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church_n and_o so_o edify_v and_o build_v it_o up_o in_o after-age_n by_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n and_o when_o great_a defection_n have_v prevail_v upon_o it_o summon_v it_o to_o reformation_n by_o some_o raise_v up_o among_o those_o officer_n and_o who_o he_o send_v out_o as_o such_o to_o reform_v and_o recover_v his_o church_n yet_o still_o all_o this_o power_n be_v in_o and_o according_a to_o his_o word_n and_o no_o other_o and_o so_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v the_o knowledge_n judgement_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v join_v in_o all_o the_o officer_n do_v as_o have_v their_o interest_n in_o the_o key_n also_o because_o they_o have_v their_o interest_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o the_o understanding_n open_v and_o apply_v of_o which_o to_o particular_a case_n the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o key_n rest_v the_o apostle_n elder_n and_o the_o brethren_n or_o whole_a church_n be_v together_o please_v and_o together_o join_v in_o that_o famous_a conciliary_a epistle_n act_v 15._o 22._o quest_n i_o desire_v your_o more_o full_a explanation_n of_o the_o public_a office_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o power_n accompany_v it_o answ_n i_o will_v very_o willing_o do_v as_o you_o desire_v and_o begin_v with_o the_o apostle_n quest_n wherein_o stand_v their_o power_n answ_n it_o stand_v in_o their_o preach_v act_v direct_v govern_v by_o that_o immediate_a and_o infallible_a assistance_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n by_o which_o they_o write_v and_o seal_v scripture_n and_o by_o which_o they_o be_v so_o guard_v every_o way_n that_o they_o can_v turn_v neither_o to_o the_o right_a hand_n nor_o to_o the_o left_a in_o any_o thing_n wherein_o they_o exercise_v this_o power_n quest_n how_o be_v this_o power_n justify_v answ_n by_o the_o divineness_n substantial_a goodness_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o all_o their_o prescription_n propose_v in_o all_o the_o method_n of_o
rational_a discourse_n and_o manifestation_n of_o themselves_o in_o man_n conscience_n witness_v to_o by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o authorise_v by_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n general_o of_o beneficence_n or_o do_v good_a and_o in_o some_o but_o spare_v instance_n of_o infliction_n of_o bodily_a pain_n or_o death_n quest_n do_v the_o apostle_n never_o err_v in_o their_o administration_n answ_n whenever_o that_o infallible_a guidance_n be_v not_o present_a to_o they_o they_o may_v err_v as_o be_v before_o observe_v in_o the_o apostle_n peter_n miscarriage_n which_o no_o doubt_n be_v record_v to_o show_v their_o power_n be_v not_o in_o themselves_o but_o in_o the_o divine_a spirit_n act_v by_o they_o that_o none_o in_o after-age_n may_v pretend_v to_o dictate_v as_o their_o successor_n have_v not_o their_o power_n and_o yet_o require_v obedience_n as_o if_o they_o have_v it_o whereas_o even_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o may_v err_v and_o so_o lose_v their_o power_n if_o never_o so_o little_o desert_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o therefore_o what_o they_o consign_v over_o to_o after-age_n be_v winnow_v from_o every_o thing_n humane_a and_o fallible_a that_o both_o officer_n and_o people_n may_v know_v the_o one_o common_a rule_n by_o which_o one_o be_v to_o govern_v the_o other_o in_o the_o application_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v quest_n who_o be_v next_o to_o the_o apostle_n in_o this_o office_n and_o power_n answ_n evangelist_n such_o as_o be_v timothy_n and_o titus_n who_o have_v a_o portion_n of_o the_o apostolic_a work_n to_o plant_v and_o settle_v church_n and_o ordinary_a officer_n in_o they_o have_v also_o a_o portion_n of_o their_o power_n to_o enable_v they_o to_o it_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a there_o shall_v be_v such_o till_o the_o general_n rule_n be_v full_o settle_v and_o fix_v quest_n be_v not_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n above_o ordinary_a pastor_n and_o teacher_n answ_n they_o be_v in_o this_o great_a point_n of_o difference_n that_o they_o have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o immediate_n and_o infallible_a revelation_n commit_v to_o they_o to_o commit_v the_o same_o to_o other_o by_o direction_n from_o the_o same_o spirit_n who_o give_v they_o discern_v to_o who_o to_o entrust_v it_o till_o all_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n in_o the_o church_n be_v seal_v in_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n else_o they_o own_v themselves_o compresbyter_n as_o the_o apostle_n peter_n style_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n with_o presbyter_n quest_n from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v speak_v we_o be_v to_o conclude_v that_o the_o whole_a power_n in_o the_o church_n and_o in_o all_o thing_n pertain_v to_o religion_n be_v retain_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n answ_n it_o be_v so_o for_o christ_n in_o his_o word_n be_v the_o only_a king_n and_o lawgiver_n of_o his_o church_n which_o glory_n he_o will_v not_o give_v to_o another_o whatever_o power_n can_v be_v suppose_v resident_a in_o the_o whole_a church_n together_o be_v no_o other_o than_o in_o that_o word_n of_o truth_n public_o offer_v by_o it_o the_o apostle_n power_n be_v only_o the_o presence_n of_o that_o word_n to_o they_o by_o the_o immediate_a revelation_n and_o infallible_a guidance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o the_o preach_a it_o throughout_o the_o world_n and_o thereby_o sound_v the_o christian_a church_n such_o be_v the_o ordinary_a power_n of_o any_o extraordinary_a minister_n under_o they_o the_o and_o constant_a rulership_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n remain_v unmovable_o in_o the_o word_n which_o it_o be_v their_o office_n to_o speak_v quest_n be_v not_o those_o we_o distinguish_o call_v bishop_n successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o preeminency_n they_o have_v over_o other_o pastor_n and_o elder_n answ_n that_o successor_n to_o the_o preeminency_n of_o the_o apostle_n may_v be_v well_o establish_v three_o thing_n be_v necessary_a 1._o that_o there_o be_v find_v and_o produce_v distinct_a command_n give_v in_o scripture_n to_o the_o inferior_a minister_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o obey_v superior_a minister_n or_o bishop_n command_v to_o christian_n to_o obey_v inferior_a minister_n or_o ordinary_a presbyter_n as_o inferior_a minister_n with_o respect_n to_o superior_a minister_n and_o those_o superior_a minister_n as_o superior_n we_o must_v find_v the_o apostle_n distinguish_v ordinary_a presbyter_n as_o inferior_a minister_n with_o respect_n to_o superior_a minister_n and_o those_o superior_a minister_n as_o superior_n as_o we_o find_v he_o distinguish_v civil_a magistrate_n into_o the_o king_n as_o supreme_a and_o governor_n as_o those_o that_o be_v send_v by_o he_o 2._o see_v it_o be_v very_o clear_a and_o apparent_a there_o be_v nothing_o more_o distant_a from_o the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n than_o to_o constitute_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o make_v a_o great_a figure_n without_o as_o great_a a_o use_n or_o end_v and_o that_o christ_n have_v not_o give_v power_n to_o his_o ruler_n to_o command_v the_o very_a lest_o thing_n but_o as_o command_v by_o himself_o first_o for_o than_o they_o will_v be_v lord_n which_o he_o plain_o declare_v against_o and_o absolute_o deny_v to_o they_o and_o that_o what_o they_o do_v as_o command_v by_o he_o they_o shall_v do_v so_o in_o duty_n and_o service_n to_o the_o supreme_a lord_n and_o subordinate_o to_o his_o church_n as_o not_o to_o be_v call_v or_o esteem_v benefactor_n for_o their_o service_n so_o that_o it_o must_v be_v evident_a what_o their_o superior_a service_n be_v it_o must_v be_v plain_o express_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o there_o at_o least_o so_o determinate_o set_v down_o as_o to_o be_v deduce_v with_o great_a clearness_n to_o the_o understanding_n and_o conscience_n of_o christian_n and_o distinguish_o from_o the_o service_n of_o other_o subordinate_a ruler_n appoint_v by_o christ_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v wait_v for_o and_o receive_v according_a to_o his_o ordinance_n with_o faith_n and_o obedience_n 3._o see_v christ_n appoint_v none_o to_o a_o eminency_n of_o service_n without_o a_o suitable_a eminency_n of_o ability_n as_o be_v plain_a in_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n it_o be_v therefore_o reasonable_a to_o expect_v some_o extraordinary_a promise_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n to_o those_o superior_a minister_n to_o assist_v they_o in_o the_o conduct_n of_o their_o superiority_n wherein_o they_o may_v above_o any_o other_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n visible_o and_o experimental_o make_v some_o approach_n to_o the_o eminent_a assistance_n the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n have_v in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o ministry_n and_o that_o they_o have_v continue_v and_o succeed_v in_o their_o high_a function_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o real_a substantial_a service_n of_o bishop_n to_o christianity_n have_v come_v near_o to_o the_o act_n of_o apostle_n and_o as_o much_o excel_v that_o of_o common_a presbyter_n as_o the_o order_n itself_o be_v suppose_v to_o do_v now_o without_o these_o three_o self_n evident_a concurrent_a mark_n of_o superiority_n secret_a invisible_a character_n be_v of_o no_o signification_n quest_n how_o then_o be_v such_o a_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o a_o superiority_n over_o presbyter_n so_o uncontrolable_o deduce_v from_o antiquity_n answ_n beside_o all_o other_o coincident_a account_n there_o be_v this_o to_o be_v give_v after_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v but_o a_o gradual_a cessation_n of_o apostolic_a man_n man_n of_o eminent_a grace_n and_o extraordinary_a gift_n though_o not_o of_o the_o infallible_a guidance_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n for_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o the_o write_n of_o scripture_n yet_o of_o more_o immediate_a divine_a assistance_n in_o resemblance_n of_o timothy_n and_o titus_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n supervisal_n over_o they_o and_o care_n for_o they_o and_o also_o for_o the_o further_a propagation_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v but_o new_o set_v out_o have_v not_o arrive_v many_o place_n where_o it_o be_v to_o come_v and_o so_o need_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a assistance_n even_o as_o miracle_n do_v not_o immediate_o cease_v no_o more_o do_v these_o personage_n extraordinary_a in_o their_o endowment_n such_o as_o these_o be_v worthy_o in_o a_o degree_n of_o superiority_n over_o those_o that_o have_v not_o the_o same_o miraculous_a inablement_n nor_o knowledge_n as_o yet_o in_o christianity_n afterward_o such_o manifestation_n of_o the_o divine_a presence_n by_o degree_n retire_v and_o christianity_n have_v fix_v itself_o where_o it_o be_v then_o to_o go_v and_o the_o church_n settle_v the_o best_a account_n of_o the_o continue_a distinction_n between_o those_o that_o be_v upon_o the_o same_o level_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o gift_n and_o grace_n be_v but_o humane_a prudence_n and_o order_n which_o oblige_v no_o
offer_v by_o the_o eternal_a spirit_n which_o certain_o make_v the_o comer_n thereunto_o perfect_a on_o the_o other_o side_n this_o liberty_n lay_v not_o open_a the_o enclosure_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n nor_o remove_v the_o barrier_n of_o justice_n against_o sin_n if_o not_o satisfy_v and_o atone_v by_o faith_n in_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n 4._o last_o that_o which_o answer_v to_o each_o of_o these_o character_n of_o true_a religion_n be_v that_o it_o have_v no_o secular_a interest_n no_o interest_n of_o this_o present_a world_n that_o it_o look_v not_o upon_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v see_v that_o be_v but_o for_o a_o moment_n but_o on_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o see_v that_o be_v eternal_a such_o be_v the_o godliness_n such_o be_v the_o sacrifice_n such_o the_o christian_a liberty_n that_o their_o uses_n and_o end_n be_v too_o great_a and_o large_a to_o centre_n in_o earthly_a thing_n and_o though_o themselves_o be_v the_o true_a interest_n of_o the_o present_a state_n yet_o they_o no_o way_n make_v it_o or_o the_o grandeur_n of_o it_o a_o interest_n but_o seek_v a_o heavenly_a country_n and_o city_n even_o as_o the_o lord_n of_o this_o religion_n say_v my_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n now_o as_o this_o measure_v each_o of_o the_o other_o character_n so_o each_o of_o they_o measure_v it_o such_o a_o transcendent_a holiness_n and_o purity_n can_v alone_o see_v god_n in_o eternal_a habitation_n such_o a_o sacrifice_n alone_o can_v have_v its_o blood_n enter_v into_o the_o holy_a place_n make_v without_o hand_n have_v obtain_v a_o eternal_a inheritance_n such_o a_o blood_n speak_v alone_o in_o the_o heaven_n better_a thing_n than_o the_o blood_n of_o abel_n a_o conscience_n so_o free_a so_o perfect_v have_v boldness_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o holy_a and_o none_o else_o these_o be_v all_o fit_v and_o consecrate_a to_o eternity_n and_o eternity_n to_o they_o light_n and_o trivial_a holiness_n insignificant_a ceremony_n and_o rite_n of_o purgation_n a_o cumber_v of_o external_n observation_n invent_v by_o man_n can_v never_o enter_v within_o the_o veil_n nor_o endure_v for_o ever_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n by_o such_o divine_a thing_n to_o grasp_v at_o this_o world_n and_o a_o patrimony_n on_o earth_n be_v as_o gross_a and_o out_o of_o square_a so_o that_o these_o thing_n exact_o measure_v one_o another_o and_o square_v together_o quest_n how_o be_v the_o foursquare_a city_n or_o the_o true_a church_n adjust_v to_o these_o dimension_n answ_n in_o all_o these_o thing_n i_o before_o mention_v in_o have_v these_o and_o these_o only_a in_o its_o doctrine_n its_o worship_n its_o practice_n and_o obedience_n its_o discipline_n or_o government_n quest_n how_o be_v the_o false_a church_n out_o of_o square_a to_o all_o these_o answ_n in_o that_o retain_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n constitute_v according_a to_o these_o and_o pretend_v a_o imitation_n of_o they_o and_o the_o miracle_n attest_v they_o it_o have_v be_v most_o extravagant_a from_o they_o by_o its_o traditional_a addition_n and_o counterfeit_n of_o they_o every_o of_o which_o be_v a_o violation_n and_o irregularity_n from_o one_o or_o all_o of_o these_o character_n or_o equal_a side_n of_o true_a religion_n a_o great_a lie_n upon_o they_o with_o which_o they_o can_v never_o be_v bring_v to_o agree_v be_v not_o only_o a_o endless_a variation_n from_o but_o a_o flat_a opposition_n to_o they_o and_o a_o despit_v they_o with_o themselves_o so_o strange_o so_o monstrous_o misshapen_v and_o that_o in_o so_o great_a number_n that_o as_o in_o mockage_n to_o the_o many_o excellent_a thing_n our_o saviour_n do_v and_o teach_v so_o many_o that_o if_o they_o be_v all_o write_v the_o world_n itself_o can_v not_o contain_v the_o book_n that_o will_v be_v write_v even_o so_o if_o all_o the_o numerous_a and_o prodigious_a excursion_n of_o the_o antichristian_a church_n and_o antichrist_n the_o head_n of_o it_o from_o christian_a religion_n by_o its_o indeterminable_a swarm_n of_o new_a piece_n of_o antichristianism_n shall_v be_v write_v the_o whole_a world_n itself_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v the_o volume_n that_o will_v be_v write_v quest_n but_o do_v not_o the_o profession_n of_o so_o much_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o such_o a_o eminence_n like_o the_o city_n upon_o the_o hill_n that_o can_v be_v hide_v give_v it_o the_o reputation_n of_o a_o most_o famous_a church_n if_o not_o the_o catholic_n as_o it_o call_v itself_o answ_n christianity_n so_o abuse_v as_o in_o the_o popish_a religion_n be_v infinite_o the_o more_o dishonour_v for_o the_o eminence_n of_o the_o antichurch_n that_o so_o expose_v it_o and_o it_o be_v only_o the_o eminence_n of_o antichrist_n sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n and_o the_o exalt_v himself_o above_o all_o that_o be_v indeed_o and_o true_o god_n in_o his_o church_n and_o show_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v god_n in_o his_o oracle_n wonder_n and_o miracle_n but_o they_o be_v all_o but_o one_o great_a lie_n of_o this_o son_n of_o the_o father_n of_o lie_n the_o image_n of_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n the_o son_n of_o his_o falsehood_n and_o perdition_n contrary_a to_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o father_n in_o truth_n and_o love_n but_o if_o any_o one_o receive_v christianity_n or_o the_o scripture_n from_o the_o antichurch_n and_o measure_v they_o in_o and_o by_o themselves_o separate_v true_a christianity_n from_o the_o antichristianism_n and_o retain_v it_o pure_a it_o be_v but_o like_o the_o service_n god_n receive_v from_o the_o false_a prophet_n baalam_n when_o he_o prophefied_a truth_n into_o who_o place_n and_o office_n antichrist_n succeed_v and_o be_v therefore_o style_v the_o false_a prophet_n revel_v 16._o 13._o quest_n what_o then_o can_v this_o pretend_a catholic_n church_n be_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o true_a catholic_n public_a religion_n answ_n it_o can_v be_v no_o other_o upon_o strict_a account_n than_o the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n the_o pseudocatholick_a antichurch_n in_o a_o damnable_a heresy_n from_o and_o hatred_n to_o the_o general_n assemby_n and_o church_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v write_v in_o heaven_n unite_v with_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n and_o love_n and_o the_o son_n of_o the_o father_n in_o truth_n and_o love_n in_o a_o hellish_a schism_n and_o separation_n from_o the_o apostolic_a catholic_n church_n of_o which_o god_n and_o christ_n be_v the_o head_n quest_n how_o can_v it_o be_v believe_v that_o so_o great_a a_o lie_n upon_o christianity_n shall_v be_v receive_v by_o so_o large_a a_o proportion_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n or_o that_o person_n of_o so_o vast_a ability_n and_o comprehension_n shall_v so_o deceive_v other_o or_o be_v themselves_o deceive_v answ_n scripture_n have_v take_v all_o the_o care_n possible_a to_o arm_v we_o against_o this_o objection_n which_o be_v indeed_o very_o great_a it_o call_v this_o apostasy_n a_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n and_o to_o assure_v we_o the_o apostle_n paul_n and_o the_o divine_a person_n in_o the_o revelation_n point_n to_o the_o same_o thing_n upon_o the_o forehead_n of_o this_o adulterous_a church_n be_v write_v mystery_n now_o a_o mystery_n if_o it_o be_v present_o understand_v and_o all_o easy_a and_o plain_a be_v no_o mystery_n it_o have_v the_o energy_n of_o delusion_n in_o cause_v man_n to_o believe_v a_o lie_n it_o be_v the_o whole_a deceit_n of_o unrighteousness_n it_o set_v up_o a_o great_a stage_n of_o counterfeit_n miracle_n that_o it_o vaunt_v upon_o and_o that_o it_o may_v have_v that_o reverend_a face_n of_o antiquity_n to_o deceive_v with_o and_o say_v it_o come_v from_o a_o far-off_a age_n it_o be_v a_o mystery_n that_o be_v then_o at_o work_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n last_o it_o have_v its_o effect_n upon_o they_o that_o may_v be_v christian_n and_o receive_v truth_n but_o not_o the_o chaste_a unprostitute_n love_n of_o truth_n alone_o quest_n but_o it_o seem_v impossible_a that_o any_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n that_o have_v be_v once_o disabused_a shall_v return_v any_o more_o under_o so_o great_a a_o delusion_n answ_n there_o be_v very_o great_a hope_n that_o god_n who_o have_v command_v his_o light_n to_o shine_v out_o of_o this_o darkness_n will_v interpose_v by_o the_o perpetual_a brightness_n of_o his_o own_o appearance_n and_o by_o that_o divine_a breath_n of_o his_o mouth_n in_o his_o word_n against_o the_o return_n of_o so_o great_a a_o darkness_n this_o set_v aside_o there_o be_v so_o many_o reason_n of_o fear_n and_o such_o possibility_n of_o lay_v a_o train_n of_o cause_n reach_v to_o such_o a_o effect_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o place_n for_o security_n but_o in_o the_o almighty_a providence_n and_o yet_o what_o degree_n of_o that_o deadly_a scourge_n may_v fall_v on_o the_o protestant_a world_n god_n only_o know_v we_o know_v our_o sin_n