christian_a religion_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v of_o any_o authority_n in_o any_o commonwealth_n otherwise_o than_o as_o it_o be_v own_v and_o ratify_v by_o the_o supreme_a secular_a power_n so_o that_o if_o cromwell_n or_o any_o other_o sovereign_a prince_n be_v please_v to_o command_v his_o subject_n only_o to_o renounce_v their_o saviour_n and_o their_o christian_a faith_n and_o declare_v themselves_o jew_n or_o mahometan_n in_o that_o case_n they_o be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o obedience_n in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o christian_a or_o any_o other_o law_n to_o have_v any_o bind_a force_n than_o what_o it_o receive_v from_o the_o arbitrary_a power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o agreeable_a to_o that_o general_n proposition_n the_o philosopher_n be_v please_v to_o inform_v we_o 14_o that_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o any_o religion_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n that_o the_o 26._o subject_n of_o every_o commonwealth_n ought_v to_o receive_v every_o thing_n as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o the_o civil-law_n declare_v to_o be_v so_o that_o by_o the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o 35._o sovereign_a command_n to_o be_v teach_v we_o be_v to_o examine_v and_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o doctrine_n which_o pretend_v prophet_n with_o miracle_n or_o without_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n pretend_v to_o advance_v that_o 42._o moses_n make_v the_o scripture_n canonical_a as_o civil_a sovereign_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n that_o our_o saviour_n give_v his_o apostle_n power_n to_o preach_v and_o baptise_v in_o all_o part_n 311._o of_o the_o world_n suppose_v they_o be_v not_o by_o their_o own_o lawful_a sovereign_n forbid_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v not_o ibid._n the_o force_n of_o law_n till_o it_o receive_v it_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v original_o in_o himself_o and_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o sovereign_a ibid._n supremacy_n a_o power_n of_o ordain_v priest_n and_o administer_a sacrament_n that_o christian_a king_n be_v the_o only_a pastor_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o 43._o the_o faith_n of_o all_o their_o subject_n depend_v only_o upon_o their_o authority_n and_o he_o be_v so_o entire_o possess_v with_o this_o notion_n of_o kingly_a power_n that_o he_o allow_v no_o other_o authority_n to_o god_n himself_o and_o thus_o when_o he_o appoint_v the_o punishment_n of_o death_n to_o false_a prophet_n because_o they_o tempt_v the_o people_n to_o revolt_v from_o the_o lord_n their_o god_n these_o word_n he_o tell_v we_o to_o revolt_v from_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n 32._o be_v equivalent_a to_o revolt_v from_o your_o king_n for_o they_o have_v make_v god_n their_o king_n by_o pact_n at_o the_o foot_n of_o mount_n sinai_n so_o that_o have_v they_o not_o oblige_v themselves_o by_o that_o covenant_n it_o have_v be_v no_o sin_n to_o worship_v other_o god_n i._n e._n it_o be_v all_o one_o in_o itself_o to_o worship_v the_o true_a and_o to_o worship_n false_a god_n which_o be_v plain_o to_o say_v there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o and_o as_o for_o the_o worship_n they_o pay_v to_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n it_o be_v not_o due_a to_o he_o as_o sovereign_n of_o the_o universe_n but_o only_o as_o their_o king_n by_o pact_n and_o so_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o every_o subject_a owe_v to_o his_o sovereign_n and_o 35._o therefore_o he_o in_o express_a term_n define_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n to_o be_v a_o civil_a kingdom_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n he_o expound_v the_o three_o commandment_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o take_v the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o vain_a that_o 42._o be_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o speak_v rash_o of_o their_o king_n nor_o dispute_v his_o right_n nor_o the_o commission_n of_o moses_n and_o aaron_n his_o lieutenant_n and_o this_o be_v the_o end_n of_o our_o saviour_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o ibid._n restore_v unto_o god_n by_o a_o new_a covenant_n the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v his_o by_o the_o old_a covenant_n have_v be_v cut_v off_o by_o the_o rebellion_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o election_n of_o saul_n and_o the_o same_o account_n he_o give_v of_o christianity_n itself_o that_o it_o be_v only_o receive_v our_o saviour_n for_o king_n so_o that_o when_o st._n paul_n say_v to_o the_o galatian_n that_o if_o himself_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o 3â—_n heaven_n preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n to_o they_o than_o he_o have_v preach_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v that_o gospel_n be_v that_o christ_n be_v king_n so_o that_o all_o preach_v against_o the_o power_n of_o the_o king_n receive_v in_o consequence_n to_o these_o word_n be_v by_o st._n paul_n accurse_v for_o his_o speech_n be_v address_v to_o those_o who_o by_o his_o preach_v have_v already_o receive_v jesus_n for_o the_o christ_n that_o be_v to_o say_v for_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v we_o owe_v no_o other_o duty_n to_o our_o saviour_n than_o if_o he_o have_v be_v only_o a_o temporal_a messiah_n see_v all_o that_o be_v due_a to_o he_o be_v only_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o covenant_n whereby_o we_o receive_v he_o for_o our_o king_n neither_o be_v this_o kingdom_n 42._o of_o his_o present_n but_o be_v to_o be_v establish_v upon_o the_o earth_n after_o the_o general_a resurrection_n and_o therefore_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o pact_n that_o the_o faithful_a make_v with_o he_o in_o baptism_n they_o be_v only_o oblige_v to_o obey_v he_o for_o king_n whensoever_o he_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o take_v the_o kingdom_n upon_o he_o now_o bare_o to_o represent_v this_o train_n of_o absurdity_n be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o confute_v they_o in_o that_o they_o all_o resolve_v into_o this_o one_o gross_a contradiction_n that_o for_o the_o end_n of_o government_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o obey_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o for_o the_o same_o end_n of_o government_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v that_o we_o owe_v no_o other_o obedience_n to_o it_o than_o as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o law_n of_o man_n but_o though_o such_o manifest_a trifle_n deserve_v not_o the_o civility_n of_o be_v confute_v yet_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o let_v mr._n hobbs_n his_o credulous_a disciple_n and_o in_o all_o my_o conversation_n i_o never_o meet_v with_o a_o more_o ignorant_a or_o confident_a credulity_n understand_v after_o what_o a_o childish_a rate_n their_o mighty_a master_n of_o demonstration_n prove_v these_o and_o indeed_o every_o thing_n else_o for_o he_o have_v but_o one_o way_n of_o prove_v all_o thing_n first_o to_o define_v his_o own_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a and_o then_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o definition_n prove_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o for_o a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o this_o we_o will_v take_v a_o review_n of_o all_o the_o forementioned_a proposition_n where_o we_o shall_v find_v all_o his_o mathematical_a demonstration_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o so_o many_o positive_a and_o dogmatical_a tautology_n thus_o when_o he_o prove_v there_o can_v be_v no_o first_o mover_n because_o he_o have_v already_o define_v that_o nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o from_o whence_o it_o demonstrative_o follow_v that_o all_o motion_n must_v be_v eternal_a for_o otherwise_o if_o we_o assert_v a_o eternal_a first_o cause_n we_o run_v upon_o that_o desperate_a absurdity_n that_o something_o may_v move_v itself_o he_o have_v argue_v full_a as_o mathematical_o that_o nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o because_o i_o say_v nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o so_o again_o when_o he_o prove_v that_o god_n be_v neither_o the_o universe_n nor_o a_o part_n of_o it_o nor_o something_o beside_o he_o have_v argue_v as_o well_o have_v he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o be_v distinct_a from_o the_o fabric_n of_o the_o world_n because_o there_o be_v none_o so_o again_o those_o book_n only_o can_v be_v law_n in_o every_o nation_n that_o be_v establish_v for_o such_o by_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n because_o a_o law_n as_o i_o have_v already_o define_v it_o be_v nothing_o else_o than_o the_o command_n of_o that_o man_n or_o company_n of_o man_n that_o have_v the_o supreme_a power_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n from_o whence_o say_v he_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o law_n but_o what_o be_v enact_v by_o the_o sovereign_a power_n and_o so_o it_o will_v have_v follow_v as_o unavoidable_o if_o he_o have_v only_o say_v that_o the_o sovereign_n only_o can_v make_v law_n because_o the_o sovereign_n only_o can_v make_v law_n and_o yet_o upon_o this_o one_o mighty_a demonstration_n be_v build_v all_o the_o other_o bold_a assertion_n that_o i_o have_v collect_v out_o of_o his_o book_n that_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n be_v sovereign_a prophet_n too_o that_o he_o be_v sole_a pastor_n to_o the_o people_n of_o his_o
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
no_o more_o whereas_o the_o witty_a and_o learned_a cardinal_n perron_n run_v upon_o the_o same_o mistake_n and_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n that_o they_o all_o wilful_o run_v upon_o king_n james_n in_o his_o reply_n le_fw-fr we_o he_o know_v that_o though_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n never_o arrogate_a to_o themselves_o a_o power_n of_o be_v sovereign_a judge_n in_o matter_n and_o controversy_n of_o faith_n yet_o for_o moderation_n of_o synod_n for_o determination_n and_o order_n establish_v in_o council_n and_o for_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n they_o have_v make_v a_o good_a and_o full_a use_n of_o their_o imperial_a authority_n and_o that_o for_o this_o very_a good_a reason_n that_o very_o much_o concern_v all_o prince_n that_o they_o may_v see_v and_o judge_v whether_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o power_n or_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o much_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o for_o further_a satisfaction_n i_o shall_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o excellent_a discourse_n itself_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o i_o have_v give_v a_o plain_a and_o easy_a account_n of_o the_o distinct_a power_n of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o show_v that_o whoever_o deny_v the_o distinction_n disow_v christianity_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v vest_v his_o church_n with_o a_o power_n peculiar_a to_o itself_o that_o the_o church_n have_v in_o all_o age_n exercise_v it_o that_o the_o christian_a emperor_n never_o deny_v it_o and_o last_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o reform_a prince_n thereof_o have_v remarkable_o own_a it_n but_o three_o constantine_n and_o his_o successor_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o title_n of_o pontifex_n maximus_n to_o which_o according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n appertain_v the_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o authority_n they_o grant_v to_o the_o church_n among_o other_o privilege_n this_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o claudius_n and_o other_o heathen_a emperor_n give_v leave_n both_o to_o jew_n and_o christian_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o law_n and_o custom_n and_o though_o the_o emperor_n gratian_n refuse_v to_o wear_v the_o pontifical_a habit_n as_o a_o piece_n of_o pagan_a superstition_n yet_o it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o he_o refuse_v the_o dignity_n itself_o and_o this_o discourse_n our_o author_n prosecute_v with_o much_o zeal_n and_o learning_n but_o what_o do_v these_o man_n make_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o rather_o of_o christ_n himself_o that_o he_o shall_v make_v no_o other_o provision_n for_o its_o government_n than_o to_o leave_v it_o whole_o to_o the_o superintendency_n of_o heathen_a priest_n this_o be_v such_o a_o wild_a conceit_n in_o itself_o that_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v never_o have_v imagine_v any_o learned_a man_n can_v ever_o have_v make_v use_n of_o it_o against_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o this_o learned_a gentleman_n be_v not_o only_o serious_a but_o vehement_a and_o confident_a in_o it_o he_o urge_v it_o over_o and_o over_o and_o though_o he_o repeat_v every_o thing_n that_o he_o say_v so_o that_o indeed_o one_o half_a of_o his_o discourse_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o repetition_n of_o the_o other_o yet_o here_o he_o double_v his_o repetition_n and_o every_o where_o lay_v this_o principle_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o after_o time_n but_o can_v any_o man_n believe_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a take_v upon_o he_o the_o power_n of_o government_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n if_o he_o real_o believe_v in_o christ_n himself_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n derive_v from_o the_o usurpation_n of_o julius_n caesar_n or_o that_o he_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o heathenish_a priestly_a power_n belong_v to_o he_o after_o his_o own_n christianity_n when_o by_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o old_a roman_a religion_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v idolatrous_a so_o that_o the_o roman_a high_a priest_n be_v nothing_o better_o than_o the_o supreme_a head_n of_o idolatry_n a_o honour_n certain_o which_o no_o christian_a emperor_n will_v be_v very_o fond_a of_o astume_v to_o himself_o julian_n indeed_o challenge_v both_o the_o title_n and_o the_o dignity_n as_o the_o great_a ornament_n of_o his_o imperial_a crown_n but_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o he_o be_v so_o vain_o fond_a of_o the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o how_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o have_v renounce_v paganism_n shall_v yet_o own_v himself_o high_a priest_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o he_o have_v renounce_v seem_v too_o great_a a_o contradiction_n for_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o believe_v but_o what_o if_o they_o accept_v of_o the_o title_n as_o our_o author_n very_o well_o know_v they_o do_v of_o divinity_n itself_o or_o rather_o what_o if_o it_o be_v customary_o give_v to_o they_o by_o other_o for_o i_o meet_v with_o no_o other_o monument_n of_o it_o but_o some_o old_a complimental_a inscription_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o customary_a title_n of_o honour_n it_o may_v easy_o for_o a_o time_n pass_v in_o the_o crowd_n of_o the_o other_o imperial_a title_n for_o it_o seem_v it_o continue_v not_o long_o be_v reject_v by_o gratian_n who_o live_v about_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o conversion_n of_o constantine_n and_o though_o our_o learned_a author_n affirm_v that_o the_o pious_a emperor_n only_o refuse_v the_o vestment_n but_o not_o the_o dignity_n it_o be_v very_o obvious_a to_o any_o man_n of_o much_o less_o understanding_n than_o himself_o that_o the_o emperor_n can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o refuse_v one_o but_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o other_o for_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o superstition_n in_o the_o vestment_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o office_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n there_o be_v little_a if_o any_o use_n of_o the_o title_n afterward_o but_o last_o the_o power_n of_o judicature_n be_v first_o grant_v to_o the_o bishop_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o christian_a emperor_n and_o especial_o by_o a_o edict_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a whereby_o he_o grant_v the_o bishop_n a_o full_a power_n of_o hear_v and_o determine_v all_o cause_n civil_a as_o well_o as_o ecclesiastical_a and_o withal_o declare_v their_o decree_n to_o be_v more_o firm_a and_o bind_v than_o the_o sentence_n of_o any_o other_o judicature_n and_o from_o this_o great_a indulgence_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o among_o other_o forensique_fw-la penalty_n they_o make_v use_v of_o excommunication_n of_o the_o inference_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n by_o and_o by_o but_o as_o for_o the_o edict_n itself_o if_o it_o can_v do_v any_o service_n to_o our_o author_n design_n it_o at_o last_o prove_v supposititious_a as_o be_v full_o prove_v by_o gothofred_n in_o his_o excellent_a edition_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n his_o reason_n be_v too_o many_o to_o be_v here_o recite_v i_o will_v give_v but_o one_o for_o all_o viz._n that_o this_o law_n be_v contrary_a to_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n for_o though_o several_a emperor_n do_v in_o their_o several_a novel_n give_v the_o bishop_n power_n to_o decide_v cause_n by_o way_n of_o arbitration_n or_o the_o consent_n of_o both_o party_n which_o power_n they_o enlarge_v or_o contract_v as_o they_o please_v and_o to_o this_o all_o the_o other_o precedent_n produce_v by_o our_o author_n relate_v yet_o that_o one_o party_n shall_v have_v liberty_n of_o appeal_n from_o the_o civil_a court_n at_o any_o time_n before_o judgement_n give_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o adversary_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a privilege_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o only_a design_n of_o that_o edict_n quicunque_fw-la itaque_fw-la litem_fw-la habens_fw-la sive_fw-la possessor_n sive_fw-la petitor_n erit_fw-la inter_fw-la initia_fw-la litis_fw-la vel_fw-la decursis_fw-la temporum_fw-la curriculis_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la negotium_fw-la peroratur_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la jam_fw-la coeperit_fw-la promi_fw-la sententia_fw-la judicium_fw-la eligit_fw-la sacrosanctae_a legis_fw-la antistitis_fw-la ilico_fw-la sine_fw-la aliqua_fw-la dubitatione_n etiamsi_fw-la alia_fw-la pars_fw-la refragatur_fw-la ad_fw-la episcopum_fw-la cum_fw-la sermone_fw-la litigantium_fw-la dirigatur_fw-la which_o i_o say_v be_v such_o a_o absurd_a liberty_n as_o will_v utter_o destroy_v all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n if_o the_o humour_n or_o perverseness_n of_o any_o man_n can_v so_o easy_o balk_v their_o sentence_n but_o beside_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o there_o be_v no_o such_o edict_n extant_a in_o the_o justinian_n code_n nor_o any_o mention_n of_o it_o in_o any_o ancient_a writer_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n for_o as_o for_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
the_o opposition_n of_o the_o time_n the_o worse_a they_o be_v the_o more_o they_o require_v our_o zeal_n to_o oppose_v and_o to_o reform_v they_o and_o it_o be_v never_o more_o seasonable_a to_o assert_v the_o right_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n than_o when_o they_o be_v most_o disow_v let_v we_o but_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o god_n will_v do_v his_o work_n and_o let_v we_o not_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o trick_n and_o shift_n upon_o any_o pretence_n if_o any_o such_o there_o be_v of_o loss_n or_o danger_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n subsist_v upon_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o courage_n and_o integrity_n let_v we_o then_o be_v true_a to_o those_o two_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n and_o our_o saviour_n have_v undertake_v for_o the_o event_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n much_o less_o rome_n or_o geneva_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o it_o postscript_n i_o have_v thus_o far_o adventure_v to_o state_n the_o case_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n thereby_o to_o declare_v what_o it_o be_v that_o we_o contend_v for_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o recusant_n and_o dissenter_n for_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a what_o we_o oppose_v but_o what_o we_o assert_v and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o harm_n in_o error_n be_v it_o not_o for_o its_o contrariety_n to_o truth_n so_o that_o before_o we_o defend_v the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o define_v the_o true_a state_n of_o its_o cause_n otherwise_o we_o contend_v about_o we_o know_v not_o what_o for_o as_o for_o the_o general_a term_n of_o protestancy_n it_o be_v a_o indefinite_a thing_n so_o that_o if_o all_o the_o man_n in_o england_n that_o be_v enemy_n or_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n may_v be_v list_v under_o that_o name_n we_o have_v some_o protestant_n that_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o some_o that_o believe_v there_o be_v none_o some_o that_o believe_v they_o have_v a_o saviour_n and_o a_o soul_n to_o save_v and_o some_o that_o laugh_v at_o both_o there_o be_v hobbian_a protestant_n muggletonian_a protestant_n socinian_n protestant_n quaker_n protestant_n rebel_n protestant_n protestant_n of_o 41_o and_o protestant_n of_o 48._o all_o or_o most_o of_o which_o be_v as_o different_a as_o popery_n itself_o from_o the_o true_a protestancy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o stick_v close_o to_o that_o both_o as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o limit_v it_o to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n we_o may_v in_o time_n have_v a_o church_n consist_v of_o nothing_o but_o protestant_n dissent_v from_o the_o establish_a religion_n that_o be_v a_o church_n not_o only_o without_o but_o against_o itself_o and_o unless_o we_o derive_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o be_v by_o law_n establish_v from_o the_o antecedent_n law_n of_o christ_n we_o may_v quick_o be_v as_o we_o be_v in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o be_v a_o reform_a church_n of_o protestant_a atheist_n that_o be_v a_o church_n without_o religion_n and_o therefore_o all_o must_v be_v build_v upon_o this_o one_o boâ—â—om_n that_o the_o church_n own_v by_o the_o law_n of_o england_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n be_v original_o settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n with_o divine_a authority_n we_o deny_v his_o supremacy_n over_o his_o own_o church_n and_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o supreme_a government_n of_o the_o kingdom_n have_v power_n to_o abett_v and_o ratify_v our_o saviour_n establishment_n by_o civil_a law_n we_o deny_v his_o majesty_n supremacy_n over_o his_o christian_a subject_n and_o therefore_o both_o together_o must_v be_v take_v in_o to_o the_o right_a state_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o do_v what_o we_o can_v will_v involve_v the_o leader_n of_o our_o present_a separation_n in_o the_o guilt_n both_o of_o schism_n and_o sedition_n of_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o they_o withdraw_v themselves_o and_o their_o obedience_n from_o those_o who_o be_v vest_v with_o a_o power_n to_o command_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n of_o sedition_n in_o the_o state_n in_o that_o they_o needless_o and_o without_o any_o justifiable_a pretence_n violate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n though_o the_o truth_n be_v their_o dissension_n be_v somewhat_o worse_o for_o as_o they_o manage_v it_o it_o be_v not_o only_a sedition_n but_o rebellion_n in_o that_o they_o do_v not_o only_o disobey_v the_o law_n but_o disavow_v their_o obligation_n stand_v resolute_o upon_o that_o one_o principle_n that_o no_o magistrate_n whatsoever_o have_v any_o power_n of_o establish_v any_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n so_o that_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n be_v not_o so_o much_o faulty_a for_o the_o particular_a matter_n contain_v in_o it_o as_o for_o the_o unlawful_a and_o usurp_a authority_n of_o it_o and_o when_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n enjoin_v the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n to_o be_v use_v in_o all_o church_n they_o challenge_v a_o power_n to_o which_o they_o have_v no_o right_n and_o invade_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n himself_o this_o be_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o separation_n as_o it_o be_v state_v by_o the_o chief_a ringleader_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a renunciation_n of_o their_o allegiance_n as_o well_o as_o conformity_n i_o can_v with_o all_o the_o streining_n of_o charity_n make_v no_o better_o of_o it_o and_o shall_v be_v hearty_o glad_a if_o i_o can_v see_v they_o without_o shuffle_n and_o prevarication_n clear_v themselves_o of_o so_o pernicious_a a_o principle_n to_o conclude_v methinks_v religion_n have_v be_v long_o enough_o trifle_v with_o in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o after_o so_o long_a and_o so_o sad_a experience_n of_o our_o folly_n it_o be_v time_n to_o return_v to_o some_o sense_n of_o discretion_n and_o sobriety_n before_o the_o late_a barbarous_a war_n we_o have_v the_o sceptre_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o presbytery_n to_o advance_v but_o now_o after_o the_o murder_n of_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n that_o cause_o have_v prove_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o that_o it_o be_v grow_v ashamed_a of_o itself_o however_o the_o pretence_n be_v great_a and_o solemn_a but_o at_o this_o time_n the_o people_n be_v drive_v into_o the_o same_o excess_n against_o the_o church_n no_o body_n know_v for_o what_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o some_o man_n among_o we_o be_v too_o proud_a or_o too_o peevish_a to_o recant_v their_o folly_n and_o therefore_o i_o conjure_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o their_o heart_n and_o without_o passion_n serious_o to_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v for_o which_o they_o renounce_v the_o church_n in_o which_o they_o be_v baptize_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n tear_n and_o rend_v it_o into_o numberless_a piece_n and_o faction_n scare_v multitude_n of_o silly_a and_o well-meaning_a people_n out_o of_o it_o as_o they_o tender_v the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o put_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n into_o perpetual_a tumult_n and_o combustion_n about_o religion_n and_o when_o they_o have_v consider_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o bind_v it_o upon_o their_o conscience_n so_o to_o answer_v it_o to_o themselves_o now_o as_o they_o hope_v to_o answer_v it_o to_o their_o saviour_n at_o the_o last_o day_n as_o for_o the_o foreign_a reform_a church_n i_o have_v say_v nothing_o of_o they_o because_o they_o be_v altogether_o out_o of_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o argument_n which_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o four_o sea_n and_o concern_v only_o those_o that_o either_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o if_o in_o any_o thing_n any_o other_o church_n deviate_v from_o the_o primitive_a institution_n they_o must_v stand_v and_o fall_v to_o their_o own_o master_n and_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v be_v so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o un-church_n they_o or_o renounce_v brotherly_a communion_n with_o they_o or_o to_o think_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n shall_v withdraw_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o protection_n from_o they_o for_o if_o every_o defect_n from_o his_o institution_n shall_v forfeit_v the_o right_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n there_o never_o be_v as_o we_o may_v find_v by_o the_o apostle_n account_v of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n nor_o ever_o will_v be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o any_o thing_n
case_n ought_v not_o to_o have_v compare_v the_o talmudical_a tradition_n to_o the_o digest_v of_o justinian_n but_o to_o some_o of_o the_o old_a british_a history_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o monk_n of_o viterbo_n who_o give_v we_o large_a account_n of_o the_o exploit_n of_o their_o country_n and_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o prince_n from_o adam_n to_o brute_n without_o any_o assistance_n of_o former_a record_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o talmudical_a doctor_n in_o who_o report_n there_o be_v nothing_o creditable_a concern_v the_o ancient_a jewish_a church_n far_o than_o as_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o ancient_a writer_n and_o therefore_o i_o find_v no_o reason_n to_o accommodate_v their_o form_n or_o custom_n of_o excommunication_n to_o the_o old_a jew_n because_o i_o find_v no_o record_n of_o they_o old_a than_o themselves_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o suspect_v it_o to_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n in_o grotius_n and_o the_o learned_a man_n that_o follow_v he_o who_o whatever_o they_o find_v in_o the_o talmudical_a writer_n concern_v excommunication_n immediate_o apply_v it_o to_o some_o text_n of_o scripture_n as_o if_o it_o be_v original_o take_v thence_o of_o which_o though_o it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a to_o my_o purpose_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o brief_a account_n the_o talmudist_n then_o have_v their_o degree_n of_o excommunication_n some_o say_v three_o mr._n selden_n say_v but_o two_o neither_o be_v it_o inflict_v only_o by_o the_o court_n of_o judicature_n but_o by_o any_o single_a person_n and_o that_o either_o upon_o another_o or_o upon_o himself_o and_o that_o either_o wake_n or_o sleep_v for_o if_o any_o man_n pronounce_v himself_o or_o his_o neighbour_n excommunicate_a it_o be_v as_o bind_v as_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o great_a sanhedrim_n or_o if_o he_o only_o dream_v that_o he_o be_v excommunicate_a either_o by_o the_o court_n or_o any_o private_a person_n it_o be_v as_o effectual_a as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v do_v with_o all_o the_o formality_n of_o law_n and_o as_o any_o man_n have_v power_n to_o excommunicate_v himself_o so_o have_v any_o rabbi_n to_o absolve_v himself_o and_o if_o a_o man_n be_v excommunicate_a by_o the_o great_a sanhedrim_n he_o may_v be_v absolve_v by_o any_o three_o man_n whatsoever_o with_o divers_a other_o ridiculous_a formality_n which_o discover_v themselves_o to_o be_v mere_a invention_n of_o the_o talmudical_a age_n when_o all_o sense_n of_o religion_n be_v run_v into_o idle_a and_o useless_a pageantry_n and_o therefore_o pass_v by_o all_o the_o rest_n as_o absurd_a enough_o of_o itself_o i_o can_v find_v no_o trace_n of_o their_o several_a degree_n of_o excommunication_n more_o ancient_a than_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o i_o suspect_v they_o not_o to_o have_v be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o ancient_a jewish_a discipline_n and_o though_o grotius_n interpret_v several_a text_n of_o scripture_n by_o they_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o bring_v his_o interpretation_n along_o with_o he_o from_o the_o rabinical_a writer_n without_o find_v any_o ground_n for_o it_o in_o the_o text_n itself_o as_o will_v best_o appear_v by_o particular_n thus_o that_o text_n ezra_n 10._o 8._o that_o whosoever_o will_v not_o come_v within_o three_o day_n according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o the_o elder_n all_o his_o substance_n shall_v be_v forfeit_v and_o himself_o separate_v from_o the_o congregation_n of_o those_o that_o have_v be_v carry_v away_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v any_o reference_n to_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n but_o only_o a_o exercise_n of_o that_o absolute_a authority_n that_o ezra_n have_v receive_v from_o the_o persian_a king_n chap._n 7._o 26._o that_o whosoever_o will_v not_o do_v the_o law_n of_o thy_o god_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o king_n let_v judgement_n be_v execute_v speedy_o upon_o he_o whether_o it_o be_v unto_o death_n or_o to_o banishment_n or_o to_o confiscation_n of_o good_n or_o to_o imprisonment_n now_o the_o proclamation_n in_o the_o 10._o chap._n be_v in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o authority_n can_v signify_v nothing_o but_o first_o a_o exclusion_n from_o the_o privilege_n grant_v by_o artaxerxes_n to_o the_o jew_n which_o as_o thing_n than_o stand_v amount_v to_o nothing_o less_o than_o banishment_n and_o then_o second_o a_o confiscation_n of_o their_o estate_n and_o because_o the_o estate_n to_o be_v confiscate_v be_v to_o be_v devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o religion_n the_o thing_n be_v express_v by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o signify_v consecration_n as_o well_o destruction_n for_o whereas_o it_o proper_o and_o original_o import_v nothing_o but_o utter_a ruin_n yet_o because_o in_o most_o case_n where_o the_o people_n be_v design_v to_o final_a destruction_n the_o good_n be_v reserve_v and_o dedicate_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n thence_o the_o same_o word_n come_v to_o signify_v destruction_n and_o consecration_n neither_o do_v that_o text_n of_o nehemiah_n sound_v any_o more_o to_o the_o purpose_n c._n 13._o 25._o and_o i_o contend_v with_o they_o and_o curse_v they_o etc._n etc._n which_o seem_v to_o signify_v nothing_o more_o than_o as_o grotius_n himself_o express_v it_o nehemiam_fw-la gravibus_fw-la verbis_fw-la etiam_fw-la cum_fw-la it_o ae_z divinae_fw-la comminatione_fw-la usum_fw-la in_o istos_fw-la legirupas_fw-la chide_v with_o they_o severe_o and_o threaten_v they_o with_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n much_o less_o be_v that_o of_o daniel_n to_o this_o purpose_n chap._n 12._o 2._o and_o many_o of_o they_o that_o sleep_n in_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v awake_v some_o to_o everlasting_a life_n and_o some_o to_o shame_n and_o everlasting_a contempt_n i._n e._n say_v grotius_n of_o these_o latter_a sort_n erunt_fw-la alij_fw-la in_o nidui_n alij_fw-la in_o cherem_n for_o suppose_v with_o he_o that_o this_o passage_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o punishment_n of_o those_o who_o under_o the_o persecution_n of_o antiochus_n have_v apostatise_v from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o imaginable_a foundation_n be_v not_o man_n mind_n prepossess_v with_o talmudical_a conceit_n to_o understand_v it_o of_o these_o form_n of_o excommunication_n especial_o that_o of_o nidui_n which_o be_v not_o separation_n but_o only_o a_o keep_n the_o distance_n of_o four_o pace_n from_o other_o be_v certain_o a_o very_a small_a punishment_n for_o the_o great_a of_o sin_n among_o they_o i._n e._n idolatry_n and_o last_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o that_o of_o st._n john_n the_o 9_o and_o 22._o seem_v least_o of_o all_o to_o the_o purpose_n that_o the_o jew_n have_v agree_v already_o that_o if_o any_o man_n do_v confess_v that_o he_o be_v christ_n he_o shall_v be_v put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n which_o grotius_n expound_v of_o nidui_n because_o say_v he_o the_o second_o degree_n of_o excommunication_n be_v not_o inflict_v upon_o the_o follower_n of_o jesus_n till_o after_o the_o resurrection_n but_o it_o look_v very_o uncouth_a that_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n who_o look_v upon_o our_o saviour_n as_o a_o enemy_n to_o moses_n and_o their_o religion_n a_o impostor_n a_o apostate_n a_o samaritan_n which_o be_v much_o worse_a than_o a_o heathen_a shall_v deter_v the_o people_n from_o be_v seduce_v by_o he_o with_o no_o great_a penalty_n than_o of_o keep_v four_o pace_n distance_n from_o their_o neighbour_n however_o when_o those_o that_o be_v under_o it_o be_v notwithstanding_o admit_v into_o the_o synagogue_n keep_v their_o due_n do_v ance_n they_o can_v not_o be_v say_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o in_o short_a when_o there_o be_v no_o footstep_n of_o the_o talmudical_a degree_n of_o excommunication_n neither_o in_o the_o scripture_n nor_o josephus_n nor_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o essenes_n nor_o in_o any_o ancient_a record_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v it_o be_v then_o in_o use_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o it_o be_v not_o because_o otherwise_o so_o obvious_a a_o thing_n can_v not_o have_v escape_v their_o notice_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o plain_a account_n we_o have_v of_o this_o thing_n be_v from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o that_o head_n particular_o from_o their_o custom_n of_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n which_o signify_v discommon_v offender_n and_o be_v common_o express_v by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o josephus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o cashier_v out_o of_o the_o society_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o eminent_a instance_n in_o the_o three_o book_n of_o maccabee_n where_o the_o egyptian_a jew_n excommunicate_v those_o that_o under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o ptolemy_n philopator_n have_v sacrifice_v to_o idol_n account_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o no_o better_a than_o enemy_n to_o their_o nation_n this_o be_v the_o simple_a
the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n unless_o they_o misuse_v it_o and_o if_o they_o do_v as_o they_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n so_o they_o deserve_v their_o punishment_n in_o this_o lâ—fe_n among_o the_o worst_a of_o rebel_n and_o traitor_n and_o be_v sure_a to_o have_v it_o in_o the_o next_o for_o as_o their_o power_n be_v not_o only_o pure_o spiritual_a void_a of_o all_o temporal_a force_n and_o coercion_n so_o be_v they_o in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o above_o all_o thing_n forbid_v to_o use_v any_o violence_n or_o raise_v any_o disturbance_n against_o government_n so_o that_o if_o any_o prince_n think_v good_a to_o oppose_v they_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o to_o punish_v they_o for_o so_o do_v they_o be_v not_o to_o oppose_v he_o but_o only_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n in_o justification_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o submission_n to_o his_o will_n and_o for_o so_o do_v they_o shall_v have_v their_o reward_n but_o if_o they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o any_o other_o weapon_n whatsoever_o beside_o prayer_n and_o tear_n and_o suffering_n they_o then_o suffer_v deserve_o as_o disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o in_o that_o they_o have_v be_v so_o express_o forewarn_v by_o our_o saviour_n that_o whosoever_o shall_v draw_v the_o sword_n in_o his_o cause_n shall_v be_v sure_a to_o perish_v by_o it_o and_o as_o upon_o this_o principle_n he_o found_v his_o church_n so_o upon_o it_o his_o apostle_n build_v it_o when_o in_o pure_a obedience_n to_o his_o command_n they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o if_o any_o prince_n be_v please_v to_o countermand_v they_o they_o do_v not_o plead_v any_o exemption_n from_o the_o government_n much_o less_o do_v they_o libel_v it_o but_o only_o represent_v the_o innocence_n and_o justice_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o satisfy_v declare_v their_o readiness_n to_o submit_v to_o his_o pleasure_n and_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n and_o in_o this_o they_o enjoy_v no_o other_o exemption_n from_o the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n than_o what_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v challenge_v by_o every_o private_a christian_a who_o be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o his_o christian_a faith_n and_o if_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n so_o require_v to_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n this_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o in_o its_o first_o profession_n and_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o its_o reformation_n for_o whereas_o a_o foreign_a italian_a bishop_n have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n usurp_v wellnigh_o all_o both_o secular_a and_o spiritual_a power_n into_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o by_o a_o exorbitant_a abuse_n of_o it_o have_v enslave_v the_o prince_n and_o empoverish_v the_o people_n only_o to_o enrich_v himself_o and_o his_o own_o courtier_n they_o that_o be_v concern_v after_o long_a patience_n and_o much_o provocation_n at_o last_o resolve_v upon_o what_o motive_n concern_v not_o we_o to_o resume_v their_o right_n the_o king_n that_o power_n which_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n of_o old_a and_o by_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o bishop_n that_o power_n wherewith_o they_o be_v as_o immediate_o entrust_v by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n general_a commission_n to_o the_o apostolical_a order_n as_o any_o other_o foreign_a bishop_n or_o bishop_n within_o their_o respective_a diocese_n whatsoever_o and_o to_o prevent_v all_o jealousy_n in_o the_o prince_n lest_o they_o shall_v play_v he_o the_o same_o game_n that_o his_o holiness_n have_v do_v who_o in_o ordinc_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la have_v fine_o strip_v he_o of_o almost_o all_o his_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n by_o except_v all_o ecclesiastical_a both_o person_n and_o cause_n from_o his_o cognizance_n they_o therefore_o freelv_v declare_v he_o supreme_a governor_n first_o over_o all_o person_n so_o that_o no_o ecclesiastical_a subject_n may_v as_o former_o appeal_v from_o his_o tribunal_n and_o in_o all_o cause_n so_o that_o every_o subject_a whatsoever_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o his_o decree_n and_o determination_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o either_o to_o obey_v his_o law_n as_o long_o as_o he_o own_a and_o protect_v true_a christianity_n as_o the_o christian_a bishop_n of_o old_a do_v to_o the_o christian_a emperor_n or_o if_o he_o oppose_v it_o cheerful_o and_o peaceable_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o penalty_n as_o they_o do_v to_o the_o roman_a persecutor_n and_o whereas_o from_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o first_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n enjoy_v a_o power_n of_o make_v canon_n and_o constitution_n for_o discipline_n and_o good_a order_n yet_o by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o submit_v the_o exercise_n thereof_o to_o his_o sovereign_a authority_n protest_v in_o verbo_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la as_o it_o be_v state_v in_o that_o famous_a act_n call_v the_o submission_n of_o the_o clergy_n that_o they_o will_v never_o from_o henceforth_o presume_v to_o attempt_v allege_v claim_v or_o put_v in_o ure_n enact_v promulge_v or_o execute_v any_o new_a canon_n constitution_n ordinance_n provincial_a or_o other_o or_o by_o whatsoever_o other_o name_n they_o shall_v be_v call_v in_o the_o convocation_n unless_o the_o king_n be_v most_o royal_a assent_n and_o licence_n may_v to_o they_o be_v have_v to_o make_v promulge_fw-mi and_o execute_v the_o same_o and_o that_o his_o majesty_n do_v give_v his_o royal_a assent_n and_o authority_n in_o that_o behalf_n whereby_o they_o do_v not_o pass_v away_o their_o power_n of_o make_v ecclesiastical_a canon_n but_o only_o give_v security_n to_o the_o government_n that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o attempt_v any_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o injurious_a to_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o crown_n which_o in_o truth_n be_v such_o a_o submission_n as_o all_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o world_n ought_v in_o duty_n to_o make_v to_o their_o sovereign_n at_o least_o in_o gratitude_n for_o his_o protection_n and_o that_o without_o any_o abatement_n or_o diminution_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n viz._n the_o stand_a law_n of_o christianity_n be_v secure_v to_o submit_v all_o other_o matter_n to_o his_o sovereign_n will_v and_o pleasure_n whereby_o as_o they_o will_v bring_v no_o damage_n to_o the_o church_n in_o that_o this_o power_n be_v exercise_v mere_o in_o matter_n of_o order_n and_o discipline_n if_o the_o prince_n do_v not_o approve_v of_o their_o constitution_n it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a thing_n to_o provide_v for_o decency_n some_o other_o way_n so_o they_o will_v bring_v great_a security_n to_o the_o state_n when_o the_o prince_n be_v assure_v that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o as_o the_o roman_a clergy_n have_v do_v disturb_v or_o undermine_v his_o authority_n and_o as_o they_o part_v not_o with_o their_o spiritual_a legislative_a power_n so_o not_o with_o any_o other_o power_n proper_a to_o their_o function_n as_o the_o power_n of_o preach_v the_o christian_a religion_n administer_a the_o holy_a sacrament_n and_o confer_v holy_a order_n neither_o do_v any_o prince_n in_o the_o least_o ever_o claim_v or_o exercise_v any_o of_o they_o and_o because_o the_o romanist_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n make_v a_o mighty_a noise_n with_o this_o objection_n as_o if_o by_o virtue_n of_o her_o supremacy_n her_o majesty_n have_v challenge_v a_o spiritual_a or_o ministerial_a power_n in_o the_o church_n the_o queen_n have_v with_o great_a indignation_n disow_v any_o such_o power_n and_o defy_v the_o calumny_n and_o yet_o when_o she_o have_v make_v her_o disclaimour_n of_o any_o spiritual_a power_n in_o the_o church_n she_o part_v not_o with_o her_o royal_a supremacy_n over_o those_o that_o have_v it_o as_o we_o be_v particular_o instruct_v by_o our_o church_n in_o her_o 37th_o article_n where_o we_o attribute_v to_o the_o queen_n majesty_n the_o chief_a government_n by_o which_o title_n we_o understand_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o dangerous_a folk_n to_o be_v offend_v we_o give_v not_o our_o prince_n the_o minister_a either_o of_o god_n word_n or_o the_o sacrament_n the_o which_o thing_n the_o injunction_n late_o set_v forth_o by_o elizabeth_n our_o queen_n do_v most_o plain_o testify_v but_o that_o only_a prerogative_n which_o we_o see_v to_o have_v be_v give_v always_o to_o all_o godly_a prince_n in_o holy_a scripture_n by_o god_n himself_o that_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v rule_v all_o estate_n and_o degree_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n by_o god_n whether_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o temporal_a and_o restrain_v with_o the_o civil_a sword_n the_o stubborn_a and_o evil_a doer_n and_o last_o to_o mention_v
sure_a there_o be_v as_o little_a modesty_n as_o reason_n in_o salmasius_n his_o argument_n when_o he_o oppose_v the_o single_a authority_n of_o nicephorus_n to_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n but_o much_o less_o in_o daillès_fw-fr defence_n especial_o when_o we_o consider_v with_o what_o state_n and_o confidence_n he_o usher_v it_o in_o ecce_fw-la auctores_fw-la habemus_fw-la &_o multis_fw-la ante_fw-la nos_fw-la seculis_fw-la denatos_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la contra_fw-la hierarchiam_fw-la suspicion_n semotos_fw-la qui_fw-la omne_fw-la ignatii_n scripta_fw-la rotunde_v ac_fw-la sine_fw-la ullâ_fw-la haesitatione_n ad_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la relegarunt_fw-la in_o stichometriâ_fw-la georgio_n sincello_n in_o libro_fw-la antiquissimo_fw-la praefixâ_fw-la for_o what_o confidence_n can_v be_v more_o enormous_a than_o that_o when_o these_o epistle_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o some_o of_o the_o best_a of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n ter_n to_o pretend_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n by_o a_o multitude_n of_o writer_n and_o yet_o produce_v but_o one_o and_o he_o at_o the_o distance_n of_o seven_o hundred_o year_n but_o the_o last_o aggravation_n of_o his_o confidence_n be_v when_o he_o profess_v that_o he_o produce_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o stichometria_fw-la not_o to_o prove_v his_o own_o opinion_n but_o only_o to_o remove_v the_o prejudice_n of_o its_o novelty_n and_o yet_o cite_v no_o other_o author_n in_o its_o behalf_n for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o proof_n be_v draw_v from_o negative_a authority_n in_o which_o he_o be_v no_o more_o happy_a than_o in_o his_o many_o one_o positive_a testimony_n for_o when_o he_o argue_v that_o these_o epistle_n be_v unknown_a to_o every_o writer_n that_o do_v not_o quote_v they_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o hard_a condition_n that_o he_o impose_v upon_o all_o author_n to_o cite_v all_o the_o book_n that_o they_o read_v but_o say_v he_o because_o of_o that_o great_a authority_n that_o ignatius_n have_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o any_o christian_a writer_n have_v any_o fair_a occasion_n for_o it_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o they_o will_v have_v appeal_v to_o his_o authority_n which_o because_o they_o have_v not_o do_v we_o may_v just_o presume_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o write_n extant_a in_o their_o time_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a force_n of_o his_o negative_a argument_n and_o yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o particular_n he_o be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o only_o to_o produce_v those_o author_n who_o custom_n it_o be_v to_o avoid_v this_o kind_n of_o quotation_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v concern_v irenaeus_n and_o so_o for_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v a_o great_a quoter_n of_o heathen_a and_o heretical_a writer_n yet_o no_o where_o cite_v ecclesiastical_a author_n unless_o such_o as_o he_o suppose_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o sacred_a canon_n and_o so_o for_o tertullian_n who_o too_o be_v frequent_a in_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_n or_o heretic_n but_o scarce_o ever_o mention_n any_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v or_o confute_v any_o doctrine_n by_o their_o authority_n and_o this_o in_o the_o last_o place_n be_v the_o case_n of_o epiphanius_n who_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o live_v before_o he_o and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o heresy_n it_o be_v only_o in_o a_o historical_a way_n either_o to_o spare_v his_o own_o pain_n or_o to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o relation_n out_o of_o other_o history_n but_o never_o as_o daillé_n require_v of_o he_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o opinion_n i_o mention_v no_o more_o of_o his_o negative_a man_n who_o make_v a_o great_a show_n in_o the_o content_n of_o his_o chapter_n in_o that_o they_o be_v allege_v altogether_o impertinent_o to_o his_o purpose_n because_o all_o those_o passage_n which_o he_o imagine_v they_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v quote_v belong_v not_o to_o the_o ancient_a copy_n of_o eusebius_n but_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o late_a interpolation_n and_o now_o compare_v the_o testimony_n on_o both_o side_n we_o may_v very_o safe_o turn_v any_o honest_a man_n loose_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o epistle_n and_o that_o be_v once_o establish_v we_o can_v neither_o have_v nor_o desire_v a_o more_o ample_a testimony_n than_o they_o give_v we_o of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n the_o holy_a martyr_n every_o where_o sound_v the_o peace_n and_o security_n of_o the_o church_n against_o schism_n and_o heresy_n upon_o the_o bishop_n supreme_a authority_n which_o he_o as_o our_o adversary_n fancy_v magnify_v so_o high_o though_o not_o more_o than_o the_o other_o order_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o respective_a function_n that_o they_o think_v that_o alone_o the_o main_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o epistle_n though_o in_o truth_n set_v aside_o all_o testimony_n the_o argument_n and_o spirit_n of_o they_o be_v no_o small_a proof_n of_o their_o genuine_a antiquity_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o argument_n peculiar_a to_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n a_o vehement_a zeal_n for_o unity_n and_o a_o passionate_a sense_n of_o immortality_n they_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o serious_a belief_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n promise_n and_o therefore_o they_o live_v in_o this_o world_n pure_o in_o order_n to_o the_o reward_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o how_o earnest_o the_o author_n of_o these_o epistle_n thirst_v after_o it_o no_o good_a christian_n can_v read_v without_o great_a pleasure_n and_o be_v affect_v with_o some_o work_n of_o the_o same_o passion_n and_o as_o for_o his_o way_n of_o secure_v peace_n and_o unity_n in_o all_o church_n by_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o under_o they_o to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n for_o his_o fundamental_a rule_n be_v that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o bishop_n he_o derive_v it_o from_o our_o saviour_n commission_n and_o promise_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n for_o ever_o when_o he_o constitute_v they_o pastor_n of_o his_o flock_n and_o promise_v to_o be_v perpetual_o assistant_n to_o they_o by_o his_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v not_o refer_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o they_o for_o the_o great_a wisdom_n great_a learning_n or_o any_o other_o natural_a advantage_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n express_a institution_n who_o have_v send_v they_o as_o his_o father_n have_v send_v he_o and_o have_v therefore_o engage_v himself_o to_o be_v present_a with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o upon_o that_o security_n to_o follow_v the_o bishop_n be_v to_o follow_v christ_n because_o he_o have_v undertake_v to_o be_v the_o bishop_n guide_n and_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o ignatius_n and_o his_o adversary_n their_o objection_n will_v not_o reflect_v upon_o his_o discretion_n but_o our_o saviour_n integrity_n and_o when_o the_o cause_n be_v bring_v to_o that_o ignatius_n be_v secure_a and_o if_o any_o man_n be_v please_v to_o raise_v any_o further_a controversy_n it_o be_v only_o between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o leviathan_n and_o there_o i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o the_o next_o proof_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a practice_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o among_o the_o ancient_n be_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n i._n e._n a_o collection_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o synod_n and_o council_n between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a so_o that_o they_o may_v not_o improper_o be_v style_v the_o code_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o now_o concern_v they_o the_o case_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v much_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o ignatius_n epistle_n for_o the_o testimony_n that_o they_o give_v in_o to_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n be_v so_o full_a and_o plain_a that_o it_o be_v undeniable_a and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o avoid_v they_o but_o by_o impeach_v their_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n and_o as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v the_o same_o so_o be_v the_o success_n too_o for_o it_o have_v be_v thorough_o dispute_v between_o the_o say_v mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la and_o a_o very_a learned_a divine_a of_o our_o own_o church_n and_o that_o with_o the_o very_a same_o inequality_n of_o reason_n too_o i_o shall_v not_o give_v any_o large_a account_n of_o the_o engagement_n because_o the_o book_n be_v so_o late_o publish_v and_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o peruse_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v rather_o refer_v to_o the_o author_n themselves_o especial_o because_o i_o be_o not_o a_o little_a zealous_a to_o recommend_v one_o of_o they_o as_o