church_n as_o jerusalem_n antioch_n rome_n ephesus_n corinth_n and_o this_o practice_n and_o succession_n settle_v before_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n die_v imaginable_a all_o which_o as_o it_o clear_o show_v those_o several_a angel_n of_o the_o several_a church_n to_o who_o our_o saviour_n by_o saint_n john_n do_v write_v can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o such_o bishop_n have_v chief_a care_n of_o and_o rule_n in_o those_o church_n and_o therefore_o more_o chargeable_a with_o the_o corruption_n prevail_v in_o they_o so_o do_v it_o clear_o convince_v that_o plea_n of_o the_o adversary_n which_o amount_v to_o a_o charge_v the_o first_o bishop_n with_o usurpation_n and_o invasion_n upon_o the_o right_n of_o presbyter_n or_o particular_a congregation_n to_o be_v a_o conceit_n altogether_o unreasonable_a for_o it_o be_v beyond_o all_o imagination_n that_o saint_n john_n will_v have_v suffer_v such_o a_o invasion_n or_o that_o those_o first_o bishop_n who_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o be_v their_o disciple_n shall_v make_v such_o a_o invasion_n and_o immediate_o subvert_v the_o apostolical_a order_n pretend_v for_o the_o presbyterian_a consistory_n or_o that_o those_o first_o bishop_n be_v holy_a man_n and_o many_o of_o they_o martyr_n for_o still_o we_o find_v the_o heathen_a persecutor_n seek_v chief_o after_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n that_o the_o chief_a pastor_n be_v smite_v the_o flock_n may_v be_v more_o easy_o scatter_v shall_v be_v so_o ambitious_a and_o unjust_a or_o last_o that_o the_o presbyter_n than_o shall_v be_v so_o tame_a as_o not_o once_o to_o complain_v of_o the_o wrong_n do_v they_o or_o to_o transmit_v their_o protestation_n against_o it_o to_o posterity_n to_o conclude_v this_o trial_n by_o scripture_n it_o come_v to_o this_o issue_n the_o adversary_n be_v bind_v to_o show_v direct_a authority_n of_o scripture_n against_o episcopal_a government_n it_o be_v in_o possession_n establish_v by_o the_o continue_a authority_n of_o this_o national_a church_n and_o which_o be_v more_o by_o the_o perpetual_a practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n against_o this_o it_o be_v expect_v they_o shall_v bring_v some_o place_n of_o scripture_n forbid_v that_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o be_v commit_v to_o special_a hand_n such_o as_o bishop_n proper_o take_v or_o commend_v it_o to_o the_o consistory_n of_o presbyter_n or_o some_o instance_n at_o least_o of_o that_o power_n exercise_v by_o such_o a_o company_n whereas_o all_o they_o can_v evince_v out_o of_o scripture_n be_v that_o there_o be_v presbyter_n strict_o so_o take_v and_o of_o the_o inferior_a rank_n which_o be_v grant_v they_o we_o show_v there_o be_v a_o prelacy_n still_o over_o such_o presbyter_n still_o there_o be_v special_a man_n that_o have_v a_o inspection_n and_o rule_n over_o they_o and_o when_o the_o apostle_n go_v off_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n show_v the_o power_n be_v leave_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o special_a man_n call_v bishop_n proper_o so_o that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o bishop_n appear_v as_o be_v say_v above_o conformable_a not_o only_o to_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n after_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o also_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n i.e._n to_o the_o practice_n and_o pattern_n we_o have_v there_o 1._o of_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v twelve_o apostle_n and_o beside_o and_o under_o they_o seventy_o disciple_n of_o a_o low_a rank_n 2._o of_o apostolical_a practice_n by_o which_o we_o find_v the_o power_n exercise_v by_o special_a elder_n viz._n the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o other_o choice_a man_n appoint_v thereunto_o by_o they_o whereas_o all_o elder_n have_v power_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n 3._o of_o the_o several_a angel_n of_o the_o several_a church_n to_o who_o the_o epistle_n be_v direct_v rev._n c._n 2._o and_o 3._o which_o be_v the_o last_o instance_n in_o holy_a writ_n to_o this_o purpose_n §._o xv_o episcopacy_n most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o church-government_n last_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o bishop_n be_v say_v above_o to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o church-government_n for_o preserve_v unity_n and_o exclude_v schism_n this_o be_v very_o obvious_a in_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o father_n st._n cyprian_n have_v much_o to_o do_v with_o the_o novatian_a schismatic_n of_o his_o time_n which_o cause_v he_o to_o write_v many_o epistle_n upon_o that_o occasion_n and_o a_o book_n entitle_v de_fw-la unitate_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la wherein_o he_o show_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o prevent_n of_o schism_n stand_v much_o upon_o this_o that_o there_o be_v one_o bishop_n in_o one_o church_n st._n hierom_n who_o they_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a persuasion_n take_v for_o their_o best_a friend_n because_o he_o strive_v to_o advance_v the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v yet_o as_o he_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n belong_v to_o presbyter_n so_o he_o acknowledge_v that_o bishop_n be_v appoint_v over_o presbyter_n to_o keep_v out_o faction_n and_o schism_n that_o the_o people_n shall_v not_o say_v as_o they_o do_v at_o corinth_n i_o be_o of_o paul_n i_o of_o apollo_n i_o of_o this_o teacher_n i_o of_o that_o and_o for_o his_o say_n of_o presbyter_n that_o they_o do_v ancient_o communi_fw-la consilio_fw-la with_o joint_a advice_n rule_v the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v exclusiuè_fw-la to_o the_o bishop_n for_o such_o a_o time_n be_v never_o know_v in_o the_o church_n but_o joint_o with_o he_o as_o his_o council_n so_o be_v the_o presbyteri_fw-la civitatis_fw-la to_o the_o bishop_n and_o their_o advice_n be_v more_o use_v and_o there_o be_v more_o cause_n for_o it_o before_o the_o many_o canon_n and_o decree_n of_o council_n give_v rule_v in_o most_o particular_n what_o the_o bishop_n shall_v do_v as_o it_o be_v by_o that_o time_n s._n jerom_n write_v and_o whatever_o he_o say_v for_o the_o advance_n of_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n it_o be_v but_o to_o set_v they_o above_o all_o deacon_n even_o those_o that_o immediate_o attend_v on_o the_o bishop_n and_o it_o seem_v carry_v themselves_o too_o high_a it_o be_v not_o to_o equal_v they_o to_o bishop_n who_o prelacy_n st._n jerome_n acknowledge_v and_o think_v it_o very_o necessary_a for_o this_o purpose_n of_o keep_v out_o schism_n which_o the_o parity_n of_o presbyter_n will_v expose_v it_o to_o and_o i_o will_v appeal_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o any_o of_o that_o persuasion_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o more_o convenient_a and_o necessary_a for_o keep_v all_o in_o order_n to_o have_v one_o age_a grave_a learned_a and_o experience_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v the_o stand_a moderator_n of_o the_o classis_fw-la or_o company_n of_o presbyter_n than_o to_o change_v their_o moderator_n year_n by_o year_n and_o leave_v the_o place_n open_a to_o every_o young_a unexperienced_a presbyter_n that_o can_v make_v a_o faction_n to_o advance_v he_o unto_o it_o i_o have_v hear_v this_o inconvenience_n complain_v on_o by_o some_o of_o the_o new_a erect_a class_n whereas_o a_o bishop_n be_v such_o a_o moderator_n as_o be_v fix_v and_o above_o all_o competition_n be_v more_o enable_v to_o keep_v all_o ordinary_a presbyter_n in_o their_o station_n and_o within_o their_o bound_n and_o then_o again_o i_o will_v demand_v whether_o the_o apostle_n who_o complain_v of_o division_n as_o in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o of_o false_a teacher_n there_o and_o elsewhere_o be_v not_o careful_a to_o provide_v the_o most_o reasonable_a expedient_a in_o government_n against_o they_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v and_o upon_o this_o score_n and_o to_o this_o very_a end_n of_o preserve_a schism_n it_o can_v be_v think_v otherwise_o but_o that_o the_o apostle_n give_v beginning_n to_o this_o government_n throughout_o the_o church_n 1._o notwithstanding_o those_o of_o the_o classical_a persuasion_n bear_v themselves_o much_o upon_o mr._n blondel_n collection_n who_o pain_n may_v have_v be_v better_o employ_v to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o some_o other_o argument_n for_o in_o this_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o drive_v out_o of_o antiquity_n though_o ransack_v over_o again_o any_o more_o to_o the_o purpose_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a claim_n than_o have_v be_v already_o acknowledge_v and_o the_o weakness_n of_o it_o discover_v viz._n that_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o some_o father_n that_o the_o name_n bishop_n be_v at_o first_o common_a to_o all_o elder_n and_o that_o those_o bishop_n mention_v phil._n 1._o 1._o 1_o tim._n 3._o tit._n 1._o be_v presbyter_n or_o elder_n of_o the_o second_o rank_n but_o what_o advantage_n be_v this_o to_o the_o cause_n they_o will_v establish_v without_o prove_v also_o that_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o government_n which_o we_o appropriate_v to_o
under_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n the_o ancient_a church_n pretend_v to_o no_o more_o have_v no_o other_o way_n or_o mean_n of_o preserve_a unity_n as_o say_v treat_v 1._o c._n 13._o when_o we_o ask_v of_o those_o that_o dissent_n from_o this_o church_n in_o follow_v their_o own_o sense_n or_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n who_o shall_v judge_v the_o papist_n think_v we_o then_o come_v into_o their_o road_n and_o oppose_v their_o plea_n to_o our_o sectary_n but_o we_o be_v still_o in_o the_o midst_n between_o they_o not_o establish_v a_o papal_a infallible_a judge_n nor_o allow_v private_a judgement_n to_o stand_v against_o the_o public_a not_o call_v they_o to_o be_v try_v at_o rome_n as_o if_o that_o church_n shall_v judge_v for_o all_o but_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o this_o national_a church_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n and_o in_o which_o there_o be_v such_o power_n as_o be_v say_v of_o judge_v for_o other_o and_o of_o censure_v or_o bind_v the_o obstinate_a gainsayer_n as_o treat_v 2._o c._n 1._o nu_fw-la 36._o if_o it_o be_v object_v there_o be_v such_o authority_n in_o the_o governor_n of_o this_o church_n before_o reformation_n how_o then_o can_v private_a judgement_n take_v place_n against_o they_o to_o introduce_v the_o reformation_n we_o answer_v it_o be_v possible_a there_o may_v be_v cause_n of_o dissent_v from_o the_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o reformation_n may_v take_v its_o first_o rise_n from_o private_a judgement_n as_o tr._n 1._o c._n 9_o but_o then_o to_o be_v manage_v with_o all_o peaceable_a moderation_n and_o subjection_n as_o be_v there_o show_v and_o more_o large_o tr._n 2._o c._n 1._o now_o whether_o our_o reformation_n take_v rise_v from_o some_o private_a judgement_n intimate_v to_o they_o in_o authority_n or_o from_o the_o immediate_a inclination_n and_o judgement_n of_o those_o that_o have_v the_o authority_n it_o be_v not_o material_a see_v all_o be_v carry_v peaceable_o and_o the_o work_n do_v not_o against_o but_o by_o those_o that_o be_v the_o chief_a governor_n in_o the_o church_n governor_n v._o as_o for_o that_o due_a subordination_n of_o pastor_n and_o governor_n in_o the_o church_n see_v and_o set_v forth_o in_o the_o true_a ancient_a episcopal_a government_n it_o be_v wrong_v on_o both_o side_n the_o first_o invasion_n be_v make_v upon_o it_o by_o papal_a usurpation_n under_o the_o title_n of_o universal_a bishop_n or_o pastor_n which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o gregory_n the_o first_o be_v to_o make_v he_o in_o effect_v the_o only_a bishop_n and_o all_o other_o but_o his_o minister_n as_o the_o same_o gregory_n declare_v against_o john_n of_o constantinople_n affect_v that_o title_n and_o clear_v himself_o and_o his_o predecessor_n from_o assume_v it_o to_o themselves_o but_o it_o be_v not_o long_o ere_o his_o successor_n challenge_v and_o obtain_v it_o and_o ever_o since_o have_v use_v it_o to_o the_o vassalage_n of_o christian_a bishop_n where_o they_o will_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v so_o abuse_v on_o the_o other_o side_n every_o sect_n rise_v in_o these_o day_n have_v lift_v up_o a_o hand_n to_o pull_v down_o that_o office_n and_o power_n make_v spoil_n of_o the_o mean_n and_o maintenance_n thereunto_o belong_v the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o her_o reformation_n do_v according_a to_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n retain_v the_o episcopal_a government_n vindicate_v it_o from_o papal_a usurpation_n and_o be_v now_o put_v to_o defend_v it_o against_o the_o invasion_n of_o all_o other_o sect_n which_o therefore_o stand_v convince_v of_o downright_a schism_n as_o will_v appear_v below_o i_o have_v the_o long_o stay_v upon_o these_o instance_n because_o they_o do_v much_o tend_v to_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n now_o more_o particular_o to_o the_o case_n which_o be_v thus_o in_o general_n resolve_v §._o iii_o resolution_n of_o the_o case_n the_o true_a protestant_a church_n of_o england_n be_v unjust_o charge_v with_o schism_n by_o the_o roman_n for_o that_o division_n which_o follow_v between_o they_o upon_o the_o reformation_n but_o do_v just_o charge_v all_o other_o sect_n with_o schism_n which_o have_v divide_v from_o it_o since_o that_o reformation_n there_o be_v three_o word_n to_o speak_v of_o here_o by_o way_n of_o explication_n national-church_n 1._o national_a church_n for_o we_o have_v often_o speak_v in_o the_o treatise_n and_o still_o shall_v speak_v of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o of_o a_o national_a church_n that_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v account_v a_o national_a church_n which_o have_v in_o it_o the_o whole_a subordination_n of_o church_n government_n as_o the_o three_o council_n of_o carth._n can._n 2._o provinciae_fw-la quae_fw-la primas_fw-la sedes_fw-la habent_fw-la viz._n one_o primate_n with_o several_a bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n whether_o the_o extent_n of_o it_o be_v bound_v with_o the_o limit_n of_o the_o nation_n or_o according_a to_o the_o precinct_n appoint_v by_o the_o ancient_a council_n or_o the_o supreme_a civil_a power_n every_o congregation_n nay_o every_o house_n may_v bear_v the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n the_o church_n in_o their_o hâ—use_n rom._n 16._o 5._o but_o as_o part_v only_o of_o and_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o national_a church_n so_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n rome_n corinth_n upon_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n in_o these_o city_n begin_v in_o a_o singular_a congregation_n but_o be_v enlarge_v to_o a_o due_a fullness_n have_v every_o of_o they_o the_o exercise_n or_o practice_n of_o that_o whole_a subordination_n of_o power_n and_o government_n private_a ii_o for_o the_o word_n reformation_n we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o that_o which_o be_v public_a or_o national_a the_o reformation_n of_o a_o whole_a church_n in_o forbid_v and_o cast_v out_o error_n or_o corruption_n in_o belief_n or_o practice_n and_o that_o which_o be_v private_a or_o particular_a the_o reformation_n of_o a_o man_n self_n in_o not_o admit_v or_o cease_v to_o profess_v error_n prevail_v or_o impose_v by_o the_o church_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n or_o in_o which_o he_o be_v baptise_v and_o educate_v upon_o which_o reform_v of_o himself_o may_v follow_v a_o divide_n from_o that_o church_n by_o excommunication_n or_o at_o least_o by_o non-communion_n non-communion_n iii_o touch_v the_o word_n schism_n or_o divide_v of_o communion_n we_o must_v distinguish_v actual_a non-communion_n or_o want_v of_o actual_a communion_n with_o a_o church_n from_o schism_n or_o the_o guilt_n of_o schism_n the_o first_o which_o be_v want_n of_o actual_a communion_n may_v happen_v between_o two_o national_a church_n disagree_v in_o some_o practice_n and_o that_o disagreement_n follow_v with_o too_o much_o heat_n as_o tr._n 1._o c._n 17_o 18._o and_o sometime_o between_o a_o church_n and_o particular_a member_n of_o it_o through_o misinformation_n passion_n exasperation_n schism_n but_o schism_n be_v a_o wilful_a i.e._n voluntary_a causeless_a divide_v or_o separate_n from_o those_o we_o ought_v to_o hold_v communion_n with_o and_o as_o before_o say_v of_o non-communion_n so_o observe_v that_o the_o guilt_n of_o schism_n may_v fall_v either_o upon_o a_o national_a church_n causeless_o divide_v from_o or_o refuse_v to_o hold_v communion_n with_o other_o church_n which_o or_o else_o upon_o the_o member_n and_o part_n of_o a_o national_a church_n withdraw_v their_o obedience_n from_o their_o lawful_a pastor_n or_o governor_n and_o divide_v from_o they_o and_o the_o congregation_n under_o they_o set_v up_o a_o distinct_a communion_n or_o join_v themselves_o to_o any_o such_o elsewhere_o set_v up_o the_o case_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o of_o rome_n stand_v according_a to_o the_o first_o consideration_n of_o schism_n as_o it_o fall_v between_o two_o national_a church_n and_o if_o the_o division_n which_o follow_v upon_o the_o reformation_n must_v be_v call_v schism_n we_o shall_v see_v in_o examine_v the_o cause_n of_o our_o reformation_n that_o the_o guilt_n of_o it_o fall_v on_o they_o not_o we_o but_o the_o case_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o other_o sect_n which_o have_v divide_v from_o it_o stand_v according_a to_o the_o second_o consideration_n of_o schism_n between_o a_o national_a church_n and_o the_o member_n thereof_o which_o divide_v from_o it_o stand_v guilty_a of_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o disobedience_n unto_o their_o governor_n and_o the_o high_a breach_n of_o charity_n both_o towards_o their_o governor_n and_o also_o all_o the_o people_n of_o god_n continue_v in_o obedience_n to_o and_o communion_n with_o they_o it_o last_o there_o be_v degree_n in_o the_o height_n and_o guilt_n of_o schism_n a_o schism_n by_o a_o bare_a recess_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o establish_a church_n set_v up_o a_o distinct_a communion_n from_o it_o but_o leave_v it_o in_o its_o own_o condition_n and_o establishment_n
in_o the_o church_n for_o our_o saviour_n leave_v his_o apostle_n with_o full_a power_n extraordinary_a and_o ordinary_a for_o the_o plant_n and_o propagate_a his_o church_n through_o the_o world_n the_o ordinary_a power_n they_o be_v to_o leave_v unto_o other_o after_o they_o for_o continue_v of_o his_o church_n to_o the_o world_n end_n viz_o the_o power_n of_o reconciliation_n in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n the_o power_n of_o ordain_v and_o send_v other_o and_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdicton_n and_o government_n how_o and_o into_o what_o hand_n they_o communicate_v these_o several_a power_n that_o be_v the_o question_n apostle_n some_o of_o the_o ancient_n apprehend_v it_o thus_o that_o they_o commit_v the_o whole_a power_n to_o those_o first_o elder_n they_o place_v in_o every_o city_n where_o the_o church_n be_v plant_v so_o that_o those_o first_o elder_n be_v proper_o bishop_n have_v power_n to_o ordain_v other_o minister_n and_o labourer_n as_o the_o increase_n or_o extent_n of_o the_o church_n require_v other_o father_n or_o ancient_a writer_n seem_v to_o apprehend_v those_o first_o elder_n to_o be_v mere_a presbyter_n to_o who_o the_o whole_a power_n be_v not_o commit_v but_o that_o afterwards_o upon_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o church_n other_o special_a man_n be_v entrust_v with_o it_o to_o ordain_v other_o as_o need_v require_v and_o as_o general_n pastor_n to_o rule_v and_o oversee_v the_o whole_a church_n with_o all_o the_o particular_a congregation_n and_o presbyter_n or_o inferior_a pastor_n belong_v to_o it_o either_o way_n be_v sufficient_a for_o establish_v the_o episcopal_a power_n and_o government_n and_o the_o adversary_n thereof_o as_o they_o can_v disprove_v it_o if_o we_o say_v those_o first_o elder_n be_v bishop_n proper_o so_o neither_o will_v they_o gain_v any_o thing_n if_o we_o grant_v they_o in_o courtesy_n thus_o much_o that_o the_o first_o elder_n be_v mere_a presbyter_n for_o see_v brief_o what_o they_o can_v say_v against_o the_o first_o or_o draw_v from_o the_o second_o against_o the_o first_o they_o usual_o say_v 1._o if_o those_o bishop_n at_o philippi_n be_v so_o proper_o than_o be_v there_o more_o than_o one_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n or_o church_n answ_n this_o indeed_o be_v absurd_a and_o inconvenient_a and_o never_o suffer_v in_o the_o church_n enlarge_a and_o establish_v but_o in_o the_o church_n nascent_n or_o beginning_n it_o may_v be_v very_o reasonable_a by_o way_n of_o provision_n for_o the_o future_a enlargement_n and_o establishment_n of_o that_o church_n so_o we_o find_v 12._o apostle_n leave_v in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o our_o saviour_n in_o order_n to_o their_o propagate_a and_o govern_v the_o church_n through_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o so_o in_o some_o great_a city_n where_o and_o from_o which_o the_o gospel_n may_v sudden_o spread_v itself_o the_o apostle_n may_v provisional_o leave_v more_o than_o one_o elder_n vest_v with_o power_n for_o the_o supply_n of_o the_o church_n enlarge_v second_o if_o the_o elder_n or_o bishop_n mention_v in_o those_o place_n be_v bishop_n proper_o vest_v with_o such_o power_n than_o will_v the_o apostle_n also_o have_v remember_v the_o other_o sort_n of_o elder_n between_o they_o and_o deacon_n answ_n but_o what_o if_o there_o be_v not_o yet_o in_o that_o church_n elder_n or_o presbyter_n of_o the_o second_o sort_n for_o no_o church_n at_o first_o be_v full_a or_o if_o there_o be_v such_o in_o that_o church_n why_o may_v he_o not_o salute_v both_o sort_n under_o that_o general_a name_n bishop_n three_o but_o then_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o distinct_o set_v down_o the_o office_n of_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o for_o have_v set_v down_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n he_o present_o go_v to_o the_o deacon_n 1_o tim._n 3._o tit._n 1._o 5._o answ_n it_o be_v not_o the_o apostle_n purpose_v in_o those_o place_n distinct_o to_o set_v down_o the_o office_n of_o elder_n nor_o of_o deacon_n but_o the_o general_a qualification_n of_o the_o person_n to_o be_v admit_v to_o those_o office_n we_o may_v ask_v of_o they_o where_o have_v the_o apostle_n distinct_o set_v down_o or_o describe_v the_o office_n of_o a_o lady-eld_n they_o be_v fain_o to_o force_v it_o out_o of_o one_o word_n rule_v 1_o tim._n 4._o 17._o which_o belong_v to_o the_o preach_a elder_n as_o they_o well_o acknowledge_v in_o the_o place_n above_o mention_v the_o apostle_n give_v as_o i_o say_v qualification_n fit_v the_o person_n of_o both_o sort_n of_o elder_n that_o then_o be_v or_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o duty_n there_o hint_v teach_v roll_a do_v belong_v to_o both_o sort_n of_o elder_n but_o with_o subordination_n of_o the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o and_o if_o they_o will_v have_v the_o word_n rule_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 17._o insinuate_v a_o distinct_a office_n of_o elder_n from_o the_o preach_n elder_n without_o any_o intimation_n of_o such_o a_o office_n anywhere_o else_o in_o scripture_n why_o may_v not_o we_o say_v with_o more_o reason_n that_o the_o same_o word_n in_o the_o forementioned_a place_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 5._o belong_v to_o bishop_n of_o both_o sort_n according_a to_o their_o order_n and_o station_n to_o rule_v or_o take_v care_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n especial_o see_v we_o show_v elsewhere_o in_o the_o same_o epistle_n such_o a_o prelacy_n or_o supereminent_a power_n of_o rule_n give_v to_o timothy_n distinct_o from_o other_o elder_n as_o lay_v hand_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n rebuke_v not_o a_o elder_n receive_v no_o accusation_n against_o a_o elder_n etc._n etc._n cap._n 5._o v._n 19_o 22._o like_o special_a power_n give_v to_o titus_n as_o we_o see_v in_o that_o epistle_n beside_o all_o the_o act_n of_o ordinary_a power_n exercise_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o not_o communicate_v in_o general_a to_o presbyter_n and_o so_o the_o exhortation_n of_o the_o apostle_n act_n 20._o 28._o might_n general_o fit_v both_o sort_n of_o elder_n or_o bishop_n suppose_v those_o of_o the_o inferior_a rank_n present_v there_o that_o they_o shall_v all_o of_o they_o feed_v the_o flock_n according_a to_o their_o several_a station_n and_o in_o that_o subordination_n of_o rule_n which_o be_v in_o the_o church_n but_o if_o we_o grant_v they_o that_o those_o elder_n or_o bishop_n in_o the_o above_o cite_a place_n be_v not_o bishop_n proper_o but_o ordinary_a presbyter_n pretention_n what_o can_v they_o draw_v from_o thence_o advantageous_a either_o to_o the_o classical_a or_o congregational_a pretention_n when_o as_o there_o be_v no_o instance_n in_o all_o scripture_n of_o the_o power_n vest_v in_o a_o classis_fw-la or_o consistory_n of_o presbyter_n or_o in_o every_o particular_a congregation_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a where_o ever_o there_o be_v mention_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o power_n for_o ordination_n by_o lay_v on_o hand_n or_o for_o jurisdiction_n in_o rebuke_v or_o receive_v accusation_n against_o a_o elder_n in_o reject_v heretic_n or_o the_o like_a we_o find_v it_o always_o do_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o special_a man_n appoint_v thereunto_o as_o timothy_n titus_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o any_o purpose_n to_o reply_v as_o they_o do_v these_o be_v extraordinary_a man_n apostle_n or_o evangelist_n and_o so_o exercise_v that_o power_n as_o such_o for_o albeit_o in_o the_o office_n of_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n there_o be_v something_o extraordinary_a and_o suppose_v timothy_n and_o titus_n may_v pass_v under_o the_o title_n of_o evangelist_n yet_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v ordinary_a and_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v communicate_v unto_o other_o as_o be_v most_o convenient_a what_o help_v therefore_o can_v the_o adversary_n have_v in_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n be_v extraordinary_a person_n unless_o they_o can_v show_v the_o power_n do_v ordinary_o belong_v to_o and_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o company_n of_o presbyter_n or_o else_o demonstrate_v it_o be_v leave_v in_o their_o hand_n by_o express_a and_o peremptory_a order_n from_o the_o apostle_n so_o that_o here_o they_o will_v be_v nonsuit_v lay_v their_o plea_n only_o by_o scripture_n against_o universal_a tradition_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o scripture_n story_n go_v not_o down_o to_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o apostle_n now_o after_o they_o be_v go_v off_o it_o clear_o appear_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o what_o hand_n the_o chief_a power_n and_o government_n be_v leave_v viz._n not_o to_o presbyter_n in_o common_a but_o in_o special_a hand_n according_a to_o the_o instance_n and_o example_n of_o the_o exercise_v that_o power_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n the_o ancient_a record_n also_o which_o continue_v the_o church_n story_n from_o that_o time_n give_v we_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n from_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o more_o eminent_a