Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	believe_v	church_n	faith_n	17,021	5	6.3601	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A53956	The good old way, or, A discourse offer'd to all true-hearted Protestants concerning the ancient way of the Church and the conformity of the Church of England thereunto, as to its government, manner of worship, rites, and customs / by Edward Pelling.	Pelling, Edward, d. 1718.	1680 (1680)	Wing P1082; ESTC R24452	117,268	146

make_v up_o of_o convert_a gentile_n now_o over_o each_o of_o these_o church_n there_o do_v preside_v a_o bishop_n with_o his_o deacon_n so_o that_o frequent_o you_o shall_v find_v in_o church-history_n two_o several_a bishop_n in_o one_o city_n 2._o second_o that_o these_o and_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n be_v wont_a to_o convene_v and_o meet_v together_o to_o consult_v concern_v the_o order_n and_o management_n of_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n 3._o and_o three_o that_o the_o necessity_n and_o condition_n of_o place_n be_v such_o in_o the_o beginning_n that_o all_o church_n be_v not_o so_o complete_o and_o perfect_o model_v at_o the_o first_o as_o they_o be_v in_o process_n of_o time_n for_o as_o church_n be_v great_a or_o less_o in_o proportion_n so_o be_v church-officer_n more_o or_o few_o in_o number_n where_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o great_a there_o a_o bishop_n and_o his_o deacon_n be_v enough_o to_o discharge_v the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n where_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n do_v increase_v there_o presbyter_n be_v appoint_v to_o assist_v the_o bishop_n and_o to_o act_v under_o he_o and_o where_o a_o apostle_n think_v good_a not_o to_o fix_v any_o bishop_n but_o to_o hold_v the_o government_n of_o a_o church_n immediate_o in_o his_o own_o hand_n there_o he_o do_v common_o appoint_v a_o college_n or_o bench_n of_o presbyter_n to_o perform_v ministerial_a office_n as_o his_o proxy_n in_o his_o absence_n and_o by_o his_o authority_n derive_v and_o delegated_a unto_o they_o for_o so_o do_v st._n paul_n keep_v the_o superintendency_n over_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n in_o his_o own_o hand_n as_o their_o immediate_a and_o sole_a bishop_n because_o he_o have_v convert_v they_o to_o the_o faith_n and_o what_o the_o presbyter_n do_v in_o excommunicate_v that_o incestuous_a person_n they_o do_v it_o by_o st._n paul_n spirit_n that_o be_v by_o 4._o 1_o cor._n 5._o 4._o his_o episcopal_a authority_n and_o power_n commit_v unto_o he_o by_o christ_n i_o very_o as_o absent_v in_o body_n but_o present_a in_o spirit_n or_o by_o my_o authority_n have_v judge_v already_o concern_v he_o say_v the_o apostle_n this_o observation_n will_v give_v we_o to_o understand_v the_o meaning_n 75._o epiph._n haeres_fw-la 75._o of_o that_o which_o we_o collect_v out_o of_o epiphanius_n that_o in_o one_o church_n there_o be_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n only_o where_o the_o number_n of_o convert_v be_v small_a in_o another_o there_o be_v presbyter_n without_o any_o bishop_n beside_o a_o apostle_n where_o there_o be_v need_n of_o many_o minister_n and_o yet_o one_o can_v not_o be_v find_v that_o be_v so_o fit_a for_o the_o bishopric_n in_o other_o again_o there_o be_v bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n too_o where_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o place_n do_v require_v it_o and_o the_o worth_n and_o ability_n of_o the_o man_n do_v admit_v of_o it_o now_o then_o to_o come_v to_o the_o objection_n st._n paul_n give_v timothy_n a_o 3._o 1_o tim._n 3._o account_n of_o the_o qualification_n necessary_a in_o bishop_n and_o this_o questionless_a be_v in_o order_n to_o their_o ordination_n but_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o presbyter_n be_v mean_v by_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v presbyter_n now_o to_o be_v ordain_v do_v the_o word_n of_o god_n 20._o act._n 19_o 20._o grow_v and_o prevail_v so_o mighty_o in_o the_o ephesian_a church_n and_o yet_o no_o presbyter_n in_o they_o be_v st._n paul_n among_o they_o for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n preach_v dispute_v and_o convert_v so_o many_o 31._o act._n 20._o 31._o multitude_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o yet_o ordain_v no_o presbyter_n to_o water_v what_o he_o have_v so_o prosperous_o plant_v and_o if_o presbyter_n be_v ordain_v be_v settle_v in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n before_o the_o apostle_n departure_n to_o macedonia_n what_o necessity_n be_v there_o for_o he_o to_o send_v his_o son_n timothy_n instruction_n concern_v the_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n especial_o when_o he_o hope_v to_o return_v unto_o he_o short_o divine_n conceive_v that_o this_o epistle_n be_v send_v by_o 14._o 1_o tim._n 3._o 14._o he_o soon_o after_o he_o depart_v from_o ephesus_n and_o be_v all_o the_o presbyter_n dead_a in_o that_o little_a time_n it_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v believe_v that_o presbyter_n be_v want_v but_o bishop_n be_v for_o hitherto_o st._n paul_n have_v be_v with_o the_o ephesian_n for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o his_o own_o person_n he_o have_v govern_v they_o in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o have_v exercise_v his_o episcopal_a authority_n in_o his_o own_o person_n but_o now_o he_o be_v go_v leave_v timothy_n in_o his_o room_n he_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n that_o be_v fix_v at_o ephesus_n and_o the_o only_a bishop_n indeed_o now_o and_o yet_o but_o a_o young_a man_n that_o have_v need_n of_o other_o bishop_n to_o concur_v with_o he_o and_o help_v he_o in_o his_o office_n and_o consider_v that_o st._n paul_n be_v uncertain_a when_o he_o shall_v see_v he_o 15._o 1_o tim._n 3._o 15._o again_o there_o be_v a_o urgent_a necessity_n for_o he_o to_o write_v speedy_o to_o his_o son_n that_o other_o bishop_n may_v be_v ordain_v that_o other_o church_n may_v be_v guard_v from_o the_o gnostic_n seducer_n as_o well_o as_o ephesus_n itself_o the_o great_a metropolis_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n then_o for_o we_o to_o conceive_v that_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n do_v mean_a presbyter_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o bishop_n but_o rather_o that_o he_o give_v direction_n for_o the_o ordination_n of_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v bishop_n indeed_o to_o be_v invest_v with_o episcopal_a power_n and_o to_o preside_v over_o other_o city_n as_o timothy_n do_v over_o ephesus_n in_o st._n paul_n own_o chair_n again_o the_o apostle_n salute_v the_o saint_n at_o philippi_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n phil._n 1._o 1._o but_o there_o be_v no_o demonstrative_a reason_n to_o constrain_v nor_o probable_a argument_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o direct_v his_o salutation_n to_o presbyter_n much_o less_o that_o he_o give_v they_o the_o title_n of_o bishop_n for_o there_o be_v several_a fair_a account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o this_o matter_n either_o as_o some_o conceive_v that_o there_o be_v two_o bishop_n over_o two_o church_n in_o philippi_n jewish_n and_o gentile_a christian_n as_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o other_o place_n or_o as_o other_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n be_v now_o assemble_v at_o philippi_n as_o it_o be_v usual_a at_o other_o time_n or_o as_o other_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o salutation_n be_v send_v not_o to_o but_o from_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o so_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v read_v thus_o with_o a_o parenthesis_n paul_n and_o timotheus_n the_o servant_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o christ_n jesus_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n grace_n be_v unto_o you_o etc._n etc._n but_o which_o way_n soever_o we_o interpret_v the_o text_n we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o find_v any_o presbyter_n in_o the_o salutation_n that_o there_o be_v no_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v at_o all_o in_o the_o city_n whither_o the_o salutation_n be_v send_v for_o epiphanius_n tell_v we_o that_o many_o church_n at_o the_o first_o be_v order_v by_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n only_o and_o then_o why_o not_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n also_o thus_o their_o whole_a argument_n fail_v they_o who_o will_v prove_v the_o office_n and_o order_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n because_o forsooth_o the_o name_n be_v give_v to_o both_o in_o scripture_n though_o the_o consequence_n will_v not_o be_v good_a shall_v their_o grand_a principle_n be_v grant_v yet_o there_o be_v no_o solid_a reason_n for_o we_o to_o grant_v the_o principle_n itself_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o conclude_v peremptory_o that_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n both_z as_o to_o name_n and_o thing_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v either_o a_o antichristian_a or_o a_o ecclesiastical_a ordinance_n that_o it_o be_v institute_v by_o christ_n himself_o and_o found_v in_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o they_o so_o establish_v and_o continue_v in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n that_o for_o 1500_o year_n together_o no_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v perfect_o and_o right_o form_v be_v ever_o under_o any_o other_o sort_n of_o government_n but_o that_o the_o episcopal_a office_n and_o authority_n have_v through_o a_o continual_a succession_n of_o age_n be_v communicate_v transmit_v and_o hand_v down_o to_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n even_o from_o the_o most_o primitive_a and_o infant_n time_n of_o christianity_n and_o consequent_o that_o this_o way_n of_o government_n

yet_o by_o their_o notorious_a and_o unparalleled_a wickedness_n bring_v a_o reproach_n upon_o religion_n and_o cause_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v blaspheme_v by_o the_o gentile_n but_o the_o apostle_n have_v take_v most_o particular_a notice_n of_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n these_o be_v they_o say_v s._n paul_n which_o creep_v into_o house_n and_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n lade_v with_o sin_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 6._o they_o go_v out_o from_o we_o but_o be_v not_o of_o we_o say_v s._n john_n 1_o joh._n 2._o 19_o these_o be_v they_o who_o separate_v themselves_o say_v s._n judas_n ver_fw-la 19_o which_o have_v forsake_v the_o right_a way_n say_v s._n peter_n and_o be_v go_v astray_o follow_v the_o 15._o 2_o pet._n 2._o 15._o way_n of_o balaam_n by_o which_o plain_a testimony_n it_o do_v appear_v that_o the_o schismatic_n of_o that_o age_n be_v they_o which_o s._n paul_n mean_v by_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n the_o high-flown_a stubborn_a seditious_a and_o contentious_a gnostic_n they_o that_o forsake_v the_o regular_a assembly_n that_o spurn_v at_o government_n they_o that_o be_v set_v against_o the_o hierarchy_n and_o lift_v up_o their_o unholy_a claw_n to_o pull_v down_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n these_o be_v that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o be_v then_o work_v and_o factor_v for_o antichrist_n and_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o true_a church_n for_o there_o be_v no_o evil_a then_o work_v within_o the_o church_n there_o be_v no_o prepare_v of_o material_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o devil_n within_o the_o church_n there_o be_v no_o idolatry_n in_o the_o mint_n nor_o superstition_n upon_o the_o anvil_n within_o the_o church_n but_o indeed_o without_o there_o be_v hard_o work_v sweat_a and_o toil_v so_o that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n many_o error_n be_v scatter_v by_o these_o preacher_n of_o 32._o hegesippus_n in_o euseb_n eccl._n hist_o l._n 3._o c._n 32._o knowledge_n false_o so_o call_v who_o counterfeit_v themselves_o christian_n and_o lurk_v among_o those_o who_o be_v christian_n in_o truth_n and_o reality_n but_o shall_v we_o be_v unjust_a and_o wicked_a like_o the_o pagan_n revile_v the_o whole_a ancient_a church_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o these_o old_a villainous_a sectary_n shall_v our_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n be_v deprave_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o schismatical_a and_o diabolical_a practice_n of_o the_o gnostic_n if_o samaria_n do_v transgress_v there_o be_v no_o reason_n that_o judah_n shall_v suffer_v for_o it_o unless_o she_o be_v a_o confederate_a now_o it_o will_v be_v to_o the_o purpose_n if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o gnostic_n that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n be_v the_o founder_n of_o our_o prelacy_n or_o the_o author_n of_o our_o discipline_n and_o ceremony_n but_o it_o be_v obvious_a that_o they_o be_v the_o first_o though_o not_o the_o last_o the_o hate_a and_o oppose_v episcopal_a authority_n and_o that_o they_o use_v quite_o different_a and_o most_o monstrous_a rite_n in_o their_o filthy_a assembly_n and_o as_o soon_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o their_o and_o our_o faith_n be_v the_o same_o whereas_o it_o be_v know_v that_o they_o deny_v the_o reality_n of_o christ_n incarnation_n and_o passion_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n come_v not_o to_o the_o christian_a communion_n and_o that_o their_o creed_n be_v a_o confuse_a mess_n of_o heathen_a mythology_n concern_v 4._o s._n ignat._n ep_v ad_fw-la smyr_n 1_o tim._n 1._o 4._o aeones_n and_o genealogy_n of_o god_n which_o afterward_o valentinus_n the_o heretic_n digest_v into_o some_o kind_n of_o form_n brief_o then_o if_o the_o way_n establish_v in_o this_o church_n of_o england_n be_v the_o old_a christian_a way_n if_o it_o be_v so_o excellent_o contrive_v that_o no_o other_o constitution_n can_v be_v better_o or_o so_o well_o frame_v to_o answer_v the_o end_n of_o christianity_n if_o it_o be_v that_o way_n which_o for_o the_o great_a if_o not_o in_o every_o part_v thereof_o be_v that_o which_o be_v universal_o observe_v for_o very_a many_o century_n all_o along_o from_o the_o pure_a and_o primitive_a time_n of_o christiantiy_n then_o have_v we_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v original_o lay_v out_o not_o by_o the_o invention_n of_o a_o private_a person_n or_o two_o or_o by_o the_o confederacy_n of_o crafty_a impostor_n but_o by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o just_a and_o competent_a authority_n who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o set_v thing_n in_o order_n in_o the_o 34._o 1_o cor._n 11._o 34._o church_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v sure_a we_o have_v then_o great_a reason_n to_o ask_v for_o this_o old_a path_n where_o the_o good_a way_n be_v and_o to_o walk_v therein_o notwithstanding_o the_o desire_n and_o endeavour_n of_o those_o which_o be_v give_v to_o change_n and_o thus_o the_o first_o thing_n be_v dispatch_v which_o i_o propound_v to_o discourse_v of_o 2._o the_o second_o consideration_n now_o follow_v that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o thing_n great_o useful_a and_o advantageous_a unto_o we_o as_o well_o as_o just_a in_o itself_o if_o we_o will_v but_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o walk_v steady_o in_o this_o good_a old_a way_n and_o true_o many_o excellent_a end_n there_o be_v to_o which_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o thing_n will_v be_v high_o serviceable_a 1._o as_o first_o it_o will_v put_v that_o lustre_n and_o beauty_n upon_o religion_n which_o by_o our_o distraction_n and_o innovation_n be_v manifest_o and_o in_o a_o high_a degree_n deface_v it_o will_v restore_v it_o to_o that_o decorum_n and_o order_n which_o make_v it_o venerable_a and_o lovely_a in_o the_o day_n of_o old_a among_o other_o thing_n which_o st._n paul_n rejoice_v to_o see_v in_o the_o collossian_o this_o be_v one_o that_o he_o behold_v their_o order_n col._n 2._o 9_o for_o this_o very_a much_o help_v to_o bring_v religion_n into_o request_n and_o extort_v a_o confession_n from_o its_o very_a enemy_n that_o of_o a_o truth_n god_n be_v in_o they_o that_o do_v profess_v it_o whereas_o confusion_n and_o disorder_n in_o a_o church_n either_o for_o want_v of_o a_o sixth_o rule_n or_o by_o the_o neglect_n of_o it_o do_v but_o expose_v religion_n to_o reproach_n and_o its_o professor_n to_o scorn_n if_o there_o come_v in_o into_o irregular_a congregation_n those_o that_o be_v unlearned_a or_o unbeliever_n will_v they_o not_o say_v that_o you_o be_v mad_a as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v pertinent_o to_o my_o purpose_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 23._o 2._o to_o walk_v together_o in_o the_o good_a old_a path_n will_v be_v a_o excellent_a mean_n as_o to_o put_v a_o outward_a gloss_n upon_o religion_n so_o also_o to_o recover_v that_o inward_a life_n of_o it_o which_o consist_v in_o charity_n and_o brotherly_a love_n scarce_o be_v any_o thing_n so_o much_o want_v among_o we_o as_o charity_n though_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v up_o and_o down_o command_v we_o to_o be_v root_v and_o ground_v to_o walk_v and_o to_o be_v knit_v together_o to_o abound_v and_o continue_v in_o and_o to_o provoke_v one_o another_o unto_o love_n man_n forsake_v of_o the_o good_a old_a way_n have_v be_v the_o occasion_n and_o rise_v of_o all_o that_o uncharitableness_n which_o be_v the_o monstrous_a sin_n and_o the_o characteristical_a note_n of_o this_o age_n when_o instead_o of_o be_v lamb_n and_o dove_n some_o count_n it_o a_o piece_n of_o religion_n to_o be_v worse_o than_o wolf_n and_o vulture_n ready_a to_o devour_v one_o another_o for_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n when_o christian_n can_v dispute_v well_o and_o live_v better_o the_o very_a heathen_n can_v not_o but_o observe_v with_o admiration_n how_o they_o love_v one_o another_o man_n have_v cease_v to_o be_v our_o friend_n since_o they_o refuse_v to_o go_v the_o usual_a way_n with_o we_o into_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o part_v from_o we_o into_o different_a and_o by-road_n and_o that_o ill-natured_a sect_n which_o first_o divide_v from_o we_o be_v just_o reward_v with_o ishmaels_n doom_n gen._n 16._o 12._o that_o his_o hand_n be_v against_o every_o man_n and_o every_o man_n hand_n against_o he_o and_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v see_v thing_n be_v likely_a to_o go_v on_o still_o at_o this_o rate_n till_o man_n will_v be_v so_o kind_a to_o themselves_o and_o so_o just_a to_o we_o as_o to_o quit_v those_o novel_a course_n and_o uncouth_a path_n in_o which_o pride_n and_o singularity_n and_o a_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n together_o with_o base_a respect_n to_o their_o secular_a interest_n have_v cause_v they_o to_o wander_v hitherto_o 3._o a_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o more_o desirable_a especial_o at_o this_o juncture_n and_o nick_n of_o time_n because_o three_o it_o will_v infinite_o serve_v to_o the_o general_a quiet_a and_o safety_n of_o we_o all._n it_o will_v unite_v our_o interest_n as_o well_o as_o our_o

affection_n it_o will_v compose_v our_o mind_n and_o our_o affair_n too_o it_o will_v not_o only_o make_v we_o live_v together_o with_o one_o mind_n in_o a_o house_n but_o moreover_o it_o will_v establish_v our_o house_n and_o make_v it_o strong_a and_o firm_a and_o safe_a over_o our_o head_n for_o it_o be_v not_o every_o difference_n in_o opinion_n that_o expose_v a_o church_n or_o a_o nation_n to_o danger_n but_o it_o be_v fight_a and_o quarrel_v about_o the_o main_a way_n that_o ruin_v all_o we_o know_v that_o among_o the_o turk_n there_o be_v several_a sect_n and_o party_n and_o different_a persuasion_n and_o yet_o the_o ottoman_a empire_n hold_v though_o it_o be_v a_o most_o arbitrary_a and_o tyrannical_a policy_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o mahomet_n be_v carry_v on_o though_o it_o be_v a_o most_o palpable_a and_o fulsome_a imposture_n because_o though_o they_o jangle_v in_o matter_n of_o lesser_a moment_n yet_o they_o be_v true_a to_o their_o common_a interest_n and_o agree_v in_o the_o main_n and_o close_o adhere_v to_o their_o general_a model_n of_o government_n religion_n and_o worship_n in_o like_a manner_n among_o the_o romanist_n themselves_o who_o boast_v so_o much_o of_o the_o unity_n of_o their_o church_n there_o be_v many_o very_a considerable_a division_n and_o more_o perhaps_o than_o there_o be_v among_o we_o and_o those_o as_o hot_o maintain_v and_o yet_o herod_n and_o pilate_n know_v how_o to_o agree_v against_o christ_n the_o scotist_n and_o thomist_n the_o molinist_n and_o jansenist_n the_o dominican_n and_o jesuit_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v wise_a enough_o to_o hang_v together_o under_o the_o law_n of_o their_o church_n they_o go_v quiet_o and_o hand_n in_o hand_n in_o the_o main_a way_n they_o conspire_v in_o one_o common_a form_n they_o be_v tight_a to_o their_o government_n and_o keep_v close_o to_o their_o rubric_n and_o establishment_n and_o as_o long_o as_o the_o pope_n can_v but_o keep_v thing_n in_o this_o channel_n either_o by_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o inquisition_n or_o by_o other_o politic_a art_n he_o know_v that_o his_o and_o his_o church_n interest_n be_v safe_a and_o he_o need_v not_o make_v use_n of_o his_o pretend_a infallibility_n to_o determine_v those_o point_n which_o be_v controvert_v i_o wish_v that_o we_o will_v learn_v so_o much_o wit_n of_o the_o adversary_n of_o true_a religion_n as_o not_o to_o fall_v out_o there_o where_o the_o safety_n of_o we_o all_o be_v concern_v but_o walk_v together_o like_a friend_n in_o that_o plain_a way_n which_o the_o ancient_a church_n have_v beat_v out_o before_o we_o and_o the_o law_n of_o our_o land_n have_v fence_v in_o for_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o speculation_n and_o point_v disputable_a can_v not_o hurt_v we_o or_o lay_v we_o open_v to_o danger_n if_o some_o among_o we_o be_v but_o true_a to_o our_o common_a interest_n if_o they_o will_v but_o stick_v to_o our_o establishment_n which_o be_v the_o rampire_n and_o bulwark_n of_o the_o church_n if_o they_o will_v but_o be_v as_o zealous_a for_o christ_n as_o the_o turk_n be_v for_o mahomet_n or_o as_o the_o jesuit_n be_v for_o he_o who_o some_o suppose_v to_o be_v antichrist_n nothing_o in_o all_o probability_n can_v give_v we_o rest_n to_o our_o soul_n and_o security_n to_o our_o nation_n and_o prosperity_n to_o our_o religion_n but_o this_o one_o thing_n to_o seek_v after_o the_o good_a old_a way_n man_n may_v please_v themselves_o with_o fancy_n and_o try_v many_o fruitless_a conclusion_n and_o make_v experiment_n of_o this_o and_o of_o that_o expedient_a but_o the_o world_n will_v see_v in_o the_o end_n that_o nothing_o but_o the_o observe_n of_o the_o old_a path_n will_v put_v we_o into_o a_o good_a posture_n 4._o but_o yet_o fourthly_a there_o be_v one_o huge_a advantage_n more_o which_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o matter_n will_v bring_v unto_o we_o and_o that_o indeed_o which_o i_o shall_v chief_o insist_v on_o and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o it_o will_v justify_v our_o whole_a cause_n before_o all_o the_o world_n and_o cut_v off_o all_o just_a occasion_n from_o those_o who_o wrongful_o upbraid_v we_o all_o for_o innovator_n and_o under_o that_o pretence_n trepan_n many_o a_o soul_n where_o say_v they_o be_v your_o religion_n before_o luther_n now_o the_o dissenter_n be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v this_o question_n true_o thorough_o or_o to_o satisfaction_n because_o a_o great_a part_n of_o his_o religion_n be_v no_o where_n in_o the_o world_n no_o not_o in_o luther_n day_n and_o so_o the_o romanist_n have_v a_o continual_a and_o unanswerable_a objection_n to_o fling_v in_o his_o tooth_n but_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v have_v a_o fair_a and_o full_a plea_n that_o her_o whole_a religion_n be_v long_o before_o popery_n that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o world_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v see_v still_o in_o the_o tome_n of_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n nay_o she_o can_v justify_v her_o cause_n out_o of_o those_o very_a writer_n in_o communion_n with_o the_o roman_a church_n both_o before_o and_o since_o the_o time_n of_o luther_n who_o book_n they_o like_o dishonest_a man_n have_v correct_v purge_v and_o mangle_v by_o the_o expurgatory_n indices_fw-la lest_o they_o shall_v tell_v tale_n i_o do_v not_o intend_v now_o to_o vindicate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n in_o this_o respect_n for_o that_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o my_o present_a purpose_n and_o our_o faith_n have_v be_v by_o other_o abundant_o prove_v to_o be_v exact_o consonant_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o orthodox_n christian_n in_o the_o pure_a and_o best_a age_n and_o by_o this_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o stand_v or_o fall_v let_v the_o papist_n bark_n at_o we_o till_o his_o tongue_n and_o his_o heart_n ak_v but_o my_o purpose_n be_v to_o justify_v the_o government_n and_o discipline_n of_o our_o church_n to_o be_v the_o same_o which_o be_v use_v in_o christian_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o that_o against_o a_o sort_n of_o man_n among_o ourselves_o who_o accuse_v we_o of_o superstition_n as_o the_o papist_n do_v accuse_v we_o of_o schism_n though_o god_n be_v bless_v we_o be_v guilty_a of_o neither_o we_o tell_v our_o dissent_v brethren_n that_o our_o way_n which_o they_o have_v forsake_v be_v indeed_o the_o old_a path_n we_o affirm_v our_o government_n to_o have_v be_v primitive_a and_o apostolical_a and_o we_o say_v too_o that_o our_o discipline_n rite_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n be_v the_o same_o general_o which_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o first_o and_o best_a time_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v now_o to_o prove_v in_o some_o measure_n by_o instance_v in_o particular_n that_o man_n who_o desire_v satisfaction_n herein_o may_v see_v that_o the_o frame_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la very_o ancient_a and_o that_o on_o that_o account_n beside_o many_o other_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v uphold_v and_o maintain_v which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o have_v already_o argue_v for_o and_o withal_o that_o our_o charge_n of_o innovation_n will_v be_v unjust_a and_o ridiculous_a do_v we_o but_o unanimous_o resolve_v to_o tread_v in_o this_o path_n our_o brethren_n then_o will_v be_v free_a from_o guilt_n as_o well_o as_o ourselves_o 1._o the_o first_o thing_n to_o be_v speak_v to_o be_v our_o form_n of_o government_n i_o mean_v our_o episcopacy_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v such_o a_o eyesore_a to_o papist_n atheist_n and_o schismatic_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o for_o 1500_o year_n it_o be_v the_o only_a kind_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n and_o whatever_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v pretend_v i_o believe_v you_o can_v scarce_o instance_n in_o any_o ancient_a church_n perfect_o and_o complete_o form_v that_o be_v not_o under_o the_o care_n and_o government_n of_o bishop_n in_o our_o present_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n preside_v over_o they_o either_o in_o person_n or_o by_o their_o authority_n those_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o the_o world_n have_v be_v and_o be_v so_o much_o behold_v the_o augustine_n cyprian_n chrysostoms_n basils_n cyril_n gregory_n and_o ambrose_n be_v famous_a and_o renown_a prelate_n some_o of_o they_o metropolitanes_n some_o patriarch_n all_o of_o they_o bishop_n those_o father_n of_o the_o three_o century_n after_o the_o apostle_n as_o theodoret_n jerom_n and_o other_o who_o think_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v indifferent_o and_o promiscuous_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o mean_a to_o impair_v the_o just_a honour_n and_o dignity_n of_o bishop_n for_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o though_o the_o name_n be_v in_o common_a yet_o the_o office_n power_n and_o