succession_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n from_o augustus_n to_o constantine_n but_o to_o wave_v all_o other_o parallel_a case_n that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o propound_v be_v irrefragable_a viz._n that_o those_o man_n that_o beat_v about_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n to_o start_v sceptical_a pretence_n against_o the_o use_n and_o institution_n of_o episcopacy_n will_v do_v very_o well_o to_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o this_o rude_a and_o licentious_a way_n of_o argue_v and_o as_o the_o reverend_n and_o learned_a doctor_n hammond_n long_o since_o remark_v it_o they_o that_o so_o confident_o reject_v the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n shrewd_o endanger_v if_o they_o will_v stand_v to_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o sacred_a canon_n when_o these_o be_v vouch_v for_o the_o true_a and_o authentic_a epistle_n of_o ignatius_n by_o as_o strong_a a_o current_n and_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o father_n as_o most_o of_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o proud_a walo_n messalinus_n do_v with_o the_o same_o ease_n and_o confidence_n pish_o away_o one_o of_o the_o 1._o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n as_o he_o do_v all_o these_o of_o this_o apostolical_a martyr_n and_o may_v in_o the_o same_o pert_a and_o pedantic_a humour_n and_o with_o the_o same_o evidence_n of_o reason_n huff_v all_o the_o rest_n after_o it_o into_o the_o apocryphal_a rubbish_n but_o because_o our_o adversary_n main_a strength_n lie_v in_o this_o objection_n and_o some_o ill-minded_n man_n will_v be_v hasty_a to_o seize_v on_o it_o for_o worse_a purpose_n than_o they_o intend_v i_o shall_v consider_v it_o in_o its_o full_a force_n and_o glory_n the_o defect_n then_o pretend_v be_v threefold_a as_o to_o place_n as_o to_o time_n as_o to_o person_n 1._o as_o to_o place_n and_o here_o they_o tell_v we_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n without_o a_o universal_a testimony_n for_o if_o but_o one_o place_n vary_v that_o be_v enough_o to_o overthrow_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n of_o government_n and_o therefore_o see_v we_o have_v not_o a_o account_n of_o what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o all_o church_n we_o can_v have_v no_o sufficient_a certainty_n of_o their_o practice_n but_o certain_o never_o be_v any_o thing_n so_o hardly_o deal_v with_o as_o antiquity_n by_o these_o man_n for_o unless_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n 1500_o year_n ago_o be_v record_v and_o make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o some_o unquestionable_a way_n all_o that_o be_v record_v be_v it_o never_o so_o certain_a and_o evident_a can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n for_o our_o information_n if_o this_o hard_a condition_n be_v put_v upon_o we_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o we_o not_o only_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n but_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o we_o shall_v have_v any_o either_o in_o that_o or_o any_o other_o record_n but_o this_o certain_o be_v too_o rigorous_a proceed_n with_o the_o authority_n of_o precedent_n that_o let_v we_o produce_v never_o so_o many_o they_o shall_v signify_v nothing_o as_o to_o their_o use_n unless_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v that_o there_o never_o be_v or_o indeed_o can_v be_v one_o contrary_a example_n in_o the_o world_n but_o i_o be_o very_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o all_o ingenuous_a man_n will_v be_v full_o satisfy_v with_o this_o that_o all_o the_o precedent_n that_o be_v record_v be_v for_o we_o and_o therefore_o till_o our_o adversary_n be_v able_a to_o produce_v some_o against_o we_o to_o rest_v in_o the_o certainty_n of_o those_o record_n that_o be_v preserve_v without_o a_o vain_a enquiry_n after_o what_o may_v or_o may_v not_o be_v in_o those_o that_o be_v lose_v and_o therefore_o our_o adversary_n in_o stead_n of_o make_v such_o wild_a and_o sceptical_a demand_n if_o they_o will_v prevail_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n have_v prove_v the_o variety_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n and_o that_o indeed_o will_v have_v disprove_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n but_o that_o be_v a_o thing_n they_o never_o attempt_v when_o therefore_o we_o have_v this_o uniformity_n of_o practice_n in_o all_o church_n who_o settlement_n be_v know_v it_o betray_v a_o unreasonable_a partiality_n in_o man_n to_o put_v we_o upon_o give_v a_o account_n of_o what_o st._n andrew_n do_v in_o scythia_n and_o st._n thomas_n in_o india_n for_o certain_o all_o impartial_a man_n will_v be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o uniform_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o know_a church_n of_o europe_n asia_n and_o africa_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o pretend_v defect_n of_o antiquity_n as_o to_o place_n the_o second_o defect_n be_v as_o to_o time_n and_o here_o they_o fall_v direct_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a history_n and_o in_o particular_a upon_o eusebius_n the_o father_n of_o it_o who_o they_o say_v live_v at_o too_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o apostolical_a time_n and_o want_v sufficient_a record_n for_o his_o information_n but_o this_o i_o must_v answer_v that_o i_o know_v not_o any_o historian_n furnish_v with_o better_a and_o more_o certain_a account_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v of_o than_o eusebius_n the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o he_o in_o the_o most_o uninterrupted_a and_o undoubted_a manner_n possible_a st._n polycarp_n st._n ignatius_n st._n clemens_n of_o rome_n be_v familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o irenaeus_n tatianus_n theophilus_n antiochenus_fw-la athenagoras_n justin_n martyr_n and_o many_o more_o converse_v with_o they_o as_o they_o do_v with_o the_o apostle_n to_o these_o succeed_v origen_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n tertullian_n minutius_n faelix_fw-la lactantius_n ar_n nobius_fw-la dionysius_n alexandrinus_n gregorius_n thauntaturgus_fw-la st._n cyprian_n beside_o many_o other_o excellent_a writer_n who_o work_n he_o enjoy_v though_o some_o of_o they_o be_v since_o perish_v who_o all_o live_v in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o century_n after_o the_o apostle_n now_o out_o of_o these_o eusebius_n collect_v his_o history_n and_o to_o their_o genuine_a and_o undoubted_a write_n ever_o refer_v himself_o to_o justify_v his_o own_o fidelity_n quote_v no_o author_n for_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o what_o be_v do_v in_o his_o own_o age_n as_o particular_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o second_o book_n the_o reader_n be_v desire_v to_o observe_v that_o he_o collect_v the_o material_n of_o it_o from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n tertullian_n josephus_n and_o philo_n and_o the_o same_o preface_n he_o may_v have_v set_v before_o every_o particular_a book_n and_o as_o he_o always_o refer_v to_o good_a author_n so_o he_o reject_v many_o thing_n as_o counterfeit_v and_o spurious_a for_o this_o reason_n only_o because_o he_o find_v no_o account_n of_o they_o in_o the_o ancient_a writer_n but_o beside_o the_o write_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o bishop_n the_o original_n whereof_o be_v then_o reserve_v in_o the_o archive_v of_o their_o several_a church_n he_o make_v very_o great_a use_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o martyr_n that_o be_v then_o preserve_v with_o great_a care_n and_o sacredness_n though_o afterward_o it_o be_v the_o most_o value_a part_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n it_o be_v the_o most_o improve_v into_o fabulous_a legend_n and_o story_n and_o beside_o all_o this_o he_o be_v furnish_v with_o many_o excellent_a material_n of_o the_o first_o time_n which_o alone_o he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o want_v by_o hegesippus_n who_o write_v five_o book_n of_o commentary_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n about_o the_o reign_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n which_o be_v scarce_o eighty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o a_o very_a rash_a censure_n of_o such_o a_o ancient_n and_o apostolical_a writer_n to_o say_v that_o his_o relation_n be_v as_o questionable_a as_o those_o of_o eusebius_n himself_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o elder_a time_n when_o he_o live_v almost_o in_o the_o very_o elder_a time_n and_o so_o near_o to_o the_o apostle_n that_o it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a that_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o happen_v in_o that_o interval_n can_v escape_v his_o knowledge_n now_o last_o of_o all_o the_o heathen_a record_n themselves_o be_v not_o a_o little_a useful_a to_o he_o as_o himself_o inform_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 18._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n in_o theâ—e_n time_n that_o be_v about_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v so_o flourish_v that_o the_o heathen_a writer_n have_v leave_v exact_a record_n of_o the_o persecution_n and_o martyrdom_n as_o for_o eusebius_n his_o
to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v whether_o he_o can_v desire_v or_o contrive_v more_o evidence_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o book_n than_o be_v produce_v for_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n st._n polycarp_n then_o who_o be_v his_o particular_a friend_n and_o fellow-pupil_n under_o st._n john_n and_o st._n irenaeus_n who_o be_v disciple_n to_o polycarp_n give_v in_o full_a and_o clear_a testimony_n to_o the_o martyr_n epistle_n polycarp_n send_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n as_o appear_v both_o by_o his_o own_o epistle_n still_o extant_a and_o by_o eusebius_n his_o quotation_n out_o of_o it_o and_o that_o at_o a_o time_n when_o it_o be_v vulgar_o know_v and_o common_o read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n polycarp'_v epistle_n be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n by_o any_o good_a author_n be_v immediate_o attest_v by_o irenaeus_n read_v with_o veneration_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n even_o to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o eusebius_n and_o st._n hierom._n so_o that_o i_o know_v not_o what_o more_o undoubted_a or_o public_a testimony_n mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr can_v demand_v for_o his_o satisfaction_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v what_o more_o effectual_a evidence_n can_v have_v be_v provide_v to_o secure_v their_o authority_n for_o when_o st._n polycarp'_v epistle_n be_v so_o universal_o know_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o corrupt_v it_o and_o yet_o in_o this_o wild_a supposition_n be_v monsieur_n daillé_fw-fr force_v at_o last_o to_o shelter_v himself_o he_o allow_v his_o epistle_n itself_o to_o be_v of_o undoubted_a credit_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o polycarp_n but_o that_o a_o certain_a impostor_n a_o little_a before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n have_v foist_v in_o that_o paragraph_n in_o which_o this_o passage_n concern_v ignatius_n his_o epistle_n be_v find_v which_o eusebius_n meet_v with_o he_o take_v it_o to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o credit_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o epistle_n which_o be_v all_o so_o very_o ungrounded_a and_o precarious_a that_o with_o the_o same_o liberty_n he_o may_v deny_v or_o destroy_v the_o validity_n of_o any_o ancient_a record_n whatsoever_o but_o beside_o this_o the_o epistle_n be_v so_o public_a so_o expose_v to_o the_o view_n of_o all_o man_n so_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a that_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o poison_v the_o sea_n as_o for_o a_o private_a man_n to_o corrupt_v it_o or_o if_o he_o will_v attempt_v to_o do_v it_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o eusebius_n and_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o to_o be_v delude_v by_o so_o bold_a a_o imposture_n do_v not_o eusebius_n himself_o inform_v we_o that_o it_o be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o writing_n do_v he_o not_o then_o know_v what_o be_v read_v there_o and_o therefore_o if_o this_o passage_n be_v not_o read_v can_v he_o be_v so_o stupid_a as_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o single_a private_a man_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o if_o he_o be_v can_v all_o the_o father_n who_o daillé_n will_v have_v to_o have_v follow_v his_o dance_n be_v so_o prodigious_o blind_a and_o careless_a as_o in_o a_o thing_n so_o know_v and_o common_a to_o be_v deceive_v by_o he_o and_o that_o no_o man_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v he_o shall_v discover_v the_o mistake_n till_o nicephorus_n who_o live_v five_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o but_o grant_v the_o testimony_n to_o be_v true_a he_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v effectual_a because_o polycarp_n only_o say_v that_o ignatius_n write_v epistle_n but_o no_o where_o affirm_v that_o those_o we_o have_v be_v the_o true_a one_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v unless_o st._n polycarp_n have_v write_v particular_o against_o monsieur_fw-fr dailâ—é_fw-fr himself_n and_o declare_v that_o those_o very_a epistle_n that_o he_o oppose_v with_o so_o much_o zeal_n be_v write_v by_o his_o friend_n the_o martyr_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o give_v sufficient_a testimony_n to_o their_o truth_n and_o yet_o that_o can_v not_o have_v be_v a_o more_o ample_a proof_n than_o this_o amount_n to_o for_o he_o declare_v not_o only_o that_o ignatius_n write_v certain_a epistle_n but_o that_o himself_o make_v a_o collection_n of_o they_o and_o this_o collection_n be_v see_v by_o eusebius_n and_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n now_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o reputation_n of_o the_o martyr_n both_o for_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o apostle_n his_o eminent_a dignity_n in_o the_o church_n the_o gallantry_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n when_o we_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o his_o writing_n which_o be_v at_o the_o approach_n of_o his_o death_n and_o as_o it_o be_v his_o die_a exhortation_n to_o the_o church_n when_o we_o consider_v how_o they_o be_v recommend_v by_o polycarp_n who_o epistle_n be_v public_o read_v in_o their_o assembly_n be_v it_o any_o way_n credible_a that_o these_o true_a epistle_n shall_v all_o perish_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n and_o other_o counterfeit_a one_o rise_v up_o in_o their_o room_n and_o among_o all_o those_o learned_a man_n that_o then_o be_v very_o inquisitive_a after_o ancient_n and_o apostolical_a tradition_n none_o shall_v ever_o discern_v or_o discover_v it_o nay_o that_o eusebius_n a_o man_n so_o thorough_o verse_v in_o all_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n so_o conversant_a with_o the_o choice_a library_n shall_v be_v so_o gross_o and_o so_o easy_o cheat_v by_o a_o double_a imposture_n contrive_v in_o his_o own_o time_n as_o to_o take_v the_o new_a invent_v epistle_n of_o ignatius_n for_o the_o old_a authentic_a write_n of_o that_o holy_a martyr_n and_o then_o to_o vouch_v it_o by_o a_o forge_a passage_n foist_v into_o polycarp_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o vulgar_a book_n so_o many_o hard_a supposition_n one_o will_v think_v be_v enough_o to_o shame_v any_o modest_a man_n out_o of_o his_o opinion_n the_o second_o witness_n to_o these_o epistle_n be_v st._n irenaeus_n who_o testimony_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o than_o the_o former_a be_v extant_a both_o in_o eusebius_n and_o those_o piece_n of_o irenaeus_n that_o be_v preserve_v down_o to_o our_o time_n though_o most_o of_o his_o work_n be_v perish_v but_o to_o this_o mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr answer_n that_o irenaeus_n cautious_o express_v his_o quotation_n of_o the_o holy_a martyr_n by_o dixit_fw-la and_o not_o scripsit_fw-la and_o thence_o conjecture_n that_o he_o quote_v it_o only_o as_o a_o say_v or_o apothegm_n and_o not_o as_o a_o citation_n out_o of_o his_o write_n but_o 1._o there_o be_v no_o record_n of_o any_o such_o say_v as_o this_o neither_o in_o that_o particular_a quotation_n that_o be_v preserve_v can_v we_o know_v who_o irenaeus_n mean_v do_v we_o not_o find_v the_o same_o sentence_n in_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o a_o frivolous_a thing_n to_o forsake_v that_o and_o to_o fetch_v the_o business_n from_o unknown_a and_o unheard_a of_o report_n and._n 2._o this_o be_v the_o very_a form_n of_o all_o irenaeus_n his_o quotation_n who_o never_o use_v the_o word_n scripsit_fw-la but_o always_o dixit_fw-la but_o then_o why_o do_v he_o not_o cite_v some_o testimony_n against_o the_o heretic_n out_o of_o ignatius_n in_o who_o there_o be_v so_o many_o apposite_a to_o his_o purpose_n i_o answer_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o he_o do_v not_o cite_v other_o as_o pertinent_a author_n as_o ignatius_n for_o out_o of_o all_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o live_v before_o he_o he_o have_v in_o his_o survive_a work_n but_o four_o quotation_n of_o which_o that_o out_o of_o ignatius_n be_v one_o neither_o will_v this_o way_n of_o dispute_v have_v be_v at_o all_o pertinent_a in_o the_o day_n of_o irenaeus_n when_o the_o heretic_n against_o who_o he_o write_v allow_v no_o authority_n to_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o always_o recur_v to_o certain_a wild_a apocryphal_a book_n of_o their_o own_o and_o therefore_o it_o have_v be_v but_o a_o vain_a thing_n for_o irenaeus_n to_o have_v press_v they_o with_o this_o topick_n the_o next_o witness_n be_v origen_n who_o quote_v he_o by_o name_n but_o against_o this_o testimony_n we_o have_v these_o two_o exception_n first_o that_o it_o be_v at_o too_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n of_o ignatius_n second_o that_o those_o write_n in_o which_o he_o be_v quote_v be_v none_o of_o origen_n first_o as_o to_o the_o first_o we_o will_v grant_v the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n if_o this_o have_v be_v the_o first_o testimony_n in_o the_o cause_n but_o follow_v polycarp_n and_o irenaeus_n it_o prove_v the_o constant_a opinion_n of_o learned_a man_n before_o eusebius_n and_o his_o impostor_n second_o it_o overthrow_v daillé_n
great_a conceit_n that_o these_o epistle_n appear_v not_o till_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o ignatius_n whereas_o by_o his_o own_o confession_n origen_n write_v within_o one_o hundred_o and_o forty_o year_n three_o it_o cut_v off_o the_o great_a pretence_n that_o eusebius_n be_v the_o founder_n of_o this_o mistake_n whereas_o it_o hereby_o appear_v that_o if_o it_o be_v one_o he_o only_o follow_v his_o predecessor_n in_o it_o but_o the_o main_a of_o the_o controversy_n here_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n whether_o those_o book_n ascribe_v to_o origen_n in_o which_o ignatius_n be_v quote_v be_v real_o he_o or_o not_o daillé_fw-fr ses_fw-fr no_o but_o his_o learned_a adversary_n have_v with_o no_o less_o than_o evidence_n of_o demonstration_n prove_v they_o be_v though_o if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o st._n jerom_n have_v do_v it_o long_o since_o who_o plain_o tell_v we_o that_o himself_o translate_v they_o out_o of_o origen_n greek_a into_o latin_a and_o now_o after_o these_o i_o need_v add_v nothing_o of_o the_o testimony_n of_o eusebius_n and_o those_o that_o follow_v he_o for_o if_o he_o be_v mistake_v their_o authority_n be_v of_o no_o use_n if_o he_o be_v not_o it_o be_v of_o little_a necessity_n but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o be_v demonstrate_v from_o these_o more_o ancient_a testimony_n though_o if_o any_o man_n desire_v more_o witness_n i_o shall_v refer_v he_o to_o my_o learned_a author_n who_o have_v summon_v 2._o they_o out_o of_o every_o age_n from_o that_o in_o which_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o be_v write_v down_o to_o that_o next_o our_o own_o but_o to_o all_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n what_o do_v our_o adversary_n oppose_v irst_fw-mi salmasius_n oppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o nicephorus_n patriarch_n of_o 252._o constantinople_n by_o which_o say_v he_o the_o authentic_a and_o spurious_a book_n of_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v and_o among_o many_o other_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n be_v censure_v for_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o to_o this_o it_o be_v reply_v by_o the_o pious_a the_o reverend_n and_o the_o learned_a dr._n hammond_n 2._o that_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o author_n especial_o of_o late_a date_n for_o nicephorus_n live_v not_o before_o the_o nine_o century_n be_v not_o of_o weight_n and_o authority_n enough_o to_o oppose_v to_o the_o consent_n of_o so_o many_o ancient_a writer_n second_o that_o the_o word_n apocryphal_a which_o be_v use_v by_o nicephorus_n do_v not_o always_o signify_v spurious_a but_o it_o be_v very_o often_o use_v by_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n as_o oppose_v to_o canonical_a and_o so_o be_v give_v to_o book_n who_o author_n be_v never_o question_v only_o to_o seclude_v they_o from_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o first_o it_o be_v reply_v by_o daillé_n and_o that_o i_o must_v say_v 4._o with_o impertinency_n enough_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o nicephorus_n be_v at_o least_o equal_a to_o dr._n hammonds_n as_o if_o the_o dispute_n be_v between_o they_o two_o whereas_o the_o dispute_n be_v between_o walo_n and_o the_o doctor_n who_o when_o he_o have_v produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n of_o all_o former_a age_n can_v not_o but_o think_v it_o very_o hard_o that_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o late_a writer_n shall_v be_v oppose_v to_o all_o their_o authority_n to_o the_o second_o he_o reply_v that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o word_n apocryphal_a be_v oftentimes_o oppose_v to_o canonical_a yet_o it_o be_v very_o frequent_o too_o use_v by_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n as_o equivalent_a to_o spurious_a and_o counterfeit_n and_o that_o therefore_o the_o doctor_n in_o vain_a take_v refuge_n in_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n but_o certain_o it_o be_v the_o manifest_a design_n of_o these_o man_n to_o tire_v out_o their_o adversary_n with_o verbose_a trifle_n for_o who_o can_v have_v expect_v this_o answer_n that_o when_o walo_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o word_n apocryphal_a as_o if_o it_o only_o signify_v spurious_a and_o that_o when_o to_o the_o argument_n the_o doctor_n have_v answer_v that_o it_o no_o way_n follow_v because_o it_o as_o often_o signify_v not_o canonical_a who_o i_o say_v after_o this_o will_v have_v expect_v that_o his_o adversary_n shall_v upbraid_v he_o with_o take_v refuge_n in_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n when_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n alone_o be_v not_o only_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o but_o a_o clear_a confutation_n of_o the_o argument_n but_o he_o reply_v second_o that_o some_o of_o the_o book_n join_v with_o it_o be_v confess_v by_o all_o to_o be_v supposititious_a and_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v censure_v for_o that_o reason_n so_o must_v the_o ignatian_a epistle_n but_o this_o be_v manifest_o false_a and_o though_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o follow_v like_o all_o the_o rest_n for_o the_o censure_n have_v no_o regard_n to_o their_o author_n but_o whether_o spurious_a or_o genuine_a to_o their_o authority_n and_o only_a design_n to_o shut_v they_o out_o from_o creep_v in_o among_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a danger_n it_o aim_v to_o prevent_v lest_o the_o book_n that_o either_o be_v or_o pretend_v to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n shall_v creep_v into_o the_o canon_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o decree_n itself_o that_o nicephorus_n intend_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o determine_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o prevent_v all_o other_o that_o come_v near_o to_o they_o in_o age_n from_o obtain_v sacred_a authority_n but_o ses_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr pope_n gelasius_n when_o he_o define_v what_o book_n be_v apocryphal_a he_o do_v not_o confine_v it_o mere_o to_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n but_o to_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n not_o allow_v of_o and_o therefore_o this_o must_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o nicephorus_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o because_o gelasius_n in_o his_o decree_n determine_v what_o ecclesiastical_a book_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o be_v to_o be_v repute_v orthodox_n what_o heterodox_n that_o therefore_o nicephorus_n when_o he_o distinguish_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n from_o the_o apocryphal_a do_v not_o mean_a as_o himself_o declare_v but_o must_v be_v understand_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o gelasius_n and_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v there_o be_v no_o such_o testimony_n but_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v a_o mere_a dream_n of_o their_o own_o who_o catch_v at_o any_o shadow_n that_o may_v seem_v to_o serve_v their_o turn_n for_o first_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o nicephorus_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o the_o stichometria_fw-la second_o that_o the_o author_n of_o it_o whoever_o he_o be_v do_v not_o pass_v this_o censure_n upon_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n for_o we_o find_v in_o it_o only_o the_o name_n of_o ignatius_n without_o any_o mention_n of_o his_o epistle_n which_o indeed_o can_v in_o daillé'_v sense_n be_v call_v apocryphal_a because_o they_o be_v never_o esteem_v canonical_a for_o that_o be_v the_o true_a original_a of_o the_o distinction_n that_o whereas_o there_o be_v some_o book_n write_v by_o the_o follower_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o clemens_n barnabas_n and_o hermas_n leave_v these_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o nearness_n to_o the_o canonical_a book_n shall_v in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v reckon_v with_o they_o the_o church_n be_v careful_a to_o range_v they_o in_o a_o classis_fw-la by_o themselves_o and_o whereas_o there_o be_v many_o other_o book_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v dictate_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o write_v by_o their_o disciple_n lest_o they_o shall_v gain_v the_o authority_n they_o pretend_v to_o it_o concern_v the_o church_n to_o give_v they_o the_o apocryphal_a mark._n see_v therefore_o ignatius_n epistle_n be_v never_o upon_o either_o of_o these_o account_n in_o any_o probability_n of_o be_v account_v canonical_a it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o needless_a caution_n to_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o apocryphal_a catalogue_n and_o though_o to_o ignatii_n daillé_n after_o his_o usual_a way_n of_o make_v bold_a with_o his_o quotation_n add_v omnia_fw-la it_o be_v probable_a that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v be_v add_v as_o it_o be_v in_o another_o index_n of_o apocryphal_a book_n in_o the_o oxford_n library_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o some_o idle_a man_n of_o those_o time_n to_o make_v institution_n of_o divinity_n and_o then_o fasten_v they_o upon_o apostle_n and_o apostolical_a man_n out_o of_o which_o as_o our_o learned_a author_n with_o great_a probability_n conjecture_n be_v afterward_o make_v that_o collection_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o apostolical_a constitution_n now_o these_o spurious_a piece_n pretend_v to_o canonical_a authority_n it_o be_v very_o requisite_a to_o prevent_v and_o discover_v the_o imposture_n but_o whatever_o probability_n may_v be_v in_o this_o conjecture_n of_o which_o we_o stand_v in_o no_o need_n i_o be_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