interest_v in_o common_a as_o that_o the_o very_a same_o performance_n which_o be_v eminent_o serviceable_a to_o one_o may_v for_o that_o very_a cause_n be_v as_o eminent_o disserviceable_a to_o the_o other_o as_o when_o they_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o hostility_n however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o as_o their_o interest_n be_v very_o different_a so_o the_o mean_n of_o serve_v those_o interest_n be_v very_o different_a also_o and_o therefore_o that_o there_o be_v no_o real_a consequence_n that_o he_o who_o have_v indeed_o oblige_v one_o society_n must_v in_o do_v so_o oblige_v all_o other_o also_o §_o vi_o but_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o sacrament_n be_v such_o as_o that_o he_o who_o have_v they_o in_o one_o church_n can_v by_o he_o who_o suppose_v he_o to_o have_v they_o there_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n suppose_v to_o want_v they_o in_o another_o regeneration_n and_o pardon_v of_o sin_n and_o a_o mystical_a union_n with_o christ_n be_v the_o design_v effect_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o he_o who_o have_v these_o in_o any_o one_o church_n can_v be_v presume_v to_o want_v they_o in_o another_o by_o they_o who_o presume_v he_o already_o have_v they_o and_o as_o no_o church_n can_v think_v it_o in_o her_o power_n to_o exclude_v from_o her_o communion_n those_o very_a person_n who_o she_o judge_v regenerate_v and_o pardon_v and_o unite_v to_o christ_n so_o if_o she_o be_v convince_v that_o these_o benefit_n be_v valid_o confer_v by_o a_o presbyter_n in_o another_o church_n she_o must_v in_o reason_n be_v oblige_v to_o treat_v they_o as_o such_o in_o she_o own_o now_o whether_o they_o be_v valid_o confer_v or_o not_o that_o she_o be_v to_o try_v by_o his_o ministry_n if_o his_o ministry_n be_v a_o valid_a ministry_n his_o sacrament_n must_v be_v valid_a sacrament_n and_o actual_o confer_v the_o benefit_n design_v by_o they_o to_o person_n not_o unqualify_v to_o receive_v they_o and_o whether_o his_o ministry_n be_v valid_a or_o no_o that_o be_v whether_o he_o be_v indeed_o a_o legal_a representative_a of_o god_n so_o as_o to_o oblige_v he_o to_o ratify_v what_o be_v do_v by_o himself_o in_o his_o name_n this_o be_v a_o act_n of_o authority_n and_o of_o authority_n visible_o administer_v by_o man_n however_o proceed_v original_o from_o god_n it_o must_v be_v judge_v the_o same_o way_n as_o be_v usual_o make_v use_n of_o in_o judge_v concern_v act_n of_o humane_a authority_n that_o be_v by_o consider_v the_o power_n by_o which_o he_o have_v receive_v it_o and_o because_o by_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n of_o which_o such_o a_o presbyter_n be_v a_o member_n and_o from_o whence_o himself_n pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v his_o authority_n she_o plain_o acknowledge_v that_o that_o church_n have_v real_o a_o power_n to_o give_v he_o that_o authority_n he_o pretend_v to_o therefore_o the_o only_a way_n to_o satisfy_v herself_o in_o this_o matter_n be_v to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o pretence_n whether_o he_o have_v indeed_o receive_v that_o authority_n he_o pretend_v to_o from_o those_o person_n from_o who_o he_o pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v it_o which_o way_n of_o trial_n do_v plain_o resolve_v her_o judgement_n in_o this_o matter_n into_o her_o correspondency_n with_o his_o church_n by_o that_o she_o judge_n whether_o his_o authority_n be_v good_a and_o whether_o he_o have_v actual_o receive_v it_o §_o vii_o 2._o therefore_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o he_o who_o can_v valid_o make_v out_o his_o authority_n in_o the_o particular_a church_n in_o which_o he_o pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v his_o order_n can_v in_o reason_n expect_v that_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o authority_n shall_v be_v ratify_v in_o other_o church_n who_o can_v thus_o be_v satisfy_v that_o he_o have_v receive_v they_o for_o their_o duty_n of_o correspondence_n be_v primary_o with_o church_n and_o only_o secondary_o with_o particular_a person_n as_o they_o relate_v to_o particular_a church_n which_o be_v particular_o true_a in_o act_n of_o authority_n which_o can_v be_v suppose_v in_o any_o particular_a person_n but_o by_o derivation_n from_o some_o church_n or_o which_o be_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n from_o some_o ecclesiastical_a person_n who_o act_n be_v to_o be_v take_v for_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n it_o must_v follow_v that_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o pretence_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n to_o authority_n must_v be_v by_o examine_v his_o reception_n of_o it_o from_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o if_o it_o can_v appear_v that_o he_o have_v receive_v any_o such_o authority_n as_o he_o pretend_v to_o from_o that_o church_n wherein_o he_o pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v it_o he_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v not_o to_o have_v it_o at_o all_o and_o therefore_o all_o that_o he_o presume_v to_o do_v on_o supposition_n of_o it_o must_v be_v null_n and_o invalid_a §_o viii_o 3._o the_o church_n by_o which_o the_o validity_n of_o the_o order_n of_o every_o particular_a presbyter_n must_v expect_v to_o be_v try_v must_v not_o be_v a_o church_n that_o derive_v its_o beginning_n from_o he_o but_o such_o a_o one_o as_o must_v be_v suppose_v settle_v and_o establish_v before_o he_o can_v be_v capable_a of_o any_o pretension_n to_o order_n for_o no_o other_o church_n can_v be_v suppose_v proper_a to_o try_v he_o by_o because_o the_o authority_n of_o no_o other_o church_n can_v be_v presume_v good_a antecedent_o to_o his_o be_v so_o all_o the_o authority_n nay_o the_o very_a be_v of_o a_o church_n set_v up_o by_o a_o particular_a presbyter_n must_v itself_o depend_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o person_n by_o who_o it_o be_v set_v up_o if_o he_o be_v no_o presbyter_n such_o a_o congregation_n can_v be_v a_o church_n in_o the_o sense_n we_o mean_v the_o word_n at_o present_a and_o therefore_o can_v be_v capable_a of_o any_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o he_o can_v by_o any_o act_n of_o such_o a_o church_n derive_v authority_n if_o he_o want_v it_o before_o because_o they_o can_v have_v no_o authority_n but_o what_o he_o bring_v over_o to_o they_o if_o he_o bring_v none_o they_o have_v none_o to_o give_v he_o if_o they_o have_v any_o yet_o not_o such_o as_o be_v proper_a for_o this_o purpose_n both_o because_o it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a that_o it_o can_v be_v more_o notorious_a than_o that_o which_o be_v at_o least_o in_o time_n antecedent_n to_o it_o and_o because_o at_o least_o it_o can_v be_v such_o a_o church_n as_o other_o church_n have_v hold_v correspondence_n with_o antecedent_o to_o their_o correspondence_n with_o his_o particular_a person_n and_o therefore_o who_o authority_n may_v have_v be_v presume_v to_o have_v be_v grant_v by_o they_o on_o account_n of_o their_o correspondence_n with_o they_o and_o there_o will_v appear_v the_o less_o reason_n either_o that_o this_o way_n of_o trial_n shall_v be_v right_a or_o shall_v be_v admit_v by_o they_o because_o it_o be_v against_o the_o interest_n of_o all_o government_n whatsoever_o and_o will_v justify_v the_o practice_n of_o any_o seditious_a person_n who_o can_v be_v so_o successful_a in_o his_o seditious_a practice_n as_o to_o gain_v himself_o the_o reputation_n of_o be_v the_o head_n of_o a_o seditious_a party_n to_o be_v sure_a the_o party_n head_v by_o he_o will_v give_v he_o all_o the_o authority_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o give_v he_o it_o be_v their_o interest_n to_o do_v so_o at_o least_o in_o the_o beginning_n of_o disturbance_n and_o as_o it_o will_v oblige_v he_o to_o their_o interest_n so_o it_o will_v give_v he_o great_a advantage_n for_o promote_a those_o interest_n effectual_o and_o then_o what_o government_n can_v think_v itself_o secure_a if_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o justify_v seditious_a practice_n how_o can_v we_o think_v that_o government_n shall_v ever_o be_v favourable_a to_o principle_n so_o pernicious_a to_o the_o right_n of_o government_n in_o general_n §_o ix_o nor_o be_v these_o thing_n only_o true_a concern_v church_n erect_v by_o single_a presbyter_n but_o concern_v such_o also_o as_o have_v whole_a presbytery_n make_v up_o of_o multitude_n of_o single_a presbyter_n who_o have_v be_v over-voted_n in_o their_o several_a presbytery_n respective_o especial_o if_o they_o presume_v to_o exercise_v their_o government_n in_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o another_o this_o will_v also_o be_v a_o precedent_n as_o favourable_a to_o sedition_n and_o as_o destructive_a to_o government_n as_o the_o other_o if_o fugitive_a over-voted_n magistrate_n of_o several_a place_n may_v invade_v the_o territory_n of_o a_o three_o and_o there_o erect_v themselves_o into_o a_o absolute_a senate_n independent_a on_o the_o government_n of_o the_o place_n what_o security_n can_v there_o be_v for_o any_o government_n for_o can_v we_o think_v that_o those_o same_o person_n who_o
religion_n even_o all_o that_o assurance_n of_o the_o safety_n of_o their_o condition_n which_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o receive_v even_o in_o the_o external_a solemnity_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o the_o application_n of_o the_o external_a seal_n these_o themselves_o they_o may_v receive_v if_o not_o in_o the_o church_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v eject_v yet_o in_o some_o other_o where_o they_o may_v be_v receive_v upon_o their_o ejection_n who_o may_v have_v as_o just_a a_o authority_n to_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n as_o the_o church_n which_o have_v eject_v they_o and_o be_v no_o more_o oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v eject_v they_o than_o she_o be_v to_o stand_v to_o she_o but_o be_v every_o way_n as_o competent_a a_o judge_n of_o the_o qualification_n to_o be_v require_v from_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o her_o own_o communion_n this_o indeed_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o all_o the_o discipline_n of_o particular_a church_n have_v be_v so_o insignificant_a since_o the_o catholic_n have_v be_v divide_v into_o so_o many_o party_n who_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v each_o other_o excommunicate_n they_o only_o can_v be_v terrify_v to_o do_v their_o duty_n who_o must_v otherwise_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o which_o alone_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v think_v confine_v but_o for_o avoid_v this_o whatever_o censure_n they_o lie_v under_o from_o particular_a church_n two_o excuse_n be_v obvious_a from_o our_o adversary_n principle_n either_o they_o make_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n such_o as_o that_o they_o may_v be_v contain_v in_o it_o who_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o visible_a communion_n of_o all_o particular_n or_o if_o they_o require_v visible_a communion_n with_o some_o particular_a church_n to_o communion_n with_o the_o catholic_n yet_o they_o have_v be_v use_v to_o contain_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n all_o the_o several_a divide_a party_n those_o which_o be_v heretical_a and_o schismatical_a as_o well_o as_o the_o orthodox_n and_o upon_o these_o term_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o censure_n to_o deprive_v of_o the_o whole_a visible_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o case_n stand_v now_o the_o very_a case_n of_o be_v excommunicate_v by_o one_o church_n be_v a_o recommendation_n to_o other_o to_o receive_v they_o and_o if_o none_o other_o will_v yet_o it_o be_v but_o the_o set_n up_o a_o new_a communion_n of_o their_o own_o which_o any_o censure_v person_n may_v do_v with_o as_o good_a right_n as_o many_o other_o have_v do_v before_o they_o §_o x_o to_o this_o that_o i_o may_v reply_v i_o must_v first_o free_o confess_v that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o retain_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n while_o man_n be_v excommunicate_v out_o of_o the_o particular_a church_n to_o which_o they_o be_v more_o particular_o relate_v at_o least_o if_o their_o exclusion_n from_o their_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o presumptive_a exclusion_n from_o the_o catholic_n but_o that_o excommunicate_v member_n may_v not_o only_o as_o certain_o be_v but_o also_o as_o certain_o assure_v themselves_o that_o they_o be_v member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o they_o can_v before_o when_o they_o be_v member_n of_o their_o own_o particular_a church_n i_o shall_v then_o acknowledge_v that_o person_n so_o excommunicate_a can_v not_o have_v any_o reason_n to_o apprehend_v themselves_o to_o be_v in_o any_o such_o danger_n of_o salvation_n as_o may_v oblige_v they_o to_o such_o unsinful_a condescension_n as_o those_o be_v concern_v which_o i_o have_v be_v speak_v in_o order_n to_o the_o avoid_n of_o that_o danger_n for_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o as_o the_o whole_a immediate_a effect_n of_o excommunication_n be_v privative_a so_o the_o deprivation_n of_o the_o benefit_n of_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n do_v herein_o differ_v from_o the_o deprivation_n of_o secular_a censure_n that_o the_o benefit_n can_v be_v take_v away_o in_o one_o place_n if_o they_o may_v be_v enjoy_v in_o another_o he_o who_o be_v banish_v from_o england_n may_v real_o be_v deprive_v of_o all_o those_o accommodation_n which_o he_o be_v entitle_v to_o as_o a_o subject_a of_o england_n which_o be_v all_o that_o the_o power_n of_o england_n can_v do_v to_o he_o and_o which_o be_v a_o real_a effect_n of_o that_o power_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o may_v enjoy_v the_o like_a or_o great_a accommodation_n in_o france_n because_o these_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v enjoy_v by_o they_o who_o be_v deprive_v of_o their_o english_a freedom_n the_o difference_n of_o country_n be_v sufficient_a in_o this_o case_n to_o afford_v some_o place_n privilege_n different_a from_o the_o privilege_n of_o other_o put_v the_o spiritual_a advantage_n whereof_o man_n be_v deprive_v by_o excommunication_n the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n the_o give_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o promise_n of_o future_a and_o eternal_a reward_n be_v thing_n impossible_a to_o be_v enjoy_v in_o one_o place_n if_o they_o be_v want_v in_o another_o it_o be_v god_n himself_o that_o must_v immediate_o ratify_v they_o and_o his_o power_n be_v equal_o concern_v for_o the_o church_n who_o have_v exercise_v her_o power_n of_o excommunication_n as_o for_o she_o who_o receive_v the_o other_o excommunicate_n and_o therefore_o if_o notwithstanding_o the_o excommunication_n of_o such_o person_n they_o may_v yet_o communicate_v in_o other_o church_n and_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v confirm_v to_o they_o the_o benefit_n of_o such_o vncanonical_a communion_n they_o must_v consequent_o expect_v that_o god_n in_o do_v so_o must_v disannul_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n which_o have_v excommunicate_v they_o which_o must_v consequent_o disoblige_v all_o who_o think_v so_o from_o all_o condescension_n on_o their_o part_n for_o the_o recovery_n of_o the_o communion_n of_o which_o they_o be_v deprive_v §_o xi_o and_o if_o person_n excommunicate_v in_o one_o place_n may_v be_v receive_v in_o another_o without_o so_o much_o as_o the_o formality_n of_o a_o absolution_n to_o repeal_v the_o sentence_n which_o have_v be_v pass_v against_o they_o nay_o must_v never_o have_v be_v presume_v to_o have_v be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n by_o the_o excommunication_n of_o their_o own_o church_n then_o they_o must_v still_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v continue_v in_o a_o state_n of_o pardon_n and_o possession_n of_o the_o spirit_n upon_o performance_n of_o the_o moral_a condition_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o then_o what_o effect_n can_v their_o excommunication_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v upon_o they_o that_o may_v oblige_v they_o to_o any_o condescension_n in_o order_n to_o a_o absolution_n and_o therefore_o that_o i_o may_v settle_v the_o discipline_n of_o particular_a church_n on_o a_o solid_a foundation_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o show_v that_o the_o unity_n of_o particular_a church_n be_v in_o the_o ordinary_a constitution_n of_o thing_n so_o inseparable_a from_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o that_o whoever_o be_v cut_v off_o design_o from_o the_o unity_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n however_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v whether_o by_o his_o own_o act_n or_o the_o act_n of_o his_o superior_n can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v presume_v to_o retain_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v our_o brethren_n separation_n to_o divide_v they_o from_o the_o unity_n of_o their_o particular_a church_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n respective_o so_o it_o must_v consequent_o divide_v they_o from_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o so_o be_v as_o proper_o schismatical_a in_o respect_n of_o that_o as_o it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o their_o particular_a church_n but_o i_o can_v wish_v that_o they_o will_v remember_v that_o the_o reason_n oblige_v i_o to_o this_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o all_o particular_a church_n in_o it_o and_o the_o unpracticableness_n of_o that_o discipline_n without_o it_o by_o what_o form_n of_o government_n soever_o it_o be_v administer_v whether_o monarchical_o or_o aristocratical_o or_o democratical_o all_o who_o maintain_v any_o power_n of_o church_n censure_n be_v as_o much_o concern_v for_o it_o as_o i_o be_o neither_o the_o presbyterian_o nor_o the_o independent_o themselves_o can_v ever_o expect_v that_o their_o censure_n can_v oblige_v any_o to_o perform_v their_o duty_n if_o all_o they_o do_v be_v only_o to_o exclude_v he_o from_o the_o ordinance_n of_o their_o own_o particular_a congregation_n but_o that_o notwithstanding_o he_o may_v as_o valid_o partake_v of_o ordinance_n in_o other_o congregation_n as_o he_o do_v before_o and_o be_v receive_v on_o as_o easy_a term_n as_o if_o he_o
such_o a_o separation_n as_o deny_v not_o only_o actual_a obedience_n but_o the_o lawful_a jurisdiction_n of_o superior_n and_o withdraw_v subject_n from_o the_o proper_a legal_a coertion_n of_o such_o a_o society_n especial_o if_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o district_v where_o separation_n from_o government_n be_v not_o intelligible_a without_o opposition_n to_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v schismatical_a for_o where_o there_o be_v two_o government_n not_o subordinate_a there_o must_v needs_o be_v two_o body_n politic_a and_o therefore_o that_o separation_n which_o interrupt_v this_o subordination_n and_o erect_v a_o independent_a government_n must_v consequent_o dissolve_v this_o political_a unity_n and_o be_v schismatical_a this_o therefore_o be_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o this_o notion_n of_o schism_n must_v be_v the_o principal_a thing_n requisite_a to_o be_v prove_v against_o our_o adversary_n and_o whether_o it_o be_v prove_v direct_o that_o the_o church_n be_v such_o a_o body_n politic_a and_o it_o be_v thence_o infer_v that_o such_o a_o separation_n as_o that_o i_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o be_v proper_o schismatical_a or_o whether_o the_o separation_n be_v first_o prove_v schismatical_a and_o this_o political_a unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v thence_o deduce_v both_o way_n of_o proceed_v will_v come_v to_o the_o same_o event_n §_o xlii_o especial_o consider_v 2._o that_o though_o indeed_o we_o can_v by_o reason_n prove_v it_o very_o convinient_a and_o avaylable_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o particular_a person_n that_o they_o be_v thus_o confederated_a into_o political_a society_n yet_o we_o can_v prove_v it_o so_o necessary_a as_o that_o antecedent_o to_o all_o positive_a revelation_n we_o may_v have_v be_v able_a to_o conclude_v that_o god_n must_v have_v thus_o confederate_v they_o for_o beside_o the_o great_a presumption_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v what_o god_n must_v have_v do_v from_o what_o we_o esteem_v fit_a and_o convenient_a acknowledge_v by_o all_o equal_a person_n in_o instance_n whereof_o they_o may_v be_v presume_v equal_a judge_n that_o be_v when_o this_o argument_n be_v produce_v in_o favour_n of_o adversary_n the_o argument_n be_v then_o more_o especial_o weak_a and_o imprudent_a when_o the_o convenience_n be_v no_o great_a than_o still_o to_o leave_v many_o thing_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o humane_a prudence_n and_o such_o they_o be_v here_o and_o when_o we_o can_v have_v secure_a way_n of_o argue_v as_o none_o will_v doubt_v but_o that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o secure_a to_o inquire_v what_o god_n have_v actual_o do_v from_o actual_a revelation_n than_o from_o our_o own_o fallible_a conjecture_n what_o be_v fit_a to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o he_o especial_o in_o thing_n so_o indifferent_a and_o arbitrary_a as_o these_o be_v concern_v which_o i_o be_o at_o present_a discourse_v if_o therefore_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o god_n have_v actual_o make_v the_o church_n a_o body_n politic_a it_o will_v follow_v that_o resistance_n to_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n must_v be_v actual_o condemn_v by_o god_n as_o shismatical_a and_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n have_v actual_o condemn_v resistance_n to_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n as_o schismatical_a it_o will_v also_o follow_v that_o he_o have_v make_v the_o church_n a_o body_n politic_a there_o be_v no_o other_o difference_n betwixt_o these_o two_o way_n of_o argue_v but_o that_o one_o of_o they_o be_v a_o priori_fw-la the_o other_o a_o posteriori_fw-la but_o in_o both_o of_o they_o the_o connexion_n be_v equal_o certain_a from_o its_o own_o rational_a evidence_n §_o xliii_o 3._o therefore_o as_o this_o actual_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v most_o proper_a to_o be_v prove_v from_o scripture_n so_o the_o most_o satisfactory_a way_n of_o prove_v it_o thence_o will_v be_v not_o only_o to_o prove_v thence_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n to_o be_v require_v from_o subject_n to_o their_o ecclesiastical_a superior_n but_o also_o to_o discover_v from_o thence_o the_o mischief_n likely_a to_o befall_v subject_n upon_o their_o disobedience_n for_o 1._o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o constitute_v a_o government_n or_o a_o body_n politic_a proper_o so_o call_v without_o a_o coercive_a power_n over_o its_o particular_a refractory_a member_n and_o therefore_o if_o in_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n as_o establish_v in_o the_o scripture_n there_o appear_v nothing_o coercive_a over_o its_o particular_a member_n to_o force_v they_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o their_o duty_n under_o pain_n of_o a_o great_a prejudice_n to_o be_v incur_v by_o they_o in_o case_n of_o refusal_n than_o that_o of_o bare_o act_v irrational_o and_o indecorous_o this_o very_a omission_n will_v make_v it_o suspicious_a that_o the_o duty_n exact_v from_o they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o that_o reverential_n respect_n which_o we_o common_o conceive_v due_a to_o person_n of_o excellent_a accomplishment_n or_o from_o who_o we_o have_v receive_v particular_a obligation_n though_o they_o have_v no_o right_n of_o jurisdiction_n over_o we_o but_o not_o that_o obedience_n which_o be_v proper_o due_a to_o governor_n of_o society_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n without_o any_o regard_n to_o their_o personal_a accomplishment_n and_o our_o obligation_n to_o they_o so_o that_o this_o real_a prejudice_n which_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v incur_v by_o the_o subject_a in_o case_n of_o disobedience_n be_v very_o necessary_a to_o be_v discover_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o scripture_n even_o in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o obligation_n of_o this_o authority_n §_o xliv_o and_o 2._o the_o church_n be_v on_o this_o supposal_n a_o external_n body_n politic_a its_o coercive_a power_n must_v also_o be_v external_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o validity_n of_o her_o censure_n be_v derive_v from_o god_n second_v they_o that_o be_v from_o his_o remit_v or_o bind_v in_o heaven_n what_o she_o remit_v or_o bind_v on_o earth_n yet_o this_o power_n will_v indeed_o be_v very_o little_a coercive_a if_o god_n confirmation_n be_v think_v easy_o separable_a from_o the_o church_n act._n for_o see_v that_o a_o society_n of_o this_o nature_n can_v imply_v any_o external_n coercion_n of_o the_o external_n act_n all_o the_o coercion_n she_o can_v pretend_v to_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o deprivation_n of_o those_o privilege_n which_o be_v enjoy_v and_o may_v be_v pretend_v to_o by_o virtue_n of_o her_o visible_a membership_n and_o a_o expose_v the_o person_n so_o deprive_v to_o all_o the_o calamity_n consequent_a to_o such_o a_o deprivation_n but_o if_o the_o confirmation_n of_o these_o censure_n by_o god_n be_v whole_o resolve_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n for_o which_o they_o be_v inflict_v they_o can_v never_o be_v fear_v nor_o consequent_o prove_v coercive_a to_o their_o subject_n who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n itself_o which_o in_o the_o event_n will_v make_v they_o never_o proper_o coercive_a at_o all_o especial_o in_o regard_n of_o a_o government_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v fallible_a as_o the_o church_n be_v general_o by_o protestant_n for_o it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v that_o all_o who_o stand_v out_o so_o obstinate_o against_o the_o church_n authority_n as_o to_o provoke_v her_o censure_n either_o be_v not_o or_o pretend_v not_o to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o justice_n of_o her_o decree_n and_o therefore_o if_o their_o own_o judgement_n may_v be_v take_v as_o all_o the_o coerciveness_n of_o such_o censure_n as_o these_o be_v which_o be_v not_o external_o coercive_a must_v be_v derive_v from_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o person_n lie_v under_o they_o concern_v their_o validity_n there_o can_v be_v no_o hope_n of_o reclaim_v they_o by_o censure_n who_o be_v not_o already_o such_o as_o may_v be_v presume_v satisfy_v concern_v the_o justice_n of_o the_o cause_n for_o which_o they_o be_v inflict_v and_o yet_o such_o alone_o be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o coercive_a power_n §_o xlv_o beside_o those_o censure_n which_o be_v suppose_v only_o declarative_a not_o operative_a be_v not_o proper_o the_o act_n of_o authorize_v but_o skilful_a person_n for_o it_o be_v skill_n not_o authority_n that_o be_v a_o prudent_a presumption_n that_o any_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o it_o be_v declare_v and_o therefore_o the_o opinion_n of_o learned_a doctor_n though_o but_o private_a person_n will_v in_o this_o way_n of_o proceed_v be_v much_o more_o formidable_a than_o the_o peremptory_a sentence_n of_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n as_o they_o be_v consider_v only_o under_o that_o relation_n i_o can_v see_v how_o this_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o those_o who_o conceive_v the_o declaration_n to_o be_v purely-speculative_a and_o to_o be_v of_o no_o further_a force_n for_o oblige_v particular_a person_n than_o as_o upon_o
though_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o such_o a_o person_n to_o nourish_v some_o hope_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_o intelligible_a how_o he_o can_v rational_o enjoy_v any_o comfort_n §_o vi_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a seem_v agreeable_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v appeal_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n themselves_o concern_v it_o where_o they_o be_v disinterest_v it_o be_v well_o know_v what_o advantage_n the_o romanist_n make_v of_o the_o ingenuity_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o acknowledge_v a_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n to_o particular_a person_n of_o their_o communion_n and_o it_o be_v as_o well_o know_v how_o unreasonable_a as_o well_o as_o unequal_a they_o be_v think_v by_o protestant_n in_o this_o way_n of_o proceed_v and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o argument_n producible_a by_o they_o to_o prove_v it_o unreasonable_a which_o may_v not_o be_v apply_v to_o show_v the_o unconclusiveness_n of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n supposal_n of_o the_o security_n of_o some_o person_n out_o of_o the_o external_n communion_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o prove_v the_o prudence_n of_o their_o venture_n on_o it_o for_o will_v they_o say_v that_o notwithstanding_o this_o salvability_n of_o particular_a person_n in_o the_o romish_a communion_n yet_o it_o be_v so_o little_a to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o their_o be_v of_o that_o communion_n as_o that_o their_o be_v so_o be_v rather_o a_o prejudice_n than_o a_o advantage_n to_o their_o salvation_n to_o be_v rather_o excuse_v than_o recommend_v nay_o that_o their_o danger_n be_v so_o great_a and_o the_o escape_v so_o rare_a and_o so_o incapable_a to_o be_v make_v out_o to_o the_o comfort_n of_o the_o person_n concern_v as_o that_o not_o only_o that_o communion_n can_v prudent_o be_v choose_v upon_o equal_a term_n where_o a_o better_a may_v be_v have_v but_o that_o all_o tolerable_a term_n that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v not_o sinful_a be_v rather_o to_o be_v bear_v with_o than_o that_o a_o better_a shall_v not_o be_v actual_o obtain_v and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o plain_a confession_n that_o a_o bare_a possibility_n of_o salvation_n out_o of_o the_o external_a communion_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o excuse_v they_o from_o submit_v to_o all_o lawful_a however_o inconvenient_a term_n of_o obtain_v this_o external_a communion_n especial_o when_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o this_o state_n of_o want_v this_o external_a communion_n be_v and_o may_v be_v notwithstanding_o this_o argument_n as_o prejudicial_a to_o salvation_n and_o as_o dangerous_a and_o as_o rare_o escape_v and_o as_o little_a capable_a of_o administer_a comfort_n to_o the_o party_n concern_v as_o that_o of_o popery_n and_o this_o be_v as_o much_o as_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o at_o present_a only_o to_o show_v the_o weakness_n of_o this_o argument_n from_o the_o acknowledge_a salvability_n of_o some_o particular_a person_n out_o of_o the_o external_a communion_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o overthrow_v the_o necessity_n of_o our_o join_n with_o it_o in_o order_n to_o our_o comfort_n and_o assurance_n of_o salvation_n whence_o it_o also_o appear_v clear_o how_o little_a we_o be_v concern_v to_o disprove_v that_o salvability_n §_o vii_o i_o proceed_v therefore_o 2._o to_o show_v far_o positive_o that_o for_o prove_v this_o obligation_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o external_a communion_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o without_o such_o a_o external_a communion_n we_o can_v so_o well_o be_v assure_v of_o our_o salvation_n and_o that_o this_o supposition_n alone_o of_o our_o less_o security_n without_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v we_o oblige_v to_o submit_v to_o all_o term_n not_o direct_o sinful_a however_o in-expedient_a in_o order_n to_o the_o procure_v this_o external_a communion_n this_o will_v be_v easy_a if_o it_o be_v consider_v 1._o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o rational_a obligation_n in_o prudence_n to_o secure_v our_o own_o interest_n and_o what_o may_v prove_v conducive_a thereunto_o and_o to_o avoid_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v prove_v prejudicial_a to_o they_o as_o well_o as_o a_o authoritative_a obligation_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o imposition_n of_o any_o superior_n whatsoever_o nay_o this_o rational_a obligation_n be_v so_o far_o from_o fall_v short_a of_o that_o which_o be_v authoritative_a as_o some_o less_o wary_a person_n may_v conceive_v as_o that_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o authoritative_a obligation_n for_o all_o authoritative_a sanction_n be_v impose_v on_o subject_n only_o in_o virtue_n of_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n annex_v to_o they_o so_o that_o as_o he_o who_o undervalue_v the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n can_v have_v no_o rational_a inducement_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n so_o the_o only_a original_a reason_n of_o value_v the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n can_v only_o be_v the_o value_n of_o those_o interest_n which_o be_v concern_v in_o they_o and_o as_o in_o this_o regard_n this_o kind_n of_o obligation_n be_v general_o great_a than_o that_o which_o be_v legal_a so_o there_o can_v be_v a_o secure_a measure_n for_o discern_v the_o great_a or_o lesser_a obligation_n of_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n than_o by_o the_o great_a or_o lesser_a momentousness_n of_o the_o interest_n concern_v in_o they_o for_o as_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o lesser_a interest_n ought_v in_o prudence_n to_o give_v way_n to_o great_a and_o consequent_o may_v be_v deny_v in_o compliance_n with_o those_o imposition_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v submit_v to_o in_o order_n to_o the_o secure_v those_o which_o be_v great_a so_o the_o great_a of_o all_o be_v most_o obligatory_a and_o can_v never_o yield_v to_o any_o law_n whatsoever_o because_o no_o reward_n or_o punishment_n whatsoever_o can_v be_v ever_o suppose_v sufficient_a to_o countervail_v they_o now_o this_o be_v the_o case_n exact_o here_o there_o be_v no_o other_o interest_n comparable_a to_o that_o of_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n §_o viii_o hence_o it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o infer_v 2._o that_o all_o term_n not_o direct_o sinful_a however_o in_o expedient_a be_v necessary_a to_o be_v submit_v to_o in_o order_n to_o the_o secure_v this_o great_a interest_n of_o our_o salvation_n for_o as_o this_o obligation_n to_o secure_v our_o great_a interest_n in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v the_o first_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o all_o law_n so_o the_o second_o be_v this_o that_o for_o secure_v our_o great_a interest_n we_o be_v in_o prudence_n oblige_v to_o yield_v those_o which_o be_v inferior_a for_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o law_n even_o contrary_a to_o our_o own_o humour_n and_o interest_n of_o lesser_a concernment_n because_o the_o interest_n yield_v in_o obedience_n to_o law_n be_v less_o than_o the_o interest_n procure_v by_o the_o reward_n and_o other_o advantage_n of_o the_o society_n establish_v by_o they_o and_o because_o the_o prejudice_n incur_v by_o the_o performance_n of_o duty_n be_v less_o than_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o penalty_n or_o of_o the_o dissolution_n or_o disturbance_n of_o the_o society_n itself_o see_v therefore_o that_o all_o term_n not_o sinful_a be_v lesser_a evil_n than_o the_o loss_n of_o our_o salvation_n it_o will_v follow_v by_o this_o second_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o humane_a society_n that_o they_o be_v all_o to_o be_v yield_v as_o far_o as_o such_o yield_n may_v prove_v necessary_a for_o the_o security_n of_o this_o but_o because_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o hazard_n of_o our_o salvation_n it_o self_n as_o the_o hazard_n of_o our_o assurance_n of_o it_o and_o consequent_o of_o our_o present_a comfort_n of_o it_o that_o we_o can_v so_o proper_o take_v for_o grant_v in_o our_o present_a discourse_n therefore_o it_o will_v concern_v we_o to_o show_v that_o though_o our_o condition_n be_v never_o so_o secure_a in_o itself_o yet_o even_o the_o loss_n of_o our_o assurance_n that_o it_o be_v so_o and_o of_o that_o evidence_n which_o be_v requisite_a for_o ground_v a_o prudent_a rational_a assurance_n be_v a_o mischief_n to_o we_o great_a than_o any_o we_o can_v suffer_v by_o the_o most_o i_o do_v not_o say_v imprudent_a but_o oppressive_a ecclesiastical_a constitution_n if_o they_o be_v not_o sinful_a which_o will_v therefore_o by_o these_o principle_n of_o obligation_n oblige_v we_o rather_o to_o yield_v to_o all_o compliance_n of_o this_o nature_n than_o to_o hazard_v the_o loss_n or_o considerable_a diminution_n even_o of_o this_o assurance_n §_o ix_o to_o this_o purpose_n i_o consider_v further_o 3._o that_o this_o security_n of_o great_a interest_n design_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o compliance_n in_o yield_v of_o lesser_a be_v not_o indeed_o bare_o for_o the_o secure_v those_o interest_n in_o themselves_o but_o also_o and_o principal_o the_o secure_v they_o to_o
the_o relief_n by_o extraordinary_a pretence_n to_o god_n vncovenant_v goodness_n must_v needs_o be_v render_v more_o difficult_a upon_o the_o establishment_n of_o ordinary_n §_o vii_o 1._o the_o assurance_n which_o can_v be_v ground_v on_o this_o notion_n of_o the_o divine_a vncovenant_v goodness_n be_v not_o such_o as_o may_v afford_v a_o person_n concern_v any_o solid_a comfort_n for_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o thing_n now_o mention_v i_o will_v not_o in_o general_n deny_v it_o to_o be_v possible_a that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v actual_o save_v by_o be_v actual_o assist_v in_o the_o performance_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o actual_o indulge_v in_o the_o defect_n of_o that_o performance_n and_o actual_o settle_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o this_o reward_n nor_o will_v i_o deny_v that_o god_n may_v actual_o do_v this_o on_o account_n of_o his_o natural_a and_o essential_a uncovenant_v goodness_n nay_o may_v be_v presume_v frequent_o to_o do_v it_o where_o he_o be_v not_o confine_v in_o his_o transaction_n by_o threatâ—_n express_o denounce_v and_o clear_o promulge_v against_o offender_n which_o beside_o the_o obligation_n on_o his_o part_n from_o his_o own_o veracity_n to_o performance_n must_v certain_o prove_v in_o the_o event_n a_o exceed_a aggravation_n of_o their_o guilt_n and_o a_o incapacity_n of_o pardon_n to_o they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v so_o denounce_v and_o promulge_v not_o only_o because_o god_n be_v natural_o arbitrary_a in_o the_o distribution_n of_o his_o favour_n and_o he_o be_v not_o in_o that_o case_n suppose_v to_o have_v confine_v himself_o by_o any_o voluntary_a obligation_n but_o also_o because_o the_o pardonableness_n of_o such_o person_n in_o their_o omission_n of_o those_o duty_n which_o to_o such_o person_n be_v moral_o impossible_a and_o their_o good_a meaning_n to_o the_o uttermost_a of_o their_o ability_n moral_o consider_v may_v be_v rational_a inducement_n to_o a_o nature_n so_o generous_a and_o beneficent_a as_o god_n be_v not_o only_o to_o pardon_v but_o reward_n they_o nor_o will_v i_o deny_v further_a that_o even_o after_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o provide_v better_o for_o we_o ordinary_o by_o admit_v we_o into_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o by_o give_v we_o express_a revelation_n yet_o he_o may_v be_v merciful_a to_o particular_a person_n want_v the_o ordinary_a mean_n with_o out_o any_o fault_n of_o their_o own_o that_o be_v when_o they_o be_v in_o a_o place_n where_o they_o can_v be_v have_v at_o all_o or_o where_o their_o fallible_a superior_n be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o that_o they_o can_v be_v admit_v to_o they_o without_o sinful_a compliance_n this_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o universal_o acknowledge_v as_o that_o it_o be_v not_o deny_v by_o the_o romanist_n themselves_o who_o be_v the_o most_o rigorous_a assertor_n of_o strict_a discipline_n and_o blind_a obedience_n who_o hold_v ordinary_a superior_n general_o fallible_a and_o other_o fallible_a at_o least_o in_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o which_o kind_a something_o be_v general_o mix_v in_o most_o exercise_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n and_o i_o be_o so_o sensible_a that_o this_o be_v a_o undue_a deference_n to_o ecclesiastical_a power_n to_o make_v all_o their_o censure_n even_o where_o mistake_v and_o unjust_o inflict_v to_o destroy_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o salvation_n of_o such_o a_o person_n who_o be_v not_o only_o innocent_a of_o the_o crime_n for_o which_o he_o be_v censure_v but_o be_v ready_a to_o submit_v to_o all_o unsinful_a condition_n whereby_o he_o may_v recover_v the_o communion_n he_o have_v lose_v and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n behave_v himself_o modest_o and_o give_v active_a obedience_n as_o far_o as_o his_o conscience_n will_v permit_v he_o and_o passive_a where_o it_o will_v not_o as_o that_o according_a to_o my_o own_o observation_n in_o the_o introduction_n §_o 10.11.12_o i_o shall_v ready_o acknowledge_v those_o argument_n fallacious_a that_o prove_v it_o and_o shall_v therefore_o be_v wary_a that_o my_o own_o argument_n be_v not_o liable_a to_o any_o such_o exception_n §_o viii_o that_o therefore_o which_o i_o shall_v at_o present_a endeavour_n shall_v be_v only_o to_o show_v that_o how_o much_o soever_o god_n natural_a goodness_n may_v incline_v he_o to_o do_v for_o we_o yet_o these_o general_a presumption_n concern_v it_o be_v not_o so_o satisfactory_a to_o our_o particular_a conscience_n to_o assure_v we_o of_o any_o of_o the_o favour_n now_o mention_v bare_o on_o that_o account_n and_o consequent_o can_v encourage_v we_o either_o easy_o to_o presume_v that_o god_n may_v not_o be_v of_o the_o mind_n of_o our_o superior_n in_o matter_n disputable_a or_o that_o he_o will_v not_o confirm_v their_o censure_n though_o mistake_v if_o we_o do_v not_o make_v use_n of_o all_o the_o modesty_n and_o endeavour_n now_o mention_v for_o recover_v actual_a communion_n for_o though_o it_o be_v indeed_o most_o certain_a that_o god_n be_v good_a and_o that_o his_o goodness_n do_v exceed_v infinite_o that_o of_o the_o best_a nature_a man_n yet_o it_o be_v withal_o as_o certain_a that_o he_o be_v not_o fond_a and_o that_o his_o goodness_n must_v be_v reconcile_v not_o only_o with_o his_o other_o attribute_n but_o also_o the_o intrinsic_a merit_n of_o the_o thing_n especial_o as_o it_o may_v have_v influence_n on_o the_o government_n of_o the_o word_n and_o particular_o on_o that_o of_o mankind_n that_o be_v that_o his_o goodness_n can_v prompt_v he_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o on_o some_o of_o these_o account_n be_v real_o reasonable_a now_o in_o this_o regard_n many_o thing_n may_v be_v so_o pernicious_a not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o intrinsic_a malignity_n but_o also_o of_o the_o ill_a influence_n of_o their_o example_n for_o encourage_v other_o by_o their_o impunity_n as_o that_o even_o his_o goodness_n may_v not_o hinder_v he_o from_o a_o obligation_n to_o punish_v they_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o this_o regard_n many_o fault_n neither_o otherwise_o very_o great_a in_o themselves_o and_o very_o pardonable_a in_o their_o circumstance_n be_v yet_o think_v very_o necessary_o and_o just_o punishable_a with_o great_a severity_n as_o the_o sleep_a of_o over-watched_n sentinel_n §_o ix_o and_o consider_v the_o obscurity_n of_o many_o thing_n very_o requisite_a in_o this_o way_n for_o pass_v a_o accurate_a and_o impartial_a judgement_n concern_v any_o particular_a action_n and_o withal_o consider_v the_o weakness_n of_o our_o faculty_n either_o for_o discern_v or_o judge_v without_o prejudice_n and_o consider_v that_o what_o may_v indeed_o be_v great_a in_o regard_n of_o we_o or_o that_o society_n for_o which_o we_o be_v concern_v may_v yet_o be_v very_o little_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o great_a design_n of_o god_n for_o the_o universal_a good_a of_o mankind_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v as_o just_a and_o oblige_a for_o any_o thing_n we_o know_v to_o the_o contrary_a to_o destroy_v whole_a nation_n for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n in_o general_n as_o it_o be_v confess_o oblige_v notwithstanding_o any_o pretence_n of_o the_o obligingness_n of_o goodness_n to_o pardon_n to_o destroy_v many_o criminal_n for_o the_o good_a of_o a_o particular_a nation_n and_o consider_v particular_o what_o liberty_n our_o dissent_v brethren_n calvinistical_a principle_n allow_v god_n in_o the_o actual_a exercise_n not_o only_o of_o his_o justice_n but_z his_o sovereign_a dominion_n notwithstanding_o any_o obligingness_n of_o his_o goodness_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o last_o consider_v that_o the_o sin_n of_o schism_n of_o which_o they_o must_v prove_v guilty_a if_o by_o their_o own_o fault_n they_o be_v deprive_v of_o actual_a communion_n be_v of_o that_o sort_n which_o be_v mischievous_a to_o the_o public_a and_o for_o who_o punishment_n god_n be_v therefore_o more_o concern_v and_o wherein_o his_o relation_n of_o a_o governor_n confine_v that_o liberty_n he_o may_v otherwise_o have_v of_o pardon_v it_o i_o say_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v impartial_o consider_v it_o can_v be_v think_v so_o easy_a a_o matter_n to_o assure_v he_o of_o his_o good_a condition_n that_o upon_o any_o account_n soever_o be_v deprive_v of_o actual_a communion_n as_o our_o brethren_n conceive_v it_o §_o x_o see_v therefore_o that_o in_o these_o extraordinary_a case_n god_n may_v with_o perfect_a justice_n withdraw_z his_o vncovenant_v mercy_n such_o of_o they_o especial_o as_o he_o be_v not_o by_o his_o goodness_n oblige_v to_o grant_v we_o and_o see_v that_o our_o information_n be_v so_o extreme_o imperfect_a as_o that_o we_o can_v secure_v ourselves_o in_o these_o case_n whether_o his_o justice_n be_v not_o only_o permit_v but_o oblige_v to_o the_o actual_a infliction_n of_o punishment_n in_o which_o case_n it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o his_o justice_n shall_v be_v over_o rule_v by_o his_o goodness_n and_o see_v that_o his_o justice_n which_o be_v infallible_o guide_v by_o
as_o person_n authorize_v to_o transact_v with_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o their_o respective_a society_n and_o then_o to_o oblige_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o covenant_n to_o employ_v their_o authority_n for_o that_o design_n for_o which_o it_o be_v intend_v by_o he_o when_o he_o give_v it_o they_o so_o that_o in_o this_o regard_n they_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o concern_v on_o the_o part_n of_o mankind_n on_o which_o account_n i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o invest_v they_o with_o such_o a_o authority_n but_o consider_v god_n as_o a_o governor_n they_o will_v be_v relate_v to_o he_o under_o that_o notion_n as_o subordinate_a governor_n to_o their_o principal_a head_n and_o original_a of_o authority_n and_o so_o they_o will_v be_v concern_v not_o on_o man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o on_o god_n so_o that_o he_o will_v be_v more_o immediate_o concern_v in_o the_o duty_n and_o respect_n that_o be_v pay_v to_o they_o and_o consequent_o the_o principal_a duty_n covenant_v for_o on_o our_o part_n be_v a_o submission_n to_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o a_o performance_n of_o all_o his_o command_n temporary_a and_o prudential_n as_o well_o as_o of_o such_o as_o be_v eternal_o obligatory_a we_o can_v perform_v our_o covenant_n with_o god_n without_o be_v dutiful_a to_o they_o because_o they_o be_v invest_v with_o his_o authority_n as_o he_o be_v account_v a_o rebel_n against_o his_o prince_n who_o resist_v any_o of_o his_o inferior_a officer_n who_o be_v legal_o empower_v and_o commission_v by_o he_o not_o only_o in_o thing_n for_o which_o they_o have_v his_o particular_a express_a warrant_n but_o also_o in_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v to_o have_v be_v leave_v to_o their_o prudence_n to_o determine_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o general_n commission_n §_o iii_o and_o it_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a use_n of_o this_o distinction_n to_o observe_v that_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n be_v invest_v with_o a_o power_n of_o government_n in_o both_o these_o respect_n can_v be_v accountable_a to_o their_o subject_n as_o our_o independent_a brethren_n will_v have_v they_o indeed_o this_o may_v have_v be_v the_o case_n if_o they_o have_v be_v consider_v only_o as_o our_o representative_n and_o god_n have_v withal_o permit_v we_o to_o our_o natural_a liberty_n both_o to_o appoint_v they_o and_o to_o allow_v they_o what_o degree_n of_o trust_n we_o have_v please_v for_o than_o we_o may_v as_o well_o have_v allow_v they_o a_o limit_v power_n as_o some_o democratical_a government_n in_o the_o like_a manner_n derive_v from_o the_o consent_n of_o their_o particular_a member_n have_v confess_o do_v and_o then_o by_o the_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o democracy_n all_o person_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o multitude_n in_o all_o such_o instance_n wherein_o they_o have_v not_o be_v particular_o empower_v and_o all_o power_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o multitude_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o if_o they_o shall_v presume_v to_o transgress_v the_o limit_n allow_v they_o they_o be_v still_o usurper_n and_o therefore_o still_o subject_a and_o accountable_a for_o such_o misdemeanour_n to_o those_o who_o have_v empower_v they_o but_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o multitude_n as_o prevent_v even_o in_o this_o their_o natural_a right_n of_o choose_v and_o empower_v their_o representative_n as_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o god_n may_v prevent_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o authority_n over_o they_o antecedent_n to_o any_o compact_n whatsoever_o and_o it_o be_v credible_a that_o he_o will_v if_o he_o shall_v think_v a_o government_n independent_a on_o the_o subject_n most_o likely_a to_o promote_v the_o design_n of_o such_o a_o government_n as_o this_o be_v and_o much_o more_o if_o we_o consider_v they_o as_o concern_v on_o god_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n so_o it_o will_v plain_o appear_v that_o they_o must_v derive_v their_o authority_n whole_o from_o god_n and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o other_o bound_n than_o he_o be_v please_v to_o prescribe_v they_o and_o even_o in_o case_n of_o their_o transgress_v these_o they_o can_v be_v accountable_a for_o such_o transgression_n only_o to_o god_n not_o to_o the_o multitude_n from_o who_o as_o no_o authority_n be_v in_o this_o case_n derive_v so_o none_o can_v be_v reserve_v from_o they_o which_o may_v make_v the_o multitude_n their_o competent_a superior_n so_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o manner_n of_o conveyance_n of_o government_n must_v make_v the_o governor_n to_o who_o it_o be_v convey_v absolute_a and_o unaccountable_a at_o least_o to_o any_o humane_a judgement_n at_o least_o if_o the_o multitude_n will_v challenge_v any_o jurisdiction_n this_o way_n they_o ought_v to_o derive_v their_o claim_n from_o the_o same_o original_a by_o as_o clear_v and_o express_a donation_n from_o god_n himself_o as_o their_o governor_n do_v which_o be_v not_o that_o i_o know_v of_o as_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a strong_a presumption_n against_o they_o that_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v never_o derive_v from_o they_o that_o indeed_o they_o never_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o do_v it_o the_o primitive_a convert_v be_v never_o unite_v into_o a_o body_n antecedent_o to_o their_o admission_n into_o christianity_n but_o be_v admit_v by_o single_a person_n and_o successive_o and_o such_o can_v not_o even_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o democracy_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v a_o power_n of_o dispose_n of_o the_o original_a inherent_a right_n of_o the_o multitude_n beside_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o first_o propagator_n of_o christianity_n christ_n himself_o and_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o right_n of_o form_v a_o society_n independent_a on_o the_o consent_n of_o its_o particular_a nember_n and_o their_o admission_n of_o all_o the_o first_o believer_n into_o their_o society_n by_o baptism_n do_v plain_o show_v that_o they_o act_v and_o own_a themselves_o to_o act_n by_o a_o power_n that_o can_v not_o have_v be_v derive_v from_o they_o but_o for_o prove_v this_o i_o may_v elsewhere_o have_v a_o more_o convenient_a occasion_n §_o iv_o to_o return_n therefore_o to_o my_o subject_n from_o which_o i_o have_v hitherto_o digress_v that_o god_n as_o a_o governor_n be_v concern_v to_o erect_v the_o church_n into_o a_o body_n politic_a and_o to_o appoint_v subordinate_a governor_n under_o himself_o in_o order_n to_o the_o see_v his_o will_n perform_v this_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o understand_v if_o it_o be_v consider_v 1._o that_o no_o society_n whatsoever_o be_v governable_a only_o by_o general_n and_o immutable_a law_n without_o particular_a prudential_a accommodation_n to_o present_a circumstance_n both_o of_o which_o must_v be_v derive_v from_o the_o same_o authority_n and_o therefore_o that_o there_o must_v be_v also_o in_o the_o church_n if_o it_o be_v govern_v by_o god_n as_o well_o particular_a divine_a command_n for_o thing_n which_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o it_o in_o particular_a circumstance_n as_o for_o those_o which_o be_v to_o immutable_o and_o eternal_o §_o v_o that_o 2._o god_n do_v not_o appear_v to_o declare_v his_o will_n in_o these_o particular_a circumstance_n by_o particular_a extraordinary_a revelation_n and_o therefore_o as_o in_o other_o case_n wherein_o a_o prince_n can_v be_v consult_v with_o in_o thing_n belong_v to_o his_o authority_n that_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v the_o prince_n pleasure_n which_o be_v propose_v as_o such_o by_o his_o ordinary_a officer_n and_o disobedience_n to_o such_o injunction_n of_o ordinary_a officer_n be_v punish_v as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v commit_v against_o the_o prince_n himself_o so_o god_n must_v also_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v provide_v for_o such_o case_n by_o that_o general_a power_n which_o he_o must_v therefore_o give_v to_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n who_o we_o be_v therefore_o according_o to_o revere_a as_o we_o will_v approve_v ourselves_o obedient_a to_o god_n himself_o §_o vi_o that_o 3._o beside_o that_o general_a law_n can_v reach_v all_o particular_a circumstance_n because_o indeed_o what_o be_v good_a in_o circumstance_n be_v evil_a if_o consider_v in_o general_a and_o therefore_o no_o way_n fit_a to_o be_v general_o impose_v i_o say_v beside_o this_o even_o in_o particular_n that_o be_v reducible_a to_o they_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o govern_v any_o society_n without_o officer_n entrust_v with_o a_o power_n of_o authentical_o expound_v they_o so_o that_o subject_n may_v be_v oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o their_o decision_n and_o of_o compel_a subject_n to_o submission_n in_o their_o practice_n for_o if_o subject_n be_v willing_a to_o perform_v their_o duty_n and_o able_a to_o discern_v it_o in_o all_o particular_a case_n there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o authority_n but_o if_o authority_n be_v suppose_v necessary_a and_o that_o some_o subject_n will_v in_o all_o likelihood_n prove_v disingenuous_a as_o well_o as_o mistake_v the_o
great_a respect_n even_o to_o their_o judgement_n in_o the_o case_n who_o assistance_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v such_o as_o that_o they_o do_v as_o well_o enlarge_v their_o natural_n as_o well_o as_o cultivate_v they_o with_o supernatural_a improvement_n and_o that_o this_o be_v a_o case_n very_o likely_a to_o have_v be_v extant_a even_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o show_v by_o this_o account_n i_o have_v give_v of_o its_o original_a §_o ix_o a_o second_o inference_n be_v to_o let_v our_o brethren_n see_v the_o insecurity_n of_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v from_o mystical_a title_n to_o the_o neglect_n of_o external_a observance_n i_o have_v give_v several_a instance_n of_o error_n which_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v bring_v several_a less-discerning_a person_n into_o then_o and_o which_o be_v condemn_v for_o error_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o i_o believe_v even_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o will_v not_o doubt_v but_o that_o they_o be_v erroneous_a nay_o even_o in_o the_o very_a same_o place_n where_o they_o find_v pious_a person_n call_v priest_n they_o find_v they_o call_v king_n too_o 6.u.10_n rev._n i._o 6.u.10_n and_o can_v they_o therefore_o think_v they_o may_v take_v upon_o they_o the_o office_n of_o temporal_a king_n as_o they_o do_v the_o office_n of_o priest_n will_v they_o therefore_o refuse_v subjection_n to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o state_n as_o they_o do_v to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n why_o may_v they_o not_o as_o well_o pretend_v to_o have_v out-grown_a the_o political_a contrivance_n to_o make_v man_n virtuous_a as_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v out-grown_a the_o ordinary_a contrivance_n of_o the_o church_n for_o that_o purpose_n of_o the_o two_o certain_o the_o provision_n of_o the_o church_n be_v much_o more_o perfect_a than_o those_o of_o the_o state_n and_o therefore_o must_v require_v much_o great_a perfection_n in_o he_o who_o will_v pretend_v to_o have_v out-grown_a they_o and_o who_o will_v also_o expect_v to_o be_v believe_v in_o such_o his_o pretence_n and_o then_o what_o confusion_n must_v this_o bring_v the_o world_n to_o when_o they_o shall_v by_o this_o mean_n have_v free_v themselves_o from_o all_o restraint_n whatsoever_o when_o the_o worst_a man_n who_o be_v usual_o the_o high_a pretender_n shall_v have_v this_o apology_n allow_v they_o for_o all_o the_o disorder_n they_o can_v make_v by_o this_o pretend_a exercise_n of_o their_o liberty_n when_o the_o proud_a man_n who_o have_v usual_o the_o best_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o perfection_n shall_v by_o this_o mean_n be_v allow_v to_o shake_v off_o all_o yoke_n and_o superiority_n and_o to_o drive_v on_o all_o their_o arrogant_a and_o ambitious_a design_n under_o this_o fair_a pretence_n of_o assert_v their_o christian_a liberty_n §_o x_o if_o to_o avoid_v these_o consequence_n they_o tell_v we_o with_o our_o saviour_n that_o their_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n 36_o st._n joh._n xviii_o 36_o why_o shall_v not_o they_o say_v the_o same_o of_o their_o priesthood_n too_o why_o shall_v they_o rather_o be_v allow_v to_o encroach_v on_o the_o priesthood_n of_o the_o world_n in_o presume_v to_o administer_v to_o themselves_o those_o sacrament_n who_o administration_n god_n have_v only_o entrust_v to_o the_o public_a priesthood_n or_o in_o presume_v to_o free_v themselves_o from_o a_o dependence_n on_o they_o by_o pretend_v that_o they_o do_v not_o need_v any_o thing_n for_o which_o the_o public_a priesthood_n be_v ordain_v than_o to_o encroach_v on_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n by_o presume_v on_o the_o same_o pretence_n either_o to_o administer_v justice_n to_o themselves_o where_o they_o shall_v need_v it_o or_o in_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o any_o debt_n of_o duty_n to_o their_o secular_a superior_n on_o pretence_n that_o they_o need_v not_o any_o protection_n from_o they_o and_o at_o present_a it_o be_v perfect_o sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n to_o show_v the_o weakness_n of_o these_o argument_n which_o be_v the_o only_a one_o they_o can_v bring_v for_o their_o assertion_n and_o the_o rather_o so_o because_o it_o be_v but_o reason_n to_o expect_v that_o all_o person_n who_o plead_v exemption_n from_o stand_a rule_n shall_v produce_v very_o positive_a and_o direct_a proof_n that_o such_o a_o exemption_n be_v intend_v by_o the_o legislator_n so_o that_o the_o proof_n will_v be_v incumbent_a on_o they_o not_o the_o disproof_n on_o we_o so_o that_o if_o they_o fail_v in_o their_o proof_n of_o exemption_n that_o failure_n alone_o be_v enough_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o general_a rule_n for_o it_o be_v always_o rational_a to_o presume_v that_o all_o general_a determination_n be_v design_v by_o the_o legislator_n to_o include_v all_o those_o who_o be_v not_o express_o exempt_v by_o he_o at_o least_o this_o general_a presumption_n concern_v the_o legislator_n mind_n be_v much_o more_o likely_a to_o be_v approve_v by_o himself_o as_o agreeable_a to_o his_o own_o design_n in_o make_v those_o determination_n than_o these_o uncertain_a guess_n which_o these_o interest_v person_n make_v both_o concern_v the_o singularity_n of_o their_o own_o case_n and_o the_o judgement_n which_o the_o legislator_n will_v have_v make_v of_o it_o if_o he_o have_v think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o take_v particular_a notice_n of_o it_o but_o neither_o do_v it_o only_o thus_o appear_v that_o the_o inference_n which_o they_o will_v make_v from_o these_o mystical_a title_n be_v in_o the_o whole_a kind_n of_o it_o very_o weak_a for_o such_o a_o purpose_n as_o they_o produce_v they_o for_o but_o §_o xi_o 3._o it_o plain_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v against_o the_o design_n of_o the_o legislator_n in_o the_o very_a case_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o who_o the_o christian_n borrow_v it_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v that_o this_o title_n be_v take_v from_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o challenge_v by_o the_o christian_n to_o themselves_o only_o on_o account_n of_o their_o be_v the_o true_a spiritual_a mystical_a israel_n for_o who_o those_o promise_n be_v more_o proper_o design_v by_o god_n than_o they_o be_v for_o that_o israel_n who_o have_v no_o better_a plea_n to_o the_o name_n of_o israel_n than_o their_o carnal_a extraction_n however_o consider_v that_o this_o title_n be_v give_v primary_o to_o the_o carnal_a israel_n as_o a_o type_n at_o least_o of_o the_o mystical_a israel_n though_o intend_v primary_o for_o the_o mystical_a israel_n there_o be_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o real_o belong_v to_o the_o mystical_a israel_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n as_o it_o be_v challenge_v by_o the_o carnal_a israel_n and_o as_o it_o be_v allow_v by_o god_n himself_o who_o give_v it_o in_o his_o deal_n with_o they_o and_o therefore_o if_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o carnal_a israel_n at_o that_o time_n do_v not_o understand_v their_o mystical_a priesthood_n so_o as_o to_o excuse_v they_o from_o dependence_n on_o the_o literal_a levitical_a priesthood_n and_o if_o it_o be_v withal_o certain_a that_o god_n do_v never_o intend_v it_o so_o nay_o be_v so_o far_o from_o intend_v it_o as_o that_o he_o declare_v his_o extreme_a displeasure_n by_o most_o exemplary_a punishment_n inflict_v on_o they_o who_o make_v use_v of_o this_o pretence_n and_o venture_v to_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n the_o same_o thing_n mud_n in_o reason_n hold_v as_o to_o this_o privilege_n as_o it_o be_v challenge_v by_o the_o mystical_a israelite_n but_o that_o god_n himself_o never_o intend_v that_o this_o use_n shall_v be_v make_v of_o this_o privilege_n appear_v plain_o by_o the_o now-mentioned_n instance_n of_o corah_n who_o make_v use_v of_o this_o very_a pretence_n for_o justify_v his_o refusal_n of_o subjection_n to_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n that_o all_o the_o congregation_n be_v holy_a 3_o numb_a xuj_o 3_o who_o yet_o god_n punish_v for_o make_v that_o use_n of_o it_o with_o extraordinary_a society_n though_o the_o person_n who_o plead_v it_o have_v a_o inferior_a degree_n even_o of_o holiness_n of_o office_n which_o be_v more_o than_o other_o can_v pretend_v to_o bare_o on_o account_n of_o that_o holiness_n and_o royal_a priesthood_n which_o they_o may_v challenge_v on_o account_n of_o their_o be_v israelites_n and_o that_o the_o holy_a among_o they_o do_v not_o think_v themselves_o excuse_v by_o their_o mystical_a priesthood_n from_o a_o dependence_n on_o the_o levitical_a priesthood_n nay_o rather_o always_o think_v their_o constant_a attendance_n on_o it_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a exercise_n and_o instance_n of_o their_o holiness_n appear_v from_o the_o great_a expense_n they_o be_v at_o for_o maintain_v the_o temple-service_n from_o the_o long_a and_o chargeable_a journey_n they_o make_v at_o whatsoever_o distance_n in_o the_o holy-land_n nay_o very_o frequent_o even_o in_o the_o dispersion_n itself_o that_o they_o may_v be_v present_a at_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o time_n appoint_v by_o the_o
god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o do_v for_o their_o conviction_n and_o their_o present_a resist_v the_o holy_a ghost_n at_o that_o time_n be_v plain_o their_o perverse_a behaviour_n against_o st._n stephen_n preach_v 8_o act._n vi_fw-la 8_o notwithstanding_o that_o also_o have_v be_v confirm_v to_o they_o by_o many_o sign_n and_o great_a miracle_n 29_o heb._n x._o 29_o so_o fall_v away_o from_o the_o church_n assembly_n be_v in_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n a_o do_v despite_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n so_o st._n paul_n tell_v the_o thessalonian_o that_o he_o that_o despise_v the_o injunction_n of_o the_o apostle_n of_o which_o he_o have_v be_v speak_v despise_v not_o man_n 8_o 1_o thes._n four_o 8_o but_o god_n who_o have_v also_o give_v they_o his_o holy_a spirit_n therefore_o he_o entreat_v the_o ephesian_n that_o they_o will_v not_o grieve_v the_o holy_a spirit_n by_o which_o they_o have_v be_v seal_v to_o the_o day_n of_o redemption_n 30._o eph._n four_o 30._o and_o as_o this_o office_n of_o perform_v miracle_n be_v still_o ascribe_v to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n so_o our_o saviour_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o miracle_n perform_v by_o he_o 38_o act._n x._o 38_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v anoint_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o power_n which_o enable_v he_o to_o heal_v all_o those_o who_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o so_o all_o those_o who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v preach_v the_o gospel_n with_o that_o power_n with_o which_o we_o see_v it_o be_v preach_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n be_v still_o describe_v as_o person_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n therefore_o we_o find_v so_o often_o mention_v of_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n 4_o 1_o cor._n two_o 4_o and_o of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n give_v to_o the_o gospel_n which_o plain_o infer_v that_o whoever_o resist_v the_o gospel_n so_o demonstrate_v and_o testify_v must_v necessary_o reflect_v on_o the_o wisdom_n and_o veracity_n of_o the_o spirit_n himself_o and_o that_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o frequent_o mention_v on_o all_o occasion_n seem_v plain_o to_o have_v be_v with_o design_n to_o give_v man_n warn_v of_o the_o greatness_n and_o dangerousness_n of_o the_o sin_n they_o be_v likely_a to_o prove_v guilty_a of_o in_o resist_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v the_o same_o that_o our_o saviour_n have_v in_o warn_v the_o jew_n of_o it_o in_o the_o gospel_n this_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v in_o general_a that_o a_o resist_n of_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n be_v a_o resist_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o that_o particular_o on_o this_o first_o account_n as_o it_o be_v a_o resist_n of_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o spirit_n in_o confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n §_o xii_o a_o second_o resist_v of_o the_o spirit_n with_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v also_o express_o charge_v be_v their_o resist_a and_o murder_v the_o prophet_n and_o particular_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o gospel_n in_o murder_v of_o their_o saviour_n himself_o this_o st._n stephen_n charge_v on_o they_o immediate_o after_o the_o word_n now_o mention_v as_o instance_n how_o they_o have_v resist_v the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o how_o they_o still_o continue_v to_o resist_v he_o 52_o act._n seven_o 52_o which_o of_o the_o prophet_n say_v he_o have_v not_o your_o father_n persecute_v and_o they_o slay_v they_o who_o foretell_v of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o just_a one_o of_o who_o you_o have_v now_o be_v the_o betrayer_n and_o murderer_n the_o persecute_v therefore_o and_o kill_v of_o the_o prophet_n be_v that_o resist_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o have_v speak_v by_o those_o prophet_n of_o which_o their_o father_n have_v be_v guilty_a and_o their_o own_o murder_v the_o just_a one_o himself_o who_o be_v also_o a_o prophet_n etc._n luk._n xxiv_o 19_o 2_o chro._n xxxvi_o 15_o 16_o 17_o etc._n etc._n jorem_fw-la twenty-five_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o etc._n etc._n mighty_a in_o word_n and_o deed_n be_v the_o instance_n of_o their_o do_v like_o their_o fore_n father_n and_o this_o be_v often_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o a_o reason_n of_o god_n deal_n so_o severe_o with_o their_o forefather_n and_o of_o his_o give_v they_o up_o at_o last_o to_o those_o judgement_n by_o which_o he_o intend_v to_o punish_v their_o undutiful_a behaviour_n and_o our_o saviour_n himself_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o as_o the_o particular_a reason_n why_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v destroy_v because_o she_o have_v kill_v the_o prophet_n and_o stone_v they_o that_o have_v be_v send_v to_o she_o 34._o matt._n xxiii_o 37_o ver._n 34._o and_o among_o the_o prophet_n he_o reckon_v those_o who_o he_o design_v himself_o to_o send_v to_o they_o so_o also_o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o king_n who_o let_v out_o his_o vineyard_n to_o the_o unfaithful_a husbandman_n he_o first_o mention_n the_o several_a send_n of_o the_o servant_n 16_o matt._n xxi_o 41_o mark_v twelve_o 9_o luk._n xx_o 16_o but_o when_o he_o tell_v of_o their_o murder_v the_o son_n there_o he_o conclude_v as_o the_o utmost_a trial_n of_o his_o prince_n patience_n and_o make_v he_o immediate_o resolve_v cruel_o to_o destroy_v those_o wicked_a man_n and_o this_o seem_v also_o to_o have_v be_v the_o gradation_n which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n 1_o heb._n i._n 1_o that_o whereas_o god_n have_v speak_v to_o their_o forefather_n in_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n by_o the_o prophet_n he_o have_v now_o in_o those_o last_o day_n speak_v to_o they_o by_o his_o son_n which_o they_o be_v therefore_o to_o look_v on_o as_o the_o last_o trial_n and_o which_o if_o they_o neglect_v they_o can_v expect_v no_o relief_n by_o any_o other_o dispensation_n nor_o delay_n of_o the_o threaten_a vengeance_n this_o be_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o provocation_n this_o seem_v exact_o to_o agree_v with_o the_o whole_a reason_n of_o that_o epistle_n and_o it_o very_o well_o agree_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o unpardonableness_n of_o the_o sin_n i_o be_o speak_v of_o §_o xiii_o beside_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a to_o this_o purpose_n that_o this_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o he_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v peculiar_o threaten_v in_o that_o law_n which_o be_v understand_v to_o promise_v a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n for_o so_o the_o word_n run_v a_o a_o prophet_n will_v i_o raise_v unto_o they_o out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o brethren_n 19_o deut._n xviii_o 18_o 19_o like_v unto_o thou_o and_o i_o will_v put_v my_o word_n into_o his_o mouth_n that_o he_o may_v speak_v whatsoever_o i_o shall_v command_v he_o and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o whoever_o shall_v not_o hearken_v unto_o my_o word_n which_o be_v shall_v speak_v in_o my_o name_n i_o will_v require_v it_o of_o he_o 4._o maimonid_n fundam_fw-la leg._n cap._n ix_o §._o 4._o the_o punishment_n here_o threaten_v the_o jew_n themselves_o understand_v to_o be_v a_o capital_a one_o which_o be_v as_o far_o from_o any_o relief_n or_o hope_n of_o pardon_n as_o any_o expression_n use_v concern_v the_o punishment_n of_o this_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n imply_v that_o to_o be_v but_o this_o place_n will_v appear_v yet_o more_o apposite_a to_o our_o purpose_n when_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o however_o a_o succession_n of_o prophet_n may_v be_v secondary_o employ_v yet_o the_o word_n express_v but_o one_o and_o that_o one_o prophet_n be_v as_o express_o apply_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n excis_n act._n iii._o 22.vii.37_n abarbin_n de_fw-fr pen._n excis_n to_o our_o saviour_n and_o what_o be_v here_o say_v to_o be_v god_n require_v it_o at_o their_o hand_n be_v there_o call_v a_o destroy_n out_o of_o their_o people_n which_o as_o it_o rather_o imply_v the_o punishment_n of_o excision_n as_o they_o call_v it_o which_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v expect_v from_o god_n himself_o than_o to_o be_v inflict_v by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o as_o it_o thereby_o resemble_v the_o shammatha_n the_o turn_v they_o over_o to_o god_n own_o judgement_n at_o his_o come_n which_o as_o i_o have_v say_v be_v inflict_v on_o desperate_a offender_n and_o as_o it_o be_v like_o the_o expression_n of_o the_o xii_o table_n legib._n tull._n de_fw-fr legib._n which_o for_o the_o most_o piacular_a offence_n allot_v no_o other_o punishment_n but_o this_o si_fw-mi secus_fw-la farit_fw-la deus_fw-la ipse_fw-la vindex_fw-la esto_fw-la so_o it_o exact_o agree_v with_o the_o account_n which_o the_o new_a testament_n give_v of_o the_o punishment_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v prove_v refractory_a to_o the_o gospel_n ii.8_n 1_o thes._n i_o 8_o 9_o ii.8_n that_o they_o be_v reserve_v to_o that_o flame_a fire_n in_o which_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v to_o
of_o the_o spirit_n on_o which_o that_o right_a be_v ground_v §_o xii_o and_o if_o they_o will_v withal_o consider_v that_o the_o most_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n depend_v on_o their_o be_v representative_n of_o god_n rather_o than_o on_o their_o be_v representative_n of_o the_o people_n that_o this_o be_v it_o that_o give_v authority_n to_o their_o preach_v that_o it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v preach_v by_o they_o and_o that_o they_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o preach_v that_o word_n that_o this_o be_v it_o which_o oblige_v god_n to_o perform_v what_o they_o promise_v in_o his_o name_n that_o they_o be_v authorize_v to_o make_v those_o promise_n and_o to_o make_v they_o in_o his_o name_n that_o this_o be_v it_o which_o may_v encourage_v they_o to_o expect_v those_o excitation_n and_o assistance_n which_o accompany_v the_o preach_a of_o the_o word_n when_o it_o be_v preach_v by_o a_o lawful_a authority_n that_o the_o validity_n of_o all_o they_o do_v as_o minister_n and_o as_o governor_n of_o a_o body_n politic_a depend_v on_o this_o that_o they_o be_v authorize_v by_o he_o who_o have_v make_v the_o church_n a_o body_n politic_a and_o endow_v it_o with_o privilege_n that_o the_o acceptableness_n even_o of_o their_o public_a solemn_a prayer_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o multitude_n do_v not_o so_o much_o depend_v on_o their_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o multitude_n to_o be_v their_o representative_n as_o on_o their_o be_v make_v by_o god_n master_n of_o request_n and_o as_o the_o person_n who_o he_o have_v declare_v himself_o please_v particular_o to_o accept_v if_o i_o say_v they_o have_v consider_v these_o thing_n certain_o they_o can_v not_o have_v think_v themselves_o to_o have_v a_o right_n of_o dispose_v of_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n for_o their_o interest_n in_o thing_n belong_v to_o that_o office_n which_o be_v of_o small_a importance_n when_o their_o interest_n do_v so_o evident_o fail_v in_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a consequence_n and_o which_o be_v withal_o so_o essential_a to_o the_o office_n they_o can_v not_o think_v that_o because_o they_o can_v easy_o choose_v a_o person_n to_o preach_v and_o pray_v and_o administer_v sacrament_n for_o they_o therefore_o they_o can_v also_o give_v they_o that_o which_o may_v give_v they_o authority_n for_o preach_v or_o make_v their_o prayer_n acceptable_a or_o confer_v a_o valid_a title_n to_o the_o benefit_n expect_v by_o the_o sacrament_n §_o xiii_o but_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o mistake_n in_o these_o and_o the_o like_a particular_n be_v very_o plain_a they_o have_v call_v in_o question_n all_o those_o benefit_n which_o depend_v on_o the_o divine_a appointment_n and_o when_o they_o have_v thus_o leave_v they_o nothing_o but_o what_o they_o may_v do_v though_o they_o have_v no_o other_o authority_n than_o what_o man_n be_v able_a give_v they_o it_o can_v be_v think_v strange_a that_o they_o shall_v think_v their_o proceed_n valid_a though_o ratify_v only_o by_o a_o humane_a authority_n certain_o man_n may_v preach_v and_o pray_v as_o move_o as_o to_o all_o natural_a art_n of_o insinuation_n they_o may_v express_v themselves_o as_o fluent_o and_o proper_o and_o pronounce_v as_o pathetical_o by_o their_o natural_a endowment_n without_o a_o divine_a authority_n as_o other_o can_n with_o a_o divine_a authority_n if_o they_o want_v those_o natural_a endowment_n and_o they_o may_v administer_v the_o sacrament_n with_o a_o solemnity_n as_o affect_v and_o the_o sacrament_n so_o administer_v by_o they_o may_v as_o natural_o resemble_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v design_v to_o signify_v and_o all_o the_o devotion_n which_o may_v natural_o be_v derive_v either_o from_o the_o warmth_n or_o fluency_n of_o speak_v or_o the_o gravity_n of_o the_o administration_n or_o the_o natural_a representation_n of_o the_o mystery_n commemorate_a in_o the_o sacrament_n and_o all_o the_o grace_n which_o may_v be_v expect_v by_o person_n so_o devout_o dispose_v as_o we_o may_v suppose_v the_o person_n to_o be_v of_o who_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v and_o especial_o which_o may_v be_v expect_v by_o they_o on_o our_o adversary_n principle_n if_o the_o grace_n be_v give_v either_o as_o a_o natural_a improvement_n of_o those_o act_n of_o devotion_n on_o the_o same_o natural_a account_n as_o other_o act_n do_v natural_o either_o produce_v or_o confirm_v habitual_a inclination_n to_o the_o like_a act_n or_o pure_o as_o reward_n in_o point_n of_o generosity_n without_o any_o regard_n to_o a_o promise_n or_o a_o covenant_n or_o a_o ratification_n of_o person_n authorize_v or_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v oblige_v god_n in_o a_o legal_a way_n all_o these_o benefit_n i_o say_v of_o these_o ministery_n may_v equal_o be_v expect_v from_o person_n who_o have_v no_o divine_a authority_n as_o from_o those_o who_o have_v and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v admire_v that_o person_n who_o allow_v no_o further_a benefit_n of_o their_o ministry_n shall_v think_v a_o humane_a authority_n for_o the_o designation_n of_o their_o person_n sufficient_a for_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o ministry_n but_o if_o they_o have_v but_o think_v how_o the_o whole_a real_a benefit_n of_o their_o ministry_n do_v depend_v on_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o their_o call_n to_o it_o and_o upon_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o their_o call_n from_o none_o other_o but_o god_n himself_o they_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v prompt_v to_o another_o judgement_n in_o this_o matter_n pursuant_n to_o these_o measure_n §_o fourteen_o but_o as_o none_o but_o god_n can_v confer_v the_o right_n to_o the_o spiritual_a benefit_n here_o receive_v so_o neither_o 2._o can_v any_o but_o he_o put_v any_o in_o possession_n of_o they_o i_o shall_v not_o now_o repeat_v what_o i_o have_v say_v elsewhere_o concern_v this_o i_o only_o observe_v it_o at_o present_a to_o show_v that_o all_o that_o man_n can_v do_v in_o this_o matter_n can_v have_v no_o effect_n that_o can_v possible_o entitle_v their_o act_n to_o the_o name_n of_o authority_n when_o they_o can_v neither_o give_v the_o title_n nor_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o benefit_n convey_v by_o these_o ordinance_n and_o though_o they_o can_v have_v enjoy_v possession_n for_o a_o while_n yet_o alas_o what_o can_v that_o signify_v for_o their_o comfort_n when_o they_o know_v that_o righteous_a judgement_n will_v at_o length_n prevail_v and_o then_o their_o past_a enjoyment_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v reckon_v to_o their_o advantage_n as_o that_o the_o usurpation_n of_o they_o for_o a_o time_n will_v be_v a_o aggravation_n of_o their_o guilt_n their_o very_a enjoyment_n of_o the_o element_n themselves_o will_v then_o prove_v a_o great_a mischief_n if_o they_o have_v enjoy_v they_o sacrilegious_o though_o such_o a_o enjoyment_n be_v never_o capable_a of_o afford_v any_o solid_a advantage_n all_o that_o i_o will_v therefore_o infer_v at_o present_a be_v that_o all_o the_o authority_n which_o any_o creature_n can_v pretend_v to_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n must_v be_v derive_v from_o god_n and_o derive_v from_o he_o by_o a_o positive_a and_o express_a donation_n or_o by_o that_o contrivance_n of_o thing_n under_o the_o state_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o he_o have_v be_v please_v actual_o to_o observe_v which_o will_v oblige_v all_o who_o be_v desirous_a to_o inform_v themselves_o solid_o herein_o rather_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o establishment_n of_o god_n than_o to_o trust_v their_o own_o conjectural_a reason_n concern_v they_o antecedent_o to_o revelation_n what_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o he_o and_o what_o they_o think_v themselves_o will_v have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v have_v the_o management_n of_o his_o design_n §_o xv_o 2._o therefore_o i_o proceed_v to_o consider_v the_o actual_a establishment_n of_o god_n to_o show_v that_o as_o the_o multitude_n can_v challenge_v this_o right_n of_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n by_o any_o original_a inherent_a right_n so_o neither_o can_v they_o by_o any_o actual_a donation_n and_o this_o be_v so_o plain_a as_o that_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o do_v not_o that_o i_o know_v of_o pretend_v to_o any_o text_n where_o any_o such_o a_o gift_n be_v express_o mention_v how_o will_v they_o therefore_o pretend_v otherwise_o to_o know_v god_n mind_n in_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o this_o be_v which_o so_o entire_o depend_v on_o his_o arbitrary_a pleasure_n will_v they_o plead_v primitive_a precedent_n for_o it_o but_o we_o never_o find_v our_o saviour_n plead_v any_o authority_n though_o strict_o examine_v by_o the_o jew_n concern_v his_o authority_n beside_o that_o of_o his_o father_n 21_o joh._n xx_o 21_o and_o as_o his_o father_n send_v he_o so_o he_o send_v his_o apostle_n who_o be_v always_o describe_v as_o person_n send_v by_o god_n himself_o not_o by_o any_o humane_a authority_n so_o
they_o be_v say_v neither_o to_o have_v be_v of_o man_n nor_o by_o man_n 20_o gal._n i_o 1_o eph._n four_o 11_o 2_o cor._n v._o 20_o they_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o gift_n of_o christ_n upon_o his_o ascend_v up_o on_o high_a they_o be_v call_v ambassador_n for_o god_n and_o in_o christ_n stead_n and_o it_o have_v always_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o prerogative_n of_o majesty_n to_o have_v the_o send_n of_o his_o own_o ambassador_n nay_o it_o be_v count_v so_o peculiar_a a_o property_n of_o a_o apostle_n to_o be_v send_v by_o god_n himself_o as_o that_o st._n paul_n insist_o on_o it_o as_o a_o argument_n to_o vindicate_v his_o own_o apostleship_n against_o the_o false_a apostle_n who_o quarrel_v at_o it_o 1_o gal._n i_o 11_o 12._o 1_o cor._n ix_o 1_o that_o he_o have_v receive_v nothing_o from_o the_o other_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o that_o himself_o have_v see_v our_o lord_n that_o he_o may_v receive_v his_o authority_n from_o he_o thus_o far_o therefore_o there_o appear_v no_o precedent_n of_o any_o authority_n either_o receive_v from_o the_o multitude_n or_o give_v to_o the_o multitude_n by_o christ_n himself_o who_o as_o yet_o alone_o have_v power_n to_o give_v it_o §_o xvi_o nor_o do_v i_o think_v that_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o will_v pretend_v that_o the_o apostle_n receive_v their_o authority_n from_o the_o people_n yet_o so_o unwary_a they_o be_v in_o their_o argue_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o people_n as_o that_o they_o produce_v such_o proof_n as_o must_v conclude_v this_o if_o any_o thing_n if_o the_o people_n expostulation_n with_o st._n peter_n concern_v his_o baptise_v of_o cornelius_n have_v be_v a_o act_n of_o proper_a jurisdiction_n it_o must_v have_v be_v a_o exercise_n of_o jurisdiction_n over_o st._n peter_n himself_o and_o if_o so_o they_o must_v in_o reason_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v have_v some_o power_n of_o punish_v he_o either_o by_o depose_v he_o from_o his_o office_n or_o by_o suspend_v he_o from_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o or_o at_o least_o by_o authoritative_a withdraw_n from_o he_o yet_o so_o as_o still_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o good_a condition_n wherein_o they_o be_v before_o which_o can_v hardly_o be_v understand_v without_o a_o weaken_n of_o his_o apostolical_a office_n for_o no_o proper_a jurisdiction_n can_v be_v understand_v without_o a_o proportionable_o proper_a power_n of_o inflict_a punishment_n in_o case_n of_o misdemeanour_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o own_o this_o that_o the_o people_n have_v a_o power_n over_o the_o apostle_n they_o must_v at_o least_o let_v go_v all_o their_o proof_n which_o prove_v this_o if_o they_o prove_v any_o thing_n which_o will_v extreme_o straighten_v they_o in_o their_o pretend_a scripture_n precedent_n for_o wherever_o they_o find_v the_o people_n do_v any_o thing_n without_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v the_o only_a case_n wherein_o they_o can_v show_v the_o proper_a extent_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n they_o will_v find_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o concern_v which_o must_v therefore_o oblige_v they_o to_o understand_v such_o act_n not_o to_o have_v be_v by_o way_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o of_o expostulation_n §_o xvii_o when_o be_v it_o therefore_o that_o this_o authority_n be_v give_v to_o the_o multitude_n by_o who_o be_v it_o give_v to_o they_o who_o have_v a_o just_a power_n of_o give_v it_o they_o be_v it_o afterward_o give_v they_o by_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v hitherto_o hold_v it_o independent_o of_o they_o if_o so_o it_o be_v well_o our_o brethren_n will_v remember_v to_o insist_v only_o on_o such_o proof_n as_o be_v late_a than_o the_o date_n wherein_o they_o think_v it_o be_v give_v they_o and_o on_o such_o proof_n which_o speak_v more_o home_n to_o their_o design_n than_o those_o which_o be_v ancient_a than_o those_o time_n wherein_o themselves_o conceive_v this_o conveyance_n to_o have_v be_v make_v and_o which_o they_o must_v therefore_o acknowledge_v unconclusive_a but_o so_o far_o be_v the_o apostle_n from_o give_v away_o that_o power_n to_o the_o multitude_n which_o they_o have_v never_o receive_v from_o they_o as_o that_o we_o find_v general_o the_o ordination_n mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n perform_v either_o by_o themselves_o or_o by_o person_n authorize_v as_o themselves_o be_v either_o by_o god_n himself_o or_o by_o they_o not_o by_o the_o people_n vi_fw-la tit._n i._n 5_o act._n fourteen_o 23_o act._n vi_fw-la they_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n by_o they_o the_o order_n of_o deacon_n be_v institute_v and_o the_o person_n promote_v to_o the_o order_n they_o visit_v whole_a country_n and_o settle_a and_o confirm_v the_o church_n they_o constitute_v what_o officer_n and_o give_v they_o what_o degree_n and_o prescribe_v what_o rule_n of_o government_n they_o please_v according_a to_o their_o own_o prudence_n and_o the_o suggestion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n without_o consult_v the_o authority_n of_o any_o other_o which_o they_o can_v not_o have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v either_o acknowledge_v any_o self_n originate_v power_n in_o the_o people_n or_o immediate_o give_v they_o that_o power_n which_o themselves_o have_v receive_v immediate_o from_o god_n it_o can_v possible_o be_v understand_v how_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o democratical_a government_n can_v ever_o have_v permit_v they_o to_o act_v so_o arbitrary_o as_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o do_v in_o those_o first_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n §_o xviii_o there_o be_v indeed_o many_o prudent_a reason_n proper_a for_o those_o time_n which_o may_v prevail_v with_o the_o apostle_n to_o desire_v the_o people_n consent_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o their_o government_n though_o the_o oblige_a validity_n of_o what_o be_v do_v have_v not_o depend_v on_o their_o authority_n the_o church_n be_v then_o a_o body_n link_v together_o only_o by_o a_o awe_n of_o conscience_n not_o by_o any_o other_o external_a coercion_n and_o though_o now_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v sufficient_o confirm_v all_o be_v oblige_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v by_o they_o as_o they_o will_v secure_v their_o happiness_n which_o will_v not_o leave_v they_o to_o that_o liberty_n nor_o consequent_o entitle_v they_o to_o that_o right_n in_o the_o government_n before_o they_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o our_o brethren_n fancy_n yet_o before_o this_o conviction_n have_v prevail_v on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v prudent_a for_o they_o to_o exercise_v the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o that_o authority_n which_o do_v real_o belong_v to_o they_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o will_v at_o least_o acknowledge_v the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v infallible_a whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o their_o word_n alone_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v take_v in_o controversy_n then_o start_v at_o least_o where_o there_o appear_v not_o evident_a reason_n to_o the_o contrary_n but_o we_o plain_o find_v that_o even_o themselves_o dare_v not_o venture_v their_o authority_n on_o so_o hard_a a_o trial_n even_o in_o probable_a thing_n we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o require_v their_o auditor_n assent_v without_o such_o reason_n as_o the_o matter_n will_v afford_v that_o be_v at_o least_o without_o probable_a one_o and_o general_o we_o find_v they_o so_o lay_v the_o stress_n of_o their_o persuasion_n on_o those_o reason_n as_o if_o their_o authority_n have_v be_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o therefore_o in_o the_o controversy_n concern_v circumcision_n act._n xv_o the_o elder_n and_o the_o multitude_n convene_v together_o with_o the_o apostle_n to_o give_v their_o judgement_n concern_v it_o and_o that_o in_o a_o case_n which_o be_v to_o be_v decide_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o what_o need_n have_v there_o be_v of_o all_o that_o trouble_n if_o the_o apostle_n authority_n alone_o have_v be_v sufficient_a for_o this_o decision_n the_o holy_a ghost_n speak_v by_o the_o apostle_n alone_o and_o can_v the_o whole_a synod_n after_o all_o their_o diligence_n in_o inquire_v and_o debate_v the_o truth_n in_o that_o matter_n pretend_v to_o any_o great_a authority_n be_v it_o likely_a that_o the_o ordinary_a presbyter_n much_o more_o that_o the_o laity_n themselves_o shall_v have_v have_v any_o thing_n reveal_v to_o they_o which_o have_v be_v conceal_v from_o the_o very_a apostle_n but_o we_o find_v the_o whole_a matter_n debate_v by_o reason_n and_o rational_a application_n of_o the_o mystical_a sense_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o if_o no_o new_a revelation_n have_v be_v pretend_v §_o xix_o the_o like_a may_v have_v be_v observe_v from_o the_o debate_n with_o st._n peter_n concern_v his_o preach_v to_o cornelius_n and_o with_o st._n paul_n concern_v his_o preach_v against_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n the_o lawfulness_n of_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n and_o of_o forbear_v the_o external_o of_o the_o law_n be_v
from_o the_o provisional_a constitution_n of_o the_o stand_a government_n especial_o where_o they_o confirm_v their_o mission_n by_o sign_n as_o these_o general_o do_v but_o also_o from_o most_o of_o the_o command_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o any_o command_n be_v except_v save_v that_o of_o idolatry_n and_o the_o perpetual_a obligation_n of_o their_o law_n and_o every_o precept_n of_o it_o otherwise_o a_o prophet_n may_v require_v the_o breach_n of_o any_o one_o precept_n that_o of_o idolatry_n except_v so_o it_o be_v but_o for_o a_o time_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o that_o age_n if_o we_o may_v trust_v the_o modern_a jew_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o ancestor_n 9_o maimonid_n fund_z leg._n c._n 9_o and_o i_o need_v not_o warn_v how_o much_o the_o new_a convert_v to_o christianity_n be_v then_o general_o possess_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o they_o have_v desert_v §_o xxiii_o according_o we_o find_v those_o strange_a disorder_n intimate_v in_o the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n which_o the_o apostle_n be_v at_o length_n necessitate_v to_o reform_v by_o the_o exercise_n of_o government_n but_o it_o be_v late_a before_o they_o attempt_v it_o not_o till_o the_o disorder_n grow_v intolerable_a and_o then_o they_o proceed_v by_o slow_a degree_n so_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o prevail_v on_o the_o contrary_a pretension_n when_o st._n paul_n first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n be_v write_v many_o of_o the_o prophet_n speak_v at_o the_o same_o time_n as_o it_o shall_v seem_v the_o apostle_n and_o their_o companion_n do_v on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n the_o woman_n also_o prophesy_v and_o that_o public_o in_o the_o church_n and_o they_o who_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n exercise_v it_o in_o the_o public_a also_o without_o interpeter_n and_o behave_v themselves_o so_o extravagant_o as_o that_o the_o apostle_n himself_o tell_v they_o that_o a_o unbeliever_n come_v among_o they_o will_v think_v they_o all_o mad_a these_o notorious_a and_o great_a disorder_n in_o their_o synax_n make_v i_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o at_o that_o time_n at_o least_o they_o have_v no_o visible_a government_n at_o all_o among_o they_o which_o conjecture_n seem_v methinks_v the_o more_o likely_a because_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o address_n of_o this_o epistle_n take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n as_o he_o do_v elsewhere_o where_o there_o be_v any_o and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o general_a custom_n of_o those_o time_n in_o write_v to_o body_n to_o make_v their_o address_n particular_o to_o the_o head_n of_o the_o body_n where_o there_o be_v such_o and_o because_o he_o blame_v the_o corinthian_n for_o not_o mourn_v that_o the_o incestuous_a person_n may_v be_v take_v from_o among_o they_o which_o they_o need_v not_o to_o have_v do_v if_o themselves_o have_v power_n of_o exercise_v discipline_n upon_o he_o and_o because_o he_o express_o empower_v they_o to_o meet_v together_o with_o his_o spirit_n both_o for_o the_o excommunication_n and_o absolution_n of_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a and_o ratify_v their_o proceed_n in_o that_o matter_n with_o his_o own_o approbation_n that_o to_o whosoever_o they_o forgive_v any_o thing_n he_o forgive_v it_o also_o §_o xxiv_o and_o therefore_o when_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n be_v mention_v among_o they_o i_o be_o to_o suspect_v that_o it_o be_v not_o perform_v by_o ordinary_a presbyter_n but_o by_o person_n extraordinary_o inspire_v who_o undertake_v that_o part_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a office_n as_o they_o do_v other_o also_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o extraordinary_a call_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o xiuth_o chapter_n 16_o 1_o cor._n fourteen_o 16_o otherwise_o when_o thou_o bless_v with_o the_o spirit_n how_o shall_v he_o that_o supply_v the_o place_n of_o the_o unlearned_a say_n amen_o at_o thy_o give_v of_o thanks_o 16_o apol._n 2._o matt._n xxuâ—_n 26_o mark_v fourteen_o 22_o luk._n xxii_o 19_o 1_o cor._n xi_o 24_o matt._n xxvi_o 27_o mark_v fourteen_o 23_o 1_o cor._n x._o 16_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v in_o justin_n martyr_n time_n a_o term_n of_o art_n for_o this_o sacrament_n and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o blessing_n be_v use_v synonymous_o with_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n mark_n be_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o st._n luke_n and_o st._n paul_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n mark_n be_v express_v by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o st._n paul_n and_o in_o justins_n time_n amen_o be_v answer_v in_o that_o office_n by_o the_o people_n just_a as_o we_o here_o find_v that_o it_o be_v answer_v by_o he_o that_o supply_v the_o place_n of_o the_o unlearned_a and_o by_o the_o expectation_n of_o this_o answer_n of_o the_o people_n to_o it_o and_o by_o the_o other_o office_n with_o which_o it_o be_v join_v it_o seem_v rather_o to_o have_v be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a office_n than_o otherwise_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v part_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a office_n how_o have_v the_o unlearned_a be_v oblige_v to_o say_v amen_o to_o it_o how_o have_v he_o be_v oblige_v to_o use_v a_o interpreter_n in_o it_o for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n for_o that_o the_o apostle_n seem_v plain_o to_o mean_v in_o that_o whole_a chapter_n by_o do_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o spirit_n the_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n which_o they_o who_o be_v suppose_v to_o do_v it_o without_o the_o spirit_n do_v in_o a_o tongue_n common_o understand_v thus_o it_o be_v most_o accurate_o oppose_v to_o the_o do_v a_o thing_n with_o understanding_n §_o xxv_o nor_o do_v this_o reason_n hold_v only_o for_o hinder_v the_o exercise_n of_o government_n where_o there_o be_v no_o other_o settlement_n but_o these_o occasional_a extraordinary_a dictate_v of_o the_o spirit_n to_o uncertain_a member_n but_o even_o after_o the_o settlement_n of_o certain_a know_v ecclesiastical_a officer_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o same_o church_n of_o corinth_n have_v such_o officer_n when_o st._n clement_n write_v his_o epistle_n to_o they_o and_o yet_o even_o then_o they_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o schism_n which_o occasion_v his_o writing_n that_o epistle_n be_v encourage_v to_o resist_v their_o superior_n by_o their_o pretension_n to_o these_o gift_n and_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o apostle_n himself_o have_v so_o long_o before_o warn_v they_o of_o the_o obligation_n of_o such_o person_n themselves_o to_o submit_v to_o order_n and_o the_o constitution_n of_o officer_n among_o they_o have_v plain_o enough_o signify_v his_o mind_n that_o he_o intend_v they_o for_o judge_n of_o those_o rule_n which_o be_v requisite_a for_o order_n at_o least_o this_o reason_n of_o condescension_n last_v so_o long_o if_o not_o as_o these_o gift_n last_v yet_o till_o the_o apostle_n authority_n be_v general_o receive_v without_o control_n and_o till_o the_o apostle_n have_v declare_v their_o judgement_n express_o in_o this_o matter_n that_o even_o these_o extraordinary_a gift_n shall_v be_v under_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o ordinary_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o till_o this_o their_o declaration_n have_v reach_v the_o cognizance_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n universal_o and_o till_o man_n have_v withal_o some_o respite_n give_v they_o for_o wear_v out_o gradual_o their_o preconceive_a opinion_n to_o the_o contrary_a as_o we_o find_v that_o rule_n of_o prudence_n general_o observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o allow_v they_o respite_n in_o such_o case_n these_o reason_n will_v at_o least_o concern_v those_o time_n of_o which_o the_o scripture_n history_n give_v we_o a_o account_n and_o will_v therefore_o concern_v all_o the_o text_n by_o they_o insist_v on_o in_o those_o time_n §_o xxvi_o i_o have_v the_o rather_o particularise_v all_o these_o reason_n of_o condescension_n in_o those_o time_n that_o our_o brethren_n may_v understand_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o way_n they_o have_v hitherto_o insist_v on_o for_o know_v the_o original_a extent_n of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n for_o if_o the_o apostle_n be_v of_o themselves_o so_o careful_a to_o condescend_v to_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o new_a convert_v if_o withal_o there_o be_v then_o so_o many_o reasonble_a inducement_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o this_o condescension_n it_o must_v then_o be_v reasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o their_o actual_a practice_n must_v have_v fall_v short_a of_o their_o just_a right_n and_o therefore_o that_o their_o way_n of_o argue_v from_o the_o non-appearance_n of_o a_o precedent_n then_o to_o deny_v a_o right_a now_o be_v in_o itself_o extreme_o weak_a though_o we_o have_v all_o the_o record_n
have_v receive_v no_o power_n at_o all_o which_o in_o reference_n to_o subject_n already_o under_o government_n will_v disoblige_v such_o subject_n from_o submission_n to_o they_o and_o will_v consequent_o make_v their_o authority_n as_o unpracticable_a antecedent_o to_o this_o approbation_n of_o the_o ordinary_a governor_n as_o if_o they_o have_v none_o antecedent_o and_o because_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a by_o the_o principle_n of_o government_n that_o god_n will_v give_v a_o authority_n that_o shall_v be_v useless_a and_o unpracticable_a as_o to_o all_o the_o proper_a use_n of_o authority_n this_o will_v also_o make_v it_o suspicious_a that_o god_n do_v not_o indeed_o give_v this_o authority_n itself_o antecedent_o to_o the_o approbation_n of_o ordinary_a superior_n especial_o consider_v that_o though_o these_o ordinary_a fallible_a superior_n shall_v be_v mistake_v in_o think_v such_o person_n not_o authorize_v when_o real_o they_o be_v so_o yet_o still_o their_o authority_n must_v continue_v unpracticable_a by_o these_o principle_n and_o that_o for_o ever_o if_o ordinary_a superior_n shall_v for_o ever_o continue_v in_o their_o mistake_n §_o xv_o this_o i_o note_v against_o the_o opinion_n of_o a_o very_a ingenious_a and_o candid_a person_n who_o conceive_v that_o the_o authority_n be_v ground_v on_o those_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o he_o suppose_v to_o be_v in_o person_n antecedent_o to_o ordination_n humphreys_n mr._n humphreys_n and_o which_o he_o therefore_o conceive_v not_o give_v but_o approve_v by_o their_o ordeiner_n so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o hypothesis_n ordination_n do_v not_o give_v this_o power_n but_o only_o declare_v that_o they_o have_v it_o and_o give_v they_o a_o liberty_n to_o exercise_v it_o within_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o ordeiner_n without_o which_o himself_o conceive_v it_o irreconcilable_a with_o any_o order_n or_o discipline_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v permit_v to_o exercise_v their_o gift_n within_o those_o jurisdiction_n and_o be_v sensible_a how_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o secure_v the_o church_n from_o the_o mischief_n which_o may_v be_v occasion_v by_o the_o pretence_n of_o assume_v enthusiast_n if_o subject_n may_v be_v allow_v immediate_o to_o judge_n of_o their_o gift_n and_o to_o receive_v they_o as_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o practice_n antecedent_o to_o the_o declaration_n of_o their_o ordinary_a superior_n if_o this_o be_v true_a it_o will_v indeed_o follow_v that_o act_n of_o this_o authority_n will_v indeed_o be_v valid_a before_o god_n antecedent_o to_o the_o declaration_n of_o ordinary_a superior_n and_o even_o after_o they_o contrary_a to_o the_o declaration_n of_o fallible_a superior_n in_o case_n they_o shall_v prove_v actual_o mistake_v which_o be_v no_o hard_a supposition_n concern_v superior_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v fallible_a especial_o in_o their_o declaration_n concern_v thing_n which_o be_v true_a or_o false_a antecedent_o to_o their_o declaration_n though_o they_o may_v be_v obnoxious_a to_o canonical_a penalty_n for_o exercise_v their_o gift_n antecedent_o to_o this_o canonical_a approbation_n §_o xvi_o but_o in_o reference_n to_o practice_n the_o question_n will_v not_o be_v what_o be_v real_o valid_a before_o god_n but_o what_o may_v be_v know_v to_o be_v valid_a by_o man_n and_o if_o man_n presume_v that_o to_o be_v invalid_a which_o be_v real_o valid_a they_o can_v look_v on_o any_o thing_n do_v by_o they_o as_o valid_a while_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o doubt_v of_o the_o validity_n of_o the_o authority_n by_o which_o it_o be_v do_v and_o if_o subject_n be_v oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o ordinary_a superior_n concern_v the_o validity_n of_o the_o authority_n to_o which_o man_n pretend_v it_o plain_o follow_v that_o even_o where_o their_o superior_n be_v actual_o mistake_v in_o judge_a person_n to_o have_v no_o authority_n who_o real_o have_v it_o yet_o subject_n must_v in_o that_o case_n presume_v they_o have_v none_o at_o least_o presume_v so_o in_o reference_n to_o practice_n which_o will_n as_o much_o discourage_v they_o from_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o such_o person_n disapprove_v by_o superior_n and_o will_v consequent_o oblige_v they_o to_o as_o near_o a_o dependence_n on_o superior_n for_o the_o practicableness_n of_o their_o authority_n as_o if_o they_o have_v real_o receive_v it_o from_o they_o which_o presume_v invalidity_n be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o that_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o in_o this_o question_n beside_o the_o unpracticableness_n of_o such_o a_o authority_n independent_o on_o superior_n i_o have_v show_v to_o be_v a_o great_a and_o prudent_a presumption_n from_o the_o principle_n of_o government_n that_o no_o such_o authority_n be_v give_v independent_o on_o superior_n §_o xvii_o but_o 2._o our_o brethren_n must_v be_v oblige_v in_o equity_n to_o grant_v this_o negative_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o man_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v a_o authority_n from_o god_n which_o they_o can_v show_v their_o title_n to_o by_o the_o mediation_n of_o ordinary_a superior_n because_o they_o can_v pitch_v on_o a_o more_o certain_a way_n of_o prove_v that_o such_o person_n have_v receive_v authority_n from_o god_n than_o that_o they_o have_v receive_v it_o from_o they_o who_o be_v at_o first_o authorize_v by_o god_n and_o authorize_v to_o give_v their_o authority_n i_o can_v conceive_v how_o such_o person_n can_v pretend_v to_o come_v by_o their_o authority_n from_o god_n otherwise_o than_o either_o that_o they_o must_v have_v receive_v it_o from_o he_o immediate_o or_o that_o they_o must_v have_v receive_v it_o from_o he_o mediate_o with_o dependence_n on_o the_o scripture_n but_o neither_o of_o these_o pretence_n can_v satisfy_v other_o or_o prevent_v the_o mischief_n which_o may_v follow_v from_o false_a pretence_n which_o i_o have_v show_v how_o much_o it_o be_v the_o common_a interest_n of_o all_o government_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o to_o have_v prevent_v §_o xviii_o 1._o than_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o receive_v their_o authority_n from_o god_n immediate_o for_o they_o neither_o can_v give_v any_o solid_a reason_n for_o satisfy_v themselves_o that_o god_n will_v call_v any_o immediate_o in_o these_o modern_a age_n much_o less_o that_o they_o in_o particular_a be_v so_o call_v by_o he_o nor_o much_o less_o can_v they_o satisfy_v other_o that_o they_o be_v call_v god_n have_v never_o promise_v that_o he_o will_v call_v any_o in_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a way_n in_o these_o modern_a age_n nor_o have_v we_o any_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o ever_o intend_v it_o all_o the_o extraordinary_a manifestation_n which_o alone_o make_v these_o extraordinary_a call_v seasonable_a and_o useful_a all_o confess_v to_o have_v be_v long_o since_o discontinue_v and_o it_o be_v no_o way_n likely_a that_o he_o will_v continue_v his_o extraordinary_a call_n without_o his_o extraordinary_a manifestation_n without_o which_o they_o must_v be_v so_o useless_a and_o if_o it_o neither_o appear_v in_o general_a that_o god_n have_v actual_o promise_v it_o nor_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o he_o will_v ever_o have_v intend_v it_o how_o can_v they_o satisfy_v themselves_o that_o they_o in_o particular_a be_v however_o actual_o call_v by_o he_o will_v they_o or_o can_v they_o say_v that_o god_n have_v speak_v to_o they_o immediate_o no_o doubt_v some_o enthusiast_n will_v say_v so_o but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n if_o this_o can_v be_v say_v without_o enthusiasm_n §_o xix_o and_o if_o they_o will_v avoid_v this_o charge_n let_v they_o consider_v the_o difference_n make_v between_o true_a prophet_n and_o enthusiast_n the_o secret_a evidence_n not_o only_o of_o the_o revelation_n themselves_o but_o also_o of_o their_o proceed_n from_o god_n which_o appear_v to_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o either_o those_o that_o be_v mention_v by_o the_o jew_n or_o any_o other_o that_o may_v be_v rational_a let_v they_o consider_v how_o dangerous_a it_o must_v prove_v to_o themselves_o as_o well_o as_o other_o seduce_v by_o they_o if_o they_o shall_v prove_v mistake_v how_o high_o responsible_a they_o must_v be_v to_o god_n if_o they_o run_v in_o his_o name_n when_o they_o be_v not_o send_v by_o he_o and_o whether_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o mission_n be_v great_a enough_o either_o to_o prevent_v or_o countervail_v that_o danger_n let_v they_o judge_v themselves_o in_o this_o particular_a with_o the_o same_o severity_n wherewith_o they_o will_v judge_v other_o who_o will_v pretend_v authority_n for_o message_n contrary_a to_o their_o own_o and_o with_o the_o same_o wherewith_o they_o must_v expect_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o god_n if_o they_o shall_v prove_v mistake_v and_o i_o be_o confident_a they_o will_v find_v the_o evidence_n necessary_a for_o satisfy_v they_o in_o this_o particular_a not_o only_o much_o great_a than_o they_o have_v but_o also_o than_o they_o can_v rational_o expect_v in_o this_o present_a age._n nay_o if_o they_o will_v consider_v how_o
particular_a governor_n this_o therefore_o can_v be_v found_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o particular_a governor_n who_o authority_n be_v whole_o ground_v on_o it_o but_o only_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n who_o authority_n alone_o be_v antecedent_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o particular_a jurisdiction_n §_o xii_o nor_o can_v this_o be_v think_v strange_a in_o ecclesiastical_a government_n which_o be_v so_o acknowledge_v in_o civil_n there_o be_v also_o in_o they_o some_o law_n of_o the_o like_a universal_a concernment_n on_o which_o the_o right_a of_o all_o civil_a jurisdiction_n depend_v and_o which_o be_v therefore_o as_o impossible_a to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o particular_a governor_n and_o as_o necessary_a to_o be_v derive_v from_o god_n alone_o such_o be_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o nation_n the_o breach_n whereof_o have_v by_o all_o wise_a man_n be_v always_o think_v most_o piacular_a and_o most_o proper_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o punishment_n of_o god_n himself_o which_o be_v a_o consideration_n very_o worthy_a to_o be_v lay_v to_o heart_n by_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o equal_o applicable_a to_o this_o present_a subject_n concern_v the_o right_a of_o particular_a jurisdiction_n and_o if_o this_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v thus_o resist_v by_o this_o disobedience_n to_o humane_a jurisdiction_n what_o can_v more_o agreeable_o be_v expect_v as_o the_o punishment_n of_o such_o resistance_n than_o that_o they_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o such_o resistance_n by_o any_o acknowledgement_n of_o a_o power_n independent_a on_o the_o governor_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n shall_v at_o least_o lose_v the_o advantage_n they_o may_v otherwise_o expect_v from_o the_o society_n to_o which_o they_o join_v themselves_o i_o mean_v those_o advantage_n which_o may_v otherwise_o be_v expect_v from_o a_o conjunction_n with_o they_o consider_v as_o a_o society_n especial_o such_o advantage_n as_o be_v only_o to_o be_v immediate_o perform_v by_o god_n who_o they_o must_v by_o these_o principle_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v disoblige_v which_o will_v make_v it_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o sacrament_n receive_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o jurisdiction_n shall_v not_o actual_o have_v the_o benefit_n of_o sacrament_n and_o therefore_o shall_v not_o actual_o contribute_v to_o the_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n or_o the_o give_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o way_n whereby_o sacrament_n be_v suppose_v to_o contribute_v to_o they_o nay_o instead_o of_o that_o such_o communication_n will_v incur_v the_o guilt_n of_o sacrilege_n on_o the_o same_o account_n as_o corah_n and_o his_o company_n be_v guilty_a of_o it_o though_o they_o be_v consecrate_v person_n for_o transgress_v the_o bound_n allow_v they_o by_o the_o order_n prescribe_v by_o god_n but_o how_o much_o more_o must_v it_o be_v so_o when_o person_n not_o have_v any_o consecration_n at_o all_o shall_v presume_v to_o encroach_v on_o those_o sacred_a right_n of_o their_o own_o superior_n which_o god_n himself_o who_o give_v they_o those_o right_n do_v hence_o appear_v oblige_v to_o preserve_v inviolable_a §_o xiii_o and_o indeed_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o the_o presbyterian_o can_n with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n defend_v their_o own_o practice_n of_o authority_n without_o acknowledge_v this_o right_a of_o jurisdiction_n how_o can_v they_o justify_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o national_a and_o provincial_a synod_n over_o all_o those_o who_o live_v within_o the_o province_n or_o nation_n represent_v in_o the_o synod_n how_o can_v they_o challenge_v it_o even_o over_o the_o independent_o themselves_o who_o live_v among_o they_o notwithstanding_o their_o profession_n of_o a_o different_a judgement_n from_o they_o notwithstanding_o their_o disow_v any_o act_n whereby_o they_o have_v oblige_v themselves_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o authority_n distinct_a from_o the_o baptism_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v among_o they_o how_o can_v they_o have_v the_o confidence_n to_o charge_n even_o they_o with_o schism_n for_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o they_o or_o for_o gather_v church_n out_o of_o their_o parish_n if_o the_o live_n within_o the_o district_v of_o a_o parish_n can_v give_v they_o no_o peculiar_a title_n to_o those_o who_o do_v so_o what_o can_v they_o call_v this_o right_n they_o pretend_v to_o over_o person_n live_v within_o their_o district_n antecedent_o to_o any_o act_n of_o their_o own_o distinct_a from_o their_o baptism_n if_o it_o be_v not_o jurisdiction_n for_o my_o part_n i_o profess_v i_o mean_v no_o more_o at_o present_a nor_o be_o i_o sensible_a that_o my_o cause_n oblige_v i_o to_o mean_v any_o more_o and_o can_v they_o allow_v of_o jurisdiction_n in_o parish_n only_o and_o not_o in_o those_o great_a body_n which_o be_v only_a aggregate_n of_o parish_n the_o authority_n they_o challenge_v to_o their_o provincial_n and_o national_a synod_n do_v plain_o show_v they_o can_v do_v so_o and_o how_o can_v they_o possible_o deny_v the_o same_o right_a and_o reason_n of_o jurisdiction_n to_o the_o parish_n and_o diocese_n wherein_o their_o first_o predecessor_n be_v baptize_v how_o can_v they_o think_v the_o same_o episcopal_a jurisdiction_n any_o more_o impair_v by_o their_o own_o irregular_a practice_n since_o than_o they_o think_v their_o own_o jurisdiction_n impair_v by_o the_o like_a irregular_a practice_n of_o the_o independent_o they_o who_o acknowledge_v a_o right_n over_o particular_a christian_n antecedent_o to_o their_o own_o act_n as_o these_o general_o do_v when_o they_o speak_v consequent_o to_o their_o own_o principle_n must_v needs_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o power_n so_o antecedent_n to_o private_a suffrage_n may_v constitute_v what_o rule_v they_o please_v for_o distinguish_v the_o limit_n of_o the_o proportion_n of_o particular_a governor_n so_o that_o such_o person_n can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n doubt_v of_o the_o obligingness_n of_o such_o rule_n of_o jurisdiction_n when_o they_o be_v once_o establish_v but_o only_o whether_o this_o particular_a rule_n of_o judge_v by_o the_o district_v of_o place_n be_v establish_v by_o that_o antecedent_n power_n but_o of_o this_o there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n in_o our_o present_a case_n because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n so_o much_o as_o pretend_v by_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o for_o distinguish_v the_o limit_n of_o particular_a jurisdiction_n §_o fourteen_o but_o i_o proceed_v to_o show_v 2._o how_o the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v prove_v against_o they_o who_o deny_v all_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n antecedent_n to_o the_o voluntary_a obligation_n of_o particular_a person_n i_o have_v already_o observe_v how_o much_o more_o consequent_o these_o man_n speak_v to_o their_o principle_n than_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o it_o be_v indeed_o impossible_a that_o these_o man_n shall_v own_v the_o authority_n of_o jurisdiction_n if_o they_o will_v be_v true_a to_o their_o principle_n but_o then_o the_o great_a reason_n why_o it_o be_v impossible_a be_v particular_o that_o principle_n and_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o that_o they_o think_v the_o obligatory_a right_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n derive_v from_o the_o particular_a personal_a consent_n of_o every_o particular_a member_n and_o that_o distinct_a from_o his_o consent_n to_o be_v a_o member_n that_o be_v from_o his_o consent_n to_o baptism_n if_o this_o be_v overthrow_v than_o the_o reason_n will_v return_v which_o i_o have_v urge_v against_o those_o who_o grant_v a_o power_n in_o the_o church_n obligatory_a of_o all_o baptize_v person_n live_v among_o they_o antecedent_o to_o their_o personal_a contract_n for_o there_o be_v no_o middle_a way_n of_o deal_n in_o this_o case_n they_o who_o disown_n the_o original_a of_o power_n to_o be_v seat_v in_o the_o people_n if_o they_o own_o any_o ecclesiastical_a power_n at_o all_o they_o must_v needs_o place_v it_o original_o in_o the_o governor_n no_o three_o seat_n can_v or_o that_o i_o know_v of_o have_v be_v ever_o think_v of_o and_o if_o it_o be_v original_o in_o the_o governor_n than_o it_o must_v be_v there_o antecedent_o to_o the_o consent_n of_o particular_a private_a person_n and_o be_v so_o must_v also_o oblige_v antecedent_o to_o their_o consent_n for_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o speak_v of_o power_n without_o obligation_n and_o if_o so_o than_o whoever_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o subject_a of_o its_o government_n and_o whoever_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n a_o subject_a of_o its_o visible_a government_n but_o none_o can_v deny_v that_o it_o be_v the_o visible_a church_n as_o well_o as_o the_o invisible_a of_o which_o baptism_n make_v we_o member_n nay_o many_o of_o our_o adversary_n especial_o will_v say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o visible_a church_n rather_o than_o the_o invisible_a whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o none_o who_o
conscience_n especial_o they_o who_o urge_v it_o in_o that_o extravagant_a sense_n in_o which_o some_o seem_v to_o mean_v it_o and_o more_o be_v oblige_v to_o mean_v it_o by_o the_o interest_n of_o their_o reason_n §_o xxi_o and_o yet_o 2._o this_o power_n must_v not_o be_v so_o confine_v to_o the_o conscience_n but_o that_o it_o may_v also_o have_v a_o secondary_a influence_n on_o the_o external_a action_n of_o man_n to_o oblige_v they_o to_o perform_v such_o external_a duty_n upon_o account_n of_o conscience_n which_o they_o may_v otherwise_o have_v be_v unwilling_a to_o have_v perform_v of_o themselves_o for_o unless_o this_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n have_v a_o influence_n on_o the_o external_a action_n it_o can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n for_o the_o external_a government_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o who_o subject_n be_v man_n who_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v edify_v by_o our_o thought_n any_o far_a than_o as_o they_o be_v signify_v to_o they_o by_o our_o action_n and_o it_o be_v administer_v by_o man_n who_o can_v judge_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o their_o own_o injunction_n otherwise_o than_o by_o our_o external_a action_n in_o order_n to_o the_o reward_v the_o obedient_a or_o punish_v the_o disobedient_a and_o indeed_o for_o who_o end_n only_o external_a action_n be_v useful_a as_o be_v already_o observe_v and_o yet_o they_o must_v not_o only_o be_v those_o external_a action_n to_o which_o their_o own_o prudence_n will_v oblige_v they_o for_o their_o own_o intrinsic_a usefulness_n but_o also_o such_o wherein_o subject_n may_v differ_v from_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o superior_n that_o they_o must_v be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o observe_v in_o order_n to_o the_o end_n of_o government_n for_o no_o government_n whatsoever_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v administer_v by_o fallible_a person_n unless_o their_o subject_n conceive_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o submit_v to_o they_o even_o in_o such_o case_n wherein_o they_o shall_v believe_v they_o actual_o mistake_v in_o point_n of_o prudence_n for_o the_o generality_n of_o moral_a affair_n and_o especial_o the_o prudential_a command_n of_o governor_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o more_o than_o probable_a evidence_n and_o in_o such_o case_n it_o be_v very_o possible_a for_o such_o governor_n to_o be_v real_o mistake_v and_o for_o subject_n to_o believe_v they_o mistake_v and_o yet_o if_o they_o be_v not_o observe_v even_o in_o such_o case_n other_o instance_n be_v so_o very_o rare_a as_o that_o their_o government_n itself_o must_v prove_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n useless_a and_o unpracticable_a for_o without_o a_o coercive_a power_n over_o subject_n no_o government_n proper_o so_o call_v can_v be_v maintain_v and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o coercion_n if_o subject_n be_v permit_v to_o do_v only_o what_o they_o think_v fit_v themselves_o §_o xxii_o and_z 3._o these_o impression_n of_o conscience_n must_v be_v such_o as_o may_v oblige_v they_o not_o only_o to_o perform_v such_o external_a action_n as_o otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o if_o they_o have_v be_v leave_v to_o their_o own_o liberty_n but_o also_o to_o perform_v such_o action_n in_o compliance_n to_o visible_a superior_n so_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o maintain_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o government_n on_o their_o conscience_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o the_o authority_n command_v be_v judge_v to_o be_v a_o reason_n oblige_v they_o in_o conscience_n to_o perform_v whatsoever_o be_v so_o command_v and_o that_o these_o visible_a superior_n be_v to_o be_v take_v for_o authentic_a judge_n of_o their_o obedience_n or_o disobedience_n so_o that_o though_o they_o may_v not_o always_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v their_o judgement_n concern_v their_o own_o behaviour_n true_a yet_o they_o must_v always_o external_o acquiesce_v in_o their_o determination_n believe_v themselves_o oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o give_v they_o active_a obedience_n in_o thing_n lawful_a and_o passive_a in_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o so_o for_o external_a authority_n can_v be_v maintain_v over_o the_o conscience_n without_o a_o obligation_n even_o in_o conscience_n to_o obedience_n and_o the_o act_n can_v be_v obedience_n if_o it_o be_v not_o perform_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o authority_n require_v it_o and_o no_o obedience_n short_a of_o this_o now_o mention_v can_v reach_v the_o end_n of_o a_o visible_a external_a authority_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v extreme_o vain_a for_o they_o to_o think_v to_o satisfy_v their_o conscience_n of_o their_o obedience_n by_o appeal_n from_o their_o governor_n to_o god_n as_o the_o judge_n of_o their_o conscience_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n if_o god_n have_v institute_v no_o external_a society_n of_o man_n but_o have_v do_v so_o it_o be_v plain_o a_o refusal_n of_o their_o duty_n to_o their_o ecclesiastical_a superior_n when_o their_o authority_n be_v not_o admit_v neither_o for_o its_o own_o sake_n nor_o as_o a_o authentic_a expositor_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n as_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o action_n but_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v appeal_v to_o independent_o on_o they_o and_o plain_o a_o resist_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n as_o vest_v in_o they_o as_o god_n have_v require_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v obey_v for_o his_o sake_n and_o as_o by_o leave_v no_o remedy_n for_o appellant_n in_o this_o world_n wherein_o alone_o it_o be_v that_o this_o authority_n can_v be_v useful_a he_o have_v sufficient_o intimate_v it_o to_o be_v his_o pleasure_n that_o their_o authority_n shall_v be_v unappealable_a here_o in_o order_n to_o the_o forementioned_a obedience_n §_o xxiii_o and_z 4._o this_o authority_n over_o conscience_n must_v be_v such_o as_o may_v awe_v even_o wicked_a man_n themselves_o who_o be_v not_o altogether_o of_o a_o profligate_n and_o fear_v conscience_n and_o therefore_o the_o mischief_n attend_v disobedience_n must_v be_v very_o great_a as_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o it_o may_v by_o they_o be_v conceive_v sufficient_a to_o oversway_v the_o mischief_n they_o apprehend_v in_o want_v the_o gratification_n of_o their_o vicious_a appetite_n and_o very_o clear_a and_o unobnoxious_a to_o dispute_v on_o the_o acknowledge_a principle_n of_o christianity_n that_o it_o may_v be_v own_v for_o such_o even_o by_o they_o who_o be_v so_o strong_o interest_v and_o therefore_o prejudice_v against_o it_o for_o wicked_a man_n be_v they_o who_o constitute_v the_o great_a part_n of_o all_o great_a society_n and_o it_o be_v principal_o for_o they_o that_o all_o coercive_a government_n be_v settle_v not_o only_o that_o man_n of_o different_a judgement_n but_o also_o of_o different_a affection_n may_v be_v necessitate_v to_o a_o external_a compliance_n now_o in_o order_n to_o the_o establish_v such_o a_o government_n as_o this_o what_o can_v be_v more_o conducive_a or_o more_o become_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n than_o this_o systeme_n of_o principle_n on_o which_o i_o have_v be_v hitherto_o insist_v §_o xxiv_o for_o it_o be_v certain_a 1._o that_o they_o can_v oblige_v their_o subject_n thus_o in_o conscience_n to_o comply_v with_o they_o against_o their_o will_n unless_o there_o be_v some_o benefit_n to_o their_o conscience_n to_o be_v gain_v by_o their_o obedience_n and_o some_o prejudice_n also_o to_o their_o conscience_n to_o be_v incur_v by_o their_o disobedience_n possible_o some_o few_o good_a subject_n may_v be_v move_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o the_o general_a indefinite_a expectation_n of_o reward_n from_o his_o good_a will_n or_o punishment_n from_o his_o displeasure_n as_o some_o few_o good_a subject_n will_v be_v move_v by_o those_o constitution_n of_o their_o prince_n which_o be_v ratify_v by_o no_o other_o penalty_n than_o that_o of_o his_o displeasure_n but_o as_o in_o secular_o this_o be_v very_o rare_o find_v sufficient_a in_o experience_n for_o the_o government_n of_o great_a community_n without_o specification_n of_o the_o immediate_a reward_n or_o punishment_n which_o shall_v attend_v their_o obedience_n or_o disobedience_n to_o particular_a command_n so_o it_o will_v be_v as_o necessary_a to_o observe_v this_o same_o method_n for_o a_o government_n of_o this_o nature_n even_o in_o spiritual_n for_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v apt_a to_o transgress_v be_v usual_o so_o dull_a as_o not_o to_o be_v very_o apprehensive_a of_o spiritual_a and_o future_a inconvenience_n if_o there_o be_v not_o something_o particular_o to_o be_v fear_v at_o present_a upon_o the_o neglect_n of_o their_o duty_n some_o advantage_n to_o their_o conscience_n that_o may_v even_o at_o present_a prove_v more_o considerable_a to_o they_o than_o the_o pleasure_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o some_o disadvantage_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n that_o may_v at_o present_a oversway_v the_o loss_n of_o their_o sinful_a pleasure_n and_o the_o contradiction_n of_o their_o appetite_n in_o such_o performance_n of_o their_o duty_n §_o xxv_o and_z 2._o
a_o due_a respect_n to_o governor_n be_v a_o consideration_n so_o principal_a in_o this_o kind_n of_o performance_n as_o may_v make_v amends_o for_o any_o mistake_n in_o the_o expediency_n of_o particular_a imposition_n nay_o i_o may_v have_v show_v that_o the_o great_a end_n of_o public_a edification_n may_v on_o these_o supposal_n have_v be_v as_o effectual_o promote_v in_o many_o mistake_a imposition_n as_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o mistake_n at_o all_o and_o where_o the_o mistake_n be_v so_o no_o way_n dangerous_a where_o it_o have_v so_o very_o little_a if_o any_o influence_n on_o that_o which_o alone_o in_o the_o estimation_n of_o equal_a person_n make_v the_o practice_n commendable_a nay_o where_o disobedience_n be_v certain_o a_o great_a evil_n than_o can_v be_v fear_v from_o any_o mistake_n in_o the_o imposition_n itself_o what_o imaginable_a reason_n be_v there_o why_o we_o shall_v be_v refractory_a §_o xxiv_o beside_o the_o mistake_n if_o any_o be_v belong_v not_o to_o our_o province_n and_o consequent_o can_v be_v imputable_a to_o we_o but_o our_o superior_n and_o though_o the_o mistake_n be_v chargeable_a on_o we_o as_o a_o imprudence_n yet_o how_o can_v it_o be_v repute_v as_o a_o sin_n especial_o consider_v that_o it_o neither_o involve_v we_o in_o the_o violation_n of_o any_o of_o the_o divine_a commandment_n nor_o even_o in_o a_o sinful_a violation_n of_o the_o moral_a obligation_n of_o prudence_n itself_o for_o can_v they_o think_v all_o our_o less_o discreet_a action_n to_o be_v formal_a sin_n on_o account_n of_o their_o be_v so_o or_o can_v it_o be_v a_o sinful_a violation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o prudence_n itself_o to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v not_o so_o serviceable_a to_o its_o immediate_a end_n with_o a_o design_n upon_o a_o great_a and_o be_v not_o that_o the_o case_n exact_o here_o be_v not_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n by_o a_o compliance_n with_o less_o prudent_a imposition_n a_o more_o considerable_a end_n than_o the_o edification_n of_o particular_a person_n by_o the_o suitableness_n of_o every_o particular_a ceremony_n will_n themselves_o think_v it_o agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christian_a prudence_n sometime_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o weakness_n nay_o with_o the_o humoursomness_n of_o well-meaning_a brethren_n who_o they_o think_v mistake_v and_o can_v they_o think_v the_o same_o condescension_n sinful_a and_o imprudent_a only_a when_o it_o connive_n at_o the_o equally-pardonable_a mistake_n of_o a_o lawful_a authority_n if_o these_o presumption_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o governor_n to_o exert_v their_o authority_n over_o refractory_a subject_n that_o either_o the_o matter_n themselves_o be_v of_o so_o little_a concernment_n as_o that_o the_o conscience_n of_o their_o subject_n can_v be_v reasonable_o prejudice_v by_o any_o mistake_v concern_v they_o or_o if_o otherwise_o that_o the_o native_a evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v all_o inquisitive_a well-meaning_a person_n i_o confess_v i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o they_o can_v avoid_v make_v the_o duty_n of_o governor_n intricate_a and_o unpracticable_a which_o certain_o be_v to_o make_v it_o otherwise_o than_o god_n have_v make_v it_o and_o if_o governor_n act_v bona_fw-la fide_fw-la on_o these_o presumption_n must_v necessary_o interfere_v with_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o their_o well-meaning_a and_o inquisitive_a subject_n as_o i_o think_v it_o follow_v unavoidable_o from_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n principle_n this_o methinks_v will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o they_o for_o certain_o the_o catholic_n peace_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o body_n politic_a be_v fundamental_o ground_v on_o this_o reconcileableness_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o well-meaning_a conscientious_a governor_n with_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o their_o well-meaning_a conscientious_a subject_n and_o therefore_o those_o principle_n which_o hinder_v the_o possibility_n of_o reconcile_a they_o must_v on_o that_o very_a account_n remain_v convict_v of_o be_v false_a as_o well_o as_o vnpeaceable_a §_o xxv_o and_o if_o our_o brethren_n do_v not_o allow_v this_o power_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o their_o own_o party_n why_o do_v they_o censure_v or_o separate_v from_o dissenter_n from_o themselves_o if_o they_o do_v how_o can_v they_o excuse_v themselves_o for_o separate_v from_o their_o own_o governor_n at_o first_o and_z giving_z other_o a_o precedent_n by_o they_o unanswerable_a i_o be_o confident_a their_o own_o doctrine_n and_o decree_n be_v not_o in_o many_o case_n capable_a of_o high_a evidence_n than_o we_o as_o little_a clear_a from_o express_a scripture_n or_o any_o obvious_a consequence_n deduce_v from_o it_o and_o according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o judicious_a impartial_a person_n as_o liable_a to_o mistake_v if_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o this_o they_o think_v their_o proof_n sufficient_a to_o ground_v a_o presumption_n of_o their_o ingenuity_n even_o in_o person_n dissent_v from_o they_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v any_o disparity_n why_o they_o shall_v not_o admit_v the_o like_a presumption_n for_o our_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n §_o xxvi_o i_o know_v there_o be_v a_o complaint_n take_v up_o by_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a adversary_n that_o we_o misrepresent_v they_o as_o often_o as_o we_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o break_v off_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n for_o thing_n indifferent_a nor_o do_v i_o conceive_v it_o necessary_a on_o this_o occasion_n to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o mistake_n and_o our_o own_o fidelity_n by_o reference_n to_o their_o own_o more_o ancient_a and_o famous_a author_n for_o my_o part_n i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o there_o be_v any_o real_a difference_n betwixt_o even_o they_o and_o their_o predecessor_n but_o only_o in_o a_o misunderstanding_n of_o the_o notion_n of_o indifferency_n that_o be_v ascribe_v to_o such_o imposition_n of_o their_o superior_n for_o if_o by_o indifferency_n be_v mean_v a_o indifferency_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o practice_n after_o they_o be_v impose_v we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v that_o they_o believe_v they_o thus_o indifferent_a as_o that_o we_o ourselves_o do_v not_o believe_v they_o so_o nor_o consequent_o have_v we_o here_o that_o ordinary_a occasion_n of_o such_o mistake_n of_o ascribe_v our_o own_o sentiment_n to_o they_o we_o ourselves_o believe_v they_o as_o necessary_a to_o be_v do_v when_o they_o be_v command_v by_o our_o lawful_a superior_n as_o they_o believe_v they_o necessary_a to_o be_v omit_v the_o indifferency_n therefore_o which_o we_o ourselves_o believe_v to_o be_v in_o they_o and_o wherein_o we_o believe_v our_o brethren_n also_o to_o be_v of_o our_o mind_n be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o antecedent_o to_o the_o determination_n of_o ordinary_a ecclesiastical_a superior_n §_o xxvii_o and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v they_o indifferent_a in_o this_o sense_n why_o do_v they_o insist_v on_o the_o same_o argument_n with_o their_o predecessor_n concern_v christian_n liberty_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o can_v they_o pretend_v christian_a liberty_n in_o such_o instance_n wherein_o christ_n himself_o have_v impose_v on_o their_o liberty_n or_o do_v they_o think_v that_o the_o scripture_n take_v no_o notice_n of_o a_o thing_n be_v sufficient_a not_o only_o to_o make_v the_o thing_n so_o omit_v unlawful_a to_o be_v impose_v but_o unlawful_a also_o to_o be_v practise_v §_o xxviii_o this_o acknowledge_a indifferency_n therefore_o of_o the_o thing_n antecedent_o to_o the_o interposition_n of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n be_v the_o thing_n we_o conceive_v they_o to_o believe_v and_o their_o belief_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v thus_o indifferent_a antecedent_o to_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n and_o yet_o be_v unlawful_a when_o authority_n have_v interpose_v this_o i_o say_v we_o conceive_v perfect_o destructive_a of_o such_o authority_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v such_o authority_n can_v never_o oblige_v we_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n for_o its_o own_o sake_n when_o its_o interposition_n in_o a_o thing_n otherwise_o lawful_a in_o itself_o be_v conceive_v sufficient_a to_o make_v it_o unlawful_a for_o it_o can_v be_v discern_v what_o be_v do_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o this_o authority_n but_o only_o in_o such_o instance_n where_o no_o other_o reason_n of_o do_v a_o thing_n can_v be_v pretend_v if_o therefore_o nothing_o be_v do_v for_o it_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o have_v any_o obligation_n of_o its_o own_o which_o if_o it_o have_v not_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v own_v as_o a_o authority_n §_o xxix_o as_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o propose_v divine_a law_n obligatory_a antecedent_o to_o their_o proposal_n beside_o that_o when_o it_o come_v to_o practice_n it_o will_v not_o be_v find_v very_o significant_a with_o our_o brethren_n when_o every_o private_a person_n among_o they_o be_v permit_v to_o judge_n so_o free_o for_o himself_o
and_o so_o free_o to_o practise_v according_a to_o his_o own_o judgement_n however_o different_a from_o that_o of_o these_o authoritative_a proposer_n of_o the_o divine_a pleasure_n to_o he_o i_o say_v beside_o this_o the_o authority_n thus_o acknowledge_v be_v not_o confine_v to_o the_o office_n or_o jurisdiction_n but_o be_v whole_o ground_v on_o the_o personal_a skill_n of_o the_o person_n authorize_v and_o consequent_o be_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o body_n politic_a so_o that_o at_o least_o this_o be_v utter_o subvert_v by_o these_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o our_o brethren_n which_o be_v all_o that_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o at_o present_a this_o therefore_o may_v suffice_v at_o present_a to_o show_v the_o inconsistency_n of_o these_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o our_o brethren_n with_o catholic_n peace_n because_o i_o be_o desirous_a to_o hasten_v to_o my_o principal_a design_n §_o xxx_o i_o proceed_v therefore_o to_o show_v that_o my_o present_a undertake_n be_v not_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o person_n i_o be_o here_o desirous_a to_o observe_v viz._n that_o of_o a_o peacemaker_n this_o be_v the_o rather_o fit_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o because_o it_o be_v conceive_v that_o the_o apostle_n precedent_n in_o that_o great_a dispute_n concern_v eat_a thing_n offer_v to_o idol_n do_v oblige_v peacemaker_n to_o avoid_v maintain_v either_o side_n of_o such_o dispute_v proposition_n or_o abet_v either_o party_n so_o the_o apostle_n advise_v even_o they_o viii_o rom._n fourteen_o viii_o who_o better_a inform_v conscience_n be_v sufficient_o convince_v of_o the_o indifferency_n of_o such_o meat_n in_o regard_n of_o themselves_o to_o yield_v their_o own_o right_n rather_o than_o offend_v their_o weak_a brethren_n who_o may_v take_v their_o eat_v they_o for_o a_o honour_n to_o the_o idol_n and_o may_v be_v tempt_v not_o only_o to_o hard_a and_o undeserved_a censure_n of_o such_o a_o precedent_n but_o may_v be_v induce_v by_o authority_n so_o revere_v by_o they_o to_o believe_v such_o honour_n innocent_a and_o by_o degree_n to_o give_v those_o honour_n which_o themselves_o conceive_v to_o reach_v the_o idol_n which_o in_o regard_n of_o conscience_n so_o persuade_v can_v be_v no_o better_o than_o downright_a idolatry_n in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o he_o profess_v himself_o so_o tender_a of_o the_o welfare_n even_o of_o such_o weak_a brethren_n and_o so_o willing_a to_o abridge_v himself_o even_o of_o his_o own_o liberty_n where_o it_o may_v prove_v prejudicial_a to_o it_o that_o he_o will_v rather_o never_o eat_v at_o all_o than_o scandalize_v a_o weak_a brother_n by_o do_v so_o 13_o 1_o cor._n viii_o 13_o which_o way_n of_o accommodation_n seem_v rather_o to_o silence_v the_o dispute_n than_o to_o decide_v they_o and_o be_v think_v as_o suitable_a to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o peacemaker_n in_o these_o controversy_n which_o occasion_n our_o present_a division_n as_o in_o those_o which_o occasion_v those_o discourse_n of_o the_o apostle_n both_o of_o they_o be_v alike_o conceive_v to_o concern_v only_a thing_n indifferent_a §_o xxxi_o but_o the_o answer_n will_v be_v very_o easy_a whether_o we_o consider_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n i_o confess_v it_o be_v very_o agreeable_a with_o the_o office_n of_o a_o peacemaker_n not_o to_o interpose_v with_o any_o earnestness_n in_o such_o controversy_n which_o be_v not_o momentous_a for_o peace_n and_o wherein_o his_o earnest_a interposition_n may_v weaken_v his_o authority_n with_o that_o party_n with_o which_o he_o engage_v especial_o then_o when_o he_o foresee_v his_o authority_n not_o to_o be_v so_o great_a with_o the_o contrary_a party_n as_o to_o oblige_v they_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o his_o determination_n which_o be_v a_o consideration_n of_o more_o efficacy_n now_o when_o no_o particular_a person_n whatsoever_o can_v pretend_v to_o such_o a_o authority_n with_o those_o of_o a_o different_a persuasion_n as_o the_o apostle_n may_v then_o and_o i_o confess_v withal_o that_o this_o be_v a_o case_n very_o applicable_a to_o many_o of_o our_o present_a controversy_n that_o either_o they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o mutual_a misunderstanding_n or_o if_o real_a like_o those_o in_o these_o text_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o worth_a contend_v for_o especial_o when_o they_o be_v debate_v betwixt_o private_a person_n whereof_o neither_o be_v under_o the_o other_o jurisdiction_n but_o do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o even_o in_o such_o as_o these_o a_o peacemaker_n may_v not_o declare_v his_o opinion_n and_o offer_v his_o reason_n in_o a_o way_n modest_a and_o unprovoke_a nay_o be_v it_o not_o warrantable_a by_o the_o apostle_n precedent_n who_o plain_o take_v their_o part_n who_o esteem_v all_o meat_n alike_o 14_o rom._n fourteen_o 14_o the_o controversy_n then_o so_o fierce_o dispute_v or_o do_v they_o think_v it_o unbecoming_a a_o peacemaker_n so_o far_o to_o interess_n himself_o in_o a_o party_n as_o to_o let_v dissenter_n understand_v the_o reason_n they_o have_v rather_o to_o yield_v to_o those_o for_o who_o he_o have_v declare_v do_v not_o the_o apostle_n even_o so_o whilst_o he_o defend_v his_o own_o party_n as_o strong_a 3._o v._o 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o only_o excuse_v the_o other_o as_o tolerable_a in_o their_o weakness_n and_o frailty_n wherein_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o we_o deviate_v from_o the_o apostle_n precedent_n be_v it_o that_o though_o we_o do_v not_o persuade_v to_o yet_o we_o also_o do_v not_o dissuade_v superior_n from_o the_o prosecution_n of_o dissenter_n but_o this_o be_v plain_o none_o of_o the_o apostle_n case_n who_o have_v not_o to_o do_v with_o difference_n betwixt_o superior_n and_o subject_n but_o only_o betwixt_o private_a coordinate_a christian_n so_o he_o argue_v who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v another_o servant_n 4._o v._o 4._o to_o his_o own_o master_n he_o stand_v or_o fall_v clear_o imply_v a_o want_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o their_o mutual_a censure_n which_o sure_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o can_v understand_v of_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n if_o any_o such_o have_v be_v interpose_v especial_o consider_v she_o as_o she_o be_v then_o to_o be_v consider_v as_o under_o the_o extraordinary_a privilege_n of_o the_o apostolical_a office_n and_o several_a other_o extraordinary_a both_o officer_n and_o assistance_n of_o those_o early_a age_n §_o xxxii_o but_o as_o the_o limitation_n of_o the_o apostle_n case_v plain_o destroy_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o his_o rule_n in_o a_o latitude_n disproportionable_a to_o his_o design_n so_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n do_v oblige_v peacemaker_n to_o abett_v some_o controversy_n for_o sure_a it_o will_v not_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o there_o be_v some_o controversy_n of_o that_o sort_n that_o man_n differ_v in_o their_o judgement_n concern_v they_o and_o practise_v consequent_o to_o such_o difference_n must_v be_v oblige_v to_o violate_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o sure_o it_o can_v be_v think_v dissonant_n to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o peacemaker_n that_o he_o shall_v oppose_v himself_o to_o such_o opinion_n as_o be_v themselves_o so_o opposite_a to_o his_o great_a design_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o discern_v how_o improper_o the_o topic_n on_o which_o our_o adversary_n will_v have_v we_o insist_v be_v applicable_a here_o so_o easy_a as_o that_o i_o can_v think_v it_o necessary_a to_o instance_n in_o they_o nay_o indeed_o the_o very_a same_o reason_n which_o will_v prove_v it_o advisable_v for_o controvertist_n not_o to_o abett_v party_n in_o matter_n of_o inferior_a concernment_n will_n i_o do_v not_o say_v prove_v it_o only_o advisable_v but_o oblige_v they_o to_o do_v it_o here_o for_o can_v there_o be_v a_o more_o suitable_a employment_n for_o a_o peacemaker_n than_o to_o show_v his_o zeal_n against_o the_o obstacle_n of_o peace_n and_o can_v any_o obstacle_n of_o peace_n be_v more_o mischievous_a than_o such_o as_o necessary_o engage_v man_n into_o party_n and_o faction_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o so_o engage_v make_v their_o difference_n irreconcilable_a and_o what_o can_v more_o effectual_o do_v this_o than_o divide_v principle_n for_o what_o can_v more_o serious_o terrify_v well-meaning_a person_n from_o their_o compliance_n with_o man_n than_o to_o think_v that_o such_o compliance_n can_v be_v purchase_v at_o a_o easy_a rate_n than_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o peace_n with_o god_n or_o what_o can_v make_v they_o more_o implacable_a to_o one_o another_o than_o when_o all_o moderation_n be_v interpret_v as_o a_o defect_n of_o zeal_n nay_o when_o they_o be_v not_o only_o actual_o so_o persuade_v but_o even_o in_o their_o cool_a humour_n can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v persuade_v otherwise_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v serious_a in_o the_o belief_n of_o their_o first_o divide_v principle_n for_o such_o there_o be_v no_o other_o mean_n of_o make_v they_o peaceable_a than_o either_o the_o contradiction_n or_o the_o
investiture_n into_o his_o own_o power_n with_o those_o whereby_o the_o ecclesiastic_n be_v ordinary_o settle_v in_o they_o then_o certain_o the_o original_a ecclesiastical_a power_n must_v be_v conceive_v more_o obligatory_a and_o less_o obnoxious_a to_o appeal_v than_o the_o secular_a which_o have_v be_v thus_o fortify_v by_o it_o §_o x_o and_o 5._o by_o the_o general_a principle_n of_o government_n it_o be_v not_o only_o true_a that_o officer_n of_o high_a dignity_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v as_o representative_n of_o the_o prince_n such_o as_o be_v viceroy_n and_o deputy_n but_o it_o be_v also_o true_a of_o the_o mean_a officer_n that_o be_v such_o as_o constable_n etc._n etc._n that_o resistance_n of_o they_o in_o any_o case_n be_v count_v a_o resistance_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o even_o where_o they_o transgress_v the_o law_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v oppose_v but_o according_a to_o the_o method_n of_o regular_n appeal_n not_o by_o a_o immediate_a recourse_n to_o the_o prince_n himself_o but_o their_o more_o immediate_a superior_n and_o what_o be_v decree_v in_o such_o case_n by_o those_o inferior_a subordinate_a officer_n to_o who_o the_o appeal_n be_v make_v be_v the_o same_o way_n to_o be_v obey_v as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v decree_v by_o the_o prince_n himself_o and_o under_o the_o same_o hazard_n of_o incur_v the_o guilt_n of_o rebellion_n against_o he_o especial_o where_o there_o can_v be_v no_o access_n to_o the_o person_n of_o the_o prince_n himself_o as_o there_o be_v none_o in_o our_o present_a case_n so_o that_o by_o this_o method_n there_o can_v be_v no_o lawful_a remedy_n against_o the_o exorbitance_n even_o of_o inferior_a governor_n but_o by_o recourse_n to_o their_o superior_n and_o the_o sentence_n give_v by_o superior_n upon_o such_o appeal_n can_v be_v resist_v without_o resist_a christ_n himself_o thus_o christ_n as_o a_o governor_n be_v concern_v to_o take_v care_n for_o the_o erection_n of_o a_o body_n politic_a consist_v of_o visible_a governor_n as_o well_o as_o govern_v and_o subordinate_a as_o well_o as_o supreme_a governor_n and_o to_o provide_v mean_n of_o oblige_v all_o to_o obey_v they_o all_o respective_o under_o pain_n of_o be_v account_v refractory_a against_o himself_o as_o a_o mean_n of_o secure_v the_o performance_n of_o his_o own_o will_n by_o we_o which_o must_v be_v perform_v by_o we_o if_o we_o be_v real_a subject_n §_o xi_o but_o 2._o he_o be_v also_o further_o concern_v to_o see_v not_o only_o that_o he_o will_v be_v perform_v by_o we_o but_o also_o that_o it_o be_v perform_v by_o we_o because_o it_o be_v his_o will_n and_o not_o because_o it_o be_v our_o own_o humour_n and_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o be_v so_o perform_v by_o we_o the_o erection_n of_o a_o body_n politic_a be_v also_o necessary_a he_o be_v concern_v as_o a_o governor_n to_o take_v care_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v even_o to_o man_n that_o his_o will_n be_v perform_v by_o we_o because_o it_o be_v his_o will_n and_o not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v our_o humour_n to_o do_v the_o thing_n will_v by_o he_o for_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o government_n that_o it_o may_v attain_v the_o end_n of_o government_n to_o keep_v up_o its_o own_o reputation_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o subject_n for_o a_o despise_a government_n can_v neither_o awe_n by_o its_o threat_n nor_o allure_v by_o its_o reward_n nor_o consequent_o have_v any_o hold_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o subject_n to_o oblige_v they_o to_o perform_v their_o duty_n or_o to_o preserve_v the_o public_a peace_n which_o be_v the_o most_o essential_a end_n of_o government_n of_o this_o all_o wise_a man_n have_v be_v so_o very_o sensible_a as_o that_o it_o have_v always_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o punish_v the_o least_o affront_v against_o majesty_n how_o inconsiderable_a soever_o otherwise_o in_o themselves_o with_o the_o severe_a penalty_n though_o all_o civilise_a nation_n and_o place_n will_v afford_v innumerable_a instance_n hereof_o yet_o at_o present_a i_o name_v only_o one_o because_o i_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v of_o most_o authority_n with_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n 4.5_o 2_o sam._n x._o 4.5_o 1_o chron._n nineteeen_o 4.5_o and_o that_o be_v of_o david_n the_o affront_n of_o hanun_n the_o ammonite_n be_v not_o that_o of_o a_o subject_a but_o of_o a_o neighbour_a absolute_a prince_n not_o against_o his_o person_n but_o only_o his_o ambassador_n nor_o even_o against_o they_o be_v it_o such_o as_o may_v do_v they_o any_o permanent_a inconvenience_n it_o be_v only_o a_o matter_n of_o present_a shame_n the_o shave_n of_o one_o half_a of_o their_o beard_n and_o cut_v off_o their_o garment_n to_o the_o middle_n yet_o we_o see_v this_o occasion_v a_o very_a severe_o manage_v war_n wherein_o beside_o the_o mischief_n do_v in_o hot_a blood_n the_o whole_a people_n that_o be_v take_v as_o prisoner_n of_o war_n be_v treat_v with_o excessive_a rigour_n they_o be_v put_v under_o saw_n and_o harrow_n of_o iron_n 3_o 2_o sam._n twelve_o 31_o 1_o chron._n xx_o 3_o and_o axe_n of_o iron_n and_o make_v to_o pass_v under_o the_o brick_n kilne_n and_o to_o treat_v a_o prince_n thus_o to_o who_o father_n david_n himself_o have_v confess_v himself_o so_o much_o oblige_v i_o suppose_v in_o his_o exile_n under_o saul_n for_o nahash_n the_o father_n of_o hanun_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o who_o be_v vanquish_v by_o saul_n 1_o sam._n xi_o 5._o ant._n l._n vi_fw-la c._n 5._o whereas_o yet_o josephus_n without_o any_o ground_n from_o the_o sacred_a text_n will_v have_v he_o kill_v in_o the_o fight_n though_o afterward_o in_o the_o story_n itself_o he_o make_v he_o new_o decease_v when_o this_o embassy_n be_v send_v 5._o id._n ant._n l._n seven_o c._n 5._o unless_o possible_o the_o distance_n between_o these_o two_o action_n may_v incline_v we_o to_o suspect_v that_o there_o be_v two_o different_a king_n of_o the_o ammonite_n of_o the_o same_o name_n to_o do_v thus_o with_o the_o ammonite_n to_o who_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v so_o near_o relate_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o have_v yield_v to_o his_o mercy_n and_o in_o all_o their_o city_n may_v to_o person_n not_o consider_v how_o fatal_a in_o their_o consequence_n thing_n may_v be_v which_o be_v inconsiderable_a in_o themselves_o and_o how_o necessary_a it_o be_v for_o government_n that_o such_o consequence_n be_v in_o time_n prevent_v seem_v a_o excessive_o harsh_a expiation_n of_o so_o small_a a_o guilt_n yet_o by_o david_n who_o his_o history_n show_v not_o to_o have_v be_v cruel_o dispose_v nor_o revengeful_a this_o be_v think_v necessary_a for_o preservation_n of_o his_o government_n §_o xii_o now_o as_o government_n can_v signify_v nothing_o without_o this_o reputation_n for_o the_o good_a of_o subject_n so_o neither_o can_v this_o reputation_n be_v preserve_v among_o they_o unless_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o they_o who_o obey_v the_o authority_n do_v it_o not_o only_o to_o please_v themselves_o but_o he_o who_o have_v command_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v perform_v by_o they_o and_o thereby_o signify_v their_o acknowledgement_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o their_o own_o subjection_n to_o he_o for_o what_o good_a can_v this_o reputation_n do_v unless_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o they_o who_o be_v to_o be_v edify_v by_o it_o and_o how_o can_v it_o appear_v to_o they_o that_o subject_n do_v the_o command_n of_o authority_n have_v real_o that_o honour_n and_o respect_n for_o the_o authority_n that_o command_v they_o unless_o this_o may_v also_o appear_v to_o they_o by_o their_o practice_n conformable_a to_o such_o a_o respect_n which_o be_v indeed_o the_o only_a prudent_a argument_n for_o discover_v what_o another_o do_v serious_o believe_v and_o how_o can_v this_o appear_v by_o their_o practice_n unless_o they_o see_v they_o do_v something_o at_o the_o command_n of_o the_o authority_n which_o they_o may_v have_v reason_n to_o believe_v they_o will_v not_o have_v do_v if_o the_o authority_n have_v not_o command_v it_o but_o in_o all_o thing_n wherein_o themselves_o be_v gratify_v it_o may_v very_o just_o be_v suspect_v whether_o they_o will_v not_o have_v do_v they_o though_o no_o authority_n have_v require_v they_o and_o in_o all_o thing_n wherein_o this_o gratification_n of_o themselves_o can_v be_v disprove_v it_o may_v be_v very_o probable_o be_v presume_v §_o xiii_o nor_o indeed_o be_v this_o appearance_n that_o man_n do_v what_o be_v command_v by_o authority_n only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o authority_n only_o necessary_a as_o some_o may_v be_v inclinable_a to_o conceive_v for_o ostentation_n of_o the_o power_n with_o which_o the_o person_n authorize_v be_v invest_v nor_o only_o for_o edify_v other_o with_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o example_n but_o also_o for_o secure_v the_o performance_n of_o the_o duty_n themselves_o indeed_o if_o
our_o judgement_n be_v always_o so_o uncorrupt_a as_o that_o we_o may_v always_o be_v sensible_a of_o our_o own_o interest_n or_o all_o our_o duty_n be_v accommodate_v not_o only_o to_o our_o great_a and_o more_o solid_a interest_n but_o to_o our_o humour_n also_o and_o we_o be_v likely_a always_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o humour_n or_o at_o least_o secure_a from_o a_o frequent_a change_n there_o may_v then_o be_v some_o pretence_n that_o our_o duty_n may_v general_o be_v secure_v without_o contradiction_n of_o our_o humour_n but_o see_v none_o of_o these_o can_v be_v presume_v certain_a and_o constant_a nay_o see_v all_n of_o they_o do_v most_o frequent_o fall_v out_o otherwise_o than_o it_o be_v requisite_a they_o shall_v for_o secure_v the_o performance_n of_o our_o duty_n that_o we_o be_v frequent_o either_o prejudice_v against_o our_o duty_n or_o change_v from_o our_o former_a humour_n therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o secure_v performance_n that_o we_o do_v our_o duty_n on_o constant_a and_o immutable_a reason_n such_o as_o may_v not_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o change_n and_o vicissitude_n of_o our_o humour_n and_o such_o be_v that_o and_o only_o that_o of_o do_v our_o duty_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o he_o who_o have_v require_v it_o §_o fourteen_o now_o for_o discover_v this_o whether_o duty_n be_v perform_v on_o account_n of_o the_o authority_n require_v it_o a_o visible_a body_n politic_a wherein_o man_n may_v be_v invest_v with_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o may_v therefore_o be_v allow_v for_o authentical_a expositor_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n that_o so_o our_o obedience_n to_o god_n may_v be_v know_v by_o our_o obedience_n to_o person_n thus_o empower_v by_o he_o be_v much_o better_o accommodate_v than_o if_o we_o confine_v the_o divine_a authority_n in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o allow_v the_o exposition_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o conscience_n of_o particular_a subject_n as_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o practice_n for_o as_o the_o scripture_n be_v now_o manage_v by_o they_o who_o reject_v all_o prudent_a use_n of_o ecclesiastical_a tradition_n for_o expound_v they_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o they_o who_o will_v take_v their_o own_o fancy_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o then_o concern_v themselves_o not_o so_o much_o to_o prove_v what_o they_o have_v so_o presume_v as_o to_o evade_v what_o may_v be_v object_v against_o they_o to_o evade_v all_o possible_a confutation_n how_o false_a soever_o the_o error_n may_v be_v which_o on_o these_o term_n they_o shall_v undertake_v to_o maintain_v for_o it_o be_v impossible_a on_o these_o term_n so_o to_o assure_v any_o one_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o favour_n of_o any_o one_o side_n of_o a_o controversy_n new_o raise_v to_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o to_o exclude_v all_o other_o sense_n inconsistent_a with_o it_o especial_o in_o matter_n of_o practice_n of_o a_o temporary_a obligation_n and_o such_o be_v the_o particular_n controvert_v by_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n wherein_o whatever_o be_v pretend_v it_o can_v never_o appear_v that_o the_o sacred_a writer_n themselves_o design_v to_o be_v so_o accurate_a and_o particular_a as_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n conceive_v and_o it_o be_v least_o of_o all_o credible_a that_o they_o shall_v right_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n or_o assure_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v prevent_v licentious_a and_o dangerous_a exposition_n of_o other_o who_o wave_v the_o history_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n at_o or_o near_o those_o age_n wherein_o these_o book_n be_v write_v which_o must_v certain_o be_v of_o most_o use_n for_o explain_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n in_o such_o matter_n §_o xv_o beside_o though_o there_o have_v be_v even_o on_o their_o principle_n better_a mean_n for_o assure_v a_o particular_a sense_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o such_o particular_n as_o these_o that_o may_v not_o be_v evade_v by_o a_o person_n desirous_a to_o practise_v otherwise_o yet_o how_o can_v we_o be_v assure_v that_o person_n act_v sincere_o in_o follow_v their_o conviction_n how_o shall_v we_o know_v that_o person_n of_o a_o violent_a temper_n and_o seditious_a may_v not_o pretend_v the_o command_n of_o god_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o those_o of_o their_o ordinary_a ecclesiastical_a governor_n not_o that_o either_o they_o themselves_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v so_o or_o that_o they_o be_v at_o all_o solicitous_a for_o do_v god_n will_v but_o mere_o that_o so_o they_o may_v make_v use_n of_o a_o plausible_a pretence_n for_o gratify_v their_o seditious_a humour_n without_o the_o infamy_n of_o be_v think_v seditious_a it_o be_v certain_a many_o may_v do_v so_o who_o may_v either_o not_o be_v guilty_a of_o any_o inclination_n to_o any_o of_o those_o scandalous_a vice_n which_o be_v of_o ill_a repute_n with_o the_o vulgar_a or_o if_o they_o be_v yet_o they_o may_v count_v it_o politic_a not_o only_o to_o conceal_v they_o but_o also_o to_o make_v a_o open_a solemn_a profession_n for_o the_o contrary_a in_o order_n to_o the_o gain_n of_o a_o reputation_n to_o their_o ill_a design_n and_o these_o be_v case_n which_o consider_v the_o humour_n of_o the_o age_n and_o the_o haughty_a behaviour_n of_o many_o who_o be_v deep_o engage_v in_o the_o several_a party_n may_v without_o any_o uncharitableness_n be_v suppose_v likely_a to_o prove_v ordinary_a now_o when_o we_o find_v person_n exceed_o pretend_v to_o be_v religious_a impatient_a of_o all_o restraint_n that_o we_o can_v judge_n of_o either_o to_o be_v likely_a to_o proceed_v from_o god_n or_o to_o be_v think_v by_o they_o to_o do_v so_o and_o only_o pretend_v to_o subjection_n to_o god_n in_o such_o instance_n which_o may_v be_v as_o likely_a to_o be_v design_v for_o their_o own_o gratification_n as_o for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n where_o we_o can_v either_o not_o be_v satisfy_v of_o their_o sincerity_n that_o they_o do_v in_o earnest_n believe_v their_o own_o practice_n to_o be_v warrant_v by_o divine_a authority_n or_o where_o though_o they_o be_v sincere_a yet_o the_o evidence_n on_o which_o they_o proceed_v be_v of_o so_o ambiguous_a interpretation_n as_o to_o be_v very_o capable_a of_o a_o compliance_n with_o their_o own_o desire_n whatever_o they_o be_v and_o so_o never_o likely_a to_o impose_v any_o thing_n on_o they_o contrary_a to_o their_o own_o inclination_n which_o be_v the_o only_a case_n wherein_o we_o can_v conclude_v that_o what_o be_v perform_v by_o they_o be_v perform_v with_o regard_n to_o the_o divine_a authority_n how_o can_v we_o conclude_v that_o they_o have_v any_o real_a reverence_n for_o the_o injunction_n themselves_o or_o for_o the_o authority_n by_o which_o they_o be_v impose_v but_o further_a §_o xvi_o 2._o he_o be_v also_o as_o a_o governor_n concern_v to_o oblige_v we_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o our_o duty_n by_o such_o mean_n as_o may_v prove_v most_o effectual_a with_o we_o for_o that_o purpose_n and_o certain_o the_o external_a solemnity_n of_o undertake_v they_o be_v such_o a_o mean_n and_o most_o likely_a to_o prove_v successful_a that_o he_o be_v as_o a_o governor_n concern_v to_o oblige_v we_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o our_o duty_n by_o such_o mean_n as_o may_v prove_v most_o likely_a to_o prevail_v with_o we_o for_o its_o actual_a performance_n will_v appear_v if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o he_o be_v as_o a_o governor_n concern_v for_o such_o thing_n as_o may_v make_v for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o society_n in_o general_a and_o that_o withal_o it_o be_v much_o for_o the_o reputation_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o prudence_n of_o his_o government_n to_o reconcile_v this_o public_a benefit_n with_o the_o least_o prejudice_n to_o particular_a member_n of_o the_o society_n and_o it_o be_v much_o more_o for_o its_o repute_n if_o it_o may_v prove_v advantageous_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o most_o of_o the_o particular_a member_n and_o for_o both_o these_o purpose_n the_o performance_n of_o duty_n by_o the_o particular_a person_n oblige_v be_v very_o useful_a §_o xvii_o it_o be_v useful_a for_o the_o public_a for_o this_o be_v indeed_o to_o the_o commendation_n of_o the_o prudence_n of_o any_o government_n in_o general_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o divine_a government_n to_o make_v the_o duty_n of_o particular_a subject_n subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a community_n nor_o be_v this_o only_a true_a of_o the_o duty_n of_o subordinate_a ecclesiastical_a governor_n who_o peculiar_a province_n it_o be_v to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o public_a though_o it_o be_v indeed_o most_o obvious_o and_o eminent_o true_a concern_v they_o and_o god_n be_v as_o peculiar_o concern_v as_o a_o governor_n to_o take_v care_n that_o such_o mean_n may_v be_v use_v