whatever_o first_o engage_v he_o to_o undertake_v the_o argument_n and_o it_o be_v usual_o report_v that_o the_o provocation_n be_v so_o very_o slight_a that_o i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o beneath_o the_o spirit_n of_o so_o great_a a_o man_n he_o have_v prosecute_v it_o with_o great_a zeal_n and_o keenness_n than_o he_o express_v in_o other_o write_n nay_o he_o can_v forbear_v upon_o all_o occasion_n digress_v into_o this_o subject_n insomuch_o that_o this_o be_v the_o main_a matter_n of_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr anno_fw-la civili_fw-la the_o subject_a whereof_o one_o will_v think_v be_v remote_a enough_o from_o this_o argument_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o his_o expense_n of_o pain_n and_o learning_n he_o have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o serve_v the_o purpose_n of_o his_o design_n that_o he_o have_v direct_o oppose_v it_o and_o if_o he_o have_v only_o study_v to_o furnish_v the_o church_n with_o argument_n to_o justify_v her_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n he_o can_v not_o have_v do_v she_o more_o service_n than_o he_o have_v do_v by_o this_o violent_a attempt_n upon_o it_o this_o i_o know_v can_v but_o seem_v a_o very_a strange_a charge_n against_o a_o person_n of_o his_o part_n and_o learning_n but_o therein_o i_o say_v appear_v the_o strength_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n that_o it_o put_v man_n beside_o the_o use_n of_o their_o natural_a understanding_n and_o hire_v they_o to_o set_v their_o wit_n on_o work_n only_o to_o serve_v a_o cause_n or_o gratify_v a_o passion_n and_o when_o once_o a_o man_n have_v take_v up_o a_o falsehood_n to_o defend_v the_o more_o skill_n and_o learning_n he_o spend_v upon_o it_o the_o worse_a it_o be_v for_o when_o a_o error_n be_v but_o slight_o maintain_v the_o mistake_n may_v proceed_v from_o inadvertency_n but_o when_o it_o be_v assert_v with_o great_a industry_n and_o long_a study_n that_o discover_v the_o man_n to_o be_v under_o a_o settle_a and_o habitual_a misunderstanding_n and_o when_o all_o be_v do_v every_o thing_n will_v be_v true_a or_o false_a as_o it_o be_v whether_o we_o will_v or_o no._n and_o if_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n be_v settle_v upon_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v not_o all_o the_o wit_n nor_o all_o the_o eloquence_n nor_o all_o the_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n that_o can_v unsettle_v it_o the_o wind_n may_v blow_v and_o the_o wave_n may_v beat_v but_o they_o can_v never_o shake_v it_o because_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o rock_n for_o a_o proof_n hereof_o i_o shall_v first_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o this_o learned_a author_n method_n of_o discourse_n and_o then_o second_o in_o the_o same_o way_n of_o argue_v by_o which_o he_o endeavour_v to_o destroy_v the_o original_a power_n of_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o make_v out_o a_o demonstrative_a proof_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n only_o i_o must_v premise_v that_o whereas_o he_o treat_v only_o of_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n that_o dispute_n must_v involve_v in_o it_o all_o other_o act_n of_o government_n in_o that_o they_o be_v all_o suppose_a by_o the_o power_n of_o inflict_a punishment_n now_o mr._n selden'_v account_n of_o the_o rise_n of_o excommunication_n be_v brief_o this_o that_o it_o be_v never_o establish_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n by_o any_o divine_a command_n that_o there_o be_v no_o use_n of_o it_o whilst_o they_o enjoy_v the_o civil_a power_n among_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o that_o we_o meet_v with_o no_o footstep_n of_o it_o till_o after_o the_o babylonian_a captivity_n and_o that_o then_o and_o there_o it_o be_v first_o take_v up_o among_o the_o jew_n by_o confederacy_n and_o mutual_a compact_n for_o be_v then_o deprive_v of_o all_o judicial_a power_n and_o zealous_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o nation_n they_o covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o punish_v all_o contumacious_a offender_n against_o their_o law_n and_o custom_n by_o excommunication_n which_o consist_v of_o two_o thing_n first_o solemn_a imprecation_n of_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n second_o separation_n from_o their_o converse_n that_o partly_o by_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n and_o partly_o by_o shame_n and_o modesty_n they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o repentance_n which_o as_o it_o be_v no_o proper_a jurisdiction_n so_o it_o can_v take_v no_o effect_n not_o only_o against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n but_o of_o every_o refractory_a offender_n that_o may_v if_o he_o please_v despise_v their_o sentence_n and_o in_o spite_n of_o it_o enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o conversation_n and_o therefore_o to_o make_v the_o sentence_n appear_v more_o terrible_a to_o the_o people_n they_o express_v it_o in_o the_o same_o form_n of_o speech_n in_o which_o moses_n express_v capital_a punishment_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o give_v the_o occasion_n to_o learned_a man_n of_o mistake_v as_o if_o the_o same_o phrase_n have_v signify_v the_o same_o thing_n from_o the_o beginning_n though_o the_o only_a intention_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v thereby_o to_o declare_v that_o they_o will_v no_o more_o own_o excommunicate_a person_n to_o be_v member_n of_o their_o society_n than_o if_o they_o have_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o it_o by_o a_o sentence_n of_o death_n and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n they_o will_v not_o spare_v to_o do_v it_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o sentence_n relate_v only_o to_o their_o civil_a liberty_n and_o be_v no_o abridgement_n of_o their_o freedom_n as_o to_o public_a worship_n and_o though_o the_o offender_n upon_o who_o it_o pass_v be_v say_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o their_o synagogue_n yet_o that_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o it_o be_v their_o court_n of_o judicature_n not_o their_o place_n of_o worship_n and_o so_o signify_v civil_a out-lawry_a not_o ecclesiastical_a excommunication_n but_o though_o this_o device_n be_v at_o first_o make_v use_v of_o in_o this_o case_n of_o necessity_n for_o want_n of_o more_o effectual_a government_n yet_o have_v once_o obtain_v the_o power_n of_o custom_n among_o they_o when_o they_o be_v restore_v to_o their_o country_n and_o civil_a state_n they_o reserve_v it_o among_o their_o civil_a penalty_n and_o use_v or_o omit_v alter_v or_o abate_v its_o exercise_n according_a to_o discretion_n as_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v do_v in_o all_o other_o act_n of_o humane_a judicature_n that_o this_o be_v the_o state_n and_o notion_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o take_v it_o up_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o express_v it_o by_o the_o same_o form_n of_o speech_n so_o that_o in_o their_o discourse_n it_o signify_v no_o other_o separation_n than_o what_o it_o do_v among_o the_o jew_n that_o thus_o the_o use_n of_o it_o continue_v till_o the_o open_a breach_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n and_o then_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v whole_o separate_v from_o the_o jewish_a into_o a_o society_n by_o itself_o they_o enter_v into_o such_o a_o confederacy_n among_o themselves_o as_o the_o jew_n do_v in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n of_o inflict_a censure_n upon_o such_o as_o by_o their_o unchristian_a practice_n shall_v bring_v scandal_n upon_o the_o church_n that_o this_o power_n at_o first_o reside_v in_o the_o whole_a congregation_n not_o in_o any_o particular_a officer_n and_o that_o thus_o it_o continue_v till_o the_o ambition_n of_o the_o bishop_n wrest_v it_o into_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o for_o it_o pretend_v the_o authority_n of_o our_o saviour_n commission_n and_o so_o they_o enjoy_v it_o till_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a who_o take_v the_o church_n into_o his_o care_n and_o government_n reassume_v this_o power_n to_o himself_o as_o a_o natural_a right_n of_o the_o sovereign_a prerogative_n and_o so_o it_o descend_v to_o all_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o empire_n who_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o record_n of_o every_o age_n vary_v its_o use_n and_o exercise_v at_o their_o own_o pleasure_n and_o as_o prince_n come_v into_o the_o church_n this_o right_n of_o course_n escheat_v to_o they_o and_o be_v according_o challenge_v by_o they_o as_o be_v large_o prove_v by_o the_o history_n of_o europe_n and_o particular_o of_o our_o own_o nation_n this_o be_v the_o short_a account_n of_o his_o long_a performance_n the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v that_o excommunication_n have_v no_o divine_a but_o mere_o a_o humane_a original_a and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o ecclesiastical_a but_o a_o civil_a punishment_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o appertain_v not_o to_o the_o church_n but_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n now_o to_o answer_n or_o rather_o confute_v all_o this_o i_o need_v only_o to_o represent_v that_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o society_n found_v upon_o the_o immediate_a charter_n and_o command_n of_o our_o saviour_n
the_o bishop_n thereof_o to_o the_o number_n of_o twenty_o seven_o have_v be_v ordain_v in_o the_o city_n itself_o but_o that_o it_o seem_v prove_v a_o false_a allegation_n he_o have_v give_v we_o no_o reason_n to_o believe_v he_o in_o his_o tradition_n a_o inference_n much_o like_o this_o that_o suppose_v two_o person_n to_o contend_v for_o their_o right_n and_o the_o advocate_n of_o one_o of_o they_o shall_v in_o his_o plea_n allege_v a_o false_a prescription_n his_o adversary_n shall_v thence_o conclude_v upon_o he_o that_o he_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o person_n in_o the_o world_n as_o his_o client_n for_o this_o be_v the_o case_n the_o matter_n of_o the_o dispute_n be_v where_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n ought_v to_o be_v ordain_v according_a to_o the_o canon_n at_o ephesus_n say_v leontius_n by_o constant_a prescription_n no_o say_v the_o council_n for_o many_o of_o they_o have_v be_v ordain_v at_o constantinople_n now_o be_v it_o not_o awkerd_a to_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o council_n deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o succession_n itself_o when_o as_o the_o debate_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o it_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o both_o sidesa_n a_o thing_n undoubted_a that_o there_o be_v a_o succession_n of_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n and_o the_o controversy_n be_v only_o about_o the_o accustom_a place_n of_o their_o consecration_n now_o from_o the_o variety_n of_o that_o to_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o bishop_n at_o all_o be_v such_o a_o force_a argument_n as_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o we_o have_v a_o very_a great_a mind_n to_o our_o conclusion_n i_o may_v proceed_v to_o the_o succession_n in_o other_o church_n of_o which_o we_o have_v certain_a record_n but_o i_o will_v not_o engage_v myself_o in_o too_o many_o particular_a historical_a dispute_n where_o i_o know_v it_o be_v easy_a if_o man_n will_v not_o be_v ingenuous_a to_o perplex_v any_o matter_n with_o little_a critical_a scruple_n and_o difficulty_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v cast_v the_o whole_a of_o this_o controversy_n upon_o this_o one_o principle_n that_o though_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n be_v as_o defective_a as_o be_v pretend_v yet_o see_v all_o that_o be_v preserve_v make_v only_o for_o episcopacy_n and_o that_o our_o adversary_n be_v notable_a to_o trace_v out_o one_o against_o it_o that_o be_v evidence_n more_o than_o enough_o of_o its_o universal_a practice_n and_o if_o that_o will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o trouble_v ourselves_o on_o either_o side_n with_o any_o proof_n that_o may_v be_v have_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o if_o upon_o that_o account_n we_o have_v not_o any_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a either_o for_o they_o or_o we_o to_o have_v it_o in_o this_o or_o any_o other_o controversy_n whatsoever_o three_o the_o succession_n so_o much_o plead_v for_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v not_o a_o succession_n of_o person_n in_o apostolical_a power_n but_o a_o succession_n in_o apostolical_a doctrine_n whether_o any_o person_n succeed_v in_o apostolical_a power_n have_v be_v already_o consider_v and_o therefore_o all_o that_o be_v here_o requisite_a to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v by_o what_o person_n the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v convey_v and_o if_o it_o be_v plead_v by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o bishop_n as_o the_o apostle_n successor_n that_o prove_v the_o succession_n of_o person_n as_o well_o as_o doctrine_n but_o see_v this_o be_v to_o be_v do_v as_o our_o adversary_n instruct_v we_o by_o a_o view_n of_o the_o place_n produce_v to_o that_o purpose_n let_v we_o view_v they_o too_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o irenaeus_n quoniam_fw-la valdè_fw-la longum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o hoc_fw-la tali_fw-la volumine_fw-la omnium_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la enumerare_fw-la successiones_fw-la maximae_fw-la &_o antiquissimae_fw-la &_o omnibus_fw-la cognitae_fw-la à _fw-la gloriosissimis_fw-la duobus_fw-la apostolis_n petro_n &_o paulo_n romae_fw-la fundatae_fw-la &_o constitutae_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la eam_fw-la quam_fw-la habet_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n traditionem_fw-la &_o annunciatam_fw-la hominibus_fw-la fidem_fw-la per_fw-la successiones_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la pervenientes_fw-la usque_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la indicantes_fw-la confundimus_fw-la omnes_fw-la eos_fw-la etc._n etc._n where_o we_o see_v that_o whatever_o the_o argument_n of_o irenaeus_n be_v his_o design_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v convey_v down_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o bishop_n that_o be_v successor_n to_o they_o in_o their_o several_a see_v so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o design_v to_o prove_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o doctrine_n by_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o doctor_n and_o therefore_o if_o he_o do_v not_o prove_v it_o he_o do_v more_o he_o suppose_v it_o and_o by_o the_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n in_o that_o those_o person_n who_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o oversee_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n have_v convey_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n down_o to_o we_o by_o their_o successor_n and_o what_o full_a testimony_n can_v there_o be_v of_o a_o personal_a succession_n of_o bishop_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o yet_o irenaeus_n do_v more_o than_o this_o he_o derive_v the_o personal_a succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o they_o all_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o they_o succeed_v one_o another_o and_o as_o linus_n be_v their_o successor_n so_o be_v eleutherius_fw-la who_o sit_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o irenaeus_n write_v and_o therefore_o if_o linus_n be_v successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n so_o be_v eleutherius_fw-la and_o if_o eleutherius_fw-la be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n so_o be_v linus_n so_o that_o it_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n to_o succeed_v in_o the_o bishopric_n and_o the_o apostolical_a authority_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o passage_n of_o tertullian_n edant_fw-la origines_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la suarum_fw-la evolvant_fw-la ordinem_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la suorum_fw-la ita_fw-la per_fw-la successiones_fw-la ab_fw-la initio_fw-la decurrentem_fw-la ut_fw-la primus_fw-la ille_fw-la episcopus_fw-la aliquem_fw-la ex_fw-la apostolis_n aut_fw-la apostolicis_fw-la viris_fw-la habuerit_fw-la authorem_fw-la &_o antecessorem_fw-la hoc_fw-la modo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la apostolicae_fw-la census_fw-la suos_fw-la deferunt_fw-la sicut_fw-la smyrnaeorum_n ecclesia_fw-la habens_fw-la polycarpum_fw-la à _fw-la joanne_n conlocatum_fw-la refert_fw-la sicut_fw-la romanorum_fw-la clementem_fw-la à _fw-la petro_n ordinatum_fw-la edit_fw-la proinde_fw-la utique_fw-la &_o â—aeterae_fw-la exhibent_fw-la quos_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n in_fw-la episcopatum_fw-la constitutos_fw-la apostolici_fw-la seminis_fw-la traduce_v habeant_fw-la the_o whole_a design_n of_o which_o passage_n be_v to_o prescribe_v against_o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a successor_n and_o that_o be_v express_o appropriate_v to_o single_a bishop_n i_o hope_v i_o need_v not_o now_o dispute_v whether_o they_o succeed_v they_o only_o in_o degree_n and_o not_o order_n or_o in_o order_n only_o and_o not_o jurisdiction_n all_o that_o i_o desire_v from_o this_o testimony_n be_v that_o they_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o several_a church_n for_o though_o he_o instance_n only_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n yet_o he_o declare_v himself_o able_a and_o ready_a to_o give_v the_o same_o account_n of_o all_o other_o church_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o warrant_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n than_o which_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v understand_v what_o more_o can_v be_v desire_v to_o justify_v their_o succession_n in_o the_o apostolical_a authority_n especial_o from_o tertullian_n who_o be_v neither_o thomist_n nor_o scotist_n and_o so_o be_v utter_o unacquainted_a with_o those_o fine_a distinction_n of_o degree_n order_n and_o jurisdiction_n but_o speak_v like_o a_o plain_a and_o a_o blunt_a african_a when_o he_o call_v the_o bishop_n in_o their_o several_a diocese_n the_o apostle_n successor_n and_o so_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o same_o age_n understand_v by_o a_o bishop_n one_o superior_a to_o subject_a presbyter_n for_o whatever_o be_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v now_o determine_v to_o this_o order_n and_o so_o use_v in_o vulgar_a speech_n so_o that_o when_o we_o meet_v with_o it_o in_o their_o write_n we_o must_v understand_v it_o in_o the_o common_a sense_n and_o therefore_o by_o a_o bishop_n we_o must_v mean_v the_o same_o thing_n from_o the_o apostle_n downward_o and_o a_o bishop_n in_o their_o time_n be_v superior_a to_o presbyter_n and_o the_o apostle_n be_v grant_v to_o have_v be_v superior_a to_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o succession_n from_o first_o to_o last_o continue_v in_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o now_o when_o this_o succession_n be_v
by_o that_o exact_a collation_n of_o their_o title_n and_o constitution_n that_o be_v prefix_v to_o gothofred_n edition_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n and_o as_o for_o his_o own_o novel_n he_o frequent_o make_v particular_a reference_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n challenge_v to_o himself_o a_o power_n of_o punish_v offence_n against_o the_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o one_o general_a law_n which_o he_o declare_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o predecessor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o force_n of_o law_n and_o according_o he_o begin_v his_o law_n concern_v ecclesiastical_a matter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o we_o enact_v that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o number_n of_o our_o law_n and_o by_o that_o edict_n alone_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o other_o they_o be_v all_o constitute_v law_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o according_a to_o this_o principle_n he_o declare_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o 83_o novel_a that_o he_o only_o follow_v the_o ancient_a canon_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o particular_o in_o his_o 137_o novel_a where_o he_o endeavour_v the_o restitution_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n he_o only_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o thirty_o six_z apostolical_a canon_n viz._n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o each_o province_n meet_v twice_o a_o year_n for_o the_o more_o effectual_a government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o he_o profess_v to_o do_v not_o as_o author_n but_o as_o protector_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o this_o novel_a he_o challenge_v to_o himself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o power_n of_o legislation_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o civil_a law_n but_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o power_n of_o patronage_n or_o protection_n this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o happy_a and_o most_o flourish_a age_n of_o it_o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o emperor_n of_o those_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o assume_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n to_o themselves_o that_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o abet_v any_o matter_n of_o religion_n with_o their_o civil_a sanction_n that_o be_v not_o determine_v beforehand_o by_o the_o spiritual_a power_n whether_o they_o ever_o exceed_v their_o own_o bound_n i_o think_v not_o myself_o oblige_v to_o inquire_v they_o be_v liable_a to_o that_o as_o well_o as_o to_o other_o mistake_n and_o misearriage_n of_o govenment_n though_o i_o remember_v not_o any_o instance_n of_o that_o kind_n till_o the_o latter_a and_o degenerate_a age_n of_o christendom_n when_o barbarity_n be_v introduce_v by_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o goth_n and_o vandal_n and_o other_o savage_a nation_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o the_o church_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n from_o constantine_n to_o justinian_n and_o it_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o in_o that_o whether_o they_o own_a it_o or_o not_o it_o be_v settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n but_o second_o emperor_n king_n and_o prince_n have_v limit_v the_o ecclesiastical_a order_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n and_o assign_v they_o either_o large_a or_o narrow_a bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o consistent_a with_o reason_n of_o state_n by_o which_o they_o evident_o declare_v what_o be_v their_o opinion_n of_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o they_o have_v suppose_v church-officer_n to_o have_v act_v by_o a_o divine_a authority_n they_o dare_v never_o have_v presume_v to_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o power_n of_o god_n by_o their_o own_o arbitrary_a decree_n as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n and_o under_o pretence_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n encroach_v upon_o that_o power_n that_o god_n have_v commit_v to_o prince_n which_o if_o they_o can_v do_v and_o some_o have_v do_v what_o affront_n be_v it_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o restrain_v his_o minister_n within_o those_o bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n that_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o they_o nay_o be_v not_o this_o very_a thing_n a_o very_a plain_a confession_n of_o a_o distinct_a authority_n when_o to_o limit_v a_o power_n suppose_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o argument_n of_o their_o disow_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a power_n that_o it_o be_v a_o demonstrative_a and_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o their_o acknowledgement_n of_o it_o this_o be_v grant_v i_o shall_v not_o concern_v myself_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o warrantableness_n of_o the_o several_a precedent_n allege_v though_o most_o of_o they_o relate_v only_o to_o the_o restraint_n of_o dilatory_a vexatious_a and_o uncanonical_a proceed_n for_o my_o only_a business_n be_v to_o gain_v the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o christendom_n to_o my_o cause_n for_o which_o i_o be_o no_o way_n bind_v to_o prove_v they_o free_a from_o all_o error_n and_o miscarriage_n of_o government_n so_o that_o if_o they_o may_v at_o any_o time_n bear_v too_o hard_o upon_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o the_o church_n have_v give_v they_o too_o much_o reason_n so_o to_o do_v that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o prescription_n against_o its_o due_a exercise_n that_o it_o be_v a_o declaration_n of_o these_o prince_n that_o have_v be_v most_o unkind_a to_o it_o that_o they_o own_o its_o power_n provide_v it_o be_v keep_v within_o its_o due_a bound_n but_o what_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o christendom_n have_v be_v concern_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n sufficient_o appear_v by_o those_o great_a difference_n that_o have_v be_v raise_v about_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o though_o the_o christian_a emperor_n have_v of_o late_a time_n be_v force_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o struggle_v against_o the_o encroachment_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n yet_o they_o never_o question_v that_o i_o know_v of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o their_o episcopal_a authority_n and_o therefore_o neither_o here_o shall_v i_o concern_v myself_o to_o examine_v the_o particular_a precedent_n plead_v by_o both_o party_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o respective_a power_n when_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o both_o power_n may_v and_o often_o have_v exceed_v their_o just_a limit_n which_o yet_o be_v such_o a_o inconvenience_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n and_o partiality_n of_o man_n be_v utter_o unavoidable_a and_o we_o can_v expect_v that_o god_n shall_v give_v such_o law_n as_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o humane_a liberty_n to_o break_v they_o for_o then_o the_o law_n be_v give_v to_o no_o purpose_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v sufficient_a to_o guide_v those_o that_o will_v resign_v themselves_o to_o be_v govern_v with_o honesty_n and_o integrity_n and_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o law_n to_o effect_v more_o so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a frivolous_a objection_n much_o insist_v upon_o by_o some_o ill-minded_n man_n that_o see_v the_o competition_n of_o these_o two_o power_n have_v be_v occasion_n of_o create_v so_o many_o mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n to_o christendom_n it_o be_v better_a that_o one_o of_o they_o be_v remove_v which_o beside_o the_o bold_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o because_o they_o think_v in_o their_o great_a wisdom_n that_o god_n ought_v not_o that_o therefore_o he_o have_v not_o constitute_v two_o distinct_a power_n it_o be_v such_o a_o objection_n that_o no_o constitution_n can_v possible_o avoid_v for_o which_o way_n soever_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n may_v be_v settle_v there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o that_o through_o the_o corruption_n and_o folly_n of_o mankind_n it_o may_v and_o often_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o abuse_n and_o particular_o in_o this_o case_n there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o discern_v the_o bound_n that_o god_n have_v set_v to_o these_o two_o power_n if_o man_n will_v be_v honest_a and_o upright_a and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o it_o be_v no_o fault_n of_o the_o law_n that_o they_o will_v break_v it_o for_o christianity_n be_v whole_o found_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n which_o oblige_v they_o in_o all_o case_n either_o to_o obey_v or_o to_o suffer_v peaceable_o so_o that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o churchman_n may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o its_o interfering_n with_o or_o entrench_v upon_o
and_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o apostle_n act_v with_o a_o plenitude_n of_o power_n till_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o new_a commission_n after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o in_o st._n matthew_n 16._o 19_o he_o ve_v they_o with_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v in_o the_o future_a tense_n but_o in_o st._n john_n 20._o 23._o after_o his_o resurrection_n it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o present_a tense_n then_o it_o be_v that_o he_o give_v they_o that_o authority_n which_o himself_o have_v exercise_v whilst_o he_o remain_v on_o earth_n but_o then_o when_o immediate_o in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o new_a commission_n the_o apostle_n think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o choose_v one_o into_o their_o order_n to_o supply_v the_o vacancy_n make_v by_o the_o death_n of_o judas_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o they_o think_v the_o apostolical_a office_n by_o our_o saviour_n appointment_n distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o all_o other_o office_n in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o form_n observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o plant_v and_o govern_v of_o church_n be_v model_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o platform_n and_o after_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a to_o inquire_v whether_o he_o only_o draw_v the_o model_n or_o erect_v the_o building_n but_o whichsoever_o he_o do_v it_o be_v improve_v into_o a_o impregnable_a demonstration_n from_o the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o they_o the_o perpetual_a tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o this_o original_a form_n of_o church-government_n for_o the_o apostle_n we_o all_o know_v and_o all_o party_n grant_v during_o their_o day_n keep_v up_o the_o distinction_n and_o preeminence_n of_o their_o order_n and_o from_o they_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n claim_v their_o succession_n and_o every_o where_o challenge_v their_o episcopal_a authority_n from_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o example_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o now_o be_v we_o enter_v upon_o the_o second_o main_a controversy_n viz._n the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n against_o which_o three_o thing_n be_v usual_o allege_v that_o neither_o can_v we_o have_v that_o certainty_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o constitute_v a_o divine_a right_n nor_o second_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o apostle_n do_v tie_v themselves_o to_o any_o one_o fix_a course_n in_o model_a church_n nor_o three_o if_o they_o do_v do_v it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o we_o must_v observe_v the_o same_o and_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n second_o from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n plead_v in_o behalf_n of_o different_a form_n of_o government_n three_o from_o the_o defectiveness_n ambiguity_n partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n which_o shall_v inform_v we_o what_o be_v the_o apostolical_a practice_n but_o as_o to_o the_o first_o i_o shall_v whole_o wave_v the_o dispute_n of_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n because_o it_o be_v altogether_o beside_o the_o purpose_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o our_o other_o proof_n be_v so_o pregnant_a as_o to_o render_v it_o altogether_o useless_a neither_o indeed_o will_v this_o ever_o have_v be_v any_o matter_n of_o dispute_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n for_o want_n of_o better_a argument_n be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o slender_a pretence_n but_o how_o impotent_o salmasius_n and_o blondel_n who_o be_v the_o main_a founder_n of_o the_o argument_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o community_n of_o the_o name_n the_o identity_n of_o the_o office_n any_o one_o that_o have_v the_o patience_n to_o read_v they_o over_o may_v satisfy_v himself_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o can_v but_o admire_v to_o see_v learned_a man_n persist_v so_o stubborn_o in_o a_o palpable_a impertinency_n when_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o will_v infer_v no_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n notwithstanding_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o grant_v by_o themselves_o that_o the_o apostle_n enjoy_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v once_o prove_v or_o grant_v and_o themselves_z never_o doubt_v of_o it_o to_o infer_v their_o belove_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o parity_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o the_o equivocal_a signification_n of_o those_o two_o word_n be_v only_o to_o outface_v their_o own_o conviction_n and_o their_o adversary_n demonstration_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v and_o themselves_o can_v deny_v it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o inequality_n of_o office_n from_o the_o superiority_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v a_o very_a childish_a attempt_n to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v two_o synonymous_n term_n whereby_o to_o express_v the_o whole_a order_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o to_o persist_v in_o this_o trifle_a inference_n as_o salmasius_n have_v who_o when_o he_o be_v inform_v of_o its_o manifest_a weakness_n and_o absurdity_n will_v never_o renounce_v it_o but_o still_o repeat_v it_o in_o one_o book_n after_o another_o without_o any_o improvement_n but_o of_o passion_n and_o confidence_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o woeful_a example_n that_o i_o remember_v of_o a_o learned_a man_n trifle_a that_o have_v not_o the_o ingenuity_n to_o yield_v when_o he_o find_v himself_o vanquish_v not_o only_o by_o his_o adversary_n but_o his_o argument_n neither_o shall_v i_o trouble_v myself_o with_o other_o man_n dispute_n about_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n when_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a current_n of_o scripture_n that_o the_o apostle_n exercise_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o argument_n from_o apostolical_a practice_n for_o as_o yet_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o we_o whether_o they_o be_v presbyter_n or_o bishop_n that_o they_o set_v over_o particular_a church_n that_o shall_v be_v inquire_v into_o when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o apostle_n for_o then_o by_o apostolical_a practice_n there_o be_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n in_o church-government_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v here_o too_o at_o the_o blindness_n of_o walo_n messalinus_n who_o in_o pursuance_n of_o his_o verbal_a argument_n produce_v this_o passage_n out_o of_o theodoret_n and_o spend_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o his_o book_n in_o declaim_v upon_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o the_o same_o man_n be_v call_v presbyter_n and_o bishop_n and_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n they_o then_o call_v apostle_n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o name_n of_o apostolate_a be_v appropriate_a to_o they_o who_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o apostle_n and_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v apply_v to_o they_o who_o be_v former_o call_v apostle_n than_o which_o word_n beside_o that_o they_o contain_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n there_o be_v scarce_o a_o clear_a passage_n in_o all_o antiquity_n to_o confound_v his_o cause_n for_o what_o can_v be_v a_o plain_a reproof_n to_o their_o noise_n about_o the_o equivalency_n of_o word_n than_o to_o be_v tell_v that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o that_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n be_v then_o call_v apostle_n who_o 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sure_a there_o be_v as_o little_a modesty_n as_o reason_n in_o salmasius_n his_o argument_n when_o he_o oppose_v the_o single_a authority_n of_o nicephorus_n to_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n but_o much_o less_o in_o daillès_fw-fr defence_n especial_o when_o we_o consider_v with_o what_o state_n and_o confidence_n he_o usher_v it_o in_o ecce_fw-la auctores_fw-la habemus_fw-la &_o multis_fw-la ante_fw-la nos_fw-la seculis_fw-la denatos_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la contra_fw-la hierarchiam_fw-la suspicion_n semotos_fw-la qui_fw-la omne_fw-la ignatii_n scripta_fw-la rotunde_v ac_fw-la sine_fw-la ullâ_fw-la haesitatione_n ad_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la relegarunt_fw-la in_o stichometriâ_fw-la georgio_n sincello_n in_o libro_fw-la antiquissimo_fw-la praefixâ_fw-la for_o what_o confidence_n can_v be_v more_o enormous_a than_o that_o when_o these_o epistle_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o some_o of_o the_o best_a of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n ter_n to_o pretend_v to_o destroy_v 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the_o bishop_n guide_n and_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o ignatius_n and_o his_o adversary_n their_o objection_n will_v not_o reflect_v upon_o his_o discretion_n but_o our_o saviour_n integrity_n and_o when_o the_o cause_n be_v bring_v to_o that_o ignatius_n be_v secure_a and_o if_o any_o man_n be_v please_v to_o raise_v any_o further_a controversy_n it_o be_v only_o between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o leviathan_n and_o there_o i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o the_o next_o proof_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a practice_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o among_o the_o ancient_n be_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n i._n e._n a_o collection_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o synod_n and_o council_n between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a so_o that_o they_o may_v not_o improper_o be_v style_v the_o code_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o now_o concern_v they_o the_o case_n of_o 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they_o as_o
and_o therefore_o in_o answer_n to_o it_o i_o will_v at_o present_v only_o return_v these_o few_o brief_a consideration_n each_o whereof_o will_v be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v man_n if_o they_o will_v be_v reasonable_a and_o altogether_o more_o than_o enough_o to_o silence_v they_o if_o they_o will_v not_o the_o first_o ill_a consequence_n then_o of_o this_o opinion_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o charge_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n of_o not_o make_v sufficient_a provision_n for_o the_o last_a peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o have_v not_o after-age_n supply_v their_o defect_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n of_o it_o there_o have_v be_v no_o remedy_n for_o cure_v or_o avoid_v eternal_a schism_n and_o division_n for_o according_a to_o this_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n all_o the_o world_n be_v by_o sad_a experience_n convince_v of_o its_o great_a necessity_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o faction_n and_o confusion_n now_o what_o a_o dishonourable_a reflection_n be_v this_o upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o institute_v a_o society_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n without_o provide_v a_o competent_a government_n to_o secure_v its_o continuance_n in_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o than_o second_o whilst_o this_o conceit_n explode_v the_o claim_n found_v upon_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v force_v to_o grant_v a_o necessity_n found_v upon_o natural_a reason_n so_o that_o accord_v to_o it_o episcopal_a government_n be_v make_v necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o all_o those_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o nature_n that_o provide_v for_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o society_n for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o universal_a agreement_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o bishop_n that_o st._n jerom_n speak_v of_o in_o his_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la viz._n ut_fw-la schismatum_fw-la semina_fw-la tollerentur_fw-la and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o this_o evil_n whilst_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v administer_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o presbyter_n the_o consequence_n be_v unavoidable_a that_o though_o our_o saviour_n or_o at_o least_o his_o apostle_n have_v no_o more_o discretion_n that_o to_o leave_v all_o church-officer_n in_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n yet_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o society_n make_v it_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o another_o ecclesiae_fw-la salus_fw-la in_o summi_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la dignitate_fw-la pendet_fw-la cui_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la exhort_v quaedam_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la eminens_fw-la detur_fw-la potestas_fw-la tot_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la efficientur_fw-la schismata_fw-la quot_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la the_o security_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n depend_v upon_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o bishop_n power_n which_o be_v it_o not_o supreme_a and_o paramount_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o other_o clergy_n we_o shall_v quick_o have_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o priest_n say_v st._n jerom_n set_v aside_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o man_n the_o reason_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o argument_n itself_o be_v unanswerable_a for_o in_o such_o a_o vast_a body_n of_o man_n as_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n understanding_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n of_o mankind_n there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a agreement_n and_o by_o consequence_n no_o government_n without_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n in_o some_o above_o other_o now_o this_o be_v another_o pretty_a handsome_a reflection_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v so_o shameful_o defective_a in_o their_o first_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o show_v they_o to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v direct_v by_o any_o divine_a and_o infallible_a spirit_n that_o they_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a discretion_n for_o though_o any_o man_n of_o a_o ordinary_a understanding_n may_v easy_o discern_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o avoid_v schism_n while_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n reside_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o clergy_n partly_o by_o the_o bandy_n of_o the_o presbyter_n one_o against_o another_o partly_o by_o the_o side_a of_o the_o people_n with_o some_o against_o the_o rest_n partly_o by_o the_o too_o common_a use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n in_o presbyter_n by_o which_o they_o be_v more_o able_a to_o increase_v their_o own_o party_n by_o ordain_v those_o who_o will_v join_v with_o they_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n perpetuate_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n when_o i_o say_v these_o inconvenience_n be_v so_o obvious_a what_o a_o prodigious_a neglect_n or_o weakness_n must_v it_o be_v to_o leave_v the_o church_n through_o all_o age_n in_o such_o a_o shatter_a and_o 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in_o which_o all_o mankind_n conspire_v
confine_v myself_o to_o the_o discourse_n of_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o learning_n i._n e._n no_o smectymnuans_n and_o have_v distinct_o consider_v and_o i_o hope_v confute_v all_o their_o material_a pretence_n against_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n in_o the_o premise_n but_o as_o for_o grammatical_a criticism_n and_o historical_a digression_n they_o concern_v not_o we_o because_o they_o concern_v not_o our_o enquiry_n and_o if_o learned_a man_n will_v but_o come_v up_o roundly_o and_o keep_v ingenuous_o to_o the_o main_a point_n of_o the_o controversy_n they_o must_v rub_v their_o forehead_n pretty_a hard_a to_o outface_v the_o evidence_n of_o our_o cause_n but_o alas_o the_o custom_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o range_v up_o and_o down_o through_o the_o whole_a field_n or_o rather_o wood_n of_o antiquity_n and_o pursue_v every_o thing_n little_a or_o great_a that_o start_v within_o their_o view_n and_o they_o seem_v to_o make_v choice_n of_o this_o subject_a rather_o from_o it_o 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institution_n the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o most_o unquestionable_a record_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o come_v to_o the_o last_o topick_n propound_v those_o enormous_a inconvenience_n that_o unavoidable_o result_v from_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n i_o shall_v represent_v only_o two_o the_o first_o be_v this_o that_o if_o the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v not_o settle_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o that_o then_o we_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n to_o know_v by_o who_o it_o may_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v determine_v for_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n be_v found_v upon_o a_o immediate_a divine_a right_n no_o person_n can_v just_o challenge_v any_o authority_n in_o it_o as_o such_o unless_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o grant_n or_o commission_n from_o the_o divine_a founder_n of_o it_o if_o therefore_o those_o commission_n that_o be_v grant_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o descend_v to_o some_o 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word_n of_o god_n and_o if_o so_o than_o no_o one_o particular_a form_n may_v be_v establish_v in_o it_o by_o any_o authority_n whatsoever_o because_o no_o one_o particular_a form_n as_o be_v all_o along_o plead_v be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v plain_o necessary_a to_o the_o church_n peace_n if_o government_n be_v so_o that_o it_o be_v govern_v by_o some_o one_o particular_a form_n but_o yet_o however_o when_o we_o come_v to_o inquire_v after_o these_o trustee_n to_o who_o power_n it_o be_v leave_v to_o see_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n secure_v on_o last_a foundation_n the_o answer_n be_v ever_o ambiguous_a and_o unconstant_a sometime_o it_o be_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o sometime_o the_o people_n but_o this_o very_a uncertainty_n where_o this_o power_n be_v lodge_v be_v both_o in_o itself_o and_o according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a notion_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n that_o we_o oppose_v a_o manifest_a confutation_n of_o the_o whole_a design_n for_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v not_o determine_v to_o who_o it_o appertain_v that_o be_v evidence_n enough_o that_o he_o never_o intend_v by_o this_o way_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o his_o church_n for_o if_o he_o have_v appoint_v such_o feoffee_n in_o trust_n as_o be_v imagine_v he_o will_v at_o least_o have_v leave_v it_o certain_a who_o they_o be_v that_o he_o intend_v which_o not_o have_v do_v that_o be_v demonstration_n enough_o that_o it_o be_v never_o his_o intention_n to_o set_v any_o such_o pretend_a guardian_n over_o his_o church_n but_o be_v it_o where_o it_o will_v it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o these_o learned_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o intent_n upon_o the_o fineness_n of_o their_o model_n as_o never_o to_o consider_v the_o wild_a consequence_n of_o either_o way_n when_o reduce_v to_o practice_n for_o be_v it_o in_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n they_o will_v first_o have_v do_v very_o well_o according_a to_o their_o own_o rule_n ro_o have_v search_v for_o some_o commission_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n whereby_o our_o saviour_n entrust_v this_o power_n with_o he_o we_o find_v indeed_o prophecy_n and_o prediction_n that_o prince_n shall_v become_v patron_n and_o protector_n of_o his_o church_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v vest_v with_o a_o power_n of_o institute_v and_o abolish_n church_n order_n and_o office_n at_o pleasure_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a conceit_n as_o will_v not_o find_v any_o the_o least_o countenance_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n second_o by_o what_o authority_n be_v the_o church_n govern_v from_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n when_o if_o he_o have_v appoint_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n overseer_n of_o his_o infant_n church_n there_o be_v then_o none_o that_o care_v to_o execute_v his_o office_n beside_o three_o if_o church-officer_n derive_v their_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n from_o the_o mere_a appointment_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n they_o be_v then_o only_o of_o humane_a institution_n and_o derive_v not_o their_o power_n from_o any_o appointment_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o so_o be_v only_a minister_n of_o state_n and_o not_o of_o the_o gospel_n but_o to_o put_v it_o into_o the_o power_n of_o any_o mortal_a man_n to_o alter_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n as_o he_o please_v be_v the_o most_o improper_a way_n in_o the_o world_n to_o provide_v for_o its_o peace_n and_o settlement_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v it_o will_v be_v ever_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o commonwealth_n lawful_o to_o overturn_v all_o manner_n of_o ecclesiastical_a order_n at_o pleasure_n if_o to_o day_n perhaps_o the_o bishop_n either_o by_o chance_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o grant_n from_o the_o civil_a government_n enjoy_v the_o supreme_a power_n in_o the_o church_n it_o may_v with_o good_a authority_n to_o morrow_n depose_v they_o and_o translate_v their_o power_n to_o the_o presbyter_n from_o the_o presbyter_n to_o the_o deacon_n from_o the_o deacon_n to_o the_o people_n and_o from_o the_o people_n to_o the_o pope_n and_o it_o will_v be_v very_o consistent_a no_o doubt_n with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n in_o sound_v his_o church_n and_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o to_o leave_v its_o whole_a frame_n of_o government_n thus_o at_o the_o mercy_n of_o any_o man_n power_n or_o will._n we_o have_v one_o example_n of_o this_o project_n put_v in_o practice_n upon_o record_n in_o the_o long_a parliament_n midsummer-model_n of_o reformation_n when_o they_o vote_v june_n 12._o 1641._o that_o all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n shall_v be_v put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o such_o commissioner_n as_o their_o worship_n shall_v think_v fit_a in_o pursuance_n of_o which_o they_o vote_v june_n 21._o that_o six_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o six_o of_o the_o laity_n shall_v be_v appoint_v in_o every_o county_n for_o the_o
false_a religion_n which_o say_v he_o if_o he_o shall_v let_v he_o be_v anathema_n i._n e._n say_v our_o author_n keep_v he_o not_o company_n a_o dreadful_a punishment_n to_o a_o angel_n as_o for_o the_o second_o text_n it_o be_v so_o high_a a_o curse_n that_o all_o author_n be_v at_o a_o loss_n for_o its_o meaning_n though_o among_o all_o the_o conjecture_n about_o the_o signification_n of_o maranatha_n i_o think_v none_o more_o probable_a than_o that_o of_o grotius_n eâ_fw-la voce_fw-la oratur_fw-la deus_fw-la ut_fw-la quamprimum_fw-la talem_fw-la maleficum_fw-la &_o seductorem_fw-la tollat_fw-la ex_fw-la hominum_fw-la numero_fw-la it_o be_v a_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n attend_v with_o a_o prayer_n to_o almighty_a god_n to_o take_v the_o offender_n out_o of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v rare_o do_v and_o only_o in_o such_o case_n as_o be_v here_o suppose_a when_o man_n be_v not_o only_o wicked_a but_o powerful_a agent_n and_o instrument_n of_o wickedness_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o julian_n who_o the_o christian_a church_n do_v not_o only_o excommunicate_v for_o his_o apostasy_n but_o because_o beside_o that_o he_o set_v himself_o to_o destroy_v christianity_n they_o pray_v to_o god_n that_o for_o its_o preservation_n he_o will_v speedy_o remove_v he_o out_o of_o the_o world_n but_o whatever_o it_o signify_v it_o be_v something_o more_o than_o a_o mere_a restraint_n of_o familiar_a conversation_n or_o it_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o for_o what_o punishment_n can_v it_o be_v to_o any_o man_n who_o disow_v christianity_n to_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o conversation_n of_o christian_n in_o a_o heathen_a city_n where_o the_o religion_n be_v a_o novelty_n and_o when_o their_o company_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v desirable_a that_o it_o can_v only_o expose_v a_o man_n to_o contempt_n and_o scorn_n but_o however_o grant_v this_o slender_a interpretation_n of_o these_o text_n what_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a than_o that_o the_o apostle_n only_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o jewish_a power_n shall_v excommunicate_v all_o that_o oppose_v our_o saviour_n religion_n both_o when_o he_o have_v no_o such_o power_n and_o when_o the_o jew_n be_v the_o main_a enemy_n that_o oppose_v it_o and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o our_o author_n undertake_v in_o this_o chapter_n that_o there_o be_v then_o no_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o jewish_a authority_n the_o last_o instance_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n be_v st._n paul_n proceed_v against_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a which_o one_o will_v think_v be_v as_o clear_v a_o precedent_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n as_o can_v have_v be_v leave_v upon_o record_n and_o yet_o this_o must_v be_v reject_v as_o a_o miraculous_a and_o extraordinary_a case_n and_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v for_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n but_o for_o the_o then_o apostolical_a power_n of_o inflict_a disease_n though_o nothing_o can_v be_v express_v in_o plain_a word_n than_o st._n paul_n command_v the_o corinthian_n to_o put_v such_o a_o one_o from_o among_o they_o for_o what_o else_o can_v that_o signify_v than_o to_o expel_v he_o their_o society_n and_o what_o if_o any_o miraculous_a effect_v follow_v it_o that_o be_v not_o the_o punishment_n which_o the_o apostle_n enjoin_v the_o corinthian_n to_o inflict_v upon_o the_o offender_n for_o they_o be_v not_o as_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n endue_v with_o any_o such_o power_n but_o all_o that_o he_o require_v of_o they_o be_v to_o cast_v he_o out_o of_o their_o church_n and_o therefore_o in_o his_o second_o epistle_n upon_o the_o offend_a party_n repentance_n he_o counsel_v they_o to_o restore_v he_o 2_o cor._n 2._o and_o that_o whatever_o deliver_v to_o satan_n may_v otherwise_o import_v be_v all_o the_o jurisdiction_n they_o exercise_v as_o gather_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n spirit_n and_o if_o any_o extraordinary_a infliction_n ensue_v upon_o this_o sentence_n that_o be_v only_o a_o divine_a ratification_n of_o the_o church_n decree_n but_o when_o upon_o this_o occasion_n the_o apostle_n enjoin_v the_o corinthian_n not_o to_o accompany_v no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o eat_v with_o scandalous_a offender_n that_o say_v our_o author_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o david_n saying_n bless_a be_v the_o 1._o man_n that_o walk_v not_o in_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o i_o have_v not_o sit_v with_o vain_a 4._o person_n neither_o will_v i_o go_v with_o dissembler_n this_o bring_v no_o alteration_n upon_o the_o state_n of_o offender_n but_o only_o signify_v the_o resolution_n of_o particular_a man_n as_o to_o their_o conversation_n it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o a_o man_n resolution_n be_v his_o resolution_n but_o then_o a_o command_n too_o be_v a_o command_n and_o that_o whatever_o david_n case_n be_v be_v the_o case_n here_o where_o st._n paul_n command_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o by_o his_o apostolical_a authority_n to_o expel_v all_o wicked_a pretender_n to_o christianity_n out_o of_o their_o society_n and_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a be_v a_o manifest_a change_n of_o their_o state_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o excommunication_n but_o this_o for_o the_o usage_n as_o for_o the_o right_n our_o author_n will_v allow_v none_o but_o what_o be_v pure_o judaical_a or_o imperial_a and_o this_o he_o prove_v very_o large_o both_o because_o at_o first_o all_o christian_n be_v jew_n and_o none_o else_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n but_o jewish_a proselyte_n so_o that_o notwithstanding_o their_o christianity_n they_o continue_v the_o same_o national_a interest_n and_o exercise_v the_o same_o act_n of_o government_n of_o which_o excommunication_n be_v one_o it_o be_v common_a both_o to_o the_o believe_v and_o unbelieve_a jew_n that_o be_v his_o evidence_n of_o the_o jewish_a title_n to_o excommunication_n his_o proof_n of_o the_o imperial_a be_v this_o that_o the_o emperor_n in_o their_o edict_n by_o which_o they_o grant_v or_o abate_v their_o privilege_n understand_v both_o jew_n and_o christian_n and_o therefore_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o grant_n the_o christian_n as_o well_o as_o jew_n enjoy_v their_o old_a power_n of_o excommunication_n but_o to_o what_o purpose_n all_o this_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v divine_v for_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o christian_n and_o jew_n then_o keep_v up_o the_o same_o national_a interest_n but_o what_o be_v that_o to_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v both_o distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o concern_v no_o civil_a right_n and_o that_o be_v our_o only_a enquiry_n what_o that_o excommunication_n be_v that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o christianity_n for_o when_o the_o christian_n continue_v among_o the_o jew_n as_o to_o their_o civil_a society_n the_o question_n be_v that_o see_v notwithstanding_o that_o they_o exercise_v this_o power_n among_o themselves_o as_o christian_n whether_o that_o must_v not_o be_v distinct_a from_o the_o same_o act_n as_o exercise_v among_o they_o as_o jew_n for_o as_o our_o author_n inform_v we_o they_o be_v jew_n to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n nisi_fw-la exceptis_fw-la rebus_fw-la illis_fw-la quibus_fw-la à _fw-la judaeis_n non_fw-la credentibus_fw-la necessariò_fw-la atque_fw-la è_fw-la disciplinâ_fw-la christianâ_fw-la singulari_fw-la divinitus_fw-la praescriptâ_fw-la discriminarentur_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o be_v jew_n to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n but_o of_o christianity_n upon_o such_o preposterous_a absurdity_n be_v man_n force_v when_o they_o will_v right_v or_o wrong_n maintain_v their_o own_o prejudices_fw-la we_o be_v at_o great_a pain_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o christian_n have_v no_o discipline_n by_o divine_a right_n and_o that_o what_o they_o have_v they_o have_v in_o common_a with_o the_o jew_n and_o now_o after_o all_o we_o except_o only_o that_o which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_n and_o that_o too_o institute_v by_o divine_a right_n and_o thus_o i_o find_v that_o our_o author_n be_v force_v every_o where_o upon_o this_o argument_n to_o contradict_v his_o assertion_n in_o a_o parenthesis_n thus_o chap._n 13._o p._n 494._o quidnam_fw-la ibi_fw-la quo_fw-la minus_fw-la tum_fw-la regimen_fw-la circa_fw-la tam_fw-la sacra_fw-la christiana_n quam_fw-la prophana_fw-la publicum_fw-la tum_fw-la ipsa_fw-la excommunicatio_fw-la ut_fw-la ante_fw-la causis_fw-la tantum_fw-la aliquot_fw-la novis_fw-la pro_fw-la persuasionis_fw-la discrimine_fw-la introductis_fw-la utpote_fw-la inter_fw-la mores_fw-la judaicos_fw-la illibata_fw-la undiquaque_fw-la ab_fw-la illis_fw-la exerceri_fw-la nec_fw-la aliter_fw-la debuisset_fw-la our_o whole_a design_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o excommunication_n among_o the_o primitive_a christian_n but_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n nor_o none_o among_o the_o jew_n but_o what_o be_v pure_o civil_a and_o now_o at_o last_o we_o except_v in_o a_o parenthesis_n as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o by_o
to_o provoke_v they_o and_o with_o this_o honest_a resolution_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o vindicate_v one_o of_o the_o most_o evident_a but_o most_o injure_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o it_o i_o shall_v be_v much_o brief_a than_o at_o first_o i_o intend_v for_o when_o we_o have_v lop_v off_o all_o that_o be_v not_o direct_o pertinent_a to_o the_o enquiry_n as_o we_o shall_v reduce_v the_o debate_n to_o a_o narrow_a compass_n so_o may_v we_o easy_o bring_v it_o to_o a_o speedy_a issue_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v purposely_o pass_v over_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o relate_v only_o to_o the_o occasional_a exercise_n and_o outward_a administration_n of_o church-authority_n and_o particular_o that_o wide_a argument_n of_o dispute_n whether_o the_o distribution_n of_o province_n and_o diocese_n be_v through_o the_o roman_a empire_n frame_v by_o the_o division_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n for_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o be_v not_o that_o concern_v not_o the_o question_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o a_o rule_v clergy_n but_o only_o the_o manner_n or_o fashion_n of_o administer_a their_o power_n when_o reduce_v to_o practice_n for_o the_o extent_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n be_v be_v but_o accidental_a to_o the_o supremacy_n of_o their_o power_n and_o whether_o the_o circuit_n of_o a_o monarch_n government_n be_v little_a or_o great_a it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o monarchy_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a how_o the_o bound_n of_o diocese_n come_v to_o be_v assign_v how_o church_n extend_v themselves_o from_o great_a city_n into_o the_o adjacent_a territory_n till_o they_o sometime_o swell_v into_o province_n and_o how_o bishop_n come_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o metropolitan_o and_o metropolitan_o to_o patriarch_n all_o which_o and_o divers_a other_o particular_n though_o they_o be_v very_o copious_o insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o present_a question_n be_v yet_o altogether_o useless_a as_o to_o its_o determination_n because_o they_o only_o concern_v the_o outward_a and_o accidental_a exercise_n and_o have_v no_o reference_n to_o the_o essential_a form_n of_o church-government_n so_o that_o the_o only_a thing_n concern_v in_o our_o present_a enquiry_n be_v as_o mr._n selden_n have_v right_o state_v it_o utrùm_fw-la ex_fw-la ipsâ_fw-la purâ_fw-la putâ_fw-la eutych_n origine_fw-la seu_fw-la primâ_fw-la ac_fw-la merâ_fw-la nascentis_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la christianae_n disciplinâ_fw-la episcopalis_fw-la seu_fw-la ordo_fw-la sive_fw-la dignitas_fw-la sive_fw-la gradus_fw-la presbyterali_fw-la seu_fw-la sacerdotali_fw-la superior_a vel_fw-la alius_fw-la aut_fw-la ei_fw-la neutiquam_fw-la dispar_fw-la seu_fw-la idem_fw-la fuerit_fw-la habendus_fw-la that_o be_v in_o short_a whether_o the_o church_n be_v at_o first_o found_v in_o a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n to_o each_o other_o or_o a_o parity_n and_o equality_n of_o all_o among_o themselves_o so_o that_o if_o we_o can_v prove_v the_o preeminence_n and_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o all_o other_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v thereby_o make_v good_a all_o that_o be_v essential_a to_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n that_o we_o challenge_v as_o proper_a only_o to_o the_o episcopal_a order_n and_o office_n and_o this_o we_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o perform_v with_o clear_a and_o demonstrative_a evidence_n from_o these_o three_o topic_n i._o of_o our_o saviour_n own_o express_a institution_n ii_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o conformity_n to_o it_o iii_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o as_o to_o our_o saviour_n institution_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o found_v his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n in_o that_o he_o do_v by_o his_o own_o immediate_a appointment_n authorize_v and_o set_v apart_o two_o distinct_a order_n of_o man_n for_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n who_o office_n if_o it_o be_v the_o same_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v they_o distinguish_v and_o why_o when_o a_o place_n be_v vacant_a in_o the_o apostolate_a must_v one_o be_v substitute_v by_o divine_a designation_n to_o complete_a the_o number_n why_o shall_v not_o one_o of_o the_o seventy_o without_o any_o further_a election_n have_v serve_v the_o turn_n see_v he_o be_v qualify_v with_o a_o identity_n of_o office_n and_o order_n nay_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o be_v reckon_v apart_o under_o different_a name_n and_o in_o different_a rank_n if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n intend_v in_o their_o employment_n and_o commission_n and_o why_o be_v they_o not_o all_o comprehend_v in_o one_o number_n and_o range_v in_o one_o catalogue_n if_o the_o twelve_o be_v nothing_o more_o than_o the_o seventy_o and_o the_o seventy_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o twelve_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v we_o hear_v so_o oft_o of_o the_o twelve_o and_o the_o seventy_o or_o of_o the_o seventy_o two_o for_o of_o that_o the_o learned_a dispute_n and_o not_o rather_o of_o the_o eighty_o two_o or_o eighty_o four_o for_o do_v we_o think_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v distinguish_v the_o officer_n of_o his_o kingdom_n by_o mere_a word_n and_o empty_a title_n and_o yet_o the_o apostleship_n can_v be_v nothing_o more_o if_o it_o carry_v in_o it_o no_o superiority_n of_o office_n above_o the_o seventy_o some_o inequality_n we_o must_v discover_v and_o that_o intend_v too_o by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o else_o shall_v we_o never_o be_v able_a to_o give_v ourselves_o any_o imaginable_a account_n of_o their_o institution_n and_o now_o what_o clear_a evidence_n can_v any_o man_n demand_n for_o a_o divine_a right_n of_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church_n officer_n than_o our_o saviour_n own_o express_a and_o particular_a institution_n yes_o say_v they_o but_o the_o inequality_n between_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n consist_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o office_n not_o of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n very_o good_a this_o grant_v all_o that_o we_o can_v desire_v or_o demand_v to_o prove_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o supreme_a order_n because_o every_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a order_n as_o such_o be_v authoritative_a and_o therefore_o a_o eminency_n of_o order_n must_v not_o only_o infer_v but_o include_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n see_v the_o order_n itself_o as_o such_o if_o it_o be_v any_o thing_n be_v the_o proper_a and_o immediate_a seat_n of_o authority_n and_o all_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v be_v claim_v and_o exercise_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o order_n so_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o high_a order_n of_o ecclesiastic_n they_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n alone_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o the_o high_a judicature_n and_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o proportion_n that_o they_o be_v advance_v above_o other_o in_o dignity_n of_o title_n they_o be_v so_o in_o supremacy_n of_o power_n because_o their_o dignity_n as_o such_o be_v nothing_o else_z but_o so_o much_o power_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n divest_v they_o of_o that_o and_o they_o immediate_o return_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o ordinary_a and_o unconsecrated_a man_n and_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v no_o more_o than_o all_o other_o common_a believer_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o commission_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n reverse_v that_o and_o they_o be_v degrade_v from_o their_o order_n as_o well_o as_o strip_v of_o their_o jurisdiction_n so_o lamentable_o do_v these_o learned_a man_n entangle_v themselves_o by_o distinguish_v so_o vain_o in_o this_o case_n between_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o power_n when_o the_o one_o be_v not_o only_o the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n but_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o schoolman_n from_o who_o these_o metaphysical_a nothing_o be_v take_v the_o very_a formality_n of_o the_o other_o and_o the_o apostolical_a power_n be_v formal_o and_o as_o such_o the_o very_a same_o with_o the_o apostolical_a office_n so_o little_a real_a difference_n be_v there_o in_o this_o distinction_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o frame_v one_o in_o notion_n and_o conception_n but_o whoever_o pretend_v to_o conceive_v one_o must_v of_o necessity_n conceive_v both_o or_o conceive_v nothing_o and_o therefore_o i_o will_v very_o fain_o know_v wherein_o consist_v this_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o dignity_n without_o any_o superiority_n of_o power_n for_o what_o do_v man_n mean_v by_o power_n but_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v and_o what_o by_o order_n but_o a_o superiority_n of_o some_o as_o ruler_n and_o a_o subordination_n of_o other_o as_o rule_v what_o then_o be_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o inequality_n of_o order_n and_o power_n when_o they_o both_o equal_o signify_v superiority_n and_o subjection_n
and_o therefore_o these_o person_n that_o rely_v so_o much_o on_o this_o distinction_n will_v have_v do_v very_o well_o to_o have_v consider_v with_o themselves_o wherein_o consist_v the_o essence_n of_o order_n when_o separate_v from_o power_n which_o if_o they_o have_v do_v they_o will_v soon_o have_v discern_v that_o they_o have_v only_o deceive_v themselves_o with_o a_o idle_a and_o a_o empty_a word_n however_o it_o be_v worth_a their_o while_n to_o define_v what_o it_o be_v that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o apostolical_a order_n beside_o the_o supreme_a government_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o as_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o party_n the_o apostle_n enjoy_v during_o their_o own_o life_n the_o supreme_a power_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o parity_n of_o presbyter_n arise_v not_o till_o after_o their_o death_n they_o have_v appoint_v no_o successor_n in_o their_o apostolical_a supremacy_n from_o whence_o what_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o that_o their_o office_n can_v not_o possible_o consist_v in_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o all_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o now_o when_o our_o saviour_n himself_o have_v thus_o express_o establish_v the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o order_n and_o power_n what_o far_a prescript_n will_v man_n have_v for_o the_o continuance_n of_o his_o own_o establishment_n that_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n and_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v dare_v to_o remonstrate_v to_o its_o obligation_n he_o must_v have_v confidence_n enough_o to_o presume_v that_o he_o be_v endue_v with_o more_o wisdom_n or_o entrust_v with_o more_o authority_n than_o our_o saviour_n himself_o for_o otherwise_o he_o can_v but_o think_v that_o he_o be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n and_o modesty_n too_o rather_o to_o esteem_v this_o model_n than_o any_o one_o of_o his_o own_o or_o any_o other_o contrivance_n yes_o but_o though_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v superiority_n of_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o act_n of_o christ_n yet_o it_o must_v further_o be_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v christ_n intention_n that_o superiority_n shall_v continue_v in_o their_o successor_n or_o it_o make_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o a_o bare_a divine_a command_n say_v they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v a_o law_n immutable_a unless_o there_o be_v likewise_o express_v that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o it_o shall_v always_o continue_v no_o no_o you_o be_v too_o nice_a and_o rich_a of_o your_o obedience_n in_o this_o particular_a case_n and_o may_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n set_v yourselves_o loose_a from_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o be_v not_o enjoin_v with_o a_o express_a declaration_n of_o their_o be_v immutable_a and_o thereby_o you_o have_v quit_v yourselves_o of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o your_o christian_a duty_n for_o we_o shall_v find_v but_o very_o few_o precept_n either_o of_o our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n tie_v with_o this_o double_a knot_n and_o it_o seem_v without_o that_o they_o be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o tie_v any_o man_n to_o obedience_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v how_o upon_o this_o principle_n we_o can_v avoid_v that_o frivolous_a objection_n of_o the_o socinian_o against_o the_o perpetual_a necessity_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n viz._n that_o see_v it_o be_v institute_v by_o our_o saviour_n only_o to_o pass_v man_n from_o judaisme_n and_o gentilism_n to_o christianity_n it_o be_v therefore_o now_o of_o no_o necessity_n among_o christian_n unless_o our_o saviour_n have_v declare_v that_o it_o be_v his_o will_n and_o intention_n that_o it_o shall_v always_o continue_v in_o his_o church_n especial_o when_o this_o ceremony_n be_v take_v up_o from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o synagogue_n where_o when_o any_o man_n have_v once_o renounce_v heathenism_n and_o enter_v himself_o into_o the_o jewish_a church_n it_o be_v never_o after_o repeat_v in_o any_o of_o his_o posterity_n but_o they_o be_v all_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o forefather_n baptism_n esteem_v as_o bear_v in_o a_o state_n of_o holiness_n and_o regeneracy_n but_o however_o this_o general_a principle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o truth_n and_o sobriety_n that_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a thrust_v our_o own_o presumption_n upon_o the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v once_o declare_v it_o bind_v we_o for_o ever_o till_o himself_o be_v please_v to_o reverse_v it_o his_o mere_a institution_n be_v its_o own_o perpetual_a obligation_n and_o whatever_o he_o command_v no_o power_n can_v take_v it_o off_o but_o that_o which_o bind_v it_o on_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a scrupulosity_n if_o i_o may_v call_v so_o sceptical_a a_o pretence_n by_o that_o name_n to_o require_v of_o he_o not_o only_o to_o fasten_v his_o law_n by_o enact_v they_o but_o as_o it_o be_v to_o clinch_n they_o too_o by_o declare_v their_o perpetuity_n in_o all_o other_o case_n but_o this_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o whatever_o he_o command_v he_o command_v for_o ever_o till_o he_o declare_v the_o contrary_a for_o though_o his_o positive_a law_n be_v revocable_a in_o themselves_o yet_o be_v revocable_a only_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o his_o own_o power_n since_o he_o have_v already_o in_o his_o word_n full_o reveal_v his_o will_n unless_o therein_o he_o have_v declare_v when_o their_o obligation_n shall_v cease_v they_o continue_v irreversible_a it_o therefore_o be_v once_o grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n by_o a_o act_n of_o christ_n it_o plain_o follow_v that_o without_o any_o far_a declaration_n of_o its_o perpetuity_n their_o power_n be_v irreversible_a especial_o when_o the_o rule_n whereby_o we_o be_v leave_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n viz._n that_o the_o reason_n continue_v the_o law_n shall_v remain_v in_o force_n though_o i_o can_v see_v of_o what_o use_v this_o shall_v be_v to_o those_o who_o will_v give_v leave_n to_o demand_v no_o other_o reason_n of_o any_o divine_a positive_a law_n beside_o the_o will_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n for_o if_o that_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n of_o the_o law_n than_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v to_o judge_n of_o it_o by_o any_o other_o but_o yet_o however_o i_o shall_v close_v with_o they_o upon_o their_o own_o principle_n and_o to_o save_v far_a trouble_n i_o will_v only_o put_v they_o to_o assign_v what_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v of_o establish_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church-officer_n then_o that_o be_v cease_v for_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o till_o they_o can_v give_v themselves_o and_o we_o some_o competent_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o desire_v they_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o our_o saviour_n institution_n but_o alas_o this_o be_v never_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v and_o be_v manifest_o impossible_a to_o be_v perform_v for_o that_o man_n no_o doubt_n will_v make_v wise_a work_n of_o it_o that_o shall_v undertake_v to_o give_v the_o world_n a_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o the_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n that_o shall_v make_v a_o inequality_n of_o power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n necessary_a in_o our_o saviour_n day_n and_o needless_a ever_o since_o but_o if_o this_o can_v be_v do_v as_o it_o be_v certain_a at_o first_o view_n that_o it_o never_o can_v then_o certain_o the_o mere_a institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n to_o the_o church_n be_v sufficient_a of_o itself_o to_o pass_v a_o perpetual_a and_o indispensible_a obligation_n upon_o all_o age_n of_o it_o and_o now_o upon_o these_o ground_n that_o i_o have_v already_o obtain_v from_o our_o saviour_n express_a institution_n i_o need_v not_o dispute_v with_o our_o adversary_n for_o that_o be_v one_o of_o their_o little_a shift_n whether_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o be_v only_o temporary_a for_o whether_o they_o be_v or_o be_v not_o it_o be_v from_o thence_o evident_a what_o model_n of_o government_n our_o saviour_n frame_v for_o his_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v needful_a to_o my_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v free_o grant_v that_o our_o saviour_n design_n in_o life-time_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o find_v church_n himself_o as_o to_o have_v prepare_v and_o instruct_v his_o disciple_n how_o to_o do_v it_o after_o his_o departure_n so_o that_o he_o rather_o make_v a_o specimen_fw-la of_o the_o constitution_n of_o his_o church_n than_o erect_v any_o stand_a fabric_n of_o it_o for_o the_o foundation_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a
superiority_n of_o order_n be_v make_v equivalent_a to_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n for_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n be_v grant_v they_o by_o our_o adversary_n though_o it_o be_v deny_v their_o successor_n thus_o we_o enlarge_v or_o abate_v or_o evacuate_v that_o commission_n that_o god_n himself_o have_v give_v they_o at_o our_o own_o mere_a will_n and_o pleasure_n if_o it_o be_v convenient_a for_o our_o cause_n to_o assert_v in_o one_o place_n that_o they_o be_v vest_v with_o no_o superiority_n of_o power_n they_o shall_v be_v put_v off_o with_o a_o empty_a superiority_n of_o order_n separate_v from_o power_n if_o in_o another_o that_o assertion_n seem_v not_o so_o convenient_a to_o our_o purpose_n they_o shall_v be_v present_o advance_v to_o a_o absolute_a supremacy_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o then_o that_o must_v last_v only_o during_o their_o life_n and_o as_o for_o their_o successor_n we_o be_v please_v to_o degrade_v they_o from_o the_o apostolical_a both_o order_n and_o authority_n and_o allow_v they_o nothing_o but_o a_o empty_a degree_n of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o but_o to_o say_v no_o more_o of_o the_o difference_n between_o order_n and_o degree_n as_o for_o the_o distinction_n between_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n though_o in_o one_o place_n i_o affirm_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v a_o distinct_a order_n from_o the_o other_o clergy_n without_o any_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n yet_o in_o another_o if_o my_o cause_n require_v it_o there_o shall_v be_v but_o one_o order_n in_o the_o christian_a clergy_n and_o no_o difference_n but_o what_o be_v make_v by_o jurisdiction_n and_o the_o bishop_n themselves_o shall_v be_v equal_a to_o presbyter_n in_o order_n by_o divine_a right_n and_o only_o superior_a in_o jurisdiction_n by_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n for_o so_o i_o read_v that_o for_o our_o better_a understanding_n of_o this_o we_o must_v consider_v a_o twofold_a power_n belong_v to_o church-officer_n a_o power_n of_o order_n and_o a_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n for_o in_o every_o presbyter_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n inseparable_o join_v to_o his_o function_n and_o belong_v to_o every_o one_o in_o his_o personal_a capacity_n both_o in_o actu_fw-la primo_fw-la and_o in_o actu_fw-la secundo_fw-la both_o as_o to_o the_o right_n and_o power_n to_o do_v it_o and_o the_o exercise_n and_o execution_n of_o that_o power_n such_o be_v preach_v the_o word_n visit_v the_o sick_a administer_a sacrament_n etc._n etc._n but_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n which_o every_o presbyter_n have_v a_o aptitude_n and_o a_o jus_n to_o in_fw-la actu_fw-la primo_fw-la but_o the_o limitation_n and_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n do_v belong_v to_o the_o church_n in_o common_a and_o belong_v not_o to_o any_o one_o personal_o but_o by_o a_o further_a power_n of_o choice_n or_o delegation_n to_o it_o such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o visit_v church_n take_v care_n that_o particular_a pastor_n discharge_v their_o duty_n such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o church-censure_n and_o make_v rule_n for_o decency_n in_o the_o church_n this_o be_v that_o we_o call_v the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n now_o this_o latter_a power_n though_o it_o belong_v habitual_o and_o in_o actu_fw-la primo_fw-la to_o every_o presbyter_n yet_o be_v about_o matter_n of_o public_a and_o common_a concernment_n some_o further_a authority_n in_o a_o church_n constitute_v be_v necessary_a beside_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o when_o this_o power_n either_o by_o consent_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n or_o by_o the_o appointment_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n or_o both_o be_v devolve_v to_o some_o particular_a person_n though_o quoad_fw-la aptitudinem_fw-la the_o power_n remain_v in_o every_o presbyter_n yet_o quoad_fw-la executionem_fw-la it_o belong_v to_o those_o who_o be_v so_o appoint_v whatever_o truth_n there_o be_v in_o this_o the_o assertion_n be_v plain_a that_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v but_o one_o order_n in_o the_o clergy_n and_o that_o the_o difference_n which_o have_v since_o be_v make_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o jurisdiction_n and_o this_o be_v very_o consistent_a with_o the_o former_a assertion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o beside_o distinction_n of_o order_n when_o now_o there_o be_v no_o more_o by_o divine_a appointment_n than_o one_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o their_o flutter_v between_o order_n and_o power_n degree_n and_o order_n power_n of_o order_n and_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n all_o superiority_n of_o order_n so_o much_o as_o it_o be_v be_v so_o much_o superiority_n of_o power_n thus_o to_o take_v their_o own_o instance_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o assembly_n be_v so_o far_o superior_a over_o his_o colleague_n in_o power_n as_o he_o be_v in_o order_n for_o whatsoever_o be_v peculiar_a to_o his_o office_n give_v he_o some_o more_o advantage_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n than_o they_o have_v for_o the_o very_a power_n of_o call_v and_o adjourn_v assembly_n preside_v and_o moderate_v in_o they_o be_v no_o small_a degree_n of_o power_n in_o a_o republican_n government_n but_o see_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o power_n be_v think_v to_o be_v make_v out_o best_o by_o these_o parallel_a instance_n of_o commonwealth_n let_v we_o run_v the_o parallel_n with_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o for_o if_o to_o be_v superior_a only_o in_o order_n be_v to_o be_v precedent_n in_o a_o assembly_n or_o prolocutor_n in_o a_o convocation_n and_o if_o this_o be_v all_o the_o office_n peculiar_a to_o the_o apostle_n then_o when_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v seventy_o disciple_n and_o twelve_o apostle_n he_o make_v twelve_o prolocutor_n over_o a_o convocation_n of_o seventy_o see_v therefore_o that_o be_v too_o great_a a_o number_n of_o speaker_n for_o so_o small_a a_o assembly_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o when_o he_o separate_v they_o for_o a_o distinct_a office_n he_o intend_v something_o more_o by_o a_o apostle_n than_o mere_o a_o chairman_n in_o a_o presbytery_n and_o whatever_o it_o be_v it_o be_v either_o a_o high_a power_n than_o other_o have_v or_o it_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o second_o this_o succession_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a and_o convince_v in_o all_o place_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o thing_n intend_v for_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o show_v a_o list_n of_o some_o person_n in_o the_o great_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n antioch_n rome_n and_o alexandria_n but_o it_o shall_v be_v produce_v at_o philippi_n corinth_n and_o caesarea_n etc._n etc._n this_o i_o perceive_v to_o be_v our_o adversary_n darling_a objection_n be_v the_o only_a matter_n make_v use_v of_o to_o shift_v off_o several_a head_n of_o argument_n this_o be_v the_o proof_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n as_o to_o place_n and_o be_v now_o here_o the_o only_a evidence_n of_o its_o ambiguity_n and_o by_o and_o by_o will_v be_v call_v in_o as_o the_o only_a instance_n of_o its_o repugnancy_n but_o certain_o their_o fondness_n to_o it_o be_v not_o ground_v upon_o any_o great_a virtue_n that_o they_o see_v in_o it_o but_o they_o be_v only_o force_v for_o want_n of_o more_o material_a argument_n to_o lay_v a_o mighty_a stress_n upon_o such_o poor_a pretence_n as_o in_o any_o other_o dispute_n they_o will_v be_v a_o shame_v to_o own_o for_o first_o suppose_v the_o succession_n can_v be_v show_v in_o all_o church_n be_v that_o any_o proof_n against_o the_o succession_n that_o can_v and_o suppose_v i_o can_v produce_v a_o list_n of_o bishop_n at_o philippi_n corinth_n and_o caesarea_n shall_v i_o thence_o conclude_v against_o the_o succession_n though_o i_o have_v very_o good_a history_n for_o it_o at_o jerusalem_n antioch_n rome_n and_o alexandria_n this_o be_v such_o a_o inference_n as_o rather_o show_v a_o man_n good_a will_n to_o his_o opinion_n than_o his_o understanding_n but_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v high_o reasonable_a to_o conclude_v the_o custom_n of_o those_o church_n that_o be_v not_o know_v from_o those_o that_o be_v and_o apparent_o absurd_a to_o question_v the_o record_n of_o those_o that_o be_v preserve_v for_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o those_o that_o be_v not_o but_o second_o what_o though_o we_o do_v not_o find_v in_o all_o church_n a_o accurate_a catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o all_o bishop_n do_v we_o find_v any_o instance_n in_o any_o one_o ancient_a church_n of_o any_o other_o form_n of_o government_n if_o we_o can_v that_o be_v something_o to_o the_o argument_n but_o that_o be_v not_o pretend_v in_o the_o exception_n but_o otherwise_o because_o the_o exact_a
so_o express_o derive_v down_o by_o single_a person_n and_o when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v vouch_v by_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o succession_n it_o be_v a_o very_a cold_a answer_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o father_n talk_v only_o of_o a_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o of_o person_n four_o this_o personal_a succession_n so_o much_o speak_v of_o be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n even_o after_o the_o distinction_n come_v in_o use_n between_o bishop_n and_o they_o i_o pray_v by_o who_o why_o by_o irenaeus_n but_o do_v irenaeus_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o his_o own_o time_n confound_v their_o name_n and_o office_n or_o any_o other_o author_n of_o the_o same_o age_n nay_o do_v they_o not_o careful_o distinguish_v they_o from_o each_o other_o though_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n as_o do_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o may_v speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o those_o time_n the_o name_n therefore_o of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v not_o then_o distinguish_v it_o be_v but_o proper_a for_o they_o to_o express_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v then_o express_v so_o that_o though_o irenaeus_n never_o will_v style_v a_o bishop_n of_o his_o own_o time_n by_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n but_o ever_o careful_o distinguish_v the_o two_o order_n yet_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o time_n it_o be_v neither_o wonder_n nor_o impropriety_n if_o he_o call_v they_o presbyter_n for_o i_o will_v yield_v so_o far_o to_o our_o adversary_n that_o they_o be_v so_o call_v till_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o succeed_v into_o their_o power_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v distinguish_v by_o some_o proper_a name_n from_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o root_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n that_o they_o will_v have_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o have_v be_v bear_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o name_n which_o if_o we_o will_v not_o grant_v they_o as_o without_o a_o manifest_a affront_n to_o the_o apostle_n we_o can_v their_o whole_a cause_n sink_v to_o nothing_o for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a proof_n allege_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o sententia_fw-la hieronymi_n that_o the_o office_n be_v not_o distinguish_v before_o the_o name_n but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o due_a place_n already_o at_o present_a i_o challenge_v they_o to_o produce_v any_o one_o author_n that_o treat_v of_o thing_n after_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o word_n be_v make_v ever_o call_v a_o bishop_n a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n and_o in_o that_o i_o be_o very_o much_o their_o friend_n for_o if_o they_o can_v it_o utter_o overthrow_v their_o main_a argument_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o their_o name_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o promiscuous_o use_v after_o the_o distinction_n but_o that_o by_o the_o word_n presbyteri_fw-la irenaeus_n do_v not_o mean_v a_o simple_a presbyter_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o word_n themselves_o in_o which_o he_o prescribe_v against_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o undoubted_a antiquity_n of_o the_o church_n tradition_n which_o he_o say_v be_v convey_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o the_o ancient_n who_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o by_o his_o presbyteri_fw-la he_o mean_v as_o he_o explain_v himself_o such_o of_o the_o ancient_n qui_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la successionem_fw-la habent_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n i._n e._n the_o ancient_a bishop_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o meet_v with_o material_a upon_o this_o head_n for_o when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o ignatius_n himself_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o a_o divine_a but_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n they_o be_v to_o be_v give_v up_o for_o pleasant_a man_n that_o will_v attempt_v any_o paradox_n in_o pursuit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o it_o exceed_v even_o the_o rashness_n of_o blondel_n himself_o who_o that_o as_o he_o speak_v his_o st._n jerom_n may_v not_o stand_v alone_o like_o a_o sparrow_n upon_o the_o house_n top_n have_v after_o his_o rate_n of_o infer_v fetch_v in_o all_o the_o father_n to_o bear_v he_o company_n except_o only_a ignatius_n who_o it_o seem_v he_o despair_v of_o make_v ever_o to_o chirp_v pro_fw-la sententiâ_fw-la hieronymi_n but_o now_o it_o seem_v at_o last_o that_o the_o holy_a martyr_n himself_o may_v not_o be_v make_v the_o solitary_a sparrow_n by_o be_v desert_v by_o all_o the_o father_n he_o be_v bring_v over_o to_o the_o party_n but_o with_o such_o manifest_a force_n to_o himself_o as_o plain_o show_v he_o to_o be_v no_o volunteer_n in_o the_o cause_n thus_o when_o he_o commend_v the_o deacon_n sotion_n for_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n ut_fw-la gratiae_fw-la dei_fw-la and_o to_o the_o presbytery_n ut_fw-la legi_fw-la jesus_n christi_fw-la by_o the_o law_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o be_v teach_v to_o understand_v divine_a institution_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n only_o humane_a prudence_n though_o that_o too_o be_v direct_v to_o it_o by_o the_o special_a favour_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n of_o preserve_a peace_n and_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v it_o so_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n no_o doubt_n be_v as_o firm_a a_o ground_n of_o divine_a institution_n as_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o if_o episcopacy_n be_v establish_v by_o god_n special_a favour_n we_o be_v as_o well_o content_a with_o it_o as_o if_o it_o have_v come_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o christ._n neither_o do_v this_o interpretation_n derogate_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o episcopal_a order_n but_o very_o much_o from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n wisdom_n viz._n that_o when_o he_o have_v establish_v presbytery_n in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o government_n of_o it_o that_o establishment_n be_v find_v so_o ineffectual_a for_o its_o end_n that_o almighty_a god_n be_v afterward_o constrain_v for_o prevent_v of_o schism_n and_o preserve_v of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o inspire_v the_o governor_n of_o it_o in_o after-age_n to_o set_v up_o the_o form_n of_o episcopal_a government_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v no_o less_o disparagement_n to_o himself_o than_o his_o son_n for_o see_v what_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o church_n he_o do_v by_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o father_n if_o its_o institution_n prove_v defective_a for_o its_o end_n it_o be_v a_o equal_a oversight_n of_o both_o and_o the_o aftergame_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v only_o to_o supply_v a_o defect_n that_o they_o do_v not_o foresee_v but_o be_v teach_v by_o experience_n a_o very_a honourable_a representation_n this_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n however_o take_v it_o which_o way_n we_o will_v we_o can_v desire_v a_o plain_a acknowledgement_n of_o divine_a institution_n for_o so_o it_o come_v from_o god_n it_o matter_n not_o which_o way_n he_o be_v please_v to_o convey_v it_o to_o we_o and_o now_o have_v we_o not_o reason_n to_o wonder_v when_o we_o see_v man_n attempt_v to_o bring_v this_o holy_a martyr_n off_o with_o such_o slight_n so_o express_o against_o his_o own_o declare_a opinion_n who_o every_o where_o ground_n his_o exhortation_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o add_v even_o in_o the_o word_n follow_v the_o forecited_a passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o not_o to_o he_o but_o to_o the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o we_o all_o and_o therefore_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o he_o that_o require_v it_o it_o be_v our_o bind_a duty_n to_o be_v obedient_a without_o hypocrisy_n what_o can_v be_v plain_a than_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n stand_v whole_o upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n so_o again_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v we_o take_v care_n not_o to_o oppose_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v be_v obedient_a to_o god_n and_o if_o any_o man_n observe_v the_o silence_n of_o his_o bishop_n let_v he_o reverence_v he_o so_o much_o the_o more_o for_o every_o one_o that_o the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n put_v into_o the_o stewardship_n we_o ought_v to_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o master_n himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o we_o ought_v to_o reverence_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v our_o lord_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o great_a oversight_n to_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o testimony_n in_o all_o ignatius_n epistle_n that_o prove_v the_o least_o semblance_n of_o a_o institution_n of_o christ_n for_o episcopacy_n when_o