against_o the_o government_n for_o if_o the_o church_n have_v no_o right_n of_o exercise_v any_o discipline_n within_o itself_o but_o by_o the_o grant_n of_o the_o empire_n than_o the_o grant_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v reverse_v it_o have_v none_o at_o all_o and_o thus_o have_v he_o fair_o bring_v this_o confederate_a discipline_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o he_o have_v contrive_v pure_o to_o avoid_v any_o government_n found_v upon_o divine_a right_n into_o downright_a rebellion_n and_o no_o wonder_n when_o all_o confederacy_n against_o the_o command_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n can_v be_v no_o better_o unless_o when_o warrant_v by_o divine_a authority_n and_o now_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o after_o these_o premise_n our_o author_n begin_v his_o next_o chapter_n with_o a_o confession_n that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v when_o the_o present_a form_n of_o excommunication_n begin_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n quandonam_fw-la primo_fw-la discrepantia_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la inter_fw-la christianae_n &_o judaicae_n seu_fw-la vetustioris_fw-la excommunicationis_fw-la effectus_fw-la inciperet_fw-la non_fw-la quidem_fw-la satis_fw-la liquet_fw-la sed_fw-la ante_fw-la origenis_n ac_fw-la tertulliani_n etiam_fw-la &_o irenaei_n tempora_fw-la juxta_fw-la jam_fw-la dicta_fw-la effectum_fw-la quoad_fw-la sacrorum_fw-la communicatinis_fw-la negationem_fw-la inolevisse_fw-la non_fw-la dubitandum_fw-la though_o i_o shall_v have_v think_v it_o a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o it_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n when_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o church_n immediate_o after_o they_o and_o find_v no_o beginning_n of_o its_o institution_n especial_o when_o it_o can_v have_v no_o other_o because_o the_o apostle_n challenge_v no_o civil_a authority_n they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o power_n but_o a_o cut_n off_o from_o the_o spiritual_a privilege_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o remark_n it_o as_o the_o peculiar_a disingenuity_n of_o all_o the_o adversary_n both_o of_o the_o government_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n excommunication_n and_o episcopacy_n that_o they_o will_v allow_v their_o usage_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o only_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o because_o they_o imagine_v that_o in_o their_o time_n there_o be_v no_o demonstrative_a evidence_n of_o their_o practice_n for_o that_o reason_n destroy_v their_o reverence_n and_o neglect_v their_o authority_n whereas_o have_v these_o man_n the_o common_a modesty_n of_o mankind_n they_o will_v revere_v they_o for_o their_o so_o ancient_a and_o catholic_n practice_n and_o when_o with_o all_o their_o search_n they_o can_v discover_v any_o late_a beginning_n of_o they_o they_o will_v conclude_v it_o at_o least_o a_o very_a fair_a probability_n that_o they_o descend_v from_o apostolical_a prescription_n and_o in_o our_o present_a case_n one_o will_v wonder_v that_o when_o our_o author_n have_v trace_v this_o usage_n both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n into_o the_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n without_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v any_o other_o time_n of_o its_o first_o institution_n how_o any_o man_n shall_v doubt_v of_o its_o apostolical_a antiquity_n what_o record_n can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o write_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n that_o live_v in_o the_o first_o century_n after_o they_o and_o st._n cyprian_n in_o the_o second_o who_o do_v not_o only_o mention_v this_o power_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o thing_n then_o in_o common_a use_n but_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o ancient_a right_o derive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n i_o shall_v give_v one_o instance_n for_o all_o because_o our_o author_n have_v the_o boldness_n to_o quote_v it_o and_o yet_o to_o overlook_v the_o consequence_n and_o that_o be_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n who_o expostulate_v with_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n about_o his_o rash_a excommunication_n of_o the_o asiatic_a church_n thus_o bespeak_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d never_o be_v any_o man_n excommunicate_v after_o this_o rate_n upon_o which_o our_o learned_a author_n observe_v excommunicationis_fw-la usus_fw-la qualiscunque_fw-la ut_fw-la ab_fw-la anterioribus_fw-la seculis_fw-la illuc_fw-la propagatus_fw-la utrinque_fw-la pariter_fw-la tunc_fw-la admittitur_fw-la from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o on_o all_o side_n the_o use_n of_o excommunication_n be_v admit_v as_o descend_v from_o the_o forego_n age_n after_o this_o can_v any_o man_n think_v it_o possible_a that_o when_o he_o have_v allow_v this_o testimony_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o by_o his_o own_o computation_n flourish_v about_o seventy_o year_n after_o st._n john_n that_o he_o shall_v ever_o doubt_v of_o its_o be_v a_o apostolical_a practice_n or_o can_v any_o man_n desire_v to_o reduce_v his_o adversary_n to_o a_o great_a absurdity_n than_o be_v here_o so_o frank_o own_a that_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n shall_v speak_v of_o this_o thing_n as_o the_o custom_n of_o former_a age_n and_o yet_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o such_o custom_n in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v his_o discourse_n of_o the_o time_n when_o this_o power_n be_v first_o appropriate_v to_o the_o christian_a bishop_n which_o he_o confess_v to_o be_v altogether_o unknown_a though_o he_o find_v it_o in_o common_a use_n in_o the_o time_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n and_o that_o be_v time_n enough_o to_o give_v it_o right_o to_o apostolic_a prescription_n especial_o when_o he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o any_o record_n that_o the_o key_n be_v ever_o in_o the_o people_n hand_n neither_o have_v he_o any_o ground_n for_o this_o imagination_n but_o only_o his_o old_a conceit_n that_o among_o the_o jew_n every_o man_n have_v this_o power_n and_o therefore_o among_o the_o christian_n whereas_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n of_o surmise_n that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o custom_n among_o the_o ancient_a jew_n but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a offspring_n of_o the_o talmudical_a folly_n or_o if_o there_o be_v yet_o it_o be_v too_o foolish_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o serious_a discipline_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o of_o what_o use_n can_v it_o be_v when_o any_o man_n may_v excommunicate_v who_o he_o please_v and_o when_o he_o may_v be_v absolve_v from_o the_o heavy_a sentence_n of_o the_o court_n by_o any_o three_o person_n that_o he_o can_v pack_v together_o such_o ridiculous_a trifle_n be_v at_o first_o view_n too_o absurd_a to_o be_v entertain_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o as_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o people_n ever_o exercise_v this_o power_n de_fw-fr facto_fw-la so_o neither_o do_v it_o that_o they_o can_v ever_o challenge_v it_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la in_o that_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o our_o saviour_n ever_o vest_v the_o body_n of_o believer_n in_o any_o power_n of_o govern_v his_o church_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o when_o ever_o he_o give_v out_o his_o commission_n he_o ever_o address_v himself_o to_o particular_a person_n and_o thus_o be_v we_o fall_v upon_o the_o main_a controversy_n where_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v begin_v and_o where_o we_o may_v have_v end_v but_o he_o that_o pursue_v a_o adversary_n must_v follow_v his_o motion_n otherwise_o certain_o the_o matter_n of_o right_a aught_o to_o have_v be_v determine_v before_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o therefore_o the_o first_o question_n ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v whether_o the_o primitive_a christian_n exercise_v any_o such_o jurisdiction_n but_o whether_o they_o receive_v any_o commission_n from_o our_o saviour_n for_o their_o authority_n which_o if_o either_o prove_v or_o disprove_v will_v prevent_v the_o follow_a dispute_n concern_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n but_o see_v our_o author_n be_v please_v to_o take_v this_o method_n we_o shall_v tread_v in_o his_o step_n and_o thus_o he_o bring_v it_o in_o that_o when_o the_o bishop_n have_v unwarrantable_o assume_v this_o power_n to_o themselves_o they_o justify_v their_o usurpation_n by_o pretend_a patent_n make_v to_o themselves_o in_o several_a text_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o of_o bind_v and_o lose_v and_o if_o any_o man_n hear_v not_o the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n and_o now_o to_o elude_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o these_o and_o the_o like_a passage_n what_o infinite_a pain_n have_v be_v take_v by_o our_o author_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n i_o need_v not_o represent_v but_o whatever_o shift_v man_n may_v invent_v their_o true_a meaning_n discover_v and_o clear_v itself_o by_o this_o one_o plain_a and_o obvious_a consideration_n viz._n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v already_o set_v up_o his_o kingdom_n or_o society_n of_o his_o church_n upon_o which_o supposition_n all_o these_o grant_n can_v signify_v nothing_o less_o than_o a_o donation_n of_o power_n thus_o when_o he_o choose_v officer_n
under_o he_o and_o give_v the_o key_n of_o his_o kingdom_n into_o their_o hand_n what_o can_v that_o possible_o signify_v but_o their_o power_n of_o government_n in_o and_o over_o the_o society_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v so_o familiar_a a_o thing_n in_o scripture_n to_o express_v power_n by_o key_n and_o our_o author_n himself_o have_v observe_v it_o and_o prove_v it_o by_o a_o multitude_n of_o instance_n but_o than_o say_v he_o this_o power_n of_o open_v and_o 237._o shut_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v exercise_v by_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n by_o admit_v fit_a person_n into_o it_o by_o baptism_n and_o by_o not_o admit_v such_o as_o be_v unfit_a and_o by_o retain_v such_o as_o be_v already_o admit_v that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o author_n will_v allow_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n all_o other_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o only_o this_o one_o of_o excommunication_n notwithstanding_o that_o it_o be_v evident_o employ_v in_o they_o all_o thus_o if_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v entrust_v with_o a_o power_n of_o judge_v what_o person_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v then_o certain_o if_o they_o perform_v not_o those_o condition_n upon_o which_o alone_o they_o be_v admit_v it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o those_o who_o let_v they_o in_o to_o turn_v they_o out_o so_o plain_o do_v the_o power_n of_o baptism_n infer_v that_o of_o excommunication_n and_o the_o power_n of_o judge_v who_o be_v fit_a member_n of_o the_o church_n infer_v both_o so_o that_o the_o gentleman_n of_o the_o erastian_n persuasion_n will_v have_v be_v much_o more_o consistent_a with_o themselves_o when_o they_o will_v not_o give_v the_o church_n all_o the_o act_n of_o power_n if_o they_o will_v have_v give_v it_o none_o at_o all_o for_o they_o be_v inseparable_a and_o therefore_o the_o learned_a and_o pious_a mr._n thorndike_n have_v very_o judicious_o observe_v that_o the_o 12._o leviathan_n have_v do_v like_o a_o philosopher_n in_o make_v the_o question_n general_a that_o be_v general_a indeed_o though_o by_o so_o free_o and_o generous_o declare_v himself_o he_o have_v make_v his_o resolution_n more_o subject_a to_o be_v contradict_v but_o yet_o they_o that_o only_o dispute_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n so_o be_v they_o press_v with_o great_a difficulty_n only_o they_o express_v not_o so_o much_o of_o their_o meaning_n for_o they_o be_v nevertheless_o to_o give_v a_o account_n what_o right_o the_o secular_a power_n can_v have_v to_o appoint_v the_o person_n that_o shall_v either_o determine_v or_o execute_v matter_n of_o religion_n to_o decide_v controversy_n of_o faith_n to_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n than_o if_o they_o resolve_v and_o maintain_v all_o this_o as_o express_o as_o the_o leviathan_n have_v do_v and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v the_o follow_a text_n explain_v itself_o if_o he_o hear_v not_o the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v to_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n if_o we_o will_v observe_v upon_o what_o subject_n our_o saviour_n be_v then_o discourse_v for_o though_o our_o author_n to_o make_v the_o matter_n appear_v the_o more_o ambiguous_a have_v give_v we_o a_o large_a critical_a account_n of_o the_o word_n that_o signify_v church_n in_o all_o language_n if_o instead_o of_o that_o he_o have_v only_o mind_v our_o saviour_n discourse_n he_o must_v have_v see_v that_o by_o the_o church_n here_o can_v be_v understand_v nothing_o but_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o law_n whereby_o he_o will_v have_v the_o subject_n of_o his_o kingdom_n to_o be_v govern_v but_o our_o author_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v not_o then_o understand_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n to_o come_v and_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o our_o saviour_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o familiar_a and_o daily_a use_n shall_v direct_v they_o to_o such_o a_o mean_n as_o no_o mortal_a man_n can_v possible_o understand_v to_o which_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o answer_v that_o all_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n proceed_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o be_v of_o his_o 17._o church_n he_o begin_v at_o preach_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o all_o his_o sermon_n and_o instruction_n after_o that_o be_v but_o so_o many_o law_n and_o institution_n for_o its_o government_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n word_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v doubtful_a or_o obscure_a that_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v apply_v to_o any_o other_o society_n than_o that_o which_o he_o be_v now_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v the_o vulgar_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n ecclesia_fw-la yet_o when_o use_v by_o our_o saviour_n it_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o no_o other_o company_n of_o man_n but_o that_o of_o his_o church_n and_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v then_o a_o new_a word_n or_o a_o new_a notion_n to_o the_o apostle_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v sometime_o before_o use_v the_o same_o expression_n to_o st._n peter_n upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n which_o he_o promise_v he_o as_o a_o peculiar_a reward_n of_o his_o forward_a faith_n now_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v make_v his_o promise_n to_o his_o friend_n and_o servant_n in_o unintelligible_a language_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o intelligible_a thing_n but_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v our_o author_n proceed_v that_o this_o text_n give_v no_o jurisdiction_n to_o the_o church_n but_o only_o direct_v private_a christian_n how_o they_o shall_v behave_v themselves_o towards_o offender_n as_o if_o the_o emperor_n shall_v have_v make_v a_o edict_n that_o if_o any_o subject_n shall_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o decree_n of_o his_o perfect_a he_o shall_v be_v account_v by_o his_o fellow_n subject_n as_o no_o member_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n this_o give_v the_o perfect_a no_o new_a power_n but_o only_o concern_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n very_o true_a but_o it_o suppose_v his_o old_a power_n and_o so_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v antecedent_o vest_v his_o church_n with_o this_o power_n this_o be_v no_o new_a grant_n but_o only_o a_o supposition_n of_o a_o former_a one_o if_o he_o have_v not_o than_o this_o be_v their_o patent_n when_o he_o refer_v his_o subject_n to_o their_o judicature_n but_o whatever_o may_v be_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o church_n what_o be_v there_o say_v our_o author_n in_o the_o follow_a word_n let_v he_o be_v to_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n that_o sound_v like_o excommunication_n either_o in_o the_o jewish_a or_o christian_a use_n of_o it_o nothing_o at_o all_o in_o the_o jewish_a for_o heathen_n be_v never_o excommunicate_a as_o have_v never_o be_v of_o the_o society_n neither_o be_v publican_n put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o be_v publican_n but_o though_o heathen_n be_v not_o excommunicate_a person_n yet_o excommunicate_a person_n be_v as_o heathen_n and_o that_o be_v so_o plain_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n that_o nothing_o but_o mere_a peevishness_n can_v have_v make_v the_o exception_n and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o as_o if_o our_o saviour_n shall_v have_v say_v of_o a_o apostate_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o infidel_n and_o our_o author_n shall_v have_v reply_v upon_o he_o how_o can_v that_o be_v when_o a_o infidel_n be_v one_o that_o be_v never_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o a_o apostate_n once_o be_v and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o publican_n though_o they_o dare_v not_o at_o that_o time_n excommunicate_v they_o for_o that_o reason_n for_o fear_v of_o the_o roman_n yet_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o they_o think_v they_o worthy_a of_o it_o and_o that_o they_o be_v esteem_v as_o no_o better_a than_o scandalous_a sinner_n heathen_n and_o idolater_n but_o this_o suppose_a too_o it_o be_v no_o act_n say_v he_o of_o the_o church_n but_o every_o private_a man_n who_o be_v hereby_o permit_v to_o treat_v the_o offender_n as_o a_o vile_a person_n but_o this_o act_n of_o his_o suppose_n the_o power_n of_o judicature_n in_o the_o church_n for_o this_o advice_n relate_v to_o the_o know_a power_n of_o the_o sanhedrin_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o excommunicate_v refractory_a offender_n and_o thereby_o to_o put_v they_o into_o the_o state_n of_o heathen_a man_n and_o such_o it_o seem_v be_v to_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o great_a sanhedrin_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o plain_a design_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n when_o he_o refer_v all_o christian_n to_o their_o judicature_n and_o command_v they_o that_o if_o any_o man_n be_v
obstinate_a against_o their_o authority_n every_o man_n shall_v look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o excommunicate_a person_n and_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o court_n reduce_v into_o the_o state_n of_o idolater_n but_o also_o by_o the_o word_n immediate_o follow_v whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n which_o word_n plain_o declare_v a_o power_n of_o bind_v in_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o church_n and_o withal_o who_o the_o church_n be_v viz._n the_o apostle_n or_o governor_n of_o it_o to_o who_o our_o saviour_n address_v his_o speech_n and_o ve_v they_o and_o they_o alone_o with_o that_o authority_n in_o which_o he_o have_v before_o enstate_v st._n peter_n and_o promise_n to_o ratify_v not_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n but_o their_o act_n of_o judicature_n when_o the_o people_n appeal_v to_o their_o authority_n but_o neither_o second_o say_v our_o author_n can_v these_o word_n relate_v to_o the_o christian_a excommunication_n for_o what_o punishment_n can_v there_o then_o be_v in_o be_v account_v of_o as_o a_o heathen_a when_o a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v heathen_n or_o such_o as_o come_v into_o the_o church_n without_o circumcision_n what_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n do_v you_o not_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n to_o prove_v not_o only_o that_o then_o but_o during_o all_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n all_o christian_n be_v jew_n but_o now_o it_o will_v serve_v your_o turn_n the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v heathen_n but_o not_o to_o insist_v too_o much_o upon_o such_o weak_a pretence_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n all_o that_o be_v not_o jew_n by_o circumcision_n be_v esteem_v as_o heathen_n i._n e._n idolater_n and_o vile_a person_n not_o fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o their_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v of_o no_o other_o import_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n our_o saviour_n here_o accommodate_v as_o he_o do_v every_o where_o the_o know_a custom_n of_o the_o synagogue_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o his_o church_n so_o that_o consider_v the_o vulgar_a manner_n of_o speak_v at_o that_o time_n i_o can_v understand_v if_o our_o saviour_n have_v design_v to_o establish_v this_o power_n in_o what_o other_o word_n he_o can_v have_v express_v himself_o with_o more_o plainness_n and_o less_o ambiguity_n even_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o three_o text_n math._n 18._o 18._o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n etc._n etc._n though_o it_o be_v answer_v already_o as_o appertain_v to_o the_o second_o our_o author_n account_n be_v brief_o this_o that_o the_o word_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v be_v either_o to_o be_v take_v in_o their_o large_a sense_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o bind_v but_o than_o it_o seem_v very_o strange_a to_o express_v one_o act_n of_o it_o by_o such_o comprehensive_a word_n and_o it_o be_v like_o describe_v the_o ocean_n by_o a_o drop_n of_o water_n or_o the_o universe_n by_o a_o atom_n or_o if_o they_o be_v take_v in_o the_o peculiar_a sense_n of_o the_o jewish_a writer_n they_o then_o do_v not_o signify_v any_o jurisdiction_n but_o only_o declare_v what_o be_v lawful_a what_o not_o or_o answer_v case_n of_o conscience_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o in_o whatever_o sense_n the_o word_n be_v take_v they_o will_v include_v in_o they_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o large_a sense_n they_o signify_v jurisdiction_n and_o all_o the_o part_n branch_n and_o appendage_n of_o it_o and_o then_o the_o power_n of_o inflict_a penalty_n which_o as_o be_v well_o know_v and_o our_o author_n have_v often_o observe_v give_v force_n to_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o therefore_o he_o may_v have_v spare_v his_o wonder_n that_o so_o large_a a_o word_n shall_v be_v take_v in_o so_o narrow_a a_o sense_n when_o that_o narrow_a sense_n necessary_o infer_v all_o other_o thing_n that_o it_o do_v or_o can_v signify_v but_o however_o to_o prevent_v this_o vain_a objection_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v these_o word_n be_v not_o insist_v upon_o as_o limit_v mere_o to_o excommunication_n but_o as_o a_o general_a donation_n of_o power_n and_o therefore_o of_o this_o in_o particular_a which_o be_v so_o considerable_a a_o branch_n of_o it_o and_o that_o be_v it_o which_o we_o assert_v that_o see_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n the_o scripture_n so_o often_o express_v greatness_n of_o power_n therefore_o the_o power_n that_o be_v exercise_v by_o virtue_n of_o they_o must_v carry_v with_o it_o the_o full_a force_n of_o obligation_n so_o that_o the_o word_n mutual_o explain_v each_o other_o for_o if_o by_o the_o key_n give_v in_o the_o sixteen_o verse_n be_v signify_v authority_n then_o by_o bind_v and_o lose_v by_o which_o the_o act_n of_o they_o be_v express_v in_o the_o eighteen_o verse_n must_v be_v understand_v authoritative_a obligation_n for_o though_o the_o word_n bind_v simple_o put_v may_v not_o infer_v authority_n yet_o bind_v by_o the_o key_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o bind_v by_o authority_n and_o this_o will_v have_v prevent_v our_o author_n other_o notion_n of_o which_o some_o learned_a man_n be_v so_o very_o fond_a of_o bind_v only_o by_o answer_v case_n of_o conscience_n because_o though_o bind_v alone_o may_v signify_v only_o so_o much_o yet_o bind_v by_o the_o key_n must_v signify_v more_o but_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o the_o word_n itself_o no_o where_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n signify_v any_o other_o bind_v than_o by_o legislative_a or_o judicial_a obligation_n and_o whereas_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o in_o the_o talmudical_a writer_n it_o signify_v only_o a_o interpret_n of_o law_n without_o jurisdiction_n it_o be_v so_o palpable_a a_o mistake_n that_o in_o they_o it_o can_v signify_v nothing_o less_o than_o authoritative_a obligation_n when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o their_o rabbi_n equal_v their_o interpretation_n to_o the_o law_n itself_o and_o bind_v they_o upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o under_o penalty_n of_o the_o divine_a displeasure_n but_o however_o if_o our_o saviour_n constitute_v his_o apostle_n to_o be_v only_a doctor_n and_o casuist_n yet_o he_o have_v annex_v authority_n to_o their_o office_n by_o the_o promise_n make_v at_o their_o instalment_n that_o whatever_o they_o bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n for_o i_o be_o sure_a all_o bind_n there_o be_v obligatory_a so_o that_o it_o seem_v if_o they_o be_v casuist_n they_o be_v authoritative_a casuist_n and_o that_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o if_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o proper_a jurisdiction_n and_o now_o have_v as_o i_o suppose_v sufficient_o vindicate_v these_o text_n i_o can_v but_o remark_n it_o as_o some_o defect_n of_o ingenuity_n in_o this_o learned_a gentleman_n to_o have_v whole_o omit_v one_o text_n more_o which_o he_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a to_o have_v be_v as_o common_o as_o any_o of_o the_o other_o insist_v upon_o in_o this_o argument_n and_o if_o he_o will_v have_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o will_v have_v prevent_v his_o evasion_n and_o that_o be_v st._n john_n chap._n 20._o v._n 21_o 22_o 23._o as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o even_o so_o send_v i_o you_o and_o when_o he_o have_v say_v this_o â—e_v breathe_v on_o they_o and_o say_v unto_o they_o receive_v you_o the_o holy_a ghost_n whosesoever_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v unto_o they_o and_o whosesoever_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v here_o our_o saviour_n give_v his_o apostle_n the_o same_o power_n that_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o his_o father_n and_o then_o for_o the_o discharge_n of_o it_o the_o same_o ability_n wherewith_o himself_o act_v and_o last_o declare_v to_o they_o wherein_o lie_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o what_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o forgive_a and_o retain_v of_o sin_n which_o answer_v to_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v in_o the_o other_o gospel_n and_o this_o if_o attend_v to_o will_v have_v prevent_v that_o poor_a slender_a notion_n that_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v signify_v only_o the_o office_n of_o interpret_n or_o declare_v what_o be_v lawful_a what_o unlawful_a for_o to_o retain_v or_o remit_v sin_n as_o the_o true_o pious_a and_o learned_a dr._n hammond_n observe_v will_v not_o be_v to_o declare_v one_o man_n sin_n unlawful_a another_o lawful_a which_o it_o must_v do_v if_o this_o interpretation_n be_v apply_v to_o this_o place_n after_o all_o this_o it_o will_v be_v but_o superfluous_a industry_n to_o spend_v pain_n upon_o our_o author_n conceit_n wherewith_o he_o conclude_v this_o chapter_n viz._n that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n
no_o more_o whereas_o the_o witty_a and_o learned_a cardinal_n perron_n run_v upon_o the_o same_o mistake_n and_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n that_o they_o all_o wilful_o run_v upon_o king_n james_n in_o his_o reply_n le_fw-fr we_o he_o know_v that_o though_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n never_o arrogate_a to_o themselves_o a_o power_n of_o be_v sovereign_a judge_n in_o matter_n and_o controversy_n of_o faith_n yet_o for_o moderation_n of_o synod_n for_o determination_n and_o order_n establish_v in_o council_n and_o for_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n they_o have_v make_v a_o good_a and_o full_a use_n of_o their_o imperial_a authority_n and_o that_o for_o this_o very_a good_a reason_n that_o very_o much_o concern_v all_o prince_n that_o they_o may_v see_v and_o judge_v whether_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o power_n or_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o much_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o for_o further_a satisfaction_n i_o shall_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o excellent_a discourse_n itself_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o i_o have_v give_v a_o plain_a and_o easy_a account_n of_o the_o distinct_a power_n of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o show_v that_o whoever_o deny_v the_o distinction_n disow_v christianity_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v vest_v his_o church_n with_o a_o power_n peculiar_a to_o itself_o that_o the_o church_n have_v in_o all_o age_n exercise_v it_o that_o the_o christian_a emperor_n never_o deny_v it_o and_o last_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o reform_a prince_n thereof_o have_v remarkable_o own_a it_n but_o three_o constantine_n and_o his_o successor_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o title_n of_o pontifex_n maximus_n to_o which_o according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n appertain_v the_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o authority_n they_o grant_v to_o the_o church_n among_o other_o privilege_n this_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o claudius_n and_o other_o heathen_a emperor_n give_v leave_n both_o to_o jew_n and_o christian_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o law_n and_o custom_n and_o though_o the_o emperor_n gratian_n refuse_v to_o wear_v the_o pontifical_a habit_n as_o a_o piece_n of_o pagan_a superstition_n yet_o it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o he_o refuse_v the_o dignity_n itself_o and_o this_o discourse_n our_o author_n prosecute_v with_o much_o zeal_n and_o learning_n but_o what_o do_v these_o man_n make_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o rather_o of_o christ_n himself_o that_o he_o shall_v make_v no_o other_o provision_n for_o its_o government_n than_o to_o leave_v it_o whole_o to_o the_o superintendency_n of_o heathen_a priest_n this_o be_v such_o a_o wild_a conceit_n in_o itself_o that_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v never_o have_v imagine_v any_o learned_a man_n can_v ever_o have_v make_v use_n of_o it_o against_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o this_o learned_a gentleman_n be_v not_o only_o serious_a but_o vehement_a and_o confident_a in_o it_o he_o urge_v it_o over_o and_o over_o and_o though_o he_o repeat_v every_o thing_n that_o he_o say_v so_o that_o indeed_o one_o half_a of_o his_o discourse_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o repetition_n of_o the_o other_o yet_o here_o he_o double_v his_o repetition_n and_o every_o where_o lay_v this_o principle_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o after_o time_n but_o can_v any_o man_n believe_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a take_v upon_o he_o the_o power_n of_o government_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n if_o he_o real_o believe_v in_o christ_n himself_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n derive_v from_o the_o usurpation_n of_o julius_n caesar_n or_o that_o he_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o heathenish_a priestly_a power_n belong_v to_o he_o after_o his_o own_n christianity_n when_o by_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o old_a roman_a religion_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v idolatrous_a so_o that_o the_o roman_a high_a priest_n be_v nothing_o better_o than_o the_o supreme_a head_n of_o idolatry_n a_o honour_n certain_o which_o no_o christian_a emperor_n will_v be_v very_o fond_a of_o astume_v to_o himself_o julian_n indeed_o challenge_v both_o the_o title_n and_o the_o dignity_n as_o the_o great_a ornament_n of_o his_o imperial_a crown_n but_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o he_o be_v so_o vain_o fond_a of_o the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o how_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o have_v renounce_v paganism_n shall_v yet_o own_v himself_o high_a priest_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o he_o have_v renounce_v seem_v too_o great_a a_o contradiction_n for_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o believe_v but_o what_o if_o they_o accept_v of_o the_o title_n as_o our_o author_n very_o well_o know_v they_o do_v of_o divinity_n itself_o or_o rather_o what_o if_o it_o be_v customary_o give_v to_o they_o by_o other_o for_o i_o meet_v with_o no_o other_o monument_n of_o it_o but_o some_o old_a complimental_a inscription_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o customary_a title_n of_o honour_n it_o may_v easy_o for_o a_o time_n pass_v in_o the_o crowd_n of_o the_o other_o imperial_a title_n for_o it_o seem_v it_o continue_v not_o long_o be_v reject_v by_o gratian_n who_o live_v about_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o conversion_n of_o constantine_n and_o though_o our_o learned_a author_n affirm_v that_o the_o pious_a emperor_n only_o refuse_v the_o vestment_n but_o not_o the_o dignity_n it_o be_v very_o obvious_a to_o any_o man_n of_o much_o less_o understanding_n than_o himself_o that_o the_o emperor_n can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o refuse_v one_o but_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o other_o for_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o superstition_n in_o the_o vestment_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o office_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n there_o be_v little_a if_o any_o use_n of_o the_o title_n afterward_o but_o last_o the_o power_n of_o judicature_n be_v first_o grant_v to_o the_o bishop_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o christian_a emperor_n and_o especial_o by_o a_o edict_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a whereby_o he_o grant_v the_o bishop_n a_o full_a power_n of_o hear_v and_o determine_v all_o cause_n civil_a as_o well_o as_o ecclesiastical_a and_o withal_o declare_v their_o decree_n to_o be_v more_o firm_a and_o bind_v than_o the_o sentence_n of_o any_o other_o judicature_n and_o from_o this_o great_a indulgence_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o among_o other_o forensique_fw-la penalty_n they_o make_v use_v of_o excommunication_n of_o the_o inference_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n by_o and_o by_o but_o as_o for_o the_o edict_n itself_o if_o it_o can_v do_v any_o service_n to_o our_o author_n design_n it_o at_o last_o prove_v supposititious_a as_o be_v full_o prove_v by_o gothofred_n in_o his_o excellent_a edition_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n his_o reason_n be_v too_o many_o to_o be_v here_o recite_v i_o will_v give_v but_o one_o for_o all_o viz._n that_o this_o law_n be_v contrary_a to_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n for_o though_o several_a emperor_n do_v in_o their_o several_a novel_n give_v the_o bishop_n power_n to_o decide_v cause_n by_o way_n of_o arbitration_n or_o the_o consent_n of_o both_o party_n which_o power_n they_o enlarge_v or_o contract_v as_o they_o please_v and_o to_o this_o all_o the_o other_o precedent_n produce_v by_o our_o author_n relate_v yet_o that_o one_o party_n shall_v have_v liberty_n of_o appeal_n from_o the_o civil_a court_n at_o any_o time_n before_o judgement_n give_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o adversary_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a privilege_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o only_a design_n of_o that_o edict_n quicunque_fw-la itaque_fw-la litem_fw-la habens_fw-la sive_fw-la possessor_n sive_fw-la petitor_n erit_fw-la inter_fw-la initia_fw-la litis_fw-la vel_fw-la decursis_fw-la temporum_fw-la curriculis_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la negotium_fw-la peroratur_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la jam_fw-la coeperit_fw-la promi_fw-la sententia_fw-la judicium_fw-la eligit_fw-la sacrosanctae_a legis_fw-la antistitis_fw-la ilico_fw-la sine_fw-la aliqua_fw-la dubitatione_n etiamsi_fw-la alia_fw-la pars_fw-la refragatur_fw-la ad_fw-la episcopum_fw-la cum_fw-la sermone_fw-la litigantium_fw-la dirigatur_fw-la which_o i_o say_v be_v such_o a_o absurd_a liberty_n as_o will_v utter_o destroy_v all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n if_o the_o humour_n or_o perverseness_n of_o any_o man_n can_v so_o easy_o balk_v their_o sentence_n but_o beside_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o there_o be_v no_o such_o edict_n extant_a in_o the_o justinian_n code_n nor_o any_o mention_n of_o it_o in_o any_o ancient_a writer_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n for_o as_o for_o
succession_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n from_o augustus_n to_o constantine_n but_o to_o wave_v all_o other_o parallel_a case_n that_o which_o i_o have_v already_o propound_v be_v irrefragable_a viz._n that_o those_o man_n that_o beat_v about_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n to_o start_v sceptical_a pretence_n against_o the_o use_n and_o institution_n of_o episcopacy_n will_v do_v very_o well_o to_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o this_o rude_a and_o licentious_a way_n of_o argue_v and_o as_o the_o reverend_n and_o learned_a doctor_n hammond_n long_o since_o remark_v it_o they_o that_o so_o confident_o reject_v the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n shrewd_o endanger_v if_o they_o will_v stand_v to_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o sacred_a canon_n when_o these_o be_v vouch_v for_o the_o true_a and_o authentic_a epistle_n of_o ignatius_n by_o as_o strong_a a_o current_n and_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o father_n as_o most_o of_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o proud_a walo_n messalinus_n do_v with_o the_o same_o ease_n and_o confidence_n pish_o away_o one_o of_o the_o 1._o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n as_o he_o do_v all_o these_o of_o this_o apostolical_a martyr_n and_o may_v in_o the_o same_o pert_a and_o pedantic_a humour_n and_o with_o the_o same_o evidence_n of_o reason_n huff_v all_o the_o rest_n after_o it_o into_o the_o apocryphal_a rubbish_n but_o because_o our_o adversary_n main_a strength_n lie_v in_o this_o objection_n and_o some_o ill-minded_n man_n will_v be_v hasty_a to_o seize_v on_o it_o for_o worse_a purpose_n than_o they_o intend_v i_o shall_v consider_v it_o in_o its_o full_a force_n and_o glory_n the_o defect_n then_o pretend_v be_v threefold_a as_o to_o place_n as_o to_o time_n as_o to_o person_n 1._o as_o to_o place_n and_o here_o they_o tell_v we_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n without_o a_o universal_a testimony_n for_o if_o but_o one_o place_n vary_v that_o be_v enough_o to_o overthrow_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n of_o government_n and_o therefore_o see_v we_o have_v not_o a_o account_n of_o what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o all_o church_n we_o can_v have_v no_o sufficient_a certainty_n of_o their_o practice_n but_o certain_o never_o be_v any_o thing_n so_o hardly_o deal_v with_o as_o antiquity_n by_o these_o man_n for_o unless_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n 1500_o year_n ago_o be_v record_v and_o make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o some_o unquestionable_a way_n all_o that_o be_v record_v be_v it_o never_o so_o certain_a and_o evident_a can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n for_o our_o information_n if_o this_o hard_a condition_n be_v put_v upon_o we_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o we_o not_o only_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n but_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o we_o shall_v have_v any_o either_o in_o that_o or_o any_o other_o record_n but_o this_o certain_o be_v too_o rigorous_a proceed_n with_o the_o authority_n of_o precedent_n that_o let_v we_o produce_v never_o so_o many_o they_o shall_v signify_v nothing_o as_o to_o their_o use_n unless_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v that_o there_o never_o be_v or_o indeed_o can_v be_v one_o contrary_a example_n in_o the_o world_n but_o i_o be_o very_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o all_o ingenuous_a man_n will_v be_v full_o satisfy_v with_o this_o that_o all_o the_o precedent_n that_o be_v record_v be_v for_o we_o and_o therefore_o till_o our_o adversary_n be_v able_a to_o produce_v some_o against_o we_o to_o rest_v in_o the_o certainty_n of_o those_o record_n that_o be_v preserve_v without_o a_o vain_a enquiry_n after_o what_o may_v or_o may_v not_o be_v in_o those_o that_o be_v lose_v and_o therefore_o our_o adversary_n in_o stead_n of_o make_v such_o wild_a and_o sceptical_a demand_n if_o they_o will_v prevail_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n have_v prove_v the_o variety_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n and_o that_o indeed_o will_v have_v disprove_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n but_o that_o be_v a_o thing_n they_o never_o attempt_v when_o therefore_o we_o have_v this_o uniformity_n of_o practice_n in_o all_o church_n who_o settlement_n be_v know_v it_o betray_v a_o unreasonable_a partiality_n in_o man_n to_o put_v we_o upon_o give_v a_o account_n of_o what_o st._n andrew_n do_v in_o scythia_n and_o st._n thomas_n in_o india_n for_o certain_o all_o impartial_a man_n will_v be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o uniform_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o know_a church_n of_o europe_n asia_n and_o africa_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o pretend_v defect_n of_o antiquity_n as_o to_o place_n the_o second_o defect_n be_v as_o to_o time_n and_o here_o they_o fall_v direct_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a history_n and_o in_o particular_a upon_o eusebius_n the_o father_n of_o it_o who_o they_o say_v live_v at_o too_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o apostolical_a time_n and_o want_v sufficient_a record_n for_o his_o information_n but_o this_o i_o must_v answer_v that_o i_o know_v not_o any_o historian_n furnish_v with_o better_a and_o more_o certain_a account_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o write_v of_o than_o eusebius_n the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o he_o in_o the_o most_o uninterrupted_a and_o undoubted_a manner_n possible_a st._n polycarp_n st._n ignatius_n st._n clemens_n of_o rome_n be_v familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o irenaeus_n tatianus_n theophilus_n antiochenus_fw-la athenagoras_n justin_n martyr_n and_o many_o more_o converse_v with_o they_o as_o they_o do_v with_o the_o apostle_n to_o these_o succeed_v origen_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n tertullian_n minutius_n faelix_fw-la lactantius_n ar_n nobius_fw-la dionysius_n alexandrinus_n gregorius_n thauntaturgus_fw-la st._n cyprian_n beside_o many_o other_o excellent_a writer_n who_o work_n he_o enjoy_v though_o some_o of_o they_o be_v since_o perish_v who_o all_o live_v in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o century_n after_o the_o apostle_n now_o out_o of_o these_o eusebius_n collect_v his_o history_n and_o to_o their_o genuine_a and_o undoubted_a write_n ever_o refer_v himself_o to_o justify_v his_o own_o fidelity_n quote_v no_o author_n for_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o what_o be_v do_v in_o his_o own_o age_n as_o particular_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o second_o book_n the_o reader_n be_v desire_v to_o observe_v that_o he_o collect_v the_o material_n of_o it_o from_o the_o write_n of_o clemens_n tertullian_n josephus_n and_o philo_n and_o the_o same_o preface_n he_o may_v have_v set_v before_o every_o particular_a book_n and_o as_o he_o always_o refer_v to_o good_a author_n so_o he_o reject_v many_o thing_n as_o counterfeit_v and_o spurious_a for_o this_o reason_n only_o because_o he_o find_v no_o account_n of_o they_o in_o the_o ancient_a writer_n but_o beside_o the_o write_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o bishop_n the_o original_n whereof_o be_v then_o reserve_v in_o the_o archive_v of_o their_o several_a church_n he_o make_v very_o great_a use_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o martyr_n that_o be_v then_o preserve_v with_o great_a care_n and_o sacredness_n though_o afterward_o it_o be_v the_o most_o value_a part_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n it_o be_v the_o most_o improve_v into_o fabulous_a legend_n and_o story_n and_o beside_o all_o this_o he_o be_v furnish_v with_o many_o excellent_a material_n of_o the_o first_o time_n which_o alone_o he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o want_v by_o hegesippus_n who_o write_v five_o book_n of_o commentary_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n about_o the_o reign_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n which_o be_v scarce_o eighty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o a_o very_a rash_a censure_n of_o such_o a_o ancient_n and_o apostolical_a writer_n to_o say_v that_o his_o relation_n be_v as_o questionable_a as_o those_o of_o eusebius_n himself_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o elder_a time_n when_o he_o live_v almost_o in_o the_o very_o elder_a time_n and_o so_o near_o to_o the_o apostle_n that_o it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a that_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o happen_v in_o that_o interval_n can_v escape_v his_o knowledge_n now_o last_o of_o all_o the_o heathen_a record_n themselves_o be_v not_o a_o little_a useful_a to_o he_o as_o himself_o inform_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 18._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n in_o theâ—e_n time_n that_o be_v about_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v so_o flourish_v that_o the_o heathen_a writer_n have_v leave_v exact_a record_n of_o the_o persecution_n and_o martyrdom_n as_o for_o eusebius_n his_o
say_n which_o be_v so_o triumphant_o insist_v on_o to_o blast_v the_o 4._o whole_a credit_n of_o antiquity_n that_o it_o be_v difficult_a to_o find_v out_o who_o be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o they_o unless_o it_o be_v those_o mention_v in_o the_o write_n of_o st._n paul_n it_o be_v evident_a from_o his_o own_o word_n that_o the_o difficulty_n arise_v not_o from_o the_o deficiency_n but_o from_o the_o too_o great_a plenty_n of_o successor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o he_o have_v a_o thousand_o helper_n or_o as_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o call_v they_o fellow-soldier_n so_o that_o the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v so_o difficult_a to_o assign_v who_o he_o appoint_v to_o preside_v over_o the_o church_n that_o he_o convert_v be_v because_o he_o have_v such_o a_o innumerable_a company_n of_o follower_n that_o who_o he_o set_v over_o what_o church_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o define_v than_o as_o himself_o have_v happen_v to_o name_v particular_a person_n as_o timothy_n titus_n crescens_n clemens_n epaphroditus_n etc._n etc._n which_o alone_o be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o apostle_n care_v to_o settle_v successor_n in_o the_o great_a church_n however_o this_o passage_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o blast_v the_o credit_n of_o antiquity_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n because_o it_o concern_v not_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o form_n of_o government_n but_o only_o of_o the_o person_n who_o succeed_v in_o the_o apostolical_a form_n in_o some_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o alone_o be_v answer_n enough_o to_o the_o three_o defect_n as_o to_o person_n viz._n that_o grant_v the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n to_o be_v defective_a that_o be_v no_o proof_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o episcopal_a government_n unless_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o we_o can_v find_v the_o bishop_n we_o can_v find_v some_o other_o form_n of_o government_n nay_o further_o those_o particular_n that_o we_o have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a testimony_n to_o the_o general_a truth_n that_o we_o assert_v in_o that_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o all_o the_o record_n that_o be_v remain_v and_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o reasonable_a or_o impartial_a man_n especial_o when_o in_o the_o great_a and_o more_o know_v church_n we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o account_n of_o the_o succession_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o england_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o henry_n the_o viii_o to_o charles_n the_o ii_o but_o that_o concern_v the_o argument_n of_o personal_a succession_n which_o though_o i_o have_v prevent_v i_o may_v consider_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n at_o present_a in_o order_n to_o the_o confute_v of_o this_o objection_n from_o the_o defect_n of_o time_n i_o shall_v show_v that_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n as_o the_o most_o curious_a and_o diffident_a enquirer_n can_v demand_v for_o his_o full_a satisfaction_n and_o first_o what_o can_v be_v more_o ancient_a or_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o the_o testimony_n of_o clement_n of_o rome_n in_o his_o famous_a epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n where_o exhort_v they_o above_o all_o thing_n to_o peace_n and_o unity_n which_o indeed_o be_v the_o main_a argument_n in_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n one_o chief_a way_n that_o he_o propound_v in_o order_n to_o it_o be_v that_o every_o man_n keep_v his_o order_n and_o station_n where_o beside_o the_o laity_n he_o reckon_v up_o three_o distinct_a order_n of_o the_o christian_a clergy_n which_o he_o express_v by_o a_o allusion_n as_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o apostolical_a writer_n to_o the_o jewish_a hierarchy_n viz._n the_o office_n of_o high_a priest_n priest_n and_o levite_n the_o passage_n be_v very_o full_a and_o pregnant_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o high_a priest_n have_v his_o peculiar_a office_n assign_v he_o and_o the_o priest_n have_v his_o station_n bound_v and_o the_o levite_n have_v their_o proper_a ministry_n determine_v and_o the_o layman_n be_v oblige_v to_o his_o lay-office_n my_o brethren_n let_v every_o one_o in_o his_o place_n and_o order_n worship_n god_n with_o a_o good_a conscience_n not_o transgress_v the_o settle_a canon_n of_o his_o duty_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o decency_n where_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o describe_v the_o several_a ministry_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n at_o that_o time_n by_o allude_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o mosaic_a institution_n for_o why_o else_o shall_v he_o conclude_v with_o this_o exhortation_n and_o therefore_o my_o brethren_n let_v every_o one_o of_o you_o keep_v his_o own_o order_n unless_o this_o distinction_n of_o officer_n concern_v the_o corinthian_a christian_n so_o that_o though_o it_o be_v express_v by_o allude_v to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o old_a jewish_a institution_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o description_n of_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n among_o those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v otherwise_o it_o be_v very_o impertinent_a to_o exhort_v they_o to_o keep_v those_o station_n if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o among_o they_o but_o the_o great_a witness_n in_o this_o cause_n be_v that_o brave_a martyr_n st._n ignatius_n pupil_n to_o st._n john_n and_o by_o he_o ordain_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n and_o chief_a bishop_n of_o asia_n who_o whilst_o he_o be_v in_o his_o way_n to_o his_o martyrdom_n be_v send_v from_o antioch_n to_o rome_n to_o be_v devour_v by_o wild_a beast_n in_o his_o journey_n write_v several_a epistle_n to_o several_a church_n in_o which_o he_o give_v such_o a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o hierarchy_n in_o his_o time_n by_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n as_o plain_o demonstrate_v it_o to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n and_o this_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o avoid_v the_o testimony_n but_o by_o flat_o deny_v it_o and_o therefore_o our_o adversary_n will_v upon_o no_o term_n allow_v these_o epistle_n to_o be_v genuine_a and_o take_v infinite_a pain_n to_o prove_v they_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a supposititious_a so_o that_o this_o be_v become_v the_o great_a point_n in_o this_o controversy_n and_o have_v be_v eager_o dispute_v by_o many_o learned_a man_n on_o both_o side_n the_o two_o last_o that_o engage_v in_o it_o be_v a_o learned_a prelate_n of_o our_o own_o and_o the_o famous_a monsieur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr in_o who_o book_n the_o whole_a cause_n be_v not_o only_o contain_v but_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v decide_v for_o though_o daillé_n be_v a_o person_n of_o more_o judgement_n temper_n and_o learning_n than_o most_o of_o his_o brethren_n yet_o they_o be_v strange_o overbear_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o prejudice_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o any_o man_n that_o ever_o look_v into_o he_o that_o he_o be_v first_o resolve_v upon_o his_o opinion_n and_o then_o right_a or_o wrong_n to_o make_v it_o good_a and_o because_o he_o be_v well_o aware_a that_o these_o epistle_n alone_o be_v so_o clear_a and_o full_a a_o testimony_n to_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n that_o they_o plain_o prevent_v all_o attempt_n and_o argument_n against_o it_o he_o therefore_o set_v himself_o with_o all_o vehemence_n and_o make_v it_o the_o business_n of_o his_o life_n to_o destroy_v their_o credit_n and_o with_o infinite_a pain_n sift_v all_o the_o rubbish_n of_o antiquity_n to_o find_v out_o every_o shred_n and_o atom_n of_o a_o criticism_n that_o may_v any_o way_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o impair_v their_o reputation_n yet_o after_o all_o this_o drudgery_n be_v his_o exception_n so_o plain_o disingenuous_a and_o unreasonable_a that_o they_o will_v fall_v as_o well_o upon_o any_o other_o ancient_a record_n whatsoever_o not_o only_o that_o ever_o have_v be_v but_o that_o ever_o can_v have_v be_v though_o upon_o no_o other_o score_n than_o 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