take_v he_o at_o his_o own_o word_n in_o grant_v that_o it_o be_v some_o way_n a_o authoritative_a prelacy_n and_o for_o the_o distinction_n of_o extraordinary_a it_o will_v by_o and_o by_o receive_v a_o ordinary_a but_o a_o true_a answer_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o so_o much_o press_v his_o confession_n as_o we_o may_v do_v his_o reason_n thereof_o deduct_v from_o the_o text_n themselves_o concern_v their_o prelatical_a power_n of_o order_v matter_n that_o be_v amiss_o tit._n 1._o 5._o of_o receive_a accusation_n against_o presbyter_n 1_o tim._n 5._o 19_o and_o the_o like_a but_o our_o other_o opposite_n will_v needs_o pose_v we_o require_v we_o to_o answer_v their_o first_o objection_n videl_n smect_n that_o the_o bishop_n who_o pedigree_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n be_v no_o other_o than_o presbyter_n then_o this_o be_v prove_v say_v they_o by_o two_o instance_n the_o first_o be_v the_o identity_n of_o their_o name_n which_o quoth_v they_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o no_o small_a consequence_n we_o answer_v yea_o rather_o of_o none_o at_o all_o else_o be_v master_n beza_n but_o of_o small_a judgement_n when_o speak_v of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n be_v confess_v appellatione_fw-la that_o the_o presbytery_n have_v then_o a_o precedent_n over_o they_o yea_o when_o the_o community_n of_o name_n so_o he_o of_o presbyter_n and_o bpâ—_n remain_v among_o they_o according_o as_o 3._o dr_n reynolds_n have_v say_v that_o the_o presbytery_n have_v then_o one_o who_o be_v precedent_n over_o they_o when_o as_o yet_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o who_o furthermore_o concern_v the_o time_n of_o distinguish_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n whither_o soon_o or_o late_a here_o or_o there_o he_o say_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v afterward_o appropriate_v by_o the_o usual_a language_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n to_o he_o that_o have_v the_o presidentship_n over_o the_o elder_n so_o he_o hereby_o grant_v that_o the_o presidentship_n by_o bishop_n be_v of_o force_n before_o the_o title_n and_o name_n be_v appropriate_v and_o allot_v unto_o they_o if_o our_o opposite_n have_v acquaint_v themselves_o with_o these_o learned_a author_n they_o will_v have_v spare_v their_o pain_n in_o oppugn_v episcopacy_n how_o much_o more_o if_o they_o have_v consult_v with_o god_n own_o oracle_n in_o his_o word_n wherein_o we_o find_v which_o former_o we_o point_v at_o that_o saint_n peter_n entitle_v himself_o a_o co-presbyte_a 1._o pet._n 5._o &_o 1_o saint_n john_n himself_o a_o presbyter_n 1._o john_n 1_o and_o saint_n paul_n himself_o thrice_o he_o can_v then_o stoop_v no_o low_a a_o deacon_n col._n 1._o 23._o &_o 25._o 2_o cor._n 3._o &_o 6._o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o inferior_a appellation_n they_o hold_v still_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o apostelship_n we_o end_v this_o point_n in_o hope_n that_o our_o opposite_n will_v take_v out_o this_o lesson_n which_o calvin_n learn_v from_o the_o divine_a text_n in_o the_o epistle_n of_o titus_n what_o be_v that_o even_o our_o full_a conclusion_n in_o this_o cause_n praeâ—sset_fw-la we_o learn_v from_o hence_o that_o there_o be_v not_o then_o a_o equality_n say_v he_o among_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n but_o that_o one_o be_v with_o authority_n place_v over_o other_o their_o second_o convince_a objection_n will_v be_v discuss_v xviii_o thesis_n that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n have_v have_v a_o prelacy_n as_o bishop_n over_o the_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n that_o they_o be_v call_v evangelist_n according_a to_o consent_v of_o protestant_n of_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o be_v to_o examine_v the_o second_o and_o only_o other_o objection_n which_o our_o opposite_n enforce_v in_o this_o case_n to_o wit_n 115._o that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n with_o all_o other_o such_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o assistant_n and_o immediate_a successor_n do_v take_v care_n of_o the_o church_n not_o as_o proper_o bishop_n but_o as_o evangelist_n who_o have_v no_o settle_a residence_n in_o any_o of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o but_o be_v encounter_v with_o other_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n in_o good_a number_n for_o praeerat_fw-la luther_n among_o his_o other_o resolution_n insert_v this_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v of_o divine_a right_n ground_v his_o judgement_n upon_o the_o text_n specify_v titus_n his_o government_n in_o crete_n as_o be_v consonant_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o augustine_n 2._o their_o learned_a quadrent_fw-la scultetus_n show_v that_o at_o this_o time_n they_o be_v not_o exercise_v in_o assist_v the_o apostle_n for_o collect_v of_o church_n at_o evangelist_n but_o for_o govern_v of_o they_o that_o have_v be_v collect_v as_o the_o general_a precept_n give_v by_o the_o apostle_n say_v he_o do_v prove_v thereby_o to_o become_v the_o example_n &_o type_n for_o the_o successor_n to_o follow_v and_o thereupon_o he_o conclude_v they_o to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o who_o otherwise_o be_v call_v evangeliste_n for_o preach_v the_o gospel_n although_o by_o their_o superintendency_n bishop_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n preminentiae_fw-la master_n moulin_n will_v have_v it_o know_v that_o whatsoever_o timothy_n and_o titus_n have_v whether_o as_o bishop_n or_o evangelist_n it_o be_v such_o as_o have_v a_o continual_a succession_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v as_o other_o confess_v as_o james_n have_v in_o jerusalem_n and_o mark_v in_o alexandria_n which_o be_v episcopal_a titus_n say_v episcopus_fw-la tossahus_o after_o his_o peregrination_n with_o paul_n be_v appoint_v bishop_n of_o crect_n and_o before_o these_o utriusque_fw-la zuinglius_fw-la confess_v that_o tim._n at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o paul_n advise_v he_o to_o pursue_v the_o work_n of_o a_o evangelist_n 2_o tim._n 4._o be_v then_o bishop_n in_o some_o place_n or_o other_o by_o all_o consequence_n 5._o dr._n gerhard_n a_o late_a famous_a theological_a author_n be_v copious_a in_o this_o argument_n who_o in_o the_o same_o show_v that_o the_o word_n evangelist_n give_v to_o timothy_n when_o paul_n write_v unto_o he_o be_v take_v in_o a_o general_a acceptation_n and_o not_o as_o proper_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o he_o have_v be_v a_o assistant_n even_o as_o luther_n say_v he_o understand_v it_o beside_o he_o show_v out_o of_o scripture_n exact_o the_o several_a station_n which_o timothy_n have_v with_o saint_n paul_n in_o exercise_v his_o office_n before_o that_o time_n that_o he_o be_v place_v bishop_n in_o ephesus_n we_o forbear_v the_o full_a allegation_n of_o the_o like_a author_n cite_v by_o other_o that_o we_o may_v hearken_v to_o our_o english_a doctor_n reynolds_n nothing_o inferior_a to_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n even_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o our_o opposite_n themselves_o tell_v we_o of_o that_o very_a time_n when_o paul_n assemble_v the_o ministry_n at_o miletum_n act._n 20._o 28._o 3._o one_o be_v choose_v as_o chief_a in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o gâ—â—d_v it_o the_o same_o who_o afterward_o the_o father_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n call_v bishop_n so_o he_o and_o for_o confirmation_n hereof_o show_v that_o which_o must_v indeed_o be_v impregnable_a to_o wit_n a_o lineal_a succession_n of_o 27._o bishop_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v from_o timothy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o for_o surplus_n age_n to_o all_o this_o we_o answer_v to_o the_o object_v reason_n propound_v for_o timothy_n nonresidence_n in_o ephesus_n by_o that_o qualification_n which_o jurisconsulti_fw-la calvin_n have_v do_v in_o like_a case_n namely_o that_o pastor_n be_v not_o so_o strict_o tie_v to_o their_o glebe_n or_o charge_n as_o that_o they_o may_v not_o help_v other_o church_n upon_o necessary_a occasion_n as_o for_o the_o object_v term_n of_o evangelist_n we_o moreover_o answer_v from_o scripture_n where_o we_o find_v philip_n preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o samaria_n act._n 8._o 5._o call_v a_o evangelist_n act._n 21._o 8._o and_o yet_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seven_o mean_v deacon_n act._n 6._o 5._o our_o quaere_fw-la be_v why_o timothy_n may_v not_o as_o well_o be_v call_v a_o evangelist_n for_o preach_v the_o word_n be_v a_o bishop_n as_o philip_n be_v for_o the_o same_o cause_n name_v in_o evangelist_n be_v a_o deacon_n we_o think_v all_o this_o shall_v be_v satisfactory_a although_o no_o more_o be_v say_v but_o more_o we_o have_v xix_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n teach_v a_o episcopacy_n both_o in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n our_o strong_a opposite_a extitere_fw-la salmasius_n can_v not_o but_o confess_v concern_v antiquity_n although_o he_o spurn_v against_o it_o that_o chrysostome_n epiphaneus_n theophylact_fw-mi theodoret_n and_o other_o greek_a commentatour_n have_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o paul_n that_o titus_n be_v very_o bishop_n of_o creeâ—e_n and_o that_o there_o can_v not_o be_v divers_a bishop_n in_o one_o city_n which_o be_v our_o
unequal_o in_o both_o whereas_o they_o shall_v have_v labour_v to_o solve_v the_o doubt_n by_o some_o commodious_a and_o congruous_a interpretation_n whether_o thus_o if_o by_o candlestick_n be_v to_o understand_v the_o people_n then_o by_o people_n to_o conceive_v such_o of_o who_o the_o prophet_n speak_v like_o people_n like_o pastor_n so_o that_o the_o irrepentant_a people_n adhere_v to_o the_o unpenitent_a pastor_n may_v just_o be_v involve_v in_o the_o same_o punishment_n second_o or_o thus_o by_o take_v the_o word_n candlestick_n to_o signify_v the_o pastor_n himself_o for_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o call_v mat._n 5._o 15_o and_o that_o the_o same_o word_n shall_v be_v diverse_o take_v in_o the_o same_o sentence_n can_v be_v strange_a to_o he_o who_o be_v not_o a_o stranger_n to_o scripture_n as_o where_o it_o be_v say_v he_o that_o shall_v save_v his_o life_n viz._n mortal_a shall_v loose_v his_o life_n to_o wit_n the_o eternal_a and_o again_o 2._o cor._n 5._o 21._o of_o christ_n he_o that_o know_v no_o sin_n proper_o take_v be_v make_v for_o we_o sin_n that_o be_v a_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n or_o else_o not_o to_o seek_v further_o by_o distinguish_v of_o the_o word_n place_n as_o here_o betoken_v man_n estate_n and_o condition_n with_o relation_n to_o other_o in_o which_o sense_n may_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v remove_v by_o alter_v the_o relation_n to_o that_o one_o pastor_n both_o by_o not_o acknowledge_v he_o their_o bishop_n and_o by_o withhold_v maintenance_n xxii_o thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n third_n exposition_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o signify_v one_o only_a pastor_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v extreme_o new_a and_o naught_o this_o misbeget_v brat_n namely_o a_o exposition_n which_o before_o these_o day_n of_o distraction_n never_o see_v print_n we_o may_v think_v shall_v by_o and_o by_o vanish_v with_o its_o own_o novelty_n how_o much_o more_o for_o the_o safety_n thereof_o which_o we_o be_v rather_o to_o inquire_v after_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o be_v very_o transparent_a for_o the_o reason_n which_o these_o our_o opposite_n may_v have_v read_v in_o irrigationem_fw-la mr._n brightman_n viz._n the_o city_n of_o ephesus_n be_v more_o ennoble_v of_o all_o other_o by_o paul_n triennial_n labour_v therein_o next_o by_o the_o divine_a epistle_n write_v unto_o the_o people_n there_o as_o also_o by_o that_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v their_o pastor_n and_o beside_o for_o john_n laborious_a water_v thereof_o for_o so_o many_o year_n together_o so_o he_o but_o how_o successful_a be_v these_o then_o this_o be_v tell_v we_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n whereof_o it_o be_v say_v so_o mighty_o grow_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prevail_v act._n 19_o 20._o now_o that_o after_o paul_n long_a residence_n after_o timothy_n pastorship_n and_o after_o saint_n john_n water_v of_o that_o church_n and_o so_o long_a a_o time_n and_o that_o with_o so_o admirable_a success_n and_o yet_o here_o but_o one_o only_a pastor_n among_o they_o be_v this_o credible_a what_o say_v the_o scripture_n the_o harvest_n indeed_o be_v great_a but_o the_o labourer_n be_v few_o but_o here_o in_o the_o mighty_o great_a harvest_n the_o labourer_n be_v few_o than_o few_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v blame_v for_o meddle_v with_o such_o trifle_n in_o earnest_n but_o that_o our_o study_n have_v be_v to_o weed_v out_o even_o the_o least_o scruple_n now_o that_o we_o be_v to_o expedite_v a_o matter_n of_o high_a importance_n which_o be_v our_o proof_n of_o episcopacy_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n from_o confutation_n of_o the_o negative_a part_n hold_v by_o our_o opposite_n we_o pass_v to_o the_o proof_n and_o confirmation_n of_o our_o affirmative_a xxiii_o thesis_n that_o by_o the_o word_n angel_n of_o ephesus_n to_o signify_v a_o singular_a and_o individual_a pastor_n have_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n be_v prove_v by_o a_o large_a consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n without_o exception_n judicious_a and_o ingenuous_a the_o divine_n which_o we_o shall_v produce_v shall_v be_v those_o who_o our_o opposite_n themselves_o can_v call_v partialist_n in_o behalf_n of_o bishop_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o remote_a church_n or_o as_o it_o be_v domestic_n in_o our_o own_o country_n of_o the_o first_o kind_n we_o allege_v the_o last_o chief_a pastor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n 1._o master_n deodate_v who_o be_v to_o be_v cite_v out_o of_o his_o book_n late_o authorise_a to_o be_v publish_v by_o order_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o this_o parliament_n the_o text_n in_o the_o revelation_n be_v write_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n his_o paraphrase_n thus_o that_o be_v say_v he_o to_o the_o pastor_n or_o bishop_n under_o who_o person_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v the_o whole_a church_n the_o church_n to_o be_v employ_v or_o understand_v and_o the_o pastor_n or_o bishop_n under_o who_o person_n which_o because_o person_n can_v be_v but_o one_o according_a to_o the_o etymon_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n persona_fw-la quasi_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la una_fw-la or_o as_o it_o be_v define_v in_o philosophy_n a_o person_n be_v a_o individual_a intellectual_a nature_n yet_o so_o in_o this_o place_n as_o he_o be_v to_o acquaint_v all_o with_o the_o content_n of_o this_o epistle_n all_o be_v understand_v to_o be_v concern_v in_o he_o as_o all_o the_o other_o follow_v witness_n will_v acknowledge_v before_o he_o in_o the_o same_o church_n of_o geneva_n be_v theodore_n ecclesiam_fw-la beza_n by_o angel_n say_v he_o be_v mean_v the_o precedent_n who_o be_v admonish_v and_o his_o colleague_n with_o he_o so_o he_o eccles._n bullinger_n although_o he_o as_o other_o affirm_v that_o the_o epistle_n concern_v as_o well_o people_n as_o pastor_n yet_o do_v he_o consent_v unto_o we_o that_o the_o epistle_n be_v inscribe_v to_o one_o by_o who_o the_o pastor_n and_o people_n may_v be_v inform_v as_o punctual_o and_o pertinent_o episcopum_fw-la marlorat_a some_o thing_n say_v he_o be_v to_o be_v correct_v as_o well_o in_o the_o people_n as_o in_o the_o clergy_n yet_o do_v not_o john_n address_v himself_o unto_o the_o people_n nor_o yet_o to_o the_o clergy_n but_o to_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o which_o be_v the_o bishop_n and_o that_o not_o without_o good_a reason_n so_o he_o of_o our_o chief_a angelum_fw-la gualther_n hold_v the_o same_o opinion_n with_o further_a evidence_n of_o these_o other_o word_n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n write_n that_o be_v say_v he_o to_o the_o bishop_n thereof_o as_o history_n do_v manifest_a arridet_fw-la gaspar_n sibilius_n have_v compare_v the_o divers_a exposition_n confess_v say_v this_o as_o speak_v but_o of_o one_o angel_n please_v i_o better_o ecclesiae_fw-la piscator_fw-la brief_o and_o consonant_o to_o the_o angel_n that_o be_v to_o the_o bishop_n and_o to_o the_o church_n namely_o bishop_n express_o and_o church_n consequent_o because_o of_o matter_n of_o concernment_n to_o they_o also_o dignatur_fw-la paraeus_n doubt_v not_o to_o make_v his_o explanation_n as_o general_o to_o be_v observe_v in_o these_o epistle_n it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n say_v he_o that_o that_o which_o be_v mean_v to_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v inscribe_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n or_o church_n proferantur_fw-la aretius_n be_v of_o no_o less_o esteem_n than_o the_o former_a and_o as_o punctual_a altogether_o by_o angel_n interpret_n a_o special_a one_o minister_n and_o disciple_n of_o john_n by_o who_o the_o writing_n may_v be_v commend_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n episcopi_fw-la peter_n martyr_v use_v to_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o first_o worthy_n john_n say_v he_o be_v command_v to_o write_v to_o the_o angel_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n but_o what_o do_v we_o multiply_v remote_a author_n when_o one_o of_o their_o doctor_n may_v satisfy_v we_o both_o for_o the_o general_a and_o for_o himself_o velint_fw-la all_o the_o most_o learned_a interpreter_n say_v dr._n scultetus_n by_o angel_n expound_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v otherwise_o interpret_v without_o violence_n to_o the_o text._n so_o he_o after_o our_o so_o long_a peregrination_n in_o remote_a church_n it_o be_v time_n to_o haste_v home_o to_o try_v what_o our_o own_o english_a divine_n have_v judge_v of_o this_o matter_n and_o lest_o now_o we_o be_v too_o numerous_a we_o shall_v single_a out_o three_o who_o will_v be_v hold_v singular_a in_o the_o estimation_n of_o our_o opposite_n themselves_o 3._o dr._n reynolds_n although_o in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n say_v he_o there_o be_v sundry_a elder_n and_o pastor_n to_o guide_v it_o yet_o among_o those_o sundry_a be_v there_o one_o chief_a who_o our_o saviour_n call_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n apoc._n 2._o so_o
he_o his_o word_n need_v no_o paraphrase_n destinatur_fw-la dr._n fulke_n be_v one_o of_o they_o who_o our_o opposite_n have_v cite_v for_o their_o part_n who_o if_o he_o speak_v direct_o against_o they_o they_o may_v not_o be_v offend_v with_o we_o the_o epistle_n to_o pergamus_n say_v he_o be_v direct_v to_o the_o bishop_n thereof_o we_o have_v reserve_v master_n cartwright_n to_o the_o last_o that_o his_o testimony_n may_v be_v more_o last_a in_o the_o memory_n of_o our_o opposite_n as_o from_o one_o who_o use_v to_o be_v most_o grateful_a unto_o they_o the_o letter_n write_v to_o the_o church_n say_v he_o be_v therefore_o direct_v to_o the_o angel_n because_o he_o be_v the_o meet_a man_n by_o office_n by_o who_o the_o church_n may_v understand_v the_o tenor_n of_o the_o letter_n so_o he_o and_o so_o they_o although_o this_o cloud_n of_o witness_n thus_o rain_v down_o abundance_n of_o testimony_n for_o proof_n of_o a_o apostolical_a original_n of_o episcopacy_n 2._o may_v just_o be_v hold_v so_o convincent_fw-la that_o nothing_o but_o selfenesse_n in_o any_o party_n can_v oppose_v any_o thing_n against_o it_o yet_o shall_v we_o furthermore_o fortify_v their_o proof_n desire_v that_o this_o one_o thing_n may_v be_v observe_v to_o wit_n the_o reason_n why_o all_o our_o opposite_n have_v struggle_v against_o this_o our_o exposition_n as_o a_o break_v neck_n to_o their_o whole_a cause_n but_o we_o will_v go_v on_o xxiv_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n hold_v not_o the_o word_n angel_n whereof_o we_o treat_v to_o be_v take_v collective_o for_o a_o multitude_n of_o pastor_n if_o that_o our_o opposite_n have_v not_o say_v that_o we_o cite_v no_o ancient_a father_n for_o our_o exposition_n we_o shall_v not_o have_v frame_v this_o thesis_n only_o we_o can_v tell_v with_o what_o appetite_n they_o do_v it_o be_v it_o that_o they_o hold_v the_o judgement_n of_o father_n satisfactory_a in_o this_o case_n why_o then_o have_v they_o not_o allege_v any_o one_o syllable_n out_o of_o they_o for_o their_o own_o collective_a sense_n but_o we_o list_v not_o to_o expostulate_v rather_o hope_v the_o best_a we_o entreat_v they_o to_o spell_v the_o word_n of_o johannes_n ambrose_n they_o be_v but_o few_o i_o call_v bishop_n angel_n as_o i_o be_o teach_v in_o the_o revelation_n what_o ambrose_n mean_v by_o bishop_n who_o can_v doubt_v likewise_o ecclesia_fw-la augustine_n the_o famous_a bishop_n of_o hippo_n say_v of_o one_o of_o these_o angel_n that_o he_o be_v set_v over_o the_o church_n by_o the_o divine_a voice_n mean_v the_o scripture_n if_o above_o scultetus_n when_o he_o say_v that_o all_o the_o most_o learned_a interpreter_n by_o angel_n understand_v bishop_n if_o among_o all_o he_o comprehend_v the_o ancient_n we_o have_v not_o to_o seek_v more_o witness_n however_o we_o need_v not_o because_o there_o be_v but_o very_o rare_a comment_n upon_o the_o apocalypse_n among_o the_o father_n much_o less_o upon_o these_o text_n all_o this_o notwithstanding_o we_o be_v sure_a of_o that_o what_o be_v want_v in_o their_o commentary_n they_o supply_v in_o their_o historical_a relation_n as_o will_v appear_v by_o and_o by_o render_v unto_o we_o one_o polycarpus_n bishop_n and_o martyr_n to_o have_v be_v one_o of_o these_o angel_n in_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o interim_n we_o will_v plead_v reason_n with_o our_o opposite_n xxv_o thesis_n that_o the_o word_n angel_n in_o other_o place_n of_o the_o revelation_n be_v common_o if_o not_o always_o individual_o take_v better_a reason_n they_o can_v expect_v then_o be_v the_o retort_v of_o their_o own_o argument_n upon_o they_o when_o they_o dislike_v this_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v common_o if_o not_o always_o take_v collective_o ergo_fw-la ought_v it_o to_o be_v so_o interpret_v in_o the_o second_o and_o three_o cap._n so_o they_o but_o altogether_o amiss_o as_o have_v be_v show_v it_o will_v be_v our_o part_n to_o prove_v the_o contradictory_n whereof_o upon_o observation_n in_o read_v commentary_n upon_o the_o revelation_n we_o be_v the_o more_o confident_a our_o opposite_n at_o their_o leisure_n may_v inquire_v to_o other_o author_n we_o for_o this_o present_n shall_v need_v but_o commend_v a_o special_a one_o unto_o they_o who_o in_o their_o opinion_n may_v stand_v for_o many_o because_o only_o now_o at_o hand_n he_o after_o these_o two_o chapter_n as_o the_o marginall_n show_v 17._o through_o his_o whole_a commentary_n upon_o the_o same_o book_n take_v the_o word_n angel_n so_o far_o individual_o as_o to_o interpret_v it_o of_o some_o one_o person_n either_o express_o by_o name_n or_o else_o equivalent_o by_o a_o individuum_fw-la vagum_fw-la as_o thus_o some_o not_o able_a one_o or_o the_o like_a in_o the_o second_o place_n we_o do_v appeal_v to_o the_o text_n themselves_o to_o give_v a_o sufficient_a taste_n for_o oftentime_o the_o angel_n be_v reckon_v seven_o and_o after_o distribute_v ordinative_o into_o first_o second_o three_o and_o so_o till_o the_o seven_o as_o plain_o as_o one_o can_v reckon_v the_o seven_o day_n in_o the_o week_n chap._n 15._o and_o 16._o afterward_o we_o have_v recite_v one_o angel_n have_v the_o key_n of_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n chap._n 20._o be_v there_o need_v of_o a_o collective_o understand_v multitude_n of_o angel_n to_o keep_v one_o key_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o a_o mighty_a angel_n for_o deliver_v a_o little_a book_n chap._n 10._o 1_o 2._o beside_o the_o angel_n who_o john_n be_v say_v to_o have_v worship_v chap._n 22._o will_v they_o say_v this_o angel_n also_o to_o comprehend_v a_o multitude_n then_o may_v the_o angel_n reply_n have_v you_o forget_v when_o i_o say_v to_o john_n i_o be_o thy_o fellow_n servant_n but_o five_o word_n and_o every_o one_o a_o individual_a three_o to_o return_v to_o the_o question_a text_n whereas_o some_o of_o the_o angel_n be_v commend_v for_o notable_a virtue_n and_o as_o much_o condemn_v for_o some_o notorious_a vice_n they_o that_o think_v that_o all_o the_o same_o vice_n and_o virtue_n do_v as_o well_o imply_v every_o pastor_n in_o all_o the_o college_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n may_v as_o well_o conceive_v that_o where_o the_o deformity_n be_v note_v in_o any_o corporation_n therefore_o every_o person_n in_o it_o be_v equal_o flat-nosed_n crook't-legged_n bald-headed_a and_o the_o like_a last_o the_o angel_n and_o church_n be_v both_o reckon_v distinct_o seven_o time_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o collective_a number_n of_o the_o order_n of_o pastor_n without_o so_o much_o as_o any_o insinuation_n of_o distinguish_v they_o either_o from_o angel_n or_o church_n have_v they_o any_o key_n to_o unlock_v such_o a_o mystery_n from_o this_o kind_n of_o reason_v we_o pass_v unto_o a_o evidence_n of_o no_o less_o importance_n historical_a experience_n and_o practice_n xxvi_o thesis_n that_o by_o angel_n be_v mean_v individual_o one_o bishop_n be_v demonstrate_v by_o historical_a learning_n without_o contradiction_n history_n be_v the_o life_n of_o memory_n and_o memorial_n of_o man_n life_n if_o it_o may_v be_v undubitable_o have_v it_o must_v necessary_o seal_v up_o the_o verity_n of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v of_o a_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o episcopacy_n whereof_o we_o have_v have_v evident_a instance_n in_o the_o episcopal_a tradition_n from_o james_n in_o jerusalem_n mark_v in_o alexandria_n peter_n in_o antioch_n and_o in_o rome_n and_o now_o we_o be_v to_o insist_v upon_o example_n of_o the_o descent_n from_o john_n in_o two_o of_o these_o angelical_a church_n ephesus_n and_o smyrna_n for_o the_o first_o it_o have_v be_v make_v good_a unto_o you_o out_o of_o eusebius_n that_o 25_o polycrates_n write_v himself_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n testify_v withal_o a_o line_n of_o seven_o bishop_n of_o his_o own_o kindred_n his_o predecessor_n whereunto_o may_v be_v add_v the_o declaration_n make_v by_o leontius_n the_o archbishop_n of_o magnesia_n in_o the_o general_a 11._o council_n of_o chalcedon_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o seven_o and_o twenty_o bishop_n from_o timothy_n in_o the_o same_o church_n of_o ephesus_n which_o timothy_n all_o antiquity_n with_o a_o large_a consent_n of_o most_o approve_a protestant_a divine_n have_v testify_v to_o have_v be_v bishop_n there_o none_o will_v think_v but_o shame_n itself_o will_v have_v restrain_v leontius_n from_o make_v such_o a_o public_a declaration_n in_o the_o hear_n of_o six_o hundred_o father_n assemble_v in_o this_o council_n if_o the_o matter_n itself_o have_v be_v liable_a to_o any_o contradiction_n the_o next_o instance_n as_o we_o be_v persuade_v may_v be_v hold_v satisfactroy_v and_o infringeable_a in_o itself_o in_o polycarpus_n bishop_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o day_n when_o saint_n john_n live_v our_o witness_n deserve_v your_o hear_n we_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o very_a junior_a of_o all_o say_v est_fw-la polycarpus_n who_o have_v be_v disciple_n to_o one_o that_o
apostle_n will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d apt_a to_o teach_v 9_o able_a by_o sound_a doctrine_n both_o to_o exhort_v and_o to_o convince_v the_o gainsayers_a nay_o and_o out_o of_o the_o latter_a part_n itself_o where_o god_n have_v appoint_v that_o 1._o the_o priest_n the_o levit_n and_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n shall_v eat_v the_o offering_n of_o the_o lord_n make_v by_o fire_n do_v not_o the_o apostle_n by_o just_a analogy_n infer_v from_o thence_o that_o for_o asmuch_o as_o 14._o they_o which_o wait_v at_o the_o altar_n be_v partaker_n with_o the_o altar_n even_o so_o have_v the_o lord_n ordain_v that_o they_o which_o preach_v the_o gospel_n shall_v live_v of_o the_o gospel_n with_o what_o show_n of_o reason_n than_o can_v any_o man_n imagine_v that_o what_o be_v institute_v by_o god_n in_o the_o law_n for_o mere_a matter_n of_o government_n and_o preservation_n of_o good_a order_n without_o all_o respect_n of_o type_n or_o ceremony_n shall_v now_o be_v reject_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o a_o device_n of_o antichrist_n that_o what_o be_v by_o the_o lord_n once_o 2._o plant_v a_o noble_a vine_n whole_o a_o right_a seed_n shall_v now_o be_v so_o turn_v into_o the_o degenerate_a plant_n of_o a_o strange_a vine_n that_o no_o purge_v or_o prune_v of_o it_o will_v serve_v the_o turn_n but_o it_o must_v be_v cut_v down_o root_n and_o branch_n as_o 13._o a_o plant_n which_o our_o heavenly_a father_n have_v never_o plant_v but_o nothing_o be_v so_o familiar_a now_o a_o day_n as_o to_o father_n upon_o antichrist_n whatsoever_o in_o church_n matter_n we_o do_v not_o find_v to_o suit_n with_o our_o own_o humour_n the_o safe_a way_n will_v be_v to_o consult_v with_o christ_n himself_o herein_o and_o hear_v what_o he_o deliver_v in_o the_o cause_n these_o thing_n say_v he_o that_o have_v the_o seven_o star_n revel_v iii_o 1._o he_o ow_v then_o we_o see_v these_o star_n whatsoever_o they_o be_v and_o the_o mystery_n of_o they_o he_o thus_o further_o open_v unto_o his_o belove_a disciple_n the_o seven_o star_n which_o thou_o see_v in_o my_o right_a hand_n be_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n revel_v i_o 20._o from_o which_o word_n a_o learned_a man_n very_o much_o devote_v to_o the_o now_o so_o high_o admire_v discipline_n deduce_v this_o conclusion_n 20._o how_o great_a therefore_o be_v the_o dignity_n of_o true_a pastor_n who_o be_v both_o star_n fix_v in_o no_o other_o firmament_n then_o in_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o christ_n and_o angel_n he_o have_v consider_v well_o that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o ephâ—sus_n one_o of_o the_o seven_o here_o point_v at_o there_o be_v many_o 28._o presbyter_n who_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v bishop_n or_o overseer_n over_o all_o that_o flock_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n and_o withal_o he_o see_v that_o by_o admit_v one_o angel_n there_o above_o the_o rest_n all_o as_o well_o 18._o extraordinary_a prophet_n as_o 7._o ordinary_a pastor_n be_v in_o their_o own_o several_a station_n account_v angel_n or_o messenger_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n he_o shall_v be_v force_v also_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o eminency_n of_o one_o bishop_n above_o the_o other_o bishop_n that_o name_n be_v in_o those_o day_n 7._o common_a unto_o all_o the_o presbyter_n and_o to_o yield_v withal_o that_o such_o a_o one_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v as_o a_o star_n fix_v in_o no_o other_o firmament_n then_o in_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o christ._n to_o salve_v this_o therefore_o all_o the_o star_n in_o every_o church_n must_v be_v presuppose_v to_o be_v of_o one_o magnitude_n and_o though_o those_o star_n which_o typify_v these_o angel_n be_v say_v to_o be_v but_o seven_o yet_o the_o angel_n themselves_o must_v be_v maintain_v to_o be_v far_o more_o in_o number_n and_o in_o fine_a where_o our_o saviour_n say_v 1._o unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n write_v it_o must_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v admit_v that_o 1._o any_o one_o angel_n shall_v be_v mean_v hereby_o but_o the_o whole_a college_n of_o pastor_n rather_o and_o all_o upon_o pretence_n of_o a_o poor_a show_n of_o some_o shallow_a reason_n that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n but_o many_o and_o among_o they_o not_o any_o principal_a which_o wrest_v of_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o extreme_a violent_a that_o m._n beza_n though_o every_o way_n as_o zealous_o affect_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o new_a discipline_n as_o be_v the_o other_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n digest_v it_o but_o ingenuous_o acknowledge_v the_o meaning_n of_o our_o lord_n direction_n to_o have_v be_v this_o 1._o to_o the_o angel_n that_o be_v to_o the_o precedent_n as_o who_o it_o behove_v special_o to_o be_v admonish_v touch_v those_o matter_n and_o by_o he_o both_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o colleague_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n likewise_o and_o that_o there_o be_v then_o a_o stand_a precedent_n over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o ephesus_n and_o he_o the_o very_a same_o as_o learned_a 3._o doctor_n rynolds_n add_v with_o he_o who_o afterward_o the_o father_n call_v bishop_n may_v further_o be_v make_v manifest_a not_o only_o by_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n but_o also_o by_o the_o clear_a testimony_n of_o ignatius_n who_o within_o no_o great_a compass_n of_o time_n then_o twelve_o year_n afterward_o distinguish_v the_o singular_a and_o constant_a precedent_n thereof_o from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o presbyter_n by_o appropriate_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n unto_o he_o as_o for_o the_o former_a we_o find_v it_o open_o declare_v in_o the_o general_a council_n of_o chalcedon_n by_o leontius_n bishop_n of_o magnesia_n that_o 11._o from_o timothy_n and_o so_o from_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o have_v be_v a_o continue_a succession_n of_o seven_o and_o twenty_o bishop_n all_o of_o they_o ordain_v in_o ephesus_n of_o which_o number_n the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n must_v needs_o be_v one_o whether_o it_o be_v timothy_n himself_o as_o 7._o some_o conceive_v or_o one_o of_o his_o next_o successor_n as_o other_o rather_o do_v imagine_v for_o that_o timothy_n have_v be_v some_o time_n 19_o *_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v the_o appellation_n that_o 1._o justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o second_o apology_n for_o christian_n &_o 〈◊〉_d dionysius_n of_o corinth_n not_o long_o after_o he_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o athens_n and_o 72._o marcellus_n bishop_n of_o ancyra_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o julius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n do_v give_v unto_o a_o bishop_n or_o autistes_n or_o precedent_n of_o the_o ephesine_n presbytery_n be_v confess_v by_o beza_n himself_o and_o that_o he_o be_v ordain_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o ephesian_n we_o do_v not_o only_o read_v in_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o second_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o the_o ecclesiastical_a history_n of_o 〈◊〉_d eusebius_n but_o also_o in_o two_o ancient_a treatise_n concern_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o timothy_n the_o one_o nameless_a in_o the_o library_n of_o 254._o photius_n the_o other_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o 1485._o polycrates_n even_o of_o that_o polycrates_n who_o be_v not_o only_a himself_o bishop_n of_o this_o church_n of_o ephesus_n but_o bear_v also_o within_o six_o or_o seven_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o s._n john_n write_v the_o forenamed_a epistle_n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n as_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o year_n he_o be_v of_o when_o he_o write_v that_o epistle_n unto_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n wherein_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o 〈◊〉_d seven_o kinsman_n of_o he_o who_o have_v be_v bishop_n he_o himself_o be_v the_o eight_o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o ignatius_n who_o 〈◊〉_d theodoret_n and_o 1606._o felix_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o s._n john_n the_o chronographer_n of_o antioch_n report_v to_o have_v be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n by_o s._n peter_n in_o special_a chrysostome_n who_o be_v a_o presbyter_n of_o the_o same_o church_n by_o encomio_fw-la the_o apostle_n in_o general_a and_o without_o all_o controversy_n do_v sit_v in_o that_o see_v the_o very_a same_o time_n wherein_o that_o epistle_n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v command_v to_o be_v write_v in_o the_o isle_n of_o patmos_n have_v s._n john_n his_o revelation_n manifest_v unto_o he_o 30._o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o domitian_n as_o ireneus_fw-la testify_v or_o the_o fourteen_o year_n of_o his_o government_n as_o johanne_n eusebius_n and_o hierome_n specify_v it_o from_o thence_o there_o be_v but_o twelve_o year_n reckon_v
the_o two_o son_n of_o zebedee_n james_n and_o john_n to_o be_v choose_v the_o peculiar_a bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o then_o mother_n church_n of_o the_o world_n after_o the_o death_n of_o james_n the_o just_a 32._o hegesippus_n declare_v that_o symeon_n the_o son_n of_o clopas_n or_o cleophas_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n and_o so_o continue_v until_o the_o day_n of_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n under_o who_o he_o suffer_v a_o glorious_a martyrdom_n about_o the_o same_o time_n that_o ignatius_n do_v be_v then_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o age_n and_o by_o that_o account_n bear_v before_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n where_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o prime_a historian_n be_v not_o to_o be_v pass_v over_o that_o 32._o until_o these_o time_n the_o church_n be_v call_v a_o virgin_n as_o be_v not_o yet_o corrupt_v with_o the_o overspread_n of_o heretical_a doctrine_n for_o howsoever_o heresy_n do_v spring_v up_o before_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o keep_v down_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o disciple_n who_o have_v hear_v our_o lord_n himself_o preach_v that_o the_o author_n and_o fautor_n thereof_o be_v not_o able_a to_o get_v any_o great_a head_n be_v force_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o opposite_n to_o lurk_v in_o obscurity_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o all_o that_o generation_n be_v gather_v unto_o their_o father_n and_o none_o of_o those_o be_v leave_v who_o have_v the_o happiness_n to_o hear_v the_o gracious_a word_n that_o proceed_v from_o the_o lord_n own_o mouth_n the_o heretic_n take_v that_o advantage_n begin_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o kind_n of_o combination_n and_o with_o open_a face_n public_o to_o maintain_v the_o 20._o opposition_n of_o their_o science_n false_o so_o call_v from_o whence_o they_o assume_v unto_o themselves_o the_o name_n of_o gnostic_n or_o man_n of_o knowledge_n against_o the_o preach_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o by_o those_o who_o be_v 2._o eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n have_v be_v 3._o once_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o beginner_n of_o which_o conspiracy_n be_v one_o thebûthis_n who_o have_v at_o the_o first_o be_v breed_v in_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o sect_n into_o which_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o those_o day_n divide_v but_o afterward_o because_o he_o miss_v of_o a_o bishopric_n unto_o which_o he_o have_v aspire_v this_o of_o jerusalem_n as_o it_o may_v seem_v whereunto_o justus_n after_o the_o death_n of_o symeon_n be_v prefer_v before_o he_o can_v think_v of_o no_o readyer_n a_o way_n thorough_o to_o revenge_v himself_o of_o this_o disgrace_n than_o by_o raise_v up_o the_o like_a distraction_n among_o the_o christian_n which_o as_o in_o the_o effect_n it_o show_v the_o malignity_n of_o that_o ambitious_a sectary_n so_o do_v it_o in_o the_o occasion_n discover_v withal_o the_o great_a esteem_n that_o in_o those_o early_a day_n be_v have_v of_o episcopacy_n when_o hegesippus_n write_v this_o ecclesiastical_a history_n the_o ancient_a of_o any_o since_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n eleutherius_fw-la as_o we_o hear_v before_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n unto_o who_o 4._o lucius_n king_n of_o the_o britain_n as_o our_o bede_n relate_v send_v a_o epistle_n desire_v that_o by_o his_o mean_n he_o may_v be_v make_v christian._n who_o present_o obtain_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o pious_a request_n and_o the_o britain_n keep_v the_o faith_n then_o receive_v sound_a and_o undefiled_a in_o quiet_a peace_n until_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n the_o emperor_n by_o who_o bloody_a persecution_n the_o faith_n and_o discipline_n of_o our_o british_a church_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o quite_o extinguish_v but_o that_o within_o ten_o year_n after_o and_o eleven_o before_o the_o first_o general_a council_n of_o nice_a three_o of_o our_o bishop_n be_v present_a and_o subscribe_v unto_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n 9_o eborius_n of_o york_n restitutus_n of_o london_n and_o adelfius_n of_o colchester_n if_o that_o be_v it_o which_o be_v call_v there_o colonia_n londinensium_n the_o first_o root_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o must_v fetch_v beyond_o eleutherius_fw-la and_o as_o high_a as_o s._n peter_n himself_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o he_o junii_fw-la constitute_v church_n here_o and_o ordain_v bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o they_o as_o symeon_n metaphrastes_n relate_v out_o of_o some_o part_n of_o ibid._n eusebius_n as_o it_o seem_v that_o be_v not_o come_v unto_o our_o hand_n but_o to_o return_v unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n of_o s._n john_n by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v apparent_a that_o seven_o singular_a bishop_n who_o be_v the_o constant_a precedent_n over_o those_o church_n be_v point_v at_o under_o that_o name_n for_o other_o sure_a they_o can_v not_o be_v if_o all_o of_o they_o be_v cast_v into_o one_o mould_n and_o be_v of_o the_o same_o quality_n with_o polycarpus_n the_o then_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n who_o without_o all_o question_n be_v such_o if_o any_o credit_n may_v be_v give_v herein_o unto_o those_o that_o see_v he_o and_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o as_o tertullian_n in_o express_a term_n affirm_v he_o to_o have_v be_v place_v there_o by_o s._n john_n himself_o in_o the_o testimony_n before_o allege_v out_o of_o his_o 2._o prescription_n so_o do_v he_o elsewhere_o from_o the_o order_n of_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n not_o obscure_o intimate_v that_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o number_n be_v to_o be_v refer_v unto_o the_o same_o descent_n 5._o we_o have_v say_v he_o the_o church_n that_o be_v breed_v by_o john_n for_o although_o martion_n do_v reject_v his_o revelation_n yet_o the_o order_n of_o the_o bishop_n reckon_v up_o unto_o their_o original_n will_v stand_v for_o john_n to_o be_v their_o founder_n neither_o do_v the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o timothy_n mention_v by_o photius_n mean_v any_o other_o by_o those_o seven_o bishop_n who_o assistance_n he_o say_v s._n john_n do_v use_v after_o his_o return_n from_o patmos_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o ephesian_n for_o 254._o be_v revoke_v from_o his_o exile_n say_v he_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o nerva_n he_o betake_v himself_o to_o the_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n and_o be_v assist_v with_o the_o presence_n of_o seven_o bishop_n he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o continue_v preach_v the_o word_n of_o piety_n until_o the_o empire_n of_o trajan_n that_o he_o remain_v with_o the_o ephesian_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n of_o asia_n until_o the_o day_n of_o trajan_n and_o that_o during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o abode_n with_o they_o he_o publish_v his_o gospel_n be_v sufficient_o witness_v by_o 3_o ireneus_fw-la that_o upon_o his_o return_n from_o the_o island_n after_o the_o death_n of_o domitian_n he_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v confirm_v likewise_o both_o by_o 23._o eusebius_n and_o by_o 9_o hierom_n who_o further_o add_v that_o matthaei_n at_o the_o earnest_a entreaty_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n he_o write_v there_o his_o gospel_n and_o that_o he_o himself_o also_o be_v free_a from_o his_o banishment_n do_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o diverse_a church_n be_v clear_o testify_v by_o clement_n of_o alexandria_n who_o live_v in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o and_o deliver_v it_o as_o a_o certain_a truth_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o those_o who_o go_v before_o he_o and_o can_v not_o be_v far_o from_o the_o time_n wherein_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v act_v 23._o when_o s._n john_n say_v he_o domitian_n the_o tyrant_n be_v dead_a remove_v from_o the_o island_n of_o patmos_n unto_o ephesus_n by_o the_o entreaty_n of_o some_o he_o go_v also_o unto_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n in_o some_o place_n constitute_v bishop_n in_o other_o sound_v whole_a 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confession_n and_o proof_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o reform_a church_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o office_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o use_v the_o best_a together_o with_o a_o brief_a treatise_n touch_v the_o original_a of_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_o print_a in_o the_o year_n 1662._o to_o the_o pious_a and_o religious_a reader_n grace_n and_o peace_n in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o matter_n subject_n of_o this_o treatise_n be_v yet_o in_o suspense_n and_o to_o be_v determine_v the_o future_a viz._n what_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o office_n itself_o and_o also_o the_o best_a in_o respect_n of_o its_o use_n after_o that_o upon_o more_o and_o more_o deliberation_n i_o have_v perfect_v my_o conlusion_n the_o say_n of_o augustine_n come_v into_o my_o mind_n he_o that_o conceal_v a_o truth_n and_o he_o that_o teach_v a_o falsehood_n be_v both_o guilty_a the_o first_o because_o he_o will_v not_o profit_v the_o other_o because_o he_o intend_v to_o hurt_v and_o delude_v which_o i_o apprehend_v as_o a_o double_a caution_n both_o of_o not_o publish_v any_o utopian_a ecclesiastical_a form_n of_o government_n of_o my_o own_o forge_n as_o also_o of_o not_o stifle_v by_o my_o silence_n a_o form_n true_o apostolical_a which_o resolution_n notwithstanding_o i_o do_v not_o adventure_v to_o take_v before_o that_o i_o be_v fortify_v in_o my_o persuasion_n by_o a_o general_a consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o reform_a church_n and_o among_o other_o in_o some_o principal_n point_v appeal_n to_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n nor_o yet_o do_v we_o so_o much_o insist_v upon_o their_o confession_n as_o upon_o their_o proof_n especial_o be_v ground_v upon_o two_o infallible_a foundation_n the_o first_o the_o general_a verdict_n of_o antiquity_n as_o well_o doctrinal_a as_o historical_a though_o we_o shall_v not_o name_v that_o general_a council_n of_o chalcedon_n consist_v of_o 630_o father_n which_o by_o one_o canon_n decree_v it_o to_o be_v a_o sacrilege_n to_o press_v down_o a_o bishop_n into_o the_o degree_n of_o a_o presbyter_n the_o same_o council_n that_o do_v also_o ordain_v another_o canon_n which_o be_v then_o the_o very_a break-neck_n of_o romish_a popedom_n 2._o the_o authentical_a text_n of_o scripture_n so_o far_o as_o thereby_o to_o demonstrate_v christ_n his_o own_o approbation_n of_o episcopal_n prelacy_n after_o his_o ascension_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n in_o one_o whereof_o without_o all_o contradiction_n be_v one_o polycarpus_n bishop_n and_o martyr_n as_o for_o the_o church_n whereof_o we_o be_v to_o speak_v the_o tractate_n have_v be_v undertake_v in_o behalf_n of_o protestant_a church_n which_o practice_n at_o this_o day_n the_o same_o prelacy_n under_o these_o two_o divers_a name_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o superintendency_n as_o much_o exceed_v the_o number_n of_o those_o which_o be_v destitute_a of_o bishop_n yet_o so_o as_o just_o condemn_v the_o romish_a hierarchy_n rather_o tyranny_n poison_v with_o most_o gross_a idolatry_n and_o not_o so_o only_o but_o so_o far_o opposite_a to_o the_o episcopacy_n which_o we_o defend_v that_o it_o be_v a_o false_a usurpation_n that_o all_o bishop_n be_v original_o deduce_v from_o the_o pope_n and_o dependent_a upon_o he_o other_o church_n destitute_a of_o bishop_n we_o differ_v from_o yet_o not_o so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o we_o as_o not_o to_o account_v they_o essential_a church_n of_o christ_n but_o to_o who_o as_o former_o we_o do_v desirous_o give_v the_o right_a hand_n of_o brotherly_a fellowship_n to_o join_v against_o the_o common_a and_o grand_a adversary_n in_o the_o romish_a babylon_n concerinng_a other_o point_n circumstantial_a we_o have_v provide_v that_o our_o method_n be_v with_o coherence_n our_o still_o plain_a and_o even_o our_o allegation_n direct_v and_o punctual_a our_o author_n just_o approvable_a our_o taxation_n toothless_a and_o our_o inferency_n brief_a pertinent_a and_o consectary_n as_o for_o you_o good_a christian_a reader_n his_o hope_n be_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o need_v the_o use_n of_o the_o apostle_n expostulation_n say_v be_o i_o your_o enemy_n because_o i_o tell_v you_o the_o truth_n and_o his_o prayer_n to_o god_n shall_v be_v to_o protect_v and_o bless_v you_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o save_a grace_n in_o christ_n jesus_n that_o he_o also_o will_v distribute_v to_o this_o our_o lacerate_v church_n some_o portion_n of_o that_o his_o peerless_a legacy_n leave_v unto_o his_o apostle_n when_o he_o say_v my_o peace_n i_o leave_v with_o you_o by_o virtue_n whereof_o we_o may_v with_o one_o heart_n and_o mind_n faithful_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n the_o content_n of_o every_o thesis_n i._o thesis_n that_o our_o english_a episcopacy_n have_v be_v justify_v b_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a protestant_n of_o remote_a church_n in_o special_a by_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n pag._n 1_o ii_o thesis_n that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o visible_a constitute_v church_n in_o all_o christendom_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o 1500._o year_n and_o more_o which_o hold_v episcopacy_n in_o itself_o to_o be_v unlawful_a 5_o iii_o thesis_n that_o episcopal_a prelacy_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o their_o consent_n therein_o unto_o primitive_a antiquity_n 7_o iu._n thesis_n that_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o necessary_a use_n thereof_o the_o best_a by_o the_o consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n 9_o v._o thesis_n that_o the_o most_o protestant_a church_n do_v profess_v and_o practice_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n 13_o vi_o thesis_n that_o the_o former_a reason_n of_o confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o episcopal_a prelacy_n for_o preservation_n of_o concord_n and_o prevent_v of_o schism_n be_v correspondent_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o antiquity_n 14_o vii_o thesis_n that_o bishop_n primitive_o be_v not_o only_o the_o chief_a champion_n for_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o also_o the_o great_a adversary_n to_o romish_a popedom_n as_o have_v also_o our_o english_a 16_o viii_o thesis_n that_o to_o be_v of_o aposticall_a institution_n argue_v in_o it_o a_o divine_a right_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o excellent_a divine_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n 18_o ix_o thesis_n that_o no_o ancient_a father_n absolute_o deny_v the_o aposticall_a original_a of_o episcopacy_n no_o not_o the_o object_v hieròme_n who_o will_v show_v himself_o a_o manifest_a patron_n thereof_o 19_o x._o thesis_n that_o clement_n a_o apostolical_a disciple_n to_o who_o arbitrement_n both_o our_o opposite_n and_o we_o offer_v to_o yield_v ourselves_o do_v patronize_v episcopacy_n as_o be_v apostolical_a 21_o xi_o thesis_n that_o other_o primitive_a father_n before_o hierome_n do_v unanimous_o testify_v a_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n 24_o xii_o thesis_n that_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v confess_o prove_v out_o of_o ignatius_n 26_o xiii_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n have_v give_v we_o rule_n of_o resolution_n for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o may_v serve_v in_o the_o case_n of_o episcopacy_n 27_o fourteen_o thesis_n that_o protestant_a divine_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n have_v hold_v it_o most_o equal_a to_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o ancient_n for_o a_o proof_n of_o a_o practice_n apostolical_a 28_o xv._n thesis_n that_o mr._n beza_n himself_o be_v challengable_a to_o yield_v unto_o a_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n from_o his_o own_o former_a confession_n 30_o xvi_o thesis_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o nazianzen_n and_o augustine_n be_v unworthy_o object_v to_o the_o contrary_n 30_o xvii_o thesis_n that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n both_o have_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o community_n of_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v sufficient_o confess_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n 32_o xviii_o thesis_n that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n have_v have_v a_o prelacy_n as_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n that_o they_o be_v call_v evangelist_n according_a to_o consent_n of_o protestant_n of_o reform_a church_n 34_o xix_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n teach_v a_o episcopacy_n both_o in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n 36_o xx._n thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n first_o exposition_n which_o interprete_v the_o angel_n to_o mean_v the_o whole_a church_n and_o congregation_n be_v notable_o extravagant_a 38_o xxi_o thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n second_v exposition_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o signify_v only_o the_o order_n and_o college_n of_o presbyter_n be_v erroneous_a notwithstanding_o the_o argument_n of_o
the_o apostle_n and_o as_o antiquity_n itself_o teach_v and_o consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n will_v afterward_o grant_v to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o saint_n john_n the_o evangelist_n the_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n the_o other_o viz._n ignatius_n be_v also_o acquaint_v with_o those_o who_o have_v be_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ._n beside_o we_o have_v hear_v fratre_fw-la scultetus_n resolve_v that_o james_n not_o the_o apostle_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n from_o the_o plentiful_a testimony_n of_o antiquity_n itself_o we_o will_v conclude_v with_o this_o our_o proof_n from_o the_o same_o antiquity_n but_o what_o even_o that_o which_o presbyterorum_fw-la bucer_n find_v resolve_v upon_o as_o he_o say_v before_o hierom_n let_v we_o take_v his_o own_o word_n divine_a father_n more_o ancient_a than_o hierom._n cyprian_n ireneus_fw-la eusebius_n and_o other_o ecclesiastical_a historian_n show_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n there_o be_v one_o elect_v and_o ordain_v who_o shall_v have_v episcopal_a function_n and_o superiority_n over_o presbyter_n so_o he_o instance_v in_o james_n of_o who_o we_o have_v speak_v who_o be_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n xv._n thesis_n that_o master_n beza_n himself_o be_v challengable_a to_o yield_v unto_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n from_o his_o own_o former_a confession_n master_n beza_n have_v already_o 12._o confess_v concern_v the_o famous_a church_n of_o alexandria_n that_o from_o mark_v the_o evangelist_n one_o be_v choose_v to_o be_v place_v in_o a_o degree_n above_o presbyter_n call_v bishop_n be_v according_a to_o the_o testimony_n of_o hierom._n the_o story_n hereof_o have_v be_v of_o late_o publish_v by_o master_n selden_n the_o ornament_n of_o our_o nation_n excellent_o conversant_a in_o ancient_a &_o exotic_a learning_n out_o of_o the_o relation_n of_o eutychâ—us_n that_o mark_v the_o eu._n place_v anianus_n patriarch_n or_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n in_o which_o book_n also_o there_o be_v set_v down_o the_o full_a catalogue_n of_o 18._o bishop_n successive_o unto_o dionysius_n that_o possess_v the_o same_o see_v which_o prove_v as_o plain_o a_o episcopal_a and_o personal_a succession_n by_o a_o apostolical_a constitution_n from_o anianus_n to_o alexandria_n in_o a_o lineal_a succession_n as_o be_v the_o filial_a and_o natural_a descent_n from_o adam_n to_o thara_n which_o make_v up_o eighteen_o generation_n what_o need_v then_o many_o word_n the_o most_o thesis_n which_o have_v be_v premise_v and_o almost_o all_o afterward_o to_o be_v propound_v do_v declare_v the_o same_o by_o joint_a accordance_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o reform_a church_n and_o suffrage_n of_o antiquity_n we_o hasten_v to_o our_o last_o proof_n but_o be_v arrest_v in_o our_o way_n by_o our_o opposite_n to_o answer_v two_o object_v testimony_n of_o antiquity_n xvi_o thesis_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o nazianzen_n and_o augustine_n be_v unworthy_o object_v to_o the_o contrary_n we_o be_v urge_v to_o reckon_v these_o two_o excellent_a bishop_n although_o in_o true_a construction_n they_o have_v answer_v for_o themselves_o 88_o nazianzen_n say_v our_o opposite_n muster_v up_o the_o evil_n that_o have_v happen_v unto_o he_o reckon_v ejection_n out_o of_o his_o episcopacy_n hold_v it_o a_o part_n of_o wisdom_n to_o avoid_v it_o wish_v that_o there_o be_v no_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d place_n of_o president-ship_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o tyrannical_a prerogative_n in_o the_o church_n but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v know_v only_o by_o virtue_n we_o have_v allege_v nazianzen_n according_a to_o the_o genuine_a sense_n so_o they_o but_o so_o as_o usual_o in_o a_o heterogeneal_a sense_n to_o infer_v a_o necessary_a abnegation_n of_o episcopacy_n they_o who_o seek_v iugenuous_o the_o genuine_a sense_n of_o sentence_n in_o author_n must_v be_v janus-like_a face_v look_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d backward_o and_o forward_o both_o which_o property_n have_v be_v want_v to_o our_o opposite_n first_o because_o before_o the_o word_n object_v they_o lie_v before_o their_o eye_n this_o say_n of_o disiderabant_fw-la nazianzen_n there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o episcopacy_n be_v have_v in_o great_a admiration_n and_o desire_v of_o wise_a and_o prudent_a man_n and_o the_o second_o as_o not_o consider_v that_o be_v then_o speak_v only_o comparative_o against_o the_o tyrannical_a government_n of_o bishop_n which_o by_o all_o protestant_a bishop_n have_v be_v condemn_v in_o the_o popish_a hierarchy_n beside_o that_o this_o be_v but_o the_o breath_n of_o vexatious_a passion_n upon_o occasion_n of_o one_o maximus_n who_o nazianzen_n call_v a_o cynic_n and_o doggish_a philosopher_n because_o whereas_o he_o himself_o have_v the_o general_n esteem_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v by_o way_n of_o excellence_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o divine_a notwithstanding_o he_o be_v vehement_o persecute_v by_o the_o same_o unworthy_a prelate_n and_o by_o his_o circumvention_n disturb_v out_o of_o his_o bishopric_n and_o therefore_o sensible_a of_o that_o iudignity_n do_v utter_v the_o language_n of_o his_o heart_n grief_n but_o why_o do_v not_o our_o opposite_n tell_v we_o that_o after_o this_o storm_n there_o fall_v a_o calm_a when_o the_o same_o godly_a bishop_n be_v with_o general_a applause_n receive_v to_o his_o bishopric_n again_o but_o especial_o we_o may_v complain_v that_o they_o have_v by_o their_o silence_n smother_v nazianzen_n judgement_n concern_v the_o cause_n itself_o which_o be_v the_o right_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o which_o he_o esteem_v the_o most_o perfect_a kind_n of_o government_n so_o he_o and_o be_v not_o this_o as_o much_o as_o to_o have_v hold_v it_o the_o best_a which_o he_o further_o declare_v in_o his_o funeral_n oration_n which_o he_o have_v of_o three_o famous_a bishop_n basil_n athanasius_n and_o cyprian_a augustine_n write_v to_o hierome_n distinctio_fw-la say_v that_o custom_n have_v obtain_v that_o episcopacy_n shall_v be_v high_o than_o presbytery_n according_a to_o the_o honour_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o word_n therefore_o say_v walo_n the_o distinction_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o presbytery_n be_v first_o constitute_v by_o the_o church_n so_o he_o who_o disciple_n our_o other_o opposite_n have_v learn_v this_o lesson_n say_v 87._o if_o augustine_n have_v know_v the_o majority_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n to_o have_v be_v of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n he_o may_v have_v say_v so_o much_o nay_o he_o will_v have_v say_v as_o much_o and_o we_o answer_v if_o any_o of_o our_o opposite_n have_v regard_v to_o search_v the_o judgement_n of_o augustine_n they_o will_v not_o have_v say_v thus_o much_o because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o augustine_n do_v say_v as_o much_o as_o they_o require_v he_o shall_v have_v say_v as_o have_v be_v show_v say_v of_o himself_o and_o other_o bishop_n thus_o we_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o the_o same_o power_n and_o that_o christ_n institute_v bishop_n when_o he_o ordain_v his_o apostle_n that_o we_o above_o repeat_v not_o his_o condemn_a aërius_n as_o epiphanius_n do_v for_o deny_v episcopacy_n to_o have_v be_v a_o institution_n apostolical_a and_o now_o whether_o our_o reader_n think_v it_o more_o reasonable_a to_o yield_v to_o the_o supposition_n of_o what_o augustine_n will_v have_v do_v or_o the_o manifestation_n what_o he_o do_v we_o permit_v to_o his_o judgement_n this_o obstacle_n thus_o remove_v we_o fall_v now_o upon_o the_o last_o proof_n our_o last_o proof_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v of_o apostolical_a right_n &_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n even_o from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n itself_o to_o this_o purpose_n two_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v especial_o to_o be_v allege_v the_o epistle_n of_o paul_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n in_o the_o revelation_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n which_o be_v to_o be_v discuss_v according_a to_o our_o foreme_a method_n by_o the_o consonant_a testimony_n of_o ancient_a father_n and_o consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o general_a esteem_n and_o approbation_n xii_o thesis_n that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n both_o have_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o community_n of_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v sufficient_o confess_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n there_o can_v none_o be_v hold_v a_o more_o sufficient_a witness_n with_o our_o opposite_n than_o he_o who_o have_v profess_o plead_v this_o cause_n in_o their_o behalf_n &_o notwithstanding_o free_o &_o dear_o grant_v that_o successores_fw-la timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v indeed_o governor_n over_o their_o province_n and_o place_n where_o the_o apostle_n have_v appoint_v they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v over_o the_o presbyter_n a_o kind_n of_o apostolical_a authority_n which_o he_o in_o his_o own_o judgement_n call_v extraordinary_a and_o we_o
matthew_n or_o some_o other_o of_o the_o disciple_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o aristion_n and_o john_n the_o elder_a our_o lord_n disciple_n do_v speak_v the_o two_o last_o of_o who_o he_o often_o cite_v by_o name_n in_o the_o process_n of_o the_o work_n relate_v the_o passage_n in_o this_o kind_n which_o he_o have_v hear_v from_o they_o neither_o can_v any_o man_n be_v so_o simple_a as_o to_o imagine_v that_o in_o the_o language_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n the_o name_n of_o a_o bishop_n shall_v import_v no_o more_o than_o a_o bare_a presbyter_n if_o he_o consider_v that_o not_o the_o ult_n difference_n only_o betwixt_o presbyter_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v by_o he_o acknowledge_v but_o further_a also_o that_o the_o disposition_n of_o their_o three_o office_n in_o his_o judgement_n do_v carry_v with_o it_o 6._o a_o imitation_n of_o the_o angelical_a glory_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o emperor_n hadrian_n who_o hard_a upon_o the_o time_n of_o the_o forenamed_a papias_n write_v unto_o the_o consul_n servianus_n touch_v the_o state_n of_o thing_n in_o egypt_n make_v distinct_a mention_n in_o his_o letter_n of_o saturnini_n the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o of_o those_o ibid._n who_o call_v themselves_o the_o bishop_n of_o christ._n and_o thus_o have_v deduce_v episcopacy_n from_o the_o apostolical_a time_n and_o declare_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n be_v no_o other_o but_o such_o as_o in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n be_v by_o the_o father_n term_v bishop_n we_o be_v now_o further_o to_o inquire_v why_o these_o church_n be_v confine_v unto_o the_o number_n of_o seven_o in_o the_o superscription_n of_o that_o apostolical_a epistle_n prefix_v before_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n 4_o john_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n grace_n be_v unto_o you_o and_o peace_n where_o s._n john_n direct_v his_o letter_n unto_o they_o thus_o indefinite_o without_o any_o mention_n of_o their_o particular_a name_n can_v by_o common_a intendment_n be_v conceive_v to_o have_v understand_v any_o other_o thereby_o but_o such_o as_o by_o some_o degree_n of_o eminency_n be_v distinguishable_a from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o asia_n and_o in_o some_o sort_n also_o do_v comprehend_v all_o the_o rest_n under_o they_o for_o take_v asia_n here_o in_o that_o strict_a sense_n wherein_o the_o new_a testament_n use_v it_o as_o denote_v the_o lydian_a asia_n alone_o of_o the_o circuit_n whereof_o i_o have_v treat_v 2._o elsewhere_o more_o particular_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o after_o so_o long_a pain_n take_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n in_o the_o husband_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o lord_n vineyard_n there_o shall_v be_v find_v no_o more_o but_o seven_o church_n therein_o especial_o since_o s._n paul_n that_o 10._o wise_a master-builder_n profess_v that_o he_o have_v here_o 9_o a_o great_a door_n and_o effectual_a open_v unto_o he_o and_o s._n luke_n testify_v according_o that_o 20._o all_o they_o which_o dwell_v in_o asia_n hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n both_o jew_n and_o greek_n so_o mighty_o grow_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prevail_v which_o extraordinary_a blessing_n of_o god_n upon_o his_o labour_n move_v the_o apostle_n to_o make_v his_o residence_n 31._o in_o those_o part_n for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n wherein_o he_o cease_v not_o to_o warn_v every_o one_o night_n and_o day_n with_o tear_n so_o that_o in_o all_o reason_n we_o be_v to_o suppose_v that_o these_o seven_o church_n comprise_v all_o the_o rest_n within_o they_o be_v not_o bare_a parochial_a one_o or_o so_o many_o particular_a congregation_n but_o diocesan_n church_n as_o we_o use_v to_o call_v they_o if_o not_o metropolitical_a rather_o for_o that_o in_o 29._o laedicea_n sardis_n smyrna_n ephesus_n and_o 30._o pergamus_n the_o roman_a governor_n hold_v their_o court_n of_o justice_n to_o which_o all_o the_o city_n and_o town_n about_o have_v recourse_n for_o the_o end_n of_o their_o suit_n be_v note_v by_o pliny_n and_o beside_o these_o which_o be_v the_o great_a thyatira_n be_v also_o by_o 5._o ptolemy_n express_o name_v a_o metropolis_n as_o philadelphia_n also_o be_v in_o the_o 5._o greek_a act_n of_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n hold_v under_o menas_n which_o give_v we_o good_a ground_n to_o conceive_v that_o the_o seven_o city_n in_o which_o these_o seven_o church_n have_v their_o seat_n be_v all_o of_o they_o metropolitical_a and_o so_o have_v relation_n unto_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o town_n and_o city_n of_o asia_n as_o unto_o daughter_n rise_v under_o they_o this_o lydian_a asia_n be_v separate_v from_o caria_n by_o the_o river_n maeander_n upon_o the_o bank_n whereof_o magnesia_n and_o trallis_n be_v seat_v to_o the_o christian_n whereof_o ignatius_n direct_v two_o of_o his_o epistle_n wherein_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o damas_n bishop_n of_o the_o one_o church_n and_o polybius_n bishop_n or_o 35._o ruler_n as_o eusebius_n call_v he_o of_o the_o other_o who_o they_o have_v send_v to_o visit_v he_o at_o smyrna_n add_v withal_o in_o that_o to_o the_o trallian_n his_o usual_a admonition_n trallian_n be_v subject_n to_o the_o bishop_n as_o to_o the_o lord_n and_o ibid._n to_o the_o presbytery_n as_o to_o the_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n our_o hope_n ib._n he_o that_o do_v any_o thing_n without_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n and_o the_o deacon_n such_o a_o one_o be_v defile_v in_o conscience_n ibid._n fare_v you_o well_o in_o jesus_n christ_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n and_o likewise_o to_o the_o presbyter_n wherein_o we_o may_v note_v that_o with_o twelve_o year_n after_o mention_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n make_v in_o the_o apocalypse_n for_o then_o as_o have_v be_v show_v be_v these_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n write_v other_o episcopal_a city_n be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o lydian_a asia_n and_o two_o such_o as_o in_o after_o time_n be_v well_o know_v to_o have_v be_v 90._o under_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a of_o ephesus_n but_o whether_o this_o subordination_n be_v as_o ancient_a as_o the_o day_n of_o ignatius_n who_o epistle_n be_v extant_a unto_o these_o three_o church_n and_o 35._o damas_n the_o than_o bishop_n of_o magnefia_n with_o polybius_n of_o trallis_n be_v at_o that_o time_n subject_a to_o one_o simus_fw-la the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n may_v well_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o same_o ignatius_n direct_v one_o of_o his_o epistle_n unto_o the_o church_n roman_n which_o have_v presidency_n in_o the_o place_n of_o the_o region_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o in_o the_o body_n thereof_o do_v attribute_n unto_o himself_o the_o title_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o syria_n whereby_o as_o he_o intimate_v himself_o to_o have_v be_v not_o only_o the_o bishop_n of_o antiock_n but_o also_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o province_n of_o syria_n which_o be_v under_o that_o metropolis_n so_o do_v he_o likewise_o not_o obscure_o signify_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v at_o that_o time_n a_o presidency_n over_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o the_o 3._o vrbicarian_a region_n as_o the_o imperial_a constitution_n or_o the_o leguntur_fw-la roman_a province_n as_o the_o act_n of_o the_o first_o council_n of_o arles_n call_v it_o what_o that_o vrbicarian_a region_n be_v i_o will_v not_o now_o stand_v to_o discuss_v whether_o tuscia_n only_o wherein_o rome_n itself_o be_v situate_v which_o in_o the_o day_n of_o ignatius_n be_v one_o entire_a region_n but_o afterward_o divide_v into_o tuscia_n suburbicaria_n and_o annonaeria_n or_o the_o territory_n wherein_o the_o praefectus_fw-la vrbis_fw-la do_v exercise_v his_o jurisdiction_n which_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o hundred_o mile_n about_o the_o city_n or_o with_o that_o those_o other_o province_n also_o whereunto_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o vicarius_fw-la vrbis_fw-la do_v extend_v or_o last_o the_o circuit_n within_o which_o those_o 69._o bishopric_n be_v contain_v that_o 23._o be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o frequent_o call_v to_o his_o synod_n the_o name_n whereof_o be_v find_v register_v in_o the_o record_n of_o that_o church_n the_o antiquity_n of_o which_o number_n as_o it_o may_v in_o some_o sort_n receive_v confirmation_n from_o the_o roman_a synod_n of_o seventy_o bishop_n hold_v under_o gelasius_n so_o for_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o bishop_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n from_o those_o that_o appertain_v to_o italy_n we_o have_v a_o far_o more_o ancient_a testimony_n from_o the_o edict_n of_o the_o emperor_n aurelian_a who_o in_o the_o controversy_n that_o arise_v betwixt_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la and_o domnus_n for_o the_o house_n which_o belong_v unto_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n command_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v deliver_v to_o they_o 〈◊〉_d
our_o opposite_n to_o the_o contrary_n 39_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o argument_n 39_o to_o the_o second_o 39_o to_o the_o three_o 41_o to_o the_o four_o 42_o to_o the_o last_o 43_o xxii_o thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n third_n exposition_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o signify_v one_o only_a pastor_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v extreme_o new_a and_o naught_o 44_o xxiii_o thesis_n that_o by_o the_o word_n angel_n of_o ephesus_n to_o signify_v a_o singular_a and_o individual_a pastor_n have_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n be_v prove_v by_o a_o large_a consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n without_o exception_n judicious_a and_o ingenuous_a 45_o xxiv_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n hold_v not_o the_o word_n angel_n whereof_o we_o treat_v to_o be_v take_v collective_o for_o a_o multitude_n of_o pastor_n 48_o xxv_o thesis_n that_o the_o word_n angel_n in_o other_o place_n of_o the_o revelation_n be_v common_o if_o not_o always_o individual_o take_v 48_o xxvi_o thesis_n that_o by_o angel_n be_v mean_v individual_o one_o bishop_n be_v demonstrate_v by_o historical_a learning_n without_o contradiction_n 50_o xxvii_o thesis_n that_o christ_n himself_o show_v his_o approbation_n of_o prelacy_n which_o the_o foresay_a angel_n have_v in_o their_o several_a church_n 52_o the_o judgement_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n as_o well_o such_o as_o be_v the_o first_o reformer_n of_o religion_n as_o other_o after_o they_o in_o behalf_n of_o episcopal_a degree_n in_o the_o church_n this_o they_o perform_v both_o by_o their_o direct_a and_o ingenious_a confession_n and_o after_o by_o sound_n and_o solid_a proof_n so_o far_o as_o to_o show_v episcopal_a prelacy_n to_o be_v according_a to_o god_n word_n as_o also_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o same_o for_o use_v to_o be_v the_o best_a kind_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n we_o be_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o try_v their_o plain_a confession_n concern_v the_o say_a prelacy_n as_o well_o 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or_o france_n ever_o have_v which_o say_v he_o none_o will_v deny_v be_v so_o if_o not_o wilful_o stupid_a and_o blind_v in_o daylight_n yea_o and_o touch_v those_o then_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n habuerit_fw-la beza_n for_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n it_o happen_v in_o our_o memory_n that_o she_o speak_v of_o our_o english_a church_n have_v have_v man_n of_o that_o call_n not_o only_o constant_a martyr_n of_o god_n but_o also_o excellent_a pastor_n and_o doctor_n 2._o in_o the_o day_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n calvin_n the_o most_o illustrious_a star_n of_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n doubt_v not_o to_o instile_n archbishop_n cranmer_n consulas_fw-la a_o most_o accomplish_a prelate_n say_v he_o who_o have_v the_o cure_n not_o only_o of_o england_n but_o also_o of_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n which_o he_o do_v to_o the_o dignify_n of_o the_o government_n of_o our_o english_a church_n and_o no_o marvel_n see_v that_o he_o dare_v profess_v to_o yield_v in_o behalf_n even_o of_o popish_a bishop_n upon_o condition_n that_o renounce_v the_o dependence_n upon_o the_o pope_n and_o acknowledgement_n of_o christ_n as_o their_o only_a head_n with_o profession_n of_o his_o truth_n observent_fw-la then_o shall_v we_o profess_v all_o they_o say_v he_o who_o shall_v not_o reverent_o and_o willing_o submit_v to_o their_o government_n to_o be_v worthy_a of_o whatsoever_o anathema_n or_o curse_n so_o he_o even_o in_o his_o tractate_n of_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n at_o what_o time_n also_o beza_n after_o his_o congratulate_v the_o restitution_n of_o our_o protestant_a religion_n in_o england_n earnest_o desire_v the_o whole_a clergy_n under_o the_o government_n of_o grindal_n then_o bishop_n of_o london_n to_o perpetua_fw-la submit_v unto_o he_o hold_v he_o worthy_a of_o much_o punishment_n who_o shall_v despise_v his_o authority_n yea_o and_o so_o well_o do_v he_o approve_v of_o the_o then_o government_n by_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n as_o to_o wish_v it_o may_v be_v perpetual_a unto_o they_o putant_fw-la sadell_n likewise_o who_o be_v sufficient_o commend_v by_o his_o excellent_a write_n in_o defence_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n do_v join_v together_o with_o beza_n in_o a_o apology_n to_o vindicate_v themselves_o from_o a_o sinister_a report_n as_o if_o they_o have_v detract_v from_o the_o right_n of_o government_n by_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n avouch_v the_o same_o aspersion_n to_o have_v be_v a_o most_o impious_a slander_n and_o observande_n bishop_n jevell_v how_o be_v he_o honour_v by_o peter_n martyr_n call_v he_o a_o most_o renown_a prelate_n and_o by_o sibbrandus_fw-la 25._o lubbartus_fw-la entitle_v he_o the_o ornament_n not_o only_o of_o england_n but_o also_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n audias_fw-la hierom_n zanchee_n one_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o our_o opposite_n we_o doubt_v not_o worthy_o renown_v in_o his_o letter_n to_o queen_n elizabeth_n he_o exhort_v her_o majesty_n with_o a_o imprimis_fw-la and_o especial_o to_o extend_v her_o care_n power_n and_o authority_n to_o have_v godly_a bishop_n skilful_a in_o holy_a scripture_n of_o which_o sort_n say_v he_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n you_o have_v already_o very_a many_o and_o to_o cherish_v and_o hear_v they_o possit_fw-la also_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o archbishop_n grindall_n upon_o occasion_n of_o his_o remove_n to_o canterbury_n he_o express_v his_o joy_n for_o that_o access_n of_o dignity_n as_o a_o testimony_n of_o god_n love_n towards_o he_o and_o a_o mean_n whereby_o he_o may_v more_o and_o more_o promote_v god_n true_a religion_n our_o opposite_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v offend_v with_o we_o although_o we_o offer_v unto_o they_o next_o a_o author_n somewhat_o distasteful_a unto_o they_o at_o the_o first_o hear_n namely_o retinet_fw-la d._n saravia_n because_o as_o he_o be_v a_o religious_a divineâ—_n and_o as_o un-episcopall_a as_o any_o other_o so_o also_o be_v he_o as_o orthodox_n everywhere_o as_o they_o know_v inveigh_v against_o the_o romish_a hierarchy_n he_o confess_v himself_o to_o wonder_v at_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o reformer_n of_o religion_n in_o england_n so_o as_o not_o any_o where_o deviate_a from_o the_o ancient_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o conclude_v with_o this_o epiphonema_n say_v i_o hold_v it_o a_o part_n of_o her_o happiness_n that_o she_o have_v retain_v with_o she_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n 3._o in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n james_n that_o famous_a etc._n isaac_n casaubon_n who_o we_o reckon_v as_o the_o four_o witness_n from_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n have_v that_o estimation_n of_o our_o english_a episcopal_a government_n as_o to_o confess_v that_o no_o church_n do_v come_v near_o the_o form_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n than_o it_o do_v so_o far_o that_o even_o they_o who_o envy_v her_o happiness_n be_v notwithstanding_o constrain_v to_o extol_v it_o he_o proceed_v furthermore_o to_o blazon_v the_o worthiness_n of_o it_o if_o say_v he_o the_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o church_n be_v inquire_v into_o and_o what_o either_o necessary_o belong_v unto_o the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n or_o else_o to_o the_o decency_n of_o the_o church_n than_o praise_v and_o magnify_v be_v god_n no_o church_n upon_o earth_n can_v be_v find_v which_o more_o profess_v the_o faith_n and_o resemble_v the_o form_n of_o the_o ancient_a catholic_a church_n than_o it_o do_v so_o he_o but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o french_a witness_n again_o worthy_a 271._o master_n moulin_n in_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o papist_n who_o upbraid_v he_o with_o the_o discipline_n of_o england_n do_v avouch_v the_o dignity_n thereof_o tell_v he_o furthermore_o that_o their_o agreement_n be_v such_o that_o england_n say_v he_o have_v be_v a_o refuge_n to_o our_o persecute_a church_n and_o correspondent_o the_o excellent_a servant_n of_o god_n in_o our_o church_n as_o peter_n martyr_n calvin_n beza_n and_o zanchee_n have_v often_o write_v letter_n full_a of_o respect_n and_o amity_n to_o the_o prelate_n of_o england_n
so_o he_o last_o now_o under_o our_o gracious_a sovereign_a king_n charles_n in_o the_o time_n of_o archbishop_n abbot_n who_o daily_a experience_n do_v testify_v the_o reciprocal_a correspondence_n between_o he_o and_o with_o other_o bishop_n and_o all_o reform_a church_n beyond_o the_o sea_n at_o what_o time_n likewise_o cyrill_a late_a greek_a patriarch_n of_o constatinople_n do_v so_o far_o honour_n both_o he_o and_o our_o english_a church_n as_o to_o profess_v his_o accordance_n therewith_o more_o special_o then_o with_o any_o other_o and_o if_o our_o bishop_n of_o late_a date_n have_v not_o be_v respect_v then_o sure_o will_v not_o the_o divine_n about_o breme_n in_o germany_n have_v send_v their_o controversy_n have_v among_o themselves_o only_o unto_o certain_a bishop_n in_o england_n as_o they_o do_v to_o have_v they_o moderate_v by_o their_o judgement_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o their_o dedication_n of_o some_o of_o their_o book_n unto_o bishop_n these_o last_o relation_n nothing_o but_o the_o importunity_n of_o these_o time_n can_v have_v extort_a from_o we_o thus_o much_o of_o particular_a respect_n have_v in_o special_a to_o our_o english_a episcopal_a government_n by_o singular_a approve_a divine_n of_o the_o reform_a protestant_a church_n in_o the_o next_o place_n as_o the_o thread_n of_o our_o method_n lead_v we_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v what_o they_o will_v say_v touch_v the_o unlawfulnesse_n or_o lawfulness_n thereof_o in_o general_n ii_o thesis_n that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o visible_o constitute_v church_n in_o all_o christendom_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o 1500._o year_n and_o more_o which_o hold_v episcopacy_n in_o itself_o to_o be_v unlawful_a we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a that_o even_o at_o this_o time_n all_o episcopacy_n and_o prelacy_n of_o any_o one_o above_o presbytery_n be_v cry_v down_o by_o some_o as_o unlawful_a in_o itself_o discerni_fw-la notwithstanding_o our_o opposite_n can_v but_o know_v what_o beside_o epiphanius_n saint_n angustine_n record_v of_o one_o aerius_n to_o wit_n that_o he_o because_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v to_o be_v make_v a_o bishop_n do_v therefore_o teach_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o presbyter_n and_o a_o bishop_n so_o he_o and_o for_o that_o cause_n they_o list_v he_o among_o the_o erroneous_a author_n of_o that_o age_n but_o he_o be_v except_v never_o any_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n before_o he_o we_o add_v nor_o yet_o any_o thus_o protest_v after_o he_o nor_o before_o these_o day_n of_o contradiction_n defend_v his_o opinion_n now_o whether_o the_o humour_n of_o desire_n to_o rule_v other_o and_o the_o unwillingness_n to_o be_v subject_a unto_o other_o may_v not_o equal_o transport_v some_o ecclesiastic_n to_o oppose_v against_o episcopacy_n they_o can_v best_o judge_v who_o it_o most_o concern_v we_o know_v beside_o infinite_a other_o who_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o episcopacy_n some_o protestant_n divine_v of_o remote_a church_n who_o have_v full_o condemn_v the_o opinion_n of_o aerius_n three_o may_v suffice_v for_o three_o hundred_o if_o they_o be_v learn_v and_o judicious_a author_n and_o not_o interest_v in_o that_o which_o be_v now_o call_v episcopal_a policy_n damnavi_fw-la master_n moulin_n come_v on_o roundly_o i_o have_v since_o my_o infancy_n say_v he_o abhor_v the_o opinion_n of_o aërius_n studebant_fw-la tylenus_n also_o a_o divine_a of_o the_o french_a church_n as_o pertinent_o and_o plain_o none_o ever_o before_o aërius_n endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o episcopacy_n nor_o yet_o after_o he_o any_o but_o some_o of_o geneva_n what_o some_o he_o may_v mean_v we_o know_v not_o but_o who_o he_o may_v not_o mean_v we_o have_v already_o show_v as_o calvin_n beza_n saddle_n and_o causabon_n who_o have_v give_v their_o ample_a suffrage_n for_o our_o english_a episcopacy_n but_o only_o speak_v against_o the_o romish_a hierarchy_n and_o now_o for_o the_o generality_n of_o it_o prosequamur_fw-la beza_n be_v again_o at_o hand_n say_v if_o there_o be_v any_o as_o i_o think_v say_v he_o there_o be_v not_o who_o altogether_o reject_v the_o episcopal_a order_n god_n forbid_v that_o any_o of_o sound_a brain_n shall_v ever_o assent_v to_o their_o fury_n and_o beside_o protest_v his_o acknowledge_a observance_n and_o all_o reverence_n to_o all_o bishop_n reform_v hitherto_o against_o the_o object_v unlawfulnesse_n of_o episcopacy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n but_o this_o will_v not_o satisfy_v some_o man_n except_o furthermore_o the_o lawfulness_n thereof_o may_v appear_v in_o that_o degree_n which_o be_v call_v in_o respect_n of_o its_o right_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o belong_v unto_o we_o to_o show_v this_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o divine_n of_o remote_a protestant_a church_n which_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o perform_v and_o more_o too_o iii_o thesis_n that_o episcopal_a prelacy_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o their_o consent_n therein_o unto_o primitive_a antiquity_n lvther_o may_v well_o be_v allow_v for_o the_o foreman_n among_o the_o reformer_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n esse_fw-la who_o prove_v the_o prelacy_n of_o episcopacy_n above_o simple_a presbyter_n for_o so_o he_o say_v by_o divine_a right_n and_o this_o he_o do_v in_o his_o tractâ—te_n call_v his_o reselution_n ground_v his_o judgement_n upon_o scripture_n whereof_o hereafter_o according_o bucer_n against_o the_o pope_n as_o antichrist_n vocantur_fw-la we_o see_v say_v he_o by_o their_o perpetual_a observation_n of_o church_n and_o from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o that_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o some_o singular_a one_o shall_v be_v appoint_v among_o the_o presbyter_n to_o govern_v in_o so_o sacred_a a_o order_n who_o have_v for_o the_o same_o cause_n the_o appellation_n of_o bishop_n in_o scripture_n scultetus_n the_o divine_a professor_n at_o heidelberg_n profess_v episcopal_a degree_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n and_o profess_v to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v such_o by_o efficacious_a reason_n who_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o his_o discourse_n will_v be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n with_o who_o agree_v that_o admirable_a scholar_n episcopos_fw-la isaac_n casaubon_n the_o ornament_n of_o geneva_n who_o hold_v the_o same_o to_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n these_o may_v serve_v for_o the_o present_a till_o we_o come_v to_o a_o large_a consent_n all_o these_o and_o other_o the_o former_a confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n be_v the_o proper_a idiom_n and_o language_n of_o primitive_a antiquity_n teach_v thus_o episcopacy_n be_v by_o the_o ordination_n of_o christ._n so_o titum_fw-la ignatius_n and_o again_o potestatem_fw-la reverence_n your_o bishop_n as_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n have_v command_v you_o or_o thus_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a power_n the_o resistancè_fw-la whereof_o be_v against_o god_n himself_o so_o cyprian_n and_o thus_o god_n place_v bishop_n over_o his_o family_n so_o etc._n origen_n and_o thus_o the_o apostle_n be_v make_v bishop_n by_o christ_n who_o ordain_v other_o mean_v bishop_n in_o other_o place_n by_o who_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v govern_v episcopos_fw-la so_o augustine_n or_o thus_o 75._o bishop_n constitute_v over_o presbyter_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n teacheh_o so_o epiphanius_n and_o thus_o etc._n none_o can_v be_v ignorant_a that_o bishop_n be_v institute_v by_o christ_n when_o he_o make_v his_o apostle_n by_o who_o other_o shall_v be_v make_v bishop_n who_o we_o succeed_v and_o speak_v of_o bishop_n of_o who_o christ_n say_v he_o that_o despise_v you_o despise_v i_o so_o again_o augustine_n before_o we_o end_v this_o point_n we_o shall_v desire_v our_o opposite_n to_o bethink_v themselves_o what_o they_o think_v may_v signify_v the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o chalcedon_n for_o antiquity_n one_o of_o the_o first_o four_o general_n and_o in_o this_o generality_n universal_o receive_v throughout_o christendom_n for_o amplitude_n consist_v of_o six_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o bishop_n and_o for_o averseness_n against_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n that_o which_o undermine_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o romish_a popedom_n which_o be_v a_o pretence_n of_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o christ_n the_o universal_a bishop_n of_o the_o church_n and_o equal_v another_o patriarch_n with_o he_o and_o show_v that_o all_o the_o primacy_n which_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v but_o from_o humane_a authority_n this_o 〈◊〉_d council_n concern_v episcopacy_n ordain_v that_o to_o depose_v a_o bishop_n down_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o a_o presbyter_n be_v sacrilege_n this_o so_o great_a a_o harmony_n between_o the_o former_a protestant_a divine_n and_o those_o eminent_a father_n how_o shall_v it_o not_o sound_v delightful_a unto_o every_o docible_a and_o unpreoccupated_a hearer_n these_o confession_n notwithstanding_o we_o have_v not_o discharge_v our_o
assumption_n until_o we_o produce_v their_o proof_n which_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v according_a to_o our_o former_a promise_n after_o that_o we_o shall_v manifest_v the_o like_a confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n and_o accordance_n to_o antiquity_n in_o acknowledge_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v the_o best_a form_n of_o government_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o use_n thereof_o iv._o thesis_n that_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o necessary_a use_n thereof_o the_o best_a by_o the_o consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n some_o peradventure_o will_v conceive_v that_o three_o at_o the_o least_o be_v require_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o comparison_n to_o make_v up_o a_o best_a therefore_o our_o three_o must_v be_v take_v either_o for_o episcopacy_n which_o be_v a_o prelacy_n of_o one_o above_o more_o or_o presbytery_n which_o be_v a_o equality_n of_o more_o among_o themselves_o or_o that_o which_o be_v call_v a_o independency_n of_o one_o in_o each_o parish_n without_o relation_n to_o any_o other_o which_o misbeget_v brat_n be_v never_o hear_v of_o in_o ancient_a time_n or_o approve_v of_o any_o latter_a church_n of_o christ_n since_o and_o indeed_o be_v but_o the_o erect_n of_o a_o pope_n in_o every_o parish_n whereof_o something_o hereafter_o hereafter_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a that_o we_o understand_v a_o best_a in_o the_o full_a latitude_n with_o comparison_n of_o whatsoever_o other_o our_o protestant_a witness_n we_o rank_n into_o two_o class_n first_o be_v the_o church_n of_o the_o lutheran_n who_o be_v the_o first_o reformer_n of_o our_o protestant_a religion_n etc._n if_o our_o reader_n will_v be_v please_v but_o to_o cast_v his_o eye_n upon_o the_o marginall_n he_o may_v find_v out_o these_o follow_a observable_n viz._n that_o luther_n will_v be_v know_v when_o he_o complain_v of_o bishop_n to_o have_v mean_v over_o tyrannous_a pâ—pish_a bishop_n and_o they_o as_o he_o say_v who_o be_v unworthy_a of_o the_o holy_a name_n of_o bishop_n next_o that_o all_o protestant_a church_n of_o germany_n in_o their_o general_a confession_n have_v as_o they_o say_v often_o protest_v their_o earnest_a desire_n to_o conserve_v the_o discipline_n of_o degree_n in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n whereby_o to_o remove_v dissension_n and_o schism_n from_o the_o church_n then_o that_o 〈◊〉_d melancthon_n by_o the_o persuasion_n of_o luther_n be_v as_o much_o bend_v for_o episcopal_a government_n as_o any_o when_o he_o burst_v out_o into_o this_o expression_n i_o will_v to_o god_n it_o lay_v in_o i_o to_o restore_v the_o government_n of_o bishop_n for_o i_o see_v what_o a_o church_n we_o shall_v have_v the_o ecclesiastical_a policy_n be_v dissolve_v i_o foresee_v it_o will_v be_v far_o more_o intolerable_a than_o ever_o it_o be_v there_o be_v add_v to_o this_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o bucer_n hold_v it_o necessary_a that_o the_o clergy_n have_v those_o speak_v of_o bishop_n to_o who_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n be_v commit_v his_o reason_n lest_o that_o refractory_a and_o dissolute_a person_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o church_n prince_n hanolt_n after_o he_o become_v a_o sincere_o profess_v protestant_n and_o faithful_a preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n speak_v of_o bishop_n that_o will_v be_v faithful_a in_o govern_v the_o church_n vellemus_fw-la how_o willing_o and_o with_o what_o gladness_n of_o heart_n will_v we_o say_v he_o reverence_n obey_v and_o yield_v they_o their_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n the_o which_o we_o and_o luther_n have_v very_o often_o protest_v both_o by_o word_n and_o writing_n we_o now_o pass_v unto_o the_o other_o class_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o reform_a church_n begin_v with_o calvin_n himself_o who_o have_v a_o double_a intuition_n concern_v presbyterial_a government_n one_o as_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v be_v in_o a_o independency_n so_o that_o every_o one_o have_v a_o right_n of_o excommunication_n in_o himself_o tradiderunt_fw-la this_o he_o call_v unprofitable_a odious_a and_o such_o as_o easy_o turn_v into_o tyranny_n and_o contrary_a to_o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n teach_v next_o behold_v they_o in_o a_o joint_a parity_n he_o relate_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o say_v true_o nascerentur_fw-la that_o by_o the_o parity_n and_o equality_n among_o presbyter_n as_o it_o use_v to_o be_v schism_n and_o dissension_n may_v arise_v among_o they_o this_o parenthesis_n as_o it_o use_v to_o be_v which_o he_o insert_v certain_o have_v in_o it_o a_o sting_n which_o pierce_v into_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o cause_n successor_n to_o calvin_n be_v beza_n who_o thus_o far_o succee_v he_o also_o in_o his_o opinion_n as_o possâ—t_fw-la to_o confess_v as_o he_o say_v from_o experience_n this_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n that_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o repress_v vice_n choice_n be_v make_v of_o one_o to_o govern_v the_o rest_n as_o be_v observe_v ancient_o say_v he_o from_o the_o evang._n mark_v in_o the_o famous_a church_n of_o alexandria_n again_o speak_v of_o the_o institution_n of_o episcopacy_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v he_o will_v be_v know_v to_o abhor_v and_o reprehend_v it_o as_o erect_v by_o pride_n but_o why_o for_o none_o can_v deny_v say_v he_o but_o that_o there_o be_v great_a use_n of_o it_o whilst_o that_o goodly_a and_o godly_a bishop_n be_v chief_a over_o other_o we_o may_v well_o presume_v as_o be_v say_v that_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o misquoted_a sentence_n of_o zanchie_a be_v extant_a in_o some_o impression_n of_o his_o work_n wherein_o he_o do_v so_o symbolize_v with_o the_o forecited_a sentence_n of_o calvin_n nolunt_fw-la testify_v before_o god_n for_o these_o be_v the_o word_n that_o he_o hold_v they_o schismatic_n who_o shall_v determine_v that_o in_o the_o restauration_n of_o church_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o bishop_n have_v authority_n over_o presbyter_n where_o free_o they_o may_v be_v have_v he_o proceed_v furthermore_o i_o think_v with_o calvin_n say_v he_o they_o to_o be_v worthy_a of_o whatsoever_o anathema_n who_o will_v not_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o government_n which_o submit_v itself_o to_o christ_n so_o he_o furthermore_o concern_v the_o testimony_n as_o i_o may_v so_o say_v of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n episcopi_fw-la zanchie_a confess_v episcopacy_n to_o have_v be_v ordain_v for_o the_o best_a end_n to_o wit_n the_o edification_n of_o the_o elect._n the_o sentence_n of_o calvin_n have_v be_v former_o allege_v unto_o these_o we_o add_v the_o say_n of_o the_o prolocutor_n in_o the_o synod_n of_o dort_n who_o be_v render_v unto_o we_o by_o they_o that_o hear_v he_o to_o have_v wish_v that_o the_o church_n with_o they_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o our_o english_a by_o have_v a_o episcopal_a government_n among_o they_o this_o case_n be_v so_o evident_a to_o a_o late_a advocate_n for_o presbyter_n salmasius_n by_o name_n that_o although_o he_o reluct_v just_o against_o a_o irregular_a prelacy_n yet_o do_v he_o free_o and_o ingenuous_o grant_v that_o instituendi_fw-la the_o prefer_n of_o one_o bishop_n in_o every_o church_n be_v institute_v with_o best_a reason_n will_v any_o see_v more_o then_o he_o be_v to_o observe_v the_o protestation_n make_v by_o the_o german_a divine_n in_o the_o augustane_n confession_n protest_v their_o desire_n for_o the_o conservation_n of_o episcopacy_n whereof_o it_o be_v testify_v by_o a_o positâ_fw-la theological_a professor_n that_o other_o protestant_n be_v ready_a to_o subscribe_v to_o the_o augustane_n confession_n per_fw-la omne_fw-la except_v only_o the_o article_n of_o the_o eucharist_n because_o it_o be_v not_o clear_o explain_v among_o these_o protestant_n he_o name_v calvin_n beza_n vermilius_n marlorat_n and_o zanchius_n which_o probable_o can_v not_o have_v be_v altogether_o true_a if_o they_o have_v be_v adversary_n to_o the_o foresay_a protestation_n before_o we_o can_v conclude_v we_o return_v to_o geneva_n to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o a_o main_a question_n which_o be_v whether_o the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o geneva_n ought_v to_o be_v perscribe_v as_o a_o pattern_n to_o other_o reform_a church_n to_o be_v regulate_v thereby_o and_o when_o we_o consult_v with_o putant_fw-la beza_n about_o this_o very_a point_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o opinion_n be_v impart_v to_o their_o church_n but_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o geneva_n reject_v it_o as_o a_o most_o false_a and_o impudent_a exprobration_n after_o this_o comparison_n make_v by_o weight_n and_o ponderation_n we_o seek_v to_o try_v what_o may_v be_v do_v by_o computation_n and_o number_n v._o thesis_n that_o the_o most_o protestant_a cburche_n do_v profess_v and_o practice_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n many_o now_o look_v upon_o our_o english_a bishop_n as_o bird_n upon_o owl_n yet_o not_o peradventure_o so_o as_o they_o for_o strangeness_n or_o for_o reverence_n but_o with_o left_a eye_n in_o a_o
opinion_n of_o singularity_n and_o onelinesse_n as_o a_o thing_n not_o acknowledge_v in_o other_o remote_a and_o reform_a church_n of_o protestant_n not_o consider_v what_o have_v be_v publish_v to_o the_o world_n long-ago_a that_o the_o word_n superintendent_n be_v of_o the_o same_o signification_n with_o the_o word_n bishop_n both_o from_o the_o same_o greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yet_o some_o protestant_a church_n practise_v a_o prelacy_n vail_v it_o over_o with_o the_o word_n superintendency_n if_o we_o will_v know_v what_o 365._o zanchie_a will_v speak_v out_o and_o to_o the_o purpose_n in_o tell_v we_o that_o episcopi_fw-la who_o we_o call_v bishop_n and_o superintendent_o be_v word_n of_o the_o same_o sense_n and_o signification_n and_o therefore_o where_o there_o be_v a_o agreement_n in_o the_o thing_n signify_v there_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v any_o altercation_n and_o strife_n about_o word_n but_o what_o will_v he_o say_v to_o the_o practice_n he_o distinguish_v protestant_a church_n in_o this_o respect_n into_o three_o difference_n some_o whereof_o practice_n a_o superiority_n of_o one_o above_o the_o clergy_n under_o the_o proper_a name_n of_o bishop_n another_o sort_n the_o same_o but_o under_o the_o name_n of_o superintendent_o and_o general_n superintendent_o who_o we_o call_v archbishop_n last_o he_o disclose_v a_o three_o kind_n a_o circumstance_n very_o remarkable_a who_o although_o they_o avoid_v the_o title_n of_o bishop_n or_o superintendent_o yet_o use_v they_o to_o be_v such_o primarii_fw-la as_o to_o say_v eminent_a in_o prelacy_n as_o in_o who_o for_o so_o he_o say_v the_o whole_a authority_n consist_v now_o therefore_o our_o question_n must_v be_v whether_o the_o church_n exercise_v prelacy_n or_o the_o other_o that_o only_o practise_v equality_n exceed_v in_o number_n the_o number_n of_o church_n which_o have_v prelate_n under_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o the_o other_o of_o superintendent_o be_v in_o signification_n the_o same_o seem_v to_o greg._n de_fw-fr valentia_n the_o jesuit_n so_o many_o that_o he_o think_v all_o protestant_a church_n to_o have_v bishop_n a_o excellent_a servant_n of_o god_n doctor_n duraeus_n and_o a_o zealous_a hunter_n after_o the_o best_a game_n which_o be_v the_o general_a peace_n of_o protestant_a church_n among_o themselves_o have_v set_v down_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o church_n reform_v on_o both_o party_n and_o reckon_v if_o he_o be_v not_o mistake_v seven_o bishop_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o swede_n in_o denmark_n bishop_n in_o other_o lutheran_n church_n superintendent_o and_o in_o all_o imperial_a city_n among_o the_o protestant_n beside_o divers_a other_o reform_a church_n the_o like_a which_o we_o suppose_v will_v rather_o keep_v their_o conformity_n with_o england_n then_o taste_v new_a wine_n with_o other_o see_v that_o as_o the_o text_n say_v 39_o the_o old_a be_v better_a and_o whether_o the_o episcopal_a form_n be_v not_o the_o only_a and_o apostolical_a come_v now_o to_o be_v discuss_v by_o inquire_v into_o antiquity_n vi_o thesis_n that_o the_o former_a reason_n of_o confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o episcopal_n prelacy_n for_o preservation_n of_o concord_n and_o prevent_v of_o schism_n be_v correspondent_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o antiquity_n it_o will_v be_v worth_a our_o knowledge_n to_o understand_v that_o the_o former_a confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n be_v in_o effect_n but_o the_o ecchoing_n unto_o the_o sentence_n of_o ancient_a father_n among_o who_o hierome_n can_v tell_v we_o corrumpat_fw-la that_o the_o original_n of_o episcopacy_n which_o be_v the_o place_n of_o one_o presbyter_n in_o a_o degree_n above_o other_o be_v decree_v throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n for_o take_v away_o schism_n which_o use_v thereof_o be_v hold_v so_o necessary_a in_o the_o day_n of_o antiquity_n that_o the_o say_v hierome_n spare_v not_o to_o affirm_v sacerdotes_fw-la that_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o church_n depend_v upon_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o who_o except_o some_o eminent_a authority_n be_v give_v there_o will_v be_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o there_o be_v priest_n in_o the_o church_n so_o he_o and_o before_o he_o tertullian_n thus_o pax._fw-la the_o bishop_n be_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v in_o safety_n our_o peace_n will_v be_v also_o safe_a but_o how_o etc._n chrysostome_n and_o gregory_n nyssen_n do_v illustrate_v both_o affirm_v the_o same_o necessity_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n as_o be_v a_o precentor_n in_o a_o choir_n a_o governor_n in_o a_o camp_n and_o a_o pilot_n in_o a_o ship_n by_o which_o episcopal_a order_n say_v reducantur_fw-la basil_n the_o church_n be_v reduce_v as_o one_o soul_n into_o communion_n and_o concord_n yea_o and_o before_o all_o these_o rome_n cyprian_a bishop_n and_o martyr_n complain_v of_o such_o insolence_n of_o presbyter_n against_o their_o bishop_n as_o be_v cause_n of_o heresy_n and_o schism_n against_o a_o divine_a power_n of_o government_n so_o he_o these_o will_v some_o say_v be_v but_o their_o say_n and_o shall_v we_o therefore_o think_v that_o their_o say_n be_v not_o the_o symboll_n and_o expression_n of_o their_o meaning_n but_o we_o presume_v better_o of_o they_o that_o be_v ingenuous_a and_o the_o rather_o for_o their_o further_a satisfaction_n which_o may_v be_v have_v in_o the_o next_o thesis_n vii_o thesis_n that_o bishop_n primitive_o be_v not_o only_o the_o chief_a champion_n for_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o also_o the_o great_a adversary_n to_o romish_a popedom_n as_o have_v also_o our_o english_a before_o we_o can_v begin_v the_o proof_n of_o this_o thesis_n we_o be_v confront_v by_o our_o opposite_n against_o primitive_a father_n in_o strange_a term_n vindication_n bishop_n by_o advance_v the_o authority_n of_o episcopacy_n do_v thereby_o say_v they_o but_o plead_v their_o own_o cause_n and_o make_v a_o stirrup_n for_o the_o romish_a antichrist_n to_o mount_v into_o his_o pontifical_a saddle_n so_o they_o which_o contumely_n against_o the_o reverend_a antiquity_n we_o be_v loath_a to_o call_v by_o its_o proper_a name_n be_v therefore_o not_o to_o reprove_v other_o but_o to_o prove_v what_o we_o have_v in_o hand_n which_o be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a bishop_n live_v in_o the_o torrid_a zone_n of_o fiery_a persecution_n and_o other_o in_o a_o temperate_a of_o the_o first_o sort_n we_o have_v it_o confess_v that_o the_o persecute_v emperor_n do_v above_o all_o other_o make_v their_o inquisition_n and_o exercise_n of_o their_o fury_n most_o especial_o upon_o bishop_n we_o have_v it_o upon_o record_n in_o cyprian_a but_o much_o more_o in_o other_o ecclesiastical_a history_n wherein_o as_o be_v confess_v by_o stigmata_fw-la master_n brightman_n although_o dioclesian_n in_o his_o edict_n do_v especial_o command_v the_o destruction_n of_o all_o that_o have_v take_v sacred_a order_n yet_o in_o a_o further_a habuerint_fw-la speciality_n the_o massacre_a of_o bishop_n he_o relate_v that_o one_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o of_o they_o be_v martyr_v in_o two_o place_n yea_o and_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n itself_o be_v also_o reckon_v the_o number_n of_o 160._o bishop_n who_o be_v martyr_n of_o christ_n in_o those_o primitive_a time_n to_o fancy_v that_o these_o afflict_a and_o persecute_v member_n of_o christ_n for_o their_o degree_n sake_n can_v pride_n it_o in_o their_o episcopal_a office_n will_v be_v hold_v to_o be_v but_o a_o dream_n they_o will_v rather_o think_v that_o if_o they_o shall_v prelate_n it_o as_o mariner_n use_v to_o frolic_v it_o rather_o in_o a_o calm_a of_o tranquillity_n but_o for_o this_o also_o we_o shall_v easy_o subscribe_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o master_n beza_n who_o when_o he_o be_v thus_o pose_v whether_o he_o shall_v impute_v the_o note_n of_o pride_n unto_o these_o primitive_a servant_n of_o god_n who_o name_n have_v always_o be_v celebrious_a in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o wit_n basil_n nysen_n nazianzen_n athanasius_n chrysostome_n ambrose_n and_o augustine_n who_o be_v know_v to_o have_v afterward_o have_v episcopal_a government_n in_o their_o several_a church_n answer_v say_v augustino_n i_o never_o hear_v any_o speak_v or_o read_v any_o write_v otherwise_o then_o honourable_o of_o those_o man_n as_o be_v meet_v so_o he_o of_o his_o time_n he_o can_v not_o prophesy_v of_o the_o future_a it_o be_v good_a that_o these_o who_o use_v this_o new_a and_o broad_a language_n have_v consider_v 20._o that_o bishop_n be_v then_o almost_o the_o only_a one_o who_o as_o occasion_n fall_v out_o either_o pull_v the_o romish_a pope_n out_o of_o his_o saddle_n when_o he_o be_v mount_v or_o else_o pluck_v away_o his_o stirrup_n that_o in_o those_o time_n he_o can_v not_o get_v up_o for_o whereas_o popedom_n be_v a_o double_a usurpation_n one_o of_o plenitude_n of_o authority_n throughout_o universal_a over_o bishop_n and_o the_o other_o of_o a_o infallibility_n of_o judgement_n in_o
determine_v all_o controversy_n of_o faith_n it_o have_v be_v evident_o and_o copious_o prove_v that_o the_o amplitude_n of_o his_o diocese_n be_v limit_v by_o three_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o the_o general_n council_n of_o nice_a his_o pretend_a right_n of_o universal_a authority_n be_v contradict_v a_o 553._o by_o six_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n where_o we_o find_v it_o account_v to_o be_v but_o of_o humane_a authority_n against_o his_o pretend_a universal_a challenge_n of_o appeal_n to_o rome_n it_o be_v twice_o contradict_v by_o bishop_n in_o two_o counsel_n in_o africa_n and_o as_o for_o his_o pretend_a infallibility_n in_o judgement_n the_o 165_o bishop_n in_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n condemn_v the_o decree_n of_o pope_n vigilius_n and_o in_o the_o six_o and_o seven_o counsel_n consist_v in_o all_o of_o 603._o bishop_n be_v pope_n honorius_n condemn_v for_o a_o heretic_n we_o may_v not_o omit_v the_o mention_n of_o singular_a person_n bishop_n who_o have_v have_v their_o solemn_a opposition_n against_o the_o pope_n of_o their_o time_n cyprian_a athanasius_n basil_n cyrill_n of_o alexandria_n hilary_n of_o arles_n and_o augustine_n with_o many_o other_o but_o what_o talk_v we_o of_o bishop_n in_o other_o see_v see_v we_o have_v in_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n itself_o one_o who_o do_v prejudice_v the_o pretend_a and_o usurp_a dignity_n and_o authority_n of_o all_o his_o successor_n in_o condemn_v the_o pretence_n of_o the_o high_a title_n and_o prerogative_n which_o the_o pope_n do_v challenge_v which_o be_v to_o be_v call_v the_o universal_a bishop_n of_o christ_n church_n by_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v proud_a profane_a and_o blasphemous_a and_o the_o bishop_n we_o mean_v be_v pope_n gregory_n the_o first_o who_o mr._n brightman_n have_v adorn_v with_o this_o encomium_n hereafter_o the_o fly_a angel_n mention_v apoc._n 8._o 13._o who_o lustre_n say_v he_o god_n will_v use_v for_o the_o church_n as_o for_o our_o church_n of_o england_n since_o the_o reformation_n it_o have_v be_v conformable_a to_o the_o primitive_a sure_o great_a faithfulness_n can_v not_o be_v show_v then_o in_o the_o seal_n of_o martyrdom_n nor_o more_o opposition_n to_o popedom_n then_o to_o cut_v off_o all_o dependence_n upon_o it_o by_o the_o neck_n ever_o since_o nor_o this_o more_o by_o any_o then_o in_o bishop_n as_o our_o ecclesiastical_a monument_n have_v record_v not_o to_o mention_v the_o write_n public_a in_o confutation_n of_o all_o popish_a error_n and_o heresy_n only_o let_v it_o be_v lawful_a for_o we_o to_o point_v at_o the_o last_o synod_n and_o convocation_n be_v vehement_a against_o popery_n as_o for_o this_o be_v speak_v by_o he_o that_o be_v absent_a from_o it_o any_o one_o may_v read_v after_o these_o confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n we_o be_v to_o ascend_v high_o to_o our_o proof_n for_o evince_v the_o same_o to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o apostolical_a first_o from_o antiquity_n and_o after_o from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n itself_o our_o first_o proof_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o manifest_v it_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n by_o necessary_a reason_n viii_o thesis_n that_o to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n argue_v in_o it_o a_o divine_a right_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o excellent_a divine_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n from_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n we_o have_v before_o we_o mr._n beza_n to_o deliver_v his_o own_o word_n tribuere_fw-la sure_o if_o episcopacy_n have_v proceed_v from_o the_o apostle_n i_o will_v not_o doubt_v to_o ascribe_v unto_o it_o a_o divine_a ordinance_n so_o he_o this_o be_v plain_a second_o from_o the_o church_n within_o the_o palatinate_n scultetus_n by_o name_n argue_v according_o episcopos_fw-la the_o apostle_n place_v bishop_n above_o presbyter_n and_o therefore_o be_v episcopacy_n of_o divine_a institution_n a_o three_o proper_o call_v salmasius_n out_o of_o the_o university_n and_o church_n of_o leiden_fw-mi in_o the_o low-countries_n one_o of_o great_a fame_n and_o a_o profess_a friend_n unto_o our_o opposite_n and_o notwithstanding_o confess_v say_v divino_fw-la if_o the_o institution_n of_o episcopacy_n say_v he_o be_v from_o the_o apostle_n than_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n so_o they_o certain_o because_o what_o power_n be_v ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n like_v as_o be_v their_o decree_n against_o strangle_v and_o blood_n their_o holy-kisse_a their_o agapae_n and_o the_o like_a in_o their_o first_o institution_n and_o although_o these_o be_v abrogate_a in_o time_n yet_o the_o necessity_n of_o perpetuate_a episcopacy_n stand_v upon_o two_o ground_n one_o be_v the_o first_o reason_n of_o institution_n thereof_o which_o be_v for_o avoid_v schism_n the_o other_o be_v the_o universal_a continuance_n thereof_o from_o age_n to_o age_n upon_o experience_n of_o the_o same_o reason_n which_o as_o we_o have_v hear_v have_v be_v hold_v most_o reasonable_a to_o almost_o all_o protestant_n divine_n of_o remote_a church_n now_o therefore_o that_o which_o we_o be_v to_o make_v good_a be_v only_o our_o assumption_n to_o wit_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n than_o which_o nothing_o almost_o can_v be_v more_o evinceable_a if_o testimony_n from_o antiquity_n evidence_n out_o of_o scripture_n and_o upon_o both_o these_o the_o confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n may_v be_v hold_v satisfactory_a our_o first_o endeavour_n concern_v antiquity_n for_o this_o performance_n must_v be_v to_o remove_v objection_n which_o our_o opposite_n cast_v in_o our_o way_n the_o only_a peremptory_o object_v ancient_n be_v these_o two_o hierome_n and_o clement_n both_o who_o we_o be_v now_o to_o salute_v ix_o thesis_n that_o no_o ancient_a father_n absolute_o deny_v the_o apostolical_a original_a of_o episcopacy_n no_o not_o the_o object_v hierome_n who_o will_v show_v himself_o a_o manifest_a patron_n thereof_o the_o object_v sentence_n of_o regere_fw-la hierome_n say_v concern_v episcopal_a prelacy_n that_o it_o be_v rather_o by_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n then_o by_o the_o lord_n disposal_n be_v confess_v by_o the_o theological_a protestant_a professor_n in_o the_o university_n of_o heidelberg_n to_o be_v understand_v capiat_fw-la by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o lord_n disposal_n the_o immediate_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o day_n upon_o earth_n and_o affirm_v the_o custom_n happy_o to_o have_v mean_v the_o apostolical_a custom_n after_o they_o begin_v the_o form_n and_o frame_v of_o the_o church_n however_o for_o this_o one_o place_n object_v against_o we_o we_o have_v many_o most_o evident_a testimony_n out_o of_o hierome_n himself_o to_o prove_v the_o first_o institution_n of_o episcopacy_n to_o have_v be_v indeed_o apostolical_a first_o be_v from_o the_o original_a occasion_n whereunto_o he_o allude_v even_o the_o contention_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n when_o saeteris_fw-la some_o hold_v of_o paul_n some_o of_o apollo_n some_o of_o cephas_n whereof_o it_o be_v confess_v by_o the_o foreceited_a palatinate_n doctor_n finit_a that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n will_v not_o suffer_v i_o say_v he_o to_o doubt_v but_o that_o alteration_n be_v make_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o his_o confirmation_n be_v as_o doubtless_o namely_o because_o no_o man_n can_v produce_v any_o other_o original_n of_o the_o question_a schism_n and_o contention_n this_o be_v a_o chief_a point_n and_o therefore_o we_o desire_v to_o hear_v what_o titum_fw-la videlius_n the_o divine_a professor_n in_o geneva_n will_v say_v unto_o it_o he_o handle_v the_o matter_n accurate_o which_o be_v to_o be_v reserve_v to_o its_o proper_a place_n in_o sum_n out_o of_o ignatius_n the_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n he_o show_v the_o difference_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n begin_v timely_a in_o the_o church_n even_o present_o after_o the_o contention_n to_o the_o corinthian_n whereof_o it_o be_v say_v some_o hold_v of_o paul_n and_o some_o of_o apollo_n and_o some_o of_o cephas_n second_o hierome_n grant_v in_o general_a yet_o distinct_o of_o bishop_n apostoli_fw-la that_o they_o be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n three_o yea_o he_o show_v who_o be_v successor_n in_o the_o very_a day_n of_o the_o apostle_n reckon_v among_o other_o scriptoribus_fw-la timothy_n titus_n polycarpus_n and_o euodius_n four_o he_o relate_v who_o be_v first_o bishop_n of_o all_o other_o after_o they_o to_o wit_n episcopus_fw-la james_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o mark_v of_o alexandria_n five_o diaconi_fw-la he_o allege_v the_o analogy_n between_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o levite_n with_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n from_o as_o he_o say_v apostolical_a tradition_n six_o the_o inutile_fw-la episcopal_a part_n of_o excommunication_n against_o vigilantius_n he_o call_v his_o apostolical_a iron_n rodde_n so_o hierome_n it_o be_v incredible_a if_o that_o
all_o these_o apostolical_a relation_n concern_v episcopacy_n shall_v not_o amount_v unto_o so_o much_o as_o to_o make_v up_o a_o apostolical_a institution_n thereof_o the_o second_o object_v father_n be_v clement_n whereof_o their_o success_n will_v be_v no_o better_o if_o not_o much_o worse_o x._o thesis_n that_o clement_n a_o apostolical_a disciple_n to_o who_o arbitrement_n both_o our_o opposite_n and_o we_o offer_v to_o yield_v ourselves_o do_v patronize_v episcopacy_n as_o be_v apostolical_a we_o be_v earnest_o call_v upon_o to_o hearken_v unto_o clement_n 136._o talk_v of_o a_o prophecy_n of_o a_o future_a contention_n which_o shall_v happen_v about_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n next_o that_o there_o be_v no_o piece_n of_o antiquity_n of_o more_o esteem_n than_o the_o epistle_n of_o clement_n unto_o the_o corinthian_n then_o that_o this_o be_v bring_v to_o light_v by_o a_o learned_a gentleman_n mr._n patrick_n young_a and_o last_o for_o the_o matter_n itself_o that_o there_o be_v a_o common_a and_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n we_o shall_v answer_v punctual_o to_o every_o one_o viz._n the_o prophecy_n make_v for_o we_o the_o epistle_n much_o more_o the_o publisher_n also_o as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v desire_v and_o that_o objection_n of_o the_o indifferency_n of_o the_o word_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v scarce_o worthy_a the_o mention_n we_o begin_v with_o the_o prophecy_n the_o prophecy_n be_v only_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v in_o time_n to_o come_v a_o contention_n about_o the_o word_n bishop_n if_o we_o shall_v ask_v our_o opposite_n when_o this_o contention_n be_v first_o know_v in_o time_n of_o old_a they_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o tell_v we_o know_v right_a well_o that_o it_o be_v first_o raise_v by_o one_o aerius_n of_o who_o epiphanius_n and_o austin_n have_v above_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o break_v out_o into_o schism_n and_o above_o because_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v to_o be_v make_v a_o bishop_n do_v therefore_o spurn_v against_o episcopacy_n teach_v say_v st._n austin_n that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n therefore_o thus_o they_o may_v see_v the_o prophecy_n fulfil_v both_o when_o and_o in_o who_o if_o they_o like_v it_o but_o if_o any_o shall_v boast_v that_o it_o be_v fulfil_v now_o by_o their_o present_a opposall_n against_o episcopacy_n after_o that_o it_o have_v have_v approbation_n with_o a_o continual_a use_n universal_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n then_o have_v we_o nothing_o else_o to_o reply_v but_o what_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n from_o the_o pen_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n put_v in_o our_o mouth_n if_o any_o be_v contentious_a say_v he_o we_o have_v no_o such_o custom_n nor_o the_o church_n of_o god_n whereby_o the_o wilful_o contentious_a make_v himself_o a_o adversary_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o no_o way_n acceptable_a to_o god_n himself_o the_o second_o point_n which_o we_o be_v to_o discern_v be_v that_o which_o they_o call_v identity_n of_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n they_o shall_v have_v call_v it_o community_n of_o name_n especial_o know_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o identity_n in_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n than_o there_o be_v between_o the_o letter_n of_o p._n and_o b._n but_o this_o be_v a_o lapse_n therefore_o to_o our_o matter_n in_o hand_n we_o answer_v that_o mere_a name_n and_o word_n make_v but_o verbal_a consequence_n to_o which_o we_o oppose_v a_o real_a and_o logical_a consequence_n à _fw-la paribus_fw-la thus_o for_o of_o the_o very_a apostle_n of_o christ_n one_o instile_v himself_o co-presbyte_a another_o himself_n presbyter_n a_o three_o himself_o deacon_n who_o be_v all_o common_a name_n with_o other_o that_o be_v not_o apostle_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o office_n and_o function_n be_v governor_n over_o presbyter_n which_o show_v that_o the_o enterchangeablenesse_n of_o name_n can_v conclude_v a_o indifferency_n of_o degree_n but_o this_o cram_n will_v be_v sod_v once_o again_o when_o we_o shall_v be_v occasion_v to_o give_v further_a satisfaction_n as_o for_o the_o present_a it_o may_v well_o be_v say_v what_o shall_v we_o need_v word_n when_o we_o see_v act_n and_o deed_n namely_o concern_v this_o clement_n not_o only_o that_o he_o maintain_v the_o distinct_a degree_n of_o episcopacy_n but_o that_o also_o he_o be_v distinct_o above_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n himself_o yet_o shall_v not_o our_o opposite_n pose_v we_o in_o that_o where_fw-mi tributum_fw-la vedelius_fw-la a_o professor_n of_o geneva_n give_v they_o if_o they_o have_v read_v he_o some_o satisfaction_n show_v that_o as_o soon_o as_o clemens_n remain_v the_o sole_a adjutour_n of_o the_o apostle_n after_o linus_n and_o cletus_n the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v give_v unto_o he_o and_o not_o attribute_v to_o any_o presbyter_n or_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n so_o he_o be_v not_o this_o to_o the_o point_n the_o distinguish_n of_o time_n do_v solve_v many_o doubt_n it_o be_v meet_v now_o at_o length_n we_o hear_v clemens_n himself_o speak_v clement_n immediate_o after_o his_o relation_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a prophecy_n add_v say_v concern_v the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d for_o this_o cause_n they_o have_v a_o perfect_a foreknowledge_n constitute_v the_o aforesaid_a and_o leave_v a_o description_n of_o officer_n and_o minister_n in_o their_o course_n who_o after_o that_o they_o themselves_o shall_v fall_v asleep_a other_o godly_a man_n may_v succeed_v and_o execute_v their_o function_n so_o clement_n whence_o it_o be_v evident_o collect_v that_o bishop_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n because_o a_o role_n and_o catalogue_n of_o bishop_n be_v frequent_o have_v in_o ecclesiastical_a story_n lineal_o deduce_v from_o the_o apostle_n as_o the_o most_o of_o the_o learned_a protestant_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n have_v ever_o confess_v but_o if_o our_o opposite_n can_v prove_v the_o like_a catalogue_n of_o presbyter_n of_o a_o primitive_a and_o right_a line_n of_o descent_n then_o be_v they_o whole_o to_o yield_v the_o cause_n and_o that_o even_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o clement_n which_o be_v now_o ready_a to_o be_v furthermore_o confess_v by_o the_o exact_a learning_n of_o the_o publisher_n of_o clement_n this_o gentleman_n our_o opposite_n call_v learned_a we_o owe_v he_o a_o high_a title_n even_o one_o exquisite_o learn_v he_o comment_v upon_o the_o same_o epistle_n of_o clement_n now_o object_v against_o episcopacy_n teach_v that_o the_o right_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d agree_v with_o the_o word_n census_fw-la in_o tertullian_n by_o who_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v a_o custom_n in_o apostolical_a church_n to_o make_v a_o role_n for_o this_o word_n he_o hold_v not_o unfit_a of_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n to_o bring_v they_o unto_o their_o first_o original_n even_o as_o say_v tertullian_n polycarpus_n be_v from_o john_n the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o clemens_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o peter_n speak_v even_o of_o this_o our_o clemens_n and_o add_v of_o other_o and_o other_o say_v he_o who_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v bishop_n from_o who_o other_o may_v deduce_v their_o traduction_n and_o offspring_n what_o be_v if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o inexpugnable_a convincement_n of_o our_o opposite_n to_o prove_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v of_o a_o apostolical_a ordination_n yet_o be_v not_o this_o all_o clement_n be_v further_o represent_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o same_o learned_a publisher_n as_o one_o register_v and_o enroll_v by_o antiquity_n as_o bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o same_o bishop_n lineal_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n whether_o in_o the_o first_o second_o or_o three_o rank_n it_o matter_n not_o and_o the_o doubt_n such_o as_o it_o be_v be_v solve_v in_o the_o margin_n by_o our_o foresay_a geneva_n professor_n and_o for_o witness_n hereunto_o be_v cite_v optatus_n hierome_n ruffinus_n eucherius_n and_o photius_n set_v down_o express_o in_o the_o same_o book_n which_o our_o opposite_n have_v object_v against_o we_o which_o if_o you_o will_v not_o see_v or_o see_v not_o regard_n all_o we_o shall_v say_v be_v we_o be_v sorry_a for_o it_o yet_o after_o this_o our_o retorsion_n of_o their_o object_v author_n upon_o themselves_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v they_o further_o satisfaction_n from_o our_o select_a and_o express_a suffrage_n of_o antiquity_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o episcopacy_n xi_o thesis_n that_o other_o primitive_a father_n before_o hierome_n do_v unanimous_o testify_v a_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o manifest_a for_o the_o first_o three_o acceperunt_fw-la ireneus_fw-la habeant_fw-la tertullian_n and_o locum_fw-la origen_n to_o which_o we_o add_v diffunditur_fw-la augustine_n do_v all_o profess_v themselves_o ready_a to_o deduce_v
the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o principal_n see_v from_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n next_o they_o instance_n in_o some_o apostolical_a church_n as_o namely_o from_o ja._n the_o b_o open_fw-mi of_o hiern_n &_o mark_v in_o alexandria_n what_o say_v our_o opposite_n to_o this_o a_o principal_a one_o etc._n salmasius_n by_o name_n call_v this_o alleadgment_n of_o james_n a_o bishop_n false_a and_o foolish_a his_o reason_n be_v because_o james_n be_v a_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o keep_v residence_n in_o one_o see_n first_o be_v it_o know_v that_o whatsoever_o this_o james_n be_v all_o antiquity_n render_v he_o unto_o we_o a_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n viz._n accepit_fw-la eusebius_n hierosolymitanae_n epiphanius_n hierom_n jacobo_n egesippus_fw-la hieroolymitanae_n chrysostom_n and_o episcopus_fw-la ambrose_n the_o 21._o synod_n of_o trullo_n how_o then_o shall_v it_o become_v we_o but_o of_o yesterday_n birth_n thus_o to_o pull_v reverend_a antiquity_n by_o the_o beard_n and_o give_v they_o the_o fool_n yet_o we_o may_v not_o restrain_v rational_a man_n from_o reason_v and_o therefore_o we_o answer_v that_o be_v it_o that_o ja._n have_v be_v a_o apostle_n yet_o other_o protestant_a divine_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n be_v no_o fool_n as_o dr._n plurimi_fw-la scultetus_n episcopus_fw-la zuinglius_fw-la and_o mr._n 7._o moulin_n each_o one_o can_v answer_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o proper_a function_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o visit_v of_o country_n after_o country_n for_o conversion_n of_o people_n and_o sound_v of_o church_n yet_o whether_o enfeeble_v by_o age_n or_o upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n they_o may_v fix_v themselves_o to_o one_o province_n but_o yet_o be_v we_o not_o costrain_v to_o this_o answer_n but_o furthermore_o tell_v our_o opposite_n that_o which_o have_v be_v quarto_fw-la judicious_o prove_v at_o large_a that_o this_o be_v not_o james_n that_o apostle_n but_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o only_o a_o apostolical_a disciple_n which_o may_v satisfy_v our_o opposite_n until_o we_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o their_o object_v timothy_n and_o titus_n call_v evangelist_n as_o for_o mark_n if_o in_o the_o line_n of_o succession_n of_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n he_o only_o be_v take_v exclusive_o yet_o must_v the_o ordinance_n of_o that_o see_v be_v necessary_o hold_v apostolical_a xii_o thesis_n that_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v confess_o prove_v out_o of_o ignatius_n vedelius_n that_o learned_a divinity_n professor_n in_o the_o academy_n of_o geneva_n imperatore_n in_o his_o most_o elaborate_a work_n of_o exercitation_n upon_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n for_o vindicate_v his_o doctrine_n from_o the_o false_a gloss_n of_o bellarmine_n baronius_n and_o other_o romish_a writer_n be_v copious_a in_o manifest_v the_o direct_a judgement_n of_o ignatius_n in_o many_o notable_a point_n concern_v ignatius_n himself_o he_o render_v he_o unto_o we_o a_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n a_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n a_o holy_a man_n and_o a_o faithful_a minister_n of_o christ._n 2._o concern_v the_o cause_n against_o bellarmine_n and_o other_o who_o will_n have_v bishop_n the_o first_o under_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n as_o the_o apostle_n be_v under_o christ_n this_o he_o confute_v out_o of_o ignatius_n who_o teach_v that_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o bishop_n and_o bishop_n to_o christ._n 3._o against_o papist_n who_o proclaim_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v bishop_n of_o bishop_n he_o confess_v ignatius_n hold_v the_o bishop_n in_o every_o church_n to_o be_v the_o next_o under_o christ_n and_o chief_a therein_o 4._o the_o distinction_n between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o last_o profess_v for_o himself_o and_o other_o that_o if_o they_o have_v a_o bishop_n such_o as_o be_v polycarpus_n a_o disciple_n also_o of_o the_o apostle_n they_o as_o ignatius_n require_v of_o the_o smyrnaean_n will_v willing_o yea_o necessary_o obey_v he_o so_o he_o in_o this_o maxim_n we_o behold_v two_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n ignatius_n and_o polycarpus_n both_o bishop_n distinct_o from_o presbyter_n and_o governor_n and_o this_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o well_o therefore_o may_v our_o opposite_n deny_v themselves_o to_o have_v depend_v natural_o from_o their_o own_o parent_n as_o bishop_n original_o from_o the_o apostle_n we_o be_v to_o pursue_v this_o yet_o a_o little_a further_o xiii_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n have_v give_v we_o rule_n of_o resolution_n for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o may_v serve_v in_o the_o case_n of_o episcopacy_n the_o rule_n give_v by_o antiquity_n be_v always_o hold_v catholic_n throughout_o all_o christian_a church_n of_o ancient_a time_n st._n augustine_n rule_n may_v be_v our_o first_o direction_n thus_o creditur_fw-la whatsoever_o the_o universal_a church_n hold_v and_o be_v not_o institute_v by_o counsel_n but_o always_o keep_v that_o must_v most_o right_o be_v judge_v to_o have_v be_v from_o apostolical_a authority_n so_o he_o which_o for_o our_o purpose_n be_v as_o much_o as_o dr._n scultetus_n most_o judicious_o and_o ingenuous_o confess_v that_o if_o no_o interim_n can_v be_v show_v between_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o the_o day_n immediate_o succeed_v when_o there_o be_v no_o episcopal_a government_n over_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n then_o must_v the_o same_o have_v proceed_v immediate_o from_o the_o apostle_n we_o hold_v this_o most_o reasonable_a even_o as_o if_o the_o question_n be_v what_o the_o practice_n be_v of_o the_o country_n adjoin_v unto_o we_o our_o next_o border_v neighbour_n to_o it_o will_v be_v the_o most_o competent_a witness_n of_o their_o manner_n such_o have_v be_v hitherto_o our_o proof_n even_o from_o such_o ancient_n as_o either_o have_v see_v the_o apostle_n or_o else_o from_o such_o as_o have_v be_v conversant_a with_o the_o immediate_a disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n our_o opposite_n not_o able_a to_o instance_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o any_o one_o primitive_a church_n to_o the_o contrary_a only_a object_n a_o community_n of_o name_n of_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n which_o shadow_n will_v vanish_v as_o soon_o as_o we_o shall_v give_v light_n by_o proof_n of_o the_o apostolical_a original_a of_o episcopacy_n in_o diverse_a thesis_n follow_v by_o expression_n confession_n and_o authority_n fourteen_o thesis_n that_o protestant_a divine_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n have_v hold_v it_o most_o equal_a to_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o ancient_n for_o proof_n of_o a_o practice_n apostolical_a we_o plead_v no_o other_o equity_n in_o this_o cause_n tradiderunt_fw-la than_o what_o calvin_n hold_v necessary_a against_o anabaptisticall_a revelation_n argue_v negative_o in_o this_o manner_n these_o lie_n say_v he_o be_v easy_o confute_v because_o many_o be_v then_o live_v who_o have_v be_v conversant_a with_o the_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o he_o concern_v doctrine_n how_o much_o more_o convincent_fw-la mus_fw-la this_o argument_n be_v when_o our_o question_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n even_o as_o be_v daily_o do_v by_o all_o christian_a church_n for_o pâ—oof_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o baptise_v of_o infant_n against_o the_o same_o anabaptisticall_a faction_n yea_o why_o not_o also_o for_o the_o like_a original_a practice_n of_o episcopacy_n even_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o excellent_a judgement_n observatus_fw-la beza_n must_v not_o be_v neglect_v tell_v we_o that_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o neglect_v the_o ordinance_n of_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o a_o bishop_n above_o a_o presbyter_n because_o this_o be_v a_o ancient_a custom_n in_o the_o famous_a church_n of_o alexandria_n so_o he_o this_o be_v well_o but_o he_o have_v not_o quite_o tell_v out_o his_o tale_n which_o he_o do_v elsewhere_o out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o nominabant_fw-la hierome_n say_v namely_o that_o in_o alexandria_n from_o mark_n the_o evangelist_n one_o be_v elect_v by_o the_o presbytery_n and_o place_v in_o a_o high_a degree_n who_o they_o name_v bishop_n which_o be_v do_v for_o a_o remedy_n against_o schism_n be_v it_o then_o that_o touch_v this_o series_n and_o order_n of_o succession_n as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o saint_n mark_v the_o apostle_n be_v it_o take_v inclusive_o or_o exclusive_o it_o necessary_o imply_v that_o the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o same_o apostle_n master_n moulin_n give_v we_o a_o loud_a accent_n say_v that_o hereafter_o he_o be_v never_o so_o hard_o face_v as_o to_o censure_v these_o bishop_n ignatius_n polycarpe_n augustine_n chrysostome_n and_o other_o great_a light_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v usurp_v a_o unlawful_a function_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n so_o he_o allege_v among_o his_o ancient_n polycarpe_n and_o ignatius_n the_o first_o of_o which_o as_o all_o the_o learned_a know_v live_v in_o the_o day_n of_o
more_o eminent_a rank_n so_o he_o if_o that_o our_o objectour_n have_v according_a to_o master_n meade'_v direction_n but_o call_v to_o mind_v his_o own_o explanation_n they_o may_v have_v easy_o perceive_v he_o say_v no_o more_o then_o as_o if_o we_o may_v grant_v that_o under_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o who_o the_o epistle_n be_v in_o special_a direct_v be_v employ_v all_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v therein_o but_o how_o not_o by_o alteration_n of_o his_o person_n but_o by_o communion_n of_o interest_n for_o which_o cause_n master_n beza_n accknowledge_v he_o the_o precedent_n over_o other_o even_o as_o many_o other_o protestant_n divine_n be_v ready_a to_o do_v and_o that_o as_o exact_o as_o either_o we_o can_v desire_v or_o our_o opposite_n mislike_v when_o we_o come_v to_o discharge_v the_o affirmative_a point_n two_o answer_n we_o wish_v our_o opposite_n to_o take_v into_o their_o second_o thought_n one_o as_o they_o have_v present_v he_o by_o way_n of_o comparison_n as_o better_v skilled_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n than_o his_o adversary_n the_o other_o as_o he_o be_v to_o be_v single_o respect_v and_o in_o his_o own_o worthiness_n to_o the_o first_o we_o say_v that_o comparison_n may_v well_o have_v be_v forbear_v which_o now_o provoke_v we_o to_o another_o comparison_n between_o he_o and_o one_o as_o dear_a to_o our_o opposite_n as_o any_o other_o who_o they_o know_v to_o have_v be_v as_o conversant_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n altogether_o wherein_o he_o notwithstanding_o after_o the_o second_o and_o three_o chapter_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o the_o collective_a interpretation_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n that_o he_o have_v not_o any_o where_o as_o we_o can_v find_v set_v it_o down_o as_o comprehend_v any_o multitude_n nay_o in_o many_o place_n he_o express_v by_o name_n the_o individual_a person_n themselves_o or_o some_o individuum_fw-la vagum_fw-la signify_v thereby_o some_o singular_a notable_a one_o the_o consideration_n of_o master_n meade_n his_o worthiness_n and_o judgement_n touch_v episcopacy_n will_v be_v have_v the_o rather_o because_o we_o have_v read_v the_o translation_n of_o his_o book_n authorise_a in_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v order_v by_o the_o committee_n of_o the_o commons_o house_n in_o parliament_n that_o the_o book_n entitle_v the_o key_n of_o the_o revelation_n be_v print_v so_o they_o which_o key_n do_v unlock_v unto_o we_o his_o judgement_n in_o behalf_n of_o episcopacy_n to_o be_v so_o full_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o part_n 1._o c._n 4._o v._n 67._o p._n 35._o the_o four_o and_o twenty_o elder_n say_v he_o compass_v next_o about_o the_o throne_n which_o represent_v the_o bishop_n and_o prelate_n of_o the_o church_n and_o do_v answer_n both_o in_o place_n and_o order_n to_o the_o levite_n and_o priest_n in_o the_o camp_n of_o israel_n etc._n etc._n thus_o master_n meade_n so_o commend_v by_o our_o opposite_n themselves_o who_o if_o they_o shall_v approve_v his_o key_n in_o this_o point_n it_o be_v well_o we_o in_o impart_v thus_o much_o unto_o they_o have_v but_o do_v our_o duty_n the_o three_o argument_n our_o three_o argument_n say_v they_o be_v take_v from_o the_o word_n angel_n 143_o as_o it_o be_v a_o common_a name_n to_o all_o minister_n and_o messenger_n and_o sure_o if_o christ_n have_v intend_v to_o point_v out_o any_o individual_a person_n he_o will_v have_v use_v some_o distinguish_a name_n as_o to_o have_v call_v he_o precedent_n rector_n superintendent_n so_o they_o as_o if_o by_o this_o their_o sure_o they_o will_v assure_v we_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n if_o we_o shall_v take_v their_o own_o word_n for_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o the_o learned_a who_o have_v every_o where_o teach_v that_o ever_o since_o angelical_a spirit_n be_v reveal_v to_o the_o world_n the_o word_n angel_n speak_v in_o the_o better_a part_n have_v be_v use_v to_o express_v the_o dignity_n of_o their_o office_n and_o according_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n whensoever_o it_o be_v apply_v unto_o they_o otherwise_o our_o opposite_n i_o think_v will_v have_v gratify_v we_o with_o the_o allegation_n of_o some_o one_o author_n that_o ever_o fancy_v the_o contrary_a who_o notwithstanding_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o satisfy_v by_o a_o parallel_n in_o the_o word_n apostles_n signify_v messenger_n whereof_o mr._n calvin_n oportuit_fw-la this_o word_n say_v he_o according_a to_o its_o etymon_n agree_v to_o any_o minister_n of_o christ_n yet_o be_v it_o entitle_v upon_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n because_o they_o be_v the_o immediate_a ambassador_n of_o christ._n so_o he_o and_o yet_o we_o presume_v that_o our_o opposite_n will_v not_o because_o of_o the_o community_n thereof_o call_v either_o every_o minister_n of_o christ_n send_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n a_o apostle_n or_o every_o cobbler_n send_v on_o a_o message_n a_o angel_n their_o four_o argument_n our_o four_o argument_n say_v they_o stand_v thus_o 146._o our_o saviour_n say_v that_o the_o seven_o candlestick_n be_v the_o seven_o church_n but_o he_o say_v not_o likewise_o that_o the_o seven_o star_n be_v the_o seven_o angel_n but_o in_o mention_v angel_n omit_v the_o word_n seven_o which_o be_v not_o do_v without_o a_o mystery_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o angel_n do_v not_o signify_v seven_o individual_a pastor_n so_o they_o who_o tenant_n be_v two_o first_o that_o the_o ommission_n of_o the_o word_n seven_o argue_v a_o mystery_n second_o that_o the_o mystery_n signify_v thereby_o be_v this_o that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v not_o individual_o but_o collective_o take_v we_o can_v but_o deny_v both_o and_o so_o will_v any_o even_a with_o wonderment_n at_o the_o objectour_n boldness_n in_o utter_v such_o their_o conception_n for_o first_o to_o call_v that_o a_o mystery_n which_o by_o all_o grammar_n learning_n be_v in_o every_o language_n most_o common_a by_o that_o which_o the_o grecian_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v a_o word_n not_o express_v follow_v upon_o course_n in_o the_o understanding_n of_o any_o rational_a reader_n as_o for_o example_n if_o any_o one_o of_o our_o opposite_n write_v to_o any_o of_o his_o servant_n to_o bring_v he_o his_o two_o horse_n the_o black_a horse_n and_o the_o white_a omit_v in_o the_o second_o place_n the_o word_n horse_n which_o word_n do_v follow_v in_o course_n of_o common_a understanding_n yet_o his_o man_n shall_v bring_v only_o the_o black_a but_o not_o the_o white_a may_v his_o excuse_n have_v be_v it_o be_v a_o mystery_n second_o be_v it_o that_o a_o mystery_n shall_v be_v imagine_v therein_o yet_o that_o denial_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o be_v a_o individual_a person_n in_o the_o text_n contradict_v the_o context_n the_o context_n stand_v thus_o cap._n 1._o 26._o the_o star_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o seven_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n &_o cap._n 2._o &_o 3_o the_o same_o angel_n be_v reckon_v prove_v according_o to_o be_v seven_o in_o the_o context_n we_o have_v numerum_fw-la numerantem_fw-la in_o the_o text_n numerum_fw-la numeratum_fw-la that_o that_o which_o make_v up_o a_o number_n shall_v be_v say_v not_o to_o refer_v unto_o a_o number_n which_o be_v before_o express_v by_o christ._n he_o that_o have_v a_o perfect_a natural_a hand_n be_v say_v to_o have_v individual_o every_o finger_n although_o he_o reckon_v they_o not_o to_o be_v five_o their_o last_o argument_n answer_v this_o argument_n say_v they_o be_v take_v from_o christ_n denunoiation_n against_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n vindicat_fw-la to_o remove_v his_o candlestick_n out_o of_o its_o place_n if_o he_o do_v not_o repent_v where_o by_o candlestick_n be_v mean_v the_o church_n or_o congregation_n but_o if_o there_o by_o angel_n be_v signify_v one_o individual_a person_n than_o the_o congregation_n and_o people_n shall_v be_v punish_v for_o the_o offence_n of_o that_o one_o pastor_n so_o they_o who_o will_v not_o have_v thus_o argue_v if_o they_o have_v consider_v that_o by_o thus_o oppugn_v our_o exposition_n they_o have_v as_o utter_o undermine_v and_o overthrow_v their_o own_o as_o for_o example_n their_o tenant_n have_v be_v that_o by_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v signify_v the_o order_n and_o college_n of_o pastor_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n now_o then_o to_o return_v their_o own_o engine_n upon_o they_o if_o the_o candlestick_n signify_v the_o church_n shall_v be_v remove_v out_o of_o its_o place_n except_o those_o pastor_n shall_v repent_v than_o shall_v the_o people_n and_o congregation_n be_v punish_v for_o the_o fault_n of_o those_o pastor_n therefore_o all_o the_o odds_o that_o be_v between_o both_o these_o consequence_n be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o viz._n the_o punish_v of_o people_n for_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o for_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o pastor_n in_o extremity_n equal_o
hear_v the_o lord_n and_o afterward_o burn_v a_o martyr_n of_o christ_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o saint_n john_n est_fw-la so_o hierome_n another_o polycarpus_n bishop_n and_o martyr_n be_v place_v by_o john_n bishop_n of_o smyrna_n so_o obtinuit_fw-la eusebius_n a_o three_o before_o he_o by_o john_n be_v polycarpus_n constitute_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n so_o 〈◊〉_d tertullian_n and_o before_o he_o a_o four_o testify_v as_o one_o that_o have_v see_v this_o polycarpus_n that_o after_o that_o he_o have_v be_v instruct_v by_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n with_o who_o he_o have_v be_v conversant_a he_o be_v make_v by_o they_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n so_o decessit_fw-la ireneus_fw-la we_o ascend_v somewhat_o high_o to_o one_o who_o write_v a_o epistle_n to_o the_o same_o polycarpus_n intitul_a he_o the_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n salute_v he_o as_o their_o bishop_n epist._n ignatius_n in_o these_o epistle_n and_o say_n which_o vedelius_fw-la the_o professor_n in_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n and_o a_o exact_a discerner_n and_o discoverer_n of_o the_o corruption_n creep_v into_o his_o write_n do_v hold_v as_o genuine_a and_o legitimate_a can_v our_o opposite_n require_v a_o great_a confirmation_n of_o any_o historical_a point_n which_o they_o themselves_o maintain_v as_o more_o ample_o testify_v then_o this_o be_v whereto_o as_o many_o of_o our_o former_a protestant_a divine_n do_v subscribe_v so_o be_v there_o not_o one_o to_o our_o knowledge_n from_o this_o saint_n john_n that_o ever_o do_v contradict_v it_o xxvii_o thesis_n that_o christ_n himself_o show_v his_o approbation_n of_o the_o prelacy_n which_o the_o foresay_a angel_n have_v in_o their_o several_a church_n there_o be_v yet_o never_o either_o favourite_n to_o episcopacy_n nor_o opposite_n against_o it_o but_o have_v grant_v that_o whatsoever_o the_o government_n be_v mean_v in_o these_o seven_o church_n it_o have_v the_o approbation_n of_o christ_n by_o the_o tenor_n of_o his_o epistle_n write_v unto_o they_o first_o from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o chap._n 1._o 1._o the_o revelation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n send_v by_o his_o angel_n to_o his_o servant_n john_n to_o acknowledge_v the_o epistle_n to_o have_v be_v dictate_v by_o christ_n himself_o convey_v by_o a_o angel_n to_o john_n and_o as_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o second_o and_o three_o chapter_n distribute_v by_o john_n to_o the_o several_a angel_n and_o communicate_v to_o the_o church_n after_o this_o by_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o letter_n a_o inquisition_n be_v make_v as_o it_o be_v a_o visitation_n keep_v upon_o every_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n concern_v the_o discharge_n of_o their_o office_n wherein_o two_o of_o they_o be_v find_v of_o weight_n and_o commendable_a the_o other_o five_o more_o or_o less_o criminal_o deliquent_v yet_o so_o as_o to_o manifest_v a_o justification_n of_o the_o office_n the_o approbation_n of_o the_o function_n be_v see_v not_o only_o which_o reason_v none_o can_v deny_v by_o christ_n his_o commend_v their_o diligence_n zeal_n and_o faithfulness_n but_o even_o likewise_o in_o his_o process_n of_o conviction_n reprehension_n and_o denuntiation_n against_o their_o remissness_n dissoluteness_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o other_o but_o how_o certain_o so_o that_o the_o condemnation_n of_o their_o vice_n and_o abuse_n argue_v a_o approbation_n of_o their_o office_n and_o function_n because_o it_o be_v do_v not_o with_o a_o absolute_a intent_n to_o remove_v they_o at_o the_o first_o but_o only_o to_o reform_v they_o and_o continue_v they_o upon_o their_o reformation_n therefore_o be_v it_o say_v from_o christ_n to_o one_o repent_v or_o else_o etc._n etc._n chap._n 2._o 5._o &_o 16._o to_o another_o repent_v if_o not_o i_o will_v come_v against_o thou_o and_o the_o like_a this_o we_o see_v be_v no_o deprivation_n of_o the_o officer_n at_o first_o much_o less_o abolition_n of_o the_o office_n which_o be_v to_o continue_v from_o age_n to_o age_n the_o last_o point_n will_v be_v our_o assumption_n from_o all_o these_o premise_n which_o be_v that_o these_o angel_n be_v so_o ample_o evident_o and_o with_o so_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o most_o and_o best_a approve_a protestant_a divine_n agreeable_a to_o historical_a practice_n of_o apostolical_a church_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v such_o bishop_n as_o have_v a_o prelaey_n over_o the_o clergy_n with_o christ_n own_o approbation_n a_o truth_n which_o the_o evidence_n of_o these_o scripture_n do_v express_v in_o part_n from_o etc._n beza_n himself_o his_o sentence_n be_v large_a consist_v of_o these_o brief_n first_o that_o the_o episcopacy_n which_o seem_v to_o he_o to_o be_v regulate_v be_v to_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o this_o scripture_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n second_o that_o the_o same_o be_v a_o presidency_n and_o prefectureship_n of_o one_o presbyter_n over_o the_o rest_n three_o that_o it_o be_v a_o prelacy_n of_o authority_n four_o that_o hierome_n be_v of_o judgement_n five_o that_o to_o hold_v otherwise_o be_v to_o dote_v and_o play_v the_o foel_n all_o which_o prove_v the_o difference_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n both_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n because_o under_o john_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o to_o have_v have_v the_o approbation_n of_o christ_n because_o of_o christ_n his_o commendation_n of_o the_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o this_o function_n which_o full_o make_v good_a unto_o we_o both_o our_o conclusion_n that_o episcopacy_n for_o the_o office_n and_o function_n itself_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o use_n therefore_o the_o best_a the_o original_a of_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_o brief_o lay_v down_o by_o james_n archbishop_n of_o armagh_n the_o ground_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v derive_v partly_o from_o the_o pattern_n perscribe_v by_o god_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o partly_o from_o the_o imitation_n thereof_o bring_v in_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o confirm_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o new_a the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o old-testament_n be_v commit_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o levit_n unto_o who_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o new_a do_v now_o succeed_v in_o like_a sort_n as_o our_o lordsday_n have_v do_v unto_o their_o sabbath_n that_o it_o may_v be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n touch_v the_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n 21._o i_o will_v take_v of_o they_o for_o priest_n and_o for_o levit_n say_v the_o lord_n that_o the_o priest_n be_v superior_a to_o the_o levit_n no_o man_n doubt_v and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o parity_n either_o betwixt_o the_o priest_n or_o betwixt_o the_o levit_n themselves_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n wherein_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o head_n and_o ruler_n both_o of_o the_o one_o and_o of_o the_o other_o 1_o chron._n xxiv_o 6._o 31_o and_o ezr._n viii_o 29._o the_o levit_n be_v distribute_v into_o the_o three_o family_n of_o the_o gershonite_n cohathites_n and_o merarites_n and_o over_o each_o of_o they_o god_n appoint_v one_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o ruler_n num._n iii_o 24._o 30._o 35._o the_o priest_n be_v divide_v by_o david_n into_o four_o and_o twenty_o course_n 1_o chron._n xxiv_o who_o likewise_o have_v their_o head_n who_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new-testament_n be_v ordinary_o call_v &c_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o chief_a of_o the_o priest_n and_o clear_o distinguish_v from_o that_o singular_a one_o who_o be_v the_o type_n of_o our_o great_a high_a priest_n that_o be_v pass_v into_o the_o heaven_n jesus_n the_o son_n of_o god_n 14._o yea_o in_o the_o xi_o of_o nehemy_n we_o find_v two_o name_v bishop_n the_o one_o of_o the_o priest_n the_o other_o of_o the_o levit_n that_o dwell_v in_o jerusalem_n the_o former_a so_o express_o term_v by_o the_o greek_a in_o the_o 14._o the_o latter_a both_o by_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a interpreter_n in_o the_o hieron_n 22_o vers_fw-la and_o not_o without_o approbation_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o which_o render_v the_o 8._o hebrew_n word_n of_o the_o same_o original_n in_o the_o old_a by_o the_o 20._o greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o new-testament_n of_o levi_n it_o be_v say_v by_o moses_n the_o man_n of_o god_n 10._o they_o shall_v teach_v jacob_n thy_o judgement_n and_o israel_n thy_o law_n they_o shall_v put_v incense_n before_o thou_o and_o whole_a brunt_n sacrifice_n upon_o thy_o altar_n because_o this_o latter_a part_n of_o their_o office_n have_v cease_v with_o they_o and_o the_o leviticall_a altar_n the_o truth_n prefigure_v thereby_o be_v now_o exhibit_v be_v quite_o take_v away_o may_v not_o we_o therefore_o conclude_v out_o of_o the_o former_a part_n which_o have_v no_o such_o typical_a relation_n in_o it_o that_o our_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v as_o the_o
unto_o the_o ten_o of_o trajan_n wherein_o ignatius_n in_o that_o last_o journey_n which_o he_o make_v for_o the_o consummation_n of_o his_o glorious_a martyrdom_n at_o rome_n write_v another_o epistle_n unto_o the_o selfsame_a church_n of_o ephesus_n in_o which_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o their_o then_o bishop_n onesimus_n as_o it_o appear_v both_o by_o 〈◊〉_d eusebius_n cite_v this_o out_o of_o it_o and_o by_o the_o epistle_n itself_o yet_o extant_a in_o this_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n ignatius_n have_v accknowledge_v that_o their_o ephes._n numerous_a multitude_n be_v receive_v by_o he_o in_o the_o person_n of_o their_o bishop_n onesimus_n and_o ibid._n bless_a god_n for_o grant_v unto_o they_o such_o a_o bishop_n as_o he_o be_v do_v afterward_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n of_o their_o ibid._n duty_n in_o concur_v with_o he_o as_o he_o show_v their_o worthy_a presbytery_n do_v be_v ibid._n so_o conjoin_v as_o he_o say_v with_o their_o bishop_n as_o the_o string_n be_v with_o the_o harp_n and_o towards_o the_o end_n exhort_v they_o to_o ibid._n obey_v both_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbytery_n with_o a_o undivided_a mind_n in_o the_o same_o journey_n write_v ignatius_n also_o a_o epistle_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n another_o of_o the_o seven_o unto_o who_o those_o letter_n be_v direct_v in_o s._n john_n revelation_n wherein_o he_o also_o smyrn_n salute_v their_o bishop_n and_o presbytery_n exhort_v all_o the_o people_n to_o ibid._n follow_v their_o bishop_n as_o christ_n jesus_n do_v his_o father_n and_o the_o presbytery_n as_o the_o apostle_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o ibid._n no_o man_n ought_v either_o to_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n or_o do_v any_o thing_n appertain_v to_o the_o church_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o bishop_n who_o this_o bishop_n and_o what_o that_o presbytery_n be_v appear_v by_o another_o epistle_n write_v a_o little_a after_o from_o smyrna_n by_o philippens_n polycarpus_n and_o the_o presbyter_n that_o be_v with_o he_o unto_o the_o philippian_n and_o that_o the_o same_o polycarpus_n be_v then_o also_o bishop_n there_o when_o s._n john_n write_v unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n who_o can_v better_a inform_v we_o then_o irenaeus_n who_o do_v not_o only_o know_v those_o worthy_a man_n 3._o who_o succeed_v polycarpus_n in_o his_o see_n but_o also_o 〈◊〉_d be_v present_a when_o he_o himself_o do_v discourse_n of_o his_o conversation_n with_o s._n john_n and_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o hear_v from_o those_o who_o have_v see_v our_o lord_n jesus_n polycarpus_n 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o be_v not_o only_o teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o converse_v with_o many_o of_o those_o that_o have_v see_v christ_n but_o also_o be_v by_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v in_o asia_n bishop_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v in_o smyrna_n who_o we_o ourselves_o also_o do_v see_v in_o our_o young_a age_n for_o he_o continue_v long_o &_o be_v very_o age_v he_o most_o glorious_o and_o noble_o suffer_v martyrdom_n depart_v this_o life_n now_o be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v finish_v their_o course_n and_o depart_v out_o of_o this_o life_n before_o s._n john_n the_o last_o survivor_n of_o they_o do_v write_v his_o revelation_n who_o but_o he_o can_v there_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n in_o which_o that_o he_o still_o hold_v his_o episcopal_a office_n unto_o the_o time_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n which_o fall_v out_o lxxiv_o year_n afterward_o may_v sufficient_o appear_v by_o this_o testimony_n which_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n who_o be_v present_a at_o his_o suffering_n give_v unto_o he_o 〈◊〉_d he_o be_v the_o most_o admirable_a man_n in_o our_o time_n a_o apostolical_a and_o prophetical_a doctor_n and_o bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o be_v in_o smyrna_n whereunto_o we_o may_v add_v the_o like_a of_o polycrates_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n who_o live_v also_o in_o his_o time_n and_o in_o his_o neighbourhood_n affirm_v 〈◊〉_d polycarpus_n to_o have_v be_v both_o bishop_n and_o martyr_n in_o smyrna_n so_o say_v he_o in_o his_o synodica_fw-la epistle_n direct_v unto_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n about_o 27_o year_n after_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o polycarpus_n he_o himself_o be_v at_o that_o time_n 65_o year_n of_o age_n about_o the_o very_a same_o time_n wherein_o polycrates_n write_v this_o epistle_n unto_o victor_n do_v tertullian_n publish_v his_o book_n of_o prescription_n against_o heretic_n wherein_o he_o avouch_v against_o they_o that_o 5._o as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_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 so_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n also_o 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 to_o traduce_v the_o apostolical_a seed_n unto_o they_o and_o so_o before_o he_o do_v irenaeus_n urge_v against_o they_o 63._o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n unto_o who_o the_o apostle_n commit_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o church_n in_o every_o place_n 20._o for_o all_o the_o heretic_n say_v he_o be_v much_o late_a than_o those_o bishop_n unto_o who_o the_o apostle_n commit_v the_o church_n and_o 3._o we_o be_v able_a to_o number_v those_o who_o by_o the_o apostle_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o the_o church_n and_o their_o successor_n unto_o our_o day_n who_o neither_o teach_v nor_o know_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o man_n dream_v of_o for_o proof_n whereof_o he_o bring_v in_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n from_o ibid._n liws_o unto_o who_o the_o bless_a apostle_n commit_v that_o episcopacy_n and_o anacletus_fw-la by_o other_o call_v cletus_n and_o clement_n who_o do_v both_o see_v the_o apostle_n and_o confer_v with_o they_o unto_o ibid._n eleutherius_fw-la who_o when_o irenaeus_n write_v have_v the_o charge_n of_o that_o bishopric_n in_o the_o twelve_o place_n after_o the_o apostle_n concern_v who_o and_o the_o integrity_n which_o then_o continue_v in_o each_o other_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n hegesippus_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n publish_v his_o history_n of_o the_o church_n say_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d soter_n succeed_v anicetus_n and_o after_o he_o be_v eleutherius_fw-la now_o in_o every_o succession_n and_o in_o every_o city_n all_o thing_n so_o stand_v as_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o our_o lord_n do_v preach_v and_o more_o particular_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 〈◊〉_d after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o epistle_n write_v unto_o they_o by_o clement_n for_o the_o repress_v of_o some_o faction_n wherewith_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n much_o trouble_v which_o give_v he_o occasion_n to_o tell_v they_o that_o junii_fw-la the_o apostle_n of_o who_o he_o himself_o be_v a_o hearer_n have_v perfect_a intelligence_n from_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n of_o the_o contention_n that_o shall_v arise_v about_o the_o name_n of_o episcopacy_n he_o declare_v that_o after_o the_o appease_n of_o this_o tumult_n 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o the_o corinthian_n continue_v in_o the_o right_a way_n until_o the_o day_n of_o primus_fw-la who_o he_o do_v visit_v in_o his_o sail_v towards_o rome_n which_o primus_n have_v for_o his_o successor_n that_o famous_a dionysius_n who_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o athenian_n have_v be_v before_o nominate_v wherein_o he_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n of_o 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o bishop_n that_o have_v be_v place_v over_o they_o even_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n 34._o s._n paul_n own_o convert_n a_o thing_n whereof_o they_o can_v at_o that_o time_n have_v no_o more_o cause_n to_o doubt_v than_o we_o shall_v have_v if_o any_o question_n be_v now_o make_v of_o the_o bishop_n that_o be_v here_o in_o king_n edward_n the_o vi_o or_o queen_n maryes_fw-mi day_n i_o may_v also_o say_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n herself_o if_o with_o 120._o baronius_n i_o will_v produce_v the_o areopagite_n life_n unto_o the_o government_n of_o the_o emperor_n hadrian_n this_o hegesippus_n live_v next_o after_o the_o first_o succession_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o expressit_fw-la eusebius_n note_v and_o be_v himself_o a_o christian_n fin_fw-fr of_o the_o race_n of_o the_o hebrew_n be_v careful_a to_o record_v unto_o posterity_n the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o alteration_n that_o follow_v after_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o this_o life_n where_o first_o he_o show_v that_o 〈◊〉_d jame_v the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n surname_v the_o just_a do_v govern_v that_o church_n together_o with_o the_o apostle_n yet_o so_o as_o 1._o clement_n of_o alexandria_n who_o write_v some_o twenty_o year_n after_o he_o further_o add_v that_o he_o have_v this_o preferment_n even_o before_o the_o three_o prime_a apostle_n peter_n and_o
to_o who_o the_o bishop_n of_o italy_n and_o rome_n shall_v by_o their_o letter_n declare_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v give_v which_o distinction_n aswell_o in_o the_o forecited_a suprà _fw-la act_n of_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n as_o in_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o 588._o sardican_a synod_n and_o 640._o athanasius_n may_v likewise_o be_v observe_v the_o name_n of_o italy_n be_v in_o a_o more_o strict_a sense_n apply_v therein_o to_o the_o seven_o province_n which_o be_v under_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o vicarius_fw-la or_o lieutenant_n of_o italy_n and_o the_o ecclesiastical_a of_o the_o bishop_n of_o milan_n and_o it_o be_v well_o worth_a the_o observe_n that_o the_o father_n of_o the_o great_a council_n of_o nice_a afterward_o confirm_v this_o kind_n of_o primacy_n in_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n rome_n and_o antioch_n and_o 6._o in_o the_o metropolitan_o of_o other_o province_n do_v make_v their_o entrance_n into_o that_o canon_n with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v the_o ancient_a custom_n continue_v which_o as_o it_o clear_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o metropolitical_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n so_o do_v it_o likewise_o confirm_v the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o conceive_v the_o metropolitan_a of_o alexandria_n to_o be_v mean_v in_o that_o passage_n of_o the_o emperor_n hadrian_o epistle_n unto_o servianus_n saturnino_n even_o the_o very_a patriarch_n himself_o when_o he_o come_v into_o egypt_n be_v by_o some_o compel_v to_o adore_v serapis_n and_o by_o other_o to_o worship_n christ._n as_o if_o upon_o his_o return_v into_o egypt_n either_o from_o his_o visitation_n of_o lybia_n and_o pentapolis_n which_o this_o same_o nicene_n canon_n show_v to_o have_v of_o old_a belong_v unto_o his_o care_n or_o from_o his_o flight_n in_o that_o present_a time_n of_o persecution_n he_o shall_v suffer_v this_o distraction_n the_o heathen_a labour_a to_o compel_v he_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o serapis_n and_o his_o own_o christian_a flock_n on_o the_o other_o side_n strive_v to_o keep_v he_o constant_a in_o the_o service_n of_o christ._n for_o that_o either_o the_o heathen_a have_v will_n or_o the_o christian_n power_n at_o that_o time_n to_o force_v the_o jewish_a patriarch_n of_o who_o some_o do_v understand_v the_o place_n to_o the_o adoration_n of_o christ_n have_v no_o manner_n of_o probability_n in_o it_o that_o part_n also_o of_o the_o canon_n which_o ratify_v the_o ancient_a right_n of_o metropolitan_o of_o all_o other_o province_n may_v serve_v to_o open_v unto_o we_o the_o meaning_n of_o that_o complaint_n which_o some_o threescore_o and_o ten_o year_n before_o the_o time_n of_o this_o synod_n s._n cyprian_n make_v against_o novatianus_n for_o the_o confusion_n which_o by_o his_o schism_n he_o bring_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o 52._o whereas_o long_o since_o in_o all_o province_n and_o in_o all_o city_n bishop_n have_v be_v ordain_v in_o age_n ancient_a sound_a in_o faith_n try_v in_o affliction_n proscribe_v in_o persecution_n yet_o take_v he_o the_o boldness_n to_o create_v other_o false_a bishop_n over_o their_o head_n namely_o subordinate_a bishop_n in_o every_o city_n and_o metropolitan_o in_o every_o province_n in_o africa_n at_o that_o time_n although_o there_o be_v many_o civil_a province_n yet_o be_v there_o but_o one_o ecclesiastical_a whereof_o cyprian_n himself_o be_v 2._o archbishop_n as_o the_o father_n of_o the_o trullan_n synod_n call_v he_o it_o please_v say_v he_o in_o one_o of_o his_o epistle_n 40._o all_o the_o bishop_n constitute_v either_o in_o our_o province_n or_o beyond_o the_o sea_n intimate_v thereby_o that_o all_o the_o bishop_n which_o be_v on_o his_o side_n the_o sea_n do_v belong_v unto_o one_o province_n 45_o for_o our_o province_n say_v he_o in_o another_o place_n be_v spread_v more_o large_o have_v numidia_n also_o and_o both_o the_o mauritaniaes_n annex_v unto_o it_o whence_o that_o great_a council_n assemble_v by_o he_o for_o determine_v the_o question_n touch_v the_o baptise_v of_o those_o that_o have_v be_v baptize_v by_o heretic_n be_v say_v to_o be_v gather_v cypriani_fw-la out_o of_o the_o province_n of_o africa_n numidia_n and_o mauritania_n for_o howsoever_o in_o the_o civil_a government_n the_o proconsular_a africa_n wherein_o carthage_n be_v seat_v numidia_n and_o both_o the_o mauritany_n sitifensis_n and_o caesariensis_n be_v account_v three_o distinct_a province_n yet_o in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a administration_n they_o be_v join_v together_o and_o make_v but_o one_o province_n immediate_o subject_a to_o the_o metropolitical_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o prime_n see_v of_o carthage_n some_o threescore_o year_n before_o this_o african_a council_n be_v hold_v by_o cyprian_a those_o other_o provincial_n synod_n be_v assemble_v by_o the_o metropolitan_o of_o sundry_a nation_n fot_o the_o compose_n of_o the_o paschall_n controversy_n then_o hot_o pursue_v and_o among_o the_o rest_n that_o in_o our_o neighbour_n country_n out_o of_o 23._o the_o parish_n for_o so_o in_o the_o ancient_a language_n of_o the_o church_n those_o precinct_n be_v name_v which_o now_o we_o call_v diocese_n of_o which_o irenaeus_n have_v the_o superintendency_n whence_o also_o he_o write_v that_o free_a epistle_n unto_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n 26._o in_o the_o person_n of_o those_o brethren_n over_o who_o he_o be_v precedent_n at_o which_o time_n and_o before_o the_o 1._o most_o famous_a metropoles_fw-la of_o that_o country_n and_o so_o the_o ibid._n most_o eminent_a church_n therein_o be_v lion_n and_o vienna_n in_o the_o one_o whereof_o irenaeus_n 〈◊〉_d be_v then_o no_o less_o renown_v a_o prelate_n than_o cyprian_n be_v afterward_o in_o africa_n dionysius_n the_o famous_a bishop_n of_o corinth_n be_v elder_a than_o they_o who_o among_o many_o other_o epistle_n direct_v one_o 23._o to_o the_o church_n of_o gortyna_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n of_o crete_n wherein_o he_o salute_v their_o bishop_n philip._n whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o at_o that_o time_n aswell_o as_o in_o the_o age_n follow_v 8._o gortyna_n be_v the_o metropolis_n and_o the_o bishop_n thereof_o the_o metropolitan_a of_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o whole_a island_n which_o kind_n of_o superintendency_n there_o eusebius_n the_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a historian_n now_o extant_a derive_v from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o titus_n who_o out_o of_o the_o history_n that_o be_v before_o his_o time_n he_o relate_v to_o have_v hold_v 1._o the_o bishopric_n of_o the_o church_n in_o crete_n with_o who_o the_o grecian_n of_o after_o time_n do_v full_o concur_v as_o appear_v both_o by_o the_o subscription_n annex_v by_o they_o unto_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n paul_n 〈◊〉_d to_o titus_n ordain_v as_o there_o they_o say_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o cretan_n and_o by_o the_o argument_n prefix_v by_o they_o before_o the_o same_o speak_v of_o he_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n that_o oecomeâ—o_n he_o be_v by_o paul_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o that_o great_a country_n and_o have_v commission_n to_o ordain_v the_o bishop_n that_o be_v under_o he_o which_o they_o gather_v out_o of_o those_o word_n of_o s._n paul_n unto_o he_o 5._o for_o this_o cause_n leave_v i_o thou_o in_o crete_n that_o thou_o shall_v set_v in_o order_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v want_v and_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n as_o i_o have_v appoint_v thou_o out_o of_o which_o m._n calvin_n collect_v this_o doctrine_n unto_o we_o for_o the_o general_a we_o learn_v out_o of_o this_o place_n that_o there_o be_v not_o then_o such_o a_o equality_n betwixt_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n but_o that_o there_o be_v some_o one_o who_o be_v precedent_n over_o the_o rest_n both_o in_o authority_n and_o in_o counsel_n and_o s_o chrysostom_n for_o the_o particular_a of_o titus_n 1._o have_v he_o not_o be_v a_o approve_a man_n he_o will_v not_o have_v commit_v that_o whole_a island_n unto_o he_o he_o will_v not_o have_v command_v he_o to_o supply_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v defective_a he_o will_v not_o have_v commit_v unto_o he_o the_o judgement_n of_o so_o many_o bishop_n if_o he_o have_v not_o have_v very_o great_a confidence_n in_o the_o man_n and_o bishop_n jewel_n 5._o upon_o he_o again_o have_v the_o government_n of_o many_o bishop_n what_o may_v we_o call_v he_o but_o a_o archbishop_n which_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o when_o we_o see_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o another_o island_n stick_v not_o and_o that_o without_o any_o control_n to_o deduce_v the_o ordination_n of_o their_o metropolitan_a from_o the_o apostolic_a time_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a general_a council_n of_o ephesus_n for_o whereas_o the_o patriarch_n of_o antioch_n do_v claim_v a_o interest_n in_o the_o ordain_v of_o the_o metropolitan_a of_o cyprus_n the_o bishop_n of_o that_o island_n prescribe_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o 7._o from_o the_o time_n
of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n it_o can_v never_o be_v show_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n be_v ever_o present_a at_o any_o such_o ordination_n or_o do_v ever_o communicate_v the_o grace_n of_o ordination_n to_o that_o island_n and_o that_o the_o former_a bishop_n of_o constantia_n the_o metropolis_n of_o cyprus_n troilus_n sabinus_n epiphanius_n ibid._n and_o all_o the_o holy_a and_o orthodox_n bishop_n which_o be_v before_o they_o ever_o since_o the_o holy_a apostle_n be_v constitute_v by_o those_o which_o be_v in_o cyprus_n and_o therefore_o desire_v that_o ibid._n as_o in_o the_o begin_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o the_o constitution_n and_o canon_n of_o the_o most_o holy_a and_o great_a synod_n of_o nice_a the_o synod_n of_o the_o cyprian_a bishop_n remain_v untouched_a and_o superior_a to_o privy_a undermine_n and_o open_a power_n so_o they_o may_v still_o be_v continue_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o their_o ancient_a right_n whereupon_o the_o council_n condemn_v the_o attempt_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n as_o ibid._n a_o innovation_n bring_v in_o against_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a father_n do_v not_o only_a order_n that_o ibid._n the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v in_o cyprus_n shall_v keep_v their_o own_o right_n entire_a and_o inviolable_a according_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a father_n and_o their_o ancient_a custom_n but_o also_o ibid._n for_o all_o other_o diocese_n and_o province_n wheresoever_o that_o no_o bishop_n shall_v intrude_v himself_o into_o any_o other_o province_n which_o have_v not_o former_o and_o from_o the_o beginning_n be_v under_o he_o or_o his_o predecessor_n the_o beginning_n of_o which_o kind_n of_o subordination_n of_o many_o bishop_n unto_o one_o chief_a if_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v derive_v from_o apostolical_a right_n yet_o it_o be_v by_o beza_n fetch_v 4._o from_o the_o same_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o enforcement_n of_o necessity_n whereby_o man_n be_v at_o first_o induce_v to_o enter_v into_o consociation_n subject_v one_o unto_o another_o and_o by_o bucer_n acknowledge_v to_o have_v 565._o be_v consentaneous_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o the_o right_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o all_o man_n must_v be_v confess_v to_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o pattern_n deliver_v by_o god_n unto_o moses_n for_o have_v set_v apart_o the_o three_o family_n of_o the_o levite_n for_o his_o own_o service_n and_o constitute_v a_o chief_a as_o we_o have_v hear_v over_o every_o of_o they_o he_o place_v immediate_o over_o they_o all_o not_o aaron_n the_o high_a priest_n but_o eleazar_n his_o son_n say_v 32._o eleazar_n the_o son_n of_o aaron_n the_o priest_n shall_v be_v chief_a over_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o levite_n and_o have_v the_o oversight_n of_o they_o that_o keep_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n in_o respect_n of_o which_o oversight_n as_o he_o have_v by_o the_o septuagint_n warrantable_o enough_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n give_v unto_o he_o the_o name_n of_o 16._o a_o bishop_n so_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v vouchsafe_v to_o honour_v he_o with_o the_o title_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 32._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o precedent_n of_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o levite_n none_o that_o without_o prejudice_n do_v take_v the_o matter_n into_o consideration_n will_v much_o stick_v to_o afford_v unto_o he_o the_o name_n of_o a_o archbishop_n at_o least_o he_o will_v be_v teach_v hereby_o to_o retain_v that_o reverend_a opinion_n of_o the_o primitive_a bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n who_o so_o willing_o submit_v themselves_o not_o only_o to_o the_o archiepiscopal_a but_o also_o to_o a_o patriarchical_a government_n which_o calvin_n profess_v he_o do_v that_o in_o all_o this_o they_o be_v far_o from_o have_v a_o thought_n 4._o to_o devise_v another_o form_n of_o church-government_n then_o that_o which_o god_n have_v prescribe_v in_o his_o word_n the_o writer_n which_o in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v here_o give_v testimony_n for_o episcopacy_n in_o the_o xiiii_o year_n of_o domitian_n about_o the_o xcv_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n according_a to_o the_o vulgar_a account_n s._n john_n write_v his_o revelation_n and_o in_o it_o the_o epistle_n direct_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o philadelphia_n no_o long_o than_o twelve_o year_n after_o that_o time_n ignatius_n s._n john_n scholar_n write_v his_o letter_n unto_o the_o same_o church_n in_o the_o beginning_n whereof_o he_o give_v this_o testimony_n unto_o their_o bishop_n that_o philadelph_n he_o know_v he_o to_o have_v be_v promote_v not_o of_o himself_o nor_o by_o man_n unto_o that_o ministry_n pertain_v to_o the_o public_a weal_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v call_v he_o their_o angel_n afterward_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o there_o be_v but_o ibid._n one_o bishop_n join_v with_o the_o presbytery_n and_o the_o deacon_n and_o that_o he_o deliver_v this_o as_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n ibid._n take_v heed_n unto_o your_o bishop_n and_o to_o the_o presbytery_n and_o the_o deacon_n 124._o call_v he_o to_o witness_v for_o who_o he_o be_v bind_v and_o for_o who_o he_o go_v then_o unto_o his_o last_o martyrdom_n that_o he_o have_v not_o this_o from_o humane_a flesh_n or_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o man_n but_o that_o the_o spirit_n speak_v it_o without_o the_o bishop_n do_v nothing_o so_o that_o from_o s._n john_n time_n we_o have_v this_o continue_a succession_n of_o witness_n in_o the_o age_n next_o follow_v for_o episcopacy_n in_o the_o year_n cvii_o ignatius_n bishop_n of_o antioch_n where_o first_o they_o be_v call_v christian_n cxxx_o hadrian_n the_o emperor_n touch_v the_o bishopâ—_n of_o egypt_n cl._n justin_n martyr_n from_o samaria_n clxix_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n clxxv_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n clxxx_o hegesippus_n from_o judea_n irenaeus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n near_o unto_o we_o cxcu._n tertullian_n from_o africa_n polycrates_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n cc._o clemens_n presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n the_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o episcopacy_n deduce_v out_o of_o the_o premise_n by_o w._n c._n if_o we_o abstract_a from_o episcopal_a government_n all_o accidental_n and_o consider_v only_o what_o be_v essential_a and_o necessary_a to_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v in_o it_o no_o more_o but_o this_o a_o appointment_n of_o one_o man_n of_o eminent_a sanctity_n and_o sufficiency_n to_o have_v the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n within_o a_o certain_a precinct_n or_o diocese_n and_o furnish_v he_o with_o authority_n not_o absolute_a or_o arbitrary_a but_o regulate_v and_o bound_v by_o law_n and_o moderate_v by_o join_v to_o he_o a_o convenient_a number_n of_o assistant_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o all_o the_o church_n under_o he_o may_v be_v provide_v of_o good_a and_o able_a pastor_n and_o that_o both_o of_o pastor_n and_o people_n conformity_n to_o law_n and_o performance_n of_o their_o duty_n may_v be_v require_v under_o penalty_n not_o leave_v to_o discretion_n but_o by_o law_n appoint_v to_o this_o kind_n of_o government_n i_o be_o not_o by_o any_o particular_a interest_n so_o devote_v as_o to_o think_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v maintain_v either_o in_o opposition_n to_o apostolic_a institution_n or_o to_o the_o much_o desire_a reformation_n of_o man_n life_n and_o restauration_n of_o primitive_a discipline_n or_o to_o any_o law_n or_o precept_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n for_o that_o be_v to_o maintain_v a_o mean_n contrary_a to_o the_o end_n for_o obedience_n to_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o end_n for_o which_o church_n government_n be_v appoint_v but_o if_o it_o may_v be_v demonstrate_v or_o make_v much_o more_o probable_a than_o the_o contrary_a as_o i_o very_o think_v it_o may_v i._o that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o government_n settle_v in_o and_o for_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n ii_o that_o it_o be_v as_o complyable_a with_o the_o reformation_n of_o any_o evil_n which_o we_o desire_v to_o reform_v either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n or_o the_o introduction_n of_o any_o good_a which_o we_o desire_v to_o introduce_v as_o any_o other_o kind_n of_o government_n and_o iii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o law_n no_o record_n of_o our_o saviour_n against_o it_o then_o i_o hope_v it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v a_o unreasonable_a motion_n if_o we_o humble_o desire_v those_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n especial_o the_o high_a court_n of_o parliament_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v sacrifice_v to_o clamour_n or_o overbear_v by_o violence_n and_o though_o which_o god_n forbid_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o multitude_n shall_v cry_v crucify_v crucify_v yet_o our_o governor_n will_v be_v so_o full_a of_o justice_n and_o courage_n
as_o not_o to_o give_v it_o up_o until_o they_o perfect_o understand_v concern_v episcopacy_n itself_o quid_fw-la mali_fw-la fecit_fw-la i_o shall_v speak_v at_o this_o time_n only_o of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o three_o point_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o government_n settle_v in_o the_o church_n for_o perpetuity_n by_o the_o apostle_n whereof_o i_o conceive_v this_o which_o follow_v as_o clear_v a_o demonstration_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o that_o this_o government_n be_v receive_v universal_o in_o the_o church_n either_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o present_o after_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o unquestionable_a that_o the_o most_o learned_a adversary_n of_o this_o government_n do_v themselves_o confess_v it_o petrus_n molinaeus_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr munere_fw-la postorali_fw-la purposely_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o presbyterial_a government_n acknowledge_v that_o present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o even_o in_o their_o time_n as_o ecclesiastical_a story_n witness_v it_o be_v ordain_v that_o in_o every_o city_n one_o of_o the_o presbytery_n shall_v be_v call_v a_o bishop_n who_o shall_v have_v pre-eminence_n over_o his_o colleague_n to_o avoid_v confusion_n which_o oft_o time_n arise_v out_o of_o equality_n and_o true_o this_o form_n of_o government_n all_o church_n every_o where_o receive_v theodorus_n beza_n in_o his_o tract_n de_fw-fr triplici_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la genere_fw-la confess_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o thing_n for_o have_v distinguish_v episcopacy_n into_o three_o kind_n divine_a humane_a and_o satanical_a and_o attribute_v to_o the_o second_o which_o he_o call_v humane_a but_o we_o maintain_v and_o conceive_v to_o be_v apostolical_a not_o only_o a_o priority_n of_o order_n but_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n and_o authority_n over_o other_o presbyter_n bound_v yet_o by_o law_n and_o canon_n provide_v against_o tyranny_n he_o clear_o profess_v that_o of_o this_o kind_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v whatsoever_o we_o read_v concern_v the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n or_o precedent_n as_o justin_n martyr_n call_v they_o in_o ignatius_n and_o other_o more_o ancient_a writer_n certain_o from_o apostle_n these_o two_o great_a defender_n of_o the_o presbytery_n we_o shall_v never_o have_v this_o free_a acknowledgement_n so_o prejudicial_a to_o their_o own_o pretence_n and_o so_o advantageous_a to_o their_o adversary_n purpose_n have_v not_o the_o evidence_n of_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a truth_n enforce_v they_o to_o it_o it_o will_v not_o therefore_o be_v necessary_a to_o spend_v any_o time_n in_o confute_v that_o uningenuous_a assertion_n of_o the_o anonymus_fw-la author_n of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o testimony_n for_o the_o equality_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n who_o affirm_v that_o their_o disparity_n begin_v long_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o we_o may_v safe_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o which_o these_o two_o learned_a adversary_n have_v confess_v and_o see_v whether_o upon_o this_o foundation_n lay_v by_o they_o we_o may_v not_o by_o unanswerable_a reason_n raise_v this_o superstruction_n that_o see_v episcopal_a government_n be_v confess_o so_o ancient_a and_o so_o catholic_a it_o can_v with_o reason_n be_v deny_v to_o be_v apostolic_a for_o so_o great_a a_o change_n as_o between_o presbyterial_a government_n and_o episcopal_a can_v not_o possible_o have_v prevail_v all_o the_o world_n over_o in_o a_o little_a time_n have_v episcopal_a government_n be_v a_o aberration_n from_o or_o a_o corruption_n of_o the_o government_n leave_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n it_o have_v be_v very_o strange_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v receive_v in_o any_o one_o church_n so_o sudden_o or_o that_o it_o shall_v have_v prevail_v in_o all_o for_o many_o age_n after_o variâsse_fw-la debuerat_fw-la error_n ecclesiarum_fw-la quod_fw-la autem_fw-la apud_fw-la omnes_fw-la unum_fw-la est_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la erratum_fw-la sed_fw-la traditum_fw-la have_v the_o church_n err_v they_o will_v have_v vary_v what_o therefore_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o among_o all_o come_v not_o sure_a by_o error_n but_o tradition_n thus_o tertullian_n argue_v very_o probable_o from_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n of_o his_o time_n not_o long_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n much_o more_o subject_a to_o unobserved_a alteration_n but_o that_o in_o the_o frame_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o necessary_a government_n of_o the_o church_n a_o thing_n always_o in_o use_n and_o practice_n there_o shall_v be_v so_o sudden_a a_o change_n as_o present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o so_o universal_a as_o receive_v in_o all_o the_o church_n this_o be_v clear_o impossible_a for_o what_o universal_a cause_n can_v be_v assign_v or_o feign_v of_o this_o universal_a apostasy_n you_o will_v not_o imagine_v that_o the_o apostle_n all_o or_o any_o of_o they_o make_v any_o decree_n for_o this_o change_n when_o they_o be_v live_v or_o leave_v order_n for_o it_o in_o any_o will_n or_o testament_n when_o they_o be_v die_v this_o be_v to_o grant_v the_o question_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o leave_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o and_o either_o see_v by_o experience_n or_o foresee_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o distraction_n and_o disorder_n which_o will_v arise_v from_o a_o multitude_n of_o equal_n substitute_v episcopal_a government_n instead_o of_o their_o own_o general_n counsel_n to_o make_v a_o law_n for_o a_o general_a change_n for_o many_o age_n there_o be_v none_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a emperor_n no_o coercive_a power_n over_o the_o church_n to_o enforce_v it_o or_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o we_o know_v no_o force_n be_v equal_a to_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n their_o life_n be_v then_o at_o command_n for_o they_o have_v not_o then_o learn_v to_o fight_v for_o christ_n but_o their_o obedience_n to_o any_o thing_n against_o his_o law_n be_v not_o to_o be_v command_v for_o they_o have_v perfect_o learn_v to_o die_v for_o he_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o power_n then_o to_o command_v this_o change_n or_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o it_o have_v be_v in_o vain_a what_o device_n then_o shall_v we_o study_v or_o to_o what_o fountain_n shall_v we_o reduce_v this_o strange_a pretend_a alteration_n can_v it_o enter_v into_o our_o heart_n to_o think_v that_o all_o the_o presbyter_n and_o other_o christian_n then_o be_v the_o apostle_n scholar_n can_v be_v general_o ignorant_a of_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n touch_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o presbyterial_a government_n or_o dare_v we_o adventure_v to_o think_v they_o so_o strange_o wicked_a all_o the_o world_n over_o as_o against_o knowledge_n and_o conscience_n to_o conspire_v against_o it_o imagine_v the_o spirit_n of_o diotrephes_n have_v enter_v into_o some_o or_o a_o great_a 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metamorphosis_n act_v and_o prove_v story_n when_o i_o