all_o the_o church_n they_o look_v upon_o that_o as_o their_o peculiar_a charge_n and_o govern_v not_o as_o ordinary_a presbyter_n but_o by_o apostolic_a authority_n as_o a_o metropolitan_a who_o although_o he_o have_v the_o supervise_v of_o all_o the_o diocese_n within_o his_o province_n yet_o may_v have_v his_o proper_a diocese_n which_o he_o govern_v as_o a_o particular_a bishop_n and_o the_o office_n of_o a_o apostle_n do_v not_o essential_o consist_v in_o the_o govern_n of_o more_o church_n than_o one_o else_o st._n paul_n will_v never_o have_v vindicate_v his_o apostleship_n from_o the_o particular_a right_n he_o have_v over_o the_o corinthian_n 9.2_o 1_o cor._n 9.2_o if_o i_o be_v not_o a_o apostle_n to_o other_o yet_o doubtless_o i_o be_o to_o you_o for_o the_o seal_n of_o my_o apostleship_n be_v you_o in_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o though_o he_o have_v have_v no_o more_o church_n to_o govern_v yet_o his_o apostolic_a authority_n may_v have_v be_v still_o exercise_v over_o that_o particular_a one_o of_o corinth_n the_o province_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o large_a as_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n for_o these_o be_v either_o send_v to_o such_o city_n or_o part_n whither_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o can_v not_o go_v or_o leave_v where_o they_o can_v not_o stay_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v the_o diocese_n of_o timothy_n from_o whence_o although_o the_o great_a occasion_n of_o other_o church_n may_v call_v he_o away_o and_o require_v his_o assistance_n yet_o his_o authority_n be_v not_o temporal_a nor_o will_v it_o have_v expire_v if_o he_o have_v reside_v a_o long_a while_n at_o ephesus_n so_o that_o these_o apostolic_a man_n be_v not_o so_o because_o they_o be_v unfixt_v but_o because_o they_o have_v that_o eminence_n of_o authority_n which_o they_o may_v exercise_v in_o one_o or_o more_o church_n according_a as_o their_o necessity_n do_v require_v or_o as_o the_o spirit_n signify_v and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o settle_v in_o one_o place_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o their_o time_n and_o not_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o office_n for_o the_o harvest_n be_v now_o great_a and_o such_o labourer_n as_o these_o be_v but_o few_o and_o therefore_o their_o presence_n be_v require_v in_o several_a place_n and_o as_o this_o unsetledness_n be_v not_o essential_a to_o apostolic_a authority_n no_o more_o be_v it_o essential_a to_o episcopacy_n to_o be_v determine_v to_o a_o certain_a church_n every_o bishop_n be_v bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o that_o his_o authority_n be_v confine_v to_o a_o certain_a district_n be_v only_o the_o positive_a law_n of_o the_o church_n that_o forbid_v one_o bishop_n any_o exercise_n of_o his_o office_n within_o the_o diocese_n of_o another_o and_z st._n paul_n seem_v to_o have_v give_v they_o the_o occasion_n who_o will_v not_o build_v upon_o another_o man_n foundation_n however_o in_o any_o case_n of_o necessity_n this_o positure_n law_n be_v superseeded_a and_o a_o bishop_n may_v act_v in_o any_o place_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o general_a power_n he_o have_v receive_v in_o his_o ordination_n so_o that_o this_o first_o exception_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o evangelist_n be_v unfixt_v and_o bishop_n determine_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n can_v make_v no_o essential_a difference_n as_o to_o the_o visitor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n they_o make_v evident_o against_o mr._n b_n notion_n of_o a_o essential_a difference_n between_o bishop_n and_o evangelist_n for_o first_o of_o all_o the_o residence_n be_v fix_v to_o certain_a city_n and_o their_o jurisdiction_n confine_v within_o certain_a province_n as_o the_o superintendent_n of_o the_o country_n of_o orkney_n be_v to_o keep_v his_o residence_n in_o the_o town_n of_o keirkwall_n 158._o spotswood_n hist_o scot._n l._n 3._o p._n 158._o he_o of_o rosse_n in_o the_o channory_n of_o rosse_n and_o so_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o town_n appoint_v for_o their_o residence_n their_o office_n be_v to_o try_v the_o life_n diligence_n and_o behaviour_n of_o the_o minister_n the_o order_n of_o their_o church_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o people_n how_o the_o poor_a be_v provide_v and_o how_o the_o youth_n be_v instruct_v they_o must_v admonish_v where_o admonition_n need_v and_o dress_v all_o thing_n that_o by_o good_a counsel_n they_o be_v able_a to_o compose_v final_o they_o must_v take_v note_n of_o all_o heinous_a crime_n that_o the_o same_o may_v be_v correct_v by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n so_o far_o of_o their_o constitution_n as_o we_o find_v it_o in_o mr._n knox_n first_o project_n of_o church-polity_n 258._o spotswood_n p._n 258._o and_o their_o practice_n be_v altogether_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n as_o bishop_n spotswood_n describe_v it_o the_o superintendent_o hold_v their_o office_n during_o life_n and_o their_o power_n be_v episcopal_a for_o they_o do_v elect_v and_o ordain_v minister_n they_o preside_v in_o synod_n and_o direct_v all_o church_n censure_n neither_o be_v any_o excommunication_n pronounce_v without_o their_o warrant_n and_o now_o let_v the_o reader_n judge_v how_o the_o constitution_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n become_v a_o crime_n and_o yet_o these_o visitor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n conformable_a to_o divine_a institution_n as_o to_o the_o second_o exception_n that_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n be_v episcopi_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la and_o have_v bishop_n under_o their_o jurisdiction_n which_o our_o diocesan_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n but_o of_o particular_a church_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o this_o make_v no_o difference_n at_o leastwise_o no_o essential_a one_o for_o the_o same_o person_n may_v have_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o diocese_n and_o yet_o have_v the_o supervise_v power_n over_o several_a other_o but_o in_o this_o point_n mr._n b._n do_v but_o equivocate_a and_o impose_v upon_o his_o reader_n for_o by_o his_o episcopus_fw-la gregis_fw-la he_o mean_v only_o a_o presbyter_n and_o a_o particular_a bishop_n may_v have_v jurisdiction_n over_o such_o without_o any_o injury_n or_o prejudice_n do_v to_o the_o office_n which_o from_o its_o first_o institution_n have_v be_v under_o the_o direction_n of_o a_o superior_a apostolical_a power_n if_o therefore_o these_o presbyter_n do_v retain_v all_o that_o power_n which_o essential_o belong_v to_o they_o under_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n how_o be_v they_o degrade_v in_o short_a either_o this_o order_n of_o congregational_a episcopacy_n be_v different_a from_o presbytery_n or_o the_o same_o with_o it_o if_o the_o same_o how_o be_v it_o abrogate_a by_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n since_o presbyter_n be_v still_o in_o the_o full_a possession_n and_o exercise_n of_o their_o office_n if_o they_o be_v distinct_a how_o then_o come_v mr._n b._n to_o confound_v they_o as_o he_o do_v §_o 16._o where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o set_v more_o than_o one_o of_o these_o elder_n or_o bishop_n in_o every_o church_n so_o then_o those_o apostolic_a man_n as_o bishop_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n wherein_o as_o they_o reside_v have_v authority_n over_o presbyter_n within_o the_o extent_n of_o their_o diocese_n and_o a_o general_a supervise_v care_n of_o several_a other_o church_n and_o so_o they_o be_v episcopi_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la in_o the_o first_o they_o be_v succeed_v by_o diocesan_n bishop_n in_o the_o latter_a by_o metropolitan_o which_o yet_o be_v never_o look_v upon_o as_o two_o order_n essential_o distinct_a but_o after_o all_o this_o we_o shall_v never_o come_v to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o mr._n b_n episcopacy_n unless_o we_o take_v along_o with_o it_o his_o notion_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n which_o he_o set_v down_o p._n 6._o §_o 19_o there_o be_v great_a evidence_n of_o history_n 6._o p._n 6._o that_o a_o particular_a church_n of_o the_o apostle_n settle_v be_v essential_o only_o a_o company_n of_o christian_n pastor_n and_o people_n associate_v for_o personal_a holy_a communion_n and_o mutual_a help_n in_o holy_a doctrine_n worship_n conversation_n and_o order_n therefore_o it_o never_o consist_v of_o so_o few_o or_o so_o many_o or_o so_o distant_a as_o to_o be_v uncapable_a of_o such_o personal_a help_n and_o communion_n but_o be_v ever_o distinguish_v as_o from_o accidental_a meeting_n so_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o many_o church_n or_o distant_a christian_n which_o be_v hold_v but_o by_o delegate_n synod_n of_o pastor_n or_o letter_n and_o not_o by_o personal_a help_n in_o presence_n not_o that_o all_o these_o must_v needs_o always_o meet_v in_o the_o same_o place_n but_o that_o usual_o they_o do_v so_o or_o at_o due_a time_n at_o least_o and_o be_v no_o more_o nor_o more_o distant_a than_o can_v so_o meet_v sometime_o persecution_n hinder_v they_o sometime_o the_o room_n may_v be_v too_o small_a even_o independent_a church_n among_o we_o sometime_o meet_v in_o diverse_a place_n
they_o believe_v they_o be_v baptise_a both_o man_n and_o woman_n now_o the_o apostle_n who_o remain_v in_o jerusalem_n when_o they_o hear_v of_o this_o success_n send_v peter_n and_o john_n thither_o who_o confirm_v the_o believer_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o why_o can_v not_o philip_n do_v this_o epiphan_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d schol._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d epiphan_n he_o can_v dispossess_v unclean_a spirit_n and_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n he_o can_v preach_v powerful_o so_o as_o to_o convert_v in_o a_o manner_n a_o whole_a city_n and_o why_o can_v not_o he_o do_v all_o other_o act_n that_o be_v useful_a to_o the_o church_n but_o that_o these_o apostle_n must_v be_v take_v authority_n upon_o they_o in_o his_o church_n it_o be_v something_o like_o diocesan_n prelacy_n to_o reserve_v any_o act_n of_o order_n or_o discipline_n to_o themselves_o yet_o so_o it_o be_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o give_v 〈◊〉_d by_o their_o hand_n and_o what_o kind_n of_o government_n they_o establish_v there_o theophylact._n chrysost_n oecumenius_n theophylact._n do_v not_o appear_v and_o some_o pretend_v to_o give_v reason_n why_o they_o do_v not_o appoint_v a_o clergy_n there_o as_o afterward_o they_o do_v in_o other_o place_n because_o they_o say_v that_o samaria_n be_v near_o enough_o to_o jerusalem_n where_o the_o whole_a council_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v reside_v and_o thither_o their_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n may_v repair_v for_o more_o solemn_a ordination_n and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o think_v mean_a of_o the_o success_n of_o the_o apostle_n ministry_n than_o we_o ought_v and_o measure_v it_o by_o the_o progress_n of_o sectary_n as_o anabaptist_n and_o quaker_n as_o mr._n b._n do_v with_o too_o much_o disparagement_n to_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o christian_a religion_n st._n luke_n give_v we_o a_o short_a account_n of_o loâ—e_a visitation_n of_o st._n peter_n that_o let_v we_o see_v hoâ—_n wonderful_o the_o gospel_n prevail_v at_o first_o for_o when_o that_o apostle_n pass_v through_o 〈◊〉_d quarter_n and_o come_v to_o the_o saint_n that_o dwell_v at_o lydda_n heb._n act_n 9.32_o 33._o etc._n etc._n saron_n tractus_n quidam_fw-la regionis_fw-la non_fw-la procul_fw-la à _fw-la caesaria_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d joseph_n antiq_fw-la l._n 20._o c._n 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d joseph_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jud._n l._n 2._o c._n 37._o lydda_n civitas_n palestinae_fw-la quae_fw-la diospolis_fw-la appellatur_fw-la hieron_n de_fw-fr 〈◊〉_d heb._n and_o heal_v miraculous_o a_o person_n that_o have_v be_v long_o bedridden_a 〈◊〉_d that_o dwell_v at_o lydda_n and_o saron_n see_v he_o and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o this_o town_n anâ—_n territory_n mention_v with_o it_o be_v large_a enough_o for_o a_o considerable_a diocesan_n church_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o likelihood_n it_o be_v divide_v under_o several_a church_n government_n mr._n b._n confess_v that_o no_o city_n with_o the_o village_n adjoin_v have_v any_o more_o than_o one_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d a_o long_a time_n after_o this_o and_o in_o the_o time_n 〈◊〉_d the_o council_n of_o nice_a it_o be_v a_o episcopal_a seat_n for_o we_o find_v aetius_n bishop_n of_o the_o place_n among_o the_o subscription_n of_o thâ—_n council_n the_o next_o considerable_a church_n that_o waâ—_n found_v be_v that_o of_o antioch_n the_o greated_a city_n of_o all_o the_o east_n and_o the_o church_n dâ—â—_n soon_o bear_v a_o good_a proportion_n to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n â—1_n act_n 11._o â—1_n for_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n be_v wâ—â—_n they_o the_o scatter_a disciple_n and_o a_o greâ—â—_n number_v believe_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n anâ—_n when_o barnabar_fw-la have_v come_v from_o jerusalem_n assist_v in_o this_o work_n 24._o v._o 24._o much_o people_n be_v add_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o when_o barnabas_n have_v bring_v paul_n to_o antioch_n they_o assemble_v themselves_o with_o the_o church_n 26._o v._o 26._o and_o teach_v much_o people_n it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o all_o these_o proselyte_n mention_v hitherto_o be_v jew_n or_o such_o as_o be_v proselyte_n of_o the_o gate_n and_o have_v renounce_v idolatry_n and_o such_o must_v the_o greek_n be_v to_o who_o those_o of_o cyprus_n preach_v the_o word_n at_o antioch_n v._o 20._o for_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n sometime_o after_o tell_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n as_o a_o extraordinary_a thing_n 14.27_o act_n 14.27_o that_o god_n have_v open_v the_o door_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o gentile_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o they_o be_v â—ncouraged_v by_o that_o success_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n at_o antioch_n too_o while_o they_o abide_v â—here_o a_o long_a time_n with_o the_o disciple_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o these_o gentile_a convert_v make_v â—equestion_n about_o circumcision_n of_o so_o great_a â—â—portance_n as_o to_o require_v a_o determination_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n assemble_v in_o council_n for_o before_o that_o there_o be_v not_o only_o several_a congregation_n probable_o but_o separate_a church_n and_o the_o people_n be_v not_o only_o distribute_v but_o diviâ—ed_v 〈◊〉_d gal._n 2.12_o compare_v with_o act_n 15.1_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o rend_v into_o separate_a assembly_n unless_o we_o shall_v â—â—terpret_v this_o separation_n â—o_o be_v rather_o a_o scruple_n reâ—â—ting_v to_o conversation_n and_o â—â—iet_n than_o to_o public_a and_o church_n communique_a as_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a though_o even_o this_o must_v â—ave_n likewise_o a_o evil_a influence_n upon_o their_o communion_n too_o for_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a the_o jew_n if_o they_o stand_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o law_n about_o choice_n of_o meat_n shall_v care_v much_o for_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o gentile_n when_o they_o fancy_v to_o be_v profane_a and_o pollute_a by_o the_o transgression_n of_o that_o law_n barnius_n make_v two_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n together_o aâ—_n this_o time_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o these_o dissersion_n 1._o martyrolog_n rom._n feb._n 1._o evodius_n and_o ignatius_n the_o one_o choses_fw-fr by_o paul_n the_o other_o by_o peter_n but_o the_o misery_n be_v that_o the_o author_n that_o give_v this_o light_n be_v confess_v to_o mistake_v ignat._n clemens_n const_n l._n 7._o c._n 46._o orat._n in_o s._n ignat._n by_o make_v paul_n 〈◊〉_d choose_v ignatius_n and_o peter_n evodius_n whereas_o chrysostom_n say_v the_o contrary_a that_o ignaâ—â—â—_n be_v ordain_v by_o peter_n and_o to_o speak_v free_o i_o believe_v this_o no_o better_o than_o what_o barâ—â—â—â—_n will_v forbid_v his_o reader_n to_o imagine_v a_o fiâ—â—â—â—_n which_o he_o be_v force_v to_o make_v shift_n with_o iâ—_n reconcile_v the_o contradiction_n of_o eusebius_n aâ—â—_n chrysostom_n chronicon_fw-la euseb_n hist_o l._n 3._o c._n 22._o ed._n valâ—sâ—i_n euseb_n chronicon_fw-la the_o former_a make_v peter_n to_o be_v dead_a before_o evodius_n to_o who_o he_o make_v ignatius_n to_o succeed_v the_o latter_a express_o afirm_v that_o apostle_n to_o have_v ordain_v he_o for_o my_o part_n i_o believe_v that_o the_o traditionâ—â—_n chronology_n of_o eusebius_n and_o the_o preciâ—â—_n time_n of_o the_o succession_n and_o government_n 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o bishop_n be_v not_o otherwise_o know_v to_o he_o be_v not_o a_o foundation_n firm_a enough_o to_o build_v any_o opinion_n upon_o h._n vid._n dissert_n spanhemii_fw-la blond_n praesat_fw-la apol._n pro_fw-la scent_n h._n especiaâ—â—_n when_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o place_n as_o we_o as_o time_n of_o st._n peter_n martyrdom_n be_v question_v not_o without_o some_o appearance_n 〈◊〉_d reason_n and_o the_o whole_a business_n be_v involve_v in_o so_o many_o difficulty_n blondel_n take_v greaâ—_n pain_n to_o confute_v the_o conjecture_n of_o baronius_n but_o advance_v another_o of_o his_o own_o more_o strange_a and_o improbable_a and_o what_o be_v yet_o worse_a draw_v important_a consequence_n from_o it_o and_o pretend_v by_o these_o seem_a contradiction_n to_o discover_v the_o nature_n of_o primitive_a episcopacy_n and_o the_o ancient_a law_n of_o succession_n but_o all_o that_o be_v trifle_v it_o be_v plain_a of_o chrysostom_n that_o he_o think_v ignatius_n the_o immediate_a successor_n of_o peter_n and_o therefore_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o evodius_n at_o all_o unless_o one_o shall_v say_v that_o peter_n may_v ordain_v ignatius_n as_o he_o do_v timothy_n or_o titus_n as_o a_o evangelist_n and_o that_o afterward_o he_o become_v the_o fix_a bishop_n of_o antioch_n though_o chrysostoms_n word_n will_v hardly_o bear_v that_o sense_n and_o refer_v to_o the_o episcopal_a office_n at_o large_a but_o however_o it_o fare_v either_o with_o baronius_n his_o divide_a episcopacy_n or_o blondel_n succession_n by_o seniority_n it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n even_o at_o this_o time_n be_v a_o diocesan_n have_v the_o oversight_n of_o a_o church_n that_o be_v distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n for_o if_o we_o reflect_v
upon_o the_o multitude_n say_v to_o be_v convert_v the_o number_n of_o apostle_n and_o extraordinary_a labourer_n common_o reside_v in_o this_o city_n the_o conjunction_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n under_o the_o common_a title_n and_o profession_n of_o christianity_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n be_v too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n especial_o before_o the_o place_n of_o assembly_n can_v be_v imagine_v very_o capacious_a and_o i_o believe_v mr._n b._n do_v not_o imagine_v such_o vast_a cathedral_n as_o paul_n to_o be_v very_o primitive_a ign._n orat_fw-la de_fw-la s._n ign._n but_o what_o ever_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o may_v be_v at_o that_o time_n ignatius_n his_o bishopric_a be_v never_o the_o less_o diocesan_n in_o its_o constitution_n and_o design_n or_o else_o chrysostom_n mistake_v one_o topick_n of_o his_o commendation_n he_o reckon_v five_o thing_n that_o be_v much_o to_o his_o honour_n whereof_o two_o bring_v he_o under_o suspicion_n of_o diocesan_n prelacy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o his_o authority_n or_o government_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n whereof_o he_o be_v bishop_n the_o first_o i_o suppose_v refer_v to_o his_o metropolitan_a power_n the_o second_o to_o his_o peculiar_a diocese_n but_o if_o this_o bishop_n be_v to_o have_v but_o one_o congregation_n what_o will_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n signify_v how_o many_o more_o will_v have_v the_o same_o honour_n with_o he_o or_o what_o so_o great_a difference_n be_v there_o between_o a_o full_a congregation_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o city_n and_o another_o as_o full_a in_o chelsey_n at_o leastwise_o what_o honour_n do_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n do_v the_o minister_n of_o that_o single_a congregation_n and_o now_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n where_o st._n paul_n preach_v for_o a_o year_n and_o six_o month_n upon_o a_o divine_a assurance_n of_o extraordinary_a success_n and_o that_o god_n have_v much_o people_n in_o that_o place_n 11._o act_n 18.8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o and_o where_o many_o effectual_o believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a where_o peter_n and_o apollo_n preach_v with_o that_o effect_n as_o to_o leave_v many_o disciple_n 3._o 1_o cor._n 3._o who_o call_v themselves_o by_o their_o name_n and_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o ephesus_n where_o a_o numerous_a church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v gather_v by_o st._n paul_n who_o preach_v there_o for_o two_o year_n and_o not_o only_o they_o that_o dwell_v at_o ephesus_n but_o all_o that_o dwell_v in_o asia_n 19.10_o act_n 19.10_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o considerable_a that_o the_o shrine-maker_n apprehend_v the_o ruin_n of_o their_o trade_n when_o they_o see_v and_o hear_v that_o paul_n not_o only_o at_o ephesus_n but_o throughout_o all_o asia_n have_v persuade_v and_o turn_v away_o much_o people_n 26._o v._o 26._o to_o pass_v by_o these_o and_o several_a other_o eminent_a church_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o diocese_n of_o rome_n as_o it_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v very_o uncertain_a who_o lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o this_o church_n though_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o before_o paul_n come_n there_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o only_o receive_v seq_fw-la rom._n 1.13_o 15_o 17._o &_o seq_fw-la but_o their_o church_n be_v very_o considerable_a for_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n write_v long_o before_o his_o come_n there_o as_o he_o himself_o witness_v say_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v speak_v of_o through_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o salutation_n in_o the_o end_n of_o that_o epistle_n he_o make_v appear_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n salute_v priscilla_n and_o aquila_n beza_n rom._n 16._o ostendit_fw-la congregationem_fw-la fidelium_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la nominari_fw-la hieron_n in_o lo_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d coetum_fw-la fidelium_fw-la nec_fw-la mirum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o tam_fw-la be_fw-mi plâ_fw-la civitate_fw-la distinctos_fw-la fuisse_fw-la fidelium_fw-la coetus_fw-la beza_n with_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o house_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v occasionly_a mention_v and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o several_a that_o be_v mention_v with_o all_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v with_o they_o may_v be_v the_o officer_n of_o several_a congregation_n for_o it_o appear_v that_o most_o of_o these_o be_v of_o the_o ministry_n and_o such_o by_o who_o mean_n the_o roman_n believe_v and_o that_o they_o be_v stranger_n come_v thither_o from_o other_o part_n where_o paul_n have_v know_v they_o hieron_n congregationem_fw-la vert_fw-fr eras_n istos_fw-la amat_n quos_fw-la satutat_fw-la intelligimus_fw-la ex_fw-la nominiâ—us_fw-la suiffe_fw-mi peregrinos_fw-la per_fw-la quorum_fw-la exemylum_fw-la atque_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la non_fw-la absurd_a existimamus_fw-la credidisse_fw-la roman_n hieron_n for_o as_o yet_o he_o have_v not_o see_v rome_n and_o this_o number_n be_v afterward_o increase_v considerable_o by_o the_o come_n of_o paul_n who_o convert_v some_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o afterward_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o whole_a year_n no_o man_n forbid_v he_o and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o this_o city_n may_v be_v far_o observe_v from_o the_o persecution_n of_o nero_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o they_o to_o death_n 15._o ingens_fw-la multitude_n hand_n perinde_v in_o crimint_n ineendii_fw-la quam_fw-la odio_fw-la bumani_fw-la generis_fw-la convicti_fw-la sunt_fw-la tac._n h._n l._n 15._o upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o have_v fire_v rome_n and_o the_o heathen_a historian_n say_v that_o they_o who_o confess_v be_v first_o lay_v hold_v on_o than_o a_o vast_a company_n be_v convict_v by_o their_o indication_n where_o by_o the_o by_o beside_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o sufferer_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o the_o word_n seem_v to_o be_v mistake_v general_o as_o if_o the_o christian_n some_o of_o they_o have_v confess_v the_o fact_n and_o accuse_v the_o rest_n lipsius_n thus_o understand_v the_o passage_n give_v tacitus_n the_o lie_n but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v they_o confess_v the_o fact_n but_o they_o confess_v without_o express_v the_o particular_n but_o what_o do_v they_o confess_v then_o if_o it_o be_v this_o crime_n that_o theâ—_n own_a themselves_o and_o charge_v other_o with_o how_o come_v he_o to_o add_v that_o they_o be_v not_o convict_v so_o much_o of_o this_o crime_n by_o this_o indication_n as_o by_o the_o hatred_n of_o all_o mankind_n therefore_o this_o confession_n be_v no_o more_o than_o own_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n and_o the_o hatred_n they_o be_v in_o make_v this_o sufficient_a conviction_n to_o these_o instance_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o some_o more_o considerable_a city_n 〈◊〉_d eccles_n hist_o l._n 2._o c._n 3._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o shall_v add_v only_o the_o general_a account_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o the_o success_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n immediate_o after_o the_o first_o discovery_n of_o it_o that_o present_o in_o all_o city_n and_o village_n church_n abound_v with_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v assemble_v and_o the_o granary_n of_o christ_n be_v fill_v up_o to_o the_o top_n with_o the_o wheat_n that_o be_v gather_v in_o hitherto_o i_o have_v observe_v chief_o the_o growth_n of_o christianity_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o there_o be_v in_o some_o city_n such_o a_o number_n of_o christian_n as_o can_v not_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o assembly_n for_o personal_a communion_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o must_v show_v in_o order_n to_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n must_v be_v that_o such_o number_n of_o believer_n make_v but_o one_o church_n govern_v by_o one_o bishop_n as_o to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o have_v show_v already_o from_o the_o most_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a writing_n that_o james_n the_o just_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o church_n i._n e._n of_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n nor_o be_v that_o tradition_n without_o ground_n in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o for_o st._n paul_n reckon_v james_n the_o lord_n brother_n among_o the_o apostle_n of_o that_o church_n 1.19_o sal._n 1.19_o though_o he_o be_v none_o of_o the_o twelve_o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o mention_n he_o as_o a_o person_n in_o eminent_a place_n and_o authority_n there_o one_o that_o have_v send_v several_a brethren_n to_o antioch_n before_o that_o certain_a brethren_n come_v from_o james_n 12_o â—_o 12_o here_o we_o find_v the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o alter_v in_o favour_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o hitherto_o the_o messenger_n who_o be_v send_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o be_v
say_v to_o be_v send_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n as_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n send_v john_n and_o peter_n to_o samaria_n 8._o act._n 8._o in_o like_a matter_n the_o church_n send_v barnabas_n to_o antioch_n 11._o v._o 11._o but_o now_o it_o seem_v they_o come_v from_o james_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n pass_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o bishop_n only_o although_o after_o this_o we_o find_v this_o style_n to_o vary_v again_o and_o sometime_o the_o church_n of_o such_o a_o place_n send_v to_o another_o without_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o bishop_n though_o the_o letter_n be_v pen_v by_o the_o bishop_n himself_o as_o the_o inscription_n of_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n do_v inform_v we_o and_o jastly_a as_o the_o authority_n of_o james_n appear_v by_o send_v to_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n so_o it_o do_v likewise_o from_o his_o speech_n in_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n where_o he_o seem_v to_o preside_v and_o determine_v the_o question_n in_o dispute_n 5._o act._n 5._o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n all_o this_o consider_v together_o with_o the_o testimony_n of_o hegesippus_n and_o clemens_n there_o can_v be_v as_o little_a doubt_n that_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n be_v settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o there_o be_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o express_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v without_o resect_v the_o most_o authentic_a record_n of_o church_n history_n it_o be_v to_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o leave_v so_o full_a and_o perfect_a account_n of_o the_o constitution_n and_o government_n of_o the_o first_o church_n as_o may_v be_v wish_v for_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o only_a scripture_n history_n of_o those_o time_n relate_v most_o the_o victory_n of_o christian_a religion_n how_o several_a city_n be_v convert_v by_o what_o miracle_n by_o what_o argument_n or_o exhortation_n but_o before_o the_o holy_a penman_n come_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o settlement_n of_o those_o new_a conquest_n he_o carry_v away_o the_o reader_n from_o thence_o to_o follow_v the_o apostle_n to_o some_o other_o place_n where_o they_o begin_v to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o another_o church_n thus_o we_o have_v no_o more_o notice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o samarid_a and_o of_o judea_n jerusalem_n except_v than_o that_o such_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o their_o government_n and_o constitution_n we_o be_v not_o the_o least_o information_n and_o the_o prospect_n leave_v of_o antioch_n in_o scripture_n be_v very_o confuse_v as_o of_o a_o church_n in_o fieri_fw-la where_o a_o great_a number_n of_o eminent_a person_n labour_v together_o to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o up_o but_o after_o what_o form_n do_v not_o appear_v but_o only_o from_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n ignatio_n eusel_n l._n 3._o c._n 22._o chronnon_n chrysost_n orat._n de_fw-fr ignatio_n who_o report_n that_o this_o church_n when_o it_o be_v settle_v and_o digest_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o evodius_n and_o after_o he_o to_o ignetius_n and_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n nevertheless_o we_o be_v not_o leave_v destitute_a of_o all_o light_n in_o this_o particular_a even_o from_o the_o scripture_n the_o history_n of_o st._n paul_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v by_o st._n â—â—ke_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o himself_o scatter_o in_o his_o own_o epistle_n inform_v we_o in_o some_o measure_n of_o the_o from_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n government_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n this_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n do_v common_o use_v this_o method_n inform_v those_o church_n he_o have_v convert_v as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o consult_v the_o citation_n in_o the_o margin_n when_o he_o come_v to_o any_o place_n where_o the_o gospel_n have_v not_o be_v preach_v and_o he_o do_v not_o affect_v much_o to_o build_v upon_o another_o be_v foundation_n he_o preach_v first_o in_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n 13.46_o rom._n 15.20_o 1_o cor._n 3.10_o act_n 9.20_o 13_o &_o 14._o act_n 13.46_o and_o if_o they_o reject_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n he_o turn_v to_o the_o gentile_n assoon_o as_o he_o have_v convert_v a_o competent_a number_n he_o take_v care_n to_o improve_v they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n 3.2_o 1_o cor._n 3.2_o and_o for_o that_o purpose_n teach_v they_o constant_o either_o at_o his_o own_o house_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o act_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o or_o at_o some_o public_a school_n as_o that_o of_o tyrannus_n or_o any_o other_o convenient_a place_n where_o a_o good_a number_n may_v assemble_v together_o these_o convert_v as_o they_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o same_o common_a doctrine_n and_o faith_n so_o they_o be_v to_o be_v perpetual_o unite_v by_o a_o communion_n in_o worship_n in_o prayer_n and_o the_o sacrament_n for_o it_o be_v not_o with_o the_o school_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o with_o those_o of_o this_o world_n 10.25_o acts._n 11.26_o heb._n 10.25_o which_o the_o disciple_n leave_v when_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o to_o have_v learn_v what_o they_o come_v for_o but_o there_o be_v a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o these_o scholar_n to_o assemble_v themselves_o together_o 2.12_o rom._n 12.5_o 1_o cor._n 12.13.12.22_o phil._n 2.12_o till_o they_o come_v to_o a_o perfect_a man_n which_o be_v not_o consummate_v till_o after_o this_o life_n nor_o be_v the_o relation_n between_o christian_n dissolve_v when_o the_o congregation_n be_v dissmiss_v fine_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d origâ—câ—â—â—_n â—â—s_o 1.8_o in_o fine_a but_o they_o be_v unite_v far_o into_o one_o society_n or_o corporation_n into_o a_o holy_a city_n under_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n their_o king_n and_o under_o apostle_n and_o such_o other_o officer_n of_o he_o and_o their_o appointment_n and_o so_o far_o to_o act_v and_o determine_v all_o thing_n within_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o appear_v before_o any_o heathen_a magistrate_n upon_o any_o difference_n but_o to_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o brethren_n or_o to_o the_o apostle_n under_o who_o direction_n they_o be_v thus_o far_o we_o may_v consider_v a_o church_n without_o any_o other_o officer_n than_o the_o apostle_n who_o convert_v they_o but_o their_o number_n increase_v in_o that_o place_n and_o much_o of_o his_o time_n be_v take_v up_o in_o dispute_v with_o and_o preach_v to_o unbeliever_n and_o gainsayer_n or_o this_o apostle_n be_v call_v away_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o other_o place_n 9_o act_n 9.29.17.17.19.8_o 9_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o ordain_v such_o church_n officer_n as_o may_v take_v care_n of_o this_o church_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o it_o 2.12.20.17_o 6.4_o act_n 14.23_o phil._n 2.12.20.17_o and_o other_o to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a lest_o that_o office_n take_v up_o much_o time_n may_v be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o those_o who_o be_v to_o guide_v the_o assembly_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n now_o this_o constitution_n do_v not_o take_v away_o the_o relation_n that_o be_v between_o this_o church_n and_o the_o apostle_n that_o found_v it_o and_o these_o officer_n act_v in_o subordination_n to_o he_o whether_o present_a or_o absent_a and_o st._n paul_n therefore_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o the_o apostle_n or_o bishop_n of_o the_o corinihian_o though_o he_o can_v not_o hold_v personal_a communion_n with_o they_o 15.36_o 1_o cor._n 5.3_o act_n 15.36_o for_o sometime_o he_o go_v a_o circular_a visitation_n to_o examine_v the_o state_n of_o those_o church_n which_o he_o have_v plant_v or_o if_o the_o distance_n and_o oceasion_n of_o that_o church_n where_o he_o reside_v or_o his_o imprisonment_n and_o other_o outward_a circumstance_n will_v not_o admit_v this_o personal_a visitation_n he_o send_v his_o letter_n and_o order_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v if_o any_o open_a scandal_n be_v permit_v he_o send_v his_o excommunication_n to_o be_v publish_v in_o that_o church_n whereof_o the_o offender_n be_v a_o member_n hieroâ—_n 1_o cor._n 5.3_o 4_o 5._o cum_fw-la meo_fw-la spiritu_fw-la quipro_fw-la i_o erat_fw-la praesens_fw-la sive_fw-la in_o mearum_fw-la literarum_fw-la authoritate_fw-la hieroâ—_n he_o judge_v as_o though_o he_o be_v present_a he_o order_v that_o when_o they_o be_v meet_v together_o in_o his_o spirit_n they_o will_v deliver_v the_o criminal_a to_o satan_n and_o because_o some_o of_o the_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n begin_v to_o set_v up_o themselves_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o apostle_n take_v advantage_n of_o his_o absence_n 2.5.19_o 1_o cor._n 4.18_o 19.9.1_o 2.5.19_o and_o use_v all_o mean_n to_o lessen_v he_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o that_o people_n he_o be_v force_v to_o assert_v his_o authority_n and_o to_o justify_v his_o title_n to_o let_v they_o know_v that_o he_o be_v their_o father_n their_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o
own_v they_o as_o brethren_n and_o call_v they_o their_o fellow_n presbyter_n or_o fellow_n deacon_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o he_o do_v not_o take_v at_o all_o to_o derogate_v from_o the_o dignity_n of_o their_o order_n no_o more_o than_o the_o modesty_n of_o the_o apostle_n call_v themselves_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n can_v be_v a_o prejudice_n to_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o their_o apostleship_n which_o they_o take_v care_n to_o vindicate_v when_o they_o be_v force_v to_o it_o by_o the_o ambition_n of_o some_o teacher_n that_o enter_v into_o competition_n with_o they_o tit._n theodor._n ubi_fw-la supra_fw-la in_o ep._n ad_fw-la phil._n ad_fw-la tim._n tit._n theodoret_n observe_v the_o same_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n but_o can_v yet_o see_v that_o there_o be_v bishop_n then_o superior_a to_o presbyter_n and_o in_o that_o time_n proper_o call_v apostle_n the_o greek_a scholiast_n theophylact_fw-mi and_o oecumenus_n see_v the_o same_o but_o be_v still_o of_o opinion_n that_o the_o episcopal_a office_n be_v always_o distinct_a from_o the_o presbyter_n so_o that_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o jerom_n build_v his_o conjecture_n be_v reject_v by_o the_o current_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n who_o can_v discern_v the_o pre-eminence_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n notwithstanding_o the_o name_n be_v confound_v and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o foundation_n upon_o which_o that_o conceit_n do_v whole_o stand_v all_o jeroms_n allegation_n be_v to_o this_o effect_n all_o the_o additional_a confirmation_n of_o salmasius_n and_o blondel_n be_v no_o other_o than_o from_o the_o phrase_n of_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n who_o do_v not_o always_o distinguish_v between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n but_o speak_v in_o the_o phrase_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o evident_a than_o that_o at_o that_o time_n when_o these_o author_n write_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v distinguish_v and_o except_v only_a clemens_n romanus_n blondel_n and_o salmasius_n do_v both_o acknowledge_v it_o but_o to_o return_v to_o jerom_n let_v we_o considet_fw-la the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n something_o more_o particular_o before_o there_o be_v faction_n in_o religion_n the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o presbyter_n of_o equal_a authority_n but_o what_o faction_n be_v these_o that_o give_v birth_n to_o episcopacy_n what_o time_n be_v that_o when_o the_o church_n be_v under_o presbyterian_a government_n he_o inform_v we_o in_o the_o follow_a word_n before_o it_o be_v say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o i_o of_o apollo_n and_o i_o of_o cephas_n if_o we_o understand_v this_o according_a to_o the_o letter_n we_o must_v conclude_v this_o to_o be_v very_o early_o for_o this_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n where_o that_o division_n be_v mention_v be_v write_v in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 52_o and_o then_o this_o notion_n will_v do_v little_a service_n against_o episcopacy_n for_o this_o will_v make_v it_o of_o apostolic_a institution_n beside_o i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o it_o can_v be_v true_a for_o the_o church_n be_v now_o govern_v by_o apostle_n and_o not_o by_o presbyter_n and_o if_o in_o most_o city_n there_o be_v no_o particular_a bishop_n ordain_v yet_o it_o be_v because_o the_o apostle_n be_v their_o bishop_n and_o visit_v they_o to_o establish_v good_a order_n to_o ordain_v officer_n to_o punish_v the_o disorderly_a as_o they_o have_v opportunity_n and_o when_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o be_v present_a they_o send_v their_o order_n in_o writing_n and_o exercise_v episcopal_a authority_n at_o a_o distance_n but_o blondel_n contend_v earnest_o against_o the_o literal_a understanding_n of_o that_o passage_n and_o show_v that_o jerom_n can_v not_o mean_v this_o of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n but_o of_o some_o follow_a schism_n that_o spring_v up_o after_o the_o example_n of_o this_o of_o corinth_n his_o reason_n be_v that_o the_o passage_n whereby_o jerom_n confirm_v his_o opinion_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o be_v write_v after_o that_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n i_o have_v show_v before_o how_o probable_a it_o be_v that_o jerom_n speak_v without_o a_o figure_n and_o i_o need_v not_o repeat_v it_o here_o but_o these_o thing_n you_o will_v say_v not_o can_v consist_v it_o may_v be_v so_o and_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a that_o jerom_n when_o he_o write_v this_o passage_n do_v consider_v in_o what_o order_n of_o time_n st._n paul_n epistle_n be_v write_v what_o if_o it_o be_v a_o oversight_n for_o want_n of_o state_v the_o chronelogy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o it_o be_v reply_v that_o jerom_n a_o man_n of_o that_o great_a learning_n and_o diligence_n and_o particular_a knowledge_n also_o in_o chronology_n as_o we_o may_v conclude_v from_o his_o translate_n of_o eusebius_n his_o chronicon_fw-la can_v hardly_o commit_v such_o a_o mistake_n it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o according_a to_o blondel_n computation_n who_o make_v he_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o second_o century_n he_o will_v be_v as_o inconsistent_a with_o himself_o for_o suppose_v wâ—_n shall_v say_v that_o jerom_n point_v to_o the_o year_n 135_o as_o the_o precise_a time_n when_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n be_v change_v how_o shall_v we_o reconcile_v jerom_n to_o himself_o for_o in_o his_o catalogue_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n he_o reckon_v several_a bishop_n long_o before_o that_o time_n he_o make_v james_n to_o be_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n statim_fw-la post_fw-la ascensionem_fw-la present_o after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n he_o call_v timothy_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n he_o make_v anianus_n to_o succeed_v mark_n in_o alexandria_n in_o the_o eight_o year_n of_o nero._n how_o shall_v we_o make_v all_o these_o thing_n to_o consist_v do_v he_o think_v james_n to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o simple_a presbyter_n or_o timothy_n can_v he_o fancy_n he_o to_o have_v no_o superiority_n over_o the_o elder_n he_o be_v to_o ordain_v or_o to_o govern_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a or_o shall_v we_o say_v that_o in_o these_o relation_n he_o only_o transcribe_v out_o of_o other_o and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o speak_v his_o own_o opinion_n well_o suppose_v this_o either_o he_o must_v have_v some_o authority_n for_o his_o opinion_n great_a than_o that_o of_o such_o author_n he_o follow_v in_o that_o book_n or_o not_o if_o he_o have_v none_o why_o shall_v we_o believe_v he_o against_o all_o antiquity_n nay_o why_o shall_v we_o believe_v so_o uncharitable_o of_o he_o as_o that_o he_o will_v deliver_v those_o thing_n he_o do_v not_o believe_v without_o the_o least_o warning_n to_o the_o reader_n or_o that_o he_o will_v believe_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n against_o all_o the_o tradition_n and_o history_n of_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o have_v no_o authority_n for_o it_o or_o if_o he_o have_v any_o authority_n from_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n to_o ground_v his_o opinion_n upon_o why_o be_v they_o not_o produce_v nay_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v in_o this_o point_n that_o he_o have_v none_o from_o that_o catalogue_n of_o writer_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o since_o he_o have_v see_v none_o but_o what_o eusebius_n have_v see_v before_o he_o and_o cite_v as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o for_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n to_o confirm_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v apostolical_a and_o to_o have_v begin_v long_o before_o this_o time_n which_o blondel_n will_v have_v jerom_n think_v to_o assign_v for_o its_o original_a so_o that_o what_o way_n soever_o jerom_n be_v understand_v of_o the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n he_o be_v either_o manifest_o inconsistent_a with_o himself_o or_o with_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n but_o his_o scripture_n authority_n you_o will_v say_v do_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o yet_o introduce_v into_o the_o church_n nothing_o less_o unless_o they_o can_v prove_v that_o those_o presbytery_n be_v not_o govern_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o establish_v they_o or_o by_o some_o assistant_n or_o suffragan_n or_o unless_o they_o can_v make_v out_o that_o timothy_n titus_n and_o divers_a other_o of_o that_o rank_n be_v no_o more_o than_o simple_a presbyter_n after_o this_o time_n whensoever_o it_o be_v st._n jerom_n add_v it_o be_v decree_v over_o all_o the_o world_n that_o one_o of_o the_o presbyter_n who_o govern_v before_o in_o common_a shall_v be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n in_o what_o church_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v this_o decree_n register_v who_o ever_o hear_v of_o it_o before_o st._n jerom_n what_o general_a council_n pass_v it_o what_o authority_n make_v it_o authentic_a or_o by_o what_o mean_n do_v all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n agree_v to_o this_o change_n what_o be_v there_o no_o opposition_n make_v against_o this_o alteration_n of_o the_o apostolical_a government_n what_o do_v all_o the_o little_a ecclesiastic_a aristocracy_n submit_v without_o dispute_n to_o this_o innovation_n we_o
may_v as_o well_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o all_o the_o republic_n in_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o faction_n become_v monarchy_n by_o mutual_a consent_n nay_o this_o might_n with_o great_a reason_n be_v believe_v for_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o that_o man_n who_o be_v satisfy_v of_o their_o power_n to_o set_v up_o what_o form_n of_o government_n they_o please_v may_v agree_v to_o shake_v off_o together_o a_o form_n that_o they_o find_v very_o incommodious_a but_o that_o so_o many_o society_n as_o there_o be_v church_n in_o the_o world_n appoint_v by_o divine_a direction_n shall_v so_o universal_o change_v what_o the_o apostle_n have_v institute_v without_o any_o noise_n or_o resistance_n and_o that_o by_o one_o common_a decree_n be_v altogether_o incredible_a and_o one_o may_v say_v with_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o they_o conspire_v at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o change_v their_o creed_n have_v examine_v st._n jeroms_n singular_a opinion_n concern_v the_o rise_n of_o episcopal_a government_n i_o shall_v now_o conclude_v that_o point_n if_o clemens_n romanus_n in_o his_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n do_v not_o seem_v to_o favour_v this_o opinion_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o consider_v such_o passage_n in_o it_o as_o be_v allege_v against_o episcopacy_n and_o from_o the_o whole_a to_o make_v a_o conjecture_n of_o the_o state_n of_o that_o church_n when_o that_o epistle_n be_v write_v the_o inscription_n of_o it_o afford_v blondel_n a_o argument_n against_o episcopacy_n for_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o clergy_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n that_o it_o be_v write_v the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o rome_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o corinth_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o whence_o blondel_n infer_v that_o since_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o clergy_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v then_o not_o by_o the_o pleasure_n of_o one_o man_n but_o by_o the_o common_a counsel_n of_o those_o that_o be_v set_v over_o it_o this_o way_n of_o reason_v i_o must_v confess_v to_o be_v very_o extraordinary_a because_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n subjacuisse_fw-la ubi_fw-la cum_fw-la nulla_fw-la peculiaris_fw-la vel_fw-la scribentis_fw-la mentio_fw-la vel_fw-la cleri_fw-la romani_fw-la praerogativa_fw-la vel_fw-la corinthiaci_n presbyterii_fw-la a_o plebe_fw-la discretio_fw-la appareat_fw-la sed_fw-la omnes_fw-la ad_fw-la omnes_fw-la confertim_fw-la scripsisse_fw-la compertum_fw-la sit_fw-la luce_fw-fr meridiana_fw-la clarius_fw-la clucescit_fw-la tune_n temporis_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la communi_fw-la praepositorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la gubernatas_fw-la non_fw-la unius_fw-la regi_fw-la mini_fw-la à _fw-la cujus_fw-la â—utu_fw-la penderent_fw-la omnes_fw-la subjacuisse_fw-la or_o of_o that_o of_o corinth_n as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o laity_n it_o be_v clear_a nay_o clear_a than_o the_o day_n that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n to_o see_v two_o man_n with_o their_o eye_n open_a dispute_v fierce_o whether_o it_o be_v noonday_n or_o midnight_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v our_o case_n that_o consequence_n which_o to_o he_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o sun_n do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v to_o other_o if_o he_o have_v say_v because_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o inscription_n as_o the_o govern_n part_n therefore_o there_o be_v no_o clergy_n or_o the_o clergy_n do_v not_o govern_v the_o inference_n will_v have_v appear_v but_o what_o truth_n there_o will_v be_v in_o it_o i_o need_v not_o say_v other_o inscribe_v epistle_n in_o the_o same_o style_n to_o the_o church_n of_o such_o a_o place_n where_o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n and_o a_o clergy_n 23._o diony_n corinth_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o in_o the_o body_n of_o these_o letter_n he_o mention_n the_o bishop_n of_o those_o church_n irenaeus_n ubi_fw-la supra_fw-la euseb_n l._n 4._o c._n 23._o and_o this_o argument_n of_o blondel_n may_v be_v just_o suspect_v when_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o ancient_n though_o they_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o this_o epistle_n of_o clemens_n and_o its_o inscription_n yet_o they_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n see_v this_o consequence_n that_o be_v now_o draw_v from_o it_o irenaeus_n have_v doubtless_o see_v that_o epistle_n for_o it_o be_v in_o his_o time_n common_o read_v in_o church_n and_o yet_o he_o think_v clemens_n who_o write_v it_o to_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n notwithstanding_o his_o name_n be_v not_o mention_v in_o it_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n say_v it_o be_v read_v in_o his_o church_n and_o yet_o he_o can_v not_o find_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o to_o persuade_v he_o that_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v no_o bishop_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o bishop_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o dionysius_n areopagita_n be_v ordain_v by_o st._n paul_n the_o first_o bishop_n of_o athens_n so_o that_o these_o ancient_a writer_n it_o seem_v be_v as_o blind_a as_o we_o and_o can_v not_o observe_v either_o in_o the_o inscription_n or_o body_n of_o this_o epistle_n what_o blondel_n at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n can_v perceive_v as_o clear_v as_o the_o noon_n day_n and_o yet_o those_o writer_n if_o they_o have_v suspect_v any_o such_o thing_n may_v have_v be_v easy_o satisfy_v by_o their_o father_n who_o may_v have_v see_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n about_o which_o the_o difficulty_n be_v and_o so_o tell_v they_o upon_o their_o own_o knowledge_n whether_o the_o government_n be_v episcopal_a or_o presbyterian_a and_o therefore_o this_o be_v our_o comfort_n that_o if_o we_o can_v discern_v this_o light_n which_o blondel_n talk_v of_o that_o those_o who_o live_v near_o the_o east_n the_o rise_n of_o it_o can_v see_v no_o more_o than_o we_o but_o some_o man_n sure_o have_v glass_n for_o distance_n of_o time_n as_o well_o as_o place_n and_o can_v see_v far_o in_o the_o apostolic_a time_n than_o the_o next_o generation_n that_o follow_v they_o but_o to_o proceed_v clemens_n own_a but_o two_o order_n in_o the_o church_n of_o apostolic_a institution_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o deacon_n which_o he_o say_v the_o apostle_n ordain_v out_o of_o the_o first-fruit_n of_o the_o gospel_n over_o those_o that_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v and_o these_o be_v appoint_v in_o city_n and_o the_o country_n or_o region_n round_o about_o from_o whence_o blondel_n draw_v many_o observation_n and_o out_o of_o he_o mr._n b._n as_o 1._o that_o in_o those_o day_n no_o body_n think_v of_o what_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n do_v afterward_o decree_n that_o no_o bishop_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o any_o village_n or_o small_a city_n lest_o the_o dignity_n of_o that_o office_n shall_v be_v undervalue_v and_o grow_v cheap_a this_o be_v ground_v as_o most_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o blondel_n and_o mr._n b.'s_n argument_n from_o this_o epistle_n upon_o a_o mistake_n and_o i_o fear_v a_o wilful_a one_o concern_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n for_o if_o the_o bishop_n of_o clemens_n who_o he_o say_v be_v apponited_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v only_a presbyter_n than_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n do_v not_o do_v any_o extraordinary_a thing_n by_o that_o prohibition_n of_o bishop_n in_o little_a diocese_n for_o presbyter_n be_v still_o allow_v in_o the_o country_n village_n by_o that_o council_n and_o therefore_o if_o episcopacy_n be_v a_o institution_n late_a than_o clemens_n this_o council_n have_v do_v nothing_o so_o contrary_a to_o this_o by_o forbid_v bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v and_o allow_v presbyter_n to_o reside_v in_o country_n village_n some_o there_o be_v that_o interpret_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o province_n but_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o for_o this_o though_o the_o phrase_n will_v very_o well_o bear_v it_o for_o these_o bishop_n i_o believe_v with_o blondel_n and_o mr._n b._n be_v no_o other_o than_o presbyter_n such_o as_o be_v first_o appoint_v to_o govern_v the_o church_n but_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o proper_a bishop_n of_o those_o church_n they_o found_v and_o as_o they_o find_v occasion_n appoint_v other_o to_o succeed_v they_o in_o that_o eminence_n of_o authority_n over_o such_o district_n of_o the_o apostolical_a province_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o convenient_a for_o the_o edification_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o distribution_n of_o church_n officer_n by_o clemens_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o less_o to_o be_v depend_v upon_o as_o exact_v 60.17_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d esay_n 60.17_o because_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v make_v only_o with_o allusion_n to_o a_o place_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n where_o those_o
the_o supervise_v care_n of_o many_o church_n as_o the_o visitor_n have_v in_o scotland_n and_o be_v so_o far_o episcopi_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la and_o archbishop_n have_v no_o constrain_a power_n of_o the_o sword_n but_o a_o power_n to_o admonish_v and_o instruct_v the_o pastor_n and_o to_o regulate_v ordination_n synod_n and_o all_o great_a and_o common_a circumstance_n that_o belong_v to_o church_n for_o if_o one_o form_n of_o government_n in_o which_o some_o pastor_n have_v such_o extensive_a work_n and_o power_n as_o timothy_n titus_n and_o evangelist_n as_o well_v we_o apostle_n have_v we_o must_v not_o change_v it_o without_o proof_n that_o christ_n himself_o will_v have_v it_o change_v let_v we_o compare_v this_o with_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n and_o see_v whether_o for_o all_o this_o mince_n of_o the_o matter_n they_o will_v not_o amount_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n this_o supervise_v of_o many_o church_n do_v it_o not_o sound_v like_o have_v many_o parish_n under_o they_o and_o if_o this_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o diocesan_n how_o come_v it_o to_o be_v otherwise_o in_o a_o evangelist_n or_o a_o apostle_n nay_o how_o come_v it_o to_o be_v allow_v in_o a_o scotch_a visitor_n or_o superintendent_a the_o regulate_a ordination_n be_v no_o other_o in_o scripture-phrase_n than_o to_o appoint_v and_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o in_o every_o city_n the_o diocesan_n bishop_n desire_v no_o more_o in_o that_o point_n than_o to_o have_v such_o a_o regulation_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v account_v a_o ordination_n that_o be_v do_v without_o or_o in_o opposition_n to_o they_o the_o evangelist_n may_v sometime_o ordain_v elder_n by_o their_o own_o single_a hand_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o presbyter_n sometime_o together_o with_o the_o presbytery_n our_o diocesan_n bishop_n never_o ordain_v any_o to_o that_o order_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o their_o presbyter_n the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n have_v the_o direction_n of_o church-censure_n 2.15_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 2_o cor._n 2.9_o 10_o 11._o 1_o tim._n 5.19_o 20_o 21._o tit._n 2.15_o as_o appear_v from_o frequent_a instance_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o also_o a_o authority_n or_o elder_n as_o well_o as_o the_o people_n to_o admonish_v and_o rebuke_v and_o punish_v those_o that_o be_v negligent_a or_o disorderly_a the_o bishop_n claim_v no_o more_o it_o be_v the_o same_o authority_n it_o be_v the_o same_o office_n hitherto_o and_o this_o be_v the_o same_o of_o what_o the_o bishop_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n have_v pretend_v to_o succeed_v to_o they_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a way_n make_v all_o this_o power_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o extraordinary_a as_o their_o gift_n and_o to_o expire_v together_o with_o they_o but_o for_o this_o they_o never_o offer_v any_o reason_n and_o if_o this_o notion_n shall_v obtain_v it_o will_v follow_v that_o neither_o presbyter_n nor_o deacon_n can_v be_v succeed_v in_o their_o office_n because_o they_o also_o be_v inspire_v with_o extraordinary_a gift_n as_o well_o as_o the_o apostle_n but_o mr._n b._n allow_v all_o this_o and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v succeed_v even_o in_o this_o eminence_n and_o extent_n of_o work_n and_o power_n why_o then_o do_v he_o find_v fault_n and_o exclaim_v against_o that_o which_o he_o can_v deny_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o of_o perpetual_a use_n under_o the_o name_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n from_o these_o man_n the_o ancient_a bishop_n derive_v their_o title_n to_o this_o authority_n they_o pretend_v to_o succeed_v 24._o act._n conc._n tholi_fw-la euseb_n l._n 5._o c._n 24._o polycrates_n reckon_v himself_o the_o six_o from_o timothy_n and_o irenaeus_n give_v we_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o roman_a bishop_n from_o st._n peter_n to_o his_o time_n and_o if_o it_o have_v be_v necessary_a to_o his_o purpose_n do_v undertake_v to_o show_v the_o same_o of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a church_n in_o the_o world_n which_o afterward_o eusebius_n have_v collect_v out_o of_o their_o several_a register_n graec._n comment_fw-fr 1_o ep._n ad_fw-la timoth._n schol._n graec._n theodoret_n do_v admirable_o explain_v the_o original_a of_o this_o title_n by_o show_v that_o the_o apostolic_a power_n be_v full_o convey_v to_o their_o successor_n those_o that_o be_v now_o call_v bishop_n say_v he_o be_v in_o the_o beginning_n call_v apostle_n and_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v then_o of_o the_o same_o signification_n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o title_n of_o apostle_n be_v appropriate_v to_o those_o who_o be_v apostle_n indeed_o that_o be_v to_o the_o 12._o and_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v take_v up_o by_o those_o that_o be_v before_o call_v apostle_n sequent_a walo_n mess_n p._n 35._o &_o sequent_a salmasius_n a_o man_n that_o never_o look_v behind_o he_o or_o regard_v any_o consequence_n run_v away_o with_o this_o passage_n as_o if_o he_o have_v find_v the_o great_a treasure_n in_o the_o world_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o be_v so_o transport_v that_o he_o can_v take_v any_o notice_n that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n there_o be_v a_o distinction_n make_v between_o the_o office_n of_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n for_o the_o name_n they_o ancient_o bear_v show_v the_o nature_n and_o eminency_n of_o their_o office_n that_o they_o be_v apostle_n in_o authority_n but_o the_o title_n be_v too_o great_a and_o invidious_a they_o lay_v it_o down_o for_o a_o humble_a name_n and_o be_v content_a with_o the_o style_n that_o be_v common_a to_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n hitherto_o we_o have_v a_o exact_a agreement_n between_o these_o three_o sort_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o find_v the_o member_n of_o mr._n b_n most_o compendious_a distinction_n to_o be_v without_o difference_n but_o it_o must_v not_o be_v dissemble_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o which_o they_o seem_v to_o disagree_v especially-these_a two_o first_o that_o the_o evangelist_n or_o apostle_n be_v unfixt_v but_o bishop_n be_v determine_v to_o a_o certain_a diocese_n second_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n have_v bishop_n under_o their_o jurisdiction_n which_o bishop_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o as_o to_o this_o unsetledness_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v some_o that_o look_v upon_o travel_v to_o be_v so_o essential_a to_o their_o office_n that_o their_o commission_n be_v in_o danger_n to_o expire_v if_o they_o shall_v reside_v any_o considerable_a time_n in_o any_o certain_a place_n presb._n walo_n mess_n de_fw-fr epise_v &_o presb._n and_o salmasius_n make_v so_o acute_a a_o remark_n upon_o the_o inscription_n of_o st._n john_n two_o latter_a epistle_n as_o come_v within_o a_o small_a matter_n of_o depose_v he_o before_o those_o epistle_n he_o style_v himself_o john_n the_o presbyter_n or_o the_o elder_a or_o it_o may_v be_v in_o english_a no_o more_o than_o john_n the_o age_a and_o what_o will_v you_o imagine_v so_o great_a a_o critic_n will_v observe_v from_o this_o that_o st._n john_n have_v fix_v his_o residence_n at_o ephesus_n for_o some_o considerable_a time_n have_v lose_v the_o eminence_n of_o his_o apostleship_n and_o sink_v into_o the_o common_a level_n of_o presbytery_n and_o therefore_o style_v himself_o presbyter_n only_o as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v conscious_a his_o apostleship_n have_v depart_v from_o he_o but_o how_o come_v st._n paul_n to_o remain_v three_o year_n in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o remain_v his_o title_n and_o much_o long_o yet_o at_o rome_n where_o he_o die_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o apostleship_n clemens_n alex._n speak_v of_o st._n john_n tell_v we_o he_o go_v about_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o some_o place_n he_o appoint_v bishop_n where_o they_o be_v want_v and_o none_o but_o apostolic_a man_n can_v do_v it_o and_o in_o some_o place_n he_o himself_o govern_v the_o church_n entire_o i._n e._n as_o their_o bishop_n and_o probable_o appoint_v another_o when_o he_o leave_v they_o to_o succeed_v in_o the_o charge_n vale_n do_v not_o see_v the_o import_n of_o this_o phrase_n but_o render_v it_o partim_fw-la ut_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la integras_fw-la disponeret_fw-la &_o formaret_fw-la the_o last_o be_v a_o comment_n that_o destroy_v the_o sense_n of_o clement_n who_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d can_v not_o understand_v the_o set_n of_o a_o church_n under_o its_o officer_n which_o his_o former_a seem_v to_o imply_v but_o the_o order_n and_o govern_v of_o it_o by_o himself_o in_o opposition_n to_o his_o set_n up_o of_o bishop_n in_o other_o place_n and_o though_o he_o have_v some_o authority_n there_o by_o way_n of_o supervise_v the_o bishop_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o take_v the_o care_n of_o the_o whole_a which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o in_o whatsoever_o city_n they_o live_v beside_o the_o general_a care_n of_o
endeavour_v to_o set_v up_o now_o how_o these_o shall_v be_v no_o presbyterian_o who_o set_v up_o presbytery_n how_o they_o be_v episcopal_n that_o destroy_v episcopacy_n be_v i_o must_v confess_v too_o hard_a a_o riddle_n for_o a_o man_n of_o a_o plain_a understanding_n unless_o one_o may_v think_v that_o mr._n b._n give_v this_o bishop-destroying_a parliament_n the_o title_n of_o episcopal_n as_o the_o roman_n honour_v several_a of_o their_o general_n with_o the_o title_n of_o those_o nation_n they_o have_v overcome_v or_o else_o that_o mr._n b._n speak_v by_o a_o figure_n too_o frequent_a though_o not_o very_o decent_a in_o history_n call_v fiction_n as_o to_o the_o particular_n with_o which_o mr._n b._n conclude_v this_o chapter_n i_o have_v so_o long_o dwell_v upon_o of_o the_o parliament_n army_n generals_z lord_n lieutenant_n assembly_n of_o divine_n be_v episcopal_n and_o conformist_n i_o have_v rather_o and_o body_n else_o shall_v disprove_v than_o i_o not_o that_o it_o be_v so_o difficult_a a_o matter_n for_o who_o that_o can_v remember_v so_o long_o or_o can_v read_v english_a do_v not_o know_v the_o contrary_a but_o because_o i_o be_o unwilling_a to_o renew_v the_o memory_n of_o so_o unpleasant_a and_o odious_a thing_n and_o hearty_o wish_v that_o as_o our_o gracious_a king_n pass_v a_o act_n of_o oblivion_n for_o those_o matter_n so_o they_o who_o enjoy_v the_o benefit_n of_o that_o act_n of_o grace_n will_v suffer_v we_o to_o forget_v the_o occasion_n of_o it_o or_o cease_v to_o presume_v that_o we_o have_v so_o far_o lose_v all_o memory_n and_o sense_n that_o we_o do_v not_o know_v the_o same_o thing_n when_o we_o see_v they_o act_v over_o again_o but_o however_o mr._n b._n inform_v we_o of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o late_a rebellion_n i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o we_o have_v a_o very_a different_a account_n of_o thing_n there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o independent_o contend_v who_o shall_v have_v the_o great_a share_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o have_v carry_v on_o that_o cause_n and_o there_o be_v one_o who_o be_v very_o particular_a in_o this_o matter_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o seq_fw-la bastwick_n of_o independ_v p._n 624._o &_o seq_fw-la to_o who_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n for_o his_o satisfaction_n chap._n i._n a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o other_o government_n set_v up_o in_o opposition_n to_o episcopacy_n if_o eminent_a place_n or_o office_n as_o they_o give_v authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n can_v likewise_o secure_v those_o that_o be_v possess_v of_o they_o from_o error_n in_o administration_n if_o any_o character_n or_o order_n can_v so_o consecrate_v the_o person_n that_o bear_v it_o as_o to_o exempt_v he_o from_o the_o common_a condition_n of_o humane_a frailty_n and_o from_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v wicked_a the_o world_n must_v needs_o be_v happy_a by_o submit_v to_o such_o a_o constitution_n and_o then_o schism_n and_o sedition_n will_v have_v no_o pretext_n but_o if_o after_o all_o the_o accession_n of_o authority_n and_o honour_n man_n retain_v their_o nature_n and_o their_o manner_n and_o be_v subject_a to_o passion_n as_o they_o be_v before_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o all_o degree_n and_o denomination_n can_v furnish_v numerous_a instance_n of_o vice_n and_o infamy_n and_o the_o more_o eminent_a any_o order_n be_v the_o more_o frequent_a example_n of_o evil_a man_n it_o common_o afford_v for_o the_o blemish_n of_o such_o person_n be_v more_o conspicuous_a and_o expose_v to_o public_a view_n and_o observation_n and_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o man_n be_v fix_v upon_o they_o so_o as_o they_o will_v quick_o discern_v what_o be_v amiss_o nor_o be_v they_o less_o forward_o to_o censure_v their_o miscarriage_n beside_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o govern_v part_n may_v not_o always_o consist_v of_o the_o best_a man_n for_o ambition_n make_v man_n industrious_a in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o power_n and_o go_v a_o short_a and_o general_o a_o more_o effectual_a though_o less_o direct_a way_n to_o obtain_v it_o and_o when_o they_o be_v in_o possession_n they_o begin_v to_o discover_v that_o temper_n they_o before_o artificial_o conceal_v and_o become_v more_o open_a since_o they_o have_v less_o restraint_n last_o even_o power_n itself_o be_v a_o great_a temptation_n and_o a_o eminent_a private_a virtue_n have_v often_o time_n lose_v itself_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o authority_n as_o weak_a head_n grow_v giddy_a when_o they_o be_v place_v upon_o a_o height_n but_o however_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v so_o it_o be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o sort_n of_o government_n whether_o of_o church_n or_o state_n which_o any_o one_o that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o disgrace_v it_o may_v not_o show_v to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o very_o infamous_a person_n and_o that_o the_o best_a that_o have_v possess_v it_o be_v not_o without_o their_o fault_n if_o one_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o reproach_n monarchy_n there_o be_v nero_n and_o caligula_n enough_o nay_o augustus_n and_o trajan_n who_o be_v reckon_v the_o best_a of_o that_o rank_n have_v great_a and_o some_o inexcusable_a fault_n if_o one_o he_o incline_v to_o rail_v against_o commonwealth_n the_o ingratitude_n of_o athene_n or_o rome_n or_o carthage_n towards_o their_o best_a friend_n and_o preserver_n will_v furnish_v he_o with_o infinite_a matter_n if_o one_o will_v disgrace_n episcopaacy_n church_n history_n be_v full_a of_o evil_n contentious_a bishop_n paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la eusebius_n nicome_v nestorius_n dioscorus_n and_o innumerable_a other_o and_o the_o most_o orthodox_n and_o holy_a be_v not_o without_o their_o blemish_n theophilus_n cyril_n epiphanius_n have_v very_o undecent_a heat_n nay_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o have_v a_o judas_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o they_o be_v not_o free_a from_o misunderstanding_n which_o must_v needs_o give_v great_a offence_n to_o the_o church_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v then_o in_o this_o case_n shall_v we_o submit_v to_o no_o government_n that_o have_v be_v profane_v by_o evil_a administration_n shall_v we_o be_v of_o no_o church_n that_o have_v any_o mixture_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v we_o renounce_v monarchy_n because_o we_o have_v read_v of_o tyrant_n or_o throw_v down_o episcopacy_n because_o some_o of_o that_o order_n have_v be_v unworthy_a of_o it_o by_o this_o reason_n we_o must_v have_v no_o government_n or_o order_n at_o all_o or_o as_o the_o apostle_n infer_v we_o must_v go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n but_o since_o our_o necessity_n require_v some_o kind_n of_o order_n and_o there_o can_v no_o number_n of_o man_n live_v by_o any_o common_a rule_n whether_o of_o religion_n or_o law_n without_o authority_n place_v in_o some_o hand_n or_o other_o to_o enforce_v it_o and_o since_o god_n himself_o be_v please_v to_o appoint_v the_o kind_n of_o government_n under_o which_o his_o church_n be_v to_o be_v notwithstanding_o that_o evil_a man_n may_v creep_v into_o the_o office_n we_o remain_v still_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o submit_v ourselves_o to_o it_o and_o it_o be_v not_o in_o our_o power_n to_o alter_v that_o constitution_n this_o mr._n b._n and_o all_o the_o dissenter_n will_v easy_o grant_v and_o therefore_o they_o say_v that_o they_o contend_v only_o for_o the_o primitive_a institution_n of_o church_n government_n be_v it_o so_o yet_o this_o long_a deduction_n of_o reproach_n and_o accusation_n do_v not_o prove_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o office_n and_o this_o notwithstanding_o episcopacy_n may_v be_v the_o church_n government_n of_o the_o apostle_n settle_v for_o those_o thing_n that_o fill_v mr._n b.'s_n indictment_n against_o bishop_n be_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o man_n not_o of_o the_o office_n and_o the_o same_o miscarriage_n may_v be_v discover_v in_o other_o kind_n of_o church_n government_n that_o be_v not_o episcopal_a and_o since_o every_o project_n be_v more_o plausible_a and_o seem_v to_o have_v few_o inconvenience_n in_o the_o idea_n than_o in_o the_o use_n lest_o any_o one_o for_o want_v of_o experience_n or_o history_n may_v think_v presbytery_n or_o any_o church_n government_n that_o be_v not_o episcopal_a to_o be_v subject_a to_o no_o abuse_n or_o disorder_n i_o will_v give_v a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o rise_n and_o progress_n of_o that_o form_n of_o government_n that_o have_v obtain_v in_o such_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n as_o have_v cast_v off_o their_o bishop_n and_o show_v that_o they_o have_v suffer_v under_o the_o same_o calamity_n that_o have_v befall_v episcopal_a church_n and_o be_v guilty_a of_o most_o of_o the_o same_o thing_n as_o require_v subscription_n conformity_n etc._n etc._n as_o our_o bishop_n against_o who_o all_o this_o history_n and_o bitterness_n be_v direct_v it_o be_v not_o yet_o a_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n that_o the_o church_n have_v know_v any_o other_o government_n but_o episcopal_n and_o
and_o the_o extraordinariness_n of_o their_o gift_n can_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o their_o continuance_n for_o notwithstanding_o they_o do_v many_o miraculous_a thing_n yet_o they_o never_o can_v contrive_v to_o be_v in_o two_o place_n a_o the_o same_o time_n and_o as_o to_o their_o govern_n of_o several_a congregation_n they_o be_v under_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n with_o their_o successor_n they_o visit_v from_o place_n to_o place_n they_o call_v the_o presbyter_n of_o some_o church_n to_o they_o to_o give_v they_o direction_n they_o proceed_v by_o information_n and_o legal_a evidence_n and_o what_o be_v possible_a to_o they_o to_o do_v in_o these_o case_n be_v not_o become_v impossible_a to_o those_o that_o succeed_v they_o 2._o all_o other_o office_n have_v extraordinary_a man_n in_o those_o day_n and_o the_o same_o argument_n will_v hold_v against_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n as_o against_o bishop_n for_o the_o first_o deacon_n that_o be_v elect_v be_v man_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 3._o the_o unfixedness_n of_o these_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o continuance_n and_o all_o that_o will_v follow_v from_o that_o be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o if_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o their_o office_n to_o be_v unfixed_a they_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o still_o and_o not_o to_o cease_v to_o be_v at_o all_o 4._o all_o of_o they_o be_v not_o unfixed_a and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o office_n require_v it_o it_o may_v be_v no_o more_o than_o accidental_a 5._o that_o they_o govern_v several_a church_n and_o be_v arch-bishop_n as_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n or_o church_n it_o be_v not_o very_o material_a whether_o we_o say_v bishop_n of_o one_o or_o of_o many_o church_n for_o many_o worship_a church_n may_v make_v but_o one_o govern_v church_n and_o worship_v church_n may_v have_v their_o officer_n too_o as_o our_o parish_n but_o still_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o bishop_n as_o the_o several_a church_n under_o these_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n be_v subordinate_v to_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o ordination_n but_o because_o many_o depend_v upon_o the_o title_n which_o these_o secondary_a apostle_n have_v in_o scripture_n as_o timothy_n be_v command_v to_o do_v the_o werk_n of_o a_o evangelist_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o all_o their_o work_n to_o preach_v and_o propagate_v the_o gospel_n but_o to_o settle_v church_n to_o govern_v they_o to_o ordain_v officer_n to_o censure_v offender_n these_o be_v the_o thing_n particular_o give_v in_o charge_n that_o of_o evangelist_n be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o divers_a other_o but_o ordination_n be_v make_v their_o peculiar_a right_n for_o why_o do_v paul_n leave_v timothy_n and_o titus_n one_o in_o ephesus_z the_o other_o in_o crete_n to_o ordain_v elder_n be_v there_o not_o presbyter_n in_o ephesus_n already_o may_v not_o they_o ordain_v may_v not_o they_o receive_v accusation_n and_o excommunicate_v why_o then_o be_v there_o one_o single_a person_n leave_v to_o do_v all_o this_o and_o in_o crete_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v but_o that_o since_o st._n paul_n have_v convert_v several_a to_o the_o faith_n in_o that_o island_n he_o also_o have_v ordain_v some_o church_n officer_n in_o those_o place_n of_o the_o island_n where_o he_o most_o reside_v or_o what_o need_n have_v he_o to_o leave_v a_o bishop_n behind_o he_o to_o ordain_v when_o he_o may_v by_o the_o ordination_n of_o a_o few_o presbyter_n in_o one_o city_n provide_v sufficient_o for_o ordination_n in_o the_o rest_n or_o last_o since_o this_o ordination_n be_v make_v so_o insignificant_a by_o mr._n b._n why_o may_v not_o these_o believer_n have_v appoint_v their_o own_o teacher_n without_o any_o further_a circumstance_n and_o by_o a_o instance_n of_o their_o power_n have_v free_v posterity_n from_o the_o superstition_n of_o think_v apostolical_a ordination_n and_o succession_n so_o requisite_a to_o authorize_v pastor_n but_o since_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v all_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n by_o themselves_o or_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o assistant_n their_o suffragan_a bishop_n and_o leave_v some_o of_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o do_v this_o work_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o conceive_v some_o kind_n of_o necessity_n for_o it_o and_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o the_o power_n so_o common_a or_o insignificant_a as_o late_a projector_n of_o church_n settlement_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v now_o as_o the_o scripture_n discover_v no_o other_o sort_n of_o episcopacy_n than_o such_o as_o we_o have_v describe_v so_o the_o ancient_a bishop_n know_v of_o no_o other_o original_a of_o their_o office_n for_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n not_o as_o ordinary_a presbyter_n or_o deacon_n but_o to_o succeed_v they_o in_o such_o a_o pre-eminence_n of_o dignity_n and_o power_n as_o their_o first_o assistant_n be_v endue_v with_o and_o eusebius_n who_o diligence_n nothing_o can_v escape_v and_o who_o judgement_n be_v not_o easy_o impose_v on_o aâ—ter_v all_o his_o search_n can_v find_v no_o other_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n and_o derive_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o assistant_n who_o they_o appoint_v as_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d hist_o eccl._n l._n 3._o c._n 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d how_o many_o say_v he_o and_o who_o they_o be_v that_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o be_v think_v worthy_a to_o govern_v those_o church_n which_o they_o found_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o say_v beside_o these_o which_o st._n paul_n mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n he_o indeed_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o assistant_n and_o as_o he_o call_v they_o fellow_n soldier_n who_o name_n be_v preserve_v in_o his_o epistle_n and_o luke_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n make_v mention_v of_o some_o of_o they_o among_o these_o timothy_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v first_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d titus_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o crete_n crescens_n be_v send_v to_o gallatia_n as_o the_o present_a read_n of_o st._n paul_n epistle_n be_v but_o as_o eusebius_n read_v it_o to_o gallia_n linus_n who_o he_o mention_n in_o his_o second_o to_o timothy_n be_v make_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n next_o to_o peter_n and_o clemens_n who_o succeed_v linus_n be_v own_v by_o paul_n as_o his_o fellow_n labourer_n and_o last_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n who_o st._n paul_n mention_n as_o the_o first_o convert_n of_o athens_n be_v report_v to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n by_o another_o dionysius_n a_o very_a ancient_a writer_n and_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n this_o be_v the_o rise_n of_o episcopacy_n according_a to_o eusebius_n and_o the_o progress_n of_o it_o he_o take_v care_n to_o show_v by_o set_v down_o the_o successor_n of_o these_o and_o other_o bishop_n to_o his_o own_o time_n magn._n ep._n ad_fw-la smyrn_n ad_fw-la ephes_n ad_fw-la magn._n ignatius_n derive_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n a_o little_a high_o yet_o from_o christ_n himself_o the_o universal_a bishop_n and_o compare_v the_o bishop_n with_o his_o bench_n of_o presbyter_n to_o christ_n sit_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o be_v the_o most_o express_a and_o vehement_a of_o all_o the_o ancient_n in_o set_v out_o the_o dignity_n and_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o bishop_n irenaus_n deduce_v the_o episcopal_a authority_n from_o the_o same_o original_a and_o make_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n from_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v his_o principal_a argument_n against_o the_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n of_o his_o time_n and_o because_o it_o be_v endless_a to_o make_v a_o perfect_a enumeration_n of_o those_o who_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o world_n 3_o valde_fw-la longum_fw-la esset_fw-la in_o tali_fw-la volumine_fw-la enumerare_fw-la successiones_fw-la l._n 3._o c._n 3_o he_o instance_n in_o that_o of_o rome_n where_o linus_n be_v first_o ordain_v bishop_n ibid._n lino_n episcopatum_fw-la administrandae_fw-la ecelesiae_fw-la tradiderunt_fw-la apofloli_fw-la ibid._n polycarpus_n ab_fw-la apostolis_n in_fw-la eâ_fw-la qua_fw-la est_fw-la smyrnis_fw-la constitutus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la qui_fw-la usque_fw-la adbue_fw-la successerunt_fw-la polycarpe_n ibid._n than_o clemens_n and_o so_o on_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o in_o another_o place_n propose_v it_o as_o the_o only_a remedy_n against_o heresy_n to_o obey_v those_o that_o have_v a_o due_a succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n who_o though_o they_o be_v there_o call_v presbyteri_fw-la yet_o it_o be_v plain_a who_o he_o mean_v by_o they_o when_o he_o add_v that_o they_o be_v the_o same_o which_o he_o show_v before_o to_o have_v succeed_v the_o
est_fw-la curam_fw-la parochiae_fw-la habere_fw-la hispani_fw-la episcopi_fw-la docent_fw-la &_o baptizare_fw-la posse_fw-la mendoza_n where_o it_o be_v order_v that_o if_o a_o deacon_n who_o have_v the_o government_n of_o a_o congregation_n or_o parish_n without_o a_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n shall_v baptise_v any_o the_o bishop_n shall_v perfect_v it_o by_o confirmation_n or_o if_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o party_n die_v we_o be_v to_o hope_v well_o of_o he_o the_o council_n of_o neocaesarea_n in_o like_a manner_n do_v signify_v the_o same_o distribution_n of_o diocese_n into_o several_a parish_n 13._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n conc._n neocaes_n c._n 13._o where_o the_o country_n presbyter_n be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o former_a be_v forbid_v to_o officiate_v in_o the_o city_n be_v cathedral_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o they_o now_o when_o constantine_n conversion_n have_v make_v so_o great_a and_o happy_a a_o change_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n when_o the_o civil_a power_n that_o hitherto_o use_v all_o mean_n possible_a to_o destroy_v it_o take_v it_o not_o only_o into_o its_o protection_n but_o to_o special_a favour_n and_o kindness_n and_o study_v all_o mean_n possible_a to_o render_v it_o great_a and_o honourable_a the_o number_n of_o bishop_n and_o diocese_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v diminish_v that_o they_o soon_o after_o be_v exceed_o increase_v partly_o by_o the_o emperor_n multiply_a metropoles_fw-la partly_o by_o the_o unhappy_a division_n that_o soon_o after_o afflict_v the_o church_n as_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o progress_n of_o this_o deduction_n when_o constantine_n indict_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a it_o appear_v from_o eusebius_n that_o he_o use_v all_o mean_n to_o have_v as_o great_a a_o assembly_n of_o bishop_n as_o can_v well_o come_v together_o 6._o euseb_n â—e_z vita_fw-la constant_n l_o 3_o c._n 6._o for_o which_o purpose_n he_o furnish_v many_o of_o they_o especial_o such_o as_o be_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n with_o convenience_n for_o travail_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o as_o many_o as_o can_v have_v any_o mean_n of_o go_v will_v be_v carry_v thither_o by_o their_o curiosity_n to_o see_v and_o enjoy_v the_o presence_n of_o a_o christian_a emperor_n that_o new_a miracle_n that_o god_n have_v wrought_v in_o favour_n of_o his_o church_n and_o according_o they_o come_v from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o some_o from_o the_o nation_n beyond_o it_o the_o country_n that_o lie_v next_o to_o nice_n do_v doubtless_o send_v the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o bishop_n as_o may_v be_v infer_v by_o compare_v the_o subscription_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o palestine_n phoenicia_n coelosyria_n egypt_n and_o some_o other_o country_n either_o with_o the_o ancient_n notiâ—â—â—_n of_o the_o diocese_n of_o those_o country_n or_o the_o subscription_n of_o follow_a council_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o province_n of_o bythinia_n where_o this_o council_n be_v hold_v have_v but_o 13_o bishop_n present_v though_o the_o principal_a bishop_n of_o the_o province_n be_v extreme_o concern_v and_o at_o last_o condemn_v by_o this_o synod_n therefore_o we_o can_v but_o conclude_v that_o that_o province_n have_v very_o few_o more_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o care_n to_o make_v a_o full_a assembly_n the_o number_n of_o bishop_n scarce_o exceed_v 250._o as_o eusebius_n who_o be_v present_a do_v affirm_v man_n 232._o according_a to_o the_o ms._n cite_v by_o mr._n selden_n in_o eutich_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o sandius_n take_v to_o be_v sabinus_n often_o mention_v by_o socrates_n and_o one_o that_o expose_v this_o council_n as_o consist_v of_o poor_a illiterate_a man_n and_o eustatius_n bishop_n of_o antioch_n reckon_v but_o 20_o more_o though_o the_o common_a opinion_n reckon_v 318._o and_o yet_o how_o small_a a_o number_n be_v this_o in_o comparison_n of_o some_o succeed_a council_n where_o we_o find_v without_o half_a the_o apparatus_fw-la that_o belong_v to_o the_o nicene_n council_n double_v the_o number_n meet_v together_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n on_o the_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n have_v near_o 300._o the_o heretic_n have_v great_a number_n at_o the_o same_o time_n in_o philippopolis_n the_o arrian_n council_n of_o sirmium_n have_v 300_o western_a bishop_n beside_o those_o of_o the_o east_n that_o of_o ariminum_n have_v 400._o bishop_n from_o the_o western_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n for_o in_o the_o east_n there_o be_v another_o council_n call_v at_o seleucca_n and_o last_o that_o of_o chalcedon_n have_v no_o less_o than_o 600._o there_o can_v be_v no_o reasonable_a account_n give_v of_o this_o difference_n 3.17_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n vit_fw-mi const_n l._n 3.17_o but_o that_o the_o multitude_n of_o diocese_n be_v strange_o increase_v for_o constantine_n design_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o be_v as_o great_a and_o magnificent_a as_o be_v possible_a and_o yet_o it_o be_v nothing_o in_o comparison_n with_o those_o that_o follow_v nay_o be_v outdo_v by_o some_o provincial_a council_n of_o africa_n and_o as_o the_o number_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a show_v that_o diocese_n in_o those_o time_n be_v not_o so_o many_o nor_o small_a as_o they_o become_v afterward_o so_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o same_o council_n do_v suppose_v bishopric_n to_o be_v very_o large_a and_o forbid_v the_o divide_n of_o they_o for_o one_o canon_n order_n that_o every_o bishop_n shall_v be_v ordain_v by_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o his_o province_n 〈◊〉_d can._n 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o consider_v how_o large_a ecclesiastical_a province_n be_v then_o they_o can_v suppose_v all_o the_o pastor_n of_o every_o congregation_n to_o meet_v nor_o indeed_o the_o minister_n of_o every_o good_a town_n or_o substantial_a village_n which_o in_o several_a province_n will_v amount_v to_o several_a thousand_o without_o make_v such_o a_o assembly_n more_o numerous_a than_o any_o general_a council_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n â—_o can._n â—_o another_o canon_n provide_v against_o the_o divide_n of_o diocese_n in_o case_n a_o novatian_a bishop_n shall_v happy_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n but_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v content_a with_o the_o place_n of_o presbyter_n unless_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o leave_v he_o the_o title_n of_o a_o bishop_n if_o not_o chorepiscopus_fw-la inveniat_fw-la eâ—_n locum_fw-la ut_fw-la sit_fw-la in_o parochia_fw-la chorepiscopus_fw-la then_o to_o make_v he_o a_o chorepiscopus_n i._n e._n the_o rector_n of_o a_o country_n parish_n in_o his_o diocese_n or_o a_o city_n presbyter_n lest_o there_o shall_v be_v two_o bishop_n in_o the_o same_o city_n the_o african_a council_n take_v another_o course_n as_o we_o have_v see_v and_o divide_v the_o diocese_n in_o such_o a_o case_n but_o when_o they_o consider_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o council_n we_o find_v they_o change_v their_o practice_n for_o augustin_n when_o he_o have_v design_v his_o successor_n yet_o will_v not_o suffer_v he_o to_o be_v ordain_v in_o his_o life_n time_n because_o he_o will_v not_o violate_v this_o canon_n although_o his_o predecessor_n have_v permit_v his_o ordination_n while_o he_o be_v alive_a ep._n august_n ep._n but_o augustin_n make_v his_o excuse_n that_o he_o do_v not_o know_v of_o this_o canon_n then_o and_o yet_o his_o diocese_n be_v large_a enough_o to_o hold_v two_o but_o he_o understand_v this_o one_o city_n with_o all_o its_o dependency_n and_o think_v that_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o canon_n there_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v two_o bishop_n together_o in_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n that_o be_v above_o forty_o mile_n in_o length_n the_o diocese_n of_o constantinople_n to_o which_o constantine_n be_v so_o great_a a_o patron_n 46._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n vit_fw-mi const_n l._n 3._o c._n 46._o be_v very_o considerable_a in_o his_o time_n for_o it_o have_v so_o far_o outgrow_v the_o measure_n of_o one_o congregation_n that_o the_o emperor_n think_v it_o necessary_a to_o build_v a_o great_a many_o church_n and_o very_o large_a temple_n or_o martyria_fw-la because_o they_o be_v dedicate_v to_o the_o memory_n of_o martyr_n and_o this_o not_o only_o within_o the_o city_n but_o in_o the_o suburb_n that_o be_v in_o the_o language_n of_o that_o time_n the_o territory_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o it_o be_v great_a pity_n there_o be_v no_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n that_o can_v inform_v the_o welmeaning_a emperor_n that_o this_o be_v mistake_v devotion_n to_o submit_v all_o these_o church_n to_o one_o bishop_n the_o council_n of_o antioch_n suppose_v bishop_n to_o have_v large_a diocese_n 8._o an._n ch._n 341._o can._n 8._o and_o therefore_o provide_v that_o country_n presbyter_n shall_v not_o give_v canonical_a epistle_n not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o the_o