Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
authority_n augustine_n believe_v church_n 2,419 5 5.1154 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A35026 The naked truth, or, The true state of the primitive church by an humble moderator. Croft, Herbert, 1603-1691. 1675 (1675) Wing C6970; ESTC R225557 74,185 74

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heretical_a profession_n though_o not_o their_o opinion_n who_o conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o their_o own_o dissimulation_n and_o desirous_a to_o get_v favour_n with_o st._n austin_n a_o person_n of_o great_a veneration_n and_o authority_n with_o all_o relate_v unto_o he_o this_o specious_a story_n which_o st._n augustine_n great_a charity_n be_v apt_a to_o believe_v as_o st._n paul_n say_v believe_v all_o thing_n and_o from_o hence_o conclude_v that_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_a to_o use_v the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a sword_n to_o reduce_v heretic_n to_o the_o church_n but_o unless_o it_o can_v be_v evidence_v that_o these_o donatists_n heart_n be_v change_v as_o well_o as_o their_o profession_n a_o thing_n impossible_a to_o prove_v all_o this_o prove_v nothing_o three_o put_v the_o case_n their_o heart_n be_v real_o change_v as_o to_o matter_n of_o belief_n it_o be_v evident_a their_o heart_n be_v very_o worldly_a still_o grovel_v on_o the_o earth_n not_o one_o step_n near_o 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who_o i_o can_v more_o ready_o submit_v than_o to_o st._n austin_n a_o person_n of_o wonderful_a sharpness_n in_o understanding_n and_o yet_o of_o great_a modesty_n no_o way_n affect_v to_o take_v new_a opinion_n much_o less_o to_o impose_v they_o no_o other_o now_o i_o pray_v consider_v how_o can_v we_o have_v assurance_n of_o any_o doctrine_n he_o deliver_v more_o than_o another_o i_o mean_v assurance_n from_o his_o own_o authority_n or_o reason_n what_o he_o deliver_v from_o scripture_n authority_n be_v another_o matter_n we_o believe_v st._n austin_n err_v in_o some_o thing_n whereof_o he_o be_v most_o confident_a he_o believe_v it_o absolute_o necessary_a for_o child_n to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o i_o say_v he_o believe_v it_o a_o direct_a heresy_n to_o hold_v there_o be_v any_o antipode_n lactantius_n another_o great_a wit_n and_o great_a scholar_n believe_v the_o like_a with_o divers_z other_o who_o then_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o 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scripture_n to_o believe_v such_o exposition_n as_o the_o popish_a church_n make_v of_o this_o place_n by_o what_o authority_n do_v the_o romish_a church_n challenge_v to_o themselves_o to_o be_v expositor_n of_o scripture_n more_o than_o other_o church_n i_o find_v nothing_o for_o it_o in_o scripture_n which_o be_v my_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o proceed_v then_o to_o the_o business_n of_o general_a counsel_n whether_o they_o may_v err_v in_o some_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o why_o not_o all_o the_o evangelical_n doctor_n grant_v the_o late_a general_a counsel_n have_v err_v if_o so_o why_o not_o the_o former_a what_o promise_n have_v the_o former_a from_o christ_n more_o than_o the_o late_a what_o period_n be_v there_o set_v in_o scripture_n for_o their_o not_o err_v or_o what_o promise_n be_v there_o at_o all_o for_o any_o not_o to_o err_v the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n i_o grant_v what_o be_v this_o to_o a_o general_n council_n not_o the_o 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determine_v by_o they_o much_o loss_n a_o error_n and_o i_o pray_v have_v not_o counsel_n be_v against_o counsel_n put_v then_o the_o case_n a_o general_n council_n shall_v err_v in_o some_o matter_n you_o can_v therefore_o say_v the_o whole_a church_n have_v err_v the_o gate_n of_o hell_n have_v prevail_v against_o the_o church_n i_o pray_v consider_v can_v you_o true_o say_v the_o great_a turk_n have_v prevail_v against_o the_o christian_a army_n because_o he_o have_v kill_v the_o thousand_o part_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o the_o great_a general_n council_n hold_v a_o less_o proportion_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o i_o will_v grant_v yet_o more_o put_v the_o case_n the_o whole_a church_n shall_v deviate_v into_o some_o erroneous_a superstition_n have_v the_o devil_n therefore_o prevail_v against_o it_o can_v i_o say_v i_o have_v prevail_v against_o another_o man_n because_o i_o give_v he_o some_o slight_a hurt_n in_o his_o leg_n or_o thigh_n as_o long_o as_o his_o head_n his_o heart_n his_o arm_n be_v whole_a he_o still_o be_v able_a to_o fight_v and_o wound_v i_o as_o bad_a or_o worse_o till_o the_o devil_n can_v so_o wound_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o destroy_v the_o vital_n the_o fundamental_o and_o make_v it_o no_o church_n the_o gate_n of_o hell_n can_v be_v say_v to_o have_v prevail_v against_o it_o now_o god_n be_v bless_v there_o have_v continue_v all_o along_o several_a church_n as_o great_a or_o great_a than_o the_o roman_a church_n which_o have_v still_o maintain_v in_o defiance_n of_o satan_n one_o god_n the_o father_n of_o who_o be_v all_o thing_n and_o one_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n by_o who_o be_v all_o thing_n and_o several_a other_o sound_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n how_o then_o have_v satan_n prevail_v when_o so_o many_o million_o have_v wage_v war_n against_o he_o and_o uphold_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o his_o christ_n the_o scripture_n plain_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o anti-christ_n 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particular_n and_o you_o will_v find_v a_o small_a remainder_n that_o preach_v pious_o and_o edify_v also_o very_o few_o to_o equal_a the_o compiler_n of_o our_o homily_n and_o then_o calm_o consider_v the_o great_a use_n yea_o the_o great_a necessity_n of_o such_o homily_n but_o if_o you_o can_v furnish_v all_o our_o church_n with_o pious_a discreet_a edify_a preach_a pastor_n i_o be_o abundant_o satisfy_v and_o do_v you_o seal_v up_o the_o book_n of_o homily_n till_o a_o new_a dearth_n of_o spiritual_a food_n which_o god_n in_o his_o great_a mercy_n prevent_v amen_n concern_v bishop_n and_o priest_n whoever_o unbiased_a read_v the_o scripture_n thence_o proceed_v to_o the_o first_o christian_n writer_n and_o so_o go_v on_o from_o age_n to_o age_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o church_n be_v always_o govern_v by_o bishop_n that_o be_v by_o one_o elder_a or_o presbyter_n or_o precedent_n or_o what_o else_o you_o please_v to_o call_v he_o set_v over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n with_o authority_n to_o ordain_v to_o exhort_v to_o rebuke_n to_o judge_n and_o censure_n as_o he_o find_v cause_n no_o other_o form_n of_o government_n be_v mention_v by_o any_o authority_n for_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n from_o the_o apostle_n downward_o now_o who_o can_v in_o reason_n and_o modesty_n suspect_v those_o primitive_a bishop_n who_o live_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n choose_v by_o they_o into_o the_o church_n succeed_v they_o in_o church_n government_n yea_o and_o in_o martyrdom_n also_o for_o the_o faith_n as_o clemens_n ignatius_n polycarpus_n and_o other_o who_o i_o say_v can_v suspect_v they_o to_o be_v prevaricator_n in_o church_n discipline_n and_o take_v upon_o they_o another_o form_n of_o episcopal_a government_n contrary_a to_o apostolican_n institution_n these_o great_a master_n of_o self-denial_n who_o give_v their_o life_n for_o the_o truth_n will_v they_o transmit_v unto_o posterity_n a_o church_n government_n contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n let_v 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i_o will_v not_o presume_v to_o censure_v they_o i_o will_v only_o say_v that_o from_o the_o begin_n it_o be_v not_o so_o and_o i_o thank_v god_n it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o we_o but_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o beginning_n so_o it_o be_v now_o with_o we_o and_o ever_o shall_v be_v i_o trust_v in_o god_n amen_o but_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o yet_o it_o be_v very_o much_o to_o be_v doubt_v whether_o they_o be_v of_o any_o distinct_a superior_a order_n from_o and_o above_o the_o presbyter_n or_o one_o of_o the_o same_o order_n set_v over_o the_o rest_n with_o power_n to_o ordain_v elder_n to_o exhort_v rebuke_n chastise_v as_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v constitute_v by_o st._n paul_n for_o though_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o other_o elder_n and_o pastor_n yet_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n for_o some_o to_o be_v place_v with_o great_a authority_n to_o rule_v over_o the_o rest_n the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o even_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o 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desire_v they_o only_o to_o show_v i_o how_o a_o man_n can_v make_v two_o character_n with_o one_o stroke_n or_o motion_n a._n and_o b._n at_o the_o same_o instant_n if_o then_o neither_o timothy_n nor_o titus_n nor_o any_o other_o be_v but_o once_o ordain_v whence_o can_v we_o gather_v these_o two_o distinct_a character_n these_o two_o distinct_a order_n we_o find_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o but_o once_o ordain_v those_o by_o the_o apostle_n but_o once_o ordain_v and_o so_o on_o when_o st._n paul_n leave_v titus_n in_o crete_n to_o ordain_v he_o mention_n only_o one_o ordination_n that_o of_o presbyter_n so_o the_o word_n in_o greek_a no_o other_o there_o be_v no_o commission_n give_v he_o to_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n who_o then_o be_v to_o ordain_v bishop_n there_o not_o titus_n he_o have_v no_o such_o command_n we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o st._n paul_n himself_o do_v and_o sure_o you_o will_v not_o grant_v that_o the_o presbyter_n which_o titus_n ordain_v that_o 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a_o bishop_n the_o same_o paper_n contain_v both_o character_n but_o sure_o one_o character_n do_v not_o contain_v the_o other_o a._n do_v not_o contain_v b._n nor_o do_v b._n contain_v a._n so_o the_o same_o soul_n may_v receive_v two_o character_n two_o order_n but_o if_o the_o two_o order_n be_v distinct_a how_o can_v they_o contain_v each_o other_o i_o understand_v no_o more_o than_o i_o do_v these_o holy_a character_n if_o they_o can_v paint_v they_o out_o unto_o i_o in_o their_o proper_a figure_n perchance_o i_o may_v understand_v they_o better_o but_o as_o yet_o i_o ingenious_o confess_v my_o ignorance_n i_o grant_v in_o a_o metaphysical_a way_n of_o abstraction_n the_o superior_a species_n contain_v the_o inferior_a genus_fw-la a_o man_n a_o rational_a creature_n contain_v the_o animality_n of_o a_o horse_n the_o inferior_a creature_n but_o do_v not_o contain_v a_o real_a horse_n in_o his_o belly_n nor_o can_v a_o man_n beget_v horse_n or_o man_n when_o he_o please_v nor_o 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be_v not_o a._n a_o man_n be_v not_o a_o horse_n and_o a_o horse_n be_v not_o a_o man_n so_o a_o bishop_n ordain_v only_o bishop_n be_v not_o a_o priest_n nor_o a_o priest_n a_o bishop_n if_o they_o be_v distinct_a wherefore_o i_o must_v believe_v they_o one_o and_o the_o same_o order_n especial_o see_v the_o scripture_n apply_v the_o same_o name_n promiscuous_o to_o both_o which_o be_v the_o second_o argument_n of_o their_o identity_n to_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o acts._n 20._o st._n paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n to_o call_v the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o ghurch_n un-him_a at_o miletum_n and_o speak_v to_o they_o he_o call_v they_o all_o bishop_n in_o our_o translation_n it_o be_v overseer_n verse_n 28._o so_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o phillippian_o he_o direct_v to_o all_o the_o saint_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n both_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n so_o that_o by_o the_o word_n bishop_n we_o must_v needs_o understand_v presbyter_n for_o bishop_n as_o we_o now_o take_v the_o word_n be_v never_o many_o in_o one_o city_n i_o pray_v observe_v also_o st._n paul_n epis._n to_o titus_n 1._o 5._o for_o this_o cause_n leave_v i_o thou_o in_o crete_n that_o thou_o shall_v ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n if_o any_o be_v blameless_a for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a be_v it_o not_o here_o evident_a that_o a_o elder_a and_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n paul_n language_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o coherency_n at_o all_o in_o st._n paul_n speech_n if_o this_o be_v not_o convince_a beyond_o all_o possible_a evasion_n i_o understand_v nothing_o of_o discourse_n other_o such_o place_n be_v obvious_a in_o scripture_n to_o every_o one_o i_o need_v mention_n no_o more_o only_o i_o desire_v to_o inform_v the_o reader_n of_o a_o passage_n to_o this_o purpose_n in_o a_o epistle_n of_o clemens_n to_o the_o corinthian_n this_o clemens_n be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n and_o be_v he_o who_o st._n peter_n appoint_v his_o successor_n at_o rome_n and_o who_o be_v of_o so_o great_a authority_n that_o as_o st._n hierome_n tell_v we_o this_o his_o epistle_n be_v read_v in_o church_n now_o in_o this_o epistle_n clemens_n particular_o set_v forth_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o what_o minister_n they_o ordain_v in_o the_o church_n to_o wit_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n he_o name_v no_o other_o which_o seem_v to_o i_o as_o full_a a_o evidence_n as_o can_v be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o order_n in_o the_o church_n in_o those_o day_n but_o those_o two_o and_o yet_o we_o be_v sure_o there_o be_v then_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n for_o peter_n and_o john_n call_v themselves_o presbyter_n and_o st._n peter_n call_v they_o presbyter_n to_o who_o he_o write_v his_o epistle_n so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v but_o two_o order_n to_o wit_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n presbyter_n must_v be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o with_o bishop_n or_o with_o deacon_n not_o with_o deacon_n therefore_o one_o and_o the_o same_o with_o bishop_n one_o order_n call_v by_o two_o name_n promiscuous_o in_o scripture_n as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o and_o i_o desire_v you_o to_o observe_v that_o of_o those_o two_o name_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n if_o therebe_n any_o dignity_n and_o eminency_n express_v in_o one_o more_o than_o the_o other_o sure_o it_o be_v in_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n not_o bishop_n because_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o apostle_n as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o who_o stand_v high_a on_o their_o pan●ableses_n be_v in_o scripture_n style_v presbyter_n or_o elder_n as_o the_o word_n in_o our_o english_a translation_n but_o never_o bishop_n as_o i_o remember_v and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v why_o that_o haughty_a head_n of_o the_o papist_n shall_v not_o assume_v to_o himself_o the_o title_n of_o his_o pretend_a predecessor_n st._n peter_n presbyter_n rather_o than_o bishop_n unless_o it_o be_v by_o god_n providential_a disposure_n to_o show_v his_o blindness_n in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o thing_n and_o make_v he_o confute_v himself_o by_o this_o name_n of_o bishop_n which_o be_v never_o give_v to_o st._n peter_n no_o more_o then_o st._n peter_n give_v unto_o he_o the_o headship_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o interpretation_n and_o answer_n give_v to_o these_o and_o such_o like_a scripture_n expression_n sure_o i_o need_v not_o take_v any_o pain_n to_o confute_v they_o for_o they_o be_v so_o weak_a as_o that_o petavius_n a_o late_a writer_n and_o great_a stickler_n for_o the_o superiority_n of_o episcopacy_n dare_v not_o trust_v to_o they_o nor_o will_v venture_v his_o credit_n to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o but_o sound_v out_o a_o new_a and_o rare_a conceit_n as_o he_o conceive_v that_o these_o prester_n mention_v in_o scripture_n and_o call_v by_o both_o name_n be_v all_o real_o bishop_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v they_o so_o as_o most_o convenient_a for_o that_o time_n for_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v small_a there_o need_v no_o priest_n under_o the_o bishop_n to_o officiate_v and_o yet_o there_o be_v need_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o those_o small_a congregation_n because_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n to_o be_v do_v which_o be_v not_o within_o the_o power_n and_o capacity_n of_o presbyter_n to_o act_n as_o he_o suppose_v viz._n the_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n and_o confirm_v the_o faithful_a after_o baptism_n the_o veiling_n of_o devote_a woman_n the_o reconcile_n of_o penitent_n the_o ordain_v deacon_n where_o there_o be_v need_n and_o add_v moreover_o several_a impertinence_n as_o the_o make_n of_o chrism_n consecrate_v church-vessel_n etc._n etc._n and_o petavius_n mighty_o applaud_v himself_o in_o this_o conceit_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n to_o clear_v all_o difficulty_n our_o doctor_n hammond_n also_o find_v the_o usual_a interpretation_n of_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n above_o mention_v too_o weak_a to_o sustain_v the_o argument_n build_v on_o they_o for_o the_o unity_n of_o order_n go_v along_o after_o petavius_n a_o great_a way_n in_o the_o fore_n cite_v discourse_n though_o not_o in_o the_o late_a impertinence_n and_o affirm_v that_o the_o presbyter_n than_o be_v all_o bishop_n and_o so_o far_o i_o go_v with_o they_o that_o all_o be_v presbyter_n all_o bishop_n because_o all_o be_v one_o and_o one_o be_v all_o several_a name_n not_o several_a order_n as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o and_o this_o i_o humble_o conceive_v firm_o prove_v by_o my_o former_a argument_n of_o one_o ordination_n wherein_o two_o distinct_a order_n can_v not_o be_v confer_v so_o that_o still_o i_o require_v they_o to_o show_v i_o from_o scripture_n where_o these_o presbyter-bishop_n be_v twice_o ordain_v else_o it_o can_v be_v true_o affirm_v they_o be_v real_o
bishop_n have_v the_o authority_n of_o ordination_n more_o than_o presbyter_n a_o man_n may_v smile_v to_o see_v this_o use_v as_o a_o argument_n for_o the_o preeminency_n of_o bishop_n which_o be_v direct_o against_o it_o for_o st._n hierom_n have_v discourse_v of_o the_o equality_n and_o identity_n of_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n and_o have_v bring_v many_o argument_n from_o scripture_n to_o prove_v that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v only_o two_o name_n for_o one_o and_o the_o same_o office_n for_o a_o further_a confirmation_n hereof_o ask_v this_o question_n i_o pray_v what_o do_v a_o bishop_n do_v more_o than_o a_o presbyter_n except_o ordination_n plain_o intimate_v thereby_o that_o this_o can_v make_v no_o such_o distinction_n of_o eminency_n in_o they_o above_o presbyter_n i_o beseech_v you_o consider_v do_v not_o presbyter_n perform_v office_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n than_o ordination_n presbyter_n be_v ordain_v ambassador_n for_o christ_n to_o preach_v his_o holy_a gospel_n for_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n they_o be_v under_o christ_n mediator_n between_o god_n and_o the_o people_n to_o make_v intercession_n for_o they_o they_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n wherein_o the_o child_n of_o warth_fw-mi be_v regenerate_v and_o make_v the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o heir_n of_o eternal_a life_n yea_o they_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n also_o the_o most_o transcendent_a act_n of_o religion_n and_o christian_a dignity_n whereby_o we_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o do_v a_o bishop_n more_o than_o these_o except_a ordination_n which_o be_v no_o sacrament_n sure_o be_v inferior_a in_o dignity_n to_o the_o other_o mention_v act_n and_o therefore_o can_v elevate_v they_o to_o a_o high_a degree_n judge_v now_o i_o beseech_v you_o whether_o this_o question_n make_v pro_fw-la or_o con_v be_v not_o such_o question_n always_o tend_v to_o disparagement_n when_o any_o man_n be_v boast_v his_o power_n and_o authority_n shall_v i_o come_v and_o ask_v what_o can_v you_o do_v more_o than_o other_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o this_o or_o that_o poor_a business_n not_o worth_a speak_v of_o will_v he_o not_o take_v this_o as_o a_o affront_n wherefore_o it_o can_v enter_v into_o my_o head_n that_o st._n hierom_n intend_v by_o this_o question_n to_o express_v any_o superior_a order_n above_o the_o priesthood_n but_o plain_o the_o contrary_a five_o z._n that_o bishop_n have_v no_o other_o power_n distinct_a from_o priest_n but_o ordination_n this_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n for_o a_o distinct_a and_o superior_a order_n and_o now_o i_o desire_v my_o reader_n if_o he_o understand_v latin_a to_o view_v the_o epistle_n of_o st._n hierom_n to_o evagrius_n and_o doubtless_o he_o will_v wonder_v to_o see_v man_n have_v the_o confidence_n to_o quote_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o it_o for_o the_o distinction_n between_o episcopacy_n and_o presbytery_n for_o the_o whole_a epistle_n be_v to_o show_v the_o identity_n of_o they_o before_o i_o chance_v to_o read_v this_o epistle_n i_o be_v of_o the_o crroneous_a opinion_n that_o bishop_n be_v a_o distinct_a order_n but_o so_o convince_v by_o this_o epistle_n as_o i_o be_v force_v to_o submit_v to_o a_o change_n and_o i_o far_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o observe_v the_o various_a fate_n of_o st._n hierom_n and_o aerius_n aerius_n be_v revile_v as_o a_o heretic_n for_o affirm_v this_o identity_n of_o order_n hierom_n pass_v for_o a_o saint_n and_o a_o great_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n though_o he_o affirm_v the_o very_a same_o as_o full_o as_o aerius_n or_o any_o man_n can_v do_v and_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v my_o fate_n to_o be_v revile_v as_o aerius_n be_v but_o our_o saviour_n bid_v we_o rejoice_v and_o be_v exceed_o glad_a when_o we_o be_v revile_v for_o his_o name_n sake_n or_o for_o his_o word_n sake_n sure_o all_o be_v one_o for_o great_a be_v our_o reward_n and_o so_o i_o proceed_v but_o there_o lie_v yet_o a_o great_a objection_n make_v by_o our_o good_a bishop_n hall_n he_o tell_v we_o how_o that_o collutbus_fw-la a_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o ordain_v other_o and_o that_o afterward_o in_o a_o council_n of_o a_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o egypt_n their_o ordination_n be_v declare_v null_n because_o ordain_v by_o a_o presbyter_n from_o this_o and_o some_o other_o such_o instance_n the_o bishop_n will_v prove_v that_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n be_v not_o capable_a to_o ordain_v therefore_o bishop_n be_v a_o distinct_a order_n i_o be_o sorry_a so_o good_a a_o man_n have_v no_o better_a a_o proof_n for_o his_o intend_a purpose_n it_o seem_v he_o quite_o forget_v how_o that_o the_o famous_a council_n of_o nice_a consist_v of_o above_o three_o hundred_o make_v a_o canon_n wherein_o they_o declare_v that_o if_o any_o bishop_n shall_v ordain_v any_o of_o the_o clergy_n belong_v to_o another_o bishop_n diocese_n without_o consent_n and_o leave_v have_v of_o that_o bishop_n to_o who_o diocese_n they_o do_v belong_v their_o ordination_n shall_v be_v null_a you_o see_v then_o the_o irregular_a ordination_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v as_o null_a as_o the_o irregular_a ordination_n of_o a_o presbyter_n therefore_o the_o irregular_a bishop_n and_o the_o irregular_a presbyter_n be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n of_o the_o same_o authority_n neither_o able_a to_o ordain_v be_v it_o not_o most_o evident_a by_o this_o that_o it_o be_v not_o their_o order_n but_o commission_n that_o make_v they_o capable_a to_o ordain_v sure_o a_o irregular_a bishop_n be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o regular_a be_v the_o line_n of_o his_o diocese_n like_o a_o conjurer_n circle_n within_o it_o he_o be_v a_o bishop_n without_o it_o he_o be_v none_o no_o but_o within_o it_o he_o have_v commission_n give_v he_o to_o ordain_v without_o it_o no_o commission_n no_o nor_o to_o act_v in_o his_o own_o diocese_n beyond_o his_o commission_n which_o be_v to_o 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pastoral_a priest_n in_o their_o circuit_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o ordain_v more_o priest_n when_o occasion_n require_v which_o the_o chief_a bishop_n take_v very_o ill_o at_o their_o hand_n as_o a_o great_a lessen_v to_o their_o supreme_a authority_n and_o to_o prevent_v it_o for_o the_o future_a a_o canon_n be_v make_v in_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n about_o the_o year_n 340._o to_o forbid_v these_o country_n bishop_n to_o ordain_v any_o priest_n now_o i_o pray_v you_o observe_v these_o chorepiscopi_fw-la be_v either_o real_o ordain_v in_o the_o order_n of_o the_o chief_a bishop_n or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v as_o full_a bishop_n as_o he_o as_o real_o they_o be_v why_o may_v they_o not_o ordain_v priest_n as_o well_o as_o he_o the_o chief_a bishop_n answer_v because_o he_o give_v they_o no_o commission_n whereby_o you_o see_v that_o the_o power_n of_o ordain_v priest_n be_v annex_v no_o more_o to_o bishop_n than_o to_o priest_n
into_o all_o and_o understand_v the_o behaviour_n of_o each_o pastor_n under_o he_o to_o admonish_v and_o chastise_v when_o there_o be_v cause_n whereas_o with_o we_o partly_o by_o great_a distance_n of_o city_n partly_o by_o the_o favour_n of_o former_a prince_n several_a town_n be_v cast_v into_o one_o diocese_n they_o become_v so_o large_a as_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o one_o bishop_n shall_v have_v a_o sufficient_a inspection_n into_o they_o as_o i_o say_v before_o of_o great_a parish_n so_o here_o of_o diocese_n the_o bishop_n know_v not_o the_o name_n nor_o face_n of_o half_a or_o a_o quarter_n of_o they_o much_o less_o their_o behaviour_n he_o may_v have_v as_o well_o a_o part_n of_o france_n in_o his_o diocese_n to_o govern_v and_o as_o for_o their_o triennial_n and_o circuity_n visitation_n they_o signify_v just_a nothing_o as_o to_o this_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a money_n business_n to_o pay_v procuration_n to_o the_o bishop_n fee_n to_o chancellor_n register_n etc._n etc._n 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to_o reform_v and_o establish_v all_o according_a to_o the_o holy_a constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n and_o come_v to_o this_o last_o mention_v contract_v the_o bond_n and_o in_o number_n increase_a the_o diocese_n and_o bishop_n for_o they_o i_o will_v undertake_v to_o propose_v way_n both_o rational_a and_o conscientious_a of_o provide_v convenient_a maintenanee_n for_o all_o but_o i_o desire_v to_o be_v excuse_v at_o present_a least_o greedy_a harpy_n make_v ill_a use_n of_o my_o zealous_a intention_n and_o so_o i_o proceed_v to_o consider_v a_o second_o abuse_n in_o church_n government_n which_o be_v exempt_a jurisdiction_n a_o thing_n altogether_o unknown_a to_o antiquity_n and_o bring_v in_o by_o papal_a tyranny_n the_o pope_n at_o the_o height_n of_o their_o usurp_a dominion_n take_v upon_o themselves_o to_o be_v head_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v the_o universal_a bishop_n thereof_o and_o all_o other_o to_o be_v but_o their_o curate_n take_v then_o 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when_o for_o any_o person_n to_o have_v be_v out_o of_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o all_o bishop_n be_v to_o have_v be_v quite_o out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o will_v have_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o infidel_n according_a to_o the_o primitive_a practice_n in_o all_o age_n till_o papal_a usurpation_n and_o therefore_o all_o these_o exempt_a jurisdiction_n be_v mere_a papal_n and_o if_o due_o examine_v will_v be_v find_v opposite_a to_o the_o establish_a law_n of_o this_o kingdom_n since_o the_o reformation_n from_o popery_n as_o they_o be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o primitive_a canon_n of_o the_o church_n before_o popery_n be_v know_v or_o hear_v of_o and_o by_o reason_n of_o these_o exempt_a jurisdiction_n great_a dispute_n and_o great_a fraud_n arise_v between_o the_o bishop_n and_o they_o and_o the_o poor_a clergy_n be_v so_o pile_v and_o bold_a by_o they_o both_o that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o go_v in_o threadbare_a coat_n whilst_o the_o several_a officer_n of_o both_o grow_v fat_a and_o fair_a by_o fee_n extract_v from_o they_o wherefore_o i_o humble_o conceive_v the_o bishop_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o implore_v the_o assistance_n of_o both_o house_n of_o parliament_n to_o petition_v his_o majesty_n for_o the_o redress_n of_o these_o abuse_n by_o pious_a law_n settle_v the_o church_n government_n in_o the_o primitive_a purity_n and_o authority_n which_o most_o evident_o be_v very_o great_a and_o as_o great_o reverence_v bishop_n be_v the_o person_n to_o who_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n commit_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n buy_v with_o the_o precious_a blood_n of_o christ_n to_o who_o be_v glory_n and_o to_o his_o holy_a spouse_n the_o church_n be_v all_o sacred_a authority_n for_o ever_o amen_n a_o charitable_a admonition_n to_o all_o nonconformist_n my_o belove_a in_o christ_n you_o see_v how_o earnest_o i_o have_v plead_v for_o you_o to_o the_o father_n and_o governor_n of_o our_o church_n that_o they_o will_v gracious_o condescend_v to_o abolish_v some_o ceremony_n in_o the_o church_n that_o they_o may_v receive_v you_o into_o it_o but_o yet_o i_o have_v no_o great_a hope_n that_o they_o will_v hearken_v to_o i_o you_o yourselves_o for_o who_o i_o plead_v destroy_v my_o hope_n for_o they_o present_o dash_v i_o in_o the_o tooth_n say_v go_v rather_o and_o persuade_v the_o son_n in_o duty_n to_o submit_v to_o their_o father_n than_o father_n to_o yield_v to_o son_n and_o can_v you_o deny_v but_o of_o the_o two_o you_o be_v rather_o to_o submit_v you_o think_v to_o excuse_v this_o by_o say_v be_v it_o not_o against_o your_o conscience_n you_o will_v submit_v but_o you_o dare_v not_o for_o fear_v of_o displease_v god_n his_o holy_a word_n forbid_v you_o i_o beseech_v you_o show_v i_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n any_o one_o clear_a sentence_n against_o any_o one_o ceremony_n command_v in_o our_o church_n you_o see_v plain_o i_o be_o not_o biased_n to_o any_o one_o ceremony_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o have_v read_v the_o scripture_n all_o over_o several_a time_n and_o i_o humble_o conceive_v it_o be_v no_o pride_n of_o heart_n if_o i_o think_v i_o understand_v scripture_n as_o well_o as_o you_o and_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v find_v any_o one_o condemn_v sentence_n in_o scripture_n but_o you_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n enlighten_v you_o which_o i_o want_v by_o this_o rule_n you_o may_v affirm_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o scripture_n and_o i_o shall_v be_v as_o mad_a in_o dispute_v against_o you_o as_o you_o in_o affirm_v it_o it_o be_v madness_n for_o a_o blind_a man_n as_o you_o conceive_v i_o to_o be_v to_o dispute_v of_o colour_n therefore_o if_o you_o be_v so_o void_a of_o all_o reason_n as_o to_o expect_v your_o bare_a affirmation_n that_o you_o have_v light_a aught_o to_o convince_v all_o gainsayers_a i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v myself_o or_o you_o to_o gainsay_v you_o far_o but_o address_v myself_o to_o other_o who_o sober_o undertake_v to_o show_v i_o such_o text_n as_o a_o unbiased_a christian_n will_v and_o desirous_a to_o submit_v to_o all_o scripture_n truth_n as_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o be_o may_v discover_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o i_o desire_v those_o sober_a undertaker_n to_o show_v i_o any_o one_o such_o clear_a text_n to_o excuse_v their_o nonconforming_a as_o i_o show_v they_o for_o their_o conform_v submit_v yourselves_o to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n etc._n etc._n 1_o pet._n 2._o 13._o and_o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o and_o submit_v heb._n 13._o 17._o these_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o sun_n that_o you_o ought_v to_o obey_v now_o if_o the_o text_n you_o bring_v be_v not_o so_o clear_a but_o doubtful_a i_o beseech_v you_o be_v your_o conscience_n so_o bold_a against_o a_o clear_a text_n and_o so_o timorous_a at_o a_o doubtful_a text_n be_v this_o