privilege_n all_o state_n that_o profess_v christianity_n be_v bind_v by_o that_o profession_n to_o settle_v upon_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v show_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n but_o whatever_o they_o be_v the_o church_n can_v challenge_v they_o by_o its_o original_a charter_n so_o that_o if_o any_o church_n shall_v be_v so_o presumptuous_a as_o to_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o power_n which_o way_n soever_o it_o come_v in_o whether_o direct_o or_o indirect_o by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n commission_n that_o be_v not_o only_o a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o christianity_n but_o a_o atheistical_a abuse_v put_v upon_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o institution_n but_o as_o to_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o power_n from_o our_o saviour_n only_o over_o subject_n be_v no_o less_o than_o blasphemy_n against_o he_o so_o to_o pretend_v to_o it_o over_o sovereign_n double_v the_o blasphemy_n by_o add_v the_o sin_n of_o rebellion_n to_o that_o of_o impiety_n and_o utter_o destroy_v not_o only_o the_o be_v and_o constitution_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n but_o of_o all_o humane_a society_n so_o that_o how_o many_o mark_v soever_o there_o may_v be_v of_o a_o true_a church_n this_o alone_a be_v a_o infallible_a note_n of_o a_o false_a one_o and_o therefore_o every_o church_n that_o refuse_v to_o disclaim_v any_o temporal_a power_n over_o prince_n renounce_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o forfeit_v all_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o vain_a as_o open_o to_o claim_v any_o such_o power_n it_o bid_v open_a defiance_n to_o our_o saviour_n and_o quit_v he_o and_o his_o religion_n to_o follow_v mahomet_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n can_v so_o effectual_o unchurch_n a_o church_n as_o its_o claim_v any_o temporal_a authority_n to_o itself_o especial_o over_o sovereign_a power_n and_o this_o i_o doubt_v will_v light_v very_o severe_o upon_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n ever_o since_o the_o hildebrandine_n apostasy_n viz._n that_o the_o pope_n as_o vicar_n of_o christ_n have_v a_o power_n of_o depose_v sovereign_a prince_n and_o absolve_a subject_n from_o their_o allegiance_n this_o they_o have_v own_a whenever_o they_o dare_v and_o put_v in_o practice_n whenever_o they_o can_v and_o will_v never_o be_v bring_v upon_o any_o term_n to_o condemn_v it_o which_o doctrine_n certain_o be_v the_o great_a unkindness_n that_o they_o can_v do_v themselves_o and_o the_o worst_a thing_n that_o their_o great_a enemy_n can_v desire_v to_o object_v against_o they_o and_o if_o any_o thing_n can_v prove_v his_o holiness_n to_o be_v antichrist_n this_o be_v the_o thing_n because_o it_o be_v a_o utter_a subversion_n of_o the_o whole_a state_n of_o christianity_n and_o make_v our_o saviour_n a_o false_a christ_n by_o make_v he_o a_o temporal_a messiah_n and_o place_v he_o in_o the_o head_n of_o a_o army_n to_o subdue_v the_o prince_n and_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n into_o subjection_n to_o himself_o i_o be_o sure_a for_o this_o very_a reason_n do_v the_o learned_a cardinal_n baronius_n make_v mahomet_n the_o type_n of_o antichrist_n because_o he_o promote_v his_o religion_n over_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n quod_fw-la armorum_fw-la 14._o potentia_fw-la tot_fw-la provincias_fw-la nullo_n fermè_fw-la negotio_fw-la per_fw-la suos_fw-la posteros_fw-la ejusdem_fw-la sectae_fw-la homines_fw-la subjugasset_fw-la he_o will_v have_v do_v well_o to_o have_v apply_v this_o censure_n near_a home_n and_o then_o he_o will_v not_o have_v justify_v all_o the_o rebellious_a pope_n in_o their_o violence_n and_o outrage_n that_o they_o act_v against_o sovereign_a prince_n and_o yet_o no_o man_n have_v do_v it_o with_o more_o diligence_n than_o himself_o as_o i_o shall_v prove_v when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v his_o performance_n neither_o will_v this_o charge_n of_o apostasy_n light_n only_o upon_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o upon_o every_o church_n that_o maintain_v a_o right_a of_o resistance_n to_o sovereign_a power_n upon_o a_o pretence_n of_o christian_a religion_n whatsoever_o for_o that_o be_v still_o to_o take_v to_o themselves_o such_o a_o power_n against_o their_o prince_n by_o our_o saviour_n authority_n which_o be_v the_o same_o direct_a contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o same_o sort_n of_o apostasy_n from_o christianity_n to_o mahumetism_n put_v a_o scymeter_n into_o our_o saviour_n hand_n and_o under_o his_o pretend_a conduct_n wage_n war_n against_o their_o lawful_a sovereign_n and_o that_o be_v the_o great_a dishonour_n that_o they_o can_v bring_v to_o their_o master_n or_o themselves_o and_o yet_o we_o shall_v find_v some_o other_o church_n aś_n much_o guilty_a of_o this_o apostasy_n both_o in_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n as_o that_o of_o rome_n and_o though_o rome_n and_o they_o stand_v at_o the_o great_a distance_n of_o enmity_n out_o of_o jealousy_n of_o one_o another_o who_o shall_v carry_v the_o prize_n yet_o they_o both_o full_o agree_v in_o this_o fundamental_a antichristian_a principle_n but_o this_o charge_n will_v come_v home_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n at_o present_a we_o must_v take_v this_o article_n of_o faith_n all_o along_o with_o we_o no_o temporal_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n unless_o from_o the_o grant_n of_o the_o state_n §._o iii_o but_o than_o second_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v too_o that_o the_o power_n of_o prince_n how_o great_a soever_o in_o church_n matter_n suppose_v the_o spiritual_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v as_o much_o settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n without_o any_o dependency_n on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o state_n as_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o state_n be_v settle_v by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n before_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n so_o that_o it_o be_v undeniable_o evident_a from_o its_o original_a constitution_n that_o the_o church_n subsist_v no_o more_o upon_o the_o state_n as_o to_o its_o proper_a power_n than_o the_o state_n upon_o the_o church_n for_o as_o the_o christian_a church_n come_v into_o the_o world_n after_o the_o civil_a government_n of_o state_n be_v entire_o settle_v in_o it_o so_o do_v the_o world_n come_v into_o the_o church_n after_o its_o government_n be_v as_o entire_o fix_v within_o itself_o and_o therefore_o as_o christianity_n by_o its_o come_n into_o the_o world_n ought_v no_o manner_n of_o way_n to_o abate_v the_o civil_a power_n of_o the_o state_n so_o neither_o when_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n come_v into_o the_o church_n ought_v they_o to_o diminish_v any_o thing_n of_o that_o authority_n that_o it_o enjoy_v by_o divine_a commission_n before_o they_o come_v into_o it_o for_o they_o be_v receive_v into_o it_o upon_o the_o same_o term_n with_o all_o other_o proselyte_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n that_o they_o submit_v themselves_o to_o it_o as_o our_o soviour_n own_o institution_n so_o that_o as_o our_o first_o point_n be_v that_o all_o sovereign_a prince_n have_v or_o aught_o to_o have_v a_o imperial_a supremacy_n over_o all_o ecclesiastical_a person_n and_o in_o all_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n our_o second_o be_v that_o this_o supremacy_n which_o be_v the_o high_a power_n that_o can_v be_v on_o earth_n be_v no_o ecclesiastical_a but_o a_o civil_a supremacy_n for_o beside_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o dishonour_n to_o degrade_v a_o sovereign_a prince_n to_o the_o priestly_a office_n the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n be_v pure_o spiritual_a and_o that_o be_v a_o power_n that_o be_v never_o challenge_v by_o any_o prince_n nor_o direct_o give_v by_o any_o man_n though_o it_o be_v so_o by_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a consequence_n by_o all_o that_o disow_v a_o inherent_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n from_o our_o saviour_n own_o commission_n but_o only_a mr._n hobbs_n who_o as_o he_o make_v the_o prince_n his_o own_o priest_n make_v he_o his_o own_o god_n too_o now_o these_o two_o principle_n lay_v together_o clear_v up_o the_o nature_n and_o title_n of_o the_o supremacy_n of_o sovereign_a prince_n that_o it_o be_v none_o of_o that_o spiritual_a power_n that_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o church_n but_o a_o temporal_a supremacy_n over_o all_o the_o spiritual_a power_n of_o it_o within_o his_o own_o dominion_n and_o now_o if_o these_o two_o principle_n that_o be_v as_o certain_a as_o christianity_n itself_o be_v but_o calm_o attend_v to_o they_o will_v perfect_o silence_v all_o the_o clamour_n of_o both_o the_o extreme_a party_n in_o this_o controversy_n those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n must_v cease_v their_o noise_n that_o we_o make_v the_o king_n a_o bishop_n by_o acknowledge_v his_o supremacy_n in_o all_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n and_o over_o all_o ecclesiastical_a person_n when_o upon_o this_o state_n of_o the_o question_n such_o a_o supremacy_n over_o all_o thing_n and_o person_n within_o their_o dominion_n
of_o the_o primitive_a church_n where_o we_o shall_v find_v the_o whole_a matter_n so_o fair_o and_o so_o easy_o accord_v that_o it_o be_v next_o to_o a_o miracle_n how_o it_o shall_v ever_o be_v make_v so_o great_a a_o difficulty_n in_o these_o late_a time_n but_o it_o happen_v in_o this_o as_o it_o do_v in_o most_o other_o thing_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n that_o man_n see_v themselves_o wrap_v up_o they_o know_v not_o how_o in_o woeful_a error_n and_o corruption_n but_o do_v not_o and_o indeed_o as_o the_o world_n then_o stand_v can_v not_o immediate_o discover_v the_o true_a original_a state_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o receive_v into_o protection_n by_o constantine_n and_o the_o christian_a emperor_n so_o that_o though_o they_o have_v eyesight_n enough_o and_o god_n know_v very_o little_a will_v serve_v their_o turn_n to_o discern_v the_o folly_n and_o abuse_n of_o rome_n they_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n how_o to_o fix_v the_o right_a reformation_n and_o for_o want_v of_o the_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o church_n that_o lie_v bury_v in_o dust_n and_o rubbish_n at_o that_o time_n can_v make_v but_o slow_a improvement_n in_o it_o so_o that_o before_o the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v clear_o and_o full_o discover_v most_o of_o they_o be_v settle_v in_o some_o way_n or_o other_o and_o after_o any_o new_a settlement_n it_o be_v very_o difficult_a to_o make_v any_o alteration_n and_o therefore_o they_o continue_v in_o their_o first_o posture_n to_o this_o day_n but_o the_o church_n of_o england_n at_o the_o very_a first_o attempt_n resolve_v to_o reform_v itself_o by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o have_v the_o good_a fortune_n to_o retain_v the_o apostolical_a form_n of_o episcopal_a government_n in_o subordination_n to_o the_o royal_a power_n set_v itself_o in_o a_o right_a way_n to_o reformation_n and_o so_o as_o the_o state_n of_o thing_n come_v to_o light_v by_o degree_n bring_v its_o work_n to_o some_o competent_a perfection_n for_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n after_o such_o a_o inveterate_a degeneracy_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o work_n of_o so_o great_a bulk_n and_o difficulty_n that_o it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a thing_n to_o expect_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v finish_v at_o the_o first_o stroke_n so_o great_a a_o design_n as_o that_o must_v be_v a_o work_n of_o time_n and_o consideration_n to_o be_v review_v and_o amend_v as_o the_o master-workman_n shall_v find_v most_o convenient_a so_o as_o that_o they_o who_o have_v a_o power_n first_o to_o begin_v it_o have_v a_o inherent_a right_n when_o ever_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o take_v a_o account_n of_o their_o own_o work_n and_o if_o they_o find_v any_o flaw_n mistake_n or_o defect_n in_o it_o to_o make_v they_o up_o by_o a_o after-care_n so_o that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o constant_a power_n reside_v in_o the_o church_n to_o enact_v or_o abolish_v law_n as_o it_o judge_n most_o serviceable_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n and_o that_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o governor_n of_o it_o act_v under_o the_o allowance_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n by_o its_o establish_a law_n and_o constitution_n with_o a_o constant_a power_n reside_v in_o themselves_o and_o their_o successor_n to_o enact_v new_a law_n as_o they_o shall_v judge_v most_o beneficial_a to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a crude_a notion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o common_a as_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o its_o canon_n article_n and_o constitution_n for_o that_o be_v only_o the_o law_n and_o dead_a rule_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o the_o church_n proper_o so_o call_v consist_v in_o its_o live_a authority_n as_o settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n by_o which_o these_o law_n be_v at_o first_o enact_v and_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v still_o execute_v and_o may_v in_o some_o case_n be_v alter_v and_o that_o be_v the_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o one_o be_v alterable_a and_o the_o other_o be_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n may_v make_v new_a law_n and_o cancel_v old_a one_o but_o that_o last_v the_o same_o for_o ever_o so_o that_o for_o man_n to_o talk_v of_o this_o or_o that_o church_n without_o a_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n settle_v in_o it_o by_o our_o saviour_n own_o commission_n be_v to_o turn_v the_o christian_a church_n into_o a_o chimaera_n and_o imaginary_a state_n of_o fairy_n but_o as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n according_a to_o the_o design_n of_o its_o reformation_n it_o consist_v of_o a_o national_a synod_n of_o bishop_n together_o with_o a_o select_a convocation_n of_o presbyter_n represent_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o subjection_n to_o the_o sovereign_a power_n and_o in_o communion_n with_o the_o catholic_a church_n all_o the_o world_n over_o as_o far_o as_o it_o can_v be_v attain_v and_o this_o be_v contrive_v so_o agreeable_o to_o the_o primitive_a platform_n the_o interest_n of_o government_n the_o nature_n of_o christianity_n that_o there_o be_v little_a else_o defective_a in_o it_o than_o the_o honesty_n and_o the_o confidence_n to_o own_v itself_o and_o put_v its_o own_o constitution_n into_o effectual_a practice_n but_o of_o that_o i_o shall_v discourse_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n §._o 9_o at_o present_v for_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n government_n within_o itself_o and_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o civil_a state_n it_o must_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o two_o period_n before_o and_o after_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o by_o compare_v the_o true_a face_n and_o posture_n of_o thing_n in_o these_o two_o so_o different_a state_n we_o shall_v have_v a_o exact_a description_n of_o the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o estate_n and_o condition_n whatsoever_o but_o most_o of_o all_o of_o its_o easy_a compliance_n with_o the_o right_n of_o civil_a government_n in_o christian_a state_n and_o of_o the_o safe_a way_n for_o christian_a sovereign_n to_o govern_v and_o protect_v the_o church_n within_o their_o dominion_n without_o invade_v its_o inherent_a and_o unalienable_a authority_n and_o then_o last_o of_o all_o i_o shall_v compare_v that_o royal_a supremacy_n that_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o assert_v in_o the_o church_n and_o realm_n of_o england_n in_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a with_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n concern_v the_o authority_n of_o emperor_n and_o with_o the_o practice_n of_o christian_a prince_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o authority_n and_o by_o show_v their_o complete_a agreement_n shall_v from_o that_o topick_n distinct_o prove_v that_o we_o have_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o matter_n attain_v a_o good_a degree_n of_o reformation_n first_o as_o for_o the_o period_n of_o time_n before_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v first_o their_o behaviour_n towards_o the_o civil_a government_n whilst_o it_o suppress_v and_o persecute_v the_o christian_a faith_n second_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n within_o themselves_o from_o both_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o the_o church_n as_o a_o society_n found_v by_o christ_n challenge_v a_o jurisdiction_n distinct_a from_o and_o independent_a upon_o the_o civil_a state_n and_o that_o this_o jurisdiction_n be_v so_o far_o from_o interfere_v with_o or_o abate_v of_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o prince_n that_o it_o bind_v they_o to_o the_o strict_a allegiance_n and_o subjection_n to_o the_o most_o inhuman_a persecutor_n and_o the_o story_n of_o this_o interval_n whilst_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o world_n be_v separate_v and_o indeed_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a opposite_a will_v set_v before_o we_o a_o much_o clear_a state_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o two_o jurisdiction_n than_o we_o can_v have_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o christian_a state_n in_o which_o the_o two_o power_n concur_v in_o the_o same_o act_n of_o government_n it_o be_v not_o altogether_o so_o easy_a to_o discern_v their_o distinct_a influence_n but_o will_v withal_o give_v we_o the_o full_a character_n of_o true_a christian_a loyalty_n from_o their_o practice_n under_o the_o hard_a usage_n and_o severe_a persecution_n but_o most_o of_o all_o from_o their_o principle_n upon_o which_o they_o found_v their_o obligation_n to_o their_o practice_n and_o when_o it_o appear_v upon_o what_o ground_n and_o reason_n they_o submit_v to_o the_o utmost_a cruelty_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n that_o will_v prevent_v the_o common_a shift_n make_v by_o all_o factious_a party_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o example_n
by_o the_o roman_a writer_n as_o his_o be_v then_o but_o a_o novice_n in_o the_o faith_n and_o not_o sufficient_o inform_v of_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n or_o his_o be_v tire_v out_o by_o the_o restless_a importunity_n of_o the_o donatist_n so_o that_o he_o can_v enjoy_v no_o quiet_a till_o he_o yield_v to_o it_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v true_a but_o they_o be_v needless_a for_o though_o it_o may_v not_o be_v proper_a for_o a_o layman_n to_o judge_v in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n yet_o it_o may_v not_o be_v altogether_o unlawful_a especial_o when_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o state_n depend_v upon_o they_o and_o that_o be_v the_o emperor_n case_n at_o this_o time_n all_o africa_n be_v in_o a_o uproar_v and_o in_o danger_n to_o be_v lose_v by_o the_o sedition_n and_o therefore_o it_o high_o concern_v he_o to_o exert_v his_o own_o power_n as_o he_o will_v secure_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o his_o empire_n and_o upon_o that_o reason_n he_o may_v take_v the_o judgement_n upon_o himself_o thereby_o to_o restrain_v the_o donatist_n from_o raise_v disturbance_n and_o sedition_n in_o the_o state_n though_o when_o all_o be_v do_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o emperor_n never_o accept_v the_o appeal_n nay_o that_o he_o protest_v against_o it_o as_o a_o affront_n to_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o set_v up_o his_o own_o power_n above_o god_n appear_v not_o only_o from_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o bishop_n at_o arles_n but_o his_o perpetual_a declaration_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o he_o will_v be_v prevail_v with_o to_o take_v upon_o himself_o a_o judgement_n that_o he_o so_o solemn_o disavow_v and_o therefore_o his_o design_n in_o hear_v the_o cause_n after_o judgement_n be_v not_o to_o judge_v but_o to_o expose_v the_o schismatic_n or_o to_o suffer_v they_o to_o expose_v themselves_o for_o the_o cause_n be_v already_o so_o full_o and_o clear_o determine_v at_o the_o council_n that_o it_o can_v not_o admit_v any_o review_n but_o because_o they_o be_v so_o restless_a to_o have_v it_o re-hear_a before_o the_o emperor_n himself_o he_o at_o last_o seem_v to_o condescend_v to_o their_o importunity_n when_o he_o know_v it_o will_v prove_v their_o fatal_a overthrow_n for_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o will_v not_o meddle_v with_o the_o business_n at_o all_o till_o he_o have_v the_o discovery_n of_o ingentius_fw-la his_o forgery_n in_o his_o pocket_n with_o which_o they_o be_v so_o surprise_v that_o instead_o of_o follow_v their_o suit_n it_o utter_o disperse_v they_o and_o for_o the_o very_a same_o reason_n he_o give_v they_o other_o hear_n after_o his_o own_o imperial_a judgement_n only_o to_o give_v they_o the_o great_a scope_n to_o lay_v open_a themselves_o and_o their_o dishonesty_n to_o the_o world_n as_o will_v appear_v anon_o in_o the_o foul_a discovery_n of_o nundinarius_n the_o deacon_n §._o iii_o but_o after_o the_o imperial_a sentence_n against_o they_o instead_o of_o submit_v to_o so_o great_a a_o authority_n and_o such_o clear_a conviction_n they_o raise_v high_a clamour_n of_o injustice_n and_o oppression_n and_o when_o they_o return_v home_o put_v the_o people_n into_o riot_n and_o tumult_n and_o seize_v a_o church_n in_o numidia_n belong_v to_o the_o catholic_n and_o of_o the_o emperor_n own_o foundation_n of_o which_o when_o complaint_n be_v make_v to_o the_o empeperor_n by_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n such_o be_v then_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o schismatic_n and_o the_o disorder_n of_o the_o time_n that_o at_o that_o time_n he_o can_v send_v they_o no_o other_o relief_n then_o by_o exhort_v they_o to_o patience_n and_o bestow_v a_o new_a church_n upon_o they_o not_o dare_v to_o inflict_v any_o punishment_n upon_o the_o offender_n for_o so_o long_a a_o train_n of_o sedition_n but_o leave_v they_o as_o himself_o speak_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n and_o as_o he_o have_v not_o long_o before_o witten_v to_o his_o lieutenant_n celsus_n that_o he_o shall_v forbear_v they_o a_o while_n till_o himself_o can_v have_v leisure_n to_o visit_v africa_n sâ—re_v now_o assure_v they_o that_o when_o he_o come_v the_o schismatic_n shall_v feel_v the_o event_n of_o his_o abuse_a patience_n and_o that_o he_o doubt_v not_o when_o he_o come_v to_o convince_v they_o of_o such_o manifest_a villainy_n that_o will_v utter_o spoil_v all_o their_o glory_n of_o martyrdom_n for_o that_o they_o give_v out_o to_o justify_v their_o stubborness_n against_o the_o imperial_a edict_n that_o whatever_o punishment_n the_o emperor_n decree_v against_o they_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o undergo_v as_o martyr_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o dread_v any_o severity_n that_o they_o desire_v the_o execution_n of_o penal_a law_n against_o they_o and_o so_o they_o persist_v rail_v at_o the_o emperor_n for_o deny_v justice_n and_o revile_v the_o catholic_n for_o incite_v he_o to_o persecution_n till_o at_o length_n he_o be_v force_v to_o enact_v severe_a law_n against_o they_o and_o first_o of_o all_o all_o their_o meeting-house_n be_v confiscate_v to_o the_o crown_n and_o according_o seize_v on_o and_o it_o happen_v very_o lucky_o at_o that_o time_n that_o one_o nundinarius_n a_o deacon_n of_o the_o donatist_n who_o be_v privy_a to_o the_o first_o contrivance_n of_o the_o schism_n at_o their_o meeting_n at_o cirta_n discover_v the_o whole_a conspiracy_n to_o zenophilus_n the_o proconsul_n of_o numidia_n and_o prove_v both_o by_o public_a record_n and_o a_o great_a number_n of_o witness_n that_o silvanus_n who_o they_o have_v make_v bishop_n of_o cirta_n and_o the_o most_o factious_a man_n of_o the_o whole_a party_n be_v a_o traditor_n and_o that_o my_o lady_n lucilla_n have_v give_v the_o numidian_a bishop_n a_o great_a sum_n of_o money_n to_o depose_v caecilian_a and_o bestow_v his_o bishopric_n upon_o her_o ladyship_n chaplain_n and_o this_o discovery_n be_v signify_v by_o zenophilus_n to_o the_o emperor_n together_o with_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o seditious_a practice_n of_o silvanus_n he_o condemn_v both_o silvanus_n and_o all_o the_o other_o ringleader_n of_o the_o faction_n to_o perpetual_a banishment_n and_o that_o be_v the_o utmost_a severity_n that_o he_o ever_o proceed_v to_o for_o though_o some_o of_o they_o be_v sentence_v to_o death_n yet_o such_o be_v his_o natural_a clemency_n that_o he_o turn_v it_o into_o banishment_n and_o thus_o by_o seize_v their_o conventicle_n and_o send_v away_o their_o leader_n he_o give_v himself_o ease_v and_o quiet_a for_o some_o time_n from_o their_o disturbance_n but_o now_o behold_v the_o constant_a ingenuity_n of_o all_o schismatic_n to_o be_v sure_a to_o beleaguer_v the_o state_n when_o ever_o they_o find_v it_o in_o any_o distress_n and_o to_o gain_v their_o own_o end_n out_o of_o the_o public_a necessity_n and_o to_o make_v what_o demand_v they_o please_v when_o the_o government_n be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o contend_v with_o they_o and_o thus_o about_o this_o time_n the_o war_n between_o constantine_n and_o licinius_n break_v out_o the_o donatist_n present_o accost_v the_o emperor_n with_o a_o bold_a petition_n both_o for_o grant_v liberty_n of_o conscience_n and_o recall_v silvanus_n and_o his_o colleague_n from_o banishment_n be_v so_o confident_a as_o to_o tell_v he_o in_o broad_a expression_n that_o they_o will_v suffer_v a_o thousand_o death_n before_o they_o will_v be_v reconcile_v to_o that_o prelatical_a knave_n of_o he_o caecilian_a and_o yet_o so_o involve_v be_v the_o emperor_n affair_n at_o that_o time_n that_o he_o be_v force_v to_o grant_v whatever_o they_o demand_v and_o order_n verinus_n his_o viceroy_n in_o africa_n to_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o liberty_n and_o that_o they_o use_v with_o all_o manner_n of_o insolence_n whilst_o the_o civil_a war_n last_v neither_o now_o will_v they_o be_v satisfy_v with_o their_o own_o liberty_n at_o home_n but_o endeavour_v to_o spread_v their_o schism_n into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o poison_v all_o the_o emperor_n dominion_n with_o the_o spirit_n of_o faction_n and_o sedition_n what_o emissary_n they_o send_v into_o other_o church_n be_v not_o so_o well_o know_v but_o to_o rome_n they_o send_v one_o victor_n as_o titular_a bishop_n of_o that_o see_v who_o take_v upon_o himself_o all_o episcopal_a authority_n over_o his_o party_n and_o have_v many_o successor_n in_o his_o usurpation_n but_o not_o have_v liberty_n to_o keep_v their_o public_a meeting_n in_o the_o city_n they_o betake_v themselves_o to_o field_n conventicle_n and_o assemble_v in_o the_o rok_n and_o mountain_n and_o from_o thence_o be_v common_o call_v montense_n campitae_fw-la and_o rupitani_fw-la this_o be_v all_o that_o we_o have_v record_v of_o they_o in_o this_o emperor_n reign_n for_o he_o have_v overcome_v licinius_n and_o be_v master_n of_o the_o
measure_n of_o peace_n and_o unity_n insomuch_o that_o great_a number_n of_o the_o circumoellians_n themselves_o as_o st._n austin_n tell_v we_o be_v reduce_v 48._o epist._n 48._o to_o sobriety_n and_o here_o it_o be_v that_o he_o profess_v that_o though_o hitherto_o he_o have_v be_v a_o enemy_n to_o all_o penal_a law_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n yet_o now_o he_o be_v quite_o baffle_v out_o of_o that_o opinion_n not_o so_o much_o by_o argument_n as_o example_n and_o particular_o of_o his_o own_o city_n that_o though_o it_o have_v be_v almost_o swallow_v up_o with_o the_o faction_n yet_o it_o be_v now_o so_o reduce_v to_o the_o catholic_n unity_n by_o the_o fear_n of_o these_o imperial_a law_n that_o in_o a_o short_a time_n it_o so_o universal_o detest_v the_o schism_n as_o if_o it_o have_v never_o have_v any_o footing_n or_o entertainment_n there_o how_o many_o say_v he_o that_o be_v engage_v in_o the_o party_n by_o education_n and_o never_o consider_v upon_o what_o ground_n they_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n be_v awaken_v by_o these_o law_n to_o examine_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o schism_n find_v nothing_o of_o moment_n enough_o in_o it_o for_o which_o they_o shall_v expose_v themselves_o to_o so_o great_a damage_n these_o be_v without_o difficulty_n make_v catholic_n how_o many_o that_o only_o follow_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o guide_n and_o understand_v not_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o church_n and_o the_o donatist_n how_o many_o that_o have_v be_v abuse_v with_o story_n and_o false_a report_n of_o the_o catholic_n how_o many_o that_o think_v it_o indifferent_a with_o which_o party_n they_o side_v give_v god_n and_o the_o emperor_n thank_v for_o fright_v they_o out_o of_o their_o sloth_n and_o stupidity_n and_o that_o say_v he_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a use_n of_o penal_a law_n to_o awaken_v man_n to_o a_o sight_n of_o their_o error_n in_o which_o they_o have_v be_v detain_v by_o mere_a carelessness_n or_o wantonness_n and_o in_o all_o schism_n a_o affect_a petulancy_n be_v ever_o the_o strong_a ingredient_n and_o so_o thing_n continue_v in_o a_o quiet_a posture_n till_o the_o death_n of_o stilicho_n in_o the_o year_n 408_o but_o upon_o that_o the_o heathen_n and_o donatist_n that_o be_v all_o along_o one_o party_n against_o the_o catholic_n raise_v a_o report_n that_o the_o law_n against_o they_o be_v make_v and_o contrive_v business_n aâ—gust_n ep._n 129_o ad_fw-la olimpium_fw-la comitem_fw-la a_o courtier_n who_o he_o inform_v of_o the_o whole_a business_n pure_o by_o the_o design_n of_o stilicho_n without_o the_o emperor_n consent_n and_o therefore_o as_o if_o their_o authority_n have_v die_v together_o with_o their_o author_n they_o break_v out_o into_o their_o old_a outrages_a against_o the_o catholic_n which_o come_v to_o the_o emperor_n knowledge_n he_o immediate_o dispach_v a_o rescript_n to_o curtius_n the_o perfect_a of_o rome_n 43._o de_fw-fr hareticis_fw-la leg_n 43._o declare_v that_o it_o be_v his_o imperial_a will_n that_o all_o the_o law_n against_o the_o donatist_n heathen_n and_o heretic_n shall_v continue_v in_o full_a force_n strict_o require_v he_o and_o all_o his_o officer_n to_o put_v they_o in_o effectual_a execution_n and_o this_o be_v follow_v by_o another_o rescript_n to_o donatus_n perfect_a of_o africa_n who_o obey_v it_o with_o that_o rigour_n that_o st._n austin_n be_v force_v out_o of_o his_o mere_a good_a nature_n to_o write_v to_o he_o to_o spare_v their_o life_n exit_fw-la occasione_n terribilium_fw-la judiâ—um_fw-la ac_fw-la legum_fw-la ne_fw-la aeterni_fw-la judicii_fw-la paenas_fw-la 129._o epist._n 129._o incidant_fw-la corrigi_fw-la eos_fw-la cupimus_fw-la non_fw-la necari_fw-la nec_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la circa_fw-la eos_fw-la negligi_fw-la volumus_fw-la nec_fw-la suppliciis_fw-la quibus_fw-la digni_fw-la sunt_fw-la exerceri_fw-la sic_fw-la ergo_fw-la eorum_fw-la peccata_fw-la compesce_fw-la ut_fw-la sint_fw-la quos_fw-la paeniteat_fw-la peccavisse_fw-la quaesumus_fw-la igitur_fw-la ut_fw-la cum_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la causas_fw-la audis_fw-la quamlibet_fw-la nefariis_fw-la injuriis_fw-la appetitam_fw-la vel_fw-la afflictam_fw-la esse_fw-la cognoveris_fw-la potestatem_fw-la occidendi_fw-la te_fw-la habere_fw-la obliviscaris_fw-la upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o dreadful_a law_n and_o execution_n against_o they_o we_o can_v but_o desire_v lest_o they_o shall_v fall_v into_o everlasting_a punishment_n that_o they_o may_v be_v chastise_v but_o not_o kill_v that_o discipline_n may_v be_v exercise_v upon_o they_o but_o that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v punish_v with_o the_o utmost_a justice_n that_o they_o deserve_v and_o therefore_o so_o correct_v their_o sin_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v past_o the_o state_n of_o repentance_n and_o we_o beseech_v you_o that_o when_o you_o hear_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n though_o you_o will_v find_v it_o assault_v and_o oppress_v with_o intolerable_a injury_n forget_v then_o that_o you_o have_v the_o power_n of_o life_n and_o death_n but_o still_o the_o emperor_n 46._o de_fw-fr bâ—reticis_fw-la legib_fw-la 45_o 46._o proceed_v with_o more_o vigour_n and_o the_o year_n follow_v injoin_v the_o strict_a execution_n of_o these_o law_n to_o his_o officer_n and_o judge_n under_o severe_a penalty_n to_o themselves_o of_o loss_n of_o place_n fines_n and_o banishment_n with_o a_o far_o reserve_v of_o his_o displeasure_n and_o here_o he_o come_v so_o close_o to_o the_o schismatic_n as_o not_o only_o to_o banish_v their_o preacher_n but_o every_o one_o that_o shall_v but_o talk_v or_o dispute_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o schism_n and_o so_o by_o this_o mean_n thing_n continue_v quiet_a once_o more_o till_o the_o invasion_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o sack_v of_o rome_n by_o the_o goth_n when_o attalus_n send_v a_o army_n against_o heraclian_n the_o praefect_n for_o the_o conquest_n of_o africa_n and_o if_o he_o have_v succeed_v in_o it_o he_o have_v be_v complete_a master_n of_o the_o western_a empire_n in_o this_o straight_a either_o for_o fear_n that_o they_o shall_v join_v with_o the_o enemy_n or_o because_o they_o grow_v insolent_a in_o their_o demand_n as_o they_o do_v to_o constantine_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o licinian_n war_n the_o emperor_n grant_v they_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n for_o some_o time_n but_o be_v quit_v of_o the_o danger_n by_o the_o speedy_a overthrow_n of_o the_o goth_n in_o africa_n he_o immediate_o dispatch_v a_o rescript_n at_o the_o request_n of_o the_o african_a father_n who_o be_v already_o high_o sensible_a of_o the_o mischief_n of_o this_o liberty_n to_o the_o same_o proconsul_n to_o reverse_v 51._o de_fw-fr hereticis_fw-la l._n 51._o his_o former_a decree_n that_o have_v be_v extort_a from_o he_o by_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o time_n and_o now_o probable_o be_v afresh_o incense_v by_o their_o fawcy_a behaviour_n in_o his_o affliction_n make_v the_o schism_n itself_o capital_a or_o to_o be_v punish_v paenâ_fw-la &_o proscriptionis_fw-la &_o sanguinis_fw-la for_o before_o this_o time_n none_o be_v to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n but_o those_o that_o have_v deserve_v it_o by_o their_o tumult_n disorder_n and_o infurrection_n but_o now_o the_o very_a frequent_v their_o meeting_n be_v forbid_v under_o no_o less_o penalty_n §._o vi_o but_o be_v now_o resolve_v to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o trouble_n that_o they_o have_v give_v he_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o resolve_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o try_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o do_v any_o good_a upon_o they_o by_o a_o friendly_a conference_n which_o as_o himself_o say_v he_o do_v by_o the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o african_a bishop_n and_o it_o be_v chief_o devise_v by_o st._n austin_n to_o undeceive_v the_o people_n for_o their_o leader_n still_o persist_v to_o abuse_v they_o with_o old_a tale_n and_o story_n notwithstanding_o that_o they_o have_v be_v so_o shameful_o expose_v a_o hundred_o year_n since_o but_o that_o be_v beyond_o the_o memory_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o st._n austin_n conclude_v that_o the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o reduce_v they_o be_v to_o let_v the_o people_n know_v what_o be_v do_v in_o constantine_n time_n in_o the_o synod_n of_o rome_n and_o arles_n and_o before_o the_o emperor_n himself_o at_o milan_n and_o the_o shameful_a discovery_n of_o their_o forgery_n about_o caecilian_a and_o faelix_fw-la of_o aptung_n by_o ingentius_fw-la the_o notary_n and_o nundinarius_n the_o deacon_n and_o this_o he_o doubt_v not_o will_v make_v they_o see_v through_o the_o whole_a cheat_n that_o have_v be_v put_v upon_o they_o from_o the_o beginning_n and_o forever_o expose_v the_o impudence_n and_o dishonesty_n of_o their_o leader_n quod_fw-la verò_fw-la ante_fw-la centum_fw-la fermè_fw-la julianum_fw-la annos_fw-la majores_fw-la nostri_fw-la cum_fw-la iis_fw-la donatistis_fw-la egerant_fw-la jam_fw-la populorum_fw-la memoria_fw-la non_fw-la tenebat_fw-la haec_fw-la igitur_fw-la necessitas_fw-la compulit_fw-la at_o saltem_fw-la gestis_fw-la nostrâ_fw-la collatione_fw-la confectis_fw-la eorum_fw-la contunderemus_fw-la inverecundiam_fw-la &_o
the_o arian_n doctrine_n but_o their_o whole_a fury_n be_v bend_v against_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o athanasius_n and_o know_v the_o invincible_a courage_n of_o the_o man_n they_o first_o set_v upon_o he_o with_o calumny_n and_o accusation_n not_o doubt_v but_o that_o if_o they_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n remove_v he_o and_o some_o few_o of_o his_o friend_n out_o of_o the_o way_n that_o they_o may_v easy_o overcome_v the_o word_n but_o this_o they_o dare_v not_o attempt_v during_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n who_o will_v never_o endure_v to_o hear_v of_o any_o the_o least_o change_n of_o the_o nicene_n faith_n 32._o and_o therefore_o say_v zozoman_n though_o they_o be_v always_o heave_v at_o the_o nicene_n faith_n they_o dare_v never_o open_o reject_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o they_o know_v the_o emperor_n mind_n in_o that_o matter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o after_o his_o death_n they_o grow_v strange_o impatient_a of_o it_o and_o draw_v in_o constantius_n who_o have_v be_v otherwise_o a_o very_a great_a prince_n to_o waste_v his_o wholereign_n in_o a_o tedious_a war_n against_o it_o insomuch_o that_o he_o summon_v no_o less_o than_o 14_o council_n in_o less_o than_o twenty_o yearsfor_a its_o removal_n in_o all_o which_o the_o arian_n be_v anathematise_v &_o variety_n of_o creed_n compose_v agree_v in_o allthing_n with_o that_o of_o nice_n save_v only_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o will_v appear_v when_o we_o come_v to_o his_o reign_n but_o as_o for_o the_o story_n of_o the_o arian_n controversy_n under_o constantine_n after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n it_o be_v strange_o perplex_v by_o a_o unusual_a confusion_n among_o the_o historian_n themselves_o for_o though_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o story_n yet_o they_o all_o differ_v as_o to_o time_n and_o order_n but_o their_o mistake_n be_v easy_o rectify_v by_o athanasius_n his_o own_o account_n who_o have_v in_o his_o apology_n all_o along_o set_v down_o the_o exact_a order_n and_o succession_n of_o thing_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v his_o own_o in_o the_o apology_n for_o he_o be_v so_o modest_a that_o he_o will_v not_o have_v his_o narrative_n trust_v upon_o his_o own_o authority_n but_o have_v justify_v every_o part_n of_o it_o by_o testimonial_n from_o other_o man_n public_a record_n and_o the_o letter_n of_o his_o enemy_n under_o their_o own_o hand_n so_o that_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v its_o own_o evidence_n need_v no_o other_o voucher_n though_o it_o be_v in_o all_o it_o be_v more_o materail_a passage_n attest_v by_o all_o other_o historian_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v by_o his_o help_n set_v down_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o whole_a business_n with_o all_o the_o accuracy_n that_o i_o can_v because_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o foul_a train_n of_o villainy_n upon_o record_n and_o be_v the_o mere_a contrivance_n of_o that_o wicked_a man_n eusebius_n of_o nicomedia_n a_o man_n of_o great_a power_n and_o authority_n at_o that_o time_n whence_o he_o acquire_v the_o surname_n of_o great_a which_o sandius_n say_v he_o acquire_v by_o his_o great_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n but_o this_o collector_n be_v through_o his_o whole_a rhapsody_n his_o own_o author_n for_o though_o he_o be_v every_o where_o prodigal_a of_o his_o quotation_n yet_o those_o few_o that_o be_v true_o allege_v and_o they_o be_v very_o few_o or_o that_o be_v at_o all_o to_o the_o purpose_n and_o they_o be_v much_o few_o relate_v only_o to_o the_o general_a story_n as_o it_o may_v be_v tell_v by_o all_o party_n but_o his_o own_o particular_a remark_n for_o his_o own_o cause_n be_v the_o fable_n of_o his_o own_o pure_a invention_n thus_o here_o it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o considerable_a advantage_n on_o his_o own_o side_n if_o eusebius_n have_v be_v so_o high_o favour_v of_o heaven_n as_o to_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o therefore_o he_o tell_v his_o simple_a reader_n so_o though_o no_o body_n ever_o tell_v he_o so_o but_o alas_o that_o ambitious_a prelate_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v eminent_a for_o any_o good_a quality_n that_o he_o be_v only_o a_o prodigy_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n neither_o be_v he_o in_o all_o this_o contest_v act_v by_o any_o zeal_n that_o he_o have_v for_o religion_n but_o mere_o by_o a_o atheistical_a spite_n and_o malice_n and_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v one_o of_o they_o that_o after_o constantine_n embrace_v christianity_n come_v into_o the_o church_n not_o for_o religion_n butpreferment_n and_o he_o invade_v that_o so_o greedy_o as_o not_o to_o stick_v at_o the_o most_o scandalous_a and_o open_a violation_n of_o the_o canon_n neither_o be_v he_o so_o much_o a_o bishop_n as_o a_o courtier_n always_o insinuate_v himself_o into_o the_o favour_n of_o great_a man_n and_o fawn_v upon_o the_o emperor_n himself_o but_o especial_o court_v his_o sisten_a constantiâ—_n by_o who_o zeal_n he_o be_v well_o awane_o if_o he_o can_v gain_v she_o to_o his_o side_n he_o may_v compass_v his_o end_n and_o it_o be_v his_o great_a interest_n in_o constantine_n court_n that_o give_v he_o the_o power_n and_o opportunity_n of_o do_v so_o much_o mischief_n in_o the_o church_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o he_o be_v not_o want_v to_o improve_v it_o to_o the_o utmost_a where_o his_o malice_n and_o revenge_n be_v concern_v especial_o against_o athanasius_n who_o affront_n he_o can_v never_o forgive_v he_o have_v when_o but_o a_o young_a deacon_n in_o the_o public_a council_n encounter_v and_o overcome_v so_o great_a a_o prelate_n and_o all_o that_o train_n of_o dependent_a bishop_n that_o his_o greatness_n draw_v after_o it_o so_o powerful_a a_o prelate_n to_o suffer_v all_o this_o disgrace_n from_o so_o mean_v a_o person_n as_o a_o poor_a deacon_n and_o chief_o by_o his_o mean_n to_o be_v bring_v upon_o his_o knee_n and_o force_v to_o public_a submission_n be_v a_o indignity_n so_o intolerable_a to_o his_o proud_a spirit_n that_o neither_o the_o deacon_n own_o blood_n nor_o the_o blood_n of_o all_o his_o friend_n be_v sufficient_a to_o satiate_v his_o unquenshable_a revenge_n and_o therefore_o all_o the_o forge_a accusation_n against_o he_o be_v of_o crime_n the_o punishment_n whereof_o be_v capital_a such_o as_o murder_n rape_n and_o treason_n as_o the_o bishop_n of_o egypt_n observe_v 722._o in_o their_o synodical_a epistle_n so_o that_o they_o impute_v it_o to_o the_o great_a clemency_n of_o constantine_n that_o when_o his_o enemy_n seek_v nothing_o but_o his_o death_n he_o appease_v and_o prevent_v their_o malice_n by_o his_o banishment_n the_o wholestory_n run_v thus_o eâ—sebius_n have_v regain_v the_o emperor_n favour_n after_o his_o return_n write_v to_o athanasius_n for_o the_o restitution_n of_o arius_n to_o which_o he_o reply_v that_o the_o ringleader_n of_o heresy_n be_v not_o so_o easy_o to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n as_o the_o delude_a follower_n &_o that_o the_o church_n be_v always_o wont_a to_o punish_v they_o with_o great_a and_o long_a severity_n and_o withal_o that_o himself_o be_v not_o at_o all_o satisfy_v of_o thâ—_n sincerity_n of_o arius_n his_o repentance_n and_o therefore_o will_v not_o as_o yet_o hear_v of_o any_o motion_n for_o his_o restitution_n this_o eusebius_n immediate_o seize_v as_o a_o fit_a handle_n for_o his_o design_n and_o away_o he_o go_v to_o the_o emperor_n tell_v he_o that_o athanasius_n keep_v up_o discord_n in_o the_o church_n for_o his_o own_o private_a picque_n and_o animosity_n so_o that_o though_o arius_n desire_v his_o absolution_n upon_o repentance_n yet_o he_o contrary_a to_o his_o duty_n and_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n refuse_v it_o upon_o this_o constantine_n write_v a_o very_a threaten_a letter_n to_o athanasius_n command_v the_o restitution_n of_o arius_n upon_o pain_n of_o deposition_n and_o banishment_n to_o which_o athanasius_n return_v such_o a_o satisfactory_a answer_n as_o make_v the_o emperor_n desist_v from_o interpose_v any_o far_o in_o it_o eusebius_n therefore_o find_v himself_o defeat_v tamper_n with_o the_o meletian_a schismatic_n of_o egypt_n to_o make_v a_o plot_n against_o athanasius_n they_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o people_n that_o live_v in_o the_o bog_n and_o marsh_n of_o mareotis_n where_o one_o priest_n serve_v ten_o or_o more_o parish_n much_o resemble_v our_o wild_a irish_a for_o dulness_n and_o stupidity_n and_o they_o be_v thus_o describe_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o council_n of_o alexandria_n to_o be_v man_n void_a of_o faith_n schismatic_n and_o enemy_n to_o 731._o the_o church_n neither_o be_v this_o their_o first_o practice_n in_o this_o trade_n but_o they_o be_v old_a and_o experience_a plot-maker_n they_o have_v conspire_v against_o their_o holy_a bishop_n peter_n the_o martyr_n and_o after_o he_o they_o accuse_v
be_v collect_v before_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n and_o have_v ever_o since_o be_v receive_v both_o by_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n till_o baronius_n and_o the_o late_a romanist_n endeavour_v to_o bring_v they_o into_o disgrace_n for_o the_o affront_n that_o they_o have_v give_v to_o pope_n julius_n in_o rate_v of_o he_o so_o severe_o for_o intermeddle_v with_o their_o affair_n for_o tho'_o that_o transaction_n be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a passage_n that_o they_o insist_v upon_o to_o make_v out_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pope_n universal_a pragmaticalness_n yet_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o full_a testimony_n against_o it_o extant_a in_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n for_o when_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o act_v out_o of_o his_o province_n in_o give_v absolution_n to_o athanasius_n they_o charge_v he_o with_o a_o violation_n of_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o tell_v he_o that_o when_o novatus_n be_v condemn_v by_o his_o predecessor_n the_o eastern_a church_n will_v never_o receive_v the_o schismatic_a to_o communion_n and_o therefore_o challenge_v he_o how_o he_o dare_v make_v so_o bold_a with_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o to_o reverse_v any_o of_o their_o decree_n and_o they_o afterward_o proceed_v so_o high_a in_o the_o quarrel_n as_o to_o excommunicate_v his_o holiness_n for_o his_o uncanonical_a presumption_n and_o to_o signify_v their_o sentence_n against_o he_o by_o a_o encyclical_a epistle_n to_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n which_o no_o doubt_n be_v a_o very_a likely_a thing_n if_o his_o universal_a supremacy_n have_v be_v then_o as_o well_o know_v and_o as_o much_o talk_v of_o as_o these_o man_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v when_o as_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o challenge_v or_o any_o way_n intimate_v by_o julius_n so_o be_v it_o deny_v by_o the_o eastern_a bishop_n as_o a_o utter_a overthrow_n of_o the_o know_a discipline_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o whereas_o he_o cite_v they_o to_o appear_v before_o the_o council_n at_o rome_n that_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o own_o voluntary_a appeal_n when_o they_o have_v refer_v themselves_o and_o their_o cause_n to_o that_o council_n for_o it_o be_v summon_v only_o at_o their_o request_n and_o importunity_n now_o after_o all_o this_o that_o be_v do_v pure_o to_o gratify_v themselves_o first_o whole_o to_o balk_v and_o decline_v the_o council_n and_o then_o whilst_o it_o be_v sit_v and_o the_o cause_n depend_v that_o they_o have_v put_v to_o reference_n to_o pass_v judgement_n upon_o it_o themselves_o be_v such_o a_o piece_n of_o foul_a deal_n as_o be_v not_o to_o be_v endure_v in_o common_a conversation_n and_o that_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o julius_n himself_o charge_v upon_o they_o in_o answer_n to_o their_o objection_n against_o he_o for_o intermeddle_v with_o their_o affair_n not_o that_o they_o affront_v his_o supremacy_n but_o that_o when_o they_o have_v put_v he_o to_o the_o trouble_n of_o summon_v a_o council_n and_o while_o the_o matter_n be_v under_o examination_n they_o shall_v put_v such_o a_o slur_n upon_o it_o as_o mere_o to_o steal_v away_o the_o cause_n that_o themselves_o have_v seem_v so_o much_o concern_v after_o so_o many_o contest_v to_o refer_v to_o its_o final_a determination_n and_o in_o truth_n the_o whole_a business_n be_v so_o involve_v by_o the_o craft_n of_o eusebius_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o tyrian_a council_n that_o athanasius_n which_o way_n soever_o he_o turn_v to_o clear_v his_o innocence_n find_v himself_o ensnare_v by_o the_o canon_n themselves_o for_o as_o he_o be_v depose_v in_o council_n so_o he_o can_v not_o be_v canonical_o restore_v but_o by_o council_n and_o that_o be_v it_o they_o press_v upon_o he_o notwithstanding_o the_o emperor_n restitution_n in_o that_o though_o he_o have_v power_n to_o call_v he_o from_o banishment_n yet_o he_o have_v none_o to_o take_v off_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o plea_n have_v hold_v good_a if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v so_o much_o and_o so_o exorbitant_a villainy_n at_o the_o bottom_n though_o by_o it_o we_o may_v see_v by_o lay_v one_o ill_a action_n for_o a_o foundation_n what_o a_o vast_a pile_n of_o dishonesty_n may_v be_v build_v upon_o it_o for_o grant_v the_o sentence_n of_o the_o tyrian_a council_n to_o be_v good_a as_o it_o will_v have_v be_v have_v it_o not_o be_v so_o enormous_o base_a athanasius_n be_v which_o way_n soever_o he_o move_v catch_v in_o the_o canon_n and_o therefore_o in_o all_o his_o plead_n he_o be_v so_o wise_a as_o to_o refer_v his_o whole_a cause_n to_o the_o act_n of_o that_o council_n and_o that_o at_o last_o get_v he_o the_o victory_n by_o make_v know_v their_o villainy_n but_o grant_v they_o valid_a his_o restitution_n by_o the_o emperor_n be_v canonical_o void_a as_o to_o any_o exercise_n of_o his_o episcopal_a function_n and_o that_o be_v the_o point_n that_o they_o urge_v to_o the_o emperor_n constantius_n in_o order_n to_o his_o second_o banishment_n but_o fear_v lest_o if_o he_o shall_v make_v enquiry_n into_o the_o whole_a matter_n all_o their_o forgery_n shall_v come_v to_o light_v they_o carry_v their_o cause_n a_o great_a way_n off_o as_o far_o as_o rome_n and_o that_o with_o a_o mighty_a show_n of_o fair_a deal_n and_o ingenuity_n on_o their_o part_n that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o desire_v any_o partial_a judgement_n that_o they_o will_v refer_v it_o to_o judge_n utter_o unconcern_v and_o therefore_o send_v it_o into_o the_o other_o empire_n and_o now_o when_o this_o be_v do_v with_o so_o much_o plausibility_n eusebius_n all_o on_o the_o sudden_a huddle_n up_o a_o council_n at_o home_n and_o dispatch_v the_o business_n before_o the_o council_n at_o rome_n can_v publish_v their_o sentence_n and_o by_o that_o trick_n he_o very_o artificial_o enscon_v himself_o and_o his_o cause_n in_o a_o new_a quarrel_n that_o will_v engage_v one_o half_a of_o the_o christian_a church_n on_o his_o side_n for_o now_o it_o be_v become_v the_o quarrel_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n against_o the_o western_a because_o when_o they_o have_v sentence_v a_o cause_n at_o antioch_n what_o power_n have_v they_o to_o reverse_v the_o decree_n at_o rome_n this_o must_v be_v a_o invasion_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o oriental_a church_n and_o no_o less_o than_o a_o attempt_v to_o bring_v they_o into_o subjection_n to_o the_o western_a bishop_n and_o thus_o be_v they_o all_o draw_v in_o by_o this_o crafty_a man_n to_o back_v his_o own_o quarrel_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o this_o cause_n be_v ever_o after_o manage_v by_o this_o very_a pretence_n and_o it_o be_v the_o very_a complaint_n of_o the_o eusebian_n bishop_n that_o part_v from_o sardica_n and_o sit_v at_o philippi_n against_o the_o sardican_a council_n that_o they_o endeavour_v to_o introduce_v a_o new_a law_n that_o the_o eastern_a bishop_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o western_a and_o thus_o by_o this_o artifice_n do_v this_o subtle_a man_n remove_v his_o tyrian_a villainy_n out_o of_o the_o sight_n and_o then_o he_o may_v go_v forwardwithout_n fear_n or_o danger_n for_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o discovery_n of_o that_o can_v ever_o expose_v himself_o ruin_v his_o cause_n and_o defeat_v his_o malice_n but_o the_o most_o cunning_a stratagem_n of_o all_o be_v that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o proceed_v with_o so_o much_o seem_a christian_a severity_n against_o athanasius_n they_o either_o enact_v or_o ratify_v so_o many_o excellent_a law_n of_o discipline_n that_o yet_o be_v but_o so_o many_o snare_n to_o athanasius_n and_o his_o friend_n after_o his_o tyrian_a deposition_n especial_o the_o five_o eleven_o and_o twelve_o in_o the_o five_o it_o be_v decree_v that_o if_o a_o presbyter_n refuse_v to_o communicate_v with_o his_o bishop_n he_o shall_v after_o three_o admonition_n be_v depose_v forever_o and_o be_v punish_v by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o a_o seditious_a person_n a_o very_a good_a canon_n in_o itself_o but_o at_o that_o juncture_n of_o time_n it_o be_v only_o a_o rod_n for_o the_o orthodox_n clergy_n of_o alexandria_n who_o the_o eusebian_n too_o well_o know_v will_v peremptory_o refuse_v all_o communion_n with_o their_o new_a bishop_n gregory_n that_o be_v thrust_v upon_o they_o by_o this_o council_n and_o a_o military_a force_n in_o the_o place_n of_o athanasius_n their_o true_a and_o lawful_a bishop_n in_o the_o eleven_o and_o twelve_o canon_n all_o appeal_n from_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n to_o the_o emperor_n be_v strict_o forbid_v under_o pain_n of_o deposition_n and_o it_o be_v far_o provide_v that_o if_o any_o bishop_n be_v synodical_o depose_v he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v restore_v but_o by_o a_o great_a synod_n of_o bishop_n this_o reach_v athanasius_n to_o the_o
entreaty_n to_o proceed_v to_o trial_n which_o the_o council_n impute_v not_o only_o to_o their_o knowledge_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o their_o accusation_n against_o other_o but_o to_o the_o conscience_n of_o their_o own_o guilt_n see_v great_a number_n of_o person_n there_o present_a that_o be_v ready_a to_o testify_v of_o their_o various_a cruelty_n and_o tell_v sad_a story_n of_o their_o imprison_v banish_v beat_v starve_v strangle_v person_n in_o holy_a order_n only_o for_o refuse_v to_o communicate_v with_o the_o ariaâ—_n heretic_n and_o though_o the_o criminal_n refuse_v to_o appear_v the_o witness_n be_v examine_v and_o they_o depose_v and_o both_o the_o emperor_n write_v to_o that_o their_o majesty_n will_v be_v please_v to_o set_v all_o such_o at_o liberty_n that_o be_v still_o under_o restraint_n and_o to_o order_v their_o officer_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v not_o to_o use_v any_o force_n or_o violence_n against_o the_o clergy_n for_o their_o faith_n but_o leave_v they_o first_o to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a judicature_n in_o the_o next_o place_n the_o whole_a intrigue_n against_o athanasius_n be_v re-examined_a the_o story_n of_o arsenius_n and_o ischiras_n far_a prove_v by_o fresh_a witness_n and_o so_o both_o himself_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o depose_v and_o banish_v bishop_n be_v restore_v and_o the_o intruder_n thrust_v not_o only_o out_o of_o their_o see_v but_o out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o then_o in_o the_o last_o place_n they_o enact_v some_o rule_n of_o discipline_n useful_a and_o almost_o necessary_a for_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o church_n as_o against_o the_o practice_n of_o eusebius_n and_o other_o bishop_n of_o the_o faction_n that_o invade_v other_o man_n bishopric_n and_o though_o such_o offender_n be_v only_o send_v back_o to_o their_o own_o see_v by_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n this_o council_n be_v so_o severe_a as_o not_o only_o to_o depose_v but_o excommunicate_v they_o so_o as_o not_o to_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v admit_v to_o lay-communion_n even_o at_o the_o hour_n of_o death_n another_o canon_n they_o make_v against_o the_o wander_a of_o bishop_n and_o that_o reach_v ursacius_n and_o valens_n who_o leave_v their_o own_o diocese_n to_o carry_v on_o the_o eusebian_n faction_n in_o other_o province_n a_o three_o canon_n be_v that_o if_o a_o bishop_n be_v oppress_v it_o by_o his_o comprovincials_a he_o may_v have_v leave_n to_o make_v his_o complaint_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o may_v judge_v whether_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v a_o new_a hear_n or_o not_o and_o this_o beside_o some_o secret_a reason_n be_v to_o relieve_v the_o eastern_a bishop_n from_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o eusebian_n who_o carry_v all_o before_o they_o by_o force_n and_o foul_a deal_n though_o the_o romanist_n will_v have_v it_o to_o have_v be_v make_v particular_o to_o justify_v athanasius_n in_o his_o appeal_n to_o rome_n but_o beside_o that_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o will_v do_v their_o cause_n no_o service_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o athanasius_n make_v not_o the_o appeal_n himself_o but_o that_o his_o cause_n be_v first_o refer_v thither_o by_o the_o eusebian_n and_o that_o too_o with_o no_o other_o design_n then_o to_o remove_v it_o as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v from_o their_o own_o door_n for_o fear_n of_o discovery_n §._o xiii_o but_o as_o vigorous_o as_o the_o western_a bishop_n proceed_v at_o sardica_n the_o eastern_a outstrip_v they_o at_o philippopolis_n they_o first_o take_v to_o themselves_o the_o title_n of_o the_o council_n at_o sardica_n they_o draw_v up_o a_o new_a confession_n of_o faith_n and_o call_v it_o the_o sardican_a creed_n in_o which_o they_o anathematise_v all_o the_o position_n of_o arius_n and_o only_o omit_v the_o word_n consubstantial_a and_o as_o for_o athanasius_n they_o cunning_o load_v he_o with_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o tyrian_a council_n and_o the_o sentence_n of_o constantine_n upon_o it_o qui_fw-la omne_fw-la ejus_fw-la flagitia_fw-la recognoscens_fw-la suâ_fw-la illum_fw-la sententiâ_fw-la in_o exilium_fw-la deportavit_fw-la who_o examine_v into_o all_o his_o crime_n banish_v he_o by_o his_o own_o sentence_n as_o they_o blush_v not_o to_o aver_v as_o if_o the_o abuse_a emperor_n have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o juggle_n of_o that_o council_n when_o it_o be_v their_o only_a care_n to_o keep_v their_o proceed_n altogether_o in_o the_o dark_a from_o he_o but_o from_o this_o they_o proceed_v to_o infer_v that_o athanasius_n be_v condemn_v by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o so_o many_o bishop_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o be_v now_o but_o a_o trick_n to_o move_v for_o a_o new_a trial_n when_o so_o many_o of_o the_o judge_n accuser_n and_o witness_n be_v dead_a and_o therefore_o they_o must_v have_v the_o old_a sentence_n allow_v and_o ratify_v before_o they_o will_v act_v lest_o as_o they_o plead_v they_o shall_v bring_v in_o that_o profane_a innovation_n quam_fw-la horret_fw-la vetus_fw-la consuetudo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o concilio_fw-la orientales_fw-la episcopi_fw-la quicquid_fw-la forte_fw-fr statuissent_fw-la ab_fw-la episcopis_fw-la occidentalibus_fw-la refricaretur_fw-la &_o vice_fw-la versa_fw-la that_o the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o church_n abhor_v that_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n shall_v be_v reverse_v by_o the_o western_a and_o so_o on_o the_o contrary_n that_o be_v the_o point_n they_o will_v still_o be_v at_o that_o whatever_o be_v do_v in_o the_o eastern_a church_n shall_v not_o be_v submit_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o western_a bishop_n and_o then_o that_o secure_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o tyrian_a council_n and_o as_o long_o as_o that_o stand_v firm_a so_o do_v their_o cause_n too_o but_o to_o make_v short_a work_n of_o it_o for_o there_o be_v vast_a number_n of_o odd_a cast_v of_o disingenuity_n in_o their_o epistle_n they_o excommunicate_v athanasius_n paul_n of_o constantinople_n julius_n of_o rome_n osius_n marcellus_n and_o all_o that_o have_v any_o hand_n in_o the_o absolution_n of_o athanasius_n and_o this_o they_o signify_v in_o a_o encyclical_a epistle_n write_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n to_o their_o friend_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o among_o many_o other_o it_o be_v direct_v to_o donatus_n the_o schismatical_a bishop_n of_o carthage_n gratus_n the_o catholic_a bishop_n of_o that_o city_n with_o 36_o other_o african_a bishop_n be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n and_o join_v with_o it_o against_o the_o philippopolitans_n who_o therefore_o think_v to_o strengthen_v their_o party_n by_o court_v the_o schismatic_n to_o their_o side_n and_o among_o other_o sweet_a flower_n flatter_v they_o with_o their_o own_o dear_a expression_n viz._n that_o they_o dare_v not_o join_v with_o the_o sardican_a council_n ne_o proditores_fw-la fidei_fw-la traditoresque_fw-la scripturarum_fw-la dicamur_fw-la lest_o we_o shall_v be_v esteem_v traitor_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o traditor_n of_o the_o scripture_n thereby_o insinuate_v a_o approbation_n of_o their_o schism_n from_o the_o catholic_n upon_o that_o pretence_n and_o this_o take_v so_o lucky_o that_o the_o schismatic_n plead_v it_o in_o the_o day_n of_o st._n austin_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o have_v ever_o be_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o eastern_a church_n but_o both_o party_n have_v do_v the_o business_n that_o they_o come_v about_o especial_o the_o eusebian_n who_o only_a project_n it_o be_v to_o shun_v the_o council_n and_o make_v the_o breach_n more_o general_a with_o the_o whole_a western_a church_n they_o break_v up_o their_o assembly_n and_o wherever_o they_o come_v put_v to_o death_n all_o that_o refuse_v communion_n with_o they_o particular_o they_o make_v a_o great_a massacre_n at_o adrianople_n where_o they_o cut_v off_o the_o bishop_n hand_n and_o after_o that_o his_o head_n with_o innumerable_a other_o outrage_n recite_v by_o athanasius_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o monk_n but_o as_o for_o the_o sardican_a council_n have_v settle_v thing_n as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v they_o acquaint_v both_o the_o emperor_n with_o the_o issue_n of_o their_o proceed_n and_o send_v three_o bishop_n arm_a with_o letter_n from_o the_o emperor_n constans_n to_o his_o brother_n constantius_n to_o intercede_v for_o the_o restitution_n of_o the_o banish_a bishop_n but_o whilst_o they_o attend_v the_o emperor_n at_o antioch_n stephen_n 85._o the_o eusebian_n bishop_n of_o that_o place_n by_o his_o instrument_n convey_v a_o common_a strumpet_n by_o night_n stark_o naked_a into_o the_o chamber_n of_o euphrata_n that_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a man_n of_o the_o embassy_n and_o famous_a for_o his_o great_a virtue_n and_o piety_n but_o the_o woman_n who_o expect_v some_o debauch_v young_a gallant_n for_o her_o companion_n as_o soon_o as_o she_o see_v the_o grave_a old_a bishop_n asleep_o and_o altogether_o ignorant_a of_o the_o matter_n be_v
able_a by_o himself_o alone_o to_o keep_v up_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n against_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v summon_v to_o court_n and_o court_v to_o join_v in_o the_o condemnation_n of_o athanasius_n but_o he_o satisfy_v the_o emperor_n so_o well_o by_o his_o reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a that_o he_o be_v dismiss_v with_o all_o civility_n but_o by_o the_o importunity_n of_o the_o eunuch_n who_o fear_v that_o this_o escape_n will_v make_v a_o ill_a precedent_n he_o be_v immediate_o follow_v with_o a_o furious_a epistle_n command_v he_o to_o comply_v or_o to_o expect_v the_o fortune_n of_o his_o companion_n to_o which_o the_o good_a old_a man_n nothing_o daunt_v return_v a_o bold_a but_o yet_o a_o civil_a answer_n lay_v before_o the_o emperor_n at_o one_o view_v the_o whole_a train_n of_o villainy_n against_o athanasius_n that_o have_v be_v so_o often_o prove_v and_o then_o leave_v it_o to_o himself_o to_o consider_v whether_o it_o become_v his_o majesty_n at_o that_o time_n of_o the_o day_n to_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v make_v a_o tool_n by_o such_o perjure_a wretch_n as_o valens_n and_o ursacius_n and_o so_o in_o short_a he_o deny_v all_o compliance_n and_o defy_v his_o threaten_n and_o upon_o it_o he_o be_v immediate_o seize_v and_o convey_v to_o sirmium_n and_o there_o keep_v in_o custody_n till_o the_o meeting_n of_o a_o council_n in_o that_o city_n the_o year_n follow_v and_o though_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o emperor_n be_v or_o rather_o his_o eunuch_n persecution_n in_o these_o european_a part_n be_v here_o somewhat_o interrupt_v by_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n into_o gaul_n yet_o he_o rage_v so_o much_o the_o more_o fierce_o in_o egypt_n especial_o at_o alexandria_n send_v syrianus_n with_o some_o legion_n of_o soldier_n to_o murder_n athanasius_n who_o beset_v his_o church_n in_o the_o night_n where_o the_o people_n be_v then_o assemble_v and_o be_v command_v by_o athanasius_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n to_o depart_v quiet_o and_o himself_o by_o a_o kind_n of_o miracle_n make_v his_o escape_n through_o the_o body_n of_o the_o soldier_n that_o have_v encompass_v he_o at_o the_o altar_n but_o he_o be_v flee_v and_o lie_v conceal_v in_o the_o desert_n constantius_n be_v prevail_v with_o to_o put_v that_o learned_a divine_a as_o he_o call_v he_o george_n into_o his_o room_n but_o what_o a_o notorious_a villain_n he_o have_v ever_o be_v be_v already_o describe_v but_o now_o be_v get_v into_o authority_n he_o commit_v all_o manner_n of_o outrage_n in_o the_o city_n make_v divers_a slaughter_n in_o the_o church_n themselves_o imprison_v virgin_n widow_n and_o orphan_n seize_v on_o the_o orthodox_n christian_n by_o night_n and_o throw_v they_o into_o goal_n eject_v all_o bishop_n throughout_o egypt_n and_o lybia_n that_o refuse_v to_o subscribe_v the_o condemnation_n of_o athanasius_n and_o of_o these_o some_o he_o banish_v other_o he_o imprison_v in_o short_a he_o sweep_v all_o away_o before_o he_o like_o a_o land-flood_n and_o bear_v away_o all_o the_o orthodox_n clergy_n out_o of_o their_o possession_n in_o the_o church_n athanasius_n reckon_v up_o no_o less_o than_o ninety_o bishop_n eject_v in_o egypt_n whereof_o sixteen_o be_v banish_v but_o the_o worst_a of_o all_o be_v still_o behind_o their_o bishopric_n be_v sell_v to_o heathen_n soldier_n or_o any_o chapman_n that_o will_v bid_v most_o money_n for_o they_o and_o so_o all_o ill_a man_n of_o what_o profession_n or_o religion_n soever_o or_o rather_o of_o none_o at_o all_o crowd_v into_o the_o party_n for_o the_o purchase_n of_o a_o bishopric_n and_o so_o be_v the_o whole_a church_n put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o wicked_a and_o debauch_v man_n who_o can_v do_v no_o service_n in_o it_o but_o in_o the_o way_n of_o outrage_n and_o cruelty_n and_o in_o short_a the_o sury_n of_o this_o persecution_n through_o all_o africa_a be_v describe_v by_o athanasius_n not_o only_o to_o have_v equal_v but_o exceed_v any_o of_o the_o heathen_a persecution_n both_o for_o rudeness_n and_o cruelty_n but_o still_o himself_o be_v the_o man_n aim_v at_o in_o it_o all_o great_a reward_n be_v promise_v by_o public_a edict_n to_o the_o man_n that_o shall_v slay_v he_o and_o bloodhound_n be_v send_v out_o into_o all_o part_n to_o scent_n out_o his_o form_n but_o by_o a_o great_a wonder_n of_o providence_n he_o lie_v undiscovered_a all_o the_o time_n of_o constantius_n and_o in_o this_o retirement_n he_o do_v himself_o and_o the_o world_n that_o right_a as_o to_o write_v those_o two_o excellent_a discourse_n in_o his_o own_o vindication_n viz._n his_o epistle_n to_o the_o monk_n and_o his_o first_o apology_n to_o constantius_n in_o both_o which_o he_o have_v with_o that_o clearness_n of_o reason_n and_o evidence_n of_o record_n lay_v open_v the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o eusebian_n in_o the_o contrivance_n of_o all_o his_o trouble_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o that_o very_a day_n that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o proper_o a_o history_n as_o a_o demonstration_n for_o he_o have_v relate_v nothing_o that_o he_o have_v not_o prove_v by_o undeniable_a record_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v he_o be_v the_o only_a valuable_a historian_n of_o his_o own_o action_n for_o all_o the_o historian_n be_v so_o confuse_v in_o their_o account_n of_o he_o that_o as_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v at_o all_o trust_v when_o they_o differ_v from_o he_o so_o be_v they_o very_o little_a to_o be_v rely_v upon_o in_o any_o report_n that_o be_v not_o vouch_v by_o his_o authority_n §._o xv._n thus_o far_o have_v this_o long_a controversy_n be_v carry_v on_o between_o the_o eusebian_n and_o the_o abettor_n of_o the_o nicene_n faith_n but_o now_o the_o arian_n cause_n be_v again_o bring_v upon_o the_o stage_n in_o another_o guise_n by_o photinus_n bishop_n of_o sirmium_n who_o revive_v the_o old_a explode_a heresy_n of_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la that_o differ_v from_o arianism_n only_o in_o this_o one_o circumstance_n that_o it_o affirm_v the_o son_n of_o god_n not_o to_o have_v be_v create_v till_o the_o time_n of_o his_o nativity_n whereas_o arius_n will_v have_v he_o to_o have_v be_v the_o first-born_a of_o all_o creature_n yet_o they_o both_o agree_v in_o the_o main_a poison_n of_o the_o heresâ—e_n that_o he_o be_v a_o be_v create_v out_o of_o nothing_o and_o then_o it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a in_o itself_o how_o soon_o or_o how_o late_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v but_o yet_o however_o this_o new-vampt_a hypothesis_n appear_v more_o bold_a and_o tend_v to_o bring_v down_o the_o son_n of_o god_n into_o the_o same_o rank_n with_o every_o ordinary_a son_n of_o a_o woman_n whereas_o arius_n allow_v he_o great_a share_n in_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o a_o eminency_n of_o power_n and_o dignity_n over_o all_o other_o creature_n this_o therefore_o alarm_n all_o party_n catholic_n and_o eusebian_n and_o a_o council_n be_v call_v at_o sirmium_n damnation_n for_o its_o condemnation_n and_o here_o the_o learned_a petavius_n be_v as_o overnice_a to_o disturb_v the_o plain_a history_n of_o this_o council_n as_o i_o have_v show_v valesius_fw-la to_o have_v be_v in_o reform_v the_o history_n of_o the_o council_n at_o rome_n and_o the_o absolution_n of_o athanasius_n for_o as_o he_o there_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o make_v but_o one_o council_n of_o two_o so_o have_v our_o learned_a jesuit_n here_o to_o make_v two_o of_o one_o for_o though_o there_o be_v mention_n of_o no_o more_o than_o one_o in_o all_o the_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o he_o have_v late_o find_v out_o another_o that_o he_o say_v have_v hitherto_o lie_v bury_v under_o the_o ruin_n of_o st._n hilary_n fragment_n but_o alas_o they_o be_v so_o imperfect_a and_o confuse_a that_o nothing_o can_v with_o any_o assurance_n be_v build_v upon_o their_o single_a testimony_n much_o less_o upon_o remote_a inference_n from_o they_o which_o yet_o be_v all_o the_o light_n that_o this_o learned_a man_n be_v able_a to_o strike_v out_o of_o that_o rubbish_n neither_o indeed_o be_v it_o tanti_fw-la to_o spend_v so_o much_o learn_v upon_o such_o a_o lean_a and_o barren_a enquiry_n for_o whether_o there_o be_v two_o or_o one_o sirmian_n council_n they_o be_v call_v upon_o the_o same_o errand_n and_o as_o i_o shall_v prove_v be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o what_o that_o be_v we_o sufficient_o know_v by_o the_o record_n of_o that_o which_o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v the_o second_o whereas_o the_o most_o that_o we_o can_v know_v of_o the_o first_o beside_o this_o be_v only_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o council_n and_o if_o that_o be_v all_o i_o can_v see_v what_o temptation_n the_o learned_a man_n can_v have_v to_o be_v so_o proud_a of_o his_o
be_v inseparable_a from_o all_o sovereign_a power_n and_o christianity_n and_o all_o the_o power_n that_o it_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o come_v into_o the_o world_n upon_o its_o supposition_n so_o that_o by_o it_o we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v the_o king_n a_o priest_n that_o without_o it_o we_o can_v own_v he_o to_o be_v our_o king_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n when_o we_o assert_v a_o spiritual_a power_n to_o the_o church_n distinct_a from_o though_o subject_a to_o the_o king_n supremacy_n other_o cry_v out_o popery_n praemunires_fw-la and_o i_o know_v not_o what_o hard_a name_n they_o will_v soon_o let_v fall_v their_o outcry_n if_o they_o will_v consider_v that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o power_n as_o never_o any_o prince_n exercise_v or_o witting_o challenge_v though_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o some_o may_v have_v run_v upon_o it_o by_o mistake_n and_o be_v neither_o temporal_a nor_o foreign_a jurisdiction_n and_o in_o those_o two_o point_n lie_v the_o malignity_n of_o the_o pretend_a supremacy_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n for_o as_o it_o be_v temporal_a it_o plain_o subject_n the_o regal_a authority_n to_o its_o empire_n and_o as_o it_o be_v foreign_a it_o make_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n feudatory_a and_o bring_v we_o into_o the_o form_n of_o a_o province_n under_o a_o italian_a prince_n both_o which_o be_v such_o abuse_n of_o government_n as_o evident_o subvert_v it_o nay_o far_o as_o a_o foreign_a temporal_a jurisdiction_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o english_a monarchy_n so_o be_v all_o kind_n of_o foreign_a jurisdiction_n though_o mere_o spiritual_a irreconcilable_a with_o the_o prerogative_n royal._n the_o reason_n and_o the_o account_n whereof_o i_o shall_v give_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n when_o i_o come_v to_o state_n that_o easy_a but_o yet_o undiscovered_a point_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o national_a churches_n all_o that_o i_o be_o oblige_v to_o at_o present_a be_v to_o show_v the_o difference_n between_o that_o authority_n that_o we_o assign_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o which_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n will_v usurp_v against_o which_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o to_o be_v object_v but_o its_o be_v foreign_a for_o that_o reason_n alone_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v banish_v the_o nation_n as_o a_o enemy_n to_o the_o civil_a government_n whereas_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v seat_v in_o the_o king_n be_v own_o subject_n who_o can_v call_v they_o to_o a_o account_n for_o it_o if_o they_o use_v it_o to_o his_o own_o or_o his_o subject_n prejudice_n and_o can_v as_o well_o punish_v they_o for_o any_o disorder_n in_o the_o abusive_a exercise_n of_o it_o as_o he_o can_v any_o of_o his_o own_o officer_n for_o their_o misdemeanour_n in_o their_o trust_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n so_o that_o so_o far_o be_v the_o king_n supremacy_n as_o it_o be_v state_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n from_o entrench_v upon_o the_o proper_a power_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o romanist_n cavil_v that_o it_o only_o protect_v it_o in_o the_o due_a exercise_n of_o its_o jurisdiction_n and_o so_o far_o be_v the_o proper_a power_n of_o the_o church_n from_o disclaim_v or_o abate_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o king_n supremacy_n as_o the_o other_o faction_n clamour_n that_o it_o first_o establish_v that_o upon_o the_o most_o last_a foundation_n of_o divine_a institution_n before_o it_o make_v any_o claim_n to_o its_o own_o power_n and_o when_o it_o do_v it_o do_v it_o upon_o no_o other_o term_n then_o of_o entire_a submission_n to_o its_o supreme_a authority_n and_o now_o that_o man_n must_v wilful_o dream_v that_o can_v imagine_v such_o a_o power_n as_o this_o in_o the_o church_n can_v be_v any_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o or_o detractive_a from_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o yet_o that_o such_o a_o power_n there_o be_v be_v a_o assertion_n worth_n no_o less_o than_o our_o christianity_n itself_o that_o stand_v or_o fall_v with_o it_o for_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v not_o entrust_v his_o church_n with_o a_o power_n within_o itself_o sufficient_a to_o maintain_v itself_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o own_o authority_n than_o it_o stand_v upon_o no_o strong_a foundation_n than_o the_o will_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n and_o then_o as_o that_o can_v establish_v so_o it_o can_v abrogate_v its_o whole_a obligation_n which_o be_v plain_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v no_o true_a religion_n for_o it_o be_v certain_o none_o if_o it_o rely_v only_o upon_o humane_a authority_n so_o that_o all_o that_o can_v be_v conclude_v in_o this_o case_n be_v that_o upon_o supposition_n that_o our_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o imposture_n there_o can_v be_v no_o power_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o for_o a_o very_a good_a reason_n because_o then_o the_o church_n can_v be_v no_o church_n but_o upon_o supposition_n that_o our_o saviour_n found_v it_o by_o divine_a authority_n the_o peculiar_a power_n of_o the_o church_n derive_v mere_o and_o immediate_o from_o himself_o without_o any_o interposition_n of_o humane_a authority_n be_v the_o first_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o its_o be_v and_o subsistence_n but_o this_o will_v appear_v with_o a_o bright_a evidence_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o several_a branch_n of_o jurisdiction_n that_o as_o they_o be_v complicate_v with_o the_o supposition_n of_o christianity_n so_o be_v they_o such_o act_n of_o power_n as_o no_o sovereign_a power_n ever_o challenge_v or_o can_v with_o any_o decency_n exercise_n as_o the_o power_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n through_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o name_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n the_o power_n of_o grant_v or_o withhold_a the_o instrument_n of_o grace_n the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o eucharist_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n or_o judge_v who_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o society_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o who_o ought_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o for_o non-performance_n of_o the_o condition_n undertake_v at_o their_o admittance_n the_o power_n of_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n or_o guide_v and_o direct_v they_o in_o the_o safe_a way_n to_o salvation_n the_o power_n of_o ordain_v consecrate_v and_o constitute_v ecclesiastical_a officer_n to_o succeed_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n through_o all_o age_n these_o be_v the_o several_a point_n of_o their_o commission_n and_o be_v grant_v to_o be_v so_o by_o mr._n hobbs_n himself_o and_o that_o at_o the_o very_a time_n 42._o when_o he_o undertake_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o all_o these_o act_n of_o power_n be_v no_o act_n of_o authority_n and_o that_o be_v one_o of_o his_o choice_a method_n of_o demonstration_n in_o all_o thing_n to_o bear_v down_o the_o undeniable_a truth_n of_o all_o thing_n by_o mere_a force_n of_o assertion_n thus_o here_o he_o reckon_v up_o the_o chief_a act_n of_o authority_n in_o the_o apostle_n commission_n and_o then_o will_v bear_v we_o down_o that_o they_o be_v no_o act_n of_o authority_n only_o by_o say_v so_o and_o that_o against_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n for_o if_o they_o have_v a_o commission_n from_o our_o saviour_n to_o do_v these_o thing_n than_o be_v they_o empower_v and_o authorize_v by_o their_o commission_n to_o do_v they_o so_o absurd_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o to_o talk_v of_o act_v by_o commission_n without_o act_v by_o power_n whereas_o every_o commission_n as_o such_o be_v grant_v so_o much_o power_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n be_v commissioned_n by_o our_o saviour_n to_o these_o several_a act_n of_o their_o office_n as_o he_o grant_v because_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v every_o act_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o that_o power_n that_o be_v settle_v upon_o they_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o commission_n and_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a that_o this_o witty_a gentleman_n shall_v begin_v all_o this_o extravagant_a discourse_n against_o all_o power_n ecclesiastical_a as_o such_o with_o this_o very_a assertion_n that_o the_o power_n ecclesiastical_a be_v at_o first_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o after_o they_o in_o such_o as_o receive_v it_o from_o the_o apostle_n by_o successive_a lay_v on_o of_o hand_n what_o thickness_n of_o contradiction_n be_v this_o a_o power_n ecclesiastical_a and_o yet_o no_o power_n at_o all_o why_o then_o if_o it_o be_v no_o power_n it_o be_v no_o power_n ecclesiastical_a and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o power_n ecclesiastical_a than_o it_o be_v some_o power_n and_o then_o again_o a_o power_n by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n commission_n i._n e._n a_o power_n warrant_v by_o divine_a authority_n and_o to_o say_v that_o this_o be_v no_o power_n be_v plain_o to_o averâ—_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o divine_a authority_n and_o upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o
confusion_n yet_o i_o know_v not_o by_o what_o blind_a and_o unhappy_a fate_n it_o be_v become_v a_o popular_a and_o a_o reign_a principle_n among_o we_o all_o innovator_n lay_v it_o at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o new_a project_n of_o reformation_n it_o be_v the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o grotius_n as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o erastians_n legislativam_fw-la potestatem_fw-la jure_fw-la divino_fw-la non_fw-la competere_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la that_o the_o church_n have_v no_o legislative_a 10._o power_n by_o divine_a right_n at_o present_a to_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o proposition_n itself_o yet_o methinks_v grotius_n who_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o record_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n of_o all_o man_n shall_v not_o have_v say_v it_o when_o it_o be_v so_o constant_o both_o challenge_v and_o put_v in_o practice_n and_o that_o not_o only_o all_o the_o time_n before_o the_o emperor_n become_v christian_n but_o after_o but_o he_o be_v then_o a_o young_a man_n and_o the_o book_n be_v write_v with_o great_a rawness_n and_o betray_v lamentable_a want_n of_o consideration_n it_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o independency_n that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v impose_v by_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o member_n of_o it_o but_o what_o be_v clear_o reveal_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n of_o unity_n than_o that_o rule_n prescribe_v by_o our_o lord_n himself_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o truth_n so_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n that_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o the_o use_n of_o government_n who_o proper_a office_n it_o be_v to_o make_v provision_n for_o the_o peace_n and_o good_a order_n of_o the_o society_n upon_o all_o occasion_n by_o the_o common_a rule_n of_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n and_o such_o thing_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o leave_v to_o the_o judgement_n and_o determination_n of_o man_n because_o their_o convenience_n and_o usefulness_n be_v alterable_a with_o change_n of_o time_n and_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o impose_v or_o remove_v they_o as_o they_o shall_v judge_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n this_o be_v the_o stand_a rule_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o point_v of_o faith_n be_v unalterable_a and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o be_v never_o after_o that_o to_o be_v debate_v but_o as_o for_o all_o law_n of_o discipline_n they_o be_v alterable_a with_o change_n of_o time_n and_o circumstance_n and_o to_o name_v one_o for_o all_o regula_n quidem_fw-la fidei_fw-la 1._o say_v tertullian_n una_fw-la omnino_fw-la est_fw-la sola_fw-la immobilis_fw-la &_o irreformabilis_fw-la hac_fw-la lege_fw-la fidei_fw-la manente_fw-la cetera_fw-la jam_fw-la disciplinae_fw-la &_o conversationis_fw-la admittunt_fw-la novitatem_fw-la correctionis_fw-la the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v always_o the_o same_o this_o alone_a be_v unchangeable_a and_o unreformable_a but_o as_o this_o remain_v forever_o so_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n admit_v the_o novelty_n of_o change_n and_o amendment_n so_o that_o next_o to_o the_o fundamental_a charter_n of_o be_v a_o church_n this_o be_v the_o grand_a principle_n of_o its_o government_n that_o its_o governor_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o authority_n of_o impose_v some_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o require_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o the_o church_n must_v be_v govern_v as_o all_o humane_a society_n be_v i._n e._n by_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o have_v wit_n enough_o to_o judge_v what_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v upon_o any_o emergent_a case_n and_o who_o authority_n be_v sufficient_a to_o oblige_v the_o member_n of_o the_o society_n to_o their_o decree_n and_o without_o it_o there_o can_v neither_o be_v church_n nor_o government_n so_o that_o this_o principle_n be_v so_o little_o suit_v to_o the_o state_n of_o church-purity_n as_o the_o schismatic_n pretend_v that_o it_o be_v only_o set_v up_o as_o a_o impregnable_a pretence_n for_o everlasting_a schism_n and_o division_n for_o it_o be_v never_o start_v or_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o till_o other_o day_n when_o the_o puritan_n faction_n for_o want_n of_o something_o more_o material_a to_o object_v against_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v force_v at_o last_o to_o make_v this_o their_o main_a quarrel_n that_o they_o be_v not_o préscribe_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o stand_v to_o that_o exception_n they_o be_v secure_a in_o their_o schism_n for_o it_o be_v a_o objection_n not_o against_o the_o particular_a constitution_n of_o this_o church_n but_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o any_o power_n in_o all_o church_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v so_o good_a a_o fund_z for_o confusion_n it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n so_o careful_o nurse_v by_o the_o independent_a faction_n at_o this_o day_n it_o be_v the_o result_n of_o all_o j._n oh_o book_n about_o schism_n because_o it_o make_v all_o peace_n and_o settlement_n a_o impossible_a thing_n when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o rule_n of_o worship_n or_o discipline_n as_o be_v pretend_v by_o attend_v to_o which_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v preserve_v and_o therefore_o to_o refer_v we_o to_o a_o mean_n of_o peace_n that_o be_v not_o in_o be_v be_v to_o leave_v we_o remediless_a and_o if_o the_o church_n may_v not_o make_v occasional_a provision_n to_o restrain_v some_o man_n extravagancy_n and_o to_o settle_v good_a order_n all_o man_n be_v let_v loose_a to_o all_o the_o folly_n in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o will_v look_v more_o like_o a_o bedlam_n than_o a_o christian_a church_n in_o short_a it_o serve_v to_o no_o other_o purpose_n then_o to_o be_v a_o everlasting_a pretence_n of_o sedition_n when_o it_o take_v away_o not_o only_o from_o the_o church_n but_o from_o thecivil_a government_n too_o all_o authority_n of_o make_v any_o law_n for_o the_o settlement_n of_o religion_n and_o yet_o this_o very_a principle_n of_o confusion_n this_o darling_n of_o independency_n this_o bulwark_n of_o all_o schism_n be_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n of_o england_n itself_o or_o some_o pretender_n to_o it_o and_o be_v lay_v down_o by_o our_o reconciler_n and_o peacemaker_n as_o the_o first_o rule_n of_o accommodation_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o present_a dissenter_n though_o if_o it_o be_v admit_v the_o different_a party_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v take_v into_o the_o bosom_n or_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o will_v only_o widen_v the_o difference_n and_o harden_v they_o in_o their_o schism_n for_o first_o the_o contest_v be_v not_o primary_o about_o unscriptural_a imposition_n but_o about_o divine_a command_n they_o contend_v that_o their_o form_n of_o church_n government_n be_v of_o god_n institution_n and_o that_o the_o form_n now_o establish_v in_o england_n be_v a_o humane_a government_n set_v up_o against_o it_o and_o destructive_a of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o mr._n b_n treatise_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o this_o have_v ever_o be_v the_o main_a controversy_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o schism_n whether_o the_o episcopal_a or_o the_o classical_a government_n be_v set_v up_o by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o man_n be_v not_o so_o unthinking_a in_o those_o day_n as_o to_o imagine_v he_o shall_v set_v up_o the_o society_n of_o his_o church_n without_o settle_v any_o government_n in_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o a_o imperfect_a a_o partial_a and_o a_o treacherous_a account_n of_o the_o separation_n to_o state_n the_o controversy_n only_o in_o ceremony_n when_o the_o main_a controversy_n have_v be_v from_o the_o begin_n to_o this_o very_a day_n about_o a_o matter_n of_o divine_a right_n and_o therefore_o to_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o that_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o schism_n be_v to_o intimate_v that_o as_o to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o controversy_n neither_o have_v the_o better_a of_o the_o other_o but_o they_o both_o equal_o contend_v about_o what_o never_o be_v and_o that_o all_o the_o blame_n of_o the_o separatist_n be_v their_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o some_o lawful_a imposition_n but_o that_o reach_v not_o their_o cause_n the_o ground_n of_o their_o separation_n be_v pretend_v divine_a law_n they_o must_v be_v beat_v out_o of_o that_o or_o they_o must_v be_v let_v alone_o but_o second_o this_o principle_n of_o accommodation_n by_o reject_v unscriptural_a condition_n of_o communion_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o reconcile_a the_o dissenter_n to_o the_o church_n that_o it_o will_v only_o give_v up_o the_o church_n cause_n
to_o their_o demand_n and_o justify_v they_o in_o their_o schism_n because_o they_o dissent_v not_o from_o she_o in_o any_o matter_n clear_o reveal_v which_o alone_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o impose_v and_o to_o charge_v the_o church_n of_o tyranny_n for_o dare_v to_o impose_v any_o other_o condition_n of_o communion_n then_o what_o be_v impose_v by_o divine_a authority_n a_o excellent_a way_n of_o accommodation_n this_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o condemn_v her_o whole_a practice_n of_o illegal_a and_o unwarrantable_a usurpation_n and_o allow_v the_o plea_n of_o the_o dissenter_n just_a and_o reasonable_a and_o what_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o to_o take_v away_o all_o government_n in_o the_o church_n for_o ever_o and_o the_o church_n itself_o too_o when_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o common_a sense_n that_o it_o can_v never_o subsist_v without_o a_o legislative_a authority_n within_o itself_o but_o that_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o discourse_v of_o more_o copious_o hereafter_o when_o i_o come_v to_o show_v what_o injury_n be_v do_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o these_o false_a principle_n of_o accommodation_n i_o shall_v at_o present_a content_n myself_o with_o prove_v it_o by_o experience_n and_o represent_v the_o particular_a law_n make_v by_o the_o ancient_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o secure_v and_o provide_v for_o its_o own_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n and_o by_o it_o i_o shall_v make_v good_a these_o three_o considerable_a point_n first_o the_o great_a authority_n inherent_a in_o they_o and_o independent_a on_o any_o civil_a power_n second_o their_o great_a wisdom_n in_o the_o use_n and_o exercise_v of_o it_o for_o by_o the_o particular_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o they_o general_o act_v upon_o wise_a and_o prudent_a reason_n and_o three_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o it_o when_o we_o shall_v see_v by_o the_o example_n of_o every_o age_n that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o preserve_v any_o manner_n of_o peace_n in_o the_o church_n without_o it_o and_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o decree_n make_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o accommodate_v the_o contrary_a prejudices_fw-la of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n if_o they_o have_v oblige_v the_o gentile_n to_o comply_v with_o the_o whole_a law_n of_o moses_n that_o will_v have_v look_v like_o a_o attempt_n to_o bring_v they_o under_o the_o old_a intolerable_a bondage_n and_o tempt_v they_o rather_o to_o renounce_v christianity_n then_o submit_v to_o such_o a_o grievous_a yoke_n and_o if_o they_o have_v whole_o exempt_v they_o from_o the_o mosaic_a law_n that_o will_v have_v as_o much_o endanger_v the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o jew_n think_v that_o they_o shall_v thereby_o have_v renounce_v the_o god_n of_o the_o law_n for_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o every_o capacity_n to_o distinguish_v between_o reject_v the_o law_n and_o the_o lawgiver_n and_o therefore_o to_o satisfy_v and_o avoid_v the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o both_o party_n they_o agree_v to_o lay_v no_o great_a burden_n than_o these_o necessary_a thing_n that_o they_o abstain_v 20._o from_o meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n and_o from_o fornication_n and_o from_o thing_n strangle_v and_o from_o blood_n where_o by_o thing_n necessary_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o mean_v thing_n necessary_a at_o that_o time_n and_o place_n for_o that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o in_o all_o time_n and_o place_n be_v evident_a not_o only_o from_o the_o direction_n of_o their_o synodical_a epistle_n to_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n but_o from_o their_o not_o impose_v the_o same_o decree_n upon_o other_o church_n that_o be_v not_o in_o the_o same_o circumstance_n in_o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n that_o confine_v upon_o judaea_n the_o jew_n be_v very_o numerous_a and_o therefore_o to_o avoid_v offend_v i._n e._n tempt_v they_o to_o renounce_v the_o christian_a faith_n it_o be_v requisite_a to_o make_v it_o a_o stand_a rule_n to_o they_o at_o that_o time_n that_o all_o christian_n abstain_v from_o the_o oblation_n to_o idol_n and_o that_o will_v whole_o prevent_v their_o great_a fear_n of_o idolatry_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a because_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n consist_v chief_o of_o gentile_n the_o same_o rule_n be_v not_o make_v peremptory_a and_o universal_a to_o they_o but_o they_o be_v leave_v to_o their_o own_o liberty_n to_o eat_v meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o consistent_a with_o christian_a prudence_n and_o charity_n as_o they_o be_v direct_v by_o their_o ghostly_a father_n st._n paul_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o can_v make_v of_o that_o great_a council_n and_o though_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n yet_o they_o proceed_v by_o no_o other_o rule_n then_o common_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n and_o if_o they_o have_v take_v the_o same_o method_n that_o our_o schismatic_n and_o pacificator_n will_v oblige_v the_o present_a church_n to_o to_o search_v for_o a_o determination_n of_o this_o casual_a dispute_n in_o their_o master_n own_o law_n i_o doubt_v they_o will_v have_v be_v very_o much_o at_o a_o loss_n to_o have_v find_v any_o thing_n like_o such_o a_o decree_n among_o all_o his_o precept_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v as_o much_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v refer_v all_o act_n of_o government_n to_o be_v determine_v by_o his_o own_o express_a decree_n as_o that_o their_o successor_n shall_v refer_v they_o to_o they_o but_o next_o to_o this_o apostolical_a synod_n the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v the_o great_a and_o early_a demonstration_n of_o the_o legislative_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v compile_v by_o their_o next_o successor_n in_o the_o second_o and_o three_o century_n by_o which_o we_o understand_v the_o true_a settlement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o apostle_n leave_v it_o for_o all_o the_o canon_n relate_v to_o government_n be_v no_o new_a law_n but_o only_a declaration_n of_o old_a custom_n so_o that_o though_o they_o be_v not_o apostolical_a law_n they_o be_v true_a and_o early_a record_n of_o apostolical_a custom_n and_o by_o they_o the_o practice_n of_o church-government_n be_v so_o entire_o settle_v that_o they_o be_v ever_o after_o the_o rule_n and_o pattern_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o follow_a council_n and_o most_o of_o the_o chief_a canon_n both_o general_n and_o provincial_a be_v only_a ratification_n of_o these_o old_a decree_n to_o recover_v their_o just_a authority_n when_o any_o of_o they_o have_v be_v neglect_v or_o violate_v or_o additional_a provision_n in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o general_a design_n in_o new_a particular_a case_n for_o which_o it_o seem_v every_o age_n find_v matter_n enough_o to_o suppress_v some_o man_n extravagant_a and_o wanton_a fancy_n and_o it_o be_v the_o new_a rise_n of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n that_o give_v occasion_n to_o enact_v all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n but_o these_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o institutes_n or_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o be_v withal_o enact_v in_o this_o period_n of_o time_n that_o we_o be_v now_o in_o by_o pure_a ecclesiastical_a authority_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o they_o to_o let_v the_o reader_n see_v the_o exact_a model_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o reduce_v to_o practice_n and_o bring_v to_o perfection_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o immediate_a successor_n in_o the_o first_o place_n therefore_o because_o nothing_o have_v so_o great_a a_o influence_n upon_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o set_n up_o good_a and_o wise_a governor_n over_o it_o great_a care_n be_v take_v against_o rash_a ordination_n of_o bishop_n so_o that_o though_o every_o bishop_n have_v a_o inherent_a right_n in_o himself_o to_o convey_v his_o own_o authority_n to_o another_o yet_o be_v it_o here_o fix_v and_o have_v remain_v so_o through_o all_o age_n as_o a_o stand_a law_n to_o the_o church_n that_o every_o bishop_n be_v consecrate_a by_o three_o bishop_n at_o least_o or_o two_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n now_o though_o this_o rule_n have_v be_v observe_v and_o practise_v in_o all_o church_n over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o be_v so_o high_o useful_a to_o the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o not_o entrust_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o weight_n to_o the_o discretion_n of_o a_o single_a person_n yet_o i_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a task_n to_o find_v any_o thing_n like_o a_o clear_a precept_n require_v it_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n so_o apparent_o repugnant_a be_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o projector_n of_o accommodation_n against_o unscriptural_a imposition_n to_o the_o very_a first_o law_n that_o be_v make_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n after_o the_o apostle_n and_o if_o they_o please_v it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v use_v to_o take_v away_o this_o prudent_a practice_n