Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	call_v	church_n	true_a	2,287	5	4.9741	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80845	Fœlix scelus, querela piorum, et auscultatio divina; or, prospering prophaneness provoking holy conference, and Gods attention, in which you have the [brace] happy estate of the wicked, holy exercise of the godly, hazard and event of both. Plainly propounded in sundry sermons preached at Botolphs Algate London: and after contracted in two sermons preached in Peters Church in West-Chester, July 17. 1659. Now published to the counsell and confirmation of the godly; and check of the false surmises and reports of the wicked. / By Zachary Crofton.	Crofton, Zachary, 1625 or 6-1672.	1659 (1659)	Wing C6993; Thomason E1870_1; ESTC R209731	120,321	422

great_a article_n of_o christian_a faith_n 1.11_o rom._n 1.11_o and_o paul_n errand_n to_o rome_n be_v to_o confer_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o see_v his_o roman_n therein_o establish_v and_o schism_n tend_v to_o a_o apostasy_n from_o the_o faith_n must_v stir_v up_o the_o saint_n that_o keep_v the_o union_n of_o the_o church_n to_o hold_v the_o communion_n of_o it_o by_o edify_v one_o another_o in_o their_o most_o holy_a faith_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v that_o man_n must_v live_v by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n to_o receive_v what_o ever_o be_v magisterial_o impose_v or_o be_v censure_v for_o maintain_v a_o modest_a and_o humble_a debate_n and_o expostulation_n or_o conference_n about_o the_o fundamental_a point_n and_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o salvation_n these_o thing_n christian_n you_o must_v know_v do_v belong_v to_o minister_n as_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o partaker_n of_o the_o same_o precious_a faith_n with_o yourselves_o not_o as_o they_o be_v minister_n and_o officer_n of_o and_o in_o the_o church_n employ_v about_o peculiar_a service_n which_o other_o may_v not_o undertake_v to_o manage_v and_o although_o some_o of_o these_o be_v action_n to_o be_v perform_v ministerial_o such_o as_o be_v rebuke_v exhort_v and_o the_o like_a yet_o they_o have_v adjunct_n peculiar_a and_o a_o especial_a form_n no_o they_o become_v ministerial_a and_o must_v not_o be_v meddle_v withal_o by_o private_a man_n but_o in_o the_o matter_n and_o substance_n of_o they_o they_o lie_v common_a to_o believer_n &_o member_n of_o god_n church_n christian_n brethren_n so_o far_o will_v i_o be_v from_o condemn_v that_o i_o will_v encourage_v and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n command_v you_o to_o maintain_v your_o society_n and_o make_v conscience_n of_o holy_a conference_n and_o therein_o of_o pray_v together_o confess_v your_o sin_n one_o to_o another_o admonish_v exhort_v one_o another_o and_o do_v all_o the_o act_n of_o communion_n wherein_o be_v the_o people_n of_o god_n more_o conversant_a piety_n will_v be_v preserve_v and_o increase_v i_o have_v show_v you_o how_o far_o you_o may_v go_v in_o holy_a conference_n and_o hitherto_o not_o i_o but_o the_o word_n of_o god_n will_v allow_v &_o justify_v you_o but_o be_v so_o prudent_a as_o to_o keep_v within_o your_o border_n and_o take_v heed_n you_o do_v not_o break_v your_o bound_n i_o shall_v therefore_o in_o the_o next_o place_n propose_v those_o edify_a act_n which_o private_a christian_n in_o their_o conference_n be_v to_o apt_a to_o be_v meddle_v withal_o whilst_o indeed_o they_o be_v holy_a more_o holy_a than_o the_o ordinary_a and_o common_a act_n of_o sanctity_n and_o must_v not_o be_v meddle_v withal_o by_o every_o common_a hand_n although_o a_o believer_n nay_o a_o believer_n eminent_a for_o part_n and_o piety_n and_o they_o be_v likewise_o seven_a which_o i_o do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n adjure_v you_o to_o consider_v and_o avoid_v as_o out_o of_o your_o sphere_n and_o they_o be_v these_o viz._n private_a christian_n may_v not_o constitute_v church_n constitution_n of_o church_n be_v a_o eminent_a act_n of_o authority_n and_o can_v be_v affect_v by_o any_o private_a hand_n i_o well_o know_v it_o have_v of_o late_o be_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o many_o pretender_n unto_o piety_n in_o their_o conference_n which_o be_v at_o first_o private_a to_o constitute_v church_n the_o independent_a notion_n be_v that_o seven_o or_o eight_o few_o or_o more_o believer_n conjoin_v themselves_o into_o a_o church_n be_v thereby_o constitute_v and_o therefore_o in_o the_o gather_n of_o their_o church_n their_o minister_n have_v shameful_o renounce_v the_o ministry_n and_o sinful_o disow_v the_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o th●y_v enjoy_v resolve_v themselves_o into_o a_o private_a capacity_n as_o member_n and_o so_o by_o the_o church_n gather_v receive_v the_o ministry_n and_o indeed_o out_o of_o this_o corruption_n of_o holy_a conference_n have_v rise_v most_o of_o our_o gather_a church_n among_o we_o which_o way_n of_o church_n constitution_n be_v irrational_a and_o irreligious_a irrational_a because_o no_o political_a body_n can_v constitute_v itself_o do_v not_o civil_a policy_n call_v it_o a_o combination_n and_o conspiracy_n where_o man_n embodie_o themselves_o without_o public_a authority_n who_o will_v suffer_v they_o to_o enjoy_v the_o privilege_n or_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o rule_n and_o order_n as_o a_o corporation_n who_o receive_v not_o their_o charter_n from_o nor_o be_v constitute_v by_o public_a authority_n be_v not_o the_o church_n a_o body_n politic_a and_o every_o particular_a congregation_n part_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_a and_o how_o then_o shall_v they_o constitute_v themselves_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n true_a and_o good_a in_o nature_n and_o contradict_v in_o scripture_n be_v god_n a_o god_n of_o order_n in_o the_o world_n and_o of_o confusion_n in_o his_o church_n be_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n essential_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o any_o corporation_n and_o company_n in_o any_o town_n or_o city_n and_o shall_v man_n of_o religion_n embody_n and_o give_v a_o church_n form_n unto_o themselves_o shal●_n simple_a consent_n be_v the_o ratio_fw-la formalis_fw-la of_o a_o civil_a conspiracy_n and_o religious_a constitution_n not_o only_o be_v it_o irrational_a but_o irreligious_a without_o the_o least_o colour_n of_o authority_n or_o countenance_n of_o scripture_n i_o shall_v not_o be_v afraid_a to_o challenge_v all_o the_o congregationallist_n to_o produce_v any_o commission_n from_o jesus_n christ_n by_o either_o precept_n or_o precedent_n of_o self_n constitution_n of_o the_o church_n i_o find_v indeed_o a_o commission_n to_o go_v and_o disciple_n the_o nation_n and_o by_o baptism_n to_o constitute_v they_o church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o none_o dare_v presume_v to_o say_v this_o be_v give_v to_o private_a person_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o constitute_v themselves_o unto_o a_o church_n if_o there_o be_v other_o commission_n in_o the_o book_n of_o god_n let_v it_o be_v produce_v as_o there_o be_v no_o precept_n so_o we_o find_v no_o pattern_n of_o a_o self_n constitute_v church_n we_o read_v of_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n corinth_n galatia_n ephesus_n but_o which_o of_o they_o be_v of_o their_o own_o constitution_n have_v not_o every_o of_o they_o the_o lord_n jesus_n for_o their_o foundation_n and_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n for_o their_o founder_n in_o the_o name_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n do_v not_o christ_n institute_v the_o office_n of_o the_o minister_n before_o he_o do_v constitute_v the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o send_v forth_o minister_n to_o gather_v in_o the_o elect_a and_o to_o constitute_v and_o confirm_v churhe_n so_o that_o the_o ministry_n be_v before_o the_o church_n and_o for_o the_o church_n essential_a unto_o its_o constituton_n to_o act_n without_o a_o commission_n and_o warrant_n from_o christ_n be_v no_o less_o than_o superstition_n and_o presumption_n but_o to_o invert_v christ_n his_o order_n and_o to_o neglect_v his_o method_n and_o authority_n be_v high_a prophanesse_n to_o constitute_v a_o church_n without_o commission_n be_v to_o build_v in_o the_o sand_n without_o any_o confidence_n of_o protection_n or_o preservation_n to_o make_v the_o ministry_n to_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o make_v it_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n not_o of_o jesus_n christ_n indeed_o i_o read_v of_o two_o self_n constitute_v church_n in_o the_o scripture_n but_o they_o be_v both_o disow_v by_o god_n and_o good_a man_n the_o one_o be_v the_o church_n gather_v by_o corah_n &_o his_o company_n with_o a_o cry_n of_o sanctity_n all_o the_o lord_n people_n be_v holy_a they_o indeed_o fling_v off_o the_o ministry_n of_o god_n appointment_n but_o i_o need_v not_o tell_v you_o how_o good_a man_n fly_v from_o their_o tent_n and_o how_o god_n fling_v this_o church_n alive_a into_o the_o earth_n take_v heed_n you_o perish_v not_o in_o the_o gain_n say_v of_o corah_n the_o other_o be_v the_o ten_o tribe_n who_o cast_v off_o the_o house_n of_o david_n do_v also_o cast_v off_o the_o ministry_n of_o god_n and_o constitute_v themselves_o a_o church_n and_o so_o consecrate_v to_o themselves_o priest_n o●_n the_o low_a of_o the_o people_n but_o the_o priest_n of_o god_n and_o those_o who_o do_v fear_v the_o lord_n throughout_o israel_n pack_v from_o among_o they_o and_o they_o go_v to_o jerusalem_n and_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n constitute_v by_o god_n and_o not_o only_o do_v good_a man_n but_o god_n himself_o cast_v off_o this_o self-constituted_n church_n have_v a_o care_v you_o walk_v not_o in_o the_o way_n of_o jeroboam_n let_v not_o your_o private_a society_n and_o conference_n become_v the_o college_n of_o the_o prophet_n or_o rather_o conspiracy_n of_o schism_n however_o man_n seem_o holy_a and_o

teach_v 1_o tim._n 1●_n 11_o to_o exhort_v and_o rebuke_v with_o all_o authority_n titus_n 2.15_o as_o be_v over_o the_o church_n of_o god_n whilst_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v require_v credence_n and_o obedience_n to_o what_o they_o declare_v not_o only_o because_o true_a and_o good_a but_o because_o speak_v with_o authority_n in_o the_o name_n &_o by_o the_o embassy_n of_o jesus_n christ_n private_a christian_n must_v know_v that_o the_o only_a weight_n and_o strength_n of_o their_o instruction_n lie_v in_o the_o turth_fw-mi and_o goodness_n with_o some_o civil_a and_o natural_a circumstance_n thereof_o and_o the_o refusal_n of_o they_o may_v charge_v the_o guilt_n of_o despise_v good_a counsel_n and_o disregard_v friend_n but_o not_o disobedience_n unto_o god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n to_o your_o shame_n it_o may_v be_v speak_v that_o many_o youngster_n adjoyn_v themselves_o to_o your_o private_a society_n as_o expectant_n of_o the_o public_a ministry_n and_o have_v enure_v their_o tongue_n in_o your_o conference_n to_o talk_v of_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n do_v with_o much_o confidence_n impose_v on_o you_o their_o discourse_n in_o the_o name_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o at_o length_n uncalled_a and_o unqualified_a presume_v to_o step_v into_o the_o pulpit_n and_o speak_v unto_o the_o church_n of_o god_n as_o if_o your_o conference_n be_v no_o other_o than_o nursery_n of_o pride_n and_o vanity_n i_o will_v such_o as_o thus_o presume_v to_o prophesy_v will_v but_o serious_o ponder_v that_o which_o be_v certain_o speak_v in_o reference_n to_o gospel_n time_n by_o the_o prophet_n zach._n 13.5_o and_o the_o prophet_n shall_v be_v ashamed_a every_o one_o of_o his_o vision_n and_o shall_v no_o more_o wear_v a_o rough_a garment_n to_o deceive_v but_o he_o shall_v say_v i_o be_o no_o prophet_n i_o be_o a_o husband_n man_n man_n teach_v i_o to_o keep_v cattle_n from_o my_o youth_n their_o faith_n can_v be_v but_o poor_o edify_v which_o be_v feed_v with_o a_o fantastic_a and_o imaginary_a ministry_n and_o follow_v with_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n because_o they_o have_v run_v and_o i_o have_v not_o send_v they_o they_o shall_v not_o profit_v this_o people_n jer._n 23.32_o whilst_o you_o give_v good_a counsel_n do_v not_o cheat_v man_n of_o their_o salvation_n by_o give_v it_o with_o the_o assurance_n and_o authority_n you_o never_o receive_v 4._o private_a christian_n can_v under_o pretence_n of_o conferense_n cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n excommunication_n be_v the_o high_a act_n of_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o however_o it_o have_v be_v high_o assert_v and_o hot_o contend_v for_o it_o yet_o remain_v to_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o people_n or_o body_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n the_o savoy_n conclusion_n be_v neither_o scripture_n nor_o church_n canon_n nor_o be_v they_o enforce_v with_o the_o least_o scripture_n argument_n or_o answer_v to_o what_o on_o the_o contrary_n have_v be_v object_v be_v not_o magisterial_o impose_v upon_o by_o man_n of_o no_o power_n lock_v not_o your_o selus_fw-la under_o a_o implicit_a faith_n of_o what_o some_o pretender_n to_o piety_n profess_v to_o believe_v consult_v reason_n and_o religion_n and_o you_o shall_v find_v popular_a power_n unto_o church_n censure_v repugnant_a unto_o both_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o act_n judicial_a and_o that_o can_v be_v do_v by_o all_o they_o must_v be_v ruler_n and_o judge_n that_o do_v execute_v it_o if_o this_o be_v the_o whole_a church_n where_o be_v the_o rule_v and_o to_o be_v judge_v when_o the_o incestuous_a person_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n at_o corinth_n it_o be_v do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n by_o many_o and_o as_o the_o word_n signify_v principal_a one_o nay_o by_o those_o who_o judge_v such_o as_o be_v within_o not_o by_o all_o the_o assembly_n or_o any_o private_a person_n i_o deny_v you_o not_o the_o liberty_n of_o debar_v from_o your_o friendly_a society_n i_o believe_v a_o strange_a and_o discountenance_v carriage_n towards_o every_o brother_n which_o walk_v disorderly_a to_o be_v a_o duty_n but_o for_o private_a man_n to_o deliver_v any_o over_o to_o satan_n be_v a_o grand_a impiety_n 5._o private_a man_n may_v not_o in_o private_a conference_n cancel_v the_o condemnation_n of_o the_o church_n or_o conscience_n the_o same_o authority_n which_o do_v bind_v must_v loose_v they_o who_o shut_v must_v open_v absolution_n be_v a_o act_n undoubted_o ministerial_a and_o ecclesiastic_a the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n can_v only_o acquit_v convict_v guilt_n private_a christian_n must_v confess_v their_o sin_n each_o to_o other_o to_o provoke_v pity_n and_o prayer_n but_o not_o to_o procure_v a_o pardon_n further_a than_o the_o offence_n concern_v themselves_o they_o may_v comfortable_o argue_v and_o expostulate_v each_o with_o other_o the_o hope_n of_o pardon_n unto_o the_o quiet_v of_o the_o anxious_a conscience_n but_o he_o must_v be_v a_o minister_n who_o do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n pronounce_v pardon_n and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n ministerial_o though_o not_o judicial_o cancel_v conscience_n and_o quiet_a the_o guilty_a by_o assure_v remission_n of_o sin_n upon_o true_a repentance_n it_o be_v unto_o minister_n that_o jesus_n say_v who_o sin_n you_o remit_v shall_v be_v remit_v and_o it_o be_v by_o they_o therefore_o this_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o foundation_n of_o hope_n be_v must_v say_v as_o private_a man_n have_v not_o authority_n to_o capitulate_v so_o they_o have_v none_o to_o conclude_v peace_n between_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n the_o many_o that_o punish_v do_v pardon_v the_o incestuous_a person_n and_o that_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o with_o authority_n to_o apply_v god_n poomise_n and_o require_v a_o acquiescency_n of_o soul_n be_v positive_a prophanesse_n 6._o private_a christian_n may_v not_o conclude_v order_n and_o decree_n which_o shall_v bind_v the_o church_n all_o act_n of_o discipline_n be_v attendant_a on_o the_o key_n of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o wear_v they_o have_v the_o only_a power_n of_o prescription_n of_o thing_n religious_a rite_n and_o matter_n of_o decency_n and_o order_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n legislation_n be_v the_o height_n of_o authority_n they_o that_o consult_v and_o conclude_v for_o to_o bind_v the_o church_n and_o require_v subjection_n must_v be_v well_o commissionated_a church_n counsel_v i_o doubt_v not_o may_v send_v a_o broad_a their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d determine_a decree_n ●_o act_n 16._o ●_o and_o conscientious_a obedience_n must_v be_v yield_v to_o they_o but_o for_o private_a christian_n to_o prescribe_v unto_o the_o church_n of_o god_n can_v but_o be_v high_a presumption_n and_o prophanesse_n however_o you_o conclude_v prudentiall_a rule_n to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o order_n of_o your_o private_a amicable_a society_n let_v they_o never_o be_v impose_v on_o other_o or_o prescribe_v to_o the_o church_n but_o know_v subjection_n be_v your_o station_n in_o god_n church_n and_o legislation_n above_o your_o reach_n 7._o private_a christian_n may_v not_o commend_v a_o blessing_n to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o name_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o deny_v not_o the_o power_n of_o parent_n bless_v their_o child_n by_o prayer_n and_o parentall_a option_n as_o do_v the_o patriarch_n and_o laban_n to_o jacobs_n child_n or_o friend_n bless_v one_o another_o by_o salutation_n and_o serious_a supplication_n as_o jacob_n at_o his_o come_n in_o &_o go_v out_o bless_a pharaoh_n to_o be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v do_v by_o private_a man_n but_o ministerial_a blessing_n by_o pronunciation_n thereof_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n unto_o the_o church_n be_v a_o act_n of_o worship_n to_o god_n and_o argument_n of_o faith_n to_o his_o people_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v do_v by_o authority_n and_o belong_v only_o to_o his_o ambassador_n and_o commission_n officer_n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n be_v separate_v in_o israel_n to_o stand_v before_o the_o lord_n and_o minister_n unto_o he_o and_o to_o bless_v his_o name_n deut._n 10.8_o they_o must_v and_o they_o only_o must_v bless_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o they_o be_v choose_v to_o this_o very_a purpose_n deut._n 21.5_o that_o your_o private_a conference_n begin_v and_o end_v with_o prayer_n be_v commendable_a but_o that_o your_o society_n break_v up_o with_o a_o formal_a and_o pronounce_v blessing_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v to_o be_v condemn_v very_o prudent_a be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n when_o man_n unordain_v and_o only_a expectant_n of_o the_o ministry_n do_v for_o probation_n sake_n preach_v be_v bar_v from_o pronounce_v the_o blessing_n and_o thereby_o make_v know_v to_o the_o people_n

and_o practise●_n direct_v contrary_a to_o scripture_n precept_n and_o have_v not_o they_o who_o fear_v the_o lord_n need_v to_o speak_v often_o one_o to_o another_o the_o colloquy_n of_o the_o ungodly_a and_o conference_n of_o the_o seducer_n and_o seduce_v from_o the_o faith_n do_v every_o where_o abound_v and_o &_o shall_v the_o man_n who_o be_v sound_a in_o the_o faith_n zealous_a for_o true_a religion_n cleave_v to_o the_o covenant_n of_o god_n with_o constancy_n be_v estrange_v one_o to_o another_o if_o ever_o you_o have_v need_v to_o strengthen_v one_o another_o hand_n and_o heart_n now_o be_v your_o time_n there_o be_v not_o more_o need_n of_o saint_n frequent_a conference_n in_o time_n of_o popish_a persecution_n and_o prelatical_a restriction_n then_o in_o these_o day_n of_o sinful_a liberty_n by_o shameful_a toleration_n of_o all_o impostor_n the_o less_o restraint_n be_v lay_v on_o you_o by_o the_o church_n or_o state_n you_o shall_v be_v more_o watchful_a one_o of_o another_o and_o careful_a to_o k●ep_v each_o other_o from_o the_o use_n of_o your_o profane_o allow_a libert●_n know_v you_o that_o it_o be_v a_o say_n beseem_v a_o curse_a cain_n be_o i_o my_o brother_n keeper_n have_v we_o not_o evil_n to_o complain_v of_o do_v not_o man_n speak_v st●ut_o word_n against_o god_n be_v not_o all_o positive_a p●ety_n under_o a_o pretence_n of_o holiness_n deny_v do_v not_o man_n say_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o serve_v god_n if_o you_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o god_n honour_n any_o zeal_n for_o true_a religion_n any_o feel_n of_o the_o force_n o●_n temptation_n any_o pity_n to_o your_o weak_a brethren_n any_o faithfulness_n to_o your_o own_o soul_n any_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v quickn●d_v to_o holy_a conference_n flock_v together_o se●k_a opportunity_n of_o mutual_a colloquy_n and_o have_v find_v they_o see_v you_o speak_v often_o one_o to_o another_o this_o duty_n of_o holy_a conference_n especial_o in_o evil_a time_n be_v in_o itself_o so_o evident_a and_o so_o excellent_a that_o none_o do_v or_o indeed_o can_v deny_v it_o i_o shall_v not_o therefore_o stand_v to_o enforce_v it_o with_o motive_n but_o refer_v you_o to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o doctrine_n before_o urge_v which_o you_o will_v find_v to_o be_v quicken_a consideration_n thereunto_o i_o shall_v only_o present_v you_o with_o some_o direction_n unto_o the_o right_a discharge_n and_o management_n of_o holy_a conference_n for_o it_o like_o other_o good_a duty_n do_v m●ny_a time_n miscarry_v by_o the_o r●sh_n and_o unadvised_a management_n thereof_o many_o i_o must_v confess_v have_v be_v the_o mismischiefe_n which_o have_v redound_v from_o the_o private_a conference_n of_o the_o godly_a especial_o in_o this_o city_n in_o so_o much_o that_o although_o the_o duty_n have_v be_v allow_v and_o enforce_v with_o th●_n public_a authority_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o this_o city_n in_o their_o jus_o divinum_fw-la ministerii_fw-la cap_n 5._o pag_n 78_o ●9_n 90._o yet_o many_o par_fw-fr icu●ar_a pastor_n to_o some_o of_o their_o peculiar_a charge_n have_v see_v cause_n in_o a_o way_n prudentiall_a to_o discountenance_v and_o almost_o disallow_v the_o conference_n of_o private_a christian_n especial_o with_o their_o fix_a circumstance_n that_o so_o the_o inconvenience_n accident_o thence_o arise_v may_v be_v avoid_v i_o will_v glad_o divide_v between_o the_o duty_n and_o their_o discommodity_n i_o dare_v not_o debar_v christian-liberty_n though_o i_o will_v it_o m●y_v be_v wise_o enjoy_v nor_o interdict_v the_o posi_fw-it ive_z duty_n but_o will_v endeavour_v to_o instruct_v you_o unto_o the_o due_a management_n and_o exercise_n thereof_o that_o the_o evil_a and_o inconvenience_n thereof_o may_v be_v prevent_v &_o herein_o i_o sh●l_v pr●●e●●_n yo●_n with_o some_o caution_n and_o some_o direction_n 1._o some_o caution_n of_o evil_a to_o be_v avoid_v in_o holy_a conference_n which_o must_v be_v careful_o observe_v by_o ●u●h_a as_o will_v speak_v one_o unto_o another_o to_o edification_n not_o destruction_n and_o they_o be_v these_o viz._n caution_n 1_o separate_a not_o from_o the_o church_n sleight_v not_o public_a assembly_n whilst_o in_o zeal_n you_o frequent_a private_a conference_n it_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o be_v note_v to_o our_o shame_n ●hat_n conference_n of_o private_a christian_n have_v give_v occasion_n to_o schism_n and_o sinful_a separation_n from_o public_a assembly_n justify_v our_o late_a prelacy_n in_o their_o violent_a resistance_n of_o the_o private_a convention_n of_o christian_n as_o conventicle_n opposite_a and_o destructive_a to_o church_n assembly_n we_o can_v on_o serious_a observation_n but_o see_v that_o the_o sinful_a schism_n of_o independency_n and_o shameful_a separation_n of_o the_o congregationallist_n be_v found_v in_o and_o nourish_v by_o the_o fix_a conference_n of_o private_a christian_n and_o how_o many_o be_v there_o at_o this_o day_n who_o leave_v the_o public_a assembly_n break_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n disow_v public_a ordinance_n and_o despise_v they_o &_o only_o creep_v into_o private_a house_n and_o spend_v th●ir_a sabbath_n in_o colloquy_n if_o not_o quake_v soliloquy_n &_o mutual_a discourse_n of_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n and_o so_o not_o only_o withdraw_v from_o but_o set_v themselves_o against_o the_o church_n and_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o god_n people_n now_o although_o private_a conference_n be_v a_o duty_n yet_o the_o improvement_n of_o it_o to_o the_o neglect_n much_o more_o the_o contempt_n of_o the_o church_n and_o public_a assembly_n be_v a_o horrid_a impiety_n this_o profane_a fruit_n be_v not_o the_o natural_a result_n of_o conference_n but_o be_v enforce_v f●om_n it_o by_o the_o corruption_n of_o profane_a heart_n clothe_v with_o the_o pretence_n of_o piety_n and_o draw_v wicked_a conclusion_n from_o just_a premise_n the_o loose_a heart●hinks_v ●hinks_z private_a exercise_n to_o be_v sufficient_a and_o so_o make_v they_o jostle_v with_o public_a act_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o proud_a heart_n not_o endure_v the_o subjection_n of_o disciple_n to_o be_v teach_v with_o authority_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n think_v it_o be_v better_a to_o abide_v in_o private_a conference_n where_o he_o may_v play_v the_o part_n of_o a_o teacher_n and_o proud_o act_v his_o suppose_a gift_n and_o ability_n for_o instruction_n or_o man_n curious_a brain_n be_v so_o busy_o captious_a that_o it_o can_v be_v confine_v at_o any_o time_n to_o positive_a and_o convince_a assertion_n of_o truth_n but_o must_v be_v conversant_a in_o that_o exercise_n in_o which_o he_o may_v captious_o propound_v his_o criticism_n and_o groundless_a scrupulosity_n or_o sceptical_a objection_n against_o plain_a principle_n all_o which_o be_v to_o much_o to_o be_v allow_v in_o private_a conference_n do_v make_v heart_n not_o awe_v with_o divine_a prescription_n of_o method_n and_o order_n of_o holiness_n and_o not_o apprehensive_a of_o the_o consistency_n of_o public_a and_o private_a duty_n nay_o the_o priority_n and_o preeminency_n the_o public_a have_v of_o all_o private_a mean_n of_o edification_n to_o which_o the_o private_a must_v give_v place_n and_o not_o affect_v with_o the_o conscience-binding_a authority_n of_o public_a administration_n of_o instruction_n wherein_o god_n himself_o speak_v above_o the_o charitative_a admonition_n of_o brethren_n wherein_o though_o the_o thing_n speak_v be_v good_a and_o true_a yet_o it_o be_v but_o the_o advice_n of_o man_n and_o want_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n to_o enforce_v it_o too_o much_o to_o cry_v it_o up_o and_o content_v themselves_o with_o it_o until_o the_o devil_n take_v at_o man_n disposition_n do_v tempt_v and_o prevail_v unto_o a_o neglect_n of_o public_a ordinance_n a_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n and_o sinful_a withdraw_n from_o the_o solemn_a assembly_n and_o shameful_a contempt_n of_o the_o public_a ministry_n profane_o plead_v for_o and_o blasphemous_o defend_v their_o impiety_n urge_v god_n word_n against_o god_n worship_n and_o argue_v we_o must_v speak_v every_o man_n to_o his_o neighbour_n and_o inquire_v every_o man_n of_o his_o brother_n what_o have_v the_o lord_n answer_v we_o must_v teach_v one_o another_o say_v know_v you_o the_o lord_n and_o shall_v not_o need_v any_o to_o teach_v we_o this_o forsake_v the_o assembly_n and_o separate_v ●rom_o the_o church_n be_v a_o evil_a and_o inconvenience_n so_o dishonourable_a to_o religion_n and_o dangerous_a to_o the_o soul_n and_o yet_o so_o incident_a unto_o the_o holy_a conference_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o bound_v the_o command_n of_o private_a conference_n with_o this_o very_a caution_n concern_v public_a assembly_n heb._n 10.24_o 25._o consider_v one_o another_o to_o provoke_v unto_o love_n and_o good_a work_n not_o for_o sake_z the_o assemble_v of_o yourselves_o together_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o some_o be_v but_o exhort_v one_o another_o in_o which_o the_o du●y_a