no_o more_o whereas_o the_o witty_a and_o learned_a cardinal_n perron_n run_v upon_o the_o same_o mistake_n and_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n that_o they_o all_o wilful_o run_v upon_o king_n james_n in_o his_o reply_n le_fw-fr we_o he_o know_v that_o though_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n never_o arrogate_a to_o themselves_o a_o power_n of_o be_v sovereign_a judge_n in_o matter_n and_o controversy_n of_o faith_n yet_o for_o moderation_n of_o synod_n for_o determination_n and_o order_n establish_v in_o council_n and_o for_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n they_o have_v make_v a_o good_a and_o full_a use_n of_o their_o imperial_a authority_n and_o that_o for_o this_o very_a good_a reason_n that_o very_o much_o concern_v all_o prince_n that_o they_o may_v see_v and_o judge_v whether_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o power_n or_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o much_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o for_o further_a satisfaction_n i_o shall_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o excellent_a discourse_n itself_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o i_o have_v give_v a_o plain_a and_o easy_a account_n of_o the_o distinct_a power_n of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o show_v that_o whoever_o deny_v the_o distinction_n disow_v christianity_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v vest_v his_o church_n with_o a_o power_n peculiar_a to_o itself_o that_o the_o church_n have_v in_o all_o age_n exercise_v it_o that_o the_o christian_a emperor_n never_o deny_v it_o and_o last_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o reform_a prince_n thereof_o have_v remarkable_o own_a it_n but_o three_o constantine_n and_o his_o successor_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o title_n of_o pontifex_n maximus_n to_o which_o according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n appertain_v the_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o authority_n they_o grant_v to_o the_o church_n among_o other_o privilege_n this_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o claudius_n and_o other_o heathen_a emperor_n give_v leave_n both_o to_o jew_n and_o christian_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o law_n and_o custom_n and_o though_o the_o emperor_n gratian_n refuse_v to_o wear_v the_o pontifical_a habit_n as_o a_o piece_n of_o pagan_a superstition_n yet_o it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o he_o refuse_v the_o dignity_n itself_o and_o this_o discourse_n our_o author_n prosecute_v with_o much_o zeal_n and_o learning_n but_o what_o do_v these_o man_n make_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o rather_o of_o christ_n himself_o that_o he_o shall_v make_v no_o other_o provision_n for_o its_o government_n than_o to_o leave_v it_o whole_o to_o the_o superintendency_n of_o heathen_a priest_n this_o be_v such_o a_o wild_a conceit_n in_o itself_o that_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v never_o have_v imagine_v any_o learned_a man_n can_v ever_o have_v make_v use_n of_o it_o against_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o this_o learned_a gentleman_n be_v not_o only_o serious_a but_o vehement_a and_o confident_a in_o it_o he_o urge_v it_o over_o and_o over_o and_o though_o he_o repeat_v every_o thing_n that_o he_o say_v so_o that_o indeed_o one_o half_a of_o his_o discourse_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o repetition_n of_o the_o other_o yet_o here_o he_o double_v his_o repetition_n and_o every_o where_o lay_v this_o principle_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o after_o time_n but_o can_v any_o man_n believe_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a take_v upon_o he_o the_o power_n of_o government_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n if_o he_o real_o believe_v in_o christ_n himself_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n derive_v from_o the_o usurpation_n of_o julius_n caesar_n or_o that_o he_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o heathenish_a priestly_a power_n belong_v to_o he_o after_o his_o own_n christianity_n when_o by_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o old_a roman_a religion_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v idolatrous_a so_o that_o the_o roman_a high_a priest_n be_v nothing_o better_o than_o the_o supreme_a head_n of_o idolatry_n a_o honour_n certain_o which_o no_o christian_a emperor_n will_v be_v very_o fond_a of_o astume_v to_o himself_o julian_n indeed_o challenge_v both_o the_o title_n and_o the_o dignity_n as_o the_o great_a ornament_n of_o his_o imperial_a crown_n but_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o he_o be_v so_o vain_o fond_a of_o the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o how_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o have_v renounce_v paganism_n shall_v yet_o own_v himself_o high_a priest_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o he_o have_v renounce_v seem_v too_o great_a a_o contradiction_n for_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o believe_v but_o what_o if_o they_o accept_v of_o the_o title_n as_o our_o author_n very_o well_o know_v they_o do_v of_o divinity_n itself_o or_o rather_o what_o if_o it_o be_v customary_o give_v to_o they_o by_o other_o for_o i_o meet_v with_o no_o other_o monument_n of_o it_o but_o some_o old_a complimental_a inscription_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o customary_a title_n of_o honour_n it_o may_v easy_o for_o a_o time_n pass_v in_o the_o crowd_n of_o the_o other_o imperial_a title_n for_o it_o seem_v it_o continue_v not_o long_o be_v reject_v by_o gratian_n who_o live_v about_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o conversion_n of_o constantine_n and_o though_o our_o learned_a author_n affirm_v that_o the_o pious_a emperor_n only_o refuse_v the_o vestment_n but_o not_o the_o dignity_n it_o be_v very_o obvious_a to_o any_o man_n of_o much_o less_o understanding_n than_o himself_o that_o the_o emperor_n can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o refuse_v one_o but_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o other_o for_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o superstition_n in_o the_o vestment_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o office_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n there_o be_v little_a if_o any_o use_n of_o the_o title_n afterward_o but_o last_o the_o power_n of_o judicature_n be_v first_o grant_v to_o the_o bishop_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o christian_a emperor_n and_o especial_o by_o a_o edict_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a whereby_o he_o grant_v the_o bishop_n a_o full_a power_n of_o hear_v and_o determine_v all_o cause_n civil_a as_o well_o as_o ecclesiastical_a and_o withal_o declare_v their_o decree_n to_o be_v more_o firm_a and_o bind_v than_o the_o sentence_n of_o any_o other_o judicature_n and_o from_o this_o great_a indulgence_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o among_o other_o forensique_fw-la penalty_n they_o make_v use_v of_o excommunication_n of_o the_o inference_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n by_o and_o by_o but_o as_o for_o the_o edict_n itself_o if_o it_o can_v do_v any_o service_n to_o our_o author_n design_n it_o at_o last_o prove_v supposititious_a as_o be_v full_o prove_v by_o gothofred_n in_o his_o excellent_a edition_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n his_o reason_n be_v too_o many_o to_o be_v here_o recite_v i_o will_v give_v but_o one_o for_o all_o viz._n that_o this_o law_n be_v contrary_a to_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n for_o though_o several_a emperor_n do_v in_o their_o several_a novel_n give_v the_o bishop_n power_n to_o decide_v cause_n by_o way_n of_o arbitration_n or_o the_o consent_n of_o both_o party_n which_o power_n they_o enlarge_v or_o contract_v as_o they_o please_v and_o to_o this_o all_o the_o other_o precedent_n produce_v by_o our_o author_n relate_v yet_o that_o one_o party_n shall_v have_v liberty_n of_o appeal_n from_o the_o civil_a court_n at_o any_o time_n before_o judgement_n give_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o adversary_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a privilege_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o only_a design_n of_o that_o edict_n quicunque_fw-la itaque_fw-la litem_fw-la habens_fw-la sive_fw-la possessor_n sive_fw-la petitor_n erit_fw-la inter_fw-la initia_fw-la litis_fw-la vel_fw-la decursis_fw-la temporum_fw-la curriculis_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la negotium_fw-la peroratur_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la jam_fw-la coeperit_fw-la promi_fw-la sententia_fw-la judicium_fw-la eligit_fw-la sacrosanctae_a legis_fw-la antistitis_fw-la ilico_fw-la sine_fw-la aliqua_fw-la dubitatione_n etiamsi_fw-la alia_fw-la pars_fw-la refragatur_fw-la ad_fw-la episcopum_fw-la cum_fw-la sermone_fw-la litigantium_fw-la dirigatur_fw-la which_o i_o say_v be_v such_o a_o absurd_a liberty_n as_o will_v utter_o destroy_v all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n if_o the_o humour_n or_o perverseness_n of_o any_o man_n can_v so_o easy_o balk_v their_o sentence_n but_o beside_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o there_o be_v no_o such_o edict_n extant_a in_o the_o justinian_n code_n nor_o any_o mention_n of_o it_o in_o any_o ancient_a writer_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n for_o as_o for_o
the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n unless_o they_o misuse_v it_o and_o if_o they_o do_v as_o they_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n so_o they_o deserve_v their_o punishment_n in_o this_o lâ—fe_n among_o the_o worst_a of_o rebel_n and_o traitor_n and_o be_v sure_a to_o have_v it_o in_o the_o next_o for_o as_o their_o power_n be_v not_o only_o pure_o spiritual_a void_a of_o all_o temporal_a force_n and_o coercion_n so_o be_v they_o in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o above_o all_o thing_n forbid_v to_o use_v any_o violence_n or_o raise_v any_o disturbance_n against_o government_n so_o that_o if_o any_o prince_n think_v good_a to_o oppose_v they_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o to_o punish_v they_o for_o so_o do_v they_o be_v not_o to_o oppose_v he_o but_o only_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n in_o justification_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o submission_n to_o his_o will_n and_o for_o so_o do_v they_o shall_v have_v their_o reward_n but_o if_o they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o any_o other_o weapon_n whatsoever_o beside_o prayer_n and_o tear_n and_o suffering_n they_o then_o suffer_v deserve_o as_o disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o in_o that_o they_o have_v be_v so_o express_o forewarn_v by_o our_o saviour_n that_o whosoever_o shall_v draw_v the_o sword_n in_o his_o cause_n shall_v be_v sure_a to_o perish_v by_o it_o and_o as_o upon_o this_o principle_n he_o found_v his_o church_n so_o upon_o it_o his_o apostle_n build_v it_o when_o in_o pure_a obedience_n to_o his_o command_n they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o if_o any_o prince_n be_v please_v to_o countermand_v they_o they_o do_v not_o plead_v any_o exemption_n from_o the_o government_n much_o less_o do_v they_o libel_v it_o but_o only_o represent_v the_o innocence_n and_o justice_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o satisfy_v declare_v their_o readiness_n to_o submit_v to_o his_o pleasure_n and_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n and_o in_o this_o they_o enjoy_v no_o other_o exemption_n from_o the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n than_o what_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v challenge_v by_o every_o private_a christian_a who_o be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o his_o christian_a faith_n and_o if_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n so_o require_v to_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n this_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o in_o its_o first_o profession_n and_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o its_o reformation_n for_o whereas_o a_o foreign_a italian_a bishop_n have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n usurp_v wellnigh_o all_o both_o secular_a and_o spiritual_a power_n into_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o by_o a_o exorbitant_a abuse_n of_o it_o have_v enslave_v the_o prince_n and_o empoverish_v the_o people_n only_o to_o enrich_v himself_o and_o his_o own_o courtier_n they_o that_o be_v concern_v after_o long_a patience_n and_o much_o provocation_n at_o last_o resolve_v upon_o what_o motive_n concern_v not_o we_o to_o resume_v their_o right_n the_o king_n that_o power_n which_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n of_o old_a and_o by_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o bishop_n that_o power_n wherewith_o they_o be_v as_o immediate_o entrust_v by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n general_a commission_n to_o the_o apostolical_a order_n as_o any_o other_o foreign_a bishop_n or_o bishop_n within_o their_o respective_a diocese_n whatsoever_o and_o to_o prevent_v all_o jealousy_n in_o the_o prince_n lest_o they_o shall_v play_v he_o the_o same_o game_n that_o his_o holiness_n have_v do_v who_o in_o ordinc_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la have_v fine_o strip_v he_o of_o almost_o all_o his_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n by_o except_v all_o ecclesiastical_a both_o person_n and_o cause_n from_o his_o cognizance_n they_o therefore_o freelv_v declare_v he_o supreme_a governor_n first_o over_o all_o person_n so_o that_o no_o ecclesiastical_a subject_n may_v as_o former_o appeal_v from_o his_o tribunal_n and_o in_o all_o cause_n so_o that_o every_o subject_a whatsoever_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o his_o decree_n and_o determination_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o either_o to_o obey_v his_o law_n as_o long_o as_o he_o own_a and_o protect_v true_a christianity_n as_o the_o christian_a bishop_n of_o old_a do_v to_o the_o christian_a emperor_n or_o if_o he_o oppose_v it_o cheerful_o and_o peaceable_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o penalty_n as_o they_o do_v to_o the_o roman_a persecutor_n and_o whereas_o from_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o first_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n enjoy_v a_o power_n of_o make_v canon_n and_o constitution_n for_o discipline_n and_o good_a order_n yet_o by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o submit_v the_o exercise_n thereof_o to_o his_o sovereign_a authority_n protest_v in_o verbo_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la as_o it_o be_v state_v in_o that_o famous_a act_n call_v the_o submission_n of_o the_o clergy_n that_o they_o will_v never_o from_o henceforth_o presume_v to_o attempt_v allege_v claim_v or_o put_v in_o ure_n enact_v promulge_v or_o execute_v any_o new_a canon_n constitution_n ordinance_n provincial_a or_o other_o or_o by_o whatsoever_o other_o name_n they_o shall_v be_v call_v in_o the_o convocation_n unless_o the_o king_n be_v most_o royal_a assent_n and_o licence_n may_v to_o they_o be_v have_v to_o make_v promulge_fw-mi and_o execute_v the_o same_o and_o that_o his_o majesty_n do_v give_v his_o royal_a assent_n and_o authority_n in_o that_o behalf_n whereby_o they_o do_v not_o pass_v away_o their_o power_n of_o make_v ecclesiastical_a canon_n but_o only_o give_v security_n to_o the_o government_n that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o attempt_v any_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o injurious_a to_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o crown_n which_o in_o truth_n be_v such_o a_o submission_n as_o all_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o world_n ought_v in_o duty_n to_o make_v to_o their_o sovereign_n at_o least_o in_o gratitude_n for_o his_o protection_n and_o that_o without_o any_o abatement_n or_o diminution_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n viz._n the_o stand_a law_n of_o christianity_n be_v secure_v to_o submit_v all_o other_o matter_n to_o his_o sovereign_n will_v and_o pleasure_n whereby_o as_o they_o will_v bring_v no_o damage_n to_o the_o church_n in_o that_o this_o power_n be_v exercise_v mere_o in_o matter_n of_o order_n and_o discipline_n if_o the_o prince_n do_v not_o approve_v of_o their_o constitution_n it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a thing_n to_o provide_v for_o decency_n some_o other_o way_n so_o they_o will_v bring_v great_a security_n to_o the_o state_n when_o the_o prince_n be_v assure_v that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o as_o the_o roman_a clergy_n have_v do_v disturb_v or_o undermine_v his_o authority_n and_o as_o they_o part_v not_o with_o their_o spiritual_a legislative_a power_n so_o not_o with_o any_o other_o power_n proper_a to_o their_o function_n as_o the_o power_n of_o preach_v the_o christian_a religion_n administer_a the_o holy_a sacrament_n and_o confer_v holy_a order_n neither_o do_v any_o prince_n in_o the_o least_o ever_o claim_v or_o exercise_v any_o of_o they_o and_o because_o the_o romanist_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n make_v a_o mighty_a noise_n with_o this_o objection_n as_o if_o by_o virtue_n of_o her_o supremacy_n her_o majesty_n have_v challenge_v a_o spiritual_a or_o ministerial_a power_n in_o the_o church_n the_o queen_n have_v with_o great_a indignation_n disow_v any_o such_o power_n and_o defy_v the_o calumny_n and_o yet_o when_o she_o have_v make_v her_o disclaimour_n of_o any_o spiritual_a power_n in_o the_o church_n she_o part_v not_o with_o her_o royal_a supremacy_n over_o those_o that_o have_v it_o as_o we_o be_v particular_o instruct_v by_o our_o church_n in_o her_o 37th_o article_n where_o we_o attribute_v to_o the_o queen_n majesty_n the_o chief_a government_n by_o which_o title_n we_o understand_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o dangerous_a folk_n to_o be_v offend_v we_o give_v not_o our_o prince_n the_o minister_a either_o of_o god_n word_n or_o the_o sacrament_n the_o which_o thing_n the_o injunction_n late_o set_v forth_o by_o elizabeth_n our_o queen_n do_v most_o plain_o testify_v but_o that_o only_a prerogative_n which_o we_o see_v to_o have_v be_v give_v always_o to_o all_o godly_a prince_n in_o holy_a scripture_n by_o god_n himself_o that_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v rule_v all_o estate_n and_o degree_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n by_o god_n whether_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o temporal_a and_o restrain_v with_o the_o civil_a sword_n the_o stubborn_a and_o evil_a doer_n and_o last_o to_o mention_v
that_o passage_n of_o sozomen_n l._n 1._o c._n 9_o in_o which_o some_o learned_a man_n fancy_n they_o find_v some_o footstep_n of_o this_o law_n it_o be_v quite_o to_o the_o other_o purpose_n that_o i_o but_o now_o mention_v viz._n the_o bishop_n power_n of_o determine_v cause_n by_o the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o party_n when_o this_o edict_n be_v forge_v and_o by_o who_o it_o be_v uncertain_a but_o it_o be_v probable_o conjecture_v by_o gothofred_n from_o the_o barbarity_n of_o its_o stile_n and_o great_a likeness_n of_o it_o to_o that_o of_o constantine_n donation_n to_o have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o same_o shop_n and_o by_o the_o same_o hand_n but_o if_o this_o edict_n be_v as_o true_a as_o the_o rest_n be_v which_o give_v bishop_n power_n to_o sentence_n cause_v praeeunte_fw-la vinculo_fw-la compromissi_fw-la yet_o where_o do_v we_o find_v any_o edict_n for_o enable_v they_o to_o enforce_v their_o decree_n by_o excommunication_n not_o one_o syllable_n of_o that_o in_o all_o the_o roman_a law_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o their_o officer_n be_v command_v to_o put_v the_o bishop_n sentence_n in_o execution_n be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o very_a force_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o because_o the_o roman_a emperor_n grant_v the_o christian_a bishop_n some_o jurisdiction_n they_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v grant_v they_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o edict_n extant_a in_o all_o their_o law_n they_o confer_v many_o privilege_n upon_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o title_n de_fw-fr episcopis_fw-la ecclesiâ—s_fw-la clericis_fw-la &_o de_fw-la religione_fw-la yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o both_o the_o code_o and_o all_o the_o novel_n to_o vest_n they_o with_o any_o power_n of_o excommunication_n and_o therefore_o as_o those_o other_o they_o enjoy_v by_o the_o emperor_n favour_n not_o by_o any_o antecedent_n right_o so_o see_v they_o exercise_v this_o power_n and_o that_o not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o imperial_a grant_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o receive_v their_o authority_n from_o some_o other_o hand_n so_o that_o to_o conclude_v there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n against_o our_o author_n opinion_n than_o the_o body_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o one_o instance_n record_v that_o ever_o any_o emperor_n pretend_v to_o this_o power_n himself_o or_o grant_v it_o to_o his_o bishop_n for_o from_o thence_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o if_o they_o have_v it_o at_o all_o they_o have_v it_o from_o some_o other_o commission_n and_o thus_o be_o i_o come_v to_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o though_o there_o be_v many_o precedent_n of_o latter_a time_n yet_o i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o justify_v what_o be_v do_v by_o huns_n goth_n and_o vandal_n who_o practice_n be_v the_o mere_a effect_n of_o ignorance_n and_o barbarity_n and_o oblige_v we_o rather_o to_o pity_v than_o to_o follow_v their_o example_n part_n ii_o have_v hitherto_o treat_v with_o the_o false_a pretender_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o come_v now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o treat_v more_o amicable_o with_o some_o of_o its_o mistake_a friend_n and_o they_o be_v those_o that_o own_o a_o government_n in_o it_o but_o without_o governor_n allow_v indeed_o that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v some_o sort_n of_o government_n establish_v in_o the_o church_n but_o then_o they_o deny_v any_o particular_a form_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o divine_a right_n or_o apostolical_a constitution_n and_o leave_v it_o whole_o to_o the_o choice_n and_o determination_n of_o humane_a authority_n so_o that_o though_o the_o church_n of_o england_n happen_v to_o be_v at_o present_a govern_v by_o bishop_n and_o though_o upon_o that_o account_n we_o may_v owe_v duty_n and_o subjection_n to_o they_o as_o our_o lawful_a superior_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o set_v over_o we_o by_o any_o divine_a commission_n but_o pure_o by_o his_o majesty_n be_v good_a will_n and_o pleasure_n who_o at_o his_o restitution_n to_o his_o kingdom_n may_v have_v forbear_v to_o restore_v the_o then_o abolish_v order_n of_o bishop_n and_o instead_o of_o that_o have_v establish_v some_o other_o form_n of_o government_n that_o he_o judge_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n which_o if_o he_o have_v do_v that_o then_o have_v be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n now_o the_o birth_n of_o this_o opinion_n seem_v to_o have_v happen_v on_o this_o manner_n mr._n calvin_n have_v found_v his_o geneva_n platform_n upon_o divine_a institution_n as_o he_o particular_o do_v in_o the_o four_o book_n of_o his_o institution_n chap._n 11._o though_o some_o man_n that_o be_v more_o his_o disciple_n than_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o own_o be_v please_v to_o deny_v it_o and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o decree_n beza_n and_o all_o the_o other_o first_o apostle_n of_o his_o church_n have_v spend_v all_o their_o pain_n in_o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o good_a out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o learned_a man_n that_o come_v after_o they_o both_o in_o the_o french_a and_o dutch_a church_n because_o they_o must_v needs_o go_v beyond_o those_o that_o go_v before_o they_o proceed_v to_o advance_v the_o argument_n from_o scripture_n to_o antiquity_n and_o have_v with_o infinite_a industry_n sift_v all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n but_o by_o presbyter_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o it_o next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n the_o chief_a labourer_n in_o which_o cause_n among_o many_o other_o less_o learned_a be_v blondel_n salmasius_n and_o dallé_n who_o spend_v the_o great_a part_n both_o of_o their_o life_n and_o learning_n upon_o this_o argument_n but_o they_o proceed_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o a_o sceptical_a and_o destructive_a way_n not_o so_o much_o rely_v upon_o the_o testimony_n as_o impair_n the_o credit_n of_o antiquity_n which_o it_o seem_v they_o suppose_v the_o best_a way_n to_o maintain_v their_o argument_n this_o soon_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o learned_a man_n conversant_a in_o their_o write_n to_o conclude_v against_o all_o pretence_n to_o the_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o any_o unalterable_a and_o perpetual_a form_n of_o church-government_n whatsoever_o and_o so_o to_o think_v of_o allay_v those_o controversy_n about_o a_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la that_o have_v be_v late_o and_o still_o be_v manage_v among_o we_o with_o so_o much_o heat_n and_o noise_n by_o leave_v it_o as_o they_o say_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v to_o the_o prudence_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n to_o agree_v upon_o its_o own_o form_n as_o it_o judge_v most_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o government_n in_o that_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n as_o they_o determine_v it_o and_o the_o opinion_n be_v grow_v popular_a and_o plausible_a in_o great_a vogue_n both_o among_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a and_o be_v almost_o become_v the_o rule_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o our_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n in_o so_o much_o that_o there_o be_v many_o worthy_a gentleman_n as_o any_o one_o may_v observe_v in_o his_o ordinary_a conversation_n that_o be_v stout_a and_o loyal_a confessor_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n under_o its_o suffering_n that_o at_o this_o time_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o arbitrary_a and_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o therefore_o in_o pursuance_n of_o my_o design_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o reason_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v found_v and_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o tend_v to_o the_o peace_n of_o a_o establish_v church_n that_o it_o be_v destructive_a to_o the_o be_v and_o settlement_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o though_o here_o i_o have_v many_o learned_a worthy_a man_n for_o my_o adversary_n yet_o i_o hope_v to_o manage_v the_o dispute_n with_o that_o candour_n and_o integrity_n that_o none_o shall_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o any_o more_o unkindness_n than_o what_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o my_o do_v right_a to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a can_v give_v no_o offence_n to_o good_a man_n how_o much_o soever_o i_o may_v chance_v to_o cross_v with_o their_o particular_a sentiment_n and_o opinion_n and_o as_o for_o bad_a man_n for_o there_o be_v of_o both_o sort_n engage_v in_o the_o opinion_n i_o be_v not_o true_a to_o my_o own_o integrity_n if_o i_o suffer_v myself_o to_o be_v in_o the_o least_o sway_v by_o their_o good_a or_o bad_a opinion_n for_o i_o write_v not_o to_o please_v but_o to_o convince_v they_o which_o i_o know_v as_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v bad_a be_v but_o
and_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o apostle_n act_v with_o a_o plenitude_n of_o power_n till_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o new_a commission_n after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o in_o st._n matthew_n 16._o 19_o he_o ve_v they_o with_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v in_o the_o future_a tense_n but_o in_o st._n john_n 20._o 23._o after_o his_o resurrection_n it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o present_a tense_n then_o it_o be_v that_o he_o give_v they_o that_o authority_n which_o himself_o have_v exercise_v whilst_o he_o remain_v on_o earth_n but_o then_o when_o immediate_o in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o new_a commission_n the_o apostle_n think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o choose_v one_o into_o their_o order_n to_o supply_v the_o vacancy_n make_v by_o the_o death_n of_o judas_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o they_o think_v the_o apostolical_a office_n by_o our_o saviour_n appointment_n distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o all_o other_o office_n in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o form_n observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o plant_v and_o govern_v of_o church_n be_v model_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o platform_n and_o after_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a to_o inquire_v whether_o he_o only_o draw_v the_o model_n or_o erect_v the_o building_n but_o whichsoever_o he_o do_v it_o be_v improve_v into_o a_o impregnable_a demonstration_n from_o the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o they_o the_o perpetual_a tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o this_o original_a form_n of_o church-government_n for_o the_o apostle_n we_o all_o know_v and_o all_o party_n grant_v during_o their_o day_n keep_v up_o the_o distinction_n and_o preeminence_n of_o their_o order_n and_o from_o they_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n claim_v their_o succession_n and_o every_o where_o challenge_v their_o episcopal_a authority_n from_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o example_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o now_o be_v we_o enter_v upon_o the_o second_o main_a controversy_n viz._n the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n against_o which_o three_o thing_n be_v usual_o allege_v that_o neither_o can_v we_o have_v that_o certainty_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o constitute_v a_o divine_a right_n nor_o second_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o apostle_n do_v tie_v themselves_o to_o any_o one_o fix_a course_n in_o model_a church_n nor_o three_o if_o they_o do_v do_v it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o we_o must_v observe_v the_o same_o and_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n second_o from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n plead_v in_o behalf_n of_o different_a form_n of_o government_n three_o from_o the_o defectiveness_n ambiguity_n partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n which_o shall_v inform_v we_o what_o be_v the_o apostolical_a practice_n but_o as_o to_o the_o first_o i_o shall_v whole_o wave_v the_o dispute_n of_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n because_o it_o be_v altogether_o beside_o the_o purpose_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o our_o other_o proof_n be_v so_o pregnant_a as_o to_o render_v it_o altogether_o useless_a neither_o indeed_o will_v this_o ever_o have_v be_v any_o matter_n of_o dispute_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n for_o want_n of_o better_a argument_n be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o slender_a pretence_n but_o how_o impotent_o salmasius_n and_o blondel_n who_o be_v the_o main_a founder_n of_o the_o argument_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o community_n of_o the_o name_n the_o identity_n of_o the_o office_n any_o one_o that_o have_v the_o patience_n to_o read_v they_o over_o may_v satisfy_v himself_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o can_v but_o admire_v to_o see_v learned_a man_n persist_v so_o stubborn_o in_o a_o palpable_a impertinency_n when_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o will_v infer_v no_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n notwithstanding_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o grant_v by_o themselves_o that_o the_o apostle_n enjoy_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v once_o prove_v or_o grant_v and_o themselves_z never_o doubt_v of_o it_o to_o infer_v their_o belove_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o parity_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o the_o equivocal_a signification_n of_o those_o two_o word_n be_v only_o to_o outface_v their_o own_o conviction_n and_o their_o adversary_n demonstration_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v and_o themselves_o can_v deny_v it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o inequality_n of_o office_n from_o the_o superiority_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v a_o very_a childish_a attempt_n to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v two_o synonymous_n term_n whereby_o to_o express_v the_o whole_a order_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o to_o persist_v in_o this_o trifle_a inference_n as_o salmasius_n have_v who_o when_o he_o be_v inform_v of_o its_o manifest_a weakness_n and_o absurdity_n will_v never_o renounce_v it_o but_o still_o repeat_v it_o in_o one_o book_n after_o another_o without_o any_o improvement_n but_o of_o passion_n and_o confidence_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o woeful_a example_n that_o i_o remember_v of_o a_o learned_a man_n trifle_a that_o have_v not_o the_o ingenuity_n to_o yield_v when_o he_o find_v himself_o vanquish_v not_o only_o by_o his_o adversary_n but_o his_o argument_n neither_o shall_v i_o trouble_v myself_o with_o other_o man_n dispute_n about_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n when_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a current_n of_o scripture_n that_o the_o apostle_n exercise_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o argument_n from_o apostolical_a practice_n for_o as_o yet_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o we_o whether_o they_o be_v presbyter_n or_o bishop_n that_o they_o set_v over_o particular_a church_n that_o shall_v be_v inquire_v into_o when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o apostle_n for_o then_o by_o apostolical_a practice_n there_o be_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n in_o church-government_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v here_o too_o at_o the_o blindness_n of_o walo_n messalinus_n who_o in_o pursuance_n of_o his_o verbal_a argument_n produce_v this_o passage_n out_o of_o theodoret_n and_o spend_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o his_o book_n in_o declaim_v upon_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o the_o same_o man_n be_v call_v presbyter_n and_o bishop_n and_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n they_o then_o call_v apostle_n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o name_n of_o apostolate_a be_v appropriate_a to_o they_o who_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o apostle_n and_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v apply_v to_o they_o who_o be_v former_o call_v apostle_n than_o which_o word_n beside_o that_o they_o contain_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n there_o be_v scarce_o a_o clear_a passage_n in_o all_o antiquity_n to_o confound_v his_o cause_n for_o what_o can_v be_v a_o plain_a reproof_n to_o their_o noise_n about_o the_o equivalency_n of_o word_n than_o to_o be_v tell_v that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o that_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n be_v then_o call_v apostle_n who_o exercise_v the_o episcopal_a power_n over_o the_o other_o clergy_n but_o that_o afterward_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o leave_v the_o word_n apostolate_v to_o those_o who_o be_v strict_o and_o proper_o so_o call_v and_o style_v all_o other_o bishop_n who_o in_o former_a time_n be_v style_v apostle_n what_o i_o say_v can_v be_v more_o peremptory_a against_o his_o opinion_n that_o conclude_v from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o name_n to_o the_o parity_n of_o power_n than_o this_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o word_n be_v equivalent_a yet_o the_o episcopal_a power_n be_v then_o in_o the_o apostle_n who_o successor_n in_o their_o supremacy_n come_v in_o aftertime_n to_o be_v call_v bishop_n and_o if_o so_o then_o be_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o imparity_n of_o church-officer_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o in_o succeed_a age_n nay_o our_o friend_n walo_n be_v not_o content_a to_o make_v this_o out_o for_o we_o only_o as_o to_o the_o
sure_a there_o be_v as_o little_a modesty_n as_o reason_n in_o salmasius_n his_o argument_n when_o he_o oppose_v the_o single_a authority_n of_o nicephorus_n to_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n but_o much_o less_o in_o daillès_fw-fr defence_n especial_o when_o we_o consider_v with_o what_o state_n and_o confidence_n he_o usher_v it_o in_o ecce_fw-la auctores_fw-la habemus_fw-la &_o multis_fw-la ante_fw-la nos_fw-la seculis_fw-la denatos_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la contra_fw-la hierarchiam_fw-la suspicion_n semotos_fw-la qui_fw-la omne_fw-la ignatii_n scripta_fw-la rotunde_v ac_fw-la sine_fw-la ullâ_fw-la haesitatione_n ad_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la relegarunt_fw-la in_o stichometriâ_fw-la georgio_n sincello_n in_o libro_fw-la antiquissimo_fw-la praefixâ_fw-la for_o what_o confidence_n can_v be_v more_o enormous_a than_o that_o when_o these_o epistle_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o some_o of_o the_o best_a of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n ter_n to_o pretend_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n by_o a_o multitude_n of_o writer_n and_o yet_o produce_v but_o one_o and_o he_o at_o the_o distance_n of_o seven_o hundred_o year_n but_o the_o last_o aggravation_n of_o his_o confidence_n be_v when_o he_o profess_v that_o he_o produce_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o stichometria_fw-la not_o to_o prove_v his_o own_o opinion_n but_o only_o to_o remove_v the_o prejudice_n of_o its_o novelty_n and_o yet_o cite_v no_o other_o author_n in_o its_o behalf_n for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o proof_n be_v draw_v from_o negative_a authority_n in_o which_o he_o be_v no_o more_o happy_a than_o in_o his_o many_o one_o positive_a testimony_n for_o when_o he_o argue_v that_o these_o epistle_n be_v unknown_a to_o every_o writer_n that_o do_v not_o quote_v they_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o hard_a condition_n that_o he_o impose_v upon_o all_o author_n to_o cite_v all_o the_o book_n that_o they_o read_v but_o say_v he_o because_o of_o that_o great_a authority_n that_o ignatius_n have_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o any_o christian_a writer_n have_v any_o fair_a occasion_n for_o it_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o they_o will_v have_v appeal_v to_o his_o authority_n which_o because_o they_o have_v not_o do_v we_o may_v just_o presume_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o write_n extant_a in_o their_o time_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a force_n of_o his_o negative_a argument_n and_o yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o particular_n he_o be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o only_o to_o produce_v those_o author_n who_o custom_n it_o be_v to_o avoid_v this_o kind_n of_o quotation_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v concern_v irenaeus_n and_o so_o for_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v a_o great_a quoter_n of_o heathen_a and_o heretical_a writer_n yet_o no_o where_o cite_v ecclesiastical_a author_n unless_o such_o as_o he_o suppose_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o sacred_a canon_n and_o so_o for_o tertullian_n who_o too_o be_v frequent_a in_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_n or_o heretic_n but_o scarce_o ever_o mention_n any_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v or_o confute_v any_o doctrine_n by_o their_o authority_n and_o this_o in_o the_o last_o place_n be_v the_o case_n of_o epiphanius_n who_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o live_v before_o he_o and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o heresy_n it_o be_v only_o in_o a_o historical_a way_n either_o to_o spare_v his_o own_o pain_n or_o to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o relation_n out_o of_o other_o history_n but_o never_o as_o daillé_n require_v of_o he_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o opinion_n i_o mention_v no_o more_o of_o his_o negative_a man_n who_o make_v a_o great_a show_n in_o the_o content_n of_o his_o chapter_n in_o that_o they_o be_v allege_v altogether_o impertinent_o to_o his_o purpose_n because_o all_o those_o passage_n which_o he_o imagine_v they_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v quote_v belong_v not_o to_o the_o ancient_a copy_n of_o eusebius_n but_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o late_a interpolation_n and_o now_o compare_v the_o testimony_n on_o both_o side_n we_o may_v very_o safe_o turn_v any_o honest_a man_n loose_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o epistle_n and_o that_o be_v once_o establish_v we_o can_v neither_o have_v nor_o desire_v a_o more_o ample_a testimony_n than_o they_o give_v we_o of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n the_o holy_a martyr_n every_o where_o sound_v the_o peace_n and_o security_n of_o the_o church_n against_o schism_n and_o heresy_n upon_o the_o bishop_n supreme_a authority_n which_o he_o as_o our_o adversary_n fancy_v magnify_v so_o high_o though_o not_o more_o than_o the_o other_o order_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o respective_a function_n that_o they_o think_v that_o alone_o the_o main_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o epistle_n though_o in_o truth_n set_v aside_o all_o testimony_n the_o argument_n and_o spirit_n of_o they_o be_v no_o small_a proof_n of_o their_o genuine_a antiquity_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o argument_n peculiar_a to_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n a_o vehement_a zeal_n for_o unity_n and_o a_o passionate_a sense_n of_o immortality_n they_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o serious_a belief_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n promise_n and_o therefore_o they_o live_v in_o this_o world_n pure_o in_o order_n to_o the_o reward_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o how_o earnest_o the_o author_n of_o these_o epistle_n thirst_v after_o it_o no_o good_a christian_n can_v read_v without_o great_a pleasure_n and_o be_v affect_v with_o some_o work_n of_o the_o same_o passion_n and_o as_o for_o his_o way_n of_o secure_v peace_n and_o unity_n in_o all_o church_n by_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o under_o they_o to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n for_o his_o fundamental_a rule_n be_v that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o bishop_n he_o derive_v it_o from_o our_o saviour_n commission_n and_o promise_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n for_o ever_o when_o he_o constitute_v they_o pastor_n of_o his_o flock_n and_o promise_v to_o be_v perpetual_o assistant_n to_o they_o by_o his_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v not_o refer_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o they_o for_o the_o great_a wisdom_n great_a learning_n or_o any_o other_o natural_a advantage_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n express_a institution_n who_o have_v send_v they_o as_o his_o father_n have_v send_v he_o and_o have_v therefore_o engage_v himself_o to_o be_v present_a with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o upon_o that_o security_n to_o follow_v the_o bishop_n be_v to_o follow_v christ_n because_o he_o have_v undertake_v to_o be_v the_o bishop_n guide_n and_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o ignatius_n and_o his_o adversary_n their_o objection_n will_v not_o reflect_v upon_o his_o discretion_n but_o our_o saviour_n integrity_n and_o when_o the_o cause_n be_v bring_v to_o that_o ignatius_n be_v secure_a and_o if_o any_o man_n be_v please_v to_o raise_v any_o further_a controversy_n it_o be_v only_o between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o leviathan_n and_o there_o i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o the_o next_o proof_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a practice_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o among_o the_o ancient_n be_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n i._n e._n a_o collection_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o synod_n and_o council_n between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a so_o that_o they_o may_v not_o improper_o be_v style_v the_o code_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o now_o concern_v they_o the_o case_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v much_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o ignatius_n epistle_n for_o the_o testimony_n that_o they_o give_v in_o to_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n be_v so_o full_a and_o plain_a that_o it_o be_v undeniable_a and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o avoid_v they_o but_o by_o impeach_v their_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n and_o as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v the_o same_o so_o be_v the_o success_n too_o for_o it_o have_v be_v thorough_o dispute_v between_o the_o say_v mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la and_o a_o very_a learned_a divine_a of_o our_o own_o church_n and_o that_o with_o the_o very_a same_o inequality_n of_o reason_n too_o i_o shall_v not_o give_v any_o large_a account_n of_o the_o engagement_n because_o the_o book_n be_v so_o late_o publish_v and_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o peruse_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v rather_o refer_v to_o the_o author_n themselves_o especial_o because_o i_o be_o not_o a_o little_a zealous_a to_o recommend_v one_o of_o they_o as_o
so_o express_o derive_v down_o by_o single_a person_n and_o when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v vouch_v by_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o succession_n it_o be_v a_o very_a cold_a answer_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o father_n talk_v only_o of_o a_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o of_o person_n four_o this_o personal_a succession_n so_o much_o speak_v of_o be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n even_o after_o the_o distinction_n come_v in_o use_n between_o bishop_n and_o they_o i_o pray_v by_o who_o why_o by_o irenaeus_n but_o do_v irenaeus_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o his_o own_o time_n confound_v their_o name_n and_o office_n or_o any_o other_o author_n of_o the_o same_o age_n nay_o do_v they_o not_o careful_o distinguish_v they_o from_o each_o other_o though_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n as_o do_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o may_v speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o those_o time_n the_o name_n therefore_o of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v not_o then_o distinguish_v it_o be_v but_o proper_a for_o they_o to_o express_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v then_o express_v so_o that_o though_o irenaeus_n never_o will_v style_v a_o bishop_n of_o his_o own_o time_n by_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n but_o ever_o careful_o distinguish_v the_o two_o order_n yet_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o time_n it_o be_v neither_o wonder_n nor_o impropriety_n if_o he_o call_v they_o presbyter_n for_o i_o will_v yield_v so_o far_o to_o our_o adversary_n that_o they_o be_v so_o call_v till_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o succeed_v into_o their_o power_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v distinguish_v by_o some_o proper_a name_n from_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o root_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n that_o they_o will_v have_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o have_v be_v bear_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o name_n which_o if_o we_o will_v not_o grant_v they_o as_o without_o a_o manifest_a affront_n to_o the_o apostle_n we_o can_v their_o whole_a cause_n sink_v to_o nothing_o for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a proof_n allege_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o sententia_fw-la hieronymi_n that_o the_o office_n be_v not_o distinguish_v before_o the_o name_n but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o due_a place_n already_o at_o present_a i_o challenge_v they_o to_o produce_v any_o one_o author_n that_o treat_v of_o thing_n after_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o word_n be_v make_v ever_o call_v a_o bishop_n a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n and_o in_o that_o i_o be_o very_o much_o their_o friend_n for_o if_o they_o can_v it_o utter_o overthrow_v their_o main_a argument_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o their_o name_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o promiscuous_o use_v after_o the_o distinction_n but_o that_o by_o the_o word_n presbyteri_fw-la irenaeus_n do_v not_o mean_v a_o simple_a presbyter_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o word_n themselves_o in_o which_o he_o prescribe_v against_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o undoubted_a antiquity_n of_o the_o church_n tradition_n which_o he_o say_v be_v convey_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o the_o ancient_n who_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o by_o his_o presbyteri_fw-la he_o mean_v as_o he_o explain_v himself_o such_o of_o the_o ancient_n qui_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la successionem_fw-la habent_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n i._n e._n the_o ancient_a bishop_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o meet_v with_o material_a upon_o this_o head_n for_o when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o ignatius_n himself_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o a_o divine_a but_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n they_o be_v to_o be_v give_v up_o for_o pleasant_a man_n that_o will_v attempt_v any_o paradox_n in_o pursuit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o it_o exceed_v even_o the_o rashness_n of_o blondel_n himself_o who_o that_o as_o he_o speak_v his_o st._n jerom_n may_v not_o stand_v alone_o like_o a_o sparrow_n upon_o the_o house_n top_n have_v after_o his_o rate_n of_o infer_v fetch_v in_o all_o the_o father_n to_o bear_v he_o company_n except_o only_a ignatius_n who_o it_o seem_v he_o despair_v of_o make_v ever_o to_o chirp_v pro_fw-la sententiâ_fw-la hieronymi_n but_o now_o it_o seem_v at_o last_o that_o the_o holy_a martyr_n himself_o may_v not_o be_v make_v the_o solitary_a sparrow_n by_o be_v desert_v by_o all_o the_o father_n he_o be_v bring_v over_o to_o the_o party_n but_o with_o such_o manifest_a force_n to_o himself_o as_o plain_o show_v he_o to_o be_v no_o volunteer_n in_o the_o cause_n thus_o when_o he_o commend_v the_o deacon_n sotion_n for_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n ut_fw-la gratiae_fw-la dei_fw-la and_o to_o the_o presbytery_n ut_fw-la legi_fw-la jesus_n christi_fw-la by_o the_o law_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o be_v teach_v to_o understand_v divine_a institution_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n only_o humane_a prudence_n though_o that_o too_o be_v direct_v to_o it_o by_o the_o special_a favour_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n of_o preserve_a peace_n and_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v it_o so_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n no_o doubt_n be_v as_o firm_a a_o ground_n of_o divine_a institution_n as_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o if_o episcopacy_n be_v establish_v by_o god_n special_a favour_n we_o be_v as_o well_o content_a with_o it_o as_o if_o it_o have_v come_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o christ._n neither_o do_v this_o interpretation_n derogate_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o episcopal_a order_n but_o very_o much_o from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n wisdom_n viz._n that_o when_o he_o have_v establish_v presbytery_n in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o government_n of_o it_o that_o establishment_n be_v find_v so_o ineffectual_a for_o its_o end_n that_o almighty_a god_n be_v afterward_o constrain_v for_o prevent_v of_o schism_n and_o preserve_v of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o inspire_v the_o governor_n of_o it_o in_o after-age_n to_o set_v up_o the_o form_n of_o episcopal_a government_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v no_o less_o disparagement_n to_o himself_o than_o his_o son_n for_o see_v what_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o church_n he_o do_v by_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o father_n if_o its_o institution_n prove_v defective_a for_o its_o end_n it_o be_v a_o equal_a oversight_n of_o both_o and_o the_o aftergame_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v only_o to_o supply_v a_o defect_n that_o they_o do_v not_o foresee_v but_o be_v teach_v by_o experience_n a_o very_a honourable_a representation_n this_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n however_o take_v it_o which_o way_n we_o will_v we_o can_v desire_v a_o plain_a acknowledgement_n of_o divine_a institution_n for_o so_o it_o come_v from_o god_n it_o matter_n not_o which_o way_n he_o be_v please_v to_o convey_v it_o to_o we_o and_o now_o have_v we_o not_o reason_n to_o wonder_v when_o we_o see_v man_n attempt_v to_o bring_v this_o holy_a martyr_n off_o with_o such_o slight_n so_o express_o against_o his_o own_o declare_a opinion_n who_o every_o where_o ground_n his_o exhortation_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o add_v even_o in_o the_o word_n follow_v the_o forecited_a passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o not_o to_o he_o but_o to_o the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o we_o all_o and_o therefore_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o he_o that_o require_v it_o it_o be_v our_o bind_a duty_n to_o be_v obedient_a without_o hypocrisy_n what_o can_v be_v plain_a than_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n stand_v whole_o upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n so_o again_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v we_o take_v care_n not_o to_o oppose_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v be_v obedient_a to_o god_n and_o if_o any_o man_n observe_v the_o silence_n of_o his_o bishop_n let_v he_o reverence_v he_o so_o much_o the_o more_o for_o every_o one_o that_o the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n put_v into_o the_o stewardship_n we_o ought_v to_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o master_n himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o we_o ought_v to_o reverence_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v our_o lord_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o great_a oversight_n to_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o testimony_n in_o all_o ignatius_n epistle_n that_o prove_v the_o least_o semblance_n of_o a_o institution_n of_o christ_n for_o episcopacy_n when_o
the_o opposition_n of_o the_o time_n the_o worse_a they_o be_v the_o more_o they_o require_v our_o zeal_n to_o oppose_v and_o to_o reform_v they_o and_o it_o be_v never_o more_o seasonable_a to_o assert_v the_o right_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n than_o when_o they_o be_v most_o disow_v let_v we_o but_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o god_n will_v do_v his_o work_n and_o let_v we_o not_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o trick_n and_o shift_n upon_o any_o pretence_n if_o any_o such_o there_o be_v of_o loss_n or_o danger_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n subsist_v upon_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o courage_n and_o integrity_n let_v we_o then_o be_v true_a to_o those_o two_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n and_o our_o saviour_n have_v undertake_v for_o the_o event_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n much_o less_o rome_n or_o geneva_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o it_o postscript_n i_o have_v thus_o far_o adventure_v to_o state_n the_o case_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n thereby_o to_o declare_v what_o it_o be_v that_o we_o contend_v for_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o recusant_n and_o dissenter_n for_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a what_o we_o oppose_v but_o what_o we_o assert_v and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o harm_n in_o error_n be_v it_o not_o for_o its_o contrariety_n to_o truth_n so_o that_o before_o we_o defend_v the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o define_v the_o true_a state_n of_o its_o cause_n otherwise_o we_o contend_v about_o we_o know_v not_o what_o for_o as_o for_o the_o general_a term_n of_o protestancy_n it_o be_v a_o indefinite_a thing_n so_o that_o if_o all_o the_o man_n in_o england_n that_o be_v enemy_n or_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n may_v be_v list_v under_o that_o name_n we_o have_v some_o protestant_n that_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o some_o that_o believe_v there_o be_v none_o some_o that_o believe_v they_o have_v a_o saviour_n and_o a_o soul_n to_o save_v and_o some_o that_o laugh_v at_o both_o there_o be_v hobbian_a protestant_n muggletonian_a protestant_n socinian_n protestant_n quaker_n protestant_n rebel_n protestant_n protestant_n of_o 41_o and_o protestant_n of_o 48._o all_o or_o most_o of_o which_o be_v as_o different_a as_o popery_n itself_o from_o the_o true_a protestancy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o stick_v close_o to_o that_o both_o as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o limit_v it_o to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n we_o may_v in_o time_n have_v a_o church_n consist_v of_o nothing_o but_o protestant_n dissent_v from_o the_o establish_a religion_n that_o be_v a_o church_n not_o only_o without_o but_o against_o itself_o and_o unless_o we_o derive_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o be_v by_o law_n establish_v from_o the_o antecedent_n law_n of_o christ_n we_o may_v quick_o be_v as_o we_o be_v in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o be_v a_o reform_a church_n of_o protestant_a atheist_n that_o be_v a_o church_n without_o religion_n and_o therefore_o all_o must_v be_v build_v upon_o this_o one_o boâ—â—om_n that_o the_o church_n own_v by_o the_o law_n of_o england_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n be_v original_o settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n with_o divine_a authority_n we_o deny_v his_o supremacy_n over_o his_o own_o church_n and_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o supreme_a government_n of_o the_o kingdom_n have_v power_n to_o abett_v and_o ratify_v our_o saviour_n establishment_n by_o civil_a law_n we_o deny_v his_o majesty_n supremacy_n over_o his_o christian_a subject_n and_o therefore_o both_o together_o must_v be_v take_v in_o to_o the_o right_a state_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o do_v what_o we_o can_v will_v involve_v the_o leader_n of_o our_o present_a separation_n in_o the_o guilt_n both_o of_o schism_n and_o sedition_n of_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o they_o withdraw_v themselves_o and_o their_o obedience_n from_o those_o who_o be_v vest_v with_o a_o power_n to_o command_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n of_o sedition_n in_o the_o state_n in_o that_o they_o needless_o and_o without_o any_o justifiable_a pretence_n violate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n though_o the_o truth_n be_v their_o dissension_n be_v somewhat_o worse_o for_o as_o they_o manage_v it_o it_o be_v not_o only_a sedition_n but_o rebellion_n in_o that_o they_o do_v not_o only_o disobey_v the_o law_n but_o disavow_v their_o obligation_n stand_v resolute_o upon_o that_o one_o principle_n that_o no_o magistrate_n whatsoever_o have_v any_o power_n of_o establish_v any_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n so_o that_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n be_v not_o so_o much_o faulty_a for_o the_o particular_a matter_n contain_v in_o it_o as_o for_o the_o unlawful_a and_o usurp_a authority_n of_o it_o and_o when_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n enjoin_v the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n to_o be_v use_v in_o all_o church_n they_o challenge_v a_o power_n to_o which_o they_o have_v no_o right_n and_o invade_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n himself_o this_o be_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o separation_n as_o it_o be_v state_v by_o the_o chief_a ringleader_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a renunciation_n of_o their_o allegiance_n as_o well_o as_o conformity_n i_o can_v with_o all_o the_o streining_n of_o charity_n make_v no_o better_o of_o it_o and_o shall_v be_v hearty_o glad_a if_o i_o can_v see_v they_o without_o shuffle_n and_o prevarication_n clear_v themselves_o of_o so_o pernicious_a a_o principle_n to_o conclude_v methinks_v religion_n have_v be_v long_o enough_o trifle_v with_o in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o after_o so_o long_a and_o so_o sad_a experience_n of_o our_o folly_n it_o be_v time_n to_o return_v to_o some_o sense_n of_o discretion_n and_o sobriety_n before_o the_o late_a barbarous_a war_n we_o have_v the_o sceptre_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o presbytery_n to_o advance_v but_o now_o after_o the_o murder_n of_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n that_o cause_o have_v prove_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o that_o it_o be_v grow_v ashamed_a of_o itself_o however_o the_o pretence_n be_v great_a and_o solemn_a but_o at_o this_o time_n the_o people_n be_v drive_v into_o the_o same_o excess_n against_o the_o church_n no_o body_n know_v for_o what_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o some_o man_n among_o we_o be_v too_o proud_a or_o too_o peevish_a to_o recant_v their_o folly_n and_o therefore_o i_o conjure_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o their_o heart_n and_o without_o passion_n serious_o to_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v for_o which_o they_o renounce_v the_o church_n in_o which_o they_o be_v baptize_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n tear_n and_o rend_v it_o into_o numberless_a piece_n and_o faction_n scare_v multitude_n of_o silly_a and_o well-meaning_a people_n out_o of_o it_o as_o they_o tender_v the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o put_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n into_o perpetual_a tumult_n and_o combustion_n about_o religion_n and_o when_o they_o have_v consider_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o bind_v it_o upon_o their_o conscience_n so_o to_o answer_v it_o to_o themselves_o now_o as_o they_o hope_v to_o answer_v it_o to_o their_o saviour_n at_o the_o last_o day_n as_o for_o the_o foreign_a reform_a church_n i_o have_v say_v nothing_o of_o they_o because_o they_o be_v altogether_o out_o of_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o argument_n which_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o four_o sea_n and_o concern_v only_o those_o that_o either_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o if_o in_o any_o thing_n any_o other_o church_n deviate_v from_o the_o primitive_a institution_n they_o must_v stand_v and_o fall_v to_o their_o own_o master_n and_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v be_v so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o un-church_n they_o or_o renounce_v brotherly_a communion_n with_o they_o or_o to_o think_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n shall_v withdraw_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o protection_n from_o they_o for_o if_o every_o defect_n from_o his_o institution_n shall_v forfeit_v the_o right_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n there_o never_o be_v as_o we_o may_v find_v by_o the_o apostle_n account_v of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n nor_o ever_o will_v be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o any_o thing_n