the_o rich_a and_o most_o noble_a gift_n and_o to_o diffuse_v the_o influence_n of_o his_o bounty_n over_o all_o part_n of_o his_o empire_n and_o his_o example_n herein_o it_o seem_v be_v follow_v by_o most_o of_o his_o successor_n who_o use_v upon_o this_o solemnity_n by_o their_o imperial_a order_n to_o release_v all_o prisoner_n unless_o such_o as_o be_v in_o for_o more_o heavy_a and_o notorious_a crime_n high_a treason_n murder_n rape_n incest_n and_o the_o like_a and_o chrysostom_n tell_v we_o of_o a_o letter_n of_o theodosius_n the_o great_a send_v at_o this_o time_n throughout_o the_o empire_n 1._o wherein_o he_o do_v not_o only_o command_v that_o all_o prisoner_n shall_v be_v release_v and_o pardon_v but_o wish_v he_o be_v able_a to_o recall_v those_o that_o be_v already_o execute_v and_o to_o restore_v they_o to_o life_n again_o and_o because_o by_o the_o negligence_n and_o remissness_n of_o messenger_n or_o any_o accident_n those_o imperial_a letter_n may_v sometime_o happen_v to_o come_v too_o late_o therefore_o valentinian_n the_o young_a provide_v by_o a_o stand_a law_n 8._o that_o whether_o order_n come_v or_o not_o the_o judge_n shall_v dispense_v the_o accustom_a indulgence_n and_o upon_o easter_n day_n in_o the_o morning_n cause_n all_o prison_n to_o be_v open_a the_o chain_n to_o be_v knock_v off_o and_o the_o person_n set_v at_o liberty_n the_o next_o feast_n considerable_a in_o those_o primitive_a time_n be_v that_o of_o whitsunday_n or_o pentecost_n a_o feast_n of_o great_a eminency_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o memory_n of_o the_o law_n deliver_v at_o mount_n sinai_n at_o that_o time_n and_o for_o the_o gather_n and_o bring_v in_o of_o their_o harvest_n and_o of_o no_o less_o note_n among_o christian_n for_o the_o holy_a ghost_n descend_v upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o christian_n in_o the_o visible_a appearance_n of_o fiery_a cleave_a tongue_n which_o happen_v upon_o that_o day_n and_o those_o miraculous_a power_n then_o confer_v upon_o they_o it_o be_v observe_v with_o the_o same_o respect_n to_o easter_n that_o the_o jew_n do_v with_o respect_n to_o their_o passover_n viz._n as_o the_o word_n import_v just_a fifty_o day_n after_o it_o reckon_v from_o the_o second_o day_n of_o that_o festival_n it_o seem_v to_o some_o to_o have_v commence_v from_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o christianity_n not_o only_o because_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o church_n be_v assemble_v upon_o that_o day_n but_o because_o s._n paul_n make_v so_o much_o haste_n to_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n which_o they_o understand_v of_o his_o great_a desire_n to_o keep_v it_o there_o as_o a_o christian_a feast_n 16._o but_o the_o argument_n seem_v to_o i_o no_o way_n conclusive_a for_o the_o apostle_n may_v desire_v to_o be_v there_o at_o that_o time_n both_o because_o he_o be_v sure_a to_o meet_v with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o brethren_n and_o because_o he_o shall_v have_v a_o fit_a opportunity_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o jew_n who_o from_o all_o part_n flock_v thither_o to_o the_o feast_n as_o our_o saviour_n himself_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n use_v to_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n at_o all_o their_o great_a and_o solemn_a feast_n but_o however_o this_o be_v it_o be_v certain_a the_o observation_n of_o it_o be_v ancient_a it_o be_v mention_v by_o irenaeus_n in_o a_o book_n which_o he_o write_v concern_v easter_n as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o question_n and_o response_n in_o j._n martyr_n tell_v we_o 115._o by_o tertullian_n and_o after_o he_o by_o origen_n more_o than_o once_o 94._o this_o feast_n be_v by_o we_o style_v whitsunday_n 392._o partly_o because_o of_o those_o vast_a diffusion_n of_o light_n and_o knowledge_n which_o upon_o this_o day_n be_v shed_v upon_o the_o apostle_n in_o order_n to_o the_o enlighten_v of_o the_o world_n but_o principal_o because_o this_o as_o also_o easter_n be_v the_o state_v time_n for_o baptism_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n those_o who_o be_v baptize_v put_v on_o white_a garment_n in_o token_n of_o that_o pure_a and_o innocent_a course_n of_o life_n they_o have_v now_o engage_v in_o of_o which_o more_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n this_o white_a garment_n they_o wear_v till_o the_o next_o sunday_n after_o and_o then_o lay_v it_o aside_o whence_o the_o octave_n or_o sunday_n after_o easter_n come_v to_o be_v style_v dominica_n in_o albis_n the_o sunday_n in_o white_a it_o be_v then_o that_o the_o new-baptized_n put_v off_o their_o white_a garment_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o in_o the_o writer_n of_o those_o time_n the_o whole_a space_n of_o fifty_o day_n between_o easter_n and_o whitsunday_n go_v often_o under_o the_o name_n of_o pentecost_n and_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n account_v festival_n max._n as_o tertullian_n inform_v we_o and_o the_o forty_o three_o canon_n of_o the_o illiberitan_n council_n seem_v to_o intimate_v during_o this_o whole_a time_n baptism_n be_v confer_v 223._o all_o fast_n be_v suspend_v and_o count_v unlawful_a they_o pray_v stand_v as_o they_o do_v every_o lord_n day_n and_o at_o this_o time_n read_v over_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n wherein_o their_o suffering_n and_o miracle_n be_v record_v as_o we_o learn_v from_o a_o law_n of_o the_o young_a theodosius_n 5_o wherein_o this_o custom_n be_v mention_v and_o more_o plain_o from_o s._n chrysostom_n 73._o who_o treat_v of_o it_o in_o a_o homily_n on_o purpose_n act._n where_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n why_o that_o book_n which_o contain_v those_o action_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v do_v after_o pentecost_n 5._o shall_v yet_o be_v read_v before_o it_o when_o as_o at_o all_o other_o time_n those_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v read_v which_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o season_n because_o the_o apostle_n miracle_n be_v the_o grand_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n and_o those_o miracle_n record_v in_o that_o book_n it_o be_v therefore_o most_o proper_a to_o be_v read_v next_o to_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o resurrection_n epiphany_n succeed_v this_o word_n be_v of_o old_a promiscuous_o use_v either_o for_o the_o feast_n of_o christ_n nativity_n or_o for_o that_o which_o we_o now_o proper_o call_v by_o that_o name_n afterward_o the_o title_n become_v distinct_a that_o of_o christ_n birth_n or_o as_o we_o now_o term_v it_o christmas-day_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o nativity_n 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o appearance_n of_o god_n in_o the_o flesh_n 613._o two_o name_n import_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o nazianzen_n note_v for_o the_o antiquity_n of_o it_o the_o first_o footstep_n i_o find_v of_o it_o be_v in_o the_o second_o century_n though_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o may_v be_v celebrate_v before_o mention_v by_o theophilus_n bishop_n of_o caesaria_n about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o emperor_n commodus_n but_o if_o any_o credit_n may_v be_v give_v to_o the_o decretal_a epistle_n vero_fw-la it_o be_v somewhat_o elder_a than_o that_o pope_n telesphorus_n who_o live_v under_o antoninus_n pius_fw-la ordain_v divine_a service_n to_o be_v celebrate_v and_o a_o angelical_a hymn_n to_o be_v sing_v the_o night_n before_o the_o nativity_n of_o our_o saviour_n however_o that_o it_o be_v keep_v before_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n we_o have_v this_o sad_a instance_n 6._o that_o when_o the_o persecution_n rage_v under_o dioclesian_n who_o then_o keep_v his_o court_n at_o nicomedia_n among_o other_o act_n of_o barbarous_a cruelty_n do_v there_o find_v multitude_n of_o christian_n young_a and_o old_a meet_v together_o in_o the_o temple_n upon_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n nativity_n to_o celebrate_v that_o festival_n he_o command_v the_o church_n door_n to_o be_v shut_v up_o and_o fire_n to_o be_v put_v to_o it_o which_o in_o a_o short_a time_n reduce_v they_o and_o the_o church_n to_o ash_n i_o shall_v not_o dispute_v whether_o it_o be_v always_o observe_v upon_o the_o same_o day_n that_o we_o keep_v it_o now_o the_o twenty_o five_o of_o december_n it_o seem_v probable_a that_o for_o a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o east_n it_o be_v keep_v in_o january_n under_o the_o name_n and_o at_o the_o general_a time_n of_o the_o epiphania_fw-la till_o receive_v more_o light_a in_o the_o case_n from_o the_o church_n of_o the_o west_n they_o change_v it_o to_o this_o day_n sure_o i_o be_o s._n chrysostom_n in_o a_o homily_n on_o purpose_n about_o this_o very_a thing_n affirm_v 31._o that_o it_o be_v not_o above_o ten_o year_n since_o in_o that_o church_n i._n e._n antioch_n it_o begin_v first_o to_o be_v observe_v upon_o that_o day_n 417._o and_o there_o offer_v several_a reason_n to_o prove_v that_o to_o be_v the_o true_a day_n of_o christ_n nativity_n the_o feast_n of_o epiphany_n proper_o so_o call_v be_v keep_v on_o the_o six_o of_o january_n and_o have_v that_o name_n from_o a_o
punctual_a account_n of_o what_o be_v do_v at_o their_o religious_a assembly_n as_o may_v sufficient_o appear_v from_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o the_o first_o of_o they_o in_o those_o place_n speak_v not_o any_o thing_n of_o their_o hymn_n and_o psalm_n which_o yet_o that_o they_o be_v even_o in_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v a_o constant_a part_n of_o the_o divine_a service_n no_o man_n that_o be_v not_o whole_o a_o stranger_n in_o church-antiquity_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o i_o shall_v therefore_o out_o of_o they_o and_o other_o pick_v up_o and_o put_v together_o what_o seem_v to_o have_v constitute_v the_o main_a body_n of_o their_o public_a duty_n and_o represent_v they_o in_o that_o order_n wherein_o they_o be_v perform_v which_o usual_o be_v in_o this_o manner_n at_o their_o first_o come_v together_o into_o the_o congregation_n they_o begin_v with_o prayer_n as_o tertullian_n at_o least_o probable_o intimate_v for_o i_o do_v not_o find_v it_o in_o any_o beside_o he_o we_o come_v together_o say_v he_o unto_o god_n 31._o that_o be_v band_v as_o it_o be_v into_o a_o army_n we_o may_v besiege_v he_o with_o our_o prayer_n and_o petition_n a_o violence_n which_o be_v very_o please_a and_o grateful_a to_o he_o i_o do_v not_o from_o hence_o positive_o conclude_v that_o prayer_n be_v the_o first_o duty_n they_o begin_v with_o though_o it_o seem_v fair_o to_o look_v that_o way_n especial_o if_o tertullian_n mean_v to_o represent_v the_o order_n as_o well_o as_o the_o substance_n of_o their_o devotion_n after_o this_o follow_v the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n both_o the_o commentary_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n 98._o as_o j._n martyr_n inform_v we_o how_o much_o of_o each_o be_v read_v at_o one_o meeting_n in_o the_o first_o time_n be_v not_o know_v it_o be_v then_o unfixed_a and_o arbitrary_a because_o their_o meeting_n by_o the_o sudden_a interruption_n of_o the_o heathen_n be_v oft_o disturb_v and_o break_v up_o and_o therefore_o both_o justin_n and_o tertullian_n confess_v that_o they_o only_o read_v as_o much_o as_o occasion_v serve_v and_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o present_a time_n do_v require_v but_o afterward_o there_o be_v set_v portion_n assign_v both_o out_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n 875._o two_o lesson_n out_o of_o each_o as_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o author_n of_o the_o apostolical_a constitution_n nay_o not_o only_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n but_o many_o of_o the_o write_n of_o apostolical_a man_n such_o as_o be_v eminent_a for_o place_n and_o piety_n be_v in_o those_o day_n public_o read_v in_o the_o church_n hist_o such_o be_v the_o famous_a epistle_n of_o s._n clemens_n to_o the_o corinthian_n 149_o of_o which_o and_o of_o the_o custom_n in_o like_a case_n dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n who_o live_v about_o the_o year_n 172._o give_v soter_n bishop_n of_o rome_n this_o account_n to_o day_n say_v he_o we_o keep_v holy_a the_o lordsday_n wherein_o we_o read_v your_o epistle_n which_o we_o shall_v constant_o read_v for_o our_o instruction_n as_o we_o also_o do_v the_o first_o epistle_n which_o clemens_n write_v to_o we_o 72._o the_o like_a eusebius_n report_v of_o hermas_n his_o pastor_n a_o book_n so_o call_v and_o s._n hierom_n of_o the_o write_n of_o s._n ephrem_n the_o famous_a deacon_n of_o edessa_n 300._o that_o in_o some_o church_n they_o be_v public_o read_v after_o the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n about_o this_o part_n of_o the_o service_n it_o be_v that_o they_o sing_v hymn_n and_o psalm_n a_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o divine_a worship_n as_o it_o have_v ever_o be_v account_v both_o among_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o more_o immediate_o serviceable_a for_o celebrate_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o lift_v up_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a rapture_n it_o be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o very_a infancy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n speak_v of_o large_o by_o s._n paul_n and_o continue_v in_o all_o age_n after_o insomuch_o that_o pliny_n report_v it_o as_o the_o main_a part_n of_o the_o christian_n worship_n 10._o that_o they_o meet_v together_o before_o day_n to_o join_v in_o sing_v hymn_n to_o christ_n as_o god_n 97._o these_o hymn_n be_v either_o extemporary_a rapture_n so_o long_o as_o immediate_a inspiration_n last_v or_o set_v composition_n either_o take_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o of_o their_o own_o compose_n 32._o as_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o 196_o for_o it_o be_v usual_a then_o for_o any_o person_n to_o compose_v divine_a song_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o sing_v they_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n till_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n order_v 59_o that_o no_o psalm_n compose_v by_o private_a person_n shall_v be_v recite_v in_o the_o church_n where_o though_o by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o two_o greek_a scholiast_n will_v have_v certain_a psalm_n ascribe_v to_o solomon_n and_o other_o to_o be_v understand_v yet_o it_o be_v much_o more_o reasonable_a to_o understand_v it_o of_o private_a constitution_n usual_a a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o church_n and_o here_o for_o good_a reason_n prohibit_v by_o this_o council_n it_o be_v likewise_o appoint_v 17._o that_o the_o psalm_n shall_v not_o be_v one_o entire_a continue_a service_n but_o that_o a_o lesson_n shall_v be_v interpose_v in_o the_o midst_n after_o every_o psalm_n which_o be_v do_v as_o balsamon_n and_o alexius_n aristenus_n tell_v we_o to_o take_v off_o the_o weariness_n of_o the_o people_n who_o mind_n may_v be_v apt_a to_o tire_v in_o pass_v through_o those_o prolix_a office_n all_o together_o especial_o the_o lesson_n be_v so_o large_a and_o many_o in_o this_o duty_n the_o whole_a congregation_n bear_v a_o part_n join_v all_o together_o in_o a_o common_a celebration_n of_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n afterward_o the_o custom_n be_v to_o sing_v alternatim_fw-la course_n by_o course_n answer_v one_o another_o 78._o first_o bring_v in_o as_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o flavianus_n and_o diodorus_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n 313._o but_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v socrates_n some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o that_o by_o ignatius_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o church_n who_o have_v in_o a_o vision_n hear_v the_o angel_n praise_v the_o holy_a trinity_n with_o alternate_a hymn_n thereupon_o introduce_v the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o that_o church_n which_o from_o thence_o spread_v itself_o into_o all_o other_o church_n and_o whether_o pliny_n who_o live_v about_o that_o time_n may_v not_o mean_v some_o such_o thing_n by_o his_o secum_fw-la inuicem_fw-la canere_fw-la that_o the_o christian_n sing_v hymn_n one_o with_o another_o or_o in_o their_o course_n may_v be_v consider_v by_o those_o who_o think_v it_o worth_a their_o labour_n to_o inquire_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o proceed_v the_o reader_n have_v do_v they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o justin_n the_o martyr_n the_o precedent_n of_o the_o assembly_n make_v a_o sermon_n by_o way_n of_o instruction_n and_o exhortation_n 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o imitation_n and_o practice_n of_o those_o excellent_a thing_n that_o they_o have_v hear_v and_o indeed_o sermon_n in_o those_o time_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o exposition_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o have_v be_v read_v before_o and_o exhortation_n to_o the_o people_n to_o obey_v the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o common_o be_v upon_o the_o lesson_n which_o be_v last_o read_v because_o that_o be_v fresh_a in_o the_o people_n memory_n be_v most_o proper_a to_o be_v treat_v of_o 1116._o as_o s._n augustine_n both_o aver_v the_o custom_n and_o give_v the_o reason_n hence_o in_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n preacher_n come_v to_o be_v call_v tractatores_fw-la and_o their_o sermon_n tractatus_fw-la because_o they_o handle_v or_o treat_v of_o such_o place_n of_o scripture_n as_o have_v be_v a_o little_a before_o read_v unto_o the_o people_n according_a as_o occasion_n be_v these_o sermon_n be_v more_o or_o few_o sometime_o two_o or_o three_o at_o the_o same_o assembly_n the_o presbyter_n first_fw-mi and_o then_o the_o bishop_n as_o be_v express_o affirm_v in_o the_o apostolical_a constitution_n 876._o than_o i.e._n after_o the_o read_n of_o the_o gospel_n let_v the_o presbyter_n exhort_v the_o people_n one_o by_o one_o not_o all_o at_o once_o and_o after_o all_o the_o bishop_n as_o it_o be_v fit_v for_o the_o master_n to_o do_v and_o thus_o gregory_n nyssen_n excuse_v himself_o for_o not_o introduce_v his_o sermon_n with_o a_o tedious_a preface_n 872._o because_o he_o will_v not_o be_v burdensome_a to_o the_o people_n who_o have_v already_o take_v pain_n to_o hear_v those_o admirable_a discourse_n that_o have_v be_v make_v before_o he_o this_o course_n
of_o the_o expiation_n of_o his_o crime_n embrace_v christianity_n be_v tell_v 534._o that_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v a_o promise_n of_o cleanse_v from_o all_o fin_n and_o that_o as_o soon_o as_o ever_o any_o close_v with_o it_o pardon_n will_v be_v grant_v to_o the_o most_o profligate_v offender_n as_o if_o christianity_n have_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o receptacle_n and_o sanctuary_n for_o rogue_n and_o villain_n where_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n may_v be_v wicked_a under_o hope_n of_o pardon_n but_o how_o false_a and_o groundless_a especial_o as_o urge_v and_o intend_v by_o they_o this_o impious_a charge_n be_v appear_v from_o the_o whole_a design_n and_o tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o more_o than_o ordinary_a vein_n of_o piety_n and_o strictness_n that_o be_v conspicuous_a in_o the_o life_n of_o its_o first_o professor_n whereof_o we_o have_v in_o this_o treatise_n give_v abundant_a evidence_n to_o this_o representation_n of_o their_o life_n and_o manner_n i_o have_v add_v some_o account_n concern_v the_o ancient_a rite_n and_o usage_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v meet_v with_o something_o that_o do_v not_o jump_v with_o his_o own_o humour_n he_o will_v i_o doubt_v not_o have_v more_o discretion_n than_o to_o quarrel_v with_o i_o for_o set_v down_o thing_n as_o i_o find_v they_o but_o in_o this_o part_n i_o have_v say_v the_o less_o partly_o because_o this_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n i_o primary_o design_v partly_o because_o it_o have_v be_v do_v by_o other_o in_o just_a discourse_n in_o some_o few_o instance_n i_o have_v remark_v the_o corruption_n and_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o the_o purity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o more_o i_o can_v easy_o have_v add_v but_o that_o i_o studious_o avoid_v controversy_n it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o my_o design_n to_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o father_n in_o disputable_a case_n especial_o the_o more_o abstruse_a and_o intricate_a speculation_n of_o theology_n but_o what_o be_v their_o practice_n and_o by_o what_o rule_n and_o measure_n they_o do_v govern_v and_o conduct_v their_o life_n the_o truth_n be_v their_o creed_n in_o the_o first_o age_n be_v short_a and_o simple_a op_n their_o faith_n lie_v then_o as_o erasmus_n observe_v not_o so_o much_o in_o nice_a and_o numerous_a article_n as_o in_o a_o good_a and_o a_o holy_a life_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o book_n i_o have_v add_v a_o chronological_a index_n of_o the_o author_n according_a to_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v live_v with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o edition_n of_o their_o work_n make_v use_v of_o in_o this_o treatise_n which_o i_o do_v not_o that_o i_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o tell_v the_o world_n either_o what_o or_o how_o many_o book_n i_o have_v a_o piece_n of_o vanity_n of_o which_o have_v i_o be_v guilty_a it_o have_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o have_v furnish_v out_o a_o much_o large_a catalogue_n but_o i_o do_v it_o partly_o to_o gratify_v the_o request_n of_o the_o bookseller_n partly_o because_o i_o conceive_v it_o may_v not_o be_v altogether_o unuseful_a to_o the_o reader_n the_o index_n to_o give_v some_o light_n to_o the_o quotation_n by_o know_v when_o the_o author_n live_v especial_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o thing_n do_v in_o or_o near_o his_o own_o time_n and_o which_o must_v otherwise_o have_v be_v do_v at_o every_o turn_n in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o book_n and_o because_o there_o be_v some_o write_n frequent_o make_v use_v of_o in_o this_o book_n the_o author_n whereof_o in_o this_o index_n can_v be_v reduce_v to_o no_o certain_a date_n especial_o those_o call_v the_o apostolical_a canon_n and_o constitution_n it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o here_o brief_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o and_o first_o for_o the_o canon_n as_o i_o be_o far_o from_o their_o opinion_n who_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o apostle_n so_o i_o think_v their_o great_a antagonist_n mr._n daillé_n bend_v the_o stick_n as_o much_o too_o far_o the_o other_o way_n not_o allow_v they_o a_o be_v in_o the_o world_n till_o the_o year_n 500_o or_o a_o little_a before_o the_o truth_n doubtless_o lie_v between_o these_o two_o it_o be_v evident_a both_o from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n and_o many_o passage_n in_o tertullian_n cyprian_n and_o other_o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o most_o early_a age_n of_o christianity_n frequent_a synod_n and_o council_n for_o settle_v the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n though_o their_o determination_n under_o that_o notion_n be_v not_o extant_a at_o this_o day_n part_v of_o these_o synodical_a decree_n so_o many_o of_o they_o as_o concern_v the_o rite_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n we_o may_v conceive_v some_o person_n of_o learning_n and_o judgement_n gather_v together_o probable_o about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o three_o century_n and_o put_v they_o especial_o the_o first_o fifty_o for_o i_o look_v not_o upon_o the_o whole_a eighty_o five_o as_o of_o equal_a value_n and_o authority_n if_o not_o into_o the_o same_o into_o some_o such_o form_n and_o method_n wherein_o we_o now_o have_v they_o still_v they_o ecclesiastical_a or_o apostolical_a canon_n not_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v compose_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o either_o because_o contain_v thing_n consonant_a to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o rule_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o because_o make_v up_o of_o usage_n and_o tradition_n suppose_v to_o be_v derive_v from_o they_o or_o last_o because_o make_v by_o ancient_a and_o apostolic_a man_n that_o many_o if_o not_o all_o of_o these_o canon_n be_v some_o considerable_a time_n extant_a before_o the_o first_o nicene_n council_n we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v from_o two_o or_o three_o passage_n among_o many_o other_o 3._o s._n basil_n give_v rule_n about_o discipline_n appoint_v a_o deacon_n guilty_a of_o fornication_n to_o be_v depose_v and_o thrust_v down_o into_o the_o rank_n of_o laic_n and_o that_o in_o that_o capacity_n he_o may_v receive_v the_o communion_n there_o be_v say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o ancient_a canon_n that_o they_o that_o be_v depose_v shall_v only_o fall_v under_o this_o kind_n of_o punishment_n the_o ancient_n as_o i_o suppose_v follow_v herein_o that_o command_n thou_o shall_v not_o punish_v twice_o for_o the_o same_o fault_n this_o balsamon_n join_v with_o the_o twenty_o five_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o treat_v of_o the_o very_a same_o affair_n and_o indeed_o it_o can_v in_o probability_n be_v mean_v of_o any_o other_o partly_o because_o there_o be_v no_o ancient_a canon_n that_o we_o know_v of_o in_o s._n basils_n time_n about_o this_o business_n but_o that_o partly_o because_o the_o same_o sentence_n be_v apply_v as_o the_o reason_n both_o in_o the_o apostolical_a and_o s._n basils_n canon_n thou_o shall_v not_o punish_v twice_o for_o the_o same_o fault_n which_o clear_o show_v whence_o basil_n have_v it_o and_o what_o he_o understand_v by_o his_o ancient_a canon_n 5._o theodoret_n record_v a_o letter_n of_o alexander_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n to_o another_o of_o the_o same_o name_n bishop_n of_o constantinople_n this_o letter_n be_v write_v a_o little_a before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a where_o speak_v of_o some_o bishop_n who_o have_v receive_v the_o arian_n who_o he_o have_v excommunicate_v into_o communion_n he_o tell_v he_o that_o herein_o they_o have_v do_v what_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n do_v not_o allow_v evident_o refer_v to_o the_o twelve_o and_o thirteen_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o state_n the_o case_n about_o one_o bishop_n receive_v those_o into_o communion_n who_o have_v be_v excommunicate_v by_o another_o 518._o to_o this_o let_v i_o add_v that_o constantine_n in_o a_o letter_n to_o eusebius_n commend_v he_o for_o refuse_v to_o leave_v his_o own_o bishopric_n to_o go_v over_o to_o that_o of_o antioch_n to_o which_o he_o be_v choose_v especial_o because_o herein_o he_o have_v exact_o observe_v the_o rule_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n and_o have_v keep_v the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o the_o apostolical_a and_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n mean_v doubtless_o the_o fourteen_o apostolic_a canon_n which_o treat_v about_o such_o remove_n nay_o learned_a man_n both_o former_o and_o of_o late_o have_v observe_v divers_a passage_n in_o the_o nicene_n canon_n themselves_o which_o plain_o respect_v these_o canon_n as_o may_v be_v make_v appear_v notwithstanding_o what_o daillé_n have_v except_v against_o it_o be_v this_o a_o proper_a place_n to_o discourse_v of_o it_o this_o for_o the_o canon_n for_o the_o constitution_n they_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v compose_v by_o s._n clemens_n at_o the_o instance_n and_o by_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o this_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a