the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n brief_o and_o true_o state_v in_o the_o three_o first_o and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n i._o the_o obligation_n of_o christianity_n by_o divine_a right_n ii_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n by_o divine_a right_n iii_o the_o institution_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n by_o divine_a right_n by_o s._n p._n a_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n faithorne_n and_o john_n kersey_n and_o sell_v by_o walter_n davis_n in_o amen-corner_n 1681._o a_o scheme_n of_o the_o general_a content_n part_n i._n three_o popular_a principle_n destructive_a of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n page_n 1._o the_o absurdity_n of_o mr._n hobb_n principle_n that_o the_o sovereign_a power_n be_v the_o only_a founder_n of_o all_o religion_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n p._n 7_o mr._n selden'_v account_n of_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v mere_o civil_a p._n 27_o his_o account_n of_o excommunication_n from_o adam_n to_o moses_n consider_v p._n 37_o the_o same_o from_o moses_n to_o the_o captivity_n and_o from_o the_o captivity_n to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n p._n 42_o the_o same_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o first_o as_o to_o its_o usage_n p._n 54_o second_o as_o to_o the_o right_n which_o be_v prove_v to_o have_v be_v neither_o judicial_a nor_o imperial_a but_o pure_o divine_a p._n 62_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n p._n 71_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v ground_v carry_v in_o they_o true_a and_o proper_a jurisdiction_n and_o appropriate_v its_o exercise_n to_o the_o church_n p._n 76_o and_o that_o by_o divine_a institution_n not_o mere_a voluntary_a confederacy_n p._n 89_o all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n leave_v entire_o by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n and_o that_o the_o imperial_a law_n extant_a both_o in_o the_o theodosian_a code_n and_o justinian_n be_v no_o new_a law_n but_o only_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n ratify_v with_o temporal_a penalty_n p._n 91_o part_n ii_o a_o account_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o form_n of_o government_n settle_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o divine_a institution_n page_n 117_o that_o our_o saviour_n found_v his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n demonstrate_v this_o imparity_n prove_v to_o consist_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n as_o well_o as_o order_n and_o the_o institution_n of_o it_o show_v to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a obligation_n p._n 124_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n vindicate_v against_o divers_a exception_n the_o vanity_n and_o absurdity_n of_o the_o objection_n from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n the_o divine_a obligation_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n in_o this_o matter_n prove_v p._n 135_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n the_o pretence_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n fall_v as_o foul_a upon_o christianity_n itself_o as_o the_o form_n of_o government_n p._n 143_o the_o argument_n first_o from_o the_o defect_n as_o to_o place_n consider_v and_o confute_v p._n 148_o second_o front_v the_o defect_n as_o to_o time_n and_o person_n p._n 150_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n prove_v first_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o st._n clement_n of_o rome_n second_o of_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n demonstrate_v to_o be_v genuine_a p._n 155_o the_o same_o prove_v from_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n and_o the_o canon_n prove_v to_o be_v of_o primitive_a antiquity_n p._n 177_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n vindicate_v from_o the_o pretence_n of_o ambiguity_n and_o first_o in_o that_o they_o have_v not_o inform_v we_o whether_o the_o succession_n be_v only_o of_o order_n or_o of_o power_n p._n 183_o second_o in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o universal_a but_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o not_o it_o be_v sufficient_a in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o record_n against_o it_o and_o the_o record_n of_o all_o the_o chief_a church_n be_v clear_a for_o it_o p._n 189_o three_o in_o that_o this_o succession_n be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n this_o show_v to_o be_v apparent_o false_a and_o if_o it_o be_v true_a frivolous_a p._n 203_o that_o the_o ancient_a church_n own_a episcopacy_n as_o of_o divine_a institution_n and_o not_o ecclesiastical_a p._n 213_o st._n jeroms_n authority_n thorough_o consider_v and_o turn_v upon_o himself_o so_o as_o to_o make_v this_o objection_n out_o of_o he_o against_o it_o the_o strong_a argument_n to_o prove_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o episcopacy_n p._n 216_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n of_o the_o ordination_n of_o their_o bishop_n by_o presbyter_n refute_v and_o the_o story_n of_o eutychius_n concern_v it_o show_v to_o be_v false_a and_o foolish_a p._n 231_o if_o we_o take_v away_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o some_o form_n of_o church-government_n it_o unavoidable_o resolve_v the_o church_n into_o independency_n and_o confusion_n p._n 243_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o episcopacy_n as_o settle_v by_o divine_a right_o the_o only_a effectal_a bulwark_n against_o popery_n p._n 252_o a_o postscript_n p._n 263_o part_n i._n when_o i_o consider_v on_o one_o side_n with_o what_o triumph_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v together_o with_o his_o majesty_n restore_v with_o what_o law_n guard_v with_o what_o vigour_n assert_v with_o what_o zeal_n defend_v and_o on_o the_o other_o with_o what_o folly_n and_o peevishness_n oppose_v that_o none_o of_o its_o implacable_a enemy_n have_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v any_o the_o least_o real_a defect_n or_o corruption_n in_o its_o constitution_n that_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o all_o wise_a man_n it_o approach_v near_a of_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o primitive_a purity_n that_o it_o be_v free_a from_o all_o imposture_n and_o innovation_n that_o it_o do_v not_o abuse_v its_o child_n with_o pious_a fraud_n and_o art_n of_o gain_n nor_o sacrifice_v the_o interest_n of_o soul_n to_o its_o own_o wealth_n and_o grandeur_n that_o it_o assert_n the_o right_n of_o prince_n against_o all_o priestly_a usurpation_n that_o it_o do_v not_o enrage_v the_o people_n with_o enthusiasm_n on_o one_o hand_n nor_o enslave_v they_o with_o superstition_n on_o the_o other_o that_o its_o doctrine_n be_v pure_a simple_a and_o apostolical_a and_o its_o discipline_n easie_n prudent_a and_o merciful_a in_o a_o word_n that_o it_o be_v a_o church_n that_o want_v nothing_o but_o only_o that_o we_o will_v suffer_v she_o to_o be_v what_o she_o profess_v and_o desire_v to_o be_v when_o i_o say_v i_o consider_v all_o this_o with_o myself_o it_o can_v not_o but_o strike_v i_o with_o wonder_n and_o amazement_n that_o a_o church_n so_o unanimous_o own_v so_o powerful_o protect_v so_o excellent_o constitute_v so_o approve_v by_o all_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n shall_v in_o all_o this_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o obtain_v any_o true_a and_o effectual_a settlement_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v almost_o strip_v naked_a of_o all_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n expose_v to_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n desert_v by_o its_o friend_n trample_v upon_o by_o its_o enemy_n and_o true_o reduce_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o poor_a despise_a church_n of_o england_n but_o then_o consider_v far_o with_o myself_o what_o may_v be_v the_o ground_n and_o occasion_n of_o such_o a_o wild_a and_o seem_o unaccountable_a apostasy_n i_o quick_o find_v three_o very_a prevail_a principle_n utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o be_v of_o a_o christian_a church_n wherewith_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n mind_n be_v possess_v and_o especial_o those_o that_o have_v of_o late_o appear_v the_o most_o zealous_a patriot_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o the_o building_n be_v so_o weak_a and_o totter_a when_o it_o be_v erect_v upon_o such_o false_a and_o rot_a foundation_n so_o that_o whilst_o these_o treacherous_a principle_n lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o work_n it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a to_o bring_v it_o to_o any_o sure_a and_o last_a settlement_n and_o it_o be_v these_o false_a and_o unhappy_a principle_n that_o i_o shall_v now_o endeavour_v to_o represent_v and_o by_o plain_a reason_n to_o remove_v they_o be_v chief_o these_o three_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o his_o follower_n that_o own_o the_o church_n of_o england_n only_o because_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o england_n and_o allow_v no_o authority_n either_o to_o that_o or_o any_o other_o religion_n than_o as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o sovereign_a power_n though_o a_o religion_n
sure_a there_o be_v as_o little_a modesty_n as_o reason_n in_o salmasius_n his_o argument_n when_o he_o oppose_v the_o single_a authority_n of_o nicephorus_n to_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n but_o much_o less_o in_o daillès_fw-fr defence_n especial_o when_o we_o consider_v with_o what_o state_n and_o confidence_n he_o usher_v it_o in_o ecce_fw-la auctores_fw-la habemus_fw-la &_o multis_fw-la ante_fw-la nos_fw-la seculis_fw-la denatos_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la contra_fw-la hierarchiam_fw-la suspicion_n semotos_fw-la qui_fw-la omne_fw-la ignatii_n scripta_fw-la rotunde_v ac_fw-la sine_fw-la ullâ_fw-la haesitatione_n ad_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la relegarunt_fw-la in_o stichometriâ_fw-la georgio_n sincello_n in_o libro_fw-la antiquissimo_fw-la praefixâ_fw-la for_o what_o confidence_n can_v be_v more_o enormous_a than_o that_o when_o these_o epistle_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o some_o of_o the_o best_a of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n ter_n to_o pretend_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n by_o a_o multitude_n of_o writer_n and_o yet_o produce_v but_o one_o and_o he_o at_o the_o distance_n of_o seven_o hundred_o year_n but_o the_o last_o aggravation_n of_o his_o confidence_n be_v when_o he_o profess_v that_o he_o produce_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o stichometria_fw-la not_o to_o prove_v his_o own_o opinion_n but_o only_o to_o remove_v the_o prejudice_n of_o its_o novelty_n and_o yet_o cite_v no_o other_o author_n in_o its_o behalf_n for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o proof_n be_v draw_v from_o negative_a authority_n in_o which_o he_o be_v no_o more_o happy_a than_o in_o his_o many_o one_o positive_a testimony_n for_o when_o he_o argue_v that_o these_o epistle_n be_v unknown_a to_o every_o writer_n that_o do_v not_o quote_v they_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o hard_a condition_n that_o he_o impose_v upon_o all_o author_n to_o cite_v all_o the_o book_n that_o they_o read_v but_o say_v he_o because_o of_o that_o great_a authority_n that_o ignatius_n have_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o any_o christian_a writer_n have_v any_o fair_a occasion_n for_o it_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o they_o will_v have_v appeal_v to_o his_o authority_n which_o because_o they_o have_v not_o do_v we_o may_v just_o presume_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o write_n extant_a in_o their_o time_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a force_n of_o his_o negative_a argument_n and_o yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o particular_n he_o be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o only_o to_o produce_v those_o author_n who_o custom_n it_o be_v to_o avoid_v this_o kind_n of_o quotation_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v concern_v irenaeus_n and_o so_o for_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v a_o great_a quoter_n of_o heathen_a and_o heretical_a writer_n yet_o no_o where_o cite_v ecclesiastical_a author_n unless_o such_o as_o he_o suppose_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o sacred_a canon_n and_o so_o for_o tertullian_n who_o too_o be_v frequent_a in_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_n or_o heretic_n but_o scarce_o ever_o mention_n any_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v or_o confute_v any_o doctrine_n by_o their_o authority_n and_o this_o in_o the_o last_o place_n be_v the_o case_n of_o epiphanius_n who_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o live_v before_o he_o and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o heresy_n it_o be_v only_o in_o a_o historical_a way_n either_o to_o spare_v his_o own_o pain_n or_o to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o relation_n out_o of_o other_o history_n but_o never_o as_o daillé_n require_v of_o he_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o opinion_n i_o mention_v no_o more_o of_o his_o negative_a man_n who_o make_v a_o great_a show_n in_o the_o content_n of_o his_o chapter_n in_o that_o they_o be_v allege_v altogether_o impertinent_o to_o his_o purpose_n because_o all_o those_o passage_n which_o he_o imagine_v they_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v quote_v belong_v not_o to_o the_o ancient_a copy_n of_o eusebius_n but_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o late_a interpolation_n and_o now_o compare_v the_o testimony_n on_o both_o side_n we_o may_v very_o safe_o turn_v any_o honest_a man_n loose_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o epistle_n and_o that_o be_v once_o establish_v we_o can_v neither_o have_v nor_o desire_v a_o more_o ample_a testimony_n than_o they_o give_v we_o of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n the_o holy_a martyr_n every_o where_o sound_v the_o peace_n and_o security_n of_o the_o church_n against_o schism_n and_o heresy_n upon_o the_o bishop_n supreme_a authority_n which_o he_o as_o our_o adversary_n fancy_v magnify_v so_o high_o though_o not_o more_o than_o the_o other_o order_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o respective_a function_n that_o they_o think_v that_o alone_o the_o main_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o epistle_n though_o in_o truth_n set_v aside_o all_o testimony_n the_o argument_n and_o spirit_n of_o they_o be_v no_o small_a proof_n of_o their_o genuine_a antiquity_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o argument_n peculiar_a to_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n a_o vehement_a zeal_n for_o unity_n and_o a_o passionate_a sense_n of_o immortality_n they_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o serious_a belief_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n promise_n and_o therefore_o they_o live_v in_o this_o world_n pure_o in_o order_n to_o the_o reward_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o how_o earnest_o the_o author_n of_o these_o epistle_n thirst_v after_o it_o no_o good_a christian_n can_v read_v without_o great_a pleasure_n and_o be_v affect_v with_o some_o work_n of_o the_o same_o passion_n and_o as_o for_o his_o way_n of_o secure_v peace_n and_o unity_n in_o all_o church_n by_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o under_o they_o to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n for_o his_o fundamental_a rule_n be_v that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o bishop_n he_o derive_v it_o from_o our_o saviour_n commission_n and_o promise_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n for_o ever_o when_o he_o constitute_v they_o pastor_n of_o his_o flock_n and_o promise_v to_o be_v perpetual_o assistant_n to_o they_o by_o his_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v not_o refer_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o they_o for_o the_o great_a wisdom_n great_a learning_n or_o any_o other_o natural_a advantage_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n express_a institution_n who_o have_v send_v they_o as_o his_o father_n have_v send_v he_o and_o have_v therefore_o engage_v himself_o to_o be_v present_a with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o upon_o that_o security_n to_o follow_v the_o bishop_n be_v to_o follow_v christ_n because_o he_o have_v undertake_v to_o be_v the_o bishop_n guide_n and_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o ignatius_n and_o his_o adversary_n their_o objection_n will_v not_o reflect_v upon_o his_o discretion_n but_o our_o saviour_n integrity_n and_o when_o the_o cause_n be_v bring_v to_o that_o ignatius_n be_v secure_a and_o if_o any_o man_n be_v please_v to_o raise_v any_o further_a controversy_n it_o be_v only_o between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o leviathan_n and_o there_o i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o the_o next_o proof_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a practice_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o among_o the_o ancient_n be_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n i._n e._n a_o collection_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o synod_n and_o council_n between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a so_o that_o they_o may_v not_o improper_o be_v style_v the_o code_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o now_o concern_v they_o the_o case_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v much_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o ignatius_n epistle_n for_o the_o testimony_n that_o they_o give_v in_o to_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n be_v so_o full_a and_o plain_a that_o it_o be_v undeniable_a and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o avoid_v they_o but_o by_o impeach_v their_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n and_o as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v the_o same_o so_o be_v the_o success_n too_o for_o it_o have_v be_v thorough_o dispute_v between_o the_o say_v mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la and_o a_o very_a learned_a divine_a of_o our_o own_o church_n and_o that_o with_o the_o very_a same_o inequality_n of_o reason_n too_o i_o shall_v not_o give_v any_o large_a account_n of_o the_o engagement_n because_o the_o book_n be_v so_o late_o publish_v and_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o peruse_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v rather_o refer_v to_o the_o author_n themselves_o especial_o because_o i_o be_o not_o a_o little_a zealous_a to_o recommend_v one_o of_o they_o as_o
succession_n of_o person_n in_o any_o bishopric_n have_v not_o be_v preserve_v with_o that_o care_n and_o diligence_n that_o it_o ought_v or_o may_v have_v be_v to_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o episcopal_a form_n of_o government_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o conclude_v that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o ancient_a monarchy_n in_o the_o world_n because_o in_o all_o their_o history_n there_o be_v some_o flaw_n or_o defect_n or_o disagreement_n as_o to_o the_o name_n of_o person_n in_o the_o succession_n but_o we_o think_v it_o enough_o that_o where_o we_o find_v a_o establish_a monarchy_n though_o we_o meet_v with_o some_o interval_n of_o history_n in_o which_o the_o prince_n name_n that_o then_o reign_v be_v uncertain_a or_o forget_v and_o meet_v with_o no_o record_n that_o the_o government_n be_v at_o that_o time_n change_v into_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o monarchy_n be_v all_o along_o preserve_v and_o that_o be_v the_o case_n of_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o in_o all_o time_n and_o place_n where_o and_o when_o record_n have_v be_v preserve_v we_o find_v the_o same_o form_n practise_v and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o conclude_v that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v in_o those_o short_a interval_n of_o time_n if_o we_o suppose_v there_o be_v any_o such_o in_o which_o they_o be_v lose_v though_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o register_n of_o particular_a person_n be_v so_o defective_a as_o be_v pretend_v but_o that_o in_o most_o church_n their_o very_a name_n be_v accurate_o enough_o record_v thus_o first_o for_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o which_o we_o find_v a_o succession_n of_o fifteen_o bishop_n before_o its_o destruction_n attest_v by_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o validity_n of_o who_o testimony_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v for_o it_o be_v no_o objection_n that_o so_o many_o bishop_n shall_v be_v crowd_v into_o so_o narrow_a a_o room_n that_o many_o of_o they_o can_v not_o have_v have_v above_o two_o year_n time_n to_o rule_v in_o the_o church_n when_o almost_o all_o that_o time_n the_o jew_n be_v in_o rebellion_n against_o the_o roman_n continual_o provoke_v they_o by_o their_o insurrection_n to_o the_o utmost_a severity_n both_o against_o jew_n and_o christian_n for_o as_o yet_o the_o roman_n understand_v no_o difference_n nor_o be_v they_o break_v into_o any_o open_a division_n among_o themselves_o all_o these_o bishop_n be_v as_o formal_o circumcise_v as_o any_o of_o the_o most_o zealous_a retainer_n to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o wonder_n that_o so_o many_o bishop_n shall_v succeed_v in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n than_o that_o such_o a_o incredible_a number_n of_o jew_n shall_v perish_v by_o the_o sword_n but_o second_o it_o be_v less_o material_a to_o inquire_v as_o scaliger_n mmcxl_o do_v where_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n by_o titus_n till_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n for_o what_o if_o he_o have_v no_o palace_n be_v he_o no_o bishop_n or_o what_o if_o we_o can_v tell_v where_o he_o assemble_v his_o flock_n be_v there_o no_o church_n perhaps_o it_o be_v in_o a_o cockloft_o at_o pella_n but_o because_o we_o can_v tell_v where_o it_o be_v be_v it_o no_o where_o and_o therefore_o to_o return_v the_o quere_z be_v there_o then_o a_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n if_o there_o be_v whether_o episcopal_a presbyterian_a or_o independent_a or_o all_o together_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v where_o it_o be_v and_o if_o you_o can_v tell_v i_o conclude_v as_o you_o do_v that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n at_o all_o and_o so_o he_o have_v answer_v his_o own_o little_a objection_n himself_o that_o the_o church_n follow_v the_o bishop_n and_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o stone_n wall_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v then_o at_o pella_n though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o place_n as_o jerusalem_n as_o at_o this_o day_n the_o patriarchal_a seat_n of_o antioch_n be_v at_o meredin_n in_o mesopotamia_n and_o that_o of_o alexandria_n at_o grand_a cairo_n as_o for_o the_o succession_n at_o antioch_n i_o find_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o doubt_v of_o its_o truth_n for_o i_o think_v it_o no_o objection_n that_o though_o it_o be_v clear_a it_o be_v not_o certain_a whether_o they_o succeed_v st._n peter_n or_o st._n paul_n for_o be_v it_o either_o or_o both_o or_o neither_o it_o be_v all_o one_o so_o it_o be_v any_o that_o be_v enough_o that_o there_o be_v a_o succession_n though_o we_o do_v not_o know_v the_o particular_a founder_n of_o the_o church_n in_o who_o it_o begin_v and_o whoever_o of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v whether_o one_o or_o more_o they_o have_v apostolical_a authority_n over_o it_o and_o whoever_o succeed_v they_o succeed_v in_o the_o same_o form_n of_o government_n as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n all_o the_o difficulty_n be_v about_o the_o succession_n of_o linus_n and_o clemens_n be_v both_o reckon_v in_o the_o first_o place_n but_o the_o conjecture_n be_v very_o probable_a that_o clemens_n succeed_v st._n peter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o linus_n do_v st._n paul_n in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o survive_v both_o linus_n and_o cletus_n that_o succeed_v he_o till_o the_o union_n of_o the_o two_o church_n he_o govern_v both_o for_o whatever_o ground_n there_o be_v for_o the_o conjecture_n that_o there_o be_v separate_v church_n of_o christian_a jew_n and_o gentile_n in_o other_o city_n there_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a foundation_n for_o it_o at_o rome_n in_o the_o apostolical_a history_n act_v xxviii_o where_o st._n paul_n express_o declare_v to_o the_o jew_n that_o from_o thenceforth_o he_o will_v preach_v only_o to_o the_o gentile_n and_o so_o in_o all_o probability_n gather_v a_o distinct_a church_n of_o they_o by_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o in_o that_o famous_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n in_o which_o he_o derive_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n from_o st._n peter_n and_o paul_n down_o to_o eleutherius_fw-la his_o cotemporary_a that_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o single_a number_n but_o ecclesiae_fw-la petro_n &_o paulo_n romae_fw-la fundatae_fw-la &_o canstitutae_fw-la as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v several_a church_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v a_o pretty_a observation_n of_o mr._n thorndike_n that_o st._n paul_n be_v bury_v in_o the_o 18._o way_n to_o ostia_n and_o st._n peter_n in_o the_o vatican_n as_o we_o understand_v by_o caius_n in_o eusebius_n seem_v to_o point_v they_o out_o head_n the_o one_o of_o the_o jewish_a christian_n the_o other_o of_o the_o gentile_n in_o that_o the_o vatican_n be_v then_o the_o jury_n of_o rome_n and_o notorious_a for_o the_o residence_n of_o jew_n but_o though_o these_o first_o record_n can_v not_o be_v full_o make_v out_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o history_n but_o rather_o to_o suspect_v some_o mistake_n in_o aftertime_n or_o the_o omission_n of_o some_o circumstance_n that_o may_v if_o it_o have_v be_v record_v have_v remove_v the_o difficulty_n for_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a that_o when_o irenaeus_n to_o mention_v no_o more_o give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n from_o st._n peter_n down_o to_o the_o time_n when_o himself_o be_v at_o rome_n and_o who_o live_v not_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o st._n peter_n than_o we_o do_v from_o the_o first_o archbishop_n in_o queen_n elizabeth_n reign_n that_o we_o shall_v suspect_v the_o whole_a truth_n of_o his_o relation_n because_o we_o can_v give_v a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o the_o succession_n this_o i_o say_v be_v too_o hard_a deal_n with_o any_o ancient_a record_n though_o the_o conclusion_n be_v much_o hard_a that_o because_o we_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o all_o the_o person_n that_o succeed_v in_o church-government_n and_o of_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o their_o succession_n that_o therefore_o we_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o particular_a form_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o we_o have_v no_o record_n of_o any_o form_n but_o one_o as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n there_o the_o succession_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v clear_a as_o indeed_o it_o be_v unquestionable_a only_o it_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o choice_n of_o presbyter_n but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n the_o evidence_n of_o personal_a succession_n be_v enough_o and_o all_o that_o be_v pertinent_a to_o our_o present_a debate_n and_o the_o succession_n of_o ephesus_n may_v have_v be_v as_o unquestionable_a but_o that_o one_o leontius_n plead_v at_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n that_o all_o
the_o difference_n of_o some_o account_n concern_v the_o succession_n of_o some_o bishop_n but_o this_o have_v be_v object_v two_o or_o three_o time_n already_o and_o as_o often_o answer_v and_o therefore_o at_o present_a i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o to_o it_o than_o only_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o premise_n to_o mind_v the_o reader_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o conclusion_n that_o from_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o some_o person_n in_o the_o succession_n infer_v a_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o form_n of_o government_n itself_o and_o now_o be_o i_o come_v to_o our_o adversary_n only_o positive_a proof_n in_o their_o own_o behalf_n that_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n jerom_n for_o though_o they_o pretend_v to_o one_o or_o two_o author_n more_o yet_o still_o at_o the_o last_o push_n st._n hierom_n be_v the_o only_a man_n and_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o that_o be_v pretend_v from_o he_o be_v this_o that_o though_o the_o apostle_n exercise_v a_o superiority_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n during_o their_o own_o life_n yet_o immediate_o upon_o their_o decease_n have_v it_o seem_v provide_v no_o successor_n in_o that_o power_n that_o themselves_o enjoy_v the_o church_n be_v every_o where_o govern_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n or_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n but_o this_o form_n of_o government_n be_v quick_o find_v very_o apt_a to_o breed_v schism_n and_o division_n it_o be_v for_o the_o better_a prevention_n of_o they_o agree_v upon_o all_o the_o world_n over_o to_o choose_v one_o presbyter_n out_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o settle_v a_o supremacy_n of_o power_n upon_o he_o for_o the_o more_o effectual_a government_n of_o the_o church_n antequam_fw-la diaboli_fw-la instinctu_fw-la studia_fw-la in_o religione_fw-la fierent_fw-la &_o diceretur_fw-la in_o populis_fw-la ego_fw-la sum_fw-la pauli_n ego_fw-la apollo_n ego_fw-la autem_fw-la cephae_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernabantur_fw-la postquam_fw-la verò_fw-la unusquisque_fw-la eos_fw-la quos_fw-la baptisaverat_fw-la suos_fw-la putabat_fw-la esse_fw-la non_fw-la christi_fw-la in_fw-la toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la unus_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la electus_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la caeteris_fw-la ad_fw-la quem_fw-la omnis_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la cura_fw-la pertineret_fw-la ut_fw-la schismatum_fw-la semina_fw-la tollerentur_fw-la from_o whence_o it_o be_v infer_v that_o though_o this_o form_n of_o government_n happen_v to_o be_v set_v up_o in_o the_o after-age_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o any_o divine_a right_n or_o apostolical_a constitution_n but_o pure_o upon_o prudential_a motive_n and_o by_o the_o church_n discretion_n that_o may_v have_v institute_v either_o that_o or_o any_o other_o alterable_a form_n as_o it_o judge_v most_o tend_v to_o its_o own_o peace_n and_o settlement_n before_o i_o come_v to_o answer_v the_o whole_a argument_n i_o can_v but_o observe_v what_o disingenuous_a advantage_n these_o man_n make_v of_o the_o hasty_a expression_n of_o that_o good_a father_n let_v he_o in_o the_o heat_n and_o eagerness_n of_o dispute_n but_o drop_n a_o inconsiderate_a word_n that_o may_v reflect_v upon_o the_o record_n or_o the_o reputation_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n it_o immediate_o serve_v to_o justify_v all_o their_o innovation_n and_o thus_o i_o remember_v mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr in_o his_o shallow_a book_n of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o father_n frequent_o make_v good_a as_o he_o think_v his_o charge_n against_o they_o all_o only_a by_o impleading_a st._n hierom_n but_o though_o he_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o serve_v they_o at_o all_o turn_n yet_o in_o this_o argument_n they_o devolve_v the_o whole_a credit_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n upon_o his_o single_a authority_n and_o be_v it_o not_o very_o strange_a that_o two_o or_o three_o hasty_a passage_n of_o this_o single_a father_n not_o only_o against_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n but_o against_o his_o own_o express_a opinion_n shall_v be_v seize_v upon_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o greediness_n to_o give_v defiance_n to_o all_o the_o practice_n of_o antiquity_n that_o be_v bold_a enough_o but_o it_o be_v much_o more_o so_o to_o force_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n against_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o declaration_n to_o subscribe_v to_o his_o opinion_n as_o blondel_n have_v do_v who_o have_v first_o place_v st._n jerom_n in_o the_o front_n and_o flourish_v all_o his_o say_n with_o large_a commentary_n range_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n under_o his_o colour_n except_v only_a ignatius_n though_o since_o he_o too_o have_v have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o service_n but_o he_o have_v draw_v they_o into_o the_o party_n by_o such_o a_o force_a and_o presumptuous_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o i_o know_v not_o a_o great_a instance_n of_o the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n in_o a_o learned_a man_n i_o once_o think_v to_o have_v take_v he_o particular_o to_o task_n but_o his_o trifle_n be_v so_o gross_o palpable_a that_o there_o need_v no_o more_o to_o expose_v it_o to_o any_o man_n contempt_n than_o that_o he_o can_v endure_v the_o penance_n of_o read_v he_o over_o and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o discourse_n after_o a_o wise_a rate_n that_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n origen_n irenaeus_n tertullian_n epiphanius_n eusebius_n chrysostom_n theodoret_n theophylact_fw-mi be_v presbyterian_o it_o be_v just_a such_o another_o design_n as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o calvin_n beza_n blondel_n salmasius_n daillé_n and_o all_o the_o other_o calvinian_a father_n have_v be_v zealous_a assertor_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o yet_o this_o task_n too_o some_o man_n have_v undertake_v and_o i_o suppose_v will_v make_v good_a by_o the_o same_o topic_n and_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o will_v both_o gain_v belief_n together_o now_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o great_a authority_n of_o st._n jerom_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n allege_v and_o insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n some_o plead_v that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o own_o express_a and_o declare_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v for_o his_o settle_a and_o deliberate_a sense_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o only_o for_o a_o hasty_a and_o over-lavish_a expression_n other_o endeavour_v to_o expound_v he_o to_o a_o good_a sense_n consistent_a with_o himself_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n viz._n that_o writing_n against_o some_o proud_a deacon_n that_o will_v set_v themselves_o above_o presbyter_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v much_o the_o same_o insolence_n as_o if_o they_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o prefer_v themselves_o above_o the_o bishop_n in_o that_o the_o distance_n be_v much_o the_o same_o they_o alone_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o priesthood_n with_o the_o bishop_n whereas_o the_o deacon_n have_v no_o high_a office_n in_o the_o church_n than_o to_o serve_v table_n and_o poor_a widow_n so_o that_o the_o difference_n be_v the_o same_o as_o in_o the_o levitical_a priesthood_n the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n be_v as_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n who_o alone_o be_v account_v into_o the_o priestly_a office_n whereas_o the_o deacon_n have_v only_o the_o office_n of_o levite_n that_o be_v no_o better_a than_o servant_n to_o the_o priest_n and_o though_o presbyter_n at_o that_o time_n exercise_v no_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o they_o be_v former_o join_v with_o the_o bishop_n himself_o in_o the_o government_n of_o it_o and_o share_v in_o all_o act_n of_o power_n and_o discipline_n except_v only_a ordination_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o they_o be_v place_v so_o near_o to_o the_o high_a order_n that_o they_o be_v capable_a by_o virtue_n of_o their_o own_o order_n to_o exercise_v almost_o all_o the_o office_n of_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v endure_v that_o such_o inferior_a minister_n as_o the_o deacon_n be_v shall_v prefer_v themselves_o above_o they_o quis_fw-la patiatur_fw-la ut_fw-la mensarum_fw-la &_o viduarum_fw-la minister_n supra_fw-la eos_fw-la se_fw-la tumidus_fw-la efferat_fw-la ad_fw-la quorum_fw-la preces_fw-la christi_fw-la corpus_fw-la sanguisque_fw-la conficitur_fw-la though_o this_o probable_o be_v all_o the_o design_n of_o st._n jerom_n yet_o because_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v say_v more_o than_o he_o design_v i_o shall_v not_o contend_v about_o his_o meaning_n but_o shall_v give_v my_o adversary_n the_o whole_a advantage_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o let_v they_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o neither_o shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o overthrow_v it_o by_o the_o contrary_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n for_o though_o that_o be_v easy_o do_v the_o cause_n do_v not_o require_v it_o but_o grant_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n jeroms_n opinion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v never_o contradict_v by_o any_o ancient_a writer_n i_o will_v demonstrate_v the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o opinion_n itself_o from_o its_o own_o absurdity_n
if_o he_o will_v but_o have_v apply_v to_o the_o case_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o will_v have_v prevent_v the_o pain_n of_o all_o his_o ensue_a discourse_n for_o that_o be_v a_o society_n of_o itself_o as_o found_v upon_o divine_a right_n and_o power_n of_o govern_v itself_o be_v necessary_a to_o society_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n themselves_o than_o that_o the_o church_n must_v be_v endue_v with_o such_o a_o power_n so_o that_o once_o suppose_v society_n that_o alone_o infer_v government_n and_o all_o the_o act_n of_o it_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n our_o author_n observe_v out_o of_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n if_o their_o authority_n be_v to_o any_o purpose_n that_o whereas_o there_o be_v six_o law_n give_v by_o god_n to_o our_o first_o parent_n to_o oblige_v all_o mankind_n the_o last_o be_v de_fw-la judiciis_fw-la for_o as_o much_o as_o without_o that_o all_o the_o rest_n will_v have_v be_v ineffectual_a thus_o whereas_o idolatry_n and_o blasphemy_n which_o refer_v only_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o two_o first_o they_o can_v never_o have_v have_v the_o force_n of_o law_n among_o mankind_n unless_o some_o person_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o judge_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o crime_n and_o inflict_a punishment_n in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o sentence_n which_o he_o style_v not_o only_o the_o soul_n of_o government_n but_o the_o noble_a faculty_n of_o that_o soul_n and_o the_o noble_a act_n of_o that_o faculty_n and_o therefore_o when_o our_o author_n dispute_v whether_o the_o christian_a excommunication_n be_v take_v from_o the_o jew_n or_o the_o heathen_a and_o leave_v the_o case_n doubtful_a in_o that_o it_o be_v in_o use_n among_o most_o nation_n civil_a and_o barbarous_a as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n as_o he_o prove_v by_o a_o vast_a collection_n out_o of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o greek_n the_o roman_n arabian_n german_n gaul_n britan_n and_o other_o his_o most_o proper_a conclusion_n will_v have_v be_v that_o so_o universal_a a_o practice_n can_v be_v derive_v from_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n the_o two_o next_o period_n be_v from_o moses_n to_o the_o captivity_n when_o the_o jew_n enjoy_v the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o their_o own_o commonwealth_n and_o from_o the_o captivity_n to_o our_o saviour_n when_o they_o be_v either_o whole_o deprive_v of_o it_o or_o limit_v in_o its_o exercise_n according_a to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n to_o who_o they_o be_v subject_a in_o the_o first_o interval_n he_o prove_v at_o large_a that_o they_o have_v no_o such_o punishment_n as_o excommunication_n strict_o so_o call_v but_o that_o all_o officer_n whatsoever_o be_v punish_v with_o a_o loss_n or_o abatement_n of_o their_o civil_a liberty_n but_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n or_o the_o civil_a government_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n they_o be_v force_v have_v no_o more_o effectual_a way_n to_o punish_v offender_n against_o their_o law_n by_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n as_o pregnant_a proof_n both_o these_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o a_o modest_a man_n can_v well_o have_v desire_v for_o what_o can_v follow_v with_o great_a clearness_n of_o reason_n than_o that_o if_o the_o jewish_a state_n have_v no_o use_n of_o mere_a excommunication_n whilst_o it_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o restrain_v vice_n by_o the_o civil_a sword_n and_o that_o when_o it_o be_v deprive_v of_o this_o power_n it_o be_v force_v by_o the_o mere_a necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o punishment_n that_o therefore_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n of_o temporal_a coercion_n to_o punish_v offence_n against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n must_v be_v vest_v with_o some_o other_o power_n of_o punishment_n suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o its_o constitution_n otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v a_o society_n found_v by_o god_n himself_o without_o sufficient_a mean_n to_o govern_v that_o be_v preserve_v itself_o and_o if_o it_o have_v a_o right_n or_o power_n of_o discipline_n within_o itself_o that_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o the_o church_n demand_v and_o that_o our_o author_n deny_v but_o of_o these_o two_o long_a period_n the_o account_n as_o to_o our_o purpose_n be_v very_o short_a for_o as_o for_o the_o first_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o the_o right_n of_o church_n and_o state_n be_v grant_v by_o the_o same_o charter_n and_o the_o power_n of_o government_n vest_v in_o the_o same_o person_n and_o therefore_o all_o their_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n carry_v in_o they_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o society_n both_o a_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n whereas_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a constitution_n it_o be_v a_o kingdom_n indeed_o but_o not_o of_o this_o world_n endue_v with_o no_o temporal_a power_n and_o institute_v pure_o for_o spiritual_a end_n and_o therefore_o its_o government_n if_o it_o have_v any_o must_v be_v suitable_a to_o its_o institution_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o civil_a state_n and_o enforce_v by_o such_o penalty_n as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o society_n the_o great_a whereof_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o which_o answer_v to_o put_v to_o death_n by_o the_o civil_a sword_n so_o that_o the_o different_a constitution_n of_o these_o two_o society_n be_v consider_v it_o unavoidable_o follow_v because_o the_o jewish_a magistrate_n have_v a_o complete_a jurisdiction_n in_o all_o thing_n that_o therefore_o the_o jurisdiction_n proper_a to_o the_o church_n that_o have_v no_o civil_a power_n must_v be_v mere_o spiritual_a and_o if_o it_o have_v any_o jurisdiction_n proper_a to_o itself_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o purpose_n against_o they_o who_o say_v it_o have_v none_o as_o for_o the_o second_o that_o excommunication_n be_v take_v up_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n mere_o to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o the_o civil_a sword_n it_o be_v as_o clear_v a_o instance_n as_o can_v have_v be_v produce_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o this_o or_o the_o like_a punishment_n in_o all_o society_n where_o there_o be_v no_o other_o coercive_a power_n but_o here_o by_o the_o way_n though_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v that_o this_o punishment_n be_v then_o first_o make_v use_v of_o upon_o this_o ground_n yet_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o be_o not_o satisfy_v of_o the_o account_n that_o our_o author_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n give_v of_o it_o out_o of_o the_o talmudical_a writer_n for_o beside_o that_o they_o all_o writ_n when_o their_o nation_n be_v debauch_v with_o misnical_a and_o talmudical_a fable_n than_o which_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o invent_v any_o thing_n more_o absurd_a and_o silly_a they_o who_o be_v in_o comparison_n but_o very_o modern_a writer_n have_v no_o other_o mean_n of_o know_v what_o be_v do_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n but_o from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o history_n of_o those_o time_n and_o therefore_o their_o report_n can_v have_v no_o authority_n but_o as_o justify_v by_o those_o ancient_a record_n and_o whereas_o mr._n selden_n tell_v we_o for_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o own_o learning_n si_fw-mi cui_fw-la 1â—_n hic_fw-la dubium_fw-la forsan_fw-la occuâ—rat_fw-la utrum_fw-la corpori_fw-la &_o scriptoribus_fw-la talmuaiâ—is_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la in_o rebus_fw-la quatenus_fw-la historicae_fw-la sunt_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la quatenus_fw-la in_o eye_n pro_fw-la jure_fw-la qualicunque_fw-la ebreis_n veteribus_fw-la recognito_o atque_fw-la usitato_fw-la traâ—untur_fw-la fides_fw-la sit_fw-la habenda_fw-la eo_fw-la scilicet_fw-la quod_fw-la corpus_fw-la illud_fw-la quo_fw-la jam_fw-la habetur_fw-la contextum_fw-la scriptoresque_fw-la illi_fw-la caeteri_fw-la saeculorum_fw-la sunt_fw-la templi_fw-la urbisque_fw-la excidio_fw-la recentiorum_fw-la be_v for_o san_fw-it etiam_fw-la dubitabit_fw-la de_fw-la justiniani_n seu_fw-la triboniani_n fide_fw-la dum_fw-la modestini_fw-la papiniani_n florentini_fw-la alpheni_fw-la proculi_fw-la celsi_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la aliorum_fw-la qui_fw-la trecentis_fw-la aut_fw-la circiter_fw-la sunt_fw-la justiniano_n annis_fw-la vetustiores_fw-la sententias_fw-la atque_fw-la scita_fw-la juris_fw-la alibi_fw-la non_fw-la reperta_fw-la he_o may_v have_v observe_v that_o these_o two_o case_n be_v vast_o different_a for_o there_o be_v certain_a record_n and_o report_n of_o those_o famous_a lawyer_n which_o be_v convey_v by_o write_v from_o age_n to_o age_n as_o be_v the_o write_n of_o other_o author_n whereas_o there_o be_v no_o footstep_n of_o any_o monument_n for_o the_o rabinical_a fable_n and_o as_o they_o have_v no_o ancient_a authority_n so_o they_o discover_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o foolishness_n to_o have_v be_v the_o invention_n of_o a_o very_a barbarous_a and_o degenerate_a age._n so_o that_o our_o author_n if_o he_o will_v have_v find_v a_o parallel_a
all_o case_n that_o come_v in_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o new_a persuasion_n that_o be_v to_o say_v all_o case_n that_o concern_v the_o christian_a church_n so_o p._n 207._o et_fw-la qui_fw-la annis_fw-la proximius_fw-la sequentibus_fw-la è_fw-la gentilibus_fw-la sine_fw-la judaismi_fw-la proselytismi_fw-la christi_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la amplexati_fw-la sunt_fw-la judaeorum_fw-la nihilominus_fw-la nomine_fw-la ita_fw-la simul_fw-la cum_fw-la reliquis_fw-la judaeis_n paritor_n veniebant_fw-la eorumque_fw-la diu_fw-la juribus_fw-la aliis_fw-la non_fw-la paucis_fw-la ita_fw-la utebantur_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la videatur_fw-la omnino_fw-la dubitandum_fw-la quin_fw-la inter_fw-la jura_fw-la illa_fw-la etâ—am_fw-la hoc_fw-la de_fw-fr excommunicatione_n judaica_n quantum_fw-la ad_fw-la species_n ejus_fw-la seu_fw-la gradus_fw-la nam_fw-la quantum_fw-la ad_fw-la causas_fw-la necessum_fw-la erat_fw-la ut_fw-la alitâ—r_fw-la se_fw-la res_fw-la haberet_fw-la quod_fw-la nemo_fw-la non_fw-la videt_fw-la pariter_fw-la à _fw-la cunctis_fw-la ut_fw-la ante_fw-la pro_fw-la re_fw-la nata_fw-la adhiberetur_fw-la but_o if_o the_o cause_n for_o which_o excommunication_n be_v inflict_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v as_o the_o parenthesis_n inform_v we_o of_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o those_o for_o which_o it_o be_v inflict_v among_o the_o jew_n then_o without_o any_o far_a dispute_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o christian_a excommunication_n be_v distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n so_o last_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o p._n 225._o nec_fw-la disciplina_fw-la illa_fw-la apud_fw-la eos_fw-la alia_fw-la quam_fw-la judaismus_fw-la veer_fw-la reformatus_fw-la sen_fw-la cum_fw-la fide_fw-la in_o messiam_fw-la seu_fw-la christum_fw-la rite_n conjunctus_fw-la unde_fw-la judaei_n omnimodi_fw-la quantum_fw-la ad_fw-la hanc_fw-la rem_fw-la in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d credentes_fw-la &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d non_fw-la credentes_fw-la tribui_fw-la solebant_fw-la we_o be_v here_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o discipline_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o what_o be_v in_o the_o jewish_a state_n before_o christianity_n but_o now_o it_o be_v the_o discipline_n of_o reform_a judaisme_n i._n e._n of_o christianity_n but_o pass_v by_o these_o humble_a concession_n or_o rather_o contradiction_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o purpose_n that_o though_o all_o christian_n be_v jew_n all_o jew_n be_v not_o christian_n so_o that_o though_o the_o christian_n enjoy_v the_o same_o right_n in_o common_a with_o the_o jew_n yet_o they_o must_v have_v some_o right_n peculiar_a to_o themselves_o as_o christian_n non_fw-la aliter_fw-la as_o our_o author_n express_v it_o atque_fw-la be_v qui_fw-la civis_fw-la romani_fw-la aliusve_fw-la reipublicae_fw-la seu_fw-la sodalitii_fw-la 12â—_n aliâ—ujus_fw-la socius_fw-la jura_fw-la pristina_fw-la retinet_fw-la vicunque_fw-la in_o persuasionem_fw-la aliquam_fw-la inter_fw-la suos_fw-la singularem_fw-la pro_fw-la libitu_fw-la transeat_fw-la in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o a_o citizen_n of_o rome_n retain_v his_o former_a right_n notwithstanding_o he_o enter_v himself_o into_o any_o new_a society_n to_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v add_v that_o the_o right_n of_o the_o society_n into_o which_o he_o enter_v himself_o be_v distinct_a from_o those_o wherewith_o he_o be_v antecedent_o vest_v as_o a_o citizen_n of_o rome_n and_o therefore_o all_o this_o long_a discourse_n be_v quite_o beside_o the_o purpose_n that_o because_o the_o christian_n enjoy_v the_o same_o privilege_n with_o jew_n that_o therefore_o they_o enjoy_v none_o as_o christian_n which_o be_v to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a privilege_n and_o so_o be_v that_o of_o the_o edict_n of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n who_o it_o seem_v know_v nothing_o of_o the_o difference_n between_o christian_n and_o jew_n what_o then_o be_v there_o none_o because_o the_o enemy_n or_o stranger_n to_o the_o church_n be_v unacquainted_a with_o its_o peculiar_a constitution_n and_o yet_o here_o too_o our_o author_n be_v quite_o beside_o the_o purpose_n not_o only_o in_o matter_n of_o right_n but_o in_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o to_o the_o authority_n he_o allege_v the_o first_o and_o chief_a whereof_o be_v the_o edict_n of_o the_o emperor_n claudius_n for_o the_o banishment_n of_o all_o jew_n from_o rome_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o say_v he_o aquila_n who_o be_v a_o christian_a be_v banish_v too_o and_o very_o good_a reason_n because_o he_o that_o be_v a_o christian_a be_v a_o jew_n too_o and_o if_o he_o be_v banish_v as_o a_o jew_n it_o be_v no_o matter_n whether_o he_o be_v a_o christian_a or_o not_o when_o the_o edict_n be_v make_v against_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n his_o other_o instance_n be_v out_o of_o celsus_n who_o object_n it_o both_o against_o the_o christian_n and_o jew_n that_o all_o that_o great_a difference_n they_o make_v about_o their_o messiah_n be_v about_o a_o very_a trifle_n but_o do_v mr._n selden_n think_v that_o celsus_n his_o authority_n be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v it_o so_o if_o he_o do_v than_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o celsus_n and_o himself_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n for_o he_o frequent_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o christian_n and_o jew_n be_v the_o same_o man_n only_o that_o those_o be_v believer_n these_o unbeliever_n as_o if_o the_o difference_n be_v as_o inconsiderable_a as_o celsus_n make_v the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o his_o authority_n be_v not_o sufficient_a as_o i_o suppose_v no_o good_a christian_n will_v grant_v it_o be_v especial_o in_o this_o case_n then_o it_o be_v here_o allege_a apparent_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o whereas_o he_o add_v that_o origen_n answer_v that_o the_o jew_n who_o believe_v in_o jesus_n do_v not_o withstand_v live_a according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o their_o nation_n he_o ought_v to_o have_v add_v too_o that_o they_o live_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o their_o messiah_n for_o it_o be_v that_o great_a and_o sacred_a law_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o make_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o a_o jew_n and_o a_o christian_a which_o be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o be_v not_o great_a between_o a_o jew_n and_o a_o gentile_a but_o however_o if_o there_o be_v any_o difference_n at_o all_o it_o spoil_v all_o our_o author_n discourse_n that_o proceed_v upon_o this_o only_a principle_n that_o there_o be_v none_o which_o be_v so_o absurd_a that_o it_o have_v all_o along_o force_v he_o upon_o the_o forementioned_a cowardly_a contradiction_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v none_o but_o what_o be_v make_v by_o christianity_n but_o suppose_v that_o the_o christian_n exercise_v a_o jurisdiction_n among_o themselves_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o imperial_a edict_n to_o the_o jew_n as_o he_o tell_v we_o what_o if_o they_o have_v never_o be_v authorise_v by_o any_o such_o edict_n will_v they_o have_v have_v no_o authority_n to_o censure_v or_o excommunicate_v scandalous_a offender_n do_v st._n paul_n proceed_v against_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a by_o the_o grant_n of_o claudius_n to_o the_o jew_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o law_n and_o custom_n if_o he_o do_v not_o than_o he_o act_v by_o virtue_n of_o some_o other_o authority_n if_o he_o do_v then_o when_o any_o of_o the_o follow_a emperor_n reverse_v this_o edict_n the_o authority_n of_o st._n paul_n in_o this_o matter_n have_v cease_v what_o then_o become_v of_o the_o church_n when_o nero_n present_o after_o forbid_v the_o exercise_n of_o christianity_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o in_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v not_o then_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n a_o unlawful_a thing_n no_o say_v our_o author_n because_o this_o decree_n be_v make_v against_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o particular_a and_o therefore_o do_v not_o deprive_v they_o of_o those_o privilege_n that_o belong_v to_o they_o in_o common_a with_o the_o jew_n but_o however_o upon_o this_o principle_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o it_o debar_v they_o of_o this_o power_n as_o peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o then_o whatever_o jurisdiction_n they_o exercise_v as_o jew_n they_o have_v no_o right_n of_o exercise_v any_o discipline_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n as_o st._n paul_n command_v the_o corinthian_n and_o then_o all_o the_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n that_o be_v execute_v in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o several_a persecution_n be_v open_a rebellion_n against_o the_o state_n but_o beside_o what_o if_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o reverse_v all_o privilege_n grant_v to_o the_o jew_n than_o the_o power_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n must_v have_v cease_v among_o christian_n and_o last_o when_o he_o add_v for_o his_o last_o reserve_n for_o keep_v up_o a_o discipline_n in_o the_o church_n contrary_a to_o the_o command_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n the_o confederacy_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o oblige_v themselves_o by_o mutual_a compact_n and_o covenant_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n he_o shall_v have_v consider_v that_o all_o such_o confederation_n be_v upon_o his_o principle_n nothing_o less_o than_o conspiracy_n
a_o incomparable_a treasure_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o omit_v daille_n belove_a negative_a and_o internal_a argument_n which_o his_o adversary_n have_v for_o ever_o rout_v with_o a_o prodigious_a force_n of_o reason_n and_o dexterity_n of_o learning_n i_o shall_v only_o give_v a_o account_n in_o short_a of_o the_o main_a rational_a point_n of_o the_o controversy_n that_o be_v what_o ancient_a testimony_n be_v to_o be_v allege_v either_o for_o or_o against_o their_o antiquity_n on_o the_o one_o side_n they_o be_v frequent_o own_v and_o quote_v by_o all_o the_o first_o general_a council_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v be_v enact_v in_o the_o interval_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a they_o be_v cite_v by_o many_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n as_o canon_n of_o the_o first_o and_o most_o early_a antiquity_n and_o they_o be_v express_o refer_v to_o by_o the_o most_o famous_a emperor_n in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a law_n all_o which_o concurrent_a testimony_n any_o moderate_a man_n will_v think_v sufficient_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o any_o write_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v all_o overrule_v by_o a_o single_a decree_n of_o pope_n gelasius_n suppose_v to_o be_v make_v anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 494._o in_o which_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v reckon_v among_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o first_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o set_v up_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o man_n against_o many_o that_o be_v more_o ancient_a and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o competent_a witness_n than_o himself_o second_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o any_o such_o decree_n as_o be_v pretend_v be_v ever_o make_v by_o gelasius_n in_o that_o we_o never_o hear_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o till_o at_o least_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o his_o time_n three_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o decree_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o passage_n concern_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v foist_v into_o it_o it_o not_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a copy_n and_o hincmarus_n a_o person_n of_o singular_a learning_n in_o his_o time_n that_o make_v mention_n of_o this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n as_o early_o as_o any_o writer_n whatsoever_o express_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n in_o the_o whole_a decree_n de_fw-fr his_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la canonibus_fw-la penitus_fw-la taâ—uit_fw-la sed_fw-la nec_fw-la inter_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la eos_fw-la misit_fw-la where_o he_o express_o affirm_v that_o in_o the_o decree_n these_o canon_n be_v altogether_o omit_v and_o range_v neither_o with_o the_o orthodox_n nor_o with_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n this_o testimony_n be_v give_v in_o with_o as_o peremptory_a term_n as_o can_v be_v express_v and_o therefore_o daillé_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o to_o serve_v his_o cause_n quite_o invert_v the_o proposition_n and_o change_v misit_fw-la into_o omisit_fw-la that_o be_v turn_v i_o into_o no._n but_o man_n that_o can_v deal_v thus_o with_o their_o author_n need_v never_o trouble_v their_o head_n with_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o after_o this_o rate_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o make_v any_o author_n affirm_v or_o deny_v what_o they_o please_v but_o four_a suppose_v gelasius_n have_v make_v any_o such_o decree_n how_o do_v that_o destroy_v the_o antiquity_n of_o these_o canon_n when_o he_o have_v condemn_v the_o book_n of_o tertullian_n arnobius_n lactantius_n and_o eusebius_n for_o apocryphal_a and_o yet_o tertullian_n live_v three_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o decree_n and_o therefore_o why_o may_v not_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v allow_v their_o repute_a antiquity_n too_o notwithstanding_o that_o sentence_n which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o authority_n his_o holiness_n be_v please_v to_o allow_v they_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o not_o at_o all_o to_o their_o antiquity_n unless_o perhaps_o he_o design_v to_o declare_v that_o they_o be_v not_o frame_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o as_o he_o may_v fancy_v from_o their_o title_n not_o know_v that_o whatever_o be_v of_o prime_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v by_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o it_o style_v apostolical_a as_o be_v suppose_v to_o descend_v from_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o five_o will_n mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la allow_v this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n sufficient_a to_o give_v any_o book_n the_o apocryphal_a stamp_n if_o he_o will_v than_o he_o must_v reject_v many_o of_o the_o best_a father_n and_o in_o their_o stead_n admit_v the_o act_n of_o st._n sylvester_n the_o invention_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o st._n john_n baptist_n head_n for_o whilst_o the_o history_n of_o eusebius_n together_o with_o the_o other_o father_n be_v reject_v such_o fable_n as_o these_o be_v warrant_v by_o that_o barbarous_a and_o gothish_a decree_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o to_o destroy_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o man_n censure_n his_o mere_a want_n of_o judgement_n now_o compare_v this_o one_o pretend_a testimony_n of_o gelasius_n under_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v with_o the_o express_a counter-testimony_n of_o so_o many_o council_n father_n and_o emperor_n if_o any_o man_n be_v resolve_v notwithstanding_o all_o to_o stick_v to_o it_o i_o will_v say_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o his_o cause_n be_v much_o more_o beholden_a to_o he_o than_o he_o to_o his_o cause_n and_o now_o have_v give_v this_o account_n of_o these_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n if_o we_o descend_v to_o their_o successor_n from_o age_n to_o age_n we_o be_v there_o overwhelm_v with_o the_o crowd_n of_o witness_n but_o because_o they_o have_v be_v so_o often_o allege_v and_o urge_v by_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v have_v whole_o wave_v their_o citation_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n make_v use_v of_o several_a shift_n and_o artifices_fw-la to_o evade_v their_o authority_n and_o therefore_o though_o i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o their_o direct_a testimony_n yet_o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o all_o their_o exception_n and_o here_o the_o first_o pretence_n be_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o their_o testimony_n which_o be_v endeavour_v to_o be_v make_v out_o by_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o that_o personal_a succession_n may_v be_v without_o such_o superiority_n of_o order_n second_o that_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v common_a after_o the_o distinction_n between_o they_o be_v introduce_v three_o that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o own_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o divine_a institution_n but_o ecclesiastical_a and_o those_o who_o seem_v to_o speak_v most_o of_o it_o do_v mean_v no_o more_o first_o then_o a_o succession_n there_o may_v be_v as_o to_o a_o different_a degree_n and_o not_o as_o to_o a_o different_a order_n before_o we_o distinguish_v between_o order_n and_o power_n now_o between_o order_n and_o degree_n and_o by_o and_o by_o between_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o these_o distinction_n be_v only_o the_o trifling_n of_o the_o schoolman_n who_o proper_a faculty_n it_o be_v to_o divide_v every_o thing_n till_o they_o have_v reduce_v it_o to_o nothing_o for_o what_o do_v the_o degree_n of_o a_o church-officer_n signify_v but_o such_o a_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o what_o order_n be_v there_o without_o a_o power_n of_o office_n according_a to_o its_o degree_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a prevaricate_a with_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n to_o impose_v these_o little_a subtlety_n upon_o the_o sense_n of_o antiquity_n they_o good_a man_n mean_v plain_o and_o honest_o and_o when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o apostolical_a succession_n they_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o these_o scholastic_a distinction_n and_o intend_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o succession_n in_o the_o government_n of_o their_o several_a church_n thus_o when_o irenaeus_n give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o twelve_o bishop_n of_o rome_n successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o see_v what_o do_v he_o mean_v but_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o that_o church_n when_o that_o be_v the_o only_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n in_o his_o time_n he_o never_o dream_v of_o their_o be_v strip_v of_o the_o apostolical_a power_n and_o so_o only_o succeed_v they_o in_o a_o empty_a title_n in_o the_o mere_a name_n or_o the_o metaphysical_a notion_n of_o bishop_n and_o they_o be_v no_o more_o if_o they_o have_v no_o more_o power_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o second_o this_o new_a distinction_n spoil_v the_o former_a evasion_n viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v superior_a in_o order_n not_o in_o power_n over_o the_o lxx_o but_o now_o a_o
so_o express_o derive_v down_o by_o single_a person_n and_o when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v vouch_v by_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o succession_n it_o be_v a_o very_a cold_a answer_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o father_n talk_v only_o of_o a_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o of_o person_n four_o this_o personal_a succession_n so_o much_o speak_v of_o be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n even_o after_o the_o distinction_n come_v in_o use_n between_o bishop_n and_o they_o i_o pray_v by_o who_o why_o by_o irenaeus_n but_o do_v irenaeus_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o his_o own_o time_n confound_v their_o name_n and_o office_n or_o any_o other_o author_n of_o the_o same_o age_n nay_o do_v they_o not_o careful_o distinguish_v they_o from_o each_o other_o though_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n as_o do_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o may_v speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o those_o time_n the_o name_n therefore_o of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v not_o then_o distinguish_v it_o be_v but_o proper_a for_o they_o to_o express_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v then_o express_v so_o that_o though_o irenaeus_n never_o will_v style_v a_o bishop_n of_o his_o own_o time_n by_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n but_o ever_o careful_o distinguish_v the_o two_o order_n yet_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o time_n it_o be_v neither_o wonder_n nor_o impropriety_n if_o he_o call_v they_o presbyter_n for_o i_o will_v yield_v so_o far_o to_o our_o adversary_n that_o they_o be_v so_o call_v till_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o succeed_v into_o their_o power_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v distinguish_v by_o some_o proper_a name_n from_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o root_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n that_o they_o will_v have_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o have_v be_v bear_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o name_n which_o if_o we_o will_v not_o grant_v they_o as_o without_o a_o manifest_a affront_n to_o the_o apostle_n we_o can_v their_o whole_a cause_n sink_v to_o nothing_o for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a proof_n allege_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o sententia_fw-la hieronymi_n that_o the_o office_n be_v not_o distinguish_v before_o the_o name_n but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o due_a place_n already_o at_o present_a i_o challenge_v they_o to_o produce_v any_o one_o author_n that_o treat_v of_o thing_n after_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o word_n be_v make_v ever_o call_v a_o bishop_n a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n and_o in_o that_o i_o be_o very_o much_o their_o friend_n for_o if_o they_o can_v it_o utter_o overthrow_v their_o main_a argument_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o their_o name_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o promiscuous_o use_v after_o the_o distinction_n but_o that_o by_o the_o word_n presbyteri_fw-la irenaeus_n do_v not_o mean_v a_o simple_a presbyter_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o word_n themselves_o in_o which_o he_o prescribe_v against_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o undoubted_a antiquity_n of_o the_o church_n tradition_n which_o he_o say_v be_v convey_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o the_o ancient_n who_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o by_o his_o presbyteri_fw-la he_o mean_v as_o he_o explain_v himself_o such_o of_o the_o ancient_n qui_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la successionem_fw-la habent_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n i._n e._n the_o ancient_a bishop_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o meet_v with_o material_a upon_o this_o head_n for_o when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o ignatius_n himself_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o a_o divine_a but_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n they_o be_v to_o be_v give_v up_o for_o pleasant_a man_n that_o will_v attempt_v any_o paradox_n in_o pursuit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o it_o exceed_v even_o the_o rashness_n of_o blondel_n himself_o who_o that_o as_o he_o speak_v his_o st._n jerom_n may_v not_o stand_v alone_o like_o a_o sparrow_n upon_o the_o house_n top_n have_v after_o his_o rate_n of_o infer_v fetch_v in_o all_o the_o father_n to_o bear_v he_o company_n except_o only_a ignatius_n who_o it_o seem_v he_o despair_v of_o make_v ever_o to_o chirp_v pro_fw-la sententiâ_fw-la hieronymi_n but_o now_o it_o seem_v at_o last_o that_o the_o holy_a martyr_n himself_o may_v not_o be_v make_v the_o solitary_a sparrow_n by_o be_v desert_v by_o all_o the_o father_n he_o be_v bring_v over_o to_o the_o party_n but_o with_o such_o manifest_a force_n to_o himself_o as_o plain_o show_v he_o to_o be_v no_o volunteer_n in_o the_o cause_n thus_o when_o he_o commend_v the_o deacon_n sotion_n for_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n ut_fw-la gratiae_fw-la dei_fw-la and_o to_o the_o presbytery_n ut_fw-la legi_fw-la jesus_n christi_fw-la by_o the_o law_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o be_v teach_v to_o understand_v divine_a institution_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n only_o humane_a prudence_n though_o that_o too_o be_v direct_v to_o it_o by_o the_o special_a favour_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n of_o preserve_a peace_n and_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v it_o so_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n no_o doubt_n be_v as_o firm_a a_o ground_n of_o divine_a institution_n as_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o if_o episcopacy_n be_v establish_v by_o god_n special_a favour_n we_o be_v as_o well_o content_a with_o it_o as_o if_o it_o have_v come_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o christ._n neither_o do_v this_o interpretation_n derogate_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o episcopal_a order_n but_o very_o much_o from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n wisdom_n viz._n that_o when_o he_o have_v establish_v presbytery_n in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o government_n of_o it_o that_o establishment_n be_v find_v so_o ineffectual_a for_o its_o end_n that_o almighty_a god_n be_v afterward_o constrain_v for_o prevent_v of_o schism_n and_o preserve_v of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o inspire_v the_o governor_n of_o it_o in_o after-age_n to_o set_v up_o the_o form_n of_o episcopal_a government_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v no_o less_o disparagement_n to_o himself_o than_o his_o son_n for_o see_v what_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o church_n he_o do_v by_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o father_n if_o its_o institution_n prove_v defective_a for_o its_o end_n it_o be_v a_o equal_a oversight_n of_o both_o and_o the_o aftergame_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v only_o to_o supply_v a_o defect_n that_o they_o do_v not_o foresee_v but_o be_v teach_v by_o experience_n a_o very_a honourable_a representation_n this_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n however_o take_v it_o which_o way_n we_o will_v we_o can_v desire_v a_o plain_a acknowledgement_n of_o divine_a institution_n for_o so_o it_o come_v from_o god_n it_o matter_n not_o which_o way_n he_o be_v please_v to_o convey_v it_o to_o we_o and_o now_o have_v we_o not_o reason_n to_o wonder_v when_o we_o see_v man_n attempt_v to_o bring_v this_o holy_a martyr_n off_o with_o such_o slight_n so_o express_o against_o his_o own_o declare_a opinion_n who_o every_o where_o ground_n his_o exhortation_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o add_v even_o in_o the_o word_n follow_v the_o forecited_a passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o not_o to_o he_o but_o to_o the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o we_o all_o and_o therefore_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o he_o that_o require_v it_o it_o be_v our_o bind_a duty_n to_o be_v obedient_a without_o hypocrisy_n what_o can_v be_v plain_a than_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n stand_v whole_o upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n so_o again_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v we_o take_v care_n not_o to_o oppose_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v be_v obedient_a to_o god_n and_o if_o any_o man_n observe_v the_o silence_n of_o his_o bishop_n let_v he_o reverence_v he_o so_o much_o the_o more_o for_o every_o one_o that_o the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n put_v into_o the_o stewardship_n we_o ought_v to_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o master_n himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o we_o ought_v to_o reverence_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v our_o lord_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o great_a oversight_n to_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o testimony_n in_o all_o ignatius_n epistle_n that_o prove_v the_o least_o semblance_n of_o a_o institution_n of_o christ_n for_o episcopacy_n when_o