orb_n or_o with_o the_o division_n or_o distribution_n of_o this_o nation_n within_o itself_o into_o city_n and_o province_n etc._n etc._n or_o go_v about_o to_o innovate_v any_o thing_n in_o that_o matter_n be_v it_o not_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n to_o be_v such_o a_o judge_n or_o divider_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o all_o shall_v remain_v as_o it_o do_v in_o that_o respect_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christianity_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v 1._o that_o this_o nation_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o king_n of_o its_o own_o be_v it_o not_o certain_a that_o this_o national_a church_n shall_v follow_v the_o boundary_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o so_o be_v model_v according_a to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o former_o heathen_a britannic_a state_n and_o suppose_v again_o what_o have_v already_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o clemens_n and_o by_o compare_v act._n 14._o 23._o with_o tit._n 1._o 5._o that_o a_o bishop_n be_v constitute_v in_o every_o church_n in_o each_o city_n will_v there_o be_v any_o reason_n of_o doubt_v but_o that_o those_o city_n be_v subordinate_a one_o to_o another_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o church_n in_o those_o city_n and_o the_o bishop_n in_o those_o church_n shall_v be_v so_o also_o this_o i_o hope_v will_v not_o be_v deem_v a_o impious_a compliance_n with_o heathenism_n or_o conformity_n with_o the_o world_n nay_o though_o the_o emperor_n of_o rome_n by_o his_o conquest_n here_o be_v the_o author_n of_o these_o distribution_n 4._o but_o than_o second_o it_o be_v already_o clear_v in_o the_o dissertation_n that_o this_o ecclesiastic_a division_n of_o city_n into_o mother_n and_o daughter_n metropoles_fw-la and_o inferior_a city_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n copy_v out_o from_o the_o jew_n as_o when_o god_n command_v by_o moses_n that_o judge_n and_o officer_n shall_v be_v ordain_v in_o every_o city_n deut._n 16._o 18._o and_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o weight_n and_o doubt_n they_o shall_v resort_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o judge_n and_o sanhedrim_n there_o according_a to_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o those_o other_o city_n and_o so_o be_v evident_a act._n 9_o by_o the_o story_n of_o saul_n carry_v letter_n of_o commission_n from_o the_o sanhedrim_n there_o to_o the_o consistory_n in_o damascus_n and_o by_o many_o other_o evidence_n so_o likewise_o numb_a 3._o when_o three_o family_n of_o the_o levit_n the_o son_n of_o aaron_n be_v separate_v for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o a_o head_n or_o prince_n or_o precedent_n of_o every_o of_o these_o called_z 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d v._n 24._o 30._o 35._o eleazar_n aaron_n son_n be_v constitute_v over_o all_o these_o and_o style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o head_n of_o the_o head_n of_o the_o levite_n this_o be_v clear_o a_o pattern_n of_o the_o metropolitan_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o may_v therefore_o own_o its_o derivation_n from_o thence_o and_o not_o from_o the_o heathen_a model_n of_o government_n which_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_o to_o disturb_v be_v find_v so_o concordant_a to_o and_o commodious_a for_o it_o 5._o and_o that_o what_o be_v do_v in_o this_o kind_n be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o apostolical_a person_n the_o first_o founder_n of_o church_n and_o not_o only_o by_o the_o after_o policy_n as_o be_v suggest_v of_o christian_n emperor_n and_o bishop_n may_v have_v appear_v abundant_o by_o these_o few_o testimony_n of_o they_o have_v be_v worthy_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o first_o of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a an._n domini_fw-la 325._o not_o many_o year_n after_o the_o conversion_n of_o constantine_n the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n can._n 6._o which_o take_v care_n for_o the_o preserve_v the_o privilege_n of_o the_o metropolitan_n by_o name_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n shall_v have_v power_n over_o the_o church_n in_o egypt_n lybia_n and_o pentapolis_n that_o in_o antioch_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o province_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o privelege_n shall_v be_v preserve_v to_o the_o church_n begin_v with_o this_o rule_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v the_o ancient_a custom_n continue_v in_o force_n which_o certain_o refer_v to_o that_o which_o be_v long_o before_o the_o christian_a emperor_n and_o without_o any_o reason_n of_o doubt_v to_o the_o first_o constitution_n of_o those_o church_n by_o st._n mark_v and_o st._n peter_n and_o then_o the_o canon_n go_v on_o to_o exact_v this_o by_o way_n of_o conformity_n with_o other_o place_n with_o rome_n itself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o this_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o force_n with_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o upon_o these_o ground_n the_o canon_n require_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d universal_o that_o if_o any_o man_n be_v make_v a_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a he_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v bishop_n 6._o so_o in_o the_o 9_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n in_o the_o year_n 341._o which_o begin_v thus_o that_o the_o bishop_n which_o preside_v in_o the_o metropolis_n aught_o to_o know_v the_o bishop_n in_o every_o province_n and_o to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o whole_a province_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o all_o that_o have_v business_n resort_n from_o all_o side_n to_o the_o metropolis_n which_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n we_o now_o contend_v to_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o conform_v the_o ecclesiastic_a to_o the_o civil_a model_n and_o then_o proceed_v to_o forbid_v other_o bishop_n act_v any_o thing_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n without_o he_o this_o be_v back_v with_o these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o ancient_a canon_n of_o our_o father_n which_o have_v be_v in_o force_n refer_v again_o to_o the_o immemoriall_n custom_n of_o all_o church_n since_o the_o first_o plantation_n and_o not_o the_o after-policie_n of_o christian_a emperor_n and_o bishop_n as_o be_v here_o suggest_v 7._o last_o in_o the_o last_o canon_n of_o the_o great_a council_n of_o ephesus_n in_o the_o year_n 431._o which_o be_v the_o define_n a_o special_a matter_n of_o metropolitical_a right_n where_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v rehearse_v how_o the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n invade_v the_o privilege_n of_o the_o cypriot_n contrary_a to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o ancient_a custom_n and_o the_o decree_n be_v make_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o cyprus_n shall_v retain_v they_o inviolate_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a father_n and_o the_o ancient_a custom_n the_o canon_n extend_v itself_o to_o all_o other_o diocese_n and_o province_n that_o no_o bishop_n shall_v meddle_v with_o another_o province_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v not_o upward_o and_o from_o the_o begin_n under_o he_o i._n e._n his_o praedecessor_n power_n where_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o metropolitical_a power_n and_o primacy_n ecclesiastical_a be_v derive_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o plantation_n of_o each_o church_n and_o consequent_o that_o this_o be_v a_o part_n of_o apostolical_a policy_n and_o not_o only_o a_o after_o policy_n of_o christian_a emperor_n etc._n etc._n 8._o and_o upon_o these_o ground_n of_o probation_n i_o shall_v be_v competent_o secure_v that_o this_o be_v prove_v which_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v ever_o can_v be_v and_o have_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o prove_v their_o negative_a but_o their_o not_o believe_v the_o affirmative_a section_n xvii_o of_o the_o objection_n against_o metropoles_fw-la from_o the_o seven_o star_n in_o seven_o church_n of_o the_o same_o temper_n be_v their_o three_o answer_n that_o they_o be_v full_o assure_v that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v make_v out_o that_o any_o of_o these_o asian_a angel_n be_v archbishop_n or_o bishop_n over_o other_o bishop_n or_o bishop_n over_o divers_a settle_a church_n the_o seven_o star_n be_v say_v in_o scripture_n to_o be_v fix_v in_o their_o seven_o candlesticks_a or_o church_n not_o one_o star_n over_o divers_a candlesticks_a or_o church_n 2._o what_o they_o be_v already_o full_o assure_v of_o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v make_v out_o i_o shall_v have_v little_a confidence_n to_o persuade_v they_o be_v former_o do_v to_o their_o hand_n otherwise_o i_o shall_v hope_v that_o by_o what_o have_v long_o since_o be_v say_v and_o have_v now_o be_v more_o large_o deduce_v in_o reply_n to_o their_o last_o answer_n they_o may_v find_v cause_n to_o alter_v their_o judgement_n and_o retract_v their_o so_o definitive_a sentence_n of_o full_a assurance_n 3._o as_o for_o the_o only_a appearance_n of_o reason_n which_o be_v here_o superad_v viz._n
notion_n and_o yet_o even_o by_o he_o these_o of_o this_o uppermost_a degree_n be_v call_v seniores_fw-la and_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la elder_n president_n probati_fw-la quique_fw-la seniores_fw-la the_o elder_n praeside_fw-la apol._n c._n 39_o and_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n the_o series_n of_o who_o he_o have_v bring_v down_o to_o anicetus_n lib._n 3._o contr_n martion_n cap._n 9_o he_o express_v they_o by_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o his_o book_n write_v in_o verse_n against_o martion_n and_o there_o will_v be_v less_o wonder_n in_o this_o when_o it_o be_v remember_v that_o after_o this_o in_o saint_n cyprian_n time_n who_o have_v be_v sufficient_o evidence_v to_o speak_v of_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o they_o firmilian_a bishop_n of_o caesarea_n in_o cappadocia_n in_o vulgar_a style_n call_v they_o seniores_fw-la and_o praepositi_fw-la elder_n and_o provost_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o cyprian_a and_o again_o president_n majores_fw-la natu_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o elder_n praeside_fw-la evident_o mean_v the_o bishop_n by_o those_o title_n and_o so_o much_o be_v speak_v in_o return_n to_o what_o they_o have_v object_v from_o these_o two_o ancient_n irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n suppose_v that_o i_o have_v competent_o perform_v the_o task_n by_o they_o impose_v on_o the_o praelatist_n show_v that_o the_o bishop_n speak_v of_o by_o they_o be_v bishop_n over_o presbyter_n and_o by_o they_o understand_v to_o be_v so_o sect._n vi._n saint_n jerom_n testimony_n of_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n by_o apostolical_a tradition_n consuetudo_fw-la oppose_v to_o dominica_n dispositio_fw-la saint_n jerom_n meaning_n evidence_v by_o many_o other_o testimony_n to_o be_v that_o bishop_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n so_o by_o panormitan_n also_o the_o testimony_n of_o isidore_n etc._n etc._n the_o council_n of_o aquen_n and_o of_o leo_n vindicate_v of_o ischyras_n ordination_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o synod_n ad_fw-la zurrium_n and_o of_o the_o four_o council_n of_o carthage_n in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o be_o to_o proceed_v to_o that_o of_o saint_n hierome_n in_o his_o 85._o epistle_n ad_fw-la euagrium_n the_o unanswerableness_n of_o which_o i_o be_o affirm_v to_o make_v matter_n of_o triumph_n over_o d._n blondel_n and_o walo_n massalinus_n seem_v to_o say_v that_o it_o never_o can_v be_v answer_v whereas_o say_v they_o if_o i_o have_v be_v please_v to_o cast_v a_o eye_n upon_o the_o vindication_n write_v by_o smectymnuus_n i_o shall_v have_v find_v this_o answer_n what_o this_o answer_n be_v we_o shall_v see_v anon_o in_o the_o mean_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n what_o it_o be_v which_o be_v call_v a_o triumph_v over_o these_o two_o learned_a man_n and_o first_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v what_o advantage_n the_o defender_n of_o presbyterâ—_n conceive_v themselves_o to_o have_v from_o that_o one_o ancient_a writer_n the_o presbyter_n saint_n hierome_n from_o he_o they_o have_v the_o interpretation_n of_o those_o scripture_n which_o they_o think_v to_o be_v for_o their_o use_n as_o that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v all_o one_o in_o several_a text_n of_o scripture_n and_o both_o signify_v presbyter_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n at_o first_o design_v ut_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorun_n concilio_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernarentur_fw-la that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n and_o that_o it_o so_o continue_a till_o upon_o the_o dissension_n which_o by_o this_o mean_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n it_o be_v judge_v more_o prudent_a and_o useful_a to_o the_o preserve_n of_o unity_n ut_fw-la unus_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la reliquis_fw-la that_o one_o shall_v be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n and_o all_o the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n belong_v to_o he_o and_o this_o say_v hierome_n in_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la decree_v and_o execute_v over_o the_o whole_a world_n by_o who_o this_o be_v conceive_v by_o he_o to_o be_v thus_o decree_v he_o give_v we_o not_o to_o understand_v in_o that_o place_n nor_o in_o what_o point_n of_o time_n he_o think_v it_o be_v do_v but_o leave_v we_o to_o collect_v both_o from_o some_o few_o circumstance_n as_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v after_o schism_n enter_v into_o the_o church_n and_o one_o say_v i_o be_o paul_n i_o of_o apollo_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o it_o be_v immediate_o after_o that_o than_o the_o presbyterian_o will_v gain_v but_o little_a by_o this_o patron_n for_o his_o whole_a meaning_n will_v be_v that_o the_o apostle_n first_o put_v the_o government_n of_o each_o church_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o many_o but_o soon_o see_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o do_v so_o and_o the_o schism_n and_o rupture_n consequent_a to_o it_o and_o change_v it_o themselves_o and_o settle_a one_o singular_a bishop_n in_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o government_n in_o every_o church_n to_o which_o very_o fit_o coheres_fw-la what_o clement_a have_v say_v that_o lest_o new_a contention_n shall_v arise_v about_o this_o singular_a dignity_n and_o authority_n who_o shall_v succeed_v to_o it_o they_o make_v a_o roll_n or_o catalogue_n of_o those_o which_o in_o vacancy_n shall_v succeed_v in_o each_o church_n that_o this_o be_v not_o in_o hierome_n opinion_n do_v thus_o early_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n the_o presbyterian_o think_v they_o may_v conclude_v from_o what_o he_o say_v on_o tit._n 1._o episcopi_fw-la noverint_fw-la se_fw-la magis_fw-la consuetudine_fw-la quam_fw-la dispositionis_fw-la dominicae_fw-la veritate_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la esse_fw-la majores_fw-la let_v bishop_n know_v that_o their_o greatness_n and_o superiority_n over_o presbyter_n be_v hold_v rather_o by_o custom_n than_o by_o christ_n have_v dispose_v it_o so_o but_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o this_o may_v not_o prove_v the_o conclusion_n which_o be_v think_v to_o be_v infer_v by_o it_o for_o here_o consuetudo_fw-la custom_n as_o oppose_v to_o christ_n disposition_n may_v well_o signify_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o late_a part_n of_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o ever_o since_o to_o s._n hierome_n day_n and_o that_o may_v well_o be_v sever_v from_o all_o command_n or_o institution_n of_o christ_n &_o so_o jerom_n opinion_n may_v well_o be_v this_o that_o christ_n do_v not_o ordain_v this_o superiority_n of_o one_o above_o another_o but_o leave_v all_o in_o common_a in_o the_o apostle_n hand_n who_o within_o awhile_o to_o avoid_v schism_n put_v the_o power_n in_o each_o church_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o some_o one_o singular_a person_n and_o that_o this_o be_v hierome_n meaning_n i_o think_v myself_o in_o charity_n to_o he_o oblige_v to_o think_v both_o because_o in_o this_o sense_n his_o word_n will_v better_a agree_v with_o the_o universal_a affirmation_n of_o all_o orthodox_n christian_n that_o before_o he_o and_o after_o he_o too_o unless_o those_o few_o that_o take_v it_o on_o his_o credit_n speak_v of_o this_o matter_n and_o also_o because_o if_o this_o be_v not_o his_o sense_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v find_v to_o contradict_v himself_o have_v elsewhere_o affirm_v that_o the_o three_o degree_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n be_v of_o apostolical_a tradition_n i._n e._n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n and_o now_o before_o i_o proceed_v i_o desire_v the_o ingenuous_a reader_n who_o be_v contrary_a mind_a to_o consider_v what_o he_o can_v object_v to_o this_o conclusion_n of_o i_o thus_o infer_v concern_v s._n hierome_n opinion_n and_o consequent_o what_o probability_n there_o be_v that_o the_o presbyterian_o cause_o shall_v be_v superstruct_v on_o any_o testimony_n of_o s._n hierome_n suppose_v what_o i_o be_o next_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o three_o order_n be_v by_o he_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o this_o be_v evident_a in_o his_o epistle_n to_o euagrius_n where_o have_v again_o deliver_v the_o substance_n of_o what_o have_v be_v now_o cite_v from_o his_o note_n on_o tit._n 1._o he_o yet_o conclude_v et_fw-la ut_fw-la sciamus-traditiones_a apostolicas_fw-la sumptas_fw-la de_fw-la veteritestamento_fw-la quod_fw-la aaron_n &_o silij_fw-la ejus_fw-la atque_fw-la levitae_fw-la in_o temple_n fuerunt_fw-la hoc_fw-la sibi_fw-la episcopi_fw-la &_o presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la in_o ecclesiâ_fw-la vendicent_fw-la that_o we_o may_v know_v that_o the_o apostle_n tradition_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v this_o instance_n that_o what_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n and_o the_o levite_n be_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o same_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n challenge_v to_o themselves_o in_o the_o church_n where_o these_o three_o degree_n and_o so_o the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n be_v by_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n on_o occasion_n therefore_o of_o inquire_v into_o hierome_n meaning_n and_o because_o this_o place_n so_o ready_o offer_v itself_o to_o
again_o to_o make_v he_o testify_v against_o his_o conscience_n to_o say_v lent_n be_v a_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o to_o believe_v it_o be_v not_o a_o apostolical_a tradition_n here_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v debate_n whether_o the_o observation_n of_o lent_n be_v apostolical_a or_o no_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o insist_v on_o be_v whether_o saint_n hierome_n that_o say_v it_o be_v such_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v such_o and_o if_o he_o be_v mistake_v in_o his_o belief_n than_o he_o may_v be_v as_o well_o mistake_v in_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o passage_n which_o he_o interpret_v so_o as_o be_v useful_a to_o and_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o as_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n act._n 20._o be_v the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n phil._n 1._o be_v presbyter_n of_o that_o one_o church_n or_o city_n and_o the_o like_a for_o either_o of_o those_o be_v but_o his_o belief_n or_o persuasion_n too_o and_o the_o more_o fallible_a they_o find_v he_o in_o other_o thing_n the_o less_o weight_n they_o ought_v to_o lay_v on_o his_o opinion_n in_o this_o and_o the_o less_o blame_n on_o we_o for_o depart_v from_o his_o opinion_n but_o have_v say_v this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o repel_v all_o force_n of_o their_o objection_n i_o shall_v now_o add_v some_o other_o testimony_n out_o of_o saint_n hierome_n and_o after_o they_o one_o argument_n ad_fw-la homines_fw-la undeniable_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o it_o be_v indeed_o and_o without_o question_n s._n hierome_n opinion_n that_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o 1._o in_o his_o 54._o epistle_n he_o set_v down_o this_o difference_n among_o other_o between_o the_o catholic_n and_o the_o montanist_a heretic_n apud_fw-la nos_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la locum_fw-la tenent_fw-la episcopi_fw-la apud_fw-la eos_fw-la episcopus_fw-la tertius_fw-la est_fw-la among_o the_o catholic_n the_o bishop_n such_o as_o be_v in_o s._n hierome_n time_n i._n e._n certain_o such_o as_o in_o we_o not_o mere_a presbyter_n hold_v the_o place_n of_o the_o apostle_n i._n e._n the_o uppermost_a place_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o it_o and_o among_o those_o heretic_n the_o bishop_n be_v the_o three_o which_o it_o seem_v be_v one_o character_n of_o their_o be_v heretic_n and_o so_o a_o deviation_n from_o a_o apostolical_a truth_n 2._o in_o this_o book_n the_o script_n ecclâ—sâ—_n he_o say_v of_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n jacobus_n ab_fw-la apostolis_n statim_fw-la post_fw-la ascensionem_fw-la domini_fw-la hierosylimorum_fw-la episcopus_fw-la ordinatus_fw-la suscepit_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la hierosolyma_n timotheus_n à _fw-fr paulo_n ephesiorum_n episcopus_fw-la ordinatus_fw-la titus_n cretae_fw-la polycarpus_n à _fw-fr johanne_n smyrnae_fw-la episcopus_fw-la ordinatus_fw-la james_n present_o after_o christ_n ascension_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o undertake_v i._o e._n rule_v as_o to_o receive_v the_o congregation_n psal_n 75._o be_v to_o rule_v it_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n timothy_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o ephesian_n by_o paul_n titus_n of_o crete_n polycarpe_n be_v by_o john_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n where_o as_o it_o be_v evident_a and_o by_o the_o presbyterian_o acknowledge_v that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v singular_a ruler_n which_o therefore_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o excuse_v by_o say_v they_o be_v extraordinary_a officer_n or_o evangelist_n and_o yet_o by_o he_o say_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o crete_n and_o so_o constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n so_o it_o be_v consequent_a that_o james_n and_o polycarpe_n be_v by_o he_o deem_v singular_a ruler_n also_o and_o not_o colleague_n in_o a_o presbytery_n and_o those_o so_o constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n also_o and_o according_o of_o this_o james_n he_o say_v ad_fw-la gal._n 2._o jacobus_n primus_fw-la ei_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la praefuit_fw-la eciscopus_fw-la hierosolymorum_fw-la primus_fw-la fuit_fw-la james_n be_v the_o first_o that_o be_v set_v over_o that_o church_n be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o consequence_n thereto_o in_o his_o comment_n on_o isae_fw-la lib._n 5._o cap._n 17._o he_o call_v this_o james_n decimum_fw-la tertium_fw-la apostolum_n the_o thirteen_o apostle_n 3._o in_o like_a manner_n 85._o epist_n ad_fw-la euagrium_n speak_v of_o mark_n who_o die_v in_o the_o 8_o of_o nero_n what_o be_v do_v by_o he_o must_v be_v resolve_v to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o agreeable_a to_o then_o practice_n he_o say_v alexandâ—iae_fw-la à _fw-la maâ—co_fw-la evangâ—â—â—stâ_fw-la ad_fw-la heraclam_fw-la &_o dionysium_fw-la episcopos_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la semper_fw-la unum_fw-la ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_o excelsiori_fw-la super_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la graduâ—_fw-la collocatum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la quomodo_fw-la si_fw-la exercitus_fw-la imperatorem_fw-la faceret_fw-la at_o alexandria_n from_o the_o time_n of_o mark_n the_o evangelist_n to_o the_o time_n of_o heraclas_n and_o dionysius_n bishop_n the_o presbyter_n always_o name_v one_o choose_v from_o among_o themselves_o and_o place_v in_o a_o high_a degree_n above_o presbyter_n their_o bishop_n as_o if_o a_o army_n shall_v choose_v their_o general_n that_o what_o be_v say_v of_o the_o presbyter_n choose_v their_o bishop_n belong_v not_o to_o presbyter_n impose_v hand_n on_o he_o be_v 10._o elsewhere_o large_o evidence_v and_o so_o by_o the_o way_n appear_v the_o falseness_n of_o the_o citation_n out_o of_o jerome_n appen_n p._n 142._o that_o in_o alexandria_n for_o a_o long_a time_n the_o presbyter_n ordain_v it_o shall_v have_v be_v say_v elect_v their_o bishop_n that_o which_o i_o here_o infer_v from_o the_o testimony_n be_v manifest_a viz._n that_o in_o saint_n mark_v time_n and_o from_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o the_o church_n at_o alexandria_n one_o bishop_n or_o singular_a ruler_n be_v constitute_v among_o they_o as_o that_o signify_v a_o high_a degree_n than_o that_o of_o presbyter_n 4._o more_o place_n there_o be_v in_o he_o which_o evidence_n his_o opinion_n that_o bishop_n as_o they_o differ_v from_o presbyter_n be_v successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o his_o comment_n on_o psal_n 45._o nunc_fw-la quia_fw-la apostoli_fw-la à _fw-la mundo_fw-la recesserunt_fw-la habes_fw-la pro_fw-la his_fw-la episcopos_fw-la filios_fw-la sunt_fw-la &_o high_a patres_fw-la tui_fw-la quia_fw-la ab_fw-la ipsis_fw-la regeris_fw-la now_o inâ—_n hierome_n time_n because_o the_o apostle_n be_v part_v from_o the_o world_n you_o have_v in_o their_o stead_n bishop_n their_o son_n they_o also_o be_v thy_o father_n because_o thou_o be_v govern_v by_o they_o where_o the_o bishop_n that_o then_o rule_v those_o be_v confess_v to_o be_v single_a person_n not_o presbytery_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o his_o opinion_n and_o ep._n 1._o ad_fw-la heliodorum_n of_o not_o undertake_v the_o office_n of_o bishop_n non_fw-fr est_fw-fr facile_fw-la stare_n loco_fw-la pauli_n tenere_fw-la gradum_fw-la petri_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o stand_v in_o paul_n place_n to_o hold_v the_o degree_n of_o peter_n where_o episcopacy_n be_v the_o place_n and_o degree_n of_o those_o apostle_n and_o so_o ep._n 13._o ad_fw-la paulinum_n episcopi_fw-la &_o presbyteri_fw-la habeant_fw-la in_o exemplum_fw-la apostolos_n &_o apostolicos_fw-la vires_fw-la quorum_fw-la honorem_fw-la possidentes_fw-la habere_fw-la nitantur_fw-la &_o meritum_fw-la bishop_n and_o presbyter_n must_v have_v for_o their_o example_n the_o apostle_n and_o apostolical_a man_n who_o honour_n they_o possess_v and_o therefore_o ought_v to_o endeavour_n to_o imitate_v their_o merit_n 5._o i_o shall_v add_v a_o cumulus_fw-la of_o other_o passage_n much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n with_o the_o former_a and_o fit_a to_o be_v take_v in_o conjunction_n with_o they_o to_o give_v we_o the_o full_a understanding_n of_o s._n hierome_n opinion_n in_o this_o matter_n ad_fw-la nepotian_n ep._n 2._o esto_fw-la subjectus_fw-la pontificituo_fw-la &_o quasi_fw-la anima_fw-la parentem_fw-la suscipe_fw-la quod_fw-la aaroâ—_n &_o filios_fw-la ejus_fw-la hoc_fw-la episcopum_fw-la &_o presbyteros_fw-la esse_fw-la noverimus_fw-la be_v subject_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o parent_n of_o thy_o soul_n what_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n be_v that_o we_o must_v know_v the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v and_o on_o tit._n 1._o speak_v of_o s._n paul_n direction_n for_o the_o make_v a_o bishop_n apostolus_fw-la say_v he_o ecclesiae_fw-la principem_fw-la formans_fw-la the_o apostle_n form_v the_o prince_n or_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o again_o in_o the_o same_o word_n on_o psal_n 45._o decipher_v a_o single_a ruler_n by_o that_o bishop_n which_o the_o apostle_n there_o mean_v to_o form_n so_o on_o that_o 45._o psal_n constituit_fw-la christus_fw-la in_o omnibus_fw-la finibus_fw-la mundi_fw-la principes_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la episcopos_fw-la christ_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n constitute_v prince_n of_o the_o church_n the_o bishop_n just_o
record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o these_o word_n 32._o as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n relate_v polycarpe_n to_o have_v be_v constitute_v there_o by_o john_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n affirm_v clement_n to_o have_v be_v ordain_v by_o peter_n so_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n exhibit_v the_o record_n of_o those_o who_o they_o have_v have_v their_o bishop_n constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o conveyor_n of_o the_o apostolical_a seed_n to_o they_o and_o more_o particular_o of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n the_o subject_n of_o our_o present_a discourse_n 5._o we_o have_v the_o church_n feed_v by_o john_n and_o the_o course_n of_o bishop_n be_v drive_v to_o the_o original_a acknowledge_v john_n the_o apostle_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o here_o certain_o be_v light_n enough_o to_o make_v some_o confidence_n excusable_a in_o a_o prelatist_n and_o to_o make_v his_o wonder_n seasonable_a that_o any_o that_o have_v eye_n shall_v in_o so_o clear_a a_o sunshine_n want_v the_o use_n of_o they_o and_o to_o think_v it_o no_o very_o auspicious_a omen_n that_o they_o do_v yet_o because_o i_o have_v much_o rather_o assist_v then_o upbraid_v other_o man_n infirmity_n i_o have_v here_o give_v they_o a_o instance_n how_o easy_a it_o have_v be_v for_o they_o to_o have_v inform_v themselves_o and_o their_o respective_a charge_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o prelatists_n confidence_n that_o the_o epistle_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o asian_a church_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o his_o approbation_n of_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o that_o word_n for_o a_o single_a overseer_n in_o every_o church_n 12._o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o obscurity_n still_o remain_v in_o the_o premise_n because_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n and_o polycrates_n make_v timothy_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o paul_n the_o first_o bishop_n or_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n but_o tertullian_n divolve_v the_o original_a of_o the_o course_n or_o catalogue_n to_o st_n john_n the_o answer_n be_v easy_a that_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o christian_n in_o ephesus_n and_o throughout_o all_o asia_n the_o first_o of_o gentile_a convert_n bring_v into_o the_o faith_n by_o st._n paul_n the_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o over_o they_o it_o be_v that_o timothy_n be_v by_o he_o place_v in_o ephesuâ—_n their_o bishop_n the_o second_o of_o jewish_a proselyte_n convert_v by_o st._n john_n by_o compact_n design_v to_o go_v to_o the_o jew_n as_o his_o province_n gal._n 2._o 9_o and_o those_o peculiarly_a the_o asian_a jew_n as_o appear_v every_o where_o in_o 23._o eusebius_n story_n and_o by_o the_o relation_n of_o his_o death_n in_o that_o place_n give_v we_o by_o 31._o polycrates_n a_o early_a bishop_n there_o and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o constivation_n out_o of_o a_o ancient_a tradition_n tell_v we_o that_o another_o of_o the_o same_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v by_o that_o apostle_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o jewish_a christian_n there_o as_o timothy_n by_o s._n paul_n of_o the_o other_o congregation_n of_o gentile_a christian_n a_o observation_n which_o be_v large_o educe_v and_o exemplify_v in_o the_o etc._n dissertation_n and_o of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o small_a use_n for_o the_o dilucidating_a of_o obscurity_n in_o ancient_a story_n and_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o controversy_n betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o presbyterian_o but_o i_o must_v not_o here_o take_v liberty_n to_o enlarge_v on_o it_o unnecessary_o have_v be_v thus_o far_o force_v to_o expatiate_v somewhat_o above_o proportion_n to_o the_o length_n of_o their_o own_o period_n wherein_o my_o confidence_n and_o censoriousnesse_n be_v short_o accuse_v how_o deserve_o i_o hope_v have_v now_o be_v make_v manifest_a section_n ii_o of_o timothy_n of_o onesimus_n of_o polycarpe_n the_o next_o period_n in_o their_o charge_n against_o i_o run_v thus_o 1._o it_o be_v far_a add_v that_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n mention_n the_o very_a man_n that_o be_v the_o angel_n of_o those_o church_n some_o say_v timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o john_n write_v his_o epistle_n to_o it_o other_o say_v onesimus_n other_o say_v that_o policarpe_n be_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o from_o hence_o they_o conclude_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o plansibility_n that_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n be_v seven_o individual_a bishop_n 2._o here_o be_v as_o yet_o no_o great_a charge_n offer_v but_o a_o confession_n rather_o that_o i_o have_v some_o temptation_n for_o the_o confidence_n of_o which_o i_o be_v former_o accuse_v my_o conclusion_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o adversary_n to_o be_v infer_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o plausibility_n but_o i_o have_v not_o so_o much_o reason_n to_o depend_v on_o their_o civility_n as_o to_o omit_v the_o insert_v here_o what_o may_v be_v useful_a to_o prevent_v mistake_n and_o shall_v therefore_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o set_v down_o entire_o what_o it_o be_v which_o i_o have_v affirm_v in_o this_o matter_n 3._o and_o 1._o i_o have_v yet_o no_o where_o say_v that_o timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o john_n write_v this_o epistle_n to_o that_o church_n my_o word_n be_v express_o otherwise_o exit_fw-la quibus_fw-la patet_fw-la vel_fw-la timotheum_n ipsum_fw-la vel_fw-la aliquem_fw-la ei_fw-la succedaneum_fw-la hunc_fw-la ipsum_fw-la angelum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la quem_fw-la c._n 2._o 1._o christus_fw-la alloquitur_fw-la by_o which_o it_o appear_v have_v former_o set_v down_o my_o ground_n to_o induce_v this_o conclusion_n that_o either_o timothy_n himself_o or_o some_o body_n that_o succeed_v he_o be_v that_o very_a angel_n to_o who_o christ_n address_v his_o speech_n c._n 2._o 1._o but_o that_o be_v not_o to_o affirm_v it_o of_o timothy_n but_o purposely_o to_o abstain_v from_o affirm_v any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v deny_v or_o doubt_v and_o only_o to_o affirm_v it_o either_o to_o timothy_n or_o some_o successor_n of_o he_o which_o evident_o and_o infallible_o it_o must_v be_v if_o there_o be_v truth_n in_o the_o premise_v from_o which_o it_o be_v infer_v the_o word_n of_o the_o council_n and_o the_o father_n that_o after_o timothy_n the_o first_o succeed_v of_o continual_a series_n of_o bishop_n there_o 4._o what_o my_o opinion_n be_v in_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v now_o free_o tell_v they_o though_o before_o i_o have_v not_o occasion_n to_o do_v it_o together_o profess_v it_o to_o be_v only_o my_o opinion_n and_o so_o still_o affirm_v nothing_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o some_o uncertainty_n or_o far_o than_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o my_o opinion_n be_v found_v shall_v appear_v able_a to_o support_v it_o my_o opinion_n brief_o be_v that_o timothy_n be_v then_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n at_o the_o time_n of_o address_v that_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n and_o the_o ground_n be_v these_o 1._o that_o st._n 〈◊〉_d john_n banishment_n and_o prophesy_a be_v by_o epiphanius_n twice_o express_o affirm_v to_o have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n caesar_n then_o second_o that_o as_o it_o be_v by_o chronologer_n set_v down_o to_o be_v in_o the_o 13._o of_o claudius_n that_o timothy_n be_v leave_v by_o paul_n at_o ephesus_n when_o he_o go_v into_o macedonia_n 1_o tim._n 1._o 3_o act._n 20._o so_o it_o be_v general_o resolve_v that_o timothy_n suffer_v at_o ephesus_n under_o nerva_n and_o that_o agreeable_a enough_o with_o his_o age_n who_o appear_v to_o be_v young_a when_o paul_n first_o place_v he_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n if_o these_o ground_n have_v truth_n in_o they_o than_o timothy_n can_v be_v doubt_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o st_n john_n vision_n be_v receive_v and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o ireneus_fw-la seem_v to_o assign_v another_o date_n of_o these_o vision_n at_o least_o of_o some_o of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o the_o end_n of_o domitian_n reign_n which_o what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v deem_v to_o signify_v be_v 906._o elsewhere_o explain_v yet_o still_o that_o be_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o timothy_n life_n if_o he_o suffer_v not_o till_o nerva_n reign_n and_o so_o much_o for_o that_o of_o timothy_n 5._o second_o that_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n at_o the_o date_n of_o that_o epistle_n be_v no_o where_o so_o much_o as_o intimate_v to_o be_v my_o opinion_n much_o less_o affirm_v by_o i_o and_o therefore_o i_o need_v reply_n no_o more_o to_o that_o yet_o because_o ignatius_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n mention_n onesimus_n their_o bishop_n and_o that_o testimony_n be_v produce_v by_o i_o dissert_n 2._o c._n 25._o sect._n 9_o i_o shall_v here_o free_o give_v they_o my_o opinion_n also_o of_o that_o matter_n 6._o first_o that_o there_o be_v little_a ground_n of_o question_n but_o
so_o the_o evangelist_n be_v a_o bishop_n 3._o whatsoever_o objection_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v will_v be_v easy_o answer_v but_o there_o be_v no_o offer_n of_o any_o here_o and_o therefore_o it_o will_v not_o be_v pertinent_a far_o to_o treat_v it_o in_o this_o place_n 4._o second_o it_o must_v again_o be_v remember_v that_o what_o be_v here_o say_v of_o timothy_n be_v proper_a to_o his_o person_n both_o from_o onesimus_n and_o polycarpe_n and_o all_o other_o angel_n whether_o succeed_a timothy_n in_o ephesus_n or_o praeside_v in_o the_o other_o 7._o asian_a church_n and_o therefore_o though_o timothy_n by_o be_v a_o evangelist_n be_v render_v uncapable_a which_o yet_o he_o be_v not_o of_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o our_o sense_n yet_o those_o other_o seven_o angel_n at_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o write_v this_o epistle_n of_o which_o none_o have_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v evangelist_n may_v still_o be_v bishop_n in_o our_o sense_n 5._o three_o i_o shall_v demand_v upon_o the_o assembler_n principle_n who_o allow_v a_o primus_fw-la presbyter_n a_o prolocutor_n in_o their_o consistory_n or_o council_n of_o presbyter_n may_v timothy_n be_v that_o first_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n or_o do_v his_o be_v a_o evangelist_n hinder_v he_o from_o be_v so_o when_o he_o be_v by_o st._n paul_n exhort_v or_o appoint_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o abide_v in_o that_o city_n i_o can_v imagine_v they_o will_v say_v he_o can_v not_o who_o give_v both_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n john_n leave_v to_o call_v themselves_o presbyter_n but_o if_o he_o can_v in_o their_o opinion_n then_o why_o may_v he_o not_o be_v a_o bishop_n in_o our_o sense_n notwithstanding_o that_o he_o be_v a_o evangelist_n as_o well_o as_o a_o presbyter_n in_o they_o i_o foresee_v not_o what_o answer_n can_v be_v adapt_v to_o this_o dilemma_n section_n xiii_o of_o the_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n of_o the_o plural_a number_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o smyrna_n there_o remain_v a_o three_o branch_n of_o the_o answer_n that_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v because_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o st._n john_n day_n that_o therefore_o he_o be_v the_o only_a person_n to_o who_o christ_n write_v his_o epistle_n for_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v many_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n beside_o the_o suppose_a onesimus_n and_o christ_n may_v very_o well_o write_v to_o he_o and_o to_o all_o the_o rest_n as_o well_o as_o he_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v concern_v polycarpe_n for_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n rev._n 2._o 10._o and_o therefore_o he_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o write_v to_o all_o the_o other_o angel_n that_o be_v at_o smyrna_n as_o well_o as_o to_o one_o 2._o here_o be_v nothing_o in_o this_o branch_n but_o what_o have_v be_v distinct_o forestall_v and_o speak_v to_o large_o already_o it_o will_v suffice_v that_o we_o repeat_v the_o head_n and_o leave_v the_o reader_n to_o view_v the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v more_o explicit_o handle_v and_o 1._o tho_o st._n paul_n shall_v tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v many_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n as_o there_o may_v be_v from_o other_o city_n occasional_o meet_v there_o yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v more_o than_o one_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n or_o consequent_o that_o christ_n in_o a_o peculiar_a address_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o city_n can_v write_v to_o more_o bishop_n there_o 3._o but_o than_o second_o the_o whole_a truth_n be_v this_o that_o s._n luke_n and_o not_o st_n paul_n tell_v that_o upon_o st._n paul_n summons_n send_v to_o ephesus_n many_o bishop_n meet_v he_o at_o miletus_n ephesus_n be_v the_o chief_a metropolis_n be_v the_o fit_a mean_n to_o convey_v the_o summons_n to_o the_o city_n near_o it_o and_o from_o they_o and_o not_o only_o from_o they_o and_o not_o only_o from_o ephesus_n come_v the_o bishop_n to_o he_o as_o have_v be_v declare_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n 4._o three_o for_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n that_o be_v not_o punctual_o true_a for_o though_o the_o letter_n be_v write_v and_o inscribe_v to_o the_o angel_n yet_o as_o have_v oft_o be_v say_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o content_n of_o it_o and_o so_o speak_v to_o the_o angel_n in_o the_o singular_a he_o may_v yet_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n or_o any_o member_n thereof_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n and_o so_o much_o again_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o ineffectualnesse_n of_o the_o first_o head_n of_o answer_n section_n fourteen_o of_o beza_n interpretation_n of_o the_o president_n the_o second_o follow_v upon_o a_o supposition_n but_o not_o grant_v that_o these_o angel_n be_v personae_fw-la singulares_fw-la and_o that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v to_o be_v take_v individual_o yet_o they_o conceive_v this_o will_v not_o at_o all_o advantage_n the_o episcopal_a cause_n for_o 1._o mr._n beza_n no_o great_a friend_n to_o episcopacy_n acknowledge_v that_o by_o these_o word_n to_o the_o angel_n be_v mean_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o president_n as_o who_o it_o behoove_v special_o to_o be_v admonish_v touch_v those_o matter_n and_o by_o he_o both_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o colleague_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n likewise_o but_o then_o he_o add_v but_o that_o episcopal_a degree_n which_o be_v afterward_o by_o humane_a invention_n bring_v into_o the_o church_n of_o god_n certain_o neither_o can_v nor_o aught_o to_o be_v from_o hence_o conclude_v nay_o not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o office_n of_o a_o perpetual_a precedent_n shall_v be_v of_o necessity_n as_o the_o thence_o arise_v oligarchical_a tyranny_n who_o head_n be_v the_o antichristian_a beast_n now_o at_o length_n with_o the_o most_o certain_a ruin_n not_o of_o the_o church_n only_o but_o of_o the_o word_n also_o make_v manifest_a by_o which_o quotation_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o though_o beza_n hold_v the_o angel_n to_o be_v a_o singular_a person_n yet_o he_o hold_v he_o to_o be_v angelus_n praeses_fw-la not_o angelus_n princeps_fw-la and_o that_o he_o be_v praeses_fw-la pro_fw-la tempore_fw-la just_a as_o a_o moderator_n in_o a_o assembly_n or_o as_o a_o speaker_n in_o parliament_n 2._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o that_o mr._n beza_n interpretation_n as_o it_o be_v foreknow_v and_o former_o mention_v by_o we_o so_o be_v it_o not_o in_o reason_n to_o be_v of_o any_o force_n or_o authority_n with_o we_o if_o it_o be_v but_o upon_o the_o score_n intimate_v here_o that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o no_o great_a friend_n but_o a_o know_a profess_a enemy_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o so_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v by_o the_o course_n wherein_o he_o be_v engage_v at_o geneva_n all_o that_o his_o authority_n conclude_v be_v that_o to_o avoid_v a_o plain_a testimony_n which_o be_v not_o for_o his_o turn_n a_o man_n may_v be_v induce_v to_o affirm_v that_o confident_o for_o which_o he_o have_v no_o ground_n of_o proof_n nay_o wherein_o all_o way_n of_o evidence_n that_o thâ—_n matter_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v absolute_o against_o he_o 3._o thus_o it_o be_v certain_o in_o this_o matter_n for_o when_o beza_n have_v here_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o angel_n be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n who_o will_v be_v the_o most_o competent_a judge_n or_o witness_v to_o determine_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d president_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n what_o kind_n of_o praesidency_n he_o have_v whether_o only_o of_o place_n or_o order_n and_o that_o only_a for_o a_o time_n or_o of_o superiority_n of_o power_n and_o office_n and_o that_o perpetual_a in_o all_o reason_n this_o be_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o those_o first_o writer_n which_o speak_v of_o it_o and_o either_o use_v the_o very_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n for_o such_o a_o bishop_n as_o we_o now_o assert_v a_o singular_a person_n in_o every_o church_n have_v a_o power_n for_o life_n over_o all_o the_o officer_n and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o succeed_v some_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a person_n in_o that_o power_n or_o else_o in_o other_o word_n affirm_v the_o same_o thing_n 4._o of_o this_o store_n of_o evidence_n be_v 4._o elsewhere_o produce_v in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o several_a title_n by_o which_o this_o singular_a perfect_a be_v ancient_o know_v whether_o of_o apostle_n in_o a_o secondary_a use_n of_o that_o word_n of_o angel_n of_o bishop_n of_o elder_a of_o ruler_n of_o pastor_n of_o doctor_n of_o steward_n of_o precedent_n of_o priest_n against_o which_o the_o bare_a authority_n of_o mr._n beza_n name_n who_o have_v fancy_v
be_v communicate_v to_o the_o colossian_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n do_v belong_v and_o be_v communicate_v to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n act._n 16._o 4._o and_o then_o all_o that_o the_o immediate_a subjoyn_v of_o the_o deacon_n in_o that_o place_n will_v conclude_v be_v only_o this_o which_o be_v far_o from_o yield_v the_o presbyterian_o any_o profit_n that_o as_o aër_fw-la epiphanius_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n be_v but_o new_o plant_v there_o be_v not_o presbyter_n as_o yet_o constitute_v among_o they_o only_o a_o bishop_n with_o one_o deacon_n or_o more_o in_o each_o city_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o it_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n act._n 6._o where_o after_o james_n assumption_n to_o the_o bishopric_n which_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o seven_o deacon_n be_v soon_o institute_v no_o presbyter_n be_v create_v in_o the_o middle_n betwixt_o the_o bishop_n and_o they_o that_o either_o scripture_n or_o ancient_a record_n inform_v we_o of_o and_o corinth_n clemens_n st._n paul_n fellow_n labourer_n mention_n it_o as_o the_o general_a practice_n that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v through_o region_n and_o city_n constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v come_v in_o to_o the_o faith_n thus_o far_o be_v this_o from_o be_v a_o force_a interpretation_n be_v perfect_o regular_a and_o conformable_a to_o what_o we_o read_v of_o those_o time_n out_o of_o the_o best_a and_o ancient_a record_n of_o they_o and_o if_o in_o any_o circumstance_n we_o shall_v be_v liable_a to_o mistake_v yet_o for_o the_o main_a the_o reader_n will_v hardly_o think_v it_o possible_a when_o he_o remember_v this_o very_a church_n of_o the_o philippian_n to_o be_v one_o of_o those_o express_o name_v by_o tertullian_n among_o who_o in_o his_o time_n apostolorum_fw-la cathedrae_fw-la suis_fw-la adhuc_fw-la locis_fw-la praesidebantur_fw-la the_o chair_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v yet_o extant_a praeside_v in_o their_o due_a place_n which_o conclude_v some_o bishop_n or_o singular_a praefect_n to_o have_v succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o this_o church_n as_o in_o those_o other_o thessalonica_n etc._n etc._n and_o by_o theodoret_n who_o authority_n be_v most_o use_v against_o we_o in_o this_o matter_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v presbyter_n here_o epaphroditus_n be_v express_o affirm_v to_o be_v that_o bishop_n the_o next_o place_n be_v that_o of_o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1_o 2._o if_o any_o man_n desire_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n he_o covet_v a_o good_a work_n a_o bishop_n therefore_o must_v be_v blameless_a where_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n of_o doubt_v but_o the_o bishop_n be_v the_o singular_a praefect_n or_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o only_a appearance_n of_o the_o contrary_n be_v again_o as_o in_o that_o to_o the_o philippian_n the_o immediate_a subjoyn_v of_o deacon_n and_o their_o qualification_n v_o 8._o that_o present_o vanish_v if_o again_o we_o remember_v the_o observation_n of_o epiphanius_n which_o he_o have_v out_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a record_n and_o be_v find_v exact_o conformable_a to_o the_o express_a word_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n the_o contemporary_a of_o the_o apostle_n that_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d before_o the_o government_n be_v complete_a in_o all_o the_o office_n the_o apostle_n and_o apostolical_a person_n place_v in_o the_o church_n by_o they_o such_o as_o timothy_n to_o who_o here_o he_o give_v the_o direction_n create_v no_o more_o but_o a_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n one_o or_o more_o in_o each_o church_n the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n neither_o require_v nor_o be_v well_o capable_a of_o any_o more_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o paucity_n of_o the_o christian_n to_o be_v govern_v or_o instruct_v and_o of_o those_o which_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v make_v presbyter_n and_o although_o theodoret_n again_o with_o some_o few_o other_o interpret_v the_o place_n of_o presbyter_n yet_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a he_o do_v it_o not_o to_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o bishop_n add_v in_o the_o same_o place_n that_o the_o bishop_n especial_o shall_v observe_v these_o law_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o those_o which_o have_v attein_v to_o a_o great_a honour_n meanwhile_o s._n chrysostome_n interpret_v it_o distinct_o of_o 〈◊〉_d bishop_n as_o i_o have_v do_v and_o in_o that_o notion_n of_o bishop_n which_o sever_v they_o from_o presbyter_n such_o as_o govern_v in_o each_o city_n and_o add_v the_o qualification_n to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v speak_v of_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v agree_v to_o presbyter_n also_o and_o according_o theophylact_v interpret_v it_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o precedent_n and_o ruler_n without_o any_o mention_n of_o presbyter_n there_o remain_v but_o one_o place_n and_o that_o of_o the_o very_a same_o nature_n with_o this_o last_o and_o must_v certain_o be_v regulate_v by_o it_o tit._n 1._o 7._o for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a as_o the_o steward_n of_o god_n answerable_a to_o that_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o ruler_n set_v over_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n 2_o kin._n 11._o 18._o i_o e._n the_o steward_n to_o who_o the_o key_n of_o the_o house_n be_v commit_v isa_n 22._o 22._o that_o this_o be_v the_o singular_a bishop_n in_o every_o city_n signify_v before_o v_o 5._o by_o the_o elder_n which_o titus_n be_v leave_v in_o crete_n to_o constitute_v be_v the_o joint_a affirmation_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n theophylact_v and_o oecumenius_n on_o those_o word_n of_o v_o 5._o elder_n in_o every_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n by_o elder_n he_o there_o mean_v bishop_n as_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n appoint_v they_o to_o be_v constitute_v in_o every_o â—ity_n for_o he_o will_v not_o have_v the_o whole_a island_n administer_v by_o one_o but_o that_o every_o â—ity_n shall_v have_v its_o proper_a pastor_n or_o bishop_n that_o so_o the_o labour_n may_v be_v the_o light_a and_o the_o care_n more_o exact_a in_o crete_n there_o be_v certain_o many_o city_n eusebius_n mention_n a_o hundred_o of_o all_o which_o 4._o say_v he_o titus_n be_v make_v bishop_n by_o st._n paul_n that_o under_o he_o say_v 1._o theodoret_n he_o may_v ordain_v bishop_n to_o which_o ep._n chrysostome_n and_o theophylact_fw-mi add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o may_v have_v power_n to_o judge_v or_o censure_v those_o bishop_n as_o a_o metropolitan_a and_o primaâ—e_a over_o they_o there_o be_v now_o no_o other_o place_n wherein_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v use_v and_o by_o this_o brief_a view_n of_o these_o i_o hope_v the_o first_o proposition_n be_v competent_o rescue_v from_o merit_v the_o censure_n of_o paradox_n whether_o that_o signify_v novel_a or_o strange_a this_o be_v so_o conformable_a both_o to_o the_o nature_n and_o use_n of_o the_o word_n to_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o the_o importance_n of_o each_o scripture_n where_o it_o be_v use_v that_o bishop_n shall_v signify_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o singular_a pastor_n or_o governor_n in_o each_o city_n or_o church_n section_n iii_o of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n now_o to_o the_o second_o proposition_n which_o pretend_v not_o to_o so_o much_o positivenesse_n but_o be_v set_v down_o in_o a_o great_a latitude_n of_o define_v that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d either_o constant_o signify_v a_o bishop_n also_o or_o else_o common_o a_o bishop_n though_o sometime_o but_o most_o rare_o a_o presbyter_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v now_o need_v to_o praemise_v but_o these_o few_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d common_o render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v denote_v most_o proper_o and_o signify_v most_o constant_o as_o in_o all_o language_n the_o word_n be_v find_v vulgar_o to_o do_v a_o ruler_n or_o governor_n this_o be_v so_o large_o deduce_v and_o demonstrate_v in_o the_o annotation_n on_o act._n 11._o 30._o that_o i_o shall_v not_o endeavour_v far_o to_o manifest_v it_o second_o that_o as_o in_o some_o place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o word_n be_v necessary_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o bishop_n so_o in_o every_o other_o place_n it_o be_v very_o fit_o capable_a of_o that_o interpretation_n this_o be_v again_o so_o particular_o evidence_v to_o the_o latin_a reader_n diss_n 4._o c._n 19_o 20_o 21_o 22._o and_o to_o the_o english_a reader_n annot._n on_o act._n 11._o b._n and_o 14._o a._n that_o i_o can_v deem_v it_o reasonable_a to_o tire_v myself_o far_a with_o
expedite_v it_o it_o be_v sure_a very_o reasonable_a to_o examine_v and_o observe_v what_o they_o which_o make_v most_o advantage_n of_o hierome_n authority_n shall_v be_v find_v to_o say_v to_o this_o testimony_n of_o he_o for_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n of_o three_o order_n and_o among_o these_o three_o principal_a person_n offer_v themselves_o to_o our_o consideration_n d._n blondell_n walo_n messalinus_n or_o salmasius_n and_o lud._n capellus_n every_o of_o they_o have_v new_o write_v on_o this_o subject_n and_o collect_v especial_o what_o i_o have_v say_v of_o it_o of_o these_o three_o the_o last_o be_v soon_o discern_v to_o have_v deal_v most_o prudent_o set_v down_o the_o other_o testimony_n out_o of_o he_o but_o whole_o omit_v this_o the_o other_o two_o have_v not_o be_v so_o wary_a make_v use_v of_o another_o dexterity_n set_v down_o the_o word_n but_o defer_v their_o observation_n on_o they_o till_o some_o fit_a season_n d._n blondell_n put_v it_o off_o to_o his_o six_o section_n whereas_o upon_o examination_n he_o have_v but_o three_o in_o his_o whole_a book_n and_o so_o be_v certain_o never_o likely_a to_o speak_v of_o it_o nor_o can_v be_v just_o believe_v to_o have_v in_o earnest_n design_v any_o such_o thing_n the_o other_o say_v he_o expect_v more_o and_o better_a note_n on_o it_o from_o salmasius_n i.e._n from_o himself_o in_o another_o book_n viz._n de_fw-fr ecclesiastico_fw-la ordine_fw-la and_o after_o a_o great_a volume_n come_v out_o of_o that_o subject_n 8._o or_o 9_o year_n after_o he_o yet_o never_o take_v this_o place_n or_o his_o own_o promise_n into_o consideration_n this_o be_v all_o that_o my_o search_n produce_v and_o the_o take_a notice_n of_o these_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n the_o behaviour_n of_o these_o man_n in_o that_o which_o so_o much_o concern_v the_o whole_a cause_n to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o lay_v to_o heart_n be_v all_o that_o be_v do_v by_o i_o and_o which_o be_v style_v by_o these_o a_o triumph_v over_o those_o learned_a men._n and_o i_o hope_v there_o be_v little_a of_o hard_a measure_n and_o as_o little_a of_o insolence_n in_o this_o now_o because_o what_o these_o learned_a man_n thus_o avert_v the_o do_n be_v yet_o here_o say_v to_o be_v do_v by_o smectymnuus_n and_o that_o if_o i_o have_v cast_v a_o eye_n on_o the_o vindication_n i_o shall_v there_o have_v find_v that_o place_n of_o hierome_n answer_v i_o be_o now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o obey_v their_o direction_n and_o consider_v the_o answer_n which_o from_o smectymnuus_n they_o have_v set_v down_o for_o i_o and_o it_o be_v twofold_a the_o first_o be_v a_o civil_a denial_n that_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n in_o the_o word_n for_o say_v they_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v how_o this_o imparity_n can_v be_v proper_o call_v a_o apostolical_a tradition_n when_o jerome_n have_v mention_v john_n the_o last_o of_o the_o apostle_n say_v it_o be_v postea_fw-la that_o one_o be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n but_o be_v this_o the_o way_n of_o answer_v the_o place_n or_o salve_v the_o difficulty_n hierome_n say_v bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n that_o sure_o be_v this_o imparity_n be_v a_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o they_o answer_v it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v how_o it_o can_v be_v proper_o so_o call_v what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o make_v hierom_n word_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o he_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o accord_v not_o with_o their_o interest_n as_o unreconcilable_a with_o truth_n as_o with_o his_o own_o former_a word_n which_o they_o have_v cite_v from_o he_o and_o then_o how_o much_o kind_a to_o hierome_n be_v i_o than_o they_o who_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o affix_v a_o commodious_a meaning_n to_o his_o former_a word_n and_o interpret_v confuetudo_fw-la the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n begin_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n that_o so_o in_o thus_o say_v he_o may_v be_v reconcileable_a with_o himself_o when_o he_o call_v episcopacy_n a_o tradition_n apostolical_a as_o for_o the_o reason_n which_o make_v this_o so_o hard_a for_o they_o to_o conceive_v from_o hierome_n word_n i_o believe_v it_o have_v no_o force_n in_o it_o for_o though_o after_o the_o mention_n of_o s._n john_n word_n in_o his_o second_o and_o three_o epistle_n he_o say_v that_o postea_fw-la afterward_o this_o imparity_n be_v introduce_v yet_o this_o prove_v not_o his_o opnion_n to_o be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o apostolical_a tradition_n it_o may_v be_v do_v after_o the_o write_n of_o those_o epistle_n and_o yet_o in_o st._n john_n time_n i._n e._n before_o his_o death_n and_o though_o i_o believe_v st._n hierome_n be_v mistake_v in_o think_v there_o be_v no_o bishop_n till_o then_o it_o will_v have_v have_v more_o truth_n in_o it_o if_o he_o have_v say_v there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n till_o then_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o i_o can_v doubt_v but_o this_o be_v his_o opnion_n because_o as_o he_o no_o where_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o this_o so_o here_o be_v say_v express_o that_o it_o be_v apostolical_a tradition_n which_o in_o his_o opinion_n it_o can_v not_o be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n in_o his_o opinion_n before_o st._n john_n death_n and_o so_o there_o be_v but_o little_a appearance_n of_o validity_n in_o their_o first_o answer_n and_o for_o their_o second_o that_o be_v somewhat_o like_o the_o former_a viz._n that_o with_o hierome_n apostolical_a tradition_n and_o ecclesiastical_a custom_n be_v the_o same_o if_o this_o be_v true_a then_o certain_o i_o do_v not_o amiss_o in_o think_v that_o when_o hierome_n use_v consuetudo_fw-la custom_n in_o opposition_n to_o dominica_n dispositio_fw-la christ_n appointment_n or_o institution_n i_o ought_v to_o interpret_v custom_n in_o that_o place_n by_o apostolical_a tradition_n in_o the_o other_o for_o how_o ecclesiastical_a custom_n with_o he_o and_o apostolical_a tradition_n shall_v be_v the_o same_o and_o yet_o ecclesiastical_a custom_n may_v not_o be_v interpret_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n especial_o when_o the_o same_o man_n affirm_v they_o both_o of_o the_o same_o thing_n i_o confess_v i_o can_v apprehend_v but_o than_o second_o because_o i_o must_v suppose_v that_o by_o make_v they_o the_o same_o they_o must_v mean_v to_o bring_v down_o apostolical_a tradition_n to_o signify_v ecclesiastical_a custom_n not_o to_o advance_v custom_n to_o signify_v apostolical_a tradition_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o when_o they_o make_v bishop_n and_o elder_a the_o â—ame_n they_o bring_v down_o bishop_n to_o signify_v presbyter_n but_o will_v not_o allow_v elder_a to_o signify_v bishop_n that_o also_o will_v be_v worth_a examine_v a_o while_n and_o 1._o can_v there_o be_v any_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o hierome_n or_o any_o man_n shall_v set_v down_o that_o for_o a_o instance_n of_o apostolical_a tradition_n which_o the_o same_o person_n do_v not_o believe_v to_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o to_o be_v of_o a_o latter_a date_n that_o which_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o receive_v and_o practise_v by_o the_o church_n may_v fit_o be_v call_v a_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n without_o add_v or_o specify_v that_o we_o mean_v the_o apostolical_a church_n because_o the_o apostle_n while_o they_o live_v be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o follow_a age_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o church_n also_o but_o can_v it_o be_v true_o say_v that_o that_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v only_o accustom_v in_o the_o subsequent_a church_n and_o not_o so_o much_o as_o introduce_v under_o the_o apostle_n this_o certain_o be_v another_o strange_a way_n of_o interpret_n word_n or_o phrase_n quite_o contrary_a to_o all_o lexicon_n or_o to_o the_o use_n of_o such_o word_n or_o phrase_n which_o unless_o they_o be_v change_v it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v he_o that_o say_v tradition_n apostolical_a do_v not_o mean_a tradition_n apostolical_a and_o this_o sure_a will_v bring_v little_a credit_n to_o st._n hierome_n on_o who_o authority_n they_o so_o much_o depend_v in_o this_o matter_n as_o for_o their_o proof_n of_o what_o they_o say_v viz._n because_o the_o observation_n of_o lent_n which_o he_o say_v ad_fw-la marcellum_fw-la be_v apostolica_fw-la traditio_fw-la be_v contra_fw-la luciferianos_fw-la say_v by_o he_o to_o be_v ecclesiae_fw-la consuetudo_fw-la that_o sure_a be_v not_o of_o force_n to_o conclude_v what_o they_o will_v have_v it_o for_o it_o may_v be_v or_o by_o he_o be_v deem_v to_o be_v both_o a_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o a_o custom_n of_o the_o hurch_n too_o it_o be_v very_o ordinary_a and_o reasonable_a that_o what_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v the_o church_n shall_v also_o accustom_v and_o practice_n but_o can_v both_o these_o be_v say_v by_o he_o of_o that_o which_o he_o think_v be_v but_o one_o of_o these_o that_o be_v
reinolds_n scheme_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v sufficient_o instruct_v by_o the_o primitive_a record_n and_o practice_n what_o kind_n of_o power_n and_o dignity_n belong_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o president_n among_o they_o the_o very_a same_o that_o we_o now_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o bishop_n due_a and_o if_o christ_n letter_n be_v address_v to_o the_o angel_n as_o to_o such_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o president_n it_o be_v all_o that_o we_o desire_v to_o erect_v our_o fabric_n of_o spiscopacy_n on_o this_o one_o place_n if_o there_o be_v not_o as_o there_o be_v other_o able_a to_o support_v the_o weight_n of_o it_o 9_o and_o so_o we_o see_v what_o reason_n have_v be_v bring_v to_o make_v good_a their_o second_o head_n of_o answer_n of_o which_o we_o have_v promise_v that_o they_o be_v solid_a and_o every_o way_n sufficient_a answer_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o issue_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o much_o as_o offer_v towards_o it_o save_v only_o the_o testimony_n of_o master_n beza_n the_o divine_n at_o the_o isle_n of_o wight_n which_o be_v by_o interpretation_n themselves_o and_o doctor_n reynolds_n who_o yet_o be_v not_o perfect_o of_o their_o party_n neither_o section_n xvi_o of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v metropolitical_n of_o the_o paveity_n of_o believer_n have_v thus_o do_v they_o say_v it_o be_v object_v by_o some_o man_n that_o the_o seven_o city_n in_o which_o these_o seven_o asian_a church_n have_v their_o seat_n be_v all_o of_o they_o metropolitical_a and_o so_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o town_n and_o city_n of_o asia_n as_o unto_o daughter_n rise_v under_o they_o and_o that_o therefore_o these_o church_n be_v metropolitical_a church_n and_o their_o angel_n metropolitical_a bishop_n 2._o how_o this_o come_v to_o be_v style_v a_o objection_n i_o can_v well_o guess_v or_o what_o it_o be_v against_o which_o it_o be_v think_v to_o be_v object_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o as_o far_o as_o any_o episcopal_a person_n i_o know_v be_v interest_v in_o it_o be_v this_o it_o be_v not_o only_o evident_a of_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o asian_a church_n that_o they_o be_v bishop_n which_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o against_o the_o assembler_n but_o there_o be_v over_o and_o above_o that_o all_o reason_n to_o deem_v they_o star_n of_o a_o first_o magnitude_n i._n e._n bishop_n of_o mother-city_n metropolitan_n and_o that_o very_a pertinent_a to_o be_v urge_v in_o this_o matter_n of_o the_o asian_a angel_n not_o to_o secure_v the_o proof_n of_o episcopacy_n take_v from_o thence_o but_o to_o render_v a_o reason_n why_o in_o all_o asia_n but_o seven_o church_n and_o their_o bishop_n be_v name_v there_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o discourse_n be_v enlarge_v above_o what_o it_o need_v to_o have_v be_v dissert_n 4._o 5._o to_o set_v down_o the_o nature_n of_o metropolitan_n the_o exemplar_n of_o they_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o express_v of_o the_o institution_n in_o the_o apostle_n write_n and_o the_o signal_n evidence_n of_o it_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o ancient_a canon_n in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o antioch_n and_o ephesus_n all_o own_v they_o as_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a institution_n and_o all_o this_o exemplify_v in_o jerusalem_n in_o antioch_n in_o rome_n in_o alexandria_n in_o gortyna_n of_o crect_n and_o at_o length_n in_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n 3._o what_o be_v there_o thus_o set_v down_o if_o it_o have_v not_o perfect_a truth_n in_o it_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o see_v the_o weak_a part_n of_o that_o discourse_n discover_v and_o therefore_o though_o i_o never_o propose_v or_o mean_v it_o as_o a_o objection_n of_o we_o against_o the_o presbyterian_o have_v no_o need_n of_o such_o auxiliaries_n and_o the_o whole_a matter_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v without_o and_o this_o only_o add_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la yet_o i_o shall_v most_o willing_o attend_v their_o motion_n and_o see_v what_o answer_v they_o will_v adapt_v to_o this_o objection_n as_o they_o call_v it_o 4._o and_o 1._o they_o answer_v that_o it_o will_v hardly_o be_v prove_v that_o these_o seven_o city_n be_v all_o of_o they_o metropolitical_a city_n in_o s._n john_n day_n and_o the_o situation_n of_o most_o they_o lie_v near_o together_o on_o the_o sea_n side_n make_v it_o very_o improbable_a 5._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v that_o for_o five_o of_o they_o ephesus_z smyrna_n sardis_n pergamus_n and_o laodicaea_n pliny_n that_o live_v and_o write_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o vespatian_n reign_n 30._o be_v a_o competent_a witness_n that_o they_o be_v city_n wherein_o the_o roman_a proconsul_n six_o their_o court_n or_o seat_n of_o judicature_n and_o administer_v justice_n there_o to_o all_o the_o city_n about_o they_o and_o that_o be_v the_o interpretation_n of_o a_o chief_a city_n or_o metropolis_n in_o the_o secular_a account_n and_o agreeable_o ulpian_n mention_n ephesus_n as_o the_o chief_a of_o these_o metropoles_fw-la and_o for_o the_o other_o two_o philadelphia_n and_o thyatira_n the_o latter_a of_o these_o by_o 2._o ptolomee_o the_o former_a by_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n sub_fw-la menâ_fw-la be_v punctual_o affirm_v to_o be_v a_o metropolis_n to_o these_o be_v add_v other_o evidence_n and_o reason_n and_o the_o lord_n archbishop_n of_o armagh_n have_v write_v beside_o his_o original_a of_o metropolitan_n he_o very_o learned_a dissertation_n of_o the_o lydian_a asia_n on_o purpose_n to_o clear_v this_o matter_n 6._o and_o when_o a_o thing_n be_v so_o large_o prove_v already_o and_o when_o a_o satisfactory_a proof_n of_o it_o in_o any_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o city_n be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o the_o assert_v of_o metropolitan_n for_o then_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o one_o be_v a_o metropolitan_a it_o be_v then_o certain_o a_o very_a incompetent_a confutation_n bare_o to_o say_v that_o it_o will_v hardly_o be_v prove_v that_o these_o seven_o city_n be_v all_o of_o they_o metropolitical_a city_n in_o saint_n john_n day_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v it_o matter_n now_o how_o hardly_o and_o if_o any_o one_o be_v so_o in_o s._n john_n day_n it_o matter_n not_o if_o possible_o some_o other_o be_v not_o that_o one_o be_v a_o metropolitical_a angel_n which_o be_v all_o we_o need_v insist_v on_o 7._o and_o for_o the_o argument_n to_o make_v it_o improbable_a draw_v from_o the_o situation_n of_o the_o city_n that_o be_v as_o infirm_a for_o this_o as_o all_o other_o controversy_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n must_v be_v wage_v by_o authority_n of_o those_o which_o be_v likely_a to_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o to_o testify_v aright_o and_o to_o those_o we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o adhere_v and_o not_o to_o be_v move_v by_o argument_n that_o seem_v probable_a to_o those_o that_o live_v 1600._o year_n after_o and_o be_v not_o perhaps_o so_o perfect_a master_n of_o the_o geography_n of_o the_o place_n as_o due_o to_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v even_o what_o be_v in_o that_o respect_n most_o probable_a 8._o nay_o for_o the_o distance_n of_o these_o city_n though_o i_o have_v not_o now_o mr._n brightman_n by_o i_o yet_o my_o note_n out_o of_o he_o tell_v i_o that_o in_o his_o scale_n of_o furlong_n pergamus_n be_v distant_a from_o smyrna_n 540._o furlong_n i._n e._n about_o 68_o english_a mile_n and_o ephesus_n from_o smyrna_n 320._o i_o e._n about_o 40._o mile_n and_o thyatira_n from_o pergamus_n 80._o english_a mile_n which_o be_v a_o distance_n very_o reconcileable_a with_o their_o being_n metropoles_fw-la 9_o but_o they_o be_v content_a to_o suppose_v this_o be_v true_a and_o then_o have_v answer_n ready_a another_o way_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v no_o good_a argument_n from_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n to_o infer_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o church_n for_o though_o the_o city_n be_v great_a yet_o the_o church_n be_v but_o small_a and_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n very_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n 10._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o by_o concession_n that_o in_o all_o place_n and_o time_n the_o greatness_n of_o the_o church_n can_v absolute_o be_v conclude_v from_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o a_o great_a city_n may_v have_v utter_o resist_v the_o faith_n and_o a_o lesser_a city_n receive_v it_o or_o again_o a_o great_a city_n that_o have_v receive_v the_o faith_n in_o some_o of_o the_o member_n may_v yet_o have_v few_o believer_n in_o it_o than_o another_o city_n which_o be_v not_o so_o great_a this_o therefore_o be_v not_o our_o way_n of_o conclude_v from_o the_o bare_a greatness_n of_o the_o city_n to_o infer_v the_o great_a number_n of_o believer_n in_o they_o 11._o our_o way_n of_o conclude_v be_v this_o paul_n have_v spend_v three_o year_n act._n
20._o 31._o in_o this_o lydian_a or_o proconsular_a asia_n ver_fw-la 18._o in_o this_o time_n he_o have_v pursue_v his_o work_n very_o diligent_o and_o zealous_o not_o cease_v to_o warn_v every_o one_o night_n and_o day_n with_o tear_n and_o herein_o his_o harvest_n be_v proportionable_a to_o his_o labour_n after_o two_o year_n space_n and_o upward_o spend_v at_o ephesus_n it_o be_v say_v ver_fw-la 19_o that_o by_o the_o continuance_n of_o his_o preach_n and_o gather_v disciple_n all_o they_o that_o dwell_v in_o asia_n hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n both_o jew_n and_o greek_n and_o though_o many_o be_v harden_v and_o believe_v not_o and_o speak_v evil_a of_o that_o way_n ver_fw-la 9_o yet_o ver_n 17._o by_o some_o extraordinary_a work_n of_o he_o which_o be_v make_v know_v to_o all_o the_o jew_n and_o greek_n dwell_v at_o ephesus_n fear_v fell_a on_o they_o all_o and_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v magnify_v a_o conversion_n in_o a_o manner_n general_a and_o therefore_o it_o follow_v and_o many_o that_o believe_v ver_fw-la 18._o and_o so_o mighty_o grow_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prevail_v ver_fw-la 20._o whereupon_o saint_n paul_n himself_o speak_v of_o these_o success_n call_v it_o a_o great_a door_n and_o a_o effectual_a 1_o cor._n 16._o 9_o which_o at_o ephesus_n v_o 8._o be_v open_v unto_o he_o 12._o from_o hence_o we_o conclude_v and_o sure_o safe_o may_v 1._o that_o in_o asia_n general_o and_o especial_o in_o ephesus_n there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n before_o this_o time_n of_o christ_n epistle_n which_o be_v not_o a_o conclude_a it_o bare_o from_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o or_o any_o other_o city_n of_o asia_n second_o from_o hence_o together_o with_o ephesus_n be_v in_o the_o secular_a account_n the_o notitiae_fw-la imperiales_fw-la a_o metropolis_n where_o the_o assize_n be_v keep_v we_o conclude_v that_o ephesus_n be_v in_o the_o christian_a account_n also_o a_o metropolis_n and_o the_o chief_a of_o all_o asia_n and_o this_o i_o hope_n be_v not_o so_o improbable_a infirm_a a_o way_n of_o conclude_v as_o the_o other_o impose_v on_o we_o seem_v to_o be_v 13._o three_o from_o hence_o and_o from_o other_o exemplification_n of_o it_o as_o that_o trallis_n and_o magnesia_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v under_o the_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n be_v by_o ignatius_n write_v to_o as_o all_o episcopal_a see_v in_o our_o present_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n we_o conclude_v that_o other_o city_n of_o asia_n beside_o these_o seven_o have_v receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o be_v certain_o take_v care_n for_o by_o paul_n which_o have_v plant_v it_o among_o they_o and_o agreeable_o have_v ruler_n settle_v in_o they_o i._n e._n bishop_n subordinate_a to_o the_o metropolitan_o and_o all_o these_o inference_n i_o doubt_v not_o will_v appear_v regular_a enough_o and_o i_o shall_v far_o enlarge_v on_o they_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o answer_n which_o can_v render_v it_o needful_a or_o seasonable_a 14._o as_o for_o the_o paucity_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o time_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n that_o can_v be_v pertinent_o oppose_v to_o our_o pretension_n because_o still_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o a_o great_a city_n may_v bear_v the_o same_o proportion_n to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o small_a city_n that_o the_o people_n in_o the_o one_o do_v to_o the_o people_n in_o the_o other_o one_o thousand_o bear_v the_o same_o proportion_n to_o one_o hundred_o that_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o do_v to_o ten_o thousand_o 15._o and_o it_o be_v the_o affirmation_n of_o clemens_n that_o the_o apostle_n in_o each_o city_n where_o they_o receive_v any_o proselyte_n though_o never_o so_o few_o before_o their_o part_n constitute_v a_o bishop_n with_o his_o deacon_n who_o be_v to_o be_v governor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o those_o that_o shall_v after_o believe_v it_o follow_v unquestionable_o from_o thence_o that_o in_o the_o city_n which_o have_v but_o few_o christian_n bishop_n may_v be_v and_o be_v constitute_v and_o those_o very_o regular_o depend_v on_o the_o great_a their_o metropolitical_a city_n from_o whence_o the_o faith_n be_v derive_v to_o they_o as_o from_o ephesus_n where_o paul_n chief_o reside_v to_o the_o city_n about_o it_o and_o all_o this_o without_o any_o need_n of_o balance_v the_o party_n or_o consider_v what_o comparison_n the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o one_o or_o the_o other_o bear_v to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o unbeliever_n in_o either_o city_n and_o let_v this_o serve_v by_o way_n of_o reply_n to_o the_o first_o branch_n of_o the_o second_o answer_n section_n xvi_o of_o model_a church_n according_a to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o roman_a state_n of_o exemplar_n of_o metropolitan_o among_o the_o jew_n testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n institute_v metropolitan_n their_o second_o answer_n be_v we_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o ever_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v model_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o roman_a state_n this_o be_v the_o after_o policy_n of_o christian_a emperor_n and_o bishop_n but_o no_o part_n of_o apostolical_a policy_n and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o because_o there_o be_v divers_a city_n under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o those_o 7._o city_n that_o therefore_o there_o shall_v be_v divers_a church_n subordinate_a to_o the_o 7._o asian_a church_n 2._o that_o the_o apostle_n which_o design_v to_o plant_v a_o church_n in_o the_o heathen_a world_n shall_v do_v it_o in_o that_o manner_n as_o will_v be_v most_o advantageous_a to_o their_o end_n will_v not_o i_o hope_v be_v account_v strange_a this_o general_o be_v by_o betake_v themselves_o to_o the_o city_n rather_o than_o the_o village_n and_o first_o to_o the_o great_a city_n unto_o which_o be_v the_o most_o frequent_a resort_n that_o by_o that_o mean_v the_o faith_n may_v be_v most_o compendious_o and_o successful_o propagate_v if_o a_o great_a city_n resist_v their_o preach_n or_o few_o saint_n be_v gather_v there_o i_o do_v not_o then_o pretend_v to_o prove_v or_o to_o believe_v that_o that_o be_v constitute_v a_o metropolitan_a church_n with_o superiority_n over_o other_o of_o great_a antiquity_n or_o large_a growth_n in_o the_o faith_n whatsoever_o the_o dignity_n of_o it_o be_v in_o the_o secular_a account_n but_o when_o a_o whole_a nation_n be_v convert_v and_o the_o great_a and_o most_o populous_a city_n first_o and_o from_o thence_o the_o sound_n go_v out_o into_o all_o the_o region_n and_o lesser_a city_n in_o it_o that_o then_o the_o apostle_n which_o certain_o constitute_v bishop_n in_o every_o believe_a city_n and_o therefore_o what_o be_v report_v to_o have_v be_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o every_o church_n act_v 14._o 23._o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o every_o city_n tit._n 1._o 5_o shall_v set_v up_o the_o principal_n see_v in_o those_o most_o christian_a city_n which_o have_v former_o the_o priority_n in_o the_o roman_a state_n as_o it_o be_v the_o wise_a method_n and_o fit_a for_o the_o wise_a planter_n to_o take_v so_o we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o believe_v it_o be_v do_v particular_o in_o the_o lydian_a or_o proconsular_a asia_n in_o which_o there_o be_v many_o more_o christian_a city_n than_o those_o seven_o to_o who_o christ_n epistle_n be_v address_v those_o be_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o be_v account_v the_o chief_a of_o that_o region_n and_o those_o which_o be_v not_o name_v less_o principal_a than_o they_o which_o concur_v with_o what_o we_o find_v record_v in_o pliny_n and_o ptolemy_n of_o the_o account_n of_o they_o in_o the_o imperial_a noticiae_fw-la if_o it_o demonstrate_v not_o be_v yet_o matter_n of_o exceed_v great_a probability_n and_o may_v persuade_v with_o any_o reasonable_a man_n as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o any_o degree_n such_o which_o be_v offer_v to_o be_v confront_v against_o it_o 3._o if_o that_o which_o scandalize_v the_o assembler_n for_o we_o be_v leave_v to_o divine_a what_o it_o be_v be_v the_o unfitnesse_n that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v model_n the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o roman_a state_n i_o shall_v first_o demand_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o imagine_v a_o plantation_n of_o a_o church_n in_o any_o whether_o jewish_n or_o heathen_a state_n without_o do_v somewhat_o equivalent_a to_o this_o for_o suppose_v joseph_n of_o arimathea_n to_o have_v as_o brit._n gildas_n say_v convert_v the_o britannic_a church_n in_o tiberius_n time_n be_v it_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o he_o shall_v meddle_v with_o the_o civil_a power_n of_o this_o nation_n as_o it_o stand_v in_o respect_n of_o its_o separation_n from_o other_o nation_n toto_fw-la divisa_fw-la
which_o they_o use_v the_o probabl_a mean_n imaginable_a name_v successor_n to_o the_o present_a bishop_n in_o every_o church_n who_o shall_v supply_v the_o vacant_a place_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o fall_v and_o so_o prevent_v sue_v and_o contend_v for_o they_o and_o be_v by_o the_o special_a spirit_n of_o god_n direct_v who_o those_o successor_n shall_v be_v so_o that_o the_o oppose_a their_o succession_n or_o cast_v they_o out_o afterward_o must_v be_v a_o great_a sin_n even_o of_o resist_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n who_o have_v design_v they_o to_o this_o inheritance_n which_o next_o to_o christ_n bear_v they_o in_o his_o right_a hand_n rev._n 1._o 20._o be_v the_o great_a character_n of_o dignity_n and_o evidence_n of_o christ_n approve_v of_o the_o order_n and_o care_n of_o continue_v it_o as_o the_o original_n of_o union_n not_o division_n in_o the_o church_n there_o be_v not_o by_o these_o man_n one_o word_n of_o objection_n offer_v against_o this_o conclusion_n thus_o former_o deduce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n and_o therefore_o i_o need_v add_v no_o more_o for_o the_o vindicate_a this_o testimony_n yet_o will_v it_o not_o be_v amiss_o here_o to_o interpose_v the_o word_n of_o hegesippus_n one_o that_o be_v present_a at_o the_o time_n of_o that_o sedition_n and_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o in_o 2d_o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o the_o corinthian_n continue_v in_o the_o right_n until_o primus_n be_v bishop_n of_o corinth_n which_o be_v a_o testimony_n as_o ancient_a as_o that_o of_o clement_n and_o tell_v we_o what_o bishop_n they_o be_v which_o clement_n speak_v of_o such_o as_o primus_fw-la be_v at_o corinth_n i._n e._n one_o singular_a governor_n in_o a_o city_n the_o same_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v what_o by_o all_o author_n be_v affirm_v of_o clemens_n himself_o the_o writer_n at_o the_o time_n of_o write_v this_o epistle_n that_o have_v be_v saint_n paul_n peter_n deacon_n ignat._n in_o ep._n ad_fw-la trall_n he_o be_v no_o bishop_n of_o rome_n by_o the_o joint_a suffrage_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o all_o the_o ancient_n even_o of_o saint_n jerome_n himself_o in_o his_o catalogue_n and_o by_o he_o style_v a_o apostolical_a person_n on_o isa_n 52._o a_o companion_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o interp._n com._n orig._n in_o rom._n and_o by_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n strom._n lib._n 4._o a_o apostle_n in_o the_o sense_n that_o theodoret_n say_v those_o who_o in_o his_o time_n they_o call_v bishop_n have_v be_v at_o first_o call_v apostle_n according_o of_o he_o say_v irenaeus_n in_o his_o catalogue_n of_o the_o successive_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o three_o place_n from_o the_o apostle_n clemens_n come_v to_o the_o bishopric_n which_o how_o it_o be_v easy_o to_o be_v accord_v with_o those_o who_o true_o make_v he_o peter_n immediate_a successor_n see_v dissert_n 5._o c._n 1._o sect._n 6._o etc._n etc._n other_o testimony_n there_o be_v producible_a from_o this_o epistle_n of_o clement_n which_o be_v all_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n with_o the_o former_a as_o when_o he_o find_v a_o image_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n under_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n cap._n 60._o 17._o where_o in_o the_o greek_a translation_n then_o in_o use_n he_o have_v read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o will_v constitute_v their_o bishop_n in_o righteousness_n and_o their_o deacon_n in_o faithfulness_n speak_v of_o the_o judge_n and_o their_o minister_n and_o officer_n in_o every_o city_n and_o so_o again_o when_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o give_v due_a honour_n to_o the_o elder_n among_o they_o talk_v of_o their_o sedition_n against_o their_o elder_n and_o cast_v they_o out_o of_o their_o episcopacy_n in_o one_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o remove_v they_o from_o that_o honour_a office_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o another_o and_o the_o like_a all_o of_o the_o same_o importance_n and_o to_o be_v interpret_v by_o the_o former_a sect._n ii_o the_o testimony_n of_o polycarpe_n that_o he_o be_v himself_o a_o bishop_n his_o mention_n of_o ignatius_n epistle_n fit_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o they_o be_v so_o confirm_v as_o it_o be_v by_o a_o series_n of_o the_o ancient_n in_o the_o next_o place_n follow_v their_o testimony_n out_o of_o polycarpe_n introduce_v in_o this_o manner_n the_o like_a record_n we_o have_v of_o polycarpe_n that_o famous_a disciple_n of_o john_n the_o apostle_n who_o live_v also_o within_o the_o first_o century_n and_o write_v a_o epistle_n to_o the_o philippian_n in_o which_o he_o make_v also_o but_o two_o order_n of_o ministry_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o persuade_v the_o philippian_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n as_o to_o god_n and_o christ_n to_o this_o testimony_n from_o polycarp_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n i_o shall_v deny_v any_o part_n of_o my_o assent_n be_v so_o perfect_o such_o as_o the_o cause_n which_o i_o defend_v require_v if_o there_o be_v with_o he_o but_o two_o order_n of_o ministry_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o he_o persuade_v the_o philippian_n i.e._n that_o whole_a province_n the_o same_o to_o which_o saint_n paul_n have_v write_v consist_v of_o many_o church_n all_o under_o that_o metropolis_n of_o philippi_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n and_o deacon_n and_o set_v the_o former_a of_o they_o in_o the_o comparison_n to_o answer_v god_n the_o father_n the_o supreme_a monarch_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o latter_a to_o be_v the_o parallel_n to_o christ_n who_o come_v out_o from_o heaven_n upon_o his_o father_n message_n than_o what_o reason_n have_v i_o to_o doubt_v but_o that_o these_o elder_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o very_a same_o which_o saint_n paul_n have_v call_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n phil._n 1._o 1._o which_o that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o several_a bishop_n of_o that_o province_n of_o macedonia_n have_v before_o be_v sufficient_o vindicate_v and_o therefore_o without_o far_a debate_v this_o testimony_n i_o shall_v add_v some_o few_o thing_n concern_v this_o polycarp_n which_o will_v help_v convenient_o to_o clear_v the_o whole_a matter_n first_o that_o as_o it_o be_v most_o true_a that_o be_v here_o say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v a_o famous_a disciple_n of_o john_n the_o apostle_n so_o this_o be_v add_v to_o his_o title_n by_o the_o authontiâ—k_a epistle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v the_o most_o wonderful_a person_n in_o our_o time_n be_v a_o apostolical_a and_o prophetical_a doctor_n and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o most_o glorious_a martyr_n be_v the_o design_a matter_n of_o that_o whole_a epistle_n second_o that_o this_o famous_a most_o admirable_a apostolical_a doctor_n and_o martyr_n be_v the_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o so_o constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n as_o will_v appear_v by_o three_o testimony_n each_o of_o they_o irrefragable_a 1._o by_o the_o epistle_n of_o that_o church_n of_o smyrna_n write_v on_o purpose_n concern_v his_o martyrdom_n a_o reverend_a piece_n of_o antiquity_n fit_a to_o compare_v with_o any_o that_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n and_o there_o we_o find_v in_o the_o close_a of_o his_o title_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n which_o be_v in_o smyrna_n i._n e._n both_o of_o jewish_a and_o gentile_a christian_n there_o so_o polycrates_n the_o eight_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n bear_v within_o a_o while_n after_o saint_n john_n death_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o victor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d polycarp_n the_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o martyr_n so_o irenaeus_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 3._o speak_v of_o he_o sai_z 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o be_v constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o asia_n and_o then_o what_o possibility_n can_v there_o be_v that_o he_o be_v thus_o a_o bishop_n nay_o metropolitan_a himself_o as_o have_v former_o be_v show_v write_v to_o another_o metropolis_n and_o command_v to_o obey_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o deacon_n shall_v mean_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o bishop_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d three_o that_o this_o polycarp_n as_o in_o this_o epistle_n he_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v receive_v a_o epistle_n from_o ignatius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o write_v to_o i_o and_o to_o ignatius_n also_o so_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o have_v send_v they_o a_o collection_n of_o the_o same_o ignatius_n epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n send_v to_o we_o by_o he_o and_o as_o many_o other_o as_o we_o have_v by_o we_o we_o