1.13_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o bond_n by_o which_o they_o be_v unite_v togethert_n and_o our_o brethren_n themselves_o do_v sometime_o acknowledge_v a_o universal_a visible_a church_n though_o usual_o they_o deny_v it_o as_o apol._n p._n 16._o 21._o 37._o 40._o yea_o and_o officer_n too_o of_o that_o catholic_a church_n viz._n apostles_n and_o evangelist_n which_o therefore_o while_o they_o remain_v baptize_v person_n into_o that_o church_n wheresoever_o they_o meet_v with_o they_o without_o any_o respect_n to_o a_o congregationall_a church_n as_o themselves_o acknowledge_v nationall_n and_o provincial_n church_n much_o more_o a_o universal_a visible_a church_n in_o any_o sense_n ans_fw-fr to_o 9_o pos_fw-la p._n 62._o 63._o 66._o apol._n p._n 7._o 23._o r._n m._n to_o e._n b._n p._n 2._o rob._n justif_a p._n 217._o 3._o also_o they_o deny_v all_o woman_n all_o yet_o sometime_o themselves_o be_v force_v to_o use_v commissioner_n or_o messenger_n to_o represent_v the_o whole_a body_n absent_a as_o at_o the_o constitution_n of_o any_o new_a church_n as_o after_o follow_v so_o in_o their_o private_a examination_n of_o member_n to_o be_v admit_v as_o after_o too_o especial_o in_o their_o late_a synod_n at_o cambridge_n in_o n._n e._n and_o always_o that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v present_a include_v other_o that_o be_v absent_a by_o representation_n and_o the_o male_n the_o woman_n representative_a church_n whether_o the_o officer_n of_o one_o particular_a congregation_n represent_v that_o church_n in_o the_o judicature_n within_o itself_o or_o the_o commissioner_n of_o several_a church_n meet_v together_o in_o a_o compound_n presbytery_n or_o synod_n represent_v all_o those_o church_n by_o who_o they_o be_v send_v rob._n justif_a 162._o 4._o this_o particular_a visible_a church_n they_o define_v to_o this_o effect_n it_o be_v a_o mystical_a body_n whereof_o christ_n be_v the_o head_n the_o member_n be_v saint_n call_v out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o unite_v together_o into_o rule_v into_o here_o be_v intimate_v the_o number_n how_o many_o they_o may_v not_o be_v viz._n not_o above_o one_o congregation_n nothing_o say_v of_o the_o number_n how_o few_o but_o methinks_v regard_n shall_v have_v be_v have_v of_o the_o one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o leave_v a_o gap_n be_v open_v to_o cut_v and_o mangle_v the_o church_n of_o god_n into_o such_o small_a shred_n as_o will_v not_o only_a occasion_n numberless_a difference_n among_o themselves_o but_o also_o render_v they_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a to_o all_o man_n which_o we_o see_v frequent_o fall_v out_o among_o the_o brownist_n that_o follow_v the_o same_o church-course_n as_o these_o our_o brethren_n do_v 2._o neither_o be_v here_o any_o mention_n of_o the_o church-officer_n as_o any_o part_n of_o this_o definition_n but_o how_o can_v this_o be_v a_o complete_a organical_a body_n fit_v for_o exercise_n of_o all_o function_n of_o the_o body_n where_o there_o be_v not_o some_o to_o be_v tongue_n and_o eye_n as_o well_o as_o other_o to_o be_v hand_n and_o foot_n thereto_o i._n e._n some_o to_o rule_v as_o well_o as_o other_o to_o be_v rule_v one_o congregation_n by_o a_o holy_a covenant_n to_o worship_v the_o lord_n and_o edify_v one_o another_o in_o all_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n cott._n cat_n p._n 1._o answ_n to_o 32._o q._n p._n 13._o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o matter_n of_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n what_o be_v require_v thereunto_o and_o how_o the_o same_o may_v be_v know_v 1._o the_o matter_n of_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n be_v either_o infant_n or_o person_n of_o age_n and_o understanding_n 2._o in_o person_n of_o age_n they_o require_v first_o that_o they_o be_v all_o real_a gracious_a real_a all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n shall_v be_v saint_n holy_a etc._n etc._n but_o there_o be_v a_o external_a and_o federall_a holiness_n 1_o cor._n 7._o and_o i_o real_a internal_a holiness_n that_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o church_n estate_n this_o not_o what_o shall_v become_v of_o our_o intant_n else_o we_o shall_v exclude_v they_o as_o anabaptist_n do_v unless_o we_o fly_v to_o that_o shift_n which_o rob._n just_o if_o p_o 309._o do_v that_o all_o infant_n within_o the_o church_n be_v true_o convert_v and_o so_o as_o fit_v material_n for_o a_o church_n as_o the_o best_a elder_n people_n be_v 2._o real_a and_o internal_a holiness_n be_v doubtless_o require_v of_o all_o church-member_n viz._n in_o foro_fw-la interno_fw-la and_o unto_o acceptation_n with_o god_n but_o not_o in_o foro_fw-la externo_fw-la and_o unto_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o double_a aught_o to_o be_v saint_n or_o obligation_n to_o real_a holiness_n one_o moral_n vi_fw-la praecepti_fw-la because_o god_n have_v command_v all_o his_o people_n to_o be_v holy_a as_o he_o be_v holy_a 1_o pet._n 1._o another_o physical_a as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o mere_a be_v of_o the_o church_n and_o without_o which_o it_o be_v a_o false_a church_n no_o church_n in_o the_o former_a sense_n all_o be_v bind_v to_o be_v holy_a not_o in_o this_o latter_a r._n for_o if_o it_o be_v so_o essential_a then_o either_o that_o all_o shall_v be_v so_o holy_a or_o that_o some_o of_o they_o only_o not_o that_o all_o for_o than_o that_o will_v overthrow_v the_o truth_n not_o only_o of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o but_o also_o of_o their_o own_o too_o into_o which_o not_o only_o their_o reason_n but_o also_o their_o experience_n have_v teach_v they_o that_o both_o hypocrite_n and_o heretic_n may_v wind_v in_o themselves_o nor_o that_o some_o of_o they_o only_o for_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n for_o some_o to_o be_v bind_v to_o be_v holy_a then_o for_o all_o beside_o at_o the_o exect_n of_o some_o church_n suppose_v the_o first_o 7._o or_o 8._o that_o combine_v in_o church-covenant_n shall_v all_o prove_v hypocrite_n as_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o not_o as_o yet_o discover_v whether_o be_v this_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n or_o no_o and_o if_o another_o though_o a_o true_a believer_n join_v himself_o to_o they_o be_v he_o a_o member_n of_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n or_o no_o how_o shall_v he_o know_v his_o stand_n in_o that_o church_n to_o be_v lawful_a or_o how_o can_v he_o in_o faith_n continue_v in_o their_o fellowship_n partake_v with_o they_o in_o ordinance_n and_o submit_v to_o their_o censure_n or_o join_v with_o they_o in_o censure_v of_o other_o see_v by_o this_o rule_n they_o be_v none_o of_o they_o true_a saint_n but_o all_o hypocrite_n that_o their_o church_n want_v true_a matter_n and_o so_o be_v uncapable_a of_o the_o true_a form_n of_o a_o church_n and_o therefore_o prove_v a_o false_a church_n and_o all_o their_o church_n act_n and_o his_o with_o they_o be_v so_o many_o nullity_n usurpation_n prevarication_n 4._o if_o none_o but_o real_a saint_n may_v be_v admit_v than_o none_o but_o such_o may_v be_v retain_v will_v they_o then_o excommunicate_v all_o person_n out_o of_o their_o church_n that_o live_v without_o scandal_n yet_o be_v not_o cenvince_o gracious_a saint_n sincere_a believer_n not_o only_o have_v common_a gift_n but_o also_o save_v grace_n that_o they_o be_v not_o common_a but_o choice_n christian_n ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n p._n 8._o 9_o discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 4._o ans_fw-fr to_o 9_o pos_fw-la p._n 69._o 70._o apol._n p._n 2._o 6._o 21._o 43._o cott._n cat_n p._n 1._o 4._o r._n m._n to_o e._n b._n p._n 5._o 9_o so_o rob._n just_a p._n 11._o 38._o 41._o 47._o 48._o 61._o 91._o 254._o yea_o convince_o such_o t._n g._n to_o j._n g._n meek_n and_o humble_a spirit_n for_o fear_v they_o shall_v abuse_v their_o church-power_n e._n o._n to_o w._n r._n void_a of_o insincere_a end_n in_o seek_v of_o church-communion_n discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 4._o if_o any_o other_o shall_v attempt_v to_o be_v admit_v the_o church_n be_v bind_v upon_o discovery_n to_o repel_v they_o apol._n p._n 2._o 3._o 4._o 5._o 24._o 33._o 43._o r._n m._n to_o e._n b._n p._n 5._o the_o reason_n of_o which_o be_v render_v lest_o they_o take_v a_o harlot_n into_o the_o bosom_n of_o christ_n in_o stead_n of_o a_o chaste_a spouse_n if_o any_o such_o be_v admit_v they_o be_v not_o true_a but_o false_a matter_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n 3._o that_o the_o church_n may_v consist_v of_o none_o but_o real_a saint_n so_o far_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v they_o hold_v the_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o make_v same_o make_v admit_v it_o be_v necessary_a ad_fw-la esse_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la that_o all_o the_o member_n shall_v be_v real_o holy_a yet_o still_o the_o question_n may_v be_v by_o what_o rule_n we_o shall_v estimate_v that_o their_o holiness_n whether_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o large_a charity_n which_o believe_v and_o hope_v all_o thing_n judge_v
venture_v further_o into_o the_o search_n of_o other_o man_n heart_n or_o in_o pose_v any_o thing_n upon_o their_o conscience_n further_o than_o they_o have_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o warrant_v they_o low_a term_n that_o they_o may_v take_v man_n into_o church-fellowship_n ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n p._n 8._o the_o know_v godly_a be_v present_o admit_v upon_o their_o own_o desire_n w._n t._n to_o mr_n b._n say_v if_o a_o man_n be_v humble_a and_o have_v a_o earnest_a desire_n though_o he_o be_v but_o in_o a_o wait_a condition_n if_o in_o other_o thing_n he_o make_v conscience_n of_o his_o way_n he_o know_v no_o man_n of_o wit_n will_v deny_v he_o to_o become_v a_o member_n the_o same_o man_n to_o p._n h._n if_o your_o minister_n be_v here_o they_o will_v not_o think_v we_o too_o strict_a but_o too_o remiss_a in_o discipline_n i_o think_v in_o time_n we_o shall_v grow_v like_o old_a england_n e._n c._n to_o r._n c._n but_o of_o their_o abatement_n see_v after_o more_o particular_o 9_o thus_o far_o of_o the_o first_o which_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n they_o require_v in_o person_n to_o be_v admit_v into_o church-fellowship_n viz._n true_a and_o real_a saintship_n a_o second_o be_v that_o they_o be_v such_o as_o can_v cleave_v together_o both_o in_o constitution_n in_o this_o be_v very_o good_a &_o comfortable_a when_o it_o may_v be_v have_v but_o suppose_v some_o differ_v from_o we_o in_o opinion_n in_o point_n inferior_a may_v they_o not_o be_v admit_v and_o tolerate_v in_o that_o so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v not_o turbulent_a or_o infectious_a and_o what_o if_o man_n be_v of_o more_o sour_a and_o cynical_a disposition_n by_o nature_n must_v not_o body_n admit_v they_o into_o church-fellowship_n must_v they_o and_o they_o be_v for_o ever_o keep_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o from_o all_o church-ordinance_n and_o privilege_n though_o they_o shall_v have_v truth_n of_o grace_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o may_v because_o of_o some_o invincible_a remain_v of_o a_o harsh_a and_o crabbed_a constitution_n opinion_n and_o affection_n discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 4._o and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o suitableness_n and_o sweetness_n of_o spirit_n in_o they_o apt_a to_o close_v one_o with_o another_o j._n cott._n note_v of_o the_o church_n in_o fol._n p._n 2_o 3._o 10._o a_o three_o be_v that_o they_o prevent_v they_o doubtless_o a_o good_a rule_n agree_v to_o scripture_n pattern_n and_o the_o reason_n good_a i_o can_v wish_v they_o that_o hold_v it_o forth_o so_o strict_o to_o other_o do_v not_o needless_o swerve_v from_o it_o themselves_o for_o whereas_o our_o law_n have_v tie_v all_o man_n dwell_v within_o such_o and_o such_o precinct_n to_o meet_v together_o in_o such_o a_o place_n under_o such_o a_o ministry_n for_o god_n public_a worship_n and_o exercise_v of_o church_n duty_n some_o of_o they_o contrary_a to_o this_o good_a law_n destroy_v these_o so_o far_o forth_o at_o least_o orderly_a consociation_n pull_v asunder_o our_o true_a though_o not_o pure_a christian_n church_n and_o patch_v up_o other_o of_o their_o own_o make_n get_v some_o from_o one_o parish_n yea_o town_n city_n some_o from_o another_o dwell_v many_o mile_n asunder_o and_o therefore_o seldom_o or_o never_o meet_v together_o but_o at_o public_a worship_n when_o they_o have_v both_o their_o holiday_n clothes_n and_o course_n on_o whereby_o other_o pastor_n be_v rob_v of_o their_o sheep_n confusion_n be_v breed_v in_o the_o church_n the_o pattern_n of_o scripture_n churches_n be_v forsake_v which_o ever_o describe_v the_o member_n of_o each_o church_n by_o the_o place_n of_o their_o cohabitation_n and_o beside_o other_o inconvenience_n the_o main_a end_n pretend_v for_o their_o so_o firm_a and_o close_o unite_n by_o covenant_n viz._n mutual_a watch_v over_o each_o other_o be_v utter_o prevent_v cohabite_v together_o as_o near_o as_o may_v be_v for_o their_o better_a mutual_a watch_v one_o over_o another_o discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 4._o cott._n cat_n p._n 5._o 11._o a_o four_o thing_n be_v they_o must_v be_v such_o as_o know_v what_o belong_v to_o then_o to_o therefore_o if_o any_o man_n deny_v or_o but_o doubt_n of_o this_o church-covenant_n viz._n as_o distinct_a from_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n their_o church_n door_n be_v for_o ever_o shut_v against_o he_o god_n help_v i_o then_o church-covenant_n and_o approve_v thereof_o j._n p._n to_o w._n r._n t._n g._n to_o j._n g._n 12._o last_o they_o must_v seek_v and_o desire_v church-membership_a and_o church-fellowship_n viz._n in_o their_o way_n of_o it_o apol._n p._n 11.39_o discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 4._o j.w._n ans_fw-fr to_o 10._o quest_n j.w._n to_o t.s._n ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n p._n 8._o cott._n cat_n p._n 4._o which_o if_o they_o do_v not_o they_o account_v they_o other_o they_o this_o be_v harsh_a of_o all_o the_o rest_n may_v not_o such_o forbearance_n proceed_v out_o of_o humility_n or_o modesty_n though_o unwarrantable_a ignorance_n or_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n as_o scruple_v their_o covenant_n and_o the_o course_n follow_v it_o discouragement_n or_o the_o like_a man_n forget_v the_o royal_a law_n of_o love_n to_o do_v as_o they_o will_v be_v do_v to_o some_o call_v sharp_o for_o charity_n charity_n to_o themselves_o that_o show_v but_o slender_a charity_n to_o other_o despiser_n of_o it_o yea_o wicked_a and_o graceless_a person_n and_o so_o unworthy_a of_o it_o apol._n p._n 25_o 26_o 27_o 34._o ans_fw-fr to_o 9_o pos_fw-la p._n 69._o ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n p._n 21._o j.w._n ans_fw-fr to_o 10._o quest_n discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 28._o n._n concern_v the_o admission_n of_o infant_n see_v after_o in_o the_o 7._o chap._n of_o admission_n etc._n etc._n chap._n four_o of_o the_o form_n of_o the_o true_a visible_a church_n 1._o they_o hold_v the_o form_n of_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n of_o christ_n be_v that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o by_o the_o this_o point_n of_o church_n covenant_n be_v worthy_a of_o deep_a consideration_n for_o it_o will_v touch_v the_o freehold_n not_o only_o of_o our_o english_a church_n but_o also_o of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n if_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n to_o try_v all_o church_n by_o church-covenant_n whereby_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o society_n be_v unite_v to_o christ_n and_o one_o to_o another_o which_o therefore_o they_o count_v absolute_o necessary_a essential_a and_o constitutive_a to_o and_o of_o the_o true_a church_n discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 5-15_a ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n p._n 9_o 39_o apol._n p._n 6_o 9_o 17_o 19_o 20_o 21_o 24_o 25_o 38_o 39_o cott._n cat_n p._n 4._o without_o this_o no_o true_a church_n nor_o true_a church_n member_n but_o all_o be_v harlot_n and_o concubine_n apol._n p._n 20_o 24._o discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 14_o 18_o 19_o 20_o 21_o 24._o without_o it_o all_o man_n be_v without_o the_o church_n for_o which_o they_o usual_o cite_v 1_o cor._n 5.12_o and_o uncapable_a of_o any_o church_n privilege_n apol._n p._n 6_o 11_o 13_o 19_o 20_o 24_o 25_o 27_o 38_o 39_o 42._o discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 17_o 22_o 28._o ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n p._n 11_o 21_o 24_o 38._o ans_fw-fr to_o 9_o pos_fw-la p._n 69._o so_o the_o separatist_n rob._n justif_a p._n 75_o 79_o 56_o 81_o 82_o 85_o 86_o 110_o 210_o 207_o 231_o 257_o 351._o 2._o no_o other_o tie_n nor_o all_o other_o imaginable_a without_o this_o they_o conceive_v be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o knit_v man_n together_o into_o one_o church_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o other_o way_n of_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n but_o by_o this_o not_o visible_a profession_n and_o practice_n of_o truth_n and_o holiness_n though_o never_o so_o complete_a and_o sincere_a therefore_o they_o say_v people_n say_v a_o strange_a yet_o bold_a assertion_n speak_v without_o proof_n of_o scripture_n consent_n of_o other_o author_n or_o good_a show_n of_o reason_n melchizedek_n be_v a_o priest_n and_o therefore_o pray_v preach_v and_o offer_v sacrifice_n but_o do_v he_o this_o by_o himself_o and_o for_o himself_o alone_o can_v there_o be_v a_o priest_n by_o office_n without_o a_o people_n job_n and_o melchisedek_n with_o other_o such_o eminent_o godly_a be_v yet_o no_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n because_o not_o within_o this_o church_n covenant_n ans_fw-fr to_o 9_o pos_fw-la p._n 66._o discourse_v of_o cou._n p._n 14._o ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n p._n 28_o 37._o nor_o age_n nor_o robin_n justif_n p._n 230_o say_v '_o it_o be_v a_o anabaptillicall_a error_n to_o hold_v that_o baptism_n constitute_v the_o visible_a church_n i_o suppose_v his_o sense_n be_v the_o same_o with_o they_o when_o they_o say_v that_o baptism_n admit_v not_o into_o the_o visible_a church_n the_o contrary_a whereunto_o i_o conceive_v be_v neither_o popish_a nor_o anabapt_v but_o may_v well_o pass_v for_o orthodox_n
here_o be_v not_o partly_o through_o want_n of_o some_o brownist_n book_n partly_o want_v of_o leisure_n to_o view_v over_o those_o i_o have_v partly_o also_o i_o believe_v for_o want_v of_o full_a agreement_n between_o they_o for_o though_o in_o substan_n e_fw-la of_o thing_n there_o be_v too_o great_a a_o accord_n yet_o in_o some_o formality_n or_o other_o accessory_n there_o may_v be_v difference_n in_o some_o thing_n some_o of_o the_o brownist_n be_v more_o rigid_a than_o these_o our_o brethren_n be_v as_o in_o other_o thing_n these_o seem_v more_o strict_a than_o any_o of_o they_o for_o aught_o that_o by_o their_o writing_n do_v appear_v 4._o over_o against_o many_o of_o the_o several_a article_n and_o sometime_o also_o underneath_o the_o same_o there_o be_v suggest_v some_o short_a animadversion_n not_o in_o way_n of_o a_o set_a confutation_n that_o task_n be_v now_o in_o better_a hand_n but_o sometime_o by_o way_n of_o quaere_fw-la or_o doubt_v sometime_o point_v as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o finger_n to_o some_o seem_a contradiction_n to_o their_o own_o tenant_n or_o practice_n or_o some_o apparent_a repugnancy_n to_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n or_o light_n of_o common_a sense_n add_v only_o of_o purpose_n to_o admonish_v the_o vulgar_a and_o injudicious_a reader_n lest_o by_o read_v thing_n so_o plausible_o put_v forth_o as_o some_o of_o they_o be_v he_o shall_v be_v ensnare_v at_o unaware_o 5._o sometime_o proof_n be_v more_o spare_o affix_v to_o the_o article_n or_o perhaps_o none_o at_o all_o because_o the_o thing_n assert_v in_o the_o article_n be_v apparent_a by_o the_o proof_n of_o other_o article_n foregoing_a or_o by_o the_o general_a tenor_n of_o the_o whole_a discourse_n out_o of_o which_o the_o reader_n himself_o may_v easy_o if_o he_o be_v willing_a make_v out_o a_o more_o full_a proof_n 6._o nor_o be_v it_o always_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o the_o proof_n under_o every_o article_n shall_v reach_v every_o punctilio_n in_o that_o article_n so_o the_o substance_n be_v prove_v the_o rest_n will_v necessary_o follow_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n 7._o nor_o that_o every_o proof_n shall_v make_v good_a every_o part_n of_o the_o article_n i_o hope_v it_o may_v suffice_v if_o all_o the_o proof_n together_o will_v do_v it_o among_o they_o 8._o last_o the_o reader_n must_v know_v that_o when_o he_o find_v quote_v ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n and_o ans_fw-fr to_o 9_o pos_fw-la and_o discourse_v of_o cou._n he_o be_v to_o look_v for_o these_o in_o the_o book_n late_o publish_v by_o mr_n h._n peter_n cott._n cat_n i_o call_v that_o treatise_n print_v under_o mr_n cotton_n name_n of_o church_n constitution_n by_o way_n of_o question_n and_o answer_v there_o be_v also_o cite_v two_o other_o print_a letter_n under_o the_o same_o name_n when_o thou_o meet_v with_o apol._n that_o be_v the_o apology_n of_o the_o church_n in_o new_a england_n for_o church_n covenant_n which_o i_o have_v by_o i_o in_o a_o manuscript_n most_o of_o the_o other_o quotation_n be_v of_o letter_n between_o friend_n and_o friend_n when_o you_o have_v rob._n apol._n that_o belong_v to_o the_o allegation_n of_o the_o brownist_n and_o be_v a_o distinct_a book_n from_o the_o former_a apology_n the_o rest_n be_v more_o easy_a now_o the_o blessing_n of_o heaven_n go_v with_o this_o poor_a pamphlet_n that_o it_o may_v contribute_v some_o mite_n to_o the_o promote_a of_o the_o public_a good_a whereunto_o it_o be_v devote_v amen_n a_o brief_a narration_n of_o some_o church_n course_v general_o hold_v in_o opinion_n and_o practice_n by_o the_o church_n late_o erect_v in_o new_a england_n chap._n i._n concern_v a_o platform_n of_o church-government_n and_o discipline_n in_o general_n 1._o this_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v and_o remember_v all_o along_o that_o all_o the_o church_n in_o new_a england_n especial_o within_o massachusets_n bay_n at_o new_a 13._o new_a the_o church_n at_o n._n plymouth_n be_v as_o i_o be_o inform_v one_o of_o the_o first_o church_n that_o be_v settle_v there_o have_v be_v a_o part_n of_o mr._n robinson_n church_n in_o holland_n that_o famous_a brownist_n from_o whence_o they_o bring_v with_o they_o their_o church_n opinion_n and_o practice_n into_o n._n e._n and_o which_o they_o there_o still_o hold_v and_o practice_v without_o any_o alteration_n so_o far_o as_o ever_o i_o can_v learn_v if_o therefore_o they_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o way_n quere_z whether_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o the_o separatist_n way_n at_o least_o in_o practice_n the_o rather_o if_o that_o be_v true_a which_o mr_n w._n a_o eminent_a man_n of_o the_o church_n at_o plymouth_n tell_v w._n r._n that_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n in_o new_a eng._n come_v at_o first_o to_o they_o at_o plymouth_n to_o crave_v their_o direction_n in_o church_n course_n and_o make_v they_o their_o pattern_n also_o i_o find_v that_o church_n much_o commend_v by_o i._n c._n in_o his_o print_a letter_n to_o mr_n w._n p_o 13._o plymouth_n quillipiacke_n and_o about_o the_o river_n of_o connectecute_v be_v of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o way_n in_o church_n constitution_n government_n and_o discipline_n without_o any_o material_a difference_n so_o that_o what_o may_v be_v true_o say_v of_o any_o one_o of_o they_o may_v be_v believe_v of_o they_o all_o ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n p._n 82._o j._n c._n to_o a._n h._n j._n w._n in_o answ_n to_o 10._o q._n j._n d._n to_o l._n h._n so_o all_o affirm_v uno_fw-la ore_fw-la 2._o yet_o have_v they_o not_o set_v platform_n solemn_o agree_v upon_o among_o they_o but_o only_o they_o have_v they_o have_v how_o shall_v such_o a_o exact_a uniformity_n among_o all_o their_o church_n happen_v without_o any_o express_a agreement_n not_o by_o miraculous_a providence_n nor_o immediate_a inspiration_n i_o suppose_v if_o by_o the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o the_o way_n reveil_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o shine_v forth_o to_o they_o than_o its_o a_o wonder_n that_o no_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v see_v that_o light_n which_o yet_o all_o the_o church_n in_o n._n e._n and_o all_o their_o member_n do_v so_o clear_o see_v as_o to_o practice_v uniformlie_o without_o difference_n much_o more_o that_o all_o other_o church_n shall_v oppose_v it_o if_o by_o imitation_n and_o precedent_n one_o follow_v another_o then_o quaere_fw-la whether_o this_o be_v not_o a_o more_o rational_a course_n and_o likely_a to_o be_v less_o erroneous_a that_o the_o church_n shall_v joint_o consider_v of_o agree_v upon_o and_o in_o write_v set_v down_o a_o set_a platform_n according_a to_o reason_n and_o scripture-rule_n to_o be_v observe_v among_o they_o rather_o than_o to_o tie_v themselves_o so_o to_o precedent_n which_o if_o close_o follow_v be_v slavish_a and_o worse_o if_o loose_o will_v soon_o breed_v difference_n if_o not_o division_n and_o it_o be_v not_o unknown_a that_o some_o such_o have_v be_v already_o among_o they_o all_o act_v themselves_o into_o one_o and_o the_o same_o way_n j._n w._n in_o answ_n to_o 10._o q._n v._o s._n to_o w._n r._n 3._o the_o reason_n why_o they_o have_v no_o set_a platform_n agree_v upon_o be_v render_v by_o some_o of_o they_o to_o be_v because_o such_o a_o one_o be_v unnecessary_a yea_o otherwise_o yea_o be_v not_o a_o pattern_n virtual_o a_o platform_n if_o therefore_o this_o be_v inconvenient_a or_o unlawful_a how_o can_v that_o be_v justify_v again_o let_v the_o reader_n observe_v that_o the_o answerer_n in_fw-la ans_fw-fr to_o 32._o q._n p._n 63_o 64._o speak_v of_o such_o a_o platform_n of_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n and_o so_o impose_v as_o a_o bind_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n so_o that_o all_o man_n must_v believe_v and_o walk_v according_a to_o that_o platform_n without_o add_v alter_v or_o omit_v but_o of_o a_o platform_n so_o impose_v the_o question_n whereto_o they_o answer_v be_v not_o put_v nor_o reasonable_o can_v be_v understand_v nor_o be_v there_o any_o such_o among_o the_o protestant_a church_n who_o acknowledge_v all_o their_o platform_n imperfect_a intend_v to_o bind_v themselves_o thereto_o no_o long_o nor_o further_o than_o they_o shall_v see_v they_o warrant_v by_o god_n word_n and_o therefore_o always_o leave_v themselves_o a_o liberty_n to_o add_v to_o alter_z or_o repeal_v any_o thing_n therein_o as_o god_n shall_v give_v they_o more_o light_a that_o clause_n therefore_o so_o insert_v serve_v for_o no_o other_o use_n but_o to_o put_v a_o great_a odium_fw-la upon_o the_o question_n and_o a_o fair_a gloss_n upon_o the_o answer_n then_o either_o of_o they_o deserve_v beside_o if_o a_o tyrannical_a and_o imperious_a imposition_n of_o a_o platform_n be_v so_o evil_a in_o their_o eye_n as_o also_o it_o be_v in_o we_o then_o why_o do_v they_o so_o rigorous_o press_v other_o that_o come_v