stranger_n to_o the_o most_o of_o they_o these_o be_v so_o palpable_a impossibility_n as_o to_o a_o unbyast_a considerer_n be_v instead_o of_o a_o thousand_o argument_n that_o the_o bishop_n or_o elder_n which_o these_o text_n speak_v of_o be_v not_o diocesan_n bishop_n i._n e._n they_o be_v not_o the_o overseer_n or_o ruler_n of_o many_o score_n or_o hundred_o of_o church_n as_o their_o flock_n to_o who_o they_o be_v to_o perform_v all_o these_o pastoral_n work_v and_o the_o flock_n to_o pay_v they_o the_o foremention_v duty_n but_o the_o pastor_n of_o such_o a_o number_n of_o people_n as_o they_o can_v thus_o personal_o oversee_v teach_v rule_n watch_v over_o visit_n etc._n etc._n and_o such_o a_o number_n as_o can_v pay_v they_o that_o love_n submission_n imitation_n etc._n etc._n prescribe_v in_o the_o forequoted_a text_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v so_o express_o assert_v act_n 14._o v._o 23._o that_o such_o elder_n be_v ordain_v in_o every_o church_n which_o titus_n be_v also_o appoint_v to_o do_v in_o every_o city_n 1_o tit._n 5._o and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v every_o town_n equal_a to_o our_o usual_a market-town_n in_o england_n be_v then_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o city_n and_o but_o a_o few_o comparative_o of_o the_o inhabitant_n at_o first_o convert_v to_o christianity_n i_o grant_v that_o soon_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n or_o elder_a begin_v to_o be_v distinguish_v and_o that_o of_o bishop_n apply_v to_o a_o state_v praeses_fw-la or_o moderator_n of_o a_o presbytery_n or_o certain_a number_n of_o elder_n but_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o the_o bishop_n and_o his_o presbyter_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v but_o the_o ruler_n of_o one_o single_a congregation_n capable_a of_o personal_a communion_n not_o of_o many_o score_n or_o hundred_o church_n how_o plain_a to_o this_o purpose_n be_v that_o know_a passage_n of_o ignatius_n who_o authority_n the_o defender_n of_o prelate_n have_v so_o vain_o boast_v of_o who_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o philadelphian_o give_v this_o certain_a mark_n of_o every_o church_n individuation_n viz._n there_o be_v to_o every_o church_n one_o altar_n and_o one_o bishop_n together_o with_o the_o presbytery_n or_o eldership_n and_o the_o deacon_n my_o fellow_n servant_n &c_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &c_n &c_n the_o same_o author_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o polycarp_n advise_v that_o good_a bishop_n to_o have_v frequent_a churhc-assembly_n and_o to_o inquire_v after_o all_o by_o name_n and_o not_o to_o despise_v servant_n and_o maid_n so_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o smyrnenses_n fellow_n all_o of_o you_o the_o bishop_n as_o jesus_n christ_n do_v the_o father_n &c_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &c_n &c_n and_o the_o presbytery_n as_o the_o apostle_n and_o reverence_v the_o deacon_n as_o the_o appointment_n of_o god._n let_v none_o without_o the_o bishop_n transact_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n let_v that_o be_v account_v a_o valid_a communion_n which_o be_v in_o his_o presence_n or_o by_o his_o permission_n for_o where_o the_o bâ—shop_n be_v there_o let_v the_o multitude_n be_v it_o be_v not_o lawful_a without_o the_o bishop_n to_o baptise_v or_o make_v a_o love-feast_n nothing_o can_v more_o full_o evidence_n that_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n have_v their_o b_o shop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o apply_v those_o passage_n to_o a_o modern_a bishop_n and_o his_o diocese_n justin_n martyr_n know_a account_n of_o church_n church_n assembly_n evince_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o which_o the_o learned_a mr._n jos_n mede_n in_o his_o discourse_n of_o church_n quote_v p._n 48_o 49_o 50._o and_o from_o thence_o acknowledge_v they_o have_v then_o but_o one_o altar_n or_o place_n of_o communion_n to_o a_o church_n take_v for_o the_o company_n or_o coporation_n of_o the_o faithful_a as_o unite_v under_o one_o bishop_n tertullian_n account_n of_o particular_a church-assembly_n assure_v we_o cap._n apol._n cap._n that_o church-discipline_n be_v exercise_v in_o they_o and_o that_o by_o the_o probati_fw-la seniores_fw-la or_o approve_a elder_n among_o who_o we_o own_o the_o prese_n be_v call_v bishop_n even_o in_o cyprian_n time_n his_o famous_a church_n of_o carthage_n be_v not_o so_o great_a but_o that_o he_o frequent_o profess_v he_o will_v do_v nothing_o in_o church-affair_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o presbyter_n and_o all_o the_o people_n especial_o in_o the_o censure_v of_o offender_n as_o in_o his_o ep._n 3.6_o 10_o 11_o 13_o 14_o 26_o 27_o 28_o etc._n etc._n edit_fw-la goul_n and_o ep_v 68_o as_o he_o there_o declare_v the_o people_n have_v the_o chief_a power_n of_o choose_v worthy_a priest_n and_o refuse_v the_o unworthy_a so_o when_o he_o relate_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o ordination_n of_o a_o bishop_n he_o tell_v we_o all_o the_o next_o bishop_n of_o the_o same_o province_n do_v come_v together_o to_o that_o people_n over_o who_o the_o bishop_n be_v set_v and_o the_o bishop_n be_v appoint_v tâ—e_v people_n be_v present_a who_o fullie_v know_v the_o life_n of_o every_o one_o and_o have_v thorough_o see_v the_o act_n of_o every_o one_o conversation_n which_o also_o we_o see_v do_v with_o you_o in_o the_o ordination_n of_o sabinus_n our_o colleague_n that_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v give_v he_o and_o hand_n impose_v on_o he_o in_o the_o place_n of_o basilides_n by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o whole_a fraternity_n and_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o bishop_n that_o have_v meet_v together_o etc._n etc._n we_o may_v easy_o gather_v what_o the_o bishop_n church_n be_v when_o all_o the_o people_n must_v be_v present_a and_o judge_v of_o his_o life_n and_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v thorough_o acquaint_v with_o it_o a_o diocese_n of_o the_o modern_a extent_n will_v be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o to_o meet_v together_o for_o this_o purpose_n and_o pass_v their_o judgement_n concern_v the_o life_n of_o their_o bishop_n the_o constitution_n and_o canon_n call_v apostolical_a assign_v such_o duty_n to_o the_o bishop_n as_o plain_o imply_v his_o relation_n to_o a_o congregation_n capable_a of_o personal_a communion_n as_o his_o charge_n or_o flock_n and_o to_o give_v a_o brief_a summary_n of_o those_o proof_n which_o it_o will_v require_v a_o large_a volume_n to_o insist_v full_o on_o if_o we_o consider_v impartial_o all_o the_o duty_n which_o the_o most_o ancient_a christian_a writer_n describe_v as_o belong_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n viz._n to_o be_v the_o ordinary_a public_a teacher_n of_o his_o flock_n a_o and_o baptizer_n of_o those_o that_o be_v receive_v into_o his_o church_n b_o to_o confirm_v the_o baptise_a to_o reconcile_v and_o absolve_v all_o penitent_n to_o administer_v the_o lord_n supper_n c_o to_o receive_v all_o oblation_n etc._n etc._n and_o distribute_v they_o to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o sick_a and_o stranger_n as_o their_o overseer_n and_o curator_n do_v to_o try_v all_o cause_n about_o scandal_n in_o his_o church_n with_o his_o presbyter_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o flock_n e_o to_o ordain_v other_o bishop_n and_o elder_n to_o keep_v synod_n among_o his_o neighbour_n bishop_n to_o grant_v communicatory_a letter_n f_o &c._n &c._n and_o to_o how_o great_a a_o flock_n one_o man_n be_v capable_a to_o perform_v they_o if_o we_o consider_v further_o that_o the_o bishop_n and_o his_o presbyter_n live_v usual_o in_o the_o same_o house_n and_o in_o common_a at_o least_o near_o the_o church_n and_o that_o in_o the_o distribution_n of_o their_o maintenance_n one_o half_a of_o it_o be_v destine_v to_o repair_v the_o fabric_n or_o temple_n and_o maintain_v the_o poor_a the_o other_o half_o to_o the_o bishop_n and_o his_o clergy_n or_o presbyter_n g_o that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a custom_n for_o the_o presbyter_n to_o sit_v in_o the_o same_o seat_n with_o the_o bishop_n in_o a_o semicircle_n and_o the_o deacon_n below_o they_o h_z that_o the_o deacon_n be_v always_o mention_v as_o officer_n in_o the_o same_o church_n with_o the_o bishop_n ay_o that_o the_o love-feast_n be_v not_o to_o be_v keep_v without_o the_o bishop_n permission_n and_o he_o be_v to_o have_v his_o share_n send_v he_o if_o absent_a k_n that_o the_o way_n of_o stranger_n communicate_v be_v by_o communicatory_a letter_n or_o certificate_n which_o be_v to_o be_v show_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n where_o they_o desire_v to_o communicate_v l_o that_o a_o schism_n be_v describe_v by_o set_v up_o altar_n against_o altar_n every_o communicate_v church_n have_v its_o altar_n or_o table_n for_o celebrate_v the_o lords-supper_n and_o bâ—shop_n m_o a_o constit_fw-la apost_n c._n 26._o just_a mart._n apol_n 2_o b_o tertull._n the_o cor_n mil._n c._n 3._o c_o ignat._n ep._n ad_fw-la smyrn_n p_o 4._o just_a mart_n apol_n 2._o do_v
just_o mart._n ibid._n constit_fw-la apost_n c._n 27._o apost_n can._n 5_o e_o see_v cypr_fw-la ep._n passim_fw-la tertull._n apol._n c._n 39_o and_o many_o more_o in_o blondel_n de_fw-la jure_fw-la plebis_fw-la etc._n etc._n f_z see_v albasp_n observe_v p._n 254_o 255._o g_o see_v tolet_n de_fw-fr sacerd_v lib._n 5._o cap._n 4._o n._n 15._o and_o pad_n paul_n sarpi_n tract_n of_o church-benefice_n translate_v by_o dr._n denton_n h_z constit_fw-la apost_n c._n 57_o counc_fw-la carth._n 4_o can_n 35_o ay_o 1_o phil._n v._o 1._o clem._n rom_n ep_v ad_fw-la cor_fw-la p_o 54_o 55_o pius_n in_o ep_v justo_n episc_n biblioth_n patr_n tom_n 3_o p_o 15_o constit_fw-la apost_n c_o 30_o &_o 44._o k_n ignat_fw-la ep._n ad_fw-la smyrn_n forequoted_a constit_fw-la apost_n c._n 28_o l_o albasp_v observe_v p._n 254_o 255._o m_o ignat._v ep_v ad_fw-la philad_n forecited_a cypr._n ep_v 40_o 72_o 73._o the_o ancient_a description_n of_o a_o church_n be_v well_o know_v plebs_fw-la episcopo_fw-la coadunata_fw-la see_v dr._n still_o iren._n p._n 416._o that_o the_o bishop_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o suffrage_n or_o vote_n of_o the_o people_n he_o take_v the_o charge_n of_o n_z and_o as_o be_v say_v before_o administer_v church-censure_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o flock_n who_o judgement_n he_o consult_v o_o that_o presbyter_n do_v but_o sedom_n preach_v public_o in_o the_o two_o or_o three_o first_o age_n except_o in_o alexandria_n or_o some_o few_o church_n that_o have_v presbyter_n of_o more_o than_o ordinary_a learning_n and_o ability_n chrysostom_n preach_v at_o antioch_n and_o augustine_n at_o hippo_n while_o presbyter_n be_v note_v as_o unusual_a that_o every_o city_n have_v its_o bishop_n be_v grant_v by_o all_o and_o dr._n hammond_n and_o grotius_n own_o many_o have_v two_o nay_o some_o have_v more_o as_o may_v appear_v by_o many_o instance_n be_v it_o needful_a and_o every_o town_n of_o any_o bigness_n be_v then_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o city_n and_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n do_v not_o of_o a_o long_a time_n even_o in_o the_o large_a city_n exceed_v that_o of_o our_o large_a parish_n nor_o be_v bishop_n confine_v to_o city_n or_o town_n for_o the_o country_n villageâ—_n where_o three_o be_v any_o tolerable_a number_n of_o christian_n to_o mâ—ke_v a_o church_n or_o congregation_n have_v long_o their_o bishop_n also_o who_o be_v not_o put_v down_o till_o ambition_n have_v begin_v to_o deprave_v the_o church_n and_o for_o a_o reason_n agreeable_a to_o the_o humour_n of_o those_o that_o do_v it_o ne_fw-la vilescat_fw-la nomen_fw-la episcopi_fw-la p_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o nearness_n of_o episcopal_n be_fw-mi of_o which_o we_o read_v many_o that_o be_v much_o near_a one_o another_o than_o our_o market-town_n perhaps_o one_o two_o or_o a_o few_o more_o mile_n distant_a q_o if_o we_o observe_v all_o the_o small_a inconsiderable_a place_n that_o be_v the_o be_fw-mi of_o many_o famous_a ancient_a bishop_n not_o half_o so_o big_a as_o our_o lesser_a sort_n of_o perish_v r_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o vast_a number_n of_o bishop_n mention_v within_o a_o narrow_a compass_n of_o ground_n n_z see_v cypr._n ep._n 68_o forecited_a and_o many_o more_o testimony_n in_o baxter_n church-history_n &_o answer_v to_o stillingfl_fw-mi from_o p._n 128_o to_o 133._o and_o in_o blondel_n de_fw-la jure_fw-la plebis_fw-la etc._n etc._n ah_o see_v blondel_n ibid._n p_o council_n laod._n can._n 57_o q_o to_o give_v a_o few_o instance_n in_o palestine_n diospolis_n or_o lydda_n be_v but_o six_o mile_n from_o joppa_n joppa_n four_o mile_n from_o janmia_n rhinccoruca_n four_o mile_n from_o anthedon_n and_o anthedon_n not_o three_o mile_n from_o gaza_n and_o gaza_n twenty_o furlong_n from_o constantia_n ancient_o call_v majuma_n so_o in_o egypt_n nicopolis_n be_v twenty_o furlong_n from_o alexandria_n and_o taposiris_n canopus_n heraclia_n and_o naucratis_n not_o much_o far_o from_o one_o another_o and_o yet_o all_o these_o episcopal_a be_fw-mi r_o mr._n thorndike_n right_o of_o church_n review_v tell_v we_o p._n 53._o that_o in_o africa_n bishop_n be_v so_o plentiful_a that_o every_o good_a village_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o a_o episcopal_a church_n and_o the_o african_a church_n as_o dr._n stillingfleet_n tell_v we_o iren._n p._n 373._o long_a retain_v the_o primitive_a simplicity_n and_o humility_n binnius_n tell_v we_o of_o sylvester_n call_v together_o 284_o bishop_n of_o which_o 139_o be_v out_o of_o rome_n or_o not_o far_o from_o it_o a_o council_n of_o donatist_n at_o carthage_n have_v 270_o bishop_n as_o austin_n tell_v we_o ep._n 68_o about_o the_o year_n 308_o and_o yet_o they_o be_v the_o small_a number_n and_o complain_v of_o persecution_n victor_n vtic_a in_o persec_n vand._n acquaint_v we_o that_o in_o that_o part_n of_o africa_n 660_o bishop_n flee_v beside_o the_o great_a number_n murder_v and_o imprison_v and_o many_o tolerate_v the_o 6_o provincial_a council_n of_o carthage_n have_v 217_o bishop_n and_o to_o give_v a_o instance_n of_o late_a date_n which_o we_o be_v more_o capable_a to_o judge_v of_o even_o patrick_n be_v say_v to_o have_v found_v here_o in_o ireland_n 365_o church_n ordain_v so_o many_o bishop_n beside_o 3000_o presbyter_n usher_n de_fw-fr eccles_n brit._n primord_n p._n 950._o if_o we_o add_v hereto_o the_o late_a date_n of_o parth_n as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o bishop_n church_n the_o government_n of_o the_o cathedral_n by_o the_o bishop_n with_o the_o dean_n and_o chapter_n be_v a_o relict_n of_o the_o ancient_a episcopal_a government_n from_o these_o evidency_n and_o many_o more_o may_v be_v add_v due_o weigh_v we_o may_v easy_o judge_v what_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o bishop_n be_v a_o primitive_a bishop_n have_v no_o more_o than_o one_o church_n or_o assembly_n capable_a of_o personal_a communion_n under_o his_o charge_n which_o he_o rul_a d_o with_o the_o joint_a concurrence_n of_o his_o presbyter_n or_o elder_n the_o first_o that_o set_v up_o more_o assembly_n under_o one_o bishop_n be_v rome_n and_o alexandria_n and_o no_o other_o church_n can_v be_v prove_v to_o have_v do_v so_o for_o near_o 300_o year_n nor_o many_o church_n for_o 4_o or_o 5_o hundred_o and_o even_o those_o assembly_n do_v but_o long_o make_v up_o one_o communicate_v church_n and_o be_v but_o to_o the_o bishop_n church_n as_o chapel_n of_o ease_n be_v to_o our_o large_a parish_n church_n but_o for_o diocesan_n church_n and_o bishop_n it_o be_v evident_a from_o these_o few_o remark_n that_o they_o be_v entire_a stranger_n to_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o its_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n it_o be_v only_a ambition_n strive_v to_o model_n the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n by_o the_o civil_a that_o first_o give_v rise_v to_o they_o and_o from_o the_o same_o ambition_n in_o the_o empire_n spring_v up_o metropolitan_n patriarch_n and_o pope_n the_o last_o of_o these_o long_o claim_v only_o a_o primacy_n of_o order_n among_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o empire_n for_o which_o constantinople_n long_o vie_v with_o they_o it_o be_v but_o of_o late_o they_o have_v emprove_v their_o pretension_n into_o a_o claim_n of_o supremacy_n over_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o the_o vicar_n of_o christ_n and_o it_o be_v too_o observable_a in_o church_n history_n that_o as_o the_o seat_n of_o bishop_n swell_v and_o their_o power_n increase_v by_o engross_a to_o themselves_o that_o work_n which_o a_o score_n or_o hundred_o bishop_n can_v hardly_o discharge_v so_o all_o true_a discipline_n be_v gradual_o disuse_v and_o lose_v and_o the_o church_n miserable_o deprave_v by_o the_o corruption_n of_o it_o as_o well_o as_o divide_v by_o the_o contention_n of_o aspire_a bishop_n about_o their_o primacy_n and_o usurp_a power_n if_o you_o desire_v further_a satisfaction_n on_o this_o head_n i_o refer_v you_o to_o mr._n baxters_n treatise_n of_o episcopacy_n who_o in_o the_o 2d_o part_n 5_o 6_o 7_o ch_z have_v give_v as_o satisfactory_a a_o account_n of_o the_o ancient_a episcopacy_n as_o can_v be_v expect_v of_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n at_o that_o distance_n the_o few_o slender_a exception_n produce_v by_o dr._n stillingfl_fw-mi in_o his_o vnreason_n of_o seper_n which_o yet_o do_v not_o reach_v the_o two_o first_o century_n be_v so_o clear_o invalidate_v and_o expose_v by_o mr._n baxters_n answer_n to_o dr_n st._n p._n 100_o 101_o etc._n etc._n and_o by_o mr._n clerkson_n in_o his_o no_o evidence_n of_o diocesan_n church_n in_o antiq_n &c_n &c_n that_o i_o shall_v take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o diocesan_n bishop_n and_o church_n be_v stranger_n to_o antiquity_n and_o shall_v look_v on_o that_o cause_n as_o desperate_a and_o lose_v unless_o some_o of_o its_o patron_n can_v disprove_v that_o full_a stream_n of_o evidence_n he_o have_v bring_v against_o it_o from_o the_o most_o ancient_a christian_a writer_n in_o the_o forementioned_a
treatise_n there_o be_v few_o considerable_a defender_n of_o prelacy_n who_o writing_n he_o have_v not_o animadvert_v on_o and_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o observe_v how_o far_o the_o most_o of_o they_o mistake_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o controversy_n some_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v a_o sort_n of_o general_a superintendent_o arch-bishop_n or_o metropolitan_o who_o have_v some_o inspection_n over_o the_o bishop_n of_o particular_a church_n within_o their_o province_n and_o preside_v in_o their_o synod_n but_o do_v not_o put_v down_o the_o government_n and_o exercise_n of_o church-discipline_n in_o those_o particular_a church_n as_o if_o this_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o those_o diocesan_n bishop_n that_o do_v cast_v out_o all_o government_n and_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n by_o the_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n of_o particular_a church_n and_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o sole_a pastor_n of_o the_o diocese_n and_o yet_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o such_o metropolitan_o be_v of_o no_o very_a ancient_a date_n and_o quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o cyprian_a who_o disow_v any_o bishop_n of_o bishop_n and_o own_v only_a bishop_n or_o overseer_n of_o flock_n or_o church_n other_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o prove_v the_o state_v presidency_n of_o one_o by_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n in_o a_o consessus_fw-la or_o bench_n of_o presbyter_n who_o have_v but_o all_o one_o communicate_v church_n under_o their_o charge_n which_o be_v not_o deny_v to_o have_v begin_v early_o in_o the_o church_n as_o a_o remedy_n of_o schism_n but_o that_o difference_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n when_o both_o be_v but_o joynt-ruler_n of_o a_o congregation_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o modern_a prelacy_n that_o such_o diocesan_n bishop_n have_v put_v down_o the_o primitive_a parish-bishop_n and_o monopolise_v the_o power_n of_o many_o score_n or_o hundred_o of_o such_o bishop_n to_o themselves_o and_o thereby_o render_v true_a church-government_n impracticable_a nay_o that_o very_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n seem_v to_o have_v have_v its_o rise_n whole_o in_o the_o notorious_a disparity_n of_o his_o gift_n learning_n age_n etc._n etc._n above_o the_o rest_n but_o be_v never_o esteem_v by_o they_o a_o difference_n in_o office_n or_o power_n nor_o be_v it_o ascribe_v to_o any_o high_a original_a â—hen_o human_a constitution_n by_o jerome_n auâ—â—in_n ambâ—ose_n sedulius_n primasius_n chrysostom_n theodoret_n etc._n etc._n not_o to_o mention_v â—â—der_a writer_n if_o then_o ordination_n belong_v to_o scripturall_a bishop_n and_o such_o be_v the_o pastor_n of_o particular_a church_n 〈◊〉_d none_o else_o diâ—_n orâ—â—â—â—_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o its_o pure_a age_n than_o a_o l_o suâ—h_o bishop_n have_v that_o power_n nor_o indeed_o have_v any_o power_n to_o orâ—â—â—_n but_o on_o the_o account_n of_o their_o be_v such_o scriptural_a bishop_n â—hâ—_n office_n of_o diocesan_n prelate_n be_v a_o manifest_a usurpation_n in_o thâ—_n church_n which_o have_v its_o rise_n in_o human_a ambition_n that_o uâ—u_n pation_n can_v rightful_o deprive_v the_o true_a bishop_n or_o pastor_n oâ—_n that_o power_n of_o church-government_n which_o be_v as_o essential_a to_o their_o office_n as_o the_o power_n of_o teach_v or_o be_v guide_n in_o worship_n and_o whatever_o may_v be_v say_v for_o parish-bishop_n submit_v for_o peace_n sake_n to_o the_o usurpation_n of_o a_o diocesan_n ex_fw-la gr_fw-la when_o he_o claim_v the_o sole_a power_n of_o ordination_n where_o the_o true_a end_n of_o it_o be_v attain_v yet_o they_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o submit_v to_o it_o when_o diocesan_n bishop_n shall_v so_o abuse_v that_o usurp_a power_n as_o to_o corrupt_v and_o deprave_v the_o ministry_n by_o impose_v sinful_a term_n and_o hazard_v the_o ruin_n of_o soul_n by_o neglect_v to_o provide_v a_o number_n of_o faithful_a pastor_n suitable_a to_o their_o real_a necessity_n the_o ordination_n therefore_o of_o the_o pastor_n or_o bishop_n of_o particular_a churchâ—s_n be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o primitive_a antiquity_n and_o consequent_o more_o unexceptionable_o valid_a then_o that_o of_o a_o single_a diocesan_n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n in_o the_o presbyterian_a church_n be_v valid_a because_o either_o they_o be_v ordain_v by_o diocesan_n bishop_n who_o have_v power_n to_o ordain_v on_o the_o account_n of_o that_o office_n they_o have_v in_o common_a with_o scriptural_a bishop_n though_o they_o have_v none_o as_o diocesan_n or_o they_o be_v ordain_v by_o a_o concurrence_n of_o scriptural_a bishop_n to_o who_o office_n the_o power_n of_o ordination_n be_v annex_v by_o divine_a institution_n and_o and_o can_v be_v alienate_v by_o any_o humane_a usurpation_n for_o christ_n have_v give_v none_o power_n to_o change_v his_o institution_n nor_o can_v the_o will_n of_o the_o ordainer_n debar_v his_o officer_n from_o any_o part_n of_o that_o authority_n which_o his_o charter_n convey_v to_o they_o and_o if_o the_o validity_n of_o ordination_n by_o such_o scriptural_a bishop_n be_v deny_v the_o church_n have_v not_o ordain_v minister_n for_o a_o century_n or_o two_o at_o least_o have_v lay_v down_o these_o notion_n about_o mission_n i_o come_v to_o examine_v d_o m'_v quest_n quest_n 1_o what_o priesthood_n or_o holy_a order_n have_v the_o first_o reformer_n but_o what_o they_o receive_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o roman_n catholic_n bishop_n answ_n if_o d_o m_o mean_v that_o their_o priesthood_n or_o ministerial_a office_n be_v convey_v to_o they_o by_o the_o bishop_n as_o the_o giver_n of_o it_o they_o receive_v it_o from_o none_o at_o all_o nor_o have_v any_o that_o power_n to_o give_v it_o be_v give_v by_o christ_n in_o his_o charter_n but_o if_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o roman_n catholic_n or_o popish_a bishop_n do_v invest_v they_o in_o that_o office_n it_o be_v own_a that_o most_o of_o the_o reform_a minister_n be_v ordain_v by_o they_o and_o it_o be_v not_o material_a whether_o they_o be_v r_n man_n catholic_n bishop_n of_o the_o same_o rigid_a stamp_n as_o those_o of_o the_o present_a age_n or_o no_o for_o the_o validity_n of_o their_o ordination_n depend_v on_o the_o essential_o of_o the_o pastoral_n office_n retain_v and_o not_o on_o their_o horrid_a corruption_n of_o it_o and_o as_o mr._n k._n well_o observe_v they_o ordain_v as_o christian_a not_o as_o roman_a bishop_n but_o what_o if_o some_o of_o the_o reformer_n become_v pastor_n to_o the_o people_n upon_o their_o necessity_n and_o call_v who_o dare_v not_o comply_v with_o the_o sinful_a term_n of_o ordination_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o yet_o can_v have_v no_o other_o they_o will_v not_o be_v in_o this_o case_n destitute_a of_o a_o true_a mission_n for_o the_o evident_a necessity_n of_o the_o people_n soul_n who_o earnest_o desire_v to_o have_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n pure_o preach_v and_o divine_a worship_n pure_o celebrate_v and_o who_o can_v not_o with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n continue_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o their_o qualification_n for_o so_o necessary_a a_o work_n be_v a_o sufficient_a signification_n of_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n that_o they_o shall_v undertake_v it_o for_o the_o precept_n about_o the_o ordinary_a regular_a way_n of_o admission_n to_o the_o ministry_n do_v not_o oblige_v where_o it_o can_v not_o be_v lawful_o observe_v and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o far_o great_a necessity_n of_o a_o pure_a untainted_a ministry_n then_o of_o that_o positive_a point_n of_o order_n for_o else_o on_o supposition_n no_o pastor_n have_v embrace_v the_o reformation_n the_o people_n who_o do_v will_v have_v be_v oblige_v to_o have_v live_v like_o atheist_n without_o public_a worship_n 2_o q_o who_o authorize_v the_o first_o reformer_n to_o preach_v their_o protestant_a doctrine_n and_o administer_v their_o protestant_a sac_n ament_n answ_n it_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o ordainer_n to_o determine_v what_o doctrine_n the_o person_n ordain_v shall_v preach_v but_o to_o christ_n who_o have_v determine_v that_o matter_n already_o and_o therefore_o if_o the_o doctrine_n which_o our_o first_o reformer_n preach_v and_o the_o sacrament_n they_o administer_v be_v christ_n as_o mr._n k._n well_o argue_v it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o ask_v who_o authorise_a they_o to_o preach_v the_o one_o or_o administer_v the_o other_o christ_n do_v and_o no_o man_n can_v authorise_v any_o to_o preach_v any_o other_o doctrine_n or_o administer_v any_o other_o sacrament_n the_o bishop_n or_o priest_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v no_o right_a or_o mission_n from_o christ_n to_o preach_v popish_a doctrine_n or_o administer_v popish_a sacrament_n or_o celebrate_v popish_a worship_n so_o far_o as_o these_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n sacrament_n and_o worship_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n these_o be_v gross_a corruption_n of_o their_o office_n