christian_a religion_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v of_o any_o authority_n in_o any_o commonwealth_n otherwise_o than_o as_o it_o be_v own_v and_o ratify_v by_o the_o supreme_a secular_a power_n so_o that_o if_o cromwell_n or_o any_o other_o sovereign_a prince_n be_v please_v to_o command_v his_o subject_n only_o to_o renounce_v their_o saviour_n and_o their_o christian_a faith_n and_o declare_v themselves_o jew_n or_o mahometan_n in_o that_o case_n they_o be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o obedience_n in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o christian_a or_o any_o other_o law_n to_o have_v any_o bind_a force_n than_o what_o it_o receive_v from_o the_o arbitrary_a power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o agreeable_a to_o that_o general_n proposition_n the_o philosopher_n be_v please_v to_o inform_v we_o 14_o that_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o any_o religion_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n that_o the_o 26._o subject_n of_o every_o commonwealth_n ought_v to_o receive_v every_o thing_n as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o the_o civil-law_n declare_v to_o be_v so_o that_o by_o the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o 35._o sovereign_a command_n to_o be_v teach_v we_o be_v to_o examine_v and_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o doctrine_n which_o pretend_v prophet_n with_o miracle_n or_o without_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n pretend_v to_o advance_v that_o 42._o moses_n make_v the_o scripture_n canonical_a as_o civil_a sovereign_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n that_o our_o saviour_n give_v his_o apostle_n power_n to_o preach_v and_o baptise_v in_o all_o part_n 311._o of_o the_o world_n suppose_v they_o be_v not_o by_o their_o own_o lawful_a sovereign_n forbid_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v not_o ibid._n the_o force_n of_o law_n till_o it_o receive_v it_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v original_o in_o himself_o and_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o sovereign_a ibid._n supremacy_n a_o power_n of_o ordain_v priest_n and_o administer_a sacrament_n that_o christian_a king_n be_v the_o only_a pastor_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o 43._o the_o faith_n of_o all_o their_o subject_n depend_v only_o upon_o their_o authority_n and_o he_o be_v so_o entire_o possess_v with_o this_o notion_n of_o kingly_a power_n that_o he_o allow_v no_o other_o authority_n to_o god_n himself_o and_o thus_o when_o he_o appoint_v the_o punishment_n of_o death_n to_o false_a prophet_n because_o they_o tempt_v the_o people_n to_o revolt_v from_o the_o lord_n their_o god_n these_o word_n he_o tell_v we_o to_o revolt_v from_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n 32._o be_v equivalent_a to_o revolt_v from_o your_o king_n for_o they_o have_v make_v god_n their_o king_n by_o pact_n at_o the_o foot_n of_o mount_n sinai_n so_o that_o have_v they_o not_o oblige_v themselves_o by_o that_o covenant_n it_o have_v be_v no_o sin_n to_o worship_v other_o god_n i._n e._n it_o be_v all_o one_o in_o itself_o to_o worship_v the_o true_a and_o to_o worship_n false_a god_n which_o be_v plain_o to_o say_v there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o and_o as_o for_o the_o worship_n they_o pay_v to_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n it_o be_v not_o due_a to_o he_o as_o sovereign_n of_o the_o universe_n but_o only_o as_o their_o king_n by_o pact_n and_o so_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o every_o subject_a owe_v to_o his_o sovereign_n and_o 35._o therefore_o he_o in_o express_a term_n define_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n to_o be_v a_o civil_a kingdom_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n he_o expound_v the_o three_o commandment_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o take_v the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o vain_a that_o 42._o be_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o speak_v rash_o of_o their_o king_n nor_o dispute_v his_o right_n nor_o the_o commission_n of_o moses_n and_o aaron_n his_o lieutenant_n and_o this_o be_v the_o end_n of_o our_o saviour_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o ibid._n restore_v unto_o god_n by_o a_o new_a covenant_n the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v his_o by_o the_o old_a covenant_n have_v be_v cut_v off_o by_o the_o rebellion_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o election_n of_o saul_n and_o the_o same_o account_n he_o give_v of_o christianity_n itself_o that_o it_o be_v only_o receive_v our_o saviour_n for_o king_n so_o that_o when_o st._n paul_n say_v to_o the_o galatian_n that_o if_o himself_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o 3â—_n heaven_n preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n to_o they_o than_o he_o have_v preach_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v that_o gospel_n be_v that_o christ_n be_v king_n so_o that_o all_o preach_v against_o the_o power_n of_o the_o king_n receive_v in_o consequence_n to_o these_o word_n be_v by_o st._n paul_n accurse_v for_o his_o speech_n be_v address_v to_o those_o who_o by_o his_o preach_v have_v already_o receive_v jesus_n for_o the_o christ_n that_o be_v to_o say_v for_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v we_o owe_v no_o other_o duty_n to_o our_o saviour_n than_o if_o he_o have_v be_v only_o a_o temporal_a messiah_n see_v all_o that_o be_v due_a to_o he_o be_v only_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o covenant_n whereby_o we_o receive_v he_o for_o our_o king_n neither_o be_v this_o kingdom_n 42._o of_o his_o present_n but_o be_v to_o be_v establish_v upon_o the_o earth_n after_o the_o general_a resurrection_n and_o therefore_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o pact_n that_o the_o faithful_a make_v with_o he_o in_o baptism_n they_o be_v only_o oblige_v to_o obey_v he_o for_o king_n whensoever_o he_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o take_v the_o kingdom_n upon_o he_o now_o bare_o to_o represent_v this_o train_n of_o absurdity_n be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o confute_v they_o in_o that_o they_o all_o resolve_v into_o this_o one_o gross_a contradiction_n that_o for_o the_o end_n of_o government_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o obey_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o for_o the_o same_o end_n of_o government_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v that_o we_o owe_v no_o other_o obedience_n to_o it_o than_o as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o law_n of_o man_n but_o though_o such_o manifest_a trifle_n deserve_v not_o the_o civility_n of_o be_v confute_v yet_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o let_v mr._n hobbs_n his_o credulous_a disciple_n and_o in_o all_o my_o conversation_n i_o never_o meet_v with_o a_o more_o ignorant_a or_o confident_a credulity_n understand_v after_o what_o a_o childish_a rate_n their_o mighty_a master_n of_o demonstration_n prove_v these_o and_o indeed_o every_o thing_n else_o for_o he_o have_v but_o one_o way_n of_o prove_v all_o thing_n first_o to_o define_v his_o own_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a and_o then_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o definition_n prove_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o for_o a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o this_o we_o will_v take_v a_o review_n of_o all_o the_o forementioned_a proposition_n where_o we_o shall_v find_v all_o his_o mathematical_a demonstration_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o so_o many_o positive_a and_o dogmatical_a tautology_n thus_o when_o he_o prove_v there_o can_v be_v no_o first_o mover_n because_o he_o have_v already_o define_v that_o nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o from_o whence_o it_o demonstrative_o follow_v that_o all_o motion_n must_v be_v eternal_a for_o otherwise_o if_o we_o assert_v a_o eternal_a first_o cause_n we_o run_v upon_o that_o desperate_a absurdity_n that_o something_o may_v move_v itself_o he_o have_v argue_v full_a as_o mathematical_o that_o nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o because_o i_o say_v nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o so_o again_o when_o he_o prove_v that_o god_n be_v neither_o the_o universe_n nor_o a_o part_n of_o it_o nor_o something_o beside_o he_o have_v argue_v as_o well_o have_v he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o be_v distinct_a from_o the_o fabric_n of_o the_o world_n because_o there_o be_v none_o so_o again_o those_o book_n only_o can_v be_v law_n in_o every_o nation_n that_o be_v establish_v for_o such_o by_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n because_o a_o law_n as_o i_o have_v already_o define_v it_o be_v nothing_o else_o than_o the_o command_n of_o that_o man_n or_o company_n of_o man_n that_o have_v the_o supreme_a power_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n from_o whence_o say_v he_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o law_n but_o what_o be_v enact_v by_o the_o sovereign_a power_n and_o so_o it_o will_v have_v follow_v as_o unavoidable_o if_o he_o have_v only_o say_v that_o the_o sovereign_n only_o can_v make_v law_n because_o the_o sovereign_n only_o can_v make_v law_n and_o yet_o upon_o this_o one_o mighty_a demonstration_n be_v build_v all_o the_o other_o bold_a assertion_n that_o i_o have_v collect_v out_o of_o his_o book_n that_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n be_v sovereign_a prophet_n too_o that_o he_o be_v sole_a pastor_n to_o the_o people_n of_o his_o
arise_v from_o mere_a consent_n or_o voluntary_a confederacy_n for_o beside_o as_o i_o have_v show_v that_o all_o such_o confederacy_n be_v upon_o his_o principle_n downright_a rebellion_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o if_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v officer_n over_o his_o church_n and_o vest_v they_o with_o a_o power_n of_o government_n that_o then_o he_o have_v bring_v all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o submit_v to_o their_o authority_n antecedent_n to_o their_o own_o consent_n but_o though_o we_o have_v no_o such_o clear_a evidence_n of_o this_o divine_a institution_n yet_o i_o be_o sure_a we_o have_v not_o the_o least_o footstep_n in_o antiquity_n of_o this_o confederate_a discipline_n he_o tell_v we_o indeed_o of_o compact_n and_o covenant_n that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v say_v to_o have_v make_v among_o themselves_o but_o he_o can_v have_v tell_v we_o too_o that_o these_o compact_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n at_o which_o they_o be_v wont_a as_o all_o devout_a man_n do_v to_o renew_v their_o vow_n and_o resolution_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o this_o confederacy_n we_o all_o know_v be_v found_v upon_o a_o divine_a institution_n and_o not_o only_o this_o but_o all_o other_o assembly_n for_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n to_o which_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v by_o a_o obligation_n high_o than_o mere_o their_o own_o consent_n and_o such_o a_o confederation_n we_o grant_v the_o church_n still_o to_o be_v a_o company_n of_o man_n covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o worship_n god_n according_a to_o the_o ordinance_n and_o obey_v he_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o then_o they_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n both_o to_o take_v this_o covenant_n and_o to_o keep_v it_o and_o this_o be_v all_o the_o confederacy_n i_o know_v of_o unless_o we_o must_v believe_v celsus_n his_o calumny_n for_o he_o too_o be_v quote_v upon_o this_o occasion_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n so_o that_o whereas_o our_o author_n every_o where_o compare_v the_o confederate_a discipline_n of_o the_o christian_n with_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o dispersion_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o other_o engagement_n beside_o their_o own_o mutual_a consent_n whereas_o the_o christian_n be_v particular_o oblige_v to_o enter_v into_o their_o confederacy_n by_o god_n himself_o and_o this_o difference_n be_v so_o manifest_a that_o i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o and_o now_o have_v thus_o firm_o establish_v the_o church_n power_n upon_o divine_a right_n that_o supersede_v all_o far_a enquiry_n into_o the_o practice_n of_o after-age_n for_o in_o matter_n that_o be_v determine_v by_o law_n all_o precedent_n be_v either_o nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n or_o to_o no_o purpose_n if_o they_o be_v against_o the_o command_n they_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n be_v only_o so_o many_o violation_n of_o the_o law_n if_o they_o be_v for_o it_o they_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n because_o they_o derive_v all_o their_o goodness_n and_o authority_n from_o the_o law_n itself_o and_o therefore_o can_v give_v it_o none_o thus_o if_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n the_o contrary_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o prince_n in_o christendom_n be_v of_o no_o weight_n against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n can_v never_o establish_v a_o divine_a command_n so_o that_o the_o controversy_n concern_v matter_n of_o fact_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n to_o our_o own_o time_n the_o matter_n of_o law_n be_v already_o clear_v from_o our_o saviour_n time_n carry_v in_o it_o more_o of_o ostentation_n than_o usefulness_n but_o because_o our_o author_n have_v be_v please_v to_o prosecute_v it_o so_o large_o and_o with_o so_o much_o learning_n and_o confidence_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o follow_v he_o especial_o when_o it_o be_v so_o notorious_a even_o from_o his_o own_o relation_n that_o the_o whole_a practice_n of_o christendom_n unless_o perhaps_o in_o some_o enormity_n of_o the_o worst_a and_o most_o barbarous_a time_n run_v direct_o cross_v to_o his_o design_n first_o then_o he_o present_v we_o with_o many_o instance_n out_o of_o the_o imperial_a law_n whereby_o the_o emperor_n exercise_v this_o authority_n themselves_o but_o to_o all_o this_o himself_o immediate_o give_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n without_o make_v any_o reply_n viz._n that_o such_o excommunication_n be_v mere_o declaratory_a whereby_o they_o only_o declare_v their_o detestation_n of_o such_o person_n or_o doctrine_n or_o rather_o declare_v their_o assent_n to_o the_o sentence_n already_o denounce_v by_o the_o church_n for_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o ever_o make_v any_o new_a ecclesiastical_a law_n of_o their_o own_o but_o only_o adopt_v the_o canon_n of_o council_n into_o the_o law_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o add_v to_o the_o anathema_n of_o the_o church_n what_o civil_a penalty_n they_o deem_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o offence_n the_o theodosian_a code_n be_v a_o excellent_a collection_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o sixteen_o emperor_n ab_fw-la anno_fw-la dom._n 312._o or_o the_o first_o year_n of_o constantine_n conversion_n ad_fw-la annum_fw-la 438._o when_o it_o be_v compile_v by_o the_o command_n of_o theodosius_n junior_a in_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o challenge_v any_o man_n to_o assign_v one_o law_n relate_v to_o religion_n that_o be_v not_o antecedent_o determine_v by_o some_o council_n almost_o all_o the_o law_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o 16_o book_n under_o their_o several_a title_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la de_fw-la haereticis_fw-la de_fw-la apostatis_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o all_o which_o whoever_o will_v be_v please_v to_o peruse_v they_o he_o will_v find_v that_o the_o several_a emperor_n enact_v nothing_o but_o mere_o in_o pursuance_n of_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n add_v for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o excommunication_n in_o the_o church_n the_o punishment_n of_o outlawry_n in_o the_o state_n thus_o for_o example_n theodosius_n the_o great_a in_o that_o famous_a ecclesiastical_a edict_n publish_v by_o he_o in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o the_o first_o of_o his_o baptism_n and_o therefore_o style_v by_o the_o interpreter_n of_o the_o justinian_n code_n filiam_fw-la primogenitam_fw-la only_a establish_v the_o nicene_n faith_n ut_fw-la secundum_fw-la apostolicam_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la evangelicamque_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la patris_fw-la &_o filii_fw-la &_o spiritus_fw-la sancti_fw-la unam_fw-la deitatem_fw-la sub_fw-la parili_fw-la majestate_fw-la &_o sub_fw-la piâ_fw-la trinitate_fw-la credamus_fw-la and_o when_o the_o year_n after_o he_o publish_v another_o edict_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o vouch_v his_o law_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n as_o may_v be_v see_v tit._n 5._o de_fw-la haereticis_fw-la leg._n 6._o so_o that_o his_o design_n be_v not_o to_o make_v any_o new_a law_n but_o only_o to_o abet_v a_o ancient_a law_n of_o the_o church_n with_o a_o civil_a penalty_n as_o he_o conclude_v his_o edict_n that_o offender_n against_o it_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o divine_a veneance_n denounce_v by_o the_o council_n but_o shall_v also_o be_v punish_v at_o the_o emperor_n pleasure_n for_o that_o i_o suppose_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o motûs_fw-la nostri_fw-la ultione_fw-la plectendos_fw-la but_o the_o most_o express_a ratification_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n be_v that_o edict_n of_o theodosius_n the_o young_a to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o eastern_a illyricum_n 45._o anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 421._o omni_fw-la innovatione_fw-la cessante_fw-la vetustatem_fw-la &_o canon_n pristinos_fw-la ecclesiasticos_fw-la qui_fw-la nunc_fw-la usque_fw-la tenuerunt_fw-la per_fw-la omnes_fw-la illyrici_fw-la provincias_fw-la seruari_fw-la praecipimus_fw-la tum_o si_fw-la quid_fw-la dubietatis_fw-la emerserit_fw-la id_fw-la oporteat_fw-la non_fw-la absque_fw-la scientiâ_fw-la viri_fw-la reverendissimi_fw-la sacrosanctae_fw-la legis_fw-la antistitis_fw-la vrbis_fw-la constantinopolitanae_n quae_fw-la romae_fw-la veteris_fw-la praerogatiuâ_fw-la laetatur_fw-la conventui_fw-la sacerdotali_fw-la sanctoque_fw-la judicio_fw-la reservari_fw-la it_o be_v not_o material_a whether_o this_o law_n refer_v to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o general_a council_n or_o to_o the_o particular_a canon_n of_o that_o province_n which_o be_v a_o dispute_n among_o learned_a man_n for_o be_v it_o this_o or_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o emperor_n design_v to_o follow_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o refer_v ecclesiastical_a controversy_n to_o its_o own_o judgement_n and_o determination_n have_v intimate_v this_o account_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n i_o need_v add_v nothing_o of_o the_o justinian_n because_o it_o only_o repeat_v all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o former_a that_o be_v not_o obsolete_a as_o may_v be_v see_v not_o only_o by_o compare_v the_o book_n themselves_o but_o
a_o incomparable_a treasure_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o omit_v daille_n belove_a negative_a and_o internal_a argument_n which_o his_o adversary_n have_v for_o ever_o rout_v with_o a_o prodigious_a force_n of_o reason_n and_o dexterity_n of_o learning_n i_o shall_v only_o give_v a_o account_n in_o short_a of_o the_o main_a rational_a point_n of_o the_o controversy_n that_o be_v what_o ancient_a testimony_n be_v to_o be_v allege_v either_o for_o or_o against_o their_o antiquity_n on_o the_o one_o side_n they_o be_v frequent_o own_v and_o quote_v by_o all_o the_o first_o general_a council_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v be_v enact_v in_o the_o interval_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a they_o be_v cite_v by_o many_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n as_o canon_n of_o the_o first_o and_o most_o early_a antiquity_n and_o they_o be_v express_o refer_v to_o by_o the_o most_o famous_a emperor_n in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a law_n all_o which_o concurrent_a testimony_n any_o moderate_a man_n will_v think_v sufficient_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o any_o write_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v all_o overrule_v by_o a_o single_a decree_n of_o pope_n gelasius_n suppose_v to_o be_v make_v anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 494._o in_o which_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v reckon_v among_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o first_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o set_v up_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o man_n against_o many_o that_o be_v more_o ancient_a and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o competent_a witness_n than_o himself_o second_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o any_o such_o decree_n as_o be_v pretend_v be_v ever_o make_v by_o gelasius_n in_o that_o we_o never_o hear_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o till_o at_o least_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o his_o time_n three_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o decree_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o passage_n concern_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v foist_v into_o it_o it_o not_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a copy_n and_o hincmarus_n a_o person_n of_o singular_a learning_n in_o his_o time_n that_o make_v mention_n of_o this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n as_o early_o as_o any_o writer_n whatsoever_o express_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n in_o the_o whole_a decree_n de_fw-fr his_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la canonibus_fw-la penitus_fw-la taâ—uit_fw-la sed_fw-la nec_fw-la inter_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la eos_fw-la misit_fw-la where_o he_o express_o affirm_v that_o in_o the_o decree_n these_o canon_n be_v altogether_o omit_v and_o range_v neither_o with_o the_o orthodox_n nor_o with_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n this_o testimony_n be_v give_v in_o with_o as_o peremptory_a term_n as_o can_v be_v express_v and_o therefore_o daillé_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o to_o serve_v his_o cause_n quite_o invert_v the_o proposition_n and_o change_v misit_fw-la into_o omisit_fw-la that_o be_v turn_v i_o into_o no._n but_o man_n that_o can_v deal_v thus_o with_o their_o author_n need_v never_o trouble_v their_o head_n with_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o after_o this_o rate_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o make_v any_o author_n affirm_v or_o deny_v what_o they_o please_v but_o four_a suppose_v gelasius_n have_v make_v any_o such_o decree_n how_o do_v that_o destroy_v the_o antiquity_n of_o these_o canon_n when_o he_o have_v condemn_v the_o book_n of_o tertullian_n arnobius_n lactantius_n and_o eusebius_n for_o apocryphal_a and_o yet_o tertullian_n live_v three_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o decree_n and_o therefore_o why_o may_v not_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v allow_v their_o repute_a antiquity_n too_o notwithstanding_o that_o sentence_n which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o authority_n his_o holiness_n be_v please_v to_o allow_v they_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o not_o at_o all_o to_o their_o antiquity_n unless_o perhaps_o he_o design_v to_o declare_v that_o they_o be_v not_o frame_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o as_o he_o may_v fancy_v from_o their_o title_n not_o know_v that_o whatever_o be_v of_o prime_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v by_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o it_o style_v apostolical_a as_o be_v suppose_v to_o descend_v from_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o five_o will_n mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la allow_v this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n sufficient_a to_o give_v any_o book_n the_o apocryphal_a stamp_n if_o he_o will_v than_o he_o must_v reject_v many_o of_o the_o best_a father_n and_o in_o their_o stead_n admit_v the_o act_n of_o st._n sylvester_n the_o invention_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o st._n john_n baptist_n head_n for_o whilst_o the_o history_n of_o eusebius_n together_o with_o the_o other_o father_n be_v reject_v such_o fable_n as_o these_o be_v warrant_v by_o that_o barbarous_a and_o gothish_a decree_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o to_o destroy_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o man_n censure_n his_o mere_a want_n of_o judgement_n now_o compare_v this_o one_o pretend_a testimony_n of_o gelasius_n under_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v with_o the_o express_a counter-testimony_n of_o so_o many_o council_n father_n and_o emperor_n if_o any_o man_n be_v resolve_v notwithstanding_o all_o to_o stick_v to_o it_o i_o will_v say_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o his_o cause_n be_v much_o more_o beholden_a to_o he_o than_o he_o to_o his_o cause_n and_o now_o have_v give_v this_o account_n of_o these_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n if_o we_o descend_v to_o their_o successor_n from_o age_n to_o age_n we_o be_v there_o overwhelm_v with_o the_o crowd_n of_o witness_n but_o because_o they_o have_v be_v so_o often_o allege_v and_o urge_v by_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v have_v whole_o wave_v their_o citation_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n make_v use_v of_o several_a shift_n and_o artifices_fw-la to_o evade_v their_o authority_n and_o therefore_o though_o i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o their_o direct_a testimony_n yet_o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o all_o their_o exception_n and_o here_o the_o first_o pretence_n be_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o their_o testimony_n which_o be_v endeavour_v to_o be_v make_v out_o by_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o that_o personal_a succession_n may_v be_v without_o such_o superiority_n of_o order_n second_o that_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v common_a after_o the_o distinction_n between_o they_o be_v introduce_v three_o that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o own_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o divine_a institution_n but_o ecclesiastical_a and_o those_o who_o seem_v to_o speak_v most_o of_o it_o do_v mean_v no_o more_o first_o then_o a_o succession_n there_o may_v be_v as_o to_o a_o different_a degree_n and_o not_o as_o to_o a_o different_a order_n before_o we_o distinguish_v between_o order_n and_o power_n now_o between_o order_n and_o degree_n and_o by_o and_o by_o between_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o these_o distinction_n be_v only_o the_o trifling_n of_o the_o schoolman_n who_o proper_a faculty_n it_o be_v to_o divide_v every_o thing_n till_o they_o have_v reduce_v it_o to_o nothing_o for_o what_o do_v the_o degree_n of_o a_o church-officer_n signify_v but_o such_o a_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o what_o order_n be_v there_o without_o a_o power_n of_o office_n according_a to_o its_o degree_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a prevaricate_a with_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n to_o impose_v these_o little_a subtlety_n upon_o the_o sense_n of_o antiquity_n they_o good_a man_n mean_v plain_o and_o honest_o and_o when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o apostolical_a succession_n they_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o these_o scholastic_a distinction_n and_o intend_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o succession_n in_o the_o government_n of_o their_o several_a church_n thus_o when_o irenaeus_n give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o twelve_o bishop_n of_o rome_n successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o see_v what_o do_v he_o mean_v but_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o that_o church_n when_o that_o be_v the_o only_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n in_o his_o time_n he_o never_o dream_v of_o their_o be_v strip_v of_o the_o apostolical_a power_n and_o so_o only_o succeed_v they_o in_o a_o empty_a title_n in_o the_o mere_a name_n or_o the_o metaphysical_a notion_n of_o bishop_n and_o they_o be_v no_o more_o if_o they_o have_v no_o more_o power_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o second_o this_o new_a distinction_n spoil_v the_o former_a evasion_n viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v superior_a in_o order_n not_o in_o power_n over_o the_o lxx_o but_o now_o a_o
kingdom_n that_o he_o have_v the_o only_a power_n of_o ordain_v priest_n and_o interpret_n scripture_n that_o moses_n and_o constantine_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o kingly_a power_n make_v the_o scripture_n canonical_a and_o all_o the_o rest_n which_o be_v no_o more_o than_o to_o say_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o law_n beside_o the_o law_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o pursue_v they_o single_o only_o i_o can_v but_o observe_v that_o when_o he_o make_v teach_v any_o doctrine_n against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n to_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n of_o a_o false_a prophet_n he_o have_v obtain_v his_o design_n of_o insinuate_a that_o both_o moses_n and_o our_o saviour_n be_v manifest_a impostor_n in_o that_o they_o both_o proceed_v contrary_a to_o the_o command_v of_o the_o present_a power_n and_o that_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o mr._n hobbs_n his_o religion_n that_o though_o they_o be_v indeed_o impostor_n and_o rebel_n to_o the_o state_n yet_o have_v have_v the_o fortune_n to_o gain_v authority_n in_o the_o world_n and_o be_v own_a by_o the_o law_n of_o christendom_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o man_n as_o divine_a person_n as_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v and_o as_o his_o honourable_a notion_n of_o mankind_n be_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o their_o pretence_n to_o justice_n and_o honesty_n they_o be_v only_o a_o pack_n of_o dissemble_a knave_n so_o his_o notion_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n be_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o association_n of_o atheistical_a hypocrite_n profess_v christianity_n but_o not_o believe_v it_o he_o have_v better_o have_v say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n at_o all_o and_o so_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o a_o good_a christian_a to_o deny_v his_o christian_a faith_n when_o his_o sovereign_n command_v he_o he_o have_v better_o have_v express_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o good_a christian_n at_o all_o for_o the_o reason_n he_o give_v that_o profession_n with_o the_o tongue_n be_v but_o a_o outward_a thing_n and_o no_o more_o than_o any_o other_o gesture_n whereby_o we_o signify_v our_o obedience_n which_o may_v be_v honest_o do_v so_o we_o hold_v firm_o in_o the_o heart_n the_o faith_n of_o christ_n this_o liberty_n if_o once_o allow_v will_v authorise_v all_o the_o villainy_n in_o the_o world_n for_o perjury_n itself_o be_v but_o a_o external_a thing_n and_o will_v by_o this_o mean_n become_v lawful_a so_o a_o man_n believe_v in_o his_o heart_n the_o contrary_a to_o what_o he_o say_v with_o his_o mouth_n but_o when_o to_o this_o he_o add_v that_o indeed_o such_o person_n as_o have_v a_o calling_n to_o preach_v be_v oblige_v if_o call_v to_o it_o to_o suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o their_o religion_n but_o none_o other_o no_o more_o be_v require_v of_o private_a christian_n but_o their_o own_o faith_n he_o little_o consider_v that_o by_o this_o new_a kind_n of_o privilege_n that_o he_o out_o of_o his_o great_a kindness_n grant_v the_o clergy_n he_o have_v contradict_v his_o whole_a design_n for_o if_o they_o may_v lawful_o persist_v to_o death_n in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n contrary_a to_o the_o command_v of_o the_o civil_a sovereign_n then_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o all_o subject_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o profess_v that_o religion_n which_o the_o sovereign_n enjoin_v which_o once_o grant_v the_o whole_a cause_n of_o leviathan_n be_v overthrow_v and_o as_o by_o this_o particular_a kindness_n to_o the_o clergy_n he_o have_v run_v himself_o upon_o a_o flat_a contradiction_n to_o his_o whole_a design_n so_o have_v he_o renounce_v his_o argument_n against_o martyrdom_n for_o when_o he_o prove_v that_o a_o christian_n may_v deny_v his_o faith_n because_o profession_n be_v but_o a_o outward_a ceremony_n it_o be_v no_o more_o in_o a_o clergyman_n and_o therefore_o as_o lawful_a and_o innocent_a in_o he_o as_o in_o any_o other_o however_o they_o be_v very_o much_o oblige_v to_o he_o for_o this_o singular_a kindness_n and_o civility_n to_o they_o especial_o at_o that_o time_n when_o they_o enjoy_v this_o his_o privilege_n so_o high_o as_o they_o do_v at_o the_o time_n of_o publish_v his_o book_n all_o the_o orthodox_n clergy_n be_v then_o treat_v with_o a_o more_o barbarous_a cruelty_n than_o the_o ancient_a christian_n be_v by_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a persecutor_n great_a number_n of_o they_o be_v then_o stink_v to_o death_n in_o the_o hole_n and_o bottom_n of_o rot_a ship_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o clergy_n be_v in_o that_o woeful_a condition_n for_o he_o so_o impertinent_o to_o suggest_v as_o he_o do_v immediate_o after_o that_o no_o man_n be_v require_v to_o die_v for_o every_o tenet_n that_o serve_v their_o ambition_n or_o profit_n to_o speak_v very_o gentle_o this_o be_v not_o do_v like_o a_o gentleman_n and_o mr._n hobbs_n can_v not_o have_v take_v a_o more_o unseasonable_a time_n to_o revile_v the_o clergy_n than_o he_o do_v for_o whilst_o they_o be_v in_o prosperity_n endow_v with_o good_a revenue_n and_o entrust_v with_o great_a power_n if_o he_o have_v fall_v upon_o they_o then_o envy_n may_v have_v be_v some_o ground_n for_o his_o malice_n but_o at_o that_o time_n when_o they_o be_v trample_v upon_o by_o the_o very_a scum_n of_o the_o people_n ruin_v and_o undo_v he_o can_v have_v no_o other_o temptation_n to_o do_v it_o but_o mere_a hatred_n and_o malice_n to_o the_o function_n itself_o but_o however_o though_o it_o be_v a_o foolish_a thing_n for_o any_o man_n to_o die_v for_o the_o ambition_n or_o profit_n of_o the_o clergy_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o true_o noble_a thing_n both_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o other_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o lawful_a prince_n against_o rebel_n and_o traitor_n and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o eternal_a blemish_n upon_o mr._n hobbs_n name_n and_o memory_n that_o when_o beside_o the_o general_a duty_n of_o loyalty_n he_o have_v receive_v many_o particular_a favour_n and_o obligation_n from_o his_o prince_n he_o shall_v not_o only_o desert_v he_o himself_o but_o shall_v publish_v this_o book_n on_o purpose_n to_o persuade_v the_o whole_a nation_n that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o way_n bind_v to_o adhere_v to_o their_o lawful_a prince_n that_o they_o be_v bring_v under_o a_o obligation_n of_o allegiance_n and_o loyalty_n to_o the_o then_o brutish_a usurper_n who_o he_o flatter_v to_o so_o high_a a_o degree_n of_o tyranny_n as_o to_o advise_v he_o to_o require_v of_o all_o man_n not_o only_o a_o submission_n to_o his_o brutal_a power_n but_o a_o approbation_n of_o all_o his_o wicked_a action_n a_o thing_n so_o infinite_o vile_a and_o dishonourable_a that_o it_o exceed_v the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o tyrant_n himself_o now_o man_n of_o these_o irreligious_a principle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v fit_a member_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n that_o they_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o live_v in_o any_o humane_a society_n in_o that_o they_o blow_v up_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o government_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n for_o loyalty_n or_o a_o sense_n of_o duty_n to_o lawful_a governor_n be_v found_v upon_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n towards_o god_n so_o that_o those_o man_n that_o set_v subject_n loose_v from_o that_o turn_v they_o loose_v to_o rebellion_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o empty_a doublet_n a_o hat_n and_o a_o crooked_a stick_v set_v up_o by_o prince_n to_o scare_v fool_n to_o obedience_n it_o concern_v they_o to_o keep_v those_o man_n out_o of_o their_o field_n who_o go_v about_o to_o destroy_v the_o reverence_n of_o their_o scarecrow_n however_o these_o man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o any_o dispute_n about_o church-government_n who_o will_v not_o allow_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n when_o the_o dispute_n proceed_v only_o upon_o that_o supposition_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v leave_v they_o to_o enjoy_v the_o vanity_n of_o their_o own_o conceit_n and_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o adversary_n who_o grant_v a_o church_n found_v by_o divine_a right_n but_o no_o right_a of_o government_n within_o itself_o and_o as_o in_o the_o former_a we_o have_v see_v the_o power_n of_o ignorance_n join_v with_o pride_n and_o vanity_n so_o here_o may_v we_o see_v the_o impotency_n of_o learn_v join_v with_o prejudice_n and_o passion_n for_o this_o learned_a gentleman_n have_v spare_v for_o no_o pain_n in_o this_o argument_n he_o have_v ransack_v all_o author_n and_o all_o language_n to_o serve_v his_o cause_n he_o set_v aside_o many_o year_n for_o compose_v his_o work_n and_o indeed_o seem_v to_o have_v make_v it_o the_o main_a design_n of_o his_o life_n and_o
to_o put_v a_o abuse_n upon_o all_o their_o posterity_n as_o to_o say_v in_o this_o case_n that_o there_o once_o be_v such_o a_o season_n in_o which_o all_o the_o world_n agree_v though_o no_o body_n know_v when_o or_o where_o to_o make_v a_o universal_a and_o perpetual_a alteration_n of_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n but_o to_o conclude_v grant_v these_o man_n all_o that_o they_o contend_v for_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o great_a advantage_n any_o reasonable_a man_n can_v desire_v either_o to_o make_v good_a the_o title_n or_o to_o enhance_v the_o excellency_n of_o episcopal_a government_n than_o st._n hierom_n and_o blondel_n give_v we_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o that_o upon_o their_o decease_n their_o authority_n devolve_v upon_o the_o body_n of_o presbyter_n which_o form_n of_o government_n be_v every_o where_o find_v so_o incompetent_a and_o inconvenient_a that_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v within_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o five_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o convince_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o retrieve_v the_o old_a apostolical_a inequality_n as_o they_o ever_o intend_v to_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v pretty_a well_o and_o advantage_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o modest_a or_o reasonable_a man_n and_o therefore_o with_o it_o i_o shall_v rest_v content_v only_o i_o can_v but_o remark_n the_o strange_a partiality_n of_o our_o adversary_n in_o this_o cause_n not_o only_o to_o set_v up_o this_o absurd_a suggestion_n of_o st._n jerom_n concern_v the_o unknown_a time_n of_o a_o universal_a alteration_n of_o church-government_n and_o that_o not_o only_o without_o the_o testimony_n of_o any_o record_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o then_o it_o have_v not_o be_v unknown_a but_o against_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o history_n and_o the_o most_o certain_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o clear_a in_o ecclesiastical_a story_n than_o the_o succession_n of_o single_a person_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n down_o to_o his_o own_o age_n especial_o in_o the_o great_a and_o most_o eminent_a church_n such_o as_o rome_n jerusalem_n antiochia_n and_o alexandria_n so_o that_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o such_o universal_a change_n as_o st._n jerom_n dream_v of_o when_o in_o these_o great_a church_n episcopacy_n be_v establish_v antecedent_o to_o any_o such_o suppose_a alteration_n but_o beside_o this_o they_o oppose_v the_o custom_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o attest_v only_o by_o one_o author_n to_o the_o know_a practice_n not_o only_o of_o all_o other_o church_n but_o of_o that_o particular_a church_n itself_o thus_o because_o the_o same_o st._n jerom_n say_v with_o the_o same_o haste_n and_o inconsideration_n that_o there_o be_v a_o custom_n in_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n from_o st._n mark_v down_o to_o heraclas_n and_o dionysius_n for_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n in_o the_o vacancy_n of_o the_o see_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o own_o number_n and_o from_o thenceforward_a call_v he_o their_o bishop_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o when_o a_o army_n make_v their_o own_o general_n or_o the_o deacon_n may_v choose_v one_o out_o of_o themselves_o and_o constitute_v he_o their_o archdeacon_n now_o i_o say_v suppose_v this_o story_n to_o be_v true_a be_v it_o not_o very_o severe_a by_o the_o singular_a practice_n of_o one_o church_n to_o overthrow_v the_o constitution_n of_o all_o other_o church_n for_o what_o if_o at_o alexandria_n they_o have_v a_o peculiar_a or_o a_o corrupt_a custom_n do_v that_o impair_n or_o destroy_v the_o catholic_n practice_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v possible_a not_o only_o for_o one_o particular_a church_n to_o deviate_v in_o some_o circumstance_n from_o their_o primitive_a institution_n but_o that_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o a_o certain_a right_n yes_o but_o say_v they_o this_o custom_n be_v derive_v from_o st._n mark_v himself_o but_o that_o will_v require_v some_o better_a proof_n than_o the_o bare_a assertion_n of_o st._n jerom_n for_o it_o be_v possible_a there_o may_v have_v be_v a_o preposterous_a practice_n in_o aftertime_n which_o he_o to_o give_v the_o more_o authority_n to_o it_o may_v in_o his_o lavish_a heat_n ascribe_v to_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o but_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n what_o be_v this_o custom_n be_v it_o for_o presbyter_n to_o ordain_v their_o bishop_n st._n jerom_n seem_v willing_a to_o say_v so_o but_o dare_v not_o and_o therefore_o express_v himself_o in_o odd_a ambiguous_a and_o general_a term_n unum_n ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_o excelsiori_fw-la gradu_fw-la collocatum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la which_o signify_v nothing_o certain_a but_o that_o he_o intend_v not_o ordination_n be_v evident_a by_o the_o word_n that_o immediate_o follow_v quid_fw-la enim_fw-la facit_fw-la exceptâ_fw-la ordinatione_fw-la episcopus_fw-la quod_fw-la presbyter_n non_fw-la faciat_fw-la which_o word_n upon_o whatsoever_o account_n they_o be_v add_v come_v in_o here_o very_o impertinent_o if_o he_o have_v by_o the_o story_n speak_v of_o ordination_n at_o least_o out_o of_o these_o general_a word_n nothing_o more_o can_v be_v collect_v than_o their_o right_n or_o custom_n of_o elect_v their_o own_o bishop_n as_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o cathedral_n church_n afterward_o nay_o that_o too_o be_v more_o than_o be_v true_a or_o can_v be_v prove_v for_o st._n jerom_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o presbyter_n but_o out_o of_o the_o presbyter_n so_o that_o he_o do_v not_o give_v they_o so_o much_o as_o the_o right_n of_o election_n but_o only_a appropriate_n to_o they_o the_o capacity_n of_o be_v elect_v and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o peculiar_a privilege_n of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n that_o they_o alone_o be_v qualify_v to_o succeed_v in_o the_o see_v and_o if_o any_o one_o will_v from_o hence_o infer_v as_o mr._n selden_n be_v please_v to_o do_v 27._o their_o power_n not_o only_o of_o election_n but_o ordination_n he_o may_v thank_v himself_o and_o not_o st._n jerom_n for_o his_o conclusion_n for_o there_o be_v not_o any_o the_o least_o ground_n for_o the_o inference_n beside_o the_o learned_a gentleman_n resolution_n to_o have_v it_o so_o and_o therefore_o when_o he_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o several_a both_o divine_n and_o lawyer_n that_o understand_v no_o more_o by_o this_o passage_n than_o mere_o capitular_a election_n he_o confute_v they_o with_o no_o other_o argument_n than_o only_o by_o say_v positive_o that_o they_o be_v ip_v hieronymo_n adversissimi_fw-la but_o alas_o wise_a man_n will_v not_o quit_v their_o own_o opinion_n only_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o confidence_n of_o other_o man_n assertion_n and_o therefore_o he_o ought_v either_o to_o have_v prove_v more_o or_o to_o have_v say_v nothing_o nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o have_v any_o power_n of_o ordination_n that_o they_o have_v not_o that_o of_o election_n when_o it_o be_v so_o very_o well_o know_v that_o the_o patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n be_v of_o old_a time_n choose_v not_o by_o the_o presbyter_n but_o by_o the_o people_n so_o that_o to_o ascribe_v their_o election_n to_o the_o presbyter_n be_v plain_o to_o contradict_v the_o know_a custom_n of_o that_o church_n but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v too_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a as_o mr._n selden_n 6._o himself_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v the_o least_o footstep_n of_o this_o alexandrian_a custom_n in_o any_o legitimate_a ancient_a author_n but_o only_a st._n jerom._n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o custom_n in_o this_o church_n of_o which_o we_o have_v as_o good_a and_o as_o many_o record_n as_o of_o any_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a but_o that_o upon_o some_o occasion_n or_o other_o some_o writer_n shall_v have_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o so_o universal_a a_o silence_n can_v but_o bring_v a_o very_a great_a suspicion_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o st._n jeroms_n relation_n at_o least_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a upon_o the_o single_a report_n of_o one_o hasty_a man_n concern_v the_o peculiar_a custom_n of_o one_o church_n to_o renounce_v as_o our_o adversary_n do_v the_o know_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o but_o to_o avoid_v this_o heavy_a objection_n of_o singularity_n our_o learned_a adversary_n have_v take_v vast_a pain_n to_o find_v out_o a_o second_o witness_n and_o then_o two_o witness_n we_o know_v according_a to_o our_o law_n can_v prove_v any_o thing_n and_o at_o length_n he_o have_v discover_v a_o arabian_a author_n and_o with_o more_o than_o ordinary_a joy_n and_o transport_v immediate_o publish_v the_o particular_a story_n by_o itself_o with_o large_a and_o learned_a note_n upon_o it_o but_o
not_o content_a with_o that_o he_o procure_v the_o translation_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n and_o be_v so_o satisfy_v with_o it_o that_o though_o it_o be_v do_v by_o another_o hand_n yet_o he_o adorn_v the_o frontispiece_n with_o his_o own_o picture_n now_o certain_o one_o will_v take_v this_o value_a piece_n to_o have_v be_v a_o work_n of_o prime_a antiquity_n and_o undoubted_a authority_n but_o as_o for_o its_o antiquity_n the_o author_n of_o it_o live_v no_o high_a than_o the_o ten_o century_n and_o that_o be_v so_o distant_a from_o the_o primitive_a age_n that_o he_o have_v not_o be_v a_o more_o incompetent_a witness_n if_o he_o have_v live_v in_o our_o own_o as_o for_o his_o authority_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a careless_a and_o injudicious_a writer_n his_o whole_a book_n be_v every_o where_o stuff_v with_o childish_a fable_n and_o absurdity_n and_o particular_o this_o paragraph_n have_v as_o many_o falsehood_n in_o it_o almost_o as_o word_n for_o whereas_o 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gross_o and_o notorious_o false_a i_o may_v add_v many_o more_o proof_n of_o ignorance_n that_o be_v collect_v by_o the_o learned_a doctor_n hammond_n and_o pearson_n 10._o but_o i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o one_o that_o they_o have_v omit_v viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o less_o than_o 2048_o bishop_n present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o yet_o from_o this_o gross_a mistake_n mr._n selden_n be_v resolve_v to_o bring_v he_o off_o though_o he_o confess_v there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o bishop_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n for_o say_v he_o diocese_n be_v 38._o not_o then_o divide_v as_o now_o they_o be_v but_o before_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n they_o be_v of_o a_o much_o less_o extent_n than_o they_o be_v afterward_o when_o they_o be_v modle_v in_o conformity_n to_o the_o civil_a government_n whether_o the_o allegation_n be_v true_a or_o not_o i_o need_v not_o now_o inquire_v for_o though_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o what_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o there_o may_v then_o have_v be_v so_o many_o bishop_n in_o the_o world_n when_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o at_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o that_o as_o he_o confess_v in_o the_o same_o place_n all_o the_o writer_n that_o either_o live_v in_o or_o near_o the_o same_o time_n and_o some_o of_o the_o council_n itself_o give_v in_o a_o much_o small_a number_n and_o therefore_o it_o it_o be_v a_o very_a odd_a attempt_n to_o bring_v he_o off_o from_o so_o gross_a a_o mistake_n against_o such_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o what_o be_v do_v only_o by_o the_o possibility_n of_o what_o may_v have_v be_v do_v we_o will_v grant_v this_o learned_a gentleman_n that_o there_o may_v have_v be_v ten_o thousand_o bishop_n there_o if_o he_o please_v whilst_o we_o be_v secure_v that_o there_o be_v not_o many_o more_o than_o three_o hundred_o and_o therefore_o when_o his_o author_n with_o some_o other_o of_o his_o arabian_a friend_n raise_v the_o number_n to_o above_o two_o thousand_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a instance_n of_o oriental_a ignorance_n but_o wave_v all_o other_o exception_n his_o novelty_n be_v a_o unanswerable_a objection_n though_o mr._n selden_n to_o magnify_v his_o author_n be_v please_v to_o style_v he_o the_o egyptian_a bede_n but_o if_o bede_n have_v betray_v as_o much_o barbarity_n as_o this_o author_n have_v do_v he_o will_v have_v just_o deserve_v the_o title_n of_o the_o english_a eutychius_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o man_n scrape_v together_o his_o annal_n not_o out_o of_o any_o certain_a record_n but_o out_o of_o a_o variety_n of_o author_n without_o judgement_n still_o add_v to_o they_o the_o custom_n and_o fashion_n of_o his_o own_o age_n and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o he_o so_o frequent_o contradict_v himself_o in_o the_o same_o story_n because_o whilst_o one_o author_n tell_v it_o one_o way_n and_o another_o another_o way_n he_o follow_v both_o but_o still_o i_o 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into_o what_o wonderful_a evidence_n the_o whole_a opposition_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v at_o last_o resolve_v a_o vain_a imagination_n from_o nicephorus_n stichometria_fw-la oppose_v to_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n concern_v the_o ignatian_a epistle_n a_o suppose_a decree_n of_o pope_n gelasius_n oppose_v both_o to_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n council_n and_o historian_n concern_v the_o apostolical_a canon_n a_o apparent_o false_a assertion_n of_o st._n jerom_n oppose_v to_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n concern_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n last_o a_o barbarous_a tale_n of_o a_o modern_a arabian_a concern_v the_o ordination_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n by_o presbyter_n and_o now_o if_o we_o lie_v all_o the_o premise_n together_o it_o will_v i_o hope_v amount_v to_o a_o competent_a demonstration_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n for_o if_o our_o bless_a saviour_n first_o found_v the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n in_o a_o real_a imparity_n of_o church-officer_n if_o the_o holy_a apostle_n during_o all_o their_o time_n conform_v their_o practice_n to_o his_o institution_n and_o if_o the_o primitive_a church_n every_o where_o as_o far_o as_o their_o record_n be_v preserve_v follow_v their_o prescription_n if_o no_o credible_a account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o the_o original_a of_o bishop_n unless_o we_o derive_v their_o succession_n from_o the_o apostolical_a age_n if_o their_o institution_n be_v as_o it_o be_v confess_v to_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n if_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o make_v it_o suspect_v for_o be_v mere_o of_o humane_a appointment_n but_o such_o bold_a such_o groundless_a and_o such_o disingenuous_a surmise_n as_o may_v be_v as_o well_o object_v against_o all_o or_o any_o the_o best_a record_n of_o antiquity_n in_o the_o world_n if_o i_o say_v all_o this_o be_v true_a i_o hope_v it_o will_v be_v no_o presumption_n to_o add_v that_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a not_o only_a defence_n but_o proof_n of_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n against_o all_o exception_n that_o be_v close_a or_o pertinent_a in_o blondel_n walo_n messalinus_n daillé_n or_o any_o other_o author_n that_o be_v worth_a name_n or_o read_v for_o as_o for_o the_o little_a people_n among_o ourselves_o that_o have_v for_o so_o many_o year_n wage_v so_o fierce_a and_o implacable_a a_o war_n against_o prelatry_n as_o they_o call_v it_o they_o be_v so_o invincible_o ignorant_a that_o it_o be_v utter_o needless_a to_o confute_v and_o impossible_a to_o convince_v they_o and_o how_o little_o they_o be_v all_o able_a to_o perform_v be_v notorious_a from_o the_o great_a smectymnuan_a mouse_n that_o be_v bring_v forth_o by_o the_o club_a labour_n of_o so_o many_o of_o their_o great_a mountain_n and_o therefore_o whole_o neglect_v they_o and_o all_o their_o poor_a endeavour_n i_o have_v