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in_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o not_o by_o faith_n in_o man_n or_o angel_n and_o now_o i_o shall_v be_v bold_a to_o make_v this_o assertion_n that_o the_o man_n who_o read_v scripture_n humble_o and_o attentive_o fast_n and_o pray_v to_o god_n earnest_o consult_v his_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n careful_o and_o modest_o and_o yet_o after_o all_o continue_v in_o some_o error_n by_o blind_a ignorance_n and_o mistake_n of_o scripture_n if_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v or_o ever_o will_v be_v suffer_v by_o the_o infinite_a goodness_n of_o god_n that_o man_n shall_v soon_o be_v save_v than_o he_o who_o receive_v a_o true_a opinion_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o man_n which_o he_o sober_o conceive_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o scripture_n for_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o he_o as_o if_o it_o be_v real_o so_o all_o thing_n be_v unclean_a to_o he_o that_o believe_v they_o unclean_a so_o all_o thing_n be_v damnable_a to_o he_o that_o believe_v they_o damnable_a as_o he_o must_v do_v who_o believe_v they_o flat_o contrary_a to_o scripture_n let_v no_o man_n count_v i_o a_o libertine_n in_o faith_n because_o i_o will_v neither_o compel_v nor_o be_v compel_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o men._n i_o trust_v in_o god_n no_o man_n shall_v out-go_v i_o in_o zealous_a contend_v for_o the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n once_o for_o all_o never_o to_o receive_v any_o new_a doctrine_n any_o other_o gospel_n than_o that_o preach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n herein_o i_o be_o no_o libertine_n by_o god_n gracious_a assistance_n neither_o man_n nor_o angel_n shall_v make_v i_o recede_v from_o one_o tittle_n of_o this_o nor_o to_o embrace_v with_o divine_a faith_n one_o tittle_n more_o than_o this_o for_o doubtless_o it_o be_v far_o great_a idolatry_n to_o believe_v in_o man_n than_o to_o sacrifice_v to_o man_n more_o to_o give_v he_o my_o heart_n than_o my_o hand_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o no_o man_n be_v forward_a than_o myself_o to_o receive_v from_o other_o humane_a doctrine_n as_o humane_a that_o be_v i_o believe_v it_o be_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o probable_a also_o that_o another_o may_v have_v more_o natural_a understanding_n more_o acquire_v learning_n than_o myself_o and_o so_o may_v find_v out_o that_o in_o scripture_n or_o from_o scripture_n or_o by_o reason_n which_o i_o can_v do_v myself_o but_o yet_o i_o can_v have_v no_o possible_a assurance_n that_o the_o doctrine_n he_o deliver_v to_o i_o be_v absolute_o true_a because_o i_o have_v assurance_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o he_o to_o err_v and_o then_o i_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n but_o that_o he_o may_v err_v in_o that_o very_a doctrine_n he_o now_o deliver_v i_o there_o be_v no_o man_n i_o ever_o yet_o hear_v or_o read_v of_o to_o
heretical_a profession_n though_o not_o their_o opinion_n who_o conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o their_o own_o dissimulation_n and_o desirous_a to_o get_v favour_n with_o st._n austin_n a_o person_n of_o great_a veneration_n and_o authority_n with_o all_o relate_v unto_o he_o this_o specious_a story_n which_o st._n augustine_n great_a charity_n be_v apt_a to_o believe_v as_o st._n paul_n say_v believe_v all_o thing_n and_o from_o hence_o conclude_v that_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_a to_o use_v the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a sword_n to_o reduce_v heretic_n to_o the_o church_n but_o unless_o it_o can_v be_v evidence_v that_o these_o donatists_n heart_n be_v change_v as_o well_o as_o their_o profession_n a_o thing_n impossible_a to_o prove_v all_o this_o prove_v nothing_o three_o put_v the_o case_n their_o heart_n be_v real_o change_v as_o to_o matter_n of_o belief_n it_o be_v evident_a their_o heart_n be_v very_o worldly_a still_o grovel_v on_o the_o earth_n not_o one_o step_n near_o 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will_v present_o give_v i_o more_o than_o twelve_o legion_n of_o angel_n can_v thou_o do_v any_o thing_n more_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o my_o godhead_n than_o to_o think_v i_o want_v the_o help_n of_o man_n to_o defend_v i_o and_o according_a to_o this_o may_v our_o saviour_n say_v think_v thou_o that_o i_o can_v pray_v unto_o my_o father_n and_o he_o shall_v give_v i_o more_o than_o twelve_o million_o of_o soul_n to_o worship_v my_o name_n or_o can_v thou_o do_v any_o thing_n to_o eclipse_v more_o the_o power_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o i_o have_v ordain_v to_o be_v set_v up_o by_o weakness_n and_o foolishness_n of_o preach_v and_o thereby_o to_o subdue_v both_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o gentile_n as_o i_o myself_o have_v conquer_v all_o enemy_n by_o preach_v and_o suffer_v so_o must_v my_o disciple_n tread_v in_o my_o step_n and_o just_o so_o we_o find_v that_o the_o gospel_n be_v most_o miraculous_o advance_v over_o all_o the_o world_n by_o preach_v and_o suffer_v for_o it_o not_o by_o compel_v other_o to_o it_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o upon_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n as_o many_o as_o be_v ordain_v by_o god_n to_o eternal_a life_n believe_v and_o sure_o those_o who_o be_v not_o ordain_v by_o god_n to_o eternal_a life_n can_v never_o be_v bring_v thither_o by_o the_o ordinance_n or_o power_n of_o man_n wherefore_o when_o the_o minister_n have_v preach_v and_o pray_v they_o have_v perform_v all_o they_o can_v do_v the_o rest_n must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o justice_n or_o mercy_n of_o god_n who_o have_v mercy_n on_o who_o he_o will_v have_v mercy_n and_o who_o he_o will_v he_o harden_v so_o that_o the_o sharp_a sword_n in_o this_o world_n shall_v enter_v their_o hard_a heart_n no_o more_o than_o a_o adamant_n all_o this_o i_o say_v in_o reference_n to_o compel_a man_n to_o believe_v or_o conform_v still_o reserve_v to_o the_o magistrate_n power_n according_a to_o scripture_n to_o punish_v evil_a doer_n not_o evil_a believer_n not_o who_o think_v but_o do_v publish_v or_o do_v practise_v something_o to_o subvert_v the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n or_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o state_n or_o injure_v their_o neighbour_n god_n the_o only_a searcher_n of_o heart_n reserve_v unto_o himself_o the_o punishment_n of_o evil_a thought_n of_o evil_a belief_n which_o man_n can_v never_o have_v a_o right_a cognizance_n of_o for_o the_o great_a professor_n may_v be_v the_o great_a atheist_n but_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v conceive_v he_o have_v sufficient_a warrant_n to_o punish_v also_o evil_a believer_n and_o shall_v proceed_v to_o execution_n or_o on_o that_o pretence_n shall_v punish_v true_a believer_n the_o scripture_n be_v most_o clear_a that_o the_o subject_n be_v bind_v to_o submit_v and_o bear_v it_o with_o all_o christian_a patience_n to_o the_o loss_n of_o good_n liberty_n or_o life_n not_o only_o patient_o to_o bear_v it_o but_o to_o rejoice_v in_o it_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a if_o he_o have_v any_o true_a religion_n any_o right_a understanding_n in_o he_o he_o will_v rejoice_v on_o his_o own_o behalf_n because_o his_o reward_n be_v exceed_o great_a therefore_o whoever_o under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n raise_v any_o tumult_n or_o take_v up_o arm_n against_o the_o magistrate_n to_o preserve_v himself_o from_o persecution_n absolute_o declare_v himself_o either_o a_o stark_a fool_n or_o a_o stark_a atheist_n either_o he_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o such_o reward_n or_o be_v mad_a to_o reject_v the_o opportunity_n of_o gain_v it_o and_o so_o at_o the_o best_a be_v fit_a for_o bedlam_n at_o the_o worst_a for_o the_o gallow_n now_o let_v he_o choose_v a_o appendix_n to_o the_o former_a subject_n before_o i_o leave_v this_o matter_n of_o impose_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n i_o desire_v to_o speak_v a_o word_n or_o two_o concern_v the_o authority_n of_o counsel_n and_o father_n in_o relation_n to_o it_o when_o the_o superstition_n and_o the_o abuse_n of_o the_o popish_a church_n especial_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o indulgence_n grow_v so_o very_o gross_a as_o not_o long_o to_o be_v endure_v luther_n melancthon_n oecolompadius_fw-la bucer_fw-la &_o divers_a other_o oppose_v they_o and_o come_v to_o dispute_v with_o their_o adversary_n about_o these_o thing_n the_o popish_a doctor_n have_v no_o scripture_n for_o their_o error_n quote_v several_a father_n and_o council_n to_o give_v countenance_n unto_o they_o the_o evangelical_n doctor_n so_o call_v because_o they_o chief_o urge_v evangelium_fw-la the_o gospel_n for_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o doctrine_n be_v most_o of_o they_o breed_v up_o from_o their_o infancy_n in_o the_o popish_a church_n and_o therein_o teach_v even_o to_o adore_v all_o council_n and_o father_n and_o education_n be_v of_o great_a force_n to_o command_v and_o awe_n both_o the_o will_n and_o judgement_n of_o man_n make_v they_o very_o rich_a and_o timorous_a to_o reject_v that_o authority_n which_o they_o have_v long_o reverence_v in_o modesty_n therefore_o some_o of_o the_o evangelical_n doctor_n be_v content_a to_o admit_v the_o authority_n of_o father_n and_o council_n for_o three_o or_o four_o of_o the_o first_o century_n some_o admit_v five_o or_o six_o whereby_o they_o be_v reduce_v some_o time_n to_o great_a straits_n in_o their_o disputation_n for_o though_o neither_o all_o nor_o half_o the_o popish_a error_n can_v be_v find_v in_o the_o council_n and_o father_n of_o these_o century_n yet_o some_o of_o they_o be_v creep_v very_o early_o into_o the_o church_n this_o superstition_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o chrism_n be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o second_o century_n the_o milenary_a error_n get_v foot_v about_o that_o time_n the_o necessity_n of_o infant_n receive_v the_o bless_a sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n come_v in_o soon_o after_o about_o the_o four_o century_n there_o be_v some_o touch_n in_o oratory_n sermon_n by_o way_n of_o rhetorical_a ejaculation_n like_o pray_v to_o saint_n but_o long_o after_o come_v to_o be_v formal_o use_v as_o now_o in_o church_n and_o so_o superstition_n come_v in_o some_o at_o one_o time_n and_o some_o at_o another_o the_o papist_n themselves_o do_v not_o receive_v all_o these_o error_n but_o reject_v some_o as_o that_o of_o the_o millenaries_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o infant_n receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n now_o i_o ask_v first_o the_o papist_n by_o what_o rule_n they_o retain_v some_o of_o these_o thing_n and_o reject_v other_o second_o i_o ask_v the_o evangelical_n by_o what_o rule_n they_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o century_n and_o refuse_v other_o both_o will_v answer_v i_o because_o they_o believe_v some_o to_o be_v erroneus_fw-la some_o to_o be_v orthodox_n whereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o neither_o submit_v to_o the_o father_n authority_n as_o command_v
who_o i_o can_v more_o ready_o submit_v than_o to_o st._n austin_n a_o person_n of_o wonderful_a sharpness_n in_o understanding_n and_o yet_o of_o great_a modesty_n no_o way_n affect_v to_o take_v new_a opinion_n much_o less_o to_o impose_v they_o no_o other_o now_o i_o pray_v consider_v how_o can_v we_o have_v assurance_n of_o any_o doctrine_n he_o deliver_v more_o than_o another_o i_o mean_v assurance_n from_o his_o own_o authority_n or_o reason_n what_o he_o deliver_v from_o scripture_n authority_n be_v another_o matter_n we_o believe_v st._n austin_n err_v in_o some_o thing_n whereof_o he_o be_v most_o confident_a he_o believe_v it_o absolute_o necessary_a for_o child_n to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o i_o say_v he_o believe_v it_o a_o direct_a heresy_n to_o hold_v there_o be_v any_o antipode_n lactantius_n another_o great_a wit_n and_o great_a scholar_n believe_v the_o like_a with_o divers_z other_o who_o then_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v mistake_v in_o other_o thing_n also_o wherefore_o let_v god_n be_v true_a and_o all_o man_n liar_n in_o this_o sense_n to_o deliver_v lie_v material_o that_o be_v falsity_n for_o truth_n what_o i_o have_v say_v of_o father_n must_v certain_o hold_v good_a of_o counsel_n also_o though_o ever_o so_o general_a ever_o so_o primitive_a for_o this_o and_o that_o father_n may_v and_o have_v err_v sure_o then_o that_o and_o that_o may_v also_o err_v i_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n in_o man_n nor_o can_v i_o be_v save_v by_o faith_n in_o men._n the_o general_a objection_n make_v against_o this_o be_v the_o promise_n which_o christ_n make_v unto_o his_o church_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o and_o that_o he_o will_v be_v with_o the_o apostle_n unto_o the_o world_n end_n as_o for_o that_o other_o say_v of_o our_o saviour_n he_o that_o will_v not_o hear_v the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v to_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n i_o can_v but_o wonder_v that_o man_n of_o any_o brain_n or_o modesty_n shall_v so_o gross_o abuse_v this_o say_n speak_v of_o several_a difference_n between_o man_n and_o man_n to_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o termination_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a which_o they_o usual_o and_o by_o order_n shall_v assemble_v in_o and_o refer_v this_o to_o the_o church_n in_o general_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n not_o in_o the_o least_o point_a at_o there_o wherefore_o i_o pass_v this_o over_o as_o very_o impertinent_a and_o proceed_v to_o answer_v the_o former_a objection_n of_o more_o weight_n yet_o no_o way_n conclude_v as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o no_o man_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n can_v more_o firm_o believe_v than_o i_o do_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o and_o that_o christ_n will_v be_v with_o his_o church_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n but_o i_o do_v not_o believe_v nor_o be_o i_o bind_v by_o scripture_n to_o believe_v such_o exposition_n as_o the_o popish_a church_n make_v of_o this_o place_n by_o what_o authority_n do_v the_o romish_a church_n challenge_v to_o themselves_o to_o be_v expositor_n of_o scripture_n more_o than_o other_o church_n i_o find_v nothing_o for_o it_o in_o scripture_n which_o be_v my_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o proceed_v then_o to_o the_o business_n of_o general_a counsel_n whether_o they_o may_v err_v in_o some_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o why_o not_o all_o the_o evangelical_n doctor_n grant_v the_o late_a general_a counsel_n have_v err_v if_o so_o why_o not_o the_o former_a what_o promise_n have_v the_o former_a from_o christ_n more_o than_o the_o late_a what_o period_n be_v there_o set_v in_o scripture_n for_o their_o not_o err_v or_o what_o promise_n be_v there_o at_o all_o for_o any_o not_o to_o err_v the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n i_o grant_v what_o be_v this_o to_o a_o general_n council_n not_o the_o thousand_o part_n of_o the_o clergy_n not_o the_o thousand_o thousand_o part_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v scripture_n be_v always_o put_v for_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o faithful_a though_o of_o late_o it_o be_v translate_v into_o quite_o another_o notion_n and_o take_v for_o the_o clergy_n only_o but_o you_o will_v say_v a_o general_n council_n be_v the_o representative_a of_o the_o whole_a church_n what_o then_o what_o promise_n be_v make_v in_o scripture_n that_o the_o representative_a shall_v not_o err_v you_o further_o urge_v if_o the_o representative_a err_v it_o be_v probable_a the_o whole_a church_n will_v receive_v their_o error_n i_o answer_v we_o be_v now_o treat_v of_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o must_v not_o depend_v on_o humane_a probability_n but_o divine_a certainty_n beside_o it_o be_v not_o so_o probable_a the_o church_n will_v receive_v the_o error_n of_o the_o representative_a we_o know_v the_o whole_a church_n have_v not_o receive_v a_o truth_n determine_v by_o they_o much_o loss_n a_o error_n and_o i_o pray_v have_v not_o counsel_n be_v against_o counsel_n put_v then_o the_o case_n a_o general_n council_n shall_v err_v in_o some_o matter_n you_o can_v therefore_o say_v the_o whole_a church_n have_v err_v the_o gate_n of_o hell_n have_v prevail_v against_o the_o church_n i_o pray_v consider_v can_v you_o true_o say_v the_o great_a turk_n have_v prevail_v against_o the_o christian_a army_n because_o he_o have_v kill_v the_o thousand_o part_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o the_o great_a general_n council_n hold_v a_o less_o proportion_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o i_o will_v grant_v yet_o more_o put_v the_o case_n the_o whole_a church_n shall_v deviate_v into_o some_o erroneous_a superstition_n have_v the_o devil_n therefore_o prevail_v against_o it_o can_v i_o say_v i_o have_v prevail_v against_o another_o man_n because_o i_o give_v he_o some_o slight_a hurt_n in_o his_o leg_n or_o thigh_n as_o long_o as_o his_o head_n his_o heart_n his_o arm_n be_v whole_a he_o still_o be_v able_a to_o fight_v and_o wound_v i_o as_o bad_a or_o worse_o till_o the_o devil_n can_v so_o wound_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o destroy_v the_o vital_n the_o fundamental_o and_o make_v it_o no_o church_n the_o gate_n of_o hell_n can_v be_v say_v to_o have_v prevail_v against_o it_o now_o god_n be_v bless_v there_o have_v continue_v all_o along_o several_a church_n as_o great_a or_o great_a than_o the_o roman_a church_n which_o have_v still_o maintain_v in_o defiance_n of_o satan_n one_o god_n the_o father_n of_o who_o be_v all_o thing_n and_o one_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n by_o who_o be_v all_o thing_n and_o several_a other_o sound_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n how_o then_o have_v satan_n prevail_v when_o so_o many_o million_o have_v wage_v war_n against_o he_o and_o uphold_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o his_o christ_n the_o scripture_n plain_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o anti-christ_n great_a power_n the_o church_n shall_v be_v drive_v into_o the_o wilderness_n scarce_o visible_a in_o the_o world_n neither_o pope_n nor_o devil_n have_v yet_o so_o prevail_v but_o as_o then_o christ_n shall_v have_v so_o christ_n have_v still_o have_v a_o church_n war_a against_o satan_n sure_o no_o learned_a papist_n will_v deny_v but_o that_o about_o the_o second_o century_n the_o millenaries_n be_v far_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n scarce_o any_o write_a doctor_n in_o those_o day_n but_o have_v this_o error_n do_v satan_n then_o prevail_v and_o in_o st._n augustine_n day_n the_o necessity_n of_o infant_n receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n be_v so_o general_a and_o hold_v so_o necessary_a a_o principle_n that_o it_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o infant_n baptism_n this_o sacrament_n be_v to_o precede_v the_o other_o in_o those_o day_n a_o lantern_n will_v have_v be_v necessary_a to_o find_v out_o a_o church_n without_o this_o error_n do_v satan_n then_o prevail_v but_o say_v you_o no_o general_n council_n determine_v those_o error_n why_o because_o none_o be_v call_v about_o they_o have_v any_o be_v call_v who_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o will_v have_v avow_v that_o in_o the_o council_n which_o they_o all_o teach_v in_o their_o church_n no_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n will_v have_v preserve_v they_o from_o it_o show_v i_o that_o promise_n in_o scripture_n if_o god_n spirit_n do_v not_o preserve_v they_o from_o teach_v the_o whole_a church_n so_o i_o fear_v the_o spirit_n will_v not_o have_v preserve_v they_o more_o in_o council_n than_o in_o congregation_n where_o all_o suck_a in_o this_o error_n from_o their_o infancy_n will_v hardly_o have_v quit_v it_o by_o a_o determination_n in_o council_n i_o humble_o crave_v pardon_n for_o this_o bold_a presumption_n be_v lead_v into_o it_o
unless_o the_o bishop_n receive_v a_o new_a commission_n to_o ordain_v as_o well_o as_o a_o new_a ordination_n if_o it_o be_v answer_v that_o these_o chorepiscopi_fw-la be_v mere_a priest_n send_v forth_o to_o have_v inspection_n only_o over_o other_o priest_n then_o i_o pray_v observe_v that_o these_o chorepiscopi_fw-la be_v mere_a priest_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o ordain_v other_o priest_n which_o certain_o have_v be_v madness_n for_o they_o to_o do_v have_v they_o then_o such_o a_o belief_n of_o bishop_n as_o be_v now_o require_v they_o may_v as_o well_o have_v undertake_v to_o create_v star_n in_o the_o heaven_n for_o if_o bishop_n only_o have_v receive_v a_o divine_a power_n from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o ordain_v priest_n he_o that_o have_v not_o this_o divine_a power_n of_o ordination_n can_v no_o more_o ordain_v a_o priest_n than_o a_o man_n without_o the_o divine_a power_n of_o creation_n can_v create_v a_o star_n both_o be_v impossible_a in_o nature_n from_o whence_o it_o must_v follow_v that_o these_o country_n bishop_n be_v direct_o mad_a in_o undertake_v to_o ordain_v priest_n have_v receive_v no_o such_o divine_a power_n from_o christ_n his_o apostle_n or_o their_o successor_n but_o if_o we_o take_v these_o country_n bishop_n for_o sober_a godly_a person_n in_o their_o right_a wit_n as_o doubtless_o they_o be_v be_v select_v for_o that_o office_n they_o must_v needs_o believe_v that_o be_v priest_n alone_o they_o have_v power_n to_o ordain_v other_o priest_n and_o also_o believe_v that_o the_o bishop_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n and_o governor_n in_o their_o little_a circuit_n they_o have_v also_o receive_v thereby_o commission_n to_o ordain_v as_o well_o as_o to_o govern_v and_o be_v as_o little_a bishop_n under_o a_o archbishop_n for_o such_o real_o they_o be_v so_o that_o i_o can_v in_o charity_n censure_v they_o so_o much_o as_o of_o contumacy_n in_o take_v upon_o they_o more_o than_o they_o think_v at_o least_o they_o have_v commission_n to_o act_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o chief_a bishop_n will_v be_v wary_a enough_o not_o to_o employ_v any_o contumacious_a person_n i_o conclude_v then_o first_o that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o mere_a mistake_n a_o easy_a and_o pardonable_a mistake_n of_o their_o commission_n second_o that_o in_o those_o time_n it_o be_v not_o think_v a_o impossible_a thing_n for_o bare_a priest_n no_o bishop_n to_o ordain_v other_o priest_n for_o then_o certain_o they_o will_v never_o have_v undertake_v it_o and_o i_o confess_v myself_o of_o their_o opinion_n and_o can_v but_o so_o continue_v till_o i_o see_v more_o reason_n to_o the_o contrary_n and_o i_o hope_v my_o reader_n will_v see_v what_o weak_a proof_n be_v bring_v for_o this_o distinction_n and_o superiority_n of_o order_n no_o scripture_n no_o primitive_a general_n council_n no_o general_a consent_n of_o primitive_a doctor_n and_o father_n no_o not_o one_o primitive_a father_n of_o note_n speak_v particular_o and_o home_o to_o our_o purpose_n only_o a_o touch_n of_o epiphanius_n and_o st._n austin_n upon_o aerius_n the_o arrian_n heretic_n but_o not_o declare_v no_o not_o by_o they_o a_o heretic_n in_o this_o particular_a of_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o i_o myself_o declare_v more_o particular_o against_o he_o then_o these_o father_n do_v accuse_v he_o of_o heresy_n in_o part_n of_o his_o affirmation_n concern_v bishop_n though_o not_o in_o every_o part_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o business_n by_o give_v my_o poor_a judgement_n draw_v from_o the_o precede_a argument_n i_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o the_o priesthood_n be_v a_o holy_a order_n into_o which_o no_o man_n be_v to_o thrust_v himself_o unless_o he_o be_v call_v i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o deaconship_n have_v a_o inferior_a part_n in_o it_o or_o episcopacy_n above_o it_o but_o that_o it_o be_v complete_a and_o entire_a in_o itself_o and_o that_o it_o may_v involve_v many_o administrrtion_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o order_n and_o sometime_o many_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o person_n st._n john_n be_v a_o apostle_n a_o evangelist_n a_o prophet_n a_o pastor_n a_o teacher_n a_o ordainer_n which_o we_o call_v bishop_n all_o these_o gift_n he_o have_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o priesthood_n christ_n himself_o be_v of_o this_o order_n a_o priest_n for_o ever_o after_o the_o order_n of_o melcbisedek_n that_o be_v both_o king_n and_o priest_n these_o be_v his_o office_n he_o be_v call_v also_o the_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n be_v this_o in_o christ_n a_o distinct_a and_o superior_a office_n or_o order_n to_o his_o priesthood_n who_o will_v presume_v to_o affirm_v this_o and_o christ_n tell_v his_o apostle_n as_o my_o father_n send_v i_o so_o send_v i_o you_o christ_n therefore_o make_v they_o also_o king_n and_o priest_n as_o st._n john_n tell_v we_o rev._n 1_o our_o saviour_n kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n no_o more_o be_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n our_o saviour_n office_n of_o priest_n and_o bishop_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o so_o be_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o they_o ordain_v and_o send_v other_o as_o christ._n ordain_v and_o send_v they_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n or_o diversity_n of_o order_n in_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o more_o be_v there_o in_o those_o who_o be_v ordain_v and_o send_v by_o the_o apostle_n though_o there_o may_v be_v diversity_n of_o gift_n or_o administration_n all_o be_v not_o evangelist_n nor_o prophet_n some_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n some_o of_o prophecy_n some_o of_o miracle_n some_o of_o discern_a spirit_n and_o some_o such_o gift_n i_o conceive_v they_o may_v have_v who_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v superintendent_n overseer_n bishop_n over_o the_o rest_n endue_v especial_o with_o the_o gift_n of_o discern_v and_o judge_v of_o man_n and_o therefore_o fit_a to_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o ordain_v of_o other_o for_o which_o there_o need_v no_o new_a order_n but_o the_o enlargement_n only_o of_o their_o commission_n to_o ordain_v to_o oversee_v and_o govern_v those_o that_o be_v ordain_v and_o these_o as_o i_o say_v before_o be_v settle_v in_o this_o eminent_a manner_n over_o the_o rest_n be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n in_o greek_a which_o signify_v as_o much_o and_o which_o we_o in_o english_a call_v bishop_n and_o by_o degree_n this_o name_n be_v whole_o appropriate_v to_o they_o in_o this_o order_n the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o church_n at_o their_o death_n and_o in_o this_o order_n their_o successor_n continue_v it_o as_o in_o duty_n sure_o they_o ought_v from_o time_n to_o time_n near_o one_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o year_n without_o any_o interruption_n wherefore_o for_o any_o to_o alter_v this_o way_n of_o government_n or_o to_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o ordain_v not_o be_v choose_v this_o way_n to_o it_o they_o will_v be_v guilty_a of_o great_a rashness_n and_o high_a presumption_n and_o i_o thank_v god_n i_o be_o as_o zealous_a for_o the_o preserve_v this_o primitive_a way_n as_o any_o man_n yet_o i_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n consent_v to_o they_o who_o will_v have_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v a_o distinct_a order_n for_o the_o reason_n before_o give_v nor_o can_v i_o think_v the_o ordination_n of_o a_o priest_n make_v by_o priest_n invalid_a for_o though_o it_o ought_v not_o be_v do_v but_o only_o of_o necessity_n yet_o be_v do_v it_o be_v valid_a and_o certain_o may_v without_o any_o crime_n be_v do_v by_o any_o priest_n by_z shipwrak_fw-mi or_o any_o such_o chance_n cast_v into_o a_o country_n where_o there_o be_v none_o commissionated_a to_o ordain_v in_o such_o a_o case_n he_o may_v and_o ought_v to_o ordain_v other_o fit_a person_n for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n for_o who_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o substance_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o ceremony_n and_o as_o st._n paul_n approve_v of_o the_o preach_a of_o christ_n out_o of_o envy_n rather_o than_o no_o preach_v so_o doubtless_o to_o ordain_v out_o of_o order_n be_v better_a than_o no_o ordination_n and_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v deprive_v of_o preach_v pray_v and_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n and_o all_o other_o pastoral_n duty_n so_o great_a necessity_n may_v well_o excuse_v any_o irregularity_n yet_o where_o order_n can_v possible_o be_v observe_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v for_o god_n be_v the_o god_n of_o order_n wherefore_o he_o that_o wilful_o transgress_v against_o order_n transgress_v against_o god_n and_o shall_v receive_v to_o himself_o damnation_n for_o if_o to_o resist_v the_o ordinance_n of_o man_n only_o in_o humane_a and_o temporal_a thing_n be_v damnation_n much_o more_o be_v it_o to_o resist_v a_o apostolic_a ordinance_n in_o thing_n spiritual_a and_o divine_a concern_v deacon_n have_v thus_o state_v and_o unite_v the_o two_o pretend_a distinct_a
into_o all_o and_o understand_v the_o behaviour_n of_o each_o pastor_n under_o he_o to_o admonish_v and_o chastise_v when_o there_o be_v cause_n whereas_o with_o we_o partly_o by_o great_a distance_n of_o city_n partly_o by_o the_o favour_n of_o former_a prince_n several_a town_n be_v cast_v into_o one_o diocese_n they_o become_v so_o large_a as_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o one_o bishop_n shall_v have_v a_o sufficient_a inspection_n into_o they_o as_o i_o say_v before_o of_o great_a parish_n so_o here_o of_o diocese_n the_o bishop_n know_v not_o the_o name_n nor_o face_n of_o half_a or_o a_o quarter_n of_o they_o much_o less_o their_o behaviour_n he_o may_v have_v as_o well_o a_o part_n of_o france_n in_o his_o diocese_n to_o govern_v and_o as_o for_o their_o triennial_n and_o circuity_n visitation_n they_o signify_v just_a nothing_o as_o to_o this_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a money_n business_n to_o pay_v procuration_n to_o the_o bishop_n fee_n to_o chancellor_n register_n etc._n etc._n the_o bishop_n indeed_o usual_o make_v a_o speech_n unto_o they_o and_o a_o sermon_n be_v preach_v by_o some_o one_o of_o they_o wherein_o perchance_o good_a admonition_n be_v give_v but_o what_o knowledge_n can_v the_o bishop_n by_o this_o have_v of_o their_o life_n or_o doctrine_n or_o diligence_n if_o he_o continue_v long_o there_o he_o may_v learn_v a_o few_o more_o name_n or_o face_n scarce_o any_o thing_n more_o i_o humble_o conceive_v this_o aught_o to_o be_v redress_v and_o the_o diocese_n bronght_n into_o that_o compass_n that_o each_o bishop_n may_v be_v a_o bishop_n in_o government_n as_o well_o as_o in_o title_n and_o authority_n over_o they_o but_o if_o the_o diocese_n be_v divide_v less_o and_o bishop_n more_o increase_v where_o shall_v we_o have_v maintenance_n for_o so_o many_o bishop_n some_o have_v too_o little_a already_o when_o ever_o i_o shall_v see_v the_o clergy_n of_o this_o nation_n congregat_v by_o his_o majesty_n authority_n resolve_v in_o good_a earnest_n to_o reform_v and_o establish_v all_o according_a to_o the_o holy_a constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n and_o come_v to_o this_o last_o mention_v contract_v the_o bond_n and_o in_o number_n increase_a the_o diocese_n and_o bishop_n for_o they_o i_o will_v undertake_v to_o propose_v way_n both_o rational_a and_o conscientious_a of_o provide_v convenient_a maintenanee_n for_o all_o but_o i_o desire_v to_o be_v excuse_v at_o present_a least_o greedy_a harpy_n make_v ill_a use_n of_o my_o zealous_a intention_n and_o so_o i_o proceed_v to_o consider_v a_o second_o abuse_n in_o church_n government_n which_o be_v exempt_a jurisdiction_n a_o thing_n altogether_o unknown_a to_o antiquity_n and_o bring_v in_o by_o papal_a tyranny_n the_o pope_n at_o the_o height_n of_o their_o usurp_a dominion_n take_v upon_o themselves_o to_o be_v head_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v the_o universal_a bishop_n thereof_o and_o all_o other_o to_o be_v but_o their_o curate_n take_v then_o 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our_o church_n that_o they_o will_v gracious_o condescend_v to_o abolish_v some_o ceremony_n in_o the_o church_n that_o they_o may_v receive_v you_o into_o it_o but_o yet_o i_o have_v no_o great_a hope_n that_o they_o will_v hearken_v to_o i_o you_o yourselves_o for_o who_o i_o plead_v destroy_v my_o hope_n for_o they_o present_o dash_v i_o in_o the_o tooth_n say_v go_v rather_o and_o persuade_v the_o son_n in_o duty_n to_o submit_v to_o their_o father_n than_o father_n to_o yield_v to_o son_n and_o can_v you_o deny_v but_o of_o the_o two_o you_o be_v rather_o to_o submit_v you_o think_v to_o excuse_v this_o by_o say_v be_v it_o not_o against_o your_o conscience_n you_o will_v submit_v but_o you_o dare_v not_o for_o fear_v of_o displease_v god_n his_o holy_a word_n forbid_v you_o i_o beseech_v you_o show_v i_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n any_o one_o clear_a sentence_n against_o any_o one_o ceremony_n command_v in_o our_o church_n you_o see_v plain_o i_o be_o not_o biased_n to_o any_o one_o ceremony_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o have_v read_v the_o scripture_n all_o over_o several_a time_n and_o i_o humble_o conceive_v it_o be_v no_o pride_n of_o heart_n if_o i_o think_v i_o understand_v scripture_n as_o well_o as_o you_o and_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v find_v any_o one_o condemn_v sentence_n in_o scripture_n but_o you_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n enlighten_v you_o which_o i_o want_v by_o this_o rule_n you_o may_v affirm_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o scripture_n and_o i_o shall_v be_v as_o mad_a in_o dispute_v against_o you_o as_o you_o in_o affirm_v it_o it_o be_v madness_n for_o a_o blind_a man_n as_o you_o conceive_v i_o to_o be_v to_o dispute_v of_o colour_n therefore_o if_o you_o be_v so_o void_a of_o all_o reason_n as_o to_o expect_v your_o bare_a affirmation_n that_o you_o have_v light_a aught_o to_o convince_v all_o gainsayers_a i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v myself_o or_o you_o to_o gainsay_v you_o far_o but_o address_v myself_o to_o other_o who_o sober_o undertake_v to_o show_v i_o such_o text_n as_o a_o unbiased_a christian_n will_v and_o desirous_a to_o submit_v to_o all_o scripture_n truth_n as_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o be_o may_v discover_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o i_o desire_v those_o sober_a undertaker_n to_o show_v i_o any_o one_o such_o clear_a text_n to_o excuse_v their_o nonconforming_a as_o i_o show_v they_o for_o their_o conform_v submit_v yourselves_o to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n etc._n etc._n 1_o pet._n 2._o 13._o and_o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o and_o submit_v heb._n 13._o 17._o these_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o sun_n that_o you_o ought_v to_o obey_v now_o if_o the_o text_n you_o bring_v be_v not_o so_o clear_a but_o doubtful_a i_o beseech_v you_o be_v your_o conscience_n so_o bold_a against_o a_o clear_a text_n and_o so_o timorous_a at_o a_o doubtful_a text_n be_v this_o