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ground_n church_n truth_n world_n 1,700 5 5.2016 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A10399 Tvventy nine lectures of the Church very necessary for the consolation and support of Gods Church, especially in these times: wherein is handled, first, in generall concerning first, the name; secondly, the titles; thirdly, the nature, fourthly, the diuision of the true Church: secondly, of the visible Church ... and lastly, the application of it to all Churches in the world so farre as they are knowne to vs. By that learned and faithfull preacher, Master Iohn Randall, Batchelor of Diuinity, pastor of Saint Andrewes Hubbart in little Eastcheape, London, and sometimes fellow of Lincolne Colledge in Oxford. Published by the coppie perfected and giuen by the author in his life time; carefully preserued and adorned with notes in the margent, by the late faithfull minister of Christ, Master William Holbrooke. Randall, John, 1570-1622.; Holbrooke, William. 1631 (1631) STC 20683; ESTC S115641 423,199 550

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convey_v life_n and_o spirit_n into_o they_o and_o they_o like_o live_a member_n receive_v this_o life_n and_o perform_v their_o several_a office_n both_o to_o he_o and_o one_o to_o another_o many_o other_o title_n there_o be_v of_o the_o like_a kind_n all_o tend_v to_o show_v not_o a_o communion_n only_o as_o my_o belove_a be_v i_o he_o and_o i_o be_o he_o but_o a_o union_n rather_o as_o they_o be_v one_o with_o he_o and_o he_o with_o they_o their_o sin_n be_v he_o by_o imputation_n and_o so_o his_o righteousness_n be_v they_o yea_o they_o be_v call_v christ_n christ_n 1._o co._n 12.12_o so_o much_o of_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o title_n the_o three_o sort_n be_v give_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o faithful_a as_o in_o micah_n 4.8_o all_o it_o be_v call_v the_o tower_n of_o the_o flock_n as_o who_o shall_v say_v all_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n resort_v to_o the_o church_n as_o to_o a_o strong_a hold_n or_o tower_n and_o if_o they_o recover_v that_o there_o be_v perfect_a safety_n 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shall_v create_v upon_o every_o place_n of_o mount_n zion_n and_o upon_o the_o assembly_n thereof_o a_o cloud_n and_o smoke_n by_o day_n and_o the_o shine_a of_o a_o flame_a fire_n by_o night_n for_o upon_o all_o the_o glory_n shall_v be_v a_o defence_n that_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o all_o the_o world_n the_o whole_a body_n and_o every_o part_n thereof_o be_v glorious_a yea_o glory_n itself_o all_o other_o pomp_n and_o glory_n without_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o church_n be_v baseness_n and_o smoke_n and_o misery_n see_v the_o glorious_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v shadow_v in_o the_o law_n exod._n 25.8.9_o by_o the_o sanctuary_n or_o tabernacle_n thing_n first_o there_o be_v the_o ark_n verse_n 10._o second_o there_o be_v the_o testimony_n put_v into_o the_o ark._n verse_n 16._o three_o there_o be_v the_o mercy-seat_n verse_n 17._o four_o the_o cherubin_n verse_n 18._o five_o god_n speak_v from_o betwixt_o the_o cherubin_n ver_fw-la 22._o six_o the_o table_n verse_n 23._o seven_o the_o shewbread_n verse_n 30._o last_o the_o golden_a candlestick_n verse_n 31._o these_o do_v all_o figure_n out_o the_o glorious_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v the_o ark_n that_o be_v god_n himself_o and_o have_v not_o we_o the_o same_o god_n there_o be_v the_o testimony_n in_o the_o ark_n which_o be_v a_o witness_n or_o evidence_n of_o god_n presence_n that_o he_o ever_o be_v and_o will_v be_v present_a there_o and_o so_o we_o have_v the_o word_n and_o the_o sacrament_n to_o witness_v god_n continual_a presence_n with_o us._n there_o be_v the_o mercy-seat_n and_o what_o be_v that_o but_o jesus_n christ_n the_o
the_o true_a church_n and_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n must_v be_v heretic_n last_o for_o unity_n and_o consent_n that_o be_v no_o note_n unless_o it_o be_v unity_n and_o consent_n in_o the_o faith_n and_o save_a truth_n of_o god_n so_o that_o still_o all_o their_o note_n run_v upon_o this_o main_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o save_a truth_n which_o be_v our_o note_n for_o how_o do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n know_v herself_o to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n sure_o by_o the_o word_n whereby_o they_o prove_v that_o she_o be_v once_o a_o true_a church_n that_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o so_o that_o their_o note_n of_o antiquity_n succession_n multitude_n and_o unity_n or_o consent_n come_v in_o but_o to_o second_v that_o prove_v by_o these_o that_o therefore_o she_o be_v so_o still_o because_o by_o the_o word_n it_o be_v prove_v first_o that_o she_o have_v be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o so_o that_o she_o can_v err_v do_v they_o not_o labour_v by_o all_o might_n and_o main_a to_o 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the_o thing_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v holy_a and_o good_a and_o therefore_o natural_o can_v yield_v no_o such_o bad_a fruit_n but_o occasional_o as_o be_v abuse_v by_o the_o malice_n of_o satan_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n heart_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o it_o bring_v forth_o such_o bad_a effect_n the_o fault_n be_v partly_o in_o the_o governor_n and_o partly_o in_o the_o govern_v first_o the_o governor_n sometime_o when_o they_o be_v proud_a and_o haughty_a contemn_v their_o inferior_n strive_v with_o equal_n aspire_v to_o the_o high_a place_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o papal_a government_n and_o some_o token_n of_o bad_a governor_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o as_o covetous_a give_v to_o filthy_a lucre_n abuse_v their_o place_n and_o authority_n to_o their_o own_o private_a gain_n negligent_a and_o careless_a like_a gallio_n in_o the_o act_n make_v no_o conscience_n of_o the_o faithful_a execution_n of_o their_o office_n second_o there_o be_v fault_n in_o those_o that_o be_v govern_v some_o ambitious_o seek_v for_o high_a place_n than_o they_o be_v fit_a for_o some_o be_v envious_a malign_v and_o spite_v their_o superior_n some_o be_v sensual_a despise_v government_n some_o be_v ill-tongued_n speak_v evil_a of_o those_o in_o authority_n some_o be_v obstinate_a and_o rebellious_a resist_v their_o order_n and_o proceed_n and_o will_v not_o endure_v their_o neck_n under_o any_o yoke_n last_o some_o be_v humourous_a and_o peevish_a deny_v that_o power_n set_v over_o they_o to_o be_v lawful_a labour_v for_o innovation_n and_o change_n and_o new_a platform_n of_o government_n of_o their_o own_o devise_v contrary_a to_o that_o already_o establish_v these_o and_o the_o like_a advantage_n have_v the_o enemy_n from_o time_n to_o time_n wrought_v upon_o
and_o the_o anabaptist_n be_v here_o refute_v that_o hold_v this_o error_n that_o they_o offend_v not_o in_o manner_n sure_o this_o be_v a_o far_o high_a strain_n than_o ever_o the_o apostle_n attain_v to_o for_o they_o err_v all_o in_o manner_n they_o all_o forsake_v christ_n and_o flee_v matth._n 26.56_o but_o this_o be_v before_o the_o come_n down_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o but_o do_v they_o so_o afterward_o yes_o even_o after_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n they_o err_v in_o manner_n john_n the_o disciple_n who_o jesus_n love_v will_v have_v worship_v the_o angel_n reu._n 19.10_o and_o again_o even_o after_o admonition_n he_o will_v have_v do_v the_o like_a in_o chap._n 22.8_o and_o so_o very_o likely_a he_o do_v it_o after_o repentance_n too_o and_o so_o we_o see_v that_o peter_n be_v reprove_v to_o his_o face_n by_o paul_n for_o his_o sin_n galat._n 2._o if_o this_o be_v so_o in_o the_o green_a tree_n alas_o alas_o what_o shall_v it_o be_v in_o the_o dry_a when_o peter_n and_o john_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n have_v have_v their_o fall_n shall_v any_o puritan_n in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o shameless_a as_o to_o boast_v of_o perfection_n this_o point_n shall_v need_v no_o further_o refutation_n all_o god_n child_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o will_v ondemne_v this_o assertion_n by_o their_o own_o contrary_n clamentable_a experience_n in_o the_o whole_a race_n of_o their_o life_n i_o mention_v this_o the_o rather_o because_o some_o papist_n anabaptist_n and_o familist_n be_v infect_v with_o this_o presumption_n at_o this_o day_n use_v 3_o last_o this_o serve_v for_o the_o refutation_n of_o papist_n that_o challenge_n to_o their_o church_n and_o head_n the_o pope_n a_o immunity_n yea_o a_o impossibility_n of_o err_v in_o doctrine_n as_o if_o it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v true_a whatsoever_o they_o hold_v whereas_o this_o we_o be_v able_a to_o show_v how_o that_o they_o have_v err_v from_o themselves_o in_o many_o thing_n hold_v one_o thing_n this_o year_n another_o thing_n the_o next_o and_o one_o contrary_a to_o the_o other_o so_o that_o except_o two_o contrary_n may_v be_v true_a they_o must_v needs_o err_v in_o the_o one_o or_o in_o the_o other_o but_o of_o this_o more_o shall_v be_v speak_v hereafter_o thus_o we_o have_v see_v the_o first_o point_n handle_v at_o large_a that_o the_o church_n militant_a howsoever_o it_o have_v many_o excellent_a privilege_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o exempt_v from_o error_n but_o that_o it_o may_v and_o oftentimes_o do_v err_v both_o in_o doctrine_n and_o manner_n now_o let_v we_o come_v to_o the_o second_o observation_n and_o doct._n 2_o therein_o see_v how_o the_o church_n may_v not_o err_v the_o observation_n be_v this_o that_o the_o church_n militant_a be_v so_o guide_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n that_o though_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n yet_o it_o can_v err_v fundamental_o obstinate_o final_o and_o general_o first_o not_o fundamental_o psal_n 62.2_o he_o be_v my_o strength_n and_o my_o salvation_n and_o my_o defence_n therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o much_o be_v move_v that_o be_v fundamental_o nor_o obstinate_o psal_n 19.13_o lord_n keep_v i_o from_o presumptuous_a sin_n nor_o final_o psal_n 55.22_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o righteous_a to_o fall_v for_o ever_o he_o may_v fall_v but_o not_o for_o ever_o nor_o general_o in_o all_o her_o part_n but_o still_o some_o be_v reserve_v that_o have_v not_o bow_v their_o knee_n to_o baal_n 1_o king_n 19.18_o these_o two_o final_o and_o general_o be_v never_o find_v in_o the_o true_a member_n of_o the_o militant_a church_n haply_o they_o may_v err_v fundamental_o and_o obstinate_o but_o never_o final_o and_o general_o psal_n 37.24_o though_o he_o fall_v yet_o shall_v he_o not_o be_v cast_v off_o which_o if_o it_o be_v understand_v of_o our_o outward_a preservation_n here_o as_o the_o text_n seem_v to_o intend_v it_o then_o much_o more_o of_o our_o preservation_n from_o sin_n and_o error_n that_o though_o we_o do_v fall_v yet_o not_o final_o for_o ever_o and_o psal_n 125.1_o they_o which_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n be_v like_o mount_n zion_n which_o can_v be_v remove_v but_o stand_v fast_o for_o ever_o and_o this_o be_v clear_v by_o our_o saviour_n own_o mouth_n matth._n 16.18_o upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n and_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o overcome_v it_o he_o say_v not_o shall_v not_o touch_v it_o but_o only_o not_o overcome_v it_o and_o psal_n 102._o last_o verse_n the_o child_n of_o thy_o servant_n shall_v continue_v and_o their_o seed_n shall_v stand_v fast_o in_o thy_o sight_n so_o then_o the_o church_n militant_a though_o haply_o it_o do_v fall_v fundamental_o and_o obstinate_o yet_o it_o can_v fall_v final_o and_o general_o the_o reason_n first_o it_o be_v christ_n promise_n that_o the_o reas_n 1_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o overcome_v it_o matth._n 16.18_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o reason_n this_o be_v sufficient_a reas_n 2_o but_o second_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o a_o rock_n mat._n 16.8_o and_o therefore_o can_v fall_v matth._n 7.25_o reas_n 3_o three_o christ_n god_n and_o man_n knit_v and_o unite_v we_o and_o if_o god_n knit_v the_o knot_n who_o shall_v unknit_v it_o reas_n 4_o four_o chirst_n pray_v for_o we_o that_o we_o may_v not_o fall_v luk._n 22.23_o and_o he_o can_v be_v deny_v reas_n 5_o five_o the_o unchangeableness_n of_o god_n love_n he_o admit_v none_o to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n militant_a but_o who_o he_o love_v now_o who_o god_n love_v once_o he_o love_v to_o the_o end_n john_n 13._o reas_n 6_o six_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v another_o reason_n of_o it_o joh._n 16.13_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v continual_o present_a with_o they_o enlighten_v quicken_a direct_n persuade_v and_o reclaim_v they_o from_o sin_n and_o error_n whereunto_o if_o we_o add_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o all_o matter_n both_o for_o life_n and_o doctrine_n what_o other_o direction_n can_v we_o have_v or_o how_o can_v we_o err_v final_o and_o general_o reas_n 7_o the_o last_o reason_n be_v draw_v from_o god_n love_n and_o care_n of_o his_o own_o heavenly_a truth_n which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o believe_v at_o all_o it_o be_v much_o disparage_v and_o if_o it_o be_v believe_v any_o where_o then_o sure_o it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n therefore_o still_o the_o truth_n be_v alive_a at_o least_o in_o some_o of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o church_n can_v fall_v final_o and_o general_o for_o then_o the_o truth_n must_v fall_v too_o use_v the_o use_n be_v these_o the_o first_o use_n be_v for_o matter_n of_o comfort_n to_o the_o faithful_a that_o howsoever_o if_o we_o be_v leave_v to_o ourselves_o we_o be_v weak_a and_o dark_a and_o blind_a prone_a to_o sin_n and_o error_n and_o untoward_a to_o grace_v and_o goodness_n yet_o we_o see_v god_n grace_n be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o keep_v we_o in_o his_o holy_a faith_n unto_o the_o end_n it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o regard_n of_o ourselves_o we_o be_v like_o silly_a sheep_n ready_a to_o be_v a_o prey_n to_o the_o bear_n and_o the_o wolf_n yet_o we_o have_v a_o heavenly_a shepherd_n our_o saviour_n christ_n and_o he_o have_v still_o a_o eye_n on_o we_o and_o look_n after_o we_o and_o rather_o than_o we_o shall_v be_v quite_o lose_v he_o will_v bring_v we_o home_o on_o his_o own_o shoulder_n luke_n 15._o satan_n may_v and_o do_v seek_v to_o devour_v we_o and_o to_o swallow_v we_o up_o quick_a but_o god_n have_v set_v he_o his_o stint_n so_o that_o neither_o altogether_o nor_o for_o ever_o he_o can_v prevail_v against_o we_o john_n 10.28.29_o christ_n know_v his_o sheep_n and_o he_o will_v give_v they_o eterternall_a life_n and_o they_o shall_v never_o perish_v etc._n etc._n if_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o any_o point_n god_n will_v reveal_v it_o if_o we_o be_v doubtful_a god_n will_v resolve_v it_o if_o we_o be_v out_o of_o the_o way_n he_o will_v admonish_v and_o reclaim_v we_o we_o shall_v hear_v a_o voice_n behind_o we_o say_v this_o be_v the_o way_n walk_v in_o it_o etc._n etc._n isaiah_n 30.21_o the_o second_o use_n be_v for_o reproof_n of_o the_o papist_n and_o use_v 2_o lutheran_n which_o hold_v that_o the_o very_o choose_a may_v fall_v away_o and_o that_o final_o which_o can_v be_v hold_v without_o blasphemy_n for_o by_o this_o they_o wrong_v god_n make_v his_o election_n to_o be_v a_o mere_a casual_a thing_n depend_v on_o man_n goodness_n and_o perseverance_n therein_o so_o likewise_o it_o be_v a_o exceed_a wrong_n to_o the_o faithful_a for_o if_o they_o may_v
be_v the_o husband_n the_o faithful_a be_v his_o wife_n ephes_n 5.23_o therefore_o as_o in_o the_o estate_n of_o marriage_n the_o husband_n and_o the_o wife_n be_v one_o flesh_n so_o in_o the_o estate_n of_o this_o spiritual_a marriage_n christ_n and_o the_o faithful_a be_v one_o ephes_n 5.30_o and_o 1._o cor._n 6.17_o election_n three_o there_o be_v particular_a reason_n for_o this_o first_o on_o god_n part_n second_o on_o christ_n part_n three_o on_o our_o part_n first_o on_o god_n part_n his_o election_n aim_v at_o this_o communion_n he_o choose_v we_o to_o be_v make_v like_o unto_o the_o image_n of_o his_o son_n rom._n 8.29_o and_o 1._o pet._n 1.2_o elect_a according_o to_o the_o foreknowledge_n of_o god_n the_o father_n unto_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n through_o obedience_n and_o sprinkle_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n love._n second_o his_o covenant_n be_v so_o deut._n 23.13_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v one_o with_o he_o and_o he_o with_o us._n three_o he_o have_v confirm_v this_o by_o his_o free_a gift_n of_o christ_n to_o we_o and_o we_o to_o christ_n as_o i_o show_v before_o four_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o be_v his_o love_n to_o we_o god_n so_o love_v the_o world_n that_o he_o have_v give_v his_o only_o beget_v son_n etc._n etc._n part_n four_o the_o particular_a reason_n on_o christ_n part_n be_v his_o exceed_a great_a love_n towards_o we_o gal._n 2.20_o who_o have_v love_v i_o and_o give_v himself_o for_o i_o faith_n five_o there_o be_v particular_a reason_n on_o our_o part_n first_o be_v our_o faith_n for_o by_o faith_n we_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o be_v ingraft_v into_o he_o and_o make_v partaker_n of_o he_o heb._n 3.14_o covenant_n second_o we_o do_v covenant_n it_o in_o baptism_n and_o we_o do_v daily_o renew_v it_o that_o we_o will_v be_v one_o with_o he_o deut._n 26.17_o 18._o three_o it_o be_v confirm_v on_o our_o part_n by_o gift_n gift_n we_o consecrate_v ourselves_o and_o all_o we_o have_v or_o be_v into_o his_o power_n and_o mercy_n four_o our_o love_n be_v another_o reason_n necessity_n for_o that_o make_v it_o a_o true_a union_n where_o it_o be_v true_o plant_v ephes_n 3.17_o where_o love_n be_v link_v with_o faith_n five_o our_o necessity_n so_o require_v it_o for_o we_o can_v bring_v forth_o any_o good_a fruit_n except_o we_o be_v and_o abide_v in_o christ_n joh._n 15.4_o the_o mean_n of_o this_o communion_n which_o be_v betwixt_o christ_n and_o the_o faithful_a be_v first_o the_o spirit_n second_o the_o word_n sacrament_n three_o the_o sacrament_n 1._o cor._n 10.16_o the_o cup_n of_o blessing_n which_o we_o bless_v be_v it_o not_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n the_o use_v of_o this_o point_n be_v these_o first_o here_o be_v matter_n of_o use_v 1_o reproof_n against_o the_o papist_n that_o hold_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n one_o with_o and_o under_o the_o pope_n affirm_v that_o we_o have_v no_o communion_n with_o christ_n unless_o first_o we_o have_v communion_n with_o the_o pope_n they_o acknowledge_v that_o at_o the_o second_o hand_n we_o have_v a_o communion_n with_o christ_n but_o mediate_o by_o the_o pope_n he_o be_v the_o vicar_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o ministerial_a head_n but_o the_o scripture_n you_o see_v be_v clear_a that_o the_o true_a communion_n the_o faithful_a have_v be_v in_o and_o with_o jesus_n christ_n rom._n 12.5_o and_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o communion_n with_o christ_n when_o there_o be_v no_o pope_n yea_o but_o say_v they_o christ_n be_v not_o present_a with_o we_o now_o in_o earth_n but_o the_o pope_n he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o except_o we_o have_v fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o he_o we_o can_v have_v none_o with_o our_o head_n in_o heaven_n i_o answer_v though_o christ_n be_v absent_a in_o body_n yet_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o his_o substitute_n that_o be_v his_o spirit_n which_o be_v his_o true_a deputy_n of_o his_o own_o appoint_v and_o not_o the_o pope_n as_o joh._n 14.16_o 17._o and_o joh._n 16.7_o and_o he_o alone_o it_o be_v that_o work_v this_o union_n make_v we_o one_o with_o christ_n and_o christ_n one_o with_o us._n 1._o cor._n 6.17_o the_o second_o use_n be_v to_o teach_v we_o what_o a_o bless_a estate_n use_v 2_o god_n child_n be_v advance_v to_o they_o have_v communion_n and_o fellowship_n with_o jesus_n christ_n they_o be_v fellow_n yea_o fellow-heire_n with_o he_o in_o grace_n here_o and_o glory_n hereafter_o and_o here_o be_v our_o patent_n royal_a under_o the_o broad_a seal_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n for_o our_o interest_n that_o we_o have_v in_o god_n us._n because_o we_o partake_v with_o christ_n jesus_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v needs_o partake_v with_o god_n and_o have_v communion_n with_o he_o too_o so_o likewise_o for_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n by_o this_o i_o know_v i_o have_v right_a and_o interest_n in_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n because_o we_o be_v his_o and_o he_o be_v we_o in_o who_o they_o be_v all_o yea_o and_o amen_o 2._o cor._n 1.20_o so_o likewise_o we_o have_v right_a and_o interest_n into_o all_o his_o office_n kingdom_n priesthood_n and_o prophecy_n and_o all_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o same_o justification_n sanctification_n salvation_n yea_o our_o full_a and_o final_a glorification_n because_o we_o be_v his_o and_o he_o and_o all_o his_o be_v we_o here_o likewise_o be_v our_o answer_n and_o general_a acquittance_n against_o all_o the_o plead_n of_o sin_n satan_n death_n hell_n damnation_n law_n justice_n and_o accuse_v conscience_n here_o be_v our_o answer_n to_o they_o all_o i_o be_o christ_n and_o he_o be_v i_o and_o therefore_o if_o you_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o say_v against_o i_o go_v to_o he_o he_o will_v answer_v for_o i_o nay_o he_o have_v answer_v for_o i_o already_o and_o therefore_o you_o can_v have_v nothing_o against_o i_o that_o can_v hurt_v i_o there_o be_v no_o condemnation_n to_o i_o for_o i_o be_o in_o christ_n jesus_n so_o likewise_o we_o see_v here_o on_o the_o contrary_a what_o a_o miserable_a and_o fearful_a case_n all_o other_o be_v in_o that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o true_a church_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o no_o church_n or_o a_o false_a church_n whether_o not_o yet_o assemble_v or_o cut_v off_o and_o that_o either_o by_o withdraw_v themselves_o or_o else_o cast_v just_o out_o for_o be_v without_o the_o church_n they_o be_v without_o christ_n and_o be_v without_o christ_n they_o be_v without_o god_n and_o so_o without_o life_n and_o without_o hope_n and_o without_o comfort_n and_o without_o grace_n and_o salvation_n yea_o they_o be_v the_o very_a prey_n and_o slave_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o devil_n and_o eternal_a confusion_n as_o have_v no_o privilege_n nor_o bar_n against_o they_o special_o if_o they_o be_v such_o as_o persecute_v the_o church_n use_v 3_o the_o three_o use_n be_v for_o examination_n to_o teach_v we_o to_o examine_v ourselves_o hereby_o whether_o we_o be_v of_o the_o church_n or_o no._n do_v christ_n jesus_n live_v in_o thou_o by_o his_o spirit_n be_v thou_o join_v to_o he_o do_v thou_o believe_v in_o he_o obey_v he_o submit_v thyself_o to_o his_o ordinance_n and_o direction_n do_v thy_o heart_n tell_v thou_o upon_o good_a ground_n that_o thou_o be_v one_o with_o he_o and_o he_o with_o thou_o then_o thou_o be_v one_o of_o the_o church_n then_o thou_o be_v a_o choose_a vessel_n else_o thou_o be_v but_o a_o reprobate_n 2._o cor._n 13.5_o prove_v yourselves_o whether_o you_o be_v in_o the_o say_v say_v the_o apostle_n examine_v yourselves_o know_v you_o not_o your_o own_o self_n how_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v in_o you_o except_o you_o be_v reprobate_n the_o papist_n not_o feel_n this_o communion_n with_o christ_n that_o he_o be_v in_o they_o as_o none_o can_v feel_v it_o by_o their_o doctrine_n can_v be_v in_o the_o estate_n of_o grace_n for_o wheresoever_o it_o be_v sure_o it_o may_v be_v feel_v by_o the_o spiritual_a man_n four_o this_o teach_v we_o that_o if_o we_o have_v fellowship_n use_v 4_o with_o christ_n than_o we_o must_v look_v for_o affliction_n while_o we_o live_v here_o we_o must_v be_v like_o our_o head_n if_o we_o look_v to_o have_v fellowship_n with_o he_o in_o his_o glo●y_n we_o must_v also_o have_v fellowship_n with_o he_o in_o his_o affliction_n phil._n 3.10_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o we_o shall_v communicate_v with_o he_o in_o the_o sweet_a but_o that_o we_o must_v taste_v of_o the_o sour_a also_o though_o indeed_o affliction_n be_v not_o sour_a but_o to_o the_o outward_a man_n they_o be_v sweet_a to_o the_o inward_a man_n the_o spiritual_a man_n rejoice_v in_o affliction_n because_o they_o b●ing_v forth_o the_o sweet_a fruit_n of_o righteousness_n heb._n
saviour_n answer_v he_o what_o be_v that_o to_o thou_o follow_v thou_o i_o for_o the_o exception_n make_v out_o of_o 1._o joh._n 3.10_o where_o the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v say_v to_o be_v know_v and_o the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n whosoever_o do_v not_o righteousness_n be_v not_o of_o god_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o in_o the_o 2._o joh._n 1._o where_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o lady_n he_o write_v to_o elect_a lady_n and_o in_o the_o 1._o thess_n 1.4_o know_v belove_v say_v the_o apostle_n that_o you_o be_v elect_a of_o god_n these_o and_o such_o like_a place_n be_v thus_o answer_v that_o either_o this_o be_v speak_v out_o of_o a_o charitable_a persuasion_n or_o else_o it_o be_v speak_v so_o of_o all_o because_o some_o be_v so_o for_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o case_n 1._o thes_n 1.4_o or_o if_o he_o have_v any_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o any_o particular_n it_o be_v by_o divine_a revelation_n we_o can_v say_v therefore_o out_o of_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n that_o any_o particular_a man_n be_v a_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n only_o this_o we_o may_v say_v that_o we_o be_v persuade_v upon_o good_a ground_n he_o be_v so_o use_v 2_o second_o the_o papist_n be_v here_o refute_v for_o they_o sin_v horrible_o in_o this_o kind_n in_o that_o they_o pray_v to_o such_o and_o such_o particular_a person_n as_o saint_n whereas_o many_o of_o they_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v be_v damn_v spirit_n in_o hell_n for_o false_a teacher_n may_v be_v know_v by_o their_o fruit_n matth._n 7.19.20_o again_o this_o refute_v three_o other_o error_n of_o popery_n that_o do_v direct_o contradict_v these_o three_o branch_n of_o the_o observation_n first_o they_o make_v predestination_n to_o be_v contingent_a and_o so_o they_o say_v god_n himself_o do_v not_o precise_o know_v who_o be_v he_o for_o if_o predestination_n do_v depend_v upon_o man_n will_n that_o if_o man_n will_v he_o shall_v be_v save_v than_o god_n know_v nothing_o till_o he_o see_v what_o man_n will_v do_v second_o they_o deny_v certainty_n of_o salvation_n and_o so_o the_o faithful_a themselves_o can_v know_v themselves_o to_o be_v god_n they_o will_v have_v no_o man_n say_v certain_o of_o himself_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o yet_o they_o will_v say_v it_o of_o other_o that_o they_o be_v save_v and_o that_o be_v the_o three_o error_n which_o contradict_v the_o three_o branch_n of_o this_o observation_n in_o that_o they_o say_v the_o church_n be_v always_o visible_a and_o so_o general_o other_o may_v know_v who_o be_v true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o themselves_o but_o we_o see_v all_o these_o error_n be_v here_o refute_v by_o this_o doctrine_n wherein_o we_o have_v teach_v and_o prove_v that_o the_o faithful_a be_v only_o know_v to_o god_n and_o themselves_o and_o to_o none_o other_o but_o if_o any_o man_n ask_v i_o how_o then_o shall_v we_o love_v one_o another_o and_o do_v good_a one_o to_o another_o as_o brethren_n if_o we_o know_v not_o who_o be_v brethren_n i_o answer_v we_o must_v persuade_v ourselves_o of_o other_o that_o they_o be_v god_n upon_o good_a ground_n and_o good_a hope_n because_o we_o see_v the_o fruit_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n and_o love_n in_o they_o so_o far_o as_o can_v outward_o be_v discern_v therefore_o we_o must_v be_v persuade_v they_o be_v god_n and_o so_o we_o must_v love_v they_o and_o do_v good_a to_o they_o as_o brethren_n the_o three_o use_n teach_v we_o that_o if_o every_o one_o may_v know_v use_n 3_o himself_o to_o be_v god_n than_o every_o one_o of_o we_o shall_v labour_v to_o learn_v this_o and_o know_v it_o for_o himself_o but_o you_o will_v say_v how_o shall_v we_o know_v this_o i_o answer_v by_o a_o due_a examination_n of_o thyself_o whether_o thou_o have_v god_n spirit_n the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n which_o make_v we_o to_o cry_v abba_n father_n that_o be_v which_o make_v we_o go_v to_o god_n as_o to_o our_o father_n and_o to_o call_v upon_o he_o as_o our_o father_n for_o that_o same_o spirit_n bear_v witness_n to_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n rom._n 8.15_o 16._o and_o in_o the_o 1._o cor._n 2.11_o 12._o what_o man_n say_v the_o apostle_n know_v the_o thing_n of_o man_n save_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v in_o man_n even_o so_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n know_v no_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n now_o we_o have_v receive_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n but_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v of_o god_n that_o we_o may_v know_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v give_v we_o of_o god_n the_o apostle_n say_v no_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o secret_n of_o god_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n now_o this_o be_v one_o of_o god_n secret_n to_o know_v whether_o we_o be_v god_n therefore_o have_v this_o spirit_n we_o may_v know_v ourselves_o to_o be_v go_n and_o that_o we_o may_v further_o seal_v this_o unto_o ourselves_o let_v we_o labour_n to_o make_v our_o election_n sure_a unto_o ourselves_o by_o walk_v in_o good_a work_n strive_v against_o sin_n and_o work_v the_o work_n of_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n which_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o so_o shall_v we_o assure_v our_o heart_n that_o we_o be_v go_n and_o so_o much_o be_v speak_v of_o this_o last_o adjunct_n and_o also_o of_o the_o article_n name_n now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o four_o general_a head_n propound_v to_o be_v handle_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o be_v the_o division_n of_o the_o church_n now_o the_o division_n of_o the_o church_n be_v partly_o of_o the_o name_n and_o partly_o of_o the_o thing_n itself_o first_o of_o the_o name_n the_o name_n be_v doubtful_a and_o carry_v many_o signification_n yea_o and_o many_o contrary_a signification_n and_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v divide_v according_o in_o the_o large_a sense_n it_o may_v be_v apply_v to_o any_o multitude_n or_o company_n of_o people_n whatsoever_o whither_o in_o case_n of_o religion_n or_o not_o in_o case_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o original_a word_n both_o hebrew_n and_o greek_a in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n will_v bear_v it_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n ezek._n 32.22_o there_o the_o name_n be_v apply_v to_o ashur_n and_o his_o company_n to_o a_o company_n of_o man_n not_o in_o case_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o same_o be_v apply_v deut._n 33.4_o in_o case_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o congregation_n of_o jacob_n that_o be_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n nay_o further_o that_o name_n be_v extend_v to_o those_o that_o malicious_o oppose_v the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o oppose_v religion_n psalm_n 26.5_o i_o have_v hate_v the_o assembly_n or_o church_n of_o the_o wicked_a so_o that_o the_o hebrew_n word_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n bear_v it_o as_o well_o for_o a_o company_n not_o in_o case_n of_o religion_n as_o for_o a_o company_n in_o case_n of_o religion_n so_o likewise_o the_o greek_a word_n ecclesia_fw-la in_o the_o new_a testament_n bear_v it_o in_o this_o general_a sense_n as_o act._n 19.32_o where_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o a_o disorder_a assembly_n in_o a_o case_n of_o mutiny_n the_o assembly_n that_o be_v the_o church_n be_v out_o of_o order_n and_o in_o the_o act._n 2.47_o the_o same_o word_n be_v apply_v to_o the_o company_n of_o believer_n that_o be_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n so_o we_o see_v how_o this_o word_n have_v be_v apply_v in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o any_o multitude_n or_o company_n of_o people_n whatsoever_o either_o in_o case_n or_o not_o in_o case_n of_o religion_n yea_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v restrain_v in_o ordinary_a use_n of_o speech_n and_o so_o have_v be_v for_o many_o year_n unto_o a_o company_n of_o people_n as_o profess_v some_o certain_a religion_n whatsoever_o religion_n it_o be_v the_o church_n be_v according_o so_o call_v for_o there_o be_v a_o true_a religion_n and_o every_o church_n that_o embrace_v that_o religion_n be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o again_o there_o be_v false_a religion_n and_o they_o that_o embrace_v any_o of_o they_o be_v false_a church_n so_o every_o church_n receive_v her_o denomination_n from_o the_o religion_n she_o embrace_v as_o for_o example_n we_o call_v those_o jew_n which_o be_v bear_v jew_n but_o those_o only_o be_v of_o the_o jewish_a church_n which_o embrace_v the_o jewish_a religion_n so_o that_o if_o a_o jew_n bear_v do_v embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n he_o be_v not_o of_o the_o jewish_a church_n though_o he_o be_v of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n yet_o he_o be_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n so_o likewise_o if_o a_o man_n be_v a_o
bellarmine_n tend_v direct_o hereto_o and_o they_o labour_v to_o prove_v it_o with_o all_o their_o power_n and_o it_o stand_v they_o upon_o for_o if_o this_o do_v not_o stand_v the_o whole_a form_n of_o their_o church_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n for_o whereas_o they_o say_v the_o true_a church_n be_v always_o notorious_o visible_a and_o therefore_o their_o church_n be_v so_o be_v the_o true_a church_n we_o say_v and_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n be_v sometime_o bring_v into_o such_o straits_n that_o the_o outward_a face_n thereof_o do_v not_o at_o all_o or_o at_o least_o do_v hardly_o appear_v and_o therefore_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o if_o their_o church_n have_v and_o shall_v be_v always_o notorious_o visible_a then_o they_o be_v not_o the_o true_a church_n their_o exception_n be_v of_o small_a moment_n if_o they_o be_v well_o consider_v i_o will_v stand_v but_o upon_o two_o or_o three_o of_o the_o chief_a answer_v they_o allege_v out_o of_o the_o five_o of_o matthew_n and_o the_o fourteen_o verse_n that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n now_o the_o light_n be_v always_o see_v therefore_o the_o church_n be_v always_o see_v i_o answer_v this_o be_v speak_v personal_o to_o the_o disciple_n you_o be_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v extend_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n to_o be_v practise_v by_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o walk_v offensive_o to_o the_o world_n but_o rather_o to_o provoke_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n by_o the_o light_n of_o their_o good_a example_n how_o do_v this_o serve_v then_o to_o prove_v the_o continual_a visiblenesse_n of_o the_o church_n beside_o i_o say_v that_o a_o light_n may_v be_v eclipse_v for_o a_o time_n and_o yet_o be_v a_o light_n still_o the_o moon_n be_v a_o light_n and_o yet_o not_o always_o visible_a for_o sometime_o it_o be_v eclipse_v and_o yet_o then_o it_o be_v as_o good_a a_o light_n as_o when_o it_o be_v in_o her_o full_a brightness_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o church_n it_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v always_o visible_a because_o it_o be_v a_o light_n further_n i_o say_v that_o by_o that_o reason_n their_o life_n for_o that_o be_v as_o well_o if_o not_o chief_o understand_v by_o the_o light_n as_o vers_n 16._o be_v also_o without_o error_n too_o as_o well_o as_o their_o doctrine_n and_o that_o always_o which_o be_v not_o so_o last_o if_o it_o do_v give_v light_a always_o yet_o it_o be_v but_o to_o those_o that_o be_v in_o the_o house_n verse_n 15._o that_o be_v to_o those_o that_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o we_o easy_o grant_v but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o prove_v the_o notorious_a visiblenesse_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o world_n 18.17_o second_o they_o allege_v the_o eighteen_o of_o matthew_n and_o the_o seventeen_o vers_fw-la where_o our_o saviour_n say_v tell_v the_o church_n and_o therefore_o there_o must_v be_v always_o a_o visible_a church_n mark_v say_v campian_n here_o be_v a_o remedy_n for_o a_o disease_n now_o the_o disease_n remain_v always_o and_o therefore_o the_o remedy_n must_v always_o remain_v i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v a_o remedy_n for_o those_o that_o lie_v in_o such_o a_o state_n there_o speak_v of_o and_o in_o some_o sense_n it_o be_v always_o perform_v even_o when_o two_o or_o three_o be_v join_v together_o in_o the_o faith_n though_o there_o be_v no_o know_a visibility_n they_o may_v tell_v one_o another_o for_o it_o be_v not_o here_o mean_v that_o they_o shall_v appeal_v to_o rome_n 10.10_o their_o three_o exception_n be_v this_o but_o say_v they_o they_o that_o believe_v be_v they_o few_o or_o many_o must_v make_v profession_n of_o their_o faith_n else_o they_o can_v be_v save_v rom._n 10.10_o now_o if_o they_o must_v always_o make_v profession_n than_o they_o be_v always_o see_v and_o so_o the_o church_n be_v alwayy_n visible_a i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a they_o must_v profess_v always_o and_o so_o they_o do_v except_o it_o be_v in_o time_n of_o their_o infirmity_n but_o must_v they_o do_v it_o to_o all_o the_o world_n no_o they_o may_v do_v it_o among_o themselves_o always_o though_o there_o be_v but_o two_o or_o three_o of_o they_o yea_o and_o when_o they_o be_v many_o they_o may_v do_v it_o to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n too_o if_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a danger_n in_o it_o yea_o though_o there_o be_v certain_a danger_n in_o it_o yet_o if_o they_o have_v a_o call_n to_o it_o they_o be_v resolute_a even_o to_o die_v for_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o and_o that_o be_v as_o much_o profession_n as_o be_v require_v and_o yet_o because_o their_o number_n be_v but_o few_o and_o that_o they_o live_v in_o certain_a place_n and_o be_v in_o this_o case_n for_o the_o most_o part_n obscure_v and_o simple_a man_n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o any_o such_o general_a notice_n shall_v be_v take_v of_o they_o and_o those_o that_o do_v hear_v of_o they_o or_o see_v they_o be_v usual_o little_o move_v by_o their_o example_n at_o least_o they_o be_v seldom_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o so_o join_v with_o they_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o such_o perpetual_a notorious_a visiblenesse_n of_o the_o church_n as_o they_o will_v have_v we_o will_v return_v upon_o they_o with_o these_o two_o point_n and_o choke_v they_o with_o these_o two_o bone_n first_o we_o ask_v they_o where_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v when_o antichrist_n come_v for_o they_o themselves_o confess_v that_o in_o antichrists_n time_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o desolation_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o by_o their_o own_o confession_n it_o may_v and_o shall_v be_v sometime_o invisible_a yea_o but_o say_v they_o we_o be_v the_o true_a church_n still_o though_o it_o be_v then_o obscure_v and_o we_o say_v then_o that_o antichrist_n be_v come_v and_o our_o church_n obscure_v therefore_o by_o their_o own_o reason_n our_o church_n be_v the_o true_a church_n the_o second_o be_v from_o their_o church_n which_o they_o have_v here_o among_o we_o they_o have_v a_o church_n here_o among_o we_o here_o be_v papist_n and_o mass_n archpriest_n and_o priest_n this_o themselves_o will_v not_o deny_v nay_o they_o boast_v of_o it_o sometime_o yet_o be_v their_o church_n visible_a among_o we_o they_o will_v not_o affirm_v it_o at_o least_o they_o will_v not_o say_v it_o be_v visible_a in_o their_o sense_n that_o be_v that_o the_o world_n may_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o neither_o be_v it_o ever_o countenance_v nor_o tolerate_v in_o our_o state_n so_o that_o in_o our_o sense_n and_o to_o we_o it_o be_v invisible_a and_o so_o may_v our_o church_n be_v to_o they_o the_o second_o use_n be_v for_o admonition_n to_o admonish_v we_o that_o use_v 2_o we_o shall_v not_o always_o expect_v a_o glorious_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n outward_o this_o be_v for_o 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outward_a face_n nor_o appearance_n of_o it_o to_o man_n it_o be_v true_a that_o it_o be_v for_o our_o sin_n that_o the_o church_n be_v so_o distress_a and_o god_n glory_n so_o hide_v and_o true_a religion_n so_o decay_v and_o therefore_o we_o be_v to_o grieve_v for_o our_o sin_n but_o yet_o this_o be_v our_o comfort_n that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o bad_a as_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o his_o religion_n have_v then_o as_o true_a a_o be_v as_o ever_o they_o have_v though_o not_o in_o that_o evidence_n and_o approbation_n before_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o though_o thou_o see_v it_o not_o yet_o god_n see_v it_o elias_n poor_a man_n see_v none_o leave_v with_o who_o he_o may_v join_v but_o god_n see_v many_o thousand_o what_o if_o all_o be_v so_o desolate_a as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o time_n that_o thou_o can_v see_v none_o of_o god_n church_n but_o thyself_o that_o thou_o can_v see_v no_o visible_a society_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o thou_o 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as_o also_o for_o this_o point_n the_o nine_o lecture_n of_o the_o church_n the_o last_o general_a point_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v concern_v the_o division_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o we_o show_v that_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v in_o itself_o in_o many_o respect_n the_o last_o whereof_o be_v this_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o outward_a state_n of_o it_o in_o the_o eye_n and_o appearance_n to_o the_o world_n in_o this_o state_n we_o show_v that_o it_o be_v sometime_o visible_a to_o be_v see_v by_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n and_o sometime_o invisible_a not_o to_o be_v see_v at_o all_o or_o at_o least_o very_a hardly_o to_o be_v see_v of_o the_o invisible_a state_n of_o the_o church_n we_o have_v speak_v already_o in_o the_o last_o lecture_n now_o it_o remain_v that_o by_o god_n assistance_n we_o speak_v of_o the_o visible_a church_n for_o that_o be_v the_o point_n chief_o in_o question_n therefore_o leave_v the_o invisible_a church_n to_o god_n he_o only_o know_v who_o be_v his_o 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of_o it_o to_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v know_v to_o us._n first_o for_o the_o definition_n of_o it_o it_o be_v this_o namely_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n be_v a_o company_n of_o people_n call_v it_o and_o join_v together_o in_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n mark_v the_o part_n of_o this_o definition_n first_o that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o church_n they_o must_v be_v a_o company_n of_o people_n call_v second_o that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o visible_a church_n they_o must_v join_v together_o in_o public_a profession_n and_o three_o that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o true_a church_n they_o must_v profess_v the_o true_a religion_n for_o the_o first_o they_o must_v be_v a_o company_n for_o one_o man_n can_v make_v a_o church_n a_o church_n be_v as_o much_o to_o say_v as_o a_o congregation_n and_o a_o congregation_n consist_v of_o diverse_a person_n one_o man_n can_v make_v a_o congregation_n and_o therefore_o one_o man_n can_v make_v a_o church_n now_o whether_o this_o company_n be_v great_a or_o small_a three_o thousand_o or_o but_o three_o it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v a_o company_n more_o or_o few_o if_o they_o be_v so_o qualify_v as_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o definition_n require_v they_o be_v a_o church_n second_o it_o be_v a_o company_n call_v for_o so_o you_o may_v remember_v that_o i_o show_v you_o before_o that_o church_n have_v her_o name_n in_o the_o greek_a from_o call_v now_o whereas_o there_o be_v a_o double_a call_n one_o outward_a the_o oath_n inward_a those_o that_o have_v only_o a_o outward_a calling_n be_v visible_a member_n if_o they_o obey_v the_o outward_a call_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v they_o to_o be_v repute_v in_o the_o church_n but_o if_o they_o be_v true_a and_o saving-member_n of_o the_o church_n ordinary_o they_o must_v be_v call_v not_o outward_o only_a but_o inward_o too_o and_o must_v yield_v obedience_n unto_o both_o three_o a_o company_n 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must_v be_v a_o company_n call_v to_o the_o profession_n of_o religion_n so_o they_o must_v join_v together_o in_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o it_o wherein_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n first_o that_o they_o must_v make_v profession_n second_o that_o their_o profession_n must_v be_v public_a three_o that_o they_o must_v join_v together_o in_o this_o public_a profession_n first_o there_o must_v be_v a_o profession_n for_o a_o church_n be_v visible_a only_o so_o far_o forth_o as_o their_o faith_n and_o religion_n be_v visible_a but_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v discern_v but_o by_o their_o profession_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n be_v not_o visible_a but_o only_o by_o profession_n so_o then_o there_o must_v be_v a_o
this_o as_o a_o general_a ground_n that_o the_o only_a way_n whereby_o we_o be_v to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v by_o the_o true_a visible_a church_n which_o may_v be_v true_a in_o some_o sense_n but_o not_o in_o this_o and_o their_o reach_n herein_o be_v to_o make_v all_o the_o christian_a world_n to_o suspend_v themselves_o upon_o their_o church_n as_o that_o be_v always_o visible_a and_o so_o to_o receive_v that_o religion_n and_o none_o but_o that_o which_o their_o church_n do_v teach_v for_o say_v they_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a religion_n but_o by_o the_o true_a visible_a church_n but_o we_o be_v the_o true_a visible_a church_n therefore_o if_o ever_o you_o will_v find_v out_o the_o true_a religion_n you_o must_v find_v it_o out_o by_o our_o church_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n be_v a_o good_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v assist_v with_o the_o continual_a 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therefore_o here_o be_v the_o true_a religion_n which_o be_v but_o to_o reason_n from_o the_o effect_n to_o the_o cause_n this_o we_o shall_v find_v to_o be_v true_a in_o the_o scripture_n phrase_n where_o the_o church_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o candlestick_n now_o what_o serve_v that_o for_o but_o only_o to_o hold_v out_o the_o light_n then_o the_o save_a truth_n be_v the_o light_n or_o candle_n now_o the_o candlestick_n be_v not_o see_v at_o all_o without_o the_o light_n of_o the_o candle_n in_o the_o dark_a night_n though_o it_o be_v of_o gold_n so_o in_o the_o darkness_n of_o this_o world_n the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o candlestick_n if_o it_o hold_v not_o forth_o the_o save_a truth_n which_o be_v the_o light_n or_o candle_n it_o can_v be_v see_v itself_o so_o that_o it_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n that_o make_v a_o true_a church_n and_o the_o profession_n of_o this_o truth_n make_v it_o visible_a then_o the_o church_n be_v not_o the_o only_a way_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a religion_n nor_o yet_o the_o best_a way_n but_o the_o best_a and_o safe_a way_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a visible_a church_n be_v to_o find_v it_o out_o by_o the_o true_a religion_n which_o they_o profess_v and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o reproof_n of_o the_o papist_n use_v 2_o the_o second_o use_n be_v for_o trial_n be_v it_o so_o that_o every_o congregation_n open_o profess_v the_o save_a truth_n of_o god_n be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n then_o here_o be_v the_o straight_a and_o precise_a rule_n to_o measure_v the_o be_v of_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n by_o the_o definition_n contain_v all_o true_a visible_a church_n and_o no_o more_o therefore_o look_v wheresoever_o the_o true_a save_a faith_n be_v profess_v there_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n and_o look_v where_o there_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n there_o true_a save_a faith_n be_v profess_v for_o these_o hold_n in_o reciprocal_a term_n so_o that_o whether_o we_o will_v prove_v any_o assembly_n to_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n or_o reprove_v and_o convince_v any_o for_o a_o false_a we_o must_v lay_v it_o to_o this_o rule_n so_o whether_o they_o profess_v the_o save_a truth_n of_o christ_n or_o not_o and_o according_o esteem_n and_o judge_v of_o they_o to_o be_v true_a or_o false_a church_n here_o certain_a exception_n may_v be_v make_v to_o this_o doctrine_n the_o first_o exception_n be_v this_o what_o 1._o do_v you_o say_v that_o a_o company_n profess_v the_o save_a truth_n make_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n will_v profession_n only_o make_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n i_o answer_v no_o first_o it_o be_v require_v answ_n that_o the_o save_a truth_n be_v among_o they_o indeed_o else_o they_o be_v no_o true_a church_n second_o that_o be_v among_o they_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v smother_v but_o profess_v three_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o outward_o profess_v but_o inward_o embrace_v too_o at_o least_o by_o some_o of_o they_o rom._n 10.10_o 2._o the_o second_o exception_n be_v this_o but_o what_o say_v you_o if_o they_o profess_v it_o with_o their_o lip_n and_o deny_v it_o in_o their_o life_n and_o practice_n be_v such_o a_o church_n a_o true_a visible_a church_n i_o answer_v answ_n a_o fearful_a state_n be_v all_o such_o church_n in_o for_o god_n can_v be_v more_o dishonour_v his_o spirit_n more_o grieve_v his_o gospel_n more_o reproach_v his_o child_n more_o offend_v satan_n and_o all_o god_n enemy_n more_o gratify_v and_o advantage_v then_o by_o this_o yet_o far_o be_v it_o from_o we_o to_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n so_o long_o as_o god_n save_v truth_n be_v profess_v among_o they_o it_o can_v be_v though_o there_o be_v never_o so_o great_a and_o general_a a_o fall_n away_o from_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o but_o that_o some_o do_v live_v as_o they_o profess_v though_o they_o be_v not_o see_v to_o us._n and_o therefore_o for_o their_o sake_n though_o they_o be_v but_o few_o and_o not_o to_o be_v outward_o discern_v it_o be_v to_o be_v repute_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n though_o a_o very_a corrupt_a and_o impure_a one_o 3._o the_o three_o exception_n but_o what_o say_v you_o of_o such_o a_o church_n which_o though_o they_o profess_v the_o whole_a save_a faith_n yet_o they_o do_v in_o certain_a some_o cross_a opinion_n which_o overthrow_n it_o answ_n i_o answer_v we_o must_v consider_v what_o manner_n of_o opinion_n these_o be_v which_o that_o church_n hold_v first_o whether_o they_o be_v such_o as_o overthrow_v the_o foundation_n second_o whether_o they_o be_v public_o profess_v as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o church_n three_o whether_o they_o be_v persist_v in_o after_o they_o have_v be_v admonish_v by_o
and_o burn_v up_o god_n water_v it_o and_o make_v it_o fruitful_a who_o shall_v hinder_v the_o growth_n and_o increase_n thereof_o sure_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v his_o own_o work_n to_o be_v hinder_v by_o any_o power_n in_o the_o world_n if_o this_o be_v well_o consider_v it_o will_v dismay_v the_o adversary_n of_o the_o church_n and_o even_o daunt_v satan_n himself_o for_o they_o know_v beforehand_o that_o they_o be_v fighter_n against_o god_n yea_o against_o his_o special_a hand_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v prevail_v the_o wicked_a after_o the_o flood_n when_o they_o build_v the_o tower_n of_o babel_n they_o fight_v against_o god_n but_o they_o can_v not_o prevail_v it_o turn_v to_o their_o confusion_n but_o these_o fight_n against_o god_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n and_o therefore_o this_o be_v our_o comfort_n they_o shall_v never_o prevail_v though_o they_o band_n themselves_o together_o against_o the_o lord_n and_o against_o his_o church_n yet_o all_o they_o do_v be_v but_o the_o imagination_n of_o a_o vain_a thing_n because_o it_o be_v against_o god_n and_o against_o his_o people_n this_o shall_v comfort_v the_o faithful_a in_o all_o their_o persecution_n temptation_n and_o distress_n whatsoever_o because_o that_o they_o be_v build_v by_o god_n own_o hand_n and_o therefore_o like_o mount_n zion_n they_o shall_v stand_v fast_o for_o ever_o and_o never_o be_v remove_v and_o likewise_o they_o be_v continual_o assist_v by_o god_n hand_n so_o that_o their_o enemy_n can_v hurt_v they_o as_o the_o mountain_n be_v about_o jerusalem_n so_o the_o lord_n be_v about_o his_o people_n from_o henceforth_o and_o for_o ever_o psal_n 125.1_o 2._o so_o much_o of_o the_o first_o observation_n arise_v from_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n the_o next_o point_n arise_v hence_o be_v this_o that_o wheresoever_o doct._n 2_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o a_o true_a church_n be_v effectual_a and_o that_o by_o the_o ordinary_a blessing_n of_o god_n they_o have_v their_o due_a success_n there_o certain_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n first_o i_o say_v where_o they_o be_v effectual_a for_o sometime_o the_o cause_n may_v be_v present_a yet_o not_o effectual_a or_o at_o least_o very_a little_a effectual_a but_o where_o they_o be_v effectual_a only_o there_o they_o cause_v a_o church_n second_o i_o say_v by_o the_o ordinary_a blessing_n of_o god_n for_o extraordinary_a blessing_n and_o success_n do_v not_o sufficient_o prove_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n the_o point_n be_v clear_a in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 2._o from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n the_o cause_n of_o a_o church_n be_v there_o as_o we_o show_v before_o and_o they_o be_v effectual_a verse_n 41._o they_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v ordinary_o effectual_a verse_n 47._o the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n from_o day_n to_o day_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o so_o it_o be_v call_v in_o that_o verse_n 47._o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n act._n 11._o from_o 20._o to_o 26._o verse_n there_o be_v the_o mean_n the_o word_n and_o the_o minister_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v effectual_a for_o they_o believe_v and_o it_o be_v ordinary_o effectual_a for_o a_o great_a number_n believe_v and_o turn_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v a_o church_n and_o be_v also_o so_o call_v vers_fw-la 26._o so_o likewise_o in_o the_o 1_o cor._n 1.2_o unto_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o corinthus_n to_o they_o that_o be_v sanctify_v in_o christ_n jesus_n saint_n by_o calling_n etc._n etc._n they_o have_v a_o call_v then_o and_o this_o be_v effectual_a for_o they_o be_v sanctify_v in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o so_o be_v a_o true_a church_n the_o case_n be_v thus_o in_o the_o seven_o church_n revel_v 1.16_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n there_o be_v the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n that_o be_v seven_o true_a visible_a church_n and_o there_o be_v the_o son_n of_o man_n that_o be_v christ_n walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o there_o be_v the_o star_n that_o be_v his_o minister_n uphold_v in_o his_o right_a hand_n and_o a_o two-edged_a sword_n come_v out_o of_o his_o mouth_n that_o be_v his_o word_n and_o the_o power_n thereof_o for_o so_o the_o word_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o two-edged_a sword_n heb_n 4.12_o and_o these_o be_v effectual_a too_o the_o star_n be_v uphold_v and_o it_o be_v a_o sharp_a two-edged_a sword_n so_o where_o these_o be_v thus_o effectual_a there_o be_v a_o golden_a candlestick_n that_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n reas_n 1_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o point_n be_v these_o first_o the_o cause_n do_v always_o prove_v the_o effect_n necessary_o where_o it_o have_v her_o work_n and_o be_v not_o resist_v now_o here_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o true_a church_n and_o their_o work_n be_v not_o resist_v therefore_o here_o be_v the_o effect_n too_o that_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n second_o where_o these_o cause_n be_v there_o be_v the_o definition_n reas_n 2_o of_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n that_o be_v a_o company_n of_o people_n profess_v joint_o the_o save_a truth_n now_o where_o these_o be_v there_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n three_o whosoever_o live_v in_o such_o a_o church_n where_o these_o reas_n 3_o cause_n be_v walk_v in_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n and_o be_v careful_a and_o conscionable_a to_o obey_v these_o mean_n he_o be_v certain_o save_v and_o on_o the_o contrary_a whosoever_o live_v out_o of_o such_o a_o church_n and_o do_v not_o obey_v these_o mean_n ordinary_o he_o can_v be_v save_v then_o where_o these_o be_v must_v needs_o be_v a_o true_a church_n for_o without_o the_o church_n ordinary_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n but_o our_o adversary_n that_o we_o have_v principal_o to_o deal_v against_o in_o this_o case_n confess_v it_o that_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n be_v the_o instrument_n and_o mean_n of_o constitute_v the_o church_n and_o conserve_n it_o therefore_o we_o will_v stand_v no_o long_o on_o the_o proof_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o point_n the_o use_v be_v these_o first_o this_o serve_v to_o justify_v our_o church_n use_v 1_o to_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n separation_n against_o the_o separation_n that_o deny_v it_o for_o by_o this_o it_o appear_v we_o have_v a_o true_a church_n because_o that_o we_o have_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o true_a church_n and_o because_o they_o be_v effectual_a yea_o and_o ordinary_o effectual_a among_o us._n if_o they_o except_v against_o we_o they_o must_v deny_v and_o say_v either_o that_o we_o have_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o a_o true_a church_n among_o we_o or_o that_o these_o cause_n be_v not_o effectual_a or_o else_o that_o they_o be_v not_o ordinary_o effectual_a among_o us._n some_o deny_v some_o of_o these_o and_o some_o deny_v all_o of_o they_o and_o therefore_o say_v we_o be_v no_o true_a church_n if_o they_o say_v we_o have_v not_o the_o mean_n discipline_n we_o answer_v that_o we_o have_v through_o god_n mercy_n the_o word_n and_o the_o sacrament_n and_o minister_n and_o gift_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n and_o mean_n of_o a_o church_n yea_o but_o say_v they_o you_o have_v not_o all_o god_n ordinance_n among_o you_o you_o want_v discipline_n etc._n etc._n i_o answer_v first_o we_o only_o wait_v to_o see_v they_o prove_v by_o the_o word_n to_o be_v god_n ordinance_n which_o they_o so_o much_o require_v answ_n and_o then_o we_o will_v receive_v they_o with_o both_o hand_n as_o we_o have_v do_v great_a thing_n second_o i_o answer_v if_o we_o shall_v not_o receive_v they_o yet_o we_o may_v be_v a_o true_a church_n though_o happy_o not_o so_o pure_a and_o perfect_a a_o church_n for_o discipline_n be_v not_o a_o matter_n of_o substance_n to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n but_o to_o the_o well-being_n only_o object_n yea_o but_o say_v they_o though_o you_o have_v the_o word_n among_o you_o call_v yet_o you_o have_v it_o not_o out_o of_o the_o lord_n mouth_n for_o your_o minister_n have_v not_o a_o true_a call_n they_o be_v not_o call_v and_o send_v of_o god_n i_o answer_v that_o extraordinary_a call_n we_o neither_o have_v answ_n nor_o look_v for_o but_o such_o ordinary_a call_n as_o ordinary_a minister_n have_v have_v in_o any_o church_n since_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n we_o have_v the_o same_o let_v they_o show_v we_o any_o since_o that_o time_n and_o we_o will_v prove_v that_o we_o be_v answerable_a to_o it_o therefore_o if_o we_o be_v not_o a_o true_a visible_a church_n than_o there_o be_v never_o any_o since_o the_o apostle_n death_n yea_o object_n but_o say_v they_o you_o have_v your_o call_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n rome_n i_o
church_n so_o that_o in_o joh._n 21._o where_o our_o saviour_n say_v three_o time_n to_o peter_n feed_v my_o sheep_n etc._n etc._n what_o a_o slight_a ground_n be_v this_o to_o build_v the_o headship_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o and_o if_o they_o ask_v then_o why_o christ_n shall_v thus_o press_v it_o upon_o peter_n so_o often_o the_o father_n answer_v they_o that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o special_a charge_n bind_v to_o duty_n not_o any_o universal_a authority_n or_o jurisdiction_n press_v thrice_o upon_o he_o for_o his_o former_a threefold_a denial_n of_o christ_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v the_o more_o careful_a for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v else_o the_o charge_n be_v alike_o to_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o any_o of_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o feed_v the_o sheep_n of_o christ_n as_o well_o as_o he_o the_o apostle_n give_v this_o charge_n to_o all_o minister_n 1_o pet._n 5.2_o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n yea_o but_o peter_n be_v the_o rock_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n christ_n will_v build_v his_o church_n 16.18_o matth._n 16.18_o i_o answer_v if_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o peter_n than_o it_o be_v either_o build_v upon_o his_o person_n or_o upon_o his_o confession_n but_o it_o be_v not_o build_v upon_o his_o person_n for_o then_o when_o he_o die_v the_o church_n must_v have_v fail_v too_o therefore_o the_o place_n must_v be_v understand_v of_o peter_n confession_n or_o of_o his_o faith_n or_o of_o that_o christ_n which_o he_o confess_v christ_n build_v his_o church_n on_o the_o confession_n of_o peter_n faith_n because_o himself_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o his_o confession_n etc._n etc._n peter_n confession_n of_o his_o faith_n be_v the_o rock_n in_o make_v know_v the_o church_n but_o christ_n himself_o be_v the_o rock_n as_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o that_o his_o confession_n so_o that_o the_o church_n be_v not_o build_v upon_o peter_n person_n and_o if_o it_o have_v what_o be_v that_o to_o the_o pope_n unless_o they_o can_v prove_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o that_o peter_n sit_v at_o rome_n as_o head_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n second_o that_o he_o intend_v to_o leave_v his_o headship_n to_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n and_o to_o none_o other_o which_o be_v a_o mere_a fancy_n and_o device_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n for_o which_o they_o have_v no_o colour_n so_o then_o christ_n never_o give_v peter_n much_o less_o the_o pope_n this_o headship_n second_o it_o as_o christ_n never_o do_v give_v it_o so_o he_o say_v express_o he_o never_o will_v give_v it_o luk._n 22.25_o 26._o our_o saviour_n say_v to_o his_o disciple_n that_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o the_o gentile_n to_o be_v lord_n and_o to_o reign_v one_o over_o another_o but_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o among_o you_o say_v he_o so_o that_o christ_n check_v they_o for_o have_v but_o a_o conceit_n of_o superiority_n so_o far_o be_v he_o from_o give_v it_o to_o any_o of_o they_o further_o this_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o christ_n glory_n as_o he_o be_v mediator_n to_o be_v head_n of_o his_o church_n he_o will_v not_o give_v it_o to_o any_o other_o isai_n 48.11_o my_o glory_n will_v i_o not_o give_v to_o another_o and_o as_o christ_n never_o give_v this_o nor_o mean_v to_o give_v it_o to_o any_o other_o so_o no_o man_n be_v able_a to_o wield_v or_o sway_v it_o it_o no_o more_o than_o any_o one_o temporal_a governor_n can_v rule_v all_o the_o kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n no_o this_o power_n be_v reserve_v only_o to_o he_o that_o make_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o all_o thing_n therein_o so_o that_o we_o see_v they_o overreach_v in_o say_v the_o pope_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o universal_a visible_a church_n second_o christ_n they_o overreach_v as_o far_o in_o say_v he_o be_v the_o head_n if_o you_o ask_v they_o what_o head_n they_o mean_v they_o will_v say_v only_o a_o ministerial_a head_n under_o christ_n here_o be_v some_o show_n of_o modesty_n but_o ask_v they_o further_o what_o power_n they_o ascribe_v to_o he_o head_n and_o then_o they_o bewray_v themselves_o for_o they_o say_v that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n through_o the_o world_n depend_v on_o he_o that_o he_o have_v power_n and_o authority_n to_o judge_v and_o determine_v of_o all_o cause_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n to_o rule_v counsel_n to_o order_v bishop_n and_o pastor_n to_o excommunicate_v and_o to_o suspend_v and_o to_o inflict_v other_o penalty_n upon_o offender_n yea_o whatsoever_o concern_v either_o preach_n of_o doctrine_n or_o the_o practice_n of_o discipline_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n the_o power_n of_o govern_v in_o all_o such_o cause_n they_o say_v lie_v in_o the_o pope_n be_v this_o to_o be_v a_o ministerial_a head_n this_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v a_o absolute_a supreme_a head_n if_o by_o head_n they_o mean_v only_o some_o chief_a governor_n the_o name_n head_n in_o that_o sense_n may_v agree_v to_o some_o one_o man_n in_o respect_n of_o some_o one_o particular_a place_n for_o so_o the_o scripture_n use_v the_o word_n in_o other_o case_n in_o the_o 1_o cor._n 11.3_o the_o man_n be_v the_o woman_n head_n etc._n etc._n but_o never_o in_o this_o case_n for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n do_v this_o transcendent_a power_n by_o they_o ascribe_v to_o the_o pope_n be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o christ_n own_o power_n and_o can_v never_o agree_v to_o any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n for_o christ_n be_v the_o only_a doctor_n of_o his_o church_n mat._n 23.8_o 10._o how_o then_o can_v the_o pope_n determine_v all_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o this_o to_o make_v he_o a_o great_a doctor_n yea_o the_o only_a doctor_n no_o say_v they_o for_o he_o do_v it_o but_o under_o christ_n but_o he_o do_v it_o of_o himself_o if_o the_o pope_n in_o controversy_n will_v take_v christ_n book_n and_o use_v prayer_n to_o god_n for_o direction_n therein_o and_o in_o humility_n and_o sincere_a love_n of_o the_o truth_n will_v examine_v every_o cause_n and_o so_o judge_v there_o be_v some_o hope_n that_o he_o will_v do_v many_o thing_n well_o and_o that_o he_o will_v judge_v right_o as_o in_o christ_n stead_n and_o so_o honour_v his_o master_n and_o do_v good_a service_n to_o the_o church_n but_o first_o he_o take_v no_o such_o course_n but_o mingle_v with_o the_o word_n and_o use_v his_o own_o canon_n in_o stead_n of_o the_o word_n and_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o use_v prayer_n to_o god_n for_o direction_n as_o that_o he_o presume_v the_o truth_n be_v tie_v to_o his_o chair_n and_o therefore_o that_o he_o can_v err_v in_o any_o of_o his_o sentence_n likewise_o he_o be_v sinister_o affect_v to_o the_o truth_n frame_v it_o to_o the_o state_n and_o practice_n of_o his_o own_o church_n and_o according_o he_o judge_n and_o pronounce_v second_o if_o he_o shall_v take_v the_o former_a course_n yet_o his_o reach_n be_v not_o infinite_a he_o can_v judge_v right_o in_o all_o cause_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n for_o no_o one_o man_n that_o ever_o be_v christ_n jesus_n only_o except_v and_o his_o apostle_n that_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o all_o truth_n therefore_o every_o pope_n in_o particular_a must_v be_v at_o least_o as_o one_o of_o the_o apostle_n nay_o he_o must_v be_v as_o christ_n be_v for_o if_o the_o apostle_n can_v do_v it_o yet_o they_o have_v fellow_n paul_n as_o well_o as_o peter_n can_v do_v this_o church_n but_o the_o pope_n be_v without_o any_o fellow_n yea_o he_o will_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o apostle_n own_o doctrine_n and_o write_n so_o that_o though_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v peter_n successor_n only_o yet_o upon_o the_o point_n he_o take_v on_o he_o to_o be_v peter_n master_n even_o to_o be_v christ_n &_o so_o prove_v himself_o to_o be_v very_a antichrist_n yea_o and_o he_o not_o only_o take_v upon_o he_o christ_n office_n but_o he_o take_v his_o name_n upon_o he_o also_o he_o call_v himself_o the_o chief_a shepherd_n which_o name_n be_v proper_a to_o christ_n only_o 1_o pet._n 5.4_o what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o step_v into_o the_o throne_n of_o christ_n but_o they_o except_v against_o we_o and_o say_v do_v you_o find_v fault_n with_o we_o for_o say_v the_o pope_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n why_o you_o yourselves_o make_v the_o king_n supreme_a head_n of_o the_o church_n i_o answer_v how_o do_v we_o say_v the_o king_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n as_o they_o say_v the_o pope_n be_v no_o but_o we_o say_v the_o king_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n within_o his_o jurisdiction_n to_o see_v god_n religion_n maintain_v answ_n and_o to_o see_v the_o
notwithstanding_o because_o that_o by_o the_o sweetness_n of_o that_o little_a religion_n they_o have_v they_o be_v whet_v on_o to_o a_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o more_o and_o do_v unfeigned_o seek_v and_o desire_v to_o be_v further_a partaker_n of_o the_o church_n communion_n therefore_o they_o be_v in_o respect_n partly_o of_o those_o beginning_n and_o taste_n which_o they_o have_v of_o religion_n and_o partly_o of_o those_o desire_n to_o be_v further_a partaker_n of_o the_o church_n communion_n they_o be_v i_o say_v in_o this_o respect_n true_a member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n by_o right_n though_o not_o by_o possession_n of_o this_o sort_n be_v those_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o be_v call_v catechumeni_fw-la or_o novice_n that_o begin_v to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n that_o upon_o their_o further_a growth_n and_o fitness_n they_o may_v soon_o after_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o baptism_n and_o so_o become_v member_n by_o 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convenient_o be_v have_v for_o if_o it_o be_v neglect_v or_o contemn_v where_o it_o may_v convenient_o be_v have_v it_o be_v sin_n but_o if_o it_o can_v convenient_o be_v have_v and_o so_o they_o die_v before_o they_o be_v baptize_v these_o be_v member_n by_o right_a though_o not_o by_o possession_n they_o have_v no_o possession_n among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n because_o they_o be_v not_o baptize_v yet_o be_v bear_v within_o the_o covenant_n we_o be_v charitable_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v a_o holy_a seed_n and_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v they_o to_o have_v a_o right_n among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n a_o four_o sort_n be_v those_o that_o have_v true_a repentance_n and_o faith_n in_o christ_n beget_v in_o they_o in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n as_o among_o the_o turk_n and_o infidel_n but_o yet_o do_v not_o know_v any_o other_o to_o join_v with_o they_o nor_o for_o they_o to_o be_v join_v with_o if_o they_o do_v know_v any_o such_o and_o may_v 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by_o posfession_n and_o not_o by_o right_a and_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v baptize_v and_o plant_v in_o the_o church_n already_o but_o have_v no_o true_a right_n nor_o title_n to_o it_o for_o after_o they_o have_v get_v to_o be_v member_n by_o possession_n they_o grow_v lewd_a and_o profane_a in_o their_o life_n and_o so_o by_o right_n they_o be_v no_o member_n of_o the_o church_n they_o be_v so_o but_o by_o intrusion_n and_o usurpation_n and_o have_v get_v possession_n by_o colourable_a and_o fraudulent_a mean_n pretend_v to_o be_v that_o they_o never_o be_v that_o be_v that_o they_o be_v true_a believer_n when_o indeed_o they_o be_v not_o nor_o ever_o be_v such_o for_o if_o they_o be_v they_o will_v bring_v forth_o better_a fruit_n sort_n of_o these_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n notorious_a offender_n and_o secret_a hypocrite_n first_o notorious_a offender_n such_o be_v the_o son_n of_o eli_n 1_o sam._n 2.12_o 17._o they_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n by_o possession_n but_o 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this_o power_n their_o hand_n be_v tie_v and_o they_o can_v do_v it_o or_o else_o if_o they_o have_v power_n sometime_o they_o be_v negligent_a and_o do_v not_o exercise_v that_o power_n they_o have_v or_o if_o they_o be_v forward_o in_o it_o yet_o at_o least_o there_o must_v be_v a_o time_n for_o admonition_n betwixt_o their_o discovery_n and_o cast_v out_o and_o so_o still_o for_o a_o time_n they_o be_v member_n by_o possession_n but_o yet_o not_o by_o right_a in_o the_o second_o place_n there_o be_v some_o secret_a hypocrite_n that_o be_v member_n by_o possession_n but_o not_o by_o right_a and_o these_o be_v all_o such_o as_o be_v baptize_v and_o according_o go_v on_o in_o a_o outward_a conformity_n to_o the_o law_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n in_o outward_a show_n as_o well_o as_o true_a believer_n but_o yet_o be_v not_o such_o for_o within_o they_o be_v full_a of_o wickedness_n and_o have_v not_o that_o true_a faith_n in_o their_o heart_n which_o outward_o they_o 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profitable_a the_o apostle_n say_v in_o the_o 17._o verse_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v absolute_a be_v make_v perfect_a to_o all_o good_a work_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v absolute_a who_o be_v this_o man_n of_o god_n sure_o timothy_n and_o such_o as_o he_o be_v that_o be_v in_o the_o chief_a place_n for_o government_n in_o god_n church_n and_o these_o must_v be_v perfect_a to_o every_o good_a work_n and_o therefore_o to_o this_o work_n to_o govern_v aright_o therefore_o if_o government_n be_v a_o good_a work_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a to_o every_o good_a work_n than_o also_o it_o instruct_v he_o and_o make_v he_o perfect_a in_o this_o good_a work_n last_o the_o main_a business_n in_o this_o matter_n of_o government_n reas_n 6_o be_v set_v down_o and_o provide_v for_o by_o name_n in_o the_o scripture_n there_o be_v the_o word_n and_o the_o preach_n of_o it_o the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o administration_n of_o they_o officer_n and_o their_o duty_n and_o visit_v the_o sick_a relieve_v the_o poor_a cast_v out_o the_o infectious_a and_o such_o like_a as_o may_v be_v show_v by_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n yea_o if_o any_o man_n can_v name_v any_o other_o substantial_a part_n or_o business_n of_o church-government_n i_o dare_v undertake_v to_o show_v in_o the_o word_n that_o there_o be_v some_o good_a order_n at_o least_o in_o general_n take_v for_o it_o so_o much_o for_o the_o reason_n the_o use_v be_v these_o first_o here_o be_v a_o rule_n for_o all_o church_n use_v 1_o to_o go_v by_o in_o their_o government_n we_o must_v follow_v the_o rule_n and_o direction_n of_o god_n in_o his_o word_n as_o moses_n in_o build_v the_o tabernacle_n be_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o pattern_n which_o he_o see_v in_o the_o mount_n so_o must_v they_o do_v every_o thing_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o pattern_n set_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n avoid_v and_o here_o two_o extremity_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v that_o some_o have_v fall_v into_o first_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n we_o go_v not_o too_o far_o as_o some_o have_v do_v that_o have_v be_v exceed_v bold_a and_o presumptuous_a this_o way_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o coin_n new_a law_n and_o to_o devise_v new_a officer_n and_o to_o erect_v a_o whole_a new_a form_n of_o government_n and_o to_o intrude_v it_o upon_o the_o church_n other_o there_o be_v that_o pretend_v to_o go_v no_o further_o than_o christ_n have_v prescribe_v in_o his_o word_n yet_o they_o obtrude_v more_o on_o the_o church_n than_o ever_o he_o mean_v though_o not_o of_o their_o own_o head_n as_o they_o say_v but_o under_o pretence_n of_o his_o own_o ordinance_n other_o make_v that_o perpetual_a which_o be_v but_o temporal_a as_o the_o work_n of_o miracle_n etc._n etc._n these_o thing_n have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o much_o mischief_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o howsoever_o the_o intent_n of_o 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it_o on_o their_o word_n that_o impose_v it_o and_o thou_o must_v obey_v it_o till_o thou_o be_v better_o resolve_v for_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n concern_v outward_a government_n in_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v impose_v by_o the_o magistrate_n it_o be_v not_o leave_v free_a to_o we_o either_o to_o obey_v or_o not_o to_o obey_v but_o we_o must_v obey_v unless_o we_o have_v a_o good_a warrant_n out_o of_o god_n word_n against_o it_o but_o what_o if_o i_o doubt_v must_v i_o yet_o obey_v before_o i_o be_o resolve_v yes_o though_o thou_o doubt_v of_o it_o yet_o thou_o must_v obey_v except_o thou_o can_v bring_v some_o sound_a proof_n out_o of_o god_n word_n against_o it_o either_o direct_o or_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n use_v 3_o last_o this_o teach_v we_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n in_o christ_n for_o that_o he_o have_v so_o sufficient_o and_o careful_o provide_v for_o we_o not_o only_o for_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n but_o of_o government_n not_o for_o our_o be_v only_o but_o 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that_o it_o do_v not_o suffice_v that_o they_o be_v in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o church_n where_o most_o need_n be_v and_o last_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n who_o have_v a_o chief_a stroke_n in_o government_n they_o speak_v nothing_o of_o he_o neither_o do_v they_o interpret_v any_o of_o those_o place_n where_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o ruler_n of_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n though_o i_o be_o very_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o err_v in_o these_o particular_n and_o so_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o particular_a form_n of_o church-government_n set_v down_o in_o scripture_n which_o every_o particular_a church_n be_v precise_o bind_v to_o observe_v as_o prescribe_v to_o it_o every_o particular_a in_o government_n the_o sixteen_o lecture_n of_o the_o church_n have_v propound_v five_o principal_a head_n to_o be_v treat_v upon_o touch_v church-government_n as_o namely_o first_o the_o harm_n and_o evil_n that_o this_o matter_n have_v occasion_v in_o god_n church_n second_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o these_o word_n church_n and_o government_n three_o how_o necessary_a it_o be_v in_o god_n church_n four_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o prescript_n rule_n in_o god_n word_n for_o it_o and_o last_o if_o there_o be_v not_o than_o what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o that_o case_n i_o have_v proceed_v in_o the_o four_o former_a as_o god_n have_v enable_v i_o church-government_n now_o i_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o five_o namely_o that_o if_o god_n have_v not_o ordain_v any_o prescript_n form_n in_o his_o word_n for_o every_o particular_a in_o government_n than_o what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n the_o resolution_n whereof_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o that_o which_o have_v be_v former_o speak_v for_o whereas_o every_o particular_a church_n must_v have_v her_o particular_a government_n and_o the_o word_n have_v not_o prescribe_v any_o one_o set_a form_n for_o all_o church_n to_o observe_v in_o every_o particular_a as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o second_o observation_n of_o the_o former_a lecture_n therefore_o every_o particular_a church_n out_o of_o their_o own_o power_n and_o wisdom_n and_o be_v guide_v by_o the_o general_a form_n set_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n as_o oft_o as_o necessity_n require_v must_v make_v the_o best_a supply_n and_o provision_n for_o themselves_o herein_o that_o they_o can_v howbeit_o because_o the_o whole_a substance_n of_o church-government_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o word_n etc._n etc._n as_o i_o show_v in_o the_o first_o observation_n of_o the_o former_a lecture_n therefore_o the_o church_n must_v not_o be_v presumptuous_a and_o licentious_a as_o if_o it_o be_v arbitrary_a and_o as_o if_o they_o may_v ordain_v and_o do_v what_o they_o list_v but_o they_o must_v careful_o see_v that_o whatsoever_o provision_n they_o make_v in_o this_o kind_n be_v such_o as_o may_v well_o stand_v with_o those_o general_a rule_n and_o direction_n which_o the_o word_n afford_v i_o take_v not_o upon_o i_o here_o to_o define_v what_o be_v prescribe_v in_o god_n word_n what_o not_o this_o be_v a_o hard_a task_n too_o curious_a for_o i_o and_o too_o tedious_a for_o you_o that_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o enquiry_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n every_o one_o for_o itself_o and_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o lead_v the_o church_n into_o all_o truth_n of_o special_a use_n for_o this_o purpose_n both_o to_o instruct_v the_o church_n what_o be_v prescribe_v and_o what_o be_v not_o as_o also_o to_o help_v and_o direct_v they_o what_o to_o take_v and_o what_o to_o leave_v and_o how_o to_o behave_v themselves_o in_o such_o case_n of_o government_n wherein_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o particular_a warrant_n for_o each_o particular_a case_n from_o the_o word_n yet_o because_o i_o will_v fain_o inform_v you_o thorough_o of_o the_o whole_a business_n so_o far_o as_o be_v needful_a to_o know_v i_o will_v god_n will_v enlarge_v my_o discourse_n far_o than_o i_o think_v to_o have_v do_v and_o labour_n to_o rip_v it_o up_o from_o the_o very_a bottom_n principal_n the_o whole_a form_n of_o church-government_n as_o i_o conceive_v consist_v of_o three_o principal_n or_o pillar_n as_o i_o may_v call_v they_o first_o of_o some_o action_n and_o duty_n to_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o church_n second_o of_o some_o person_n or_o officer_n that_o be_v to_o perform_v these_o duty_n in_o the_o church_n and_o three_o of_o some_o law_n and_o rule_n that_o these_o person_n be_v to_o be_v direct_v by_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o these_o action_n and_o duty_n which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n and_o if_o once_o you_o can_v tell_v these_o thing_n first_o what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o church-government_n second_o by_o who_o it_o must_v be_v do_v and_o three_o how_o and_o after_o what_o manner_n and_o upon_o what_o ground_n and_o with_o what_o condition_n they_o be_v to_o be_v do_v you_o may_v sit_v down_o well_o satisfy_v and_o resolve_v in_o this_o point_n in_o the_o handle_n of_o all_o these_o point_n i_o shall_v be_v in_o danger_n either_o to_o be_v too_o intricate_a or_o too_o tedious_a too_o intricate_a if_o i_o shall_v handle_v they_o joint_o all_o together_o or_o too_o tedious_a if_o i_o shall_v frame_v a_o several_a discourse_n for_o each_o particular_a by_o itself_o to_o prevent_v both_o i_o will_v first_o propound_v they_o all_o in_o a_o general_a view_n by_o themselves_o and_o then_o i_o will_v instance_n in_o two_o or_o three_o particular_a duty_n fit_v they_o with_o their_o officer_n and_o law_n that_o so_o any_o man_n of_o understanding_n may_v learn_v thereby_o to_o do_v the_o like_a in_o all_o the_o rest_n first_o principal_a we_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o duty_n or_o action_n to_o be_v do_v in_o church-government_n haply_o i_o shall_v not_o touch_v they_o all_o but_o i_o will_v labour_v to_o touch_v the_o chief_a and_o principal_a and_o those_o to_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n may_v be_v refer_v the_o principal_a duty_n be_v these_o first_o order_n must_v be_v take_v that_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o prayer_n be_v have_v in_o the_o church_n second_o there_o must_v be_v election_n of_o officer_n from_o time_n to_o time_n as_o occasion_n shall_v require_v three_o duty_n of_o charity_n must_v be_v careful_o and_o religious_o practise_v four_o censure_n and_o proceed_n against_o offender_n must_v be_v execute_v five_o order_n must_v be_v take_v for_o call_v public_a assembly_n last_o order_n must_v be_v take_v for_o the_o oversight_n of_o all_o these_o thing_n to_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o order_n must_v be_v take_v for_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o prayer_n i_o join_v and_o couch_v all_o these_o together_o because_o there_o be_v a_o most_o near_o and_o necessary_a league_n and_o affinity_n betwixt_o they_o 137._o for_o as_o the_o word_n be_v to_o beget_v faith_n so_o the_o sacrament_n as_o seal_n and_o pledge_n accompany_v it_o for_o the_o more_o palpable_a assurance_n of_o ou●_n increase_v in_o it_o and_o prayer_n be_v to_o be_v join_v with_o they_o both_o that_o they_o may_v be_v effectual_a and_o powerful_a for_o edification_n first_o for_o the_o word_n order_n must_v be_v take_v that_o it_o may_v be_v have_v in_o the_o church_n first_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n must_v be_v extant_a and_o how_o must_v they_o be_v extant_a sure_o in_o their_o own_o original_a language_n because_o if_o there_o be_v any_o corruption_n in_o the_o translation_n we_o may_v run_v to_o the_o original_a so_o that_o it_o must_v be_v have_v in_o the_o original_a language_n and_o in_o what_o copy_n sure_o the_o best_a that_o be_v to_o be_v have_v but_o what_o then_o every_o one_o can_v understand_v these_o language_n they_o may_v be_v in_o a_o nation_n who_o language_n be_v not_o the_o mother-tongue_n what_o must_v be_v do_v then_o sure_o we_o must_v get_v the_o most_o faithful_a and_o best_a translation_n that_o be_v and_o when_o they_o be_v get_v what_o must_v the_o church_n see_v to_o be_v do_v with_o they_o first_o some_o of_o these_o copy_n must_v be_v lay_v up_o in_o a_o safe_a and_o secret_a place_n that_o if_o desolation_n shall_v come_v yet_o the_o write_a word_n may_v be_v preserve_v so_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n 2_o chron._n 34.14_o which_o be_v think_v to_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n own_o hand_n be_v find_v in_o a_o secret_a place_n where_o no_o doubt_n it_o have_v be_v lay_v up_o by_o god_n special_a providence_n to_o be_v preserve_v from_o that_o common_a havoc_n which_o be_v in_o the_o land_n so_o that_o some_o copy_n must_v be_v lay_v up_o in_o safe_a and_o secret_a place_n yea_o but_o that_o be_v not_o enough_o but_o there_o must_v be_v some_o extant_a
right_n to_o and_o possession_n in_o when_o god_n give_v a_o man_n gift_n he_o have_v a_o possible_a right_n and_o when_o he_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o authority_n and_o order_n of_o the_o church_n that_o give_v he_o actual_a possession_n second_o every_o such_o officer_n be_v a_o officer_n both_o for_o god_n and_o for_o man_n and_o therefore_o he_o must_v be_v invest_v by_o each_o man_n invest_v he_o by_o appointment_n god_n invest_v he_o when_o he_o be_v qualify_v by_o himself_o and_o appoint_v by_o man_n according_a to_o god_n ordinance_n so_o much_o for_o the_o first_o general_a answer_n that_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n must_v be_v man_n qualify_v with_o a_o competent_a measure_n of_o gift_n second_o that_o they_o must_v be_v appoint_v thereto_o by_o the_o authority_n and_o order_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o they_o live_v answ_n 2_o be_v now_o i_o come_v to_o answer_v particular_o and_o by_o name_n to_o the_o question_n namely_o what_o these_o officer_n be_v it_o be_v too_o great_a a_o labour_n and_o yet_o to_o no_o great_a purpose_n to_o reckon_v up_o all_o particular_a officer_n that_o have_v have_v to_o do_v in_o church_n business_n for_o beside_o the_o ordinary_a there_o have_v be_v many_o extraordinary_a some_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o the_o age_n next_o succeed_v as_o apostle_n that_o be_v to_o teach_v at_o large_a through_o the_o whole_a world_n matth._n 28.19_o etc._n etc._n and_o prophet_n to_o foresee_v and_o foreshow_v thing_n to_o come_v as_o agabus_n act._n 11._o and_o evangelist_n to_o be_v assistant_n to_o the_o apostle_n other_o there_o be_v also_o in_o many_o age_n after_o as_o exorcist_n doorkeeper_n acolutive_n and_o reader_n etc._n etc._n but_o whether_o these_o be_v in_o rightful_o or_o wrongful_o be_v to_o be_v see_v hereafter_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o will_v speak_v of_o such_o officer_n as_o be_v of_o ordinary_a and_o necessary_a use_n in_o the_o church_n either_o such_o as_o be_v indeed_o or_o else_o be_v pretend_v 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fall_v away_o final_o after_o true_a conversion_n what_o peace_n or_o quietness_n can_v they_o have_v to_o their_o conscience_n but_o still_o they_o will_v be_v fear_v and_o suspect_v and_o distaste_v their_o estate_n so_o much_o for_o the_o second_o note_n the_o three_o note_n of_o observation_n be_v this_o that_o no_o particular_a doct._n 3_o visible_a church_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o may_v err_v and_o that_o fundamental_o and_o obstinate_o and_o final_o and_o general_o and_o so_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n i_o take_v my_o scantling_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n because_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n have_v the_o apostle_n to_o be_v member_n of_o they_o who_o be_v infallible_o guide_v by_o the_o spirit_n can_v not_o possible_o so_o err_v and_o therefore_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n can_v not_o final_o nor_o general_o err_v but_o the_o point_n be_v undoubted_o true_a of_o all_o other_o particular_a church_n that_o they_o may_v err_v 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so_o her_o fall_n be_v not_o final_a i_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v recover_v through_o god_n providence_n at_o the_o last_o yea_o but_o that_o be_v uncertain_a and_o therefore_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v her_o fall_n be_v as_o well_o final_a as_o fundamental_a and_o that_o which_o be_v her_o case_n may_v be_v the_o case_n of_o any_o other_o particular_a church_n and_o sure_o shall_v be_v if_o they_o walk_v in_o her_o step_n revelat._n 2.5_o the_o like_a we_o find_v in_o many_o other_o primitive_a church_n how_o many_o famous_a church_n be_v fall_v away_o that_o be_v true_a visible_a church_n in_o those_o time_n some_o to_o the_o arian_n heresy_n some_o to_o the_o donatist_n some_o to_o the_o novatian_n etc._n etc._n the_o lamentable_a estate_n of_o the_o jew_n god_n own_o people_n prove_v this_o point_n without_o exception_n they_o be_v utter_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o foundation_n christ_n error_n like_o a_o gangrene_n sometime_o overgrow_a all_o but_o some_o may_v say_v when_o may_v a_o church_n be_v say_v to_o err_v thus_o see_v though_o some_o may_v err_v yet_o happy_o not_o the_o rest_n i_o answer_v than_o a_o church_n may_v be_v say_v to_o err_v either_o when_o a_o error_n be_v embrace_v of_o all_o in_o general_a or_o special_o of_o those_o that_o be_v the_o pastor_n and_o guide_n and_o carry_v the_o chief_a face_n and_o port_n of_o the_o church_n with_o they_o which_o error_n if_o it_o be_v general_a in_o all_o or_o the_o chief_a article_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o after_o admonition_n they_o persist_v in_o it_o and_o condemn_v all_o other_o church_n that_o hold_v otherwise_o then_o be_v that_o church_n degenerate_a into_o a_o faction_n against_o the_o church_n and_o except_v some_o among_o they_o impugn_v their_o untruth_n and_o these_o in_o some_o answerable_a number_n or_o of_o some_o good_a place_n and_o quality_n in_o the_o church_n or_o in_o some_o know_a manner_n that_o notice_n may_v be_v public_o take_v of_o it_o such_o a_o church_n cease_v to_o we_o to_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n but_o if_o there_o be_v such_o opposer_n in_o these_o untruth_n only_o and_o yet_o they_o hold_v with_o the_o faction_n in_o opinion_n in_o some_o other_o truth_n fundamental_a the_o church_n for_o their_o sake_n may_v be_v false_o repute_v by_o all_o that_o know_v that_o opposition_n a_o true_a visible_a church_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o point_n be_v these_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o prove_v that_o the_o militant_a church_n may_v err_v hold_v direct_o for_o proof_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o observation_n that_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v err_v and_o often_o do_v err_v for_o if_o it_o be_v so_o in_o they_o be_v all_o certain_o choose_v much_o more_o in_o these_o be_v all_o call_v but_o few_o choose_v which_o also_o well_o consider_v will_v prove_v the_o latter_a part_n of_o this_o observation_n that_o be_v they_o may_v err_v fundamental_o and_o final_o too_o for_o in_o every_o particular_a visible_a church_n there_o be_v some_o few_o of_o god_n choose_v else_o it_o can_v be_v no_o true_a church_n now_o these_o few_o die_a still_o the_o truth_n and_o the_o church_n where_o god_n in_o his_o judgement_n forsake_v decay_v more_o and_o more_o lose_v one_o truth_n after_o another_o and_o one_o faithful_a person_n after_o another_o till_o at_o last_o few_o or_o none_o be_v leave_v not_o enough_o in_o number_n at_o least_o in_o port_n and_o place_n to_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o such_o a_o visible_a church_n second_o god_n tie_v himself_o and_o his_o grace_n and_o salvation_n to_o no_o one_o particular_a place_n and_o therefore_o he_o may_v take_v it_o from_o one_o particular_a church_n and_o give_v it_o to_o another_o that_o may_v bring_v forth_o better_a ffruit_n the_o first_o use_n be_v for_o instruction_n to_o all_o particular_a church_n to_o teach_v they_o to_o walk_v wary_o and_o careful_o examine_v themselves_o by_o the_o word_n whether_o their_o course_n be_v agreeable_a thereunto_o and_o pray_v for_o the_o spirit_n to_o enlighten_v they_o and_o let_v they_o take_v heed_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o invention_n of_o man_n if_o any_o error_n arise_v present_o let_v they_o oppose_v and_o suppress_v it_o if_o any_o doubt_n let_v they_o go_v unto_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n if_o there_o be_v any_o difficulty_n let_v we_o pray_v for_o the_o spirit_n he_o be_v the_o best_a expounder_n and_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o give_v the_o spirit_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v he_o so_o though_o we_o may_v err_v yet_o we_o shall_v not_o err_v final_o and_o general_o let_v not_o any_o church_n presume_v of_o itself_o though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o pure_a for_o as_o good_a church_n as_o they_o have_v fall_v and_o they_o may_v yea_o and_o without_o great_a heed_n they_o be_v in_o as_o great_a danger_n of_o corruption_n and_o so_o proceed_v of_o a_o final_a fall_n and_o desolation_n neither_o let_v any_o man_n do_v at_o on_o the_o church_n be_v it_o never_o so_o glorious_a as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o infallible_a oracle_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o salvation_n rather_o search_v the_o scripture_n if_o the_o doctrine_n of_o a_o church_n be_v agreeable_a unto_o they_o embrace_v it_o and_o build_v on_o it_o not_o so_o much_o because_o of_o the_o church_n which_o may_v err_v and_o haply_o will_v deny_v that_o afterward_o which_o it_o once_o affirm_v but_o because_o of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v always_o constant_a to_o itself_o and_o unchangeable_a if_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n teach_v out_o of_o moses_n chair_n that_o which_o be_v moses_n doctrine_n believe_v they_o else_o believe_v they_o not_o the_o second_o use_n be_v for_o confutation_n of_o the_o papist_n that_o say_v their_o church_n can_v err_v for_o howsoever_o they_o propound_v it_o as_o for_o the_o church_n in_o general_a that_o that_o can_v err_v yet_o indeed_o they_o plead_v only_o for_o their_o own_o church_n for_o they_o say_v that_o other_o church_n may_v err_v but_o we_o say_v that_o their_o church_n may_v err_v and_o that_o fundamental_o and_o final_o too_o and_o sure_o it_o be_v not_o far_o from_o it_o yea_o the_o papist_n themselves_o in_o this_o confute_v themselves_o for_o first_o they_o confess_v themselves_o that_o they_o may_v err_v for_o so_o say_v some_o of_o they_o that_o they_o err_v by_o excommunication_n when_o they_o do_v it_o without_o sufficient_a cause_n other_o of_o themselves_o say_v that_o they_o err_v in_o canonise_a of_o saint_n when_o they_o canonize_v some_o for_o saint_n in_o heaven_n which_o be_v devil_n in_o hell_n second_o they_o confess_v that_o counsel_n may_v err_v too_o and_o three_o that_o their_o pope_n may_v err_v too_o and_o last_o that_o their_o people_n may_v err_v and_o therefore_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n
may_v err_v and_o how_o can_v the_o papist_n maintain_v their_o doubt_n of_o salvation_n with_o the_o not_o err_v of_o the_o church_n yes_o say_v they_o though_o we_o know_v what_o we_o be_v now_o member_n of_o the_o true_a church_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o state_n of_o salvation_n yet_o we_o be_v not_o sure_a what_o we_o shall_v be_v whether_o we_o shall_v continue_v so_o or_o not_o but_o yet_o then_o they_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v assurance_n of_o salvation_n for_o the_o time_n present_a though_o not_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v and_o how_o also_o can_v they_o maintain_v the_o fall_n away_o of_o the_o faithful_a with_o the_o not_o err_v of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o faithful_a be_v choose_v of_o god_n but_o some_o of_o these_o that_o be_v of_o a_o visible_a church_n be_v only_o call_v if_o then_o the_o choose_a faithful_a may_v fall_v away_o than_o those_o that_o be_v only_o call_v much_o more_o yes_o say_v hosius_n every_o particular_a member_n may_v fall_v away_o but_o the_o whole_a church_n can_v but_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o only_a bar_n to_o stay_v man_n from_o final_a fall_v away_o be_v the_o decree_n of_o god_n election_n which_o be_v tie_v no_o more_o to_o all_o the_o church_n in_o general_a than_o it_o be_v to_o every_o man_n in_o particular_a but_o they_o retort_v this_o on_o we_o you_o say_v they_o deny_v the_o final_a fall_v away_o of_o the_o faithful_a and_o yet_o affirm_v the_o final_a fall_v away_o of_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o also_o you_o call_v the_o church_n the_o company_n of_o the_o faithful_a i_o answer_v when_o we_o say_v the_o faithful_a can_v fall_v away_o for_o ever_o we_o understand_v the_o choose_a faithful_a but_o when_o we_o say_v the_o church_n may_v fall_v away_o we_o mean_v only_o the_o faithful_a by_o profession_n and_o by_o call_v only_o not_o by_o election_n &_o when_o we_o say_v that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o company_n of_o the_o faithful_a we_o understand_v it_o proper_o of_o the_o whole_a member_n not_o of_o any_o visible_a congregation_n and_o for_o that_o which_o they_o object_n that_o the_o church_n can_v err_v because_o the_o church_n be_v the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o because_o it_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o these_o do_v belong_v proper_o to_o the_o whole_a militant_a church_n not_o to_o any_o particular_a visible_a church_n but_o only_o by_o proportion_n that_o be_v so_o far_o forth_o as_o the_o faithful_a and_o choose_v be_v find_v in_o it_o but_o notwithstanding_o this_o promise_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o may_v sin_v and_o therefore_o they_o may_v err_v too_o for_o god_n kingdom_n be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o righteousness_n as_o well_o as_o of_o truth_n and_o that_o holy_a ghost_n be_v the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n against_o sin_n as_o well_o as_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n against_o error_n he_o be_v a_o sanctifier_n as_o well_o as_o a_o inlightener_n and_o so_o much_o shall_v serve_v concern_v the_o first_o doubt_n and_o question_n whether_o the_o church_n may_v err_v or_o no._n 451._o the_o second_o matter_n of_o doubt_n be_v concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n if_o ever_o we_o will_v attain_v salvation_n and_o hence_o arise_v this_o question_n whether_o any_o may_v be_v save_v out_o of_o the_o church_n or_o no_o for_o this_o be_v one_o singular_a prerogative_n of_o the_o church_n that_o whosoever_o be_v of_o it_o be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o salvation_n and_o whosoever_o be_v out_o of_o it_o be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o damnation_n to_o this_o question_n i_o answer_v that_o if_o we_o understand_v it_o of_o the_o inward_a communion_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v of_o the_o choose_a it_o be_v simple_o true_a that_o without_o the_o church_n there_o be_v no_o salvation_n at_o all_o and_o so_o also_o if_o we_o understand_v it_o of_o the_o outward_a communion_n in_o the_o profession_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o church_n that_o be_v of_o the_o call_v it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o ordinary_o and_o usual_o without_o the_o church_n there_o be_v no_o salvation_n so_o that_o it_o be_v true_a proper_o of_o the_o whole_a militant_a church_n and_o yet_o it_o extend_v to_o the_o visible_a thus_o far_o that_o if_o a_o man_n be_v where_o there_o be_v a_o visible_a church_n if_o he_o join_v not_o with_o it_o ordinary_o he_o can_v be_v save_v doct._n take_v then_o the_o observation_n thus_o that_o without_o the_o church_n there_o be_v no_o salvation_n understand_v it_o proper_o of_o the_o church_n militant_a but_o proportionable_o of_o the_o church_n visible_a isaiah_n 60.1.2_o 3._o as_o there_o be_v light_n in_o goshen_n when_o all_o egypt_n beside_o be_v in_o darkness_n so_o be_v there_o light_a and_o salvation_n in_o the_o church_n when_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o be_v in_o darkness_n and_o the_o estate_n of_o damnation_n and_o as_o all_o that_o be_v not_o in_o the_o ark_n perish_v in_o the_o flood_n so_o they_o that_o be_v not_o of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v save_v but_o must_v needs_o perish_v with_o the_o world_n and_o that_o which_o the_o ancient_a father_n say_v be_v true_a that_o they_o which_o have_v not_o the_o church_n for_o their_o mother_n have_v not_o god_n for_o their_o father_n and_o sure_o they_o that_o be_v not_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n here_o on_o earth_n shall_v never_o be_v of_o that_o kingdom_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n the_o reason_n be_v these_o first_o the_o church_n be_v the_o fold_n reas_n 1_o they_o that_o be_v not_o within_o this_o fold_n be_v no_o sheep_n neither_o have_v they_o christ_n to_o be_v their_o shepherd_n second_o election_n the_o promise_n of_o grace_n christ_n himself_o reas_n 2_o the_o holy_a spirit_n save_v faith_n holiness_n righteousness_n the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_n all_o these_o be_v only_o in_o the_o church_n and_o be_v no_o where_o else_o to_o be_v find_v therefore_o they_o which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n can_v have_v no_o part_n in_o these_o and_o so_o can_v have_v no_o part_n in_o salvation_n the_o use_n be_v these_o first_o this_o teach_v we_o to_o labour_v to_o be_v use_v 1_o member_n of_o the_o church_n if_o we_o live_v in_o a_o place_n where_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n be_v profess_v and_o do_v not_o join_v ourselves_o with_o they_o it_o be_v a_o great_a and_o a_o damnable_a sin_n every_o one_o will_v labour_v to_o be_v of_o that_o company_n that_o have_v best_a and_o most_o privilege_n then_o labour_v to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n for_o that_o have_v the_o most_o and_o best_a privilege_n and_o labour_n also_o to_o bring_v other_o to_o the_o church_n special_o those_o that_o be_v thy_o own_o labour_n that_o they_o may_v be_v of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o in_o the_o estate_n of_o salvation_n love_n zion_n let_v thy_o heart_n be_v ravish_v with_o the_o desire_n and_o prosperity_n of_o jerusalem_n second_o let_v those_o that_o be_v in_o this_o state_n let_v they_o use_v 2_o walk_v in_o the_o light_n while_o they_o have_v it_o lest_o it_o be_v take_v from_o they_o and_o then_o they_o can_v tell_v whither_o they_o go_v three_o here_o we_o see_v the_o misery_n of_o those_o that_o be_v not_o use_v 3_o member_n of_o the_o church_n for_o though_o they_o be_v else_o never_o so_o wealthy_a witty_a mighty_a glorious_a or_o otherwise_o worldly_a privilege_v yet_o they_o be_v no_o better_o then_o of_o the_o damn_a crew_n they_o be_v out_o of_o the_o estate_n of_o salvation_n without_o god_n and_o without_o christ_n in_o the_o world_n four_o this_o teach_v those_o that_o be_v of_o the_o visible_a use_v 4_o church_n that_o as_o they_o have_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n in_o profession_n so_o also_o to_o have_v communion_n with_o they_o in_o faith_n else_o as_o good_a not_o to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n as_o not_o to_o have_v our_o part_n in_o the_o effectual_a mean_n of_o salvation_n with_o the_o church_n use_v 5_o last_o here_o we_o may_v learn_v what_o be_v to_o be_v think_v of_o those_o that_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n as_o man_n cut_v off_o from_o the_o church_n and_o so_o if_o they_o be_v without_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n they_o can_v have_v no_o salvation_n the_o one_o and_o twenty_o lecture_n of_o the_o church_n we_o have_v already_o speak_v of_o the_o 6_o general_a point_n propound_v to_o be_v handle_v namely_o of_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n it_o now_o we_o be_v to_o proceed_v to_o the_o seven_o namely_o of_o the_o adversary_n and_o opposite_n of_o the_o church_n for_o as_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v endue_v with_o many_o excellent_a privilege_n above_o all_o other_o congregation_n whatsoever_o so_o no_o other_o company_n in_o
our_o love_n will_v fail_v too_o so_o also_o it_o be_v for_o the_o trial_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o his_o promise_n to_o see_v whether_o we_o will_v still_o build_v and_o rest_v upon_o they_o in_o all_o our_o cross_n with_o all_o manly_a confidence_n when_o in_o outward_a appearance_n it_o be_v unlikely_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v perform_v and_o stand_v so_o it_o be_v also_o for_o the_o trial_n of_o our_o patience_n to_o see_v if_o we_o will_v quiet_o endure_v all_o cross_n and_o opposition_n and_o speak_v against_o of_o sinner_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o evil_a deal_n for_o christ_n sake_n last_o it_o be_v for_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o corruption_n that_o be_v in_o we_o for_o common_o many_o corruption_n break_v out_o of_o our_o heart_n in_o these_o opposition_n as_o we_o see_v in_o job_n who_o be_v a_o just_a and_o upright_o man_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v in_o his_o affliction_n what_o a_o sea_n of_o corruption_n burst_v out_o of_o he_o these_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o the_o church_n have_v so_o many_o adversary_n and_o opposite_n the_o use_n be_v these_o the_o first_o use_n be_v matter_n of_o instruction_n use_v 1_o teach_v we_o what_o to_o esteem_v of_o the_o life_n of_o a_o christian_a in_o this_o world_n for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o portion_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o general_a be_v also_o the_o portion_n of_o every_o member_n in_o particular_a what_o be_v the_o life_n of_o a_o christian_a here_o sure_o a_o continual_a warfare_n against_o many_o adversary_n so_o that_o when_o thou_o enterest_n into_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n know_v that_o thou_o enterest_n into_o a_o sea_n of_o trouble_n and_o a_o world_n of_o opposition_n dream_v not_o therefore_o of_o outward_a peace_n and_o ease_n there_o for_o that_o state_n can_v afford_v it_o but_o look_v for_o war_n and_o bicker_n continual_o either_o within_o or_o without_o either_o with_o one_o enemy_n or_o other_o and_o when_o thou_o have_v pass_v one_o or_o many_o conflict_n do_v not_o sit_v down_o and_o say_v now_o i_o hope_v my_o pain_n be_v past_a but_o be_v sure_a that_o so_o soon_o as_o one_o trouble_n be_v end_v another_o will_v follow_v it_o at_o the_o very_a heel_n a_o state_n of_o worldly_a tranquillity_n and_o peace_n be_v a_o most_o dangerous_a estate_n and_o where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o state_n we_o may_v fear_v that_o the_o devil_n possess_v all_o in_o peace_n there_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v luk._n 11.27_o and_o in_o luk._n 6.21_o 22._o he_o say_v bless_a be_v you_o that_o weep_v for_o you_o shall_v laugh_v bless_v be_v you_o when_o man_n hate_v you_o etc._n etc._n there_o be_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o faithful_a but_o we_o be_v to_o you_o that_o laugh_v now_o for_o you_o shall_v wail_v and_o weep_v woe_n be_v to_o you_o when_o all_o man_n speak_v well_o of_o you_o vers_n 25.26_o there_o be_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o reprobate_n do_v we_o laugh_v and_o have_v we_o our_o pleasure_n now_o and_o do_v all_o man_n speak_v well_o of_o we_o then_o certain_o we_o be_v not_o of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o bless_a but_o our_o estate_n be_v a_o woeful_a estate_n we_o must_v take_v this_o as_o a_o rule_n that_o to_o who_o abraham_n our_o heavenly_a father_n may_v say_v son_n remember_v that_o thou_o in_o thy_o life_n time_n receive_v thy_o pleasure_n to_o those_o shall_v be_v also_o say_v after_o this_o life_n now_o thou_o be_v torment_v luke_n 16._o the_o torment_n of_o hell_n be_v the_o end_n of_o such_o a_o estate_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o it_o be_v with_o we_o as_o it_o be_v with_o lazarus_n that_o our_o heavenly_a father_n may_v say_v of_o we_o that_o we_o have_v have_v our_o pain_n here_o he_o shall_v also_o affirm_v of_o we_o after_o this_o life_n as_o of_o he_o but_o now_o he_o be_v comfort_v pain_n be_v bitter_a here_o but_o they_o be_v sweet_a hereafter_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o god_n child_n have_v many_o time_n peace_n here_o and_o yet_o go_v to_o heaven_n and_o the_o wicked_a may_v have_v many_o cross_n and_o yet_o go_v to_o hell_n but_o i_o speak_v here_o of_o cross_n and_o suffering_n that_o befall_v we_o for_o christ_n cause_n and_o for_o his_o sake_n because_o we_o be_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o these_o we_o must_v look_v for_o in_o this_o life_n as_o christ_n be_v a_o sign_n to_o be_v speak_v against_o luk._n 2.34_o or_o a_o butt_n to_o shoot_v at_o so_o be_v his_o church_n and_o every_o paricular_a member_n and_o this_o be_v it_o we_o be_v to_o look_v for_o in_o this_o world_n here_o be_v our_o warfare_n in_o heaven_n be_v our_o crown_n and_o therefore_o while_o we_o live_v here_o let_v we_o look_v for_o many_o adùersary_n and_o opposition_n use_v 2_o the_o second_o use_n be_v for_o matter_n of_o reproof_n and_o that_o of_o many_o for_o there_o be_v many_o that_o make_v the_o cross_n and_o opposition_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o stumble_a block_n to_o hinder_v they_o from_o heaven_n and_o to_o make_v they_o fall_v into_o hell_n for_o first_o it_o keep_v many_o from_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n what_o say_v they_o shall_v we_o enter_v into_o so_o many_o trouble_n if_o they_o can_v separate_v the_o church_n from_o the_o cross_n than_o they_o will_v be_v of_o the_o church_n like_v unto_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o the_o scribe_n and_o the_o elder_n and_o pharisy_n in_o matth._n 27.42_o that_o say_v let_v he_o come_v down_o from_o the_o cross_n and_o we_o will_v believe_v in_o he_o so_o these_o man_n if_o you_o can_v separate_v christ_n from_o his_o cross_n they_o will_v believe_v in_o he_o second_o it_o be_v a_o stumble_a block_n to_o many_o to_o make_v they_o fly_v away_o from_o the_o church_n at_o least_o for_o a_o time_n so_o do_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n matth._n 26.56_o when_o their_o master_n be_v in_o trouble_n for_o his_o life_n they_o all_o forsake_v he_o and_o flee_v this_o be_v but_o for_o a_o time_n but_o many_o in_o the_o time_n of_o opposition_n and_o persecution_n fall_v away_o final_o from_o the_o church_n such_o be_v they_o that_o be_v compare_v to_o the_o stony_a ground_n mat._n 13.20.21_o that_o receive_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o word_n with_o joy_n for_o a_o time_n but_o because_o it_o be_v not_o root_v in_o their_o heart_n therefore_o when_o persecution_n come_v they_o fall_v away_o three_o it_o be_v a_o stumble_a block_n to_o other_o that_o be_v beholder_n of_o these_o opposition_n cause_v they_o to_o pass_v hard_a and_o uncharitable_a censure_n on_o we_o either_o scoff_o by_o way_n of_o insultation_n as_o they_o do_v over_o our_o saviour_n in_o matth._n 27.43_o he_o trust_v in_o god_n let_v he_o deliver_v he_o now_o if_o he_o will_v have_v he_o for_o he_o say_v i_o be_o the_o son_n of_o god_n because_o our_o saviour_n be_v bring_v to_o a_o shameful_a death_n therefore_o they_o scoff_v at_o he_o and_o insult_v over_o he_o as_o if_o he_o be_v not_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o so_o this_o be_v a_o stumble_a block_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o believe_v in_o he_o or_o else_o it_o cause_v other_o to_o pass_v hard_a censure_n on_o we_o reproachful_o tax_v we_o as_o notorious_a sinner_n because_o we_o be_v so_o continual_o molest_v as_o they_o do_v of_o our_o saviour_n esa_n 53.34_o they_o think_v he_o to_o be_v a_o wicked_a man_n and_o that_o therefore_o he_o be_v plague_v and_o smite_v of_o god_n and_o so_o in_o act_n 28.4_o they_o judge_v of_o paul_n when_o the_o viper_n hang_v upon_o his_o hand_n that_o he_o be_v a_o wicked_a man_n and_o therefore_o though_o he_o have_v escape_v the_o sea_n yet_o vengeance_n will_v not_o suffer_v he_o to_o live_v thus_o many_o make_v the_o persecution_n and_o opposition_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o stumble_a block_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o join_v with_o the_o church_n these_o be_v all_o here_o reprove_v use_v 3_o the_o three_o use_n be_v for_o matter_n of_o exhortation_n to_o stir_v we_o up_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o many_o duty_n duty_n be_v the_o church_n oppose_v with_o many_o adversary_n than_o we_o must_v learn_v first_o to_o fight_v and_o to_o take_v up_o arm_n and_o to_o bear_v up_o ourselves_o with_o good_a spirit_n and_o courage_n against_o all_o our_o adversary_n the_o apostle_n 1_o cor_fw-la 16.13_o exhort_v we_o to_o this_o duty_n stand_v fast_o in_o the_o faith_n quit_v yourselves_o like_o man_n be_v strong_a etc._n etc._n see_v we_o be_v match_v with_o so_o many_o adversary_n we_o must_v fight_v manful_o and_o quit_v ourselves_o like_o christian_a man_n for_o shall_v they_o fight_v against_o we_o and_o that_o continual_o and_o shall_v we_o lie_v still_o either_o not_o fight_v at_o all_o or_o if_o we_o begin_v to_o fight_v shall_v we_o like_o coward_n give_v
we_o now_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o either_o they_o much_o wrong_v the_o woman_n voice_n in_o prefer_v christ_n before_n it_o or_o else_o the_o church_n be_v not_o of_o great_a authority_n than_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o scripture_n of_o great_a authority_n than_o the_o church_n john_n 5.33_o to_o the_o 39_o john_n bare_a witness_n to_o the_o truth_n that_o christ_n be_v the_o messiah_n and_o his_o voice_n therein_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o church_n but_o do_v our_o saviour_n rest_n there_o as_o if_o the_o truth_n be_v thereby_o sufficent_o confirm_v no_o he_o disclaim_v it_o in_o that_o respect_n verse_n 34._o i_o receive_v not_o the_o record_n of_o man_n and_o appeal_v to_o a_o high_a and_o great_a witness_n even_o to_o his_o father_n who_o do_v speak_v more_o sufficient_o for_o he_o and_o do_v not_o the_o father_n speak_v in_o the_o scripture_n so_o that_o as_o the_o testimony_n of_o john_n be_v not_o great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o father_n but_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n great_a than_o of_o john_n so_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o great_a than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o the_o 39_o verse_n of_o that_o chapter_n he_o appeal_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o john_n by_o name_n to_o scripture_n search_v the_o scripture_n for_o they_o testify_v of_o i_o as_o they_o be_v a_o great_a witness_n than_o the_o witness_n of_o john_n so_o in_o luke_n 16._o from_o verse_n 27._o to_o 31._o the_o rich_a man_n be_v in_o hell_n in_o torment_n entreat_v father_n abraham_n that_o lazarus_n may_v go_v and_o forewarn_v his_o brethren_n that_o they_o may_v not_o come_v into_o those_o torment_n no_o say_v abraham_n they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v they_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v he_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a if_o lazarus_n have_v come_v to_o his_o brethren_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v take_v heed_n of_o their_o brother_n course_n for_o he_o be_v now_o in_o hell_n in_o torment_n for_o their_o sin_n if_o he_o have_v do_v thus_o have_v not_o his_o voice_n be_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o church_n for_o what_o do_v the_o church_n but_o instruct_v exhort_v reprove_v and_o forewarn_v man_n from_o sin_n that_o so_o they_o may_v keep_v they_o from_o hell_n and_o yet_o abraham_n refer_v they_o to_o scripture_n as_o of_o great_a authority_n and_o if_o lazarus_n have_v come_v thus_o it_o have_v be_v by_o miracle_n too_o which_o will_v have_v add_v weight_n to_o his_o word_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o he_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o scripture_n to_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n with_o a_o plain_a affirmation_n of_o great_a authority_n in_o they_o to_o persuade_v man_n from_o hell_n then_o if_o one_o have_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a to_o persuade_v they_o the_o last_o place_n that_o i_o will_v add_v for_o proof_n of_o this_o point_n be_v in_o john_n 10.3.4_o the_o sheep_n of_o christ_n they_o follow_v christ_n that_o be_v the_o faithful_a they_o believe_v in_o he_o why_o because_o they_o know_v his_o voice_n as_o who_o shall_v say_v there_o be_v a_o secret_a skill_n that_o god_n have_v endue_v they_o withal_o whereby_o they_o discern_v the_o voice_n of_o christ_n from_o any_o other_o and_o that_o voice_n of_o he_o they_o hear_v and_o believe_v it_o why_o because_o the_o church_n tell_v they_o so_o no_o that_o be_v not_o it_o but_o because_o it_o be_v his_o voice_n and_o he_o have_v speak_v it_o so_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o great_a than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v great_a than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v a_o material_a point_n 246._o not_o only_o against_o the_o papist_n but_o even_o in_o our_o conscience_n that_o we_o may_v know_v what_o be_v the_o main_a ground_n which_o we_o be_v to_o rest_v upon_o the_o church_n or_o the_o scripture_n reas_n 1_o the_o reason_n be_v many_o first_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n ephes_n 2.20_o you_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n christ_n jesus_n himself_o be_v the_o chief_a corner_n stone_n that_o be_v you_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o scripture_n then_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o foundation_n and_o the_o church_n the_o build_n now_o we_o know_v that_o the_o foundation_n may_v and_o oft_o time_n do_v stand_v fast_o without_o the_o building_n but_o the_o building_n can_v stand_v at_o all_o without_o the_o foundation_n therefore_o the_o foundation_n be_v a_o far_o sure_a stay_n than_o the_o building_n and_o the_o scripture_n than_o the_o church_n reas_n 2_o second_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o immortal_a seed_n whereof_o the_o church_n be_v beget_v 1_o pet._n 1.23_o now_o which_o be_v great_a the_o seed_n that_o beget_v or_o the_o fruit_n that_o be_v thereof_o beget_v reas_n 3_o three_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n to_o beget_v faith_n than_o christ_n own_o miracle_n and_o therefore_o of_o great_a authority_n than_o the_o church_n john_n 5.36_o to_o the_o 39_o our_o saviour_n appeal_v from_o the_o voice_n of_o john_n which_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o church_n to_o his_o miracle_n as_o be_v of_o great_a authority_n and_o yet_o he_o appeal_v from_o his_o miracle_n to_o the_o scripture_n as_o be_v of_o great_a authority_n than_o they_o both_o and_o luke_n 16.31_o if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o 2_o pet._n 1.17_o 18_o 19_o miracle_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n than_o the_o church_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o far_a greate●_n authority_n than_o miracle_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o more_o great_a authority_n than_o the_o church_n i_o will_v make_v it_o plain_a by_o a_o simile_n in_o a_o family_n the_o wife_n be_v of_o more_o authority_n than_o the_o child_n her_o word_n shall_v stand_v when_o the_o child_n shall_v not_o stand_v yea_o but_o the_o husband_n word_n be_v of_o more_o authority_n than_o the_o wife_n for_o his_o shall_v stand_v when_o she_o shall_v not_o than_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o husband_n word_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o great_a authority_n than_o the_o child_n four_o that_o which_o speak_v true_a always_o must_v needs_o reas_n 4_o be_v of_o great_a credit_n then_o that_o which_o do_v speak_v true_a but_o sometime_o but_o the_o scripture_n speak_v always_o true_a in_o every_o tittle_n as_o the_o lord_n himself_o who_o can_v lie_v speak_v in_o every_o sentence_n of_o it_o all_o scripture_n be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n 2_o timoth._n 3.16_o but_o the_o church_n speak_v sometime_o false_a for_o every_o man_n be_v a_o liar_n rom._n 3.4_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n than_o the_o church_n or_o take_v it_o thus_o more_o plain_o god_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v before_o man_n but_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o church_n be_v but_o the_o voice_n of_o man_n therefore_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n and_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v before_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o church_n five_o our_o assurance_n of_o any_o truth_n stand_v more_o on_o reas_n 5_o that_o into_o which_o it_o be_v last_o resolve_v then_o of_o that_o which_o be_v but_o a_o mean_n thereto_o be_v itself_o prove_v by_o it_o as_o for_o example_n if_o i_o be_v sure_a the_o king_n will_v give_v i_o a_o hundred_o pound_n because_o he_o have_v promise_v and_o past_o his_o word_n for_o it_o this_o promise_n be_v but_o the_o mean_a of_o this_o assurance_n that_o which_o my_o assurance_n be_v last_o resolve_v into_o be_v the_o honesty_n of_o the_o king_n for_o if_o i_o be_v not_o principal_o resolve_v on_o that_o his_o promise_n can_v give_v i_o no_o certain_a assurance_n now_o our_o assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n be_v last_o resolve_v into_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o the_o church_n be_v but_o a_o mean_n bring_v we_o thereto_o and_o itself_o lean_v thereon_o for_o if_o i_o believe_v the_o truth_n because_o the_o church_n say_v it_o than_o i_o must_v be_v sure_a that_o the_o church_n say_v true_a but_o how_o shall_v i_o do_v it_o but_o by_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o my_o assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n stand_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n not_o of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v great_a than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n be_v not_o to_o
as_o sometime_o they_o do_v then_o be_v their_o doctrine_n vain_a and_o to_o be_v reject_v mark_v 7_o 7_o 8._o so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v and_o obey_v so_o long_o as_o they_o go_v according_a to_o god_n word_n but_o when_o they_o swerve_v from_o that_o they_o be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v believe_v esa_n 8.20_o to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n if_o they_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o word_n it_o be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o except_o they_o speak_v according_a to_o the_o scripture_n they_o be_v but_o dark_a and_o blind_a guide_n no_o light_n in_o they_o at_o all_o and_o that_o which_o be_v pretend_v to_o the_o contrary_a matth._n 18.17_o be_v direct_o understand_v of_o church_n censure_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o simple_o authentical_a in_o themselves_o but_o as_o they_o be_v proceed_v in_o christ_n name_n ver._n 20._o that_o be_v according_a to_o his_o order_n else_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n in_o it_o john_n 9.34_o their_o last_o position_n be_v this_o position_n 3_o which_o be_v direct_o against_o this_o observation_n namely_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n answer_v in_o which_o gross_a assertion_n they_o first_o it_o dishonour_n god_n exceed_o as_o who_o shall_v say_v man_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v before_o god_n at_o least_o that_o god_n shall_v not_o be_v believe_v but_o because_o of_o man_n beside_o whence_o have_v the_o scripture_n its_o authority_n in_o the_o writer_n of_o it_o from_o god_n or_o man_n sure_o from_o god_n he_o be_v the_o author_n himself_o of_o scripture_n 2._o timothy_n 3.16_o every_o scripture_n be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n than_o it_o must_v have_v its_o authority_n from_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o again_o who_o give_v we_o faith_n the_o church_n no_o it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n john_n 6.29_o therefore_o that_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v scripture_n or_o any_o book_n of_o it_o to_o be_v scripture_n it_o be_v whole_o from_o god_n himself_o who_o work_v faith_n in_o we_o to_o believe_v it_o well_o ob_fw-la say_v they_o it_o be_v of_o god_n indeed_o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v their_o authority_n but_o yet_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o church_n answ_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a as_o the_o church_n be_v the_o propound_v witness_n thereof_o but_o not_o as_o indue_a it_o with_o authority_n for_o that_o be_v from_o god_n alone_o and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a dishonour_n to_o he_o to_o give_v any_o part_n of_o it_o to_o any_o other_o second_o as_o it_o dishonour_v god_n so_o it_o disgrace_v the_o scripture_n make_v they_o inferior_a to_o the_o church_n whereas_o indeed_o they_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n and_o subiect_v they_o to_o the_o arbitrement_n of_o man_n whereas_o all_o our_o faith_n and_o discern_a and_o thought_n be_v to_o be_v frame_v by_o direction_n from_o scripture_n ob._n but_o they_o except_v and_o say_v it_o be_v no_o disgrace_n to_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o church_n be_v thus_o advance_a no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v to_o christ_n that_o his_o apostle_n give_v witness_v to_o he_o answer_v i_o answer_v yes_o for_o they_o make_v the_o church_n above_o the_o scripture_n in_o this_o case_n but_o the_o apostle_n be_v witness_n of_o christ_n as_o his_o underling_n and_o disciple_n they_o reply_v reply_n but_o the_o protestant_n do_v magnify_v every_o one_o himself_o as_o much_o as_o we_o do_v the_o church_n answer_n i_o answer_v no_o for_o every_o one_o of_o we_o believe_v that_o we_o be_v in_o the_o right_n because_o we_o go_v by_o the_o right_a rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o spirit_n and_o so_o far_o as_o the_o church_n go_v by_o that_o rule_n we_o will_v follow_v she_o as_o soon_o yea_o soon_o than_o any_o particular_a man_n three_o this_o weaken_v and_o indeed_o overthrow_v religion_n set_v it_o upon_o man_n a_o ground_n weakeand_a insufficient_a whereas_o religion_n must_v stand_v upon_o divine_a authority_n else_o it_o be_v not_o sound_a four_o it_o spoil_v the_o faithful_a of_o their_o sure_a comfort_n which_o be_v this_o that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o not_o man_n five_o it_o bereave_v the_o church_n of_o her_o main_a hold_n and_o defence_n against_o the_o adversary_n for_o while_o she_o say_v the_o religion_n which_o she_o profess_v be_v true_a because_o she_o say_v so_o herself_o she_o lay_v herself_o open_a to_o the_o scoff_n &_o insultation_n of_o the_o adversary_n for_o by_o that_o reason_n every_o religion_n will_v be_v a_o true_a religion_n see_v the_o professor_n thereof_o will_v say_v it_o be_v true_a as_o well_o and_o as_o confident_o as_o the_o church_n whereas_o if_o she_o say_v her_o religion_n be_v true_a because_o god_n say_v so_o in_o his_o word_n and_o so_o prove_v it_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o stop_v their_o mouth_n or_o else_o to_o leave_v they_o without_o excuse_n use_v 2_o the_o second_o use_n be_v for_o instruction_n teach_v we_o how_o to_o carry_v both_o ourselves_o towards_o the_o church_n and_o towards_o the_o scripture_n that_o be_v with_o a_o even_a hand_n as_o our_o saviour_n say_v of_o tribute_n money_n give_v unto_o caesar_n that_o which_o be_v caesar_n and_o unto_o god_n that_o which_o be_v god_n scripture_n so_o must_v we_o give_v unto_o the_o church_n that_o which_o be_v the_o church_n and_o unto_o the_o scripture_n that_o which_o be_v the_o scripture_n first_o esteem_v of_o the_o scripture_n as_o god_n own_o word_n 2_o pet._n 1.21_o 22._o able_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a to_o salvation_n and_o perfect_a to_o every_o good_a work_n 2_o tim._n 3.15_o 16_o 17_o second_o church_n esteem_v of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o pillar_n that_o be_v as_o the_o keeper_n and_o uphoulder_n of_o the_o truth_n 1._o tim._n 3.16_o not_o that_o light_n but_o a_o witness_n of_o that_o light_n john_n 1.8_o she_o be_v to_o inquire_v search_n propound_v expound_v pronounce_v teach_v approve_v &_o judge_v according_a to_o scripture_n themselves_o and_o not_o otherwise_o she_o be_v as_o the_o woman_n of_o samariah_n that_o propound_v the_o messiah_n to_o the_o man_n of_o the_o city_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o he_o but_o when_o they_o hear_v he_o they_o say_v now_o we_o believe_v not_o for_o thy_o say_n but_o we_o have_v hear_v he_o ourselves_o and_o know_v that_o this_o be_v indeed_o that_o christ_n john_n 4.42_o so_o the_o church_n propound_v and_o bring_v we_o to_o the_o scripture_n but_o when_o we_o look_v into_o it_o and_o hear_v it_o speak_v than_o we_o believe_v but_o you_o will_v say_v scripture_n how_o then_o do_v we_o know_v which_o be_v scripture_n or_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v that_o the_o content_n therein_o be_v true_a and_o of_o god_n i_o answer_v first_o we_o shall_v know_v it_o from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o as_o the_o sun_n be_v know_v by_o his_o own_o light_n so_o the_o scripture_n be_v know_v by_o their_o own_o light_n god_n speak_v and_o shine_v in_o the_o scripture_n do_v we_o then_o believe_v the_o scripture_n because_o the_o church_n say_v they_o be_v scripture_n no_o but_o because_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o say_v so_o 2_o tim._n 3.16_o second_o we_o shall_v know_v they_o by_o the_o spirit_n work_v in_o we_o together_o with_o the_o word_n and_o persuade_v we_o that_o they_o be_v true_a 1_o john_n 5.6_o three_o they_o be_v make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o the_o miracle_n whereby_o they_o be_v first_o confirm_v john_n 20.30_o 31._o four_o we_o know_v they_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n scripture_n that_o be_v that_o congregation_n that_o true_o profess_v the_o save_a faith_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o first_o not_o every_o company_n that_o profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o church_n but_o profess_v the_o save_a faith_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v and_o second_o not_o whatsoever_o the_o church_n say_v be_v to_o be_v believe_v but_o that_o which_o she_o say_v by_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o and_o interpretation_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o three_o that_o which_o be_v so_o believe_v be_v not_o chief_o to_o be_v believe_v because_o she_o say_v so_o but_o in_o a_o second_o place_n aftre_fw-la the_o word_n and_o spirit_n and_o four_a not_o formal_o or_o essential_o but_o instrumental_o as_o a_o outward_a instrument_n only_o five_o and_o that_o which_o she_o do_v say_v so_o she_o speak_v not_o infallible_o but_o with_o some_o fayling_n error_n and_o imperfection_n man_n corruption_n still_o betray_v its_o self_n even_o when_o he_o be_v much_o enlighten_v sixthly_a that_o which_o she_o speak_v without_o error_n be_v not_o absolute_o to_o be_v believe_v because_o the_o church_n say_v it_o but_o conditional_o because_o she_o speak_v according_a
follow_v they_o not_o they_o break_v their_o oath_n what_o a_o snare_n do_v these_o man_n entangle_v themselves_o in_o last_o if_o they_o shall_v never_o err_v yet_o to_o swear_v to_o the_o word_n of_o man_n be_v to_o enthral_v our_o conscience_n to_o man_n which_o the_o lord_n alone_o be_v to_o have_v the_o command_n thereof_o dissent_n the_o last_o practice_n of_o they_o here_o reprove_v be_v that_o when_o the_o church_n dissent_v they_o rely_v final_o on_o the_o judgement_n of_o counsel_n and_o pope_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n whereas_o they_o be_v all_o but_o man_n and_o may_v err_v yea_o and_o have_v err_v one_o of_o they_o cross_v that_o which_o another_o have_v hold_v and_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o tie_v the_o scripture_n to_o man_n humour_n no_o let_v god_n be_v true_a and_o every_o man_n a_o liar_n let_v god_n word_n expound_v itself_o and_o let_v not_o we_o tie_v it_o to_o the_o interpretation_n of_o man_n though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o many_o never_o so_o holy_a so_o learned_a so_o painful_a or_o so_o great_a in_o the_o church_n for_o that_o may_v be_v true_o say_v of_o counsel_n and_o father_n and_o without_o disgrace_n to_o the_o best_a of_o they_o that_o be_v speak_v of_o john_n baptist_n john_n 1.9_o that_o they_o be_v not_o the_o light_n but_o man_n that_o bear_v witness_n of_o the_o light_n use_v 2_o the_o second_o use_n be_v for_o instruction_n to_o teach_v we_o what_o we_o be_v to_o do_v in_o this_o case_n for_o now_o that_o we_o have_v overthrow_v the_o error_n of_o the_o adversary_n we_o must_v set_v up_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o this_o teach_v we_o wariness_n and_o care_n and_o conscience_n in_o meddle_v with_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n thereof_o for_o we_o must_v know_v that_o god_n be_v dishonour_v when_o his_o word_n be_v mistake_v and_o belie_v when_o it_o be_v false_o interpret_v and_o we_o must_v know_v that_o god_n be_v make_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n and_o heresy_n when_o his_o word_n be_v pervert_v to_o the_o maintenance_n thereof_o and_o god_n himself_o be_v subject_v to_o man_n when_o man_n presume_v of_o himself_o to_o expound_v or_o to_o tie_v his_o meaning_n to_o other_o man_n interpretation_n brief_o it_o be_v light_n life_n and_o salvation_n if_o it_o be_v understand_v and_o believe_v aright_o else_o it_o be_v death_n and_o destruction_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v need_n look_v well_o about_o we_o in_o meddle_v with_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n thereof_o and_o carry_v ourselves_o wary_o careful_o and_o conscionable_o therein_o and_o that_o first_o in_o admit_v the_o exposition_n of_o other_o second_o in_o make_v exposition_n of_o our_o own_o first_o in_o admit_v the_o exposition_n of_o other_o we_o must_v not_o altogether_o look_v into_o they_o with_o other_o man_n eye_n but_o with_o our_o own_o 1._o we_o be_v not_o to_o take_v any_o exposition_n upon_o any_o man_n or_o any_o church_n bare_a word_n but_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v their_o ground_n and_o their_o reason_n whereby_o they_o be_v maintain_v but_o some_o may_v say_v if_o i_o examine_v their_o ground_n i_o make_v myself_o the_o judge_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o be_v i_o not_o as_o good_a rest_n on_o the_o church_n judgement_n as_o my_o own_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o if_o i_o do_v thus_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o proper_o censure_v the_o scripture_n but_o their_o ground_n second_o i_o answer_v that_o any_o church_n or_o any_o of_o the_o faithful_a may_v judge_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v as_o be_v lead_v by_o it_o and_o follow_v it_o three_o i_o say_v we_o rest_v neither_o on_o our_o own_o judgement_n nor_o on_o the_o church_n but_o on_o the_o scripture_n and_o when_o the_o church_n judge_v according_a to_o they_o we_o must_v willing_o embrace_v it_o if_o she_o dissent_v from_o they_o we_o may_v and_o must_v make_v bold_a to_o dissent_v from_o she_o we_o have_v a_o excellent_a example_n in_o this_o case_n for_o the_o receive_n of_o exposition_n 18._o in_o that_o holy_a father_n austin_n who_o find_v a_o interpetation_n of_o cyprian_n a_o holy_a man_n too_o not_o so_o well_o agreeable_a to_o scripture_n and_o another_o of_o liconius_n a_o heretic_n on_o the_o same_o text_n more_o agreeable_a thereto_o refuse_v cyprian_n exposition_n though_o otherwise_o he_o great_o reverence_v he_o and_o receive_v that_o of_o liconius_n though_o otherwise_o he_o know_v he_o to_o be_v out_o of_o the_o right_a way_n and_o say_v pardon_v i_o cyprian_a i_o must_v leave_v thou_o here_o and_o take_v liconius_n exposition_n not_o because_o it_o be_v he_o but_o because_o it_o be_v god_n this_o be_v a_o ingenuous_a practice_n and_o this_o we_o must_v follow_v we_o must_v look_v into_o other_o man_n exposition_n with_o our_o own_o eye_n and_o examine_v their_o ground_n and_o that_o without_o respect_n of_o person_n second_o scripture_n in_o frame_v exposition_n of_o our_o own_o when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o scripture_n to_o seek_v the_o sense_n hereof_o we_o must_v not_o come_v as_o lord_n to_o command_v but_o as_o servant_n to_o obey_v not_o as_o master_n to_o teach_v what_o we_o will_v have_v it_o say_v but_o as_o scholar_n to_o learn_v what_o itself_o do_v say_v not_o as_o the_o speaker_n but_o as_o the_o interpreter_n to_o take_v that_o which_o be_v speak_v to_o our_o hand_n and_o that_o we_o may_v walk_v upright_o herein_o and_o take_v such_o a_o course_n as_o be_v please_v to_o god_n and_o worthy_a of_o the_o scripture_n and_o beneficial_a and_o comfortable_a to_o ourselves_o let_v we_o be_v rule_v by_o these_o direction_n they_o be_v very_o pithy_a &_o he_o that_o be_v rule_v by_o they_o god_n will_v reveal_v his_o meaning_n to_o they_o so_o far_o as_o shall_v be_v for_o their_o salvation_n 7._o there_o be_v some_o thing_n that_o we_o be_v to_o be_v rule_v by_o before_o we_o come_v to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n and_o some_o thing_n in_o the_o exposition_n of_o it_o and_o some_o rule_v we_o be_v to_o observe_v after_o it_o i_o labour_v to_o make_v this_o point_n plain_a because_o it_o be_v a_o main_a difference_n betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o papist_n and_o also_o because_o that_o without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n we_o can_v be_v save_v first_o than_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v these_o direction_n before_o we_o take_v the_o scripture_n in_o hand_n and_o that_o be_v first_o we_o must_v go_v to_o god_n by_o prayer_n we_o must_v begin_v with_o god_n that_o he_o may_v begin_v with_o we_o and_o go_v on_o with_o we_o and_o lead_v we_o safe_a through_o to_o the_o end_n of_o our_o business_n pray_v with_o david_n psal_n 119.18_o lord_n open_a my_o eye_n that_o i_o may_v see_v the_o wonder_n of_o thy_o law_n pray_v for_o light_n and_o for_o the_o grace_n of_o illumination_n of_o he_o that_o be_v the_o father_n of_o light_n james_n 1.17_o for_o thyself_o be_v darkness_n and_o pray_v to_o he_o for_o wisdom_n james_n 1.5_o for_o all_o thy_o own_o wit_n in_o this_o case_n be_v foolishness_n and_o pray_v for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n that_o he_o may_v be_v present_a with_o we_o and_o effectual_a unto_o we_o to_o instruct_v direct_v quicken_v and_o teach_v we_o for_o that_o which_o be_v in_o we_o be_v but_o flesh_n and_o nature_n and_o the_o natural_a man_n perceive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 2.14_o and_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o thou_o shall_v be_v hear_v and_o find_v good_a success_n for_o thou_o have_v god_n promise_n for_o it_o james_n 1.5_o if_o any_o man_n lack_v wisdom_n let_v he_o ask_v of_o god_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v he_o luke_n 11.13_o the_o second_o rule_n we_o must_v be_v direct_v by_o herein_o be_v this_o we_o must_v have_v a_o reverend_a affection_n and_o conscionable_a respect_n to_o the_o word_n we_o must_v consider_v that_o it_o be_v god_n own_o voice_n one_o of_o the_o holy_a thing_n of_o god_n a_o most_o precious_a jewel_n bestow_v on_o the_o church_n touch_v it_o not_o with_o unwashen_n hand_n 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a_o true_a visible_a church_n i_o grant_v that_o they_o come_v very_o near_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n and_o overthrow_v the_o foundation_n almost_o to_o the_o very_a ground_n mercy_n by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o justification_n by_o work_n which_o error_n if_o they_o will_v reclaim_v few_o or_o none_o of_o we_o will_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n yet_o this_o overthrow_v christ_n not_o direct_o but_o by_o consequence_n by_o consequence_n they_o do_v because_o if_o man_n merit_n justify_v than_o christ_n merit_n alone_o do_v not_o justify_v we_o but_o direct_o they_o do_v not_o for_o still_o they_o believe_v in_o christ_n their_o only_a saviour_n and_o they_o say_v that_o it_o be_v christ_n merit_n that_o make_v they_o merit_v they_o be_v not_o so_o gross_a in_o this_o point_n as_o they_o be_v yet_o still_o they_o be_v gross_a enough_o overthrow_v the_o foundation_n by_o consequence_n yet_o still_o by_o consequence_n only_o not_o direct_o and_o therefore_o still_o they_o may_v be_v repute_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n but_o you_o will_v say_v be_v it_o not_o as_o dangerous_a against_o a_o man_n salvation_n to_o deny_v christ_n by_o consequence_n as_o to_o deny_v he_o direct_o to_o shut_v he_o out_o at_o the_o backdoor_n as_o at_o the_o foredoor_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v not_o so_o great_a a_o sin_n yet_o i_o say_v he_o that_o do_v this_o deserve_v in_o god_n justice_n to_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o christ_n mercy_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o especial_o if_o he_o see_v the_o consequent_a but_o if_o he_o see_v it_o not_o it_o be_v not_o so_o foul_a a_o sin_n as_o to_o deny_v christ_n direct_o he_o that_o direct_o deny_v the_o foundation_n whether_o he_o see_v it_o or_o not_o be_v in_o certain_a state_n of_o damnation_n but_o he_o that_o deny_v it_o by_o consequence_n and_o see_v it_o not_o but_o yet_o do_v firm_o believe_v in_o christ_n so_o far_o as_o he_o know_v and_o be_v willing_a in_o reverence_n and_o humility_n to_o 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can_v suspect_v so_o much_o for_o the_o first_o reason_n the_o second_o reason_n be_v take_v from_o the_o comparison_n of_o reas_n 2_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n israel_n with_o other_o church_n in_o the_o same_o state_n compare_v she_o to_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n in_o exod._n 32.6_o there_o they_o fall_v to_o idolatry_n worship_v the_o calf_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v a_o true_a church_n still_o and_o in_o numb_a 25.3_o 9_o compare_v with_o the_o 1_o cor._n 3.8_o we_o see_v that_o they_o join_v themselves_o to_o baalpeor_n and_o commit_v fornication_n with_o the_o moabite_n thus_o they_o be_v very_o bad_a and_o yet_o a_o true_a church_n still_o look_v further_o into_o the_o time_n of_o jeroboam_fw-la that_o set_v up_o the_o calf_n and_o make_v all_o israel_n to_o sin_n so_o that_o god_n threaten_v to_o give_v they_o up_o for_o the_o sin_n of_o jeroboam_fw-la 1_o king_n 14.16_o and_o so_o in_o ahab_n time_n in_o the_o 1_o king_n 16.30_o ahab_n the_o son_n of_o omri_n do_v worse_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n than_o all_o that_o be_v before_o he_o and_o so_o a_o time_n be_v when_o there_o be_v no_o passove_a in_o israel_n for_o many_o year_n time_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n still_o so_o likewise_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n it_o be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o apostasy_n and_o yet_o a_o true_a church_n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n retain_v some_o notable_a truth_n be_v still_o to_o be_v hear_v matth._n 23.3_o and_o yet_o their_o leven_n to_o be_v take_v heed_n of_o matthew_n 16.6_o so_o that_o though_o they_o have_v many_o corrruption_n yet_o they_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n galatia_n the_o church_n of_o galatia_n retain_v circumcision_n whereby_o all_o profit_n and_o benefit_n by_o christ_n be_v utter_o m_o the_o void_a that_o be_v by_o consequence_n the_o apostle_n say_v galat._n 5.2_o that_o if_o we_o be_v circumcise_v christ_n shall_v 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the_o substance_n of_o it_o it_o there_o be_v a_o true_a church_n but_o baptism_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v right_o administer_v for_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v a_o true_a church_n the_o error_n of_o rebaptisation_n of_o such_o as_o have_v be_v baptize_v by_o heretic_n do_v arise_v from_o the_o want_n of_o the_o due_a consideration_n of_o the_o very_a like_o point_n in_o those_o thing_n so_o much_o for_o the_o reason_n use_v 1_o the_o use_v be_v these_o first_o than_o this_o teach_v we_o answ_n that_o those_o be_v lawful_o baptize_v that_o have_v be_v baptize_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o that_o the_o baptism_n we_o receive_v from_o they_o be_v lawful_a baptism_n but_o some_o except_a and_o say_v that_o they_o that_o be_v baptise_a in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v baptize_v into_o their_o faith_n i_o answer_v no_o but_o they_o be_v baptize_v into_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o this_o be_v the_o 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that_o say_v we_o have_v no_o true_a ordination_n we_o answer_v that_o we_o have_v our_o ordination_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n at_o the_o first_o and_o that_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n therefore_o we_o have_v a_o lawful_a ministry_n use_v 3_o three_o answer_v this_o may_v serve_v for_o satisfaction_n to_o that_o question_n which_o the_o papist_n ask_v we_o where_o be_v your_o church_n before_o luther_n time_n do_v he_o erect_v a_o new_a church_n no_o he_o erect_v no_o new_a church_n but_o by_o his_o ministry_n bring_v many_o faithful_a out_o of_o their_o impure_a and_o unsound_a church_n church_n into_o a_o more_o sound_a and_o pure_a church_n not_o only_o for_o matter_n of_o ceremony_n for_o then_o he_o have_v be_v a_o schismatique_a to_o separate_v from_o they_o but_o for_o matter_n of_o substance_n so_o that_o this_o point_n well_o consider_v prevent_v a_o number_n of_o inconvenience_n which_o we_o shall_v run_v into_o if_o we_o shall_v fall_v into_o that_o heat_n 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truth_n maybe_o say_v for_o that_o church_n the_o seven_o and_o twenty_o lecture_n of_o the_o church_n have_v enter_v into_o the_o last_o point_n concern_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n namely_o the_o application_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n to_o all_o church_n that_o we_o know_v in_o the_o world_n after_o we_o have_v divide_v they_o according_a to_o their_o situation_n and_o language_n into_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n we_o begin_v with_o the_o eastern_a and_o greek_a church_n and_o so_o proceed_v to_o the_o western_a and_o latin_a church_n and_o of_o they_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o some_o be_v under_o the_o yoke_n of_o the_o pope_n and_o have_v he_o to_o be_v their_o head_n other_o have_v shake_v off_o that_o yoke_n and_o headshippe_n and_o be_v therefore_o call_v the_o reform_a church_n concern_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o which_o be_v speak_v of_o she_o may_v be_v apply_v to_o her_o adherent_n as_o be_v the_o 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do_v you_o not_o still_o hold_v communion_n with_o she_o what_o just_a exception_n can_v you_o allege_v for_o your_o separation_n from_o she_o for_o answer_n to_o which_o exception_n doct._n 2_o i_o will_v propound_v in_o the_o second_o place_n this_o observation_n namely_o that_o howsoever_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o some_o sense_n may_v be_v repute_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n yet_o it_o be_v marvelous_a unsound_a and_o corrupt_a and_o exceed_o corrupt_a with_o many_o foul_a abuse_n error_n and_o abomination_n yea_o so_o corrupt_a as_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a nor_o safe_a for_o we_o to_o communicate_v with_o she_o she_o the_o observation_n you_o see_v consist_v of_o two_o branch_n the_o former_a be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o latter_a avouch_v that_o she_o be_v pollute_v with_o many_o foul_a abomination_n the_o latter_a be_v a_o inference_n from_o the_o former_a that_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a nor_o lawful_a to_o join_v with_o she_o the_o whole_a observation_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o that_o church_n special_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o popish_a faction_n the_o pope_n and_o his_o darling_n for_o as_o when_o we_o speak_v in_o charity_n for_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o in_o some_o sense_n they_o be_v to_o be_v repute_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n it_o be_v intend_v of_o some_o that_o be_v of_o better_a spirit_n among_o they_o that_o be_v sound_a in_o some_o chief_a point_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o be_v not_o so_o obstinate_a in_o their_o error_n as_o the_o rest_n so_o now_o that_o we_o come_v to_o speak_v in_o zeal_n against_o they_o that_o they_o be_v so_o foul_o pollute_v that_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a to_o join_v with_o they_o factor_n it_o be_v intend_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o chief_a darling_n and_o factor_n call_v the_o popish_a faction_n neither_o be_v this_o any_o wrong_n to_o the_o church_n that_o we_o so_o speak_v of_o the_o whole_a body_n in_o general_a term_n because_o the_o church_n and_o faction_n be_v there_o mingle_v together_o in_o that_o body_n as_o when_o we_o come_v into_o a_o barn_n floor_n and_o see_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o chaff_n in_o the_o same_o heap_n with_o good_a wheat_n we_o may_v speak_v favourable_o of_o the_o wheat_n and_o say_v there_o be_v good_a corn_n and_o we_o may_v speak_v disgraceful_o of_o it_o too_o and_o say_v it_o be_v but_o light_a stuff_n we_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o observation_n that_o condemn_v her_o corruption_n doctrine_n and_o we_o will_v reduce_v all_o her_o corruption_n to_o these_o two_o sort_n first_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n second_o matter_n of_o practice_n and_o though_o these_o be_v much_o incident_a one_o to_o the_o other_o yet_o for_o playnnesse_n sake_n we_o will_v distinguish_v they_o god_n will_v as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v first_o for_o doctrine_n the_o point_n be_v this_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n understand_v and_o maintain_v by_o the_o popish_a faction_n be_v very_o unsound_a and_o corrupt_a full_a of_o gross_a and_o abominable_a error_n they_o have_v change_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n into_o a_o lie_n light_n into_o darkness_n and_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n &_o the_o comfortable_a doctrine_n of_o grace_n and_o faith_n into_o the_o eror_n of_o antichrist_n and_o the_o damnable_a doctrine_n of_o work_n and_o merit_n and_o of_o man_n tradition_n we_o will_v not_o speak_v of_o all_o her_o corruption_n in_o doctrine_n that_o be_v too_o much_o scripture_n only_o we_o will_v show_v it_o in_o some_o chief_a particular_n &_o that_o brief_o we_o will_v reduce_v they_o to_o these_o four_o head_n the_o first_o be_v error_n in_o doctrine_n concern_v the_o scripture_n the_o second_o be_v concern_v the_o direct_a
outward_o discern_v to_o the_o world_n end_n and_o this_o be_v it_o that_o austen_n and_o the_o father_n mean_v lucif_n when_o they_o compare_v the_o church_n to_o the_o moon_n that_o be_v sometime_o in_o a_o eclipse_n so_o darken_v that_o it_o can_v be_v see_v so_o we_o see_v we_o have_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o father_n too_o against_o the_o papist_n and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o point_n the_o reason_n be_v many_o and_o they_o all_o strengthen_v one_o another_o especial_o the_o first_o three_o must_v be_v lay_v together_o else_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a apart_o to_o prove_v the_o point_n reas_n 1_o the_o first_o reason_n be_v this_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v sometime_o very_a few_o they_o be_v always_o few_o in_o comparison_n to_o the_o wicked_a but_o sometime_o they_o be_v few_o simple_o in_o respect_n of_o themselves_o as_o in_o the_o old_a world_n when_o the_o church_n be_v in_o noah_n family_n now_o that_o which_o few_o do_v except_o it_o be_v some_o notorious_a thing_n or_o person_n be_v little_a observable_a to_o the_o world_n reas_n 2_o second_o as_o they_o be_v few_o so_o withal_o for_o the_o most_o part_n they_o be_v but_o mean_a person_n the_o poor_a receive_v the_o gospel_n now_o that_o which_o poor_a and_o mean_a one_o do_v be_v general_o neglect_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o except_o it_o be_v some_o notorious_a exploit_n and_o therefore_o reas_n 3_o three_o that_o which_o they_o do_v the_o profession_n of_o christ_n be_v no_o such_o notorious_a thing_n that_o the_o world_n regard_v it_o or_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o seek_v after_o except_o it_o be_v either_o by_o the_o true_a member_n that_o seek_v to_o join_v with_o it_o and_o they_o be_v but_o very_o few_o or_o else_o by_o persecutor_n and_o such_o seek_v after_o it_o only_o to_o destroy_v it_o as_o herod_n do_v after_o christ_n matth._n 2.13_o not_o to_o be_v member_n of_o it_o and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o be_v so_o hardly_o discern_v four_o their_o persecutor_n many_o time_n bring_v they_o to_o reas_n 4_o this_o low_a scantling_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o eliah_n the_o prophet_n the_o prophet_n be_v slay_v with_o the_o sword_n 1._o king_n 19.10_o and_o that_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o scarcity_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o those_o time_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o dioclesian_n time_n all_o the_o christian_n that_o be_v find_v be_v put_v to_o death_n their_o body_n be_v burn_v and_o their_o temple_n be_v overthrow_v where_o be_v the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n at_o this_o time_n persecution_n have_v bring_v it_o to_o this_o low_a scantling_n that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v discern_v and_o this_o be_v shadow_v to_o we_o in_o matth._n 8.24_o by_o the_o ship_n that_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n be_v in_o that_o be_v cover_v with_o wave_n so_o that_o it_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v discern_v yet_o it_o sink_v not_o so_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o this_o world_n that_o sometime_o it_o be_v cover_v with_o the_o wave_n and_o rage_n of_o persecutor_n like_a to_o be_v swallow_v up_o hardly_o to_o be_v discern_v but_o yet_o it_o live_v five_o sometime_o heresy_n and_o schism_n arise_v in_o the_o reas_n 5_o church_n and_o they_o sway_v the_o world_n after_o they_o overcome_v the_o true_a doctrine_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n when_o arius_n with_o his_o heresy_n overspread_v the_o whole_a world_n in_o so_o much_o that_o the_o world_n do_v wonder_n at_o itself_o to_o see_v itself_o become_v a_o arian_n as_o the_o ecclesiastical_a history_n set_v it_o down_o where_o can_v a_o man_n say_v now_o this_o be_v the_o true_a church_n whereunto_o i_o must_v join_v six_o those_o that_o make_v profession_n to_o be_v and_o indeed_o reas_n 6_o be_v of_o the_o church_n be_v but_o man_n and_o therefore_o sometime_o fearful_a and_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o their_o profession_n but_o fly_v away_o as_o the_o disciple_n of_o our_o saviour_n do_v matth._n 26.56_o they_o all_o forsake_v he_o and_o flee_v like_o fearful_a man_n where_o be_v the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n then_o seven_o counterfeit_v and_o deceiver_n be_v very_o cunning_a reas_n 7_o and_o will_v set_v as_o good_a a_o face_n on_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n on_o hypocrisy_n and_o on_o the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n as_o the_o church_n of_o god_n can_v do_v on_o the_o save_a faith_n and_o religion_n the_o false_a apostle_n can_v transform_v themselves_o into_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n 1._o cor._n 11.13_o 14._o and_o mat._n 24.24_o our_o saviour_n say_v that_o false_a christ_n and_o false_a apostle_n shall_v arise_v and_o shall_v show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o shall_v deceive_v the_o very_a elect_a so_o that_o the_o true_a church_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o easy_o discern_v because_o of_o these_o deceiver_n reas_n 8_o eight_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n heart_n which_o suffer_v itself_o easy_o to_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o content_v himself_o with_o the_o name_n and_o shadow_n of_o the_o church_n and_o religion_n when_o the_o truth_n and_o substance_n be_v go_v as_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisy_n and_o the_o jew_n do_v in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v also_o that_o the_o church_n be_v bring_v to_o so_o low_a a_o estate_n sometime_o reas_n 9_o nine_o it_o be_v from_o the_o malice_n of_o satan_n &_o his_o instrument_n for_o they_o can_v abide_v that_o the_o church_n shall_v flourish_v so_o much_o as_o outward_o reu._n 12.4_o to_o 14._o who_o drive_v the_o woman_n into_o the_o wilderness_n but_o the_o great_a red_a dragon_n the_o devil_n reas_n 10_o the_o ten_o reason_n be_v take_v from_o god_n merciful_a providence_n and_o wisdom_n that_o hide_v his_o people_n from_o the_o rage_n of_o the_o wicked_a he_o have_v they_o in_o a_o corner_n and_o yet_o be_v content_v to_o let_v they_o lie_v hide_v that_o they_o may_v have_v a_o breathe_a time_n from_o persecution_n and_o that_o their_o enemy_n may_v not_o bend_v their_o force_n against_o they_o therefore_o ofttimes_o there_o be_v no_o apparent_a face_n of_o a_o true_a church_n but_o god_n hide_v the_o faithful_a secret_o in_o his_o tabernacle_n from_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n that_o their_o enemy_n may_v not_o persecute_v they_o as_o also_o thereby_o he_o try_v the_o faithful_a whether_o they_o will_v walk_v by_o faith_n as_o well_o as_o by_o appearance_n for_o whilst_o there_o be_v a_o outward_a face_n of_o a_o true_a church_n many_o will_v make_v a_o outward_a show_n of_o the_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n but_o when_o there_o be_v none_o than_o here_o be_v the_o trial_n whether_o man_n will_v walk_v faithful_o or_o no._n likewise_o god_n do_v it_o for_o the_o just_a condemnation_n of_o the_o reprobate_n he_o leave_v they_o just_o without_o any_o apparent_a teach_n or_o profession_n of_o better_a religion_n to_o perish_v in_o their_o own_o sin_n and_o ignorance_n flatter_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_n because_o he_o can_v see_v no_o better_o any_o where_o else_o for_o when_o they_o hear_v of_o no_o better_a religion_n than_o their_o own_o they_o harden_v themselves_o in_o it_o and_o so_o just_o perish_v last_o god_n have_v pass_v his_o promise_n only_o for_o the_o perpetuity_n reas_n 11_o of_o his_o church_n for_o the_o be_v of_o it_o not_o for_o any_o flourish_a outward_a estate_n matth._n 16.18_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n to_o overcome_v it_o and_o to_o destroy_v the_o be_v of_o it_o but_o any_o thing_n else_o they_o may_v do_v to_o it_o they_o may_v deface_v it_o suppress_v it_o banish_v it_o drive_v it_o into_o a_o narrow_a corner_n but_o they_o shall_v never_o overcome_v it_o they_o may_v and_o do_v destroy_v the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o visiblenesse_n of_o it_o but_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o be_v of_o it_o they_o shall_v never_o destroy_v thus_o far_o god_n have_v promise_v and_o tie_v himself_o and_o so_o far_o we_o may_v expect_v and_o look_v for_o it_o and_o no_o further_o so_o much_o for_o the_o reason_n the_o use_v be_v these_o first_o this_o serve_v to_o refute_v those_o papist_n use_v 1_v that_o hold_v a_o perpetual_a notorious_a visiblenesse_n of_o the_o church_n some_o do_v not_o hold_v it_o therefore_o it_o refute_v those_o that_o do_v their_o speech_n be_v large_a in_o this_o kind_n for_o they_o say_v that_o the_o church_n must_v be_v as_o notorious_o visible_a as_o any_o kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n and_o their_o note_n of_o the_o church_n as_o multitude_n succession_n pomp_n visibility_n headship_n and_o that_o at_o rome_n
together_o act._n 15.2_o &_o there_o be_v a_o settle_a form_n of_o government_n and_o so_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n phil._n 1.1_o be_v also_o grow_v to_o some_o perfection_n and_o settle_a form_n of_o government_n they_o have_v their_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n so_o likewise_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n act._n 17.28_o they_o have_v their_o elder_n and_o overseer_n second_o some_o be_v less_o perfect_a as_o the_o church_n in_o creta_n which_o have_v some_o thing_n that_o be_v unperfect_a and_o therefore_o titus_n be_v leave_v there_o to_o redress_v thing_n amiss_o tit._n 1.5_o and_o so_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v not_o grow_v to_o that_o perfection_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n will_v lay_v no_o heavy_a burden_n on_o they_o but_o that_o which_o they_o shall_v be_v well_o able_a to_o bear_v act._n 15.19_o yet_o these_o be_v true_a church_n so_o that_o though_o some_o visible_a church_n be_v universal_a some_o particular_a some_o more_o notorious_o know_v some_o less_o know_v some_o more_o pure_a some_o more_o corrupt_a and_o some_o grow_v to_o some_o perfection_n and_o ripeness_n some_o in_o their_o infancy_n less_o perfect_a yet_o all_o these_o be_v true_a visible_a church_n so_o long_o as_o they_o profess_v the_o true_a save_a faith_n this_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o illustration_n of_o the_o note_n now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o point_n and_o first_o under_o the_o law_n there_o be_v a_o set_a place_n choose_v where_o the_o lord_n will_v put_v his_o name_n that_o be_v where_o religion_n shall_v be_v profess_v and_o he_o dwell_v there_o that_o be_v as_o a_o father_n or_o as_o a_o master_n of_o the_o family_n beget_v child_n and_o rule_v and_o govern_v that_o family_n by_o his_o word_n now_o what_o be_v this_o under_o the_o gospel_n but_o this_o that_o where_o god_n save_v truth_n be_v profess_v there_o god_n himself_o be_v present_a as_o in_o his_o true_a visible_a church_n matth._n 18.20_o where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o my_o name_n say_v our_o saviour_n there_o be_o i_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o what_o be_v a_o church_n but_o a_o company_n of_o people_n gather_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o what_o be_v it_o to_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o his_o name_n but_o joint_o to_o profess_v his_o save_a truth_n and_o what_o be_v they_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o who_o he_o be_v but_o his_o church_n for_o so_o in_o revel_v 2.1_o he_o be_v say_v to_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n and_o what_o be_v the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n but_o the_o seven_o visible_a church_n revel_v 1.20_o and_o this_o be_v not_o tie_v to_o any_o one_o place_n more_o than_o other_o but_o wheresoever_o say_v our_o saviour_n two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v etc._n etc._n be_v it_o among_o the_o jew_n or_o among_o the_o gentile_n be_v it_o general_o in_o the_o world_n or_o particular_o in_o a_o parish_n or_o house_n wheresoever_o it_o be_v say_v our_o saviour_n i_o be_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o neither_o do_v he_o say_v that_o of_o necessity_n there_o must_v be_v any_o great_a multitude_n of_o they_o if_o but_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o his_o name_n he_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o so_o act._n 2.41_o 47._o there_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n there_o be_v a_o company_n of_o people_n that_o receive_v the_o word_n that_o be_v that_o hear_v it_o and_o obey_v it_o and_o they_o be_v baptize_v that_o be_v they_o do_v not_o only_o embrace_v but_o outward_o profess_v the_o save_a truth_n and_o so_o they_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n that_o be_v they_o be_v of_o the_o visible_a church_n do_v but_o consider_v how_o the_o apostle_n 1._o cor._n 1.2_o describe_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o they_o that_o be_v sanctify_v in_o jesus_n christ_n that_o be_v to_o those_o that_o have_v true_a save_v faith_n in_o christ_n that_o sanctify_v they_o saint_n by_o call_v that_o be_v such_o as_o make_v profession_n at_o the_o least_o to_o be_v so_o with_o all_o that_o call_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n in_o every_o place_n which_o phrase_n call_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n general_o in_o scripture_n signify_v the_o profession_n of_o god_n religion_n so_o that_o those_o that_o thus_o profess_v the_o true_a religion_n be_v true_a visible_a church_n revel_v 1.20_o the_o church_n there_o be_v say_v to_o be_v golden_a candlestick_n now_o what_o be_v the_o use_n of_o a_o candlestick_n but_o to_o hold_v forth_o the_o light_n to_o be_v see_v of_o man_n and_o this_o not_o only_a experience_n teach_v but_o christ_n himself_o teach_v it_o mat._n 5.15_o neither_o do_v man_n light_v a_o candle_n and_o put_v it_o under_o a_o bushel_n but_o on_o a_o candlestick_n and_o it_o give_v light_a to_o all_o that_o be_v in_o the_o house_n and_o what_o be_v the_o true_a visible_a church_n but_o a_o company_n that_o hold_v forth_o the_o light_n of_o the_o save_a truth_n to_o be_v see_v by_o the_o world_n and_o those_o instance_n allege_v of_o those_o church_n that_o be_v some_o more_o visible_a some_o less_o some_o more_o pure_a some_o more_o corrupt_a some_o more_o perfect_a some_o more_o imperfect_a yet_o all_o of_o they_o true_a church_n prove_v the_o whole_a substance_n of_o the_o observation_n clear_o and_o direct_o and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o proof_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o point_n be_v these_o first_o the_o save_a reas_n 1_o truth_n or_o faith_n itself_o be_v the_o life_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o they_o that_o profess_v it_o and_o thereby_o make_v it_o public_o know_v to_o the_o world_n that_o the_o same_o be_v the_o save_a truth_n and_o that_o embrace_v it_o they_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n second_o where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o company_n profess_v god_n reas_n 2_o truth_n there_o they_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o christ_n presence_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n matth._n 18.20_o but_o christ_n be_v present_v no_o where_o in_o such_o a_o special_a manner_n but_o in_o his_o church_n therefore_o such_o a_o company_n be_v a_o true_a church_n again_o they_o have_v also_o the_o promise_n of_o life_n and_o salvation_n rom._n 10.13_o but_o none_o be_v save_v but_o those_o that_o be_v of_o the_o church_n therefore_o they_o be_v a_o true_a church_n three_o the_o true_a church_n be_v build_v on_o the_o prophet_n and_o reas_n 3_o apostle_n ephes_n 2.10_o that_o be_v on_o that_o save_a faith_n which_o they_o teach_v and_o write_v therefore_o they_o that_o profess_v this_o faith_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n four_o there_o christ_n be_v honour_v and_o obey_v public_o as_o their_o head_n ephes_n 1.22_o therefore_o they_o that_o profess_v to_o be_v such_o be_v his_o visible_a body_n five_o there_o among_o such_o a_o company_n be_v the_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o salvation_n which_o be_v no_o where_o else_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o the_o visible_a church_n matth._n 16.19_o six_o there_o his_o voice_n be_v open_o hear_v and_o in_o some_o measure_n obey_v therefore_o they_o be_v his_o sheep_n and_o that_o be_v his_o fold_n joh._n 10.27_o seven_o all_o other_o society_n and_o company_n consist_v of_o those_o that_o profess_v such_o a_o call_v or_o mystery_n and_o obedience_n thereunto_o therefore_o they_o that_o public_o profess_v the_o save_a faith_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o law_n and_o obedience_n thereunto_o they_o and_o none_o other_o be_v the_o true_a visible_a church_n of_o christ_n eight_o the_o true_a visible_a church_n be_v distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o society_n whatsoever_o by_o this_o profession_n of_o the_o save_a faith_n for_o other_o company_n of_o man_n either_o profess_v no_o religion_n at_o all_o or_o not_o the_o true_a religion_n therefore_o whatsoever_o company_n do_v profess_v the_o true_a save_a faith_n and_o religion_n that_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n of_o christ_n last_o the_o particular_a profession_n of_o the_o save_a faith_n make_v a_o particular_a man_n a_o true_a member_n of_o the_o true_a visible_a church_n as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o example_n of_o the_o eunuch_n act._n 8.37_o 38._o he_o believe_v the_o save_a faith_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v baptize_v and_o so_o make_v open_a profession_n of_o it_o and_o so_o become_v a_o member_n of_o the_o true_a visible_a church_n if_o this_o profession_n in_o particular_a make_v a_o particular_a man_n a_o true_a member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n much_o more_o in_o general_n do_v it_o make_v a_o company_n of_o man_n profess_v the_o same_o faith_n to_o be_v a_o true_a visible_a church_n use_v 1_o the_o use_v of_o the_o point_n be_v many_o the_o first_o be_v matter_n of_o reproof_n against_o the_o papist_n who_o lie_v