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church_n according_a spirit_n zion_n 56 3 8.7940 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A16145 The perpetual gouernement of Christes Church Wherein are handled; the fatherly superioritie which God first established in the patriarkes for the guiding of his Church, and after continued in the tribe of Leui and the prophetes; and lastlie confirmed in the New Testament to the Apostles and their successours: as also the points in question at this day; touching the Iewish Synedrion: the true kingdome of Christ: the Apostles commission: the laie presbyterie: the distinction of bishops from presbyters, and their succcssion [sic] from the Apostles times and hands: the calling and moderating of prouinciall synodes by primates and metropolitanes: the alloting of diƓceses, and the popular electing of such as must feed and watch the flocke: and diuers other points concerning the pastorall regiment of the house of God; by Tho. Bilson Warden of Winchester Colledge. Perused and allowed publike authoritie. Bilson, Thomas, 1546 or 7-1616. 1593 (1593) STC 3065; ESTC S101959 380,429 522

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consult_v the_o priest_n and_o take_v direction_n from_o they_o 21._o the_o priest_n the_o son_n of_o levi_n say_v god_n shall_v come_v forth_o out_o of_o the_o city_n where_o they_o be_v place_v in_o every_o tribe_n and_o by_o their_o word_n shall_v all_o strife_n and_o plague_n be_v try_v remember_v always_o that_o doubtful_a and_o weighty_a matter_n be_v refer_v to_o the_o counsel_n of_o priest_n and_o judge_n that_o sit_v in_o the_o place_n which_o the_o lord_n do_v choose_v for_o the_o ark_n to_o rest_v in_o 17._o if_o there_o come_v a_o matter_n too_o hard_o for_o thou_o either_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o weight_n or_o doubt_n thereof_o in_o judgement_n between_o blood_n &_o blood_n cause_n and_o cause_n plague_n and_o plague_n of_o matter_n in_o question_n within_o thy_o gate_n thou_o shall_v arise_v and_o go_v up_o to_o the_o place_n which_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n shall_v choose_v and_o shall_v repair_v to_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o levite_n and_o unto_o the_o judge_n that_o 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therewith_o do_v fair_o resemble_v the_o deacon_n elder_n and_o widow_n that_o be_v three_o ecclesiastical_a and_o public_a function_n distribute_v of_o our_o own_o in_o singleness_n of_o heart_n be_v a_o far_o great_a gift_n of_o god_n spirit_n then_o distribute_v of_o other_o man_n as_o the_o deacon_n do_v and_o here_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o spiritual_a gift_n again_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v a_o ministry_n or_o service_n be_v before_o use_v and_o have_v be_v the_o fit_a word_n for_o the_o deacon_n office_n if_o the_o apostle_n have_v purpose_v to_o treat_v thereof_o but_o if_o we_o seek_v for_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o s._n paul_n in_o this_o place_n and_o not_o to_o please_v our_o own_o humour_n s._n peter_n word_n utter_v to_o the_o same_o effect_n that_o these_o be_v will_v help_v us._n 4._o be_v harbourer_n one_o to_o another_o without_o grudge_v as_o every_o man_n have_v receive_v the_o gift_n minister_v the_o same_o one_o to_o another_o as_o good_a steward_n of_o the_o manifold_a grace_n of_o god_n if_o any_o man_n speak_v let_v they_o be_v as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o any_o man_n minister_n or_o give_v any_o thing_n to_o a_o other_o let_v he_o do_v it_o as_o of_o the_o ability_n that_o god_n have_v give_v he_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n god_n may_v be_v glorify_v this_o place_n as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n i_o find_v be_v rack_v to_o serve_v for_o the_o suppose_a discipline_n but_o if_o we_o mark_v whereabout_o saint_n peter_n go_v we_o shall_v learn_v as_o much_o of_o s._n peter_n here_o in_o few_o word_n as_o of_o saint_n paul_n there_o in_o large_a speech_n and_o more_o plentiful_a part_n as_o every_o man_n
or_o father_n they_o be_v the_o conceit_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n that_o as_o touch_v the_o office_n and_o function_n of_o bishop_n will_v fain_o find_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o the_o next_o age_n ensue_v lest_o they_o shall_v be_v convince_v to_o have_v reject_v the_o universal_a order_n of_o the_o ancient_a and_o primitive_a church_n of_o christ_n without_o any_o good_a and_o sufficient_a warrant_n the_o consent_n of_o all_o age_n and_o church_n be_v so_o strong_a against_o they_o that_o they_o be_v hard_o drive_v to_o hunt_v after_o every_o syllable_n that_o sound_v any_o thing_n that_o way_n &_o yet_o can_v they_o light_v on_o no_o sure_a ground_n to_o build_v their_o late_a devise_n on_o or_o to_o weaken_v the_o general_a and_o perpetual_a course_n which_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v in_o all_o place_n keep_v inviolable_a even_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n a_o few_o word_n of_o ambrose_n be_v set_v down_o to_o bear_v all_o this_o burden_n but_o they_o be_v so_o insufficient_a and_o impertinent_a to_o this_o purpose_n that_o they_o bewray_v the_o weakness_n of_o their_o new_a frame_n for_o ambrose_n speak_v not_o one_o word_n either_o of_o go_v by_o course_n or_o of_o change_v after_o a_o time_n only_o he_o say_v bishop_n at_o first_o be_v place_v by_o order_n and_o not_o by_o election_n that_o be_v the_o elder_a or_o worthy_a have_v the_o place_n while_o he_o live_v and_o after_o he_o the_o next_o in_o order_n without_o any_o further_a choice_n for_o that_o order_n which_o he_o speak_v of_o if_o any_o such_o be_v proceed_v from_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o the_o church_n and_o go_v either_o by_o senioritie_n of_o time_n or_o priority_n of_o place_n allot_v every_o man_n according_a to_o the_o gift_n and_o grace_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n this_o we_o may_v free_o grant_v without_o any_o repugnance_n or_o annoyance_n to_o the_o vocation_n or_o function_n of_o bishop_n let_v the_o disciplinist_n confess_v there_o be_v a_o superior_a and_o distinct_a charge_n of_o the_o precedent_n or_o chief_a from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o presbyter_n as_o well_o in_o guide_v the_o key_n as_o impose_v hand_n and_o whether_o they_o be_v take_v to_o the_o office_n by_o election_n or_o by_o order_n to_o we_o it_o be_v all_o one_o i_o hope_v the_o place_n of_o the_o presbyter_n in_o order_n according_a to_o their_o gift_n in_o the_o church_n where_o the_o apostle_n preach_v can_v not_o be_v without_o the_o apostle_n oversight_n and_o direction_n and_o so_o long_o whether_o they_o set_v such_o in_o order_n as_o be_v fit_a for_o the_o place_n or_o whether_o they_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o discretion_n and_o election_n of_o the_o rest_n we_o great_o force_v not_o howbeit_o the_o word_n of_o jerome_n be_v so_o express_v that_o bishop_n be_v make_v by_o election_n even_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n that_o i_o see_v not_o how_o they_o shall_v be_v reconcile_v with_o their_o collection_n out_o of_o ambrose_n euagrium_n alexandria_n à_fw-fr marco_n euangelista_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la unum_fw-la semper_fw-la ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_fw-la celsiore_fw-la gradu_fw-la collocatum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la at_o alexandria_n even_o from_o mark_n the_o evangelist_n the_o presbyter_n always_o choose_v one_o of_o themselves_o and_o place_v he_o in_o a_o high_a degree_n call_v he_o a_o bishop_n mark_v die_v six_o year_n before_o peter_n and_o paul_n as_o the_o ecclesiastical_a story_n witness_v &_o consequent_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n be_v elect_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n yea_o that_o church_n as_o jerome_n say_v do_v always_o elect_v there_o never_o succeed_v any_o by_o order_n for_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o succeed_n whether_o by_o order_n or_o by_o choice_n i_o make_v not_o so_o great_a account_n as_o for_o their_o continuance_n the_o patroness_n of_o the_o late_a discipline_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n the_o episcopal_a dignity_n or_o regiment_n of_o the_o presbytery_n go_v round_o by_o course_n to_o all_o the_o presbyter_n and_o dure_v a_o week_n or_o some_o such_o time_n for_o ghess_n must_v serve_v they_o when_o other_o proof_n fail_v they_o which_o assertion_n of_o they_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o i_o shall_v think_v it_o proceed_v of_o too_o much_o ignorance_n or_o too_o little_a conscience_n if_o the_o man_n be_v not_o well_o learned_a i_o shall_v suspect_v ignorance_n if_o the_o case_n be_v not_o more_o than_o clear_a i_o will_v not_o challenge_v their_o conscience_n but_o be_v as_o they_o be_v and_o the_o case_n so_o clear_a that_o in_o my_o simple_a read_n i_o never_o see_v clear_a nor_o plain_o except_v always_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n let_v the_o christian_a reader_n judge_n for_o i_o dare_v not_o pronounce_v with_o what_o intent_n a_o manifest_a truth_n be_v not_o only_o dissemble_v but_o stout_o contradict_v and_o a_o evident_a falsehood_n avouch_v and_o advance_v to_o the_o height_n of_o a_o apostolic_a and_o divine_a ordinance_n by_o the_o chief_a pillar_n of_o these_o new_a find_v consistory_n it_o be_v late_o deliver_v as_o a_o oracle_n that_o under_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v no_o governor_n of_o the_o presbytery_n who_o they_o and_o we_o call_v bishop_n but_o such_o as_o dure_v for_o a_o short_a time_n and_o change_v round_o by_o course_n and_o this_o be_v call_v the_o apostolic_a and_o divine_a institution_n how_o palpale_v a_o untruth_n this_o be_v it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n for_o mean_a scholar_n to_o discern_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n after_o mark_n be_v anianus_n make_v the_o 24._o eightyeere_n of_o nero_n reign_n and_o he_o continue_v 13._o two_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o abilius_n succeed_v he_o abilius_n sit_v 21._o thirteen_o year_n and_o die_v leave_v the_o place_n to_o cerdo_v these_o three_o succeed_v one_o a_o other_o saint_n john_n yet_o live_v neither_o have_v alexandria_n any_o more_o than_o two_o bishop_n in_o 35._o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o mark_n 45._o euodius_n make_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n five_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o the_o death_n of_o peter_n and_o paul_n suruive_v they_o one_o year_n and_o after_o he_o succeed_v 71_o ignatius_n who_o outlive_v saint_n john_n and_o die_v in_o the_o 111._o eleven_o year_n of_o traiane_n leave_v the_o place_n to_o heron_n after_o he_o have_v keep_v it_o forty_o year_n so_o that_o in_o 66._o year_n the_o church_n of_o antioch_n have_v but_o two_o bishop_n at_o jerusalem_n 63._o jame_v call_v the_o lord_n brother_n sit_v bishop_n thirty_o year_n and_o 111._o simeon_n that_o succeed_v he_o keep_v the_o place_n eight_o and_o thirty_o year_n the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v in_o threescore_o and_o eight_o year_n but_o two_o bishop_n at_o rome_n while_o saint_n john_n live_v there_o be_v but_o three_o bishop_n linus_n anacletus_fw-la and_o clemens_n which_o three_o continue_v two_o and_o thirty_o year_n if_o this_o be_v not_o sufficient_a let_v they_o take_v the_o example_n of_o polycarpe_n make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o continue_v a_o long_a time_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n and_o 3_o depart_v this_o life_n a_o very_a age_a man_n with_o a_o most_o glorious_a and_o most_o noble_a kind_n of_o martyrdom_n the_o space_n he_o sit_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n if_o it_o be_v not_o 15._o fourscore_o and_o six_o year_n for_o so_o long_o he_o have_v serve_v christ_n as_o his_o answer_n show_v to_o the_o proconsul_n of_o asia_n yet_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v above_o threescore_o and_o ten_o year_n for_o he_o live_v so_o many_o year_n after_o saint_n john_n who_o scholar_n he_o be_v and_o by_o who_o he_o be_v make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o die_v as_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o their_o letter_n entitle_v he_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o death_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n at_o smyrna_n this_o one_o instance_n be_v able_a to_o mar_v the_o whole_a plot_n of_o their_o suppose_a apostolical_a &_o changeable_a regency_n for_o no_o part_n of_o this_o story_n can_v be_v doubt_v be_v he_o not_o make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o the_o apostle_n polycarpo_fw-es jerom_n 35._o eusebius_n heretic_n tertullian_n and_o 3._o irenaeus_n that_o live_v with_o he_o and_o learned_a so_o much_o of_o he_o affirm_v it_o live_v he_o not_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n so_o long_a time_n the_o whole_a church_n of_o smyrna_n give_v he_o that_o title_n at_o his_o death_n their_o letter_n be_v yet_o extant_a in_o eusebius_n the_o emperor_n under_o who_o he_o die_v be_v 1●_n marcus_n antoninus_n and_o lucius_n aurelius_n commodus_n as_o eusebius_n and_o jerome_n do_v witness_n who_o begin_v their_o reign_n 164._o 64._o after_o the_o death_n of_o saint_n john_n polycarpe_n suffer_v the_o
assist_v his_o father_n 500_o year_n &_o teach_v his_o child_n which_o be_v then_o the_o church_n 4._o to_o call_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o continue_v that_o charge_n 112._o year_n after_o his_o father_n death_n enosh_fw-mi do_v the_o like_a to_o seth_n and_o all_o the_o heir_n of_o the_o promise_n before_o the_o flood_n to_o their_o father_n god_n always_o stir_v up_o the_o spirit_n of_o some_o excellent_a man_n to_o preach_v in_o his_o church_n while_o their_o father_n yet_o live_v and_o guide_v the_o number_n of_o the_o faithful_a so_o enoch_n please_v god_n and_o prophesy_v in_o his_o church_n 300._o year_n first_o under_o adam_n and_o after_o under_o seth_n in_o who_o time_n he_o be_v translate_v so_o noah_n 2._o preach_v righteousness_n and_o repentance_n to_o the_o old_a world_n begin_v under_o enoch_n the_o son_n of_o seth_n and_o hold_v on_o six_o descent_n until_o the_o flood_n come_v the_o very_a same_o year_n that_o his_o grandfather_n methusalem_n die_v after_o who_o death_n and_o the_o drown_n of_o the_o world_n noah_n govern_v the_o church_n 350._o year_n and_o leave_v the_o regiment_n thereof_o as_o also_o the_o inheritance_n of_o the_o blessing_n and_o promise_n to_o sem_fw-mi his_o elder_a son_n that_o be_v save_v with_o he_o in_o the_o ark_n from_o the_o water_n and_o bless_v by_o he_o sem_fw-mi succeed_a his_o father_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o peace_n confirmation_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v govern_v the_o church_n 350._o year_n under_o his_o father_n and_o 152._o year_n after_o he_o cven_v till_o abraham_n be_v dead_a isaac_n dinune_n and_o jacob_n 50._o year_n old_a and_o may_v well_o for_o his_o age_n birthright_n and_o blessing_n be_v that_o melchizedec_n king_n of_o salem_n in_o canaan_n that_o 7._o meet_v abraham_n return_v from_o the_o slaughter_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o bless_v he_o that_o have_v the_o promise_n for_o he_o must_v be_v great_a than_o abraham_n that_o bless_a abraham_n 38._o as_o the_o apostle_n infer_v and_o great_a than_o abraham_n can_v none_o be_v but_o one_o that_o have_v the_o same_o promise_n which_o abraham_n have_v and_o that_o before_o he_o now_o noah_n be_v dead_a 13._o year_n before_o abraham_n enter_v canaan_n and_o sem_fw-mi ten_o ascent_n before_o abraham_n inherit_v the_o same_o blessing_n and_o promise_n that_o abraham_n do_v during_o who_o life_n and_o he_o over_o live_v abraham_n none_o of_o he_o of_o spring_n can_v have_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o priesthood_n from_o he_o much_o less_o can_v any_o stranger_n excel_v he_o or_o come_v near_o he_o in_o the_o dignity_n of_o his_o priesthood_n for_o first_o in_o his_o house_n be_v the_o church_n god_n vouchsafe_v to_o be_v call_v the_o 9_o god_n of_o sem_fw-mi as_o he_o be_v after_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n and_o so_o bless_v his_o tent_n with_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n and_o heavenly_a peace_n that_o noah_n foresee_v it_o in_o spirit_n beseech_v god_n to_o 9_o persuade_v and_o incline_v japheth_n his_o young_a son_n to_o dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o sem._n next_o in_o his_o seed_n be_v the_o promise_a blessing_n the_o true_a cause_n of_o abraham_n greatness_n and_o that_o 360._o year_n before_o it_o be_v in_o abraham_n and_o from_o he_o god_n lineal_o derive_v it_o unto_o abraham_n by_o that_o blessing_n as_o from_o the_o father_n both_o of_o christ_n and_o of_o abraham_n three_o in_o his_o person_n be_v the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v to_o be_v chief_a over_o his_o brethren_n as_o well_o in_o religion_n as_o in_o civil_a regiment_n and_o consequent_o to_o be_v king_n and_o priest_n in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n fourthlie_o by_o the_o length_n of_o his_o life_n he_o well_o resemble_v the_o true_a melchizedec_n who_o by_o his_o birthright_n be_v king_n and_o priest_n for_o ever_o over_o the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o he_o come_v out_o of_o the_o ark_n as_o from_o a_o other_o world_n no_o man_n live_v that_o know_v his_o beginning_n &_o he_o dure_v more_o than_o 500_o year_n even_o twelve_o descent_n after_o the_o flood_n and_o so_o neither_o the_o beginning_n nor_o end_n of_o his_o day_n be_v know_v to_o the_o heir_n of_o promise_n last_o successor_n on_o earth_n he_o leave_v none_o by_o reason_n abraham_n who_o god_n call_v from_o his_o 12._o country_n kindred_n and_o father_n house_n to_o inherit_v the_o promise_n and_o blessing_n next_o after_o sem_fw-mi and_o likewise_o isaac_n and_o jacob_n heir_n of_o the_o same_o promise_n with_o he_o sojourn_v as_o stranger_n and_o peregrine_n first_o in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n where_o sem_fw-mi yet_o live_v and_o by_o force_n of_o his_o birthright_n and_o blessing_n continue_v a_o king_n and_o priest_n in_o his_o father_n house_n and_o city_n which_o be_v then_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o after_o in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n until_o the_o departure_n of_o jacobs_n posterity_n thence_o among_o who_o son_n god_n divide_v the_o honour_n and_o dignity_n of_o sem_fw-mi appoint_v the_o sceptre_n and_o seed_n to_o judah_n the_o priesthood_n to_o levi_n the_o 5._o birthright_n to_o joseph_n and_o never_o conjoin_v they_o after_o in_o any_o but_o in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o only_a priest_n that_o ever_o succeed_v according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o melchizedec_n which_o far_o excel_v the_o order_n of_o aaron_n that_o have_v the_o kingdom_n and_o birthright_n sever_v from_o it_o whosoever_o melchizedec_n be_v this_o be_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n so_o long_o as_o sem_fw-mi live_v which_o appear_v in_o the_o person_n of_o melchizedec_n to_o wit_n the_o father_n be_v ruler_n over_o his_o child_n and_o the_o first_o bear_v over_o his_o brethren_n as_o well_o in_o piety_n as_o in_o policy_n and_o this_o privilege_n of_o the_o elder_a brethren_n to_o be_v king_n and_o priest_n in_o their_o father_n house_n represent_v the_o choice_n that_o god_n make_v of_o his_o saint_n in_o christ_n his_o son_n to_o be_v 2._o a_o royal_a priesthood_n to_o offer_v up_o spiritual_a sacrifice_n acceptable_a unto_o himself_o by_o jesus_n christ._n from_o jacob_n to_o moses_n as_o the_o number_n of_o god_n child_n increase_v so_o the_o royal_a priesthood_n utter_o cease_v and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v much_o obscure_v by_o the_o perpetual_a pilgrimage_n of_o jacob_n and_o bondage_n of_o his_o offspring_n till_o god_n by_o moses_n wrought_v their_o deliverance_n the_o church_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v guide_v first_o by_o jacob_n then_o by_o joseph_n after_o by_o the_o head_n and_o father_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n judah_n be_v always_o the_o chief_a both_o in_o egypt_n and_o canaan_n and_o his_o 49._o father_n son_n bow_v unto_o he_o according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o jacobs_n blessing_n and_o so_o from_o adam_n to_o moses_n we_o find_v a_o continual_a superiority_n of_o the_o father_n over_o his_o child_n and_o the_o first_o bear_v above_o his_o brethren_n approve_a and_o establish_v by_o god_n himself_o in_o the_o regiment_n of_o his_o church_n and_o not_o any_o precept_n or_o precedent_n for_o equality_n chap._n ii_o the_o leviticall_a and_o nationall_n regiment_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o law_n when_o it_o please_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o extend_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o himself_o to_o the_o whole_a seed_n of_o jacob_n &_o to_o bring_v a_o people_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o be_v his_o peculiar_a he_o sever_v from_o the_o rest_n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n to_o attend_v the_o ark_n and_o offering_n which_o he_o command_v &_o to_o teach_v their_o brethren_n the_o judgement_n and_o statute_n of_o their_o god_n for_o the_o church_n be_v enlarge_v and_o spread_v over_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o domestical_a discipline_n that_o be_v before_o the_o law_n can_v not_o so_o well_o fit_a the_o government_n of_o a_o people_n as_o of_o a_o household_n and_o therefore_o out_o of_o twelve_o tribe_n god_n choose_v one_o to_o retain_v the_o priesthood_n and_o have_v the_o oversight_n of_o all_o holy_a thing_n and_o execution_n of_o all_o sacred_a service_n in_o which_o tribe_n according_a to_o the_o number_n and_o order_n of_o the_o first_o father_n and_o family_n descend_v from_o levi_n the_o son_n of_o jacob_n god_n do_v proportion_n and_o establish_v diverse_a superiority_n and_o dignity_n as_o well_o in_o answer_v the_o sentence_n of_o the_o law_n to_o the_o people_n as_o in_o serve_v he_o at_o his_o altar_n and_o those_o not_o only_o of_o priest_n above_o levite_n but_o of_o priest_n above_o priest_n and_o of_o levite_n among_o themselves_o the_o first_o distinction_n be_v of_o priest_n above_o levite_n that_o be_v of_o aaron_n &_o his_o son_n above_o the_o rest_n of_o y_fw-es ●_o same_o tribe_n who_o be_v restrain_v from_o touch_v or_o see_v the_o holy_a thing_n commit_v to_o the_o
the_o apostle_n first_o not_o in_o order_n only_o but_o in_o excellency_n also_o as_o appear_v by_o his_o similitude_n of_o man_n body_n who_o part_n be_v some_o 23._o comely_a some_o 23._o feeble_a and_o his_o comparison_n of_o spiritual_a gift_n whereof_o some_o be_v 31._o more_o excellent_a and_o some_o of_o less_o regard_n and_o account_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n and_o so_o chrysostome_n well_o observe_v cor._n because_o some_o do_v mighty_o swell_v with_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n he_o place_v that_o last_o of_o all_o for_o first_o and_o second_o be_v not_o use_v here_o fortales_fw-la sake_n but_o he_o note_v what_o be_v high_o in_o degree_n and_o what_o be_v low_o wherefore_o he_o set_v the_o apostle_n before_o as_o those_o that_o be_v endue_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o gift_n he_o say_v not_o god_n have_v place_v some_o to_o be_v apostle_n some_o to_o be_v prophet_n but_o he_o say_v in_o the_o first_o place_n in_o the_o second_o in_o the_o three_o and_o ambrose_n cor._n the_o chief_a in_o the_o church_n he_o place_v the_o apostle_n which_o be_v christ_n ambassador_n hierome_n write_v of_o the_o 12._o fountain_n and_o 70._o palm_n tree_n that_o the_o israelite_n find_v in_o elim_n say_v 6._o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o the_o 12._o apostle_n be_v hereby_o mean_v from_o who_o fountain_n the_o stream_n run_v along_o do_v water_n the_o dryness_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n near_o to_o these_o spring_n grow_v 70._o palm_n tree_n who_o we_o understand_v to_o be_v the_o teacher_n of_o the_o second_o order_n luke_n the_o evangelist_n witness_v that_o there_o be_v 12._o apostle_n and_o 70._o disciple_n of_o a_o low_a degree_n who_o the_o lord_n send_v two_o and_o two_o before_o he_o and_o augustine_n 35._o as_o when_o the_o sun_n rise_v it_o first_o shine_v on_o the_o hill_n and_o thence_o the_o light_n descend_v to_o the_o low_a place_n of_o the_o earth_n so_o when_o christ_n jesus_n our_o lord_n come_v he_o first_o spread_v his_o beam_n on_o the_o height_n of_o the_o apostle_n he_o first_o lighten_v the_o mountain_n and_o so_o his_o light_n go_v down_o to_o the_o valley_n of_o the_o earth_n 10._o the_o palm_n tree_n say_v theophilact_v allude_v as_o hierome_n do_v to_o the_o twelve_o fountain_n and_o seventie_o palm_n tree_n in_o elim_n be_v these_o 70._o disciple_n which_o be_v to_o be_v nourish_v and_o teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o though_o christ_n also_o choose_v those_o 70_o yet_o be_v they_o inferior_a to_o the_o twelve_o and_o afterward_o their_o scholar_n and_o follower_n which_o we_o may_v the_o rather_o believe_v because_o eusebius_n and_o clemens_n long_v before_o testify_v that_o 1._o christ_n deliver_v the_o full_a knowledge_n of_o himself_o to_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o apostle_n afterward_o to_o the_o 70._o disciple_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o superior_a vocation_n above_o prophet_n evangelist_n pastor_n teacher_n and_o whosoever_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o even_o the_o government_n and_o oversight_n of_o they_o will_v soon_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v what_o paul_n the_o apostle_n write_v of_o himself_o and_o unto_o they_o direct_v appoint_v and_o limit_v as_o well_o prophet_n as_o evangelist_n and_o therefore_o much_o more_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n what_o to_o do_v and_o how_o to_o be_v conversant_a in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n what_o to_o refrain_v in_o themselves_o and_o what_o to_o repress_v in_o other_o in_o which_o case_n we_o must_v not_o dare_v say_v or_o think_v the_o apostle_n presume_v above_o his_o call_n or_o have_v a_o several_a commission_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o do_v that_o he_o do_v but_o in_o his_o do_n and_o write_n we_o may_v perceive_v the_o height_n and_o strength_n of_o apostolic_a authority_n so_o guide_v and_o temper_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o humility_n that_o it_o grieve_a or_o displease_v none_o in_o the_o church_n but_o such_o as_o do_v either_o swell_v with_o pride_n divert_v to_o fable_n or_o trouble_v the_o church_n with_o their_o contention_n from_o a_o apostolic_a spirit_n and_o power_n proceed_v these_o speech_n that_o follow_v and_o many_o such_o that_o may_v every_o where_o be_v observe_v in_o his_o epistle_n 3._o we_o charge_v you_o brethren_n in_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o you_o withdraw_v yourselves_o from_o every_o brother_n which_o walk_v unorderly_o and_o not_o after_o the_o rule_n or_o direction_n which_o he_o receive_v of_o us._n 3._o we_o be_v persuade_v of_o you_o in_o the_o lord_n that_o you_o do_v and_o will_v do_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o charge_v you_o 11._o brethren_n i_o commend_v you_o that_o you_o remember_v all_o mine_n &_o hold_v fast_o the_o ordinance_n as_o i_o deliver_v they_o to_o you_o 11._o other_o thing_n when_o i_o come_v i_o will_v set_v in_o order_n 16._o concern_v the_o gather_n for_o saint_n as_o i_o have_v ordain_v in_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n so_o do_v you_o and_o redress_v abuse_n both_o in_o pastor_n and_o prophet_n he_o say_v 14._o if_o any_o speak_v with_o tongue_n let_v it_o be_v by_o two_o or_o three_o at_o most_o and_o let_v one_o interpret_v if_o there_o be_v none_o to_o interpret_v let_v he_o keep_v silence_n in_o the_o church_n the_o prophet_n let_v they_o speak_v two_o or_o three_o and_o the_o rest_n judge_v your_o woman_n let_v they_o keep_v silence_n in_o the_o church_n and_o if_o they_o will_v learn_v any_o thing_n let_v they_o ask_v their_o husband_n at_o home_n if_o any_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n or_o to_o have_v the_o spirit_n let_v he_o agnise_v the_o thing_n that_o i_o write_v to_o be_v the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o hear_v of_o the_o 12._o strife_n envy_n contention_n back_o bite_n whisper_n swell_n discord_n &_o sundry_a other_o enormity_n that_o be_v at_o corinth_n not_o in_o the_o people_n alone_o but_o even_o in_o such_o as_o 11._o come_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n among_o they_o and_o undermine_v the_o apostle_n credit_n and_o authority_n with_o they_o he_o say_v 10._o the_o weapon_n of_o our_o warrefare_n be_v not_o carnal_a but_o mighty_a through_o god_n to_o cast_v down_o fort_n &_o all_o height_n that_o lift_v itself_o against_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n &_o have_v in_o readiness_n wherewith_o to_o revenge_v all_o disobediece_n when_o your_o obedience_n be_v fulfil_v if_o i_o shall_v boast_v some_o what_o more_o of_o our_o authority_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v i_o for_o your_o edification_n &_o not_o subversion_n i_o shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a 13._o i_o write_v now_o be_v absent_a to_o they_o which_o heretofore_o have_v sin_v &_o to_o all_o other_o y_z ●_o if_o i_o come_v again_o i_o will_v not_o spare_v for_o so_o much_o as_o you_o seek_v experience_n of_o christ_n y_fw-es ●_o speak_v in_o i_o i_o write_v these_o thing_n be_v absent_a lest_o when_o i_o be_o present_a i_o shall_v use_v sharpness_n according_a to_o y_z e_z power_z which_z y_z e_z lord_n have_v give_v i_o to_o edification_n &_o not_o to_o destruction_n direct_v timothy_n how_o to_o guide_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n he_o give_v he_o this_o instruction_n and_o this_o commission_n 1._o as_o i_o pray_v thou_o to_o stay_v at_o ephesus_n when_o i_o go_v to_o macedonia_n that_o thou_o may_v command_v certain_a not_o to_o preach_v any_o strange_a or_o other_o doctrine_n and_o that_o they_o intend_v not_o to_o fable_n so_o this_o charge_n i_o commit_v to_o thou_o son_n timotheus_n ibidem_fw-la hymeneus_n and_o alexander_n i_o have_v deliver_v unto_o satan_n that_o they_o may_v be_v teach_v not_o to_o blaspheme_v and_o express_v at_o large_a in_o the_o three_o chapter_n how_o the_o bishop_n &_o deacons_n ought_v to_o be_v qualify_v before_o they_o be_v admit_v he_o add_v 3._o these_o thing_n i_o write_v to_o thou_o that_o if_o i_o ●arie_v long_o thou_o may_v know_v how_o to_o behave_v thyself_o in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n 5._o refuse_v the_o young_a widow_n i_o will_v that_o they_o marry_v &_o govern_v their_o household_n let_v not_o a_o widow_n be_v choose_v under_o the_o age_n of_o 60._o 5._o receive_v no_o accusation_n against_o a_o elder_a but_o under_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n those_o that_o sin_n rebuke_v open_o that_o the_o rest_n may_v fear_v lay_v hand_n hasty_o on_o no_o man_n neither_o be_v partaker_n of_o other_o man_n sin_n and_o have_v deliver_v diverse_a and_o sundry_a point_n of_o wholesome_a doctrine_n godly_a life_n and_o seemly_a government_n too_o long_o to_o be_v here_o insert_v he_o authorise_v and_o require_v timothy_n to_o see_v they_o perform_v in_o this_o sort_n 6._o these_o thing_n command_v and_o teach_v let_v no_o man_n desp●se_v thy_o youth_n 5._o i_o require_v thou_o before_o god_n and_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o
elect_a angel_n that_o thou_o observe_v these_o thing_n without_o prejudice_n or_o partiality_n and_o in_o the_o very_o close_o of_o his_o epistle_n 6._o i_o charge_v thou_o before_o god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n that_o thou_o keep_v these_o precept_n without_o spot_n or_o reproof_n in_o like_a manner_n to_o titus_n a_o other_o of_o his_o helper_n and_o coadjutor_n in_o the_o gospel_n 1._o for_o this_o cause_n i_o leave_v thou_o in_o crete_n to_o supply_v those_o thing_n y_o it_o want_v orrectifie_v those_o thing_n which_o remain_n &_o to_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n as_o i_o appoint_v thou_o there_o be_v many_o vain_a talker_n &_o deceiver_n of_o mind_n who_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v that_o subvert_v whole_a house_n for_o filthy_a lucre_n sake_n rebuke_v y_z ●_o cretan_n sharp_o that_o they_o may_v be_v sound_a in_o faith_n &_o not_o take_v heed_n to_o jewish_a fable_n &_o commandment_n of_o man_n 2._o these_o thing_n speak_v &_o exhort_v &_o reproove_v with_o all_o authority_n let_v no_o man_n despise_v thou_o 3._o reject_v he_o that_o be_v a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o &_o second_o admonition_n by_o these_o &_o the_o like_a precept_n she_o wing_v himself_o every_o where_n to_o speak_v as_o christ_n ambassador_n and_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n good_a behaviour_n and_o needful_a discipline_n to_o be_v the_o apostle_n and_o teacher_n of_o the_o gentile_n for_o in_o all_o these_o thing_n not_o only_o the_o people_n that_o be_v believer_n but_o even_o the_o godly_a pastor_n prophet_n and_o evangelist_n perceive_v his_o sincerity_n and_o reverence_v his_o authority_n obey_v the_o apostle_n voice_n as_o 7._o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n give_v he_o for_o the_o perfect_a direct_n and_o guide_v of_o the_o church_n among_o the_o gentile_n much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v to_o this_o effect_n but_o by_o this_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o apostle_n function_n and_o calling_n be_v superior_a to_o all_o other_o degree_n and_o office_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v they_o deacon_n doctor_n and_o pastor_n prophet_n or_o evangelist_n or_o of_o the_o 70._o disciple_n and_o this_o their_o superiority_n be_v give_v they_o by_o christ_n himself_o while_o he_o live_v on_o earth_n and_o confirm_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o mighty_a gift_n and_o power_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n after_o his_o ascend_n into_o the_o heaven_n and_o acknowledge_v and_o honour_v by_o all_o the_o faithful_a so_o long_o as_o the_o apostle_n live_v none_o spurn_v at_o it_o or_o contradict_v it_o but_o such_o as_o draw_v disciple_n after_o they_o to_o reign_v over_o their_o brethren_n or_o seduce_v the_o simple_a to_o serve_v their_o own_o belly_n s._n john_n note_v diotrephes_n for_o not_o acknowledge_v his_o apostleship_n in_o this_o wise_a 3_o i_o write_v to_o the_o church_n but_o diotrephes_n that_o love_v to_o be_v chief_a among_o they_o receive_v we_o not_o wherefore_o when_o i_o come_v i_o will_v declare_v his_o work_n which_o he_o do_v prate_v against_o we_o with_o lewd_a word_n far_o otherwise_o be_v the_o godly_a pastor_n and_o teacher_n mind_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n yield_v with_o all_o submission_n unto_o the_o apostle_n as_o unto_o the_o express_a messenger_n of_o god_n will_v and_o disposer_n of_o his_o mystery_n and_o put_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o apostolic_a function_n and_o they_o as_o ignatius_n confess_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n rom●n●s_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o prescribe_v or_o enjoin_v nothing_o unto_o you_o as_o peter_n and_o paul_n do_v they_o be_v the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o i_o the_o least_o and_o again_o tralian●s_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o command_v not_o as_o a_o apostle_n but_o keep_v myself_o within_o my_o measure_n whereof_o we_o need_v no_o further_o nor_o sure_a proof_n than_o this_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n then_o and_o ever_o since_o do_v and_o do_v hold_v all_o the_o precept_n rule_n order_n and_o admonition_n of_o the_o apostle_n contain_v in_o their_o epistle_n for_o authentical_a oracle_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o part_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o they_o no_o doubt_n have_v the_o same_o authority_n speak_v which_o they_o have_v write_v and_o consequent_o no_o pastor_n or_o teacher_n may_v then_o more_o resist_v or_o refuse_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n decree_n or_o do_n than_o we_o may_v now_o their_o letter_n sermon_n or_o epistle_n this_o prerogative_n to_o be_v best_a acquaint_v with_o the_o will_n and_o meaning_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o to_o have_v their_o mouth_n and_o pen_n direct_v and_o guide_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n into_o all_o truth_n as_o well_o of_o doctrine_n as_o discipline_n be_v so_o proper_a to_o the_o apostle_n that_o no_o evangelist_n nor_o prophet_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n come_v near_o it_o and_o therefore_o the_o story_n write_v by_o mark_n and_o luke_n be_v not_o admit_v to_o be_v canonical_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o writer_n but_o for_o that_o they_o be_v take_v from_o the_o apostle_n mouth_n and_o by_o the_o apostle_n peruse_v and_o confirm_v as_o true_a and_o sincere_a so_o say_v luke_n of_o his_o own_o gospel_n 1._o as_o they_o deliver_v unto_o we_o which_o from_o the_o beginning_n be_v eye_n witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n as_o soon_o as_o i_o search_v out_o perfect_o from_o the_o first_o all_o thing_n it_o seem_v good_a to_o i_o in_o order_n to_o write_v they_o and_o those_o his_o writing_n s._n paul_n say_v be_v ratify_v and_o receive_v in_o all_o church_n 8._o i_o have_v send_v the_o brother_n who_o praise_n be_v in_o the_o gospel_n throughout_o all_o the_o church_n which_o can_v not_o have_v so_o general_o be_v accept_v with_o good_a like_n but_o that_o the_o apostle_n who_o then_o govern_v and_o direct_v the_o church_n have_v first_o view_v &_o approve_v the_o same_o else_o neither_o will_v the_o faithful_a have_v so_o esteem_v it_o nor_o s._n paul_n so_o commend_v it_o the_o gospel_n of_o mark_n have_v the_o like_a approbation_n from_o peter_n as_o jerome_n &_o marc._n other_o do_v testify_v 1●_n mark_v the_o disciple_n &_o interpreter_n of_o peter_n according_a as_o he_o have_v hear_v peter_n make_v relation_n write_v a_o short_a gospel_n be_v thereto_o desire_v by_o the_o brethren_n at_o rome_n the_o which_o gospel_n when_o peter_n hear_v he_o allow_v it_o &_o by_o his_o authority_n publish_v it_o to_o be_v read_v of_o y_fw-fr e_o church_n as_o clemens_n in_o his_o first_o book_n hypotypωseωγ_n write_v can_v any_o man_n doubt_v read_v the_o word_n of_o s._n paul_n which_o i_o have_v cite_v but_o the_o apostle_n have_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n right_o to_o require_v and_o command_v power_n to_o rebuke_n and_o revenge_n authority_n to_o dispose_n and_o ordain_v in_o all_o such_o case_n as_o touch_v the_o soundness_n of_o faith_n sincereness_n of_o life_n or_o seemliness_n of_o order_n among_o the_o faithful_a and_o that_o in_o so_o do_v they_o do_v not_o usurp_v upon_o their_o brethren_n nor_o tyrannize_v over_o they_o but_o be_v guide_v by_o god_n spirit_n and_o obey_v as_o christ_n messenger_n and_o legate_n in_o every_o place_n where_o the_o truth_n be_v admit_v neither_o do_v paul_n resolve_v &_o conclude_v in_o such_o case_n by_o number_n of_o voice_n or_o assent_v of_o the_o presbytery_n but_o as_o himself_o speak_v 7._o so_o i_o teach_v in_o all_o church_n ●_o if_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n teach_v otherwise_o hold_v he_o accurse_v 4._o some_o be_v puff_v up_o as_o if_o i_o will_v not_o come_v to_o you_o but_o i_o will_v come_v to_o you_o short_o by_o god_n leave_n and_o know_v not_o the_o word_n but_o the_o power_n of_o those_o that_o swell_v thus_o 3._o if_o any_o man_n obey_v not_o our_o say_n note_v he_o by_o a_o letter_n and_o keep_v no_o company_n with_o he_o under_o the_o apostle_n be_v a_o number_n of_o their_o disciple_n who_o the_o apostle_n carry_v with_o they_o as_o companion_n of_o their_o journey_n and_o helper_n of_o their_o labour_n and_o who_o when_o they_o have_v perfect_o train_v and_o thorough_o try_v they_o leave_v any_o where_n behind_o they_o at_o their_o departure_n or_o send_v any_o whither_o in_o their_o absence_n to_o finish_v thing_n imperfect_a to_o redress_v thing_n amiss_o to_o withstand_v or_o prevent_v false_a prophet_n and_o seducer_n to_o survey_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o in_o that_o course_n which_o be_v first_o desiver_v by_o the_o apostle_n these_o man_n for_o their_o better_a instruction_n serve_v with_o the_o apostle_n as_o child_n with_o their_o father_n so_o paul_n say_v of_o timothy_n 2._o you_o know_v the_o proof_n of_o he_o that_o as_o a_o son_n with_o his_o father_n he_o have_v serve_v with_o i_o in_o the_o gospel_n touch_v
substance_n have_v evident_a reason_n and_o the_o apostle_n in_o so_o do_v stay_v the_o murmur_a of_o the_o disciple_n and_o free_v themselves_o from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o neglect_v their_o widow_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o dislike_n by_o pray_v they_o to_o choose_v out_o of_o themselves_o such_o as_o they_o best_o trust_v to_o care_v for_o their_o table_n &_o distribute_v their_o store_n by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o text_n it_o seem_v that_o where_o the_o 2._o believer_n live_v in_o one_o place_n and_o have_v all_o thing_n in_o common_a &_o 4._o sell_v their_o land_n possession_n &_o good_n they_o bring_v the_o price_n thereof_o and_o lay_v it_o down_o at_o the_o apostle_n foot_n to_o be_v distribute_v to_o every_o man_n according_a as_o he_o have_v need_n the_o apostle_n have_v put_v some_o in_o trust_n to_o bestow_v the_o church_n treasure_n i_o mean_v the_o disciple_n good_n who_o of_o like_o be_v jew_n regard_v the_o widow_n that_o be_v jew_n more_o than_o the_o grecian_n widow_n and_o hence_o arise_v the_o grudge_n of_o the_o grecian_n that_o their_o widow_n be_v neglect_v the_o apostle_n then_o excuse_v themselves_o for_o that_o they_o may_v not_o leave_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n and_o attend_v for_o table_n to_o see_v their_o widow_n indifferent_o use_v and_o will_v the_o 6._o whole_a multitude_n to_o look_v out_o from_o among_o themselves_o such_o as_o be_v replenish_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n &_o with_o wisdom_n &_o best_a report_v of_o for_o fidelity_n and_o industry_n to_o take_v the_o oversight_n of_o that_o business_n this_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v press_v out_o of_o this_o story_n for_o answer_v hereof_o first_o by_o your_o own_o doctrine_n the_o party_n there_o choose_v receive_v not_o power_n to_o preach_v and_o baptise_v but_o to_o dispense_v the_o good_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o daily_a provision_n of_o the_o saint_n who_o then_o live_v together_o and_o yield_v all_o their_o ability_n to_o be_v use_v in_o common_a at_o the_o discretion_n of_o these_o party_n appoint_v by_o themselves_o and_o though_o philip_n do_v preach_v and_o baptise_v at_o samaria_n and_o do_v the_o like_a to_o the_o eunuch_n of_o ethiopia_n yet_o you_o avouch_v he_o do_v that_o not_o as_o a_o deacon_n but_o as_o a_o evangelist_n both_o which_o title_n indeed_o saint_n luke_n give_v he_o in_o the_o one_o and_o twenty_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n next_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o epiphanius_n write_v of_o they_o these_o seven_o be_v fine_a all_o of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o seventie_o disciple_n which_o christ_n himself_o call_v while_o she_o live_v on_o earth_n and_o send_v to_o preach_v aswell_o as_o mathias_n and_o barnabas_n that_o be_v name_v to_o succeed_v in_o the_o room_n of_o judas_n the_o traitor_n and_o then_o by_o this_o election_n they_o have_v no_o ordinary_a function_n in_o the_o church_n but_o a_o extraordinary_a charge_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o widow_n since_o none_o of_o the_o 70._o disciple_n can_v begin_v again_o at_o the_o low_a degree_n and_o become_v deacon_n chrysostome_n reason_v what_o office_n they_o have_v by_o this_o imposition_n of_o hand_n say_v act._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d what_o dignity_n these_o seven_o have_v and_o what_o manner_n of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n they_o receive_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o learn_v be_v it_o the_o office_n of_o deacon_n this_o now_o be_v not_o the_o church_n but_o this_o charge_n to_o look_v to_o widow_n belong_v to_o presbyter_n and_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n but_o the_o apostle_n only_o wherefore_o i_o think_v it_o be_v neither_o the_o name_n of_o deacon_n nor_o presbyter_n express_o and_o plain_o which_o these_o seven_o receive_v if_o these_o seven_o be_v express_o neither_o deacon_n nor_o presbyter_n as_o chrysostome_n think_v they_o be_v not_o and_o the_o council_n in_o trullo_n 16._o join_v with_o he_o in_o the_o same_o opinion_n then_o can_v their_o election_n be_v no_o proof_n that_o other_o join_v with_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n if_o with_o heronem_fw-la ignatius_n 9_o cyprian_n luciferia●os_n jerome_n and_o other_o we_o take_v these_o seven_o for_o deacon_n such_o as_o serve_v in_o the_o church_n and_o attend_v on_o the_o lord_n table_n when_o the_o mystery_n of_o christ_n be_v dispense_v yet_o the_o apostle_n make_v this_o no_o perpetual_a rule_n for_o all_o election_n otherwise_o neither_o paul_n nor_o any_o other_o apostle_n can_v have_v impose_v hand_n but_o on_o such_o as_o the_o people_n name_v and_o elect_v which_o be_v evident_o repugnant_a to_o the_o scripture_n as_o in_o place_n convenient_a shall_v appear_v again_o this_o singular_a example_n conclude_v no_o more_o for_o elect_v by_o voice_n than_o the_o choice_n of_o mathias_n do_v for_o retain_v of_o lot_n for_o since_o two_o sort_n of_o election_n be_v use_v by_o the_o apostle_n present_o the_o one_o upon_o the_o other_o who_o can_v determine_v which_o of_o those_o twain_o be_v prescribe_v to_o the_o church_n as_o of_o necessity_n to_o be_v continue_v last_o example_n be_v noprecept_n and_o the_o reason_n that_o move_v the_o apostle_n to_o refer_v the_o choice_n of_o those_o seven_o to_o the_o like_n of_o the_o multitude_n admit_v infinite_a variety_n &_o circumstance_n which_o be_v alter_v the_o effect_n must_v needs_o alter_v according_a to_o the_o cause_n and_o therefore_o no_o general_a rule_n can_v be_v draw_v from_o a_o particular_a fact_n without_o a_o strong_a reason_n to_o maintain_v the_o coherence_n much_o less_o may_v you_o leap_v from_o the_o choice_n of_o deacon_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n to_o conclude_v the_o like_a of_o the_o election_n of_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n which_o then_o do_v and_o now_o do_v great_o differ_v both_o in_o gift_n and_o call_n from_o the_o deacon_n that_o the_o minister_n and_o elder_n of_o lystra_n and_o iconium_n and_o of_o the_o church_n confine_v be_v ordain_v by_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n can_v be_v no_o question_n the_o text_n do_v clear_o a●ovehit_n only_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o greek_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o use_v be_v force_v by_o some_o to_o prove_v that_o those_o elder_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o other_o beside_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n because_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v they_o be_v to_o choose_v by_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n which_o be_v the_o use_n among_o the_o grecian_n for_o the_o people_n to_o do_v in_o their_o election_n the_o advantage_n take_v upon_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o so_o sound_a as_o they_o suppose_v for_o first_o if_o that_o be_v the_o right_a etymology_n of_o the_o word_n yet_o as_o most_o word_n in_o greek_a &_o hebrew_n beside_o the_o external_a action_n and_o circumstance_n which_o they_o first_o import_v do_v signify_v the_o effect_n and_o consequent_n depend_v on_o that_o action_n and_o circumstance_n and_o be_v by_o translation_n general_o and_o usual_o apply_v to_o other_o thing_n so_o this_o word_n do_v signify_v to_o elect_v and_o appoint_v though_o no_o hand_n be_v hold_v up_o because_o elect_v and_o appoint_v be_v the_o effect_n and_o consequent_a of_o lift_v up_o the_o hand_n to_o prove_v this_o we_o need_v go_v no_o further_o than_o the_o ten_o chapter_n of_o this_o very_a book_n where_o saint_n luke_n without_o all_o contradiction_n use_v the_o word_n in_o such_o sort_n and_o sense_n as_o i_o mention_v 10._o this_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n god_n raise_v up_o the_o three_o day_n and_o show_v he_o open_o not_o to_o all_o the_o people_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o to_o we_o witness_v choose_v or_o appoint_v beforehand_o of_o god_n it_o be_v more_o than_o absurd_a to_o imagine_v that_o god_n do_v choose_v the_o apostle_n to_o be_v witness_n of_o his_o son_n resurrection_n by_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n god_n have_v not_o hand_n to_o lift_v up_o the_o apostle_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v choose_v by_o the_o people_n hand_n wherefore_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v signify_v simple_o to_o choose_v and_o appoint_v though_o it_o ●e_v not_o do_v with_o hold_v up_o of_o hand_n nor_o by_o the_o people_n again_o be_v the_o word_n in_o the_o 14._o of_o the_o act_n use_v in_o that_o signification_n which_o they_o urge_v as_o namely_o to_o consent_v or_o elect_v with_o hold_v up_o the_o hand_n yet_o the_o text_n do_v manifest_o restrain_v it_o to_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n that_o they_o do_v elect_v and_o appoint_v by_o stretch_v out_o their_o hand_n such_o elder_n as_o the_o church_n than_o need_v for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v for_o a_o man_n to_o hold_v up_o or_o stretch_v out_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o not_o other_o man_n hand_n and_o no_o example_n will_v ever_o be_v bring_v
accipiat_fw-la satisfactionis_fw-la suae_fw-la modum_fw-la let_v he_o come_v to_o the_o precedent_n by_o who_o the_o key_n be_v minister_v unto_o he_o in_o the_o church_n and_o receive_v of_o they_o that_o have_v the_o oversight_n of_o the_o sacrament_n the_o manner_n of_o his_o satisfaction_n 2_o it_o seem_v unpossible_a that_o by_o repentance_n sin_n shall_v be_v remit_v say_v ambrose_n but_o christ_n grant_v this_o to_o his_o apostle_n &_o from_o the_o apostle_n it_o descend_v to_o the_o priest_n function_n 26._o loe_o say_v gregory_n the_o apostle_n which_o fear_v the_o district_n judgement_n of_o god_n be_v make_v judge_n of_o soul_n their_o place_n now_o in_o the_o church_n the_o bishop_n keep_v they_o have_v authority_n to_o bind_v &_o loose_v that_o be_v call_v to_o that_o degree_n of_o regiment_n a_o great_a honour_n but_o a_o great_a burden_n follow_v this_o honour_n let_v the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n fear_v undiscrete_o to_o bind_v or_o loose_v but_o whether_o the_o pastor_n bind_v just_o or_o unjust_o the_o pastors_n sentence_n be_v to_o be_v fear_v of_o the_o flock_n the_o council_n general_a &_o provincial_a reserve_v both_o excommunication_n and_o reconciliation_n to_o the_o judgement_n &_o conscience_n of_o the_o pastout_a &_o bishop_n and_o by_o no_o mean_n impart_v either_o of_o they_o to_o the_o people_n or_o laie-elders_a the_o great_a council_n of_o nice_a 5._o touch_v such_o as_o be_v put_v from_o the_o communion_n whether_o they_o be_v clergy_n man_n or_o lay_v by_o the_o bishop_n in_o every_o place_n let_v this_o rule_n be_v keep_v according_a to_o the_o canon_n that_o they_o which_o be_v reject_v by_o some_o be_v not_o receive_v by_o other_o but_o let_v it_o be_v careful_o examine_v that_o they_o be_v not_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o weakness_n waspishnes_n forwardness_n or_o rashness_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o y_o ●_o this_o matter_n may_v the_o better_o be_v inquire_v of_o we_o like_v it_o well_o y_fw-fr ●_o twice_o every_o year_n there_o shall_v be_v keep_v a_o synod_n in_o every_o province_n y_fw-fr ●_o all_o the_o bb._n of_o the_o province_n meet_v together_o may_v examine_v those_o matter_n &_o such_o as_o have_v clear_o offend_v their_o bishop_n let_v they_o be_v hold_v just_o excommunicate_a by_o all_o until_o it_o shall_v seem_v good_a to_o the_o bishop_n in_o common_a to_o give_v a_o easy_a judgement_n of_o they_o this_o be_v the_o ancient_a and_o universal_a rule_n of_o christ_n church_n for_o the_o pastor_n or_o bishop_n to_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o admit_v and_o remove_v from_o the_o sacrament_n such_o as_o deserve_v it_o and_o for_o the_o examination_n and_o moderation_n of_o their_o do_n neither_o people_n nor_o laie-presbyter_n be_v join_v with_o they_o but_o a_o synod_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o same_o province_n every_o half_a year_n hear_v the_o matter_n when_o any_o find_v himself_o grieve_v with_o the_o censure_n of_o his_o bishop_n and_o they_o according_a to_o the_o right_n of_o the_o cause_n be_v to_o reverse_v or_o ratify_v the_o former_a judgement_n yea_o the_o bishop_n have_v power_n at_o the_o time_n of_o death_n or_o otherwise_o upon_o the_o unfeigned_a repentance_n of_o the_o party_n to_o mitigate_v the_o rigour_n of_o the_o canon_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o 12._o and_o 13._o of_o the_o same_o council_n 12._o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o the_o bishop_n to_o deal_v more_o gentle_o with_o they_o and_o again_o 13._o general_o for_o every_o excommunicate_a person_n that_o be_v ready_a to_o depart_v this_o life_n and_o desire_v to_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o eucharist_n let_v the_o bishop_n upon_o trial_n give_v he_o the_o communion_n and_o so_o the_o general_a council_n of_o chalcedon_n 16._o we_o determine_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n shall_v have_v power_n to_o deal_v more_o favourablie_o with_o such_o as_o by_o the_o canon_n shall_v stand_v excommunicate_a the_o council_n of_o antioch_n 6._o if_o any_o be_v deprive_v the_o communion_n by_o his_o own_o bishop_n let_v he_o not_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o communion_n by_o other_o afore_o he_o appear_v and_o make_v his_o defence_n at_o the_o next_o synod_n and_o obtain_v from_o they_o another_o judgement_n except_o his_o own_o bishop_n or_o dioecesan_n be_v content_a to_o receive_v he_o this_o rule_n to_o be_v keep_v touch_v laie-man_n priest_n &_o deacon_n and_o all_o other_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o canon_n the_o council_n of_o sardica_n 14._o if_o a_o bishop_n be_v over_o carry_v with_o anger_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v in_o such_o a_o man_n and_o hasty_o move_v against_o a_o priest_n or_o deacon_n will_v cast_v he_o out_o of_o the_o church_n we_o must_v provide_v that_o he_o be_v not_o condemn_v when_o he_o be_v innocent_a nor_o deprive_v the_o communion_n and_o the_o bishop_n that_o have_v put_v he_o from_o the_o communion_n must_v be_v content_a that_o the_o matter_n be_v hear_v that_o his_o sentence_n may_v be_v confirm_v or_o correct_v but_o before_o the_o perfect_a &_o exact_a hear_n &_o look_v into_o the_o cause_n he_o that_o be_v excommunicate_v may_v not_o challenge_v the_o communion_n the_o three_o council_n of_o carthage_n 32._o let_v the_o time_n of_o repentance_n be_v appoint_v by_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o bishop_n unto_o y_fw-es ●_o pendents_n according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o that_o no_o presbyter_n reconcile_v a_o penitent_a without_o the_o like_n of_o the_o bishop_n unless_o necessity_n force_v in_o the_o absence_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o if_o the_o fault_n be_v public_a &_o blaze_v abroad_o and_o offend_v the_o whole_a church_n let_v hand_n be_v impose_v on_o he_o before_o the_o rail_n or_o arch_n which_o sever_v the_o people_n from_o the_o minister_n concern_v those_o which_o worthy_o for_o their_o offence_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n augustine_n then_o legate_n for_o numidia_n say_v may_v it_o please_v you_o to_o decree_n that_o if_o any_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n receive_v they_o to_o the_o communion_n which_o be_v worthy_o throw_v out_o of_o the_o church_n for_o crime_n commit_v he_o himself_o shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o same_o challenge_n that_o they_o be_v decline_v the_o lawful_a sentence_n of_o their_o own_o bishop_n sozomene_n declare_v after_o what_o penitential_a manner_n the_o excommunicate_a person_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n stand_v in_o a_o open_a place_n whence_o the_o whole_a assembly_n may_v see_v they_o add_v that_o in_o this_o sort_n 16._o every_o one_o of_o they_o abide_v the_o time_n how_o long_o soever_o which_o the_o bishop_n have_v appoint_v he_o a_o thousand_o other_o place_n may_v be_v note_v both_o in_o father_n and_o council_n to_o show_v that_o from_o the_o apostle_n to_o this_o day_n no_o late_a person_n be_v ever_o admit_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o join_v with_o the_o pastor_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o public_a use_n of_o the_o key_n and_o therefore_o the_o father_n have_v exceed_o wrong_n to_o be_v make_v favourer_n and_o upholder_n of_o the_o late_a discipline_n and_o lay_v presbytery_n cyprian_n confess_v the_o people_n consent_v and_o concur_v with_o he_o in_o the_o receive_n of_o schismatic_n &_o such_o lewd_a offender_n to_o the_o church_n and_o communion_n upon_o repentance_n his_o word_n to_o cornelius_n be_v these_o ●_z o_o if_o you_o may_v be_v present_a here_o with_o we_o when_o perverse_a person_n return_v from_o their_o schism_n you_o shall_v see_v what_o labour_n i_o have_v to_o persuade_v patience_n to_o our_o brethren_n that_o suppress_v their_o grief_n of_o heart_n they_o will_v consent_v to_o the_o receive_n and_o cure_v of_o these_o evil_a member_n i_o hardly_o persuade_v the_o people_n yea_o i_o be_o force_v to_o wrest_v it_o from_o they_o before_o they_o will_v suffer_v such_o to_o be_v admit_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o make_v some_o show_n of_o contradiction_n in_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n diverse_a occasion_n lead_v they_o to_o speak_v diverslie_o but_o it_o will_v never_o be_v prove_v they_o think_v it_o lawful_a for_o lay_v man_n to_o challenge_v the_o public_a use_n of_o the_o key_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n the_o cause_n of_o excommunication_n and_o time_n of_o repentance_n be_v whole_o refer_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o such_o as_o have_v the_o chief_a charge_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n as_o we_o mayperceive_v by_o the_o former_a authority_n yet_o in_o notorious_a and_o scandalous_a offence_n when_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v grieve_v or_o when_o a_o schism_n be_v fear_v the_o godly_a father_n do_v both_o in_o remove_v and_o reconcile_n of_o such_o person_n stay_v for_o the_o like_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o whole_a people_n to_o concur_v with_o they_o not_o to_o warrant_v or_o confirm_v the_o sentence_n that_o
man_n from_o among_o themselves_o to_o look_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o every_o crime_n before_o they_o will_v believe_v the_o accuser_n or_o reject_v the_o accuse_v from_o their_o company_n then_o must_v your_o lie_v elder_n claim_v not_o from_o christ_n as_o authorize_v by_o he_o to_o use_v the_o key_n and_o dispose_v of_o the_o sacrament_n but_o from_o the_o people_n as_o their_o committee_n to_o hear_v and_o report_v what_o they_o find_v detect_v and_o prove_v in_o every_o such_o offence_n as_o deserve_a separation_n from_o all_o christian_a society_n and_o their_o delegation_n from_o the_o people_n must_v utter_o cease_v where_o he_o that_o bear_v the_o sword_n embrace_v the_o faith_n for_o though_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o nature_n where_o there_o be_v no_o magistrate_n every_o multitude_n may_v both_o order_n and_o govern_v themselves_o as_o they_o see_v cause_n with_o their_o general_a consent_n so_o they_o cross_v not_o superior_a law_n and_o power_n yet_o we_o must_v beware_v when_o god_n have_v place_v christian_a prince_n to_o defend_v and_o preserve_v justice_n and_o judgement_n among_o man_n that_o we_o not_o erect_v under_o a_o show_n of_o discipline_n certain_a petit_fw-fr magistrate_n in_o every_o parish_n by_o commission_n from_o christ_n himself_o in_o crime_n and_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a judicial_o to_o proceed_v without_o depend_v on_o the_o princess_n power_n i_o seek_v not_o to_o charge_v the_o favourer_n of_o this_o new_a discipline_n with_o any_o dangerous_a devise_n i_o have_v rather_o acknowledge_v my_o own_o weakness_n that_o can_v conceive_v how_o lie_v elder_n shall_v be_v governor_n of_o christ_n church_n and_o yet_o be_v neither_o minister_n nor_o magistrate_n christ_n be_v the_o head_n and_o fullness_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v his_o body_n govern_v the_o same_o as_o a_o prophet_n a_o priest_n and_o a_o king_n and_o after_o his_o example_n all_o public_a government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v either_o prophetical_a sacerdotal_a or_o regal_a the_o doctor_n have_v a_o prophetical_a the_o pastor_n a_o sacerdotal_a the_o magistrate_n a_o regal_a power_n and_o function_n what_o four_o regiment_n can_v we_o find_v for_o lay_v elder_n prophet_n they_o be_v not_o they_o have_v no_o charge_n of_o the_o word_n much_o less_o have_v they_o priestly_a power_n which_o concern_v sin_n and_o sacrament_n if_o they_o have_v any_o they_o must_v have_v regal_a and_o consequent_o when_o the_o magistrate_n believe_v lay_v elder_n must_v relinquish_v all_o their_o authority_n to_o he_o or_o derive_v it_o from_o he_o except_o they_o will_v establish_v a_o other_o regiment_n against_o he_o what_o you_o gi●e_v only_o to_o pastor_n make_v they_o monarch_n to_o rule_v the_o church_n at_o their_o pleasure_n we_o impart_v to_o lay_v elder_n as_o associate_n with_o they_o in_o the_o same_o kind_n of_o government_n so_o that_o lie_v elder_n with_o we_o do_v no_o more_o prejudice_v the_o prince_n power_n than_o pastor_n do_v with_o you_o inpreach_v the_o word_n dispense_n the_o sacrament_n remit_v sin_n and_o impose_v hand_n i_o trust_v your_o lie_v elder_n be_v not_o associate_v unto_o pastor_n if_o in_o these_o thing_n they_o be_v joint-agent_n with_o pastor_n then_o be_v they_o not_o lay_v elder_n but_o pastor_n you_o must_v give_v they_o one_o name_n if_o you_o give_v they_o one_o office_n the_o same_o deed_n require_v always_o the_o same_o word_n if_o you_o join_v not_o lay_v elder_n in_o those_o sacerdotal_a and_o sacred_a action_n with_o pastor_n but_o make_v they_o overseer_n and_o moderator_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o pastor_n do_v this_o power_n belong_v exact_o to_o christian_a magistrate_n to_o see_v that_o pastor_n do_v their_o duty_n according_a to_o christ_n will_n and_o not_o abuse_v their_o power_n to_o annoy_v his_o church_n or_o the_o member_n thereof_o neither_o be_v the_o case_n like_o betwixt_o pastor_n and_o lay_v elder_n pastor_n have_v their_o power_n and_o function_n distinguish_v from_o prince_n by_o god_n himself_o in_o so_o much_o that_o it_o be_v more_o than_o presumption_n for_o prince_n to_o execute_v those_o action_n by_o themselves_o or_o their_o substitute_n to_o preach_v baptize_v retain_v sin_n and_o impose_v hand_n prince_n have_v no_o power_n the_o prince_n of_o prince_n even_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v sever_v it_o from_o their_o calling_n and_o commit_v it_o to_o his_o apostle_n and_o they_o by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n derive_v it_o to_o their_o successor_n but_o to_o cause_v these_o action_n to_o be_v orderly_o do_v according_a to_o christ_n commandment_n and_o to_o prevent_v and_o repress_v abuse_n in_o the_o doer_n this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v leave_v for_o lay_v elder_n and_o this_o be_v it_o that_o we_o reserve_v to_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n in_o crime_n and_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a we_o whole_o yield_v to_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n and_o yet_o lay_v elder_n may_v censure_v the_o pastors_n action_n by_o like_v and_o allow_v they_o if_o they_o be_v good_a or_o by_o dislike_a and_o frustrate_v they_o if_o they_o be_v otherwise_o god_n have_v not_o give_v prince_n the_o sword_n in_o any_o cause_n temporal_a or_o ecclesiastical_a to_o go_v before_o or_o without_o judgement_n but_o to_o follow_v after_o and_o support_v judgement_n the_o sword_n without_o judgement_n be_v force_n and_o fury_n with_o judgement_n it_o be_v justice_n and_o equity_n you_o can_v yield_v the_o sword_n to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o reserve_v judgement_n in_o these_o case_n to_o the_o lie_v elder_n you_o then_o bind_v the_o magistrate_n to_o maintain_v what_o your_o lie_v judge_n shall_v determine_v and_o ●o_o the_o sword_n be_v not_o sovereign_a above_o they_o but_o subject_a under_o they_o wherefore_o in_o overseeing_a the_o pastor_n do_n and_o redress_v their_o abuse_n you_o must_v leave_v the_o examination_n determination_n and_o execution_n to_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n and_o not_o divide_v stake_n between_o the_o prince_n and_o the_o lay_v presbytery_n prince_n have_v no_o skill_n in_o such_o matter_n and_o in_o that_o respect_n it_o be_v not_o amiss_o for_o they_o to_o take_v their_o direction_n from_o the_o presbytery_n a_o noble_a consideration_n and_o worthy_a to_o be_v register_v the_o church_n warden_n and_o sideman_n of_o every_o parish_n be_v the_o meet_a man_n that_o you_o can_v find_v to_o direct_v prince_n in_o judge_v of_o ecclesiastical_a crime_n and_o cause_n a_o most_o wretched_a state_n of_o the_o church_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o shall_v depend_v on_o such_o silly_a governor_n i_o omit_v how_o far_o gentleman_n and_o landlord_n can_v prevail_v in_o every_o parish_n with_o their_o neighbour_n and_o tenant_n both_o to_o rule_v they_o and_o over-rule_v they_o at_o their_o pleasure_n view_v the_o village_n in_o england_n and_o tell_v i_o how_o far_o you_o shall_v seek_v before_o you_o shall_v find_v lie_v elder_n that_o in_o any_o reason_n ought_v to_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n i_o will_v not_o advantage_n myself_o by_o the_o rudeness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o most_o part_n i_o hope_v for_o very_a shame_n you_o will_v admit_v that_o prince_n be_v far_o fit_a in_o their_o own_o person_n if_o they_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o determine_v ecclesiastical_a matter_n than_o husbandman_n and_o artisant_n and_o if_o they_o want_v direction_n or_o will_v give_v commission_n to_o that_o purpose_n they_o need_v not_o descend_v to_o the_o plough_n and_o cart_n for_o help_n or_o advise_v the_o world_n will_v great_o doubt_v of_o your_o discretion_n and_o suspect_v you_o savour_v of_o popular_a faction_n and_o ambition_n if_o by_o god_n law_n you_o press_v prince_n against_o their_o will_n to_o accept_v such_o counsellor_n and_o substitute_n in_o ecclesiastical_a government_n if_o they_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o make_v their_o choice_n they_o have_v store_n of_o learned_a and_o able_a man_n of_o all_o sort_n within_o their_o realm_n who_o they_o may_v trust_v with_o the_o censure_v and_o oversee_n of_o clergy_n man_n action_n so_o as_o to_o prefer_v ploughman_n and_o craftesman_n to_o undertake_v that_o weighty_a charge_n for_o christian_a prince_n be_v ridiculous_a if_o not_o infamous_a folly_n wherefore_o the_o lie_v presbytery_n must_v either_o claim_v to_o have_v their_o power_n and_o authority_n from_o christ_n without_o the_o prince_n and_o before_o the_o prince_n which_o be_v somewhat_o dangerous_a if_o not_o derogatory_n to_o the_o prince_n right_a or_o else_o they_o must_v stay_v till_o the_o magistrate_n give_v they_o power_n in_o every_o place_n to_o govern_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n and_o moderate_v the_o action_n of_o the_o pastor_n for_o since_o they_o will_v needs_o concur_v with_o the_o prince_n in_o the_o same_o charge_n and_o oversight_n of_o ecclesiastical_a crime_n and_o cause_n they_o must_v derive_v their_o warrant_n either_o from_o the_o
discipline_n exercise_v against_o wicked_a and_o dissolute_a liver_n 5._o cùm_fw-la eye_n per_fw-la quos_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la regitur_fw-la adest_fw-la salua_fw-la pace_fw-la potestas_fw-la disciplinae_fw-la adversus_fw-la improbos_fw-la au●_n nefarios_fw-la exercendae_fw-la etc._n etc._n when_o they_o that_o rule_v the_o church_n may_v without_o breach_n of_o peace_n that_o be_v danger_n of_o schism_n exercise_v discipline_n upon_o lewd_a and_o wicked_a offender_n then_o be_v we_o to_o be_v stir_v up_o with_o the_o sharpness_n of_o those_o precept_n that_o lead_v to_o severity_n of_o repress_v evil_a that_o direct_v our_o step_n in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n we_o neither_o slack_a under_o the_o name_n of_o patience_n nor_o rage_n under_o the_o show_n of_o diligence_n but_o saint_n austen_n in_o his_o hundred_o thirty_o and_o seven_o epistle_n write_v clero_fw-la senioribus_fw-la &_o universae_fw-la plebi_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la hipponens●●_n to_o the_o clergy_n elder_n and_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o church_n of_o hippo_n where_o the_o elder_n be_v reckon_v by_o themselves_o as_o no_o part_n of_o the_o clergy_n if_o name_v elder_n by_o themselves_o make_v they_o no_o part_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o that_o consequent_a they_o be_v likewise_o no_o part_n of_o the_o people_n for_o they_o be_v reckon_v asimder_n from_o the_o people_n but_o these_o inference_n have_v no_o sufficient_a ground_n they_o must_v be_v either_o of_o the_o clergy_n or_o people_n and_o yet_o here_o they_o be_v name_v betwixt_o they_o the_o rule_n of_o civility_n be_v not_o always_o bind_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o logic_n they_o that_o have_v preeminence_n above_o other_o may_v be_v salute_v apart_o from_o other_o though_o the_o general_a salutation_n before_o or_o after_o by_o force_n of_o reason_n do_v include_v they_o wherefore_o if_o any_o man_n answer_n that_o austen_n name_v the_o whole_a clergy_n of_o his_o church_n in_o that_o epistle_n think_v to_o make_v a_o more_o special_a remembrance_n of_o the_o better_a sort_n of_o they_o by_o the_o title_n of_o elder_n it_o can_v not_o be_v refute_v the_o word_n do_v well_o endure_v it_o if_o any_o dislike_n that_o exposition_n let_v he_o take_v elder_n in_o god_n name_n for_o the_o better_a sort_n of_o the_o laity_n i_o mean_v for_o the_o ruler_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o people_n as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v write_v to_o the_o clergy_n alderman_n and_o commons_o of_o any_o good_a city_n for_o a_o alderman_n be_v the_o right_a english_a for_o senior_n in_o latin_a when_o it_o do_v not_o import_v a_o ecclesiastical_a function_n and_o it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o austen_n then_o absent_a and_o write_v to_o the_o whole_a city_n divide_v the_o superior_a sort_n of_o the_o laity_n from_o the_o inferior_a by_o that_o stile_n howsoever_o you_o bestow_v the_o word_n it_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o that_o epistle_n those_o elder_n have_v no_o power_n in_o the_o church_n more_o than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n yea_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o cause_n then_o in_o question_n about_o the_o accusation_n of_o bonifacius_n a_o priest_n for_o a_o foul_a crime_n object_v unto_o he_o by_o a_o other_o of_o the_o clergy_n do_v so_o little_o concern_v they_o that_o austen_n hear_v the_o matter_n himself_o alone_o and_o take_v order_n in_o it_o as_o he_o think_v good_a and_o keep_v it_o from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o all_o and_o in_o this_o epistle_n give_v a_o reason_n why_o he_o do_v not_o remove_v bonifacius_n from_o his_o degree_n at_o the_o first_o examine_v of_o the_o matter_n he_o say_v 137._o nomen_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la proptereà_fw-la non_fw-la sum_fw-la ausus_fw-la de_fw-la numero_fw-la collegarum_fw-la eius_fw-la vel_fw-la supprimere_fw-la vel_fw-la delere_fw-la ne_fw-la divinae_fw-la potestati_fw-la sub_fw-la cvius_fw-la examine_v causa_fw-la adhuc_fw-la pendet_fw-la facere_fw-la viderer_fw-la iniuriam_fw-la si_fw-la illius_fw-la iudicium_fw-la meo_fw-la vellem_fw-la iudicio_fw-la praevenire_fw-la the_o name_n of_o his_o priest_n i_o dare_v not_o suppress_v or_o strike_v out_o from_o the_o number_n of_o the_o colleague_n lest_o i_o shall_v seem_v to_o offer_v wrong_a to_o god_n judgement_n under_o who_o trial_n the_o matter_n yet_o depend_v if_o i_o shall_v prevent_v his_o judgement_n with_o my_o censure_n read_v the_o epistle_n if_o he_o attribute_v any_o more_o to_o those_o elder_n than_o he_o do_v to_o the_o low_a of_o the_o people_n and_o clergy_n if_o he_o do_v not_o take_v the_o whole_a cause_n into_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o set_v a_o order_n in_o it_o without_o their_o consent_n or_o privity_n i_o will_v agnise_v your_o lay_n elder_n happy_o you_o think_v saint_n austen_n do_v the_o lay_n elder_n wrong_v to_o keep_v this_o cause_n from_o they_o and_o to_o deal_v in_o it_o without_o they_o i_o can_v not_o let_v you_o from_o so_o think_v but_o all_o that_o be_v well_o advise_v will_v rather_o suppose_v lay_v elder_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o such_o case_n in_o saint_n austin_n time_n and_o that_o the_o good_a bishop_n do_v not_o close_o up_o such_o horrible_a offence_n by_o wrongful_a withhold_v the_o cause_n from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o elder_n to_o who_o by_o order_n of_o the_o church_n it_o then_o appertain_v but_o he_o keep_v it_o from_o they_o and_o the_o rest_n with_o good_a conscience_n use_v his_o own_o right_n epist_n ne_fw-la atrociter_fw-la &_o inaniter_fw-la contristando_fw-la turbaret_fw-la as_o himself_o say_v lest_o he_o shall_v trouble_v their_o mind_n with_o a_o grievous_a sorrow_n to_o no_o purpose_n gregory_n authority_n be_v quote_v out_o of_o the_o quid_fw-la canon_n law_n for_o name_n of_o lay_v elder_n which_o sure_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n the_o power_n of_o lay_v elder_n shall_v remain_v in_o the_o church_n and_o their_o name_n all_o this_o while_n not_o hear_v of_o but_o i_o think_v we_o shall_v find_v no_o more_o here_o than_o we_o do_v before_o 49._o if_o say_v gregory_n any_o thing_n come_v to_o thy_o ear_n of_o any_o clerk_n whosoever_o which_o may_v just_o offend_v thou_o believe_v it_o not_o easy_o sed_fw-la praesentibus_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la tuus_fw-la senioribus_fw-la but_o in_o the_o prefence_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o thy_o church_n search_v out_o the_o truth_n diligent_o and_o if_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o matter_n shall_v so_o require_v let_v the_o offendor_n be_v punish_v according_a to_o the_o rigour_n of_o the_o canon_n elder_n of_o the_o church_n i_o hear_v lay_v elder_n i_o hear_v not_o and_o by_o the_o law_n imperial_a long_a before_o this_o establish_a even_o in_o ambrose_n time_n a_o clergy_n man_n cause_n can_v not_o be_v examine_v and_o determine_v but_o by_o man_n of_o the_o same_o right_a and_o the_o same_o call_n and_o of_o all_o other_o gregory_n be_v the_o unfit_a man_n to_o prove_v that_o lay_v elder_n shall_v have_v the_o hear_n and_o decide_v of_o clergy_n man_n cause_n who_o can_v not_o endure_v that_o any_o thing_n whatsoever_o pertain_v to_o the_o clergy_n shall_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o hand_n of_o lay_v man_n 66._o cavendum_fw-la est_fw-la à_fw-la fratern●●ate_fw-la vestra_fw-la ne_fw-la secularibus_fw-la viris_fw-la at_o que_fw-la non_fw-la sub_fw-la regula_fw-la nostra_fw-la degentibus_fw-la res_fw-la ecclesiasticae_fw-la committantur_fw-la your_o brotherhood_n must_v beware_v that_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n be_v not_o commit_v to_o secular_a man_n and_o such_o as_o live_v not_o under_o our_o profession_n the_o punishment_n which_o by_o the_o very_a word_n must_v be_v canonical_a or_o according_a to_o the_o canon_n show_v that_o these_o elder_n be_v the_o discreet_a and_o wise_a of_o his_o clergy_n for_o what_o have_v lay_v man_n to_o do_v either_o with_o the_o knowledge_n or_o execution_n of_o the_o canon_n what_o reason_n to_o charge_v they_o with_o the_o canon_n to_o who_o the_o canon_n be_v not_o write_v he_o mean_v therefore_o the_o elder_n of_o his_o church_n that_o be_v such_o clergy_n man_n as_o be_v of_o best_a account_n and_o great_a experience_n in_o his_o church_n and_o so_o the_o council_n of_o turon_n decree_v 7._o quem_fw-la negligentia_fw-la eijcit_fw-la cum_fw-la omnium_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la re●utetur_fw-la who_o negligence_n make_v unworthy_a of_o his_o place_n let_v he_o be_v remoove_v by_o the_o advice_n of_o all_o the_o presbyter_n and_o gregory_n himself_o say_v 110._o lest_o there_o be_v any_o dissension_n among_o brethren_n lest_o any_o discord_n be_v nourish_v inter_fw-la praepositos_fw-la &_o subiectos_fw-la between_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n and_o those_o that_o be_v under_o they_o in_o unum_fw-la convenir●_n sacerdotes_fw-la necesse_fw-la est_fw-la it_o be_v needful_a for_o the_o priest_n to_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n together_o that_o they_o may_v discuss_v such_o cause_n as_o happen_v and_o wholesome_o confer_v about_o ecclesiastic_a all_o rule_n so_o as_o thing_n past_a may_v be_v amend_v and_o a_o order_n set_v for_o thing_n to_o
the_o interest_n you_o have_v in_o they_o thus_o have_v we_o peruse_v the_o proof_n that_o be_v bring_v out_o of_o ancient_a father_n to_o uphold_v the_o lay_v elder_n whether_o these_o be_v great_a endu●ementes_n to_o enforce_v your_o lay_v eldership_n i_o appeal_v to_o your_o own_o conscience_n you_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o circumstance_n in_o any_o father_n to_o infer_v they_o be_v lay_v the_o name_n of_o presbyteri_fw-la and_o seniores_fw-la which_o in_o english_a be_v elder_n or_o priest_n you_o show_v whereof_o we_o never_o doubt_v but_o those_o name_n when_o they_o imply_v age_n be_v common_a to_o all_o man_n that_o be_v strike_v in_o year_n when_o they_o note_v a_o office_n they_o be_v proper_a to_o clergy_n man_n more_o than_o the_o doubtful_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n elder_n i_o profess_v before_o he_o that_o see_v the_o secret_n of_o all_o man_n heart_n i_o see_v no_o enforcement_n in_o any_o father_n yet_o produce_v on_o the_o contrary_a though_o it_o may_v suffice_v i_o to_o stand_v on_o the_o negative_a that_o not_o lay_v elder_n can_v be_v prove_v yet_o because_o i_o seek_v not_o to_o distinguish_v word_n but_o to_o searchout_v the_o truth_n i_o have_v prove_v by_o other_o place_n out_o of_o the_o same_o writer_n that_o they_o have_v no_o such_o intent_n as_o you_o pretend_v use_v your_o eye_n and_o not_o your_o fancy_n i_o be_o well_o content_a yourselves_o shall_v be_v judge_n but_o the_o rest_n that_o remain_v as_o cyprian_n socrates_n and_o possidonius_fw-la do_v most_o clear_o speak_v of_o lay_v man_n of_o lay_v man_n they_o speak_v in_o deed_n for_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o whole_a people_n but_o of_o your_o lay_v elder_n they_o speak_v not_o a_o word_n this_o short_a answer_n may_v serve_v for_o all_o the_o place_n that_o be_v behind_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o cause_n to_o stand_v long_o in_o discuss_v they_o be_v it_o not_o that_o i_o seek_v rather_o to_o satisfy_v the_o obiecter_n as_o brethren_n they_o to_o repel_v they_o as_o adversary_n for_o who_o sake_n i_o will_v rip_v up_o the_o circumstance_n 21_o agelius_n a_o novatian_a bishop_n ready_a to_o die_v impose_v hand_n on_o sisinnius_n to_o be_v bishop_n in_o his_o place_n be_v one_o of_o the_o presbyter_n that_o be_v under_o he_o the_o people_n of_o the_o novatians_n mislike_v or_o complain_v of_o the_o fact_n for_o that_o he_o rather_o lay_v not_o hand_n on_o one_o marcian_n by_o who_o mean_n the_o novatians_n in_o the_o time_n of_o valens_n enjoy_a quietness_n agelius_n will_v to_o ease_v the_o people_n grief_n lay_v hand_n also_o on_o marcian_n and_o when_o he_o be_v a_o little_a recover_v he_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n and_o in_o his_o own_o person_n say_v you_o have_v marcian_n to_o succeed_v i_o and_o after_o marcian_n sisinnius_n this_o be_v the_o true_a report_n of_o socrates_n word_n and_o in_o these_o what_o one_o letter_n for_o lay_v elder_n sisinnius_n be_v not_o lay_v man_n he_o be_v a_o clergy_n man_n long_o before_o this_o as_o 10._o socrates_n himself_o record_v as_o for_o the_o name_n of_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n beside_o that_o in_o all_o the_o church_n story_n it_o note_v a_o ecclesiastical_a function_n and_o lie_v man_n by_o the_o canon_n can_v not_o be_v make_v bishop_n except_o they_o be_v first_o in_o order_n this_o very_a chapter_n be_v a_o manifest_a testimony_n that_o none_o be_v promote_v to_o bear_v that_o name_n or_o have_v that_o place_n but_o by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n i_o have_v occasion_n before_o to_o allege_v the_o word_n of_o marcian_n repent_v that_o ever_o he_o lay_v his_o hand_n on_o sabbatius_n and_o other_o to_o make_v they_o priest_n i_o will_v not_o now_o repeat_v they_o but_o the_o people_n dislike_n make_v agelius_n recall_v his_o fact_n of_o all_o example_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o weak_a and_o worst_a the_o novatians_n be_v schismatic_n from_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o no_o member_n of_o it_o it_o skill_v not_o therefore_o whatsoever_o they_o or_o their_o bishop_n do_v next_o it_o be_v but_o a_o point_n of_o policy_n in_o agelius_n to_o retain_v the_o like_n of_o his_o follower_n for_o as_o they_o depart_v from_o the_o catholic_a church_n upon_o a_o conceit_n so_o be_v they_o as_o like_v upon_o a_o spleen_n to_o return_v thither_o again_o and_o forsake_v the_o novatian_a bishop_n three_o he_o may_v just_o fear_v and_o so_o prevent_v a_o schism_n among_o his_o own_o lest_o some_o adhere_n to_o sisinnius_n and_o some_o to_o marcian_n his_o congregation_n shall_v be_v divide_v which_o be_v no_o rare_a thing_n in_o the_o election_n of_o bishop_n last_o if_o this_o example_n be_v worth_a the_o stand_n on_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o agelius_n lie_v sick_a in_o his_o bed_n make_v first_o sisinnius_n bishop_n without_o the_o people_n consent_n and_o meaning_n to_o please_v the_o multitude_n he_o do_v as_o much_o for_o marcian_n and_o when_o he_o come_v to_o the_o church_n upon_o his_o recovery_n he_o ask_v no_o consent_n for_o sisinnius_n but_o tell_v the_o people_n that_o according_a to_o their_o desire_n marcian_n shall_v be_v next_o and_o sisinnius_n shall_v expect_v till_o marcian_n be_v dead_a in_o all_o this_o proceed_n there_o be_v no_o one_o part_n answerable_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o for_o lay_v elder_n not_o so_o much_o as_o any_o suspicion_n of_o they_o the_o people_n have_v always_o a_o interest_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o elder_n as_o appear_v in_o possidonius_fw-la by_o their_o prefer_n s._n austen_n to_o be_v a_o elder_a i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o follower_n be_v dead_a in_o who_o day_n the_o holy_a ghost_n name_v the_o most_o of_o the_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n the_o good_a will_n and_o like_n of_o the_o people_n be_v great_o respect_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o when_o there_o want_v presbyter_n and_o deacon_n needful_a for_o the_o church_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n use_v to_o admonish_v and_o exhort_v the_o people_n if_o they_o find_v any_o man_n among_o themselves_o meet_v for_o their_o good_a behaviour_n and_o to_o wardness_n to_o serve_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o bring_v they_o forth_o or_o name_v they_o that_o he_o may_v according_o consider_v of_o they_o whether_o by_o the_o canon_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o that_o honour_n and_o when_o himself_o will_v prefer_v such_o as_o he_o know_v to_o be_v sufficient_a for_o their_o learning_n he_o propose_v their_o name_n to_o the_o people_n that_o their_o life_n and_o conver●actions_n in_o time_n past_a may_v be_v remember_v and_o examine_v lest_o any_o suspect_a or_o infamed_a for_o notorious_a crime_n or_o otherwise_o prohibit_v by_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n may_v secret_o creep_v to_o that_o degree_n this_o be_o i_o far_o from_o refute_v or_o impugn_v i_o wish_v it_o rather_o with_o zeal_n to_o be_v enjoy_v and_o with_o care_n to_o be_v observe_v that_o none_o may_v be_v take_v to_o serve_v christ_n in_o his_o church_n but_o such_o as_o be_v unreprovable_a and_o so_o welltried_a and_o report_v of_o that_o neither_o the_o people_n of_o god_n may_v be_v offend_v with_o their_o enormity_n nor_o the_o church_n burden_v with_o their_o indignity_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o lay_v presbytery_n be_v austen_n make_v a_o lay_v elder_a or_o do_v the_o lay_v elder_n prefer_v he_o to_o the_o bishop_n to_o receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n or_o join_v with_o the_o bishop_n in_o lay_v hand_n on_o he_o can_v any_o of_o these_o thing_n be_v thence_o so_o much_o as_o surmise_a view_v the_o place_n when_o valerius_n bishop_n of_o hippo_n 4._o speak_v to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n and_o exhort_v they_o about_o the_o provide_v and_o order_v of_o a_o presbyter_n for_o the_o city_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n so_o require_v the_o catholic_n already_o know_v the_o ende●our_n and_o learning_n of_o saint_n austen_n lay_v hand_n on_o he_o as_o he_o sit_v among_o the_o people_n not_o fear_v nor_o think_v what_o shall_v follow_v and_o hold_v he_o fast_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o bishop_n to_o be_v order_v as_o the_o manner_n be_v in_o such_o case_n all_o with_o one_o consent_n and_o desire_n pray_v it_o to_o be_v do_v and_o finish_v and_o earnest_o follow_v it_o with_o great_a zeal_n and_o outcry_n ●_o valerius_n which_o order_v or_o impose_v hand_n on_o he_o rejoice_v and_o give_v thanks_n to_o god_n that_o his_o prayer_n be_v hear_v which_o he_o have_v often_o make_v that_o god_n will_v send_v he_o such_o a_o man_n as_o may_v edify_v the_o church_n with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o with_o wholesome_a doctrine_n and_o to_o the_o same_o presbyter_n he_o give_v leave_v to_o preach_v in_o the_o church_n in_o
place_n and_o office_n distinguish_v or_o digest_v they_o take_v a_o other_o order_n then_o at_o beginning_n and_o why_o the_o first_o regard_n the_o apostle_n have_v be_v to_o gain_v unbeliever_n to_o christ_n the_o second_o to_o govern_v such_o as_o be_v gain_v and_o these_o two_o respect_n may_v best_o be_v perform_v by_o two_o contrary_a course_n to_o increase_v the_o church_n the_o more_o workman_n the_o better_a for_o when_o the_o harvest_n be_v great_a if_o 10._o the_o labourer_n be_v few_o the_o room_n can_v not_o be_v fill_v to_o guide_v the_o church_n the_o few_o the_o better_a except_o it_o be_v with_o counsel_n to_o advise_v for_o diverse_a man_n have_v diverse_a mind_n and_o diverse_a meaning_n and_o in_o a_o multitude_n of_o governor_n emulation_n and_o dissension_n be_v no_o rare_a spring_n wherefore_o no_o marvel_n though_o the_o apostle_n take_v beside_o themselves_o as_o many_o helper_n as_o they_o can_v to_o convert_v the_o world_n unto_o christ_n and_o yet_o take_v 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order_n but_o merit_n shall_v create_v a_o bishop_n but_o what_o council_n if_o he_o mean_v a_o council_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v not_o express_v but_o may_v well_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o word_n stand_v indifferent_a to_o any_o council_n no_o testimony_n can_v be_v weighty_a for_o bishop_n then_o this_o of_o ambrose_n which_o be_v bring_v against_o they_o if_o he_o mean_v other_o after_o the_o apostle_n death_n what_o authority_n have_v they_o to_o change_v the_o apostolic_a government_n or_o by_o their_o decree_n to_o bind_v the_o whole_a world_n but_o this_o i_o reserve_v till_o jeromes_n witness_n be_v repeat_v and_o examine_v jerom_n in_o his_o word_n 215._o before_o cite_v avouch_v three_z special_a thing_n first_o that_o till_o dissension_n spring_v in_o the_o church_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v all_o one_o and_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a advice_n of_o presbyter_n among_o who_o the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n be_v equal_o divide_v next_o that_o to_o root_v out_o schism_n rise_v very_o fast_o through_o the_o preacher_n and_o presbyter_n faction_n by_o a_o decree_n throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n one_o of_o the_o presbyter_n be_v choose_v in_o every_o church_n and_o set_v over_o the_o rest_n and_o to_o he_o the_o whole_a care_n of_o the_o church_n do_v ever_o after_o appertain_v three_o that_o this_o subjection_n of_o the_o presbyter_n under_o the_o bishop_n and_o maioritie_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n grow_v rather_o by_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n then_o by_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o lord_n disposition_n for_o they_o shall_v rule_v the_o church_n in_o common_a these_o word_n of_o jerome_n may_v be_v either_o very_a true_a according_a to_o the_o time_n that_o they_o be_v refer_v unto_o or_o very_o false_a if_o you_o so_o construe_v jerome_n that_o all_o the_o while_n the_o apostle_n live_v bishop_n be_v all_o one_o with_o presbyter_n and_o have_v no_o more_o charge_n nor_o power_n in_o the_o church_n than_o presbyter_n you_o make_v jerome_n contradict_v the_o scripture_n himself_o &_o the_o whole_a array_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o apostolic_a church_n that_o everwere_n since_o christ_n time_n for_o all_o these_o affirm_v and_o prove_v the_o contrary_n but_o if_o you_o so_o expound_v jerom_n that_o the_o apostle_n for_o a_o time_n suffer_v the_o presbyter_n to_o have_v equal_a power_n and_o care_n in_o guide_v the_o church_n themselves_n always_o sit_v at_o the_o stern_a and_o hold_v the_o helve_z while_o they_o be_v present_a in_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n till_o by_o the_o faction_n and_o division_n of_o so_o many_o governor_n the_o church_n be_v almost_o rend_v in_o piece_n and_o thereupon_o the_o apostle_n force_v do_v set_v a_o other_o order_n in_o the_o church_n then_o be_v at_o first_o and_o with_o the_o good_a like_n of_o all_o the_o
so_o though_o there_o be_v no_o precept_n from_o christ_n in_o write_v for_o that_o kind_n of_o government_n yet_o the_o perpetual_a custom_n of_o the_o church_n proove_v it_o to_o be_v a_o apostolic_a ordinance_n 24._o another_o sense_n of_o jeromes_n word_n may_v be_v this_o at_o the_o first_o for_o a_o time_n the_o presbyter_n with_o common_a advice_n and_o equal_a care_n guide_v the_o church_n under_o the_o apostle_n titum_fw-la paulatim_fw-la verò_fw-la ad_fw-la unum_fw-la omnem_fw-la sollicitud●nem_fw-la esse_fw-la delatam_fw-la but_o after_o bishop_n be_v appoint_v the_o whole_a care_n thereof_o be_v by_o little_a and_o little_o derive_v unto_o one_o and_o so_o at_o length_n by_o custom_n presbyter_n be_v utter_o exclude_v from_o all_o advice_n and_o counsel_n whereof_o ambrose_n complain_v and_o bishop_n only_o intermedle_v with_o the_o regiment_n of_o the_o church_n this_o manner_n of_o subjection_n in_o presbyter_n &_o prelation_n in_o bishop_n grow_v only_o in_o continuance_n of_o time_n &_o not_o by_o any_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n at_o first_o y_fw-mi ●_o presbyter_n be_v leave_v as_o in_o part_n of_o the_o charge_n of_o y_fw-es ●_o part_n of_o the_o dignity_n this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o right_a intent_n of_o jeroms_n speech_n by_o the_o word_n y_fw-fr ●_o follow_v for_o to_o revoke_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o y_fw-es ●_o divine_n ordinance_n he_o say_v noverint_fw-la 1._o in_fw-la communi_fw-la debere_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la regere_fw-la imitantes_fw-la mosem_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la haberet_fw-la in_o potestate_fw-la solus_fw-la praeesse_fw-la populo_fw-la israel_n septuagintaelegit_fw-la cum_fw-la quibus_fw-la populum_fw-la iudicaret_fw-la let_v the_o bishop_n know_v that_o according_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o lord_n disposition_n howsoever_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n now_o be_v to_o the_o contrary_a they_o shall_v rule_v the_o church_n in_o common_a with_o the_o presbyter_n after_o the_o example_n of_o moses_n who_o when_o it_o lie_v in_o his_o power_n to_o be_v ruler_n alone_o over_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n he_o choose_v seventie_o to_o help_v he_o judge_v the_o people_n what_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v that_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o lord_n disposition_n now_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v as_o moses_n do_v what_o to_o have_v all_o governors_n equal_a no_o but_o when_o they_o may_v rule_v alone_o to_o join_v with_o they_o other_o in_o the_o fellowship_n of_o their_o power_n and_o honour_n as_o moses_n do_v moses_n do_v not_o abrogate_v his_o superiority_n above_o other_o but_o take_v seventie_o elder_n into_o part_n of_o his_o charge_n this_o say_v jerome_n be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o lord_n ordinance_n although_o by_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o then_o be_v which_o grow_v paulatim_fw-la not_o when_o bishop_n be_v first_o ordain_v but_o by_o degree_n in_o decurse_n of_o time_n they_o have_v the_o whole_a charge_n of_o the_o church_n without_o advise_v or_o confer_v with_o the_o presbyter_n for_o nepotianum_fw-la the_o presbyter_n may_v neither_o baptise_v without_o the_o bishop_n leave_n nor_o preach_v in_o the_o bishop_n presence_n which_o subjection_n jerome_n say_v be_v not_o after_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o lord_n ordinance_n howsoever_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n have_v then_o strengthen_v it_o this_o to_o be_v jeromes_n true_a meaning_n in_o this_o place_n his_o own_o word_n elsewhere_o do_v full_o prove_v which_o be_v these_o euagnum_fw-la ut_fw-la sciamus_fw-la traditiones_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la sumptas_fw-la de_fw-la veteri_fw-la testamento_fw-la quod_fw-la aaron_n &_o filii_fw-la eius_fw-la at_o que_fw-fr levitae_n in_fw-la templo_fw-la fuerunt_fw-la hoc_fw-la sibi_fw-la episcopi_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la vendicent_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la to_o make_v we_o understand_v that_o the_o apostolic_a tradition_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n what_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n and_o the_o levite_n be_v in_o the_o temple_n that_o let_v the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n challenge_v to_o themselves_o in_o the_o church_n the_o high_a priest_n i_o hope_v be_v superior_a to_o his_o son_n not_o only_o as_o a_o father_n but_o as_o have_v the_o chief_a place_n and_o office_n about_o the_o ark_n and_o after_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o as_o it_o be_v there_o so_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v say_v jerome_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n shall_v differ_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n scan_n this_o place_n a_o little_a i_o pray_v you_o and_o tell_v i_o whether_o jerome_n avouch_v that_o bishop_n shall_v be_v superior_a to_o presbyter_n by_o the_o tradition_n and_o ordinance_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o no_o if_o that_o point_n be_v clear_a add_v these_o word_n of_o master_n beza_n which_o be_v very_a sound_n to_o saint_n jeromes_n to_o make_v up_o the_o syllogism_n 23._o certain_o si_fw-la ab_fw-la ipsis_fw-la apostolis_n esset_fw-la profecta_fw-la haec_fw-la mutatio_fw-la non_fw-la vererer_fw-la illam_fw-la ut_fw-la caeteras_fw-la apostolic_a as_n ordinationes_fw-la divinae_fw-la in_o solidum_fw-la dispositioni_fw-la tribuere_fw-la if_o this_o change_n to_o theregiment_n of_o bishop_n proceed_v from_o the_o apostle_n i_o will_v not_o doubt_v thorough_o to_o ascribe_v it_o to_o divine_a disposition_n as_o i_o do_v other_o ordinance_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o jerome_n express_o confess_v it_o be_v a_o apostolic_a ordinance_n ergo_fw-la without_o any_o stagger_a or_o doubt_v it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o you_o that_o it_o be_v god_n disposition_n thus_o much_o for_o jerome_n now_o for_o ambrose_n before_o we_o go_v to_o further_a proof_n because_o some_o strange_a fancy_n of_o this_o fresh_a discipline_n be_v fasten_v on_o he_o let_v we_o likewise_o examine_v what_o he_o say_v for_o either_o side_n there_o be_v one_o thing_n in_o ambrose_n bare_o surmise_v but_o no_o way_n prove_v and_o that_o be_v eager_o catch_v up_o by_o the_o disciplinarian_o and_o make_v a_o shipman_n hose_n for_o their_o new_a devise_n there_o be_v four_o other_o point_n in_o the_o same_o place_n that_o have_v sure_a ground_n and_o more_o agreement_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n and_o those_o be_v positivelie_o repel_v as_o frivolous_a and_o false_a by_o the_o principle_n of_o this_o pretend_a discipline_n ambrose_n imagine_v for_o no_o proof_n can_v be_v make_v thereof_o either_o by_o scripture_n or_o story_n that_o the_o first_o bishop_n be_v for_o a_o while_n make_v by_o order_n as_o they_o sit_v in_o the_o church_n so_o as_o the_o place_n fall_v void_a by_o the_o death_n or_o departure_n of_o the_o first_o the_o next_o succeed_v in_o his_o room_n this_o course_n be_v afterward_o change_v into_o election_n but_o when_o or_o by_o who_o he_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v tell_v from_o this_o supposal_n these_o three_o conclusion_n be_v draw_v but_o all_o three_o far_o from_o ambrose_n speech_n 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this_o bishop_n they_o be_v content_a shall_v be_v perpetual_a in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o a_o essential_a part_n of_o god_n ordinance_n this_o be_v the_o right_a description_n of_o the_o mayor_n and_o alderman_n of_o a_o city_n or_o bailiff_n and_o burgess_n of_o a_o lesser_a town_n with_o we_o in_o england_n but_o this_o be_v no_o description_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n for_o how_o long_o will_v it_o be_v before_o you_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v i_o say_v not_o all_o but_o any_o one_o of_o these_o assertion_n what_o scripture_n ever_o mention_v what_o father_n ever_o imagine_v any_o such_o bishop_n the_o father_n you_o will_v say_v be_v all_o infect_v with_o humane_a invention_n and_o god_n institution_n have_v ever_o since_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v neglect_v in_o all_o the_o church_n and_o of_o all_o the_o person_n in_o the_o world_n till_o of_o late_a i_o hear_v what_o you_o say_v and_o do_v i_o not_o read_v it_o with_o my_o eye_n i_o shall_v think_v they_o be_v deep_o asleep_a
disallow_v if_o presbyter_n may_v impose_v hand_n maximus_n be_v lawful_o call_v to_o that_o degree_n by_o gregory_n nazianzen_n and_o then_o have_v the_o council_n no_o cause_n to_o mislike_v such_o as_o be_v ordain_v by_o he_o but_o they_o lie_v this_o for_o their_o ground_n that_o he_o be_v never_o a_o lawful_a bishop_n and_o therefore_o all_o that_o he_o do_v in_o impose_v hand_n be_v utterlie_o void_a by_o this_o i_o trust_v you_o see_v it_o pertain_v only_o to_o bishop_n to_o ordain_v by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o not_o to_o presbyter_n you_o have_v the_o clear_a decision_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o presbyter_n may_v not_o ordain_v presbyter_n much_o less_o may_v they_o lay_v hand_n on_o bishop_n their_o meaning_n be_v that_o presbyter_n without_o a_o bishop_n can_v not_o impose_v hand_n but_o with_o the_o bishop_n they_o may_v and_o do_v as_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n which_o we_o bring_v you_o confirm_v and_o as_o they_o may_v not_o do_v it_o without_o a_o bishop_n so_o the_o bishop_n may_v not_o do_v it_o without_o they_o it_o be_v well_o yet_o we_o have_v obtain_v thus_o much_o that_o without_o a_o bishop_n there_o can_v be_v no_o imposition_n of_o hand_n to_o make_v presbyter_n how_o think_v you_o then_o must_v there_o be_v bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n or_o no_o and_o be_v they_o all_o one_o with_o presbyter_n or_o a_o several_a degree_n from_o they_o they_o both_o concur_v in_o ordain_v and_o neither_o may_v impose_v hand_n without_o the_o other_o you_o must_v for_o sake_n this_o fort_n as_o well_o as_o you_o do_v the_o former_a for_o in_o that_o council_n of_o carthage_n which_o you_o cite_v neither_o be_v there_o any_o number_n of_o presbyter_n prefired_a nor_o their_o presence_n require_v only_o this_o be_v prescribe_v if_o any_o be_v present_a they_o shall_v approve_v the_o bishop_n do_n with_o lay_v their_o hand_n next_o his_o the_o bishop_n impose_v not_o hand_n either_o in_o their_o name_n or_o at_o their_o peril_n if_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v against_o y_o e_o canon_n but_o as_o he_o alone_o bless_v &_o consecrate_v y_z ●_o person_n that_o be_v order_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n so_o if_o ought_v be_v otherwise_o then_o well_o he_o alone_o be_v in_o danger_n for_o it_o the_o council_n of_o hispalis_n say_v 6._o episcopus_fw-la sacerdotibus_fw-la ac_fw-la ministris_fw-la solus_fw-la dare_v honorem_fw-la potest_fw-la solus_fw-la auferre_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la the_o bishop_n alone_o may_v give_v priest_n and_o deacon_n their_o honour_n but_o he_o can_v not_o alone_o take_v it_o from_o they_o neither_o have_v bishop_n always_o such_o store_n of_o presbyter_n either_o present_a or_o pertain_v to_o they_o as_o you_o imagine_v in_o great_a church_n they_o have_v great_a number_n in_o small_a they_o have_v often_o two_o somewhere_o one_o &_o sometime_o none_o &_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o defect_n of_o presbyter_n the_o bishop_n there_o do_v not_o refrain_v to_o impose_v hand_n without_o they_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n in_o many_o place_n be_v 1_o two_o in_o a_o church_n as_o ambrose_n write_v sometime_o but_o one_o in_o the_o three_o council_n of_o carthage_n when_o it_o be_v agree_v that_o the_o primate_n of_o that_o city_n may_v take_v the_o presbyter_n of_o every_o diocese_n and_o ordain_v they_o bishop_n for_o such_o place_n as_o desire_v they_o though_o the_o bishop_n under_o who_o the_o presbyter_n before_o live_v be_v unwilling_a to_o spare_v he_o 45._o posthumianus_n a_o bishop_n demand_v what_o if_o a_o bishop_n have_v but_o one_o only_a presbyter_n must_v that_o one_o be_v take_v from_o he_o aurelius_n the_o bishop_n of_o carthage_n answer_v one_o bishop_n may_v ordain_v many_o presbyter_n but_o a_o presbyter_n fit_a for_o a_o bishopric_n be_v hardly_o find_v wherefore_o if_o a_o man_n have_v but_o one_o only_a presbyter_n and_o fit_a for_o the_o room_n of_o a_o bishop_n he_o ought_v to_o yield_v that_o one_o to_o be_v ordain_v posthumianus_n reply_v then_o if_o a_o other_o bishop_n have_v a_o number_n of_o clerk_n another_o store_n shall_v relieve_v i_o aurelius_n conclude_v sure_o as_o you_o help_v a_o other_o church_n so_o he_o that_o have_v many_o clerk_n shall_v be_v drive_v to_o spare_v you_o one_o of_o they_o to_o be_v ordain_v by_o you_o three_o thing_n be_v evident_a by_o the_o purport_n of_o this_o speech_n first_o that_o some_o bishop_n have_v oftentimes_o but_o one_o presbyter_n and_o he_o may_v be_v take_v from_o they_o next_o that_o a_o bishop_n have_v no_o presbyter_n leave_v may_v make_v many_o when_o he_o will_v if_o he_o have_v fit_a man_n of_o his_o own_o for_o the_o place_n three_o that_o if_o he_o want_v meet_v man_n another_o church_n shall_v allow_v he_o according_a to_o his_o loss_n some_o to_o be_v ordain_v by_o he_o a_o bishop_n then_o have_v no_o presbyter_n leave_v to_o join_v with_o he_o may_v alone_o ordain_v both_o such_o of_o his_o own_o church_n as_o be_v meet_v and_o such_o as_o be_v send_v he_o from_o other_o place_n again_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v in_o order_v of_o minister_n against_o the_o law_n or_o canon_n not_o the_o presbyter_n but_o only_o the_o bishop_n be_v punish_v for_o impose_v his_o hand_n and_o transgress_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n now_o have_v the_o presbyter_n be_v agent_n in_o ordain_v as_o well_o as_o the_o bishop_n no_o reason_n to_o let_v they_o go_v free_a that_o be_v party_n to_o the_o contempt_n as_o well_o as_o the_o bishop_n but_o for_o that_o his_o hand_n do_v ordain_v and_o authorise_v they_o do_v nothing_o but_o allow_v his_o fact_n which_o by_o dissent_v they_o can_v not_o hinder_v therefore_o the_o law_n and_o canon_n as_o they_o do_v charge_v the_o bishop_n and_o not_o the_o presbyter_n to_o see_v those_o rule_n observe_v that_o be_v require_v for_o the_o make_n of_o minister_n so_o they_o do_v challenge_v the_o bishop_n and_o no_o man_n else_o for_o violate_v the_o same_o with_o imposition_n of_o his_o hand_n if_o aught_o be_v otherwise_o then_o well_o and_o for_o that_o cause_n both_o law_n and_o canon_n speak_v singular_o to_o one_o not_o plural_o to_o many_o when_o they_o repress_v disorder_n in_o create_a presbyter_n &_o deacon_n to_o show_v there_o be_v one_o chief_a and_o principal_a actor_n among_o they_o in_o those_o case_n who_o fact_n it_o be_v the_o rest_n only_o follow_v &_o witness_v his_o do_n for_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o paulianist_n when_o they_o return_v to_o the_o church_n if_o they_o be_v without_o fault_n and_o blameless_a the_o council_n of_o nice_a thus_o decree_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 19_o let_v they_o receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n the_o council_n of_o antioch_n 9_o every_o bishop_n shall_v have_v power_n in_o his_o dioecese_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o ordain_v presbyter_n and_o deacon_n 2._o if_o any_o bishop_n say_v the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n shall_v for_o money_n ordain_v either_o bishop_n presbyter_n or_o deacon_n or_o any_o other_o reckon_v among_o the_o clergy_n he_o shall_v be_v convict_v thereof_o endanger_v his_o own_o degree_n and_o again_o 6._o none_o neither_o presbyter_n nor_o deacon_n nor_o general_o any_o within_o the_o ecclesiastical_a order_n must_v be_v ordain_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v affix_v to_o no_o certain_a place_n if_o any_o be_v so_o make_v the_o sacred_a council_n have_v decree_v their_o ordination_n shall_v be_v void_a but_o it_o shall_v not_o return_v to_o the_o reproach_n or_o detriment_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o he_o that_o impose_v hand_n hierosolym●tani_fw-la if_o thou_o speak_v of_o paulinianus_n say_v jerome_n against_o the_o error_n of_o john_n of_o jerusalem_n thou_o see_v he_o subject_a to_o his_o own_o bishop_n live_v in_o cyprus_n and_o come_v now_o and_o then_o to_o visit_v we_o not_o as_o any_o of_o your_o but_o of_o another_o bishop_n clergy_n eius_fw-la videlicet_fw-la à_fw-la quo_fw-la ordinatus_fw-la est_fw-la even_o his_o of_o who_o he_o be_v ordain_v hierosolym●tani_fw-la we_o permit_v not_o any_o clergy_n man_n of_o what_o degree_n soever_o say_v the_o emperor_n dare_v aliquid_fw-la ei_fw-la à_fw-la quo_fw-la ordinatur_fw-la to_o give_v any_o reward_n to_o he_o of_o who_o he_o be_v ordain_v and_o so_o general_o for_o the_o breach_n and_o neglect_v of_o any_o of_o the_o imperial_a law_n prescribe_v for_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n the_o presbyter_n be_v not_o punish_v which_o join_v with_o the_o bishop_n but_o 160._o qui_fw-la ordinat_fw-la 6._o or_o qui_fw-la ordinationem_fw-la imponit_fw-la the_o bishop_n that_o ordain_v they_o be_v punish_v because_o it_o lay_v in_o he_o alone_o by_o withhold_a or_o unpose_v his_o hand_n to_o frustrate_v or_o finish_v the_o whole_a action_n wherefore_o i_o see_v
as_o the_o people_n that_o be_v under_o they_o our_o answer_n be_v easy_a and_o ready_a to_o all_o that_o you_o have_v bring_v first_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o succeed_v one_o another_o in_o every_o place_n be_v all_o one_o with_o presbyter_n as_o jerome_n tell_v you_o and_o then_o we_o grant_v without_o exception_n all_o that_o you_o have_v allege_v out_o of_o these_o ancient_a father_n and_o writer_n next_o ●hen_o they_o make_v any_o difference_n betwixt_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n as_o sometime_o they_o do_v by_o bishop_n they_o understand_v all_o pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o by_o presbyter_n they_o mean_v the_o lay_v elder_n which_o we_o seek_v to_o restore_v three_o if_o you_o can_v prove_v that_o bishop_n be_v above_o other_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n yet_o that_o superiority_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o power_n to_o call_v the_o rest_n together_o to_o propose_v matter_n in_o doubt_n unto_o they_o and_o to_o ask_v their_o voice_n and_o consent_n by_o which_o the_o bishop_n of_o those_o time_n be_v direct_v and_o from_o which_o they_o may_v by_o no_o mean_n divert_v to_o their_o own_o will_n and_o pleasure_n i_o know_v how_o easy_a &_o ready_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v with_o you_o to_o say_v what_o you_o listen_v if_o you_o may_v be_v trust_v without_o any_o further_a trial_n but_o if_o it_o please_v you_o substantial_o to_o prove_v these_o thing_n which_o you_o afffirme_v or_o but_o any_o one_o of_o they_o you_o shall_v find_v it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a difficulty_n and_o long_a study_n than_o you_o take_v it_o for_o do_v you_o plead_v before_o the_o poor_a jury_n that_o be_v for_o earthly_a trifle_n they_o will_v not_o credit_n your_o word_n without_o some_o witness_n and_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n that_o touch_v the_o peace_n &_o safety_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n do_v you_o look_v your_o voluntary_n shall_v be_v receive_v without_o all_o authority_n or_o testimony_n to_o warrant_v it_o if_o your_o folly_n be_v such_o as_o to_o expect_v so_o much_o at_o other_o man_n hand_n their_o simplicity_n be_v not_o such_o as_o to_o yield_v it_o in_o deed_n to_o my_o conceive_v the_o sum_n of_o your_o answer_n be_v very_a like_o the_o form_n of_o your_o discipline_n for_o neither_o of_o they_o have_v any_o proof_n possibility_n nor_o coherencie_n toproove_v the_o bishop_n call_v to_o be_v different_a from_o the_o presbyter_n that_o yet_o help_v in_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n i_o show_v that_o bishop_n ordain_v minister_n which_o presbyter_n by_o the_o judgement_n and_o assertion_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n may_v not_o do_v and_o that_o in_o every_o church_n there_o be_v or_o may_v be_v many_o presbyter_n according_a to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o place_n but_o no_o more_o than_o one_o bishop_n in_o every_o church_n do_v or_o may_v succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o their_o chair_n hence_o i_o conclude_v that_o bishop_n ever_o since_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o presbyter_n that_o assist_v the_o pastor_n of_o each_o place_n in_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n you_o answer_v that_o either_o bishop_n be_v all_o one_o with_o presbyter_n or_o if_o there_o be_v any_o difference_n betwixt_o they_o presbyter_n than_o be_v lay_v elder_n in_o which_o word_n you_o close_v not_o only_o a_o monstrous_a falsity_n but_o a_o manifest_a contrariety_n for_o in_o effect_v you_o say_v presbyter_n be_v bishop_n and_o no_o bishop_n presbyter_n be_v no_o lay_v man_n and_o yet_o lay_v man_n if_o presbyter_n be_v bishop_n they_o be_v no_o lay_v elder_n if_o they_o be_v lay_v elder_n they_o be_v no_o bishop_n you_o must_v therefore_o choose_v the_o one_o and_o refuse_v the_o other_o as_o false_a and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o former_a take_v which_o you_o will_v the_o choice_n must_v be_v you_o what_o you_o will_v answer_v the_o bishop_n which_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n be_v the_o pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o every_o parish_n the_o presbyter_n be_v the_o lay_v elder_n that_o together_o with_o the_o bishop_n govern_v the_o church_n in_o common_a can_v you_o make_v any_o proof_n for_o lay_v elder_n either_o in_o scripture_n or_o father_n you_o have_v some_o show_n to_o mistake_v presbyter_n for_o lay_v elder_n but_o i_o have_v already_o peruse_v the_o weakness_n of_o your_o ghess_n and_o withal_o make_v just_a and_o fullproofe_a for_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o primitive_a church_n of_o christ_n have_v no_o presbyter_n but_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n if_o you_o be_v loath_a to_o turn_v back_o to_o the_o place_n hear_v what_o the_o great_a african_a council_n say_v wherein_o sit_v beside_o s._n augustine_n 216._o bishop_n 4._o in_o the_o former_a council_n say_v aurelius_n we_o think_v meet_v that_o these_o three_o degree_n tie_v to_o a_o kind_n of_o continency_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o consecration_n i_o mean_v bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o become_v bishop_n &_o priest_n of_o god_n &_o levites_n &_o servitor_n about_o the_o divine_a sacrament_n shall_v be_v continent_n in_o all_o thing_n all_o the_o bishop_n answer_v we_o like_v well_o that_o all_o which_o stand_v or_o serve_v at_o the_o altar_n shall_v be_v continent_n then_o presbyter_n be_v consecrate_v and_o priest_n to_o god_n and_o approach_v to_o the_o altar_n and_o minister_v the_o divine_a sacrament_n the_o imperial_a law_n say_v as_o much_o rend●ssimi●_n touch_v the_o most_o reverend_a presbyter_n and_o deacon_n if_o they_o be_v find_v to_o give_v false_a evidence_n in_o a_o pecuniary_a cause_n sufficiat_fw-la pro_fw-la verberibus_fw-la tribus_fw-la annis_fw-la separari_fw-la à_fw-la sacro_fw-la ministeria_fw-la it_o shall_v suffice_v for_o they_o in_o stead_n of_o whip_v to_o be_v three_o year_n separate_v from_o the_o sacred_a ministry_n but_o if_o in_o criminal_a cause_n they_o bear_v false_a witness_n clero_fw-la nudato●_n legitimis_fw-la poenis_fw-la sub_fw-la di_fw-it praecipimus_fw-la we_o command_v they_o to_o be_v degrade_v of_o their_o clergy_n and_o subject_v to_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n then_o presbyter_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v both_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o sacred_a ministry_n as_o the_o very_a law_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n do_v testify_v jerome_n on_o who_o word_n you_o so_o much_o depend_v say_v titum_fw-la hac_fw-la ut_fw-la ostenderemus_fw-la apud_fw-la veteres_fw-la eosdem_fw-la fuisse_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la quos_fw-la &_o episcopos_fw-la all_o these_o place_n prove_v that_o in_o ancient_a time_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n be_v all_o one_o and_o again_o titum_fw-la episcopi_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la debent_fw-la magnoperè_fw-la providere_fw-la ut_fw-la cunctum_fw-la populum_fw-la cvi_fw-la president_n conversatione_n &_o sermone_fw-la praecedant_fw-la quia_fw-la uchementer_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la christi_fw-la destruit_fw-la meliores_fw-la esse_fw-la laicos_fw-la quàm_fw-la clericos_fw-la the_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n ought_v great_o to_o provide_v that_o they_o excel_v all_o the_o people_n which_o be_v under_o they_o in_o conversation_n and_o doctrine_n because_o it_o vehement_o destroy_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o have_v the_o lay_v man_n better_o than_o the_o clergy_n man_n and_o augustine_n apocal._n quicunque_fw-la aut_fw-la episcopus_fw-la aut_fw-la presbyter_n aut_fw-la laicus_fw-la etc._n etc._n whosoever_o either_o bishop_n presbyter_n or_o lay_v man_n do_v declare_v how_o eternal_a life_n may_v be_v get_v he_o be_v worthy_o call_v the_o messenger_n of_o god_n then_o if_o bishop_n be_v no_o lay_v man_n no_o more_o be_v presbyter_n you_o must_v therefore_o send_v your_o lie_v elder_n to_o the_o new-found_a land_n the_o christian_a world_n never_o hear_v of_o any_o such_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n before_o some_o man_n in_o our_o age_n begin_v to_o set_v that_o fancy_n on_o foot_n as_o for_o presbyter_n that_o be_v clergy_n man_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n we_o show_v you_o both_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o story_n they_o be_v many_o in_o one_o church_n and_o yet_o be_v there_o in_o every_o church_n and_o city_n but_o one_o of_o they_o that_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o pastor_n of_o y_fw-es ●_o place_n with_o power_n to_o impose_v hand_n for_o the_o ordain_v of_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n those_o successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n even_o from_o the_o apostle_n age_n have_v distinguish_v from_o other_o presbyter_n by_o the_o two_o proper_a mark_n of_o episcopal_a power_n and_o function_n i_o mean_v succession_n &_o ordination_n and_o call_v they_o bishop_n thus_o much_o be_v main_o prove_v unto_o you_o by_o all_o those_o apostolic_a church_n that_o have_v many_o presbyter_n as_o helper_n in_o the_o word_n and_o never_o but_o one_o bishop_n that_o succeed_v in_o the_o apostolic_a chair_n at_o alexandria_n this_o succession_n begin_v from_o mark_n the_o evangelist_n and_o
that_o be_v you_o shall_v hear_v his_o own_o confession_n in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o thereby_o perceive_v that_o many_o of_o the_o point_n which_o i_o have_v before_o prove_v be_v so_o sound_a and_o sure_a that_o no_o man_n learned_a can_v with_o any_o truth_n resist_v they_o 2_o habebant_fw-la ergo_fw-la singulae_fw-la civitates_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la collegium_fw-la qui_fw-la pastor_n erant_fw-la ac_fw-la doctores_fw-la no_o &_o apud_fw-la populum_fw-la munus_fw-la docendi_fw-la exhortandi_fw-la &_o corrigendi_fw-la quod_fw-la paulus_n episcopis_fw-la iniungit_fw-la omnes_fw-la obibant_fw-la quibus_fw-la docendi_fw-la munus_fw-la iniunctum_fw-la erat_fw-la eos_fw-la omnes_fw-la nominabant_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la illi_fw-la ex_fw-la svo_fw-la numero_fw-la in_o singulis_fw-la civitatibus_fw-la unum_fw-la eligebant_fw-la cvi_fw-la specialiter_fw-la dabant_fw-la titulum_fw-la episcopi_fw-la ne_fw-la ex_fw-la aequalitate_fw-la ut_fw-la fieri_fw-la solet_fw-la dissidia_fw-la nascerentur_fw-la unicuique_fw-la civitati_fw-la attributa_fw-la erat_fw-la regio_fw-la quae_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la inde_fw-la sumeret_fw-la &_o velu●_fw-la corpori_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la illius_fw-la accenseretur_fw-la every_o city_n have_v a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n which_o be_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n for_o they_o all_o have_v the_o function_n of_o teach_v exhort_v and_o reprove_v in_o the_o congregation_n which_o paul_n enjoin_v unto_o bishop_n to_o who_o the_o office_n of_o teach_v be_v allot_v they_o be_v all_o call_v presbyter_n these_o in_o every_o city_n choose_v one_o of_o their_o own_o number_n to_o who_o they_o give_v the_o special_a title_n of_o a_o bishop_n lest_o by_o a_o equality_n as_o be_v usual_o find_v division_n shall_v arise_v to_o every_o city_n be_v appoint_v a_o certain_a region_n which_o take_v their_o presbyter_n from_o the_o city_n and_o be_v count_v part_n of_o the_o body_n of_o that_o church_n first_o then_o presbytery_n consist_v of_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n and_o be_v not_o have_v but_o in_o city_n next_o lest_o equality_n shall_v breed_v confusion_n over_o these_o presbyter_n in_o each_o city_n as_o well_o as_o over_o the_o flock_n be_v a_o bishop_n who_o in_o dignity_n and_o authority_n be_v above_o they_o three_o every_o bishop_n have_v his_o region_n or_o dioecese_n beside_o his_o city_n and_o the_o presbyter_n that_o be_v design_v for_o such_o country_n parish_n as_o be_v within_o his_o circuit_n be_v fetch_v from_o the_o city_n and_o repute_v to_o be_v of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o episcopal_a church_n and_o all_o these_o thing_n not_o only_o be_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v but_o they_o be_v also_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o caluin_n himself_o confess_v you_o shall_v take_v all_o he_o tell_v you_o that_o a_o bishop_n shall_v have_v no_o dominion_n over_o his_o brethren_n but_o as_o a_o consul_n in_o the_o senate_n shall_v propose_v matter_n ask_v voice_n go_v before_o other_o in_o advise_v warning_n exhort_v and_o moderate_v the_o whole_a action_n with_o his_o authority_n and_o execute_v that_o which_o be_v decree_v by_o common_a consent_n and_o this_o kind_n of_o regiment_n he_o say_v the_o father_n acknowledge_v first_o enter_v humano_fw-la consensu_fw-la by_o the_o consent_n of_o man_n according_a to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o time_n though_o it_o be_v very_o ancient_a as_o at_o alexandria_n ever_o since_o mark_v the_o evangelist_n i_o honour_v caluin_n for_o his_o wonderful_a gift_n and_o pain_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o can_v easy_o be_v enduce_v to_o embrace_v his_o judgement_n be_v it_o not_o that_o in_o this_o case_n a_o manifest_a truth_n confirm_v by_o the_o scripture_n father_n and_o by_o himself_o enforce_v i_o to_o the_o contrary_n jeromes_n word_n i_o have_v examine_v before_o they_o do_v not_o import_v that_o bishop_n first_o begin_v by_o humane_a devise_n and_o policy_n ignatius_n irenaeus_n egesippus_fw-la clemens_n alexandrinus_n dionysius_n of_o corinth_n origen_n tertullian_n eusebius_n methodius_n and_o jerom_n himself_o affirm_v the_o first_o bishop_n be_v make_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o by_o the_o apostle_n hand_n saint_n john_n in_o his_o revelation_n write_v to_o the_o seven_o pastor_n or_o chief_a moderatour_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n while_o saint_n john_n live_v as_o eusebius_n record_v there_o succeed_v at_o antioch_n interpret_v ignatius_n after_o interpret_v euodius_n at_o alexandria_n interpret_v abilius_n after_o interpret_v amianus_n at_o rome_n interpret_v clemens_n after_o interpret_v anacletus_fw-la and_o interpret_v linus_n at_o jerusalem_n interpret_v simeon_n after_o interpret_v james._n yea_o saint_n john_n with_o his_o own_o hand_n make_v ignatio_n polycarpe_n bishop_n of_o smyrna_n as_o irenaeus_n tertullian_n eusebius_n and_o jerome_n affirm_v and_o that_o next_o after_o 22._o eucharius_n as_o socrates_n note_v he_o do_v the_o like_a in_o many_o 3._o other_o place_n as_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n write_v i_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n forsake_v so_o many_o ancient_a and_o assure_a witness_n whereof_o some_o live_v with_o polycarpe_n and_o be_v his_o scholar_n to_o follow_v the_o mistake_n of_o a_o few_o word_n in_o jerome_n by_o whosoever_o yea_o caluin_n himself_o say_v 7._o nec_fw-la humanum_fw-la est_fw-la inventum_fw-la sed_fw-la dei_fw-la ipsius_fw-la institutum_fw-la quod_fw-la singulis_fw-la svas_fw-la assignamus_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la paulus_n ipse_fw-la archippum_fw-la colossensium_fw-la episcopum_fw-la commemorate_fw-la it_o be_v not_o man_n devise_n but_o the_o very_a ordinance_n of_o god_n that_o we_o assign_v to_o every_o man_n his_o church_n paul_n himself_o mention_v archippus_n bishop_n of_o colossus_n that_o be_v pastor_n of_o colossus_n and_o so_o we_o grant_v each_o church_n ought_v by_o god_n law_n to_o have_v a_o pastor_n we_o must_v ask_v further_a whether_o by_o god_n law_n each_o church_n must_v have_v one_o or_o many_o if_o one_o we_o have_v our_o desire_n if_o many_o there_o must_v yet_o be_v one_o chief_a to_o avoid_v confusion_n 4._o equality_n as_o caluin_n note_v breed_v faction_n jerome_n say_v euagrium_n to_o suppress_v the_o seed_n of_o dissension_n one_o be_v set_v above_o the_o rest_n otherwise_o there_o will_v be_v luciferianos_fw-la as_o many_o schism_n as_o there_o be_v priest_n beza_n make_v it_o a_o essential_a and_o perpetual_a part_n of_o god_n ordinance_n to_o have_v one_o chief_a in_o each_o presbytery_n his_o word_n be_v 153._o essentiale_fw-la fuit_fw-la in_o eo_fw-la de_fw-la quo_fw-la hic_fw-la agimus_fw-la quod_fw-la ex_fw-la dei_fw-la ordinatione_fw-la perpetua_fw-la necesse_fw-la fuit_fw-la est_fw-la &_o erit_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o presbyterio_n quispiam_fw-la &_o loco_fw-la &_o dignitate_fw-la primus_fw-la actioni_fw-la gubernandae_fw-la praesit_fw-la cum_fw-la eo_fw-la quod_fw-la ipsidivinitus_fw-la attributum_fw-la est_fw-la jure_fw-la this_o be_v essential_a in_o the_o matter_n we_o have_v in_o hand_n that_o by_o god_n ordinance_n which_o must_v always_o endure_v it_o have_v be_v be_v and_o shall_v be_v needful_a that_o in_o the_o presbytery_n one_o chief_a in_o place_n and_o dignity_n shall_v moderate_v and_o rule_v every_o action_n with_o that_o right_n which_o be_v allow_v he_o by_o god_n law_n and_o in_o this_o he_o say_v right_a for_o a_o multitude_n ungoverned_a must_v needs_o be_v confuse_v which_o shall_v be_v far_o from_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o government_n there_o can_v be_v none_o where_o all_o be_v equal_a when_o the_o shepehearde_n lead_v into_o diverse_a pasture_n who_o shall_v the_o sheep_n follow_v when_o sundry_a lord_n make_v sundry_a law_n which_o shall_v the_o subject_n obey_v sure_o if_o no_o man_n can_v serve_v two_o master_n no_o church_n can_v endure_v two_o pastor_n while_o they_o consent_v they_o have_v but_o one_o mind_n though_o many_o man_n when_o they_o dissent_v which_o in_o all_o person_n be_v casual_a and_o in_o all_o place_n usual_a then_o will_v there_o be_v as_o many_o side_n as_o there_o be_v leader_n you_o be_v as_o good_a set_v two_o head_n on_o one_o body_n as_o two_o chief_a ruler_n over_o one_o company_n if_o you_o confess_v there_o must_v by_o god_n law_n be_v one_o chief_a pastor_n in_o one_o church_n then_o the_o chief_a pastor_n of_o each_o city_n be_v the_o bishop_n which_o we_o seek_v for_o and_o he_o by_o your_o own_o position_n be_v authorize_v as_o pastor_n of_o the_o place_n by_o god_n ordinance_n this_o you_o shall_v never_o avoid_v do_v what_o you_o can_v each_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n have_v many_o presbyter_n that_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n the_o scripture_n do_v plain_o witness_v it_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n act._n 15._o v._n 6._o and_o 23_o of_o antioch_n act._n 13._o v._n 1_o of_o ephesus_z act._n 20._o v._n 17._o and_o 28_o of_o rome_n rom._n 16_o of_o corinth_n 1._o corinth_n 14._o v._n 29_o of_o philippi_n philip._n 1._o v._n 1_o of_o thessalonica_n 1._o thess._n 5._o v._n 12_o of_o other_o church_n the_o like_a be_v affirm_v hebr._n 13._o v._o 17_o jame_v 5._o v._o 14_o 1._o pet._n 5._o v._n 1._o now_o by_o god_n essential_a and_o
power_n which_o you_o give_v to_o your_o presbyter_n but_o because_o you_o turn_v they_o all_o over_o the_o bar_n as_o taint_v with_o humane_a pollitie_n and_o neglecter_n of_o god_n ordinance_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o we_o can_v say_v more_o for_o the_o power_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n by_o the_o scripture_n than_o you_o have_v do_v for_o your_o presbyterial_a censure_n which_o in_o my_o judgement_n be_v very_o flenderlie_o and_o weak_o prove_v all_o that_o we_o can_v say_v for_o the_o power_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n be_v this_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o the_o mouth_n of_o s._n paul_n have_v give_v the_o bishop_n of_o each_o place_n authority_n to_o ordain_v such_o as_o be_v worthy_a to_o examine_v such_o as_o be_v faulty_a and_o reprove_v and_o discharge_v such_o as_o be_v guilty_a either_o of_o unsound_a teach_n or_o offensive_a live_n thus_o much_o he_o say_v to_o timothy_n and_o tite_n and_o in_o they_o to_o their_o successor_n and_o to_o all_o other_o bishop_n of_o christ_n church_n for_o ever_o the_o place_n be_v plain_a and_o need_v no_o long_a discourse_v till_o we_o hear_v your_o answer_n of_o admit_v presbyter_n paul_n say_v to_o timothy_n 5._o lay_v hand_n hasty_o on_o no_o man_n neither_o be_v partaker_n of_o other_o man_n sin_n and_o to_o tite_n 1._o for_o this_o cause_n i_o leave_v thou_o in_o crete_n that_o thou_o shall_v ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n such_o as_o i_o appoint_v thou_o of_o convent_v they_o he_o say_v 5._o receive_v no_o accusation_n against_o a_o presbyter_n but_o under_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n those_o that_o sin_n rebuke_v open_o that_o the_o rest_n may_v fear_v of_o dismiss_v they_o he_o say_v 1._o i_o pray_v thou_o to_o abide_v at_o ephesus_n to_o command_v certain_a that_o they_o teach_v no_o strange_a doctrine_n 1._o their_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v that_o teach_v thing_n they_o ought_v not_o for_o filthy_a lucre_n 5._o the_o presbyter_n that_o do_v their_o duty_n let_v they_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n 3._o stay_v foolish_a question_n and_o contention_n 3._o a_o heretic_n after_o one_o or_o two_o warning_n reject_v 2._o these_o thing_n speak_v and_o exhort_v and_o rebuke_v with_o all_o authority_n see_v no_o man_n despise_v thou_o 5._o i_o charge_v thou_o before_o god_n and_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o elect_a angel_n that_o thou_o observe_v these_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o carry_v any_o prejudice_n or_o incline_v to_o either_o part_n the_o word_n be_v singular_a the_o charge_n be_v vehement_a the_o party_n be_v bishop_n to_o who_o the_o apostle_n write_v the_o case_n therefore_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o bishop_n power_n over_o presbyter_n in_o these_o pointe●_n be_v ratify_v by_o the_o express_a commandment_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n you_o be_v mighty_o deceive_v this_o power_n belong_v to_o evangelist_n not_o to_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o it_o dure_v but_o for_o their_o time_n and_o exceed_v not_o their_o person_n to_o who_o the_o apostle_n ●rate_a see_v you_o how_o easy_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o your_o prelacy_n be_v shake_v and_o over_o throw_v if_o your_o reply_n be_v sound_a you_o say_v somewhat_o to_o the_o purpose_n but_o if_o it_o be_v false_a absurd_a repugnant_a to_o the_o very_a text_n and_o refute_v by_o your_o own_o position_n then_o take_v you_o heed_n what_o answer_v you_o will_v make_v to_o god_n for_o disturb_v his_o church_n despise_v his_o ordinance_n and_o deride_v his_o messenger_n that_o himself_o have_v place_v and_o authorize_v with_o his_o own_o mouth_n and_o here_o i_o must_v pray_v the_o christian_a reader_n advisedlie_o to_o mark_v what_o be_v say_v and_o answer_v on_o either_o side_n this_o in_o deed_n be_v the_o main_a erection_n of_o the_o episcopal_a power_n and_o function_n if_o our_o proof_n stand_v or_o subversion_n if_o your_o answer_n be_v good_a for_o if_o this_o fail_v well_o may_v bishop_n claim_v their_o authority_n by_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n by_o any_o divine_a precept_n express_v in_o the_o scripture_n they_o can_v but_o if_o these_o rule_n be_v deltuer_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o bishop_n as_o we_o say_v they_o be_v and_o not_o to_o timothy_n and_o tite_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o euangelship_n as_o the_o presbyterist_n affirm_v then_o can_v there_o be_v no_o question_n but_o this_o new_a discipline_n be_v a_o very_a dream_n and_o the_o ancient_a and_o primitive_a church_n of_o christ_n hold_v the_o right_a and_o apostolical_a form_n of_o govern_v the_o house_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o prescript_n of_o his_o word_n out_o rejoinder_n therefore_o be_v as_o follow_v no_o power_n proper_a to_o evangelist_n be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v perpetual_a in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n their_o call_n be_v both_o extraordinary_a and_o temporary_a but_o power_n to_o ordain_v fit_a minister_n to_o convent_n and_o discharge_v unfit_a be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v perpetual_a in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n this_o therefore_o be_v no_o power_n proper_a to_o evangelist_n which_o s._n paul_n in_o these_o place_n prescribe_v unto_o tite_n and_o timothy_n again_o your_o presbyter_n may_v not_o claim_v euangelisticall_a power_n since_o your_o presbyter_n be_v no_o evangelist_n but_o your_o presbytery_n claim_v this_o power_n which_o paul_n here_o commit_v to_o timothy_n and_o tite_n even_o to_o ordain_v examine_v censure_n and_o deprive_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n ergo_fw-la this_o power_n be_v not_o proper_a to_o evangelist_n let_v all_o this_o be_v nothing_o if_o saint_n paul_n in_o express_a word_n say_v not_o as_o much_o 6._o i_o charge_v thou_o say_v he_o to_o timothy_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o before_o jesus_n christ_n that_o thou_o keep_v this_o commandment_n without_o spot_n and_o unrebukeable_a until_o the_o appear_v of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n for_o timothy_n to_o observe_v these_o thing_n until_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n in_o glory_n be_v utter_o unpossible_a he_o be_v to_o die_v long_o before_o these_o precept_n therefore_o be_v deliver_v to_o he_o and_o those_o that_o shall_v succeed_v in_o his_o place_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n ergo_fw-la timothy_n power_n and_o function_n in_o this_o behalf_n must_v be_v perpetual_a in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o not_o fail_v before_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n 6._o with_o great_a vigilancy_n and_o providence_n say_v ambrose_n upon_o this_o place_n do_v the_o apostle_n give_v percept_v to_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n for_o in_o his_o person_n do_v the_o safety_n of_o the_o people_n consist_v he_o be_v not_o so_o circumspect_a as_o fear_v timothy_n care_n but_o for_o his_o successor_n that_o after_o timothy_n example_n they_o shall_v observe_v the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n now_o let_v the_o christian_a reader_n judge_v whether_o this_o be_v a_o temporary_a function_n in_o timothy_n that_o die_v with_o his_o person_n or_o a_o perpetual_a charge_n to_o he_o and_o his_o successor_n for_o ever_o sure_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n timothy_n be_v no_o bishop_n you_o say_v he_o be_v no_o bishop_n 233._o eusebius_n jerome_n ambrose_n chrysostome_n theodoretus_n epiphanius_n oecumenius_n primasius_n affirm_v he_o be_v a_o bishop_n and_o in_o that_o respect_n s._n paul_n by_o this_o epistle_n direct_v he_o and_o all_o other_o bishop_n in_o he_o how_o to_o impose_v hand_n on_o presbyter_n and_o receive_v accusation_n against_o they_o yea_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n without_o exception_n have_v so_o construe_v and_o observe_v the_o apostle_n word_n in_o suffer_v none_o but_o bishop_n either_o to_o ordain_v or_o degrade_v presbyter_n yet_o all_o this_o with_o you_o be_v nothing_o your_o bare_a fancy_n must_v over_o bear_v both_o father_n be_v they_o never_o so_o learned_a and_o church_n be_v they_o never_o so_o ancient_a and_o though_o you_o avouch_v this_o power_n must_v not_o exceed_v their_o two_o person_n to_o who_o s._n paul_n write_v yet_o you_o be_v so_o liberal_a and_o beneficial_a to_o your_o presbytery_n that_o against_o all_o truth_n and_o authority_n you_o make_v they_o succeed_v timothy_n and_o tite_n in_o their_o euangelisticall_a power_n and_o so_o according_a to_o your_o manner_n you_o will_v have_v this_o power_n to_o be_v proper_a and_o yet_o common_a to_o be_v extraordinary_a and_o yet_o usual_a to_o cease_v with_o their_o person_n and_o yet_o to_o dure_v for_o ever_o with_o your_o presbytery_n fire_n will_v better_o agree_v with_o water_n than_o you_o with_o yourselves_o except_o you_o leave_v this_o roll_a too_o and_o fro_o at_o your_o pleasure_n we_o say_v the_o evangelist_n have_v this_o power_n for_o a_o time_n the_o presbytery_n for_o e●er_n what_o you_o say_v no_o wise_a man_n will_v regard_v unless_o you_o make_v better_a proof_n than_o i_o yet_o
church_n and_o burden_v he_o with_o the_o due_a observation_n of_o god_n and_o man_n law_n if_o they_o find_v any_o just_a impediment_n they_o reject_v he_o as_o unfit_a and_o proceed_v to_o the_o like_a election_n of_o some_o other_o on_o who_o both_o presbyter_n and_o citizen_n can_v accord_v alexander_n severus_n the_o roman_a emperor_n do_v commend_v and_o imitate_v the_o christian_n manner_n in_o try_v and_o examine_v their_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n sever_v when_o he_o will_v send_v say_v lampridius_n any_o ruler_n to_o the_o province_n or_o make_v governor_n he_o propose_v their_o name_n exhort_v the_o people_n that_o if_o any_o can_v object_v any_o crime_n they_o shall_v make_v just_a proof_n and_o use_v to_o say_v it_o be_v a_o shame_n not_o to_o do_v that_o in_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o province_n which_o the_o christian_n do_v in_o proclaim_v their_o priest_n that_o be_v to_o be_v ordain_v when_o the_o city_n have_v not_o store_n of_o clergy_n man_n or_o not_o such_o as_o they_o like_v they_o be_v force_v to_o seek_v a_o bishop_n from_o another_o church_n and_o then_o do_v they_o go_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o chief_a or_o mother_n city_n in_o the_o same_o province_n and_o of_o he_o desire_v to_o have_v such_o a_o man_n for_o their_o bishop_n or_o else_o some_o other_o who_o the_o metropolitan_a that_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o mother_n church_n or_o city_n shall_v think_v fit_a for_o they_o this_o be_v call_v postulation_n upon_o their_o request_n the_o metropolitan_a confer_v with_o the_o bishop_n who_o presbyter_n be_v desire_v and_o call_v unto_o he_o at_o the_o least_o two_o other_o bishop_n try_v and_o examine_v the_o party_n like_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o other_o be_v and_o then_o ordain_v he_o or_o if_o he_o be_v reject_v some_o other_o likewise_o try_v and_o approve_v to_o be_v ruler_n of_o the_o church_n that_o want_v a_o pastor_n and_o as_o to_o keep_v the_o people_n from_o faction_n &_o the_o presbyter_n from_o ambition_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o same_o province_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o choice_n &_o to_o see_v the_o election_n go_v forward_o in_o christian_a and_o decent_a manner_n without_o corruption_n canvas_n or_o tumult_n so_o to_o restrain_v the_o bishop_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o disorder_v the_o action_n for_o hatred_n or_o favour_n of_o any_o side_n the_o whole_a order_n of_o their_o proceed_n be_v to_o be_v intimate_v to_o the_o metropolitan_a before_o they_o impose_v hand_n and_o if_o any_o just_a complaint_n be_v make_v of_o their_o partiality_n the_o metropolitan_a have_v power_n to_o stay_v they_o from_o go_v forward_o and_o with_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n to_o discuss_v and_o upon_o cause_n to_o reverse_v the_o election_n the_o council_n of_o nice_a will_v 4._o a_o bishop_n to_o he_o make_v by_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o same_o province_n and_o if_o any_o difficulty_n suffer_v not_o all_o to_o assemble_v yet_o at_o least_o three_o to_o meet_v and_o the_o rest_n by_o letter_n to_o give_v their_o consent_n before_o the_o party_n be_v ordain_v yea_o they_o make_v it_o a_o clear_a case_n that_o 6._o if_o any_o be_v ordain_v without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a he_o shall_v be_v no_o bishop_n as_o also_o that_o if_o any_o diversity_n of_o judgement_n grow_v among_o the_o bishop_n the_o voice_n of_o the_o most_o part_n shall_v prevail_v for_o the_o make_n of_o presbyter_n there_o do_v not_o assemble_v so_o many_o bishop_n since_o one_o be_v sufficient_a to_o lay_v hand_n on_o they_o howbeit_o the_o same_o order_n be_v observe_v in_o try_v &_o examine_v presbyter_n that_o i_o mention_v before_o in_o bishop_n &_o the_o public_a testimony_n of_o y_fw-es ●_o people_n touch_v their_o conversation_n be_v not_o omit_v except_o the_o bishop_n be_v so_o assure_v of_o their_o good_a behaviour_n that_o they_o will_v take_v it_o upon_o the_o burden_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n 22._o let_v no_o man_n be_v make_v a_o clergy_n man_n say_v the_o three_o council_n of_o carthage_n nisi_fw-la probatus_fw-la vel_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la examine_v vel_fw-la populi_fw-la testimonio_fw-la unless_o he_o be_v allow_v by_o y_z e_z examination_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o people_n and_o likewise_o 22._o the_o bishop_n must_v not_o ordain_v clerk_n without_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o clergy_n &_o have_v also_o theassent_v &_o testimony_n of_o the_o citizen_n the_o people_n may_v not_o elect_v presbyter_n the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n do_v utterlie_o prohibit_v it_o 13._o the_o multitude_n must_v not_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v priest_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v either_o y_fw-es ●_o place_n where_o they_o sit_v or_o the_o office_n which_o they_o bear_v yet_o may_v they_o present_v such_o as_o they_o take_v to_o be_v meet_a man_n for_o that_o place_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o pray_v he_o to_o examine_v and_o allow_v they_o according_a to_o his_o discretion_n yea_o they_o be_v desire_v by_o the_o bishop_n to_o find_v out_o such_o among_o themselves_o as_o they_o suppose_v for_o learning_n and_o life_n to_o be_v fit_a for_o that_o call_n though_o unknowen_a as_o yet_o to_o the_o bishop_n and_o to_o offer_v they_o that_o he_o with_o the_o help_n of_o his_o clergy_n may_v try_v they_o whether_o they_o be_v answerable_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n and_o worthy_a that_o function_n so_o be_v s._n austen_n 148._o violent_o catch_v by_o the_o people_n when_o valerius_n exhort_v they_o to_o look_v out_o of_o themselves_o some_o meet_a man_n to_o be_v dedicate_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o bring_v to_o the_o bishop_n to_o be_v ordain_v the_o like_a 2._o violence_n be_v offer_v to_o many_o by_o the_o people_n as_o austen_n confess_v jerome_n touch_v this_o order_n of_o present_v by_o the_o people_n when_o he_o say_v to_o rusticus_n forma_fw-la cum_fw-la ad_fw-la perfectam_fw-la aetatem_fw-la veneris_fw-la &_o te_fw-la vel_fw-la populus_fw-la vel_fw-la pontifex_fw-la civitatis_fw-la in_o clerum_fw-la elegerit_fw-la when_o thou_o come_v to_o perfect_a year_n and_o either_o the_o people_n or_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n choose_v thou_o into_o the_o clergy_n thereby_o note_v that_o in_o city_n some_o be_v assume_v by_o the_o bishop_n some_o offer_v by_o the_o people_n as_o meet_v man_n to_o be_v take_v into_o the_o number_n of_o clergy_n man_n in_o country_n parish_n when_o they_o want_v they_o desire_v a_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n of_o the_o bishop_n in_o who_o diocese_n they_o be_v and_o he_o according_a to_o their_o necessity_n do_v furnish_v they_o out_o of_o his_o own_o presbytery_n or_o out_o of_o the_o store_n of_o some_o other_o church_n in_o his_o diocese_n and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v it_o they_o repair_v to_o the_o metropolitan_a who_o do_v furnish_v they_o out_o of_o the_o whole_a province_n 5●_n it_o happen_v often_o say_v aurelius_n bishop_n of_o carthage_n in_o the_o council_n of_o africa_n that_o church_n which_o want_v deacon_n presbyter_n or_o bishop_n ask_v they_o of_o i_o and_o i_o mindful_a of_o the_o canon_n send_v to_o the_o bishop_n under_o who_o he_o be_v and_o acquaint_v he_o that_o his_o clerk_n be_v desire_v of_o this_o or_o that_o church_n and_o hitherto_o they_o have_v not_o withstand_v but_o least_o hereafter_o it_o fall_v out_o that_o they_o deny_v i_o require_v this_o of_o they_o if_o i_o demand_v any_o such_o thing_n of_o one_o of_o my_o fellow_n bishop_n with_o two_o or_o three_o of_o your_o place_n join_v with_o i_o and_o he_o be_v irreligious_a and_o not_o regard_v i_o your_o charity_n must_v determine_v what_o i_o shall_v do_v for_o you_o know_v that_o i_o sustain_v the_o care_n of_o many_o church_n and_o ordination_n they_o answer_v this_o seat_n have_v have_v always_o liberty_n whence_o soever_o to_o ordain_v a_o bishop_n that_o be_v desire_v of_o he_o at_o the_o instance_n of_o any_o church_n one_o bishop_n may_v ordain_v many_o presbyter_n but_o a_o presbyter_n meet_v for_o a_o bishopric_n be_v hardly_o find_v three_o at_o least_o be_v requisite_a to_o impose_v hand_n on_o a_o bishop_n but_o any_o one_o bishop_n may_v ordain_v presbyter_n as_o the_o ancient_a canon_n of_o the_o church_n import_n 2._o let_v a_o bishop_n be_v ordain_v by_o two_o or_o three_o bishop_n but_o a_o presbyter_n deacon_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o one_o bishop_n the_o primitive_a manner_n of_o elect_a bishop_n we_o see_v wherein_o i_o observe_v first_o that_o the_o bishop_n who_o be_v to_o impose_v hand_n have_v their_o warrant_n by_o god_n law_n to_o reject_v the_o party_n choose_v if_o they_o find_v he_o unfit_a either_o for_o learning_n or_o manner_n the_o word_n of_o
if_o that_o be_v their_o first_o original_n they_o need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o all_o christendom_n these_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n have_v reverence_v and_o follow_v the_o decree_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o nicene_n father_n the_o founder_n of_o your_o new_a discipline_n compare_v with_o they_o in_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n come_v a_o great_a way_n behind_o they_o but_o if_o you_o look_v better_o about_o you_o you_o shall_v find_v that_o metropolitanes_n be_v far_o elder_a than_o the_o nicene_n council_n they_o be_v not_o devise_v but_o acknowledge_v in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a by_o these_o word_n 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v the_o ancient_a usage_n continue_v still_o in_o egypt_n libya_n &_o pentapolis_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d power_n and_o authority_n over_o all_o these_o place_n likewise_o at_o antioch_n and_o in_o other_o province_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v the_o church_n keep_v their_o prerogative_n what_o those_o prerogative_n be_v which_o ancient_o belong_v to_o the_o metropolitan_a church_n and_o their_o bishop_n though_o the_o council_n do_v not_o express_v they_o all_o yet_o these_o two_o be_v there_o mention_v in_o the_o 4._o canon_n 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o chief_a authority_n or_o ratification_n of_o thing_n do_v must_v belong_v in_o every_o province_n to_o the_o metropolitan_a and_o in_o this_o very_a canon_n the_o next_o word_n be_v 6._o in_o all_o place_n or_o province_n this_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o any_o man_n be_v make_v a_o bishop_n without_o the_o knowledge_n or_o consent_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a this_o great_a council_n determine_v he_o must_v be_v no_o bishop_n so_o that_o neither_o can_v synod_n be_v call_v nor_o bishop_n ordain_v without_o y_fw-es ●_o metropolitan_a by_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n &_o their_o power_n &_o prerogative_n within_o their_o own_o province_n begin_v not_o first_o in_o that_o council_n but_o be_v there_o witness_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o ancient_a use_n &_o as_o they_o speak_v in_o the_o 7._o canon_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o ancient_a tradition_n the_o council_n of_o antioch_n that_o assemble_v fifteen_o year_n after_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a conclude_v as_o much_o as_o i_o do_v out_o of_o the_o nicene_n canon_n 19_o a_o bishop_n must_v not_o be_v ordain_v without_o a_o synod_n and_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a the_o bishop_n of_o each_o province_n to_o make_v a_o synod_n the_o metropolitan_a by_o his_o letter_n must_v call_v together_o 20._o it_o be_v very_o requisite_a that_o in_o every_o province_n council_n be_v keep_v twice_o in_o the_o year_n to_o the_o which_o presbyter_n deacon_n and_o all_o other_o that_o think_v they_o have_v wrong_v may_v repair_v to_o receive_v justice_n from_o the_o synod_n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o to_o assemble_v synod_n of_o themselves_o without_o those_o to_o who_o the_o in_o other_o city_n be_v commit_v 16._o for_o that_o be_v a_o perfect_a council_n where_o the_o metropolitan_a be_v present_a what_o power_n the_o metropolitan_a have_v above_o the_o rest_n they_o likewise_o express_v 9_o the_o bishop_n of_o every_o province_n must_v agnise_v the_o metropolitan_a to_o have_v the_o overfight_a and_o care_n of_o the_o whole_a province_n wherefore_o we_o think_v it_o meet_v that_o in_o honour_n he_o be_v afore_o they_o &_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n do_v nothing_o without_o he_o according_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o our_o father_n that_o have_v ancient_o prevail_v but_o only_o such_o thing_n as_o pertain_v to_o their_o own_o charge_n and_z dioecese_n further_o they_o shall_v enterprise_v nothing_o without_o the_o metropolitan_a nor_o the_o metropolitan_a without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n the_o general_a council_n of_o ephesus_n affirm_v that_o metropolitanes_n have_v their_o preeminence_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n cypri_n it_o seem_v good_a to_o this_o sacred_a &_o occumenicall_a council_n to_o reserve_v unto_o every_o province_n untouched_a and_o undiminish_v the_o right_n which_o they_o have_v have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o the_o first_o beginning_n every_o metropolitan_a have_v liberty_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o take_v the_o copy_n of_o our_o act_n for_o his_o own_o security_n according_a to_o the_o use_n ancient_o confirm_v these_o 3._o council_n confess_v that_o metropolitanes_n be_v not_o late_a nor_o new_a devise_n first_o authorize_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a but_o their_o right_a and_o preeminence_n be_v a_o ancient_a usage_n and_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n even_o from_o the_o beginning_n now_o that_o all_o christendom_n ever_o after_o the_o nicene_n council_n embrace_v this_o kind_n of_o government_n by_o metropolitanes_n be_v a_o case_n so_o clear_a that_o no_o shift_n can_v refuse_v it_o the_o second_o council_n of_o arle_n in_o france_n that_o immediate_o follow_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a say_v 5._o nullus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la sine_fw-la metropolitani_n per_fw-la missa_fw-la nec_fw-la episcopus_fw-la metropolitanus_n sine_fw-la tribus_fw-la episcopis_fw-la comprovincialibus_fw-la praesumat_fw-la episcopum_fw-la ordinare_fw-la let_v no_o bishop_n presume_v to_o ordain_v a_o bishop_n without_o the_o permission_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a nor_o the_o metropolitan_a himself_o without_o three_o bishop_n of_o the_o same_o province_n 6._o for_o this_o be_v first_o evident_a that_o he_o which_o be_v make_v a_o bishop_n sine_fw-la conscientia_fw-la metropolitani_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o metropolitan_a he_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o bishop_n according_a to_o the_o great_a council_n of_o nice_a and_o so_o for_o synod_n 18._o the_o synod_n shall_v be_v assemble_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o arle_n and_o if_o any_o be_v summon_v can_v come_v by_o reason_n of_o sickness_n he_o shall_v send_v another_o to_o supply_v his_o place_n 19_o but_o if_o any_o shall_v neglect_v to_o be_v present_a or_o depart_v before_o the_o council_n be_v dissolve_v let_v he_o know_v he_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o his_o brethren_n and_o may_v not_o be_v receive_v unless_o he_o be_v absolve_v in_o the_o next_o synod_n the_o council_n of_o laodieea_n in_o phrygia_n 12._o let_v bishop_n be_v appoint_v to_o the_o regiment_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a and_o the_o bishop_n adjoin_v &_o 40._o be_v call_v to_o the_o synod_n they_o must_v not_o neglect_v it_o but_o go_v thither_o and_o teach_v or_o learn_v what_o be_v requisite_a for_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o brethren_n the_o second_o council_n of_o carthage_n in_o africa_n 12._o we_o all_o think_v good_a that_o the_o primate_n of_o every_o province_n be_v not_o first_o consult_v no_o man_n presume_v though_o with_o many_o bishop_n in_o what_o place_n soever_o without_o his_o precept_n to_o ordain_v a_o bishop_n but_o if_o necessity_n force_n three_z bishop_n wheresoever_o with_o the_o primate_fw-la precept_n may_v ordain_v a_o bishop_n the_o five_o council_n of_o carthage_n 7._o we_o think_v good_a that_o the_o primate_fw-la of_o every_o province_n be_v write_v unto_o that_o when_o they_o assemble_v council_n in_o their_o own_o province_n they_o hinder_v not_o the_o day_n limit_v for_o the_o general_a meeting_n the_o milevitane_n council_n 13._o aurelius_n bishop_n of_o carthage_n say_v this_o be_v a_o common_a cause_n that_o every_o one_o of_o we_o shall_v acknowledge_v his_o order_n allow_v he_o by_o god_n and_o the_o low_a bishop_n yield_v to_o those_o that_o be_v above_o they_o and_o not_o presume_v to_o do_v anything_o without_o they_o wherefore_o they_o which_o attempt_n to_o do_v aught_o without_o regard_n of_o their_o superior_n must_v be_v according_o repress_v by_o the_o whole_a synod_n all_o the_o bishop_n answer_v this_o order_n have_v be_v keep_v by_o our_o father_n and_o forefather_n and_o by_o god_n grace_n shall_v be_v keep_v of_o us._n the_o council_n of_o rhegium_n in_o italy_n 1._o the_o ordination_n which_o the_o canon_n define_v to_o be_v void_a we_o also_o determine_v to_o be_v frustrate_a wherein_o since_o there_o be_v neither_o three_o present_a nor_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o comprovinciall_a bishop_n nor_o the_o metropolitanes_n good_a will_v obtain_v there_o be_v utter_o nothing_o that_o shall_v make_v a_o bishop_n and_o again_o 6._o let_v not_o bishop_n repair_v to_o the_o church_n which_o have_v not_o her_o chief_a priest_n except_o he_o be_v invite_v by_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a lest_o he_o be_v circumvent_v by_o the_o people_n the_o council_n of_o tarracon_n in_o spain_n 6._o if_o any_o bishop_n warn_v by_o the_o metropolitan_a neglect_v to_o come_v to_o the_o synod_n except_o he_o be_v hinder_v by_o some_o corporal_a necessity_n let_v he_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o communion_n of_o all_o the_o bishop_n
consist_v of_o the_o pastor_n and_o some_o grave_n &_o wise_a lay_v elder_n there_o dwell_v to_o determine_v matter_n emergent_a within_o a_o circuit_n to_o be_v appoint_v unto_o they_o and_o from_o they_o appeal_v to_o be_v make_v to_o the_o synod_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n reside_v in_o some_o principal_a and_o chief_a city_n within_o this_o realm_n so_o that_o unless_o the_o matter_n be_v of_o very_o great_a weight_n the_o pastor_n at_o large_a shall_v not_o be_v trouble_v to_o assemble_v together_o and_o when_o they_o assemble_v their_o abode_n not_o to_o be_v long_o for_o save_v of_o time_n and_o charge_n which_o man_n of_o their_o calling_n neither_o shall_v loose_v nor_o can_v spare_v lest_o we_o busy_v they_o rather_o as_o judge_n of_o man_n quarrel_n than_o steward_n of_o god_n mystery_n the_o chief_a ground_n of_o your_o discipline_n be_v your_o own_o devise_n as_o may_v well_o appear_v in_o that_o no_o part_n of_o it_o be_v ancient_a or_o be_v ever_o use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o jointe_n of_o it_o hang_v together_o like_o sick_a man_n dream_n the_o pastor_n and_o lay_v elder_n of_o every_o church_n serve_v at_o first_o to_o fill_v up_o your_o presbytery_n and_o now_o your_o bessel_n be_v so_o low_o draw_v that_o you_o use_v they_o for_o synod_n and_o where_o you_o can_v not_o abide_v that_o bishop_n shall_v have_v diocese_n now_o you_o be_v please_v that_o presbytery_n shall_v have_v circuit_n and_o ecclesiastical_a regiment_n without_o their_o church_n and_o city_n metropolitanes_n be_v not_o long_o since_o the_o height_n of_o antichristes_n pride_n and_o now_o you_o be_v force_v for_o repress_v of_o disorder_n and_o enormity_n in_o every_o parish_n to_o allow_v some_o chief_a and_o mother_n city_n and_o to_o yield_v their_o presbytery_n metropolitical_a jurisdiction_n over_o whole_a province_n and_o all_o this_o yourselves_o be_v private_a man_n take_v upon_o you_o to_o devise_v and_o establish_v without_o precedent_a to_o induce_v or_o authority_n to_o warrant_v your_o do_n and_o yet_o you_o think_v it_o not_o lawful_a for_o the_o prince_n and_o the_o whole_a realm_n to_o imitate_v the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n nor_o to_o follow_v the_o step_n of_o religious_a and_o godly_a emperor_n that_o appoint_v metropolitanes_n to_o call_n and_o moderate_v provincial_a council_n and_o for_o ease_v of_o all_o side_n to_o examine_v such_o matter_n before_o hand_n as_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o molest_v and_o trouble_v full_a synod_n wherein_o what_o else_o do_v you_o but_o show_v your_o inconstant_a and_o inconsiderate_a humour_n that_o will_v have_v the_o church_n guide_v by_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n parochial_a and_o provincial_a and_o admit_v precedent_n and_o chief_a governor_n of_o either_o and_o yet_o can_v abide_v that_o prince_n shall_v retain_v the_o ancient_a and_o accustom_a form_n of_o ecclesiastical_a regiment_n by_o bishop_n and_o metropolitanes_n settle_v so_o long_o ago_o in_o the_o church_n and_o ever_o since_o continue_v without_o interruption_n but_o i_o pray_v you_o what_o place_n or_o voice_n have_v lay_v elder_n in_o synod_n what_o example_n or_o reason_n can_v you_o pretend_v for_o it_o if_o they_o may_v judge_v in_o presbytery_n why_o not_o in_o synod_n belike_o you_o will_v have_v none_o but_o bishop_n have_v decisive_a voice_n in_o council_n according_a to_o the_o romish_a order_n of_o celebrate_v synod_n if_o you_o be_v as_o far_o from_o novelty_n as_o i_o be_o from_o popery_n we_o shall_v soon_o agree_v howbeit_o every_o thing_n use_v or_o believe_v in_o the_o romish_a church_n be_v not_o rash_o to_o be_v disclaim_v you_o make_v it_o a_o resolute_a conclusion_n that_o lay_v elder_n be_v part_n of_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n but_o when_o we_o come_v to_o examine_v your_o proof_n we_o find_v they_o as_o weak_a as_o your_o imagination_n be_v strong_a now_o though_o the_o pastor_n of_o each_o parish_n when_o they_o be_v single_a may_v happy_o need_v as_o you_o think_v the_o advice_n and_o assistance_n of_o lay_v presbyter_n yet_o that_o pastor_n assemble_v in_o synod_n where_o their_o number_n be_v great_a &_o their_o gift_n of_o all_o sort_n shall_v stand_v in_o like_a need_n of_o lay_v elder_n to_o lead_v or_o direct_v they_o be_v neither_o consequent_a to_o reason_n nor_o coherent_a with_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n for_o to_o who_o have_v the_o lord_n commit_v 28._o the_o teach_n of_o all_o nation_n to_o pastor_n or_o to_o lay_v presbyter_n who_o by_o god_n law_n be_v appoint_v 3_o watchman_n in_o y_fw-fr ●_o house_n of_o israel_n 4._o steward_n over_o his_o family_n 20._o bishop_n over_o his_o church_n and_o 13._o leader_n of_o his_o flock_n lay_v elder_n or_o christ_n minister_n if_o in_o the_o church_n the_o sheep_n must_v 10._o hear_v and_o follow_v their_o shepherd_n as_o well_o for_o truth_n of_o doctrine_n as_o holiness_n of_o life_n by_o what_o commission_n bring_v you_o lay_v presbyter_n into_o synod_n where_o the_o teacher_n and_o pastor_n of_o a_o whole_a province_n or_o nation_n be_v assemble_v shall_v your_o lay_n elder_n by_o christ_n commandment_n be_v scholar_n in_o the_o church_n and_o teacher_n in_o the_o synod_n or_o do_v the_o gift_n and_o grace_n of_o preacher_n so_o change_v that_o in_o pulpit_n each_o one_o must_v be_v believe_v and_o obey_v in_o council_n all_o join_v together_o must'be_v restrain_v and_o direct_v by_o lay_v elder_n if_o you_o have_v reason_n or_o authority_n for_o it_o let_v we_o hear_v it_o if_o neither_o you_o trouble_v the_o church_n of_o god_n with_o a_o pang_n of_o your_o wilful_a contradiction_n and_o take_v upon_o you_o to_o over-rule_v christian_a prince_n and_o church_n with_o great_a surlines_n than_o ever_o do_v patriarch_n or_o pope_n in_o the_o apostle_n council_n be_v not_o only_o the_o 15._o presbyter_n but_o all_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o letter_n of_o resolution_n be_v write_v in_o all_o their_o name_n and_o now_o you_o disdain_v that_o any_o lay_v man_n shall_v be_v present_a at_o your_o provincial_a synod_n and_o council_n which_o you_o see_v the_o apostle_n do_v not_o refuse_v to_o be_v present_a at_o synod_n be_v one_o thing_n to_o deliberate_v and_o determine_v in_o synod_n be_v a_o other_o thing_n if_o you_o think_v that_o either_o presbyter_n or_o brethren_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o apostle_n council_n to_o help_v and_o aid_v the_o apostle_n in_o their_o debate_n or_o decide_v the_o matter_n there_o question_v you_o be_v much_o deceive_v the_o apostle_n single_v be_v sufficient_a to_o decide_v a_o great_a doubt_n than_o that_o be_v much_o more_o then_o the_o whole_a assembly_n of_o the_o apostle_n able_a to_o search_v out_o the_o truth_n thereof_o without_o their_o assistance_n the_o reason_n why_o all_o the_o church_n be_v admit_v to_o be_v present_a &_o to_o join_v with_o one_o accord_n in_o send_v those_o letter_n i_o note_v before_o not_o only_o the_o gainsayer_n but_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v to_o be_v resolve_v in_o a_o case_n that_o touch_v they_o all_o otherwise_o aswell_o the_o people_n as_o the_o teacher_n of_o y_o ●_o jew_o will_v s●il_o have_v abhor_v the_o gentile_n though_o believer_n as_o profane_a person_n until_o they_o have_v be_v circumcisęd_v which_o be_v the_o high_a way_n to_o evacuate_v the_o cross_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o frustrate_v his_o grace_n and_o therefore_o not_o for_o deliberation_n or_o for_o determination_n but_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o contradictor_n and_o instruction_n of_o the_o rest_n be_v the_o whole_a church_n assemble_v and_o upon_o the_o full_a hear_n and_o conclude_v of_o the_o question_n by_o the_o apostle_n the_o rest_n join_v with_o they_o acknowledge_v by_o their_o letter_n and_o messenger_n that_o it_o please_v the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o gentile_n shall_v not_o be_v trouble_v with_o circumcision_n nor_o the_o observation_n of_o moses_n law_n but_o that_o the_o partition_n wall_n betwixt_o they_o be_v break_v down_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o they_o which_o be_v 2._o alien_n from_o the_o common_a wealth_n of_o israel_n &_o stranger_n from_o the_o covenant_n of_o promise_n be_v now_o citizen_n with_o the_o saint_n &_o of_o the_o household_n of_o faith_n without_o the_o legal_a observance_n of_o moses_n law_n s._n luke_n himself_o witness_v that_o to_o 6._o discuss_v the_o matter_n the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n assemble_v together_o and_o after_o great_a disputation_n on_o either_o side_n peter_n and_o james_n conclude_v the_o cause_n whereto_o the_o rest_n consent_v yet_o than_o elder_n be_v admit_v to_o deliberate_v with_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o synod_n whereas_o you_o suffer_v none_o but_o bishop_n to_o have_v voice_n in_o council_n i_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o presbyter_n sit_v with_o the_o apostle_n in_o synod_n to_o consult_v of_o
it_o can_v not_o then_o be_v new_a beside_o nazianzene_n repute_v it_o a_o wonderful_a inconvenience_n to_o loose_v that_o great_a and_o new_a name_n and_o to_o be_v all_o one_o as_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v take_v not_o to_o be_v of_o god_n now_o if_o the_o name_n be_v new_a and_o late_o invent_v by_o man_n the_o loss_n thereof_o be_v not_o great_a yea_o retain_v the_o name_n they_o must_v be_v know_v to_o be_v of_o man_n and_o not_o of_o god_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o nazianzenes_n word_n wherefore_o by_o the_o great_a and_o new_a name_n he_o mean_v the_o name_n of_o christian_n ground_v his_o speech_n on_o the_o word_n of_o esay_n that_o say_v the_o church_n 62._o be_v call_v by_o a_o new_a name_n or_o if_o he_o refer_v it_o to_o bishop_n he_o speak_v rather_o in_o praise_n of_o the_o greatness_n they_o in_o dispraise_n of_o the_o newness_n of_o the_o name_n &_o account_v it_o to_o be_v great_a &_o new_a because_o it_o be_v first_o use_v by_o y_z e_z holy_a ghost_n in_o y_z e_z new_a testament_n he_o wish_v there_o be_v no_o pre-eminence_n nor_o priority_n among_o bishop_n and_o call_v their_o superiority_n tyrannical_a he_o wish_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o pre-eminence_n and_o priority_n among_o bishop_n go_v not_o by_o the_o mightiness_n of_o their_o city_n but_o by_o the_o desert_n of_o their_o virtue_n not_o that_o the_o first_o be_v vulawfull_a but_o that_o the_o second_o be_v far_o more_o commendable_a urbem_fw-la o_o that_o there_o be_v say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n neither_o priority_n of_o see_n nor_o privilege_n of_o place_n &_o tyrannical_a pre-eminence_n that_o we_o may_v be_v distinguish_v only_o by_o virtue_n if_o this_o last_o be_v possible_a the_o former_a might_n well_o be_v wish_v out_o of_o the_o church_n for_o than_o shall_v none_o but_o fit_a and_o worthy_a man_n have_v the_o place_n of_o government_n where_o otherwise_o the_o worst_a be_v often_o high_a and_o rule_v as_o impotent_o as_o they_o aspire_v unshamefacedly_o this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o nazianzens_n speech_n and_o what_o fault_n to_o find_v with_o it_o true_o i_o know_v not_o happy_a be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n not_o if_o all_o be_v equal_a as_o you_o will_v have_v they_o but_o if_o each_o man_n have_v superiority_n according_a to_o his_o integrity_n so_o shall_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n never_o be_v besiege_v with_o ambition_n nor_o surprise_v with_o corruption_n nor_o waste_v with_o dissension_n but_o the_o chief_a will_v circumspect_o and_o wise_o lead_v and_o the_o rest_n will_v glad_o and_o quiet_o follow_v where_o now_o aspire_v and_o strive_v for_o place_n of_o dignity_n have_v subvert_v many_a not_o of_o the_o mean_a but_o of_o the_o high_a degree_n so_o say_v nazianzene_n but_o now_o when_o man_n be_v superior_a by_o their_o city_n and_o ibidem_fw-la not_o by_o their_o virtue_n the_o right_a hand_n &_o the_o left_a and_o the_o midst_n the_o high_a and_o the_o low_a seat_n the_o precedency_n or_o go_v cheek_n by_o cheek_n have_v make_v many_o breath_n among_o we_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o cast_v many_o into_o the_o ditch_n and_o make_v they_o goat_n not_o only_o of_o the_o inferior_a sort_n but_o even_o of_o the_o shepherd_n who_o be_v master_n in_o israel_n know_v not_o this_o he_o mislike_v not_o general_o the_o call_n of_o bishop_n nor_o their_o diversity_n of_o degree_n but_o the_o fall_n of_o some_o of_o they_o into_o the_o ditch_n and_o become_a goat_n while_o they_o press_v over_o eager_o to_o the_o high_a place_n otherwise_o he_o must_v first_o have_v condemn_v himself_o who_o accept_v and_o retain_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a seat_n of_o honour_n though_o after_o to_o conserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n he_o resign_v it_o last_o the_o wish_v of_o a_o better_a way_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a be_v no_o deface_v of_o that_o which_o be_v already_o settle_v by_o reason_n it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o nazianzenes_n wish_v shall_v take_v place_n for_o that_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v sincere_o regard_v and_o honour_v according_a to_o their_o virtue_n be_v rather_o a_o heavenly_a than_o a_o earthly_a condition_n and_o soon_o to_o be_v wish_v for_o then_o to_o be_v look_v for_o at_o man_n hand_n yea_o that_o course_n which_o he_o wish_v unless_o the_o execution_n may_v be_v answerable_a to_o his_o wish_n will_v do_v more_o harm_n then_o good_a for_o it_o will_v not_o quench_v ambition_n and_o contention_n as_o some_o man_n dream_v which_o be_v the_o vice_n that_o he_o complain_v of_o but_o rather_o inflame_v they_o while_o every_o man_n conceive_v well_o of_o his_o own_o virtue_n will_v make_v small_a account_n of_o other_o man_n gift_n and_o desert_n if_o to_o decide_v the_o strife_n you_o reserve_v the_o judgement_n thereof_o to_o other_o man_n voice_n you_o amend_v the_o matter_n nothing_o at_o all_o for_o if_o all_o man_n set_v aside_o corrupt_a and_o partial_a respect_n will_v choose_v the_o best_a to_o every_o place_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n will_v soon_o flourish_v without_o any_o wish_v and_o wish_v what_o you_o will_v except_o that_o be_v first_o bring_v to_o pass_v all_o the_o rest_n will_v do_v you_o no_o good_a a_o equality_n among_o the_o pastor_n must_v needs_o slake_v ambition_n if_o you_o can_v reduce_v the_o city_n church_n and_o parish_n of_o each_o common_a wealth_n to_o aiust_a proportion_n that_o one_o shall_v not_o exceed_v another_o in_o any_o thing_n you_o may_v chance_v with_o a_o general_a equality_n of_o the_o place_n somewhat_o to_o temper_v ambition_n but_o if_o you_o leave_v any_o difference_n in_o the_o thing_n you_o shall_v soon_o find_v a_o difference_n in_o man_n affection_n now_o when_o or_o how_o that_o may_v be_v compass_v i_o leave_v you_o to_o consider_v that_o be_v so_o good_a at_o devise_v i_o think_v you_o may_v soon_o undertake_v to_o new_o build_v all_o city_n and_o town_n to_o make_v they_o equal_a then_o suffer_v they_o as_o they_o be_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o just_a and_o even_o proportion_n if_o leave_v a_o inequality_n of_o the_o place_n which_o you_o must_v needs_o you_o settle_v a_o general_a equality_n among_o the_o pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o christ_n church_n what_o fresh_a experience_n the_o late_a end_n of_o the_o world_n may_v teach_v we_o i_o will_v not_o foretell_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o mean_a to_o prevent_v schism_n and_o dissension_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n when_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n spirit_n be_v far_o more_o eminent_a and_o abundant_a then_o now_o be_v not_o to_o make_v all_o equal_a but_o to_o appoint_v some_o chief_a to_o oversee_v and_o moderate_v the_o rest_n that_o course_n the_o apostolic_a time_n embrace_v and_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n ever_o since_o prefer_v as_o the_o safe_a and_o ready_a way_n to_o resist_v confusion_n and_o stay_v contention_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n jerome_n say_v 1._o propterea_fw-la inter_fw-la duodecim_fw-la unus_fw-la eligitur_fw-la ut_fw-la capite_fw-la constituto_fw-la schismatis_fw-la tollatur_fw-la occasio_fw-la among_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n one_o be_v therefore_o choose_v that_o a_o chief_a be_v appoint_v occasion_n of_o dissension_n may_v be_v prevent_v if_o the_o twelve_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o agree_v except_o there_o have_v be_v one_o chief_a among_o they_o i_o marvel_v how_o you_o imagine_v that_o equality_n will_v keep_v all_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o world_n in_o peace_n and_o unity_n if_o every_o presbytery_n by_o god_n ordinance_n must_v have_v a_o ruler_n as_o yourselves_o avouch_v lest_o they_o grow_v to_o dissension_n and_o confusion_n how_o shall_v the_o bishop_n of_o a_o whole_a province_n or_o kingdom_n meet_v confer_v and_o couclude_v as_o often_o as_o need_n require_v without_o one_o to_o call_v and_o moderate_v their_o assembly_n we_o mislike_v not_o that_o so_o much_o as_o that_o you_o give_v the_o metropolitan_a dominion_n and_o empire_n over_o the_o rest_n your_o presbytery_n have_v a_o other_o manner_n of_o dominion_n than_o we_o give_v either_o to_o the_o diocesan_n or_o to_o metropolitanes_n for_o they_o determine_v all_o matter_n by_o discretion_n which_o be_v even_o as_o much_o or_o more_o than_o prince_n have_v with_o us._n as_o for_o bishop_n and_o archbishop_n i_o see_v no_o such_o dominion_n in_o this_o realm_n allow_v they_o we_o have_v law_n consist_v partly_o of_o synodal_n constitution_n partly_o of_o the_o royal_a edict_n of_o prince_n and_o by_o the_o tenor_n of_o they_o it_o be_v prescribe_v what_o the_o bishop_n or_o metropolitan_a shall_v require_v at_o each_o man_n hand_n not_o what_o they_o listen_v but_o what_o the_o canon_n of_o former_a council_n and_o law_n of_o christian_a prince_n have_v think_v meet_a to_o be_v perform_v by_o every_o one_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o good_a of_o his_o
any_o rash_o presume_v to_o invade_v that_o honour_n per_fw-la ordinationem_fw-la regiam_fw-la as_o ordain_v by_o the_o king_n &_o not_o by_o the_o metropolitan_a &_o his_o comprovincials_n no_o man_n may_v accept_v he_o or_o acknowledge_v he_o for_o a_o bishop_n neither_o have_v the_o ancient_a canon_n any_o other_o sense_n which_o say_v 30._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n if_o any_o bishop_n rest_v on_o worldly_a governor_n by_o their_o help_n get_v any_o church_n let_v he_o be_v depose_v &_o excommunicate_v &_o all_o that_o join_v with_o he_o they_o do_v not_o exclude_v prince_n from_o name_v &_o elect_v of_o bishop_n no_o more_o than_o they_o do_v the_o people_n only_o they_o reject_v violence_n forsomuch_o as_o a_o bishop_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n must_v be_v thorough_o examine_v &_o peaceable_o ordain_v by_o such_o as_o shall_v impose_v hand_n on_o he_o and_o not_o peremptory_o intrude_v or_o impose_v by_o any_o earthly_a force_n or_o power_n chap._n xvi_o the_o meeting_n of_o bishop_n in_o synod_n and_o who_o do_v call_v and_o moderate_v those_o assembly_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o necessity_n and_o authority_n of_o synod_n be_v not_o so_o much_o in_o question_n betwixt_o we_o as_o the_o person_n that_o shall_v assemble_v and_o moderate_v those_o meeting_n the_o disciplinarian_n themselves_o if_o i_o be_v not_o deceive_v be_v far_o from_o make_v their_o pastor_n or_o presbytery_n in_o every_o parish_n supreme_a judge_n of_o doctrine_n and_o manner_n without_o all_o exception_n or_o revocation_n and_o we_o be_v further_o for_o what_o if_o the_o pastor_n or_o presbyter_n of_o any_o place_n maintain_v heresy_n or_o offer_v injury_n which_o be_v case_n not_o rare_o incident_a but_o every_o where_o occurrent_a even_o in_o those_o that_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o christian_n shall_v impiety_n and_o injustice_n so_o reign_v and_o prevail_v in_o the_o church_n that_o none_o may_v withstand_v it_o or_o redress_v it_o that_o be_v to_o make_v the_o house_n of_o god_n worse_a than_o a_o den_n of_o thief_n for_o thief_n fear_v the_o detect_n and_o fly_v the_o punish_n of_o their_o offence_n which_o many_o presbyter_n will_v not_o if_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o restrain_v and_o over_o rule_v their_o pestilent_a and_o wicked_a purpose_n wherefore_o as_o in_o civil_a affair_n there_o be_v law_n and_o power_n to_o uphold_v justice_n and_o prohibit_v violence_n without_o the_o which_o humane_a society_n can_v not_o consist_v so_o in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n when_o it_o be_v without_o the_o help_n and_o assistance_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n there_o must_v be_v some_o external_a and_o judicial_a mean_n to_o discern_v error_n and_o redress_v wrong_a in_o case_n any_o particular_a person_n or_o church_n be_v infect_v or_o oppress_v otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n for_o truth_n and_o equity_n to_o harbour_v long_o among_o the_o son_n of_o man_n the_o remedy_n which_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v and_o use_v against_o heresy_n and_o injury_n she_o derive_v as_o well_o from_o the_o promise_n make_v by_o christ_n own_a word_n as_o from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o like_a case_n christ_n will_v such_o of_o his_o disciple_n as_o be_v grieve_v by_o their_o brethren_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n to_o toll_v it_o to_o the_o church_n add_v for_o the_o direction_n and_o confirmation_n of_o all_o religious_a assembly_n and_o conference_n 18._o where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o my_o name_n there_o be_o i_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v loose_v in_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n whether_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o place_n he_o take_v for_o the_o assembly_n of_o elder_n and_o ruler_n under_o moses_n law_n or_o of_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n under_o the_o gospel_n to_o i_o it_o be_v indifferent_a this_o be_v evident_o the_o order_n which_o our_o saviour_n will_v to_o be_v observe_v from_o private_a admonition_n to_o go_v to_o witness_n and_o from_o witness_n to_o assembly_n so_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v most_o plain_o signify_v and_o so_o the_o promise_n annex_v do_v clearelie_o import_v where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v assemble_v together_o in_o my_o name_n i_o be_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o neither_o can_v any_o other_o course_n be_v establish_v in_o the_o church_n for_o since_o a_o end_n of_o controversy_n must_v be_v have_v among_o man_n least_o perpetual_a contention_n bring_v final_a confusion_n and_o pluck_v up_o the_o very_a root_n of_o all_o charity_n and_o equity_n from_o among_o man_n when_o neither_o private_a persuasion_n nor_o friendly_a mediation_n can_v appease_v the_o party_n contend_v what_o other_o order_n can_v be_v prescribe_v but_o a_o judicial_a hear_n and_o determine_v of_o thing_n in_o question_n now_o judge_n must_v needs_o be_v either_o single_a or_o assemble_v and_o single_a judge_n of_o force_n must_v either_o be_v sovereign_n and_o supreme_a judge_n or_o else_o under_o superior_n appoint_v by_o the_o same_o warrant_n the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n claim_v a_o single_a and_o sole_a commission_n to_o hear_v and_o conclude_v all_o cause_n concern_v either_o faith_n or_o right_n and_o be_v his_o proof_n as_o good_a as_o his_o challenge_n be_v proud_a it_o be_v worth_a the_o discuss_n but_o the_o more_o he_o claim_v the_o more_o he_o sin_v by_o reason_n he_o take_v unto_o himself_o without_o commission_n a_o infallible_a and_o inevitable_a judgement_n over_o all_o man_n and_o matter_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o any_o way_n touch_v the_o truth_n or_o the_o church_n prince_n be_v single_a and_o sovereign_a judge_n of_o earthly_a thing_n and_o when_o they_o believe_v the_o defence_n and_o maintenance_n of_o the_o church_n and_o faith_n be_v by_o god_n himself_o commit_v to_o their_o power_n and_o care_n but_o christ_n do_v not_o settle_v the_o sword_n to_o be_v the_o general_a and_o perpetual_a rule_n to_o govern_v his_o church_n for_o then_o without_o a_o prince_n there_o can_v be_v no_o church_n and_o consequent_o neither_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n nor_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o have_v christ_n any_o church_n here_o on_o earth_n since_o none_o of_o the_o roman_a prince_n that_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o world_n public_o maintain_v the_o christian_a faith_n before_o constantine_n since_o we_o find_v no_o single_a nor_o supreme_a judge_n on_o who_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n must_v always_o depend_v for_o the_o debate_n and_o end_v of_o ecclesiastical_a strife_n and_o contention_n of_o necessity_n there_o must_v either_o be_v none_o which_o be_v the_o utter_a subversion_n of_o all_o peace_n and_o order_n among_o the_o faithful_a where_o there_o want_v a_o christian_a magistrate_n or_o else_o the_o pastor_n and_o steward_n of_o christ_n church_n to_o who_o the_o care_n and_o charge_n thereof_o be_v commit_v must_v assemble_v together_o and_o with_o mutual_a conference_n and_o consent_n perform_v those_o duty_n to_o the_o church_n in_o general_a which_o otherwise_o they_o do_v to_o each_o particular_a place_n and_o person_n for_o though_o pastor_n be_v affix_v to_o their_o place_n and_o charge_n yet_o that_o do_v not_o hinder_v the_o common_a care_n they_o shall_v have_v of_o all_o the_o member_n of_o christ_n body_n and_o therefore_o when_o need_n so_o require_v they_o must_v as_o well_o employ_v their_o travel_n abroad_o as_o bestow_v pain_n at_o home_n to_o direct_v or_o pacify_v the_o household_n of_o faith_n this_o brotherlie_a kind_n of_o succour_v and_o assist_v each_o other_o in_o trouble_n and_o danger_n be_v sometime_o perform_v by_o letter_n but_o never_o so_o thorough_o and_o effectual_o as_o by_o meeting_n and_o assemble_v together_o when_o with_o deliberate_a and_o full_a advice_n they_o may_v hear_v and_o determine_v what_o they_o think_v meet_a for_o the_o safety_n and_o quietness_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n their_o warrant_n so_o to_o do_v be_v build_v on_o the_o main_a ground_n of_o all_o divine_a and_o humane_a society_n strengthen_v by_o the_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o assure_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o perpetual_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n by_o god_n law_n what_o obedience_n and_o reverence_n the_o father_n may_v expect_v from_o his_o child_n the_o same_o or_o great_a must_v all_o believer_n yield_v to_o the_o father_n of_o their_o faith_n they_o be_v comprise_v in_o the_o same_o name_n and_o in_o the_o same_o commandment_n with_o the_o father_n of_o our_o flesh_n and_o consequent_o must_v have_v the_o same_o honour_n and_o if_o the_o fullness_n of_o each_o man_n reward_n must_v be_v according_a to_o the_o excellency_n
of_o his_o labour_n they_o that_o beget_v we_o nourish_v we_o and_o continue_v we_o in_o christ_n deserve_v far_o great_a honour_n than_o they_o that_o bring_v we_o into_o this_o world_n and_o provide_v only_o for_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n again_o the_o church_n be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o that_o respect_n as_o in_o our_o body_n so_o in_o he_o not_o only_o the_o member_n have_v a_o common_a care_n for_o the_o whole_a but_o the_o principal_a part_n must_v direct_v and_o guide_v the_o rest_n namely_o the_o eye_n to_o see_v the_o ear_n to_o hear_v and_o the_o mouth_n to_o speak_v for_o the_o whole_a body_n such_o therefore_o as_o christ_n have_v place_v to_o be_v the_o 13._o watchman_n &_o leader_n 5._o the_o light_n and_o salt_n of_o his_o church_n must_v not_o only_o warn_v and_o guide_v but_o also_o lighten_v and_o season_v in_o their_o measure_n the_o whole_a body_n for_o what_o commission_n they_o have_v from_o christ_n sever_v &_o single_a in_o their_o proper_a charge_n the_o same_o they_o must_v needs_o retain_v assemble_v and_o join_v throughout_o their_o circuit_n yea_o the_o lord_n so_o much_o tender_v the_o fatherly_a care_n and_o brotherlie_a concord_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o his_o church_n that_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o be_v present_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o assembly_n and_o with_o his_o spirit_n to_o direct_v they_o so_o they_o come_v together_o not_o to_o accomplish_v their_o own_o lust_n and_o desire_n but_o to_o sanctify_v his_o name_n by_o detect_v error_n resist_v wolf_n maintain_v truth_n cure_v the_o sore_n and_o malady_n that_o pester_v and_o poison_v the_o member_n of_o his_o body_n celestinus_fw-la writing_n to_o the_o general_a council_n of_o ephesus_n say_v ephesinum_fw-la the_o assembly_n of_o priest_n testify_v the_o presence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n it_o be_v true_a that_o be_v write_v since_o the_o truth_n can_v lie_v and_o in_o the_o gospel_n be_v these_o word_n wheresoever_o two_o or_o three_o 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to_o the_o council_n of_o toledo_n 2._o i_o perceive_v it_o to_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o your_o blessedness_n shall_v assemble_v together_o in_o one_o place_n give_v trust_n to_o the_o lord_n word_n when_o he_o say_v where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o my_o name_n there_o be_o i_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o for_o i_o believe_v the_o godhead_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o bless_a trinity_n to_o be_v present_a in_o the_o sacred_a synod_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v present_v my_o faith_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o you_o as_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n this_o course_n the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o follow_v by_o their_o example_n when_o about_o the_o question_n that_o trouble_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n 15._o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n come_v together_o to_o examine_v the_o matter_n and_o to_o verify_v their_o master_n word_n to_o be_v true_a not_o only_o the_o apostle_n but_o the_o whole_a assembly_n write_v thus_o in_o 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in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a the_o great_a council_n of_o chalcedon_n reproove_v the_o slackness_n of_o bishop_n in_o omit_v the_o prescribe_a number_n of_o synod_n 19_o it_o be_v come_v to_o our_o ear_n that_o in_o some_z province_n the_o synod_n of_o bishop_n be_v not_o keep_v which_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o canon_n and_o thereby_o many_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n which_o need_v reformation_n be_v neglect_v this_o sacred_a council_n therefore_o determine_v according_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o our_o godly_a father_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o every_o province_n shall_v twice_o every_o year_n assemble_v together_o at_o the_o place_n where_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o mother_n city_n that_o be_v the_o metropolitan_a shall_v appoint_v to_o amend_v all_o matter_n emergent_a within_o their_o province_n the_o tedious_a length_n of_o the_o journey_n and_o poverty_n of_o the_o church_n in_o some_o