imprimatur_fw-la april_n 6._o 1687._o gvil._n needham_n a_o modest_a enquiry_n whether_o st._n peter_n be_v ever_o at_o rome_n and_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n wherein_o i._n the_o argument_n of_o cardinal_n bellarmine_n and_o other_o for_o the_o affirmative_a be_v consider_v ii_o some_o consideration_n take_v notice_n of_o that_o render_v the_o negative_a high_o probable_a london_n print_v for_o randall_n taylor_n near_o stationers-hall_n 1687._o a_o modest_a enquiry_n whether_o st_n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n or_o ever_o there_o etc._n etc._n chap._n i._n the_o occasion_n of_o this_o disquisition_n be_v administer_v by_o the_o romanist_n it_o do_v not_o much_o concern_v protestant_n but_o of_o the_o high_a importance_n to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o be_v make_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o her_o lofty_a pretension_n bottom_v thereon_o to_o overthrow_v which_o it_o be_v enough_o if_o we_o show_v that_o their_o argument_n be_v not_o cogent_n there_o be_v no_o man_n 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this_o collection_n and_o indeed_o to_o show_v the_o epistle_n themselves_o to_o be_v forgery_n or_o of_o no_o credit_n we_o need_v go_v no_o further_o have_v prove_v that_o they_o be_v hand_v into_o the_o world_n by_o a_o counterfeit_n for_o what_o need_v false_a light_n where_o the_o ware_n be_v not_o braid_v why_o a_o vizard_n in_o a_o affair_n otherwise_o so_o safe_a and_o honourable_a if_o no_o ill_a intrigue_n on_o foot_n however_o i_o will_v add_v some_o further_a reason_n take_v from_o the_o subject_a matter_n phrase_n absurdity_n and_o late_o appear_v of_o these_o epistle_n which_o to_o i_o be_v invincible_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v altogether_o spurious_a 1._o as_o to_o their_o matter_n or_o content_n forgery_n they_o purport_v to_o be_v write_v in_o the_o most_o primitive_a age_n some_o of_o they_o whilst_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n at_o least_o st._n john_n be_v yet_o alive_a by_o holy_a man_n zealous_a of_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n live_v under_o 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christian_a duty_n every_o where_o serious_o inculcate_v but_o of_o all_o this_o in_o these_o epistle_n there_o be_v altum_fw-la silentium_fw-la their_o drift_n look_v not_o that_o way_n they_o forget_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o time_n handle_v nothing_o of_o doctrine_n nothing_o of_o the_o necessary_a office_n of_o the_o minister_n nor_o main_a duty_n of_o christian_a people_n nor_o indeed_o any_o thing_n else_o suitable_a unto_o that_o age_n or_o much_o worth_a consideration_n for_o their_o main_a business_n every_o where_o appear_v to_o be_v by_o wrest_v of_o scripture_n falsify_v story_n and_o other_o indirect_a mean_n to_o advance_v and_o lend_v colour_n to_o the_o support_v or_o spread_v the_o honour_n the_o pomp_n and_o empire_n of_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n thus_o anacletus_fw-la in_o his_o first_o epistle_n be_v bring_v in_o gloss_v those_o word_n of_o christ_n upon_o this_o rock_n
he_o in_o that_o chair_n which_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o choose_v and_o happen_v to_o die_v at_o and_o the_o like_a answer_n they_o must_v according_a to_o their_o principle_n and_o pretension_n give_v in_o other_o particular_n now_o who_o hear_v of_o such_o a_o stupendous_a superstructure_n point_n but_o will_v expect_v that_o the_o foundation_n shall_v be_v firm_a beyond_o exception_n if_o they_o will_v perpetual_o be_v amuse_v we_o with_o the_o din_n of_o peter_n chair_n and_o peter_n successor_n and_o the_o wonderful_a thing_n they_o be_v thereby_o estate_v in_o i_o can_v imagine_v why_o we_o may_v not_o be_v allow_v to_o inspect_v their_o title_n to_o consider_v whether_o the_o groundwork_n of_o all_o these_o magnificent_a pretence_n have_v any_o thing_n of_o certainty_n if_o the_o pope_n primacy_n be_v the_o centre_n of_o catholic_n unity_n the_o sum_n of_o christianity_n a_o matter_n so_o essential_a that_o none_o without_o believe_v it_o can_v obtain_v salvation_n and_o if_o this_o primacy_n be_v found_v on_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n and_o fix_v his_o episcopal_a chair_n there_o why_o shall_v any_o body_n be_v angry_a with_o i_o for_o endeavour_v to_o satisfy_v myself_o or_o other_o therein_o do_v it_o not_o at_o this_o rate_n become_v the_o concern_v of_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n to_o inquire_v into_o matter_n of_o fact_n whether_o st._n peter_n be_v indeed_o once_o at_o least_o in_o his_o life_n at_o rome_n and_o bishop_n there_o can_v we_o expect_v less_o than_o a_o divine_a oracle_n some_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n to_o warrant_v so_o important_a a_o matter_n at_o least_o will_v any_o thing_n shor_n of_o a_o demonstration_n proof_n beyond_o doubt_n or_o probable_a contradiction_n be_v allow_v for_o good_a evidence_n in_o a_o case_n of_o such_o weight_n and_o moment_n i_o know_v well_o it_o be_v not_o only_o difficult_a prove_v but_o many_o time_n impossible_a to_o prove_v a_o negative_a i_o shall_v not_o therefore_o undertake_v nor_o be_o i_o oblige_v to_o prove_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v never_o at_o rome_n or_o bishop_n thereof_o but_o they_o that_o affirm_v he_o be_v and_o draw_v thence_o such_o advantageous_a inference_n to_o themselves_o be_v bind_v by_o all_o rule_n of_o law_n and_o reason_n to_o make_v that_o affirmative_a appear_v by_o sufficient_a evidence_n we_o be_v only_o on_o the_o defensive_a part_n if_o they_o will_v require_v we_o on_o the_o pain_n of_o damnation_n to_o submit_v to_o their_o bishop_n of_o rome_n because_o he_o be_v st._n peter_n successor_n they_o ought_v sure_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o he_o do_v succeed_v he_o it_o be_v therefore_o enough_o for_o my_o purpose_n and_o will_v invalidate_v all_o their_o claim_n derive_v from_o st._n peter_n if_o i_o can_v show_v that_o all_o they_o have_v to_o allege_v for_o his_o be_v at_o rome_n and_o bishop_n there_o be_v not_o necessary_o conclusive_a but_o that_o notwithstanding_o any_o thing_n they_o can_v offer_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n be_v still_o at_o least_o probable_a viz._n that_o st._n peter_n be_v not_o bishop_n of_o rome_n nor_o ever_o there_o which_o i_o understand_v be_v long_o since_o assert_v by_o velenus_n a_o learned_a lutheran_n in_o a_o just_a treatise_n on_o this_o subject_a but_o not_o have_v be_v able_a to_o get_v a_o sight_n of_o his_o book_n nor_o know_v of_o any_o other_o protestant_n that_o have_v ex_fw-la professo_fw-la treat_v thereof_o though_o many_o have_v occasional_o speak_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v any_o impartial_a mind_n i_o shall_v only_o offer_v such_o plain_a natural_a remark_n as_o hasty_o occur_v to_o my_o own_o thought_n and_o slender_a read_n leave_v the_o further_o improve_n or_o disprove_v the_o matter_n to_o person_n of_o a_o great_a stock_n of_o book_n and_o judgement_n but_o this_o i_o can_v without_o injure_v truth_n avow_v that_o i_o have_v handle_v it_o with_o all_o sincerity_n not_o witting_o baulk_a any_o material_a argument_n testimony_n or_o objection_n nor_o abuse_v or_o miscit_v any_o author_n to_o serve_v a_o turn_n for_o my_o sole_a aim_n be_v a_o free_a impartial_a sift_v out_o of_o truth_n not_o the_o advancement_n of_o any_o self-interesting_a opinion_n and_o if_o any_o where_o i_o have_v stumble_v into_o error_n it_o be_v the_o unhappiness_n of_o my_o understanding_n not_o the_o pravity_n of_o my_o will_n be_v always_o ready_a with_o thanks_o to_o acknowledge_v mistake_n when_o convince_v thereof_o as_o i_o have_v hearty_o and_o not_o altogether_o indiligent_o endeavour_v to_o avoid_v they_o therefore_o i_o hope_v the_o gentleman_n of_o the_o roman_a persuasion_n will_v not_o be_v offend_v at_o any_o honest_a innocent_a endeavour_n to_o plain_a the_o way_n to_o truth_n and_o remove_v rubbish_n out_o of_o their_o passage_n for_o though_o they_o be_v zealous_a for_o that_o mode_n of_o religion_n they_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o or_o upon_o plausible_a motive_n entertain_v yet_o i_o can_v persuade_v myself_o that_o their_o noble_a ingenuity_n will_v ill-resent_a the_o detection_n of_o any_o groundless_a tale_n hatch_v to_o support_v it_o there_o be_v no_o gentleman_n but_o esteem_v the_o lie_n even_o in_o common_a discourse_n as_o the_o great_a dishonour_n and_o affront_v imaginable_a much_o more_o incense_a must_v he_o be_v at_o those_o that_o will_v impose_v upon_o he_o to_o believe_v and_o maintain_v a_o falsehood_n as_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o suspend_v his_o salvation_n upon_o dark_a story_n and_o uncertainty_n and_o consequent_o will_v acknowledge_v his_o obligation_n to_o their_o pain_n even_o though_o represent_v as_o enemy_n that_o will_v refcue_v he_o from_o the_o hazard_n of_o so_o scandalous_a a_o precipice_n truth_n be_v both_o the_o basis_n and_o bulwark_n of_o christian_a religion_n which_o need_v no_o pious_a fraud_n nor_o fond_a tale_n nor_o forge_a evidence_n to_o maintain_v it_o but_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o endure_v the_o strict_a scrutiny_n he_o must_v either_o be_v a_o self-designing_a hypocrite_n or_o which_o general_o be_v all_o one_o a_o lewd_a atheist_n not_o a_o true_a catbolick_a that_o will_v persist_v in_o own_v or_o avouch_v that_o for_o certainty_n which_o his_o reason_n and_o conscience_n can_v but_o tell_v he_o be_v either_o false_a or_o doubtful_a thus_o much_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o say_v in_o apology_n for_o myself_o and_o the_o undettake_n or_o if_o you_o please_v let_v it_o pass_v as_o a_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n chap._n ii_o the_o roman_a account_n of_o st._n peter_n life_n bellarmin_n five_o argument_n for_o his_o be_v at_o rome_n with_o a_o additional_a one_o of_o other_o romanist_n answer_v it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o pretend_v to_o hold_v so_o vast_a a_o lordship_n by_o succession_n from_o st._n peter_n shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n as_o clear_o as_o she_o can_v make_v out_o her_o relation_n to_o he_o now_o the_o story_n she_o tell_v be_v in_o short_a to_o this_o effect_n viz._n that_o some_o time_n after_o our_o lord_n passion_n st._n peter_n go_v into_o syria_n and_o become_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n and_o continue_v there_o or_o as_o they_o love_v to_o speak_v hold_v that_o see_v seven_o year_n and_o then_o he_o remove_v his_o seat_n from_o thence_o to_o rome_n and_o thenceforth_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o hold_v the_o same_o four_o or_o five_o and_o twenty_o year_n viz._n until_o he_o be_v martyr_a there_o under_o nero._n i_o be_o force_v to_o use_v general_a term_n because_o most_o of_o those_o that_o undertake_v to_o relate_v the_o matter_n do_v wondrous_o vary_v in_o the_o particular_n and_o can_v agree_v either_o in_o the_o year_n wherein_o his_o bishopric_n at_o antioch_n shall_v begin_v or_o in_o the_o time_n of_o its_o continuance_n nay_o there_o be_v a_o dispute_n among_o they_o whether_o his_o be_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n be_v before_o he_o go_v to_o rome_n or_o after_o he_o have_v be_v there_o the_o time_n too_o when_o he_o come_v to_o rome_n and_o the_o length_n of_o his_o episcopate_n there_o and_o other_o material_a circumstance_n be_v very_o different_o deliver_v touch_v which_o confusion_n and_o interseting_n of_o the_o evidence_n i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v more_o in_o another_o chapter_n as_o also_o concern_v the_o whole_a business_n of_o antioch_n that_o which_o at_o present_a lie_n before_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o special_a relation_n st._n peter_n have_v to_o rome_n above_o other_o church_n concern_v which_o the_o learned_a and_o laborious_a cardinal_n bellarmin_n who_o work_n with_o those_o of_o his_o no_o less_o diligent_a brother_n baronius_n be_v the_o grand_a magazine_n of_o that_o party_n and_o both_o who_o industry_n may_v just_o claim_v the_o high_a commendation_n if_o bestow_v in_o a_o cause_n that_o deserve_v it_o state_n four_o question_n 1._o whether_o peter_n be_v ever_o at_o rome_n
2._o whether_o he_o die_v there_o 3._o whether_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n 4._o whether_o after_o he_o have_v once_o assume_v that_o bishopric_n he_o ever_o change_v it_o for_o another_o all_o which_o he_o handle_v after_o his_o manner_n several_o and_o at_o large_a but_o indeed_o the_o second_o comprehend_v the_o first_o for_o if_o peter_n be_v martyr_a at_o rome_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v there_o and_o the_o four_o though_o he_o put_v most_o stress_n upon_o it_o may_v fit_o be_v include_v under_o the_o three_o for_o if_o they_o can_v prove_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v at_o any_o time_n bishop_n of_o rome_n we_o shall_v not_o much_o trouble_v ourselves_o whether_o he_o afterward_o remove_v from_o thence_o both_o because_o i_o think_v the_o practice_n of_o a_o bishop_n translation_n from_o one_o see_v to_o another_o be_v not_o altogether_o so_o early_o in_o the_o church_n their_o talk_n of_o the_o same_o apostle_n removal_n from_o antioch_n to_o rome_n shall_v be_v further_o consider_v anon_o as_o also_o because_o i_o remember_v not_o any_o but_o their_o own_o onuphrius_n that_o have_v insist_v upon_o or_o object_v any_o such_o matter_n so_o that_o the_o main_a question_n be_v only_o this_o whether_o st._n peter_n be_v ever_o in_o a_o proper_a sense_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o because_o that_o will_v be_v improbable_a in_o the_o high_a degree_n if_o beside_o other_o reason_n it_o can_v plain_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o he_o be_v at_o some_o time_n or_o other_o there_o it_o will_v therefore_o be_v sufficient_a to_o discuss_v these_o two_o question_n 1._o question_n whether_o st._n peter_n be_v ever_o at_o rome_n 2._o whether_o suppose_v he_o be_v there_o he_o be_v bishop_n in_o the_o strict_a and_o now_o usual_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n of_o that_o church_n to_o prove_v peter_n to_o have_v be_v at_o rome_n cardinal_n bellarmin_n produce_v five_o argument_n which_o we_o shall_v several_o consider_v the_o first_o from_o that_o text_n 1_o pet._n 5._o 13._o the_o church_n that_o be_v at_o babylon_n salute_v you_o by_o babylon_n here_o say_v he_o be_v mean_v rome_n therefore_o peter_n when_o he_o write_v that_o epistle_n be_v there_o now_o that_o peter_n do_v mean_a rome_n by_o the_o word_n babylon_n in_o that_o place_n he_o will_v prove_v 1._o because_o eusebius_n record_v that_o one_o papias_n do_v say_v that_o this_o epistle_n of_o peter_n be_v write_v from_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o the_o apostle_n do_v there_o tropical_o call_v babylon_n to_o which_o purpose_n the_o cardinal_n also_o cite_v st._n hierom_n and_o other_o as_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n or_o rather_o follow_v papias_n therein_o 2._o because_o rome_n in_o the_o revelation_n be_v frequent_o call_v babylon_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o this_o be_v prove_v ignotum_fw-la per_fw-la ignotius_fw-la a_o doubtful_a thing_n by_o a_o thing_n utter_o improbable_a a_o controvert_v matter_n of_o fact_n by_o a_o uncertain_a groundless_a opinion_n do_v not_o all_o the_o world_n know_v that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n two_o great_a city_n who_o proper_a name_n be_v babylon_n one_o in_o assyria_n famous_a in_o all_o ancient_a history_n as_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o first_o monarchy_n the_o other_o in_o egypt_n mention_v in_o strabo_n l._n 17._o and_o by_o ptolemy_n call_v babulis_fw-la the_o same_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o which_o at_o this_o day_n be_v call_v cairo_n or_o near_o it_o and_o why_o may_v not_o peter_n date_n his_o epistle_n from_o one_o of_o these_o for_o as_o he_o for_o the_o most_o part_n preach_v to_o the_o disperse_a jew_n of_o who_o no_o doubt_n many_o be_v scatter_v through_o chaldaea_n and_o assyria_n so_o he_o may_v probable_o exert_v his_o ministry_n at_o the_o first_o mention_v babylon_n be_v so_o eminent_a a_o place_n on_o the_o same_o continent_n and_o at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o jerusalem_n especicial_o since_o nicephorus_n tell_v we_o he_o preach_v all_o through_o palestina_n and_o syria_n nor_o be_v this_o only_a my_o private_a sentiment_n the_o great_a scaliger_n 31._o speak_v bold_o petrus_n romae_fw-la nunquam_fw-la fuit_fw-la sed_fw-la praedicabat_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cujus_fw-la metropolis_n erat_fw-la babylon_n ex_fw-la qua_fw-la scribit_fw-la epistolam_fw-la svam_fw-la peter_n be_v never_o at_o rome_n but_o preach_v to_o the_o disperse_a jew_n in_o asia_n the_o metropolis_n whereof_o be_v babylon_n from_o whence_o he_o write_v his_o epistle_n who_o the_o very_a learned_a de_fw-fr marca_n archbishop_n of_o paris_n second_o in_o these_o word_n 4._o although_o the_o ancient_n imagine_v that_o peter_n by_o the_o word_n babylon_n signify_v the_o city_n of_o rome_n yet_o scaliger_n conjecture_n be_v probable_a who_o think_v that_o peter_n write_v from_o babylon_n itself_o this_o epistle_n to_o the_o disperse_a jew_n or_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o it_o be_v true_a which_o the_o foresay_a nicephrous_a write_v 39_o that_o from_o pontus_n galatia_n etc._n etc._n peter_n go_v down_o into_o egypt_n where_o he_o create_v st._n mark_v bishop_n of_o alexandria_n then_o why_o may_v he_o not_o send_v this_o epistle_n from_o the_o egyption_n babylon_n so_o that_o either_o way_n by_o babylon_n be_v far_o more_o likely_a to_o be_v understand_v one_o of_o those_o place_n rather_o than_o rome_n for_o 2._o what_o a_o extravagance_n be_v it_o to_o imagine_v that_o s._n peter_n shall_v disguise_v and_o conceal_v from_o whence_o he_o write_v or_o qualify_v the_o place_n which_o he_o have_v choose_v to_o be_v his_o episcopal_n see_v and_o perpetual_a seat_n of_o church-soveraignty_n as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o with_o so_o uncouth_a a_o title_n when_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o colour_n of_o reason_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v now_o learn_v or_o occasion_n why_o he_o shall_v so_o do_v nor_o any_o example_n of_o the_o like_a kind_n to_o be_v find_v for_o though_o s._n luke_n in_o the_o act_n and_o s._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n frequent_o speak_v of_o rome_n yet_o they_o never_o call_v it_o babylon_n now_o when_o the_o apostle_n say_v the_o church_n at_o babylon_n salute_v you_o certain_o he_o intend_v as_o all_o man_n do_v in_o their_o epistle_n that_o they_o shall_v know_v where_o he_o be_v and_o who_o they_o be_v that_o salute_v they_o but_o this_o be_v i_o think_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o do_v if_o by_o babylon_n he_o mean_v rome_n no_o author_n either_o civil_a or_o sacred_a have_v then_o ever_o call_v it_o so_o 3._o that_o st._n john_n in_o the_o revelation_n above_o fifty_o year_n after_o for_o baronius_n who_o say_v this_o epistle_n be_v write_v an._n chr._n 45._o tell_v we_o also_o that_o the_o revelation_n be_v write_v an._n 97._o do_v call_v rome_n babylon_n be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o though_o a_o tropical_a denomination_n suit_n well_o with_o a_o prophetic_a style_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o in_o a_o plain_a epistolary_a salutation_n a_o proper_a name_n must_v be_v wrest_v from_o its_o genuine_a signification_n to_o such_o a_o abstruse_a and_o remote_a sense_n st._n john_n write_v mysterious_a prophecy_n use_v type_n and_o figure_n to_o express_v future_a thing_n but_o that_o peter_n in_o a_o familiar_a recommendation_n shall_v do_v so_o have_v neither_o truth_n nor_o probability_n the_o reason_n why_o st._n john_n denominate_v rome_n babylon_n though_o represent_v in_o a_o vision_n be_v not_o yet_o actual_o in_o be_v for_o it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o allusion_n that_o as_o babylon_n of_o old_a hold_v the_o jew_n the_o then_o people_n of_o god_n in_o temporal_a captivity_n so_o she_o shall_v in_o time_n to_o come_v bring_v christian_n into_o a_o spiritual_a vassalage_n and_o thence_o she_o be_v call_v mystery_n babylon_n it_o seem_v the_o learned_a cardinal_n think_v some_o text_n of_o scripture_n will_v be_v expect_v to_o prove_v peter_n be_v at_o rome_n and_o find_v nothing_o look_v that_o way_n be_v force_v to_o hedge_v in_o this_o though_o it_o cost_v he_o dear_a for_o thereby_o he_o confess_v and_o proclaim_v rome_n to_o be_v the_o apocalyptical_a babylon_n but_o though_o a_o hard_a pinch_n reduce_v he_o to_o this_o necessity_n yet_o he_o hope_v to_o secure_v his_o retreat_n by_o affirm_v that_o rome_n be_v term_v babylon_n not_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o future_a roman_a church_n but_o as_o it_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n that_o then_o domineer_v over_o the_o earth_n as_o babylon_n do_v of_o old_a but_o this_o evasion_n be_v as_o gross_a as_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o since_o it_o be_v plain_a the_o revelation_n from_o the_o four_o chapter_n especial_o be_v a_o prophetic_a book_n not_o historical_a for_o so_o be_v the_o express_a word_n there_o v_o 1._o come_v up_o hither_o and_o i_o will_v show_v thing_n that_o shall_v be_v hereafter_o and_o also_o it_o relate_v all_o along_o to_o the_o future_a state_n
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vain_a superstitious_a people_n and_o bubble_v they_o of_o their_o money_n to_o credit_v they_o on_o their_o bare_a word_n about_o the_o body_n of_o peter_n any_o more_o than_o concern_v the_o head_n of_o st._n john_n baptist_n the_o milk_n the_o comb_n the_o scizzar_n and_o the_o travel_a chamber_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n cartload_v of_o chip_n of_o the_o cross_n whereon_o our_o saviour_n suffer_v the_o head_n of_o st._n denis_n the_o bone_n of_o st._n ursula_n and_o her_o eleven_o thousand_o virgin_n the_o head_n of_o the_o three_o wiseman_n of_o the_o east_n who_o they_o call_v the_o three_o king_n of_o cologn_n and_o a_o thousand_o more_o imposture_n daily_o boast_v of_o visit_v and_o worship_v through_o several_a part_n of_o the_o roman_n catholic_n world_n but_o they_o will_v perhaps_o urge_v death_n if_o peter_n do_v not_o suffer_v martyrdom_n at_o rome_n where_o die_v he_o to_o which_o i_o reply_v 1._o what_o import_v it_o if_o it_o be_v not_o know_v can_v they_o tell_v 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again_o to_o be_v crucify_a peter_n take_v these_o word_n to_o be_v mean_v of_o his_o own_o martyrdom_n as_o the_o lord_n may_v seem_v to_o suffer_v in_o his_o person_n go_v back_o and_o have_v settle_v clement_n to_o be_v his_o successor_n be_v soon_o after_o apprehend_v and_o crucify_a in_o which_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n where_o these_o word_n pass_v platina_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v in_o his_o time_n a_o chapel_n extant_a and_o there_o be_v a_o tradition_n too_o that_o the_o very_a print_n of_o their_o foot_n as_o they_o two_o talk_v together_o be_v long_o after_o and_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v some_o may_v say_v to_o this_o day_n plain_o to_o be_v see_v as_o it_o suit_v not_o with_o the_o honour_n and_o zeal_n of_o bless_a st._n peter_n answ_n suppose_v he_o the_o proper_a bishop_n of_o rome_n to_o offer_v thus_o timorous_o to_o desert_n and_o abandon_v his_o flock_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n so_o neither_o can_v the_o romanist_n vouch_v any_o better_a original_a 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that_o st._n hierom_n and_o divers_a other_o that_o follow_v he_o date_n these_o 14_o year_n not_o from_o paul_n conversion_n but_o from_o his_o first_o journey_n to_o jerusalem_n three_o year_n after_o and_o so_o place_v this_o synod_n anno_fw-la dom._n 51._o or_o rather_o as_o they_o shall_v say_v 52._o in_o the_o 10_o or_o 11_o of_o claudius_n which_o think_v it_o seem_v to_o favour_v our_o cause_n as_o prove_v peter_n to_o continue_v so_o much_o the_o long_o at_o jerusalem_n or_o the_o neighbour_a part_n of_o asia_n yet_o since_o my_o aim_n in_o these_o researche_n be_v sole_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n i_o can_v admit_v thereof_o because_o in_o the_o nine_o year_n of_o claudius_n it_o be_v as_o orosius_n 6._o witness_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v all_o banish_a rome_n and_o at_o that_o time_n paul_n be_v at_o athens_n as_o vspergensis_n 24._o write_v and_o it_o appear_v likewise_o by_o the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n for_o paul_n depart_v from_o the_o council_n after_o a_o 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the_o precedent_a discourse_n but_o that_o it_o be_v before_o the_o say_a council_n of_o the_o apostle_n at_o jerusalem_n seem_v very_o probable_a because_o if_o it_o have_v be_v afterward_o viz._n when_o the_o matter_n have_v be_v so_o solemn_o determine_v that_o circumcision_n be_v not_o necessary_a peter_n can_v not_o have_v have_v any_o scruple_n of_o eat_v with_o the_o gentile_a believer_n nor_o fear_v of_o offend_v they_o in_o that_o point_n that_o come_v from_o james_n thus_o until_o the_o 16_o year_n of_o the_o passion_n eight_o of_o claudius_n peter_n come_v not_o within_o one_o thousand_o mile_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o nine_o of_o claudius_n all_o jew_n be_v banish_v rome_n as_o be_v prove_v before_o therefore_o than_o peter_n can_v not_o be_v there_o claudius_n nor_o be_v nor_o have_v he_o be_v there_o in_o the_o 12_o of_o claudius_n for_o then_o paul_n write_v his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n and_o undoubted_o if_o peter_n have_v be_v the_o founder_n or_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n then_o or_o at_o any_o time_n before_o paul_n will_v in_o so_o large_a a_o letter_n have_v take_v some_o occasion_n to_o recommend_v his_o pain_n and_o to_o exhort_v they_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a though_o he_o conclude_v with_o particular_a salute_v to_o 24_o person_n by_o name_n beside_o several_a household_n and_o divers_a of_o they_o woman_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v peter_n now_o if_o peter_n have_v be_v bishop_n there_o and_o sovereign_a head_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o omission_n of_o pay_v his_o respect_n to_o he_o whilst_o he_o do_v it_o to_o so_o many_o other_o of_o inferior_a condition_n will_v have_v be_v not_o only_o a_o soloecism_n in_o civility_n but_o a_o failure_n in_o duty_n but_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v at_o this_o time_n thus_o ch._n 15._o 28._o paul_n use_v this_o discourse_n have_v now_o no_o more_o place_n in_o these_o part_n that_o be_v about_o antioch_n whence_o this_o epistle_n be_v date_v and_o have_v a_o great_a desire_n these_o many_o year_n to_o come_v unto_o you_o whensoever_o i_o take_v my_o journey_n into_o spain_n i_o will_v come_v to_o you_o but_o now_o i_o go_v into_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a this_o be_v write_v upon_o his_o journey_n sometime_o go_v to_o jerusalem_n we_o must_v therefore_o consider_v at_o what_o time_n especial_o this_o be_v for_o we_o read_v of_o paul_n go_v thither_o five_o several_a time_n the_o first_o in_o the_o nine_o the_o second_o in_o the_o twelve_o the_o three_o in_o the_o 15_o the_o four_o in_o the_o 18_o and_o the_o five_o in_o the_o 21th_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n but_o it_o can_v be_v in_o none_o of_o the_o first_o three_o journey_n for_o he_o have_v not_o then_o meet_v with_o timothy_n who_o he_o find_v not_o till_o a_o good_a while_n after_o his_o return_n from_o the_o synod_n at_o jerusalem_n act_v 16._o 1._o but_o at_o the_o write_n of_o this_o epistle_n timothy_n be_v with_o he_o for_o he_o send_v salutation_n from_o he_o ch._n 16._o 21._o nor_o seem_v it_o to_o be_v the_o four_o time_n mention_v act_n 18_o for_o v._o 1._o ere_o paul_n return_v to_o jerusalem_n it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o depart_v from_o corinth_n and_o priscilla_n and_o aquila_n be_v then_o at_o rome_n for_o thither_o he_o send_v salutation_n to_o they_o it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v just_a before_o paul_n last_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n which_o agree_v with_o what_o be_v say_v act_v 19_o 20._o compare_v with_o the_o before-cited_n text_n rom._n 15._o 23._o and_o such_o his_o last_o journey_n thither_o be_v in_o the_o 12_o of_o claudius_n for_o be_v there_o take_v faelix_fw-la be_v then_o governor_n act_v 23._o 24._o who_o as_o josephus_n 5._o witness_v be_v not_o make_v precedent_n of_o judea_n till_o the_o 11_o of_o claudius_n and_o by_o tertullus_n oration_n to_o he_o 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communion_n but_o about_o the_o year_n 1595._o one_o florimond_n de_fw-fr raemond_fw-fr a_o french_a counsellor_n at_o bordeaux_n undertake_v in_o a_o elaborate_v treatise_n to_o refute_v the_o whole_a story_n but_o by_o what_o argument_n that_o no_o author_n live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o this_o pretend_a papess_n be_v find_v to_o attest_v it_o nor_o any_o till_o marianus_n scotus_n 200_o year_n after_o she_o that_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o author_n though_o numerous_a blind_o follow_v he_o and_o suck_v in_o his_o error_n that_o the_o several_a relator_n agree_v not_o in_o their_o tale_n that_o the_o latter_a writer_n have_v invent_v several_a circumstance_n but_o he_o can_v charge_v they_o with_o corrupt_v of_o book_n nor_o forge_v of_o author_n to_o render_v it_o more_o plausible_a that_o the_o whole_a thing_n and_o its_o several_a part_n be_v not_o probable_a etc._n etc._n now_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o topic_n but_o will_v serve_v as_o well_o nay_o much_o 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church-yard_n unto_o this_o day_n bear_v the_o name_n of_o peter_n and_o paul_n in_o like_a manner_n gaius_n a_o roman_a and_o a_o ecclesiaastical_a person_n and_o after_o zepherinus_n bishop_n of_o rome_n write_v unto_o proclus_n chief_a of_o the_o cataphrygian_a heretic_n say_v thus_o i_o be_o able_a to_o show_v the_o banner_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o if_o thou_o will_v walk_v into_o the_o vatican_n or_o the_o ostiensian-way_n thou_o will_v find_v there_o victorious_a banner_n of_o such_o as_o have_v found_v this_o church_n and_o that_o they_o be_v both_o crown_v with_o martyrdom_n at_o the_o same_o time_n dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n declare_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n in_o these_o word_n and_o you_o observe_v so_o goodly_a a_o admonition_n have_v couple_v in_o one_o the_o building_n of_o the_o roman_a and_o corinthian_a church_n perform_v by_o peter_n and_o paul_n for_o they_o both_o instruct_v we_o when_o they_o plant_v our_o church_n of_o corinth_n thus_o 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of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o the_o present_a condition_n of_o worldly_a empire_n and_o almost_o all_o interpreter_n agree_v that_o this_o babylon_n which_o rev._n 17._o be_v call_v the_o scarlet_a whore_n etc._n etc._n describe_v by_o this_o title_n mystery_n babylon_n the_o great_a the_o mother_n of_o harlot_n and_o abomination_n of_o the_o earth_n can_v be_v no_o orhe_a than_o that_o antichrist_n which_o be_v to_o sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n that_o be_v in_o the_o church_n 2_o thess_n 2._o 4._o as_o for_o what_o be_v allege_v that_o papias_n st._n jerome_n or_o other_o think_v this_o epistle_n of_o peter_n may_v be_v write_v from_o rome_n tropical_o call_v babylon_n it_o be_v at_o most_o but_o their_o opinion_n touch_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n long_o before_o their_o time_n and_o as_o we_o have_v show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n or_o reason_n for_o admit_v any_o such_o trope_n so_o the_o ancient_n may_v be_v excuse_v if_o they_o understand_v not_o the_o true_a 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refer_v those_o word_n to_o himself_o matt._n 21._o 42._o so_o that_o the_o cardinal_n make_v rome_n to_o be_v both_o zion_n and_o babylon_n he_o will_v have_v it_o babylon_n to_o prove_v peter_n there_o and_o zion_n to_o exclude_v in_o effect_n christ_n from_o be_v head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o advance_v the_o pope_n in_o his_o stead_n the_o second_o thing_n for_o i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o call_v it_o a_o argument_n bring_v to_o prove_v st._n peter_n be_v at_o rome_n proof_n be_v this_o there_o be_v many_o christian_n at_o rome_n nay_o a_o large_a and_o flourish_a church_n gather_v there_o before_o paul_n come_v thither_o as_o appear_v by_o his_o epistle_n which_o it_o be_v evident_a he_o write_v before_o ever_o he_o have_v be_v at_o rome_n but_o who_o gather_v that_o church_n if_o peter_n be_v not_o at_o rome_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o the_o learned_a author_n see_v through_o the_o weakness_n of_o this_o discourse_n ans_fw-fr and_o therefore_o put_v it_o by_o way_n of_o query_n to_o amuse_v weak_a head_n rather_o than_o as_o a_o argument_n to_o convince_v the_o learned_a for_o how_o odd_o will_v such_o a_o syllogism_n look_v from_o the_o pen_n of_o a_o cardinal_n there_o be_v christian_n at_o rome_n before_o paul_n come_v thither_o ergo_fw-la st._n peter_n be_v there_o before_o he_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n but_o those_o two_o for_o 1._o not_o to_o urge_v that_o though_o we_o read_v of_o saint_n at_o rome_n yet_o we_o no_o where_o find_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o a_o church_n at_o rome_n mention_v in_o terminis_fw-la the_o holy_a spirit_n possible_o forbear_v to_o qualify_v it_o with_o that_o title_n in_o holy_a writ_n as_o a_o check_n to_o their_o foresee_a usurpation_n and_o although_o it_o express_o tell_v we_o of_o several_a other_o church_n first_o plant_v by_o this_o or_o that_o apostle_n yet_o it_o say_v not_o that_o any_o apostle_n be_v the_o first_o seedsman_n of_o the_o gospel_n at_o rome_n not_o to_o insist_v i_o say_v upon_o this_o 2._o let_v we_o consider_v how_o and_o by_o who_o churches_n be_v gather_v in_o samaria_n and_o at_o antioch_n which_o they_o make_v peter_n other_n and_o first_o bishopric_n if_o we_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o read_v and_o credit_v the_o bible_n there_o we_o find_v that_o by_o a_o great_a persecution_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o disciple_n except_o the_o apostle_n be_v scatter_v abroad_o every_o where_o and_o so_o who_o know_v but_o some_o of_o they_o to_o rome_n preach_v the_o word_n act_v 8._o 4._o particular_o philip_n a_o deacon_n in_o samaria_n make_v great_a number_n of_o convert_v v_o 6._o which_o when_o the_o apostle_n hear_v of_o they_o send_v thither_o peter_n and_o john_n a_o odd_a procedure_n for_o subject_n to_o send_v their_o sovereign_n on_o a_o errand_n if_o they_o have_v think_v peter_n such_o who_o have_v further_o spread_v the_o gospel_n in_o samaria_n return_v again_o to_o jerusalem_n v_o 25._o other_o of_o the_o say_v scatter_v disciple_n preach_v the_o lord_n jesus_n to_o the_o grecian_n at_o antioch_n and_o many_o believe_v and_o be_v turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n act_n 11._o 19_o 20._o whereupon_o barnabas_n be_v send_v to_o they_o who_o bring_v paul_n into_o antioch_n and_o a_o whole_a year_n they_o viz._n paul_n and_o barnabas_n assemble_v themselves_o with_o the_o church_n so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o church_n there_o before_o and_o teach_v much_o people_n and_o the_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n there_o v_o 26._o if_o therefore_o christianity_n both_o name_n and_o thing_n be_v first_o plant_v at_o antioch_n which_o they_o say_v be_v peter_n first_o diocese_n neither_o by_o peter_n nor_o by_o any_o apostle_n but_o by_o certain_a scatter_a disciple_n why_o may_v not_o the_o like_o happen_v at_o rome_n 3._o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v preach_v to_o many_o roman_n at_o jerusalem_n immediate_o after_o christ_n ascension_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o preach_v in_o other_o tongue_n it_o be_v express_o say_v that_o among_o the_o multitude_n that_o come_v to_o hear_v they_o there_o be_v stranger_n of_o rome_n act_v 2._o 10._o st._n paul_n also_o witness_n that_o andronicus_n and_o junia_n who_o dwell_v at_o rome_n when_o he_o write_v his_o epistle_n that_o be_v before_o he_o come_v at_o rome_n be_v in_o christ_n that_o be_v profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n before_o himself_o which_o must_v be_v at_o least_o 5_o or_o 6_o year_n before_o peter_n be_v pretend_v to_o come_v at_o rome_n and_o that_o they_o be_v of_o note_n among_o the_o apostle_n rom._n 16._o 7._o why_o then_o may_v not_o they_o by_o their_o pain_n and_o zeal_n at_o least_o in_o some_o measure_n gather_v a_o church_n there_o beside_o the_o scripture_n mention_v not_o which_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o who_o else_o in_o particular_a collect_v divers_a other_o church_n must_v they_o therefore_o all_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o particular_a pain_n of_o st._n peter_n 4._o what_o the_o cardinal_n affirm_v that_o none_o of_o the_o ancient_n name_v any_o other_o but_o peter_n that_o shall_v first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n at_o rome_n be_v not_o strict_o true_a for_o he_o himself_o a_o little_a after_o confess_v that_o clemens_n who_o they_o will_v have_v to_o be_v peter_n successor_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o recongnition_n and_o dorothoeus_n tyrensis_fw-la record_n that_o barnabas_n preach_v at_o rome_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n that_o be_v peter_n within_z 3_o or_o 4_o year_n after_o our_o lord_n crucifixion_n whereas_o their_o most_o common_a story_n be_v that_o st._n peter_n come_v not_o there_o till_o the_o second_o of_o claudius_n which_o must_v be_v about_o five_o year_n at_o least_o after_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n