triumphant_o atheism_n and_o impiety_n lift_v up_o their_o banner_n every_o where_o let_v we_o endeavour_v as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a to_o preserve_v some_o remain_n of_o religion_n among_o the_o people_n let_v we_o assert_v the_o ancient_a order_n and_o piety_n that_o make_v the_o christian_a church_n so_o beautiful_a in_o former_a age_n the_o apostle_n inform_v we_o that_o the_o time_n will_v come_v when_o man_n can_v not_o endure_v sound_a doctrine_n 4._o but_o after_o their_o own_o lust_n shall_v they_o heap_v to_o themselves_o teacher_n have_v itch_a ear_n and_o they_o shall_v turn_v away_o their_o ear_n from_o the_o truth_n and_o shall_v be_v turn_v unto_o fable_n the_o great_a founder_n of_o our_o religion_n send_v his_o apostle_n by_o find_v doctrine_n to_o enlighten_v the_o world_n and_o they_o convey_v this_o spiritual_a authority_n unto_o other_o who_o shall_v transmit_v it_o by_o a_o orderly_a succession_n and_o as_o their_o mission_n be_v heavenly_a in_o its_o original_a so_o their_o doctrine_n be_v pure_a and_o holy_a in_o all_o its_o tendency_n they_o consider_v themselves_o as_o the_o ambas_fw-la adore_v of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o deliver_v their_o commission_n without_o any_o mixture_n or_o hypocrisy_n they_o treat_v the_o people_n with_o all_o humility_n and_o tenderness_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n take_v great_a care_n to_o mortify_v their_o lust_n and_o their_o passion_n but_o when_o they_o grow_v wanton_a and_o headstrong_a and_o think_v themselves_o too_o wise_a to_o be_v lead_v by_o their_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o ruler_n than_o they_o will_v have_v teacher_n of_o their_o own_o man_n choose_v by_o themselves_o such_o as_o be_v teach_v to_o calculate_v their_o doctrine_n to_o popular_a fancy_n and_o humour_n such_o as_o will_v prostitute_v the_o gospel_n to_o promote_v error_n and_o delusion_n and_o make_v the_o kingdom_n of_o light_n subservient_fw-fr to_o that_o of_o darkness_n and_o instead_o of_o serve_v our_o bless_a saviour_n they_o become_v slave_n to_o the_o people_n by_o who_o they_o be_v original_o employ_v and_o because_o they_o be_v so_o unhappy_o successful_a as_o to_o gratify_v their_o lust_n they_o be_v therefore_o vote_v the_o most_o edify_a teacher_n the_o primitive_a minister_n of_o religion_n have_v their_o immediate_a commission_n from_o heaven_n according_o they_o endeavour_v by_o all_o mean_n to_o restore_v the_o image_n of_o god_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o raise_v their_o thought_n and_o design_n to_o that_o happiness_n and_o treasure_n which_o the_o world_n can_v give_v which_o god_n truth_n promise_v and_o make_v sure_a by_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n from_o the_o dead_a the_o other_o have_v their_o authority_n from_o man_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v needs_o please_v the_o people_n who_o send_v they_o they_o must_v reconcile_v the_o rule_n and_o moral_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o wicked_a practice_n and_o design_n of_o the_o world_n they_o must_v change_v the_o strict_a maxim_n of_o the_o evangel_n into_o loose_a theorem_n and_o the_o severe_a discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n unto_o all_o licence_n and_o luxury_n the_o true_a faith_n that_o work_v by_o love_n unto_o airy_a notion_n and_o mistake_v thus_o the_o people_n be_v please_v and_o the_o gospel_n be_v defeat_v the_o church_n be_v ruin_v and_o god_n dishonour_v every_o man_n in_o his_o own_o station_n be_v oblige_v to_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n when_o the_o foundation_n of_o ecclesiastical_a unity_n be_v shake_v loose_a and_o the_o ancient_a constitution_n trample_v upon_o with_o great_a insolence_n and_o impiety_n than_o the_o hedge_n of_o tâ—â—e_a religion_n be_v not_o only_o invade_v but_o demolish_v and_o without_o those_o sacred_a vehicles_n it_o must_v evaporate_v into_o giddiness_n and_o enthusiasm_n the_o extravagance_n of_o these_o last_o day_n be_v boundless_a as_o it_o sceptical_a and_o christianity_n itself_o be_v more_o dangerous_o wound_v by_o the_o delusion_n of_o some_o that_o be_v baptise_a than_o by_o the_o open_a blasphemy_n of_o infidel_n the_o last_o may_v be_v assault_v by_o reason_n at_o least_o in_o their_o more_o lucid_a interval_n but_o the_o first_o be_v altogether_o inaccessible_a we_o must_v not_o presume_v to_o instruct_v they_o who_o pretend_v to_o extraordinary_a illumination_n their_o error_n be_v make_v strong_a by_o their_o vanity_n they_o plead_v a_o divine_a right_n to_o every_o new_a opipinion_n and_o if_o we_o approach_v they_o in_o the_o ancient_a path_n of_o modesty_n and_o humility_n they_o look_v down_o upon_o we_o with_o scorn_n and_o indignation_n nay_o they_o be_v inflexible_a to_o the_o plain_a and_o most_o convince_a argument_n i_o have_v frequent_o with_o grief_n and_o sorrow_n consider_v the_o decay_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o difficulty_n of_o our_o employment_n we_o must_v pull_v down_o strong_a hold_n and_o lofty_a imagination_n and_o grapple_v with_o the_o rude_a opposition_n the_o avenue_n of_o man_n soul_n be_v blockade_v by_o passion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o they_o be_v fortify_v in_o their_o error_n not_o only_o by_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o nature_n but_o by_o the_o artifice_n of_o seducer_n their_o itch_a ear_n be_v please_v their_o lust_n be_v gratify_v their_o passion_n be_v make_v more_o unruly_a their_o envy_n hatred_n and_o malice_n be_v indulge_v and_o they_o be_v allow_v to_o distinguish_v themselves_o from_o all_o other_o by_o special_a title_n of_o division_n and_o singularity_n by_o which_o alone_o they_o think_v to_o make_v their_o call_v and_o election_n sure_a yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o we_o be_v thus_o resist_v by_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o folly_n and_o delusion_n we_o must_v not_o give_v over_o by_o faintness_n and_o despondency_n we_o must_v plead_v with_o they_o who_o have_v leave_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o soberness_n and_o exhort_v other_o to_o continue_v in_o that_o doctrine_n that_o be_v reveal_v by_o our_o saviour_n teach_v by_o his_o apostle_n and_o receive_v by_o all_o church_n in_o the_o first_o and_o best_a age_n that_o the_o present_a generation_n may_v not_o rise_v in_o judgement_n against_o we_o for_o our_o silence_n nor_o posterity_n censure_v our_o cowardice_n we_o must_v not_o be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o truth_n even_o when_o it_o be_v contradict_v with_o all_o possible_a violence_n and_o fury_n i_o address_v this_o short_a treatise_n to_o you_o with_o a_o design_n rather_o to_o assert_v the_o truth_n than_o to_o reply_v to_o what_o have_v be_v late_o publish_v by_o the_o vindicator_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n against_o a_o certain_a book_n entitle_v apology_n for_o the_o clergy_n etc._n etc._n though_o i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o make_v some_o of_o he_o mistake_v a_o little_a more_o apparent_a there_o be_v certain_a practice_n and_o ritual_n receive_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n which_o be_v not_o determine_v express_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o so_o many_o letter_n and_o syllable_n yet_o by_o the_o plain_a and_o most_o undeniable_a consequence_n be_v agreeable_a to_o its_o general_a rule_n and_o the_o uniform_a belief_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o they_o that_o deny_v those_o usage_n or_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o those_o ritual_n venture_v upon_o untrodden_a path_n and_o do_v foolish_o condemn_v the_o wisdom_n of_o all_o former_a age_n the_o special_a providence_n of_o god_n have_v so_o watch_v over_o the_o church_n that_o since_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o christianity_n we_o have_v preserve_v to_o we_o some_o record_n and_o monument_n of_o its_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n the_o book_n of_o such_o as_o have_v be_v learn_v in_o every_o age_n do_v plain_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o first_o christian_n be_v agree_v among_o themselves_o in_o the_o great_a article_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n and_o order_n and_o by_o this_o uniformity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o ritual_n they_o strengthen_v themselves_o against_o infidel_n and_o heretic_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o opposite_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o true_a religion_n than_o stubborness_n and_o petulance_n and_o when_o we_o despise_v those_o constitution_n that_o have_v be_v universal_o receive_v among_o christian_n we_o overthrow_v the_o foundation_n of_o peace_n and_o charity_n and_o consequent_o we_o exclude_v ourselves_o from_o the_o visible_a fellowship_n of_o christ_n household_n and_o family_n when_o we_o consider_v the_o schism_n and_o tumult_n of_o particular_a church_n the_o confusion_n of_o so_o many_o revolution_n the_o shake_n of_o so_o many_o nation_n the_o boldness_n and_o activity_n of_o heretic_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o adore_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n that_o so_o many_o monument_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n be_v preserve_v and_o whatever_o be_v uniform_o determine_v by_o the_o wise_a and_o the_o best_a of_o christian_n their_o learn'd_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n
drive_v man_n against_o light_n and_o conviction_n and_o darken_v all_o their_o intellectual_n in_o defiance_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n a_o three_o witness_v allege_v by_o blondel_n be_v hermas_n i_o only_o name_v some_o few_o of_o those_o that_o be_v near_a to_o the_o apostle_n i_o do_v not_o now_o inquire_v into_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o book_n it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o it_o be_v write_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n oxon_n and_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n of_o great_a authority_n make_v he_o to_o be_v the_o same_o that_o be_v mention_v by_o s._n paul_n rom._n 16._o 14._o it_o be_v without_o all_o controversy_n a_o book_n of_o great_a antiquity_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o citation_n out_o of_o he_o still_o preserve_v in_o some_o authentic_a monument_n particular_o irenaeus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n tertullian_n and_o origen_n there_o be_v two_o palpable_a evidence_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n that_o obtain_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o this_o book_n be_v write_v the_o first_o be_v from_o the_o second_o vision_n of_o the_o first_o book_n where_o the_o send_n of_o the_o encyclical_a epistle_n in_o exteras_fw-la civitates_fw-la be_v insinuate_v to_o be_v the_o peculiar_a privilege_n of_o s._n clement_n than_o bishop_n of_o rome_n the_o other_o insinuation_n be_v from_o the_o second_o book_n and_o 12_o mandate_n paragr_n 2._o where_o he_o reprove_v the_o preposterous_a ambition_n of_o such_o as_o will_v thrust_v themselves_o into_o the_o high_a dignity_n contrary_a to_o the_o evangelical_n method_n of_o humility_n and_o self-denial_n exaltat_fw-la enim_fw-la se_fw-la &_o vult_fw-la primam_fw-la cathedram_fw-la habere_fw-la if_o there_o be_v no_o power_n there_o can_v be_v no_o abuse_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o he_o reprove_v that_o insatiable_a thirst_n of_o preferment_n that_o put_v some_o among_o they_o upon_o project_n and_o design_n contrary_a to_o the_o command_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o teach_v we_o that_o he_o that_o deserve_v the_o ecclesiastical_a promotion_n be_v to_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o all_o and_o therefore_o many_o of_o the_o primitive_a bishop_n flee_v and_o hide_v themselves_o upon_o the_o first_o motion_n of_o their_o be_v name_v to_o the_o episcopal_a dignity_n and_o the_o other_o citation_n from_o book_n the_o three_o similitud_n 8._o insinuate_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o i_o intend_v viz._n a_o principatus_fw-la then_o establish_v as_o the_o fix_a government_n of_o the_o church_n which_o some_o be_v too_o too_o hasty_a to_o grasp_v 2_o tim._n 4._o 3_o 4._o vid._n dickson_n in_o matt._n and_o answer_v to_o the_o irenicum_fw-la by_o g._n r._n vid._n bez._n in_o 〈◊〉_d vid._n smectim_n jus_fw-la divin_fw-fr minister_n anglican_n the_o unbishoping_a timothy_n and_o titus_n altar_n damascen_n durh._n dissert_n on_o the_o revel_n v_o cotel_n not._n inpriorem_fw-la epist_n s._n clem._n p._n 96._o in_o quibus_fw-la fusâ—_n &_o solid_a demâ—nstratur_fw-la argumentum_fw-la a_o confusione_n nominum_fw-la nequaquam_fw-la jurisdictionem_fw-la &_o authoritatem_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la supra_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la labefactare_fw-la posse_fw-la v._o doctiss_n bevereg_n cod_n canon_n eccles_n primit_fw-la lib._n 2_o c._n 11._o vid._n clariss_n dodwell_n dissert_v cypr._n p._n 205._o walo_n mess_n tertul._n de_fw-fr baptismo_fw-la stromat_n lib._n 6._o pastor_n herma_n herma_n apud_fw-la clariss_n dodwell_n disertat_fw-la cyprian_n p._n 205_o â—_o cotel_n in_o prieâ—_n epist_n clemen_n ad_fw-la corinth_n 1_o cor._n 15._o 7._o wâ—â—â—_n mâ—â—_n mâ—â—_n aplog_n prosenten_a hieronym_n amstol_n 1646._o vind._n st._n ignat._n adversus_fw-la hereses_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 3._o v._o doctiss_n cav_n hist_o litter_n p._n 18._o blondel_n apolog_fw-la p._n 9_o plerique_fw-la latinorum_n hieronymo_n testae_fw-la secundumpost_n petrum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la putaverunt_fw-la ut_fw-la ante_fw-la annum_fw-la domini_fw-la 65_o ad_fw-la romanae_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la clavum_fw-la sedissenecesse_n sit_fw-la apol._n pro_fw-la send_v hier._n p._n 9_o page_n 9_o 10._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vid._n doctiss_fw-la bevereg_n cod_n can._n eccles_n prim._n lib._n 2._o p._n 314._o 1_o cor._n 3._o 5._o 2._o cor._n 3._o 6._o acts._n 6._o 4._o coloss_n 4._o 7._o 1_o thess_n 3._o 2._o coloss_n 4._o 17._o vid._n etiam_fw-la bevereg_n ubi_fw-la supra_fw-la pag._n mihi_fw-la 40_o 41._o pag._n 10._o edit_fw-la jun._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pâ—_n mihi_fw-la 52_o 53._o v._o cotel_n not._n in_o pr._n s._n clemen_n epist_n col_fw-fr 95._o apud_fw-la jun._n not._n in_o clemen_n p._n 12._o 12._o iren._n lib._n 3._o cap._n 3._o &_o polycarpus_n autâ—â—â—non_fw-fr solum_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n edoctus_fw-la &_o conversatus_fw-la cum_fw-la multis_fw-la excis_fw-la qui_fw-la dominum_fw-la nostrum_fw-la viderunt_fw-la sed_fw-la etiam_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n in_o asia_n in_o ea_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la smyrnis_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la constitutut_n episcopus_fw-la qurm_n &_o nos_fw-la vidimus_fw-la in_o prima_fw-la nostra_fw-la aetate_fw-la aetate_fw-la catalogue_n â—pt_n eccles_n apol._n p._n iâ—_n vid._n test_n veterum_fw-la ad_fw-la frontem_fw-la editionis_fw-la oxon_n
these_o consideration_n i_o say_v we_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o argument_n plead_v against_o episcopacy_n found_v upon_o such_o dichotomy_n be_v not_o only_o weak_a but_o very_o foolish_a and_o extravagant_a yet_o blondel_n salmasius_n and_o daille_n man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o reputation_n employ_v much_o read_n and_o artifice_n to_o support_v their_o new_a hypothesis_n by_o this_o argument_n and_o to_o wrest_v so_o many_o place_n of_o the_o father_n to_o promote_v a_o opinion_n which_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o before_o the_o day_n of_o aerius_n tho'_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o man_n of_o extraordinary_a learning_n have_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o the_o same_o fallacy_n particular_o our_o countryman_n sir_n thomas_n craig_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr success_n reg._n angl._n but_o if_o he_o have_v read_v the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n with_o that_o accurate_a attention_n wherewith_o he_o peruse_v the_o vast_a volume_n of_o civilian_n canonist_n and_o historian_n he_o have_v certain_o be_v of_o another_o mind_n so_o visible_a be_v the_o confusion_n of_o name_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o apostle_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v sometime_o mention_v without_o any_o remarkable_a distinction_n yet_o so_o as_o the_o government_n of_o one_o among_o many_o be_v particular_o demonstrate_v our_o saviour_n himself_o be_v call_v a_o apostle_n heb._n 3.1_o sometime_o the_o word_n seem_v to_o be_v restrain_v to_o the_o number_n of_o twelve_o and_o mathias_n upon_o the_o apostasy_n of_o judas_n be_v choose_v to_o fill_v up_o the_o number_n of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n but_o in_o the_o same_o apostolical_a write_n the_o name_n of_o a_o apostle_n be_v bestow_v upon_o several_a other_o beside_o the_o twelve_o epist_n as_o s._n s._n barnabas_n corinth_n paul_n andronicus_n junias_n epaphroditus_n and_o other_o our_o saviour_n be_v call_v a_o bishop_n 1_o pet._n 2._o 25._o 7._o again_o the_o government_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v call_v their_o episcopacy_n 1_o act._n 20._o sometime_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v attribute_v to_o such_o priest_n as_o be_v of_o the_o first_o order_n invest_v with_o apostolical_a power_n and_o jurisdiction_n 1_o tim._n chap._n 3._o tit._n 1._o 7._o these_o place_n be_v so_o understand_v by_o all_o the_o father_n again_o the_o bishop_n mention_v 1._o philip._n 1_o be_v understand_v by_o st._n chrysostom_n oecumenius_n theophilact_fw-mi and_o theodoret_n to_o be_v the_o priest_n of_o the_o second_o order_n for_o they_o conclude_v epaphroditus_n to_o have_v be_v then_o bishop_n of_o philippi_n as_o may_v be_v reasonable_o collect_v from_o philip._n 2._o 25._o our_o english_a version_n follow_v beza_n and_o understand_v it_o as_o if_o epaphroditus_n have_v be_v a_o messenger_n send_v by_o the_o philippian_n to_o s._n paul_n but_o salmasius_n be_v much_o more_o ingenuous_a mâ—â—_n and_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o word_n apostle_n in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n never_o signify_v any_o other_o than_o legatum_fw-la dei_fw-la ad_fw-la homines_fw-la and_o this_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o theodoret_n who_o think_v that_o when_o the_o bishop_n be_v name_v in_o the_o apostolic_a age_n so_o as_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o subordinate_a priest_n they_o be_v then_o call_v apostle_n tho'_o upon_o other_o occasion_n they_o be_v promiscuous_o name_v without_o any_o distinction_n i_o only_o mention_v this_o transient_o not_o insist_v upon_o it_o my_o business_n at_o present_a be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o community_n of_o name_n be_v so_o familiar_a in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n that_o no_o man_n can_v conclude_v from_o thence_o a_o community_n of_o office_n st._n peter_n call_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n so_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o the_o presbytery_n mention_v in_o the_o first_o of_o timothy_n 4._o 14._o be_v a_o senate_n compose_v of_o apostle_n and_o other_o presbyter_n whether_o of_o the_o first_o or_o second_o rank_n be_v not_o certain_a but_o that_o s._n paul_n himself_o be_v one_o of_o they_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o second_o epist_n to_o timothy_n 1._o 6._o in_o the_o first_o timothy_n be_v exhort_v not_o to_o neglect_v the_o gift_n which_o be_v give_v he_o with_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o last_o he_o be_v put_v in_o mind_n to_o stir_v up_o the_o same_o gift_n which_o he_o receive_v by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o st._n paul_n hand_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n as_o s._n chrysostom_n witness_v both_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v sometime_o call_v deacon_n which_o may_v be_v just_o conclude_v from_o coloss_n 4._o 17._o and_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o the_o first_o of_o the_o act_n their_o apostolical_a ministry_n to_o which_o mathias_n be_v assume_v be_v call_v their_o deaconship_n 1_o act._n 17._o now_o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o if_o any_o man_n pretend_v to_o infer_v a_o community_n of_o office_n from_o the_o community_n of_o name_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n he_o must_v needs_o confound_v the_o high_a order_n of_o the_o church_n even_o the_o apostolical_a dignity_n with_o the_o low_a rank_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n yet_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o several_a office_n be_v careful_o separate_v in_o those_o day_n tho'_o the_o humility_n of_o such_o as_o be_v uppermost_a teach_v they_o not_o to_o be_v very_o forward_o to_o distinguish_v themselves_o from_o their_o subordinate_a brethren_n by_o title_n of_o eminence_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o second_o century_n transcribe_v the_o same_o copy_n in_o their_o behaviour_n who_o tho'_o they_o be_v careful_a to_o preserve_v the_o necessary_a distinction_n between_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o first_o and_o second_o order_n yet_o they_o study_v the_o most_o modest_a expression_n of_o humility_n and_o condescension_n as_o may_v be_v see_v from_o the_o forecited_a inscription_n of_o s._n polycarp'_v epistle_n to_o the_o philippian_n that_o apostolic_a martyr_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o asiatic_a church_n i_o have_v consider_v this_o argument_n the_o more_o careful_o in_o that_o i_o find_v it_o over_o and_o over_o again_o in_o all_o the_o write_n of_o our_o ecclesiastic_a leveller_n as_o their_o first_o and_o last_o refuge_n to_o which_o they_o flee_v to_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n more_o frivolous_a and_o trifle_a for_o the_o name_n of_o the_o low_a officer_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v frequent_o assume_v by_o the_o high_a and_o distinction_n of_o office_n be_v rather_o infer_v from_o their_o practice_n peculiar_a ministry_n and_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n than_o from_o any_o name_n that_o we_o can_v fix_v upon_o three_o if_o they_o can_v establish_v their_o new_a doctrine_n of_o parity_n neither_o upon_o the_o express_a commandment_n of_o our_o saviour_n nor_o upon_o the_o consequence_n they_o manage_v a_o confusione_n nominum_fw-la they_o endeavour_v to_o support_v it_o by_o some_o testimony_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n when_o the_o government_n and_o revenue_n of_o the_o church_n be_v sacrilegious_o invade_v by_o atheist_n and_o enthusiast_n under_o oliver_n cromwell_n the_o learned_a blondel_n employ_v all_o his_o skill_n to_o make_v the_o ancient_n contradict_v themselves_o and_o all_o contemporary_a record_n when_o his_o 1646._o book_n appear_v the_o presbyterian_o conclude_v before_o ever_o they_o read_v it_o that_o all_o be_v pure_a and_o undeniable_a demonstration_n and_o our_o countryman_n think_v they_o need_v return_v no_o other_o answer_n to_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v against_o they_o than_o to_o say_v that_o episcopacy_n and_o all_o that_o may_v be_v say_v in_o its_o defence_n be_v quite_o ruin_a and_o destroy_v by_o mounseur_fw-fr blondel_n and_o salmasius_n and_o tho'_o there_o be_v but_o very_o few_o of_o they_o that_o ever_o read_v they_o and_o that_o every_o line_n of_o their_o write_n that_o have_v the_o least_o colour_n of_o argument_n be_v frequent_o answer_v and_o expose_v yet_o such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n that_o they_o shut_v their_o eye_n against_o the_o clear_a evidence_n that_o be_v produce_v by_o their_o adversary_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o they_o to_o say_v that_o blondel_n have_v write_v a_o book_n in_o their_o defence_n of_o 549_o page_n and_o this_o in_o their_o opinion_n may_v bar_v all_o disputation_n of_o that_o nature_n when_o we_o bid_v they_o name_v the_o place_n that_o they_o think_v prove_v their_o new_a doctrine_n most_o plausible_o they_o refuse_v any_o such_o close_a engagement_n they_o will_v tell_v you_o that_o i_o be_v of_o their_o opinion_n and_o that_o their_o learned_a champion_n blondel_n have_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o this_o ancient_a monk_n be_v a_o presbyterian_a i_o must_v not_o transscribe_v the_o accurate_a and_o unanswerable_a dissertation_n of_o several_a learned_a
man_n who_o have_v sufficient_o expose_v the_o write_n of_o blondel_n and_o salmasius_n on_o this_o head_n particular_o the_o incomparable_a bishop_n of_o chester_n ignat._n yet_o i_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o examine_v some_o of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a testimony_n from_o antiquity_n that_o be_v allege_v by_o those_o man_n to_o support_v their_o doctrine_n of_o parity_n that_o the_o reader_n may_v have_v a_o sample_n of_o their_o partiality_n and_o prepossession_n and_o if_o none_o of_o the_o first_o worthy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n appear_v for_o the_o new_a doctrine_n of_o parity_n we_o may_v safe_o infer_v that_o there_o be_v little_a hope_n to_o defend_v their_o cause_n by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o after_o age_n and_o in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o will_v particular_o examine_v blondel_n argument_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o st._n jerome_n and_o demonstrate_v that_o he_o mistake_v or_o which_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a hide_v and_o misrepresent_v the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o learned_a father_n and_o if_o st._n jerome_n be_v not_o his_o friend_n he_o and_o his_o associate_n may_v despair_v of_o any_o other_o first_o i_o will_v examine_v some_o of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a testimony_n from_o antiquity_n and_o the_o first_o that_o be_v name_v be_v s._n clement_n in_o his_o famous_a epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n this_o be_v the_o celebrate_a s._n clement_n so_o honourable_o mention_v by_o s._n paul_n himself_o 3._o philip._n 4._o 3._o together_o with_o some_o other_o who_o name_n be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n who_o be_v fellow_n labourer_n with_o the_o apostle_n 18._o and_o three_o bishop_n of_o rome_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o probable_o sit_v in_o the_o chair_n of_o rome_n from_o the_o year_n 64_o until_o the_o year_n 81_o or_o 83._o he_o write_v his_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n to_o compose_v the_o scandalous_a division_n and_o schism_n that_o have_v rise_v among_o they_o by_o the_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o some_o turbulent_a brethren_n who_o value_v themselves_o upon_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o the_o contempt_n of_o their_o ordinary_a ecclesiastical_a governor_n it_o be_v think_v by_o some_o that_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o nero_n persecution_n before_o he_o be_v advance_v to_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o blondel_n before_o he_o produce_v any_o testimony_n from_o s._n clement_n acknowledge_v sit_fw-la that_o by_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o ancient_n this_o very_a saint_n clement_n succeed_v s._n peter_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n and_o tho'_o they_o vary_v as_o to_o his_o order_n of_o succession_n yet_o all_o of_o they_o agree_v as_o to_o the_o thing_n itself_o his_o first_o argument_n for_o parity_n be_v found_v on_o s._n clement_n inscription_n of_o his_o epist_n to_o the_o corinthian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o this_o inscription_n he_o conclude_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v then_o govern_v by_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n because_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o rome_n write_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o corinth_n not_o mention_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o the_o laity_n when_o the_o learned_a blondel_n reason_v at_o this_o rate_n he_o design_v it_o seem_v to_o please_v the_o independent_a party_n who_o be_v then_o most_o numerous_a and_o potent_a in_o england_n rather_o than_o the_o presbyterian_o 9_o for_o if_o his_o argument_n prove_v any_o thing_n it_o prove_v too_o much_o viz._n that_o the_o laity_n have_v a_o equal_a share_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n with_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o thus_o he_o may_v conclude_v that_o when_o s._n paul_n write_v a_o epistle_n together_o with_o sosthenes_n timotheus_n sylvanus_n and_o all_o the_o brethren_n that_o be_v with_o he_o that_o he_o have_v no_o great_a authority_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n than_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o laity_n our_o learned_a countryman_n junius_n gives_z a_o far_o more_o reasonable_a account_n of_o this_o ancient_a simplicity_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n than_o such_o childish_a reason_n and_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o st._n clement_n do_v not_o prefix_v his_o name_n ut_fw-la modestiae_fw-la &_o humilitatis_fw-la posteris_fw-la aetatibus_fw-la exemplar_n imitandum_fw-la proponeret_fw-la and_o this_o be_v very_a subservient_fw-fr to_o his_o design_n that_o he_o may_v teach_v the_o corinthian_n who_o he_o exhort_v to_o concord_n and_o humility_n by_o his_o own_o example_n that_o true_a and_o undisguised_a modesty_n which_o be_v then_o so_o visible_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n when_o both_o clergy_n and_o laity_n be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o one_o mind_n the_o next_o attempt_n that_o blondel_n make_v to_o support_v his_o imaginary_a parity_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n 〈◊〉_d be_v from_o st._n clement_n divide_v the_o clergy_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n according_a to_o the_o current_a phraseology_n that_o prevail_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age._n when_o they_o consider_v the_o clergy_n only_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n i_o have_v answer_v this_o already_o when_o i_o examine_v their_o argument_n found_v upon_o such_o dichotomy_n but_o when_o we_o consider_v this_o particular_a place_n of_o s._n clement_n with_o regard_n to_o that_o latitude_n and_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o name_n that_o be_v very_o current_a in_o those_o day_n the_o word_n deacon_n may_v be_v understand_v to_o comprehend_v all_o those_o minister_n of_o religion_n whether_o presbyter_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n or_o deacon_n who_o by_o the_o first_o institution_n be_v oblige_v to_o attend_v upon_o table_n and_o then_o his_o argument_n vanish_v into_o nothing_o nay_o rather_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a confirmation_n of_o that_o which_o he_o will_v most_o willing_o destroy_v 314._o for_o by_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n we_o may_v understand_v apostle_n bishop_n presbyter_n and_o attendant_n upon_o table_n for_o the_o word_n deacon_n in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v take_v in_o the_o great_a latitude_n that_o may_v be_v not_o only_o for_o such_o as_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n particular_o to_o the_o ministry_n of_o table_n but_o also_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o the_o high_a officer_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v call_v deacon_n 5._o who_o then_o be_v paul_n and_o who_o be_v apollo_n but_o deacon_n by_o who_o they_o believe_v even_o as_o the_o lord_n give_v to_o every_o man_n and_o again_o 6._o who_o have_v make_v we_o able_a deacon_n of_o the_o new-testament_n etc._n etc._n and_o upon_o other_o occasion_n they_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n and_o those_o who_o be_v ordain_v to_o the_o special_a ministry_n or_o table_n be_v original_o constitute_v that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o may_v not_o be_v divert_v from_o the_o ministry_n of_o deaconship_n of_o the_o word_n supra_fw-la and_o tychicus_n be_v call_v a_o faithful_a deacon_n as_o also_o timothy_n so_o likewise_o arthippus_n be_v command_v to_o take_v heed_n to_o his_o deaconship_n tho'_o it_o be_v not_o express_o determine_v what_o room_n he_o hold_v in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a hierarchy_n weather_n he_o be_v bishop_n presbyter_n or_o deacon_n nay_o such_o be_v the_o latitude_n of_o the_o word_n deacon_n in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n that_o it_o be_v apply_v promiscuous_o to_o all_o the_o three_o order_n of_o the_o christain_n hierarchy_n so_o that_o if_o we_o understand_v st._n clement_n according_a to_o the_o current_a extent_n of_o the_o word_n we_o may_v safe_o judge_v he_o to_o have_v mean_v by_o bishop_n the_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n and_o by_o deacon_n all_o subordinate_a minister_n of_o religion_n whether_o such_o as_o be_v promote_v the_o priesthood_n or_o the_o deacon_n who_o be_v confine_v to_o their_o attendance_n upon_o table_n what_o advantage_n then_o do_v monsieur_n blondel_n gain_v to_o his_o cause_n for_o though_o presbyter_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n be_v not_o perhaps_o the_o only_a person_n who_o may_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o word_n deacon_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v comprehend_v as_o well_o as_o other_o minister_n of_o a_o low_a rank_n let_v it_o be_v observe_v also_o that_o s._n clement_n speak_v not_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n such_o as_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o perfection_n after_o ward_n by_o the_o apostle_n but_o rather_o of_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n immediate_o after_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o tho'_o all_o the_o degree_n and_o subordination_n of_o the_o apostolical_a government_n be_v found_v upon_o divine_a right_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o in_o one_o moment_n establish_v in_o their_o true_a and_o everlasting_a figure_n but_o have_v their_o beginning_n as_o the_o jewish_a church_n go_v on_o from_o lessen_v step_n to_o