particular_a congregation_n to_o which_o he_o give_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o govern_v themselves_o distinct_o and_o independent_a of_o all_o other_o church_n but_o where_o have_v they_o authority_n for_o this_o opinion_n where_o do_v they_o find_v that_o church_n be_v limit_v to_o particular_a congregation_n not_o in_o scripture_n for_o there_o be_v no_o tolerable_a proof_n that_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v possible_a at_o first_o there_o may_v have_v be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n than_o may_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n but_o where_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o when_o they_o multiply_v into_o more_o congregation_n they_o make_v new_a and_o distinct_a church_n under_o new_a officer_n with_o a_o separate_a power_n of_o government_n of_o this_o dr._n stillingfleet_n say_v he_o be_v well_o assure_v there_o be_v no_o mark_n or_o footstep_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o they_o will_v follow_v the_o plain_a instance_n of_o scripture_n they_o may_v better_o limit_v church_n to_o private_a family_n than_o to_o particular_a congregation_n for_o of_o that_o we_o have_v a_o plain_a instance_n in_o scripture_n rom._n 16._o 3._o 5._o col._n 4._o 15._o in_o the_o house_n of_o priscilla_n and_o aquilla_n but_o not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o other_o and_o if_o they_o will_v keep_v to_o these_o plain_a instance_n of_o scripture_n they_o may_v full_o enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o avoid_v the_o scandal_n of_o break_v the_o law_n but_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v every_o congregation_n a_o independent_a church_n that_o it_o plain_o show_v we_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v then_o the_o same_o with_o a_o diocese_n or_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n which_o be_v under_o the_o inspection_n of_o one_o bishop_n for_o if_o we_o observe_v the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o shall_v find_v this_o observation_n not_o once_o to_o fail_v that_o when_o church_n be_v speak_v of_o they_o be_v the_o church_n of_o a_o province_n as_o the_o church_n of_o judaea_n 1_o thess_n 2._o 14._o the_o church_n of_o asia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 19_o of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n act_v 15._o 41._o church_n of_o galatia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 1._o gal._n 1._o 2._o church_n of_o macedonia_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 1._o but_o when_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n be_v speak_v of_o it_o be_v still_o call_v the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n as_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n the_o church_n at_o corinth_n the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o seem_v plain_a from_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n that_o church_n be_v not_o limit_v to_o particular_a congregation_n unless_o they_o will_v say_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o large_a of_o these_o city_n mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n which_o shall_v be_v show_v to_o be_v otherwise_o hereafter_o but_o suppose_v we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v congregational_a as_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v not_o what_o then_o that_o may_v have_v be_v from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n or_o small_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o day_n must_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v always_o continue_v so_o why_o do_v they_o not_o wash_v one_o another_o foot_n as_o christ_n do_v and_o command_v his_o apostle_n to_o do_v the_o same_o 12._o same_o and_o if_o they_o must_v keep_v so_o precise_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o day_n why_o do_v any_o of_o their_o minister_n marry_v a_o second_o wife_n for_o st._n paul_n say_v plain_o let_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n 1_o tim._n 3._o v._n 2._o &_o 12._o so_o the_o first_o civil_a government_n be_v by_o god_n own_o institution_n over_o family_n they_o may_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o overthrow_v kingdom_n to_o bring_v thing_n back_o to_o god_n first_o institution_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v how_o ridiculous_a that_o fancy_n of_o they_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o all_o thing_n pertain_v to_o discipline_n and_o worship_n and_o that_o we_o must_v stick_v so_o precise_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o and_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o day_n as_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o vary_v from_o it_o in_o any_o little_a indifferent_a circumstance_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o public_a order_n or_o conveniency_n but_o as_o this_o notion_n of_o congregational_a church_n do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o neither_o do_v it_o with_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o by_o the_o ancient_a canon_n of_o the_o church_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o a_o diocese_n which_o comprehend_v many_o congregation_n or_o parish_n see_v canon_n nicen._n 6_o 15_o 16._o constant_n c._n 6._o chalcedon_n 17._o 20._o 26._o antioch_n c._n 2._o 5._o codex_fw-la eccles_n africa_n c._n 53._o 55._o council_n gangrae_fw-la c._n 6._o council_n carthag_n c._n 10_o 11._o and_o thus_o much_o as_o to_o the_o first_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n as_o differ_v from_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o therefore_o not_o of_o christ_n institution_n the_o second_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v that_o our_o diocesan_n church_n and_o bishop_n be_v unlawful_a for_o say_v they_o it_o be_v make_v a_o new_a species_n of_o church_n and_o church-government_n without_o god_n appointment_n for_o say_v mr._n baxter_n according_a to_o christ_n institution_n no_o church_n must_v be_v big_a than_o that_o the_o same_o bishop_n may_v perform_v the_o pastoral_n office_n to_o they_o in_o present_a communion_n and_o so_o he_o will_v have_v threâ—_n sort_n of_o bishop_n by_o divine_a right_n first_o general_n bishop_n that_o in_o every_o nation_n be_v over_o many_o church_n second_o episcopâ—_n gregis_fw-la or_o rule_v pastor_n of_o single_a congregation_n which_o be_v all_o true_a presbyter_n three_o episcopi_fw-la praesides_fw-la which_o be_v the_o precedent_n of_o the_o presbyter_n in_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v mr._n baxter_n notion_n of_o bishop_n but_o other_o be_v not_o of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_v allow_v of_o but_o one_o kind_n of_o bishop_n and_o such_o they_o make_v the_o pastor_n of_o every_o congregation_n but_o that_o both_o these_o notion_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v false_a will_v appear_v for_o that_o first_o it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o large_a for_o our_o saviour_n have_v leave_v no_o rule_n about_o limit_n the_o apostle_n follow_v the_o form_n of_o the_o empire_n plant_v in_o every_o city_n a_o complete_a and_o entire_a church_n who_o bishop_n as_o to_o his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n resemble_v that_o of_o the_o chief_a magistrate_n of_o the_o city_n the_o presbyter_n that_o of_o the_o senate_n and_o the_o several_a church_n the_o several_a corporation_n so_o say_v dr._n still_o in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 237._o and_o quote_v origen_n c._n cell_n l._n 3._o and_o dr._n maurice_n in_o his_o def._n of_o diocese_n episcopacy_n p._n 377_o etc._n etc._n affirm_v the_o same_o and_o prove_v it_o at_o large_a and_o as_o far_o as_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o city_n extend_v itself_o so_o far_o do_v the_o diocese_n of_o the_o bishop_n extend_v for_o the_o church_n and_o the_o city_n have_v but_o one_o territory_n but_o though_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n agree_v upon_o by_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o persuasion_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o because_o some_o may_v be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o deny_v this_o i_o will_v appeal_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o african_a church_n for_o which_o mr._n baxter_n dr._n owen_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o dissenter_n express_v a_o esteem_n above_o all_o other_o church_n it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n among_o the_o african_a church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n though_o never_o so_o large_a and_o populous_a see_v cod._n eccl._n africa_n c._n 71._o and_o at_o the_o famous_a conference_n at_o carthage_n between_o the_o catholic_n and_o donatist_n bishop_n by_o the_o command_n of_o constantine_n the_o emperor_n who_o be_v become_v christian_a the_o rule_n on_o both_o side_n agree_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n or_o diocese_n see_v conference_n of_o the_o first_o day_n and_o if_o there_o can_v have_v be_v more_o than_o
one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n the_o two_o great_a schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n in_o africa_n and_o the_o novatian_a at_o rome_n may_v have_v be_v avoid_v but_o instead_o hereof_o see_v how_o st._n cyprian_n among_o other_o aggravate_v the_o schism_n of_o novatius_fw-la for_o be_v choose_v bishop_n in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o cornelius_n be_v choose_v before_o for_o say_v he_o since_o there_o can_v be_v a_o second_o after_o the_o first_o whosoever_o be_v make_v bishop_n where_o one_o be_v make_v already_o be_v not_o another_o bishop_n but_o none_o at_o all_o cypr._n epist_n 52._o n._n 4._o and_o the_o same_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o epistle_n 55._o n._n 6._o 9_o declare_v that_o to_o have_v only_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o prevent_v schism_n see_v st._n cypr._n de_fw-fr unitate_fw-la eccles_n n._n 3_o 4._o and_o st._n augustine_n in_o his_o epistle_n 162._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n but_o now_o that_o it_o be_v so_o plain_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v never_o allow_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o reconcile_v this_o to_o their_o hypothesis_n but_o by_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o either_o the_o city_n be_v very_o small_a in_o those_o day_n or_o else_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o they_o be_v so_o few_o as_o that_o they_o may_v all_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n and_o this_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v to_o do_v in_o the_o ordinary_a city_n which_o mr._n clarkson_n in_o his_o book_n of_o primitive_a episcopacy_n affirm_v be_v no_o large_a than_o our_o ordinary_a market-town_n in_o england_n but_o even_o in_o the_o very_o large_a and_o most_o populous_a city_n they_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o there_o be_v more_o christian_n than_o can_v convenient_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o church_n to_o serve_v god_n as_o in_o rome_n alexandria_n constantinople_n carthage_n and_o the_o rest_n all_o which_o far_o exceed_v any_o now_o in_o the_o world_n both_o for_o largeness_n and_o number_n of_o people_n this_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o strange_a old_a rome_n be_v at_o that_o time_n a_o city_n so_o large_a and_o populous_a that_o it_o excel_v london_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n as_o far_o as_o london_n now_o do_v new_a rome_n and_o have_v by_o computation_n at_o that_o time_n above_o 1000000_o inhabitant_n as_o dr._n maurice_n show_v in_o his_o defence_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n p._n 340._o and_o seem_v indeed_o to_o be_v very_o probable_a if_o one_o consider_v those_o vast_a and_o mighty_a piece_n of_o workmanship_n that_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v do_v there_o the_o ruin_n of_o which_o be_v to_o be_v see_v at_o this_o day_n as_o dr._n burnet_n in_o his_o travel_n tell_v we_o who_o gather_v from_o thence_o that_o that_o city_n must_v have_v be_v vast_o populous_a about_o that_o time_n and_o it_o be_v in_o aurclius_n his_o day_n 50_o mile_n in_o circumference_n dr._n m._n p._n 212._o and_o yet_o will_v mr._n clarkson_n allow_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o this_o great_a city_n than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n so_o of_o alexandria_n which_o be_v 1â—_n miles_n in_o circumference_n according_a to_o pliny_n l._n 5._o 9_o and_o the_o rest_n all_o great_a far_o than_o london_n now_o be_v but_o to_o serve_v their_o turn_n they_o will_v reduce_v they_o all_o to_o the_o narrow_a limit_n of_o a_o single_a congregation_n and_o by_o consequence_n give_v all_o the_o rest_n to_o the_o devil_n by_o make_v they_o unchristian_a heretic_n schismatic_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v strange_a that_o christianity_n shall_v make_v no_o better_o a_o progress_n consider_v the_o largeness_n of_o the_o city_n and_o multitude_n of_o people_n in_o they_o and_o consider_v the_o care_n and_o industry_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o learned_a father_n of_o those_o age_n and_o their_o extraordinary_a gift_n that_o in_o so_o large_a and_o populous_a a_o city_n as_o rome_n christianity_n shall_v gain_v no_o more_o proselyte_n in_o 300_o year_n than_o can_v meet_v all_o in_o one_o church_n notwithstanding_o st._n paul_n himself_o have_v preach_v there_o for_o many_o year_n the_o very_a quaker_n in_o london_n which_o be_v not_o comparable_a to_o old_a rome_n have_v make_v more_o proselyte_n already_o than_o the_o apostle_n in_o much_o long_a time_n for_o be_v all_o the_o quaker_n in_o london_n assemble_v in_o one_o congregation_n i_o doubt_v that_o never_o a_o church_n in_o the_o kingdom_n will_v be_v find_v large_a enough_o to_o contain_v they_o but_o beside_o if_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n be_v so_o few_o as_o these_o dissenter_n will_v make_v they_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o whole_a roman_a empire_n in_o less_o than_o 300_o year_n they_o have_v no_o interest_n at_o court_n nor_o in_o the_o army_n but_o be_v persecute_v by_o the_o emperor_n all_o that_o time_n unless_o in_o two_o reign_n so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o human_a cause_n assign_v for_o it_o but_o their_o great_a number_n but_o far_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v some_o great_a city_n entire_o christian_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n as_o cesaria_n and_o lydda_n act_v 9_o 35._o and_o other_o so_o that_o in_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n whole_a city_n and_o country_n be_v become_v christian_a as_o eusebius_n affirm_v praep._n evang._n l._n 1._o p._n 12_o 13._o '_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o single_a congregation_n to_o contain_v a_o quarter_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n much_o less_o of_o a_o whole_a diocese_n for_o beside_o the_o large_a and_o populous_a city_n every_o bishop_n have_v a_o territory_n within_o his_o diocese_n which_o extend_v itself_o for_o several_a mile_n round_o the_o city_n for_o every_o city_n have_v a_o large_a territory_n as_o it_o be_v a_o county_n round_o about_o it_o which_o be_v under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n who_o govern_v the_o city_n and_o as_o far_o as_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o magistrate_n reach_v in_o civil_a matter_n so_o far_o do_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n reach_v in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n see_v can._n apostolic_a 34._o by_o which_o a_o bishop_n be_v forbid_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o metropolitan_a or_o archbishop_n but_o what_o relate_v to_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o the_o territory_n under_o it_o and_o see_v can._n antioch_n 9_o &_o 10._o but_o that_o the_o bishop_n territory_n and_o jurisdiction_n extend_v far_o beyond_o the_o wall_n or_o bound_n of_o the_o city_n be_v most_o evident_a for_o theodoret_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o cyrus_n have_v a_o diocese_n 40_o mile_n square_a and_o yet_o he_o reckon_v his_o episcopacy_n of_o divine_a institution_n see_v his_o epist_n 42._o and_o he_o have_v within_o his_o diocese_n 800_o parish_n church_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o epist_n 113._o to_o leo._n this_o be_v a_o instance_n so_o clear_a against_o our_o dissenter_n that_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n clarkson_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v no_o way_n to_o answer_v it_o but_o first_o that_o it_o come_v from_o the_o vatican_n library_n which_o objection_n be_v full_o remove_v by_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 256._o and_o by_o dr._n maur._n def._n of_o dioc._n episc_n p._n 396._o and_o this_o epist_n of_o theod._n prove_v to_o be_v his_o own_o by_o compare_v it_o with_o his_o other_o write_n and_o also_o by_o the_o clear_a testimony_n of_o liberatus_n who_o infallible_o know_v theodoret_n style_n and_o write_n neither_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o it_o come_v from_o the_o vatican_n library_n therefore_o it_o must_v not_o be_v authentic_a but_o when_o people_n be_v drown_v rather_o than_o sink_v they_o will_v catch_v hold_n of_o a_o bulrush_n the_o other_o exception_n they_o take_v to_o this_o testimony_n of_o theodoret_n be_v that_o he_o be_v not_o bishop_n of_o a_o single_a diocese_n but_o of_o a_o province_n and_o that_o theodoret_n be_v a_o archbishop_n but_o that_o cyprus_n of_o which_o he_o be_v then_o bishop_n be_v no_o metropolis_n at_o that_o time_n nor_o theodoret_n primate_n of_o a_o province_n but_o under_o a_o metropolitan_a appear_v by_o his_o 16_o ep._n and_o by_o his_o 81_o 82_o 34_o 94_o and_o 161._o alexander_n be_v then_o his_o metropolitan_a but_o theodoret_n be_v not_o the_o only_a bishop_n that_o have_v such_o a_o large_a diocese_n for_o st._n chrysostom_n have_v one_o full_a as_o large_a and_o which_o contain_v as_o many_o parish_n he_o be_v bishop_n of_o constantinople_n and_o all_o the_o territory_n thereto_o belong_v and_o do_v not_o think_v it_o in_o his_o conscience_n too_o large_a for_o if_o he_o do_v so_o good_a a_o man_n as_o he_o will_v either_o have_v divide_v or_o quit_v it_o and_o athanasius_n be_v bishop_n
of_o alexandria_n and_o the_o territory_n belong_v to_o it_o for_o he_o say_v ap._n p._n 781_o 802._o maoretis_fw-la be_v a_o region_n belong_v to_o alexandria_n and_o all_o the_o church_n there_o be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n but_o because_o dr._n owen_n mr._n baxter_n mr._n cotton_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v make_v choice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n in_o africa_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n to_o make_v their_o appeal_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n to_o avoid_v all_o cavil_n as_o he_o tell_v we_o have_v choose_v that_o very_a church_n to_o be_v decide_v by_o as_o to_o the_o episcopal_a government_n now_o in_o dispute_n between_o we_o and_o therefore_o first_o he_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o not_o likely_a to_o be_v one_o single_a congregation_n and_o this_o he_o prove_v out_o of_o st._n cyprian_n own_v epistle_n in_o his_o banishment_n particular_o in_o his_o 5_o book_n ep._n 28._o he_o complain_v that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o his_o clergy_n be_v absent_a and_o the_o few_o that_o remain_v be_v hardly_o sufficient_a for_o their_o work_n and_o that_o these_o presbyter_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v under_o the_o particular_a care_n and_o government_n of_o st._n cyprian_n as_o their_o bishop_n appear_v by_o his_o own_o word_n lib._n 3._o ep._n 10_o and_o 12._o to_o the_o people_n of_o carthage_n he_o complain_v to_o they_o of_o his_o presbyter_n that_o they_o do_v not_o reserve_v to_o their_o bishop_n that_o honour_n due_a to_o his_o place_n for_o that_o they_o receive_v penitent_n to_o communion_n without_o imposition_n of_o hand_n by_o the_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o his_o epist_n 28._o he_o threaten_v to_o excommunicate_v those_o presbyter_n that_o shall_v do_v so_o for_o the_o future_a and_o all_o the_o other_o bishop_n give_v their_o approbation_n to_o st._n cyprian_n for_o so_o do_v and_o the_o same_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o 3_o book_n ep._n 65._o tell_v they_o that_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o place_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o disobedience_n to_o he_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o schism_n and_o disorder_n see_v more_o full_o concern_v this_o matter_n in_o dr._n stillingfleet_n mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 228_o 229._o etc._n etc._n and_o now_o since_o dr._n owen_n mr._n baxter_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v agree_v to_o appeal_v to_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n we_o must_v suppose_v they_o allow_v no_o deviation_n in_o that_o church_n from_o the_o primitive_a institution_n and_o what_o that_o be_v then_o any_o one_o may_v judge_v and_o st._n augustine_n be_v another_o bishop_n in_o the_o african_a church_n he_o be_v bishop_n of_o hippo_n regia_n the_o diocese_n of_o which_o extend_v at_o least_o forty_o mile_n as_o appear_v by_o st._n augustine_n own_a epist_n 262._o it_o be_v true_a the_o african_a church_n come_v most_o near_o the_o congregational_a way_n of_o any_o other_o the_o diocese_n be_v small_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o sectary_n there_o the_o donatist_n and_o many_o other_o and_o that_o be_v the_o reason_n mr._n baxter_n and_o the_o rest_n express_v so_o great_a a_o esteem_n for_o it_o but_o that_o their_o bishopric_n be_v much_o too_o large_a to_o serve_v either_o the_o presbyterian_o or_o independent_o turn_v and_o that_o they_o never_o allow_v more_o than_o one_o bishop_n in_o the_o large_a city_n sufficient_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v and_o in_o the_o african_a code_n there_o be_v a_o canon_n that_o say_v express_o no_o bishop_n shall_v leave_v his_o cathedral_n church_n and_o go_v to_o any_o other_o church_n in_o his_o diocese_n to_o reside_v there_o see_v codex_fw-la eccl._n africa_n c._n 71._o which_o show_v that_o the_o bishop_n territory_n and_o jurisdiction_n extend_v into_o distant_a place_n from_o the_o city_n as_o well_o in_o the_o african_a church_n as_o in_o other_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v to_o this_o that_o calvin_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n out_o of_o dispute_n among_o learned_a man_n that_o a_o church_n do_v not_o only_o take_v in_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n but_o of_o the_o adjacent_a country_n also_o see_v calv._n instit_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 4._o n._n 2._o but_o though_o there_o be_v never_o more_o than_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n 1._o church_n v._o conc._n eph._n part_n 2._o act._n 1._o yet_o some_o bishop_n have_v have_v two_o or_o more_o city_n in_o their_o diocese_n timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o farmissus_n and_o eudocias_n athanasius_n be_v bishop_n of_o diveltus_n and_o sozopolis_n and_o there_o have_v be_v some_o bishopric_n that_o have_v have_v no_o city_n at_o all_o in_o they_o but_o only_a village_n for_o there_o be_v some_o country_n that_o have_v no_o city_n in_o they_o so_o have_v we_o at_o this_o day_n bishop_n in_o ireland_n and_o wales_n that_o have_v no_o city_n in_o their_o diocese_n but_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o extent_n of_o his_o diocese_n be_v confine_v to_o any_o single_a village_n so_o far_o from_o that_o that_o by_o the_o canon_n of_o sardica_n vi_o all_o the_o bishop_n assemble_v at_o sardica_n agree_v that_o it_o shall_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v lawful_a to_o ordain_v any_o bishop_n in_o village_n or_o small_a city_n that_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o bishop_n may_v not_o be_v contemptible_a from_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o place_n but_o say_v mr._n clarkson_n and_o the_o rest_n the_o apostle_n ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o then_o mr._n clarkson_n name_v the_o place_n to_o wit_n antioch_n iconium_n lystra_n and_o other_o village_n and_o these_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n they_o will_v have_v bishop_n but_o first_o i_o say_v that_o during_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v common_o use_v the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o but_o not_o after_o as_o shall_v be_v show_v hereafter_o and_o therefore_o these_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n here_o speak_v of_o may_v be_v as_o well_o take_v for_o ordinary_a presbyter_n or_o priest_n as_o for_o bishop_n but_o allow_v these_o presbyter_n be_v bishop_n what_o advantage_n will_v it_o be_v to_o they_o for_o first_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n confine_v their_o authority_n to_o those_o place_n but_o the_o contrary_n be_v evident_a and_o unless_o they_o can_v prove_v this_o it_o will_v not_o serve_v their_o turn_n but_o second_o these_o city_n over_o which_o the_o apostle_n appoint_v elder_n be_v large_a city_n at_o that_o time_n by_o much_o too_o great_a to_o come_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n iconium_n be_v then_o a_o metropolitan_a and_o have_v many_o other_o city_n under_o it_o and_o the_o rest_n be_v all_o large_a city_n but_o before_o i_o conclude_v this_o point_n i_o must_v make_v one_o observation_n and_o that_o be_v that_o mr._n clarkson_n to_o prove_v that_o a_o bishop_n of_o a_o city_n have_v no_o more_o but_o one_o congregation_n undertake_v to_o show_v how_o small_a some_o city_n be_v but_o it_o be_v remarkable_a he_o quote_v for_o his_o authority_n some_o author_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o long_o before_o there_o be_v any_o bishop_n and_o because_o they_o may_v have_v be_v small_a place_n then_o will_v needs_o have_v they_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v very_o ridiculous_a for_o under_o the_o roman_a emperor_n both_o the_o roman_a and_o the_o grecian_a city_n be_v at_o their_o height_n and_o do_v very_o much_o surpass_v both_o for_o their_o magnificence_n and_o number_n of_o people_n any_o that_o have_v be_v before_o or_o since_o nor_o be_v this_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o since_o our_o city_n do_v now_o stand_v upon_o much_o narrow_a foundation_n as_o to_o their_o constitution_n our_o city_n have_v seldom_o any_o liberty_n half_a a_o mile_n beyond_o their_o wall_n and_o be_v general_o but_o a_o assembly_n of_o tradesman_n whereas_o the_o roman_a city_n have_v each_o a_o territory_n as_o it_o be_v a_o county_n belong_v to_o it_o which_o be_v under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o city_n magistrate_n and_o the_o citizen_n be_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o adjacent_a country_n i_o have_v now_o show_v that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o holy_a father_n of_o it_o and_o that_o their_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v as_o absolute_a and_o extend_v as_o far_o or_o far_o than_o any_o bishop_n this_o day_n in_o england_n i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o that_o episcopal_a government_n as_o now_o settle_v in_o england_n have_v
time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a which_o be_v near_o 1400_o year_n constantine_n by_o his_o edict_n suppress_v all_o separate_a meeting_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n the_o novatian_o and_o silence_v their_o preacher_n though_o their_o ordination_n be_v as_o good_a as_o any_o among_o our_o nonconformist_n see_v eusebius_n vita_fw-la const_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 63_o 64_o 65_o 66._o and_o st._n augustine_n do_v very_o much_o commend_v the_o emperor_n for_o so_o do_v see_v aug._n ep._n 48._o and_o see_v also_o his_o 4_o book_n against_o cresconius_n a_o donatist_n ch_n 51._o all_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n do_v at_o this_o day_n silence_n such_o minister_n as_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o their_o church_n and_o believe_v they_o have_v power_n so_o to_o do_v at_o geneva_n their_o council_n of_o state_n have_v the_o sole_a power_n of_o elect_v and_o depose_v minister_n nay_o far_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o geneva_n they_o have_v power_n not_o only_o to_o silence_n but_o to_o excommunicate_v such_o minister_n as_o shall_v contemn_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o by_o their_o obstinacy_n disturb_v the_o order_n of_o it_o in_o the_o french_a church_n if_o any_o refuse_v to_o subscribe_v to_o the_o order_n of_o their_o church_n he_o be_v to_o be_v declare_v a_o schismatic_a and_o calvin_n himself_o ep._n olevian_n pag._n 311_o and_o 122._o say_v let_v he_o that_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n of_o a_o society_n be_v cast_v out_o but_o what_o need_v we_o go_v so_o far_o from_o home_n for_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n let_v we_o see_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o our_o own_o dissenter_n heretofore_o be_v in_o this_o matter_n first_o then_o in_o the_o great_a dispute_n between_o the_o brownist_n and_o the_o nonconformist_n about_o the_o minister_n preach_v etc._n etc._n against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o prince_n the_o non_fw-fr conformist_n all_o agree_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v power_n immediate_o from_o god_n to_o set_v up_o his_o kingdom_n but_o their_o power_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o under_o heathen_a magistrate_n but_o our_o minister_n have_v no_o such_o extraordinary_a power_n and_o our_o magistrate_n be_v christian_n be_v much_o more_o to_o be_v respect_v see_v gifford_n a_o nonconformist_a minister_n his_o answer_n to_o barrow_n and_o see_v the_o confutation_n of_o the_o brownist_n by_o several_a nonconformist_n who_o join_v together_o for_o that_o purpose_n publish_v by_o one_o rathband_n by_o their_o command_n p._n 51._o and_o see_v mr._n bradshaw_n his_o answer_n to_o johnson_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o silence_v the_o apostle_n for_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o silence_v of_o they_o be_v intend_v the_o utter_a extirpation_n of_o christianity_n but_o the_o case_n be_v alter_v among_o we_o for_o the_o intent_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n be_v not_o to_o silence_v all_o christian_a minister_n but_o some_o particular_a man_n only_o so_o that_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o minister_n or_o no_o but_o whether_o this_o or_o that_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o doubtless_o every_o christian_a prince_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v what_o man_n he_o think_v fit_a for_o public_a office_n in_o church_n or_o state_n so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v equal_o qualify_v according_a to_o god_n law_n but_o to_o go_v on_o the_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o dissenter_n in_o the_o late_a unhappy_a time_n be_v not_o yet_o forget_v they_o be_v all_o then_o of_o a_o opinion_n that_o christ_n minister_n may_v be_v silence_v and_o according_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n every_o party_n as_o it_o serve_v their_o turn_n see_v their_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n all_o who_o will_v not_o enter_v into_o it_o and_o solemn_o swear_v to_o do_v their_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o abolish_v episcopacy_n and_o set_v up_o presbytery_n be_v immediate_o not_o only_a silence_v but_o sequester_v though_o their_o ministry_n be_v as_o much_o of_o divine_a right_n as_o any_o of_o they_o now_o conscience_n then_o be_v no_o plea_n for_o not_o take_v this_o solemn_a oath_n they_o will_v not_o suffer_v one_o of_o the_o old_a clergy_n to_o teach_v a_o school_n nay_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v their_o own_o independent_a brethren_n to_o preach_v though_o they_o have_v all_o take_v presbyterian_a order_n as_o they_o themselves_o see_v the_o letter_n from_o the_o presbyterian_a minister_n of_o london_n to_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n at_o westminster_n ann._n 1645._o jan._n 1._o and_o the_o grand_a debate_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o new-england_n where_o the_o independent_o have_v the_o power_n they_o be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n none_o be_v to_o preach_v public_o by_o their_o law_n where_o any_o two_o organic_n church_n council_n of_o state_n or_o general_a court_n shall_v declare_v their_o dissatisfaction_n thereat_o see_v their_o body_n of_o statute_n which_o they_o have_v late_o print_v nay_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v to_o silence_v such_o minister_n as_o will_v not_o conform_v but_o they_o banish_v they_o too_o as_o they_o do_v mr._n willams_n and_o other_o and_o be_v it_o not_o very_o strange_a then_o that_o the_o silence_v of_o such_o minister_n by_o the_o king_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o positive_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n or_o to_o give_v their_o governor_n such_o a_o test_n of_o their_o obedience_n and_o conformity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n as_o they_o in_o their_o discretion_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o require_v of_o they_o that_o this_o shall_v be_v a_o thing_n so_o unlawful_a and_o wicked_a now_o that_o have_v be_v practise_v in_o the_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o when_o they_o be_v in_o power_n and_o by_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n at_o this_o day_n and_o indeed_o if_o the_o test_n which_o the_o law_n require_v of_o their_o obedience_n and_o loyalty_n be_v too_o severe_a and_o rigid_a they_o may_v blame_v themselves_o for_o it_o for_o governor_n can_v be_v too_o cautious_a in_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o safety_n of_o the_o kingdom_n against_o a_o faction_n that_o have_v once_o already_o overthrow_v this_o monarchy_n and_o church_n and_o give_v we_o all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o do_v the_o same_o again_o especial_o the_o latter_a as_o soon_o as_o ever_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n the_o bitter_a spirit_n they_o show_v in_o scotland_n already_o and_o their_o unchristian_a like_a behaviour_n to_o all_o those_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o opinion_n show_v we_o plain_o what_o we_o may_v expect_v here_o when_o ever_o they_o be_v able_a and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o plea_n which_o the_o dissenter_n use_v for_o separation_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n the_o second_o sort_n be_v against_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n with_o it_o they_o say_v our_o term_n of_o communion_n be_v unlawful_a for_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n injoin_v some_o thing_n in_o god_n worship_n which_o be_v not_o express_o command_v in_o scripture_n and_o so_o make_v the_o scripture_n insufficient_a and_o these_o thing_n be_v our_o ceremony_n and_o prescribe_v form_n of_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n first_o as_o to_o our_o ceremony_n the_o church_n of_o england_n use_v no_o ceremony_n but_o such_o as_o be_v use_v in_o the_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n as_o dr._n stillingfleet_n have_v prove_v in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n and_o such_o as_o be_v now_o use_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n the_o lutheran_n church_n have_v the_o same_o and_o more_o ceremony_n than_o we_o have_v and_o yet_o these_o church_n have_v be_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v unite_v to_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n by_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a protestant_n as_o appear_v by_o a_o synod_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n at_o chareton_n in_o france_n anno_fw-la 1631._o and_o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n but_o what_o do_v make_v law_n and_o canon_n in_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n and_o compel_v both_o minister_n and_o people_n to_o obey_v the_o same_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o every_o variation_n in_o circumstance_n in_o god_n worship_n be_v set_v up_o new_a part_n of_o worship_n as_o our_o dissenter_n seem_v to_o do_v when_o they_o charge_v we_o with_o set_v up_o new_a part_n of_o worship_n and_o make_v the_o scripture_n insufficient_a adoration_n we_o all_o agree_v be_v a_o substantial_a and_o proper_a act_n of_o divine_a worship_n but_o whether_o this_o adoration_n be_v perform_v by_o prostration_n or_o by_o bow_v or_o by_o kneel_v be_v a_o circumstance_n in_o itself_o indifferent_a and_o
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england_n i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v myself_o to_o trace_v this_o matter_n through_o the_o reign_v of_o queen_n elizabeth_n king_n james_z the_o first_o and_z king_n charles_n the_o first_o nor_o to_o show_v how_o they_o daily_o increase_v and_o grow_v wide_o nor_o the_o many_o sub-division_n and_o scandalous_a breach_n that_o be_v daily_o make_v among_o themselves_o ever_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o separation_n as_o between_o brown_n and_o barrow_n brown_n and_o harrison_n barrow_n and_o johnson_n johnson_n and_o ainsworth_n who_o all_o left_a england_n to_o gather_v separate_a church_n to_o themselves_o in_o the_o low-countries_n but_o scarce_o have_v be_v well_o there_o till_o they_o fall_v out_o all_o among_o themselves_o one_o man_n and_o his_o company_n be_v accurse_v and_o avoid_v by_o the_o other_o and_o his_o follower_n and_o the_o one_o church_n receive_v the_o person_n excommunicate_v by_o the_o other_o till_o they_o become_v ridiculous_a to_o spectator_n and_o at_o last_o some_o of_o they_o be_v glad_a to_o return_v into_o england_n this_o matter_n have_v be_v so_o full_o relate_v by_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 51_o 52_o etc._n etc._n that_o it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o repeat_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o take_v notice_n that_o ever_o since_o king_n james_n the_o second_v accession_n to_o the_o crown_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v lay_v aside_o all_o thought_n of_o controversy_n with_o the_o dissenter_n in_o hope_n that_o they_o will_v have_v join_v for_o their_o common_a safety_n with_o they_o in_o stop_v the_o inundation_n of_o popery_n that_o be_v ready_a to_o break_v in_o upon_o these_o nation_n and_o swallow_v they_o both_o up_o but_o while_o most_o of_o our_o eminent_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o dr._n tillotson_n dr._n stillingfleet_n dr._n burnet_n dr._n comber_n dr._n sherlock_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v employ_v in_o write_v against_o the_o incendiary_n of_o rome_n the_o dissenter_n our_o brethren_n instead_o of_o assist_v we_o be_v make_v themselves_o ready_a for_o war_n with_o we_o as_o appear_v soon_o after_o for_o when_o god_n almighty_n have_v happy_o place_v king_n william_n in_o the_o throne_n a_o convocation_n be_v immediate_o call_v in_o hope_n that_o some_o term_n of_o accommodation_n may_v have_v be_v agree_v upon_o between_o we_o and_o which_o in_o all_o probability_n will_v have_v take_v effect_n if_o the_o dissent_v minister_n have_v be_v as_o forward_o as_o we_o for_o how_o much_o incline_v our_o clergy_n be_v to_o a_o reconciliation_n notwithstanding_o the_o aspersion_n lay_v on_o they_o by_o the_o dissenter_n of_o their_o have_a no_o such_o design_n do_v sufficient_o appear_v by_o several_a of_o their_o write_n see_v dr._n tillotson_n sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o yorkshire_n feast_n anno_fw-la 1679._o pag._n 28._o and_o dr._n sherlock_n sermon_n before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n nou._n 1688._o see_v likewise_o the_o petition_n of_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n and_o the_o other_o bishop_n for_o which_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o tower_n and_o see_v the_o article_n recommend_v by_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n to_o all_o the_o bishop_n within_o his_o province_n and_o dr._n stillingfleet_n preface_n to_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n by_o all_o which_o it_o sufficient_o appear_v how_o desirous_a they_o be_v for_o a_o reconciliation_n but_o instead_o of_o listen_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n do_v our_o dissenter_n break_v forth_o into_o open_a act_n of_o hostility_n and_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o we_o be_v actual_o treat_v of_o accommodation_n with_o they_o do_v they_o publish_v several_a of_o their_o book_n one_o upon_o the_o back_n of_o another_o in_o which_o they_o endeavour_v nothing_o less_o than_o the_o total_a overthrow_n of_o our_o church_n by_o pretend_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v new_a and_o unlawful_a and_o that_o our_o worship_n be_v 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