Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	canon_n	council_n	nice_a	2,852	5	10.4936	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A56388	A discourse sent to the late King James, to persuade him to embrace the Protestant religion by Dr. Samuel Parker, Late Lord Bishop of Oxford ; to which are prefixed two letters ; the first, from Sir Leolyn Jenkins, on the same subject, the second, from the said bishop, with the discourse ; printed from the original manuscript papers, without observation or reflection.	Parker, Samuel, 1640-1688.; Jenkins, Leoline, Sir, 1623-1685.	1690 (1690)	Wing P461; ESTC R5913	25,687	36

there_o be_v many_o instance_n in_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n though_o i_o shall_v mention_v but_o one_o as_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o all_o and_o that_o be_v the_o several_a synod_n that_o be_v call_v about_o the_o paschal_n controversy_n not_o long_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o which_o as_o it_o be_v canvas_v all_o the_o world_n over_o so_o be_v it_o debate_v in_o so_o many_o provincial_a synod_n in_o each_o whereof_o the_o metropolitan_a preside_v in_o palestin_n theophilus_n bishop_n of_o caesarea_n in_o pontus_n palma_n bishop_n of_o armastris_n in_o the_o proconsular_a asia_n polycrates_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o italy_n victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o france_n irenaeus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n where_o every_o synod_n judge_v for_o itself_o and_o make_v its_o own_o decree_n only_a victor_n will_v have_v be_v meddle_v with_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n though_o as_o far_o as_o appear_v from_o record_n not_o from_o any_o authority_n he_o pretend_v to_o over_o it_o but_o out_o of_o a_o intemperate_a zeal_n for_o his_o own_o opinion_n but_o in_o this_o he_o be_v quick_o check_v by_o the_o other_o church_n especial_o that_o of_o france_n though_o of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n with_o himself_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o controversy_n as_o he_o will_v not_o break_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v to_o be_v maintain_v by_o no_o other_o mean_n than_o keep_v up_o the_o right_n of_o every_o part_n of_o it_o and_o this_o they_o admirable_o preserve_v by_o their_o communicatory_a letter_n between_o church_n and_o church_n so_o as_o no_o member_n of_o one_o church_n may_v be_v admit_v to_o communion_n with_o another_o without_o his_o letter_n testimonial_a whereby_o it_o be_v so_o order_v that_o whosoever_o be_v excommunicate_a out_o of_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v shut_v out_o of_o the_o church_n catholic_n neither_o can_v a_o bishop_n exercise_v any_o part_n of_o his_o office_n in_o any_o other_o diocese_n than_o his_o own_o much_o less_o any_o other_o province_n and_o if_o he_o do_v his_o own_o metropolitan_a be_v oblige_v to_o throw_v he_o out_o of_o communion_n and_o all_o other_o not_o to_o take_v he_o in_o and_o this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o that_o six_o famous_a canon_n of_o the_o first_o council_n of_o nice_a under_o constantine_n the_o great_a that_o confirm_v to_o the_o three_o great_a church_n of_o rome_n alexandria_n and_o antioch_n their_o ancient_a privilege_n and_o preeminence_n for_o though_o some_o learned_a man_n both_o within_o and_o without_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v please_v to_o dispute_v that_o the_o power_n here_o abet_v in_o this_o canon_n be_v patriarchical_a and_o not_o mere_o metropolitical_a yet_o that_o it_o be_v not_o patriarchical_a be_v notorious_o evident_a because_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n of_o any_o such_o office_n in_o all_o the_o record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n before_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n which_o be_v above_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o that_o of_o nice_n and_o yet_o this_o nicene_n canon_n only_o confirm_v the_o old_a and_o accustom_a right_n of_o church_n and_o that_o this_o power_n be_v metropolitical_a be_v manifest_a because_o it_o be_v make_v pure_o in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o forementioned_a 34th_o apostolical_a canon_n that_o require_v the_o subjection_n of_o all_o other_o inferior_a bishop_n to_o their_o national_a or_o provincial_a bishop_n the_o occasion_n of_o it_o be_v this_o that_o meletius_n bishop_n of_o nicapolis_n within_o the_o province_n of_o alexandria_n be_v depose_v by_o his_o metropolitan_a in_o a_o synod_n of_o bishop_n as_o for_o divers_a other_o crime_n so_o particular_o for_o sacrifice_v to_o idol_n notwithstanding_o that_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o ordain_v new_a bishop_n himself_o and_o so_o violate_v all_o the_o preeminence_n of_o his_o metropolitan_a both_o by_o slight_v his_o censure_n and_o invade_v his_o power_n now_o complaint_n hereof_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o council_n they_o decree_v that_o the_o ancient_a prerogative_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n over_o the_o inferior_a church_n within_o its_o province_n shall_v be_v keep_v as_o inviolable_a as_o those_o of_o rome_n and_o the_o same_o for_o antiochia_n and_o not_o only_o so_o in_o those_o great_a see_v but_o in_o all_o other_o province_n whatsoever_o for_o so_o the_o canon_n express_o run_v that_o not_o only_o at_o antiochia_n but_o that_o in_o all_o other_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o province_n their_o ancient_a privilege_n shall_v be_v preserve_v so_o that_o here_o be_v nothing_o peculiar_a to_o these_o three_o great_a city_n determine_v because_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o all_o other_o province_n that_o be_v in_o force_n at_o that_o time_n be_v as_o much_o ratify_v by_o the_o same_o authority_n and_o that_o be_v only_o this_o that_o whatever_o superiority_n great_a church_n have_v by_o long_a custom_n enjoy_v over_o less_o shall_v stand_v confirm_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v and_o according_o we_o find_v it_o decree_v in_o the_o second_o canon_n of_o the_o second_o general_a council_n hold_v at_o constantinople_n as_o a_o clear_a interpretation_n of_o the_o six_o canon_n of_o nice_a that_o all_o bishop_n shall_v contain_v themselves_o within_o the_o know_a circuit_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o not_o thrust_v themselves_o into_o other_o diocese_n especial_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n shall_v be_v confine_v within_o the_o diocese_n of_o egypt_n and_o antiochia_n within_o that_o of_o the_o east_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n pontus_n and_o thracia_n shall_v enjoy_v the_o ancient_a power_n of_o government_n within_o themselves_o as_o well_o as_o those_o that_o have_v invade_v their_o right_n this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n that_o miletius_n bishop_n of_o antiochia_n have_v make_v gregory_n nazienzen_n bishop_n of_o constantinople_n and_o peter_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n have_v do_v the_o same_o for_o maximus_n whereas_o constantinople_n be_v in_o thrace_n that_o be_v a_o diocese_n by_o itself_o in_o the_o civil_a division_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o therefore_o exempt_a from_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o those_o great_a prelate_n have_v the_o same_o supreme_a and_o independent_a power_n within_o itself_o as_o they_o have_v within_o their_o province_n as_o have_v also_o the_o lesser_a asia_n and_o pontus_n which_o that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v encroach_v upon_o or_o swallow_v up_o by_o their_o potent_a neighbour_n be_v here_o guard_v and_o settle_v by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n in_o the_o possession_n of_o their_o ancient_a right_n against_o all_o future_a invasion_n and_o the_o same_o decree_n we_o find_v in_o the_o next_o general_a council_n hold_v at_o ephesus_n canon_n the_o eight_o upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o ordain_v in_o the_o isle_n of_o cyprus_n that_o be_v a_o head_n province_n by_o itself_o this_o usurpation_n therefore_o the_o council_n severe_o censure_n and_o forbid_v and_o withal_o order_n that_o no_o metropolitan_a shall_v challenge_v any_o further_a extent_n of_o jurisdiction_n that_o he_o can_v not_o prove_v by_o long_a and_o immemorial_n prescription_n lest_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o their_o priestly_a office_n they_o shall_v introduce_v a_o secular_a sovereignty_n into_o the_o church_n infinite_a be_v the_o instance_n in_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o metropolitical_a supremacy_n of_o church_n but_o these_o that_o i_o have_v already_o allege_v be_v enough_o to_o show_v the_o true_a primitive_a and_o apostolical_a constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o last_v the_o same_o even_o as_o to_o the_o bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n till_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a but_o the_o cast_v the_o civil_a government_n of_o the_o empire_n into_o a_o new_a model_n give_v occasion_n to_o the_o church_n in_o pursuance_n of_o its_o primitive_a rule_n of_o conform_v to_o the_o civil_a government_n to_o add_v to_o the_o old_a ecclesiastical_a hierarchy_n for_o the_o whole_a empire_n be_v divide_v into_o thirteen_o diocese_n each_o diocese_n contain_v many_o province_n in_o all_o to_o the_o number_n of_o 120_o and_o every_o province_n several_a inferior_a city_n and_o therefore_o as_o every_o city_n have_v its_o judge_n for_o civil_a government_n so_o have_v it_o its_o bishop_n for_o ecclesiastical_a and_o every_o province_n its_o precedent_n so_o its_o metropolitan_a and_o every_o diocese_n which_o then_o contain_v several_a province_n its_o lieutenant_n so_o its_o primate_n which_o indeed_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o raise_v up_o a_o superior_a order_n of_o metropolitan_o in_o conformity_n to_o the_o new_a model_n of_o civil_a government_n and_o therefore_o be_v at_o first_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o honorary_a title_n that_o give_v they_o precedency_n to_o the_o metropolitan_o but_o not_o jurisdiction_n over_o they_o for_o

the_o very_a first_o time_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o any_o mention_n of_o any_o such_o order_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o second_o canon_n of_o the_o second_o general_a council_n hold_v at_o constantinople_n under_o theodosius_n the_o great_a where_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o it_o institute_n this_o new_a kind_n of_o dignity_n it_o secure_v the_o old_a jurisdiction_n of_o metropolitan_n so_o that_o notwithstanding_o this_o new_a order_n be_v bring_v over_o their_o head_n in_o conformity_n to_o the_o empire_n yet_o be_v every_o metropolitan_a church_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o itself_o and_o its_o own_o synod_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v accustom_v of_o old_a and_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o council_n positive_o assert_v the_o supremacy_n of_o power_n to_o every_o metropolitan_a within_o his_o own_o province_n and_o therefore_o all_o the_o preeminence_n of_o this_o new_a order_n of_o man_n above_o they_o can_v consist_v in_o nothing_o but_o title_n and_o dignity_n and_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o all_o that_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o have_v their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o preeminence_n of_o respect_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o preeminence_n of_o power_n and_o authority_n and_o it_o be_v usual_a upon_o particular_a occasion_n to_o give_v the_o former_a without_o confer_v the_o latter_a as_o the_o great_a council_n of_o nice_a give_v to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n metropolitical_a honour_n because_o it_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o all_o church_n without_o give_v it_o any_o metropolitical_a jurisdiction_n for_o that_o be_v reserve_v entire_o for_o the_o bishop_n of_o caesarea_n which_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v be_v make_v the_o civil_a metropolis_n of_o palestin_n by_o the_o emperor_n vespasian_n so_o this_o present_a council_n of_o constantinople_n of_o which_o we_o be_v speak_v in_o the_o canon_n next_o follow_v that_o we_o last_o mention_v give_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o preeminency_n of_o honour_n next_o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o constantinople_n because_o constantinople_n be_v new_a rome_n and_o yet_o give_v it_o nothing_o of_o metropolitical_a power_n because_o it_o express_o confirm_v the_o old_a right_n of_o the_o three_o metropolitan_o of_o asia_n pontus_n and_o thrace_n to_o which_o it_o belong_v in_o the_o canon_n immediate_o forego_v in_o short_a all_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o ancient_a metropolitan_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o sort_n those_o of_o honour_n and_o those_o of_o power_n the_o former_a the_o father_n of_o this_o council_n give_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o constantinople_n out_o of_o compliment_n to_o the_o new_a imperial_a city_n but_o neither_o can_v nor_o will_v give_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o latter_a because_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v without_o violate_v and_o alienate_v the_o real_a right_n and_o privilege_n of_o other_o men._n but_o yet_o however_o when_o once_o they_o have_v gor_o a_o high_a title_n it_o easy_o make_v way_n to_o advance_v themselves_o to_o a_o high_a power_n insomuch_o that_o in_o a_o short_a time_n after_o he_o swallow_v up_o all_o the_o three_o metropolitan_o of_o thrace_n pontus_n and_o asia_n into_o his_o own_o jurisdiction_n and_o now_o this_o superior_a order_n of_o primate_fw-la to_o metropolitan_n be_v thus_o set_v up_o by_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n it_o in_o a_o little_a time_n make_v way_n for_o the_o patriarchical_a dignity_n the_o title_n whereof_o be_v at_o first_o borrow_v from_o the_o wander_a jew_n of_o those_o time_n who_o wherever_o they_o settle_v in_o any_o considerable_a number_n after_o their_o dispersion_n from_o jerusalem_n choose_v a_o supreme_a governor_n who_o they_o style_v their_o patriarch_n but_o about_o the_o four_o century_n or_o somewhat_o after_o this_o title_n and_o authority_n be_v take_v from_o the_o jew_n and_o apply_v to_o the_o new_a supra-metropolitan_a bishop_n that_o it_o seem_v as_o yet_o have_v obtain_v no_o peculiar_a name_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n thus_o socrates_n the_o historian_n of_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n reckon_v up_o nectarius_n of_o constantinople_n helladius_n of_o pontus_n gregory_n of_o nyssa_n ottreius_fw-la of_o melitina_n amphilochius_n of_o iconium_n optimus_fw-la of_o the_o pisidian_n antioch_n timotheus_n of_o alexandria_n pelagius_n of_o laodicea_n diodorus_n of_o tarsus_n and_o many_o more_o though_o in_o a_o little_a time_n the_o title_n come_v to_o be_v appropriate_v to_o the_o five_o most_o eminent_a see_v rome_n constantinople_n alexandria_n antioch_n and_o jerusalem_n and_o they_o be_v make_v superior_a not_o only_o in_o title_n but_o in_o jurisdiction_n to_o all_o metropolitan_o within_o their_o diocese_n because_o it_o seem_v those_o city_n be_v the_o five_o chief_a city_n in_o the_o world_n have_v their_o claim_n to_o high_a dignity_n in_o the_o civil_a government_n than_o all_o other_o rome_n the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n alexandria_n the_o head_n city_n of_o africa_n and_o seat_n of_o the_o great_a ptolomy_v antiochia_n queen_n of_o the_o east_n and_o seat_n of_o the_o great_a seleucus_n and_o his_o successor_n jerusalem_n the_o mother_n city_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n and_o constantinople_n the_o new_a rome_n of_o the_o empire_n that_o have_v at_o that_o time_n overtopped_a old_a rome_n in_o greatness_n and_o authority_n now_o the_o right_n that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o these_o patriarch_n above_o metropolitan_o be_v these_o first_o that_o wherever_o they_o preside_v they_o have_v many_o metropolitan_o under_o their_o jurisdiction_n second_o that_o they_o only_o have_v right_a to_o ordain_v the_o metropolitan_o within_o their_o own_o patriarchate_o as_o metropolitan_n have_v bishop_n within_o their_o own_o province_n three_o that_o as_o metropolitan_n have_v power_n to_o call_v the_o bishop_n of_o their_o province_n to_o synod_n so_o have_v patriarch_n to_o call_v their_o metropolitan_n four_o that_o they_o be_v the_o supreme_a judicature_n within_o their_o own_o patriarchates_n no_o far_o appeal_v be_v to_o be_v make_v from_o a_o patriarch_n and_o thus_o be_v the_o church_n for_o a_o long_a time_n govern_v every_o patriarch_n enjoy_v supreme_a power_n within_o his_o own_o precinct_n and_o no_o far_o insomuch_o that_o the_o rule_n be_v adopt_v into_o the_o imperial_a law_n a_o patriarcha_fw-la non_fw-la datur_fw-la appellatio_fw-la no_o appeal_v from_o a_o patriarch_n and_o yet_o that_o alone_o be_v a_o plain_a bar_n to_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o pope_n or_o any_o other_o over_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n but_o then_o as_o for_o the_o bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n they_o still_o follow_v the_o division_n of_o the_o state_n and_o there_o it_o so_o happen_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n though_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o old_a imperial_a city_n he_o have_v precedency_n in_o honour_n above_o all_o the_o rest_n have_v one_o of_o the_o narrow_a jurisdiction_n of_o all_o his_o patriarchate_o extend_v at_o the_o far_a not_o beyond_o italy_n and_o the_o adjacent_a island_n though_o according_a to_o the_o true_a account_n it_o be_v not_o at_o first_o above_o half_a so_o great_a italy_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o part_n under_o two_o governor_n one_o reside_v at_o rome_n who_o govern_v the_o suburbicarian_a province_n so_o call_v because_o of_o their_o lie_v near_o to_o the_o city_n the_o other_o at_o milan_n who_o govern_v the_o more_o remote_a part_n and_o after_o the_o same_o manner_n be_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n divide_v into_o the_o roman_a diocese_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o italic_a diocese_n of_o which_o milan_n be_v the_o head_n over_o which_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o ancient_a time_n ever_o pretend_v any_o patriarchical_a supremacy_n nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o s._n ambrose_n be_v ordain_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 555._o bishop_n thereof_o by_o a_o synod_n of_o bishop_n of_o the_o italic_a diocese_n which_o he_o can_v not_o have_v be_v have_v the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v his_o patriarch_n the_o power_n of_o ordination_n be_v the_o chief_a branch_n of_o patriarchical_a jurisdiction_n but_o how_o great_a or_o little_o soever_o be_v the_o circuit_n of_o his_o patriarchate_n it_o be_v limit_v within_o certain_a bound_n as_o the_o other_o patriarchates_n be_v and_o as_o the_o patriarch_n be_v supreme_a within_o their_o own_o diocese_n so_o be_v most_o of_o the_o metropolitan_o within_o their_o own_o province_n for_o though_o where_o patriarch_n be_v erect_v the_o metropolitan_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o their_o patriarchate_n be_v subject_a to_o they_o yet_o all_o the_o other_o metropolitan_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n enjoy_v their_o own_o ancient_a supremacy_n and_o continue_v as_o they_o be_v before_o head-churche_n exercise_v supreme_a power_n

rome_n as_o to_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n but_o now_o if_o this_o one_o point_n of_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n as_o it_o must_v be_v if_o his_o pretence_n to_o it_o by_o divine_a right_n be_v true_a it_o be_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n that_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o much_o as_o the_o shadow_n of_o any_o such_o authority_n in_o all_o the_o record_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v it_o not_o very_o odd_a that_o when_o so_o many_o controversy_n be_v start_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n both_o in_o the_o apostle_n own_o time_n and_o in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o follow_v and_o that_o when_o almighty_a god_n have_v appoint_v s._n peter_n and_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n the_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a judge_n for_o end_v all_o controversy_n that_o yet_o none_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o primitive_a doctor_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o labour_v so_o much_o against_o schism_n heresy_n and_o division_n shall_v ever_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o or_o mention_v such_o a_o effectual_a nay_o infallible_a remedy_n against_o they_o all_o one_o appeal_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o further_a trouble_n and_o certain_o have_v god_n vest_v he_o with_o that_o power_n over_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n they_o can_v never_o have_v be_v so_o stupid_a as_o never_o to_o have_v take_v any_o notice_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o we_o find_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n of_o it_o for_o many_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o settlement_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n and_o perhaps_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n themselves_o have_v never_o think_v of_o it_o have_v it_o not_o be_v first_o put_v into_o their_o head_n by_o the_o bishop_n of_o constantinople_n by_o who_o it_o be_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n first_o claim_v some_o small_a glimmering_n indeed_o we_o meet_v with_o of_o some_o honorary_a preeminence_n or_o dignity_n allow_v to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n upon_o the_o score_n of_o its_o be_v the_o imperial_a city_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a resort_n to_o it_o of_o its_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o competent_a witness_n of_o the_o true_a tradition_n of_o christianity_n but_o that_o it_o shall_v have_v any_o jurisdiction_n over_o any_o other_o church_n out_o of_o its_o own_o province_n much_o more_o such_o a_o universal_a power_n over_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n as_o be_v now_o challenge_v be_v a_o notion_n so_o utter_o strange_a and_o unknown_a to_o all_o antiquity_n that_o the_o bare_a silence_n of_o it_o alone_o be_v a_o irrefragable_a demonstration_n of_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o pretence_n but_o for_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o this_o thing_n which_o indeed_o be_v the_o first_o point_n of_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o shall_v make_v bold_a as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v to_o give_v your_o royal_a highness_n a_o true_a and_o impartial_a account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o then_o of_o the_o several_a and_o gradual_a alteration_n that_o be_v by_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n make_v in_o it_o in_o after_o time_n and_o last_o how_o and_o how_o late_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n climb_v up_o to_o that_o infinite_a authority_n that_o they_o have_v for_o some_o age_n exercise_v and_o still_o claim_v over_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o when_o i_o have_v do_v all_o this_o i_o may_v safe_o leave_v it_o to_o your_o royal_a highness_n princely_a wisdom_n to_o judge_v what_o obligation_n you_o can_v have_v in_o conscience_n to_o leave_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o britannic_a church_n for_o that_o of_o rome_n and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o evident_a in_o all_o the_o record_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n than_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o doctor_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n model_v the_o first_o settlement_n of_o church_n according_a to_o the_o then_o present_a state_n and_o division_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n for_o though_o our_o bless_a saviour_n settle_v the_o supreme_a government_n of_o his_o church_n upon_o his_o holy_a apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n yet_o he_o no_o where_o prescribe_v the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o every_o man_n jurisdiction_n but_o leave_v it_o as_o indeed_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n require_v to_o (null)_o prudence_n ot_fw-mi divide_v the_o province_n among_o themselves_o as_o they_o shall_v judge_v most_o convenient_a for_o the_o advantage_n of_o their_o common_a christianity_n and_o according_o we_o find_v from_o the_o very_a beginning_n that_o they_o form_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o church_n according_a to_o the_o civil_a judicature_n of_o the_o empire_n common_a prudence_n direct_v they_o so_o to_o do_v not_o only_o for_o the_o more_o speedy_a propagation_n of_o christianity_n by_o the_o resort_n of_o all_o people_n to_o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o province_n which_o they_o therefore_o constitute_v the_o mother_n church_n of_o it_o but_o that_o whenever_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v come_v in_o to_o own_o christianity_n the_o better_a correspondence_n may_v be_v maintain_v between_o the_o state_n civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a and_o beside_o this_o by_o make_v the_o head_n city_n of_o every_o province_n the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o church_n within_o that_o province_n upon_o which_o the_o inferior_a city_n depend_v as_o the_o centre_n of_o communion_n they_o thereby_o admirable_o secure_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n while_o every_o episcopal_a church_n exercise_v ordinary_a jurisdiction_n within_o itself_o but_o be_v bind_v either_o in_o case_n of_o great_a difficulty_n or_o such_o as_o concern_v the_o common_a christianity_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o mother-church_n and_o this_o be_v apparent_o the_o original_a of_o the_o privilege_n and_o preeminence_n of_o some_o church_n above_o other_o from_o the_o beginning_n not_o that_o they_o ever_o pretend_v to_o any_o sovereignty_n over_o they_o in_o their_o particular_a jurisdiction_n but_o only_o as_o the_o centre_n of_o ecclesiastical_a unity_n so_o as_o to_o decide_v controversy_n whenever_o any_o inferior_a church_n appeal_v to_o they_o for_o their_o advice_n or_o to_o summon_v council_n and_o preside_v over_o they_o in_o all_o debate_n that_o concern_v common_a christianity_n and_o that_o this_o distribution_n of_o province_n and_o bishopric_n be_v settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n seem_v evident_a from_o their_o own_o write_n who_o every_o where_o describe_v the_o bound_n of_o church_n according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o empire_n thus_o st._n peter_n direct_v his_o epistle_n to_o the_o several_a church_n of_o the_o christian_a jew_n with_o respect_n to_o so_o many_o several_a province_n pontus_n galatia_n cappadocia_n asia_n and_o bythinia_n which_o as_o they_o be_v distinct_a province_n in_o the_o civil_a division_n of_o the_o empire_n so_o be_v they_o from_o that_o time_n forward_o so_o many_o distinct_a provincial_n see_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o nothing_o be_v more_o obvious_a in_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n than_o that_o whenever_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o any_o church_n he_o either_o call_v it_o by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o province_n itself_o or_o the_o metropolis_n or_o head_n city_n of_o it_o and_o as_o this_o design_n of_o conform_v the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n to_o the_o civil_a be_v first_o set_v on_o foot_n by_o the_o apostle_n so_o be_v it_o careful_o prosecute_v by_o their_o successor_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o eminent_a instance_n in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n which_o though_o they_o be_v not_o compile_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o yet_o they_o be_v by_o apostolical_a man_n and_o such_o as_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o where_o it_o be_v decree_v in_o the_o 34_o canon_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o every_o nation_n shall_v acknowledge_v their_o primate_n or_o metropolitan_a and_o honour_v he_o as_o their_o head_n and_o do_v nothing_o of_o moment_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n without_o his_o consent_n nor_o he_o without_o they_o now_o that_o this_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v evident_a in_o that_o as_o this_o canon_n be_v make_v a_o very_a short_a time_n after_o their_o decease_n so_o it_o be_v not_o a_o new_a law_n but_o a_o ratification_n of_o a_o old_a custom_n as_o indeed_o most_o of_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n seem_v to_o be_v this_o be_v apparent_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o empire_n for_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n or_o the_o whole_a interval_n of_o time_n from_o our_o saviour_n to_o constantine_n that_o as_o every_o city_n be_v govern_v by_o its_o own_o bishop_n so_o be_v every_o province_n by_o its_o own_o metropolitan_a in_o his_o synod_n of_o bishop_n of_o which_o

only_o a_o member_n of_o it_o and_o in_o that_o station_n it_o be_v as_o large_a a_o church_n as_o any_o be_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n neither_o then_o do_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n consist_v in_o a_o union_n of_o all_o church_n under_o one_o head_n but_o in_o brotherly_a love_n and_o correspondence_n with_o one_o another_o and_o for_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v ready_a to_o offer_v it_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o any_o other_o upon_o the_o old_a condition_n that_o they_o will_v give_v her_o leave_n to_o admonish_v they_o of_o their_o fault_n and_o miscarriage_n as_o church_n do_v one_o another_o of_o old_a but_o this_o be_v a_o civility_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v too_o proud_a to_o accept_v of_o it_o must_v be_v all_o church_n or_o it_o will_v be_v none_o at_o all_o it_o allow_v no_o equal_n in_o communion_n and_o condescend_v to_o no_o treaty_n but_o upon_o term_n of_o absolute_a subjection_n neither_o be_v it_o content_a to_o enslave_v all_o its_o neighbour_n to_o its_o own_o imperious_a decree_n unless_o they_o be_v submit_v to_o as_o the_o infallible_a dictate_v of_o god_n himself_o now_o this_o seem_v too_o much_o for_o man_n to_o swallow_v that_o have_v any_o sense_n or_o care_n of_o their_o salvation_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o whole_a faith_n of_o christendom_n shall_v be_v leave_v entire_o at_o the_o disposal_n of_o one_o single_a person_n and_o the_o pope_n alone_o shall_v be_v the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n this_o i_o say_v seem_v too_o much_o to_o venture_v upon_o one_o single_a security_n especial_o unless_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o some_o clear_a commission_n than_o those_o remote_a and_o obscure_a text_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v allege_v for_o the_o papal_a supremacy_n but_o to_o return_v from_o the_o pope_n to_o the_o church_n as_o the_o first_o constitution_n of_o church_n be_v conform_v to_o the_o civil_a government_n so_o indeed_o no_o other_o be_v practicable_a for_o upon_o that_o supposition_n that_o christianity_n make_v no_o abatement_n as_o to_o the_o civil_a right_n of_o man_n especial_o of_o prince_n provincial_a church_n can_v be_v just_o extend_v beyond_o the_o dominion_n of_o the_o state_n because_o in_o that_o case_n if_o metropolitan_n or_o patriarch_n have_v power_n to_o call_v their_o subject-bishop_n to_o council_n the_o king_n subject_n may_v be_v summon_v out_o of_o his_o dominion_n without_o his_o leave_n which_o be_v not_o only_o to_o diminish_v but_o to_o destroy_v his_o power_n over_o his_o own_o subject_n for_o when_o they_o be_v out_o of_o his_o dominion_n they_o be_v none_o of_o he_o so_o that_o the_o very_a state_n of_o christianity_n natural_o imply_v as_o it_o will_v not_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o itself_o the_o conformity_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o state_n in_o its_o bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o that_o know_v say_v of_o one_o of_o the_o father_n that_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o not_o the_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o civil_a government_n be_v first_o constitute_v and_o the_o church_n be_v afterward_o take_v into_o it_o it_o must_v for_o that_o reason_n keep_v itself_o within_o it_o otherwise_o it_o break_v down_o its_o old_a bound_n of_o settlement_n but_o beside_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o government_n confine_v every_o church_n within_o the_o prince_n dominion_n in_o which_o it_o be_v so_o it_o be_v high_o convenient_a if_o not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o due_a and_o effectual_a exercise_n of_o discipline_n that_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n be_v confine_v within_o some_o moderate_a circuit_n of_o government_n for_o great_a government_n be_v slow_a and_o unwieldy_a in_o their_o motion_n the_o very_a distance_n of_o place_n make_v all_o proceed_n uneasy_a and_o determination_n difficult_a and_o of_o this_o our_o nation_n be_v sufficient_o sensible_a when_o all_o ecclesiastical_a appeal_n be_v carry_v to_o rome_n the_o journey_n be_v tedious_a and_o chargeable_a and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o distance_n of_o witness_n and_o other_o inconvenience_n proceed_n infinite_o dilatory_a i_o may_v say_v endless_a cause_n depend_v there_o from_o age_n to_o age_n this_o be_v too_o notorious_a from_o the_o sad_a and_o open_a complaint_n of_o those_o time_n and_o i_o myself_o enjoy_v a_o small_a office_n in_o this_o church_n wherein_o my_o predecessor_n have_v a_o suit_n for_o a_o privilege_n belong_v to_o it_o hang_v in_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n till_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o pope_n power_n these_o be_v intolerable_a grievance_n to_o mankind_n and_o heavy_a burden_n than_o be_v ever_o impose_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o most_o barbarous_a civil_a government_n if_o therefore_o his_o holiness_n will_v challenge_v a_o supremacy_n over_o all_o christian_a church_n let_v he_o not_o exercise_v his_o jurisdiction_n in_o ordinary_a cause_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o all_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o world_n we_o will_v not_o contend_v with_o he_o about_o his_o patriarchical_a pre-eminence_n if_o that_o will_v give_v he_o satisfaction_n though_o we_o know_v he_o have_v not_o the_o least_o pretence_n of_o any_o claim_n to_o it_o over_o we_o but_o when_o under_o that_o pretext_n he_o take_v to_o himself_o the_o office_n of_o universal_a bishop_n that_o be_v to_o be_v all_o the_o bishop_n of_o christendom_n it_o be_v that_o exorbitant_a usurpation_n that_o be_v not_o our_o complaint_n alone_o but_o the_o universal_a complaint_n of_o christendom_n itself_o and_o therefore_o if_o he_o will_v keep_v within_o his_o patriarchical_a bound_n and_o privilege_n which_o yet_o he_o enjoy_v not_o by_o divine_a right_o but_o (null)_o institution_n we_o will_v give_v he_o all_o that_o respect_n and_o reverence_n that_o be_v due_a to_o the_o primacy_n of_o his_o see_n but_o if_o instead_o of_o brotherly_a communion_n with_o we_o nothing_o less_o will_v serve_v his_o turn_n than_o absolute_a dominion_n over_o we_o and_o if_o submission_n to_o that_o must_v be_v make_v our_o only_a title_n to_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o if_o we_o have_v no_o right_n to_o christianity_n but_o by_o subjection_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n these_o can_v but_o seem_v too_o hard_a term_n of_o communion_n or_o if_o they_o be_v not_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v unwarrantable_a or_o if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v not_o necessary_a and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o premise_n where_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o first_o duty_n of_o every_o christian_a as_o a_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v to_o join_v communion_n with_o his_o own_o bishop_n as_o the_o first_o political_a society_n of_o a_o church_n and_o that_o the_o next_o be_v a_o combination_n of_o all_o the_o bishop_n within_o one_o civil_a government_n under_o one_o metropolitan_a that_o this_o polity_n be_v set_v on_o foot_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o every_o where_o put_v in_o practice_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a province_n can_v extend_v beyond_o the_o precinct_n of_o the_o civil_a without_o infringe_v the_o authority_n of_o sovereign_a prince_n and_o therefore_o that_o no_o foreign_a prelate_n can_v have_v or_o exercise_v any_o ecclesiastical_a power_n over_o his_o majesty_n subject_n because_o that_o will_v give_v they_o power_n to_o command_v they_o out_o of_o his_o dominion_n so_o plain_o do_v the_o nature_n of_o civil_a government_n set_v bound_n to_o ecclesiastical_a society_n which_o one_o thing_n if_o due_o consider_v must_v cut_v off_o all_o claim_n of_o papal_a supremacy_n over_o this_o church_n because_o by_o virtue_n of_o it_o he_o will_v have_v such_o a_o kind_n of_o power_n over_o his_o majesty_n subject_n as_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v any_o its_o officer_n and_o as_o this_o be_v the_o settlement_n of_o national_a church_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n so_o be_v it_o the_o present_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o be_v or_o will_v be_v govern_v by_o its_o metropolitan_a in_o his_o synod_n of_o bishop_n subject_n to_o one_o civil_a government_n and_o as_o this_o be_v all_o the_o political_a society_n that_o a_o christian_a church_n be_v capable_a of_o so_o all_o the_o communion_n that_o it_o can_v have_v with_o other_o church_n consist_v in_o brotherly_a love_n and_o mutual_a correspondence_n and_o this_o way_n be_v the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o it_o preserve_v in_o competent_a peace_n and_o unity_n and_o whatever_o other_o power_n be_v afterward_o erect_v in_o the_o church_n be_v found_v upon_o (null)_o institution_n and_o therefore_o be_v alterable_a in_o itself_o at_o least_o not_o necessary_a to_o the_o