general_a sense_n which_o i_o suppose_v be_v speak_v with_o respect_n to_o that_o particular_a congregation_n in_o which_o arrius_n be_v to_o have_v be_v reconcile_v if_o he_o have_v live_v but_o one_o night_n long_o and_o that_o the_o author_n intend_v only_o to_o say_v that_o that_o service_n be_v perform_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o the_o joy_n of_o that_o church_n which_o the_o bishop_n apprehend_v will_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o great_a trouble_n to_o it_o and_o that_o with_o all_o the_o brethren_n there_o present_a not_o all_o the_o believer_n of_o constantinople_n for_o that_o he_o do_v not_o say_v he_o pray_v to_o and_o praise_v god_n for_o what_o have_v happen_v unless_o you_o will_v say_v that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o signify_v their_o personal_a presence_n but_o only_o their_o unanimity_n aquila_n *_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d aquila_n as_o that_o of_o david_n ps_n 33.3_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o conclude_v this_o point_n then_o theodoret_n can_v not_o think_v that_o all_o the_o believer_n of_o c._n p._n can_v come_v together_o to_o the_o bishop_n church_n for_o he_o cite_v a_o letter_n of_o constantine_n a_o little_a after_o this_o where_o he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o great_a increase_n of_o that_o church_n 16._o c._n 16._o in_o the_o city_n that_o be_v call_v by_o my_o name_n say_v he_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o people_n have_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o church_n and_o all_o thing_n there_o wonderful_o increase_v it_o seem_v very_o requisite_a that_o more_o church_n shall_v be_v build_v understand_v therefore_o hereby_o what_o i_o have_v resolve_v to_o do_v i_o think_v fit_a to_o order_v you_o to_o provide_v fifty_o bibles_n fair_o and_o legible_o write_v etc._n etc._n which_o he_o signify_v in_o the_o same_o place_n to_o be_v design_v for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n there_o now_o where_o christian_n be_v so_o multiply_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o build_v more_o church_n and_o to_o make_v such_o provision_n for_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o assembly_n it_o can_v not_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v all_o make_v but_o one_o congregation_n it_o will_v swell_v this_o preface_n to_o too_o great_a a_o bulk_n if_o i_o shall_v answer_v the_o rest_n so_o particular_o therefore_o i_o shall_v be_v more_o brief_a but_o as_o plain_a as_o i_o can_v p._n 10_o 11_o 12._o this_o author_n give_v several_a instance_n of_o several_a bishop_n be_v in_o one_o city_n at_o the_o same_o time_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o dean_n of_o paul_n who_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v but_o one_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v no_o more_o than_o one_o so_o cornelius_n affirm_v that_o in_o a_o catholic_n church_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o more_o and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a find_v expedient_n even_o against_o the_o show_n and_o appearance_n of_o two_o bishop_n be_v together_o in_o one_o place_n jerusalem_n be_v the_o first_o instance_n which_o be_v say_v to_o have_v have_v several_a bishop_n together_o in_o the_o time_n of_o narcissus_n i_o wonder_v to_o find_v a_o man_n of_o learning_n cite_v this_o passage_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o disadvantageous_a to_o his_o cause_n for_o 1._o narcissus_n have_v retire_v and_o the_o people_n not_o know_v what_o have_v become_v of_o he_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n ordain_v dius_n in_o his_o place_n who_o die_v in_o a_o short_a time_n be_v succeed_v by_o germanicio_n in_o his_o time_n narcissus_n return_v and_o be_v desire_v by_o the_o church_n to_o resume_v his_o office_n what_o become_v of_o germanition_fw-la be_v not_o say_v probable_o he_o resign_v or_o die_v present_o for_o the_o next_o thing_n we_o find_v be_v that_o narcissus_n be_v very_o old_a a_o hundred_o and_o sixteen_o year_n of_o age_n take_v alexander_n into_o a_o participation_n of_o the_o charge_n he_o be_v indeed_o the_o bishop_n and_o narcissus_n retain_v but_o the_o title_n and_o name_n only_o as_o we_o may_v gather_v out_o of_o alexander_n letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 11._o euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 11._o i._n e._n who_o be_v bishop_n before_o i_o and_o who_o now_o join_v with_o i_o in_o prayer_n the_o administration_n be_v it_o seem_v whole_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o alexander_n for_o the_o historian_n say_v of_o narcissus_n before_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o officiate_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o great_a age_n and_o valesius_fw-la confirm_v this_o in_o his_o note_n upon_o the_o place_n hoc_fw-la enim_fw-la sibi-vult_a alexander_n narcissum_fw-la in_o orationibus_fw-la duntaxat_fw-la non_fw-la in_o reliquo_fw-la episcopali_fw-la munere_fw-la sibi_fw-la collegam_fw-la fuisse_fw-la and_o then_o exit_fw-la quibus_fw-la apparet_fw-la alexandrum_fw-la non_fw-la tam_fw-la adjutorem_fw-la quam_fw-la episcopum_fw-la in_o locum_fw-la narcissi_fw-la utpote_fw-la jam_fw-la decrepiti_fw-la factum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la narcissum_fw-la verò_fw-la nudum_fw-la nomen_fw-la episcopi_fw-la atque_fw-la honorem_fw-la retinuisse_fw-la the_o next_o instance_n be_v of_o theotecnus_n and_o anatolius_n who_o be_v for_o some_o time_n bishop_n of_o caesarea_n together_o anatolius_n be_v a_o person_n of_o extraordinary_a learning_n and_o ability_n and_o theotecnus_n design_v to_o make_v he_o his_o successor_n say_v the_o historian_n ordain_v he_o bishop_n in_o his_o life_n time_n 32._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 32._o and_o as_o it_o be_v his_o coadjutor_n or_o episcopus_fw-la designatus_fw-la afterward_o macarius_n and_o maximus_n be_v bishop_n at_o once_o in_o that_o church_n he_o mean_v that_o of_o jerusalem_n though_o that_o of_o caesarea_n be_v the_o last_o he_o mention_v and_o this_o instance_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o other_o for_o sozomen_n write_v that_o first_o of_o all_o he_o be_v secret_o design_v by_o the_o people_n to_o succeed_v macarius_n after_o his_o death_n and_o to_o make_v sure_a of_o his_o succession_n with_o the_o consent_n and_o concurrence_n of_o their_o bishop_n they_o bring_v it_o about_o that_o he_o shall_v stay_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o assist_v macarin_n in_o the_o episcopal_a office_n 20._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 20._o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n after_o his_o death_n to_o govern_v that_o church_n whereas_o before_o he_o do_v only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n assist_v in_o the_o divine_a service_n and_o office_n of_o the_o church_n epiphanius_n continue_v this_o gent._n allege_v by_o grotius_n for_o this_o purpose_n signify_v that_o other_o city_n have_v two_o bishop_n and_o except_v but_o one_o alexandaia_n have_v never_o two_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d his_o meaning_n can_v be_v as_o a_o great_a antiquary_n will_v have_v it_o that_o alexandria_n be_v never_o so_o divide_v as_o that_o several_a party_n in_o it_o shall_v have_v their_o respective_a bishop_n there_o for_o so_o it_o be_v divide_v in_o the_o time_n of_o epiphanius_n when_o the_o catholic_n have_v athanasius_n the_o arrian_n have_v gregorius_n and_o then_o georgius_n and_o afterward_o the_o one_o have_v peter_n the_o other_z lucius_z and_o the_o novatian_o have_v their_o bishop_n successive_o in_o that_o city_n 7._o soc._n l._n 7._o c._n 7._o till_o cyril_n be_v time_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v 1._o that_o epiphanius_n can_v mean_v that_o all_o other_o city_n have_v have_v two_o bishop_n at_o a_o time_n for_o the_o contrary_n be_v too_o notorious_a and_o the_o case_n above_o allege_v be_v extraordinary_a when_o the_o bishop_n or_o people_n of_o a_o city_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o secure_v the_o next_o succession_n to_o some_o extraordinary_a person_n he_o be_v make_v the_o assistant_n and_o coajutor_n of_o that_o bishop_n he_o be_v to_o succeed_v if_o alexandria_n have_v never_o do_v this_o and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o reason_n why_o athanasius_n be_v not_o ordain_v then_o when_o he_o be_v design_v by_o alexander_n i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o advantage_n can_v be_v make_v of_o this_o passage_n the_o practice_n of_o those_o other_o church_n have_v be_v already_o consider_v however_o i_o do_v not_o see_v why_o that_o learned_a antiquary_n opinion_n may_v not_o be_v maintain_v against_o this_o gent_n objection_n he_o say_v that_o alexandria_n be_v divide_v before_o epiphanius_n his_o time_n between_o several_a bishop_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n epiphanius_n speak_v of_o but_o that_o before_o the_o election_n of_o theonas_n against_o athanasius_n who_o be_v before_o appoint_v by_o alexander_n with_o the_o approbation_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v never_o two_o opposite_a bishop_n as_o in_o other_o church_n the_o instance_n be_v all_o late_a than_o this_o fact_n and_o therefore_o be_v insignificant_a unless_o it_o be_v that_o
be_v transcribe_v out_o of_o mr._n baxter_n with_o little_a of_o improvement_n or_o addition_n one_o will_v think_v a_o diligent_a man_n may_v find_v good_a glean_v after_o mr._n b._n but_o dr._n oh_o book_n it_o seem_v be_v answer_v already_o by_o a_o unknown_a hand_n but_o there_o be_v a_o late_a book_n publish_v under_o the_o title_n of_o no_o evidence_n for_o diocesan_n church_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o dean_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v allegation_n out_o of_o antiquity_n for_o such_o church_n etc._n etc._n but_o no_o reply_n be_v yet_o make_v that_o i_o know_v of_o to_o those_o exception_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o take_v off_o such_o of_o they_o as_o may_v concern_v i_o 1._o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n in_o cyprian_n time_n be_v diocesan_n and_o among_o other_o thing_n urge_v for_o it_o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n that_o belong_v to_o that_o church_n even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n when_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v fall_v off_o the_o author_n abovementioned_a except_v against_o this_o where_o it_o be_v allege_v by_o the_o dean_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o offer_v two_o thing_n in_o answer_n 1._o a_o passage_n out_o of_o bishop_n downham_n that_o indeed_o at_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o city_n the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o people_n convert_v be_v sometime_o not_o much_o great_a than_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n place_v among_o they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v but_o a_o small_a congregation_n but_o this_o allegation_n can_v be_v of_o little_a use_n because_o 1._o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v not_o a_o new_a convert_v church_n but_o settle_v long_o before_o and_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n 2._o many_o more_o presbyter_n may_v be_v ordain_v in_o a_o city_n than_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o a_o church_n with_o respect_n to_o future_a increase_n and_o for_o the_o service_n of_o such_o as_o afterward_o shall_v believe_v so_o that_o though_o there_o may_v be_v in_o a_o new_a gather_v church_n almost_o as_o many_o presbyter_n as_o there_o be_v people_n yet_o the_o design_n of_o that_o number_n of_o officer_n may_v be_v for_o several_a congregation_n when_o the_o believer_n of_o that_o place_n shall_v become_v so_o numerous_a as_o not_o to_o be_v contain_v in_o one_o 3._o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o one_o congregational_a church_n may_v be_v occasion_v by_o the_o uncertain_a abide_v of_o most_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o commissioner_n who_o be_v the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o only_a ordainer_n of_o presbyter_n mention_v in_o scripture_n therefore_o they_o may_v ordain_v more_o than_o be_v just_o necessary_a for_o the_o present_a occasion_n of_o a_o church_n because_o they_o can_v not_o be_v present_a to_o ordain_v as_o often_o as_o the_o increase_n of_o a_o church_n or_o vacancy_n or_o other_o necessity_n of_o it_o shall_v require_v but_o that_o any_o church_n fix_v and_o settle_v have_v its_o bishop_n always_o present_a shall_v multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o necessity_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n before_o constantine_n be_v altogether_o incredible_a for_o the_o necessary_a expense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o great_a the_o poor_a numerous_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n not_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o estate_n they_o have_v be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o ruin_v with_o perpetual_a persecution_n be_v it_o credible_a that_o person_n in_o this_o condition_n will_v multiply_v officer_n without_o necessity_n who_o be_v to_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o the_o public_a stock_n as_o cyprian_n affirm_v the_o presbyter_n of_o carthage_n be_v and_o last_o if_o this_o opinion_n of_o bishop_n downham_n have_v any_o certain_a ground_n in_o antiquity_n we_o shall_v probable_o hear_v of_o it_o with_o both_o ear_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v it_o recommend_v upon_o ancient_a authority_n than_o his_o but_o the_o first_o which_o this_o author_n cite_v be_v nazianzen_n who_o complain_v of_o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n in_o his_o time_n this_o have_v be_v already_o allege_v by_o mr._n baxter_n and_o have_v receive_v answer_n and_o he_o that_o can_v answer_v it_o to_o himself_o from_o the_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o cyprian_a and_o in_o nazianzen_n time_n have_v a_o fondness_n for_o the_o argument_n beyond_o my_o skill_n to_o remove_v the_o next_o instance_n of_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o great_a church_n of_o c._n p._n st._n sophia_n the_o great_a perhaps_o in_o the_o world_n will_v do_v as_o little_a service_n as_o the_o complaint_n of_o nazianzen_n justinian_n say_v that_o gentleman_n observe_v that_o officer_n in_o church_n be_v multiply_v beyond_o reason_n and_o measure_n take_v order_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v reduce_v to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o in_o the_o great_a church_n at_o c._n p._n he_o will_v have_v the_o presbyter_n bring_v down_o to_o sixty_o and_o what_o follow_v from_o this_o that_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n be_v become_v extravagant_a in_o justinian_n time_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o their_o number_n in_o cyprian_n for_o this_o very_a edict_n of_o justinian_n show_v that_o this_o multiply_v of_o church-officer_n be_v a_o innovation_n and_o therefore_o will_v have_v they_o reduce_v to_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o that_o first_o establishment_n it_o seem_v admit_v great_a number_n for_o one_o church_n have_v sixty_o true_a but_o it_o must_v also_o be_v note_v first_o that_o these_o sixty_o be_v to_o serve_v more_o than_o one_o church_n for_o there_o be_v three_o more_o beside_o st._n sophia_n to_o be_v supply_v by_o those_o presbyter_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o constitution_n nou._n 3._o c._n 1._o viz._n st._n mary_n church_n and_o that_o of_o theodorus_n the_o martyr_n and_o that_o of_o helena_n as_o some_o but_o of_o irene_n as_o other_o read_v yet_o after_o all_o there_o be_v no_o argument_n to_o be_v draw_v from_o this_o number_n for_o these_o be_v canon_n of_o a_o particular_a foundation_n design_v for_o the_o service_n of_o a_o collegiate_n church_n and_o no_o measure_n to_o be_v take_v from_o hence_o concern_v the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o preface_n of_o the_o say_v novel_a whither_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n but_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o what_o this_o gentleman_n add_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o constantinople_n be_v something_o surprise_v no_o doubt_n say_v he_o they_o the_o presbyter_n be_v more_o numerous_a in_o c._n p._n in_o constantine_n time_n who_o endeavour_v to_o make_v that_o city_n in_o all_o thing_n equal_a to_o rome_n and_o build_v two_o church_n in_o it_o 2._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 2._o yet_o in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o his_o reign_n after_o the_o death_n of_o arrius_n the_o christian_n there_o can_v all_o meet_v together_o for_o worship_n it_o be_v say_v express_o that_o alexander_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o constantine_n build_v two_o church_n in_o c._n p._n sozomen_n do_v not_o say_v but_o that_o he_o build_v many_o and_o very_o great_a church_n there_o 48._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 3._o ed._n vales._n euseb_n de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr const_n l._n 3._o c._n 48._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d after_o the_o same_o manner_n eusebius_n say_v that_o he_o adorn_v the_o city_n that_o he_o call_v after_o his_o own_o name_n with_o many_o church_n and_o great_a temple_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o within_o the_o city_n and_o in_o the_o suburb_n of_o it_o nor_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o two_o church_n much_o less_o one_o can_v suffice_v all_o the_o christian_n in_o c.p._n when_o the_o city_n of_o heliopolis_n be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n require_v more_o and_o constantine_n build_v several_a for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 18._o soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 18._o i._n e._n have_v build_v several_a church_n he_o order_v a_o bishop_n but_o one_o for_o all_o those_o church_n and_o clergy_n to_o be_v ordain_v there_o socrates_n indeed_o say_v that_o constantine_n build_v two_o church_n in_o c._n p._n and_o name_v they_o but_o do_v not_o say_v either_o that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o there_o in_o his_o time_n or_o that_o he_o build_v no_o more_o but_o these_o be_v remarkable_a for_o the_o magnificence_n of_o the_o structure_n be_v perhaps_o upon_o that_o account_n only_o mention_v by_o this_o author_n but_o we_o have_v show_v already_o from_o other_o writer_n of_o as_o good_a or_o better_a credit_n that_o this_o emperor_n build_v there_o very_a many_o and_o very_o great_a church_n nor_o be_v these_o only_a for_o state_n and_o
ornament_n but_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n in_o that_o city_n do_v require_v many_o church_n for_o their_o assembly_n and_o the_o passage_n of_o theodoret_n above_o cite_v do_v not_o import_v the_o contrary_a therefore_o to_o clear_v this_o point_n i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o c._n p._n about_o the_o late_a end_n of_o constantine_n reign_n and_o how_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o meet_v all_o in_o one_o place_n 2._o i_o will_v show_v that_o the_o word_n before_o cite_v do_v not_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o believer_n of_o c._n p._n be_v assemble_v in_o one_o congregation_n with_o alexander_n their_o bishop_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o state_n of_o this_o church_n it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v very_o numerous_a when_o we_o consider_v what_o care_n the_o emperor_n take_v to_o bring_v inhabitant_n to_o it_o from_o all_o part_n some_o from_o rome_n some_o from_o other_o province_n and_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o much_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o that_o come_v to_o inhabit_v the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n favourite_n city_n be_v christian_n 2._o his_o care_n for_o render_v this_o city_n great_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o magnificence_n of_o so_o mighty_a a_o prince_n have_v that_o success_n that_o it_o do_v not_o only_o equal_a old_a rome_n but_o excel_v it_o as_o well_o in_o greatness_n of_o its_o wealth_n as_o the_o multitude_n of_o its_o inhabitant_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v sozom._n 3._o l._n 2._o c._n 3._o and_o the_o same_o author_n add_v that_o the_o piety_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o of_o the_o citizen_n and_o their_o charity_n towards_o the_o poor_a be_v the_o reason_n of_o its_o mighty_a increase_n from_o the_o whence_o may_v be_v judge_v what_o religion_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o city_n do_v profess_v 3._o the_o success_n of_o that_o charity_n do_v not_o only_o add_v to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o citizen_n but_o very_o considerable_o to_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n for_o the_o same_o author_n write_v that_o it_o have_v so_o good_a effect_n there_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i.e._n that_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_n be_v convert_v and_o become_v christian_n 4._o the_o same_o author_n to_o make_v it_o altogether_o a_o christian_a city_n write_v far_a that_o it_o be_v never_o pollute_v with_o any_o heathen_a temple_n or_o sacrifice_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o julian_n the_o apostate_n 5._o the_o provision_n which_o constantine_n make_v for_o the_o burial_n of_o the_o dead_a show_v the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n of_o c._n p._n to_o be_v far_o too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n for_o he_o allot_v to_o that_o charitable_a use_v no_o less_o than_o nine_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o shop_n or_o work-house_n who_o profit_n be_v to_o be_v employ_v in_o bury_v the_o poor_a decent_o which_o shop_n be_v to_o be_v free_a from_o all_o tax_n and_o duty_n to_o the_o prince_n as_o you_o may_v see_v by_o compare_v these_o several_a place_n in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o civil_a law_n n._n 59_o with_o n._n 43._o and_o with_o n._n l._n 12._o and_o honorius_n in_o the_o year_n 409._o consider_v the_o number_n of_o the_o decani_fw-la the_o small_a officer_n that_o attend_v funeral_n to_o have_v grow_v inordinate_a reduce_v they_o to_o nine_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o probable_o the_o first_o establishment_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a see_v justinian_n code_n l._n 1_o t._n 2_o 4._o and_o if_o after_o all_o this_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o church_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o constantine_n reign_n we_o must_v conclude_v some_o wonderful_a mortality_n to_o have_v happen_v and_o that_o these_o decani_fw-la have_v have_v extraordinary_a employment_n and_o bury_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o whole_a city_n but_o let_v they_o believe_v that_o can_v comprehend_v for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v as_o soon_o imagine_v that_o homer_n with_o all_o his_o scholiast_n can_v be_v put_v into_o a_o nut_n shell_n or_o that_o a_o witch_n can_v turn_v herself_o in_o a_o keyhole_n as_o that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n make_v but_o one_o congregation_n but_o notwithstanding_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n may_v be_v much_o too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n yet_o the_o major_a part_n may_v be_v heretic_n or_o schismatic_n such_o as_o come_v not_o to_o the_o bishop_n church_n and_o therefore_o all_o that_o adhere_v to_o he_o may_v be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o constantine_n reign_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n that_o the_o number_n of_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n be_v inconsiderable_a and_o most_o of_o those_o be_v force_v to_o come_v to_o church_n and_o that_o there_o may_v be_v no_o difficulty_n remain_v in_o this_o point_n i_o will_v give_v some_o far_a account_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o catholic_n christian_n in_o comparison_n with_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n constantine_n the_o great_a have_v set_v his_o heart_n upon_o christian_a religion_n to_o settle_v and_o adorn_v it_o he_o think_v nothing_o more_o effectual_a than_o the_o unity_n and_o concord_n of_o christian_n to_o promote_v which_o he_o resolve_v to_o proceed_v against_o all_o heretic_n and_o dissenter_n by_o a_o severe_a law_n and_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n the_o doctrine_n of_o arrius_n though_o it_o begin_v to_o be_v favour_v in_o several_a place_n have_v not_o yet_o make_v a_o formal_a separation_n 32._o l._n 2._o c._n 32._o say_v sozomen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n all_o come_v to_o church_n and_o communicate_v together_o but_o the_o novatian_o and_o some_o old_a heretic_n against_o these_o the_o emperor_n make_v a_o edict_n whereby_o he_o take_v away_o their_o church_n and_o order_v they_o to_o be_v join_v to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o catholic_n he_o tell_v they_o it_o be_v better_a for_o they_o to_o communicate_v with_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o advise_v they_o to_o come_v over_o to_o it_o the_o success_n of_o this_o law_n we_o find_v in_o the_o very_a same_o place_n that_o by_o this_o mean_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o memory_n of_o those_o heresy_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n extinguish_v for_o they_o come_v all_o to_o church_n for_o fear_n of_o that_o law_n against_o their_o conventicle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ibid._n ibid._n and_o those_o that_o persist_v in_o their_o opinion_n have_v no_o opportunity_n to_o conventicle_n nor_o to_o corrupt_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n die_v at_o last_o and_o leave_v none_o to_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o opinion_n only_o the_o novatian_o remain_v who_o say_v the_o author_n do_v not_o suffer_v much_o by_o this_o edict_n be_v befriend_v by_o the_o emperor_n who_o have_v a_o esteem_n for_o their_o bishop_n of_o c._n p._n upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o holiness_n and_o therefore_o his_o church_n there_o be_v not_o much_o endamage_v though_o the_o historian_n speak_v this_o very_a mince_o and_o say_v only_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o so_o it_o be_v and_o likely_o have_v no_o other_o reason_n for_o it_o than_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o novatian_o have_v of_o that_o bishop_n and_o that_o their_o church_n be_v not_o altogether_o extirpate_v then_o like_o those_o of_o other_o heretic_n but_o he_o confess_v that_o every_o where_o else_o they_o suffer_v the_o same_o measure_n with_o other_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o phrygia_n and_o some_o border_v province_n and_o now_o to_o allow_v the_o novatian_o a_o conventicle_n in_o constantinople_n towards_o the_o late_a end_n of_o constantine_n reign_n which_o be_v more_o than_o sozomen_n dare_v affirm_v yet_o i_o hope_v the_o catholic_n will_v be_v still_o too_o numerous_a to_o meet_v all_o of_o they_o in_o one_o congregation_n but_o theodoret_n affirm_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n and_o that_o they_o do_v actual_o do_v so_o i_o answer_v that_o theodoret_n do_v not_o say_v so_o and_o that_o the_o passage_n cite_v do_v not_o conclude_v it_o therefore_o to_o clear_v this_o difficulty_n let_v we_o examine_v it_o after_o the_o death_n of_o arrius_n say_v theodoret_n those_o of_o eusebius_n faction_n be_v much_o out_o of_o countenance_n and_o bury_v he_o but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n 14._o l._n 1._o c._n 14._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o valesius_fw-la render_v thus_o b._n autem_fw-la alexander_n cum_fw-la gaudio_fw-la totius_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la collectas_fw-la celebravit_fw-la piè_fw-la &_o orthodox_n simul_fw-la cum_fw-la universis_fw-la fratribus_fw-la deum_fw-la orans_fw-la &_o impense_v glorificans_fw-la now_o he_o take_v the_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o a_o
and_o one_o parish_n have_v diverse_a chapel_n for_o the_o age_a and_o weak_a that_o be_v unfit_a for_o travel_v every_o one_o of_o these_o church_n than_o have_v one_o bishop_n and_o be_v in_o his_o opinion_n all_o the_o diocese_n of_o apostolical_a and_o ancient_a bishop_n if_o in_o any_o city_n or_o town_n the_o number_n of_o christian_n shall_v exceed_v what_o may_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n that_o then_o they_o be_v to_o imitate_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o bee_n who_o when_o they_o grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o one_o hive_n send_v out_o new_a colony_n command_v by_o their_o own_o officer_n so_o when_o christian_n grow_v too_o many_o for_o personal_a communion_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n they_o must_v resolve_v themselves_o into_o several_a church_n and_o have_v as_o many_o independent_a bishop_n as_o they_o have_v congregation_n but_o this_o model_n of_o a_o church_n i_o be_o afraid_a be_v like_a to_o please_v no_o party_n for_o the_o dissenter_n be_v of_o opinion_n we_o have_v too_o many_o bishop_n already_o but_o this_o project_n will_v make_v more_o bishop_n in_o this_o one_o city_n than_o be_v now_o in_o the_o three_o kingdom_n mr._n b._n have_v elsewhere_o endeavour_v to_o take_v away_o this_o prejudice_n 2._o disp_n 1._o of_o ch._n gou._n ch._n hist_o part_n 2._o by_o say_v that_o those_o many_o bishop_n he_o be_v for_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o sort_n with_o we_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o diocese_n be_v not_o to_o be_v so_o large_a yet_o their_o power_n within_o their_o own_o church_n be_v to_o be_v equal_a to_o the_o other_o within_o their_o diocese_n and_o the_o church_n will_v fare_v no_o better_o in_o this_o case_n than_o the_o empire_n do_v in_o the_o time_n of_o galienus_n when_o the_o people_n general_o discontent_v with_o his_o government_n because_o it_o be_v too_o remiss_a find_v themselves_o immediate_o enslave_v by_o no_o less_o than_o thirty_o tyrant_n the_o presbyterian_o will_v never_o endure_v that_o the_o power_n of_o their_o class_n and_o synod_n shall_v be_v settle_v in_o congregational_a bishop_n and_o the_o independent_n principle_n will_v as_o little_o admit_v this_o project_n the_o erastian_n party_n will_v allow_v this_o bishop_n no_o power_n of_o censure_n or_o church_n discipline_n lewis_n moulin_n paraenesis_n paraenesis_n who_o seem_v to_o speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o english_a independent_o explode_v the_o use_n of_o excommunication_n in_o a_o christian_a state_n and_o will_v have_v no_o ruler_n but_o the_o ciull_a and_o some_o of_o the_o great_a man_n of_o that_o party_n in_o their_o recommendation_n before_o his_o book_n though_o they_o speak_v something_o cautious_o yet_o do_v not_o disapprove_v his_o notion_n what_o some_o other_o of_o they_o have_v write_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o church_n be_v so_o mysterious_a and_o seraphical_a that_o one_o must_v be_v verè_fw-la adeptus_fw-la to_o understand_v it_o the_o plain_a thing_n i_o believe_v can_v be_v make_v of_o it_o be_v that_o they_o be_v above_o ordinance_n and_o that_o these_o saint_n on_o earth_n have_v as_o little_a need_n of_o discipline_n and_o censure_n as_o those_o in_o heaven_n the_o episcopal_a man_n be_v content_a with_o the_o present_a form_n and_o do_v not_o desire_v the_o bishop_n shall_v be_v multiply_v at_o least_o not_o according_a to_o this_o project_n for_o this_o in_o their_o judgement_n will_v lie_v heavy_a than_o the_o burden_n of_o issachar_n so_o that_o i_o can_v see_v what_o party_n or_o principle_n this_o will_v suit_v beside_o the_o author_n own_o nor_o since_o he_o be_v so_o subject_a to_o change_v be_v it_o likely_a to_o please_v he_o long_o however_o if_o it_o be_v the_o primitive_a platform_n it_o be_v reason_n that_o all_o church_n notwithstanding_o their_o prejudices_fw-la shall_v conform_v to_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o equal_v it_o shall_v be_v reject_v though_o all_o the_o world_n be_v against_o it_o before_o that_o great_a evidence_n of_o history_n which_o he_o allege_v in_o favour_n of_o it_o be_v consider_v for_o this_o evidence_n he_o refer_v we_o to_o another_o book_n of_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 1_o disput_fw-la of_o ch._n government_n and_o worship_n p_o 1659._o and_o dedicate_v to_o r._n cromwell_n p._n 87._o grotius_n his_o opinion_n he_o reject_v himself_o p_o 6._o edict_n vossii_n disp_n p._n 88_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d §_o 22._o where_o the_o proof_n be_v set_v down_o at_o large_a the_o first_o authority_n he_o mention_n there_o after_o the_o scripture_n be_v that_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n who_o mention_n only_a presbyter_n and_o deacon_n but_o this_o be_v beside_o the_o present_a question_n as_o for_o the_o pseudo_fw-la clement_n which_o mr._n thorndike_n mention_n and_o be_v allege_v by_o mr._n b._n though_o it_o may_v be_v to_o the_o purpose_n yet_o it_o be_v of_o no_o authority_n the_o next_o and_o the_o plain_a as_o he_o confess_v be_v ignatius_n out_o of_o who_o he_o cite_v several_a passage_n the_o first_o out_o of_o his_o epistle_n ad_fw-la smyrn_n vbi_fw-la itaque_fw-la apparet_fw-la episcopus_fw-la illic_fw-la multitudo_fw-la sit_fw-la quemadmodum_fw-la utique_fw-la ubi_fw-la est_fw-la christus_fw-la jesus_n illic_fw-la catholica_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la as_o in_o b._n usher_n old_a translation_n with_o which_o vossius_n greek_a copy_n do_v agree_v from_o whence_o mr._n b._n urge_v that_o this_o plebs_fw-la or_o multitudo_fw-la be_v the_o church_n which_o he_o rule_v and_o not_o only_o one_o congregation_n among_o many_o that_o be_v under_o he_o for_o this_o do_v without_o distinction_n bind_v all_o the_o people_n one_o as_o well_o as_o another_o to_o be_v where_o the_o bishop_n be_v or_o appear_v viz._n in_o the_o public_a assembly_n for_o communion_n in_o worship_n it_o be_v plain_a therefore_o there_o that_o there_o be_v not_o then_o many_o such_o assembly_n under_o he_o otherwise_o all_o save_o one_o must_v have_v necessary_o disobey_v this_o command_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o antiochus_n cite_v this_o passage_n quite_o different_o and_o more_o at_o large_a than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o text_n and_o to_o this_o effect_n §_o wherever_o the_o bishop_n appear_v 124._o antioch_n ser._n 124._o there_o let_v the_o multitude_n be_v as_o wheresoever_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n be_v call_v there_o let_v a_o church_n be_v assemble_v it_o be_v not_o permit_v the_o flock_n of_o young_a lamb_n to_o go_v whithersoever_o they_o please_v but_o whither_o the_o shepherd_n lead_v they_o those_o that_o remain_v out_o of_o the_o flock_n the_o wild_a beast_n destroy_v and_o devour_v all_o that_o which_o go_v astray_o which_o word_n do_v not_o at_o all_o imply_v whether_o there_o be_v one_o or_o more_o congregation_n under_o that_o bishop_n and_o their_o design_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o christian_n ought_v not_o to_o assemble_v themselves_o where_o they_o please_v without_o the_o leave_v of_o or_o in_o opposition_n to_o their_o bishop_n this_o appear_v plain_o from_o the_o context_n to_o which_o mr._n b._n do_v refer_v we_o these_o be_v the_o word_n that_o immediate_o precede_v the_o passage_n allege_v nullus_fw-la sine_fw-la egiscopo_n aliquid_fw-la operetur_fw-la eorum_fw-la quae_fw-la conveniunt_fw-la in_o ecclesiam_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d illa_fw-la firma_fw-la gratiarum_fw-la actio_fw-la reputetur_fw-la quae_fw-la sub_fw-la ipso_fw-la est_fw-la vel_fw-la quam_fw-la utique_fw-la ipse_fw-la concesserit_fw-la so_o that_o here_o be_v a_o plain_a distinction_n between_o a_o congregation_n under_o the_o bishop_n that_o be_v where_o he_o be_v personal_o present_a and_o a_o congregation_n assemble_v by_o his_o permission_n and_o allowance_n and_o these_o expression_n of_o ignatius_n can_v have_v no_o other_o occasion_n than_o the_o usage_n of_o the_o church_n even_o in_o his_o time_n to_o have_v several_a congregation_n under_o one_o bishop_n the_o next_o proof_n be_v out_o of_o ignatius_n epist_n to_o the_o philadelphian_o where_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o come_v all_o to_o the_o same_o eucharist_n and_o these_o be_v his_o motive_n una_fw-la enim_fw-la caro_fw-la domini_fw-la nostri_fw-la jesus_n christi_fw-la &_o unus_fw-la calix_n in_fw-la vnionem_fw-la sanguinis_fw-la ipsius_fw-la unum_fw-la altar_n &_o unus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la cum_fw-la presbyterio_n &_o diaconis_fw-la conservis_fw-la meis_fw-la 89._o disp_n p._n 89._o and_o thus_o the_o old_a translation_n which_o be_v word_n for_o word_n according_a to_o the_o florentine_a greek_a copy_n the_o passage_n as_o mr._n b._n cite_v it_o be_v in_o this_o epistle_n interpolate_v but_o make_v more_o for_o his_o purpose_n he_o prefer_v it_o to_o the_o genuine_a read_n where_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o unus_fw-la panis_n unus_fw-la calix_n toti_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la but_o that_o which_o he_o lay_v his_o great_a stress_n upon_o be_v vnum_fw-la altar_n unus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la and_o this_o all_o copy_n do_v agree_v in_o from_o whence_o he_o conclude_v here_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o particular_a church_n which_o in_o those_o day_n be_v
govern_v by_o a_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n be_v but_o one_o congregation_n for_o every_o such_o church_n have_v but_o one_o altar_n this_o observation_n of_o one_o altar_n in_o one_o episcopal_a church_n he_o confirm_v by_o mr._n mede_n who_o propound_v it_o with_o great_a modesty_n and_o only_o as_o a_o conjecture_n and_o m._n b._n have_v add_v nothing_o to_o his_o reason_n more_o than_o his_o own_o confidence_n if_o he_o have_v but_o take_v leisure_n to_o consider_v and_o not_o have_v run_v away_o with_o that_o only_a which_o seem_v to_o make_v for_o his_o purpose_n he_o may_v have_v find_v enough_o in_o those_o very_a passage_n cite_v by_o mr._n mede_n to_o have_v undeceive_v he_o the_o matter_n in_o short_a be_v thus_o the_o principal_a church_n or_o meeting-place_n in_o every_o city_n belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n where_o his_o chair_n be_v set_v up_o with_o a_o bench_n of_o presbyter_n on_o every_o side_n circle_v the_o communion_n table_n this_o whole_a place_n be_v call_v altar_n sacrarium_fw-la and_o within_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o a_o single_a bishop_n it_o be_v probable_a there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o the_o bishop_n with_o his_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n represent_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n although_o it_o may_v be_v divide_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o every_o congregation_n may_v have_v a_o communion_n table_n so_o that_o one_o bishop_n one_o altar_n signify_v indeed_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n as_o be_v the_o place_n of_o its_o common_a council_n and_o solemn_a tribunal_n and_o to_o set_v up_o a_o altar_n be_v not_o to_o have_v two_o communion_n table_n in_o a_o city_n but_o to_o have_v distinct_a government_n quoque_fw-la mr._n b_n dispute_n of_o church_n government_n p._n 90._o the_o ancient_n ordinary_o call_v the_o lord_n table_n and_o the_o place_n where_o it_o stand_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o say_v the_o table_n and_o the_o sacrarium_fw-la or_o place_n of_o its_o stand_n and_o so_o say_v bishop_n usher_v in_o his_o note_n upon_o the_o passage_n before_o cite_v altar_n apud_fw-la patres_fw-la mensam_fw-la dominio_fw-la eam_fw-la passim_fw-la denot_v at_o apud_fw-la ignatium_fw-la &_o polycarpum_fw-la sacrarium_fw-la quoque_fw-la and_o opposite_a bishop_n and_o presbyter_n this_o be_v confirm_v by_o a_o passage_n of_o ignatius_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o magnesian_o cite_v by_o mr._n b._n omnes_fw-la adunati_fw-la ad_fw-la templum_fw-la dei_fw-la concurrite_fw-la sicut_fw-la ad_fw-la unum_fw-la altar_n if_o this_o read_n which_o he_o use_v be_v right_a it_o will_v distinguish_v between_o christian_a temple_n and_o imply_v that_o some_o of_o they_o have_v not_o altar_n which_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a if_o altar_n and_o communion-table_n be_v the_o same_o but_o to_o speak_v ingenious_o neither_o temple_n nor_o altar_n here_o do_v signify_v what_o mr._n b._n will_v have_v it_o for_o the_o florentine_a copy_n have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o refer_v only_o to_o the_o jewish_a temple_n and_o altar_n wherein_o consist_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n notwithstanding_o they_o be_v divide_v into_o many_o synagogue_n and_o congregation_n but_o that_o one_o altar_n for_o every_o church_n so_o frequent_o mention_v by_o ignatius_n do_v not_o signify_v every_o communion-table_n but_o that_o eminent_a one_o together_o with_o the_o bishop_n chair_n and_o the_o bench_n of_o the_o presbyter_n appear_v from_o diverse_a passage_n in_o his_o epistle_n in_o that_o to_o the_o magnesian_o he_o allege_v to_o this_o ecclesiastical_a consistory_n about_o the_o altar_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o well-platted_n crown_n of_o our_o presbyter_n allege_v to_o the_o figure_n in_o which_o they_o sit_v and_o then_o follow_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o counsel_n of_o the_o altar_n or_o sacrifice_n and_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n he_o speak_v to_o this_o effect_n unless_o a_o man_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d within_o the_o verge_n of_o the_o altar_n he_o be_v no_o partaker_n of_o the_o bread_n of_o god_n and_o this_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o explain_v in_o his_o epistle_n ad_fw-la trallenses_n he_o that_o be_v within_o the_o altar_n be_v clean_a wherefore_o he_o obey_v the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n he_o that_o be_v without_o be_v such_o a_o one_o that_o do_v any_o thing_n without_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n so_o that_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n be_v a_o explication_n of_o that_o phrase_n of_o be_v within_o the_o altar_n and_o this_o may_v consist_v with_o the_o division_n of_o the_o church_n into_o several_a distinct_a congregation_n but_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o fifty_o five_o epist_n make_v this_o yet_o clear_a where_o speak_v of_o the_o insolence_n of_o such_o as_o have_v sacrifice_v to_o idol_n thrust_v themselves_o into_o church-communion_n without_o do_v any_o penance_n he_o break_v out_o at_o last_o into_o this_o passionate_a aggravation_n what_o then_o remain_v but_o that_o the_o church_n shall_v yield_v to_o the_o capital_a and_o that_o the_o priest_n withdraw_v themselves_o and_o take_v away_o the_o altar_n of_o our_o lord_n image_n and_o idol-god_n together_o with_o their_o altar_n shall_v succeed_v and_o take_v possession_n of_o the_o place_n proper_a to_o the_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a bench_n of_o our_o clergy_n the_o bench_n of_o the_o clergy_n than_o belong_v to_o the_o altar_n that_o be_v the_o communion-table_n of_o the_o principal_a and_o episcopal_a church_n to_o which_o all_o other_o congregation_n do_v belong_v in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o presbyter_n they_o join_v with_o appertain_v to_o that_o altar_n and_o so_o there_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o several_a assembly_n under_o his_o direction_n and_o within_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o altar_n this_o usage_n of_o one_o altar_n and_o several_a communion-table_n depend_v upon_o it_o continue_v a_o long_a while_n after_o in_o the_o church_n innocent_a i._o in_o his_o letter_n to_o decentius_n mention_n the_o send_n of_o the_o consecrate_a symbol_n from_o the_o episcopal_a church_n altar_n to_o the_o depend_v parish_n upon_o solemn_a time_n and_o long_o after_o that_o all_o the_o parish_n of_o a_o diocese_n pay_v homage_n to_o the_o episcopal_a church_n by_o send_v some_o of_o their_o principal_a member_n to_o communicate_v there_o upon_z solemn_z festival_n as_o appear_v by_o several_a canon_n that_o be_v cite_v and_o examine_v more_o particular_o hereafter_o and_o here_o in_o england_n there_o have_v be_v footstep_n of_o the_o same_o custom_n till_o of_o late_a in_o comparison_n though_o from_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o have_v not_o the_o least_o hint_n of_o congregational_a episcopacy_n in_o this_o place_n the_o next_o thing_n he_o allege_v be_v a_o passage_n out_o of_o justin_n martyr_n 98.99_o just_a martyr_n ap._n 2._o p._n 97._o ed._n paris_n 98.99_o where_o he_o describe_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o christian_a assembly_n in_o his_o time_n where_o the_o eucharist_n be_v say_v to_o be_v celebrate_v by_o the_o bishop_n 92._o 1_o dispute_v p._n 92._o and_o that_o on_o sunday_n all_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v either_o in_o city_n or_o in_o the_o country_n come_v together_o pray_v with_o and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o those_o that_o be_v absent_a have_v it_o send_v to_o they_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o deacon_n but_o what_o shall_v we_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o all_o that_o come_v together_o can_v come_v to_o one_o place_n or_o because_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o bishop_n as_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a be_v here_o only_o describe_v must_v we_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o in_o any_o city_n this_o account_n be_v only_a general_n and_o serve_v only_o to_o show_v what_o they_o do_v when_o they_o come_v together_o and_o the_o principal_a assembly_n be_v sure_o the_o most_o proper_a instance_n and_o not_o in_o how_o many_o place_n they_o may_v be_v assemble_v 33._o disp_n p_o 33._o the_o story_n of_o gregory_n thaumaturgus_n make_v the_o next_o proof_n who_o be_v make_v against_o his_o will_n bishop_n of_o ne-caesarea_n find_v but_o seventeen_o christian_n in_o the_o whole_a city_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o small_a congregation_n and_o hardly_o numerous_a enough_o to_o make_v a_o church_n but_o if_o mr._n b._n have_v be_v so_o ingenious_a 〈…〉_o 〈…〉_o as_o to_o have_v mention_v the_o success_n of_o that_o bishop_n ministry_n he_o may_v have_v spare_v any_o one_o else_o the_o labour_n of_o answer_v this_o instance_n for_o the_o same_o bishop_n out_o of_o those_o contemptible_a beginning_n do_v so_o far_o enlarge_v the_o church_n of_o that_o place_n that_o when_o he_o die_v he_o leave_v but_o seventeen_o in_o the_o whole_a city_n that_o be_v not_o christian_n if_o
many_o it_o be_v pity_v these_o great_a london_n parish_n shall_v ever_o be_v divide_v they_o be_v so_o serviceable_a to_o dissenter_n on_o all_o occasion_n for_o if_o a_o conventicle_n be_v to_o be_v keep_v up_o the_o greatness_n of_o st._n martin_n or_o st._n giles_n parish_n will_v justify_v it_o those_o church_n will_v not_o hold_v a_o ten_o man_n that_o ought_v to_o repair_v to_o they_o and_o sure_o better_o set_v up_o a_o meeting_n against_o the_o law_n than_o that_o the_o people_n go_v unedified_a and_o again_o when_o rome_n or_o alexandria_n be_v to_o be_v reduce_v to_o a_o single_a congregation_n than_o it_o be_v but_o compare_v they_o to_o these_o great_a parish_n and_o the_o work_n be_v do_v it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o for_o two_o hundred_o year_n rome_n itself_o have_v near_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o christian_n as_o one_o of_o these_o parish_n suppose_v they_o have_v not_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o that_o of_o st._n martin_n but_o whether_o they_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n for_o suppose_v they_o be_v but_o half_a or_o a_o quarter_n so_o big_a if_o they_o can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n to_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n but_o must_v resolve_v into_o several_a assembly_n for_o to_o do_v it_o it_o be_v no_o matter_n what_o proportion_n they_o hold_v to_o our_o london_n parish_n but_o what_o evidence_n be_v there_o out_o of_o history_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v but_o one_o congregation_n for_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n be_v it_o that_o the_o people_n be_v say_v to_o consent_v to_o the_o election_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o to_o concur_v in_o several_a ecclesiastical_a act_n but_o how_o shall_v we_o be_v assure_v that_o every_o believer_n be_v oblige_v to_o be_v present_a or_o that_o matter_n be_v carry_v by_o vote_n and_o not_o by_o general_n and_o confuse_a approbation_n beside_o though_o all_o that_o have_v the_o right_a of_o elect_v church_n officer_n may_v possible_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o the_o five_o part_n of_o the_o number_n that_o have_v right_o to_o congregation_n and_o personal_a communion_n for_o woman_n and_o child_n and_o servant_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v exclude_v together_o with_o the_o poor_a and_o the_o more_o inconsiderable_a person_n or_o if_o this_o practice_n of_o approve_v the_o election_n of_o church-officer_n be_v any_o argument_n for_o a_o church_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o single_a congregation_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o rome_n have_v but_o one_o congregation_n for_o many_o hundred_o year_n after_o for_o the_o people_n be_v very_o long_o in_o possession_n of_o that_o right_n after_o the_o whole_a city_n be_v become_v christian_a and_o sure_o than_o they_o be_v too_o numerous_a for_o one_o congregation_n anton._n de_fw-fr dom._n l._n 4._o c._n 11._o make_v a_o long_a deduction_n of_o the_o election_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o people_n until_o innocent_a the_o second_o for_o 1100_o year_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o that_o alter_v the_o ancient_a way_n of_o election_n now_o if_o any_o one_o can_v believe_v that_o for_o eleven_o century_n there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n in_o rome_n much_o good_a may_v it_o do_v he_o as_o for_o the_o people_n right_a to_o choose_v which_o mr._n b._n do_v so_o much_o insist_v upon_o and_o seem_v to_o give_v the_o people_n encouragement_n to_o revolt_v from_o those_o bishop_n which_o they_o never_o choose_v i_o shall_v give_v a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o it_o towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o this_o treatise_n mr._n b._n make_v a_o computation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o cornelius_n and_o find_v it_o to_o fall_v much_o short_a of_o one_o of_o our_o great_a parish_n for_o when_o novatian_n divide_v that_o church_n it_o have_v but_o forty_o six_o priest_n seven_o deacon_n and_o as_o many_o subdeacons_a forty_o two_o acoluti_fw-la exorcist_n reader_n and_o porter_n fifty_o two_o widow_n and_o poor_a that_o be_v disable_v and_o live_v upon_o the_o charity_n of_o the_o church_n fifteen_o hundred_o upon_o which_o we_o compute_v thus_o suppose_v the_o poor_a the_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n as_o st._n chrysostom_n calculate_v the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n the_o product_n than_o will_v be_v fifteen_o thousand_o and_o not_o ten_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o as_o mr._n b._n reckon_v or_o the_o printer_n mistake_v and_o even_o thus_o will_v they_o be_v too_o many_o for_o one_o congregation_n we_o can_v imagine_v any_o five_o church_n of_o such_o as_o the_o christian_n may_v be_v suppose_v then_o to_o have_v 7._o ch._n hist_o p._n 7._o capable_a of_o hold_v they_o all_o 43._o euseb_n l._n â—_o c._n 43._o but_o if_o we_o consider_v this_o passage_n more_o narrow_o we_o shall_v find_v mr._n b.'s_n computation_n to_o be_v extreme_o short_a for_o these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o only_o poor_a but_o sick_a and_o disable_v for_o so_o the_o word_n be_v explain_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n to_o the_o clergy_n of_o carthage_n upon_o the_o subject_n of_o cyprian_n retire_v cyr_n ap._n cyr_n sive_fw-la viduae_fw-la sive_fw-la thlebomeni_n qui_fw-la se_fw-la exhibère_fw-fr non_fw-fr possunt_fw-la sive_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o carceribus_fw-la sunt_fw-la sive_fw-la exclusi_fw-la à _fw-la sedibus_fw-la suis_fw-la utique_fw-la habere_fw-la debent_fw-la qui_fw-la eye_n ministrent_fw-la so_o then_o these_o poor_a be_v such_o only_a as_o be_v not_o able_a to_o help_v themselves_o that_o be_v not_o able_a to_o come_v abroad_o and_o such_o as_o these_o sure_o be_v not_o the_o forty_o part_n of_o any_o people_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o plague_n or_o extraordinary_a sickness_n in_o the_o next_o place_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o number_n of_o the_o priest_n what_o use_n can_v there_o be_v of_o forty_o six_o in_o one_o congregation_n for_o they_o be_v neither_o to_o preach_v nor_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o bishop_n for_o the_o first_o mr._n b._n urge_v it_o elsewhere_o to_o prove_v no_o more_o than_o one_o congregation_n belong_v to_o one_o bishop_n and_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o be_v so_o disingenuous_a as_o to_o cast_v it_o off_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v serve_v his_o turn_n of_o it_o for_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n justin_n martyr_n be_v very_o clear_a in_o his_o description_n that_o the_o bishop_n consecrate_v and_o give_v it_o the_o deacon_n to_o be_v distribute_v among_o the_o congregation_n supra_fw-la ubi_fw-la supra_fw-la so_o that_o unless_o there_o be_v distinct_a congregation_n at_o that_o time_n those_o 46_o presbyter_n can_v hardly_o find_v how_o to_o employ_v themselves_o but_o mr._n b._n do_v endeavour_v to_o remove_v this_o objection_n 8._o ch._n hist_o p._n 8._o by_o show_v the_o church-officer_n be_v very_o much_o multiply_v in_o those_o day_n to_o the_o end_n that_o as_o many_o as_o have_v any_o useful_a gift_n may_v be_v employ_v in_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n for_o this_o 45._o orat._n 1._o p._n 45._o he_o bring_v in_o nazianzen_n as_o a_o credible_a witness_n short_o after_o complain_v of_o the_o excess_n in_o this_o part_n that_o the_o church_n ruler_n be_v almost_o more_o than_o the_o subject_n but_o how_o short_o after_o will_v you_o have_v judge_v this_o to_o have_v be_v speak_v no_o long_o than_o about_o a_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n and_o after_o one_o of_o the_o great_a revolution_n that_o happen_v in_o the_o church_n in_o cornelius_n time_n the_o christian_n as_o mr._n b._n remark_n be_v not_o of_o the_o great_a and_o rich_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o the_o public_a charge_n shall_v be_v multiply_v without_o necessity_n and_o forty_o six_o presbyter_n be_v appoint_v for_o one_o congregation_n but_o in_o nazianzen_n time_n the_o church_n be_v in_o a_o prosperous_a and_o flourish_a condition_n the_o governor_n be_v now_o become_v christian_n and_o great_a privilege_n and_o wealth_n be_v add_v to_o the_o clergy_n which_o make_v it_o then_o so_o desirable_a a_o thing_n but_o in_o cornelius_n time_n the_o great_a dignity_n be_v martyrdom_n and_o the_o clergy_n be_v particular_o aim_v at_o by_o the_o heathen_a persecutor_n their_o portion_n be_v labour_n and_o danger_n they_o be_v to_o come_v and_o assist_v the_o brethren_n in_o the_o prison_n and_o at_o the_o stake_n and_o the_o office_n be_v so_o unpleasant_a that_o novatian_n the_o author_n of_o that_o sect_n which_o mr._n b._n speak_v so_o favourable_o of_o desire_v to_o be_v ease_v of_o the_o burden_n 43._o euseb_n l._n 6â—_n c._n 43._o and_o renounce_v his_o priesthood_n beside_o the_o same_o epistle_n of_o cornelius_n
1._o c._n seven_o and_o what_o be_v that_o by_o a_o diocese_n we_o nonconformist_n mean_v only_o a_o large_a circuit_n of_o ground_n with_o its_o inhabitant_n contain_v many_o particular_a parish_n and_o by_o a_o diocesan_n church_n we_o mean_v all_o the_o christian_n within_o this_o circuit_n who_o have_v but_o one_o bishop_n over_o they_o though_o they_o be_v of_o marry_o parish_n and_o what_o episcopacy_n do_v mr._n b._n approve_v bishop_n usher_v episcopacy_n reduce_v and_o what_o be_v this_o it_o be_v a_o bishop_n over_o many_o parish_n a_o bishop_n of_o a_o rural_a deanery_n that_o contain_v a_o great_a many_o parish_n churches_n it_o be_v manifest_a therefore_o that_o mr._n b._n say_v and_o unsay_v and_o condemn_v himself_o in_o that_o which_o he_o approve_v 2._o bishop_n vsher_n reduction_n overthrow_v the_o foundation_n of_o mr._n b.'s_n church_n the_o essence_n and_o individuation_n of_o it_o for_o he_o define_v a_o church_n by_o a_o congregation_n for_o personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n and_o discipline_n and_o deny_v that_o one_o church_n can_v be_v any_o far_o extend_v in_o respect_n of_o its_o government_n and_o discipline_n than_o it_o may_v in_o respect_n of_o worship_n which_o he_o express_v thus_o i_o think_v many_o of_o they_o i_o e._n the_o presbyterian_o do_v with_o rutterford_n distinguish_v between_o a_o worship_a church_n and_o a_o govern_v church_n and_o sadle_v the_o horse_n for_o prelacy_n to_o mount_v on_o do_v affirm_v that_o many_o about_o twelve_o of_o these_o worship_a church_n like_o our_o parish_n may_v make_v but_o one_o govern_v or_o presbyterial_a church_n but_o bishop_n usher_v project_n make_v 40_o or_o 50_o worship_a church_n but_o one_o govern_v church_n 3._o bishop_n usher_v reduction_n depose_v parish_n bishop_n and_o turn_v their_o church_n into_o chapel_n because_o they_o be_v allow_v no_o exercise_n of_o the_o key_n but_o only_a admonition_n and_o suspension_n from_o the_o sacrament_n till_o the_o bishop_n and_o synod_n be_v make_v acquaint_v with_o it_o 1._o art_n 1._o and_o this_o any_o incumbent_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v allow_v to_o do_v but_o mr._n b._n reject_v diocesan_n episcopacy_n for_o this_o fault_n of_o turn_v church_n into_o chapel_n and_o pastor_n into_o preach_a curate_n and_o yet_o approve_v all_o that_o he_o condemn_v by_o yield_v to_o bishop_n usher_v reduction_n it_o be_v something_o strange_a he_o shall_v be_v a_o non_fw-fr conformist_n to_o himself_o as_o well_o as_o to_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n and_o upon_o the_o very_a same_o reason_n too_o last_o this_o project_n of_o church_n government_n in_o which_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n not_o so_o agreeable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o antiquity_n which_o be_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o presbyter_n conclude_v the_o bishop_n who_o always_o have_v a_o negative_a voice_n and_o nothing_o ever_o become_v a_o act_n without_o his_o consent_n and_o approbation_n this_o i_o say_v may_v perhaps_o be_v of_o some_o use_n to_o make_v a_o accommodation_n between_o presbyterian_a government_n by_o class_n and_o synod_n etc._n etc._n and_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n but_o it_o whole_o overthrow_v mr._n b.'s_n congregational_a way_n however_o qualify_v by_o the_o independent_a principle_n of_o consociation_n beyond_o which_o mr._n b.'s_n notion_n of_o church_n government_n and_o constitution_n do_v not_o extend_v therefore_o to_o leave_v this_o episcopacy_n of_o bishop_n usher_v as_o destructive_a of_o independence_n why_o may_v not_o they_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n prevent_v such_o inconvenience_n as_o they_o have_v fall_v into_o by_o some_o quallify_a principle_n in_o favour_n of_o consociation_n and_o some_o abatement_n in_o their_o punctiliousness_n of_o admit_v into_o full_a communion_n and_o church-membership_a and_o thus_o far_o no_o doubt_n mr._n b._n do_v comply_v to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o this_o congregational_a way_n do_v dispose_v it_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o confusion_n which_o i_o undertake_v to_o show_v in_o the_o last_o place_n i_o shall_v say_v nothing_o to_o such_o principle_n of_o our_o independent_o as_o have_v no_o necessary_a connexion_n with_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o church_n government_n as_o those_o of_o separation_n from_o every_o defect_n in_o ordinance_n and_o the_o like_a they_o be_v beside_o my_o purpose_n and_o the_o mischief_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o they_o have_v be_v show_v already_o with_o so_o much_o light_n and_o advantage_n by_o the_o incomparable_a dean_n of_o paul_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o convince_v any_o man_n who_o do_v mistake_v in_o good_a earnest_n as_o to_o that_o part_n therefore_o i_o will_v suppose_v they_o satisfy_v in_o point_n of_o conscience_n though_o not_o perhaps_o in_o point_n of_o honour_n and_o consider_v only_o the_o mischief_n of_o their_o government_n abstract_v from_o their_o other_o opinion_n the_o independent_a or_o congregational_a constitution_n be_v found_v upon_o these_o two_o principle_n 1._o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n institute_v congregational_a church_n and_o endue_v they_o with_o all_o the_o power_n that_o be_v give_v the_o church_n as_o of_o censure_n excommunication_n and_o the_o like_a without_o any_o dependence_n one_o on_o another_o or_o of_o several_a upon_o one_o general_n pastor_n and_o that_o the_o single_a congregation_n plant_v at_o first_o in_o several_a city_n when_o they_o come_v to_o increase_v beyond_o the_o possibility_n of_o personal_a communion_n be_v to_o imitate_v bee-hive_n and_o to_o send_v out_o colony_n under_o their_o proper_a officer_n without_o any_o dependence_n on_o the_o mother_n hive_n 2._o that_o what_o be_v thus_o institute_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n must_v so_o continue_v it_o not_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n or_o the_o church_n to_o alter_v it_o this_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o independent_a government_n and_o if_o you_o abate_v any_o thing_n of_o these_o principle_n the_o whole_a fabric_n must_v fall_v to_o piece_n if_o you_o deny_v the_o first_o that_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o institute_v such_o church_n the_o congregational_a way_n have_v no_o pretence_n or_o if_o you_o will_v say_v that_o the_o first_o that_o be_v plant_v be_v indeed_o of_o this_o kind_n but_o accidental_o there_o be_v no_o more_o believer_n in_o any_o city_n than_o may_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n it_o equal_o destroy_v it_o for_o when_o christian_n be_v multiply_v into_o several_a congregation_n they_o may_v put_v themselves_o under_o another_o form_n more_o commodious_a for_o preserve_v unity_n among_o they_o if_o you_o deny_v the_o second_o that_o though_o the_o apostolical_a church_n be_v of_o this_o model_n yet_o that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a and_o unalterable_a it_o will_v remove_v all_o just_a reason_n of_o contention_n about_o it_o for_o the_o church_n have_v make_v use_v of_o its_o liberty_n in_o the_o change_n of_o that_o government_n which_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v power_n to_o do_v as_o it_o see_v occasion_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o unreasonable_a than_o to_o tear_v it_o in_o piece_n upon_o this_o occasion_n unless_o it_o have_v do_v something_o that_o it_o have_v no_o authority_n to_o do_v and_o so_o alter_v the_o government_n establish_v by_o christ_n with_o out_o his_o leave_n in_o short_a if_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o find_v congregational_a church_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o we_o shall_v set_v they_o up_o if_o they_o do_v find_v they_o at_o first_o but_o do_v design_n they_o shall_v continue_v no_o long_o than_o till_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n shall_v exceed_v one_o congregation_n the_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v change_v that_o form_n if_o they_o be_v found_v at_o first_o and_o then_o the_o matter_n leave_v to_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o church_n to_o frame_v itself_o according_a to_o its_o best_a convenience_n the_o church_n have_v already_o determine_v it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o controversy_n so_o that_o if_o any_o of_o these_o principle_n be_v deny_v the_o congregational_a government_n must_v fall_v of_o course_n independency_n therefore_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o firm_a belief_n of_o those_o fundamental_a principle_n which_o can_v be_v leave_v but_o the_o whole_a frame_n must_v sink_v i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o show_v the_o unavoidable_a mischief_n that_o belief_n expose_v these_o congregational_a church_n to_o 1._o of_o the_o mischief_n that_o this_o way_n occasision_n by_o render_v any_o union_n between_o particular_a church_n impossible_a 2._o the_o mischief_n it_o produce_v in_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n 1._o of_o the_o impossiblity_n of_o preserve_v any_o unity_n between_o independent_a church_n these_o church_n like_v so_o many_o little_a sovereignty_n crowd_v together_o within_o the_o same_o territory_n and_o a_o great_a number_n of_o they_o within_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o same_o city_n their_o vicinity_n and_o cohabitation_n give_v they_o opportunity_n and_o beget_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o
church_n may_v exceed_v the_o measure_n of_o a_o single_a congregation_n in_o less_o time_n 7._o mr._n b._n say_v this_o be_v no_o precedent_n and_o why_o the_o mother_n church_n gather_v and_o govern_v by_o all_o the_o apostle_n together_o which_o be_v a_o circumstance_n that_o perhaps_o no_o other_o church_n can_v boast_v of_o why_o shall_v not_o this_o be_v a_o precedent_n the_o truth_n be_v it_o spoil_v a_o notion_n of_o congregational_a independent_a church_n and_o because_o it_o can_v be_v make_v to_o comply_v it_o must_v be_v protest_v against_o that_o it_o be_v not_o bring_v into_o a_o precedent_n beside_o these_o exception_n 6._o act_n 2.26.5.1.6.5_o 6._o they_o offer_v testimony_n to_o prove_v rhe_n church_n of_o jerusalem_n no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n because_o all_o the_o multitude_n be_v sometime_o say_v to_o meet_v together_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d against_o these_o proof_n there_o lie_v one_o great_a exception_n the_o number_n of_o convert_v on_o one_o side_n be_v specify_v and_o it_o plain_o thence_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n they_o shall_v all_o meet_v together_o for_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n all_o the_o proof_n be_v in_o general_a expression_n the_o whole_a multitude_n and_o the_o all_o may_v denote_v only_o those_o that_o be_v present_a and_o not_o all_o that_o believe_v as_o it_o be_v say_v luke_n 1.10_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o people_n be_v without_o pray_v i.e._n not_o all_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o the_o whole_a multitude_n that_o be_v present_a so_o the_o meeting_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v be_v say_v of_o several_a congregation_n meet_v for_o the_o same_o purpose_n as_o well_o as_o of_o one_o but_o the_o independent_o in_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n do_v seem_v to_o give_v up_o this_o point_n and_o to_o grant_v that_o before_o the_o dispersion_n there_o may_v be_v more_o than_o one_o congregation_n of_o christian_n but_o that_o after_o they_o be_v scatter_v there_o remain_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n suppose_v all_o this_o what_o advantage_n can_v it_o be_v to_o their_o cause_n if_o there_o be_v more_o once_a than_o may_v meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n and_o so_o be_v force_v to_o divide_v into_o several_a and_o this_o notwithstanding_o to_o retain_v the_o name_n but_o of_o one_o church_n because_o under_o one_o common_a government_n it_o follow_v that_o wheresoever_o the_o christian_n shall_v afterward_o increase_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n they_o may_v likewise_o be_v govern_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o in_o several_a congregation_n still_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o afterward_o than_o one_o congregation_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v only_o casual_a if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v of_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o be_v that_o true_a in_o fact_n which_o they_o affirm_v of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o the_o dispersion_n for_o though_o they_o be_v all_o say_v to_o be_v scatter_v beside_o the_o apostle_n 1_o act_n â—_o 1_o yet_o it_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o all_o the_o believer_n because_o afterward_o we_o find_v saul_n enter_v into_o house_n and_o hale_v out_o man_n and_o woman_n we_o find_v good_a man_n believer_n doubtless_o take_v care_n of_o stephen_n funeral_n loc._n hist_o ecc._n l._n 2._o c._n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nid_n lorin_n cajet_fw-fr calvin_n bez._n in_o loc._n and_o thus_o eusebius_n understand_v it_o where_o he_o say_v all_o the_o disciple_n i._n e._n the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n mention_v act_n 1._o that_o converse_v with_o christ_n and_o so_o the_o generality_n of_o expositor_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v remain_v alone_o at_o jerusalem_n when_o the_o whole_a church_n have_v be_v force_v thence_o and_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o persecution_n be_v so_o great_a that_o there_o be_v no_o opportunity_n to_o preach_v public_o nor_o be_v it_o unlikely_a that_o the_o preacher_n be_v more_o particular_o mark_v out_o for_o destruction_n for_o in_o stephen_n case_n we_o find_v it_o be_v his_o public_a dispute_v and_o preach_v that_o bring_v he_o under_o the_o lash_n of_o that_o persecution_n and_o his_o indictment_n be_v make_v up_o of_o what_o be_v deliver_v by_o he_o in_o his_o public_a discourse_n though_o beside_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o other_o convert_v man_n and_o woman_n be_v also_o hale_v to_o prison_n but_o whatsoever_o number_n be_v force_v away_o by_o that_o persecution_n it_o be_v likely_a they_o return_v most_o of_o they_o after_o it_o be_v over_o and_o it_o do_v not_o continue_v long_o for_o immediate_o after_o the_o the_o conversion_n of_o st._n paul_n 9.31_o act_n 9.31_o the_o church_n have_v rest_n throughout_o all_o judea_n and_o galilee_n and_o samaria_n and_o be_v edify_v and_o multiply_v and_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a conceit_n of_o baronius_n that_o these_o be_v the_o jew_n of_o the_o dispersion_n that_o st._n peter_n and_o james_n direct_v their_o epistle_n to_o 35._o an._n 35._o and_o that_o they_o be_v scatter_v into_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o world_n after_o this_o persecution_n the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n 11.22_o act_n 8.14_o act_n 11.22_o as_o the_o metropolitan_a of_o the_o rest_n takes_z care_n of_o they_o send_v some_o apostle_n to_o samaria_n and_o barnabas_n to_o antioch_n and_o these_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o have_v fulfil_v their_o ministry_n return_v home_o to_o their_o mother_n church_n which_o can_v not_o but_o thrive_v much_o more_o in_o proportion_n than_o the_o rest_n whether_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o number_n and_o ability_n of_o her_o pastor_n or_o the_o advantage_n of_o its_o situation_n for_o the_o place_n itself_o be_v a_o most_o convince_a witness_n as_o of_o some_o very_a remarkable_a action_n of_o our_o saviour_n so_o particular_o of_o his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n here_o the_o vail_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v rend_v here_o rock_n cleave_v in_o sunder_o here_o the_o empty_a sepulchre_n preach_v with_o no_o less_o efficacy_n than_o the_o apostle_n and_o though_o they_o shall_v hold_v their_o peace_n the_o stone_n will_v become_v apostle_n and_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o resurrection_n this_o church_n be_v thus_o considerable_a in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n 23._o apud_fw-la eusib_n ecc._n hist_o l._n 2._o c._n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ap_fw-mi eusch_n l._n 2._o c._n 23._o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v call_v away_o be_v commit_v to_o james_n the_o just_a the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n if_o not_o before_o for_o as_o clemens_n report_v the_o matter_n he_o be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n present_o after_o our_o savious_n ascension_n and_o mention_n it_o as_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o humility_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o will_v not_o contend_v about_o it_o but_o choose_v one_o that_o be_v no_o apostle_n and_o hegesippus_n one_o of_o the_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a writer_n co-temporary_a with_o justin_n martyr_n and_o athenagoras_n give_v much_o the_o same_o account_n with_o clemens_n as_o to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o promotion_n unless_o we_o shall_v take_v jerom_n translation_n which_o if_o the_o word_n will_v bear_v it_o be_v much_o more_o commodious_a hegesippus_n write_v that_o james_n take_v upon_o he_o the_o episcopacy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d after_o the_o apostle_n jacobo_n post_v apostolos_n hieron_n catal._n in_o jacobo_n jerom_n render_v it_o but_o against_o all_o grammar_n and_o therefore_o sophronius_n who_o translate_v he_o into_o greek_a be_v force_v to_o change_v the_o case_n and_o write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v very_o probable_a jerom_n read_v so_o in_o his_o copy_n though_o rufinus_n who_o translate_v the_o same_o passage_n confirm_v the_o greek_a read_v however_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o james_n be_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n whether_o with_o or_o after_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o so_o material_a not_o only_o from_o hegesippus_n and_o clemens_n alex._n but_o also_o from_o st._n paul_n who_o mention_n he_o as_o one_o of_o the_o apostle_n that_o he_o have_v converse_v with_o in_o jerusalem_n and_o it_o be_v likely_a there_o be_v no_o more_o there_o at_o that_o time_n but_o he_o and_o peter_n but_o when_o they_o be_v at_o last_o disperse_v ecclesiastical_a history_n make_v james_n the_o ordinary_a bishop_n and_o diocesan_n of_o the_o place_n as_o for_o his_o episcopacy_n it_o will_v not_o be_v dispute_v by_o any_o man_n that_o have_v leave_v himself_o any_o freedom_n of_o understanding_n and_o belief_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o see_v salmasius_n run_v his_o head_n so_o violent_o against_o such_o solid_a testimony_n as_o those_o of_o hegesippus_n and_o clemens_n but_o for_o his_o diocese_n that_o i_o
see_v will_v be_v stiff_o deny_v though_o the_o scripture_n testimony_n already_o allege_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v any_o reasonable_a man_n that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v more_o than_o a_o congregation_n and_o consequent_o the_o bishop_n of_o it_o a_o diocesan_n according_a to_o mr._n b.'s_n definition_n but_o beside_o we_o have_v as_o ancient_a testimony_n from_o church_n history_n too_o of_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o church_n as_o of_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o for_o hegesippus_n among_o several_a commendation_n of_o he_o say_z that_o several_a of_o the_o jewish_a sectary_n who_o believe_v neither_o a_o resurrection_n nor_o judgement_n to_o come_v be_v convert_v by_o james_n and_o that_o when_o a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o ruler_n and_o and_o principal_a man_n of_o the_o city_n 〈◊〉_d apud_fw-la euseb_n l._n 2._o c._n 23._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v by_o his_o ministry_n bring_v to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n the_o jew_n make_v a_o uproar_n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n say_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o all_o the_o people_n will_v turn_v christian_n will_v they_o fancy_n themselves_o in_o so_o great_a danger_n if_o the_o christian_n in_o so_o vast_a and_o populous_a a_o city_n shall_v have_v but_o one_o single_a congregation_n suppose_v they_o have_v one_o synagogue_n of_o four_o or_o five_o hundred_o be_v that_o such_o a_o dreadful_a proportion_n as_o to_o fright_v people_n out_o of_o their_o wit_n as_o if_o they_o be_v immediate_o to_o be_v overrun_v with_o christianity_n and_o what_o shall_v give_v they_o so_o great_a disturbance_n the_o christian_n have_v always_o have_v one_o congregation_n there_o and_o sure_o a_o pretty_a full_a one_o from_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n death_n and_o if_o their_o meeting_n place_n be_v not_o increase_v and_o synagogue_n with_o their_o ruler_n and_o officer_n have_v not_o desert_v the_o jewish_a church_n and_o profess_a christianity_n there_o have_v be_v no_o protence_n for_o such_o a_o apprehension_n as_o if_o all_o jerusalem_n be_v about_o to_o change_v the_o law_n for_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v more_o than_o a_o poor_a congregational_a church_n and_o bishop_n that_o must_v give_v cause_n to_o these_o apprehension_n it_o be_v not_o long_o ere_o this_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o be_v grow_v so_o formidable_a to_o the_o jew_n that_o they_o be_v afraid_a lest_o in_o a_o little_a while_n it_o may_v swallow_v up_o all_o their_o synagogue_n be_v remove_v thence_o and_o by_o a_o special_a warning_n snatch_v from_o the_o destruction_n that_o be_v short_o to_o fall_v upon_o that_o wicked_a city_n there_o be_v a_o ancient_a tradition_n that_o the_o christian_n of_o jerusalem_n forsake_v it_o before_o the_o last_o siege_n and_o go_v to_o pella_n 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o l._n 3.5_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o city_n of_o beyond_o jordan_n and_o because_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o place_n may_v make_v one_o suspect_v that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v not_o so_o great_a if_o this_o town_n can_v receive_v they_o all_o we_o must_v understand_v that_o town_n to_o be_v their_o metropolis_n or_o seat_n of_o their_o bishop_n but_o the_o believer_n be_v all_o scatter_a through_o that_o whole_a country_n 11._o epip_n haer._n 30._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o l._n 3._o c._n 11._o as_o epiphanius_n write_v and_o his_o way_n of_o express_v himself_o make_v pella_n only_o the_o principal_a residence_n of_o the_o church_n and_o here_o it_o be_v probable_a their_o bishop_n live_v for_o after_o the_o death_n of_o james_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n and_o such_o of_o our_o savious_n kindred_n as_o remain_v meet_v together_o to_o appoint_v a_o successor_n to_o james_n when_o this_o church_n be_v depart_v from_o jerusalem_n and_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v more_o than_o a_o ordinary_a charge_n to_o occasion_n so_o solemn_a a_o meeting_n to_o consult_v about_o the_o person_n that_o shall_v succeed_v in_o it_o it_o be_v more_o sure_o than_o the_o oversight_n of_o one_o single_a congregation_n 〈◊〉_d id._n l._n 3._o c._n 35._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o his_o government_n add_v yet_o great_a number_n to_o that_o church_n many_o thousand_o of_o the_o circumcision_n receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n at_o that_o time_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n justus_n who_o succeed_v in_o the_o bishopric_n of_o jerusalem_n now_o from_o this_o account_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n it_o appear_v manifest_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v episcopal_a from_o the_o beginning_n and_o some_o of_o the_o author_n that_o attest_v it_o live_v in_o that_o time_n when_o the_o apostolical_a church_n government_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v change_v into_o episcopacy_n by_o blondel_n and_o it_o show_v no_o less_o the_o vanity_n of_o mr._n b.'s_n conceit_n about_o the_o original_a of_o bishop_n 2._o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v diocesan_n have_v the_o oversight_n of_o several_a congregation_n which_o be_v necessary_o infer_v from_o the_o express_a number_n of_o convert_v from_o general_a expression_n of_o wonderful_a accession_n from_o the_o jealousy_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n who_o apprehend_v from_o the_o progress_n christianity_n make_v that_o all_o jerusalem_n will_v soon_o become_v christian_n from_o the_o far_a account_n of_o its_o increase_n and_o of_o the_o innumerable_a multitude_n that_o be_v add_v to_o it_o and_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v the_o weakness_n of_o mr._n b.'s_n conjecture_n who_o make_v rome_n and_o alexandria_n to_o be_v the_o first_o pattern_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n and_o that_o not_o till_o after_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o three_o century_n nor_o be_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n singular_a in_o its_o constitution_n but_o all_o other_o church_n of_o the_o apostle_n plant_v be_v of_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o design_v for_o the_o like_a and_o yet_o far_o increase_n the_o beginning_n of_o they_o as_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v but_o small_a the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v like_o a_o grain_n of_o mustard_n seed_n which_o be_v yet_o capable_a of_o prodigious_a improvement_n and_o the_o slip_n when_o first_o plant_v be_v but_o single_a yet_o afterward_o it_o shoot_v out_o several_a branch_n which_o though_o never_o so_o mnumerous_a and_o at_o some_o distance_n one_o from_o the_o other_o yet_o communicate_v all_o in_o the_o same_o same_o body_n and_o root_n the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o like_o those_o of_o the_o author_n of_o sect_n or_o religious_a order_n to_o have_v only_o a_o select_a company_n of_o follower_n that_o be_v much_o at_o leisure_n but_o great_a and_o comprehensive_a and_o suit_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o be_v no_o sex_n no_o capacity_n no_o condition_n but_o be_v design_v to_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v digest_v the_o most_o commodious_o that_o may_v be_v so_o that_o there_o may_v be_v one_o fold_n under_o one_o shepherd_n christ_n the_o universal_a pastor_n the_o school_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o narrow_a foundation_n for_o such_o a_o build_n as_o that_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v to_o be_v large_a in_o proportion_n to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o fabric_n and_o it_o be_v no_o less_o the_o strength_n than_o beauty_n of_o the_o whole_a to_o have_v its_o stone_n and_o timber_n the_o part_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v of_o something_o a_o great_a magnitude_n than_o those_o of_o private_a and_o ordinary_a building_n nor_o can_v it_o yet_o stand_v without_o there_o be_v some_o kind_n of_o coherence_n and_o connection_n at_o least_o wise_a where_o the_o people_n that_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v likewise_o unite_v in_o a_o political_a communion_n this_o connection_n ought_v particular_o to_o be_v regard_v which_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o first_o plant_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v a_o eye_n to_o as_o shall_v be_v observe_v far_o in_o the_o course_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n which_o after_o this_o digression_n i_o be_o go_v to_o pursue_v the_o first_o persecution_n that_o be_v raise_v against_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v by_o the_o good_a providence_n of_o god_n turn_v into_o the_o happy_a occasion_n of_o plant_v several_a other_o church_n and_o that_o storm_n which_o be_v design_v to_o quench_v that_o fire_n that_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n scatter_v the_o spark_n of_o it_o into_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o samaria_n be_v the_o first_o place_n we_o read_v of_o that_o entertain_v the_o gospel_n when_o it_o have_v be_v force_v out_o of_o jerusalem_n 12._o act_n 8.1_o v._o 4._o v._n 5_o 6._o v._o 12._o philip_n the_o deacon_n preach_v christ_n unto_o they_o and_o the_o people_n with_o one_o accord_n give_v heed_n to_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v speak_v by_o he_o and_o when_o
the_o number_n of_o christian_n at_o his_o first_o entrance_n be_v hardly_o enough_o to_o make_v a_o congregation_n towards_o his_o latter_a end_n it_o be_v sure_o too_o great_a for_o one_o for_o the_o multitude_n of_o people_n in_o the_o city_n and_o the_o country_n that_o belong_v to_o it_o supra_fw-la ubi_fw-la supra_fw-la it_o be_v say_v by_o gregory_n nysser_n to_o be_v infinite_a the_o testimony_n of_o tertullian_n apolog._n chap._n 39_o be_v as_o little_a to_o his_o purpose_n his_o word_n be_v these_o 93._o p._n 93._o where_o a_o body_n compact_v by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o same_o religion_n the_o unity_n of_o discipline_n and_o the_o league_n of_o hope_n do_v come_v together_o into_o one_o congregation_n congregationem_fw-la conus_fw-la ad_fw-la deum_fw-la ed._n rigalty_n and_o not_o in_o caeum_n &_o congregationem_fw-la to_o offer_v up_o prayer_n to_o god_n we_o meet_v for_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o feed_v our_o faith_n with_o those_o holy_a word_n we_o raise_v up_o our_o hope_n we_o fix_v our_o confidence_n 〈◊〉_d confirm_v discipline_n by_o the_o inculcate_a of_o 〈◊〉_d â—ours_n precept_n there_o be_v likewise_o there_o exhortation_n as_o be_v do_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n that_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o anticipation_n of_o future_a judgement_n if_o any_o one_o have_v so_o offend_v as_o to_o be_v banish_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o prayer_n and_o the_o assembly_n and_o of_o all_o holy_a commerce_n most_o approve_v elder_n do_v preside_v now_o let_v the_o reader_n judge_n whether_o mr._n b._n have_v reason_n to_o be_v so_o confident_a of_o this_o passage_n as_o to_o say_v 94._o pag._n 94._o if_o i_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v tertullian_n it_o be_v here_o plain_a that_o each_o church_n consist_v of_o one_o congregation_n and_o yet_o out_o of_o the_o word_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o bring_v to_o favour_v it_o unless_o it_o be_v this_o that_o christian_n use_v in_o those_o day_n to_o assemble_v for_o prayer_n and_o read_v of_o the_o scripture_n but_o whether_o one_o or_o more_o such_o assembly_n be_v under_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbytery_n be_v not_o signify_v in_o the_o least_o that_o elder_n be_v say_v to_o preside_v do_v not_o at_o all_o prejudice_n the_o right_n of_o the_o bishop_n for_o either_o those_o be_v bishop_n that_o be_v say_v to_o preside_v and_o so_o every_o particular_a church_n will_v have_v many_o which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o against_o mr_n b_n notion_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v confess_o against_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o time_n when_o one_o church_n have_v no_o more_o than_o one_o bishop_n if_o they_o be_v presbyter_n then_o it_o be_v probable_a there_o be_v more_o than_o one_o congregation_n but_o it_o appear_v by_o what_o follow_v that_o these_o precedent_n be_v all_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n where_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o people_n and_o say_v to_o live_v out_o of_o the_o common_a stock_n and_o the_o deacon_n as_o well_o as_o priest_n do_v assist_v at_o the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o bread_n and_o wine_n be_v distribute_v by_o their_o hand_n aâ—â—_n shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v in_o due_a place_n 〈◊〉_d cite_v out_o of_o the_o same_o author_n de_fw-fr corona_n militis_fw-la to_o put_v his_o meaning_n out_o of_o all_o doubt_n conclude_v nothing_o less_o than_o what_o he_o will_v have_v he_o to_o say_v his_o word_n be_v to_o this_o effect_n 3._o presidentium_fw-la c._n 3._o that_o we_o must_v receive_v the_o eucharist_n at_o all_o time_n but_o from_o no_o other_o hand_n but_o those_o that_o preside_v that_o those_o be_v not_o bishop_n appear_v from_o the_o next_o passage_n which_o he_o cite_v out_o of_o the_o same_o place_n 〈◊〉_d this_o mr._n b._n mistake_v ch._n hist_o p._n 7._o when_o he_o say_v that_o they_o take_v not_o the_o lord_n supper_n but_o only_o antistitis_fw-la manu_fw-la i_o suppose_v his_o memory_n deceive_v he_o 〈◊〉_d where_o tertullian_n speak_v of_o baptism_n mention_n the_o form_n of_o renounce_v the_o world_n and_o the_o devil_n sub_fw-la manu_fw-la antistitis_fw-la where_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o he_o use_v another_o word_n as_o well_o as_o another_o number_n yet_o since_o it_o be_v say_v that_o christian_n ought_v not_o to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n but_o from_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o precedent_n we_o must_v not_o conceive_v the_o bishop_n to_o be_v exclude_v but_o by_o that_o general_a name_n to_o be_v comprehend_v together_o with_o his_o bench_n of_o presbyter_n but_o will_v not_o this_o circumstance_n of_o baptism_n serve_v to_o evince_v that_o a_o bishop_n have_v then_o but_o one_o congregation_n and_o every_o one_o to_o be_v baptize_v be_v to_o make_v his_o renunciation_n under_o the_o bishop_n hand_n nothing_o less_o for_o many_o more_o may_v be_v baptize_v by_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o compass_n of_o few_o year_n than_o there_o be_v in_o the_o great_a diocese_n in_o the_o world_n paulinus_n can_v not_o well_o wish_v a_o great_a number_n in_o his_o diocese_n than_o he_o baptize_v in_o seven_o and_o thirty_o day_n 14._o bed_n l._n 2._o chap._n 14._o pamelius_n do_v labour_n to_o prove_v that_o antistes_fw-la be_v the_o same_o with_o seniores_fw-la president_n and_o that_o presbyter_n may_v baptize_v as_o well_o as_o bishop_n but_o that_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n nor_o do_v this_o passage_n suppose_v every_o baptism_n perform_v by_o the_o bishop_n but_o the_o renunciation_n of_o the_o devil_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v preparatory_a to_o it_o to_o have_v be_v make_v in_o his_o presence_n he_o may_v have_v a_o very_a large_a diocese_n and_o be_v at_o leisure_n for_o this_o especial_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o time_n have_v such_o a_o awe_n of_o that_o sacrament_n and_o the_o strict_a obligation_n it_o lay_v upon_o they_o of_o more_o than_o ordinary_a sanctity_n that_o they_o defer_v it_o till_o the_o last_o and_o be_v baptize_v on_o their_o deathbed_n and_o that_o not_o by_o the_o bishop_n but_o by_o any_o other_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n nor_o can_v we_o find_v in_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o time_n we_o now_o speak_v of_o that_o child_n have_v any_o part_n in_o the_o solemn_a and_o public_a baptism_n but_o they_o may_v be_v private_o baptize_v in_o case_n of_o necessity_n and_o eminent_a danger_n of_o death_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o long_o after_o these_o time_n we_o find_v in_o the_o large_a diocese_n where_o a_o great_a many_o congregation_n be_v affirm_v to_o be_v under_o the_o same_o bishop_n congregation_n one_o baptistry_n to_o a_o church_n sufficient_a for_o several_a congregation_n there_o be_v but_o three_o day_n in_o the_o year_n appoint_v for_o solemn_a baptism_n and_o the_o bishop_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v unequal_a to_o the_o multitude_n that_o they_o complain_v of_o the_o general_n neglect_v of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o of_o their_o not_o be_v full_o employ_v at_o those_o time_n so_o that_o suppose_v this_o antistes_fw-la to_o be_v the_o bishop_n and_o every_o one_o that_o be_v solemn_o baptize_v past_a under_o his_o hand_n it_o be_v far_o from_o make_v out_o mr._n b_n notion_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n under_o he_o the_o next_o thing_n he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o confirm_v his_o conception_n of_o congregational_a church_n be_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n 7._o disp_n 95._o in_o the_o margin_n ch._n hist_o p._n 7._o as_o well_o in_o the_o election_n of_o their_o bishop_n as_o in_o several_a other_o ecclesiastical_a act_n but_o this_o â—e_n rather_o hint_n by_o the_o buy_v than_o insist_o upon_o and_o i_o suppose_v do_v not_o value_n much_o since_o he_o take_v no_o care_n to_o improve_v it_o whoever_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o examine_v those_o passage_n will_v find_v that_o the_o people_n never_o poll_v at_o the_o election_n of_o their_o bishop_n which_o be_v principal_o the_o act_n of_o the_o clergy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o approve_v it_o common_o by_o a_o general_a and_o confuse_a voice_n of_o the_o multitude_n that_o be_v present_a and_o the_o phrase_n vniversa_fw-la plebs_fw-la do_v not_o denote_v every_o particular_a christian_a of_o the_o church_n but_o only_o a_o general_a assembly_n and_o congregation_n of_o as_o many_o as_o can_v come_v together_o or_o of_o the_o most_o considerable_a person_n of_o the_o diocese_n or_o rather_o as_o it_o be_v usual_o express_v all_o the_o people_n that_o be_v present_a at_o the_o action_n cornelius_n elect_v plebis_fw-la quae_fw-la tunc_fw-la adfuit_fw-la suffragio_fw-la cypr._n l._n 4._o c._n 2._o i_o shall_v not_o forget_v to_o answer_v this_o argument_n more_o particular_o hereafter_o when_o we_o shall_v meet_v with_o it_o confirm_v by_o any_o canon_n of_o council_n or_o other_o passage_n in_o his_o history_n basil_n ep._n
as_o if_o it_o be_v to_o prevent_v such_o a_o mistake_n as_o this_o anti._n ad_fw-la fahiâ—â—n_n anti._n express_o tell_v we_o that_o these_o officer_n be_v not_o useless_a and_o unnecessary_a but_o call_v the_o clergy_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o necessity_n of_o they_o appear_v by_o what_o immediate_o follow_v because_o they_o have_v the_o direction_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o a_o great_a and_o innumerable_a people_n and_o now_o with_o what_o reason_n mr._n b._n have_v retract_v his_o exception_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n let_v the_o reader_n judge_n but_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v long_o before_o outgrow_v the_o stature_n of_o a_o congregation_n for_o euaristus_n the_o six_o from_o st._n peter_n be_v say_v to_o have_v divide_v rome_n into_o title_n or_o parish_n the_o multitude_n be_v grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o one_o assembly_n baron_n ep._n pii_fw-la ad_fw-la baron_n or_o if_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pseudo_fw-la damasus_n be_v not_o to_o be_v depend_v upon_o we_o have_v the_o two_o epistle_n of_o pius_n to_o confirm_v it_o in_o the_o first_o we_o have_v mention_n of_o euprepia_n that_o have_v give_v to_o the_o poor_a titulum_fw-la domus_fw-la suae_fw-la ubi_fw-la nunc_fw-la cum_fw-la pauperibus_fw-la nostris_fw-la commorantes_fw-la missas_fw-la agimus_fw-la several_a learned_a man_n do_v except_v against_o the_o word_n missa_fw-la as_o not_o be_v yet_o in_o use_n in_o the_o church_n temp._n hospin_n de_fw-fr temp._n but_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o show_v when_o it_o be_v first_o take_v up_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o way_n of_o speak_v be_v make_v use_n of_o not_o long_o after_o remissa_fw-la for_o remissio_fw-la be_v find_v in_o tertullian_n and_o cyprian_n in_o the_o second_o epist_n we_o have_v these_o word_n presbyter_n pastor_n titulum_fw-la condidit_fw-la &_o dignè_fw-la in_o domino_fw-la obiit_fw-la i_o must_v needs_o say_v blondel_n do_v not_o deal_v very_o ingenious_o and_o equal_o with_o these_o epistle_n for_o in_o his_o pseudo_fw-la isidocus_n he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v they_o suppositious_a though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o isidorus_n collection_n yet_o in_o his_o apology_n for_o st._n jerom_n opinion_n concern_v bishop_n he_o vouchsafe_v to_o make_v use_n of_o one_o of_o they_o to_o prove_v that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o pius_n day_n it_o be_v a_o sad_a case_n that_o the_o ancient_n shall_v have_v no_o far_o credit_n with_o we_o than_o they_o serve_v our_o turn_n when_o they_o speak_v what_o man_n will_v not_o have_v they_o than_o they_o be_v false_a and_o impostor_n let_v they_o give_v the_o same_o man_n but_o some_o little_a countenance_n and_o then_o they_o be_v true_a man_n again_o the_o great_a liberality_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v no_o small_a argument_n of_o its_o greatness_n for_o beside_o the_o maintenance_n of_o their_o own_o clergy_n and_o poor_a they_o be_v able_a to_o relieve_v most_o other_o church_n 23._o euseb_n l._n 14._o c._n 23._o and_o it_o be_v their_o practice_n from_o the_o beginning_n to_o oblige_v all_o the_o brethren_n by_o all_o manner_n of_o kindness_n and_o to_o send_v to_o a_o great_a many_o church_n that_o be_v establish_v in_o every_o city_n the_o necessary_n of_o life_n relieve_v the_o necessity_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o want_n and_o send_v necessary_a relief_n to_o those_o who_o be_v condemn_v to_o the_o mine_n this_o be_v the_o ancient_a liberality_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o soter_n be_v say_v not_o only_o to_o have_v continue_v but_o improve_v it_o now_o if_o according_a to_o mr._n b_n notion_n of_o those_o time_n not_o many_o rich_a not_o many_o noble_a be_v call_v the_o number_n of_o believer_n must_v be_v by_o so_o much_o the_o great_a 5._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 5._o to_o be_v able_a to_o supply_v the_o necessity_n almost_o of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n speak_v of_o the_o roman_a church_n charity_n in_o his_o time_n in_o these_o word_n all_o the_o province_n of_o syria_n together_o with_o arabia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o you_o relieve_v every_o one_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v there_o emphatical_a and_o imply_v a_o admiration_n of_o as_o it_o be_v the_o all-sufficiency_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n how_o it_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o so_o many_o church_n and_o to_o furnish_v so_o expensive_a a_o charity_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o commodus_n the_o church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v enjoy_v peaceable_a and_o happy_a time_n and_o to_o have_v thrive_v so_o well_o that_o the_o whole_a world_n in_o a_o manner_n be_v reduce_v the_o word_n of_o eusebius_n express_v a_o wonderful_a increase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o every_o soul_n in_o a_o manner_n of_o every_o sort_n come_v over_o to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o at_o rome_n particular_o the_o increase_n be_v so_o great_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o abundance_n of_o considerable_a person_n for_o their_o nobility_n and_o wealth_n come_v over_o with_o their_o whole_a family_n and_o relation_n euseb_n l._n 15._o c._n 21._o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n at_o rome_n be_v proportionable_o great_a than_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n for_o thither_o they_o flee_v for_o refuge_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o shelter_v themselves_o in_o a_o crowd_n and_o if_o tertullian_n account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o his_o time_n make_v it_o very_o probable_a that_o they_o make_v the_o better_a half_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n if_o he_o boast_v of_o multitude_n and_o say_v that_o they_o have_v possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o city_n and_o country_n and_o every_o place_n be_v full_a of_o they_o but_o the_o temple_n if_o they_o do_v in_o a_o manner_n besiege_v the_o heathen_a in_o every_o part_n and_o be_v more_o beneficial_a to_o the_o public_a by_o the_o consumption_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o commodity_n and_o make_v use_v of_o more_o frankincense_n in_o one_o street_n than_o the_o heathen_a do_v in_o any_o one_o temple_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v the_o major_a part_n every_o where_o but_o in_o rome_n more_o eminent_o so_o see_v this_o urge_v far_o by_o mr._n dodwel_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o mr._n b._n towards_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o century_n they_o receive_v a_o considerable_a increase_n from_o the_o countenance_n of_o alexander_n severus_n the_o great_a part_n of_o who_o family_n and_o that_o alone_o will_v make_v a_o good_a congregation_n be_v christian_n 21.28_o euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 21.28_o and_o this_o favourer_n of_o christianity_n reign_v thirteen_o year_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o that_o age_n their_o condition_n be_v most_o flourish_a and_o all_o the_o world_n in_o a_o manner_n have_v receive_v the_o faith_n let_v we_o observe_v in_o what_o glorious_a expression_n eusebius_n represent_v the_o church_n before_o the_o persecution_n of_o dioclesian_n 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 8._o c._n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o say_v he_o can_v describe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o full_a and_o innumerable_a assembly_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o meeting_n in_o every_o city_n so_o that_o by_o this_o time_n not_o only_o in_o rome_n but_o almost_o in_o every_o city_n the_o christian_n have_v several_a congregation_n valesius_fw-la though_o he_o correct_v the_o old_a translator_n yet_o it_o seem_v do_v not_o full_o comprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o place_n nor_o see_v the_o elegancy_n of_o eusebius_n gradation_n for_o first_o he_o represent_v the_o many_o thousand_o that_o come_v together_o to_o make_v a_o congregation_n than_o the_o number_n of_o such_o assembly_n that_o there_o be_v several_a of_o they_o and_o at_o last_o mention_n the_o place_n that_o receive_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n no_o chapel_n no_o oratory_n but_o be_v full_a in_o those_o day_n about_o this_o time_n or_o not_o long_o after_o rome_n have_v above_o forty_o church_n which_o we_o must_v not_o imagine_v to_o be_v build_v all_o at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o by_o degree_n according_a as_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n do_v require_v and_o in_o all_o probability_n there_o must_v be_v more_o than_o one_o or_o two_o even_o in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o century_n and_o now_o i_o have_v mention_v this_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o clear_v that_o passage_n of_o optatus_n about_o these_o forty_o church_n parmen_fw-la optat._n mii_o l._n 2._o contra_fw-la parmen_fw-la from_o the_o exception_n of_o blondel_n who_o mr._n b._n follow_v in_o his_o mistake_n optatus_n in_o that_o place_n trace_n the_o donatist_n of_o rome_n to_o their_o first_o original_a if_o macrobius_n say_v he_o be_v demand_v who_o he_o succeed_v he_o must_v needs_o confess_v it_o be_v to_o eucolpius_fw-la if_o eucolpius_fw-la
be_v ask_v in_o who_o chair_n he_o sit_v he_o must_v say_v where_o bonifacius_n ballitanus_fw-la sit_v before_o he_o and_o he_o where_o victor_n garbiensis_fw-la who_o be_v the_o first_o donatist_n bishop_n in_o rome_n and_o there_o the_o succession_n end_v he_o have_v none_o to_o succeed_v to_o filius_fw-la sine_fw-la patre_fw-la tyro_n sine_fw-la principe_fw-la hospes_fw-la sine_fw-la hospitio_fw-la pastor_n sine_fw-la grege_fw-la episcopus_fw-la sine_fw-la populo_fw-la non_fw-la enim_fw-la populus_fw-la aut_fw-la grex_n appellandi_fw-la fuerant_fw-la pauci_fw-la qui_fw-la intra_fw-la quadraginta_fw-la &_o quod_fw-la excurrit_fw-la basilicas_fw-la locum_fw-la ubi_fw-la colligerent_fw-la non_fw-la haberent_fw-la it_o be_v plain_a then_o that_o optatus_n do_v not_o speak_v of_o the_o state_n of_o rome_n as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o own_o time_n but_o of_o victor_n garbiensis_fw-la the_o first_o donatist_n bishop_n when_o this_o be_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o fix_v there_o be_v no_o great_a argument_n for_o a_o great_a number_n of_o congregation_n under_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n than_o what_o mr._n b._n observe_v of_o their_o church_n before_o dioclesian_n time_n that_o they_o be_v but_o like_o our_o tabernacle_n as_o to_o the_o capaciousness_n 8._o euseb_n l._n 8._o i_o suppose_v as_o well_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o structure_n and_o therefore_o the_o lesser_a they_o be_v the_o great_a number_n there_o must_v be_v of_o they_o and_o the_o church_n must_v grow_v too_o big_a for_o his_o definition_n since_o there_o must_v be_v more_o than_o can_v in_o those_o circumstance_n have_v personal_a communion_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n when_o the_o diocese_n of_o rome_n be_v reduce_v within_o the_o narrow_a bound_n of_o a_o single_a congregation_n what_o other_o church_n can_v pretend_v to_o more_o and_o if_o the_o imperial_a city_n need_v not_o be_v except_v alexandria_n can_v hope_v for_o exemption_n therefore_o he_o proceed_v to_o show_v that_o alexandria_n the_o great_a and_o most_o populous_a city_n in_o the_o world_n next_o to_o rome_n have_v no_o more_o christian_n than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n and_o of_o this_o he_o offer_v a_o bold_a proof_n that_o it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o time_n of_o athanasius_n 9_o athan._n t._n 1._o p._n 531._o ch._n hist_o 9_o who_o word_n he_o cite_v where_o he_o excuse_v himself_o for_o have_v celebrate_v easter_n in_o the_o great_a church_n of_o alexandria_n and_o draw_v together_o such_o a_o multitude_n as_o give_v great_a occasion_n of_o jealousy_n to_o the_o emperor_n but_o his_o plea_n be_v that_o the_o other_o church_n be_v so_o narrow_a that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o suffer_v by_o the_o crowd_n and_o as_o if_o this_o church_n will_v have_v hold_v all_o the_o people_n he_o add_v that_o it_o be_v better_a for_o the_o whole_a multitude_n to_o meet_v in_o the_o great_a church_n and_o to_o have_v the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o people_n with_o one_o voice_n etc._n etc._n this_o church_n be_v new_o build_v by_o constantius_n and_o we_o may_v suppose_v it_o very_o large_a though_o not_o yet_o so_o great_a as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v all_o the_o believer_n in_o alexandria_n nor_o do_v mr._n b._n desire_v it_o shall_v but_o only_o the_o generality_n 10._o ch._n hist_o p._n 10._o yet_o grant_v that_o it_o receive_v all_o it_o will_v follow_v indeed_o that_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n then_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n but_o what_o be_v it_o before_o this_o great_a church_n be_v build_v when_o they_o have_v no_o possibility_n of_o personal_a communion_n be_v not_o they_o then_o make_v congregational_a church_n under_o one_o bishop_n and_o athanasius_n in_o the_o same_o place_n confess_v the_o multitude_n be_v so_o great_a that_o all_o the_o other_o church_n in_o the_o city_n can_v not_o hold_v it_o beside_o the_o orthodox_n be_v probable_o much_o more_o numerous_a before_o the_o build_n of_o that_o church_n and_o the_o banishment_n of_o athanasius_n and_o if_o this_o vast_a fabric_n can_v not_o receive_v the_o party_n of_o athanasius_n what_o church_n shall_v we_o imagine_v can_v have_v be_v large_a enough_o for_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n before_o they_o be_v divide_v by_o arrius_n and_o before_o they_o be_v govern_v by_o gregory_n and_o george_n the_o arrian_n bishop_n he_o add_v to_o this_o of_o athanasius_n 30._o p._n 10._o §_o 30._o another_o argument_n give_v he_o by_o a_o learned_a friend_n which_o i_o will_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o examine_v the_o city_n of_o alexandria_n say_v strabo_n be_v like_o a_o soldier_n cloak_n etc._n etc._n and_o by_o computation_n about_o ten_o mile_n in_o compass_n a_o three_o or_o forth_o part_v of_o this_o be_v take_v up_o with_o public_a building_n temple_n and_o royal_a palace_n thus_o be_v two_o mile_n and_o a_o half_a or_o three_o and_o a_o quarter_n take_v up_o i_o will_v not_o say_v this_o learned_a friend_n have_v impose_v on_o mr._n b._n but_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a mistake_n betwixt_o they_o suppose_v temple_n and_o royal_a palace_n shall_v take_v up_o such_o a_o part_n of_o the_o city_n must_v there_o therefore_o be_v no_o inhabitant_n in_o those_o palace_n or_o no_o christian_n among_o those_o inhabitant_n but_o he_o believe_v this_o to_o be_v that_o region_n call_v bruchium_n which_o epiphanius_n speak_v of_o in_o his_o time_n as_o destitute_a what_o all_o the_o public_a building_n of_o the_o town_n in_o one_o region_n and_o that_o a_o outer_a skirt_n too_o as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o greek_a martyrology_n in_o hilarion_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o the_o life_n of_o apollonius_n discolus_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o epiphanius_n say_v be_v destitute_a of_o inhabitant_n in_o his_o time_n and_o not_o unlikely_a and_o perhaps_o destitute_a of_o public_a building_n too_o for_o it_o be_v destroy_v after_o a_o obstinate_a siege_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o aurelian_a as_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n or_o of_o claudius_n 22._o l._n 22._o as_o eusebius_n will_v have_v it_o however_o the_o city_n must_v be_v reckon_v by_o so_o much_o the_o less_o chronico_fw-la in_o chronico_fw-la neither_o be_v there_o any_o necessity_n of_o this_o for_o they_o may_v enlarge_v upon_o another_o quarter_n be_v it_o may_v be_v forbid_v to_o build_v in_o bruchium_n because_o it_o be_v divide_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o city_n and_o too_o favourable_a a_o refuge_n of_o rebellion_n to_o which_o that_o people_n be_v too_o much_o addict_v they_o may_v dwell_v close_o than_o before_o and_o so_o their_o multitude_n be_v undiminisht_v however_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o this_o city_n long_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o bruchium_n retainrd_n it_o be_v ancient_a greatness_n and_o be_v represent_v by_o no_o writer_n as_o diminish_v either_o in_o number_n or_o wealth_n but_o to_o let_v this_o pass_v let_v we_o see_v what_o become_v of_o the_o rest_n he_o add_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o city_n be_v assign_v to_o the_o jew_n so_o strabo_n indefinite_o as_o josephus_n quote_v he_o other_o tell_v we_o more_o punctual_o that_o their_o share_n be_v two_o of_o the_o five_o division_n ush_n annal_n p._n 859._o though_o many_o of_o they_o have_v their_o habitation_n in_o the_o other_o division_n yet_o they_o have_v two_o five_o part_n entire_a to_o themselves_o which_o he_o may_v have_v find_v as_o punctual_o in_o strabo_n as_o in_o bishop_n usher_n and_o this_o continue_v he_o be_v i_o suppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o josephus_n say_v the_o successor_n of_o alexander_n set_v apart_o for_o they_o thus_o we_o see_v how_o six_o or_o seven_o mile_n of_o the_o ten_o be_v dispose_v of_o and_o by_o the_o same_o rule_n he_o may_v have_v dispose_v of_o all_o at_o once_o and_o conclude_v out_o of_o strabo_n division_n of_o the_o town_n that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o christian_a it_o it_o for_o strabo_n live_v in_o augustus_n his_o time_n when_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o find_v a_o christian_a in_o alexandria_n unless_o we_o will_v take_v in_o justin_n martyr_n old_a christian_n such_o as_o socrates_n i.e._n all_o virtuous_a good_a man_n and_o then_o i_o be_o afraid_a they_o will_v be_v too_o few_o to_o make_v a_o congregation_n the_o number_n of_o these_o jew_n be_v much_o lessen_v within_o a_o little_a while_n after_o strabo_n by_o a_o insurrection_n of_o the_o alexandrian_n against_o they_o the_o civil_a war_n afterward_o under_o trajan_n and_o his_o successor_n have_v almost_o extirpate_v they_o and_o yet_o even_o at_o this_o time_n alexandria_n be_v as_o populous_a as_o ever_o and_o frequent_v by_o almost_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o dion_n chrysostomus_n represent_v the_o flourish_a state_n of_o it_o in_o his_o time_n but_o no_o matter_n what_o number_n of_o jew_n or_o heathen_n it_o have_v in_o strabo_n day_n the_o question_n be_v whether_o many_o
of_o both_o be_v not_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o that_o very_o early_o there_o remain_v now_o but_o three_o or_o four_o mile_n to_o be_v dispose_v of_o between_o the_o heathen_n and_o the_o christian_n ibid._n ibid._n and_o much_o the_o lesser_a part_n will_v fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o the_o latter_a it_o be_v kind_o do_v to_o provide_v for_o the_o christian_n before_o they_o be_v in_o be_v sure_o strabo_n who_o make_v the_o distribution_n and_o bishop_n usher_n who_o cite_v it_o out_o of_o he_o never_o intend_v the_o christian_n one_o foot_n of_o ground_n in_o all_o that_o division_n and_o this_o learned_a friend_n may_v have_v spare_v his_o little_a town_n of_o eight_o or_o ten_o furlong_n which_o he_o so_o liberal_o bestow_v upon_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n before_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v what_o he_o add_v about_o alexander_n and_o meletius_n i_o wonder_v it_o can_v escape_v he_o 11._o p._n 11._o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o notorious_a than_o that_o alexandria_n have_v now_o several_a fix_v parish_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o every_o one_o govern_v under_o the_o bishop_n and_o by_o its_o proper_a presbyter_n and_o his_o remark_n upon_o two_o bishop_n live_v quiet_o in_o alexandria_n be_v so_o disingenuous_a a_o suggestion_n that_o he_o have_v reason_n to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o miletian_n see_v epiph._n in_o hare_n miletian_n for_o while_o miletius_n live_v quiet_o and_o do_v not_o set_v up_o altar_n against_o altar_n all_o be_v well_o but_o a_o little_a before_o his_o death_n the_o schismatical_a humour_n return_v upon_o he_o again_o and_o he_o ordain_v priest_n and_o other_o church-officer_n every_o where_o in_o opposition_n to_o alexander_n he_o may_v find_v as_o many_o or_o more_o bishop_n live_v peaceable_o in_o london_n though_o there_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n as_o there_o be_v in_o alexandria_n now_o because_o mr._n b._n have_v endeavour_v to_o represent_v the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n so_o inconsiderable_a even_o after_o constantine_n day_n it_o will_v not_o be_v impertinent_a to_o give_v the_o reader_n a_o view_n of_o that_o church_n greatness_n even_o from_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o it_o in_o st._n mark_n be_v time_n alexandria_n have_v several_a church_n 24._o euseb_n l._n 2._o c._n 16_o niceph._n l._n 2._o c._n 15._o euseb_n l._n 2._o c._n 24._o though_o but_o one_o bishop_n for_o that_o same_o evangelist_n be_v say_v to_o have_v preach_v the_o gospel_n there_o first_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v to_o have_v found_v several_a church_n or_o congregation_n there_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yet_o for_o all_o this_o the_o whole_a be_v but_o one_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o which_o annianus_n succeed_v st._n mark_n and_o eusebius_n in_o the_o chapter_n before_o cite_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n be_v so_o great_a in_o alexandria_n even_o at_o the_o beginning_n that_o philo_n vouchsafe_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o but_o as_o for_o the_o essaei_n which_o he_o there_o describe_v whether_o they_o be_v jew_n or_o christian_n it_o be_v not_o very_o material_a though_o this_o be_v observable_a not_o only_o of_o they_o but_o of_o all_o the_o jew_n of_o alexandria_n that_o their_o principle_n have_v prepare_v they_o for_o christianity_n above_o all_o other_o people_n for_o by_o their_o moralize_v of_o the_o law_n and_o make_v virtue_n and_o holiness_n to_o be_v the_o design_n and_o meaning_n of_o all_o those_o observance_n they_o be_v come_v as_o it_o be_v to_o meet_v the_o gospel_n and_o like_o the_o centurion_n our_o saviour_n commend_v be_v not_o far_o from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n in_o adrian_n time_n saturn_n vopiseg_n in_o saturn_n they_o be_v it_o seem_v so_o considerable_a as_o not_o only_o to_o be_v mention_v by_o that_o emperor_n but_o to_o be_v set_v at_o the_o head_n of_o all_o the_o sect_n of_o religion_n in_o alexandria_n and_o they_o be_v name_v first_o for_o that_o emperor_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o servianus_n reproach_v the_o egyptian_n with_o inconstancy_n and_o lightness_n say_v those_o that_o worship_n serapis_n be_v christian_n and_o there_o be_v that_o call_v themselves_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_n that_o devote_v themselves_o to_o serapis_n all_o these_o it_o seem_v be_v christian_n by_o inclination_n though_o sometime_o they_o be_v force_v by_o the_o egyptian_n to_o worship_v their_o god_n for_o he_o that_o have_v the_o least_o tincture_n of_o christianity_n can_v have_v no_o great_a devotion_n for_o serapis_n and_o the_o patriarch_n himself_o ibid._n ibid._n when_o he_o come_v into_o egypt_n be_v force_v by_o some_o to_o worship_n serapis_n by_o other_o to_o worship_n christ_n it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o our_o purpose_n whether_o this_o patriarch_n be_v bishop_n of_o alexandria_n as_o casaubon_n and_o salmasius_n will_v have_v he_o or_o rather_o the_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o jew_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o claudius_n 19.4_o josephus_n antiqu._n l._n 19.4_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o philo_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o the_o christian_n than_o be_v so_o powerful_a as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o oblige_v he_o to_o worship_n christ_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o adrian_n do_v the_o christian_n wrong_v in_o this_o point_n for_o they_o never_o force_v any_o to_o their_o religion_n not_o after_o they_o be_v uppermost_a unless_o we_o shall_v judge_v those_o of_o alexandria_n to_o be_v more_o violent_a than_o the_o rest_n however_o this_o account_n certain_o represent_v they_o as_o very_o considerable_a and_o equal_a to_o any_o sect_n or_o religion_n in_o alexandria_n vnus_fw-la illis_fw-la deus_fw-la est_fw-la hunc_fw-la christiani_n hunc_fw-la judaei_n omnes_fw-la venerantur_fw-la &_o gentes_fw-la salmasius_n understand_v serapis_n by_o this_o one_o god_n casaubon_n look_v upon_o this_o passage_n as_o spurious_a and_o add_v afterward_o by_o a_o christian_a hand_n in_o the_o margin_n from_o thence_o by_o a_o ignorant_a scribe_n transfer_v into_o the_o text._n but_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o that_o one_o god_n which_o the_o christian_n and_o jew_n be_v say_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o adore_v be_v the_o true_a god_n which_o both_o worship_v although_o after_o different_a manner_n and_o now_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o christian_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o alexandrian_n may_v possible_o be_v bring_v over_o if_o not_o to_o a_o perfect_a acknowledgement_n yet_o to_o some_o veneration_n and_o esteem_n of_o the_o true_a god_n the_o great_a catechist_n of_o alexandria_n as_o panteus_n clemens_n origen_n and_o heracles_n do_v not_o a_o little_a advance_v the_o growth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o that_o place_n and_o origen_n school_n particular_o be_v so_o frequent_v one_o company_n come_v still_o after_o another_o from_o morning_n till_o night_n that_o he_o have_v hardly_o time_n to_o take_v breath_n and_o be_v force_v to_o take_v heraclas_n into_o his_o assistance_n to_o instruct_v the_o more_o ignorant_a sort_n dionysius_n who_o give_v a_o account_n of_o valerian_n persecution_n in_o egypt_n represent_v the_o christian_n as_o well_o of_o alexandria_n as_o of_o other_o city_n extraordinary_a numerous_a the_o concourse_n of_o they_o to_o he_o when_o he_o be_v banish_v to_o chebron_n be_v so_o great_a that_o he_o be_v force_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o afterward_o when_o he_o be_v remove_v from_o thence_o to_o coluthio_n 8._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 12._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 8._o which_o be_v near_a alexandria_n he_o comfort_v himself_o with_o this_o that_o those_o of_o his_o flock_n can_v come_v to_o he_o and_o stay_v with_o he_o and_o meet_v there_o in_o several_a congregation_n as_o it_o be_v in_o remote_a suburb_n valesius_fw-la observe_v from_o hence_o that_o suburb_n that_o be_v in_o this_o sense_n village_n of_o the_o dependence_n of_o any_o city_n have_v their_o particular_a congregation_n and_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o come_v to_o the_o city_n church_n which_o he_o believe_v be_v but_o one_o even_o in_o alexandria_n in_o dionysius_n time_n but_o how_o that_o be_v deducible_a from_o this_o passage_n i_o can_v see_v under_o the_o persecution_n of_o dioclesian_n what_o number_n of_o christian_n may_v be_v at_o alexandria_n may_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o multitude_n of_o martyr_n that_o suffer_v at_o thebes_n eusebius_n be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o what_o he_o relate_v concern_v they_o he_o see_v great_a multitude_n suffer_v together_o some_o day_n ten_o some_o twenty_o some_o sixty_o and_o sometime_o a_o hundred_o and_o this_o continue_v not_o for_o a_o few_o day_n only_o or_o a_o short_a space_n of_o time_n but_o for_o several_a year_n the_o division_n of_o alexandria_n between_o several_a presbyter_n as_o it_o be_v into_o so_o many_o parish_n although_o it_o be_v not_o mention_v
he_o which_o i_o wonder_v as_o much_o he_o shall_v believe_v as_o that_o he_o be_v satisfy_v with_o another_o friend_n computation_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n in_o strabo_n time_n it_o be_v in_o short_a this_o that_o he_o though_o his_o voice_n be_v none_o of_o the_o loud_a yet_o he_o preach_v to_o a_o congregation_n judge_v to_o be_v about_o ten_o thousand_o man_n 10000_o 2_o part_n of_o ch._n hist_o in_o one_o place_n he_o have_v but_o 6000._o but_o in_o another_o he_o come_v up_o again_o to_o 10000_o and_o that_o they_o all_o hear_v he_o i_o be_o afraid_a that_o this_o friend_n calculation_n exceed_v as_o much_o as_o the_o other_o fall_v short_a for_o we_o reckon_v now_o that_o three_o thousand_o make_v a_o extraordinary_a congregation_n and_o it_o may_v be_v possible_a for_o a_o mighty_a voice_n to_o speak_v to_o a_o thousand_o more_o but_o it_o may_v be_v that_o the_o world_n be_v degenerate_v since_o and_o that_o our_o lung_n be_v no_o more_o in_o comparison_n with_o those_o of_o the_o time_n he_o speak_v of_o than_o they_o be_v compare_v to_o those_o of_o the_o eastern_a preacher_n at_o last_o to_o make_v sure_a work_n he_o conclude_v that_o though_o jerusalem_n may_v have_v many_o assembly_n and_o yet_o but_o one_o church_n 82._o p._n 81._o &_o 82._o and_o after_o the_o disperse_v of_o the_o apostle_n but_o one_o bishop_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o precedent_n this_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v be_v something_o more_o than_o the_o independent_o will_v adventure_v to_o say_v they_o mince_v the_o matter_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o first_o bear_v church_n and_o nurse_v up_o by_o the_o joint_a care_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n may_v arrive_v to_o a_o extraordinary_a stature_n and_o look_v gigantic_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n yet_o they_o dare_v not_o say_v it_o have_v more_o than_o one_o congregation_n and_o be_v no_o precedent_n what_o shall_v we_o judge_v then_o that_o the_o apostle_n build_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o one_o model_n and_o those_o of_o other_o city_n after_o another_o or_o if_o they_o do_v sure_o they_o be_v both_o lawful_a do_v that_o overthrow_n the_o church_n and_o discipline_n of_o christ_n institution_n that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o his_o own_o apostle_n or_o can_v a_o conformity_n to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o mother-church_n of_o jerusalem_n become_v in_o its_o self_n a_o sin_n wherein_o shall_v we_o be_v save_v if_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o secure_v we_o but_o mr._n b._n say_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n suppose_v he_o to_o have_v no_o more_o than_o one_o congregation_n since_o he_o must_v hold_v personal_a communion_n with_o all_o in_o preach_v and_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n visit_v the_o sick_a relieve_v the_o poor_a and_o the_o like_a but_o must_v all_o these_o act_n be_v perform_v by_o himself_o in_o person_n must_v he_o have_v no_o assistance_n be_v nothing_o to_o be_v do_v within_o his_o congregation_n without_o his_o presence_n may_v not_o he_o do_v all_o this_o occasional_o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n do_v of_o every_o bishop_n have_v presbyter_n in_o the_o first_o time_n and_o if_o he_o be_v so_o indispensable_o oblige_v to_o do_v all_o himself_o what_o use_n be_v they_o of_o and_o yet_o appoint_v elder_n for_o the_o ordinary_a and_o constant_a performance_n of_o the_o ministry_n who_o he_o shall_v supervise_v and_o direct_v it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v have_v be_v so_o many_o hundred_o year_n in_o a_o office_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o discharge_v and_o yet_o this_o be_v never_o discover_v by_o themselves_o or_o other_o however_o the_o generality_n of_o bishop_n you_o say_v for_o a_o long_a while_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v but_o one_o congregation_n to_o govern_v what_o then_o if_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o and_o about_o a_o city_n will_v hardly_o make_v a_o congregation_n that_o be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o those_o time_n and_o not_o to_o be_v reckon_v essential_a to_o the_o office_n all_o thing_n have_v their_o beginning_n but_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o infancy_n and_o if_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o church_n be_v but_o small_a even_o the_o great_a city_n it_o can_v be_v a_o prejudice_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o it_o if_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n shall_v increase_v since_o they_o be_v appoint_v in_o clemens_n opinion_n for_o the_o government_n not_o only_o of_o those_o that_o have_v already_o corinth_n ep._n ad_fw-la corinth_n but_o of_o such_o as_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n be_v evident_o on_o our_o side_n for_o who_o have_v ever_o hear_v of_o two_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o great_a unless_o in_o time_n of_o schism_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a when_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n do_v increase_v beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o personal_a communion_n that_o none_o shall_v ever_o discern_v the_o necessity_n of_o divide_v into_o several_a church_n and_o learn_v this_o wisdom_n from_o the_o example_n of_o bee_n but_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o alexandria_n by_o their_o affectation_n of_o empire_n become_v evil_a example_n to_o other_o by_o their_o first_o corruption_n of_o church_n discipline_n it_o be_v strange_a then_o that_o among_o all_o the_o quarrel_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o in_o all_o their_o accusation_n of_o one_o another_o that_o this_o crime_n of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n shall_v never_o be_v object_v that_o no_o good_a man_n can_v never_o complain_v of_o this_o corruption_n that_o there_o shall_v never_o be_v lay_v to_o their_o charge_n this_o usurp_a of_o authority_n over_o whole_a city_n and_o multitude_n of_o congregation_n but_o suppose_v this_o a_o usurpation_n in_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o alexandria_n how_o be_v it_o credible_a that_o all_o the_o great_a city_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v carry_v away_o with_o their_o example_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v not_o one_o honest_a bishop_n leave_v that_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o his_o office_n or_o the_o just_a bound_n of_o his_o diocese_n or_o suppose_v the_o bishop_n so_o far_o prejudice_v with_o self-interest_n as_o to_o have_v neglect_v a_o duty_n that_o redound_v so_o much_o to_o the_o diminution_n of_o their_o power_n yet_o be_v the_o people_n who_o in_o those_o time_n have_v some_o part_n in_o their_o election_n ignorant_a of_o this_o great_a secret_n will_v not_o they_o right_v themselves_o and_o not_o have_v suffer_v their_o several_a congreation_n to_o become_v chappelry_n etc._n etc._n dependency_n upon_o the_o bishop_n church_n will_v not_o they_o have_v govern_v themselves_o rather_o than_o become_v as_o it_o be_v a_o province_n to_o the_o bishop_n or_o if_o the_o people_n be_v ignorant_a of_o this_o be_v there_o no_o priest_n that_o be_v ambitious_a enough_o to_o be_v bishop_n that_o can_v inform_v they_o of_o their_o right_n in_o expectation_n that_o they_o will_v be_v grateful_a to_o the_o discoverer_n of_o their_o privilege_n and_o last_o be_v there_o no_o schismatic_a learn_v enough_o to_o justify_v his_o set_n up_o of_o a_o altar_n against_o a_o altar_n by_o this_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v more_o believer_n than_o can_v hold_v personal_a communion_n with_o the_o bishop_n altar_n that_o there_o be_v work_n enough_o for_o more_o bishop_n than_o one_o and_o that_o in_o populous_a city_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v several_a church_n yet_o they_o be_v all_o so_o dull_a as_o never_o to_o think_v of_o this_o way_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a every_o one_o pretend_a that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n and_o that_o himself_o have_v the_o right_n and_o the_o other_o be_v the_o usurper_n in_o short_a since_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n require_v that_o it_o shall_v swarm_v when_o believer_n grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o one_o assembly_n and_o send_v out_o new_a colony_n under_o independant-officer_n be_v it_o not_o very_o strange_a that_o it_o shall_v so_o far_o forget_v its_o nature_n as_o never_o to_o have_v do_v this_o and_o to_o leave_v not_o one_o poor_a instance_n upon_o who_o authority_n the_o independency_n of_o congregation_n may_v rely_v it_o be_v upon_o this_o that_o the_o present_a question_n turn_v and_o not_o whether_o bishop_n at_o first_o have_v but_o single_a congregation_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o believer_n within_o or_o belong_v to_o the_o city_n they_o can_v have_v no_o more_o but_o after_o they_o be_v multiply_v into_o several_a congregation_n still_o they_o have_v but_o one_o bishop_n and_o mr._n b._n do_v not_o as_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o any_o evidence_n of_o history_n to_o the_o contrary_a unless_o it_o be_v when_o the_o church_n be_v divide_v
place_n than_o a_o cave_n where_o they_o can_v meet_v but_o fifty_o at_o a_o time_n like_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v feed_v by_o obadiah_n in_o the_o time_n of_o jezebel_n persecution_n and_o these_o judge_n when_o they_o come_v together_o dare_v not_o be_v so_o presumptuous_a as_o to_o judge_v a_o pope_n but_o desire_v he_o to_o condemn_v himself_o and_o when_o the_o poor_a man_n be_v persuade_v to_o pass_v his_o own_o sentence_n melchiade_n pronounce_v these_o word_n justè_fw-la ore_fw-la svo_fw-la condemnatus_fw-la est_fw-la nemo_fw-la enim_fw-la unquam_fw-la judicavit_fw-la pontificem_fw-la nec_fw-la praesul_fw-la sacerdotem_fw-la suum_fw-la quoniam_fw-la prima_fw-la sedes_fw-la non_fw-la judicatur_fw-la à _fw-la quoquam_fw-la and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o mr._n b._n declare_v that_o whether_o this_o be_v true_a or_o forge_v be_v too_o hard_a a_o controversy_n just_o as_o hard_o as_o that_o concern_v st._n ursula_n and_o her_o eleven_o thousand_o virgin_n or_o the_o travel_a chapel_n of_o loretto_n or_o the_o history_n of_o the_o seven_o champion_n the_o council_n of_o illiberis_n follow_v next_o that_o have_v many_o very_a good_a canon_n and_o some_o have_v need_n of_o a_o favourable_a interpretation_n it_o be_v very_o severe_a in_o some_o case_n deny_v communion_n even_o at_o the_o hour_n of_o death_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v condemn_v in_o the_o novatian_o as_o we_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n follow_v that_o begin_v the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n 40._o p._n 39_o §_o 40._o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o cecilianus_n his_o election_n thus_o say_v he_o the_o doleful_a tragedy_n of_o the_o donatist_n begin_v by_o bishop_n divide_v about_o the_o carthage_n bishop_n though_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o bishop_n have_v a_o hand_n in_o carry_v on_o this_o schism_n parmen_fw-la opt._n lib._n 1._o contra_fw-la parmen_fw-la yet_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o it_o be_v begin_v by_o they_o for_o optatus_n make_v botrus_fw-la and_o caeleusius_n the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o schism_n for_o these_o desire_v themselves_o to_o be_v bishop_n of_o carthage_n and_o disappoint_v of_o their_o hope_n by_o the_o unanimous_a election_n of_o cecilianus_n leave_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o draw_v lucilla_n a_o rich_a and_o potent_a lady_n into_o their_o party_n et_fw-la sic_fw-la tribus_fw-la convenientibus_fw-la causis_fw-la &_o personis_fw-la factum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la malignitas_fw-la haberet_fw-la effectum_fw-la schisma_fw-la igitur_fw-la illo_fw-la tempore_fw-la confuse_fw-la mulieris_fw-la iracundia_fw-la peperit_fw-la ambitus_fw-la nutrivit_fw-la avaritia_fw-la roboravit_fw-la these_o three_o invite_v those_o traditor_n of_o the_o council_n of_o cyrta_n to_o carthage_n to_o judge_v the_o cause_n of_o cecilianus_n who_o they_o pretend_v be_v ordain_v by_o a_o traditor_n and_o these_o inveigle_v a_o great_a many_o other_o by_o a_o plausible_a pretence_n of_o zeal_n against_o the_o betrayer_n of_o religion_n so_o cecilianus_n be_v condemn_v and_o majorinus_n put_v into_o his_o place_n the_o donatist_n say_v mr._n b._n be_v so_o call_v from_o donatus_n 40._o §_o 40._o a_o very_a good_a bishop_n of_o carthage_n heretofore_o and_o not_o from_o donatus_n à _fw-fr casis_n nigris_fw-la it_o be_v true_a the_o former_a give_v they_o the_o name_n but_o i_o wonder_v where_o mr._n b._n find_v that_o he_o be_v so_o good_a a_o bishop_n donat._n bishop_n de_fw-fr script_n eccles_n in_o donat._n st._n jerom_n make_v he_o a_o arrian_n parmen_fw-la arrian_n optat._n lib._n 3._o contra_fw-la parmen_fw-la optatus_n represent_v he_o as_o the_o most_o arrogant_a proud_a man_n that_o ever_o be_v that_o he_o exact_v such_o a_o submission_n even_o from_o bishop_n as_o to_o make_v they_o worship_v he_o with_o no_o less_o regard_n than_o god_n himself_o that_o he_o suffer_v man_n to_o swear_v by_o his_o name_n friem_n name_n aust_n in_o joh._n tract_n 3._o prop._n friem_n st._n austin_n make_v he_o a_o impostor_n that_o he_o make_v his_o party_n believe_v that_o when_o he_o pray_v god_n answer_v he_o from_o heaven_n and_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n find_v he_o no_o less_o turbulent_a than_o the_o church_n his_o contumelious_a language_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o their_o lieutenant_n show_v sufficient_o what_o spirit_n he_o be_v of_o praefectorum_fw-la gregori_n macula_n senatus_n &_o dedecus_fw-la praefectorum_fw-la last_o he_o mistake_v the_o time_n of_o this_o council_n with_o binnius_n and_o baroneus_n place_v it_o in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 306._o but_o optatus_n make_v this_o election_n of_o cecilianus_n subsequent_a of_o the_o toleration_n grant_v the_o african_a church_n by_o maxentius_n who_o have_v not_o reduce_v africa_n 41._o valesius_fw-la de_fw-la schismate_fw-la donatist_n c._n 1._o §_o 41._o till_o about_o five_o year_n after_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o this_o council_n can_v not_o be_v before_o an._n 308._o another_o council_n be_v hold_v at_o carthage_n where_o no_o less_o than_o two_o hundred_o and_o seventy_o donatist-bishop_n occasion_n the_o bishop_n now_o begin_v to_o multiply_v schism_n the_o occasion_n for_o moderation_n agree_v to_o communicate_v with_o penitent_a traditor_n without_o rebaptise_v they_o and_o so_o do_v for_o forty_o year_n this_o look_v like_a a_o piece_n of_o policy_n than_o moderation_n for_o it_o have_v no_o tendence_n to_o peace_n but_o to_o strengthen_v the_o schism_n for_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o this_o council_n we_o have_v only_o the_o authority_n of_o tychonius_n vincentiam_fw-la aug._n epist_n ad_fw-la vincentiam_fw-la a_o donatist_n who_o probable_o as_o the_o humour_n of_o those_o schismatic_n be_v may_v magnify_v the_o strength_n of_o his_o party_n and_o stretch_v it_o a_o point_n beyond_o what_o it_o real_o be_v the_o time_n of_o this_o council_n be_v likewise_o very_o much_o mistake_v as_o appear_v by_o what_o we_o have_v say_v of_o the_o council_n go_v before_o and_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o it_o be_v hold_v in_o the_o time_n of_o donatus_n 3._o vale_n de_fw-fr schism_n donat._n c._n 3._o schismatic_a bishop_n of_o carthage_n and_o immediate_a successor_n of_o majorinus_n st._n jerom_n in_o his_o chronicle_n set_v his_o promotion_n in_o the_o year_n 331._o donatus_n agnoscitur_fw-la à _fw-la quo_fw-la per_fw-la africam_fw-la donatiani_fw-la and_o it_o can_v be_v well_o imagine_v that_o schism_n shall_v spread_v so_o sudden_o as_o in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o it_o to_o have_v two_o hundred_o and_o seventy_o bishop_n of_o their_o party_n especial_o consider_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a use_v all_o his_o endeavour_n to_o suppress_v they_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o before_o this_o time_n we_o do_v not_o meet_v any_o very_a numerous_a council_n either_o in_o africa_n or_o any_o where_o else_o the_o great_a fall_v much_o short_a of_o a_o hundred_o which_o show_v that_o bishop_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o much_o multiply_v and_o that_o their_o bishopric_n be_v of_o a_o large_a extent_n but_o these_o schismatic_n have_v divide_v the_o church_n make_v bishop_n in_o every_o village_n to_o strengthen_v their_o party_n and_o to_o outnumber_n the_o orthodox_n beside_o that_o they_o have_v set_v up_o a_o altar_n 44._o p._n 4._o §_o 44._o and_o make_v they_o bishop_n in_o every_o city_n where_o they_o can_v get_v the_o least_o congregation_n to_o join_v with_o they_o mr._n b._n complain_v upon_o this_o occasion_n that_o some_o popish_a person_n liken_v the_o separatist_n among_o we_o to_o the_o donatist_n who_o those_o popish_a person_n be_v i_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o guess_v however_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o the_o word_n heresy_n of_o old_a be_v never_o worse_o abuse_v than_o that_o of_o popery_n be_v now_o for_o whosoever_o man_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o render_v odious_a to_o the_o people_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o call_v he_o popish_a and_o then_o he_o be_v bait_v under_o that_o infamous_a name_n as_o the_o christian_n ancient_o be_v in_o the_o skin_n of_o beast_n but_o if_o a_o man_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o make_v odious_a comparison_n mr._n b_n defence_n of_o our_o separatist_n from_o the_o imputation_n of_o be_v like_o the_o donatist_n will_v render_v they_o but_o little_a service_n for_o his_o first_o exception_n of_o our_o separatist_n have_v no_o bishop_n which_o the_o donatist_n have_v make_v they_o differ_v not_o only_o from_o that_o sect_n but_o from_o all_o the_o sect_n and_o church_n in_o the_o worldâ—_n till_o the_o last_o age_n and_o his_o second_o exception_n of_o their_o be_v the_o lesser_a number_n signify_v as_o little_a for_o so_o be_v the_o donatist_n at_o first_o and_o so_o may_v they_o long_o continue_v or_o rather_o may_v the_o name_n of_o separation_n cease_v and_o all_o return_n into_o one_o flock_n under_o one_o shepherd_n but_o the_o donatist_n divide_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n appoint_a bishop_n against_o bishop_n and_o altar_n against_o altar_n pretend_v to_o a_o great_a purity_n than_o the_o orthodox_n and_o boast_v that_o their_o church_n
dioscorus_n cry_v cum_fw-la patribus_fw-la ejicior_fw-la and_o his_o follower_n be_v afterward_o call_v eutychian_o though_o they_o do_v not_o own_o his_o doctrine_n as_o some_o of_o the_o eastern_a christian_n be_v call_v nestorian_n though_o they_o do_v not_o real_o hold_v the_o doctrine_n of_o nestorius_n but_o the_o very_a same_o with_o the_o eastern_a bishop_n that_o mistake_v cyril_n and_o with_o theodorus_n tarsen_v and_o mopsue_v who_o be_v misunderstand_v on_o the_o other_o side_n by_o cyril_n but_o of_o this_o we_o have_v say_v enough_o already_o chap._n vii_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n now_o come_v the_o great_a council_n of_o chalcedon_n under_o the_o new_a emperor_n martian_a 14._o p._n 99_o §._o 14._o where_o all_o be_v change_v for_o a_o time_n yet_o pulcheria_n who_o marry_v he_o and_o make_v he_o emperor_n and_o who_o power_n then_o be_v great_a be_v the_o same_o that_o before_o have_v be_v against_o nestorius_n in_o her_o brother_n reign_n thus_o far_o our_o church_n historian_n it_o be_v a_o marvellous_a observation_n that_o all_o shall_v be_v change_v for_o a_o time_n and_o yet_o pulcheria_n be_v the_o same_o that_o condemn_v nestorius_n in_o her_o brother_n reign_n she_o be_v the_o same_o person_n i_o suppose_v though_o i_o dare_v not_o maintain_v any_o identity_n against_o the_o split_a instrument_n which_o he_o borrow_v of_o derodon_n those_o metaphysical_a term_n i_o mean_v which_o we_o have_v mention_v before_o and_o our_o author_n charm_n and_o imaginary_a remedy_n against_o heresy_n those_o notion_n that_o he_o bewail_v the_o ancient_a bishop_n be_v so_o dull_a as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o find_v out_o but_o if_o out_o of_o special_a grace_n he_o will_v allow_v pulcheria_n to_o be_v the_o same_o pulcheria_n in_o and_o after_o her_o brother_n reign_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v his_o good_a nature_n in_o the_o concession_n but_o where_o be_v the_o wonder_n all_o this_o while_n that_o matter_n shall_v change_v and_o yet_o she_o be_v still_o the_o same_o it_o may_v be_v that_o she_o may_v not_o have_v always_o the_o same_o credit_n and_o authority_n with_o her_o brother_n and_o if_o nicephorus_n may_v be_v believe_v in_o a_o story_n that_o hang_v very_o well_o together_o and_o be_v very_o probable_a etc._n l._n 14._o c._n 47_o etc._n etc._n her_o interest_n be_v very_o low_a when_o the_o second_o council_n of_o ephesus_n be_v call_v for_o the_o end_n of_o it_o be_v to_o ruin_v her_o favourite_n flavian_n who_o have_v give_v her_o notice_n of_o a_o court-plot_n that_o be_v form_v against_o she_o to_o shave_v she_o and_o thrust_v she_o into_o a_o monastery_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o if_o pulcheria_n when_o she_o have_v the_o power_n in_o she_o own_o hand_n shall_v change_v some_o thing_n that_o have_v be_v do_v against_o her_o will_n and_o perhaps_o design_v by_o the_o court_n on_o purpose_n to_o affront_v she_o this_o than_o can_v be_v the_o wonder_n and_o it_o will_v vex_v a_o man_n to_o see_v one_o stare_n and_o stand_v aghast_a and_o yet_o not_o be_v able_a to_o find_v out_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o admiration_n it_o may_v be_v for_o i_o will_v venture_v to_o guess_v once_o more_o that_o the_o wonder_n be_v that_o the_o same_o pulcheria_n shall_v condemn_v eutyches_n that_o have_v condemn_v nestorius_n before_o but_o why_o shall_v we_o wonder_v at_o this_o in_o pulcheria_n more_o than_o in_o flavian_n in_o eusebius_n doryl_n and_o a_o great_a many_o other_o that_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n at_o that_o time_n nay_o do_v not_o all_o the_o world_n in_o a_o manner_n all_o the_o catholic_n church_n condemn_v both_o these_o will_v he_o say_v that_o these_o be_v contradictory_n doctrine_n and_o therefore_o one_o must_v be_v true_a and_o the_o other_o false_a but_o mr._n b._n have_v determine_v already_o that_o cyril_n nestorius_n flavian_n eutyches_n all_o of_o they_o mean_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o what_o wonder_n then_o be_v it_o if_o a_o devout_a lady_n can_v not_o find_v this_o secret_a consent_n of_o doctrine_n under_o appear_a contradiction_n when_o the_o learned_a bishop_n can_v not_o do_v it_o nor_o after_o age_n nor_o the_o subtle_a distinguish_a schoolman_n no_o nor_o derodon_n himself_o however_o since_o we_o can_v discern_v the_o drift_n and_o shrewdness_n of_o the_o observation_n we_o ought_v thankful_o to_o accept_v what_o we_o can_v understand_v though_o that_o be_v no_o great_a news_n that_o pulcheria_n that_o be_v empress_n after_o her_o brother_n death_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o condemn_v nestorius_n in_o her_o brother_n reign_n this_o profound_a remark_n be_v immediate_o follow_v by_o another_o of_o great_a acuteness_n 14._o p._n 100_o sect_n 14._o that_o it_o be_v never_o true_a than_o in_o the_o case_n of_o general_a council_n that_o the_o multitude_n of_o physician_n exasperate_v the_o disease_n and_o kill_v the_o patient_a and_o yet_o our_o author_n will_v have_v these_o physician_n multiply_v without_o end_n if_o every_o congregation_n have_v its_o own_o bishop_n what_o general_a agreement_n can_v we_o then_o expect_v what_o unity_n in_o a_o nation_n when_o bishop_n be_v grow_v so_o inordinate_o numerous_a since_o it_o can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o than_o by_o a_o consultation_n of_o these_o physician_n that_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o unity_n can_v be_v preserve_v or_o if_o this_o expedient_a shall_v fail_v what_o other_o way_n be_v there_o leave_v our_o author_n come_v in_o here_o and_o relieve_v we_o in_o a_o great_a strait_n and_o offer_v a_o remedy_n more_o sovereign_a than_o all_o the_o hereticate_a council_n in_o the_o world_n in_o short_a it_o be_v this_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o one_o nature_n after_o union_n the_o word_n one_o will_v and_o one_o operation_n have_v never_o do_v half_a so_o much_o mischief_n in_o the_o church_n if_o the_o erroneous_a have_v be_v confute_v by_o neglect_n 14._o p_o 100_o sect_n 14._o and_o council_n have_v not_o exasperate_v enrage_v and_o engage_v they_o and_o set_v all_o the_o world_n on_o take_v one_o side_n or_o another_o it_o be_v a_o admirable_a way_n to_o cure_v heresy_n to_o neglect_v it_o and_o to_o preserve_v the_o church_n by_o despise_v such_o small_a difference_n as_o may_v be_v reduce_v into_o a_o word_n it_o be_v but_o a_o word_n that_o divide_v the_o arian_n and_o the_o orthodox_n it_o be_v but_o the_o trinity_n servetus_n say_v that_o divide_v all_o the_o world_n despise_v the_o dispute_n about_o this_o and_o than_o christian_n jew_n and_o mahometans_n may_v be_v comprehend_v under_o the_o same_o rule_n it_o be_v but_o the_o import_n of_o the_o word_n episcopus_fw-la at_o our_o dissenter_n stand_v so_o much_o upon_o why_o do_v not_o mr._n b._n persuade_v they_o to_o despise_v this_o verbal_a controversy_n and_o study_v rather_o to_o be_v quiet_a than_o to_o write_v about_o it_o but_o we_o find_v he_o can_v persuade_v himself_o to_o this_o otherwise_o the_o shop_n will_v have_v want_v divers_a book_n that_o he_o have_v publish_v this_o year_n nay_o we_o find_v that_o he_o himself_o will_v not_o be_v answer_v with_o neglect_n so_o that_o we_o be_v like_a to_o find_v little_a benefit_n of_o this_o rare_a project_n for_o confute_v the_o disturber_n of_o the_o church_n for_o though_o six_o of_o his_o book_n that_o come_v out_o in_o little_a more_o than_o six_o month_n be_v let_v pass_v without_o any_o answer_n that_o i_o know_v of_o yet_o this_o patience_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o mend_v his_o humour_n that_o he_o write_v and_o write_v on_o still_o run_v we_o down_o with_o repetition_n proclaim_v his_o own_o victory_n and_o insult_v over_o our_o silence_n and_o in_o short_a he_o can_v be_v more_o violent_a and_o outrageous_a more_o bitter_a and_o malicious_a under_o all_o the_o provocation_n imaginable_a than_o he_o be_v under_o that_o neglect_n which_o himself_o be_v please_v to_o prescribe_v for_o the_o cure_n of_o they_o i_o wish_v our_o author_n have_v take_v his_o own_o advice_n before_o this_o book_n be_v write_v practise_v this_o mortification_n upon_o himself_o and_o not_o go_v on_o as_o he_o do_v still_o to_o disturb_v the_o world_n with_o perpetual_a contention_n to_o no_o purpose_n but_o to_o show_v how_o much_o he_o want_v of_o a_o scholar_n and_o a_o christian_n but_o however_o man_n may_v be_v confute_v yet_o they_o be_v seldom_o convince_v by_o neglect_n and_o therefore_o lest_o that_o expedient_a may_v fail_v our_o projector_n slur_v in_o another_o supra_fw-la p._n 100_o ubi_fw-la supra_fw-la one_o skilful_a heal_a man_n that_o can_v have_v explicate_v ambiguous_a term_n and_o persuade_v man_n to_o love_n and_o peace_n until_o they_o understand_v themselves_o and_o one_o another_o have_v more_o befriend_v truth_n piety_n and_o the_o church_n than_o all_o the_o hereticate_a council_n do_v and_o why_o may_v not_o this_o skilful_a man_n
here_o independency_n become_v a_o unite_n principle_n and_o bind_v up_o all_o sort_n of_o error_n and_o blasphemy_n in_o one_o and_o will_v â—ot_n disow_v any_o that_o will_v enter_v into_o their_o constitution_n or_o interest_n let_v they_o believe_v as_o they_o please_v or_o believe_v nothing_o all_o but_o as_o to_o the_o sect_n that_o spring_v out_o of_o they_o let_v we_o â—â—ar_v bastwick_n 37._o 2._o part_n of_o indep_n postscript_n p._n 37._o before_o the_o independent_o apâ—â—ition_n in_o our_o horizon_n there_o be_v but_o three_o 〈◊〉_d four_o sect_n know_v among_o we_o and_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d in_o number_n and_o well_o condition_v but_o out_o of_o the_o independents_n lung_n be_v spring_v above_o 40_o several_a â—â—ts_n of_o straggler_n which_o before_o their_o come_n be_v never_o know_v among_o we_o j._n lilburn_n relate_v it_o unto_o i_o and_o that_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o other_o that_o return_v from_o the_o war_n to_o london_n he_o not_o forty_o new_a sect_n and_o some_o so_o pernicious_a that_o he_o have_v much_o a_o do_v to_o keep_v his_o hand_n off_o they_o though_o he_o be_v in_o his_o judgement_n for_o a_o toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n there_o be_v innumerable_a and_o diabolical_a sect_n and_o so_o prodigious_o impious_a that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o a_o christian_n to_o name_v their_o opinion_n and_o last_o these_o congregational_a bishop_n man_n of_o humble_a pretence_n that_o will_v not_o aspire_v at_o first_o beyond_o a_o single_a congregation_n nor_o desire_v to_o govern_v that_o any_o otherwise_o than_o in_o conjunction_n with_o and_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o all_o the_o member_n these_o man_n when_o they_o have_v a_o opportunity_n exercise_v so_o great_a and_o extensive_a a_o tyranny_n as_o this_o church_n have_v never_o feel_v under_o the_o most_o insolent_a of_o diocesan_n bishop_n for_o p._n nye_n and_o h._n petâ—r_v the_o arch-bishop_n of_o those_o time_n whâ—â—_n govern_v the_o committee_n of_o tryer_n 〈◊〉_d no_o law_n no_o canon_n but_o their_o owâ—_n pleasure_n they_o reject_v who_o they_o please_v without_o give_v themselves_o the_o trouble_v 〈◊〉_d the_o sufferer_n the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o least_o reason_n and_o there_o be_v no_o relief_n no_o quare_fw-la iâ—â—pedit_fw-la against_o these_o church_n governor_n and_o their_o proceed_n be_v so_o arbritrary_a that_o some_o style_v that_o committee_n s._n the_o case_n of_o a._n s._n the_o english_a inquisition_n and_o this_o be_v the_o fair_a fruit_n oâ—_n congregational_a episcopacy_n among_o we_o confusion_n regicide_n and_o slavery_n in_o the_o common_a wealth_n heresy_n and_o endless_a sect_n and_o more_o than_o papal_a tyranny_n in_o the_o church_n but_o sure_o mr._n b._n be_v not_o for_o this_o congregational_a independent_a way_n but_o for_o a_o temperament_n or_o mixture_n of_o church_n government_n make_v up_o of_o this_o and_o presbytery_n and_o episcopacy_n mr._n b._n tell_v we_o that_o he_o have_v not_o change_v â—is_n opinion_n these_o forty_o year_n praef_n treatise_n of_o episc_n praef_n and_o if_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o it_o by_o what_o he_o have_v write_v since_o it_o must_v be_v either_o independency_n or_o something_o so_o like_o it_o that_o a_o ordinary_a capacity_n can_v distinguish_v from_o it_o for_o if_o to_o declare_v 〈◊〉_d church_n of_o christ_n constitute_v to_o be_v but_o â—â—e_z congregation_n join_v in_o personal_a comâ—â—â—ion_n of_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n and_o that_o â—â—ery_o such_o congregation_n be_v independent_a use_v have_v all_o sort_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n â—â—en_o it_o immediate_o by_o christ_n if_o to_o say_v that_o 〈◊〉_d usurp_v authority_n over_o several_a of_o these_o â—â—â—ches_n and_o to_o assume_v the_o power_n of_o cenâ—â—_n over_o their_o member_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o â—â—â—tolick_a institution_n and_o unchurche_n all_o â—â—â—â—e_a congregation_n and_o that_o no_o synod_n 〈◊〉_d more_o than_o bishop_n have_v any_o superiority_n over_o any_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o church_n 〈◊〉_d that_o a_o church_n for_o discipline_n can_v â—â—prehend_v a_o great_a number_n than_o a_o church_n 〈◊〉_d worship_n if_o this_o be_v independency_n mr._n b._n â—â—â—ds_v it_o or_o else_o he_o either_o do_v not_o mean_a as_o 〈◊〉_d speak_v for_o all_o these_o thing_n he_o plain_o â—â—â—ms_n or_o speak_v so_o as_o no_o body_n can_v make_v 〈◊〉_d other_o meaning_n of_o his_o word_n yet_o how_o can_v this_o be_v for_o he_o be_v not_o against_o â—â—â—â—es_n and_o synod_n no_o more_o be_v the_o indepenâ—â—â—_n they_o have_v not_o condemn_v the_o use_n of_o â—â—ods_n as_o i_o have_v show_v out_o of_o f._n johnson_n and_o the_o independent_o assemble_v in_o a_o synod_n declare_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o their_o confession_n that_o this_o neglect_n of_o synod_n and_o consociation_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o those_o endless_a division_n their_o church_n run_v into_o but_o still_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o neighbourly_a consultation_n and_o have_v no_o proper_a authority_n to_o impose_v any_o rule_n upon_o national_a church_n but_o mr._n b._n be_v for_o episcopacy_n so_o be_v johnson_n and_o mr._n b._n be_v for_o no_o other_o for_o he_o do_v express_o disow_v any_o bishop_n that_o be_v appoint_v over_o many_o church_n but_o he_o be_v for_o bishop_n usher_v episcopacy_n it_o be_v true_a mr._n b._n say_v so_o in_o several_a place_n and_o that_o bishop_n usher_n and_o he_o have_v agree_v the_o point_n in_o a_o quarter_n of_o a_o hour_n what_o may_v have_v be_v the_o result_n of_o mr._n b.'s_n conversation_n with_o that_o learned_a primate_n i_o can_v tell_v but_o that_o which_o mr._n b._n so_o often_o refer_v we_o to_o for_o bishop_n usher_v opinion_n show_v there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o distance_n between_o he_o and_o mr._n b._n in_o this_o point_n as_o there_o be_v between_o mr._n b._n and_o the_o church_n of_o england_n there_o be_v a_o small_a paper_n that_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o that_o bishop_n entitle_v the_o reduction_n of_o episcopacy_n which_o mr._n b._n often_o mention_n i_o will_v transcribe_v the_o second_o article_n that_o the_o reader_n may_v see_v how_o well_o his_o notion_n of_o episcopacy_n do_v agree_v with_o mr._n b.'s_n whereas_o by_o a_o statute_n in_o the_o 26_o year_n of_o k._n henry_n the_o eight_o revive_v in_o the_o first_o of_o queen_n elizabeth_n suffragans_fw-la be_v appoint_v to_o be_v erect_v in_o twenty_o six_o several_a place_n of_o this_o kingdom_n 6._o p._n 6._o the_o number_n of_o they_o may_v very_o well_o be_v conform_v unto_o the_o number_n of_o the_o several_a rural_a deanery_n into_o which_o every_o diocese_n be_v subdivide_v which_o be_v do_v the_o suffragans_fw-la supply_v the_o place_n of_o those_o who_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v call_v chorepiscopi_fw-la might_n every_o month_n assemble_v a_o synod_n of_o all_o the_o rector_n or_o incumbent_a pastor_n within_o the_o precinct_n and_o according_a to_o the_o major_a part_n of_o their_o voice_n conclude_v all_o matter_n that_o shall_v be_v bring_v into_o debate_n before_o they_o to_o this_o synod_n the_o rector_n and_o churchwarden_n may_v present_v such_o impenitent_a person_n as_o by_o admonition_n and_o suspension_n from_o the_o sacrament_n will_v not_o be_v reform_v who_o if_o they_o remain_v contumacious_a and_o incorrigible_a the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n may_v be_v decree_v against_o they_o by_o the_o synod_n and_o according_o be_v execute_v in_o the_o parish_n where_o they_o live_v hitherto_o also_o all_o thing_n that_o concern_v parochial_a minister_n may_v be_v refer_v whether_o they_o do_v touch_v their_o doctrine_n or_o their_o conversation_n the_o diocesan_n be_v to_o remain_v as_o now_o only_o to_o govern_v by_o a_o synod_n of_o suffragans_fw-la and_o incumbent_n and_o their_o decree_n if_o occasion_n be_v to_o be_v revise_v by_o provincial_n and_o metropolitical_a synod_n preside_v by_o the_o metropolitan_o now_o let_v we_o compare_v this_o with_o mr._n b.'s_n doctrine_n of_o church_n government_n first_o then_o the_o suffragans_n here_o mention_v as_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o and_o low_a order_n be_v diocesan_n for_o every_o one_o be_v to_o rule_v a_o rural_a deanery_n which_o consist_v of_o about_o 40_o or_o 50_o or_o sometime_o more_o parish_n be_v not_o this_o the_o same_o species_n of_o government_n with_o diocesan_n if_o a_o diocese_n of_o 50_o parish_n be_v specifical_o distinct_a from_o one_o of_o 80_o or_o a_o hundred_o we_o must_v have_v several_a species_n among_o we_o too_o according_a to_o the_o different_a proportion_n of_o our_o bishopric_n the_o diocese_n of_o lincoln_n will_v be_v specifical_o different_a from_o that_o of_o bristol_n and_o by_o this_o way_n it_o be_v possible_a at_o last_o to_o make_v out_o mr._n b.'s_n twelve_o sort_n of_o episcopacy_n which_o he_o reckon_v in_o his_o disputation_n of_o church_n government_n in_o short_a what_o kind_n of_o episcopacy_n do_v mr._n b._n reject_v diocesan_n he_o say_v seven_o treatise_n of_o episc_n part_n
say_v to_o be_v send_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n as_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n send_v john_n and_o peter_n to_o samaria_n 8._o act._n 8._o in_o like_a matter_n the_o church_n send_v barnabas_n to_o antioch_n 11._o v._o 11._o but_o now_o it_o seem_v they_o come_v from_o james_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n pass_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o bishop_n only_o although_o after_o this_o we_o find_v this_o style_n to_o vary_v again_o and_o sometime_o the_o church_n of_o such_o a_o place_n send_v to_o another_o without_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o bishop_n though_o the_o letter_n be_v pen_v by_o the_o bishop_n himself_o as_o the_o inscription_n of_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n do_v inform_v we_o and_o jastly_a as_o the_o authority_n of_o james_n appear_v by_o send_v to_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n so_o it_o do_v likewise_o from_o his_o speech_n in_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n where_o he_o seem_v to_o preside_v and_o determine_v the_o question_n in_o dispute_n 5._o act._n 5._o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n all_o this_o consider_v together_o with_o the_o testimony_n of_o hegesippus_n and_o clemens_n there_o can_v be_v as_o little_a doubt_n that_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n be_v settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o there_o be_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o express_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v without_o resect_v the_o most_o authentic_a record_n of_o church_n history_n it_o be_v to_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o leave_v so_o full_a and_o perfect_a account_n of_o the_o constitution_n and_o government_n of_o the_o first_o church_n as_o may_v be_v wish_v for_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o only_a scripture_n history_n of_o those_o time_n relate_v most_o the_o victory_n of_o christian_a religion_n how_o several_a city_n be_v convert_v by_o what_o miracle_n by_o what_o argument_n or_o exhortation_n but_o before_o the_o holy_a penman_n come_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o settlement_n of_o those_o new_a conquest_n he_o carry_v away_o the_o reader_n from_o thence_o to_o follow_v the_o apostle_n to_o some_o other_o place_n where_o they_o begin_v to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o another_o church_n thus_o we_o have_v no_o more_o notice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o samarid_a and_o of_o judea_n jerusalem_n except_v than_o that_o such_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o their_o government_n and_o constitution_n we_o be_v not_o the_o least_o information_n and_o the_o prospect_n leave_v of_o antioch_n in_o scripture_n be_v very_o confuse_v as_o of_o a_o church_n in_o fieri_fw-la where_o a_o great_a number_n of_o eminent_a person_n labour_v together_o to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o up_o but_o after_o what_o form_n do_v not_o appear_v but_o only_o from_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n ignatio_n eusel_n l._n 3._o c._n 22._o chronnon_n chrysost_n orat._n de_fw-fr ignatio_n who_o report_n that_o this_o church_n when_o it_o be_v settle_v and_o digest_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o evodius_n and_o after_o he_o to_o ignetius_n and_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n nevertheless_o we_o be_v not_o leave_v destitute_a of_o all_o light_n in_o this_o particular_a even_o from_o the_o scripture_n the_o history_n of_o st._n paul_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v by_o st._n â—â—ke_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o himself_o scatter_o in_o his_o own_o epistle_n inform_v we_o in_o some_o measure_n of_o the_o from_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n government_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n this_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n do_v common_o use_v this_o method_n inform_v those_o church_n he_o have_v convert_v as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o consult_v the_o citation_n in_o the_o margin_n when_o he_o come_v to_o any_o place_n where_o the_o gospel_n have_v not_o be_v preach_v and_o he_o do_v not_o affect_v much_o to_o build_v upon_o another_o be_v foundation_n he_o preach_v first_o in_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n 13.46_o rom._n 15.20_o 1_o cor._n 3.10_o act_n 9.20_o 13_o &_o 14._o act_n 13.46_o and_o if_o they_o reject_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n he_o turn_v to_o the_o gentile_n assoon_o as_o he_o have_v convert_v a_o competent_a number_n he_o take_v care_n to_o improve_v they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n 3.2_o 1_o cor._n 3.2_o and_o for_o that_o purpose_n teach_v they_o constant_o either_o at_o his_o own_o house_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o act_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o or_o at_o some_o public_a school_n as_o that_o of_o tyrannus_n or_o any_o other_o convenient_a place_n where_o a_o good_a number_n may_v assemble_v together_o these_o convert_v as_o they_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o same_o common_a doctrine_n and_o faith_n so_o they_o be_v to_o be_v perpetual_o unite_v by_o a_o communion_n in_o worship_n in_o prayer_n and_o the_o sacrament_n for_o it_o be_v not_o with_o the_o school_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o with_o those_o of_o this_o world_n 10.25_o acts._n 11.26_o heb._n 10.25_o which_o the_o disciple_n leave_v when_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o to_o have_v learn_v what_o they_o come_v for_o but_o there_o be_v a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o these_o scholar_n to_o assemble_v themselves_o together_o 2.12_o rom._n 12.5_o 1_o cor._n 12.13.12.22_o phil._n 2.12_o till_o they_o come_v to_o a_o perfect_a man_n which_o be_v not_o consummate_v till_o after_o this_o life_n nor_o be_v the_o relation_n between_o christian_n dissolve_v when_o the_o congregation_n be_v dissmiss_v fine_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d origâ—câ—â—â—_n â—â—s_o 1.8_o in_o fine_a but_o they_o be_v unite_v far_o into_o one_o society_n or_o corporation_n into_o a_o holy_a city_n under_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n their_o king_n and_o under_o apostle_n and_o such_o other_o officer_n of_o he_o and_o their_o appointment_n and_o so_o far_o to_o act_v and_o determine_v all_o thing_n within_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o appear_v before_o any_o heathen_a magistrate_n upon_o any_o difference_n but_o to_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o brethren_n or_o to_o the_o apostle_n under_o who_o direction_n they_o be_v thus_o far_o we_o may_v consider_v a_o church_n without_o any_o other_o officer_n than_o the_o apostle_n who_o convert_v they_o but_o their_o number_n increase_v in_o that_o place_n and_o much_o of_o his_o time_n be_v take_v up_o in_o dispute_v with_o and_o preach_v to_o unbeliever_n and_o gainsayer_n or_o this_o apostle_n be_v call_v away_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o other_o place_n 9_o act_n 9.29.17.17.19.8_o 9_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o ordain_v such_o church_n officer_n as_o may_v take_v care_n of_o this_o church_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o it_o 2.12.20.17_o 6.4_o act_n 14.23_o phil._n 2.12.20.17_o and_o other_o to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a lest_o that_o office_n take_v up_o much_o time_n may_v be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o those_o who_o be_v to_o guide_v the_o assembly_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n now_o this_o constitution_n do_v not_o take_v away_o the_o relation_n that_o be_v between_o this_o church_n and_o the_o apostle_n that_o found_v it_o and_o these_o officer_n act_v in_o subordination_n to_o he_o whether_o present_a or_o absent_a and_o st._n paul_n therefore_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o the_o apostle_n or_o bishop_n of_o the_o corinihian_o though_o he_o can_v not_o hold_v personal_a communion_n with_o they_o 15.36_o 1_o cor._n 5.3_o act_n 15.36_o for_o sometime_o he_o go_v a_o circular_a visitation_n to_o examine_v the_o state_n of_o those_o church_n which_o he_o have_v plant_v or_o if_o the_o distance_n and_o oceasion_n of_o that_o church_n where_o he_o reside_v or_o his_o imprisonment_n and_o other_o outward_a circumstance_n will_v not_o admit_v this_o personal_a visitation_n he_o send_v his_o letter_n and_o order_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v if_o any_o open_a scandal_n be_v permit_v he_o send_v his_o excommunication_n to_o be_v publish_v in_o that_o church_n whereof_o the_o offender_n be_v a_o member_n hieroâ—_n 1_o cor._n 5.3_o 4_o 5._o cum_fw-la meo_fw-la spiritu_fw-la quipro_fw-la i_o erat_fw-la praesens_fw-la sive_fw-la in_o mearum_fw-la literarum_fw-la authoritate_fw-la hieroâ—_n he_o judge_v as_o though_o he_o be_v present_a he_o order_v that_o when_o they_o be_v meet_v together_o in_o his_o spirit_n they_o will_v deliver_v the_o criminal_a to_o satan_n and_o because_o some_o of_o the_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n begin_v to_o set_v up_o themselves_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o apostle_n take_v advantage_n of_o his_o absence_n 2.5.19_o 1_o cor._n 4.18_o 19.9.1_o 2.5.19_o and_o use_v all_o mean_n to_o lessen_v he_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o that_o people_n he_o be_v force_v to_o assert_v his_o authority_n and_o to_o justify_v his_o title_n to_o let_v they_o know_v that_o he_o be_v their_o father_n their_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o
but_o a_o synod_n hold_v at_o rome_n about_o the_o same_o subject_n have_v but_o fourteen_o bishop_n and_o several_a other_o synod_n about_o this_o controversy_n have_v not_o many_o more_o that_o of_o jerusalem_n under_o narcissus_n have_v but_o fourteen_o evocavit_fw-la papa_n victor_n direxit_fw-la authoritatem_fw-la not_o the_o language_n of_o that_o time_n praecepta_fw-la it_o aque_fw-la authoritate_fw-la praedictus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la nonsolum_fw-la de_fw-la sva_fw-la provincia_n sed_fw-la de_fw-la diversis_fw-la regionibus_fw-la omnes_fw-la episcopos_fw-la evocavit_fw-la and_o the_o famous_a council_n under_o theophilus_n bishop_n of_o caesarea_n have_v but_o twelve_o beside_o he_o eusebius_n make_v but_o one_o of_o both_o these_o bede_n represent_v it_o as_o a_o extraordinary_a great_a assembly_n for_o the_o preface_n to_o it_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v his_o he_o make_v he_o to_o assemble_v not_o only_o the_o bishop_n of_o his_o own_o province_n but_o from_o several_a other_o part_n the_o council_n of_o lion_n under_o irenaeus_n make_v up_o but_o fourteen_o that_o of_o corinth_n under_o bachillus_n eighteen_o that_o under_o pasna_n or_o palma_n the_o same_o number_n that_o of_o osroena_fw-la eighteen_o but_o the_o precedent_n of_o it_o be_v not_o know_v that_o of_o mesapotamia_n which_o follow_v have_v the_o same_o number_n and_o it_o may_v be_v be_v the_o same_o synod_n as_o that_o of_o rome_n which_o follow_v be_v it_o may_v be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o which_o be_v mention_v before_o to_o have_v have_v the_o like_a number_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o such_o mistake_n as_o these_o be_v that_o when_o man_n find_v a_o synod_n cite_v upon_o several_a account_n although_o it_o may_v be_v the_o same_o meeting_n that_o determine_v several_a thing_n they_o be_v apt_a to_o conclude_v they_o be_v several_a synod_n however_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o hence_o that_o there_o be_v but_o few_o bishop_n in_o comparison_n of_o what_o they_o grow_v to_o within_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o and_o that_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o largeness_n of_o their_o diocese_n but_o you_o will_v say_v there_o be_v but_o few_o christian_n in_o these_o part_n the_o contrary_n be_v notorious_a to_o all_o the_o word_n for_o these_o part_n where_o most_o of_o these_o council_n be_v hold_v be_v the_o best_a plant_v and_o furnish_v with_o christian_n of_o any_o in_o the_o world_n but_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v but_o few_o in_o the_o world_n at_o this_o time_n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o this_o that_o tertullian_n write_v his_o apology_n and_o what_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o be_v then_o we_o have_v show_v already_o how_o then_o can_v this_o be_v imagine_v for_o every_o city_n if_o it_o have_v a_o church_n must_v have_v a_o bishop_n there_o be_v no_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o that_o that_o it_o shall_v have_v its_o peculiar_a bishop_n for_o we_o have_v see_v already_o one_o bishop_n as_o that_o of_o milevis_n have_v more_o city_n than_o one_o in_o his_o diocese_n and_o it_o have_v be_v so_o from_o ancient_a time_n or_o rather_o from_o the_o beginning_n antiquitus_fw-la pertinuit_fw-la and_o in_o this_o time_n we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o it_o be_v likely_a the_o apostolic_a constitution_n of_o bishopric_n which_o in_o the_o beginning_n as_o rabanus_n maurus_n observe_v be_v very_o large_a do_v hold_v and_o it_o be_v the_o best_a suit_v to_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n when_o one_o general_n visit_v our_o shall_v take_v care_n of_o several_a church_n scatter_v as_o yet_o and_o incoherent_a and_o because_o a_o persecution_n may_v overthrow_v these_o little_a beginning_n it_o be_v necessary_a there_o shall_v be_v one_o who_o office_n it_o shall_v be_v to_o cultivate_v these_o new_a plantation_n and_o where_o they_o be_v root_v up_o to_o set_v anew_o and_o to_o confirm_v those_o that_o be_v shake_v with_o a_o competent_a district_n but_o when_o christian_n multiply_v every_o where_o and_o most_o city_n have_v such_o number_n belong_v to_o they_o as_o must_v be_v distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n the_o diocese_n of_o the_o first_o constitution_n become_v too_o great_a and_o every_o city_n with_o some_o of_o the_o territory_n belong_v to_o it_o become_v a_o diocese_n and_o have_v its_o proper_a bishop_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a both_o to_o the_o scripture_n history_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o have_v make_v a_o deduction_n of_o before_o and_o to_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o church_n in_o succeed_a age_n and_o particular_o to_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o first_o synod_n but_o to_o proceed_v the_o synod_n at_o rome_n under_o victor_n wherein_o novatus_n be_v condemn_v be_v much_o more_o numerous_a than_o any_o mention_v before_o 43._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o l._n 6._o c._n 43._o and_o consist_v of_o sixty_o bishop_n beside_o priest_n and_o deacon_n and_o eusebius_n speak_v of_o this_o observe_v the_o number_n to_o be_v very_o extraordinary_a consisider_v the_o circumstance_n of_o those_o time_n and_o the_o number_n assemble_v in_o forego_v synod_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o the_o libellus_fw-la synodicus_n reckon_v but_o eighteen_o which_o it_o may_v be_v be_v a_o small_a synod_n previous_a to_o this_o great_a one_o mention_v by_o eusebius_n the_o eastern_a synod_n about_o rebaptise_v heretic_n be_v reckon_v as_o for_o those_o time_n very_o numerous_a 3._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c_o 5._o plurimi_fw-la tractavimus_fw-la firmil_n ep._n ad_fw-la cypr._n contra_fw-la crescon_n l._n 3._o c._n 3._o and_o yet_o that_o of_o iconium_n the_o great_a of_o those_o of_o the_o east_n consist_v of_o but_o fifty_o bishop_n and_o these_o meet_v together_o out_o of_o several_a country_n as_o galatia_n cappadocia_n cilicia_n and_o other_o neighbour_a province_n st._n augustin_n despise_v the_o smallness_n of_o their_o number_n though_o dionysius_n confess_v these_o be_v mighty_a synod_n in_o his_o time_n or_o rather_o before_o his_o time_n for_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v early_o than_o baronius_n place_n they_o but_o what_o be_v these_o against_o so_o many_o thousand_o bishop_n as_o be_v in_o the_o world_n then_o say_v augustin_n i_o believe_v it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o have_v find_v so_o many_o thousand_o bishop_n at_o that_o time_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n discover_v no_o such_o multitude_n of_o they_o and_o they_o must_v be_v very_o negligent_a if_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o many_o and_o yet_o suffer_v thing_n to_o be_v carry_v any_o way_n in_o council_n by_o a_o very_a few_o person_n that_o father_n judge_v of_o former_a age_n by_o his_o own_o when_o dioceses_n be_v exceed_o multipy_v even_o to_o be_v the_o grievance_n and_o complaint_n of_o the_o african_a church_n but_o baronius_n go_v to_o mend_v the_o matter_n by_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o opinion_n can_v find_v but_o fifty_o to_o countenance_v it_o among_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o east_n one_o will_v imagine_v by_o this_o that_o the_o council_n of_o iconium_n and_o synadae_fw-la 258_o an._n ch._n 258_o be_v but_o a_o small_a number_n of_o bishop_n protest_v against_o the_o general_a suffrage_n of_o their_o neighbour_n bishop_n but_o if_o this_o be_v true_a stephen_n bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v act_v very_o extravagant_o and_o upon_o ill_a information_n when_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o those_o public_a resolution_n take_v by_o fifty_o bishop_n he_o go_v to_o excommunicate_v all_o the_o bishop_n of_o cilicia_n galatia_n 5._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 5._o cappadocia_n and_o the_o border_a nation_n what_o number_n of_o bishop_n france_n have_v at_o this_o time_n appear_v from_o the_o council_n 2._o vita_fw-la 5._o pauli_n ap_fw-mi bosquet_n hist_o eccl._n gal._n par_fw-fr 2._o where_o paul_n bishop_n of_o narbonne_n be_v accuse_v of_o in_o continence_n evocatis_fw-la paucis_fw-la episcopis_fw-la galliae_fw-la quia_fw-la nondum_fw-la erant_fw-la plures_fw-la have_v call_v a_o few_o bishop_n together_o for_o at_o that_o time_n gallia_n have_v not_o many_o nor_o do_v we_o find_v that_o diocese_n be_v much_o multiply_v in_o spain_n as_o yet_o the_o famous_a council_n of_o illiberis_n which_o decree_v so_o many_o thing_n relate_v to_o communion_n and_o such_o as_o all_o the_o church_n there_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o consent_v to_o have_v but_o nineteen_o bishop_n a_o number_n so_o small_a that_o baronius_n take_v occasion_n from_o hence_o to_o despise_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o assembly_n but_o what_o ever_o may_v be_v infer_v from_o the_o smallness_n of_o their_o number_n sure_o one_o must_v infer_v that_o their_o diocese_n be_v divide_v into_o parish_n from_o canon_n seventy_o seven_o mendoza_n siquis_fw-la dia_n conus_fw-la regens_fw-la plebem_fw-la sine_fw-la episcopo_fw-la vel_fw-la presbytero_fw-la aliquns_fw-la baptizaverit_fw-la etc._n etc._n conc._n illib_a c._n 77._o hic_fw-la regere_fw-la posse_fw-la plebem_fw-la diaconum_fw-la hoc_fw-la