their_o course_n in_o make_v such_o breach_n in_o christ_n vineyard_n and_o sheepfold_n that_o let_v in_o the_o fox_n and_o wolf_n and_o to_o be_v dispose_v our_o own_o mind_n into_o such_o a_o gentle_a temper_n that_o notwithstanding_o all_o past_a provocation_n and_o all_o the_o advantage_n we_o have_v from_o the_o law_n and_o lawgiver_n yet_o we_o may_v be_v willing_a to_o yield_v even_o to_o the_o peevish_a weakness_n and_o unaccountable_a scruple_n of_o these_o that_o separate_v from_o we_o as_o far_o as_o can_v be_v without_o give_v just_a occasion_n of_o scandal_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n but_o to_o give_v they_o such_o advantage_n as_o this_o discourse_n do_v be_v that_o which_o i_o can_v reconcile_v to_o the_o common_a rule_n of_o prudence_n and_o edification_n i_o wish_v this_o writer_n have_v also_o consider_v how_o unjust_a a_o way_n of_o reason_v it_o be_v to_o argue_v from_o the_o indecency_n and_o abuse_n any_o may_v be_v guilty_a of_o in_o the_o use_n of_o some_o of_o 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high_a order_n of_o the_o church_n till_o he_o give_v a_o sufficient_a trial_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o manner_n by_o his_o deportment_n in_o all_o the_o inferior_a step_n in_o which_o they_o intend_v he_o shall_v stay_v so_o long_o that_o all_o may_v be_v well_o satisfy_v about_o he_o and_o in_o or_o a_o little_a before_o st._n cyprian_n time_n they_o appoint_v some_o inferior_a step_n which_o be_v not_o sacred_a order_n nor_o pretend_v to_o be_v apostolical_a but_o degree_n of_o probation_n through_o which_o those_o who_o intend_v to_o serve_v the_o church_n shall_v pass_v before_o they_o be_v make_v deacon_n and_o this_o furnish_v i_o with_o a_o very_a considerable_a remark_n to_o show_v the_o fidelity_n of_o those_o age_n in_o the_o account_n they_o give_v we_o of_o apostolical_a institution_n for_o they_o do_v every_o where_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v but_o three_o sacred_a order_n deacon_n priest_n and_o bishop_n and_o no_o where_o study_n to_o make_v we_o believe_v these_o other_o degree_n of_o porter_n reader_n acolyte_n exoreist_n and_o subdeacon_n be_v apostolical_a now_o if_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n and_o power_n be_v a_o device_n of_o that_o age_n or_o of_o the_o former_a why_o shall_v they_o not_o have_v call_v all_o apostolical_a as_o well_o as_o some_o part_n of_o it_o but_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v careful_a and_o conscientious_a in_o deliver_v punctual_o to_o we_o what_o be_v apostolical_a and_o what_o only_o ecclesiastical_a his_o three_o objection_n be_v because_o the_o apostle_n call_v themselves_o sometime_o presbyter_n and_o no_o where_o bishop_n this_o sure_a if_o it_o prove_v any_o thing_n must_v prove_v more_o than_o that_o writer_n intend_v even_o that_o presbyter_n be_v above_o bishop_n he_o shall_v also_o have_v consider_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v call_v themselves_o much_o often_o deacon_n than_o presbyter_n so_o if_o this_o argument_n be_v of_o force_n than_o the_o deacon_n must_v be_v likewise_o of_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o bishop_n but_o the_o true_a account_n of_o this_o be_v that_o the_o name_n presbyter_n be_v use_v for_o any_o ancient_a person_n of_o authority_n and_o among_o the_o christian_n it_o signify_v a_o christian_a of_o a_o long_o stand_v so_o upon_o both_o these_o account_n the_o apostle_n be_v then_o both_o ancient_a man_n and_o of_o great_a authority_n and_o those_o that_o be_v the_o first_o fruit_n of_o the_o world_n unto_o christ_n may_v well_o be_v call_v presbyter_n though_o not_o in_o that_o sense_n by_o which_o the_o follow_a age_n understand_v that_o term_n for_o i_o do_v not_o question_v but_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o priest_n be_v at_o first_o promiscuous_o use_v and_o continue_v so_o even_o to_o ireneus_fw-la his_o time_n who_o in_o his_o letter_n to_o victor_n call_v the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n that_o be_v before_o he_o presbyter_n but_o afterward_o those_o two_o term_n be_v appropriate_v to_o that_o sense_n we_o now_o understand_v they_o in_o or_o if_o you_o will_v stand_v upon_o the_o apostle_n be_v call_v presbyter_n to_o prove_v a_o equality_n or_o superiority_n of_o presbyter_n over_o the_o bishop_n let_v i_o desire_v you_o to_o observe_v that_o st._n peter_n who_o call_v himself_o a_o elder_n yet_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n that_o bishop_n be_v above_o presbyter_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o in_o that_o same_o epistle_n that_o christ_n be_v the_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o in_o that_o subordination_n i_o acknowledge_v the_o apostle_n be_v but_o priest_n which_o perhaps_o give_v occasion_n to_o ignatius_n to_o resemble_v the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n beside_o it_o be_v as_o unreasonable_a to_o build_v any_o opinion_n concern_v these_o order_n upon_o such_o humble_a expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o if_o because_o a_o prince_n or_o a_o general_n will_v ordinary_o call_v his_o soldier_n fellow_n soldier_n that_o therefore_o they_o and_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n the_o four_o objection_n be_v because_o st._n clement_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n speak_v only_o of_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n it_o be_v true_a in_o one_o place_n he_o do_v say_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v ordain_v the_o first_o fruit_n of_o their_o labour_n have_v first_o try_v they_o in_o the_o spirit_n to_o be_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n but_o if_o what_o be_v before_o observe_v about_o the_o use_n of_o the_o term_n deacon_n be_v well_o ground_v then_o st._n clement_n word_n may_v be_v also_o very_o just_o understand_v of_o bishop_n and_o priest_n but_o because_o this_o have_v the_o prejudice_n of_o novelty_n against_o it_o let_v we_o look_v further_o into_o that_o epistle_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v it_o no_o less_o clear_a by_o other_o expression_n that_o there_o be_v different_a order_n in_o the_o church_n though_o in_o that_o place_n he_o comprehend_v they_o under_o that_o common_a name_n for_o he_o commend_v they_o because_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o governor_n and_o give_v all_o decent_a honour_n to_o their_o presbyter_n and_o again_o say_v let_v we_o reverence_v our_o governor_n and_o honour_v our_o presbyter_n and_o clear_o apply_v the_o subordination_n that_o be_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n of_o highpriest_n priest_n levite_n and_o layman_n to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n as_o will_v appear_v to_o any_o that_o will_v consider_v that_o epistle_n from_o which_o i_o conclude_v that_o though_o st._n clement_n do_v comprehend_v bishop_n and_o priest_n under_o the_o common_a name_n of_o bishop_n yet_o he_o show_v we_o evident_o there_o be_v governor_n in_o the_o church_n that_o be_v superior_a to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o to_o who_o there_o be_v high_a degree_n of_o honour_n due_n and_o particular_a ministration_n proper_a as_o be_v to_o the_o highpriest_n the_o five_o objection_n be_v that_o justin_n martyr_n call_v the_o
thousand_o year_n that_o be_v represent_v to_o he_o in_o his_o vision_n they_o may_v have_v think_v that_o have_v a_o literal_a meaning_n but_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o government_n we_o can_v fancy_v how_o such_o mistake_n can_v have_v be_v take_v up_o 2._o in_o thing_n that_o be_v external_a and_o relate_v to_o government_n there_o be_v many_o concern_v and_o so_o a_o innovation_n can_v not_o be_v easy_o bring_v about_o the_o people_n all_o look_v on_o and_o be_v oblige_v to_o know_v to_o who_o they_o owe_v obedience_n in_o thing_n sacred_a the_o clergy_n we_o may_v reasonable_o think_v be_v not_o so_o meek_a as_o to_o have_v submit_v to_o any_o unwarrant_v authority_n over_o they_o and_o if_o they_o have_v know_v they_o be_v equal_a to_o their_o bishomp_n in_o order_n we_o can_v think_v but_o either_o out_o of_o a_o just_a zeal_n for_o assert_v their_o freedom_n or_o out_o of_o a_o indignation_n at_o the_o miscarriage_n and_o insolence_n of_o some_o bishop_n or_o out_o of_o a_o 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know_v be_v it_o possible_a to_o imagine_v that_o among_o all_o the_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n that_o be_v in_o those_o age_n none_o shall_v have_v charge_v it_o on_o the_o church_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a all_o of_o they_o have_v bishop_n of_o their_o own_o and_o in_o the_o end_n when_o one_o arise_v that_o do_v condemn_v the_o order_n he_o have_v very_o few_o to_o follow_v he_o nor_o do_v his_o own_o party_n the_o arian_n receive_v this_o at_o his_o hand_n therefore_o we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o change_n make_v after_o the_o apostle_n day_n for_o st._n jerome_n himself_o acknowledge_v the_o apostle_n set_v this_o order_n up_o though_o he_o seem_v to_o insinuate_v it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o plant_n the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v very_o clear_a that_o pseudo_fw-la ambrose_n give_v we_o his_o own_o imagination_n for_o canonical_a history_n so_o from_o all_o these_o thing_n put_v together_o i_o dare_v appeal_n 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bishop_n only_a precedent_n this_o be_v of_o no_o force_n for_o that_o father_n have_v no_o occasion_n give_v he_o to_o reckon_v up_o the_o several_a function_n in_o the_o church_n when_o he_o be_v write_v a_o apology_n for_o the_o christian_n to_o the_o roman_a senate_n in_o which_o he_o give_v a_o plain_a and_o simple_a account_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o worship_n but_o it_o have_v be_v to_o very_o little_a purpose_n for_o he_o to_o have_v tell_v the_o roman_a senate_n what_o be_v the_o several_a order_n of_o church-office_n among_o they_o and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o both_o he_o and_o tertullian_n may_v have_v use_v the_o term_n precedent_n the_o rather_o because_o it_o will_v be_v the_o more_o easy_o understand_v by_o the_o roman_n than_o either_o bishop_n or_o priest_n the_o six_o objection_n be_v from_o st._n cyprian_n who_o call_v himself_o praepositus_fw-la or_o president_n but_o neither_o do_v this_o signify_v much_o for_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o sense_n 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bishop_n and_o the_o account_n of_o the_o church_n have_v run_v down_o that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v constitute_v upon_o bishop_n and_o every_o act_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v govern_v by_o these_o precedent_n or_o praepositi_fw-la as_o that_o author_n will_v have_v they_o call_v though_o he_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v consider_v that_o by_o this_o saint_n they_o be_v not_o bare_a overseer_n but_o have_v the_o whole_a power_n lodge_v with_o they_o since_o then_o this_o be_v found_v by_o the_o divine_a law_n i_o wonder_v at_o the_o bold_a rashness_n of_o some_o that_o write_v to_o i_o as_o they_o do_v since_o the_o church_n be_v make_v up_o of_o the_o bishop_n the_o clergy_n and_o all_o that_o stand_v i._n e._n in_o the_o faith_n or_o stand_v in_o the_o worship_n and_o if_o in_o all_o these_o place_n st._n cyprian_n that_o live_v within_o 140._o year_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o very_o formal_o assure_v we_o that_o both_o the_o full_a authority_n be_v in_o the_o bishop_n and_o that_o this_o be_v settle_v by_o christ_n so_o that_o there_o remain_v no_o room_n for_o any_o shift_n or_o answer_v i_o appeal_v to_o you_o and_o every_o unprejudiced_a reader_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o a_o clear_a and_o less_o suspect_a testimony_n 31._o in_o st._n cyprian_n work_n in_o a_o epistle_n which_o the_o clergy_n of_o rome_n write_v to_o he_o when_o their_o see_n be_v vacant_a after_o fabian_n death_n from_o which_o we_o may_v judge_v what_o sense_n the_o priest_n of_o that_o age_n have_v of_o the_o episcopal_a office_n these_o be_v their_o word_n after_o the_o death_n of_o fabian_n of_o most_o noble_a memory_n there_o be_v no_o bishop_n yet_o constitute_v among_o we_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o difficulty_n of_o affair_n and_o the_o time_n who_o shall_v regulate_v all_o these_o thing_n and_o must_v consider_v the_o case_n of_o the_o lapse_v with_o authority_n and_o advice_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o evident_a than_o at_o that_o time_n which_o be_v but_o 150._o 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and_o take_v therefore_o i_o shall_v study_v so_o to_o clear_v it_o that_o i_o hope_v no_o scruple_n shall_v remain_v about_o it_o there_o be_v some_o condition_n that_o be_v simple_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n without_o which_o no_o man_n shall_v see_v the_o face_n of_o god_n and_o these_o do_v indispensible_o oblige_v all_o without_o exception_n there_o be_v other_o positive_a precept_n which_o be_v of_o obligation_n to_o all_o who_o possible_o can_v obey_v they_o so_o that_o the_o contempt_n or_o voluntary_a want_n of_o these_o be_v a_o high_a provocation_n they_o be_v both_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o symbol_n of_o christian_a fellowship_n institute_v by_o christ_n and_o to_o continue_v for_o ever_o in_o his_o church_n yet_o few_o be_v so_o severe_a as_o to_o deny_v a_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n without_o these_o i_o know_v st._n austin_n be_v of_o this_o severe_a side_n but_o in_o that_o he_o be_v general_o censure_v as_o have_v exceed_v it_o be_v a_o hard_a doctrine_n to_o 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a_o clime_n so_o also_o the_o office_n of_o the_o church_n be_v necessary_a by_o a_o divine_a appointment_n even_o in_o the_o principle_n of_o most_o of_o the_o non_fw-fr conformist_n and_o yet_o neither_o this_o author_n nor_o they_o will_v deny_v but_o even_o a_o laic_a if_o cast_v upon_o a_o island_n where_o he_o upon_o learn_v their_o language_n come_v to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o can_v have_v no_o commerce_n with_o any_o church_n under_o such_o a_o necessity_n he_o may_v perform_v all_o divine_a function_n for_o all_o christian_n be_v a_o royal_a priesthood_n and_o absolute_a necessity_n supersede_v all_o the_o rule_n of_o order_n decency_n and_o government_n and_o the_o presbyterian_o who_o acknowledge_v as_o great_a difference_n between_o a_o presbyter_n and_o a_o laic_a as_o we_o plead_v be_v between_o a_o bishop_n and_o priest_n yet_o acknowledge_v these_o to_o be_v true_a church_n which_o begin_v upon_o no_o order_n at_o all_o where_o some_o 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other_o account_n than_o bare_a necessity_n in_o that_o we_o think_v they_o in_o a_o error_n but_o it_o be_v no_o fundamental_a one_o and_o the_o necessity_n that_o at_o first_o force_v that_o disorder_n lie_v still_o over_o they_o we_o dare_v not_o be_v so_o severe_a as_o to_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v true_a church_n though_o we_o hold_v there_o be_v still_o such_o defect_n among_o they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o complete_a and_o perfect_a in_o all_o their_o constitution_n but_o after_o all_o this_o charity_n to_o those_o under_o such_o hardship_n we_o have_v great_a cause_n to_o conclude_v much_o more_o severe_o against_o those_o who_o be_v bear_v in_o a_o church_n that_o have_v no_o such_o defect_n in_o its_o first_o reformation_n but_o be_v exact_o mould_v after_o the_o primitive_a pattern_n and_o continue_v in_o so_o flourish_v a_o estate_n that_o it_o be_v the_o just_a glory_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o the_o chief_a object_n of_o the_o envy_n and_o hatred_n of_o the_o roman_a be_v at_o first_o separate_v from_o and_o then_o subvert_v by_o some_o hotheaded_a schismatic_n therefore_o the_o disparity_n be_v so_o great_a between_o our_o dissenter_n who_o be_v such_o out_o of_o choice_n and_o in_o opposition_n to_o all_o law_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o the_o foreign_a church_n who_o be_v irregular_a out_o of_o necessity_n our_o judge_a tender_o and_o favourable_o of_o the_o one_o do_v no_o way_n oblige_v we_o to_o relax_v and_o forego_v these_o excellent_a primitive_a constitution_n on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o other_o among_o ourselves_o and_o thus_o far_o i_o think_v i_o have_v give_v you_o a_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o all_o that_o this_o author_n say_v on_o this_o head_n you_o know_v i_o and_o my_o circumstance_n better_a than_o to_o suspect_v either_o interest_n design_n or_o obligation_n have_v engage_v i_o to_o these_o persuasion_n since_o by_o all_o these_o i_o be_o rather_o bias_v another_o way_n i_o have_v write_v nothing_o but_o that_o about_o which_o i_o be_o so_o well_o assure_v that_o i_o know_v i_o be_o able_a to_o make_v good_a every_o particular_a i_o have_v set_v down_o and_o therefore_o though_o i_o do_v not_o allow_v you_o to_o let_v my_o name_n go_v with_o this_o paper_n if_o you_o make_v a_o more_o public_a use_n of_o it_o it_o be_v not_o that_o i_o fear_v either_o the_o censure_n of_o engage_v and_o partial_a zealot_n or_o the_o reply_n of_o a_o contentious_a disputant_n so_o he_o abstain_v from_o rail_v and_o fool_v in_o neither_o of_o which_o my_o genius_n which_o be_v bear_v for_o severe_a exercise_n will_v permit_v i_o to_o engage_v but_o now_o to_o wind_v up_o all_o after_o so_o tedious_a a_o letter_n i_o must_v conclude_v with_o my_o 〈◊〉_d regrate_v that_o we_o be_v bring_v to_o such_o a_o pass_n that_o discourse_n of_o this_o kind_n find_v such_o acceptance_n among_o we_o the_o patient_n be_v in_o a_o high_a distemper_n when_o he_o loathe_v wholesome_a food_n and_o belong_v after_o every_o fantastical_a quelque_fw-fr choose_v he_o hear_v of_o so_o it_o be_v indeed_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o the_o best_a composure_n that_o do_v either_o inform_v or_o edify_v the_o reader_n be_v neglect_v and_o if_o any_o thing_n get_v vent_v that_o tend_v to_o make_v the_o most_o sacred_a thing_n grow_v cheap_a and_o fall_v in_o contempt_n it_o be_v buy_v up_o at_o any_o rate_n and_o read_v with_o a_o insatiable_a itch_n i_o wish_v the_o author_n of_o that_o discourse_n may_v with_o serious_a and_o deep_a reflection_n consider_v what_o he_o have_v do_v in_o this_o work_n of_o he_o he_o have_v make_v all_o the_o enemy_n of_o peace_n triumph_n and_o have_v put_v some_o popular_a thing_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o his_o reader_n with_o which_o they_o think_v themselves_o sufficient_o arm_v to_o baffle_v both_o the_o article_n and_o rule_n of_o our_o church_n i_o be_o confident_a he_o be_v so_o serious_a and_o so_o sincere_a a_o man_n that_o when_o ever_o he_o be_v make_v sensible_a of_o this_o he_o will_v be_v very_o ready_a to_o take_v out_o of_o the_o way_n any_o scandal_n which_o these_o his_o conception_n have_v bring_v forth_o in_o fine_a i_o pray_v god_n teach_v we_o to_o know_v the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o our_o peace_n that_o so_o our_o animosity_n and_o heartburning_n be_v lay_v aside_o we_o may_v all_o study_n to_o seek_v the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o peace_n and_o the_o thing_n whereby_o we_o may_v edify_v one_o another_o if_o i_o have_v weary_v out_o your_o patience_n with_o a_o long_a epistle_n i_o be_v force_v to_o it_o by_o the_o subject_n you_o command_v i_o to_o write_v about_o and_o yet_o i_o have_v do_v it_o as_o short_a as_o be_v possible_a which_o have_v make_v i_o overlook_v many_o lesser_a error_n in_o that_o discourse_n which_o be_v not_o of_o such_o general_n concern_v but_o discover_v how_o easy_o that_o writer_n take_v many_o thing_n upon_o trust_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o amuse_v the_o world_n with_o these_o particular_n and_o i_o be_o more_o a_o friend_n and_o honourer_n of_o that_o author_n than_o to_o engage_v with_o he_o mere_o out_o of_o humour_n to_o contend_v with_o he_o or_o to_o expose_v he_o lest_o of_o all_o to_o make_v a_o needless_a show_n of_o read_v but_o i_o will_v make_v a_o end_n london_n may_v the_o 23._o 1676._o advertisement_n a_o conference_n about_o religion_n hold_v in_o london_n april_n 3._o 1676._o between_o edward_n stillingfleet_n d._n d._n and_o gilbert_n burnet_n with_o some_o gentleman_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n octavo_n price_n 2_o s._n 6_o d._n sell_v by_o moses_n pitt_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n finis_fw-la ezek._n 14._o ver_fw-la 7_o 8_o 9_o act_n 13_o ver_fw-la 2._o 3._o iren._n lib_n 3._o cap._n 3._o et_fw-la apud_fw-la 〈◊〉_d lib_n 4._o cap._n 13_o lib._n 3._o advers._fw-la heret_fw-la cap._n 3._o apud_fw-la euseb_n lib._n 5_o cap_n 24._o 24._o de_fw-fr prasc_fw-fr cap._n 32._o cont._n martion_n lib._n 4._o cap._n 5._o 5._o de_fw-fr bapt._n bapt._n de_fw-fr cor._n milit._n milit._n epist._n 75._o inter_fw-la epist._n cypr._n cypr._n cont._n lucifer_n apud_fw-la euseb._n lib._n 6._o cap._n 44._o can._n 6._o can._n 2._o con._n carth._n 4._o de_fw-fr eccles_n hier._n cap_n 5._o can_v 3._o carth._n and_o dion_n ibid._n epist._n 65._o epist._n 10._o epist._n 27._o ep._n 31._o 1_o cor._n 12._o v._n 4._o 5._o etc._n etc._n
a_o modest_a survey_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a thing_n in_o a_o discourse_n late_o publish_v entitle_v naked_a truth_n write_a in_o a_o letter_n to_o a_o friend_n imprimatur_fw-la g._n jane._n may_v 26._o 1676._o london_n print_v for_o moses_n pitt_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o angel_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1676._o sir_n you_o have_v make_v use_n of_o your_o authority_n over_o i_o in_o a_o particular_a that_o nothing_o under_o that_o absolute_a power_n you_o have_v with_o i_o can_v have_v prevail_v to_o give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o my_o sense_n of_o that_o discourse_n that_o have_v of_o late_o make_v so_o much_o noise_n entitle_v naked_a truth_n chief_o in_o what_o he_o say_v concern_v bishop_n and_o priest_n if_o i_o be_v only_o to_o discharge_v my_o thought_n into_o the_o bosom_n of_o so_o generous_a and_o worthy_a a_o friend_n i_o can_v easy_o have_v resolve_v on_o it_o but_o you_o insinuate_v a_o design_n of_o make_v a_o more_o public_a use_n of_o what_o i_o may_v write_v about_o it_o and_o this_o raise_v a_o mutiny_n in_o my_o thought_n which_o can_v not_o be_v soon_o subdue_v into_o a_o compliance_n with_o so_o uneasy_a a_o task_n other_o have_v already_o animadvert_v upon_o that_o discourse_n with_o great_a advantage_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n but_o i_o not_o be_v bear_v under_o such_o happy_a star_n do_v expose_v myself_o much_o in_o hazard_v to_o write_v both_o after_o such_o pen_n and_o about_o a_o book_n that_o have_v have_v the_o luck_n to_o be_v much_o read_v and_o by_o some_o no_o less_o commend_v it_o may_v therefore_o seem_v great_a presumption_n in_o i_o to_o interpose_v in_o such_o a_o matter_n i_o know_v what_o i_o say_v will_v be_v receive_v with_o all_o possible_a disadvantage_n that_o may_v arise_v either_o from_o the_o great_a partiality_n many_o have_v for_o that_o discourse_n or_o from_o the_o just_a disdain_n other_o may_v conceive_v that_o a_o person_n unknown_a and_o undesired_a shall_v engage_v in_o it_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o i_o be_o so_o entire_o at_o your_o disposal_n that_o i_o shall_v resist_v no_o long_o but_o deliver_v my_o sense_n very_o plain_o in_o that_o blunt_a freedom_n that_o must_v be_v allow_v my_o breed_n and_o way_n of_o converse_n upon_o some_o of_o the_o most_o material_a thing_n in_o that_o paper_n i_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v the_o writer_n seem_v a_o person_n that_o be_v in_o good_a earnest_n and_o do_v sincere_o desire_v the_o peace_n of_o our_o church_n that_o so_o we_o be_v at_o one_o among_o ourselves_o may_v both_o carry_v on_o the_o common_a design_n of_o true_a piety_n and_o resist_v the_o inroad_n popery_n be_v make_v on_o we_o he_o write_v grave_o and_o like_o a_o man_n that_o have_v deep_a impression_n of_o religion_n upon_o he_o and_o so_o i_o be_o hearty_o sorry_a so_o good_a a_o man_n as_o i_o very_o believe_v he_o be_v shall_v have_v be_v prevail_v on_o to_o have_v do_v so_o unadvised_a a_o thing_n as_o be_v first_o the_o writing_n and_o then_o the_o publish_v such_o a_o discourse_n we_o do_v already_o groan_v under_o too_o many_o division_n and_o we_o need_v no_o new_a attempt_n to_o increase_v they_o or_o make_v party_n among_o ourselves_o and_o therefore_o the_o rule_n of_o our_o saviour_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v follow_v if_o he_o have_v think_v his_o father_n and_o brethren_n have_v trespass_v against_o the_o law_n of_o charity_n order_n or_o edification_n he_o shall_v first_o have_v propose_v it_o to_o his_o ordinary_n and_o the_o right_n reverend_a bishop_n and_o have_v hope_v that_o either_o they_o shall_v have_v satisfy_v he_o or_o he_o they_o but_o to_o begin_v at_o publish_v such_o paper_n can_v be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o if_o he_o owe_v that_o precaution_n in_o deal_v with_o his_o brother_n it_o be_v much_o more_o due_a to_o his_o mother_n the_o church_n and_o the_o spiritual_a father_n of_o it_o and_o he_o shall_v not_o have_v attempt_v as_o cham_n do_v to_o expose_v any_o 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and_o authority_n and_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n where_o he_o live_v and_o if_o any_o man_n on_o a_o pretence_n of_o follow_v the_o answer_n of_o prayer_n will_v supersede_n any_o of_o these_o rule_n he_o set_v up_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a principle_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v which_o must_v needs_o subvert_v all_o religion_n and_o government_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o in_o matter_n pure_o indifferent_a and_o that_o relate_v only_o to_o myself_o when_o i_o can_v see_v wherein_o god_n have_v bound_v my_o liberty_n many_o director_n of_o conscience_n think_v it_o be_v a_o safe_a rule_n to_o pray_v to_o god_n for_o direction_n and_o after_o that_o to_o follow_v what_o make_v the_o strong_a impression_n upon_o my_o mind_n but_o this_o must_v only_o take_v place_n where_o the_o thing_n in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n be_v absolute_o indifferent_a and_o in_o my_o choice_n for_o if_o i_o carry_v it_o far_o i_o can_v stop_v till_o i_o have_v run_v into_o all_o the_o precipice_n of_o the_o worst_a kind_n of_o enthusiasm_n now_o sure_a the_o author_n of_o that_o discourse_n can_v not_o be_v such_o a_o ill_a discerner_n as_o not_o to_o see_v that_o he_o be_v not_o leave_v to_o his_o free_a choice_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v too_o much_o ground_n to_o suspect_v that_o he_o make_v his_o prayer_n have_v this_o idol_n of_o his_o belove_a book_n in_o his_o heart_n and_o pray_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n if_o god_n leave_v he_o to_o his_o idol_n to_o be_v deceive_v and_o mislead_v by_o they_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o what_o the_o prophet_n threaten_v to_o all_o that_o shall_v so_o 9_o pray_v to_o god_n from_o which_o i_o hope_v i_o may_v safe_o conclude_v
author_n will_v not_o allow_v of_o this_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o it_o arise_v natural_o out_o of_o what_o he_o have_v set_v down_o but_o suppose_v he_o can_v avoid_v that_o what_o do_v all_o he_o have_v say_v contribute_v to_o the_o reunite_v our_o dissenter_n and_o we_o again_o somewhat_o he_o may_v say_v as_o to_o the_o foreign_a church_n and_o yet_o i_o hope_v to_o show_v that_o may_v be_v do_v another_o way_n a_o little_a may_v be_v also_o say_v to_o such_o as_o be_v ordain_v before_o by_o priest_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o late_a usurpation_n who_o be_v now_o but_o a_o small_a number_n and_o yet_o even_o these_o by_o his_o principle_n do_v a_o very_a ill_a thing_n who_o out_o of_o no_o necessity_n but_o in_o a_o wanton_a sedition_n against_o their_o bishop_n throw_v they_o off_o by_o the_o strength_n and_o force_n of_o a_o prevail_a army_n and_o if_o such_o person_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v mark_v by_o some_o censure_n or_o at_o least_o not_o admit_v to_o any_o sacred_a employment_n till_o they_o have_v be_v sensible_a of_o their_o fault_n and_o repent_v of_o it_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o every_o body_n to_o consider_v but_o for_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o divider_n as_o long_o as_o the_o bishop_n have_v such_o a_o authority_n over_o their_o priest_n by_o what_o title_n or_o conveyance_n soever_o they_o possess_v it_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o they_o and_o indeed_o the_o weak_a their_o title_n be_v they_o will_v think_v they_o have_v the_o strong_a plea_n so_o that_o this_o notion_n be_v it_o ever_o so_o true_a can_v go_v a_o great_a way_n towards_o the_o settle_n matter_n among_o we_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n will_v rather_o widen_v the_o breach_n i_o go_v next_o to_o examine_v his_o opinion_n in_o itself_o that_o there_o be_v many_o contradiction_n in_o his_o discourse_n be_v apparent_a for_o if_o bishop_n have_v authority_n to_o ordain_v to_o exhort_v to_o rebuke_v to_o judge_v and_o censure_n as_o they_o find_v cause_n and_o if_o this_o authority_n be_v give_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o here_o a_o distinct_a order_n all_o ecclesiastical_a function_n be_v but_o so_o many_o commission_n from_o god_n of_o which_o the_o conveyor_n be_v the_o apostle_n for_o what_o be_v the_o order_n of_o priesthood_n but_o a_o commission_n from_o god_n which_o be_v first_o issue_v out_o by_o the_o apostle_n give_v such_o person_n authority_n to_o preach_v and_o to_o administer_v sacrament_n and_o can_v any_o think_v that_o the_o apostle_n can_v have_v give_v any_o such_o commission_n but_o 1._o they_o must_v have_v have_v the_o direction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o assist_v they_o in_o all_o they_o go_v about_o 2._o they_o must_v have_v confer_v such_o a_o measure_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o discharge_n of_o such_o a_o commission_n for_o they_o that_o confer_v the_o holy_a ghost_n on_o all_o they_o lay_v their_o hand_n on_o will_v have_v do_v it_o much_o more_o on_o those_o they_o do_v commissionate_a for_o so_o high_a a_o trust_n 3._o this_o must_v have_v be_v do_v by_o imposition_n of_o 3._o hand_n so_o we_o find_v they_o lay_v hand_n on_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n when_o they_o be_v send_v to_o the_o gentile_n though_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o extraordinary_a power_n before_o and_o be_v apostle_n according_a to_o what_o st._n paul_n say_v of_o himself_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n god_n have_v also_o by_o name_n mark_v they_o out_o for_o that_o service_n yet_o hand_n be_v lay_v on_o they_o and_o so_o they_o be_v send_v out_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 4._o if_o these_o person_n commissionated_a with_o such_o authority_n be_v empower_v by_o the_o apostle_n than_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o that_o authority_n and_o whatever_o power_n they_o may_v have_v pretend_v before_o that_o then_o since_o latter_a deed_n do_v vacate_v and_o invalidate_v former_a one_o that_o power_n be_v confer_v on_o another_o who_o be_v acknowledge_v vest_v with_o the_o authority_n the_o former_a must_v be_v suppose_v divest_v of_o it_o and_o bind_v to_o subject_n themselves_o to_o it_o nor_o can_v they_o except_o in_o case_n of_o simple_a necessity_n reassume_a it_o without_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o according_a to_o that_o maxim_n of_o our_o saviour_n he_o that_o reject_v i_o reject_v he_o that_o send_v i_o 5._o either_o the_o apostle_n do_v declare_v this_o be_v only_o temporary_a that_o for_o the_o present_a exigency_n such_o extraordinary_a person_n be_v vest_v with_o such_o authority_n or_o that_o this_o constitution_n shall_v continue_v still_o in_o the_o church_n he_o can_v choose_v the_o former_a for_o then_o that_o order_n must_v have_v determine_v with_o these_o man_n life_n in_o who_o hand_n it_o be_v entrust_v which_o be_v against_o what_o that_o author_n plead_v for_o so_o that_o he_o must_v say_v they_o declare_v that_o such_o commission_n must_v continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o obligation_n lie_v on_o the_o church_n to_o continue_v they_o which_o yet_o he_o acknowledge_v 6._o after_o the_o apostle_n be_v dead_a either_o these_o commission_n be_v to_o be_v renew_v on_o the_o account_n of_o what_o the_o apostle_n have_v appoint_v or_o only_o by_o a_o voluntary_a delegation_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o people_n if_o the_o former_a than_o our_o bishop_n at_o this_o day_n act_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o commission_n from_o the_o apostle_n if_o the_o latter_a be_v true_a then_o 1._o this_o delegation_n may_v be_v give_v or_o not_o as_o they_o please_v and_o so_o the_o order_n may_v vanish_v 2._o they_o may_v limit_v or_o enlarge_v it_o as_o they_o please_v and_o so_o may_v very_o much_o change_v it_o 3._o those_o who_o be_v ordain_v bishop_n without_o such_o commission_n can_v be_v bishop_n at_o all_o for_o if_o that_o power_n be_v only_o a_o commission_n than_o it_o can_v be_v seat_v in_o any_o person_n that_o have_v get_v no_o such_o commission_n therefore_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n ask_v as_o a_o delegation_n of_o such_o authority_n from_o the_o priest_n for_o the_o election_n of_o the_o dean_n and_o chapter_n relate_v only_o to_o the_o person_n but_o not_o to_o the_o power_n and_o office_n none_o be_v now_o true_o bishop_n since_o they_o have_v no_o such_o commission_n nor_o do_v the_o metropolitan_a and_o the_o other_o consecrate_v bishop_n give_v any_o such_o commission_n but_o only_o ordain_v a_o bishop_n to_o the_o work_n and_o office_n so_o commit_v to_o he_o by_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o hand_n in_o which_o it_o be_v clear_a as_o also_o from_o the_o whole_a office_n of_o the_o consecration_n of_o bishop_n that_o they_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o stand_a power_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o office_n and_o therefore_o do_v believe_v it_o do_v not_o depend_v upon_o any_o commission_n they_o can_v give_v all_o they_o do_v be_v to_o ordain_v he_o to_o the_o office_n to_o which_o the_o authority_n be_v necessary_o annex_v so_o that_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o either_o we_o have_v no_o bishop_n at_o all_o or_o the_o commission_n for_o this_o authority_n be_v annex_v to_o the_o office_n and_o the_o church_n do_v not_o constitute_v the_o office_n but_o only_o admit_v or_o ordain_v a_o person_n due_o elect_v and_o qualify_v unto_o a_o office_n already_o constitute_v from_o all_o these_o particular_n which_o necessary_o follow_v upon_o that_o author_n hypothesis_n i_o may_v well_o assume_v that_o by_o his_o principle_n bishop_n be_v empower_v for_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n by_o the_o apostle_n they_o be_v direct_v in_o it_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o lay_v their_o hand_n on_o they_o and_o confer_v the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o such_o imposition_n of_o hand_n upon_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n both_o clergy_n and_o laity_n be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o they_o and_o that_o the_o apostle_n intend_v this_o order_n shall_v be_v still_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o all_o succeed_a bishop_n act_n by_o that_o power_n then_o convey_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o first_o bishop_n and_o continue_v with_o their_o successor_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o if_o this_o do_v not_o state_n the_o distinct_a office_n of_o bishop_n and_o priest_n let_v every_o reader_n judge_n there_o be_v a_o different_a power_n lodge_v with_o the_o bishop_n another_o commission_n ratify_v by_o a_o imposition_n of_o hand_n which_o be_v to_o continue_v in_o a_o succession_n for_o ever_o so_o that_o that_o hypothesis_n destroy_v itself_o establish_v so_o many_o different_a thing_n that_o contradict_v one_o another_o but_o before_o i_o go_v to_o answer_v his_o argument_n i_o shall_v premise_v somewhat_o of_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n
and_o priest_n as_o it_o appear_v in_o its_o first_o origination_n when_o christ_n send_v out_o his_o apostle_n with_o a_o universal_a jurisdiction_n as_o they_o gather_v and_o plant_v church_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n to_o fix_v some_o to_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o they_o and_o to_o labour_v in_o the_o conversion_n of_o other_o now_o the_o apostle_n have_v observe_v that_o christ_n have_v in_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n follow_v such_o custom_n as_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o jew_n they_o must_v certain_o have_v likewise_o follow_v the_o same_o rule_n for_o as_o the_o gospel_n be_v first_o offer_v to_o the_o jew_n so_o they_o raise_v their_o new_a superstructure_n on_o the_o foundation_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n can_v not_o change_v the_o custom_n that_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o institute_v by_o moses_n further_a than_o be_v necessary_a for_o emancipate_v the_o gentile_n from_o that_o yoke_n therefore_o every_o church_n 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have_v instruct_v he_o we_o can_v in_o reason_n imagine_v he_o will_v have_v consent_v to_o such_o a_o tyrannical_a excess_n of_o power_n tertullian_n 5._o reckon_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o the_o bishop_n power_n from_o the_o apostle_n from_o who_o they_o derive_v their_o succession_n the_o same_o writer_n also_o tell_v we_o bapt._n that_o neither_o priest_n nor_o deacon_n have_v right_a to_o baptize_v but_o upon_o a_o power_n from_o the_o bishop_n he_o also_o say_v milit._n they_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n from_o no_o hand_n but_o their_o precedent_n or_o bishop_n firmilian_a that_o be_v st._n cyprian_n contemporary_a tell_v we_o cypr._n the_o bishop_n who_o he_o there_o call_v majores_fw-la natu_fw-la and_o from_o the_o other_o part_n of_o that_o epistle_n it_o be_v plain_a he_o mean_v bishop_n do_v preside_v in_o the_o church_n and_o have_v the_o power_n of_o baptise_v confirm_v and_o ordain_v and_o even_o lucifer_n jerome_n himself_o tell_v we_o that_o neither_o priest_n nor_o 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