sit_n with_o a_o carnal_a and_o ambitious_a decree_n to_o give_v the_o second_o place_n of_o dignity_n to_o constantinople_n from_o reason_n of_o state_n because_o it_o be_v new_a rome_n and_o by_o like_o consequence_n doubtless_o of_o earthly_a privilege_n annex_v to_o each_o other_o city_n be_v the_o bishop_n thereof_o to_o take_v his_o place_n i_o may_v say_v again_o therefore_o what_o hope_n can_v we_o have_v of_o such_o a_o council_n as_o begin_v in_o the_o spirit_n end_v thus_o in_o the_o flesh_n much_o rather_o shall_v we_o attend_v to_o what_o eusebius_n the_o ancient_a writer_n extant_a of_o church-history_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o help_n he_o have_v above_o these_o confess_v in_o the_o 4._o chap._n of_o his_o 3._o book_n that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o tell_v who_o be_v those_o that_o be_v leave_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n more_o than_o by_o what_o a_o man_n may_v gather_v from_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n in_o which_o number_n he_o reckon_v timothy_n for_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n so_o as_o may_v plain_o appear_v that_o this_o tradition_n of_o bishoping_a timothy_n over_o ephesus_n be_v but_o take_v for_o grant_v out_o of_o that_o place_n in_o st._n paul_n which_o be_v only_o a_o entreat_v he_o to_o tarry_v at_o ephesus_n to_o do_v something_o leave_v he_o in_o charge_n 3._o now_o if_o eusebius_n a_o famous_a writer_n think_v it_o so_o difficult_a to_o tell_v who_o be_v appoint_v bishop_n by_o the_o apostle_n much_o more_o may_v we_o think_v it_o difficult_a to_o leontius_n a_o obscure_a bishop_n speak_v beyond_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o certain_o much_o more_o hard_o be_v it_o for_o either_o of_o they_o to_o determine_v what_o kind_n of_o bishop_n those_o be_v if_o they_o have_v so_o little_a mean_n to_o know_v who_o they_o be_v and_o much_o less_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o stand_v to_o their_o definitive_a sentence_n see_v they_o have_v be_v so_o rash_a to_o raise_v up_o such_o lofty_a bishop_n and_o bishopric_n out_o of_o place_n in_o scripture_n mere_o misunderstand_v thus_o while_o we_o leave_v the_o bible_n to_o gad_n after_o these_o tradition_n of_o the_o ancient_n we_o hear_v the_o ancient_n themselves_o confess_v that_o what_o knowledge_n they_o have_v in_o this_o point_n be_v such_o as_o they_o have_v gather_v from_o the_o bible_n since_o therefore_o antiquity_n itself_o have_v turn_v over_o the_o controversy_n to_o that_o sovereign_a book_n which_o we_o have_v fond_o straggle_v from_o we_o shall_v do_v better_o not_o to_o detain_v this_o venerable_a apparition_n of_o leontius_n any_o long_a but_o dismiss_v he_o with_o his_o list_n of_o seven_o and_o twenty_o to_o sleep_v unmolested_a in_o his_o former_a obscurity_n now_o for_o the_o word_n {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o it_o be_v more_o likely_a that_o timothy_n never_o know_v the_o word_n in_o that_o sense_n it_o be_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o next_o succeed_a time_n not_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o simplicity_n of_o scripture_n phrase_n but_o must_v make_v a_o new_a lexicon_fw-la to_o name_n themselves_o by_o one_o will_v be_v call_v {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o or_o antistes_fw-la a_o word_n of_o precedence_n another_o will_v be_v term_v a_o gnostic_n as_o clemens_n a_o three_o sacerdos_fw-la or_o priest_n and_o talk_v of_o altar_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a sign_n that_o their_o doctrine_n begin_v to_o change_v for_o which_o they_o must_v change_v their_o expression_n but_o that_o place_n of_o justin_n martyr_n serve_v rather_o to_o convince_v the_o author_n then_o to_o make_v for_o he_o where_o the_o name_n {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o the_o precedent_n or_o pastor_n of_o the_o brethren_n for_o to_o what_o end_n be_v he_o their_o president_n but_o to_o teach_v they_o can_v be_v limit_v to_o signify_v a_o prelatical_a bishop_n but_o rather_o communicate_v that_o greek_a appellation_n to_o every_o ordinary_a presbyter_n for_o there_o he_o tell_v what_o the_o christian_n have_v wont_a to_o do_v in_o their_o several_a congregation_n to_o read_v and_o expound_v to_o pray_v and_o administer_v all_o which_o he_o say_v the_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o or_o antistes_fw-la do_v be_v these_o the_o office_n only_o of_o a_o bishop_n or_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o every_o congregation_n where_o these_o thing_n be_v do_v which_o he_o attribute_v to_o this_o antistes_fw-la have_v a_o bishop_n present_a among_o they_o unless_o they_o have_v as_o many_o antistites_fw-la as_o presbyter_n which_o this_o place_n rather_o seem_v to_o imply_v and_o so_o we_o may_v infer_v even_o from_o their_o own_o allege_a authority_n that_o antistes_fw-la be_v nothing_o else_o but_o presbyter_n as_o for_o that_o nameless_a treatise_n of_o timothy_n martyrdom_n only_o cite_v by_o photius_n that_o live_v almost_o 5._o 900._o year_n after_o christ_n it_o handsome_o follow_v in_o that_o author_n the_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o seven_o sleeper_n that_o sleep_v i_o tell_v you_o but_o what_o my_o author_n say_v three_o hundred_o seaventy_o and_o two_o year_n for_o so_o long_o they_o have_v be_v shut_v up_o in_o a_o cave_n without_o meat_n and_o be_v find_v live_v this_o story_n of_o timothy_n ephesian_a bishopric_n as_o it_o follow_v in_o order_n so_o may_v it_o for_o truth_n if_o it_o only_o subsist_v upon_o its_o own_o authority_n as_o it_o do_v for_o photius_n only_o say_v he_o read_v it_o he_o do_v not_o aver_v it_o that_o other_o legendary_n piece_n find_v among_o the_o life_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o send_v we_o from_o the_o shop_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d jesuit_n at_o louvain_n do_v but_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o polyerates_n how_o true_o who_o can_v tell_v and_o shall_v have_v some_o more_o weight_n with_o we_o when_o polycrates_n can_v persuade_v we_o of_o that_o which_o he_o affirm_v in_o the_o same_o place_n of_o eusebius_n 5._o book_n that_o st._n john_n be_v a_o priest_n and_o wear_v the_o golden_a breastplate_n and_o why_o shall_v he_o convince_v we_o more_o with_o his_o tradition_n of_o timothy_n episcopacy_n than_o he_o can_v convince_v victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n with_o his_o tradition_n concerning_o the_o feast_n of_o easter_n who_o not_o regard_v his_o irrefragable_a instance_n of_o example_n take_v from_o philip_n and_o his_o daughter_n that_o be_v prophetess_n or_o from_o polycarpus_n no_o nor_o from_o st._n john_n himself_o excommunicate_v both_o he_o and_o all_o the_o asian_a church_n for_o celebrate_v their_o easter_n judaical_o he_o may_v therefore_o go_v back_o to_o the_o seven_o bishop_n his_o kinsman_n and_o make_v his_o moan_n to_o they_o that_o we_o esteem_v his_o traditional_a ware_n as_o light_o as_o victor_n do_v those_o of_o theodoret_n felix_n and_o john_n of_o antioch_n be_v autority_n of_o late_a time_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v receive_v for_o their_o antiquity_n sake_n to_o give_v in_o evidence_n concerning_o a_o allegation_n wherein_o writer_n so_o much_o their_o elder_n we_o see_v so_o easy_o miscarry_v what_o if_o they_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o peter_n who_o as_o they_o say_v leave_v ignatius_n bishop_n of_o antioch_n go_v afterwards_o to_o rome_n and_o be_v bishop_n there_o as_o this_o ignatius_n and_o irenaeus_n and_o all_o antiquity_n with_o one_o mouth_n deliver_v there_o be_v never_o the_o less_o a_o number_n of_o learned_a and_o wise_a protestant_n who_o have_v write_v and_o will_v maintain_v that_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n as_o bishop_n can_v stand_v with_o concordance_n of_o scripture_n now_o come_v the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n to_o show_v we_o first_o that_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n next_o to_o assert_v the_o difference_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n wherein_o i_o wonder_v that_o man_n teacher_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n make_v no_o more_o difficulty_n of_o impose_v upon_o our_o belief_n a_o supposititious_a offspring_n of_o some_o dozen_o epistle_n whereof_o five_o be_v reject_v as_o spurious_a contain_v in_o they_o herefy_v and_o trifle_n which_o can_v agree_v in_o chronology_n with_o ignatius_n entitle_v he_o archbishop_n of_o antioch_n theopolis_n which_o name_n of_o theopolis_n that_o city_n have_v not_o till_o justinians_n time_n long_a after_o as_o cedrenus_n mention_v which_o argue_v both_o the_o barbarous_a time_n and_o the_o unskilful_a fraud_n of_o he_o that_o foist_v this_o epistle_n upon_o ignatius_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o those_o of_o tarsus_n he_o condemn_v they_o for_o minister_n of_o satan_n that_o say_v christ_n be_v god_n above_o all_o to_o the_o philippian_n they_o that_o keep_v their_o easter_n as_o the_o asian_a church_n and_o polycarpus_n do_v and_o they_o that_o fast_v upon_o any_o saturday_n or_o sunday_n except_o one_o he_o count_v as_o those_o that_o have_v slay_v the_o lord_n to_o those_o of_o antioch_n he_o
those_o tradition_n which_o he_o receive_v fill_v his_o writing_n with_o many_o new_a doctrine_n and_o fabulous_a conceit_n he_o tell_v we_o there_o that_o divers_a ecclesiastical_a man_n and_o irenaeus_n among_o the_o rest_n while_o they_o look_v at_o his_o antiquity_n become_v infect_v with_o his_o error_n now_o if_o irenaeus_n be_v so_o rash_a as_o to_o take_v unexamined_a opinion_n from_o a_o author_n of_o so_o small_a capacity_n when_o he_o be_v a_o man_n we_o shall_v be_v more_o rash_a ourselves_o to_o rely_v upon_o those_o observation_n which_o he_o make_v when_o he_o be_v a_o boy_n and_o this_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o we_o why_o we_o need_v no_o long_o muse_v at_o the_o spread_n of_o many_o idle_a tradition_n so_o soon_o after_o the_o apostle_n whilst_o such_o as_o this_o papias_n have_v the_o throw_v they_o about_o and_o the_o inconsiderate_a zeal_n of_o the_o next_o age_n that_o heed_v more_o the_o person_n than_o the_o doctrine_n have_v the_o gather_v they_o up_o where_o ever_o a_o man_n who_o have_v be_v any_o away_o conversant_a with_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o be_v find_v thither_o slay_v all_o the_o inquisitive_a ear_n the_o exercise_n of_o right_n instruct_v be_v change_v into_o the_o curiosity_n of_o impertinent_a fable_a where_o the_o mind_n be_v to_o be_v edify_v with_o solid_a doctrine_n there_o the_o fancy_n be_v soothe_v with_o solemn_a story_n with_o less_o fervency_n be_v study_v what_o saint_n paul_n or_o saint_n john_n have_v write_v then_o be_v listen_v to_o one_o that_o can_v say_v here_o he_o teach_v here_o he_o stand_v this_o be_v his_o stature_n and_o thus_o he_o go_v habit_v and_o o_o happy_a this_o house_n that_o harbour_v he_o and_o that_o cold_a stone_n whereon_o he_o rest_v this_o village_n wherein_o he_o wrought_v such_o a_o miracle_n and_o that_o pavement_n bedew_v with_o the_o warm_a effusion_n of_o his_o last_o blood_n that_o sprout_v up_o into_o eternal_a rose_n to_o crown_v his_o martyrdom_n thus_o while_o all_o their_o thought_n be_v pour_v out_o upon_o circumstance_n and_o the_o gaze_n after_o such_o man_n as_o have_v sit_v at_o table_n with_o the_o apostle_n many_o of_o which_o christ_n have_v profess_v yea_o thoughthey_a have_v cast_v out_o devil_n in_o his_o name_n he_o will_v not_o know_v at_o the_o last_o day_n by_o this_o mean_n they_o lose_v their_o time_n and_o truant_v in_o the_o fundamental_a ground_n of_o save_a knowledge_n as_o be_v see_v short_o by_o their_o writing_n last_o for_o ireneus_fw-la we_o have_v cause_n to_o think_v he_o less_o judicious_a in_o his_o report_n from_o hand_n to_o hand_n of_o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v when_o we_o find_v he_o so_o negligent_a in_o keep_v the_o faith_n which_o they_o write_v as_o to_o say_v in_o his_o three_o book_n against_o heresy_n that_o the_o obedience_n of_o mary_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o salvation_n to_o herself_o and_o all_o mankind_n and_o in_o his_o five_o book_n that_o as_o eve_n be_v seduce_v to_o fly_v god_n so_o the_o virgin_n mary_n be_v persuade_v to_o obey_v god_n that_o the_o virgin_n mary_n may_v be_v make_v the_o advocate_n of_o the_o virgin_n eve_n thus_o if_o irenaeus_n for_o his_o nearness_n to_o the_o apostle_n must_v be_v the_o patron_n of_o episcopacy_n to_o we_o it_o be_v no_o marvel_n though_o he_o be_v the_o patron_n of_o idolatry_n to_o the_o papist_n for_o the_o same_o cause_n to_o the_o epistle_n of_o those_o brethren_n of_o smyrna_n that_o write_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o polycarpus_n and_o style_v he_o a_o apostolical_a and_o prophetical_a doctor_n and_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smirna_n i_o can_v be_v content_a to_o give_v some_o credit_n for_o the_o great_a honour_n and_o affection_n which_o i_o see_v those_o brethren_n bear_v he_o and_o not_o undeserved_o if_o it_o be_v true_a which_o they_o there_o say_v that_o he_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o have_v a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n to_o comfort_v he_o at_o his_o death_n which_o they_o can_v hear_v but_o the_o rest_n can_v not_o for_o the_o noise_n and_o tumult_n that_o be_v in_o the_o place_n and_o beside_o if_o his_o body_n be_v so_o precious_a to_o the_o christian_n that_o he_o be_v never_o wont_a to_o pull_v off_o his_o shoe_n for_o one_o or_o other_o that_o still_o strive_v to_o have_v the_o office_n that_o they_o may_v come_v to_o touch_v his_o foot_n yet_o a_o light_a scruple_n or_o two_o i_o will_v glad_o be_v resolve_v in_o if_o polycarpus_n who_o as_o they_o say_v be_v a_o prophet_n that_o never_o fail_v in_o what_o he_o foretell_v have_v declare_v to_o his_o friend_n that_o he_o know_v by_o vision_n he_o shall_v die_v no_o other_o death_n then_o burn_v how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o fire_n when_o it_o come_v to_o proof_n will_v not_o do_v his_o work_n but_o start_v off_o like_o a_o full_a sail_n from_o the_o mast_n do_v but_o reflect_v a_o golden_a light_n upon_o his_o unviolated_a limb_n exhale_v such_o a_o sweet_a odour_n as_o if_o all_o the_o incense_n of_o arabia_n have_v be_v burn_v in_o so_o much_o that_o when_o the_o billman_n see_v that_o the_o fire_n be_v overawe_v and_o can_v not_o do_v the_o deed_n one_o of_o they_o step_n to_o he_o and_o stab_v he_o with_o a_o sword_n at_o which_o wound_n such_o abundance_n of_o blood_n gush_v forth_o as_o quench_v the_o fire_n by_o all_o this_o relation_n it_o appear_v not_o how_o the_o fire_n be_v guilty_a of_o his_o death_n and_o then_o how_o can_v his_o prophecy_n be_v fulfil_v next_o how_o the_o stander_n by_o can_v be_v so_o soon_o weary_a of_o such_o a_o glorious_a sight_n and_o such_o a_o fragrant_a smell_n as_o to_o hasten_v the_o executioner_n to_o put_v out_o the_o fire_n with_o the_o martyr_n blood_n unless_o perhaps_o they_o think_v as_o in_o all_o perfume_n that_o the_o smoke_n will_v be_v more_o odorous_a than_o the_o flame_n yet_o these_o good_a brethren_n say_v he_o be_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n no_o man_n question_n it_o if_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v ancient_o all_o one_o and_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v by_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o testimony_n that_o they_o be_v not_o if_o among_o his_o other_o high_a title_n of_o prophetical_a apostolical_a and_o most_o admire_a of_o those_o time_n he_o be_v also_o style_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smirna_n in_o a_o kind_n of_o speech_n which_o the_o rhetorician_n call_v {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o for_o his_o excellence_n sake_n as_o be_v the_o most_o famous_a of_o all_o the_o smyrnian_a presbyter_n it_o can_v be_v prove_v neither_o from_o this_o nor_o that_o other_o place_n of_o irenaeus_n that_o he_o be_v therefore_o in_o distinct_a and_o monarchical_a order_n above_o the_o other_o presbyter_n it_o be_v more_o probable_a that_o if_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n have_v be_v as_o renown_a as_o he_o they_o will_v have_v term_v every_o one_o of_o they_o several_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o read_v sometime_o of_o two_o bishop_n in_o one_o place_n and_o have_v all_o the_o presbyter_n there_o be_v of_o like_a worth_n we_o may_v perhaps_o have_v read_v of_o twenty_o tertullian_n accost_v we_o next_o for_o polycrates_n have_v have_v his_o answer_n who_o testimony_n state_n but_o the_o question_n right_a be_v of_o no_o more_o force_n to_o deduce_v episcopacy_n than_o the_o two_o former_a he_o say_v that_o the_o church_n of_o smirna_n have_v polycarpus_n place_v there_o by_o john_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n clement_n ordain_v by_o peter_n and_o so_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n do_v show_v what_o bishop_n they_o have_v receive_v by_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o apostle_n none_o of_o this_o will_v be_v contradict_v for_o we_o have_v it_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n that_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n which_o be_v the_o same_o be_v leave_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o every_o church_n and_o they_o may_v perhaps_o give_v some_o special_a charge_n to_o clement_n or_o polycarpus_n or_o linus_n and_o put_v some_o special_a trust_n in_o they_o for_o the_o experience_n they_o have_v of_o their_o faith_n and_o constancy_n it_o remain_v yet_o to_o be_v evince_v out_o of_o this_o and_o the_o like_a place_n which_o will_v never_o be_v that_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v otherwise_o take_v then_o in_o the_o language_n of_o saint_n paul_n and_o the_o act_n for_o a_o order_n above_o presbyter_n we_o grant_v they_o bishop_n we_o grant_v they_o worthy_a man_n we_o grant_v they_o place_v in_o several_a church_n by_o the_o apostle_n we_o grant_v that_o irenaeus_n and_o tertul_n affirm_v this_o but_o that_o they_o be_v place_v in_o a_o superior_a order_n above_o the_o presbytery_n show_v from_o all_o these_o word_n why_o we_o shall_v grant_v it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o say_v the_o ap_n left_a this_o man_n
bishop_n in_o rome_n and_o that_o other_o in_o ephesus_n but_o to_o show_v when_o they_o alter_v their_o own_o decree_n set_v down_o by_o st._n paul_n and_o make_v all_o the_o presbyter_n underling_n to_o one_o bishop_n but_o suppose_v tertullian_n have_v make_v a_o imparity_n where_o none_o be_v original_o shall_v he_o move_v we_o that_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v a_o imparity_n between_o god_n the_o father_n and_o god_n the_o son_n as_o these_o word_n import_v in_o his_o book_n against_o praxeas_n the_o father_n be_v the_o whole_a substance_n but_o the_o son_n a_o derivation_n and_o portion_n of_o the_o whole_a as_o he_o himself_o profess_v because_o the_o father_n be_v great_a than_o i_o believe_v he_o now_o for_o a_o faithful_a relater_n of_o tradition_n who_o you_o see_v such_o a_o unfaithful_a expounder_n of_o the_o scripture_n beside_o in_o his_o time_n all_o allowable_a tradition_n be_v now_o lose_v for_o this_o same_o author_n who_o you_o bring_v to_o testify_v the_o ordination_n of_o clement_n to_o the_o bishopric_n of_o rome_n by_o peter_n testify_n also_o in_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o treatise_n concerning_o chastity_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n do_v then_o use_v to_o send_v forth_o his_o edict_n by_o the_o name_n of_o pontifex_fw-la maximus_n and_o episcopus_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la chief_a priest_n and_o bishop_n of_o bishop_n for_o shame_v then_o do_v not_o urge_v that_o authority_n to_o keep_v up_o a_o bishop_n that_o will_v necessary_o engage_v you_o to_o set_v up_o a_o pope_n as_o little_o can_v your_o advantage_n be_v from_o hegesippus_n a_o historian_n of_o the_o same_o time_n not_o extant_a but_o cite_v by_o eusebius_n his_o word_n be_v that_o in_o every_o city_n all_o thing_n so_o stand_v in_o his_o time_n as_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o our_o lord_n do_v preach_v if_o they_o stand_v so_o then_o stand_v not_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n for_o what_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o disciple_n teach_v god_n be_v thank_v we_o have_v no_o need_n to_o go_v learn_v of_o he_o and_o you_o may_v as_o well_o hope_v to_o persuade_v we_o out_o of_o the_o same_o author_n that_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v a_o nazarite_n and_o that_o to_o he_o only_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o enter_v into_o the_o holy_a of_o holy_n that_o his_o food_n be_v not_o upon_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v life_n fish_n or_o flesh_n that_o he_o use_v no_o woollen_a garment_n but_o only_o linen_n and_o so_o as_o he_o trifle_v on_o if_o therefore_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v now_o grow_v so_o ridiculous_a and_o disconsent_v from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n even_o in_o those_o point_n which_o be_v of_o least_o moment_n to_o man_n particular_a end_n how_o well_o may_v we_o be_v assure_v it_o be_v much_o more_o degenerate_v in_o point_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o precedency_n thing_n which_o can_v afford_v such_o plausible_a pretence_n such_o commodious_a traverse_n for_o ambition_n and_o avarice_n to_o lurk_v behind_o as_o for_o those_o britain_n bishop_n which_o you_o cite_v 13._o take_v heed_n what_o you_o do_v for_o our_o britain_n bishop_n less_o ancient_a than_o these_o be_v remarkable_a for_o nothing_o more_o than_o their_o poverty_n as_o sulp_n severus_n and_o beda_n can_v remember_v you_o of_o example_n good_a store_n last_o for_o the_o fabulous_a metaphrastes_n be_v not_o 16._o worth_a a_o answer_n that_o authority_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o all_o his_o work_n and_o wherever_o it_o be_v extant_a it_o be_v in_o controversy_n whether_o it_o be_v clement_n or_o no_o or_o if_o it_o be_v it_o say_v only_o that_o saint_n john_n in_o some_o place_n constitute_v bishop_n questionless_a he_o do_v but_o where_o do_v clement_n say_v he_o set_v they_o above_o presbyter_n no_o man_n will_v gainsay_v the_o constitution_n of_o bishop_n but_o the_o raise_v they_o to_o a_o superior_a and_o distinct_a order_n above_o presbyter_n see_v the_o gospel_n make_v they_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n a_o thousand_o such_o allegation_n as_o these_o will_v not_o give_v prelatical_a episcopacy_n one_o chapel_n of_o ease_n above_o a_o parish_n church_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o this_o cloud_n i_o can_v say_v rather_o then_o petty-fog_n of_o witness_n with_o which_o episcopal_a man_n will_v cast_v a_o mist_n before_o we_o to_o deduce_v their_o exalt_a episcopacy_n from_o apostolic_a time_n now_o although_o as_o all_o man_n well_o know_v it_o be_v the_o wont_a shift_n of_o error_n and_o fond_a opinion_n when_o they_o find_v themselves_o outlaw_v by_o the_o bible_n and_o forsake_v of_o sound_a reason_n to_o betake_v they_o with_o all_o speed_n to_o their_o old_a start_a hole_n of_o tradition_n and_o that_o wild_a and_o overgrow_a covert_n of_o antiquity_n think_v to_o farm_v there_o at_o large_a room_n and_o find_v good_a stable_n yet_o thus_o much_o their_o own_o dêify'de_a antiquity_n betray_v they_o to_o inform_v we_o that_o tradition_n have_v have_v very_o seldom_o or_o never_o the_o gift_n of_o persuasion_n as_o that_o which_o church_n history_n report_v of_o those_o east_n and_o western_a paschalist_n former_o speak_v of_o will_v declare_v who_o will_v have_v think_v that_o polycarpus_n on_o the_o one_o side_n can_v have_v err_v in_o what_o he_o see_v saint_n john_n do_v or_o anicetus_n bishop_n of_o rome_n on_o the_o other_o side_n in_o what_o he_o or_o some_o of_o his_o friend_n may_v pretend_v to_o have_v see_v saint_n peter_n or_o saint_n paul_n do_v and_o yet_o neither_o of_o these_o can_v persuade_v either_o when_o to_o keep_v eâ—ster_n the_o like_a frivolous_a contention_n trouble_v the_o primitive_a english_a church_n while_o colmanus_n 〈◊〉_d wilfride_n on_o either_o side_n deduce_v their_o opinion_n 〈◊〉_d the_o one_o from_o the_o undeniable_a example_n of_o saint_n john_n and_o the_o learned_a bishop_n anatolius_n and_o laâ—â—â—_z the_o miraculous_a columba_n the_o other_o from_o saint_n peter_n and_o the_o nicene_n council_n can_v gain_v no_o ground_n each_o of_o other_o till_o king_n oswy_n perceive_v no_o likelihood_n of_o end_v the_o controversy_n that_o way_n be_v fain_o to_o decide_v it_o himself_o good_a king_n with_o that_o small_a knowledge_n wherewith_o those_o time_n have_v furnish_v he_o so_o when_o those_o pious_a greek_a emperor_n begin_v as_o cedrenus_n relate_v to_o put_v down_o monk_n and_o abolish_v image_n the_o old_a idolater_n find_v themselves_o blast_v and_o drive_v back_o by_o the_o prevail_a light_n of_o the_o scripture_n send_v out_o their_o sturdy_a monk_n call_v the_o abramite_n to_o allege_v for_o image_n the_o ancient_a father_n dionysius_n and_o this_o our_o object_v irenaus_n nay_o they_o be_v so_o high_a fly_v in_o their_o antiquity_n that_o they_o undertake_v to_o bring_v the_o apostle_n and_o luke_n the_o evangelist_n yea_o christ_n himself_o from_o certain_a record_n that_o be_v then_o current_a to_o patronize_v their_o idolatry_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o the_o worthy_a emperor_n theophilus_n even_o in_o those_o dark_a time_n choose_v rather_o to_o nourish_v himself_o and_o his_o people_n with_o the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o gospel_n then_o to_o drink_v from_o the_o mix_a confluence_n of_o so_o many_o corrupt_a and_o poisonous_a water_n as_o tradition_n will_v have_v persuade_v he_o to_o by_o most_o ancient_a seem_a authority_n in_o like_a manner_n all_o the_o reform_a church_n abroad_o unthron_v episcopacy_n doubtless_o be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o these_o testimony_n allege_v to_o draw_v it_o in_o a_o line_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n for_o sure_o the_o author_n will_v not_o think_v he_o have_v bring_v we_o now_o any_o new_a authority_n or_o consideration_n into_o the_o world_n which_o the_o reformer_n in_o other_o place_n be_v not_o advise_v of_o and_o yet_o we_o see_v the_o intercession_n of_o all_o these_o apostolic_a father_n can_v not_o prevail_v with_o they_o to_o alter_v their_o resolve_a decree_n of_o reduce_v into_o order_n their_o usurp_a and_o over_o provendered_a episcopant_n and_o god_n have_v bless_v their_o work_n this_o hundred_o year_n with_o a_o prosperous_a and_o steadfast_a and_o still_o happy_a success_n and_o this_o may_v serve_v to_o prove_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o these_o present_a episcopal_a testimony_n not_o only_o in_o themselves_o but_o in_o the_o account_n of_o those_o ever_o that_o have_v be_v the_o follower_n of_o truth_n it_o will_v next_o behoove_v we_o to_o consider_v the_o inconvenience_n we_o fall_v into_o by_o use_v ourselves_o to_o be_v guide_v by_o these_o kind_n of_o testimony_n he_o that_o think_v it_o the_o part_n of_o a_o well_o learned_a man_n to_o have_v read_v diligent_o the_o ancient_a story_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v no_o stranger_n in_o the_o volume_n of_o the_o father_n shall_v have_v all_o judicious_a man_n consent_v with_o he_o not_o hereby_o to_o control_n and_o new_a fangle_n