carnalium_fw-la multitudo_fw-la august_n ep_v 29._o ed._n bened._n have_v resolve_v to_o break_v that_o custom_n of_o feast_v in_o the_o church_n on_o ascension-day_n against_o the_o general_a inclination_n of_o his_o people_n it_o be_v object_v that_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o st._n peter_n church_n in_o rome_n which_o he_o excuse_v from_o its_o distance_n from_o the_o bishop_n as_o appear_v from_o one_o of_o his_o epistle_n late_o publish_v by_o the_o french_a benedictin_n to_o make_v proof_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n in_o the_o first_o age_n it_o be_v not_o requisite_a that_o all_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v christian_n nor_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o every_o city_n where_o a_o bishop_n be_v place_v shall_v consist_v of_o believer_n there_o be_v some_o city_n so_o populous_a that_o if_o but_o the_o twenty_o part_n be_v christian_n they_o must_v have_v divide_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o there_o be_v several_a other_o so_o great_a that_o a_o ten_o part_n of_o they_o will_v have_v exceed_v the_o measure_n of_o a_o congregation_n and_o therefore_o where_o the_o proportion_n come_v to_o rise_v near_o to_o a_o equality_n or_o to_o exceed_v it_o most_o city_n must_v have_v more_o than_o one_o assembly_n though_o they_o be_v confine_v to_o one_o bishop_n nor_o be_v the_o city_n all_o that_o appertain_v to_o the_o bishop_n care_n but_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o territory_n be_v of_o his_o flock_n who_o be_v too_o numerous_a and_o too_o remote_a to_o come_v to_o the_o bishop_n church_n upon_o all_o occasion_n of_o religion_n yet_o some_o city_n from_o the_o beginning_n other_o in_o the_o three_o and_o several_a in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o four_o century_n be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v entire_o christian_n edessa_n steph._n edessa_n holsten_n in_o steph._n be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o osroena_n and_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o king_n of_o that_o country_n but_o be_v more_o renown_a for_o be_v whole_o christian_n even_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n be_v avoid_v by_o julian_n in_o his_o persian_a expedition_n eusebius_n 1._o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d soz._n l._n 6._o 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 2._o c._n 1._o bear_v testimony_n of_o this_o place_n that_o from_o our_o saviour_n time_n it_o have_v be_v altogether_o christian_n and_o so_o continue_v to_o the_o age_n he_o write_v in_o and_o whether_o the_o story_n of_o abgarus_n and_o the_o pretend_a letter_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o he_o be_v true_a or_o false_a yet_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o whole_a city_n be_v christian_n very_o early_o and_o consequent_o have_v several_a congregation_n and_o church_n under_o one_o bishop_n as_o sozomen_n 18._o sozomen_n soz._n l._n 6._o c._n 18._o mention_n it_o to_o have_v have_v neocaesarea_n in_o pontus_n be_v all_o christian_a in_o the_o three_o century_n and_o a_o little_a town_n in_o phrygia_n be_v destroy_v upon_o that_o account_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o next_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o julian_n caesarea_n the_o great_a city_n in_o cappadocia_n be_v entire_o christian_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n suffer_v not_o a_o little_a vexation_n from_o that_o apostate_n who_o disfranchise_v it_o and_o confiscate_v all_o the_o good_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o city_n or_o territory_n appertain_v to_o it_o and_o this_o be_v a_o old_a grudge_n for_o he_o hate_v 4._o hate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sozom._n l._n 6._o c._n 4._o this_o place_n mortal_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o have_v long_o before_o destroy_v the_o heathen_a temple_n nisibis_fw-la the_o noble_a bulwark_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n a_o city_n so_o great_a and_o populous_a 33._o populous_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d zoz_n l._n 3._o c._n 33._o that_o when_o jovian_a have_v by_o a_o dishonourable_a treaty_n with_o the_o persian_n give_v it_o away_o the_o citizen_n beseech_v he_o that_o they_o may_v defend_v themselves_o against_o all_o the_o power_n of_o persia_n and_o they_o do_v not_o doubt_n but_o with_o their_o own_o force_n and_o at_o their_o own_o expense_n they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o preserve_v the_o the_o place_n 9_o place_n ad_fw-la defendendos_fw-la penates_fw-la se_fw-la solos_fw-la sufficere_fw-la sine_fw-la alimentis_fw-la publicis_fw-la &_o milite_fw-la ut_fw-la experti_fw-la sunt_fw-la saepe_fw-la ammian_n marc._n l._n 25._o c._n 9_o as_o they_o have_v often_o do_v this_o city_n be_v altogether_o christian_n and_o therefore_o julian_n 3._o julian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d soz._n l._n 5._o c._n 3._o upon_o a_o irruption_n of_o the_o persian_n threaten_v to_o leave_v they_o out_o of_o his_o law_n and_o protection_n and_o that_o he_o will_v never_o set_v his_o foot_n in_o such_o a_o profane_a place_n where_o his_o god_n be_v not_o worship_v and_o all_o other_o city_n that_o be_v general_o christian_a be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o same_o reception_n when_o they_o have_v any_o occasion_n to_o sue_v for_o favour_n samosata_n 28._o samosata_n samosata_n civitas_n ampla_fw-la &_o illustris_fw-la ammian_n marc._n l._n 14._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d joseph_n b._n j._n l._n 7._o c._n 28._o the_o great_a city_n and_o the_o royal_a seat_n at_o commagena_n be_v not_o only_o altogether_o christian_n but_o all_o orthodox_n and_o catholic_n in_o valens_n his_o time_n for_o 15._o for_o theod._n h._n e._n l._n 4._o c._n 15._o when_o eusebius_n their_o bishop_n be_v banish_v and_o one_o eunomius_n a_o arrian_n put_v in_o his_o place_n neither_o rich_a nor_o poor_a nor_o young_a nor_o old_a will_v go_v into_o his_o church_n or_o have_v any_o communication_n with_o he_o majuma_n the_o port_n of_o gaza_n be_v make_v a_o city_n by_o constantine_n the_o great_a and_o call_v constantia_n because_o all_o 5._o all_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 5._o the_o people_n turn_v christian_n though_o before_o they_o be_v extreme_o addict_v to_o idol_n and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o think_v this_o a_o mean_a place_n because_o it_o have_v always_o be_v dependent_a on_o a_o city_n the_o church_n of_o that_o place_n be_v represent_v 28._o represent_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d soz._n l._n 5._o c._n 28._o as_o very_o great_a from_o the_o multitude_n of_o people_n and_o wealth_n and_o that_o this_o place_n have_v several_a church_n and_o altar_n belong_v to_o it_o we_o be_v inform_v by_o one_o who_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o place_n who_o tell_v 3._o tell_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d soz._n l._n 5._o c._n 3._o we_o that_o when_o this_o diocese_n be_v take_v out_o of_o that_o of_o gaza_n the_o bound_n of_o their_o respective_a territory_n be_v lay_v out_o and_o what_o altar_n or_o church_n shall_v belong_v to_o each_o upon_o the_o same_o account_n of_o total_a conversion_n to_o christianity_n in_o constantine_n time_n constantina_n 5._o constantina_n soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 5._o in_o the_o same_o country_n have_v its_o name_n and_o very_o many_o 〈◊〉_d many_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d city_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n and_o without_o any_o compulsion_n from_o the_o emperor_n leave_v their_o idol_n and_o become_v christian_a pull_v down_o their_o temple_n and_o build_v church_n in_o antioch_n one_o of_o the_o great_a city_n of_o the_o world_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n be_v christian_n and_o for_o this_o we_o have_v a_o witness_n who_o can_v be_v suspect_v to_o magnify_v their_o number_n it_o be_v julian_n the_o apostate_n misopog_n apostate_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d julian_n misopog_n he_o have_v offend_v so_o many_o of_o that_o city_n he_o have_v almost_o say_v all_o the_o senate_n the_o rich_a the_o common_a people_n and_o these_o be_v angry_a with_o he_o for_o the_o great_a part_n or_o rather_o all_o since_o they_o have_v choose_v atheism_n so_o the_o apostate_n call_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o all_o this_o because_o he_o adhere_v to_o the_o the_o gentile_a superstition_n and_o how_o universal_a the_o neglect_n of_o the_o heathen_a rite_n be_v then_o in_o antioch_n the_o same_o author_n make_v a_o sad_a complaint_n for_o when_o he_o have_v come_v upon_o the_o feast_n of_o apollo_n to_o do_v sacrifice_n in_o daphne_n the_o people_n of_o antioch_n have_v provide_v no_o sacrifice_n for_o that_o occasion_n nor_o take_v the_o least_o notice_n of_o the_o feast_n and_o therefore_o chide_v misopog_n chide_v id._n misopog_n with_o the_o senate_n for_o put_v such_o a_o affront_n upon_o their_o peculiar_a god_n and_o then_o bestow_v his_o raillery_n upon_o they_o as_o if_o they_o be_v grow_v so_o poor_a that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o buy_v a_o sacrifice_n their_o wife_n have_v bestow_v all_o upon_o the_o galilean_n in_o short_a so_o small_a be_v the_o devotion_n of_o that_o great_a city_n towards_o their_o patron_n apollo_n that_o the_o
that_o be_v maintain_v by_o the_o church_n be_v but_o a_o small_a part_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o poor_a for_o exhort_v the_o rich_a man_n to_o contribute_v towards_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o poor_a he_o observe_v how_o easy_a it_o will_v be_v to_o provide_v for_o they_o for_o the_o church_n say_v he_o 422._o he_o chrys_n hom._n 66._o in_o matth._n p._n 421._o 422._o maintain_v many_o widow_n and_o virgin_n and_o prisoner_n and_o sick_a and_o clergy_n the_o number_n of_o those_o upon_o the_o role_n maintain_v by_o the_o public_a stock_n of_o the_o church_n be_v about_o three_o thousand_o now_o the_o income_n of_o the_o church_n be_v scarce_o equal_a to_o one_o of_o the_o low_a of_o those_o account_v rich_a if_o therefore_o but_o ten_o such_o rich_a man_n will_v dispose_v of_o their_o estate_n as_o the_o church_n do_v there_o will_v not_o be_v a_o poor_a man_n in_o all_o antioch_n unprovided_a nay_o if_o all_o the_o rich_a man_n will_v but_o give_v a_o ten_o part_n to_o charity_n it_o will_v answer_v all_o occasion_n so_o that_o upon_o the_o computation_n of_o chrysostom_n the_o church_n do_v not_o relieve_v above_o a_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o yet_o this_o must_v be_v more_o in_o proportion_n than_o the_o roman_a church_n can_v be_v suppose_v able_a to_o do_v in_o cornelius_n his_o time_n when_o it_o have_v no_o other_o revenue_n than_o the_o oblation_n of_o the_o faithful_a whereas_o in_o chrysostom_n time_n beside_o these_o it_o be_v endow_v with_o great_a possession_n and_o be_v maintain_v from_o the_o rent_n or_o product_n of_o her_o estate_n the_o capital_a remain_a undiminish_a as_o he_o observe_v in_o the_o same_o place_n our_o author_n have_v lay_v this_o false_a foundation_n proceed_v to_o build_v upon_o it_o in_o this_o manner_n that_o at_o constantinople_n chrysostom_n compute_v the_o poor_a to_o have_v be_v half_a as_o many_o as_o all_o the_o other_o christian_n there_o at_o antioch_n the_o same_o father_n suppose_v the_o poor_a a_o ten_o part_n the_o first_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o without_o example_n in_o any_o city_n the_o latter_a multiply_v the_o poor_a that_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o relief_n i_o think_v beyond_o what_o we_o can_v find_v in_o any_o rich_a city_n such_o as_o antioch_n be_v yet_o upon_o this_o foot_n let_v we_o reckon_v the_o fifteen_o hundred_o roman_a poor_a we_o will_v suppose_v according_a to_o chrysostom_n to_o be_v the_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o poor_a christian_n of_o the_o place_n the_o sum_n will_v be_v fifteen_o thousand_o these_o multiply_v by_o ten_o will_v make_v a_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o thousand_o and_o this_o may_v be_v suppose_v about_o a_o seven_o part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n in_o rome_n of_o all_o age_n and_o condition_n and_o consider_v the_o great_a ostentation_n which_o tertullian_n make_v of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o age_n and_o the_o great_a increase_n they_o receive_v in_o the_o time_n intervening_a between_o tertullian_n and_o cornelius_n under_o alexander_n severus_n and_o philip_n i_o can_v but_o think_v i_o set_v their_o proportion_n too_o low_a when_o i_o reckon_v they_o but_o a_o seven_o part_n i_o can_v pass_v by_o one_o passage_n in_o the_o same_o homily_n of_o chrysostom_n that_o i_o can_v reconcile_v with_o his_o supposition_n that_o make_v the_o poor_a of_o antioch_n the_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o city_n when_o he_o have_v divide_v the_o people_n into_o ten_o part_n he_o make_v one_o to_o consist_v of_o rich_a man_n another_z of_o very_o poor_a man_n the_o other_o eight_o to_o consist_v of_o such_o as_o have_v competence_n of_o estate_n and_o be_v neither_o very_a rich_a nor_o very_o poor_a yet_o have_v make_v this_o distribution_n he_o say_v that_o if_o the_o poor_a be_v divide_v between_o those_o who_o be_v rich_a and_o those_o who_o be_v not_o poor_a there_o will_v not_o one_o poor_a man_n fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o fifty_o or_o a_o hundred_o whereas_o according_a to_o his_o distribution_n there_o will_v be_v a_o poor_a man_n leave_v between_o nine_o i_o can_v think_v chrysostom_n so_o little_o skill_v in_o arithmetic_n as_o to_o commit_v a_o mistake_n in_o so_o obvious_a a_o reckon_n i_o have_v rather_o suspect_v the_o read_n in_o this_o place_n of_o the_o ten_o part_n which_o with_o small_a variation_n may_v be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o follow_a computation_n but_o have_v not_o the_o countenance_n of_o any_o critic_n nor_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o copy_n i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o as_o i_o find_v it_o however_o as_o it_o stand_v it_o do_v but_o small_a service_n for_o the_o diminish_n of_o christian_n in_o ancient_a time_n alexandria_n follow_v dress_v up_o in_o a_o magnificent_a character_n 96._o character_n prim._n ep_v p._n 96._o the_o great_a after_o rome_n the_o mart_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o top_n of_o city_n but_o presume_v not_o you_o christian_n to_o take_v too_o much_o upon_o you_o for_o these_o glorious_a thing_n belong_v to_o jew_n and_o heathen_n and_o it_o be_v but_o a_o small_a skirt_n of_o this_o macedonian_a cloak_n that_o come_v to_o your_o share_n nay_o since_o you_o be_v find_v so_o inconsiderable_a in_o so_o great_a a_o place_n this_o very_a instance_n will_v preclude_v all_o your_o pretension_n to_o number_n and_o greatness_n in_o all_o other_o city_n here_o our_o author_n undertake_v to_o show_v that_o the_o christian_n be_v not_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n and_o think_v fit_a to_o skirmish_v at_o first_o with_o argument_n so_o slight_a that_o he_o himself_o do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o insist_v on_o they_o in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o three_o age_n dionysius_n call_v the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o a_o scrupulous_a member_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o can_v but_o commend_v his_o discretion_n for_o not_o insist_v upon_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o though_o i_o think_v the_o allege_v of_o they_o argue_v more_o of_o diligence_n than_o judgement_n for_o though_o this_o critical_a observation_n shall_v be_v allow_v that_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n be_v sometime_o call_v a_o synagogue_n the_o consequence_n that_o our_o author_n make_v that_o therefore_o there_o be_v but_o one_o assembly_n of_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n be_v invisible_a but_o the_o misfortune_n be_v that_o dionysius_n say_v no_o such_o thing_n for_o he_o call_v not_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o alexandria_n by_o that_o name_n but_o relate_v the_o case_n of_o a_o person_n who_o be_v trouble_v in_o conscience_n concern_v his_o baptism_n say_v 9_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 9_o he_o do_v partake_v of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o assemble_v with_o they_o but_o whether_o there_o be_v then_o but_o one_o church_n or_o congregation_n in_o alexandria_n or_o several_a can_v be_v deduce_v from_o that_o expression_n and_o all_o it_o import_v in_o that_o place_n be_v only_o that_o the_o person_n be_v in_o full_a and_o entire_a communion_n and_o so_o the_o same_o author_n use_v the_o word_n in_o his_o epistle_n 7._o epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 7._o to_o philemon_n a_o roman_a presbyter_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o heretic_n who_o do_v outward_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n the_o other_o passage_n which_o our_o author_n will_v not_o insist_v upon_o seem_v to_o surpass_v the_o former_a in_o impertinence_n the_o place_n of_o their_o panegyrical_a assembly_n which_o be_v their_o great_a of_o all_o be_v in_o his_o time_n a_o place_n of_o no_o great_a reception_n not_o only_o a_o field_n and_o a_o desert_n but_o a_o ship_n a_o inn_n or_o a_o prison_n wonderful_a that_o a_o field_n and_o a_o desert_n shall_v not_o be_v place_n of_o great_a reception_n and_o that_o the_o christian_n must_v be_v account_v few_o because_o they_o choose_v such_o place_n for_o their_o assembly_n where_o not_o only_o the_o church_n of_o one_o city_n may_v assemble_v but_o nation_n may_v inhabit_v but_o to_o let_v this_o pass_v and_o to_o consider_v the_o pertinence_n of_o this_o allegation_n dionysius_n speak_v of_o the_o calamitous_a estate_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o alexandria_n scatter_v by_o persecution_n from_o the_o heathen_a and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n visit_v with_o a_o pestilence_n and_o comfort_v his_o brethren_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o approach_a festival_n of_o easter_n to_o other_o say_v he_o 22._o he_o euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 7._o c._n 22._o this_o may_v scarce_o seem_v a_o festival_n and_o to_o the_o heathen_a neither_o this_o nor_o any_o other_o can_v be_v account_v such_o though_o it_o may_v have_v a_o great_a appearance_n of_o happiness_n for_o now_o grief_n and_o lamentation_n fill_v every_o place_n and_o there_o be_v not_o a_o
floor_n but_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n seat_n and_o such_o place_n from_o whence_o any_o of_o the_o church_n officer_n speak_v or_o read_v to_o the_o people_n it_o be_v not_o therefore_o so_o plain_a as_o it_o seem_v to_o mr._n baxter_n that_o all_o can_v hear_v in_o such_o a_o assembly_n as_o this_o now_o where_o a_o multitude_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o the_o great_a part_n can_v be_v partaker_n of_o the_o service_n for_o which_o they_o be_v assemble_v it_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o long_o one_o congregation_n since_o it_o can_v attain_v that_o purpose_n which_o bring_v they_o together_o and_o therefore_o be_v a_o congregation_n for_o show_v and_o solemnity_n and_o not_o for_o edification_n and_o religious_a service_n nor_o can_v any_o bound_n be_v assign_v to_o such_o a_o assembly_n for_o a_o nation_n may_v be_v bring_v together_o in_o that_o manner_n and_o therefore_o when_o a_o multitude_n though_o crowd_v together_o in_o one_o place_n become_v uncapable_a of_o attain_v the_o end_n of_o religious_a assembly_n it_o have_v out-grown_a the_o congregational_a standard_n as_o much_o as_o if_o it_o be_v disperse_v in_o forty_o distant_a place_n at_o a_o coronation_n all_o the_o people_n in_o westminster_n abby_n may_v be_v think_v but_o one_o congregation_n yet_o the_o great_a part_n hear_v no_o more_o of_o what_o be_v say_v than_o those_o who_o be_v ten_o mile_n off_o they_o may_v join_v in_o one_o common_a acclamation_n as_o that_o alexandrian_a assembly_n do_v in_o a_o amen_o so_o they_o may_v though_o they_o be_v twenty_o time_n as_o many_o so_o that_o such_o a_o notion_n of_o a_o congregation_n run_v on_o to_o infinite_a and_o that_o of_o which_o we_o be_v speak_v be_v in_o all_o probability_n of_o this_o sort_n it_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o the_o pretend_a primitive_a episcopacy_n and_o be_v of_o no_o use_n in_o the_o present_a question_n however_o the_o whole_a multitude_n meet_v in_o the_o great_a church_n which_o be_v large_a enough_o to_o receive_v they_o all_o but_o what_o multitude_n all_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o city_n no_o mr._n baxter_n will_v not_o say_v that_o or_o all_o that_o be_v willing_a or_o have_v opportunity_n to_o attend_v the_o public_a devotion_n of_o the_o day_n athanasius_n say_v not_o that_o neither_o but_o that_o there_o be_v so_o great_a confluence_n that_o the_o parish-church_n can_v not_o hold_v they_o but_o there_o be_v no_o other_o congregation_n of_o athanasius_n his_o communion_n in_o alexandria_n on_o that_o easter-day_n beside_o this_o great_a one_o for_o the_o universal_a harmony_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o people_n have_v not_o be_v so_o visible_a if_o 〈◊〉_d if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o have_v meet_v in_o parcel_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o such_o meeting_n still_o the_o question_n recur_v what_o people_n all_o the_o alexandrian_n of_o his_o communion_n nothing_o he_o say_v can_v be_v extend_v so_o far_o or_o make_v to_o comprehend_v any_o more_o than_o the_o multitude_n assemble_v at_o that_o time_n with_o intention_n to_o be_v present_a with_o the_o bishop_n this_o be_v all_o the_o people_n and_o all_o the_o multitude_n that_o he_o mention_n in_o this_o part_n of_o his_o defence_n but_o these_o be_v all_o his_o flock_n for_o universal_a harmony_n of_o all_o the_o people_n be_v visible_a this_o may_v be_v say_v of_o any_o general_a congregation_n assemble_v from_o all_o part_n though_o all_o individual_n nor_o perhaps_o half_a of_o they_o do_v not_o appear_v for_o leo_n the_o great_a about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o five_o century_n speak_v to_o his_o congregation_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n though_o in_o all_o probability_n not_o the_o twenty_o part_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o rome_n be_v present_a in_o you_o say_v he_o 3._o he_o in_o vobis_fw-la pietatem_fw-la christianae_n unitatis_fw-la agnosco_fw-la sicut_fw-la enim_fw-la ipsa_fw-la frequentia_fw-la testatur_fw-la intelligitis_fw-la enim_fw-la honorem_fw-la totius_fw-la gregis_fw-la celebrari_fw-la per_fw-la annua_fw-la festa_fw-la pastoris_fw-la leo._n serm._n anniv_n 3._o i_o can_v plain_o see_v the_o piety_n of_o christian_a unity_n as_o your_o confluence_n do_v declare_v and_o you_o understand_v that_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o whole_a flock_n be_v celebrate_v in_o the_o anniverssary_n of_o the_o pastor_n now_o to_o make_v up_o this_o image_n of_o christian_a unity_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o city_n shall_v flow_v to_o the_o bishop_n church_n but_o only_o that_o the_o congregation_n shall_v be_v very_o great_a though_o not_o so_o as_o to_o exclude_v all_o other_o notwithstanding_o this_o expression_n there_o may_v be_v several_a other_o assembly_n in_o that_o city_n at_o the_o same_o time_n nor_o be_v it_o otherwise_o at_o alexandria_n as_o we_o may_v judge_v by_o a_o passage_n in_o the_o bishop_n defence_n he_o be_v accuse_v for_o have_v dedicate_v a_o church_n which_o the_o emperor_n have_v build_v without_o his_o order_n because_o the_o hold_n of_o the_o pascal_n assemby_n there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o dedication_n but_o the_o bishop_n protest_v 682._o protest_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d apol._n ad_fw-la const_n p._n 682._o to_o the_o emperor_n that_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o any_o such_o design_n that_o this_o very_a assembly_n be_v altogether_o accidental_a for_o he_o have_v give_v the_o people_n no_o notice_n nor_o summons_n to_o meet_v there_o now_o the_o parish_n presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n can_v well_o be_v suppose_v to_o leave_v their_o church_n unsupplied_a upon_o a_o presumption_n that_o all_o the_o people_n will_v assemble_v with_o the_o bishop_n and_o they_o can_v not_o but_o know_v that_o his_o church_n can_v not_o hold_v a_o ten_o part_n of_o they_o for_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n can_v not_o receive_v they_o all_o and_o this_o new_a church_n not_o yet_o finish_v or_o dedicate_v they_o can_v not_o think_v of_o therefore_o in_o all_o probability_n they_o assemble_v their_o parish_n then_o as_o they_o do_v on_o other_o time_n unless_o we_o may_v fancy_v that_o on_o easter_n they_o always_o attend_v the_o bishop_n and_o so_o for_o all_o the_o easters_n before_o this_o leave_v much_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o people_n without_o any_o service_n on_o that_o solemn_a time_n for_o but_o few_o of_o they_o can_v crowd_v into_o the_o bishop_n church_n before_o that_o great_a one_o be_v build_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o catholic_n christian_n have_v be_v great_a than_o be_v at_o this_o time_n of_o which_o we_o be_v speak_v to_o conclude_v all_o the_o alexandrian_n of_o the_o catholic_n communion_n be_v not_o present_a with_o their_o bishop_n in_o the_o new_a church_n those_o that_o come_v make_v a_o very_a great_a multitude_n and_o such_o as_o the_o other_o church_n can_v not_o hold_v consider_v they_o have_v each_o a_o congregation_n already_o these_o can_v not_o be_v disperse_v in_o the_o other_o church_n without_o danger_n these_o be_v proper_a to_o represent_v catholic_n unity_n and_o in_o short_a be_v a_o congregation_n suitable_a to_o the_o time_n though_o it_o may_v not_o comprehend_v all_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o great_a city_n our_o author_n go_v on_o to_o prove_v the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n 98._o congregation_n prim._n ep_v p._n 98._o alexander_n the_o predecessor_n of_o athanasius_n assemble_v the_o whole_a multitude_n in_o the_o church_n call_v theonas_n the_o other_o church_n be_v all_o strait_a and_o little_a but_o still_o this_o multitude_n be_v not_o say_v to_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o alexandrine_n church_n but_o only_o of_o the_o bishop_n congregation_n there_o be_v yet_o another_o kind_n of_o proof_n which_o he_o think_v may_v be_v as_o satisfactory_a to_o some_o and_o refer_v to_o mr._n baxter_n ch._n history_n p._n 9_o 10._o here_o i_o must_v own_v myself_o of_o his_o opinion_n for_o both_o be_v equal_o satisfactory_a and_o this_o to_o which_o he_o refer_v have_v be_v 58._o be_v vindic._n prim._n ch._n p._n 58._o sufficient_o answer_v he_o think_v the_o premise_n so_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o dionysius_n be_v observation_n that_o alexandria_n in_o his_o time_n be_v not_o by_o much_o so_o populous_a as_o of_o old_a the_o old_a man_n be_v more_o in_o number_n former_o than_o both_o old_a and_o young_a in_o his_o day_n if_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o this_o observation_n he_o be_v the_o more_o inexcusable_a for_o attempt_v to_o put_v upon_o his_o reader_n without_o any_o necessity_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o london_n be_v not_o so_o populous_a now_o as_o it_o be_v a_o hundred_o year_n ago_o because_o a_o great_a mortality_n happen_v there_o about_o five_o and_o twenty_o year_n since_o and_o at_o the_o end_n of_o that_o pestilence_n all_o sort_n of_o inhabitant_n may_v not_o then_o equal_a even_o the_o
old_a man_n a_o few_o year_n before_o such_o a_o poor_a juggle_n will_v not_o pass_v upon_o child_n but_o in_o fact_n more_o remote_a there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o take_v liberty_n and_o depend_v upon_o the_o ignorance_n of_o their_o reader_n and_o this_o observation_n be_v a_o instance_n of_o that_o practice_n for_o in_o dionysius_n the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n time_n there_o happen_v first_o a_o fatal_a sedition_n in_o that_o city_n and_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o people_n be_v slay_v the_o carcase_n of_o these_o corrupt_a the_o air_n and_o the_o water_n and_o beget_v a_o pestilence_n mortal_a beyond_o all_o example_n and_o this_o reduce_v the_o city_n so_o low_a as_o that_o bishop_n than_o represent_v it_o but_o it_o soon_o recover_v from_o that_o calamity_n as_o great_a city_n common_o do_v and_o maintain_v its_o rank_n for_o some_o time_n as_o the_o second_o city_n of_o the_o empire_n in_o antioch_n he_o observe_v 99_o observe_v prim._n ep_v p._n 99_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o first_o age_n be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v all_o meet_v together_o in_o the_o house_n of_o theophilus_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o recognition_n which_o though_o false_o ascribe_v to_o clemens_n be_v ancient_a nor_o will_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o find_v a_o reason_n why_o the_o follow_a passage_n shall_v be_v forge_v theophilus_n domus_fw-la suae_fw-la ingentem_fw-la basilicam_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la nomine_fw-la consecravit_fw-la in_fw-la qua_fw-la omnis_fw-la multitudo_fw-la ad_fw-la audiendum_fw-la verbum_fw-la conveniens_fw-la etc._n etc._n l._n 10._o to_o some_o sort_n of_o people_n no_o evidence_n come_v amiss_o fable_n and_o forgery_n grow_v authentic_a if_o they_o seem_v favourable_a to_o their_o cause_n the_o recognition_n be_v on_o all_o hand_n give_v up_o for_o a_o idle_a forgery_n feign_v without_o any_o aim_n or_o tolerable_a guess_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o apostolic_a time_n i_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o suspect_v that_o this_o book_n be_v not_o so_o old_a as_o it_o be_v general_o imagine_v and_o it_o carry_v several_a mark_n of_o the_o four_o century_n of_o which_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o take_v notice_n in_o this_o place_n but_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o find_v a_o reason_n why_o this_o passage_n shall_v be_v forge_v nor_o indeed_o why_o he_o have_v forge_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o book_n nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a for_o many_o will_v lie_v out_o of_o gaiety_n of_o humour_n and_o to_o please_v their_o fancy_n without_o any_o other_o reason_n to_o move_v they_o but_o he_o that_o have_v not_o reason_n enough_o to_o discern_v this_o to_o be_v a_o fable_n have_v certain_o very_o little_a to_o spare_v 100_o spare_v prim._n ep_v p._n 100_o when_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la be_v bishop_n of_o this_o city_n our_o author_n observe_v there_o be_v but_o one_o house_n 〈◊〉_d house_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o the_o church_n do_v meet_v of_o which_o he_o will_v not_o give_v up_o the_o possession_n and_o this_o he_o contend_v be_v not_o the_o bishop_n house_n but_o the_o house_n where_o the_o church_n do_v meet_v and_o be_v present_o after_o call_v 30._o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 30._o the_o church_n the_o translator_n that_o he_o blame_v for_o call_v it_o the_o bishop_n house_n must_v be_v christophorson_n or_o musculus_fw-la for_o ruffinus_n and_o valesius_fw-la render_v it_o the_o house_n of_o the_o church_n now_o whether_o it_o be_v the_o church_n or_o the_o house_n of_o the_o bishop_n be_v not_o very_o clear_a nor_o very_o material_a for_o to_o be_v sure_o the_o church_n have_v a_o house_n where_o the_o bishop_n assemble_v and_o they_o may_v have_v twenty_o parish-church_n more_o for_o aught_o appear_v from_o this_o place_n but_o that_o which_o our_o author_n infer_v that_o one_o house_n be_v then_o sufficient_a otherwise_o they_o may_v have_v have_v more_o proceed_v from_o his_o usual_a acuteness_n the_o church_n need_v but_o one_o common_a house_n for_o the_o bishop_n assembly_n to_o which_o they_o all_o belong_v but_o they_o may_v have_v many_o house_n appropriate_v to_o parish_n and_o certain_a region_n of_o the_o town_n which_o can_v not_o be_v call_v the_o house_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n but_o only_o of_o such_o a_o part_n 100_o part_n prim._n ep_v p._n 100_o in_o the_o four_o age_n all_o the_o christian_n there_o can_v meet_v together_o for_o the_o choice_n of_o eustathius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v theodoret_n l._n 1._o c._n 7._o this_o have_v be_v answer_v so_o often_o already_o that_o i_o be_o ashamed_a to_o repeat_v so_o obvious_a and_o plain_a a_o answer_n any_o more_o what_o proportion_n of_o antioch_n be_v christian_n in_o eustathius_n his_o time_n may_v be_v guess_v from_o the_o influence_n his_o deposition_n have_v upon_o that_o city_n which_o according_a to_o mr._n clerkson_n be_v but_o four_o year_n after_o his_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o place_n the_o sedition_n say_v sozomen_n 19_o sozomen_n soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 19_o be_v so_o great_a that_o the_o whole_a city_n be_v in_o danger_n of_o be_v destroy_v the_o christian_n upon_o this_o occasion_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o part_n if_o a_o independent_a congregation_n in_o london_n shall_v happen_v to_o have_v such_o a_o difference_n about_o their_o pastor_n it_o will_v scarce_o move_v a_o sedition_n in_o the_o city_n or_o endanger_v the_o safety_n of_o it_o in_o so_o high_a a_o manner_n after_o this_o our_o author_n represent_v the_o low_a condition_n of_o the_o orthodox_n christian_n in_o antioch_n while_o the_o arrian_n be_v master_n 9_o master_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d socr._n l._n 3._o c._n 9_o of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o make_v but_o a_o mean_a congregation_n yet_o all_o the_o while_n the_o arrian_n bishop_n there_o be_v diocesan_n and_o have_v many_o church_n in_o that_o city_n which_o have_v belong_v once_o to_o the_o catholic_n christian_n and_o do_v still_o of_o right_n appertain_v to_o they_o and_o before_o the_o end_n of_o that_o century_n be_v actual_o recover_v to_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o their_o old_a rightful_a possessor_n 103._o possessor_n prim._n ep_v p._n 103._o carthage_n next_o to_o the_o city_n foremention_v be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a of_o the_o empire_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o that_o church_n about_o anno._n 220_o than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o church-administration_n for_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v evidence_n enough_o in_o tertullian_n which_o at_o present_a i_o will_v not_o further_o take_v notice_n of_o than_o in_o the_o observation_n of_o a_o great_a antiquary_n the_o bishop_n of_o orleans_n our_o author_n speak_v of_o tertullian_n in_o this_o place_n like_o one_o who_o have_v not_o look_v in_o he_o for_o he_o have_v not_o one_o word_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n in_o that_o place_n on_o which_o albaspineus_n make_v his_o observation_n and_o what_o be_v worse_o that_o bishop_n have_v not_o a_o word_n about_o carthage_n all_o this_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o vision_n that_o happen_v to_o our_o author_n in_o the_o dark_a when_o he_o talk_v of_o book_n without_o consult_v they_o tertullian_n 4._o tertullian_n tertul._n ad_fw-la uxor_fw-la l._n 2._o c._n 4._o dispute_v warm_o against_o christian_a woman_n marry_v of_o heathen_a man_n propose_v many_o great_a difficulty_n to_o which_o such_o woman_n will_v be_v expose_v and_o what_o hindrance_n such_o a_o marriage_n must_v needs_o be_v to_o all_o christian_a office_n if_o the_o wife_n purpose_n to_o perform_v the_o station_n the_o husband_n appoint_v a_o bath_n if_o she_o ought_v to_o observe_v a_o fast_a her_o husband_n appoint_v a_o entertainment_n si_fw-la procedendum_fw-la est_fw-la if_o she_o be_v to_o go_v abroad_o upon_o charitable_a and_o christian_a visit_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o sick_a the_o business_n of_o her_o family_n be_v then_o extraordinary_a urgent_a it_o happen_v that_o some_o papist_n lay_v hold_v on_o that_o word_n and_o fancy_v they_o have_v find_v their_o procession_n in_o tertullian_n which_o albaspinaeus_n make_v bold_a to_o expose_v show_v that_o in_o those_o day_n there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n in_o a_o place_n and_o that_o general_o a_o small_a one_o and_o without_o ornament_n which_o i_o be_o very_o willing_a to_o grant_v for_o general_o speak_v so_o it_o be_v and_o most_o town_n have_v but_o one_o church_n but_o for_o carthage_n and_o city_n of_o that_o magnitude_n they_o may_v differ_v from_o the_o generality_n in_o this_o as_o they_o do_v in_o dimension_n and_o multitude_n of_o people_n that_o carthage_n have_v many_o christian_a assembly_n in_o tertullia_n time_n we_o need_v no_o other_o proof_n than_o the_o account_n he_o give_v scapula_n of_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n scapulam_fw-la city_n tertull._n ad_fw-la scapulam_fw-la if_o they_o shall_v
that_o mr._n clerkson_n diligence_n be_v not_o either_o so_o great_a in_o this_o part_n or_o nothing_o can_v be_v find_v to_o give_v so_o much_o as_o a_o pretence_n to_o straighten_v the_o bound_n of_o those_o territory_n which_o be_v under_o the_o bishop_n jurisdiction_n no_o less_o than_o the_o city_n where_o he_o live_v yet_o something_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o say_v to_o this_o point_n which_o i_o be_o now_o to_o consider_v 111._o consider_v prim._n ep_v p._n 110_o 111._o it_o may_v be_v allege_v that_o not_o only_o the_o city_n and_o but_o a_o large_a territory_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o the_o village_n therein_o make_v up_o the_o bishop_n diocese_n answ_n if_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o village_n increase_v they_o beyond_o the_o capacity_n of_o personal_a communion_n it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o great_a city_n or_o else_o no_o where_n the_o consequence_n be_v not_o very_o evident_a for_o some_o very_a little_a city_n have_v great_a territory_n as_o cyrus_n where_o theodoret_n be_v bishop_n of_o which_o more_o anon_o and_o capua_n that_o be_v a_o very_a great_a city_n have_v rull_n have_v cic._n or._n contr_n rull_n once_o no_o territory_n at_o all_o as_o it_o happen_v to_o some_o other_o city_n in_o italy_n who_o territory_n the_o roman_n take_v away_o however_o let_v we_o hear_v how_o it_o be_v it_o be_v not_o so_o at_o carthage_n where_o all_o the_o people_n belong_v to_o cyprian_a meet_v frequent_o which_o be_v plain_a by_o a_o hundred_o passage_n in_o his_o epistle_n what_o all_o the_o people_n from_o the_o country_n parish_n the_o reader_n may_v depend_v upon_o it_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o title_n either_o in_o the_o epistle_n or_o any_o tract_n of_o cyprian_a to_o that_o purpose_n and_o those_o passage_n that_o he_o refer_v to_o be_v only_o general_a expression_n all_o the_o people_n all_o the_o brotherhood_n etc._n etc._n which_o have_v be_v already_o consider_v nor_o can_v it_o be_v conceive_v possible_a for_o though_o we_o have_v not_o the_o measure_n of_o all_o the_o region_n belong_v to_o carthage_n yet_o be_v there_o some_o hint_n that_o be_v sufficient_a to_o disprove_v this_o a_o place_n ten_o mile_n distant_a from_o that_o city_n be_v reckon_v 2._o reckon_v procop._n vand._n l._n 2._o not_o only_o in_o the_o territory_n but_o in_o the_o suburb_n of_o it_o and_o from_o the_o distance_n be_v call_v decimum_fw-la and_o it_o be_v not_o very_o likely_a if_o there_o be_v any_o christian_n there_o that_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o go_v to_o carthage_n upon_o all_o religious_a occasion_n and_o that_o at_o this_o time_n the_o place_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o suburb_n and_o be_v at_o some_o distance_n from_o the_o city_n have_v their_o assembly_n apart_o from_o the_o city_n bishop_n to_o who_o they_o belong_v we_o may_v learn_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o dionysius_n 11._o dionysius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n h._n l._n 7._o c._n 11._o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n and_o the_o note_n of_o valesius_fw-la anot._n valesius_fw-la ji_n qui_fw-la in_o suburbijs_fw-la illis_fw-la manebant_fw-la non_fw-la cogebantur_fw-la ad_fw-la majoris_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la conventus_fw-la accedere_fw-la vale_n anot._n that_o the_o people_n who_o dwell_v in_o remote_a suburb_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o go_v to_o the_o great_a church_n i._n e._n of_o the_o city_n and_o bethlehem_n which_o be_v but_o six_o mile_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n do_v not_o go_v up_o to_o the_o bishop_n church_n so_o much_o as_o at_o easter_n as_o we_o be_v inform_v by_o jerom_n hierosol_n jerom_n hieron_n adv_fw-la joh._n hierosol_n who_o on_o that_o feast_n do_v once_o present_a some_o candidate_n for_o baptism_n to_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o place_n yea_o in_o the_o four_o age_n it_o be_v not_o so_o in_o alexandria_n as_o our_o author_n 111._o author_n prim._n ep_v p._n 111._o fancy_n and_o refer_v we_o to_o that_o panegyrical_a assembly_n which_o athanasius_n excuse_v to_o constantius_n what_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o diocese_n of_o alexandria_n in_o that_o church_n those_o of_o 17._o of_o strab._n l._n 17._o nicopolis_n equal_a to_o a_o city_n those_o of_o 17._o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d athan._n presb._n libel_n apud_fw-la conc._n chalc._n act._n 3._o strab._n l._n 17._o canopus_n reckon_v itself_o a_o city_n and_o twelve_o mile_n from_o alexandria_n and_o within_o that_o diocese_n what_o all_o the_o people_n of_o mareote_n 793._o mareote_n athanas_n apol._n 2._o p._n 793._o where_o there_o be_v fourteen_o parish-presbyter_n and_o thirteen_o deacon_n these_o have_v some_o ten_o village_n some_o more_o within_o their_o respective_a parish_n so_o that_o we_o may_v reckon_v upon_o near_o a_o hundred_o village_n at_o least_o in_o this_o place_n it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o all_o these_o place_n add_v as_o a_o appendix_n to_o the_o christian_n of_o alexandria_n shall_v not_o make_v more_o than_o one_o congregation_n or_o that_o those_o people_n shall_v travel_v so_o far_o to_o assemble_v with_o their_o bishop_n when_o they_o can_v not_o promise_v themselves_o any_o room_n the_o city_n church_n be_v small_a and_o the_o great_a one_o not_o yet_o dedicate_v especial_o since_o we_o have_v show_v before_o that_o they_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o it_o i_o be_o afraid_a if_o the_o notion_n which_o our_o author_n serve_v have_v require_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o egypt_n shall_v have_v be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v have_v meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n that_o he_o will_v have_v find_v some_o panegyrical_a assembly_n shall_v have_v comprehend_v they_o all_o he_o tell_v we_o how_o he_o have_v show_v before_o that_o the_o christian_n in_o such_o city_n be_v no_o more_o in_o the_o first_o age_n than_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o a_o ordinary_a town_n such_o as_o some_o of_o our_o market-town_n when_o we_o know_v that_o not_o only_o those_o of_o the_o town_n but_o many_o village_n sometime_o near_o twenty_o belong_v to_o it_o can_v and_o do_v meet_v together_o all_o he_o have_v show_v have_v be_v examine_v and_o this_o which_o he_o add_v of_o his_o own_o knowledge_n concern_v market-town_n with_o twenty_o village_n belong_v to_o they_o i_o will_v take_v upon_o his_o credit_n though_o i_o think_v such_o instance_n very_o rare_a yet_o after_o all_o this_o will_v not_o reach_v the_o point_n in_o question_n nor_o answer_v the_o territory_n of_o ancient_a city_n which_o be_v much_o large_a than_o mr._n clerkson_n will_v have_v we_o believe_v they_o be_v not_o content_a with_o this_o he_o think_v it_o advisable_v to_o add_v something_o for_o more_o satisfaction_n 112._o satisfaction_n prim._n ep_v p._n 112._o for_o first_o either_o the_o territory_n be_v little_a and_o so_o it_o be_v indeed_o for_o the_o most_o part_n there_o be_v some_o will_v have_v it_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o the_o territory_n of_o city_n be_v very_o large_a and_o they_o have_v need_n presume_v it_o to_o be_v exceed_o large_a so_o as_o it_o may_v bear_v some_o proportion_n to_o a_o northern_a diocese_n i_o do_v not_o desire_v to_o have_v a_o thing_n take_v for_o grant_v which_o i_o can_v so_o easy_o prove_v and_o hope_v to_o do_v so_o effectual_o in_o this_o matter_n that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o place_n leave_v for_o exception_n or_o cavil_n and_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o some_o territory_n of_o ancient_a city_n will_v appear_v not_o inferior_a to_o some_o of_o the_o northern_a diocese_n and_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o bishopric_n of_o this_o kingdom_n which_o be_v not_o the_o least_o in_o this_o part_n of_o the_o world_n 113._o world_n prim._n ep_v p._n 113._o the_o circuit_n of_o one_o of_o our_o country_n parish_n yea_o of_o two_o together_o they_o will_v scorn_v as_o unworthy_a the_o repute_n or_o name_n of_o a_o bishop_n diocese_n yet_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o city_n where_o the_o apostle_n plant_v church_n amount_v not_o to_o more_o if_o so_o much_o god_n forbid_v any_o shall_v scorn_v those_o bound_n which_o be_v set_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o planter_n of_o christianity_n yet_o those_o upon_o who_o mr._n clerkson_n reflect_v have_v reason_n to_o scorn_v so_o undeserved_a a_o imputation_n some_o man_n be_v not_o well_o unless_o they_o can_v reproach_v their_o better_n their_o choler_n work_v upward_a and_o must_v be_v vent_v at_o their_o mouth_n or_o else_o they_o can_v live_v but_o the_o present_a question_n be_v how_o far_o those_o bound_n extend_v that_o be_v set_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n 113._o successor_n prim._n ep_v p._n 113._o shall_v we_o take_v a_o estimate_n of_o the_o territory_n of_o other_o city_n by_o that_o of_o the_o levite_n city_n why_o not_o since_o many_o of_o they_o be_v royal_a city_n and_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v the_o large_a allowance_n there_o be_v many_o reason_n why_o
who_o refuse_v full_a or_o competent_a evidence_n when_o the_o proof_n rise_v up_o to_o a_o demonstration_n or_o be_v direct_v and_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n but_o for_o man_n to_o advance_v new_a notion_n and_o paradox_n concern_v thing_n at_o very_o great_a distance_n of_o which_o the_o proof_n be_v obscure_a and_o the_o evidence_n only_o conjectural_a and_o then_o to_o cry_v out_o upon_o those_o who_o be_v not_o convince_v as_o person_n of_o no_o faith_n or_o equity_n argue_v a_o confidence_n very_o unusual_a and_o rare_o to_o be_v see_v either_o in_o understanding_n or_o good_a men._n that_o for_o the_o space_n of_o the_o first_o three_o century_n a_o bishop_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o pastor_n to_o a_o single_a congregation_n be_v in_o the_o first_o place_n a_o conclusion_n very_o new_a and_o never_o hear_v that_o i_o can_v learn_v before_o the_o last_o age._n the_o space_n of_o time_n intervening_a between_o the_o near_a point_n of_o the_o three_o century_n assign_v and_o the_o birth_n of_o this_o notion_n want_v little_a of_o thirteen_o complete_a century_n and_o therefore_o the_o evidence_n of_o a_o matter_n so_o remote_a aught_o to_o be_v positive_a and_o direct_a and_o it_o must_v be_v expect_v that_o some_o ancient_a witness_n who_o live_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o that_o term_n or_o in_o the_o next_o age_n at_o least_o shall_v be_v produce_v and_o have_v declare_v express_o that_o no_o bishop_n have_v more_o than_o one_o single_a congregation_n or_o that_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o those_o time_n that_o a_o bishop_n ought_v to_o have_v no_o more_o if_o but_o one_o author_n of_o credit_n have_v leave_v this_o testimony_n the_o circumstantial_a evidence_n may_v reasonable_o be_v admit_v for_o confirmation_n but_o when_o all_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o fact_n so_o distant_a consist_v only_o of_o conjecture_n and_o suspicion_n and_o unconcluding_a circumstance_n i_o hope_v that_o in_o this_o time_n of_o liberty_n a_o honest_a man_n may_v refufe_v to_o believe_v so_o obscure_a and_o unnecessary_a inference_n without_o any_o diminution_n of_o his_o reputation_n it_o may_v be_v very_o true_a that_o some_o village_n have_v bishop_n that_o several_a city_n be_v not_o great_a than_o some_o of_o our_o market-town_n that_o all_o the_o people_n may_v be_v say_v in_o a_o usual_a sense_n to_o be_v present_a at_o church_n in_o the_o great_a city_n all_o this_o may_v be_v true_a and_o yet_o very_o far_o from_o prove_v the_o point_n in_o question_n the_o conclusion_n congregational_a episcopacy_n may_v remain_v still_o at_o as_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o these_o premise_n as_o the_o primitive_a time_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v from_o the_o present_a age_n or_o as_o some_o gift_a man_n discourse_n be_v from_o the_o text._n when_o this_o fancy_n of_o primitive_a congregational_a episcopacy_n come_v first_o into_o man_n head_n the_o diocesan_n way_n have_v be_v every_o where_o establish_v and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o take_v this_o for_o a_o piece_n of_o popery_n no_o church_n come_v near_o to_o the_o congregational_a standard_n than_o those_o that_o be_v under_o the_o immediate_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n nor_o be_v it_o pretend_v that_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v new_a they_o have_v a_o acknowledge_a prescription_n of_o above_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n but_o the_o time_n of_o its_o rise_n be_v not_o so_o positive_o assign_v cartwright_n pretend_v to_o trace_v some_o footstep_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n in_o the_o two_o first_o century_n but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o or_o the_o dissenter_n of_o his_o time_n have_v make_v the_o conclusion_n so_o universal_a that_o no_o bishop_n within_o that_o compass_n of_o time_n have_v more_o than_o one_o congregation_n rome_n and_o alexandria_n and_o the_o great_a city_n seem_v to_o stand_v out_o and_o remain_v exception_n but_o now_o they_o too_o be_v take_v in_o and_o reduce_v to_o the_o congregational_a model_n it_o be_v something_o hard_o to_o conceive_v how_o the_o species_n of_o church-government_n shall_v come_v to_o be_v change_v and_o no_o account_n of_o so_o important_a a_o change_n be_v transmit_v to_o posterity_n those_o who_o fancy_n presbytery_n turn_v into_o episcopacy_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o second_o century_n make_v some_o show_n of_o reply_n when_o they_o say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a obscure_a age_n and_o have_v leave_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o its_o story_n behind_o it_o but_o the_o age_n in_o which_o primitive_a episcopacy_n be_v pretend_v to_o have_v be_v transform_v into_o diocesan_n be_v of_o another_o character_n they_o abound_v with_o learning_n and_o writer_n and_o a_o great_a many_o of_o their_o book_n have_v be_v preserve_v but_o not_o the_o least_o hint_n of_o this_o fundamental_a alteration_n of_o church-government_n what!_o so_o just_a a_o offence_n give_v by_o the_o church_n and_o no_o sectary_n no_o schismatic_a to_o reproach_v she_o those_o who_o be_v so_o minute_n and_o trifle_n in_o their_o cavil_n can_v they_o overlook_v so_o obvious_a a_o topick_n as_o this_o of_o diocesan_n innovation_n nay_o these_o very_a sect_n where_o their_o number_n make_v they_o capable_a live_v themselves_o under_o the_o diocesan_n way_n if_o then_o in_o time_n of_o so_o much_o division_n contention_n and_o dispute_n such_o a_o change_n as_o this_o can_v be_v introduce_v without_o any_o opposition_n and_o all_o party_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o interest_n conform_v to_o it_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v see_v how_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o it_o be_v do_v by_o miracle_n for_o what_o great_a miracle_n can_v we_o well_o imagine_v than_o that_o so_o many_o sort_n of_o christian_n divide_v by_o principle_n and_o mutual_a aversion_n shall_v conspire_v to_o receive_v this_o pretend_a alteration_n of_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o those_o who_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v primitive_a must_v allow_v it_o a_o high_a title_n since_o miracle_n carry_v with_o it_o much_o great_a authority_n than_o prescription_n mr._n clerkson_n therefore_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o apprehend_v that_o it_o will_v appear_v a_o great_a paradox_n to_o hear_v that_o a_o bishop_n of_o old_a be_v but_o the_o pastor_n of_o a_o single_a church_n or_o that_o his_o diocese_n be_v no_o large_a than_o one_o communion_n table_n may_v serve_v it_o do_v indeed_o seem_v very_o strange_a not_o only_o to_o those_o who_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o ancient_a time_n and_o thing_n by_o their_o own_o or_o be_v much_o concern_v they_o shall_v not_o be_v otherwise_o than_o they_o be_v now_o but_o most_o of_o all_o to_o those_o who_o have_v competent_a knowledge_n of_o those_o time_n and_o who_o be_v qualify_v to_o make_v some_o judgement_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n it_o be_v a_o great_a weakness_n to_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o ancient_a time_n by_o our_o own_o 116._o own_o p._n 116._o but_o i_o know_v none_o more_o unfortunate_a in_o this_o way_n of_o reckon_v than_o the_o author_n himself_o who_o measure_v the_o ancient_a territory_n of_o greek_a and_o roman_a city_n by_o liberty_n that_o belong_v to_o we_o and_o demand_n with_o more_o zeal_n than_o knowledge_n how_o many_o city_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n can_v be_v shâ—wn_v we_o where_o this_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o city_n magistrate_n reach_v far_a than_o it_o do_v in_o our_o english_a city_n urbem_fw-la quam_fw-la dicunt_fw-la romam_fw-la melibaee_fw-la puâ—avi_fw-la stultus_fw-la ego_fw-la huic_fw-la nostrae_fw-la similem_fw-la but_o of_o this_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n how_o great_a advantage_n may_v be_v expect_v from_o a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o what_o the_o author_n think_v to_o be_v true_a in_o this_o particular_a i_o can_v ready_o discern_v have_v not_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o prospective_n to_o discover_v thing_n at_o so_o vast_a a_o distance_n much_o less_o can_v i_o see_v that_o it_o may_v contribute_v much_o to_o the_o decide_n of_o the_o controversy_n among_o we_o about_o church-government_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o happy_a composure_n now_o to_o deal_v liberal_o with_o this_o notion_n of_o primitive_a episcopacy_n let_v we_o yield_v up_o the_o point_n at_o once_o and_o grant_v that_o no_o bishop_n for_o the_o three_o first_o century_n have_v more_o than_o one_o congregation_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n let_v we_o take_v the_o reason_n along_o with_o we_o that_o for_o so_o long_a time_n no_o city_n have_v more_o christian_n than_o may_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n no_o bishop_n then_o can_v have_v more_o congregation_n than_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o his_o city_n and_o territory_n do_v compose_v but_o the_o controversy_n about_o church-government_n be_v still_o undecided_a for_o this_o do_v not_o preclude_v the_o bishop_n from_o a_o right_n of_o have_v many_o congregation_n under_o their_o inspection_n if_o more_o have_v be_v
the_o controversy_n about_o church-government_n turn_v upon_o question_n of_o right_a and_o not_o of_o fact_n but_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v pertinent_o allege_v to_o prove_v a_o right_n where_o the_o fact_n do_v involve_v a_o judgement_n of_o right_n but_o where_o it_o be_v pure_o accidental_a it_o have_v no_o consequence_n on_o either_o side_n two_o great_a casuist_n upon_o a_o certain_a time_n fall_v into_o dispute_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o take_v tobacco_n the_o dispute_n be_v carry_v on_o with_o great_a learning_n and_o niceness_n one_o make_v it_o out_o clear_o that_o none_o of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n ever_o use_v it_o and_o that_o for_o many_o century_n there_o be_v not_o one_o christian_a smoker_n in_o the_o world_n the_o other_o desire_v to_o know_v the_o principle_n upon_o which_o they_o condemn_v it_o and_o be_v tell_v very_o serious_o that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n censure_v against_o it_o nor_o can_v there_o well_o be_v any_o for_o the_o plant_n have_v not_o yet_o be_v bring_v to_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n so_o the_o controversy_n remain_v undecided_a by_o this_o negative_a instance_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n because_o their_o forbearance_n be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o judgement_n or_o choice_n but_o from_o a_o absolute_a ignorance_n of_o the_o matter_n now_o for_o decide_v of_o controversy_n and_o bring_v thing_n to_o a_o happy_a composure_n i_o be_v resolve_v to_o signalise_v my_o compliance_n and_o submit_v to_o a_o paradox_n not_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o any_o testimony_n bring_v by_o the_o author_n but_o to_o avoid_v importunity_n and_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o peace_n but_o see_v all_o our_o controversy_n about_o church-government_n remain_v in_o the_o same_o state_n after_o all_o my_o yield_a i_o conceive_v that_o i_o be_o at_o liberty_n to_o revoke_v my_o concession_n and_o to_o contest_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o to_o show_v that_o the_o testimony_n allege_v by_o mr._n clerkson_n do_v not_o make_v sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o point_n under_o debate_n that_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o three_o first_o century_n be_v no_o more_o than_o pastor_n to_o a_o single_a congregation_n for_o the_o scripture-time_n there_o will_v be_v little_a difficulty_n since_o as_o much_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o judicious_a assertor_n of_o prelacy_n as_o need_v be_v desire_v 2._o desire_v prim._n ep._n p._n 2._o archbishop_n whitgift_n be_v bring_v in_o to_o witness_v that_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o general_o receive_v any_o where_n when_o it_o be_v first_o preach_v that_o when_o mathias_n be_v choose_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v gather_v in_o one_o place_n and_o so_o it_o be_v when_o the_o deacon_n be_v choose_v this_o may_v be_v true_a and_o yet_o not_o reach_v to_o the_o whole_a extent_n of_o scripture-time_n but_o only_o to_o those_o instance_n of_o popular_a election_n which_o be_v allege_v by_o cartwright_n the_o late_a of_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v within_o a_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n ascension_n and_o if_o for_o the_o first_o year_n of_o the_o apostle_n preach_v the_o church_n may_v not_o increase_v beyond_o a_o single_a congregation_n it_o will_v be_v of_o no_o great_a consequence_n either_o for_o or_o against_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n yet_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o scripture_n that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v otherwise_o for_o in_o the_o election_n of_o mathias_n the_o assembly_n consist_v of_o about_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o 1._o twenty_o act_n 1._o whereas_o our_o saviour_n before_o his_o ascension_n appear_v in_o a_o assembly_n of_o five_o hundred_o brethren_n 15._o brethren_n 1_o cor._n 15._o so_o that_o not_o a_o four_o part_n of_o the_o church_n be_v present_a at_o that_o election_n when_o the_o deacon_n be_v elect_v the_o whole_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n can_v not_o be_v present_a in_o that_o assembly_n for_o the_o number_n of_o the_o convert_v be_v then_o too_o great_a especial_o consider_v the_o christian_n have_v not_o the_o convenience_n of_o very_a capacious_a place_n to_o meet_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o concern_v to_o be_v present_a on_o that_o occasion_n for_o the_o woman_n have_v no_o part_n in_o election_n nor_o perhaps_o servant_n nor_o child_n though_o of_o age_n while_o they_o live_v in_o their_o father_n house_n but_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n can_v not_o be_v present_a i_o shall_v then_o show_v more_o full_o when_o i_o consider_v the_o way_n by_o which_o our_o author_n endeavour_v to_o diminish_v the_o first-fruit_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o lessen_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n bishop_n downham_n be_v allege_v to_o as_o little_a purpose_n for_o all_o he_o affirm_v be_v that_o at_o the_o very_a first_o conversion_n of_o city_n the_o whole_a number_n of_o people_n convert_v be_v able_a to_o make_v but_o a_o small_a congregation_n for_o who_o can_v tell_v how_o far_o he_o intend_v the_o very_a first_o conversion_n shall_v extend_v the_o close_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v above_o sixty_o year_n after_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o many_o great_a city_n and_o therefore_o though_o at_o the_o first_o conversion_n the_o number_n of_o christian_n may_v be_v but_o small_a yet_o a_o church_n may_v improve_v something_o in_o threescore_o year_n and_o grow_v up_o from_o one_o small_a to_o many_o great_a congregation_n no_o instance_n say_v our_o author_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o this_o but_o the_o three_o thousand_o convert_v at_o jerusalem_n 2.41_o jerusalem_n act_n 2.41_o to_o which_o some_o will_v add_v five_o thousand_o more_o some_o will_v add_v let_v it_o not_o displease_v any_o zealous_a brother_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n that_o st._n luke_n have_v record_v the_o number_n of_o those_o convert_v his_o word_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o his_o sense_n so_o necessary_a that_o they_o can_v be_v avoid_v by_o any_o shift_n 4.4_o shift_n act_n 4.4_o many_o of_o those_o who_o hear_v the_o word_n i._n e._n then_o preach_v not_o in_o a_o set_a assembly_n but_o occasional_o in_o the_o temple_n believe_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o man_n be_v about_o five_o thousand_o but_o can_v there_o no_o instance_n be_v bring_v against_o the_o independent_a fancy_n beside_o these_o two_o our_o author_n it_o seem_v be_v willing_a to_o overlook_v such_o passage_n as_o testify_v the_o great_a increase_n of_o christian_n in_o jerusalem_n after_o this_o happy_a beginning_n 〈◊〉_d beginning_n act_n 5.13_o 14_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d st._n luke_n relate_v that_o after_o the_o fearful_a end_n of_o ananias_n and_o his_o wife_n believer_n be_v the_o more_o add_v to_o the_o church_n multitude_n both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n the_o ethiopic_a version_n deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o this_o place_n for_o instead_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o author_n of_o that_o version_n seem_v to_o have_v read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o if_o the_o jewish_a magistrate_n dare_v not_o then_o restrain_v the_o preach_a the_o apostle_n because_o the_o people_n magnify_v they_o for_o their_o miracle_n and_o then_o great_a addition_n be_v make_v to_o the_o church_n but_o st._n luke_n proceed_v to_o give_v yet_o great_a instance_n of_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n 〈◊〉_d jerusalem_n act_n 6.1_o 7._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d before_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o deacon_n the_o number_n of_o the_o disciple_n be_v multiply_v and_o immediate_o after_o the_o institution_n of_o these_o officer_n the_o word_n of_o god_n increase_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o disciple_n multiply_v in_o jerusalem_n great_o and_o a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n or_o as_o the_o syriack_n read_v of_o the_o jew_n be_v obedient_a or_o submit_v to_o the_o faith_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o no_o certain_a number_n be_v express_v in_o these_o place_n and_o therefore_o they_o conclude_v nothing_o it_o be_v true_a the_o number_n of_o these_o late_a convert_v be_v not_o set_v down_o but_o must_v they_o therefore_o be_v lose_v to_o the_o church_n and_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n these_o expression_n of_o multitude_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n of_o increase_v great_o or_o mighty_o of_o great_a company_n or_o crowd_n be_v of_o very_o great_a content_n and_o capable_a of_o receive_v many_o myriad_n and_o if_o we_o compare_v they_o with_o these_o general_a term_n of_o which_o we_o know_v the_o definite_a sum_n it_o must_v be_v allow_v by_o all_o rule_n of_o speak_v that_o those_o indefinite_a expression_n must_v exceed_v the_o other_o for_o instance_n when_o a_o accession_n of_o five_o thousand_o be_v make_v to_o the_o church_n it_o be_v say_v that_o many_o of_o those_o who_o hear_v the_o word_n believe_v if_o the_o relator_n have_v not_o express_v the_o number_n but_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o discretion_n of_o independent_a calculator_n i_o be_o afraid_a this_o indefinite_a
the_o chief_a of_o italy_n all_o the_o child_n be_v christen_v in_o one_o font_n in_o the_o old_a church_n of_o st._n john_n which_o leandro_n alberti_n baptisterium_fw-la alberti_n gloss_n v._o baptisterium_fw-la say_v be_v a_o temple_n of_o mars_n which_o dufresne_n observe_v tanquam_fw-la veteris_fw-la moris_fw-la institutum_fw-la it_o be_v the_o old_a way_n for_o all_o who_o live_v in_o or_o near_o the_o same_o city_n to_o be_v baptize_v in_o one_o church_n i._n e._n the_o cathedral_n but_o the_o use_n of_o the_o altar_n be_v more_o general_a and_o more_o constant_a for_o every_o lord_n day_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n all_o the_o faithful_a receive_v the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o administration_n of_o it_o do_v require_v more_o time_n and_o more_o room_n than_o any_o other_o office_n of_o christian_a religion_n for_o more_o may_v pray_v together_o or_o hear_v the_o scripture_n or_o a_o sermon_n with_o convenience_n than_o can_v receive_v the_o sacrament_n which_o be_v deliver_v 43._o deliver_v eus_n h._n e._n l._n 6._o c._n 43._o with_o a_o form_n of_o word_n to_o every_o person_n that_o receive_v it_o to_o which_o the_o receiver_n answer_v amen_n so_o that_o in_o a_o numerous_a congregation_n it_o must_v grow_v inconvenient_a and_o soon_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o several_a other_o church_n wherefore_o it_o seem_v most_o probable_a that_o the_o christian_a assembly_n be_v first_o part_v on_o this_o account_n and_o title_n or_o parish-church_n erect_v as_o supplement_n of_o the_o chief_a altar_n let_v a_o man_n but_o consider_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n under_o 43._o under_o eus_n h._n e._n l._n 6._o c._n 43._o cornelius_n when_o above_o fifteen_o hundred_o person_n be_v maintain_v from_o the_o public_a stock_n of_o the_o church_n what_o number_n of_o believer_n there_o must_v be_v in_o that_o city_n and_o then_o let_v he_o conceive_v if_o he_o can_v how_o so_o many_o thousand_o can_v meet_v every_o lord_n day_n in_o one_o church_n and_o receive_v the_o communion_n at_o one_o altar_n and_o in_o lion_n c_o where_o in_o severus_n his_o time_n there_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v eighteen_o thousand_o christian_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o one_o altar_n can_v be_v sufficient_a we_o be_v tell_v indeed_o that_o we_o have_v many_o thousand_o in_o a_o parish_n that_o have_v but_o one_o altar_n but_o if_o our_o communion_n 1._o communion_n irenaeus_n martyrizatus_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la omni_fw-la populo_fw-la christianorum_fw-la xviii_o m._n throne_n s._n benig_n ap_fw-mi dacher_n t._n 1._o be_v as_o frequent_v and_o as_o numerous_a as_o those_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n many_o altar_n i_o be_o sure_a will_v be_v necessary_a to_o such_o parish_n to_o conclude_v the_o word_n of_o the_o counterfeit_a damasus_n now_o under_o debate_n do_v not_o deny_v to_o those_o parish-church_n the_o administration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n for_o when_o he_o appoint_v they_o for_o baptism_n and_o penance_n he_o do_v not_o exclude_v all_o other_o christian_a office_n such_o as_o prayer_n read_v of_o the_o scripture_n or_o the_o communion_n but_o name_v those_o of_o baptism_n and_o penance_n because_o even_o in_o his_o time_n they_o be_v not_o allow_v to_o every_o parish-church_n but_o this_o damasus_n live_v late_a than_o to_o think_v of_o a_o church_n without_o mass_n or_o without_o a_o altar_n and_o he_o have_v take_v care_v not_o only_o for_o such_o church_n but_o for_o the_o sepulcher_n of_o martyr_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v altar_n raise_v over_o they_o and_o mass_n celebrate_v long_o before_o the_o time_n of_o marcellus_n and_o ascribe_v the_o order_n of_o that_o matter_n to_o 1._o to_o pseud_n damas_n in_o felix_n 1._o felix_n 1._o and_o 275._o and_o baron_fw-fr an._n 275._o baronius_n seem_v to_o be_v trouble_v that_o this_o author_n have_v not_o do_v it_o soon_o and_o therefore_o think_v fit_a to_o let_v the_o reader_n know_v that_o all_o this_o have_v be_v provide_v before_o and_o last_o the_o expression_n quasi_fw-la dioceses_fw-la refer_v to_o baptism_n and_o penance_n import_n that_o those_o service_n indeed_o belong_v only_o to_o a_o cathedral_n and_o therefore_o the_o grant_n of_o those_o privilege_n to_o parish_n make_v they_o seem_v like_o diocese_n whereas_o 2._o whereas_o innoc._n ep._n ad_fw-la dacen_n aug._n conf._n c._n 2._o vid._n euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 7._o c._n 11._o l._n 9_o c._n 2._o every_o martyrium_fw-la every_o cemitery_n and_o common_a title_n have_v the_o privilege_n of_o the_o communion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o preach_n in_o the_o parish_n of_o rome_n may_v very_o well_o be_v grant_v without_o reduce_v the_o christian_n to_o a_o single_a congregation_n for_o if_o 〈◊〉_d if_o soz._n l._n 7._o c._n 19_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sozomen_n be_v not_o misinform_v there_o be_v no_o preach_n in_o any_o church_n in_o rome_n not_o in_o the_o bishop_n for_o in_o rome_n neither_o the_o bishop_n nor_o any_o other_o teach_v in_o the_o church_n and_o valesius_fw-la take_v notice_n that_o we_o have_v no_o homily_n of_o any_o roman_a bishop_n before_o leo_n 1._o and_o to_o confirm_v this_o of_o the_o historian_n he_o observe_v that_o cassiodore_n who_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o city_n have_v translate_v this_o passage_n which_o he_o will_v scarce_o have_v do_v and_o publish_v it_o in_o rome_n itself_o if_o he_o have_v not_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a 17._o true_a prim._n ep_v p._n 16_o 17._o to_o carry_v on_o this_o notion_n of_o but_o one_o assembly_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o great_a city_n 276._o city_n petau._n animad_fw-la in_o epiph._n p._n 276._o petavius_n be_v cite_v with_o a_o ample_a character_n that_o he_o have_v no_o superior_a for_o learning_n among_o the_o jesuit_n nor_o any_o to_o who_o prelacy_n be_v more_o oblige_v but_o our_o author_n be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o he_o as_o the_o prelate_n if_o while_o other_o witness_n speak_v doubtful_o and_o with_o reserve_v he_o be_v positive_a that_o in_o the_o four_o age_n there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n or_o title_n ordinary_o in_o a_o city_n and_o prove_v it_o by_o epiphanius_n who_o speak_v of_o more_o title_n in_o alexandria_n as_o a_o thing_n singular_a and_o peculiar_a to_o that_o city_n there_o be_v no_o instance_n thereof_o but_o in_o rome_n i_o be_o willing_a to_o believe_v our_o author_n do_v not_o read_v that_o place_n himself_o but_o take_v it_o upon_o trust_n for_o petavius_n affirm_v there_o the_o direct_a contrary_n to_o that_o for_o which_o our_o author_n make_v he_o so_o positive_a for_o these_o be_v his_o word_n you_o may_v guess_v say_v he_o that_o this_o be_v a_o singular_a manner_n of_o alexandria_n or_o at_o leastwise_o in_o use_n in_o very_a few_o church_n that_o epiphanius_n make_v so_o particular_a mention_n of_o this_o way_n of_o alexandria_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v peculiar_a to_o that_o church_n but_o the_o same_o thing_n have_v be_v long_o before_o order_v elsewhere_o particular_o in_o rome_n i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o there_o be_v many_o title_n or_o church_n within_o the_o pomaeria_fw-la of_o the_o great_a city_n since_o the_o people_n can_v not_o all_o meet_v within_o the_o wall_n of_o one_o church_n and_o therefore_o have_v presbyter_n appoint_v for_o those_o church_n into_o which_o the_o christian_n be_v distribute_v in_o small_a and_o less_o populous_a town_n there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n in_o which_o all_o be_v assemble_v together_o such_o as_o the_o city_n of_o cyprus_n be_v upon_o which_o account_n epiphanius_n observe_v the_o manner_n of_o alexandria_n as_o a_o unusual_a thing_n and_o strange_a to_o his_o people_n this_o be_v what_o petavius_n deliver_v there_o you_o may_v guess_v say_v he_o as_o our_o author_n fancy_n that_o this_o be_v peculiar_a to_o alexandria_n but_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v order_v elsewhere_o and_o he_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o it_o be_v so_o in_o all_o the_o great_a city_n but_o that_o petavius_n shall_v prove_v this_o also_o by_o the_o council_n of_o neocaesarea_n can_v 13._o be_v a_o oversight_n yet_o stranger_n for_o though_o petavius_n cite_v that_o canon_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v this_o or_o any_o thing_n like_o it_o but_o have_v enter_v into_o a_o discourse_n about_o chorepiscopi_fw-la he_o show_v from_o that_o canon_n that_o they_o be_v bishop_n and_o not_o presbyter_n because_o they_o have_v the_o privilege_n of_o officiate_a in_o the_o city-church_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o his_o presbyter_n whereas_o that_o privilege_n be_v express_o deny_v the_o country-presbyter_n but_o how_o our_o author_n come_v to_o fancy_v this_o passage_n to_o be_v for_o his_o purpose_n i_o will_v not_o undertake_v to_o divine_v i_o have_v hitherto_o only_o show_v what_o petavius_n have_v observe_v concern_v the_o alexandrian_a parish_n but_o whether_o his_o observation_n be_v just_a be_v another_o question_n
church_n of_o that_o 1._o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d l._n 2._o c._n 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d socr._n l._n 2._o c._n 27._o socr._n l._n 4._o 1._o city_n so_o socrates_n speak_v of_o alexander_n who_o be_v bishop_n there_o in_o constantin_n time_n so_o macedonius_n be_v say_v to_o possess_v himself_o of_o the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n instance_n of_o this_o kind_n there_o be_v without_o number_n but_o i_o will_v conclude_v with_o fine_a with_o greg._n naz._n orat_fw-la coram_fw-la 150._o ep._n in_o fine_a gregory_n nazianzen_n apostrophe_n to_o the_o church_n of_o constantinople_n when_o he_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o they_o farewell_o resurrection_n thou_o auspicious_a name_n for_o thou_o have_v raise_v up_o my_o speech_n when_o it_o be_v yet_o contemn_v thou_o happy_a field_n of_o common_a victory_n in_o which_o i_o first_o pitch_v my_o tent._n and_o thou_o that_o great_a and_o celebrate_a temple_n now_o become_v a_o new_a accession_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o make_v great_a by_o the_o doctrine_n preach_v in_o thou_o than_o by_o the_o vastness_n of_o thy_o pile_n which_o from_o a_o profane_a jebus_n i_o have_v consecrate_v into_o a_o jerusalem_n and_o all_o you_o other_o church_n which_o after_o this_o adorn_v every_o part_n of_o this_o city_n by_o your_o several_a beauty_n and_o tie_v they_o together_o like_v so_o many_o band_n each_o take_n to_o its_o own_o proper_a resort_n that_o which_o be_v next_o to_o it_o you_o who_o not_o i_o but_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n work_v by_o my_o weakness_n have_v fill_v beyond_o what_o can_v be_v hope_v farewell_o you_o apostle_n fair_a habitation_n master_n of_o my_o labour_n although_o i_o have_v not_o often_o preach_v within_o your_o wall_n this_o passage_n be_v too_o bright_a to_o need_v a_o comment_n and_o those_o who_o can_v discern_v the_o parish-church_n of_o c._n p._n by_o these_o expression_n will_v scarce_o know_v a_o church_n when_o they_o see_v it_o carthage_n be_v know_v to_o have_v have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o church_n about_o the_o time_n of_o 249._o of_o unreason_n of_o separ_fw-la p._n 249._o epiphanius_n for_o we_o have_v several_a of_o their_o name_n in_o the_o title_n of_o 53._o of_o aug._n serm._n 359._o ed._n ben._n praef._n ad_fw-la hilar._n fragm_n p._n 49._o aug._n serm._n 156._o serm._n 26._o vid._n not_o bened._n in_o ser._n 156._o serm._n 53._o st._n augustin_n sermon_n and_o to_o those_o observe_v already_o by_o a_o learned_a hand_n we_o may_v add_v the_o church_n call_v florentia_n which_o nicolaus_n faber_n place_n in_o carthage_n though_o the_o benedictin_n seem_v to_o make_v some_o doubt_n of_o it_o there_o be_v basilica_n gratiani_n and_o theodosiana_n and_o honoriana_n and_o tricillarum_n and_o many_o more_o doubtless_o of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n the_o christian_n of_o antioch_n be_v much_o to_o blame_v if_o they_o have_v not_o many_o parish-church_n before_o epiphanius_n his_o time_n for_o sure_o their_o number_n do_v require_v they_o for_o julian_n the_o apostate_n who_o be_v not_o forward_o to_o magnify_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o christian_n reproach_n they_o for_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n all_o of_o they_o so_o misapogon_n so_o julian_n in_o misapogon_n many_o of_o you_o i_o have_v almost_o say_v all_o the_o senate_n the_o rich_a the_o people_n for_o the_o great_a part_n or_o rather_o all_o together_o have_v choose_v atheism_n that_o be_v christianity_n and_o that_o they_o have_v many_o church_n in_o constantius_n his_o time_n appear_v by_o the_o discourse_n that_o happen_v between_o that_o emperor_n and_o athanasius_n in_o antioch_n the_o emperor_n desire_v of_o that_o bishop_n that_o now_o upon_o his_o restauration_n he_o will_v allow_v one_o of_o those_o many_o church_n he_o have_v in_o alexandria_n to_o such_o as_o be_v of_o the_o arian_n persuasion_n 20._o persuasion_n soz._n l._n 3._o c._n 20._o the_o bishop_n reply_v that_o he_o be_v very_o ready_a to_o comply_v with_o his_o request_n provide_v the_o orthodox_n may_v have_v the_o same_o favour_n in_o antioch_n to_o have_v one_o church_n of_o the_o many_o which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v there_o in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o 〈◊〉_d and_o socr._n l._n 3._o c._n 9_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euzoius_n the_o arian_n be_v say_v to_o be_v master_n of_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n while_o paulinus_n have_v but_o one_o of_o the_o least_o within_o the_o town_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o aphrate_a when_o theodor._n hist_o relig._n in_o aphrate_a meletius_n be_v drive_v out_o it_o be_v say_v that_o all_o the_o clergy_n be_v likewise_o turn_v out_o of_o the_o sacred_a temple_n and_o out_o of_o every_o church_n and_o to_o come_v to_o city_n of_o a_o low_a rank_n 8._o rank_n soz._n l._n 6._o c._n 8._o cyzicus_n have_v many_o church_n in_o epiphanius_n day_n and_o so_o have_v 18._o have_v soz._n l._n 6._o c._n 18._o edessa_n so_o have_v 4._o have_v soz._n l._n 5._o c._n 4._o caesarea_n in_o cappadocia_n and_o many_o more_o especial_o such_o great_a city_n as_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o for_o be_v altogether_o christian_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v in_o another_o place_n when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v the_o evidence_n of_o our_o author_n for_o the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n even_o in_o the_o great_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n i_o hope_v i_o have_v sufficient_o clear_v this_o point_n that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o singularity_n in_o alexandria_n in_o the_o time_n of_o epiphanius_n to_o have_v many_o parish-church_n 17._o parish-church_n prim._n ep._n p._n 17._o the_o last_o testimony_n our_o author_n produce_v on_o this_o head_n be_v from_o 27._o from_o p._n 27._o dr._n stillingfleet_n now_o bishop_n of_o worcester_n sermon_n against_o separation_n although_o when_o the_o church_n increase_v occasional_a meeting_n be_v frequent_a in_o several_a place_n yet_o still_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n and_o one_o altar_n and_o one_o baptistry_n and_o one_o bishop_n with_o many_o presbyter_n assist_v he_o all_o this_o may_v very_o well_o be_v and_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n remain_v primitive_a for_o one_o bishop_n church_n may_v have_v several_a dependent_a congregation_n one_o altar_n may_v consist_v with_o many_o subordinate_a communion_n table_n one_o baptistry_n may_v serve_v the_o great_a city_n and_o one_o bishop_n may_v supervise_v several_a parish_n and_o the_o occasional_a meeting_n speak_v of_o may_v not_o be_v destitute_a of_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o sacrament_n but_o i_o must_v remember_v my_o measure_n and_o not_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o explain_v the_o notion_n of_o so_o learned_a a_o person_n who_o may_v have_v many_o thing_n in_o his_o view_n which_o i_o may_v not_o have_v observe_v yet_o i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o champion_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n must_v needs_o be_v distress_v when_o they_o betake_v themselves_o to_o that_o sermon_n to_o make_v out_o the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o notion_n where_o it_o be_v explode_v 28._o explode_v p._n 28._o as_o a_o novel_a and_o late_a fancy_n that_o have_v not_o age_n enough_o to_o plead_v prescription_n and_o the_o same_o learned_a 262._o learned_a unreas_n of_o separ_fw-la from_o p._n 228_o to_o p._n 262._o prelate_n have_v make_v it_o sufficient_o appear_v that_o even_o in_o africa_n which_o be_v fancy_v to_o come_v near_o to_o the_o congregational_a standard_n several_z bishop_n have_v in_o ancient_a time_n and_o immemorial_o very_o large_a diocese_n in_o conclusion_n our_o author_n come_v to_o sum_n up_o his_o evidence_n and_o to_o assure_v his_o performance_n 17._o performance_n prim._n ep._n p._n 17._o that_o this_o be_v not_o bare_o deliver_v by_o person_n of_o excellent_a learning_n and_o intimate_a acquaintance_n with_o antiquity_n but_o prove_v by_o those_o record_n which_o be_v most_o venerable_a in_o their_o account_n and_o the_o evidence_n reach_v not_o only_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o divers_a age_n after_o what_o have_v be_v deliver_v or_o prove_v by_o the_o witness_n produce_v by_o he_o in_o this_o chapter_n have_v be_v fair_o lay_v down_o and_o consider_v and_o i_o desire_v that_o all_o may_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o merit_n and_o pertinence_n of_o the_o evidence_n and_o not_o by_o the_o confidence_n of_o the_o advocate_n chap._n ii_o sect_n ii_o it_o have_v please_v mr._n clerkson_n to_o fancy_n that_o those_o who_o maintain_v diocesan_n episcopacy_n will_v be_v very_o much_o distress_a if_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o of_o old_a several_a bishop_n have_v their_o seat_n in_o village_n and_o therefore_o observe_v 19_o observe_v prim._n ep._n p._n 19_o that_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v to_o extend_v the_o ancient_a bishop_n to_o the_o modern_a pitch_n will_v not_o endure_v to_o hear_v nor_o will_v they_o have_v any_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v usual_a of_o old_a to_o have_v bishop_n in_o village_n and_o that_o
receive_v all_o the_o people_n suppose_v therefore_o in_o rome_n for_o instance_n a_o million_o of_o soul_n which_o i_o think_v be_v the_o low_a estimate_n that_o be_v ever_o make_v of_o that_o people_n if_o for_o the_o three_o first_o age_n but_o a_o ten_o part_n be_v christian_a not_o twenty_o church_n such_o as_o the_o christian_n be_v provide_v of_o at_o that_o time_n can_v suffice_v in_o london_n though_o those_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v much_o the_o great_a number_n and_o make_v up_o the_o gross_a of_o the_o people_n yet_o the_o dissenter_n be_v they_o willing_a to_o join_v in_o one_o congregation_n will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n and_o their_o way_n of_o service_n make_v they_o more_o capable_a of_o great_a congregation_n than_o the_o primitive_a christian_n since_o general_o speak_v they_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o other_o public_a act_n of_o religious_a worship_n but_o to_o hear_v nay_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o one_o sect_n of_o they_o so_o mean_v but_o will_v think_v themselves_o persecute_v shall_v all_o of_o that_o sect_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o london_n be_v stint_v to_o one_o place_n of_o meeting_n amsterdam_n may_v exceed_v london_n in_o number_n of_o sect_n though_o it_o be_v inferior_a to_o it_o in_o number_n of_o people_n the_o jew_n there_o inhabit_v one_o good_a quarter_n the_o papist_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o i_o have_v heen_n inform_v they_o have_v near_o thirty_o chapel_n within_o that_o city_n the_o lutheran_n there_o have_v several_a church_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o other_o sect_n that_o be_v very_o numerous_a yet_o those_o of_o the_o establish_a religion_n be_v reckon_v the_o great_a part_n and_o require_v many_o church_n for_o their_o worship_n but_o to_o return_v to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n that_o we_o may_v better_o conceive_v the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o first_o three_o age_n let_v we_o consider_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o thrive_v and_o at_o last_o to_o become_v master_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n under_o all_o those_o great_a discouragement_n to_o which_o they_o be_v all_o the_o while_n subject_n they_o have_v seldom_o any_o friend_n in_o court_n and_o there_o be_v but_o two_o reign_n in_o all_o that_o time_n in_o which_o they_o have_v any_o countenance_n but_o be_v frequent_o set_v upon_o by_o the_o emperor_n and_o persecute_v with_o full_a intent_n of_o utter_a extirpation_n they_o can_v make_v no_o faction_n in_o the_o state_n for_o the_o root_n of_o popular_a government_n have_v be_v pluck_v up_o and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v too_o absolute_a to_o bear_v any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n they_o have_v no_o power_n in_o the_o army_n for_o there_o be_v but_o few_o of_o they_o employ_v that_o way_n and_o general_o speak_v they_o do_v not_o like_o the_o service_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o in_o less_o than_o three_o age_n they_o possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o empire_n and_o give_v law_n to_o the_o heathen_a now_o if_o we_o speak_v human_o of_o this_o matter_n we_o can_v resolve_v it_o into_o no_o other_o cause_n than_o the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o christian_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v wonderful_a in_o preserve_v and_o raise_v this_o meek_a and_o simple_a people_n but_o the_o mean_n he_o choose_v be_v the_o same_o he_o have_v take_v before_o in_o egypt_n for_o the_o deliverance_n of_o israel_n he_o increase_v they_o exceed_o and_o so_o make_v they_o strong_a than_o their_o enemy_n the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n be_v great_a from_o the_o begin_n and_o what_o be_v say_v of_o our_o saviour_n in_o judaea_n become_v true_a in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o all_o the_o world_n do_v run_v after_o he_o this_o tacitus_n and_o pliny_n do_v affirm_v early_o this_o tertullian_n set_v out_o with_o great_a ostentation_n towards_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o three_o century_n but_o these_o testimony_n with_o several_a other_o have_v be_v urge_v already_o etc._n already_o vindicat._n prim._n ch_n p._n 54._o 55_o 458_o 499_o 500_o etc._n etc._n and_o need_v not_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o in_o this_o place_n i_o will_v add_v only_o one_o passage_n more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n out_o of_o maximin_n 9_o maximin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 9_o c._n 9_o letter_n to_o sabinus_n where_o he_o set_v out_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o great_a persecution_n under_o dioclesian_n dioclesian_n say_v he_o and_o maximian_n my_o father_n and_o my_o lord_n see_v all_o people_n almost_o to_o have_v forsake_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n and_o to_o have_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o christian_n have_v right_o order_v that_o those_o who_o have_v forsake_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o god_n shall_v undergo_v exemplary_a punishment_n now_o this_o be_v the_o confession_n of_o a_o enemy_n aught_o to_o have_v the_o great_a weight_n and_o we_o can_v doubt_v but_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o persecution_n the_o christian_n be_v become_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o great_a city_n they_o can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n and_o in_o the_o chief_a city_n they_o can_v not_o have_v so_o few_o as_o twenty_o congregation_n but_o you_o know_v the_o fable_n the_o toad_n can_v not_o conceive_v a_o elephant_n any_o big_a than_o the_o stretch_v of_o his_o own_o skin_n mr._n clerkson_n 69._o clerkson_n prim._n ep_v p._n 69._o can_v meet_v with_o but_o one_o city_n small_a or_o great_a for_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n who_o inhabitant_n be_v general_o christian_n and_o that_o be_v neocaesarea_n of_o who_o conversion_n gregory_n thaumatargus_n be_v the_o instrument_n 70._o instrument_n p._n 70._o but_o for_o all_o this_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n be_v more_o than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n and_o to_o make_v it_o probable_a that_o all_o the_o city_n make_v but_o one_o congregation_n he_o offer_v two_o thing_n first_o that_o we_o see_v before_o that_o this_o place_n be_v not_o very_o populous_a and_o then_o that_o gregory_n build_v but_o one_o church_n there_o he_o will_v doubtless_o have_v erect_v more_o if_o more_o have_v be_v needful_a the_o first_o reason_n have_v be_v reject_v already_o and_o they_o must_v be_v very_o easy_a that_o admit_v it_o because_o eleven_o egyptian_a bishop_n be_v banish_v to_o this_o place_n therefore_o it_o have_v no_o more_o people_n than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n yet_o as_o weak_a as_o this_o be_v the_o other_o be_v no_o wise_a because_o gregory_n build_v but_o one_o church_n therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o nay_o though_o he_o may_v have_v build_v several_a parish-church_n yet_o the_o cathedral_n which_o by_o the_o ancient_n be_v call_v the_o church_n by_o way_n of_o eminence_n may_v be_v only_o mention_v and_o in_o the_o great_a city_n where_o we_o be_v sure_o there_o be_v many_o church_n they_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o bishop_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o in_o the_o place_n and_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n in_o any_o city_n for_o some_o use_n of_o religion_n that_o be_v for_o baptism_n and_o penance_n so_o that_o to_o speak_v proper_o and_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o ancient_a time_n there_o be_v in_o a_o city_n but_o one_o church_n the_o other_o be_v but_o parish-chappels_a and_o oratory_n gregory_n therefore_o may_v build_v but_o one_o church_n and_o yet_o his_o city_n may_v have_v many_o parish-congregation_n but_o for_o neocaesarea_n we_o have_v great_a probability_n that_o it_o be_v too_o populous_a for_o one_o religious_a assembly_n for_o first_o it_o be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o pontus_n and_o that_o long_a before_o it_o be_v convert_v by_o gregory_n as_o holstenius_fw-la neocaes_n holstenius_fw-la luc._n holsten_n in_o steph._n v._o neocaes_n prove_v by_o a_o medal_n of_o severus_n which_o have_v upon_o the_o reverse_a the_o age_n of_o this_o city_n in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v eminent_a for_o liberal_a study_n which_o little_a town_n never_o be_v and_o basil_n 64._o basil_n bas_n ep_v 64._o relate_v with_o what_o earnestness_n the_o magistrate_n pray_v he_o to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o instruction_n of_o their_o youth_n and_o last_o the_o character_n which_o the_o same_o father_n give_v 75._o give_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d basil_n ep_v 75._o it_o of_o be_v the_o most_o illustrious_a of_o city_n can_v agree_v with_o that_o meaness_n under_o which_o mr._n clerkson_n do_v represent_v it_o there_o be_v another_o city_n in_o phrygia_n who_o inhabitant_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v all_o christian_n euseb_n h._n l._n 8._o c._n 25._o vale_n 25._o c._n 11._o ed._n vale_n and_o all_o with_o the_o city_n burn_v together_o but_o
great_a part_n may_v be_v far_o from_o like_v it_o we_o have_v instance_n of_o this_o nature_n fresh_a in_o our_o remembrance_n and_o perhaps_o too_o odious_a to_o be_v mention_v beside_o there_o be_v jew_n and_o novatian_o and_o arrian_n here_o and_o so_o there_o may_v be_v very_o great_a number_n and_o yet_o twenty_o church_n not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o receive_v the_o christian_n of_o the_o establish_a religion_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o all_o other_o city_n must_v be_v deliver_v up_o to_o the_o congregational_a pretension_n if_o constantinople_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o a_o single_a church_n and_o mr._n clerkson_n fancy_v he_o have_v discover_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o this_o place_n by_o a_o passage_n in_o theodoret._n 88_o theodoret._n prim._n ep_v p._n 87_o 88_o in_o alexander_n be_v time_n the_o christian_n be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v all_o meet_v together_o so_o theodoret_n inform_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d l._n 1._o c._n 14._o i._n e._n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n perform_v divine_a service_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n what_o with_o all_o the_o brethren_n of_o constantinople_n no_o but_o with_o all_o the_o brethren_n there_o assemble_v the_o import_n of_o this_o expression_n have_v be_v consider_v already_o and_o this_o very_a passage_n have_v receive_v pref_o receive_v vindicat._n prim._n ch._n pref_o a_o answer_n long_o since_o but_o afterward_o he_o observe_v many_o fall_v off_o to_o arrianism_n the_o remainder_n make_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o little_a flock_n this_o do_v not_o prove_v but_o before_o this_o defection_n the_o bishop_n of_o constantinople_n flock_n be_v very_o great_a and_o require_v many_o church_n to_o assemble_v in_o and_o after_o this_o defection_n the_o arrian_n bishop_n who_o most_o of_o the_o christian_n follow_v have_v many_o church_n and_o congregation_n under_o he_o for_o the_o people_n in_o many_o place_n not_o understand_v the_o danger_n of_o the_o arrian_n communion_n do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o separate_v and_o therefore_o continue_v to_o repair_v to_o those_o church_n whither_o they_o use_v to_o resort_v before_o so_o that_o the_o episcopacy_n of_o the_o place_n remain_v diocesan_n though_o it_o happen_v to_o be_v place_v in_o wrong_a hand_n and_o soon_o after_o the_o people_n be_v recover_v from_o these_o wolf_n and_o deliver_v to_o faithful_a shepherd_n yet_o even_o then_o mr._n clerkson_n can_v find_v but_o one_o congregation_n there_o for_o in_o the_o time_n of_o theodosius_n junior_n it_o seem_v all_o amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o one_o church_n can_v contain_v if_o socrates_n deceive_v we_o not_o l._n 4._o it_o shall_v be_v the_o seven_o c._n 23._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n all_o the_o city_n become_v but_o one_o church_n it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a thing_n i_o see_v to_o venture_v upon_o a_o figure_n if_o man_n will_v be_v such_o rigid_a exactor_n of_o literal_a sense_n the_o historian_n may_v fancy_v he_o have_v speak_v eloquent_o when_o instead_o of_o say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a confluence_n of_o people_n to_o the_o church_n he_o choose_v to_o express_v himself_o thus_o that_o the_o whole_a city_n become_v one_o church_n but_o the_o poor_a man_n be_v take_v up_o short_a at_o his_o word_n and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o make_v it_o out_o that_o the_o great_a city_n then_o in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o literal_o one_o congregation_n he_o must_v pass_v for_o a_o extravagant_a writer_n and_o one_o that_o deceive_v we_o yet_o though_o it_o shall_v happen_v that_o all_o the_o city_n or_o all_o the_o christian_n have_v not_o be_v there_o to_o a_o man_n it_o be_v not_o socrates_n that_o deceive_v we_o while_o he_o use_v a_o form_n of_o speech_n general_o 88_o general_o prim._n ep_v p._n 88_o allow_v and_o understand_v but_o it_o be_v mr._n clerkson_n deceive_v himself_o when_o he_o snatch_v such_o expression_n as_o this_o against_o all_o fair_a way_n of_o understanding_n to_o give_v evidence_n to_o his_o notion_n those_o who_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o serve_v a_o opinion_n be_v apt_a to_o catch_v at_o any_o thing_n they_o meet_v for_o a_o weapon_n to_o defend_v it_o and_o this_o tyrant_n be_v so_o absolute_a and_o the_o slave_n so_o fond_a that_o there_o be_v no_o place_n leave_v for_o examination_n or_o doubt_n nor_o can_v that_o pertinent_a question_n of_o the_o prophet_n 44.20_o prophet_n be_v 44.20_o be_v there_o not_o a_o lie_n in_o my_o right_a hand_n obtain_v any_o hear_n i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o greatness_n of_o this_o city_n which_o our_o author_n will_v reduce_v to_o a_o single_a congregation_n that_o even_o in_o constantine_n time_n it_o be_v equal_a to_o the_o great_a of_o the_o empire_n i_o have_v show_v that_o this_o be_v a_o christian_a city_n from_o the_o foundation_n and_o the_o people_n general_o devote_v to_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o founder_n that_o in_o constantine_n time_n sectary_n can_v not_o lessen_v the_o church_n of_o the_o bishop_n in_o that_o place_n since_o they_o be_v not_o only_o discountenance_v in_o that_o reign_n but_o by_o the_o edict_n of_o the_o emperor_n oblige_v to_o go_v to_o church_n which_o they_o general_o do_v observe_v some_o sincere_o and_o the_o rest_n by_o outward_a compliance_n the_o arrian_n or_o eusebian_n have_v then_o no_o separate_a congregation_n they_o make_v then_o indeed_o a_o faction_n but_o not_o a_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n and_o labour_v with_o all_o their_o interest_n to_o restore_v those_o to_o communion_n who_o have_v be_v cast_v out_o by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o those_o opinion_n i_o have_v show_v how_o that_o emperor_n build_v 6._o build_v theod._n h._n c._n l._n 1._o c._n 6._o very_o great_a and_o many_o church_n there_o because_o few_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o receive_v the_o multitude_n and_o now_o if_o so_o great_a a_o city_n so_o affect_v to_o christianity_n can_v make_v but_o one_o church_n after_o all_o what_o preacher_n 2._o preacher_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d arist_n polit._n l._n 2._o can_v there_o be_v find_v what_o voice_n sufficient_a for_o such_o a_o assembly_n what_o temple_n capacious_a enough_o to_o receive_v it_o s._n sophia_n be_v account_v the_o great_a of_o christian_a church_n that_o the_o sun_n ever_o shine_v on_o and_o i_o remember_v to_o have_v 37._o have_v sub_fw-la bajazethe_v triginta_fw-la sex_n millia_fw-la qui_fw-la illud_fw-la religionis_fw-la ergo_fw-la adirent_fw-la numerata_fw-la fuisse_fw-la ant._n maevanius_n author_n est_fw-la geo._n dousa_n de_fw-fr itin._n c._n p._n no._n p._n 37._o read_v that_o in_o bajazet_n reign_n six_o and_o thirty_o thousand_o turk_n visit_v that_o church_n in_o one_o day_n though_o i_o can_v scarce_o believe_v as_o vast_a as_o that_o church_n be_v that_o it_o can_v hold_v so_o many_o together_o yet_o even_o this_o number_n come_v far_o short_a of_o the_o christian_n in_o constantine_n time_n and_o much_o short_a yet_o of_o the_o christian_n of_o constantinople_n under_o the_o young_a theodosius_n when_o paganism_n be_v every_o where_o expire_a if_o not_o quite_o extinguish_v and_o the_o arrian_n and_o other_o sect_n reduce_v to_o the_o church_n and_o that_o city_n arrive_v to_o its_o high_a point_n of_o greatness_n yet_o even_o then_o our_o author_n can_v afford_v the_o bishop_n but_o one_o congregation_n 88_o congregation_n prim._n ep_v p._n 88_o at_o ancyra_n the_o chief_a city_n of_o gallatia_n our_o author_n take_v notice_n that_o there_o be_v many_o sect_n by_o which_o that_o church_n be_v tear_v in_o piece_n all_o this_o may_v very_o well_o be_v and_o yet_o more_o than_o one_o congregation_n remain_v to_o the_o bishop_n the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v of_o several_a of_o our_o city_n inferior_a perhaps_o to_o ancyra_n and_o yet_o those_o of_o the_o establish_a religion_n notwithstanding_o the_o variety_n of_o the_o sect_n require_v many_o church_n to_o assemble_v in_o 89._o in_o prim._n ep_v p._n 89._o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o caesarea_n the_o chief_a city_n in_o mauritania_n the_o reason_n here_o be_v like_o the_o rest_n because_o st._n augustin_n desire_v a_o public_a conference_n with_o the_o donatist_n bishop_n of_o that_o place_n init_fw-la place_n suis_fw-la omnibus_fw-la civibus_fw-la praesentibus_fw-la possid_n vit_fw-mi aug._n c._n 14._o i._n e._n frequentissima_fw-la plebe_fw-la praesente_fw-la aug._n gest_n cum_fw-la emer_n init_fw-la all_o the_o citizen_n be_v present_a i_o wonder_v our_o author_n have_v not_o reduce_v all_o the_o world_n to_o a_o congregation_n since_o it_o be_v usual_a to_o say_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v do_v before_o all_o the_o world_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o like_a and_o therefore_o what_o need_v all_o our_o independent_a congregation_n since_o these_o expression_n may_v reduce_v the_o whole_a world_n to_o a_o single_a conventicle_n when_o our_o
vigil_n all_o the_o people_n be_v say_v to_o answer_v amen_o to_o the_o prayer_n which_o vigilius_n their_o bishop_n make_v pelagius_n be_v say_v in_o st._n peter_n church_n in_o rome_n to_o have_v go_v up_o into_o the_o pulpit_n and_o satisfy_v pelag._n satisfy_v satisfecit_fw-la cuncto_fw-la populo_fw-la &_o plebi_fw-la quia_fw-la nullum_fw-la malum_fw-la fecisset_fw-la contra_fw-la vigilium_fw-la lib._n pont._n in_o pelag._n all_o the_o people_n that_o he_o have_v do_v vigilius_n his_o predecessor_n no_o harm_n gregory_n the_o great_a be_v say_v to_o be_v choose_v by_o 40._o by_o gregonium_n diaconum_fw-la plebs_fw-la omnis_fw-la elegit_fw-la greg._n turon_n l._n x._o c._n 1._o joh._n diacon_n l._n 1._o c._n 39_o 40._o all_o the_o people_n though_o at_o that_o time_n in_o rome_n there_o be_v neither_o heathen_a nor_o sectary_n to_o make_v any_o abatement_n in_o the_o bishop_n flock_n nay_o if_o our_o author_n will_v insist_v rigid_o upon_o this_o phrase_n all_o israel_n in_o the_o time_n of_o samuel_n be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n to_o hear_v samuel_n who_o be_v say_v 12.1.4_o say_v 1_o sam._n 12.1.4_o to_o speak_v to_o all_o israel_n and_o they_o answer_v he_o that_o he_o have_v neither_o oppress_v nor_o defraud_v they_o but_o our_o author_n proceed_v 92._o proceed_v prim._n ep_v p._n 92._o they_o be_v no_o more_o after_o anno._n 250_o than_o can_v all_o together_o in_o the_o church_n importune_v cornelius_n for_o the_o readmission_n of_o the_o ordeiner_n of_o novatian_n the_o whole_a people_n intercede_v for_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 43._o our_o author_n according_a to_o his_o usual_a ingenuity_n have_v leave_v out_o a_o word_n that_o spoil_v his_o argument_n and_o limit_v this_o expression_n for_o cornelius_n do_v not_o say_v that_o all_o the_o christian_a people_n of_o rome_n importune_v he_o 〈◊〉_d he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o that_o all_o the_o people_n that_o be_v present_a with_o he_o do_v intercede_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v concur_v in_o a_o epistle_n to_o salute_v their_o brethren_n at_o carthage_n salutant_fw-la vos_fw-la fratres_fw-la &_o tota_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la cypr._n ep_v 3._o as_o though_o the_o general_a salutation_n of_o a_o church_n can_v not_o be_v send_v without_o the_o actual_a concurrence_n of_o every_o member_n how_o many_o public_a act_n bear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o people_n though_o the_o twenty_o part_n be_v not_o present_v when_o they_o be_v make_v or_o shall_v we_o fancy_v that_o all_o the_o citizen_n of_o rome_n meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n to_o pass_v every_o order_n that_o bear_v the_o title_n of_o senatus_n populusque_fw-la romanus_n 93._o romanus_n prim._n ep_v p._n 93._o they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o cornelius_n can_v read_v cyprian_n letter_n to_o in_o their_o numerous_a assembly_n amplissimae_fw-la plebi_fw-la they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v all_o be_v present_a about_o consultation_n about_o matter_n of_o concernment_n etc._n etc._n consultis_fw-la omnibus_fw-la &_o ipsis_fw-la stantibus_fw-la laicis_fw-la cypr._n ep_v 26._o a_o bishop_n may_v communicate_v letter_n and_o propoposal_n concern_v ecclesiastical_a discipline_n in_o a_o full_a congregation_n and_o to_o all_o the_o people_n then_o present_a and_o yet_o this_o can_v imply_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n or_o no_o other_o congregation_n in_o that_o city_n whatsoever_o be_v do_v in_o public_a and_o before_o a_o congregation_n that_o be_v unlimited_a be_v in_o the_o common_a way_n of_o speak_v say_v to_o be_v do_v before_o all_o the_o community_n i_o meet_v with_o nothing_o say_v our_o author_n 93._o author_n prim._n ep_v p._n 93._o that_o make_v any_o show_n of_o a_o probability_n that_o their_o number_n be_v more_o at_o that_o time_n but_o cornelius_n his_o catalogue_n of_o officer_n and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o poor_a which_o be_v fifteen_o hundred_o euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 37._o this_o passage_n have_v not_o hitherto_o receive_v any_o answer_n that_o make_v so_o much_o as_o a_o show_n of_o probability_n and_o that_o which_o our_o author_n repli_v to_o the_o number_n of_o officer_n have_v be_v long_o since_o 51._o since_o vindic._n prim_fw-la ch_n p._n 51._o show_v to_o be_v frivolous_a as_o to_o the_o number_n of_o officer_n the_o show_n will_v vanish_v mr._n clerkson_n fancy_n if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o those_o ancient_a time_n to_o multiply_v officer_n beyond_o what_o be_v necessary_a yea_o so_o much_o that_o as_o nazianzen_n 1._o nazianzen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d greg._n naz_n or._n 1._o tell_v we_o the_o officer_n be_v sometime_o as_o many_o as_o they_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o it_o may_v be_v excusable_a in_o mr._n baxter_n to_o confound_v time_n of_o persecution_n with_o time_n of_o settlement_n and_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o century_n with_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o four_o for_o he_o be_v too_o hasty_a to_o be_v curious_a and_o look_v not_o the_o date_n of_o the_o fable_n so_o it_o happen_v upon_o a_o time_n or_o short_o after_o he_o be_v content_v but_o from_o mr._n clerkson_n something_a may_v be_v expect_v more_o exact_a what_o will_v this_o show_v of_o probability_n vanish_v and_o no_o likelihood_n that_o there_o be_v more_o congregation_n in_o rome_n than_o one_o remain_z from_o six_o and_o forty_o presbyter_n in_o cornelius_n his_o time_n because_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o nazianzen_n time_n to_o multiply_v officer_n beyond_o what_o be_v necessary_a forty_o six_o presbyter_n be_v never_o account_v necessary_a to_o one_o congregation_n even_o in_o the_o most_o prosperous_a time_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o can_v any_o instance_n be_v give_v of_o so_o many_o relate_n to_o one_o assembly_n in_o any_o age_n account_v ancient_a though_o it_o may_v be_v fashionable_a then_o to_o multiply_v church_n officer_n but_o for_o this_o we_o be_v at_o a_o great_a certainty_n for_o cornelius_n 43._o cornelius_n euseb_n h.e._n l._n 6._o c._n 43._o assure_v we_o that_o this_o number_n be_v not_o for_o state_n nor_o for_o form_n without_o use_n and_o necessity_n but_o exceed_v necessary_a and_o that_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o infinite_a and_o numberless_a people_n and_o if_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n in_o rome_n be_v then_o so_o great_a as_o to_o require_v forty_o six_o presbyter_n we_o may_v make_v some_o guess_n at_o the_o proportion_n they_o may_v have_v to_o the_o people_n of_o rome_n after_o it_o have_v be_v entire_o convert_v in_o the_o five_o and_o six_o century_n for_o in_o those_o time_n the_o presbyter_n of_o rome_n be_v scarce_o a_o three_o part_n more_o than_o those_o in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o cornelius_n as_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o presbyter_n in_o the_o roman_a 67._o roman_a synod_n rom._n 1._o sub_fw-la symmach_n subs_n pres_n 67._o council_n nay_o in_o one_o synod_n 44._o synod_n cum_fw-la episc_n omnibus_fw-la &_o rom._n eccl._n presbyteris_fw-la greg._n reg._n l._n 4._o ep_n 44._o under_o gregory_n the_o great_a there_o be_v but_o thirty_o four_o presbyter_n that_o subscribe_v i_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o say_v that_o two_o three_o of_o that_o city_n be_v then_o christian_n but_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o place_n under_o cornelius_n seem_v to_o be_v at_o least_o two_o three_o in_o respect_n of_o all_o rome_n in_o after_o age_n when_o it_o be_v much_o diminish_v from_o its_o ancient_a greatness_n and_o when_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o more_o than_o seventy_o parish_n presbyter_n this_o number_n therefore_o of_o forty_o six_o presbyter_n all_o necessary_a for_o so_o great_a a_o people_n as_o the_o christian_n of_o rome_n then_o be_v make_v it_o evident_a notwithstanding_o the_o frivolous_a exception_n of_o our_o author_n that_o the_o believer_n of_o that_o city_n can_v not_o all_o assemble_v together_o upon_o any_o religious_a occasion_n and_o that_o the_o church_n there_o must_v consequent_o be_v distribute_v to_o several_a parish_n and_o congregation_n 94._o congregation_n prim._n ep_v p._n 94._o as_o to_o the_o other_o how_o to_o compute_v the_o number_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n by_o the_o number_n of_o the_o poor_a i_o know_v no_o better_a way_n than_o to_o observe_v what_o proportion_n there_o be_v betwixt_o these_o in_o other_o place_n but_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o exception_n be_v a_o mistake_n for_o cornelius_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o number_n of_o all_o the_o poor_a christian_n in_o rome_n be_v but_o fifteen_o hundred_o but_o that_o so_o many_o be_v maintain_v by_o the_o public_a stock_n of_o the_o church_n beside_o the_o necessary_a officer_n now_o there_o may_v be_v many_o more_o poor_a maintain_v some_o by_o relation_n other_o by_o private_a charity_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o account_n that_o chrysostom_n give_v of_o the_o poor_a of_o antioch_n and_o the_o number_n in_o the_o church-book_n that_o those_o
offer_v themselves_o to_o martyrdom_n what_o can_v thou_o do_v with_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o people_n when_o man_n and_o woman_n every_o sex_n every_o age_n and_o condition_n shall_v offer_v themselves_o what_o fire_n what_o sword_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o destroy_v they_o how_o much_o must_v carthage_n suffer_v which_o then_o will_v be_v decimate_v by_o thou_o every_o one_o will_v suffer_v in_o his_o relation_n or_o his_o friend_n and_o there_o may_v appear_v among_o the_o sufferer_n person_n of_o thy_o own_o rank_n and_o of_o the_o high_a quality_n if_o thou_o will_v not_o spare_v we_o spare_v thyself_o if_o thou_o will_v not_o spare_v thyself_o spare_v carthage_n all_o this_o must_v appear_v very_o absurd_a and_o provoke_v the_o derision_n of_o the_o heathen_a if_o this_o multitude_n so_o populous_o set_v out_o may_v be_v sum_v up_o in_o one_o assembly_n and_o that_o no_o great_a one_o since_o the_o christian_n have_v not_o the_o convenience_n of_o great_a and_o capacious_a church_n at_o that_o time_n and_o may_v not_o be_v very_o willing_a to_o raise_v extraordinary_a fabric_n lest_o they_o shall_v expose_v themselves_o too_o much_o to_o the_o observation_n and_o envy_n of_o their_o enemy_n he_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o persuade_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o congregation_n of_o christian_n in_o carthage_n when_o tertullian_n write_v this_o let_v he_o if_o he_o think_v fit_a make_v himself_o the_o advocate_n of_o some_o sect_n in_o london_n that_o make_v but_o one_o congregation_n and_o plead_v their_o cause_n in_o this_o harangue_n and_o then_o see_v how_o well_o it_o will_v fit_v they_o now_o if_o the_o christian_n in_o carthage_n be_v so_o numerous_a in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o three_o century_n that_o it_o be_v incredible_a they_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n and_o such_o a_o church_n as_o the_o condition_n of_o those_o time_n can_v bear_v the_o forty_o year_n that_o follow_v must_v exceed_o increase_v their_o number_n since_o they_o be_v the_o most_o favourable_a that_o the_o church_n meet_v with_o in_o the_o three_o first_o age_n and_o in_o afric_n especial_o where_o mr._n dodwell_n 52._o dodwell_n dissert_n cypr._n xi_o ss_z 48._o 52._o find_v no_o persecution_n from_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o severus_n anno_fw-la 202_o to_o the_o first_o of_o decius_n anno_fw-la 250._o and_o in_o general_a origen_n observe_v the_o increase_n of_o christian_n within_o this_o time_n to_o be_v extraordinary_a and_o much_o great_a than_o it_o have_v be_v in_o former_a time_n 120._o time_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d orig._n cont._n cell_n p._n l._n 3._o p._n 120._o because_o they_o be_v not_o then_o oppress_v by_o the_o emperor_n as_o they_o have_v be_v former_o 〈◊〉_d former_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o rigour_n of_o the_o heathen_a against_o they_o have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n cease_v this_o long_a peace_n though_o it_o corrupt_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o christian_n yet_o it_o add_v much_o to_o their_o number_n as_o cyprian_n 123._o cyprian_n disciplinam_fw-la long_fw-mi pax_fw-la corruperat_fw-la populi_fw-la aliquando_fw-la numerosi_fw-la lamentanda_fw-la jactura_fw-la cypr._n the_o lap_n p._n 123._o observe_v who_o speak_v of_o the_o christian_n of_o carthage_n before_o decius_n his_o persecution_n extol_v their_o number_n while_o he_o bewail_v the_o ruin_n of_o those_o who_o yield_v to_o the_o enemy_n yet_o 104._o yet_o prim._n ep_v p._n 104._o in_o cyprian_n time_n in_o all_o church_n administration_n and_o transaction_n of_o moment_n in_o the_o church_n and_o bishopric_n of_o carthage_n all_o the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v present_a tota_n fraternitas_fw-la plebs_fw-la universa_fw-la stantes_fw-la laici_fw-la as_o he_o declare_v every_o where_n in_o his_o epistle_n and_o how_o all_o can_v be_v present_a if_o they_o be_v more_o than_o can_v meet_v together_o be_v not_o intelligible_a alas_o how_o difficult_a be_v it_o for_o some_o man_n to_o understand_v the_o plain_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n when_o they_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o it_o it_o be_v a_o incomprehensible_a figure_n of_o speech_n it_o seem_v to_o say_v that_o what_o be_v transact_v in_o a_o assize_n be_v do_v before_o the_o whole_a county_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o hall_n so_o large_a as_o to_o hold_v the_o people_n of_o one_o hundred_o much_o less_o a_o whole_a county_n and_o still_o people_n will_v talk_v after_o this_o unintelligible_a rate_n but_o of_o this_o topick_n we_o have_v say_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n be_v that_o of_o optatus_n concern_v the_o election_n of_o caecilian_a suffragio_fw-la totius_fw-la populi_fw-la and_o the_o deduction_n he_o make_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o donatist_n in_o carthage_n so_o as_o to_o leave_v the_o catholic_n christian_n but_o one_o congregation_n be_v by_o much_o too_o liberal_a to_o the_o schismatic_n for_o it_o be_v know_v to_o every_o body_n that_o have_v but_o look_v into_o st._n austin_n that_o those_o of_o the_o catholic_n communion_n in_o that_o city_n have_v many_o and_o great_a church_n for_o their_o assembly_n in_o the_o four_o century_n to_o the_o four_o great_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n our_o author_n 106._o author_n prim._n ep_v p._n 106._o think_v fit_a to_o add_v jerusalem_n although_o '_o far_a inferior_a in_o greatness_n because_o of_o the_o many_o thousand_o convert_v there_o by_o the_o apostle_n but_o i_o have_v show_v that_o of_o those_o five_o thousand_o convert_v the_o twenty_o part_n can_v in_o reason_n be_v account_v inhabitant_n of_o the_o city_n what_o he_o have_v say_v of_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v examine_v at_o large_a in_o jerusalem_n many_o accession_n of_o convert_v be_v mention_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o act_n which_o he_o do_v account_n for_o and_o all_o this_o in_o a_o few_o year_n before_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o conversion_n of_o st._n paul_n nor_o do_v the_o progress_n of_o christianity_n in_o jerusalem_n stop_v where_o st._n luke_n break_v off_o his_o relation_n of_o the_o numerous_a conversion_n but_o before_o the_o destruction_n of_o that_o city_n and_o the_o jewish_a nation_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o hegesippus_n 23._o hegesippus_n apud_fw-la euseb_n l._n 2._o c._n 23._o that_o the_o scribe_n make_v a_o uproar_n and_o cry_v that_o the_o whole_a city_n be_v in_o danger_n of_o become_v christian_n their_o apprehension_n have_v be_v very_o childish_a if_o the_o christian_n have_v not_o yet_o increase_v beyond_o one_o congregation_n when_o the_o rabbin_n will_v have_v near_o five_o hundred_o synagogue_n to_o have_v be_v in_o jerusalem_n at_o that_o time_n about_o forty_o year_n after_o this_o church_n consist_v of_o no_o more_o than_o pella_n a_o small_a city_n can_v entertain_v together_o with_o its_o own_o inhabitant_n what_o may_v happen_v to_o this_o church_n a_o few_o year_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a but_o that_o not_o long_o before_o it_o be_v very_o flourish_v we_o learn_v from_o the_o act_n and_o hegesippus_n if_o persecution_n or_o apostasy_n have_v diminish_v it_o a_o little_a before_o that_o fatal_a revolution_n we_o be_v not_o to_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o it_o from_o such_o a_o calamitous_a state_n nay_o this_o story_n of_o the_o transmigration_n to_o pella_n come_v from_o no_o certain_a authority_n and_o valesius_fw-la 5._o valesius_fw-la annot._n in_o euseb_n l._n 3._o c._n 5._o hint_n his_o mistrust_n of_o it_o when_o he_o observe_v that_o eusebius_n quote_v no_o author_n and_o probable_o take_v all_o this_o matter_n from_o tradition_n which_o be_v no_o very_o certain_a way_n of_o convey_v any_o thing_n to_o posterity_n nor_o be_v it_o unlikely_a 212._o unlikely_a epiph._n haer._n nazar_n n._n 7._o id._n the_o pond_n &_o man_n n._n 15._o joseph_n scalig._n anim._n in_o euseb_n p._n 212._o that_o this_o story_n shall_v come_v from_o the_o nazarens_fw-la who_o dwell_v about_o pella_n and_o in_o the_o region_n of_o decapolis_n who_o to_o give_v themselves_o great_a credit_n may_v pretend_v to_o be_v the_o remainder_n of_o the_o apostolic_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n 107._o jerusalem_n prim._n ep_v p._n 107._o not_o long_o after_o they_o settle_v in_o the_o ruin_n of_o a_o part_n of_o that_o desolate_a city_n no_o fit_a place_n to_o entertain_v multitude_n where_o they_o have_v a_o few_o house_n and_o a_o little_a church_n and_o therefore_o one_o will_v judge_n they_o can_v not_o be_v very_o many_o the_o story_n of_o these_o house_n and_o church_n and_o several_a synagogue_n in_o mount-sion_n that_o escape_v in_o the_o first_o desolation_n be_v all_o jewish_a fable_n and_o inconsistent_a with_o our_o saviour_n prophecy_n of_o that_o city_n that_o one_o stone_n shall_v not_o be_v leave_v upon_o another_o as_o scaliger_n chron._n scaliger_n animadv_n in_o euseb_n chron._n have_v observe_v and_o any_o one_o may_v see_v it_o who_o will_v but_o read_v the_o story_n in_o epiphanius_n who_o
one_o presbyter_n may_v suffice_v now_o the_o practice_n of_o antiquity_n be_v very_o different_a in_o this_o case_n from_o what_o our_o author_n fancy_n for_o there_o be_v several_a town_n that_o have_v no_o bishop_n which_o have_v not_o only_o many_o presbyter_n but_o many_o congregation_n bethleem_n be_v but_o a_o village_n belong_v to_o jerusalem_n hieros_n jerusalem_n hieron_n ep_v ad_fw-la joh._n hieros_n and_o yet_o it_o have_v many_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o it_o the_o great_a resort_n of_o christian_n thither_o from_o all_o part_n make_v it_o too_o populous_a for_o one_o presbyter_n to_o supply_v it_o nicopolis_n near_o alexandria_n obser_n alexandria_n strab._n l._n 17._o voss_n var._n obser_n be_v not_o inferior_a to_o a_o city_n but_o never_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o and_o therefore_o must_v have_v many_o presbyter_n and_o congregation_n without_o a_o bishop_n there_o be_v many_o village_n in_o the_o territory_n of_o antioch_n antioch_n antioch_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d liban_n antioch_n superior_a to_o many_o city_n and_o these_o have_v no_o bishop_n but_o presbyter_n and_o the_o greatness_n attribute_v to_o they_o make_v it_o necessary_a they_o shall_v have_v several_a minister_n and_o congregation_n fussala_n 209._o fussala_n aug._n ep_v 209._o which_o before_o s._n augustins_n time_n have_v always_o belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n have_v several_a congregation_n or_o parish_n in_o it_o and_o as_o for_o single_a presbyter_n they_o have_v of_o old_a country_n parish_n large_a enough_o for_o those_o of_o mareote_n 2._o mareote_n athanas_n ap._n 2._o have_v some_o ten_o some_o more_o village_n to_o make_v up_o their_o several_a parish_n and_o these_o congregation_n must_v far_o exceed_v the_o stint_n of_o mr._n clerkson_n or_o those_o village_n must_v be_v very_o mean_a and_o yet_o one_o of_o the_o mean_a of_o they_o be_v think_v capable_a of_o a_o bishop_n by_o the_o arrian_n party_n libanus_n abr._n libanus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d theodor._n hist_o rel._n in_o abr._n a_o very_a great_a village_n have_v but_o one_o presbyter_n one_o abram_n who_o convert_v it_o and_o in_o the_o territory_n of_o antioch_n policron_n antioch_n id._n in_o vit_fw-mi policron_n there_o be_v many_o village_n under_o one_o presbyter_n in_o conclusion_n when_o he_o have_v qualify_v the_o canon_n so_o often_o mention_v to_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o make_v it_o allow_v latitude_n enough_o for_o congregational_a episcopacy_n he_o find_v 65._o find_v prim._n ep_v p._n 65._o fault_n with_o both_o greek_n and_o latin_n that_o they_o do_v not_o think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o observe_v it_o sometime_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o lessen_v that_o synod_n because_o neither_o the_o eastern_a or_o western_a church_n have_v receive_v it_o and_o now_o he_o be_v discontent_v that_o all_o have_v not_o observe_v it_o when_o some_o have_v puzzle_v long_o upon_o a_o matter_n that_o do_v not_o easy_o comply_v with_o their_o hypothesis_n they_o be_v apt_a to_o lose_v their_o first_o design_n and_o to_o forget_v what_o it_o be_v they_o will_v have_v but_o our_o author_n though_o in_o some_o thing_n he_o seem_v to_o forget_v himself_o be_v sure_o to_o keep_v to_o the_o conclusion_n that_o those_o city_n lesser_a or_o great_a the_o great_a be_v no_o big_a than_o village_n with_o they_o and_o market-town_n with_o we_o they_o contain_v no_o more_o than_o may_v meet_v together_o for_o christian_a communion_n what_o we_o assert_v concern_v the_o smallness_n of_o ancient_a bishopric_n be_v clear_a for_o incomparable_o the_o great_a number_n of_o they_o how_o effectual_o he_o have_v perform_v this_o let_v the_o learned_a reader_n be_v judge_n when_o he_o have_v compare_v the_o allegation_n on_o both_o side_n and_o after_o all_o though_o what_o he_o contend_v for_o in_o this_o chapter_n shall_v be_v admit_v the_o smallness_n of_o ancient_a bishopric_n be_v not_o clear_a unless_o it_o be_v first_o prove_v that_o the_o city_n where_o the_o bishop_n reside_v make_v up_o his_o whole_a bishopric_n and_o how_o far_o this_o be_v from_o be_v true_a will_v appear_v in_o more_o proper_a place_n chap._n iu._n the_o great_a city_n come_v now_o under_o consideration_n 66._o consideration_n prim._n ep_v p._n 66._o and_o about_o these_o our_o author_n allow_v there_o may_v be_v more_o question_n concern_v these_o he_o insist_o earnest_o upon_o two_o point_n the_o first_o that_o even_o those_o great_a city_n be_v not_o very_o large_a nor_o populous_a the_o second_o that_o for_o many_o age_n after_o christ_n there_o be_v but_o few_o christian_n in_o they_o at_o lest_o no_o more_o than_o may_v meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n and_o comply_v with_o the_o measure_n of_o congregational_a episcopacy_n those_o be_v count_v great_a city_n which_o have_v sixteen_o or_o twenty_o furlong_n in_o circumference_n and_o even_o such_o city_n may_v be_v so_o well_o inhabit_v that_o they_o can_v not_o all_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n for_o christian_a communion_n but_o this_o compass_n be_v never_o account_v great_a though_o some_o other_o circumstance_n may_v render_v such_o city_n considerable_a but_o hereof_o he_o say_v he_o have_v give_v instance_n before_o and_o those_o instance_n have_v be_v examine_v yet_o here_o he_o add_v four_o instance_n more_o pelusium_n a_o metropolis_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o egypt_n 17._o egypt_n strab._n l._n 17._o be_v but_o twenty_o furlong_n in_o circumference_n that_o pelusium_n be_v account_v a_o great_a city_n in_o strabo_n time_n or_o be_v metropolis_n of_o any_o part_n of_o egypt_n be_v only_o a_o imagination_n of_o our_o author_n which_o be_v always_o very_o favourable_a and_o subservient_fw-fr to_o his_o notion_n this_o place_n have_v indeed_o in_o very_o old_a time_n be_v very_o great_a and_o manetho_n 107._o manetho_n ap._n joseph_n count_v appion_n p._n 921._o ed._n frob._n marsh_n can._n chron._n p._n 107._o report_v that_o it_o have_v a_o garrison_n of_o two_o hundred_o and_o forty_o thousand_o man_n and_o than_o it_o must_v have_v a_o wide_a circumference_n than_o strabo_n speak_v of_o 16._o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d diod._n sic._n l._n 16._o diodorus_n siculus_n therefore_o call_v it_o a_o ordinary_a town_n with_o respect_n to_o that_o condition_n of_o which_o our_o author_n speak_v and_o use_v a_o diminutive_a name_n of_o city_n to_o express_v it_o tanis_n be_v once_o a_o great_a place_n and_o metropolis_n of_o a_o nomus_n and_o be_v style_v a_o great_a city_n by_o strabo_n 17._o strabo_n strab._n l._n 17._o yet_o jerom_n evag._n jerom_n hieron_n ep._n ad_fw-la evag._n make_v it_o a_o instance_n of_o one_o of_o the_o mean_a city_n of_o egypt_n phocaea_n 66._o phocaea_n prim._n ep_v p._n 66._o one_o of_o the_o great_a city_n in_o aeolis_n have_v no_o more_o as_o livy_n 7._o livy_n duum_fw-la millium_fw-la &_o quingentorum_fw-la passuum_fw-la spacium_fw-la murus_fw-la amplectitur_fw-la liv._o d._n 4._o l._n 7._o describe_v it_o this_o instance_n have_v be_v examine_v already_o and_o our_o author_n be_v destitute_a of_o any_o authority_n for_o make_v this_o a_o great_a city_n i_o be_o sure_a eusebius_n 157._o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n praepar_fw-la l._n 4._o p._n 157._o mention_n the_o place_n with_o some_o slight_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v some_o condescension_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o sebaste_n build_v by_o herod_n design_v to_o make_v it_o comparable_a to_o the_o most_o eminent_a city_n be_v no_o long_o than_o twenty_o furlong_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o the_o compass_n but_o the_o magnificence_n of_o this_o city_n that_o make_v it_o equal_a to_o the_o most_o eminent_a for_o in_o stephanus_n steph._n stephanus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d steph._n it_o be_v mention_v with_o some_o diminution_n and_o call_v a_o small_a city_n and_o it_o be_v familiar_a with_o josephus_n to_o magnify_v the_o work_n of_o herod_n something_a beyond_o the_o justness_n of_o history_n byzantium_n be_v the_o last_o instance_n of_o a_o great_a town_n of_o little_a circuit_n but_o how_o unfortunate_a our_o author_n be_v in_o this_o allegation_n i_o have_v show_v already_o and_o take_v no_o delight_n to_o expose_v mistake_n which_o his_o too_o great_a addictedness_n to_o his_o notion_n so_o often_o betray_v he_o to_o i_o have_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n give_v instance_n of_o several_a size_n of_o city_n account_v great_a and_o the_o low_a of_o they_o double_a to_o what_o our_o author_n will_v make_v a_o general_a standard_n for_o the_o measure_n of_o great_a city_n i_o will_v add_v a_o few_o here_o to_o compare_v with_o the_o additional_a instance_n he_o think_v fit_a to_o produce_v by_o way_n of_o reserve_n xenophon_n 〈◊〉_d xenophon_n xenoph._n exp._n cyri._n l._n 3._o larissa_n on_o the_o tigris_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o his_o expedition_n of_o cyrus_n mention_n some_o city_n with_o the_o character_n of_o great_a he_o give_v the_o circuit_n but_o of_o two_o of_o
soil_n or_o in_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n for_o wickedness_n increase_v in_o proportion_n to_o man_n and_o place_n as_o they_o grow_v more_o populous_a become_v more_o wicked_a may_v be_v therefore_o more_o expose_v to_o such_o stroke_n of_o vengeance_n it_o be_v probable_a say_v mr._n clerkson_n 68_o clerkson_n prim._n ep_v p._n 68_o neocaesarea_n be_v not_o very_o populous_a consider_v what_o theodoret_n vale_n theodoret_n theod._n l._n 4._o c._n 22._o ed._n vale_n report_v of_o those_o banish_v thither_o by_o valens_n who_o be_v not_o wont_a to_o choose_v desirable_a place_n for_o the_o punishment_n of_o such_o they_o all_o die_v there_o in_o a_o short_a time_n through_o the_o hardship_n of_o the_o place_n they_o be_v not_o always_o mean_a and_o ill_o inhabit_v place_n that_o be_v choose_v for_o the_o confinement_n of_o banish_a person_n paul_n bishop_n of_o constantinople_n 257._o constantinople_n vit._n paul_n apud_fw-la phot._n cod._n 257._o be_v banish_v to_o thessalonica_n 21._o thessalonica_n thessalonica_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d strab._n l._n 7._o zosim_fw-la l._n 1._o c._n 29._o 43._o l._n 2._o c._n 21._o a_o city_n very_o large_a and_o populous_a and_o the_o hardship_n of_o the_o place_n which_o our_o author_n mention_n out_o of_o theodoret_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o coldness_n of_o the_o country_n that_o do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o clergy_n of_o antioch_n which_o valens_n send_v thither_o from_o a_o warm_a climate_n it_o be_v strange_a our_o author_n think_v 68_o think_v prim._n ep_v p_o 68_o if_o caesarea_n in_o cappadocia_n be_v very_o populous_a since_o the_o situation_n of_o it_o as_o describe_v by_o strabo_n be_v neither_o safe_a nor_o healthful_a etc._n etc._n it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o oppose_v remote_a conjecture_n against_o know_a fact_n 30._o fact_n caesarea_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d soz._n l._n 5._o c._n 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d justin_n nou._n 30._o for_o how_o incommodious_a soever_o our_o author_n may_v fancy_v the_o situation_n of_o that_o city_n which_o for_o so_o many_o age_n have_v be_v the_o capital_a gotofred_n capital_a geogr._n vet_z gotofred_n of_o cappadocia_n yet_o it_o have_v ever_o maintain_v a_o eminent_a character_n of_o a_o very_a great_a and_o populous_a city_n the_o inundation_n of_o the_o neighbour_a river_n do_v sometime_o straighten_v they_o but_o this_o be_v rare_a 98._o rare_a basil_n ep_v ad_fw-la theodos_fw-la coteller_n mon._n t._n 2._o p._n 98._o and_o what_o be_v want_v in_o their_o next_o neighbourhood_n be_v abundant_o supply_v by_o galatia_n and_o other_o country_n if_o one_o shall_v suppose_v a_o city_n to_o be_v place_v in_o a_o province_n where_o nature_n have_v furnish_v neither_o stone_n nor_o timber_n and_o the_o soil_n scarce_o capable_a of_o corn_n a_o city_n that_o have_v no_o fresh_a water_n within_o a_o good_a distance_n nor_o ground_n under_o it_o firm_a enough_o to_o bear_v any_o great_a building_n and_o scarce_o more_o stable_a than_o a_o morasse_n our_o author_n will_v think_v it_o strange_a there_o shall_v ever_o be_v people_n enough_o in_o such_o a_o place_n to_o make_v up_o one_o competent_a congregation_n and_o yet_o these_o be_v the_o circumstance_n of_o one_o of_o the_o most_o populous_a city_n now_o in_o europe_n 68_o europe_n prim._n ep_v p._n 68_o of_o heraclea_n one_o of_o the_o most_o considerable_a city_n of_o aetolia_n livy_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o castle_n by_o it_o as_o well_o inhabit_v but_o whether_o that_o castle_n which_o join_v to_o the_o city_n be_v very_o great_a and_o populous_a or_o the_o city_n small_a and_o of_o few_o inhabitant_n be_v uncertain_a but_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o siege_n and_o the_o defence_n that_o be_v make_v while_o the_o roman_n attack_v the_o place_n incessant_o day_n and_o night_n for_o four_o and_o twenty_o day_n make_v it_o more_o probable_a that_o this_o be_v a_o populous_a town_n and_o when_o it_o be_v take_v by_o surprise_n and_o the_o people_n flee_v to_o the_o castle_n the_o place_n say_v livy_n 13._o livy_n liv._o l._n 36._o c._n 22._o polyb._n excerpt_v leg_n c._n 13._o can_v scarce_o hold_v much_o less_o maintain_v they_o and_o sure_o if_o there_o be_v so_o many_o people_n in_o the_o town_n that_o a_o great_a castle_n can_v scarce_o hold_v they_o it_o will_v be_v very_o difficult_a to_o find_v one_o church_n that_o can_v hold_v they_o all_o so_o that_o this_o place_n will_v do_v little_a service_n to_o our_o author_n design_n but_o to_o proceed_v 68_o proceed_v prim._n ep_v p._n 68_o a_o city_n be_v count_v sufficient_o populous_a if_o it_o have_v six_o thousand_o inhabitant_n so_o 16._o so_o joseph_n b._n jud._n l._n 1._o c._n 16._o herod_n ambitious_a to_o have_v sebaste_n not_o inferior_a to_o the_o most_o renown_a city_n take_v care_v it_o shall_v have_v six_o thousand_o inhabitant_n six_o thousand_o man_n with_o their_o servant_n and_o family_n be_v a_o pretty_a competent_a beginning_n for_o a_o great_a city_n and_o the_o sum_n that_o so_o many_o family_n will_v make_v upon_o the_o low_a computation_n will_v make_v ten_o very_a great_a congregation_n but_o that_o this_o number_n make_v a_o city_n esteem_v populous_a be_v not_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o ancient_a time_n but_o of_o our_o author_n what_o number_n of_o people_n the_o city_n of_o palestine_n have_v in_o josephus_n his_o day_n we_o may_v best_o understand_v from_o the_o historian_n himself_o galilee_n say_v josephus_n 4._o josephus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d jos_n b._n j._n l._n 3._o c._n 4._o be_v so_o well_o inhabit_v that_o city_n be_v very_o frequent_a and_o thick_a and_o a_o great_a multitude_n of_o village_n so_o populous_a that_o the_o least_o of_o they_o have_v more_o than_o fifteen_o thousand_o inhabitant_n and_o the_o same_o author_n 43._o author_n id._n l._n 2._o c._n 42._o 43._o affirm_v that_o within_o galilee_n alone_o he_o arm_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o war_n a_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n and_o that_o in_o a_o certain_a sedition_n in_o that_o country_n as_o many_o come_v together_o in_o four_o and_o twenty_o hour_n time_n that_o in_o that_o tumult_n there_o come_v no_o less_o than_o forty_o thousand_o from_o tarichea_n 〈◊〉_d tarichea_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v not_o the_o great_a city_n of_o galilee_n in_o japha_n 35._o japha_n jos_n l._n 3._o c._n 35._o a_o city_n of_o the_o same_o region_n there_o be_v about_o thirty_o thousand_o kill_v and_o take_v but_o this_o be_v but_o a_o small_a place_n in_o comparison_n of_o other_o of_o tiberias_n the_o which_o be_v the_o chief_a and_o sepphoris_n which_o be_v sometime_o call_v by_o josephus_n 3._o josephus_n jos_n b._n j._n l._n 3._o c._n 3._o the_o chief_a of_o galilee_n josapat_o the_o town_n which_o josephus_n defend_v against_o the_o roman_n have_v a_o prodigious_a number_n of_o people_n 23._o people_n jos_n b._n j._n l._n 3._o c._n 23._o for_o there_o be_v forty_o thousand_o kill_v twelve_o hundred_o only_o make_v captive_n and_o the_o woman_n and_o child_n save_v the_o great_a city_n of_o phaenicea_n inhabit_v by_o the_o syrian_n be_v very_o populous_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o number_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v destroy_v there_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o revolt_n the_o people_n of_o caesarea_n 33._o caesarea_n jos_n b._n j._n l._n 2._o c._n 33._o destroy_v twenty_o thousand_o jew_n who_o live_v in_o that_o city_n the_o people_n of_o scythopolis_n 34._o scythopolis_n id._n l._n 2._o c._n 34._o massacre_v thirteen_o thousand_o those_o of_o damascus_n 41._o damascus_n et_fw-fr c._n 41._o ten_o thousand_o so_o populous_a be_v those_o city_n where_o the_o gospel_n be_v first_o preach_v and_o the_o first_o christian_n congregation_n establish_v in_o syria_n the_o city_n be_v no_o less_o populous_a and_o in_o most_o part_n of_o the_o world_n unless_o when_o war_n or_o other_o calamity_n happen_v to_o dispeople_v the_o place_n account_v city_n be_v much_o more_o populous_a than_o our_o market-town_n or_o what_o our_o author_n represent_v selge_n a_o small_a city_n in_o pisidia_n be_v say_v 12._o say_v strab._n l._n 12._o with_o good_a government_n to_o have_v increase_v to_o twenty_o thousand_o man_n and_o according_o we_o find_v 579._o find_v polyb._n l._n 5._o p._n 579._o that_o it_o be_v able_a to_o send_v out_o a_o considerable_a army_n then_o it_o may_v well_o bear_v the_o title_n of_o a_o great_a city_n which_o arrian_n 1._o arrian_n arrian_n exp._n alex._n l._n 1._o give_v it_o how_o much_o aftertime_n abate_v of_o these_o matter_n i_o do_v not_o know_v but_o zosimus_n cellar_n zosimus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d zosim_fw-la l._n 5._o p._n 539._o ed._n cellar_n mention_n it_o in_o term_n of_o diminution_n aspendus_n reckon_v but_o a_o mean_a city_n of_o pamphylia_n be_v yet_o able_a 580._o able_a polyb._n l._n 5._o p_o 580._o to_o send_v
but_o this_o multitude_n may_v not_o be_v heathen_a for_o the_o christian_n may_v not_o be_v very_o willing_a to_o have_v the_o temple_n demolish_v which_o after_o the_o idolatrous_a service_n of_o it_o have_v be_v long_o disuse_v they_o may_v be_v desirous_a to_o preserve_v as_o a_o ornament_n of_o their_o city_n upon_o which_o account_n many_o temple_n be_v spare_v constantine_n have_v shut_v they_o up_o and_o forbid_v sacrifice_n to_o be_v offer_v in_o they_o and_o the_o zeal_n of_o the_o christian_n abate_v against_o they_o after_o the_o idolatrous_a service_n have_v be_v take_v away_o and_o the_o party_n of_o the_o heathen_a be_v grow_v contemptible_a it_o seem_v no_o prejudice_n to_o christianity_n to_o suffer_v they_o to_o stand_v and_o it_o be_v only_o the_o monk_n and_o the_o more_o zealous_a sort_n of_o christian_n who_o procure_v and_o execute_v their_o demolition_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n our_o author_n bring_v in_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o emesa_n another_o metropolitical_a city_n 6._o city_n theod._n h._n e._n l._n 3._o c._n 6._o who_o turn_v the_o christian_a church_n new_o build_v into_o a_o temple_n for_o bacchus_n this_o too_o be_v in_o julian_n time_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o prove_v the_o heathen_a party_n to_o be_v most_o numerous_a in_o every_o city_n where_o they_o commit_v insolence_n he_o be_v likewise_o mistake_v when_o he_o make_v emesa_n a_o metropolitical_a city_n in_o those_o time_n of_o which_o he_o be_v speak_v for_o it_o be_v not_o 4._o not_o car._n a_o s._n paulo_n geog._n sacr._n p._n 304._o not_o it_o gr._n ap_fw-mi car._n a_o s._n p._n p._n 4._o a_o metropolis_n then_o nor_o long_v after_o but_o be_v under_o damascus_n nor_o be_v it_o in_o syria_n but_o in_o phoenicia_n where_o stephanus_n urb_n stephanus_n steph._n the_o urb_n and_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n 26._o marcellinus_n ammian_n marc._n l._n 24._o c._n 26._o place_n it_o the_o latter_a reckon_n it_o among_o the_o great_a and_o fair_a city_n of_o that_o country_n and_o equal_a to_o tyre_n and_o sydon_n and_o berytus_n but_o many_o author_n confound_v the_o bound_n of_o syria_n and_o some_o time_n 1._o time_n seld._n de_fw-fr dijs_fw-la syr._n c._n 1._o account_v phoenicia_n as_o part_v of_o it_o nor_o be_v this_o the_o unhappy_a temper_n of_o some_o particular_a place_n only_o say_v our_o author_n 74._o author_n prim._n ep_v p._n 74._o as_o appear_v by_o that_o of_o sozomen_n 34._o sozomen_n sozom._n l._n 6._o c._n 34._o both_o that_o which_o be_v call_v coelosyria_n and_o the_o upper_a syria_n except_o the_o city_n of_o antioch_n be_v long_o before_o it_o come_v over_o to_o christianity_n if_o it_o be_v late_o before_o these_o country_n receive_v christianity_n they_o be_v but_o sorry_a instance_n in_o the_o present_a question_n concern_v primitive_a bishop_n for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n at_o all_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o inquire_v for_o the_o bound_n of_o episcopacy_n but_o this_o observation_n turn_v against_o our_o author_n own_o notion_n for_o if_o there_o be_v some_o entire_a province_n that_o have_v not_o yet_o receive_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o four_o century_n those_o which_o have_v receive_v the_o gospel_n must_v consequent_o be_v more_o general_o christian_n since_o in_o the_o gross_a the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n be_v allow_v to_o have_v be_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n but_o that_o passage_n of_o sozomen_n must_v not_o be_v take_v too_o strict_o for_o than_o it_o will_v not_o be_v true_a for_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o all_o syria_n except_v antioch_n do_v not_o receive_v christianity_n till_o late_o for_o st._n paul_n have_v plant_v several_a church_n there_o and_o the_o apostolical_a council_n of_o jerusalem_n 41._o jerusalem_n act._n 15.23_o 41._o address_v their_o synodical_a epistle_n not_o only_o to_o antioch_n but_o to_o the_o brethren_n in_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n and_o st._n paul_n in_o one_o of_o his_o visitation_n be_v say_v to_o go_v confirm_v the_o church_n of_o syria_n in_o the_o second_o century_n there_o be_v many_o christian_n in_o that_o country_n for_o who_o sake_n bardesanes_n write_v his_o book_n in_o the_o syrian_a language_n and_o in_o particular_a he_o be_v say_v by_o eusebius_n 30._o eusebius_n euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 4._o c._n 30._o to_o have_v have_v many_o follower_n in_o the_o persecution_n under_o dioclesian_n 13._o dioclesian_n euseb_n l._n de_fw-fr mart._n palest_fw-la c._n 13._o syria_n be_v reckon_v among_o other_o province_n that_o have_v suffer_v for_o religion_n and_o some_o time_n after_o athanasius_n 2._o athanasius_n athan._n ep_v ad_fw-la antioch_n t._n 1._o p._n 580._o id._n apol._n 2._o reckon_v several_a bishop_n of_o syria_n who_o suffer_v upon_o his_o account_n so_o that_o sozomen_n must_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o country_n border_v upon_o persia_n and_o arabia_n where_o these_o monk_n of_o who_o he_o speak_v as_o the_o converter_n of_o that_o country_n live_v for_o these_o he_o say_v 34._o say_v sozom._n l._n 6._o c._n 34._o convert_v all_o the_o syrian_n and_o many_o persian_n and_o saracen_n now_o to_o deliver_v up_o this_o country_n entire_o as_o it_o be_v to_o the_o heathen_a our_o author_n add_v that_o in_o antioch_n itself_o the_o heathen_a in_o valens_n his_o time_n public_o celebrate_v idolatrous_a rite_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v by_o the_o permission_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o that_o he_o may_v more_o safe_o persecute_v the_o orthodox_n christian_n give_v liberty_n to_o all_o other_o religion_n and_o if_o in_o the_o great_a city_n of_o this_o kingdom_n the_o papist_n shall_v by_o public_a permission_n celebrate_v the_o mass_n it_o will_v be_v but_o a_o poor_a argument_n that_o they_o make_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o people_n but_o of_o antioch_n there_o will_v be_v occasion_n to_o say_v more_o hereafter_o in_o arabia_n moses_n be_v send_v bishop_n there_o find_v but_o few_o christian_n that_o be_v the_o saracen_n under_o queen_n mavia_n have_v but_o few_o christian_n when_o that_o bishop_n be_v send_v to_o they_o and_o to_o as_o much_o purpose_n he_o may_v have_v add_v that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o cape_n of_o good_a hope_n be_v not_o then_o convert_v and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o instance_n of_o milles_n in_o persia_n who_o can_v not_o persuade_v one_o in_o the_o city_n for_o which_o he_o be_v ordain_v to_o become_v christian_n yet_o both_o in_o arabia_n and_o persia_n there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n for_o in_o persia_n in_o constantine_n time_n the_o persecution_n of_o sapores_fw-la find_v and_o destroy_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n there_o be_v sixteen_o thousand_o persian_a martyr_n who_o name_n be_v record_v by_o their_o own_o countryman_n and_o their_o neighbour_n of_o syria_n but_o beside_o these_o there_o be_v other_o innumerable_a who_o name_n be_v lose_v in_o some_o part_n of_o arabia_n 12._o arabia_n euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 6._o c._n 33._o id._n l._n 8._o c._n 12._o christianity_n be_v receive_v betimes_o and_o furnish_v martyr_n for_o the_o last_o persecution_n 74._o persecution_n prim._n ep_v p._n 74._o and_o now_o have_v view_v all_o the_o next_o neighbour_n of_o palestine_n but_o egypt_n let_v we_o touch_v there_o also_o so_o speak_v our_o author_n who_o walk_v about_o like_o a_o persecution_n diminish_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n wherever_o he_o come_v here_o memphis_n a_o metropolitical_a city_n in_o jerom_n be_v time_n be_v metropolis_n of_o the_o egyptian_a superstition_n on_o ezek._n 9_o while_o there_o remain_v any_o egyptian_a superstition_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o memphis_n shall_v be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o it_o for_o there_o of_o old_a be_v the_o residence_n of_o apis_n and_o this_o be_v their_o holy_a city_n though_o it_o follow_v not_o from_o this_o expression_n that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n be_v of_o that_o superstition_n 30._o superstition_n hieron_n in_o ezek._n l._n 9_o c._n 30._o our_o author_n mistake_v the_o reference_n of_o the_o centuriator_n from_o who_o he_o transcribe_v this_o as_o well_o as_o several_a other_o instance_n and_o refer_v to_o the_o nine_o chapter_n of_o the_o prophet_n whereas_o it_o be_v the_o nine_o book_n of_o the_o commentary_n in_o antinoe_n he_o observe_v 75._o observe_v prim._n ep_v p._n 75._o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n but_o very_o few_o assemble_v with_o he_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o city_n be_v gentile_n and_o the_o island_n into_o which_o the_o two_o macarii_fw-la be_v banish_v have_v not_o one_o christian_a to_o these_o instance_n of_o egypt_n our_o author_n be_v please_v to_o be_v so_o kind_a as_o to_o give_v the_o answer_n himself_o that_o they_o be_v remote_a part_n and_o far_o from_o the_o place_n where_o christianity_n be_v first_o embrace_v but_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n more_o may_v be_v observe_v upon_o this_o occasion_n the_o
poor_a heathen_a priest_n be_v force_v to_o bring_v his_o goose_n himself_o and_o to_o provide_v his_o own_o sacrifice_n constantinople_n be_v a_o christian_a city_n from_o its_o first_o foundation_n 3._o foundation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d soâ—_n l._n 2._o c._n 3._o have_v never_o be_v pollute_v with_o idol_n and_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o citizen_n be_v christian_n require_v many_o church_n to_o assemble_v in_o constantine_n build_v several_a and_o of_o the_o rest_n some_o be_v build_v by_o the_o bishop_n other_o by_o the_o people_n of_o the_o place_n and_o the_o goodness_n and_o charity_n of_o the_o christian_a inhabitant_n there_o be_v so_o great_a that_o they_o gain_v many_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_a to_o become_v christian_n and_o even_o in_o arabia_n where_o mr._n clerkson_n can_v find_v few_o or_o no_o christian_n in_o valens_n his_o time_n the_o great_a and_o vast_a city_n bostra_n for_o so_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n 2._o marcellinus_n civitates_fw-la ingentes_fw-la bostra_n etc._n etc._n ammian_n marc._n l._n 14._o c._n 2._o call_v it_o be_v at_o least_o half_a christian_a as_o titus_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n give_v out_o who_o be_v quote_v for_o it_o by_o julian_n bostren_n julian_n julian_n ep._n add_v bostren_n the_o apostate_n nay_o some_o country_n be_v say_v to_o be_v general_o christian_a before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o century_n so_o eusebius_n 8._o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 9_o c._n 8._o represent_v the_o armenian_n against_o who_o maximin_n declare_v war_n upon_o that_o account_n and_o while_o he_o endeavour_v to_o force_v they_o to_o idolatry_n instead_o of_o friend_n and_o confederate_n he_o make_v they_o enemy_n so_o wonderful_o do_v the_o word_n of_o god_n prevail_v that_o to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o eusebius_n 13._o eusebius_n euseb_n praepar_fw-la eu._n l._n 1._o p._n 12_o 13._o whole_a miriads_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n and_o child_n of_o bond_n and_o free_a of_o barbarian_n and_o greek_n in_o every_o place_n and_o city_n and_o country_n in_o every_o nation_n under_o heaven_n learn_v the_o precept_n of_o our_o holy_a doctrine_n and_o become_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n 78._o christ_n prim._n ep_v p._n 78._o nor_o be_v our_o author_n content_v to_o reduce_v the_o primitive_a christian_n to_o a_o small_a number_n and_o to_o render_v they_o a_o mean_a party_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o heathen_a even_o after_o they_o be_v become_v their_o master_n but_o he_o bring_v in_o yet_o further_a abatement_n at_o the_o foot_n of_o his_o account_n for_o jew_n and_o heretic_n the_o jew_n say_v he_o be_v numerous_a in_o these_o city_n and_o there_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n without_o multitude_n of_o they_o this_o he_o prove_v chief_o out_o of_o josephus_n but_o all_o those_o testimony_n be_v too_o early_o for_o the_o present_a purpose_n and_o the_o synagogue_n of_o jew_n that_o s._n paul_n meet_v with_o in_o almost_o every_o city_n where_o he_o come_v be_v so_o far_o from_o diminish_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n that_o their_o increase_n be_v general_o from_o hence_o here_o the_o apostle_n usual_o preach_v the_o gospel_n till_o they_o have_v change_v the_o synagogue_n into_o church_n under_o trajan_n and_o adrian_n the_o jew_n be_v very_o numerous_a and_o their_o number_n may_v then_o tempt_v they_o to_o revolt_v but_o the_o destruction_n which_o they_o bring_v upon_o themselves_o be_v so_o great_a such_o number_n slay_v that_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v near_o extirpation_n after_o this_o they_o be_v so_o low_a that_o for_o some_o age_n they_o be_v not_o mention_v for_o any_o enterprise_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o christian_n increase_v daily_o till_o they_o prevail_v over_o both_o jew_n and_o heathen_a and_o st._n austin_n cred._n austin_n plures_fw-la enim_fw-la jam_fw-la christiani_n sunt_fw-la quam_fw-la si_fw-la judaei_n simulacrorum_fw-la cultoribus_fw-la adjungantur_fw-la aug._n de_fw-fr util._n cred._n make_v the_o christian_n in_o his_o time_n to_o be_v more_o numerous_a than_o jew_n and_o idolater_n put_v together_o not_o confine_v his_o comparison_n within_o the_o empire_n but_o make_v it_o general_a and_o consequent_o take_v in_o all_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n within_o his_o knowledge_n yet_o in_o the_o four_o century_n mr._n clerkson_n bring_v a_o instance_n or_o two_o to_o show_v that_o in_o some_o place_n the_o jew_n be_v numerous_a in_o constantine_n be_v time_n say_v he_o 80._o he_o prim._n ep_v p._n 80._o they_o possess_v diocaesarea_n and_o tiberias_n diospolis_n also_o and_o many_o other_o town_n and_o be_v so_o numerous_a as_o to_o raise_v a_o war_n against_o the_o emperor_n soz._n l._n 4._o c._n 6._o that_o the_o jew_n be_v numerous_a in_o that_o age_n especial_o about_o palestine_n can_v be_v deny_v and_o that_o they_o have_v several_a town_n entire_o to_o themselves_o socrates_n 3._o socrates_n socr._n l._n 2._o c._n 3._o and_o epiphanius_n 11._o epiphanius_n epiph._n haer._n 30._o ss_z 11._o and_o other_o writer_n affirm_v but_o then_o these_o town_n whole_o inhabit_v by_o jew_n be_v without_o this_o question_n for_o these_o make_v no_o abatement_n of_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o city_n where_o they_o have_v bishop_n and_o church_n it_o will_v be_v of_o some_o use_n upon_o this_o occasion_n to_o clear_v a_o passage_n of_o epiphanius_n which_o petavius_n have_v mistake_v in_o the_o relation_n which_o epiphanius_n give_v of_o count_n joseph_n the_o jew_n among_o other_o thing_n he_o make_v he_o say_v that_o ellal_n the_o jewish_a patriarch_n at_o the_o point_n of_o death_n send_v for_o the_o bishop_n of_o tiberias_n and_o be_v baptize_v of_o he_o whereas_o then_o there_o be_v neither_o bishop_n nor_o church_n nor_o christian_a in_o tiberias_n and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o bishop_n of_o that_o place_n he_o shall_v have_v render_v 4._o render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d epiph._n haer._n 4._o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o neighbourhood_n of_o tiberias_n for_o it_o be_v there_o that_o the_o patriarch_n reside_v and_o send_v for_o some_o bishop_n of_o a_o neighbour_a town_n and_o that_o the_o word_n be_v thus_o to_o be_v render_v will_v be_v clear_a from_o what_o the_o same_o joseph_n say_v a_o little_a after_o when_o constantine_n have_v confer_v upon_o he_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o count_n he_o bid_v he_o beg_v what_o favour_n he_o please_v but_o ask_v only_o this_o that_o he_o may_v have_v the_o emperor_n commission_n 11._o commission_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d epiph._n haer._n n._n 11._o to_o build_v church_n in_o the_o city_n and_o village_n of_o the_o jew_n where_o there_o be_v none_o because_o there_o be_v neither_o heathen_a nor_o samaritan_n nor_o christian_a among_o they_o and_o especial_o in_o tiberias_n and_o diocaesarea_n and_o nazareth_n and_o capernaum_n for_o in_o these_o place_n they_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o of_o another_o nation_n to_o live_v among_o they_o now_o as_o these_o place_n be_v not_o for_o mr._n clerkson_n purpose_n while_o they_o be_v whole_o possess_v of_o jew_n so_o neither_o will_v the_o objection_n last_o long_o after_o church_n be_v build_v in_o they_o for_o const_n for_o aur._n vict._n in_o constantio_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cedren_n ad_fw-la a_o 15._o const_n these_o jew_n revolt_a against_o constantius_n and_o set_v up_o a_o tyrant_n of_o their_o own_o one_o patricius_n be_v total_o destroy_v by_o gallus_n and_o diocaesarea_n raze_v to_o the_o ground_n but_o the_o jew_n also_o be_v numerous_a in_o these_o city_n i.e._n where_o the_o heathen_a be_v suppose_v by_o he_o to_o be_v the_o major_a part_n and_o there_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n without_o multitude_n of_o they_o the_o ancient_a instance_n out_o of_o josephus_n i_o pass_v by_o as_o too_o early_o and_o not_o to_o the_o present_a purpose_n but_o one_o thing_n he_o offer_v that_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v omit_v that_o 81._o that_o prim._n ep_v p._n 81._o chrysostom_n seem_v to_o signify_v that_o in_o his_o time_n they_o be_v as_o many_o as_o the_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n i._n e._n in_o antioch_n for_o he_o exhort_v each_o of_o the_o christian_n to_o reduce_v one_o jew_n to_o the_o christian_a profession_n to_o say_v the_o truth_n this_o inference_n do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o seem_v to_o be_v reasonable_a for_o first_o chrysostom_n can_v not_o speak_v to_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o antioch_n together_o though_o his_o voice_n have_v be_v as_o great_a as_o his_o eloquence_n and_o to_o strain_v this_o expression_n to_o the_o utmost_a if_o it_o shall_v suppose_v the_o jew_n as_o many_o as_o those_o he_o address_v his_o discourse_n to_o yet_o will_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o christian_a congregation_n which_o may_v possible_o be_v two_o or_o three_o thousand_o when_o chrysostom_n preach_v though_o that_o great_a man_n
author_n observe_v that_o this_o be_v the_o chief_a city_n in_o mauritania_n and_o may_v have_v take_v notice_n that_o it_o be_v 2._o be_v oppidumque_fw-la ibi_fw-la celeberrimum_fw-la caesarea_n plin._n l._n 5._o c._n 2._o a_o renown_a place_n from_o its_o first_o foundation_n by_o claudius_n and_o grow_v up_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a city_n in_o afric_n and_o have_v init_fw-la have_v in_o ecclesia_fw-la majori_fw-la congregat_fw-la aug._n gest_n cum_fw-la emer_n init_fw-la at_o this_o time_n many_o church_n of_o the_o catholic_n communion_n he_o shall_v have_v a_o little_a mistrust_v such_o a_o phrase_n as_o this_o that_o imply_v no_o more_o than_o that_o the_o conference_n shall_v be_v public_a and_o that_o all_o who_o will_v may_v be_v present_a at_o it_o tiberias_n and_o diocaesarea_n and_o sepphoris_n which_o our_o author_n mention_n because_o they_o have_v each_o but_o one_o church_n have_v be_v already_o consider_v they_o consist_v only_o of_o jew_n who_o will_v suffer_v no_o other_o nation_n or_o religion_n to_o mix_v with_o they_o 86._o they_o prim._n ep_v p._n 86._o at_o diocaesarea_n in_o cappadocia_n which_o in_o nazianzen_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n ep._n 49._o but_o nazianzen_n 49._o nazianzen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d greg._n ep._n 49._o say_v no_o such_o thing_n he_o use_v all_o the_o credit_n he_o have_v with_o olympius_n the_o governor_n of_o that_o province_n to_o spare_v this_o city_n which_o have_v extreme_o offend_v he_o and_o to_o that_o degree_n that_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o disfranchise_v and_o destroy_v it_o and_o among_o other_o argument_n he_o make_v use_v of_o his_o own_o liberality_n towards_o that_o city_n have_v late_o build_v a_o church_n there_o and_o therefore_o pray_v that_o the_o temple_n he_o have_v so_o late_o erect_v there_o may_v not_o become_v a_o receptacle_n of_o wild_a beast_n but_o give_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n that_o this_o be_v the_o only_a church_n in_o that_o great_a city_n 90._o city_n prim._n ep_v p._n 90._o at_o constantia_n the_o metropolis_n of_o cyprus_n and_o other_o city_n of_o that_o island_n there_o be_v no_o plurality_n of_o church_n for_o this_o he_o cite_v petavius_n who_o inference_n have_v be_v already_o examine_v and_o there_o be_v nothing_o new_a add_v here_o to_o require_v further_a reply_n at_o neocaesaria_n and_o other_o city_n in_o those_o part_n but_o one_o church_n this_o he_o prove_v from_o the_o thirteen_o canon_n of_o neocaesarea_n that_o forbid_v a_o chorepiscopus_n to_o officiate_v in_o a_o city_n church_n from_o which_o petavius_n will_v infer_v the_o city_n have_v but_o one_o church_n but_o there_o may_v be_v a_o hundred_o church_n there_o for_o aught_o that_o expression_n may_v imply_v we_o be_v at_o last_o come_v to_o the_o end_n of_o this_o chapter_n in_o which_o our_o author_n have_v take_v all_o way_n to_o diminish_v the_o christian_n he_o have_v be_v very_o bountiful_a to_o schismatic_n and_o heretic_n that_o the_o bishop_n flock_n may_v not_o increase_v beyond_o his_o new_a model_n but_o we_o must_v not_o wonder_v at_o his_o liberality_n towards_o these_o to_o the_o detriment_n of_o the_o bishop_n but_o rather_o than_o any_o city_n shall_v have_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o of_o the_o same_o communion_n he_o give_v the_o rest_n to_o the_o devil_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n he_o be_v beyond_o measure_n bountiful_a towards_o heathen_a and_o jew_n heighten_v their_o number_n as_o if_o he_o be_v of_o the_o faction_n especial_o in_o julian_n time_n have_v perhaps_o some_o secret_a respect_n for_o they_o because_o they_o general_o take_v the_o part_n of_o schismatic_n and_o heretic_n against_o the_o catholic_n establish_v church_n chap._n v._n the_o unjust_a steward_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v call_v to_o give_v up_o his_o account_n and_o then_o to_o be_v discharge_v provide_v for_o himself_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o his_o lord_n and_o cut_v off_o considerable_o from_o the_o sum_n owe_v to_o his_o master_n procure_v himself_o a_o retreat_n among_o the_o debtor_n yet_o in_o this_o unrighteous_a contrivance_n he_o observe_v some_o measure_n and_o reduce_v a_o hundred_o but_o to_o fourscore_o and_o fourscore_o to_o fifty_o but_o mr._n clerkson_n in_o the_o account_n he_o make_v of_o his_o master_n substance_n in_o ancient_a city_n be_v much_o more_o profuse_a towards_o the_o debtor_n and_o in_o some_o place_n of_o a_o hundred_o do_v not_o leave_v ten_o but_o in_o this_o he_o have_v choose_v to_o follow_v the_o injustice_n rather_o than_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o steward_n for_o when_o his_o defalcation_n come_v to_o be_v so_o unlikely_a and_o extravagant_a it_o be_v impossible_a the_o reckon_n shall_v pass_v have_v he_o insist_v only_o on_o lesser_a city_n that_o for_o three_o or_o four_o age_n the_o christian_n in_o they_o may_v not_o exceed_v one_o assembly_n the_o account_n may_v have_v pass_v without_o any_o suspicion_n though_o the_o evidence_n even_o for_o this_o be_v defective_a but_o when_o in_o the_o great_a city_n of_o the_o world_n he_o set_v down_o but_o one_o congregation_n to_o the_o account_n of_o christ_n and_o will_v not_o allow_v scarce_o five_o of_o a_o hundred_o to_o belong_v to_o our_o lord_n the_o misreckon_n be_v too_o manifest_a and_o do_v not_o carry_v so_o much_o as_o the_o appearance_n of_o truth_n the_o increase_n of_o christianity_n be_v represent_v by_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o age_n immediate_o succeed_v as_o wonderful_a and_o unexampled_a and_o consider_v the_o supernatural_a ability_n it_o please_v god_n to_o confer_v upon_o the_o first_o preacher_n it_o may_v be_v expect_v that_o their_o doctrine_n shall_v make_v a_o great_a progress_n than_o those_o that_o come_v recommend_v only_o by_o ordinary_a and_o human_a mean_n of_o persuasion_n yet_o if_o we_o take_v mr._n clerkson_n reckon_v of_o christian_n for_o the_o three_o first_o age_n and_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o growth_n of_o sect_n among_o ourselves_o within_o this_o last_o age_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o sect_n within_o our_o remembrance_n which_o have_v not_o proportionable_o to_o time_n and_o place_n make_v much_o better_a progress_n than_o the_o christian_a religion_n ever_o do_v since_o in_o the_o great_a city_n there_o be_v few_o sect_n but_o make_v several_a assembly_n for_o worship_n though_o the_o great_a city_n with_o we_o be_v much_o inferior_a to_o the_o great_a in_o ancient_a time_n and_o if_o the_o quaker_n a_o sect_n scarce_o forty_o year_n stand_v in_o the_o world_n be_v yet_o grow_v so_o numerous_a that_o in_o london_n they_o have_v several_a place_n for_o meeting_n it_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o strange_a and_o incredible_a disparagement_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n not_o to_o have_v prevail_v so_o much_o in_o rome_n for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o hundred_o year_n though_o st._n paul_n preach_v there_o for_o a_o considerable_a time_n and_o there_o be_v a_o flourish_a church_n before_o he_o be_v bring_v thither_o however_o our_o author_n to_o leave_v no_o exception_n against_o the_o congregational_a rule_n 92._o rule_n prim._n ep_v p._n 91._o 92._o find_v enough_o to_o make_v it_o seem_v probable_a that_o the_o great_a of_o those_o city_n have_v no_o more_o christian_n under_o one_o bishop_n than_o be_v in_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n and_o to_o begin_v with_o rome_n about_o the_o year_n 236_o 〈◊〉_d 236_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o the_o faithful_a in_o rome_n do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n to_o choose_v a_o bishop_n in_o the_o place_n of_o anterus_n euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 29._o i_o have_v already_o upon_o other_o occasion_n show_v the_o import_n of_o these_o expression_n all_o the_o people_n all_o the_o brethren_n all_o the_o city_n etc._n etc._n and_o how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o require_v exactness_n of_o testimony_n from_o phrase_n of_o amplification_n if_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o all_o the_o faithful_a in_o rome_n without_o any_o allowance_n or_o exception_n do_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n in_o the_o three_o century_n to_o choose_v a_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n it_o will_v follow_v from_o the_o very_a same_o phrase_n that_o in_o the_o four_o five_o and_o six_o century_n and_o so_o forward_o there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n in_o rome_n after_o it_o be_v become_v christian_n for_o in_o the_o four_o age_n felix_n and_o all_o the_o roman_a clergy_n prec_n clergy_n praesente_fw-la populo_fw-la romano_n marcel_n &_o faustin_n l._n 16._o prec_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n of_o rome_n swear_v they_o will_v not_o choose_v any_o other_o bishop_n while_o liberius_n live_v in_o the_o next_o vigil_n next_o dataque_fw-la oratione_fw-la respondit_fw-la omnis_fw-la populus_fw-la amen_o lib._n pont._n in_o
to_o make_v this_o little_a church_n yet_o more_o venerable_a place_n it_o in_o that_o spot_n of_o ground_n where_o the_o house_n stand_v in_o which_o the_o apostle_n be_v assemble_v after_o the_o ascension_n of_o our_o lord_n our_o author_n to_o be_v revenge_v of_o this_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o grow_v so_o fast_o at_o the_o beginning_n and_z giving_z trouble_n to_o his_o brethren_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n by_o those_o many_o thousand_o convert_v which_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o bestow_v in_o one_o assembly_n resolve_v at_o last_o if_o not_o to_o extinguish_v it_o yet_o to_o reduce_v it_o to_o the_o next_o degree_n to_o utter_v dissolution_n by_o the_o edict_n of_o adrian_n 108._o adrian_n prim._n ep_v p._n 108._o which_o exclude_v all_o jew_n not_o only_o from_o jerusalem_n but_o all_o the_o territory_n round_o about_o it_o so_o that_o if_o the_o church_n then_o at_o jerusalem_n be_v either_o whole_o or_o for_o the_o great_a part_n constitute_v of_o jew_n it_o be_v either_o quite_o dissipate_v or_o great_o diminish_v and_o be_v it_o which_o he_o please_v so_o it_o be_v not_o take_v for_o a_o judgement_n upon_o it_o for_o transgress_v the_o bound_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o updo_v a_o notion_n of_o primitive_a episcopacy_n it_o be_v certain_o a_o great_a fault_n in_o the_o first_o church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o at_o the_o very_a beginning_n to_o become_v unprimitive_a to_o show_v compassion_n he_o be_v willing_a 109._o willing_a prim._n ep_v p._n 109._o to_o take_v the_o more_o favourable_a sense_n by_o which_o it_o be_v not_o quite_o dissolve_v but_o reduce_v to_o a_o very_a small_a compass_n and_o very_o few_o member_n those_o only_a of_o the_o believe_a gentile_n which_o be_v so_o few_o that_o they_o be_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o be_v bring_v to_o account_v by_o he_o who_o give_v the_o best_a account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o day_n now_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v all_o this_o learned_a discourse_n the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v either_o quite_o dissolve_v or_o much_o diminish_v by_o that_o edict_n that_o forbid_v the_o jew_n to_o come_v into_o that_o city_n what_o then_o be_v this_o then_o a_o instance_n to_o judge_n other_o church_n by_o when_o the_o case_n be_v singular_a and_o common_a to_o it_o with_o no_o other_o church_n what_o if_o he_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o take_v the_o other_o opinion_n that_o it_o be_v quite_o dissipate_v must_v we_o have_v conclude_v that_o there_o have_v be_v no_o christian_a congregation_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o in_o conclusion_n there_o be_v nothing_o produce_v to_o show_v whether_o it_o have_v many_o or_o but_o one_o assembly_n and_o in_o truth_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n make_v of_o it_o for_o some_o time_n which_o may_v not_o happen_v from_o the_o small_a number_n of_o christian_n but_o the_o loss_n of_o record_n for_o many_o city_n great_a than_o jerusalem_n of_o which_o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n to_o be_v make_v that_o they_o have_v church_n very_o early_o be_v in_o the_o same_o case_n how_o many_o bishop_n of_o carthage_n do_v we_o know_v before_o cyprian_a nor_o be_v there_o any_o account_n give_v of_o that_o church_n after_o his_o death_n until_o the_o ordination_n of_o caecilian_a it_o be_v not_o sure_o because_o the_o christian_n there_o be_v so_o few_o as_o not_o to_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v bring_v into_o account_n 9_o account_n prim._n ep_v p._n 109._o 110._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 9_o it_o be_v like_o their_o number_n increase_v before_o narcissus_n be_v bishop_n there_o in_o the_o three_o age_n yet_o than_o they_o be_v not_o so_o many_o but_o that_o the_o whole_a multitude_n can_v meet_v with_o their_o bishop_n at_o the_o pascal_n vigil_n although_o this_o expression_n the_o whole_a multitude_n do_v not_o import_v so_o universal_o as_o our_o author_n will_v have_v it_o yet_o here_o it_o be_v not_o use_v by_o eusebius_n with_o any_o respect_n to_o the_o city_n but_o to_o the_o congregation_n assemble_v with_o narcissus_n for_o in_o a_o pascal_n vigil_n as_o the_o traditional_a story_n go_v the_o oil_n happen_v to_o fail_v whereupon_o the_o whole_a multitude_n be_v trouble_v i._n e._n the_o multitude_n present_a whether_o it_o be_v great_a or_o little_a whether_o it_o consist_v of_o all_o or_o not_o a_o forty_o part_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o city_n can_v be_v guess_v from_o this_o passage_n 110._o passage_n prim._n ep_v p._n 110._o nay_o in_o cyrill_n time_n which_o be_v in_o the_o four_o age_n anno_fw-la 353_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o people_n as_o sozomen_n relate_v it_o astonish_v at_o a_o aparition_n in_o the_o air_n all_o leave_v their_o house_n and_o man_n woman_n and_o child_n meet_v in_o the_o church_n hist_o l._n 3._o c._n 4._o it_o shall_v be_v l._n 4._o c._n 5._o sozomen_n speak_v there_o not_o of_o the_o christian_n only_o but_o of_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o city_n for_o astonishment_n and_o fear_n seize_v upon_o all_o and_o if_o our_o author_n will_v deal_v rigid_o with_o he_o he_o must_v find_v a_o church_n that_o may_v hold_v all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o a_o great_a and_o a_o populous_a city_n for_o such_o be_v it_o now_o grow_v by_o the_o kindness_n and_o devotion_n of_o the_o christian_a emperor_n and_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n who_o resort_v thither_o from_o all_o part_n to_o visit_v the_o sepulchre_n and_o other_o place_n render_v venerable_a for_o have_v be_v the_o scene_n of_o some_o of_o the_o most_o important_a action_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o i_o think_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o make_v some_o allowance_n to_o such_o general_a expression_n than_o to_o find_v a_o church_n in_o jerusalem_n at_o that_o time_n capacious_a enough_o to_o receive_v all_o the_o man_n woman_n and_o child_n of_o that_o city_n chap._n vi_o i_o have_v follow_v the_o tract_n of_o mr._n clerkson_n discourse_n through_o village_n and_o city_n from_o the_o small_a to_o the_o great_a in_o search_n of_o primitive_a episcopacy_n and_o must_v confess_v that_o he_o have_v labour_v hard_o partly_o by_o diminish_v of_o ancient_a city_n and_o especial_o by_o lessen_v the_o christian_n to_o prove_v that_o no_o bishop_n have_v in_o his_o city_n a_o great_a flock_n for_o three_o or_o almost_o four_o age_n than_o can_v assemble_v in_o one_o church_n how_o well_o he_o have_v perform_v this_o undertake_n i_o dare_v not_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o say_v be_v too_o far_o engage_v in_o the_o dispute_n to_o be_v a_o judge_n of_o his_o performance_n yet_o shall_v all_o his_o testimony_n amount_v to_o a_o full_a evidence_n of_o the_o fact_n that_o the_o great_a city_n for_o so_o many_o age_n have_v no_o more_o christian_n than_o may_v join_v with_o the_o bishop_n in_o one_o assembly_n he_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o main_a point_n which_o be_v not_o whether_o the_o bishop_n have_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o in_o the_o place_n of_o his_o residence_n but_o whether_o in_o his_o whole_a diocese_n he_o have_v no_o more_o i_o know_v some_o bishop_n who_o reside_v in_o place_n that_o can_v scarce_o furnish_v a_o decent_a congregation_n and_o yet_o have_v more_o than_o a_o hundred_o within_o their_o diocese_n and_o in_o some_o of_o our_o city_n i_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o the_o whole_a people_n make_v common_a allowance_n for_o necessary_a absent_v may_v be_v contain_v within_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o cathedral_n yet_o this_o be_v but_o a_o small_a part_n of_o the_o bishop_n flock_n if_o therefore_o in_o ancient_a time_n when_o mr._n clerkson_n fancy_v there_o be_v another_o species_n of_o episcopacy_n the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o or_o not_o very_o different_a all_o the_o pain_n he_o have_v bestow_v in_o the_o reduction_n of_o city_n into_o a_o single_a congregation_n and_o all_o the_o earthquake_n and_o pestilence_n which_o he_o call_v to_o his_o assistance_n to_o lessen_v the_o number_n of_o the_o people_n may_v have_v be_v spare_v what_o country_n or_o territory_n the_o ancient_a bishop_n have_v beside_o the_o city_n where_o they_o live_v come_v now_o under_o examination_n and_o if_o it_o shall_v appear_v by_o testimony_n unexceptionable_a that_o the_o ancient_a city_n have_v large_a territory_n and_o that_o these_o territory_n be_v under_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n and_o that_o the_o people_n there_o be_v too_o numerous_a and_o too_o far_o distant_a to_o be_v able_a to_o come_v to_o the_o bishop_n church_n then_o i_o hope_v we_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o trouble_v with_o this_o new_a way_n of_o measure_v ancient_a bishopric_n by_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o city_n wall_n here_o then_o lie_v the_o stress_n of_o the_o question_n concern_v primitive_a episcopacy_n and_o i_o can_v but_o observe_v
his_o son_n this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o angier_n and_o some_o other_o place_n mention_v in_o the_o same_o author_n which_o he_o prove_v by_o the_o number_n of_o succession_n for_o instance_n defensor_fw-la who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o ordainer_n of_o st._n martin_n be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o angier_n there_o be_v but_o ten_o bishop_n of_o vermand_n before_o sophronius_n who_o subscribe_v in_o the_o synod_n of_o orleans_n anno_fw-la 511._o and_o silvanus_n be_v but_o the_o nine_o bishop_n of_o senlis_n who_o be_v also_o present_a at_o the_o same_o synod_n and_o the_o same_o author_n prove_v 10._o prove_v buch._n belg._n rom._n l._n 8._o c._n 10._o that_o in_o the_o two_o belgic_a province_n the_o bishopric_n preserve_v the_o same_o bound_n from_o constantin_n time_n to_o the_o last_o age_n when_o pius_n the_o four_o erect_v new_a sea_n and_o certain_o there_o be_v few_o place_n in_o the_o world_n where_o there_o be_v long_a bishopric_n it_o be_v evident_a beyond_o all_o reasonable_a doubt_n that_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o three_o first_o age_n be_v far_o less_o than_o in_o those_o that_o follow_v nor_o have_v i_o meet_v with_o any_o who_o call_v this_o in_o question_n but_o mr._n seldon_n he_o indeed_o be_v in_o great_a distress_n for_o his_o arabian_a fabler_n who_o bring_v above_o two_o thousand_o bishop_n to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o save_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o author_n suggest_v 85._o suggest_v selden_n in_o eutych_n orig._n p._n 83._o 84._o 85._o that_o in_o constantin_n time_n and_o before_o dioceses_n have_v other_o bound_n and_o bishopric_n be_v more_o numerous_a and_o of_o less_o extent_n than_o in_o the_o succeed_a age_n when_o christianity_n be_v establish_v by_o law_n that_o the_o bound_n of_o ancient_a bishopric_n be_v altogether_o unknown_a and_o those_o which_o follow_v the_o civil_a distribution_n of_o the_o province_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v new_a he_o mention_n and_o recommend_v berterius_n and_o salmasius_n concern_v the_o suburbicary_n region_n upon_o this_o occasion_n but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v they_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o his_o purpose_n or_o that_o they_o be_v of_o his_o opinion_n it_o be_v strange_a a_o person_n of_o so_o great_a read_n shall_v advance_v a_o notion_n concern_v ancient_a time_n against_o the_o general_a opinion_n of_o learned_a man_n without_o any_o testimony_n from_o antiquity_n to_o give_v it_o countenance_n especial_o when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o thing_n in_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o three_o and_o four_o century_n that_o seem_v to_o overthrow_v it_o what!_o do_v not_o the_o church_n before_o constantine_n follow_v the_o civil_a disposition_n how_o then_o come_v the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n to_o have_v jurisdiction_n over_o egypt_n lybia_n and_o pentapolis_n so_o long_o before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a for_o there_o it_o be_v confirm_v as_o a_o ancient_a and_o immemorial_n custom_n how_o come_v the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n to_o challenge_v the_o suburbicary_n region_n by_o the_o same_o prescription_n and_o before_o this_o how_o come_v cyprian_a to_o preside_v in_o the_o general_a or_o provincial_a synod_n of_o africa_n but_o in_o the_o right_n of_o his_o city_n he_o be_v not_o long_o a_o bishop_n and_o can_v not_o preside_v by_o his_o seniority_n which_o in_o the_o other_o province_n of_o africa_n take_v place_n after_o the_o right_n of_o metropolitan_o have_v be_v settle_v in_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n how_o come_v cornelius_n to_o assemble_v the_o bishop_n of_o italy_n and_o to_o preside_v when_o he_o be_v so_o young_a a_o bishop_n but_o by_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o his_o city_n these_o thing_n be_v so_o obvious_a that_o they_o can_v be_v avoid_v as_o to_o the_o number_n of_o bishopric_n what_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o they_o be_v general_o according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o city_n those_o province_n which_o have_v most_o city_n have_v most_o bishop_n but_o in_o the_o general_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o number_n of_o bishopric_n be_v much_o less_o before_o constantine_n than_o since_o africa_n make_v this_o clear_a beyond_o contradiction_n and_o whoever_o compare_v either_o the_o provincial_n or_o general_a synod_n of_o that_o country_n in_o cyprian_n time_n with_o those_o that_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o age_n will_v quick_o be_v convince_v the_o general_a synod_n under_o cyprian_a concern_v the_o rebaptise_v of_o heretic_n have_v but_o eighty_o seven_o bishop_n of_o who_o there_o be_v four_o subscribe_v from_o the_o province_n of_o tripoli_n two_o present_a and_o two_o by_o proxy_n who_o in_o all_o probability_n be_v all_o of_o the_o province_n which_o in_o the_o next_o age_n when_o bishop_n be_v multiply_v every_o where_o else_o in_o africa_n beyond_o all_o example_n have_v but_o one_o more_o and_o it_o can_v be_v well_o doubt_v but_o other_o province_n send_v in_o the_o same_o proportion_n for_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o remote_a and_o be_v spare_v by_o follow_a synod_n upon_o that_o account_n as_o to_o the_o number_n it_o be_v to_o send_v to_o synod_n athanasius_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o four_o century_n affirm_v that_o mareote_n a_o large_a region_n belong_v to_o alexandria_n never_o have_v a_o bishop_n but_o always_o belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n why_o but_o because_o it_o be_v part_n of_o its_o territory_n so_o this_o fancy_n of_o mr._n selden_n be_v disprove_v by_o undoubted_a evidence_n and_o the_o contrary_n be_v too_o plain_a to_o be_v dispute_v the_o christian_n in_o the_o first_o three_o age_n be_v disperse_v over_o the_o empire_n so_o that_o there_o be_v hardly_o a_o town_n where_o there_o be_v not_o some_o and_o those_o if_o they_o have_v no_o bishop_n have_v a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o deacon_n for_o divine_a service_n now_o the_o few_o bishop_n be_v find_v in_o those_o time_n the_o more_o of_o these_o subordinate_a officer_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v of_o these_o there_o be_v not_o one_o independent_a from_o some_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o the_o few_o bishop_n the_o more_o congregation_n they_o must_v have_v under_o their_o inspection_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o compare_v the_o account_n tertullian_n give_v of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o their_o dispersion_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o place_n we_o must_v conclude_v the_o diocese_n of_o the_o first_o age_n to_o be_v large_a than_o of_o those_o that_o succeed_v if_o not_o for_o multitude_n at_o leastwise_o for_o extent_n and_o number_n of_o small_a congregation_n in_o the_o four_o and_o five_o century_n we_o read_v of_o many_o new_a bishopric_n erect_v but_o of_o no_o old_a one_o unite_v or_o sink_v and_o those_o canon_n which_o forbid_v the_o make_n of_o bishop_n in_o village_n do_v express_o except_o those_o where_o there_o have_v be_v any_o before_o so_o that_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o these_o age_n in_o which_o mr._n selden_n suppose_v a_o alteration_n the_o number_n of_o the_o old_a bishopric_n can_v not_o be_v diminish_v and_o it_o be_v plain_a by_o many_o instance_n that_o they_o be_v increase_v nor_o can_v this_o pretend_a change_n of_o the_o bound_n of_o diocese_n in_o the_o four_o century_n be_v make_v without_o great_a clamour_n and_o disturbance_n for_o there_o never_o be_v a_o age_n of_o great_a animosity_n among_o christian_n the_o party_n be_v very_o watchful_a and_o cry_v out_o upon_o every_o the_o least_o innovation_n what_o complaint_n must_v we_o have_v hear_v if_o all_o the_o diocese_n in_o the_o empire_n must_v have_v be_v cast_v as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o new_a mould_n and_o so_o many_o by_o this_o reduction_n must_v have_v lose_v either_o the_o whole_a or_o part_n of_o their_o bishopric_n if_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n have_v be_v so_o much_o as_o attempt_v it_o be_v impossible_a but_o some_o account_n must_v have_v be_v leave_v of_o it_o by_o a_o age_n so_o much_o abound_v in_o writer_n however_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o our_o present_a purpose_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o age_n be_v diocesan_n and_o have_v many_o of_o they_o more_o congregation_n than_o one_o within_o their_o diocese_n before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o century_n manes_n be_v say_v 13._o say_v epiph._n haeres_fw-la 66._o n._n 13._o to_o have_v dispute_v with_o archelaus_n bishop_n of_o caschara_n in_o mesopatamia_n where_o it_o seem_v the_o people_n be_v general_o christian_n for_o they_o be_v so_o provoke_v by_o the_o blasphemy_n of_o that_o heretic_n that_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o stone_n he_o wherefore_o manes_n force_v out_o of_o that_o city_n go_v into_o 〈◊〉_d into_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o village_n that_o belong_v to_o it_o at_o a_o considerable_a distance_n as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o story_n suggest_v where_o there_o be_v a_o parish-presbyter_n name_v tryphon_n who_o have_v the_o care_n of_o that_o parish_n so_o that_o
the_o parish_n of_o the_o territory_n have_v no_o bishop_n but_o presbyter_n under_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n in_o the_o prefecture_n of_o arsinoe_n where_o nepos_n have_v be_v bishop_n there_o be_v many_o country_n parish_n under_o presbyter_n who_o belong_v to_o that_o bishop_n as_o 24._o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d eus_n h._n l_o 7._o c._n 24._o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n relate_v and_o it_o be_v usual_a within_o the_o three_o first_o century_n to_o mention_v many_o church_n belong_v to_o one_o bishop_n mark_n be_v say_v 16._o say_v euseb_n h._n l._n 2._o c._n 16._o to_o have_v gather_v several_a church_n in_o alexandria_n and_o julian_n one_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n be_v say_v 9_o say_v id._n l._n 5._o c._n 9_o to_o have_v have_v the_o oversight_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n the_o same_o thing_n be_v say_v 2._o say_v id._n l._n 6._o c._n 2._o of_o demetrius_n and_o dionysius_n 35._o dionysius_n id._n l._n 6._o c._n 35._o and_o peter_n bishop_n of_o that_o place_n so_o basilides_n be_v style_v by_o dionysius_n 26._o dionysius_n eus_n h._n l._n 7._o c._n 26._o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o pentapolis_n silvanus_n bishop_n 13._o bishop_n id._n l._n 8._o c._n 13._o of_o the_o church_n of_o gaza_n and_o another_o of_o the_o same_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o emesa_n and_o meletius_n bishop_n 32._o bishop_n id._n l._n 7._o c._n 32._o of_o the_o church_n of_o pontus_n which_o stile_n can_v in_o any_o constructon_n suit_n a_o bishop_n of_o a_o single_a congregation_n after_o have_v clear_v the_o main_a point_n in_o question_n it_o may_v seem_v needless_a to_o take_v any_o far_a notice_n of_o mr._n clerkson_n discourse_n for_o have_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o fact_n to_o allege_v far_o he_o proceed_v to_o draw_v corollary_n only_o from_o what_o he_o have_v say_v before_o and_o walk_v forward_o in_o great_a security_n and_o confidence_n that_o he_o have_v prove_v his_o point_n how_o different_a his_o fancy_n of_o antiquity_n be_v from_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o the_o matter_n do_v by_o this_o time_n i_o hope_v sufficient_o appear_v however_o i_o will_v follow_v he_o still_o and_o when_o he_o offer_v any_o thing_n that_o have_v the_o countenance_n of_o a_o argument_n it_o shall_v not_o pass_v without_o some_o notice_n take_v of_o it_o 116._o it_o prim._n ep_v 116._o if_o the_o territory_n be_v large_a he_o fancy_v the_o christian_n be_v but_o few_o in_o village_n because_o those_o be_v last_o of_o all_o convert_v hence_o heathen_a idolater_n be_v call_v pagani_n but_o the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o make_v convert_v in_o the_o country_n as_o well_o as_o the_o city_n according_a to_o clemens_n and_o tertullian_n boast_v of_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n affirm_v there_o be_v no_o village_n nor_o place_n without_o they_o in_o his_o time_n but_o when_o the_o city_n become_v entire_o convert_v the_o heathen_a retire_v into_o the_o country_n and_o though_o they_o be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o christian_n yet_o there_o they_o be_v most_o numerous_a he_o tell_v we_o 117._o we_o prim._n ep_v p._n 117._o there_o be_v many_o village_n in_o the_o four_o age_n in_o which_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n very_o many_o in_o which_o there_o be_v but_o few_o and_o but_o few_o in_o comparison_n in_o which_o all_o be_v christian_n the_o affirmation_n of_o a_o man_n who_o be_v a_o humble_a servant_n to_o a_o new_a notion_n concern_v distant_a matter_n of_o fact_n make_v but_o bad_a payment_n thus_o therefore_o he_o prove_v it_o if_o a_o village_n whole_o christian_n have_v not_o be_v a_o rarity_n even_o in_o jerom_n time_n why_o do_v he_o make_v it_o a_o singular_a observation_n of_o jethura_n hebr._n jethura_n hieron_n de_fw-fr loc._n hebr._n villa_n praegrandis_fw-la jethura_n habitatoresque_fw-la ejus_fw-la omnes_fw-la christiani_n sunt_fw-la sure_o a_o reason_n may_v be_v assign_v without_o make_v this_o matter_n such_o a_o rarity_n and_o st._n jerom_n in_o the_o same_o place_n do_v suggest_v it_o when_o he_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v situate_a in_o daroma_n near_a malatha_n for_o in_o that_o part_n it_o seem_v there_o be_v not_o many_o pagan_n but_o jew_n for_o in_o daroma_n there_o be_v eschemo_fw-la be_v hieron_n de_fw-fr loc._n hebr._n in_o eschemo_fw-la a_o great_a village_n of_o the_o jew_n call_v eschemo_n this_o be_v some_o remote_a part_n where_o it_o seem_v they_o retire_v and_o for_o that_o reason_n it_o may_v be_v observe_v of_o jethura_n that_o it_o be_v all_o christian_n 117._o christian_n prim._n ep_v p._n 117._o when_o christian_n in_o the_o territory_n be_v many_o yet_o be_v dispose_v as_o general_o they_o be_v under_o other_o bishop_n than_o he_o in_o the_o city_n his_o diocese_n have_v no_o enlargement_n thereby_o how_o far_o this_o be_v from_o be_v true_a be_v sufficient_o evident_a from_o the_o instance_n give_v of_o the_o diocese_n of_o city_n bishop_n and_o mr._n clerkson_n allege_v nothing_o for_o proof_n but_o the_o bishop_n of_o hippo_n who_o only_o meet_v there_o in_o a_o synod_n as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o 119._o before_o prim._n ep_v p._n 119._o he_o mention_n 8._o mention_n aug._n civ_o dei_fw-la l._n 22._o c._n 8._o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o castle_n syâ—ica_n near_o to_o hippo_n but_o not_o in_o the_o region_n for_o he_o express_o distinguish_v and_o say_v it_o be_v near_o the_o colony_n of_o hippo._n he_o mention_n a_o few_o african_a bishop_n in_o the_o territory_n of_o city_n but_o we_o have_v already_o show_v that_o it_o be_v schism_n erect_v those_o bishop_n in_o village_n and_o that_o from_o the_o beginning_n it_o be_v not_o so_o basinopolis_n whiâ—â—_n be_v once_o a_o village_n and_o make_v a_o city_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o diocese_n of_o nice_a and_o be_v no_o long_o under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o nicene_n bishop_n and_o so_o be_v ely_n and_o peterborough_n and_o oxford_n take_v from_o the_o diocese_n of_o lincoln_n and_o yet_o the_o remainder_n be_v still_o enormous_o great_a he_o tell_v we_o too_o of_o a_o bishopric_n raise_v in_o the_o precinct_n of_o caesarea_n in_o cappadocia_n but_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o it_o and_o half_o a_o dozen_o more_o diocese_n may_v have_v be_v well_o spare_v out_o of_o caesarea_n at_o last_o he_o come_v to_o 121._o to_o prim._n ep_v p._n 121._o the_o territory_n of_o rome_n if_o that_o be_v it_o which_o be_v under_o the_o provost_n of_o the_o city_n it_o be_v well_o he_o demur_v upon_o this_o point_n for_o that_o indeed_o be_v not_o the_o territory_n but_o the_o province_n of_o the_o city_n and_o consist_v of_o several_a province_n and_o the_o bishop_n there_o though_o they_o be_v many_o be_v not_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n nor_o be_v all_o the_o bishop_n he_o find_v in_o the_o roman_a provincial_a in_o the_o province_n of_o rome_n within_o the_o distance_n of_o a_o hundred_o mile_n but_o of_o this_o a_o large_a account_n have_v be_v give_v he_o note_v far_a that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o parish_n or_o church_n in_o the_o territory_n of_o rome_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o city_n bishop_n and_o for_o this_o he_o cite_v innocent_n epistle_n to_o decentius_n cum_fw-la omnes_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la nostrae_fw-la intra_fw-la civitatem_fw-la constitutae_fw-la sunt_fw-la if_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v no_o country_n parish_n than_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n have_v the_o more_o but_o we_o be_v not_o to_o conclude_v this_o too_o hasty_o for_o it_o be_v not_o very_o certain_a where_o that_o which_o he_o call_v the_o city_n end_v nor_o yet_o what_o sort_n of_o church_n he_o speak_v of_o for_o he_o have_v presbyter_n in_o other_o place_n beside_o those_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o such_o as_o consecrate_v the_o sacrament_n themselves_o and_o consequent_o have_v congregation_n for_o then_o there_o be_v no_o private_a mass_n and_o to_o these_o he_o do_v 122._o do_v nec_fw-la nos_fw-la per_fw-la caemiteria_fw-la diversa_fw-la constitutis_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la destinamus_fw-la et_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la eorum_fw-la consecrandorum_fw-la jus_o habeant_fw-la innoc._n add_v decent_a prim._n ep_v p._n 122._o not_o send_v the_o sacrament_n consecrate_v because_o they_o have_v authority_n to_o do_v it_o themselves_o and_o these_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o be_v in_o his_o diocese_n to_o this_o he_o add_v some_o instance_n of_o bishop_n who_o jurisdiction_n be_v confine_v within_o their_o wall_n some_o in_o italy_n and_o that_o of_o dublin_n when_o john_n papyron_n the_o pope_n legate_n come_v over_o but_o all_o these_o be_v new_a and_o that_o of_o dublin_n be_v so_o too_o 83._o too_o usher_n relig._n of_o the_o irish_a p._n 83._o for_o that_o be_v a_o norman_a colony_n and_o the_o irish_a possess_v all_o without_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o city_n the_o norman_a bishop_n jurisdiction_n can_v extend_v no_o far_o than_o the_o
have_v already_o make_v that_o all_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v present_a at_o the_o election_n of_o bishop_n that_o the_o bishop_n be_v to_o examine_v the_o state_n of_o the_o penitent_n that_o he_o be_v to_o preach_v to_o all_o the_o brethren_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o communion_n table_n in_o a_o diocese_n all_o these_o have_v be_v answer_v already_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o many_o instance_n as_o well_o as_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o country_n have_v distinct_a congregation_n and_o settle_a presbyter_n to_o attend_v they_o all_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o city_n bishop_n that_o their_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v administer_v there_o by_o those_o presbyter_n that_o as_o for_o discipline_n and_o confirmation_n the_o bishop_n visit_v those_o place_n in_o person_n that_o those_o congregation_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o repair_v to_o the_o city-church_n so_o much_o as_o on_o easter_n or_o the_o most_o solemn_a festival_n these_o thing_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o word_n can_v express_v athanasius_n basil_n augustin_n and_o several_a other_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o visitation_n and_o jerom_n lucif_n jerom_n hieron_n cont._n lucif_n can_v deny_v it_o to_o be_v a_o ancient_a custom_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n shall_v visit_v the_o village_n and_o burrough_n and_o remote_a place_n of_o his_o diocese_n to_o confirm_v those_o who_o have_v be_v baptize_v there_o by_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o precarious_a and_o more_o destitute_a of_o the_o appearance_n of_o truth_n than_o the_o deduction_n our_o author_n make_v of_o the_o progress_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n and_o the_o rise_v of_o it_o from_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o congregational_a model_n 191._o model_n prim._n ep_v p._n 191._o a_o bishop_n of_o a_o country_n parish_n will_v be_v strive_v to_o get_v another_o parish_n under_o he_o the_o three_o council_n of_o carthage_n can._n 46._o take_v notice_n of_o such_o bishop_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o direct_o against_o his_o purpose_n than_o that_o canon_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o such_o country_n place_n as_o have_v bishop_n be_v of_o new_a erection_n that_o they_o have_v be_v ever_o before_o part_n of_o a_o great_a diocese_n 46._o diocese_n quae_fw-la exempta_fw-la de_fw-la fasce_fw-la multarum_fw-la sola_fw-la meruit_fw-la honorem_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la suscipere_fw-la can._n 46._o and_o take_v out_o of_o a_o multitude_n which_o belong_v all_o to_o one_o bishop_n that_o some_o of_o these_o new_a bishop_n challenge_v other_o part_n of_o the_o diocese_n out_o of_o which_o their_o bishopric_n be_v take_v beside_o that_o which_o be_v appoint_v they_o so_o that_o the_o design_n of_o mr._n clerkson_n be_v defeat_v by_o his_o own_o evidence_n for_o whereas_o he_o will_v suggest_v that_o dioceses_n do_v rise_v by_o the_o encroachment_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o one_o parish_n upon_o another_o and_o by_o join_v parish_n to_o parish_n the_o quite_o contrary_a appear_v from_o the_o place_n allege_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o one_o parish_n as_o he_o call_v he_o be_v raise_v by_o crumble_a of_o ancient_a diocese_n and_o that_o the_o other_o parish_n which_o he_o be_v say_v to_o challenge_v be_v not_o such_o a_o one_o as_o have_v a_o parish_n bishop_n to_o itself_o but_o be_v part_n of_o a_o diocese_n consist_v of_o many_o such_o and_o that_o this_o large_a bishopric_n be_v the_o ancient_a the_o small_a a_o innovation_n i_o perceive_v that_o conscience_n do_v not_o always_o operate_v alike_o in_o those_o who_o pretend_v so_o great_a niceness_n for_o while_o they_o take_v offence_n and_o start_n at_o a_o trifle_n they_o make_v no_o scruple_n of_o sin_n of_o unfaithfulness_n and_o represent_v that_o as_o truth_n and_o reality_n which_o in_o their_o own_o conscience_n they_o know_v to_o be_v otherwise_o 191._o otherwise_o prim._n ep_v p._n 191._o when_o a_o bishop_n have_v part_n of_o a_o city_n he_o be_v unsatisfied_a till_o he_o have_v get_v the_o whole_a thus_o flavianus_n at_o antioch_n will_v not_o suffer_v a_o bishop_n to_o be_v make_v to_o succeed_v evagrius_n that_o he_o may_v have_v the_o city_n entire_a to_o himself_o one_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v that_o in_o ancient_a time_n antioch_n be_v divide_v between_o many_o bishop_n and_o that_o this_o flavianus_n be_v the_o first_o ambitious_a man_n who_o will_v have_v the_o city_n entire_a to_o himself_o whereas_o before_o the_o schism_n that_o distract_v the_o church_n of_o that_o place_n the_o city_n have_v ever_o have_v but_o one_o bishop_n but_o the_o arrian_n have_v the_o possession_n of_o the_o public_a church_n and_o be_v establish_v there_o by_o authority_n the_o catholic_n party_n which_o be_v very_o low_o there_o at_o that_o time_n happen_v 15._o happen_v socr._n l._n 3._o c._n 6._o 9_o soz._n l._n 7._o c._n 15._o to_o be_v divide_v meletius_n be_v bishop_n of_o one_o part_n and_o paulinus_n of_o the_o other_o this_o be_v against_o the_o rule_n and_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v agree_v to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o irregularity_n by_o unite_n all_o when_o one_o shall_v die_v under_o the_o survivor_n flavianus_n break_v this_o agreement_n for_o when_o meletius_n die_v he_o procure_v himself_o to_o be_v make_v bishop_n in_o his_o stead_n against_o paulinus_n who_o be_v the_o survivor_n and_o he_o likewise_o die_a his_o party_n choose_v evagrius_n in_o opposition_n to_o flavianus_n who_o when_o that_o competitor_n be_v dead_a endeavour_v to_o hinder_v the_o ordination_n of_o a_o successor_n and_o this_o be_v the_o story_n which_o mr._n clerkson_n think_v fit_a to_o bring_v as_o a_o proof_n how_o a_o bishop_n of_o a_o part_n of_o a_o city_n be_v unsatisfied_a till_o he_o have_v the_o whole_a as_o if_o it_o be_v the_o rule_n or_o allow_v practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n to_o divide_v a_o city_n between_o many_o bishop_n 192._o bishop_n prim._n ep_v p._n 192._o when_o a_o bishop_n have_v a_o great_a city_n yet_o some_o village_n in_o the_o vicinity_n he_o can_v not_o endure_v shall_v be_v exempt_a from_o his_o jurisdiction_n majuma_n find_v this_o to_o its_o trouble_n this_o have_v always_o be_v under_o gaza_n until_o it_o be_v make_v a_o city_n by_o constantine_n so_o that_o its_o separation_n from_o the_o diocese_n of_o gaza_n be_v the_o innovation_n it_o be_v dependence_n upon_o that_o bishop_n be_v its_o ancient_a and_o primitive_a state_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n do_v not_o desire_v to_o make_v a_o new_a accession_n to_o his_o bishopric_n but_o to_o recover_v what_o have_v be_v take_v from_o it_o 192._o it_o prim._n ep_v p._n 192._o not_o satisfy_v with_o one_o city_n some_o will_v have_v two_o so_o four_o bishop_n in_o europa_n a_o province_n of_o thrace_n get_v each_o of_o they_o two_o city_n under_o he_o yet_o be_v it_o positive_o affirm_v of_o those_o city_n that_o they_o have_v always_o belong_v to_o one_o bishop_n this_o be_v their_o primitive_a constitution_n it_o be_v possible_a some_o of_o they_o be_v but_o late_o make_v city_n and_o have_v be_v village_n before_o in_o the_o territory_n of_o another_o city_n they_o continue_v in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a subjection_n after_o they_o be_v make_v city_n yet_o these_o be_v afterward_o part_v so_o far_o be_v succeed_v age_n from_o reduce_v the_o number_n of_o bishopric_n for_o arcadiopolis_n which_o be_v join_v to_o byzia_n in_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n and_o there_o affirm_v to_o have_v be_v so_o immemorial_o under_o justinian_n have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o as_o we_o find_v by_o the_o subscription_n sacr._n subscription_n not._n graec._n leon._n in_o append._n geogr._n sacr._n of_o the_o five_o synod_n panium_n join_v to_o heraclea_n be_v afterward_o divide_v from_o it_o and_o make_v a_o distinct_a bishopric_n have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o in_o the_o council_n under_o menna_n 2._o menna_n conc._n c._n p._n sub_fw-la menna_n act._n 2._o so_o that_o this_o instance_n as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n prove_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o it_o be_v produce_v that_o which_o follow_v concern_v the_o encroachment_n of_o one_o metropolitan_a upon_o the_o province_n of_o another_o i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o since_o it_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o present_a question_n have_v abuse_v so_o many_o testimony_n of_o ancient_a writer_n direct_o against_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o author_n to_o countenance_v his_o dream_n of_o congregational_a episcopacy_n he_o do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o conclude_v without_o 197._o without_o prim._n ep_v p._n 197._o take_v notice_n what_o thought_n some_o of_o the_o best_a and_o most_o eminent_a bishop_n of_o the_o four_o and_o five_o age_n have_v of_o a_o very_a large_a bishopric_n and_o thereby_o he_o think_v he_o shall_v perceive_v that_o if_o