the_o region_n adjacent_a and_o pertain_v to_o that_o city_n and_o so_o as_o church_n and_o congregation_n be_v all_o one_o as_o in_o ordinary_a use_n in_o all_o language_n they_o be_v they_o be_v congregationall_a and_o diocesan_n also_o 12._o what_o follow_v of_o the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o great_a city_n and_o their_o meeting_n in_o one_o place_n as_o also_o of_o a_o church_n and_o city_n be_v all_o one_o be_v willing_o grant_v by_o we_o and_o have_v not_o the_o least_o appearance_n of_o be_v useful_a to_o their_o pretension_n or_o hurtful_a to_o we_o and_o therefore_o i_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o make_v any_o the_o lest_o reply_v to_o it_o 13._o that_o which_o next_o follow_v though_o it_o concern_v we_o not_o to_o examine_v it_o our_o interest_n be_v equal_o secure_v be_v it_o true_a or_o false_a yet_o i_o can_v but_o take_v some_o notice_n of_o it_o in_o pass_v because_o it_o be_v a_o little_a extraordinary_a 14._o afterward_o say_v they_o we_o conceive_v that_o believer_n become_v so_o numerous_a in_o these_o great_a city_n as_o that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n act._n 2._o 41._o and_o 4._o 4._o and_o 5._o 14._o and_o thus_o possible_o it_o may_v be_v in_o most_o of_o these_o asian_a church_n in_o st._n john_n time_n 15._o here_o certain_o the_o word_n afterward_o be_v relative_a and_o refer_v to_o the_o antecedent_n in_o the_o former_a paragraph_n and_o that_o be_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n hereupon_o i_o demand_v what_o time_n be_v that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n be_v it_o that_o wherein_o christ_n continue_v on_o the_o earth_n if_o so_o they_o will_v easy_o believe_v we_o that_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v place_v in_o the_o church_n within_o that_o period_n if_o it_o be_v the_o time_n immediate_o follow_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n when_o the_o apostle_n begin_v to_o preach_v and_o propagate_v the_o faith_n then_o how_o come_v they_o to_o divide_v that_o time_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o act._n 2._o 41._o from_o that_o time_n of_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n by_o this_o word_n afterwards_o for_o it_o be_v certain_a what_o be_v there_o story_a of_o the_o 3000._o convert_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o first_o sermon_n preach_v by_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n immediate_o upon_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o and_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n the_o wonderment_n whereof_o bring_v those_o so_o many_o auditor_n together_o 16._o so_o second_o when_o they_o say_v of_o this_o point_n of_o time_n act._n 2._o 41._o the_o believer_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meâ—t_v in_o one_o place_n this_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o text_n which_o say_v express_o five_o 44._o that_o all_o the_o believer_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n they_o interpret_v meet_v in_o â—ne_n and_o the_o same_o place_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o other_o place_n act_n 4._o â—4_n and_o 5_o 14._o for_o certain_o as_o yet_o though_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n increase_v yet_o they_o be_v not_o distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n but_o this_o by_o the_o way_n be_v assure_v that_o this_o disquisition_n be_v perfect_o extrinsecall_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n between_o we_o because_o as_o at_o jerusalem_n the_o ancient_n be_v clear_a in_o affirm_v that_o soon_o after_o christ_n ascension_n 〈◊〉_d peter_n and_o james_n and_o john_n choose_v james_n the_o just_a the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o constitute_v he_o bishop_n or_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v all_o that_o we_o need_v pretend_v to_o from_o the_o story_n of_o that_o church_n so_o it_o matter_n not_o much_o at_o what_o point_n of_o time_n that_o be_v do_v whether_o at_o the_o very_a beginning_n or_o afterward_o much_o less_o how_o soon_o it_o be_v that_o that_o church_n be_v distribute_v into_o several_a divide_a assembly_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o bishop_n not_o at_o all_o depend_v on_o that_o as_o have_v former_o be_v show_v 17._o hence_o will_v it_o appear_v to_o how_o very_o little_a purpose_n be_v those_o caution_n add_v and_o observation_n make_v in_o the_o remain_a part_n of_o this_o six_o chapter_n 18._o thus_o say_v they_o possible_o it_o may_v be_v i.e._n the_o believer_n be_v so_o numerous_a in_o great_a city_n that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n in_o most_o of_o these_o asian_a church_n in_o st._n john_n time_n but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n diligent_o to_o be_v observe_v first_o that_o these_o meet_v place_n be_v frequent_v promiscuous_o and_o indistinct_o and_o that_o believer_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o set_n and_o fix_v church_n or_o congregation_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n 19_o but_o first_o i_o demand_v be_v there_o any_o truth_n in_o this_o observation_n be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n a_o set_v and_o fix_a church_n so_o as_o to_o be_v perfect_o sever_v from_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n and_o ephesus_n be_v not_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n bishop_n of_o the_o one_o and_o not_o of_o the_o other_o 20._o second_o why_o be_v this_o for_o the_o presbyterian_o interest_n to_o be_v so_o diligent_o observe_v if_o one_o of_o these_o church_n be_v not_o thus_o divide_v and_o sever_v from_o other_o how_o can_v it_o be_v govern_v by_o a_o presbytery_n as_o they_o pretend_v it_o be_v must_v it_o not_o be_v a_o determinate_a fix_a body_n that_o be_v govern_v by_o any_o whether_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n i_o profess_v not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v by_o my_o most_o diligent_a observation_n why_o this_o be_v so_o necessary_a to_o be_v so_o diligent_o observe_v 21._o second_o say_v they_o it_o must_v be_v as_o diligent_o observe_v that_o notwithstanding_o these_o different_a meeting_n place_n yet_o the_o believer_n of_o one_o city_n make_v but_o one_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v call_v a_o church_n not_o church_n act._n 8._o 1._o &_o 15._o 6._o &_o 22._o 16._o and_o so_o likewise_o it_o be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n etc._n etc._n not_o church_n etc._n etc._n 22._o this_o observation_n i_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v perfect_a truth_n in_o it_o and_o not_o to_o be_v confutable_a in_o any_o part_n save_o only_a that_o the_o two_o latter_a text_n be_v certain_o misquote_v and_o not_o rectify_v in_o the_o errata_fw-la and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o reject_v i_o shall_v embrace_v it_o and_o from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o manner_n of_o incongruity_n in_o assign_v of_o one_o bishop_n to_o one_o church_n and_o so_o one_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n because_o it_o be_v a_o church_n not_o church_n be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o where_o there_o be_v more_o church_n there_o be_v more_o bishop_n and_o so_o likewise_o one_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n and_o of_o thyatira_n etc._n etc._n this_o i_o suppose_v be_v not_o the_o thing_n they_o mean_v to_o infer_v from_o hence_o nor_o indeed_o do_v i_o conceive_v it_o necessary_o infer_v from_o only_a very_a agreeable_a to_o the_o oneness_n of_o each_o church_n without_o other_o argument_n to_o join_v with_o it_o but_o i_o be_o still_o to_o seek_v and_o emand_v what_o advantage_n accrue_v to_o their_o cause_n or_o disadvantage_n to_o we_o by_o this_o observation_n 23._o but_o than_o three_o they_o add_v that_o this_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n 24._o this_o indeed_o be_v worth_a their_o diligent_a observe_v if_o it_o can_v be_v descry_v and_o will_v abundant_o recompense_v they_o for_o the_o no-profit_n their_o two_o former_a observation_n bring_v they_o in_o if_o it_o can_v be_v obtain_v by_o all_o their_o diligence_n but_o this_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o only_a thing_n in_o question_n betwixt_o we_o whether_o the_o church_n in_o each_o city_n be_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n or_o by_o one_o single_a bishop_n call_v sometime_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n as_o that_o signify_v simple_o a_o governor_n not_o with_o restriction_n a_o member_n of_o a_o college_n of_o governor_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o only_a question_n in_o debate_n between_o we_o it_o must_v not_o be_v any_o far_o yield_v to_o they_o than_o their_o proof_n and_o evidence_n will_v enforce_v it_o and_o these_o of_o what_o virtue_n they_o be_v must_v now_o appear_v
justice_n will_v purchase_v a_o place_n to_o any_o we_o have_v commend_v he_o in_o a_o principal_a manner_n as_o elder_a of_o the_o church_n for_o so_o he_o be_v here_o nine_o year_n after_o he_o have_v be_v bishop_n and_o archbishop_n of_o lion_n about_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 177._o he_o be_v style_v by_o those_o letter_n elder_a of_o the_o church_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o in_o his_o time_n elder_a be_v the_o title_n of_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n and_o consequent_o so_o it_o may_v fit_o signify_v in_o his_o own_o write_n and_o so_o must_v needs_o do_v there_o when_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o those_o who_o be_v acknowlege_v bishop_n at_o that_o time_n when_o by_o the_o presbyterian_o acknowledgement_n episcopacy_n be_v come_v in_o in_o that_o notion_n wherein_o we_o now_o understand_v it_o a_o second_o proof_n of_o this_o be_v that_o what_o in_o one_o place_n out_o of_o papias_n he_o say_v of_o all_o the_o seniores_fw-la or_o elder_n which_o in_o asia_n converse_v with_o st._n john_n that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o same_o time_n affirm_v of_o the_o bishop_n or_o elder_n of_o asia_n meaning_n by_o both_o of_o they_o the_o bishop_n in_o our_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n write_v his_o stromata_n about_o the_o year_n 192._o which_o be_v five_o year_n before_o irenaeus_n martyrdom_n in_o the_o 5._o of_o severus_n now_o of_o this_o clemens_n it_o be_v certain_a 1._o that_o he_o acknowlege_v the_o three_o order_n in_o the_o church_n which_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o three_o degree_n or_o promotion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n deacon_n and_o consequent_o must_v by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d understand_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n second_o that_o when_o he_o make_v the_o relation_n of_o john_n meeting_n with_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n which_o be_v the_o same_o matter_n which_o irenaeus_n produce_v out_o of_o papias_n he_o call_v they_o in_o the_o same_o period_n both_o elder_n and_o bishop_n indifferent_o for_o speak_v of_o st._n john_n he_o have_v this_o passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d come_v to_o a_o city_n not_o far_o off_o and_o look_v on_o the_o bishop_n which_o be_v constitute_v over_o all_o see_v a_o young_a man_n he_o say_v this_o person_n i_o commit_v to_o thou_o and_o the_o elder_n take_v he_o home_o bring_v he_o up_o baptize_v and_o at_o last_o give_v he_o confirmation_n here_o it_o be_v evident_a this_o elder_n of_o asia_n one_o of_o those_o which_o in_o irenaeus_n converse_v with_o saint_n john_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o bishop_n constitute_v over_o all_o in_o that_o city_n and_o agreeable_o when_o saint_n john_n come_v back_o that_o way_n again_o he_o call_v to_o he_o by_o that_o title_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d o_o bishop_n render_v we_o the_o depositum_fw-la which_o both_o i_o and_o christ_n deliver_v to_o thou_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o church_n over_o which_o thou_o be_v set_v where_o again_o he_o that_o be_v call_v elder_a both_o by_o he_o and_o irenaeus_n be_v also_o by_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o bishop_n set_v over_o the_o church_n and_o so_o that_o be_v a_o second_o evidence_n of_o it_o three_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n he_o speak_v of_o his_o predecessor_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n which_o be_v set_v over_o the_o church_n which_o thou_o rule_a anicetus_n pius_n hyginus_n and_o telesphorus_n and_o lib._n 3._o cap._n 3_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o bless_a apostle_n have_v found_v and_o build_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n put_v the_o episcopal_a office_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o linus_n anacletus_fw-la succeed_v he_o clemens_n anacletus_fw-la evarestus_n clemens_n alexander_n evarestus_n than_o xystus_n the_o six_o from_o the_o apostle_n after_o he_o telesphorus_n than_o hyginus_n than_o pius_n after_o he_o anicetus_n after_o anicetus_n soter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o in_o the_o twelve_o place_n eleutherus_n possess_v the_o bishopric_n from_o the_o apostle_n here_o 1._o it_o be_v evident_a that_o every_o one_o first_o name_v as_o elder_n be_v yet_o single_a person_n one_o succeed_v another_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d set_v over_o or_o rule_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n second_o that_o for_o twelve_o succession_n together_o they_o be_v by_o irenaeus_n look_v upon_o all_o as_o of_o the_o same_o rank_n succeed_v one_o another_o and_o the_o first_o as_o well_o as_o the_o last_o called_z bishop_n which_o must_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o he_o in_o such_o a_o notion_n as_o be_v equal_o compatible_a to_o all_o and_o so_o must_v be_v in_o our_o modern_a notion_n if_o the_o great_a asserter_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a cause_n say_v true_a that_o about_o the_o year_n 140._o i_o e._n certain_o before_o elutherius_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n there_o be_v bishop_n over_o presbyter_n all_o the_o world_n over_o last_o 44._o irenaeus_n speak_v of_o some_o unworthy_a voluptuous_a elder_n express_v their_o fault_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o can_v fit_o belong_v to_o any_o but_o bishop_n principalis_fw-la concessionis_fw-la tumore_fw-la elati_fw-la sunt_fw-la they_o be_v puff_v up_o with_o the_o â—ride_n of_o the_o principal_a place_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o principal_a chair_n which_o as_o bishop_n belong_v to_o they_o â—or_a though_o it_o be_v as_o possible_a that_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o the_o pride_n the_o tumour_n and_o elation_n as_o that_o bishop_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o yet_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o there_o mention_v the_o principalis_fw-la consessio_fw-la the_o chief_a place_n of_o dignity_n be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o one_o and_o not_o reconcileable_a with_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o equality_n of_o the_o other_o these_o evidence_n have_v ready_o offer_v themselves_o to_o show_v what_o irenaeus_n mean_v by_o presbyteri_fw-la when_o he_o use_v that_o and_o bishop_n promiscuous_o viz._n by_o both_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n and_o he_o that_o shall_v read_v over_o that_o author_n diligent_o and_o compare_v his_o dialect_n with_o polycarpe_n and_o papias_n with_o who_o he_o accord_v the_o former_a use_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o bishop_n as_o have_v large_o be_v insist_v on_o and_o the_o latter_a for_o apostle_n and_o bishop_n single_a governor_n of_o each_o church_n 39_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o elsewhere_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d andrew_n peter_n aristion_n john_n mark_v all_o elder_n will_v doubtless_o find_v many_o more_o proof_n that_o thus_o he_o use_v the_o word_n and_o i_o shall_v adventure_v to_o undertake_v meet_v with_o no_o one_o indication_n to_o the_o contrary_n sect._n v._n testimony_n of_o tertullian_n seniores_fw-la &_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la for_o bishop_n so_o in_o firmilian_a as_o for_o tertullian_n i_o shall_v need_v say_v no_o more_o but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o confession_n of_o the_o great_a patron_n of_o presbyterian_o 38._o that_o he_o do_v aperte_fw-la tueri_fw-la communiusu_fw-la receptam_fw-la ordinis_fw-la in_o episcopos_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la &_o diaconos_fw-la distinctionem_fw-la open_o defend_v the_o receive_v common_a distinction_n of_o the_o ecclesiastic_a order_n into_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o he_o that_o can_v yet_o doubt_v of_o it_o let_v he_o examine_v his_o citation_n the_o prescript_n cap._n 41._o the_o baptism_n cap_n 17._o de_fw-fr monogam_fw-la cap._n 11._o de_fw-la fuga_fw-la c._n 11._o and_o that_o de_fw-la baptismo_fw-la as_o high_a &_o clear_a as_o that_o which_o be_v most_o quarrel_v with_o in_o ignatius_n dandi_fw-la baptismum_fw-la jus_o habit_n summus_fw-la sacerdos_fw-la qui_fw-la est_fw-la episcopus_fw-la dein_fw-ge presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la non_fw-la tamen_fw-la sine_fw-la episcopi_fw-la authoritate_fw-la propter_fw-la honorem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la quo_fw-la salvo_fw-la salva_fw-la pax_fw-la est_fw-la the_o bishop_n have_v the_o right_a of_o give_v baptism_n after_o he_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n yet_o not_o without_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bishop_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v preserve_v peace_n be_v preserve_v so_o that_o of_o he_o it_o be_v as_o clear_v as_o of_o irenaeus_n or_o clemens_n that_o he_o must_v understand_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a
be_v only_o to_o state_n the_o question_n betwixt_o we_o which_o be_v all_o the_o while_n no_o more_o but_o this_o whether_o tertullian_n and_o irenaeus_n that_o call_v polycarpe_n and_o onesymus_n bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o ephesus_n mean_v bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o a_o peculiar_a sense_n or_o in_o a_o general_a phrase_n as_o all_o presbyter_n be_v call_v bishop_n and_o this_o i_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o only_a question_n between_o we_o and_o if_o bishop_n do_v signify_v bishop_n i_o can_v doubt_v but_o the_o cause_n be_v by_o they_o adjudge_v on_o our_o side_n and_o why_o it_o shall_v not_o they_o have_v to_o conclude_v only_o this_o offer_n of_o argument_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n have_v all_o one_o name_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o long_o after_o in_o irenaeus_n time_n 55._o i_o be_o true_o weary_a of_o the_o length_n of_o this_o chapter_n and_o can_v but_o by_o consent_n have_v some_o compassion_n on_o the_o reader_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v bring_v the_o matter_n to_o this_o short_a issue_n this_o reason_n of_o they_o be_v no_o reason_n unless_o the_o word_n bishop_n both_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o long_a after_o irenaeus_n time_n signify_v a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n for_o if_o both_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o elder_n signify_v bishop_n in_o our_o notion_n this_o again_o give_v the_o cause_n to_o we_o from_o they_o and_o upon_o these_o term_n i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o if_o ever_o they_o find_v in_o irenaeus_n that_o episcopus_fw-la signify_v a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n i_o will_v confess_v they_o conqueror_n but_o this_o they_o have_v not_o offer_v here_o to_o do_v and_o i_o have_v some_o moderate_a assurance_n they_o never_o will_n and_o so_o much_o for_o that_o chapter_n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o equivalence_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n section_n i._n four_o sort_n of_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n propose_v the_o next_o place_n where_o i_o find_v myself_o call_v forth_o be_v about_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o seven_o chapter_n towards_o the_o bottom_n of_o pag._n 92._o only_o for_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o discourse_n etc._n etc._n for_o although_o in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o that_o chapter_n they_o undertake_v to_o vindicate_v their_o chief_a proof_n of_o scripture_n act._n 20._o 17_o 28._o phil._n 1._o 1._o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1_o pet._n 5._o and_o to_o make_v reply_n to_o the_o answer_v give_v to_o they_o and_o although_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o in_o the_o dissertation_n every_o of_o those_o place_n be_v answer_v and_o show_v to_o be_v full_o reconcileable_a with_o our_o praetension_n for_o praelacy_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o please_v to_o take_v any_o notice_n of_o what_o be_v there_o say_v which_o if_o they_o have_v do_v i_o may_v without_o insolence_n undertake_v to_o show_v that_o it_o have_v prevent_v all_o appearance_n of_o force_n in_o any_o of_o their_o reply_v and_o therefore_o be_v by_o this_o mean_n perfect_o free_v from_o all_o obligation_n to_o view_v any_o paragraph_n of_o that_o former_a part_n of_o the_o chapter_n and_o have_v already_o say_v somewhat_o to_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o place_n act._n 20._o and_o foreseeing_a a_o fit_a opportunity_n for_o the_o rest_n i_o shall_v for_o my_o own_o and_o the_o reader_n ease_v punctual_o expect_v and_o obey_v the_o summons_n appear_v when_o i_o be_o call_v before_o they_o but_o no_o soon_o avert_v their_o charge_n and_o not_o multiply_v debate_n above_o what_o be_v necessary_a thus_o than_o they_o begin_v that_o there_o be_v a_o doctor_n a_o high_a praelatist_n etc._n etc._n that_o in_o a_o late_a book_n of_o he_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v out_o these_o two_o great_a paradox_n 1._o that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o a_o praelaticall_a sense_n 2._o that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n presbyter_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o of_o a_o mere_a presbyter_n but_o of_o a_o bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v and_o whereas_o we_o say_v that_o the_o scripture-bishop_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o presbyter_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n distinct_a from_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n this_o author_n on_o the_o contrary_n say_v that_o the_o scripture-presbyter_n be_v a_o true_a bishop_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o single_a and_o mere_a presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n for_o our_o part_n we_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o take_v a_o particular_a survey_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o justification_n of_o these_o paradox_n only_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v there_o be_v so_o much_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o the_o dissertation_n set_v down_o in_o these_o word_n that_o i_o be_o force_v to_o believe_v that_o i_o be_o the_o author_n here_o charge_v for_o these_o two_o paradox_n that_o they_o be_v so_o style_v by_o those_o who_o be_v contrary_a mind_v and_o who_o have_v assume_v a_o power_n which_o if_o either_o of_o these_o proposition_n be_v true_a they_o must_v be_v oblige_v to_o part_v with_o i_o can_v think_v strange_a and_o if_o i_o shall_v style_v their_o assertion_n as_o perfect_o paradox_n i.e._n as_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o ancients_n sense_n or_o doctrine_n in_o this_o matter_n when_o they_o say_v that_o the_o scripture-bishop_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o presbyter_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v certain_o a_o introduction_n fit_a to_o be_v confront_v to_o they_o as_o be_v equal_o argumentative_a but_o because_o this_o verbal_a eloquence_n have_v little_a of_o efficacy_n in_o it_o and_o will_v never_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o pretension_n by_o affirm_v the_o contrary_a to_o be_v error_n or_o paradox_n and_o because_o what_o be_v affix_v to_o i_o be_v not_o entire_o my_o sense_n though_o it_o recite_v it_o in_o some_o part_n and_o approach_v near_o to_o it_o i_o shall_v here_o begin_v with_o a_o brief_a relation_n of_o what_o be_v affirm_v by_o the_o dissertation_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o then_o inquire_v what_o be_v here_o produce_v to_o invalidate_v it_o dissert_n 4._o c._n 6._o the_o method_n lead_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_a in_o the_o scripture_n the_o first_o thing_n take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o many_o to_o which_o purpose_n theodoret_n chrysostome_n oecumenius_n and_o st_n hierome_n be_v cite_v as_o favourer_n of_o this_o opinion_n but_o this_o with_o some_o difference_n of_o the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o and_o for_o the_o distinct_a state_v of_o the_o question_n four_o sense_n be_v set_v down_o wherein_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o this_o equivalence_n of_o the_o word_n may_v be_v understand_v 1._o that_o both_o bishop_n and_o elder_n shall_v signify_v one_o and_o the_o same_o viz._n a_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n 2._o that_o both_o shall_v signify_v the_o same_o thing_n viz._n a_o presbyter_n 3._o that_o both_o of_o they_o shall_v signify_v promiscuous_o sometime_o a_o bishop_n sometime_o a_o presbyter_n i._n e._n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v sometime_o signify_v a_o bishop_n sometime_o a_o presbyter_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v sometime_o a_o bishop_n sometime_o a_o presbyter_n 4._o that_o the_o word_n bishop_n shall_v always_o signify_v a_o singular_a bishop_n and_o the_o word_n elder_a sometime_o a_o bishop_n and_o sometime_o a_o presbyter_n of_o these_o four_o sense_n of_o the_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n it_o be_v sure_o no_o error_n to_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o they_o true_a each_o be_v exclusive_a of_o the_o other_o three_o and_o although_o some_o of_o the_o ancients_n may_v be_v bring_v in_o favour_n to_o one_o more_o than_o to_o the_o other_o yet_o this_o be_v eminent_o observable_a that_o those_o that_o favour_v that_o species_n which_o be_v most_o for_o the_o presbyterian_o interest_n to_o be_v accept_v do_v yet_o assert_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o prelatist_n as_o confident_o as_o any_o so_o theodoret_n who_o seem_v most_o to_o assert_v the_o second_o species_n do_v yet_o propugne_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o superior_a dignity_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n and_o affirm_v 1._o those_o who_o be_v in_o his_o time_n call_v bishop_n the_o singular_a praefect_n of_o city_n to_o have_v be_v style_v apostle_n in_o the_o scripture-time_n and_o that_o epaphroditus_n be_v call_v so_o by_o st._n paul_n as_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o philippian_n and_o so_o say_v he_o
the_o gainsayer_n no_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o he_o by_o the_o law_n of_o these_o agones_fw-la to_o use_v those_o argument_n and_o no_o other_o nor_o otherwise_o improve_v which_o all_o other_o writer_n of_o that_o side_n have_v do_v before_o he_o for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o legail_a combat_n to_o what_o end_n shall_v any_o second_o writing_n on_o the_o same_o subject_n ever_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n that_o which_o have_v be_v former_o say_v need_v not_o to_o be_v transcribe_v and_o say_v again_o but_o either_o the_o book_n may_v be_v reprint_v or_o translate_v into_o a_o language_n more_o intelligible_a as_o i_o have_v here_o be_v fame_n oft_o to_o do_v and_o though_o i_o may_v true_o say_v that_o for_o those_o more_o minute_n consideration_n or_o conjecture_n wherein_o this_o doctor_n differ_v from_o some_o other_o who_o have_v write_v before_o he_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o interpret_n some_o few_o text_n he_o have_v the_o suffrage_n of_o many_o the_o learn_a man_n of_o this_o church_n at_o this_o day_n and_o as_o far_o as_o he_o know_v of_o all_o that_o embrace_v the_o same_o cause_n with_o he_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o prove_v my_o agreement_n with_o other_o of_o my_o brethren_n by_o this_o only_a medium_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o who_o believe_v the_o same_o conclusion_n upon_o several_a medium_n or_o way_n of_o infer_v it_o be_v in_o that_o and_o may_v be_v in_o all_o other_o conclusion_n at_o perfect_a accord_n and_o unity_n among_o themselves_o all_o that_o i_o can_v conclude_v from_o this_o and_o the_o former_a consideration_n the_o double_a charge_n lay_v on_o i_o of_o contrariety_n to_o antiquity_n and_o other_o asserter_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v ill_o please_v that_o i_o use_v any_o other_o argument_n or_o answer_n but_o what_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o assign_v i_o otherwise_o if_o there_o have_v be_v less_o not_o more_o truth_n or_o evidence_n in_o my_o way_n of_o defend_v the_o cause_n they_o will_v have_v have_v the_o great_a advantage_n against_o i_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o have_v be_v in_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n at_o leisure_n to_o have_v observe_v it_o section_n v._n inconvenience_n object_v and_o answer_v of_o more_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o no_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n but_o they_o be_v in_o the_o three_o place_n please_v to_o object_v some_o inconvenience_n which_o the_o defend_n of_o these_o paradox_n must_v necessary_o bring_v upon_o i_o and_o to_o these_o i_o shall_v more_o diligent_o attend_v first_o say_v they_o he_o that_o will_v defend_v these_o paradox_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v force_v to_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n which_o be_v to_o betray_v the_o cause_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o to_o bring_v down_o a_o bishop_n to_o the_o rank_n of_o a_o presbyter_n to_o this_o i_o reply_v by_o absolute_a deny_v of_o this_o consequence_n for_o suppose_v the_o scripture-bishop_n to_o be_v always_o a_o bishop_n and_o so_o the_o scripture_n elder_a also_o how_o can_v it_o follow_v from_o thence_o that_o there_o be_v more_o such_o bishop_n in_o any_o one_o city_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o this_o be_v no_o way_n infer_v upon_o either_o or_o both_o of_o my_o assertion_n nor_o be_v here_o one_o word_n add_v to_o prove_v it_o be_v to_o which_o i_o may_v accommodate_v any_o answer_n it_o be_v on_o the_o contrary_n most_o manifest_a that_o whensoever_o i_o find_v mention_n of_o bishop_n or_o elder_n in_o the_o plural_a as_o act._n 20._o phil._n 1._o etc._n etc._n i_o interpret_v they_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o macedonia_n bishop_n of_o judaea_n etc._n etc._n and_o render_v my_o reason_n of_o do_v so_o and_o consequent_o affirm_v they_o to_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o divers_a sure_a that_o be_v not_o of_o one_o city_n the_o second_o inconvenience_n be_v that_o i_o must_v be_v force_v to_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n there_o can_v be_v no_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n here_o be_v a_o evident_a mistake_n for_o i_o no_o where_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n but_o only_o that_o in_o the_o apostle_n write_n the_o word_n bishop_n always_o signify_v bishop_n and_o the_o word_n elder_n either_o never_a or_o but_o rare_o presbyter_n now_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o those_o to_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_v which_o yet_o for_o want_n of_o occasion_n be_v not_o mention_v in_o those_o write_n and_o i_o that_o love_v not_o negative_a argument_n à _fw-la testimonio_fw-la shall_v never_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o conclude_v there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n within_o the_o time_n wherein_o the_o several_a book_n of_o scripture_n be_v write_v upon_o that_o one_o argument_n because_o i_o can_v not_o find_v they_o mention_v there_o beside_o this_o i_o say_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v somewhat_o a_o large_a period_n than_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_n and_o therefore_o that_o what_o be_v speak_v only_o of_o the_o late_a be_v not_o mean_v to_o be_v extend_v to_o the_o former_a for_o 1._o the_o apostle_n continue_v alive_a some_o time_n after_o write_v their_o epistle_n and_o second_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n survive_v other_o john_n of_o who_o christ_n will_n be_v intimate_v that_o he_o shall_v tarry_v and_o not_o die_v till_o after_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o kingdom_n of_o he_o commence_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v according_o live_v till_o trajanes_n time_n and_o by_o that_o time_n i_o think_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n daily_o increase_v there_o be_v as_o the_o want_n of_o the_o church_n require_v presbyter_n ordain_v in_o many_o church_n and_o according_o in_o the_o dissert_n p._n 229._o when_o i_o speak_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o express_o except_o s._n john_n and_o p._n 211._o i_o make_v use_n of_o a_o testimony_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n on_o purpose_n to_o conclude_v that_o this_o apostle_n ordain_v presbyter_n in_o asia_n after_o his_o return_n from_o the_o island_n to_o which_o he_o be_v banish_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n and_o to_o the_o same_o matter_n i_o 5._o elsewhere_o apply_v that_o of_o ephiphanius_n out_o of_o the_o profound_a i.e._n ancient_a record_n that_o as_o moses_n and_o aaron_n take_v to_o they_o first_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o people_n and_o at_o length_n the_o sanhedrim_n of_o the_o seventy_o elder_n so_o the_o apostle_n first_o constitute_v bishop_n and_o in_o process_n of_o time_n presbyter_n also_o when_o occasion_n require_v as_o the_o bishop_n assistant_n and_o council_n and_o that_o upon_o account_n of_o this_o analogy_n with_o the_o sanhedrim_n they_o be_v style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n and_o ignatius_n make_v mention_n of_o presbyter_n as_o of_o a_o middle_a degree_n in_o the_o church_n betwixt_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n in_o he_o i._n e._n in_o trajan_n time_n and_o that_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o several_a of_o those_o asian_a church_n smyrna_n ephesus_n magnesia_n philadelphia_n trallis_n i_o think_v the_o argument_n of_o great_a validity_n to_o conclude_v that_o in_o that_o province_n that_o apostle_n have_v in_o his_o life_n time_n institute_v this_o middle_a order_n and_o therefore_o i_o that_o have_v so_o careful_o prevent_v be_v not_o to_o be_v charge_v with_o this_o crime_n of_o affirm_v there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n which_o certain_o there_o be_v if_o there_o be_v presbyter_n under_o they_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o three_o inconvenience_n they_o add_v that_o by_o consequence_n i_o must_v affirm_v that_o ordo_fw-la presbyteratus_n be_v not_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la but_o that_o be_v no_o more_o consequent_a to_o my_o assertion_n than_o it_o be_v my_o assertion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o therefore_o i_o that_o be_o guiltless_a of_o the_o assertion_n can_v be_v charge_v with_o the_o consequent_n of_o it_o john_n i_o know_v be_v a_o apostle_n and_o john_n i_o believe_v ordain_v presbyter_n and_o thence_o i_o doubt_v not_o to_o conclude_v the_o apostolical_a institution_n i.e._n in_o effect_n the_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n though_o not_o of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o presbytery_n and_o so_o i_o be_o still_o clear_a from_o the_o guilt_n of_o that_o crime_n which_o the_o worst_a of_o papist_n will_v abominate_a which_o they_o
of_o many_o city_n each_o of_o which_o have_v a_o bishop_n over_o they_o as_o when_o in_o the_o 2._o council_n in_o trullo_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cyprian_n be_v say_v to_o be_v archbishop_n of_o the_o region_n of_o the_o africane_n region_n there_o signify_v the_o whole_a province_n under_o that_o metropolitan_a and_o so_o 52._o cyprian_n himself_o make_v it_o his_o observation_n jampridem_fw-la per_fw-la omnes_fw-la provincias_fw-la &_o singulas_fw-la urbes_fw-la instituti_fw-la sunt_fw-la episcopi_fw-la ancient_o through_o all_o the_o province_n and_o each_o of_o the_o city_n bishop_n be_v institute_v where_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o several_a province_n as_o those_o differ_v from_o the_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n be_v undoubted_o archbishop_n and_o if_o that_o place_n so_o very_o agreeable_a to_o this_o of_o clemens_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o give_v we_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o we_o see_v what_o it_o will_v be_v and_o how_o distant_a from_o these_o man_n conclusion_n that_o the_o apostle_n institute_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n and_o in_o each_o region_n or_o province_n and_o in_o the_o metropolis_n or_o chief_a city_n of_o it_o a_o metropolitan_a or_o archbishop_n but_o then_o 2._o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v signify_v as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o a_o company_n of_o village_n or_o little_a town_n lie_v near_o together_o so_o as_o to_o be_v here_o use_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o city_n yet_o can_v it_o not_o be_v from_o hence_o conclude_v that_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v bishop_n in_o those_o village_n the_o word_n be_v they_o preach_v through_o region_n and_o city_n and_o constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n early_a convert_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n which_o will_v be_v perfect_o true_a though_o all_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n constitute_v by_o they_o have_v their_o fix_a seat_n of_o residence_n in_o the_o city_n for_o that_o they_o constitute_v bishop_n in_o the_o region_n be_v not_o here_o affirm_v much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v in_o this_o matter_n to_o show_v that_o the_o utmost_a concession_n that_o the_o adversary_n can_v demand_v from_o hence_o will_v no_o way_n hinder_v or_o disadvantage_n our_o pretension_n but_o only_o give_v the_o chorepiscopi_fw-la a_o great_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n than_o either_o they_o or_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v they_o have_v of_o which_o whole_a matter_n the_o reader_n may_v see_v a_o full_a discourse_n dissert_n 3._o c._n 8._o sect._n 25._o etc._n etc._n and_o of_o it_o somewhat_o we_o shall_v anon_o have_v occasion_n to_o repete_fw-la from_o thence_o the_o second_o testimony_n of_o clemens_n be_v set_v down_o by_o they_o in_o these_o word_n that_o the_o apostle_n know_v by_o jesus_n christ_n 57_o that_o there_o will_v a_o contention_n arise_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d about_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n &_o be_v endue_v with_o perfect_a foreknowledge_n they_o appoint_v the_o aforesaid_a that_o be_v the_o aforesaid_a order_n of_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n etc._n etc._n here_o they_o require_v two_o thing_n to_o be_v note_v 1._o that_o by_o name_n be_v not_o mean_v the_o bare_a name_n of_o bishop_n but_o the_o honour_n and_o dignity_n as_o it_o be_v take_v phil._n 2._o 9_o ephes_n 1._o 21._o heb._n 1._o 4._o rev._n 11._o so_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o controversy_n among_o the_o corinthian_n be_v not_o about_o the_o name_n but_o dignity_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o it_o be_v about_o the_o deposition_n of_o their_o godly_a presbyter_n pag._n 57_o 58._o 2._o that_o the_o only_a remedy_n appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o all_o contention_n arise_v about_o episcopacy_n be_v by_o commit_v the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n to_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n afterward_o the_o church_n find_v out_o another_o way_n by_o set_v up_o one_o bishop_n over_o another_o but_o clemens_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n endue_v with_o perfect_a foreknowledge_n of_o thing_n ordain_v only_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n for_o a_o remedy_n of_o schism_n to_o this_o they_o add_v to_o supersede_n far_a citation_n our_o of_o this_o epistle_n it_o will_v be_v too_o long_o to_o recite_v all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o this_o epistle_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o our_o proposition_n let_v the_o reader_n peruse_v pag._n 57_o 62._o 69._o 72._o and_o take_v notice_n that_o those_o which_o be_v call_v bishop_n in_o one_o place_n be_v call_v presbyter_n in_o another_o and_o that_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d throughout_o the_o whole_a epistle_n what_o this_o whole_a epistle_n will_v yield_v towards_o the_o proof_n of_o their_o proposition_n which_o be_v that_o after_o christ_n ascension_n the_o church_n of_o god_n for_o a_o certain_a space_n of_o time_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n without_o bishop_n i_o think_v it_o reasonable_a for_o any_o that_o have_v not_o read_v it_o to_o conjecture_v by_o these_o two_o testimony_n which_o these_o who_o assert_v the_o proposition_n and_o here_o undertake_v to_o prove_v it_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o cull_v out_o of_o it_o have_v withal_o nothing_o more_o to_o collect_v for_o their_o turn_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o epistle_n particular_o from_o the_o compare_v those_o four_o page_n 57_o 62._o 72._o but_o only_a this_o that_o they_o which_o be_v call_v bishop_n in_o one_o place_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n in_o another_o now_o this_o last_o they_o know_v be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o i_o contend_v as_o from_o the_o scripture_n so_o from_o this_o and_o other_o ancient_a write_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o elder_a be_v word_n of_o the_o same_o importance_n all_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o at_o the_o first_o both_o import_v bishop_n or_o both_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o circumstance_n so_o much_o as_o offer_v by_o they_o to_o consideration_n which_o may_v incline_v it_o their_o way_n be_v evident_a by_o their_o own_o word_n neither_o of_o their_o two_o note_n pretend_v to_o it_o only_o their_o conclusion_n affirm_v that_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d word_n of_o the_o same_o importance_n the_o whole_a matter_n therefore_o will_v still_o divolve_v to_o this_o one_o quaere_fw-la whether_o when_o clement_n say_v of_o the_o apostle_n that_o they_o constitute_v none_o but_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n by_o bishop_n a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v or_o rather_o one_o bishop_n with_o his_o deacon_n or_o deacon_n in_o every_o city_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o one_o difficulty_n for_o this_o be_v evince_v all_o that_o their_o two_o note_n affirm_v be_v direct_o on_o our_o side_n against_o they_o i_o shall_v here_o entire_o set_v down_o the_o whole_a place_n last_o produce_v of_o which_o they_o have_v leave_v out_o one_o half_a it_o be_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d our_o apostle_n know_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o must_v be_v by_o revelation_n from_o he_o that_o there_o will_v contention_n arise_v upon_o the_o name_n or_o dignity_n of_o episcopacy_n i._n e._n about_o the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n some_o oppose_v it_o and_o cast_v they_o out_o of_o their_o office_n as_o here_o in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o corinthian_n and_o through_o all_o achaia_n be_v actual_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o this_o time_n and_o occasion_v this_o epistle_n to_o they_o for_o which_o cause_n therefore_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v perfect_a foreknwoledge_n that_o there_o will_v be_v such_o contention_n on_o this_o occasion_n do_v for_o the_o prevent_n of_o they_o constitute_v the_o forementioned_a bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v come_v in_o to_o the_o faith_n in_o their_o new_a plantation_n and_o after_o they_o so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v in_o barnabas_n epistle_n sect._n 10._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o people_n that_o shall_v be_v after_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act._n 13._o 42._o that_o which_o shall_v follow_v the_o next_o after_n give_v a_o series_n or_o catalogue_n or_o manner_n of_o succession_n i._n e._n set_v down_o a_o note_n of_o they_o which_o in_o each_o church_n shall_v succeed_v the_o present_a incumbent_n that_o when_o they_o die_v other_o approve_a man_n may_v succeed_v to_o their_o office_n or_o ministry_n what_o can_v be_v more_o manifest_a than_o that_o the_o dignity_n which_o the_o apostle_n confer_v on_o the_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n and_o province_n which_o in_o the_o former_a testimony_n have_v be_v clear_v to_o belong_v to_o single_a bishop_n not_o to_o any_o college_n of_o presbyter_n be_v by_o they_o foresee_v that_o it_o will_v be_v matter_n of_o contention_n occasion_n of_o sedition_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o
to_o the_o apostle_n not_o as_o to_o a_o common_a council_n of_o social_a ruler_n but_o as_o so_o many_o several_a planter_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n each_o have_v all_o power_n commit_v to_o he_o and_o depend_v on_o no_o conjunction_n of_o any_o one_o or_o more_o apostle_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v large_o and_o clear_o deduce_v dissert_n 3._o c._n 1._o 2._o 3._o 4._o and_o this_o power_n be_v by_o they_o derive_v to_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o they_o use_v it_o themselves_o which_o be_v also_o far_o evidence_v and_o vindicate_v c._n 5._o etc._n etc._n this_o be_v deem_v a_o first_o competent_a proof_n of_o this_o matter_n and_o as_o a_o confirmation_n of_o it_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o first_o bishop_n make_v by_o they_o be_v in_o the_o very_a scripture_n call_v apostle_n james_n the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n diss_n 4._o c._n 3._o 8._o a_o second_o principal_a proof_n of_o scripture_n be_v take_v from_o the_o several_a mention_n of_o the_o so_o many_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o the_o so_o many_o angel_n assign_v to_o they_o one_o to_o each_o as_o a_o singular_a governor_n or_o bishop_n in_o the_o revelation_n and_o in_o discourse_n of_o these_o we_o have_v find_v great_a evidence_n of_o the_o fact_n to_o authorise_v we_o to_o improve_v the_o conclusion_n a_o little_a high_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o main_a cause_n viz._n to_o affirm_v of_o these_o angel_n that_o each_o of_o they_o be_v a_o archbishop_n or_o metropolitan_a and_o have_v do_v so_o to_o discern_v upon_o undeniable_a ground_n that_o there_o be_v many_o other_o such_o mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n though_o not_o under_o that_o title_n as_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n metropolitan_a of_o all_o judea_n titus_n of_o all_o crete_n with_o a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o etc._n etc._n 9_o and_o the_o way_n of_o according_a all_o other_o scripture_n with_o these_o have_v be_v brief_o these_o 1._o by_o observe_v this_o difference_n betwixt_o city_n and_o metropoles_fw-la as_o the_o true_a cause_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o mention_n of_o many_o bishop_n in_o not_o of_o one_o city_n mean_v thereby_o the_o bishop_n of_o all_o the_o city_n under_o that_o metropolis_n as_o phil._n 1._o 1._o act._n 20._o 17._o second_o by_o examine_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o the_o word_n which_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v use_v in_o scripture_n for_o bishop_n as_o beside_o apostle_n and_o angel_n foremention_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ruler_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d doctor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pastor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a and_o in_o the_o father_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chief_a priest_n and_o sacerdos_n priest_n each_o denote_v dignity_n and_o authority_n and_o all_o clear_v to_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n applicable_a and_o by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o context_n to_o be_v actual_o apply_v to_o the_o singular_a governor_n in_o each_o city_n most_o of_o they_o constant_o so_o and_o that_o one_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o not_o constant_o so_o yet_o very_o rare_o otherwise_o and_o this_o be_v do_v dissert_n 4._o c._n 7._o and_o so_o to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o diss_n three_o by_o observe_v the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n in_o many_o city_n in_o the_o first_o plantation_n which_o make_v it_o unnecessary_a that_o there_o shall_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v ordain_v any_o more_o than_o a_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n one_o or_o more_o in_o each_o city_n and_o that_o this_o be_v according_o do_v by_o they_o at_o the_o first_o be_v approve_v by_o the_o most_o undeniable_a ancient_a record_n such_o as_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o profound_a history_n out_o of_o which_o 3._o epiphanius_n make_v this_o observation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o there_o want_v bishop_n and_o there_o be_v find_v person_n worthy_a of_o the_o office_n bishop_n be_v constitute_v but_o where_o there_o be_v no_o multitude_n there_o none_o be_v find_v among_o they_o to_o be_v constitute_v presbyter_n and_o they_o satisfy_v themselves_o with_o a_o bishop_n alone_o in_o a_o place_n only_o the_o bishop_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v without_o a_o deacon_n and_o according_o the_o apostle_n take_v care_n that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v have_v his_o deacon_n to_o minister_v to_o he_o that_o which_o be_v thus_o cite_v by_o epiphanius_n out_o of_o those_o ancient_a record_n be_v find_v clear_o affirm_v by_o cor._n clemens_n romanus_n a_o apostolical_a person_n and_o witness_v of_o the_o apostle_n practice_n that_o they_o be_v send_v out_o by_o christ_n as_o he_o by_o his_o father_n go_v out_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o proclaim_v it_o through_o region_n and_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v to_o both_o which_o we_o shall_v again_o add_v what_o ephiphanius_n preface_v in_o that_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o when_o the_o preach_n be_v new_a the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n write_v agreeable_o to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o affair_n we_o have_v here_o so_o clear_a a_o account_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o apostle_n immediate_a subjoyn_v of_o deacon_n to_o bishop_n phil._n 1._o 1._o and_o 1_o tim._n 3._o viz._n because_o those_o be_v the_o only_a two_o order_n then_o constitute_v in_o every_o church_n that_o these_o two_o place_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o adversary_n against_o we_o be_v most_o punctual_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o we_o and_o of_o the_o unseasonablenesse_n of_o their_o pretension_n 10._o as_o for_o the_o testimony_n out_o of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n the_o groundwork_n i_o have_v choose_v to_o lay_v in_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n because_o the_o testimony_n thence_o be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o evident_a and_o the_o writer_n so_o near_o the_o apostle_n time_n that_o holy_a man_n be_v martyr_a in_o the_o 10._o of_o trajan_n to_o who_o reign_n s._n john_n live_v and_o most_o of_o his_o epistle_n write_v to_o the_o very_a church_n of_o asia_n plant_v by_o st._n john_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o many_o of_o they_o name_v by_o he_o and_o of_o one_o bishop_n the_o presbyter_n under_o he_o that_o if_o that_o one_o author_n testimony_n be_v attend_v to_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a decision_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n on_o the_o prelatists_n side_n to_o which_o purpose_n i_o have_v also_o vindicate_v these_o epistle_n from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v object_v to_o they_o in_o these_o late_a year_n and_o assert_v their_o authority_n by_o as_o ancient_a and_o authentic_a evidence_n as_o can_v be_v vouch_v for_o any_o ancient_a piece_n next_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o and_o content_v myself_o with_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a copy_n and_o edition_n of_o it_o 11._o in_o accord_n with_o these_o testimony_n i_o have_v also_o produce_v many_o other_o out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n hegesippus_n polycarpe_n papias_n polycrates_n justin_n jrenaeus_fw-la clemens_n alexandrinus_n tâ—rtullian_n and_o as_o many_o of_o the_o first_o time_n as_o have_v say_v any_o thing_n to_o this_o matter_n and_o find_v a_o full_a consent_n in_o all_o and_o in_o most_o irrefragable_a suffrage_n which_o conclude_v this_o whole_a controversy_n on_o the_o prelatists_n side_n to_o which_o i_o have_v also_o add_v some_o few_o observation_n of_o unquestionable_a truth_n as_o 1._o that_o of_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o use_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a to_o signify_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n among_o some_o of_o these_o most_o ancient_a church_n writer_n whereas_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v never_o use_v by_o any_o but_o for_o a_o singular_a governor_n second_o that_o of_o the_o distinct_a congregation_n of_o jewish_a and_o gentile_a christian_n in_o the_o same_o city_n the_o ground_n of_o which_o be_v evident_a in_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o several_a governor_n or_o bishop_n over_o they_o which_o be_v useful_a for_o the_o remove_n some_o seem_a difficulty_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n antiâ—ch_n etc._n etc._n and_o some_o other_o the_o like_a not_o for_o the_o serve_v the_o necessity_n of_o our_o cause_n but_o as_o supernumerary_n and_o ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o upon_o these_o and_o such_o like_a head_n of_o probation_n we_o have_v build_v our_o plea_n descend_v also_o to_o a_o particular_a survey_n of_o saint_n hierom_n testimony_n which_o be_v by_o the_o adversary_n principal_o make_v use_n of_o against_o we_o and_o if_o what_o be_v thus_o copious_o deduce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n together_o
that_o one_o of_o that_o name_n onesimus_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o trajan_n wherein_o ignatius_n write_v that_o epistle_n 7._o second_o that_o by_o one_o indication_n there_o be_v some_o small_a reason_n to_o guess_v that_o this_o onesimus_n be_v then_o late_o come_v to_o that_o dignity_n i_o mean_v ignatius_n his_o word_n of_o gratulation_n to_o that_o church_n that_o god_n have_v give_v they_o the_o favour_n to_o obtain_v or_o have_v such_o a_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 8._o three_o that_o according_a to_o epiphanius_n his_o set_v down_o the_o time_n of_o john_n banishment_n and_o vision_n in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n there_o must_v be_v above_o 50_o year_n distance_n between_o the_o date_n of_o this_o epistle_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o of_o ignatius_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o likely_a that_o onesimus_n that_o be_v their_o bishop_n in_o the_o late_a shall_v be_v that_o very_a angel_n in_o the_o former_a 9_o four_o that_o as_o i_o can_v have_v no_o cause_n to_o consent_v with_o ado_n in_o lib._n de_fw-fr fest_n apost_n ad_fw-la 14._o cal._n mart._n that_o this_o onesimus_n in_o ignatius_n be_v he_o that_o be_v mention_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o philemon_n so_o nor_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o roman_a martyrologie_n that_o he_o who_o paul_n mention_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n after_o timothy_n 10._o and_o therefore_o fifthly_o it_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o both_o the_o greek_a menology_n and_o simeon_n metaphrastes_n who_o celebrate_v his_o memory_n on_o march_n 13._o acknowledge_v not_o that_o onesimus_n to_o have_v be_v at_o all_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o that_o other_o also_o of_o the_o ancients_n make_v he_o to_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o beraea_n and_o martyr_v in_o domitian_n reign_n and_o dorothea_n in_o synopsi_n express_o affirm_v that_o gaius_n succeed_v timothy_n in_o ephesus_n 11._o from_o all_o which_o it_o follow_v that_o onesimus_n mention_v by_o ignatius_n be_v some_o late_a bishop_n of_o that_o city_n who_o bear_v that_o very_o ordinary_a greek_a name_n and_o so_o that_o his_o be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n no_o way_n belong_v to_o that_o time_n of_o the_o angel_n in_o the_o revelation_n not_o interfere_n with_o their_o opinion_n who_o think_v timothy_n to_o have_v be_v that_o angel_n the_o appear_a incompetibility_n whereof_o be_v it_o i_o spppose_v that_o bring_v in_o here_o the_o mention_n of_o onesimus_n 12._o this_o be_v here_o seasonable_a enough_o to_o be_v confront_v to_o their_o word_n in_o this_o place_n and_o will_v be_v of_o use_n to_o be_v remember_v in_o the_o process_n of_o their_o discourse_n 13._o three_o for_o polycarp'_v be_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n as_o there_o be_v leave_v no_o place_n for_o the_o doubt_n of_o that_o if_o either_o irenaeus_n that_o live_v in_o his_o time_n and_o see_v he_o or_o if_o tertullian_n who_o live_v not_o long_o after_o and_o be_v a_o curious_a antiquary_n may_v be_v believe_v in_o their_o joint_a affirmation_n of_o a_o know_a matter_n of_o fact_n so_o it_o be_v again_o no_o where_o affirm_v by_o i_o that_o he_o be_v the_o very_a man_n to_o who_o that_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o smyrna_n be_v send_v and_o if_o that_o be_v their_o meaning_n they_o have_v again_o misreport_v my_o word_n 14._o all_o that_o i_o have_v say_v i_o think_v be_v prove_v irrefragable_o that_o in_o two_o of_o those_o church_n mention_v in_o the_o apocalypse_n timothy_n and_o poylcarpe_n be_v by_o anthentick_a testimony_n affirm_v to_o be_v constitute_v bishop_n the_o one_o by_o st._n paul_n the_o other_o by_o st._n john_n and_o that_o be_v a_o competent_a argument_n add_v to_o other_o to_o infer_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o each_o of_o those_o church_n be_v a_o single_a person_n and_o so_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o prelatist_n not_o in_o the_o presbyterian_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n a_o assertion_n which_o i_o need_v not_o fear_n will_v yield_v any_o advantage_n to_o the_o adversary_n and_o so_o i_o as_o brief_o commit_v it_o to_o they_o section_n 3._o of_o the_o negative_a argument_n from_o st._n john_n not_o use_v the_o word_n bishop_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o revelation_n in_o the_o next_o place_n by_o way_n of_o answer_n to_o this_o plea_n of_o the_o prelatist_n we_o be_v refer_v to_o three_o write_n of_o their_o party_n smectymnuus_n the_o vindication_n of_o smectymnuus_n the_o humble_a address_n of_o the_o divine_n at_o the_o isle_n of_o wight_n wherein_o say_v they_o these_o thing_n be_v full_o clear_o and_o satisfactory_o handle_v 2._o but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o three_o be_v publish_v some_o year_n before_o the_o dissertation_n i_o shall_v think_v it_o strange_a that_o the_o particular_n there_o insist_v on_o by_o i_o shall_v by_o divination_n be_v thus_o answer_v before_o their_o conception_n be_v able_a true_o to_o profess_v that_o though_o i_o be_o not_o unwilling_a to_o make_v use_n of_o any_o man_n aid_n for_o defend_v truth_n yet_o none_o of_o those_o write_n to_o which_o any_o of_o those_o three_o be_v give_v in_o answer_n be_v by_o i_o make_v use_v of_o in_o those_o composition_n 3._o but_o we_o be_v supersede_v the_o trouble_n of_o examine_v any_o of_o these_o three_o by_o the_o leave_n that_o be_v crave_v to_o borrow_v from_o they_o what_o may_v be_v useful_a for_o the_o turn_n and_o then_o in_o like_a manner_n i_o shall_v more_o willing_o receive_v from_o these_o what_o shall_v appear_v to_o answer_v or_o prejudge_v our_o plea_n than_o undertake_v new_a trouble_n in_o far_a unnecessary_a search_n of_o it_o 4._o first_o than_o they_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o s._n john_n the_o penman_n of_o the_o revelation_n do_v neither_o in_o it_o nor_o in_o any_o of_o his_o other_o write_n so_o much_o as_o upon_o the_o by_o i_o suppose_v for_o the_o printer_n fail_v i_o name_v bishop_n he_o name_v the_o name_n presbyter_n frequent_o in_o the_o revelation_n yea_o when_o he_o will_v set_v out_o the_o office_n of_o those_o who_o be_v near_o the_o throne_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n rev._n 4._o he_o call_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n ep._n 2._o and_o whereas_o in_o s._n john_n day_n some_o new_a expression_n be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v not_o in_o scripture_n as_o the_o christian_a sabbath_n begin_v to_o be_v call_v the_o lord_n day_n and_o christ_n himself_o the_o word_n now_o both_o these_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o st_n john_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o we_o that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v mention_v a_o new_a phrase_n and_o not_o mention_v a_o new_a office_n erect_v by_o this_o time_n as_o our_o brethren_n say_v in_o the_o church_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o polycarpe_n as_o it_o relate_v be_v make_v bishop_n by_o he_o and_o no_o doubt_n if_o he_o have_v be_v make_v bishop_n in_o a_o prelatical_a sense_n we_o shall_v have_v find_v the_o name_n bishop_n in_o some_o of_o his_o write_n who_o live_v so_o long_o as_o to_o see_v episcopacy_n settle_v in_o the_o church_n as_o our_o adversary_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v 5._o we_o be_v now_o to_o consider_v what_o degree_n of_o conviction_n or_o argument_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o our_o pretension_n can_v be_v fetch_v from_o this_o large_a consideration_n and_o first_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a and_o notorious_a among_o all_o artist_n that_o a_o argument_n from_o authority_n can_v conclude_v negative_o that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n in_o st_n john_n time_n because_o st._n john_n do_v not_o mention_v bishop_n it_o be_v the_o same_o way_n of_o argue_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n in_o the_o time_n of_o write_v the_o canonical_a chapter_n of_o hester_n because_o god_n be_v not_o find_v once_o mention_v in_o those_o chapter_n and_o yet_o of_o this_o inartificiall_a kind_n be_v the_o whole_a discourse_n of_o this_o paragraph_n the_o premise_n bare_o negative_a throughout_o all_o the_o consideration_n and_o so_o nothing_o be_v conclusible_a from_o it_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o we_o or_o benefit_n of_o our_o adversary_n 6._o second_o all_o that_o this_o consideration_n pretend_v to_o be_v terminate_v in_o the_o bare_a name_n of_o bishop_n that_o be_v it_o which_o they_o pretend_v be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o st._n john_n but_o 1._o they_o know_v that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v oft_o in_o st_n john_n and_o by_o we_o contest_v by_o the_o singularity_n of_o the_o person_n one_o angel_n in_o each_o church_n and_o other_o character_n to_o conclude_v the_o office_n of_o bishop_n as_o irrefragable_o as_o if_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v there_o specify_v nay_o of_o this_o we_o have_v a_o competent_a experience_n that_o if_o the_o word_n bishop_n have_v be_v find_v there_o
transcribe_v it_o three_o that_o if_o any_o one_o or_o more_o place_n shall_v be_v think_v by_o any_o man_n to_o belong_v to_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n as_o that_o of_o jam_fw-la 5._o 14._o or_o the_o like_a i_o shall_v only_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v bring_v any_o convince_a proof_n or_o authentic_a testimony_n that_o in_o that_o or_o those_o place_n it_o so_o signify_v and_o i_o shall_v most_o willing_o grant_v it_o to_o he_o and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v it_o in_o the_o least_o degree_n disadvantageous_a to_o our_o pretension_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v to_o evidence_n it_o a_o demonstrative_a argument_n to_o confirm_v they_o but_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o insist_v on_o that_o till_o such_o proof_n be_v offer_v four_o that_o by_o this_o it_o be_v already_o most_o evident_a that_o my_o assertion_n be_v not_o true_o cite_v p._n 92._o in_o these_o word_n that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n presbyter_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o of_o a_o mere_a presbyter_n but_o of_o a_o bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v certain_o neither_o my_o word_n nor_o sense_n extend_v to_o the_o wheresoever_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v be_v only_o in_o a_o disjunctive_a form_n either_o constant_o so_o or_o sometime_o but_o rare_o otherwise_o five_o that_o if_o i_o be_v not_o misreport_v and_o the_o paradox_n be_v as_o high_a and_o as_o positive_a as_o it_o be_v represent_v yet_o i_o conceive_v not_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o that_o have_v with_o great_a confidence_n affirm_v that_o both_o bishop_n and_o elder_n do_v always_o signify_v in_o scripture_n their_o presbyter_n and_o no_o more_o for_o if_o either_o of_o those_o word_n do_v but_o once_o signify_v a_o bishop_n their_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la and_o whole_a cause_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n irrecoverable_o shall_v be_v so_o much_o at_o leisure_n from_o excuse_v themselves_o to_o accuse_v that_o for_o a_o paradox_n in_o other_o which_o be_v not_o imaginable_a to_o be_v more_o a_o extreme_a on_o one_o side_n then_o they_o be_v on_o the_o other_o last_o that_o if_o they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o take_v a_o particular_a survey_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o justification_n of_o these_o which_o they_o thus_o please_v to_o style_v paradox_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n as_o if_o they_o shall_v profess_v to_o deny_v and_o declaim_v against_o the_o conclusion_n without_o attempt_v to_o satisfy_v any_o reason_n by_o which_o it_o be_v infer_v it_o may_v be_v as_o just_a in_o i_o to_o tender_v they_o answer_v of_o the_o same_o make_n and_o so_o to_o supersede_n any_o far_a dispute_n in_o this_o matter_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o imitate_v their_o method_n but_o rather_o prepare_v to_o attend_v they_o in_o it_o and_o have_v thus_o far_o serve_v they_o by_o undertake_v the_o task_n which_o be_v due_a to_o they_o in_o give_v the_o reader_n a_o brief_a view_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o assertion_n which_o be_v too_o long_o for_o they_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o i_o shall_v now_o trace_v their_o step_n and_o follow_v they_o which_o way_n soever_o they_o lead_v section_n iu._n of_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o ancient_n of_o praelatists_n disagreement_n among_o themselves_o first_o then_o say_v they_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o these_o assertion_n be_v contrary_a to_o antiquity_n which_o yet_o notwithstanding_o our_o brethren_n do_v so_o high_o magnify_v and_o boast_v of_o it_o in_o this_o controversy_n and_o for_o recede_v from_o which_o as_o they_o say_v we_o do_v they_o do_v most_o deep_o charge_v we_o that_o these_o assertion_n as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v own_v by_o i_o and_o be_v assertion_n be_v so_o distant_a from_o be_v contrary_a to_o antiquity_n that_o they_o be_v found_v in_o the_o record_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a reverend_a authority_n have_v appear_v most_o plain_o by_o what_o have_v now_o be_v say_v and_o have_v before_o be_v lay_v as_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o interpretation_n in_o the_o four_o dissert_n if_o they_o which_o gather_v the_o conclusion_n from_o thence_o will_v have_v vouchsafe_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o praemiss_n the_o utmost_a that_o can_v be_v with_o truth_n pretend_v be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o text_n which_o we_o have_v insist_v on_o here_o and_o so_o likewise_o some_o of_o those_o where_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n be_v mention_v be_v not_o by_o all_o the_o ancients_n interpret_v just_a in_o that_o manner_n as_o i_o think_v they_o may_v safe_o and_o most_o probable_o be_v interpret_v and_o so_o as_o they_o will_v best_o accord_v with_o the_o opinion_n which_o those_o very_a ancient_n appear_v to_o have_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n in_o this_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v not_o offend_v against_o the_o ancient_a church_n or_o if_o i_o have_v as_o i_o shall_v have_v expect_v other_o accuser_n than_o those_o i_o have_v so_o shall_v i_o wait_v for_o no_o other_o judge_n but_o myself_o and_o immediate_o submit_v to_o any_o penance_n for_o it_o but_o they_o which_o true_o reverence_n antiquity_n discern_v also_o wherein_o this_o reverence_n be_v terminate_v not_o in_o adhere_v to_o every_o interpretation_n of_o each_o text_n of_o scripture_n give_v by_o any_o ancient_a commentator_n or_o interpreter_n for_o true_o that_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a several_a of_o they_o be_v know_v in_o interpret_n of_o text_n very_o frequent_o to_o differ_v one_o from_o the_o other_o this_o can_v be_v no_o news_n to_o any_o man_n who_o have_v but_o light_o view_v they_o or_o but_o occasional_o consult_v tirinus_n or_o such_o like_o late_a commentator_n who_o have_v collect_v the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o marshal_v their_o name_n and_o tell_v we_o how_o many_o have_v be_v for_o one_o how_o many_o for_o another_o sense_n of_o such_o a_o text._n and_o in_o affair_n of_o this_o nature_n wherein_o they_o have_v neither_o teach_v doctrine_n nor_o testify_v tradition_n but_o only_o express_v their_o single_a opinion_n or_o conjecture_n of_o a_o apostle_n meaning_n in_o word_n capable_a of_o more_o sense_n than_o one_o i_o know_v no_o praelatist_n that_o ever_o deny_v late_a writer_n liberty_n to_o recede_v from_o one_o and_o adhere_v to_o some_o other_o of_o the_o ancients_n or_o if_o more_o convince_a reason_n appear_v for_o any_o fresh_a interpretation_n never_o give_v before_o the_o like_a liberty_n have_v be_v allow_v and_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o our_o study_v of_o the_o original_n inquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o word_n and_o phrase_n observation_n of_o custom_n among_o the_o ancients_n and_o all_o wherein_o learned_a man_n differ_v from_o unlearned_a consideration_n of_o the_o context_n and_o argument_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o well_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o each_o difficult_a place_n and_o all_o the_o other_o skill_v and_o advantage_n of_o a_o good_a interpreter_n will_v all_o be_v unuseful_a first_o and_o then_o dangerous_a will_v tempt_v one_o oit_n to_o recede_v from_o some_o former_a writer_n to_o forsake_v the_o road_n and_o method_n so_o ordinary_a of_o transcribe_v other_o man_n labour_n and_o by_o incite_v he_o to_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o have_v not_o oft_o be_v say_v before_o which_o if_o it_o have_v why_o do_v he_o again_o trouble_v himself_o and_o other_o to_o repeat_v it_o will_v infallible_o involve_v he_o under_o the_o burden_n and_o guilt_n that_o be_v here_o lay_v on_o i_o of_o be_v contrary_a to_o antiquity_n but_o i_o be_o unwilling_a to_o discourage_v they_o from_o any_o sort_n or_o degree_n of_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o on_o condition_n they_o will_v be_v fair_o try_v by_o it_o in_o any_o notion_n by_o which_o they_o can_v imagine_v to_o define_v that_o reverence_n or_o the_o word_n antiquity_n i_o will_v forgo_v all_o my_o novel_a interpretation_n and_o say_v no_o one_o word_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v not_o distinct_o say_v before_o i_o and_o refer_v the_o whole_a fate_n of_o the_o cause_n to_o this_o judicature_n their_o second_o consideration_n be_v that_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o all_o that_o have_v ever_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o episcopacy_n from_o whence_o they_o conclude_v that_o till_o their_o brethren_n i._n e._n we_o praelatist_n agree_v among_o themselves_o they_o need_v not_o spend_v time_n to_o answer_v the_o private_a opinion_n of_o one_o doctor_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o have_v always_o be_v deem_v lawful_a to_o any_o man_n which_o have_v undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o a_o christian_a cause_n assert_v constant_o by_o the_o church_n to_o choose_v his_o argument_n as_o combatant_n do_v their_o weapon_n such_o as_o he_o think_v be_v fit_a for_o his_o managery_n and_o will_v most_o probable_o in_o his_o opinion_n convince_v
require_v and_o so_o not_o be_v so_o eminent_o worthy_a of_o the_o double_a honour_n as_o he_o that_o actual_o do_v both_o so_o certain_o he_o that_o rule_v well_o in_o any_o church_n and_o beside_o the_o care_n belong_v to_o rule_v undergo_v that_o other_o double_a hard_a travel_n so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v of_o preach_v the_o faith_n to_o infidel_n and_o confirm_v and_o instruct_v believer_n do_v very_o high_o deserve_v the_o double_a honour_n and_o alimonie_n and_o this_o as_o it_o be_v the_o exact_a meaning_n of_o that_o text_n so_o it_o utter_o supersede_v all_o force_n of_o this_o objection_n or_o exception_n against_o our_o understanding_n it_o of_o the_o precedent_n or_o bishop_n in_o the_o praelaticall_a sense_n four_o for_o the_o word_n presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o by_o which_o they_o say_v i_o understand_v episcopacy_n i_o answer_v that_o i_o interpret_v it_o of_o some_o combination_n either_o of_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a person_n and_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o theodoret_n phrase_n such_o as_o be_v vouchsafe_v the_o apostolical_a grace_n i._n e._n of_o paul_n assure_o 1_o tim._n 2._o 6._o and_o perhaps_o of_o barnabas_n perhaps_o of_o some_o other_o apostolical_a person_n with_o he_o in_o like_a manner_n as_o both_o peter_n and_o john_n style_v themselves_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n and_o philad_n ignatius_n style_v the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o presbytery_n or_o eldership_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o of_o ignatius_n himself_o s._n chrysostome_n affirm_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o hand_n of_o more_o apostle_n than_o one_o be_v lay_v on_o he_o in_o his_o ordination_n to_o the_o bishopric_n of_o antioch_n to_o which_o matter_n the_o scholion_n of_o chrysostome_n be_v express_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o speak_v not_o here_o of_o presbyter_n but_o bishop_n add_v the_o reason_n because_o presbyter_n do_v not_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o so_o theophylact_v and_o oecumenius_n last_o for_o the_o other_o two_o place_n of_o not-rebuking_a and_o receive_v a_o accusation_n against_o a_o elder_a though_o in_o those_o place_n it_o be_v clear_o for_o my_o interest_n to_o interpret_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n for_o then_o as_o 1._o epiphanius_n say_v there_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o proof_n that_o the_o bishop_n have_v power_n over_o the_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d timothy_n over_o the_o elder_a say_v he_o but_o never_o the_o elder_a over_o timothy_n yet_o i_o confess_v myself_o incline_v by_o other_o consideration_n to_o forego_v that_o advantageous_a sense_n of_o the_o place_n because_o timothy_n be_v place_v in_o the_o prime_a metropolis_n have_v power_n over_o the_o bishop_n of_o lesser_a city_n and_o that_o as_o have_v oft_o be_v show_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o well_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d power_n of_o â—udging_v as_o well_o as_o of_o ordain_v bishop_n which_o be_v 12._o elsewhere_o evidence_v to_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o s._n chrysostome_n in_o order_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o this_o place_n and_o so_o still_o the_o crime_n be_v not_o very_o great_a or_o reproachful_a which_o i_o be_o say_v to_o have_v confess_v it_o amount_v no_o high_a than_o the_o former_a confession_n have_v do_v that_o timothy_n be_v archbishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o yet_o this_o you_o see_v without_o any_o necessity_n to_o extort_v it_o from_o thou_o save_v that_o of_o speak_v free_o what_o i_o conceive_v most_o probable_a for_o otherwise_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o main_a cause_n i_o defenâ—_n than_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n shall_v signify_v presbyter_n in_o these_o two_o place_n sect._n ix_o a_o four_o confession_n of_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n their_o four_o charge_n be_v that_o i_o be_o force_v to_o confess_v that_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n and_o that_o he_o receive_v no_o commission_n from_o s._n paul_n to_o ordain_v single_a elder_n but_o only_o for_o ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n it_o seem_v say_v they_o this_o author_n slight_v the_o postscript_n where_o titus_n be_v call_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o crect_n and_o slight_v all_o those_o ancient_a father_n that_o be_v cite_v by_o his_o own_o party_n to_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o crect_n but_o he_o must_v be_v a_o archbishop_n and_o so_o must_v timothy_n also_o or_o else_o these_o assertion_n of_o he_o will_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n now_o that_o they_o be_v neither_o bishop_n nor_o arch-bishop_n have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v as_o we_o conceive_v in_o the_o former_a discourse_n that_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n i_o confess_v again_o that_o i_o can_v but_o believe_v till_o i_o be_o show_v how_o the_o contrary_a be_v possible_a i._n e._n how_o he_o that_o be_v fasten_v in_o and_o as_o 4._o eusebius_n say_v have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o episcopacy_n of_o a_o whole_a island_n which_o have_v a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o and_o be_v there_o place_v that_o he_o may_v ordain_v bishop_n under_o he_o in_o each_o of_o those_o city_n tit._n 1._o 5._o 7._o and_o as_o the_o ancients_n add_v exercise_v jurisdiction_n over_o they_o shall_v be_v other_o than_o a_o archbishop_n that_o this_o be_v his_o condition_n have_v be_v show_v already_o and_o for_o the_o inconvenience_n that_o it_o be_v press_v with_o they_o will_v prove_v very_o supportable_a for_o i_o shall_v not_o at_o all_o be_v oblige_v thereby_o to_o slight_v either_o postscript_n or_o father_n but_o give_v the_o disputer_n example_n to_o pay_v they_o all_o reverence_n be_v very_o well_o able_a to_o discern_v the_o bishop_n through_o the_o archbishop_n &_o have_v never_o imagine_v that_o the_o style_v michael_n a_o archangel_n be_v deny_v he_o to_o be_v a_o angel_n he_o certain_o be_v a_o angel_n and_o that_o of_o a_o high_a degree_n or_o else_o can_v never_o have_v be_v just_o call_v a_o archangel_n and_o it_o be_v just_a so_o with_o titus_n if_o i_o have_v not_o think_v he_o a_o bishop_n i_o can_v never_o have_v affirm_v he_o a_o archbishop_n and_o they_o that_o in_o common_a speech_n give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o bishop_n do_v no_o way_n intimate_v their_o thought_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o i_o for_o every_o archbishop_n be_v certain_o a_o bishop_n though_o every_o bishop_n be_v not_o a_o archbishop_n and_o therefore_o if_o all_o the_o danger_n of_o my_o assertion_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n be_v consequent_a to_o this_o of_o titus_n or_o timothy_n prove_v to_o be_v no_o archbishop_n i_o shall_v deem_v they_o competent_o safe_a for_o each_o of_o they_o be_v unavoidable_o such_o timothy_n archbishop_n of_o ephesus_n the_o prime_a metropolis_n of_o all_o asia_n and_o titus_n of_o the_o whole_a island_n of_o crect_n and_o according_o to_o those_o two_o peculiarly_a as_o such_o directions_z be_v give_v for_o the_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n in_o every_o city_n and_o the_o proof_n which_o be_v offer_v to_o the_o contrary_a have_v i_o suppose_v already_o be_v answer_v and_o be_v not_o here_o think_v fit_a to_o be_v recite_v the_o reply_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o impertinent_a as_o to_o appear_v without_o their_o antagonist_n only_o because_o it_o be_v here_o insert_v as_o part_v of_o my_o inconvenient_a confession_n that_o titus_n receive_v no_o commission_n from_o saint_n paul_n to_o ordain_v single_a elder_n which_o i_o believe_v i_o no_o where_o say_v any_o otherwise_o than_o that_o the_o commission_n cap._n 1._o 5._o be_v to_o create_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n i_o shall_v free_o tell_v they_o my_o opinion_n of_o that_o viz._n that_o a_o great_a power_n may_v very_o fit_o be_v say_v to_o comprehend_v under_o it_o the_o lesser_a of_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o consequent_o that_o both_o timothy_n and_o he_o which_o have_v commission_n to_o ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n have_v also_o by_o the_o same_o commission_n power_n to_o ordain_v single_a presbyter_n where_o those_o be_v useful_a to_o be_v ordain_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o qualification_n of_o deacon_n and_o widow_n aftermentioned_a in_o one_o certain_o and_o as_o i_o conceive_v in_o both_o epistle_n for_o that_o suppose_v their_o commission_n to_o extend_v to_o the_o ordain_v of_o those_o who_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v name_v in_o they_o if_o we_o may_v guess_v by_o that_o of_o titus_n cap._n 1._o 5._o and_o so_o much_o also_o of_o that_o part_n of_o my_o confession_n which_o be_v as_o free_a and_o unforced_a as_o the_o former_a have_v be_v and_o i_o believe_v as_o fafe_v to_o the_o affirmer_n sect._n x._o a_o five_o charge_n of_o contrariety_n to_o scripture_n answer_v of_o visitation_n of_o the_o sick_a belong_v to_o elder_n james_n 5._o but_o the_o five_o and_o
which_o they_o use_v the_o probabl_a mean_n imaginable_a name_v successor_n to_o the_o present_a bishop_n in_o every_o church_n who_o shall_v supply_v the_o vacant_a place_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o fall_v and_o so_o prevent_v sue_v and_o contend_v for_o they_o and_o be_v by_o the_o special_a spirit_n of_o god_n direct_v who_o those_o successor_n shall_v be_v so_o that_o the_o oppose_a their_o succession_n or_o cast_v they_o out_o afterward_o must_v be_v a_o great_a sin_n even_o of_o resist_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n who_o have_v design_v they_o to_o this_o inheritance_n which_o next_o to_o christ_n bear_v they_o in_o his_o right_a hand_n rev._n 1._o 20._o be_v the_o great_a character_n of_o dignity_n and_o evidence_n of_o christ_n approve_v of_o the_o order_n and_o care_n of_o continue_v it_o as_o the_o original_n of_o union_n not_o division_n in_o the_o church_n there_o be_v not_o by_o these_o man_n one_o word_n of_o objection_n offer_v against_o this_o conclusion_n thus_o former_o deduce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n and_o therefore_o i_o need_v add_v no_o more_o for_o the_o vindicate_a this_o testimony_n yet_o will_v it_o not_o be_v amiss_o here_o to_o interpose_v the_o word_n of_o hegesippus_n one_o that_o be_v present_a at_o the_o time_n of_o that_o sedition_n and_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o in_o 2d_o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o the_o corinthian_n continue_v in_o the_o right_n until_o primus_n be_v bishop_n of_o corinth_n which_o be_v a_o testimony_n as_o ancient_a as_o that_o of_o clement_n and_o tell_v we_o what_o bishop_n they_o be_v which_o clement_n speak_v of_o such_o as_o primus_fw-la be_v at_o corinth_n i._n e._n one_o singular_a governor_n in_o a_o city_n the_o same_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v what_o by_o all_o author_n be_v affirm_v of_o clemens_n himself_o the_o writer_n at_o the_o time_n of_o write_v this_o epistle_n that_o have_v be_v saint_n paul_n peter_n deacon_n ignat._n in_o ep._n ad_fw-la trall_n he_o be_v no_o bishop_n of_o rome_n by_o the_o joint_a suffrage_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o all_o the_o ancient_n even_o of_o saint_n jerome_n himself_o in_o his_o catalogue_n and_o by_o he_o style_v a_o apostolical_a person_n on_o isa_n 52._o a_o companion_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o interp._n com._n orig._n in_o rom._n and_o by_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n strom._n lib._n 4._o a_o apostle_n in_o the_o sense_n that_o theodoret_n say_v those_o who_o in_o his_o time_n they_o call_v bishop_n have_v be_v at_o first_o call_v apostle_n according_o of_o he_o say_v irenaeus_n in_o his_o catalogue_n of_o the_o successive_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o three_o place_n from_o the_o apostle_n clemens_n come_v to_o the_o bishopric_n which_o how_o it_o be_v easy_o to_o be_v accord_v with_o those_o who_o true_o make_v he_o peter_n immediate_a successor_n see_v dissert_n 5._o c._n 1._o sect._n 6._o etc._n etc._n other_o testimony_n there_o be_v producible_a from_o this_o epistle_n of_o clement_n which_o be_v all_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n with_o the_o former_a as_o when_o he_o find_v a_o image_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n under_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n cap._n 60._o 17._o where_o in_o the_o greek_a translation_n then_o in_o use_n he_o have_v read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o will_v constitute_v their_o bishop_n in_o righteousness_n and_o their_o deacon_n in_o faithfulness_n speak_v of_o the_o judge_n and_o their_o minister_n and_o officer_n in_o every_o city_n and_o so_o again_o when_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o give_v due_a honour_n to_o the_o elder_n among_o they_o talk_v of_o their_o sedition_n against_o their_o elder_n and_o cast_v they_o out_o of_o their_o episcopacy_n in_o one_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o remove_v they_o from_o that_o honour_a office_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o another_o and_o the_o like_a all_o of_o the_o same_o importance_n and_o to_o be_v interpret_v by_o the_o former_a sect._n ii_o the_o testimony_n of_o polycarpe_n that_o he_o be_v himself_o a_o bishop_n his_o mention_n of_o ignatius_n epistle_n fit_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o they_o be_v so_o confirm_v as_o it_o be_v by_o a_o series_n of_o the_o ancient_n in_o the_o next_o place_n follow_v their_o testimony_n out_o of_o polycarpe_n introduce_v in_o this_o manner_n the_o like_a record_n we_o have_v of_o polycarpe_n that_o famous_a disciple_n of_o john_n the_o apostle_n who_o live_v also_o within_o the_o first_o century_n and_o write_v a_o epistle_n to_o the_o philippian_n in_o which_o he_o make_v also_o but_o two_o order_n of_o ministry_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o persuade_v the_o philippian_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n as_o to_o god_n and_o christ_n to_o this_o testimony_n from_o polycarp_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n i_o shall_v deny_v any_o part_n of_o my_o assent_n be_v so_o perfect_o such_o as_o the_o cause_n which_o i_o defend_v require_v if_o there_o be_v with_o he_o but_o two_o order_n of_o ministry_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o he_o persuade_v the_o philippian_n i.e._n that_o whole_a province_n the_o same_o to_o which_o saint_n paul_n have_v write_v consist_v of_o many_o church_n all_o under_o that_o metropolis_n of_o philippi_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n and_o deacon_n and_o set_v the_o former_a of_o they_o in_o the_o comparison_n to_o answer_v god_n the_o father_n the_o supreme_a monarch_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o latter_a to_o be_v the_o parallel_n to_o christ_n who_o come_v out_o from_o heaven_n upon_o his_o father_n message_n than_o what_o reason_n have_v i_o to_o doubt_v but_o that_o these_o elder_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o very_a same_o which_o saint_n paul_n have_v call_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n phil._n 1._o 1._o which_o that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o several_a bishop_n of_o that_o province_n of_o macedonia_n have_v before_o be_v sufficient_o vindicate_v and_o therefore_o without_o far_a debate_v this_o testimony_n i_o shall_v add_v some_o few_o thing_n concern_v this_o polycarp_n which_o will_v help_v convenient_o to_o clear_v the_o whole_a matter_n first_o that_o as_o it_o be_v most_o true_a that_o be_v here_o say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v a_o famous_a disciple_n of_o john_n the_o apostle_n so_o this_o be_v add_v to_o his_o title_n by_o the_o authontiâ—k_a epistle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v the_o most_o wonderful_a person_n in_o our_o time_n be_v a_o apostolical_a and_o prophetical_a doctor_n and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o most_o glorious_a martyr_n be_v the_o design_a matter_n of_o that_o whole_a epistle_n second_o that_o this_o famous_a most_o admirable_a apostolical_a doctor_n and_o martyr_n be_v the_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o so_o constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n as_o will_v appear_v by_o three_o testimony_n each_o of_o they_o irrefragable_a 1._o by_o the_o epistle_n of_o that_o church_n of_o smyrna_n write_v on_o purpose_n concern_v his_o martyrdom_n a_o reverend_a piece_n of_o antiquity_n fit_a to_o compare_v with_o any_o that_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n and_o there_o we_o find_v in_o the_o close_a of_o his_o title_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n which_o be_v in_o smyrna_n i._n e._n both_o of_o jewish_a and_o gentile_a christian_n there_o so_o polycrates_n the_o eight_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n bear_v within_o a_o while_n after_o saint_n john_n death_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o victor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d polycarp_n the_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o martyr_n so_o irenaeus_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 3._o speak_v of_o he_o sai_z 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o be_v constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o asia_n and_o then_o what_o possibility_n can_v there_o be_v that_o he_o be_v thus_o a_o bishop_n nay_o metropolitan_a himself_o as_o have_v former_o be_v show_v write_v to_o another_o metropolis_n and_o command_v to_o obey_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o deacon_n shall_v mean_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o bishop_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d three_o that_o this_o polycarp_n as_o in_o this_o epistle_n he_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v receive_v a_o epistle_n from_o ignatius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o write_v to_o i_o and_o to_o ignatius_n also_o so_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o have_v send_v they_o a_o collection_n of_o the_o same_o ignatius_n epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n send_v to_o we_o by_o he_o and_o as_o many_o other_o as_o we_o have_v by_o we_o we_o
a_o vindication_n of_o the_o dissertation_n concern_v episcopacy_n from_o the_o answer_n or_o exception_n offer_v against_o they_o by_o the_o london_n minister_n in_o their_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la ministerii_fw-la evangelici_fw-la by_o h._n hammond_n d.d._n london_n print_v by_o j._n g._n for_o richard_n royston_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o ivy-lane_n 1654._o to_o the_o reader_n in_o erasmus_n distribution_n of_o his_o own_o write_n into_o tome_n the_o 8_o we_o find_v thus_o inscribe_v by_o he_o octavum_fw-la occupent_fw-la apologiae_fw-la i_o miserum_fw-la et_fw-la hae_fw-la justum_fw-la volumen_fw-la efficient_a it_o be_v his_o great_a infelicity_n that_o the_o apology_n and_o answer_n to_o exception_n and_o calumny_n which_o he_o be_v constrain_v to_o write_v make_v up_o a_o entire_a large_a volume_n in_o folio_n now_o though_o i_o have_v that_o pleasure_n in_o the_o temper_n of_o that_o person_n which_o give_v i_o security_n by_o the_o romanist_n proverb_n never_o to_o be_v deem_v one_o of_o their_o good_a catholic_n and_o so_o may_v probable_o partake_v of_o some_o part_n of_o his_o fate_n yet_o it_o be_v great_a insolence_n in_o i_o who_o have_v not_o trouble_v the_o world_n with_o a_o ten_o proportion_n to_o that_o be_v with_o he_o have_v favour_v it_o to_o expect_v the_o tithe_n of_o that_o consideration_n which_o be_v require_v to_o make_v one_o capable_a of_o that_o degree_n of_o infelicity_n which_o lie_v a_o full_a load_n on_o he_o nevertheless_o these_o few_o last_o month_n have_v give_v i_o a_o taste_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d what_o i_o be_o to_o expect_v for_o beside_o the_o reproach_n of_o one_o learned_a gentleman_n to_o which_o be_v bare_o such_o i_o have_v no_o one_o word_n to_o retribute_v but_o that_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o christ_n direct_v i_o to_o i_o have_v far_o meet_v with_o some_o variety_n many_o exception_n though_o little_a of_o contumely_n from_o these_o assembly_n more_o and_o in_o a_o very_a distant_a character_n from_o a_o large_a preface_n of_o animadversion_n on_o the_o dissertation_n send_v i_o late_o from_o oxford_n other_o also_o there_o be_v which_o i_o have_v not_o yet_o have_v leisure_n to_o weigh_v but_o soon_o purpose_n and_o hope_v to_o do_v it_o and_o if_o either_o i_o discern_v myself_o or_o find_v it_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o that_o what_o be_v already_o say_v in_o the_o tract_n which_o they_o oppose_v be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o prevent_v or_o remove_v the_o scruple_n propose_v by_o they_o i_o shall_v willing_o dedicate_v some_o time_n of_o vacancy_n to_o that_o employment_n at_o the_o present_a the_o exception_n of_o the_o london_n minister_n have_v challenge_v the_o precedence_n and_o here_o be_v offer_v to_o consideration_n and_o because_o the_o praeface_n from_o oxford_n fall_v on_o the_o same_o sort_n of_o matter_n episcopacy_n and_o ignatius_n epistle_n as_o they_o be_v defend_v in_o the_o dissertation_n i_o purpose_v god-willing_o that_o a_o answer_n to_o that_o shall_v now_o follow_v assoon_o as_o the_o printer_n can_v dispatch_v it_o and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o i_o have_v to_o say_v to_o the_o reader_n by_o way_n of_o praeface_n the_o table_n chap._n i._n concern_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n page_n 9_o section_n 1._o the_o ground_n of_o affirm_v they_o to_o be_v bishop_n ibid._n sect._n 2._o of_o timothy_n of_o onesimus_n of_o policarpe_a p._n 15._o sect._n 3_o of_o the_o negative_a argument_n from_o s._n john_n not_o use_v the_o word_n bishop_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o revelation_n p._n 19_o sect._n 4._o of_o s._n john_n write_n again_o of_o diotrephes_n p._n 25_o sect._n 5._o of_o s._n john_n be_v bishop_n of_o asia_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v bishop_n p._n 29_o sect._n 6._o of_o the_o word_n angel_n and_o star_n pretend_v to_o be_v common_a to_o all_o minister_n of_o messenger_n and_o ambassador_n the_o singularity_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n p._n 35_o sect._n 7._o of_o their_o exception_n to_o our_o argue_v from_o symbol_n of_o bishop_n and_o elder_a be_v the_o same_o p._n 38_o sect._n 8._o of_o the_o singularity_n of_o each_o angel_n the_o objection_n from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o plural_a number_n p._n 41_o sect._n 9_o of_o the_o elder_n at_o ephesus_n act._n 20._o p._n 45_o sect._n 10._o of_o express_v a_o number_n by_o singular_n a_o church_n by_o a_o candlestick_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n rev._n 8._o p._n 47_o sect._n 11._o of_o the_o epistle_n be_v send_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n not_o to_o the_o bishop_n only_o of_o timothy_n onesimus_n and_o polycarp_n be_v bishop_n of_o some_o of_o the_o asian_a church_n without_o any_o charge_n of_o apostasy_n fall_v on_o they_o by_o this_o mean_n p._n 50_o sect._n 12._o of_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n that_o it_o hinder_v not_o his_o be_v a_o bishop_n p._n 55_o sect._n 13._o of_o the_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n of_o the_o plural_a number_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o smyrna_n p._n 56_o sect._n 14._o of_o beza_n interpretation_n of_o the_o president_n p._n 57_o sect._n 15._o of_o dr._n reynolds_n interpretation_n of_o the_o bishop_n in_o cyprian_n of_o ordination_n by_o bishop_n not_o without_o presbyter_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o cyprian_a and_o fermilian_a p._n 51_o sect._n 16._o of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v metropolitical_a of_o the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n p._n 54_o sect._n 16._o of_o model_a church_n according_a to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o roman_a state_n of_o exemplar_n of_o metropolitan_o among_o the_o jew_n testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n institute_v metropolitan_n p._n 67_o sect._n 17._o of_o the_o objection_n against_o metropoles_fw-la from_o the_o seven_o star_n in_o seven_o church_n p._n 71_o sect._n 18._o of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n for_o archbishop_n in_o tertullian_n of_o angel_n in_o christ_n epistle_n p._n 64_o sect._n 19_o of_o division_n into_o parish_n and_o union_n into_o diocese_n of_o diocesan_n bishop_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n elder_n in_o every_o church_n act._n 14._o elder_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 20._o that_o place_n vindicate_v from_o exception_n p._n 75_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o equivalence_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 92_o sect._n 1._o four_o sort_n of_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n propose_v ibid._n sect._n 2_o of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 95_o sect._n 3_o of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n p._n 100_o sect._n 4._o of_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o ancient_n of_o praelatists_n disagreement_n among_o themselves_o 102._o sect._n 5._o inconvenience_n object_v and_o answer_v of_o more_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o no_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n p._n 105_o sect_n 6._o a_o first_o confession_n object_v and_o vindicate_v of_o the_o ephesine_n presbyter_n be_v all_o the_o praelate_n of_o asia_n elder_n aldermanni_n p._n 108_o sect._n 7._o a_o second_o confession_n of_o the_o bishop_n phil._n 1._o 1._o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o whole_a province_n philippi_n a_o metropolis_n and_o a_o colony_n p._n 110_o sect._n 8._o a_o three_o confession_n of_o timothy_n be_v a_o archbishop_n of_o the_o qualification_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 2_o belong_v to_o bishop_n of_o the_o bishop_n be_v worthy_a of_o double-honour_n though_o he_o never_o preach_v of_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4_o of_o rebuke_v and_o receive_v accusation_n against_o a_o elder_a p._n 112_o sect._n 9_o a_o four_o confession_n of_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n p._n 116_o sect._n 10._o a_o five_o charge_n of_o contrariety_n to_o scripture_n answer_v of_o visitation_n of_o the_o sick_a belong_v to_o elder_n james_n 5._o p._n 118_o sect._n 11._o a_o last_o objection_n from_o act._n 21._o 18._o and._n 14._o 3._o and_o 11._o 30._o answer_v elder_n for_o ruler_n or_o bishop_n p._n 122_o chap._n iii_o concern_v the_o opinion_n of_o antiquity_n in_o this_o question_n page_n 129._o sect._n 1_o the_o testimony_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n the_o only_a office_n at_o the_o first_o corinth_n metropolis_n of_o achaia_n what_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v the_o apostle_n care_v to_o prevent_v contention_n about_o episcopacy_n hegesippus_n testimony_n of_o the_o contention_n at_o corinth_n clement_n a_o bishop_n p._n 129._o sect._n 2._o the_o testimony_n of_o policarpe_a that_o he_o be_v himself_o a_o bishop_n his_o mention_n of_o ignatius_n epistle_n fit_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o they_o be_v so_o confirm_v as_o it_o be_v by_o a_o series_n of_o the_o ancient_n p._n 139_o sect._n 3_o a_o vindication_n of_o ignatius_n epistle_n vossius_n edition_n of_o they_o and_o the_o archbishop_n of_o
armagh_n some_o testimony_n out_o of_o they_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o so_o inculcate_a obedience_n to_o bishop_n mr._n causabones_n testimony_n consider_v and_o the_o allegation_n from_o the_o archbishop_n of_o armagh_n three_o reason_n against_o these_o epistle_n answer_v no_o marriage_n without_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n after_o the_o first_o conversion_n p._n 143_o sect._n 4._o of_o salmasius_n conceit_n that_o these_o epistle_n be_v write_v at_o the_o time_n of_o episcopacy_n first_o enter_v the_o church_n p._n 163_o sect._n 5._o testimony_n of_o iraeneus_n the_o use_n of_o presbyteri_fw-la for_o bishop_n p._n 165_o sect._n 5._o testimony_n of_o tertullian_n seniores_fw-la &_o majores_fw-la natâ—_n for_o bishop_n so_o in_o firmilian_a p._n 169_o sect._n 6._o s._n jerom_n testimony_n of_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n by_o apostolical_a tradition_n consuetudo_fw-la oppose_v to_o dominica_n dispositio_fw-la s._n jerom_n meaning_n evidence_v by_o many_o other_o testimony_n to_o be_v that_o bishop_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n so_o by_o panormâ—tan_n also_o the_o testimony_n of_o isidore_n etc._n etc._n the_o council_n of_o aquen_n and_o of_o leo_n vindicate_v of_o ischyras_n ordination_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o synod_n ad_fw-la zurrium_n and_o of_o the_o four_o council_n of_o carthage_n p._n 171_o sect._n 7._o the_o testimony_n of_o ambrose_n and_o austin_n consignare_fw-la use_v for_o consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n and_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n when_o present_a p._n 187_o sect._n 8._o of_o the_o châ—repiscopi_n p._n 189_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o dissertation_n concern_v episcopacy_n from_o the_o answer_n or_o exception_n offer_v against_o they_o by_o the_o london-minister_n in_o their_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la ministerii_fw-la evangelici_fw-la the_o introduction_n of_o the_o occasion_n of_o this_o work_n the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n the_o head_n of_o the_o prelatists_n plea_n from_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n with_o some_o observation_n assistant_n to_o they_o the_o considerable_a concernement_n of_o the_o question_n be_v advertise_v from_o many_o hand_n that_o the_o book_n call_v jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la ministerii_fw-la evangelici_fw-la which_o be_v late_o publish_v by_o some_o who_o entitle_v themselves_o the_o provincial_n assembly_n of_o london_n have_v undertake_v to_o consider_v and_o confute_v many_o passage_n of_o the_o dissertation_n three_o year_n since_o publish_v in_o latin_a in_o defence_n of_o episcopacy_n against_o d._n blondell_n and_o other_o i_o have_v think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o examine_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n object_v by_o they_o in_o relation_n to_o those_o dissertation_n which_o may_v reasonable_o move_v i_o to_o retract_v what_o be_v there_o either_o with_o diffidence_n propose_v or_o more_o confident_o assert_v by_o i_o 2._o and_o have_v diligent_o survey_v the_o whole_a book_n that_o i_o may_v omit_v no_o passage_n wherein_o my_o interest_n may_v be_v in_o the_o least_o concern_v &_o be_v true_o able_a to_o affirm_v from_o that_o view_n that_o it_o have_v yield_v i_o no_o one_o syllable_n of_o useful_a exhortation_n no_o motive_n to_o retract_v any_o period_n or_o alter_v any_o expression_n in_o those_o dissertation_n but_o as_o far_o as_o i_o do_v persuade_v myself_o that_o this_o provincial_n synod_n contain_v in_o it_o man_n of_o judgement_n and_o ability_n to_o maintain_v the_o truth_n and_o convince_v gainsayers_a so_o far_o i_o be_o force_v to_o assume_v that_o what_o i_o have_v write_v be_v testify_v to_o be_v truth_n and_o by_o that_o privilege_n competent_o secure_v against_o all_o opposer_n i_o may_v herein_o reasonable_o acquiesce_v without_o far_a importune_v the_o reader_n or_o myself_o with_o impertinent_a vindication_n only_o trust_v and_o adventure_v the_o whole_a matter_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o each_o intelligent_a reader_n who_o be_v oblige_v by_o all_o rule_n of_o justice_n to_o compare_v either_o by_o his_o memory_n or_o by_o his_o eye_n those_o passage_n in_o this_o book_n and_o the_o chapter_n in_o the_o dissertation_n to_o which_o they_o be_v confront_v 3._o but_o i_o be_o again_o tell_v that_o many_o who_o have_v read_v and_o be_v move_v by_o the_o argument_n and_o answer_n of_o this_o book_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o provincial_n synod_n be_v yet_o disable_v to_o be_v so_o just_a as_o to_o examine_v they_o by_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o latin_a dissertation_n and_o that_o we_o be_v fall_v upon_o those_o time_n wherein_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o answer_v be_v cry_v up_o as_o unanswerable_a a_o humour_n of_o which_o if_o i_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o receive_v the_o fruit_n i_o shall_v have_v no_o temptation_n to_o complain_v there_o be_v so_o much_o a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o dissertation_n which_o be_v never_o attempt_v to_o be_v answer_v i_o continue_v still_o under_o some_o seem_a obligation_n to_o give_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n as_o it_o lie_v in_o contest_v between_o this_o provincial_n synod_n and_o those_o dissertation_n and_o i_o shall_v hasten_v to_o do_v it_o when_o i_o have_v first_o by_o way_n of_o necessary_a introduction_n premise_v these_o two_o thing_n 4._o first_o the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n as_o it_o general_o lie_v between_o we_o which_o be_v this_o whether_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n when_o they_o plant_v church_n in_o each_o city_n leave_v they_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o many_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o those_o many_o erect_v a_o equality_n or_o parity_n of_o several_a ruler_n in_o every_o city_n to_o who_o all_o other_o be_v subject_v and_o they_o to_o none_o or_o whether_o they_o place_v the_o superior_a power_n and_o authority_n in_o some_o one_o and_o subject_v all_o other_o to_o he_o other_o consequent_a difference_n there_o be_v arise_v from_o hence_o and_o those_o of_o such_o weight_n and_o concernment_n to_o those_o with_o who_o i_o now_o dispute_v in_o case_n the_o truth_n be_v not_o on_o their_o side_n as_o will_v make_v this_o return_n to_o their_o objection_n no_o less_o than_o a_o duty_n of_o charity_n as_o to_o brethren_n if_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n they_o shall_v judge_v it_o reasonable_a to_o make_v that_o use_n of_o it_o but_o this_o be_v the_o one_o basis_n of_o all_o whether_o the_o apostle_n plant_v parity_n or_o imparity_n in_o the_o church_n many_o equal_a governor_n in_o one_o city_n or_o but_o one_o in_o each_o the_o former_a be_v the_o presbyterian_o interest_n to_o defend_v the_o latter_a the_o prelatist_n and_o so_o the_o controversy_n stand_v between_o they_o to_o be_v debate_v and_o evince_v by_o such_o evidence_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o the_o right_n be_v by_o both_o side_n acknowledge_v to_o follow_v that_o fact_n i._n e._n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o those_o who_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v credit_v in_o this_o matter_n second_o the_o brief_a head_n of_o the_o plea_n by_o which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o maintain_v the_o prelatists_n assertion_n 1._o by_o scripture_n 2._o by_o the_o record_n of_o the_o first_o time_n the_o write_n of_o those_o who_o be_v near_o the_o apostle_n and_o either_o affirm_v what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o how_o it_o stand_v practise_v in_o the_o church_n all_o the_o world_n over_o which_o be_v plant_v by_o they_o as_o for_o the_o three_o way_n of_o argue_v from_o the_o universal_a consent_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o church_n for_o about_o 1400._o year_n together_o i._n e._n from_o about_o the_o year_n 140._o till_o the_o reformation_n this_o i_o do_v not_o insist_v on_o as_o i_o may_v with_o all_o evidence_n because_o it_o be_v know_v and_o confess_v by_o the_o adversary_n and_o all_o that_o be_v by_o they_o pretend_v be_v that_o parity_n and_o equality_n be_v prescribe_v and_o practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n soon_o after_o their_o death_n and_o quite_o contrary_a to_o their_o platform_n prelacy_n be_v introduce_v into_o all_o church_n it_o be_v their_o desire_n and_o demand_v now_o a_o little_a different_a from_o what_o m._n calvin_n at_o first_o propose_v to_o the_o church_n of_o helvetia_n that_o all_o may_v be_v reform_v and_o reduce_v to_o the_o state_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n leave_v it_o 6._o in_o the_o manage_n the_o proof_n propose_v by_o i_o i_o have_v use_v this_o method_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o most_o convince_a 1._o to_o insist_v on_o some_o few_o testimony_n under_o each_o head_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v the_o matter_n on_o the_o prelatists_n side_n and_o then_o to_o propose_v some_o observation_n which_o may_v accord_v all_o other_o place_n both_o of_o scripture_n and_o ancient_a writer_n with_o those_o testimony_n and_o that_o conclusion_n 7._o the_o special_a proof_n of_o scripture_n be_v take_v first_o from_o the_o power_n derive_v as_o from_o god_n the_o father_n to_o christ_n so_o from_o christ_n