_o the_o scripture_n record_v such_o thing_n very_o brief_o else_o the_o world_n will_v not_o have_v contain_v the_o book_n that_o must_v have_v be_v write_v as_o john_n speak_v yet_o he_o that_o advise_o consider_v the_o case_n may_v see_v the_o profession_n of_o a_o work_n of_o grace_n in_o all_o that_o be_v receive_v by_o john_n to_o his_o baptism_n first_o john_n be_v send_v with_o the_o spirit_n and_o power_n of_o elias_n to_o turn_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o father_n etc._n etc._n to_o cast_v down_o every_o high_a hill_n etc._n etc._n second_o his_o baptism_n be_v call_v the_o baptism_n of_o repentance_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n mark_n 1._o 4._o three_o confession_n of_o sin_n be_v ever_o put_v for_o true_a repentance_n when_o there_o be_v a_o promise_n of_o pardon_n make_v to_o it_o prov._n 28._o 13._o 1_o john_n 1._o 9_o and_o therefore_o when_o he_o require_v confession_n of_o sin_n be_v it_o without_o remorse_n or_o sorrow_n for_o it_o be_v it_o not_o with_o profession_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o messiah_n which_o he_o point_v unto_o joh._n 1._o 29._o and_o require_v with_o repentance_n act._n 19_o 4._o four_o do_v not_o he_o fall_v upon_o the_o pharisee_n with_o dreadful_a thunder_a of_o god_n judgement_n for_o come_v to_o his_o baptism_n without_o conversion_n of_o heart_n and_o fruit_n meet_v for_o repentance_n mat._n 3._o 7._o and_o this_o luke_n say_v he_o preach_v to_o the_o multitude_n luke_n 3._o 7._o and_o whether_o any_o be_v receive_v that_o embrace_v not_o that_o doctrine_n and_o show_v the_o same_o in_o their_o confession_n viz._n that_o their_o heart_n be_v humble_v and_o that_o the_o renounce_v their_o high_a thought_n of_o their_o privilege_n of_o the_o law_n etc._n etc._n and_o profess_a amendment_n &_o fruit_n meet_v for_o the_o same_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a for_o any_o to_o prove_v and_o thus_o much_o be_v evident_a on_o the_o contrary_a that_o pharesee_v &_o lawyer_n distinguish_v from_o the_o people_n and_o publican_n reject_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n in_o not_o be_v baptize_v of_o he_o and_o what_o counsel_n but_o that_o wholesome_a doctrine_n of_o john_n luke_n 7._o 29_o 30_o lay_v all_o these_o together_o and_o let_v any_o who_o thought_n be_v not_o prepossess_v with_o prejudice_n say_v whether_o this_o confession_n be_v not_o such_o a_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n which_o a_o discern_a charity_n ought_v to_o take_v for_o a_o work_n of_o grace_n replâ—_n it_o appear_v many_o way_n that_o when_o the_o apostle_n plant_v church_n â—9_n they_o make_v a_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o the_o people_n who_o they_o receive_v but_o they_o receive_v man_n upon_o the_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o promise_v of_o â—mendment_n of_o life_n without_o strict_a inquiry_n what_o work_n of_o grace_n be_v wrought_v in_o the_o soul_n so_o in_o after_o age_n etc._n etc._n now_o the_o profession_n at_o first_o require_v of_o all_o that_o be_v receive_v to_o baptism_n be_v that_o they_o believe_v in_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n this_o be_v the_o confession_n of_o the_o eunuch_n when_o he_o be_v baptize_v i_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n answ_n we_o can_v but_o observe_v how_o still_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o we_o prove_v in_o the_o three_o and_o four_o position_n break_v out_o at_o every_o turn_n when_o the_o heat_n of_o that_o disputation_n do_v not_o hinder_v for_o if_o the_o apostle_n plant_v church_n and_o make_v a_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o the_o people_n when_o they_o baptize_v they_o as_o the_o proof_n for_o this_o act._n 2._o 38._o and_o 8._o 37._o and_o 19_o 17_o 18_o 19_o allege_v in_o the_o margin_n show_v than_o still_o it_o appear_v they_o admit_v man_n into_o plant_v church_n when_o they_o baptize_v they_o and_o the_o â—efore_o the_o