if_o he_o will_v but_o have_v apply_v to_o the_o case_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o will_v have_v prevent_v the_o pain_n of_o all_o his_o ensue_a discourse_n for_o that_o be_v a_o society_n of_o itself_o as_o found_v upon_o divine_a right_n and_o power_n of_o govern_v itself_o be_v necessary_a to_o society_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n themselves_o than_o that_o the_o church_n must_v be_v endue_v with_o such_o a_o power_n so_o that_o once_o suppose_v society_n that_o alone_o infer_v government_n and_o all_o the_o act_n of_o it_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n our_o author_n observe_v out_o of_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n if_o their_o authority_n be_v to_o any_o purpose_n that_o whereas_o there_o be_v six_o law_n give_v by_o god_n to_o our_o first_o parent_n to_o oblige_v all_o mankind_n the_o last_o be_v de_fw-la judiciis_fw-la for_o as_o much_o as_o without_o that_o all_o the_o rest_n will_v have_v be_v ineffectual_a thus_o whereas_o idolatry_n and_o blasphemy_n which_o refer_v only_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o two_o first_o they_o can_v never_o have_v have_v the_o force_n of_o law_n among_o mankind_n unless_o some_o person_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o judge_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o crime_n and_o inflict_a punishment_n in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o sentence_n which_o he_o style_v not_o only_o the_o soul_n of_o government_n but_o the_o noble_a faculty_n of_o that_o soul_n and_o the_o noble_a act_n of_o that_o faculty_n and_o therefore_o when_o our_o author_n dispute_v whether_o the_o christian_a excommunication_n be_v take_v from_o the_o jew_n or_o the_o heathen_a and_o leave_v the_o case_n doubtful_a in_o that_o it_o be_v in_o use_n among_o most_o nation_n civil_a and_o barbarous_a as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n as_o he_o prove_v by_o a_o vast_a collection_n out_o of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o greek_n the_o roman_n arabian_n german_n gaul_n britan_n and_o other_o his_o most_o proper_a conclusion_n will_v have_v be_v that_o so_o universal_a a_o practice_n can_v be_v derive_v from_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n the_o two_o next_o period_n be_v from_o moses_n to_o the_o captivity_n when_o the_o jew_n enjoy_v the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o their_o own_o commonwealth_n and_o from_o the_o captivity_n to_o our_o saviour_n when_o they_o be_v either_o whole_o deprive_v of_o it_o or_o limit_v in_o its_o exercise_n according_a to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n to_o who_o they_o be_v subject_a in_o the_o first_o interval_n he_o prove_v at_o large_a that_o they_o have_v no_o such_o punishment_n as_o excommunication_n strict_o so_o call_v but_o that_o all_o officer_n whatsoever_o be_v punish_v with_o a_o loss_n or_o abatement_n of_o their_o civil_a liberty_n but_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n or_o the_o civil_a government_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n they_o be_v force_v have_v no_o more_o effectual_a way_n to_o punish_v offender_n against_o their_o law_n by_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n as_o pregnant_a proof_n both_o these_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o a_o modest_a man_n can_v well_o have_v desire_v for_o what_o can_v follow_v with_o great_a clearness_n of_o reason_n than_o that_o if_o the_o jewish_a state_n have_v no_o use_n of_o mere_a excommunication_n whilst_o it_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o restrain_v vice_n by_o the_o civil_a sword_n and_o that_o when_o it_o be_v deprive_v of_o this_o power_n it_o be_v force_v by_o the_o mere_a necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o punishment_n that_o therefore_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n of_o temporal_a coercion_n to_o punish_v offence_n against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n must_v be_v vest_v with_o some_o other_o power_n of_o punishment_n suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o its_o constitution_n otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v a_o society_n found_v by_o god_n himself_o without_o sufficient_a mean_n to_o govern_v that_o be_v preserve_v itself_o and_o if_o it_o have_v a_o right_n or_o power_n of_o discipline_n within_o itself_o that_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o the_o church_n demand_v and_o that_o our_o author_n deny_v but_o of_o these_o two_o long_a period_n the_o account_n as_o to_o our_o purpose_n be_v very_o short_a for_o as_o for_o the_o first_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o the_o right_n of_o church_n and_o state_n be_v grant_v by_o the_o same_o charter_n and_o the_o power_n of_o government_n vest_v in_o the_o same_o person_n and_o therefore_o all_o their_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n carry_v in_o they_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o society_n both_o a_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n whereas_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a constitution_n it_o be_v a_o kingdom_n indeed_o but_o not_o of_o this_o world_n endue_v with_o no_o temporal_a power_n and_o institute_v pure_o for_o spiritual_a end_n and_o therefore_o its_o government_n if_o it_o have_v any_o must_v be_v suitable_a to_o its_o institution_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o civil_a state_n and_o enforce_v by_o such_o penalty_n as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o society_n the_o great_a whereof_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o which_o answer_v to_o put_v to_o death_n by_o the_o civil_a sword_n so_o that_o the_o different_a constitution_n of_o these_o two_o society_n be_v consider_v it_o unavoidable_o follow_v because_o the_o jewish_a magistrate_n have_v a_o complete_a jurisdiction_n in_o all_o thing_n that_o therefore_o the_o jurisdiction_n proper_a to_o the_o church_n that_o have_v no_o civil_a power_n must_v be_v mere_o spiritual_a and_o if_o it_o have_v any_o jurisdiction_n proper_a to_o itself_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o purpose_n against_o they_o who_o say_v it_o have_v none_o as_o for_o the_o second_o that_o excommunication_n be_v take_v up_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n mere_o to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o the_o civil_a sword_n it_o be_v as_o clear_v a_o instance_n as_o can_v have_v be_v produce_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o this_o or_o the_o like_a punishment_n in_o all_o society_n where_o there_o be_v no_o other_o coercive_a power_n but_o here_o by_o the_o way_n though_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v that_o this_o punishment_n be_v then_o first_o make_v use_v of_o upon_o this_o ground_n yet_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o be_o not_o satisfy_v of_o the_o account_n that_o our_o author_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n give_v of_o it_o out_o of_o the_o talmudical_a writer_n for_o beside_o that_o they_o all_o writ_n when_o their_o nation_n be_v debauch_v with_o misnical_a and_o talmudical_a fable_n than_o which_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o invent_v any_o thing_n more_o absurd_a and_o silly_a they_o who_o be_v in_o comparison_n but_o very_o modern_a writer_n have_v no_o other_o mean_n of_o know_v what_o be_v do_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n but_o from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o history_n of_o those_o time_n and_o therefore_o their_o report_n can_v have_v no_o authority_n but_o as_o justify_v by_o those_o ancient_a record_n and_o whereas_o mr._n selden_n tell_v we_o for_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o own_o learning_n si_fw-mi cui_fw-la 1â—_n hic_fw-la dubium_fw-la forsan_fw-la occuâ—rat_fw-la utrum_fw-la corpori_fw-la &_o scriptoribus_fw-la talmuaiâ—is_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la in_o rebus_fw-la quatenus_fw-la historicae_fw-la sunt_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la quatenus_fw-la in_o eye_n pro_fw-la jure_fw-la qualicunque_fw-la ebreis_n veteribus_fw-la recognito_o atque_fw-la usitato_fw-la traâ—untur_fw-la fides_fw-la sit_fw-la habenda_fw-la eo_fw-la scilicet_fw-la quod_fw-la corpus_fw-la illud_fw-la quo_fw-la jam_fw-la habetur_fw-la contextum_fw-la scriptoresque_fw-la illi_fw-la caeteri_fw-la saeculorum_fw-la sunt_fw-la templi_fw-la urbisque_fw-la excidio_fw-la recentiorum_fw-la be_v for_o san_fw-it etiam_fw-la dubitabit_fw-la de_fw-la justiniani_n seu_fw-la triboniani_n fide_fw-la dum_fw-la modestini_fw-la papiniani_n florentini_fw-la alpheni_fw-la proculi_fw-la celsi_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la aliorum_fw-la qui_fw-la trecentis_fw-la aut_fw-la circiter_fw-la sunt_fw-la justiniano_n annis_fw-la vetustiores_fw-la sententias_fw-la atque_fw-la scita_fw-la juris_fw-la alibi_fw-la non_fw-la reperta_fw-la he_o may_v have_v observe_v that_o these_o two_o case_n be_v vast_o different_a for_o there_o be_v certain_a record_n and_o report_n of_o those_o famous_a lawyer_n which_o be_v convey_v by_o write_v from_o age_n to_o age_n as_o be_v the_o write_n of_o other_o author_n whereas_o there_o be_v no_o footstep_n of_o any_o monument_n for_o the_o rabinical_a fable_n and_o as_o they_o have_v no_o ancient_a authority_n so_o they_o discover_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o foolishness_n to_o have_v be_v the_o invention_n of_o a_o very_a barbarous_a and_o degenerate_a age._n so_o that_o our_o author_n if_o he_o will_v have_v find_v a_o parallel_a
practice_n of_o this_o thing_n as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v in_o those_o time_n to_o expel_v they_o out_o of_o their_o society_n without_o variety_n of_o lesser_a or_o great_a degree_n but_o whoever_o be_v excommunicate_a be_v to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n degrade_v from_o be_v jew_n but_o herein_o perhaps_o i_o be_o mistake_v and_o whether_o i_o be_o or_o be_o not_o i_o be_o as_o little_a concern_v as_o my_o cause_n to_o which_o i_o now_o return_v and_o here_o all_o that_o our_o author_n have_v to_o the_o purpose_n be_v that_o excommunication_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v only_o a_o abatement_n of_o their_o civil_a not_o their_o sacred_a privilege_n which_o if_o true_a will_v do_v very_o little_a service_n to_o his_o conclusion_n that_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v so_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n where_o there_o be_v no_o privilege_n but_o what_o be_v sacred_a but_o the_o principle_n itself_o be_v altogether_o ungrounded_a without_o authority_n and_o without_o reason_n and_o that_o too_o though_o we_o understand_v it_o of_o his_o talmudical_a excommunication_n for_o as_o he_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o no_o authority_n so_o the_o reason_n he_o give_v be_v as_o good_a as_o none_o viz._n that_o those_o under_o nidui_n be_v admit_v into_o the_o synagogue_n and_o so_o they_o be_v as_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o civil_a conversation_n keep_v their_o distance_n of_o four_o pace_n and_o from_o thence_o alone_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o as_o the_o sentence_n proceed_v high_a so_o it_o be_v raise_v in_o both_o kind_n of_o punishment_n however_o there_o be_v one_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o jewish_a excommunication_n to_o be_v a_o sacred_a as_o well_o as_o civil_a interdiction_n and_o that_o so_o very_o obvious_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o our_o learned_a author_n can_v have_v overlook_v it_o have_v not_o his_o eye_n be_v so_o whole_o fix_v upon_o his_o own_o hypothesis_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o all_o excommunicate_a person_n as_o no_o jew_n or_o as_o we_o cite_v before_o out_o of_o the_o three_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n as_o enemy_n to_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o than_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o all_o man_n that_o no_o such_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o public_a service_n and_o so_o we_o come_v to_o the_o period_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v divide_v into_o three_o age_n the_o first_o during_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o second_o from_o their_o death_n or_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n to_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n the_o three_o from_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n and_o that_o excommunication_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n our_o learned_a author_n demonstrate_v because_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n practise_v it_o in_o imitation_n of_o their_o discipline_n though_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v understand_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v follow_v more_o plain_o than_o that_o excommunication_n if_o it_o be_v a_o civil_a punishment_n among_o the_o jew_n must_v be_v mere_o sacred_a among_o the_o christian_n for_o if_o the_o jew_n take_v it_o up_o as_o our_o author_n will_v have_v it_o only_o to_o supply_v their_o want_n of_o civil_a government_n it_o must_v therefore_o as_o he_o right_o infer_v be_v use_v by_o they_o as_o a_o civil_a penalty_n then_o when_o our_o bless_a saviour_n institute_v the_o same_o in_o his_o church_n it_o must_v not_o be_v a_o civil_a but_o a_o sacred_a penalty_n because_o his_o church_n be_v no_o civil_a but_o a_o sacred_a society_n if_o indeed_o christian_n as_o christian_n confederate_v together_o to_o maintain_v their_o secular_a interest_n that_o will_v make_v temporal_a punishment_n necessary_a to_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o confederacy_n but_o when_o they_o enter_v into_o a_o society_n pure_o to_o enjoy_v some_o spiritual_a right_n and_o privilege_n than_o all_o separation_n from_o the_o society_n by_o way_n of_o punishment_n can_v be_v nothing_o else_o than_o debar_v they_o from_o those_o right_n and_o privilege_n so_o that_o if_o excommunication_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v as_o our_o author_n contend_v the_o same_o with_o out-lawry_a as_o to_o their_o civil_a right_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n among_o christian_n because_o as_o such_o they_o have_v no_o civil_a right_n to_o lose_v and_o for_o this_o reason_n whereas_o he_o conclude_v that_o because_o excommunication_n be_v take_v up_o into_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o imitation_n of_o the_o jewish_a discipline_n that_o therefore_o it_o be_v the_o same_o if_o he_o have_v consider_v thing_n instead_o of_o word_n he_o will_v have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v his_o own_o conclusion_n that_o he_o will_v have_v conclude_v that_o if_o one_o be_v civil_a the_o other_o be_v not_o so_o that_o when_o our_o saviour_n establish_v the_o custom_n of_o his_o country_n in_o his_o church_n it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o church_n which_o be_v a_o spiritual_a kingdom_n that_o he_o never_o intend_v it_o shall_v be_v exercise_v in_o any_o other_o matter_n than_o what_o be_v peculiar_a to_o his_o religion_n or_o if_o he_o do_v that_o he_o lose_v his_o intention_n and_o therefore_o it_o seem_v no_o better_a than_o mere_a obstinacy_n in_o our_o author_n to_o insist_v upon_o it_o so_o importunate_o that_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n must_v be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o jewish_a because_o borrow_v from_o it_o when_o for_o that_o reason_n alone_o it_o must_v be_v different_a because_o so_o be_v the_o society_n to_o which_o they_o relate_v and_o he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v argue_v that_o the_o christian_a baptism_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n because_o it_o be_v the_o form_n of_o proselytism_n in_o both_o whereas_o by_o one_o man_n become_v jew_n by_o the_o other_o christian_n and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v excommunication_n for_o as_o by_o that_o we_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n so_o by_o this_o be_v we_o cast_v out_o of_o it_o and_o whereas_o our_o author_n will_v have_v it_o to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n both_o among_o jew_n and_o christian_n because_o it_o be_v express_v by_o the_o same_o phrase_n it_o be_v as_o absurd_a as_o if_o he_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v banish_v out_o of_o england_n because_o he_o may_v be_v banish_v out_o of_o france_n for_o though_o banishment_n out_o of_o both_o kingdom_n be_v the_o same_o punishment_n yet_o be_v their_o banishment_n out_o of_o different_a kingdom_n so_o by_o excommunication_n among_o the_o jew_n pass_v mr._n selden'_v account_n of_o it_o be_v man_n cast_v out_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o all_o the_o right_n of_o it_o and_o among_o the_o christian_n out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o the_o benefit_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o therefore_o unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o jewish_a common_a wealth_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o he_o to_o insist_v thus_o weak_o upon_o the_o fignification_n of_o word_n for_o that_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o therefore_o where_o they_o be_v different_a there_o be_v no_o avoid_v it_o but_o that_o the_o word_n by_o which_o they_o be_v express_v must_v signify_v different_a thing_n but_o this_o be_v premise_v our_o author_n divide_v his_o discourse_n into_o two_o part_n first_o to_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o use_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n second_o upon_o what_o right_n it_o be_v found_v as_o for_o the_o first_o he_o allege_v several_a text_n of_o scripture_n as_o gal._n 1._o 8._o though_o we_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n unto_o you_o than_o that_o which_o we_o have_v preach_v unto_o you_o let_v he_o be_v anathema_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 22._o if_o any_o man_n love_v not_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n let_v he_o be_v anathema_n maran_n atha_n but_o to_o what_o purpose_n this_o be_v past_o my_o comprehension_n for_o the_o only_a design_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o apostolical_a excommunication_n be_v mere_o jewish_n as_o he_o have_v before_o prove_v that_o the_o jewish_a be_v mere_o civil_a now_o can_v any_o man_n imagine_v that_o such_o dreadful_a curse_n as_o these_o shall_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o a_o separation_n from_o neighbour_n commerce_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o st._n paul_n strain_v for_o the_o high_a expression_n of_o misery_n and_o therefore_o to_o heighten_v his_o sense_n he_o suppose_v a_o impossible_a thing_n that_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v teach_v a_o
to_o provoke_v they_o and_o with_o this_o honest_a resolution_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o vindicate_v one_o of_o the_o most_o evident_a but_o most_o injure_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o it_o i_o shall_v be_v much_o brief_a than_o at_o first_o i_o intend_v for_o when_o we_o have_v lop_v off_o all_o that_o be_v not_o direct_o pertinent_a to_o the_o enquiry_n as_o we_o shall_v reduce_v the_o debate_n to_o a_o narrow_a compass_n so_o may_v we_o easy_o bring_v it_o to_o a_o speedy_a issue_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v purposely_o pass_v over_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o relate_v only_o to_o the_o occasional_a exercise_n and_o outward_a administration_n of_o church-authority_n and_o particular_o that_o wide_a argument_n of_o dispute_n whether_o the_o distribution_n of_o province_n and_o diocese_n be_v through_o the_o roman_a empire_n frame_v by_o the_o division_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n for_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o be_v not_o that_o concern_v not_o the_o question_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o a_o rule_v clergy_n but_o only_o the_o manner_n or_o fashion_n of_o administer_a their_o power_n when_o reduce_v to_o practice_n for_o the_o extent_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n be_v be_v but_o accidental_a to_o the_o supremacy_n of_o their_o power_n and_o whether_o the_o circuit_n of_o a_o monarch_n government_n be_v little_a or_o great_a it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o monarchy_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a how_o the_o bound_n of_o diocese_n come_v to_o be_v assign_v how_o church_n extend_v themselves_o from_o great_a city_n into_o the_o adjacent_a territory_n till_o they_o sometime_o swell_v into_o province_n and_o how_o bishop_n come_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o metropolitan_o and_o metropolitan_o to_o patriarch_n all_o which_o and_o divers_a other_o particular_n though_o they_o be_v very_o copious_o insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o present_a question_n be_v yet_o altogether_o useless_a as_o to_o its_o determination_n because_o they_o only_o concern_v the_o outward_a and_o accidental_a exercise_n and_o have_v no_o reference_n to_o the_o essential_a form_n of_o church-government_n so_o that_o the_o only_a thing_n concern_v in_o our_o present_a enquiry_n be_v as_o mr._n selden_n have_v right_o state_v it_o utrùm_fw-la ex_fw-la ipsâ_fw-la purâ_fw-la putâ_fw-la eutych_n origine_fw-la seu_fw-la primâ_fw-la ac_fw-la merâ_fw-la nascentis_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la christianae_n disciplinâ_fw-la episcopalis_fw-la seu_fw-la ordo_fw-la sive_fw-la dignitas_fw-la sive_fw-la gradus_fw-la presbyterali_fw-la seu_fw-la sacerdotali_fw-la superior_a vel_fw-la alius_fw-la aut_fw-la ei_fw-la neutiquam_fw-la dispar_fw-la seu_fw-la idem_fw-la fuerit_fw-la habendus_fw-la that_o be_v in_o short_a whether_o the_o church_n be_v at_o first_o found_v in_o a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n to_o each_o other_o or_o a_o parity_n and_o equality_n of_o all_o among_o themselves_o so_o that_o if_o we_o can_v prove_v the_o preeminence_n and_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o all_o other_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v thereby_o make_v good_a all_o that_o be_v essential_a to_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n that_o we_o challenge_v as_o proper_a only_o to_o the_o episcopal_a order_n and_o office_n and_o this_o we_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o perform_v with_o clear_a and_o demonstrative_a evidence_n from_o these_o three_o topic_n i._o of_o our_o saviour_n own_o express_a institution_n ii_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o conformity_n to_o it_o iii_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o as_o to_o our_o saviour_n institution_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o found_v his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n in_o that_o he_o do_v by_o his_o own_o immediate_a appointment_n authorize_v and_o set_v apart_o two_o distinct_a order_n of_o man_n for_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n who_o office_n if_o it_o be_v the_o same_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v they_o distinguish_v and_o why_o when_o a_o place_n be_v vacant_a in_o the_o apostolate_a must_v one_o be_v substitute_v by_o divine_a designation_n to_o complete_a the_o number_n why_o shall_v not_o one_o of_o the_o seventy_o without_o any_o further_a election_n have_v serve_v the_o turn_n see_v he_o be_v qualify_v with_o a_o identity_n of_o office_n and_o order_n nay_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o be_v reckon_v apart_o under_o different_a name_n and_o in_o different_a rank_n if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n intend_v in_o their_o employment_n and_o commission_n and_o why_o be_v they_o not_o all_o comprehend_v in_o one_o number_n and_o range_v in_o one_o catalogue_n if_o the_o twelve_o be_v nothing_o more_o than_o the_o seventy_o and_o the_o seventy_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o twelve_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v we_o hear_v so_o oft_o of_o the_o twelve_o and_o the_o seventy_o or_o of_o the_o seventy_o two_o for_o of_o that_o the_o learned_a dispute_n and_o not_o rather_o of_o the_o eighty_o two_o or_o eighty_o four_o for_o do_v we_o think_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v distinguish_v the_o officer_n of_o his_o kingdom_n by_o mere_a word_n and_o empty_a title_n and_o yet_o the_o apostleship_n can_v be_v nothing_o more_o if_o it_o carry_v in_o it_o no_o superiority_n of_o office_n above_o the_o seventy_o some_o inequality_n we_o must_v discover_v and_o that_o intend_v too_o by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o else_o shall_v we_o never_o be_v able_a to_o give_v ourselves_o any_o imaginable_a account_n of_o their_o institution_n and_o now_o what_o clear_a evidence_n can_v any_o man_n demand_n for_o a_o divine_a right_n of_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church_n officer_n than_o our_o saviour_n own_o express_a and_o particular_a institution_n yes_o say_v they_o but_o the_o inequality_n between_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n consist_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o office_n not_o of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n very_o good_a this_o grant_v all_o that_o we_o can_v desire_v or_o demand_v to_o prove_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o supreme_a order_n because_o every_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a order_n as_o such_o be_v authoritative_a and_o therefore_o a_o eminency_n of_o order_n must_v not_o only_o infer_v but_o include_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n see_v the_o order_n itself_o as_o such_o if_o it_o be_v any_o thing_n be_v the_o proper_a and_o immediate_a seat_n of_o authority_n and_o all_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v be_v claim_v and_o exercise_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o order_n so_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o high_a order_n of_o ecclesiastic_n they_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n alone_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o the_o high_a judicature_n and_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o proportion_n that_o they_o be_v advance_v above_o other_o in_o dignity_n of_o title_n they_o be_v so_o in_o supremacy_n of_o power_n because_o their_o dignity_n as_o such_o be_v nothing_o else_z but_o so_o much_o power_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n divest_v they_o of_o that_o and_o they_o immediate_o return_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o ordinary_a and_o unconsecrated_a man_n and_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v no_o more_o than_o all_o other_o common_a believer_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o commission_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n reverse_v that_o and_o they_o be_v degrade_v from_o their_o order_n as_o well_o as_o strip_v of_o their_o jurisdiction_n so_o lamentable_o do_v these_o learned_a man_n entangle_v themselves_o by_o distinguish_v so_o vain_o in_o this_o case_n between_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o power_n when_o the_o one_o be_v not_o only_o the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n but_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o schoolman_n from_o who_o these_o metaphysical_a nothing_o be_v take_v the_o very_a formality_n of_o the_o other_o and_o the_o apostolical_a power_n be_v formal_o and_o as_o such_o the_o very_a same_o with_o the_o apostolical_a office_n so_o little_a real_a difference_n be_v there_o in_o this_o distinction_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o frame_v one_o in_o notion_n and_o conception_n but_o whoever_o pretend_v to_o conceive_v one_o must_v of_o necessity_n conceive_v both_o or_o conceive_v nothing_o and_o therefore_o i_o will_v very_o fain_o know_v wherein_o consist_v this_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o dignity_n without_o any_o superiority_n of_o power_n for_o what_o do_v man_n mean_v by_o power_n but_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v and_o what_o by_o order_n but_o a_o superiority_n of_o some_o as_o ruler_n and_o a_o subordination_n of_o other_o as_o rule_v what_o then_o be_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o inequality_n of_o order_n and_o power_n when_o they_o both_o equal_o signify_v superiority_n and_o subjection_n
that_o claim_v no_o high_a obligation_n confess_v itself_o to_o be_v no_o religion_n for_o none_o it_o be_v unless_o enact_v by_o divine_a authority_n the_o second_o be_v that_o of_o mr._n selden_n and_o his_o follower_n that_o acknowledge_v the_o stand_a law_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o have_v be_v derive_v from_o a_o divine_a institution_n but_o derive_v all_o manner_n of_o government_n and_o authority_n in_o it_o from_o the_o civil_a state_n the_o three_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o some_o learned_a and_o moderate_a divine_n both_o at_o home_n and_o abroad_o that_o grant_v indeed_o the_o necessity_n of_o some_o kind_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n but_o deny_v it_o to_o have_v be_v settle_v and_o fix_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o any_o one_o form_n or_o upon_o any_o certain_a order_n of_o man_n and_o leave_v it_o whole_o at_o somebody_o disposal_n though_o who_o that_o somebody_o be_v they_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o clear_o determine_v to_o appoint_v officer_n and_o governor_n as_o shall_v be_v think_v most_o prudent_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o present_a circumstance_n of_o thing_n now_o upon_o any_o of_o these_o principle_n it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a whether_o we_o assert_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n of_o england_n or_o not_o for_o they_o be_v all_o but_o so_o many_o contradiction_n both_o to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n and_o to_o themselves_o at_o least_o if_o we_o pursue_v each_o party_n to_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o opinion_n they_o only_o assert_v the_o shadow_n or_o ghost_n of_o a_o church_n upon_o such_o principle_n as_o be_v direct_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n and_o so_o have_v as_o it_o be_v steal_v away_o the_o church_n of_o england_n from_o itself_o set_v up_o the_o name_n against_o the_o thing_n the_o idea_n against_o the_o reality_n and_o the_o notion_n against_o the_o practice_n for_o the_o first_o suppose_v a_o church_n without_o religion_n the_o second_o a_o society_n without_o government_n the_o three_o a_o government_n without_o governor_n and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a and_o inconsistent_a for_o a_o church_n without_o religion_n be_v no_o church_n a_o society_n without_o government_n be_v no_o society_n and_o a_o government_n that_o be_v not_o lodge_v somewhere_o be_v no_o government_n so_o that_o though_o these_o opinion_n be_v not_o equal_o wicked_a in_o themselves_o the_o first_o be_v open_a and_o avow_a atheism_n yet_o be_v they_o equal_o destructive_a to_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o it_o be_v a_o society_n found_v not_o by_o any_o human_a authority_n but_o divine_a right_n with_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o his_o church_n i_o shall_v be_v very_o brief_a because_o his_o notion_n here_o as_o indeed_o they_o be_v every_o where_o be_v no_o better_a than_o gross_a and_o palpable_a contradiction_n neither_o shall_v i_o spend_v much_o pain_n upon_o the_o second_o opinion_n because_o the_o absurdity_n of_o it_o be_v so_o easy_o demonstrable_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o society_n itself_o but_o see_v mr._n selden_n a_o very_a learned_a person_n have_v take_v infinite_a pain_n in_o the_o argument_n search_v all_o author_n and_o all_o record_n to_o heap_v together_o every_o thing_n that_o may_v serve_v his_o cause_n i_o shall_v wait_v upon_o he_o through_o all_o the_o material_a part_n of_o his_o discourse_n but_o with_o the_o three_o sort_n i_o intend_v to_o treat_v more_o large_o because_o that_o be_v the_o church_n at_o this_o present_a in_o fashion_n and_o be_v become_v popular_a and_o plausible_a by_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o learned_a man_n that_o have_v own_v and_o assert_v it_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v careful_o demonstrate_v its_o vanity_n and_o falsehood_n from_o our_o saviour_n express_a institution_n from_o the_o certain_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n from_o all_o the_o most_o undoubted_a record_n of_o the_o church_n and_o last_o from_o the_o great_a inconvenience_n that_o will_v unavoidable_o follow_v upon_o it_o and_o when_o we_o have_v gain_v these_o three_o fundamental_a point_n we_o may_v then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o proceed_v to_o far_a proposal_n for_o the_o true_a settlement_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o without_o they_o whatever_o man_n may_v talk_v of_o it_o all_o their_o discourse_n of_o a_o church_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o notion_n and_o a_o phantasm_n a_o platonic_a commonwealth_n and_o a_o world_n in_o the_o moon_n first_o then_o as_o for_o mr._n hobbs_n his_o opinion_n it_o be_v scarce_o worth_a any_o man_n confutation_n because_o it_o so_o plain_o confute_v itself_o for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a than_o to_o make_v as_o he_o do_v the_o serious_a belief_n of_o religion_n necessary_a to_o the_o security_n of_o government_n and_o yet_o discover_v to_o all_o those_o that_o he_o will_v have_v bring_v under_o the_o power_n of_o this_o persuasion_n that_o it_o be_v in_o reality_n nothing_o but_o a_o useful_a and_o necessary_a imposture_n and_o yet_o into_o this_o preposterous_a course_n of_o politic_n do_v mr._n hobbs_n suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v drive_v by_o his_o pedantic_a pride_n and_o vanity_n that_o though_o it_o be_v above_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o empire_n of_o our_o sovereign_a lord_n leviathan_n that_o the_o common_a people_n be_v abuse_v with_o the_o belief_n and_o scare_v with_o the_o dread_n of_o invisible_a power_n yet_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v tempt_v to_o think_v the_o great_a philosopher_n himself_o so_o weak_a as_o to_o be_v betray_v into_o the_o same_o opinion_n he_o publish_v a_o book_n to_o all_o the_o world_n to_o no_o other_o purpose_n beside_o flatter_v the_o tyrant_n cromwell_n than_o to_o declare_v that_o neither_o himself_n nor_o any_o wise_a man_n ought_v to_o regard_v the_o tale_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o be_v only_o design_v to_o abuse_v the_o ignorant_a and_o the_o silly_a just_o as_o if_o this_o great_a statesman_n shall_v go_v about_o to_o fright_v bird_n from_o his_o corn_n as_o he_o speak_v with_o a_o empty_a doublet_n a_o hat_n and_o a_o crooked_a stick_n but_o yet_o lest_o the_o jackdaw_n shall_v take_v he_o for_o one_o of_o their_o own_o silly_a flock_n he_o shall_v take_v special_a care_n to_o inform_v they_o that_o himself_o know_v it_o to_o be_v only_o a_o man_n of_o clouts_n this_o alone_a be_v sufficient_a to_o discover_v the_o vanity_n and_o the_o danger_n of_o the_o hobbian_a religion_n when_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o open_a declaration_n of_o atheism_n and_o impiety_n though_o indeed_o this_o way_n of_o trifle_v be_v so_o natural_a to_o mr._n hobbs_n that_o as_o much_o as_o he_o love_v his_o own_o opinion_n he_o always_o contradict_v they_o and_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n of_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o pretender_n to_o wisdom_n in_o this_o age_n that_o so_o inconsistent_a and_o unphilosophical_a a_o writer_n shall_v obtain_v so_o much_o credit_n and_o authority_n among_o they_o for_o though_o he_o have_v a_o very_a facetious_a wit_n and_o be_v the_o author_n of_o many_o pleasant_a say_n yet_o he_o be_v never_o master_n of_o one_o philosophic_a notion_n but_o for_o their_o conviction_n i_o shall_v challenge_v they_o to_o show_v i_o more_o incoherent_a and_o inconsistent_a reason_n than_o be_v his_o undoubted_a and_o mathematical_a demonstration_n against_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n first_o then_o will_v you_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o not_o mr._n hobbs_n give_v you_o your_o choice_n choose_v which_o you_o please_v he_o will_v demonstrate_v either_o by_o the_o same_o topick_n will_v you_o have_v no_o deity_n it_o be_v manifest_a there_o can_v be_v none_o because_o 26._o there_o can_v be_v no_o first_o mover_n because_o nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o and_o therefore_o when_o man_n go_v about_o to_o prove_v a_o deity_n from_o the_o succession_n of_o cause_n and_o effect_n they_o prove_v nothing_o but_o the_o necessity_n of_o eternal_a motion_n for_o as_o it_o be_v true_a that_o nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o so_o be_v it_o true_a that_o nothing_o can_v move_v any_o thing_n else_o unless_o itself_o be_v first_o move_v here_o then_o the_o demonstration_n be_v pregnant_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o first_o cause_n because_o nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o and_o because_o all_o motion_n be_v eternal_a but_o will_v you_o have_v a_o deity_n the_o demonstration_n of_o it_o be_v as_o undeniable_a for_o he_o that_o from_o any_o effect_n 12._o he_o see_v come_v to_o pass_v shall_v reason_v to_o the_o next_o and_o immediate_a cause_n thereof_o and_o from_o thence_o to_o the_o cause_n of_o that_o cause_n and_o plunge_v himself_o profound_o in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o cause_n shall_v at_o last_o come_v to_o this_o that_o there_o must_v be_v as_o even_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n
confess_v one_o first_o mover_n that_o be_v a_o first_o and_o a_o eternal_a cause_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v that_o which_o man_n mean_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n can_v any_o man_n think_v it_o possible_a that_o both_o these_o demonstration_n shall_v drop_v from_o the_o pen_n of_o the_o same_o infallible_a philosopher_n or_o that_o the_o man_n that_o can_v demonstrate_v after_o this_o rate_n shall_v be_v so_o confident_a as_o to_o boast_v of_o nothing_o low_a than_o mathematical_a demonstration_n in_o all_o his_o write_n but_o though_o mr._n hobbs_n be_v able_a to_o demonstrate_v contradiction_n yet_o himself_o can_v hold_v but_o one_o side_n and_o that_o be_v always_o the_o wrong_a one_o for_o it_o be_v the_o only_a scope_n of_o all_o his_o natural_a philosophy_n to_o affirm_v i_o do_v not_o say_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o cause_n or_o principle_n in_o the_o universe_n beside_o the_o mere_a aggregate_v of_o natural_a cause_n by_o which_o topick_n he_o plain_o demonstrate_v there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o be_v as_o a_o deity_n for_o if_o there_o be_v either_o he_o be_v a_o corporeal_a or_o a_o incorporeal_a substance_n but_o a_o incorporeal_a substance_n be_v the_o same_o with_o a_o incorporeal_a body_n if_o corporeal_a then_o either_o the_o world_n or_o a_o part_n of_o it_o for_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o beside_o but_o it_o can_v be_v neither_o because_o by_o god_n be_v mean_v the_o author_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o they_o who_o say_v the_o world_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o be_v god_n say_v it_o have_v no_o cause_n and_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n what_o demonstration_n can_v be_v full_a and_o plain_a than_o this_o that_o the_o deity_n can_v be_v no_o be_v distinct_a from_o the_o universe_n nor_o the_o universe_n itself_o nor_o any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o be_v nothing_o but_o though_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n yet_o he_o tell_v we_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v necessary_a upon_o the_o authority_n of_o revelation_n and_o out_o of_o reverence_n to_o the_o public_a law_n though_o he_o have_v peremptory_o determine_v that_o none_o can_v know_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o revelation_n make_v to_o another_o but_o they_o to_o who_o god_n himself_o have_v reveal_v it_o supernatural_o so_o that_o no_o revelation_n unless_o immediate_o make_v to_o myself_o can_v be_v of_o any_o use_n to_o i_o in_o this_o enquiry_n and_o though_o he_o have_v not_o thus_o careful_o prevent_v its_o proper_a efficacy_n yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v he_o as_o much_o concern_v to_o destroy_v the_o ground_n of_o believe_v any_o revelation_n as_o here_o he_o be_v to_o take_v away_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o deity_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o as_o for_o his_o reverence_n to_o the_o public_a law_n it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o his_o declaration_n of_o atheism_n repete_v viz._n that_o though_o i_o thomas_n hobbs_n have_v no_o ground_n to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o be_v as_o a_o deity_n in_o the_o world_n nay_o though_o i_o be_o able_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o world_n yet_o for_o fashion-sake_n and_o out_o of_o compliance_n with_o the_o custom_n of_o my_o country_n i_o care_v not_o though_o i_o say_v that_o there_o be_v one_o only_o i_o desire_v all_o people_n to_o do_v i_o the_o right_a as_o to_o observe_v that_o i_o only_o say_v so_o and_o not_o think_v i_o so_o mean_v a_o philosopher_n as_o in_o good_a earnest_n to_o believe_v so_o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o he_o have_v destroy_v the_o evidence_n of_o a_o deity_n have_v he_o take_v away_o the_o obligation_n of_o all_o his_o law_n of_o justice_n and_o honesty_n by_o suppose_v such_o a_o state_n of_o nature_n in_o which_o mankind_n be_v exempt_a from_o all_o government_n may_v do_v whatever_o they_o please_v without_o the_o violation_n of_o any_o law_n which_o to_o suppose_v be_v to_o suppose_v no_o deity_n for_o if_o there_o be_v a_o deity_n there_o can_v be_v no_o supposition_n of_o any_o such_o state_n of_o nature_n in_o which_o mankind_n can_v be_v exempt_v from_o his_o government_n and_o here_o too_o he_o demonstrate_v contradiction_n from_o the_o same_o topick_n all_o man_n be_v by_o nature_n of_o equal_a power_n and_o therefore_o mutual_o fear_v each_o other_o right_a reason_n dictate_v to_o every_o man_n to_o defend_v himself_o by_o force_n and_o hostility_n and_o yet_o because_o all_o other_o man_n be_v of_o equal_a power_n with_o himself_o and_o that_o state_n of_o hostility_n be_v very_o unsafe_a and_o uncomfortable_a therefore_o the_o very_a same_o right_a reason_n dictate_v to_o every_o man_n to_o seek_v the_o friendship_n as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lie_v of_o all_o man_n but_o though_o right_a reason_n natural_a state_n of_o peace_n be_v so_o mathematical_o demonstrate_v yet_o in_o the_o supposition_n of_o its_o more_o ancient_a state_n of_o war_n lie_v the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o mr._n hobbs_n his_o moral_n and_o politics_n which_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o former_a supposition_n that_o there_o be_v no_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n that_o alone_o for_o ever_o take_v away_o the_o obligation_n of_o all_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n for_o though_o he_o afterward_o in_o his_o contradictory_n way_n to_o himself_o will_v when_o man_n have_v enter_v into_o compact_n bring_v they_o all_o under_o the_o law_n of_o justice_n yet_o as_o he_o go_v about_o to_o establish_v they_o he_o will_v have_v they_o bind_v without_o any_o sanction_n that_o be_v without_o any_o power_n of_o bind_v for_o have_v no_o obligation_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o mutual_a compact_n and_o this_o mutual_a compact_n be_v enter_v into_o only_o for_o private_a interest_n as_o every_o man_n for_o that_o reason_n may_v observe_v they_o so_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n whenever_o he_o apprehend_v it_o beneficial_a to_o himself_o he_o be_v oblige_v as_o he_o will_v be_v true_a to_o his_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o self-interest_n to_o break_v they_o so_o that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o he_o have_v found_v they_o be_v but_o so_o many_o artifices_fw-la of_o craft_n and_o mutual_a hypocrisy_n whereby_o mankind_n pretend_v and_o profess_v faithful_a obedience_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o justice_n and_o a_o sincere_a endeavour_n to_o procure_v the_o good_a and_o welfare_n of_o the_o community_n yet_o every_o man_n resolve_v inward_o within_o himself_o that_o he_o will_v do_v neither_o but_o mere_o when_o it_o tend_v to_o his_o private_a advantage_n and_o so_o he_o can_v any_o way_n advance_v that_o what_o care_v he_o what_o mischief_n he_o do_v either_o to_o the_o private_a or_o public_a interest_n of_o all_o the_o man_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o a_o honourable_a account_n this_o of_o mr._n hobbs_n his_o honesty_n but_o of_o his_o notion_n of_o natural_a religion_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o discourse_v any_o far_a find_v it_o do_v more_o large_o elsewhere_o and_o therefore_o i_o have_v here_o make_v this_o brief_a representation_n of_o it_o only_o that_o i_o may_v give_v at_o one_o view_v a_o complete_a account_n of_o the_o hobbian_a religion_n but_o our_o present_a business_n be_v to_o inquire_v into_o his_o principle_n concern_v the_o church_n of_o england_n or_o rather_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v nothing_o but_o that_o part_n of_o it_o that_o be_v plant_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n and_o here_o all_o his_o notion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v resolve_v into_o one_o fundamental_a principle_n that_o the_o sovereign_a power_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n be_v the_o sole_a founder_n of_o all_o reveal_v religion_n and_o that_o whatever_o pretence_n true_a or_o false_a may_v be_v make_v to_o divine_a revelation_n they_o can_v have_v no_o obligatory_a power_n unless_o they_o can_v obtain_v it_o from_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n and_o if_o they_o can_v then_o whether_o true_a or_o false_a they_o be_v of_o equal_a force_n and_o obligation_n to_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o express_a word_n to_o affirm_v that_o all_o reveal_v religion_n be_v no_o religion_n and_o yet_o he_o be_v every_o where_o so_o plain_a and_o peremptory_a in_o this_o rank_a assertion_n which_o conclude_v our_o bless_a saviour_n a_o profligate_n impostor_n that_o i_o can_v not_o but_o charge_v it_o as_o a_o reproach_n upon_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o such_o open_a blasphemy_n shall_v be_v suffer_v so_o long_o to_o pass_v so_o free_o without_o censure_n or_o punishment_n for_o have_v first_o be_v so_o impudent_a as_o to_o define_v all_o religion_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o than_o the_o allowance_n of_o some_o public_a tale_n from_o thence_o he_o proceed_v in_o his_o mathematical_a method_n to_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o
case_n ought_v not_o to_o have_v compare_v the_o talmudical_a tradition_n to_o the_o digest_v of_o justinian_n but_o to_o some_o of_o the_o old_a british_a history_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o monk_n of_o viterbo_n who_o give_v we_o large_a account_n of_o the_o exploit_n of_o their_o country_n and_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o prince_n from_o adam_n to_o brute_n without_o any_o assistance_n of_o former_a record_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o talmudical_a doctor_n in_o who_o report_n there_o be_v nothing_o creditable_a concern_v the_o ancient_a jewish_a church_n far_o than_o as_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o ancient_a writer_n and_o therefore_o i_o find_v no_o reason_n to_o accommodate_v their_o form_n or_o custom_n of_o excommunication_n to_o the_o old_a jew_n because_o i_o find_v no_o record_n of_o they_o old_a than_o themselves_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o suspect_v it_o to_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n in_o grotius_n and_o the_o learned_a man_n that_o follow_v he_o who_o whatever_o they_o find_v in_o the_o talmudical_a writer_n concern_v excommunication_n immediate_o apply_v it_o to_o some_o text_n of_o scripture_n as_o if_o it_o be_v original_o take_v thence_o of_o which_o though_o it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a to_o my_o purpose_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o brief_a account_n the_o talmudist_n then_o have_v their_o degree_n of_o excommunication_n some_o say_v three_o mr._n selden_n say_v but_o two_o neither_o be_v it_o inflict_v only_o by_o the_o court_n of_o judicature_n but_o by_o any_o single_a person_n and_o that_o either_o upon_o another_o or_o upon_o himself_o and_o that_o either_o wake_n or_o sleep_v for_o if_o any_o man_n pronounce_v himself_o or_o his_o neighbour_n excommunicate_a it_o be_v as_o bind_v as_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o great_a sanhedrim_n or_o if_o he_o only_o dream_v that_o he_o be_v excommunicate_a either_o by_o the_o court_n or_o any_o private_a person_n it_o be_v as_o effectual_a as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v do_v with_o all_o the_o formality_n of_o law_n and_o as_o any_o man_n have_v power_n to_o excommunicate_v himself_o so_o have_v any_o rabbi_n to_o absolve_v himself_o and_o if_o a_o man_n be_v excommunicate_a by_o the_o great_a sanhedrim_n he_o may_v be_v absolve_v by_o any_o three_o man_n whatsoever_o with_o divers_a other_o ridiculous_a formality_n which_o discover_v themselves_o to_o be_v mere_a invention_n of_o the_o talmudical_a age_n when_o all_o sense_n of_o religion_n be_v run_v into_o idle_a and_o useless_a pageantry_n and_o therefore_o pass_v by_o all_o the_o rest_n as_o absurd_a enough_o of_o itself_o i_o can_v find_v no_o trace_n of_o their_o several_a degree_n of_o excommunication_n more_o ancient_a than_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o i_o suspect_v they_o not_o to_o have_v be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o ancient_a jewish_a discipline_n and_o though_o grotius_n interpret_v several_a text_n of_o scripture_n by_o they_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o bring_v his_o interpretation_n along_o with_o he_o from_o the_o rabinical_a writer_n without_o find_v any_o ground_n for_o it_o in_o the_o text_n itself_o as_o will_v best_o appear_v by_o particular_n thus_o that_o text_n ezra_n 10._o 8._o that_o whosoever_o will_v not_o come_v within_o three_o day_n according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o the_o elder_n all_o his_o substance_n shall_v be_v forfeit_v and_o himself_o separate_v from_o the_o congregation_n of_o those_o that_o have_v be_v carry_v away_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v any_o reference_n to_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n but_o only_o a_o exercise_n of_o that_o absolute_a authority_n that_o ezra_n have_v receive_v from_o the_o persian_a king_n chap._n 7._o 26._o that_o whosoever_o will_v not_o do_v the_o law_n of_o thy_o god_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o king_n let_v judgement_n be_v execute_v speedy_o upon_o he_o whether_o it_o be_v unto_o death_n or_o to_o banishment_n or_o to_o confiscation_n of_o good_n or_o to_o imprisonment_n now_o the_o proclamation_n in_o the_o 10._o chap._n be_v in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o authority_n can_v signify_v nothing_o but_o first_o a_o exclusion_n from_o the_o privilege_n grant_v by_o artaxerxes_n to_o the_o jew_n which_o as_o thing_n than_o stand_v amount_v to_o nothing_o less_o than_o banishment_n and_o then_o second_o a_o confiscation_n of_o their_o estate_n and_o because_o the_o estate_n to_o be_v confiscate_v be_v to_o be_v devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o religion_n the_o thing_n be_v express_v by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o signify_v consecration_n as_o well_o destruction_n for_o whereas_o it_o proper_o and_o original_o import_v nothing_o but_o utter_a ruin_n yet_o because_o in_o most_o case_n where_o the_o people_n be_v design_v to_o final_a destruction_n the_o good_n be_v reserve_v and_o dedicate_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n thence_o the_o same_o word_n come_v to_o signify_v destruction_n and_o consecration_n neither_o do_v that_o text_n of_o nehemiah_n sound_v any_o more_o to_o the_o purpose_n c._n 13._o 25._o and_o i_o contend_v with_o they_o and_o curse_v they_o etc._n etc._n which_o seem_v to_o signify_v nothing_o more_o than_o as_o grotius_n himself_o express_v it_o nehemiam_fw-la gravibus_fw-la verbis_fw-la etiam_fw-la cum_fw-la it_o ae_z divinae_fw-la comminatione_fw-la usum_fw-la in_o istos_fw-la legirupas_fw-la chide_v with_o they_o severe_o and_o threaten_v they_o with_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n much_o less_o be_v that_o of_o daniel_n to_o this_o purpose_n chap._n 12._o 2._o and_o many_o of_o they_o that_o sleep_n in_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v awake_v some_o to_o everlasting_a life_n and_o some_o to_o shame_n and_o everlasting_a contempt_n i._n e._n say_v grotius_n of_o these_o latter_a sort_n erunt_fw-la alij_fw-la in_o nidui_n alij_fw-la in_o cherem_n for_o suppose_v with_o he_o that_o this_o passage_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o punishment_n of_o those_o who_o under_o the_o persecution_n of_o antiochus_n have_v apostatise_v from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o imaginable_a foundation_n be_v not_o man_n mind_n prepossess_v with_o talmudical_a conceit_n to_o understand_v it_o of_o these_o form_n of_o excommunication_n especial_o that_o of_o nidui_n which_o be_v not_o separation_n but_o only_o a_o keep_n the_o distance_n of_o four_o pace_n from_o other_o be_v certain_o a_o very_a small_a punishment_n for_o the_o great_a of_o sin_n among_o they_o i._n e._n idolatry_n and_o last_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o that_o of_o st._n john_n the_o 9_o and_o 22._o seem_v least_o of_o all_o to_o the_o purpose_n that_o the_o jew_n have_v agree_v already_o that_o if_o any_o man_n do_v confess_v that_o he_o be_v christ_n he_o shall_v be_v put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n which_o grotius_n expound_v of_o nidui_n because_o say_v he_o the_o second_o degree_n of_o excommunication_n be_v not_o inflict_v upon_o the_o follower_n of_o jesus_n till_o after_o the_o resurrection_n but_o it_o look_v very_o uncouth_a that_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n who_o look_v upon_o our_o saviour_n as_o a_o enemy_n to_o moses_n and_o their_o religion_n a_o impostor_n a_o apostate_n a_o samaritan_n which_o be_v much_o worse_a than_o a_o heathen_a shall_v deter_v the_o people_n from_o be_v seduce_v by_o he_o with_o no_o great_a penalty_n than_o of_o keep_v four_o pace_n distance_n from_o their_o neighbour_n however_o when_o those_o that_o be_v under_o it_o be_v notwithstanding_o admit_v into_o the_o synagogue_n keep_v their_o due_n do_v ance_n they_o can_v not_o be_v say_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o in_o short_a when_o there_o be_v no_o footstep_n of_o the_o talmudical_a degree_n of_o excommunication_n neither_o in_o the_o scripture_n nor_o josephus_n nor_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o essenes_n nor_o in_o any_o ancient_a record_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v it_o be_v then_o in_o use_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o it_o be_v not_o because_o otherwise_o so_o obvious_a a_o thing_n can_v not_o have_v escape_v their_o notice_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o plain_a account_n we_o have_v of_o this_o thing_n be_v from_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o that_o head_n particular_o from_o their_o custom_n of_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n which_o signify_v discommon_v offender_n and_o be_v common_o express_v by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o josephus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o cashier_v out_o of_o the_o society_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o eminent_a instance_n in_o the_o three_o book_n of_o maccabee_n where_o the_o egyptian_a jew_n excommunicate_v those_o that_o under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o ptolemy_n philopator_n have_v sacrifice_v to_o idol_n account_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o no_o better_a than_o enemy_n to_o their_o nation_n this_o be_v the_o simple_a
under_o he_o and_o give_v the_o key_n of_o his_o kingdom_n into_o their_o hand_n what_o can_v that_o possible_o signify_v but_o their_o power_n of_o government_n in_o and_o over_o the_o society_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v so_o familiar_a a_o thing_n in_o scripture_n to_o express_v power_n by_o key_n and_o our_o author_n himself_o have_v observe_v it_o and_o prove_v it_o by_o a_o multitude_n of_o instance_n but_o than_o say_v he_o this_o power_n of_o open_v and_o 237._o shut_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v exercise_v by_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n by_o admit_v fit_a person_n into_o it_o by_o baptism_n and_o by_o not_o admit_v such_o as_o be_v unfit_a and_o by_o retain_v such_o as_o be_v already_o admit_v that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o author_n will_v allow_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n all_o other_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o only_o this_o one_o of_o excommunication_n notwithstanding_o that_o it_o be_v evident_o employ_v in_o they_o all_o thus_o if_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v entrust_v with_o a_o power_n of_o judge_v what_o person_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v then_o certain_o if_o they_o perform_v not_o those_o condition_n upon_o which_o alone_o they_o be_v admit_v it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o those_o who_o let_v they_o in_o to_o turn_v they_o out_o so_o plain_o do_v the_o power_n of_o baptism_n infer_v that_o of_o excommunication_n and_o the_o power_n of_o judge_v who_o be_v fit_a member_n of_o the_o church_n infer_v both_o so_o that_o the_o gentleman_n of_o the_o erastian_n persuasion_n will_v have_v be_v much_o more_o consistent_a with_o themselves_o when_o they_o will_v not_o give_v the_o church_n all_o the_o act_n of_o power_n if_o they_o will_v have_v give_v it_o none_o at_o all_o for_o they_o be_v inseparable_a and_o therefore_o the_o learned_a and_o pious_a mr._n thorndike_n have_v very_o judicious_o observe_v that_o the_o 12._o leviathan_n have_v do_v like_o a_o philosopher_n in_o make_v the_o question_n general_a that_o be_v general_a indeed_o though_o by_o so_o free_o and_o generous_o declare_v himself_o he_o have_v make_v his_o resolution_n more_o subject_a to_o be_v contradict_v but_o yet_o they_o that_o only_o dispute_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n so_o be_v they_o press_v with_o great_a difficulty_n only_o they_o express_v not_o so_o much_o of_o their_o meaning_n for_o they_o be_v nevertheless_o to_o give_v a_o account_n what_o right_o the_o secular_a power_n can_v have_v to_o appoint_v the_o person_n that_o shall_v either_o determine_v or_o execute_v matter_n of_o religion_n to_o decide_v controversy_n of_o faith_n to_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n than_o if_o they_o resolve_v and_o maintain_v all_o this_o as_o express_o as_o the_o leviathan_n have_v do_v and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v the_o follow_a text_n explain_v itself_o if_o he_o hear_v not_o the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v to_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n if_o we_o will_v observe_v upon_o what_o subject_n our_o saviour_n be_v then_o discourse_v for_o though_o our_o author_n to_o make_v the_o matter_n appear_v the_o more_o ambiguous_a have_v give_v we_o a_o large_a critical_a account_n of_o the_o word_n that_o signify_v church_n in_o all_o language_n if_o instead_o of_o that_o he_o have_v only_o mind_v our_o saviour_n discourse_n he_o must_v have_v see_v that_o by_o the_o church_n here_o can_v be_v understand_v nothing_o but_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o law_n whereby_o he_o will_v have_v the_o subject_n of_o his_o kingdom_n to_o be_v govern_v but_o our_o author_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v not_o then_o understand_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n to_o come_v and_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o our_o saviour_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o familiar_a and_o daily_a use_n shall_v direct_v they_o to_o such_o a_o mean_n as_o no_o mortal_a man_n can_v possible_o understand_v to_o which_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o answer_v that_o all_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n proceed_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o be_v of_o his_o 17._o church_n he_o begin_v at_o preach_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o all_o his_o sermon_n and_o instruction_n after_o that_o be_v but_o so_o many_o law_n and_o institution_n for_o its_o government_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n word_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v doubtful_a or_o obscure_a that_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v apply_v to_o any_o other_o society_n than_o that_o which_o he_o be_v now_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v the_o vulgar_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n ecclesia_fw-la yet_o when_o use_v by_o our_o saviour_n it_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o no_o other_o company_n of_o man_n but_o that_o of_o his_o church_n and_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v then_o a_o new_a word_n or_o a_o new_a notion_n to_o the_o apostle_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v sometime_o before_o use_v the_o same_o expression_n to_o st._n peter_n upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n which_o he_o promise_v he_o as_o a_o peculiar_a reward_n of_o his_o forward_a faith_n now_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v make_v his_o promise_n to_o his_o friend_n and_o servant_n in_o unintelligible_a language_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o intelligible_a thing_n but_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v our_o author_n proceed_v that_o this_o text_n give_v no_o jurisdiction_n to_o the_o church_n but_o only_o direct_v private_a christian_n how_o they_o shall_v behave_v themselves_o towards_o offender_n as_o if_o the_o emperor_n shall_v have_v make_v a_o edict_n that_o if_o any_o subject_n shall_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o decree_n of_o his_o perfect_a he_o shall_v be_v account_v by_o his_o fellow_n subject_n as_o no_o member_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n this_o give_v the_o perfect_a no_o new_a power_n but_o only_o concern_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n very_o true_a but_o it_o suppose_v his_o old_a power_n and_o so_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v antecedent_o vest_v his_o church_n with_o this_o power_n this_o be_v no_o new_a grant_n but_o only_o a_o supposition_n of_o a_o former_a one_o if_o he_o have_v not_o than_o this_o be_v their_o patent_n when_o he_o refer_v his_o subject_n to_o their_o judicature_n but_o whatever_o may_v be_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o church_n what_o be_v there_o say_v our_o author_n in_o the_o follow_a word_n let_v he_o be_v to_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n that_o sound_v like_o excommunication_n either_o in_o the_o jewish_a or_o christian_a use_n of_o it_o nothing_o at_o all_o in_o the_o jewish_a for_o heathen_n be_v never_o excommunicate_a as_o have_v never_o be_v of_o the_o society_n neither_o be_v publican_n put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o be_v publican_n but_o though_o heathen_n be_v not_o excommunicate_a person_n yet_o excommunicate_a person_n be_v as_o heathen_n and_o that_o be_v so_o plain_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n that_o nothing_o but_o mere_a peevishness_n can_v have_v make_v the_o exception_n and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o as_o if_o our_o saviour_n shall_v have_v say_v of_o a_o apostate_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o infidel_n and_o our_o author_n shall_v have_v reply_v upon_o he_o how_o can_v that_o be_v when_o a_o infidel_n be_v one_o that_o be_v never_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o a_o apostate_n once_o be_v and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o publican_n though_o they_o dare_v not_o at_o that_o time_n excommunicate_v they_o for_o that_o reason_n for_o fear_v of_o the_o roman_n yet_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o they_o think_v they_o worthy_a of_o it_o and_o that_o they_o be_v esteem_v as_o no_o better_a than_o scandalous_a sinner_n heathen_n and_o idolater_n but_o this_o suppose_a too_o it_o be_v no_o act_n say_v he_o of_o the_o church_n but_o every_o private_a man_n who_o be_v hereby_o permit_v to_o treat_v the_o offender_n as_o a_o vile_a person_n but_o this_o act_n of_o his_o suppose_n the_o power_n of_o judicature_n in_o the_o church_n for_o this_o advice_n relate_v to_o the_o know_a power_n of_o the_o sanhedrin_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o excommunicate_v refractory_a offender_n and_o thereby_o to_o put_v they_o into_o the_o state_n of_o heathen_a man_n and_o such_o it_o seem_v be_v to_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o great_a sanhedrin_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o plain_a design_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n when_o he_o refer_v all_o christian_n to_o their_o judicature_n and_o command_v they_o that_o if_o any_o man_n be_v
obstinate_a against_o their_o authority_n every_o man_n shall_v look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o excommunicate_a person_n and_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o court_n reduce_v into_o the_o state_n of_o idolater_n but_o also_o by_o the_o word_n immediate_o follow_v whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n which_o word_n plain_o declare_v a_o power_n of_o bind_v in_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o church_n and_o withal_o who_o the_o church_n be_v viz._n the_o apostle_n or_o governor_n of_o it_o to_o who_o our_o saviour_n address_v his_o speech_n and_o ve_v they_o and_o they_o alone_o with_o that_o authority_n in_o which_o he_o have_v before_o enstate_v st._n peter_n and_o promise_n to_o ratify_v not_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n but_o their_o act_n of_o judicature_n when_o the_o people_n appeal_v to_o their_o authority_n but_o neither_o second_o say_v our_o author_n can_v these_o word_n relate_v to_o the_o christian_a excommunication_n for_o what_o punishment_n can_v there_o then_o be_v in_o be_v account_v of_o as_o a_o heathen_a when_o a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v heathen_n or_o such_o as_o come_v into_o the_o church_n without_o circumcision_n what_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n do_v you_o not_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n to_o prove_v not_o only_o that_o then_o but_o during_o all_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n all_o christian_n be_v jew_n but_o now_o it_o will_v serve_v your_o turn_n the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v heathen_n but_o not_o to_o insist_v too_o much_o upon_o such_o weak_a pretence_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n all_o that_o be_v not_o jew_n by_o circumcision_n be_v esteem_v as_o heathen_n i._n e._n idolater_n and_o vile_a person_n not_o fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o their_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v of_o no_o other_o import_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n our_o saviour_n here_o accommodate_v as_o he_o do_v every_o where_o the_o know_a custom_n of_o the_o synagogue_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o his_o church_n so_o that_o consider_v the_o vulgar_a manner_n of_o speak_v at_o that_o time_n i_o can_v understand_v if_o our_o saviour_n have_v design_v to_o establish_v this_o power_n in_o what_o other_o word_n he_o can_v have_v express_v himself_o with_o more_o plainness_n and_o less_o ambiguity_n even_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o three_o text_n math._n 18._o 18._o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n etc._n etc._n though_o it_o be_v answer_v already_o as_o appertain_v to_o the_o second_o our_o author_n account_n be_v brief_o this_o that_o the_o word_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v be_v either_o to_o be_v take_v in_o their_o large_a sense_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o bind_v but_o than_o it_o seem_v very_o strange_a to_o express_v one_o act_n of_o it_o by_o such_o comprehensive_a word_n and_o it_o be_v like_o describe_v the_o ocean_n by_o a_o drop_n of_o water_n or_o the_o universe_n by_o a_o atom_n or_o if_o they_o be_v take_v in_o the_o peculiar_a sense_n of_o the_o jewish_a writer_n they_o then_o do_v not_o signify_v any_o jurisdiction_n but_o only_o declare_v what_o be_v lawful_a what_o not_o or_o answer_v case_n of_o conscience_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o in_o whatever_o sense_n the_o word_n be_v take_v they_o will_v include_v in_o they_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o large_a sense_n they_o signify_v jurisdiction_n and_o all_o the_o part_n branch_n and_o appendage_n of_o it_o and_o then_o the_o power_n of_o inflict_a penalty_n which_o as_o be_v well_o know_v and_o our_o author_n have_v often_o observe_v give_v force_n to_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o therefore_o he_o may_v have_v spare_v his_o wonder_n that_o so_o large_a a_o word_n shall_v be_v take_v in_o so_o narrow_a a_o sense_n when_o that_o narrow_a sense_n necessary_o infer_v all_o other_o thing_n that_o it_o do_v or_o can_v signify_v but_o however_o to_o prevent_v this_o vain_a objection_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v these_o word_n be_v not_o insist_v upon_o as_o limit_v mere_o to_o excommunication_n but_o as_o a_o general_a donation_n of_o power_n and_o therefore_o of_o this_o in_o particular_a which_o be_v so_o considerable_a a_o branch_n of_o it_o and_o that_o be_v it_o which_o we_o assert_v that_o see_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n the_o scripture_n so_o often_o express_v greatness_n of_o power_n therefore_o the_o power_n that_o be_v exercise_v by_o virtue_n of_o they_o must_v carry_v with_o it_o the_o full_a force_n of_o obligation_n so_o that_o the_o word_n mutual_o explain_v each_o other_o for_o if_o by_o the_o key_n give_v in_o the_o sixteen_o verse_n be_v signify_v authority_n then_o by_o bind_v and_o lose_v by_o which_o the_o act_n of_o they_o be_v express_v in_o the_o eighteen_o verse_n must_v be_v understand_v authoritative_a obligation_n for_o though_o the_o word_n bind_v simple_o put_v may_v not_o infer_v authority_n yet_o bind_v by_o the_o key_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o bind_v by_o authority_n and_o this_o will_v have_v prevent_v our_o author_n other_o notion_n of_o which_o some_o learned_a man_n be_v so_o very_o fond_a of_o bind_v only_o by_o answer_v case_n of_o conscience_n because_o though_o bind_v alone_o may_v signify_v only_o so_o much_o yet_o bind_v by_o the_o key_n must_v signify_v more_o but_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o the_o word_n itself_o no_o where_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n signify_v any_o other_o bind_v than_o by_o legislative_a or_o judicial_a obligation_n and_o whereas_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o in_o the_o talmudical_a writer_n it_o signify_v only_o a_o interpret_n of_o law_n without_o jurisdiction_n it_o be_v so_o palpable_a a_o mistake_n that_o in_o they_o it_o can_v signify_v nothing_o less_o than_o authoritative_a obligation_n when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o their_o rabbi_n equal_v their_o interpretation_n to_o the_o law_n itself_o and_o bind_v they_o upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o under_o penalty_n of_o the_o divine_a displeasure_n but_o however_o if_o our_o saviour_n constitute_v his_o apostle_n to_o be_v only_a doctor_n and_o casuist_n yet_o he_o have_v annex_v authority_n to_o their_o office_n by_o the_o promise_n make_v at_o their_o instalment_n that_o whatever_o they_o bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n for_o i_o be_o sure_a all_o bind_n there_o be_v obligatory_a so_o that_o it_o seem_v if_o they_o be_v casuist_n they_o be_v authoritative_a casuist_n and_o that_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o if_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o proper_a jurisdiction_n and_o now_o have_v as_o i_o suppose_v sufficient_o vindicate_v these_o text_n i_o can_v but_o remark_n it_o as_o some_o defect_n of_o ingenuity_n in_o this_o learned_a gentleman_n to_o have_v whole_o omit_v one_o text_n more_o which_o he_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a to_o have_v be_v as_o common_o as_o any_o of_o the_o other_o insist_v upon_o in_o this_o argument_n and_o if_o he_o will_v have_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o will_v have_v prevent_v his_o evasion_n and_o that_o be_v st._n john_n chap._n 20._o v._n 21_o 22_o 23._o as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o even_o so_o send_v i_o you_o and_o when_o he_o have_v say_v this_o â—e_v breathe_v on_o they_o and_o say_v unto_o they_o receive_v you_o the_o holy_a ghost_n whosesoever_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v unto_o they_o and_o whosesoever_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v here_o our_o saviour_n give_v his_o apostle_n the_o same_o power_n that_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o his_o father_n and_o then_o for_o the_o discharge_n of_o it_o the_o same_o ability_n wherewith_o himself_o act_v and_o last_o declare_v to_o they_o wherein_o lie_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o what_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o forgive_a and_o retain_v of_o sin_n which_o answer_v to_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v in_o the_o other_o gospel_n and_o this_o if_o attend_v to_o will_v have_v prevent_v that_o poor_a slender_a notion_n that_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v signify_v only_o the_o office_n of_o interpret_n or_o declare_v what_o be_v lawful_a what_o unlawful_a for_o to_o retain_v or_o remit_v sin_n as_o the_o true_o pious_a and_o learned_a dr._n hammond_n observe_v will_v not_o be_v to_o declare_v one_o man_n sin_n unlawful_a another_o lawful_a which_o it_o must_v do_v if_o this_o interpretation_n be_v apply_v to_o this_o place_n after_o all_o this_o it_o will_v be_v but_o superfluous_a industry_n to_o spend_v pain_n upon_o our_o author_n conceit_n wherewith_o he_o conclude_v this_o chapter_n viz._n that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n
arise_v from_o mere_a consent_n or_o voluntary_a confederacy_n for_o beside_o as_o i_o have_v show_v that_o all_o such_o confederacy_n be_v upon_o his_o principle_n downright_a rebellion_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o if_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v officer_n over_o his_o church_n and_o vest_v they_o with_o a_o power_n of_o government_n that_o then_o he_o have_v bring_v all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o submit_v to_o their_o authority_n antecedent_n to_o their_o own_o consent_n but_o though_o we_o have_v no_o such_o clear_a evidence_n of_o this_o divine_a institution_n yet_o i_o be_o sure_a we_o have_v not_o the_o least_o footstep_n in_o antiquity_n of_o this_o confederate_a discipline_n he_o tell_v we_o indeed_o of_o compact_n and_o covenant_n that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v say_v to_o have_v make_v among_o themselves_o but_o he_o can_v have_v tell_v we_o too_o that_o these_o compact_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n at_o which_o they_o be_v wont_a as_o all_o devout_a man_n do_v to_o renew_v their_o vow_n and_o resolution_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o this_o confederacy_n we_o all_o know_v be_v found_v upon_o a_o divine_a institution_n and_o not_o only_o this_o but_o all_o other_o assembly_n for_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n to_o which_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v by_o a_o obligation_n high_o than_o mere_o their_o own_o consent_n and_o such_o a_o confederation_n we_o grant_v the_o church_n still_o to_o be_v a_o company_n of_o man_n covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o worship_n god_n according_a to_o the_o ordinance_n and_o obey_v he_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o then_o they_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o command_n of_o god_n both_o to_o take_v this_o covenant_n and_o to_o keep_v it_o and_o this_o be_v all_o the_o confederacy_n i_o know_v of_o unless_o we_o must_v believe_v celsus_n his_o calumny_n for_o he_o too_o be_v quote_v upon_o this_o occasion_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n so_o that_o whereas_o our_o author_n every_o where_o compare_v the_o confederate_a discipline_n of_o the_o christian_n with_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o dispersion_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o other_o engagement_n beside_o their_o own_o mutual_a consent_n whereas_o the_o christian_n be_v particular_o oblige_v to_o enter_v into_o their_o confederacy_n by_o god_n himself_o and_o this_o difference_n be_v so_o manifest_a that_o i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o and_o now_o have_v thus_o firm_o establish_v the_o church_n power_n upon_o divine_a right_n that_o supersede_v all_o far_a enquiry_n into_o the_o practice_n of_o after-age_n for_o in_o matter_n that_o be_v determine_v by_o law_n all_o precedent_n be_v either_o nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n or_o to_o no_o purpose_n if_o they_o be_v against_o the_o command_n they_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n be_v only_o so_o many_o violation_n of_o the_o law_n if_o they_o be_v for_o it_o they_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n because_o they_o derive_v all_o their_o goodness_n and_o authority_n from_o the_o law_n itself_o and_o therefore_o can_v give_v it_o none_o thus_o if_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n the_o contrary_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o prince_n in_o christendom_n be_v of_o no_o weight_n against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n can_v never_o establish_v a_o divine_a command_n so_o that_o the_o controversy_n concern_v matter_n of_o fact_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n to_o our_o own_o time_n the_o matter_n of_o law_n be_v already_o clear_v from_o our_o saviour_n time_n carry_v in_o it_o more_o of_o ostentation_n than_o usefulness_n but_o because_o our_o author_n have_v be_v please_v to_o prosecute_v it_o so_o large_o and_o with_o so_o much_o learning_n and_o confidence_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o follow_v he_o especial_o when_o it_o be_v so_o notorious_a even_o from_o his_o own_o relation_n that_o the_o whole_a practice_n of_o christendom_n unless_o perhaps_o in_o some_o enormity_n of_o the_o worst_a and_o most_o barbarous_a time_n run_v direct_o cross_v to_o his_o design_n first_o then_o he_o present_v we_o with_o many_o instance_n out_o of_o the_o imperial_a law_n whereby_o the_o emperor_n exercise_v this_o authority_n themselves_o but_o to_o all_o this_o himself_o immediate_o give_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n without_o make_v any_o reply_n viz._n that_o such_o excommunication_n be_v mere_o declaratory_a whereby_o they_o only_o declare_v their_o detestation_n of_o such_o person_n or_o doctrine_n or_o rather_o declare_v their_o assent_n to_o the_o sentence_n already_o denounce_v by_o the_o church_n for_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o ever_o make_v any_o new_a ecclesiastical_a law_n of_o their_o own_o but_o only_o adopt_v the_o canon_n of_o council_n into_o the_o law_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o add_v to_o the_o anathema_n of_o the_o church_n what_o civil_a penalty_n they_o deem_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o offence_n the_o theodosian_a code_n be_v a_o excellent_a collection_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o sixteen_o emperor_n ab_fw-la anno_fw-la dom._n 312._o or_o the_o first_o year_n of_o constantine_n conversion_n ad_fw-la annum_fw-la 438._o when_o it_o be_v compile_v by_o the_o command_n of_o theodosius_n junior_a in_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o challenge_v any_o man_n to_o assign_v one_o law_n relate_v to_o religion_n that_o be_v not_o antecedent_o determine_v by_o some_o council_n almost_o all_o the_o law_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o 16_o book_n under_o their_o several_a title_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la de_fw-la haereticis_fw-la de_fw-la apostatis_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o all_o which_o whoever_o will_v be_v please_v to_o peruse_v they_o he_o will_v find_v that_o the_o several_a emperor_n enact_v nothing_o but_o mere_o in_o pursuance_n of_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n add_v for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o excommunication_n in_o the_o church_n the_o punishment_n of_o outlawry_n in_o the_o state_n thus_o for_o example_n theodosius_n the_o great_a in_o that_o famous_a ecclesiastical_a edict_n publish_v by_o he_o in_o the_o second_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o the_o first_o of_o his_o baptism_n and_o therefore_o style_v by_o the_o interpreter_n of_o the_o justinian_n code_n filiam_fw-la primogenitam_fw-la only_a establish_v the_o nicene_n faith_n ut_fw-la secundum_fw-la apostolicam_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la evangelicamque_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la patris_fw-la &_o filii_fw-la &_o spiritus_fw-la sancti_fw-la unam_fw-la deitatem_fw-la sub_fw-la parili_fw-la majestate_fw-la &_o sub_fw-la piâ_fw-la trinitate_fw-la credamus_fw-la and_o when_o the_o year_n after_o he_o publish_v another_o edict_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o vouch_v his_o law_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n as_o may_v be_v see_v tit._n 5._o de_fw-la haereticis_fw-la leg._n 6._o so_o that_o his_o design_n be_v not_o to_o make_v any_o new_a law_n but_o only_o to_o abet_v a_o ancient_a law_n of_o the_o church_n with_o a_o civil_a penalty_n as_o he_o conclude_v his_o edict_n that_o offender_n against_o it_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o divine_a veneance_n denounce_v by_o the_o council_n but_o shall_v also_o be_v punish_v at_o the_o emperor_n pleasure_n for_o that_o i_o suppose_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o motûs_fw-la nostri_fw-la ultione_fw-la plectendos_fw-la but_o the_o most_o express_a ratification_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n be_v that_o edict_n of_o theodosius_n the_o young_a to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o eastern_a illyricum_n 45._o anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 421._o omni_fw-la innovatione_fw-la cessante_fw-la vetustatem_fw-la &_o canon_n pristinos_fw-la ecclesiasticos_fw-la qui_fw-la nunc_fw-la usque_fw-la tenuerunt_fw-la per_fw-la omnes_fw-la illyrici_fw-la provincias_fw-la seruari_fw-la praecipimus_fw-la tum_o si_fw-la quid_fw-la dubietatis_fw-la emerserit_fw-la id_fw-la oporteat_fw-la non_fw-la absque_fw-la scientiâ_fw-la viri_fw-la reverendissimi_fw-la sacrosanctae_fw-la legis_fw-la antistitis_fw-la vrbis_fw-la constantinopolitanae_n quae_fw-la romae_fw-la veteris_fw-la praerogatiuâ_fw-la laetatur_fw-la conventui_fw-la sacerdotali_fw-la sanctoque_fw-la judicio_fw-la reservari_fw-la it_o be_v not_o material_a whether_o this_o law_n refer_v to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o general_a council_n or_o to_o the_o particular_a canon_n of_o that_o province_n which_o be_v a_o dispute_n among_o learned_a man_n for_o be_v it_o this_o or_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o emperor_n design_v to_o follow_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o refer_v ecclesiastical_a controversy_n to_o its_o own_o judgement_n and_o determination_n have_v intimate_v this_o account_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n i_o need_v add_v nothing_o of_o the_o justinian_n because_o it_o only_o repeat_v all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o former_a that_o be_v not_o obsolete_a as_o may_v be_v see_v not_o only_o by_o compare_v the_o book_n themselves_o but_o
the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n unless_o they_o misuse_v it_o and_o if_o they_o do_v as_o they_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n so_o they_o deserve_v their_o punishment_n in_o this_o lâ—fe_n among_o the_o worst_a of_o rebel_n and_o traitor_n and_o be_v sure_a to_o have_v it_o in_o the_o next_o for_o as_o their_o power_n be_v not_o only_o pure_o spiritual_a void_a of_o all_o temporal_a force_n and_o coercion_n so_o be_v they_o in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o above_o all_o thing_n forbid_v to_o use_v any_o violence_n or_o raise_v any_o disturbance_n against_o government_n so_o that_o if_o any_o prince_n think_v good_a to_o oppose_v they_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o to_o punish_v they_o for_o so_o do_v they_o be_v not_o to_o oppose_v he_o but_o only_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n in_o justification_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o submission_n to_o his_o will_n and_o for_o so_o do_v they_o shall_v have_v their_o reward_n but_o if_o they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o any_o other_o weapon_n whatsoever_o beside_o prayer_n and_o tear_n and_o suffering_n they_o then_o suffer_v deserve_o as_o disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o in_o that_o they_o have_v be_v so_o express_o forewarn_v by_o our_o saviour_n that_o whosoever_o shall_v draw_v the_o sword_n in_o his_o cause_n shall_v be_v sure_a to_o perish_v by_o it_o and_o as_o upon_o this_o principle_n he_o found_v his_o church_n so_o upon_o it_o his_o apostle_n build_v it_o when_o in_o pure_a obedience_n to_o his_o command_n they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o if_o any_o prince_n be_v please_v to_o countermand_v they_o they_o do_v not_o plead_v any_o exemption_n from_o the_o government_n much_o less_o do_v they_o libel_v it_o but_o only_o represent_v the_o innocence_n and_o justice_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o satisfy_v declare_v their_o readiness_n to_o submit_v to_o his_o pleasure_n and_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n and_o in_o this_o they_o enjoy_v no_o other_o exemption_n from_o the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n than_o what_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v challenge_v by_o every_o private_a christian_a who_o be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o his_o christian_a faith_n and_o if_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n so_o require_v to_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n this_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o in_o its_o first_o profession_n and_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o its_o reformation_n for_o whereas_o a_o foreign_a italian_a bishop_n have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n usurp_v wellnigh_o all_o both_o secular_a and_o spiritual_a power_n into_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o by_o a_o exorbitant_a abuse_n of_o it_o have_v enslave_v the_o prince_n and_o empoverish_v the_o people_n only_o to_o enrich_v himself_o and_o his_o own_o courtier_n they_o that_o be_v concern_v after_o long_a patience_n and_o much_o provocation_n at_o last_o resolve_v upon_o what_o motive_n concern_v not_o we_o to_o resume_v their_o right_n the_o king_n that_o power_n which_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n of_o old_a and_o by_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o bishop_n that_o power_n wherewith_o they_o be_v as_o immediate_o entrust_v by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n general_a commission_n to_o the_o apostolical_a order_n as_o any_o other_o foreign_a bishop_n or_o bishop_n within_o their_o respective_a diocese_n whatsoever_o and_o to_o prevent_v all_o jealousy_n in_o the_o prince_n lest_o they_o shall_v play_v he_o the_o same_o game_n that_o his_o holiness_n have_v do_v who_o in_o ordinc_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la have_v fine_o strip_v he_o of_o almost_o all_o his_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n by_o except_v all_o ecclesiastical_a both_o person_n and_o cause_n from_o his_o cognizance_n they_o therefore_o freelv_v declare_v he_o supreme_a governor_n first_o over_o all_o person_n so_o that_o no_o ecclesiastical_a subject_n may_v as_o former_o appeal_v from_o his_o tribunal_n and_o in_o all_o cause_n so_o that_o every_o subject_a whatsoever_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o his_o decree_n and_o determination_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o either_o to_o obey_v his_o law_n as_o long_o as_o he_o own_a and_o protect_v true_a christianity_n as_o the_o christian_a bishop_n of_o old_a do_v to_o the_o christian_a emperor_n or_o if_o he_o oppose_v it_o cheerful_o and_o peaceable_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o penalty_n as_o they_o do_v to_o the_o roman_a persecutor_n and_o whereas_o from_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o first_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n enjoy_v a_o power_n of_o make_v canon_n and_o constitution_n for_o discipline_n and_o good_a order_n yet_o by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o submit_v the_o exercise_n thereof_o to_o his_o sovereign_a authority_n protest_v in_o verbo_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la as_o it_o be_v state_v in_o that_o famous_a act_n call_v the_o submission_n of_o the_o clergy_n that_o they_o will_v never_o from_o henceforth_o presume_v to_o attempt_v allege_v claim_v or_o put_v in_o ure_n enact_v promulge_v or_o execute_v any_o new_a canon_n constitution_n ordinance_n provincial_a or_o other_o or_o by_o whatsoever_o other_o name_n they_o shall_v be_v call_v in_o the_o convocation_n unless_o the_o king_n be_v most_o royal_a assent_n and_o licence_n may_v to_o they_o be_v have_v to_o make_v promulge_fw-mi and_o execute_v the_o same_o and_o that_o his_o majesty_n do_v give_v his_o royal_a assent_n and_o authority_n in_o that_o behalf_n whereby_o they_o do_v not_o pass_v away_o their_o power_n of_o make_v ecclesiastical_a canon_n but_o only_o give_v security_n to_o the_o government_n that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o attempt_v any_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o injurious_a to_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o crown_n which_o in_o truth_n be_v such_o a_o submission_n as_o all_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o world_n ought_v in_o duty_n to_o make_v to_o their_o sovereign_n at_o least_o in_o gratitude_n for_o his_o protection_n and_o that_o without_o any_o abatement_n or_o diminution_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n viz._n the_o stand_a law_n of_o christianity_n be_v secure_v to_o submit_v all_o other_o matter_n to_o his_o sovereign_n will_v and_o pleasure_n whereby_o as_o they_o will_v bring_v no_o damage_n to_o the_o church_n in_o that_o this_o power_n be_v exercise_v mere_o in_o matter_n of_o order_n and_o discipline_n if_o the_o prince_n do_v not_o approve_v of_o their_o constitution_n it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a thing_n to_o provide_v for_o decency_n some_o other_o way_n so_o they_o will_v bring_v great_a security_n to_o the_o state_n when_o the_o prince_n be_v assure_v that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o as_o the_o roman_a clergy_n have_v do_v disturb_v or_o undermine_v his_o authority_n and_o as_o they_o part_v not_o with_o their_o spiritual_a legislative_a power_n so_o not_o with_o any_o other_o power_n proper_a to_o their_o function_n as_o the_o power_n of_o preach_v the_o christian_a religion_n administer_a the_o holy_a sacrament_n and_o confer_v holy_a order_n neither_o do_v any_o prince_n in_o the_o least_o ever_o claim_v or_o exercise_v any_o of_o they_o and_o because_o the_o romanist_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n make_v a_o mighty_a noise_n with_o this_o objection_n as_o if_o by_o virtue_n of_o her_o supremacy_n her_o majesty_n have_v challenge_v a_o spiritual_a or_o ministerial_a power_n in_o the_o church_n the_o queen_n have_v with_o great_a indignation_n disow_v any_o such_o power_n and_o defy_v the_o calumny_n and_o yet_o when_o she_o have_v make_v her_o disclaimour_n of_o any_o spiritual_a power_n in_o the_o church_n she_o part_v not_o with_o her_o royal_a supremacy_n over_o those_o that_o have_v it_o as_o we_o be_v particular_o instruct_v by_o our_o church_n in_o her_o 37th_o article_n where_o we_o attribute_v to_o the_o queen_n majesty_n the_o chief_a government_n by_o which_o title_n we_o understand_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o dangerous_a folk_n to_o be_v offend_v we_o give_v not_o our_o prince_n the_o minister_a either_o of_o god_n word_n or_o the_o sacrament_n the_o which_o thing_n the_o injunction_n late_o set_v forth_o by_o elizabeth_n our_o queen_n do_v most_o plain_o testify_v but_o that_o only_a prerogative_n which_o we_o see_v to_o have_v be_v give_v always_o to_o all_o godly_a prince_n in_o holy_a scripture_n by_o god_n himself_o that_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v rule_v all_o estate_n and_o degree_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n by_o god_n whether_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o temporal_a and_o restrain_v with_o the_o civil_a sword_n the_o stubborn_a and_o evil_a doer_n and_o last_o to_o mention_v
that_o passage_n of_o sozomen_n l._n 1._o c._n 9_o in_o which_o some_o learned_a man_n fancy_n they_o find_v some_o footstep_n of_o this_o law_n it_o be_v quite_o to_o the_o other_o purpose_n that_o i_o but_o now_o mention_v viz._n the_o bishop_n power_n of_o determine_v cause_n by_o the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o party_n when_o this_o edict_n be_v forge_v and_o by_o who_o it_o be_v uncertain_a but_o it_o be_v probable_o conjecture_v by_o gothofred_n from_o the_o barbarity_n of_o its_o stile_n and_o great_a likeness_n of_o it_o to_o that_o of_o constantine_n donation_n to_o have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o same_o shop_n and_o by_o the_o same_o hand_n but_o if_o this_o edict_n be_v as_o true_a as_o the_o rest_n be_v which_o give_v bishop_n power_n to_o sentence_n cause_v praeeunte_fw-la vinculo_fw-la compromissi_fw-la yet_o where_o do_v we_o find_v any_o edict_n for_o enable_v they_o to_o enforce_v their_o decree_n by_o excommunication_n not_o one_o syllable_n of_o that_o in_o all_o the_o roman_a law_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o their_o officer_n be_v command_v to_o put_v the_o bishop_n sentence_n in_o execution_n be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o very_a force_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o because_o the_o roman_a emperor_n grant_v the_o christian_a bishop_n some_o jurisdiction_n they_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v grant_v they_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o edict_n extant_a in_o all_o their_o law_n they_o confer_v many_o privilege_n upon_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o title_n de_fw-fr episcopis_fw-la ecclesiâ—s_fw-la clericis_fw-la &_o de_fw-la religione_fw-la yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o both_o the_o code_o and_o all_o the_o novel_n to_o vest_n they_o with_o any_o power_n of_o excommunication_n and_o therefore_o as_o those_o other_o they_o enjoy_v by_o the_o emperor_n favour_n not_o by_o any_o antecedent_n right_o so_o see_v they_o exercise_v this_o power_n and_o that_o not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o imperial_a grant_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o receive_v their_o authority_n from_o some_o other_o hand_n so_o that_o to_o conclude_v there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n against_o our_o author_n opinion_n than_o the_o body_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o one_o instance_n record_v that_o ever_o any_o emperor_n pretend_v to_o this_o power_n himself_o or_o grant_v it_o to_o his_o bishop_n for_o from_o thence_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o if_o they_o have_v it_o at_o all_o they_o have_v it_o from_o some_o other_o commission_n and_o thus_o be_o i_o come_v to_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o though_o there_o be_v many_o precedent_n of_o latter_a time_n yet_o i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o justify_v what_o be_v do_v by_o huns_n goth_n and_o vandal_n who_o practice_n be_v the_o mere_a effect_n of_o ignorance_n and_o barbarity_n and_o oblige_v we_o rather_o to_o pity_v than_o to_o follow_v their_o example_n part_n ii_o have_v hitherto_o treat_v with_o the_o false_a pretender_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o come_v now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o treat_v more_o amicable_o with_o some_o of_o its_o mistake_a friend_n and_o they_o be_v those_o that_o own_o a_o government_n in_o it_o but_o without_o governor_n allow_v indeed_o that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v some_o sort_n of_o government_n establish_v in_o the_o church_n but_o then_o they_o deny_v any_o particular_a form_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o divine_a right_n or_o apostolical_a constitution_n and_o leave_v it_o whole_o to_o the_o choice_n and_o determination_n of_o humane_a authority_n so_o that_o though_o the_o church_n of_o england_n happen_v to_o be_v at_o present_a govern_v by_o bishop_n and_o though_o upon_o that_o account_n we_o may_v owe_v duty_n and_o subjection_n to_o they_o as_o our_o lawful_a superior_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o set_v over_o we_o by_o any_o divine_a commission_n but_o pure_o by_o his_o majesty_n be_v good_a will_n and_o pleasure_n who_o at_o his_o restitution_n to_o his_o kingdom_n may_v have_v forbear_v to_o restore_v the_o then_o abolish_v order_n of_o bishop_n and_o instead_o of_o that_o have_v establish_v some_o other_o form_n of_o government_n that_o he_o judge_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n which_o if_o he_o have_v do_v that_o then_o have_v be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n now_o the_o birth_n of_o this_o opinion_n seem_v to_o have_v happen_v on_o this_o manner_n mr._n calvin_n have_v found_v his_o geneva_n platform_n upon_o divine_a institution_n as_o he_o particular_o do_v in_o the_o four_o book_n of_o his_o institution_n chap._n 11._o though_o some_o man_n that_o be_v more_o his_o disciple_n than_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o own_o be_v please_v to_o deny_v it_o and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o decree_n beza_n and_o all_o the_o other_o first_o apostle_n of_o his_o church_n have_v spend_v all_o their_o pain_n in_o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o good_a out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o learned_a man_n that_o come_v after_o they_o both_o in_o the_o french_a and_o dutch_a church_n because_o they_o must_v needs_o go_v beyond_o those_o that_o go_v before_o they_o proceed_v to_o advance_v the_o argument_n from_o scripture_n to_o antiquity_n and_o have_v with_o infinite_a industry_n sift_v all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n but_o by_o presbyter_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o it_o next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n the_o chief_a labourer_n in_o which_o cause_n among_o many_o other_o less_o learned_a be_v blondel_n salmasius_n and_o dallé_n who_o spend_v the_o great_a part_n both_o of_o their_o life_n and_o learning_n upon_o this_o argument_n but_o they_o proceed_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o a_o sceptical_a and_o destructive_a way_n not_o so_o much_o rely_v upon_o the_o testimony_n as_o impair_n the_o credit_n of_o antiquity_n which_o it_o seem_v they_o suppose_v the_o best_a way_n to_o maintain_v their_o argument_n this_o soon_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o learned_a man_n conversant_a in_o their_o write_n to_o conclude_v against_o all_o pretence_n to_o the_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o any_o unalterable_a and_o perpetual_a form_n of_o church-government_n whatsoever_o and_o so_o to_o think_v of_o allay_v those_o controversy_n about_o a_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la that_o have_v be_v late_o and_o still_o be_v manage_v among_o we_o with_o so_o much_o heat_n and_o noise_n by_o leave_v it_o as_o they_o say_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v to_o the_o prudence_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n to_o agree_v upon_o its_o own_o form_n as_o it_o judge_v most_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o government_n in_o that_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n as_o they_o determine_v it_o and_o the_o opinion_n be_v grow_v popular_a and_o plausible_a in_o great_a vogue_n both_o among_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a and_o be_v almost_o become_v the_o rule_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o our_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n in_o so_o much_o that_o there_o be_v many_o worthy_a gentleman_n as_o any_o one_o may_v observe_v in_o his_o ordinary_a conversation_n that_o be_v stout_a and_o loyal_a confessor_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n under_o its_o suffering_n that_o at_o this_o time_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o arbitrary_a and_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o therefore_o in_o pursuance_n of_o my_o design_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o reason_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v found_v and_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o tend_v to_o the_o peace_n of_o a_o establish_v church_n that_o it_o be_v destructive_a to_o the_o be_v and_o settlement_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o though_o here_o i_o have_v many_o learned_a worthy_a man_n for_o my_o adversary_n yet_o i_o hope_v to_o manage_v the_o dispute_n with_o that_o candour_n and_o integrity_n that_o none_o shall_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o any_o more_o unkindness_n than_o what_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o my_o do_v right_a to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a can_v give_v no_o offence_n to_o good_a man_n how_o much_o soever_o i_o may_v chance_v to_o cross_v with_o their_o particular_a sentiment_n and_o opinion_n and_o as_o for_o bad_a man_n for_o there_o be_v of_o both_o sort_n engage_v in_o the_o opinion_n i_o be_v not_o true_a to_o my_o own_o integrity_n if_o i_o suffer_v myself_o to_o be_v in_o the_o least_o sway_v by_o their_o good_a or_o bad_a opinion_n for_o i_o write_v not_o to_o please_v but_o to_o convince_v they_o which_o i_o know_v as_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v bad_a be_v but_o
succession_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n from_o augustus_n to_o constantine_n but_o to_o wave_v all_o other_o parallel_a case_n that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o propound_v be_v irrefragable_a viz._n that_o those_o man_n that_o beat_v about_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n to_o start_v sceptical_a pretence_n against_o the_o use_n and_o institution_n of_o episcopacy_n will_v do_v very_o well_o to_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o this_o rude_a and_o licentious_a way_n of_o argue_v and_o as_o the_o reverend_n and_o learned_a doctor_n hammond_n long_o since_o remark_v it_o they_o that_o so_o confident_o reject_v the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n shrewd_o endanger_v if_o they_o will_v stand_v to_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o sacred_a canon_n when_o these_o be_v vouch_v for_o the_o true_a and_o authentic_a epistle_n of_o ignatius_n by_o as_o strong_a a_o current_n and_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o father_n as_o most_o of_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o proud_a walo_n messalinus_n do_v with_o the_o same_o ease_n and_o confidence_n pish_o away_o one_o of_o the_o 1._o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n as_o he_o do_v all_o these_o of_o this_o apostolical_a martyr_n and_o may_v in_o the_o same_o pert_a and_o pedantic_a humour_n and_o with_o the_o same_o evidence_n of_o reason_n huff_v all_o the_o rest_n after_o it_o into_o the_o apocryphal_a rubbish_n but_o because_o our_o adversary_n main_a strength_n lie_v in_o this_o objection_n and_o some_o ill-minded_n man_n will_v be_v hasty_a to_o seize_v on_o it_o for_o worse_a purpose_n than_o they_o intend_v i_o shall_v consider_v it_o in_o its_o full_a force_n and_o glory_n the_o defect_n then_o pretend_v be_v threefold_a as_o to_o place_n as_o to_o time_n as_o to_o person_n 1._o as_o to_o place_n and_o here_o they_o tell_v we_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n without_o a_o universal_a testimony_n for_o if_o but_o one_o place_n vary_v that_o be_v enough_o to_o overthrow_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n of_o government_n and_o therefore_o see_v we_o have_v not_o a_o account_n of_o what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o all_o church_n we_o can_v have_v no_o sufficient_a certainty_n of_o their_o practice_n but_o certain_o never_o be_v any_o thing_n so_o hardly_o deal_v with_o as_o antiquity_n by_o these_o man_n for_o unless_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n 1500_o year_n ago_o be_v record_v and_o make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o some_o unquestionable_a way_n all_o that_o be_v record_v be_v it_o never_o so_o certain_a and_o evident_a can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n for_o our_o information_n if_o this_o hard_a condition_n be_v put_v upon_o we_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o we_o not_o only_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n but_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o we_o shall_v have_v any_o either_o in_o that_o or_o any_o other_o record_n but_o this_o certain_o be_v too_o rigorous_a proceed_n with_o the_o authority_n of_o precedent_n that_o let_v we_o produce_v never_o so_o many_o they_o shall_v signify_v nothing_o as_o to_o their_o use_n unless_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v that_o there_o never_o be_v or_o indeed_o can_v be_v one_o contrary_a example_n in_o the_o world_n but_o i_o be_o very_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o all_o ingenuous_a man_n will_v be_v full_o satisfy_v with_o this_o that_o all_o the_o precedent_n that_o be_v record_v be_v for_o we_o and_o therefore_o till_o our_o adversary_n be_v able_a to_o produce_v some_o against_o we_o to_o rest_v in_o the_o certainty_n of_o those_o record_n that_o be_v preserve_v without_o a_o vain_a enquiry_n after_o what_o may_v or_o may_v not_o be_v in_o those_o that_o be_v lose_v and_o therefore_o our_o adversary_n in_o stead_n of_o make_v such_o wild_a and_o sceptical_a demand_n if_o they_o will_v prevail_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n have_v prove_v the_o variety_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n and_o that_o indeed_o will_v have_v disprove_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n but_o that_o be_v a_o thing_n they_o never_o attempt_v when_o therefore_o we_o have_v this_o uniformity_n of_o practice_n in_o all_o church_n who_o settlement_n be_v know_v it_o betray_v a_o unreasonable_a partiality_n in_o man_n to_o put_v we_o upon_o give_v a_o account_n of_o what_o st._n andrew_n do_v in_o scythia_n and_o st._n thomas_n in_o india_n for_o certain_o all_o impartial_a man_n will_v be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o uniform_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o know_a church_n of_o europe_n asia_n and_o africa_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o pretend_v defect_n of_o antiquity_n as_o to_o place_n the_o second_o defect_n be_v as_o to_o time_n and_o here_o they_o fall_v direct_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a history_n and_o in_o particular_a upon_o eusebius_n the_o father_n of_o it_o who_o they_o say_v live_v at_o too_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o apostolical_a time_n and_o want_v sufficient_a record_n for_o his_o information_n but_o this_o i_o must_v answer_v that_o i_o know_v not_o any_o historian_n furnish_v with_o better_a and_o more_o certain_a account_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v of_o than_o eusebius_n the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o he_o in_o the_o most_o uninterrupted_a and_o undoubted_a manner_n possible_a st._n polycarp_n st._n ignatius_n st._n clemens_n of_o rome_n be_v familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o irenaeus_n tatianus_n theophilus_n antiochenus_fw-la athenagoras_n justin_n martyr_n and_o many_o more_o converse_v with_o they_o as_o they_o do_v with_o the_o apostle_n to_o these_o succeed_v origen_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n tertullian_n minutius_n faelix_fw-la lactantius_n ar_n nobius_fw-la dionysius_n alexandrinus_n gregorius_n thauntaturgus_fw-la st._n cyprian_n beside_o many_o other_o excellent_a writer_n who_o work_n he_o enjoy_v though_o some_o of_o they_o be_v since_o perish_v who_o all_o live_v in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o century_n after_o the_o apostle_n now_o out_o of_o these_o eusebius_n collect_v his_o history_n and_o to_o their_o genuine_a and_o undoubted_a write_n ever_o refer_v himself_o to_o justify_v his_o own_o fidelity_n quote_v no_o author_n for_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o what_o be_v do_v in_o his_o own_o age_n as_o particular_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o second_o book_n the_o reader_n be_v desire_v to_o observe_v that_o he_o collect_v the_o material_n of_o it_o from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n tertullian_n josephus_n and_o philo_n and_o the_o same_o preface_n he_o may_v have_v set_v before_o every_o particular_a book_n and_o as_o he_o always_o refer_v to_o good_a author_n so_o he_o reject_v many_o thing_n as_o counterfeit_v and_o spurious_a for_o this_o reason_n only_o because_o he_o find_v no_o account_n of_o they_o in_o the_o ancient_a writer_n but_o beside_o the_o write_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o bishop_n the_o original_n whereof_o be_v then_o reserve_v in_o the_o archive_v of_o their_o several_a church_n he_o make_v very_o great_a use_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o martyr_n that_o be_v then_o preserve_v with_o great_a care_n and_o sacredness_n though_o afterward_o it_o be_v the_o most_o value_a part_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n it_o be_v the_o most_o improve_v into_o fabulous_a legend_n and_o story_n and_o beside_o all_o this_o he_o be_v furnish_v with_o many_o excellent_a material_n of_o the_o first_o time_n which_o alone_o he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o want_v by_o hegesippus_n who_o write_v five_o book_n of_o commentary_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n about_o the_o reign_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n which_o be_v scarce_o eighty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o a_o very_a rash_a censure_n of_o such_o a_o ancient_n and_o apostolical_a writer_n to_o say_v that_o his_o relation_n be_v as_o questionable_a as_o those_o of_o eusebius_n himself_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o elder_a time_n when_o he_o live_v almost_o in_o the_o very_o elder_a time_n and_o so_o near_o to_o the_o apostle_n that_o it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a that_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o happen_v in_o that_o interval_n can_v escape_v his_o knowledge_n now_o last_o of_o all_o the_o heathen_a record_n themselves_o be_v not_o a_o little_a useful_a to_o he_o as_o himself_o inform_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 18._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n in_o theâ—e_n time_n that_o be_v about_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v so_o flourish_v that_o the_o heathen_a writer_n have_v leave_v exact_a record_n of_o the_o persecution_n and_o martyrdom_n as_o for_o eusebius_n his_o
say_n which_o be_v so_o triumphant_o insist_v on_o to_o blast_v the_o 4._o whole_a credit_n of_o antiquity_n that_o it_o be_v difficult_a to_o find_v out_o who_o be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o they_o unless_o it_o be_v those_o mention_v in_o the_o write_n of_o st._n paul_n it_o be_v evident_a from_o his_o own_o word_n that_o the_o difficulty_n arise_v not_o from_o the_o deficiency_n but_o from_o the_o too_o great_a plenty_n of_o successor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o he_o have_v a_o thousand_o helper_n or_o as_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o call_v they_o fellow-soldier_n so_o that_o the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v so_o difficult_a to_o assign_v who_o he_o appoint_v to_o preside_v over_o the_o church_n that_o he_o convert_v be_v because_o he_o have_v such_o a_o innumerable_a company_n of_o follower_n that_o who_o he_o set_v over_o what_o church_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o define_v than_o as_o himself_o have_v happen_v to_o name_v particular_a person_n as_o timothy_n titus_n crescens_n clemens_n epaphroditus_n etc._n etc._n which_o alone_o be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o apostle_n care_v to_o settle_v successor_n in_o the_o great_a church_n however_o this_o passage_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o blast_v the_o credit_n of_o antiquity_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n because_o it_o concern_v not_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o form_n of_o government_n but_o only_o of_o the_o person_n who_o succeed_v in_o the_o apostolical_a form_n in_o some_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o alone_o be_v answer_n enough_o to_o the_o three_o defect_n as_o to_o person_n viz._n that_o grant_v the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n to_o be_v defective_a that_o be_v no_o proof_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o episcopal_a government_n unless_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o we_o can_v find_v the_o bishop_n we_o can_v find_v some_o other_o form_n of_o government_n nay_o further_o those_o particular_n that_o we_o have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a testimony_n to_o the_o general_a truth_n that_o we_o assert_v in_o that_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o all_o the_o record_n that_o be_v remain_v and_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o reasonable_a or_o impartial_a man_n especial_o when_o in_o the_o great_a and_o more_o know_v church_n we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o account_n of_o the_o succession_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o england_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o henry_n the_o viii_o to_o charles_n the_o ii_o but_o that_o concern_v the_o argument_n of_o personal_a succession_n which_o though_o i_o have_v prevent_v i_o may_v consider_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n at_o present_a in_o order_n to_o the_o confute_v of_o this_o objection_n from_o the_o defect_n of_o time_n i_o shall_v show_v that_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n as_o the_o most_o curious_a and_o diffident_a enquirer_n can_v demand_v for_o his_o full_a satisfaction_n and_o first_o what_o can_v be_v more_o ancient_a or_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o the_o testimony_n of_o clement_n of_o rome_n in_o his_o famous_a epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n where_o exhort_v they_o above_o all_o thing_n to_o peace_n and_o unity_n which_o indeed_o be_v the_o main_a argument_n in_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n one_o chief_a way_n that_o he_o propound_v in_o order_n to_o it_o be_v that_o every_o man_n keep_v his_o order_n and_o station_n where_o beside_o the_o laity_n he_o reckon_v up_o three_o distinct_a order_n of_o the_o christian_a clergy_n which_o he_o express_v by_o a_o allusion_n as_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o apostolical_a writer_n to_o the_o jewish_a hierarchy_n viz._n the_o office_n of_o high_a priest_n priest_n and_o levite_n the_o passage_n be_v very_o full_a and_o pregnant_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o high_a priest_n have_v his_o peculiar_a office_n assign_v he_o and_o the_o priest_n have_v his_o station_n bound_v and_o the_o levite_n have_v their_o proper_a ministry_n determine_v and_o the_o layman_n be_v oblige_v to_o his_o lay-office_n my_o brethren_n let_v every_o one_o in_o his_o place_n and_o order_n worship_n god_n with_o a_o good_a conscience_n not_o transgress_v the_o settle_a canon_n of_o his_o duty_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o decency_n where_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o describe_v the_o several_a ministry_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n at_o that_o time_n by_o allude_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o mosaic_a institution_n for_o why_o else_o shall_v he_o conclude_v with_o this_o exhortation_n and_o therefore_o my_o brethren_n let_v every_o one_o of_o you_o keep_v his_o own_o order_n unless_o this_o distinction_n of_o officer_n concern_v the_o corinthian_a christian_n so_o that_o though_o it_o be_v express_v by_o allude_v to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o old_a jewish_a institution_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o description_n of_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n among_o those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v otherwise_o it_o be_v very_o impertinent_a to_o exhort_v they_o to_o keep_v those_o station_n if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o among_o they_o but_o the_o great_a witness_n in_o this_o cause_n be_v that_o brave_a martyr_n st._n ignatius_n pupil_n to_o st._n john_n and_o by_o he_o ordain_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n and_o chief_a bishop_n of_o asia_n who_o whilst_o he_o be_v in_o his_o way_n to_o his_o martyrdom_n be_v send_v from_o antioch_n to_o rome_n to_o be_v devour_v by_o wild_a beast_n in_o his_o journey_n write_v several_a epistle_n to_o several_a church_n in_o which_o he_o give_v such_o a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o hierarchy_n in_o his_o time_n by_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n as_o plain_o demonstrate_v it_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n and_o this_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o avoid_v the_o testimony_n but_o by_o flat_o deny_v it_o and_o therefore_o our_o adversary_n will_v upon_o no_o term_n allow_v these_o epistle_n to_o be_v genuine_a and_o take_v infinite_a pain_n to_o prove_v they_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a supposititious_a so_o that_o this_o be_v become_v the_o great_a point_n in_o this_o controversy_n and_o have_v be_v eager_o dispute_v by_o many_o learned_a man_n on_o both_o side_n the_o two_o last_o that_o engage_v in_o it_o be_v a_o learned_a prelate_n of_o our_o own_o and_o the_o famous_a monsieur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr in_o who_o book_n the_o whole_a cause_n be_v not_o only_o contain_v but_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v decide_v for_o though_o daillé_n be_v a_o person_n of_o more_o judgement_n temper_n and_o learning_n than_o most_o of_o his_o brethren_n yet_o they_o be_v strange_o overbear_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o prejudice_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o any_o man_n that_o ever_o look_v into_o he_o that_o he_o be_v first_o resolve_v upon_o his_o opinion_n and_o then_o right_a or_o wrong_n to_o make_v it_o good_a and_o because_o he_o be_v well_o aware_a that_o these_o epistle_n alone_o be_v so_o clear_a and_o full_a a_o testimony_n to_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n that_o they_o plain_o prevent_v all_o attempt_n and_o argument_n against_o it_o he_o therefore_o set_v himself_o with_o all_o vehemence_n and_o make_v it_o the_o business_n of_o his_o life_n to_o destroy_v their_o credit_n and_o with_o infinite_a pain_n sift_v all_o the_o rubbish_n of_o antiquity_n to_o find_v out_o every_o shred_n and_o atom_n of_o a_o criticism_n that_o may_v any_o way_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o impair_v their_o reputation_n yet_o after_o all_o this_o drudgery_n be_v his_o exception_n so_o plain_o disingenuous_a and_o unreasonable_a that_o they_o will_v fall_v as_o well_o upon_o any_o other_o ancient_a record_n whatsoever_o not_o only_o that_o ever_o have_v be_v but_o that_o ever_o can_v have_v be_v though_o upon_o no_o other_o score_n than_o pure_o that_o of_o its_o antiquity_n but_o this_o cause_n have_v breathe_v its_o last_o in_o this_o man_n and_o this_o advantage_n we_o have_v gain_v by_o his_o zeal_n to_o maintain_v and_o his_o ability_n to_o manage_v it_o that_o it_o have_v put_v a_o utter_a end_n to_o this_o controversy_n in_o that_o all_o his_o force_n have_v be_v rebuke_v and_o overthrow_v with_o such_o a_o irresistible_a strength_n of_o reason_n and_o learning_n that_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v we_o may_v rest_v secure_a that_o never_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n or_o ordinary_a learning_n or_o any_o modesty_n will_v dare_v to_o appear_v in_o such_o a_o helpless_a and_o baffle_v cause_n for_o the_o particular_n i_o refer_v to_o the_o learned_a author_n themselves_o but_o as_o to_o the_o general_a argument_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o brief_a and_o distinct_a account_n of_o it_o and_o then_o leave_v it_o
sure_a there_o be_v as_o little_a modesty_n as_o reason_n in_o salmasius_n his_o argument_n when_o he_o oppose_v the_o single_a authority_n of_o nicephorus_n to_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n but_o much_o less_o in_o daillès_fw-fr defence_n especial_o when_o we_o consider_v with_o what_o state_n and_o confidence_n he_o usher_v it_o in_o ecce_fw-la auctores_fw-la habemus_fw-la &_o multis_fw-la ante_fw-la nos_fw-la seculis_fw-la denatos_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la contra_fw-la hierarchiam_fw-la suspicion_n semotos_fw-la qui_fw-la omne_fw-la ignatii_n scripta_fw-la rotunde_v ac_fw-la sine_fw-la ullâ_fw-la haesitatione_n ad_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la relegarunt_fw-la in_o stichometriâ_fw-la georgio_n sincello_n in_o libro_fw-la antiquissimo_fw-la praefixâ_fw-la for_o what_o confidence_n can_v be_v more_o enormous_a than_o that_o when_o these_o epistle_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o some_o of_o the_o best_a of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n ter_n to_o pretend_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n by_o a_o multitude_n of_o writer_n and_o yet_o produce_v but_o one_o and_o he_o at_o the_o distance_n of_o seven_o hundred_o year_n but_o the_o last_o aggravation_n of_o his_o confidence_n be_v when_o he_o profess_v that_o he_o produce_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o stichometria_fw-la not_o to_o prove_v his_o own_o opinion_n but_o only_o to_o remove_v the_o prejudice_n of_o its_o novelty_n and_o yet_o cite_v no_o other_o author_n in_o its_o behalf_n for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o proof_n be_v draw_v from_o negative_a authority_n in_o which_o he_o be_v no_o more_o happy_a than_o in_o his_o many_o one_o positive_a testimony_n for_o when_o he_o argue_v that_o these_o epistle_n be_v unknown_a to_o every_o writer_n that_o do_v not_o quote_v they_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o hard_a condition_n that_o he_o impose_v upon_o all_o author_n to_o cite_v all_o the_o book_n that_o they_o read_v but_o say_v he_o because_o of_o that_o great_a authority_n that_o ignatius_n have_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o any_o christian_a writer_n have_v any_o fair_a occasion_n for_o it_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o they_o will_v have_v appeal_v to_o his_o authority_n which_o because_o they_o have_v not_o do_v we_o may_v just_o presume_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o write_n extant_a in_o their_o time_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a force_n of_o his_o negative_a argument_n and_o yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o particular_n he_o be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o only_o to_o produce_v those_o author_n who_o custom_n it_o be_v to_o avoid_v this_o kind_n of_o quotation_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v concern_v irenaeus_n and_o so_o for_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v a_o great_a quoter_n of_o heathen_a and_o heretical_a writer_n yet_o no_o where_o cite_v ecclesiastical_a author_n unless_o such_o as_o he_o suppose_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o sacred_a canon_n and_o so_o for_o tertullian_n who_o too_o be_v frequent_a in_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_n or_o heretic_n but_o scarce_o ever_o mention_n any_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v or_o confute_v any_o doctrine_n by_o their_o authority_n and_o this_o in_o the_o last_o place_n be_v the_o case_n of_o epiphanius_n who_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o live_v before_o he_o and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o heresy_n it_o be_v only_o in_o a_o historical_a way_n either_o to_o spare_v his_o own_o pain_n or_o to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o relation_n out_o of_o other_o history_n but_o never_o as_o daillé_n require_v of_o he_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o opinion_n i_o mention_v no_o more_o of_o his_o negative_a man_n who_o make_v a_o great_a show_n in_o the_o content_n of_o his_o chapter_n in_o that_o they_o be_v allege_v altogether_o impertinent_o to_o his_o purpose_n because_o all_o those_o passage_n which_o he_o imagine_v they_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v quote_v belong_v not_o to_o the_o ancient_a copy_n of_o eusebius_n but_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o late_a interpolation_n and_o now_o compare_v the_o testimony_n on_o both_o side_n we_o may_v very_o safe_o turn_v any_o honest_a man_n loose_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o epistle_n and_o that_o be_v once_o establish_v we_o can_v neither_o have_v nor_o desire_v a_o more_o ample_a testimony_n than_o they_o give_v we_o of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n the_o holy_a martyr_n every_o where_o sound_v the_o peace_n and_o security_n of_o the_o church_n against_o schism_n and_o heresy_n upon_o the_o bishop_n supreme_a authority_n which_o he_o as_o our_o adversary_n fancy_v magnify_v so_o high_o though_o not_o more_o than_o the_o other_o order_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o respective_a function_n that_o they_o think_v that_o alone_o the_o main_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o epistle_n though_o in_o truth_n set_v aside_o all_o testimony_n the_o argument_n and_o spirit_n of_o they_o be_v no_o small_a proof_n of_o their_o genuine_a antiquity_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o argument_n peculiar_a to_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n a_o vehement_a zeal_n for_o unity_n and_o a_o passionate_a sense_n of_o immortality_n they_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o serious_a belief_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n promise_n and_o therefore_o they_o live_v in_o this_o world_n pure_o in_o order_n to_o the_o reward_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o how_o earnest_o the_o author_n of_o these_o epistle_n thirst_v after_o it_o no_o good_a christian_n can_v read_v without_o great_a pleasure_n and_o be_v affect_v with_o some_o work_n of_o the_o same_o passion_n and_o as_o for_o his_o way_n of_o secure_v peace_n and_o unity_n in_o all_o church_n by_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o under_o they_o to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n for_o his_o fundamental_a rule_n be_v that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o bishop_n he_o derive_v it_o from_o our_o saviour_n commission_n and_o promise_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n for_o ever_o when_o he_o constitute_v they_o pastor_n of_o his_o flock_n and_o promise_v to_o be_v perpetual_o assistant_n to_o they_o by_o his_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v not_o refer_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o they_o for_o the_o great_a wisdom_n great_a learning_n or_o any_o other_o natural_a advantage_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n express_a institution_n who_o have_v send_v they_o as_o his_o father_n have_v send_v he_o and_o have_v therefore_o engage_v himself_o to_o be_v present_a with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o upon_o that_o security_n to_o follow_v the_o bishop_n be_v to_o follow_v christ_n because_o he_o have_v undertake_v to_o be_v the_o bishop_n guide_n and_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o ignatius_n and_o his_o adversary_n their_o objection_n will_v not_o reflect_v upon_o his_o discretion_n but_o our_o saviour_n integrity_n and_o when_o the_o cause_n be_v bring_v to_o that_o ignatius_n be_v secure_a and_o if_o any_o man_n be_v please_v to_o raise_v any_o further_a controversy_n it_o be_v only_o between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o leviathan_n and_o there_o i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o the_o next_o proof_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a practice_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o among_o the_o ancient_n be_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n i._n e._n a_o collection_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o synod_n and_o council_n between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a so_o that_o they_o may_v not_o improper_o be_v style_v the_o code_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o now_o concern_v they_o the_o case_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v much_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o ignatius_n epistle_n for_o the_o testimony_n that_o they_o give_v in_o to_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n be_v so_o full_a and_o plain_a that_o it_o be_v undeniable_a and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o avoid_v they_o but_o by_o impeach_v their_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n and_o as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v the_o same_o so_o be_v the_o success_n too_o for_o it_o have_v be_v thorough_o dispute_v between_o the_o say_v mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la and_o a_o very_a learned_a divine_a of_o our_o own_o church_n and_o that_o with_o the_o very_a same_o inequality_n of_o reason_n too_o i_o shall_v not_o give_v any_o large_a account_n of_o the_o engagement_n because_o the_o book_n be_v so_o late_o publish_v and_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o peruse_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v rather_o refer_v to_o the_o author_n themselves_o especial_o because_o i_o be_o not_o a_o little_a zealous_a to_o recommend_v one_o of_o they_o as_o
so_o express_o derive_v down_o by_o single_a person_n and_o when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v vouch_v by_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o succession_n it_o be_v a_o very_a cold_a answer_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o father_n talk_v only_o of_o a_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o of_o person_n four_o this_o personal_a succession_n so_o much_o speak_v of_o be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n even_o after_o the_o distinction_n come_v in_o use_n between_o bishop_n and_o they_o i_o pray_v by_o who_o why_o by_o irenaeus_n but_o do_v irenaeus_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o his_o own_o time_n confound_v their_o name_n and_o office_n or_o any_o other_o author_n of_o the_o same_o age_n nay_o do_v they_o not_o careful_o distinguish_v they_o from_o each_o other_o though_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n as_o do_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o may_v speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o those_o time_n the_o name_n therefore_o of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v not_o then_o distinguish_v it_o be_v but_o proper_a for_o they_o to_o express_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v then_o express_v so_o that_o though_o irenaeus_n never_o will_v style_v a_o bishop_n of_o his_o own_o time_n by_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n but_o ever_o careful_o distinguish_v the_o two_o order_n yet_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o time_n it_o be_v neither_o wonder_n nor_o impropriety_n if_o he_o call_v they_o presbyter_n for_o i_o will_v yield_v so_o far_o to_o our_o adversary_n that_o they_o be_v so_o call_v till_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o succeed_v into_o their_o power_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v distinguish_v by_o some_o proper_a name_n from_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o root_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n that_o they_o will_v have_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o have_v be_v bear_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o name_n which_o if_o we_o will_v not_o grant_v they_o as_o without_o a_o manifest_a affront_n to_o the_o apostle_n we_o can_v their_o whole_a cause_n sink_v to_o nothing_o for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a proof_n allege_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o sententia_fw-la hieronymi_n that_o the_o office_n be_v not_o distinguish_v before_o the_o name_n but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o due_a place_n already_o at_o present_a i_o challenge_v they_o to_o produce_v any_o one_o author_n that_o treat_v of_o thing_n after_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o word_n be_v make_v ever_o call_v a_o bishop_n a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n and_o in_o that_o i_o be_o very_o much_o their_o friend_n for_o if_o they_o can_v it_o utter_o overthrow_v their_o main_a argument_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o their_o name_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o promiscuous_o use_v after_o the_o distinction_n but_o that_o by_o the_o word_n presbyteri_fw-la irenaeus_n do_v not_o mean_v a_o simple_a presbyter_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o word_n themselves_o in_o which_o he_o prescribe_v against_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o undoubted_a antiquity_n of_o the_o church_n tradition_n which_o he_o say_v be_v convey_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o the_o ancient_n who_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o by_o his_o presbyteri_fw-la he_o mean_v as_o he_o explain_v himself_o such_o of_o the_o ancient_n qui_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la successionem_fw-la habent_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n i._n e._n the_o ancient_a bishop_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o meet_v with_o material_a upon_o this_o head_n for_o when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o ignatius_n himself_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o a_o divine_a but_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n they_o be_v to_o be_v give_v up_o for_o pleasant_a man_n that_o will_v attempt_v any_o paradox_n in_o pursuit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o it_o exceed_v even_o the_o rashness_n of_o blondel_n himself_o who_o that_o as_o he_o speak_v his_o st._n jerom_n may_v not_o stand_v alone_o like_o a_o sparrow_n upon_o the_o house_n top_n have_v after_o his_o rate_n of_o infer_v fetch_v in_o all_o the_o father_n to_o bear_v he_o company_n except_o only_a ignatius_n who_o it_o seem_v he_o despair_v of_o make_v ever_o to_o chirp_v pro_fw-la sententiâ_fw-la hieronymi_n but_o now_o it_o seem_v at_o last_o that_o the_o holy_a martyr_n himself_o may_v not_o be_v make_v the_o solitary_a sparrow_n by_o be_v desert_v by_o all_o the_o father_n he_o be_v bring_v over_o to_o the_o party_n but_o with_o such_o manifest_a force_n to_o himself_o as_o plain_o show_v he_o to_o be_v no_o volunteer_n in_o the_o cause_n thus_o when_o he_o commend_v the_o deacon_n sotion_n for_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n ut_fw-la gratiae_fw-la dei_fw-la and_o to_o the_o presbytery_n ut_fw-la legi_fw-la jesus_n christi_fw-la by_o the_o law_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o be_v teach_v to_o understand_v divine_a institution_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n only_o humane_a prudence_n though_o that_o too_o be_v direct_v to_o it_o by_o the_o special_a favour_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n of_o preserve_a peace_n and_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v it_o so_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n no_o doubt_n be_v as_o firm_a a_o ground_n of_o divine_a institution_n as_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o if_o episcopacy_n be_v establish_v by_o god_n special_a favour_n we_o be_v as_o well_o content_a with_o it_o as_o if_o it_o have_v come_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o christ._n neither_o do_v this_o interpretation_n derogate_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o episcopal_a order_n but_o very_o much_o from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n wisdom_n viz._n that_o when_o he_o have_v establish_v presbytery_n in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o government_n of_o it_o that_o establishment_n be_v find_v so_o ineffectual_a for_o its_o end_n that_o almighty_a god_n be_v afterward_o constrain_v for_o prevent_v of_o schism_n and_o preserve_v of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o inspire_v the_o governor_n of_o it_o in_o after-age_n to_o set_v up_o the_o form_n of_o episcopal_a government_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v no_o less_o disparagement_n to_o himself_o than_o his_o son_n for_o see_v what_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o church_n he_o do_v by_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o father_n if_o its_o institution_n prove_v defective_a for_o its_o end_n it_o be_v a_o equal_a oversight_n of_o both_o and_o the_o aftergame_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v only_o to_o supply_v a_o defect_n that_o they_o do_v not_o foresee_v but_o be_v teach_v by_o experience_n a_o very_a honourable_a representation_n this_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n however_o take_v it_o which_o way_n we_o will_v we_o can_v desire_v a_o plain_a acknowledgement_n of_o divine_a institution_n for_o so_o it_o come_v from_o god_n it_o matter_n not_o which_o way_n he_o be_v please_v to_o convey_v it_o to_o we_o and_o now_o have_v we_o not_o reason_n to_o wonder_v when_o we_o see_v man_n attempt_v to_o bring_v this_o holy_a martyr_n off_o with_o such_o slight_n so_o express_o against_o his_o own_o declare_a opinion_n who_o every_o where_o ground_n his_o exhortation_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o add_v even_o in_o the_o word_n follow_v the_o forecited_a passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o not_o to_o he_o but_o to_o the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o we_o all_o and_o therefore_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o he_o that_o require_v it_o it_o be_v our_o bind_a duty_n to_o be_v obedient_a without_o hypocrisy_n what_o can_v be_v plain_a than_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n stand_v whole_o upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n so_o again_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v we_o take_v care_n not_o to_o oppose_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v be_v obedient_a to_o god_n and_o if_o any_o man_n observe_v the_o silence_n of_o his_o bishop_n let_v he_o reverence_v he_o so_o much_o the_o more_o for_o every_o one_o that_o the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n put_v into_o the_o stewardship_n we_o ought_v to_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o master_n himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o we_o ought_v to_o reverence_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v our_o lord_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o great_a oversight_n to_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o testimony_n in_o all_o ignatius_n epistle_n that_o prove_v the_o least_o semblance_n of_o a_o institution_n of_o christ_n for_o episcopacy_n when_o
and_o therefore_o in_o answer_n to_o it_o i_o will_v at_o present_v only_o return_v these_o few_o brief_a consideration_n each_o whereof_o will_v be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v man_n if_o they_o will_v be_v reasonable_a and_o altogether_o more_o than_o enough_o to_o silence_v they_o if_o they_o will_v not_o the_o first_o ill_a consequence_n then_o of_o this_o opinion_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o charge_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n of_o not_o make_v sufficient_a provision_n for_o the_o last_a peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o have_v not_o after-age_n supply_v their_o defect_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n of_o it_o there_o have_v be_v no_o remedy_n for_o cure_v or_o avoid_v eternal_a schism_n and_o division_n for_o according_a to_o this_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n all_o the_o world_n be_v by_o sad_a experience_n convince_v of_o its_o great_a necessity_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o faction_n and_o confusion_n now_o what_o a_o dishonourable_a reflection_n be_v this_o upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o institute_v a_o society_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n without_o provide_v a_o competent_a government_n to_o secure_v its_o continuance_n in_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o than_o second_o whilst_o this_o conceit_n explode_v the_o claim_n found_v upon_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v force_v to_o grant_v a_o necessity_n found_v upon_o natural_a reason_n so_o that_o accord_v to_o it_o episcopal_a government_n be_v make_v necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o all_o those_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o nature_n that_o provide_v for_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o society_n for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o universal_a agreement_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o bishop_n that_o st._n jerom_n speak_v of_o in_o his_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la viz._n ut_fw-la schismatum_fw-la semina_fw-la tollerentur_fw-la and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o this_o evil_n whilst_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v administer_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o presbyter_n the_o consequence_n be_v unavoidable_a that_o though_o our_o saviour_n or_o at_o least_o his_o apostle_n have_v no_o more_o discretion_n that_o to_o leave_v all_o church-officer_n in_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n yet_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o society_n make_v it_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o another_o ecclesiae_fw-la salus_fw-la in_o summi_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la dignitate_fw-la pendet_fw-la cui_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la exhort_v quaedam_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la eminens_fw-la detur_fw-la potestas_fw-la tot_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la efficientur_fw-la schismata_fw-la quot_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la the_o security_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n depend_v upon_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o bishop_n power_n which_o be_v it_o not_o supreme_a and_o paramount_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o other_o clergy_n we_o shall_v quick_o have_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o priest_n say_v st._n jerom_n set_v aside_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o man_n the_o reason_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o argument_n itself_o be_v unanswerable_a for_o in_o such_o a_o vast_a body_n of_o man_n as_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n understanding_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n of_o mankind_n there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a agreement_n and_o by_o consequence_n no_o government_n without_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n in_o some_o above_o other_o now_o this_o be_v another_o pretty_a handsome_a reflection_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v so_o shameful_o defective_a in_o their_o first_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o show_v they_o to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v direct_v by_o any_o divine_a and_o infallible_a spirit_n that_o they_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a discretion_n for_o though_o any_o man_n of_o a_o ordinary_a understanding_n may_v easy_o discern_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o avoid_v schism_n while_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n reside_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o clergy_n partly_o by_o the_o bandy_n of_o the_o presbyter_n one_o against_o another_o partly_o by_o the_o side_a of_o the_o people_n with_o some_o against_o the_o rest_n partly_o by_o the_o too_o common_a use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n in_o presbyter_n by_o which_o they_o be_v more_o able_a to_o increase_v their_o own_o party_n by_o ordain_v those_o who_o will_v join_v with_o they_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n perpetuate_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n when_o i_o say_v these_o inconvenience_n be_v so_o obvious_a what_o a_o prodigious_a neglect_n or_o weakness_n must_v it_o be_v to_o leave_v the_o church_n through_o all_o age_n in_o such_o a_o shatter_a and_o totter_a condition_n insomuch_o that_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v perish_v have_v not_o some_o that_o come_v after_o they_o invent_v better_a mean_n to_o prevent_v or_o redress_v mischief_n than_o they_o have_v leave_v they_o for_o upon_o this_o it_o be_v that_o the_o grave_a and_o wise_a sort_n consider_v the_o abuse_n follow_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o this_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o withal_o have_v in_o their_o mind_n the_o excellent_a frame_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n for_o prevent_v future_a schism_n and_o division_n among_o themselves_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o number_n who_o be_v best_a qualify_v for_o so_o great_a a_o trust_n and_o to_o devolve_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o he_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v we_o be_v more_o oblige_v to_o those_o wise_a and_o grave_a sort_n than_o to_o the_o apostle_n for_o their_o care_n in_o prevent_v schism_n and_o division_n through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o three_o this_o conceit_n bottom_n upon_o no_o better_a foundation_n than_o a_o bold_a and_o presumptuous_a conjecture_n and_o there_o be_v no_o deal_n with_o such_o man_n as_o be_v able_a to_o blast_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o most_o undoubted_a record_n of_o ancient_a time_n with_o a_o imaginary_a and_o sinister_a suspicion_n for_o when_o we_o have_v pursue_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n up_o to_o the_o very_a time_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n it_o require_v somewhat_o a_o bold_a face_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o though_o this_o perhaps_o may_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o dark_a interval_n between_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o time_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n in_o which_o it_o be_v abolish_v and_o a_o new_a form_n of_o government_n set_v up_o but_o that_o be_v find_v inconvenient_a it_o be_v think_v good_a and_o agree_v upon_o in_o all_o church_n to_o lay_v that_o aside_o and_o restore_v the_o old_a apostolical_a superiority_n these_o be_v very_o hard_a conceit_n especial_o when_o they_o can_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o give_v we_o any_o the_o least_o probable_a account_n where_o and_o when_o and_o by_o who_o this_o be_v do_v and_o this_o be_v pretty_a modest_a to_o bear_v up_o so_o confident_o against_o all_o the_o current_n of_o antiquity_n without_o so_o much_o as_o any_o pretence_n of_o ground_n or_o evidence_n to_o rely_v upon_o but_o so_o it_o happen_v once_o upon_o a_o time_n in_o which_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la though_o when_o that_o time_n be_v we_o have_v no_o more_o certain_a knowledge_n than_o we_o have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o latitude_n this_o totus_fw-la orbis_n lie_v perhaps_o it_o be_v as_o blondel_n will_v have_v it_o about_o the_o thirty_o five_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n and_o what_o if_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o have_v say_v the_o fifteen_o or_o sixty_o five_o year_n the_o guess_n have_v be_v altogether_o both_o as_o learned_a and_o as_o well_o ground_v however_o be_v it_o not_o a_o pleasant_a thing_n to_o tell_v we_o bold_o and_o at_o all_o adventure_n in_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la without_o so_o much_o as_o tell_v we_o when_o or_o where_o or_o attempt_v to_o prove_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a that_o so_o universal_a and_o remarkable_a a_o change_n shall_v be_v so_o unanimous_o agree_v upon_o and_o effect_v and_o that_o upon_o such_o great_a and_o urgent_a reason_n without_o ever_o be_v so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o discredit_v any_o record_n choose_v what_o you_o please_v by_o pretend_v there_o once_o be_v or_o perhaps_o may_v have_v be_v a_o unknown_a time_n in_o which_o all_o mankind_n conspire_v
to_o put_v a_o abuse_n upon_o all_o their_o posterity_n as_o to_o say_v in_o this_o case_n that_o there_o once_o be_v such_o a_o season_n in_o which_o all_o the_o world_n agree_v though_o no_o body_n know_v when_o or_o where_o to_o make_v a_o universal_a and_o perpetual_a alteration_n of_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n but_o to_o conclude_v grant_v these_o man_n all_o that_o they_o contend_v for_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o great_a advantage_n any_o reasonable_a man_n can_v desire_v either_o to_o make_v good_a the_o title_n or_o to_o enhance_v the_o excellency_n of_o episcopal_a government_n than_o st._n hierom_n and_o blondel_n give_v we_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o that_o upon_o their_o decease_n their_o authority_n devolve_v upon_o the_o body_n of_o presbyter_n which_o form_n of_o government_n be_v every_o where_o find_v so_o incompetent_a and_o inconvenient_a that_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v within_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o five_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o convince_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o retrieve_v the_o old_a apostolical_a inequality_n as_o they_o ever_o intend_v to_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v pretty_a well_o and_o advantage_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o modest_a or_o reasonable_a man_n and_o therefore_o with_o it_o i_o shall_v rest_v content_v only_o i_o can_v but_o remark_n the_o strange_a partiality_n of_o our_o adversary_n in_o this_o cause_n not_o only_o to_o set_v up_o this_o absurd_a suggestion_n of_o st._n jerom_n concern_v the_o unknown_a time_n of_o a_o universal_a alteration_n of_o church-government_n and_o that_o not_o only_o without_o the_o testimony_n of_o any_o record_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o then_o it_o have_v not_o be_v unknown_a but_o against_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o history_n and_o the_o most_o certain_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o clear_a in_o ecclesiastical_a story_n than_o the_o succession_n of_o single_a person_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n down_o to_o his_o own_o age_n especial_o in_o the_o great_a and_o most_o eminent_a church_n such_o as_o rome_n jerusalem_n antiochia_n and_o alexandria_n so_o that_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o such_o universal_a change_n as_o st._n jerom_n dream_v of_o when_o in_o these_o great_a church_n episcopacy_n be_v establish_v antecedent_o to_o any_o such_o suppose_a alteration_n but_o beside_o this_o they_o oppose_v the_o custom_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o attest_v only_o by_o one_o author_n to_o the_o know_a practice_n not_o only_o of_o all_o other_o church_n but_o of_o that_o particular_a church_n itself_o thus_o because_o the_o same_o st._n jerom_n say_v with_o the_o same_o haste_n and_o inconsideration_n that_o there_o be_v a_o custom_n in_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n from_o st._n mark_v down_o to_o heraclas_n and_o dionysius_n for_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n in_o the_o vacancy_n of_o the_o see_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o own_o number_n and_o from_o thenceforward_a call_v he_o their_o bishop_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o when_o a_o army_n make_v their_o own_o general_n or_o the_o deacon_n may_v choose_v one_o out_o of_o themselves_o and_o constitute_v he_o their_o archdeacon_n now_o i_o say_v suppose_v this_o story_n to_o be_v true_a be_v it_o not_o very_o severe_a by_o the_o singular_a practice_n of_o one_o church_n to_o overthrow_v the_o constitution_n of_o all_o other_o church_n for_o what_o if_o at_o alexandria_n they_o have_v a_o peculiar_a or_o a_o corrupt_a custom_n do_v that_o impair_n or_o destroy_v the_o catholic_n practice_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v possible_a not_o only_o for_o one_o particular_a church_n to_o deviate_v in_o some_o circumstance_n from_o their_o primitive_a institution_n but_o that_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o a_o certain_a right_n yes_o but_o say_v they_o this_o custom_n be_v derive_v from_o st._n mark_v himself_o but_o that_o will_v require_v some_o better_a proof_n than_o the_o bare_a assertion_n of_o st._n jerom_n for_o it_o be_v possible_a there_o may_v have_v be_v a_o preposterous_a practice_n in_o aftertime_n which_o he_o to_o give_v the_o more_o authority_n to_o it_o may_v in_o his_o lavish_a heat_n ascribe_v to_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o but_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n what_o be_v this_o custom_n be_v it_o for_o presbyter_n to_o ordain_v their_o bishop_n st._n jerom_n seem_v willing_a to_o say_v so_o but_o dare_v not_o and_o therefore_o express_v himself_o in_o odd_a ambiguous_a and_o general_a term_n unum_n ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_o excelsiori_fw-la gradu_fw-la collocatum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la which_o signify_v nothing_o certain_a but_o that_o he_o intend_v not_o ordination_n be_v evident_a by_o the_o word_n that_o immediate_o follow_v quid_fw-la enim_fw-la facit_fw-la exceptâ_fw-la ordinatione_fw-la episcopus_fw-la quod_fw-la presbyter_n non_fw-la faciat_fw-la which_o word_n upon_o whatsoever_o account_n they_o be_v add_v come_v in_o here_o very_o impertinent_o if_o he_o have_v by_o the_o story_n speak_v of_o ordination_n at_o least_o out_o of_o these_o general_a word_n nothing_o more_o can_v be_v collect_v than_o their_o right_n or_o custom_n of_o elect_v their_o own_o bishop_n as_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o cathedral_n church_n afterward_o nay_o that_o too_o be_v more_o than_o be_v true_a or_o can_v be_v prove_v for_o st._n jerom_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o presbyter_n but_o out_o of_o the_o presbyter_n so_o that_o he_o do_v not_o give_v they_o so_o much_o as_o the_o right_n of_o election_n but_o only_a appropriate_n to_o they_o the_o capacity_n of_o be_v elect_v and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o peculiar_a privilege_n of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n that_o they_o alone_o be_v qualify_v to_o succeed_v in_o the_o see_v and_o if_o any_o one_o will_v from_o hence_o infer_v as_o mr._n selden_n be_v please_v to_o do_v 27._o their_o power_n not_o only_o of_o election_n but_o ordination_n he_o may_v thank_v himself_o and_o not_o st._n jerom_n for_o his_o conclusion_n for_o there_o be_v not_o any_o the_o least_o ground_n for_o the_o inference_n beside_o the_o learned_a gentleman_n resolution_n to_o have_v it_o so_o and_o therefore_o when_o he_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o several_a both_o divine_n and_o lawyer_n that_o understand_v no_o more_o by_o this_o passage_n than_o mere_o capitular_a election_n he_o confute_v they_o with_o no_o other_o argument_n than_o only_o by_o say_v positive_o that_o they_o be_v ip_v hieronymo_n adversissimi_fw-la but_o alas_o wise_a man_n will_v not_o quit_v their_o own_o opinion_n only_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o confidence_n of_o other_o man_n assertion_n and_o therefore_o he_o ought_v either_o to_o have_v prove_v more_o or_o to_o have_v say_v nothing_o nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o have_v any_o power_n of_o ordination_n that_o they_o have_v not_o that_o of_o election_n when_o it_o be_v so_o very_o well_o know_v that_o the_o patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n be_v of_o old_a time_n choose_v not_o by_o the_o presbyter_n but_o by_o the_o people_n so_o that_o to_o ascribe_v their_o election_n to_o the_o presbyter_n be_v plain_o to_o contradict_v the_o know_a custom_n of_o that_o church_n but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v too_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a as_o mr._n selden_n 6._o himself_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v the_o least_o footstep_n of_o this_o alexandrian_a custom_n in_o any_o legitimate_a ancient_a author_n but_o only_a st._n jerom._n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o custom_n in_o this_o church_n of_o which_o we_o have_v as_o good_a and_o as_o many_o record_n as_o of_o any_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a but_o that_o upon_o some_o occasion_n or_o other_o some_o writer_n shall_v have_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o so_o universal_a a_o silence_n can_v but_o bring_v a_o very_a great_a suspicion_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o st._n jeroms_n relation_n at_o least_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a upon_o the_o single_a report_n of_o one_o hasty_a man_n concern_v the_o peculiar_a custom_n of_o one_o church_n to_o renounce_v as_o our_o adversary_n do_v the_o know_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o but_o to_o avoid_v this_o heavy_a objection_n of_o singularity_n our_o learned_a adversary_n have_v take_v vast_a pain_n to_o find_v out_o a_o second_o witness_n and_o then_o two_o witness_n we_o know_v according_a to_o our_o law_n can_v prove_v any_o thing_n and_o at_o length_n he_o have_v discover_v a_o arabian_a author_n and_o with_o more_o than_o ordinary_a joy_n and_o transport_v immediate_o publish_v the_o particular_a story_n by_o itself_o with_o large_a and_o learned_a note_n upon_o it_o but_o
not_o content_a with_o that_o he_o procure_v the_o translation_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n and_o be_v so_o satisfy_v with_o it_o that_o though_o it_o be_v do_v by_o another_o hand_n yet_o he_o adorn_v the_o frontispiece_n with_o his_o own_o picture_n now_o certain_o one_o will_v take_v this_o value_a piece_n to_o have_v be_v a_o work_n of_o prime_a antiquity_n and_o undoubted_a authority_n but_o as_o for_o its_o antiquity_n the_o author_n of_o it_o live_v no_o high_a than_o the_o ten_o century_n and_o that_o be_v so_o distant_a from_o the_o primitive_a age_n that_o he_o have_v not_o be_v a_o more_o incompetent_a witness_n if_o he_o have_v live_v in_o our_o own_o as_o for_o his_o authority_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a careless_a and_o injudicious_a writer_n his_o whole_a book_n be_v every_o where_o stuff_v with_o childish_a fable_n and_o absurdity_n and_o particular_o this_o paragraph_n have_v as_o many_o falsehood_n in_o it_o almost_o as_o word_n for_o whereas_o st._n jerom_n continue_v this_o custom_n only_o to_o heraclas_n and_o dionysius_n he_o continue_v it_o to_o alexander_n the_o immediate_a predecessor_n of_o st._n athanasius_n which_o be_v above_o a_o hundred_o year_n difference_n and_o beside_o that_o if_o such_o a_o notable_a change_n have_v be_v first_o make_v in_o the_o preferment_n of_o athanasius_n we_o can_v not_o but_o have_v have_v some_o notice_n take_v of_o it_o in_o a_o person_n who_o life_n and_o story_n be_v so_o well_o know_v so_o that_o eutychius_n can_v not_o have_v begin_v this_o new_a custom_n more_o unhappy_o at_o any_o one_o bishop_n that_o ever_o sit_v in_o that_o see_v than_o at_o st._n athanasius_n the_o proof_n of_o who_o election_n by_o the_o people_n be_v debate_v and_o pass_v in_o general_a council_n again_o in_o the_o same_o story_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n in_o all_o egypt_n beside_o the_o patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n until_o the_o time_n of_o demetrius_n which_o be_v most_o gross_o and_o notorious_o false_a i_o may_v add_v many_o more_o proof_n of_o ignorance_n that_o be_v collect_v by_o the_o learned_a doctor_n hammond_n and_o pearson_n 10._o but_o i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o one_o that_o they_o have_v omit_v viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o less_o than_o 2048_o bishop_n present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o yet_o from_o this_o gross_a mistake_n mr._n selden_n be_v resolve_v to_o bring_v he_o off_o though_o he_o confess_v there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o bishop_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n for_o say_v he_o diocese_n be_v 38._o not_o then_o divide_v as_o now_o they_o be_v but_o before_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n they_o be_v of_o a_o much_o less_o extent_n than_o they_o be_v afterward_o when_o they_o be_v modle_v in_o conformity_n to_o the_o civil_a government_n whether_o the_o allegation_n be_v true_a or_o not_o i_o need_v not_o now_o inquire_v for_o though_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o what_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o there_o may_v then_o have_v be_v so_o many_o bishop_n in_o the_o world_n when_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o at_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o that_o as_o he_o confess_v in_o the_o same_o place_n all_o the_o writer_n that_o either_o live_v in_o or_o near_o the_o same_o time_n and_o some_o of_o the_o council_n itself_o give_v in_o a_o much_o small_a number_n and_o therefore_o it_o it_o be_v a_o very_a odd_a attempt_n to_o bring_v he_o off_o from_o so_o gross_a a_o mistake_n against_o such_o pregnant_a evidence_n of_o what_o be_v do_v only_o by_o the_o possibility_n of_o what_o may_v have_v be_v do_v we_o will_v grant_v this_o learned_a gentleman_n that_o there_o may_v have_v be_v ten_o thousand_o bishop_n there_o if_o he_o please_v whilst_o we_o be_v secure_v that_o there_o be_v not_o many_o more_o than_o three_o hundred_o and_o therefore_o when_o his_o author_n with_o some_o other_o of_o his_o arabian_a friend_n raise_v the_o number_n to_o above_o two_o thousand_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a instance_n of_o oriental_a ignorance_n but_o wave_v all_o other_o exception_n his_o novelty_n be_v a_o unanswerable_a objection_n though_o mr._n selden_n to_o magnify_v his_o author_n be_v please_v to_o style_v he_o the_o egyptian_a bede_n but_o if_o bede_n have_v betray_v as_o much_o barbarity_n as_o this_o author_n have_v do_v he_o will_v have_v just_o deserve_v the_o title_n of_o the_o english_a eutychius_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o man_n scrape_v together_o his_o annal_n not_o out_o of_o any_o certain_a record_n but_o out_o of_o a_o variety_n of_o author_n without_o judgement_n still_o add_v to_o they_o the_o custom_n and_o fashion_n of_o his_o own_o age_n and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o he_o so_o frequent_o contradict_v himself_o in_o the_o same_o story_n because_o whilst_o one_o author_n tell_v it_o one_o way_n and_o another_o another_o way_n he_o follow_v both_o but_o still_o i_o say_v setting_z aside_o his_o barbarity_n i_o will_v have_v except_v against_o bede_n himself_o as_o a_o competent_a witness_n of_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o be_v transact_v at_o the_o same_o distance_n from_o his_o age_n as_o this_o be_v from_o the_o time_n of_o eutychius_n unless_o he_o have_v confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o relation_n by_o some_o ancient_a testimony_n and_o then_o it_o be_v not_o bede_n but_o his_o author_n that_o i_o rely_v upon_o and_o therefore_o unless_o mr._n selden_n can_v have_v vouch_v the_o addition_n of_o eutychius_n to_o st._n jerom_n concern_v the_o presbyter_n ordination_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o benediction_n he_o may_v have_v spend_v his_o pain_n as_o useful_o if_o he_o have_v write_v commentary_n upon_o some_o of_o the_o old_a welsh_a antiquary_n who_o tell_v we_o what_o their_o ancestor_n be_v do_v from_o year_n to_o year_n many_o thousand_o year_n before_o the_o come_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v in_o short_a into_o what_o wonderful_a evidence_n the_o whole_a opposition_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v at_o last_o resolve_v a_o vain_a imagination_n from_o nicephorus_n stichometria_fw-la oppose_v to_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n concern_v the_o ignatian_a epistle_n a_o suppose_a decree_n of_o pope_n gelasius_n oppose_v both_o to_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n council_n and_o historian_n concern_v the_o apostolical_a canon_n a_o apparent_o false_a assertion_n of_o st._n jerom_n oppose_v to_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n concern_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n last_o a_o barbarous_a tale_n of_o a_o modern_a arabian_a concern_v the_o ordination_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n by_o presbyter_n and_o now_o if_o we_o lie_v all_o the_o premise_n together_o it_o will_v i_o hope_v amount_v to_o a_o competent_a demonstration_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n for_o if_o our_o bless_a saviour_n first_o found_v the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n in_o a_o real_a imparity_n of_o church-officer_n if_o the_o holy_a apostle_n during_o all_o their_o time_n conform_v their_o practice_n to_o his_o institution_n and_o if_o the_o primitive_a church_n every_o where_o as_o far_o as_o their_o record_n be_v preserve_v follow_v their_o prescription_n if_o no_o credible_a account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o the_o original_a of_o bishop_n unless_o we_o derive_v their_o succession_n from_o the_o apostolical_a age_n if_o their_o institution_n be_v as_o it_o be_v confess_v to_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n if_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o make_v it_o suspect_v for_o be_v mere_o of_o humane_a appointment_n but_o such_o bold_a such_o groundless_a and_o such_o disingenuous_a surmise_n as_o may_v be_v as_o well_o object_v against_o all_o or_o any_o the_o best_a record_n of_o antiquity_n in_o the_o world_n if_o i_o say_v all_o this_o be_v true_a i_o hope_v it_o will_v be_v no_o presumption_n to_o add_v that_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a not_o only_a defence_n but_o proof_n of_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n against_o all_o exception_n that_o be_v close_a or_o pertinent_a in_o blondel_n walo_n messalinus_n daillé_n or_o any_o other_o author_n that_o be_v worth_a name_n or_o read_v for_o as_o for_o the_o little_a people_n among_o ourselves_o that_o have_v for_o so_o many_o year_n wage_v so_o fierce_a and_o implacable_a a_o war_n against_o prelatry_n as_o they_o call_v it_o they_o be_v so_o invincible_o ignorant_a that_o it_o be_v utter_o needless_a to_o confute_v and_o impossible_a to_o convince_v they_o and_o how_o little_o they_o be_v all_o able_a to_o perform_v be_v notorious_a from_o the_o great_a smectymnuan_a mouse_n that_o be_v bring_v forth_o by_o the_o club_a labour_n of_o so_o many_o of_o their_o great_a mountain_n and_o therefore_o whole_o neglect_v they_o and_o all_o their_o poor_a endeavour_n i_o have_v
the_o opposition_n of_o the_o time_n the_o worse_a they_o be_v the_o more_o they_o require_v our_o zeal_n to_o oppose_v and_o to_o reform_v they_o and_o it_o be_v never_o more_o seasonable_a to_o assert_v the_o right_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n than_o when_o they_o be_v most_o disow_v let_v we_o but_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o god_n will_v do_v his_o work_n and_o let_v we_o not_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o trick_n and_o shift_n upon_o any_o pretence_n if_o any_o such_o there_o be_v of_o loss_n or_o danger_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n subsist_v upon_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o courage_n and_o integrity_n let_v we_o then_o be_v true_a to_o those_o two_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n and_o our_o saviour_n have_v undertake_v for_o the_o event_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n much_o less_o rome_n or_o geneva_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o it_o postscript_n i_o have_v thus_o far_o adventure_v to_o state_n the_o case_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n thereby_o to_o declare_v what_o it_o be_v that_o we_o contend_v for_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o recusant_n and_o dissenter_n for_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a what_o we_o oppose_v but_o what_o we_o assert_v and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o harm_n in_o error_n be_v it_o not_o for_o its_o contrariety_n to_o truth_n so_o that_o before_o we_o defend_v the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o define_v the_o true_a state_n of_o its_o cause_n otherwise_o we_o contend_v about_o we_o know_v not_o what_o for_o as_o for_o the_o general_a term_n of_o protestancy_n it_o be_v a_o indefinite_a thing_n so_o that_o if_o all_o the_o man_n in_o england_n that_o be_v enemy_n or_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n may_v be_v list_v under_o that_o name_n we_o have_v some_o protestant_n that_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o some_o that_o believe_v there_o be_v none_o some_o that_o believe_v they_o have_v a_o saviour_n and_o a_o soul_n to_o save_v and_o some_o that_o laugh_v at_o both_o there_o be_v hobbian_a protestant_n muggletonian_a protestant_n socinian_n protestant_n quaker_n protestant_n rebel_n protestant_n protestant_n of_o 41_o and_o protestant_n of_o 48._o all_o or_o most_o of_o which_o be_v as_o different_a as_o popery_n itself_o from_o the_o true_a protestancy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o stick_v close_o to_o that_o both_o as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o limit_v it_o to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n we_o may_v in_o time_n have_v a_o church_n consist_v of_o nothing_o but_o protestant_n dissent_v from_o the_o establish_a religion_n that_o be_v a_o church_n not_o only_o without_o but_o against_o itself_o and_o unless_o we_o derive_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o be_v by_o law_n establish_v from_o the_o antecedent_n law_n of_o christ_n we_o may_v quick_o be_v as_o we_o be_v in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o be_v a_o reform_a church_n of_o protestant_a atheist_n that_o be_v a_o church_n without_o religion_n and_o therefore_o all_o must_v be_v build_v upon_o this_o one_o boâ—â—om_n that_o the_o church_n own_v by_o the_o law_n of_o england_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n be_v original_o settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n with_o divine_a authority_n we_o deny_v his_o supremacy_n over_o his_o own_o church_n and_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o supreme_a government_n of_o the_o kingdom_n have_v power_n to_o abett_v and_o ratify_v our_o saviour_n establishment_n by_o civil_a law_n we_o deny_v his_o majesty_n supremacy_n over_o his_o christian_a subject_n and_o therefore_o both_o together_o must_v be_v take_v in_o to_o the_o right_a state_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o do_v what_o we_o can_v will_v involve_v the_o leader_n of_o our_o present_a separation_n in_o the_o guilt_n both_o of_o schism_n and_o sedition_n of_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o they_o withdraw_v themselves_o and_o their_o obedience_n from_o those_o who_o be_v vest_v with_o a_o power_n to_o command_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n of_o sedition_n in_o the_o state_n in_o that_o they_o needless_o and_o without_o any_o justifiable_a pretence_n violate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n though_o the_o truth_n be_v their_o dissension_n be_v somewhat_o worse_o for_o as_o they_o manage_v it_o it_o be_v not_o only_a sedition_n but_o rebellion_n in_o that_o they_o do_v not_o only_o disobey_v the_o law_n but_o disavow_v their_o obligation_n stand_v resolute_o upon_o that_o one_o principle_n that_o no_o magistrate_n whatsoever_o have_v any_o power_n of_o establish_v any_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n so_o that_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n be_v not_o so_o much_o faulty_a for_o the_o particular_a matter_n contain_v in_o it_o as_o for_o the_o unlawful_a and_o usurp_a authority_n of_o it_o and_o when_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n enjoin_v the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n to_o be_v use_v in_o all_o church_n they_o challenge_v a_o power_n to_o which_o they_o have_v no_o right_n and_o invade_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n himself_o this_o be_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o separation_n as_o it_o be_v state_v by_o the_o chief_a ringleader_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a renunciation_n of_o their_o allegiance_n as_o well_o as_o conformity_n i_o can_v with_o all_o the_o streining_n of_o charity_n make_v no_o better_o of_o it_o and_o shall_v be_v hearty_o glad_a if_o i_o can_v see_v they_o without_o shuffle_n and_o prevarication_n clear_v themselves_o of_o so_o pernicious_a a_o principle_n to_o conclude_v methinks_v religion_n have_v be_v long_o enough_o trifle_v with_o in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o after_o so_o long_a and_o so_o sad_a experience_n of_o our_o folly_n it_o be_v time_n to_o return_v to_o some_o sense_n of_o discretion_n and_o sobriety_n before_o the_o late_a barbarous_a war_n we_o have_v the_o sceptre_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o presbytery_n to_o advance_v but_o now_o after_o the_o murder_n of_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n that_o cause_o have_v prove_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o that_o it_o be_v grow_v ashamed_a of_o itself_o however_o the_o pretence_n be_v great_a and_o solemn_a but_o at_o this_o time_n the_o people_n be_v drive_v into_o the_o same_o excess_n against_o the_o church_n no_o body_n know_v for_o what_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o some_o man_n among_o we_o be_v too_o proud_a or_o too_o peevish_a to_o recant_v their_o folly_n and_o therefore_o i_o conjure_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o their_o heart_n and_o without_o passion_n serious_o to_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v for_o which_o they_o renounce_v the_o church_n in_o which_o they_o be_v baptize_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n tear_n and_o rend_v it_o into_o numberless_a piece_n and_o faction_n scare_v multitude_n of_o silly_a and_o well-meaning_a people_n out_o of_o it_o as_o they_o tender_v the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o put_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n into_o perpetual_a tumult_n and_o combustion_n about_o religion_n and_o when_o they_o have_v consider_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o bind_v it_o upon_o their_o conscience_n so_o to_o answer_v it_o to_o themselves_o now_o as_o they_o hope_v to_o answer_v it_o to_o their_o saviour_n at_o the_o last_o day_n as_o for_o the_o foreign_a reform_a church_n i_o have_v say_v nothing_o of_o they_o because_o they_o be_v altogether_o out_o of_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o argument_n which_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o four_o sea_n and_o concern_v only_o those_o that_o either_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o if_o in_o any_o thing_n any_o other_o church_n deviate_v from_o the_o primitive_a institution_n they_o must_v stand_v and_o fall_v to_o their_o own_o master_n and_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v be_v so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o un-church_n they_o or_o renounce_v brotherly_a communion_n with_o they_o or_o to_o think_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n shall_v withdraw_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o protection_n from_o they_o for_o if_o every_o defect_n from_o his_o institution_n shall_v forfeit_v the_o right_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n there_o never_o be_v as_o we_o may_v find_v by_o the_o apostle_n account_v of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n nor_o ever_o will_v be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o any_o thing_n