the_o bishop_n thereof_o to_o the_o number_n of_o twenty_o seven_o have_v be_v ordain_v in_o the_o city_n itself_o but_o that_o it_o seem_v prove_v a_o false_a allegation_n he_o have_v give_v we_o no_o reason_n to_o believe_v he_o in_o his_o tradition_n a_o inference_n much_o like_o this_o that_o suppose_v two_o person_n to_o contend_v for_o their_o right_n and_o the_o advocate_n of_o one_o of_o they_o shall_v in_o his_o plea_n allege_v a_o false_a prescription_n his_o adversary_n shall_v thence_o conclude_v upon_o he_o that_o he_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o person_n in_o the_o world_n as_o his_o client_n for_o this_o be_v the_o case_n the_o matter_n of_o the_o dispute_n be_v where_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n ought_v to_o be_v ordain_v according_a to_o the_o canon_n at_o ephesus_n say_v leontius_n by_o constant_a prescription_n no_o say_v the_o council_n for_o many_o of_o they_o have_v be_v ordain_v at_o constantinople_n now_o be_v it_o not_o awkerd_a to_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o council_n deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o succession_n itself_o when_o as_o the_o debate_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o it_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o both_o sidesa_n a_o thing_n undoubted_a that_o there_o be_v a_o succession_n of_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n and_o the_o controversy_n be_v only_o about_o the_o accustom_a place_n of_o their_o consecration_n now_o from_o the_o variety_n of_o that_o to_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o bishop_n at_o all_o be_v such_o a_o force_a argument_n as_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o we_o have_v a_o very_a great_a mind_n to_o our_o conclusion_n i_o may_v proceed_v to_o the_o succession_n in_o other_o church_n of_o which_o we_o have_v certain_a record_n but_o i_o will_v not_o engage_v myself_o in_o too_o many_o particular_a historical_a dispute_n where_o i_o know_v it_o be_v easy_a if_o man_n will_v not_o be_v ingenuous_a to_o perplex_v any_o matter_n with_o little_a critical_a scruple_n and_o difficulty_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v cast_v the_o whole_a of_o this_o controversy_n upon_o this_o one_o principle_n that_o though_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n be_v as_o defective_a as_o be_v pretend_v yet_o see_v all_o that_o be_v preserve_v make_v only_o for_o episcopacy_n and_o that_o our_o adversary_n be_v notable_a to_o trace_v out_o one_o against_o it_o that_o be_v evidence_n more_o than_o enough_o of_o its_o universal_a practice_n and_o if_o that_o will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o trouble_v ourselves_o on_o either_o side_n with_o any_o proof_n that_o may_v be_v have_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o if_o upon_o that_o account_n we_o have_v not_o any_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a either_o for_o they_o or_o we_o to_o have_v it_o in_o this_o or_o any_o other_o controversy_n whatsoever_o three_o the_o succession_n so_o much_o plead_v for_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v not_o a_o succession_n of_o person_n in_o apostolical_a power_n but_o a_o succession_n in_o apostolical_a doctrine_n whether_o any_o person_n succeed_v in_o apostolical_a power_n have_v be_v already_o consider_v and_o therefore_o all_o that_o be_v here_o requisite_a to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v by_o what_o person_n the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v convey_v and_o if_o it_o be_v plead_v by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o bishop_n as_o the_o apostle_n successor_n that_o prove_v the_o succession_n of_o person_n as_o well_o as_o doctrine_n but_o see_v this_o be_v to_o be_v do_v as_o our_o adversary_n instruct_v we_o by_o a_o view_n of_o the_o place_n produce_v to_o that_o purpose_n let_v we_o view_v they_o too_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o irenaeus_n quoniam_fw-la valdè_fw-la longum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o hoc_fw-la tali_fw-la volumine_fw-la omnium_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la enumerare_fw-la successiones_fw-la maximae_fw-la &_o antiquissimae_fw-la &_o omnibus_fw-la cognitae_fw-la à _fw-la gloriosissimis_fw-la duobus_fw-la apostolis_n petro_n &_o paulo_n romae_fw-la fundatae_fw-la &_o constitutae_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la eam_fw-la quam_fw-la habet_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n traditionem_fw-la &_o annunciatam_fw-la hominibus_fw-la fidem_fw-la per_fw-la successiones_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la pervenientes_fw-la usque_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la indicantes_fw-la confundimus_fw-la omnes_fw-la eos_fw-la etc._n etc._n where_o we_o see_v that_o whatever_o the_o argument_n of_o irenaeus_n be_v his_o design_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v convey_v down_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o bishop_n that_o be_v successor_n to_o they_o in_o their_o several_a see_v so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o design_v to_o prove_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o doctrine_n by_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o doctor_n and_o therefore_o if_o he_o do_v not_o prove_v it_o he_o do_v more_o he_o suppose_v it_o and_o by_o the_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n in_o that_o those_o person_n who_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o oversee_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n have_v convey_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n down_o to_o we_o by_o their_o successor_n and_o what_o full_a testimony_n can_v there_o be_v of_o a_o personal_a succession_n of_o bishop_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o yet_o irenaeus_n do_v more_o than_o this_o he_o derive_v the_o personal_a succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o they_o all_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o they_o succeed_v one_o another_o and_o as_o linus_n be_v their_o successor_n so_o be_v eleutherius_fw-la who_o sit_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o irenaeus_n write_v and_o therefore_o if_o linus_n be_v successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n so_o be_v eleutherius_fw-la and_o if_o eleutherius_fw-la be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n so_o be_v linus_n so_o that_o it_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n to_o succeed_v in_o the_o bishopric_n and_o the_o apostolical_a authority_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o passage_n of_o tertullian_n edant_fw-la origines_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la suarum_fw-la evolvant_fw-la ordinem_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la suorum_fw-la ita_fw-la per_fw-la successiones_fw-la ab_fw-la initio_fw-la decurrentem_fw-la ut_fw-la primus_fw-la ille_fw-la episcopus_fw-la aliquem_fw-la ex_fw-la apostolis_n aut_fw-la apostolicis_fw-la viris_fw-la habuerit_fw-la authorem_fw-la &_o antecessorem_fw-la hoc_fw-la modo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la apostolicae_fw-la census_fw-la suos_fw-la deferunt_fw-la sicut_fw-la smyrnaeorum_n ecclesia_fw-la habens_fw-la polycarpum_fw-la à _fw-la joanne_n conlocatum_fw-la refert_fw-la sicut_fw-la romanorum_fw-la clementem_fw-la à _fw-la petro_n ordinatum_fw-la edit_fw-la proinde_fw-la utique_fw-la &_o â—aeterae_fw-la exhibent_fw-la quos_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n in_fw-la episcopatum_fw-la constitutos_fw-la apostolici_fw-la seminis_fw-la traduce_v habeant_fw-la the_o whole_a design_n of_o which_o passage_n be_v to_o prescribe_v against_o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a successor_n and_o that_o be_v express_o appropriate_v to_o single_a bishop_n i_o hope_v i_o need_v not_o now_o dispute_v whether_o they_o succeed_v they_o only_o in_o degree_n and_o not_o order_n or_o in_o order_n only_o and_o not_o jurisdiction_n all_o that_o i_o desire_v from_o this_o testimony_n be_v that_o they_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o several_a church_n for_o though_o he_o instance_n only_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n yet_o he_o declare_v himself_o able_a and_o ready_a to_o give_v the_o same_o account_n of_o all_o other_o church_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o warrant_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n than_o which_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v understand_v what_o more_o can_v be_v desire_v to_o justify_v their_o succession_n in_o the_o apostolical_a authority_n especial_o from_o tertullian_n who_o be_v neither_o thomist_n nor_o scotist_n and_o so_o be_v utter_o unacquainted_a with_o those_o fine_a distinction_n of_o degree_n order_n and_o jurisdiction_n but_o speak_v like_o a_o plain_a and_o a_o blunt_a african_a when_o he_o call_v the_o bishop_n in_o their_o several_a diocese_n the_o apostle_n successor_n and_o so_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o same_o age_n understand_v by_o a_o bishop_n one_o superior_a to_o subject_a presbyter_n for_o whatever_o be_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v now_o determine_v to_o this_o order_n and_o so_o use_v in_o vulgar_a speech_n so_o that_o when_o we_o meet_v with_o it_o in_o their_o write_n we_o must_v understand_v it_o in_o the_o common_a sense_n and_o therefore_o by_o a_o bishop_n we_o must_v mean_v the_o same_o thing_n from_o the_o apostle_n downward_o and_o a_o bishop_n in_o their_o time_n be_v superior_a to_o presbyter_n and_o the_o apostle_n be_v grant_v to_o have_v be_v superior_a to_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o succession_n from_o first_o to_o last_o continue_v in_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o now_o when_o this_o succession_n be_v
the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n brief_o and_o true_o state_v in_o the_o three_o first_o and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n i._o the_o obligation_n of_o christianity_n by_o divine_a right_n ii_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n by_o divine_a right_n iii_o the_o institution_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n by_o divine_a right_n by_o s._n p._n a_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n faithorne_n and_o john_n kersey_n and_o sell_v by_o walter_n davis_n in_o amen-corner_n 1681._o a_o scheme_n of_o the_o general_a content_n part_n i._n three_o popular_a principle_n destructive_a of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n page_n 1._o the_o absurdity_n of_o mr._n hobb_n principle_n that_o the_o sovereign_a power_n be_v the_o only_a founder_n of_o all_o religion_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n p._n 7_o mr._n selden'_v account_n of_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v mere_o civil_a p._n 27_o his_o account_n of_o excommunication_n from_o adam_n to_o moses_n consider_v p._n 37_o the_o same_o from_o moses_n to_o the_o captivity_n and_o from_o the_o captivity_n to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n p._n 42_o the_o same_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o first_o as_o to_o its_o usage_n p._n 54_o second_o as_o to_o the_o right_n which_o be_v prove_v to_o have_v be_v neither_o judicial_a nor_o imperial_a but_o pure_o divine_a p._n 62_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n p._n 71_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v ground_v carry_v in_o they_o true_a and_o proper_a jurisdiction_n and_o appropriate_v its_o exercise_n to_o the_o church_n p._n 76_o and_o that_o by_o divine_a institution_n not_o mere_a voluntary_a confederacy_n p._n 89_o all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n leave_v entire_o by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n and_o that_o the_o imperial_a law_n extant_a both_o in_o the_o theodosian_a code_n and_o justinian_n be_v no_o new_a law_n but_o only_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n ratify_v with_o temporal_a penalty_n p._n 91_o part_n ii_o a_o account_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o form_n of_o government_n settle_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o divine_a institution_n page_n 117_o that_o our_o saviour_n found_v his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n demonstrate_v this_o imparity_n prove_v to_o consist_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n as_o well_o as_o order_n and_o the_o institution_n of_o it_o show_v to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a obligation_n p._n 124_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n vindicate_v against_o divers_a exception_n the_o vanity_n and_o absurdity_n of_o the_o objection_n from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n the_o divine_a obligation_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n in_o this_o matter_n prove_v p._n 135_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 the_o pretence_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n fall_v as_o foul_a upon_o christianity_n itself_o as_o the_o form_n of_o government_n p._n 143_o the_o argument_n first_o from_o the_o defect_n as_o to_o place_n consider_v and_o confute_v p._n 148_o second_o front_v the_o defect_n as_o to_o time_n and_o person_n p._n 150_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n prove_v first_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o st._n clement_n of_o rome_n second_o of_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n demonstrate_v to_o be_v genuine_a p._n 155_o the_o same_o prove_v from_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n and_o the_o canon_n prove_v to_o be_v of_o primitive_a antiquity_n p._n 177_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n vindicate_v from_o the_o pretence_n of_o ambiguity_n and_o first_o in_o that_o they_o have_v not_o inform_v we_o whether_o the_o succession_n be_v only_o of_o order_n or_o of_o power_n p._n 183_o second_o in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o universal_a but_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o not_o it_o be_v sufficient_a in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o record_n against_o it_o and_o the_o record_n of_o all_o the_o chief_a church_n be_v clear_a for_o it_o p._n 189_o three_o in_o that_o this_o succession_n be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n this_o show_v to_o be_v apparent_o false_a and_o if_o it_o be_v true_a frivolous_a p._n 203_o that_o the_o ancient_a church_n own_a episcopacy_n as_o of_o divine_a institution_n and_o not_o ecclesiastical_a p._n 213_o st._n jeroms_n authority_n thorough_o consider_v and_o turn_v upon_o himself_o so_o as_o to_o make_v this_o objection_n out_o of_o he_o against_o it_o the_o strong_a argument_n to_o prove_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o episcopacy_n p._n 216_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n of_o the_o ordination_n of_o their_o bishop_n by_o presbyter_n refute_v and_o the_o story_n of_o eutychius_n concern_v it_o show_v to_o be_v false_a and_o foolish_a p._n 231_o if_o we_o take_v away_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o some_o form_n of_o church-government_n it_o unavoidable_o resolve_v the_o church_n into_o independency_n and_o confusion_n p._n 243_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o episcopacy_n as_o settle_v by_o divine_a right_o the_o only_a effectal_a bulwark_n against_o popery_n p._n 252_o a_o postscript_n p._n 263_o part_n i._n when_o i_o consider_v on_o one_o side_n with_o what_o triumph_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v together_o with_o his_o majesty_n restore_v with_o what_o law_n guard_v with_o what_o vigour_n assert_v with_o what_o zeal_n defend_v and_o on_o the_o other_o with_o what_o folly_n and_o peevishness_n oppose_v that_o none_o of_o its_o implacable_a enemy_n have_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v any_o the_o least_o real_a defect_n or_o corruption_n in_o its_o constitution_n that_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o all_o wise_a man_n it_o approach_v near_a of_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o primitive_a purity_n that_o it_o be_v free_a from_o all_o imposture_n and_o innovation_n that_o it_o do_v not_o abuse_v its_o child_n with_o pious_a fraud_n and_o art_n of_o gain_n nor_o sacrifice_v the_o interest_n of_o soul_n to_o its_o own_o wealth_n and_o grandeur_n that_o it_o assert_n the_o right_n of_o prince_n against_o all_o priestly_a usurpation_n that_o it_o do_v not_o enrage_v the_o people_n with_o enthusiasm_n on_o one_o hand_n nor_o enslave_v they_o with_o superstition_n on_o the_o other_o that_o its_o doctrine_n be_v pure_a simple_a and_o apostolical_a and_o its_o discipline_n easie_n prudent_a and_o merciful_a in_o a_o word_n that_o it_o be_v a_o church_n that_o want_v nothing_o but_o only_o that_o we_o will_v suffer_v she_o to_o be_v what_o she_o profess_v and_o desire_v to_o be_v when_o i_o say_v i_o consider_v all_o this_o with_o myself_o it_o can_v not_o but_o strike_v i_o with_o wonder_n and_o amazement_n that_o a_o church_n so_o unanimous_o own_v so_o powerful_o protect_v so_o excellent_o constitute_v so_o approve_v by_o all_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n shall_v in_o all_o this_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o obtain_v any_o true_a and_o effectual_a settlement_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v almost_o strip_v naked_a of_o all_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n expose_v to_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n desert_v by_o its_o friend_n trample_v upon_o by_o its_o enemy_n and_o true_o reduce_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o poor_a despise_a church_n of_o england_n but_o then_o consider_v far_o with_o myself_o what_o may_v be_v the_o ground_n and_o occasion_n of_o such_o a_o wild_a and_o seem_o unaccountable_a apostasy_n i_o quick_o find_v three_o very_a prevail_a principle_n utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o be_v of_o a_o christian_a church_n wherewith_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n mind_n be_v possess_v and_o especial_o those_o that_o have_v of_o late_o appear_v the_o most_o zealous_a patriot_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o the_o building_n be_v so_o weak_a and_o totter_a when_o it_o be_v erect_v upon_o such_o false_a and_o rot_a foundation_n so_o that_o whilst_o these_o treacherous_a principle_n lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o work_n it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a to_o bring_v it_o to_o any_o sure_a and_o last_a settlement_n and_o it_o be_v these_o false_a and_o unhappy_a principle_n that_o i_o shall_v now_o endeavour_v to_o represent_v and_o by_o plain_a reason_n to_o remove_v they_o be_v chief_o these_o three_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o his_o follower_n that_o own_o the_o church_n of_o england_n only_o because_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o england_n and_o allow_v no_o authority_n either_o to_o that_o or_o any_o other_o religion_n than_o as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o sovereign_a power_n though_o a_o religion_n
in_o every_o epistle_n he_o so_o plain_o enforce_v his_o exhortation_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n pure_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o command_n of_o christ._n and_o thus_o have_v i_o clear_v the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o defect_n of_o ambiguity_n ground_v upon_o those_o four_o pretence_n that_o the_o succession_n may_v be_v only_o of_o a_o different_a degree_n that_o it_o be_v not_o clear_a and_o convince_a in_o all_o place_n that_o where_o it_o be_v clear_a it_o it_o mean_v of_o a_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o of_o person_n and_o last_o that_o if_o it_o be_v of_o person_n yet_o presbyter_n be_v say_v to_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o bishop_n by_o which_o last_o we_o have_v already_o clear_v the_o next_o thing_n object_v to_o show_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n which_o be_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n after_o the_o distinction_n between_o their_o office_n be_v bring_v in_o by_o the_o church_n which_o i_o have_v already_o show_v to_o be_v false_a and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o utter_o destroy_v their_o argument_n of_o the_o identity_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o name_n but_o because_o new_a instance_n be_v here_o bring_v to_o prove_v the_o same_o thing_n we_o must_v follow_v and_o first_o as_o for_o the_o passage_n cite_v out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n he_o be_v confess_v to_o have_v write_v before_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o name_n and_o therefore_o be_v here_o cite_v to_o no_o purpose_n but_o the_o great_a and_o only_a testimony_n be_v that_o of_o the_o gallican_n church_n who_o in_o their_o epistle_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la bishop_n of_o rome_n give_v irenaeus_n the_o title_n of_o presbyter_n though_o he_o have_v be_v nine_o year_n bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o this_o look_n very_o big_a if_o it_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a chronological_a blunder_n of_o blondel_n against_o the_o clear_a 23._o testimony_n of_o all_o antiquity_n for_o first_o the_o martyr_n of_o lion_n in_o their_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o phrygia_n speak_v of_o their_o bishop_n pothinus_n they_o give_v give_v he_o that_o title_n but_o in_o this_o epistle_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la they_o or_o as_o blondel_n will_v have_v it_o the_o church_n of_o lion_n give_v irenaeus_n only_o the_o title_n of_o presbyter_n and_o both_o eusebius_n and_o st._n jerom_n affirm_v that_o he_o be_v no_o more_o at_o the_o write_n of_o it_o to_o all_o which_o blondel_n object_n that_o they_o both_o place_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o pothinus_n and_o his_o frenchmen_n immediate_o after_o that_o of_o polycarp_n and_o the_o asiatic_n which_o be_v in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n and_o therefore_o the_o other_o be_v about_o the_o same_o time_n so_o that_o when_o irenaeus_n go_v to_o rome_n with_o the_o letter_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la which_o be_v in_o the_o seventeen_o year_n of_o that_o emperor_n he_o have_v be_v so_o long_a bishop_n but_o to_o this_o it_o be_v easy_o answer_v that_o though_o the_o relation_n of_o these_o two_o martyrdom_n immediate_o follow_v one_o another_o in_o eusebius_n his_o cronicon_n and_o st._n jeroms_n translation_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o follow_v that_o they_o immediate_o follow_v in_o time_n because_o these_o two_o martyrdom_n be_v all_o that_o they_o mention_v concern_v the_o four_o persecution_n which_o last_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n so_o that_o though_o one_o be_v in_o the_o seven_o the_o other_o may_v be_v in_o the_o seventeen_o of_o that_o emperor_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o follow_v eusebius_n his_o more_o accurate_a account_n in_o his_o history_n who_o there_o express_o place_n it_o in_o the_o seventeen_o year_n and_o withal_o affirm_v that_o irenaeus_n be_v then_o only_a presbyter_n rather_o than_o from_o so_o weak_a a_o surmise_n from_o the_o 4._o nearness_n of_o the_o story_n in_o his_o chronicon_fw-la to_o bring_v confusion_n upon_o the_o whole_a history_n especial_o when_o it_o so_o fair_o clear_v itself_o in_o that_o this_o letter_n be_v direct_v to_o eleutherius_fw-la who_o succeed_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o sixteen_o year_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n and_o in_o the_o same_o year_n that_o he_o come_v to_o that_o see_v the_o gallican_n persecution_n begin_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o irenaeus_n can_v be_v advance_v to_o the_o bishopric_n before_o that_o time_n so_o that_o it_o be_v like_o the_o rest_n of_o blondel_n stretch_v to_o infer_v from_o a_o remote_a guess_n that_o the_o persecution_n be_v in_o the_o seven_o year_n when_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o clear_a story_n that_o it_o be_v not_o till_o the_o sixteen_o or_o seventeeth_n and_o now_o this_o chronological_a mistake_n be_v remove_v this_o testimony_n be_v clear_o evacuate_v and_o so_o this_o business_n be_v whole_o end_v the_o last_o thing_n allege_v to_o prove_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n be_v that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o own_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o divine_a institution_n but_o ecclesiastical_a but_o of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v choose_v to_o discourse_v in_o the_o last_o place_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o sententiae_fw-la hieronymi_n because_o it_o be_v the_o only_a positive_a argument_n that_o they_o produce_v in_o their_o own_o behalf_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n i_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o last_o place_n that_o when_o i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o have_v nothing_o material_a to_o except_v against_o what_o they_o oppose_v i_o may_v then_o show_v that_o they_o have_v as_o little_a to_o confirm_v what_o they_o assert_v and_o both_o together_o will_v prove_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o controversy_n as_o for_o the_o other_o two_o thing_n that_o remain_v to_o show_v the_o incompetency_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n viz._n its_o partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n little_a or_o no_o answer_n will_v serve_v their_o turn_n for_o as_o for_o the_o partiality_n all_o the_o proof_n that_o be_v material_a to_o our_o argument_n be_v that_o the_o father_n judge_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n by_o that_o of_o their_o own_o time_n and_o very_o good_a reason_n too_o because_o they_o conform_v the_o practice_n of_o their_o own_o time_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n but_o if_o our_o adversary_n will_v infer_v that_o the_o father_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n of_o judge_v of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o mere_o by_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o own_o custom_n it_o be_v only_o a_o precarious_a assertion_n and_o a_o direct_a impeach_v they_o of_o a_o more_o than_o vulgar_a folly_n and_o ignorance_n but_o the_o father_n here_o glance_v at_o be_v st._n chrysostom_n and_o the_o greek_a commentator_n that_o follow_v he_o thus_o who_o can_v imagine_v any_o force_n in_o chrysostoms_n argument_n that_o the_o presbyter_n who_o lay_v hand_n on_o timothy_n must_v needs_o be_v bishop_n because_o none_o do_v ordain_v in_o the_o church_n but_o bishop_n unless_o he_o make_v this_o the_o medium_n of_o his_o argument_n that_o whatever_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o day_n be_v so_o in_o apostolical_a time_n but_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o that_o poor_a medium_n to_o enforce_v his_o argument_n the_o force_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o that_o mere_a presbyter_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o therefore_o the_o mere_a exercise_n of_o that_o power_n be_v a_o manifest_a proof_n that_o those_o that_o have_v it_o be_v somewhat_o more_o than_o presbyter_n and_o even_o st._n hierom_n himself_o who_o will_v have_v they_o sometime_o though_o when_o he_o know_v not_o to_o have_v share_v with_o the_o bishop_n in_o all_o other_o part_n and_o branch_n of_o jurisdiction_n except_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n as_o peculiar_a to_o the_o episcopal_a order_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o force_n of_o st._n chrysostoms_n argument_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n not_o in_o in_o the_o custom_n of_o his_o own_o and_o when_o he_o be_v vindicate_v it_o be_v not_o to_o much_o purpose_n to_o add_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o greek_a commentator_n because_o they_o all_o follow_v he_o and_o though_o they_o may_v sometime_o fall_v short_a in_o their_o reason_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o they_o believe_v episcopacy_n to_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o catholic_n tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o deposition_n they_o be_v capable_a to_o give_v in_o this_o cause_n the_o last_o thing_n object_v be_v the_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o testimony_n and_o this_o be_v prove_v from_o
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
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
and_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o apostle_n act_v with_o a_o plenitude_n of_o power_n till_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o new_a commission_n after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o in_o st._n matthew_n 16._o 19_o he_o ve_v they_o with_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v in_o the_o future_a tense_n but_o in_o st._n john_n 20._o 23._o after_o his_o resurrection_n it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o present_a tense_n then_o it_o be_v that_o he_o give_v they_o that_o authority_n which_o himself_o have_v exercise_v whilst_o he_o remain_v on_o earth_n but_o then_o when_o immediate_o in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o new_a commission_n the_o apostle_n think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o choose_v one_o into_o their_o order_n to_o supply_v the_o vacancy_n make_v by_o the_o death_n of_o judas_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o they_o think_v the_o apostolical_a office_n by_o our_o saviour_n appointment_n distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o all_o other_o office_n in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o form_n observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o plant_v and_o govern_v of_o church_n be_v model_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o platform_n and_o after_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a to_o inquire_v whether_o he_o only_o draw_v the_o model_n or_o erect_v the_o building_n but_o whichsoever_o he_o do_v it_o be_v improve_v into_o a_o impregnable_a demonstration_n from_o the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o they_o the_o perpetual_a tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o this_o original_a form_n of_o church-government_n for_o the_o apostle_n we_o all_o know_v and_o all_o party_n grant_v during_o their_o day_n keep_v up_o the_o distinction_n and_o preeminence_n of_o their_o order_n and_o from_o they_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n claim_v their_o succession_n and_o every_o where_o challenge_v their_o episcopal_a authority_n from_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o example_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o now_o be_v we_o enter_v upon_o the_o second_o main_a controversy_n viz._n the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n against_o which_o three_o thing_n be_v usual_o allege_v that_o neither_o can_v we_o have_v that_o certainty_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o constitute_v a_o divine_a right_n nor_o second_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o apostle_n do_v tie_v themselves_o to_o any_o one_o fix_a course_n in_o model_a church_n nor_o three_o if_o they_o do_v do_v it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o we_o must_v observe_v the_o same_o and_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n second_o from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n plead_v in_o behalf_n of_o different_a form_n of_o government_n three_o from_o the_o defectiveness_n ambiguity_n partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n which_o shall_v inform_v we_o what_o be_v the_o apostolical_a practice_n but_o as_o to_o the_o first_o i_o shall_v whole_o wave_v the_o dispute_n of_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n because_o it_o be_v altogether_o beside_o the_o purpose_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o our_o other_o proof_n be_v so_o pregnant_a as_o to_o render_v it_o altogether_o useless_a neither_o indeed_o will_v this_o ever_o have_v be_v any_o matter_n of_o dispute_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n for_o want_n of_o better_a argument_n be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o slender_a pretence_n but_o how_o impotent_o salmasius_n and_o blondel_n who_o be_v the_o main_a founder_n of_o the_o argument_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o community_n of_o the_o name_n the_o identity_n of_o the_o office_n any_o one_o that_o have_v the_o patience_n to_o read_v they_o over_o may_v satisfy_v himself_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o can_v but_o admire_v to_o see_v learned_a man_n persist_v so_o stubborn_o in_o a_o palpable_a impertinency_n when_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o will_v infer_v no_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n notwithstanding_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o grant_v by_o themselves_o that_o the_o apostle_n enjoy_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v once_o prove_v or_o grant_v and_o themselves_z never_o doubt_v of_o it_o to_o infer_v their_o belove_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o parity_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o the_o equivocal_a signification_n of_o those_o two_o word_n be_v only_o to_o outface_v their_o own_o conviction_n and_o their_o adversary_n demonstration_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v and_o themselves_o can_v deny_v it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o inequality_n of_o office_n from_o the_o superiority_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v a_o very_a childish_a attempt_n to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v two_o synonymous_n term_n whereby_o to_o express_v the_o whole_a order_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o to_o persist_v in_o this_o trifle_a inference_n as_o salmasius_n have_v who_o when_o he_o be_v inform_v of_o its_o manifest_a weakness_n and_o absurdity_n will_v never_o renounce_v it_o but_o still_o repeat_v it_o in_o one_o book_n after_o another_o without_o any_o improvement_n but_o of_o passion_n and_o confidence_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o woeful_a example_n that_o i_o remember_v of_o a_o learned_a man_n trifle_a that_o have_v not_o the_o ingenuity_n to_o yield_v when_o he_o find_v himself_o vanquish_v not_o only_o by_o his_o adversary_n but_o his_o argument_n neither_o shall_v i_o trouble_v myself_o with_o other_o man_n dispute_n about_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n when_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a current_n of_o scripture_n that_o the_o apostle_n exercise_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o argument_n from_o apostolical_a practice_n for_o as_o yet_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o we_o whether_o they_o be_v presbyter_n or_o bishop_n that_o they_o set_v over_o particular_a church_n that_o shall_v be_v inquire_v into_o when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o apostle_n for_o then_o by_o apostolical_a practice_n there_o be_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n in_o church-government_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v here_o too_o at_o the_o blindness_n of_o walo_n messalinus_n who_o in_o pursuance_n of_o his_o verbal_a argument_n produce_v this_o passage_n out_o of_o theodoret_n and_o spend_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o his_o book_n in_o declaim_v upon_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o the_o same_o man_n be_v call_v presbyter_n and_o bishop_n and_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n they_o then_o call_v apostle_n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o name_n of_o apostolate_a be_v appropriate_a to_o they_o who_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o apostle_n and_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v apply_v to_o they_o who_o be_v former_o call_v apostle_n than_o which_o word_n beside_o that_o they_o contain_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n there_o be_v scarce_o a_o clear_a passage_n in_o all_o antiquity_n to_o confound_v his_o cause_n for_o what_o can_v be_v a_o plain_a reproof_n to_o their_o noise_n about_o the_o equivalency_n of_o word_n than_o to_o be_v tell_v that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o that_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n be_v then_o call_v apostle_n who_o exercise_v the_o episcopal_a power_n over_o the_o other_o clergy_n but_o that_o afterward_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o leave_v the_o word_n apostolate_v to_o those_o who_o be_v strict_o and_o proper_o so_o call_v and_o style_v all_o other_o bishop_n who_o in_o former_a time_n be_v style_v apostle_n what_o i_o say_v can_v be_v more_o peremptory_a against_o his_o opinion_n that_o conclude_v from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o name_n to_o the_o parity_n of_o power_n than_o this_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o word_n be_v equivalent_a yet_o the_o episcopal_a power_n be_v then_o in_o the_o apostle_n who_o successor_n in_o their_o supremacy_n come_v in_o aftertime_n to_o be_v call_v bishop_n and_o if_o so_o then_o be_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o imparity_n of_o church-officer_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o in_o succeed_a age_n nay_o our_o friend_n walo_n be_v not_o content_a to_o make_v this_o out_o for_o we_o only_o as_o to_o the_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
a_o incomparable_a treasure_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o omit_v daille_n belove_a negative_a and_o internal_a argument_n which_o his_o adversary_n have_v for_o ever_o rout_v with_o a_o prodigious_a force_n of_o reason_n and_o dexterity_n of_o learning_n i_o shall_v only_o give_v a_o account_n in_o short_a of_o the_o main_a rational_a point_n of_o the_o controversy_n that_o be_v what_o ancient_a testimony_n be_v to_o be_v allege_v either_o for_o or_o against_o their_o antiquity_n on_o the_o one_o side_n they_o be_v frequent_o own_v and_o quote_v by_o all_o the_o first_o general_a council_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v be_v enact_v in_o the_o interval_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a they_o be_v cite_v by_o many_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n as_o canon_n of_o the_o first_o and_o most_o early_a antiquity_n and_o they_o be_v express_o refer_v to_o by_o the_o most_o famous_a emperor_n in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a law_n all_o which_o concurrent_a testimony_n any_o moderate_a man_n will_v think_v sufficient_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o any_o write_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v all_o overrule_v by_o a_o single_a decree_n of_o pope_n gelasius_n suppose_v to_o be_v make_v anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 494._o in_o which_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v reckon_v among_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o first_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o set_v up_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o man_n against_o many_o that_o be_v more_o ancient_a and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o competent_a witness_n than_o himself_o second_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o any_o such_o decree_n as_o be_v pretend_v be_v ever_o make_v by_o gelasius_n in_o that_o we_o never_o hear_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o till_o at_o least_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o his_o time_n three_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o decree_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o passage_n concern_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v foist_v into_o it_o it_o not_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a copy_n and_o hincmarus_n a_o person_n of_o singular_a learning_n in_o his_o time_n that_o make_v mention_n of_o this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n as_o early_o as_o any_o writer_n whatsoever_o express_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n in_o the_o whole_a decree_n de_fw-fr his_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la canonibus_fw-la penitus_fw-la taâ—uit_fw-la sed_fw-la nec_fw-la inter_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la eos_fw-la misit_fw-la where_o he_o express_o affirm_v that_o in_o the_o decree_n these_o canon_n be_v altogether_o omit_v and_o range_v neither_o with_o the_o orthodox_n nor_o with_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n this_o testimony_n be_v give_v in_o with_o as_o peremptory_a term_n as_o can_v be_v express_v and_o therefore_o daillé_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o to_o serve_v his_o cause_n quite_o invert_v the_o proposition_n and_o change_v misit_fw-la into_o omisit_fw-la that_o be_v turn_v i_o into_o no._n but_o man_n that_o can_v deal_v thus_o with_o their_o author_n need_v never_o trouble_v their_o head_n with_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o after_o this_o rate_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o make_v any_o author_n affirm_v or_o deny_v what_o they_o please_v but_o four_a suppose_v gelasius_n have_v make_v any_o such_o decree_n how_o do_v that_o destroy_v the_o antiquity_n of_o these_o canon_n when_o he_o have_v condemn_v the_o book_n of_o tertullian_n arnobius_n lactantius_n and_o eusebius_n for_o apocryphal_a and_o yet_o tertullian_n live_v three_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o decree_n and_o therefore_o why_o may_v not_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v allow_v their_o repute_a antiquity_n too_o notwithstanding_o that_o sentence_n which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o authority_n his_o holiness_n be_v please_v to_o allow_v they_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o not_o at_o all_o to_o their_o antiquity_n unless_o perhaps_o he_o design_v to_o declare_v that_o they_o be_v not_o frame_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o as_o he_o may_v fancy_v from_o their_o title_n not_o know_v that_o whatever_o be_v of_o prime_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v by_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o it_o style_v apostolical_a as_o be_v suppose_v to_o descend_v from_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o five_o will_n mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la allow_v this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n sufficient_a to_o give_v any_o book_n the_o apocryphal_a stamp_n if_o he_o will_v than_o he_o must_v reject_v many_o of_o the_o best_a father_n and_o in_o their_o stead_n admit_v the_o act_n of_o st._n sylvester_n the_o invention_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o st._n john_n baptist_n head_n for_o whilst_o the_o history_n of_o eusebius_n together_o with_o the_o other_o father_n be_v reject_v such_o fable_n as_o these_o be_v warrant_v by_o that_o barbarous_a and_o gothish_a decree_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o to_o destroy_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o man_n censure_n his_o mere_a want_n of_o judgement_n now_o compare_v this_o one_o pretend_a testimony_n of_o gelasius_n under_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v with_o the_o express_a counter-testimony_n of_o so_o many_o council_n father_n and_o emperor_n if_o any_o man_n be_v resolve_v notwithstanding_o all_o to_o stick_v to_o it_o i_o will_v say_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o his_o cause_n be_v much_o more_o beholden_a to_o he_o than_o he_o to_o his_o cause_n and_o now_o have_v give_v this_o account_n of_o these_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n if_o we_o descend_v to_o their_o successor_n from_o age_n to_o age_n we_o be_v there_o overwhelm_v with_o the_o crowd_n of_o witness_n but_o because_o they_o have_v be_v so_o often_o allege_v and_o urge_v by_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v have_v whole_o wave_v their_o citation_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n make_v use_v of_o several_a shift_n and_o artifices_fw-la to_o evade_v their_o authority_n and_o therefore_o though_o i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o their_o direct_a testimony_n yet_o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o all_o their_o exception_n and_o here_o the_o first_o pretence_n be_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o their_o testimony_n which_o be_v endeavour_v to_o be_v make_v out_o by_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o that_o personal_a succession_n may_v be_v without_o such_o superiority_n of_o order_n second_o that_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v common_a after_o the_o distinction_n between_o they_o be_v introduce_v three_o that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o own_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o divine_a institution_n but_o ecclesiastical_a and_o those_o who_o seem_v to_o speak_v most_o of_o it_o do_v mean_v no_o more_o first_o then_o a_o succession_n there_o may_v be_v as_o to_o a_o different_a degree_n and_o not_o as_o to_o a_o different_a order_n before_o we_o distinguish_v between_o order_n and_o power_n now_o between_o order_n and_o degree_n and_o by_o and_o by_o between_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o these_o distinction_n be_v only_o the_o trifling_n of_o the_o schoolman_n who_o proper_a faculty_n it_o be_v to_o divide_v every_o thing_n till_o they_o have_v reduce_v it_o to_o nothing_o for_o what_o do_v the_o degree_n of_o a_o church-officer_n signify_v but_o such_o a_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o what_o order_n be_v there_o without_o a_o power_n of_o office_n according_a to_o its_o degree_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a prevaricate_a with_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n to_o impose_v these_o little_a subtlety_n upon_o the_o sense_n of_o antiquity_n they_o good_a man_n mean_v plain_o and_o honest_o and_o when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o 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the_o lxx_o but_o now_o a_o
superiority_n of_o order_n be_v make_v equivalent_a to_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n for_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n be_v grant_v they_o by_o our_o adversary_n though_o it_o be_v deny_v their_o successor_n thus_o we_o enlarge_v or_o abate_v or_o evacuate_v that_o commission_n that_o god_n himself_o have_v give_v they_o at_o our_o own_o mere_a will_n and_o pleasure_n if_o it_o be_v convenient_a for_o our_o cause_n to_o assert_v in_o one_o place_n that_o they_o be_v vest_v with_o no_o superiority_n of_o power_n they_o shall_v be_v put_v off_o with_o a_o empty_a superiority_n of_o order_n separate_v from_o power_n if_o in_o another_o that_o assertion_n seem_v not_o so_o convenient_a to_o our_o purpose_n they_o shall_v be_v present_o advance_v to_o a_o absolute_a supremacy_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o then_o that_o must_v last_v only_o during_o their_o life_n and_o as_o for_o their_o successor_n we_o be_v please_v to_o 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be_v plain_a that_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v but_o one_o order_n in_o the_o clergy_n and_o that_o the_o difference_n which_o have_v since_o be_v make_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o jurisdiction_n and_o this_o be_v very_o consistent_a with_o the_o former_a assertion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o beside_o distinction_n of_o order_n when_o now_o there_o be_v no_o more_o by_o divine_a appointment_n than_o one_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o their_o flutter_v between_o order_n and_o power_n degree_n and_o order_n power_n of_o order_n and_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n all_o superiority_n of_o order_n so_o much_o as_o it_o be_v be_v so_o much_o superiority_n of_o power_n thus_o to_o take_v their_o own_o instance_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o assembly_n be_v so_o far_o superior_a over_o his_o colleague_n in_o power_n as_o he_o be_v in_o order_n for_o whatsoever_o be_v peculiar_a to_o his_o office_n give_v he_o some_o more_o advantage_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n than_o they_o have_v for_o the_o very_a power_n of_o call_v and_o adjourn_v assembly_n preside_v and_o moderate_v in_o they_o be_v no_o small_a degree_n of_o power_n in_o a_o republican_n government_n but_o see_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o power_n be_v think_v to_o be_v make_v out_o best_o by_o these_o parallel_a instance_n of_o commonwealth_n let_v we_o run_v the_o parallel_n with_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o for_o if_o to_o be_v superior_a only_o in_o order_n be_v to_o be_v precedent_n in_o a_o assembly_n or_o prolocutor_n in_o a_o convocation_n and_o if_o this_o be_v all_o the_o office_n peculiar_a to_o the_o apostle_n then_o when_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v seventy_o disciple_n and_o twelve_o apostle_n he_o make_v 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use_v of_o to_o shift_v off_o several_a head_n of_o argument_n this_o be_v the_o proof_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n as_o to_o place_n and_o be_v now_o here_o the_o only_a evidence_n of_o its_o ambiguity_n and_o by_o and_o by_o will_v be_v call_v in_o as_o the_o only_a instance_n of_o its_o repugnancy_n but_o certain_o their_o fondness_n to_o it_o be_v not_o ground_v upon_o any_o great_a virtue_n that_o they_o see_v in_o it_o but_o they_o be_v only_o force_v for_o want_n of_o more_o material_a argument_n to_o lay_v a_o mighty_a stress_n upon_o such_o poor_a pretence_n as_o in_o any_o other_o dispute_n they_o will_v be_v a_o shame_v to_o own_o for_o first_o suppose_v the_o succession_n can_v be_v show_v in_o all_o church_n be_v that_o any_o proof_n against_o the_o succession_n that_o can_v and_o suppose_v i_o can_v produce_v a_o list_n of_o bishop_n at_o philippi_n corinth_n and_o caesarea_n shall_v i_o thence_o conclude_v against_o the_o succession_n though_o i_o have_v very_o good_a history_n for_o it_o at_o jerusalem_n antioch_n rome_n and_o alexandria_n this_o be_v such_o a_o inference_n as_o rather_o show_v a_o man_n good_a will_n to_o his_o opinion_n than_o his_o understanding_n but_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v high_o reasonable_a to_o conclude_v the_o custom_n of_o those_o church_n that_o be_v not_o know_v from_o those_o that_o be_v and_o apparent_o absurd_a to_o question_v the_o record_n of_o those_o that_o be_v preserve_v for_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o those_o that_o be_v not_o but_o second_o what_o though_o we_o do_v not_o find_v in_o all_o church_n a_o accurate_a catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o all_o bishop_n do_v we_o find_v any_o instance_n in_o any_o one_o ancient_a church_n of_o any_o other_o form_n of_o government_n if_o we_o can_v that_o be_v something_o to_o the_o argument_n but_o that_o be_v not_o pretend_v in_o the_o exception_n but_o otherwise_o because_o the_o exact_a
succession_n of_o person_n in_o any_o bishopric_n have_v not_o be_v preserve_v with_o that_o care_n and_o diligence_n that_o it_o ought_v or_o may_v have_v be_v to_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o episcopal_a form_n of_o government_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o conclude_v that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o ancient_a monarchy_n in_o the_o world_n because_o in_o all_o their_o history_n there_o be_v some_o flaw_n or_o defect_n or_o disagreement_n as_o to_o the_o name_n of_o person_n in_o the_o succession_n but_o we_o think_v it_o enough_o that_o where_o we_o find_v a_o establish_a monarchy_n though_o we_o meet_v with_o some_o interval_n of_o history_n in_o which_o the_o prince_n name_n that_o then_o reign_v be_v uncertain_a or_o forget_v and_o meet_v with_o no_o record_n that_o the_o government_n be_v at_o that_o time_n change_v into_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o monarchy_n be_v all_o along_o preserve_v and_o that_o be_v the_o case_n of_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o in_o all_o time_n and_o place_n where_o and_o when_o record_n have_v be_v preserve_v we_o find_v the_o same_o form_n practise_v and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o conclude_v that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v in_o those_o short_a interval_n of_o time_n if_o we_o suppose_v there_o be_v any_o such_o in_o which_o they_o be_v lose_v though_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o register_n of_o particular_a person_n be_v so_o defective_a as_o be_v pretend_v but_o that_o in_o most_o church_n their_o very_a name_n be_v accurate_o enough_o record_v thus_o first_o for_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o which_o we_o find_v a_o succession_n of_o fifteen_o bishop_n before_o its_o destruction_n attest_v by_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o validity_n of_o who_o testimony_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v for_o it_o be_v no_o objection_n that_o so_o many_o bishop_n shall_v be_v crowd_v into_o so_o narrow_a a_o room_n that_o many_o of_o they_o can_v not_o have_v have_v above_o two_o year_n time_n to_o rule_v in_o the_o church_n when_o almost_o all_o that_o time_n the_o jew_n be_v in_o rebellion_n against_o the_o roman_n continual_o provoke_v they_o by_o their_o insurrection_n to_o the_o utmost_a severity_n both_o against_o jew_n and_o christian_n for_o as_o yet_o the_o roman_n understand_v no_o difference_n nor_o be_v they_o break_v into_o any_o open_a division_n among_o themselves_o all_o these_o bishop_n be_v as_o formal_o circumcise_v as_o any_o of_o the_o most_o zealous_a retainer_n to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o wonder_n that_o so_o many_o bishop_n shall_v succeed_v in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n than_o that_o such_o a_o incredible_a number_n of_o jew_n shall_v perish_v by_o the_o sword_n but_o second_o it_o be_v less_o material_a to_o inquire_v as_o scaliger_n mmcxl_o do_v where_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n by_o titus_n till_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n for_o what_o if_o he_o have_v no_o palace_n be_v he_o no_o bishop_n or_o what_o if_o we_o can_v tell_v where_o he_o assemble_v his_o flock_n be_v there_o no_o church_n perhaps_o it_o be_v in_o a_o cockloft_o at_o pella_n but_o because_o we_o can_v tell_v where_o it_o be_v be_v it_o no_o where_o and_o therefore_o to_o return_v the_o quere_z be_v there_o then_o a_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n if_o there_o be_v whether_o episcopal_a presbyterian_a or_o independent_a or_o all_o together_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v where_o it_o be_v and_o if_o you_o can_v tell_v i_o conclude_v as_o you_o do_v that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n at_o all_o and_o so_o he_o have_v answer_v his_o own_o little_a objection_n himself_o that_o the_o church_n follow_v the_o bishop_n and_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o stone_n wall_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v then_o at_o pella_n though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o place_n as_o jerusalem_n as_o at_o this_o day_n the_o patriarchal_a seat_n of_o antioch_n be_v at_o meredin_n in_o mesopotamia_n and_o that_o of_o alexandria_n at_o grand_a cairo_n as_o for_o the_o succession_n at_o antioch_n i_o find_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o doubt_v of_o its_o truth_n for_o i_o think_v it_o no_o objection_n that_o though_o it_o be_v clear_a it_o be_v not_o certain_a whether_o they_o succeed_v st._n peter_n or_o st._n paul_n for_o be_v it_o either_o or_o both_o or_o neither_o it_o be_v all_o one_o so_o it_o be_v any_o that_o be_v enough_o that_o there_o be_v a_o succession_n though_o we_o do_v not_o know_v the_o particular_a founder_n of_o the_o church_n in_o who_o it_o begin_v and_o whoever_o of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v whether_o one_o or_o more_o they_o have_v apostolical_a authority_n over_o it_o and_o whoever_o succeed_v they_o succeed_v in_o the_o same_o form_n of_o government_n as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n all_o the_o difficulty_n be_v about_o the_o succession_n of_o linus_n and_o clemens_n be_v both_o reckon_v in_o the_o first_o place_n but_o the_o conjecture_n be_v very_o probable_a that_o clemens_n succeed_v st._n peter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o linus_n do_v st._n paul_n in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o survive_v both_o linus_n and_o cletus_n that_o succeed_v he_o till_o the_o union_n of_o the_o two_o church_n he_o govern_v both_o for_o whatever_o ground_n there_o be_v for_o the_o conjecture_n that_o there_o be_v separate_v church_n of_o christian_a jew_n and_o gentile_n in_o other_o city_n there_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a foundation_n for_o it_o at_o rome_n in_o the_o apostolical_a history_n act_v xxviii_o where_o st._n paul_n express_o declare_v to_o the_o jew_n that_o from_o thenceforth_o he_o will_v preach_v only_o to_o the_o gentile_n and_o so_o in_o all_o probability_n gather_v a_o distinct_a church_n of_o they_o by_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o in_o that_o famous_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n in_o which_o he_o derive_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n from_o st._n peter_n and_o paul_n down_o to_o eleutherius_fw-la his_o cotemporary_a that_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o single_a number_n but_o ecclesiae_fw-la petro_n &_o paulo_n romae_fw-la fundatae_fw-la &_o canstitutae_fw-la as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v several_a church_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v a_o pretty_a observation_n of_o mr._n thorndike_n that_o st._n paul_n be_v bury_v in_o the_o 18._o way_n to_o ostia_n and_o st._n peter_n in_o the_o vatican_n as_o we_o understand_v by_o caius_n in_o eusebius_n seem_v to_o point_v they_o out_o head_n the_o one_o of_o the_o jewish_a christian_n the_o other_o of_o the_o gentile_n in_o that_o the_o vatican_n be_v then_o the_o jury_n of_o rome_n and_o notorious_a for_o the_o residence_n of_o jew_n but_o though_o these_o first_o record_n can_v not_o be_v full_o make_v out_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o history_n but_o rather_o to_o suspect_v some_o mistake_n in_o aftertime_n or_o the_o omission_n of_o some_o circumstance_n that_o may_v if_o it_o have_v be_v record_v have_v remove_v the_o difficulty_n for_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a that_o when_o irenaeus_n to_o mention_v no_o more_o give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n from_o st._n peter_n down_o to_o the_o time_n when_o himself_o be_v at_o rome_n and_o who_o live_v not_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o st._n peter_n than_o we_o do_v from_o the_o first_o archbishop_n in_o queen_n elizabeth_n reign_n that_o we_o shall_v suspect_v the_o whole_a truth_n of_o his_o relation_n because_o we_o can_v give_v a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o the_o succession_n this_o i_o say_v be_v too_o hard_a deal_n with_o any_o ancient_a record_n though_o the_o conclusion_n be_v much_o hard_a that_o because_o we_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o all_o the_o person_n that_o succeed_v in_o church-government_n and_o of_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o their_o succession_n that_o therefore_o we_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o particular_a form_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o we_o have_v no_o record_n of_o any_o form_n but_o one_o as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n there_o the_o succession_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v clear_a as_o indeed_o it_o be_v unquestionable_a only_o it_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o choice_n of_o presbyter_n but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n the_o evidence_n of_o personal_a succession_n be_v enough_o and_o all_o that_o be_v pertinent_a to_o our_o present_a debate_n and_o the_o succession_n of_o ephesus_n may_v have_v be_v as_o unquestionable_a but_o that_o one_o leontius_n plead_v at_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n that_o all_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 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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 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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
settle_n of_o church-government_n but_o july_n 9_o that_o nine_o of_o the_o laity_n and_o three_o or_o the_o clergy_n in_o every_o diocese_n shall_v have_v power_n to_o exercise_v all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n as_o shall_v be_v order_v by_o parliament_n and_o to_o have_v their_o monthly_a meeting_n for_o that_o purpose_n that_o five_o of_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v be_v a_o quorum_fw-la and_o have_v full_a power_n to_o try_v all_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n and_o to_o appoint_v deputy_n under_o they_o in_o several_a place_n and_o that_o if_o any_o of_o the_o nine_o commissioner_n shall_v die_v or_o resign_v that_o five_o or_o more_o of_o they_o be_v to_o choose_v another_o present_o thus_o far_o they_o proceed_v under_o the_o government_n of_o midsummer-moon_n but_o about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o dog-day_n they_o vote_v that_o no_o clergyman_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o commission_n and_o that_o the_o committee_n shall_v be_v empower_v to_o appoint_v five_o of_o the_o clergy_n in_o every_o county_n under_o they_o to_o grant_v ordination_n now_o all_o these_o proceed_n as_o ridiculous_a as_o they_o be_v and_o destructive_a of_o the_o very_o be_v of_o a_o church_n yet_o have_v the_o king_n join_v with_o his_o parliament_n have_v upon_o this_o principle_n be_v justifiable_a and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o vote_n up_o and_o down_z what_o order_n and_o office_n in_o the_o church_n they_o please_v to_o day_n episcopacy_n to_o morrow_n presbytery_n next_o day_n independency_n than_o a_o committee_n and_o that_o of_o layman_n too_o and_o if_o they_o please_v at_o last_o to_o abolish_v all_o order_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o that_o there_o be_v none_o by_o this_o principle_n establish_v by_o divine_a right_n these_o be_v excellent_a model_n of_o church-government_n and_o admirable_a method_n of_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o but_o if_o this_o trust_n be_v vest_v in_o the_o people_n beside_o that_o this_o too_o will_v require_v some_o proof_n out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n before_o it_o be_v grant_v and_o that_o it_o be_v liable_a to_o all_o the_o former_a inconvenience_n in_o that_o the_o put_v the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n into_o their_o hand_n make_v the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o to_o depend_v upon_o the_o most_o giddy_a most_o ignorant_a and_o most_o uncertain_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o all_o this_o i_o say_v this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o destroy_v any_o divine_a and_o unalterable_a form_n of_o church-government_n that_o it_o set_v up_o the_o socinian_n model_n of_o independency_n for_o f._n socinus_n be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o by_o divine_a right_n in_o that_o according_a to_o it_o all_o society_n of_o christian_n be_v by_o our_o saviour_n entrust_v with_o a_o power_n within_o themselves_o of_o elect_v of_o church-officer_n and_o govern_v church-affair_n as_o they_o shall_v judge_v most_o conducible_a to_o peace_n order_n and_o tranquillity_n which_o be_v the_o exact_a model_n of_o independent_a government_n now_o this_o model_n if_o they_o will_v own_v it_o be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o they_o plead_v for_o but_o independency_n and_o if_o it_o be_v that_o they_o assert_v let_v they_o say_v so_o and_o not_o carry_v on_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o if_o they_o disavow_v it_o as_o they_o all_o do_v i_o shall_v only_o challenge_v they_o how_o to_o avoid_v it_o but_o to_o conclude_v this_o argument_n in_o this_o one_o principle_n do_v all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n lie_v their_o groundwork_n that_o there_o be_v no_o know_a and_o settle_a seat_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o therefore_o that_o whoever_o happen_v to_o have_v its_o present_a possession_n see_v he_o never_o receive_v it_o by_o any_o commission_n from_o our_o saviour_n he_o may_v without_o any_o offence_n against_o the_o stand_a law_n of_o christianity_n be_v depose_v from_o it_o the_o inconvenience_n whereof_o be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o very_a forcible_a argument_n from_o the_o nature_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o for_o some_o certain_a divine_a establishment_n of_o church-government_n in_o that_o without_o it_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a either_o to_o secure_v any_o peace_n or_o exercise_v any_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n because_o whoever_o obtain_v it_o have_v it_o not_o from_o any_o divine_a commission_n and_o if_o no_o commission_n than_o no_o authority_n however_o i_o can_v but_o admire_v that_o those_o learned_a man_n who_o take_v away_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o some_o particular_a form_n of_o church-government_n have_v not_o all_o this_o while_n be_v aware_a that_o they_o run_v we_o into_o all_o the_o exorbitancy_n and_o confusion_n of_o independency_n in_o that_o when_o they_o have_v once_o remove_v the_o settlement_n by_o divine_a right_n they_o leave_v it_o do_v what_o they_o can_v entire_o in_o the_o people_n power_n to_o set_v up_o their_o own_o form_n of_o government_n see_v then_o that_o unless_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v subject_a to_o government_n it_o can_v be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o rabble_n and_o a_o riot_n see_v unless_o the_o government_n thereof_o be_v vest_v in_o some_o certain_a order_n of_o man_n it_o must_v be_v for_o ever_o obnoxious_a to_o unavoidable_a disorder_n and_o confusion_n and_o see_v it_o be_v with_o particular_a care_n settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n on_o his_o apostle_n and_o convey_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o christian_a bishop_n as_o their_o proper_a successor_n i_o can_v see_v how_o the_o divine_a and_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v design_v to_o make_v it_o unquestionable_a can_v have_v be_v make_v more_o evident_a either_o from_o common_a reason_n or_o catholic_n tradition_n but_o second_o as_o the_o take_n away_o of_o the_o divine_a and_o perpetual_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n do_v on_o one_o hand_n open_v a_o door_n for_o independency_n so_o it_o do_v on_o the_o other_o for_o popery_n for_o next_o to_o rescue_v the_o king_n of_o england_n from_o the_o usurpation_n of_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n upon_o their_o crown_n under_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o oblique_a or_o direct_a supremacy_n over_o they_o and_o the_o reform_v of_o many_o superstition_n both_o in_o worship_n and_o doctrine_n the_o main_a design_n of_o our_o endeavour_v reformation_n be_v to_o assert_v and_o retrieve_v the_o right_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n against_o his_o illegal_a encroachment_n for_o whereas_o the_o original_a government_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v vest_v in_o the_o apostolical_a order_n whereby_o as_o every_o bishop_n have_v supreme_a ordinary_a power_n within_o his_o own_o diocese_n so_o a_o general_a council_n of_o bishop_n have_v supreme_a power_n over_o the_o universal_a church_n so_o that_o whatever_o privilege_n or_o preeminence_n be_v grant_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o particular_a church_n by_o ecclefiastical_a constitution_n yet_o their_o essential_a power_n be_v equal_a and_o can_v no_o way_n exert_v itself_o as_o to_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o in_o council_n and_o so_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v for_o many_o hundred_o year_n till_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n take_v advantage_n of_o those_o peculiar_a privilege_n and_o preeminence_n that_o be_v grant_v to_o his_o see_n as_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n do_v by_o degree_n assume_v to_o himself_o a_o absolute_a sovereignty_n over_o all_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n transfer_v all_o ecclesiastical_a government_n to_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n where_o it_o be_v manage_v by_o himself_o and_o his_o officer_n with_o all_o the_o art_n of_o tyranny_n and_o oppression_n and_o here_o first_o begin_v the_o breach_n our_o reform_a bishop_n at_o first_o not_o dispute_v the_o pre-eminence_n of_o his_o see_n because_o that_o concern_v not_o they_o which_o he_o have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n enjoy_v in_o most_o other_o part_n of_o the_o western_a world_n and_o perhaps_o may_v still_o have_v do_v will_v he_o have_v be_v content_v with_o it_o but_o alas_o they_o be_v no_o more_o fond_a even_o of_o the_o title_n of_o patriarch_n as_o great_a as_o it_o be_v than_o they_o be_v of_o their_o mock_n title_n of_o servus_n servorum_fw-la domini_fw-la nothing_o less_o will_v satiate_v their_o ambition_n than_o a_o sole_a and_o absolute_a sovereignty_n over_o all_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n they_o impudent_o apply_v all_o those_o promise_n that_o our_o saviour_n make_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n of_o be_v for_o ever_o present_a with_o and_o assistant_n to_o they_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o office_n to_o the_o pope_n person_n and_o they_o have_v once_o assume_v this_o power_n resolve_v to_o keep_v it_o and_o for_o many_o age_n reign_v absolute_a monarch_n over_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o here_o i_o say_v
apostle_n themselves_o but_o as_o to_o their_o immediate_a successor_n who_o they_o employ_v in_o the_o settlement_n of_o church_n and_o to_o who_o they_o commit_v the_o apostolical_a power_n for_o their_o government_n and_o these_o too_o he_o prove_v be_v style_v apostle_n such_o as_o titus_n timothy_n epaphroditus_n clemens_n linus_n marcus_n so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o apostle_n but_o the_o evangelist_n as_o they_o call_v they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o clergy_n and_o endue_v with_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o their_o respective_a church_n and_o hereby_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n not_o only_o for_o themselves_o but_o for_o their_o companion_n and_o successor_n which_o do_v not_o only_o extend_v our_o argument_n but_o join_v together_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o which_o we_o have_v certain_a record_n with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o prevent_v all_o their_o fond_a dream_n of_o a_o unknown_a interval_n immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o if_o these_o apostolical_a man_n supply_v their_o place_n it_o will_v be_v very_o easy_a to_o find_v out_o who_o supply_v they_o neither_o three_o need_v i_o trouble_v myself_o with_o any_o long_a dispute_n concern_v the_o obligation_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n for_o whether_o or_o no_o mere_a apostolical_a practice_n be_v obligatory_a by_o virtue_n of_o their_o example_n be_v very_o little_a material_a to_o our_o enquiry_n for_o some_o thing_n be_v too_o trifle_v or_o too_o transient_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o deserve_v to_o pass_v into_o prescription_n but_o it_o be_v enough_o in_o this_o case_n that_o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v be_v in_o pursuance_n of_o our_o saviour_n institution_n and_o that_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o perpetual_a concernment_n to_o the_o church_n and_o they_o who_o require_v to_o the_o obligation_n of_o such_o a_o apostolical_a practice_n a_o express_a law_n to_o declare_v their_o intention_n that_o it_o shall_v bind_v for_o ever_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o fantastic_a niceness_n as_o they_o that_o require_v the_o same_o for_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o every_o divine_a law_n and_o therefore_o have_v be_v consider_v already_o and_o for_o that_o reason_n i_o shall_v add_v nothing_o more_o to_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a than_o to_o grant_v that_o whatever_o the_o apostle_n either_o command_v or_o practise_v upon_o some_o particular_a temporary_a and_o occasional_a case_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o found_v any_o universal_a and_o unchangeable_a obligation_n because_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o precept_n be_v apparent_o transient_a and_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o action_n casual_a but_o otherwise_o if_o there_o be_v any_o prescript_n or_o practice_n of_o they_o though_o it_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o any_o divine_a institution_n that_o do_v not_o relate_v to_o peculiar_a occasion_n and_o circumstance_n but_o be_v or_o may_v be_v of_o equal_a usefulness_n to_o all_o place_n time_n and_o person_n that_o be_v a_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o their_o constant_a and_o unabolishable_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o here_o i_o shall_v only_o put_v they_o to_o their_o former_a task_n to_o assign_v what_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v of_o establish_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church-officer_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o be_v cease_v in_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o till_o they_o can_v discharge_v this_o task_n advise_v they_o not_o to_o depart_v rash_o from_o so_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a a_o prescription_n but_o that_o which_o improve_v the_o argument_n both_o from_o our_o saviour_n institution_n and_o the_o apostle_n practise_v into_o a_o complete_a demonstration_n be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n for_o if_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v by_o our_o saviour_n found_v upon_o divine_a institution_n in_o a_o inequality_n of_o church-officer_n and_o if_o the_o first_o governor_n of_o it_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o keep_v close_o to_o its_o original_a platform_n and_o if_o their_o immediate_a successor_n conceive_v themselves_o as_o much_o oblige_v to_o observe_v the_o same_o as_o impose_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n and_o deliver_v to_o they_o by_o the_o example_n and_o tradition_n of_o his_o apostle_n that_o certain_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o very_a competent_a proof_n of_o its_o necessity_n and_o perpetuity_n now_o then_o as_o for_o the_o power_n and_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n it_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o best_a monument_n and_o record_n of_o the_o first_o and_o most_o remote_a antiquity_n and_o we_o find_v such_o early_a instance_n and_o evidence_n of_o it_o that_o unless_o it_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n we_o can_v never_o give_v any_o account_n in_o the_o world_n whence_o it_o derive_v its_o original_a and_o this_o bring_v we_o upon_o the_o main_a sanctuary_n of_o our_o adversary_n viz._n the_o defectiveness_n of_o antiquity_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o show_v what_o certain_a form_n the_o apostle_n observe_v in_o settle_v the_o government_n of_o church_n and_o here_o they_o run_v into_o a_o large_a common_a place_n of_o the_o deep_a silence_n of_o antiquity_n and_o the_o defectiveness_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o interval_n next_o and_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n but_o here_o in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o must_v desire_v they_o to_o consider_v that_o if_o this_o objection_n be_v of_o any_o force_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o apostolical_a tradition_n in_o this_o particular_a it_o will_v utter_o overthrow_v all_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n as_o to_o all_o other_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o particular_o as_o to_o the_o certain_a canon_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o as_o be_v pretend_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n because_o of_o their_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n neither_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n be_v their_o report_n to_o be_v rely_v upon_o with_o any_o confidence_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o of_o their_o write_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o i_o shall_v here_o reprent_v how_o false_a this_o exception_n be_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la and_o how_o unreasonable_a de_fw-la jure_fw-la either_o against_o the_o constitution_n or_o the_o authentic_a epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o stand_v and_o fall_v together_o so_o that_o whoever_o oppose_v the_o divine_a and_o apostolical_a form_n of_o church_n government_n as_o deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v upon_o his_o own_o principle_n defeat_v and_o reject_v all_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o that_o those_o sceptical_a ground_n and_o pretence_n he_o be_v force_v to_o urge_v against_o one_o fall_v as_o dangerous_o on_o both_o and_o this_o may_v serve_v to_o prevent_v and_o invalidate_v the_o force_n of_o their_o argument_n without_o answer_v it_o when_o if_o they_o shall_v deal_v as_o rigorous_o in_o any_o other_o case_n as_o they_o be_v please_v to_o do_v in_o this_o the_o most_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a record_n can_v escape_v the_o severity_n of_o their_o censure_n though_o our_o comfort_n be_v that_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o such_o wild_a and_o wanton_a objection_n in_o that_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v always_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o chasm_n as_o be_v pretend_v between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o next_o christian_n writer_n for_o to_o say_v nothing_o here_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n leave_v we_o no_o formal_a history_n and_o catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o all_o their_o several_a see_v wherewith_o some_o man_n unreasonable_a enough_o upbraid_v we_o when_o it_o be_v so_o manifest_a that_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n too_o young_a for_o that_o care_n in_o that_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o succession_n yet_o be_v they_o no_o less_o than_o apostolical_a man_n that_o vouch_v the_o apostolical_a order_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n and_o this_o one_o will_v think_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o modest_a or_o ingenious_a man_n of_o their_o institution_n from_o the_o beginning_n when_o it_o be_v assert_v or_o rather_o suppose_v by_o the_o very_a first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o attest_v it_o so_o that_o whoever_o can_v withstand_v their_o evidence_n be_v proof_n against_o all_o evidence_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o may_v if_o he_o please_v laugh_v at_o all_o the_o tale_n and_o legend_n that_o be_v tell_v concern_v the_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 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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 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the_o difference_n of_o some_o account_n concern_v the_o succession_n of_o some_o bishop_n but_o this_o have_v be_v object_v two_o or_o three_o time_n already_o and_o as_o often_o answer_v and_o therefore_o at_o present_a i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o to_o it_o than_o only_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o premise_n to_o mind_v the_o reader_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o conclusion_n that_o from_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o some_o person_n in_o the_o succession_n infer_v a_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o form_n of_o government_n itself_o and_o now_o be_o i_o come_v to_o our_o adversary_n only_o positive_a proof_n in_o their_o own_o behalf_n that_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n jerom_n for_o though_o they_o pretend_v to_o one_o or_o two_o author_n more_o yet_o still_o at_o the_o last_o push_n st._n hierom_n be_v the_o only_a man_n and_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o that_o be_v pretend_v from_o he_o be_v this_o that_o though_o the_o apostle_n exercise_v a_o superiority_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n during_o their_o own_o life_n yet_o immediate_o upon_o their_o decease_n have_v it_o seem_v provide_v no_o successor_n in_o that_o power_n that_o themselves_o enjoy_v the_o church_n be_v every_o where_o govern_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n or_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n but_o this_o form_n of_o government_n be_v quick_o find_v very_o apt_a to_o breed_v schism_n and_o division_n it_o be_v for_o the_o better_a prevention_n of_o they_o agree_v upon_o all_o the_o world_n over_o to_o choose_v one_o presbyter_n out_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o settle_v a_o supremacy_n of_o power_n upon_o he_o for_o the_o more_o effectual_a government_n of_o the_o church_n antequam_fw-la diaboli_fw-la instinctu_fw-la studia_fw-la in_o religione_fw-la fierent_fw-la &_o diceretur_fw-la in_o populis_fw-la ego_fw-la sum_fw-la pauli_n ego_fw-la apollo_n ego_fw-la autem_fw-la cephae_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernabantur_fw-la 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but_o observe_v what_o disingenuous_a advantage_n these_o man_n make_v of_o the_o hasty_a expression_n of_o that_o good_a father_n let_v he_o in_o the_o heat_n and_o eagerness_n of_o dispute_n but_o drop_n a_o inconsiderate_a word_n that_o may_v reflect_v upon_o the_o record_n or_o the_o reputation_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n it_o immediate_o serve_v to_o justify_v all_o their_o innovation_n and_o thus_o i_o remember_v mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr in_o his_o shallow_a book_n of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o father_n frequent_o make_v good_a as_o he_o think_v his_o charge_n against_o they_o all_o only_a by_o impleading_a st._n hierom_n but_o though_o he_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o serve_v they_o at_o all_o turn_n yet_o in_o this_o argument_n they_o devolve_v the_o whole_a credit_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n upon_o his_o single_a authority_n and_o be_v it_o not_o very_o strange_a that_o two_o or_o three_o hasty_a passage_n of_o this_o single_a father_n not_o only_o against_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n but_o against_o his_o own_o express_a opinion_n shall_v be_v seize_v upon_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o greediness_n to_o give_v defiance_n to_o all_o the_o practice_n of_o antiquity_n that_o be_v bold_a enough_o but_o it_o be_v much_o more_o so_o to_o force_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n against_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o declaration_n to_o subscribe_v to_o his_o opinion_n as_o blondel_n have_v do_v who_o have_v first_o place_v st._n jerom_n in_o the_o front_n and_o flourish_v all_o his_o say_n with_o large_a commentary_n range_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n under_o his_o colour_n except_v only_a ignatius_n though_o since_o he_o too_o have_v have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o service_n but_o he_o have_v draw_v they_o into_o the_o party_n by_o such_o a_o force_a and_o presumptuous_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o i_o know_v not_o a_o great_a instance_n of_o the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n in_o a_o learned_a man_n i_o once_o think_v to_o have_v take_v he_o particular_o to_o task_n but_o his_o trifle_n be_v so_o gross_o palpable_a that_o there_o need_v no_o more_o to_o expose_v it_o to_o any_o man_n contempt_n than_o that_o he_o can_v endure_v the_o penance_n of_o read_v he_o over_o and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o discourse_n after_o a_o wise_a rate_n that_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n origen_n irenaeus_n tertullian_n epiphanius_n eusebius_n chrysostom_n theodoret_n theophylact_fw-mi be_v presbyterian_o it_o be_v just_a such_o another_o design_n as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o calvin_n beza_n blondel_n salmasius_n daillé_n and_o all_o the_o other_o calvinian_a father_n have_v be_v zealous_a assertor_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o yet_o this_o task_n too_o some_o man_n have_v undertake_v and_o i_o suppose_v will_v make_v good_a by_o the_o same_o topic_n and_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o will_v both_o gain_v belief_n together_o now_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o great_a authority_n of_o st._n jerom_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n allege_v and_o insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n some_o plead_v that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o own_o express_a and_o declare_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v for_o his_o settle_a and_o deliberate_a sense_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o only_o for_o a_o hasty_a and_o over-lavish_a expression_n other_o endeavour_v to_o expound_v he_o to_o a_o good_a sense_n consistent_a with_o himself_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n viz._n that_o writing_n against_o some_o proud_a deacon_n that_o will_v set_v themselves_o above_o presbyter_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v much_o the_o same_o insolence_n as_o if_o they_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o prefer_v themselves_o above_o the_o bishop_n in_o that_o the_o distance_n be_v much_o the_o same_o they_o alone_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o priesthood_n with_o the_o bishop_n whereas_o the_o deacon_n have_v no_o high_a office_n in_o the_o church_n than_o to_o serve_v table_n and_o poor_a widow_n so_o that_o the_o difference_n be_v the_o same_o as_o in_o the_o levitical_a priesthood_n the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n be_v as_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n who_o alone_o be_v account_v into_o the_o priestly_a office_n whereas_o the_o deacon_n have_v only_o the_o office_n of_o levite_n that_o be_v no_o better_a than_o servant_n to_o the_o priest_n and_o though_o presbyter_n at_o that_o time_n exercise_v no_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o they_o be_v former_o join_v with_o the_o bishop_n himself_o in_o the_o government_n of_o it_o and_o share_v in_o all_o act_n of_o power_n and_o discipline_n except_v only_a ordination_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o they_o be_v place_v so_o near_o to_o the_o high_a order_n that_o they_o be_v capable_a by_o virtue_n of_o their_o own_o order_n to_o exercise_v almost_o all_o the_o office_n of_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v endure_v that_o such_o inferior_a minister_n as_o the_o deacon_n be_v shall_v prefer_v themselves_o above_o they_o quis_fw-la patiatur_fw-la ut_fw-la mensarum_fw-la &_o viduarum_fw-la minister_n supra_fw-la eos_fw-la se_fw-la tumidus_fw-la efferat_fw-la ad_fw-la quorum_fw-la preces_fw-la christi_fw-la corpus_fw-la sanguisque_fw-la conficitur_fw-la though_o this_o probable_o be_v all_o the_o design_n of_o st._n jerom_n yet_o because_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v say_v more_o than_o he_o design_v i_o shall_v not_o contend_v about_o his_o meaning_n but_o shall_v give_v my_o adversary_n the_o whole_a advantage_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o let_v they_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o neither_o shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o overthrow_v it_o by_o the_o contrary_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n for_o though_o that_o be_v easy_o do_v the_o cause_n do_v not_o require_v it_o but_o grant_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n jeroms_n opinion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v never_o contradict_v by_o any_o ancient_a writer_n i_o will_v demonstrate_v the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o opinion_n itself_o from_o its_o own_o absurdity_n