soever_o we_o place_v it_o if_o church-officer_n have_v a_o power_n to_o pronounce_v such_o a_o person_n to_o be_v withdraw_v from_o they_o have_v a_o power_n of_o excommunication_n so_o we_o consider_v this_o penalty_n as_o inflict_v on_o the_o person_n in_o his_o relation_n to_o the_o society_n as_o a_o christian_a and_o withal_o how_o near_o conjoin_v their_o civil_a and_o spiritual_a eat_n be_v together_o 1_o corinth_n 11.20_o 21._o and_o how_o strong_o the_o argument_n will_v hold_v from_o civil_a to_o sacred_a viz._n à _fw-la remotione_fw-la unius_fw-la ad_fw-la remotionem_fw-la alterius_fw-la not_o from_o any_o fancy_v pollution_n in_o sacris_fw-la from_o the_o company_n of_o wicked_a man_n but_o from_o the_o dishonour_n reflect_v on_o the_o society_n from_o such_o unworthy_a person_n partake_v of_o the_o high_a privilege_n of_o it_o thus_o from_o these_o three_o hypothesis_n this_o corollary_n follow_v that_o where_o any_o person_n in_o a_o church_n do_v by_o their_o open_a and_o contumacious_a offence_n declare_v to_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v far_o from_o be_v the_o person_n they_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o their_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n there_o be_v a_o power_n resident_a in_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o debar_v such_o person_n from_o the_o privilege_n of_o it_o and_o consequent_o from_o communion_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n 1._o because_o this_o express_v the_o near_a union_n and_o close_a confederation_n as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d among_o the_o grecian_a commonwealth_n do_v 2._o because_o this_o have_v be_v always_o look_v on_o with_o great_a veneration_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v least_o of_o all_o fit_a those_o person_n shall_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o high_a privilege_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v unworthy_a of_o the_o low_a of_o they_o 23._o there_o remain_v only_o some_o few_o objection_n which_o be_v level_v against_o this_o opinion_n concern_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n which_o from_o the_o question_n be_v thus_o state_v and_o prove_v will_v be_v soon_o remove_v the_o first_o be_v that_o this_o excommunication_n be_v a_o outward_a punishment_n and_o therefore_o belong_v not_o to_o church-officer_n but_o to_o the_o magistrate_n 2._o because_o it_o neither_o be_v nor_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o church-officer_n to_o debar_v any_o offend_a member_n from_o public_a worship_n because_o any_o heathen_n may_v come_v to_o it_o 3._o it_o can_v lie_v as_o to_o exclusion_n from_o the_o lord_n supper_n because_o christ_n be_v offer_v as_o spiritual_a food_n as_o well_o in_o the_o word_n preach_v as_o in_o the_o sacrament_n to_o these_o i_o answer_v 1._o i_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v what_o the_o objector_n mean_v by_o a_o outward_a punishment_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o punishment_n belong_v to_o a_o visible_a society_n such_o as_o the_o church_n be_v here_o consider_v to_o be_v but_o it_o must_v be_v visible_a i._n e._n outward_a or_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n i_o deny_v that_o all_o visible_a punishment_n belong_v only_o to_o the_o magistrate_n but_o if_o by_o outward_a be_v mean_v forcible_a punishment_n than_o i_o grant_v that_o all_o coactive_a power_n belong_v to_o the_o magistrate_n but_o i_o deny_v that_o excommunication_n formal_o consider_v be_v a_o forcible_a punishment_n 1._o because_o every_o person_n at_o his_o entrance_n into_o this_o society_n be_v suppose_v to_o declare_v his_o submission_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o society_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o he_o after_o undergo_v by_o way_n of_o penalty_n in_o this_o society_n do_v depend_v upon_o that_o consent_n 2._o a_o person_n stand_v excommunicate_v legal_o and_o the_o jure_fw-la who_o be_v declare_v authoritatiu_o to_o be_v no_o member_n of_o the_o society_n though_o he_o may_v be_v present_a at_o the_o act_n of_o it_o as_o a_o defranchised_a person_n may_v be_v at_o those_o of_o a_o corporation_n 3._o a_o person_n fall_v into_o those_o offence_n which_o merit_n excommunication_n be_v suppose_v in_o so_o do_v voluntary_o to_o renounce_v his_o interest_n in_o those_o prviledge_n the_o enjoyment_n of_o which_o do_v depend_v upon_o abstain_v from_o those_o offence_n which_o he_o wilful_o fall_v into_o especial_o if_o contumacy_n be_v join_v with_o they_o as_o it_o be_v before_o excommunication_n for_o than_o nothing_o be_v do_v forcible_o towards_o he_o for_o he_o first_o relinquish_v his_o right_n before_o the_o church-governour_n declare_v he_o exclude_v the_o society_n so_o that_o the_o offendor_n do_v meritorious_o excommunicate_v himself_o the_o pastor_n do_v it_o formal_o by_o declare_v that_o he_o have_v make_v himself_o no_o member_n by_o his_o offence_n and_o contumacy_n join_v with_o they_o to_o the_o second_o i_o answer_v that_o i_o do_v not_o place_v the_o formality_n of_o excommunication_n in_o exclusion_n from_o hear_v the_o word_n but_o in_o debar_v the_o person_n from_o hear_v tanquam_fw-la pars_fw-la eoclesiae_fw-la as_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o his_o hear_n may_v be_v well_o join_v with_o that_o of_o heathen_n and_o infidel_n and_o not_o of_o member_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o three_o i_o answer_v that_o exclusion_n from_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v not_o on_o the_o account_v mention_v in_o the_o objection_n but_o because_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a privilege_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v a_o visible_a society_n have_v thus_o clear_v and_o assert_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n there_o remain_v only_o one_o enquiry_n more_o which_o be_v whether_o this_o power_n do_v remain_v formal_o in_o the_o church_n after_o its_o be_v incorporate_v into_o the_o commonwealth_n or_o else_o do_v it_o then_o escheat_n whole_o into_o the_o civil_a power_n the_o resolution_n of_o which_o question_n main_o depend_v on_o another_o speak_v to_o already_o viz._n whether_o this_o power_n be_v only_o a_o kind_n of_o widow_n estate_n which_o belong_v to_o it_o only_o during_o its_o separation_n from_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o be_v the_o church_n absolute_o enfeoff_v of_o it_o as_o its_o perpetual_a right_n belong_v to_o it_o in_o all_o condition_n whatsoever_o it_o shall_v be_v in_o now_o that_o must_v appear_v by_o the_o tenure_n of_o it_o and_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o be_v convey_v which_o have_v be_v prove_v already_o to_o be_v perpetual_a and_o universal_a it_o from_o thence_o appear_v that_o no_o accession_n to_o the_o church_n can_v invalidate_v its_o former_a title_n but_o then_o as_o in_o case_n of_o marriage_n the_o right_a of_o disposal_n and_o well_o management_n of_o the_o estate_n come_v by_o the_o wife_n belong_v to_o the_o husband_n so_o after_o the_o church_n be_v marry_v into_o the_o common_a wealth_n the_o right_a of_o supreme_a management_n of_o this_o power_n in_o a_o external_a way_n do_v fall_v into_o the_o magistrate_n hand_n which_o may_v consist_v in_o these_o follow_a thing_n 1._o a_o right_a of_o prescribe_v law_n for_o the_o due_a management_n of_o church-censure_n 2_o a_o right_a of_o bound_v the_o manner_n of_o proceed_v in_o censure_n that_o in_o a_o settle_a christian_a state_n matter_n of_o so_o great_a weight_n be_v not_o leave_v to_o the_o arbitrary_a pleasure_n of_o any_o church-officer_n nor_o such_o censure_n inflict_v but_o upon_o a_o evident_a conviction_n of_o such_o great_a offence_n which_o tend_v to_o the_o dishonour_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o amendment_n of_o the_o offender_n life_n 3._o the_o right_a of_o add_v temporal_a and_o civil_a sanction_n to_o church-censure_n and_o so_o enforce_v the_o spiritual_a weapon_n of_o the_o church_n with_o the_o more_o keen_a and_o sharp_a one_o of_o the_o civil_a state_n thus_o i_o assert_v the_o force_n and_o efficacy_n of_o all_o church-censure_n in_o foro_fw-la humano_fw-la to_o flow_v from_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o proper_a effect_n follow_v any_o of_o they_o as_o to_o civil_a right_n but_o from_o the_o magistrate_n sanction_n 4._o to_o the_o magistrate_n belong_v the_o right_a of_o appeal_n in_o case_n of_o unjust_a censure_n not_o that_o the_o magistrate_n can_v repeal_v a_o just_a censure_n in_o the_o church_n as_o to_o its_o spiritual_a effect_n but_o he_o may_v suspend_v the_o temporal_a effect_n of_o it_o in_o which_o case_n it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o pastor_n to_o discharge_v their_o office_n and_o acquiesce_v but_o this_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n in_o the_o supreme_a order_n of_o ecclesiastical_a as_o well_o as_o civil_a cause_n i_o have_v full_o assert_v and_o clear_v already_o 7._o from_o which_o it_o follow_v that_o as_o to_o any_o outward_a effect_n of_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n the_o person_n of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n must_v be_v exempt_v both_o because_o the_o force_n of_o these_o censure_n do_v flow_v from_o he_o in_o a_o christian_a state_n and_o that_o there_o otherwise_o will_v be_v a_o progress_n in_o infinitum_fw-la to_o know_v whether_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v just_a or_o no._n i_o conclude_v then_o that_o though_o the_o magistrate_n have_v the_o main_a care_n of_o order_v thing_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o the_o church_n be_v cumulative_a and_o not_o privative_a the_o church_n and_o her_o officer_n retain_v the_o fundamental_a right_n of_o inflict_a censure_n on_o offender_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v dedit_fw-la deus_fw-la his_fw-la quoque_fw-la finem_fw-la §._o 1._o §._o 2._o §._o 3._o §._o 4._o §._o 5._o §._o 6._o §._o 7._o §._o 8._o §._o 9_o §._o 10._o §._o 11._o §._o 12._o apud_fw-la agust_n de_fw-fr civit._fw-la de_fw-fr l._n 2._o c._n 21._o §._o 13._o §._o 14._o §._o 15._o §._o 16._o iren._n p._n 2._o c._n 3._o iren._n p._n 1._o c._n 8._o §._o 4._o §._o 17._o in_o luk._n 6.22_o §._o 18._o §._o 19_o matth._n 16.19_o iren._n p._n 2._o ch_n 5._o §._o 5._o p._n 212._o act_n 2.41_o 1_o pet._n 3.21_o tit._n 3.5_o act_n 8.33_o isa._n 22.20_o cypr._n ep._n 73._o sect_n 6._o §._o 20._o §._o 21._o heb._n 9.22_o §._o 22._o 1_o cor._n 5.11_o 2_o thess._n 3.14_o §._o 23._o iren._n p._n 1._o c._n 2._o sect_n 7._o
a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n by_o way_n of_o appendix_n to_o the_o irenicum_fw-la by_o edward_n stillingfleet_n rector_n of_o sutton_n in_o bedfordshire_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n near_o the_o little_a north-door_n 1662._o a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o daily_a observation_n and_o experience_n in_o the_o world_n 1._o how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o keep_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o understanding_n clear_a in_o its_o judgement_n of_o thing_n when_o it_o be_v too_o far_o engage_v in_o the_o dust_n of_o controversy_n it_o be_v so_o very_o difficult_a to_o well_o manage_v a_o impetuous_a pursuit_n after_o any_o opinion_n nothing_o be_v more_o common_a then_o to_o see_v man_n outrun_v their_o mark_n and_o through_o the_o force_n of_o their_o speed_n to_o be_v carry_v as_o far_o beyond_o it_o as_o other_o in_o their_o opinion_n fall_v short_a of_o it_o there_o be_v certain_o a_o kind_n of_o ebriety_n of_o the_o mind_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o body_n which_o make_v it_o so_o unstable_a and_o pendulous_a that_o it_o oft_o time_n reel_v from_o one_o extreme_a unto_o the_o quite_o contrary_a this_o as_o it_o be_v obvious_a in_o most_o eager_a controvertist_n of_o all_o age_n so_o especial_o in_o such_o who_o have_v discover_v the_o falsity_n of_o a_o opinion_n they_o be_v once_o confident_a of_o which_o they_o think_v they_o can_v never_o after_o run_v far_o enough_o from_o so_o that_o while_o they_o start_v at_o a_o apparition_n they_o so_o much_o dread_n they_o run_v into_o those_o untrodden_a path_n wherein_o they_o lose_v both_o themselves_o and_o the_o truth_n they_o seek_v for_o 2._o thus_o we_o find_v it_o to_o be_v in_o the_o present_a controversy_n for_o many_o out_o of_o their_o just_a zeal_n against_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o those_o who_o screw_v up_o church_n power_n to_o so_o high_a a_o peg_n that_o it_o be_v think_v to_o make_v perpetual_a discord_n with_o the_o commonwealth_n can_v never_o think_v themselves_o free_a from_o so_o great_a a_o inconvenience_n till_o they_o have_v melt_v down_o all_o spiritual_a power_n into_o the_o civil_a state_n and_o dissolve_v the_o church_n into_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o that_o the_o world_n may_v see_v i_o have_v not_o be_v more_o forward_o to_o assert_v the_o just_a power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n in_o ecclesiasticall_n as_o well_o as_o civill_n then_o to_o defend_v the_o fundamental_a right_n of_o the_o church_n i_o have_v take_v this_o opportunity_n more_o full_o to_o explain_v and_o vindicate_v that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n power_n which_o lie_v in_o reference_n to_o offender_n it_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n strike_v at_o by_o those_o who_o be_v the_o follower_n of_o that_o note_a physician_n who_o handle_v the_o church_n so_o ill_o as_o to_o deprive_v she_o of_o her_o expulsive_a faculty_n of_o noxious_a humour_n and_o so_o leave_v she_o under_o a_o miserere_fw-la mei_fw-la i_o shall_v therefore_o endeavour_v to_o give_v the_o church_n her_o due_a as_o well_o as_o caesar_n his_o 3._o by_o make_v good_a this_o follow_a principle_n or_o hypothesis_n upon_o which_o the_o whole_a hinge_n of_o this_o controversy_n turn_v viz._n that_o the_o power_n of_o inflict_a censure_n upon_o offender_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o fundamental_a right_n result_v from_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o society_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o the_o seat_n of_o this_o power_n be_v in_o those_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v derive_v their_o power_n original_o from_o the_o founder_n of_o this_o society_n and_o act_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o law_n of_o it_o 4._o for_o the_o clear_a state_v of_o this_o controversy_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o explain_v what_o that_o power_n be_v which_o i_o attribute_v to_o the_o church_n and_o in_o what_o notion_n the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o it_o exercise_v this_o power_n first_o concern_v the_o proper_a notion_n of_o power_n by_o it_o i_o can_v see_v any_o thing_n else_o to_o be_v understand_v than_o a_o right_a of_o govern_v or_o order_v thing_n which_o belong_v to_o a_o society_n and_o so_o power_n imply_v only_o a_o moral_a faculty_n in_o the_o person_n enjoy_v it_o to_o take_v care_n ne_fw-fr quid_fw-la civitas_fw-la detrimenti_fw-la capiat_fw-la whereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o every_o well_o constitute_v society_n must_v suppose_v a_o power_n within_o its_o self_n of_o order_v thing_n belong_v to_o its_o welfare_n or_o else_o it_o be_v impossible_a either_o the_o be_v or_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o society_n can_v be_v long_o preserve_v power_n then_o in_o its_o general_n and_o abstract_a notion_n do_v not_o necessary_o import_v either_o mere_a authority_n or_o proper_a coaction_n for_o these_o to_o any_o impartial_a judgement_n will_v appear_v to_o be_v rather_o the_o several_a mode_n whereby_o power_n be_v exercise_v than_o any_o proper_a ingredient_n of_o the_o specific_a nature_n of_o it_o which_o in_o general_a import_v no_o more_o than_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v a_o constitute_v society_n but_o how_o that_o right_a shall_v be_v exercise_v must_v be_v resolve_v not_o from_o the_o notion_n of_o power_n but_o from_o the_o nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o that_o particular_a society_n in_o which_o it_o be_v lodge_v and_o inherent_a it_o appear_v then_o from_o hence_o to_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n and_o abuse_v of_o well_o nature_a reader_n 5._o when_o all_o power_n be_v necessary_o restrain_v either_o to_o that_o which_o be_v proper_o coercive_a or_o to_o that_o which_o be_v mere_o arbitrary_a and_o only_a from_o consent_n the_o original_n of_o which_o mistake_n be_v the_o state_v the_o notion_n of_o power_n from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n either_o in_o ancient_a roman_a author_n or_o else_o in_o the_o civil_a law_n both_o which_o be_v free_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v stranger_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o any_o other_o power_n then_o that_o which_o be_v mere_o authoritative_a and_o persuasive_a or_o that_o which_o be_v coactive_a and_o penal_a the_o ground_n of_o which_o be_v because_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o any_o other_o way_n of_o conveyance_n of_o power_n beside_o external_a force_n and_o arbitrary_a consent_n the_o one_o in_o those_o call_v legal_a society_n or_o civitates_fw-la the_o other_o collegia_fw-la and_o hetaeriae_fw-la but_o to_o we_o that_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o god_n have_v a_o right_a of_o command_a man_n to_o what_o duty_n he_o please_v himself_o and_o appoint_v a_o society_n upon_o what_o term_n best_o please_v he_o and_o give_v a_o power_n to_o particular_a person_n to_o govern_v that_o society_n in_o what_o way_n shall_v tend_v most_o to_o advance_v the_o honour_n of_o such_o a_o society_n may_v easy_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o power_n neither_o proper_o coactive_a nor_o mere_o arbitrary_a viz._n such_o a_o one_o as_o immediate_o result_v from_o divine_a institution_n and_o do_v suppose_v consent_n to_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o a_o necessary_a duty_n in_o all_o the_o member_n of_o this_o society_n this_o power_n it_o be_v evident_a 6._o be_v not_o mere_o arbitrary_a either_o in_o the_o governor_n or_o member_n for_o the_o governor_n derive_v their_o power_n or_o right_a of_o govern_v from_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o his_o law_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o and_o the_o member_n though_o their_o consent_n be_v necessary_o suppose_v yet_o that_o consent_n be_v a_o duty_n in_o they_o and_o that_o duty_n do_v imply_v their_o submission_n to_o the_o ruler_n of_o this_o society_n neither_o can_v this_o power_n be_v call_v coactive_a in_o the_o sense_n it_o be_v common_o take_v for_o coactive_a power_n and_o external_a force_n be_v necessary_a correlate_n to_o each_o other_o but_o we_o suppose_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o power_n of_o outward_a force_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n as_o such_o for_o that_o proper_o belong_v to_o a_o commonwealth_n but_o the_o power_n which_o i_o suppose_v to_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o church_n be_v such_o a_o power_n as_o depend_v upon_o a_o law_n of_o a_o superior_a give_v right_a to_o govern_v to_o particular_a person_n over_o such_o a_o society_n and_o make_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o member_n of_o it_o to_o submit_v unto_o it_o upon_o no_o other_o penalty_n than_o the_o exclusion_n of_o they_o from_o the_o privilege_n which_o that_o society_n enjoy_v so_o that_o suppose_v such_o a_o society_n as_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v officer_n to_o rule_v it_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o those_o officer_n must_v derive_v
shall_v think_v as_o much_o of_o call_v any_o thing_n a_o law_n but_o what_o have_v a_o civil_a sanction_n but_o i_o suppose_v all_o those_o who_o dare_v free_o own_o a_o supreme_a and_o infinite_a essence_n to_o have_v be_v the_o creator_n and_o to_o be_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o world_n will_v acknowledge_v his_o power_n to_o oblige_v conscience_n without_o be_v behold_v to_o his_o own_o creature_n to_o enact_v his_o law_n that_o man_n may_v be_v bind_v to_o obey_v they_o be_v the_o great_a god_n fain_o to_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o civil_a authority_n he_o have_v over_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n their_o government_n be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o make_v his_o law_n obligatory_a to_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o jew_n what_o have_v not_o they_o their_o being_n from_o god_n and_o can_v there_o be_v any_o great_a ground_n of_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n than_o from_o thence_o whence_o come_v civil_a power_n to_o have_v any_o right_a to_o oblige_v man_n more_o than_o god_n consider_v as_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n can_v have_v can_v there_o be_v indeed_o no_o other_o law_n according_a to_o the_o leviathan_n hypothesis_n but_o only_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o civil_a law_n but_o i_o pray_v whence_o come_v the_o obligation_n to_o either_o of_o these_o that_o these_o be_v not_o as_o arbitrary_a as_o all_o other_o agreement_n be_v and_o be_v it_o not_o as_o strong_a a_o dictate_v of_o nature_n as_o any_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o a_o creature_n which_o receive_v its_o be_v from_o another_o shall_v be_v bind_v to_o obey_v he_o not_o only_o in_o the_o resultancy_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n but_o with_o the_o arbitrary_a constitution_n of_o his_o will_n be_v adam_n bind_v to_o obey_v god_n or_o no_o as_o to_o that_o positive_a precept_n of_o eat_v the_o forbid_v fruit_n if_o no_o civil_a sanction_n have_v be_v add_v to_o that_o law_n the_o truth_n be_v such_o hypothesis_n as_o these_o be_v when_o they_o be_v follow_v close_o home_o will_v be_v find_v to_o kennel_n in_o that_o black_a den_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o be_v think_v to_o have_v proceed_v 15._o and_o now_o suppose_v that_o every_o full_a declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o any_o positive_a institution_n have_v the_o force_n and_o power_n of_o a_o law_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o to_o who_o it_o be_v sufficient_o propose_v i_o proceed_v to_o make_v appear_v that_o such_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n there_o be_v for_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o church_n as_o a_o visible_a body_n and_o society_n in_o the_o world_n by_o which_o i_o be_o far_o from_o mean_v such_o a_o conspicuous_a society_n that_o must_v continue_v in_o a_o perpetual_a visibility_n in_o the_o same_o place_n i_o find_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n in_o scripture_n but_o that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v some_o where_o or_o other_o in_o the_o world_n a_o society_n own_v and_o profess_v christianity_n may_v be_v easy_o deduce_v from_o thence_o and_o especial_o on_o this_o account_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v require_v this_o as_o one_o of_o the_o condition_n in_o order_n to_o eternal_a felicity_n that_o all_o those_o who_o believe_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n must_v likewise_o confess_v he_o with_o their_o mouth_n to_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v man_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n there_o must_v be_v man_n that_o will_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o associate_v on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o doctrine_n he_o have_v promulge_v to_o the_o world_n that_o one_o phrase_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o frequent_o use_v by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n import_v a_o gospel_n state_n do_v evident_o declare_v a_o society_n which_o be_v constitute_v by_o he_o on_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n wherefore_o shall_v our_o saviour_n call_v disciple_n and_o make_v apostle_n and_o send_v they_o abroad_o with_o full_a commission_n to_o gather_v and_o initiate_v disciple_n by_o baptism_n do_v he_o not_o intend_v a_o visible_a society_n for_o his_o church_n have_v it_o not_o be_v enough_o for_o man_n to_o have_v cordial_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o they_o must_v be_v enter_v in_o a_o solemn_a visible_a way_n and_o join_v in_o participation_n of_o visible_a symbol_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n but_o that_o our_o saviour_n require_v external_a profession_n and_o society_n in_o the_o gospel_n as_o a_o necessary_a duty_n in_o order_n to_o obtain_v the_o privilege_n convey_v by_o his_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la in_o the_o gospel_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v by_o what_o argument_n we_o can_v prove_v that_o any_o humane_a legislator_n do_v ever_o intend_v a_o commonwealth_n to_o be_v govern_v according_a to_o his_o mode_n by_o which_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o christ_n by_o a_o positive_a law_n do_v command_v such_o a_o society_n as_o shall_v be_v govern_v in_o a_o visible_a manner_n as_o other_o society_n be_v do_v he_o not_o appoint_v officer_n himself_o in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o of_o many_o rank_n and_o degree_n do_v he_o not_o invest_v those_o officer_n with_o authority_n to_o rule_v his_o church_n be_v it_o not_o lay_v as_o a_o charge_n on_o they_o to_o take_v heed_n to_o that_o flock_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n be_v there_o not_o rule_n lay_v down_o for_o the_o peculiar_a exercise_n of_o their_o government_n over_o the_o church_n in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o be_v not_o these_o officer_n admit_v into_o their_o function_n by_o a_o most_o solemn_a visible_a rite_n of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o be_v all_o these_o solemn_a transaction_n a_o mere_a piece_n of_o sacred_a pageantry_n and_o they_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v little_o more_o if_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o mere_a arbitrary_a thing_n depend_v only_o upon_o consent_n and_o confederation_n and_o not_o subsist_v by_o virtue_n of_o any_o charter_n from_o christ_n or_o some_o positive_a law_n require_v all_o christian_n to_o join_v in_o church_n society_n together_o but_o if_o now_o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v as_o certain_o it_o can_v but_o appear_v that_o this_o society_n of_o the_o church_n do_v subsist_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n 16._o than_o it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v distinct_a from_o any_o civil_a society_n and_o that_o on_o these_o account_n first_o because_o there_o be_v a_o antecedent_n obligation_n on_o conscience_n to_o associate_v on_o the_o account_n of_o christianity_n whether_o humane_a law_n prohibit_v or_o command_v it_o from_o whence_o of_o necessity_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v real_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n because_o whether_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v for_o or_o against_o this_o society_n all_o that_o own_o it_o be_v bind_v to_o profess_v it_o open_o and_o declare_v themselves_o member_n of_o it_o whereas_o be_v the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n real_o and_o formal_o the_o same_o all_o obligation_n to_o church_n society_n will_v arise_v mere_o from_o the_o legislative_a power_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o now_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a law_n bind_v in_o conscience_n who_o obligation_n can_v be_v supersede_v by_o any_o humane_a law_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a where_o be_v such_o vast_o different_a obligation_n there_o be_v different_a power_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n i_o know_v no_o incongruity_n in_o admit_v imperium_fw-la in_o imperio_fw-la if_o by_o it_o we_o understand_v no_o external_a coactive_a power_n but_o a_o internal_a power_n lay_v obligation_n on_o conscience_n distinct_a from_o the_o power_n lodge_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n consider_v as_o such_o a_o outward_a coactive_a power_n be_v always_o disow_v by_o christ_n but_o certain_o not_o a_o internal_a power_n over_o conscience_n to_o oblige_v all_o his_o disciple_n to_o what_o duty_n he_o think_v fit_a second_o i_o argue_v from_o those_o officer_n who_o right_n to_o govern_v this_o society_n be_v found_v on_o that_o charter_n whereby_o the_o society_n its_o self_n subsist_v now_o i_o will_v willing_o know_v why_o when_o our_o saviour_n disow_v all_o outward_a power_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o he_o shall_v constitute_v a_o society_n and_o appoint_v officer_n in_o it_o do_v he_o not_o intend_v a_o peculiar_a distinct_a society_n from_o the_o other_o society_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o the_o argument_n frequent_o use_v against_o church-power_n because_o it_o have_v no_o outward_a force_n with_o it_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o strong_a argument_n to_o i_o of_o the_o peculiarity_n of_o a_o christian_a society_n from_o a_o commonwealth_n because_o christ_n so_o institute_v it_o as_o not_o to_o have_v it_o rule_v at_o