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cause_n apostle_n bishop_n church_n 1,754 5 4.4354 3 false
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A51419 Confessions and proofes of Protestant divines of reformed churches that episcopacy is in respect of the office according to the word of God, and in respect of the use the best : together with a brief treatise touching the originall of bishops and metropolitans. Morton, Thomas, 1564-1659.; Ussher, James, 1581-1656. Originall of bishops and metropolitans.; W. C. Apostolicall institution of episcopacy. 1662 (1662) Wing M2836; ESTC R40650 81,901 89

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all_o these_o apostolical_a relation_n concern_v episcopacy_n shall_v not_o amount_v unto_o so_o much_o as_o to_o make_v up_o a_o apostolical_a institution_n thereof_o the_o second_o object_v father_n be_v clement_n whereof_o their_o success_n will_v be_v no_o better_o if_o not_o much_o worse_o x._o thesis_n that_o clement_n a_o apostolical_a disciple_n to_o who_o arbitrement_n both_o our_o opposite_n and_o we_o offer_v to_o yield_v ourselves_o do_v patronize_v episcopacy_n as_o be_v apostolical_a we_o be_v earnest_o call_v upon_o to_o hearken_v unto_o clement_n 136._o talk_v of_o a_o prophecy_n of_o a_o future_a contention_n which_o shall_v happen_v about_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n next_o that_o there_o be_v no_o piece_n of_o antiquity_n of_o more_o esteem_n than_o the_o epistle_n of_o clement_n unto_o the_o corinthian_n then_o that_o this_o be_v bring_v to_o light_v by_o a_o learned_a gentleman_n mr._n patrick_n young_a and_o last_o for_o the_o matter_n itself_o that_o there_o be_v a_o common_a and_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n we_o shall_v answer_v punctual_o to_o every_o one_o viz._n the_o prophecy_n make_v for_o we_o the_o epistle_n much_o more_o the_o publisher_n also_o as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v desire_v and_o that_o objection_n of_o the_o indifferency_n of_o the_o word_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v scarce_o worthy_a the_o mention_n we_o begin_v with_o the_o prophecy_n the_o prophecy_n be_v only_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v in_o time_n to_o come_v a_o contention_n about_o the_o word_n bishop_n if_o we_o shall_v ask_v our_o opposite_n when_o this_o contention_n be_v first_o know_v in_o time_n of_o old_a they_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o tell_v we_o know_v right_a well_o that_o it_o be_v first_o raise_v by_o one_o aerius_n of_o who_o epiphanius_n and_o austin_n have_v above_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o break_v out_o into_o schism_n and_o above_o because_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v to_o be_v make_v a_o bishop_n do_v 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all_o profess_v themselves_o ready_a to_o deduce_v
the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o principal_n see_v from_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n next_o they_o instance_n in_o some_o apostolical_a church_n as_o namely_o from_o ja._n the_o b_o open_fw-mi of_o hiern_n &_o mark_v in_o alexandria_n what_o say_v our_o opposite_n to_o this_o a_o principal_a one_o etc._n salmasius_n by_o name_n call_v this_o alleadgment_n of_o james_n a_o bishop_n false_a and_o foolish_a his_o reason_n be_v because_o james_n be_v a_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o keep_v residence_n in_o one_o see_n first_o be_v it_o know_v that_o whatsoever_o this_o james_n be_v all_o antiquity_n render_v he_o unto_o we_o a_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n viz._n accepit_fw-la eusebius_n hierosolymitanae_n epiphanius_n hierom_n jacobo_n egesippus_fw-la hieroolymitanae_n chrysostom_n and_o episcopus_fw-la ambrose_n the_o 21._o synod_n of_o trullo_n how_o then_o shall_v it_o become_v we_o but_o of_o yesterday_n birth_n thus_o to_o pull_v reverend_a antiquity_n by_o 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only_o a_o apostolical_a disciple_n which_o may_v satisfy_v our_o opposite_n until_o we_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o their_o object_v timothy_n and_o titus_n call_v evangelist_n as_o for_o mark_n if_o in_o the_o line_n of_o succession_n of_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n he_o only_o be_v take_v exclusive_o yet_o must_v the_o ordinance_n of_o that_o see_v be_v necessary_o hold_v apostolical_a xii_o thesis_n that_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v confess_o prove_v out_o of_o ignatius_n vedelius_n that_o learned_a divinity_n professor_n in_o the_o academy_n of_o geneva_n imperatore_n in_o his_o most_o elaborate_a work_n of_o exercitation_n upon_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n for_o vindicate_v his_o doctrine_n from_o the_o false_a gloss_n of_o bellarmine_n baronius_n and_o other_o romish_a writer_n be_v copious_a in_o manifest_v the_o direct_a judgement_n of_o ignatius_n in_o many_o notable_a point_n concern_v ignatius_n himself_o he_o render_v he_o unto_o we_o a_o 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which_o he_o do_v elsewhere_o out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o nominabant_fw-la hierome_n say_v namely_o that_o in_o alexandria_n from_o mark_n the_o evangelist_n one_o be_v elect_v by_o the_o presbytery_n and_o place_v in_o a_o high_a degree_n who_o they_o name_v bishop_n which_o be_v do_v for_o a_o remedy_n against_o schism_n be_v it_o then_o that_o touch_v this_o series_n and_o order_n of_o succession_n as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o saint_n mark_v the_o apostle_n be_v it_o take_v inclusive_o or_o exclusive_o it_o necessary_o imply_v that_o the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o same_o apostle_n master_n moulin_n give_v we_o a_o loud_a accent_n say_v that_o hereafter_o he_o be_v never_o so_o hard_o face_v as_o to_o censure_v these_o bishop_n ignatius_n polycarpe_n augustine_n chrysostome_n and_o other_o great_a light_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v usurp_v a_o unlawful_a function_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n so_o he_o allege_v among_o his_o ancient_n polycarpe_n and_o ignatius_n the_o first_o of_o which_o as_o all_o the_o learned_a know_v live_v in_o the_o day_n of_o
so_o he_o last_o now_o under_o our_o gracious_a sovereign_a king_n charles_n in_o the_o time_n of_o archbishop_n abbot_n who_o daily_a experience_n do_v testify_v the_o reciprocal_a correspondence_n between_o he_o and_o with_o other_o bishop_n and_o all_o reform_a church_n beyond_o the_o sea_n at_o what_o time_n likewise_o cyrill_a late_a greek_a patriarch_n of_o constatinople_n do_v so_o far_o honour_n both_o he_o and_o our_o english_a church_n as_o to_o profess_v his_o accordance_n therewith_o more_o special_o then_o with_o any_o other_o and_o if_o our_o bishop_n of_o late_a date_n have_v not_o be_v respect_v then_o sure_o will_v not_o the_o divine_n about_o breme_n in_o germany_n have_v send_v their_o controversy_n have_v among_o themselves_o only_o unto_o certain_a bishop_n in_o england_n as_o they_o do_v to_o have_v they_o moderate_v by_o their_o judgement_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o their_o dedication_n of_o some_o of_o their_o book_n unto_o bishop_n these_o last_o relation_n nothing_o but_o the_o importunity_n of_o these_o time_n can_v have_v extort_a from_o we_o thus_o much_o of_o particular_a respect_n have_v in_o special_a to_o our_o english_a episcopal_a government_n by_o singular_a approve_a divine_n of_o the_o reform_a protestant_a church_n in_o the_o next_o place_n as_o the_o thread_n of_o our_o method_n lead_v we_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v what_o they_o will_v say_v touch_v the_o unlawfulnesse_n or_o lawfulness_n thereof_o in_o general_n ii_o thesis_n that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o visible_o constitute_v church_n in_o all_o christendom_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o 1500._o year_n and_o more_o which_o hold_v episcopacy_n in_o itself_o to_o be_v unlawful_a we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a that_o even_o at_o this_o time_n all_o episcopacy_n and_o prelacy_n of_o any_o one_o above_o presbytery_n be_v cry_v down_o by_o some_o as_o unlawful_a in_o itself_o discerni_fw-la notwithstanding_o our_o opposite_n can_v but_o know_v what_o beside_o epiphanius_n saint_n angustine_n record_v of_o one_o aerius_n to_o wit_n that_o he_o because_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v to_o be_v make_v a_o bishop_n do_v therefore_o teach_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o presbyter_n and_o a_o bishop_n so_o he_o and_o for_o that_o cause_n they_o list_v he_o among_o the_o erroneous_a author_n of_o that_o age_n but_o he_o be_v except_v never_o any_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n before_o he_o we_o add_v nor_o yet_o any_o thus_o protest_v after_o he_o nor_o before_o these_o day_n of_o contradiction_n defend_v his_o opinion_n now_o whether_o the_o humour_n of_o desire_n to_o rule_v other_o and_o the_o unwillingness_n to_o be_v subject_a unto_o other_o may_v not_o equal_o transport_v some_o ecclesiastic_n to_o oppose_v against_o episcopacy_n they_o can_v best_o judge_v who_o it_o most_o concern_v we_o know_v beside_o infinite_a other_o who_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o episcopacy_n some_o protestant_n divine_v of_o remote_a church_n who_o have_v full_o condemn_v the_o opinion_n of_o aerius_n three_o may_v suffice_v for_o three_o hundred_o if_o they_o be_v learn_v and_o judicious_a author_n and_o not_o interest_v in_o that_o which_o be_v now_o call_v episcopal_a policy_n damnavi_fw-la master_n moulin_n come_v on_o roundly_o i_o have_v since_o my_o infancy_n say_v he_o abhor_v the_o opinion_n of_o aërius_n studebant_fw-la tylenus_n also_o a_o divine_a of_o the_o french_a church_n as_o pertinent_o and_o plain_o none_o ever_o before_o aërius_n endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o episcopacy_n nor_o yet_o after_o he_o any_o but_o some_o of_o geneva_n what_o some_o he_o may_v mean_v we_o know_v not_o but_o who_o he_o may_v not_o mean_v we_o have_v already_o show_v as_o calvin_n beza_n saddle_n and_o causabon_n who_o have_v give_v their_o ample_a suffrage_n for_o our_o english_a episcopacy_n but_o only_o speak_v against_o the_o romish_a hierarchy_n and_o now_o for_o the_o generality_n of_o it_o prosequamur_fw-la beza_n be_v again_o at_o hand_n say_v if_o there_o be_v any_o as_o i_o think_v say_v he_o there_o be_v not_o who_o altogether_o reject_v the_o episcopal_a order_n god_n forbid_v that_o any_o of_o sound_a brain_n shall_v ever_o assent_v to_o their_o fury_n and_o beside_o protest_v his_o acknowledge_a observance_n and_o all_o reverence_n to_o all_o bishop_n reform_v hitherto_o against_o the_o object_v unlawfulnesse_n of_o episcopacy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n but_o this_o will_v not_o satisfy_v some_o man_n except_o furthermore_o the_o lawfulness_n thereof_o may_v appear_v in_o that_o degree_n which_o be_v call_v in_o respect_n of_o its_o right_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o belong_v unto_o we_o to_o show_v this_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o divine_n of_o remote_a protestant_a church_n which_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o perform_v and_o more_o too_o iii_o thesis_n that_o episcopal_a prelacy_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o their_o consent_n therein_o unto_o primitive_a antiquity_n lvther_o may_v well_o be_v allow_v for_o the_o foreman_n among_o the_o reformer_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n esse_fw-la who_o prove_v the_o prelacy_n of_o episcopacy_n above_o simple_a presbyter_n for_o so_o he_o say_v by_o divine_a right_n and_o this_o he_o do_v in_o his_o tract●te_n call_v his_o reselution_n ground_v his_o judgement_n upon_o scripture_n whereof_o hereafter_o according_o bucer_n against_o the_o pope_n as_o antichrist_n vocantur_fw-la we_o see_v say_v he_o by_o their_o perpetual_a observation_n of_o church_n and_o from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o that_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o some_o singular_a one_o shall_v be_v appoint_v among_o the_o presbyter_n to_o govern_v in_o so_o sacred_a a_o order_n who_o have_v for_o the_o same_o cause_n the_o appellation_n of_o bishop_n in_o scripture_n scultetus_n the_o divine_a professor_n at_o heidelberg_n profess_v episcopal_a degree_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n and_o profess_v to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v such_o by_o efficacious_a reason_n who_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o his_o discourse_n will_v be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n with_o who_o agree_v that_o admirable_a scholar_n episcopos_fw-la isaac_n casaubon_n the_o ornament_n of_o geneva_n who_o hold_v the_o same_o to_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n these_o may_v serve_v for_o the_o present_a till_o we_o come_v to_o a_o large_a consent_n all_o these_o and_o other_o the_o former_a confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n be_v the_o proper_a idiom_n and_o language_n of_o primitive_a antiquity_n teach_v thus_o episcopacy_n be_v by_o the_o ordination_n of_o christ._n so_o titum_fw-la ignatius_n and_o again_o potestatem_fw-la reverence_n your_o bishop_n as_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n have_v command_v you_o or_o thus_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a power_n the_o resistancè_fw-la whereof_o be_v against_o god_n himself_o so_o cyprian_n and_o thus_o god_n place_v bishop_n over_o his_o family_n so_o etc._n origen_n and_o thus_o the_o apostle_n be_v make_v bishop_n by_o christ_n who_o ordain_v other_o mean_v bishop_n in_o other_o place_n by_o who_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v govern_v episcopos_fw-la so_o augustine_n or_o thus_o 75._o bishop_n constitute_v over_o presbyter_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n teacheh_o so_o epiphanius_n and_o thus_o etc._n none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a that_o bishop_n be_v institute_v by_o christ_n when_o he_o make_v his_o apostle_n by_o who_o other_o shall_v be_v make_v bishop_n who_o we_o succeed_v and_o speak_v of_o bishop_n of_o who_o christ_n say_v he_o that_o despise_v you_o despise_v i_o so_o again_o augustine_n before_o we_o end_v this_o point_n we_o shall_v desire_v our_o opposite_n to_o bethink_v themselves_o what_o they_o think_v may_v signify_v the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o chalcedon_n for_o antiquity_n one_o of_o the_o first_o four_o general_n and_o in_o this_o generality_n universal_o receive_v throughout_o christendom_n for_o amplitude_n consist_v of_o six_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o bishop_n and_o for_o averseness_n against_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n that_o which_o undermine_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o romish_a popedom_n which_o be_v a_o pretence_n of_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o christ_n the_o universal_a bishop_n of_o the_o church_n and_o equal_v another_o patriarch_n with_o he_o and_o show_v that_o all_o the_o primacy_n which_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v but_o from_o humane_a authority_n this_o 〈◊〉_d council_n concern_v episcopacy_n ordain_v that_o to_o depose_v a_o bishop_n down_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o a_o presbyter_n be_v sacrilege_n this_o so_o great_a a_o harmony_n between_o the_o former_a protestant_a divine_n and_o those_o eminent_a father_n how_o shall_v it_o not_o sound_v delightful_a unto_o every_o docible_a and_o unpreoccupated_a hearer_n these_o confession_n notwithstanding_o we_o have_v not_o discharge_v our_o
take_v he_o at_o his_o own_o word_n in_o grant_v that_o it_o be_v some_o way_n a_o authoritative_a prelacy_n and_o for_o the_o distinction_n of_o extraordinary_a it_o will_v by_o and_o by_o receive_v a_o ordinary_a but_o a_o true_a answer_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o so_o much_o press_v his_o confession_n as_o we_o may_v do_v his_o reason_n thereof_o deduct_v from_o the_o text_n themselves_o concern_v their_o prelatical_a power_n of_o order_v matter_n that_o be_v amiss_o tit._n 1._o 5._o of_o receive_a accusation_n against_o presbyter_n 1_o tim._n 5._o 19_o and_o the_o like_a but_o our_o other_o opposite_n will_v needs_o pose_v we_o require_v we_o to_o answer_v their_o first_o objection_n videl_n smect_n that_o the_o bishop_n who_o pedigree_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n be_v no_o other_o than_o presbyter_n then_o this_o be_v prove_v say_v they_o by_o two_o instance_n the_o first_o be_v the_o identity_n of_o their_o name_n which_o quoth_v they_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o no_o small_a consequence_n we_o answer_v yea_o rather_o of_o none_o at_o all_o else_o be_v master_n beza_n but_o of_o small_a judgement_n when_o speak_v of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n be_v confess_v appellatione_fw-la that_o the_o presbytery_n have_v then_o a_o precedent_n over_o they_o yea_o when_o the_o community_n of_o name_n so_o he_o of_o presbyter_n and_o bp●_n remain_v among_o they_o according_o as_o 3._o dr_n reynolds_n have_v say_v that_o the_o presbytery_n have_v then_o one_o who_o be_v precedent_n over_o they_o when_o as_o yet_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o who_o furthermore_o concern_v the_o time_n of_o distinguish_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n whither_o soon_o or_o late_a here_o or_o there_o he_o say_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v afterward_o appropriate_v by_o the_o usual_a language_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n to_o he_o that_o have_v the_o presidentship_n over_o the_o elder_n so_o he_o hereby_o grant_v that_o the_o presidentship_n by_o bishop_n be_v of_o force_n before_o the_o title_n and_o name_n be_v appropriate_v and_o allot_v unto_o they_o if_o our_o opposite_n have_v acquaint_v themselves_o with_o these_o learned_a author_n they_o will_v have_v spare_v their_o pain_n in_o oppugn_v episcopacy_n how_o much_o more_o if_o they_o have_v consult_v with_o god_n own_o oracle_n in_o his_o word_n wherein_o we_o find_v which_o former_o we_o point_v at_o that_o saint_n peter_n entitle_v himself_o a_o co-presbyte_a 1._o pet._n 5._o &_o 1_o saint_n john_n himself_o a_o presbyter_n 1._o john_n 1_o and_o saint_n paul_n himself_o thrice_o he_o can_v then_o stoop_v no_o low_a a_o deacon_n col._n 1._o 23._o &_o 25._o 2_o cor._n 3._o &_o 6._o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o inferior_a appellation_n they_o hold_v still_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o apostelship_n we_o end_v this_o point_n in_o hope_n that_o our_o opposite_n will_v take_v out_o this_o lesson_n which_o calvin_n learn_v from_o the_o divine_a text_n in_o the_o epistle_n of_o titus_n what_o be_v that_o even_o our_o full_a conclusion_n in_o this_o cause_n prae●sset_fw-la we_o learn_v from_o hence_o that_o there_o be_v not_o then_o a_o equality_n say_v he_o among_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n but_o that_o one_o be_v with_o authority_n place_v over_o other_o their_o second_o convince_a objection_n will_v be_v discuss_v xviii_o thesis_n that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n have_v have_v a_o prelacy_n as_o bishop_n over_o the_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n that_o they_o be_v call_v evangelist_n according_a to_o consent_v of_o protestant_n of_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o be_v to_o examine_v the_o second_o and_o only_o other_o objection_n which_o our_o opposite_n enforce_v in_o this_o case_n to_o wit_n 115._o that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n with_o all_o other_o such_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o assistant_n and_o immediate_a successor_n do_v take_v care_n of_o the_o church_n not_o as_o proper_o bishop_n but_o as_o evangelist_n who_o have_v no_o settle_a residence_n in_o any_o of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o but_o be_v encounter_v with_o other_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n in_o good_a number_n for_o praeerat_fw-la luther_n among_o his_o other_o resolution_n insert_v this_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v of_o divine_a right_n ground_v his_o judgement_n upon_o the_o text_n specify_v titus_n his_o government_n in_o crete_n as_o be_v consonant_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o augustine_n 2._o their_o learned_a quadrent_fw-la scultetus_n show_v that_o at_o this_o time_n they_o be_v not_o exercise_v in_o assist_v the_o apostle_n for_o collect_v of_o church_n at_o evangelist_n but_o for_o govern_v of_o they_o that_o have_v be_v collect_v as_o the_o general_a precept_n give_v by_o the_o apostle_n say_v he_o do_v prove_v thereby_o to_o become_v the_o example_n &_o type_n for_o the_o successor_n to_o follow_v and_o thereupon_o he_o conclude_v they_o to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o who_o otherwise_o be_v call_v evangeliste_n for_o preach_v the_o gospel_n although_o by_o their_o superintendency_n bishop_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n preminentiae_fw-la master_n moulin_n will_v have_v it_o know_v that_o whatsoever_o timothy_n and_o titus_n have_v whether_o as_o bishop_n or_o evangelist_n it_o be_v such_o as_o have_v a_o continual_a succession_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v as_o other_o confess_v as_o james_n have_v in_o jerusalem_n and_o mark_v in_o alexandria_n which_o be_v episcopal_a titus_n say_v episcopus_fw-la tossahus_o after_o his_o peregrination_n with_o paul_n be_v appoint_v bishop_n of_o crect_n and_o before_o these_o utriusque_fw-la zuinglius_fw-la confess_v that_o tim._n at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o paul_n advise_v he_o to_o pursue_v the_o work_n of_o a_o evangelist_n 2_o tim._n 4._o be_v then_o bishop_n in_o some_o place_n or_o other_o by_o all_o consequence_n 5._o dr._n gerhard_n a_o late_a famous_a theological_a author_n be_v copious_a in_o this_o argument_n who_o in_o the_o same_o show_v that_o the_o word_n evangelist_n give_v to_o timothy_n when_o paul_n write_v unto_o he_o be_v take_v in_o a_o general_a acceptation_n and_o not_o as_o proper_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o he_o have_v be_v a_o assistant_n even_o as_o luther_n say_v he_o understand_v it_o beside_o he_o show_v out_o of_o scripture_n exact_o the_o several_a station_n which_o timothy_n have_v with_o saint_n paul_n in_o exercise_v his_o office_n before_o that_o time_n that_o he_o be_v place_v bishop_n in_o ephesus_n we_o forbear_v the_o full_a allegation_n of_o the_o like_a author_n cite_v by_o other_o that_o we_o may_v hearken_v to_o our_o english_a doctor_n reynolds_n nothing_o inferior_a to_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n even_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o our_o opposite_n themselves_o tell_v we_o of_o that_o very_a time_n when_o paul_n assemble_v the_o ministry_n at_o miletum_n act._n 20._o 28._o 3._o one_o be_v choose_v as_o chief_a in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o g●●d_v it_o the_o same_o who_o afterward_o the_o father_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n call_v bishop_n so_o he_o and_o for_o confirmation_n hereof_o show_v that_o which_o must_v indeed_o be_v impregnable_a to_o wit_n a_o lineal_a succession_n of_o 27._o bishop_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v from_o timothy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o for_o surplus_n age_n to_o all_o this_o we_o answer_v to_o the_o object_v reason_n propound_v for_o timothy_n nonresidence_n in_o ephesus_n by_o that_o qualification_n which_o jurisconsulti_fw-la calvin_n have_v do_v in_o like_a case_n namely_o that_o pastor_n be_v not_o so_o strict_o tie_v to_o their_o glebe_n or_o charge_n as_o that_o they_o may_v not_o help_v other_o church_n upon_o necessary_a occasion_n as_o for_o the_o object_v term_n of_o evangelist_n we_o moreover_o answer_v from_o scripture_n where_o we_o find_v philip_n preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o samaria_n act._n 8._o 5._o call_v a_o evangelist_n act._n 21._o 8._o and_o yet_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seven_o mean_v deacon_n act._n 6._o 5._o our_o quaere_fw-la be_v why_o timothy_n may_v not_o as_o well_o be_v call_v a_o evangelist_n for_o preach_v the_o word_n be_v a_o bishop_n as_o philip_n be_v for_o the_o same_o cause_n name_v in_o evangelist_n be_v a_o deacon_n we_o think_v all_o this_o shall_v be_v satisfactory_a although_o no_o more_o be_v say_v but_o more_o we_o have_v xix_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n teach_v a_o episcopacy_n both_o in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n our_o strong_a opposite_a extitere_fw-la salmasius_n can_v not_o but_o confess_v concern_v antiquity_n although_o he_o spurn_v against_o it_o that_o chrysostome_n epiphaneus_n theophylact_fw-mi theodoret_n and_o other_o greek_a commentatour_n have_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o paul_n that_o titus_n be_v very_o bishop_n of_o cree●e_n and_o that_o there_o can_v not_o be_v divers_a bishop_n in_o one_o city_n which_o be_v our_o
as_o not_o to_o give_v it_o up_o until_o they_o perfect_o understand_v concern_v episcopacy_n itself_o quid_fw-la mali_fw-la fecit_fw-la i_o shall_v speak_v at_o this_o time_n only_o of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o three_o point_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o government_n settle_v in_o the_o church_n for_o perpetuity_n by_o the_o apostle_n whereof_o i_o conceive_v this_o which_o follow_v as_o clear_v a_o demonstration_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o that_o this_o government_n be_v receive_v universal_o in_o the_o church_n either_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o present_o after_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o unquestionable_a that_o the_o most_o learned_a adversary_n of_o this_o government_n do_v themselves_o confess_v it_o petrus_n molinaeus_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr munere_fw-la postorali_fw-la purposely_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o presbyterial_a government_n acknowledge_v that_o present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o even_o in_o their_o time_n as_o ecclesiastical_a story_n witness_v it_o be_v ordain_v that_o in_o every_o city_n one_o of_o the_o presbytery_n shall_v be_v call_v a_o bishop_n who_o shall_v have_v pre-eminence_n over_o his_o colleague_n to_o avoid_v confusion_n which_o oft_o time_n arise_v out_o of_o equality_n and_o true_o this_o form_n of_o government_n all_o church_n every_o where_o receive_v theodorus_n beza_n in_o his_o tract_n de_fw-fr triplici_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la genere_fw-la confess_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o thing_n for_o have_v distinguish_v episcopacy_n into_o three_o kind_n divine_a humane_a and_o satanical_a and_o attribute_v to_o the_o second_o which_o he_o call_v humane_a but_o we_o maintain_v and_o conceive_v to_o be_v apostolical_a not_o only_o a_o priority_n of_o order_n but_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n and_o authority_n over_o other_o presbyter_n bound_v yet_o by_o law_n and_o canon_n provide_v against_o tyranny_n he_o clear_o profess_v that_o of_o this_o kind_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v whatsoever_o we_o read_v concern_v the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n or_o precedent_n as_o justin_n martyr_n call_v they_o in_o ignatius_n and_o other_o more_o ancient_a writer_n certain_o from_o apostle_n these_o two_o great_a defender_n of_o the_o presbytery_n we_o shall_v never_o have_v this_o free_a acknowledgement_n so_o prejudicial_a to_o their_o own_o pretence_n and_o so_o advantageous_a to_o their_o adversary_n purpose_n have_v not_o the_o evidence_n of_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a truth_n enforce_v they_o to_o it_o it_o will_v not_o therefore_o be_v necessary_a to_o spend_v any_o time_n in_o confute_v that_o uningenuous_a assertion_n of_o the_o anonymus_fw-la author_n of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o testimony_n for_o the_o equality_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n who_o affirm_v that_o their_o disparity_n begin_v long_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o we_o may_v safe_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o which_o these_o two_o learned_a adversary_n have_v confess_v and_o see_v whether_o upon_o this_o foundation_n lay_v by_o they_o we_o may_v not_o by_o unanswerable_a reason_n raise_v this_o superstruction_n that_o see_v episcopal_a government_n be_v confess_o so_o ancient_a and_o so_o catholic_a it_o can_v with_o reason_n be_v deny_v to_o be_v apostolic_a for_o so_o great_a a_o change_n as_o between_o presbyterial_a government_n and_o episcopal_a can_v not_o possible_o have_v prevail_v all_o the_o world_n over_o in_o a_o little_a time_n have_v episcopal_a government_n be_v a_o aberration_n from_o or_o a_o corruption_n of_o the_o government_n leave_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n it_o have_v be_v very_o strange_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v receive_v in_o any_o one_o church_n so_o sudden_o or_o that_o it_o shall_v have_v prevail_v in_o all_o for_o many_o age_n after_o variâsse_fw-la debuerat_fw-la error_n ecclesiarum_fw-la quod_fw-la autem_fw-la apud_fw-la omnes_fw-la unum_fw-la est_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la erratum_fw-la sed_fw-la traditum_fw-la have_v the_o church_n err_v they_o will_v have_v vary_v what_o therefore_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o among_o all_o come_v not_o sure_a by_o error_n but_o tradition_n thus_o tertullian_n argue_v very_o probable_o from_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n of_o his_o time_n not_o long_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n much_o more_o subject_a to_o unobserved_a alteration_n but_o that_o in_o the_o frame_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o necessary_a government_n of_o the_o church_n a_o thing_n always_o in_o use_n and_o practice_n there_o shall_v be_v so_o sudden_a a_o change_n as_o present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o so_o universal_a as_o receive_v in_o all_o the_o church_n this_o be_v clear_o impossible_a for_o what_o universal_a cause_n can_v be_v assign_v or_o feign_v of_o this_o universal_a apostasy_n you_o will_v not_o imagine_v that_o the_o apostle_n all_o or_o any_o of_o they_o make_v any_o decree_n for_o this_o change_n when_o they_o be_v live_v or_o leave_v order_n for_o it_o in_o any_o will_n or_o testament_n when_o they_o be_v die_v this_o be_v to_o grant_v the_o question_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o leave_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o and_o either_o see_v by_o experience_n or_o foresee_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o distraction_n and_o disorder_n which_o will_v arise_v from_o a_o multitude_n of_o equal_n substitute_v episcopal_a government_n instead_o of_o their_o own_o general_n counsel_n to_o make_v a_o law_n for_o a_o general_a change_n for_o many_o age_n there_o be_v none_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a emperor_n no_o coercive_a power_n over_o the_o church_n to_o enforce_v it_o or_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o we_o know_v no_o force_n be_v equal_a to_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n their_o life_n be_v then_o at_o command_n for_o they_o have_v not_o then_o learn_v to_o fight_v for_o christ_n but_o their_o obedience_n to_o any_o thing_n against_o his_o law_n be_v not_o to_o be_v command_v for_o they_o have_v perfect_o learn_v to_o die_v for_o he_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o power_n then_o to_o command_v this_o change_n or_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o it_o have_v be_v in_o vain_a what_o device_n then_o shall_v we_o study_v or_o to_o what_o fountain_n shall_v we_o reduce_v this_o strange_a pretend_a alteration_n can_v it_o enter_v into_o our_o heart_n to_o think_v that_o all_o the_o presbyter_n and_o other_o christian_n then_o be_v the_o apostle_n scholar_n can_v be_v general_o ignorant_a of_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n touch_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o presbyterial_a government_n or_o dare_v we_o adventure_v to_o think_v they_o so_o strange_o wicked_a all_o the_o world_n over_o as_o against_o knowledge_n and_o conscience_n to_o conspire_v against_o it_o imagine_v the_o spirit_n of_o diotrephes_n have_v enter_v into_o some_o or_o a_o great_a many_o of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o ambitious_a desire_n of_o a_o forbid_a superiority_n be_v it_o possible_a they_o shall_v attempt_v and_o achieve_v it_o once_o without_o any_o opposition_n or_o contradiction_n and_o beside_o that_o the_o contagion_n of_o this_o ambition_n shall_v spread_v itself_o and_o prevail_v without_o stop_n or_o control_n nay_o without_o any_o noise_n or_o notice_n take_v of_o it_o through_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n all_o the_o watchman_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v so_o fast_o asleep_a and_o all_o the_o dog_n so_o dumb_a that_o not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o shall_v open_v his_o mouth_n against_o it_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v though_o it_o be_v a_o horrible_a untruth_n that_o the_o presbyter_n and_o people_n than_o be_v not_o so_o good_a christian_n as_o the_o presbyter_n be_v now_o that_o they_o be_v general_o so_o negligent_a to_o retain_v the_o government_n of_o christ_n church_n command_v by_o christ_n which_o we_o now_o be_v so_o zealous_a to_o restore_v yet_o certain_o we_o must_v not_o forget_v nor_o deny_v that_o they_o be_v man_n as_o we_o be_v and_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o they_o but_o as_o mere_a natural_a man_n yet_o know_v by_o experience_n how_o hard_o a_o thing_n it_o be_v even_o for_o policy_n arm_v with_o power_n by_o many_o attempt_n and_o contrivance_n and_o in_o a_o long_a time_n to_o gain_v upon_o the_o liberty_n of_o any_o one_o people_n undoubted_o we_o shall_v never_o entertain_v so_o wild_a a_o imagination_n as_o that_o among_o all_o the_o christian_a presbytery_n in_o the_o world_n neither_o conscience_n of_o duty_n nor_o love_n of_o liberty_n nor_o averseness_n from_o pride_n and_o usurpation_n of_o other_o over_o they_o shall_v prevail_v so_o much_o as_o with_o any_o one_o to_o oppose_v this_o pretend_a universal_a invasion_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o christian_n when_o i_o shall_v see_v therefore_o all_o the_o fable_n in_o the_o metamorphosis_n act_v and_o prove_v story_n when_o i_o