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
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
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
by_o that_o exact_a collation_n of_o their_o title_n and_o constitution_n that_o be_v prefix_v to_o gothofred_n edition_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n and_o as_o for_o his_o own_o novel_n he_o frequent_o make_v particular_a reference_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n challenge_v to_o himself_o a_o power_n of_o punish_v offence_n against_o the_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o one_o general_a law_n which_o he_o declare_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o predecessor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o force_n of_o law_n and_o according_o he_o begin_v his_o law_n concern_v ecclesiastical_a matter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o we_o enact_v that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o number_n of_o our_o law_n and_o by_o that_o edict_n alone_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o other_o they_o be_v all_o constitute_v law_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o according_a to_o this_o principle_n he_o declare_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o 83_o novel_a that_o he_o only_o follow_v the_o ancient_a canon_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o particular_o in_o his_o 137_o novel_a where_o he_o endeavour_v the_o restitution_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n he_o only_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o thirty_o six_z apostolical_a canon_n viz._n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o each_o province_n meet_v twice_o a_o year_n for_o the_o more_o effectual_a government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o he_o profess_v to_o do_v not_o as_o author_n but_o as_o protector_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o this_o novel_a he_o challenge_v to_o himself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o power_n of_o legislation_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o civil_a law_n but_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o power_n of_o patronage_n or_o protection_n this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o happy_a and_o most_o flourish_a age_n of_o it_o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o emperor_n of_o those_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o assume_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n to_o themselves_o that_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o abet_v any_o matter_n of_o religion_n with_o their_o civil_a sanction_n that_o be_v not_o determine_v beforehand_o by_o the_o spiritual_a power_n whether_o they_o ever_o exceed_v their_o own_o bound_n i_o think_v not_o myself_o oblige_v to_o inquire_v they_o be_v liable_a to_o that_o as_o well_o as_o to_o other_o mistake_n and_o misearriage_n of_o govenment_n though_o i_o remember_v not_o any_o instance_n of_o that_o kind_n till_o the_o latter_a and_o degenerate_a age_n of_o christendom_n when_o barbarity_n be_v introduce_v by_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o goth_n and_o vandal_n and_o other_o savage_a nation_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o the_o church_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n from_o constantine_n to_o justinian_n and_o it_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o in_o that_o whether_o they_o own_a it_o or_o not_o it_o be_v settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n but_o second_o emperor_n king_n and_o prince_n have_v limit_v the_o ecclesiastical_a order_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n and_o assign_v they_o either_o large_a or_o narrow_a bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o consistent_a with_o reason_n of_o state_n by_o which_o they_o evident_o declare_v what_o be_v their_o opinion_n of_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o they_o have_v suppose_v church-officer_n to_o have_v act_v by_o a_o divine_a authority_n they_o dare_v never_o have_v presume_v to_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o power_n of_o god_n by_o their_o own_o arbitrary_a decree_n as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n and_o under_o pretence_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n encroach_v upon_o that_o power_n that_o god_n have_v commit_v to_o prince_n which_o if_o they_o can_v do_v and_o some_o have_v do_v what_o affront_n be_v it_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o restrain_v his_o minister_n within_o those_o bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n that_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o they_o nay_o be_v not_o this_o very_a thing_n a_o very_a plain_a confession_n of_o a_o distinct_a authority_n when_o to_o limit_v a_o power_n suppose_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o argument_n of_o their_o disow_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a power_n that_o it_o be_v a_o demonstrative_a and_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o their_o acknowledgement_n of_o it_o this_o be_v grant_v i_o shall_v not_o concern_v myself_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o warrantableness_n of_o the_o several_a precedent_n allege_v though_o most_o of_o they_o relate_v only_o to_o the_o restraint_n of_o dilatory_a vexatious_a and_o uncanonical_a proceed_n for_o my_o only_a business_n be_v to_o gain_v the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o christendom_n to_o my_o cause_n for_o which_o i_o be_o no_o way_n bind_v to_o prove_v they_o free_a from_o all_o error_n and_o miscarriage_n of_o government_n so_o that_o if_o they_o may_v at_o any_o time_n bear_v too_o hard_o upon_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o the_o church_n have_v give_v they_o too_o much_o reason_n so_o to_o do_v that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o prescription_n against_o its_o due_a exercise_n that_o it_o be_v a_o declaration_n of_o these_o prince_n that_o have_v be_v most_o unkind_a to_o it_o that_o they_o own_o its_o power_n provide_v it_o be_v keep_v within_o its_o due_a bound_n but_o what_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o christendom_n have_v be_v concern_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n sufficient_o appear_v by_o those_o great_a difference_n that_o have_v be_v raise_v about_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o though_o the_o christian_a emperor_n have_v of_o late_a time_n be_v force_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o struggle_v against_o the_o encroachment_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n yet_o they_o never_o question_v that_o i_o know_v of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o their_o episcopal_a authority_n and_o therefore_o neither_o here_o shall_v i_o concern_v myself_o to_o examine_v the_o particular_a precedent_n plead_v by_o both_o party_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o respective_a power_n when_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o both_o power_n may_v and_o often_o have_v exceed_v their_o just_a limit_n which_o yet_o be_v such_o a_o inconvenience_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n and_o partiality_n of_o man_n be_v utter_o unavoidable_a and_o we_o can_v expect_v that_o god_n shall_v give_v such_o law_n as_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o humane_a liberty_n to_o break_v they_o for_o then_o the_o law_n be_v give_v to_o no_o purpose_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v sufficient_a to_o guide_v those_o that_o will_v resign_v themselves_o to_o be_v govern_v with_o honesty_n and_o integrity_n and_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o law_n to_o effect_v more_o so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a frivolous_a objection_n much_o insist_v upon_o by_o some_o ill-minded_n man_n that_o see_v the_o competition_n of_o these_o two_o power_n have_v be_v occasion_n of_o create_v so_o many_o mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n to_o christendom_n it_o be_v better_a that_o one_o of_o they_o be_v remove_v which_o beside_o the_o bold_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o because_o they_o think_v in_o their_o great_a wisdom_n that_o god_n ought_v not_o that_o therefore_o he_o have_v not_o constitute_v two_o distinct_a power_n it_o be_v such_o a_o objection_n that_o no_o constitution_n can_v possible_o avoid_v for_o which_o way_n soever_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n may_v be_v settle_v there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o that_o through_o the_o corruption_n and_o folly_n of_o mankind_n it_o may_v and_o often_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o abuse_n and_o particular_o in_o this_o case_n there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o discern_v the_o bound_n that_o god_n have_v set_v to_o these_o two_o power_n if_o man_n will_v be_v honest_a and_o upright_a and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o it_o be_v no_o fault_n of_o the_o law_n that_o they_o will_v break_v it_o for_o christianity_n be_v whole_o found_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n which_o oblige_v they_o in_o all_o case_n either_o to_o obey_v or_o to_o suffer_v peaceable_o so_o that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o churchman_n may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o its_o interfering_n with_o or_o entrench_v upon_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
to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v whether_o he_o can_v desire_v or_o contrive_v more_o evidence_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o book_n than_o be_v produce_v for_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n st._n polycarp_n then_o who_o be_v his_o particular_a friend_n and_o fellow-pupil_n under_o st._n john_n and_o st._n irenaeus_n who_o be_v disciple_n to_o polycarp_n give_v in_o full_a and_o clear_a testimony_n to_o the_o martyr_n epistle_n polycarp_n send_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n as_o appear_v both_o by_o his_o own_o epistle_n still_o extant_a and_o by_o eusebius_n his_o quotation_n out_o of_o it_o and_o that_o at_o a_o time_n when_o it_o be_v vulgar_o know_v and_o common_o read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n polycarp'_v epistle_n be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n by_o any_o good_a author_n be_v immediate_o attest_v by_o irenaeus_n read_v with_o veneration_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n even_o to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o eusebius_n and_o st._n hierom._n so_o that_o i_o know_v not_o what_o more_o undoubted_a or_o public_a testimony_n mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr can_v demand_v for_o his_o satisfaction_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v what_o more_o effectual_a evidence_n can_v have_v be_v provide_v to_o secure_v their_o authority_n for_o when_o st._n polycarp'_v epistle_n be_v so_o universal_o know_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o corrupt_v it_o and_o yet_o in_o this_o wild_a supposition_n be_v monsieur_n daillé_fw-fr force_v at_o last_o to_o shelter_v himself_o he_o allow_v his_o epistle_n itself_o to_o be_v of_o undoubted_a credit_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o polycarp_n but_o that_o a_o certain_a impostor_n a_o little_a before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n have_v foist_v in_o that_o paragraph_n in_o which_o this_o passage_n concern_v ignatius_n his_o epistle_n be_v find_v which_o eusebius_n meet_v with_o he_o take_v it_o to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o credit_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o epistle_n which_o be_v all_o so_o very_o ungrounded_a and_o precarious_a that_o with_o the_o same_o liberty_n he_o may_v deny_v or_o destroy_v the_o validity_n of_o any_o ancient_a record_n whatsoever_o but_o beside_o this_o the_o epistle_n be_v so_o public_a so_o expose_v to_o the_o view_n of_o all_o man_n so_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a that_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o poison_v the_o sea_n as_o for_o a_o private_a man_n to_o corrupt_v it_o or_o if_o he_o will_v attempt_v to_o do_v it_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o eusebius_n and_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o to_o be_v delude_v by_o so_o bold_a a_o imposture_n do_v not_o eusebius_n himself_o inform_v we_o that_o it_o be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o writing_n do_v he_o not_o then_o know_v what_o be_v read_v there_o and_o therefore_o if_o this_o passage_n be_v not_o read_v can_v he_o be_v so_o stupid_a as_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o single_a private_a man_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o if_o he_o be_v can_v all_o the_o father_n who_o daillé_n will_v have_v to_o have_v follow_v his_o dance_n be_v so_o prodigious_o blind_a and_o careless_a as_o in_o a_o thing_n so_o know_v and_o common_a to_o be_v deceive_v by_o he_o and_o that_o no_o man_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v he_o shall_v discover_v the_o mistake_n till_o nicephorus_n who_o live_v five_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o but_o grant_v the_o testimony_n to_o be_v true_a he_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v effectual_a because_o polycarp_n only_o say_v that_o ignatius_n write_v epistle_n but_o no_o where_o affirm_v that_o those_o we_o have_v be_v the_o true_a one_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v unless_o st._n polycarp_n have_v write_v particular_o against_o monsieur_fw-fr dailâ—é_fw-fr himself_n and_o declare_v that_o those_o very_a epistle_n that_o he_o oppose_v with_o so_o much_o zeal_n be_v write_v by_o his_o friend_n the_o martyr_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o give_v sufficient_a testimony_n to_o their_o truth_n and_o yet_o that_o can_v not_o have_v be_v a_o more_o ample_a proof_n than_o this_o amount_n to_o for_o he_o declare_v not_o only_o that_o ignatius_n write_v certain_a epistle_n but_o that_o himself_o make_v a_o collection_n of_o they_o and_o this_o collection_n be_v see_v by_o eusebius_n and_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n now_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o reputation_n of_o the_o martyr_n both_o for_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o apostle_n his_o eminent_a dignity_n in_o the_o church_n the_o gallantry_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n when_o we_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o his_o writing_n which_o be_v at_o the_o approach_n of_o his_o death_n and_o as_o it_o be_v his_o die_a exhortation_n to_o the_o church_n when_o we_o consider_v how_o they_o be_v recommend_v by_o polycarp_n who_o epistle_n be_v public_o read_v in_o their_o assembly_n be_v it_o any_o way_n credible_a that_o these_o true_a epistle_n shall_v all_o perish_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n and_o other_o counterfeit_a one_o rise_v up_o in_o their_o room_n and_o among_o all_o those_o learned_a man_n that_o then_o be_v very_o inquisitive_a after_o ancient_n and_o apostolical_a tradition_n none_o shall_v ever_o discern_v or_o discover_v it_o nay_o that_o eusebius_n a_o man_n so_o thorough_o verse_v in_o all_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n so_o conversant_a with_o the_o choice_a library_n shall_v be_v so_o gross_o and_o so_o easy_o cheat_v by_o a_o double_a imposture_n contrive_v in_o his_o own_o time_n as_o to_o take_v the_o new_a invent_v epistle_n of_o ignatius_n for_o the_o old_a authentic_a write_n of_o that_o holy_a martyr_n and_o then_o to_o vouch_v it_o by_o a_o forge_a passage_n foist_v into_o polycarp_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o vulgar_a book_n so_o many_o hard_a supposition_n one_o will_v think_v be_v enough_o to_o shame_v any_o modest_a man_n out_o of_o his_o opinion_n the_o second_o witness_n to_o these_o epistle_n be_v st._n irenaeus_n who_o testimony_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o than_o the_o former_a be_v extant_a both_o in_o eusebius_n and_o those_o piece_n of_o irenaeus_n that_o be_v preserve_v down_o to_o our_o time_n though_o most_o of_o his_o work_n be_v perish_v but_o to_o this_o mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr answer_n that_o irenaeus_n cautious_o express_v his_o quotation_n of_o the_o holy_a martyr_n by_o dixit_fw-la and_o not_o scripsit_fw-la and_o thence_o conjecture_n that_o he_o quote_v it_o only_o as_o a_o say_v or_o apothegm_n and_o not_o as_o a_o citation_n out_o of_o his_o write_n but_o 1._o there_o be_v no_o record_n of_o any_o such_o say_v as_o this_o neither_o in_o that_o particular_a quotation_n that_o be_v preserve_v can_v we_o know_v who_o irenaeus_n mean_v do_v we_o not_o find_v the_o same_o sentence_n in_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o a_o frivolous_a thing_n to_o forsake_v that_o and_o to_o fetch_v the_o business_n from_o unknown_a and_o unheard_a of_o report_n and._n 2._o this_o be_v the_o very_a form_n of_o all_o irenaeus_n his_o quotation_n who_o never_o use_v the_o word_n scripsit_fw-la but_o always_o dixit_fw-la but_o then_o why_o do_v he_o not_o cite_v some_o testimony_n against_o the_o heretic_n out_o of_o ignatius_n in_o who_o there_o be_v so_o many_o apposite_a to_o his_o purpose_n i_o answer_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o he_o do_v not_o cite_v other_o as_o pertinent_a author_n as_o ignatius_n for_o out_o of_o all_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o live_v before_o he_o he_o have_v in_o his_o survive_a work_n but_o four_o quotation_n of_o which_o that_o out_o of_o ignatius_n be_v one_o neither_o will_v this_o way_n of_o dispute_v have_v be_v at_o all_o pertinent_a in_o the_o day_n of_o irenaeus_n when_o the_o heretic_n against_o who_o he_o write_v allow_v no_o authority_n to_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o always_o recur_v to_o certain_a wild_a apocryphal_a book_n of_o their_o own_o and_o therefore_o it_o have_v be_v but_o a_o vain_a thing_n for_o irenaeus_n to_o have_v press_v they_o with_o this_o topick_n the_o next_o witness_n be_v origen_n who_o quote_v he_o by_o name_n but_o against_o this_o testimony_n we_o have_v these_o two_o exception_n first_o that_o it_o be_v at_o too_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n of_o ignatius_n second_o that_o those_o write_n in_o which_o he_o be_v quote_v be_v none_o of_o origen_n first_o as_o to_o the_o first_o we_o will_v grant_v the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n if_o this_o have_v be_v the_o first_o testimony_n in_o the_o cause_n but_o follow_v polycarp_n and_o irenaeus_n it_o prove_v the_o constant_a opinion_n of_o learned_a man_n before_o eusebius_n and_o his_o impostor_n second_o it_o overthrow_v daillé_n
great_a conceit_n that_o these_o epistle_n appear_v not_o till_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o ignatius_n whereas_o by_o his_o own_o confession_n origen_n write_v within_o one_o hundred_o and_o forty_o year_n three_o it_o cut_v off_o the_o great_a pretence_n that_o eusebius_n be_v the_o founder_n of_o this_o mistake_n whereas_o it_o hereby_o appear_v that_o if_o it_o be_v one_o he_o only_o follow_v his_o predecessor_n in_o it_o but_o the_o main_a of_o the_o controversy_n here_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n whether_o those_o book_n ascribe_v to_o origen_n in_o which_o ignatius_n be_v quote_v be_v real_o he_o or_o not_o daillé_fw-fr ses_fw-fr no_o but_o his_o learned_a adversary_n have_v with_o no_o less_o than_o evidence_n of_o demonstration_n prove_v they_o be_v though_o if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o st._n jerom_n have_v do_v it_o long_o since_o who_o plain_o tell_v we_o that_o himself_o translate_v they_o out_o of_o origen_n greek_a into_o latin_a and_o now_o after_o these_o i_o need_v add_v nothing_o of_o the_o testimony_n of_o eusebius_n and_o those_o that_o follow_v he_o for_o if_o he_o be_v mistake_v their_o authority_n be_v of_o no_o use_n if_o he_o be_v not_o it_o be_v of_o little_a necessity_n but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o be_v demonstrate_v from_o these_o more_o ancient_a testimony_n though_o if_o any_o man_n desire_v more_o witness_n i_o shall_v refer_v he_o to_o my_o learned_a author_n who_o have_v summon_v 2._o they_o out_o of_o every_o age_n from_o that_o in_o which_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o be_v write_v down_o to_o that_o next_o our_o own_o but_o to_o all_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n what_o do_v our_o adversary_n oppose_v irst_fw-mi salmasius_n oppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o nicephorus_n patriarch_n of_o 252._o constantinople_n by_o which_o say_v he_o the_o authentic_a and_o spurious_a book_n of_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v and_o among_o many_o other_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n be_v censure_v for_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o to_o this_o it_o be_v reply_v by_o the_o pious_a the_o reverend_n and_o the_o learned_a dr._n hammond_n 2._o that_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o author_n especial_o of_o late_a date_n for_o nicephorus_n live_v not_o before_o the_o nine_o century_n be_v not_o of_o weight_n and_o authority_n enough_o to_o oppose_v to_o the_o consent_n of_o so_o many_o ancient_a writer_n second_o that_o the_o word_n apocryphal_a which_o be_v use_v by_o nicephorus_n do_v not_o always_o signify_v spurious_a but_o it_o be_v very_o often_o use_v by_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n as_o oppose_v to_o canonical_a and_o so_o be_v give_v to_o book_n who_o author_n be_v never_o question_v only_o to_o seclude_v they_o from_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o first_o it_o be_v reply_v by_o daillé_n and_o that_o i_o must_v say_v 4._o with_o impertinency_n enough_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o nicephorus_n be_v at_o least_o equal_a to_o dr._n hammonds_n as_o if_o the_o dispute_n be_v between_o they_o two_o whereas_o the_o dispute_n be_v between_o walo_n and_o the_o doctor_n who_o when_o he_o have_v produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n of_o all_o former_a age_n can_v not_o but_o think_v it_o very_o hard_o that_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o late_a writer_n shall_v be_v oppose_v to_o all_o their_o authority_n to_o the_o second_o he_o reply_v that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o word_n apocryphal_a be_v oftentimes_o oppose_v to_o canonical_a yet_o it_o be_v very_o frequent_o too_o use_v by_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n as_o equivalent_a to_o spurious_a and_o counterfeit_n and_o that_o therefore_o the_o doctor_n in_o vain_a take_v refuge_n in_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n but_o certain_o it_o be_v the_o manifest_a design_n of_o these_o man_n to_o tire_v out_o their_o adversary_n with_o verbose_a trifle_n for_o who_o can_v have_v expect_v this_o answer_n that_o when_o walo_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o word_n apocryphal_a as_o if_o it_o only_o signify_v spurious_a and_o that_o when_o to_o the_o argument_n the_o doctor_n have_v answer_v that_o it_o no_o way_n follow_v because_o it_o as_o often_o signify_v not_o canonical_a who_o i_o say_v after_o this_o will_v have_v expect_v that_o his_o adversary_n shall_v upbraid_v he_o with_o take_v refuge_n in_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n when_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n alone_o be_v not_o only_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o but_o a_o clear_a confutation_n of_o the_o argument_n but_o he_o reply_v second_o that_o some_o of_o the_o book_n join_v with_o it_o be_v confess_v by_o all_o to_o be_v supposititious_a and_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v censure_v for_o that_o reason_n so_o must_v the_o ignatian_a epistle_n but_o this_o be_v manifest_o false_a and_o though_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o follow_v like_o all_o the_o rest_n for_o the_o censure_n have_v no_o regard_n to_o their_o author_n but_o whether_o spurious_a or_o genuine_a to_o their_o authority_n and_o only_a design_n to_o shut_v they_o out_o from_o creep_v in_o among_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a danger_n it_o aim_v to_o prevent_v lest_o the_o book_n that_o either_o be_v or_o pretend_v to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n shall_v creep_v into_o the_o canon_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o decree_n itself_o that_o nicephorus_n intend_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o determine_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o prevent_v all_o other_o that_o come_v near_o to_o they_o in_o age_n from_o obtain_v sacred_a authority_n but_o ses_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr pope_n gelasius_n when_o he_o define_v what_o book_n be_v apocryphal_a he_o do_v not_o confine_v it_o mere_o to_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n but_o to_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n not_o allow_v of_o and_o therefore_o this_o must_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o nicephorus_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o because_o gelasius_n in_o his_o decree_n determine_v what_o ecclesiastical_a book_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o be_v to_o be_v repute_v orthodox_n what_o heterodox_n that_o therefore_o nicephorus_n when_o he_o distinguish_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n from_o the_o apocryphal_a do_v not_o mean_a as_o himself_o declare_v but_o must_v be_v understand_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o gelasius_n and_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v there_o be_v no_o such_o testimony_n but_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v a_o mere_a dream_n of_o their_o own_o who_o catch_v at_o any_o shadow_n that_o may_v seem_v to_o serve_v their_o turn_n for_o first_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o nicephorus_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o the_o stichometria_fw-la second_o that_o the_o author_n of_o it_o whoever_o he_o be_v do_v not_o pass_v this_o censure_n upon_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n for_o we_o find_v in_o it_o only_o the_o name_n of_o ignatius_n without_o any_o mention_n of_o his_o epistle_n which_o indeed_o can_v in_o daillé'_v sense_n be_v call_v apocryphal_a because_o they_o be_v never_o esteem_v canonical_a for_o that_o be_v the_o true_a original_a of_o the_o distinction_n that_o whereas_o there_o be_v some_o book_n write_v by_o the_o follower_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o clemens_n barnabas_n and_o hermas_n leave_v these_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o nearness_n to_o the_o canonical_a book_n shall_v in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v reckon_v with_o they_o the_o church_n be_v careful_a to_o range_v they_o in_o a_o classis_fw-la by_o themselves_o and_o whereas_o there_o be_v many_o other_o book_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v dictate_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o write_v by_o their_o disciple_n lest_o they_o shall_v gain_v the_o authority_n they_o pretend_v to_o it_o concern_v the_o church_n to_o give_v they_o the_o apocryphal_a mark._n see_v therefore_o ignatius_n epistle_n be_v never_o upon_o either_o of_o these_o account_n in_o any_o probability_n of_o be_v account_v canonical_a it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o needless_a caution_n to_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o apocryphal_a catalogue_n and_o though_o to_o ignatii_n daillé_n after_o his_o usual_a way_n of_o make_v bold_a with_o his_o quotation_n add_v omnia_fw-la it_o be_v probable_a that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v be_v add_v as_o it_o be_v in_o another_o index_n of_o apocryphal_a book_n in_o the_o oxford_n library_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o some_o idle_a man_n of_o those_o time_n to_o make_v institution_n of_o divinity_n and_o then_o fasten_v they_o upon_o apostle_n and_o apostolical_a man_n out_o of_o which_o as_o our_o learned_a author_n with_o great_a probability_n conjecture_n be_v afterward_o make_v that_o collection_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o apostolical_a constitution_n now_o these_o spurious_a piece_n pretend_v to_o canonical_a authority_n it_o be_v very_o requisite_a to_o prevent_v and_o discover_v the_o imposture_n but_o whatever_o probability_n may_v be_v in_o this_o conjecture_n of_o which_o we_o stand_v in_o no_o need_n i_o be_o
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
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