no_o wonder_n if_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la for_o the_o most_o part_n do_v carry_v the_o point_n especial_o before_o the_o reformation_n this_o error_n be_v the_o less_o excusable_a because_o it_o be_v a_o departure_n from_o the_o great_a and_o in_o truth_n the_o only_a example_n of_o a_o holy_a kingdom_n which_o such_o pious_a politician_n can_v propose_v to_o themselves_o i_o mean_v that_o of_o the_o hebrew_n in_o which_o though_o matter_n that_o be_v pure_o mat_n of_o religion_n be_v distinguish_v from_o matter_n pure_o civil_a the_o matter_n of_o god_n from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o king_n yet_o the_o jurisdiction_n that_o relate_v to_o they_o be_v not_o divide_v the_o same_o senate_n only_o in_o distinct_a capacity_n as_o it_o be_v compose_v of_o father_n as_o well_o as_o of_o priest_n and_o levite_n so_o it_o have_v the_o cognizance_n of_o all_o matter_n nothing_o distinguish_v the_o court_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o two_o kind_n of_o cause_n religious_a and_o secular_a but_o that_o it_o have_v two_o precedent_n which_o possible_o be_v to_o take_v the_o chair_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o cause_n require_v etc._n amâ—ziah_n be_v over_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o zebadiah_n in_o matter_n of_o the_o king_n and_o all_o by_o a_o authority_n and_o power_n derive_v from_o the_o king_n as_o sovereign_n and_o supreme_a in_o all_o moreover_o in_o jerusalem_n do_v jehosaphat_n set_v etc._n etc._n in_o truth_n the_o church_n have_v submit_v to_o receive_v incorporation_n into_o the_o civil_a state_n or_o be_v favour_v with_o it_o for_o you_o may_v take_v it_o either_o way_n it_o be_v no_o long_o oblige_v to_o continue_v a_o divide_v separate_a jurisdiction_n ecel_n for_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o church_n separate_a jurisdiction_n now_o fail_v the_o magistrate_n be_v become_v christian_a and_o consequent_o aid_v the_o jurisdiction_n that_o it_o have_v before_o must_v fail_v with_o it_o and_o so_o revert_v to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o reason_v good_a it_o shall_v and_o that_o by_o a_o reason_n take_v even_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o government_n for_o there_o aught_o to_o be_v and_o indeed_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o spring_n and_o fountain_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o one_o kingdom_n and_o government_n beside_o ecclesiastical_a government_n can_v reach_v but_o to_o the_o external_n action_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o be_v very_o improper_o call_v spiritual_a since_o it_o be_v not_o internal_a and_o the_o external_n action_n of_o man_n as_o such_o do_v proper_o come_v under_o the_o cognisance_n of_o the_o magistrate_n he_o be_v ordain_v to_o be_v the_o avenger_n of_o all_o evil_n do_v as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o praise_n of_o they_o that_o do_v well_o and_o then_o nothing_o can_v remain_v for_o the_o church_n to_o do_v unless_o the_o same_o action_n must_v be_v subject_v to_o the_o cognisance_n of_o divide_a unsubordinate_a jurisdiction_n which_o shall_v they_o be_v will_v breed_v a_o great_a confusion_n which_o i_o must_v insist_v upon_o and_o be_v a_o great_a injustice_n breed_v great_a confusion_n for_o that_o a_o person_n in_o the_o same_o cause_n shall_v be_v absolve_v by_o one_o jurisdiction_n and_o be_v condemn_v by_o another_o and_o this_o without_o any_o mean_n of_o composure_n for_o example_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v acquit_v at_o the_o assize_n by_o twelve_o of_o the_o neighbourhood_n and_o yet_o be_v convict_v in_o the_o bishop_n court_n which_o may_v well_o happen_v where_o the_o jurisdiction_n be_v divide_v and_o then_o no_o mean_n be_v leave_v neither_o of_o any_o composure_n if_o they_o be_v also_o unsubordinate_v this_o be_v confusion_n as_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v twice_o condemn_v and_o punish_v twice_o for_o one_o fact_n will_v be_v great_a injustice_n as_o for_o single_a congregation_n they_o be_v only_o as_o so_o many_o little_a fraternity_n gild_v or_o corporation_n and_o consequent_o may_v have_v constitution_n and_o by-law_n of_o their_o own_o as_o these_o have_v without_o the_o least_o danger_n or_o other_o prejudice_n that_o can_v be_v think_v of_o to_o the_o state_n that_o permit_v or_o protect_v they_o certain_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n the_o true_a hierarchy_n be_v a_o kingdom_n that_o be_v not_o secular_a or_o of_o this_o world_n that_o be_v it_o be_v not_o a_o external_n but_o a_o spiritual_a kingdom_n a_o power_n erect_v in_o the_o heart_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o which_o he_o rule_v and_o govern_v by_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o it_o can_v as_o such_o pretend_v to_o any_o jurisdiction_n proper_o so_o call_v there_o be_v no_o jurisdiction_n proper_o so_o call_v without_o coercion_n and_o compulsion_n and_o coercion_n and_o compulsion_n be_v a_o way_n that_o be_v not_o use_v by_o christ._n all_o the_o subject_n of_o christ_n be_v volunteer_n and_o freeman_n who_o as_o he_o bring_v into_o his_o kingdom_n so_o he_o keep_v in_o it_o only_o by_o persuasion_n exhortation_n counsel_n and_o such_o like_a method_n and_o this_o tertullian_n believe_v who_o in_o l._n ad_fw-la scap._n say_v humani_fw-la juris_fw-la &_o naturalis_fw-la est_fw-la unicuique_fw-la quod_fw-la put_v averit_fw-la colere_fw-la nec_fw-la aliis_fw-la aut_fw-la obest_fw-la aut_fw-la prede_v alterius_fw-la religio_fw-la sed_fw-la nec_fw-la religonis_fw-la est_fw-la cogere_fw-la religionem_fw-la quae_fw-la sponte_fw-la suscipi_fw-la debeat_fw-la non_fw-la vi_fw-la etc._n etc._n it_o be_v the_o first_o and_o chief_a right_n of_o humane_a nature_n for_o every_o man_n to_o worship_v what_o he_o think_v he_o ought_v nor_o do_v the_o religion_n of_o one_o either_o hurt_n or_o profit_v another_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v any_o religion_n to_o compel_v religion_n religion_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v up_o of_o choice_n and_o not_o by_o force_n or_o constraint_n etc._n etc._n so_o far_o go_v be_v that_o father_n for_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n however_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o if_o any_o person_n refuse_v to_o observe_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a society_n and_o particular_o the_o rule_n of_o that_o society_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n it_o be_v but_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v leave_v it_o and_o if_o otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o that_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o leave_v it_o but_o this_o by_o the_o by_o to_o be_v sure_a the_o essential_a church_n have_v no_o one_o form_n of_o external_n government_n assign_v to_o it_o in_o the_o whole_a and_o it_o be_v as_o great_a wisdom_n not_o to_o settle_v any_o in_o particular_a for_o national_a church_n for_o see_v the_o church_n must_v be_v extend_v into_o all_o nation_n the_o government_n and_o policy_n of_o it_o must_v be_v of_o a_o nature_n either_o ambulatory_a so_o as_o to_o be_v accommodate_v upon_o occasion_n or_o it_o must_v be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o without_o interfere_v with_o they_o can_v consist_v with_o all_o the_o several_a form_n of_o civil_a and_o secular_a government_n in_o my_o judgement_n the_o lord_n bacon_n speak_v excellent_o well_o to_o this_o matter_n when_o he_o say_v i_o for_o my_o part_n do_v confess_v that_o in_o revolve_v the_o scripture_n i_o can_v never_o find_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o one_o form_n of_o discipline_n in_o all_o church_n and_o that_o impose_v by_o necessity_n of_o a_o commandment_n and_o prescript_n out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o that_o god_n have_v leave_v the_o like_a liberty_n to_o the_o church-government_n as_o he_o have_v do_v to_o the_o civil_a government_n to_o be_v vary_v according_a to_o time_n and_o place_n and_o accident_n which_o nevertheless_o his_o high_a and_o divine_a providence_n do_v order_n and_o dispose_v for_o all_o civil_a government_n be_v restrain_v from_o god_n to_o the_o several_a ground_n of_o justice_n and_o manner_n but_o the_o policy_n and_o form_n of_o they_o be_v leave_v free_a so_o that_o monarchy_n and_o kingdom_n senate_n and_o signory_n popular_a state_n and_o commonalty_n be_v lawful_a and_o where_o they_o be_v plant_v aught_o to_o be_v maintain_v inviolate_a so_o likewise_o in_o church_n matter_n the_o substance_n of_o doctrine_n be_v immutable_a and_o so_o be_v the_o general_n rule_v of_o government_n but_o for_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n and_o for_o the_o particular_a hierarchy_n policy_n and_o discipline_n of_o church_n they_o be_v leave_v at_o large_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v good_a we_o return_v unto_o the_o ancient_a bound_n of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n and_o not_o one_o hierarchy_n one_o discipline_n and_o that_o we_o observe_v the_o league_n of_o christian_n as_o it_o be_v pen_v by_o our_o saviour_n which_o be_v in_o substance_n of_o doctrine_n thus_o he_o that_o be_v not_o with_o we_o be_v against_o we_o but_o of_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o of_o circumstance_n he_o that_o be_v not_o against_o we_o be_v with_o we_o bacon_n consideration_n touch_v pacification_n in_o resuscit_fw-la fol._n 237_o 238_o this_o
the_o nature_n of_o church-government_n free_o discuss_v and_o set_v out_o in_o three_o letter_n london_n print_v for_o s._n g._n in_o the_o year_n mdcxci_o to_o my_o noble_a friend_n sw_n y.b._n t.r._n en_fw-fr me._n sir_n i_o present_v you_o in_o the_o follow_a letter_n the_o true_a idea_n as_o i_o take_v it_o of_o church-government_n which_o can_v it_o be_v receive_v by_o all_o other_o with_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o candour_n i_o assure_v myself_o it_o shall_v by_o you_o will_v be_v of_o infinite_a advantage_n to_o end_v those_o fatal_a controversy_n that_o for_o many_o age_n have_v perplex_v and_o in_o this_o last_o almost_o destroy_v the_o church_n i_o prefer_v the_o way_n of_o letter_n to_o set_v out_o the_o notion_n for_o two_o reason_n one_o because_o it_o be_v the_o more_o insinuative_a and_o a_o way_n that_o be_v much_o take_v at_o this_o time_n the_o other_o because_o real_o there_o be_v letter_n send_v by_o a_o non-con_a to_o a_o conf._n in_o which_o most_o of_o the_o thing_n be_v say_v that_o be_v in_o these_o only_o now_o they_o come_v refine_v from_o all_o the_o reflection_n that_o be_v personal_n and_o from_o some_o mistake_v for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o have_v nothing_o of_o fondness_n in_o i_o for_o any_o opinion_n nor_o do_v i_o hold_v myself_o oblige_v unto_o these_o in_o the_o letter_n further_o than_o as_o they_o shall_v endure_v the_o test_n of_o truth_n i_o be_o very_o willing_a they_o shall_v undergo_v they_o all_o by_o strict_a examination_n though_o i_o confess_v i_o be_o as_o loath_a they_o shall_v be_v put_v to_o torture_v if_o upon_o the_o severe_a enquiry_n any_o thing_n can_v be_v find_v in_o they_o or_o due_o infer_v from_o they_o as_o to_o the_o main_n that_o will_v not_o stand_v with_o good_a authority_n sound_a reason_n good_a order_n of_o policy_n or_o christian_a piety_n i_o shall_v soon_o shake_v hand_n with_o they_o but_o till_o then_o i_o can_v believe_v it_o any_o crime_n to_o own_o what_o i_o be_o full_o persuade_v of_o and_o what_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v no_o popery_n that_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v a_o prudential_n thing_n and_o alterablâ—_n and_o that_o the_o only_a true_a english_a of_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la in_o the_o present_a case_n be_v by_o law_n establish_v i_o be_o june_n 8_o 1690._o sir_n your_o most_o humble_a and_o oblige_a servant_n the_o first_o letter_n sir_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o you_o take_v a_o very_a right_a method_n in_o the_o business_n of_o church_n government_n to_o search_v as_o you_o say_v you_o do_v into_o its_o very_a original_a and_o have_v not_o some_o of_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o your_o education_n or_o of_o your_o circumstance_n stick_v too_o fast_o to_o you_o i_o suppose_v that_o way_n you_o will_v at_o least_o have_v discover_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n at_o first_o before_o our_o lord_n passion_n and_o of_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n to_o have_v be_v only_o temporary_a as_o well_o as_o in_o accommodation_n to_o the_o moysaicall_a policy_n in_o which_o be_v twelve_o philarch_n or_o head_n of_o tribe_n and_o seventy_o elder_n after_o our_o lord_n passion_n when_o he_o be_v rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o about_o to_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n concern_v himself_o no_o further_o with_o the_o seventy_o of_o who_o under_o that_o denomination_n we_o read_v nothing_o afterward_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n he_o give_v a_o new_a and_o large_a commission_n to_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o assign_v they_o two_o work_n the_o first_o the_o make_n of_o disciple_n or_o christian_n all_o the_o world_n over_o by_o declare_v and_o publish_v every_o where_o what_o upon_o their_o own_o knowledge_n they_o be_v certain_a of_o in_o reference_n to_o christ_n that_o so_o by_o be_v witness_n unto_o he_o they_o may_v both_o aver_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o be_v many_o even_o compel_v belief_n of_o it_o and_o after_o they_o have_v make_v christian_n to_o put_v they_o under_o order_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o act_v 1._o 3._o in_o two_o word_n the_o apostle_n be_v first_o to_o make_v christian_n and_o then_o to_o frame_v they_o into_o church_n in_o this_o proper_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o apostle_n consist_v that_o he_o be_v a_o person_n authorize_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n upon_o his_o own_o knowledge_n as_o be_v himself_o a_o witness_n of_o he_o and_o in_o this_o his_o office_n differ_v from_o that_o of_o a_o evangelist_n for_o though_o a_o evangelist_n as_o such_o do_v preach_v the_o gospel_n where_o it_o be_v not_o hear_v of_o before_o and_o consequent_o make_v christian_n and_o plant_v church_n in_o which_o his_o office_n agree_v with_o that_o of_o a_o apostle_n yet_o herein_o it_o differ_v that_o to_o be_v a_o evangelist_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o apostle_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v a_o witness_n to_o christ_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o qualify_v a_o evangelist_n for_o evangelize_a that_o he_o have_v certain_a tradition_n but_o to_o be_v qualify_v for_o a_o apostle_n he_o must_v by_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o own_o sense_n have_v have_v certain_a knowledge_n of_o christ._n this_o notion_n of_o the_o apostleship_n be_v not_o only_o couch_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o what_o he_o tell_v the_o apostle_n john_n 14._o 26._o and_o at_o his_o ascension_n acts._n 1._o 8._o but_o be_v intimate_v also_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o election_n of_o mathias_n unto_o the_o apostleship_n act_v 1._o from_o 15_o to_o the_o 26._o and_o most_o plain_o set_v out_o in_o all_o of_o they_o take_v together_o in_o conjunction_n for_o so_o they_o make_v it_o demonstrable_a judas_n be_v once_o number_v with_o the_o apostle_n as_o be_v one_o of_o the_o twelve_o but_o he_o fall_v from_o that_o degree_n and_o honour_n by_o his_o transgression_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v fulfil_v which_o have_v say_v another_o shall_v succeed_v he_o peter_z at_o a_o assembly_n of_o the_o believer_n propose_v the_o ordination_n of_o one_o in_o his_o room_n and_o the_o better_a to_o regulate_v the_o election_n he_o first_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o office_n and_o work_v of_o the_o apostleship_n to_o which_o that_o ordination_n be_v to_o be_v make_v and_o this_o he_o say_v be_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v a_o witness_n unto_o christ_n and_o particular_o to_o his_o resurrection_n and_o then_o inform_v they_o how_o a_o person_n must_v be_v qualify_v to_o become_v capable_a of_o be_v ordain_v to_o this_o office_n to_o wit_n that_o he_o must_v be_v one_o of_o those_o that_o have_v accompany_v with_o they_o all_o the_o while_n the_o lord_n jesus_n go_v in_o and_o out_o among_o they_o even_o from_o beginning_n to_o end_n from_o first_o to_o last_o begin_v from_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n unto_o that_o same_o day_n that_o he_o be_v take_v up_o from_o they_o he_o must_v it_o seem_v be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o have_v always_o be_v with_o the_o lord_n or_o else_o he_o can_v not_o be_v qualify_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o twelve_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v peter_n therefore_o must_v one_o of_o these_o man_n that_o have_v accompany_v with_o we_o etc._n etc._n and_o why_o must_v one_o of_o these_o but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o proper_a business_n and_o work_n of_o such_o a_o apostle_n as_o be_v one_o of_o the_o twelve_o to_o be_v a_o witness_n of_o christ_n to_o all_o that_o he_o have_v say_v and_o do_v and_o suffer_v and_o none_o can_v be_v such_o a_o witness_n but_o one_o that_o have_v be_v always_o with_o he_o from_o first_o to_o last_o and_o if_o the_o former_a be_v the_o true_a idea_n of_o a_o apostle_n as_o you_o may_v plain_o see_v it_o be_v than_o no_o diocesan_n bishop_n or_o any_o body_n else_o indeed_o can_v be_v one_o now_o for_o whoever_o be_v a_o apostle_n must_v be_v a_o witness_n to_o christ_n and_o must_v have_v see_v he_o and_o that_o too_o after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o twelve_o must_v also_o have_v be_v always_o with_o he_o from_o first_o to_o last_o even_o to_o s._n paul_n himself_o who_o have_v not_o converse_v with_o christ_n upon_o the_o earth_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o proper_o be_v one_o of_o the_o twelve_o our_o lord_n appear_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n to_o qualify_v he_o for_o the_o apostleship_n so_o that_o as_o all_o the_o apostle_n be_v extraordinary_a officer_n it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o paul_n that_o he_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a superadded_a apostle_n it_o be_v true_a the_o apostle_n be_v call_v bishop_n by_o s._n cyprian_n but_o it_o have_v be_v more_o though_o even_o then_o not_o much_o to_o your_o purpose_n if_o he_o have_v call_v bishop_n
be_v do_v by_o one_o be_v do_v by_o all_o all_o do_v censure_v if_o one_o do_v the_o expulsion_n make_v by_o one_o bishop_n out_o of_o any_o church_n be_v in_o effect_n a_o expulsion_n from_o all_o the_o church_n and_o so_o a_o cut_n off_o entire_o from_o christianity_n and_o all_o communion_n of_o saint_n thus_o they_o aim_v in_o a_o general_n bishopric_n at_o what_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v in_o a_o personal_a in_o affirm_v which_o i_o do_v not_o impose_v upon_o you_o for_o s._n cyprian_n be_v plain_a 11._o hoc_fw-la â—rant_fw-la utique_fw-la say_v he_o in_o his_o tractate_n de_fw-fr simplicitate_fw-la praelatorum_fw-la &_o caeteri_fw-la apostoli_fw-la quid_fw-la fuit_fw-la petrus_n pariconsoriio_fw-la praediti_fw-la &_o honoris_fw-la &_o potestatis_fw-la sed_fw-la exordium_n ab_fw-la unitate_fw-la proficiscitur_fw-la ut_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la una_fw-la monstretur_fw-la etc._n etc._n quam_fw-la unitatem_fw-la firmiter_fw-la tenere_fw-la &_o vindicâ—re_fw-la debemus_fw-la maximè_fw-la episcopi_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la praesidemus_fw-la ut_fw-la episcopatum_fw-la quoque_fw-la ipsum_fw-la unum_fw-la utque_fw-la indivisum_fw-la probemus_fw-la thence_o also_o come_v the_o rail_n about_o the_o table_n i_o mean_v the_o difference_n of_o communion_n clerical_a and_o laical_a to_o wit_n to_o raise_v the_o reputation_n and_o credit_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o withal_o to_o make_v their_o ceusure_n the_o more_o solemn_a and_o awful_a as_o also_o that_o the_o clergy_n who_o be_v oblige_v to_o a_o strict_a and_o more_o exemplary_a life_n if_o they_o do_v not_o live_v it_o may_v have_v a_o peculiar_a punishment_n which_o be_v to_o be_v thrust_v from_o the_o clerical_a communion_n and_o be_v degrade_v to_o that_o of_o the_o laity_n in_o fine_a hence_o public_a confession_n and_o rigorous_a shame_v penance_n in_o all_o the_o decree_n of_o they_o fletus_fw-la auditio_fw-la substractio_fw-la consistentia_fw-la have_v their_o beginning_n and_o also_o solemn_a absolution_n by_o the_o imposition_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o of_o the_o presbyter_n which_o thing_n as_o be_v only_o human_a and_o politic_a though_o not_o unnecessary_a for_o the_o time_n be_v all_o of_o they_o alterable_a and_o some_o actual_o alter_v again_o as_o controversy_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n either_o about_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n or_o of_o discipline_n the_o apostle_n while_o they_o live_v and_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n those_o especial_o which_o found_v such_o particular_a church_n where_o they_o arise_v do_v take_v care_n to_o end_v such_o difference_n and_o be_v according_o repair_v unto_o for_o that_o purpose_n thus_o in_o the_o business_n of_o antioch_n appeal_n be_v make_v unto_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o for_o the_o corinthian_n galatian_n etc._n etc._n s._n paul_n particular_o care_v but_o after_o the_o decease_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o a_o failure_n of_o the_o apostolical_a infallible_a guidance_n by_o other_o mean_n the_o controversy_n that_o arise_v in_o any_o church_n become_v determine_v by_o the_o common_a counsel_n and_o advice_n of_o other_o church_n either_o by_o their_o letter_n or_o by_o a_o solemn_a discussion_n and_o debate_n in_o a_o assembly_n of_o bishop_n and_o elder_n in_o provincial_a council_n we_o do_v not_o read_v indeed_o of_o any_o rule_n for_o this_o practice_n but_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o common_a reason_n direct_v it_o and_o there_o be_v something_o too_o that_o do_v lead_v unto_o it_o in_o the_o first_o assembly_n at_o jerusalem_n for_o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n be_v appeal_v unto_o by_o they_o of_o antioch_n so_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v convent_v and_o the_o business_n consider_v and_o debate_v by_o the_o whole_a and_o by_o the_o whole_a resolve_v in_o sum_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o separate_a state_n subsist_v by_o themselves_o like_o so_o many_o little_a republic_n as_o be_v only_o in_o the_o world_n but_o not_o of_o it_o and_o therefore_o concern_v not_o themselves_o in_o any_o business_n with_o the_o secular_a power_n and_o yet_o see_v their_o member_n be_v man_n as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o in_o the_o world_n as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o consequent_o liable_a to_o passion_n and_o misgovernment_n to_o common_a accident_n of_o providence_n and_o to_o difference_n too_o arise_v in_o worldly_a matter_n it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o some_o provision_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o all_o these_o respect_n in_o the_o church_n itself_o by_o officer_n on_o purpose_n or_o else_o since_o there_o be_v no_o other_o remedy_n all_o will_v run_v to_o confusion_n hence_o as_o the_o ancient_a christian_n have_v deacon_n for_o the_o poor_a so_o they_o have_v wiseman_n as_o the_o apostle_n call_v they_o or_o elder_n who_o to_o prevent_v the_o scandal_n of_o their_o go_v to_o law_n before_o the_o heathen_a determine_a matter_n by_o way_n of_o arbitration_n and_o likewise_o restrain_v and_o suppress_v exorbitant_a and_o evil_a manner_n by_o censure_v they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o poor_a to_o end_v controversy_n between_o man_n and_o man_n and_o to_o punish_v evil_a do_v be_v the_o business_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o this_o remind_v i_o of_o the_o three_o state_n of_o the_o church_n when_o magistrate_n and_o power_n become_v christian_n the_o christian_a religion_n be_v take_v by_o they_o into_o civil_a protection_n and_o become_v incorporate_v into_o the_o law_n as_o that_o of_o israel_n be_v into_o they_o so_o that_o now_o state_n become_v church_n a_o state_n profess_v christianity_n be_v a_o national_a church_n and_o a_o national_a church_n nothing_o but_o a_o christian_a nation_n in_o a_o word_n a_o holy_a commonwealth_n great_a be_v the_o alteration_n that_o be_v make_v in_o the_o government_n and_o face_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o condition_n from_o what_o it_o be_v before_o for_o after_o the_o time_n that_o emperor_n become_v christian_a and_o that_o they_o show_v kindness_n to_o the_o church_n the_o hierarchy_n become_v a_o secular_a thing_n it_o be_v in_o this_o state_n that_o that_o and_o the_o power_n of_o council_n attain_v to_o their_o full_a growth_n but_o yet_o in_o several_a country_n by_o several_a step_n and_o occasion_n etc._n lavius_fw-la in_o his_o commentary_n of_o the_o roman_a commonwealth_n lib._n 1._o fol._n 22._o tell_v we_o that_o the_o episcopal_a diocese_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v by_o many_o very_a great_a token_n represent_v the_o roman_a antiquity_n and_o well_o he_o may_v for_o it_o be_v plain_a the_o form_n of_o civil_a administration_n after_o the_o roman_a empire_n become_v christian_n and_o in_o some_o degree_n before_o be_v imitate_v in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o both_o in_o the_o province_n and_o bound_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o in_o the_o city_n itself_o for_o as_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v divide_v into_o several_a pretory_n which_o pretory_n be_v call_v praetorian_a diocese_n or_o see_v and_o these_o pretory_n again_o be_v subdivide_v into_o province_n and_o that_o in_o every_o pretory_n there_o be_v a_o perfect_a of_o the_o pretory_n who_o reside_v in_o the_o metropolis_n call_v sedes_fw-la prima_fw-la to_o administer_v and_o rule_v the_o diocese_n and_o under_o the_o perfect_a in_o the_o several_a province_n there_o be_v other_o principal_a officer_n call_v precedent_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v they_o so_o in_o the_o church_n there_o be_v the_o metropolitan_a primate_fw-la or_o archbishop_n who_o be_v seat_v in_o the_o metropolis_n or_o capital_a city_n and_o answer_v to_o the_o prefect_n of_o the_o pretory_n and_o there_o be_v bishop_n that_o reside_v in_o the_o inferiors_n city_n who_o be_v call_v suffragan_n bishop_n and_o those_o resemble_v the_o precedent_n of_o the_o province_n l_o and_o the_o parallel_n hold_v out_o further_o 345._o since_o a_o person_n as_o joseph_n scaliger_n observe_v may_v be_v a_o bishop_n with_o archiepiscopal_a ornament_n and_o yet_o not_o be_v a_o archbishop_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o one_o may_v be_v a_o officer_n with_o consular_a ornament_n and_o yet_o not_o be_v a_o consul_n the_o same_o scaliger_n in_o his_o epistle_n hb._n 2._o ep_n 184._o also_o acquaint_v we_o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a there_o be_v four_o prefect_n of_o pretory_n the_o perfect_a of_o the_o pretorium_fw-la of_o constantionople_n the_o illirian_a perfect_a the_o perfect_a of_o the_o pretorium_fw-la of_o rome_n and_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o pretorium_fw-la in_o the_o gallia_n add_v that_o see_v the_o perfect_a of_o the_o pretorium_fw-la be_v of_o the_o same_o degree_n that_o at_o this_o day_n a_o viceroy_n be_v he_o have_v under_o he_o vicar_n and_o the_o vicar_n he_o say_v be_v the_o governor_n of_o a_o diocese_n or_o one_o that_o have_v under_o he_o a_o whole_a diocese_n and_o a_o diocese_n be_v a_o government_n that_o contain_v under_o it_o several_a metropoly_n or_o capital_a city_n as_o a_o metropolis_n have_v under_o it_o several_a city_n he_o further_o add_v that_o the_o
one_o church_n and_o therefore_o that_o titus_n may_v be_v a_o bishop_n of_o the_o cretan_n all_o the_o church_n of_o crete_n must_v be_v consolitated_a into_o one_o else_o among_o all_o the_o church_n in_o crete_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v which_o be_v the_o church_n of_o the_o cretan_n where_o titus_n reside_v if_o titus_n be_v bishop_n over_o all_o the_o church_n in_o crete_n he_o be_v a_o bishop_n of_o bishop_n and_o at_o least_o a_o metropolitan_a which_o indeed_o will_v be_v most_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o hierarchy_n can_v it_o be_v evidence_v but_o this_o can_v not_o be_v the_o settlement_n that_o be_v make_v in_o crete_n for_o it_o will_v be_v strange_a that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v appoint_v a_o hierarchy_n in_o crete_n that_o shall_v differ_v from_o the_o form_n of_o government_n settle_v upon_o the_o continent_n by_o himself_o and_o barnabas_n who_o constitute_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n without_o appoint_v that_o we_o read_v of_o any_o superior_a bishop_n or_o metropolitan_a that_o shall_v have_v a_o general_n care_n and_o inspection_n over_o the_o several_a church_n for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v not_o see_v how_o titus_n shall_v understand_v his_o commission_n which_o be_v to_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n to_o carry_v any_o other_o intention_n with_o reference_n to_o crete_n than_o the_o very_a same_o word_n do_v when_o they_o be_v use_v to_o signify_v what_o paul_n himself_o who_o give_v he_o this_o commission_n have_v do_v upon_o the_o continent_n where_o he_o and_o barnabas_n ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o therefore_o as_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n establish_v single_a congregation_n only_o and_o organise_v they_o with_o elder_n and_o then_o leave_v they_o to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o intrinsic_a power_n so_o in_o the_o like_a manner_n titus_n establish_v church_n in_o every_o city_n and_o organise_v they_o with_o elder_n which_o have_v do_v it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o he_o return_v again_o unto_o s._n paul_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o commission_n thus_o titus_n his_o business_n in_o crete_n have_v the_o very_a idea_n and_o signature_n of_o that_o of_o a_o evangelist_n or_o a_o secundary_a apostle_n without_o the_o least_o mark_n of_o a_o ordinary_a bishop_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o hint_n in_o all_o the_o authentic_a scripture_n of_o his_o be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o crete_n or_o indeed_o of_o any_o place_n else_o and_o the_o like_a must_v be_v say_v of_o timothy_n with_o reference_n to_o ephesus_n who_o be_v send_v to_o the_o church_n there_o as_o a_o visitor_n only_o with_o apostolical_a authority_n and_o so_o as_o s._n paul_n delegate_n nor_o it_o titus_n his_o ordain_v of_o elder_n a_o good_a argument_n for_o sole_a ordination_n for_o the_o word_n tit._n 1._o 5._o be_v the_o same_o that_o be_v use_v in_o act_n 6._o 3._o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o deacon_n who_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n not_o one_o of_o the_o apostle_n but_o all_o and_o choose_v by_o the_o people_n and_o one_o may_v well_o admire_v that_o the_o same_o word_n which_o be_v translate_v appoint_a in_o one_o place_n shall_v be_v render_v ordain_o in_o another_o but_o that_o titus_n be_v say_v to_o ordain_v and_o not_o to_o appoint_v only_o that_o it_o may_v look_v as_o if_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a text_n for_o sole_a ordination_n but_o what_o if_o timothy_n and_o titus_n have_v a_o power_n of_o sole_a jurisdiction_n and_o a_o power_n too_o of_o make_v canon_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n which_o latter_a yet_o be_v a_o authority_n that_o every_o bishop_n will_v not_o pretend_v unto_o after_o their_o example_n the_o church_n then_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o separation_n from_o secular_a government_n and_o among_o heathen_a just_a as_o the_o jew_n be_v now_o among_o christian_n so_o that_o all_o it_o can_v do_v at_o that_o time_n be_v to_o persuade_v it_o can_v not_o compel_v and_o therefore_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v now_o that_o the_o church_n be_v protect_v and_o not_o only_o protect_v by_o but_o incorporate_v into_o the_o state_n that_o the_o officer_n of_o it_o must_v have_v the_o same_o power_n and_o exercise_v they_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o before_o or_o as_o mr._n selden_n express_v it_o that_o england_n must_v be_v govern_v as_o ephesus_n or_o crete_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o king_n will_v gain_v but_o little_a by_o the_o bargain_n not_o to_o say_v they_o must_v depart_v with_o their_o sovereignty_n to_o incorporate_v the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v this_o be_v admit_v that_o church-authority_n church-power_n must_v be_v still_o the_o same_o after_o such_o incorporation_n as_o before_o for_o a_o separate_a national_a jurisdiction_n exercise_v by_o one_o or_o many_o be_v a_o solecism_n in_o state_n especial_o if_o it_o claim_v by_o the_o title_n of_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la a_o title_n that_o render_v it_o independent_a upon_o as_o well_o as_o unboundable_a and_o uncontrollable_a by_o all_o that_o be_v human_a such_o a_o jurisdiction_n will_v weaken_v that_o of_o king_n and_o other_o state_n all_o their_o subject_n will_v be_v but_o half_a subject_n and_o many_o none_o at_o all_o and_o it_o be_v no_o more_o nor_o less_o but_o that_o very_o same_o thing_n that_o heretofore_o be_v find_v so_o inconvenient_a and_o burden_n some_o under_o the_o papacy_n and_o that_o make_v the_o best_a and_o wise_a and_o great_a of_o our_o king_n so_o uneasy_a a_o clergy_n embody_a within_o itself_o and_o independent_a on_o the_o state_n be_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o be_v make_v a_o powerful_a faction_n upon_o any_o occasion_n and_o easy_a to_o be_v practise_v upon_o as_o be_v unite_v under_o one_o or_o a_o few_o head_n who_o can_v present_o convey_v the_o malignity_n to_o all_o their_o subordinates_n and_o these_o to_o the_o people_n so_o that_o i_o lay_v it_o down_o as_o a_o maxim_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v of_o great_a danger_n to_o any_o government_n than_o a_o national_a hierarchy_n that_o do_v not_o depend_v upon_o it_o or_o be_v not_o in_o the_o measure_n and_o interest_n of_o it_o fresh_a experience_n have_v learn_v we_o this_o i_o know_v not_o with_o what_o design_v it_o be_v say_v by_o padre_n paulo_n sarpio_n of_o venice_n but_o his_o word_n be_v very_o remarkable_a as_o i_o find_v they_o cite_v from_o a_o epistle_n of_o he_o to_o a_o counsellor_n of_o paris_n in_o the_o year_n 1609._o i_o be_o afraid_a say_v he_o in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o english_a of_o that_o great_a power_n of_o bishop_n though_o under_o a_o king_n i_o have_v it_o in_o suspicion_n when_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o a_o king_n of_o that_o goodness_n as_o they_o will_v think_v it_o easy_a to_o work_v upon_o he_o or_o shall_v have_v any_o archbishop_n of_o a_o high_a spirit_n the_o royal_a authority_n shall_v be_v wound_v and_o bishop_n will_v aspire_v to_o a_o absolute_a domination_n methinks_v i_o see_v a_o horse_n saddle_v in_o england_n and_o i_o guess_v that_o the_o old_a rider_n will_v get_v on_o his_o back_n but_o all_o these_o thing_n depend_v on_o the_o divine_a providence_n thus_o he_o very_o prudent_o as_o to_o the_o main_a though_o perhaps_o with_o some_o mistake_v as_o to_o his_o conjecture_n for_o my_o part_n i_o think_v it_o but_o reason_n that_o such_o person_n as_o have_v the_o benefit_n of_o human_a law_n shall_v in_o so_o much_o be_v guide_v by_o they_o and_o that_o the_o sword_n which_o own_v no_o other_o edge_n but_o what_o the_o magistrate_n give_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v use_v but_o by_o his_o direction_n as_o indeed_o the_o practice_n in_o england_n have_v always_o be_v for_o as_o mr._n selden_n observe_v whatever_o bishop_n do_v otherwise_o than_o the_o law_n permit_v westminster-hall_n can_v control_v or_o send_v they_o to_o absolve_v etc._n etc._n he_o also_o say_v very_o well_o that_o nothing_o have_v lose_v the_o pope_n so_o much_o in_o his_o supremacy_n as_o not_o acknowledge_v what_o prince_n give_v he_o it_o be_v a_o scorn_n say_v he_o on_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o a_o unthankfulness_n in_o the_o priest_n but_o add_v he_o the_o church_n run_v to_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la lest_o if_o these_o shall_v acknowledge_v what_o they_o have_v by_o positive_a law_n it_o may_v be_v as_o well_o take_v from_o they_o as_o give_v to_o they_o ay_o this_o excellent_a person_n go_v further_a so_o much_o further_a as_o to_o tell_v we_o that_o a_o bishop_n as_o a_o bishop_n have_v never_o any_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n in_o england_n for_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v electus_n confirmatus_fw-la that_o be_v after_o the_o three_o proclamation_n in_o bow-church_n he_o may_v exercise_n jurisdiction_n before_o he_o be_v consecrate_a and_o yet_o till_o then_o that_o he_o be_v consecrate_a he_o be_v no_o bishop_n neither_o can_v he_o give_v order_n beside_o say_v he_o suffragans_fw-la be_v
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ausrin_n philastrius_n and_o epiphanius_n have_v furnish_v the_o christian_a world_n with_o large_a catalogue_n of_o they_o and_o of_o some_o in_o their_o own_o time_n and_o yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o you_o will_v acknowledge_v there_o be_v bishop_n in_o the_o church_n even_o in_o those_o time_n so_o that_o episcopacy_n if_o it_o be_v not_o coercive_a be_v no_o such_o remedy_n against_o sect_n and_o heresy_n as_o you_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v and_o if_o it_o be_v coercive_a it_o be_v not_o pure_o christian_n and_o spiritual_n but_o in_o so_o much_o have_v something_o in_o it_o of_o secular_a and_o worldly_a thus_o i_o have_v reinforce_v my_o main_a argument_n and_o remove_v such_o exception_n as_o you_o take_v against_o it_o and_o now_o i_o shall_v not_o make_v your_o trouble_n much_o long_o but_o to_o elucidate_v some_o incident_a and_o by_o passage_n which_o i_o will_v do_v with_o all_o the_o brevity_n i_o can_v and_o without_o formality_n of_o method_n only_o as_o they_o come_v to_o my_o mind_n peter_n be_v first_o name_v where_o ever_o the_o whole_a college_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v call_v over_o but_o i_o do_v not_o inâ—er_v nor_o do_v it_o enforce_v that_o any_o primacy_n be_v due_a unto_o he_o other_o than_o that_o of_o precedence_n which_o all_o protestant_n general_o speak_v allow_v he_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o james_n at_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n speak_v with_o more_o authority_n than_o the_o other_o apostle_n as_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n and_o precedent_n of_o the_o synod_n jesephus_n indeed_o take_v notice_n of_o he_o under_o a_o eminent_a character_n for_o piety_n but_o not_o a_o word_n in_o that_o author_n of_o his_o eminent_a dignity_n as_o a_o prelate_n as_o for_o paul_n he_o call_v he_o but_o plain_a james_n not_o bishop_n james_n and_o though_o he_o put_v he_o before_o peter_n and_o john_n gal._n 2._o 9_o that_o preference_n may_v be_v only_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o be_v the_o lord_n brother_n gal._n 1._o 19_o and_o consequent_o be_v no_o great_a argument_n of_o his_o prelacy_n in_o the_o modern_a sense_n of_o that_o word_n so_o zomen_n censure_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o have_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o in_o one_o city_n do_v prove_v that_o practice_n though_o he_o do_v not_o approve_v it_o epiphanius_n also_o be_v cite_v by_o many_o to_o evidence_n that_o practice_n i_o yield_v not_o that_o 1_o cor._n 14._o 34._o which_o may_v be_v translate_v in_o the_o assembly_n will_v demonstrate_v that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n several_a separate_a meeting_n for_o christian_a office_n in_o one_o city_n or_o town_n where_o be_v but_o one_o church_n and_o yet_o i_o grant_v it_o may_v happen_v to_o be_v so_o upon_o occasion_n for_o our_o experience_n evince_v it_o have_v be_v so_o of_o late_a in_o a_o time_n of_o persecution_n among_o the_o dissent_v church_n and_o what_o have_v be_v in_o our_o time_n may_v on_o like_a occasion_n have_v be_v before_o it_o however_o this_o accident_n will_v not_o prove_v nor_o indeed_o do_v i_o find_v any_o other_o proof_n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o first_o time_n of_o christianity_n pastor_n who_o have_v the_o care_n of_o several_a church_n or_o that_o any_o church_n at_o that_o time_n do_v take_v in_o several_a city_n or_o town_n which_o be_v remote_a a_o church_n proper_o be_v a_o coagregation_n and_o consequent_o the_o people_n of_o a_o vicinage_n or_o neighbourhood_n under_o order_n cenchrea_n though_o one_o of_o the_o port_n of_o corinth_n have_v a_o church_n of_o its_o own_o distant_a from_o that_o at_o corinth_n and_o none_o i_o think_v will_v say_v that_o that_o church_n be_v diocesan_n the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n prohibit_v absolute_a ordination_n that_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n matth._n 28._o 20._o be_v literal_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o end_n of_o the_o jewish_a policy_n or_o the_o moysaicall_a seculum_fw-la