Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	church_n	city_n	congregation_n	1,450	5	9.5387	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33359	Diocesan churches not yet discovered in the primitive times, or, A defence of the answer to Dr. Stillingfleets allegations out of antiquity for such churches against the exceptions offered in the preface to a late treatise called A vindication of the primitive church, where what is further produced out of Scripture and antient authors for diocesan churches is also discussed.	Clarkson, David, 1622-1686.	1682 (1682)	Wing C4571; ESTC R16204	84,843	132

contexture_n of_o the_o discourse_n or_o any_o where_o else_o that_o i_o know_v of_o or_o our_o author_n either_o for_o if_o he_o have_v we_o shall_v have_v hear_v it_o with_o both_o ear_n as_o he_o speak_v elsewhere_o he_o will_v not_o have_v all_o the_o brethren_n to_o be_v all_o the_o believer_n at_o c._n p._n yet_o he_o know_v that_o brethren_n and_o believer_n be_v synonymous_n term_n both_o in_o scripture_n and_o ancient_a author_n and_o those_o be_v the_o believer_n or_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n of_o c._n p._n which_o have_v occasion_n to_o rejoice_v and_o that_o be_v the_o whole_a church_n there_o as_o for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d render_v vniversi_fw-la i_o do_v not_o take_v it_o for_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o the_o christian_n there_o for_o in_o all_o assembly_n of_o great_a church_n especial_o many_o be_v always_o absent_a he_o have_v deal_v more_o fair_o with_o theodoret_n if_o by_o all_o he_o will_v have_v understand_v the_o generality_n of_o christian_n adhere_v to_o alexander_n at_o c._n p._n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o and_o about_o such_o a_o abatement_n of_o the_o full_a import_n of_o the_o word_n there_o have_v be_v no_o need_n to_o contend_v but_o his_o restraint_n of_o it_o to_o a_o particular_a congregation_n agree_v not_o with_o the_o word_n nor_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o nor_o have_v any_o support_n elsewhere_o nor_o be_v that_o better_a which_o follow_v unless_o you_o will_v say_v that_o with_o all_o the_o brethren_n do_v not_o signify_v their_o personal_a presence_n but_o only_o their_o unanimity_n this_o look_v more_o like_o a_o shift_n than_o a_o plain_a answer_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v well_o advise_v in_o not_o venture_v to_o own_o it_o theodoret_n can_v not_o think_v that_o all_o the_o beleiver_n of_o c._n p._n can_v come_v together_o to_o the_o bishop_n church_n for_o he_o cite_v a_o letter_n of_o constantine_n a_o little_a after_o where_o he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o great_a increase_n of_o that_o church_n in_o the_o city_n that_o be_v call_v by_o my_o name_n by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o people_n have_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o church_n and_o all_o thing_n there_o wonderful_o increase_v it_o seem_v very_o requisite_a that_o more_o church_n shall_v be_v build_v understand_v therefore_o hereby_o what_o i_o have_v resolve_v to_o do_v i_o though_o fit_a to_o order_v you_o to_o provide_v 50_o bibles_n fair_o and_o legible_o write_v he_o do_v not_o say_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n the_o word_n of_o the_o letter_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a multitude_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o deny_v nor_o that_o he_o intend_v to_o build_v more_o church_n but_o this_o confirm_v what_o be_v signify_v before_o that_o these_o very_o many_o church_n be_v not_o yet_o build_v but_o only_o in_o design_n and_o that_o with_o a_o prospect_n of_o christian_n there_o still_o increase_v and_o the_o bibles_n if_o they_o be_v intend_v only_o for_o c._n p._n may_v be_v for_o the_o future_a church_n not_o the_o present_a only_o his_o conclusion_n be_v where_o christian_n be_v so_o multiply_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o build_v more_o church_n and_o to_o make_v such_o provision_n for_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o assembly_n it_o can_v not_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v all_o make_v but_o one_o congregation_n he_o shall_v have_v conclude_v that_o which_o be_v deny_v otherwise_o all_o he_o have_v premise_v will_v be_v insignificant_a and_o to_o no_o purpose_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n at_o c._n p._n do_v make_v more_o than_o one_o congregation_n and_o for_o their_o conveniency_n meet_v at_o other_o time_n in_o several_a church_n that_o which_o be_v deny_v be_v that_o the_o main_a body_n or_o generality_n of_o christian_n there_o can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n or_o do_v not_o so_o meet_v at_o this_o time_n with_o their_o bishop_n alexander_n as_o to_o this_o he_o have_v prove_v nothing_o and_o therefore_o do_v well_o to_o conclude_v nothing_o against_o that_o which_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v the_o plain_a import_n of_o theodoret_n expression_n and_o it_o may_v be_v suppose_v that_o theodoret_n if_o he_o have_v not_o express_v it_o may_v well_o think_v though_o the_o contrary_n be_v suggest_v that_o as_o great_a multitude_n as_o constantine_n letter_n signify_v may_v meet_v together_o at_o the_o bishop_n church_n for_o himself_o declare_v what_o a_o vast_a congregation_n he_o preach_v to_o at_o antioch_n have_v a_o auditory_a of_o many_o myriad_n 83._o myriad_n ep._n 83._o i_o will_v not_o ask_v he_o what_o eusebius_n can_v think_v when_o he_o tell_v we_o the_o christian_n have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d assembly_n consist_v of_o myriad_o 1._o myriad_o lib._n 8._o cap._n 1._o nor_o what_o socrates_n think_v when_o he_o tell_v we_o long_o after_o of_o c._n p._n that_o the_o whole_a city_n become_v one_o assembly_n and_o meet_v in_o a_o oratory_n continue_v there_o all_o day_n 23._o day_n lib._n 7._o cap._n 23._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n but_o i_o will_v have_v he_o tell_v i_o how_o he_o understand_v that_o passage_n of_o chrysostome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n what_o be_v the_o import_n of_o these_o word_n do_v they_o signify_v that_o ten_o myriad_n be_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n to_o hear_v chrysostome_n if_o so_o there_o will_v be_v no_o question_n but_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n may_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n with_o alexander_n in_o constantine_n reign_n for_o that_o then_o about_o 70_o year_n before_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n ne●●_n so_o many_o christian_n as_o a_o 100000_o adhere_v to_o one_o bishop_n in_o this_o city_n can_v with_o any_o reason_n be_v imagine_v or_o do_v he_o mean_v only_o that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o myriad_o of_o christian_n contain_v in_o that_o city_n if_o so_o than_o he_o say_v here_o no_o more_o than_o in_o another_o homily_n forecited_a where_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n be_v compute_v to_o be_v a_o 100000_o reckon_v all_o beside_o jew_n and_o heathen_n now_o if_o they_o be_v no_o more_o in_o his_o time_n they_o can_v with_o reason_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v above_o half_a so_o many_o in_o constantine_n unless_o any_o can_v imagine_v that_o their_o number_n advance_v more_o in_o 6_o year_n than_o in_o 70_o when_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n multiply_v the_o inhabitant_n excessive_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o zosimus_n tell_v we_o 2._o we_o lib._n 2._o crowd_v the_o city_n so_o full_a as_o that_o they_o can_v scarce_o stir_v without_o danger_n and_o a_o great_a part_n of_o these_o be_v fall_v off_o to_o arius_n while_o alexander_n be_v bishop_n the_o novatian_o also_o be_v numerous_a have_v several_a church_n and_o these_o with_o other_o sect_n be_v deduct_v the_o christian_n there_o that_o communicate_v with_o alexander_n will_v be_v no_o more_o if_o so_o many_o than_o belong_v to_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n it_o will_v swell_v this_o preface_n to_o too_o great_a a_o bulk_n if_o i_o shall_v answer_v the_o rest_n so_o particular_o since_o he_o design_v to_o be_v so_o brief_a and_o to_o have_v so_o short_a a_o preface_n i_o wish_v he_o have_v employ_v more_o of_o it_o against_o that_o which_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o discourse_n he_o oppose_v and_o of_o more_o consequence_n to_o the_o main_a cause_n and_o not_o have_v spend_v so_o many_o leaf_n upon_o a_o by-passage_n for_o which_o we_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o be_v concern_v for_o if_o he_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o christian_n at_o c._n p._n in_o constantine_n time_n be_v more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n yea_o or_o in_o two_o either_o that_o will_v be_v far_o from_o prove_v it_o a_o diocesan_n church_n unless_o some_o one_o or_o two_o of_o our_o parish_n can_v be_v count_v so_o let_v i_o add_v in_o fine_a that_o our_o author_n have_v do_v just_a nothing_o towards_o the_o disprove_v of_o what_o theodoret_n be_v allege_v for_o unless_o he_o show_v that_o c._n p._n exceed_v old_a rome_n be_v furnish_v with_o such_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o christian_n so_o many_o more_o than_o two_o magnificent_a church_n there_o erect_v the_o 50_o bible_n thought_n needful_a to_o be_v provide_v and_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_a beside_o many_o jew_n convert_v before_o alexander_n who_o be_v say_v to_o hold_v this_o assembly_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n decease_v and_o so_o unless_o he_o prove_v that_o all_o this_o be_v do_v which_o himself_n i_o think_v can_v scarce_o believe_v in_o less_o than_o a_o year_n for_o valesius_fw-la upon_o who_o authority_n this_o gentleman_n take_v much_o prove_v at_o large_a make_v it_o the_o business_n of_o

the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n in_o all_o city_n and_o so_o enough_o not_o only_o for_o vast_a congregation_n but_o for_o diocesan_n church_n but_o tertullian_n be_v a_o great_a orator_n and_o frequent_o use_v hyperbolical_a expression_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v strain_v such_o be_v those_o insist_v on_o and_o by_o regular_a construction_n they_o import_v no_o more_o than_o that_o the_o christian_n be_v very_o numerous_a in_o many_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n those_o that_o will_v have_v they_o strain_v and_o understand_v as_o they_o find_v offer_v great_a injury_n to_o tertullian_n make_v he_o intend_v that_o which_o have_v no_o warrant_n in_o any_o record_n of_o antiquity_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a that_o i_o can_v meet_v with_o before_o they_o impose_v such_o a_o sense_n on_o he_o they_o ought_v in_o reason_n to_o make_v it_o manifest_a that_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n in_o some_o considerable_a city_n at_o that_o time_n when_o i_o believe_v they_o can_v produce_v two_o instance_n in_o the_o whole_a empire_n i_o never_o yet_o can_v meet_v with_o one_o our_o author_n from_o these_o oratorical_a expression_n stick_v not_o to_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o major_a part_n every_o where_o but_o in_o rome_n more_o eminent_o so_o and_o dr._n downham_n signify_v that_o tertullian_n speak_v chief_o of_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n 98._o rome_n defence_n l._n 2._o c._n 5._o p._n 98._o this_o gentleman_n say_v that_o by_o his_o account_n it_o be_v make_v very_o probable_a that_o they_o be_v the_o better_a half_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v 54._o pag._n 54._o certain_a 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 now_o how_o far_o the_o christian_n at_o rome_n be_v from_o be_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n we_o may_v judge_v by_o the_o vast_a disproportion_n between_o the_o poor_a in_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n and_o those_o in_o the_o whole_a city_n cornelius_n near_o 50_o year_n after_o tertullian_n when_o it_o be_v of_o more_o growth_n by_o half_a a_o age_n reckon_v the_o poor_a of_o his_o church_n to_o be_v 1500_o whereas_o out_o of_o suetonius_n and_o other_o the_o poor_a sort_n of_o citizen_n quae_fw-la è_fw-la publico_fw-la victitabat_fw-la be_v compute_v to_o be_v 320000_o 2._o 320000_o lipsius_n d●_n mag._n rom._n l._n 3._o cap._n 2._o many_o take_v occasion_n from_o the_o thousand_o convert_v at_o jerusalem_n act_v 2._o and_o 4._o to_o conclude_v the_o vast_a number_n of_o christian_n and_o exceed_a largeness_n of_o church_n elsewhere_o our_o author_n have_v nothing_o from_o scripture_n for_o diocesan_n church_n but_o this_o which_o be_v considerable_a etc._n considerable_a pag._n 435_o etc._n etc._n nor_o will_v this_o appear_v so_o if_o but_o a_o small_a part_n of_o those_o thousand_o can_v be_v count_v inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o so_o fix_v in_o that_o church_n and_o this_o be_v as_o demonstrable_a as_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n can_v be_v for_o this_o miraculous_a conversion_n be_v at_o pentecost_n one_o of_o the_o three_o great_a feast_n when_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a concourse_n of_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n from_o all_o part_n to_o that_o city_n these_o convert_v be_v not_o only_a inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o foreigner_n and_o in_o all_o reason_n more_o of_o these_o proportionable_o as_o they_o exceed_v the_o inhabitant_n in_o number_n and_o then_o those_o of_o the_o city_n will_v scarce_o be_v a_o 20_o part_n of_o the_o 5_o or_o 8000_o convert_v for_o the_o foreigner_n that_o resort_v to_o jerusalem_n at_o these_o great_a solemnity_n be_v reckon_v to_o be_v three_o million_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 24._o 〈◊〉_d joseph_n de_fw-fr bel._n judaic_a lib._n 2._o cap._n 24._o whereas_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o city_n be_v but_o about_o a_o 120000_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o of_o this_o elsewhere_o more_o full_o the_o author_n of_o the_o vindication_n will_v not_o have_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o those_o convert_v to_o be_v stranger_n and_o to_o return_v home_o when_o the_o feast_n be_v over_o and_o assign_v something_o like_o reason_n for_o it_o one_a that_o the_o scripture_n give_v no_o countenance_n to_o this_o conjecture_n but_o say_v all_o those_o strange_a nation_n be_v inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o original_a word_n incline_v most_o on_o this_o side_n that_o he_o shall_v say_v the_o scripture_n give_v no_o countenance_n to_o this_o be_v something_o strange_a it_o be_v plain_a in_o scripture_n that_o god_n enjoin_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n to_o repair_v to_o jerusalem_n from_o all_o quarter_n of_o the_o country_n where_o they_o dwell_v thrice_o a_o year_n for_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o three_o great_a feast_n and_o it_o be_v apparent_a also_o that_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n at_o those_o solemnity_n both_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 23._o 〈◊〉_d in_o euseb_n l._n 2._o c._n 23._o and_o it_o be_v evident_a in_o that_o chapter_n cite_v act_v 2._o the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n be_v come_v there_o be_v a_o resort_n of_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n from_o all_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o this_o city_n ay_o but_o the_o scripture_n say_v all_o those_o strange_a nation_n be_v inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n he_o can_v judge_v that_o the_o scripture_n say_v this_o but_o upon_o a_o supposition_n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act_v 2._o 5._o can_v signify_v no_o other_o thing_n than_o inhabitant_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n for_o the_o word_n denote_v such_o as_o abide_v in_o a_o place_n not_o only_o as_o inhabitant_n but_o as_o stranger_n or_o sojourner_n thus_o dr._n hammond_n will_v have_v it_o translate_v abide_v rather_o than_o dwell_v loc_n dwell_v in_o loc_n those_o that_o be_v there_o as_o stranger_n 2._o stranger_n in_o act._n 10._o 2._o and_o here_o express_v those_o abide_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o be_v jew_n which_o come_v up_o to_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passeover_n and_o proselyte_n which_o have_v come_v from_o several_a nation_n of_o all_o quarter_n of_o the_o world_n thus_o also_o mr._n mead_n 5._o mead_n in_o exercit._n in_o act._n 2._o 5._o for_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o which_o i_o translate_v sojourn_v rather_o than_o dwell_v for_o so_o i_o understand_v it_o that_o they_o be_v not_o proper_a dweller_n but_o such_o as_o come_v to_o worship_n at_o jerusalem_n from_o those_o far_a country_n at_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passeover_n and_o pentecost_n and_o so_o have_v be_v continue_v there_o some_o good_a time_n it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o the_o usual_a greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v a_o durable_a mansion_n but_o with_o the_o hellenist_n in_o who_o dialect_n the_o scripture_n speak_v they_o be_v use_v indifferent_o for_o a_o stay_n of_o a_o short_a or_o long_a time_n that_o be_v for_o to_o sojourn_v as_o well_o as_o to_o dwell_v as_o these_o two_o example_n out_o of_o the_o septuagint_n will_v make_v manifest_a gen._n 27._o 44._o 1_o king_n 17._o 20._o there_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v to_o sojourn_v only_o in_o a_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d answer_n to_o the_o hebrew_n verb_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v any_o stay_n or_o remain_v in_o a_o place_n grotius_n say_v it_o answer_v the_o hebrew_n word_n which_o be_v render_v not_o only_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n add_v therefore_o it_o be_v not_o say_v only_o of_o they_o who_o have_v fix_v their_o habitation_n but_o of_o those_o who_o be_v come_v to_o the_o city_n for_o the_o celebrate_n of_o the_o passeover_n or_o pentecost_n stay_v there_o for_o a_o while_n the_o best_a and_o most_o learned_a expositor_n general_o take_v it_o so_o in_o this_o place_n as_o denote_v not_o settle_v inhabitant_n but_o such_o as_o reside_v there_o only_o for_o a_o time_n indeed_o when_o this_o author_n will_v have_v the_o scripture_n say_v all_o these_o strange_a nation_n be_v inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n he_o make_v it_o speak_v thing_n inconsistent_a for_o it_o be_v say_v for_o 9_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dweller_n at_o mesopotamia_n judea_n cappadocia_n pontus_n asia_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o must_v be_v understand_v either_o that_o they_o be_v inhabitant_n or_o sojourner_n in_o those_o country_n that_o they_o be_v now_o sojourner_n there_o no_o man_n will_v imagine_v nor_o can_v any_o man_n be_v say_v to_o be_v actual_o a_o sojourner_n in_o a_o place_n where_o he_o be_v not_o and_o if_o they_o be_v

together_o 46._o together_o clemens_n constitut_o l._n 7._o c._n 46._o some_o will_v have_v euodias_n ordain_v by_o peter_n and_o ignatius_n by_o paul_n other_o report_n ignatius_n ordain_v by_o peter_n and_o some_o modern_a author_n of_o great_a eminency_n both_o protestant_n and_o papist_n not_o only_a baronius_n but_o dr._n hammond_n find_v no_o more_o tolerable_a way_n to_o reconcile_v they_o than_o by_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o there_o at_o once_o which_o quite_o blast_v the_o conceit_n of_o a_o diocesan_n church_n there_o and_o what_o be_v allege_v for_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o to_o support_v this_o conceit_n of_o a_o diocesan_n church_n be_v very_o feeble_a pag._n 452_o 453._o a_o great_a number_n believe_v act_v 11._o 21._o and_o much_o people_n ver_fw-la 24._o the_o next_o verse_n show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n assemble_v within_o one_o church_n meet_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o a_o year_n together_o and_o there_o teach_v this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o same_o divine_a author_n say_v act_v 6._o 7._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v convert_v and_o will_v this_o gentleman_n hence_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v priest_n enough_o convert_v to_o make_v a_o diocese_n he_o have_v no_o ground_n from_o scripture_n to_o think_v otherwise_o of_o rome_n that_o we_o may_v take_v in_o all_o his_o scripture_n instance_n together_o however_o he_o will_v persuade_v we_o that_o there_o be_v several_a congregation_n there_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n let_v we_o see_v how_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o salutation_n in_o the_o end_n of_o that_o epistle_n he_o make_v appear_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n salute_v priscilla_n and_o aquila_n with_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o house_n the_o dean_n of_o paul_n will_v have_v this_o church_n in_o their_o house_n to_o be_v but_o a_o family_n this_o author_n will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v a_o congregation_n as_o if_o it_o may_v be_v either_o to_o serve_v a_o turn_n i_o think_v it_o be_v such_o a_o congregation_n as_o remove_v with_o aquila_n from_o one_o country_n to_o another_o for_o this_o church_n which_o be_v in_o their_o house_n at_o ephesus_n before_o 1_o cor_n 16._o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o their_o house_n at_o rome_n rom._n 16._o that_o be_v there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o church_n which_o belong_v to_o their_o family_n it_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v now_o at_o rome_n any_o one_o congregation_n such_o as_o our_o author_n intend_v grotius_n 16._o grotius_n in_o rom._n 16._o think_v it_o probable_a there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v a_o congregation_n where_o find_v he_o his_o several_a other_o why_o where_o another_o person_n will_v scarce_o dream_v of_o any_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a say_v he_o that_o several_a that_o be_v mention_v with_o all_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v with_o they_o may_v be_v the_o officer_n of_o several_a congregation_n pag._n 457._o 458._o but_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n one_o congregation_n have_v many_o officer_n how_o then_o can_v several_a officer_n be_v a_o good_a medium_fw-la to_o prove_v several_a congregation_n the_o ancient_a author_n which_o count_v those_o officer_n mention_v rom._n 16._o do_v make_v they_o bishop_n and_o some_o except_o not_o narcissus_n nor_o prisca_n i._n e._n priscilla_n though_o her_o husband_n also_o have_v a_o episcopal_a chair_n assign_v he_o now_o if_o they_o be_v not_o bishop_n at_o rome_n but_o other_o place_n they_o be_v allege_v to_o no_o purpose_n if_o they_o be_v bishop_n at_o rome_n there_o will_v be_v very_o many_o bishop_n in_o that_o one_o church_n it_o may_v be_v more_o than_o priscilla_n congregation_n consist_v of_o which_o rather_o than_o our_o author_n will_v grant_v i_o suppose_v he_o will_v quit_v his_o plurality_n of_o congregation_n here_o indeed_o what_o he_o add_v next_o do_v no_o way_n favour_v they_o and_o this_o number_n be_v afterward_o increase_v considerable_o by_o the_o come_n of_o paul_n who_o convert_v some_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o afterward_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o whole_a year_n no_o man_n forbid_v he_o pag._n 458._o paul_n preach_v at_o rome_n in_o his_o hire_a house_n for_o two_o year_n all_o this_o while_n he_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v to_o he_o there_o be_v no_o question_n but_o that_o all_o the_o christian_n there_o do_v come_v to_o hear_v this_o most_o eminent_a apostle_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v from_o first_o to_o last_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n at_o rome_n than_o a_o private_a house_n can_v receive_v he_o will_v prove_v what_o he_o intend_v from_o nero_n persecution_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o christian_n to_o death_n upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o have_v fire_v rome_n pag._n 458._o tacitus_n speak_v of_o the_o christian_n as_o guilty_a and_o say_v they_o confess_v the_o crime_n and_o detect_v many_o other_o now_o those_o who_o suffer_v either_o confess_v that_o they_o fire_v rome_n and_o then_o they_o be_v no_o christian_n or_o they_o do_v not_o confess_v it_o and_o then_o he_o wrong_v they_o intolerable_o and_o deserve_v no_o credit_n but_o our_o author_n to_o excuse_v he_o against_o the_o sense_n of_o such_o who_o best_a understand_v he_o lipsius_n particularlay_n beside_o baronius_n and_o other_o say_v they_o confess_v not_o that_o they_o burn_v rome_n but_o that_o they_o be_v christian_n whereas_o the_o inquiry_n be_v concern_v the_o burn_a of_o rome_n the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o they_o be_v christian_n but_o whether_o they_o fire_v the_o city_n of_o this_o last_o tacitus_n speak_v and_o will_v be_v so_o understand_v by_o those_o who_o think_v he_o speak_v pertinent_o but_o for_o truth_n in_o those_o account_n he_o give_v of_o christian_n it_o be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v expect_v than_o from_o other_o heathen_a author_n of_o those_o age_n with_o who_o it_o be_v customary_a on_o that_o subject_n splendidè_fw-la mentiri_fw-la some_o other_o instance_n hereof_o we_o have_v in_o this_o report_n of_o tacitus_n which_o i_o suppose_v our_o author_n will_v scarce_o offer_v to_o excuse_v as_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v call_v exitiabilis_fw-la superstitio_fw-la and_o when_o the_o christian_n be_v say_v per_fw-la flagitia_fw-la invisos_fw-la vulgô_o fuisse_fw-la but_o suppose_v he_o speak_v truth_n what_o be_v it_o he_o say_v nero_n put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o they_o to_o death_n but_o ingens_fw-la multitudo_fw-la which_o be_v his_o word_n may_v be_v far_o less_o than_o a_o infinite_a multitude_n two_o or_o three_o hundred_o may_v pass_v for_o a_o great_a multitude_n and_o extraordinary_o great_a when_o that_o which_o be_v speak_v of_o they_o be_v extraordinary_a the_o martyr_n burn_v in_o queen_n mary_n day_n be_v a_o great_a multitude_n and_o few_o may_v be_v account_v very_o many_o to_o suffer_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o these_o do_v by_o nero_n cruelty_n ferarum_fw-la tergis_fw-la contecti_fw-la ut_fw-la laniatu_fw-la canum_fw-la interirent_fw-la aut_fw-la crucibus_fw-la affixi_fw-la aut_fw-la flammandi_fw-la atque_fw-la ubi_fw-la defecisset_fw-la dies_fw-la in_o usum_fw-la nocturni_fw-la luminis_fw-la uterentur_fw-la in_o the_o word_n of_o tacitus_n to_o this_o he_o add_v the_o general_a account_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o the_o success_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n immediate_o after_o the_o first_o discovery_n of_o it_o that_o present_o in_o all_o city_n and_o village_n church_n abound_v with_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v assemble_v etc._n etc._n pag._n 459._o if_o he_o will_v not_o deal_v unkind_o with_o eusebius_n he_o must_v not_o set_v his_o expression_n upon_o the_o rack_n nor_o stretch_v they_o beyond_o his_o intention_n nor_o forget_v what_o be_v observe_v to_o be_v usual_a with_o he_o oratorem_fw-la more_fw-mi rem_fw-la amplificare_fw-la these_o church_n consist_v of_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v say_v to_o be_v not_o only_o in_o all_o city_n but_o village_n now_o i_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a matter_n for_o our_o author_n to_o show_v we_o any_o village_n even_o in_o constantine_n time_n where_o there_o be_v a_o thousand_o yea_o or_o 500_o christian_n those_o who_o will_v not_o abuse_v themselves_o or_o their_o reader_n must_v give_v great_a allowance_n to_o such_o expression_n and_o not_o rely_v on_o they_o in_o strict_a argue_v and_o here_o it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o he_o say_v of_o rome_n in_o another_o chapter_n m._n b._n have_v declare_v that_o he_o find_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o rome_n and_o alexandria_n have_v for_o 200_o year_n more_o

convert_v in_o it_o however_o many_o more_o such_o addition_n will_v not_o increase_v that_o church_n beyond_o m._n b_n measure_n nor_o make_v it_o near_o so_o numerous_a as_o that_o parish_n to_o which_o whitehall_n belong_v what_o he_o next_o offer_v neither_o concern_v rome_n be_v 55._o pag._n 55._o general_a expression_n nor_o m._n b._n refer_v to_o the_o age_n after_o those_o which_o he_o be_v concern_v for_o whether_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o understand_v the_o great_a multitude_n which_o be_v gather_v into_o the_o christian_a profession_n as_o valesius_fw-la or_o that_o assemble_v together_o for_o christian_a worship_n as_o our_o author_n be_v not_o material_a though_o the_o former_a be_v more_o likely_a unless_o we_o can_v think_v eusebius_n a_o elegant_a writer_n will_v use_v so_o much_o tautology_n in_o so_o few_o line_n that_o from_o which_o he_o may_v expect_v more_o service_n be_v the_o next_o expression_n which_o he_o render_v the_o multitude_n of_o their_o meeting_n in_o every_o city_n but_o may_v with_o better_a reason_n be_v render_v the_o numerousness_n or_o multitude_n of_o those_o that_o assemble_v in_o several_a city_n for_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o every_o city_n have_v many_o congregation_n of_o christian_n in_o it_o that_o there_o be_v many_o city_n long_o after_o which_o have_v no_o christian_n in_o they_o and_o two_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o city_n in_o the_o whole_a empire_n that_o at_o this_o time_n have_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o unless_o where_o they_o all_o may_v have_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n they_o think_v it_o better_o in_o prudence_n to_o disperse_v themselves_o into_o several_a meeting_n for_o in_o alexandria_n which_o be_v the_o great_a city_n next_o to_o rome_n and_o the_o most_o populous_a church_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o be_v no_o appearance_n of_o more_o assembly_n till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o ten_o persecution_n and_o the_o death_n of_o peter_n bishop_n there_o who_o suffer_v in_o the_o nine_o year_n of_o it_o 32._o it_o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 32._o and_o therefore_o the_o elegant_a gradation_n in_o discover_v of_o which_o this_o gentleman_n will_v have_v we_o take_v notice_n that_o he_o have_v a_o more_o comprehensive_a faculty_n than_o valesius_fw-la seem_v not_o very_o well_o found_v that_o which_o follow_v be_v a_o hundred_o year_n or_o more_o beyond_o 55._o pag._n 55._o the_o time_n to_o which_o m._n b._n limit_n his_o assertion_n about_o this_o time_n or_o not_o long_o after_o rome_n have_v above_o 40_o church_n which_o we_o must_v not_o imagine_v to_o be_v build_v all_o at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o by_o degree_n according_a as_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n do_v require_v etc._n etc._n pag._n 55._o from_o the_o number_n of_o church_n he_o can_v reasonable_o conclude_v such_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n as_o he_o contend_v for_o there_o be_v many_o church_n in_o alexandria_n when_o athanasius_n be_v bishop_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o his_o communion_n than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n baronius_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o city_n in_o germany_n which_o have_v 400_o church_n in_o it_o and_o yet_o no_o reason_n ●_o anno_fw-la 108_o ●_o ●_o to_o think_v that_o town_n be_v comparable_a for_o circuit_n and_o populousness_n either_o to_o rome_n or_o alexandria_n if_o i_o shall_v say_v that_o in_o optatus_n there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o church_n but_o the_o number_n mistake_v by_o the_o transcriber_n this_o will_v be_v as_o good_a a_o answer_n as_o that_o of_o our_o author_n who_o will_v have_v the_o 12_o or_o 14_o year_n of_o athanasius_n his_o banishment_n in_o epiphanius_n not_o to_o be_v so_o many_o month_n and_o that_o year_n be_v put_v instead_o of_o month_n by_o the_o mistake_n of_o the_o copy_n pag._n 113._o or_o that_o other_o about_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o council_n at_o anticch_n where_o he_o will_v have_v 30_o in_o diverse_a author_n to_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o the_o transcriber_n for_o 90_o or_o 97_o or_o 99_o ecclos_n 99_o pag._n 123_o 124_o 125._o interpret_v vo●_n ecclos_n onuphrius_n must_v have_v like_v such_o a_o answer_n to_o this_o of_o optatus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v as_o much_o concern_v for_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n as_o any_o and_o no_o less_o inquisitive_a into_o the_o ancient_a state_n of_o it_o yet_o deliver_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n manifest_a and_o certain_a that_o rome_n have_v but_o 28_o title_n and_o this_o number_n not_o complete_v till_o the_o five_o age._n but_o there_o be_v no_o need_n to_o insist_v on_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v not_o so_o material_a how_o many_o church_n there_o be_v as_o when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o and_o about_o the_o time_n he_o will_v have_v blondel_n to_o mistake_v and_o m._n b._n to_o follow_v he_o therein_o he_o have_v be_v nibble_v at_o blondell_n a_o little_a before_o upon_o a_o small_a occasion_n and_o with_o as_o little_a reason_n as_o may_v be_v show_v if_o it_o be_v sit_v to_o follow_v one_o in_o his_o vagary_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o here_o he_o do_v not_o follow_v valesius_fw-la in_o his_o mistake_n who_o will_v have_v optatus_n to_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o diocletian_a be_v persecution_n tempore_fw-la persecutionis_fw-la diocletiani_n 43._o diocletiani_n in_o euseb_n lib._n 6._o c._n 43._o but_o optatus_n speak_v of_o those_o church_n when_o extant_a and_o capable_a of_o receive_v congregation_n as_o be_v plain_a by_o his_o word_n but_o what_o church_n be_v at_o rome_n or_o other_o place_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o that_o persecution_n be_v all_o quite_o demolish_v and_o that_o in_o one_o day_n say_v theodoret_n 38._o theodoret_n hist_o l._n 5._o c._n 38._o or_o the_o paschal_n day_n as_o eusebius_n chron._n eusebius_n chron._n and_o there_o be_v no_o probability_n they_o can_v rebuild_v they_o while_o the_o persecution_n last_v or_o that_o so_o many_o can_v be_v raise_v in_o less_o than_o many_o year_n after_o nicephorus_n speak_v but_o of_o 14_o church_n at_o constantinople_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o theodosius_n junior_a nor_o meet_v i_o with_o any_o author_n that_o give_v a_o account_n of_o more_o yet_o this_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o byzantium_n be_v re-edifyed_n and_o both_o constantine_n and_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n endeavour_v to_o make_v that_o city_n as_o populous_a as_o can_v be_v and_o furnish_v it_o with_o church_n answerable_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n there_o can_v be_v 40_o church_n in_o rome_n at_o any_o time_n near_o dioclesian_n than_o optatus_n but_o to_o help_v this_o our_o author_n tell_v we_o out_o of_o optatus_n that_o there_o be_v three_o donatist_n bishop_n at_o rome_n successive_o before_o macrobius_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o optatus_n and_o that_o the_o first_o of_o they_o be_v victor_n garbiensis_fw-la and_o he_o will_v have_v optatus_n to_o speak_v of_o the_o state_n of_o rome_n the_o 40_o church_n there_o not_o as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o own_o time_n but_o in_o that_o of_o this_o victor_n when_o this_o be_v he_o say_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o six_o pag._n 56._o yet_o this_o be_v certain_a it_o can_v be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n persecution_n for_o the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n do_v not_o break_v out_o till_o majorinus_n be_v ordain_v who_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o faction_n make_v in_o africa_n or_o elsewhere_o and_o this_o be_v sometime_o after_o the_o persecution_n be_v there_o end_v as_o optatus_n and_o valcsius_n after_o he_o and_o other_o declare_v 3._o declare_v de_fw-fr schis_n denat_n cap._n 3._o and_o sometime_o must_v be_v allow_v after_o this_o for_o the_o donatist_n settle_v in_o rome_n and_o such_o a_o increase_n of_o they_o there_o as_o to_o need_v a_o bishop_n baronius_n make_v this_o victor_n to_o be_v bishop_n in_o silvester_n time_n which_o may_v be_v long_o enough_o after_o dioclesian_n persecution_n for_o he_o live_v till_o 335._o all_o which_o our_o author_n have_v to_o allege_v for_o the_o more_o early_a date_n of_o victor_n bishopric_n be_v that_o there_o be_v two_o or_o three_o donatist_n bishop_n between_o victor_n and_o optatus_n but_o this_o will_v scarce_o serve_v his_o turn_n for_o there_o be_v four_o bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o that_o very_a age_n wherein_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v who_o hold_v not_o the_o chair_n ten_o year_n among_o they_o marcellus_z eusebius_n melchiade_n and_o marcus_n but_o we_o may_v allow_v the_o three_o donatist_n bishop_n at_o rome_n near_o ten_o year_n a_o piece_n from_o the_o time_n of_o optatus_n 378_o as_o both_o blondel_n and_o valesius_fw-la agree_n and_o yet_o victor_n garbiensis_fw-la

clear_a account_n no_o value_n of_o the_o numismata_fw-la nor_o be_v there_o any_o evidence_n in_o the_o council_n for_o the_o manor_n he_o speak_v of_o but_o only_o the_o fell_n of_o some_o wood_n in_o a_o certain_a place_n there_o name_v but_o where_o there_o be_v a_o diocesan_n and_o archdeacon_n decorum_n require_v there_o shall_v be_v manor_n and_o vast_a revenue_n for_o the_o bishop_n nor_o do_v i_o quarrel_v with_o it_o only_o this_o break_v the_o square_n a_o little_a and_o disturb_v the_o correspondence_n between_o those_o and_o our_o time_n that_o if_o the_o revenue_n of_o that_o church_n have_v amount_v to_o ten_o time_n more_o yet_o the_o bishop_n will_v scarce_o have_v be_v one_o jot_n the_o rich_a for_o it_o this_o will_v not_o seem_v strange_a to_o any_o who_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o ancient_a order_n concern_v the_o revenue_n of_o a_o episcopal_a church_n the_o bishop_n be_v to_o have_v nothing_o thereof_o if_o he_o can_v maintain_v himself_o otherwise_o when_o he_o be_v necessitous_a nothing_o be_v allow_v he_o for_o himself_o but_o necessary_n food_n and_o raiment_n 25._o raiment_n con._n antioch_n c._n 25._o he_o be_v to_o purchase_v nothing_o while_o he_o live_v nor_o to_o leave_v any_o thing_n get_v by_o his_o bishopric_n when_o he_o die_v to_o his_o relative_n or_o other_o but_o only_o to_o the_o church_n that_o maintain_v he_o 49_o he_o code_n justin_n lex_fw-la 42._o sect._n 2_o c._n the_o episc_n nou●_n 131._o c._n 13._o con●_n car._n 3._o can._n 49_o the_o bishop_n of_o edessa_n or_o any_o other_o in_o these_o circumstance_n must_v be_v a_o poor_a diocesan_n and_o one_o in_o a_o good_a english_a rectory_n or_o vicarage_n be_v in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o be_v rich_a than_o any_o in_o the_o ancient_a bishopric_n so_o order_v and_o if_o riches_n or_o revenue_n be_v good_a argument_n to_o prove_v a_o diocesan_n one_o of_o our_o vicar_n may_v be_v a_o better_a diocesan_n than_o the_o bishop_n of_o edessa_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v some_o intimation_n from_o rome_n that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v have_v the_o four_o part_n of_o the_o church_n revenue_n but_o there_o be_v no_o appearance_n of_o such_o a_o distribution_n till_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n nor_o in_o any_o country_n but_o italy_n till_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o nor_o do_v it_o ever_o obtain_v that_o i_o can_v discover_v after_o some_o inquiry_n in_o the_o greek_a church_n 3._o the_o other_o proof_n that_o ibas_n be_v a_o diocesan_n viz._n because_o he_o have_v excommunicate_v archdeacon_n our_o author_n will_v make_v good_a by_o tell_v we_o that_o one_o of_o his_o archdeacon_n excommunicate_v maras_n now_o this_o though_o it_o prove_v not_o what_o it_o be_v allege_v for_o may_v prove_v more_o than_o he_o like_v a_o archdeacon_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n though_o he_o be_v another_o thing_n now_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o presbyter_n he_o be_v but_o in_o the_o low_a order_n of_o deacon_n though_o chief_a among_o they_o and_o choose_v by_o they_o as_o i_o signify_v evagrium_fw-la signify_v ep._n ad_fw-la evagrium_fw-la diaconi_fw-la eligunt_fw-la de_fw-la se_fw-la quem_fw-la industrium_fw-la noverint_fw-la &_o archidiaconum_n vocant_fw-la the_o deacon_n choose_v from_o among_o themselves_o one_o who_o they_o know_v to_o be_v industrious_a and_o call_v he_o archdeacon_n now_o if_o a_o deacon_n have_v the_o power_n to_o excommunicate_v there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n but_o the_o presbyter_n have_v it_o be_v of_o a_o superior_a order_n and_o power_n and_o excommunication_n be_v count_v the_o high_a act_n of_o jurisdiction_n it_o can_v be_v question_v but_o the_o other_o act_n thereof_o belong_v to_o they_o and_o so_o the_o presbyter_n have_v all_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n all_o the_o power_n of_o government_n what_o do_v they_o want_v of_o be_v bishop_n but_o the_o honour_n of_o preside_v in_o their_o assembly_n and_o if_o they_o be_v no_o far_o from_o be_v bishop_n they_o will_v go_v near_o to_o be_v as_o much_o diocesan_n and_o so_o this_o gentleman_n may_v choose_v whether_o he_o will_v have_v all_o of_o both_o sort_n to_o be_v diocesan_n or_o none_o of_o either_o 4_o it_o be_v no_o argument_n to_o prove_v a_o diocesan_n church_n to_o show_v that_o it_o consist_v of_o such_o who_o live_v at_o a_o good_a distance_n one_o from_o another_o dionysius_n have_v a_o great_a congregation_n at_o cephro_n a_o village_n in_o lybia_n but_o those_o which_o make_v up_o this_o church_n be_v of_o another_o country_n come_v partly_o from_o alexandria_n partly_o from_o other_o part_n of_o egypt_n as_o eusebius_n show_v we_o yet_o none_o ever_o esteem_v that_o to_o be_v a_o diocesan_n church_n in_o justin_n martyr_n time_n those_o that_o be_v in_o the_o country_n and_o those_o that_o be_v in_o the_o city_n when_o those_o be_v no_o more_o than_o make_v one_o congregation_n meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o meeting_n consist_v of_o such_o as_o live_v at_o a_o good_a distance_n but_o none_o will_v imagine_v it_o to_o be_v a_o diocesan_n church_n but_o those_o who_o will_v have_v a_o single_a congregation_n to_o be_v such_o a_o church_n all_o the_o christian_n in_o city_n and_o country_n say_v dr._n downham_n if_o they_o have_v be_v assemble_v together_o will_v have_v make_v but_o a_o small_a congregation_n 69._o congregation_n defence_n l._n 2._o c._n 4._o p._n 69._o our_o author_n will_v prove_v the_o largeness_n of_o basil_n diocese_n by_o the_o distance_n between_o caesarea_n and_o sasima_n *_o 547_o x_o pag._n 546_o 547_o he_o make_v much_o of_o it_o and_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o measure_v the_o distance_n between_o these_o town_n or_o rather_o as_o he_o say_v to_o make_v some_o guess_n at_o it_o out_o of_o a_o itenerary_n and_o putinger_n table_n yet_o tell_v we_o the_o distance_n must_v be_v as_o great_a at_o least_o as_o between_o hippo_n and_o fussala_n that_o so_o st._n basil_n diocese_n may_v be_v as_o great_a at_o least_o as_o that_o of_o st_n augustine_n i_o think_v they_o will_v prove_v much_o alike_o for_o as_o i_o have_v show_v that_o augustine_n diocese_n be_v not_o one_o foot_n large_a for_o fussala_n so_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o st._n basil_n have_v not_o the_o least_o enlargement_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o sasima_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v out_o in_o his_o measure_n nor_o have_v lose_v all_o his_o labour_n two_o thing_n shall_v first_o have_v be_v clear_v neither_o of_o which_o be_v or_o i_o think_v can_v be_v prove_v one_a that_o sasima_n be_v in_o basil_n diocese_n for_o if_o it_o be_v but_o only_o in_o his_o province_n how_o far_o soever_o it_o be_v from_o caesarea_n his_o diocese_n can_v be_v nothing_o the_o large_a for_o it_o though_o his_o province_n may_v to_o prove_v it_o in_o his_o diocese_n i_o find_v nothing_o but_o his_o own_o assertion_n that_o sasima_n be_v say_v express_o to_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o diocese_n of_o basil_n but_o where_o be_v this_o say_v express_o or_o by_o who_o except_o by_o himself_o the_o word_n in_o the_o margin_n signify_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o only_o some_o attempt_n to_o deprive_v a_o metropolis_n of_o sasima_n for_o a_o metropolis_n may_v be_v deprive_v of_o a_o town_n which_o be_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o province_n when_o another_o metropolitan_a seize_v on_o it_o and_o i_o believe_v our_o author_n be_v yet_o more_o out_o in_o take_v the_o metropolis_n which_o nazianzen_n speak_v of_o to_o be_v caesarea_n when_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o epistle_n to_o be_v rather_o tyana_n for_o as_o the_o whole_a epistle_n be_v write_v to_o basil_n so_o these_o word_n cite_v after_o many_o other_o by_o way_n of_o sharp_a expostulation_n be_v direct_v to_o he_o as_o endeavour_v to_o deprive_v a_o metropolis_n of_o this_o town_n call_v ironical_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o caesarea_n be_v not_o the_o metropolis_n which_o basil_n will_v have_v deprive_v of_o sasima_n he_o earnest_o endeavour_v to_o have_v it_o annex_v thereto_o but_o he_o will_v have_v deprive_v tyana_n of_o it_o if_o anthimus_n the_o metropolitan_a there_o have_v not_o make_v a_o stout_a opposition_n two_o he_o shall_v have_v prove_v that_o after_o this_o part_n of_o cappadocia_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o province_n sasima_n be_v in_o that_o province_n which_o fall_v to_o basil_n share_n for_o if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o province_n how_o can_v his_o diocese_n be_v any_o large_a for_o it_o but_o instead_o of_o this_o our_o author_n offer_v what_o may_v serve_v to_o disprove_v it_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o ancient_a greek_a notitia_fw-la sasima_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o second_o cappadocia_n which_o belong_v to_o anthimus_n as_o the_o first_o do_v to_o basil_n and_o so_o say_v he_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o be_v

with_o in_o that_o age_n or_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n after_o name_n more_o than_o two_o very_a great_a church_n erect_v by_o constantine_n in_o that_o city_n and_o if_o comparison_n be_v make_v there_o be_v no_o historian_n of_o those_o time_n to_o be_v more_o regard_v in_o matter_n which_o concern_v c._n p_o than_o socrates_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v bear_v and_o educate_v in_o c._n p._n and_o continue_v there_o as_o a_o 24._o l._n 9_o c._n 24._o advocate_n when_o he_o write_v his_o history_n but_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o sozomen_n intend_v more_o than_o 3_o or_o 4_o church_n or_o that_o the_o emperor_n build_v no_o more_o than_o be_v requisite_a and_o only_o consult_v conveniency_n and_o design_v not_o state_n or_o magnificence_n which_o yet_o our_o author_n a_o little_a after_o say_v he_o do_v and_o we_o know_v nothing_o be_v more_o ordinary_a than_o for_o great_a city_n to_o have_v more_o church_n than_o be_v needful_a it_o be_v so_o in_o london_n before_o the_o fire_n and_o the_o retrench_a of_o their_o number_n since_o show_v it_o yet_o this_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o prove_v alexander_n church_n in_o c._n p._n to_o be_v diocesan_n that_o it_o will_v not_o prove_v it_o great_a than_o some_o single_a congregation_n for_o there_o be_v 12_o church_n in_o alexandria_n when_o yet_o the_o church_n in_o that_o city_n adhere_v to_o athanasius_n consist_v of_o no_o more_o than_o be_v in_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n for_o which_o such_o evidence_n have_v be_v bring_v as_o be_v not_o yet_o nor_o i_o think_v can_v be_v deface_v nor_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o two_o church_n much_o less_o one_o can_v suffice_v all_o the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n when_o the_o city_n of_o heliopolis_n be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n require_v more_o and_o constantine_n build_v several_a for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n plural_o express_v be_v much_o improve_v by_o our_o author_n he_o make_v out_o of_o it_o diverse_a church_n and_o all_o these_o church_n when_o yet_o all_o these_o be_v but_o one_o church_n as_o socrates_n himself_o make_v it_o plain_a a_o little_a before_o 18._o before_o soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 18._o for_o have_v relate_v how_o constantine_n order_v a_o church_n to_o be_v build_v near_o the_o oak_n at_o mambre_n he_o add_v that_o he_o order_v another_o church_n not_o churches_n to_o be_v erect_v at_o heliopolis_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o put_v it_o past_a doubt_n eusebius_n who_o the_o emperor_n employ_v about_o those_o structure_n and_o from_o who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n socrates_n have_v the_o relation_n give_v a_o account_n but_o of_o one_o church_n there_o found_v by_o the_o emperor_n which_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d constant_a 〈◊〉_d l._n 3._o c._n 56._o de-vitâ_a constant_a and_o that_o it_o be_v furnish_v with_o a_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n so_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o heliopolis_n have_v but_o one_o church_n for_o his_o diocese_n which_o our_o author_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o loath_a to_o own_o since_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o at_o this_o time_n one_o bishop_n in_o a_o hundred_o have_v more_o valesius_fw-la who_o our_o author_n much_o rely_v on_o in_o his_o note_n upon_o this_o place_n be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v that_o constantine_n build_v more_o church_n in_o heliopolis_n that_o he_o judge_v this_o one_o at_o present_a be_v not_o necessary_a for_o it_o the_o town_n have_v then_o no_o christian_n in_o it_o and_o assign_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n why_o eusebius_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n unusual_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v a_o bishop_n appoint_v and_o a_o church_n build_v in_o it_o his_o word_n be_v fortasse_fw-la hoc_fw-la novum_fw-la &_o inauditum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la intelligit_fw-la etc._n etc._n he_o may_v think_v this_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o that_o a_o church_n shall_v be_v build_v in_o a_o city_n where_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n but_o all_o be_v alike_o idolater_n therefore_o this_o church_n be_v build_v at_o heliopolis_n not_o for_o that_o there_o be_v any_o necessity_n of_o it_o but_o rather_o in_o hope_n that_o he_o may_v invite_v all_o the_o citizen_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o the_o bishop_n here_o have_v none_o for_o his_o diocese_n but_o one_o church_n and_o that_o empty_a there_o be_v then_o no_o christian_n 235._o in_o lib._n 3._o de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr constant_n c._n 58._o p._n 235._o in_o that_o one_o parish_n which_o yet_o be_v all_o he_o have_v to_o make_v he_o a_o diocesan_n the_o better_a to_o confute_v theodoret_n who_o say_v for_o they_o be_v his_o word_n not_o i_o that_o alexander_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n meet_v together_o he_o endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o state_n of_o that_o church_n about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o constantine_n etc._n etc._n this_o he_o do_v here_o and_o after_o by_o a_o undue_a application_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o sozomen_n for_o the_o account_n which_o that_o historian_n give_v of_o that_o city_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o constantine_n time_n but_o reach_v beyond_o it_o ay_o and_o beyond_o julian_n too_o which_o appear_v as_o by_o other_o passage_n so_o by_o his_o mention_v the_o heathen_a temple_n in_o the_o time_n of_o that_o emperor_n and_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o time_n after_o constantine_n must_v that_o expression_n be_v understand_v which_o make_v c._n p._n to_o exceed_v rome_n not_o only_o in_o riches_n but_o in_o the_o number_n of_o inhabitant_n otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v apparent_o false_a for_o when_o chrysostome_n be_v bishop_n there_o about_o 70_o year_n after_o when_o it_o be_v like_o the_o number_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n be_v double_v it_o can_v be_v question_v but_o they_o be_v far_o more_o numerous_a he_o who_o best_a can_v do_v it_o reckon_v the_o christian_n then_o to_o be_v a_o 100000_o 674._o 100000_o in_o act._n hom._n 11._o pag._n 674._o our_o author_n will_v have_v we_o look_v upon_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_a there_o to_o be_v inconsiderable_a but_o let_v we_o count_v they_o another_o 100000._o yet_o both_o put_v together_o will_v fall_v incomparable_o short_a of_o the_o number_n in_o old_a rome_n which_o by_o the_o computation_n of_o lipsius_n be_v at_o least_o two_o million_o 3._o million_o de_fw-fr magnit_fw-la rom._n lib._n 3._o c._n 3._o and_o in_o constantine_n time_n new_a rome_n be_v as_o far_o short_a of_o the_o old_a as_o to_o its_o greatness_n in_o circuit_n for_o whereas_o herodian_a declare_v that_o severus_n quite_o demolish_v byzantium_n for_o side_v with_o niger_n and_o reduce_v it_o to_o the_o state_n of_o a_o village_n subject_v it_o to_o perinthus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 68_o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 3._o p._n 68_o we_o can_v in_o reason_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v extraordinary_o spacious_a yet_o as_o zosimus_n report_v all_o the_o enlargement_n which_o constantine_n give_v it_o be_v but_o the_o addition_n of_o 15_o furlong_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 62._o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 2._o p._n 62._o now_o suppose_v it_o be_v 30_o or_o 40_o furlong_n in_o compass_n before_o and_o so_o large_a than_o one_o city_n in_o a_o hundred_o yet_o this_o addition_n will_v leave_v it_o less_o than_o alexandria_n which_o as_o josephus_n describe_v it_o be_v 80_o furlong_n that_o be_v ten_o mile_n in_o circumference_n 16._o circumference_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jud._n lib._n 2._o cap._n 16._o yet_o alexandria_n be_v four_o time_n less_o than_o rome_n for_o by_o vopiscus_n account_n in_o aurelian_n time_n not_o long_o before_o constantine_n the_o wall_n be_v make_v by_o he_o near_o 50_o mile_n in_o circuit_n so_o it_o will_v be_v in_o comparison_n of_o constantinople_n when_o first_o build_v rather_o like_o a_o nation_n than_o a_o city_n as_o aristotle_n say_v of_o the_o other_o babylon_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2._o 〈◊〉_d pol._n lib._n 3._o c._n 2._o if_o then_o we_o will_v have_v this_o passage_n of_o sozomen_n to_o have_v any_o appearance_n of_o truth_n it_o must_v be_v extend_v far_o beyond_o constantine_n time_n when_o as_o zosimus_n tell_v we_o many_o of_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n be_v still_o draw_v multitude_n of_o people_n to_o that_o city_n so_o that_o it_o be_v afterward_o encompass_v with_o wall_n far_o large_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d than_o those_o of_o constantine_n 65._o constantine_n lib._n 2._o p._n 65._o and_o in_o a_o oration_n of_o themistius_n it_o be_v make_v a_o question_n whether_o theodosius_n junior_a do_v not_o add_v more_o to_o c._n p._n than_o constantine_n do_v to_o byzantium_n many_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_a be_v convert_v and_o become_v christian_n the_o expression_n of_o sozomen_n do_v not_o hinder_v but_o as_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o jew_n remain_v so_o the_o number_n of_o the_o heathen_a may_v

he_o reckon_v but_o 466_o 149._o vindic._n p._n 149._o take_v in_o those_o of_o the_o schismatic_n too_o about_o 66_o for_o each_o province_n one_o with_o another_o count_v they_o as_o he_o do_v seven_o and_o the_o account_n which_o other_o give_v of_o their_o number_n in_o the_o ancient_a roman_a province_n the_o kingdom_n of_o naples_n the_o island_n crete_n ireland_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o armenia_n and_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o which_o follow_v be_v i_o suppose_v instead_o of_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o my_o discourse_n concern_v the_o popular_a election_n of_o bishop_n which_o this_o gentleman_n be_v as_o much_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o as_o of_o the_o few_o passage_n he_o have_v touch_v in_o the_o former_a part_n why_o he_o do_v not_o i_o will_v not_o inquire_v further_o but_o satisfy_v myself_o with_o what_o be_v obvious_a especial_o since_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o intend_v a_o discourse_n of_o such_o a_o subject_a if_o in_o this_o design_a work_n he_o satisfy_v i_o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n for_o the_o people_n to_o concur_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o their_o bishop_n he_o will_v do_v i_o a_o great_a displeasure_n than_o the_o confutation_n of_o what_o i_o have_v write_v or_o any_o other_o that_o i_o can_v fear_v he_o intend_v i_o by_o take_v i_o off_o from_o further_a conversation_n with_o ancient_a author_n as_o person_n by_o who_o write_n we_o can_v clear_o know_v nothing_o for_o if_o that_o point_n be_v not_o clear_a in_o antiquity_n i_o can_v never_o expect_v to_o find_v any_o thing_n there_o that_o be_v so_o i_o intend_v to_o conclude_v this_o discourse_n here_o without_o give_v the_o reader_n further_o trouble_v but_o consider_v there_o be_v misapprehension_n about_o the_o subject_a in_o question_n those_o be_v take_v by_o diverse_a for_o diocesan_n church_n which_o indeed_o be_v not_o such_o and_o argument_n use_v to_o prove_v they_o so_o which_o be_v not_o competent_a for_o that_o purpose_n of_o which_o there_o be_v many_o instance_n as_o elsewhere_o so_o particular_o in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o this_o author_n discourse_n i_o think_v it_o requisite_a for_o the_o rectify_v of_o these_o mistake_n and_o to_o show_v the_o insufficiency_n or_o impertinency_n of_o such_o reason_n to_o give_v a_o account_n what_o medium_n can_v in_o reason_n be_v esteem_v to_o afford_v competent_a proof_n of_o diocesan_n church_n in_o general_n those_o who_o will_v satisfy_v we_o that_o any_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n be_v diocesan_n shall_v prove_v they_o to_o be_v such_o diocesan_n as_o we_o be_v as_o large_a or_o near_o as_o large_a otherwise_o what_o they_o offer_v will_v scarce_o appear_v to_o be_v pertinent_a for_o the_o rise_n of_o this_o debate_n be_v the_o question_n between_o we_o whether_o the_o bishop_n of_o these_o time_n be_v such_o as_o those_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n this_o we_o deny_v because_o modern_a bishop_n will_v have_v another_o sort_n of_o church_n or_o diocese_n than_o be_v know_v in_o the_o best_a age_n not_o that_o we_o reject_v all_o diocese_n or_o diocesan_a church_n for_o both_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v by_o the_o ancient_n for_o such_o church_n as_o we_o allow_v it_o be_v those_o of_o a_o late_a model_n that_o we_o approve_v not_o as_o vast_o differ_v from_o the_o ancient_a episcopal_a church_n the_o modern_a diocese_n and_o church_n thence_o denominate_v be_v exceed_v great_a and_o extensive_a consist_v of_o many_o score_n or_o many_o hundred_o particular_a church_n whereas_o for_o the_o three_o first_o age_n we_o can_v find_v 3_o bishop_n that_o have_v two_o particular_a church_n in_o his_o diocese_n nor_o in_o the_o four_o one_o in_o 50_o if_o i_o may_v not_o say_v one_o in_o a_o hundred_o that_o have_v more_o so_o that_o the_o difference_n be_v exceed_o great_a and_o more_o considerable_a in_o the_o consequence_n thereof_o which_o i_o have_v rather_o give_v a_o account_n of_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o very_a learned_a d._n st._n than_o i_o own_o diocese_n general_o say_v he_o in_o the_o primitive_a and_o eastern_a church_n be_v very_o small_a and_o little_a as_o far_o more_o convenient_a for_o this_o end_n of_o they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o bishop_n charge_n 376._o charge_n iren._n p._n 376._o and_o elsewhere_o discipline_n say_v he_o be_v then_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o strict_a preach_v more_o diligent_a man_n more_o apprehensive_a of_o the_o weight_n of_o their_o function_n than_o for_o any_o to_o undertake_v such_o a_o care_n and_o charge_n of_o soul_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o even_o to_o know_v observe_v or_o watch_v over_o so_o as_o to_o give_v a_o account_n for_o they_o 332._o they_o pag._n 332._o man_n that_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o church_n then_o do_v not_o consult_v for_o their_o ease_n and_o honour_n and_o think_v it_o not_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o sit_v still_o and_o bid_v other_o work_v 333._o work_v pag._n 333._o st._n austin_n speak_v of_o the_o 3d._a age_n make_v account_n of_o many_o thousand_o bishop_n then_o in_o the_o world_n 3._o world_n contra_fw-la crescon_n lib._n 3._o our_o author_n seem_v to_o treat_v that_o excellent_a person_n something_o coarse_o on_o this_o occasion_n and_o go_v near_o to_o question_v his_o judgement_n or_o veracity_n for_o it_o 534._o it_o pag._n 534._o some_o may_v think_v this_o not_o over_o decent_o do_v to_o say_v no_o more_o when_o it_o be_v his_o business_n to_o vindicate_v some_o ancient_a bishop_n who_o need_v it_o to_o reflect_v upon_o one_o so_o untainted_a as_o to_o need_v none_o however_o since_o he_o say_v that_o father_n judge_v of_o other_o age_n by_o his_o own_o when_o dioceses_n be_v exceed_o multiply_v 535._o multiply_v pag._n 535._o we_o may_v suppose_v he_o will_v grant_v there_o be_v many_o thousand_o bishop_n in_o the_o four_o age._n yet_o among_o so_o many_o thousand_o bishop_n i_o do_v not_o expect_v that_o any_o can_v show_v i_o 20_o if_o i_o may_v not_o say_v 10._o who_o have_v so_o many_o church_n in_o their_o diocese_n as_o some_o pluralist_n among_o we_o may_v have_v who_o yet_o never_o pretend_v to_o have_v a_o diocesan_n church_n those_o therefore_o who_o will_v make_v proof_n of_o such_o diocesan_n church_n as_o be_v in_o question_n must_v show_v we_o some_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n something_o like_o we_o in_o largeness_n and_o extent_n among_o the_o instance_n produce_v for_o this_o purpose_n by_o former_a or_o late_a writer_n i_o find_v none_o any_o thing_n near_o to_o we_o save_o that_o only_a of_o theodoret_n in_o the_o 5_o age._n but_o this_o in_o the_o former_a discourse_n be_v show_v to_o be_v so_o insufficient_a to_o serve_v the_o end_n it_o be_v allege_v for_o that_o i_o may_v hope_v it_o will_v be_v press_v no_o more_o for_o this_o service_n more_o particular_o one_a it_o prove_v not_o a_o church_n to_o be_v diocesan_n because_o it_o consist_v of_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o there_o be_v parish_n in_o this_o land_n that_o contain_v many_o hundred_o or_o thousand_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o the_o parish_n church_n and_o yet_o be_v but_o count_v single_a congregation_n though_o multitude_n in_o such_o church_n be_v far_o from_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v diocesan_n yet_o i_o think_v two_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v in_o the_o three_o age_n of_o more_o in_o one_o church_n than_o be_v in_o some_o single_a congregation_n among_o we_o nor_o many_o afterward_o till_o arianism_n and_o donatism_n be_v suppress_v which_o the_o latter_a be_v not_o in_o africa_n till_o after_o the_o famous_a conference_n at_o carthage_n anno_fw-la 410_o nor_o the_o former_a in_o other_o part_n during_o the_o four_o age_n for_o though_o theodosius_n make_v some_o sharp_a declaration_n against_o they_o and_o other_o heretic_n yet_o none_o but_o the_o eunomian_o be_v prosecute_v if_o we_o believe_v socrates_n 20._o socrates_n lib._n 5._o c._n 20._o that_o emperor_n give_v not_o the_o least_o trouble_n to_o the_o rest_n force_v none_o to_o communicate_v with_o he_o but_o allow_v they_o their_o meeting_n and_o even_o in_o c._n p._n when_o afterward_o the_o arian_n divide_v among_o themselves_o each_o party_n have_v several_a congregation_n in_o that_o city_n 23._o city_n lib._n 5._o c._n 23._o both_o that_o which_o adhere_v to_o marinus_n and_o that_o also_o which_o follow_v dorothius_n these_o keep_n the_o church_n which_o they_o have_v before_o and_o the_o other_o erect_v new_a church_n i_o know_v there_o be_v those_o who_o from_o some_o passage_n in_o tertullian_n scapulam_fw-la tertullian_n apol._n c._n 37._o &_o ad_fw-la scapulam_fw-la will_v infer_v that_o the_o christian_n in_o his_o time_n be_v

alypius_n bishop_n of_o tagesta_n which_o without_o reason_n we_o must_v take_v to_o be_v a_o considerable_a city_n 527._o city_n pag._n 527._o and_o the_o city_n milevis_n because_o petilian_n say_v tunca_n belong_v to_o it_o once_o though_o now_o it_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o and_o by_o our_o author_n art_n of_o computation_n town_n village_n and_o city_n must_v belong_v to_o milevis_n upon_o the_o sole_a account_n of_o tunca_n sometime_o appertain_v to_o it_o 528._o it_o pag._n 528._o and_o these_o with_o fussala_n of_o which_o before_o be_v the_o chief_a instance_n to_o prove_v that_o africa_n have_v very_o large_a diocese_n not_o inferior_a to_o those_o of_o we_o in_o extent_n of_o territory_n 516._o territory_n pag._n 516._o beside_o in_o the_o council_n of_o neocaesarea_n country_n presbyter_n be_v distinguish_v from_o other_o 13._o other_o can._n 13._o and_o that_o of_o antioch_n provide_v that_o country_n presbyter_n shall_v not_o give_v canonical_a epistle_n 8._o epistle_n can._n 8._o and_o allow_v the_o bishop_n to_o order_v his_o own_o church_n and_o the_o c●●●trey_n place_n depend_v on_o it_o 536._o it_o can._n 9_o pag._n 536._o and_o epiphanius_n speak_v of_o a_o church_n belong_v to_o his_o charge_n which_o we_o must_v understand_v to_o be_v his_o diocese_n though_o in_o the_o passage_n cite_v it_o be_v twice_o call_v his_o province_n 555._o province_n pag._n 555._o in_o fine_a i_o speak_v of_o some_o baptize_v by_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n in_o hamlet_n castle_n and_o place_n remote_a from_o the_o bishop_n these_o and_o such_o like_a be_v use_v as_o good_a argument_n for_o diocesan_n church_n whereas_o there_o be_v diverse_a town_n in_o england_n which_o beside_o the_o officer_n in_o they_o have_v many_o congregation_n and_o presbyter_n in_o village_n belong_v to_o they_o and_o contain_v within_o the_o parish_n and_o yet_o our_o author_n and_o those_o of_o his_o persuasion_n will_v think_v diocesan_n quite_o ruin_v if_o they_o be_v reduce_v and_o confine_v to_o the_o measure_n of_o those_o parish_n church_n and_o leave_v no_o big_a than_o some_o of_o our_o vicarage_n and_o parsonage_n though_o such_o as_o mr._n hooker_n affirm_v to_o be_v as_o large_a as_o some_o ancient_a bishopric_n he_o may_v have_v say_v most_o there_o be_v not_o one_o in_o many_o great_a or_o so_o large_a i_o yet_o see_v no_o ground_n in_o antiquity_n nor_o can_v expect_v to_o have_v it_o prove_v that_o the_o large_a sort_n of_o ordinary_a bishopric_n in_o the_o four_o age_n and_o sometime_o after_o be_v of_o more_o extent_n than_o two_o such_o vicarage_n will_v be_v if_o unite_v yet_o a_o bishop_n of_o such_o a_o district_n in_o our_o time_n will_v be_v count_v so_o far_o from_o have_v a_o competent_a diocese_n that_o he_o will_v scarce_o escape_v from_o be_v scorn_v as_o a_o italian_a episcopellus_n but_o his_o great_a argument_n in_o comparison_n of_o which_o his_o other_o allegation_n he_o tell_v we_o be_v but_o accidental_a hint_n 508._o hint_n pag._n 508._o which_o he_o most_o insist_o on_o and_o offer_v many_o time_n over_o so_o that_o it_o make_v a_o great_a part_n of_o his_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n 562._o subject_n pag._n 508._o to_o pag._n 555._o to_o 539._o pag._n 556._o to_o 562._o it_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o council_n by_o which_o he_o will_v evince_v the_o largeness_n of_o ancient_a diocese_n when_o it_o no_o way_n prove_v diocesan_n church_n of_o any_o size_n he_o proceed_v upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o all_o part_n and_o city_n 530._o city_n pag._n 530._o in_o the_o first_o age_n and_o that_o the_o bishop_n be_v few_o in_o former_a time_n than_o afterward_o the_o former_a part_n of_o his_o hypothesis_n if_o he_o understand_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n to_o be_v any_o thing_n comparable_a to_o what_o they_o be_v after_o constantine_n when_o bishop_n be_v much_o multiply_v as_o he_o must_v understand_v it_o if_o he_o expect_v any_o service_n from_o it_o want_v proof_n and_o he_o offer_v none_o but_o some_o passage_n in_o tertullian_n strain_v far_o beyond_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o other_o ancient_a author_n of_o which_o before_o let_v i_o add_v that_o nazianzen_n compare_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o former_a time_n with_o those_o in_o julian_n reign_n say_v they_o be_v not_o many_o in_o former_a persecution_n christianity_n have_v not_o reach_v many_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d no_o not_o in_o that_o of_o dioclesian_n etc._n etc._n though_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n far_o more_o numerous_a than_o in_o tertullian_n age_n but_o that_o christianity_n be_v find_v only_o in_o a_o few_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o 〈◊〉_d orat._n 3._o the_o other_o part_n which_o need_v no_o proof_n since_o it_o be_v grant_v and_o may_v be_v without_o any_o advantage_n to_o he_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v large_o and_o industrious_o but_o by_o such_o a_o medium_n as_o make_v that_o which_o be_v grant_v to_o be_v questionable_a such_o a_o one_o which_o as_o it_o be_v order_v may_v conclude_v backward_o and_o prove_v the_o contrary_a to_o what_o he_o design_n that_o this_o may_v be_v manifest_a let_v it_o be_v observe_v that_o he_o will_v have_v we_o take_v a_o account_n of_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n by_o their_o appear_v in_o council_n more_o or_o few_o and_o according_o judge_n in_o several_a period_n whether_o they_o be_v less_o numerous_a and_o consequent_o their_o diocese_n large_a in_o former_a time_n than_o afterward_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n we_o need_v view_v no_o other_o instance_n than_o himself_o produce_v at_o lambese_n in_o africa_n there_o be_v 90_o bishop_n against_o privatus_fw-la but_o not_o so_o many_o in_o any_o council_n after_o though_o not_o a_o few_o be_v mention_v in_o that_o country_n till_o the_o donatist_n grow_v numerous_a 509._o numerous_a pag._n 509._o in_o spain_n the_o council_n of_o eliberis_n have_v 19_o bishop_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o age_n and_o the_o first_o council_n of_o toledo_n have_v no_o more_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o age_n after_o but_o the_o follow_a synod_n at_o saragossa_n gerunda_n ilerda_n valentia_n arragon_n have_v not_o so_o many_o 558_o many_o pag._n 557._o 558_o in_o france_n the_o council_n at_o valence_n have_v 21_o bishop_n in_o the_o four_o age_n but_o those_o follow_v they_o in_o that_o and_o the_o after_o age_n have_v still_o few_o viz._n that_o of_o riez_n orange_n the_o three_o of_o arles_n that_o at_o anger_n be_v that_o at_o tours_n and_o vennes_n and_o another_o at_o arles_n for_o general_a council_n the_o first_o at_o nice_a have_v 318_o bishop_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o age_n that_o at_o ephesus_n above_o a_o hundred_o yearsafter_o have_v but_o two_o hundred_o that_o at_o c._n p._n in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o four_o age_n have_v but_o one_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o bishop_n so_o that_o if_o we_o take_v account_v how_o many_o bishop_n there_o be_v of_o old_a as_o he_o will_v have_v we_o by_o their_o number_n in_o council_n there_o will_v be_v more_o before_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o age_n than_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o more_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o than_o in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o five_o and_o more_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o five_o than_o in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o six_o quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o hypothesis_n on_o which_o he_o proceed_v whether_o by_o his_o argument_n he_o will_v lead_v we_o to_o think_v diocese_n do_v wax_n and_o wane_n so_o odd_o as_o it_o make_v bishop_n to_o be_v more_o or_o few_o i_o can_v tell_v however_o since_o he_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o four_o and_o five_o age_n diocese_n be_v very_o small_a 552._o small_a pag._n 552._o and_o crumble_v into_o small_a piece_n 516._o piece_n pag._n 516._o and_o so_o nothing_o like_o we_o there_o be_v no_o expectation_n he_o can_v find_v any_o large_a if_o any_o thing_n near_o so_o great_a in_o any_o former_a age_n unless_o they_o can_v be_v large_a when_o incomparable_o few_o christian_n belong_v to_o these_o bishop_n which_o will_v be_v no_o less_o a_o paradox_n than_o the_o former_a for_o it_o can_v but_o be_v think_v strange_a that_o the_o bishop_n diocese_n shall_v be_v great_a when_o his_o flock_n be_v undeniable_o far_o less_o and_o they_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v christian_a bishopric_n who_o measure_n must_v be_v take_v by_o number_n of_o acre_n rather_o than_o of_o soul_n or_o by_o multitude_n of_o heathen_n rather_o than_o christian_n he_o deny_v not_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o bishop_n for_o a_o long_a while_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v but_o one_o congregation_n to_o govern_v 71._o pag._n 71._o what_o then_o say_v he_o if_o all_o the_o beleiver_n in_o and_o

diocesan_a church_n not_o yet_o discover_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n or_o a_o defence_n of_o the_o answer_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_v allegation_n out_o of_o antiquity_n for_o such_o church_n against_o the_o exception_n offer_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o a_o late_a treatise_n call_v a_o vindication_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n where_o what_o be_v further_o produce_v out_o of_o scripture_n and_o ancient_a author_n for_o diocesan_n churches_n be_v also_o discuss_v london_n print_v for_o thomas_n parkhurst_n at_o the_o bible_n and_o three_o crown_n at_o the_o low_a end_n of_o cheapside_n near_o mercer_n chapel_n 1682._o errata_fw-la page_n 59_o l._n 4._o r._n sirmond_n p._n 67._o l._n 33._o r._n to_o p._n 76._o r._n euodius_n p._n 80._o l._n 14._o r._n oratorum_fw-la p._n 86._o l._n 16._o r._n congregation_n p._n 87._o l._n 27._o r._n bishop_n p._n 95._o l._n 2._o r._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n ult_n l._n 9_o r._n less_o beside_o mis-accenting_a some_o greek_a word_n and_o other_o mis-pointings_a the_o preface_n dissenter_n be_v accuse_v of_o schism_n by_o some_o of_o this_o church_n both_o these_o and_o the_o other_o be_v brand_v not_o only_o as_o schismatic_n but_o as_o heretic_n by_o the_o papist_n who_o upon_o this_o account_n judge_v we_o unworthy_a to_o live_v and_o have_v actual_o destroy_v both_o together_o if_o god_n in_o mercy_n have_v not_o discover_v their_o devilish_a plot._n the_o discovery_n give_v they_o some_o interruption_n and_o put_v they_o upon_o a_o aftergame_n to_o retrieve_v what_o have_v miscarry_v and_o this_o be_v so_o to_o divide_v we_o as_o that_o ourselves_o shall_v help_v they_o in_o their_o design_n to_o ruin_v we_o all_o when_o they_o have_v less_o hope_n to_o do_v it_o alone_o in_o pursuance_n hereof_o such_o influence_n they_o have_v have_v upon_o too_o many_o as_o to_o raise_v in_o they_o a_o great_a aversation_n to_o dissenter_n than_o to_o papist_n these_o the_o conspirator_n count_v their_o own_o and_o think_v they_o may_v well_o do_v so_o since_o they_o be_v too_o ready_a to_o concur_v with_o they_o in_o their_o design_n to_o exterminate_v those_o who_o be_v true_a protestant_n in_o every_o point_n and_o differ_v no_o more_o from_o this_o church_n than_o those_o in_o france_n do_v who_o by_o the_o same_o counsel_n be_v at_o this_o time_n in_o extreme_a danger_n to_o be_v utter_o extirpate_v other_o be_v so_o far_o prevail_v with_o as_o to_o make_v use_n of_o one_o of_o the_o sharp_a weapon_n they_o have_v against_o dissent_v protestant_n and_o that_o be_v the_o charge_n of_o schism_n late_o renew_v and_o reinforce_v in_o these_o hard_a circumstance_n while_o we_o do_v what_o we_o can_v against_o the_o common_a enemy_n we_o be_v put_v to_o ward_v off_o the_o blow_n of_o such_o as_o notwithstanding_o some_o present_a distemper_n we_o will_v count_v our_o friend_n among_o other_o expedient_n sufficient_a to_o secure_v we_o against_o this_o attaque_fw-la it_o be_v think_v not_o unuseful_a to_o answer_v the_o allegation_n out_o of_o antiquity_n concern_v two_o point_n wherein_o only_o the_o ancient_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o our_o prejudice_n viz._n 1._o for_o diocesan_n church_n and_o then_o 2_o against_o the_o election_n of_o bishop_n by_o the_o people_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n something_o be_v perform_v and_o publish_v in_o reference_n to_o both_o these_o in_o a_o late_a discourse_n one_o half_n of_o which_o where_o the_o latter_a be_v discuss_v concern_v the_o popular_a election_n of_o bishop_n have_v yet_o pass_v without_o any_o exception_n that_o i_o can_v see_v or_o hear_v of_o yet_o this_o alone_a be_v enough_o to_o defend_v we_o against_o the_o aforesaid_a charge_n for_o those_o who_o will_v not_o make_v the_o primitive_a church_n schismatical_a must_v not_o condemn_v any_o as_o schismatic_n for_o decline_v such_o bishop_n as_o that_o church_n will_v not_o own_v against_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o discourse_n concern_v diocesan_n church_n some_o exception_n have_v be_v make_v but_o very_o little_a a_o late_a author_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o a_o treatise_n of_o another_o subject_n have_v touch_v about_o 5_o page_n in_o 40._o but_o so_o as_o he_o have_v do_v they_o no_o more_o harm_n than_o another_o who_o to_o find_v one_o fault_n therein_o run_v himself_o into_o two_o or_o three_o about_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d render_v indefinite_o according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o author_n who_o use_v it_o and_o the_o most_o common_a use_n of_o it_o i_o disparage_v not_o the_o gentleman_n learning_n who_o attaque_v i_o in_o his_o preface_n he_o show_v that_o which_o with_o answerable_a care_n and_o judgement_n may_v be_v serviceable_a in_o a_o cause_n that_o deserve_v it_o but_o much_o more_o than_o he_o show_v will_v not_o be_v enough_o to_o support_v what_o he_o will_v establish_v and_o he_o may_v have_v forbear_v the_o vilify_n of_o those_o who_o be_v know_v to_o be_v master_n of_o much_o more_o valueable_a learning_n than_o appear_v in_o either_o of_o we_o the_o neglect_n of_o some_o accurateness_n in_o little_a thing_n remote_a from_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n in_o one_o who_o be_v not_o at_o leisure_n to_o catch_v fly_n be_v no_o argument_n that_o he_o be_v destitute_a of_o learning_n i_o complain_v not_o of_o his_o proceed_n with_o i_o but_o be_o oblige_v by_o he_o that_o he_o treat_v i_o not_o with_o so_o much_o contempt_n as_o he_o do_v other_o who_o less_o deserve_v it_o i_o wish_v he_o have_v deal_v more_o temperate_o with_o m._n b._n it_o will_v have_v be_v more_o for_o his_o reputation_n and_o no_o prejudice_n to_o his_o undertake_n a_o good_a cause_n when_o it_o have_v a_o sufficient_a advocate_n do_v not_o need_v any_o undecent_a supplement_n after_o i_o have_v clear_v my_o discourse_n front_v this_o gentleman_n exception_n i_o think_v it_o not_o impertinent_a to_o show_v what_o in_o reason_n can_v be_v count_v competent_a proof_n of_o diocesan_n church_n that_o if_o any_o will_v pursue_v this_o debate_n far_o instead_o of_o oppose_v we_o they_o may_v not_o beat_v the_o air_n and_o amuse_v those_o that_o inquire_v after_o truth_n with_o what_o be_v insignificant_a withal_o i_o have_v give_v a_o account_n of_o what_o other_o allegation_n out_o of_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n this_o author_n have_v bring_v in_o other_o part_n of_o his_o treatise_n for_o such_o church_n and_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o evidence_n in_o they_o as_o to_o the_o purpose_n they_o be_v allege_v for_o in_o short_a i_o find_v nothing_o in_o this_o author_n or_o any_o other_o before_o he_o which_o may_v satisfy_v a_o judicious_a and_o impartial_a man_n that_o in_o the_o two_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n any_o bishop_n have_v more_o than_o one_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n for_o his_o proper_a charge_n or_o that_o in_o the_o three_o age_n there_o be_v any_o bishop_n which_o have_v a_o church_n consist_v of_o more_o than_o be_v in_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n unless_o it_o be_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n nor_o be_v there_o sufficient_a evidence_n produce_v for_o that_o or_o that_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o four_o age_n there_o be_v 4_o church_n each_o of_o which_o comprise_v more_o than_o can_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n though_o if_o they_o have_v contain_v more_o that_o may_v be_v far_o enough_o from_o make_v they_o diocesan_n or_o that_o afterward_o within_o the_o time_n of_o the_o four_o first_o general_n council_n where_o there_o be_v several_a church_n belong_v to_o one_o bishop_n he_o do_v exercise_v jurisdiction_n over_o they_o alone_o or_o only_o by_o himself_o and_o his_o delegate_n it_o will_v be_v time_n enough_o to_o censure_v we_o as_o schismatic_n for_o decline_a diocesan_n church_n when_o they_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v such_o in_o the_o best_a age_n of_o christianity_n which_o not_o appear_v the_o censure_n fall_v upon_o the_o primitive_a christian_n from_o who_o it_o will_v slide_v of_o upon_o themselves_o if_o they_o will_v forbear_v we_o till_o this_o be_v perform_v we_o need_v desire_v no_o more_o unless_o we_o may_v prevail_v with_o those_o who_o sincere_o profess_v themselves_o protestant_n to_o regard_v the_o secure_n themselves_o and_o their_o religion_n from_o the_o destructive_a design_n of_o the_o papist_n more_o than_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o proper_o the_o concern_n either_o of_o protestant_a or_o of_o religion_n as_o for_o those_o who_o prefer_v the_o papist_n before_o dissenter_n and_o revile_v these_o as_o worse_a though_o they_o differ_v in_o no_o one_o point_n of_o religion_n from_o other_o true_a protestant_n we_o need_v not_o wonder_v if_o we_o meet_v with_o no_o better_a treatment_n from_o they_o then_o from_o declare_v papist_n since_o by_o such_o preference_n they_o too_o plain_o declare_v the_o protestant_a religion_n to_o be_v worse_o than_o

popery_n in_o their_o account_n the_o follow_a sheet_n have_v lie_v by_o i_o many_o month_n and_o have_v do_v so_o still_o but_o that_o the_o importunity_n of_o some_o and_o the_o misrepresent_v of_o my_o silence_n by_o other_o force_v i_o to_o publish_v they_o diocesan_a church_n not_o yet_o discover_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n to_o show_v that_o many_o presbyter_n in_o one_o church_n be_v not_o enough_o to_o prove_v it_o a_o diocesan_n i_o i_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o the_o ancient_a church_n to_o multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o what_o we_o count_v necessary_a not_o beyond_o what_o be_v necessary_a as_o it_o be_v too_o often_o misrepresent_v for_o this_o i_o offer_v two_o testimony_n one_o assert_v it_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o first_o age_n the_o other_o in_o the_o four_o and_o think_v these_o sufficient_a if_o they_o can_v not_o be_v deny_v as_o they_o be_v not_o to_o evince_v it_o to_o have_v be_v so_o in_o the_o three_o for_o who_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v but_o that_o have_v place_n in_o the_o three_o which_o be_v usual_a both_o in_o the_o age_n before_o and_o after_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o bishop_n downham_n who_o say_v at_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o city_n the_o number_n of_o people_n convert_v be_v not_o much_o great_a than_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n place_v among_o they_o but_o this_o it_o be_v say_v can_v be_v of_o little_a use_n because_o 1._o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v not_o a_o new_a convert_v church_n but_o settle_v long_o before_o and_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n the_o church_n of_o carthage_n by_o the_o fierce_a persecution_n in_o cyprian_n time_n which_o be_v the_o time_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v bring_v so_o low_a and_o reduce_v to_o so_o very_a few_o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v but_o new_a convert_v and_o how_o be_v it_o in_o a_o settle_a and_o flourish_a condition_n when_o it_o be_v so_o lamentable_o waste_v and_o still_o harrass_v one_o year_n after_o another_o or_o who_o can_v believe_v it_o that_o read_v cyprian_n lament_v pressurae_fw-la istius_fw-la tam_fw-la turbidam_fw-la vastitatem_fw-la quae_fw-la gregem_fw-la nostrum_fw-la maxima_fw-la ex_fw-la parte_fw-la populata_fw-la est_fw-la adhue_n &_o usque_fw-la populatur_fw-la and_o that_o they_o be_v positi_fw-la inter_fw-la plangentium_fw-la ruinas_fw-la et_fw-la timentium_fw-la reliquias_fw-la inter_fw-la numerosam_fw-la &_o languentium_fw-la stragem_fw-la et_fw-la exiguam_fw-la stantium_fw-la paucita●em_fw-la 4._o paucita●em_fw-la lib._n 4._o ep._n 4._o be_v not_o this_o much_o the_o case_n of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n unless_o this_o of_o carthage_n be_v worse_o and_o so_o less_o for_o our_o author_n advantage_n or_o if_o this_o be_v otherwise_o the_o church_n in_o nazianzen_n time_n be_v not_o new_o convert_v but_o settle_v long_o before_o and_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n which_o yet_o can_v be_v deny_v to_o have_v have_v more_o presbyter_n than_o we_o count_v needful_a so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o practice_n in_o every_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o flourish_v or_o not_o 2._o he_o say_v many_o more_o presbyter_n may_v be_v ordain_v in_o a_o city_n than_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o a_o church_n with_o respect_n to_o future_a increase_n etc._n etc._n and_o who_o will_v question_v but_o the_o many_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n be_v for_o future_a increase_n both_o in_o city_n and_o country_n so_o that_o herein_o the_o case_n be_v not_o different_a and_o the_o design_n of_o that_o number_n of_o officer_n may_v partly_o be_v for_o other_o congregation_n episcopal_a church_n though_o not_o diocesan_n to_o furnish_v they_o with_o officer_n this_o be_v apparent_a afterward_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o african_a church_n who_o when_o a_o new_a church_n be_v erect_v supply_v it_o with_o a_o bishop_n or_o other_o assistant_n from_o place_n better_a store_v with_o officer_n and_o it_o be_v exemplyfy_v particular_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o in_o the_o provision_n which_o st._n austin_n make_v for_o fussala_n he_o say_v further_a the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o one_o congregational_a church_n may_v be_v occasion_v by_o the_o uncertain_a abode_n of_o most_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o commissioner_n who_o be_v the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o only_a ordainer_n of_o presbyter_n mention_v in_o scripture_n but_o herein_o he_o do_v but_o guess_n and_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v positive_a unless_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o commissioner_n as_o he_o call_v they_o have_v be_v then_o the_o only_a ordainer_n which_o he_o will_v not_o venture_v to_o affirm_v know_v what_o evidence_n there_o be_v against_o it_o last_o he_o say_v if_o this_o opinion_n of_o bishop_n downham_n have_v any_o certain_a ground_n in_o antiquity_n we_o shall_v probable_o hear_v of_o it_o with_o both_o ear_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v it_o recommend_v upon_o ancient_a authority_n than_o he_o this_o of_o bishop_n downham_n have_v certain_a ground_n in_o the_o best_a antiquity_n if_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v such_o where_o it_o be_v plain_a there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n in_o diverse_a church_n such_o as_o be_v not_o yet_o nor_o ever_o will_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v diocesan_n to_o that_o of_o nazianzen_n he_o say_v it_o have_v receive_v its_o answer_n and_o add_v he_o that_o can_v answer_v it_o to_o himself_o from_o the_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o cyprian_a and_o in_o nazianzen_n time_n have_v a_o fondness_n for_o the_o argument_n this_o be_v the_o answer_n it_o receive_v pag._n 51._o and_o this_o difference_n be_v thus_o express_v a_o little_a before_o but_o that_o any_o church_n sixth_o and_o settle_v have_v its_o bishop_n always_o present_a shall_v multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o necessity_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n before_o constantine_n be_v altogether_o incredible_a for_o the_o necessary_a expense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o great_a the_o poor_a numerous_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n not_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o estate_n they_o have_v be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o ruin_v with_o perpetual_a persecution_n etc._n etc._n he_o say_v multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o necessity_n and_o without_o necessity_n while_o he_o alter_v my_o word_n so_o as_o to_o change_v the_o sense_n he_o dispute_v against_o himself_o not_o i_o but_o this_o look_v more_o like_o a_o argument_n than_o any_o thing_n before_o i_o shall_v take_v a_o little_a more_o notice_n of_o it_o 1._o be_v not_o all_o this_o applicable_a to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n when_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v presbyter_n be_v multiply_v beyond_o what_o we_o count_v necessary_a the_o poor_a numerous_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n not_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o estate_n they_o have_v be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o ruin_v with_o perpetual_a persecution_n further_o the_o church_n before_o constantine_n and_o carthage_n particular_o suppose_v these_o to_o be_v its_o circumstance_n may_v have_v many_o presbyter_n without_o any_o great_a charge_n for_o one_a the_o church_n stock_n be_v reserve_v only_o for_o those_o in_o want_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o be_v determine_v in_o one_o of_o the_o canon_n which_o pass_v for_o apostolical_a 4._o apostolical_a can._n 4._o and_o the_o same_o decree_v in_o the_o synod_n at_o antioch_n 25._o antioch_n can._n 25._o ambrose_n even_o in_o the_o four_o age_n will_v have_v none_o to_o have_v a_o stipend_n who_o have_v other_o revenue_n qui_fw-la fidei_fw-la exercet_fw-la militiam_fw-la agelli_fw-la svi_fw-la fructibus_fw-la si_fw-la habet_fw-la debet_fw-la esse_fw-la contentus_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la habet_fw-la stipendiorum_fw-la suorum_fw-la fructu_fw-la 36._o fructu_fw-la offic._n l._n 1._o ●_o 36._o and_o chrysostom_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o election_n those_o of_o the_o competitor_n that_o have_v estate_n do_v carry_v it_o because_o the_o church_n will_v need_v to_o be_v at_o no_o charge_n in_o maintain_v of_o such_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2_o when_o they_o have_v no_o estate_n and_o the_o church_n savil._n e_z de_n sacerd_v ●er_n 3._o pag._n 23._o ●dit_n savil._n can_v not_o maintain_v they_o they_o be_v to_o provide_v for_o themselves_o by_o some_o honest_a employment_n the_o council_n of_o elvira_n allow_v all_o sort_n of_o clergy_n man_n to_o drive_v a_o trade_n for_o their_o live_n provide_v they_o do_v it_o only_o in_o the_o province_n where_o they_o live_v 19_o live_v can._n 19_o and_o in_o the_o four_o council_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v order_v that_o the_o clergy_n though_o they_o be_v learn_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n shall_v get_v their_o live_n by_o a_o trade_n 51._o trade_n can._n 51._o and_o in_o the_o next_o canon_n that_o they_o shall_v get_v food_n and_o raiment_n by_o

be_v considerable_a tertullian_n speak_v of_o citizen_n in_o his_o time_n as_o if_o they_o be_v almost_o all_o christian_n penè_fw-la omnes_fw-la cives_fw-la christiani_fw-la 37._o christiani_fw-la apol._n c._n 37._o yet_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o one_o city_n where_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n those_o that_o take_v his_o word_n in_o a_o strict_a sense_n be_v very_o injurious_a to_o he_o and_o make_v he_o speak_v that_o which_o no_o ancient_a record_n will_v warrant_v sozomen_n also_o may_v suffer_v by_o strain_v his_o expression_n but_o i_o will_v not_o digress_v to_o take_v further_a notice_n of_o what_o be_v not_o material_a for_o i_o design_v not_o nor_o have_v any_o need_n to_o make_v any_o advantage_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o heathen_n in_o this_o city_n he_o tell_v we_o of_o 950_o work-house_n who_o rent_n be_v allow_v to_o defray_v the_o funeral_n expense_n of_o all_o that_o die_v in_o the_o city_n for_o so_o it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o constitution_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 43._o 〈◊〉_d novel_a 43._o these_o be_v perform_v with_o great_a solemnity_n and_o multitude_n of_o attendant_n maintain_v by_o those_o rent_n for_o that_o purpose_n 2._o purpose_n nou._n 59_o c._n 2._o how_o this_o here_o make_v the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n to_o be_v so_o very_o numerous_a as_o he_o will_v have_v they_o he_o shall_v have_v show_v we_o i_o be_o not_o yet_o so_o sagacious_a as_o to_o discover_v it_o the_o number_n of_o the_o decani_fw-la be_v determine_v by_o honorius_n to_o 950_o 4_o 950_o cod._n de_fw-fr eccl._n lex_fw-la 4_o our_o author_n think_v it_o probable_a they_o be_v so_o many_o at_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o there_o be_v more_o ground_n to_o believe_v they_o be_v much_o few_o in_o constantine_n time_n for_o about_o 800_o be_v count_v sufficient_a in_o justinian_n reign_n 200_o year_n after_o when_o the_o city_n be_v both_o large_a and_o much_o more_o populous_a and_o in_o its_o great_a flourish_n 2._o flourish_n novel_a 59_o c._n 2._o those_o that_o consider_v the_o premise_n may_v well_o think_v he_o may_v have_v form_v his_o conclusion_n in_o term_n less_o confident_a to_o say_v no_o worse_o of_o it_o next_o he_o form_v a_o objection_n against_o himself_o notwithstanding_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n may_v be_v much_o too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n yet_o the_o major_a part_n may_v be_v heretic_n or_o schismatic_n such_o as_o come_v not_o to_o the_o bishop_n church_n and_o therefore_o all_o that_o adhere_v to_o he_o may_v be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n to_o which_o he_o answer_v that_o the_o number_n of_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n be_v inconsiderable_a and_o will_v not_o except_v the_o arian_n or_o novatian_o for_o the_o arian_n he_o say_v they_o have_v not_o yet_o make_v a_o formal_a separation_n but_o if_o they_o do_v not_o separate_v themselves_o the_o church_n will_v have_v they_o separate_v and_o do_v exclude_v they_o from_o communion_n and_o withstand_v constantine_n importunity_n for_o their_o admission_n both_o here_o and_o in_o other_o place_n athanasius_n be_v threaten_v by_o eusebius_n of_o nicomedia_n 1_o nicomedia_n soc._n lib._n 2._o c._n 1_o and_o banish_v by_o the_o emperor_n for_o this_o cause_n among_o other_o and_o alexander_n be_v secure_v by_o arius_n his_o death_n from_o admit_v he_o to_o communion_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o this_o passage_n in_o theodoret_n which_o give_v our_o author_n so_o much_o trouble_v now_o the_o arian_n be_v debar_v from_o communion_n lessen_v the_o bishop_n church_n both_o here_o and_o elsewhere_o as_o much_o as_o if_o they_o have_v separate_v themselves_o and_o they_o be_v numerous_a here_o this_o be_v the_o place_n where_o they_o have_v great_a favour_n in_o constantine_n edict_n against_o the_o heretic_n who_o meeting_n he_o will_v have_v suppress_v the_o arian_n be_v not_o mention_v when_o the_o other_o be_v name_v 63._o name_v euseb_n de_fw-fr vita_fw-la constant_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 62._o 63._o socrates_n write_v that_o the_o people_n in_o this_o city_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o party_n the_o arian_n and_o the_o orthodox_n they_o have_v continual_o sharp_a bicker_n but_o while_o alexander_n live_v the_o orthodox_n have_v the_o better_a as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v dead_a which_o be_v 6._o be_v vale_n observe_v in_o soc._n &_o soz._n l._n 2._o c_o soc._n lib._n 2._o c._n 6._o while_o constantine_n live_v it_o seem_v they_o appear_v equal_a for_o the_o contest_v say_v he_o be_v dubious_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d c._n in_o nazianzen_n time_n so_o far_o they_o overtop_v the_o orthodox_n that_o this_o great_a diocesan_n church_n appear_v but_o in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o private_a meeting_n hold_v in_o a_o very_a little_a house_n where_o he_o keep_v a_o conventicle_n with_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o sozomen_n 5._o sozomen_n lib._n 7._o cap._n 5._o and_o socrates_n agree_v with_o he_o in_o the_o expression_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d such_o a_o diminutive_a place_n seem_v as_o unproportionable_a for_o such_o a_o diocesan_n church_n as_o a_o nutshell_n for_o homer_n iliad_n or_o a_o keyhole_n for_o a_o witch_n to_o use_v our_o author_n elegancy_n as_o for_o the_o novatian_o to_o which_o he_o will_v have_v no_o more_o allow_v than_o a_o conventicle_n they_o be_v numerous_a in_o other_o place_n they_o have_v once_o diverse_a church_n in_o alexandria_n many_o church_n in_o rome_n and_o in_o other_o place_n it_o be_v like_a they_o be_v numerous_a here_o for_o here_o they_o have_v as_o much_o favour_n or_o more_o and_o long_a too_o than_o in_o the_o city_n foremention_v here_o socrates_n say_v they_o have_v three_o church_n 30._o church_n lib._n 2._o cap._n 30._o and_o if_o three_o church_n will_v but_o make_v one_o inconsiderable_a conventicle_n it_o be_v possible_a the_o other_o orthodox_n churches_n though_o he_o will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v many_o may_v be_v comprise_v in_o one_o vast_a congregation_n i_o may_v observe_v how_o much_o sozomen_n be_v misrepresent_v in_o what_o he_o say_v next_o of_o those_o concern_v in_o the_o edict_n the_o novatian_o especial_o he_o speak_v not_o mince_o as_o our_o author_n will_v have_v he_o but_o full_o that_o the_o novatian_o do_v not_o suffer_v much_o by_o the_o edict_n he_o do_v not_o say_v only_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a they_o suffer_v little_a but_o say_v this_o only_a of_o a_o reason_n himself_o give_v why_o they_o suffer_v not_o much_o he_o give_v other_o reason_n for_o it_o than_o the_o opinion_n the_o novatian_o have_v of_o that_o bishop_n he_o do_v not_o say_v the_o other_o heretic_n be_v altogether_o extirpate_v he_o do_v not_o confess_v that_o the_o novatian_o suffer_v the_o same_o measure_n with_o other_o every_o where_o no_o nor_o any_o where_o else_o it_o be_v the_o montanist_n that_o he_o say_v this_o of_o he_o dare_v to_o affirm_v they_o have_v a_o conventicle_n or_o more_o for_o he_o affirm_v they_o have_v a_o eminent_a bishop_n in_o c._n p._n and_o be_v not_o only_o numerous_a there_o before_o the_o edict_n but_o continue_v so_o after_o the_o gentleman_n be_v in_o too_o much_o haste_n here_o as_o himself_o will_v perceive_v by_o observe_v how_o much_o his_o account_n differ_v from_o the_o historian_n at_o last_o he_o come_v to_o that_o passage_n of_o theodoret_n which_o occasion_v all_o these_o line_n but_o theodoret_n affirm_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n and_o that_o they_o do_v actual_o do_v so_o i_o answer_v say_v he_o that_o theodoret_n do_v not_o say_v so_o and_o the_o passage_n cite_v do_v not_o conclude_v it_o i_o do_v not_o say_v theodoret_n affirm_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n but_o he_o say_v the_o same_o in_o effect_n viz._n that_o all_o the_o brethren_n assemble_v with_o alexander_n his_o word_n be_v alexander_n the_o church_n rejoice_v hcld_v a_o assembly_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n pray_v and_o great_o glorify_v god_n the_o word_n be_v plain_a and_o the_o sense_n i_o take_v they_o in_o be_v open_a in_o the_o face_n of_o they_o nor_o do_v i_o believe_v that_o any_o disintere_v person_n will_v put_v any_o other_o sense_n upon_o they_o than_o this_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n of_o which_o the_o church_n at_o constantinople_n consist_v assemble_v together_o with_o their_o bishop_n alexander_n to_o praise_n god_n joyful_o for_o their_o deliverance_n by_o the_o death_n of_o arius_n but_o he_o will_v not_o have_v the_o word_n take_v in_o a_o general_a sense_n but_o will_v suppose_v they_o take_v with_o respect_n to_o that_o particular_a congregation_n in_o which_o arius_n be_v to_o be_v reconcile_v yet_o this_o supposition_n have_v no_o ground_n either_o in_o the_o word_n or_o in_o the_o

austin_n declare_v there_o be_v no_o catholic_n in_o it_o this_o reason_n will_v hold_v unless_o they_o think_v a_o place_n may_v have_v a_o bishop_n where_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n at_o all_o when_o as_o yet_o they_o judge_v that_o a_o place_n which_o have_v christian_n enough_o to_o make_v a_o good_a congregation_n or_o many_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v a_o bishop_n whereas_o he_o say_v this_o reason_n destroy_v its_o dependence_n upon_o the_o diocese_n i_o wonder_v what_o dependence_n he_o imagine_v since_o it_o be_v such_o as_o both_o the_o not_o have_v of_o christian_n and_o also_o the_o have_v of_o they_o destroy_v it_o the_o former_a he_o here_o affirm_v the_o same_o reason_n which_o be_v its_o not_o have_v of_o catholic_n destroy_v it_o the_o latter_a be_v undeniable_a for_o when_o fussala_n have_v a_o competent_a number_n of_o catholic_n a_o bishop_n be_v there_o constitute_v and_o than_o it_o depend_v no_o more_o on_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n than_o one_o bishop_n church_n depend_v on_o another_o when_o both_o be_v independent_a the_o dependence_n of_o fussala_n upon_o hippo_n be_v such_o as_o that_o of_o a_o country_n place_n upon_o a_o great_a town_n well_o furnish_v with_o officer_n for_o their_o help_n to_o convert_v and_o reduce_v the_o inhabitant_n and_o when_o enough_o be_v convert_v to_o help_v they_o to_o a_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n this_o st._n austin_n do_v for_o fussala_n he_o employ_v presbyter_n to_o reduce_v the_o donatist_n there_o and_o when_o they_o be_v reduce_v he_o add_v they_o not_o to_o his_o own_o charge_n will_v not_o have_v they_o episcopo_fw-la cedere_fw-la but_o advise_v they_o to_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o their_o own_o and_o procure_v one_o for_o they_o this_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n in_o these_o method_n be_v church_n and_o bishop_n multiply_v it_o be_v not_o out_o of_o use_n in_o the_o five_o age_n this_o of_o fussala_n as_o manage_v by_o st._n austin_n be_v a_o remarkable_a instance_n thereof_o and_o if_o other_o bishop_n have_v imitate_v he_o as_o he_o do_v the_o apostle_n and_o best_a age_n the_o church_n will_v not_o have_v be_v trouble_v with_o debate_n about_o diocesan_n that_o austin_n will_v not_o take_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o place_n so_o far_o off_o as_o fussala_n he_o will_v have_v it_o ascribe_v to_o his_o modesty_n but_o it_o be_v such_o modesty_n as_o this_o excellent_a person_n make_v conscience_n of_o be_v convince_v certissimâ_fw-la ratione_fw-la by_o most_o certain_a reason_n that_o he_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o it_o if_o all_o other_o bishop_n have_v be_v so_o modest_a so_o conscientious_a there_o may_v have_v be_v as_o nazianzen_n speak_v when_o bishop_n be_v multiply_v in_o cappadocia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o much_o more_o desirable_a thing_n to_o those_o that_o love_v soul_n than_o a_o great_a diocese_n he_o give_v a_o reason_n why_o this_o must_v be_v ascribe_v to_o st._n augustine_n modesty_n because_o he_o discharge_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n there_o in_o more_o difficult_a time_n while_o the_o presbyt●r●_n he_o employ_v there_o be_v barbarous_o use_v i_o need_v not_o deny_v that_o he_o perform_v the_o office_n of_o 〈◊〉_d bishop_n there_o for_o it_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o endeavour_v by_o himself_o or_o other_o the_o convert_n or_o reduce_v of_o all_o that_o he_o can_v only_o this_o will_v not_o prove_v fussala_n to_o be_v then_o a_o part_n of_o his_o bishopric_n no_o more_o than_o it_o will_v prove_v athanasius_n to_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o india_n because_o he_o encourage_v and_o send_v frumentius_n with_o other_o thither_o to_o convert_v the_o indian_n 23._o indian_n soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 15._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 23._o the_o learned_a dean_n have_v cite_v austin_n as_o call_v himself_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o diocese_n understand_v by_o it_o a_o region_n of_o vast_a extent_n i_o observe_v that_o in_o the_o epistle_n quote_v he_o only_o say_v he_o have_v the_o episcopal_a charge_n of_o hippo._n by_o this_o the_o gentleman_n change_v my_o word_n will_v have_v i_o to_o signify_v that_o he_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o town_n only_o this_o i_o do_v not_o intend_v but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o only_a bishop_n of_o that_o whole_a region_n but_o whether_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o part_n of_o the_o town_n only_o or_o of_o that_o and_o some_o part_n of_o the_o region_n also_o i_o be_o not_o much_o concern_v his_o word_n be_v as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o the_o town_n only_o nay_o but_o of_o part_n of_o that_o neither_o for_o the_o donatist_n have_v their_o bishop_n there_o so_o this_o will_v strange_o diminish_v the_o bishopric_n of_o st._n austin_n which_o at_o first_o appear_v so_o large_a then_o he_o answer_v for_o the_o donatist_n have_v a_o bishop_n there_o it_o signify_v little_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n since_o he_o be_v but_o a_o usurper_n but_o this_o signify_v as_o much_o to_o my_o purpose_n as_o i_o need_v for_o the_o donatist_n have_v a_o bishopric_n in_o hippo_n st._n augustine_n must_n needs_o be_v diminish_v thereby_o and_o altogether_o as_o much_o lessen_v as_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v usurper_n and_o they_o be_v count_v no_o otherwise_o usurper_n but_o so_o that_o if_o the_o donatist_n bishop_n have_v be_v reconcile_v by_o a_o decree_n of_o the_o african_a church_n he_o be_v to_o continue_v in_o his_o bishop-there_a as_o a_o rightful_a possessor_n and_o there_o will_v have_v be_v still_o two_o diocese_n such_o as_o they_o be_v in_o one_o town_n he_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v austin_n as_o if_o he_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o town_n only_o but_o his_o word_n be_v ut_fw-la modum_fw-la dispensationis_fw-la meae_fw-la non_fw-la supergrediar_n hoc_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ad_fw-la hipponensem_fw-la regionem_fw-la pertinenti_fw-la prodesse_fw-la contestor_fw-la which_o say_v our_o author_n plain_o signify_v that_o all_o the_o church_n belong_v not_o only_o to_o the_o town_n but_o but_o also_o to_o the_o region_n of_o hippo_n belong_v to_o he_o but_o if_o he_o please_v to_o view_v the_o word_n again_o which_o himself_o have_v quote_v he_o will_v find_v it_o plain_o signify_v that_o augustine_n church_n belong_v to_o the_o region_n of_o hippo_n but_o not_o that_o all_o the_o church_n both_o in_o town_n and_o region_n belong_v to_o he_o antonius_n bishop_n of_o fussala_n may_v have_v say_v this_o as_o true_o of_o his_o church_n there_o as_o austin_n do_v it_o of_o his_o church_n at_o hippo_n it_o do_v ad_fw-la hipponensem_fw-la regionem_fw-la pertinere_fw-la belong_v to_o the_o region_n of_o hippo._n and_o it_o may_v be_v as_o just_o infer_v from_o hence_o that_o all_o the_o church_n both_o in_o the_o town_n and_o region_n of_o hippo_n belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o fussala_n if_o our_o author_n will_v allow_v of_o this_o as_o he_o must_v if_o he_o will_v stand_v to_o his_o own_o account_n of_o this_o passage_n augustine_n bishopric_n will_v be_v strange_o diminish_v indeed_o it_o must_v be_v confine_v to_o a_o part_n of_o hippo_n and_o make_v less_o than_o i_o represent_v it_o for_o i_o do_v not_o say_v nor_o have_v i_o any_o need_n to_o assert_v that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o town_n only_o we_o may_v allow_v he_o beside_o his_o part_n of_o the_o town_n diverse_a village_n in_o the_o country_n though_o i_o have_v not_o see_v it_o prove_v without_o any_o danger_n of_o assign_v he_o a_o diocesan_n church_n for_o kidderminster_n as_o one_o tell_v we_o who_o very_o well_o know_v it_o have_v 20_o village_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o some_o thousand_o of_o soul_n therein_o yet_o according_a to_o our_o modern_a measure_n will_v scarce_o make_v a_o diocesan_n church_n 9_o church_n m._n b._n of_o episcopacy_n part_v 2._o p._n 9_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v more_o bishop_n in_o the_o region_n of_o hippo_n than_o st._n austin_n beside_o particular_a instance_n which_o he_o pass_v by_o i_o allege_v a_o passage_n of_o his_o where_n the_o donatist_n be_v desire_v to_o meet_v together_o with_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n that_o be_v in_o that_o region_n and_o who_o there_o suffer_v so_o much_o by_o the_o donatist_n to_o this_o he_o answer_v that_o these_o bishop_n who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o region_fw-la hipponensi_fw-la be_v not_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o region_n but_o some_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n meet_v together_o there_o but_o that_o these_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o province_n meet_v together_o there_o be_v a_o mere_a conjecture_n of_o his_o own_o without_o the_o least_o ground_n either_o in_o this_o passage_n or_o any_o other_o in_o that_o epistle_n it_o will_v not_o be_v hard_a to_o answer_v any_o thing_n at_o this_o rate_n if_o there_o have_v be_v a_o provincial_a council_n then_o hold_v in_o that_o region_n

govern_v in_o common_a by_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n as_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v they_o will_v not_o be_v diocesan_n but_o more_o like_o the_o model_n of_o the_o church_n and_o government_n which_o holland_n have_v at_o present_a and_o now_o after_o all_o this_o though_o we_o have_v several_a instance_n out_o of_o egypt_n how_o near_a city_n be_v together_o in_o some_o part_n yet_o upon_o the_o whole_a account_n the_o diocese_n do_v appear_v to_o be_v large_a enough_o from_o the_o number_n of_o they_o he_o will_v have_v we_o think_v where_o city_n be_v so_o near_o together_o as_o i_o have_v show_v yet_o because_o of_o their_o number_n the_o diocese_n may_v be_v large_a enough_o but_o where_o they_o be_v so_o near_o together_o they_o can_v not_o be_v large_a enough_o to_o make_v any_o thing_n like_o the_o modern_a diocese_n no_o nor_o large_a than_o our_o country_n parish_n if_o they_o have_v bishop_n in_o they_o and_o the_o ancient_n thought_o themselves_o oblige_v by_o the_o apostle_n rule_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n not_o only_o in_o some_o but_o in_o every_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v chrysostome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 11._o 〈◊〉_d in_o 1_o tim._n hom._n 11._o and_o theophilact_fw-mi express_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o exception_n of_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o place_n or_o its_o nearness_n to_o other_o the_o reason_n diverse_a city_n have_v none_o be_v the_o want_n or_o the_o inconsiderable_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o they_o nothing_o but_o this_o hinder_v any_o city_n from_o have_v a_o bishop_n in_o the_o four_o first_o age_n though_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o city_n as_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a be_v no_o great_a than_o our_o market-town_n or_o fair_a village_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n many_o city_n may_v want_v bishop_n and_o it_o may_v be_v do_v so_o in_o egypt_n particular_o heathenism_n prevail_v in_o many_o place_n there_o even_o in_o athanasius_n his_o time_n for_o which_o i_o can_v produce_v sufficient_a evidence_n but_o will_v not_o now_o digress_v so_o far_o afterward_o the_o affectation_n of_o greatness_n in_o some_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o new_a measure_n and_o order_n be_v make_v that_o town_n which_o have_v no_o bishop_n before_o shall_v have_v none_o after_o though_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o have_v none_o before_o be_v go_v and_o those_o place_n have_v as_o many_o or_o more_o christian_n in_o they_o than_o most_o episcopal_a city_n have_v of_o old_a for_o in_o athanasius_n his_o time_n there_o be_v not_o a_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o all_o egypt_n lybia_n and_o pentapolis_n 2._o pentapolis_n athan._n apol._n 2._o i_o be_v a_o little_a surprise_v to_o read_v this_o and_o see_v athanasius_n cite_v for_o it_o for_o i_o know_v that_o athanasius_n reckon_v 95_o bishop_n from_o egypt_n beside_o himself_o at_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n and_o other_o from_o africa_n wherein_o lybia_n and_o pentapolis_n be_v usual_o include_v and_o it_o be_v never_o know_v that_o a_o major_a part_n or_o a_o three_o of_o the_o bishop_n in_o a_o country_n do_v come_v to_o a_o council_n at_o such_o a_o distance_n as_o egypt_n be_v from_o sardica_n it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a that_o athanasius_n will_v so_o far_o contradict_v himself_o as_o to_o say_v there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o bishop_n in_o all_o those_o three_o country_n when_o he_o have_v signify_v there_o be_v many_o more_o in_o one_o of_o they_o some_o mistake_n i_o think_v there_o must_v be_v and_o consult_v the_o place_n i_o find_v it_o not_o entire_o represent_v there_o be_v this_o clause_n immediate_o follow_v the_o word_n he_o cite_v leave_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d none_o of_o these_o accuse_v i_o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o whole_a passage_n be_v this_o there_o be_v a_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o the_o diocese_n of_o egypt_n who_o appear_v not_o against_o he_o or_o that_o favour_v he_o but_o those_o who_o favour_v arius_n who_o he_o call_v eusebian_n and_o meletius_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o coluthus_n for_o into_o so_o many_o party_n be_v that_o country_n then_o divide_v be_v not_o take_v into_o the_o reckon_n otherwise_o it_o will_v have_v amount_v to_o many_o more_o than_o a_o hundred_o sozomen_n say_v the_o bishop_n there_o who_o take_v arius_n his_o part_n be_v many_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 14._o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 1._o c._n 14._o and_o in_o athanasius_n there_o be_v a_o account_n of_o many_o meletian_a bishop_n by_o name_n 614._o name_n apol._n 2._o p._n 614._o and_o in_o epiphanius_n it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o every_o region_n through_o which_o meletius_n pass_v and_o in_o every_o place_n where_o he_o come_v he_o make_v bishop_n 68_o bishop_n ep._n haer._n 68_o the_o next_o thing_n he_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o defence_n of_o mr._n baxter_n allegation_n out_o of_o athanasius_n to_o show_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o alexandria_n m._n b_n word_n be_v the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n it_o be_v to_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o expression_n of_o that_o father_n seem_v to_o favour_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o the_o church_n do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hold_v all_o etc._n etc._n i_o be_o make_v more_o confident_a by_o all_o that_o be_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o evidence_n be_v real_o such_o as_o will_v need_v no_o favour_n if_o it_o can_v meet_v with_o justice_n now_o suppose_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n the_o catholic_n at_o leastwise_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o that_o great_a church_n yet_o all_o the_o diocese_n can_v not_o all_o that_o be_v undertake_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o passage_n in_o question_n be_v that_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n adhere_v to_o athanasius_n can_v and_o do_v meet_v in_o that_o one_o church_n if_o this_o be_v grant_v nothing_o be_v deny_v that_o he_o intend_v to_o prove_v as_o for_o a_o diocese_n in_o the_o country_n if_o he_o will_v show_v we_o what_o or_o where_o it_o be_v and_o that_o it_o have_v no_o other_o bishop_n in_o it_o he_o will_v do_v something_o that_o may_v be_v consider_v yet_o nothing_o at_o all_o against_o what_o this_o testimony_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o evince_v he_o say_v two_o suppose_v this_o great_a great_a church_n can_v receive_v all_o the_o multitude_n yet_o if_o that_o multitude_n be_v too_o great_a for_o personal_a communion_n it_o be_v insignificant_a upon_o this_o supposition_n it_o may_v be_v too_o great_a for_o a_o ordinary_a meeting_n in_o the_o congregational_a way_n yet_o not_o big_a enough_o for_o a_o diocesan_n church_n but_o the_o supposition_n be_v groundless_a and_o contradict_v athanasius_n who_o say_v they_o have_v personal_a communion_n they_o all_o pray_v together_o and_o do_v not_o only_o meet_v within_o the_o wall_n but_o concur_v in_o the_o worship_n and_o say_v amen_o he_o say_v three_o before_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n meet_v in_o distinct_a congregation_n but_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o those_o place_n be_v very_o small_a short_a and_o strait_a place_n all_o these_o save_v one_o i_o say_v which_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v omit_v and_o they_o be_v so_o small_a because_o those_o who_o be_v wont_a to_o meet_v in_o they_o several_o so_o as_o to_o fill_v they_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o church_n and_o do_v so_o as_o athanasius_n declare_v but_o that_o they_o be_v such_o chapel_n or_o church_n as_o some_o of_o our_o parish_n in_o england_n have_v as_o great_a a_o number_n as_o alexandria_n be_v hardly_o credible_a i_o know_v not_o how_o those_o place_n can_v be_v well_o express_v with_o more_o diminution_n than_o athanasius_n have_v do_v it_o he_o say_v they_o be_v not_o only_o strait_a and_o small_a but_o the_o very_o small_a if_o he_o will_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o our_o church_n or_o chapel_n be_v less_o than_o those_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o shall_v understand_v that_o which_o i_o can_v never_o before_o that_o something_o be_v less_o than_o that_o which_o be_v least_o of_o all_o but_o he_o will_v prove_v they_o be_v not_o so_o small_a because_o first_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n be_v very_o numerous_a from_o the_o beginning_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v count_v so_o very_o numerous_a from_o the_o beginning_n i_o know_v no_o reason_n but_o the_o mistake_n of_o a_o historian_n who_o will_v have_v a_o sect_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v numerous_a in_o or_o about_o alexandria_n to_o be_v christian_n and_o if_o they_o meet_v all_o in_o one_o place_n it_o must_v consequent_o be_v very_o large_a the_o ground_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v remove_v valesius_fw-la his_fw-la own_o author_n say_v they_o have_v

but_o one_o church_n to_o meet_v in_o in_o dionysius_n his_o time_n almost_o 3_o age_n from_o the_o beginning_n 64_o beginning_n pag._n 64_o if_o that_o one_o be_v large_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o like_a that_o it_o stand_v till_o athanasius_n his_o time_n after_o so_o many_o edict_n for_o demolish_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n and_o a_o severe_a execution_n of_o they_o in_o diocletian_n persecution_n nor_o be_v it_o likely_a they_o shall_v divide_v till_o they_o be_v grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o the_o big_a meeting-place_n they_o can_v convenient_o have_v it_o be_v as_o likely_a as_o that_o athanasius_n speak_v truth_n in_o a_o matter_n which_o he_o perfect_o know_v he_o tell_v we_o they_o do_v divide_v and_o yet_o be_v not_o too_o numerous_a for_o one_o great_a church_n in_o which_o they_o meet_v convenient_o too_o yea_o better_o than_o when_o disperse_v in_o those_o little_a place_n as_o he_o say_v and_o prove_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n two_o he_o say_v though_o before_o the_o empire_n be_v convert_v they_o may_v be_v confine_v to_o little_a place_n and_o force_v to_o meet_v several_o yet_o after_o constantine_n become_v christian_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o the_o alexandrian_n will_v content_v themselves_o with_o small_a and_o strait_a chapel_n nor_o do_v they_o content_v themselves_o with_o those_o little_a one_o for_o beside_o this_o build_v in_o athanasius_n his_o time_n there_o be_v one_o great_a than_o those_o small_a one_o finish_v in_o alexander_n time_n where_o the_o body_n of_o catholic_n assemble_v with_o alexander_n the_o other_o place_n be_v too_o straight_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v that_o one_o i_o except_v when_o i_o say_v after_o athanasius_n that_o the_o rest_n all_o save_o one_o be_v exceed_o small_a but_o be_v it_o any_o proof_n that_o these_o be_v not_o very_o small_a which_o athanasius_n represent_v as_o such_o because_o there_o be_v one_o express_o except_v from_o that_o number_n something_a large_a as_o for_o what_o he_o add_v that_o then_o every_o ordinary_a city_n build_v very_o great_a and_o magnificent_a cathedral_n it_o be_v easy_o say_v but_o will_v never_o be_v prove_v three_o some_o of_o these_o church_n have_v be_v build_v with_o a_o design_n of_o receive_v as_o many_o as_o well_o can_v have_v personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n together_o neither_o will_v this_o hold_v unless_o some_o of_o those_o church_n can_v have_v receive_v all_o which_o have_v personal_a communion_n with_o athanasius_n in_o this_o great_a church_n which_o he_o deny_v and_o make_v use_v of_o to_o constantius_n as_o a_o plea_n why_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o great_a as_o theonas_n be_v say_v by_o athanasius_n to_o have_v build_v a_o church_n big_a than_o any_o of_o those_o they_o have_v before_o where_o theonas_n be_v say_v by_o athanasius_n to_o have_v build_v a_o church_n etc._n etc._n i_o find_v not_o nor_o do_v he_o direct_v we_o where_o it_o may_v be_v find_v i_o suppose_v for_o very_o good_a reason_n indeed_o athanasius_n in_o this_o apology_n speak_v of_o a_o church_n call_v theonas_n its_o like_a in_o memory_n of_o a_o former_a bishop_n of_o that_o place_n where_o he_o say_v the_o multitude_n of_o catholic_n meet_v with_o alexander_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o like_a circumstance_n as_o a_o great_a multitude_n assemble_v with_o himself_o in_o the_o new_a church_n which_o be_v great_a and_o plead_v alexander_n example_n in_o defence_n of_o what_o he_o do_v but_o theonas_n can_v not_o build_v this_o church_n for_o he_o be_v dead_a many_o year_n before_o be_v predecessor_n to_o peter_n who_o achillas_n and_o alexander_n succeed_v 2._o succeed_v euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n ult_n theodoret●_n ●_z 1._o c._n 2._o and_o yet_o this_o and_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v but_o few_o and_o straight_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o great_a multitude_n of_o catholic_n that_o be_v in_o alexandria_n i_o expect_v another_o conclusion_n but_o if_o this_o be_v all_o he_o may_v have_v spare_v the_o premise_n for_o one_o part_n of_o it_o we_o assert_v the_o other_o we_o need_v not_o deny_v only_o add_v with_o athanasius_n that_o the_o great_a church_n be_v capable_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o receive_v this_o great_a multitude_n but_o here_o he_o stick_v and_o will_v wriggle_v a_o little_a more_o but_o i_o conceive_v say_v he_o after_o all_o this_o that_o the_o expression_n of_o athanasius_n do_v not_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n be_v meet_v in_o this_o great_a church_n that_o all_o and_o every_o one_o do_v come_v be_v never_o imagine_v it_o be_v but_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o catholic_n that_o m._n b._n intend_v as_o our_o author_n observe_v a_o little_a before_o for_o the_o tumultuous_a manner_n in_o which_o they_o come_v to_o their_o bishop_n to_o demand_v a_o general_a assembly_n make_v it_o probable_a that_o not_o only_a woman_n and_o child_n will_v be_v glad_a to_o absent_v themselves_o but_o many_o more_o either_o apprehensive_a of_o the_o effect_n of_o this_o tumultuous_a proceed_n or_o of_o the_o danger_n of_o such_o a_o crowd_n the_o woman_n he_o will_v not_o admit_v but_o be_v it_o ever_o know_v that_o such_o a_o great_a and_o solemn_a assembly_n for_o worship_n consist_v only_o of_o man_n be_v not_o the_o woman_n in_o communion_n with_o athanasius_n christian_n that_o they_o must_v be_v leave_v out_o when_o he_o say_v all_o the_o catholic_n meet_v can_v all_o be_v true_o say_v to_o assemble_v when_o the_o far_o great_a part_n woman_n child_n and_o his_o many_o more_o be_v absent_a be_v not_o the_o woman_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n often_o note_v for_o such_o zeal_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n as_o make_v they_o contemn_v far_o great_a danger_n than_o here_o they_o have_v any_o cause_n to_o be_v apprehensive_a of_o the_o suppose_a danger_n be_v either_o from_o the_o crowd_n or_o the_o tumult_n for_o the_o former_a do_v the_o woman_n and_o many_o more_o never_o come_v to_o christian_a assembly_n when_o there_o be_v any_o danger_n of_o be_v crowd_v i_o think_v there_o be_v as_o great_a danger_n from_o a_o crowd_n in_o basiliscus_n his_o reign_n when_o the_o whole_a city_n of_o c._n p._n be_v say_v to_o have_v meet_v together_o in_o a_o church_n with_o the_o emperor_n but_o yet_o the_o woman_n stay_v not_o behind_o but_o crowd_v in_o with_o the_o man_n as_o theodorus_n lector_fw-la report_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o 〈◊〉_d collect._n lib._n 1_o beside_o athanasius_n here_o signify_v the_o danger_n of_o a_o crowd_n be_v in_o the_o lesser_a church_n not_o in_o this_o where_o they_o can_v not_o meet_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o drefer_v their_o assemble_v together_o in_o the_o great_a church_n as_o better_v as_o for_o the_o tumult_n which_o may_v have_v be_v conceal_v in_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n tumultuous_a it_o be_v over_o when_o athanasius_n have_v comply_v with_o their_o desire_n to_o meet_v in_o the_o great_a church_n and_o so_o no_o apprehension_n of_o danger_n leave_v to_o woman_n or_o any_o else_o upon_o this_o account_n and_o even_o those_o that_o do_v assemble_v there_o be_v too_o many_o for_o one_o congregation_n and_o be_v a_o assembly_n more_o for_o solemnity_n and_o ostentation_n than_o for_o personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n and_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o religious_a assembly_n here_o he_o run_v as_o cross_v to_o the_o great_a athanasius_n and_o the_o account_n which_o he_o give_v of_o this_o assembly_n as_o if_o he_o have_v study_v it_o debase_v that_o as_o more_o for_o ostentation_n than_o for_o personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n and_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o religious_a assembly_n which_o athanasius_n high_o commend_v both_o for_o the_o more_o desirable_a communion_n which_o the_o christian_n have_v there_o in_o worship_n and_o for_o the_o great_a efficacy_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o religious_a assembly_n let_v any_o one_o view_n the_o passage_n 532._o passage_n apol._n 2._o p._n 531._o 532._o and_o judge_n he_o set_v forth_o the_o harmony_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o multitude_n in_o worship_n with_o one_o voice_n he_o prefer_v it_o before_o their_o assembly_n when_o disperse_v in_o little_a place_n and_o not_o only_o because_o the_o unanimity_n of_o the_o multitude_n be_v herein_o more_o apparent_a but_o because_o god_n will_v soon_o hear_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o if_o say_v he_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n promise_n where_o two_o shall_v agree_v concern_v anything_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v for_o they_o by_o my_o father_n etc._n etc._n how_o prevalent_a will_v be_v the_o one_o voice_n of_o so_o numerous_a a_o people_n assemble_v together_o and_o say_v amen_o to_o god_n and_o more_o to_o that_o purpose_n

cross_a to_o m._n b._n more_o than_o to_o vindicate_v any_o in_o st._n mark_n be_v time_n alexandria_n have_v several_a church_n though_o but_o one_o bishop_n &c_n &c_n 16_o &c_n euseb_n l._n 2_o c._n 16_o what_o eusebius_n say_v of_o church_n in_o alexandria_n at_o that_o time_n be_v ground_v upon_o a_o mistake_n as_o appear_v because_o immediate_o after_o the_o word_n cite_v he_o add_v so_o great_a be_v the_o multitude_n of_o beleiver_n at_o mark_n be_v first_o attempt_v there_o that_o philo_n in_o his_o writing_n think_v fit_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d eusebius_n conceive_v that_o the_o essenes_n as_o scaliger_n or_o the_o therapeutae_n as_o valesius_fw-la who_o philo_n describe_v be_v the_o christian_n of_o mark_n be_v conversion_n and_o there_o be_v assembly_n of_o that_o sect_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o philo_n time_n the_o historian_n speak_v of_o christian_a church_n at_o alexandria_n in_o mark_n be_v time_n but_o those_o who_o believe_v that_o he_o err_v in_o the_o former_a can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o give_v he_o credit_v in_o the_o latter_a our_o examiner_n do_v not_o deny_v that_o he_o be_v mistake_v but_o say_v it_o be_v not_o material_a whether_o they_o be_v jew_n or_o christian_n yet_o those_o who_o inquire_v after_o truth_n sincere_o will_v think_v it_o material_a and_o little_o value_v a_o testimony_n which_o have_v no_o better_a ground_n than_o a_o mistake_n the_o next_o be_v no_o better_o 62._o better_o pag._n 62._o that_o be_v a_o epistle_n of_o adrian_n which_o other_o be_v puzzle_v to_o make_v sense_n of_o or_o such_o sense_n as_o can_v have_v any_o appearance_n of_o truth_n that_o very_a passage_n in_o it_o which_o be_v the_o only_a ground_n of_o our_o author_n argument_n himself_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v false_a for_o he_o will_v show_v the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n to_o be_v numerous_a enough_o for_o his_o purpose_n because_o it_o be_v there_o say_v that_o some_o who_o he_o take_v to_o be_v christian_n do_v force_v the_o patriarch_n whoever_o he_o be_v to_o worship_n christ_n and_o yet_o add_v there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o adrian_n do_v the_o christian_n wrong_v in_o this_o point_n for_o they_o never_o force_v any_o to_o their_o religion_n will_v he_o have_v we_o to_o rely_v upon_o reason_v which_o have_v no_o better_a foundation_n than_o what_o be_v undoubted_o false_a by_o his_o own_o confession_n he_o say_v also_o it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o our_o purpose_n whether_o this_o patriarch_n be_v bishop_n of_o alexandria_n or_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o jew_n if_o so_o than_o it_o be_v not_o material_a with_o this_o gentleman_n either_o to_o argue_v from_o that_o which_o be_v not_o true_a or_o else_o from_o that_o which_o be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n for_o if_o this_o patriarch_n be_v the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n that_o they_o force_v he_o to_o worship_n christ_n be_v not_o true_a he_o do_v it_o of_o his_o own_o accord_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o one_o who_o be_v no_o christian_n that_o they_o force_v then_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o passage_n to_o his_o purpose_n and_o adrian_n epistle_n may_v have_v be_v wave_v as_o a_o mere_a impertinency_n that_o which_o follow_v 63._o follow_v pag._n 63._o have_v not_o the_o show_n of_o a_o reason_n the_o great_a catechist_n of_o alexandria_n as_o pantenus_n clemens_n origen_n and_o heracles_n do_v not_o a_o little_a advance_v the_o growth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o that_o place_n etc._n etc._n must_v there_o needs_o be_v a_o diocesan_n church_n there_o because_o the_o catechist_n do_v advance_v religion_n not_o a_o little_a the_o next_o concern_v dionysius_n his_o church_n meet_v at_o chebron_n cephro_n it_o shall_v be_v and_o coluthio_n be_v already_o full_o answer_v as_o it_o be_v offer_v with_o better_a improvement_n than_o our_o examiner_n give_v it_o 36._o it_o no_o evidence_n for_o pag._n 35_o 36._o it_o can_v easy_o be_v apprehend_v how_o a_o large_a church_n meet_v with_o dionysius_n make_v up_o of_o those_o banish_v with_o he_o and_o other_o from_o several_a part_n of_o egypt_n at_o cephro_n a_o village_n in_o lybia_n a_o distinct_a province_n shall_v prove_v that_o he_o have_v a_o diocesan_n church_n in_o alexandria_n to_o any_o but_o those_o who_o be_v very_o inclinable_a to_o believe_v it_o without_o proof_n nor_o will_v other_o understand_v that_o dionysius_n be_v better_a prove_v to_o be_v a_o diocesan_n by_o the_o christian_n which_o come_v from_o alexandria_n to_o coluthio_n in_o mareote_n there_o be_v none_o there_o beside_o for_o the_o believer_n in_o alexandria_n itself_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o church_n can_v hold_v as_o valesius_fw-la collect_v from_o this_o very_a place_n to_o our_o examiner_n regret_n exit_fw-la hoc_fw-la loco_fw-la colligitur_fw-la aetate_fw-la quidem_fw-la dionysii_fw-la unicam_fw-la adhuc_fw-la fuisse_fw-la alexandria_n ecclesiam_fw-la in_fw-la quam_fw-la omnes_fw-la vrbis_fw-la illius_fw-la fideles_fw-la orationis_fw-la causâ_fw-la conveniebant_fw-la 11._o conveniebant_fw-la not._n in_o euseb_n lib._n 7._o cap._n 11._o in_o the_o next_o paragraph_v our_o examiner_n argue_v for_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n at_o alexandria_n from_o the_o multitude_n of_o martyr_n at_o thebes_n under_o the_o persecution_n of_o diocletian_a what_o number_n of_o christian_n may_v be_v at_o alexandria_n may_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o multitude_n of_o martyr_n that_o suffer_v at_o thebes_n 64._o thebes_n pag._n 64._o etc._n etc._n but_o here_o he_o mistake_v eusebius_n who_o give_v a_o account_v not_o of_o the_o martyr_n which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o city_n thebes_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o province_n thebais_n which_o be_v half_a of_o that_o large_a kingdom_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a division_n of_o it_o into_o the_o upper_a and_o low_a egypt_n the_o superior_a egypt_n be_v thebais_n the_o inferior_a be_v call_v sometime_o the_o delta_n sometime_o egypt_n in_o a_o restrain_a sense_n and_o this_o division_n in_o these_o term_n we_o have_v in_o eusebius_n to_o go_v no_o further_o a_o little_a before_o 6._o before_o cap._n 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o he_o begin_v his_o account_n of_o the_o martyr_n in_o this_o country_n now_o if_o the_o christian_n in_o that_o provice_n of_o large_a extent_n and_o comprise_v very_o many_o city_n may_v be_v conclude_v to_o be_v very_o numerous_a from_o the_o multitude_n of_o martyr_n which_o suffer_v there_o yet_o nothing_o at_o all_o can_v be_v infer_v for_o any_o number_n to_o his_o purpose_n in_o the_o city_n thebes_n by_o which_o he_o will_v conclude_v their_o numerousness_n in_o alexandria_n but_o if_o m._n b._n have_v mistake_v one_o city_n for_o so_o large_a a_o country_n with_o multitude_n of_o city_n in_o it_o and_o make_v that_o mistake_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o reason_n it_o be_v like_o our_o examiner_n will_v have_v expose_v he_o for_o it_o in_o his_o preface_n as_o he_o do_v for_o some_o lesser_a matter_n in_o the_o follow_a paragraph_n 65._o paragraph_n pag._n 65._o there_o be_v a_o groundless_a supposition_n that_o the_o division_n of_o alexandria_n into_o parish_n be_v ancient_a than_o arius_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o by_o any_o ancient_a author_n as_o also_o a_o accusation_n of_o petavius_n as_o mistake_v epiphanius_n his_o word_n without_o any_o 28._o serm._n of_o separation_n p._n 28._o cause_n that_o i_o can_v discern_v in_o those_o word_n though_o he_o say_v it_o be_v plain_a there_o that_o which_o he_o say_v be_v plain_a the_o learned_a dean_n of_o paul_n can_v not_o discern_v but_o understand_v epiphanius_n as_o petavius_n and_o other_o do_v before_o he_o these_o i_o take_v to_o be_v preliminary_n and_o expect_v his_o argument_n but_o find_v it_o not_o unless_o it_o be_v couch_v in_o the_o first_o word_n the_o division_n of_o alexandria_n between_o several_a presbyter_n as_o it_o be_v into_o so_o many_o parish_n etc._n etc._n but_o this_o signify_v nothing_o for_o his_o purpose_n if_o those_o in_o alexandria_n thus_o divide_v can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n as_o athanasius_n declare_v they_o do_v and_o that_o so_o plain_o that_o any_o one_o will_v judge_v so_o who_o interest_n be_v not_o too_o hard_o for_o his_o judgement_n valesius_fw-la who_o have_v no_o bias_n unless_o what_o may_v lead_v he_o the_o other_o way_n understand_v it_o as_o i_o do_v and_o express_v it_o in_o these_o word_n decide_v the_o matter_n so_o long_o insist_v on_o against_o our_o author_n afterward_o in_o the_o time_n of_o athanasius_n when_o there_o be_v more_o church_n build_v by_o diverse_a bishop_n of_o alexandria_n the_o citizen_n assemble_v in_o several_a church_n several_o and_o in_o parcel_n as_o athanasius_n say_v in_o his_o apology_n to_o constantius_n but_o on_o the_o great_a festival_n easter_n and_o pentecost_n no_o particular_a assembly_n be_v hold_v sed_fw-la

inhabitant_n of_o those_o region_n they_o can_v not_o be_v inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n unless_o they_o can_v be_v inhabitant_n of_o several_a distant_a country_n at_o once_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n mr._n mead_n ibid._n mead_n ibid._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o note_n by_o the_o way_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o my_o text_n say_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o confirm_v my_o interpretation_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o signify_v sojourn_v and_o not_o dwell_v for_o that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v say_v to_o dwell_v in_o both_o place_n 2._o suppose_v there_o be_v some_o of_o they_o stranger_n etc._n etc._n suppose_v say_v this_o gentleman_n there_o be_v some_o of_o they_o stranger_n but_o do_v any_o man_n that_o understand_v how_o or_o by_o who_o those_o feast_n be_v celebrate_v ever_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v not_o very_o many_o thousand_o of_o stranger_n such_o as_o be_v not_o inhabitant_n present_a at_o those_o solemnity_n josephus_n and_o eusebius_n after_o he_o say_v there_o be_v three_o million_o in_o the_o city_n at_o the_o passover_n and_o declare_v what_o course_n be_v take_v to_o give_v cestius_n gallus_n a_o certain_a account_n of_o their_o number_n but_o then_o they_o be_v all_o in_o a_o manner_n stranger_n for_o he_o add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o vast_a multitude_n consist_v of_o foreigner_n 〈◊〉_d foreigner_n de_fw-fr bell_n jud._n lib._n 7._o c._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yet_o our_o author_n go_v on_o and_o confirm_v himself_o in_o the_o former_a mistake_n by_o another_o the_o verse_n he_o cite_v to_o prove_v they_o fix_v inhabitant_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v misunderstand_v the_o word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o do_v not_o signify_v any_o fix_a abode_n in_o that_o place_n but_o only_o their_o constancy_n or_o persevere_v in_o the_o duty_n mention_v while_o they_o be_v there_o this_o be_v the_o use_n of_o the_o expression_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n col._n 4._o 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o rom._n 12._o 12._o continue_v in_o prayer_n which_o they_o may_v do_v if_o they_o never_o have_v a_o fix_a habitation_n nor_o continue_v as_o inhabitant_n in_o any_o place_n and_o thus_o the_o evangelist_n luke_n use_v the_o phrase_n in_o this_o book_n of_o the_o act_n c._n 1._o ver_fw-la 14._o c._n 2._o 46._o c_o 6._o 4._o but_o our_o author_n i_o think_v will_v never_o find_v it_o use_v in_o this_o form_n for_o any_o settle_a or_o continue_a abode_n in_o a_o place_n and_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o fancy_v it_o here_o he_o think_v it_o not_o probable_a 437._o probable_a pag._n 437._o that_o the_o zeal_n and_o devotion_n of_o those_o convert_v will_v suffer_v they_o to_o leave_v the_o apostle_n whereas_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o primitive_a zeal_n and_o devotion_n though_o it_o crucify_v they_o to_o the_o world_n yet_o heighten_v and_o improve_v a_o christian_a care_n of_o their_o family_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o their_o relative_n and_o other_o and_o their_o zeal_n for_o christ_n and_o love_n to_o soul_n will_v hasten_v they_o homeward_o that_o they_o may_v acquaint_v their_o family_n and_o other_o with_o christ_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n as_o those_o disperse_v from_o jerusalem_n do_v ch_n 8._o the_o five_o thousand_o mention_v chap._n 4._o ver_fw-la 4._o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v a_o new_a accession_n to_o the_o three_o thousand_o before_o convert_v but_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v so_o positive_a in_o it_o without_o reason_n those_o who_o be_v engage_v in_o the_o same_o cause_n with_o he_o beside_o many_o other_o be_v not_o of_o his_o opinion_n herein_o as_o they_o will_v have_v be_v if_o they_o have_v see_v any_o ground_n for_o it_o dr._n hammond_n loc_n hammond_n in_o loc_n take_v the_o 5000_o to_o be_v the_o number_n of_o the_o auditory_a not_o of_o the_o convert_v bishop_n downham_n include_v the_o three_o thousand_o in_o those_o five_o 85._o five_o defence_n l._n 2._o c._n 5._o pag._n 85._o and_o the_o dean_n of_o paul_n make_v account_v but_o of_o five_o thousand_o in_o all_o 26._o all_o serm._n of_o separation_n pag._n 26._o to_o i_o it_o be_v not_o material_a whether_o they_o be_v 5000_o or_o 8000_o or_o many_o more_o see_v there_o be_v not_o the_o twenty_o part_n of_o they_o other_o than_o foreigner_n and_o such_o as_o for_o any_o thing_n i_o can_v see_v or_o hear_v design_v not_o to_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o so_o intend_v not_o fix_v themselves_o in_o that_o particular_a church_n there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a reckon_n of_o the_o numerousness_n of_o a_o church_n from_o a_o occasional_a recourse_n of_o stranger_n who_o inhabit_v remote_a part_n or_o foreign_a country_n if_o there_o have_v be_v more_o christian_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n that_o will_v be_v no_o evidence_n that_o it_o be_v a_o diocesan_n church_n whereas_o the_o whole_a be_v say_v in_o the_o act_n to_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n etc._n place_n act._n 2._o 44._o 6._o 2._o etc._n etc._n he_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v against_o this_o which_o be_v considerable_a but_o that_o the_o all_o may_v denote_v only_o those_o that_o be_v present_a 441._o present_a pag._n 441._o and_o so_o the_o sense_n will_v be_v all_o that_o be_v in_o one_o place_n be_v in_o one_o place_n if_o this_o can_v please_v himself_o i_o think_v it_o will_v satisfy_v none_o else_o let_v dr._n hammond_n decide_v this_o business_n for_o in_o such_o a_o cause_n we_o may_v admit_v a_o party_n to_o be_v umpire_n 79._o umpire_n answer_v to_o l._n minister_n pag._n 78._o 79._o what_o follow_v say_v he_o of_o the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n and_o their_o meeting_n in_o one_o place_n be_v willing_o grant_v by_o we_o what_o they_o say_v of_o the_o point_n of_o time_n act_v 2._o 41._o that_o believer_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n this_o be_v contrary_n to_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o text_n which_o say_v express_o for_o 44._o that_o all_o the_o believer_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n they_o interpret_v meet_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o place_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o other_o place_n act_n 4._o 3._o and_o 5._o 14._o for_o certain_o as_o yet_o though_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n increase_v yet_o they_o be_v not_o distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n concern_v the_o dispersion_n act_v 8._o 1._o 443._o 1._o p._n 442._o 443._o he_o tell_v we_o though_o they_o be_v all_o say_v to_o be_v scatter_v beside_o the_o apostle_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o all_o the_o beleiver_n no_o but_o of_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o all_o that_o can_v commodious_o fly_v as_o stranger_n may_v do_v nor_o must_v it_o be_v confine_v to_o all_o the_o officer_n only_o the_o generality_n of_o expositor_n be_v misrepresent_v if_o this_o be_v make_v their_o sense_n nor_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o eusebius_n so_o understand_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v in_o scripture_n and_o other_o writer_n and_o eusebius_n himself_o to_o denote_v believer_n and_o not_o officer_n only_o as_o for_o the_o time_n of_o the_o dispersion_n though_o i_o need_v not_o insist_v on_o it_o probable_o it_o be_v near_o this_o great_a pentecost_n than_o some_o will_v have_v it_o on_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n in_o the_o morning_n be_v the_o three_o thousand_o convert_v the_o next_o or_o as_o some_o tell_v we_o the_o same_o day_n afternoon_n at_o the_o nine_o hour_n l_o hour_n d._n l_o the_o number_n of_o the_o convert_v be_v increase_v to_o five_o thousand_o while_o this_o sermon_n be_v preach_v the_o apostle_n be_v apprehend_v and_o commit_v to_o custody_n till_o the_o next_o morning_n another_o it_o be_v like_o the_o day_n after_o they_o be_v imprison_v but_o enlarge_v by_o a_o angel_n in_o the_o night_n chap._n 5._o in_o or_o near_o that_o week_n be_v the_o seven_o deacon_n choose_v present_o after_o the_o disciple_n be_v thus_o increase_v and_o the_o apostle_n imprison_v and_o dismiss_v the_o expression_n signify_v it_o chap._n 6._o 1._o it_o be_v not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o those_o day_n which_o may_v admit_v a_o latitude_n and_o some_o good_a distance_n of_o time_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o these_o day_n which_o denote_v the_o time_n instant_a or_o that_o which_o immediate_o ensue_v without_o the_o interposure_n of_o any_o such_o distance_n and_o so_o the_o phrase_n be_v use_v by_o st._n luke_n both_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o the_o acts._n it_o be_v dr._n hammond_n observation_n upon_o luk._n 1._o 39_o the_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o

before_o st._n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n it_o hold_v as_o well_o of_o james_n be_v be_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n will_v confound_v the_o office_n which_o god_n make_v distinct_a for_o god_n do_v appoint_v first_o apostles_n than_o prophet_n than_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n wherefore_o st._n peter_n after_o he_o be_v a_o apostle_n can_v not_o well_o become_v a_o bishop_n it_o will_v be_v such_o a_o irregularity_n as_o if_o a_o bishop_n shall_v be_v make_v a_o deacon_n ecclesiastical_a history_n make_v james_n the_o ordinary_a bishop_n and_o diocesan_n of_o the_o place_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n for_o it_o but_o what_o be_v derive_v from_o hegesippus_n and_o clemens_n who_o other_o follow_v right_a or_o wrong_n 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 that_o great_a person_n understand_v thing_n better_a and_o discern_v no_o danger_n in_o run_v his_o head_n against_o a_o shadow_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o of_o solidity_n in_o what_o be_v allege_v from_o those_o author_n further_o he_o will_v prove_v it_o a_o diocesan_n church_n by_o a_o passage_n in_o hegesippus_n who_o say_v 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 principal_a man_n of_o the_o city_n be_v by_o this_o ministry_n bring_v to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n the_o jew_n make_v a_o uproar_v 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 446._o christian_n pag._n 446._o he_o say_v many_o of_o the_o prime_a sectary_n be_v convert_v by_o james_n but_o this_o will_v scarce_o prove_v such_o a_o diocesan_n church_n as_o he_o contend_v for_o that_o which_o will_v serve_v his_o turn_n that_o all_o the_o people_n will_v turn_v christian_n be_v not_o effect_v but_o only_o fear_v by_o the_o jew_n who_o take_v a_o course_n to_o prevent_v it_o by_o kill_a james_n but_o if_o this_o be_v for_o his_o purpose_n hegesippus_n be_v not_o a_o author_n to_o be_v rely_v on_o part_n of_o the_o sentence_n cite_v be_v false_a that_o the_o sect_n mention_v and_o he_o have_v mention_v seven_a do_v not_o believe_v the_o resurrection_n nor_o judgement_n whereas_o the_o pharisee_n and_o other_o of_o they_o believe_v both_o which_z valesius_fw-la observe_v 23._o in_o euseb_n 2._o c._n 23._o one_o false_a thing_n in_o a_o testimony_n be_v enough_o to_o render_v it_o suspect_v but_o there_o be_v near_o twenty_o thing_n false_a or_o fabulous_a in_o this_o account_n he_o give_v of_o james_n many_o of_o they_o mark_v by_o scaliger_n 178._o scaliger_n animad_fw-la in_o euseb_n p._n 178._o divers_a by_o valesius_fw-la 23._o valesius_fw-la in_o euseb_n l._n 2._o cap._n 23._o and_o some_o acknowledge_v by_o petavius_n 78._o petavius_n not._n ad_fw-la heres_fw-la 78._o he_o will_v not_o have_v we_o suspect_v that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o he_o pretend_v because_o pella_n a_o obscure_a little_a town_n can_v receive_v they_o all_o beside_o its_o own_o inhabitant_n but_o we_o must_v understand_v that_o town_n to_o be_v their_o metropolis_n and_o the_o believer_n all_o scatter_v through_o the_o whole_a country_n and_o this_o as_o epiphanius_n write_v but_o where_o do_v epiphanius_n write_v this_o not_o in_o the_o place_n cite_v he_o write_v the_o contrary_a both_o there_o and_o elsewhere_o that_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o one_o place_n 30._o place_n epiph._n she_o 30._o that_o all_o the_o disciple_n in_o another_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 15._o 〈◊〉_d de_fw-fr ponder_n &_o man_n cap._n 15._o what_o he_o add_v be_v but_o to_o describe_v where_o the_o town_n be_v situate_v all_o the_o disciple_n all_o the_o believer_n dwell_v beyond_o jordan_n in_o pella_n archbishop_z whitgift_n bring_v this_o as_o a_o pregnant_a proof_n that_o the_o christian_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n and_o no_o more_o than_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n as_o a_o little_a before_o he_o affirm_v again_o and_o again_o his_o word_n be_v how_o few_o christian_n be_v there_o at_o jerusalem_n not_o long_o before_o it_o be_v destroy_v be_v above_o forty_o year_n after_o christ_n do_v not_o eusebius_n testify_v 5._o testify_v lib._n 3._o cap._n 5._o that_o they_o all_o be_v receive_v into_o a_o little_a town_n call_v pella_n yet_o the_o apostle_n have_v spend_v much_o time_n and_o labour_n in_o preach_v there_o but_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o do_v not_o profess_v christ_n in_o that_o city_n be_v infinite_a 175._o infinite_a defence_n of_o answer_n treat_n 3._o c._n 6._o pag._n 175._o this_o may_v be_v far_o clear_v by_o what_o epiphanius_n say_v of_o that_o church_n in_o its_o return_n from_o pella_n but_o i_o design_v briefness_n our_o author_n add_v one_o testimony_n more_o to_o show_v that_o under_o the_o government_n of_o simeon_n great_a number_n be_v add_v 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 etc._n etc._n pag._n 448._o but_o those_o who_o view_v the_o place_n in_o eusebius_n will_v see_v that_o he_o do_v not_o say_v those_o many_o of_o the_o circumcision_n be_v convert_v by_o simeon_n or_o be_v under_o his_o government_n or_o belong_v to_o that_o church_n and_o so_o it_o signify_v nothing_o for_o his_o purpose_n and_o so_o in_o fine_a the_o account_n wherewith_o he_o conclude_v his_o discourse_n of_o jerusalem_n will_v not_o be_v admit_v by_o any_o who_o impartial_o consider_v the_o premise_n as_o for_o his_o other_o scripture_n instance_n there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o shadow_n of_o a_o proof_n show_v by_o he_o that_o there_o be_v near_o so_o many_o christian_n as_o in_o jerusalem_n or_o as_o be_v in_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n yea_o or_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n either_o in_o samaria_n where_o he_o say_v it_o appear_v not_o what_o kind_n of_o government_n be_v establish_v pag._n 451._o or_o in_o lydda_n which_o be_v but_o a_o village_n though_o a_o fair_a one_o and_o far_o from_o have_v saron_n for_o its_o proper_a territory_n that_o be_v a_o plain_a between_o joppa_n and_o caesarea_n or_o in_o antioch_n pag._n 452._o much_o less_o in_o corinth_n and_o ephesus_n which_o he_o advise_o pass_v by_v pag._n 456._o our_o author_n do_v in_o effect_n acknowledge_v that_o in_o scripture_n it_o appear_v not_o that_o these_o church_n be_v episcopal_a much_o less_o diocesan_n it_o be_v to_o be_v confess_v say_v he_o pag._n 461._o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o leave_v so_o full_a and_o perfect_a a_o account_n of_o the_o constitution_n and_o government_n of_o the_o first_o church_n etc._n etc._n thus_o we_o have_v no_o more_o notice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o samaria_n and_o of_o judaea_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 have_v not_o the_o least_o information_n what_o information_n then_o can_v we_o have_v that_o they_o be_v diocesan_n or_o episcopal_n he_o go_v on_o and_o the_o prospect_n leave_v of_o antioch_n in_o scripture_n be_v very_o confuse_a 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 only_o from_o ecclesiastical_a writer_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 euodias_n and_o after_o he_o to_o ignatius_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o after_o what_o form_n the_o church_n at_o antioch_n be_v constitute_v do_v not_o appear_v it_o may_v be_v congregational_a and_o not_o diocesan_n for_o any_o thing_n this_o gentleman_n can_v see_v in_o scripture_n but_o only_o from_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n but_o his_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n do_v so_o contradict_v one_o another_o as_o render_v their_o testimony_n of_o little_a value_n nor_o be_v there_o much_o more_o reckon_n to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o traditional_a account_n they_o and_o other_o give_v concern_v the_o succession_n and_o government_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n than_o this_o author_n make_v of_o eusebius_n his_o traditional_a chronology_n pag._n 454._o some_o make_v euodias_n the_o first_o bishop_n and_o he_o be_v dead_a ignatius_n to_o succeed_v he_o 22._o he_o euseb_n l._n 3._o c._n 22._o on_o the_o contrary_a some_o will_n have_v ignatius_n to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o and_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o euodias_n ignat._n euodias_n chrys_n orat._n in_o ignat._n other_o will_v have_v they_o to_o have_v govern_v that_o church_n both_o

christian_n than_o some_o london_n parish_n which_o have_v 60000_o soul_n nor_o near_a if_o half_o so_o many_o 27._o many_o church_n hist_o p._n 7._o vindicat._n p._n 27._o the_o chief_a if_o not_o the_o only_a argument_n to_o prove_v they_o at_o rome_n more_o numerous_a be_v a_o passage_n in_o cornelius_n his_o epistle_n show_v the_o number_n of_o the_o officer_n and_o of_o the_o poor_a this_o be_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o age_n and_o so_o not_o within_o these_o 200_o year_n but_o yet_o prove_v not_o what_o it_o be_v allege_v for_o in_o cornelius_n time_n near_o anno_fw-la 360._o the_o number_n of_o officer_n signify_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o have_v be_v make_v evident_a the_o number_n of_o the_o poor_a be_v 1500_o rather_o prove_v the_o contrary_a this_o be_v clear_v by_o compare_v the_o proportion_n of_o the_o poor_a with_o the_o rest_n in_o other_o place_n at_o antioch_n in_o particular_a as_o be_v show_v out_o of_o chrysostome_n who_o reckon_v the_o poor_a to_o be_v a_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o at_o rome_n in_o cornelius_n time_n the_o christian_n be_v about_o 15000._o this_o will_v serve_v m._n b_n purpose_n well_o enough_o but_o the_o time_n and_o circumstance_n be_v exceed_v different_a make_v it_o most_o probable_a that_o the_o christian_n then_o at_o rome_n do_v nothing_o near_o so_o much_o exceed_v the_o poor_a in_o number_n it_o be_v far_o more_o likely_a that_o the_o proportion_n be_v near_o that_o at_o constantinople_n where_o chrysostom_n say_v the_o poor_a be_v one_o half_o this_o will_v spoil_v all_o our_o author_n pretension_n and_o so_o he_o advise_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o however_o something_o he_o will_v say_v against_o m._n b._n if_o one_o can_v understand_v it_o it_o be_v about_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o cornelius_n epistle_n render_v the_o poor_a valesius_fw-la observe_v the_o word_n be_v use_v by_o the_o roman_a clergy_n in_o a_o epistle_n to_o those_o at_o carthage_n sive_fw-la viduae_fw-la sive_fw-la thlibomeni_n i._n e._n indigentes_fw-la say_v he_o as_o rufinus_n translate_v it_o and_o tell_v we_o also_o that_o cyprian_a 4._o cyprian_a ep._n 4._o call_v they_o pauperes_fw-la &_o indigentes_fw-la qui_fw-la laborant_fw-la these_o say_v our_o author_n be_v not_o only_o poor_a but_o sick_a and_o disease_a allege_v that_o of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n for_o it_o after_o valesius_fw-la and_o if_o he_o mean_v not_o only_o the_o poor_a but_o the_o sick_a also_o and_o the_o disease_a he_o be_v right_a for_o cornelius_n signify_v those_o that_o be_v maintain_v by_o the_o church_n widow_n and_o indigent_a whether_o sick_a or_o well_o but_o when_o he_o say_v these_o poor_a be_v such_o only_a as_o be_v not_o able_a to_o come_v abroad_o he_o seem_v to_o confine_v it_o to_o the_o sick_a and_o disease_a and_o then_o it_o contradict_v the_o former_a and_o be_v without_o reason_n against_o the_o use_n and_o import_v of_o the_o word_n as_o render_v by_o all_o interpreter_n former_a and_o late_a that_o i_o meet_v with_o and_o indeed_o against_o common_a sense_n for_o the_o number_n cornelius_n speak_v of_o be_v fix_v as_o that_o of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n such_o as_o may_v be_v constant_o know_v and_o a_o certain_a account_n give_v of_o it_o whereas_o the_o number_n of_o the_o sick_a be_v not_o fix_v but_o such_o a_o contingency_n as_o be_v very_o uncertain_a and_o various_a but_o cornelius_n say_v in_o the_o same_o epistle_n that_o the_o people_n of_o his_o church_n be_v innumerable_a true_o that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o frequent_a use_n of_o the_o word_n very_o many_o it_o be_v grant_v they_o be_v more_o than_o in_o any_o other_o church_n as_o when_o dio_n say_v the_o nation_n conquer_v by_o trajan_n be_v innumerable_a and_o socrates_n express_v those_o wound_v in_o the_o fight_n between_o the_o christian_n and_o heathen_a in_o alexandria_n about_o the_o demolish_n of_o a_o idol_n temple_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 15._o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 5._o c._n 15._o which_o in_o sozomen_n be_v but_o many_o 15._o many_o lib._n 7._o c._n 15._o and_o another_o ancient_a author_n say_v there_o be_v innumerable_a bishop_n in_o africa_n which_o yet_o this_o gentleman_n can_v easy_o count_v and_o tell_v we_o that_o schismatic_n and_o all_o be_v but_o 466_o 131_o 466_o pag._n 131_o m._n b._n may_v allow_v he_o what_o he_o fall_v short_a in_o this_o reckon_n which_o be_v more_o than_o half_a and_o may_v grant_v there_o be_v many_o more_o hundred_o of_o christian_n in_o rome_n than_o any_o of_o these_o innumerable_n come_v to_o and_o yet_o make_v good_a what_o he_o suppose_v the_o great_a liberality_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v offer_v as_o no_o small_a argument_n of_o its_o greatness_n they_o send_v to_o a_o great_a many_o church_n relieve_v those_o that_o be_v in_o want_n and_o send_v necessary_n to_o such_o as_o be_v condemn_v to_o the_o mine_n thus_o in_o severus_n time_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n the_o province_n of_o syria_n with_o arabia_n be_v thereby_o relieve_v every_o one_o pag._n 53._o m._n b._n need_v not_o doubt_n but_o some_o one_o parish_n near_o he_o may_v do_v what_o be_v equivalent_a to_o this_o if_o the_o ancient_a charity_n be_v revive_v which_o open_v the_o heart_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o time_n further_o than_o their_o purse_n can_v well_o extend_v but_o the_o word_n be_v odd_o stretch_v for_o they_o do_v not_o relieve_v every_o one_o in_o all_o those_o place_n but_o such_o as_o be_v in_o great_a want_n and_o those_o particular_o who_o be_v condemn_v to_o the_o mine_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d must_v denote_v as_o it_o be_v the_o alsufficiency_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n which_o some_o will_v say_v be_v as_o it_o be_v blasphemy_n but_o our_o author_n mean_v better_o the_o proper_a import_n of_o the_o word_n be_v no_o more_o than_o stipem_fw-la confer_v he_o allege_v two_o passage_n in_o eusebius_n 54._o eusebius_n pag._n 54._o the_o former_a concern_v not_o rome_n more_o than_o any_o other_o place_n in_o the_o empire_n the_o import_n of_o it_o be_v this_o not_o that_o every_o soul_n of_o every_o sort_n but_o that_o many_o of_o all_o sort_n be_v lead_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v stretch_v to_o every_o soul_n eusebius_n be_v make_v to_o speak_v what_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n notorious_o false_a and_o monstrous_o extravagant_a the_o late_a which_o concern_v rome_n do_v but_o signify_v that_o more_o of_o good_a quality_n for_o riches_n and_o birth_n with_o their_o family_n and_o relative_n come_v over_o for_o salvation_n 21._o salvation_n lib._n 5._o c._n 21._o these_o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v of_o the_o nobility_n but_o those_o be_v count_v noble_a who_o descend_v from_o such_o as_o have_v be_v magistrate_n in_o city_n or_o free_a to_n how_o this_o can_v make_v that_o church_n near_o so_o great_a as_o our_o author_n will_v have_v it_o or_o great_a than_o m._n b._n suppose_v i_o do_v understand_v what_o he_o subjoin_v be_v very_o surprise_v and_o must_v seem_v 54._o pag._n 54._o strange_a to_o those_o who_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o state_n of_o church_n in_o those_o time_n that_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o better_a half_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n 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 this_o have_v no_o good_a warrant_n from_o ancient_a author_n no_o not_o from_o tertullian_n though_o he_o write_v many_o year_n after_o commodus_n he_o like_v a_o orator_n draw_v something_o big_a than_o the_o life_n as_o our_o author_n say_v of_o nazianzen_n pag._n 137._o and_o must_v have_v allowance_n on_o this_o account_n by_o those_o who_o will_v not_o be_v injurious_a to_o he_o in_o that_o very_a age_n wherein_o commodus_n reign_v it_o be_v say_v the_o christian_n be_v so_o often_o slaughter_v that_o few_o can_v be_v sound_a in_o rome_n who_o profess_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n xysti_n christ_n platina_n u●●_n xysti_n and_o near_o 150_o year_n after_o when_o constantine_n have_v reign_v near_o 20_o year_n in_o rome_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n show_v such_o disaffection_n to_o christianity_n as_o that_o be_v give_v for_o one_o reason_n why_o he_o transfer_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n to_o byzantium_n 61._o byzantium_n zosimus_n hist_o l._n 2._o p._n 61._o he_o run_v beyond_o m._n b_n bound_n towards_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o century_n and_o tell_v we_o the_o great_a part_n of_o alexander_n severus_n his_o family_n be_v christian_n and_o so_o they_o may_v be_v and_o yet_o no_o more_o christian_n in_o rome_n for_o that_o if_o they_o be_v christian_n before_o they_o come_v into_o his_o family_n which_o be_v more_o likely_a than_o that_o they_o be_v

may_v not_o be_v bishop_n till_o anno_fw-la 350_o and_o so_o near_o to_o optatus_n his_o time_n than_o dioclesian_n two_o it_o be_v no_o proof_n of_o diocesan_n church_n that_o those_o who_o belong_v to_o it_o do_v occasional_o divide_v themselves_o into_o distinct_a meeting_n a_o large_a church_n and_o sometime_o a_o small_a congregation_n may_v have_v occasion_n to_o divide_v and_o meet_v in_o parcel_n for_o their_o convenience_n or_o security_n particular_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n that_o they_o may_v assemble_v with_o more_o safety_n and_o be_v the_o better_o conceal_v from_o those_o who_o will_v disturb_v or_o apprehend_v they_o the_o people_n that_o belong_v to_o cyprian_n do_v meet_v all_o together_o on_o several_a occasion_n as_o be_v apparent_a in_o his_o epistle_n yet_o when_o persecution_n be_v hot_a he_o think_v it_o advisable_v cautè_fw-la non_fw-la glomeratim_fw-la nec_fw-la per_fw-la multitudinem_fw-la simul_fw-la junctam_fw-la conveniendum_fw-la 5._o conveniendum_fw-la ep._n 5._o they_o dare_v not_o in_o some_o part_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o begin_n of_o constantine_n reign_n 2._o reign_n soz._n l._n 1._o c._n 2._o damasus_n the_o suppose_a author_n of_o the_o pope_n life_n say_v euaristus_n titulos_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la divisit_fw-la divide_v the_o title_n in_o rome_n to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o by_o title_n some_o will_v have_v we_o to_o understand_v parish_n church_n but_o it_o be_v incredible_a that_o the_o christian_n in_o trajan_n time_n when_o euaristus_n be_v bishop_n can_v erect_v any_o structure_n in_o form_n of_o church_n or_o have_v any_o distinguishable_a from_o other_o house_n so_o as_o the_o heathen_a may_v take_v notice_n of_o they_o as_o use_v or_o design_v for_o the_o religious_a exercise_n of_o christian_n who_o can_v imagine_v that_o when_o it_o be_v death_n for_o any_o one_o to_o be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o christian_n they_o shall_v frequent_v any_o know_a place_n for_o christian_a worship_n it_o be_v far_o more_o reasonable_a which_o platina_n say_v of_o calistus_n time_n more_o than_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o that_o then_o the_o meeting_n of_o christian_n be_v all_o secret_a and_o rather_o in_o chapel_n and_o those_o hide_a and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n underground_o than_o in_o open_a and_o public_a place_n cum_fw-la eâ_fw-la tempestate_fw-la ob_fw-la crebras_fw-la persecutiones_fw-la occulta_fw-la essent_fw-la omne_fw-la &_o sacella_fw-la potius_fw-la atque_fw-la eadem_fw-la abdita_fw-la &_o plerumque_fw-la subterranea_fw-la quam_fw-la apertis_fw-la in_o locis_fw-la ac_fw-la publicis_fw-la fierent_fw-la dr._n st._n say_v i_o confess_v it_o seem_v not_o probable_a to_o i_o that_o those_o tituli_fw-la be_v so_o soon_o divide_v as_o the_o 357._o iren._n pag._n 357._o time_n of_o euaristus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o trajan_n when_o the_o persecution_n be_v hot_a against_o the_o christian_n but_o damasus_n seem_v not_o to_o believe_v himself_o for_o in_o the_o life_n of_o dionysius_n he_o say_v hic_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la divisit_fw-la his_o reason_n conclude_v as_o much_o or_o more_o against_o the_o title_n under_o this_o notion_n ascribe_v to_o marcellus_n 200_o year_n after_o which_o some_o will_v have_v to_o be_v 25_o but_o onuphrius_n show_v they_o can_v not_o be_v more_o than_o 15_o eccles_n 15_o interpret_v voc._n eccles_n for_o marcellus_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n for_o six_o year_n of_o the_o ten_o persecution_n begin_v by_o dioclesian_n which_o be_v the_o long_a and_o fierce_a that_o ever_o befall_v the_o church_n when_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o far_o from_o erect_v any_o church_n that_o all_o before_o erect_v be_v by_o severe_a edict_n to_o be_v quite_o demolish_v but_o what_o be_v say_v of_o title_n divide_v by_o euaristus_n may_v be_v true_a in_o this_o sense_n that_o since_o they_o can_v not_o safe_o meet_v together_o in_o the_o persecution_n under_o trajan_n they_o disperse_v themselves_o into_o distinct_a meeting_n and_o have_v presbyter_n assign_v to_o officiate_v in_o each_o of_o they_o and_o yet_o the_o christian_n at_o rome_n be_v then_o no_o more_o nor_o long_o after_o than_o may_v all_o meet_v together_o for_o worship_n and_o do_v so_o when_o it_o can_v be_v do_v in_o safety_n in_o the_o time_n of_o xystus_n who_o have_v the_o chair_n at_o rome_n under_o adrian_n it_o be_v say_v because_o of_o the_o frequent_a slaughter_n of_o the_o christian_n there_o be_v few_o find_v who_o dare_v profess_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n propter_fw-la frequentes_fw-la caedes_fw-la pauci_fw-la reperirentur_fw-la qui_fw-la nomen_fw-la christi_fw-la profiteri_fw-la auderent_fw-la platina_n auderent_fw-la platina_n and_o there_o be_v a_o order_n in_o that_o church_n that_o when_o the_o bishop_n celebrate_v all_o the_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v present_a zepherinus_n voluit_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la omnes_fw-la adesse_fw-la celebrante_fw-la episcopo_fw-la quod_fw-la etiam_fw-la euaristo_fw-la placuit_fw-la this_o be_v say_v to_o be_v make_v in_o the_o time_n of_o euaristus_n to_o who_o this_o division_n of_o title_n be_v ascribe_v and_o it_o be_v in_o force_n a_o hundred_o year_n after_o be_v renew_v by_o zepherinus_n who_o be_v bishop_n till_o anno_fw-la 218_o about_o 30_o year_n before_o cornelius_n who_o speak_v of_o 46._o presbyter_n at_o rome_n now_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v frequent_o administer_v in_o those_o time_n at_o least_o every_o lordsday_n and_o when_o the_o bishop_n be_v present_a he_o himself_o do_v celebrate_v and_o if_o all_o the_o presbyter_n be_v to_o be_v present_a when_o he_o do_v celebrate_v than_o all_o the_o people_n likewise_o be_v to_o be_v present_a or_o else_o they_o have_v no_o public_a worship_n for_o they_o can_v have_v none_o without_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n three_o a_o church_n be_v not_o prove_v to_o be_v diocesan_n by_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n in_o it_o this_o i_o have_v make_v evident_a before_o and_o make_v it_o good_a against_o our_o author_n exception_n but_o he_o bring_v a_o new_a instance_n 552._o instance_n pag._n 552._o and_o will_v have_v edessa_n to_o have_v be_v a_o diocesan_n church_n because_o of_o the_o numerous_a clergy_n the_o clergy_n say_v he_o of_o the_o city_n of_o edessa_n be_v above_o 200_o person_n not_o reckon_v that_o of_o the_o country_n within_o his_o diocese_n and_o this_o be_v a_o diocesan_n bishop_n to_o purpose_n he_o do_v well_o not_o to_o reckon_v that_o of_o the_o country_n in_o his_o diocese_n unless_o he_o have_v know_v that_o something_o of_o the_o country_n be_v within_o his_o diocese_n it_o be_v not_o unusual_a for_o the_o bishop_n charge_n to_o be_v confine_v to_o a_o town_n or_o city_n rome_n itself_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o it_o decentium_fw-la it_o innocent_n ep._n ad_fw-la decentium_fw-la cum_fw-la omnes_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la nostrae_fw-la intra_fw-la civitatem_fw-la constitutae_fw-la sunt_fw-la but_o why_o it_o shall_v be_v judge_v to_o be_v a_o diocesan_n church_n because_o 200_o such_o person_n belong_v to_o it_o see_v the_o great_a church_n at_o c._n p._n have_v above_o 500_o officer_n assign_v it_o after_o justinian_n have_v retrench_v the_o number_n 3._o number_n novel_a 3._o c._n 3._o and_o yet_o be_v never_o coun_v a_o diocese_n i_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v but_o he_o have_v some_o other_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o because_o he_o think_v they_o prove_v the_o bishop_n of_o edessa_n to_o have_v be_v a_o diocesan_n to_o purpose_n let_v we_o on_o the_o by_o a_o little_a examine_v they_o these_o he_o give_v in_o summary_o this_o be_v a_o diocesan_n bishop_n to_o purpose_n who_o beside_o a_o large_a diocese_n have_v excommunicate_v archdeacon_n and_o a_o great_a revenue_n i_o find_v nothing_o allege_v to_o show_v he_o have_v a_o large_a diocese_n or_o any_o at_o all_o but_o this_o the_o city_n of_o battina_n be_v in_o the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n for_o ibas_n be_v accuse_v of_o have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v one_o john_n bishop_n of_o it_o etc._n etc._n battina_n have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n unless_o province_n and_o diocese_n be_v confound_v edessa_n be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o mesopotamia_n the_o bishop_n of_o it_o be_v the_o three_o metropolitan_a in_o the_o patriarchate_o of_o antioch_n as_o they_o be_v order_v in_o the_o ancient_a notitia_fw-la the_o bishop_n of_o battina_n be_v one_o of_o the_o many_o suffragans_fw-la belong_v to_o that_o metropolitan_a how_o then_o come_v the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n to_o be_v any_o way_n large_a upon_o this_o account_n be_v the_o diocese_n of_o canterbury_n one_o foot_n the_o large_a because_o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n of_o peterborough_n in_o that_o province_n these_o thing_n be_v not_o easy_o apprehend_v nor_o can_v be_v well_o digest_v two_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o revonue_n be_v no_o more_o apparent_a there_o be_v nothing_o to_o prove_v it_o but_o the_o riches_n of_o that_o church_n and_o its_o great_a revenue_n and_o hereof_o our_o author_n give_v we_o no_o

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 diocese_n with_o he_o be_v large_a in_o the_o first_o time_n but_o bishop_n be_v still_o multiply_v they_o become_v less_o and_o less_o and_o so_o be_v very_o small_a and_o crumble_v into_o very_o little_a piece_n in_o the_o four_o and_o five_o age_n this_o be_v the_o tendency_n of_o his_o discourse_n all_o along_o thus_o dioceses_n must_v be_v large_a when_o a_o bishop_n have_v but_o one_o congregation_n but_o in_o after_o age_n when_o he_o have_v more_o congregation_n under_o his_o inspection_n dioceses_n be_v very_o small_a if_o he_o will_v stand_v to_o this_o our_o difference_n may_v be_v easy_o compromize_v let_v he_o and_o those_o of_o his_o persuasion_n be_v content_a with_o the_o diocese_n in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o he_o count_v they_o large_a and_o we_o shall_v never_o trouble_v any_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o four_o and_o five_o age_n when_o in_o his_o account_n they_o be_v so_o lamentable_o little_a and_o crumble_v so_o very_o small_a the_o particular_n premise_v contain_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v all_o that_o i_o have_v yet_o see_v allege_v out_o of_o antiquity_n for_o diocesan_n church_n so_o that_o no_o more_o be_v needful_a yet_o let_v i_o add_v another_o which_o will_v show_v there_o be_v a_o medium_n between_o congregational_a and_o diocesan_n church_n so_o that_o if_o some_o church_n shall_v be_v show_v out_o of_o the_o ancient_n exceed_v the_o congregational_a measure_n as_o some_o there_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o four_o first_o general_n council_n yet_o it_o can_v thence_o be_v immediate_o infer_v that_o they_o be_v diocesan_n since_o they_o may_v prove_v a_o three_o sort_n of_o church_n and_o such_o as_o will_v as_o little_o please_v those_o of_o this_o gentleman_n persuasion_n as_o congregational_a 6._o it_o be_v no_o argument_n for_o a_o diocesan_n church_n that_o there_o be_v several_a fix_a church_n with_o their_o proper_a presbyter_n in_o a_o city_n or_o its_o territory_n so_o long_o as_o these_o church_n how_o many_o soever_o be_v govern_v in_o common_a by_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o such_o a_o precinct_n for_o though_o few_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o such_o church_n in_o or_o belong_v to_o a_o city_n in_o the_o four_o age_n yet_o wherever_o they_o be_v extant_a in_o that_o or_o the_o follow_a age_n in_o thing_n of_o common_a concern_v to_o those_o church_n they_o be_v order_v in_o common_a by_o a_o presbytery_n that_o be_v the_o bishop_n with_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o precinct_n i_o declare_v it_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la they_o ought_v to_o be_v govern_v in_o common_a in_o communi_fw-la debere_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la regere_fw-la 1_o regere_fw-la in_o titus_n 1_o and_o felix_n 3_o bishop_n of_o rome_n than_o who_o no_o bishop_n be_v high_a or_o more_o absolute_a in_o those_o time_n declare_v it_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d rule_v that_o church_n with_o he_o it_o be_v the_o same_o word_n that_o the_o govern_n of_o church_n by_o other_o bishop_n be_v express_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o alexander_n say_v of_o narcissus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 11_o 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 6._o c_o 11_o it_o import_v no_o less_o than_o praesidere_fw-la and_o be_v ascribe_v to_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n joint_o by_o tertullian_n 39_o tertullian_n apol._n c._n 39_o cyprian_n 3._o cyprian_n lib._n 1._o ep._n 3._o and_o firmilian_a 75_o firmilian_a ep._n 75_o hence_o the_o presbyter_n be_v frequent_o say_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o the_o bishop_n 42._o bishop_n theod._n hist_o l._n 4._o c._n 8._o epiphan_n she_o 42._o for_o then_o the_o govern_v power_n of_o bishop_n be_v but_o count_v a_o ministry_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 260._o 〈◊〉_d isidore_n lib._n 4._o ep._n 260._o and_o the_o presbyter_n fellow_n minister_n with_o he_o and_o joint_a administrator_n in_o the_o government_n they_o be_v style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 7._o 〈◊〉_d naz._n orat._n 1._o orat._n 7._o fellow_n pastor_n they_o do_v not_o then_o dream_v that_o a_o bishop_n be_v sole_a pastor_n of_o many_o church_n they_o be_v also_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v no_o less_o than_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a._n 〈◊〉_d ignat._n ad_fw-la tral_n in_o chrysost_n tom_n 7._o hom._n ζ._o a._n for_o the_o presbyter_n have_v their_o throne_n with_o the_o bishop_n so_o nazianzen_n speak_v of_o basil_n when_o ordain_v presbyter_n as_o promote_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o sacred_a throne_n of_o the_o presbyter_n 20._o presbyter_n orat._n 20._o they_o be_v also_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o s_o chyys_n in_o tim._n hom._n 1._o but_o further_a evidence_n be_v needless_a though_o abundance_n may_v be_v produce_v since_o the_o great_a patron_n of_o episcopacy_n seem_v not_o to_o question_v it_o that_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v in_o common_a and_o the_o bishop_n be_v to_o do_v nothing_o of_o importance_n without_o the_o presbyter_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o bishop_n bilson_n 11._o bilson_n perpet_n govern_n cap._n 11._o bishop_n downham_n 8._o downham_n defence_n lib._n 3._o l._n 1._o c._n 8._o bishop_n hall_n assert_n it_o as_o that_o which_o be_v universal_o accord_v by_o all_o antiquity_n that_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v order_v and_o transact_v by_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o presbyter_n 47._o presbyter_n iren._n p._n 47._o mr._n thorndike_n prove_v at_o large_a that_o the_o government_n of_o church_n pass_v in_o common_a govern_n common_a prim._n govern_n primate_n usher_v more_o succinct_o but_o effectual_o episcopacy_n effectual_o reduct_v of_o episcopacy_n add_v but_o dr._n st._n who_o both_o assert_n and_o prove_v it_o 356._o it_o iren._n pag._n 354._o 355._o 356._o there_o be_v still_o one_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n which_o rule_v all_o the_o several_a congregation_n of_o those_o city_n in_o common_a of_o which_o the_o several_a presbyter_n of_o the_o congregation_n be_v member_n and_o in_o which_o the_o bishop_n act_v as_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o senate_n for_o the_o better_a govern_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n let_v i_o add_v when_o the_o church_n be_v so_o multiply_v in_o city_n and_o territory_n as_o that_o it_o be_v requisite_a to_o divide_v they_o into_o parish_n and_o constitute_v several_a church_n the_o bishop_n be_v not_o the_o proper_a ruler_n or_o pastor_n of_o the_o whole_a precinct_n and_o the_o church_n in_o it_o or_o of_o any_o church_n but_o one_o the_o parish_n or_o church_n be_v divide_v among_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n they_o have_v their_o several_a distinct_a cure_n and_o charge_n the_o bishop_n peculiar_a charge_n be_v the_o ecclesia_fw-la principalis_fw-la the_o chief_a parish_n or_o church_n so_o call_v or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o presbyter_n perform_v all_o office_n in_o their_o several_a cure_n and_o order_v all_o affair_n which_o do_v particular_o concern_v the_o church_n where_o they_o be_v incumbent_n those_o that_o be_v of_o more_o common_a concern_n be_v order_v by_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n together_o and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o bishop_n church_n or_o parish_n he_o perform_v all_o office_n administer_v all_o ordinance_n of_o worship_n himself_o or_o by_o presbyter_n join_v with_o he_o as_o assistant_n he_o be_v to_o attend_v this_o particular_a cure_n constant_o he_o be_v not_o allow_v to_o be_v absent_a no_o not_o under_o pretence_n of_o take_v care_n for_o some_o other_o church_n if_o he_o have_v any_o business_n there_o which_o particular_o concern_v he_o he_o be_v to_o make_v quick_a dispatch_n and_o not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o zonaras_n stay_v there_o with_o the_o neglect_n of_o his_o proper_a flock_n this_o be_v all_o evident_a by_o a_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n a_o rursum_fw-la 71._o r_o in_o zona_fw-la n._n 77_o in_o code_n 71._o placuit_fw-la ut_fw-la nemini_fw-la sit_fw-la facultas_fw-la relicta_fw-la principali_fw-la cathedra_fw-la ad_fw-la aliquam_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la in_o diocesi_fw-la constitutam_fw-la se_fw-la confer_v vel_fw-la in_o re_fw-mi propria_fw-la diutius_fw-la quam_fw-la oportet_fw-la constitutum_fw-la curam_fw-la vel_fw-la frequentationem_fw-la propriae_fw-la cathedrae_fw-la negligere_fw-la of_o this_o church_n or_o parish_n he_o be_v the_o proper_a pastor_n or_o ruler_n call_v there_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o elsewhere_o 53._o elsewhere_o can._n 53._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o contradistinction_n to_o other_o part_n of_o the_o precinct_n call_v here_o diocese_n and_o the_o people_n of_o it_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o ancient_a canonist_n loc_n canonist_n zona_fw-la in_o loc_n his_o proper_a flock_n or_o people_n his_o own_o

their_o be_v not_o near_o so_o many_o this_o gentleman_n be_v concern_v to_o maintain_v there_o be_v not_o one_o thousand_o in_o the_o whole_a christian_n world_n this_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a warrant_n to_o translate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thousand_o more_o than_o once_o though_o that_o it_o be_v in_o that_o discourse_n which_o he_o style_v a_o little_a pamphlet_n so_o translate_v more_o than_o once_o be_v another_o of_o his_o mistake_n and_o a_o three_o all_o in_o two_o line_n be_v that_o the_o author_n ground_n his_o argument_n on_o it_o whereas_o those_o that_o view_v the_o passage_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o will_v see_v it_o have_v be_v more_o for_o his_o advantage_n to_o have_v translate_v it_o ten_o thousand_o he_o that_o can_v allow_v himself_o to_o write_v at_o this_o rate_n may_v easy_o be_v voluminous_a and_o look_v too_o big_a to_o be_v despise_v as_o a_o writer_n of_o little_a pamphlet_n the_o letter_n mention_v pag._n 45._o be_v communicate_v to_o i_o by_o m._n b._n that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o concern_v alexandria_n be_v here_o add_v that_o it_o may_v appear_v how_o much_o it_o be_v mistake_v and_o how_o far_o from_o be_v answer_v for_o alexandria_n it_o be_v the_o great_a city_n in_o the_o empire_n next_o to_o rome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v josephus_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la judaic_a lib._n 5._o c._n cult_a and_o epiphanius_n give_v a_o account_n of_o many_o church_n in_o it_o assign_v to_o several_a presbyter_n viz._n beside_o caesarea_n finish_v by_o athanasius_n that_o of_o dionysius_n theonas_n pierius_n serapion_n persia_n dizia_n mundidius_n annianus_n baucalas_n add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d haeres_fw-la 69._o page_n 728_o this_o notwithstanding_o that_o the_o christian_n at_o alexandria_n which_o hold_v communion_n with_o athanasius_n might_n and_o do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o church_n he_o himself_o declare_v express_o in_o his_o apology_n to_o constantius_n page_n 531._o tom._n 1._o edit_fw-la commelin_n anno_fw-la 1601._o the_o whole_a passage_n be_v too_o large_a to_o transcribe_v or_o translate_v this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o he_o be_v accuse_v for_o assemble_v the_o people_n in_o the_o great_a church_n before_o it_o be_v dedicate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d make_v this_o part_n of_o his_o defence_n the_o confluence_n of_o the_o people_n at_o the_o paschal_n solemnity_n be_v so_o great_a that_o if_o they_o have_v meet_v in_o several_a assembly_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o other_o church_n be_v so_o little_a and_o straight_o that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o suffer_v by_o the_o crowd_n nor_o will_v the_o universal_a harmony_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o people_n have_v be_v so_o visible_a and_o effectual_a if_o they_o have_v meet_v in_o parcel_n therefore_o he_o appeal_v to_o he_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o better_a for_o the_o whole_a multitude_n to_o meet_v in_o that_o great_a church_n be_v a_o place_n large_a enough_o to_o receive_v they_o altogether_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o have_v a_o concurrence_n of_o all_o the_o people_n with_o one_o voice_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o if_o say_v he_o according_a to_o our_o saviviour_n promise_v where_o two_o shall_v agree_v as_o touch_v any_o thing_n it_o shall_v be_v do_v for_o they_o of_o my_o father_n etc._n etc._n how_o prevalent_a will_v be_v the_o one_o voice_n of_o ●●_o numerous_a a_o people_n assemble_v together_o and_o say_v amen_o to_o god_n who_o therefore_o will_v not_o wonder_v who_o will_v not_o count_v it_o a_o happiness_n to_o see_v so_o great_a a_o people_n meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n and_o how_o do_v the_o people_n rejoice_v to_o beh●ld_v one_o another_o whereas_o former_o they_o assemble_v in_o several_a place_n hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o four_o age_n all_o the_o christian_n at_o alexandria_n which_o be_v wont_v at_o other_o time_n to_o meet_v in_o several_a assembly_n be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o church_n may_v and_o do_v contain_v so_o as_o they_o can_v all_o join_v at_o once_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o concur_v in_o one_o amen_o he_o tell_v he_o also_o that_o alexander_n his_o predecessor_n who_o die_v an._n 325_o do_v as_o much_o as_o he_o in_o like_a circumstance_n viz._n assemble_v the_o whole_a multitude_n in_o one_o church_n before_o it_o be_v dedicate_v pag._n 532._o this_o seem_v clear_a enough_o but_o be_v capable_a of_o another_o kind_n of_o proof_n which_o may_v be_v no_o less_o satisfactory_a let_v i_o add_v that_o also_o this_o city_n be_v by_o strabo_n his_o description_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d like_o a_o soldier_n coat_n who_o length_n at_o either_o side_n be_v almost_o 3●_n furlong_n its_o breadth_n at_o either_o end_n 7_o or_o 8_o urlong_n geogr._n lib._n 17._o pag._n 546._o so_o the_o whole_a compass_n will_v be_v less_o than_o ten_o mile_n a_o three_o or_o four_o part_n of_o this_o be_v take_v up_o with_o public_a building_n temple_n and_o royal_a palace_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ibid._n two_o miles_n and_o half_a or_o three_o and_o a_o quarter_n be_v thus_o dispose_v of_o i_o take_v this_o to_o be_v that_o region_n of_o the_o city_n which_o epiphanius_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o he_o tell_v we_o be_v the_o famous_a library_n of_o ptolomeus_n philadelphus_n and_o speak_v of_o it_o in_o his_o time_n as_o destitute_a of_o inhabitant_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d de_fw-fr ponder_n &_o mensur_n n._n 9_o p._n 166_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o city_n be_v assign_v to_o the_o jew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o strabo_n indefinite_o as_o josephus_n quote_v he_o antiquit._fw-la jud._n l._n 14._o c._n 12._o other_o tell_v we_o more_o punctual_o their_o share_n be_v two_o of_o the_o five_o division_n usher_n annal_n latin_a pag._n 859._o though_o many_o of_o they_o have_v their_o habitation_n in_o the_o other_o division_n yet_o they_o have_v two_o five_o part_n entire_a to_o themselves_o and_o this_o be_v i_o suppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o josephus_n say_v the_o successor_n of_o alexander_n set_v apart_o for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bello_fw-la jud._n l._n 2._o cap._n 21._o thus_o we_o see_v already_o how_o 6_o or_o 7_o mile_n of_o the_o 10_o be_v take_v up_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o citizen_n as_o at_o rome_n and_o other_o city_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o age_n be_v heathen_n otherwise_o antonius_n wrong_v the_o city_n who_o i●_n athanasius_n time_n be_v bring_v in_o thus_o exclaim_v by_o jerom._n vit_fw-mi paul_n p._n 243._o vae_fw-la tibi_fw-la alexandria_n quae_fw-la pro_fw-la deo_fw-la portenta_fw-la veneraris_fw-la vae_fw-la tibi_fw-la civitas_fw-la meretrix_n in_fw-la quam_fw-la totius_fw-la orbis_fw-la daemonia_fw-la confluxere_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o charge_n thus_o form_v suppose_v the_o prevail_a party_n to_o be_v guilty_a but_o let_v we_o suppose_v they_o equa_fw-la and_o their_o proportion_n half_a of_o the_o 3_o or_o 4_o mile_n remain_v let_v the_o rest_n be_v divide_v among_o the_o orthodox_n the_o arrian_n the_o novatian_o and_o other_o sect_n and_o if_o we_o be_v just_o a_o large_a part_n will_v fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o heretic_n and_o sectary_n for_o not_o to_o mention_v other_o the_o novatian_o have_v several_a church_n and_o a_o bishop_n there_o till_o cyril_n time_n vid._n socrat._v hist_n l._n 7._o c._n 7._o the_o arian_n be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o who_o profess_v christianity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sozom._n hist_o l._n 1._o c._n 14._o and_o if_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o follower_n by_o their_o leader_n no_o loss_n than_o half_a for_o whereas_o there_o be_v 19_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o that_o church_n theod._n hist_o l._n 4._o c._n 23._o 12_o be_v the_o number_n of_o their_o presbyter_n by_o their_o ancient_a constitution_n as_o appear_v by_o eutychius_n and_o 7_o their_o deacon_n as_o at_o rome_n and_o elsewhere_o 6_o presbyter_n with_o arius_n and_o 5_o deacon_n fall_v off_o from_o the_o catholic_n sozom._n hist_o l._n 1._o c._n 14._o but_o let_v the_o brian_n be_v much_o few_o yet_o will_v not_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n diocese_n i●_n this_o city_n be_v more_o than_o that_o of_o a_o small_a town_n one_o of_o 8_o or_o 12_o furlong_n in_o compass_n and_o so_o the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n upon_o this_o account_n will_v be_v no_o more_o than_o may_v well_o meet_v for_o worship_n in_o one_o place_n finis_fw-la