he_o in_o that_o chair_n which_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o choose_v and_o happen_v to_o die_v at_o and_o the_o like_a answer_n they_o must_v according_a to_o their_o principle_n and_o pretension_n give_v in_o other_o particular_n now_o who_o hear_v of_o such_o a_o stupendous_a superstructure_n point_n but_o will_v expect_v that_o the_o foundation_n shall_v be_v firm_a beyond_o exception_n if_o they_o will_v perpetual_o be_v amuse_v we_o with_o the_o din_n of_o peter_n chair_n and_o peter_n successor_n and_o the_o wonderful_a thing_n they_o be_v thereby_o estate_v in_o i_o can_v imagine_v why_o we_o may_v not_o be_v allow_v to_o inspect_v their_o title_n to_o consider_v whether_o the_o groundwork_n of_o all_o these_o magnificent_a pretence_n have_v any_o thing_n of_o certainty_n if_o the_o pope_n primacy_n be_v the_o centre_n of_o catholic_n unity_n the_o sum_n of_o christianity_n a_o matter_n so_o essential_a that_o none_o without_o believe_v it_o can_v obtain_v salvation_n and_o if_o this_o primacy_n be_v found_v on_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n and_o fix_v his_o episcopal_a chair_n there_o why_o shall_v any_o body_n be_v angry_a with_o i_o for_o endeavour_v to_o satisfy_v myself_o or_o other_o therein_o do_v it_o not_o at_o this_o rate_n become_v the_o concern_v of_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n to_o inquire_v into_o matter_n of_o fact_n whether_o st._n peter_n be_v indeed_o once_o at_o least_o in_o his_o life_n at_o rome_n and_o bishop_n there_o can_v we_o expect_v less_o than_o a_o divine_a oracle_n some_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n to_o warrant_v so_o important_a a_o matter_n at_o least_o will_v any_o thing_n shor_n of_o a_o demonstration_n proof_n beyond_o doubt_n or_o probable_a contradiction_n be_v allow_v for_o good_a evidence_n in_o a_o case_n of_o such_o weight_n and_o moment_n i_o know_v well_o it_o be_v not_o only_o difficult_a prove_v but_o many_o time_n impossible_a to_o prove_v a_o negative_a i_o shall_v not_o therefore_o undertake_v nor_o be_o i_o oblige_v to_o prove_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v never_o at_o rome_n or_o bishop_n thereof_o but_o they_o that_o affirm_v he_o be_v and_o draw_v thence_o such_o advantageous_a inference_n to_o themselves_o be_v bind_v by_o all_o rule_n of_o law_n and_o reason_n to_o make_v that_o affirmative_a appear_v by_o sufficient_a evidence_n we_o be_v only_o on_o the_o defensive_a part_n if_o they_o will_v require_v we_o on_o the_o pain_n of_o damnation_n to_o submit_v to_o their_o bishop_n of_o rome_n because_o he_o be_v st._n peter_n successor_n they_o ought_v sure_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o he_o do_v succeed_v he_o it_o be_v therefore_o enough_o for_o my_o purpose_n and_o will_v invalidate_v all_o their_o claim_n derive_v from_o st._n peter_n if_o i_o can_v show_v that_o all_o they_o have_v to_o allege_v for_o his_o be_v at_o rome_n and_o bishop_n there_o be_v not_o necessary_o conclusive_a but_o that_o notwithstanding_o any_o thing_n they_o can_v offer_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n be_v still_o at_o least_o probable_a viz._n that_o st._n peter_n be_v not_o bishop_n of_o rome_n nor_o ever_o there_o which_o i_o understand_v be_v long_o since_o assert_v by_o velenus_n a_o learned_a lutheran_n in_o a_o just_a treatise_n on_o this_o subject_a but_o not_o have_v be_v able_a to_o get_v a_o sight_n of_o his_o book_n nor_o know_v of_o any_o other_o protestant_n that_o have_v ex_fw-la professo_fw-la treat_v thereof_o though_o many_o have_v occasional_o speak_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v any_o impartial_a mind_n i_o shall_v only_o offer_v such_o plain_a natural_a remark_n as_o hasty_o occur_v to_o my_o own_o thought_n and_o slender_a read_n leave_v the_o further_o improve_n or_o disprove_v the_o matter_n to_o person_n of_o a_o great_a stock_n of_o book_n and_o judgement_n but_o this_o i_o can_v without_o injure_v truth_n avow_v that_o i_o have_v handle_v it_o with_o all_o sincerity_n not_o witting_o baulk_a any_o material_a argument_n testimony_n or_o objection_n nor_o abuse_v or_o miscit_v any_o author_n to_o serve_v a_o turn_n for_o my_o sole_a aim_n be_v a_o free_a impartial_a sift_v out_o of_o truth_n not_o the_o advancement_n of_o any_o self-interesting_a opinion_n and_o if_o any_o where_o i_o have_v stumble_v into_o error_n it_o be_v the_o unhappiness_n of_o my_o understanding_n not_o the_o pravity_n of_o my_o will_n be_v always_o ready_a with_o thanks_o to_o acknowledge_v mistake_n when_o convince_v thereof_o as_o i_o have_v hearty_o and_o not_o altogether_o indiligent_o endeavour_v to_o avoid_v they_o therefore_o i_o hope_v the_o gentleman_n of_o the_o roman_a persuasion_n will_v not_o be_v offend_v at_o any_o honest_a innocent_a endeavour_n to_o plain_a the_o way_n to_o truth_n and_o remove_v rubbish_n out_o of_o their_o passage_n for_o though_o they_o be_v zealous_a for_o that_o mode_n of_o religion_n they_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o or_o upon_o plausible_a motive_n entertain_v yet_o i_o can_v persuade_v myself_o that_o their_o noble_a ingenuity_n will_v ill-resent_a the_o detection_n of_o any_o groundless_a tale_n hatch_v to_o support_v it_o there_o be_v no_o gentleman_n but_o esteem_v the_o lie_n even_o in_o common_a discourse_n as_o the_o great_a dishonour_n and_o affront_v imaginable_a much_o more_o incense_a must_v he_o be_v at_o those_o that_o will_v impose_v upon_o he_o to_o believe_v and_o maintain_v a_o falsehood_n as_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o suspend_v his_o salvation_n upon_o dark_a story_n and_o uncertainty_n and_o consequent_o will_v acknowledge_v his_o obligation_n to_o their_o pain_n even_o though_o represent_v as_o enemy_n that_o will_v refcue_v he_o from_o the_o hazard_n of_o so_o scandalous_a a_o precipice_n truth_n be_v both_o the_o basis_n and_o bulwark_n of_o christian_a religion_n which_o need_v no_o pious_a fraud_n nor_o fond_a tale_n nor_o forge_a evidence_n to_o maintain_v it_o but_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o endure_v the_o strict_a scrutiny_n he_o must_v either_o be_v a_o self-designing_a hypocrite_n or_o which_o general_o be_v all_o one_o a_o lewd_a atheist_n not_o a_o true_a catbolick_a that_o will_v persist_v in_o own_v or_o avouch_v that_o for_o certainty_n which_o his_o reason_n and_o conscience_n can_v but_o tell_v he_o be_v either_o false_a or_o doubtful_a thus_o much_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o say_v in_o apology_n for_o myself_o and_o the_o undettake_n or_o if_o you_o please_v let_v it_o pass_v as_o a_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n chap._n ii_o the_o roman_a account_n of_o st._n peter_n life_n bellarmin_n five_o argument_n for_o his_o be_v at_o rome_n with_o a_o additional_a one_o of_o other_o romanist_n answer_v it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o pretend_v to_o hold_v so_o vast_a a_o lordship_n by_o succession_n from_o st._n peter_n shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n as_o clear_o as_o she_o can_v make_v out_o her_o relation_n to_o he_o now_o the_o story_n she_o tell_v be_v in_o short_a to_o this_o effect_n viz._n that_o some_o time_n after_o our_o lord_n passion_n st._n peter_n go_v into_o syria_n and_o become_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n and_o continue_v there_o or_o as_o they_o love_v to_o speak_v hold_v that_o see_v seven_o year_n and_o then_o he_o remove_v his_o seat_n from_o thence_o to_o rome_n and_o thenceforth_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o hold_v the_o same_o four_o or_o five_o and_o twenty_o year_n viz._n until_o he_o be_v martyr_a there_o under_o nero._n i_o be_o force_v to_o use_v general_a term_n because_o most_o of_o those_o that_o undertake_v to_o relate_v the_o matter_n do_v wondrous_o vary_v in_o the_o particular_n and_o can_v agree_v either_o in_o the_o year_n wherein_o his_o bishopric_n at_o antioch_n shall_v begin_v or_o in_o the_o time_n of_o its_o continuance_n nay_o there_o be_v a_o dispute_n among_o they_o whether_o his_o be_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n be_v before_o he_o go_v to_o rome_n or_o after_o he_o have_v be_v there_o the_o time_n too_o when_o he_o come_v to_o rome_n and_o the_o length_n of_o his_o episcopate_n there_o and_o other_o material_a circumstance_n be_v very_o different_o deliver_v touch_v which_o confusion_n and_o interseting_n of_o the_o evidence_n i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v more_o in_o another_o chapter_n as_o also_o concern_v the_o whole_a business_n of_o antioch_n that_o which_o at_o present_a lie_n before_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o special_a relation_n st._n peter_n have_v to_o rome_n above_o other_o church_n concern_v which_o the_o learned_a and_o laborious_a cardinal_n bellarmin_n who_o work_n with_o those_o of_o his_o no_o less_o diligent_a brother_n baronius_n be_v the_o grand_a magazine_n of_o that_o party_n and_o both_o who_o industry_n may_v just_o claim_v the_o high_a commendation_n if_o bestow_v in_o a_o cause_n that_o deserve_v it_o state_n four_o question_n 1._o whether_o peter_n be_v ever_o at_o rome_n
lord_n body_n till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o last_o judgement_n act_n 3._o 21._o chap._n iii_o whether_o st._n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n if_o it_o can_v be_v sufficient_o make_v appear_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v ever_o at_o rome_n one_o will_v think_v we_o may_v supersede_n our_o pain_n of_o inquire_v whether_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n no_o say_v bellarmin_n many_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n 2._o that_o never_o be_v at_o rome_n as_o clement_n the_o 5_o john_n the_o 22th_o benedict_n the_o 12_o clement_n the_o 6_o and_o innocent_a the_o 6_o who_o be_v ordain_v in_o france_n do_v always_o remain_v there_o how_o proper_o those_o gentleman_n can_v be_v call_v bishop_n of_o rome_n that_o be_v neither_o choose_v there_o nor_o ever_o see_v that_o city_n in_o their_o life_n i_o shall_v not_o inquire_v not_o repine_v at_o his_o holiness_n if_o he_o please_v to_o make_v titular_a bishop_n of_o remote_a place_n in_o asia_n or_o africa_n where_o perhaps_o there_o may_v not_o be_v one_o christian_a soul_n live_v or_o if_o he_o will_v gratify_v his_o favourite_n with_o episcopal_n see_v in_o utopia_n or_o fairy-land_n such_o as_o panormitan_n quoniam_fw-la complain_v of_o and_o call_v episcopi_fw-la nullatenenses_n bishop_n of_o nullatia_n diocesan_n of_o no-land_n but_o this_o i_o be_o pretty_a confident_a of_o that_o st._n peter_n who_o so_o earnest_o exhort_v bishop_n or_o elder_n 2._o to_o feed_v their_o flock_n will_v scarce_o set_v the_o first_o pattern_n of_o nonresidency_a that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n nor_o do_v i_o see_v any_o necessity_n for_o calling_n clemens_n the_o 5_o and_o the_o other_o french_a pope_n bishop_n of_o rome_n rather_o than_o bishop_n of_o avignion_n for_o i_o be_o teach_v by_o a_o very_a learned_a roman_a catholic_n 3._o that_o the_o papacy_n and_o bishopric_n of_o rome_n be_v two_o distinct_a thing_n and_o not_o so_o necessary_o conjoin_v but_o they_o may_v be_v separate_v as_o for_o example_n if_o a_o pope_n and_o a_o council_n think_v it_o convenient_a he_o may_v leave_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o unite_v himself_o to_o another_o church_n in_o which_o case_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n shall_v no_o long_o be_v head_n nor_o have_v any_o sovereignty_n over_o christian_n but_o let_v that_o pass_n we_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v the_o argument_n bring_v to_o prove_v peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o rome_n and_o because_o they_o who_o affirm_v he_o be_v so_o do_v with_o equal_a confidence_n maintain_v that_o he_o be_v also_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n for_o about_o seven_o year_n we_o will_v here_o take_v that_o part_n of_o the_o story_n into_o our_o thought_n 1._o that_o peter_n be_v a_o apostle_n no_o man_n that_o believe_v the_o new_a testament_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o there_o be_v some_o difference_n between_o a_o apostle_n and_o a_o bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v place_n will_n i_o think_v not_o be_v deny_v for_o the_o apostle_n be_v immediate_o call_v by_o christ_n and_o all_o the_o world_n be_v their_o diocese_n for_o so_o run_v their_o commission_n mark_v 16._o 15._o go_v you_o into_o all_o the_o world_n preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a office_n consist_v of_o personal_a privilege_n as_o immediate_a vocation_n power_n to_o work_v miracle_n universality_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o infallibility_n in_o all_o thing_n they_o preach_v or_o write_v relate_v to_o the_o gospel_n be_v dictate_v unto_o and_o special_o guide_v by_o the_o divine_a spirit_n but_o bishop_n be_v choose_v by_o man_n and_o have_v a_o certain_a seat_n and_o church_n and_o their_o office_n be_v ordinary_a 1_o tim._n 3._o 1._o tit._n 1._o 5._o 1._o pet._n 5._o 2._o therefore_o peter_n be_v a_o apostle_n can_v not_o i_o conceive_v be_v bishop_n either_o of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n in_o the_o proper_a strict_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n for_o this_o have_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o degrade_n he_o from_o a_o superior_a and_o more_o ample_a office_n to_o one_o inferior_a and_o restrain_a i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o as_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v at_o large_a a_o inspecter_fw-la or_o overseer_n every_o apostle_n where_o ever_o he_o happen_v to_o come_v may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o place_n but_o not_o exclusive_o to_o other_o and_o thus_o you_o may_v if_o you_o please_v call_v paul_n a_o general_n bishop_n 28._o because_o he_o testify_v that_o he_o have_v the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n and_o in_o this_o respect_n we_o read_v of_o the_o episcopate_n of_o judas_n act._n 1._o 20._o his_o bishopric_n let_v another_o take_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o such_o a_o sense_n st._n peter_n call_v himself_o presbyter_n or_o elder_n 1_o pet._n 5._o 1._o i_o also_o agree_v that_o peter_n or_o any_o other_o apostle_n may_v wherever_o he_o come_v act_n and_o discharge_v all_o part_n of_o a_o bishop_n function_n whether_o ministerial_a or_o govern_v but_o all_o this_o will_v not_o constitute_v he_o proper_a bishop_n of_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n or_o of_o one_o more_o than_o another_o for_o though_o a_o prince_n in_o his_o progress_n may_v do_v some_o act_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o mayor_n or_o other_o particular_a governor_n of_o that_o town_n where_o he_o happen_v to_o lodge_v yet_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v the_o mayor_n or_o particular_a governor_n of_o such_o a_o corporation_n for_o that_o will_v be_v a_o diminution_n of_o his_o royal_a dignity_n no_o more_o do_v the_o apostle_n become_v local_a bishop_n because_o of_o their_o exercise_v episcopal_a power_n in_o any_o particular_a church_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o power_n apostolical_a wherein_o the_o other_o be_v include_v nor_o can_v the_o first_o planter_n or_o establisher_n of_o a_o church_n as_o such_o be_v style_v the_o bishop_n of_o such_o a_o church_n for_o then_o both_o paul_n and_o peter_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n must_v be_v bishop_n of_o many_o several_a diocese_n 2._o church_n if_o peter_n be_v bishop_n either_o of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n then_o either_o he_o must_v be_v ordain_v such_o by_o christ_n or_o by_o man_n after_o christ_n ascension_n or_o else_o he_o constitute_v himself_o bishop_n there_o but_o nether_a of_o these_o three_o can_v be_v say_v not_o the_o first_o for_o as_o there_o appear_v no_o footstep_n of_o such_o a_o ordination_n in_o scripture_n so_o if_o by_o christ_n he_o be_v constitute_v precedent_n over_o any_o one_o particular_a church_n how_o can_v he_o share_v in_o that_o command_n go_v forth_o and_o preach_v to_o every_o nation_n nor_o be_v there_o before_o our_o lord_n ascension_n any_o such_o church_n in_o be_v not_o the_o second_o for_o than_o he_o must_v relinquish_v the_o apostolical_a office_n which_o he_o receive_v of_o christ_n and_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v so_o far_o degrade_v by_o man_n as_o to_o undertake_v a_o mean_a and_o more_o limit_a office_n as_o if_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n shall_v be_v make_v parson_n of_o pancras_n hence_o too_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o st._n peter_n thenceforth_o instead_o of_o be_v prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n shall_v as_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n be_v inferior_a to_o the_o other_o apostle_n who_o be_v not_o ordain_v of_o man_n nor_o by_o man_n gal._n 1._o not_o the_o three_o for_o no_o man_n assume_v this_o honour_n to_o himself_o heb._n 5._o 4._o peter_n or_o any_o other_o apostle_n may_v ordain_v other_o to_o be_v bishop_n in_o such_o place_n as_o need_v they_o but_o that_o they_o shall_v or_o will_v create_v themselves_o bishop_n of_o this_o or_o that_o peculiar_a church_n we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o believe_v by_o what_o word_n what_o rite_n what_o ceremony_n do_v they_o do_v it_o or_o how_o when_o where_o do_v peter_n declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o proper_a bishop_n either_o of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n be_v it_o not_o utter_o incredible_a that_o peter_n the_o supreme_a head_n and_o monarch_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n as_o they_o pretend_v shall_v for_o thirty_o two_o year_n be_v bishop_n and_o have_v the_o particular_a charge_n and_o cure_n of_o two_o of_o the_o great_a city_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o that_o too_o whilst_o most_o of_o the_o other_o apostle_n be_v live_v and_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o nor_o he_o himself_o in_o any_o of_o their_o write_n shall_v say_v one_o syllable_n of_o it_o nor_o mention_v so_o much_o as_o one_o single_a episcopal_a act_n do_v by_o he_o in_o either_o of_o those_o city_n in_o all_o that_o time_n no_o nor_o st._n luke_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n nor_o st._n paul_n who_o live_v long_o in_o antioch_n and_o long_o at_o rome_n and_o have_v opportunity_n nay_o have_v
express_o tell_v we_o euodius_n be_v its_o first_o bishop_n and_o so_o far_o likewise_o from_o affirm_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v twenty_o five_o year_n bishop_n of_o rome_n that_o he_o do_v not_o say_v he_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n at_o all_o but_o only_o that_o peter_n have_v first_o found_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n go_v to_o rome_n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n twenty_o five_o year_n be_v none_o of_o eusebius_n testimony_n there_o be_v not_o a_o syllable_n to_o that_o purpose_n in_o the_o original_a greek_a in_o which_o language_n he_o write_v but_o those_o word_n be_v foist_v into_o the_o latin_a copy_n which_o be_v very_o much_o interpolate_v and_o corrupt_v as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o scaliger_n animadversion_n hence_o that_o learned_a roman_a catholic_n valesius_fw-la 21._o public_o acknowledge_v sciendum_fw-la est_fw-la eusebium_fw-la apostolos_fw-la in_o ordine_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la minime_fw-la numerare_fw-la that_o eusebius_n do_v not_o rank_a the_o apostle_n in_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n nay_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o those_o ancient_n who_o speak_v of_o peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n do_v use_v the_o word_n bishop_n in_o a_o large_a sense_n to_o imply_v that_o during_o his_o abode_n there_o which_o upon_o papias_n conjecture_n and_o vulgar_a same_o they_o suppose_v he_o preach_v unto_o and_o take_v care_n of_o that_o church_n for_o the_o same_o person_n do_v no_o less_o affirm_v that_o paul_n also_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o same_o church_n at_o the_o same_o time_n which_o can_v be_v understand_v but_o in_o such_o a_o large_a sense_n as_o aforesaid_a hence_o ruffinus_n say_v gaudent_fw-la linus_n &_o cletus_n fuerunt_fw-la ante_fw-la clementem_fw-la episcopi_fw-la in_fw-la urbe_fw-la roma_fw-it sed_fw-la superstite_fw-la petro_n videlicet_fw-la ut_fw-la illi_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la curam_fw-la gererent_fw-la iste_fw-la vero_fw-la apostolatus_fw-la impleret_fw-la officium_fw-la linus_n and_o cletus_n be_v bishop_n in_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n before_o clement_n but_o whilst_o peter_n be_v yet_o alive_a they_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o bishop_n and_o he_o attend_v to_o the_o office_n apostolical_a in_o which_o word_n though_o he_o who_o flourish_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o century_n take_v for_o grant_v peter_n be_v at_o rome_n yet_o he_o plain_o distinguish_v the_o apostolical_a and_o episcopal_a office_n and_o refer_v they_o not_o to_o one_o but_o several_a person_n and_o so_o deny_v that_o peter_n be_v ever_o bishop_n of_o rome_n name_v two_o other_o who_o govern_v that_o church_n in_o that_o capacity_n during_o his_o life_n time_n let_v we_o consider_v cui_fw-la bono_n bishop_n to_o what_o purpose_n serve_v this_o assignment_n of_o a_o fictitious_a episcopacy_n to_o peter_n whatever_o privilege_n can_v attend_v his_o person_n be_v bestow_v upon_o he_o either_o as_o a_o believe_a disciple_n of_o christ_n or_o as_o a_o apostle_n as_o such_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v give_v unto_o he_o as_o such_o he_o be_v command_v to_o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o christ_n as_o such_o christ_n promise_v to_o build_v the_o church_n on_o the_o faith_n he_o profess_v as_o a_o apostle_n he_o with_o the_o rest_n have_v the_o care_n of_o all_o church_n that_o be_v as_o far_o as_o every_o one_o be_v able_a commit_v unto_o he_o as_o a_o apostle_n he_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o enable_v infallible_o to_o reveal_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n now_o all_o these_o thing_n belong_v to_o he_o as_o a_o believer_n and_o apostle_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v what_o further_a privilege_n can_v accrue_v to_o he_o beside_o as_o bishop_n of_o any_o particular_a place_n be_v it_o either_o antioch_n or_o rome_n if_o the_o romanist_n will_v show_v we_o any_o body_n succeed_v peter_n in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o those_o extraordinary_a privilege_n before_o mention_v they_o must_v bespeak_v such_o person_n to_o succeed_v he_o in_o his_o apostleship_n and_o not_o in_o his_o pretend_a bishopric_n 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have_v in_o commission_n and_o be_v empower_v to_o do_v in_o reference_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o god_n do_v he_o succeed_v he_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o call_n to_o his_o office_n peter_n be_v call_v immediate_o by_o christ_n in_o his_o own_o person_n the_o pope_n be_v elect_v by_o the_o conclave_n of_o cardinal_n concern_v who_o their_o office_n privilege_n power_n and_o right_n to_o choose_v the_o successor_n of_o st._n peter_n there_o be_v not_o one_o syllable_n either_o in_o scripture_n or_o any_o monument_n of_o pure_a antiquity_n for_o divers_a hundred_o year_n and_o how_o many_o time_n the_o cardinal_n have_v be_v influence_v by_o powerful_a strumpet_n baronius_n himself_o have_v inform_v we_o and_o how_o much_o in_o latter_a age_n to_o this_o day_n the_o faction_n of_o several_a prince_n prevail_v can_v be_v unknown_a to_o any_o that_o be_v not_o a_o stranger_n to_o history_n and_o the_o modern_a transaction_n of_o the_o world_n 2._o do_v the_o pope_n succeed_v peter_n in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o personal_a discharge_n of_o his_o office_n and_o employment_n not_o in_o the_o least_o for_o peter_n in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o his_o commission_n and_o obedience_n unto_o the_o command_n of_o his_o lord_n travel_v to_o and_o fro_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o plant_v and_o water_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o patience_n self-denial_n humility_n zeal_n temperance_n and_o meekness_n whereas_o the_o pope_n reign_v at_o rome_n in_o ease_n exalt_v himself_o above_o king_n and_o without_o take_v the_o least_o pain_n in_o his_o own_o person_n for_o the_o conversion_n of_o sinner_n or_o edification_n of_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n 3._o do_v every_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n succeed_v peter_n in_o his_o personal_a qualification_n which_o be_v of_o such_o extraordinary_a advantage_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o his_o day_n viz._n his_o faith_n love_n holiness_n light_n and_o knowledge_n this_o can_v with_o any_o modesty_n be_v allege_v since_o the_o best_a historian_n of_o the_o roman_a cast_n confess_v many_o pope_n to_o have_v be_v gross_o ignorant_a and_o flagitious_o wicked_a 4._o do_v the_o pope_n succeed_v peter_n in_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o exercise_v his_o care_n and_o authority_n towards_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o little_a as_o in_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n for_o peter_n do_v it_o by_o his_o prayer_n for_o the_o church_n by_o his_o personal_a visitation_n and_o instruction_n of_o they_o by_o his_o write_n divine_o inspire_a for_o their_o direction_n and_o guidance_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n but_o the_o pope_n proceed_v by_o bull_n and_o consistorial_n determination_n execute_v by_o intricate_a process_n and_o officer_n unknown_a not_o only_o to_o peter_n but_o all_o antiquity_n and_o who_o way_n order_n term_n and_o practice_n st._n peter_n himself_o be_v he_o here_o again_o upon_o earth_n will_v as_o little_o understand_v as_o approve_v 5._o do_v the_o pope_n succeed_v peter_n in_o his_o personal_a infallibility_n let_v the_o romanist_n agree_v if_o they_o can_v among_o themselves_o upon_o a_o answer_n to_o this_o question_n or_o do_v he_o succeed_v he_o in_o his_o power_n of_o work_a mirale_n i_o do_v not_o hear_v that_o his_o present_a holiness_n pretend_v to_o that_o talon_n though_o pope_n gregory_n 7._o seem_v to_o have_v have_v some_o inclination_n that_o way_n when_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o scare_v the_o people_n by_o shake_a fire_n out_o of_o his_o sleeve_n as_o cardinal_z benno_n relate_v the_o story_n last_o do_v the_o pope_n succeed_v peter_n in_o the_o doctrine_n that_o he_o teach_v it_o have_v be_v prove_v a_o thousand_o time_n and_o we_o be_v ready_a when_o ever_o call_v upon_o to_o demonstrate_v it_o again_o that_o he_o do_v not_o but_o have_v add_v to_o detract_v from_o and_o many_o way_n pervert_v it_o wherein_o then_o do_v this_o succession_n of_o the_o pope_n to_o peter_n which_o
last_o he_o perform_v it_o at_o five_o or_o six_o motion_n as_o follow_v 1._o he_o say_v that_o peter_n after_o our_o lord_n passion_n remain_v almost_o but_o not_o full_a five_o year_n in_o judea_n in_o which_o time_n paul_n pay_v he_o his_o first_o visit_n gal._n 1._o 2._o that_o then_o he_o remove_v to_o antioch_n and_o be_v bishop_n there_o for_o near_o seven_o year_n but_o during_o that_o time_n travel_v into_o and_o preach_v through_o the_o neighbour_a province_n 3._o that_o in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o his_o episcopacy_n at_o antioch_n he_o return_v to_o jerusalem_n and_o be_v there_o imprison_v 4._o that_o be_v there_o miraculous_o release_v he_o the_o same_o year_n which_o be_v the_o second_o of_o claudius_n come_v to_o rome_n and_o there_o fix_v his_o seat_n which_o he_o hold_v 25_o year_n viz._n till_o his_o martyrdom_n 5._o yet_o for_o all_o that_o within_o seven_o year_n return_v back_o to_o jerusalem_n upon_o a_o decree_n that_o claudius_n set_v forth_o command_v all_o jew_n to_o depart_v from_o rome_n mention_v act_n 18._o 2._o and_o so_o come_v to_o be_v present_a at_o jerusalem_n when_o paul_n from_o antioch_n go_v up_o thither_o and_o the_o council_n of_o the_o apostle_n act_n 15._o be_v hold_v there_o 6._o but_o after_o the_o death_n of_o claudius_n repair_v again_o to_o rome_n where_o in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o nero_n paul_n arrive_v and_o in_o the_o 14_o year_n of_o nero_n they_o be_v both_o put_v to_o death_n to_o all_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o as_o the_o old_a astronomer_n be_v force_v to_o invent_v various_a epicycle_n and_o feign_a motion_n of_o the_o planet_n to_o solve_v the_o phoenomina_fw-la answ_n without_o regard_n whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a that_o be_v have_v any_o real_a existence_n in_o nature_n or_o not_o provide_v they_o will_v but_o serve_v a_o turn_n to_o support_v their_o hypothesis_n so_o i_o must_v crave_v leave_n to_o say_v the_o learned_a cardinal_n carry_v the_o bless_a apostle_n st._n peter_n 15_o or_o 1600_o mile_n back_o and_o forward_o to_o and_o fro_o at_o his_o own_o pleasure_n mere_o to_o render_v their_o notion_n of_o his_o be_v at_o rome_n possible_a but_o by_o what_o authority_n on_o what_o proof_n do_v he_o do_v this_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n in_o scripture_n but_o that_o peter_n remain_v in_o or_o near_a jerusalem_n as_o much_o to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n as_o for_o the_o first_o five_o year_n there_o be_v not_o a_o syllable_n of_o his_o go_v unto_o come_v back_o from_o rome_n or_o return_v thither_o again_o and_o if_o it_o be_v true_a what_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o st._n luke_n shall_v omit_v it_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n fall_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o his_o story_n nay_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o he_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n a_o considerable_a time_n before_o that_o council_n be_v hold_v for_o act_n 15._o 1._o it_o be_v say_v those_o that_o trouble_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n go_v down_o from_o judaea_n and_o v._o 24._o it_o be_v say_v by_o the_o apostle_n whereof_o peter_n be_v one_o in_o their_o joint_a letter_n certain_a man_n that_o go_v out_o from_o we_o 2._o touch_v peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n we_o have_v speak_v before_o chap._n 3_o and_o shall_v here_o only_o add_v that_o bellarmin_n himself_o in_o this_o same_o chapter_n say_v peter_z shall_v have_v leave_v a_o most_o pernicious_a example_n of_o a_o christian_a pastor_n if_o he_o have_v at_o once_o retain_v two_o particular_a and_o proper_a bishopric_n which_o yet_o it_o seem_v onuphrius_n think_v no_o disparagement_n but_o will_v it_o not_o be_v a_o example_n equal_o pernicious_a if_o retain_v but_o one_o he_o shall_v very_o seldom_o or_o never_o reside_v there_o for_o i_o conceive_v nonresidency_a as_o bad_a as_o plurality_n and_o indeed_o the_o chief_a reason_n against_o plurality_n be_v because_o they_o be_v think_v to_o imply_v nonresidency_a but_o i_o think_v it_o will_v unavoidable_o follow_v that_o peter_n must_v be_v general_o non-resident_n if_o be_v state_v bishop_n either_o of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n he_o travel_v so_o many_o other_o province_n during_o the_o same_o time_n and_o yet_o every_o other_o while_o be_v find_v at_o jerusalem_n 3._o that_o peter_n upon_o the_o decree_n of_o claudius_n that_o the_o jew_n shall_v depart_v from_o rome_n do_v fly_v thence_o and_o so_o come_v to_o jerusalem_n as_o it_o be_v accidental_o to_o that_o council_n act_v 15._o be_v like_o the_o rest_n assert_v gratis_o and_o as_o the_o same_o do_v neither_o suit_n with_o the_o zeal_n and_o christian_a fortitude_n of_o peter_n so_o to_o abandon_v his_o flock_n so_o i_o conceive_v it_o may_v manifest_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a from_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n where_o we_o read_v that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n immediate_o after_o that_o council_n return_v to_o antioch_n stay_v there_o some_o time_n that_o afterward_o paul_n take_v a_o journey_n into_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n and_o thence_o to_o derbe_n and_o lystra_n and_o have_v travel_v through_o phrygia_n galatia_n mysia_n and_o troas_n come_v into_o macedonia_n where_o philip_n be_v cast_v into_o prison_n thence_o he_o pass_v to_o amphipolis_n and_o apollonia_n to_o thessailonica_n beraea_n and_o as_o far_o as_o athens_n act_v 15_o 16_o &_o 17._o and_o after_o all_o these_o tedious_a perigrination_n which_o must_v require_v and_o take_v up_o a_o very_a considerable_a time_n when_o he_o come_v to_o corinth_n he_o find_v there_o aquila_n and_o priscilla_n who_o late_o or_o as_o the_o syriac_a version_n have_v it_o eo_fw-la ipso_fw-la tempore_fw-la just_o then_o be_v come_v out_o of_o italy_n upon_o that_o edict_n of_o claudius_n so_o that_o the_o say_a edict_n must_v be_v after_o the_o council_n and_o consequent_o can_v be_v no_o ground_n for_o peter_n be_v then_o at_o jerusalem_n 4._o if_o peter_n be_v supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o have_v before_o that_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v seven_o year_n bishop_n of_o antioch_n and_o for_o as_o many_o year_n and_o at_o that_o present_a time_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n both_o city_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o yet_o not_o without_o considerable_a number_n of_o jew_n therein_o it_o be_v strange_a he_o have_v not_o before_o determine_v that_o question_n touch_v the_o circumcision_n of_o the_o gentile_n or_o it_o may_v have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n for_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n to_o have_v say_v peter_n the_o quondam_a bishop_n of_o this_o city_n and_o now_o of_o rome_n christ_n vicar_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n teach_v and_o practise_v otherwise_o 5._o it_o be_v most_o improbable_a which_o bellarmine_n here_o assert_n viz._n that_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o year_n peter_n shall_v be_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n imprison_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o yet_o also_o in_o that_o very_a year_n come_v to_o rome_n and_o make_v himself_o bishop_n there_o let_v any_o judicious_a person_n but_o consider_v the_o great_a distance_n of_o those_o several_a place_n and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o travel_v in_o those_o day_n and_o that_o there_o appear_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n for_o such_o his_o post_v to_o and_o fro_o and_o he_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o suspect_v it_o altogether_o romantic_a or_o a_o story_n fit_a for_o the_o legend_n than_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n 2._o to_o that_o of_o paul_n not_o salute_v peter_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n the_o cardinal_n say_v two_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o same_o st._n paul_n write_v to_o the_o ephesian_n mention_n not_o st._n john_n nor_o james_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n yet_o they_o be_v bishop_n of_o those_o church_n second_o that_o when_o paul_n write_v that_o epistle_n peter_n be_v not_o yet_o return_v to_o rome_n from_o the_o apostolical_a synod_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o the_o cardinal_n have_v not_o prove_v answer_n that_o either_o john_n or_o james_n be_v ever_o bishop_n of_o those_o respective_a place_n in_o a_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n st._n john_n be_v never_o that_o i_o know_v of_o reckon_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n nor_o can_v be_v so_o without_o displace_v of_o timothy_n who_o according_a to_o the_o current_a testimony_n of_o antiquity_n be_v by_o paul_n constitute_v bishop_n there_o nor_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n be_v write_v to_o those_o at_o jerusalem_n nor_o last_o be_v st._n james_n then_o alive_a so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o parity_n 2._o as_o for_o peter_n not_o be_v return_v as_o yet_o to_o rome_n aquila_n and_o priscilla_n be_v get_v back_o for_o he_o send_v greeting_n to_o they_o together_o with_o who_o bellarmine_n affirm_v peter_n be_v expel_v and_o why_o not_o peter_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o we_o find_v paul_n have_v a_o firm_a
of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o the_o present_a condition_n of_o worldly_a empire_n and_o almost_o all_o interpreter_n agree_v that_o this_o babylon_n which_o rev._n 17._o be_v call_v the_o scarlet_a whore_n etc._n etc._n describe_v by_o this_o title_n mystery_n babylon_n the_o great_a the_o mother_n of_o harlot_n and_o abomination_n of_o the_o earth_n can_v be_v no_o orhe_a than_o that_o antichrist_n which_o be_v to_o sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n that_o be_v in_o the_o church_n 2_o thess_n 2._o 4._o as_o for_o what_o be_v allege_v that_o papias_n st._n jerome_n or_o other_o think_v this_o epistle_n of_o peter_n may_v be_v write_v from_o rome_n tropical_o call_v babylon_n it_o be_v at_o most_o but_o their_o opinion_n touch_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n long_o before_o their_o time_n and_o as_o we_o have_v show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n or_o reason_n for_o admit_v any_o such_o trope_n so_o the_o ancient_n may_v be_v excuse_v if_o they_o understand_v not_o the_o true_a occasion_n why_o or_o in_o what_o respect_n rome_n be_v call_v babylon_n since_o that_o which_o qualify_v it_o such_o and_o be_v intend_v to_o be_v signify_v by_o the_o divine_a vision_n appear_v not_o in_o the_o world_n till_o some_o age_n afterward_o whence_o that_o mighty_a monarch_n of_o letter_n as_o well_o as_o of_o great_a britain_n king_n james_n the_o first_o grandfather_n to_o our_o present_a gracious_a sovereign_n in_o his_o proemonition_n to_o all_o christian_a prince_n judicious_o observe_v in_o a_o like_a case_n that_o the_o father_n of_o the_o first_o age_n speak_v of_o this_o matter_n but_o only_o by_o conjecture_n whereas_o we_o speak_v of_o it_o by_o experience_n for_o scripture_n prediction_n after_o the_o event_n become_v history_n and_o the_o promise_n performance_n and_o so_o be_v much_o more_o intelligible_a 5._o as_o for_o the_o credit_n of_o papias_n the_o first_o suggester_n of_o this_o interpretation_n and_o consequent_o the_o first_o author_n in_o the_o 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refer_v those_o word_n to_o himself_o matt._n 21._o 42._o so_o that_o the_o cardinal_n make_v rome_n to_o be_v both_o zion_n and_o babylon_n he_o will_v have_v it_o babylon_n to_o prove_v peter_n there_o and_o zion_n to_o exclude_v in_o effect_n christ_n from_o be_v head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o advance_v the_o pope_n in_o his_o stead_n the_o second_o thing_n for_o i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o call_v it_o a_o argument_n bring_v to_o prove_v st._n peter_n be_v at_o rome_n proof_n be_v this_o there_o be_v many_o christian_n at_o rome_n nay_o a_o large_a and_o flourish_a church_n gather_v there_o before_o paul_n come_v thither_o as_o appear_v by_o his_o epistle_n which_o it_o be_v evident_a he_o write_v before_o ever_o he_o have_v be_v at_o rome_n but_o who_o gather_v that_o church_n if_o peter_n be_v not_o at_o rome_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o the_o learned_a author_n see_v through_o the_o weakness_n of_o this_o discourse_n ans_fw-fr and_o therefore_o put_v it_o by_o way_n of_o query_n to_o amuse_v weak_a head_n rather_o than_o as_o a_o argument_n to_o convince_v the_o learned_a for_o how_o odd_o will_v such_o a_o syllogism_n look_v from_o the_o pen_n of_o a_o cardinal_n there_o be_v christian_n at_o rome_n before_o paul_n come_v thither_o ergo_fw-la st._n peter_n be_v there_o before_o he_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n but_o those_o two_o for_o 1._o not_o to_o urge_v that_o though_o we_o read_v of_o saint_n at_o rome_n yet_o we_o no_o where_o find_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o a_o church_n at_o rome_n mention_v in_o terminis_fw-la the_o holy_a spirit_n possible_o forbear_v to_o qualify_v it_o with_o that_o title_n in_o holy_a writ_n as_o a_o check_n to_o their_o foresee_a usurpation_n and_o although_o it_o express_o tell_v we_o of_o several_a other_o church_n first_o plant_v by_o this_o or_o that_o apostle_n yet_o it_o say_v not_o that_o any_o apostle_n be_v the_o first_o seedsman_n of_o the_o gospel_n at_o rome_n not_o to_o insist_v i_o say_v upon_o this_o 2._o let_v we_o consider_v how_o and_o by_o who_o churches_n be_v gather_v in_o samaria_n and_o at_o antioch_n which_o they_o make_v peter_n other_n and_o first_o bishopric_n if_o we_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o read_v and_o credit_v the_o bible_n there_o we_o find_v that_o by_o a_o great_a persecution_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o disciple_n except_o the_o apostle_n be_v scatter_v abroad_o every_o where_o and_o so_o who_o know_v but_o some_o of_o they_o to_o rome_n preach_v the_o word_n act_v 8._o 4._o particular_o philip_n a_o deacon_n in_o samaria_n make_v great_a number_n of_o convert_v v_o 6._o which_o when_o the_o apostle_n hear_v of_o they_o send_v thither_o peter_n and_o john_n a_o odd_a procedure_n for_o subject_n to_o send_v their_o sovereign_n on_o a_o errand_n if_o they_o have_v think_v peter_n such_o who_o have_v further_o spread_v the_o gospel_n in_o samaria_n return_v again_o to_o jerusalem_n v_o 25._o 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the_o apostle_n receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o preach_v in_o other_o tongue_n it_o be_v express_o say_v that_o among_o the_o multitude_n that_o come_v to_o hear_v they_o there_o be_v stranger_n of_o rome_n act_v 2._o 10._o st._n paul_n also_o witness_n that_o andronicus_n and_o junia_n who_o dwell_v at_o rome_n when_o he_o write_v his_o epistle_n that_o be_v before_o he_o come_v at_o rome_n be_v in_o christ_n that_o be_v profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n before_o himself_o which_o must_v be_v at_o least_o 5_o or_o 6_o year_n before_o peter_n be_v pretend_v to_o come_v at_o rome_n and_o that_o they_o be_v of_o note_n among_o the_o apostle_n rom._n 16._o 7._o why_o then_o may_v not_o they_o by_o their_o pain_n and_o zeal_n at_o least_o in_o some_o measure_n gather_v a_o church_n there_o beside_o the_o scripture_n mention_v not_o which_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o who_o else_o in_o particular_a collect_v divers_a other_o church_n must_v they_o therefore_o all_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o particular_a pain_n of_o st._n peter_n 4._o what_o the_o cardinal_n affirm_v that_o none_o of_o the_o ancient_n name_v any_o other_o but_o peter_n that_o shall_v first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n at_o rome_n be_v not_o strict_o true_a for_o he_o himself_o a_o little_a after_o confess_v that_o clemens_n who_o they_o will_v have_v to_o be_v peter_n successor_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o recongnition_n and_o dorothoeus_n tyrensis_fw-la record_n that_o barnabas_n preach_v at_o rome_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n that_o be_v peter_n within_z 3_o or_o 4_o year_n after_o our_o lord_n crucifixion_n whereas_o their_o most_o common_a story_n be_v that_o st._n peter_n come_v not_o there_o till_o the_o second_o of_o claudius_n which_o must_v be_v about_o five_o year_n at_o least_o after_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n
it_o be_v true_a we_o may_v say_v a_o kind_n of_o necessity_n to_o have_v mention_v it_o i_o confess_v rome_n be_v it_o pretend_v that_o peter_n have_v be_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n it_o may_v seem_v somewhat_o probable_a for_o as_o he_o be_v style_v the_o apostle_n of_o the_o circumcision_n so_o it_o be_v apparent_a from_o scripture_n that_o he_o take_v much_o pain_n and_o spend_v seveal_v year_n in_o preach_v there_o and_o in_o the_o neighbour_a territory_n and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o chief_a or_o most_o notable_a of_o the_o apostle_n and_o they_o be_v all_o to_o have_v several_a and_o respective_a bishopric_n since_o that_o of_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o first_o and_o mother_n church_n from_o whence_o the_o gospel_n be_v spread_v abroad_o into_o all_o the_o earth_n other_o church_n be_v but_o as_o so_o many_o colony_n derive_v from_o thence_o it_o be_v reasonable_a he_o shall_v have_v the_o conduct_n thereof_o and_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o first_o that_o be_v plant_v in_o the_o world_n but_o there_o appear_v nothing_o so_o much_o colour_n of_o reason_n to_o call_v he_o bishop_n either_o of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n for_o as_o the_o gospel_n be_v first_o preach_v at_o antioch_n by_o some_o of_o the_o scatter_a believer_n from_o jerusalem_n and_o further_o advance_v by_o barnabas_n and_o afterward_o more_o full_o establish_v there_o by_o paul_n who_o both_o labour_v there_o for_o one_o whole_a year_n and_o with_o eminent_a success_n insomuch_o that_o the_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n at_o antioch_n act_v 11._o it_o may_v thence_o seem_v reasonable_a to_o entitle_v one_o of_o they_o to_o that_o bishopric_n but_o to_o assign_v peter_n thereto_o be_v to_o make_v he_o build_v on_o other_o man_n foundation_n and_o to_o reap_v where_o he_o have_v not_o sow_v especial_o since_o we_o find_v no_o intimation_n of_o his_o ever_o be_v there_o save_v once_o mention_v by_o the_o by_o and_o then_o so_o far_o from_o act_v as_o bishop_n there_o that_o he_o seem_v not_o thorough_o to_o have_v understand_v the_o state_n and_o usage_n of_o that_o church_n but_o be_v withstand_v and_o rebuke_v by_o st._n paul_n gal._n 2._o 11._o when_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n have_v plant_v so_o flourish_v a_o church_n at_o antioch_n will_v peter_n mere_o to_o show_v his_o power_n thrust_v himself_o in_o to_o be_v bishop_n there_o or_o if_o he_o do_v why_o will_v he_o leave_v it_o and_o go_v to_o rome_n be_v it_o because_o the_o latter_a be_v the_o rich_a the_o large_a and_o the_o more_o honourable_a so_o indeed_o platina_n as_o you_o hear_v seem_v to_o intimate_v say_v that_o it_o be_v because_o that_o imperial_a city_n be_v more_o suitable_a to_o his_o pontificial_a dignity_n but_o certain_o peter_n who_o hear_v christ_n tell_v he_o among_o the_o other_o disciple_n when_o they_o begin_v to_o vie_v for_o superiority_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o among_o they_o and_o who_o himself_o charge_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n not_o to_o carry_v it_o as_o lord_n over_o the_o flock_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n can_v not_o so_o quick_o forget_v both_o and_o abandon_v that_o humility_n so_o much_o recommend_v by_o his_o master_n and_o himself_o to_o seek_v out_o a_o splendid_a place_n to_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o thereby_o he_o and_o his_o successor_n may_v seem_v great_a in_o the_o world_n suppose_v peter_n once_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n how_o can_v he_o translate_v his_o see_n from_o thence_o to_o rome_n unless_o he_o be_v remove_v by_o some_o order_n or_o mission_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o else_o that_o he_o himself_o have_v some_o special_a vision_n or_o revelation_n so_o to_o do_v but_o neither_o of_o these_o be_v as_o yet_o prove_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v osius_n bishop_n of_o corduba_n one_o of_o no_o small_a account_n among_o the_o 318_o father_n of_o the_o first_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o the_o council_n at_o sardis_n hold_v about_o the_o year_n 340_o do_v declare_v that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o a_o bishop_n to_o leave_v his_o city_n and_o undertake_v another_o for_o thereby_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o he_o be_v inflame_v with_o covetousness_n or_o a_o slave_n to_o ambition_n that_o he_o may_v domineer_v which_o be_v synodical_o by_o the_o word_n placet_fw-la agree_v unto_o by_o all_o the_o father_n this_o be_v likewise_o the_o sense_n of_o several_a other_o council_n 10._o and_o that_o all_o the_o act_n of_o such_o a_o bishop_n at_o the_o second_o place_n shall_v be_v account_v null_a and_o void_a and_o he_o remand_v back_o to_o his_o former_a church_n these_o be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o those_o ancient_a father_n certain_o if_o peter_n have_v remove_v his_o see_n from_o antioch_n to_o rome_n they_o will_v out_o of_o reverence_n to_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n have_v suspend_v their_o opinion_n in_o the_o case_n if_o council_n be_v infallible_a in_o their_o decree_n than_o it_o appear_v peter_n be_v once_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n do_v a_o ill_a act_n in_o translate_n himself_o to_o rome_n if_o peter_n do_v well_o in_o translate_n his_o see_n from_o antioch_n to_o rome_n as_o be_v the_o much_o great_a and_o imperial_a city_n than_o these_o council_n be_v rash_a and_o do_v err_v in_o such_o their_o general_a condemnation_n of_o the_o like_a remove_n so_o that_o either_o way_n the_o authority_n of_o peter_n or_o that_o of_o council_n must_v be_v impair_v bellarmin_n indeed_o tell_v we_o that_o peter_n remove_n from_o antioch_n to_o rome_n be_v jubente_fw-la domino_fw-la by_o the_o lord_n command_v but_o offer_v no_o kind_n of_o proof_n of_o that_o command_n when_o yet_o all_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o argument_n to_o confirm_v the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o roman_a chair_n must_v depend_v thereon_o let_v they_o but_o show_v that_o divine_a command_n for_o peter_n fix_v his_o episcopal_a chair_n at_o rome_n and_o it_o will_v put_v a_o end_n not_o only_o to_o this_o but_o divers_a other_o controversy_n we_o will_v then_o ready_o obey_v 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nor_o damasus_n nor_o any_o ancient_a father_n ever_o allege_v any_o of_o they_o and_o consequent_o we_o may_v conclude_v know_v nothing_o of_o they_o nay_o the_o former_a bishop_n of_o rome_n never_o insist_v upon_o they_o when_o they_o may_v have_v be_v very_o serviceable_a as_o for_o example_n at_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n hold_v an._n 418._o by_o 217_o bishop_n among_o who_o the_o great_a augustine_n be_v one_o where_o two_o pretend_a canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a send_v thither_o by_o zozimus_n then_o pope_n to_o give_v colour_n of_o right_n to_o his_o receive_n of_o appeal_n from_o foreign_a province_n be_v detect_v to_o be_v forge_v and_o so_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n reject_v and_o his_o ambition_n and_o ill_a practice_n smart_o reprove_v by_o letter_n as_o by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o say_a council_n yet_o extant_a appear_v now_o have_v zozimus_n know_v or_o dream_v of_o such_o a_o number_n of_o decretal_n send_v abroad_o by_o his_o predecessor_n wherein_o their_o right_n of_o universal_a headship_n appeal_n etc._n etc._n be_v so_o plain_o derive_v and_o assert_v all_o along_o down_o from_o st._n peter_n himself_o and_o that_o not_o by_o the_o canon_n of_o any_o council_n but_o by_o absolute_a divine_a right_n undoubted_o he_o will_v have_v produce_v or_o refer_v unto_o they_o rather_o than_o stoop_v to_o so_o poor_a and_o shameful_a a_o shift_n as_o that_o of_o two_o counterfeit_a canon_n but_o that_o you_o may_v the_o better_a judge_n of_o the_o genius_n of_o these_o decretal_a epistle_n i_o shall_v here_o present_v you_o with_o the_o effect_n of_o two_o of_o they_o which_o particular_o relate_v to_o our_o present_a subject_n the_o first_o a_o letter_n pretend_v to_o be_v write_v by_o st._n clemens_n to_o st._n james_n james_n wherein_o a_o account_n be_v undertake_v to_o be_v give_v of_o peter_n last_o word_n and_o how_o he_o solemn_o appoint_v the_o say_a clement_n his_o successor_n in_o which_o after_o a_o 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there_o in_o the_o last_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n after_o he_o have_v choose_v clement_n to_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v crucified_a the_o 29_o of_o june_n twenty-four_a year_n five_o month_n and_o twelve_o day_n after_o he_o first_o come_v to_o that_o city_n under_o claudius_n this_o account_n onuphrius_n say_v he_o have_v gather_v out_o of_o abundance_n of_o most_o ancient_a author_n who_o he_o cite_v not_o that_o any_o one_o mortal_a ancient_a or_o modern_a before_o himself_o ever_o write_v any_o such_o thing_n but_o this_o he_o suppose_v may_v be_v say_v as_o the_o only_a expedient_a to_o reconcile_v their_o contradiction_n yet_o for_o all_o that_o bellarmine_n be_v so_o far_o from_o allow_v the_o same_o that_o with_o great_a pain_n he_o undertake_v to_o refute_v it_o and_o maintain_v that_o peter_n do_v not_o remain_v full_a five_o year_n after_o our_o lord_n ascension_n in_o judaea_n before_o he_o go_v to_o antioch_n where_o he_o be_v bishop_n near_o seven_o year_n and_o 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itself_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v not_o by_o a_o difference_n of_o that_o kind_n render_v uncertain_a but_o where_o a_o thing_n itself_o be_v doubtful_a depend_v only_o on_o suspect_v evidence_n the_o same_o by_o contradictory_n circumstance_n be_v render_v much_o more_o uncertain_a and_o improbable_a that_o the_o world_n be_v create_v that_o our_o saviour_n suffer_v we_o have_v infallible_a witness_n who_o in_o nothing_o material_a disagree_v but_o confirm_v each_o other_o testimony_n whereas_o here_o be_v no_o sound_a evidence_n of_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n or_o bishop_n there_o and_o they_o that_o undertake_v to_o tell_v the_o fact_n do_v with_o equal_a assurance_n and_o pretend_a punctualness_n relate_v circumstance_n and_o if_o they_o be_v deceiver_n or_o deceive_v in_o one_o they_o may_v as_o well_o in_o the_o other_o 2._o 2._o peter_n successor_n the_o learned_a cardinal_n say_v that_o though_o we_o shall_v be_v ignorant_a who_o it_o be_v that_o succeed_v he_o yet_o we_o ought_v not_o for_o that_o cause_n to_o doubt_v but_o some_o body_n do_v succeed_v but_o this_o answer_n come_v not_o home_n to_o the_o purpose_n answer_n for_o the_o question_n be_v not_o so_o much_o who_o do_v succeed_v as_o whether_o peter_n do_v at_o all_o precede_n in_o the_o particular_a bishopric_n of_o rome_n now_o because_o the_o same_o witness_n that_o tell_v we_o of_o peter_n precede_v do_v also_o testify_v of_o his_o successor_n if_o one_o part_n of_o their_o testimony_n be_v infirm_a the_o whole_a be_v weaken_v last_o as_o the_o ancient_n thwart_v and_o interfere_v with_o each_o other_o in_o this_o story_n of_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n so_o baronius_n one_o of_o the_o most_o industrious_a modern_a advocate_n for_o it_o contradict_v himself_o for_o he_o say_v 9_o peter_z died_z a._n c._n 69._o and_o yet_o affirm_v 39_o that_o he_o come_v to_o antioch_n a._n c._n 39_o and_o be_v bishop_n there_o 7_o year_n and_o after_o that_o 25_o year_n bishop_n of_o rome_n which_o must_v be_v till_o the_o year_n 71._o so_o that_o peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n two_o year_n after_o he_o be_v dead_a chap._n vi_o the_o account_v give_v of_o peter_n in_o scripture_n compare_v with_o the_o roman_a history_n whereby_o the_o common_a relation_n of_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n or_o bishop_n first_o of_o antioch_n and_o afterward_o of_o rome_n appear_v to_o be_v high_o improbable_a or_o rather_o altogether_o false_a that_o st._n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n can_v be_v prove_v by_o scripture_n we_o have_v show_v before_o to_o which_o we_o may_v add_v that_o the_o same_o be_v further_a confess_v by_o learned_a romanist_n by_o the_o scripture_n it_o can_v be_v evince_v either_o that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n or_o ever_o be_v at_o rome_n at_o all_o say_v marsilius_n patavinus_n 16._o and_o then_o consider_v the_o eclesiastical_a history_n that_o affirm_v it_o he_o do_v it_o after_o such_o a_o fashion_n as_o plain_o show_v he_o believe_v they_o not_o occam_n that_o eminent_a schoolman_n who_o flourish_v about_o the_o year_n 1328._o affirm_v 3._o these_o be_v in_o the_o number_n of_o thing_n that_o neither_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n nor_o can_v be_v manifest_o prove_v by_o it_o alone_o viz._n that_o peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n that_o he_o remove_v his_o see_n from_o antioch_n to_o rome_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n succeed_v peter_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v the_o primacy_n whereof_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o likewise_o there_o be_v not_o that_o he_o peter_n govern_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n nor_o any_o thing_n touch_v the_o papacy_n thereof_o this_o consideration_n alone_o methinks_v shall_v be_v enough_o to_o persuade_v any_o man_n from_o entertain_v the_o same_o or_o any_o of_o the_o inference_n that_o mere_o depend_v thereon_o as_o matter_n of_o faith_n especial_o if_o we_o further_o remark_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o only_o silent_a as_o to_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n and_o bishop_n there_o but_o yield_v not_o a_o sew_v shrewd_a and_o press_a indication_n to_o the_o contrary_a which_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o this_o chapter_n brief_o to_o sum_n up_o but_o because_o the_o same_o will_v not_o so_o clear_o appear_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o question_n without_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o roman_a history_n i_o shall_v for_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o vulgar_a reader_n first_o set_v down_o a_o short_a chronology_n out_o of_o sâ—â—tonius_n dio_n and_o the_o best_a historian_n of_o those_o time_n of_o the_o reign_v of_o those_o emperor_n who_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o mention_v and_o also_o of_o the_o year_n after_o our_o lord_n passion_n and_o st._n paul_n conversion_n answer_v thereunto_o which_o will_v render_v the_o whole_a dispute_n very_o conspicuous_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v bear_v of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n in_o the_o forty_o second_o year_n of_o augustus_n caesar_n who_o reign_v in_o all_o fifty_o six_o year_n and_o die_v the_o nineteen_o of_o august_n tiberius_n succeed_v reign_v twenty_o two_o year_n six_o month_n and_o twenty_o six_o day_n die_v the_o sixteen_o of_o march._n it_o be_v express_o say_v by_o the_o evangelist_n that_o in_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o this_o tiberius_n christ_n begin_v to_o be_v about_o thirty_o year_n of_o his_o age._n luke_n â—_o 1._o compare_v with_o verse_n 3_o that_o be_v as_o we_o may_v probable_o understand_v be_v then_o in_o his_o thirty_o year_n current_n for_o whereas_o tiberius_n fifteen_o year_n begin_v the_o nineteen_o of_o christ_n thirty_o year_n begin_v according_a to_o our_o common_a reckon_a the_o twenty-fifth_a of_o december_n follow_v and_o so_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o tiberius_n reign_n he_o have_v near_o complete_v but_o not_o full_o his_o
communion_n but_o about_o the_o year_n 1595._o one_o florimond_n de_fw-fr raemond_fw-fr a_o french_a counsellor_n at_o bordeaux_n undertake_v in_o a_o elaborate_v treatise_n to_o refute_v the_o whole_a story_n but_o by_o what_o argument_n that_o no_o author_n live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o this_o pretend_a papess_n be_v find_v to_o attest_v it_o nor_o any_o till_o marianus_n scotus_n 200_o year_n after_o she_o that_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o author_n though_o numerous_a blind_o follow_v he_o and_o suck_v in_o his_o error_n that_o the_o several_a relator_n agree_v not_o in_o their_o tale_n that_o the_o latter_a writer_n have_v invent_v several_a circumstance_n but_o he_o can_v charge_v they_o with_o corrupt_v of_o book_n nor_o forge_v of_o author_n to_o render_v it_o more_o plausible_a that_o the_o whole_a thing_n and_o its_o several_a part_n be_v not_o probable_a etc._n etc._n now_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o topic_n but_o will_v serve_v as_o well_o nay_o much_o better_a to_o impugn_v the_o story_n of_o st._n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n for_o as_o the_o latter_a tend_v exceed_o to_o the_o advancement_n of_o that_o see_v and_o the_o former_a to_o its_o dishonour_n so_o consider_v what_o a_o ascendent_n its_o bishop_n have_v get_v over_o the_o christian_a world_n it_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a that_o a_o fiction_n in_o their_o favour_n shall_v be_v promote_v than_o that_o the_o other_o if_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o fiction_n from_o which_o no_o advantage_n can_v possible_o be_v hope_v to_o be_v derive_v to_o the_o relator_n shall_v for_o a_o series_n of_o so_o many_o year_n pass_v current_a and_o without_o opposition_n for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o must_v ingenuous_o avow_v without_o presume_v to_o determine_v dogmatical_o either_o way_n that_o have_v read_n erreur_fw-fr populaire_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o our_o i_o earn_v coke_n on_o the_o other_o nay_o i_o will_v add_v blondellus_n his_o posthume_n book_n on_o that_o subject_a which_o seem_v to_o favour_v their_o opinion_n who_o deny_v there_o be_v any_o such_o papess_n i_o can_v find_v any_o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v there_o ever_o be_v a_o pope_n peter_n than_o i_o do_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o pope_n joan._n 3._o as_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n beside_o those_o counterfeit_v already_o discover_v which_o be_v unworthy_a of_o that_o venerable_a nam_n there_o be_v not_o one_o so_o much_o as_o allege_v who_o write_v within_o one_o hundred_o year_n and_o upward_o after_o the_o suppose_a time_n of_o peter_n death_n that_o mention_n his_o be_v or_o die_v at_o rome_n afterward_o justin_n martyr_n who_o flourish_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 170._o and_o tertullian_n 219._o be_v cite_v for_o it_o but_o as_o it_o be_v well_o know_v and_o confess_v by_o learned_a romanist_n that_o there_o be_v now_o abroad_o several_a counterfeit_n book_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o antieut_n so_o wherever_o they_o do_v in_o their_o genuine_a work_n seem_v to_o intimate_v st._n peter_n be_v at_o rome_n it_o be_v most_o probable_a they_o may_v take_v the_o same_o on_o trust_n from_o papias_n or_o common_a fame_n and_o look_v on_o it_o as_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n think_v not_o themselves_o concern_v nor_o the_o matter_n worth_a while_n strict_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o bottom_n of_o that_o opinion_n and_o so_o may_v be_v therein_o mistake_v as_o in_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n happen_v not_o very_o long_o before_o their_o own_o time_n for_o the_o same_o tertullian_n judaeos_fw-la who_o be_v therein_o follow_v by_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n stromat_n and_o by_o lactantius_n 4._o say_v that_o our_o lord_n christ_n suffer_v in_o the_o 15_o year_n of_o tiberius_n and_o the_o 30_o of_o his_o own_o age_n as_o on_o the_o contrary_a irenaeus_n 39_o contend_v that_o christ_n preach_v almost_o to_o 50_o year_n of_o age_n and_o suffer_v under_o claudius_n for_o each_o of_o which_o opinion_n ancient_a tradition_n be_v by_o they_o allege_v yet_o be_v they_o both_o contrary_n to_o the_o evangelist_n and_o all_o sound_a history_n which_o yet_o reflect_v no_o further_a dishonour_n on_o those_o holy_a father_n than_o that_o they_o be_v man_n capable_a of_o be_v mistake_v and_o be_v unwary_o deceive_v by_o rely_v too_o much_o on_o pretend_a tradition_n as_o far_o therefore_o as_o i_o can_v perceive_v the_o opinion_n of_o â—t_a peter_n have_v be_v at_o rome_n begin_v first_o to_o be_v industrious_o and_o common_o advance_v about_o or_o soon_o after_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n for_o eusebius_n who_o survive_v to_o write_v the_o life_n of_o that_o great_a emperor_n speak_v of_o nero_n tell_v we_o 25._o this_o enemy_n of_o god_n set_v up_o himself_o to_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o they_o write_v that_o paul_n be_v behead_v and_o peter_n crucify_a by_o he_o at_o rome_n and_o that_o which_o make_v for_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o story_n be_v that_o it_o be_v common_o report_a that_o there_o be_v church-yard_n unto_o this_o day_n bear_v the_o name_n of_o peter_n and_o paul_n in_o like_a manner_n gaius_n a_o roman_a and_o a_o ecclesiaastical_a person_n and_o after_o zepherinus_n bishop_n of_o rome_n write_v unto_o proclus_n chief_a of_o the_o cataphrygian_a heretic_n say_v thus_o i_o be_o able_a to_o show_v the_o banner_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o if_o thou_o will_v walk_v into_o the_o vatican_n or_o the_o ostiensian-way_n thou_o will_v find_v there_o victorious_a banner_n of_o such_o as_o have_v found_v this_o church_n and_o that_o they_o be_v both_o crown_v with_o martyrdom_n at_o the_o same_o time_n dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n declare_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n in_o these_o word_n and_o you_o observe_v so_o goodly_a a_o admonition_n have_v couple_v in_o one_o the_o building_n of_o the_o roman_a and_o corinthian_a church_n perform_v by_o peter_n and_o paul_n for_o they_o both_o instruct_v we_o when_o they_o plant_v our_o church_n of_o corinth_n thus_o eusebius_n from_o who_o word_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o do_v not_o at_o all_o assert_v peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n nor_o positive_o that_o he_o be_v ever_o there_o but_o only_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o write_v that_o be_v it_o be_v write_v by_o some_o body_n or_o other_o but_o say_v not_o by_o who_o that_o peter_n and_o paul_n be_v both_o put_v to_o death_n by_o nero_n at_o rome_n which_o yet_o it_o seem_v he_o look_v up_o but_o as_o a_o hear-say_n and_o doubtful_a and_o therefore_o to_o confirm_v it_o add_v that_o it_o make_v for_o the_o credit_n thereof_o that_o it_o be_v common_o report_a that_o there_o be_v to_o his_o time_n burial-place_n that_o wear_v the_o name_n of_o peter_n and_o paul_n as_o if_o after_o so_o many_o book_n forge_v in_o peter_n name_n a_o false_a tomb_n may_v not_o two_o or_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o his_o death_n be_v assign_v to_o he_o as_o to_o what_o he_o cites_n from_o gaius_n who_o he_o say_v be_v a_o roman_a and_o succeed_v zepherinus_n the_o word_n import_n nothing_o of_o peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n but_o seem_v intend_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v found_v by_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n who_o monument_n be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o vatican_n and_o ostiensian-way_n but_o as_o in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o pope_n there_o be_v no_o such_o person_n as_o gaius_n find_v to_o succeed_v zepherinus_n so_o we_o hear_v before_o from_o a_o decretal_a epistle_n that_o it_o be_v pope_n cornelius_n that_o remove_v the_o body_n of_o peter_n and_o paul_n from_o the_o catatombae_fw-la to_o the_o vatican_n and_o ostiensian-way_n now_o this_o cornelius_n become_v bishop_n of_o rome_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o own_o chronologist_n 51_o year_n in_o time_n and_o the_o six_o bishop_n in_o order_n after_o zepherinus_n how_o then_o can_v zepherinus_n successor_n the_o word_n plain_o imply_v his_o next_o successor_n talk_v of_o their_o monument_n be_v there_o in_o his_o time_n the_o other_o witness_v cite_v by_o eusebius_n be_v dionysius_n of_o corinth_n who_o beside_o that_o he_o be_v the_o same_o man_n who_o as_o eusebius_n elsewhere_o tell_v we_o do_v in_o his_o own_o life-time_n complain_v that_o his_o write_n be_v abuse_v and_o add_v to_o his_o word_n as_o here_o relate_v seem_v to_o signify_v that_o as_o there_o be_v very_o early_a a_o kind_n of_o vanity_n or_o emulation_n in_o church_n and_o person_n which_o prompt_v they_o to_o boast_v of_o those_o that_o convert_v they_o which_o be_v reprove_v by_o paul_n in_o that_o text_n i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o i_o of_o apollo_n and_o i_o of_o cephas_n etc._n etc._n so_o this_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n will_v have_v his_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o be_v plant_v both_o by_o peter_n and_o paul_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v the_o more_o near_o relate_v to_o the_o
they_o talk_v so_o much_o of_o consist_v why_o in_o his_o power_n authority_n jurisdiction_n and_o supremacy_n over_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a monarchy_n with_o the_o secular_a advantage_n of_o riches_n honour_n and_o pomp_n that_o attend_v it_o a_o excellent_a contrivance_n in_o the_o thing_n that_o peter_n real_o enjoy_v and_o which_o be_v of_o singular_a advantage_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o pope_n disclaim_v or_o dare_v not_o pretend_v any_o succession_n unto_o he_o but_o fix_v it_o on_o thing_n wherein_o he_o be_v no_o way_n concern_v but_o which_o vast_o make_v for_o their_o own_o worldly_a interest_n on_o this_o supposititious_a anvil_n do_v they_o forge_v out_o to_o themselves_o a_o monarchy_n direct_v and_o absolute_a in_o ecclesiastical_a thing_n over_o the_o whole_a church_n indirect_a at_o least_o and_o in_o ordine_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la over_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a diana_n in_o make_v of_o shrine_n for_o which_o the_o main_a business_n and_o livelihood_n of_o many_o thousand_o of_o their_o inferior_a craftsman_n do_v consist_v but_o still_o to_o prove_v peter_n be_v be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n rome_n the_o cardinal_n argue_v from_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n which_o say_v he_o be_v ever_o account_v the_o chief_a of_o all_o other_o but_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o but_o because_o st._n peter_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o proper_a pastor_n and_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n bellarm._n the_o rom._n pontif._n l._n 2._o c._n 4._o for_o answer_v to_o which_o be_v please_v to_o observe_v 1._o what_o a_o pretty_a circle_n be_v here_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o chief_a of_o all_o church_n because_o st._n peter_n be_v its_o bishop_n but_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v its_o bishop_n because_o rome_n be_v the_o chief_a of_o all_o church_n risum_fw-la teneatis_fw-la 2._o as_o the_o calling_n peter_n prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v but_o a_o compliment_n for_o though_o some_o of_o the_o four_o century_n call_v he_o so_o yet_o they_o explain_v themselves_o to_o mean_v thereby_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o or_o chief_a in_o order_n as_o a_o chairman_n or_o speaker_n but_o not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o prince_n or_o ruler_n and_o when_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n begin_v to_o be_v abuse_v unto_o pretension_n of_o preeminence_n the_o council_n of_o carthage_n express_o condemn_v it_o allow_v none_o to_o be_v call_v princeps_fw-la sacerdotum_fw-la the_o prince_n of_o priest_n so_o neither_o be_v it_o true_a that_o rome_n be_v always_o account_v the_o chief_a of_o all_o church_n for_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o mother_n church_n plant_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o person_n and_o his_o twelve_o apostle_n with_o who_o be_v the_o seventy_o disciple_n such_o teacher_n as_o no_o other_o church_n ever_o have_v at_o once_o and_o 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faith_n be_v speak_v of_o throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n rom._n 1._o 8._o that_o be_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o place_n far_o distant_a but_o this_o be_v because_o rome_n be_v the_o chief_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n to_o which_o stranger_n from_o all_o part_n do_v daily_o upon_o secular_a occasion_n resort_n their_o faith_n be_v the_o same_o that_o be_v in_o all_o nation_n among_o not_o above_o who_o be_v you_o also_o rom._n 1._o 5_o and_o 6._o but_o what_o be_v this_o commendation_n of_o their_o faith_n then_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o after_o time_n when_o they_o may_v be_v decline_v therein_o for_o that_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n total_o to_o fall_v away_o by_o unbelief_n we_o learn_v from_o the_o same_o apostle_n ch._n 11._o 20._o and_o therefore_o he_o admonish_v they_o not_o to_o be_v high-minded_a but_o fear_v 3._o in_o the_o next_o age_n there_o be_v no_o such_o extraordinary_a account_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n its_o bishop_n by_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n be_v style_v no_o more_o than_o brother_n colleague_n or_o fellow-bishop_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n cyprian_n appeal_n to_o rome_n be_v forbid_v by_o several_a council_n 5._o irenaeus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n one_o of_o the_o early_a of_o the_o father_n for_o he_o flourish_v before_o the_o year_n 200_o sharp_o reprove_v victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n 22._o because_o he_o go_v about_o to_o excommunicate_v the_o eastern_a chruche_n for_o not_o keep_v of_o easter_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n he_o do_v 24._o st._n hierom_n allow_v he_o no_o such_o superiority_n quicunque_fw-la fuerit_fw-la episcopus_fw-la sive_fw-la romae_fw-la sive_fw-la alibi_fw-la ejusdem_fw-la est_fw-la meriti_fw-la &_o sacerdotii_fw-la evagrium_fw-la whosoever_o say_v he_o shall_v be_v a_o bishop_n whether_o of_o rome_n or_o elsewhere_o be_v of_o the_o same_o worth_n the_o same_o priesthood_n nay_o we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o one_o that_o be_v afterward_o a_o pope_n himself_o i_o mean_v aeneas_n silvius_n 1._o who_o confess_v that_o before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a every_o church_n keep_v to_o itself_o and_o there_o be_v but_o little_a respect_n pay_v to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o as_o its_o esteem_n at_o first_o begin_v not_o on_o the_o account_n of_o peter_n but_o because_o it_o be_v the_o imperial_a city_n for_o so_o say_v the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n hold_v ann._n 451._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n because_o old_a rome_n be_v the_o imperial_a city_n therefore_o the_o father_n have_v right_o give_v privilege_n to_o that_o see_n so_o the_o reverence_n and_o vogue_n of_o jursdiction_n it_o afterward_o obtain_v be_v by_o the_o favoar_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o especial_o from_o the_o artifices_fw-la of_o its_o bishop_n improve_n all_o advantage_n and_o make_v use_n of_o many_o very_a carnal_a mean_n very_o well_o know_v and_o therefore_o not_o necessary_a here_o to_o be_v recount_v chap._n iu._n ancient_a author_n allege_v for_o peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n consider_v as_o papias_n linus_n egesippus_fw-la the_o decretal_a epistle_n etc._n etc._n forgery_n in_o the_o name_n of_o antiquity_n detect_v particalar_o a_o feign_a decretal_a epistle_n from_o clemens_n to_o st._n james_n and_o another_o from_o pope_n cornelius_n about_o remove_v peter_n body_n a_o remarkable_a testimony_n from_o baronius_n although_o i_o have_v go_v through_o cardinal_n bellarmin_n special_a argument_n and_o all_o that_o i_o know_v of_o producible_a by_o any_o of_o the_o romanist_n for_o prove_v peter_n to_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n or_o at_o any_o time_n there_o and_o have_v brief_o show_v as_o i_o think_v that_o none_o of_o they_o be_v free_a from_o just_a exception_n nor_o all_o conjoin_v of_o sufficient_a weight_n to_o oblige_v a_o rational_a man_n assent_n much_o less_o such_o a_o firm_a and_o steady_a belief_n as_o be_v requisite_a in_o a_o matter_n so_o high_o concern_v religion_n as_o this_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v yet_o since_o both_o he_o and_o other_o cite_v many_o pretend_a ancient_a author_n as_o give_v suffrage_n in_o favour_n of_o their_o assertion_n i_o hold_v it_o not_o unfit_a to_o inform_v the_o unlearned_a reader_n who_o such_o a_o specious_a parade_n may_v possible_o amuse_v somewhat_o more_o particular_o concern_v the_o same_o 1._o this_o testimony_n be_v it_o never_o so_o numerous_a be_v still_o but_o humane_a and_o so_o can_v i_o conceive_v be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o any_o article_n of_o faith_n 2._o that_o although_o we_o do_v serious_o pay_v a_o just_a reverence_n to_o antiqnity_n yet_o still_o we_o hold_v ourselves_o oblige_v in_o discretion_n to_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o pure_a and_o counterfeit_a record_n not_o to_o suffer_v ourselves_o to_o be_v betray_v into_o a_o unwary_a prejudicial_a confederacy_n with_o a_o parcel_n of_o neighbour_a
under_o the_o title_n of_o a_o collection_n of_o council_n and_o decretal_a epistle_n pretend_v to_o be_v make_v by_o isidore_n bishop_n of_o hispalis_n that_o be_v sevil_n in_o spain_n with_o a_o preface_n in_o his_o name_n wherein_o he_o declare_v that_o he_o collect_v the_o same_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o fourscore_o bishop_n but_o the_o truth_n be_v counterfeit_n to_o make_v the_o piece_n uniform_a not_o only_o the_o material_n be_v forgery_n but_o the_o collection_n itself_o and_o its_o author_n be_v counterfeit_v for_o although_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n and_o of_o eminent_a note_n in_o the_o church_n as_o isidore_n bishop_n of_o sevil_n yet_o he_o can_v not_o be_v the_o author_n of_o this_o collection_n and_o preface_n as_o be_v prove_v at_o large_a by_o blondel_n in_o his_o book_n entitle_v pseudo-isidorns_a or_o turrianus_n vapulans_fw-la where_o 2._o he_o observe_v that_o those_o that_o write_v of_o isidore_n death_n at_o high_a fix_v it_o on_o the_o year_n 647._o as_o 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be_v creep_v into_o these_o epistle_n and_o that_o he_o dare_v not_o say_v they_o be_v indubitable_a yet_o hope_n to_o excuse_v all_o by_o say_v that_o he_o doubt_v not_o at_o all_o but_o they_o be_v very_o ancient_a but_o what_o import_v it_o how_o old_a they_o be_v if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o old_a as_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v nor_o write_v by_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v as_o if_o a_o old_a deed_n be_v call_v into_o question_n and_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n make_v undeniable_a that_o it_o be_v a_o forgery_n he_o that_o hold_v his_o possession_n by_o it_o shall_v say_v it_o have_v be_v interline_v indeed_o and_o corrupt_v in_o many_o place_n nor_o be_v it_o sign_v or_o seal_v by_o the_o person_n that_o be_v name_v a_o party_n thereunto_o nor_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o same_o witness_n but_o yet_o i_o hope_v you_o will_v credit_v it_o in_o favour_n of_o my_o title_n for_o i_o be_o confident_a it_o be_v very_o old_a who_o will_v not_o smile_v at_o such_o a_o advocate_n baronius_n who_o see_v more_o clear_o through_o the_o imposture_n and_o how_o much_o dishonour_n such_o a_o heap_n of_o forgery_n detect_v in_o this_o learned_a age_n will_v reflect_v on_o the_o contriver_n and_o abetter_n acknowledge_v 8._o that_o this_o compilement_n be_v false_o father_v upon_o isidore_n of_o hispalis_n and_o that_o all_o those_o epistle_n of_o the_o roman_a bishop_n from_o st._n peter_n down_o to_o siricius_n that_o be_v till_o the_o year_n 387._o be_v just_o suspect_v nay_o he_o call_v they_o infirm_a adventitious_a and_o late_o invent_v and_o to_o remove_v the_o scandal_n of_o forge_v they_o from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n tell_v we_o they_o be_v first_o bring_v out_o of_o spain_n into_o france_n by_o one_o riculphus_fw-la in_o the_o time_n of_o charlemaigne_n that_o none_o say_v he_o may_v slanderous_o say_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n feign_v they_o but_o notwithstanding_o they_o be_v first_o start_v in_o spain_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n may_v still_o not_o unjusty_a labounr_n under_o a_o suspicion_n of_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o the_o intrigue_n if_o we_o consider_v first_o that_o the_o main_a drift_n of_o these_o epistle_n be_v to_o advance_v her_o honour_n now_o if_o as_o most_o plain_a it_o be_v they_o be_v forge_v cui_fw-la bono_n who_o shall_v do_v it_o but_o they_o who_o interest_n alone_o be_v thereby_o promote_v two_o that_o when_o hincmarus_n oppose_v they_o he_o be_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n so_o rigorous_o deal_v with_o that_o it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v force_v to_o retract_v three_o that_o when_o benedictus_n levita_n have_v out_o of_o they_o extract_v canon_n be_v conscious_a how_o weak_a their_o credit_n be_v he_o sue_v and_o easy_o obtain_v to_o have_v the_o same_o confirm_v by_o the_o pope_n authority_n 7._o so_o that_o if_o they_o be_v not_o original_o underhand_a his_o holiness_n natural_a child_n they_o thenceforth_o at_o least_o become_v his_o by_o adoption_n thus_o much_o touch_v the_o author_n of_o this_o collection_n and_o indeed_o to_o show_v the_o epistle_n themselves_o to_o be_v forgery_n or_o of_o no_o credit_n we_o need_v go_v no_o further_o have_v prove_v that_o they_o be_v hand_v into_o the_o world_n by_o a_o counterfeit_n for_o what_o need_v false_a light_n where_o the_o ware_n be_v not_o braid_v why_o a_o vizard_n in_o a_o affair_n otherwise_o so_o safe_a and_o honourable_a if_o no_o ill_a intrigue_n on_o foot_n however_o i_o will_v add_v some_o further_a reason_n take_v from_o the_o subject_a matter_n phrase_n absurdity_n and_o late_o appear_v of_o these_o epistle_n which_o to_o i_o be_v invincible_a argument_n that_o they_o be_v altogether_o spurious_a 1._o as_o to_o their_o matter_n or_o content_n forgery_n they_o purport_v to_o be_v write_v in_o the_o most_o primitive_a age_n some_o of_o they_o whilst_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n at_o least_o st._n john_n be_v yet_o alive_a by_o holy_a man_n zealous_a of_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n live_v under_o affliction_n and_o dreadful_a persecution_n scarce_o one_o of_o they_o but_o be_v a_o martyr_n for_o the_o gospel_n now_o if_o such_o man_n have_v indeed_o leave_v behind_o they_o any_o letter_n or_o write_a memoir_n survive_v the_o fury_n of_o their_o pagan_a enemy_n to_o our_o time_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o we_o shall_v there_o find_v the_o sweet_a breathe_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n god_n infinite_a love_n to_o miserable_a mankind_n manifest_v in_o the_o incarnation_n and_o suffer_v of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n for_o their_o redemption_n and_o the_o term_n of_o the_o salvation_n thereby_o purchase_v free_o offer_v to_o sinner_n we_o shall_v observe_v the_o most_o press_a exhortation_n to_o repentance_n holiness_n and_o newness_n of_o life_n the_o grand_a concernment_n of_o religion_n faith_n in_o christ_n mortification_n self-denial_n contempt_n of_o the_o world_n and_o all_o outward_a grandeurs_fw-fr and_o such_o like_v true_o christian_a duty_n every_o where_o serious_o inculcate_v but_o of_o all_o this_o in_o these_o epistle_n there_o be_v altum_fw-la silentium_fw-la their_o drift_n look_v not_o that_o way_n they_o forget_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o time_n handle_v nothing_o of_o doctrine_n nothing_o of_o the_o necessary_a office_n of_o the_o minister_n nor_o main_a duty_n of_o christian_a people_n nor_o indeed_o any_o thing_n else_o suitable_a unto_o that_o age_n or_o much_o worth_a consideration_n for_o their_o main_a business_n every_o where_o appear_v to_o be_v by_o wrest_v of_o scripture_n falsify_v story_n and_o other_o indirect_a mean_n to_o advance_v and_o lend_v colour_n to_o the_o support_v or_o spread_v the_o honour_n the_o pomp_n and_o empire_n of_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n thus_o anacletus_fw-la in_o his_o first_o epistle_n be_v bring_v in_o gloss_v those_o word_n of_o christ_n upon_o this_o rock_n
undoubted_o according_a to_o these_o authority_n he_o be_v the_o next_o successor_n but_o yet_o optatus_n lib._n 2._o contr_n parm._n and_o st._n augustine_n epist_n 165._o rank_a linus_n next_o after_o peter_n and_o next_o not_o only_a cletus_n but_o anacletus_fw-la and_o after_o all_o these_o clement_n as_o the_o four_o or_o if_o you_o will_v include_v st._n peter_n the_o five_o iraeneus_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 3._o tell_v we_o that_o peter_n and_o paul_n constitute_v linus_n the_o first_o than_o peter_n be_v not_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n that_o anacletus_fw-la succeed_v he_o and_o that_o clemens_n be_v the_o three_o bishop_n of_o rome_n onuphrius_n marshal_n they_o thus_o linus_n eleven_o year_n three_o month_n and_o twelve_o day_n clement_a nine_o year_n four_o month_n and_o twenty_o six_o day_n cletus_n six_o year_n five_o month_n and_o three_o day_n and_o after_o seven_o day_n vacancy_n anacletns_n twelve_o year_n two_o month_n and_o ten_o day_n and_o to_o solve_v the_o matter_n as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v make_v the_o say_v linus_n only_o as_o a_o suffragan_a bishop_n under_o peter_n and_o reckon_v the_o say_v eleven_o year_n three_o month_n and_o three_o day_n attribute_v to_o linus_n to_o be_v in_o peter_n life_n time_n who_o he_o say_v be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n absent_a from_o rome_n save_v only_o twenty_o six_o day_n which_o he_o survive_v after_o peter_n and_o then_o be_v martyr_a during_o which_o 26_o day_n he_o be_v not_o chief_a bishop_n neither_o but_o only_o a_o coadjutor_n to_o clement_n as_o he_o have_v be_v to_o peter_n for_o say_v he_o clement_n be_v the_o immediate_a successor_n in_o chief_a to_o peter_n and_o hold_v the_o chair_n for_o nine_o year_n four_o month_n and_o twenty_o six_o day_n and_o then_o and_o not_o before_o come_v cletus_n and_o he_o sit_v six_o year_n five_o month_n and_o three_o day_n as_o sovereign_a bishop_n though_o for_o twenty_o year_n and_o upward_o he_o have_v be_v chorepiscopus_n suffragan_n bishop_n or_o coadjutor_n under_o peter_n and_o clement_n who_o successor_n be_v anacletus_fw-la etc._n etc._n you_o see_v what_o pain_n this_o learned_a man_n be_v at_o to_o render_v the_o story_n uniform_a but_o as_o this_o be_v a_o new_a invention_n for_o neither_o platina_n nor_o the_o ancient_n mention_v a_o word_n of_o suffraganship_n in_o the_o case_n but_o make_v linus_n as_o substantial_a a_o pope_n as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n so_o it_o agree_v not_o with_o that_o account_n that_o bellarmin_n give_v of_o that_o matter_n for_o he_o say_v that_o peter_n indeed_o leave_v the_o episcopal_n see_v to_o clement_n but_o when_o he_o be_v dead_a clement_n out_o of_o humility_n refuse_v to_o sit_v therein_o as_o long_o as_o linus_n and_o cletus_n live_v who_o have_v be_v peter_n coadjutor_n in_o the_o episcopal_a office_n and_o so_o actual_o linus_n succeed_v peter_n cletus_n to_o linus_n and_o clement_n to_o cletus_n though_o some_o author_n because_o clement_n be_v appoint_v successor_n name_v he_o first_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v both_o that_o as_o the_o other_o be_v but_o the_o surmise_n of_o onuphrius_n so_o this_o be_v but_o the_o nude_v averment_n of_o the_o cardinal_n and_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o in_o itself_o improbable_a for_o if_o peter_n have_v just_a cause_n to_o elect_a clement_n then_o clement_n can_v have_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o reject_v the_o office_n impose_v if_o peter_n be_v appoint_v by_o our_o lord_n to_o govern_v all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n no_o doubt_n he_o be_v fit_a and_o enable_v to_o discharge_v that_o office_n and_o what_o need_v he_o then_o have_v two_o coadjutor_n to_o rule_v the_o particular_a church_n of_o rome_n or_o why_o will_v he_o take_v upon_o himself_o the_o bishopric_n of_o rome_n from_o whence_o he_o be_v so_o often_o to_o be_v absent_a and_o thereby_o give_v a_o dangerous_a precedent_n of_o nonresidency_a and_o trust_v to_o the_o care_n of_o delegate_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n or_o if_o he_o must_v have_v help_n will_v not_o paul_n at_o least_o after_o he_o come_v to_o rome_n have_v be_v as_o good_a a_o coadjutor_n as_o either_o linus_n or_o cletus_n again_o if_o peter_n think_v clement_n most_o worthy_a to_o succeed_v he_o why_o be_v he_o not_o constitute_v at_o least_o a_o equal_a suffragan_n bishop_n with_o the_o other_o two_o before_o if_o linus_n and_o cletus_n have_v be_v worthy_a of_o that_o honour_n they_o will_v no_o doubt_n have_v show_v their_o humility_n no_o less_o in_o reverence_v st._n peter_n last_o will_v and_o ordinance_n than_o clement_n do_v his_o in_o urge_v peter_n antecedent_n fact_n of_o admit_v those_o two_o his_o assistant_n or_o why_o do_v not_o clement_n declare_v such_o his_o humility_n whilst_o peter_n be_v alive_a that_o he_o may_v have_v constitute_v and_o consecrate_a another_o successor_n or_o why_o in_o his_o letter_n to_o st._n james_n do_v he_o not_o take_v notice_n how_o and_o on_o what_o score_n he_o have_v decline_v that_o office_n which_o peter_n so_o formal_o confer_v upon_o he_o or_o in_o a_o word_n if_o peter_n do_v so_o solemn_o invest_v clement_n with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o institute_n he_o his_o successor_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o make_v he_o sit_v down_o in_o spite_n of_o his_o modesty_n in_o his_o own_o episcopal_a chair_n and_o yet_o after_o peter_n death_n linus_n and_o cletus_n do_v hold_v and_o actual_o exercise_v the_o same_o successive_o for_o above_o twenty_o year_n do_v it_o not_o follow_v that_o the_o two_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n next_o after_o st._n peter_n be_v unlawful_a as_o have_v no_o due_a call_n or_o title_n but_o guilty_a of_o usurpation_n from_o which_o no_o pretence_n of_o clement_n humility_n can_v excuse_v they_o for_o who_o ordain_v they_o or_o how_o can_v they_o due_o become_v capable_a of_o that_o dignity_n the_o six_o question_n rome_n be_v peter_n bishop_n of_o antioch_n before_o he_o go_v to_o rome_n answ_n yes_o seven_o year_n say_v the_o pontifical_a and_o so_o say_v platina_n and_o it_o be_v the_o common_a vogue_n of_o those_o that_o mention_v his_o be_v at_o rome_n but_o no_o say_v onuphrius_n and_o be_v very_o warm_a in_o the_o point_n ad_fw-la initium_fw-la secundi_fw-la anni_fw-la imperii_fw-la claudii_n petrum_fw-la judaea_n nunquam_fw-la excessisse_fw-la ex_fw-la act_v apostolorum_fw-la &_o paeuli_fw-la epistola_fw-la ad_fw-la galatas_fw-la apertissime_fw-la constat_fw-la idem_fw-la in_o chronico_fw-la refert_fw-la eusebius_n &_o ego_fw-la alibi_fw-la multis_fw-la rationibus_fw-la probavi_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o peter_n never_o stir_v out_o of_o judea_n till_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o second_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o claudius_n be_v most_o certain_a and_o evident_a from_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o paul_n epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n eusebius_n in_o his_o chronicon_fw-la assert_n the_o same_o and_o i_o say_v he_o have_v prove_v it_o elsewhere_o by_o many_o reason_n now_o in_o this_o second_o year_n of_o claudius_n all_o the_o author_n that_o mention_v peter_n be_v at_o rome_n affirm_v he_o arrive_v there_o how_o then_o can_v he_o before_o that_o have_v sit_v seven_o year_n as_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n but_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o most_o ancient_a author_n i_o say_v the_o say_v onuphrius_n have_v settle_v the_o business_n thus_o that_o in_o the_o ten_o year_n after_o christ_n passion_n onuphrius_n which_o be_v still_o the_o second_o of_o claudius_n though_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o it_o st._n peter_n after_o his_o deliverance_n out_o of_o prison_n have_v spend_v a_o year_n in_o preach_v along_o the_o several_a country_n in_o his_o journey_n towards_o rome_n do_v arrive_v at_o that_o city_n on_o the_o eighteen_o of_o january_n from_o whence_o to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o death_n be_v about_o twenty-five_a year_n but_o four_o year_n after_o viz._n the_o seven_o of_o claudius_n the_o jew_n be_v banish_v by_o a_o edict_n he_o be_v force_v to_o leave_v rome_n and_o return_v to_o jerusalem_n agrippa_n for_o fear_n of_o who_o he_o flee_v out_o of_o judea_n be_v now_o dead_a there_o he_o be_v present_a at_o the_o apostolical_a council_n and_o death_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n from_o whence_o leave_v the_o apostle_n james_n at_o jerusalem_n he_o go_v to_o antioch_n and_o there_o remain_v seven_o year_n until_o the_o death_n of_o claudius_n and_o beginning_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o nero_n when_o with_o mark_v the_o evangelist_n he_o return_v to_o rome_n and_o re-establish_v the_o decay_a roman_a church_n appoint_v linus_n and_o cletus_n his_o suffragan-bishop_n or_o delegate_n and_o admonish_v mark_n to_o write_v his_o gospel_n after_o which_o he_o travel_v almost_o throughout_o all_o europe_n and_o return_v to_o rome_n with_o the_o apostle_n paul_n when_o nero_n be_v worry_v the_o christian_n as_o author_n of_o the_o great_a conflagration_n that_o happen_v
that_o st._n hierom_n and_o divers_a other_o that_o follow_v he_o date_n these_o 14_o year_n not_o from_o paul_n conversion_n but_o from_o his_o first_o journey_n to_o jerusalem_n three_o year_n after_o and_o so_o place_v this_o synod_n anno_fw-la dom._n 51._o or_o rather_o as_o they_o shall_v say_v 52._o in_o the_o 10_o or_o 11_o of_o claudius_n which_o think_v it_o seem_v to_o favour_v our_o cause_n as_o prove_v peter_n to_o continue_v so_o much_o the_o long_o at_o jerusalem_n or_o the_o neighbour_a part_n of_o asia_n yet_o since_o my_o aim_n in_o these_o researche_n be_v sole_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n i_o can_v admit_v thereof_o because_o in_o the_o nine_o year_n of_o claudius_n it_o be_v as_o orosius_n 6._o witness_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v all_o banish_a rome_n and_o at_o that_o time_n paul_n be_v at_o athens_n as_o vspergensis_n 24._o write_v and_o it_o appear_v likewise_o by_o the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n for_o paul_n depart_v from_o the_o council_n after_o a_o tedious_a journey_n to_o antioch_n syria_n through_o cilicia_n and_o many_o other_o region_n come_v to_o athens_n and_o thence_o to_o corinth_n where_o he_o meet_v with_o aquila_n and_o priscilla_n who_o say_v the_o text_n be_v late_o just_a then_o some_o version_n render_v it_o come_v from_o italy_n because_o claudius_n have_v command_v that_o all_o jew_n shall_v depart_v from_o rome_n which_o show_v that_o this_o council_n must_v be_v hold_v some_o considerable_a time_n before_o this_o decree_n of_o claudius_n that_o be_v before_o the_o 9th_o of_o his_o reign_n if_o it_o be_v inquire_v where_o peter_n be_v from_o the_o time_n of_o his_o delivery_n out_o of_o prison_n in_o the_o four_o year_n of_o claudius_n until_o this_o synod_n in_o the_o eight_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n i_o answer_v that_o as_o the_o gest_n or_o action_n of_o st._n paul_n after_o herod_n death_n among_o the_o gentile_n be_v describe_v in_o the_o 13_o and_o 14_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n so_o during_o that_o time_n it_o seem_v clear_o intimate_v that_o peter_n be_v labour_v among_o the_o jew_n either_o at_o jerusalem_n or_o those_o disperse_v in_o the_o neighbour_a territory_n of_o asia_n to_o who_o he_o afterward_o direct_v his_o epistle_n for_o so_o say_v st._n paul_n speak_v of_o his_o entertainment_n among_o the_o apostle_n at_o this_o council_n or_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n 14_o year_n after_o his_o conversion_n gal_n 2._o 7._o when_o they_o see_v that_o the_o gospel_n over_o the_o uncircumcision_n be_v commit_v unto_o i_o as_o the_o gospel_n over_o the_o circumcision_n be_v to_o peter_n for_o he_o that_o be_v mighty_a by_o peter_n in_o the_o apostleship_n of_o the_o circumcision_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o this_o interval_n i_o humble_o conceive_v it_o be_v though_o not_o specify_v in_o the_o act_n that_o peter_n be_v at_o antioch_n when_o paul_n reprove_v he_o to_o the_o face_n mention_v gal._n 2_o since_o it_o can_v not_o well_o be_v at_o any_o time_n before_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o precedent_a discourse_n but_o that_o it_o be_v before_o the_o say_a council_n of_o the_o apostle_n at_o jerusalem_n seem_v very_o probable_a because_o if_o it_o have_v be_v afterward_o viz._n when_o the_o matter_n have_v be_v so_o solemn_o determine_v that_o circumcision_n be_v not_o necessary_a peter_n can_v not_o have_v have_v any_o scruple_n of_o eat_v with_o the_o gentile_a believer_n nor_o fear_v of_o offend_v they_o in_o that_o point_n that_o come_v from_o james_n thus_o until_o the_o 16_o year_n of_o the_o passion_n eight_o of_o claudius_n peter_n come_v not_o within_o one_o thousand_o mile_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o nine_o of_o claudius_n all_o jew_n be_v banish_v rome_n as_o be_v prove_v before_o therefore_o than_o peter_n can_v not_o be_v there_o claudius_n nor_o be_v nor_o have_v he_o be_v there_o in_o the_o 12_o of_o claudius_n for_o then_o paul_n write_v his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n and_o undoubted_o if_o peter_n have_v be_v the_o founder_n or_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n then_o or_o at_o any_o time_n before_o paul_n will_v in_o so_o large_a a_o letter_n have_v take_v some_o occasion_n to_o recommend_v his_o pain_n and_o to_o exhort_v they_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a though_o he_o conclude_v with_o particular_a salute_v to_o 24_o person_n by_o name_n beside_o several_a household_n and_o divers_a of_o they_o woman_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v peter_n now_o if_o peter_n have_v be_v bishop_n there_o and_o sovereign_a head_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o omission_n of_o pay_v his_o respect_n to_o he_o whilst_o he_o do_v it_o to_o so_o many_o other_o of_o inferior_a condition_n will_v have_v be_v not_o only_o a_o soloecism_n in_o civility_n but_o a_o failure_n in_o duty_n but_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v at_o this_o time_n thus_o ch._n 15._o 28._o paul_n use_v this_o discourse_n have_v now_o no_o more_o place_n in_o these_o part_n that_o be_v about_o antioch_n whence_o this_o epistle_n be_v date_v and_o have_v a_o great_a desire_n these_o many_o year_n to_o come_v unto_o you_o whensoever_o i_o take_v my_o journey_n into_o spain_n i_o will_v come_v to_o you_o but_o now_o i_o go_v into_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a this_o be_v write_v upon_o his_o journey_n sometime_o go_v to_o jerusalem_n we_o must_v therefore_o consider_v at_o what_o time_n especial_o this_o be_v for_o we_o read_v of_o paul_n go_v thither_o five_o several_a time_n the_o first_o in_o the_o nine_o the_o second_o in_o the_o twelve_o the_o three_o in_o the_o 15_o the_o four_o in_o the_o 18_o and_o the_o five_o in_o the_o 21th_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n but_o it_o can_v be_v in_o none_o of_o the_o first_o three_o journey_n for_o he_o have_v not_o then_o meet_v with_o timothy_n who_o he_o find_v not_o till_o a_o good_a while_n after_o his_o return_n from_o the_o synod_n at_o jerusalem_n act_v 16._o 1._o but_o at_o the_o write_n of_o this_o epistle_n timothy_n be_v with_o he_o for_o he_o send_v salutation_n from_o he_o ch._n 16._o 21._o nor_o seem_v it_o to_o be_v the_o four_o time_n mention_v act_n 18_o for_o v._o 1._o ere_o paul_n return_v to_o jerusalem_n it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o depart_v from_o corinth_n and_o priscilla_n and_o aquila_n be_v then_o at_o rome_n for_o thither_o he_o send_v salutation_n to_o they_o it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v just_a before_o paul_n last_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n which_o agree_v with_o what_o be_v say_v act_v 19_o 20._o compare_v with_o the_o before-cited_n text_n rom._n 15._o 23._o and_o such_o his_o last_o journey_n thither_o be_v in_o the_o 12_o of_o claudius_n for_o be_v there_o take_v faelix_fw-la be_v then_o governor_n act_v 23._o 24._o who_o as_o josephus_n 5._o witness_v be_v not_o make_v precedent_n of_o judea_n till_o the_o 11_o of_o claudius_n and_o by_o tertullus_n oration_n to_o he_o accuse_v paul_n we_o may_v gather_v that_o he_o have_v then_o for_o some_o time_n a_o year_n at_o least_o be_v in_o that_o command_n so_o that_o it_o must_v be_v about_o the_o 12_o of_o claudius_n which_o further_o appear_v for_o that_o it_o be_v say_v paul_n have_v be_v two_o year_n a_o prisoner_n when_o portius_n festus_n come_v to_o be_v governor_n instead_o of_o faelix_fw-la who_o be_v send_v thither_o by_o nero_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o come_v to_o the_o empire_n wherefore_o since_o claudius_n die_v in_o his_o 14_o year_n and_o festus_n come_v present_o after_o and_o paul_n have_v be_v then_o two_o year_n a_o prisoner_n it_o follow_v that_o such_o his_o last_o come_n to_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o write_n of_o this_o epistle_n must_v be_v in_o or_o about_o the_o 12_o year_n of_o claudius_n the_o 20_o of_o the_o passion_n and_o of_o our_o lord_n birth_n 53._o and_o consequent_o at_o that_o time_n for_o the_o reason_n aforesaid_a we_o may_v just_o believe_v peter_n be_v not_o at_o nor_o bishop_n of_o rome_n nay_o st._n ambrose_n upon_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n sai_z that_o he_o have_v read_v in_o certain_a ancient_a book_n that_o at_o the_o send_n of_o this_o epistle_n narcissus_n to_o who_o family_n salutation_n be_v send_v be_v the_o senior_a bishop_n or_o elder_a of_o the_o congregation_n at_o rome_n again_o passion_n peter_n neither_o be_v nor_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o nero_n the_o 24_o of_o the_o passion_n and_o 57th_o of_o the_o incarnation_n for_o then_o paul_n come_v thither_o as_o be_v testify_v by_o eusebius_n vrspergensis_n and_o other_o at_o who_o arrival_n st._n luke_n who_o be_v then_o with_o he_o sai_z act_v 28._o 15._o the_o brethren_n hear_v of_o we_o come_v
church_n of_o rome_n who_o he_o suppose_v and_o perhaps_o the_o roman_n may_v give_v it_o out_o so_o to_o have_v the_o same_o founder_n every_o country_n almost_o in_o process_n of_o time_n such_o be_v the_o natural_a itch_n of_o ambition_n and_o vainglory_n in_o man_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v convert_v by_o some_o apostle_n or_o illustrious_a name_n though_o often_o time_n the_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n among_o they_o be_v like_o itself_o by_o very_o mean_a and_o as_o to_o outward_a glory_n or_o fame_n contemptible_a instrument_n but_o from_o this_o testimony_n of_o eusebius_n we_o may_v rational_o collect_v that_o in_o his_o time_n peter_n be_v at_o rome_n be_v but_o a_o dark_a kind_n of_o business_n provable_a only_o by_o report_n and_o such_o odd_a testimony_n of_o a_o few_o obscure_a author_n that_o have_v as_o little_a weight_n as_o clearness_n but_o how_o then_o come_v the_o same_o afterward_o to_o be_v so_o general_o entertain_v and_o believe_v object_n and_o several_a of_o the_o father_n to_o call_v rome_n st._n peter_n chair_n to_o this_o may_v be_v answer_v answer_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n after_o constantine_n have_v raise_v they_o to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o wealth_n and_o reputation_n puff_v up_o with_o ambition_n from_o their_o preside_v over_o the_o imperial_a city_n begin_v to_o aspire_v above_o their_o brethren_n and_o first_o claim_v a_o primacy_n and_o right_n of_o receive_v appeal_n from_o all_o part_n not_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la or_o as_o successor_n to_o st._n peter_n but_o as_o grant_v to_o they_o by_o council_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n forge_v two_o canon_n on_o the_o famous_a nicene_n council_n as_o be_v mention_v before_o but_o find_v themselves_o cut_v short_a and_o balk_v therein_o by_o the_o sagacity_n of_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n they_o cast_v about_o to_o derive_v a_o supremacy_n over_o all_o other_o church_n from_o a_o high_a title_n and_o observe_v peter_n to_o have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a apostle_n and_o some_o word_n to_o have_v be_v speak_v to_o he_o by_o our_o saviour_n that_o may_v colourable_o be_v wrest_v to_o intimate_v as_o if_o he_o have_v some_o kind_n of_o superiority_n over_o or_o great_a privilege_n than_o the_o rest_n they_o will_v have_v it_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o their_o church_n and_o though_o sometime_o they_o join_v paul_n with_o he_o because_o the_o scripture_n give_v such_o illustrious_a testimony_n of_o his_o pain_n there_o yet_o for_o the_o most_o part_n peter_n without_o the_o least_o countenance_n from_o but_o rather_o against_o the_o tenor_n of_o scripture_n have_v the_o great_a vogue_n and_o preference_n and_o know_v the_o mobile_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v with_o name_n and_o title_n and_o apt_a to_o frame_v idea_n of_o thing_n past_a from_o what_o appear_v at_o present_a they_o give_v out_o that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n to_o this_o purpose_n they_o press_v all_o the_o fragment_n of_o antiquity_n into_o the_o service_n papias_n conjecture_n be_v make_v a_o authentic_a proof_n and_o this_o say_n of_o eusebius_n and_o his_o hearsays_a must_v pass_v for_o undoubted_a evidence_n yet_o not_o therewith_o content_a abundance_n of_o other_o write_n be_v counterfeit_v under_o ancient_a venerable_a name_n as_o i_o make_v appear_v before_o and_o thus_o in_o short_a time_n the_o story_n may_v gain_v credit_n and_o whenever_o any_o of_o the_o father_n though_o unwary_o deceive_v by_o a_o spurious_a tradition_n or_o the_o common_a vogue_n not_o think_v it_o perhaps_o a_o matter_n much_o worth_a inquire_v into_o as_o not_o dream_v what_o strange_a inference_n will_v thence_o be_v make_v in_o after_o time_n speak_v thereof_o in_o a_o stile_n accommodate_v to_o vulgar_a opinion_n and_o call_v rome_n st._n peter_n chair_n or_o her_o bishop_n peter_n successor_n this_o be_v file_v as_o a_o fresh_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n have_v once_o gain_v this_o point_n that_o it_o be_v believe_v that_o peter_n preach_v at_o rome_n which_o they_o call_v his_o be_v bishop_n there_o they_o proceed_v further_o to_o pretend_v that_o not_o only_a peter_n have_v a_o sovereign_a power_n confer_v upon_o he_o but_o that_o the_o same_o be_v derive_v to_o they_o as_o his_o successor_n and_o so_o thou_o be_v peter_n i_o will_v give_v thou_o the_o key_n i_o have_v pray_v for_o thou_o here_o be_v two_o sword_n etc._n etc._n become_v sufficient_a argument_n both_o that_o peter_n be_v prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n vicar_n of_o christ_n and_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o that_o he_o be_v so_o dignify_v and_o bishop_n of_o rome_n all_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n of_o that_o see_v be_v his_o successor_n must_v be_v invest_v with_o the_o same_o authority_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o mother_n and_o mistress_n of_o all_o other_o church_n and_o be_v infallible_a and_o the_o only_a catholic_n church_n that_o the_o pope_n have_v a_o direct_a sovereignty_n over_o all_o the_o world_n in_o spiritual_n and_o indirect_a in_o ordine_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la etc._n etc._n all_o which_o be_v close_o and_o vigorous_o though_o gradual_o pursue_v in_o ignorant_a ture_n and_o especial_o after_o the_o roman_a bishop_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o pâ—â—cas_n the_o traitor_n have_v gain_v the_o title_n of_o universal_a and_o a_o ascendent_n over_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n when_o every_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o honour_n and_o advantage_n of_o that_o see_v meet_v with_o encouragement_n and_o the_o roman_a bishop_n only_o be_v capable_a of_o bestow_v preferment_n and_o all_o be_v snib_v and_o crush_v that_o dare_v offer_v any_o thing_n that_o displease_v they_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o for_o many_o age_n scarce_o any_o at_o least_o who_o write_n yet_o remain_v for_o we_o know_v who_o have_v then_o the_o keep_n of_o all_o library_n dare_v open_o controvert_v or_o deny_v st._n peter_n be_v at_o rome_n and_o bishop_n there_o since_o this_o be_v a_o blow_n at_o the_o root_n and_o strike_v effectual_o at_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n infallibility_n and_o other_o pompous_a claim_n which_o be_v all_o found_v on_o that_o pretence_n touch_v which_o what_o need_v i_o say_v more_o but_o brief_o sum_v up_o the_o state_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n if_o st._n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n or_o so_o much_o as_o ever_o there_o be_v not_o provable_a by_o scripture_n nor_o any_o other_o convince_v argument_n but_o whatever_o can_v be_v say_v for_o it_o be_v easy_o answer_v and_o render_v not_o so_o much_o as_o probable_a if_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o story_n be_v at_o open_a war_n and_o contradiction_n in_o the_o circumstance_n yet_o all_o pretend_v to_o a_o most_o punctual_a exactness_n and_o the_o learned_a and_o most_o subtle_a advocate_n of_o the_o party_n sweat_v in_o vain_a to_o invent_v even_o so_o much_o as_o colour_n to_o reconcile_v they_o if_o from_o scripture_n and_o history_n and_o a_o due_a comparison_n of_o all_o circumstance_n it_o be_v improbable_a to_o the_o high_a degree_n that_o ever_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n much_o more_o that_o he_o be_v bishop_n thereof_o if_o the_o story_n depend_v on_o counterfeit_n author_n or_o such_o as_o just_o be_v of_o little_a credit_n and_o abundance_n of_o shameful_a forgery_n have_v be_v invent_v and_o make_v use_n of_o to_o support_v it_o if_o it_o be_v derogatory_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o st._n peter_n memory_n to_o assert_v it_o in_o fine_a if_o it_o be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o apprehend_v and_o show_v by_o what_o method_n and_o degree_n it_o may_v be_v advance_v to_o popular_a credit_n and_o for_o what_o end_v if_o i_o say_v all_o this_o be_v make_v appear_v and_o how_o far_o this_o brief_a disquisition_n may_v be_v satisfactory_a that_o way_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o judicious_a unbigotted_a peruser_n and_o posterity_n to_o determine_v i_o conceive_v the_o old_a outcry_n of_o great_a be_v diana_n of_o the_o ephesian_n the_o noâ—â—e_n of_o st._n peter_n chair_n and_o peter_n successor_n will_v henceforth_o abate_v so_o newhat_o of_o its_o influence_n or_o indeed_o signify_v very_o little_a unless_o it_o be_v to_o expose_v their_o confidence_n that_o use_v it_o however_o if_o any_o shall_v still_o be_v amuse_v and_o prevail_v upon_o by_o those_o empty_a sound_n and_o vnravelled_a charm_n i_o may_v perhaps_o admire_v their_o faith_n or_o rather_o pity_v their_o weak_a credulity_n but_o must_v crave_v leave_n to_o say_v that_o till_o my_o reason_n be_v better_a satisfy_v which_o with_o the_o uttermost_a diligence_n and_o impartiality_n i_o have_v endeavour_v it_o shall_v have_v no_o room_n in_o my_o creed_n and_o so_o reader_n farewell_n finis_fw-la a_o end_n of_o controversy_n desirable_a by_o what_o obstruct_a the_o occasion_n of_o this_o discourse_n discourse_n