be_v considerable_a tertullian_n speak_v of_o citizen_n in_o his_o time_n as_o if_o they_o be_v almost_o all_o christian_n penè_fw-la omnes_fw-la cives_fw-la christiani_fw-la 37._o christiani_fw-la apol._n c._n 37._o yet_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o one_o city_n where_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n those_o that_o take_v his_o word_n in_o a_o strict_a sense_n be_v very_o injurious_a to_o he_o and_o make_v he_o speak_v that_o which_o no_o ancient_a record_n will_v warrant_v sozomen_n also_o may_v suffer_v by_o strain_v his_o expression_n but_o i_o will_v not_o digress_v to_o take_v further_a notice_n of_o what_o be_v not_o material_a for_o i_o design_v not_o nor_o have_v any_o need_n to_o make_v any_o advantage_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o heathen_n in_o this_o city_n he_o tell_v we_o of_o 950_o work-house_n who_o rent_n be_v allow_v to_o defray_v the_o funeral_n expense_n of_o all_o that_o die_v in_o the_o city_n for_o so_o it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o constitution_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 43._o 〈◊〉_d novel_a 43._o these_o be_v perform_v with_o great_a solemnity_n and_o multitude_n of_o attendant_n maintain_v by_o those_o rent_n for_o that_o purpose_n 2._o purpose_n nou._n 59_o c._n 2._o how_o this_o here_o make_v the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n to_o be_v so_o very_o numerous_a as_o he_o will_v have_v they_o he_o shall_v have_v show_v we_o i_o be_o not_o yet_o so_o sagacious_a as_o to_o discover_v it_o the_o number_n of_o the_o decani_fw-la be_v determine_v by_o honorius_n to_o 950_o 4_o 950_o cod._n de_fw-fr eccl._n lex_fw-la 4_o our_o author_n think_v it_o probable_a they_o be_v so_o many_o at_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o there_o be_v more_o ground_n to_o believe_v they_o be_v much_o few_o in_o constantine_n time_n for_o about_o 800_o be_v count_v sufficient_a in_o justinian_n reign_n 200_o year_n after_o when_o the_o city_n be_v both_o large_a and_o much_o more_o populous_a and_o in_o its_o great_a flourish_n 2._o flourish_n novel_a 59_o c._n 2._o those_o that_o consider_v the_o premise_n may_v well_o think_v he_o may_v have_v form_v his_o conclusion_n in_o term_n less_o confident_a to_o say_v no_o worse_o of_o it_o next_o he_o form_v a_o objection_n against_o himself_o notwithstanding_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n may_v be_v much_o too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n yet_o the_o major_a part_n may_v be_v heretic_n or_o schismatic_n such_o as_o come_v not_o to_o the_o bishop_n church_n and_o therefore_o all_o that_o adhere_v to_o he_o may_v be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n to_o which_o he_o answer_v that_o the_o number_n of_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n be_v inconsiderable_a and_o will_v not_o except_v the_o arian_n or_o novatian_o for_o the_o arian_n he_o say_v they_o have_v not_o yet_o make_v a_o formal_a separation_n but_o if_o they_o do_v not_o separate_v themselves_o the_o church_n will_v have_v they_o separate_v and_o do_v exclude_v they_o from_o communion_n and_o withstand_v constantine_n importunity_n for_o their_o admission_n both_o here_o and_o in_o other_o place_n athanasius_n be_v threaten_v by_o eusebius_n of_o nicomedia_n 1_o nicomedia_n soc._n lib._n 2._o c._n 1_o and_o banish_v by_o the_o emperor_n for_o this_o cause_n among_o other_o and_o alexander_n be_v secure_v by_o arius_n his_o death_n from_o admit_v he_o to_o communion_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o this_o passage_n in_o theodoret_n which_o give_v our_o author_n so_o much_o trouble_v now_o the_o arian_n be_v debar_v from_o communion_n lessen_v the_o bishop_n church_n both_o here_o and_o elsewhere_o as_o much_o as_o if_o they_o have_v separate_v themselves_o and_o they_o be_v numerous_a here_o this_o be_v the_o place_n where_o they_o have_v great_a favour_n in_o constantine_n edict_n against_o the_o heretic_n who_o meeting_n he_o will_v have_v suppress_v the_o arian_n be_v not_o mention_v when_o the_o other_o be_v name_v 63._o name_v euseb_n de_fw-fr vita_fw-la constant_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 62._o 63._o socrates_n write_v that_o the_o people_n in_o this_o city_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o party_n the_o arian_n and_o the_o orthodox_n they_o have_v continual_o sharp_a bicker_n but_o while_o alexander_n live_v the_o orthodox_n have_v the_o better_a as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v dead_a which_o be_v 6._o be_v vale_n observe_v in_o soc._n &_o soz._n l._n 2._o c_o soc._n lib._n 2._o c._n 6._o while_o constantine_n live_v it_o seem_v they_o appear_v equal_a for_o the_o contest_v say_v he_o be_v dubious_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d c._n in_o nazianzen_n time_n so_o far_o they_o overtop_v the_o orthodox_n that_o this_o great_a diocesan_n church_n appear_v but_o in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o private_a meeting_n hold_v in_o a_o very_a little_a house_n where_o he_o keep_v a_o conventicle_n with_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o sozomen_n 5._o sozomen_n lib._n 7._o cap._n 5._o and_o socrates_n agree_v with_o he_o in_o the_o expression_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d such_o a_o diminutive_a place_n seem_v as_o unproportionable_a for_o such_o a_o diocesan_n church_n as_o a_o nutshell_n for_o homer_n iliad_n or_o a_o keyhole_n for_o a_o witch_n to_o use_v our_o author_n elegancy_n as_o for_o the_o novatian_o to_o which_o he_o will_v have_v no_o more_o allow_v than_o a_o conventicle_n they_o be_v numerous_a in_o other_o place_n they_o have_v once_o diverse_a church_n in_o alexandria_n many_o church_n in_o rome_n and_o in_o other_o place_n it_o be_v like_a they_o be_v numerous_a here_o for_o here_o they_o have_v as_o much_o favour_n or_o more_o and_o long_a too_o than_o in_o the_o city_n foremention_v here_o socrates_n say_v they_o have_v three_o church_n 30._o church_n lib._n 2._o cap._n 30._o and_o if_o three_o church_n will_v but_o make_v one_o inconsiderable_a conventicle_n it_o be_v possible_a the_o other_o orthodox_n churches_n though_o he_o will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v many_o may_v be_v comprise_v in_o one_o vast_a congregation_n i_o may_v observe_v how_o much_o sozomen_n be_v misrepresent_v in_o what_o he_o say_v next_o of_o those_o concern_v in_o the_o edict_n the_o novatian_o especial_o he_o speak_v not_o mince_o as_o our_o author_n will_v have_v he_o but_o full_o that_o the_o novatian_o do_v not_o suffer_v much_o by_o the_o edict_n he_o do_v not_o say_v only_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a they_o suffer_v little_a but_o say_v this_o only_a of_o a_o reason_n himself_o give_v why_o they_o suffer_v not_o much_o he_o give_v other_o reason_n for_o it_o than_o the_o opinion_n the_o novatian_o have_v of_o that_o bishop_n he_o do_v not_o say_v the_o other_o heretic_n be_v altogether_o extirpate_v he_o do_v not_o confess_v that_o the_o novatian_o suffer_v the_o same_o measure_n with_o other_o every_o where_o no_o nor_o any_o where_o else_o it_o be_v the_o montanist_n that_o he_o say_v this_o of_o he_o dare_v to_o affirm_v they_o have_v a_o conventicle_n or_o more_o for_o he_o affirm_v they_o have_v a_o eminent_a bishop_n in_o c._n p._n and_o be_v not_o only_o numerous_a there_o before_o the_o edict_n but_o continue_v so_o after_o the_o gentleman_n be_v in_o too_o much_o haste_n here_o as_o himself_o will_v perceive_v by_o observe_v how_o much_o his_o account_n differ_v from_o the_o historian_n at_o last_o he_o come_v to_o that_o passage_n of_o theodoret_n which_o occasion_v all_o these_o line_n but_o theodoret_n affirm_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n and_o that_o they_o do_v actual_o do_v so_o i_o answer_v say_v he_o that_o theodoret_n do_v not_o say_v so_o and_o the_o passage_n cite_v do_v not_o conclude_v it_o i_o do_v not_o say_v theodoret_n affirm_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n but_o he_o say_v the_o same_o in_o effect_n viz._n that_o all_o the_o brethren_n assemble_v with_o alexander_n his_o word_n be_v alexander_n the_o church_n rejoice_v hcld_v a_o assembly_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n pray_v and_o great_o glorify_v god_n the_o word_n be_v plain_a and_o the_o sense_n i_o take_v they_o in_o be_v open_a in_o the_o face_n of_o they_o nor_o do_v i_o believe_v that_o any_o disintere_v person_n will_v put_v any_o other_o sense_n upon_o they_o than_o this_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n of_o which_o the_o church_n at_o constantinople_n consist_v assemble_v together_o with_o their_o bishop_n alexander_n to_o praise_n god_n joyful_o for_o their_o deliverance_n by_o the_o death_n of_o arius_n but_o he_o will_v not_o have_v the_o word_n take_v in_o a_o general_a sense_n but_o will_v suppose_v they_o take_v with_o respect_n to_o that_o particular_a congregation_n in_o which_o arius_n be_v to_o be_v reconcile_v yet_o this_o supposition_n have_v no_o ground_n either_o in_o the_o word_n or_o in_o the_o
one_o of_o his_o book_n that_o alexander_n die_v and_o yet_o must_v live_v some_o while_n after_o this_o panegyrical_a assembly_n in_o the_o year_n 331._o soz._n l._n 2._o observe_v iâ—_n soc._n &_o soz._n and_o its_o manifest_a that_o c._n p_o be_v not_o build_v nor_o have_v that_o name_n till_o 331._o for_o though_o it_o be_v build_v the_o year_n before_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o finish_v till_o 25_o of_o constantine_n reign_n as_o jerome_n and_o other_o and_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v chronic._n chronic._n reckon_v from_o the_o death_n of_o constantius_n his_o father_n who_o be_v consul_n with_o maximiunus_fw-la in_o the_o year_n 306_o and_o consul_n fast_o consul_n die_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o it_o there_o need_v not_o a_o word_n more_o to_o show_v that_o all_o his_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n be_v whole_o insignificant_a and_o not_o at_o all_o for_o his_o purpose_n though_o this_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o his_o preface_n this_o author_n give_v several_a instance_n of_o several_a bishop_n be_v in_o one_o city_n at_o the_o same_o time_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o dean_n of_o paul_n who_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v but_o one_o etc._n etc._n jerusalem_n be_v the_o first_o instance_n etc._n etc._n i_o wonder_v to_o find_v a_o man_n of_o learning_n cite_v this_o passage_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o disadvantageous_a to_o his_o cause_n there_o be_v one_o who_o i_o suppose_v pass_v for_o a_o man_n of_o learning_n who_o for_o the_o same_o purpose_n make_v use_v of_o this_o instance_n since_o i_o be_v publish_v we_o have_v say_v he_o example_n in_o ecclesiastical_a story_n of_o of_o two_o bishop_n at_o the_o same_o time_n in_o the_o same_o see_v and_o yet_o this_o be_v never_o think_v schismatical_a when_o the_o second_o be_v advance_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o first_o thus_o alexander_n a_o bishop_n in_o cappadocia_n be_v make_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n while_o narcissus_n be_v live_v but_o very_o old_a and_o anatolius_n at_o the_o same_o time_n sit_v in_o the_o church_n of_o caesarea_n with_o theotecnus_n and_o this_o be_v st._n austin_n be_v own_o case_n who_o be_v make_v bishop_n of_o hippo_n while_o there_o be_v another_o bishop_n live_v 178._o live_v defence_n of_o dr._n st._n p._n 178._o he_o say_v also_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o disadvantageous_a to_o my_o cause_n than_o this_o passage_n if_o it_o have_v be_v no_o advantage_n to_o my_o cause_n i_o shall_v have_v think_v it_o bad_a enough_o but_o if_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o disadvantageous_a i_o be_o very_o unhappy_a let_v we_o see_v how_o it_o be_v make_v good_a narcissus_n have_v retire_v and_o the_o people_n not_o know_v what_o have_v become_v of_o he_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n ordain_v dius_n in_o his_o place_n who_o be_v succeed_v by_o gordius_n and_o after_o by_o germanico_n it_o shall_v be_v by_o germanico_n and_o after_o by_o gordius_n in_o who_o time_n narcissus_n return_v and_o be_v desire_v to_o resume_v his_o office_n and_o do_v so_o what_o become_v of_o germanico_n he_o mean_v gordius_n be_v not_o say_v but_o probable_o he_o resign_v or_o die_v present_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o make_v either_o of_o these_o probable_a it_o be_v altogether_o as_o likely_a if_o not_o more_o that_o he_o continue_v bishop_n there_o with_o narcissus_n for_o some_o time_n but_o because_o eusebius_n say_v nothing_o of_o it_o i_o insist_v not_o on_o it_o but_o beside_o he_o tell_v we_o narcissus_n take_v alexander_n into_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o charge_n that_o signify_v narcissus_n be_v not_o exclude_v from_o the_o episcopal_a charge_n both_o have_v their_o part_n therein_o no_o but_o say_v he_o alexander_n be_v the_o bishop_n narcissus_n retain_v but_o the_o name_n and_o title_n only_o that_o be_v he_o be_v but_o a_o titular_a not_o real_o a_o bishop_n and_o why_o so_o because_o alexander_n say_v he_o join_v with_o he_o in_o prayer_n and_o the_o historian_n say_v he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o officiate_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o great_a age_n he_o be_v not_o able_a it_o may_v be_v to_o perform_v all_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n but_o what_o he_o be_v able_a to_o do_v no_o doubt_n he_o perform_v now_o if_o they_o must_v be_v but_o titular_a bishop_n who_o perform_v not_o personal_o all_o the_o office_n of_o a_o pastoral_n charge_n when_o they_o can_v pretend_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d how_o many_o real_a bishop_n shall_v we_o find_v in_o the_o world_n but_o beside_o the_o name_n and_o title_n do_v he_o not_o retain_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o bishop_n if_o not_o how_o come_v he_o to_o loose_v it_o do_v he_o resign_v or_o be_v he_o depose_v that_o he_o resign_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n in_o this_o historian_n or_o any_o other_o nor_o any_o instance_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o ever_o any_o bishop_n divest_v himself_o of_o all_o pastoral_a power_n upon_o this_o account_n to_o have_v depose_v he_o for_o his_o great_a age_n have_v be_v a_o barbarous_a act_n and_o such_o as_o the_o church_n in_o those_o time_n can_v be_v charge_v with_o no_o doubt_n but_o he_o retain_v the_o episcopal_a power_n though_o through_o age_n he_o can_v not_o exercise_v it_o in_o all_o instance_n and_o if_o he_o have_v not_o only_o the_o title_n but_o the_o power_n he_o be_v real_o a_o bishop_n and_o there_o be_v two_o bishop_n at_o once_o in_o one_o church_n and_o then_o this_o instance_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v most_o disadvantageous_a that_o it_o serve_v i_o with_o all_o the_o advantage_n i_o design_v in_o allege_v it_o as_o for_o the_o word_n of_o valesius_fw-la cite_v by_o he_o if_o they_o be_v take_v in_o the_o sense_n which_o our_o author_n will_v have_v they_o that_o learned_a man_n will_v not_o agree_v with_o himself_o for_o but_o a_o very_a few_o line_n before_o he_o say_v these_o two_o be_v co-episcopi_n bishop_n together_o in_o that_o city_n superstite_fw-la episcopo_fw-la adjutor_fw-la &_o coepiscopus_fw-la est_fw-la adjunctus_fw-la and_o though_o he_o say_v but_o say_v it_o doubtful_o with_o a_o ni_fw-fr fallor_fw-la this_o be_v forbid_v at_o sardica_n above_o 100_o year_n after_o yet_o he_o add_v that_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v still_o usual_a in_o the_o church_n nihil_fw-la ominous_a identidem_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la usurpatum_fw-la est_fw-la which_o be_v all_o that_o i_o need_v desire_n and_o afterward_o where_o eusebius_n 32._o in_o l._n 7._o c._n 32._o again_o mention_n two_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n he_o observe_v that_o in_o one_o of_o his_o copy_n the_o scholiast_n hâ—s_v this_o note_n upon_o it_o in_o the_o margin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o also_o there_o be_v two_o bishop_n of_o one_o church_n valesius_fw-la add_v the_o scholiast_n understand_v alexander_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n together_o with_o narcissus_n the_o next_o instance_n be_v of_o theotecnus_n and_o anatolius_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o caesarea_n together_o against_o this_o he_o have_v little_a to_o say_v i_o suppose_v because_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v against_o it_o in_o reason_n only_o he_o seem_v willing_a that_o anatolius_n shall_v pass_v but_o as_o episcopus_fw-la designatus_fw-la whereby_o if_o he_o mean_v one_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o actual_o a_o bishop_n but_o design_v to_o be_v one_o hereafter_o as_o eradius_fw-la be_v by_o augustine_n it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o what_o eusebius_n say_v and_o himself_n quote_v but_o one_o line_n before_o viz._n that_o theotecnus_n ordain_v he_o bishop_n in_o his_o life-time_n for_o if_o he_o be_v not_o actual_o bishop_n after_o he_o be_v thus_o ordain_v he_o be_v never_o bishop_n at_o all_o 32._o all_o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 32._o another_o instance_n be_v of_o macarius_n and_o maximus_n both_o bishop_n at_o once_o of_o jerusalem_n he_o will_v not_o have_v maximus_n to_o be_v bishop_n while_n macarius_n live_v because_o it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v to_o rule_v the_o church_n after_o his_o death_n but_o maximus_n be_v to_o govern_v the_o church_n not_o only_o after_o his_o death_n if_o he_o survive_v he_o as_o he_o be_v like_a to_o do_v be_v much_o young_a but_o while_o he_o live_v and_o so_o do_v actual_o together_o with_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o denote_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o same_o function_n together_o 19_o together_o sez_fw-fr l._n 2._o c._n 19_o beside_o the_o historian_n say_v maximus_n be_v before_o this_o ordain_a bishop_n of_o diospolis_n and_o if_o he_o have_v officiate_v at_o jerusalem_n where_o they_o be_v so_o desirous_a of_o he_o in_o a_o low_a capacity_n their_o kindness_n to_o he_o have_v be_v a_o degrade_n him_z which_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v they_o will_v either_o offer_n or_o he_o yield_v to_o i_o allege_v epiphanius_n who_o signify_v
there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o pretence_n for_o what_o he_o say_v but_o there_o be_v not_o any_o hint_n of_o this_o in_o the_o whole_a epistle_n that_o which_o be_v desire_v be_v a_o meeting_n for_o conference_n hoc_fw-la est_fw-la ergo_fw-la desiderium_fw-la nostrum_fw-la etc._n etc._n primum_fw-la si_fw-la fieri_fw-la potest_fw-la ut_fw-la cum_fw-la episcopis_fw-la nostris_fw-la pacificè_fw-la conferatis_fw-la ideo_fw-la nos_fw-la confer_v volumus_fw-la and_o the_o prime_a occasion_n of_o it_o be_v the_o outrage_n commit_v in_o that_o region_n by_o the_o donatist_n wherein_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o place_n be_v particular_o concern_v this_o be_v signify_v as_o in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o epistle_n so_o particular_o in_o the_o passage_n cite_v episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la qui_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o region_fw-la hipponensi_fw-la ubi_fw-la tanta_fw-la mala_fw-la patimur_fw-la this_o meeting_n be_v to_o be_v with_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n upon_o the_o place_n in_fw-la region_fw-la hipponensi_fw-la not_o any_o to_o be_v call_v from_o other_o part_n and_o these_o word_n seem_v bring_v in_o to_o prevent_v a_o objection_n which_o the_o donatist_n may_v make_v against_o a_o more_o general_a or_o more_o public_a meeting_n as_o that_o which_o may_v bring_v they_o in_o danger_n of_o the_o law_n in_o force_n against_o they_o a_o fortè_fw-la istae_fw-la leges_fw-la imperatoris_fw-la vos_fw-la non_fw-la permittunt_fw-la nostros_fw-la episcopos_fw-la convenire_fw-la and_o then_o immediate_o follow_v these_o word_n in_o answer_n to_o it_o ecce_fw-la interim_n episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la qui_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o region_fw-la hipponensi_fw-la etc._n etc._n so_o that_o this_o to_o i_o seem_v the_o plain_a sense_n of_o both_o objection_n and_o answer_n if_o because_o of_o the_o law_n you_o dare_v not_o meet_v we_o in_o a_o more_o general_n or_o provincial_a council_n yet_o give_v a_o meeting_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o this_o particular_a region_n where_o there_o can_v be_v no_o apprehension_n of_o danger_n all_o which_o make_v i_o judge_v what_o he_o say_v concern_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n as_o here_o intend_v to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o evasion_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o the_o region_n of_o hippo_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o clergy_n there_o call_v in_o the_o inscription_n of_o a_o epistle_n clerici_fw-la regionis_fw-la hipponensium_fw-la speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o hippo_n do_v call_v he_o their_o bishop_n and_o not_o one_o of_o their_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n but_o the_o clergy_n so_o call_v may_v be_v only_o the_o clergy_n of_o hippo_n and_o so_o they_o be_v in_o the_o title_n of_o the_o epistle_n clerici_fw-la hippone_v catholici_fw-la and_o well_o may_v they_o of_o hippo_n be_v call_v the_o clergy_n of_o the_o region_n both_o because_o they_o be_v in_o that_o region_n and_o be_v the_o clergy_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o if_o the_o expression_n shall_v be_v extend_v to_o more_o or_o to_o all_o in_o the_o region_n their_o call_v he_o episcopus_fw-la noster_fw-la will_v be_v no_o proof_n that_o they_o have_v no_o other_o bishop_n but_o he_o at_o hippo._n for_o that_o phrase_n episcopus_fw-la noster_fw-la or_o episcopi_fw-la nostri_fw-la all_o along_o in_o this_o epistle_n do_v not_o denote_v the_o bishop_n of_o that_o particular_a church_n to_o which_o they_o belong_v as_o he_o will_v have_v it_o but_o a_o bishop_n of_o their_o party_n or_o persuasion_n so_o they_o call_v valentinus_n nostrum_fw-la catholicum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la who_o yet_o be_v not_o bishop_n of_o hippo._n so_o they_o call_v they_o episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la who_o they_o desire_v the_o donatist_n to_o meet_v once_o and_o again_o 373_o again_o pag._n 373_o and_o thrice_o in_o another_o page_n where_o our_o author_n find_v episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la 371._o nostros_fw-la pag._n 371._o he_o may_v have_v many_o more_o instance_n hereof_o in_o that_o epistle_n if_o there_o be_v so_o many_o bishop_n in_o hippo_n or_o in_o that_o region_n as_o the_o clergy_n call_v episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la he_o must_v grant_v many_o more_o bishop_n in_o that_o region_n than_o i_o need_v desire_n so_o that_o this_o phrase_n however_o it_o be_v understand_v be_v a_o medium_n unhappy_o choose_v if_o it_o be_v take_v in_o my_o sense_n it_o be_v impertinent_a and_o can_v conclude_v nothing_o for_o he_o if_o it_o be_v take_v in_o his_o own_o sense_n it_o will_v conclude_v direct_o against_o he_o he_o pass_v to_o alexandria_n and_o to_o pag._n 32._o the_o instance_n of_o mareotis_n he_o say_v little_a to_o so_o our_o author_n i_o may_v think_v it_o enough_o where_o there_o be_v so_o little_a occasion_n he_o insinuate_v as_o if_o mareotis_n may_v not_o have_v number_n enough_o of_o christian_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n but_o this_o athanasius_n do_v sufficient_o show_v to_o be_v a_o groundless_a conjecture_n i_o have_v no_o intention_n or_o occasion_n to_o signify_v that_o mareotis_n have_v not_o christian_n enough_o to_o have_v a_o bishop_n i_o know_v that_o it_o both_o have_v many_o christian_n and_o a_o bishop_n also_o and_o name_v he_o too_o and_o therefore_o the_o groundless_a conjecture_n may_v be_v fix_v somewhere_o else_o and_o even_o before_o athanasius_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n there_o be_v christian_n how_o long_o before_o dionysius_n in_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o the_o three_o age_n declare_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d quite_o destitute_a of_o christian_n 11._o christian_n euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 11._o and_o the_o gain_v the_o generality_n there_o to_o the_o faith_n require_v some_o considerable_a time_n and_o it_o be_v like_o proceed_v not_o far_o till_o christianity_n general_o prevail_v beside_o ischyras_n i_o have_v mention_v dracontius_n both_o bishop_n in_o the_o territory_n of_o alexandria_n as_o agathammon_n also_o be_v 612._o be_v apol._n 2._o p._n 612._o of_o dracontius_n he_o take_v notice_n and_o say_v possible_o he_o be_v a_o chorepiscopus_n but_o a_o chorepiscopus_n be_v elsewhere_o with_o he_o a_o diocesan_n a_o and_o here_o he_o say_v that_o he_o do_v accept_v 590._o accept_v pag._n 590._o bishopric_n now_o these_o put_v together_o will_v go_v near_o to_o make_v a_o diocesan_n bishop_n but_o then_o if_o there_o be_v two_o or_o three_o bishop_n in_o the_o diocese_n of_o alexandria_n beside_o athanasius_n they_o will_v scarce_o be_v so_o much_o as_o half_a diocesan_n he_o say_v athanasius_n press_v he_o to_o accept_v it_o if_o so_o this_o great_a person_n be_v no_o more_o unwilling_a to_o have_v another_o bishop_n in_o his_o diocese_n and_o in_o a_o country_n place_n too_o than_o austin_n be_v to_o have_v one_o at_o fussala_n he_o say_v further_o this_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a case_n though_o what_o be_v extraordinary_a in_o it_o i_o can_v imagine_v to_o prove_v any_o thing_n there_o mention_v to_o be_v so_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a task_n and_o allow_v this_o man_n a_o country_n bishopric_n that_o of_o alexandria_n will_v be_v a_o great_a deal_n too_o big_a for_o the_o congregational_a measure_n and_o so_o it_o may_v be_v and_o yet_o be_v no_o diocesan_n church_n if_o that_o will_v satisfy_v he_o which_o be_v too_o big_a for_o those_o measure_n he_o seem_v content_a to_o drop_v his_o cause_n and_o may_v leave_v it_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o presbyterian_o and_o he_o be_v in_o the_o more_o danger_n because_o he_o seem_v not_o apprehensive_a of_o it_o but_o count_v it_o enough_o if_o he_o think_v a_o church_n be_v any_o where_o find_v large_a than_o one_o congregation_n i_o have_v give_v instance_n of_o several_a town_n that_o have_v bishop_n and_o be_v but_o two_o or_o three_o or_o four_o etc._n etc._n mile_n distant_a one_o from_o another_o this_o he_o deny_v not_o but_o ask_v what_o do_v this_o conclude_v may_v not_o those_o diocese_n be_v yet_o much_o large_a than_o one_o congregation_n i_o may_v conclude_v that_o these_o be_v just_o such_o diocese_n as_o our_o country_n parish_n be_v and_o have_v such_o congregation_n as_o those_o parish_n church_n have_v and_o some_o of_o they_o in_o time_n may_v have_v provision_n as_o some_o of_o we_o have_v for_o more_o congregation_n than_o one_o and_o if_o our_o modern_a diocese_n be_v of_o this_o proportion_n they_o will_v be_v much_o more_o conformable_a to_o the_o ancient_a model_n suppose_v the_o chief_a congregation_n of_o holland_n have_v each_o a_o bishop_n yet_o i_o conceive_v they_o will_v be_v diocesan_n though_o those_o city_n lie_v very_o close_o together_o he_o may_v have_v lay_v the_o scene_n at_o home_n where_o we_o be_v better_o acquaint_v and_o suppose_v this_o of_o our_o country_n town_n or_o of_o both_o the_o chief_a and_o lesser_a town_n in_o holland_n if_o he_o have_v design_v what_o will_v be_v most_o parallel_a but_o to_o take_v it_o as_o it_o be_v form_v though_o those_o city_n lay_v not_o further_o distant_a and_o have_v each_o of_o they_o a_o bishop_n yet_o if_o their_o church_n be_v
but_o one_o church_n to_o meet_v in_o in_o dionysius_n his_o time_n almost_o 3_o age_n from_o the_o beginning_n 64_o beginning_n pag._n 64_o if_o that_o one_o be_v large_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o like_a that_o it_o stand_v till_o athanasius_n his_o time_n after_o so_o many_o edict_n for_o demolish_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n and_o a_o severe_a execution_n of_o they_o in_o diocletian_n persecution_n nor_o be_v it_o likely_a they_o shall_v divide_v till_o they_o be_v grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o the_o big_a meeting-place_n they_o can_v convenient_o have_v it_o be_v as_o likely_a as_o that_o athanasius_n speak_v truth_n in_o a_o matter_n which_o he_o perfect_o know_v he_o tell_v we_o they_o do_v divide_v and_o yet_o be_v not_o too_o numerous_a for_o one_o great_a church_n in_o which_o they_o meet_v convenient_o too_o yea_o better_o than_o when_o disperse_v in_o those_o little_a place_n as_o he_o say_v and_o prove_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n two_o he_o say_v though_o before_o the_o empire_n be_v convert_v they_o may_v be_v confine_v to_o little_a place_n and_o force_v to_o meet_v several_o yet_o after_o constantine_n become_v christian_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o the_o alexandrian_n will_v content_v themselves_o with_o small_a and_o strait_a chapel_n nor_o do_v they_o content_v themselves_o with_o those_o little_a one_o for_o beside_o this_o build_v in_o athanasius_n his_o time_n there_o be_v one_o great_a than_o those_o small_a one_o finish_v in_o alexander_n time_n where_o the_o body_n of_o catholic_n assemble_v with_o alexander_n the_o other_o place_n be_v too_o straight_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v that_o one_o i_o except_v when_o i_o say_v after_o athanasius_n that_o the_o rest_n all_o save_o one_o be_v exceed_o small_a but_o be_v it_o any_o proof_n that_o these_o be_v not_o very_o small_a which_o athanasius_n represent_v as_o such_o because_o there_o be_v one_o express_o except_v from_o that_o number_n something_a large_a as_o for_o what_o he_o add_v that_o then_o every_o ordinary_a city_n build_v very_o great_a and_o magnificent_a cathedral_n it_o be_v easy_o say_v but_o will_v never_o be_v prove_v three_o some_o of_o these_o church_n have_v be_v build_v with_o a_o design_n of_o receive_v as_o many_o as_o well_o can_v have_v personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n together_o neither_o will_v this_o hold_v unless_o some_o of_o those_o church_n can_v have_v receive_v all_o which_o have_v personal_a communion_n with_o athanasius_n in_o this_o great_a church_n which_o he_o deny_v and_o make_v use_v of_o to_o constantius_n as_o a_o plea_n why_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o great_a as_o theonas_n be_v say_v by_o athanasius_n to_o have_v build_v a_o church_n big_a than_o any_o of_o those_o they_o have_v before_o where_o theonas_n be_v say_v by_o athanasius_n to_o have_v build_v a_o church_n etc._n etc._n i_o find_v not_o nor_o do_v he_o direct_v we_o where_o it_o may_v be_v find_v i_o suppose_v for_o very_o good_a reason_n indeed_o athanasius_n in_o this_o apology_n speak_v of_o a_o church_n call_v theonas_n its_o like_a in_o memory_n of_o a_o former_a bishop_n of_o that_o place_n where_o he_o say_v the_o multitude_n of_o catholic_n meet_v with_o alexander_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o like_a circumstance_n as_o a_o great_a multitude_n assemble_v with_o himself_o in_o the_o new_a church_n which_o be_v great_a and_o plead_v alexander_n example_n in_o defence_n of_o what_o he_o do_v but_o theonas_n can_v not_o build_v this_o church_n for_o he_o be_v dead_a many_o year_n before_o be_v predecessor_n to_o peter_n who_o achillas_n and_o alexander_n succeed_v 2._o succeed_v euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n ult_n theodoretâ—_n â—_z 1._o c._n 2._o and_o yet_o this_o and_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v but_o few_o and_o straight_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o great_a multitude_n of_o catholic_n that_o be_v in_o alexandria_n i_o expect_v another_o conclusion_n but_o if_o this_o be_v all_o he_o may_v have_v spare_v the_o premise_n for_o one_o part_n of_o it_o we_o assert_v the_o other_o we_o need_v not_o deny_v only_o add_v with_o athanasius_n that_o the_o great_a church_n be_v capable_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o receive_v this_o great_a multitude_n but_o here_o he_o stick_v and_o will_v wriggle_v a_o little_a more_o but_o i_o conceive_v say_v he_o after_o all_o this_o that_o the_o expression_n of_o athanasius_n do_v not_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n be_v meet_v in_o this_o great_a church_n that_o all_o and_o every_o one_o do_v come_v be_v never_o imagine_v it_o be_v but_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o catholic_n that_o m._n b._n intend_v as_o our_o author_n observe_v a_o little_a before_o for_o the_o tumultuous_a manner_n in_o which_o they_o come_v to_o their_o bishop_n to_o demand_v a_o general_a assembly_n make_v it_o probable_a that_o not_o only_a woman_n and_o child_n will_v be_v glad_a to_o absent_v themselves_o but_o many_o more_o either_o apprehensive_a of_o the_o effect_n of_o this_o tumultuous_a proceed_n or_o of_o the_o danger_n of_o such_o a_o crowd_n the_o woman_n he_o will_v not_o admit_v but_o be_v it_o ever_o know_v that_o such_o a_o great_a and_o solemn_a assembly_n for_o worship_n consist_v only_o of_o man_n be_v not_o the_o woman_n in_o communion_n with_o athanasius_n christian_n that_o they_o must_v be_v leave_v out_o when_o he_o say_v all_o the_o catholic_n meet_v can_v all_o be_v true_o say_v to_o assemble_v when_o the_o far_o great_a part_n woman_n child_n and_o his_o many_o more_o be_v absent_a be_v not_o the_o woman_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n often_o note_v for_o such_o zeal_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n as_o make_v they_o contemn_v far_o great_a danger_n than_o here_o they_o have_v any_o cause_n to_o be_v apprehensive_a of_o the_o suppose_a danger_n be_v either_o from_o the_o crowd_n or_o the_o tumult_n for_o the_o former_a do_v the_o woman_n and_o many_o more_o never_o come_v to_o christian_a assembly_n when_o there_o be_v any_o danger_n of_o be_v crowd_v i_o think_v there_o be_v as_o great_a danger_n from_o a_o crowd_n in_o basiliscus_n his_o reign_n when_o the_o whole_a city_n of_o c._n p._n be_v say_v to_o have_v meet_v together_o in_o a_o church_n with_o the_o emperor_n but_o yet_o the_o woman_n stay_v not_o behind_o but_o crowd_v in_o with_o the_o man_n as_o theodorus_n lector_fw-la report_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o 〈◊〉_d collect._n lib._n 1_o beside_o athanasius_n here_o signify_v the_o danger_n of_o a_o crowd_n be_v in_o the_o lesser_a church_n not_o in_o this_o where_o they_o can_v not_o meet_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o drefer_v their_o assemble_v together_o in_o the_o great_a church_n as_o better_v as_o for_o the_o tumult_n which_o may_v have_v be_v conceal_v in_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n tumultuous_a it_o be_v over_o when_o athanasius_n have_v comply_v with_o their_o desire_n to_o meet_v in_o the_o great_a church_n and_o so_o no_o apprehension_n of_o danger_n leave_v to_o woman_n or_o any_o else_o upon_o this_o account_n and_o even_o those_o that_o do_v assemble_v there_o be_v too_o many_o for_o one_o congregation_n and_o be_v a_o assembly_n more_o for_o solemnity_n and_o ostentation_n than_o for_o personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n and_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o religious_a assembly_n here_o he_o run_v as_o cross_v to_o the_o great_a athanasius_n and_o the_o account_n which_o he_o give_v of_o this_o assembly_n as_o if_o he_o have_v study_v it_o debase_v that_o as_o more_o for_o ostentation_n than_o for_o personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n and_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o religious_a assembly_n which_o athanasius_n high_o commend_v both_o for_o the_o more_o desirable_a communion_n which_o the_o christian_n have_v there_o in_o worship_n and_o for_o the_o great_a efficacy_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o religious_a assembly_n let_v any_o one_o view_n the_o passage_n 532._o passage_n apol._n 2._o p._n 531._o 532._o and_o judge_n he_o set_v forth_o the_o harmony_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o multitude_n in_o worship_n with_o one_o voice_n he_o prefer_v it_o before_o their_o assembly_n when_o disperse_v in_o little_a place_n and_o not_o only_o because_o the_o unanimity_n of_o the_o multitude_n be_v herein_o more_o apparent_a but_o because_o god_n will_v soon_o hear_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o if_o say_v he_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n promise_n where_o two_o shall_v agree_v concern_v anything_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v for_o they_o by_o my_o father_n etc._n etc._n how_o prevalent_a will_v be_v the_o one_o voice_n of_o so_o numerous_a a_o people_n assemble_v together_o and_o say_v amen_o to_o god_n and_o more_o to_o that_o purpose_n