a_o special_a manner_n 35._o to_o this_o i_o shall_v add_v three_o that_o as_o concord_n aristides_n say_v of_o ephesus_n that_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o common_a magazine_n or_o store-house_n of_o asia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o refuge_n for_o all_o want_n so_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o fit_a way_n of_o convey_v intelligence_n speedy_o to_o all_o the_o city_n of_o asia_n especial_o the_o proximae_fw-la civitates_fw-la as_o irenaeus_n say_v the_o city_n next_o adjoin_v and_o so_o most_o commodious_a to_o assemble_v those_o other_o bishop_n to_o paul_n at_o miletus_n and_o not_o only_o he_o or_o those_o that_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v reside_v at_o ephesus_n 36._o and_o according_o we_o find_v in_o eusebius_n 23._o that_o the_o epistle_n of_o antonius_n â—ius_n concern_v the_o christian_n which_o be_v to_o be_v communicate_v to_o all_o asia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v proclaim_v or_o divulge_v at_o ephesus_n in_o the_o common_a meeting_n of_o asia_n as_o the_o ready_a way_n to_o make_v it_o universal_o know_v 37._o all_o which_o be_v premise_v and_o withal_o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o st._n paul_n at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o fimall_n part_v take_v his_o solemn_a last_o leave_n of_o they_o v_o 38._o shall_v not_o so_o much_o consider_v as_o to_o call_v for_o or_o desire_v to_o see_v any_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o son_n the_o governor_n of_o the_o inferior_a church_n to_o who_o he_o have_v commit_v that_o numerous_a flock_n which_o be_v now_o so_o universal_o in_o such_o danger_n of_o wolf_n save_v only_o those_o of_o the_o one_o church_n of_o that_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n suppose_v there_o have_v be_v more_o than_o one_o there_o this_o will_v be_v a_o very_a competent_a confirmation_n of_o irenaeus_n his_o testimony_n that_o indeed_o thus_o it_o be_v as_o he_o have_v deliver_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n near_o adjoin_v to_o ephesus_n as_o many_o as_o by_o summons_n from_o thence_o can_v speedy_o be_v call_v together_o in_o all_o reason_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n which_o be_v under_o that_o metropolis_n be_v send_v to_o meet_v the_o apostle_n at_o miletus_n and_o according_o meet_v he_o there_o 38._o the_o second_o testimony_n be_v that_o maxim_n of_o the_o greek_a scholiast_n on_o 1_o pet._n 1._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o book_n of_o the_o act_n call_v the_o bishop_n elder_n which_o be_v avow_v by_o i_o in_o the_o dissertation_n and_o clear_v through_o all_o the_o place_n in_o the_o act_n they_o ought_v by_o all_o law_n of_o dispute_v either_o to_o have_v endeavour_v the_o refute_v of_o what_o be_v there_o say_v or_o the_o prove_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n must_v needs_o there_o signify_v presbyter_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n which_o have_v not_o here_o attempt_v to_o do_v there_o be_v no_o kind_n of_o force_n in_o what_o be_v here_o dictate_v nothing_o say_v but_o what_o have_v be_v long_o since_o large_o and_o clear_o answer_v 39_o yet_o because_o in_o the_o next_o chapter_n where_o this_o place_n of_o the_o act_n be_v view_v again_o one_o argument_n i_o see_v produce_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o pretension_n which_o they_o find_v in_o a_o observation_n of_o i_o i_o shall_v think_v myself_o concern_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o 40._o it_o be_v this_o pag._n 85._o if_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n have_v mean_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o all_o asia_n he_o will_v have_v say_v not_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n but_o of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v a_o observation_n make_v use_v of_o by_o one_o of_o those_o that_o make_v use_v of_o this_o answer_n we_o be_v now_o confute_v that_o when_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o church_n in_o city_n it_o always_o use_v the_o singular_a number_n as_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o church_n of_o corinth_n etc._n etc._n but_o when_o it_o speak_v of_o province_n where_o there_o be_v many_o city_n than_o it_o use_v the_o plural_a number_n as_o the_o church_n of_o judaea_n and_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n rev._n 1._o 11._o according_a to_o this_o observation_n if_o the_o apostle_n have_v mean_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o all_o asia_n he_o will_v have_v say_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n whereas_o he_o call_v they_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n v_o 17._o and_o so_o must_v mean_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o so_o mere_a presbyter_n not_o bishop_n 41._o but_o herein_o be_v a_o manifest_a mistake_n for_o the_o observation_n be_v not_o make_v as_o be_v here_o suggest_v of_o church_n in_o city_n and_o province_n that_o the_o former_a of_o they_o be_v constant_o to_o be_v understand_v where_o there_o be_v mention_n of_o a_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n without_o any_o name_n of_o particular_a city_n add_v to_o it_o and_o that_o when_o a_o province_n be_v mention_v it_o be_v always_o do_v by_o church_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n on_o which_o their_o argument_n be_v found_v but_o if_o the_o reader_n consult_v the_o dissertation_n p._n 190._o he_o shall_v find_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n it_o be_v only_o this_o that_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v mention_v make_v of_o church_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n the_o church_n of_o judaea_n of_o samaria_n of_o galilee_n of_o syria_n of_o cilicia_n of_o galatia_n of_o asia_n of_o macedonia_n whereas_o in_o other_o place_n there_o be_v as_o frequent_v mention_n of_o a_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a the_o church_n in_o jerusalem_n in_o antioch_n in_o cenchrea_n in_o corinth_n of_o the_o thessalonian_n of_o ephesus_n of_o smyrna_n of_o pergamus_n of_o thyatira_n of_o sardis_n of_o laodicaean_a 42._o the_o cause_n of_o that_o difference_n be_v there_o say_v to_o be_v this_o that_o judaea_n &c_n &c_n be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o province_n in_o which_o there_o be_v many_o city_n there_o be_v consequent_o many_o church_n and_o bishop_n in_o they_o whereas_o one_o city_n with_o the_o territory_n adjoin_v to_o it_o be_v rule_v by_o one_o single_a bishop_n be_v to_o be_v call_v a_o singular_a church_n and_o therefore_o that_o which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v in_o every_o church_n act_v 14._o 13._o be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v in_o every_o city_n tit._n 1._o 5._o the_o sum_n of_o which_o observation_n be_v only_o this_o that_o one_o city_n with_o the_o territory_n adjoin_v to_o it_o never_o make_v above_o one_o church_n in_o the_o scripture_n style_n whereas_o a_o province_n or_o country_n or_o nation_n consist_v of_o many_o city_n and_o so_o of_o many_o episcopal_a see_v or_o church_n 43._o this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o that_o place_n or_o that_o be_v useful_a to_o be_v say_v in_o order_n to_o the_o end_n to_o show_v the_o original_a of_o metropolitan_n there_o and_o what_o a_o wrest_n of_o a_o plain_a obvious_a observation_n be_v it_o to_o conclude_v it_o from_o hence_o to_o be_v my_o assertion_n that_o when_o that_o must_v be_v whensoever_o or_o else_o the_o conclusion_n can_v be_v deducible_a from_o it_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o a_o province_n it_o be_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n it_o do_v sometime_o do_v so_o and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v useful_a to_o i_o if_o it_o have_v do_v so_o but_o once_o though_o twenty_o time_n it_o have_v do_v the_o contrary_a it_o have_v be_v sufficient_a for_o some_o reasonable_a account_n there_o must_v be_v for_o the_o do_v it_o once_o and_o what_o can_v that_o be_v but_o the_o number_n of_o the_o city_n and_o so_o of_o church_n in_o each_o province_n or_o nation_n much_o more_o when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o example_n of_o it_o 44._o but_o this_o be_v not_o to_o affirm_v that_o it_o always_o do_v so_o especial_o when_o be_v leave_v at_o large_a without_o any_o restraint_n not_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n or_o the_o like_a but_o indofiniâ—ely_o the_o church_n it_o be_v very_o capable_a of_o another_o interpretation_n for_o sure_a when_o i_o write_v that_o i_o have_v not_o forget_v my_o creed_n or_o in_o it_o the_o name_n church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n which_o by_o the_o adjunct_n of_o catholic_a must_v needs_o be_v more_o than_o the_o church_n of_o one_o city_n and_o have_v read_v mat._n 16._o where_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n be_v call_v my_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a a_o like_a phrase_n to_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o the_o bishop_n here_o be_v command_v to_o feed_v and_o in_o the_o one_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesiaâ—s_n have_v six_o example_n of_o the_o word_n church_n in_o the_o singular_a each_o signify_v evident_o the_o universal_a church_n i_o may_v very_o well_o be_v allow_v
to_o discern_v the_o word_n church_n in_o the_o singular_a without_o any_o addition_n of_o ephesus_n or_o the_o like_a which_o restrain_v it_o in_o all_o the_o example_n there_o produce_v to_o be_v appliable_a to_o a_o far_o large_a body_n than_o the_o church_n of_o one_o city_n and_o consequent_o be_v quit_v from_o all_o obligation_n of_o make_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 20._o 17._o the_o elder_n of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n 45._o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n i_o suppose_v but_o the_o church_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n consist_v of_o many_o church_n as_o the_o part_n thereof_o may_v be_v and_o be_v in_o scripture_n call_v the_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a and_o so_o certain_o may_v the_o church_n of_o a_o nation_n or_o a_o province_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v unite_v together_o under_o one_o primate_n or_o metropolitan_a as_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o church_n and_o city_n near_o ephesus_n nay_o over_o all_o asia_n be_v according_a to_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n who_o when_o 254._o other_o affirm_v of_o timothy_n that_o he_o be_v by_o paul_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o epheâ—us_n express_v the_o same_o thing_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v manifest_a that_o timothy_n have_v a_o church_n commit_v to_o he_o or_o indeed_o a_o entire_a nation_n that_o of_o asia_n the_o like_a be_v ordinary_o observable_a of_o crete_n a_o whole_a island_n with_o a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o in_o each_o of_o which_o titus_n be_v appoint_v to_o ordain_v a_o bishop_n or_o elder_n which_o yet_o be_v style_v in_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o titus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o crete_n and_o the_o subscription_n never_o question_v upon_o that_o score_n by_o any_o that_o it_o speak_v improper_o herein_o 46._o and_o consequent_o there_o can_v be_v no_o harshness_n in_o this_o interpretation_n paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o he_o to_o miletus_n and_o in_o his_o oration_n address_v to_o they_o call_v they_o bishop_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n mean_v they_o singular_a praefect_n of_o several_a city_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n especial_o of_o those_o which_o be_v near_a ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n 47._o and_o so_o much_o in_o answer_n to_o that_o objection_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o argument_n from_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n as_o they_o call_v they_o 48._o another_o proof_n of_o the_o same_o be_v there_o add_v pag._n 85._o thus_o the_o syriack_n translation_n read_v it_o he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n so_o hierome_n presbyteros_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ephesinae_n so_o concilium_fw-la aquisgranense_n 49._o what_o authority_n st_n hierome_n testimony_n be_v to_o carry_v with_o we_o in_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v elsewhere_o large_o show_v and_o we_o may_v hereafter_o have_v far_a occasion_n to_o declare_v it_o and_o our_o reason_n of_o it_o at_o the_o present_a it_o be_v willing_o confess_v that_o st._n hierome_n on_o tit._n 1._o do_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o in_o scripture_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o and_o from_o he_o isidore_n hispalensis_n de_fw-fr officiis_fw-la eccl._n l._n 2._o have_v the_o same_o and_o both_o have_v according_a to_o that_o prolepsis_n change_v the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n in_o the_o act_n and_o instead_o of_o what_o there_o we_o read_v send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n they_o read_v send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o same_o church_n express_v themselves_o to_o mean_v of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o council_n of_o aken_n aquisgranense_n have_v transcribe_v nine_o chapter_n from_o isidore_n verbatim_o consequent_o do_v the_o like_a so_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o isidore_n and_o that_o council_n be_v as_o great_a as_o st._n hierome_n can_v make_v it_o from_o who_o evident_o it_o proceed_v may_v yet_o be_v allow_v to_o yield_v to_o the_o far_o great_a authority_n of_o polycarp'_v auditor_n irenaeus_n who_o have_v sufficient_o clear_v it_o to_o the_o contrary_n 50._o as_o for_o the_o syriack_n tanslation_n it_o be_v not_o here_o recite_v exact_o according_o to_o the_o truth_n for_o in_o that_o thus_o the_o word_n lie_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o from_o miletus_n he_o send_v and_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n where_o be_v but_o one_o mention_n of_o ephesus_n not_o two_o as_o be_v here_o suggest_v from_o the_o translation_n that_o it_o read_v he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n the_o short_a of_o it_o be_v ephesus_z being_z but_o once_o name_v in_o that_o verse_n the_o greek_a place_v it_o in_o the_o begin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o miletus_n he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o this_o be_v the_o original_a must_v certain_o over-rule_v all_o translation_n and_o according_o all_o translation_n but_o one_o to_o read_v it_o only_o the_o syriack_n have_v misplaced_n the_o word_n ephesus_n put_v it_o in_o the_o late_a part_n of_o the_o period_n quite_o against_o all_o syntaxis_fw-la and_o for_o do_v so_o be_v here_o cite_v and_o their_o testimony_n make_v use_v of_o to_o assist_v presbytery_n when_o the_o manifest_a truth_n in_o the_o original_a and_o by_o all_o other_o translation_n acknowledge_v will_v not_o allow_v they_o any_o the_o least_o advantage_n 51._o after_o they_o have_v produce_v these_o two_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o a_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n the_o reader_n will_v hardly_o expect_v that_o which_o now_o next_z follow_v in_o these_o word_n from_o all_o this_o we_o gather_v that_o the_o asian_a angel_n be_v not_o diocesan_n bishop_n but_o congregationall_a presbyter_n seat_v each_o of_o they_o in_o one_o church_n not_o any_o of_o they_o in_o more_o than_o one_o 52._o this_o conclusion_n as_o the_o word_n lie_v consist_v of_o two_o part_n 1._o that_o each_o of_o these_o asian_a angel_n under_o the_o title_n of_o congregationall_a presbyter_n be_v seat_v in_o one_o church_n this_n if_o it_o be_v mean_v as_o the_o word_n sound_v be_v the_o grant_n to_o we_o all_o that_o we_o contend_v and_o will_v hardly_o be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o three_o observation_n that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n for_o sure_o each_o of_o those_o presbyter_n be_v not_o a_o common_a council_n but_o i_o rather_o believe_v they_o have_v not_o so_o soon_o disclaim_v their_o praemiss_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o interpret_v their_o word_n by_o their_o principle_n than_o their_o meaning_n by_o their_o word_n and_o so_o that_o by_o congregationall_a presbyter_n they_o mean_v so_o many_o college_n of_o such_o presbyter_n seat_v each_o of_o they_o i._n e._n each_o of_o those_o college_n in_o one_o church_n and_o if_o that_o be_v their_o conclusion_n i_o must_v acknowledge_v it_o to_o accord_v perfect_o with_o their_o praemiss_n which_o be_v already_o answer_v there_o remain_v no_o force_n in_o the_o conclusion_n 53._o and_o for_o the_o second_o part_n that_o not_o any_o of_o they_o be_v seat_v in_o more_o than_o one_o understand_v it_o again_o as_o the_o word_n sound_v it_o be_v no_o way_n contrary_a to_o our_o pretension_n for_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n be_v seat_v in_o smyrna_n or_o in_o any_o church_n but_o that_o of_o ephesios_n and_o the_o territory_n thereof_o and_o although_o as_o that_o be_v a_o metropolis_n other_o city_n be_v under_o it_o and_o so_o other_o bishop_n subordinate_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n yet_o be_v not_o any_o other_o city_n the_o seat_n of_o that_o metropolitan_a but_o only_o ephesus_n whereof_o he_o take_v his_o denomination_n as_o although_o rochester_n be_v under_o the_o metropolis_n of_o canterbury_n yet_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n be_v not_o seat_v at_o rochester_n but_o some_o other_o bishop_n affix_v to_o that_o city_n and_o diocese_n as_o for_o any_o other_o meaning_n of_o it_o proportionable_a to_o that_o which_o we_o be_v fain_o to_o affix_v to_o the_o former_a i_o confess_v myself_o ignorant_a what_o it_o can_v tend_v to_o for_o it_o be_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v not_o any_o council_n of_o presbyter_n be_v seat_v in_o more_o church_n than_o one_o which_o be_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v no_o one_o body_n be_v in_o several_a place_n and_o i_o know_v no_o prelatist_n that_o either_o direct_o or_o by_o consequence_n have_v affirm_v it_o be_v 54._o what_o remain_v in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n of_o this_o chapter_n
be_v resolve_v i_o must_v have_v lie_v under_o if_o i_o have_v question_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o presbyter_n though_o they_o can_v more_o than_o question_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o bishop_n and_o never_o have_v remorse_n or_o compunction_n or_o dread_v any_o charge_n or_o â—entence_n for_o it_o sect._n vi._n a_o first_o confession_n object_v and_o vindicate_v of_o the_o ephesine_n presbyter_n be_v all_o the_o praelate_n of_o asia_n elder_n aldermanni_n after_o these_o inconvenience_n brief_o touch_v and_o almost_o as_o brief_o by_o i_o avert_v they_o proceed_v to_o take_v notice_n in_o the_o four_o place_n of_o some_o confession_n of_o i_o which_o the_o justification_n of_o my_o opinion_n have_v force_v from_o i_o by_o this_o method_n think_v as_o at_o length_n they_o say_v to_o render_v episcopacy_n that_o be_v thus_o maintain_v or_o else_o my_o way_n of_o maintain_v it_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a to_o all_o sober_a and_o godly_a and_o moderate_a christian_n i.e._n to_o all_o those_o who_o for_o the_o attain_n of_o those_o title_n good_a opinion_n and_o good_a word_n from_o they_o shall_v be_v invite_v to_o contemn_v or_o hate_v those_o who_o they_o be_v yet_o please_v to_o call_v their_o brethren_n and_o this_o i_o confess_v be_v the_o most_o compendious_a way_n of_o confute_v that_o which_o will_v not_o otherwise_o be_v confute_v what_o those_o confession_n of_o i_o be_v which_o be_v like_a to_o render_v my_o assertion_n so_o odious_a i_o must_v next_o take_v a_o view_n and_o consider_v with_o what_o justice_n this_o be_v say_v by_o they_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o ephesine_n presbyter_n who_o paul_n send_v for_o to_o miletus_n be_v all_o the_o praelate_n of_o asia_n to_o say_v that_o the_o ephesine_n presbyter_n in_o their_o sense_n of_o the_o phrase_n be_v praelate_n of_o asia_n be_v i_o confess_v a_o ridiculous_a and_o so_o if_o they_o please_v a_o contemptible_a confession_n but_o i_o have_v yet_o be_v under_o no_o such_o torture_n from_o their_o argument_n as_o shall_v constrain_v such_o confession_n from_o i_o what_o i_o say_v be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o be_v my_o free_a opinion_n and_o no_o force_a confession_n such_o as_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o desperate_a enterprise_n may_v extort_v from_o i_o that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n of_o the_o church_n who_o by_o summons_n send_v to_o ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n of_o all_o asia_n and_o by_o that_o convenient_a way_n communicate_v to_o other_o city_n be_v assemble_v to_o paul_n at_o miletus_n act._n 20._o 17._o be_v as_o irenaeus_n assure_v i_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o other_o city_n in_o those_o part_n and_o not_o only_o of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n what_o harshness_n there_o can_v be_v in_o this_o assertion_n to_o be_v reject_v as_o odious_a at_o the_o first_o hear_n i_o confess_v i_o divine_v not_o that_o those_o city_n have_v bishop_n as_o well_o as_o ephesus_n can_v be_v strange_a or_o that_o paul_n desire_v to_o speak_v with_o they_o before_o his_o final_a part_n and_o that_o the_o bishop_n may_v be_v call_v elder_n will_v be_v as_o little_a strange_a if_o it_o be_v but_o remember_v what_o be_v at_o large_a show_v in_o the_o dissertation_n that_o the_o word_n elder_n have_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n denote_v dignity_n and_o praefecture_n in_o single_a person_n as_o when_o abraham_n oeconomus_fw-la who_o be_v set_v over_o his_o servant_n be_v style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_a of_o his_o house_n and_o ruler_n of_o all_o that_o be_v his_o by_o elder_a and_o ruler_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o so_o the_o elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o moabite_n num._n 22._o 7._o be_v the_o prince_n of_o moab_n v_o 8._o and_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o head_n or_o praefect_n of_o the_o principal_a family_n of_o israel_n exod_n 6._o 14._o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o people_n c._n 16._o 22._o the_o elder_n of_o the_o tribe_n deut._n 31._o 28._o and_o all_o this_o and_o much_o more_o before_o they_o be_v call_v into_o a_o council_n or_o senate_n to_o assist_v moses_n as_o appear_v num_fw-la 11._o 16._o and_o proportionable_a to_o this_o have_v be_v the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n among_o all_o nation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_a always_o have_v the_o rule_n and_o all_o obey_v he_o say_v 2._o diodorus_n siculus_n and_o so_o senior_n in_o all_o language_n be_v a_o title_n of_o honour_n and_o dignity_n and_o peculiar_o among_o we_o as_o when_o aethelstane_n the_o half_a king_n as_o he_o be_v call_v of_o the_o east_n angle_n be_v salute_v by_o the_o title_n of_o 29._o aldermannus_n i.e._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a of_o all_o england_n and_o so_o aethelwod_n and_o aelwin_n so_o in_o king_n aelfred_n law_n c._n 34._o there_o be_v mention_n regis_n aldermanni_n and_o presbyteri_fw-la regis_fw-la and_o according_o mat._n 20._o 25._o those_o word_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o nation_n exercise_v dominion_n over_o they_o be_v by_o the_o saxon_n interpret_v ealdoâ—men_n wealdaqthat_o hisa_fw-la ðeodo_fw-la elder_n have_v dominion_n over_o their_o nation_n and_o luke_n 9_o 22._o the_o elder_n and_o chief_a of_o the_o priost_n be_v by_o they_o render_v ealdrum_n and_o ealdormaannum_n all_o take_v the_o word_n elder_a for_o a_o title_n of_o dignity_n and_o praefecture_n and_o from_o that_o notion_n of_o it_o the_o preâ—bytorians_n be_v not_o observe_v to_o decline_v and_o then_o final_o that_o the_o addition_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n though_o in_o the_o singular_a can_v make_v it_o unfit_a for_o these_o elder_n to_o denote_v the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n or_o near_o ephesus_n under_o that_o metroplis_fw-la have_v be_v already_o account_v for_o at_o large_a and_o so_o still_o i_o hope_v they_o and_o all_o godly_a and_o moderate_a brethren_n need_v neither_o hate_n nor_o contemn_v episcopacy_n nor_o the_o defender_n of_o it_o upon_o pretence_n of_o this_o so_o far_o from_o incommodious_a or_o inconvenient_a confession_n section_n vii_o a_o second_o confession_n of_o the_o bishop_n phil._n 1._o 1._o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o whole_a province_n philippi_n a_o metropolis_n and_o a_o colony_n like_a unto_o this_o first_o be_v the_o second_o which_o they_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o philippi_n who_o s._n paul_n salute_v ch._n 1._o be_v not_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n only_o but_o of_o the_o whole_a province_n whereas_o theophylact_v say_v that_o philippi_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o little_a city_n subject_a to_o the_o metropolis_n of_o thessalonica_n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n phil._n 1._o 1._o denote_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n of_o macedonia_n which_o be_v under_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chief_a city_n or_o metropolis_n as_o s._n luke_n call_v it_o act_n 16._o 12._o be_v already_o evidence_v to_o be_v no_o strange_a or_o violent_a i_o hope_v as_o little_a odious_a confession_n i_o need_v not_o far_o repeat_v or_o enlarge_v on_o that_o but_o bear_v in_o good_a part_n whatsoever_o fate_n be_v decree_v by_o they_o to_o attend_v that_o confession_n as_o for_o the_o objection_n which_o be_v here_o subjoin_v and_o to_o which_o they_o be_v direct_v by_o dissert_n 4._o c._n 10._o sect._n 12._o they_o may_v if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o please_v have_v take_v the_o antidote_n with_o the_o poison_n observe_v and_o tender_v to_o the_o reader_n the_o answer_n which_o in_o the_o five_o follow_a section_n be_v solemn_o render_v to_o it_o and_o confute_v that_o answer_n if_o they_o have_v discern_v any_o infirm_a part_n in_o it_o first_o then_o the_o answer_n be_v that_o that_o description_n of_o philippi_n in_o the_o argument_n prefix_v to_o theophylact_n note_n on_o that_o epistle_n be_v take_v out_o of_o a_o ancient_a geographer_n and_o belong_v to_o that_o city_n as_o it_o be_v build_v by_o philip_n have_v be_v former_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d than_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o the_o late_a time_n under_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o new_a or_o strange_a thing_n that_o under_o the_o roman_n those_o city_n shall_v become_v metropoles_fw-la which_o former_o have_v not_o be_v such_o to_o which_o agree_v that_o of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n can._n 12._o which_o mention_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d city_n honour_v by_o the_o imperial_a letter_n with_o the_o name_n and_o dignity_n of_o metropoles_fw-la and_o indeed_o the_o say_n of_o 13._o strabo_n be_v of_o evident_a truth_n ordinary_o experiment_v that_o province_n be_v often_o confound_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o cause_n of_o the_o roman_n distribute_v they_o not_o according_a to_o the_o distribution_n of_o region_n or_o nation_n such_o as_o the_o geographer_n ancient_o have_v
the_o practice_n which_o in_o this_o particular_a he_o recommend_v to_o the_o church_n and_o i_o must_v needs_o tell_v the_o objector_n that_o as_o mean_v a_o opinion_n as_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v of_o this_o work_n of_o visit_v the_o sick_a i_o can_v but_o affirm_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o if_o it_o be_v due_o and_o advantageous_o manage_v it_o be_v extreme_o useful_a and_o beneficial_a to_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n and_o as_o proper_a for_o a_o bishop_n personal_o to_o perform_v when_o his_o other_o public_a necessary_a task_n wherein_o many_o more_o be_v concern_v and_o wherein_o he_o have_v no_o proxy_n to_o supply_v his_o place_n permit_v as_o any_o one_o part_n of_o his_o divine_a office_n differ_v from_o the_o rest_n only_o in_o this_o and_o in_o that_o respect_n yield_v the_o precedence_n to_o they_o that_o other_o part_n of_o his_o office_n be_v or_o may_v be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n extensive_a to_o many_o whilst_o each_o act_n of_o this_o be_v terminate_v in_o some_o one_o who_o soul_n yet_o aught_o to_o be_v more_o precious_a in_o his_o eye_n than_o all_o other_o acquisition_n in_o the_o world_n according_o it_o be_v in_o the_o 22._o dissertation_n evidence_v out_o of_o polycarp'_v epistle_n who_o be_v somewhat_o after_o the_o time_n of_o james_n the_o author_n of_o this_o epistle_n that_o part_n of_o the_o bishop_n office_n it_o be_v then_o esteem_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o visit_v all_o the_o sick_a in_o like_a manner_n as_o in_o justin_n martyr_n he_o be_v make_v the_o curator_n of_o all_o that_o be_v in_o want_n the_o grand_a distributer_n of_o all_o the_o liberality_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o the_o only_a objection_n that_o be_v here_o tender_v against_o this_o interpretation_n of_o the_o place_n from_o the_o singalar_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o church_n not_o of_o the_o church_n the_o answer_n be_v obvious_a that_o this_o epistle_n of_o james_n be_v write_v to_o all_o the_o jew_n in_o dispersion_n jam._n 1._o 1._o these_o can_v not_o make_v up_o any_o one_o particular_a church_n of_o any_o single_a denomination_n but_o yet_o all_o conjoin_v very_o fit_o in_o that_o one_o universal_a style_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n in_o this_o respect_n we_o know_v it_o be_v call_v the_o catholic_n epistle_n of_o james_n because_o write_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n all_o the_o believer_n of_o that_o nation_n wheresoever_o disperse_v out_o of_o their_o country_n now_o these_o inhabit_v in_o divers_a city_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a there_o be_v divers_a bishop_n in_o this_o circuit_n and_o so_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v most_o commodious_o set_v to_o express_v these_o several_a bishop_n belong_v to_o this_o complexe_n body_n the_o church_n of_o the_o dispersion_n not_o that_o there_o be_v more_o of_o these_o in_o one_o city_n for_o that_o consideration_n will_v never_o have_v cause_v the_o plural_a expression_n because_o be_v there_o never_o so_o many_o the_o sick_a person_n need_v not_o have_v call_v more_o at_o once_o and_o upon_o that_o score_n 〈◊〉_d shall_v demand_v of_o they_o that_o argue_v from_o the_o number_n be_v every_o sick_a man_n in_o their_o opinion_n to_o call_v for_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n â—or_a again_o because_o there_o be_v not_o as_o many_o church_n as_o elder_n but_o only_o because_o these_o many_o particular_a church_n of_o which_o there_o be_v a_o equal_a number_n of_o elder_n be_v very_o fit_o comprehend_v under_o the_o one_o general_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n sect._n xi_o a_o last_o objection_n from_o act._n 21._o 18._o and_o 14._o 3._o and_o 11._o 30._o answer_v elder_n for_o ruler_n or_o bishop_n there_o yet_o remain_v one_o sort_n of_o objection_n more_o against_o these_o paradox_n in_o these_o word_n beside_o when_o it_o to_o say_v act_n 21._o 18._o paul_n go_v in_o with_o we_o unto_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a it_o be_v suppose_v by_o our_o episcopal_a man_n that_o james_n be_v at_o this_o time_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n now_o we_o demand_v who_o be_v these_o elder_n be_v these_o also_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n will_v this_o answer_n consist_v with_o our_o brethren_n judgement_n so_o likewise_o when_o it_o be_v say_v act._n 15_o 4._o and_o when_o they_o be_v comâ—_n to_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v receive_v of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n we_o demand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o church_n be_v it_o not_o mean_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o which_o place_n they_o be_v say_v to_o come_v and_o if_o so_o than_o we_o askâ—_n far_o what_o be_v meanâ—_n by_o the_o elder_n must_v it_o not_o be_v answer_v that_o by_o elder_n be_v mean_v the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o then_o let_v any_o man_n 〈◊〉_d we_o how_o these_o elder_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v bishop_n in_o a_o prelatical_a sense_n especial_o according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o brethren_n who_o make_v james_n to_o be_v at_o this_o time_n the_o only_a bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n add_v far_o it_o be_v say_v act._n 14._o 3._o whâ—n_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n act._n 11._o 30._o they_o send_v relief_n to_o the_o elder_n etc._n etc._n can_v any_o imagine_v that_o this_o relief_n be_v send_v only_o to_o bishop_n and_o that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n ordain_v no_o presbyter_n in_o any_o church_n but_o only_a bishop_n be_v not_o this_o to_o offer_v manifest_a violence_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o instead_o of_o uphold_v of_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o this_o sufficient_a to_o render_v it_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a to_o all_o sober_a and_o godly_a and_o moderate_a christian_n but_o we_o forbear_v it_o seem_v we_o have_v still_o remain_v another_o heap_n of_o inconvenient_a confession_n that_o we_o labour_v under_o and_o upon_o they_o more_o socratico_n they_o make_v their_o demand_n and_o although_o i_o may_v just_o wonder_v why_o they_o which_o have_v read_v the_o dissertation_n and_o know_v what_o answer_n i_o give_v to_o every_o of_o their_o demand_n shall_v be_v at_o the_o trouble_n to_o ask_v they_o again_o yet_o because_o i_o be_o resolve_v not_o to_o be_v weary_a of_o attend_v they_o i_o shall_v answer_v they_o as_o punctual_o as_o they_o can_v wish_v and_o patient_o support_v all_o the_o odium_fw-la that_o will_v result_v from_o thence_o among_o all_o sober_a and_o godly_a and_o moderate_a christian_n here_o only_o i_o desire_v two_o thing_n may_v be_v remember_v which_o have_v already_o be_v evidence_v 1._o that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elderâ—_n in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o continue_a use_n of_o all_o language_n be_v a_o expression_n of_o power_n and_o dignity_n be_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n upon_o all_o reasonable_a account_n as_o proper_o applicable_a to_o the_o ruler_n and_o governor_n ecclesiastical_a as_o the_o word_n apostles_n or_o bishop_n or_o precedent_n or_o ruler_n or_o any_o the_o like_a will_v be_v think_v to_o be_v and_o withal_o very_o fit_a to_o express_v single_a ruler_n in_o each_o particular_a church_n in_o case_n any_o such_o may_v otherwise_o appear_v to_o be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n there_o be_v no_o propriety_n in_o the_o word_n or_o peculiarity_n in_o the_o usage_n of_o it_o to_o incline_v it_o to_o joint_a power_n of_o colleague_n rule_v in_o common_a according_o evidence_n have_v be_v produce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n to_o show_v the_o continuance_n of_o this_o usage_n among_o author_n after_o the_o scripture-time_n that_o it_o long_o remain_v in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o ancient_n policarpe_a papias_n irenaeus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o tertullian_n many_o of_o which_o be_v know_v and_o by_o the_o adversary_n acknowledge_v to_o assert_v episcopacy_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n and_o yet_o use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n to_o denote_v sometime_o the_o apostle_n sometime_o the_o singular_a bishop_n in_o each_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o affirm_v this_o one_o thing_n so_o attest_v and_o confirm_v viz._n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v very_o convenient_o be_v interpret_v bishop_n as_o oft_o as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o text_n will_v bear_v it_o will_v not_o i_o hope_v still_o be_v so_o unfortunate_a as_o to_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o paradox_n and_o odious_a be_v indeed_o a_o plain_a obvious_a observation_n which_o have_v nothing_o of_o difficulty_n or_o harshness_n in_o it_o have_v praemise_v this_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v by_o all_o praelatist_n i_o hope_v convince_o affirm_v and_o prove_v to_o have_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n of_o convert_v and_o