they_o prove_v evil_a it_o have_v power_n either_o 1._o to_o reform_v they_o or_o 2._o to_o depose_v they_o 1._o it_o have_v power_n to_o reform_v they_o if_o so_o be_v that_o they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n yea_o as_o all_o the_o evil_n of_o the_o church_n do_v common_o first_o flow_v from_o the_o officer_n so_o the_o reformation_n of_o it_o be_v first_o to_o begin_v with_o they_o and_o who_o shall_v reform_v the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n but_o the_o church_n itself_o see_v the_o officer_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o tolerate_v one_o another_o in_o their_o vn-gospel_n and_o unchristian_a course_n against_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n and_o true_a practice_n of_o the_o word_n because_o it_o be_v their_o own_o case_n wherefore_o see_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o present_a clergy_n sexâ—_n be_v arrive_v to_o this_o height_n of_o evil_n that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v content_v to_o be_v servant_n but_o will_v needs_o make_v themselves_o lord_n over_o christ_n flock_n plot_v and_o strive_v to_o procure_v and_o maintain_v their_o ecclesiastical_a state_n by_o secular_a power_n see_v they_o have_v leave_v off_o to_o preach_v christ_n and_o the_o gospel_n and_o only_o preach_v of_o state-affair_n rage_v and_o rail_v against_o the_o most_o just_a and_o necessary_a proceed_n of_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o kingdom_n as_o not_o suitable_a to_o their_o design_n see_v they_o be_v daily_o deprave_v the_o say_n and_o write_n of_o man_n more_o righteous_a than_o themselves_o yea_o and_o dare_v cast_v a_o veil_n of_o their_o false_a exposition_n over_o the_o very_a scripture_n to_o darken_v they_o and_o make_v they_o as_o sackcloth_n to_o the_o world_n that_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n may_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a be_v whole_o obscure_v yea_o see_v they_o be_v become_v so_o vile_a that_o they_o have_v rather_o christ_n himself_o with_o his_o gospel_n and_o true_a church_n shall_v all_o perish_v then_o that_o they_o shall_v suffer_v the_o least_o diminution_n of_o their_o power_n dignity_n riches_n dominion_n and_o tyranny_n what_o remain_v but_o that_o the_o society_n of_o christian_n shall_v meet_v together_o to_o reform_v these_o evil_a officer_n and_o whereas_o they_o be_v now_o meet_v to_o reform_v the_o church_n it_o be_v far_o more_o necessary_a and_o will_v be_v far_o more_o profitable_a for_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a to_o meet_v together_o to_o reform_v they_o if_o yet_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o reformation_n which_o i_o confess_v be_v much_o to_o be_v doubt_v see_v they_o sin_v against_o so_o clear_a a_o light_n 2._o if_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n prove_v incorrigible_a the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o depose_v they_o see_v they_o have_v no_o indelible_a character_n whatever_o the_o romish_a church_n affirm_v wherefore_o as_o the_o true_a church_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v its_o minister_n and_o to_o continue_v they_o as_o long_o as_o they_o remain_v faithful_a in_o their_o work_n so_o also_o it_o have_v power_n to_o remove_v they_o if_o they_o forsake_v the_o truth_n and_o power_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o as_o in_o civil_a society_n not_o subjectd_a to_o tyranny_n officer_n that_o prove_v evil_a be_v movable_a by_o they_o that_o make_v they_o so_o likewise_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o remove_v if_o it_o see_v cause_n this_o spiritual_a officer_n yea_o the_o spiritual_a officer_n be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o movable_a than_o the_o civil_a by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o he_o be_v intolerable_a if_o he_o be_v unfaithful_a for_o the_o civil_a officer_n can_v only_o hurt_v in_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n but_o the_o spiritual_a in_o the_o thing_n of_o eternal_a life_n wherefore_o the_o church_n have_v the_o great_a necessity_n to_o remove_v he_o and_o choose_v another_o see_v this_o salt_n when_o it_o have_v lose_v its_o savour_n be_v good_a for_o nothing_o but_o to_o be_v cast_v upon_o the_o dunghill_n and_o to_o this_o worthy_a mr_n tindal_n a_o bless_a martyr_n witness_n say_v if_o they_o that_o be_v the_o minister_n err_v from_o the_o word_n then_o may_v whosoever_o god_n move_v his_o heart_n play_n paul_n and_o correct_v he_o 344._o and_o if_o he_o will_v not_o obey_v the_o scripture_n then_o have_v his_o brethren_n authority_n by_o the_o scripture_n to_o put_v he_o down_o and_o send_v he_o out_o of_o christ_n church_n among_o the_o heretic_n which_o prefer_v their_o false_a doctrine_n above_o the_o true_a word_n of_o christ_n 4._o the_o true_a church_n have_v power_n to_o call_v its_o counsel_n if_o the_o church_n of_o the_o faithful_a stand_n in_o need_n of_o a_o council_n counsel_n it_o may_v call_v one_o if_o it_o please_v and_o it_o have_v power_n so_o to_o do_v and_o the_o council_n be_v not_o to_o call_v and_o appoint_v the_o church_n as_o be_v now_o do_v but_o the_o church_n be_v to_o call_v and_o appoint_v the_o council_n and_o the_o council_n be_v to_o have_v its_o authority_n from_o the_o church_n and_o not_o the_o church_n from_o it_o and_o for_o the_o world_n it_o can_v no_o more_o call_v the_o counsel_n of_o the_o church_n than_o the_o church_n can_v call_v the_o counsel_n of_o the_o world_n the_o counsel_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o world_n be_v as_o distinct_a as_o the_o church_n and_o the_o world_n themselves_o be_v now_o i_o say_v the_o church_n if_o it_o need_v a_o council_n may_v call_v one_o because_o the_o church_n of_o believer_n now_o seldom_o need_v a_o council_n see_v all_o thing_n be_v so_o clear_a in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o which_o the_o faithful_a be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v there_o be_v many_o other_o cause_n why_o the_o right_a church_n may_v very_o well_o be_v without_o counsel_n as_o 1._o because_o counsel_n as_o the_o manner_n be_v be_v either_o call_v or_o congregat_v by_o the_o pope_n council_n a_o mere_a usurper_n in_o the_o church_n or_o by_o secular_a and_o worldly_a prince_n who_o advance_v themselves_o to_o the_o same_o power_n in_o the_o church_n though_o upon_o another_o account_n and_o according_a to_o their_o end_n and_o design_n counsel_n for_o the_o most_o part_n have_v be_v guide_v and_o point_v 2._o because_o they_o have_v for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v make_v up_o of_o bishop_n and_o ecclesiastical_a man_n who_o have_v only_o seek_v the_o interest_n and_o advantage_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christianity_n by_o which_o mean_n they_o have_v set_v up_o their_o own_o kingdom_n and_o tyranny_n over_o all_o other_o christian_n 3._o because_o be_v gather_v and_o meet_v they_o have_v especial_o meddle_v with_o outward_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n and_o touch_v these_o have_v make_v bind_v and_o coercive_a law_n to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o christian_a liberty_n and_o the_o ensnare_a and_o enslave_v man_n conscience_n 4._o because_o if_o they_o have_v meddle_v with_o doctrine_n they_o have_v rather_o pervert_v and_o obscure_v the_o clear_a word_n of_o the_o gospel_n then_o true_o explicate_v and_o unfold_v it_o 5._o wherein_o they_o have_v do_v well_o yet_o this_o evil_n have_v always_o go_v along_o with_o it_o that_o they_o have_v make_v people_n rather_o look_v to_o man_n then_o unto_o god_n and_o that_o in_o the_o very_a thing_n of_o god_n and_o to_o take_v divine_a thing_n from_o they_o by_o a_o humane_a say_v rather_o than_o from_o god_n himself_o and_o his_o immediate_a word_n according_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o god_n elect_n and_o so_o have_v give_v forth_o themselves_o in_o their_o opinion_n and_o judgement_n as_o a_o foundation_n to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o stead_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 6._o because_o they_o always_o determine_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n by_o the_o plurality_n of_o vote_n and_o do_v not_o weigh_v but_o number_v the_o suffrage_n and_o so_o the_o great_a part_n still_o overcome_v the_o better_a and_o the_o many_o that_o be_v call_v carry_v the_o vote_n against_o the_o few_o that_o be_v choose_v whereby_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o truth_n be_v subdue_v and_o error_n be_v establish_v by_o a_o plausible_a authority_n 7._o because_o such_o counsel_n sexâ—um_fw-la common_o attribute_v to_o themselves_o infallibility_n and_o so_o set_v themselves_o up_o as_o a_o peremptory_a rule_n by_o which_o the_o whole_a church_n must_v walk_v and_o none_o must_v presume_v to_o say_v to_o they_o curita_fw-la facitis_fw-la why_o do_v you_o so_o though_o they_o do_v never_o so_o ill_a they_o say_v they_o can_v be_v judge_v by_o any_o other_o christian_n because_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o none_o but_o all_o other_o christian_n be_v subject_a to_o they_o and_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o they_o they_o say_v they_o may_v pronounce_v all_o other_o schismatic_n and_o heretic_n but_o no_o body_n must_v pronounce_v they_o so_o though_o they_o be_v so_o and_o
christ_n joh_n 16._o the_o world_n shall_v hate_v you_o and_o persecute_v you_o and_o shall_v put_v you_o out_o of_o their_o synagogue_n and_o shall_v kill_v you_o and_o in_o do_v all_o this_o shall_v think_v they_o do_v god_n good_a service_n but_o say_v he_o i_o will_v send_v you_o the_o comforter_n christ_n know_v well_o enough_o that_o among_o all_o these_o evil_n they_o shall_v have_v no_o comforter_n on_o earth_n and_o therefore_o promise_v to_o send_v they_o one_o from_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o when_o thy_o soul_n be_v place_v in_o affliction_n never_o look_v after_o any_o earthly_a or_o sensual_a or_o creature_n comfort_n for_o they_o will_v prove_v poison_n to_o thy_o soul_n but_o only_o look_v for_o heavenly_a comfort_n such_o as_o the_o spirit_n bring_v such_o as_o flow_v immediate_o from_o god_n for_o these_o be_v pure_a and_o sweet_a and_o unmixed_a and_o refresh_v and_o support_v and_o satisfy_v and_o endure_a comfort_n comfort_n that_o be_v able_a to_o make_v thou_o rejoice_v not_o only_o in_o fullness_n but_o in_o want_n not_o only_o among_o friend_n but_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o enemy_n not_o only_o in_o good_a report_n but_o in_o evil_a report_n not_o only_o in_o prosperity_n but_o in_o tribulation_n not_o only_o in_o life_n but_o in_o death_n they_o will_v make_v thou_o go_v sing_v to_o prison_n to_o the_o cross_n to_o the_o grave_n they_o be_v mighty_a comfort_n infinite_o strong_a than_o all_o the_o sorrow_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o many_o saint_n and_o martyr_n have_v go_v cheerful_o to_o the_o stake_n and_o sing_v in_o the_o very_a flame_n the_o comfort_n of_o god_n in_o their_o soul_n have_v strengthen_v they_o to_o this_o thou_o that_o be_v a_o believer_n and_o in_o union_n with_o christ_n never_o doubt_v of_o this_o comfort_n in_o thy_o great_a sorrow_n when_o christ_n have_v none_o to_o stand_v by_o he_o and_o comfort_v he_o god_n send_v a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n to_o do_v it_o and_o so_o when_o we_o be_v leave_v alone_o in_o the_o world_n rather_o than_o we_o shall_v want_v comfort_n god_n will_v send_v we_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n to_o comfort_v we_o yea_o the_o spirit_n itself_o which_o be_v great_a than_o all_o the_o angel_n in_o heaven_n and_o we_o shall_v certain_o be_v comfort_v by_o god_n when_o we_o be_v afflict_v and_o toss_v with_o tempest_n and_o not_o comfort_v by_o man_n behold_v i_o will_v lay_v thy_o stone_n with_o fair_a colour_n etc._n etc._n the_o lord_n see_v the_o church_n in_o its_o affliction_n promise_n without_o all_o comfort_n in_o the_o world_n and_o then_o the_o lord_n come_v and_o comfort_v it_o himself_o and_o this_o he_o do_v by_o a_o promise_n they_o be_v the_o sweet_a comfort_n that_o be_v bring_v to_o we_o in_o the_o promise_n the_o promise_n be_v the_o swadling-clothe_n of_o christ_n they_o carry_v christ_n wrap_v up_o in_o they_o and_o christ_n represent_v to_o the_o church_n have_v be_v the_o comfort_n of_o it_o in_o all_o its_o evil_n outward_a or_o inward_a and_o therefore_o whatever_o affliction_n take_v hold_v on_o thou_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o promise_n to_o draw_v thy_o comfort_n from_o christ_n through_o they_o oh_o how_o sweet_a be_v that_o life_n that_o be_v lead_v in_o the_o promise_n a_o life_n lead_v in_o the_o promise_n be_v the_o best_a life_n in_o the_o world_n man_n that_o have_v estate_n in_o money_n or_o land_n depend_v on_o those_o thing_n for_o their_o maintenance_n but_o a_o christian_a may_v have_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o these_o in_o the_o world_n but_o he_o have_v a_o promise_n which_o be_v a_o thousand_o time_n better_o and_o make_v his_o life_n more_o comfortable_a i_o be_o god_n all-sufficient_a and_o i_o will_v not_o fail_v thou_o nor_o forsake_v thou_o whereupon_o he_o come_v to_o this_o resolution_n the_o lord_n be_v my_o portion_n say_v my_o soul_n i_o will_v trust_v in_o he_o oh_o how_o sweet_a a_o life_n be_v this_o life_n that_o know_v no_o care_n nor_o fear_n nor_o trouble_n nor_o disquietment_n here_o say_v a_o believer_n lie_v my_o estate_n and_o live_v and_o the_o lot_n of_o my_o inheritance_n and_o this_o be_v a_o thousand_o time_n better_o and_o more_o certain_a estate_n than_o all_o the_o manor_n and_o lordship_n in_o the_o kingdom_n for_o my_o bread_n shall_v be_v give_v i_o my_o water_n shall_v be_v sure_a the_o lord_n be_v my_o shepherd_n and_o i_o shall_v not_o want_v no_o not_o then_o when_o the_o lion_n the_o great_a man_n of_o the_o kingdom_n to_o who_o every_o poor_a man_n be_v a_o prey_n shall_v lack_v and_o sufferâ—hunger_n he_o that_o have_v give_v i_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o spirit_n will_v not_o leave_v i_o destitute_a of_o food_n and_o clothing_n take_v another_o instance_n a_o man_n feel_v the_o bitterness_n of_o affliction_n to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n be_v ready_a to_o think_v oh_o how_o shall_v i_o ever_o be_v able_a to_o suffer_v this_o or_o that_o or_o to_o part_v with_o my_o relation_n with_o my_o estate_n with_o my_o life_n and_o all_o that_o be_v near_o and_o dear_a unto_o i_o why_o when_o a_o christian_a lay_n hold_v on_o the_o promise_n god_n be_v faithful_a and_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o be_v tempt_v above_o that_o which_o we_o be_v able_a o_o say_v a_o christian_n god_n will_v never_o bring_v i_o to_o any_o temptation_n or_o trial_n but_o he_o will_v give_v i_o strength_n proportionable_a to_o it_o or_o above_o it_o and_o so_o live_v satisfy_v with_o the_o truth_n and_o goodness_n and_o power_n of_o god_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v in_o these_o instance_n that_o a_o life_n lead_v in_o the_o promise_n be_v the_o sweet_a and_o best_a life_n when_o a_o man_n can_v draw_v all_o from_o god_n himself_o through_o a_o promise_n and_o this_o in_o general_a that_o god_n comfort_v his_o church_n by_o a_o promise_n but_o to_o come_v more_o particular_o to_o the_o word_n behold_v i_o will_v lay_v thy_o stone_n with_o fair_a colour_n and_o lay_v thy_o foundation_n with_o saphire_n glorious_o verse_n 12._o and_o i_o will_v make_v thy_o window_n of_o agate_n and_o thy_o gate_n of_o carbuncle_n and_o all_o thy_o border_n of_o pleasant_a stone_n the_o promise_n relate_v to_o the_o spiritual_a church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o this_o you_o shall_v observe_v be_v oft_o in_o scripture_n compare_v to_o a_o building_n and_o that_o to_o a_o most_o stately_a sumptuous_a magnificent_a and_o glorious_a build_n as_o be_v all_o build_v of_o precious_a stone_n and_o so_o more_o glorious_a than_o the_o first_o temple_n which_o be_v build_v up_o of_o common_a stone_n and_o it_o be_v prophesy_v that_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o second_o temple_n shall_v far_o exceed_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o first_o the_o first_o temple_n be_v solomon_n which_o be_v indeed_o fill_v with_o the_o outward_a presence_n of_o god_n but_o the_o second_o temple_n be_v the_o humanity_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o the_o flesh_n of_o christ_n both_o head_n and_o member_n this_o be_v the_o live_a temple_n of_o the_o live_a god_n the_o temple_n that_o god_n have_v build_v by_o his_o spirit_n for_o his_o own_o habitation_n wherein_o god_n dwell_v true_o real_o spiritual_o and_o most_o near_o by_o the_o way_n of_o the_o most_o near_a union_n whereby_o god_n and_o the_o creature_n be_v knit_v together_o and_o this_o spiritual_a temple_n be_v more_o glorious_a than_o the_o first_o material_a one_o either_o according_a to_o the_o first_o edition_n of_o it_o by_o solomon_n or_o the_o second_o edition_n of_o it_o by_o the_o father_n in_o the_o day_n of_o cyrus_n darius_n and_o artaxerxes_n here_o than_o you_o see_v that_o the_o lord_n promise_v to_o build_v up_o the_o church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n with_o stone_n of_o fair_a colour_n with_o precious_a stone_n i_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o inquire_v particular_o into_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o several_a stone_n here_o name_v for_o the_o jew_n themselves_o do_v not_o full_o agree_v about_o they_o it_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o attain_v to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o this_o place_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o the_o spiritual_a church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o to_o be_v build_v with_o common_a but_o with_o precious_a stone_n now_o the_o full_a sense_n of_o these_o word_n i_o shall_v give_v you_o forth_o in_o several_a particular_n 1._o you_o see_v here_o the_o matter_n of_o which_o the_o church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v make_v make_v and_o that_o be_v not_o of_o common_a but_o of_o precious_a stone_n elect_v and_o precious_a stone_n and_o such_o be_v the_o faithful_a for_o 1._o they_o have_v a_o more_o excellent_a nature_n than_o other_o man_n have_v for_o they_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n and_o so_o partake_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o so_o in_o
to_o that_o some_o to_o this_o aid_n and_o some_o to_o that_o but_o the_o spiritual_a church_n scorn_v to_o trust_v to_o any_o creature_n for_o establishment_n but_o look_v to_o be_v establish_v only_o in_o righteousness_n and_o because_o of_o this_o neither_o man_n nor_o devil_n shall_v prevail_v against_o it_o and_o therefore_o you_o that_o be_v of_o this_o temple_n and_o building_n which_o be_v make_v by_o god_n see_v you_o have_v so_o many_o enemy_n on_o all_o hand_n pray_v look_v to_o your_o establishment_n which_o be_v in_o righteousness_n in_o righteousness_n shall_v thou_o be_v establish_v thou_o shall_v be_v far_o from_o oppression_n for_o thou_o shall_v not_o fear_v and_o from_o terror_n for_o it_o shall_v not_o come_v near_o thou_o the_o fear_n and_o terror_n he_o speak_v of_o here_o terror_n be_v inward_a fear_n and_o terror_n from_o which_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v free_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o outward_a evil_n for_o though_o the_o church_n be_v full_a of_o 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church_n be_v this_o build_v and_o teach_v and_o establish_v and_o shall_v yet_o be_v so_o blind_a and_o mad_a as_o to_o engage_v against_o it_o and_o yet_o the_o world_n and_o the_o carnal_a church_n especial_o do_v this_o yea_o the_o more_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a the_o church_n be_v the_o more_o enmity_n the_o world_n and_o formalist_n have_v against_o it_o behold_v they_o shall_v sure_o gather_v together_o establish_v when_o they_o shall_v see_v the_o church_n gather_v together_o into_o the_o true_a communion_n of_o saint_n then_o will_v they_o gather_v themselves_o together_o against_o the_o church_n and_o why_o do_v these_o man_n blame_v the_o church_n for_o gather_v together_o unto_o christ_n when_o they_o themselves_o gather_v together_o against_o the_o church_n as_o we_o daily_o see_v indeed_o the_o gather_v together_o of_o the_o saint_n the_o world_n do_v most_o hate_n of_o all_o other_o thing_n oh_o this_o be_v a_o dreadful_a and_o terrible_a thing_n to_o they_o it_o make_v their_o heart_n ache_v within_o they_o and_o lose_v the_o joint_n of_o their_o loin_n they_o think_v their_o exaltation_n will_v be_v their_o own_o abasement_n and_o their_o gather_v together_o their_o own_o scatter_n and_o their_o glory_n their_o own_o shame_n and_o their_o strength_n their_o own_o undo_n and_o out_o of_o these_o conceit_n the_o world_n act_n so_o strong_o and_o furious_o to_o scatter_v abroad_o again_o christ_n own_o gather_n together_o but_o the_o lord_n have_v decree_v and_o promise_v to_o hew_v that_o little_a stone_n of_o christ_n spiritual_a church_n out_o of_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o world_n with_o out_o hand_n and_o will_v certain_o accomplish_v it_o and_o be_v now_o about_o that_o very_a business_n but_o the_o world_n that_o never_o look_v beyond_o sense_n they_o think_v this_o be_v sure_o a_o plot_n of_o we_o and_o that_o we_o have_v a_o great_a design_n in_o hand_n and_o so_o we_o have_v indeed_o but_o the_o design_n be_v not_o our_o design_n but_o god_n contrive_v in_o eternity_n and_o discover_v to_o daniel_n chap._n 2._o and_o this_o be_v the_o set_n up_o a_o kingdom_n of_o saint_n in_o the_o world_n under_o christ_n the_o king_n of_o saint_n wherein_o the_o people_n shall_v live_v alone_o in_o point_n of_o spiritual_a worship_n and_o communion_n and_o shall_v have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o nation_n this_o counsel_n of_o god_n begin_v to_o be_v accomplish_v and_o the_o world_n think_v that_o we_o be_v subtle_a and_o we_o be_v mighty_a whereas_o they_o be_v clear_o mistake_v in_o we_o for_o the_o wisdom_n and_o strength_n whereby_o this_o be_v do_v be_v god_n and_o not_o we_o for_o it_o be_v the_o lord_n must_v build_v this_o spiritual_a church_n and_o set_v it_o up_o in_o the_o world_n and_o preserve_v it_o against_o the_o world_n and_o cause_v it_o to_o increase_v till_o it_o fill_v the_o world_n so_o that_o the_o design_n and_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o belong_v to_o god_n and_o not_o to_o we_o and_o they_o that_o be_v displease_v at_o it_o let_v they_o go_v and_o quarrel_n against_o god_n and_o so_o they_o will_v certain_o do_v through_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o devil_n behold_v say_v he_o they_o shall_v sure_o gather_v together_o as_o soon_o as_o ever_o the_o church_n separate_v from_o the_o world_n the_o world_n gather_v together_o against_o the_o church_n yea_o this_o place_n be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o those_o that_o be_v open_a enemy_n without_o the_o church_n but_o of_o a_o generation_n in_o it_o that_o be_v not_o of_o it_o and_o so_o the_o gather_v together_o against_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o so_o calvin_n interpret_v and_o such_o a_o thing_n will_v assure_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o the_o kingdom_n will_v have_v domestic_a enemy_n it_o have_v be_v so_o in_o all_o age_n and_o what_o wonder_n will_v it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v so_o in_o this_o the_o first_o division_n in_o this_o kingdom_n be_v between_o common_a profession_n and_o open_a profaneness_n and_o if_o ever_o there_o be_v another_o it_o be_v like_a to_o lie_v between_o the_o form_n and_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n and_o the_o child_n that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o flesh_n will_v up_o and_o be_v persecute_v they_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o deep_a wound_n we_o shall_v receive_v will_v be_v in_o the_o house_n of_o our_o friend_n not_o our_o friend_n indeed_o but_o of_o such_o who_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o for_o they_o pray_v as_o well_o as_o we_o and_o preach_v and_o hear_v and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n and_o use_v the_o same_o ordinance_n with_o we_o and_o yet_o their_o enmity_n of_o all_o other_o will_v be_v the_o great_a against_o we_o and_o we_o shall_v receive_v deep_a wound_n in_o the_o house_n of_o these_o friend_n then_o in_o the_o street_n of_o our_o enemy_n they_o shall_v gather_v together_o in_o thou_o against_o thou_o but_o not_o by_o i_o the_o saint_n gather_v together_o by_o god_n have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o bring_v they_o into_o union_n and_o communion_n but_o the_o carnal_a church_n gather_v together_o agha_v thou_o spiritual_a not_o by_o god_n but_o without_o he_o for_o worldly_a base_a end_n and_o interest_n and_o profit_n and_o advantage_n but_o mark_v the_o end_n of_o such_o gather_n together_o whosoever_o shall_v gather_v together_o against_o thou_o shall_v fall_v for_o thy_o sake_n we_o have_v see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o this_o promise_n with_o our_o eye_n church_n even_o a_o great_a party_n of_o the_o great_a man_n in_o the_o kingdom_n as_o well_o as_o of_o mean_a one_o gather_v together_o against_o the_o church_n but_o all_o fall_v what_o be_v become_v of_o the_o great_a power_n and_o army_n that_o be_v in_o the_o west_n and_o the_o north_n and_o other_o part_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v they_o not_o fall_v through_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o promise_n and_o if_o any_o new_a party_n shall_v arise_v up_o again_o they_o shall_v also_o fall_v in_o like_a manner_n for_o thy_o sake_n for_o the_o lord_n love_v the_o church_n the_o body_n of_o christ_n even_o as_o he_o love_v jesus_n christ_n himself_o thou_o have_v love_v they_o as_o thou_o have_v love_v i_o he_o love_v head_n and_o member_n with_o the_o same_o love_n the_o lord_n people_n be_v his_o portion_n on_o earth_n as_o he_o be_v they_o in_o heaven_n and_o so_o he_o will_v give_v nation_n and_o kingdom_n for_o they_o and_o have_v say_v the_o nation_n and_o kingdom_n that_o will_v not_o serve_v thou_o shall_v perish_v yea_o those_o nation_n shall_v be_v utter_o waste_v oh_o that_o this_o kingdom_n in_o itself_o and_o in_o its_o representation_n will_v avoid_v this_o evil_a as_o they_o will_v escape_v this_o end_n the_o four_o monarchy_n for_o oppose_v the_o spiritual_a church_n have_v fall_v
this_o work_n will_v be_v to_o give_v up_o yourselves_o to_o double_a ruin_n to_o wit_n both_o from_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o therefore_o the_o lord_n make_v you_o faithful_a that_o you_o may_v do_v this_o work_n for_o god_n and_o to_o fulfil_v his_o word_n and_o not_o for_o yourselves_o and_o to_o fulfil_v your_o own_o ends._n and_o now_o as_o you_o be_v busy_a about_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n to_o settle_v and_o establish_v that_o upon_o a_o right_n and_o sure_a foundation_n so_o god_n have_v engage_v my_o heart_n to_o meditate_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o though_o i_o have_v exclude_v your_o power_n from_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o this_o work_n yet_o i_o have_v not_o in_o any_o measure_n wrong_v you_o as_o you_o shall_v perceive_v but_o rather_o endeavour_v to_o preserve_v you_o from_o dash_v yourselves_o against_o that_o rock_n against_o which_o all_o the_o ignorant_a and_o unwise_a ruler_n and_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n both_o have_v and_o yet_o shall_v dash_v themselves_o in_o piece_n it_o shall_v be_v your_o wisdom_n to_o be_v build_v up_o together_o with_o the_o church_n on_o christ_n but_o it_o will_v be_v your_o confusion_n to_o go_v about_o to_o build_v the_o church_n on_o yourselves_o and_o your_o power_n see_v this_o building_n be_v too_o weighty_a for_o any_o foundation_n but_o christ_n himself_o your_o power_n will_v do_v well_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n but_o not_o in_o god_n kingdom_n which_o be_v christ_n inheritance_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n you_o shall_v be_v happy_a to_o be_v subject_a in_o it_o but_o none_o must_v be_v lord_n or_o lawgiver_n here_o but_o christ_n himself_o let_v not_o the_o devil_n who_o in_o these_o last_o time_n have_v in_o many_o place_n translate_v the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n from_o the_o ecclesiastical_a kingdom_n of_o the_o clergy_n into_o the_o temporal_a kingdom_n of_o the_o magistrate_n any_o long_o keep_v it_o there_o see_v it_o will_v be_v as_o pernicious_a in_o this_o as_o in_o that_o for_o it_o will_v be_v no_o less_o dangerous_a an_o evil_a for_o the_o magistrate_n to_o make_v himself_o lord_n and_o lawgiver_n in_o the_o church_n then_o for_o the_o pope_n or_o general_a council_n in_o all_o the_o kingdom_n call_v christian_a or_o for_o the_o archbishop_n or_o national_a assembly_n in_o particular_a kingdom_n man_n have_v common_o think_v that_o to_o preserve_v the_o godly_a in_o worldly_a peace_n and_o prosperity_n be_v to_o preserve_v the_o church_n whereas_o to_o preserve_v they_o in_o faith_n hope_n love_n in_o union_n and_o communion_n with_o christ_n and_o the_o father_n in_o and_o through_o the_o spirit_n this_o only_a be_v to_o preserve_v the_o church_n and_o this_o ofttimes_o be_v better_a do_v by_o christ_n who_o work_n only_o it_o be_v in_o affliction_n then_o in_o prosperity_n wherefore_o do_v you_o look_v to_o the_o care_n of_o the_o state_n and_o trust_v christ_n with_o the_o care_n of_o his_o church_n see_v he_o be_v both_o faithful_a and_o able_a to_o save_v it_o perfect_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n lie_v in_o christ_n only_o and_o no_o part_n of_o it_o out_o of_o he_o no_o not_o for_o a_o moment_n and_o this_o their_o peace_n christ_n be_v able_a to_o preserve_v in_o himself_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o most_o cruel_a and_o desperate_a evil_n of_o the_o world_n now_o what_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n be_v and_o wherein_o its_o peace_n and_o unity_n lie_v be_v here_o in_o some_o measure_n declare_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o faithful_a everywhere_o and_o particular_o for_o your_o good_a lest_o you_o be_v glorious_a instrument_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n for_o one_o work_n shall_v miscarry_v in_o another_o and_o this_o i_o have_v do_v through_o god_n not_o because_o i_o be_v worthy_a to_o do_v it_o but_o because_o it_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v do_v for_o why_o shall_v the_o church_n any_o long_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o thing_n that_o belong_v unto_o its_o peace_n and_o why_o shall_v the_o member_n of_o it_o any_o long_a lie_n as_o scatter_a bone_n dry_a and_o dead_a and_o not_o gather_v up_o into_o the_o unity_n of_o a_o live_a body_n and_o who_o can_v long_o endure_v to_o see_v unskilful_a physician_n under_o pretence_n of_o heal_v the_o church_n wound_v it_o still_o deep_o and_o under_o pretence_n of_o procure_v its_o peace_n hurry_v it_o into_o endless_a dissension_n and_o division_n in_o this_o case_n of_o necessity_n i_o can_v not_o but_o speak_v both_o out_o of_o duty_n and_o love_n and_o i_o hope_v none_o of_o you_o will_v despise_v to_o hear_v who_o consider_v that_o god_n when_o he_o lay_v aside_o the_o wise_a and_o prudent_a choose_v babe_n and_o suckling_n to_o perfect_v his_o praise_n out_o of_o their_o mouth_n that_o so_o he_o himself_o may_v be_v the_o more_o glorify_v and_o admire_v in_o his_o weak_a and_o mean_a instrument_n now_o let_v his_o praise_n be_v above_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o heaven_n and_o let_v he_o give_v you_o the_o honour_n that_o all_o his_o saint_n have_v and_o this_o be_v his_o hearty_a desire_n who_o humble_o write_v himself_o your_o servant_n in_o the_o gospel_n william_n dell._n to_o his_o excellency_n the_o lord_n general_n fairfax_n and_o the_o honourable_a lieutenant-general_n cromwell_n together_o with_o the_o council_n of_o war._n the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n have_v turn_v your_o course_n backward_o like_o jordan_n from_o what_o it_o be_v a_o year_n ago_o and_o all_o former_a enchantment_n and_o divination_n use_v against_o you_o be_v dissolve_v through_o the_o renew_n of_o the_o same_o presence_n of_o god_n with_o you_o after_o a_o manifest_a withdraw_a of_o it_o and_o you_o through_o a_o bless_a necessity_n be_v now_o do_v that_o work_n of_o god_n which_o once_o you_o have_v little_a mind_n to_o viz._n the_o procure_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n by_o subdue_a the_o great_a enemy_n of_o peace_n and_o remove_v all_o the_o enmity_n against_o peace_n that_o be_v enwrap_v in_o our_o very_a law_n and_o degenerate_v constitution_n of_o the_o kingdom_n i_o think_v good_a while_o you_o be_v thus_o busy_a about_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v a_o peace_n without_o you_o to_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n of_o the_o true_a peace_n of_o the_o true_a church_n which_o be_v a_o peace_n within_o you_o and_o a_o eternal_a peace_n as_o the_o former_a be_v but_o a_o temporal_a for_o what_o advantage_n will_v it_o be_v for_o you_o to_o have_v peace_n among_o man_n &_o to_o want_v peace_n with_o god_n to_o do_v the_o work_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o be_v destitute_a of_o the_o work_n of_o god_n in_o your_o own_o heart_n to_o destroy_v the_o enemy_n to_o worldly_a peace_n and_o yet_o to_o maintain_v in_o your_o own_o heart_n the_o corruption_n of_o unrenewed_a nature_n which_o be_v the_o enemy_n of_o heavenly_a peace_n take_v heed_n therefore_o that_o your_o present_a employment_n do_v not_o so_o over-ingage_a you_o in_o this_o world_n that_o you_o neglect_v the_o world_n to_o come_v take_v heed_n lest_o by_o seek_v yourselves_o you_o have_v your_o reward_n here_o but_o do_v the_o work_n of_o god_n for_o god_n and_o whilst_o you_o act_n for_o god_n live_v in_o he_o and_o let_v he_o be_v your_o reward_n and_o not_o the_o creature_n and_o now_o here_o in_o this_o discourse_n shall_v you_o see_v a_o better_a peace_n and_o agreement_n than_o you_o be_v strive_v for_o though_o your_o work_n also_o be_v excellent_a and_o glorious_a even_o such_o a_o peace_n and_o agreement_n of_o which_o christ_n himself_o be_v the_o immediate_a author_n and_o prince_n and_o which_o he_o communicate_v not_o to_o the_o world_n but_o to_o they_o he_o choose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n even_o the_o peace_n of_o god_n in_o jesus_n christ_n by_o the_o spirit_n which_o have_v its_o foundation_n in_o christ_n and_o its_o influence_n into_o each_o communion_n of_o saint_n all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o this_o peace_n can_v no_o more_o be_v bring_v about_o by_o your_o sword_n then_o by_o the_o magistrate_n sceptre_n and_o therefore_o take_v heed_n lest_o you_o now_o have_v power_n in_o your_o hand_n to_o another_o purpose_n shall_v so_o far_o forget_v yourselves_o as_o to_o do_v that_o yourselves_o which_o you_o have_v condemn_v in_o other_o therefore_o suffer_v the_o word_n only_o to_o be_v both_o sceptre_n and_o sword_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o let_v the_o true_a church_n remain_v free_a in_o the_o freedom_n which_o christ_n have_v confer_v upon_o it_o or_o else_o the_o lord_n who_o own_o the_o church_n be_v will_v as_o certain_o in_o his_o due_a time_n take_v the_o sword_n out_o of_o your_o hand_n as_o he_o have_v do_v the_o sceptre_n out_o of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o throw_v you_o into_o one_o destruction_n
have_v put_v on_o to_o deceive_v shall_v after_o a_o few_o year_n vanish_v away_o it_o shall_v return_v into_o the_o shape_n of_o its_o first_o beginning_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o know_v whatever_o rule_v order_n or_o humane_a invention_n man_n do_v study_n and_o devise_v to_o govern_v their_o church_n by_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n shall_v ever_o be_v know_v by_o the_o sceptre_n and_o sword_n of_o the_o only_a gospel_n preach_v in_o it_o which_o be_v full_o sufficient_a for_o the_o regiment_n of_o the_o church_n else_o christ_n be_v a_o imperfect_a lawgiver_n and_o all_o those_o that_o do_v affirm_v that_o the_o vote_n determination_n rule_n and_o constitution_n of_o counsel_n be_v better_o for_o the_o well_o order_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n than_o the_o pure_a and_o naked_a word_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o ministration_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o my_o judgement_n they_o speak_v blasphemous_o let_v we_o now_o hear_v what_o luther_n say_v to_o this_o purpose_n 483._o christian_n say_v he_o ought_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o that_o word_n and_o no_o other_o whereby_o they_o be_v make_v christian_n that_o be_v free_a from_o sin_n and_o this_o be_v only_o by_o the_o pure_a gospel_n of_o god_n without_o the_o addition_n of_o counsel_n doctor_n father_n for_o what_o be_v it_o to_o govern_v christian_n by_o that_o word_n which_o though_o they_o keep_v yet_o neither_o do_v they_o become_v christian_n nor_o continue_v such_o nay_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v christian_n and_o lose_v christ_n and_o of_o this_o sort_n be_v every_o word_n beside_o the_o gospel_n and_o salvation_n reign_v in_o we_o not_o by_o the_o law_n of_o man_n but_o by_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n far_o they_o that_o be_v not_o christian_n be_v to_o be_v restrain_v other_o way_n then_o by_o the_o tradition_n of_o man_n for_o these_o be_v to_o be_v let_v alone_o and_o as_o paul_n say_v we_o be_v not_o to_o mingle_v with_o they_o there_o be_v the_o secular_a sword_n there_o be_v the_o 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preacher_n of_o erphurd_n say_v consider_v in_o your_o mind_n with_o what_o sword_n i_o subdue_v the_o papacy_n and_o the_o whole_a state_n of_o religious_a man_n who_o before_o be_v dreadful_a to_o all_o of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v who_o shall_v fight_v with_o the_o beast_n that_o have_v power_n to_o make_v war_n with_o the_o saint_n and_o to_o overcome_v they_o and_o yet_o say_v he_o i_o never_o touch_v they_o with_o so_o much_o as_o one_o of_o my_o finger_n etc._n but_o christ_n destroy_v and_o overthrow_v all_o that_o detestable_a kingdom_n by_o discover_v their_o iniquity_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o mouth_n that_o be_v by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o which_o passage_n of_o his_o beside_o what_o be_v speak_v before_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o instrument_n of_o the_o true_a church_n power_n but_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v the_o only_a sceptre_n and_o sword_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n christ_n 5._o what_o the_o true_a church_n can_v do_v by_o virtue_n of_o this_o power_n now_o the_o true_a church_n by_o the_o power_n it_o have_v receive_v from_o christ_n can_v 1._o gather_v itself_o together_o please_v when_o and_o as_o often_o as_o it_o please_v the_o company_n of_o believer_n have_v power_n to_o gather_v themselves_o togeâ—ther_o for_o their_o mutual_a good_a instruction_n preservation_n edification_n and_o for_o the_o avoid_n or_o prevent_v of_o evil_n and_o that_o without_o the_o consent_n or_o authority_n of_o any_o extrinsical_a and_o foreign_a power_n whatever_o else_o christ_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a founder_n of_o his_o church_n and_o if_o every_o free_a society_n not_o subject_v to_o tyranny_n have_v power_n in_o itself_o to_o congregate_v and_o come_v together_o as_o conveniency_n and_o necessity_n shall_v require_v as_o be_v evident_a in_o all_o civil_a corporation_n and_o in_o all_o fraternity_n and_o meeting_n of_o love_n much_o more_o have_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o free_a society_n in_o the_o world_n power_n to_o meet_v together_o into_o a_o communion_n of_o saint_n though_o it_o be_v without_o and_o against_o the_o consent_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o the_o disciple_n immediate_o after_o christ_n resurrection_n though_o the_o people_n and_o ruler_n be_v whole_o set_v against_o they_o do_v often_o meet_v together_o among_o themselves_o though_o private_o and_o christ_n himself_o come_v and_o stand_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o find_v they_o in_o that_o way_n of_o communion_n say_v peace_n be_v unto_o they_o and_o so_o by_o his_o own_o presence_n do_v both_o justify_v and_o encourage_v such_o meeting_n and_o after_o the_o apostle_n with_o other_o believer_n to_o the_o number_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o meet_v together_o in_o a_o upper_a room_n to_o pray_v and_o to_o choose_v a_o apostle_n in_o the_o stead_n of_o judas_n act._n 1._o and_o at_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n they_o all_o meet_v again_o act._n 2._o though_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o state_n be_v utter_o against_o their_o meeting_n and_o again_o act._n 4._o peter_n and_o john_n after_o the_o threaten_n of_o the_o ruler_n and_o the_o jew_n go_v and_o meet_v with_o their_o own_o company_n which_o be_v now_o mighty_o increase_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o declare_v to_o they_o all_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v do_v by_o they_o and_o the_o ruler_n have_v do_v against_o they_o whereupon_o all_o of_o they_o join_v together_o in_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n for_o the_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n against_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n and_o again_o act._n 6._o the_o church_n of_o its_o own_o accord_n meet_v together_o to_o choose_v seven_o deacon_n and_o a_o multitude_n of_o other_o instance_n may_v be_v produce_v by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o church_n of_o believer_n have_v power_n of_o it_o self_n to_o appoint_v its_o own_o 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it_o dwell_v in_o flesh_n and_o blood_n use_v some_o external_a rite_n by_o which_o it_o be_v neither_o sanctify_v in_o soul_n or_o body_n but_o they_o be_v thing_n mere_o of_o outward_a order_n and_o decency_n and_o these_o thing_n each_o church_n or_o communion_n of_o saint_n may_v order_v by_o itself_o according_a to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o spirit_n so_o it_o observe_v these_o rule_n 1._o that_o they_o do_v all_o thing_n in_o love_n order_n see_v all_o law_n without_o love_n be_v tyranny_n and_o so_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o from_o and_o for_o love_n be_v not_o to_o be_v appoint_v and_o if_o it_o be_v it_o be_v again_o to_o be_v abolish_v see_v no_o text_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o if_o it_o build_v not_o up_o love_n be_v right_o interpret_v 2._o they_o be_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n for_o peace_n and_o all_o
otherwise_o in_o the_o church_n for_o whoever_o speak_v there_o the_o hearer_n be_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o according_o be_v either_o to_o receive_v it_o or_o reject_v it_o have_v power_n to_o do_v either_o as_o they_o see_v occasion_n and_o so_o error_n can_v prevail_v in_o that_o church_n where_o the_o faithful_a have_v liberty_n to_o judge_v of_o all_o doctrine_n and_o do_v exercise_v that_o liberty_n but_o where_o they_o that_o publish_v doctrine_n be_v also_o the_o judge_n of_o it_o and_o the_o people_n be_v bind_v up_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o teacher_n and_o may_v not_o question_v or_o contradict_v it_o there_o error_n reign_v as_o in_o its_o proper_a kingdom_n and_o thus_o by_o these_o mean_n error_n may_v certain_o be_v keep_v out_o of_o the_o church_n that_o the_o church_n may_v live_v in_o truth_n and_o peace_n but_o here_o now_o a_o great_a question_n will_v be_v move_v and_o that_o be_v this_o quest_n whether_o the_o magistrate_n have_v not_o power_n to_o suppress_v error_n by_o the_o sword_n error_n and_o whether_o the_o church_n may_v not_o use_v this_o remedy_n against_o error_n as_o well_o as_o all_o those_o before_o name_v i_o answer_v that_o many_o man_n of_o great_a eminency_n have_v attribute_v such_o a_o power_n to_o the_o magistrate_n answ_n and_o have_v do_v he_o the_o honour_n beside_o his_o throne_n in_o the_o world_n to_o erect_v he_o a_o throne_n in_o god_n kingdom_n at_o the_o least_o equal_a to_o christ_n think_v that_o religion_n will_v soon_o be_v lose_v if_o he_o shall_v not_o uphold_v it_o and_o to_o make_v this_o good_a they_o have_v produce_v many_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o seem_v to_o arm_v the_o magistrate_n against_o the_o author_n and_o spreader_n of_o error_n but_o i_o desire_v the_o wise_a heart_a to_o consider_v whether_o as_o clear_a scripture_n may_v not_o be_v produce_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o prove_v that_o temporal_a power_n in_o the_o world_n belong_v to_o ecclesiastical_a man_n as_o that_o spiritual_a power_n in_o the_o church_n belong_v to_o worldly_a magistrate_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n because_o i_o will_v not_o be_v too_o large_a in_o this_o matter_n now_o i_o shall_v desire_v he_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v instruct_v to_o read_v and_o weigh_v the_o reply_n of_o the_o french_a prelate_n to_o the_o lord_n peter_n which_o he_o may_v find_v in_o fox_n his_o book_n of_o martyr_n vol._n 1_o p._n 467._o wherefore_o see_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o strong_a to_o give_v minister_n power_n in_o temporal_a matter_n as_o magistrate_n in_o spiritual_a it_o be_v without_o all_o question_n the_o only_a sure_a and_o safe_a way_n to_o determine_v this_o cause_n by_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n by_o who_o in_o these_o last_o day_n god_n have_v speak_v full_o to_o the_o church_n and_o after_o who_o doctrine_n there_o be_v no_o other_o word_n to_o be_v expect_v and_o because_o herein_o i_o find_v no_o such_o power_n give_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o judge_v and_o determine_v in_o spiritual_a matter_n therefore_o i_o conclude_v he_o have_v none_o now_o if_o any_o shall_v say_v object_n this_o be_v a_o great_a wrong_n to_o the_o magistrate_n to_o thrust_v his_o power_n out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o confine_v it_o to_o the_o world_n i_o answer_v answ_n that_o to_o make_v the_o church_n a_o ecclesiastical_a kingdom_n stand_v in_o outward_a law_n order_n authority_n dignity_n promotion_n government_n all_o which_o be_v to_o be_v grant_v establish_v and_o manage_v by_o state_n power_n and_o yet_o to_o deny_v the_o magistrate_n authority_n and_o influence_n into_o these_o thing_n which_o flow_v from_o his_o own_o power_n and_o consist_v in_o it_o and_o by_o it_o this_o be_v to_o straighten_v and_o to_o wrong_v he_o indeed_o but_o to_o declare_v the_o true_a church_n to_o be_v a_o spiritual_a kingdom_n as_o christ_n have_v make_v it_o and_o not_o at_o all_o of_o this_o world_n but_o the_o very_a kingdom_n of_o heaven_n upon_o earth_n and_o thereupon_o to_o deny_v he_o power_n in_o it_o be_v no_o more_o to_o prejudice_v the_o magistrate_n then_o to_o deny_v he_o power_n in_o heaven_n see_v the_o son_n kingdom_n which_o be_v heaven_n on_o earth_n be_v to_o be_v as_o free_v from_o worldly_a and_o humane_a power_n as_o the_o father_n kingdom_n which_o be_v heaven_n in_o heaven_n christ_n be_v to_o be_v all_o in_o all_o in_o this_o as_o god_n be_v to_o be_v all_o in_o all_o in_o that_o and_o so_o to_o deny_v the_o magistrate_n that_o power_n which_o christ_n never_o grant_v he_o be_v no_o wrong_n to_o he_o at_o all_o but_o to_o grant_v he_o and_o gratify_v he_o with_o such_o power_n will_v be_v a_o great_a and_o intolerable_a wrong_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o in_o many_o other_o thing_n so_o in_o this_o present_a matter_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o follow_a particular_n for_o the_o put_v the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n into_o the_o magistrate_n hand_n to_o suppress_v error_n be_v attend_v with_o these_o evil_n 1._o hereby_o the_o magistrate_n be_v make_v a_o judge_n of_o doctrine_n and_o have_v power_n give_v he_o to_o pronounce_v which_o be_v truth_n and_o which_o be_v error_n be_v yet_o no_o more_o infallible_a yea_o everywhit_o as_o liable_a to_o err_v as_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o people_n and_o what_o magistrate_n be_v there_o that_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n but_o will_v uphold_v his_o own_o religion_n and_o judgement_n to_o be_v the_o truth_n though_o never_o so_o false_a and_o will_v sentence_v what_o ever_o be_v contrary_a thereunto_o to_o be_v error_n though_o never_o so_o true_a and_o so_o the_o truth_n and_o word_n of_o god_n which_o only_o be_v to_o judge_v all_o and_o itself_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o none_o by_o this_o mean_n be_v make_v subject_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o vain_a man_n and_o shall_v either_o be_v truth_n or_o error_n as_o he_o please_v to_o call_v it_o and_o error_n when_o it_o please_v the_o magistrate_n shall_v be_v adorn_v with_o the_o glorious_a title_n of_o truth_n and_o shall_v have_v his_o authority_n to_o countenance_n and_o uphold_v it_o and_o how_o great_a a_o prejudice_n this_o have_v be_v and_o be_v to_o the_o truth_n and_o how_o great_a a_o advantage_n to_o error_n it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o judge_v now_o if_o any_o shall_v say_v quest_n that_o the_o magistrate_n may_v not_o judge_v of_o doctrine_n by_o himself_o and_o use_v his_o sword_n according_o but_o he_o may_v take_v to_o he_o the_o council_n and_o advice_n of_o godly_a and_o able_a minister_n as_o now_o of_o the_o assembly_n and_o so_o may_v judge_v and_o punish_v according_a to_o their_o judgement_n i_o answer_v answ_n be_v it_o fit_a that_o the_o magistrate_n in_o so_o great_a matter_n shall_v be_v blind_a fold_v himself_o and_o see_v only_o by_o other_o man_n eye_n again_o if_o the_o magistrate_n judge_n according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o â—he_n minister_n and_o depend_v more_o on_o their_o knowledge_n then_o his_o own_o shall_v draw_v his_o sword_n against_o whosoever_o they_o shall_v persuade_v he_o what_o high_a honour_n do_v he_o attain_v to_o in_o all_o this_o then_o to_o become_v their_o executioner_n yea_o if_o he_o punish_v amiss_o he_o may_v prove_v a_o very_a murderer_n pilate_n in_o this_o case_n may_v be_v a_o sea-mark_n to_o all_o the_o magistrate_n in_o the_o world_n who_o follow_v the_o council_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n put_v the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o death_n as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v the_o son_n of_o perdition_n which_o i_o say_v may_v serve_v for_o a_o sufficient_a warning_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o all_o magistrate_n that_o they_o confide_v not_o on_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o that_o they_o be_v sure_o themselves_o in_o what_o they_o do_v 2._o the_o put_a power_n into_o the_o magistrate_n hand_n to_o suppress_v error_n by_o the_o sword_n give_v he_o full_a opportunity_n to_o destroy_v and_o slay_v the_o true_a child_n of_o god_n if_o at_o any_o time_n he_o shall_v mistake_v and_o judge_v they_o heretic_n for_o what_o power_n man_n ignorant_o allow_v a_o godly_a magistrate_n against_o true_a heretic_n the_o same_o power_n will_v all_o magistrate_n arrogate_v to_o themselves_o as_o their_o just_a due_n against_o all_o those_o that_o differ_v from_o themselves_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n though_o their_o judgement_n who_o so_o differ_v from_o they_o be_v never_o so_o true_a and_o thus_o the_o magistrate_n who_o be_v a_o most_o fallible_a judge_n in_o these_o thing_n in_o stead_n of_o tare_n may_v pluck_v up_o the_o wheat_n
the_o commonwealth_n as_o the_o lord_n of_o arras_n a_o city_n of_o picardy_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v that_o flanders_n will_v be_v govern_v otherwise_o then_o france_n or_o burgundy_n and_o this_o consideration_n say_v he_o right_o understand_v to_o wit_n not_o to_o press_v uniformity_n in_o the_o church_n but_o to_o let_v the_o church_n use_v its_o liberty_n in_o these_o thing_n will_v be_v a_o excellent_a beginning_n of_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n uniformity_n notwithstanding_o the_o contradiction_n of_o many_o of_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n luther_n also_o that_o choose_a vessel_n of_o christ_n do_v clear_o oppose_v this_o evil_n of_o uniformity_n he_o thus_o deliver_v his_o judgement_n touch_v uniformity_n of_o ceremony_n mundi_fw-la if_o one_o church_n will_v not_o follow_v another_o of_o its_o own_o accord_n in_o those_o outward_a thing_n what_o need_n be_v there_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v compel_v by_o the_o decree_n of_o counsel_n which_o presen_o be_v turn_v into_o law_n and_o snare_n of_o soul_n and_o therefore_o let_v one_o church_n free_o imitate_v another_o or_o let_v it_o be_v suffer_v to_o use_v its_o own_o way_n so_o that_o unity_n of_o spirit_n be_v preserve_v in_o faith_n and_o the_o word_n though_o there_o be_v variety_n and_o diversity_n in_o the_o flesh_n or_o element_n of_o the_o world_n again_o the_o same_o luther_n after_o he_o have_v set_v down_o a_o form_n of_o celebrate_v the_o supper_n for_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n at_o wittingberg_n conclude_v thus_o in_o quibus_fw-la omnibus_fw-la cavendum_fw-la ne_fw-la legem_fw-la ex_fw-la libertate_fw-la faciamus_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v in_o all_o which_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n that_o we_o make_v not_o a_o law_n of_o liberty_n or_o constrain_v they_o to_o sin_n who_o shall_v either_o do_v otherwise_o or_o shall_v omit_v some_o thing_n so_o they_o permit_v the_o word_n of_o blessing_n to_o remain_v entire_a and_o do_v all_o act_n here_o in_o faith_n for_o these_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o rite_n of_o christian_n that_o be_v of_o the_o child_n of_o the_o freewoman_n who_o may_v keep_v they_o willing_o and_o of_o their_o own_o accord_n have_v power_n to_o change_v they_o when_o and_o as_o often_o as_o they_o will_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o cause_n that_o any_o shall_v either_o desire_n or_o establish_v any_o necessary_a form_n as_o a_o law_n in_o this_o matter_n whereby_o he_o may_v either_o ensnare_v or_o trouble_v man_n conscience_n and_o therefore_o we_o read_v not_o in_o the_o ancient_a father_n or_o primitive_a church_n any_o example_n of_o any_o such_o rite_n but_o only_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o if_o so_o be_v they_o have_v establish_v any_o thing_n for_o a_o law_n in_o this_o matter_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v keep_v it_o quod_fw-la legibus_fw-la hic_fw-la obstringi_fw-la nec_fw-la possent_fw-la nec_fw-la debent_fw-la because_o these_o thing_n neither_o can_v nor_o aught_o to_o be_v bind_v by_o law_n moreover_o if_o divers_a man_n shall_v use_v a_o diverse_a rite_n let_v none_o either_o judge_n or_o contemn_v another_o but_o let_v every_o one_o abound_v in_o his_o own_o sense_n and_o let_v we_o all_o savour_n and_o judge_v the_o same_o thing_n though_o for_o form_n we_o act_v diverse_o and_o let_v each_o rite_n please_v other_o lest_o by_o diversity_n of_o rite_n follow_v divesity_n of_o opinion_n and_o sect_n as_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o outward_a rite_n though_o we_o can_v want_v they_o as_o neither_o meat_n nor_o drink_n yet_o they_o commend_v we_o not_o to_o god_n but_o only_a faith_n and_o love_n commend_v we_o to_o he_o and_o therefore_o let_v that_o of_o paul_n take_v place_n here_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v not_o meat_n and_o drink_n accipere_fw-la but_o righteousness_n peace_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o so_o no_o rite_n nor_o form_n be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n but_o faith_n within_o we_o etc._n etc._n and_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o same_o form_n for_o the_o church_n of_o wittenberg_n which_o he_o write_v out_o for_o nicholas_n hausmannus_fw-la a_o godly_a minister_n he_o say_v which_o copy_n either_o you_o or_o other_o may_v follow_v if_o you_o please_v if_o not_o we_o willing_o give_v place_n to_o the_o anoint_v be_v ourselves_o to_o receive_v from_o you_o or_o any_o other_o more_o profitable_a thing_n these_o thing_n he_o speak_v like_o a_o christian_a indeed_o and_o we_o acknowledge_v the_o voice_n of_o christ_n in_o he_o as_o in_o other_o that_o act_n these_o thing_n peremptory_o and_o command_v and_o enforce_v they_o by_o secular_a power_n we_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o voice_n of_o stranger_n and_o of_o such_o stranger_n as_o be_v thief_n and_o murderer_n melancton_n also_o uniformity_n persuade_v certain_a christian_n to_o unity_n who_o differ_v in_o uniformity_n in_o these_o word_n see_v we_o do_v agree_v among_o ourselves_o in_o the_o chief_a article_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n let_v we_o embrace_v one_o another_o with_o mutual_a love_n nostras_fw-la and_o let_v not_o unlikeness_n and_o variety_n of_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n and_o bucer_n quote_v this_o place_n add_v no_o nor_o of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n disjoin_v our_o mind_n upon_o all_o these_o testimony_n which_o these_o godly_a man_n give_v from_o the_o light_n of_o the_o word_n which_o we_o acknowledge_v in_o they_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o form_n be_v to_o be_v leave_v free_a to_o the_o faithful_a and_o congregation_n of_o saint_n and_o when_o any_o shall_v set_v down_o any_o form_n the_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a may_v use_v they_o so_o far_o forth_o as_o they_o please_v or_o may_v add_v or_o alter_v or_o whole_o reject_v they_o and_o no_o law_n be_v to_o be_v make_v in_o this_o matter_n which_o the_o secular_a power_n shall_v enforce_v to_o ensnare_v conscience_n and_o to_o infringe_v christian_a liberty_n and_o to_o straighten_v the_o spirit_n in_o those_o in_o who_o it_o dwell_v and_o to_o obscure_v the_o virtue_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o people_n wherefore_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o they_o be_v most_o horrible_o mistake_v that_o now_o urge_v external_a uniformity_n on_o the_o church_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n of_o unity_n who_o scarce_o mind_v i_o be_o sure_a not_o name_v one_o body_n one_o spirit_n one_o hope_n of_o call_v one_o lord_n faith_n baptism_n etc._n etc._n to_o make_v the_o church_n one_o do_v earnest_o and_o fierce_o labour_v for_o one_o outward_a form_n and_o order_n one_o directory_n one_o confession_n one_o catechism_n one_o discipline_n and_o to_o have_v these_o thing_n of_o their_o own_o devise_v enforce_v on_o the_o church_n by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o state_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n their_o heart_n can_v find_v out_o to_o make_v the_o church_n one_o but_o the_o seer_n be_v blind_a in_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o prophet_n prophesy_v false_a thing_n for_o if_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n stand_v only_o or_o chief_o in_o uniformity_n what_o woeful_a division_n will_v be_v find_v in_o it_o for_o the_o father_n before_o the_o flood_n live_v in_o one_o form_n the_o father_n after_o the_o flood_n in_o another_o the_o believer_n under_o the_o law_n in_o a_o other_o the_o believer_n under_o the_o gospel_n in_o another_o yea_o these_o be_v free_a from_o all_o form_n use_v any_o according_a to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o spirit_n christ_n himself_o and_o john_n baptist_n who_o both_o live_v in_o the_o same_o time_n observe_v no_o uniformity_n between_o they_o for_o john_n live_v retire_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o come_v neither_o eat_n nor_o drink_v and_o christ_n live_v in_o the_o frequency_n of_o the_o world_n and_o do_v both_o eat_v and_o drink_v and_o their_o disciple_n observe_v no_o uniformity_n for_o john_n disciple_n fast_v oft_o and_o christ_n not_o at_o all_o in_o those_o day_n beside_o at_o first_o the_o believe_a jew_n use_v another_o form_n than_o the_o believe_a gentile_n and_o after_o among_o the_o gentile_n the_o greek_a church_n use_v one_o form_n the_o latin_a another_o and_o several_a church_n under_o both_o several_a form_n and_o so_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n according_a to_o the_o infirmity_n of_o the_o flesh_n still_o use_v some_o or_o other_o form_n and_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n be_v without_o all_o form_n now_o then_o if_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o unity_n but_o where_o be_v uniformity_n what_o a_o earthquake_n of_o confusion_n and_o division_n will_v this_o make_v through_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n and_o under_o all_o god_n own_o dispensation_n in_o the_o world_n yea_o through_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o earth_n and_o heaven_n wherefore_o i_o dare_v be_v bold_a to_o affirm_v that_o impose_v and_o enforce_v uniformity_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a enemy_n to_o the_o true_a church_n unity_n that_o antichrist_n himself_o can_v devise_v
say_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o like_v we_o or_o what_o be_v indeed_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n as_o if_o error_n shall_v have_v now_o get_v more_o power_n to_o make_v void_a the_o word_n than_o the_o word_n power_n to_o make_v void_a error_n wherefore_o if_o the_o word_n be_v suffer_v to_o have_v free_a passage_n i_o dare_v rest_n on_o that_o alone_a and_o so_o dare_v all_o that_o have_v feel_v the_o power_n of_o it_o in_o their_o own_o heart_n for_o the_o conquer_a and_o destroy_v all_o error_n and_o heresy_n whatsoever_o in_o the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n and_o now_o it_o will_v be_v profitable_a to_o hear_v what_o some_o other_o man_n who_o have_v walk_v in_o the_o same_o light_n and_o spirit_n have_v say_v in_o this_o matter_n zuinglius_fw-la in_o his_o book_n 302._o quote_v in_o the_o margin_n speak_v thus_o haec_fw-la unica_fw-la eaque_fw-la sola_fw-la via_fw-la est_fw-la qua_fw-la ad_fw-la concordiam_fw-la proxime_fw-la perveniri_fw-la potest_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v this_o be_v the_o one_o and_o only_a way_n whereby_o we_o may_v most_o sudden_o attain_v to_o concord_n if_o whatsoever_o thing_n may_v be_v or_o be_v common_o say_v for_o any_o opinion_n or_o against_o it_o be_v free_o propound_v in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o people_n be_v allow_v free_a judgement_n in_o all_o these_o thing_n for_o god_n who_o be_v not_o the_o god_n of_o discord_n but_o of_o peace_n never_n suffer_v those_o who_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o his_o spirit_n to_o err_v or_o be_v deceive_v and_o if_o this_o way_n be_v observe_v we_o shall_v short_o see_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n enjoy_v sweet_a peace_n and_o concord_n but_o now_o as_o often_o as_o there_o be_v some_o prince_n and_o city_n that_o will_v have_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n free_a to_o all_o present_o there_o be_v other_o that_o will_v stop_v and_o hinder_v the_o course_n of_o it_o and_o so_o long_o there_o must_v needs_o arise_v great_a discord_n and_o dissension_n and_o hence_o i_o will_v have_v you_o judge_v whether_o you_o or_o we_o be_v depart_v from_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o for_o we_o suffer_v those_o write_n that_o proceed_v as_o well_o from_o you_o as_o from_o the_o papist_n to_o be_v open_o and_o free_o read_v and_o read_v again_o and_o the_o evil_n which_o be_v teach_v in_o they_o we_o slay_v by_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o you_o think_v all_o this_o business_n may_v be_v dispatch_v with_o public_a edict_n and_o command_n and_o therefore_o do_v you_o be_v judge_n who_o cause_n be_v most_o to_o be_v suspect_v we_o who_o suffer_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o adversary_n to_o be_v publish_v in_o our_o church_n and_o overthrow_v they_o by_o the_o word_n or_o you_o who_o reproach_n our_o doctrine_n before_o the_o simple_a people_n as_o heretical_a in_o the_o mean_a time_n by_o your_o good_a will_n neither_o suffer_v they_o to_o read_v it_o nor_o understand_v it_o thus_o far_o he_o luther_n also_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o frederick_n and_o john_n duke_n of_o saxony_n 509._o speak_v against_o that_o spirit_n which_o he_o call_v spiritus_fw-la alstetinus_fw-la a_o proud_a haughty_a enthusiastical_a spirit_n that_o despise_a faith_n and_o love_n and_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o whole_a scripture_n as_o low_a thing_n not_o worth_a their_o mind_v and_o glory_v in_o strange_a revelation_n and_o superlative_a holiness_n which_o they_o have_v above_o other_o believer_n and_o these_o enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n especial_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o alsteta_n and_o luther_n write_v to_o the_o duke_n in_o who_o province_n this_o town_n be_v to_o this_o purpose_n touch_v they_o quod_fw-la vero_fw-la praesentis_fw-la interest_n negotii_fw-la they_o nolim_fw-la ab_fw-la illustrissimis_fw-la d._n v._o praedicandi_fw-la officium_fw-la praecludi_fw-la cviquam_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o be_v but_o for_o what_o pertain_v to_o our_o present_a business_n i_o will_v not_o that_o the_o office_n of_o preach_v shall_v be_v deny_v to_o any_o by_o your_o most_o illustrious_a lordship_n but_o let_v there_o be_v grant_v to_o they_o free_a liberty_n to_o preach_v and_o let_v they_o exhibit_v the_o best_a proof_n of_o their_o learning_n for_o i_o say_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o paul_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o there_o must_v be_v sect_n and_o the_o word_n of_o god_n must_v strive_v and_o wage_v war_n in_o camp_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v evident_a in_o psa_n 67._o that_o the_o evangelist_n be_v call_v army_n and_o that_o christ_n in_o the_o psalm_n be_v call_v more_o than_o once_o the_o king_n of_o army_n now_o if_o their_o spirit_n be_v a_o right_n and_o approve_a spirit_n it_o will_v easy_o subsist_v before_o we_o without_o all_o fear_n and_o so_o if_o our_o spirit_n be_v right_a as_o we_o hope_v it_o be_v it_o will_v fear_v neither_o they_o nor_o any_o body_n else_o but_o if_o they_o transgress_v the_o bound_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o will_v not_o contain_v their_o hand_n but_o will_v do_v their_o work_n with_o violence_n it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o your_o most_o illustrious_a lordship_n when_o they_o 〈◊〉_d fierce_a and_o seditious_a to_o repress_v they_o or_o to_o banish_v they_o out_o of_o your_o dominion_n say_v we_o will_v easy_o grant_v to_o you_o to_o fight_v with_o the_o word_n for_o the_o prove_v and_o examine_v which_o be_v true_a doctrine_n but_o we_o will_v restrain_v the_o fierceness_n of_o your_o spirit_n and_o contain_v your_o hand_n for_o these_o thing_n belong_v to_o our_o magistracy_n and_o therefore_o they_o that_o will_v not_o herein_o obey_v let_v they_o depart_v the_o country_n for_o say_v he_o we_o who_o be_v minister_n of_o the_o word_n may_v preach_v but_o we_o must_v do_v no_o violence_n and_o daniel_n have_v witness_v that_o antichrist_n shall_v be_v destroy_v without_o hand_n and_o isaiah_n say_v that_o christ_n shall_v fight_v in_o his_o kingdom_n with_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o mouth_n and_o the_o rod_n of_o his_o lip_n etc._n etc._n also_o albertus_n borussia_n duke_n of_o borussia_n when_o the_o great_a controversieâ—ell_n â—ell_z out_o between_o andrea_n osiander_n and_o morlinus_fw-la and_o other_o minister_n touch_v the_o righteousness_n whereby_o a_o christian_a be_v make_v righteous_a before_o god_n he_o will_v not_o forbid_v either_o side_n either_o the_o pulpit_n or_o press_n but_o leave_v they_o free_a to_o both_o alike_o and_o desire_v they_o to_o forbear_v reproach_n one_o against_o another_o osiand_n and_o to_o debate_v the_o business_n quiet_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n likewise_o the_o bohemian_n bohemian_n in_o a_o certain_a exhortation_n of_o they_o to_o king_n and_o prince_n to_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o the_o zeal_n of_o the_o gospel_n subscribe_v by_o procopius_n and_o conradus_n 858._o and_o other_o captain_n of_o the_o bohemian_n have_v these_o word_n they_o say_v that_o be_v the_o papist_n it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v suffer_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v hear_v in_o confess_v our_o faith_n now_o how_o may_v that_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n since_o christ_n hear_v the_o devil_n as_o be_v write_v mat_n 4_o and_o they_o be_v not_o better_a than_o christ_n nor_o we_o worse_o than_o the_o devil_n if_o they_o be_v righteous_a and_o have_v the_o truth_n with_o they_o as_o they_o say_v they_o have_v and_o we_o be_v unrighteous_a why_o do_v they_o fear_v since_o the_o truth_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v afraid_a of_o falsehood_n and_o zorobabel_n declare_v that_o truth_n be_v of_o all_o thing_n the_o most_o mighty_a 3._o and_o overcome_v all_o thing_n for_o christ_n be_v the_o truth_n john_n 14._o i_o be_o the_o way_n the_o truth_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o father_n of_o lie_n john_n 8._o therefore_o if_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o priest_n have_v the_o truth_n let_v they_o overcome_v we_o with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o if_o they_o have_v lie_n than_o they_o can_v long_o abide_v in_o all_o their_o presumption_n wherefore_o we_o exhort_v and_o beseech_v all_o the_o imperial_a city_n all_o king_n prince_n nobleman_n rich_a poor_a for_o god_n sake_n and_o for_o his_o righteousness_n that_o one_o of_o they_o write_v hereof_o to_o another_o and_o that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o mean_v make_v how_o we_o may_v commune_v with_o you_o safe_o and_o friendly_a at_o some_o such_o place_n as_o shall_v be_v fit_a both_o for_o you_o and_o we_o and_o bring_v with_o you_o your_o bishop_n and_o teacher_n and_o let_v they_o and_o our_o teacher_n fight_v together_o with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o let_v we_o hear_v they_o and_o let_v not_o one_o overcome_v the_o other_o by_o violence_n or_o false_a subtlety_n but_o only_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o let_v man_n doctrine_n be_v what_o it_o will_v they_o ought_v to_o be_v
that_o have_v most_o natural_a power_n and_o ability_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v the_o officer_n so_o among_o spiritual_a man_n in_o the_o church_n they_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v the_o officer_n that_o have_v most_o spiritual_a power_n that_o be_v such_o in_o who_o christ_n and_o the_o spirit_n be_v most_o manifest_a and_o of_o this_o the_o faithful_a of_o all_o sort_n be_v judge_n wherefore_o no_o natural_a part_n and_o ability_n nor_o no_o humane_a learning_n and_o degree_n in_o the_o school_n or_o university_n nor_o no_o ecclesiastical_a ordination_n or_o order_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v sufficient_a to_o make_v any_o man_n a_o minister_n but_o only_o the_o teach_n of_o god_n and_o gift_n receive_v of_o christ_n by_o the_o spirit_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n which_o the_o faithful_a be_v able_a to_o discern_v and_o judge_v of_o 2._o out_o of_o who_o these_o officer_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v and_o that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n and_o nowhere_o else_o indeed_o antichrist_n bring_v in_o humane_a learning_n instead_o of_o the_o spirit_n choose_v his_o minister_n only_o out_o of_o the_o university_n but_o the_o right_a church_n choose_v they_o out_o of_o the_o faithful_a see_v it_o reckon_v no_o man_n learned_a and_o so_o fit_a to_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n but_o he_o that_o have_v hear_v and_o learn_v from_o the_o father_n moreover_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o as_o natural_a power_n be_v found_v on_o a_o natural_a gift_n and_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o man_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o humane_a power_n so_o supernatural_a power_n be_v found_v on_o a_o supernatural_a gift_n and_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o believer_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o this_o spiritual_a power_n and_o so_o a_o man_n must_v needs_o first_o be_v of_o the_o church_n ere_o he_o can_v have_v any_o power_n or_o office_n in_o it_o wherefore_o all_o unbeliever_n and_o carnal_a man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o power_n in_o the_o true_a church_n that_o they_o have_v no_o place_n in_o it_o and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v officer_n that_o they_o be_v not_o member_n for_o they_o that_o neither_o have_v nor_o know_v spiritual_a power_n themselves_o how_o can_v they_o exercise_v it_o among_o other_o 3._o by_o who_o they_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v they_o and_o that_o be_v by_o the_o congregation_n or_o community_n of_o believer_n for_o if_o every_o free_a society_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v its_o own_o officer_n much_o more_o have_v the_o true_a church_n this_o power_n be_v as_o be_v say_v the_o free_a society_n under_o heaven_n and_o so_o the_o true_a church_n be_v not_o to_o have_v officer_n thrust_v over_o they_o by_o other_o but_o be_v to_o choose_v they_o its_o self_n if_o any_o object_n against_o this_o object_n that_o paul_n command_v timothy_n and_o titus_n to_o appoint_v elder_n and_o that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n act._n 14._o 23._o do_v choose_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n with_o prayer_n and_o fast_v and_o therefore_o it_o may_v seem_v that_o the_o congregation_n have_v not_o power_n to_o choose_v its_o own_o minister_n but_o that_o some_o chief_a minister_n must_v appoint_v other_o minister_n in_o each_o congregation_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v answ_n that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o minister_n among_o we_o that_o do_v hold_v the_o place_n of_o the_o apostle_n live_v and_o act_v evident_o in_o the_o virtue_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o power_n of_o the_o spirit_n i_o will_v not_o doubt_v to_o allow_v they_o as_o much_o authority_n in_o ordain_v minister_n as_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n or_o any_o of_o the_o other_o apostle_n have_v but_o since_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o very_o few_o of_o these_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n upon_o they_o how_o shall_v they_o have_v authority_n to_o appoint_v minister_n who_o can_v themselves_o be_v reckon_v believer_n or_o spiritual_a but_o second_o if_o they_o be_v true_a minister_n through_o the_o anoint_v of_o the_o spirit_n yet_o can_v they_o not_o appoint_v minister_n in_o other_o congregation_n without_o their_o own_o consent_n and_o approbation_n but_o those_o who_o the_o whole_a church_n choose_v they_o be_v to_o commend_v to_o god_n by_o prayer_n and_o if_o they_o shall_v refuse_v to_o do_v this_o yet_o he_o who_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o church_n be_v sufficient_o its_o minister_n through_o the_o church_n choice_n alone_o neither_o do_v paul_n or_o barnabas_n or_o timothy_n or_o titus_n appoint_v any_o minister_n by_o their_o own_o single_a authority_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o those_o scripture_n 1_o tim._n 3._o and_o titus_n 1._o where_o paul_n say_v the_o overseer_n or_o elder_n as_o also_o the_o deacon_n or_o minister_n shall_v be_v blameless_a and_o unreprovable_a now_o neither_o timothy_n nor_o titus_n know_v of_o themselves_o who_o be_v blameless_a in_o those_o place_n but_o only_o receive_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n which_o choose_v they_o to_o that_o office_n further_o we_o see_v act_n 6._o that_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n together_o do_v not_o by_o themselves_o appoint_v any_o to_o a_o low_a office_n to_o wit_n to_o be_v deacon_n without_o the_o church_n own_o choice_n of_o they_o but_o say_v the_o twelve_o to_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o disciple_n look_v you_o out_o among_o yourselves_o seven_o man_n of_o honest_a report_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o wisdom_n who_o we_o may_v appoint_v over_o this_o business_n and_o those_o who_o the_o church_n choose_v the_o apostle_n confirm_v wherefore_o if_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o the_o apostle_n at_o their_o own_o pleasure_n to_o appoint_v man_n to_o minister_v so_o much_o as_o alm_n to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o poor_a without_o the_o choice_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n much_o less_o be_v it_o lawful_a for_o they_o to_o appoint_v any_o among_o believer_n to_o the_o hard_a and_o difficult_a work_n of_o the_o ministry_n without_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o approbation_n by_o all_o which_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a have_v power_n in_o themselves_o according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n and_o therefore_o see_v the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n can_v possible_o be_v without_o the_o word_n see_v it_o be_v bear_v and_o nourish_v and_o increase_v and_o strengthen_v and_o preserve_v and_o comfort_v and_o perfect_v by_o it_o and_o see_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o these_o time_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o destitute_a of_o the_o spirit_n it_o must_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o either_o the_o church_n must_v perish_v for_o want_n of_o the_o word_n or_o else_o according_a to_o what_o we_o have_v hear_v believer_n must_v meet_v together_o as_o they_o can_v convenient_o up_o and_o down_o the_o kingdom_n and_o such_o meeting_n must_v choose_v one_o or_o mo_z fit_a person_n from_o among_o themselves_o to_o be_v their_o elder_n in_o the_o lord_n and_o then_o by_o prayer_n to_o commend_v they_o to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o so_o to_o acknowledge_v they_o for_o their_o pastor_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o what_o believer_n meet_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n do_v in_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v do_v through_o the_o work_n and_o approve_v of_o god_n himself_o and_o beside_o this_o way_n i_o see_v no_o other_o how_o in_o this_o great_a defection_n of_o the_o clergy_n the_o church_n may_v have_v the_o true_a word_n of_o god_n restore_v to_o their_o meeting_n and_o assembly_n again_o now_o this_o thing_n that_o be_v so_o direct_o cross_v to_o the_o way_n and_o work_n of_o antichrist_n for_o many_o age_n together_o and_o be_v so_o opposite_a to_o father_n schoolman_n counsel_n doctor_n antiquity_n custom_n and_o the_o general_a praâ—ctice_n of_o the_o kingdom_n can_v be_v hope_v to_o be_v accomplish_v at_o once_o but_o by_o degree_n as_o the_o lightning_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v enlighten_v the_o world_n and_o the_o spirit_n shall_v be_v pour_v forth_o and_o therefore_o in_o this_o matter_n let_v some_o begin_v and_o the_o rest_n follow_v as_o this_o practice_n shall_v be_v clear_v up_o to_o they_o from_o the_o scripture_n for_o none_o be_v to_o be_v force_v in_o this_o matter_n if_o authority_n shall_v entertain_v this_o truth_n but_o the_o spirit_n be_v to_o be_v allow_v its_o own_o liberty_n to_o blow_v when_o and_o where_o and_o on_o who_o he_o list_v neither_o ought_v this_o to_o trouble_v any_o if_o all_o do_v not_o present_o agree_v with_o they_o it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o at_o first_o a_o few_o begin_v who_o other_o may_v follow_v afterward_o as_o god_n shall_v persuade_v they_o now_o as_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v its_o officer_n so_o if_o