his_o particular_a lot_n and_o portion_n comprehend_v the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n in_o general_n but_o afterward_o this_o title_n be_v confine_v to_o narrow_a bound_n and_o become_v appropriate_a to_o that_o tribe_n which_o god_n have_v make_v choice_n of_o to_o stand_v before_o he_o to_o wait_v at_o his_o altar_n and_o to_o minister_v in_o the_o service_n of_o his_o worship_n and_o after_o the_o expiration_n of_o their_o oeconomy_n be_v according_o use_v to_o denote_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o person_n peculiar_o consecrate_v and_o devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o clergy_n be_v those_o qui_fw-la divino_fw-la cultui_fw-la ministeria_fw-la religionis_fw-la impendunt_fw-la as_o they_o be_v define_v in_o a_o law_n of_o the_o emperor_n constantine_n who_o be_v set_v apart_o for_o the_o ministery_n of_o religion_n 2._o in_o matter_n relate_v to_o the_o divine_a worship_n now_o the_o whole_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o it_o be_v often_o call_v in_o the_o apostle_n canon_n the_o roll_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n take_v it_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o its_o first_o four_o hundred_o year_n consist_v of_o two_o sort_n of_o person_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o be_v peculiar_o consecrate_v to_o the_o more_o proper_a and_o immediate_a act_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d such_o as_o be_v set_v apart_o only_o for_o the_o more_o mean_a and_o common_a service_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v these_o three_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n the_o first_o and_o principal_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o precedent_n or_o bishop_n usual_o choose_v out_o of_o the_o presbyter_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o concern_v myself_o in_o the_o dispute_v whether_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o superior_a order_n to_o presbytery_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n a_o controversy_n sufficient_o ventilate_v in_o the_o late_a time_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n what_o be_v acknowledge_v both_o by_o blondel_n and_o salmasius_n the_o most_o learned_a defender_n of_o presbytery_n that_o bishop_n be_v distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o presbyter_n in_o the_o second_o century_n or_o the_o next_o age_n to_o the_o apostle_n the_o main_a work_n and_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v the_o people_n to_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n to_o absolve_v penitent_n to_o eject_v and_o excommunicate_v obstinate_a and_o incorrigible_a offender_n to_o preside_v in_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o ordain_v inferior_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n to_o call_v they_o to_o account_n and_o to_o suspend_v or_o deal_v with_o they_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o offence_n to_o urge_v the_o observance_n of_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o to_o appoint_v and_o institute_v such_o indifferent_a rite_n as_o be_v for_o the_o decent_a and_o orderly_a administration_n of_o his_o church_n in_o short_a according_a to_o the_o notation_n of_o his_o name_n he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o watchman_n and_o sentinal_n and_o therefore_o oblige_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d diligent_o and_o careful_o to_o inspect_v and_o observe_v to_o superintend_v and_o provide_v for_o those_o that_o be_v under_o his_o charge_n this_o zonaras_n tell_v we_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o bishop_n throne_n 58._o be_v place_v on_o high_a in_o the_o most_o eminent_a part_n of_o the_o church_n to_o denote_v how_o much_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n from_o thence_o to_o overlook_v and_o very_o diligent_o to_o observe_v the_o people_n that_o be_v under_o he_o these_o and_o many_o more_o be_v the_o unquestionable_a right_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o episcopal_a office_n which_o because_o it_o be_v very_o difficult_a and_o troublesome_a for_o one_o man_n to_o discharge_v especial_o where_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o diocese_n as_o we_o now_o call_v it_o be_v any_o thing_n large_a therefore_o upon_o the_o multiply_a of_o country_n church_n it_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o take_v in_o a_o subordinate_a sort_n of_o bishop_n call_v chorepiscopi_fw-la country_n or_o as_o among_o we_o they_o have_v be_v call_v suffragan_a bishop_n who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o superintend_v and_o inspect_v the_o church_n in_o the_o country_n that_o lie_v more_o remote_a from_o the_o city_n where_o the_o episcopal_n see_v be_v and_o which_o the_o bishop_n can_v not_o always_o inspect_v and_o oversee_v in_o his_o own_o person_n these_o be_v the_o vicarii_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la as_o they_o be_v call_v in_o isidores_n version_n of_o the_o thirteen_o canon_n both_o of_o the_o ancyran_n and_o neocaesarean_a council_n the_o bishop_n deputy_n choose_v out_o of_o the_o fit_a and_o grave_a person_n in_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o last_o mention_v council_n they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v choose_v in_o imitation_n of_o the_o seventy_o not_o the_o seventy_o elder_n which_o moses_n take_v in_o to_o bear_v part_n of_o the_o government_n as_o some_o have_v gloss_v the_o word_n of_o that_o canon_n but_o of_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n who_o our_o lord_n make_v choice_n of_o to_o send_v up_o and_o down_o the_o country_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n as_o both_o zonaras_n and_o balsamon_n understand_v it_o and_o thereupon_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o great_a care_n and_o pain_n be_v command_v to_o be_v esteem_v very_o honourable_a their_o authority_n be_v much_o great_a than_o that_o of_o presbyter_n and_o yet_o much_o inferior_a to_o the_o bishop_n 10._o bishop_n real_o they_o be_v though_o their_o power_n confine_v within_o narrow_a limit_n they_o be_v not_o allow_v to_o ordain_v either_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n unless_o peculiar_o license_v to_o it_o by_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n though_o they_o may_v ordain_v subdeacon_n reader_n and_o any_o inferior_a officer_n under_o they_o they_o be_v to_o be_v assistant_n to_o the_o bishop_n may_v be_v present_a at_o synod_n and_o council_n to_o many_o whereof_o we_o find_v their_o subscription_n and_o have_v power_n to_o give_v letter_n of_o peace_n i._n e._n such_o letter_n 8._o whereby_o the_o bishop_n of_o one_o diocese_n be_v wont_a to_o recommend_v any_o of_o his_o clergy_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o another_o that_o so_o a_o fair_a understanding_n and_o correspondence_n may_v be_v maintain_v between_o they_o a_o privilege_n express_o deny_v to_o any_o presbyter_n whatsoever_o but_o lest_o this_o wander_a employment_n of_o the_o chorepiscopi_fw-la shall_v reflect_v any_o dishonour_n upon_o the_o episcopal_a office_n there_o be_v certain_a presbyter_n appoint_v in_o their_o room_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 57_o or_o visiter_n often_o mention_v in_o the_o ancient_a canon_n and_o act_n of_o council_n who_o be_v tie_v to_o no_o certain_a place_n be_v to_o go_v up_o and_o down_o the_o country_n to_o observe_v and_o correct_v what_o be_v amiss_o and_o these_o doubtless_o be_v those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d speak_v of_o in_o the_o thirteen_o canon_n of_o the_o neocaesarean_a council_n those_o rural_a presbyter_n who_o be_v there_o forbid_v to_o consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n in_o the_o city_n church_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o city_n as_o christianity_n increase_v and_o overspread_v all_o part_n and_o especial_o the_o city_n of_o the_o empire_n it_o be_v find_v necessary_a yet_o far_o to_o enlarge_v the_o episcopal_a office_n and_o as_o there_o be_v common_o a_o bishop_n in_o every_o great_a city_n so_o in_o the_o metropolis_n as_o the_o roman_n call_v it_o the_o mother_n city_n of_o every_o province_n wherein_o they_o have_v court_n of_o civil_a judicature_n there_o be_v a_o archbishop_n or_o a_o metropolitan_a who_o have_v ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n over_o all_o the_o church_n within_o that_o province_n he_o be_v superior_a to_o all_o the_o bishop_n within_o those_o limit_n to_o he_o it_o belong_v either_o to_o ordain_v or_o to_o ratify_v the_o election_n and_o ordination_n of_o all_o the_o bishop_n within_o his_o province_n insomuch_o that_o without_o his_o confirmation_n they_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o null_n and_o void_a once_o at_o least_o every_o year_n he_o be_v to_o summon_v the_o bishop_n under_o he_o to_o a_o synod_n to_o inquire_v into_o and_o direct_v the_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n within_o that_o province_n to_o inspect_v the_o life_n and_o manner_n the_o opinion_n and_o principle_n of_o his_o bishop_n to_o admonish_v reprove_v and_o suspend_v they_o that_o be_v disorderly_a and_o irregular_a if_o any_o controversy_n or_o contention_n happen_v between_o any_o of_o they_o he_o be_v to_o have_v the_o hear_n and_o determination_n of_o they_o and_o indeed_o no_o matter_n of_o moment_n be_v do_v within_o the_o whole_a province_n without_o first_o consult_v he_o in_o the_o case_n beside_o this_o metropolitan_a there_o be_v many_o time_n another_o in_o the_o same_o
more_o than_o ordinary_a rank_n and_o dignity_n or_o of_o a_o more_o tender_a and_o delicate_a constitution_n 18._o chrysostome_n determine_v that_o in_o chastise_v and_o punish_v their_o offence_n they_o be_v deal_v withal_o in_o a_o more_o peculiar_a manner_n than_o other_o man_n 4._o lest_o by_o hold_v they_o under_o overrigorous_a penalty_n they_o shall_v be_v tempt_v to_o fly_v out_o into_o despair_n and_o so_o throw_v off_o the_o reins_o of_o modesty_n and_o the_o care_n of_o their_o own_o happiness_n and_o salvation_n shall_v run_v headlong_o into_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n so_o wise_o do_v the_o prudence_n and_o piety_n of_o those_o time_n deal_v with_o offender_n neither_o let_v the_o reins_o so_o loose_a as_o to_o patronize_v presumption_n or_o encourage_v any_o man_n to_o sin_n nor_o yet_o hold_v they_o so_o straight_o as_o to_o drive_v man_n into_o despair_n the_o four_o and_o last_o circumstance_n concern_v the_o person_n by_o who_o this_o discipline_n be_v administer_v now_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o this_o affair_n be_v manage_v in_o the_o public_a congregation_n and_o seldom_o or_o never_o do_v without_o the_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o people_n as_o cyprian_n more_o than_o once_o and_o again_o express_o tell_v we_o yet_o be_v it_o ever_o account_v a_o ministerial_a act_n and_o proper_o belong_v to_o they_o 39_o tertullian_n speak_v of_o church_n censure_n add_v that_o the_o elder_n that_o be_v approve_v and_o have_v attain_v that_o honour_n not_o by_o purchase_n but_o testimony_n preside_v therein_o 146._o and_o firmilian_a bishop_n of_o caesarea_n cappadocia_n in_o a_o letter_n to_o s._n cyprian_a speak_v of_o the_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la the_o senior_n that_o preside_v in_o the_o church_n tell_v we_o that_o to_o they_o belong_v the_o power_n of_o baptise_v impose_v hand_n viz._n in_o penance_n and_o ordination_n by_o the_o bishop_n it_o be_v primary_o and_o usual_o administer_v the_o determine_v the_o time_n and_o manner_n of_o repentance_n and_o the_o confer_v pardon_n upon_o the_o penitent_a sinner_n be_v act_n of_o the_o high_a power_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o therefore_o reckon_v to_o appertain_v to_o the_o high_a order_n in_o the_o church_n therefore_o it_o be_v provide_v by_o the_o illiberine_n council_n 40._o that_o penance_n shall_v be_v prescribe_v by_o none_o but_o the_o bishop_n only_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n such_o as_o sickness_n and_o danger_n of_o death_n by_o leave_n and_o command_v from_o the_o bishop_n the_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n may_v impose_v penance_n and_o absolve_v according_o we_o find_v cyprian_a among_o other_o direction_n to_o his_o clergy_n how_o to_o carry_v themselves_o towards_o the_o lapse_v 2._o give_v they_o this_o that_o if_o any_o be_v over-taken_a with_o sickness_n carthag_n or_o present_a danger_n 4._o they_o shall_v not_o stay_v for_o his_o come_n but_o the_o sick_a person_n shall_v make_v confession_n of_o his_o sin_n to_o the_o next_o presbyter_n or_o if_o a_o presbyter_n can_v not_o be_v meet_v with_o to_o a_o deacon_n that_o so_o lay_v hand_n upon_o he_o he_o may_v depart_v in_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n but_o though_o while_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n be_v small_a and_o the_o bound_n of_o particular_a church_n little_a bishop_n be_v able_a to_o manage_v these_o and_o other_o part_n of_o their_o office_n in_o their_o own_o person_n yet_o soon_o after_o the_o task_n begin_v to_o grow_v too_o great_a for_o they_o and_o therefore_o about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o decian_a persecution_n when_o christian_n be_v very_o much_o multiply_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o lapse_v great_a it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o prudence_n of_o the_o church_n partly_o for_o the_o ease_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o partly_o to_o provide_v for_o the_o modesty_n of_o person_n in_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o confess_v every_o crime_n to_o appoint_v a_o public_a penitentiary_n some_o holy_a grave_a and_o prudent_a presbyter_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o take_v the_o confession_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o person_n have_v commit_v after_o baptism_n and_o by_o prayer_n fasting_n and_o other_o exercise_n of_o mortification_n to_o prepare_v they_o for_o absolution_n he_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o censor_n morum_fw-la to_o inquire_v into_o the_o life_n of_o christian_n to_o take_v a_o account_n of_o their_o failure_n and_o to_o direct_v and_o dispose_v they_o to_o repentance_n this_o office_n continue_v for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n till_o it_o be_v abrogate_a by_o nectarius_n s._n chrysostom_n predecessor_n in_o the_o see_v of_o constantinople_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o a_o notorious_a scandal_n that_o arise_v about_o it_o 726._o a_o woman_n of_o good_a rank_n and_o quality_n have_v be_v with_o the_o penitentiary_n and_o confess_v all_o her_o sin_n commit_v since_o baptism_n he_o enjoin_v she_o to_o give_v up_o herself_o to_o fast_v and_o prayer_n but_o not_o long_o after_o she_o come_v to_o he_o and_o confess_v that_o while_o she_o be_v conversant_a in_o the_o church_n to_o attend_v upon_o those_o holy_a exercise_n she_o have_v be_v tempt_v to_o commit_v folly_n and_o lewdness_n with_o a_o deacon_n of_o the_o church_n whereupon_o the_o deacon_n be_v immediate_o cast_v out_o but_o the_o people_n be_v exceed_o trouble_v at_o the_o scandal_n and_o the_o holy_a order_n hereby_o expose_v to_o the_o scorn_n and_o derision_n of_o the_o gentile_n nectarius_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o eudaemon_n a_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n whole_o take_v away_o the_o office_n of_o the_o public_a penitentiary_n leave_v every_o one_o to_o the_o care_n and_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n to_o prepare_v himself_o for_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n this_o account_n socrates_n assure_v we_o he_o have_v from_o eudaemon_n own_o mouth_n and_o sozomen_n add_v that_o almost_o all_o bishop_n follow_v nectarius_n his_o example_n in_o abrogate_a this_o office_n but_o beside_o the_o ordinary_a and_o stand_a office_n of_o the_o clergy_n we_o find_v even_o some_o of_o the_o laity_n the_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n that_o have_v a_o considerable_a hand_n in_o absolve_a penitent_n and_o restore_v they_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o which_o we_o be_v to_o know_v that_o as_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n have_v a_o mighty_a reverence_n for_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n as_o the_o great_a champion_n of_o religion_n so_o the_o martyr_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o dispense_v in_o extraordinary_a case_n for_o it_o be_v very_o customary_a in_o time_n of_o persecution_n for_o those_o who_o through_o fear_n of_o suffer_v have_v lapse_v into_o idolatry_n to_o make_v their_o address_n to_o the_o martyr_n in_o prison_n and_o to_o beg_v peace_n of_o they_o that_o they_o may_v be_v restore_v to_o the_o church_n who_o consider_v their_o petition_n and_o weigh_v the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o case_n do_v frequent_o grant_v their_o request_n mitigate_v their_o penance_n and_o by_o a_o note_n sign_v under_o their_o hand_n signify_v what_o they_o have_v do_v to_o the_o bishop_n who_o take_v a_o account_n of_o their_o condition_n absolve_v and_o admit_v they_o to_o communion_n of_o these_o libelli_fw-la or_o book_n grant_v by_o the_o martyr_n to_o the_o lapse_v there_o be_v mention_n in_o cyprian_a at_o every_o turn_n who_o complain_v they_o be_v come_v to_o that_o excessive_a number_n alibi_fw-la that_o thousand_o be_v grant_v almost_o every_o day_n 27._o this_o many_o of_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o do_v with_o great_a smartness_n and_o authority_n and_o without_o that_o respect_n that_o be_v due_a to_o the_o bishop_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o note_n write_v to_o cyprian_a by_o lucian_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o confessor_n 29._o which_o because_o it_o be_v but_o short_a and_o withal_o show_v the_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o those_o pacific_a libel_n it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o set_v it_o down_o and_o thus_o it_o run_v all_o the_o confessor_n to_o cyprian_a the_o bishop_n greeting_n know_v that_o we_o have_v grant_v peace_n to_o all_o those_o of_o who_o you_o have_v have_v a_o account_n what_o they_o have_v do_v how_o they_o have_v behave_v themselves_o since_o the_o commission_n of_o their_o crime_n and_o we_o will_v that_o these_o present_n shall_v by_o you_o be_v impart_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n we_o wish_v you_o to_o maintain_v peace_n with_o the_o holy_a martyr_n write_a by_o lucian_n of_o the_o clergy_n the_o exorcist_n and_o reader_n be_v present_a this_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o very_o peremptory_a and_o magisterial_a and_o therefore_o of_o this_o confidence_n and_o presumption_n and_o carelessness_n in_o promiscuous_o grant_v these_o letter_n of_o peace_n 34._o cyprian_n not_o without_o reason_n complain_v in_o a_o epistle_n to_o the_o clergy_n of_o rome_n beside_o these_o libel_n grant_v by_o the_o martyr_n there_o
e._n under_o instruction_n in_o order_n to_o their_o baptism_n or_o by_o reason_n of_o any_o heinous_a crime_n under_o the_o censure_n and_o suspension_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o yet_o pass_v through_o the_o several_a stage_n of_o the_o penitent_n may_v not_o communicate_v and_o be_v therefore_o command_v to_o depart_v the_o church_n when_o the_o rest_n go_v to_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n for_o look_v upon_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o the_o high_a and_o most_o solemn_a act_n of_o religion_n they_o think_v they_o can_v never_o take_v care_n enough_o in_o the_o dispense_n of_o it_o according_o who_o ever_o be_v find_v guilty_a of_o any_o scandalous_a fault_n be_v according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o offence_n debar_v the_o communion_n a_o short_a or_o a_o long_a time_n and_o sometime_o all_o their_o life_n not_o to_o be_v reconcile_v and_o take_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n till_o they_o have_v continue_v their_o repentance_n to_o their_o deathbed_n as_o for_o those_o person_n that_o can_v not_o be_v present_a either_o through_o distance_n of_o place_n sickness_n or_o any_o other_o just_a cause_n the_o eucharist_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v send_v home_o to_o they_o some_o little_a piece_n of_o the_o consecrate_a bread_n dip_v in_o the_o sacramental_a cup_n which_o be_v usual_o carry_v by_o the_o deacon_n or_o some_o inferior_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n or_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n by_o any_o other_o person_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o serapion_n of_o who_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n relate_v 246._o that_o have_v be_v all_o his_o life_n a_o good_a man_n at_o last_o lapse_v in_o a_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o though_o he_o oft_o desire_a reconciliation_n yet_o none_o will_v communicate_v with_o he_o not_o long_o after_o he_o be_v seize_v upon_o by_o a_o mortal_a sickness_n deprive_v of_o the_o use_n of_o his_o speech_n and_o sense_n but_o come_v to_o himself_o after_o four_o day_n he_o send_v his_o nephew_n a_o little_a boy_n late_o at_o night_n for_o one_o of_o the_o presbyter_n to_o come_v to_o he_o the_o minister_n be_v at_o that_o time_n sick_a but_o consider_v the_o exigence_n of_o the_o case_n gives_z the_o boy_z a_o little_a piece_n of_o the_o eucharist_n bid_v he_o to_o moisten_v it_o with_o a_o little_a water_n and_o so_o give_v it_o he_o in_o his_o mouth_n which_o he_o do_v and_o immediate_o the_o old_a man_n cheerful_o depart_v this_o life_n for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o which_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o those_o who_o have_v lapse_v into_o idolatry_n be_v to_o undergo_v a_o very_a long_a time_n of_o penance_n and_o be_v not_o many_o time_n admit_v to_o the_o communion_n till_o they_o be_v near_o their_o death_n and_o because_o it_o sometime_o happen_v that_o they_o be_v overtake_v with_o sudden_a death_n before_o the_o sacrament_n can_v be_v administer_v to_o they_o thence_o a_o custom_n spring_v up_o to_o give_v it_o they_o after_o they_o be_v dead_a which_o they_o do_v doubtless_o upon_o this_o ground_n that_o they_o may_v give_v some_o kind_n of_o evidence_n that_o those_o person_n die_v in_o the_o peace_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n 6_o though_o this_o usage_n be_v afterward_o by_o many_o council_n abrogate_a and_o lay_v aside_o 83._o i_o take_v no_o notice_n in_o this_o place_n of_o their_o give_v the_o eucharist_n to_o new-baptized_n infant_n the_o case_n be_v so_o common_o know_v and_o obvious_a in_o those_o early_a time_n nothing_o be_v more_o common_a than_o for_o christian_n either_o to_o carry_v or_o to_o have_v send_v to_o they_o some_o part_n of_o the_o eucharist_n which_o they_o keep_v in_o some_o decent_a place_n in_o their_o house_n against_o all_o emergent_a occasion_n especial_o to_o fortify_v and_o strengthen_v their_o faith_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o to_o increase_v kindness_n and_o amity_n with_o one_o another_o 6._o whence_o one_o that_o be_v well_o verse_v in_o church-antiquity_n conjecture_n that_o when_o ever_o they_o entertain_v friend_n or_o stranger_n they_o use_v before_o every_o meal_n first_o to_o give_v they_o some_o part_n of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n as_o be_v the_o great_a badge_n the_o strong_a band_n of_o true_a love_n and_o friendship_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o these_o parcel_n of_o the_o sacramental_a element_n there_o be_v wont_n at_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o communion_n to_o be_v piece_n of_o bread_n which_o remain_v of_o the_o offering_n of_o the_o people_n which_o be_v solemn_o bless_v by_o the_o bishop_n may_v be_v give_v to_o those_o who_o have_v no_o right_a to_o be_v at_o the_o lord_n table_n as_o to_o the_o catechuman_n and_o such_o like_a and_o be_v to_o they_o instead_o of_o the_o sacrament_n these_o piece_n be_v proper_o call_v eulogiae_fw-la because_o set_v apart_o by_o solemn_a benediction_n and_o be_v send_v up_o and_o down_o the_o town_n and_o village_n round_o about_o to_o testify_v and_o represent_v their_o mutual_a union_n and_o fellowship_n with_o one_o another_o nay_o and_o sometime_o from_o church_n in_o one_o country_n to_o those_o that_o be_v in_o another_o which_o be_v also_o do_v by_o the_o eucharist_n itself_o for_o so_o irenaeus_n in_o a_o letter_n to_o pope_n victor_n tell_v we_o 193._o that_o the_o minister_n of_o church_n though_o differ_v in_o some_o little_a circumstance_n do_v yet_o use_v to_o send_v the_o eucharist_n to_o one_o another_o which_o custom_n be_v also_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o zonaras_n but_o because_o the_o carry_v the_o sacramental_a element_n up_o and_o down_o the_o world_n be_v think_v not_o so_o well_o to_o consist_v with_o the_o reverence_n and_o veneration_n that_o be_v due_a to_o this_o solemn_a ordinance_n therefore_o it_o be_v abolish_v by_o the_o laodicean_n synod_n 〈◊〉_d and_o these_o eulogiae_fw-la or_o piece_n of_o bread_n appoint_v at_o easter_n to_o be_v send_v up_o and_o down_o in_o their_o room_n for_o the_o time_n the_o next_o circumstance_n when_o they_o meet_v together_o for_o this_o solemn_a action_n it_o be_v in_o general_a at_o their_o public_a assembly_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n always_o or_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n as_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n act_n beside_o other_o day_n and_o especial_o saturday_n on_o which_o day_n all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n those_o of_o rome_n only_o and_o alexandria_n except_v use_v to_o celebrate_v this_o sacrament_n 286._o as_o the_o historian_n inform_v we_o what_o time_n of_o the_o day_n they_o take_v to_o do_v it_o be_v not_o altogether_o so_o certain_a our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n celebrate_v it_o at_o night_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o jewish_a passover_n but_o whether_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o immediate_a successor_n punctual_o observe_v this_o circumstance_n may_v be_v doubt_v it_o be_v probable_a that_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n which_o s._n paul_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v solemnize_v in_o the_o morning_n loc._n the_o apostle_n call_v it_o a_o supper_n as_o chrysostom_n think_v not_o because_o it_o be_v do_v in_o the_o evening_n but_o the_o more_o effectual_o to_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n of_o the_o time_n when_o our_o lord_n do_v institute_v those_o holy_a mystery_n 102._o tertullian_n assure_v we_o in_o his_o time_n it_o be_v do_v in_o tempore_fw-la victus_fw-la about_o suppertime_n as_o all_o understand_v he_o and_o very_o often_o in_o the_o morning_n before_o day_n when_o they_o hold_v their_o religious_a assembly_n of_o which_o pliny_n also_o take_v notice_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o the_o emperor_n 10._o for_o in_o those_o time_n of_o persecution_n 97._o when_o they_o be_v hunt_v out_o by_o the_o inquisitive_a malice_n of_o their_o enemy_n they_o be_v glad_a of_o the_o remote_a corner_n the_o most_o unseasonable_a hour_n when_o they_o can_v meet_v to_o perform_v the_o joint_a office_n of_o religion_n but_o this_o communicate_v at_o evening_n or_o at_o night_n either_o last_v only_o during_o the_o extreme_a heat_n of_o persecution_n or_o at_o least_o wear_v off_o apace_o for_o cyprian_a express_o plead_v against_o it_o caecil_n affirm_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o the_o morning_n 104._o and_o so_o indeed_o in_o a_o short_a time_n it_o prevail_v over_o most_o part_n of_o the_o world_n except_o in_o some_o place_n of_o egypt_n near_o alexandria_n 287._o of_o which_o socrates_n tell_v we_o that_o after_o they_o have_v sufficient_o feast_v themselves_o in_o the_o evening_n they_o be_v wont_a to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n under_o this_o circumstance_n of_o time_n we_o may_v take_v occasion_n to_o consider_v how_o oft_o in_o those_o day_n they_o usual_o meet_v at_o this_o table_n and_o at_o first_o while_o the_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n be_v yet_o warm_a and_o vigorous_a and_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n passionate_o inflame_v with_o the_o