popery_n in_o their_o account_n the_o follow_a sheet_n have_v lie_v by_o i_o many_o month_n and_o have_v do_v so_o still_o but_o that_o the_o importunity_n of_o some_o and_o the_o misrepresent_v of_o my_o silence_n by_o other_o force_v i_o to_o publish_v they_o diocesan_a church_n not_o yet_o discover_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n to_o show_v that_o many_o presbyter_n in_o one_o church_n be_v not_o enough_o to_o prove_v it_o a_o diocesan_n i_o i_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o the_o ancient_a church_n to_o multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o what_o we_o count_v necessary_a not_o beyond_o what_o be_v necessary_a as_o it_o be_v too_o often_o misrepresent_v for_o this_o i_o offer_v two_o testimony_n one_o assert_v it_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o first_o age_n the_o other_o in_o the_o four_o and_o think_v these_o sufficient_a if_o they_o can_v not_o be_v deny_v as_o they_o be_v not_o to_o evince_v it_o to_o have_v be_v so_o in_o the_o three_o for_o who_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v but_o that_o have_v place_n in_o the_o three_o which_o be_v usual_a both_o in_o the_o age_n before_o and_o after_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o bishop_n downham_n who_o say_v at_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o city_n the_o number_n of_o people_n convert_v be_v not_o much_o great_a than_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n place_v among_o they_o but_o this_o it_o be_v say_v can_v be_v of_o little_a use_n because_o 1._o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v not_o a_o new_a convert_v church_n but_o settle_v long_o before_o and_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n the_o church_n of_o carthage_n by_o the_o fierce_a persecution_n in_o cyprian_n time_n which_o be_v the_o time_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v bring_v so_o low_a and_o reduce_v to_o so_o very_a few_o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v but_o new_a convert_v and_o how_o be_v it_o in_o a_o settle_a and_o flourish_a condition_n when_o it_o be_v so_o lamentable_o waste_v and_o still_o harrass_v one_o year_n after_o another_o or_o who_o can_v believe_v it_o that_o read_v cyprian_n lament_v pressurae_fw-la istius_fw-la tam_fw-la turbidam_fw-la vastitatem_fw-la quae_fw-la gregem_fw-la nostrum_fw-la maxima_fw-la ex_fw-la parte_fw-la populata_fw-la est_fw-la adhue_n &_o usque_fw-la populatur_fw-la and_o that_o they_o be_v positi_fw-la inter_fw-la plangentium_fw-la ruinas_fw-la et_fw-la timentium_fw-la reliquias_fw-la inter_fw-la numerosam_fw-la &_o languentium_fw-la stragem_fw-la et_fw-la exiguam_fw-la stantium_fw-la paucitaâ—em_fw-la 4._o paucitaâ—em_fw-la lib._n 4._o ep._n 4._o be_v not_o this_o much_o the_o case_n of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n unless_o this_o of_o carthage_n be_v worse_o and_o so_o less_o for_o our_o author_n advantage_n or_o if_o this_o be_v otherwise_o the_o church_n in_o nazianzen_n time_n be_v not_o new_o convert_v but_o settle_v long_o before_o and_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n which_o yet_o can_v be_v deny_v to_o have_v have_v more_o presbyter_n than_o we_o count_v needful_a so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o practice_n in_o every_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o flourish_v or_o not_o 2._o he_o say_v many_o more_o presbyter_n may_v be_v ordain_v in_o a_o city_n than_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o a_o church_n with_o respect_n to_o future_a increase_n etc._n etc._n and_o who_o will_v question_v but_o the_o many_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n be_v for_o future_a increase_n both_o in_o city_n and_o country_n so_o that_o herein_o the_o case_n be_v not_o different_a and_o the_o design_n of_o that_o number_n of_o officer_n may_v partly_o be_v for_o other_o congregation_n episcopal_a church_n though_o not_o diocesan_n to_o furnish_v they_o with_o officer_n this_o be_v apparent_a afterward_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o african_a church_n who_o when_o a_o new_a church_n be_v erect_v supply_v it_o with_o a_o bishop_n or_o other_o assistant_n from_o place_n better_a store_v with_o officer_n and_o it_o be_v exemplyfy_v particular_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o in_o the_o provision_n which_o st._n austin_n make_v for_o fussala_n he_o say_v further_a the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o one_o congregational_a church_n may_v be_v occasion_v by_o the_o uncertain_a abode_n of_o most_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o commissioner_n who_o be_v the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o only_a ordainer_n of_o presbyter_n mention_v in_o scripture_n but_o herein_o he_o do_v but_o guess_n and_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v positive_a unless_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o commissioner_n as_o he_o call_v they_o have_v be_v then_o the_o only_a ordainer_n which_o he_o will_v not_o venture_v to_o affirm_v know_v what_o evidence_n there_o be_v against_o it_o last_o he_o say_v if_o this_o opinion_n of_o bishop_n downham_n have_v any_o certain_a ground_n in_o antiquity_n we_o shall_v probable_o hear_v of_o it_o with_o both_o ear_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v it_o recommend_v upon_o ancient_a authority_n than_o he_o this_o of_o bishop_n downham_n have_v certain_a ground_n in_o the_o best_a antiquity_n if_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v such_o where_o it_o be_v plain_a there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n in_o diverse_a church_n such_o as_o be_v not_o yet_o nor_o ever_o will_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v diocesan_n to_o that_o of_o nazianzen_n he_o say_v it_o have_v receive_v its_o answer_n and_o add_v he_o that_o can_v answer_v it_o to_o himself_o from_o the_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o cyprian_a and_o in_o nazianzen_n time_n have_v a_o fondness_n for_o the_o argument_n this_o be_v the_o answer_n it_o receive_v pag._n 51._o and_o this_o difference_n be_v thus_o express_v a_o little_a before_o but_o that_o any_o church_n sixth_o and_o settle_v have_v its_o bishop_n always_o present_a shall_v multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o necessity_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n before_o constantine_n be_v altogether_o incredible_a for_o the_o necessary_a expense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o great_a the_o poor_a numerous_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n not_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o estate_n they_o have_v be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o ruin_v with_o perpetual_a persecution_n etc._n etc._n he_o say_v multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o necessity_n and_o without_o necessity_n while_o he_o alter_v my_o word_n so_o as_o to_o change_v the_o sense_n he_o dispute_v against_o himself_o not_o i_o but_o this_o look_v more_o like_o a_o argument_n than_o any_o thing_n before_o i_o shall_v take_v a_o little_a more_o notice_n of_o it_o 1._o be_v not_o all_o this_o applicable_a to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n when_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v presbyter_n be_v multiply_v beyond_o what_o we_o count_v necessary_a the_o poor_a numerous_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n not_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o estate_n they_o have_v be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o ruin_v with_o perpetual_a persecution_n further_o the_o church_n before_o constantine_n and_o carthage_n particular_o suppose_v these_o to_o be_v its_o circumstance_n may_v have_v many_o presbyter_n without_o any_o great_a charge_n for_o one_a the_o church_n stock_n be_v reserve_v only_o for_o those_o in_o want_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o be_v determine_v in_o one_o of_o the_o canon_n which_o pass_v for_o apostolical_a 4._o apostolical_a can._n 4._o and_o the_o same_o decree_v in_o the_o synod_n at_o antioch_n 25._o antioch_n can._n 25._o ambrose_n even_o in_o the_o four_o age_n will_v have_v none_o to_o have_v a_o stipend_n who_o have_v other_o revenue_n qui_fw-la fidei_fw-la exercet_fw-la militiam_fw-la agelli_fw-la svi_fw-la fructibus_fw-la si_fw-la habet_fw-la debet_fw-la esse_fw-la contentus_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la habet_fw-la stipendiorum_fw-la suorum_fw-la fructu_fw-la 36._o fructu_fw-la offic._n l._n 1._o â—_o 36._o and_o chrysostom_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o election_n those_o of_o the_o competitor_n that_o have_v estate_n do_v carry_v it_o because_o the_o church_n will_v need_v to_o be_v at_o no_o charge_n in_o maintain_v of_o such_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2_o when_o they_o have_v no_o estate_n and_o the_o church_n savil._n e_z de_n sacerd_v â—er_n 3._o pag._n 23._o â—dit_n savil._n can_v not_o maintain_v they_o they_o be_v to_o provide_v for_o themselves_o by_o some_o honest_a employment_n the_o council_n of_o elvira_n allow_v all_o sort_n of_o clergy_n man_n to_o drive_v a_o trade_n for_o their_o live_n provide_v they_o do_v it_o only_o in_o the_o province_n where_o they_o live_v 19_o live_v can._n 19_o and_o in_o the_o four_o council_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v order_v that_o the_o clergy_n though_o they_o be_v learn_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n shall_v get_v their_o live_n by_o a_o trade_n 51._o trade_n can._n 51._o and_o in_o the_o next_o canon_n that_o they_o shall_v get_v food_n and_o raiment_n by_o
may_v not_o be_v bishop_n till_o anno_fw-la 350_o and_o so_o near_o to_o optatus_n his_o time_n than_o dioclesian_n two_o it_o be_v no_o proof_n of_o diocesan_n church_n that_o those_o who_o belong_v to_o it_o do_v occasional_o divide_v themselves_o into_o distinct_a meeting_n a_o large_a church_n and_o sometime_o a_o small_a congregation_n may_v have_v occasion_n to_o divide_v and_o meet_v in_o parcel_n for_o their_o convenience_n or_o security_n particular_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n that_o they_o may_v assemble_v with_o more_o safety_n and_o be_v the_o better_o conceal_v from_o those_o who_o will_v disturb_v or_o apprehend_v they_o the_o people_n that_o belong_v to_o cyprian_n do_v meet_v all_o together_o on_o several_a occasion_n as_o be_v apparent_a in_o his_o epistle_n yet_o when_o persecution_n be_v hot_a he_o think_v it_o advisable_v cautè_fw-la non_fw-la glomeratim_fw-la nec_fw-la per_fw-la multitudinem_fw-la simul_fw-la junctam_fw-la conveniendum_fw-la 5._o conveniendum_fw-la ep._n 5._o they_o dare_v not_o in_o some_o part_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o begin_n of_o constantine_n reign_n 2._o reign_n soz._n l._n 1._o c._n 2._o damasus_n the_o suppose_a author_n of_o the_o pope_n life_n say_v euaristus_n titulos_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la divisit_fw-la divide_v the_o title_n in_o rome_n to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o by_o title_n some_o will_v have_v we_o to_o understand_v parish_n church_n but_o it_o be_v incredible_a that_o the_o christian_n in_o trajan_n time_n when_o euaristus_n be_v bishop_n can_v erect_v any_o structure_n in_o form_n of_o church_n or_o have_v any_o distinguishable_a from_o other_o house_n so_o as_o the_o heathen_a may_v take_v notice_n of_o they_o as_o use_v or_o design_v for_o the_o religious_a exercise_n of_o christian_n who_o can_v imagine_v that_o when_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o christian_n they_o shall_v frequent_v any_o know_a place_n for_o christian_a worship_n it_o be_v far_o more_o reasonable_a which_o platina_n say_v of_o calistus_n time_n more_o than_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o that_o then_o the_o meeting_n of_o christian_n be_v all_o secret_a and_o rather_o in_o chapel_n and_o those_o hide_a and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n underground_o than_o in_o open_a and_o public_a place_n cum_fw-la eâ_fw-la tempestate_fw-la ob_fw-la crebras_fw-la persecutiones_fw-la occulta_fw-la essent_fw-la omne_fw-la &_o sacella_fw-la potius_fw-la atque_fw-la eadem_fw-la abdita_fw-la &_o plerumque_fw-la subterranea_fw-la quam_fw-la apertis_fw-la in_o locis_fw-la ac_fw-la publicis_fw-la fierent_fw-la dr._n st._n say_v i_o confess_v it_o seem_v not_o probable_a to_o i_o that_o those_o tituli_fw-la be_v so_o soon_o divide_v as_o the_o 357._o iren._n pag._n 357._o time_n of_o euaristus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o trajan_n when_o the_o persecution_n be_v hot_a against_o the_o christian_n but_o damasus_n seem_v not_o to_o believe_v himself_o for_o in_o the_o life_n of_o dionysius_n he_o say_v hic_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la divisit_fw-la his_o reason_n conclude_v as_o much_o or_o more_o against_o the_o title_n under_o this_o notion_n ascribe_v to_o marcellus_n 200_o year_n after_o which_o some_o will_v have_v to_o be_v 25_o but_o onuphrius_n show_v they_o can_v not_o be_v more_o than_o 15_o eccles_n 15_o interpret_v voc._n eccles_n for_o marcellus_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n for_o six_o year_n of_o the_o ten_o persecution_n begin_v by_o dioclesian_n which_o be_v the_o long_a and_o fierce_a that_o ever_o befall_v the_o church_n when_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o far_o from_o erect_v any_o church_n that_o all_o before_o erect_v be_v by_o severe_a edict_n to_o be_v quite_o demolish_v but_o what_o be_v say_v of_o title_n divide_v by_o euaristus_n may_v be_v true_a in_o this_o sense_n that_o since_o they_o can_v not_o safe_o meet_v together_o in_o the_o persecution_n under_o trajan_n they_o disperse_v themselves_o into_o distinct_a meeting_n and_o have_v presbyter_n assign_v to_o officiate_v in_o each_o of_o they_o and_o yet_o the_o christian_n at_o rome_n be_v then_o no_o more_o nor_o long_o after_o than_o may_v all_o meet_v together_o for_o worship_n and_o do_v so_o when_o it_o can_v be_v do_v in_o safety_n in_o the_o time_n of_o xystus_n who_o have_v the_o chair_n at_o rome_n under_o adrian_n it_o be_v say_v because_o of_o the_o frequent_a slaughter_n of_o the_o christian_n there_o be_v few_o find_v who_o dare_v profess_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n propter_fw-la frequentes_fw-la caedes_fw-la pauci_fw-la reperirentur_fw-la qui_fw-la nomen_fw-la christi_fw-la profiteri_fw-la auderent_fw-la platina_n auderent_fw-la platina_n and_o there_o be_v a_o order_n in_o that_o church_n that_o when_o the_o bishop_n celebrate_v all_o the_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v present_a zepherinus_n voluit_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la omnes_fw-la adesse_fw-la celebrante_fw-la episcopo_fw-la quod_fw-la etiam_fw-la euaristo_fw-la placuit_fw-la this_o be_v say_v to_o be_v make_v in_o the_o time_n of_o euaristus_n to_o who_o this_o division_n of_o title_n be_v ascribe_v and_o it_o be_v in_o force_n a_o hundred_o year_n after_o be_v renew_v by_o zepherinus_n who_o be_v bishop_n till_o anno_fw-la 218_o about_o 30_o year_n before_o cornelius_n who_o speak_v of_o 46._o presbyter_n at_o rome_n now_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v frequent_o administer_v in_o those_o time_n at_o least_o every_o lordsday_n and_o when_o the_o bishop_n be_v present_a he_o himself_o do_v celebrate_v and_o if_o all_o the_o presbyter_n be_v to_o be_v present_a when_o he_o do_v celebrate_v than_o all_o the_o people_n likewise_o be_v to_o be_v present_a or_o else_o they_o have_v no_o public_a worship_n for_o they_o can_v have_v none_o without_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n three_o a_o church_n be_v not_o prove_v to_o be_v diocesan_n by_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n in_o it_o this_o i_o have_v make_v evident_a before_o and_o make_v it_o good_a against_o our_o author_n exception_n but_o he_o bring_v a_o new_a instance_n 552._o instance_n pag._n 552._o and_o will_v have_v edessa_n to_o have_v be_v a_o diocesan_n church_n because_o of_o the_o numerous_a clergy_n the_o clergy_n say_v he_o of_o the_o city_n of_o edessa_n be_v above_o 200_o person_n not_o reckon_v that_o of_o the_o country_n within_o his_o diocese_n and_o this_o be_v a_o diocesan_n bishop_n to_o purpose_n he_o do_v well_o not_o to_o reckon_v that_o of_o the_o country_n in_o his_o diocese_n unless_o he_o have_v know_v that_o something_o of_o the_o country_n be_v within_o his_o diocese_n it_o be_v not_o unusual_a for_o the_o bishop_n charge_n to_o be_v confine_v to_o a_o town_n or_o city_n rome_n itself_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o it_o decentium_fw-la it_o innocent_n ep._n ad_fw-la decentium_fw-la cum_fw-la omnes_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la nostrae_fw-la intra_fw-la civitatem_fw-la constitutae_fw-la sunt_fw-la but_o why_o it_o shall_v be_v judge_v to_o be_v a_o diocesan_n church_n because_o 200_o such_o person_n belong_v to_o it_o see_v the_o great_a church_n at_o c._n p._n have_v above_o 500_o officer_n assign_v it_o after_o justinian_n have_v retrench_v the_o number_n 3._o number_n novel_a 3._o c._n 3._o and_o yet_o be_v never_o coun_v a_o diocese_n i_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v but_o he_o have_v some_o other_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o because_o he_o think_v they_o prove_v the_o bishop_n of_o edessa_n to_o have_v be_v a_o diocesan_n to_o purpose_n let_v we_o on_o the_o by_o a_o little_a examine_v they_o these_o he_o give_v in_o summary_o this_o be_v a_o diocesan_n bishop_n to_o purpose_n who_o beside_o a_o large_a diocese_n have_v excommunicate_v archdeacon_n and_o a_o great_a revenue_n i_o find_v nothing_o allege_v to_o show_v he_o have_v a_o large_a diocese_n or_o any_o at_o all_o but_o this_o the_o city_n of_o battina_n be_v in_o the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n for_o ibas_n be_v accuse_v of_o have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v one_o john_n bishop_n of_o it_o etc._n etc._n battina_n have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n unless_o province_n and_o diocese_n be_v confound_v edessa_n be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o mesopotamia_n the_o bishop_n of_o it_o be_v the_o three_o metropolitan_a in_o the_o patriarchate_o of_o antioch_n as_o they_o be_v order_v in_o the_o ancient_a notitia_fw-la the_o bishop_n of_o battina_n be_v one_o of_o the_o many_o suffragans_fw-la belong_v to_o that_o metropolitan_a how_o then_o come_v the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n to_o be_v any_o way_n large_a upon_o this_o account_n be_v the_o diocese_n of_o canterbury_n one_o foot_n the_o large_a because_o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n of_o peterborough_n in_o that_o province_n these_o thing_n be_v not_o easy_o apprehend_v nor_o can_v be_v well_o digest_v two_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o revonue_n be_v no_o more_o apparent_a there_o be_v nothing_o to_o prove_v it_o but_o the_o riches_n of_o that_o church_n and_o its_o great_a revenue_n and_o hereof_o our_o author_n give_v we_o no_o
with_o in_o that_o age_n or_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n after_o name_n more_o than_o two_o very_a great_a church_n erect_v by_o constantine_n in_o that_o city_n and_o if_o comparison_n be_v make_v there_o be_v no_o historian_n of_o those_o time_n to_o be_v more_o regard_v in_o matter_n which_o concern_v c._n p_o than_o socrates_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v bear_v and_o educate_v in_o c._n p._n and_o continue_v there_o as_o a_o 24._o l._n 9_o c._n 24._o advocate_n when_o he_o write_v his_o history_n but_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o sozomen_n intend_v more_o than_o 3_o or_o 4_o church_n or_o that_o the_o emperor_n build_v no_o more_o than_o be_v requisite_a and_o only_o consult_v conveniency_n and_o design_v not_o state_n or_o magnificence_n which_o yet_o our_o author_n a_o little_a after_o say_v he_o do_v and_o we_o know_v nothing_o be_v more_o ordinary_a than_o for_o great_a city_n to_o have_v more_o church_n than_o be_v needful_a it_o be_v so_o in_o london_n before_o the_o fire_n and_o the_o retrench_a of_o their_o number_n since_o show_v it_o yet_o this_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o prove_v alexander_n church_n in_o c._n p._n to_o be_v diocesan_n that_o it_o will_v not_o prove_v it_o great_a than_o some_o single_a congregation_n for_o there_o be_v 12_o church_n in_o alexandria_n when_o yet_o the_o church_n in_o that_o city_n adhere_v to_o athanasius_n consist_v of_o no_o more_o than_o be_v in_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n for_o which_o such_o evidence_n have_v be_v bring_v as_o be_v not_o yet_o nor_o i_o think_v can_v be_v deface_v nor_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o two_o church_n much_o less_o one_o can_v suffice_v all_o the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n when_o the_o city_n of_o heliopolis_n be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n require_v more_o and_o constantine_n build_v several_a for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n plural_o express_v be_v much_o improve_v by_o our_o author_n he_o make_v out_o of_o it_o diverse_a church_n and_o all_o these_o church_n when_o yet_o all_o these_o be_v but_o one_o church_n as_o socrates_n himself_o make_v it_o plain_a a_o little_a before_o 18._o before_o soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 18._o for_o have_v relate_v how_o constantine_n order_v a_o church_n to_o be_v build_v near_o the_o oak_n at_o mambre_n he_o add_v that_o he_o order_v another_o church_n not_o churches_n to_o be_v erect_v at_o heliopolis_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o put_v it_o past_a doubt_n eusebius_n who_o the_o emperor_n employ_v about_o those_o structure_n and_o from_o who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n socrates_n have_v the_o relation_n give_v a_o account_n but_o of_o one_o church_n there_o found_v by_o the_o emperor_n which_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d constant_a 〈◊〉_d l._n 3._o c._n 56._o de-vitâ_a constant_a and_o that_o it_o be_v furnish_v with_o a_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n so_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o heliopolis_n have_v but_o one_o church_n for_o his_o diocese_n which_o our_o author_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o loath_a to_o own_o since_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o at_o this_o time_n one_o bishop_n in_o a_o hundred_o have_v more_o valesius_fw-la who_o our_o author_n much_o rely_v on_o in_o his_o note_n upon_o this_o place_n be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v that_o constantine_n build_v more_o church_n in_o heliopolis_n that_o he_o judge_v this_o one_o at_o present_a be_v not_o necessary_a for_o it_o the_o town_n have_v then_o no_o christian_n in_o it_o and_o assign_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n why_o eusebius_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n unusual_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v a_o bishop_n appoint_v and_o a_o church_n build_v in_o it_o his_o word_n be_v fortasse_fw-la hoc_fw-la novum_fw-la &_o inauditum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la intelligit_fw-la etc._n etc._n he_o may_v think_v this_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o that_o a_o church_n shall_v be_v build_v in_o a_o city_n where_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n but_o all_o be_v alike_o idolater_n therefore_o this_o church_n be_v build_v at_o heliopolis_n not_o for_o that_o there_o be_v any_o necessity_n of_o it_o but_o rather_o in_o hope_n that_o he_o may_v invite_v all_o the_o citizen_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o the_o bishop_n here_o have_v none_o for_o his_o diocese_n but_o one_o church_n and_o that_o empty_a there_o be_v then_o no_o christian_n 235._o in_o lib._n 3._o de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr constant_n c._n 58._o p._n 235._o in_o that_o one_o parish_n which_o yet_o be_v all_o he_o have_v to_o make_v he_o a_o diocesan_n the_o better_a to_o confute_v theodoret_n who_o say_v for_o they_o be_v his_o word_n not_o i_o that_o alexander_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n meet_v together_o he_o endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o state_n of_o that_o church_n about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o constantine_n etc._n etc._n this_o he_o do_v here_o and_o after_o by_o a_o undue_a application_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o sozomen_n for_o the_o account_n which_o that_o historian_n give_v of_o that_o city_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o constantine_n time_n but_o reach_v beyond_o it_o ay_o and_o beyond_o julian_n too_o which_o appear_v as_o by_o other_o passage_n so_o by_o his_o mention_v the_o heathen_a temple_n in_o the_o time_n of_o that_o emperor_n and_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o time_n after_o constantine_n must_v that_o expression_n be_v understand_v which_o make_v c._n p._n to_o exceed_v rome_n not_o only_o in_o riches_n but_o in_o the_o number_n of_o inhabitant_n otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v apparent_o false_a for_o when_o chrysostome_n be_v bishop_n there_o about_o 70_o year_n after_o when_o it_o be_v like_o the_o number_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n be_v double_v it_o can_v be_v question_v but_o they_o be_v far_o more_o numerous_a he_o who_o best_a can_v do_v it_o reckon_v the_o christian_n then_o to_o be_v a_o 100000_o 674._o 100000_o in_o act._n hom._n 11._o pag._n 674._o our_o author_n will_v have_v we_o look_v upon_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_a there_o to_o be_v inconsiderable_a but_o let_v we_o count_v they_o another_o 100000._o yet_o both_o put_v together_o will_v fall_v incomparable_o short_a of_o the_o number_n in_o old_a rome_n which_o by_o the_o computation_n of_o lipsius_n be_v at_o least_o two_o million_o 3._o million_o de_fw-fr magnit_fw-la rom._n lib._n 3._o c._n 3._o and_o in_o constantine_n time_n new_a rome_n be_v as_o far_o short_a of_o the_o old_a as_o to_o its_o greatness_n in_o circuit_n for_o whereas_o herodian_a declare_v that_o severus_n quite_o demolish_v byzantium_n for_o side_v with_o niger_n and_o reduce_v it_o to_o the_o state_n of_o a_o village_n subject_v it_o to_o perinthus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 68_o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 3._o p._n 68_o we_o can_v in_o reason_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v extraordinary_o spacious_a yet_o as_o zosimus_n report_v all_o the_o enlargement_n which_o constantine_n give_v it_o be_v but_o the_o addition_n of_o 15_o furlong_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 62._o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 2._o p._n 62._o now_o suppose_v it_o be_v 30_o or_o 40_o furlong_n in_o compass_n before_o and_o so_o large_a than_o one_o city_n in_o a_o hundred_o yet_o this_o addition_n will_v leave_v it_o less_o than_o alexandria_n which_o as_o josephus_n describe_v it_o be_v 80_o furlong_n that_o be_v ten_o mile_n in_o circumference_n 16._o circumference_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jud._n lib._n 2._o cap._n 16._o yet_o alexandria_n be_v four_o time_n less_o than_o rome_n for_o by_o vopiscus_n account_n in_o aurelian_n time_n not_o long_o before_o constantine_n the_o wall_n be_v make_v by_o he_o near_o 50_o mile_n in_o circuit_n so_o it_o will_v be_v in_o comparison_n of_o constantinople_n when_o first_o build_v rather_o like_o a_o nation_n than_o a_o city_n as_o aristotle_n say_v of_o the_o other_o babylon_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2._o 〈◊〉_d pol._n lib._n 3._o c._n 2._o if_o then_o we_o will_v have_v this_o passage_n of_o sozomen_n to_o have_v any_o appearance_n of_o truth_n it_o must_v be_v extend_v far_o beyond_o constantine_n time_n when_o as_o zosimus_n tell_v we_o many_o of_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n be_v still_o draw_v multitude_n of_o people_n to_o that_o city_n so_o that_o it_o be_v afterward_o encompass_v with_o wall_n far_o large_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d than_o those_o of_o constantine_n 65._o constantine_n lib._n 2._o p._n 65._o and_o in_o a_o oration_n of_o themistius_n it_o be_v make_v a_o question_n whether_o theodosius_n junior_a do_v not_o add_v more_o to_o c._n p._n than_o constantine_n do_v to_o byzantium_n many_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_a be_v convert_v and_o become_v christian_n the_o expression_n of_o sozomen_n do_v not_o hinder_v but_o as_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o jew_n remain_v so_o the_o number_n of_o the_o heathen_a may_v
contexture_n of_o the_o discourse_n or_o any_o where_o else_o that_o i_o know_v of_o or_o our_o author_n either_o for_o if_o he_o have_v we_o shall_v have_v hear_v it_o with_o both_o ear_n as_o he_o speak_v elsewhere_o he_o will_v not_o have_v all_o the_o brethren_n to_o be_v all_o the_o believer_n at_o c._n p._n yet_o he_o know_v that_o brethren_n and_o believer_n be_v synonymous_n term_n both_o in_o scripture_n and_o ancient_a author_n and_o those_o be_v the_o believer_n or_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n of_o c._n p._n which_o have_v occasion_n to_o rejoice_v and_o that_o be_v the_o whole_a church_n there_o as_o for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d render_v vniversi_fw-la i_o do_v not_o take_v it_o for_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o the_o christian_n there_o for_o in_o all_o assembly_n of_o great_a church_n especial_o many_o be_v always_o absent_a he_o have_v deal_v more_o fair_o with_o theodoret_n if_o by_o all_o he_o will_v have_v understand_v the_o generality_n of_o christian_n adhere_v to_o alexander_n at_o c._n p._n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o and_o about_o such_o a_o abatement_n of_o the_o full_a import_n of_o the_o word_n there_o have_v be_v no_o need_n to_o contend_v but_o his_o restraint_n of_o it_o to_o a_o particular_a congregation_n agree_v not_o with_o the_o word_n nor_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o nor_o have_v any_o support_n elsewhere_o nor_o be_v that_o better_a which_o follow_v unless_o you_o will_v say_v that_o with_o all_o the_o brethren_n do_v not_o signify_v their_o personal_a presence_n but_o only_o their_o unanimity_n this_o look_v more_o like_o a_o shift_n than_o a_o plain_a answer_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v well_o advise_v in_o not_o venture_v to_o own_o it_o theodoret_n can_v not_o think_v that_o all_o the_o beleiver_n of_o c._n p._n can_v come_v together_o to_o the_o bishop_n church_n for_o he_o cite_v a_o letter_n of_o constantine_n a_o little_a after_o where_o he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o great_a increase_n of_o that_o church_n in_o the_o city_n that_o be_v call_v by_o my_o name_n by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o people_n have_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o church_n and_o all_o thing_n there_o wonderful_o increase_v it_o seem_v very_o requisite_a that_o more_o church_n shall_v be_v build_v understand_v therefore_o hereby_o what_o i_o have_v resolve_v to_o do_v i_o though_o fit_a to_o order_v you_o to_o provide_v 50_o bibles_n fair_o and_o legible_o write_v he_o do_v not_o say_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n the_o word_n of_o the_o letter_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a multitude_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o deny_v nor_o that_o he_o intend_v to_o build_v more_o church_n but_o this_o confirm_v what_o be_v signify_v before_o that_o these_o very_o many_o church_n be_v not_o yet_o build_v but_o only_o in_o design_n and_o that_o with_o a_o prospect_n of_o christian_n there_o still_o increase_v and_o the_o bibles_n if_o they_o be_v intend_v only_o for_o c._n p._n may_v be_v for_o the_o future_a church_n not_o the_o present_a only_o his_o conclusion_n be_v where_o christian_n be_v so_o multiply_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o build_v more_o church_n and_o to_o make_v such_o provision_n for_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o assembly_n it_o can_v not_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v all_o make_v but_o one_o congregation_n he_o shall_v have_v conclude_v that_o which_o be_v deny_v otherwise_o all_o he_o have_v premise_v will_v be_v insignificant_a and_o to_o no_o purpose_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n at_o c._n p._n do_v make_v more_o than_o one_o congregation_n and_o for_o their_o conveniency_n meet_v at_o other_o time_n in_o several_a church_n that_o which_o be_v deny_v be_v that_o the_o main_a body_n or_o generality_n of_o christian_n there_o can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n or_o do_v not_o so_o meet_v at_o this_o time_n with_o their_o bishop_n alexander_n as_o to_o this_o he_o have_v prove_v nothing_o and_o therefore_o do_v well_o to_o conclude_v nothing_o against_o that_o which_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v the_o plain_a import_n of_o theodoret_n expression_n and_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v that_o theodoret_n if_o he_o have_v not_o express_v it_o may_v well_o think_v though_o the_o contrary_n be_v suggest_v that_o as_o great_a multitude_n as_o constantine_n letter_n signify_v may_v meet_v together_o at_o the_o bishop_n church_n for_o himself_o declare_v what_o a_o vast_a congregation_n he_o preach_v to_o at_o antioch_n have_v a_o auditory_a of_o many_o myriad_n 83._o myriad_n ep._n 83._o i_o will_v not_o ask_v he_o what_o eusebius_n can_v think_v when_o he_o tell_v we_o the_o christian_n have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d assembly_n consist_v of_o myriad_o 1._o myriad_o lib._n 8._o cap._n 1._o nor_o what_o socrates_n think_v when_o he_o tell_v we_o long_o after_o of_o c._n p._n that_o the_o whole_a city_n become_v one_o assembly_n and_o meet_v in_o a_o oratory_n continue_v there_o all_o day_n 23._o day_n lib._n 7._o cap._n 23._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n but_o i_o will_v have_v he_o tell_v i_o how_o he_o understand_v that_o passage_n of_o chrysostome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n what_o be_v the_o import_n of_o these_o word_n do_v they_o signify_v that_o ten_o myriad_n be_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n to_o hear_v chrysostome_n if_o so_o there_o will_v be_v no_o question_n but_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n may_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n with_o alexander_n in_o constantine_n reign_n for_o that_o then_o about_o 70_o year_n before_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n neâ—â—_n so_o many_o christian_n as_o a_o 100000_o adhere_v to_o one_o bishop_n in_o this_o city_n can_v with_o any_o reason_n be_v imagine_v or_o do_v he_o mean_v only_o that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o myriad_o of_o christian_n contain_v in_o that_o city_n if_o so_o than_o he_o say_v here_o no_o more_o than_o in_o another_o homily_n forecited_a where_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n be_v compute_v to_o be_v a_o 100000_o reckon_v all_o beside_o jew_n and_o heathen_n now_o if_o they_o be_v no_o more_o in_o his_o time_n they_o can_v with_o reason_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v above_o half_a so_o many_o in_o constantine_n unless_o any_o can_v imagine_v that_o their_o number_n advance_v more_o in_o 6_o year_n than_o in_o 70_o when_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n multiply_v the_o inhabitant_n excessive_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o zosimus_n tell_v we_o 2._o we_o lib._n 2._o crowd_v the_o city_n so_o full_a as_o that_o they_o can_v scarce_o stir_v without_o danger_n and_o a_o great_a part_n of_o these_o be_v fall_v off_o to_o arius_n while_o alexander_n be_v bishop_n the_o novatian_o also_o be_v numerous_a have_v several_a church_n and_o these_o with_o other_o sect_n be_v deduct_v the_o christian_n there_o that_o communicate_v with_o alexander_n will_v be_v no_o more_o if_o so_o many_o than_o belong_v to_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n it_o will_v swell_v this_o preface_n to_o too_o great_a a_o bulk_n if_o i_o shall_v answer_v the_o rest_n so_o particular_o since_o he_o design_v to_o be_v so_o brief_a and_o to_o have_v so_o short_a a_o preface_n i_o wish_v he_o have_v employ_v more_o of_o it_o against_o that_o which_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o discourse_n he_o oppose_v and_o of_o more_o consequence_n to_o the_o main_a cause_n and_o not_o have_v spend_v so_o many_o leaf_n upon_o a_o by-passage_n for_o which_o we_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o be_v concern_v for_o if_o he_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o christian_n at_o c._n p._n in_o constantine_n time_n be_v more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n yea_o or_o in_o two_o either_o that_o will_v be_v far_o from_o prove_v it_o a_o diocesan_n church_n unless_o some_o one_o or_o two_o of_o our_o parish_n can_v be_v count_v so_o let_v i_o add_v in_o fine_a that_o our_o author_n have_v do_v just_a nothing_o towards_o the_o disprove_v of_o what_o theodoret_n be_v allege_v for_o unless_o he_o show_v that_o c._n p._n exceed_v old_a rome_n be_v furnish_v with_o such_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o christian_n so_o many_o more_o than_o two_o magnificent_a church_n there_o erect_v the_o 50_o bible_n thought_n needful_a to_o be_v provide_v and_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_a beside_o many_o jew_n convert_v before_o alexander_n who_o be_v say_v to_o hold_v this_o assembly_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n decease_v and_o so_o unless_o he_o prove_v that_o all_o this_o be_v do_v which_o himself_n i_o think_v can_v scarce_o believe_v in_o less_o than_o a_o year_n for_o valesius_fw-la upon_o who_o authority_n this_o gentleman_n take_v much_o prove_v at_o large_a make_v it_o the_o business_n of_o
together_o 46._o together_o clemens_n constitut_o l._n 7._o c._n 46._o some_o will_v have_v euodias_n ordain_v by_o peter_n and_o ignatius_n by_o paul_n other_o report_n ignatius_n ordain_v by_o peter_n and_o some_o modern_a author_n of_o great_a eminency_n both_o protestant_n and_o papist_n not_o only_a baronius_n but_o dr._n hammond_n find_v no_o more_o tolerable_a way_n to_o reconcile_v they_o than_o by_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o there_o at_o once_o which_o quite_o blast_v the_o conceit_n of_o a_o diocesan_n church_n there_o and_o what_o be_v allege_v for_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o to_o support_v this_o conceit_n of_o a_o diocesan_n church_n be_v very_o feeble_a pag._n 452_o 453._o a_o great_a number_n believe_v act_v 11._o 21._o and_o much_o people_n ver_fw-la 24._o the_o next_o verse_n show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n assemble_v within_o one_o church_n meet_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o a_o year_n together_o and_o there_o teach_v this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o same_o divine_a author_n say_v act_v 6._o 7._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v convert_v and_o will_v this_o gentleman_n hence_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v priest_n enough_o convert_v to_o make_v a_o diocese_n he_o have_v no_o ground_n from_o scripture_n to_o think_v otherwise_o of_o rome_n that_o we_o may_v take_v in_o all_o his_o scripture_n instance_n together_o however_o he_o will_v persuade_v we_o that_o there_o be_v several_a congregation_n there_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n let_v we_o see_v how_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o salutation_n in_o the_o end_n of_o that_o epistle_n he_o make_v appear_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n salute_v priscilla_n and_o aquila_n with_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o house_n the_o dean_n of_o paul_n will_v have_v this_o church_n in_o their_o house_n to_o be_v but_o a_o family_n this_o author_n will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v a_o congregation_n as_o if_o it_o may_v be_v either_o to_o serve_v a_o turn_n i_o think_v it_o be_v such_o a_o congregation_n as_o remove_v with_o aquila_n from_o one_o country_n to_o another_o for_o this_o church_n which_o be_v in_o their_o house_n at_o ephesus_n before_o 1_o cor_n 16._o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o their_o house_n at_o rome_n rom._n 16._o that_o be_v there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o church_n which_o belong_v to_o their_o family_n it_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v now_o at_o rome_n any_o one_o congregation_n such_o as_o our_o author_n intend_v grotius_n 16._o grotius_n in_o rom._n 16._o think_v it_o probable_a there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v a_o congregation_n where_o find_v he_o his_o several_a other_o why_o where_o another_o person_n will_v scarce_o dream_v of_o any_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a say_v he_o that_o several_a that_o be_v mention_v with_o all_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v with_o they_o may_v be_v the_o officer_n of_o several_a congregation_n pag._n 457._o 458._o but_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n one_o congregation_n have_v many_o officer_n how_o then_o can_v several_a officer_n be_v a_o good_a medium_fw-la to_o prove_v several_a congregation_n the_o ancient_a author_n which_o count_v those_o officer_n mention_v rom._n 16._o do_v make_v they_o bishop_n and_o some_o except_o not_o narcissus_n nor_o prisca_n i._n e._n priscilla_n though_o her_o husband_n also_o have_v a_o episcopal_a chair_n assign_v he_o now_o if_o they_o be_v not_o bishop_n at_o rome_n but_o other_o place_n they_o be_v allege_v to_o no_o purpose_n if_o they_o be_v bishop_n at_o rome_n there_o will_v be_v very_o many_o bishop_n in_o that_o one_o church_n it_o may_v be_v more_o than_o priscilla_n congregation_n consist_v of_o which_o rather_o than_o our_o author_n will_v grant_v i_o suppose_v he_o will_v quit_v his_o plurality_n of_o congregation_n here_o indeed_o what_o he_o add_v next_o do_v no_o way_n favour_v they_o and_o this_o number_n be_v afterward_o increase_v considerable_o by_o the_o come_n of_o paul_n who_o convert_v some_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o afterward_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o whole_a year_n no_o man_n forbid_v he_o pag._n 458._o paul_n preach_v at_o rome_n in_o his_o hire_a house_n for_o two_o year_n all_o this_o while_n he_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v to_o he_o there_o be_v no_o question_n but_o that_o all_o the_o christian_n there_o do_v come_v to_o hear_v this_o most_o eminent_a apostle_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v from_o first_o to_o last_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n at_o rome_n than_o a_o private_a house_n can_v receive_v he_o will_v prove_v what_o he_o intend_v from_o nero_n persecution_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o christian_n to_o death_n upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o have_v fire_v rome_n pag._n 458._o tacitus_n speak_v of_o the_o christian_n as_o guilty_a and_o say_v they_o confess_v the_o crime_n and_o detect_v many_o other_o now_o those_o who_o suffer_v either_o confess_v that_o they_o fire_v rome_n and_o then_o they_o be_v no_o christian_n or_o they_o do_v not_o confess_v it_o and_o then_o he_o wrong_v they_o intolerable_o and_o deserve_v no_o credit_n but_o our_o author_n to_o excuse_v he_o against_o the_o sense_n of_o such_o who_o best_a understand_v he_o lipsius_n particularlay_n beside_o baronius_n and_o other_o say_v they_o confess_v not_o that_o they_o burn_v rome_n but_o that_o they_o be_v christian_n whereas_o the_o inquiry_n be_v concern_v the_o burn_a of_o rome_n the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o they_o be_v christian_n but_o whether_o they_o fire_v the_o city_n of_o this_o last_o tacitus_n speak_v and_o will_v be_v so_o understand_v by_o those_o who_o think_v he_o speak_v pertinent_o but_o for_o truth_n in_o those_o account_n he_o give_v of_o christian_n it_o be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v expect_v than_o from_o other_o heathen_a author_n of_o those_o age_n with_o who_o it_o be_v customary_a on_o that_o subject_n splendidè_fw-la mentiri_fw-la some_o other_o instance_n hereof_o we_o have_v in_o this_o report_n of_o tacitus_n which_o i_o suppose_v our_o author_n will_v scarce_o offer_v to_o excuse_v as_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v call_v exitiabilis_fw-la superstitio_fw-la and_o when_o the_o christian_n be_v say_v per_fw-la flagitia_fw-la invisos_fw-la vulgô_o fuisse_fw-la but_o suppose_v he_o speak_v truth_n what_o be_v it_o he_o say_v nero_n put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o they_o to_o death_n but_o ingens_fw-la multitudo_fw-la which_o be_v his_o word_n may_v be_v far_o less_o than_o a_o infinite_a multitude_n two_o or_o three_o hundred_o may_v pass_v for_o a_o great_a multitude_n and_o extraordinary_o great_a when_o that_o which_o be_v speak_v of_o they_o be_v extraordinary_a the_o martyr_n burn_v in_o queen_n mary_n day_n be_v a_o great_a multitude_n and_o few_o may_v be_v account_v very_o many_o to_o suffer_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o these_o do_v by_o nero_n cruelty_n ferarum_fw-la tergis_fw-la contecti_fw-la ut_fw-la laniatu_fw-la canum_fw-la interirent_fw-la aut_fw-la crucibus_fw-la affixi_fw-la aut_fw-la flammandi_fw-la atque_fw-la ubi_fw-la defecisset_fw-la dies_fw-la in_o usum_fw-la nocturni_fw-la luminis_fw-la uterentur_fw-la in_o the_o word_n of_o tacitus_n to_o this_o he_o add_v the_o general_a account_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o the_o success_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n immediate_o after_o the_o first_o discovery_n of_o it_o that_o present_o in_o all_o city_n and_o village_n church_n abound_v with_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v assemble_v etc._n etc._n pag._n 459._o if_o he_o will_v not_o deal_v unkind_o with_o eusebius_n he_o must_v not_o set_v his_o expression_n upon_o the_o rack_n nor_o stretch_v they_o beyond_o his_o intention_n nor_o forget_v what_o be_v observe_v to_o be_v usual_a with_o he_o oratorem_fw-la more_fw-mi rem_fw-la amplificare_fw-la these_o church_n consist_v of_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v say_v to_o be_v not_o only_o in_o all_o city_n but_o village_n now_o i_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a matter_n for_o our_o author_n to_o show_v we_o any_o village_n even_o in_o constantine_n time_n where_o there_o be_v a_o thousand_o yea_o or_o 500_o christian_n those_o who_o will_v not_o abuse_v themselves_o or_o their_o reader_n must_v give_v great_a allowance_n to_o such_o expression_n and_o not_o rely_v on_o they_o in_o strict_a argue_v and_o here_o it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o he_o say_v of_o rome_n in_o another_o chapter_n m._n b._n have_v declare_v that_o he_o find_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o rome_n and_o alexandria_n have_v for_o 200_o year_n more_o
convert_v in_o it_o however_o many_o more_o such_o addition_n will_v not_o increase_v that_o church_n beyond_o m._n b_n measure_n nor_o make_v it_o near_o so_o numerous_a as_o that_o parish_n to_o which_o whitehall_n belong_v what_o he_o next_o offer_v neither_o concern_v rome_n be_v 55._o pag._n 55._o general_a expression_n nor_o m._n b._n refer_v to_o the_o age_n after_o those_o which_o he_o be_v concern_v for_o whether_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o understand_v the_o great_a multitude_n which_o be_v gather_v into_o the_o christian_a profession_n as_o valesius_fw-la or_o that_o assemble_v together_o for_o christian_a worship_n as_o our_o author_n be_v not_o material_a though_o the_o former_a be_v more_o likely_a unless_o we_o can_v think_v eusebius_n a_o elegant_a writer_n will_v use_v so_o much_o tautology_n in_o so_o few_o line_n that_o from_o which_o he_o may_v expect_v more_o service_n be_v the_o next_o expression_n which_o he_o render_v the_o multitude_n of_o their_o meeting_n in_o every_o city_n but_o may_v with_o better_a reason_n be_v render_v the_o numerousness_n or_o multitude_n of_o those_o that_o assemble_v in_o several_a city_n for_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o every_o city_n have_v many_o congregation_n of_o christian_n in_o it_o that_o there_o be_v many_o city_n long_o after_o which_o have_v no_o christian_n in_o they_o and_o two_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o city_n in_o the_o whole_a empire_n that_o at_o this_o time_n have_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o unless_o where_o they_o all_o may_v have_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n they_o think_v it_o better_o in_o prudence_n to_o disperse_v themselves_o into_o several_a meeting_n for_o in_o alexandria_n which_o be_v the_o great_a city_n next_o to_o rome_n and_o the_o most_o populous_a church_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o be_v no_o appearance_n of_o more_o assembly_n till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o ten_o persecution_n and_o the_o death_n of_o peter_n bishop_n there_o who_o suffer_v in_o the_o nine_o year_n of_o it_o 32._o it_o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 32._o and_o therefore_o the_o elegant_a gradation_n in_o discover_v of_o which_o this_o gentleman_n will_v have_v we_o take_v notice_n that_o he_o have_v a_o more_o comprehensive_a faculty_n than_o valesius_fw-la seem_v not_o very_o well_o found_v that_o which_o follow_v be_v a_o hundred_o year_n or_o more_o beyond_o 55._o pag._n 55._o the_o time_n to_o which_o m._n b._n limit_n his_o assertion_n about_o this_o time_n or_o not_o long_o after_o rome_n have_v above_o 40_o church_n which_o we_o must_v not_o imagine_v to_o be_v build_v all_o at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o by_o degree_n according_a as_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n do_v require_v etc._n etc._n pag._n 55._o from_o the_o number_n of_o church_n he_o can_v reasonable_o conclude_v such_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n as_o he_o contend_v for_o there_o be_v many_o church_n in_o alexandria_n when_o athanasius_n be_v bishop_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o his_o communion_n than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n baronius_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o city_n in_o germany_n which_o have_v 400_o church_n in_o it_o and_o yet_o no_o reason_n â—_o anno_fw-la 108_o â—_o â—_o to_o think_v that_o town_n be_v comparable_a for_o circuit_n and_o populousness_n either_o to_o rome_n or_o alexandria_n if_o i_o shall_v say_v that_o in_o optatus_n there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o church_n but_o the_o number_n mistake_v by_o the_o transcriber_n this_o will_v be_v as_o good_a a_o answer_n as_o that_o of_o our_o author_n who_o will_v have_v the_o 12_o or_o 14_o year_n of_o athanasius_n his_o banishment_n in_o epiphanius_n not_o to_o be_v so_o many_o month_n and_o that_o year_n be_v put_v instead_o of_o month_n by_o the_o mistake_n of_o the_o copy_n pag._n 113._o or_o that_o other_o about_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o council_n at_o anticch_n where_o he_o will_v have_v 30_o in_o diverse_a author_n to_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o the_o transcriber_n for_o 90_o or_o 97_o or_o 99_o ecclos_n 99_o pag._n 123_o 124_o 125._o interpret_v voâ—_n ecclos_n onuphrius_n must_v have_v like_v such_o a_o answer_n to_o this_o of_o optatus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v as_o much_o concern_v for_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n as_o any_o and_o no_o less_o inquisitive_a into_o the_o ancient_a state_n of_o it_o yet_o deliver_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n manifest_a and_o certain_a that_o rome_n have_v but_o 28_o title_n and_o this_o number_n not_o complete_v till_o the_o five_o age._n but_o there_o be_v no_o need_n to_o insist_v on_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v not_o so_o material_a how_o many_o church_n there_o be_v as_o when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o and_o about_o the_o time_n he_o will_v have_v blondel_n to_o mistake_v and_o m._n b._n to_o follow_v he_o therein_o he_o have_v be_v nibble_v at_o blondell_n a_o little_a before_o upon_o a_o small_a occasion_n and_o with_o as_o little_a reason_n as_o may_v be_v show_v if_o it_o be_v sit_v to_o follow_v one_o in_o his_o vagary_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o here_o he_o do_v not_o follow_v valesius_fw-la in_o his_o mistake_n who_o will_v have_v optatus_n to_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o diocletian_a be_v persecution_n tempore_fw-la persecutionis_fw-la diocletiani_n 43._o diocletiani_n in_o euseb_n lib._n 6._o c._n 43._o but_o optatus_n speak_v of_o those_o church_n when_o extant_a and_o capable_a of_o receive_v congregation_n as_o be_v plain_a by_o his_o word_n but_o what_o church_n be_v at_o rome_n or_o other_o place_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o that_o persecution_n be_v all_o quite_o demolish_v and_o that_o in_o one_o day_n say_v theodoret_n 38._o theodoret_n hist_o l._n 5._o c._n 38._o or_o the_o paschal_n day_n as_o eusebius_n chron._n eusebius_n chron._n and_o there_o be_v no_o probability_n they_o can_v rebuild_v they_o while_o the_o persecution_n last_v or_o that_o so_o many_o can_v be_v raise_v in_o less_o than_o many_o year_n after_o nicephorus_n speak_v but_o of_o 14_o church_n at_o constantinople_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o theodosius_n junior_a nor_o meet_v i_o with_o any_o author_n that_o give_v a_o account_n of_o more_o yet_o this_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o byzantium_n be_v re-edifyed_n and_o both_o constantine_n and_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n endeavour_v to_o make_v that_o city_n as_o populous_a as_o can_v be_v and_o furnish_v it_o with_o church_n answerable_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n there_o can_v be_v 40_o church_n in_o rome_n at_o any_o time_n near_o dioclesian_n than_o optatus_n but_o to_o help_v this_o our_o author_n tell_v we_o out_o of_o optatus_n that_o there_o be_v three_o donatist_n bishop_n at_o rome_n successive_o before_o macrobius_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o optatus_n and_o that_o the_o first_o of_o they_o be_v victor_n garbiensis_fw-la and_o he_o will_v have_v optatus_n to_o speak_v of_o the_o state_n of_o rome_n the_o 40_o church_n there_o not_o as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o own_o time_n but_o in_o that_o of_o this_o victor_n when_o this_o be_v he_o say_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o six_o pag._n 56._o yet_o this_o be_v certain_a it_o can_v be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n persecution_n for_o the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n do_v not_o break_v out_o till_o majorinus_n be_v ordain_v who_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o faction_n make_v in_o africa_n or_o elsewhere_o and_o this_o be_v sometime_o after_o the_o persecution_n be_v there_o end_v as_o optatus_n and_o valcsius_n after_o he_o and_o other_o declare_v 3._o declare_v de_fw-fr schis_n denat_n cap._n 3._o and_o sometime_o must_v be_v allow_v after_o this_o for_o the_o donatist_n settle_v in_o rome_n and_o such_o a_o increase_n of_o they_o there_o as_o to_o need_v a_o bishop_n baronius_n make_v this_o victor_n to_o be_v bishop_n in_o silvester_n time_n which_o may_v be_v long_o enough_o after_o dioclesian_n persecution_n for_o he_o live_v till_o 335._o all_o which_o our_o author_n have_v to_o allege_v for_o the_o more_o early_a date_n of_o victor_n bishopric_n be_v that_o there_o be_v two_o or_o three_o donatist_n bishop_n between_o victor_n and_o optatus_n but_o this_o will_v scarce_o serve_v his_o turn_n for_o there_o be_v four_o bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o that_o very_a age_n wherein_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v who_o hold_v not_o the_o chair_n ten_o year_n among_o they_o marcellus_z eusebius_n melchiade_n and_o marcus_n but_o we_o may_v allow_v the_o three_o donatist_n bishop_n at_o rome_n near_o ten_o year_n a_o piece_n from_o the_o time_n of_o optatus_n 378_o as_o both_o blondel_n and_o valesius_fw-la agree_n and_o yet_o victor_n garbiensis_fw-la
alypius_n bishop_n of_o tagesta_n which_o without_o reason_n we_o must_v take_v to_o be_v a_o considerable_a city_n 527._o city_n pag._n 527._o and_o the_o city_n milevis_n because_o petilian_n say_v tunca_n belong_v to_o it_o once_o though_o now_o it_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o and_o by_o our_o author_n art_n of_o computation_n town_n village_n and_o city_n must_v belong_v to_o milevis_n upon_o the_o sole_a account_n of_o tunca_n sometime_o appertain_v to_o it_o 528._o it_o pag._n 528._o and_o these_o with_o fussala_n of_o which_o before_o be_v the_o chief_a instance_n to_o prove_v that_o africa_n have_v very_o large_a diocese_n not_o inferior_a to_o those_o of_o we_o in_o extent_n of_o territory_n 516._o territory_n pag._n 516._o beside_o in_o the_o council_n of_o neocaesarea_n country_n presbyter_n be_v distinguish_v from_o other_o 13._o other_o can._n 13._o and_o that_o of_o antioch_n provide_v that_o country_n presbyter_n shall_v not_o give_v canonical_a epistle_n 8._o epistle_n can._n 8._o and_o allow_v the_o bishop_n to_o order_v his_o own_o church_n and_o the_o câ—â—â—trey_n place_n depend_v on_o it_o 536._o it_o can._n 9_o pag._n 536._o and_o epiphanius_n speak_v of_o a_o church_n belong_v to_o his_o charge_n which_o we_o must_v understand_v to_o be_v his_o diocese_n though_o in_o the_o passage_n cite_v it_o be_v twice_o call_v his_o province_n 555._o province_n pag._n 555._o in_o fine_a i_o speak_v of_o some_o baptize_v by_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n in_o hamlet_n castle_n and_o place_n remote_a from_o the_o bishop_n these_o and_o such_o like_a be_v use_v as_o good_a argument_n for_o diocesan_n church_n whereas_o there_o be_v diverse_a town_n in_o england_n which_o beside_o the_o officer_n in_o they_o have_v many_o congregation_n and_o presbyter_n in_o village_n belong_v to_o they_o and_o contain_v within_o the_o parish_n and_o yet_o our_o author_n and_o those_o of_o his_o persuasion_n will_v think_v diocesan_n quite_o ruin_v if_o they_o be_v reduce_v and_o confine_v to_o the_o measure_n of_o those_o parish_n church_n and_o leave_v no_o big_a than_o some_o of_o our_o vicarage_n and_o parsonage_n though_o such_o as_o mr._n hooker_n affirm_v to_o be_v as_o large_a as_o some_o ancient_a bishopric_n he_o may_v have_v say_v most_o there_o be_v not_o one_o in_o many_o great_a or_o so_o large_a i_o yet_o see_v no_o ground_n in_o antiquity_n nor_o can_v expect_v to_o have_v it_o prove_v that_o the_o large_a sort_n of_o ordinary_a bishopric_n in_o the_o four_o age_n and_o sometime_o after_o be_v of_o more_o extent_n than_o two_o such_o vicarage_n will_v be_v if_o unite_v yet_o a_o bishop_n of_o such_o a_o district_n in_o our_o time_n will_v be_v count_v so_o far_o from_o have_v a_o competent_a diocese_n that_o he_o will_v scarce_o escape_v from_o be_v scorn_v as_o a_o italian_a episcopellus_n but_o his_o great_a argument_n in_o comparison_n of_o which_o his_o other_o allegation_n he_o tell_v we_o be_v but_o accidental_a hint_n 508._o hint_n pag._n 508._o which_o he_o most_o insist_o on_o and_o offer_v many_o time_n over_o so_o that_o it_o make_v a_o great_a part_n of_o his_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n 562._o subject_n pag._n 508._o to_o pag._n 555._o to_o 539._o pag._n 556._o to_o 562._o it_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o council_n by_o which_o he_o will_v evince_v the_o largeness_n of_o ancient_a diocese_n when_o it_o no_o way_n prove_v diocesan_n church_n of_o any_o size_n he_o proceed_v upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o all_o part_n and_o city_n 530._o city_n pag._n 530._o in_o the_o first_o age_n and_o that_o the_o bishop_n be_v few_o in_o former_a time_n than_o afterward_o the_o former_a part_n of_o his_o hypothesis_n if_o he_o understand_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n to_o be_v any_o thing_n comparable_a to_o what_o they_o be_v after_o constantine_n when_o bishop_n be_v much_o multiply_v as_o he_o must_v understand_v it_o if_o he_o expect_v any_o service_n from_o it_o want_v proof_n and_o he_o offer_v none_o but_o some_o passage_n in_o tertullian_n strain_v far_o beyond_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o other_o ancient_a author_n of_o which_o before_o let_v i_o add_v that_o nazianzen_n compare_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o former_a time_n with_o those_o in_o julian_n reign_n say_v they_o be_v not_o many_o in_o former_a persecution_n christianity_n have_v not_o reach_v many_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d no_o not_o in_o that_o of_o dioclesian_n etc._n etc._n though_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n far_o more_o numerous_a than_o in_o tertullian_n age_n but_o that_o christianity_n be_v find_v only_o in_o a_o few_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o 〈◊〉_d orat._n 3._o the_o other_o part_n which_o need_v no_o proof_n since_o it_o be_v grant_v and_o may_v be_v without_o any_o advantage_n to_o he_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v large_o and_o industrious_o but_o by_o such_o a_o medium_n as_o make_v that_o which_o be_v grant_v to_o be_v questionable_a such_o a_o one_o which_o as_o it_o be_v order_v may_v conclude_v backward_o and_o prove_v the_o contrary_a to_o what_o he_o design_n that_o this_o may_v be_v manifest_a let_v it_o be_v observe_v that_o he_o will_v have_v we_o take_v a_o account_n of_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n by_o their_o appear_v in_o council_n more_o or_o few_o and_o according_o judge_n in_o several_a period_n whether_o they_o be_v less_o numerous_a and_o consequent_o their_o diocese_n large_a in_o former_a time_n than_o afterward_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n we_o need_v view_v no_o other_o instance_n than_o himself_o produce_v at_o lambese_n in_o africa_n there_o be_v 90_o bishop_n against_o privatus_fw-la but_o not_o so_o many_o in_o any_o council_n after_o though_o not_o a_o few_o be_v mention_v in_o that_o country_n till_o the_o donatist_n grow_v numerous_a 509._o numerous_a pag._n 509._o in_o spain_n the_o council_n of_o eliberis_n have_v 19_o bishop_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o age_n and_o the_o first_o council_n of_o toledo_n have_v no_o more_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o age_n after_o but_o the_o follow_a synod_n at_o saragossa_n gerunda_n ilerda_n valentia_n arragon_n have_v not_o so_o many_o 558_o many_o pag._n 557._o 558_o in_o france_n the_o council_n at_o valence_n have_v 21_o bishop_n in_o the_o four_o age_n but_o those_o follow_v they_o in_o that_o and_o the_o after_o age_n have_v still_o few_o viz._n that_o of_o riez_n orange_n the_o three_o of_o arles_n that_o at_o anger_n be_v that_o at_o tours_n and_o vennes_n and_o another_o at_o arles_n for_o general_a council_n the_o first_o at_o nice_a have_v 318_o bishop_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o age_n that_o at_o ephesus_n above_o a_o hundred_o yearsafter_o have_v but_o two_o hundred_o that_o at_o c._n p._n in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o four_o age_n have_v but_o one_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o bishop_n so_o that_o if_o we_o take_v account_v how_o many_o bishop_n there_o be_v of_o old_a as_o he_o will_v have_v we_o by_o their_o number_n in_o council_n there_o will_v be_v more_o before_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o age_n than_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o more_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o than_o in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o five_o and_o more_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o five_o than_o in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o six_o quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o hypothesis_n on_o which_o he_o proceed_v whether_o by_o his_o argument_n he_o will_v lead_v we_o to_o think_v diocese_n do_v wax_n and_o wane_n so_o odd_o as_o it_o make_v bishop_n to_o be_v more_o or_o few_o i_o can_v tell_v however_o since_o he_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o four_o and_o five_o age_n diocese_n be_v very_o small_a 552._o small_a pag._n 552._o and_o crumble_v into_o small_a piece_n 516._o piece_n pag._n 516._o and_o so_o nothing_o like_o we_o there_o be_v no_o expectation_n he_o can_v find_v any_o large_a if_o any_o thing_n near_o so_o great_a in_o any_o former_a age_n unless_o they_o can_v be_v large_a when_o incomparable_o few_o christian_n belong_v to_o these_o bishop_n which_o will_v be_v no_o less_o a_o paradox_n than_o the_o former_a for_o it_o can_v but_o be_v think_v strange_a that_o the_o bishop_n diocese_n shall_v be_v great_a when_o his_o flock_n be_v undeniable_o far_o less_o and_o they_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v christian_a bishopric_n who_o measure_n must_v be_v take_v by_o number_n of_o acre_n rather_o than_o of_o soul_n or_o by_o multitude_n of_o heathen_n rather_o than_o christian_n he_o deny_v not_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o bishop_n for_o a_o long_a while_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v but_o one_o congregation_n to_o govern_v 71._o pag._n 71._o what_o then_o say_v he_o if_o all_o the_o beleiver_n in_o and_o
a_o city_n yet_o it_o be_v think_v so_o by_o st._n austin_n when_o he_o excuse_v his_o suffering_n himself_o to_o be_v make_v bishop_n with_o valerius_n by_o this_o that_o he_o know_v noâ—_n it_o be_v forbid_v by_o a_o rule_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n quod_fw-la concilio_n niceno_fw-la prohibitum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la nesciebam_fw-la and_o give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o will_v not_o so_o ordain_v eradius_fw-la next_o he_o will_v prove_v that_o this_o provision_n for_o a_o successor_n do_v not_o destroy_v that_o rule_n by_o a_o instance_n i_o need_v not_o transcribe_v it_o at_o large_a the_o sum_n of_o it_o be_v this_o when_o the_o government_n be_v monarchical_a if_o it_o fall_v out_o once_o in_o many_o age_n as_o it_o do_v in_o england_n once_o in_o above_o 500_o year_n that_o another_o king_n be_v crown_v beside_o he_o who_o have_v the_o throne_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v true_a enough_o that_o it_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o those_o kingdom_n to_o have_v but_o one_o king_n to_o which_o i_o say_v brief_o if_o it_o be_v usual_a to_o have_v two_o king_n in_o such_o a_o government_n it_o will_v scarce_o be_v think_v true_a that_o it_o be_v the_o inviolable_a rule_n of_o those_o kingdom_n to_o have_v but_o one_o king_n and_o then_o how_o this_o instance_n will_v suit_v his_o purpose_n let_v those_o judge_n who_o take_v notice_n that_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v it_o usual_a in_o the_o ancient_a church_n for_o city_n in_o all_o part_n to_o have_v two_o bishop_n at_o once_o from_o pag._n 12._o he_o pass_v to_o pag._n 23._o to_o show_v there_o be_v more_o bishopric_n than_o one_o in_o the_o region_n or_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n i_o bring_v several_a instance_n and_o may_v have_v produce_v more_o but_o that_o i_o confine_v myself_o to_o those_o which_o the_o learned_a dean_n allege_v to_o the_o contrary_n fussala_n be_v one_o of_o they_o and_z than_z alone_o this_o gentleman_n take_v notice_n of_o st._n austin_n call_v it_o castellum_n diverse_a time_n in_o one_o epistle_n he_o find_v fault_n that_o i_o translate_v castellum_n a_o castle_n i_o do_v no_o more_o expect_v to_o be_v blame_v for_o this_o than_o if_o i_o have_v render_v oppidum_n a_o town_n but_o i_o suppose_v he_o count_v it_o no_o great_a crime_n since_o he_o run_v into_o it_o himself_o and_o in_o a_o few_o line_n after_o call_v it_o a_o castle_n but_o these_o castle_n say_v he_o be_v garrison_n town_n with_o a_o good_a dependence_n of_o village_n belong_v to_o they_o they_o be_v fortress_n and_o sometime_o have_v village_n depend_v on_o they_o and_o may_v contain_v so_o many_o building_n as_o there_o be_v in_o some_o village_n or_o little_a town_n however_o he_o call_v they_o castle_n and_o may_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o do_v so_o too_o he_o add_v it_o be_v 40_o mile_n distant_a from_o hippo_n and_o be_v in_o st._n austine_n diocese_n and_o never_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o it_o be_v say_v indeed_o to_o belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v it_o say_v to_o be_v in_o st._n austine_n diocese_n or_o bishopric_n these_o be_v two_o thing_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v confound_v when_o it_o be_v say_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n so_o far_o distant_a diocese_n be_v not_o take_v as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a sense_n as_o it_o be_v with_o we_o for_o part_n of_o a_o country_n under_o the_o government_n of_o one_o bishop_n but_o as_o it_o be_v use_v in_o africa_n in_o a_o civil_a sense_n for_o part_n of_o a_o province_n without_o respect_n to_o one_o bishop_n or_o to_o any_o one_o bishop_n at_o all_o some_o part_n there_o call_v diocese_n have_v no_o bishop_n nor_o be_v to_o have_v any_o by_o decree_n of_o the_o african_a council_n 53._o council_n con._n carth._n 2._o can._n 5._o code_n africa_n 53._o other_o place_n call_v a_o diocese_n have_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o petilian_n say_v that_o in_o the_o place_n where_o his_o colleague_n januarius_n be_v bishop_n there_o be_v 4_o bishop_n beside_o all_o five_o in_o unâ_fw-la dioecesi_fw-la 117._o dioecesi_fw-la coll._n carth._n d._n 1_o num._n 117._o and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o many_o other_o place_n particular_o in_o that_o call_v the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n as_o i_o show_v by_o diverse_a instance_n and_o st._n augustine_n own_o testimony_n hereby_o it_o appear_v that_o in_o africa_n a_o diocese_n and_o a_o bishopric_n be_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n though_o they_o be_v with_o we_o there_o be_v diverse_a diocese_n and_o no_o bishopric_n and_o many_o bishopric_n where_o but_o one_o diocese_n so_o that_o fussala_n and_o 20_o other_o castle_n and_o town_n may_v be_v in_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n at_o 40_o mile_n distance_n or_o more_o and_o yet_o st._n augustine_n bishopric_n not_o one_o jot_n the_o large_a for_o it_o nor_o he_o more_o a_o diocesan_n whereas_o he_o add_v that_o it_o never_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o it_o be_v unquestionable_a that_o fussala_n have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o in_o augustine_n time_n and_o this_o render_v it_o whole_o unserviceable_a to_o their_o purpose_n for_o the_o bishopric_n of_o hippo_n say_v to_o be_v of_o 40_o mile_n extent_n will_v not_o upon_o the_o count_n of_o fussala_n be_v 40_o yard_n large_a nor_o will_v either_o of_o these_o bishop_n nor_o any_o other_o in_o that_o region_n be_v diocesan_n unless_o there_o can_v be_v two_o diocesan_n and_o i_o know_v not_o how_o many_o more_o in_o one_o diocese_n i_o assign_v this_o reason_n why_o fussala_n have_v not_o a_o bishop_n soon_o because_o austin_n declare_v there_o be_v not_o one_o catholic_n in_fw-la it_o and_o suppose_v this_o may_v serve_v the_o turn_n not_o dream_v that_o those_o who_o count_v all_o the_o people_n in_o a_o very_a large_a parish_n or_o in_o a_o 100_o parish_n little_a enough_o for_o a_o diocesan_n can_v think_v his_o diocese_n competent_o furnish_v when_o he_o have_v not_o one_o soul_n or_o but_o some_o few_o in_o communion_n with_o he_o he_o say_v the_o town_n or_o castle_n indeed_o have_v none_o but_o the_o county_n belong_v to_o it_o have_v some_o he_o will_v have_v the_o territory_n or_o parish_n depend_v on_o this_o castle_n to_o be_v a_o county_n i_o can_v but_o observe_v the_o admirable_a power_n of_o a_o fancy_n tinctured_a and_o prepossess_v it_o will_v turn_v a_o parish_n into_o a_o county_n and_o a_o castle_n into_o a_o county_n town_n and_o since_o a_o county_n with_o we_o be_v a_o province_n with_o they_o one_o province_n must_v be_v as_o much_o as_o all_o africa_n and_o a_o very_a small_a part_n of_o numidia_n must_v be_v far_o great_a than_o the_o whole_a but_o there_o be_v some_o hypothesis_n which_o may_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o such_o imagination_n however_o he_o like_v not_o my_o reason_n and_o why_o because_o though_o it_o have_v no_o catholic_n in_o it_o then_o it_o may_v have_v some_o before_o and_o conclude_v it_o have_v because_o it_o belong_v heretofore_o to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo._n but_o that_o it_o former_o have_v catholic_n say_v he_o we_o may_v conclude_v by_o mr._n baxter_n reason_v because_o it_o belong_v heretofore_o to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo._n if_o diocese_n be_v take_v in_o a_o civil_a sense_n as_o it_o be_v frequent_o in_o african_a author_n this_o will_v be_v no_o proof_n that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o catholic_n in_o it_o because_o in_o this_o sense_n fussala_n may_v belong_v to_o that_o diocese_n though_o there_o have_v not_o be_v either_o christian_a or_o bishop_n in_o the_o whole_a region_n nor_o will_v it_o be_v hereby_o prove_v take_v it_o in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a sense_n for_o that_o part_n of_o hippo_n which_o be_v under_o the_o donatist_n bishop_n have_v no_o catholic_n and_o yet_o the_o jure_fw-la as_o he_o tell_v we_o belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n as_o he_o call_v it_o or_o charge_v of_o st._n austin_n yet_o since_o he_o allow_v mr._n baxter_n argument_n he_o must_v admit_v what_o it_o conclude_v viz._n that_o a_o place_n that_o have_v no_o christian_n or_o catholic_n in_o it_o belong_v to_o no_o bishop_n and_o than_o fussala_n never_o belong_v to_o st._n austin_n as_o its_o bishop_n either_o before_o it_o have_v catholic_n for_o against_o this_o the_o argument_n be_v admit_v to_o be_v conclusive_a not_o after_o for_o than_o it_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o and_o so_o all_o they_o have_v to_o allege_v for_o the_o largeness_n of_o st._n augustine_n bishopric_n come_v to_o nothing_o so_o that_o i_o conceive_v the_o reason_n will_v not_o hold_v for_o its_o have_a no_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o since_o the_o same_o reason_n destroy_v its_o dependence_n upon_o the_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n which_o be_v express_o affirm_v the_o reason_n i_o give_v for_o its_o have_a no_o bishop_n be_v because_o st._n
austin_n declare_v there_o be_v no_o catholic_n in_o it_o this_o reason_n will_v hold_v unless_o they_o think_v a_o place_n may_v have_v a_o bishop_n where_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n at_o all_o when_o as_o yet_o they_o judge_v that_o a_o place_n which_o have_v christian_n enough_o to_o make_v a_o good_a congregation_n or_o many_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v a_o bishop_n whereas_o he_o say_v this_o reason_n destroy_v its_o dependence_n upon_o the_o diocese_n i_o wonder_v what_o dependence_n he_o imagine_v since_o it_o be_v such_o as_o both_o the_o not_o have_v of_o christian_n and_o also_o the_o have_v of_o they_o destroy_v it_o the_o former_a he_o here_o affirm_v the_o same_o reason_n which_o be_v its_o not_o have_v of_o catholic_n destroy_v it_o the_o latter_a be_v undeniable_a for_o when_o fussala_n have_v a_o competent_a number_n of_o catholic_n a_o bishop_n be_v there_o constitute_v and_o than_o it_o depend_v no_o more_o on_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n than_o one_o bishop_n church_n depend_v on_o another_o when_o both_o be_v independent_a the_o dependence_n of_o fussala_n upon_o hippo_n be_v such_o as_o that_o of_o a_o country_n place_n upon_o a_o great_a town_n well_o furnish_v with_o officer_n for_o their_o help_n to_o convert_v and_o reduce_v the_o inhabitant_n and_o when_o enough_o be_v convert_v to_o help_v they_o to_o a_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n this_o st._n austin_n do_v for_o fussala_n he_o employ_v presbyter_n to_o reduce_v the_o donatist_n there_o and_o when_o they_o be_v reduce_v he_o add_v they_o not_o to_o his_o own_o charge_n will_v not_o have_v they_o episcopo_fw-la cedere_fw-la but_o advise_v they_o to_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o their_o own_o and_o procure_v one_o for_o they_o this_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n in_o these_o method_n be_v church_n and_o bishop_n multiply_v it_o be_v not_o out_o of_o use_n in_o the_o five_o age_n this_o of_o fussala_n as_o manage_v by_o st._n austin_n be_v a_o remarkable_a instance_n thereof_o and_o if_o other_o bishop_n have_v imitate_v he_o as_o he_o do_v the_o apostle_n and_o best_a age_n the_o church_n will_v not_o have_v be_v trouble_v with_o debate_n about_o diocesan_n that_o austin_n will_v not_o take_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o place_n so_o far_o off_o as_o fussala_n he_o will_v have_v it_o ascribe_v to_o his_o modesty_n but_o it_o be_v such_o modesty_n as_o this_o excellent_a person_n make_v conscience_n of_o be_v convince_v certissimâ_fw-la ratione_fw-la by_o most_o certain_a reason_n that_o he_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o it_o if_o all_o other_o bishop_n have_v be_v so_o modest_a so_o conscientious_a there_o may_v have_v be_v as_o nazianzen_n speak_v when_o bishop_n be_v multiply_v in_o cappadocia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o much_o more_o desirable_a thing_n to_o those_o that_o love_v soul_n than_o a_o great_a diocese_n he_o give_v a_o reason_n why_o this_o must_v be_v ascribe_v to_o st._n augustine_n modesty_n because_o he_o discharge_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n there_o in_o more_o difficult_a time_n while_o the_o presbytâ—râ—_n he_o employ_v there_o be_v barbarous_o use_v i_o need_v not_o deny_v that_o he_o perform_v the_o office_n of_o 〈◊〉_d bishop_n there_o for_o it_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o endeavour_v by_o himself_o or_o other_o the_o convert_n or_o reduce_v of_o all_o that_o he_o can_v only_o this_o will_v not_o prove_v fussala_n to_o be_v then_o a_o part_n of_o his_o bishopric_n no_o more_o than_o it_o will_v prove_v athanasius_n to_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o india_n because_o he_o encourage_v and_o send_v frumentius_n with_o other_o thither_o to_o convert_v the_o indian_n 23._o indian_n soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 15._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 23._o the_o learned_a dean_n have_v cite_v austin_n as_o call_v himself_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o diocese_n understand_v by_o it_o a_o region_n of_o vast_a extent_n i_o observe_v that_o in_o the_o epistle_n quote_v he_o only_o say_v he_o have_v the_o episcopal_a charge_n of_o hippo._n by_o this_o the_o gentleman_n change_v my_o word_n will_v have_v i_o to_o signify_v that_o he_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o town_n only_o this_o i_o do_v not_o intend_v but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o only_a bishop_n of_o that_o whole_a region_n but_o whether_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o part_n of_o the_o town_n only_o or_o of_o that_o and_o some_o part_n of_o the_o region_n also_o i_o be_o not_o much_o concern_v his_o word_n be_v as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o the_o town_n only_o nay_o but_o of_o part_n of_o that_o neither_o for_o the_o donatist_n have_v their_o bishop_n there_o so_o this_o will_v strange_o diminish_v the_o bishopric_n of_o st._n austin_n which_o at_o first_o appear_v so_o large_a then_o he_o answer_v for_o the_o donatist_n have_v a_o bishop_n there_o it_o signify_v little_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n since_o he_o be_v but_o a_o usurper_n but_o this_o signify_v as_o much_o to_o my_o purpose_n as_o i_o need_v for_o the_o donatist_n have_v a_o bishopric_n in_o hippo_n st._n augustine_n must_n needs_o be_v diminish_v thereby_o and_o altogether_o as_o much_o lessen_v as_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v usurper_n and_o they_o be_v count_v no_o otherwise_o usurper_n but_o so_o that_o if_o the_o donatist_n bishop_n have_v be_v reconcile_v by_o a_o decree_n of_o the_o african_a church_n he_o be_v to_o continue_v in_o his_o bishop-there_a as_o a_o rightful_a possessor_n and_o there_o will_v have_v be_v still_o two_o diocese_n such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o one_o town_n he_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v austin_n as_o if_o he_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o town_n only_o but_o his_o word_n be_v ut_fw-la modum_fw-la dispensationis_fw-la meae_fw-la non_fw-la supergrediar_n hoc_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ad_fw-la hipponensem_fw-la regionem_fw-la pertinenti_fw-la prodesse_fw-la contestor_fw-la which_o say_v our_o author_n plain_o signify_v that_o all_o the_o church_n belong_v not_o only_o to_o the_o town_n but_o but_o also_o to_o the_o region_n of_o hippo_n belong_v to_o he_o but_o if_o he_o please_v to_o view_v the_o word_n again_o which_o himself_o have_v quote_v he_o will_v find_v it_o plain_o signify_v that_o augustine_n church_n belong_v to_o the_o region_n of_o hippo_n but_o not_o that_o all_o the_o church_n both_o in_o town_n and_o region_n belong_v to_o he_o antonius_n bishop_n of_o fussala_n may_v have_v say_v this_o as_o true_o of_o his_o church_n there_o as_o austin_n do_v it_o of_o his_o church_n at_o hippo_n it_o do_v ad_fw-la hipponensem_fw-la regionem_fw-la pertinere_fw-la belong_v to_o the_o region_n of_o hippo._n and_o it_o may_v be_v as_o just_o infer_v from_o hence_o that_o all_o the_o church_n both_o in_o the_o town_n and_o region_n of_o hippo_n belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o fussala_n if_o our_o author_n will_v allow_v of_o this_o as_o he_o must_v if_o he_o will_v stand_v to_o his_o own_o account_n of_o this_o passage_n augustine_n bishopric_n will_v be_v strange_o diminish_v indeed_o it_o must_v be_v confine_v to_o a_o part_n of_o hippo_n and_o make_v less_o than_o i_o represent_v it_o for_o i_o do_v not_o say_v nor_o have_v i_o any_o need_n to_o assert_v that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o town_n only_o we_o may_v allow_v he_o beside_o his_o part_n of_o the_o town_n diverse_a village_n in_o the_o country_n though_o i_o have_v not_o see_v it_o prove_v without_o any_o danger_n of_o assign_v he_o a_o diocesan_n church_n for_o kidderminster_n as_o one_o tell_v we_o who_o very_o well_o know_v it_o have_v 20_o village_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o some_o thousand_o of_o soul_n therein_o yet_o according_a to_o our_o modern_a measure_n will_v scarce_o make_v a_o diocesan_n church_n 9_o church_n m._n b._n of_o episcopacy_n part_v 2._o p._n 9_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v more_o bishop_n in_o the_o region_n of_o hippo_n than_o st._n austin_n beside_o particular_a instance_n which_o he_o pass_v by_o i_o allege_v a_o passage_n of_o his_o where_n the_o donatist_n be_v desire_v to_o meet_v together_o with_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n that_o be_v in_o that_o region_n and_o who_o there_o suffer_v so_o much_o by_o the_o donatist_n to_o this_o he_o answer_v that_o these_o bishop_n who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o region_fw-la hipponensi_fw-la be_v not_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o region_n but_o some_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n meet_v together_o there_o but_o that_o these_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o province_n meet_v together_o there_o be_v a_o mere_a conjecture_n of_o his_o own_o without_o the_o least_o ground_n either_o in_o this_o passage_n or_o any_o other_o in_o that_o epistle_n it_o will_v not_o be_v hard_a to_o answer_v any_o thing_n at_o this_o rate_n if_o there_o have_v be_v a_o provincial_a council_n then_o hold_v in_o that_o region_n
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
govern_v in_o common_a by_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n as_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v they_o will_v not_o be_v diocesan_n but_o more_o like_o the_o model_n of_o the_o church_n and_o government_n which_o holland_n have_v at_o present_a and_o now_o after_o all_o this_o though_o we_o have_v several_a instance_n out_o of_o egypt_n how_o near_a city_n be_v together_o in_o some_o part_n yet_o upon_o the_o whole_a account_n the_o diocese_n do_v appear_v to_o be_v large_a enough_o from_o the_o number_n of_o they_o he_o will_v have_v we_o think_v where_o city_n be_v so_o near_o together_o as_o i_o have_v show_v yet_o because_o of_o their_o number_n the_o diocese_n may_v be_v large_a enough_o but_o where_o they_o be_v so_o near_o together_o they_o can_v not_o be_v large_a enough_o to_o make_v any_o thing_n like_o the_o modern_a diocese_n no_o nor_o large_a than_o our_o country_n parish_n if_o they_o have_v bishop_n in_o they_o and_o the_o ancient_n thought_o themselves_o oblige_v by_o the_o apostle_n rule_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n not_o only_o in_o some_o but_o in_o every_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v chrysostome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 11._o 〈◊〉_d in_o 1_o tim._n hom._n 11._o and_o theophilact_fw-mi express_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o exception_n of_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o place_n or_o its_o nearness_n to_o other_o the_o reason_n diverse_a city_n have_v none_o be_v the_o want_n or_o the_o inconsiderable_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o they_o nothing_o but_o this_o hinder_v any_o city_n from_o have_v a_o bishop_n in_o the_o four_o first_o age_n though_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o city_n as_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a be_v no_o great_a than_o our_o market-town_n or_o fair_a village_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n many_o city_n may_v want_v bishop_n and_o it_o may_v be_v do_v so_o in_o egypt_n particular_o heathenism_n prevail_v in_o many_o place_n there_o even_o in_o athanasius_n his_o time_n for_o which_o i_o can_v produce_v sufficient_a evidence_n but_o will_v not_o now_o digress_v so_o far_o afterward_o the_o affectation_n of_o greatness_n in_o some_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o new_a measure_n and_o order_n be_v make_v that_o town_n which_o have_v no_o bishop_n before_o shall_v have_v none_o after_o though_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o have_v none_o before_o be_v go_v and_o those_o place_n have_v as_o many_o or_o more_o christian_n in_o they_o than_o most_o episcopal_a city_n have_v of_o old_a for_o in_o athanasius_n his_o time_n there_o be_v not_o a_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o all_o egypt_n lybia_n and_o pentapolis_n 2._o pentapolis_n athan._n apol._n 2._o i_o be_v a_o little_a surprise_v to_o read_v this_o and_o see_v athanasius_n cite_v for_o it_o for_o i_o know_v that_o athanasius_n reckon_v 95_o bishop_n from_o egypt_n beside_o himself_o at_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n and_o other_o from_o africa_n wherein_o lybia_n and_o pentapolis_n be_v usual_o include_v and_o it_o be_v never_o know_v that_o a_o major_a part_n or_o a_o three_o of_o the_o bishop_n in_o a_o country_n do_v come_v to_o a_o council_n at_o such_o a_o distance_n as_o egypt_n be_v from_o sardica_n it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a that_o athanasius_n will_v so_o far_o contradict_v himself_o as_o to_o say_v there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o bishop_n in_o all_o those_o three_o country_n when_o he_o have_v signify_v there_o be_v many_o more_o in_o one_o of_o they_o some_o mistake_n i_o think_v there_o must_v be_v and_o consult_v the_o place_n i_o find_v it_o not_o entire_o represent_v there_o be_v this_o clause_n immediate_o follow_v the_o word_n he_o cite_v leave_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d none_o of_o these_o accuse_v i_o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o whole_a passage_n be_v this_o there_o be_v a_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o the_o diocese_n of_o egypt_n who_o appear_v not_o against_o he_o or_o that_o favour_v he_o but_o those_o who_o favour_v arius_n who_o he_o call_v eusebian_n and_o meletius_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o coluthus_n for_o into_o so_o many_o party_n be_v that_o country_n then_o divide_v be_v not_o take_v into_o the_o reckon_n otherwise_o it_o will_v have_v amount_v to_o many_o more_o than_o a_o hundred_o sozomen_n say_v the_o bishop_n there_o who_o take_v arius_n his_o part_n be_v many_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 14._o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 1._o c._n 14._o and_o in_o athanasius_n there_o be_v a_o account_n of_o many_o meletian_a bishop_n by_o name_n 614._o name_n apol._n 2._o p._n 614._o and_o in_o epiphanius_n it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o every_o region_n through_o which_o meletius_n pass_v and_o in_o every_o place_n where_o he_o come_v he_o make_v bishop_n 68_o bishop_n ep._n haer._n 68_o the_o next_o thing_n he_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o defence_n of_o mr._n baxter_n allegation_n out_o of_o athanasius_n to_o show_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o alexandria_n m._n b_n word_n be_v the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n it_o be_v to_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o expression_n of_o that_o father_n seem_v to_o favour_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o the_o church_n do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hold_v all_o etc._n etc._n i_o be_o make_v more_o confident_a by_o all_o that_o be_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o evidence_n be_v real_o such_o as_o will_v need_v no_o favour_n if_o it_o can_v meet_v with_o justice_n now_o suppose_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n the_o catholic_n at_o leastwise_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o that_o great_a church_n yet_o all_o the_o diocese_n can_v not_o all_o that_o be_v undertake_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o passage_n in_o question_n be_v that_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n adhere_v to_o athanasius_n can_v and_o do_v meet_v in_o that_o one_o church_n if_o this_o be_v grant_v nothing_o be_v deny_v that_o he_o intend_v to_o prove_v as_o for_o a_o diocese_n in_o the_o country_n if_o he_o will_v show_v we_o what_o or_o where_o it_o be_v and_o that_o it_o have_v no_o other_o bishop_n in_o it_o he_o will_v do_v something_o that_o may_v be_v consider_v yet_o nothing_o at_o all_o against_o what_o this_o testimony_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o evince_v he_o say_v two_o suppose_v this_o great_a great_a church_n can_v receive_v all_o the_o multitude_n yet_o if_o that_o multitude_n be_v too_o great_a for_o personal_a communion_n it_o be_v insignificant_a upon_o this_o supposition_n it_o may_v be_v too_o great_a for_o a_o ordinary_a meeting_n in_o the_o congregational_a way_n yet_o not_o big_a enough_o for_o a_o diocesan_n church_n but_o the_o supposition_n be_v groundless_a and_o contradict_v athanasius_n who_o say_v they_o have_v personal_a communion_n they_o all_o pray_v together_o and_o do_v not_o only_o meet_v within_o the_o wall_n but_o concur_v in_o the_o worship_n and_o say_v amen_o he_o say_v three_o before_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n meet_v in_o distinct_a congregation_n but_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o those_o place_n be_v very_o small_a short_a and_o strait_a place_n all_o these_o save_v one_o i_o say_v which_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v omit_v and_o they_o be_v so_o small_a because_o those_o who_o be_v wont_a to_o meet_v in_o they_o several_o so_o as_o to_o fill_v they_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o church_n and_o do_v so_o as_o athanasius_n declare_v but_o that_o they_o be_v such_o chapel_n or_o church_n as_o some_o of_o our_o parish_n in_o england_n have_v as_o great_a a_o number_n as_o alexandria_n be_v hardly_o credible_a i_o know_v not_o how_o those_o place_n can_v be_v well_o express_v with_o more_o diminution_n than_o athanasius_n have_v do_v it_o he_o say_v they_o be_v not_o only_o strait_a and_o small_a but_o the_o very_o small_a if_o he_o will_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o our_o church_n or_o chapel_n be_v less_o than_o those_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o shall_v understand_v that_o which_o i_o can_v never_o before_o that_o something_o be_v less_o than_o that_o which_o be_v least_o of_o all_o but_o he_o will_v prove_v they_o be_v not_o so_o small_a because_o first_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n be_v very_o numerous_a from_o the_o beginning_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v count_v so_o very_o numerous_a from_o the_o beginning_n i_o know_v no_o reason_n but_o the_o mistake_n of_o a_o historian_n who_o will_v have_v a_o sect_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v numerous_a in_o or_o about_o alexandria_n to_o be_v christian_n and_o if_o they_o meet_v all_o in_o one_o place_n it_o must_v consequent_o be_v very_o large_a the_o ground_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v remove_v valesius_fw-la his_fw-la own_o author_n say_v they_o have_v
cross_a to_o m._n b._n more_o than_o to_o vindicate_v any_o in_o st._n mark_n be_v time_n alexandria_n have_v several_a church_n though_o but_o one_o bishop_n &c_n &c_n 16_o &c_n euseb_n l._n 2_o c._n 16_o what_o eusebius_n say_v of_o church_n in_o alexandria_n at_o that_o time_n be_v ground_v upon_o a_o mistake_n as_o appear_v because_o immediate_o after_o the_o word_n cite_v he_o add_v so_o great_a be_v the_o multitude_n of_o beleiver_n at_o mark_n be_v first_o attempt_v there_o that_o philo_n in_o his_o writing_n think_v fit_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d eusebius_n conceive_v that_o the_o essenes_n as_o scaliger_n or_o the_o therapeutae_n as_o valesius_fw-la who_o philo_n describe_v be_v the_o christian_n of_o mark_n be_v conversion_n and_o there_o be_v assembly_n of_o that_o sect_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o philo_n time_n the_o historian_n speak_v of_o christian_a church_n at_o alexandria_n in_o mark_n be_v time_n but_o those_o who_o believe_v that_o he_o err_v in_o the_o former_a can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o give_v he_o credit_v in_o the_o latter_a our_o examiner_n do_v not_o deny_v that_o he_o be_v mistake_v but_o say_v it_o be_v not_o material_a whether_o they_o be_v jew_n or_o christian_n yet_o those_o who_o inquire_v after_o truth_n sincere_o will_v think_v it_o material_a and_o little_o value_v a_o testimony_n which_o have_v no_o better_a ground_n than_o a_o mistake_n the_o next_o be_v no_o better_o 62._o better_o pag._n 62._o that_o be_v a_o epistle_n of_o adrian_n which_o other_o be_v puzzle_v to_o make_v sense_n of_o or_o such_o sense_n as_o can_v have_v any_o appearance_n of_o truth_n that_o very_a passage_n in_o it_o which_o be_v the_o only_a ground_n of_o our_o author_n argument_n himself_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v false_a for_o he_o will_v show_v the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n to_o be_v numerous_a enough_o for_o his_o purpose_n because_o it_o be_v there_o say_v that_o some_o who_o he_o take_v to_o be_v christian_n do_v force_v the_o patriarch_n whoever_o he_o be_v to_o worship_n christ_n and_o yet_o add_v there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o adrian_n do_v the_o christian_n wrong_v in_o this_o point_n for_o they_o never_o force_v any_o to_o their_o religion_n will_v he_o have_v we_o to_o rely_v upon_o reason_v which_o have_v no_o better_a foundation_n than_o what_o be_v undoubted_o false_a by_o his_o own_o confession_n he_o say_v also_o it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o our_o purpose_n whether_o this_o patriarch_n be_v bishop_n of_o alexandria_n or_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o jew_n if_o so_o than_o it_o be_v not_o material_a with_o this_o gentleman_n either_o to_o argue_v from_o that_o which_o be_v not_o true_a or_o else_o from_o that_o which_o be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n for_o if_o this_o patriarch_n be_v the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n that_o they_o force_v he_o to_o worship_n christ_n be_v not_o true_a he_o do_v it_o of_o his_o own_o accord_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o one_o who_o be_v no_o christian_n that_o they_o force_v then_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o passage_n to_o his_o purpose_n and_o adrian_n epistle_n may_v have_v be_v wave_v as_o a_o mere_a impertinency_n that_o which_o follow_v 63._o follow_v pag._n 63._o have_v not_o the_o show_n of_o a_o reason_n the_o great_a catechist_n of_o alexandria_n as_o pantenus_n clemens_n origen_n and_o heracles_n do_v not_o a_o little_a advance_v the_o growth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o that_o place_n etc._n etc._n must_v there_o needs_o be_v a_o diocesan_n church_n there_o because_o the_o catechist_n do_v advance_v religion_n not_o a_o little_a the_o next_o concern_v dionysius_n his_o church_n meet_v at_o chebron_n cephro_n it_o shall_v be_v and_o coluthio_n be_v already_o full_o answer_v as_o it_o be_v offer_v with_o better_a improvement_n than_o our_o examiner_n give_v it_o 36._o it_o no_o evidence_n for_o pag._n 35_o 36._o it_o can_v easy_o be_v apprehend_v how_o a_o large_a church_n meet_v with_o dionysius_n make_v up_o of_o those_o banish_v with_o he_o and_o other_o from_o several_a part_n of_o egypt_n at_o cephro_n a_o village_n in_o lybia_n a_o distinct_a province_n shall_v prove_v that_o he_o have_v a_o diocesan_n church_n in_o alexandria_n to_o any_o but_o those_o who_o be_v very_o inclinable_a to_o believe_v it_o without_o proof_n nor_o will_v other_o understand_v that_o dionysius_n be_v better_a prove_v to_o be_v a_o diocesan_n by_o the_o christian_n which_o come_v from_o alexandria_n to_o coluthio_n in_o mareote_n there_o be_v none_o there_o beside_o for_o the_o believer_n in_o alexandria_n itself_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o church_n can_v hold_v as_o valesius_fw-la collect_v from_o this_o very_a place_n to_o our_o examiner_n regret_n exit_fw-la hoc_fw-la loco_fw-la colligitur_fw-la aetate_fw-la quidem_fw-la dionysii_fw-la unicam_fw-la adhuc_fw-la fuisse_fw-la alexandria_n ecclesiam_fw-la in_fw-la quam_fw-la omnes_fw-la vrbis_fw-la illius_fw-la fideles_fw-la orationis_fw-la causâ_fw-la conveniebant_fw-la 11._o conveniebant_fw-la not._n in_o euseb_n lib._n 7._o cap._n 11._o in_o the_o next_o paragraph_v our_o examiner_n argue_v for_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n at_o alexandria_n from_o the_o multitude_n of_o martyr_n at_o thebes_n under_o the_o persecution_n of_o diocletian_a what_o number_n of_o christian_n may_v be_v at_o alexandria_n may_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o multitude_n of_o martyr_n that_o suffer_v at_o thebes_n 64._o thebes_n pag._n 64._o etc._n etc._n but_o here_o he_o mistake_v eusebius_n who_o give_v a_o account_v not_o of_o the_o martyr_n which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o city_n thebes_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o province_n thebais_n which_o be_v half_a of_o that_o large_a kingdom_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a division_n of_o it_o into_o the_o upper_a and_o low_a egypt_n the_o superior_a egypt_n be_v thebais_n the_o inferior_a be_v call_v sometime_o the_o delta_n sometime_o egypt_n in_o a_o restrain_a sense_n and_o this_o division_n in_o these_o term_n we_o have_v in_o eusebius_n to_o go_v no_o further_o a_o little_a before_o 6._o before_o cap._n 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o he_o begin_v his_o account_n of_o the_o martyr_n in_o this_o country_n now_o if_o the_o christian_n in_o that_o provice_n of_o large_a extent_n and_o comprise_v very_o many_o city_n may_v be_v conclude_v to_o be_v very_o numerous_a from_o the_o multitude_n of_o martyr_n which_o suffer_v there_o yet_o nothing_o at_o all_o can_v be_v infer_v for_o any_o number_n to_o his_o purpose_n in_o the_o city_n thebes_n by_o which_o he_o will_v conclude_v their_o numerousness_n in_o alexandria_n but_o if_o m._n b._n have_v mistake_v one_o city_n for_o so_o large_a a_o country_n with_o multitude_n of_o city_n in_o it_o and_o make_v that_o mistake_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o reason_n it_o be_v like_o our_o examiner_n will_v have_v expose_v he_o for_o it_o in_o his_o preface_n as_o he_o do_v for_o some_o lesser_a matter_n in_o the_o follow_a paragraph_n 65._o paragraph_n pag._n 65._o there_o be_v a_o groundless_a supposition_n that_o the_o division_n of_o alexandria_n into_o parish_n be_v ancient_a than_o arius_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o by_o any_o ancient_a author_n as_o also_o a_o accusation_n of_o petavius_n as_o mistake_v epiphanius_n his_o word_n without_o any_o 28._o serm._n of_o separation_n p._n 28._o cause_n that_o i_o can_v discern_v in_o those_o word_n though_o he_o say_v it_o be_v plain_a there_o that_o which_o he_o say_v be_v plain_a the_o learned_a dean_n of_o paul_n can_v not_o discern_v but_o understand_v epiphanius_n as_o petavius_n and_o other_o do_v before_o he_o these_o i_o take_v to_o be_v preliminary_n and_o expect_v his_o argument_n but_o find_v it_o not_o unless_o it_o be_v couch_v in_o the_o first_o word_n the_o division_n of_o alexandria_n between_o several_a presbyter_n as_o it_o be_v into_o so_o many_o parish_n etc._n etc._n but_o this_o signify_v nothing_o for_o his_o purpose_n if_o those_o in_o alexandria_n thus_o divide_v can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n as_o athanasius_n declare_v they_o do_v and_o that_o so_o plain_o that_o any_o one_o will_v judge_v so_o who_o interest_n be_v not_o too_o hard_o for_o his_o judgement_n valesius_fw-la who_o have_v no_o bias_n unless_o what_o may_v lead_v he_o the_o other_o way_n understand_v it_o as_o i_o do_v and_o express_v it_o in_o these_o word_n decide_v the_o matter_n so_o long_o insist_v on_o against_o our_o author_n afterward_o in_o the_o time_n of_o athanasius_n when_o there_o be_v more_o church_n build_v by_o diverse_a bishop_n of_o alexandria_n the_o citizen_n assemble_v in_o several_a church_n several_o and_o in_o parcel_n as_o athanasius_n say_v in_o his_o apology_n to_o constantius_n but_o on_o the_o great_a festival_n easter_n and_o pentecost_n no_o particular_a assembly_n be_v hold_v sed_fw-la
universi_fw-la in_o majorem_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la conveniebant_fw-la ut_fw-la ibidem_fw-la testatur_fw-la athanasius_n but_o all_o of_o they_o assemble_v together_o in_o the_o great_a church_n as_o athanasius_n testify_v so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n that_o the_o church_n in_o alexandria_n be_v diocesan_n at_o this_o time_n unless_o those_o who_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n may_v make_v such_o a_o church_n yet_o this_o be_v then_o the_o great_a church_n in_o the_o empire_n save_o that_o at_o rome_n and_o what_o he_o add_v make_v that_o at_o rome_n very_o unlike_o such_o diocesan_n church_n as_o be_v now_o assert_v valesius_fw-la infer_v from_o the_o same_o passage_n of_o pope_n innocent_n epistle_n to_o decentius_n which_o petavius_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a that_o though_o there_o be_v several_a title_n or_o church_n in_o rome_n then_o and_o have_v be_v long_o before_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o be_v as_o yet_o appropriate_v to_o any_o presbyter_n but_o they_o be_v serve_v in_o common_a as_o great_a city_n in_o holland_n and_o some_o other_o reform_a country_n that_o have_v several_a church_n and_o minister_n etc._n etc._n the_o advocate_n for_o these_o church_n who_o assign_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o diocese_n with_o most_o moderation_n will_v have_v it_o to_o comprise_v a_o city_n with_o a_o territory_n belong_v to_o it_o but_o there_o be_v no_o church_n in_o the_o territory_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n he_o have_v none_o but_o within_o the_o city_n as_o innocentius_n declare_v in_o the_o cite_a epistle_n whereas_o now_o the_o great_a city_n with_o a_o territory_n large_a than_o some_o ancient_a province_n be_v count_v little_a enough_o for_o a_o diocese_n further_o it_o be_v now_o judge_v to_o be_v no_o diocese_n which_o comprise_v not_o very_o many_o church_n with_o presbyter_n appropriate_v to_o they_o but_o he_o tell_v we_o none_o of_o the_o church_n in_o rome_n be_v appropriate_v to_o any_o presbyter_n but_o they_o be_v serve_v in_o common_a how_o as_o great_a city_n in_o holland_n and_o some_o other_o reform_a country_n and_o then_o they_o be_v rule_v in_o common_a as_o these_o city_n be_v the_o government_n of_o many_o church_n be_v not_o there_o nor_o be_v of_o old_a ever_o entrust_v in_o one_o hand_n and_o thus_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v no_o more_o a_o diocesan_n than_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o city_n he_o conclude_v 66._o conclude_v pag._n 66._o with_o two_o assertion_n which_o will_v neither_o of_o they_o hold_v good_a the_o first_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a out_o of_o athanasius_n how_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n have_v from_o the_o beginning_n several_a fix_a congregation_n under_o he_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v evident_a in_o athanasius_n that_o he_o have_v not_o one_o word_n which_o so_o much_o as_o intimate_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n from_o the_o beginning_n have_v any_o such_o congregation_n under_o he_o the_o other_o be_v that_o those_o of_o mareote_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o receive_v the_o faith_n almost_o as_o early_o as_o alexandria_n how_o true_a this_o be_v we_o may_v understand_v by_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o three_o age_n who_o declare_v that_o then_o mareote_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 11._o 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 11._o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o true_a christian_n in_o it_o that_o it_o have_v none_o of_o our_o author_n be_v old_a christian_n i._n e._n virtuous_a good_a man_n 60._o man_n pag._n 60._o nor_o be_v it_o likely_a that_o the_o faith_n be_v there_o general_o receive_v till_o many_o year_n after_o and_o therefore_o not_o almost_o so_o early_o as_o alexandria_n unless_o the_o distance_n of_o above_o 200_o year_n will_v consist_v with_o his_o almost_o for_o alexandria_n receive_v the_o faith_n by_o the_o preach_n of_o mark_n who_o arrive_v there_o say_v eusebius_n in_o the_o 2d_o of_o claudius_n euseb_n claudius_n chron._n euseb_n other_o in_o the_o 3d._n of_o caligula_n alex._n caligula_n chron._n alex._n but_o in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o mareote_n have_v so_o many_o christian_n as_o bishop_n ischyras_n his_o church_n there_o consist_v of_o though_o those_o be_v but_o seven_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 615._o 〈◊〉_d athan._n apol._n 2._o pag._n 615._o but_o enough_o of_o alexandria_n though_o our_o author_n be_v far_o from_o bring_v enough_o to_o prove_v it_o even_o in_o the_o four_o age_n a_o diocesan_n church_n he_o may_v be_v excuse_v for_o do_v his_o utmost_a to_o this_o purpose_n consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o it_o for_o if_o this_o church_n be_v not_o now_o so_o numerous_a as_o to_o be_v diocesan_n it_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a to_o expect_v a_o discovery_n of_o any_o such_o church_n in_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n in_o those_o time_n for_o this_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o great_a city_n and_o church_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n next_o to_o rome_n so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v so_o fair_a a_o pretence_n for_o any_o other_o inferior_a to_o this_o such_o as_o jerusalem_n carthage_n antioch_n etc._n etc._n much_o less_o for_o ordinary_a city_n which_o be_v 10_o time_n less_o considerable_a than_o some_o of_o the_o former_a as_o may_v be_v collect_v from_o what_o chrysostome_n say_v of_o one_o of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o it_o be_v able_a to_o maintain_v the_o poor_a of_o ten_o city_n 〈◊〉_d city_n in_o mat_n hom._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o far_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o letter_n let_v i_o now_o return_v to_o our_o author_n preface_n to_o show_v that_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n adhere_v to_o athanasius_n be_v not_o so_o exceed_o numerous_a as_o be_v pretend_v and_o not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o christian_n now_o in_o london_n i_o have_v say_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o city_n be_v at_o this_o time_n heathen_n or_o jew_n of_o those_o who_o pass_v for_o christian_n it_o be_v like_o athanasius_n have_v the_o lesser_a share_n 34._o share_n pag._n 34._o the_o novatian_o and_o other_o sect_n the_o meletian_o especial_o and_o the_o arian_n do_v probable_o exceed_v his_o flock_n in_o number_n it_o may_v be_v the_o arian_n there_o be_v more_o numerous_a this_o last_o clause_n which_o appear_v by_o the_o expression_n i_o be_v not_o positive_a in_o he_o alone_o six_o on_o and_o will_v disprove_v it_o by_o a_o passage_n out_o of_o athanasius_n but_o the_o greek_a be_v false_a print_v and_o and_o the_o sense_n defective_a for_o want_v of_o some_o word_n and_o so_o no_o judgement_n can_v be_v well_o pass_v thereon_o unless_o i_o see_v it_o and_o where_o to_o see_v it_o he_o give_v no_o direction_n my_o concern_n therein_o be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o to_o search_v for_o it_o through_o so_o voluminous_a a_o author_n it_o will_v serve_v my_o turn_n well_o enough_o if_o the_o arian_n be_v but_o very_o numerous_a or_o as_o sozomen_n express_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 14_o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 1._o c._n 14_o which_o can_v be_v deny_v though_o they_o alone_o be_v not_o more_o numerous_a the_o last_o thing_n he_o will_v take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o diocese_n of_o theodoret_n but_o this_o be_v remit_v to_o the_o dean_n of_o paul_n yet_o one_o thing_n he_o say_v he_o can_v omit_v though_o some_o may_v think_v that_o he_o have_v better_o have_v pass_v it_o as_o he_o have_v many_o other_o thing_n than_o be_v so_o much_o in_o haste_n to_o slip_v at_o almost_o every_o line_n as_o he_o do_v in_o those_o few_o which_o concern_v it_o if_o these_o 800_o church_n not_o 80_o as_o this_o gentleman_n reckon_v they_o it_o be_v not_o he_o but_o the_o printer_n that_o so_o reckon_v they_o as_o the_o errata_fw-la show_n belong_v to_o he_o as_o metropolitan_a and_o they_o be_v all_o episcopal_a church_n i_o never_o meet_v with_o any_o before_o that_o take_v they_o for_o episcopal_a church_n and_o how_o he_o shall_v fall_v into_o this_o mistake_n i_o can_v imagine_v i_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o he_o create_v it_o to_o make_v himself_o work_v this_o poor_a region_n of_o cyrus_n will_v have_v more_o bishop_n than_o all_o africa_n not_o so_o neither_o for_o by_o the_o conference_n at_o carthage_n and_o the_o abbreviation_n of_o it_o by_o st._n austin_n much_o more_o to_o be_v rely_v on_o than_o the_o notitia_fw-la publish_v by_o simond_n which_o be_v neither_o consistent_a with_o other_o nor_o with_o itself_o africa_n have_v many_o more_o bishop_n than_o 800_o notwithstanding_o they_o be_v more_o numerous_a there_o than_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o nor_o will_v this_o pass_v for_o true_a with_o those_o who_o take_v his_o own_o account_n concern_v their_o number_n in_o africa_n which_o
very_o near_o caesarea_n no_o indeed_o it_o be_v thereby_o prove_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o caesarea_n that_o it_o do_v not_o enlarge_v basil_n province_n much_o less_o his_o diocese_n thus_o it_o be_v also_o place_v in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o leo_n sophus_n under_o the_o metropolitan_a of_o tyana_n not_o of_o caesarea_n it_o be_v true_a basil_n lay_v claim_v to_o it_o but_o after_o some_o contest_v he_o yield_v and_o anthimus_n carry_v it_o place_v eulalius_n there_o as_o one_o of_o his_o suffragans_fw-la when_o nazianzen_n have_v quit_v it_o he_o go_v far_a on_o to_o show_v the_o largeness_n of_o diocese_n in_o basil_n province_n it_o be_v plain_a by_o nazianzen_n that_o cappadocia_n have_v but_o 50_o bishop_n for_o so_o many_o he_o say_v basil_n have_v under_o he_o and_o consider_v the_o extent_n of_o that_o country_n the_o diocese_n must_v needs_o be_v large_a he_o do_v not_o say_v basil_n have_v no_o more_o under_o he_o nor_o that_o he_o be_v make_v no_o more_o he_o know_v basil_n be_v constitute_v more_o bishop_n in_o that_o part_n of_o cappadocia_n which_o be_v his_o province_n and_o nazianzen_n commend_v he_o for_o it_o as_o a_o excellent_a undertake_n on_o several_a account_n bal._n account_n orat._n de_fw-fr bal._n consider_v the_o extent_n of_o that_o country_n the_o diocese_n must_v needs_o be_v large_a for_o the_o country_n as_o strabo_n compute_v be_v near_o 400_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o little_o less_o in_o breadth_n if_o he_o mean_v basil_n own_o province_n where_o he_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v 50_o suffragans_fw-la under_o he_o beside_o sasima_n &c_n &c_n 546._o &c_n pag._n 546._o as_o i_o know_v not_o what_o he_o can_v mean_v else_o if_o his_o discourse_n be_v not_o impertinent_a and_o inconsistent_a for_o basil_n as_o metropolitan_a have_v no_o bishop_n under_o he_o but_o those_o in_o his_o proper_a province_n strabo_n be_v strange_o misrepresent_v to_o serve_v a_o turn_n for_o it_o be_v the_o whole_a country_n which_o pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o cappadocia_n that_o the_o geographer_n give_v we_o the_o dimension_n of_o in_o the_o place_n cite_v and_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v divide_v into_o ten_o prefecture_n meletena_n cataonia_n cilica_fw-la tyanitis_n isauritis_n etc._n etc._n whereof_o basil_n province_n be_v but_o one_o viz._n that_o call_v cilica_fw-la and_o that_o of_o anthimus_n tyanitis_n another_o etc._n etc._n mazaca_n afterward_o call_v caesarea_n be_v metropolis_n of_o basil_n and_o tyana_n of_o tyanitis_n etc._n etc._n and_o after_o he_o have_v give_v some_o account_n of_o these_o ten_o praefecture_n he_o add_v the_o dimension_n of_o the_o whole_a country_n in_o these_o word_n the_o extent_n of_o cappadocia_n in_o breadth_n from_o the_o euxine_a to_o taurus_n be_v 1800_o furlong_n in_o length_n 3000._o so_o that_o our_o author_n will_v have_v the_o extent_n of_o basil_n province_n to_o be_v no_o less_o than_o that_o of_o the_o whole_a country_n when_o it_o be_v but_o the_o ten_o part_n thereof_o and_o as_o if_o this_o be_v not_o enough_o he_o make_v the_o breadth_n of_o the_o whole_a country_n to_o be_v near_o twice_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v in_o strabo_n but_o he_o have_v some_o salvo_fw-la for_o this_o such_o as_o it_o be_v and_o little_o less_o in_o breadth_n as_o causabon_n restore_v the_o read_n of_o 1800_o furlong_n in_o the_o 12_o book_n by_o a_o passage_n in_o the_o second_o where_o the_o breadth_n be_v make_v 2800._o it_o be_v true_a causabon_n observe_v some_o difference_n in_o the_o place_n cite_v but_o he_o show_v how_o they_o may_v be_v easy_o reconcile_v without_o change_v the_o text_n here_o or_o make_v the_o country_n broad_a than_o it_o be_v here_o describe_v viz._n by_o take_v pontus_n in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o sea_n in_o the_o other_o for_o the_o region_n so_o call_v separate_v from_o cappadocia_n by_o mountain_n parallel_v to_o taurus_n and_o then_o conclude_v sic_fw-la non_fw-la erit_fw-la discedendum_fw-la à _fw-la vulgatâ_fw-la lectione_n so_o that_o he_o have_v no_o relief_n by_o causabon_n without_o curtail_v the_o passage_n and_o in_o this_o compass_n bishop_n may_v contrive_v 50_o diocese_n of_o very_o competent_a extent_n and_o not_o inferior_a to_o many_o of_o we_o let_v he_o try_v how_o in_o basil_n province_n of_o about_o 40_o mile_n in_o length_n he_o can_v contrive_v room_n for_o above_o 50_o bishop_n with_o as_o large_a diocese_n as_o those_o he_o plead_v for_o that_o which_o be_v now_o think_v little_a enough_o for_o one_o bishop_n basil_n conceive_v too_o big_a for_o fifty_o what_o diocese_v basil_n and_o other_o before_o he_o think_v sufficient_a for_o bishop_n both_o then_o and_o in_o formertime_n appear_v by_o a_o passage_n which_o our_o author_n next_o cite_v where_o amphilochius_n bishop_n of_o iconium_n be_v direct_v to_o constitute_v bishop_n for_o the_o province_n of_o iconium_n in_o little_a corporation_n and_o village_n 406._o village_n ep._n 406._o hundred_o of_o instance_n may_v be_v bring_v of_o bishop_n elsewhere_o in_o such_o little_a place_n and_o village_n but_o i_o will_v go_v no_o further_o now_o than_o the_o instance_n himself_o offer_v we_o whereby_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o a_o little_a corporation_n or_o a_o village_n may_v furnish_v a_o bishop_n with_o such_o a_o diocese_n as_o be_v then_o think_v competent_a both_o by_o basil_n and_o the_o church_n before_o he_o for_o in_o such_o little_a place_n there_o be_v bishop_n before_o as_o basil_n there_o signify_v and_o he_o give_v direction_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o still_o yet_o he_o that_o will_v advise_v the_o reduce_n of_o bishop_n to_o such_o see_v now_o will_v be_v count_v a_o enemy_n to_o episcopacy_n and_o his_o advice_n destructive_a to_o bishop_n so_o much_o do_v we_o now_o differ_v both_o from_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o the_o most_o eminent_a bishop_n in_o it_o hereby_o also_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o multiply_a of_o metropolitan_o be_v no_o such_o occasion_n of_o multiply_a bishop_n but_o that_o their_o number_n increase_v when_o there_o be_v not_o that_o occasion_n and_o this_o in_o cappadocia_n which_o be_v our_o author_n be_v eminent_a instance_n 545._o instance_n pag._n 545._o for_o bishop_n be_v multiply_v by_o erect_v episcopal_a see_v in_o village_n and_o little_a place_n this_o be_v do_v in_o isauria_n a_o province_n in_o cappadocia_n as_o appear_v by_o these_o passage_n in_o basil_n before_o the_o contest_v between_o he_o and_o anthimus_n upon_o the_o constitute_n of_o a_o new_a metropolitan_a and_o after_o that_o difference_n be_v compose_v basil_n think_v it_o adviseable_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v still_o and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o africa_n the_o instance_n he_o most_o insist_o on_o and_o spend_v many_o page_n upon_o it_o pretend_v the_o occasion_n why_o bishop_n be_v so_o numerous_a there_o be_v the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n whereas_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o the_o african_a father_n proceed_v in_o erect_v bishopric_n in_o little_a place_n and_o so_o increase_v the_o number_n of_o bishop_n be_v as_o themselves_o declare_v who_o best_o know_v it_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n 5._o christian_n council_n carth._n 2_o can._n 5._o where_o these_o be_v multiply_v and_o desire_v a_o bishop_n they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o let_v they_o have_v one_o not_o except_v the_o meanness_n or_o smallness_n of_o the_o place_n where_o he_o be_v to_o be_v constitute_v and_o we_o must_v believe_v if_o we_o have_v any_o reverence_n for_o those_o father_n that_o they_o will_v have_v do_v what_o they_o judge_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o though_o there_o have_v be_v no_o donatist_n among_o they_o and_o when_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o pretence_n of_o occasion_n from_o the_o donatist_n the_o practice_n be_v continue_v as_o appear_v by_o st._n augustine_n procure_v a_o bishop_n for_o fussala_n which_o he_o call_v a_o castle_n upon_o some_o increase_n of_o the_o catholic_n there_o diverse_a year_n after_o the_o note_a conference_n at_o carthage_n where_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o donatist_n be_v break_v nay_o many_o year_n after_o the_o invasion_n of_o the_o vandal_n and_o the_o death_n of_o st._n austin_n they_o proceed_v in_o the_o same_o method_n or_o rather_o exceed_v their_o predecessor_n in_o multiply_a bishop_n by_o erect_v episcopal_a seat_n in_o small_a and_o more_o inconsiderable_a place_n if_o leo_n his_o epistle_n may_v be_v credit_v 85._o credit_v ep._n 85._o but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o author_n and_o the_o passage_n of_o basil_n insist_v on_o by_o which_o say_v he_o it_o appear_v that_o isauria_n be_v part_n of_o basil_n province_n how_o this_o appear_v by_o any_o thing_n therein_o i_o can_v imagine_v our_o author_n signify_v before_o that_o isauria_n be_v a_o distinct_a province_n the_o metropolis_n of_o it_o as_o he_o suppose_v seleucia_n
their_o be_v not_o near_o so_o many_o this_o gentleman_n be_v concern_v to_o maintain_v there_o be_v not_o one_o thousand_o in_o the_o whole_a christian_n world_n this_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a warrant_n to_o translate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thousand_o more_o than_o once_o though_o that_o it_o be_v in_o that_o discourse_n which_o he_o style_v a_o little_a pamphlet_n so_o translate_v more_o than_o once_o be_v another_o of_o his_o mistake_n and_o a_o three_o all_o in_o two_o line_n be_v that_o the_o author_n ground_n his_o argument_n on_o it_o whereas_o those_o that_o view_v the_o passage_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o will_v see_v it_o have_v be_v more_o for_o his_o advantage_n to_o have_v translate_v it_o ten_o thousand_o he_o that_o can_v allow_v himself_o to_o write_v at_o this_o rate_n may_v easy_o be_v voluminous_a and_o look_v too_o big_a to_o be_v despise_v as_o a_o writer_n of_o little_a pamphlet_n the_o letter_n mention_v pag._n 45._o be_v communicate_v to_o i_o by_o m._n b._n that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o concern_v alexandria_n be_v here_o add_v that_o it_o may_v appear_v how_o much_o it_o be_v mistake_v and_o how_o far_o from_o be_v answer_v for_o alexandria_n it_o be_v the_o great_a city_n in_o the_o empire_n next_o to_o rome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v josephus_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la judaic_a lib._n 5._o c._n cult_a and_o epiphanius_n give_v a_o account_n of_o many_o church_n in_o it_o assign_v to_o several_a presbyter_n viz._n beside_o caesarea_n finish_v by_o athanasius_n that_o of_o dionysius_n theonas_n pierius_n serapion_n persia_n dizia_n mundidius_n annianus_n baucalas_n add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d haeres_fw-la 69._o page_n 728_o this_o notwithstanding_o that_o the_o christian_n at_o alexandria_n which_o hold_v communion_n with_o athanasius_n might_n and_o do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o church_n he_o himself_o declare_v express_o in_o his_o apology_n to_o constantius_n page_n 531._o tom._n 1._o edit_fw-la commelin_n anno_fw-la 1601._o the_o whole_a passage_n be_v too_o large_a to_o transcribe_v or_o translate_v this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o he_o be_v accuse_v for_o assemble_v the_o people_n in_o the_o great_a church_n before_o it_o be_v dedicate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d make_v this_o part_n of_o his_o defence_n the_o confluence_n of_o the_o people_n at_o the_o paschal_n solemnity_n be_v so_o great_a that_o if_o they_o have_v meet_v in_o several_a assembly_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o other_o church_n be_v so_o little_a and_o straight_o that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o suffer_v by_o the_o crowd_n nor_o will_v the_o universal_a harmony_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o people_n have_v be_v so_o visible_a and_o effectual_a if_o they_o have_v meet_v in_o parcel_n therefore_o he_o appeal_v to_o he_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o better_a for_o the_o whole_a multitude_n to_o meet_v in_o that_o great_a church_n be_v a_o place_n large_a enough_o to_o receive_v they_o altogether_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o have_v a_o concurrence_n of_o all_o the_o people_n with_o one_o voice_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o if_o say_v he_o according_a to_o our_o saviviour_n promise_v where_o two_o shall_v agree_v as_o touch_v any_o thing_n it_o shall_v be_v do_v for_o they_o of_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 â—â—_o numerous_a a_o people_n assemble_v together_o and_o say_v amen_o to_o god_n who_o therefore_o will_v not_o wonder_v who_o will_v not_o count_v it_o a_o happiness_n to_o see_v so_o great_a a_o people_n meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n and_o how_o do_v the_o people_n rejoice_v to_o behâ—ld_v one_o another_o whereas_o former_o they_o assemble_v in_o several_a place_n hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o four_o age_n all_o the_o christian_n at_o alexandria_n which_o be_v wont_v at_o other_o time_n to_o meet_v in_o several_a assembly_n be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o church_n may_v and_o do_v contain_v so_o as_o they_o can_v all_o join_v at_o once_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o concur_v in_o one_o amen_o he_o tell_v he_o also_o that_o alexander_n his_o predecessor_n who_o die_v an._n 325_o do_v as_o much_o as_o he_o in_o like_a circumstance_n viz._n assemble_v the_o whole_a multitude_n in_o one_o church_n before_o it_o be_v dedicate_v pag._n 532._o this_o seem_v clear_a enough_o but_o be_v capable_a of_o another_o kind_n of_o proof_n which_o may_v be_v no_o less_o satisfactory_a let_v i_o add_v that_o also_o this_o city_n be_v by_o strabo_n his_o description_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d like_o a_o soldier_n coat_n who_o length_n at_o either_o side_n be_v almost_o 3â—_n furlong_n its_o breadth_n at_o either_o end_n 7_o or_o 8_o urlong_n geogr._n lib._n 17._o pag._n 546._o so_o the_o whole_a compass_n will_v be_v less_o than_o ten_o mile_n a_o three_o or_o four_o part_n of_o this_o be_v take_v up_o with_o public_a building_n temple_n and_o royal_a palace_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ibid._n two_o miles_n and_o half_a or_o three_o and_o a_o quarter_n be_v thus_o dispose_v of_o i_o take_v this_o to_o be_v that_o region_n of_o the_o city_n which_o epiphanius_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o he_o tell_v we_o be_v the_o famous_a library_n of_o ptolomeus_n philadelphus_n and_o speak_v of_o it_o in_o his_o time_n as_o destitute_a of_o inhabitant_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d de_fw-fr ponder_n &_o mensur_n n._n 9_o p._n 166_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o city_n be_v assign_v to_o the_o jew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o strabo_n indefinite_o as_o josephus_n quote_v he_o antiquit._fw-la jud._n l._n 14._o c._n 12._o other_o tell_v we_o more_o punctual_o their_o share_n be_v two_o of_o the_o five_o division_n usher_n annal_n latin_a pag._n 859._o though_o many_o of_o they_o have_v their_o habitation_n in_o the_o other_o division_n yet_o they_o have_v two_o five_o part_n entire_a to_o themselves_o and_o this_o be_v i_o suppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o josephus_n say_v the_o successor_n of_o alexander_n set_v apart_o for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bello_fw-la jud._n l._n 2._o cap._n 21._o thus_o we_o see_v already_o how_o 6_o or_o 7_o mile_n of_o the_o 10_o be_v take_v up_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o citizen_n as_o at_o rome_n and_o other_o city_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o age_n be_v heathen_n otherwise_o antonius_n wrong_v the_o city_n who_o iâ—_n athanasius_n time_n be_v bring_v in_o thus_o exclaim_v by_o jerom._n vit_fw-mi paul_n p._n 243._o vae_fw-la tibi_fw-la alexandria_n quae_fw-la pro_fw-la deo_fw-la portenta_fw-la veneraris_fw-la vae_fw-la tibi_fw-la civitas_fw-la meretrix_n in_fw-la quam_fw-la totius_fw-la orbis_fw-la daemonia_fw-la confluxere_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o charge_n thus_o form_v suppose_v the_o prevail_a party_n to_o be_v guilty_a but_o let_v we_o suppose_v they_o equa_fw-la and_o their_o proportion_n half_a of_o the_o 3_o or_o 4_o mile_n remain_v let_v the_o rest_n be_v divide_v among_o the_o orthodox_n the_o arrian_n the_o novatian_o and_o other_o sect_n and_o if_o we_o be_v just_o a_o large_a part_n will_v fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o heretic_n and_o sectary_n for_o not_o to_o mention_v other_o the_o novatian_o have_v several_a church_n and_o a_o bishop_n there_o till_o cyril_n time_n vid._n socrat._v hist_n l._n 7._o c._n 7._o the_o arian_n be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o who_o profess_v christianity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sozom._n hist_o l._n 1._o c._n 14._o and_o if_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o follower_n by_o their_o leader_n no_o loss_n than_o half_a for_o whereas_o there_o be_v 19_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o that_o church_n theod._n hist_o l._n 4._o c._n 23._o 12_o be_v the_o number_n of_o their_o presbyter_n by_o their_o ancient_a constitution_n as_o appear_v by_o eutychius_n and_o 7_o their_o deacon_n as_o at_o rome_n and_o elsewhere_o 6_o presbyter_n with_o arius_n and_o 5_o deacon_n fall_v off_o from_o the_o catholic_n sozom._n hist_o l._n 1._o c._n 14._o but_o let_v the_o brian_n be_v much_o few_o yet_o will_v not_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n diocese_n iâ—_n this_o city_n be_v more_o than_o that_o of_o a_o small_a town_n one_o of_o 8_o or_o 12_o furlong_n in_o compass_n and_o so_o the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n upon_o this_o account_n will_v be_v no_o more_o than_o may_v well_o meet_v for_o worship_n in_o one_o place_n finis_fw-la
they_o be_v of_o the_o very_a same_o office_n for_o bishop_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v not_o a_o superior_a order_n to_o presbyter_n but_o have_v only_o a_o precedency_n in_o the_o same_o order_n this_o some_o of_o the_o most_o judicious_a and_o learned_a defender_n of_o episcopacy_n assert_v and_o those_o who_o hold_v that_o patriarch_n metropolitan_o and_o bishop_n differ_v not_o in_o order_n but_o in_o degree_n only_o which_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n of_o episcopal_a divine_n and_o yet_o contend_v that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v of_o a_o different_a order_n will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v it_o the_o difference_n they_o assign_v between_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_n be_v that_o these_o preside_v in_o synod_n and_o have_v a_o principal_a interest_n in_o ordination_n and_o what_o more_o do_v the_o preeminence_n of_o ancient_a bishop_n distinguish_v they_o from_o presbyter_n amount_v to_o it_o consist_v in_o nothing_o material_a but_o their_o presidency_n in_o presbytery_n and_o their_o power_n in_o ordination_n this_o last_o be_v most_o insist_v on_o as_o make_v the_o difference_n wide_o between_o these_o than_o the_o other_o but_o with_o little_a reason_n all_o thing_n consider_v for_o those_o to_o be_v ordain_v be_v first_o to_o be_v examine_v and_o approve_v by_o the_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 6._o 〈◊〉_d theophilus_n commonitor_n cap._n 6._o the_o ordain_v of_o one_o to_o the_o presbytery_n be_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 18._o 〈◊〉_d clem._n constitut_o lib._n 8._o cap._n 18._o it_o be_v a_o crime_n for_o which_o the_o great_a bishop_n in_o the_o world_n be_v censurable_a to_o prefer_v any_o or_o make_v ordination_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o appear_v by_o what_o chrysostome_n be_v accuse_v of_o though_o it_o be_v like_o false_o 2_o false_o phot._n in_o chry_n tom._n 8._o pag._n 155_o council_n carth._n â—_o cap._n 22._o turon_n 2_o and_o this_o be_v count_v by_o some_o the_o substance_n of_o ordination_n wherein_o the_o presbyter_n have_v no_o less_o share_n to_o say_v no_o more_o than_o the_o bishop_n and_o in_o impose_v hand_n which_o be_v the_o rite_n of_o ordain_v the_o presbyter_n be_v to_o concur_v with_o the_o bishop_n for_o which_o there_o be_v better_a authority_n than_o the_o canon_n of_o a_o african_a council_n for_o say_v a_o very_a learned_a doâ—â—or_n 27â—_n doâ—â—or_n iren._n p._n 27â—_n to_o this_o purpose_n the_o lay_v on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n â—_o presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 1._o â—_o be_v no_o way_n impertinent_o allege_v although_o we_o suppose_v st._n paul_n â—o_o concur_v in_o the_o action_n because_o if_o the_o presbytery_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v in_o the_o ordination_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v their_o hand_n lay_v upon_o he_o be_v it_o only_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o fact_n or_o to_o signify_v their_o consent_n both_o these_o may_v have_v be_v do_v without_o their_o use_n of_o that_o ceremony_n which_o will_v scarce_o be_v instance_a in_o to_o be_v do_v by_o any_o but_o such_o as_o have_v power_n to_o confer_v what_o be_v signify_v by_o that_o ceremony_n and_o diverse_a instance_n be_v bring_v by_o the_o same_o hand_n to_o show_v that_o ordination_n by_o presbyter_n be_v valid_a in_o the_o ancient_a church_n 379._o church_n pag._n 379._o but_o if_o the_o presbyter_n have_v be_v quite_o exclude_v from_o ordination_n and_o this_o power_n have_v be_v entire_o reserve_v to_o the_o bishop_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o constitute_v they_o a_o superior_a order_n for_o the_o rite_n of_o ordain_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o act_n of_o government_n or_o jurisdiction_n that_o it_o do_v not_o infer_v any_o superiority_n in_o the_o ordainer_n nothing_o be_v more_o ordinary_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n than_o for_o those_o be_v of_o a_o low_a degree_n and_o station_n to_o ordain_v their_o superior_n while_o there_o be_v no_o more_o distance_n betwixt_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n but_o only_o in_o degree_n so_o that_o as_o the_o bishop_n be_v but_o primus_fw-la presbyter_n as_o hilary_n under_o the_o name_n of_o ambrose_n and_o other_o t._n other_o in_o 1_o tim._n author_n quest_n in_o v._o â—t_z n._n t._n or_o primicerius_fw-la as_o optatus_n define_v by_o a_o learned_a civilian_n to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d code_n 〈◊〉_d gothofrid_n in_o code_n the_o first_o presbyter_n so_o the_o presbyter_n be_v a_o second_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o nazianzen_n as_o the_o bishop_n be_v summus_fw-la sacerdos_fw-la in_o the_o style_n of_o tertullian_n and_o other_o that_o be_v chief_n presbyter_n so_o the_o presbyter_n be_v bishop_n a_o degree_n low_a not_o that_o he_o have_v less_o pastoral_a power_n but_o because_o he_o want_v that_o degree_n of_o dignity_n or_o preeminence_n for_o which_o the_o other_o be_v style_v chief_a as_o the_o praeter_fw-la vrbanus_n be_v call_v maximus_n yet_o he_o have_v no_o more_o power_n than_o the_o other_o praetorum_fw-la idem_fw-la erat_fw-la collegium_fw-la eadem_fw-la potestas_fw-la 6._o potestas_fw-la bodin_n lib._n 3._o c._n 6._o but_o only_o some_o more_o privilege_n and_o dignity_n dignitate_fw-la coeteros_fw-la anteibat_fw-la propterea_fw-la maximus_fw-la dicebatur_fw-la major_a dicebatur_fw-la fest_n in_o verb._n major_a and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n be_v praetor_n maximus_fw-la yet_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v pares_fw-la potestaet_fw-la ibid._n potestaet_fw-la ibid._n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n have_v idem_fw-la ministerium_fw-la as_o jerome_n eadem_fw-la ordinatio_fw-la as_o hilary_n 3._o hilary_n in_o 1_o tim._n 3._o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n and_o office_n have_v the_o same_o power_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n all_o that_o which_o the_o scripture_n make_v essential_a to_o a_o bishop_n while_o it_o be_v thus_o there_o can_v be_v no_o diocesan_n church_n that_o be_v no_o church_n consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n which_o have_v but_o one_o bishop_n only_o postscript_n a_o late_a writer_n presume_v he_o have_v detect_v a_o notable_a mistake_n in_o the_o author_n of_o no_o evidence_n for_o diocesan_n church_n ascribe_v to_o one_o who_o own_v it_o not_o about_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o i_o suppose_v he_o will_v have_v translate_v ten_o thousand_o definite_o but_o there_o it_o be_v render_v indefinite_o thousand_o as_o we_o be_v wont_v to_o express_v a_o great_a many_o when_o the_o precise_a number_n be_v not_o know_v those_o who_o understand_v the_o language_n and_o have_v observe_v the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n will_v be_v far_o from_o count_v this_o a_o fault_n and_o those_o who_o view_v the_o passage_n will_v count_v it_o intolerable_a to_o render_v it_o as_o that_o gentleman_n will_v have_v it_o that_o of_o atticus_n bishop_n of_o c._n p._n may_v satisfy_v any_o concern_v the_o import_n and_o use_v of_o the_o word_n who_o send_v money_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a at_o nice_a to_o calliopius_n he_o thus_o write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o understand_v a_o multitude_n who_o number_n he_o do_v not_o exact_o know_v thus_o i._n e._n indefinite_o be_v the_o word_n most_o frequent_o use_v by_o greek_a writer_n and_o particular_o by_o eusebius_n the_o author_n of_o the_o passage_n cite_v so_o he_o tell_v we_o nero_n kill_v his_o hist_o l._n 2._o c._n mother_n his_o brother_n his_o wife_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o her_o kindred_n and_o timotheus_n of_o gaza_n he_o â—_o l._n 8._o c._n 13._o say_v endure_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d many_o more_o may_v be_v add_v where_o the_o word_n be_v not_o render_v by_o the_o best_a translator_n valesius_fw-la particular_o ten_o thousand_o but_o still_o indefinite_o innumerabiles_fw-la or_o infiniti_fw-la or_o sexcenti_fw-la etc._n etc._n nor_o have_v i_o meet_v with_o one_o instance_n though_o possible_o there_o may_v be_v some_o in_o he_o where_o it_o be_v use_v to_o express_v ten_o thousand_o precise_o however_o it_o have_v be_v a_o unpardonable_a injury_n to_o eusebius_n to_o have_v render_v it_o so_o in_o this_o place_n as_o if_o he_o will_v have_v delude_v the_o world_n with_o a_o most_o palpable_a untruth_n which_o both_o he_o and_o all_o man_n acquaint_v with_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o time_n know_v to_o be_v so_o for_o this_o make_v he_o say_v that_o ten_o thousand_o bishop_n meet_v in_o council_n at_o antioch_n in_o the_o three_o age_n when_o as_o he_o never_o know_v a_o synod_n of_o six_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o the_o four_o age_n while_o he_o live_v though_o then_o bishop_n be_v far_o more_o numerous_a and_o have_v all_o encouragement_n to_o meet_v in_o great_a number_n this_o make_v he_o signify_v that_o ten_o thousand_o bishop_n assemble_v in_o the_o skirt_n of_o the_o east_n part_n of_o the_o empire_n when_o as_o