S98 DISCOURSE ON THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH. ing it; how otherwise can he justly demand obedience, or any with satisfaction yield thereto? It was just that the institutionof sogreat authority should be for- tified with an undoubted charter, that its right might be apparent, and the duty of subjection might be certain. If any such authority had been granted by God, in all likelihood it would have beenclearly mentioned in Scripture, it beinga matter of high importance among the establishments of Christianity, con- ducing to great effects, and grounding much duty; especially con- sidering that, There is in Scripture frequent occasion of mentioning it; in way of history, touching the use of it, the acts of sovereign power afford- ing chief matter to the history of any society; in way of direction to those governors how to manage it; in way of exhortation to in- feriors how to behave themselvesin regard to it; in way of commend- ing the advantages which attend it. It is therefore strange that its mention is so balked [overlooked]. The apostles do often speak concerning ecclesiastical affairs of all natures, concerning the decent administration of things, concerning preservation of order and peace, concerning the furtherance of edifi- cation, concerning the prevention and removal of heresies, schisms, factions, disorders; upon anyof which occasions it is marvellous that they should not touch that constitution which was the proper means appointed for maintenance of truth, order, peace, decency, edification, and all such purposes, and for remedy of all contrary mischiefs. There are mentioned divers schisms and dissensions, which the apostles strove, by instruction and persuasion, to remove; in which cases, supposing such an authority in being, it is a wonder that they do not mind the parties dissenting of having recourse thereto for decision of their causes, that they do not exhort them to a submis- sion thereto, that they do not reprove them for declining such a remedy. It is also strange that no mention is made ofany appeal made by anyof the dissenting parties to the judgment of such authority. Indeed, if such an authority had then been avowed by the Chris- tian churches, it is hardly conceivable that any schisms could subsist, there being so powerful a remedy against them, then notablyvisible and most effectual, because of its fresh institution, before it was darkened or weakened by age. Whereas the apostolical writings inculcate our subjection to one Lord in heaven, it is much they should never consider his vicegerent or vicegerents upon earth, notifying and pressing the duties of obe- dience and reverence toward them. There are, indeed, exhortations to honour theelders, and to obey
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