manner_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v now_o the_o bishop_n sit_v as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o sanhedrin_n and_o the_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o ignatius_n express_v it_o act_v as_o the_o common-council_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o bishop_n the_o bishop_n be_v as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d answer_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o presbytery_n as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d answer_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 129._o as_o origen_n compare_v they_o whereby_o he_o full_o describe_v the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o his_o time_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v by_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n and_o a_o precedent_n in_o it_o rule_v the_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o every_o city_n so_o that_o the_o presbytery_n of_o a_o great_a city_n join_v together_o for_o government_n be_v never_o account_v a_o provincial_a assembly_n but_o only_o the_o senate_n for_o government_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o whole_a city_n the_o erect_v presbytery_n for_o every_o particular_a congregation_n in_o a_o city_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o the_o ancient_a constitution_n of_o church_n and_o have_v give_v the_o great_a rise_n to_o the_o independency_n of_o particular_a congregation_n for_o if_o every_o particular_a congregation_n be_v furnish_v with_o a_o government_n within_o its_o self_n than_o man_n be_v apt_a present_o to_o think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o subordination_n of_o it_o to_o any_o high_a church-power_n whereas_o if_o that_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o church_n be_v hold_v that_o they_o be_v society_n of_o christian_n under_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n in_o a_o city_n then_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o congregation_n must_v truckle_n under_o the_o great_a body_n as_o receive_v their_o government_n by_o and_o their_o officer_n from_o that_o senate_n of_o the_o church_n which_o superintend_v and_o order_n the_o affair_n of_o that_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_n reside_v in_o such_o a_o place_n and_o this_o crumble_a of_o church-power_n into_o every_o congregation_n be_v a_o thing_n absolute_o disow_v by_o the_o great_a and_o most_o learned_a patron_n of_o presbytery_n beyond_o the_o sea_n as_o may_v be_v see_v both_o in_o calvin_n bâ—za_n salmasius_n blondel_n gersome_n bucer_n and_o other_o it_o be_v much_o dispute_v when_o the_o first_o division_n of_o parochial_a congregation_n in_o city_n begin_v platina_n attribute_n it_o to_o evaristus_n and_o so_o do_v damasus_n hic_fw-la titulos_fw-la in_o urbe_fw-la roma_fw-it divisit_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la he_o divide_v the_o several_a parish_n church_n to_o the_o presbyter_n these_o be_v call_v then_o tituli_fw-la baronius_n give_v a_o double_a reason_n 6._o of_o the_o name_n either_o from_o good_n belong_v to_o the_o prince_n exchequer_n which_o have_v some_o sign_n imprint_v upon_o they_o that_o it_o may_v be_v know_v who_o they_o be_v so_o say_v he_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n be_v put_v upon_o the_o church_n to_o make_v it_o know_v that_o they_o be_v devote_v to_o god_n service_n or_o else_o they_o be_v call_v tituli_fw-la because_o the_o several_a presbyter_n do_v receive_v their_o title_n from_o they_o but_o by_o the_o leave_n of_o the_o great_a cardinal_n another_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o name_n more_o proper_a then_o either_o of_o these_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o learned_a man_n that_o the_o general_a meeting_n of_o the_o christian_n be_v in_o the_o coemeteria_fw-la or_o dormitory_n of_o christian_n so_o they_o call_v the_o sepulcher_n then_o which_o be_v great_a and_o capacious_a vault_n fit_a to_o receive_v many_o people_n in_o they_o two_o chief_a ground_n of_o the_o christian_n meet_v in_o those_o place_n the_o first_o be_v their_o own_o security_n because_o the_o heathen_n look_v on_o it_o as_o a_o matter_n of_o religion_n manes_fw-la temerare_fw-la sepultos_fw-la to_o disturb_v the_o ash_n of_o the_o dead_a but_o the_o chief_a reason_n be_v to_o encourage_v themselves_o to_o suffeâ—_n martyrdom_n by_o the_o example_n of_o those_o who_o have_v go_v before_o they_o and_o lay_v bury_v there_o thence_o they_o be_v call_v martyrum_fw-la memoriae_fw-la because_o they_o do_v call_v to_o mind_v their_o action_n and_o constancy_n in_o the_o faith_n now_o from_o these_o coemeteria_fw-la be_v afterward_o the_o original_n of_o church_n whence_o person_n most_o reverence_v for_o piety_n be_v wont_n still_o to_o be_v bury_v in_o church_n not_o for_o any_o holiness_n of_o the_o place_n but_o because_o in_o such_o place_n the_o martyr_n lay_v bury_v the_o church_n be_v raise_v over_o the_o vault_n wherein_o the_o martyra_n lie_v entomb_v now_o church_n be_v raise_v from_o these_o coemetery_n which_o be_v call_v memoriae_fw-la martyrum_fw-la that_o they_o may_v still_o retain_v somewhat_o intimate_v their_o former_a use_n be_v call_v tituli_fw-la for_o 15._o titulus_fw-la as_o santius_n observe_v be_v signum_fw-la aliquod_fw-la aut_fw-la monumentum_fw-la quod_fw-la docet_fw-la ibi_fw-la latere_fw-la aliquid_fw-la aut_fw-la accidisse_fw-la cujus_fw-la nolumus_fw-la perire_fw-la memoriam_fw-la thence_o statue_n be_v call_v tituli_fw-la so_o gen._n 35._o 20._o erexit_fw-la jacob_n titulum_fw-la super_fw-la sepulchrum_n as_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a render_v it_o and_o gen._n 28._o 18._o surgens_fw-la ergo_fw-la jacob_n mane_n tulit_fw-la lapidem_fw-la quem_fw-la suâ—posuerat_fw-la capiti_fw-la svo_fw-la &_o erexit_fw-la in_o titulum_fw-la so_o absalon_n 2_o sam._n 18._o 18._o erexit_fw-la sibi_fw-la titulum_fw-la so_o that_o what_o be_v erect_v to_o maintain_v and_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v call_v titulus_fw-la and_o thence_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o coemitery_n of_o the_o martyr_n be_v on_o that_o account_n call_v tituli_fw-la because_o intend_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o memory_n this_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o name_n i_o leave_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o learned_a man_n but_o to_o proceed_v i_o confess_v it_o seem_v not_o probable_a to_o i_o that_o these_o tituli_fw-la be_v so_o soon_o divide_v as_o the_o time_n of_o evaristus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o trajan_n when_o the_o persecution_n be_v hot_a against_o the_o christian_n but_o damasus_n seem_v not_o to_o believe_v himself_o for_o in_o the_o life_n of_o dionysius_n â—e_n say_v hic_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la divisit_fw-la coemeteria_fw-la paroecias_fw-la &_o dioeceses_fw-la instituit_fw-la but_o most_o probable_o it_o begin_v assoon_o as_o the_o church_n enjoy_v any_o ease_n and_o peace_n it_o be_v so_o necessary_a for_o the_o convenient_a meeting_n of_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n as_o there_o be_v then_o in_o the_o life_n of_o marcellus_n about_o forty_o year_n after_o dionysius_n we_o read_v of_o twenty_o five_o title_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o which_o number_n what_o use_n be_v make_v for_o interpret_n the_o number_n 666._o may_v be_v see_v in_o mr._n potter_n ingenuous_a tract_n on_o that_o subject_a but_o when_o afterward_o these_o title_n be_v much_o increase_v those_o presbyter_n that_o be_v place_v in_o the_o ancient_a title_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a among_o they_o be_v call_v cardinals_z presbyteri_fw-la cardinalium_fw-la which_o be_v then_o look_v on_o as_o chief_a of_o the_o clergy_n and_o therefore_o be_v the_o chief_a member_n of_o the_o council_n of_o presbyter_n to_o the_o bishop_n so_o that_o at_o this_o day_n the_o conclave_n at_o rome_n and_o the_o pope_n consistory_n be_v a_o evident_a argument_n in_o this_o great_a degeneracy_n of_o it_o of_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n there_o by_o a_o bishop_n act_v with_o his_o college_n of_o presbyter_n neither_o be_v this_o proper_a to_o rome_n alone_o but_o to_o all_o other_o great_a city_n which_o when_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n be_v grow_v so_o great_a that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v and_o join_v with_o the_o bishop_n for_o order_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v some_o as_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o choose_v out_o from_o the_o rest_n to_o be_v as_o the_o bishop_n council_n and_o these_o in_o many_o place_n as_o at_o milan_n ravenna_n naples_n etc._n etc._n be_v call_v cardinals_z presbyteri_fw-la as_o well_o as_o at_o rome_n which_o be_v abrogate_a by_o pius_n quintus_fw-la 1568_o but_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o be_v preserve_v still_o in_o cathedral_n church_n in_o the_o chapter_n there_o where_o the_o dean_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o archipresbytâ—r_n and_o both_o dean_n and_o prebendary_n be_v to_o be_v assistant_n to_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o regulate_v the_o church-affair_n belong_v to_o the_o city_n while_o the_o church_n be_v contain_v therein_o so_o much_o shall_v suffice_v for_o the_o model_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n while_o they_o be_v contain_v within_o the_o same_o precinct_n with_o the_o city_n its_o self_n we_o come_v in_o the_o
use_v to_o say_v that_o their_o god_n beg_v they_o all_o their_o play-day_n after_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o mirth_n and_o jollity_n use_v after_o their_o sacrifice_n 9_o which_o be_v always_o the_o second_o course_n at_o these_o festival_n thence_o the_o jew_n call_v their_o high_a festival_n day_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d good_a day_n or_o day_n of_o mirth_n we_o read_v of_o few_o nation_n but_o have_v these_o festival_n solemnity_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o go_n the_o persian_n have_v they_o for_o their_o god_n mithras_n the_o babylonian_n fastis_fw-la say_v athenaeus_n out_o of_o berosus_n have_v their_o feast_n sacaea_n which_o casaubon_n will_v have_v call_v sesacaea_n because_o babylon_n in_o scripture_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sesac_n as_o the_o ludi_fw-la romani_fw-la be_v from_o rome_n it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o mention_v the_o festival_n observe_v by_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n in_o honour_n of_o their_o god_n be_v so_o many_o that_o whole_a book_n have_v be_v compose_v of_o they_o that_o which_o i_o observe_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o society_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v natural_a because_o of_o their_o solemn_a rest_v from_o their_o ordinary_a labour_n upon_o day_n appoint_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o god_n thereby_o show_v they_o look_v upon_o those_o as_o peculiar_a day_n and_o themselves_o as_o peculiar_a society_n upon_o those_o day_n from_o what_o they_o be_v at_o other_o time_n one_o thing_n more_o evidence_v this_o among_o they_o their_o solemn_a and_o secret_a mystery_n which_o be_v society_n on_o purpose_n as_o pretend_v for_o this_o very_a end_n in_o honour_n of_o their_o go_n their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o call_v they_o preserve_v with_o the_o great_a secrecy_n by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o great_a and_o lesser_a eleusinian_n samothracian_a cotyttian_a mithriacal_a mystery_n to_o which_o none_o be_v admit_v without_o pass_v through_o many_o degree_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d before_o they_o come_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d perfect_o initiate_v wherein_o they_o be_v much_o imitate_v by_o the_o christian_n eleusiâ—is_n in_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n about_o the_o four_o or_o five_o century_n as_o be_v large_o show_v by_o casaubon_n in_o a_o most_o learned_a diutriba_n on_o this_o subject_a in_o his_o exercitation_n to_o which_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n we_o see_v what_o strict_a rule_n they_o have_v for_o admission_n of_o any_o into_o these_o pretend_o sacred_a but_o true_o most_o impious_a society_n in_o those_o of_o mithras_n as_o suidas_n and_o nonnus_n tell_v we_o they_o pass_v through_o eighty_o degree_n before_o they_o be_v thorough_o initiate_v and_o seldom_o escape_v with_o life_n however_o we_o may_v gain_v from_o they_o this_o general_a notion_n that_o they_o look_v on_o a_o peculiar_a distinct_a society_n as_o necessary_a for_o the_o worship_n and_o honour_n of_o the_o deity_n they_o serve_v thus_o we_o see_v à _fw-fr posteriori_fw-la how_o a_o distinct_a society_n for_o god_n worship_n appear_v to_o be_v a_o dictate_v of_o nature_n we_o shall_v now_o see_v if_o we_o can_v evidence_n à _fw-la priori_fw-la that_o it_o be_v a_o dictate_v of_o nature_n that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o society_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n three_o thing_n will_v make_v that_o appear_v first_o the_o sociableness_n of_o man_n nature_n man_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o creature_n that_o love_v to_o herd_n itself_o with_o those_o of_o his_o own_o kind_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o if_o a_o man_n have_v all_o other_o comfort_n of_o life_n and_o want_v society_n he_o will_v not_o think_v his_o life_n worth_a lead_n as_o aristotle_n observe_v who_o further_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o sociableness_n of_o man_n nature_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o the_o general_a commendation_n that_o be_v give_v to_o courteous_a and_o affable_a man_n i_o deny_v not_o but_o in_o the_o enter_v into_o a_o civil_a state_n or_o society_n either_o fear_n or_o profit_n may_v be_v a_o main_a inducement_n to_o it_o but_o though_o it_o be_v a_o inducement_n yet_o there_o must_v be_v suppose_v a_o inclinableness_n to_o a_o society_n or_o a_o commonwealth_n may_v be_v assoon_o set_v up_o among_o tiger_n as_o men._n so_o that_o they_o have_v very_o little_a ground_n of_o reason_n who_o from_o the_o external_a inducement_n of_o fear_n or_o profit_n in_o enter_v into_o civil_a society_n do_v conclude_v against_o the_o sociableness_n of_o man_n nature_n if_o then_o man_n nature_n be_v sociable_a in_o all_o other_o thing_n than_o nature_n will_v tell_v man_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o in_o thing_n of_o common_a concernment_n to_o they_o all_o and_o which_o be_v every_o one_o work_n or_o duty_n as_o religion_n be_v if_o in_o other_o thing_n man_n be_v sociable_a much_o more_o in_o this_o for_o second_o religion_n give_v a_o great_a improvement_n to_o man_n sociable_a nature_n and_o therefore_o plutarch_n well_o call_v religion_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o foundation_n that_o knit_v and_o joint_n society_n colotem_fw-la together_o and_o thence_o wise_o observe_v that_o in_o the_o constitution_n of_o law_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o and_o great_a thing_n to_o be_v look_v at_o be_v the_o religion_n establish_v or_o the_o opinion_n man_n entertain_v of_o the_o go_n to_o which_o he_o subjoin_v this_o excellent_a reason_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o it_o be_v more_o impossible_a for_o a_o commonwealth_n either_o to_o be_v form_v or_o subsist_v without_o religion_n than_o a_o city_n to_o si_fw-la and_o without_o foundation_n thence_o a_o prudent_a statesman_n call_v religion_n king_n the_o best_a reason_n of_o state_n it_o appear_v then_o evident_o both_o from_o reason_n and_o experience_n that_o religion_n have_v a_o great_a influence_n upon_o the_o model_n and_o order_v civil_a society_n whence_o as_o the_o same_o moralist_n observe_v lycurgus_n do_v as_o it_o be_v consecrate_v the_o lacedaemonian_n with_o religious_a rite_n as_o numa_n the_o roman_n jon_n the_o athenian_n and_o deucalion_n the_o helen_n whence_o some_o half-witted_a man_n but_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o more_o defective_a in_o wit_n or_o grace_n have_v observe_v the_o great_a influence_n religion_n have_v to_o keep_v man_n in_o order_n be_v ready_a to_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o only_o a_o politic_a device_n to_o awe_v man_n with_o great_a ease_n it_o be_v not_o here_o a_o place_n large_o to_o examine_v and_o refute_v this_o unworthy_a pretence_n only_o i_o adjure_v they_o by_o their_o only_a goddess_n reason_n to_o tell_v i_o whence_o come_v man_n to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o plutarch_n express_v it_o to_o be_v so_o easy_o awe_v by_o the_o hope_n and_o fear_n of_o another_o life_n more_o than_o other_o creature_n be_v why_o be_v they_o at_o all_o affect_a with_o the_o discourse_n of_o they_o why_o can_v they_o shake_v off_o the_o thought_n of_o these_o thing_n when_o they_o please_v be_v not_o man_n hereby_o make_v the_o most_o miserable_a of_o creature_n for_o no_o other_o creature_n can_v be_v persuade_v that_o it_o shall_v ever_o quench_v its_o thirst_n in_o those_o river_n of_o pleasure_n nor_o make_v its_o bed_n in_o everlasting_a flame_n the_o beast_n of_o sardinia_n that_o have_v their_o only_a refreshment_n by_o the_o dew_n of_o heaven_n yet_o have_v never_o any_o hope_n to_o â—ome_o there_o the_o lion_n never_o keep_v from_o his_o prey_n by_o the_o thought_n and_o fear_n of_o a_o great_a tribunal_n but_o suppose_v only_a mankind_n of_o all_o creature_n shall_v be_v liable_a to_o be_v thus_o impose_v on_o as_o be_v pretend_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o in_o no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n this_o imposture_n have_v not_o be_v discover_v confute_v and_o shake_v off_o by_o some_o people_n as_o wise_a as_o themselves_o or_o have_v there_o never_o be_v any_o such_o in_o the_o world_n but_o whence_o come_v some_o man_n then_o to_o be_v wise_a than_o other_o whence_o come_v some_o to_o know_v thing_n which_o all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n can_v never_o find_v out_o without_o revelation_n whence_o come_v a_o power_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n above_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n if_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o nature_n or_o be_v all_o man_n deceive_v that_o believe_v such_o thing_n if_o so_o then_o there_o must_v be_v somewhat_o that_o must_v deceive_v man_n man_n will_v not_o deceive_v themselves_o and_o they_o can_v not_o be_v so_o long_o impose_v upon_o by_o other_o man_n there_o must_v be_v then_o some_o evil_a spirit_n must_v do_v it_o and_o whence_o shall_v that_o come_v from_o nature_n too_o but_o then_o whence_o come_v nature_n its_o self_n from_o its_o self_n too_o or_o some_o thing_n '_o else_o
divide_v and_o separate_v from_o church-society_n so_o it_o be_v a_o offence_n on_o the_o other_o side_n to_o continue_v communion_n when_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n to_o withdraw_v it_o for_o the_o resolve_v this_o knotty_a and_o intricate_a question_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o some_o thing_n by_o way_n of_o premisall_n and_o come_v close_o to_o the_o resolution_n of_o it_o first_o every_o christian_n be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o join_v in_o church-society_n with_o other_o because_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o profess_v himself_o a_o christian_n and_o to_o own_o his_o religion_n public_o and_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o ordinance_n and_o sacrament_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o can_v be_v without_o society_n with_o some_o church_n or_o other_o every_o christian_a as_o such_o be_v bind_v to_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o the_o member_n of_o a_o body_n viz._n the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o can_v he_o be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o member_n who_o be_v not_o unite_v with_o other_o part_n of_o the_o body_n there_o be_v then_o a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o christianâ—_n to_o engage_v in_o a_o religious_a society_n with_o other_o for_o partake_v of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o have_v be_v a_o case_n dispute_v by_o some_o particular_o by_o grotius_n the_o suppose_a author_n of_o a_o little_a tract_n a_o semper_fw-la sit_fw-la communicandum_fw-la per_fw-la symbolu_fw-la when_o he_o design_v the_o syncretism_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n whether_o in_o a_o time_n when_o church_n be_v divide_v it_o be_v a_o christian_n duty_n to_o communicate_v with_o any_o of_o those_o party_n which_o divide_v the_o church_n and_o not_o rather_o to_o suspend_v communion_n from_o all_o of_o they_o a_o case_n not_o hard_a to_o be_v decide_v for_o either_o the_o person_n question_v it_o do_v suppose_v the_o church_n divide_v to_o remain_v true_a church_n but_o some_o to_o be_v more_o pure_a than_o other_o in_o which_o case_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o general_a obligation_n to_o communion_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o adhere_v to_o that_o church_n which_o appear_v most_o to_o retain_v its_o evangelicall_n purity_n or_o else_o he_o must_v suppose_v one_o to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o the_o other_o not_o in_o which_o the_o case_n be_v clear_a that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o communicate_v with_o the_o true_a church_n or_o he_o must_v judge_v they_o alike_o impure_a which_o be_v a_o case_n hard_a to_o be_v find_v but_o suppose_v it_o be_v so_o either_o he_o have_v join_v former_o with_o one_o of_o they_o or_o he_o be_v now_o to_o choose_v which_o to_o join_v with_o if_o he_o be_v join_v already_o with_o that_o church_n and_o see_v no_o other_o but_o as_o impure_a as_o that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o declare_v against_o the_o impurity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o continue_v his_o communion_n with_o it_o if_o he_o be_v to_o choose_v communion_n he_o may_v so_o long_o suspend_v till_o he_o be_v satisfy_v which_o church_n come_v near_a to_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n and_o no_o long_o and_o therefore_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o chrysostom_n act_n be_v to_o be_v commend_v who_o after_o be_v make_v a_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n by_o meletius_n upon_o his_o death_n because_o flavianus_n come_v in_o irregular_o as_o bishop_n of_o the_o 3._o church_n will_v neither_o communicate_v with_o he_o nor_o with_o paulinus_n another_o bishop_n at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o city_n nor_o with_o the_o meletian_o but_o for_o three_o year_n time_n withdraw_v himself_o from_o communion_n with_o any_o of_o they_o much_o less_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o haesitantes_fw-la as_o the_o latin_n call_v they_o to_o be_v commend_v who_o after_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedou_n against_o entyches_n because_o of_o great_a difference_n remain_v 4_o in_o egypt_n and_o the_o eastern_a church_n follow_v zenoes_n henoticum_fw-la and_o will_v communicate_v neither_o with_o the_o orthodox_n church_n nor_o eutychian_o but_o i_o see_v not_o what_o censure_n jâ—â—ome_v can_v in_o â—urr_n who_o go_v into_o the_o diocese_n of_o antioeh_n and_o find_v the_o church_n there_o under_o great_a division_n there_o be_v beside_o the_o arian_n bishop_n three_z other_o in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n meletius_n paulinus_n and_o vitalis_n do_v so_o long_o suspend_v communion_n with_o any_o of_o they_o till_o he_o have_v satisfy_v himself_o about_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o schism_n and_o the_o innocency_n of_o the_o person_n and_o church_n engage_v in_o it_o but_o if_o he_o have_v withdraw_v long_o he_o have_v offend_v against_o his_o obligation_n to_o join_v in_o church-society_n with_o other_o for_o participation_n of_o gospel-ordinance_n which_o be_v the_o necessary_a duty_n of_o every_o christian._n second_o every_o christian_a actual_o join_v in_o church-society_n 4._o with_o other_o be_v so_o long_o bind_v to_o maintain_v society_n with_o they_o till_o his_o communion_n with_o they_o become_v sin_n for_o nothing_o else_o can_v justify_v withdraw_v from_o such_o a_o society_n but_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o continue_v any_o long_o in_o it_o suppose_v a_o church_n then_o to_o remain_v true_a as_o to_o its_o constitution_n and_o essential_o but_o there_o be_v many_o corruption_n creep_v into_o that_o church_n whether_o be_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_n to_o withdraw_v from_o that_o church_n because_o of_o those_o corruption_n and_o to_o gather_v new_a church_n only_o for_o pure_a administration_n or_o to_o join_v with_o they_o only_o for_o that_o end_n this_o as_o far_o as_o i_o understand_v it_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o our_o parochial_a church_n and_o the_o congregationall_a the_o resolution_n of_o this_o great_a question_n must_v depend_v on_o this_o whether_o be_v it_o a_o sin_n to_o communicate_v with_o church_n true_a as_o to_o essentials_n but_o suppose_v corrupt_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n for_o parochial_a church_n be_v not_o deny_v to_o have_v the_o essentials_n of_o true_a church_n by_o any_o sober_a congregational_a man_n for_o there_o be_v in_o they_o the_o true_a word_n of_o god_n preach_v the_o true_a sacrament_n administer_v and_o a_o implicit_a covenant_n between_o pastor_n and_o people_n in_o their_o join_v together_o all_o that_o be_v plead_v then_o be_v corruption_n and_o defect_n in_o the_o exercise_n and_o administration_n of_o church_n order_n and_o discipline_n now_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o christian_n to_o join_v with_o church_n so_o defective_a be_v not_o only_o acknowledge_v by_o reverend_a mr._n norton_n in_o his_o answer_n to_o apollius_n but_o large_o and_o full_o prove_v for_o 16._o which_o he_o lay_v down_o five_o proposition_n which_o deserve_v to_o be_v serious_o consider_v by_o all_o which_o make_v that_o a_o plea_n for_o withdraw_v from_o society_n with_o other_o church_n first_o a_o believer_n may_v lawful_o join_v himself_o in_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n where_o he_o can_v enjoy_v all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n aâ—_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n which_o refuse_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n and_o yet_o our_o saviour_n bid_v we_o hear_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n sit_v in_o moses_n chair_n which_o hear_v say_v he_o do_v imply_v conjunctionem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la judaicae_n a_o join_n with_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o so_o with_o church_n reject_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n in_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n the_o doctrine_n of_o ju_n 〈…〉_z ion_n by_o faith_n but_o the_o apostle_n nowhere_o require_v separation_n on_o that_o account_n from_o they_o second_o a_o believer_n may_v lawful_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n in_o which_o some_o corruption_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v tolerate_v without_o reformation_n as_o the_o offering_n on_o high-place_n from_o solomon_n to_o hezâ—kiah_n in_o the_o church_n of_o juda_n observation_n of_o circumcision_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o keep_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o galaâ—ia_n three_o a_o believer_n may_v lawful_o join_v himself_o in_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n in_o which_o such_o be_v admit_v to_o sacrament_n who_o give_v no_o evident_a sign_n of_o grace_n but_o seem_v to_o be_v lover_n of_o this_o world_n which_o he_o prove_v because_o it_o be_v every_o one_o main_a duty_n to_o examine_v himself_o and_o because_o another_o sin_n be_v no_o hurt_n to_o he_o and_o therefore_o can_v keep_v he_o from_o his_o duty_n and_o then_o by_o man_n come_v unworthy_o non_fw-la polluitur_fw-la communio_fw-la licet_fw-la minuitur_fw-la consolatio_fw-la the_o communion_n iâ—_n not_o defile_v though_o the_o comfort_n of_o it_o be_v diminish_v he_o bring_v instance_n from_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n among_o who_o be_v many_o
28._o 18._o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o order_n to_o the_o church_n government_n before_o pentecost_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d explain_v how_o the_o apostle_n do_v divide_v province_n whether_o paul_n and_o peter_n be_v confine_v to_o the_o circumcision_n and_o uncircumcision_n and_o different_a church_n erect_v by_o they_o in_o the_o same_o city_n what_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o order_n to_o settle_v particular_a church_n the_o name_n and_o office_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n deacon_n consider_v four_o general_a consideration_n lay_v down_o about_o the_o apostle_n practice_n first_o it_o can_v be_v full_o know_v what_o be_v be_v 2._o great_a probability_n they_o observe_v no_o one_o certain_a form_n in_o settle_v church_n prove_v from_o epiphanius_n jerome_n ambrose_n or_o hilary_n 3._o their_o case_n different_a from_o we_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n 4._o if_o grant_v for_o any_o form_n yet_o prove_v not_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n for_o 1._o office_n appoint_v by_o they_o be_v cease_v widow_n deaconess_n abolish_v 2._o rite_n and_o custom_n apostolical_a grow_v out_o of_o use_n 1._o such_o as_o be_v found_v upon_o apostolical_a precept_n act_n 15._o 29._o consider_v 2._o such_o as_o be_v ground_v on_o their_o practice_n holy_a kiss_n love-feast_n dip_v in_o baptism_n community_n of_o good_n with_o several_a other_o have_v find_v nothing_o either_o in_o our_o saviour_n practice_n or_o in_o 1._o the_o rule_v lay_v down_o by_o he_o conceive_v to_o respect_n church-government_n which_o determine_v any_o necessity_n of_o one_o particular_a form_n the_o only_a argument_n remain_v which_o can_v be_v conceive_v of_o sufficient_a strength_n to_o found_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n of_o government_n be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v by_o their_o employment_n and_o commission_n entrust_v with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n for_o our_o saviour_n after_o his_o resurrection_n take_v care_n for_o the_o plant_v and_o govern_v of_o his_o church_n after_o his_o ascension_n to_o glory_n do_v at_o two_o several_a time_n call_v his_o apostle_n together_o and_o give_v now_o their_o full_a charter_n and_o commission_n to_o they_o the_o first_o contain_v chief_o the_o power_n itself_o confer_v upon_o they_o john_n 20._o 21._o the_o other_o the_o extent_n of_o that_o power_n matth._n 28._o 19_o in_o the_o former_a our_o saviour_n tell_v they_o as_o the_o father_n have_v send_v he_o so_o do_v he_o send_v they_o which_o we_o must_v not_o understand_v of_o a_o parity_n and_o equality_n of_o power_n but_o in_o a_o similitude_n of_o the_o mission_n that_o as_o christ_n before_o have_v manage_v the_o great_a affair_n of_o his_o church_n in_o his_o own_o person_n so_o now_o have_v according_o to_o the_o prophecy_n make_v of_o he_o at_o the_o end_n of_o seventy_o week_n make_v reconciliation_n for_o iniquity_n by_o his_o death_n and_o bring_v in_o everlasting_a righteousness_n by_o his_o resurrection_n he_o dispatch_v abroad_o his_o gospel_n herald_n to_o proclaim_v the_o jubilee_n now_o begin_v and_o the_o 15_o act_n of_o indemnity_n now_o past_a upon_o all_o penitent_a offender_n which_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o other_o part_n of_o their_o commission_n whosoever_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v and_o whosoever_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v john_n 20._o 23._o i_o e._n as_o many_o as_o upon_o the_o preach_a the_o gospel_n by_o you_o shall_v come_v in_o and_o yield_v up_o themselves_o to_o the_o tender_v of_o grace_n proclaim_v therein_o shall_v have_v their_o former_a rebellion_n pardon_v but_o such_o as_o will_v still_o continue_v obstinate_a their_o former_a guilt_n shall_v still_o continue_v to_o bind_v they_o over_o to_o deserve_a punishment_n and_o to_o the_o end_n the_o apostle_n may_v have_v some_o evidence_n of_o the_o power_n thus_o confer_v upon_o they_o he_o breathe_v the_o holy_a ghost_n on_o they_o and_o 12_o say_v receive_v you_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o we_o be_v not_o to_o understand_v of_o the_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v not_o receive_v till_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n act._n 2._o 1._o but_o of_o the_o authoritative_a power_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n which_o be_v now_o confer_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o solemn_a rite_n of_o breathe_v the_o holy_a ghost_n on_o the_o apostle_n in_o which_o sense_n the_o church_n of_o england_n understand_v that_o expression_n in_o the_o ordination_n of_o minister_n as_o it_o imply_v only_o the_o confer_v thereby_o a_o authority_n for_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v convey_v by_o ordination_n be_v fit_o express_v by_o the_o same_o wordâ—_n which_o our_o saviour_n use_v in_o the_o confer_v the_o same_o power_n upon_o his_o apostle_n at_o his_o send_v they_o forth_o to_o be_v gospel-preacher_n after_o this_o come_v the_o solemn_a appoint_a meeting_n of_o christ_n with_o his_o disciple_n at_o the_o mountain_n of_o galilee_n where_o in_o probability_n 16_o beside_o the_o eleven_o be_v present_v the_o five_o hundred_o 6_o brethren_n at_o once_o and_o here_o christ_n more_o solemn_o inaugurate_v the_o apostle_n in_o their_o office_n declare_v all_o power_n to_o be_v in_o his_o hand_n and_o therefore_o appoint_v the_o apostle_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n that_o be_v to_o all_o man_n indefinite_o gentile_n 15._o as_o well_o as_o jew_n which_o matthew_n full_o express_v by_o all_o nation_n 19_o now_o be_v the_o apostle_n leave_v as_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n under_o christ_n and_o in_o this_o last_o commission_n wherein_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o apostle_n power_n be_v more_o full_o express_v there_o be_v nothing_o mention_v of_o any_o order_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o they_o not_o what_o course_n shall_v be_v take_v by_o the_o church_n after_o their_o decease_n all_o that_o remain_v then_o to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v what_o the_o apostle_n practice_n be_v and_o how_o far_o they_o act_v for_o the_o determine_v any_o one_o form_n of_o government_n as_o necessary_a for_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n be_v thus_o invest_v in_o their_o authority_n we_o proceed_v to_o consider_v the_o exercise_n of_o this_o authority_n for_o the_o govern_n of_o the_o church_n and_o here_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o present_o upon_o their_o last_o commission_n from_o christ_n go_v forth_o abroad_o in_o the_o world_n to_o preach_v but_o be_v command_v by_o christ_n to_o go_v first_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o there_o to_o expect_v the_o come_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o appointment_n luke_n 24._o 49._o and_o therefore_o what_o mark_n add_v mark_v 16._o 20._o that_o after_o christ_n appearance_n to_o they_o the_o apostle_n go_v abroad_o and_o preach_v every_o where_o work_v miracle_n must_v either_o be_v understand_v of_o what_o they_o do_v only_o in_o their_o way_n return_v from_o galilee_n oh_o jerusalem_n or_o else_o more_o probable_o of_o what_o they_o do_v indefinite_o afterwarp_n for_o present_o after_o we_o find_v they_o meet_v together_o at_o jerusalem_n whence_o they_o come_v from_o mount_n olivet_n where_o christ_n ascension_n be_v here_o we_o find_v they_o employ_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v saint_n luke_n 53_o in_o his_o gospel_n which_o we_o render_v the_o temple_n but_o i_o understand_v it_o rather_o as_o refer_v to_o the_o action_n than_o the_o place_n and_o be_v best_a explain_v by_o what_o luke_n say_v in_o act_n 1._o 14._o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d continue_v in_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n and_o that_o it_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o the_o temple_n appear_v by_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o upper_a room_n where_o 13._o they_o continue_v together_o for_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v mean_v of_o any_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d about_o the_o temple_n be_v most_o improbable_a to_o conceive_v because_o not_o only_o those_o ninty_a cell_n about_o the_o temple_n be_v destine_v and_o appoint_v for_o the_o priest_n in_o their_o several_a 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o time_n of_o ministration_n and_o it_o be_v most_o unlikely_a the_o chief_a priest_n and_o master_n of_o the_o temple_n shall_v suffer_v those_o who_o they_o hate_v so_o much_o to_o continue_v â—o_o near_o they_o without_o any_o molestation_n or_o disturbance_n while_o the_o apostle_n continue_v here_o they_o proceed_v to_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o new_a apostle_n instead_o of_o judas_n thereby_o make_v it_o appear_v now_o necessary_a that_o number_n be_v to_o the_o first_o form_v of_o church_n when_o the_o vacant_a place_n must_v be_v supply_v with_o so_o great_a solemnity_n which_o office_n of_o apostleship_n which_o judas_n once_o have_v and_o mathias_n be_v now_o choose_v into_o be_v call_v by_o peter_n
and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o name_n must_v neither_o be_v fetch_v from_o the_o custom_n now_o use_v nor_o from_o the_o etymology_n of_o the_o word_n but_o from_o the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o apostolical_a time_n if_o that_o can_v be_v make_v appear_v what_o it_o be_v which_o will_v be_v best_a do_v if_o we_o can_v once_o find_v out_o what_o course_n and_o order_v the_o apostle_n take_v in_o the_o form_n and_o model_v the_o church_n by_o they_o plant_v that_o which_o we_o lie_v then_o as_o a_o foundation_n whereby_o to_o clear_v 4._o what_o apostolical_a practice_n be_v be_v that_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o form_n church_n do_v observe_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n totum_fw-la regimen_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la christi_fw-la conformatum_fw-la 28._o fuit_fw-la ad_fw-la synagogarum_fw-la exemplar_n say_v grotius_n true_o praesides_fw-la &_o curatores_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la ad_fw-la instar_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la synagogae_fw-la judaicae_n constitutos_fw-la fuisse_fw-la constat_fw-la as_o salmasius_n often_o affirm_v in_o which_o sense_n we_o understand_v that_o famous_a speech_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o commentary_n on_o st._n paul_n epistle_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o ambrose_n but_o now_o judge_v by_o most_o to_o be_v 4._o do_v by_o hilary_n a_o deacon_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n under_o which_o name_n st._n augustine_n quote_v some_o word_n on_o the_o five_o to_o the_o roman_n which_o be_v find_v still_o in_o those_o commentary_n nam_fw-la apud_fw-la omnes_fw-la utique_fw-la gentes_fw-la honorabilis_fw-la est_fw-la senectus_fw-la unde_fw-la &_o synagoga_fw-la &_o postea_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la seniores_fw-la habuit_fw-la sine_fw-la quorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la nihil_fw-la agebatur_fw-la in_o ecclesiâ_fw-la which_o word_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o distinct_a sort_n of_o presbyter_n from_o such_o as_o be_v employ_v in_o preach_v the_o word_n but_o of_o such_o presbyter_n as_o be_v the_o common_a council_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o moderate_n and_o rule_v the_o affair_n of_o it_o which_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v constitute_v among_o they_o as_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n have_v before_o and_o from_o hence_o we_o observe_v that_o the_o ebionite_n who_o blend_v judaisme_n and_o christianity_n together_o whence_o jerome_n aug_n say_v of_o they_o dum_fw-la volent_fw-la &_o judai_n esse_fw-la &_o christiani_n nec_fw-la judaei_n sunt_fw-la nec_fw-la christiani_n they_o make_v a_o linsey-woolsey_n religion_n ebion_n which_o be_v neither_o judaism_n nor_o christianity_n these_o as_o epiphanius_n tell_v we_o call_v their_o public_a meeting-place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o pastor_n of_o their_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thereby_o imply_v the_o resemblance_n and_o analogy_n between_o the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o both_o of_o they_o but_o this_o will_v best_o be_v make_v appear_v by_o compare_v they_o both_o together_o for_o which_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n how_o much_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v delight_n to_o take_v up_o the_o receive_a practice_n among_o the_o jew_n only_o with_o such_o alteration_n of_o they_o as_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n as_o have_v be_v abundant_o manifest_v by_o many_o learned_a man_n about_o the_o rite_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n take_v from_o the_o post-coenium_a among_o 25._o the_o jew_n the_o use_n of_o baptism_n from_o the_o baptism_n use_v in_o initiate_a proselyte_n excommunication_n from_o their_o put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n as_o to_o which_o thing_n it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o those_o rite_n which_o our_o saviour_n transplant_v into_o the_o gospel-soyl_n be_v not_o such_o as_o be_v original_o found_v on_o moses_n his_o law_n but_o be_v introduce_v by_o a_o confederate_a discipline_n among_o themselves_o and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o synagogue_n among_o they_o for_o although_o the_o reason_n of_o erect_v they_o be_v ground_v on_o a_o command_n in_o the_o levitical_a law_n levit._n 23._o 3._o where_o holy_a convocation_n be_v require_v upon_o the_o sabbath-daye_n yet_o the_o build_n of_o synagogue_n in_o the_o land_n be_v not_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v find_v till_o a_o great_a while_n after_o for_o although_o moses_n require_v the_o duty_n of_o assemble_v yet_o he_o prescribe_v no_o order_n for_o the_o place_n of_o meeting_n nor_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o spend_v those_o day_n in_o god_n service_n nor_o for_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o super-intend_a the_o public_a worship_n perform_v at_o that_o time_n these_o be_v duty_n of_o a_o moral_a nature_n be_v leave_v more_o undetermined_a by_o moses_n his_o law_n which_o be_v most_o punctual_a in_o the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o divine_a service_n and_o therefore_o even_o then_o when_o god_n do_v determine_v the_o positives_n of_o worship_n we_o see_v how_o much_o he_o leave_v the_o performance_n of_o moral_n to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o discretion_n of_o god_n people_n to_o order_v they_o in_o a_o way_n agreeable_a to_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v not_o here_o discourse_n of_o the_o more_o elder_a custom_n and_o observation_n of_o the_o synagogue_n but_o take_v the_o draught_n of_o they_o by_o the_o best_a light_n we_o can_v about_o our_o saviour_n time_n when_o the_o apostle_n copy_v out_o the_o government_n of_o christian-churche_n by_o they_o about_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n we_o find_v synagogue_n in_o very_o great_a request_n among_o the_o jew_n god_n so_o dispose_v it_o that_o the_o moral_a part_n of_o his_o service_n shall_v be_v more_o frequent_v now_o the_o ceremonial_a be_v expire_a and_o by_o those_o place_n so_o erect_v it_o may_v be_v more_o facile_a and_o easy_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o disperse_v the_o gospel_n by_o preach_v it_o in_o those_o place_n to_o which_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n for_o the_o people_n to_o resort_v and_o as_o paul_n at_o athens_n observe_v the_o altar_n inscribe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o unknown_a god_n take_v his_o text_n from_o thence_o and_o begin_v to_o preach_v god_n and_o christ_n 23_o to_o they_o so_o the_o apostle_n in_o every_o synagogue_n meet_v with_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o law_n from_o whence_o they_o may_v better_o take_v their_o rise_n to_o discover_v he_o who_o be_v the_o end_n of_o the_o law_n for_o righteousness_n to_o all_o that_o believe_v for_o moses_n of_o old_a time_n have_v in_o every_o city_n they_o that_o preach_v he_o be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o 21_o sabbath_n day_n it_o be_v their_o constant_a custom_n than_o every_o sabbath_n day_n to_o have_v the_o law_n public_o read_v for_o which_o every_o synagogue_n be_v furnish_v with_o a_o most_o exact_a copy_n which_o be_v 216._o look_v upon_o as_o the_o great_a treasure_n and_o glory_n of_o their_o synagogue_n in_o the_o copy_n out_o of_o which_o the_o great_a care_n and_o diligence_n be_v use_v in_o their_o synagogue_n they_o read_v only_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o hagiographa_n be_v not_o 15_o ordinary_o read_v in_o public_a the_o law_n for_o the_o more_o convenient_a read_n it_o be_v distribute_v into_o fifty_o four_o section_n which_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d every_o week_n one_o section_n be_v read_v join_v twice_o two_o less_o section_n together_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v read_v through_o once_o every_o year_n but_o here_o i_o can_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v absolute_o bind_v up_o to_o read_v the_o several_a section_n appoint_v for_o the_o day_n as_o it_o be_v common_o think_v from_o which_o paraschae_n and_o the_o time_n prefix_v of_o read_v they_o cloppenburgh_n fetch_v a_o new_a interpretation_n 17_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v that_o the_o first_o sabbath_n be_v that_o of_o the_o civil_a year_n which_o begin_v with_o the_o section_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d upon_o the_o twenty_o four_o of_o the_o month_n tisri_n but_o the_o second_o sabbath_n after_o the_o first_o be_v the_o first_o sabbath_n of_o the_o sacred_a year_n which_o begin_v with_o the_o section_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d upon_o the_o calends_o of_o nisan_fw-la but_o i_o do_v not_o see_v any_o such_o evidence_n of_o so_o exact_a and_o curious_a a_o division_n of_o the_o several_a section_n so_o long_o since_o as_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v which_o appear_v by_o our_o saviour_n read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n at_o nazareth_n where_o it_o seem_v he_o read_v after_o the_o synagogue_n custom_n as_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o call_v out_o by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o read_v before_o the_o people_n but_o we_o find_v no_o section_n assign_v he_o by_o he_o that_o deliver_v the_o book_n to_o he_o the_o office_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o it_o be_v say_v of_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d
toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la decretum_fw-la ut_fw-la unus_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la electus_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la caeteris_fw-la quomodo_fw-la enim_fw-la say_v a_o learned_a man_n fieri_fw-la poâ—uit_fw-la ut_fw-la toto_fw-la hoc_fw-la orbe_fw-la decerneretur_fw-la nullo_n jam_fw-la oecumenico_fw-la concilio_n ad_fw-la illud_fw-la decernendum_fw-la congregaâ—o_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n ipsis_fw-la fidem_fw-la toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la promulgantibiss_fw-la &_o cum_fw-la fide_fw-la hanc_fw-la regendi_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la formam_fw-la constituentibus_fw-la factum_fw-la sit_fw-la so_o that_o he_o conceive_v so_o general_a a_o order_n can_v not_o be_v make_v unless_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o at_o that_o time_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o but_o first_o jeroms_n in_o toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la dicretâ—m_fw-la est_fw-la relate_v not_o to_o a_o antecedent_n order_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o episcopacy_n but_o to_o the_o universal_a establishment_n of_o that_o order_n which_o come_v up_o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o so_o many_o schism_n it_o be_v something_o therefore_o consequent_a upon_o the_o first_o set_v up_o episcopacy_n which_o be_v the_o general_a obtain_n of_o it_o in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n when_o they_o see_v its_o usefulness_n in_o order_n to_o the_o church_n peace_n therefore_o the_o emphasis_n lie_v not_o in_o decretum_fw-la est_fw-la but_o in_o toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la note_v how_o sudden_o this_o order_n meet_v with_o universal_a acceptance_n when_o it_o first_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o church_n after_o the_o apostle_n death_n which_o that_o it_o be_v jeroms_n meaning_n appear_v by_o what_o he_o say_v after_o paulatim_fw-la verò_fw-la ut_fw-la dissensionum_fw-la plantaria_fw-la evellerentur_fw-la ad_fw-la unum_fw-la omnem_fw-la solicitudinem_fw-la esse_fw-la delatam_fw-la where_o he_o note_v the_o gradual_a obtain_n of_o it_o which_o i_o suppose_v be_v thus_o according_a to_o his_o opinion_n first_o in_o the_o college_n of_o presbyter_n appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o order_n there_o be_v a_o precedent_n among_o they_o who_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o senate_n i._n e._n do_v moderate_a the_o affair_n of_o the_o assembly_n by_o propose_v matter_n to_o it_o gather_v voice_n be_v the_o first_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o concernment_n but_o he_o have_v not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o casaubon_n very_o well_o distinguish_v they_o i._n e._n have_v no_o power_n 12._o over_o his_o fellow-presbyter_n but_o that_o still_o reside_v in_o the_o college_n or_o body_n of_o they_o after_o this_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o way_n who_o keep_v the_o main_a power_n in_o their_o own_o hand_n of_o rule_v the_o several_a presbytery_n or_o delegated_a some_o to_o do_v it_o who_o have_v a_o main_a hand_n in_o the_o plant_n church_n with_o the_o apostle_n and_o thence_o be_v call_v in_o scripture_n sometime_o fellow-labourer_n in_o the_o lord_n and_o sometime_o evangelist_n and_o by_o theodoret_n apostle_n but_o of_o a_o second_o order_n after_o i_o say_v these_o be_v decease_v and_o the_o main_a power_n leave_v in_o the_o presbytery_n the_o several_a presbyter_n enjoy_v a_o equal_a power_n among_o themselves_o especial_o be_v many_o in_o one_o city_n thereby_o great_a occasion_n be_v give_v to_o many_o schism_n partly_o by_o the_o bandy_n of_o the_o presbyter_n one_o against_o another_o partly_o by_o the_o siding_n of_o the_o people_n with_o some_o against_o the_o rest_n partly_o by_o the_o too_o common_a use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n in_o presbyter_n by_o which_o they_o be_v more_o able_a to_o increase_v their_o own_o party_n by_o ordain_v those_o who_o will_v join_v with_o they_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n to_o perpetuate_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n upon_o this_o when_o the_o wise_a and_o grave_a sort_n consider_v the_o abuse_n follow_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o this_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o withal_o have_v in_o their_o mind_n the_o excellent_a frame_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n and_o for_o prevent_v of_o future_a schism_n and_o division_n among_o themselves_o they_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o number_n who_o be_v best_a qualify_v for_o the_o management_n of_o so_o great_a a_o trust_n and_o to_o devolve_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o he_o yet_o so_o as_o that_o he_o â—ct_v nothing_o of_o importance_n without_o the_o consent_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o presbyter_n who_o be_v still_o to_o be_v as_o the_o common_a council_n to_o the_o bishop_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a and_o just_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n according_a to_o jerome_n which_o model_n of_o government_n thus_o contrive_v and_o frame_v set_v forth_o to_o we_o a_o most_o lively_a character_n of_o that_o great_a wisdom_n and_o moderation_n which_o then_o rule_v the_o head_n and_o heart_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o which_o when_o man_n have_v search_v and_o study_v all_o other_o way_n the_o abuse_n incident_a to_o this_o government_n through_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n and_o time_n be_v retrench_v will_v be_v find_v the_o most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o primitive_a form_n both_o as_o assert_v the_o due_a interest_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o allow_v the_o due_a honour_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o by_o the_o joint_a harmony_n of_o both_o carry_v on_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n with_o the_o great_a unity_n concord_n and_o peace_n which_o form_n of_o government_n i_o can_v see_v how_o any_o possible_a reason_n can_v be_v produce_v by_o either_o party_n why_o they_o may_v not_o with_o cheerfulness_n embrace_v it_o second_o another_o evidence_n that_o jerome_n by_o decretum_fw-la est_fw-la do_v not_o mean_v a_o order_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v by_o the_o word_n which_o follow_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o decree_n viz._n ut_fw-la unus_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la electus_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la caeteris_fw-la one_o choose_a not_o only_o out_o of_o but_o by_o the_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v set_v above_o the_o rest_n for_o so_o jerome_n must_v be_v understand_v for_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o themselves_o choose_v out_o of_o all_o presbytery_n one_o person_n to_o be_v set_v above_o the_o rest_n and_o withal_o the_o instance_n bring_v of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n make_v it_o evident_a to_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o choose_n by_o the_o presbyter_n and_o not_o by_o the_o apostle_n beside_o do_v jerome_n mean_a choose_n by_o the_o apostle_n he_o will_v have_v give_v some_o intimation_n of_o the_o hand_n the_o apostle_n have_v in_o it_o which_o we_o see_v not_o in_o he_o the_o least_o ground_n for_o and_o as_o for_o that_o pretence_n that_o ecclesiae_fw-la consuetudo_fw-la be_v apostolica_fw-la traditio_fw-la i_o have_v already_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o apostolica_fw-la traditio_fw-la in_o jerome_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o consuetudo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la which_o i_o shall_v now_o confirm_v by_o a_o pregnant_a and_o unanswerable_a testimony_n out_o of_o jerome_n himself_o unaquaeque_fw-la provincia_fw-la abundet_fw-la in_o sensu_fw-la svo_fw-la &_o praecepta_fw-la lucinum_n majorum_fw-la leges_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la arbitretur_fw-la let_v every_o province_n abound_v in_o its_o own_o sense_n and_o account_v of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o apostolical_a law_n nothing_o can_v have_v be_v speak_v more_o full_o to_o open_v to_o we_o what_o jerome_n mean_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n viz_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o former_a age_n though_o not_o come_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o thus_o we_o have_v once_o more_o clear_v jerome_n and_o the_o truth_n together_o i_o only_o wish_v all_o that_o be_v of_o his_o judgement_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v of_o his_o temper_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o own_o and_o while_o they_o own_v not_o episcopacy_n as_o necessary_a by_o a_o divine_a right_n yet_o be_v due_o moderate_v and_o join_v with_o presbytery_n they_o may_v embrace_v it_o as_o not_o only_o a_o lawful_a but_o very_o useful_a constitution_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n by_o which_o we_o may_v see_v what_o a_o excellent_a temper_n may_v be_v find_v out_o most_o full_o consonant_a to_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o the_o management_n of_o ordination_n and_o church_n power_n viz._n by_o the_o presidency_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o presbytery_n for_o the_o top-gallant_n of_o episcopacy_n can_v never_o be_v so_o well_o manage_v for_o the_o right_n steer_v the_o ship_n of_o the_o church_n as_o when_o it_o be_v join_v with_o the_o under-sail_n of_o a_o moderate_a presbytery_n so_o much_o shall_v suffice_v to_o speak_v here_o as_o to_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n which_o we_o have_v find_v to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o synagogue_n and_o the_o custom_n observe_v in_o
purpose_n likewise_o hierome_n understand_v it_o on_o the_o contrary_a those_o that_o say_v that_o these_o elder_n be_v those_o of_o the_o several_a church_n of_o asia_n be_v favour_v by_o v_o 18._o that_o from_o the_o first_o day_n he_o come_v into_o asia_n he_o have_v be_v with_o they_o at_o all_o season_n now_o paul_n do_v not_o remain_v all_o the_o time_n at_o ephesus_n as_o appear_v by_o act_n 19_o 10_o 22_o 26._o where_o he_o be_v say_v to_o preach_v the_o word_n abroad_o in_o asia_n and_o so_o in_o probability_n church_n be_v plant_v and_o ruler_n settle_v in_o they_o and_o that_o these_o be_v at_o this_o time_n call_v to_o miletus_n by_o paul_n be_v the_o express_a affirmation_n of_o irenaeus_n 14._o in_o mileto_n enim_fw-la convocatis_fw-la episcopis_fw-la &_o presbyteris_fw-la qui_fw-la eraâ—t_fw-la ab_fw-la epheso_fw-la &_o à _fw-la reliquis_fw-la proximis_fw-la civitatibus_fw-la quoniam_fw-la ipse_fw-la festinavit_fw-la hierosolymis_fw-la pentecostem_fw-la agere_fw-la here_o be_v nothing_o then_o either_o in_o the_o text_n or_o antiquity_n that_o do_v absolute_o determine_v whence_o these_o elder_n come_v but_o there_o may_v be_v a_o probability_n on_o either_o side_n and_o so_o no_o certainty_n or_o necessity_n of_o understand_v it_o either_o way_n and_o so_o for_o the_o other_o place_n in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n it_o be_v certain_a the_o care_n of_o those_o person_n do_v extend_v to_o many_o place_n and_o therefore_o the_o elder_n or_o bishop_n make_v by_o they_o be_v not_o necessary_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o plurality_n of_o elder_n in_o one_o place_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v no_o incongruity_n in_o apply_v either_o of_o these_o two_o form_n to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n in_o question_n i_o dispute_v not_o which_o be_v the_o true_a or_o at_o least_o more_o probable_a sense_n but_o that_o we_o can_v find_v nothing_o in_o the_o several_a place_n which_o do_v necessary_o determine_v how_o they_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o to_o one_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o now_o aim_v at_o the_o prove_v of_o and_o if_o neither_o form_n be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o place_n how_o can_v any_o one_o be_v necessary_o infer_v from_o they_o as_o if_o the_o several_a motion_n and_o phaenomena_fw-la of_o the_o heaven_n may_v be_v with_o equal_a probability_n explain_v according_a to_o the_o ptolemaick_a or_o copernican_n hypothesis_n viz._n about_o the_o rest_n or_o motion_n of_o the_o earth_n than_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o from_o those_o phaenomena_n no_o argument_n can_v be_v draw_v evince_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o one_o hypothesis_n and_o overturning_a the_o probability_n of_o the_o other_o if_o that_o great_a wonder_n of_o nature_n the_o flux_n and_o reflux_n of_o the_o sea_n may_v with_o equal_a congruity_n be_v solve_v according_a to_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o its_o be_v cause_v by_o subterraneous_a fire_n or_o from_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o moon_n or_o the_o depression_n of_o the_o lunar_a vortex_n or_o which_o to_o i_o be_v far_o the_o most_o probable_a by_o a_o motion_n of_o consent_n of_o the_o sea_n with_o all_o the_o other_o great_a body_n of_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v find_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o of_o entertain_v one_o opinion_n above_o another_o but_o to_o look_v upon_o all_o as_o probable_a and_o none_o as_o certain_a so_o likewise_o for_o the_o composition_n and_o motion_n of_o all_o natural_a body_n the_o several_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a philosophy_n imply_v no_o apparent_a incongruity_n to_o nature_n do_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o all_o or_o any_o of_o they_o may_v be_v embrace_v as_o ingenious_a romance_n in_o philosophy_n as_o they_o be_v no_o more_o but_o that_o none_o of_o they_o be_v the_o certain_a truth_n or_o can_v be_v make_v appear_v so_o to_o be_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n so_o it_o be_v in_o controversy_n in_o theology_n if_o the_o matter_n propound_v to_o be_v believe_v may_v as_o to_o the_o truth_n and_o substance_n of_o it_o be_v equal_o believe_v under_o different_a way_n of_o explication_n than_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n as_o to_o the_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o believe_v it_o under_o such_o a_o explication_n of_o it_o more_o than_o under_o another_o as_o for_o instance_n in_o the_o case_n of_o christ_n descent_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o i_o may_v true_o believe_v that_o christ_n do_v descend_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whether_o by_o that_o we_o understand_v the_o state_n of_o the_o dead_a or_o a_o local_a descent_n to_o hell_n than_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n in_o order_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o substance_n of_o that_o article_n of_o the_o ancient_a creed_n call_v the_o apostle_n under_o that_o restriction_n of_o a_o local_a descent_n by_o this_o time_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o if_o these_o place_n of_o scripture_n may_v be_v understand_v in_o these_o two_o different_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n elder_n viz._n either_o take_v collective_o in_o one_o city_n or_o distributive_o in_o many_o then_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n which_o of_o these_o two_o sense_n must_v be_v embrace_v and_o so_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n which_o must_v be_v thence_o derive_v be_v leave_v still_o at_o as_o great_a uncertainty_n as_o ever_o notwithstanding_o these_o place_n of_o scripture_n bring_v to_o demonstrate_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d three_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o primitive_a form_n of_o government_n 16._o will_v be_v make_v appear_v from_o the_o defectivenesse_n ambiguity_n partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n which_o shall_v inform_v we_o what_o apostolical_a practice_n be_v when_o man_n be_v by_o the_o force_n of_o the_o former_a argument_n drive_v off_o from_o scripture_n than_o they_o present_o run_v to_o take_v sanctuary_n in_o the_o record_n of_o succeed_a age_n to_o the_o apostle_n thus_o estius_n no_o mean_a school-man_n handle_v this_o very_a question_n of_o the_o difference_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n very_o fair_o quit_v the_o scripture_n and_o betake_v himself_o to_o other_o weapon_n quod_fw-la autem_fw-la jure_fw-la divino_fw-la sint_fw-la episcopi_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la superiores_fw-la et_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la ita_fw-la clarum_fw-la est_fw-la è_fw-la sacris_fw-la literis_fw-la aliunde_fw-la tamen_fw-la 25._o satis_fw-la efficaciter_fw-la probari_fw-la potest_fw-la ingenuous_o say_v however_o but_o all_o the_o difficulty_n be_v how_o a_o ius_n divinum_fw-la shall_v be_v prove_v when_o man_n leave_v the_o scripture_n which_o make_v other_o so_o loath_a to_o leave_v this_o hold_n although_o they_o do_v it_o in_o effect_n when_o they_o call_v in_o the_o help_n of_o succeed_a age_n to_o make_v the_o scripture_n speak_v plain_a for_o they_o we_o follow_v therefore_o the_o scent_n of_o the_o game_n into_o this_o wood_n of_o antiquity_n wherein_o it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o lose_v ourselves_o then_o to_o find_v that_o which_o we_o be_v upon_o the_o pursuit_n of_o a_o ius_n divinum_fw-la of_o any_o one_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n i_o handle_v now_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o will_v call_v for_o a_o particular_a discourse_n afterward_o and_o herein_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o incompetency_n of_o this_o testimony_n as_o to_o the_o show_v what_o certain_a form_n of_o church-government_n be_v practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o that_o i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o this_o four_o fold_n argument_n from_o the_o defectivenesse_n of_o this_o testimony_n from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o it_o from_o the_o partiality_n of_o it_o and_o from_o the_o repugnancy_n of_o it_o to_o its_o self_n first_o then_o for_o the_o defectivenesse_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o show_v what_o certain_a form_n the_o apostle_n observe_v in_o settle_v the_o government_n of_o church_n a_o threefold_a defectivenesse_n i_o observe_v in_o it_o as_o to_z place_n as_o to_z time_n as_o to_o person_n first_o defectivenesse_n as_o to_o place_n for_o he_o that_o will_v be_v satisfy_v what_o course_n the_o apostle_n take_v for_o govern_v church_n it_o will_v be_v very_o requisite_a to_o observe_v the_o uniformity_n of_o the_o apostle_n practice_n in_o all_o church_n of_o their_o plantation_n and_o if_o but_o one_o place_n vary_v it_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 because_o thereby_o it_o will_v be_v evident_a that_o they_o observe_v no_o certain_a or_o constant_a course_n nor_o do_v they_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o oblige_v so_o to_o do_v now_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o universal_a testimony_n as_o to_o place_n be_v this_o we_o have_v already_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o christ_n absolute_o
for_o so_o at_o first_o the_o presbyter_n be_v call_v among_o who_o this_o be_v the_o course_n of_o govern_v church_n that_o as_o one_o withdraw_v another_o take_v his_o place_n this_o opinion_n of_o he_o he_o take_v occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o in_o several_a other_o place_n upon_o rom._n 16._o adhuc_fw-la rectores_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la paucis_fw-la erant_fw-la in_o locis_fw-la governor_n of_o church_n be_v as_o yet_o set_v up_o but_o in_o few_o place_n and_o upon_o 1_o cor._n 1._o propterea_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la scribit_fw-la quia_fw-la adhuc_fw-la singulis_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la rectores_fw-la non_fw-la erant_fw-la instituti_fw-la and_o on_o 1_o cor._n 11._o convenientibus_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la quia_fw-la adhâ—o_fw-la rectores_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la non_fw-la omnibus_fw-la locis_fw-la erant_fw-la constituti_fw-la by_o all_o which_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o this_o both_o learned_a and_o ancient_a author_n cite_v with_o no_o small_a respect_n by_o st._n austin_n do_v not_o conceive_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v observe_v any_o settle_a form_n in_o the_o govern_n of_o church_n but_o act_v according_a to_o principle_n of_o prudence_n according_a to_o the_o necessity_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o several_a church_n by_o they_o plant_v so_o that_o where_o there_o be_v small_a church_n one_o pastor_n with_o deacon_n may_v suffice_v in_o great_a church_n some_o be_v govern_v by_o presbyter_n act_v in_o common_a council_n other_o though_o very_o few_o at_o first_o have_v rector_n place_v over_o they_o for_o superintend_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n second_o in_o church_n consist_v of_o a_o multitude_n of_o believer_n or_o where_o there_o be_v a_o probability_n of_o great_a increase_n by_o preach_v the_o gospel_n the_o apostle_n do_v settle_v a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n who_o office_n be_v partly_o to_o govern_v the_o church_n already_o form_v and_o partly_o to_o labour_v in_o the_o convert_v more_o so_o that_o in_o all_o great_a city_n where_o either_o the_o work_n be_v already_o great_a by_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n in_o order_n to_o the_o discharge_n of_o pastoral_a duty_n to_o they_o or_o where_o it_o be_v great_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o number_n they_o labour_v in_o convert_v of_o it_o seem_v most_o consonant_a to_o reason_n and_o scripture_n that_o the_o work_n shall_v be_v carry_v on_o by_o the_o joint_a assistance_n of_o many_o associate_v in_o the_o same_o work_n for_o be_v it_o any_o way_n probable_a that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v ordain_v bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o clemens_n speak_v of_o such_o as_o shall_v believe_v and_o not_o ordain_v person_n in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v they_o believe_v they_o have_v either_o a_o very_a low_a opinion_n of_o the_o work_n of_o a_o gospel-bishop_n or_o very_o little_a consideration_n of_o the_o zeal_n activity_n and_o diligence_n which_o be_v then_o use_v in_o preach_v reprove_v exhort_v in_o season_n out_o of_o season_n that_o think_v one_o single_a person_n be_v able_a to_o undergo_v it_o all_o discipline_n be_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o strict_a theâ—_n preach_v more_o diligent_a man_n more_o apprehensive_a of_o the_o weight_n of_o their_o function_n than_o for_o any_o to_o undertake_v such_o a_o care_n and_o charge_n of_o soul_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o ever_o to_o know_v observe_v or_o watch_v over_o so_o as_o to_o give_v a_o account_n for_o they_o beside_o while_o we_o suppose_v this_o one_o person_n employ_v in_o the_o duty_n of_o his_o flock_n what_o leisure_n or_o time_n can_v such_o a_o one_o have_v to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n and_o unbelieve_a jew_n in_o order_n to_o their_o conversion_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o certain_o aim_n at_o the_o set_n up_o the_o honour_n of_o any_o one_o person_n make_v the_o office_n of_o the_o church_n a_o matter_n of_o state_n and_o dignity_n more_o than_o employment_n but_o they_o choose_v man_n for_o their_o activity_n in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o for_o their_o usefulness_n in_o labour_v to_o add_v continual_o to_o the_o church_n man_n that_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o church_n then_o do_v not_o consult_v for_o their_o â—ase_n or_o honour_n and_o think_v it_o not_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o sit_v still_o and_o bâ—d_v other_o work_v but_o they_o be_v of_o paul_n mind_n necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o 16._o they_o yea_o woe_n be_v unto_o they_o if_o they_o preach_v not_o the_o gospel_n public_a prayer_n be_v not_o then_o look_v on_o as_o the_o more_o principal_a end_n of_o christian_a assembly_n then_o preach_v nor_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v the_o more_o principal_a office_n of_o the_o â—_z of_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n to_o read_v the_o public_a prayer_n of_o the_o church_n then_o to_o preach_v in_o season_n and_o out_o of_o season_n and_o be_v it_o not_o great_a pity_n two_o such_o excellent_a and_o necessary_a duty_n shall_v ever_o be_v set_v at_o variance_n much_o less_o one_o so_o prefer_v before_o the_o other_o that_o the_o one_o must_v be_v esteem_v as_o sarah_n and_o the_o other_o almost_o undergo_v the_o hardship_n of_o hagar_n to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o the_o bondwoman_n of_o the_o synagogue_n and_o be_v turn_v out_o of_o door_n pray_v and_o preach_v be_v the_o jackin_n and_o boaz_n of_o the_o temple_n like_o rachel_n and_o leah_n both_o which_o build_v up_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n but_o though_o rachel_n be_v fair_a and_o beautiful_a yet_o leah_n be_v the_o more_o fruitful_a though_o prayer_n be_v lovely_a and_o amiable_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n when_o it_o come_v from_o a_o heart_n serious_o affect_v with_o what_o it_o speak_v yet_o preach_v tend_v more_o to_o the_o turn_v man_n soul_n from_o sin_n unto_o god_n be_v the_o apostle_n commission_v by_o christ_n to_o go_v pray_v or_o preach_v and_o what_o be_v it_o wherein_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n be_v it_o in_o the_o office_n of_o pray_v or_o preach_v be_v paul_n send_v not_o to_o baptize_v but_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o shall_v we_o think_v those_o who_o succeed_v paul_n in_o his_o office_n of_o preach_v be_v to_o look_v upon_o any_o thing_n else_o as_o more_o their_o work_n then_o that_o be_v minister_n in_o their_o ordination_n send_v forth_o to_o be_v reader_n of_o public_a prayer_n or_o to_o be_v dispenser_n of_o god_n holy_a word_n be_v they_o ordain_v whole_o to_o this_o and_o shall_v this_o be_v the_o less_o principal_a part_n of_o their_o work_n ay_o but_o the_o reason_n be_v unanswerable_a that_o pray_v be_v the_o more_o principal_a end_n of_o christian-assembly_n then_o preach_v for_o the_o one_o be_v the_o end_n and_o the_o other_o the_o mean_n if_o by_o end_n be_v mean_v the_o ultimate_a end_n of_o all_o christian_a duty_n that_o can_v be_v prayer_n for_o that_o be_v a_o mean_n itself_o in_o order_n to_o that_o but_o the_o chief_a end_n be_v the_o fit_a soul_n for_o eternal_a praise_n if_o then_o this_o unanswerable_a reason_n hold_v good_a the_o principal_a end_n of_o christian_a assembly_n must_v be_v only_a praise_n of_o god_n and_o not_o prayer_n if_o by_o the_o end_n be_v mean_v the_o immediate_a end_n of_o preach_v as_o that_o it_o refer_v to_o that_o can_v be_v for_o the_o immediate_a end_n of_o preach_v if_o the_o apostle_n may_v be_v judge_n be_v instruction_n and_o edification_n in_o the_o faith_n rather_o preach_v be_v the_o end_n of_o pray_v in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o blessing_n convey_v by_o preach_v be_v the_o thing_n which_o man_n pray_v for_o but_o this_o be_v but_o one_o of_o those_o unhappy_a consequence_n which_o follow_v man_n judge_v of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n rather_o by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n when_o it_o come_v to_o enjoy_v ease_n and_o plenty_n than_o by_o the_o way_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a apostolical_a time_n when_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v best_a able_a to_o judge_v of_o their_o own_o duty_n look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o most_o concern_v in_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o to_o this_o it_o be_v common_o say_v that_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n for_o it_o then_o because_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n and_o therefore_o preach_v be_v the_o more_o necessary_a work_n at_o that_o time_n but_o when_o a_o nation_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n that_o necessity_n cease_v it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o regard_n of_o its_o universal_a extent_n be_v more_o necessary_a then_o which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o christ_n institute_v the_o apostolical_a office_n with_o a_o unlimited_a commission_n but_o if_o we_o take_v preach_v as_o refer_v to_o particular_a congregation_n there_o be_v the_o same_o necessity_n now_o that_o there_o be_v then_o people_z need_v as_o much_o instruction_n as_o ever_o and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o in_o that_o they_o be_v
apt_a to_o think_v now_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n will_v carry_v they_o to_o heaven_n it_o be_v a_o too_o common_a and_o very_a dangerous_a deceit_n of_o man_n to_o look_v upon_o religion_n more_o as_o a_o profession_n than_o matter_n of_o life_n more_o as_o a_o notion_n then_o a_o inward_a temper_n man_n must_v be_v beat_v off_o from_o more_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o trust_v to_o for_o salvation_n now_o than_o in_o those_o time_n man_n can_v not_o think_v so_o much_o then_o that_o diligence_n in_o public_a assembly_n and_o attendance_n at_o public_a prayer_n be_v the_o main_a religion_n few_o will_v profess_v christianity_n in_o those_o time_n but_o such_o as_o be_v resolve_v before_o hand_n rather_o to_o let_v go_v their_o life_n then_o their_o profession_n but_o the_o more_o profess_v it_o now_o without_o understand_v the_o term_n of_o salvation_n by_o it_o the_o great_a necessity_n of_o preach_v to_o instruct_v man_n in_o it_o but_o i_o think_v more_o need_v not_o be_v say_v of_o this_o to_o those_o that_o know_v it_o be_v another_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o christian_n then_o to_o be_v call_v so_o but_o however_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n preach_v be_v the_o great_a work_n and_o if_o so_o how_o can_v we_o think_v one_o single_a person_n in_o a_o great_a city_n be_v sufficient_a both_o to_o preach_v to_o and_o rule_v the_o church_n and_o to_o preach_v abroad_o in_o order_n to_o the_o conversion_n of_o more_o from_o their_o gentilism_n to_o christianity_n especial_o if_o the_o church_n of_o every_o city_n be_v so_o large_a as_o some_o will_v make_v it_o viz._n to_o comprehend_v all_o the_o believer_n under_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o so_o both_o city_n and_o country_n the_o only_a charge_n of_o one_o single_a bishop_n i_o think_v the_o vastness_n of_o the_o work_n and_o the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o right_a discharge_n of_o it_o by_o one_o single_a person_n may_v be_v argument_n enough_o to_o make_v we_o interpret_v the_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o may_v be_v understand_v in_o that_o sense_n as_o of_o more_o than_o one_o pastor_n in_o every_o city_n as_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v say_v to_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n and_o paul_n calling_n for_o the_o elder_n from_o ephesus_n and_o his_o writing_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n this_o consideration_n i_o say_v grant_v that_o the_o text_n may_v be_v otherwise_o understand_v will_v be_v enough_o to_o incline_v man_n to_o think_v that_o in_o great_a city_n there_o be_v a_o society_n of_o presbyter_n act_v together_o for_o the_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o convert_v some_o to_o and_o build_v up_o of_o other_o in_o the_o faith_n of_o christ._n and_o it_o seem_v not_o in_o the_o least_o manner_n probable_a to_o i_o that_o the_o care_n of_o those_o great_a church_n shall_v at_o first_o be_v entrust_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o one_o single_a pastor_n and_o deacon_n and_o afterward_o a_o new_a order_n of_o presbyter_n erect_v under_o they_o without_o any_o order_n or_o rule_v lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n for_o it_o or_o any_o mention_n in_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n of_o any_o such_o after_o institution_n but_o instead_o of_o that_o in_o the_o most_o populous_a church_n we_o have_v many_o remain_a footstep_n of_o such_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n there_o establish_v in_o apostolical_a time_n thence_o ignatius_n say_v tral_n the_o presbyter_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1â—9_n the_o sanhedrin_n of_o the_o church_n appoint_v by_o god_n and_o the_o bench_n of_o apostle_n sit_v together_o for_o rule_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n and_o origen_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o college_n in_o every_o city_n of_o god_n appoint_v and_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n colligium_n nostrum_fw-la and_o collegium_fw-la fratrum_fw-la pius_fw-la pauperem_fw-la 5._o senatum_fw-la christi_fw-la apud_fw-la romam_fw-la constitutum_fw-la tertullian_n probatos_fw-la seniores_fw-la cyprian_n cleri_fw-la nostri_fw-la sacrum_fw-la venerandumque_fw-la concessum_fw-la and_o to_o cornelius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o his_o clergy_n florentissimo_fw-la clero_fw-la tecum_fw-la praesidenti_fw-la jerome_n senatum_fw-la nostrum_fw-la coetum_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la &_o commune_v concilium_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la quo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernabantur_fw-la hilary_n seniores_fw-la sinâ—_n quorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la nihil_fw-la agebatur_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la the_o author_n de_fw-mi 7_o ordinibus_fw-la ad_fw-la rustiâ—um_fw-la call_v the_o presbyter_n negotiorum_fw-la judices_fw-la enâ—ychius_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v twelve_o presbyter_n at_o alexandria_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o itinerary_n of_o peter_n of_o as_o many_o constitute_v at_o caesaria_n who_o though_o counterfeit_v must_v be_v allow_v to_o speak_v though_o not_o verâ—_n yet_o verisimilia_fw-la though_o not_o true_a yet_o likely_a thing_n be_v iâ—_n possible_a all_o these_o author_n shall_v thus_o speak_v of_o their_o several_a place_n of_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n act_v in_o power_n with_o the_o bishop_n if_o at_o first_o church_n be_v govern_v only_o by_o a_o single_a bishop_n and_o afterward_o by_o subject_a presbyter_n that_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v in_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n but_o be_v only_o depute_v to_o some_o particular_a office_n under_o he_o which_o they_o be_v impower_v to_o do_v only_o by_o his_o authority_n but_o the_o joint-rule_a of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n will_v be_v more_o large_o deduce_v afterward_o thus_o we_o see_v a_o company_n of_o presbyter_n settle_v in_o great_a church_n now_o we_o be_v not_o to_o imagine_v that_o all_o these_o do_v equal_o attend_v to_o one_o part_n of_o their_o woâ—k_n but_o all_o of_o they_o according_a to_o their_o several_a ability_n lay_v out_o themselves_o some_o in_o overseeing_a and_o guide_v the_o church_n but_o yet_o so_o as_o upon_o occasion_n to_o discharge_v all_o pastoral_a act_n belong_v to_o their_o function_n other_o betake_v themselves_o chief_o to_o the_o conversion_n of_o other_o to_o the_o faith_n either_o in_o the_o city_n or_o the_o adjacent_a country_n by_o which_o we_o come_v to_o a_o full_a clear_a and_o easy_a understanding_n of_o that_o so_o much_o controvert_v place_n 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n especial_o they_o that_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n not_o as_o though_o it_o employ_v a_o distâ—â—ct_a sort_n of_o elder_n from_o the_o pastor_n of_o church_n but_o among_o those_o elder_n that_o be_v ordain_v in_o the_o great_a church_n some_o attend_v most_o to_o rule_v the_o flock_n already_o convert_v other_o labour_v most_o in_o convert_v other_o to_o the_o faith_n by_o preach_v though_o both_o these_o be_v enter_v into_o this_o peculiar_a function_n of_o lay_v themselves_o forth_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n do_v deserve_v both_o respect_n and_o maintenance_n yet_o especial_o those_o who_o employ_v themselves_o in_o convert_v other_o in_o as_o much_o as_o their_o burden_n be_v great_a their_o labour_n more_o abundant_a their_o suffering_n more_o and_o their_o very_a office_n come_v the_o near_a to_o the_o apostolical_a function_n so_o chrysostome_n resolve_v it_o upon_o the_o 11._o four_o of_o the_o ephesian_n that_o those_o who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o theodoret_n express_v it_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o fix_a officer_n of_o particular_a church_n be_v inferior_a to_o those_o who_o go_v abroad_o preach_v the_o gospel_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o evident_a argument_n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o intend_v any_o sort_n of_o elder_n dictinct_n from_o these_o ordain_a presbyter_n of_o the_o city_n be_v from_o that_o very_a argument_n which_o the_o great_a friend_n to_o lay-elder_n draw_v out_o of_o this_o epistle_n which_o be_v from_o the_o promiscuous_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o this_o very_a epistle_n to_o timothy_n the_o argument_n run_v thus_o the_o presbyter_n speak_v of_o by_o paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n be_v scripture-bishop_n but_o lay-elder_n be_v not_o scripture-bishop_n therefore_o these_o can_v here_o be_v mean_v the_o major_n be_v their_o own_o from_o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1._o compare_v with_o 4._o 14._o those_o which_o be_v call_v presbyter_n in_o one_o place_n be_v bishop_n in_o another_o and_o the_o main_a force_n of_o the_o argument_n lie_v in_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n now_o than_o if_o lay-elder_n be_v not_o such_o bishop_n than_o they_o be_v not_o paul_n presbyter_n now_o paul_n bishop_n must_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d fit_a to_o teach_v and_o therefore_o no_o
propound_a method_n to_o examine_v what_o light_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o age_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n will_v cast_v upon_o the_o controversy_n we_o be_v upon_o for_o although_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n establish_v and_o â—aid_v down_o by_o we_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o settle_v as_o a_o universal_a law_n for_o the_o church_n but_o what_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n yet_o because_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n be_v conceive_v to_o be_v of_o â—o_o great_a use_n for_o understanding_n what_o the_o apostle_n intention_n as_o well_o as_o action_n be_v we_o shall_v cheerful_o pass_v over_o this_o rubicon_n because_o not_o with_o a_o intent_n to_o increase_v division_n but_o to_o find_v out_o some_o further_a evidence_n of_o a_o way_n to_o compose_v they_o our_o inquiry_n then_o be_v whether_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v conceive_v its_o self_n oblige_v to_o observe_v unalterable_o one_o individual_a form_n of_o government_n as_o deliver_v down_o to_o they_o either_o by_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n or_o a_o universal_a constitution_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o else_o do_v only_o settle_v and_o order_v thing_n for_o church-government_n according_a as_o it_o judge_v they_o tend_v most_o to_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n without_o any_o antecedent_n obligation_n as_o necessary_o bind_v to_o observe_v only_o one_o course_n this_o latter_a i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o to_o have_v be_v the_o only_a rule_n and_o law_n which_o the_o primitive_a church_n observe_v as_o to_o church-government_n viz._n the_o tendency_n of_o its_o constitution_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o any_o bind_a law_n or_o practice_n of_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n for_o the_o demonstrate_v of_o which_o i_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o such_o argument_n as_o most_o immediate_o teâ—d_v to_o the_o prove_v of_o it_o for_o if_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n and_o its_o officer_n do_v increase_v mere_o from_o the_o enlargement_n of_o the_o bound_n of_o church_n if_o no_o one_o certain_a form_n be_v observe_v in_o all_o church_n but_o great_a variety_n as_o to_o officer_n and_o diocese_n if_o the_o course_n use_v in_o settle_v the_o power_n of_o the_o chief_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v from_o agreement_n with_o the_o civil_a government_n if_o notwithstanding_o the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n the_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n be_v own_v as_o valid_a if_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n concern_v the_o church_n polity_n the_o church_n prudence_n be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o establish_v thing_n then_o we_o may_v with_o reason_n conciude_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v infer_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n demonstrative_a of_o any_o one_o fix_a form_n of_o church-government_n deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n â—o_o they_o have_v thus_o by_o a_o lâ—ght_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d draw_v ouâ—_n the_o several_a line_n of_o the_o portraiture_n of_o the_o polity_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n we_o now_o proceed_v to_o fill_v they_o up_o though_o not_o with_o that_o life_n which_o it_o deserve_v yet_o so_o far_o as_o the_o model_n of_o this_o discourse_n will_v permit_v our_o first_o argument_n than_o be_v from_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o power_n of_o church-governor_n which_o i_o assert_v not_o to_o have_v be_v from_o any_o order_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o from_o the_o gradual_a increase_n of_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n this_o will_v be_v best_a do_v by_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o growth_n of_o church_n and_o how_o proportionable_o the_o power_n of_o the_o governor_n do_v increase_v with_o it_o as_o to_o that_o there_o â—re_n four_o observable_a step_n or_o period_n as_o so_o many_o age_n of_o growth_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n first_o when_o church_n and_o city_n be_v of_o the_o same_o extent_n second_o when_o church_n take_v in_o the_o adjoin_a territory_n with_o the_o village_n belong_v to_o the_o city_n three_o when_o several_a city_n with_o their_o village_n do_v associate_v for_o church-government_n in_o the_o same_o province_n four_o when_o several_a province_n do_v associate_v for_o government_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n of_o these_o in_o their_o order_n the_o first_o period_n of_o church_n government_n observable_a in_o the_o 2._o primitive_a church_n be_v when_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o christian_n in_o whole_a city_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v first_o show_v that_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o church_n be_v in_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o same_o city_n second_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o government_n then_o observe_v among_o they_o three_o consider_v what_o relation_n the_o several_a church_n in_o city_n have_v to_o one_o another_o first_o that_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v christian_n of_o whole_a city_n it_o be_v but_o a_o late_a and_o novel_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n church_n whereby_o it_o be_v take_v for_o state_v fix_a congregation_n for_o public_a worship_n and_o doubtless_o the_o original_n of_o it_o be_v only_o from_o the_o distinction_n of_o church_n in_o great_a city_n into_o their_o several_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o public_a place_n for_o meeting_n whence_o the_o scotch_a kirk_n and_o our_o english_a church_n so_o that_o from_o call_v the_o place_n church_n they_o proceed_v to_o call_v the_o person_n there_o meet_v by_o that_o name_n and_o thence_o some_o think_v the_o name_n of_o church_n so_o appropriate_v to_o such_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n as_o may_v meet_v at_o such_o a_o place_n that_o they_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o religion_n not_o to_o call_v those_o place_n church_n from_o whence_o original_o the_o very_a name_n as_o we_o use_v it_o be_v derive_v but_o this_o may_v be_v pardon_v among_o other_o the_o religious_a weakness_n of_o well_o meaning_n but_o less_o know_v people_n a_o church_n in_o its_o primary_n sense_n as_o it_o answer_v to_o the_o greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d apply_v to_o christian_n be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n live_v together_o in_o one_o city_n whether_o meet_v together_o in_o many_o congregation_n or_o one_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a because_o they_o be_v not_o call_v a_o church_n as_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n but_o as_o they_o be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n inhabit_v together_o in_o such_o a_o city_n not_o but_o that_o i_o think_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n may_v be_v call_v a_o church_n wherever_o they_o be_v whether_o in_o a_o city_n or_o country_n but_o because_o the_o first_o and_o chief_a mention_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o scripture_n of_o church_n be_v of_o such_o as_o do_v dwell_v together_o in_o the_o same_o city_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o many_o pregnant_a place_n of_o scripture_n to_o this_o purpose_n as_o act_v 14._o 23._o compare_v with_o titus_n 1._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o one_o place_n be_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o other_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n which_o imply_v that_o by_o church_n then_o be_v mean_v the_o body_n of_o christian_n reside_v in_o the_o city_n over_o which_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v elder_n to_o rule_v they_o so_o act_v 16._o 4._o 5._o as_o they_o go_v through_o the_o city_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o be_v the_o church_n establish_v in_o the_o faith_n the_o church_n here_o be_v the_o christian_n of_o those_o city_n which_o they_o go_v through_o so_o act_v 20._o 17._o he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n if_o by_o the_o elder_n we_o mean_v as_o all_o those_o do_v we_o now_o deal_v with_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n than_o it_o be_v here_o evident_a that_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o city_n be_v all_o one_o but_o what_o be_v more_o observable_a ver_fw-la 28._o he_o call_v the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d take_v heed_n to_o yourselves_o and_o to_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n where_o several_a thing_n be_v observable_a to_o our_o purpose_n first_o that_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n in_o ephesus_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o flock_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o the_o several_a flock_n and_o church_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v you_o bishop_n second_o that_o all_o these_o speak_v to_o be_v such_o as_o have_v a_o pastoral_a charge_n of_o this_o one_o flock_n paul_n call_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o charge_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o pastor_n towards_o it_o so_o
that_o either_o there_o must_v be_v several_a pastor_n take_v the_o pastoral_a charge_n of_o one_o congregation_n which_o be_v not_o very_o suitable_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o i_o now_o dispute_v against_o or_o else_o many_o congregation_n in_o one_o city_n be_v all_o call_v but_o one_o church_n and_o one_o flock_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o plead_v for_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o observation_n of_o good_a use_n to_o the_o purpose_n in_o hand_n that_o the_o new_a testament_n speak_v of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o province_n always_o speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n as_o the_o church_n of_o judaea_n gal._n 1._o 22_o 1_o thes._n 2_o 14._o the_o church_n of_o samaâ—iâ—_n and_o galilee_n act_v 9_o 31._o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o câ—icia_n act_v 15._o 41._o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 1._o gal_n 1._o 1_o 2._o the_o church_n of_o asia_n rom._n 16._o 16._o rev._n 1._o 11._o but_o when_o it_o speak_v of_o any_o particular_a city_n than_o it_o be_v always_o use_v in_o the_o singular_a number_n as_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n act_v 8._o 1._o 15_o 4_o 22._o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n act_v 11._o 26_o 13._o 1._o the_o church_n at_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 2._o 2_o cor._n 1._o 1â—_n and_o so_o of_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n smyrna_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o we_o can_v find_v in_o scripture_n the_o least_o footstep_n of_o any_o difference_n between_o a_o church_n and_o the_o christian_n of_o such_o a_o city_n whereas_o have_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v restrain_v to_o a_o particular_a congregation_n doubtless_o we_o shall_v have_v find_v some_o difference_n as_o to_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o several_a place_n for_o it_o be_v scarce_o imaginable_a that_o in_o all_o those_o city_n speak_v of_o as_o for_o example_n ephesus_n where_o paul_n be_v for_o above_o two_o year_n together_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o convert_n than_o will_v make_v one_o congregation_n according_o in_o the_o time_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n the_o same_o language_n and_o custom_n continue_v still_o so_o clement_n inscribe_v his_o epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o rome_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n so_o by_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o all_o the_o believer_n at_o that_o time_n in_o rome_n make_v up_o but_o one_o church_n as_o likewise_o do_v they_o at_o corinth_n sâ—_n polycarp_n in_o the_o epistle_n write_v by_o he_o from_o the_o church_n at_o smyrna_n to_o the_o church_n at_o phylomilium_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o in_o his_o epistle_n 13._o to_o the_o philippian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d polycarp_n and_o the_o elder_n with_o he_o to_o the_o church_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n origen_n compare_v the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o athens_n corinth_n alexandria_n and_o oâ—her_a place_n with_o the_o people_n of_o those_o several_a city_n and_o so_o the_o etc._n church_n senate_n with_o the_o people_n and_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v his_o word_n chief_a ruler_n with_o the_o mayor_n of_o those_o city_n imply_v thereby_o that_o as_o there_o be_v one_o civil_a society_n in_o such_o place_n to_o make_v a_o city_n so_o there_o be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n incorporate_v together_o to_o make_v a_o church_n so_o that_o a_o church_n settle_v with_o a_o full_a power_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o exerc_n sing_v all_o act_n of_o church-discipline_n within_o its_o self_n be_v ancient_o the_o same_o with_o the_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n not_o but_o that_o the_o name_n church_n be_v attribute_v sometime_o to_o family_n in_o which_o sense_n tertullian_n speak_v ubi_fw-la duo_fw-la aut_fw-la tres_fw-la sunt_fw-la ibi_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la est_fw-la cust_z licet_fw-la laici_fw-la and_o may_v on_o the_o same_o account_n be_v attribute_v to_o a_o small_a place_n such_o as_o many_o imagine_v the_o church_n of_o cenchrea_n to_o be_v it_o be_v a_o port_n to_o corinth_n on_o the_o sinus_n sarònicus_n but_o stephanus_n byzantinus_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d suidas_n urbibus_fw-la say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o then_o that_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d strabo_n and_o pausanias_n only_o speak_v of_o the_o situation_n of_o it_o as_o one_o of_o the_o poâ—ts_n of_o corinth_n lie_v in_o the_o way_n from_o tegaea_n to_o argos_n nor_o be_v 4._o any_o more_o say_v of_o it_o by_o pliny_n then_o that_o it_o answer_v to_o lechaeum_n the_o port_n on_o the_o other_o side_n upon_o the_o sinus_n corinthiacus_n ubbo_n emmius_n in_o his_o description_n of_o old_a greece_n call_v both_o of_o they_o oppidula_fw-la duo_fw-la cum_fw-la duobus_fw-la praeclaris_fw-la portubus_fw-la in_o ora_fw-la utriusq_fw-la maris_fw-la but_o withal_o add_v that_o they_o be_v duo_fw-la vrbis_fw-la emporia_fw-la the_o two_o mart_n of_o corinth_n therefore_o in_o probability_n because_o 2._o of_o the_o great_a merchandise_n of_o that_o city_n they_o be_v much_o frequent_v cenchrea_fw-mi be_v about_o twelve_o furlong_n distance_n from_o corinth_n where_o pareus_n conjecture_n the_o place_n of_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v because_o of_o the_o trouble_v they_o 1._o meet_v with_o in_o the_o city_n and_o therefore_o they_o retire_v thither_o for_o great_a conveniency_n and_o privacy_n which_o conjecture_n will_v appear_v not_o to_o be_v altogether_o improbable_a when_o we_o consider_v the_o furious_a opposition_n make_v by_o the_o jew_n against_o the_o christian_n at_o corinth_n act_v 18._o 12._o and_o withal_o how_o usual_a it_o be_v both_o for_o jew_n and_o christian_n to_o have_v their_o place_n of_o meeting_n at_o a_o distance_n from_o the_o city_n as_o act_v 16._o 13._o they_o go_v out_o from_o philippi_n to_o the_o river_n side_n where_o there_o be_v a_o proseucha_fw-la or_o a_o place_n of_o 10._o prayer_n where_o the_o jew_n of_o philippi_n accustom_v to_o meet_v according_a to_o this_o interpretation_n the_o church_n at_o cenchrea_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n there_o assemble_v as_o the_o reform_a church_n at_o paris_n have_v their_o meeting_n place_n at_o charenton_n which_o may_v be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o charenton_n from_o their_o public_a assembly_n there_o but_o the_o church_n of_o paris_n from_o the_o residence_n of_o the_o chief_a officer_n and_o people_n in_o that_o city_n so_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n may_v be_v call_v the_o church_n at_o cenchrea_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n there_o be_v no_o evidence_n at_o all_o of_o any_o settle_a government_n there_o at_o cenchrea_fw-mi distinct_a from_o that_o at_o corinth_n so_o that_o this_o place_n which_o be_v the_o only_a one_o bring_v against_o that_o position_n i_o have_v lay_v down_o have_v no_o force_n at_o all_o against_o it_o i_o conclude_v then_o that_o church_n and_o city_n be_v original_o of_o equal_a extent_n and_o that_o the_o formal_a constitution_n of_o a_o church_n lie_v not_o in_o their_o capacity_n of_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n but_o act_v as_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n embody_v together_o in_o one_o city_n have_v officer_n and_o ruler_n among_o themselves_o equal_o respect_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o believer_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n the_o way_n and_o manner_n then_o use_v for_o the_o model_a the_o government_n of_o these_o church_n which_o may_v be_v consider_v in_o a_o double_a period_n of_o time_n either_o before_o several_a congregation_n in_o church_n be_v settle_v or_o after_o those_o we_o now_o call_v parish_n be_v divide_v first_o before_o distinct_a congregation_n be_v settle_v and_o this_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v be_v not_o only_o during_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o for_o a_o competent_a time_n after_o general_o during_o the_o persecution_n of_o church_n for_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o such_o a_o number_n of_o believer_n as_o can_v not_o convenient_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n and_o the_o distribute_v of_o believer_n into_o their_o several_a distinct_a congregation_n i_o can_v see_v any_o reason_n but_o to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o great_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n antioch_n ephesus_n and_o the_o like_a there_o be_v more_o believer_n than_o can_v well_o meet_v together_o consider_v the_o state_n of_o those_o time_n but_o that_o they_o be_v then_o distribute_v into_o their_o several_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o century_n as_o the_o athenian_n and_o roman_n divide_v their_o people_n i._n e._n into_o several_a worship_a congregation_n with_o peculiar_a officer_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o for_o it_o they_o have_v no_o such_o convenience_n then_o of_o settle_v several_a congregation_n under_o their_o particular_a pastor_n but_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n look_v upon_o
three_o place_n to_o consider_v what_o relation_n these_o 3._o church_n in_o great_a city_n have_v one_o to_o another_o and_o to_o the_o lesser_a city_n which_o be_v under_o they_o and_o here_o the_o grand_a question_n to_o be_v discuss_v be_v this_o whether_o the_o church_n in_o great_a city_n by_o apostolical_a institution_n have_v the_o government_n ecclesiastical_a not_o only_o of_o the_o lesser_a village_n under_o they_o but_o likewise_o of_o all_o lesser_a city_n under_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o metropolis_n the_o affirmative_a be_v of_o late_o assert_v by_o some_o person_n of_o great_a renown_n and_o learning_n the_o first_o i_o find_v maintain_v this_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o metropolitan_o be_v fregevilaeus_n gantius_fw-la one_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o france_n who_o have_v 4._o spend_v a_o whole_a chapter_n in_o his_o palma_n christianâ—_n to_o that_o purpose_n and_o have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o argument_n which_o have_v be_v since_o improve_v by_o all_o the_o advantage_n which_o the_o learning_n of_o a_o reverend_a drâ—_n can_v add_v to_o they_o but_o because_o this_o principle_n manifest_o destroy_v the_o main_a foundation_n of_o this_o discourse_n it_o be_v here_o requisite_a to_o examine_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o stand_v that_o thereby_o it_o may_v be_v full_o clear_v whether_o the_o subordination_n of_o less_o church_n to_o great_a do_v only_o arise_v from_o the_o mutual_a association_n of_o church_n among_o themselves_o or_o from_o apostolical_a appointment_n and_o institution_n the_o two_o pillar_n which_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o metropolitan_n be_v build_v upon_o be_v these_o first_o that_o the_o city_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o which_o church_n be_v plant_v be_v metropoles_fw-la in_o the_o civil_a sense_n second_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v so_o far_o follow_v the_o model_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n as_o to_o plant_v metropolitan_a church_n in_o those_o city_n if_o either_o of_o these_o prove_v infirm_a the_o fabric_n erect_v upon_o they_o must_v needs_o fall_v and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o both_o of_o they_o be_v i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o metropolis_n be_v confess_v to_o be_v this_o a_o city_n wherein_o the_o court_n of_o a_o civil_a judicature_n be_v keep_v by_o the_o roman_a governor_n under_o who_o jurisdiction_n the_o whole_a province_n be_v contain_v the_o city_n chief_o insist_v on_o be_v the_o seven_o city_n of_o the_o lydian_a asia_n and_o philippi_n which_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o for_o the_o city_n of_o the_o proconsular_a asia_n although_o the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o it_o be_v not_o so_o clear_a as_o certain_o to_o know_v whether_o all_o these_o city_n be_v comprehend_v under_o it_o or_o no_o strabo_n tell_v we_o that_o phrygia_n lydia_n caria_n and_o 13_o mysia_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d very_o hard_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o it_o be_v true_a of_o all_o four_o which_o be_v say_v of_o mysia_n and_o phrygia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o phrygian_a and_o mysian_a border_n be_v distinct_a but_o it_o iâ—_n be_v hard_o to_o find_v they_o out_o for_o laodicea_n be_v by_o ptolemy_n refer_v to_o caria_n strabo_n and_o many_o other_o place_v it_o in_o phrygia_n only_a stephanus_n bizantinus_n place_v it_o in_o lydia_n but_o grant_v all_o that_o be_v produce_v by_o the_o late_a most_o excellent_a primate_n of_o armagh_n in_o his_o learned_a discourse_n of_o the_o proconsular_a asia_n to_o prove_v all_o these_o seven_o city_n to_o be_v in_o the_o bound_n of_o this_o lydian_a asia_n yet_o it_o be_v far_o from_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o these_o city_n be_v metropoles_fw-la in_o the_o civil_a sense_n for_o strabo_n tell_v we_o that_o caâ—aâ—b_n the_o roman_n do_v not_o divide_v these_o place_n by_o nation_n about_o according_a to_o the_o diocese_n wherein_o they_o keep_v their_o court_n and_o exercise_v judicature_n these_o city_n wherein_o the_o court_n of_o judicature_n be_v keep_v be_v the_o metropoles_fw-la and_o no_o other_o of_o five_o of_o they_o laodicea_n smyrna_n sardis_n ephesus_n and_o 30._o pergamus_n pliny_n say_v that_o the_o conventus_fw-la the_o civil_a court_n be_v keep_v in_o they_o and_o they_o have_v jurisdiction_n over_o the_o other_o place_n by_o he_o mention_v but_o for_o the_o other_o two_o thyatira_n and_o philadelphia_n philadelphia_n be_v express_o mention_v as_o one_o of_o those_o city_n which_o be_v under_o the_o jurisdictio_fw-la sardiana_n so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o be_v a_o metropoles_fw-la of_o its_o self_n and_o thyatira_n mention_v as_o one_o of_o the_o ordinary_a city_n without_o any_o addition_n of_o honour_n at_o all_o to_o it_o and_o for_o philadelphia_n it_o be_v so_o â—ar_o unlikely_a to_o be_v a_o metropolis_n that_o strabo_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d very_o subject_a to_o earthquake_n and_o therefore_o have_v very_o few_o inhabitant_n those_o that_o â—â—â—_o live_v most_o part_n in_o the_o field_n where_o they_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o very_a rich_a soil_n but_o strabo_n for_o all_o that_o wonder_n at_o the_o boldness_n of_o the_o man_n that_o dare_v to_o venture_v their_o life_n there_o and_o most_o of_o all_o admire_v what_o be_v in_o those_o man_n head_n who_o first_o build_v a_o city_n there_o be_v it_o then_o any_o way_n probable_a that_o this_o shall_v be_v choose_v for_o a_o metropolis_n in_o such_o a_o abundance_n of_o fair_a and_o rich_a city_n as_o lay_v thereabouts_o but_o a_o salvo_n be_v find_v out_o for_o plinye_n not_o mention_v they_o as_o metropoles_fw-la because_o the_o addition_n of_o these_o two_o mother_n city_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v make_v when_o vespasian_n add_v those_o many_o new_a province_n to_o the_o old_a government_n which_o suâ—tonius_n speak_v of_o but_o this_o salvo_n do_v not_o 8._o reach_v the_o sore_a for_o first_o pliny_n write_v his_o natural_a history_n not_o in_o the_o beginning_n but_o towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o flavius_n vespasianus_n when_o titus_n have_v be_v six_o time_n consul_n â—s_v he_o himself_o say_v in_o his_o preface_n therefore_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o change_n pliny_n will_v have_v mention_v it_o second_o the_o province_n add_v by_o vespasian_n be_v express_o set_v down_o by_o suâ—â—oniuâ—_n viz._n achaia_n lysia_n rhodus_n byzantium_n samos_n thracia_n cilivia_n comagena_n not_o the_o least_o mention_n of_o the_o lydian_a or_o procoâ—sular_n asia_n or_o any_o alteration_n make_v in_o the_o metropolis_n there_o but_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o further_o attempt_v make_v to_o make_v philadelphia_n a_o metropolis_n which_o be_v from_o a_o subscription_n of_o eustathius_n in_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n sub_fw-la menna_n act_n 5._o who_o call_v himself_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o philadelphia_n but_o what_o validity_n there_o be_v in_o such_o a_o subscription_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o five_o century_n to_o prove_v a_o metropolis_n in_o the_o first_o lâ—t_v any_o one_o judge_n that_o do_v but_o consider_v how_o common_a â—_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o alter_v metropoles_fw-la especial_o after_o the_o new_a disposition_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n by_o constantinâ—_n but_o if_o we_o do_v stand_v to_o the_o notitiâ—_n to_o determine_v this_o controversy_n which_o be_v certain_o more_o to_o be_v value_v then_o a_o single_a subscription_n the_o metropolitanship_n of_o these_o city_n of_o the_o lydian_a asia_n will_v be_v irrecoverable_o overthrow_v for_o in_o the_o old_a notitia_fw-la take_v out_o of_o the_o vatican_n ms._n and_o set_v forth_o with_o the_o rest_n by_o caroâ—â—â—â—_n sancto-paulo_n in_o his_o appendix_n to_o his_o geographia_fw-la sacra_fw-la ephesus_n be_v make_v the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o province_n of_o asia_n sardis_n of_o lydia_n laodicea_n of_o phrygia_n capatiana_n as_o it_o be_v there_o write_v for_o pacatiana_n but_o pergamus_n place_v in_o the_o province_n of_o caesarla_n cappadocia_n philadelphia_n under_o sardis_n with_o thyatyra_n in_o the_o notitia_fw-la attribute_v to_o hierâ—clâ—s_n under_o the_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n be_v place_v smyrna_n and_o pergamuâ—_n under_o sardiâ—_n thyatyra_n and_o philadelphia_n so_o likewise_o in_o the_o notitia_fw-la of_o the_o french_a king_n library_n so_o that_o neither_o in_o the_o civil_a noâ—_n ecclesiastical_a sense_n can_v we_o find_v these_o seven_o city_n to_o be_v all_o metropoles_fw-la we_o therefore_o observe_v st._n paul_n course_n and_o leave_v asia_n we_o come_v into_o macedonia_n where_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o philippi_n be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o macedonia_n i_o know_v not_o whether_o with_o great_a incongruity_n to_o the_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a sense_n in_o â—oth_n which_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o philippi_n be_v not_o the_o
metropolis_n of_o macedonia_n and_o therefore_o the_o bishop_n there_o mention_v can_v not_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o several_a city_n under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o philippi_n but_o must_v be_v understand_v â—_o of_o the_o bishop_n resident_a in_o that_o city_n we_o begin_v with_o it_o in_o the_o civil_a sense_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o other_o it_o be_v confess_v not_o to_o have_v be_v a_o metropolis_n during_o its_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v by_o pausanias_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 182._o by_o theophylact_v out_o of_o a_o old_a geographer_n as_o it_o be_v suppose_v it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o be_v it_o not_o very_o improbable_a that_o so_o 47._o small_a a_o city_n as_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v by_o dio_fw-mi and_o other_o shall_v be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o macedonia_n where_o be_v at_o least_o 2._o one_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o city_n as_o pliny_n and_o pomponius_n mela_n tell_v we_o by_o boâ—h_n who_o philippi_n be_v place_v in_o thracia_n and_o not_o in_o macedonia_n but_o two_o argument_n be_v bring_v to_o prove_v philippi_n to_o have_v be_v a_o metropolis_n the_o first_o be_v from_o st._n luke_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act_v 16._o 12._o the_o first_o city_n of_o that_o part_n of_o macedonia_n but_o render_v by_o the_o learned_a doctor_n the_o prime_a city_n of_o the_o province_n of_o macedonia_n but_o it_o will_v be_v worth_a know_v where_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o all_o the_o notitiae_fw-la of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v translate_v a_o province_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o luke_n call_v it_o the_o first_o city_n not_o ratione_fw-la dignitatis_fw-la but_o ratione_fw-la 〈◊〉_d in_o regard_n of_o its_o situation_n and_o not_o its_o dignity_n so_o camerarius_fw-la understand_v luke_n hanc_fw-la esse_fw-la primam_fw-la coloniam_fw-la paâ—tis_fw-la seu_fw-la plagae_fw-la macedonicae_fw-la nimirum_fw-la a_fw-fr thracia_n vicinia_fw-la iter_fw-la in_o macedoniam_fw-la ordiens_n it_o be_v the_o first_o city_n of_o that_o part_n of_o macedonia_n when_o one_o go_v from_o thracia_n into_o it_o and_o so_o it_o appear_v 397._o by_o dio_n describe_v the_o situation_n of_o philippi_n that_o it_o be_v the_o next_o town_n to_o neapolis_n only_o the_o mountain_n symbolon_n come_v between_o they_o and_o neapolis_n be_v upon_o the_o shore_n and_o philippi_n build_v up_o in_o the_o plain_a near_o the_o mountain_n pangaeus_n where_o brutus_n and_o cassius_n encamp_v themselves_o its_o be_v then_o the_o first_o city_n of_o entrance_n into_o macedonia_n prove_v no_o more_o that_o it_o be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o macodonia_n then_o that_o calais_n be_v of_o france_n or_o dover_n of_o england_n but_o it_o be_v further_o plead_v that_o philippi_n be_v a_o colony_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o roman_a judicature_n be_v there_o but_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o philippi_n be_v not_o the_o only_a colony_n in_o macedonia_n for_o pliny_n reckon_v up_o cassandria_n paria_fw-la and_o other_o for_o which_o 37._o we_o must_v understand_v that_o macedonia_n be_v long_o since_o make_v a_o province_n by_o paulus_n and_o in_o the_o division_n of_o the_o roman_a province_n by_o augustus_n strabo_n reckon_v it_o with_o illyricum_n among_o the_o province_n belong_v to_o the_o roman_a people_n and_o senate_n and_o so_o likewise_o do_v dio._n but_o it_o appear_v by_o suetonius_n that_o tiberius_n 25._o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n in_o the_o danger_n of_o war_n in_o the_o province_n take_v it_o into_o his_o own_o hand_n but_o it_o be_v return_v by_o claudius_n to_o the_o senatâ—_n again_o together_o with_o achaia_n thence_o dio_n speak_v of_o macedonia_n 57_o in_o the_o time_n of_o tiberius_n say_v it_o be_v govern_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v by_o those_o who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o praefecti_fw-la casaris_fw-la such_o as_o be_v send_v by_o the_o emperor_n to_o be_v his_o precedent_n in_o the_o province_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o proconsuli_n who_o be_v choose_v by_o lot_n after_o their_o consulship_n into_o the_o several_a province_n and_o therefore_o dio_n express_v claudius_n his_o return_v macedonia_n into_o the_o senate_n hand_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o put_v it_o to_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o senate_n again_o now_o macedonia_n have_v be_v thus_o long_o a_o province_n oâ—_n the_o roman_a empire_n what_o probability_n be_v there_o because_o philippi_n be_v a_o colony_n therefore_o it_o must_v be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o macedonia_n second_o we_o find_v not_o the_o least_o evidence_n either_o in_o scripture_n or_o elsewhere_o that_o the_o proconsul_n of_o macedonia_n have_v his_o residence_n at_o philippi_n yea_o we_o have_v some_o evidence_n against_o it_o out_o of_o scripture_n act_n 16_o 20_o 22._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o magistrate_n if_o there_o have_v be_v the_o tribunal_n of_o a_o proconsul_n here_o we_o shall_v certain_o have_v have_v it_o mention_v as_o gallio_n proconsul_n of_o achaia_n be_v mention_v in_o a_o like_a case_n at_o corinth_n act_v 18._o 12._o two_o sort_n of_o magistrate_n be_v here_o express_v 8._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o city_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v the_o duumviri_fw-la of_o the_o colony_n or_o else_o the_o deputy_n of_o the_o proconsul_n reside_v there_o but_o i_o incline_v rather_o to_o the_o former_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v only_o a_o duumvir_fw-la but_o 10._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o praetor_n as_o heinsius_n observe_v from_o the_o glossary_a of_o h._n stephen_n for_o every_o colony_n have_v a_o duumvirate_n to_o rule_v it_o answer_v to_o the_o consul_n and_o praetor_n at_o rome_n but_o all_o this_o may_v have_v be_v spare_v when_o we_o consider_v how_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o thessalonica_n be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o macedonia_n as_o appear_v by_o antipater_n in_o the_o greek_a epigram_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o praefectus_fw-la prâ—torio_n illyâ—ici_fw-la have_v 〈…〉_z dence_z aâ—_n thâ—ssalonica_n as_o theodoreâ—_n tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &c_n &c_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 12._o thâ—ssalonica_n be_v a_o great_a populous_a city_n where_o the_o lieutenant_n of_o illyricum_n do_v reside_v and_o so_o in_o probability_n do_v the_o viâ—arius_n macedonia_n it_o be_v call_v the_o metropolis_n of_o macedonia_n likewise_o by_o socrâ—â—â—s_n and_o in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a sense_n it_o be_v so_o call_v by_o aetius_n the_o bishop_n thereof_o in_o the_o council_n of_o sardicaâ—_n and_o carolus_n à _fw-it sancto_fw-it paulo_n think_v it_o be_v not_o only_o 16._o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o province_n of_o macedonia_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a diocèâ—s_n which_o in_o the_o east_n be_v much_o large_a than_o the_o province_n i_o suppose_v he_o mean_v that_o which_o answer_v to_o the_o 14._o vâ—carius_n macedoniae_n and_o thence_o in_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n and_o chalcedon_n the_o subscription_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o thâ—ssalonicâ—_n waâ—_n next_o to_o the_o patriarch_n but_o for_o philippi_n the_o same_o author_n acknowledge_v it_o not_o to_o have_v be_v a_o metropolitan_a church_n in_o the_o first_o six_o century_n but_o after_o that_o macedonia_n be_v divide_v into_o prima_fw-la and_o secunda_fw-la which_o be_v after_o the_o division_n of_o it_o in_o the_o empire_n into_o prima_fw-la and_o salutaris_fw-la than_o philippi_n come_v to_o have_v the_o honorary_a title_n of_o a_o metropolitan_a although_o in_o hierocles_n his_o notitia_fw-la philippi_n be_v place_v as_o the_o twenty_o first_o city_n under_o the_o metropoles_fw-la of_o thâ—ssalonica_n so_o much_o to_o evidence_n the_o weakness_n of_o the_o first_o pillar_n viz._n that_o these_o city_n be_v metropoles_fw-la in_o the_o civil_a sense_n and_o this_o be_v take_v away_o the_o other_o fall_v of_o its_o self_n for_o if_o the_o apostle_n do_v model_n the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n according_a to_o the_o civil_a then_o metropolitan_a church_n be_v plant_v only_o in_o metropolitan_a city_n and_o these_o be_v clear_v not_o to_o have_v be_v the_o latter_a it_o be_v evident_a they_o be_v not_o the_o former_a but_o however_o let_v we_o see_v what_o evidence_n be_v bring_v of_o such_o a_o subordination_n of_o all_o other_o church_n to_o the_o metropolitan_o by_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o only_a evidence_n produce_v out_o of_o scripture_n for_o such_o a_o subordination_n and_o dependence_n of_o the_o church_n of_o lesser_a city_n upon_o the_o great_a be_v from_o actâ—_n 16._o 1_o 4_o compare_v with_o act_n 15._o 23._o the_o argument_n run_v thus_o the_o
rome_n distinct_a from_o the_o city_n and_o the_o church_n in_o it_o for_o in_o that_o sense_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v oppose_v to_o live_v in_o the_o city_n and_o so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v distinct_a from_o the_o citizen_n as_o in_o thucydides_n and_o other_o but_o i_o believe_v no_o instance_n can_v possible_o be_v produce_v wherein_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d take_v in_o that_o sense_n do_v comprehend_v in_o it_o both_o city_n and_o country_n but_o be_v take_v in_o the_o former_a sense_n it_o be_v first_o apply_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o the_o city_n but_o when_o the_o church_n of_o the_o city_n do_v spread_v itself_o into_o the_o country_n than_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d comprehend_v the_o christian_n both_o in_o city_n and_o country_n adjoin_v to_o it_o which_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o second_o step_n of_o christian_a church_n 4._o when_o church_n take_v in_o the_o village_n and_o territory_n adjoin_v to_o the_o city_n for_o which_o we_o must_v understand_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o subordination_n of_o the_o village_n and_o territory_n about_o do_v primary_o arise_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v spread_v abroad_o from_o the_o several_a city_n into_o the_o country_n about_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o preachedmost_a as_o we_o read_v in_o scripture_n in_o the_o city_n because_o of_o the_o great_a resort_n of_o people_n thither_o there_o they_o plant_v church_n and_o settle_v the_o government_n of_o they_o in_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n which_o not_o only_o take_v care_n for_o the_o government_n of_o church_n already_o constitute_v but_o for_o the_o gather_a more_o now_o the_o person_n who_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o adjacent_a territory_n be_v of_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o city_n the_o person_n by_o they_o convert_v be_v adjoin_v to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o city_n and_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o those_o lesser_a church_n be_v at_o first_o determine_v by_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o city_n afterward_o when_o these_o church_n increase_v and_o have_v peculiar_a officer_n set_v over_o they_o by_o the_o senate_n of_o the_o city-church_n although_o these_o do_v rule_n and_o govern_v their_o flock_n yet_o it_o always_o be_v with_o a_o subordination_n to_o and_o dependence_n upon_o the_o government_n of_o the_o city-church_n so_o that_o by_o this_o mean_n he_o that_o be_v precedent_n of_o the_o senate_n in_o the_o city_n do_v likewise_o superintend_v all_o the_o church_n plant_v in_o the_o adjoin_a territory_n which_o be_v the_o original_n of_o that_o which_o the_o greek_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o latin_n the_o diocese_n of_o the_o bishop_n the_o church_n where_o the_o bishop_n be_v peculiar_o resident_a with_o the_o clergy_n be_v call_v matrix_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la and_o cathedra_fw-la principaliâ—_n 71._o as_o the_o several_a parish_n which_o at_o first_o be_v divide_v according_a to_o the_o several_a region_n of_o the_o city_n be_v call_v tituli_fw-la and_o those_o plant_v in_o the_o territory_n about_o the_o city_n call_v paroeciae_fw-la when_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o presbyter_n but_o when_o to_o the_o bishop_n it_o note_v a_o diocese_n those_o that_o be_v plant_v in_o these_o country-parish_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o greek_n and_o by_o the_o latin_n presbyteri_fw-la regionarii_fw-la conregionale_n forastici_fw-la ruriâ—_n agrorum_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la from_o who_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v distinct_a as_o evident_o appear_v by_o the_o thirteen_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o neocaesarea_n where_o the_o country_n presbyter_n be_v forbid_v to_o administer_v the_o lord_n supper_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o bishop_n on_o the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o city_n but_o the_o chorepiscopi_fw-la be_v allow_v to_o do_v it_o salmasiuâ—_n think_v these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v so_o call_v as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o episcopi_fw-la 164._o villani_fw-la such_o as_o be_v only_a presbyter_n and_o be_v set_v over_o the_o church_n in_o village_n but_o though_o they_o be_v original_o presbyter_n yet_o they_o be_v â—aised_v to_o some_o high_a authority_n over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o the_o original_n of_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v that_o when_o church_n be_v so_o much_o multiply_v in_o the_o country_n adjacent_a to_o the_o city_n that_o the_o bishop_n in_o his_o own_o person_n can_v not_o be_v present_a to_o oversee_v the_o action_n and_o carriage_n of_o the_o several_a presbyter_n of_o the_o country_n church_n than_o they_o ordain_v some_o of_o the_o fit_a in_o their_o several_a diocese_n to_o super_fw-la intend_v the_o several_a presbyter_n lie_v remore_n from_o the_o city_n from_o which_o office_n of_o they_o they_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o they_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d go_v about_o and_o visit_v the_o several_a church_n this_o be_v the_o account_n give_v of_o they_o by_o beza_n and_o blondel_n as_o well_o as_o other_o all_o those_o 94._o several_a place_n that_o be_v convert_v to_o the_o say_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o city_n do_v all_o make_v but_o one_o church_n with_o the_o city_n whereof_o we_o have_v this_o twofold_a evidence_n first_o from_o the_o eulogiâ—_n which_o be_v at_o first_o parcel_n of_o the_o bread_n consecrate_v for_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v send_v by_o the_o deacon_n or_o acâ—luthi_a to_o those_o that_o be_v absent_a in_o token_n of_o their_o communion_n in_o the_o same_o church_n justin_n martyr_n be_v the_o first_o who_o acquaint_v we_o with_o this_o custom_n of_o the_o 97._o church_n after_o say_v he_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o assembly_n have_v consecrate_v the_o bread_n and_o wine_n the_o deacon_n stand_v ready_a to_o distribute_v it_o to_o every_o one_o person_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o carry_v it_o to_o those_o that_o be_v absent_a damascus_n attribute_n the_o begin_n of_o this_o custom_n to_o miltiades_n bishop_n of_o rome_n hic_fw-la fecit_fw-la ut_fw-la oblationes_fw-la consecrate_v per_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la ex_fw-la consecratione_fw-la episcopi_fw-la 5_o dirigerentur_fw-la quod_fw-la declaratur_fw-la fermentum_fw-la so_o innocentius_n ad_fw-la decentium_fw-la de_fw-fr fermento_fw-la verò_fw-la quod_fw-la die_v dominica_n per_fw-la titulos_fw-la mittimus_fw-la etc._n etc._n ut_fw-la se_fw-la à _fw-la nostra_fw-la communione_fw-la maxim_n illa_fw-la die_fw-la non_fw-la judicent_fw-la separaâ—osâ—_n whereby_o it_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n of_o rome_n and_o other_o place_n to_o send_v from_o the_o cathedral_n church_n the_o bread_n consecrate_v to_o the_o several_a parish-church_n to_o note_v their_o joint-communion_n in_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n neither_o be_v it_o send_v only_o to_o the_o several_a tituli_fw-la in_o the_o city_n but_o to_o the_o village_n round_o about_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o question_n propound_v by_o dâ—centius_n although_o at_o rome_n it_o seem_v they_o send_v it_o only_o to_o the_o church_n within_o the_o city_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o answer_n of_o innocentius_n but_o albaspinus_n take_v it_o for_o 8._o grant_v as_o a_o general_a custom_n upon_o some_o set-daye_n to_o send_v these_o eulogiâ—_n through_o the_o whole_a diocese_n nam_fw-la cum_fw-la per_fw-la vicos_fw-la &_o agros_fw-la sparsi_fw-la &_o diffuse_v ex_fw-la â—adem_fw-la non_fw-la pâ—ssint_fw-la sumere_fw-la communione_fw-la cuperentque_fw-la sâ—mper_fw-la union_n be_v christianâ—_n &_o christi_fw-la corporis_fw-la speciem_fw-la quam_fw-la pâ—ssint_fw-la maximam_fw-la râ—tinere_fw-la solâ—â—nissimis_fw-la diâ—bus_fw-la &_o festivis_fw-la ex_fw-la matrice_n per_fw-la parochias_fw-la bene_fw-la dictus_fw-la mitâ—ebatur_fw-la panis_fw-la ex_fw-la â—ujus_fw-la pâ—rceptione_n communitas_fw-la quae_fw-la inter_fw-la omnes_fw-la fideles_fw-la â—jusdem_fw-la dâ—oecesis_fw-la intercedere_fw-la debet_fw-la intelligebatur_fw-la &_o repraesentabatur_fw-la sure_o then_o the_o diocese_n be_v not_o very_o large_a iâ—_n all_o the_o several_a parish_n can_v communicate_v on_o the_o same_o day_n with_o what_o be_v send_v from_o the_o cathedral_n church_n afterward_o they_o send_v not_o part_v of_o the_o bread_n of_o the_o lords-supper_n but_o some_o other_o 243_o in_o analogy_n to_o that_o to_o denote_v their_o mutual_a contesseration_n in_o the_o say_v and_o communion_n in_o the_o same_o church_n second_o it_o appear_v that_o still_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o church_n by_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o country_n or_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n and_o at_o ordination_n and_o in_o council_n so_o rom._n at_o the_o choice_n of_o boniface_n relictis_fw-la singuli_fw-la titulis_fw-la suis_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la omnes_fw-la aderunt_fw-la qui_fw-la voluntatem_fw-la svam_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la dâ—i_fw-la judicium_fw-la proloquantur_fw-la whereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o the_o clergy_n have_v their_o voice_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o pope_n lâ—o_o require_v these_o thing_n as_o necessary_a to_o the_o
ordination_n of_o a_o bishop_n subscriptio_fw-la clericorum_fw-la honoratorum_fw-la testimonium_fw-la ordinis_fw-la consensus_fw-la &_o plebis_fw-la and_o in_o the_o same_o chapter_n speak_v 90._o of_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o bishop_n he_o say_v it_o be_v do_v subscribentibus_fw-la plus_fw-la minus_fw-la septuagintâ—_n presbyteris_fw-la and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observe_v that_o all_o the_o clergy_n concur_v to_o the_o choice_n even_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n till_o after_o the_o time_n of_o that_o hildebrand_n call_v greg._n 7._o in_o who_o time_n popery_n come_v to_o age_n thence_o 52._o casaubon_n call_v it_o haeresin_fw-la hildebrandinam_fw-la cornelius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v choose_v clericoram_n pene_fw-la omnium_fw-la testimonio_fw-la and_o in_o the_o council_n at_o rome_n under_o syluâ—ster_n it_o be_v decree_v that_o none_o of_o the_o clergy_n shall_v be_v ordain_v nisi_fw-la cum_fw-la tota_fw-la adunata_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la 11._o many_o instance_n be_v bring_v from_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n which_o i_o pass_v over_o as_o common_o know_v it_o be_v account_v the_o matter_n of_o a_o accusation_n against_o chrysostom_n by_o his_o enemy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 15._o that_o he_o ordain_v without_o the_o council_n and_o assistance_n of_o his_o clergy_n the_o presence_n of_o the_o clergy_n at_o council_n have_v be_v already_o show_v thus_o we_o see_v how_o when_o the_o church_n of_o the_o city_n be_v enlarge_v into_o the_o country_n the_o power_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v extend_v with_o it_o the_o next_o step_n observable_a in_o the_o church_n increase_n be_v 5._o when_o several_a of_o these_o church_n lie_v together_o in_o one_o province_n do_v associate_v one_o with_o another_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v a_o great_a eye_n to_o the_o preserve_a unity_n among_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o and_o thence_o they_o keep_v so_o strict_a a_o correspondency_n among_o the_o several_a bishop_n in_o the_o commercium_fw-la formatarum_fw-la the_o formula_fw-la of_o writing_n which_o to_o prevent_v deceit_n may_v be_v see_v in_o justellus_n his_o note_n on_o the_o codex_fw-la canonum_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la africanae_n and_o for_o a_o maintain_n 127._o of_o near_a correspondency_n among_o the_o bishop_n themselves_o of_o a_o province_n it_o be_v agree_v among_o themselves_o for_o the_o better_a carry_v on_o of_o their_o common_a work_n to_o call_v a_o provincial_a synod_n twice_o every_o year_n to_o debate_v all_o cause_n of_o concernment_n there_o among_o themselves_o and_o to_o agree_v upon_o such_o way_n as_o might_n most_o conduce_v to_o the_o advance_v the_o common_a interest_n of_o christianity_n of_o these_o tertullian_n speak_v aguntur_fw-la precept_n per_fw-la gracias_fw-la illas_fw-la certis_fw-la in_o locis_fw-la concilia_fw-la ex_fw-la universis_fw-la ecclesâ—is_fw-la per_fw-la quae_fw-la &_o altiora_fw-la quaeque_fw-la in_o communi_fw-la tractantur_fw-la &_o ipsa_fw-la psych_n repraesentatio_fw-la nominis_fw-la christiani_n magna_fw-la uâ—neratione_n celebratur_fw-la of_o these_o the_o thirty_o eight_o canon_n apostolical_a as_o it_o be_v call_v express_o speak_v which_o canon_n though_o not_o of_o authority_n sufficient_a to_o ground_v any_o right_n upon_o may_v yet_o be_v allow_v the_o place_n of_o a_o testimony_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n especial_o towards_o the_o three_o century_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 38._o twice_o a_o year_n a_o synod_n of_o bishop_n be_v to_o be_v keep_v for_o discuss_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o resolve_v matter_n of_o practice_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n the_o council_n of_o antioch_n a._n d._n 343_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 99_o to_o these_o council_n the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n come_v as_o appear_v by_o that_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n and_o in_o the_o seven_o canon_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n by_o alphon_n we_o pisanus_n the_o same_o custom_n be_v decree_v but_o no_o such_o thing_n occurr_v in_o the_o codex_fw-la canonum_fw-la either_o of_o tilius_fw-la or_o justellus_n his_o edition_n and_o the_o arabic_a ediâ—â—â—â—_n of_o that_o council_n be_v conceive_v to_o have_v be_v compile_v above_o four_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o council_n set_v but_o however_o we_o see_v evidence_n enough_o of_o this_o practice_n of_o celebrate_v provincial_a synod_n twice_o a_o year_n now_o in_o the_o assemble_v of_o these_o bishop_n together_o for_o mutual_a counsel_n in_o their_o affair_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o some_o order_n to_o be_v observe_v there_o be_v no_o difference_n as_o to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n themselves_o who_o have_v all_o equal_a authority_n in_o their_o several_a church_n and_o none_o over_o one_o another_o for_o episcopatus_fw-la unus_fw-la â—st_fw-la cujus_fw-la â—_o singulis_fw-la in_o solidum_fw-la pars_fw-la tenetur_fw-la ecceles_n as_o cyprian_n speak_v and_o as_o jerome_n ubicunq_n episcopus_fw-la fuerit_fw-la sive_fw-la romae_fw-la sive_fw-la eugubii_n sive_fw-la constantinopoli_fw-it sive_fw-la râ—egii_fw-la sive_fw-la alexandria_n sive_fw-la tanis_n ejusdem_fw-la est_fw-la meriti_fw-la ejusdem_fw-la est_fw-la &_o sacerdotii_fw-la evagrun_n potentia_fw-la divitiarum_fw-la &_o paupertatis_fw-la humilitas_fw-la vel_fw-la sublimiorem_fw-la vel_fw-la inferiorem_fw-la episcopum_fw-la non_fw-la facit_fw-la caterum_fw-la omnes_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la successores_fw-la sunt_fw-la there_o be_v then_o no_o difference_n between_o they_o no_o man_n call_z himself_z episcopum_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la as_o cyprian_a elsewhere_o speak_v some_o other_o way_n must_v be_v find_v out_o to_o preserve_v order_n among_o they_o and_o to_o moderate_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o council_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v determine_v in_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n that_o he_o that_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o metropolis_n shall_v have_v the_o honour_n of_o metropolitan_a among_o the_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 17._o because_o of_o the_o great_a confluence_n of_o people_n to_o that_o city_n therefore_o he_o shall_v have_v the_o pre-eminence_n above_o the_o rest_n we_o see_v how_o far_o they_o be_v from_o attribute_v any_o divine_a right_n to_o metropolitaus_n and_o therefore_o the_o right_n of_o metropolitan_o be_v call_v by_o the_o six_o canon_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o have_v be_v a_o dishonourable_a introduction_n for_o the_o metropolitan_a right_n have_v they_o think_v they_o ground_v upon_o apostolical_a institution_n nothing_o more_o evident_a in_o antiquity_n then_o the_o honour_n of_o metropolitan_o depend_v upon_o their_o see_z thence_o when_o any_o city_n be_v raise_v by_o the_o emperor_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o metropoles_fw-la their_o bishop_n become_v a_o metropolitan_a as_o be_v most_o evident_a in_o justiniana_n prima_fw-la and_o for_o it_o there_o be_v canon_n in_o the_o council_n decree_a it_o but_o of_o this_o more_o afterward_o the_o chief_a bishop_n of_o africa_n be_v only_o call_v primae_fw-la sedis_fw-la episcop_n 〈…〉_z thence_o we_o have_v a_o canon_n in_o the_o codex_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la africanâ—_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 39_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o chief_a see_v shall_v not_o be_v call_v the_o exarch_n of_o the_o priest_n or_o chief_a priest_n or_o any_o thing_n of_o like_a nature_n but_o only_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o chief_a seat_n therefore_o it_o have_v be_v well_o observe_v that_o the_o african_a church_n do_v retain_v long_o the_o primitive_a simplicity_n and_o humility_n among_o they_o and_o when_o the_o voice_n be_v say_v to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o flow_a in_o of_o riches_n hodie_fw-la venenum_fw-la effusum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o ecclesiam_fw-la by_o the_o work_n of_o which_o poison_n the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prelate_n begin_v to_o swell_v with_o pride_n and_o ambition_n as_o be_v too_o evident_a in_o church_n history_n only_a africa_n escape_v the_o infection_n most_o and_o resist_v the_o tyrannical_a encroachment_n of_o the_o roman_a bishop_n with_o the_o great_a magnanimity_n and_o courage_n as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o the_o excellent_a epistle_n of_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n to_o boniface_n bishop_n of_o rome_n 341_o in_o the_o codex_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la africanae_n so_o thaâ—_n however_o africa_n have_v be_v always_o fruitful_a of_o monster_n yet_o in_o that_o ambitious_a age_n it_o have_v no_o other_o wonder_n but_o only_o this_o that_o it_o shall_v escape_v so_o free_a from_o that_o typhus_fw-la saecularis_fw-la as_o they_o then_o call_v it_o that_o monstrous_a itch_n of_o pride_n and_o ambition_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v well_o rise_v to_o the_o last_o step_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v after_o the_o empire_n grow_v christian_n and_o many_o province_n do_v associate_v together_o than_o the_o honour_n and_o power_n of_o patriarch_n come_v upon_o the_o stage_n and_o now_o begin_v the_o whole_a christian_a world_n to_o be_v the_o cock_n pit_n wherein_o the_o two_o great_a prelate_n of_o rome_n and_o constantinople_n strive_v with_o their_o great_a force_n for_o mastery_n of_o one_o another_o and_o the_o whole_a world_n
with_o they_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o action_n of_o paschasinus_n the_o roman_a legate_n in_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n from_o whence_o forward_o the_o great_a leviâ—than_n by_o his_o tumble_v in_o the_o wave_n endeavour_v to_o get_v the_o dominion_n of_o all_o into_o his_o hand_n but_o god_n have_v at_o last_o put_v a_o hook_n into_o his_o nostril_n and_o raise_v up_o the_o great_a instrument_n of_o reformation_n who_o like_o the_o sword_n fish_n have_v so_o pierce_v into_o his_o bowel_n that_o by_o his_o tumble_v he_o may_v only_o hasten_v his_o approach_a ruin_n and_o give_v the_o church_n every_o day_n more_o hope_n of_o see_v its_o self_n free_v from_o the_o tyranny_n of_o a_o usurp_v power_n by_o this_o scheme_n and_o draught_n now_o of_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o church_n power_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a then_o that_o it_o rise_v not_o from_o any_o divine_a institution_n but_o only_o from_o positive_a &_o ecclesiastical_a law_n make_v according_a to_o the_o several_a state_n and_o condition_n wherein_o the_o church_n be_v which_o as_o it_o gradual_o grow_v up_o so_o waâ—_n the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n by_o mutual_a consent_n fit_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o several_a age_n which_o be_v the_o fiâ—st_a argument_n that_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v not_o conceive_v its_o self_n bind_v to_o observe_v any_o one_o unalterable_a form_n of_o government_n this_o be_v the_o chief_a the_o rest_n that_o follow_v will_v soon_o be_v dispatch_v the_o second_o be_v from_o the_o great_a variety_n as_o to_o government_n 6._o which_o be_v in_o several_a church_n what_o come_v from_o divine_a right_n be_v observe_v unalterable_o in_o one_o uniform_a &_o constant_a tenor_n but_o what_o we_o find_v so_o much_o diversify_v according_a to_o several_a place_n we_o may_v have_v ground_n to_o look_v on_o only_o as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n which_o be_v follow_v by_o every_o church_n as_o it_o judge_v convenient_a now_o as_o to_o church_n government_n we_o may_v find_v some_o church_n without_o bishop_n for_o a_o long_a time_n some_o but_o with_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o whole_a nation_n many_o city_n without_o any_o where_o bishop_n be_v common_a many_o church_n discontinue_v bishop_n for_o a_o great_a while_n where_o they_o have_v be_v no_o certain_a rule_n observe_v for_o model_v their_o diocese_n where_o they_o be_v still_o continue_v will_v not_o all_o these_o thing_n make_v it_o seem_v very_o improbable_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o apostolical_a institution_n that_o no_o church_n shall_v be_v without_o a_o bishop_n first_o than_o some_o whole_a nation_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v without_o any_o bishop_n at_o all_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v their_o own_o historian_n so_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v the_o great_a antiquary_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n that_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o their_o culdei_n as_o they_o call_v their_o presbyter_n without_o any_o bishop_n over_o they_o for_o a_o long_a time_n johannes_n maior_n speak_v of_o their_o instruction_n in_o the_o faith_n per_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la &_o monachos_fw-la sine_fw-la episcopis_fw-la scoti_n in_fw-la fide_fw-la eruditi_fw-la but_o least_o 2._o that_o shall_v be_v interpret_v only_o of_o theâ—r_a conversion_n johannes_n fordònus_n be_v clear_a and_o full_a to_o their_o government_n from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o conversion_n about_o a._n d_o 263._o to_o the_o come_n of_o palladius_n a._n d._n 430._o that_o they_o be_v only_o govern_v by_o presbyter_n 1._o and_o monk_n ante_fw-la palladii_fw-la adventum_fw-la habebant_fw-la scoti_n fidei_fw-la dâ—ctores_fw-la ac_fw-la sacramentorum_fw-la ministratores_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la solunmodo_fw-la vel_fw-la monachos_fw-la ritum_fw-la sequentes_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la primitivae_fw-la 314._o so_o much_o mistake_v be_v that_o learned_a man_n who_o say_v that_o neither_o beda_n nor_o any_o other_o affirm_v that_o the_o scot_n be_v former_o rule_v by_o a_o presbytery_n or_o so_o much_o as_o that_o they_o have_v any_o presbyter_n among_o they_o neither_o be_v it_o any_o way_n sufficient_a to_o say_v that_o these_o presbyter_n do_v derive_v their_o authority_n from_o some_o bishop_n for_o however_o we_o see_v here_o a_o church_n govern_v without_o such_o or_o if_o they_o have_v any_o they_o be_v only_o choose_v from_o their_o culdei_fw-la much_o after_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n as_o hector_n boethiuâ—_n do_v imply_v and_o if_o we_o believe_v 5._o philostorgius_n the_o gothick_n church_n be_v plant_v and_o govern_v by_o presbyter_n for_o above_o seventy_o year_n for_o so_o long_o it_o be_v from_o their_o first_o conversion_n to_o the_o time_n of_o ulphilas_n who_o he_o make_v their_o first_o bishop_n and_o great_a probability_n there_o be_v that_o where_o church_n be_v plant_v by_o presbyter_n as_o the_o church_n of_o france_n by_o andochius_n and_o benignus_n that_o afterward_o upon_o the_o increase_n of_o church_n and_o presbyter_n to_o rule_v they_o they_o do_v from_o among_o themselves_o choose_v one_o to_o be_v as_o the_o bishop_n over_o they_o as_o pothinus_n be_v at_o lion_n for_o we_o nowhere_o read_v in_o those_o early_a plantation_n of_o church_n that_o where_o there_o be_v presbyter_n already_o they_o send_v to_o other_o church_n to_o derive_v episcopal_a ordination_n from_o they_o now_o for_o whole_a nation_n have_v but_o one_o bishop_n we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o sozomen_n that_o in_o scythia_n which_o by_o the_o roman_n be_v call_v masia_n inferior_a 19_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d although_o there_o be_v many_o city_n they_o have_v but_o one_o bishop_n the_o like_a godignus_n 321._o relate_v of_o the_o abâ—ssine_a church_n though_o their_o territory_n be_v of_o vast_a extent_n there_o be_v but_o only_o one_o bishop_n in_o all_o those_o dominion_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o abuna_n and_o where_o bishop_n be_v most_o common_a it_o be_v evident_a they_o look_v not_o on_o it_o as_o a_o apostolical_a rule_n for_o every_o city_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n which_o it_o must_v have_v if_o it_o be_v a_o apostolical_a institution_n for_o the_o church_n to_o follow_v the_o civil_a government_n theodoret_n mention_n 800_o church_n 113._o under_o his_o charge_n in_o who_o diâ—cess_n ptolemy_n place_v many_o other_o city_n of_o note_n beside_o cirus_n as_o ariseria_fw-la regius_fw-la ruba_n 15_o heraclea_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o province_n of_o tripoli_n he_o reckon_v nine_o city_n which_o have_v but_o five_o bishop_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o notitia_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la africanae_n in_o thracia_n every_o bishop_n have_v several_a city_n under_o hâ—m_n the_o bishop_n of_o heraclea_n that_o and_o panion_n the_o bishop_n of_o byze_n have_v it_o and_o arcadiapolis_n of_o coela_n have_v 7._o it_o and_o callipolis_n sabsadia_n have_v it_o and_o aphrodisias_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o produce_v more_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n either_o ancient_a or_o modern_a they_o be_v so_o common_a and_o obvious_a but_o further_a we_o find_v bishop_n discontinue_v for_o a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o great_a church_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o church_n without_o a_o bishop_n where_o be_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n when_o from_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o fabian_n and_o the_o banishment_n of_o lucius_n the_o church_n be_v govern_v only_o by_o the_o clergy_n 31._o so_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n when_o cyprian_n be_v banish_v the_o church_n of_o the_o east_n when_o meletius_n of_o antioeh_n eusebius_n samosatenus_fw-la pelagius_n of_o laodicea_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o orthodox_n bishop_n be_v banish_v for_o ten_o year_n space_n and_o flavianus_n and_o diodorus_n two_o presbyter_n rule_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n 22._o the_o mean_a while_n the_o church_n of_o carthage_n be_v twenty_o four_o year_n without_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o time_n of_o hunerik_n king_n of_o the_o vandal_n and_o when_o it_o be_v offer_v they_o that_o vand._n they_o may_v have_v a_o bishop_n upon_o admit_v the_o arrian_n to_o a_o free_a exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n among_o they_o their_o answer_n be_v upon_o those_o term_n ecclesia_fw-la episcopum_fw-la non_fw-la delictatur_fw-la habere_fw-la laod._n and_o balsamon_n speak_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o east_n determine_v it_o neither_o safe_a nor_o necessary_a in_o their_o present_a state_n to_o have_v bishop_n set_v up_o over_o they_o and_o last_o for_o their_o diocese_n it_o be_v evident_a there_o be_v no_o certain_a rule_n for_o model_v they_o in_o some_o place_n they_o be_v far_o less_o than_o in_o other_o siast_n general_o in_o the_o primitive_a and_o eastern_a church_n they_o be_v very_o small_a and_o little_a as_o far_o more_o convenient_a for_o the_o end_n of_o they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o bishop_n charge_n it_o be_v observe_v out_o of_o walafridus_n strabo_n by_o a_o learned_a man_n fertur_fw-la in_o orientis_fw-la partibus_fw-la per_fw-la singulas_fw-la urbes_fw-la &_o praefecturas_fw-la singulas_fw-la