Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
book_n apostle_n bishop_n church_n 1,878 5 4.2003 3 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A51419 Confessions and proofes of Protestant divines of reformed churches that episcopacy is in respect of the office according to the word of God, and in respect of the use the best : together with a brief treatise touching the originall of bishops and metropolitans. Morton, Thomas, 1564-1659.; Ussher, James, 1581-1656. Originall of bishops and metropolitans.; W. C. Apostolicall institution of episcopacy. 1662 (1662) Wing M2836; ESTC R40650 81,901 89

There are 8 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

unto_o the_o ten_o of_o trajan_n wherein_o ignatius_n in_o that_o last_o journey_n which_o he_o make_v for_o the_o consummation_n of_o his_o glorious_a martyrdom_n at_o rome_n write_v another_o epistle_n unto_o the_o selfsame_a church_n of_o ephesus_n in_o which_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o their_o then_o bishop_n onesimus_n as_o it_o appear_v both_o by_o 〈◊〉_d eusebius_n cite_v this_o out_o of_o it_o and_o by_o the_o epistle_n itself_o yet_o extant_a in_o this_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n ignatius_n have_v accknowledge_v that_o their_o ephes._n numerous_a multitude_n be_v receive_v by_o he_o in_o the_o person_n of_o their_o bishop_n onesimus_n and_o ibid._n bless_a god_n for_o grant_v unto_o they_o such_o a_o bishop_n as_o he_o be_v do_v afterward_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n of_o their_o ibid._n duty_n in_o concur_v with_o he_o as_o he_o show_v their_o worthy_a presbytery_n do_v be_v ibid._n so_o conjoin_v as_o he_o say_v with_o their_o bishop_n as_o the_o string_n be_v with_o the_o harp_n and_o towards_o the_o end_n exhort_v they_o to_o ibid._n obey_v both_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbytery_n with_o a_o undivided_a mind_n in_o the_o same_o journey_n write_v ignatius_n also_o a_o epistle_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n another_o of_o the_o seven_o unto_o who_o those_o letter_n be_v direct_v in_o s._n john_n revelation_n wherein_o he_o also_o smyrn_n salute_v their_o bishop_n and_o presbytery_n exhort_v all_o the_o people_n to_o ibid._n follow_v their_o bishop_n as_o christ_n jesus_n do_v his_o father_n and_o the_o presbytery_n as_o the_o apostle_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o ibid._n no_o man_n ought_v either_o to_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n or_o do_v any_o thing_n appertain_v to_o the_o church_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o bishop_n who_o this_o bishop_n and_o what_o that_o presbytery_n be_v appear_v by_o another_o epistle_n write_v a_o little_a after_o from_o smyrna_n by_o philippens_n polycarpus_n and_o the_o presbyter_n that_o be_v with_o he_o unto_o the_o philippian_n and_o that_o the_o same_o polycarpus_n be_v then_o also_o bishop_n there_o when_o s._n john_n write_v unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n who_o can_v better_a inform_v we_o then_o irenaeus_n who_o do_v not_o only_o know_v those_o worthy_a man_n 3._o who_o succeed_v polycarpus_n in_o his_o see_n but_o also_o 〈◊〉_d be_v present_a when_o he_o himself_o do_v discourse_n of_o his_o conversation_n with_o s._n john_n and_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o hear_v from_o those_o who_o have_v see_v our_o lord_n jesus_n polycarpus_n 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o be_v not_o only_o teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o converse_v with_o many_o of_o those_o that_o have_v see_v christ_n but_o also_o be_v by_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v in_o asia_n bishop_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v in_o smyrna_n who_o we_o ourselves_o also_o do_v see_v in_o our_o young_a age_n for_o he_o continue_v long_o &_o be_v very_o age_v he_o most_o glorious_o and_o noble_o suffer_v martyrdom_n depart_v this_o life_n now_o be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v finish_v their_o course_n and_o depart_v out_o of_o this_o life_n before_o s._n john_n the_o last_o survivor_n of_o they_o do_v write_v his_o revelation_n who_o but_o he_o can_v there_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n in_o which_o that_o he_o still_o hold_v his_o episcopal_a office_n unto_o the_o time_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n which_o fall_v out_o lxxiv_o year_n afterward_o may_v sufficient_o appear_v by_o this_o testimony_n which_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n who_o be_v present_a at_o his_o suffering_n give_v unto_o he_o 〈◊〉_d he_o be_v the_o most_o admirable_a man_n in_o our_o time_n a_o apostolical_a and_o prophetical_a doctor_n and_o bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o be_v in_o smyrna_n whereunto_o we_o may_v add_v the_o like_a of_o polycrates_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n who_o live_v also_o in_o his_o time_n and_o in_o his_o neighbourhood_n affirm_v 〈◊〉_d polycarpus_n to_o have_v be_v both_o bishop_n and_o martyr_n in_o smyrna_n so_o say_v he_o in_o his_o synodica_fw-la epistle_n direct_v unto_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n about_o 27_o year_n after_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o polycarpus_n he_o himself_o be_v at_o that_o time_n 65_o year_n of_o age_n about_o the_o very_a same_o time_n wherein_o polycrates_n write_v this_o epistle_n unto_o victor_n do_v tertullian_n publish_v his_o book_n of_o prescription_n against_o heretic_n wherein_o he_o avouch_v against_o they_o that_o 5._o as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n have_v polycarpus_n place_v there_o by_o john_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n clement_n ordain_v by_o peter_n so_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n also_o do_v show_v what_o bishop_n they_o have_v receive_v by_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o traduce_v the_o apostolical_a seed_n unto_o they_o and_o so_o before_o he_o do_v irenaeus_n urge_v against_o they_o 63._o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n unto_o who_o the_o apostle_n commit_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o church_n in_o every_o place_n 20._o for_o all_o the_o heretic_n say_v he_o be_v much_o late_a than_o those_o bishop_n unto_o who_o the_o apostle_n commit_v the_o church_n and_o 3._o we_o be_v able_a to_o number_v those_o who_o by_o the_o apostle_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o the_o church_n and_o their_o successor_n unto_o our_o day_n who_o neither_o teach_v nor_o know_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o man_n dream_v of_o for_o proof_n whereof_o he_o bring_v in_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n from_o ibid._n liws_o unto_o who_o the_o bless_a apostle_n commit_v that_o episcopacy_n and_o anacletus_fw-la by_o other_o call_v cletus_n and_o clement_n who_o do_v both_o see_v the_o apostle_n and_o confer_v with_o they_o unto_o ibid._n eleutherius_fw-la who_o when_o irenaeus_n write_v have_v the_o charge_n of_o that_o bishopric_n in_o the_o twelve_o place_n after_o the_o apostle_n concern_v who_o and_o the_o integrity_n which_o then_o continue_v in_o each_o other_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n hegesippus_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n publish_v his_o history_n of_o the_o church_n say_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d soter_n succeed_v anicetus_n and_o after_o he_o be_v eleutherius_fw-la now_o in_o every_o succession_n and_o in_o every_o city_n all_o thing_n so_o stand_v as_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o our_o lord_n do_v preach_v and_o more_o particular_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 〈◊〉_d after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o epistle_n write_v unto_o they_o by_o clement_n for_o the_o repress_v of_o some_o faction_n wherewith_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n much_o trouble_v which_o give_v he_o occasion_n to_o tell_v they_o that_o junii_fw-la the_o apostle_n of_o who_o he_o himself_o be_v a_o hearer_n have_v perfect_a intelligence_n from_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n of_o the_o contention_n that_o shall_v arise_v about_o the_o name_n of_o episcopacy_n he_o declare_v that_o after_o the_o appease_n of_o this_o tumult_n 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o the_o corinthian_n continue_v in_o the_o right_a way_n until_o the_o day_n of_o primus_fw-la who_o he_o do_v visit_v in_o his_o sail_v towards_o rome_n which_o primus_n have_v for_o his_o successor_n that_o famous_a dionysius_n who_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o athenian_n have_v be_v before_o nominate_v wherein_o he_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n of_o 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o bishop_n that_o have_v be_v place_v over_o they_o even_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n 34._o s._n paul_n own_o convert_n a_o thing_n whereof_o they_o can_v at_o that_o time_n have_v no_o more_o cause_n to_o doubt_v than_o we_o shall_v have_v if_o any_o question_n be_v now_o make_v of_o the_o bishop_n that_o be_v here_o in_o king_n edward_n the_o vi_o or_o queen_n maryes_fw-mi day_n i_o may_v also_o say_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n herself_o if_o with_o 120._o baronius_n i_o will_v produce_v the_o areopagite_n life_n unto_o the_o government_n of_o the_o emperor_n hadrian_n this_o hegesippus_n live_v next_o after_o the_o first_o succession_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o expressit_fw-la eusebius_n note_v and_o be_v himself_o a_o christian_n fin_fw-fr of_o the_o race_n of_o the_o hebrew_n be_v careful_a to_o record_v unto_o posterity_n the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o alteration_n that_o follow_v after_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o this_o life_n where_o first_o he_o show_v that_o 〈◊〉_d jame_v the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n surname_v the_o just_a do_v govern_v that_o church_n together_o with_o the_o apostle_n yet_o so_o as_o 1._o clement_n of_o alexandria_n who_o write_v some_o twenty_o year_n after_o he_o further_o add_v that_o he_o have_v this_o preferment_n even_o before_o the_o three_o prime_a apostle_n peter_n and_o
matthew_n or_o some_o other_o of_o the_o disciple_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o aristion_n and_o john_n the_o elder_a our_o lord_n disciple_n do_v speak_v the_o two_o last_o of_o who_o he_o often_o cite_v by_o name_n in_o the_o process_n of_o the_o work_n relate_v the_o passage_n in_o this_o kind_n which_o he_o have_v hear_v from_o they_o neither_o can_v any_o man_n be_v so_o simple_a as_o to_o imagine_v that_o in_o the_o language_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n the_o name_n of_o a_o bishop_n shall_v import_v no_o more_o than_o a_o bare_a presbyter_n if_o he_o consider_v that_o not_o the_o ult_n difference_n only_o betwixt_o presbyter_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v by_o he_o acknowledge_v but_o further_a also_o that_o the_o disposition_n of_o their_o three_o office_n in_o his_o judgement_n do_v carry_v with_o it_o 6._o a_o imitation_n of_o the_o angelical_a glory_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o emperor_n hadrian_n who_o hard_a upon_o the_o time_n of_o the_o forenamed_a papias_n write_v unto_o the_o consul_n servianus_n touch_v the_o state_n of_o thing_n in_o egypt_n make_v distinct_a mention_n in_o his_o letter_n of_o saturnini_n the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o of_o those_o ibid._n who_o call_v themselves_o the_o bishop_n of_o christ._n and_o thus_o have_v deduce_v episcopacy_n from_o the_o apostolical_a time_n and_o declare_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n be_v no_o other_o but_o such_o as_o in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n be_v by_o the_o father_n term_v bishop_n we_o be_v now_o further_o to_o inquire_v why_o these_o church_n be_v confine_v unto_o the_o number_n of_o seven_o in_o the_o superscription_n of_o that_o apostolical_a epistle_n prefix_v before_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n 4_o john_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n grace_n be_v unto_o you_o and_o peace_n where_o s._n john_n direct_v his_o letter_n unto_o they_o thus_o indefinite_o without_o any_o mention_n of_o their_o particular_a name_n can_v by_o common_a intendment_n be_v conceive_v to_o have_v understand_v any_o other_o thereby_o but_o such_o as_o by_o some_o degree_n of_o eminency_n be_v distinguishable_a from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o asia_n and_o in_o some_o sort_n also_o do_v comprehend_v all_o the_o rest_n under_o they_o for_o take_v asia_n here_o in_o that_o strict_a sense_n wherein_o the_o new_a testament_n use_v it_o as_o denote_v the_o lydian_a asia_n alone_o of_o the_o circuit_n whereof_o i_o have_v treat_v 2._o elsewhere_o more_o particular_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o after_o so_o long_a pain_n take_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n in_o the_o husband_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o lord_n vineyard_n there_o shall_v be_v find_v no_o more_o but_o seven_o church_n therein_o especial_o since_o s._n paul_n that_o 10._o wise_a master-builder_n profess_v that_o he_o have_v here_o 9_o a_o great_a door_n and_o effectual_a open_v unto_o he_o and_o s._n luke_n testify_v according_o that_o 20._o all_o they_o which_o dwell_v in_o asia_n hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n both_o jew_n and_o greek_n so_o mighty_o grow_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prevail_v which_o extraordinary_a blessing_n of_o god_n upon_o his_o labour_n move_v the_o apostle_n to_o make_v his_o residence_n 31._o in_o those_o part_n for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n wherein_o he_o cease_v not_o to_o warn_v every_o one_o night_n and_o day_n with_o tear_n so_o that_o in_o all_o reason_n we_o be_v to_o suppose_v that_o these_o seven_o church_n comprise_v all_o the_o rest_n within_o they_o be_v not_o bare_a parochial_a one_o or_o so_o many_o particular_a congregation_n but_o diocesan_n church_n as_o we_o use_v to_o call_v they_o if_o not_o metropolitical_a rather_o for_o that_o in_o 29._o laedicea_n sardis_n smyrna_n ephesus_n and_o 30._o pergamus_n the_o roman_a governor_n hold_v their_o court_n of_o justice_n to_o which_o all_o the_o city_n and_o town_n about_o have_v recourse_n for_o the_o end_n of_o their_o suit_n be_v note_v by_o pliny_n and_o beside_o these_o which_o be_v the_o great_a thyatira_n be_v also_o by_o 5._o ptolemy_n express_o name_v a_o metropolis_n as_o philadelphia_n also_o be_v in_o the_o 5._o greek_a act_n of_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n hold_v under_o menas_n which_o give_v we_o good_a ground_n to_o conceive_v that_o the_o seven_o city_n in_o which_o these_o seven_o church_n have_v their_o seat_n be_v all_o of_o they_o metropolitical_a and_o so_o have_v relation_n unto_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o town_n and_o city_n of_o asia_n as_o unto_o daughter_n rise_v under_o they_o this_o lydian_a asia_n be_v separate_v from_o caria_n by_o the_o river_n maeander_n upon_o the_o bank_n whereof_o magnesia_n and_o trallis_n be_v seat_v to_o the_o christian_n whereof_o ignatius_n direct_v two_o of_o his_o epistle_n wherein_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o damas_n bishop_n of_o the_o one_o church_n and_o polybius_n bishop_n or_o 35._o ruler_n as_o eusebius_n call_v he_o of_o the_o other_o who_o they_o have_v send_v to_o visit_v he_o at_o smyrna_n add_v withal_o in_o that_o to_o the_o trallian_n his_o usual_a admonition_n trallian_n be_v subject_n to_o the_o bishop_n as_o to_o the_o lord_n and_o ibid._n to_o the_o presbytery_n as_o to_o the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n our_o hope_n ib._n he_o that_o do_v any_o thing_n without_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n and_o the_o deacon_n such_o a_o one_o be_v defile_v in_o conscience_n ibid._n fare_v you_o well_o in_o jesus_n christ_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n and_o likewise_o to_o the_o presbyter_n wherein_o we_o may_v note_v that_o with_o twelve_o year_n after_o mention_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n make_v in_o the_o apocalypse_n for_o then_o as_o have_v be_v show_v be_v these_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n write_v other_o episcopal_a city_n be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o lydian_a asia_n and_o two_o such_o as_o in_o after_o time_n be_v well_o know_v to_o have_v be_v 90._o under_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a of_o ephesus_n but_o whether_o this_o subordination_n be_v as_o ancient_a as_o the_o day_n of_o ignatius_n who_o epistle_n be_v extant_a unto_o these_o three_o church_n and_o 35._o damas_n the_o than_o bishop_n of_o magnefia_n with_o polybius_n of_o trallis_n be_v at_o that_o time_n subject_a to_o one_o simus_fw-la the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n may_v well_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o same_o ignatius_n direct_v one_o of_o his_o epistle_n unto_o the_o church_n roman_n which_o have_v presidency_n in_o the_o place_n of_o the_o region_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o in_o the_o body_n thereof_o do_v attribute_n unto_o himself_o the_o title_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o syria_n whereby_o as_o he_o intimate_v himself_o to_o have_v be_v not_o only_o the_o bishop_n of_o antiock_n but_o also_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o province_n of_o syria_n which_o be_v under_o that_o metropolis_n so_o do_v he_o likewise_o not_o obscure_o signify_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v at_o that_o time_n a_o presidency_n over_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o the_o 3._o vrbicarian_a region_n as_o the_o imperial_a constitution_n or_o the_o leguntur_fw-la roman_a province_n as_o the_o act_n of_o the_o first_o council_n of_o arles_n call_v it_o what_o that_o vrbicarian_a region_n be_v i_o will_v not_o now_o stand_v to_o discuss_v whether_o tuscia_n only_o wherein_o rome_n itself_o be_v situate_v which_o in_o the_o day_n of_o ignatius_n be_v one_o entire_a region_n but_o afterward_o divide_v into_o tuscia_n suburbicaria_n and_o annonaeria_n or_o the_o territory_n wherein_o the_o praefectus_fw-la vrbis_fw-la do_v exercise_v his_o jurisdiction_n which_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o hundred_o mile_n about_o the_o city_n or_o with_o that_o those_o other_o province_n also_o whereunto_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o vicarius_fw-la vrbis_fw-la do_v extend_v or_o last_o the_o circuit_n within_o which_o those_o 69._o bishopric_n be_v contain_v that_o 23._o be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o frequent_o call_v to_o his_o synod_n the_o name_n whereof_o be_v find_v register_v in_o the_o record_n of_o that_o church_n the_o antiquity_n of_o which_o number_n as_o it_o may_v in_o some_o sort_n receive_v confirmation_n from_o the_o roman_a synod_n of_o seventy_o bishop_n hold_v under_o gelasius_n so_o for_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o bishop_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n from_o those_o that_o appertain_v to_o italy_n we_o have_v a_o far_o more_o ancient_a testimony_n from_o the_o edict_n of_o the_o emperor_n aurelian_a who_o in_o the_o controversy_n that_o arise_v betwixt_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la and_o domnus_n for_o the_o house_n which_o belong_v unto_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n command_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v deliver_v to_o they_o 〈◊〉_d
as_o not_o to_o give_v it_o up_o until_o they_o perfect_o understand_v concern_v episcopacy_n itself_o quid_fw-la mali_fw-la fecit_fw-la i_o shall_v speak_v at_o this_o time_n only_o of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o three_o point_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o government_n settle_v in_o the_o church_n for_o perpetuity_n by_o the_o apostle_n whereof_o i_o conceive_v this_o which_o follow_v as_o clear_v a_o demonstration_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o that_o this_o government_n be_v receive_v universal_o in_o the_o church_n either_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o present_o after_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o unquestionable_a that_o the_o most_o learned_a adversary_n of_o this_o government_n do_v themselves_o confess_v it_o petrus_n molinaeus_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr munere_fw-la postorali_fw-la purposely_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o presbyterial_a government_n acknowledge_v that_o present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o even_o in_o their_o time_n as_o ecclesiastical_a story_n witness_v it_o be_v ordain_v that_o in_o every_o city_n one_o of_o the_o presbytery_n shall_v be_v call_v a_o bishop_n who_o shall_v have_v pre-eminence_n over_o his_o colleague_n to_o avoid_v confusion_n which_o oft_o time_n arise_v out_o of_o equality_n and_o true_o this_o form_n of_o government_n all_o church_n every_o where_o receive_v theodorus_n beza_n in_o his_o tract_n de_fw-fr triplici_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la genere_fw-la confess_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o thing_n for_o have_v distinguish_v episcopacy_n into_o three_o kind_n divine_a humane_a and_o satanical_a and_o attribute_v to_o the_o second_o which_o he_o call_v humane_a but_o we_o maintain_v and_o conceive_v to_o be_v apostolical_a not_o only_o a_o priority_n of_o order_n but_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n and_o authority_n over_o other_o presbyter_n bound_v yet_o by_o law_n and_o canon_n provide_v against_o tyranny_n he_o clear_o profess_v that_o of_o this_o kind_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v whatsoever_o we_o read_v concern_v the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n or_o precedent_n as_o justin_n martyr_n call_v they_o in_o ignatius_n and_o other_o more_o ancient_a writer_n certain_o from_o apostle_n these_o two_o great_a defender_n of_o the_o presbytery_n we_o shall_v never_o have_v this_o free_a acknowledgement_n so_o prejudicial_a to_o their_o own_o pretence_n and_o so_o advantageous_a to_o their_o adversary_n purpose_n have_v not_o the_o evidence_n of_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a truth_n enforce_v they_o to_o it_o it_o will_v not_o therefore_o be_v necessary_a to_o spend_v any_o time_n in_o confute_v that_o uningenuous_a assertion_n of_o the_o anonymus_fw-la author_n of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o testimony_n for_o the_o equality_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n who_o affirm_v that_o their_o disparity_n begin_v long_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o we_o may_v safe_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o which_o these_o two_o learned_a adversary_n have_v confess_v and_o see_v whether_o upon_o this_o foundation_n lay_v by_o they_o we_o may_v not_o by_o unanswerable_a reason_n raise_v this_o superstruction_n that_o see_v episcopal_a government_n be_v confess_o so_o ancient_a and_o so_o catholic_a it_o can_v with_o reason_n be_v deny_v to_o be_v apostolic_a for_o so_o great_a a_o change_n as_o between_o presbyterial_a government_n and_o episcopal_a can_v not_o possible_o have_v prevail_v all_o the_o world_n over_o in_o a_o little_a time_n have_v episcopal_a government_n be_v a_o aberration_n from_o or_o a_o corruption_n of_o the_o government_n leave_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n it_o have_v be_v very_o strange_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v receive_v in_o any_o one_o church_n so_o sudden_o or_o that_o it_o shall_v have_v prevail_v in_o all_o for_o many_o age_n after_o variâsse_fw-la debuerat_fw-la error_n ecclesiarum_fw-la quod_fw-la autem_fw-la apud_fw-la omnes_fw-la unum_fw-la est_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la erratum_fw-la sed_fw-la traditum_fw-la have_v the_o church_n err_v they_o will_v have_v vary_v what_o therefore_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o among_o all_o come_v not_o sure_a by_o error_n but_o tradition_n thus_o tertullian_n argue_v very_o probable_o from_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n of_o his_o time_n not_o long_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n much_o more_o subject_a to_o unobserved_a alteration_n but_o that_o in_o the_o frame_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o necessary_a government_n of_o the_o church_n a_o thing_n always_o in_o use_n and_o practice_n there_o shall_v be_v so_o sudden_a a_o change_n as_o present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o so_o universal_a as_o receive_v in_o all_o the_o church_n this_o be_v clear_o impossible_a for_o what_o universal_a cause_n can_v be_v assign_v or_o feign_v of_o this_o universal_a apostasy_n you_o will_v not_o imagine_v that_o the_o apostle_n all_o or_o any_o of_o they_o make_v any_o decree_n for_o this_o change_n when_o they_o be_v live_v or_o leave_v order_n for_o it_o in_o any_o will_n or_o testament_n when_o they_o be_v die_v this_o be_v to_o grant_v the_o question_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o leave_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o and_o either_o see_v by_o experience_n or_o foresee_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o distraction_n and_o disorder_n which_o will_v arise_v from_o a_o multitude_n of_o equal_n substitute_v episcopal_a government_n instead_o of_o their_o own_o general_n counsel_n to_o make_v a_o law_n for_o a_o general_a change_n for_o many_o age_n there_o be_v none_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a emperor_n no_o coercive_a power_n over_o the_o church_n to_o enforce_v it_o or_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o we_o know_v no_o force_n be_v equal_a to_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n their_o life_n be_v then_o at_o command_n for_o they_o have_v not_o then_o learn_v to_o fight_v for_o christ_n but_o their_o obedience_n to_o any_o thing_n against_o his_o law_n be_v not_o to_o be_v command_v for_o they_o have_v perfect_o learn_v to_o die_v for_o he_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o power_n then_o to_o command_v this_o change_n or_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o it_o have_v be_v in_o vain_a what_o device_n then_o shall_v we_o study_v or_o to_o what_o fountain_n shall_v we_o reduce_v this_o strange_a pretend_a alteration_n can_v it_o enter_v into_o our_o heart_n to_o think_v that_o all_o the_o presbyter_n and_o other_o christian_n then_o be_v the_o apostle_n scholar_n can_v be_v general_o ignorant_a of_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n touch_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o presbyterial_a government_n or_o dare_v we_o adventure_v to_o think_v they_o so_o strange_o wicked_a all_o the_o world_n over_o as_o against_o knowledge_n and_o conscience_n to_o conspire_v against_o it_o imagine_v the_o spirit_n of_o diotrephes_n have_v enter_v into_o some_o or_o a_o great_a many_o of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o ambitious_a desire_n of_o a_o forbid_a superiority_n be_v it_o possible_a they_o shall_v attempt_v and_o achieve_v it_o once_o without_o any_o opposition_n or_o contradiction_n and_o beside_o that_o the_o contagion_n of_o this_o ambition_n shall_v spread_v itself_o and_o prevail_v without_o stop_n or_o control_n nay_o without_o any_o noise_n or_o notice_n take_v of_o it_o through_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n all_o the_o watchman_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v so_o fast_o asleep_a and_o all_o the_o dog_n so_o dumb_a that_o not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o shall_v open_v his_o mouth_n against_o it_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v though_o it_o be_v a_o horrible_a untruth_n that_o the_o presbyter_n and_o people_n than_o be_v not_o so_o good_a christian_n as_o the_o presbyter_n be_v now_o that_o they_o be_v general_o so_o negligent_a to_o retain_v the_o government_n of_o christ_n church_n command_v by_o christ_n which_o we_o now_o be_v so_o zealous_a to_o restore_v yet_o certain_o we_o must_v not_o forget_v nor_o deny_v that_o they_o be_v man_n as_o we_o be_v and_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o they_o but_o as_o mere_a natural_a man_n yet_o know_v by_o experience_n how_o hard_o a_o thing_n it_o be_v even_o for_o policy_n arm_v with_o power_n by_o many_o attempt_n and_o contrivance_n and_o in_o a_o long_a time_n to_o gain_v upon_o the_o liberty_n of_o any_o one_o people_n undoubted_o we_o shall_v never_o entertain_v so_o wild_a a_o imagination_n as_o that_o among_o all_o the_o christian_a presbytery_n in_o the_o world_n neither_o conscience_n of_o duty_n nor_o love_n of_o liberty_n nor_o averseness_n from_o pride_n and_o usurpation_n of_o other_o over_o they_o shall_v prevail_v so_o much_o as_o with_o any_o one_o to_o oppose_v this_o pretend_a universal_a invasion_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o christian_n when_o i_o shall_v see_v therefore_o all_o the_o fable_n in_o the_o metamorphosis_n act_v and_o prove_v story_n when_o i_o
so_o he_o last_o now_o under_o our_o gracious_a sovereign_a king_n charles_n in_o the_o time_n of_o archbishop_n abbot_n who_o daily_a experience_n do_v testify_v the_o reciprocal_a correspondence_n between_o he_o and_o with_o other_o bishop_n and_o all_o reform_a church_n beyond_o the_o sea_n at_o what_o time_n likewise_o cyrill_a late_a greek_a patriarch_n of_o constatinople_n do_v so_o far_o honour_n both_o he_o and_o our_o english_a church_n as_o to_o profess_v his_o accordance_n therewith_o more_o special_o then_o with_o any_o other_o and_o if_o our_o bishop_n of_o late_a date_n have_v not_o be_v respect_v then_o sure_o will_v not_o the_o divine_n about_o breme_n in_o germany_n have_v send_v their_o controversy_n have_v among_o themselves_o only_o unto_o certain_a bishop_n in_o england_n as_o they_o do_v to_o have_v they_o moderate_v by_o their_o judgement_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o their_o dedication_n of_o some_o of_o their_o book_n unto_o bishop_n these_o last_o relation_n nothing_o but_o the_o importunity_n of_o these_o time_n can_v have_v extort_a from_o we_o thus_o much_o of_o particular_a respect_n have_v in_o special_a to_o our_o english_a episcopal_a government_n by_o singular_a approve_a divine_n of_o the_o reform_a protestant_a church_n in_o the_o next_o place_n as_o the_o thread_n of_o our_o method_n lead_v we_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v what_o they_o will_v say_v touch_v the_o unlawfulnesse_n or_o lawfulness_n thereof_o in_o general_n ii_o thesis_n that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o visible_o constitute_v church_n in_o all_o christendom_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o 1500._o year_n and_o more_o which_o hold_v episcopacy_n in_o itself_o to_o be_v unlawful_a we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a that_o even_o at_o this_o time_n all_o episcopacy_n and_o prelacy_n of_o any_o one_o above_o presbytery_n be_v cry_v down_o by_o some_o as_o unlawful_a in_o itself_o discerni_fw-la notwithstanding_o our_o opposite_n can_v but_o know_v what_o beside_o epiphanius_n saint_n angustine_n record_v of_o one_o aerius_n to_o wit_n that_o he_o because_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v to_o be_v make_v a_o bishop_n do_v therefore_o teach_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o presbyter_n and_o a_o bishop_n so_o he_o and_o for_o that_o cause_n they_o list_v he_o among_o the_o erroneous_a author_n of_o that_o age_n but_o he_o be_v except_v never_o any_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n before_o he_o we_o add_v nor_o yet_o any_o thus_o protest_v after_o he_o nor_o before_o these_o day_n of_o contradiction_n defend_v his_o opinion_n now_o whether_o the_o humour_n of_o desire_n to_o rule_v other_o and_o the_o unwillingness_n to_o be_v subject_a unto_o other_o may_v not_o equal_o transport_v some_o ecclesiastic_n to_o oppose_v against_o episcopacy_n they_o can_v best_o judge_v who_o it_o most_o concern_v we_o know_v beside_o infinite_a other_o who_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o episcopacy_n some_o protestant_n divine_v of_o remote_a church_n who_o have_v full_o condemn_v the_o opinion_n of_o aerius_n three_o may_v suffice_v for_o three_o hundred_o if_o they_o be_v learn_v and_o judicious_a author_n and_o not_o interest_v in_o that_o which_o be_v now_o call_v episcopal_a policy_n damnavi_fw-la master_n moulin_n come_v on_o roundly_o i_o have_v since_o my_o infancy_n say_v he_o abhor_v the_o opinion_n of_o aërius_n studebant_fw-la tylenus_n also_o a_o divine_a of_o the_o french_a church_n as_o pertinent_o and_o plain_o none_o ever_o before_o aërius_n endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o episcopacy_n nor_o yet_o after_o he_o any_o but_o some_o of_o geneva_n what_o some_o he_o may_v mean_v we_o know_v not_o but_o who_o he_o may_v not_o mean_v we_o have_v already_o show_v as_o calvin_n beza_n saddle_n and_o causabon_n who_o have_v give_v their_o ample_a suffrage_n for_o our_o english_a episcopacy_n but_o only_o speak_v against_o the_o romish_a hierarchy_n and_o now_o for_o the_o generality_n of_o it_o prosequamur_fw-la beza_n be_v again_o at_o hand_n say_v if_o there_o be_v any_o as_o i_o think_v say_v he_o there_o be_v not_o who_o altogether_o reject_v the_o episcopal_a order_n god_n forbid_v that_o any_o of_o sound_a brain_n shall_v ever_o assent_v to_o their_o fury_n and_o beside_o protest_v his_o acknowledge_a observance_n and_o all_o reverence_n to_o all_o bishop_n reform_v hitherto_o against_o the_o object_v unlawfulnesse_n of_o episcopacy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n but_o this_o will_v not_o satisfy_v some_o man_n except_o furthermore_o the_o lawfulness_n thereof_o may_v appear_v in_o that_o degree_n which_o be_v call_v in_o respect_n of_o its_o right_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o belong_v unto_o we_o to_o show_v this_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o divine_n of_o remote_a protestant_a church_n which_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o perform_v and_o more_o too_o iii_o thesis_n that_o episcopal_a prelacy_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o their_o consent_n therein_o unto_o primitive_a antiquity_n lvther_o may_v well_o be_v allow_v for_o the_o foreman_n among_o the_o reformer_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n esse_fw-la who_o prove_v the_o prelacy_n of_o episcopacy_n above_o simple_a presbyter_n for_o so_o he_o say_v by_o divine_a right_n and_o this_o he_o do_v in_o his_o tract●te_n call_v his_o reselution_n ground_v his_o judgement_n upon_o scripture_n whereof_o hereafter_o according_o bucer_n against_o the_o pope_n as_o antichrist_n vocantur_fw-la we_o see_v say_v he_o by_o their_o perpetual_a observation_n of_o church_n and_o from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o that_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o some_o singular_a one_o shall_v be_v appoint_v among_o the_o presbyter_n to_o govern_v in_o so_o sacred_a a_o order_n who_o have_v for_o the_o same_o cause_n the_o appellation_n of_o bishop_n in_o scripture_n scultetus_n the_o divine_a professor_n at_o heidelberg_n profess_v episcopal_a degree_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n and_o profess_v to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v such_o by_o efficacious_a reason_n who_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o his_o discourse_n will_v be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n with_o who_o agree_v that_o admirable_a scholar_n episcopos_fw-la isaac_n casaubon_n the_o ornament_n of_o geneva_n who_o hold_v the_o same_o to_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n these_o may_v serve_v for_o the_o present_a till_o we_o come_v to_o a_o large_a consent_n all_o these_o and_o other_o the_o former_a confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n be_v the_o proper_a idiom_n and_o language_n of_o primitive_a antiquity_n teach_v thus_o episcopacy_n be_v by_o the_o ordination_n of_o christ._n so_o titum_fw-la ignatius_n and_o again_o potestatem_fw-la reverence_n your_o bishop_n as_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n have_v command_v you_o or_o thus_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a power_n the_o resistancè_fw-la whereof_o be_v against_o god_n himself_o so_o cyprian_n and_o thus_o god_n place_v bishop_n over_o his_o family_n so_o etc._n origen_n and_o thus_o the_o apostle_n be_v make_v bishop_n by_o christ_n who_o ordain_v other_o mean_v bishop_n in_o other_o place_n by_o who_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v govern_v episcopos_fw-la so_o augustine_n or_o thus_o 75._o bishop_n constitute_v over_o presbyter_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n teacheh_o so_o epiphanius_n and_o thus_o etc._n none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a that_o bishop_n be_v institute_v by_o christ_n when_o he_o make_v his_o apostle_n by_o who_o other_o shall_v be_v make_v bishop_n who_o we_o succeed_v and_o speak_v of_o bishop_n of_o who_o christ_n say_v he_o that_o despise_v you_o despise_v i_o so_o again_o augustine_n before_o we_o end_v this_o point_n we_o shall_v desire_v our_o opposite_n to_o bethink_v themselves_o what_o they_o think_v may_v signify_v the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o chalcedon_n for_o antiquity_n one_o of_o the_o first_o four_o general_n and_o in_o this_o generality_n universal_o receive_v throughout_o christendom_n for_o amplitude_n consist_v of_o six_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o bishop_n and_o for_o averseness_n against_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n that_o which_o undermine_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o romish_a popedom_n which_o be_v a_o pretence_n of_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o christ_n the_o universal_a bishop_n of_o the_o church_n and_o equal_v another_o patriarch_n with_o he_o and_o show_v that_o all_o the_o primacy_n which_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v but_o from_o humane_a authority_n this_o 〈◊〉_d council_n concern_v episcopacy_n ordain_v that_o to_o depose_v a_o bishop_n down_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o a_o presbyter_n be_v sacrilege_n this_o so_o great_a a_o harmony_n between_o the_o former_a protestant_a divine_n and_o those_o eminent_a father_n how_o shall_v it_o not_o sound_v delightful_a unto_o every_o docible_a and_o unpreoccupated_a hearer_n these_o confession_n notwithstanding_o we_o have_v not_o discharge_v our_o
all_o these_o apostolical_a relation_n concern_v episcopacy_n shall_v not_o amount_v unto_o so_o much_o as_o to_o make_v up_o a_o apostolical_a institution_n thereof_o the_o second_o object_v father_n be_v clement_n whereof_o their_o success_n will_v be_v no_o better_o if_o not_o much_o worse_o x._o thesis_n that_o clement_n a_o apostolical_a disciple_n to_o who_o arbitrement_n both_o our_o opposite_n and_o we_o offer_v to_o yield_v ourselves_o do_v patronize_v episcopacy_n as_o be_v apostolical_a we_o be_v earnest_o call_v upon_o to_o hearken_v unto_o clement_n 136._o talk_v of_o a_o prophecy_n of_o a_o future_a contention_n which_o shall_v happen_v about_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n next_o that_o there_o be_v no_o piece_n of_o antiquity_n of_o more_o esteem_n than_o the_o epistle_n of_o clement_n unto_o the_o corinthian_n then_o that_o this_o be_v bring_v to_o light_v by_o a_o learned_a gentleman_n mr._n patrick_n young_a and_o last_o for_o the_o matter_n itself_o that_o there_o be_v a_o common_a and_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n we_o shall_v answer_v punctual_o to_o every_o one_o viz._n the_o prophecy_n make_v for_o we_o the_o epistle_n much_o more_o the_o publisher_n also_o as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v desire_v and_o that_o objection_n of_o the_o indifferency_n of_o the_o word_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v scarce_o worthy_a the_o mention_n we_o begin_v with_o the_o prophecy_n the_o prophecy_n be_v only_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v in_o time_n to_o come_v a_o contention_n about_o the_o word_n bishop_n if_o we_o shall_v ask_v our_o opposite_n when_o this_o contention_n be_v first_o know_v in_o time_n of_o old_a they_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o tell_v we_o know_v right_a well_o that_o it_o be_v first_o raise_v by_o one_o aerius_n of_o who_o epiphanius_n and_o austin_n have_v above_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o break_v out_o into_o schism_n and_o above_o because_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v to_o be_v make_v a_o bishop_n do_v therefore_o spurn_v against_o episcopacy_n teach_v say_v st._n austin_n that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n therefore_o thus_o they_o may_v see_v the_o prophecy_n fulfil_v both_o when_o and_o in_o who_o if_o they_o like_v it_o but_o if_o any_o shall_v boast_v that_o it_o be_v fulfil_v now_o by_o their_o present_a opposall_n against_o episcopacy_n after_o that_o it_o have_v have_v approbation_n with_o a_o continual_a use_n universal_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n then_o have_v we_o nothing_o else_o to_o reply_v but_o what_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n from_o the_o pen_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n put_v in_o our_o mouth_n if_o any_o be_v contentious_a say_v he_o we_o have_v no_o such_o custom_n nor_o the_o church_n of_o god_n whereby_o the_o wilful_o contentious_a make_v himself_o a_o adversary_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o no_o way_n acceptable_a to_o god_n himself_o the_o second_o point_n which_o we_o be_v to_o discern_v be_v that_o which_o they_o call_v identity_n of_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n they_o shall_v have_v call_v it_o community_n of_o name_n especial_o know_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o identity_n in_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n than_o there_o be_v between_o the_o letter_n of_o p._n and_o b._n but_o this_o be_v a_o lapse_n therefore_o to_o our_o matter_n in_o hand_n we_o answer_v that_o mere_a name_n and_o word_n make_v but_o verbal_a consequence_n to_o which_o we_o oppose_v a_o real_a and_o logical_a consequence_n à_fw-la paribus_fw-la thus_o for_o of_o the_o very_a apostle_n of_o christ_n one_o instile_v himself_o co-presbyte_a another_o himself_n presbyter_n a_o three_o himself_o deacon_n who_o be_v all_o common_a name_n with_o other_o that_o be_v not_o apostle_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o office_n and_o function_n be_v governor_n over_o presbyter_n which_o show_v that_o the_o enterchangeablenesse_n of_o name_n can_v conclude_v a_o indifferency_n of_o degree_n but_o this_o cram_n will_v be_v sod_v once_o again_o when_o we_o shall_v be_v occasion_v to_o give_v further_a satisfaction_n as_o for_o the_o present_a it_o may_v well_o be_v say_v what_o shall_v we_o need_v word_n when_o we_o see_v act_n and_o deed_n namely_o concern_v this_o clement_n not_o only_o that_o he_o maintain_v the_o distinct_a degree_n of_o episcopacy_n but_o that_o also_o he_o be_v distinct_o above_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n himself_o yet_o shall_v not_o our_o opposite_n pose_v we_o in_o that_o where_fw-mi tributum_fw-la vedelius_fw-la a_o professor_n of_o geneva_n give_v they_o if_o they_o have_v read_v he_o some_o satisfaction_n show_v that_o as_o soon_o as_o clemens_n remain_v the_o sole_a adjutour_n of_o the_o apostle_n after_o linus_n and_o cletus_n the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v give_v unto_o he_o and_o not_o attribute_v to_o any_o presbyter_n or_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n so_o he_o be_v not_o this_o to_o the_o point_n the_o distinguish_n of_o time_n do_v solve_v many_o doubt_n it_o be_v meet_v now_o at_o length_n we_o hear_v clemens_n himself_o speak_v clement_n immediate_o after_o his_o relation_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a prophecy_n add_v say_v concern_v the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d for_o this_o cause_n they_o have_v a_o perfect_a foreknowledge_n constitute_v the_o aforesaid_a and_o leave_v a_o description_n of_o officer_n and_o minister_n in_o their_o course_n who_o after_o that_o they_o themselves_o shall_v fall_v asleep_a other_o godly_a man_n may_v succeed_v and_o execute_v their_o function_n so_o clement_n whence_o it_o be_v evident_o collect_v that_o bishop_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n because_o a_o role_n and_o catalogue_n of_o bishop_n be_v frequent_o have_v in_o ecclesiastical_a story_n lineal_o deduce_v from_o the_o apostle_n as_o the_o most_o of_o the_o learned_a protestant_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n have_v ever_o confess_v but_o if_o our_o opposite_n can_v prove_v the_o like_a catalogue_n of_o presbyter_n of_o a_o primitive_a and_o right_a line_n of_o descent_n then_o be_v they_o whole_o to_o yield_v the_o cause_n and_o that_o even_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o clement_n which_o be_v now_o ready_a to_o be_v furthermore_o confess_v by_o the_o exact_a learning_n of_o the_o publisher_n of_o clement_n this_o gentleman_n our_o opposite_n call_v learned_a we_o owe_v he_o a_o high_a title_n even_o one_o exquisite_o learn_v he_o comment_v upon_o the_o same_o epistle_n of_o clement_n now_o object_v against_o episcopacy_n teach_v that_o the_o right_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d agree_v with_o the_o word_n census_fw-la in_o tertullian_n by_o who_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v a_o custom_n in_o apostolical_a church_n to_o make_v a_o role_n for_o this_o word_n he_o hold_v not_o unfit_a of_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n to_o bring_v they_o unto_o their_o first_o original_n even_o as_o say_v tertullian_n polycarpus_n be_v from_o john_n the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o clemens_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o peter_n speak_v even_o of_o this_o our_o clemens_n and_o add_v of_o other_o and_o other_o say_v he_o who_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v bishop_n from_o who_o other_o may_v deduce_v their_o traduction_n and_o offspring_n what_o be_v if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o inexpugnable_a convincement_n of_o our_o opposite_n to_o prove_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v of_o a_o apostolical_a ordination_n yet_o be_v not_o this_o all_o clement_n be_v further_o represent_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o same_o learned_a publisher_n as_o one_o register_v and_o enroll_v by_o antiquity_n as_o bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o same_o bishop_n lineal_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n whether_o in_o the_o first_o second_o or_o three_o rank_n it_o matter_n not_o and_o the_o doubt_n such_o as_o it_o be_v be_v solve_v in_o the_o margin_n by_o our_o foresay_a geneva_n professor_n and_o for_o witness_n hereunto_o be_v cite_v optatus_n hierome_n ruffinus_n eucherius_n and_o photius_n set_v down_o express_o in_o the_o same_o book_n which_o our_o opposite_n have_v object_v against_o we_o which_o if_o you_o will_v not_o see_v or_o see_v not_o regard_n all_o we_o shall_v say_v be_v we_o be_v sorry_a for_o it_o yet_o after_o this_o our_o retorsion_n of_o their_o object_v author_n upon_o themselves_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v they_o further_o satisfaction_n from_o our_o select_a and_o express_a suffrage_n of_o antiquity_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o episcopacy_n xi_o thesis_n that_o other_o primitive_a father_n before_o hierome_n do_v unanimous_o testify_v a_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o manifest_a for_o the_o first_o three_o acceperunt_fw-la ireneus_fw-la habeant_fw-la tertullian_n and_o locum_fw-la origen_n to_o which_o we_o add_v diffunditur_fw-la augustine_n do_v all_o profess_v themselves_o ready_a to_o deduce_v
unequal_o in_o both_o whereas_o they_o shall_v have_v labour_v to_o solve_v the_o doubt_n by_o some_o commodious_a and_o congruous_a interpretation_n whether_o thus_o if_o by_o candlestick_n be_v to_o understand_v the_o people_n then_o by_o people_n to_o conceive_v such_o of_o who_o the_o prophet_n speak_v like_o people_n like_o pastor_n so_o that_o the_o irrepentant_a people_n adhere_v to_o the_o unpenitent_a pastor_n may_v just_o be_v involve_v in_o the_o same_o punishment_n second_o or_o thus_o by_o take_v the_o word_n candlestick_n to_o signify_v the_o pastor_n himself_o for_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o call_v mat._n 5._o 15_o and_o that_o the_o same_o word_n shall_v be_v diverse_o take_v in_o the_o same_o sentence_n can_v be_v strange_a to_o he_o who_o be_v not_o a_o stranger_n to_o scripture_n as_o where_o it_o be_v say_v he_o that_o shall_v save_v his_o life_n viz._n mortal_a shall_v loose_v his_o life_n to_o wit_n the_o eternal_a and_o again_o 2._o cor._n 5._o 21._o of_o christ_n he_o that_o know_v no_o sin_n proper_o take_v be_v make_v for_o we_o sin_n that_o be_v a_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n or_o else_o not_o to_o seek_v further_o by_o distinguish_v of_o the_o word_n place_n as_o here_o betoken_v man_n estate_n and_o condition_n with_o relation_n to_o other_o in_o which_o sense_n may_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v remove_v by_o alter_v the_o relation_n to_o that_o one_o pastor_n both_o by_o not_o acknowledge_v he_o their_o bishop_n and_o by_o withhold_v maintenance_n xxii_o thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n third_n exposition_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o signify_v one_o only_a pastor_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v extreme_o new_a and_o naught_o this_o misbeget_v brat_n namely_o a_o exposition_n which_o before_o these_o day_n of_o distraction_n never_o see_v print_n we_o may_v think_v shall_v by_o and_o by_o vanish_v with_o its_o own_o novelty_n how_o much_o more_o for_o the_o safety_n thereof_o which_o we_o be_v rather_o to_o inquire_v after_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o be_v very_o transparent_a for_o the_o reason_n which_o these_o our_o opposite_n may_v have_v read_v in_o irrigationem_fw-la mr._n brightman_n viz._n the_o city_n of_o ephesus_n be_v more_o ennoble_v of_o all_o other_o by_o paul_n triennial_n labour_v therein_o next_o by_o the_o divine_a epistle_n write_v unto_o the_o people_n there_o as_o also_o by_o that_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v their_o pastor_n and_o beside_o for_o john_n laborious_a water_v thereof_o for_o so_o many_o year_n together_o so_o he_o but_o how_o successful_a be_v these_o then_o this_o be_v tell_v we_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n whereof_o it_o be_v say_v so_o mighty_o grow_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prevail_v act._n 19_o 20._o now_o that_o after_o paul_n long_a residence_n after_o timothy_n pastorship_n and_o after_o saint_n john_n water_v of_o that_o church_n and_o so_o long_a a_o time_n and_o that_o with_o so_o admirable_a success_n and_o yet_o here_o but_o one_o only_a pastor_n among_o they_o be_v this_o credible_a what_o say_v the_o scripture_n the_o harvest_n indeed_o be_v great_a but_o the_o labourer_n be_v few_o but_o here_o in_o the_o mighty_o great_a harvest_n the_o labourer_n be_v few_o than_o few_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v blame_v for_o meddle_v with_o such_o trifle_n in_o earnest_n but_o that_o our_o study_n have_v be_v to_o weed_v out_o even_o the_o least_o scruple_n now_o that_o we_o be_v to_o expedite_v a_o matter_n of_o high_a importance_n which_o be_v our_o proof_n of_o episcopacy_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n from_o confutation_n of_o the_o negative_a part_n hold_v by_o our_o opposite_n we_o pass_v to_o the_o proof_n and_o confirmation_n of_o our_o affirmative_a xxiii_o thesis_n that_o by_o the_o word_n angel_n of_o ephesus_n to_o signify_v a_o singular_a and_o individual_a pastor_n have_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n be_v prove_v by_o a_o large_a consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n without_o exception_n judicious_a and_o ingenuous_a the_o divine_n which_o we_o shall_v produce_v shall_v be_v those_o who_o our_o opposite_n themselves_o can_v call_v partialist_n in_o behalf_n of_o bishop_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o remote_a church_n or_o as_o it_o be_v domestic_n in_o our_o own_o country_n of_o the_o first_o kind_n we_o allege_v the_o last_o chief_a pastor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n 1._o master_n deodate_v who_o be_v to_o be_v cite_v out_o of_o his_o book_n late_o authorise_a to_o be_v publish_v by_o order_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o this_o parliament_n the_o text_n in_o the_o revelation_n be_v write_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n his_o paraphrase_n thus_o that_o be_v say_v he_o to_o the_o pastor_n or_o bishop_n under_o who_o person_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v the_o whole_a church_n the_o church_n to_o be_v employ_v or_o understand_v and_o the_o pastor_n or_o bishop_n under_o who_o person_n which_o because_o person_n can_v be_v but_o one_o according_a to_o the_o etymon_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n persona_fw-la quasi_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la una_fw-la or_o as_o it_o be_v define_v in_o philosophy_n a_o person_n be_v a_o individual_a intellectual_a nature_n yet_o so_o in_o this_o place_n as_o he_o be_v to_o acquaint_v all_o with_o the_o content_n of_o this_o epistle_n all_o be_v understand_v to_o be_v concern_v in_o he_o as_o all_o the_o other_o follow_v witness_n will_v acknowledge_v before_o he_o in_o the_o same_o church_n of_o geneva_n be_v theodore_n ecclesiam_fw-la beza_n by_o angel_n say_v he_o be_v mean_v the_o precedent_n who_o be_v admonish_v and_o his_o colleague_n with_o he_o so_o he_o eccles._n bullinger_n although_o he_o as_o other_o affirm_v that_o the_o epistle_n concern_v as_o well_o people_n as_o pastor_n yet_o do_v he_o consent_v unto_o we_o that_o the_o epistle_n be_v inscribe_v to_o one_o by_o who_o the_o pastor_n and_o people_n may_v be_v inform_v as_o punctual_o and_o pertinent_o episcopum_fw-la marlorat_a some_o thing_n say_v he_o be_v to_o be_v correct_v as_o well_o in_o the_o people_n as_o in_o the_o clergy_n yet_o do_v not_o john_n address_v himself_o unto_o the_o people_n nor_o yet_o to_o the_o clergy_n but_o to_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o which_o be_v the_o bishop_n and_o that_o not_o without_o good_a reason_n so_o he_o of_o our_o chief_a angelum_fw-la gualther_n hold_v the_o same_o opinion_n with_o further_a evidence_n of_o these_o other_o word_n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n write_n that_o be_v say_v he_o to_o the_o bishop_n thereof_o as_o history_n do_v manifest_a arridet_fw-la gaspar_n sibilius_n have_v compare_v the_o divers_a exposition_n confess_v say_v this_o as_o speak_v but_o of_o one_o angel_n please_v i_o better_o ecclesiae_fw-la piscator_fw-la brief_o and_o consonant_o to_o the_o angel_n that_o be_v to_o the_o bishop_n and_o to_o the_o church_n namely_o bishop_n express_o and_o church_n consequent_o because_o of_o matter_n of_o concernment_n to_o they_o also_o dignatur_fw-la paraeus_n doubt_v not_o to_o make_v his_o explanation_n as_o general_o to_o be_v observe_v in_o these_o epistle_n it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n say_v he_o that_o that_o which_o be_v mean_v to_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v inscribe_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n or_o church_n proferantur_fw-la aretius_n be_v of_o no_o less_o esteem_n than_o the_o former_a and_o as_o punctual_a altogether_o by_o angel_n interpret_n a_o special_a one_o minister_n and_o disciple_n of_o john_n by_o who_o the_o writing_n may_v be_v commend_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n episcopi_fw-la peter_n martyr_v use_v to_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o first_o worthy_n john_n say_v he_o be_v command_v to_o write_v to_o the_o angel_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n but_o what_o do_v we_o multiply_v remote_a author_n when_o one_o of_o their_o doctor_n may_v satisfy_v we_o both_o for_o the_o general_a and_o for_o himself_o velint_fw-la all_o the_o most_o learned_a interpreter_n say_v dr._n scultetus_n by_o angel_n expound_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v otherwise_o interpret_v without_o violence_n to_o the_o text._n so_o he_o after_o our_o so_o long_a peregrination_n in_o remote_a church_n it_o be_v time_n to_o haste_v home_o to_o try_v what_o our_o own_o english_a divine_n have_v judge_v of_o this_o matter_n and_o lest_o now_o we_o be_v too_o numerous_a we_o shall_v single_a out_o three_o who_o will_v be_v hold_v singular_a in_o the_o estimation_n of_o our_o opposite_n themselves_o 3._o dr._n reynolds_n although_o in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n say_v he_o there_o be_v sundry_a elder_n and_o pastor_n to_o guide_v it_o yet_o among_o those_o sundry_a be_v there_o one_o chief_a who_o our_o saviour_n call_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n apoc._n 2._o so_o
present_a defence_n and_o agree_v as_o well_o to_o timothy_n as_o to_o titus_n ordinatus_fw-la hierome_n have_v record_v both_o timothy_n and_o titus_n bishop_n the_o one_o of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o other_o of_o crete_n to_o who_o episcopum_fw-la ambrose_n 11._o primasius_n tim._n gregory_n the_o great_a do_v consent_n luther_n also_o bring_v in_o augustine_n into_o the_o say_a chorus_n we_o hasten_v to_o our_o last_n act._n our_o second_o ground_n out_o of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v rev._n c._n 2._o 3._o in_o the_o book_n of_o revelation_n christ_n by_o his_o angel_n proper_o so_o call_v command_v john_n to_o write_v unto_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n vers_fw-la 1._o tell_v he_o mystical_o of_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n vers_fw-la 13._o and_o of_o seven_o star_n vers_fw-la 16._o and_o afterward_o expound_v their_o meaning_n seven_o star_n to_o signify_v seven_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n and_o seven_o candlestick_n to_o betoken_v the_o seven_o church_n vers_fw-la 20._o by_o and_o by_o descend_v to_o particular_n he_o direct_v his_o several_a epistle_n to_o the_o several_a seven_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n begin_v at_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n say_v write_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o so_o of_o the_o rest_n these_o be_v our_o text_n which_o we_o be_v in_o discuss_v these_o our_o difference_n to_o insist_v upon_o the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n we_o ready_o grant_v that_o whatsoever_o matter_n be_v write_v to_o these_o angel_n concern_v either_o themselves_o or_o other_o be_v by_o they_o to_o be_v communicate_v several_o to_o the_o church_n and_o all_o the_o faithful_a as_o they_o be_v interest_v therein_o according_a to_o that_o epiphonema_n several_o apply_v in_o every_o epistle_n thus_o he_o that_o have_v a_o ●ar_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v but_o the_o only_a question_n be_v whether_o each_o of_o these_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n be_v singular_a person_n have_v a_o prelacy_n over_o other_o pastor_n and_o clergy_n or_o no_o our_o opposite_n say_v nay_o we_o yea_o the_o odds_o be_v ex_fw-la diametro_fw-la we_o be_v therefore_o according_a to_o true_a method_n first_o to_o disprove_v their_o negative_a and_o after_o to_o evince_v our_o affirmation_n but_o in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v it_o know_v that_o our_o opposite_n in_o their_o negative_n be_v distract_v into_o three_o opinion_n one_o sort_n by_o the_o word_n angel_n will_v have_v understand_v the_o whole_a church_n collective_o as_o well_o laity_n as_o clergy_n not_o so_o say_v the_o second_o opinatour_n but_o by_o angel_n be_v collective_o mean_v only_o the_o order_n or_o college_n of_o pastor_n or_o presbyter_n after_o these_o the_o novelist_n it_o be_v neither_o so_o nor_o so_o but_o by_o angel_n be_v mean_v one_o individual_a pastor_n without_o relation_n to_o any_o other_o new_o call_v a_o independent_a whereas_o our_o tenet_n be_v by_o angel_n to_o understand_v one_o individual_a ecclesiastical_a person_n have_v a_o prelacy_n above_o the_o rest_n xx._n thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n first_o exposition_n which_o interprete_v the_o angel_n to_o mean_v the_o whole_a church_n and_o congregation_n be_v notable_o extravagant_a although_o ecclesias_fw-la wal●_n messalinus_n the_o grand_a adversary_n to_o episcopacy_n be_v very_o peremptory_a for_o this_o exposition_n yet_o will_v it_o altogether_o appear_v groundless_a but_o first_o we_o be_v to_o hearken_v unto_o his_o gloss_n let_v be_v be_v hold_v a_o firm_a and_o fix_a truth_n say_v he_o that_o by_o the_o name_n of_o angel_n be_v not_o signify_v any_o that_o have_v presidency_n over_o other_o but_o the_o whole_a congregation_n and_o church_n so_o he_o pythagorical_o upon_o his_o own_o word_n as_o we_o see_v whereunto_o we_o may_v rather_o answer_v let_v it_o be_v hold_v firm_o and_o fixt_o that_o this_o gloss_n upon_o the_o text_n be_v evident_o confute_v by_o the_o context_n which_o stand_v thus_o cap._n 1._o and_o 20._o the_o angel_n be_v call_v star_n and_o the_o church_n candlestick_n so_o that_o he_o must_v turn_v star_n into_o candlestick_n before_o that_o he_o can_v make_v the_o angel_n to_o signify_v the_o whole_a congregation_n beside_o cap._n 2._o 1._o the_o command_n to_o john_n be_v write_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n where_o if_o by_o angel_n must_v be_v understand_v the_o church_n than_o be_v it_o as_o much_o as_o to_o have_v be_v say_v write_v unto_o the_o church_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n but_o we_o know_v the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n can_v not_o write_v unwise_o xxi_o thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n second_v exposition_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o signify_v only_o the_o order_n and_o college_n of_o presbyter_n be_v erroneous_a notwithstanding_o the_o argument_n of_o our_o opposite_n to_o the_o contrary_n the_o answer_n to_o their_o first_o argument_n this_o indeed_o be_v the_o common_a exposition_n of_o our_o opposite_n whereunto_o our_o objectour_n adhere_v upon_o as_o they_o call_v they_o firm_a argument_n as_o first_o our_o first_o argument_n say_v they_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n where_o after_o it_o be_v say_v to_o the_o angel_n i_o have_v something_o against_o thou_o in_o the_o singular_a number_n cap._n 2._o 20._o it_o be_v after_o add_v in_o the_o plural_a vers_fw-la 24._o but_o i_o say_v to_o you_o and_o to_o the_o rest_n but_o what_o of_o this_o this_o show_v say_v they_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o be_v collective_a to_o signify_v a_o multitude_n of_o pastor_n we_o answer_v if_o so_o then_o be_v beza_n but_o dim-sighted_a who_o paraphrase_v upon_o these_o word_n thus_o unto_o you_o that_o be_v say_v he_o unto_o the_o angel_n as_o precedent_n and_o unto_o colleague_n as_o unto_o the_o assembly_n mean_v of_o presbyter_n and_o to_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v to_o the_o whole_a flock_n so_o he_o where_o we_o see_v that_o the_o angel_n be_v as_o individual_a and_o singular_a as_o either_o thou_o or_o thy_o and_o be_v it_o possible_a our_o opposite_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a what_o a_o apostrophe_n be_v and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o figure_n of_o speech_n more_o familiar_a and_o usual_a among_o man_n than_o it_o be_v as_o when_o a_o lord_n write_v to_o his_o chief_a steward_n of_o matter_n belong_v to_o he_o and_o other_o officer_n under_o he_o and_o the_o whole_a family_n be_v thou_o circumspect_a in_o manage_v my_o affair_n and_o afterward_o as_o well_o unto_o he_o as_o other_o but_o see_v that_o you_o and_o the_o rest_n keep_v at_o home_n as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v because_o of_o the_o danger_n of_o the_o pestilence_n which_o now_o rage_v on_o all_o side_n answer_v to_o the_o second_o argument_n our_o second_o argument_n say_v they_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o phrase_n even_o in_o this_o very_a book_n of_o revelation_n vindication_n wherein_o it_o be_v usual_a to_o express_v a_o company_n under_o a_o singular_a person_n as_o the_o civil_a state_n of_o rome_n call_v a_o beast_n with_o ten_o head_n which_o prove_v that_o the_o angel_n may_v be_v take_v collective_o be_v this_o all_o master_n meade_n say_v they_o one_o better_a skill_v in_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o revelation_n than_o our_o adversary_n say_v that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v common_o if_o not_o always_o in_o the_o revelation_n take_v collective_o so_o they_o this_o say_n have_v i_o diligent_o seek_v after_o but_o it_o flee_v from_o i_o but_o yet_o i_o shall_v be_v content_a to_o be_v satisfy_v of_o mr._n meade_n his_o meaning_n from_o his_o other_o saying_n more_o obvious_a unto_o i_o to_o show_v that_o he_o have_v not_o be_v right_o understand_v by_o these_o objectour_n for_o collective_o proper_o take_v be_v a_o word_n comprehend_v a_o multitude_n without_o distinction_n of_o person_n as_o christ_n in_o his_o lamentation_n say_v o_fw-la jerusalem_n how_o oft_o will_v i_o have_v gather_v thy_o child_n but_o tho●_n will_v not_o where_o the_o word_n singular_a thou_o and_o thy_o do_v here_o comprehend_v all_o the_o citizen_n of_o jerusalem_n without_o distinction_n have_v master_n meade_n this_o collective_a sense_n he_o show_v the_o flat_a contrary_n apoc._n 9_o 14._o four_o angel_n these_o four_o say_v he_o be_v put_v for_o nation_n which_o they_o be_v think_v to_o govern._n so_o then_o they_o do_v represent_v nation_n as_o notwithstanding_o to_o be_v distinct_o their_o four_o governor_n next_o upon_o revel_n 14_o 6._o i_o see_v another_o angel_n fly_v we_o be_v to_o call_v to_o mind_n say_v he_o that_o which_o before_o be_v cap._n 7._o show_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o like_a vision_n de_fw-mi represent_v they_o of_o who_o they_o have_v government_n wheresoever_o and_o again_o upon_o vers_n 7._o the_o fly_a angel_n be_v ruler_n not_o only_o of_o man_n but_o also_o of_o a_o
the_o two_o son_n of_o zebedee_n james_n and_o john_n to_o be_v choose_v the_o peculiar_a bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o then_o mother_n church_n of_o the_o world_n after_o the_o death_n of_o james_n the_o just_a 32._o hegesippus_n declare_v that_o symeon_n the_o son_n of_o clopas_n or_o cleophas_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n and_o so_o continue_v until_o the_o day_n of_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n under_o who_o he_o suffer_v a_o glorious_a martyrdom_n about_o the_o same_o time_n that_o ignatius_n do_v be_v then_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o age_n and_o by_o that_o account_n bear_v before_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n where_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o prime_a historian_n be_v not_o to_o be_v pass_v over_o that_o 32._o until_o these_o time_n the_o church_n be_v call_v a_o virgin_n as_o be_v not_o yet_o corrupt_v with_o the_o overspread_n of_o heretical_a doctrine_n for_o howsoever_o heresy_n do_v spring_v up_o before_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o keep_v down_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o disciple_n who_o have_v hear_v our_o lord_n himself_o preach_v that_o the_o author_n and_o fautor_n thereof_o be_v not_o able_a to_o get_v any_o great_a head_n be_v force_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o opposite_n to_o lurk_v in_o obscurity_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o all_o that_o generation_n be_v gather_v unto_o their_o father_n and_o none_o of_o those_o be_v leave_v who_o have_v the_o happiness_n to_o hear_v the_o gracious_a word_n that_o proceed_v from_o the_o lord_n own_o mouth_n the_o heretic_n take_v that_o advantage_n begin_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o kind_n of_o combination_n and_o with_o open_a face_n public_o to_o maintain_v the_o 20._o opposition_n of_o their_o science_n false_o so_o call_v from_o whence_o they_o assume_v unto_o themselves_o the_o name_n of_o gnostic_n or_o man_n of_o knowledge_n against_o the_o preach_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o by_o those_o who_o be_v 2._o eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n have_v be_v 3._o once_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o beginner_n of_o which_o conspiracy_n be_v one_o thebûthis_n who_o have_v at_o the_o first_o be_v breed_v in_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o sect_n into_o which_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o those_o day_n divide_v but_o afterward_o because_o he_o miss_v of_o a_o bishopric_n unto_o which_o he_o have_v aspire_v this_o of_o jerusalem_n as_o it_o may_v seem_v whereunto_o justus_n after_o the_o death_n of_o symeon_n be_v prefer_v before_o he_o can_v think_v of_o no_o readyer_n a_o way_n thorough_o to_o revenge_v himself_o of_o this_o disgrace_n than_o by_o raise_v up_o the_o like_a distraction_n among_o the_o christian_n which_o as_o in_o the_o effect_n it_o show_v the_o malignity_n of_o that_o ambitious_a sectary_n so_o do_v it_o in_o the_o occasion_n discover_v withal_o the_o great_a esteem_n that_o in_o those_o early_a day_n be_v have_v of_o episcopacy_n when_o hegesippus_n write_v this_o ecclesiastical_a history_n the_o ancient_a of_o any_o since_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n eleutherius_fw-la as_o we_o hear_v before_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n unto_o who_o 4._o lucius_n king_n of_o the_o britain_n as_o our_o bede_n relate_v send_v a_o epistle_n desire_v that_o by_o his_o mean_n he_o may_v be_v make_v christian._n who_o present_o obtain_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o pious_a request_n and_o the_o britain_n keep_v the_o faith_n then_o receive_v sound_a and_o undefiled_a in_o quiet_a peace_n until_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n the_o emperor_n by_o who_o bloody_a persecution_n the_o faith_n and_o discipline_n of_o our_o british_a church_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o quite_o extinguish_v but_o that_o within_o ten_o year_n after_o and_o eleven_o before_o the_o first_o general_a council_n of_o nice_a three_o of_o our_o bishop_n be_v present_a and_o subscribe_v unto_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n 9_o eborius_n of_o york_n restitutus_n of_o london_n and_o adelfius_n of_o colchester_n if_o that_o be_v it_o which_o be_v call_v there_o colonia_n londinensium_n the_o first_o root_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o must_v fetch_v beyond_o eleutherius_fw-la and_o as_o high_a as_o s._n peter_n himself_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o he_o junii_fw-la constitute_v church_n here_o and_o ordain_v bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o they_o as_o symeon_n metaphrastes_n relate_v out_o of_o some_o part_n of_o ibid._n eusebius_n as_o it_o seem_v that_o be_v not_o come_v unto_o our_o hand_n but_o to_o return_v unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n of_o s._n john_n by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v apparent_a that_o seven_o singular_a bishop_n who_o be_v the_o constant_a precedent_n over_o those_o church_n be_v point_v at_o under_o that_o name_n for_o other_o sure_a they_o can_v not_o be_v if_o all_o of_o they_o be_v cast_v into_o one_o mould_n and_o be_v of_o the_o same_o quality_n with_o polycarpus_n the_o then_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n who_o without_o all_o question_n be_v such_o if_o any_o credit_n may_v be_v give_v herein_o unto_o those_o that_o see_v he_o and_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o as_o tertullian_n in_o express_a term_n affirm_v he_o to_o have_v be_v place_v there_o by_o s._n john_n himself_o in_o the_o testimony_n before_o allege_v out_o of_o his_o 2._o prescription_n so_o do_v he_o elsewhere_o from_o the_o order_n of_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n not_o obscure_o intimate_v that_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o number_n be_v to_o be_v refer_v unto_o the_o same_o descent_n 5._o we_o have_v say_v he_o the_o church_n that_o be_v breed_v by_o john_n for_o although_o martion_n do_v reject_v his_o revelation_n yet_o the_o order_n of_o the_o bishop_n reckon_v up_o unto_o their_o original_n will_v stand_v for_o john_n to_o be_v their_o founder_n neither_o do_v the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o timothy_n mention_v by_o photius_n mean_v any_o other_o by_o those_o seven_o bishop_n who_o assistance_n he_o say_v s._n john_n do_v use_v after_o his_o return_n from_o patmos_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o ephesian_n for_o 254._o be_v revoke_v from_o his_o exile_n say_v he_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o nerva_n he_o betake_v himself_o to_o the_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n and_o be_v assist_v with_o the_o presence_n of_o seven_o bishop_n he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o continue_v preach_v the_o word_n of_o piety_n until_o the_o empire_n of_o trajan_n that_o he_o remain_v with_o the_o ephesian_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n of_o asia_n until_o the_o day_n of_o trajan_n and_o that_o during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o abode_n with_o they_o he_o publish_v his_o gospel_n be_v sufficient_o witness_v by_o 3_o ireneus_fw-la that_o upon_o his_o return_n from_o the_o island_n after_o the_o death_n of_o domitian_n he_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v confirm_v likewise_o both_o by_o 23._o eusebius_n and_o by_o 9_o hierom_n who_o further_o add_v that_o matthaei_n at_o the_o earnest_a entreaty_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n he_o write_v there_o his_o gospel_n and_o that_o he_o himself_o also_o be_v free_a from_o his_o banishment_n do_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o diverse_a church_n be_v clear_o testify_v by_o clement_n of_o alexandria_n who_o live_v in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o and_o deliver_v it_o as_o a_o certain_a truth_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o those_o who_o go_v before_o he_o and_o can_v not_o be_v far_o from_o the_o time_n wherein_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v act_v 23._o when_o s._n john_n say_v he_o domitian_n the_o tyrant_n be_v dead_a remove_v from_o the_o island_n of_o patmos_n unto_o ephesus_n by_o the_o entreaty_n of_o some_o he_o go_v also_o unto_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n in_o some_o place_n constitute_v bishop_n in_o other_o sound_v whole_a church_n among_o these_o neighbour_a church_n be_v that_o of_o hierapolis_n which_o have_v papias_n place_v 2._o bishop_n therein_o that_o this_o man_n be_v 33._o a_o hearer_n of_o s._n john_n and_o a_o companion_n of_o polycarpus_n be_v testify_v by_o his_o own_o scholar_n theodoram_fw-la irenaeus_n and_o that_o he_o converse_v with_o meminit_fw-la the_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o christ_n also_o he_o himself_o do_v thus_o declare_v in_o the_o proëme_n of_o the_o five_o book_n which_o he_o entitle_v a_o declaration_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n ibid._n if_o upon_o occasion_n any_o of_o the_o presbyter_n which_o have_v accompany_v the_o apostle_n do_v come_v i_o diligent_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o speech_n which_o the_o apostle_n use_v what_o andrew_n or_o what_o peter_n do_v say_v or_o what_o philip_n or_o thomas_n or_o james_n or_o john_n or_o