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city_n assign_v famous_a great_a 36 3 2.1696 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A33359 Diocesan churches not yet discovered in the primitive times, or, A defence of the answer to Dr. Stillingfleets allegations out of antiquity for such churches against the exceptions offered in the preface to a late treatise called A vindication of the primitive church, where what is further produced out of Scripture and antient authors for diocesan churches is also discussed. Clarkson, David, 1622-1686. 1682 (1682) Wing C4571; ESTC R16204 84,843 132

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their_o be_v not_o near_o so_o many_o this_o gentleman_n be_v concern_v to_o maintain_v there_o be_v not_o one_o thousand_o in_o the_o whole_a christian_n world_n this_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a warrant_n to_o translate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thousand_o more_o than_o once_o though_o that_o it_o be_v in_o that_o discourse_n which_o he_o style_v a_o little_a pamphlet_n so_o translate_v more_o than_o once_o be_v another_o of_o his_o mistake_n and_o a_o three_o all_o in_o two_o line_n be_v that_o the_o author_n ground_n his_o argument_n on_o it_o whereas_o those_o that_o view_v the_o passage_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o will_v see_v it_o have_v be_v more_o for_o his_o advantage_n to_o have_v translate_v it_o ten_o thousand_o he_o that_o can_v allow_v himself_o to_o write_v at_o this_o rate_n may_v easy_o be_v voluminous_a and_o look_v too_o big_a to_o be_v despise_v as_o a_o writer_n of_o little_a pamphlet_n the_o letter_n mention_v pag._n 45._o be_v communicate_v to_o i_o by_o m._n b._n that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o concern_v alexandria_n be_v here_o add_v that_o it_o may_v appear_v how_o much_o it_o be_v mistake_v and_o how_o far_o from_o be_v answer_v for_o alexandria_n it_o be_v the_o great_a city_n in_o the_o empire_n next_o to_o rome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v josephus_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la judaic_a lib._n 5._o c._n cult_a and_o epiphanius_n give_v a_o account_n of_o many_o church_n in_o it_o assign_v to_o several_a presbyter_n viz._n beside_o caesarea_n finish_v by_o athanasius_n that_o of_o dionysius_n theonas_n pierius_n serapion_n persia_n dizia_n mundidius_n annianus_n baucalas_n add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d haeres_fw-la 69._o page_n 728_o this_o notwithstanding_o that_o the_o christian_n at_o alexandria_n which_o hold_v communion_n with_o athanasius_n might_n and_o do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o church_n he_o himself_o declare_v express_o in_o his_o apology_n to_o constantius_n page_n 531._o tom._n 1._o edit_fw-la commelin_n anno_fw-la 1601._o the_o whole_a passage_n be_v too_o large_a to_o transcribe_v or_o translate_v this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o he_o be_v accuse_v for_o assemble_v the_o people_n in_o the_o great_a church_n before_o it_o be_v dedicate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d make_v this_o part_n of_o his_o defence_n the_o confluence_n of_o the_o people_n at_o the_o paschal_n solemnity_n be_v so_o great_a that_o if_o they_o have_v meet_v in_o several_a assembly_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o other_o church_n be_v so_o little_a and_o straight_o that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o suffer_v by_o the_o crowd_n nor_o will_v the_o universal_a harmony_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o people_n have_v be_v so_o visible_a and_o effectual_a if_o they_o have_v meet_v in_o parcel_n therefore_o he_o appeal_v to_o he_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o better_a for_o the_o whole_a multitude_n to_o meet_v in_o that_o great_a church_n be_v a_o place_n large_a enough_o to_o receive_v they_o altogether_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o have_v a_o concurrence_n of_o all_o the_o people_n with_o one_o voice_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o if_o say_v he_o according_a to_o our_o saviviour_n promise_v where_o two_o shall_v agree_v as_o touch_v any_o thing_n it_o shall_v be_v do_v for_o they_o of_o my_o father_n etc._n etc._n how_o prevalent_a will_v be_v the_o one_o voice_n of_o ●●_o numerous_a a_o people_n assemble_v together_o and_o say_v amen_o to_o god_n who_o therefore_o will_v not_o wonder_v who_o will_v not_o count_v it_o a_o happiness_n to_o see_v so_o great_a a_o people_n meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n and_o how_o do_v the_o people_n rejoice_v to_o beh●ld_v one_o another_o whereas_o former_o they_o assemble_v in_o several_a place_n hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o four_o age_n all_o the_o christian_n at_o alexandria_n which_o be_v wont_v at_o other_o time_n to_o meet_v in_o several_a assembly_n be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o church_n may_v and_o do_v contain_v so_o as_o they_o can_v all_o join_v at_o once_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o concur_v in_o one_o amen_o he_o tell_v he_o also_o that_o alexander_n his_o predecessor_n who_o die_v an._n 325_o do_v as_o much_o as_o he_o in_o like_a circumstance_n viz._n assemble_v the_o whole_a multitude_n in_o one_o church_n before_o it_o be_v dedicate_v pag._n 532._o this_o seem_v clear_a enough_o but_o be_v capable_a of_o another_o kind_n of_o proof_n which_o may_v be_v no_o less_o satisfactory_a let_v i_o add_v that_o also_o this_o city_n be_v by_o strabo_n his_o description_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d like_o a_o soldier_n coat_n who_o length_n at_o either_o side_n be_v almost_o 3●_n furlong_n its_o breadth_n at_o either_o end_n 7_o or_o 8_o urlong_n geogr._n lib._n 17._o pag._n 546._o so_o the_o whole_a compass_n will_v be_v less_o than_o ten_o mile_n a_o three_o or_o four_o part_n of_o this_o be_v take_v up_o with_o public_a building_n temple_n and_o royal_a palace_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ibid._n two_o miles_n and_o half_a or_o three_o and_o a_o quarter_n be_v thus_o dispose_v of_o i_o take_v this_o to_o be_v that_o region_n of_o the_o city_n which_o epiphanius_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o he_o tell_v we_o be_v the_o famous_a library_n of_o ptolomeus_n philadelphus_n and_o speak_v of_o it_o in_o his_o time_n as_o destitute_a of_o inhabitant_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d de_fw-fr ponder_n &_o mensur_n n._n 9_o p._n 166_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o city_n be_v assign_v to_o the_o jew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o strabo_n indefinite_o as_o josephus_n quote_v he_o antiquit._fw-la jud._n l._n 14._o c._n 12._o other_o tell_v we_o more_o punctual_o their_o share_n be_v two_o of_o the_o five_o division_n usher_n annal_n latin_a pag._n 859._o though_o many_o of_o they_o have_v their_o habitation_n in_o the_o other_o division_n yet_o they_o have_v two_o five_o part_n entire_a to_o themselves_o and_o this_o be_v i_o suppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o josephus_n say_v the_o successor_n of_o alexander_n set_v apart_o for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bello_fw-la jud._n l._n 2._o cap._n 21._o thus_o we_o see_v already_o how_o 6_o or_o 7_o mile_n of_o the_o 10_o be_v take_v up_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o citizen_n as_o at_o rome_n and_o other_o city_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o age_n be_v heathen_n otherwise_o antonius_n wrong_v the_o city_n who_o i●_n athanasius_n time_n be_v bring_v in_o thus_o exclaim_v by_o jerom._n vit_fw-mi paul_n p._n 243._o vae_fw-la tibi_fw-la alexandria_n quae_fw-la pro_fw-la deo_fw-la portenta_fw-la veneraris_fw-la vae_fw-la tibi_fw-la civitas_fw-la meretrix_n in_fw-la quam_fw-la totius_fw-la orbis_fw-la daemonia_fw-la confluxere_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o charge_n thus_o form_v suppose_v the_o prevail_a party_n to_o be_v guilty_a but_o let_v we_o suppose_v they_o equa_fw-la and_o their_o proportion_n half_a of_o the_o 3_o or_o 4_o mile_n remain_v let_v the_o rest_n be_v divide_v among_o the_o orthodox_n the_o arrian_n the_o novatian_o and_o other_o sect_n and_o if_o we_o be_v just_o a_o large_a part_n will_v fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o heretic_n and_o sectary_n for_o not_o to_o mention_v other_o the_o novatian_o have_v several_a church_n and_o a_o bishop_n there_o till_o cyril_n time_n vid._n socrat._v hist_n l._n 7._o c._n 7._o the_o arian_n be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o who_o profess_v christianity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sozom._n hist_o l._n 1._o c._n 14._o and_o if_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o follower_n by_o their_o leader_n no_o loss_n than_o half_a for_o whereas_o there_o be_v 19_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o that_o church_n theod._n hist_o l._n 4._o c._n 23._o 12_o be_v the_o number_n of_o their_o presbyter_n by_o their_o ancient_a constitution_n as_o appear_v by_o eutychius_n and_o 7_o their_o deacon_n as_o at_o rome_n and_o elsewhere_o 6_o presbyter_n with_o arius_n and_o 5_o deacon_n fall_v off_o from_o the_o catholic_n sozom._n hist_o l._n 1._o c._n 14._o but_o let_v the_o brian_n be_v much_o few_o yet_o will_v not_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n diocese_n i●_n this_o city_n be_v more_o than_o that_o of_o a_o small_a town_n one_o of_o 8_o or_o 12_o furlong_n in_o compass_n and_o so_o the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n upon_o this_o account_n will_v be_v no_o more_o than_o may_v well_o meet_v for_o worship_n in_o one_o place_n finis_fw-la
universi_fw-la in_o majorem_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la conveniebant_fw-la ut_fw-la ibidem_fw-la testatur_fw-la athanasius_n but_o all_o of_o they_o assemble_v together_o in_o the_o great_a church_n as_o athanasius_n testify_v so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n that_o the_o church_n in_o alexandria_n be_v diocesan_n at_o this_o time_n unless_o those_o who_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n may_v make_v such_o a_o church_n yet_o this_o be_v then_o the_o great_a church_n in_o the_o empire_n save_o that_o at_o rome_n and_o what_o he_o add_v make_v that_o at_o rome_n very_o unlike_o such_o diocesan_n church_n as_o be_v now_o assert_v valesius_fw-la infer_v from_o the_o same_o passage_n of_o pope_n innocent_n epistle_n to_o decentius_n which_o petavius_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a that_o though_o there_o be_v several_a title_n or_o church_n in_o rome_n then_o and_o have_v be_v long_o before_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o be_v as_o yet_o appropriate_v to_o any_o presbyter_n but_o they_o be_v serve_v in_o common_a as_o great_a city_n in_o holland_n and_o some_o other_o reform_a country_n that_o have_v several_a church_n and_o minister_n etc._n etc._n the_o advocate_n for_o these_o church_n who_o assign_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o diocese_n with_o most_o moderation_n will_v have_v it_o to_o comprise_v a_o city_n with_o a_o territory_n belong_v to_o it_o but_o there_o be_v no_o church_n in_o the_o territory_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n he_o have_v none_o but_o within_o the_o city_n as_o innocentius_n declare_v in_o the_o cite_a epistle_n whereas_o now_o the_o great_a city_n with_o a_o territory_n large_a than_o some_o ancient_a province_n be_v count_v little_a enough_o for_o a_o diocese_n further_o it_o be_v now_o judge_v to_o be_v no_o diocese_n which_o comprise_v not_o very_o many_o church_n with_o presbyter_n appropriate_v to_o they_o but_o he_o tell_v we_o none_o of_o the_o church_n in_o rome_n be_v appropriate_v to_o any_o presbyter_n but_o they_o be_v serve_v in_o common_a how_o as_o great_a city_n in_o holland_n and_o some_o other_o reform_a country_n and_o then_o they_o be_v rule_v in_o common_a as_o these_o city_n be_v the_o government_n of_o many_o church_n be_v not_o there_o nor_o be_v of_o old_a ever_o entrust_v in_o one_o hand_n and_o thus_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v no_o more_o a_o diocesan_n than_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o city_n he_o conclude_v 66._o conclude_v pag._n 66._o with_o two_o assertion_n which_o will_v neither_o of_o they_o hold_v good_a the_o first_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a out_o of_o athanasius_n how_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n have_v from_o the_o beginning_n several_a fix_a congregation_n under_o he_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v evident_a in_o athanasius_n that_o he_o have_v not_o one_o word_n which_o so_o much_o as_o intimate_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n from_o the_o beginning_n have_v any_o such_o congregation_n under_o he_o the_o other_o be_v that_o those_o of_o mareote_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o receive_v the_o faith_n almost_o as_o early_o as_o alexandria_n how_o true_a this_o be_v we_o may_v understand_v by_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o three_o age_n who_o declare_v that_o then_o mareote_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 11._o 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 11._o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o true_a christian_n in_o it_o that_o it_o have_v none_o of_o our_o author_n be_v old_a christian_n i._n e._n virtuous_a good_a man_n 60._o man_n pag._n 60._o nor_o be_v it_o likely_a that_o the_o faith_n be_v there_o general_o receive_v till_o many_o year_n after_o and_o therefore_o not_o almost_o so_o early_o as_o alexandria_n unless_o the_o distance_n of_o above_o 200_o year_n will_v consist_v with_o his_o almost_o for_o alexandria_n receive_v the_o faith_n by_o the_o preach_n of_o mark_n who_o arrive_v there_o say_v eusebius_n in_o the_o 2d_o of_o claudius_n euseb_n claudius_n chron._n euseb_n other_o in_o the_o 3d._n of_o caligula_n alex._n caligula_n chron._n alex._n but_o in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o mareote_n have_v so_o many_o christian_n as_o bishop_n ischyras_n his_o church_n there_o consist_v of_o though_o those_o be_v but_o seven_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 615._o 〈◊〉_d athan._n apol._n 2._o pag._n 615._o but_o enough_o of_o alexandria_n though_o our_o author_n be_v far_o from_o bring_v enough_o to_o prove_v it_o even_o in_o the_o four_o age_n a_o diocesan_n church_n he_o may_v be_v excuse_v for_o do_v his_o utmost_a to_o this_o purpose_n consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o it_o for_o if_o this_o church_n be_v not_o now_o so_o numerous_a as_o to_o be_v diocesan_n it_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a to_o expect_v a_o discovery_n of_o any_o such_o church_n in_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n in_o those_o time_n for_o this_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o great_a city_n and_o church_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n next_o to_o rome_n so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v so_o fair_a a_o pretence_n for_o any_o other_o inferior_a to_o this_o such_o as_o jerusalem_n carthage_n antioch_n etc._n etc._n much_o less_o for_o ordinary_a city_n which_o be_v 10_o time_n less_o considerable_a than_o some_o of_o the_o former_a as_o may_v be_v collect_v from_o what_o chrysostome_n say_v of_o one_o of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o it_o be_v able_a to_o maintain_v the_o poor_a of_o ten_o city_n 〈◊〉_d city_n in_o mat_n hom._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o far_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o letter_n let_v i_o now_o return_v to_o our_o author_n preface_n to_o show_v that_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n adhere_v to_o athanasius_n be_v not_o so_o exceed_o numerous_a as_o be_v pretend_v and_o not_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o christian_n now_o in_o london_n i_o have_v say_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o city_n be_v at_o this_o time_n heathen_n or_o jew_n of_o those_o who_o pass_v for_o christian_n it_o be_v like_o athanasius_n have_v the_o lesser_a share_n 34._o share_n pag._n 34._o the_o novatian_o and_o other_o sect_n the_o meletian_o especial_o and_o the_o arian_n do_v probable_o exceed_v his_o flock_n in_o number_n it_o may_v be_v the_o arian_n there_o be_v more_o numerous_a this_o last_o clause_n which_o appear_v by_o the_o expression_n i_o be_v not_o positive_a in_o he_o alone_o six_o on_o and_o will_v disprove_v it_o by_o a_o passage_n out_o of_o athanasius_n but_o the_o greek_a be_v false_a print_v and_o and_o the_o sense_n defective_a for_o want_v of_o some_o word_n and_o so_o no_o judgement_n can_v be_v well_o pass_v thereon_o unless_o i_o see_v it_o and_o where_o to_o see_v it_o he_o give_v no_o direction_n my_o concern_n therein_o be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o to_o search_v for_o it_o through_o so_o voluminous_a a_o author_n it_o will_v serve_v my_o turn_n well_o enough_o if_o the_o arian_n be_v but_o very_o numerous_a or_o as_o sozomen_n express_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 14_o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 1._o c._n 14_o which_o can_v be_v deny_v though_o they_o alone_o be_v not_o more_o numerous_a the_o last_o thing_n he_o will_v take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o diocese_n of_o theodoret_n but_o this_o be_v remit_v to_o the_o dean_n of_o paul_n yet_o one_o thing_n he_o say_v he_o can_v omit_v though_o some_o may_v think_v that_o he_o have_v better_o have_v pass_v it_o as_o he_o have_v many_o other_o thing_n than_o be_v so_o much_o in_o haste_n to_o slip_v at_o almost_o every_o line_n as_o he_o do_v in_o those_o few_o which_o concern_v it_o if_o these_o 800_o church_n not_o 80_o as_o this_o gentleman_n reckon_v they_o it_o be_v not_o he_o but_o the_o printer_n that_o so_o reckon_v they_o as_o the_o errata_fw-la show_n belong_v to_o he_o as_o metropolitan_a and_o they_o be_v all_o episcopal_a church_n i_o never_o meet_v with_o any_o before_o that_o take_v they_o for_o episcopal_a church_n and_o how_o he_o shall_v fall_v into_o this_o mistake_n i_o can_v imagine_v i_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o he_o create_v it_o to_o make_v himself_o work_v this_o poor_a region_n of_o cyrus_n will_v have_v more_o bishop_n than_o all_o africa_n not_o so_o neither_o for_o by_o the_o conference_n at_o carthage_n and_o the_o abbreviation_n of_o it_o by_o st._n austin_n much_o more_o to_o be_v rely_v on_o than_o the_o notitia_fw-la publish_v by_o simond_n which_o be_v neither_o consistent_a with_o other_o nor_o with_o itself_o africa_n have_v many_o more_o bishop_n than_o 800_o notwithstanding_o they_o be_v more_o numerous_a there_o than_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o nor_o will_v this_o pass_v for_o true_a with_o those_o who_o take_v his_o own_o account_n concern_v their_o number_n in_o africa_n which_o
popery_n in_o their_o account_n the_o follow_a sheet_n have_v lie_v by_o i_o many_o month_n and_o have_v do_v so_o still_o but_o that_o the_o importunity_n of_o some_o and_o the_o misrepresent_v of_o my_o silence_n by_o other_o force_v i_o to_o publish_v they_o diocesan_a church_n not_o yet_o discover_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n to_o show_v that_o many_o presbyter_n in_o one_o church_n be_v not_o enough_o to_o prove_v it_o a_o diocesan_n i_o i_o make_v it_o manifest_v that_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o the_o ancient_a church_n to_o multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o what_o we_o count_v necessary_a not_o beyond_o what_o be_v necessary_a as_o it_o be_v too_o often_o misrepresent_v for_o this_o i_o offer_v two_o testimony_n one_o assert_v it_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o first_o age_n the_o other_o in_o the_o four_o and_o think_v these_o sufficient_a if_o they_o can_v not_o be_v deny_v as_o they_o be_v not_o to_o evince_v it_o to_o have_v be_v so_o in_o the_o three_o for_o who_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v but_o that_o have_v place_n in_o the_o three_o which_o be_v usual_a both_o in_o the_o age_n before_o and_o after_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o bishop_n downham_n who_o say_v at_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o city_n the_o number_n of_o people_n convert_v be_v not_o much_o great_a than_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n place_v among_o they_o but_o this_o it_o be_v say_v can_v be_v of_o little_a use_n because_o 1._o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v not_o a_o new_a convert_v church_n but_o settle_v long_o before_o and_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n the_o church_n of_o carthage_n by_o the_o fierce_a persecution_n in_o cyprian_n time_n which_o be_v the_o time_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v bring_v so_o low_a and_o reduce_v to_o so_o very_a few_o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v but_o new_a convert_v and_o how_o be_v it_o in_o a_o settle_a and_o flourish_a condition_n when_o it_o be_v so_o lamentable_o waste_v and_o still_o harrass_v one_o year_n after_o another_o or_o who_o can_v believe_v it_o that_o read_v cyprian_n lament_v pressurae_fw-la istius_fw-la tam_fw-la turbidam_fw-la vastitatem_fw-la quae_fw-la gregem_fw-la nostrum_fw-la maxima_fw-la ex_fw-la parte_fw-la populata_fw-la est_fw-la adhue_n &_o usque_fw-la populatur_fw-la and_o that_o they_o be_v positi_fw-la inter_fw-la plangentium_fw-la ruinas_fw-la et_fw-la timentium_fw-la reliquias_fw-la inter_fw-la numerosam_fw-la &_o languentium_fw-la stragem_fw-la et_fw-la exiguam_fw-la stantium_fw-la paucita●em_fw-la 4._o paucita●em_fw-la lib._n 4._o ep._n 4._o be_v not_o this_o much_o the_o case_n of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n unless_o this_o of_o carthage_n be_v worse_o and_o so_o less_o for_o our_o author_n advantage_n or_o if_o this_o be_v otherwise_o the_o church_n in_o nazianzen_n time_n be_v not_o new_o convert_v but_o settle_v long_o before_o and_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n which_o yet_o can_v be_v deny_v to_o have_v have_v more_o presbyter_n than_o we_o count_v needful_a so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o practice_n in_o every_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o flourish_v or_o not_o 2._o he_o say_v many_o more_o presbyter_n may_v be_v ordain_v in_o a_o city_n than_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o a_o church_n with_o respect_n to_o future_a increase_n etc._n etc._n and_o who_o will_v question_v but_o the_o many_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n be_v for_o future_a increase_n both_o in_o city_n and_o country_n so_o that_o herein_o the_o case_n be_v not_o different_a and_o the_o design_n of_o that_o number_n of_o officer_n may_v partly_o be_v for_o other_o congregation_n episcopal_a church_n though_o not_o diocesan_n to_o furnish_v they_o with_o officer_n this_o be_v apparent_a afterward_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o african_a church_n who_o when_o a_o new_a church_n be_v erect_v supply_v it_o with_o a_o bishop_n or_o other_o assistant_n from_o place_n better_a store_v with_o officer_n and_o it_o be_v exemplyfy_v particular_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o in_o the_o provision_n which_o st._n austin_n make_v for_o fussala_n he_o say_v further_a the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o one_o congregational_a church_n may_v be_v occasion_v by_o the_o uncertain_a abode_n of_o most_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o commissioner_n who_o be_v the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o only_a ordainer_n of_o presbyter_n mention_v in_o scripture_n but_o herein_o he_o do_v but_o guess_n and_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v positive_a unless_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o commissioner_n as_o he_o call_v they_o have_v be_v then_o the_o only_a ordainer_n which_o he_o will_v not_o venture_v to_o affirm_v know_v what_o evidence_n there_o be_v against_o it_o last_o he_o say_v if_o this_o opinion_n of_o bishop_n downham_n have_v any_o certain_a ground_n in_o antiquity_n we_o shall_v probable_o hear_v of_o it_o with_o both_o ear_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v it_o recommend_v upon_o ancient_a authority_n than_o he_o this_o of_o bishop_n downham_n have_v certain_a ground_n in_o the_o best_a antiquity_n if_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v such_o where_o it_o be_v plain_a there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n in_o diverse_a church_n such_o as_o be_v not_o yet_o nor_o ever_o will_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v diocesan_n to_o that_o of_o nazianzen_n he_o say_v it_o have_v receive_v its_o answer_n and_o add_v he_o that_o can_v answer_v it_o to_o himself_o from_o the_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o cyprian_a and_o in_o nazianzen_n time_n have_v a_o fondness_n for_o the_o argument_n this_o be_v the_o answer_n it_o receive_v pag._n 51._o and_o this_o difference_n be_v thus_o express_v a_o little_a before_o but_o that_o any_o church_n sixth_o and_o settle_v have_v its_o bishop_n always_o present_a shall_v multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o necessity_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n before_o constantine_n be_v altogether_o incredible_a for_o the_o necessary_a expense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o great_a the_o poor_a numerous_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n not_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o estate_n they_o have_v be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o ruin_v with_o perpetual_a persecution_n etc._n etc._n he_o say_v multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o necessity_n and_o without_o necessity_n while_o he_o alter_v my_o word_n so_o as_o to_o change_v the_o sense_n he_o dispute_v against_o himself_o not_o i_o but_o this_o look_v more_o like_o a_o argument_n than_o any_o thing_n before_o i_o shall_v take_v a_o little_a more_o notice_n of_o it_o 1._o be_v not_o all_o this_o applicable_a to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n when_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v presbyter_n be_v multiply_v beyond_o what_o we_o count_v necessary_a the_o poor_a numerous_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n not_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o estate_n they_o have_v be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o ruin_v with_o perpetual_a persecution_n further_o the_o church_n before_o constantine_n and_o carthage_n particular_o suppose_v these_o to_o be_v its_o circumstance_n may_v have_v many_o presbyter_n without_o any_o great_a charge_n for_o one_a the_o church_n stock_n be_v reserve_v only_o for_o those_o in_o want_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o be_v determine_v in_o one_o of_o the_o canon_n which_o pass_v for_o apostolical_a 4._o apostolical_a can._n 4._o and_o the_o same_o decree_v in_o the_o synod_n at_o antioch_n 25._o antioch_n can._n 25._o ambrose_n even_o in_o the_o four_o age_n will_v have_v none_o to_o have_v a_o stipend_n who_o have_v other_o revenue_n qui_fw-la fidei_fw-la exercet_fw-la militiam_fw-la agelli_fw-la svi_fw-la fructibus_fw-la si_fw-la habet_fw-la debet_fw-la esse_fw-la contentus_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la habet_fw-la stipendiorum_fw-la suorum_fw-la fructu_fw-la 36._o fructu_fw-la offic._n l._n 1._o ●_o 36._o and_o chrysostom_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o election_n those_o of_o the_o competitor_n that_o have_v estate_n do_v carry_v it_o because_o the_o church_n will_v need_v to_o be_v at_o no_o charge_n in_o maintain_v of_o such_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2_o when_o they_o have_v no_o estate_n and_o the_o church_n savil._n e_z de_n sacerd_v ●er_n 3._o pag._n 23._o ●dit_n savil._n can_v not_o maintain_v they_o they_o be_v to_o provide_v for_o themselves_o by_o some_o honest_a employment_n the_o council_n of_o elvira_n allow_v all_o sort_n of_o clergy_n man_n to_o drive_v a_o trade_n for_o their_o live_n provide_v they_o do_v it_o only_o in_o the_o province_n where_o they_o live_v 19_o live_v can._n 19_o and_o in_o the_o four_o council_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v order_v that_o the_o clergy_n though_o they_o be_v learn_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n shall_v get_v their_o live_n by_o a_o trade_n 51._o trade_n can._n 51._o and_o in_o the_o next_o canon_n that_o they_o shall_v get_v food_n and_o raiment_n by_o
a_o trade_n or_o husbandry_n with_o this_o proviso_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o prejudice_n to_o their_o office_n our_o author_n say_v indeed_o 154._o indeed_o pag._n 154._o that_o this_o be_v contrary_n to_o the_o usage_n of_o all_o other_o church_n how_o true_a this_o be_v may_v be_v see_v by_o the_o canon_n before_o cite_v he_o say_v also_o that_o this_o be_v forbid_v by_o the_o 3_o d._n council_n of_o carthage_n but_o neither_o be_v this_o so_o that_o canon_n add_v but_o another_o restriction_n viz._n that_o they_o get_v not_o their_o live_n by_o a_o employment_n that_o be_v sordid_a or_o dishonest_a where_o the_o 16._o ay_o can._n 15._o in_o cod._n 16._o latin_a and_o greek_a both_o agree_v in_o it_o 3_o the_o church_n be_v to_o allow_v none_o of_o they_o no_o not_o bishop_n more_o than_o necessary_a even_o after_o constantine_n time_n that_o canon_n call_v the_o apostle_n and_o the_o other_o antioch_n forecited_a express_v this_o in_o the_o same_o word_n the_o bishop_n may_v have_v of_o the_o church_n stock_n what_o be_v needful_a if_o he_o be_v necessitous_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o necessary_a use_n and_o these_o be_v afterward_o explain_v to_o be_v food_n and_o raiment_n zonara_n express_v it_o full_o and_o clear_o who_o he_o that_o the_o canon_n do_v not_o satisfy_v may_v consult_v have_v show_v out_o of_o justinian_n that_o 60_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o great_a church_n in_o constantinople_n and_o thence_o infer_v they_o be_v numerous_a in_o constantine_n time_n the_o number_n say_v he_o be_v become_v extravagant_a in_o justinian_o time_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o their_o number_n in_o cyprian_n he_o shall_v have_v ask_v the_o dean_n this_o who_o to_o prove_v diocesan_n church_n from_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n immediate_o after_o testimony_n out_o of_o cyprian_a bring_v this_o of_o justinian_n for_o this_o very_a edict_n of_o justinian_n show_v that_o this_o multiply_v of_o church_n officer_n be_v a_o innovation_n and_o therefore_o will_v have_v they_o reduce_v to_o the_o first_o establishment_n justinian_n take_v order_n to_o retrench_v the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n not_o therefore_o because_o it_o be_v a_o innovation_n but_o because_o the_o church_n revenue_n can_v not_o maintain_v so_o many_o which_o be_v express_v in_o the_o novel_a but_o that_o first_o establishment_n it_o seem_v admit_v great_a number_n for_o one_o church_n have_v 60._o true_a but_o it_o must_v also_o be_v note_v first_o that_o these_o 60_o be_v to_o serve_v more_o than_o one_o church_n some_o may_v be_v ready_a to_o ask_v how_o it_o can_v be_v true_a that_o one_o church_n shall_v have_v 60_o and_o yet_o more_o than_o one_o have_v these_o 60_o among_o they_o for_o there_o be_v three_o more_o beside_o st._n sophia_n to_o be_v supply_v by_o these_o presbyter_n etc._n etc._n true_a but_o this_o still_o confirm_v what_o i_o answer_v to_o their_o argument_n from_o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n that_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n the_o officer_n be_v multiply_v above_o what_o we_o count_v needful_a for_o it_o be_v not_o now_o think_v needful_a that_o any_o 3_o or_o 4_o church_n in_o a_o city_n shall_v have_v 60_o presbyter_n 100_o deacon_n 90_o subdeacons_n reader_n 110._o etc._n etc._n yet_o after_o all_o there_o be_v no_o argument_n to_o be_v draw_v from_o this_o number_n for_o these_o be_v canon_n of_o a_o particular_a foundation_n design_v for_o the_o service_n of_o a_o collegiate_n church_n and_o no_o measure_n to_o be_v take_v from_o thence_o concern_v the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o preface_n of_o the_o say_v novel_a if_o no_o argument_n be_v to_o be_v draw_v from_o this_o number_n why_o do_v the_o learned_a dean_n draw_v one_o from_o it_o 2_o this_o seem_v scarce_o consistent_a with_o the_o former_a period_n there_o these_o presbyter_n be_v for_o 3_o or_o 4_o church_n here_o they_o be_v but_o for_o one_o collegiate_n church_n of_o which_o they_o be_v canon_n and_o this_o say_v to_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o preface_n where_o i_o can_v see_v it_o 3_o since_o no_o measure_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o hence_o concern_v the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o a_o diocese_n it_o seem_v there_o may_v be_v this_o number_n of_o presbyter_n in_o a_o place_n which_o can_v be_v count_v a_o diocese_n as_o this_o one_o great_a church_n never_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v and_o then_o no_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n at_o rome_n carthage_n edessa_n etc._n etc._n will_v prove_v a_o diocesan_n church_n for_o here_o be_v the_o great_a number_n which_o any_o where_o we_o meet_v with_o dr._n st._n to_o prove_v diocesan_n church_n from_o the_o numerousness_n of_o presbyter_n mention_v 60_o in_o c._n p._n in_o justinian_n time_n from_o hence_o on_o the_o by_o i_o think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o suppose_v they_o be_v numerous_a in_o constantine_n time_n when_o yet_o theodoret_n say_v all_o the_o brethren_n meet_v together_o with_o the_o bishop_n that_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n be_v no_o proof_n of_o a_o diocesan_n church_n be_v evince_v sufficient_o before_o this_o fell_a in_o occasional_o and_o be_v add_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la yet_o upon_o this_o supernumerary_a straggler_n he_o turn_v his_o main_a force_n spend_v about_o 12_o page_n on_o it_o i_o be_o little_o concern_v what_o become_v of_o it_o since_o the_o main_a hypothesis_n be_v already_o secure_v by_o the_o premise_n but_o that_o this_o gentleman_n may_v not_o quite_o loose_a all_o his_o labour_n i_o be_o willing_a to_o loose_v a_o little_a in_o take_v some_o notice_n of_o it_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o what_o be_v add_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o c._n p._n be_v somewhat_o surprise_v no_o doubt_n say_v he_o that_o the_o presbyter_n be_v more_o numerous_a in_o c._n p._n indeed_o it_o may_v have_v be_v surprise_v if_o i_o have_v say_v as_o he_o report_v i_o that_o they_o be_v more_o numerous_a but_o i_o see_v reason_n not_o to_o say_v so_o though_o what_o reason_n there_o be_v to_o impose_v it_o on_o i_o i_o know_v not_o i_o cite_v soc_n misprinted_a soz._n say_v constantine_n build_v two_o church_n at_o c._n p._n but_o lay_v no_o stress_n on_o it_o at_o all_o 12._o all_o soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 12._o it_o be_v true_a he_o say_v not_o that_o he_o build_v no_o more_o than_o two_o but_o his_o expression_n plain_o imply_v it_o and_o he_o be_v concern_v if_o he_o have_v know_v any_o more_o to_o have_v mention_v it_o when_o in_o the_o same_o line_n he_o say_v constantine_n intend_v to_o make_v it_o equal_a to_o rome_n eusebius_n word_n agree_v well_o enough_o herewith_o he_o say_v constantine_n adorn_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o more_o church_n and_o that_o be_v true_a if_o he_o build_v but_o two_o more_o or_o any_o more_o than_o be_v there_o former_o or_o any_o more_o than_o be_v usual_a and_o these_o more_o church_n be_v not_o in_o the_o city_n but_o as_o the_o historian_n speak_v partly_o there_o and_o partly_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o as_o the_o word_n be_v use_v may_v denote_v place_n many_o mile_n distant_a from_o the_o city_n as_o the_o gentleman_n elsewhere_o observe_v after_o valesius_fw-la sozomen_n say_v he_o build_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d many_o church_n not_o very_o many_o as_o he_o will_v have_v it_o but_o if_o he_o thereby_o mean_v more_o than_o be_v name_v by_o socrates_n we_o need_v not_o understand_v that_o do_v before_o the_o time_n theodoret_n speak_v of_o nor_o shall_v a_o lax_n expression_n be_v more_o rely_v on_o than_o one_o that_o be_v punctual_a and_o definite_a unless_o we_o have_v a_o mind_n either_o to_o be_v mislead_v or_o to_o set_v the_o two_o historian_n together_o by_o the_o ear_n sozomen_n name_n but_o one_o church_n more_o than_o socrates_n do_v and_o that_o not_o in_o but_o a_o good_a distance_n from_o the_o city_n 70_o furlong_n by_o land_n and_o 3_o may_v pass_v for_o many_o when_o it_o be_v a_o rare_a thing_n for_o any_o city_n to_o have_v more_o than_o one_o the_o best_a author_n as_o they_o sometime_o express_v very_o few_o by_o none_o and_o a_o generality_n by_o all_o so_o they_o express_v more_o than_o ordinary_a by_o many_o and_o two_o or_o three_o such_o church_n in_o one_o city_n be_v more_o than_o ordinary_a at_o that_o time_n when_o one_o city_n in_o a_o hundred_o have_v not_o two_o church_n and_o one_o in_o a_o thousand_o have_v not_o three_o church_n that_o can_v be_v style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o that_o constantine_n build_v here_o be_v such_o both_o eusebius_n his_o more_fw-it and_o sozomen_n many_a be_v say_v by_o they_o to_o be_v very_o great_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o no_o considerable_a author_n that_o i_o meet_v
with_o in_o that_o age_n or_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n after_o name_n more_o than_o two_o very_a great_a church_n erect_v by_o constantine_n in_o that_o city_n and_o if_o comparison_n be_v make_v there_o be_v no_o historian_n of_o those_o time_n to_o be_v more_o regard_v in_o matter_n which_o concern_v c._n p_o than_o socrates_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v bear_v and_o educate_v in_o c._n p._n and_o continue_v there_o as_o a_o 24._o l._n 9_o c._n 24._o advocate_n when_o he_o write_v his_o history_n but_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o sozomen_n intend_v more_o than_o 3_o or_o 4_o church_n or_o that_o the_o emperor_n build_v no_o more_o than_o be_v requisite_a and_o only_o consult_v conveniency_n and_o design_v not_o state_n or_o magnificence_n which_o yet_o our_o author_n a_o little_a after_o say_v he_o do_v and_o we_o know_v nothing_o be_v more_o ordinary_a than_o for_o great_a city_n to_o have_v more_o church_n than_o be_v needful_a it_o be_v so_o in_o london_n before_o the_o fire_n and_o the_o retrench_a of_o their_o number_n since_o show_v it_o yet_o this_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o prove_v alexander_n church_n in_o c._n p._n to_o be_v diocesan_n that_o it_o will_v not_o prove_v it_o great_a than_o some_o single_a congregation_n for_o there_o be_v 12_o church_n in_o alexandria_n when_o yet_o the_o church_n in_o that_o city_n adhere_v to_o athanasius_n consist_v of_o no_o more_o than_o be_v in_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n for_o which_o such_o evidence_n have_v be_v bring_v as_o be_v not_o yet_o nor_o i_o think_v can_v be_v deface_v nor_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o two_o church_n much_o less_o one_o can_v suffice_v all_o the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n when_o the_o city_n of_o heliopolis_n be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n require_v more_o and_o constantine_n build_v several_a for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n plural_o express_v be_v much_o improve_v by_o our_o author_n he_o make_v out_o of_o it_o diverse_a church_n and_o all_o these_o church_n when_o yet_o all_o these_o be_v but_o one_o church_n as_o socrates_n himself_o make_v it_o plain_a a_o little_a before_o 18._o before_o soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 18._o for_o have_v relate_v how_o constantine_n order_v a_o church_n to_o be_v build_v near_o the_o oak_n at_o mambre_n he_o add_v that_o he_o order_v another_o church_n not_o churches_n to_o be_v erect_v at_o heliopolis_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o put_v it_o past_a doubt_n eusebius_n who_o the_o emperor_n employ_v about_o those_o structure_n and_o from_o who_o in_o all_o likelihood_n socrates_n have_v the_o relation_n give_v a_o account_n but_o of_o one_o church_n there_o found_v by_o the_o emperor_n which_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d constant_a 〈◊〉_d l._n 3._o c._n 56._o de-vitâ_a constant_a and_o that_o it_o be_v furnish_v with_o a_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n so_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o heliopolis_n have_v but_o one_o church_n for_o his_o diocese_n which_o our_o author_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o loath_a to_o own_o since_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o at_o this_o time_n one_o bishop_n in_o a_o hundred_o have_v more_o valesius_fw-la who_o our_o author_n much_o rely_v on_o in_o his_o note_n upon_o this_o place_n be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v that_o constantine_n build_v more_o church_n in_o heliopolis_n that_o he_o judge_v this_o one_o at_o present_a be_v not_o necessary_a for_o it_o the_o town_n have_v then_o no_o christian_n in_o it_o and_o assign_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n why_o eusebius_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n unusual_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v a_o bishop_n appoint_v and_o a_o church_n build_v in_o it_o his_o word_n be_v fortasse_fw-la hoc_fw-la novum_fw-la &_o inauditum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la intelligit_fw-la etc._n etc._n he_o may_v think_v this_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o that_o a_o church_n shall_v be_v build_v in_o a_o city_n where_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n but_o all_o be_v alike_o idolater_n therefore_o this_o church_n be_v build_v at_o heliopolis_n not_o for_o that_o there_o be_v any_o necessity_n of_o it_o but_o rather_o in_o hope_n that_o he_o may_v invite_v all_o the_o citizen_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o the_o bishop_n here_o have_v none_o for_o his_o diocese_n but_o one_o church_n and_o that_o empty_a there_o be_v then_o no_o christian_n 235._o in_o lib._n 3._o de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr constant_n c._n 58._o p._n 235._o in_o that_o one_o parish_n which_o yet_o be_v all_o he_o have_v to_o make_v he_o a_o diocesan_n the_o better_a to_o confute_v theodoret_n who_o say_v for_o they_o be_v his_o word_n not_o i_o that_o alexander_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n meet_v together_o he_o endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o state_n of_o that_o church_n about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o constantine_n etc._n etc._n this_o he_o do_v here_o and_o after_o by_o a_o undue_a application_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o sozomen_n for_o the_o account_n which_o that_o historian_n give_v of_o that_o city_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o constantine_n time_n but_o reach_v beyond_o it_o ay_o and_o beyond_o julian_n too_o which_o appear_v as_o by_o other_o passage_n so_o by_o his_o mention_v the_o heathen_a temple_n in_o the_o time_n of_o that_o emperor_n and_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o time_n after_o constantine_n must_v that_o expression_n be_v understand_v which_o make_v c._n p._n to_o exceed_v rome_n not_o only_o in_o riches_n but_o in_o the_o number_n of_o inhabitant_n otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v apparent_o false_a for_o when_o chrysostome_n be_v bishop_n there_o about_o 70_o year_n after_o when_o it_o be_v like_o the_o number_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n be_v double_v it_o can_v be_v question_v but_o they_o be_v far_o more_o numerous_a he_o who_o best_a can_v do_v it_o reckon_v the_o christian_n then_o to_o be_v a_o 100000_o 674._o 100000_o in_o act._n hom._n 11._o pag._n 674._o our_o author_n will_v have_v we_o look_v upon_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_a there_o to_o be_v inconsiderable_a but_o let_v we_o count_v they_o another_o 100000._o yet_o both_o put_v together_o will_v fall_v incomparable_o short_a of_o the_o number_n in_o old_a rome_n which_o by_o the_o computation_n of_o lipsius_n be_v at_o least_o two_o million_o 3._o million_o de_fw-fr magnit_fw-la rom._n lib._n 3._o c._n 3._o and_o in_o constantine_n time_n new_a rome_n be_v as_o far_o short_a of_o the_o old_a as_o to_o its_o greatness_n in_o circuit_n for_o whereas_o herodian_a declare_v that_o severus_n quite_o demolish_v byzantium_n for_o side_v with_o niger_n and_o reduce_v it_o to_o the_o state_n of_o a_o village_n subject_v it_o to_o perinthus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 68_o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 3._o p._n 68_o we_o can_v in_o reason_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v extraordinary_o spacious_a yet_o as_o zosimus_n report_v all_o the_o enlargement_n which_o constantine_n give_v it_o be_v but_o the_o addition_n of_o 15_o furlong_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 62._o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 2._o p._n 62._o now_o suppose_v it_o be_v 30_o or_o 40_o furlong_n in_o compass_n before_o and_o so_o large_a than_o one_o city_n in_o a_o hundred_o yet_o this_o addition_n will_v leave_v it_o less_o than_o alexandria_n which_o as_o josephus_n describe_v it_o be_v 80_o furlong_n that_o be_v ten_o mile_n in_o circumference_n 16._o circumference_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jud._n lib._n 2._o cap._n 16._o yet_o alexandria_n be_v four_o time_n less_o than_o rome_n for_o by_o vopiscus_n account_n in_o aurelian_n time_n not_o long_o before_o constantine_n the_o wall_n be_v make_v by_o he_o near_o 50_o mile_n in_o circuit_n so_o it_o will_v be_v in_o comparison_n of_o constantinople_n when_o first_o build_v rather_o like_o a_o nation_n than_o a_o city_n as_o aristotle_n say_v of_o the_o other_o babylon_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2._o 〈◊〉_d pol._n lib._n 3._o c._n 2._o if_o then_o we_o will_v have_v this_o passage_n of_o sozomen_n to_o have_v any_o appearance_n of_o truth_n it_o must_v be_v extend_v far_o beyond_o constantine_n time_n when_o as_o zosimus_n tell_v we_o many_o of_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n be_v still_o draw_v multitude_n of_o people_n to_o that_o city_n so_o that_o it_o be_v afterward_o encompass_v with_o wall_n far_o large_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d than_o those_o of_o constantine_n 65._o constantine_n lib._n 2._o p._n 65._o and_o in_o a_o oration_n of_o themistius_n it_o be_v make_v a_o question_n whether_o theodosius_n junior_a do_v not_o add_v more_o to_o c._n p._n than_o constantine_n do_v to_o byzantium_n many_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_a be_v convert_v and_o become_v christian_n the_o expression_n of_o sozomen_n do_v not_o hinder_v but_o as_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o jew_n remain_v so_o the_o number_n of_o the_o heathen_a may_v
be_v considerable_a tertullian_n speak_v of_o citizen_n in_o his_o time_n as_o if_o they_o be_v almost_o all_o christian_n penè_fw-la omnes_fw-la cives_fw-la christiani_fw-la 37._o christiani_fw-la apol._n c._n 37._o yet_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o one_o city_n where_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n those_o that_o take_v his_o word_n in_o a_o strict_a sense_n be_v very_o injurious_a to_o he_o and_o make_v he_o speak_v that_o which_o no_o ancient_a record_n will_v warrant_v sozomen_n also_o may_v suffer_v by_o strain_v his_o expression_n but_o i_o will_v not_o digress_v to_o take_v further_a notice_n of_o what_o be_v not_o material_a for_o i_o design_v not_o nor_o have_v any_o need_n to_o make_v any_o advantage_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o heathen_n in_o this_o city_n he_o tell_v we_o of_o 950_o work-house_n who_o rent_n be_v allow_v to_o defray_v the_o funeral_n expense_n of_o all_o that_o die_v in_o the_o city_n for_o so_o it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o constitution_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 43._o 〈◊〉_d novel_a 43._o these_o be_v perform_v with_o great_a solemnity_n and_o multitude_n of_o attendant_n maintain_v by_o those_o rent_n for_o that_o purpose_n 2._o purpose_n nou._n 59_o c._n 2._o how_o this_o here_o make_v the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n to_o be_v so_o very_o numerous_a as_o he_o will_v have_v they_o he_o shall_v have_v show_v we_o i_o be_o not_o yet_o so_o sagacious_a as_o to_o discover_v it_o the_o number_n of_o the_o decani_fw-la be_v determine_v by_o honorius_n to_o 950_o 4_o 950_o cod._n de_fw-fr eccl._n lex_fw-la 4_o our_o author_n think_v it_o probable_a they_o be_v so_o many_o at_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o there_o be_v more_o ground_n to_o believe_v they_o be_v much_o few_o in_o constantine_n time_n for_o about_o 800_o be_v count_v sufficient_a in_o justinian_n reign_n 200_o year_n after_o when_o the_o city_n be_v both_o large_a and_o much_o more_o populous_a and_o 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oratory_n continue_v there_o all_o day_n 23._o day_n lib._n 7._o cap._n 23._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n but_o i_o will_v have_v he_o tell_v i_o how_o he_o understand_v that_o passage_n of_o chrysostome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n what_o be_v the_o import_n of_o these_o word_n do_v they_o signify_v that_o ten_o myriad_n be_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n to_o hear_v chrysostome_n if_o so_o there_o will_v be_v no_o question_n but_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n may_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n with_o alexander_n in_o constantine_n reign_n for_o that_o then_o about_o 70_o year_n before_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n ne●●_n so_o many_o christian_n as_o a_o 100000_o adhere_v to_o one_o bishop_n in_o this_o city_n can_v with_o any_o reason_n be_v imagine_v or_o do_v he_o mean_v only_o that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o myriad_o of_o christian_n contain_v in_o that_o city_n if_o so_o than_o he_o say_v here_o no_o more_o than_o in_o another_o homily_n 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belong_v to_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n it_o will_v swell_v this_o preface_n to_o too_o great_a a_o bulk_n if_o i_o shall_v answer_v the_o rest_n so_o particular_o since_o he_o design_v to_o be_v so_o brief_a and_o to_o have_v so_o short_a a_o preface_n i_o wish_v he_o have_v employ_v more_o of_o it_o against_o that_o which_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o discourse_n he_o oppose_v and_o of_o more_o consequence_n to_o the_o main_a cause_n and_o not_o have_v spend_v so_o many_o leaf_n upon_o a_o by-passage_n for_o which_o we_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o be_v concern_v for_o if_o he_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o christian_n at_o c._n p._n in_o constantine_n time_n be_v more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n yea_o or_o in_o two_o either_o that_o will_v be_v far_o from_o prove_v it_o a_o diocesan_n church_n unless_o some_o one_o or_o two_o of_o our_o parish_n can_v be_v count_v so_o let_v i_o add_v in_o fine_a that_o our_o author_n have_v do_v just_a nothing_o towards_o the_o disprove_v of_o what_o theodoret_n be_v allege_v for_o unless_o he_o show_v that_o c._n p._n exceed_v old_a rome_n be_v furnish_v with_o such_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o christian_n so_o many_o more_o than_o two_o magnificent_a church_n there_o erect_v the_o 50_o bible_n thought_n needful_a to_o be_v provide_v and_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_a beside_o many_o jew_n convert_v before_o alexander_n who_o be_v say_v to_o hold_v this_o assembly_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n decease_v and_o so_o unless_o he_o prove_v that_o all_o this_o be_v do_v which_o himself_n i_o think_v can_v scarce_o believe_v in_o less_o than_o a_o year_n for_o valesius_fw-la upon_o who_o authority_n this_o gentleman_n take_v much_o prove_v at_o large_a make_v it_o the_o business_n of_o
that_o other_o city_n have_v two_o bishop_n together_o and_o except_v only_a alexandria_n to_o which_o he_o answer_v that_o epiphanius_n can_v mean_v that_o all_o other_o city_n have_v two_o bishop_n at_o a_o time_n nor_o do_v i_o say_v that_o he_o mean_v this_o but_o his_o expression_n import_v no_o less_o than_o that_o it_o be_v usual_a for_o other_o city_n to_o have_v two_o bishop_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o epiphanius_n respect_v only_o the_o case_n allege_v it_o be_v quite_o another_o case_n that_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o his_o word_n and_o diverse_a other_o instance_n may_v be_v bring_v of_o a_o different_a nature_n and_o occasion_n though_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o rule_n against_o two_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n be_v not_o inviolable_a he_o add_v i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o advantage_n can_v be_v make_v of_o this_o passage_n this_o passage_n show_v that_o there_o be_v common_o two_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n at_o once_o alexandria_n be_v only_o except_v as_o vary_v herein_o from_o other_o city_n and_o this_o be_v advantage_n enough_o for_o i_o and_o it_o be_v enough_o against_o he_o too_o and_o leave_v no_o reason_n for_o his_o pretence_n that_o it_o be_v only_o in_o extraordinary_a case_n i_o affirm_v it_o can_v not_o be_v epiphanius_n his_o meaning_n as_o a_o great_a antiquary_n will_v have_v it_o that_o alexandria_n be_v never_o so_o divide_v as_o that_o several_a party_n in_o it_o shall_v have_v their_o respective_a bishop_n there_o and_o bring_v several_a instance_n to_o evince_v it_o for_o so_o it_o be_v divide_v in_o the_o time_n of_o epiphanius_n when_o the_o catholic_n have_v athanasius_n the_o arian_n have_v gregorius_n and_o then_o georgius_n and_o afterward_o the_o one_o have_v peter_n the_o other_o lucius_n and_o the_o novatian_o have_v their_o bishop_n successive_o in_o that_o city_n till_o cyril_n be_v time_n he_o answer_v however_o i_o do_v not_o see_v why_o that_o learned_a antiquarie_n opinion_n may_v not_o be_v maintain_v against_o this_o gentleman_n objection_n he_o say_v that_o alexandria_n be_v divide_v before_o epiphanius_n his_o time_n between_o several_a bishop_n i_o say_v in_o epiphanius_n time_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n epiphanius_n speak_v of_o but_o that_o before_o the_o election_n of_o theonas_n against_o athanasius_n there_o be_v never_o two_o opposite_a bishop_n as_o in_o other_o church_n but_o this_o do_v neither_o agree_n with_o the_o one_o nor_o defend_v the_o other_o it_o agree_v not_o with_o epiphanius_n but_o make_v he_o contradict_v himself_o for_o he_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v two_o opposite_a bishop_n at_o alexandria_n before_o theonas_n be_v choose_v for_o this_o be_v not_o till_o alexander_n death_n but_o he_o say_v pistus_fw-la be_v make_v bishop_n there_o by_o the_o arian_n while_o alexander_n be_v live_v 733._o live_v she_o 69._o num._n 8._o p._n 733._o and_o he_o can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o eusebius_n declare_v 4._o declare_v vita_fw-la const._n l._n 3._o cap._n 4._o that_o upon_o the_o division_n in_o egypt_n occasion_v by_o arius_n in_o every_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o be_v bishop_n against_o bishop_n and_o people_n against_o people_n nor_o do_v it_o defend_v the_o antiquary_n for_o he_o speak_v universal_o without_o limit_v himself_o to_o the_o election_n of_o theonas_n ecclesiam_fw-la alexandrinam_fw-la nunquam_fw-la in_o part_n scissam_fw-la quarum_fw-la singulae_fw-la episcopum_fw-la suum_fw-la habebant_fw-la that_o church_n be_v never_o divide_v so_o as_o to_o have_v opposite_a bishop_n the_o instance_n be_v all_o late_a than_o this_o fact_n and_o therefore_o be_v insignificant_a say_v he_o they_o be_v full_o significant_a both_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o antiquary_n against_o who_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v that_o he_o mistake_v epiphanius_n when_o he_o will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v his_o meaning_n that_o alexandria_n be_v never_o so_o divide_v as_o to_o have_v two_o opposite_a bishop_n for_o they_o show_v it_o be_v often_o so_o divide_v and_o also_o in_o reference_n to_o epiphanius_n they_o be_v so_o late_o as_o his_o time_n on_o purpose_n to_o show_v more_o unquestionable_o that_o can_v not_o be_v his_o meaning_n which_o be_v against_o his_o knowledge_n and_o notorious_a instance_n in_o his_o own_o time_n but_o he_o will_v not_o deny_v the_o instance_n of_o the_o novatian_o to_o be_v significant_a only_a socrates_n do_v not_o say_v that_o they_o have_v their_o bishop_n successive_o to_o cyril_n be_v time_n nor_o do_v i_o say_v he_o do_v but_o he_o say_v cyrill_n shut_v up_o the_o novatian_a church_n there_o and_o take_v away_o all_o the_o sacred_a treasure_n in_o they_o and_o deprive_v their_o bishop_n theopompus_n of_o all_o he_o have_v now_o when_o our_o author_n meet_v with_o church_n and_o a_o bishop_n over_o they_o he_o be_v not_o wont_a to_o question_v a_o succession_n unless_o it_o appear_v he_o be_v the_o first_o it_o may_v be_v they_o begin_v there_o after_o this_o time_n for_o there_o be_v little_a account_n in_o church-history_n that_o i_o know_v of_o any_o novatian_o in_o alexandria_n before_o athanasius_n we_o be_v little_o concern_v about_o this_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v they_o begin_v before_o this_o time_n for_o there_o be_v no_o account_n at_o all_o in_o church_n history_n that_o the_o novatian_o begin_v there_o in_o or_o after_o athanasius_n his_o time_n i_o have_v produce_v evidence_n that_o many_o african_a bishop_n declare_v in_o the_o case_n of_o valerius_n and_o austin_n that_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o all_o part_n to_o have_v two_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n at_o once_o to_o this_o he_o answer_v but_o suppose_v all_o this_o true_a that_o this_o may_v be_v maintain_v by_o the_o example_n of_o several_a church_n what_o be_v it_o that_o two_o bishop_n may_v be_v in_o one_o church_n no_o that_o be_v not_o the_o matter_n but_o that_o a_o bishop_n when_o he_o grow_v old_a may_v appoint_v or_o ordain_v his_o successor_n to_o prevent_v the_o mischief_n that_o be_v usual_o produce_v by_o popular_a election_n if_o what_o the_o african_a bishop_n do_v allege_v be_v restrain_v to_o that_o particular_a case_n he_o contend_v for_o yet_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v good_a all_o i_o intend_v viz._n that_o usual_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n there_o be_v two_o bishop_n together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o when_o one_o be_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o the_o same_o place_n when_o another_o be_v still_o live_v with_o whatever_o design_n upon_o what_o occasion_n soever_o this_o be_v do_v yet_o there_o be_v two_o bishop_n at_o once_o in_o the_o same_o place_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o this_o shall_v be_v restrain_v to_o that_o particular_a case_n the_o occasion_n of_o what_o the_o bishop_n affirm_v may_v clear_v it_o and_o that_o be_v augustine_n scruple_n not_o to_o succeed_v valerius_n but_o to_o be_v make_v bishop_n of_o hippo_n while_o his_o bishop_n there_o be_v live_v episcopatum_fw-la suscipere_fw-la svo_fw-la vivente_fw-la episcopo_fw-la recusabat_fw-la for_o so_o there_o will_v be_v two_o together_o which_o he_o take_v to_o be_v against_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n contra_fw-la morem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la but_o they_o all_o persuade_v he_o that_o this_o be_v usual_o do_v id_fw-la fieri_fw-la solere_fw-la and_o prove_v it_o by_o example_n in_o all_o part_n 8._o part_n possidon_n vita_fw-la august_n cap._n 8._o and_o valerius_n his_o desire_n and_o proposal_n be_v that_o austin_n may_v be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o hippo_n qui_fw-la suae_fw-la cathedrae_fw-la non_fw-la tam_fw-la succederet_fw-la sed_fw-la consacerdos_n accederet_fw-la not_o as_o one_o that_o be_v to_o succeed_v he_o only_o but_o to_o be_v bishop_n together_o with_o he_o when_o he_o assign_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o appoint_v a_o successor_n to_o prevent_v the_o mischief_n that_o be_v usual_o produce_v by_o popular_a election_n he_o speak_v his_o own_o sense_n not_o they_o for_o they_o be_v better_o advise_v than_o to_o brand_v the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n as_o mischievous_a and_o how_o this_o suggestion_n become_v one_o who_o undertake_v to_o write_v a_o vindication_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n let_v himself_o consider_v other_o may_v judge_v it_o a_o more_o intolerable_a reflection_n upon_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o the_o best_a and_o after_o time_n than_o any_o m._n b._n can_v be_v just_o charge_v with_o however_o the_o reason_n assign_v for_o it_o by_o possidonius_fw-la be_v another_o thing_n than_o appear_v in_o this_o author_n whole_a account_n it_o be_v because_o valerius_n fear_v leave_v some_o other_o ibid._n ibid._n church_n shall_v seek_v he_o for_o their_o bishop_n and_o get_v a_o person_n so_o approve_v from_o he_o whereas_o in_o fine_a he_o say_v these_o case_n specify_v be_v not_o think_v to_o violate_v the_o rule_n that_o allow_v but_o one_o bishop_n to_o
govern_v in_o common_a by_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n as_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v they_o will_v not_o be_v diocesan_n but_o more_o like_o the_o model_n of_o the_o church_n and_o government_n which_o holland_n have_v at_o present_a and_o now_o after_o all_o this_o though_o we_o have_v several_a instance_n out_o of_o egypt_n how_o near_a city_n be_v together_o in_o some_o part_n yet_o upon_o the_o whole_a account_n the_o diocese_n do_v appear_v to_o be_v large_a enough_o from_o the_o number_n of_o they_o he_o will_v have_v we_o think_v where_o city_n be_v so_o near_o together_o as_o i_o have_v show_v yet_o because_o of_o their_o number_n the_o diocese_n may_v be_v large_a enough_o but_o where_o they_o be_v so_o near_o together_o they_o can_v not_o be_v large_a enough_o to_o make_v any_o thing_n like_o the_o modern_a diocese_n no_o nor_o large_a than_o our_o country_n parish_n if_o they_o have_v bishop_n in_o they_o and_o the_o ancient_n thought_o themselves_o oblige_v by_o the_o apostle_n rule_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n not_o only_o in_o some_o but_o in_o every_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v chrysostome_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 11._o 〈◊〉_d in_o 1_o tim._n hom._n 11._o and_o theophilact_fw-mi express_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o exception_n of_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o place_n or_o its_o nearness_n to_o other_o the_o reason_n diverse_a city_n have_v none_o be_v the_o want_n or_o the_o inconsiderable_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o they_o nothing_o but_o this_o hinder_v any_o city_n from_o have_v a_o bishop_n in_o the_o four_o first_o age_n though_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o city_n as_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a be_v no_o great_a than_o our_o market-town_n or_o fair_a village_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n many_o city_n may_v want_v bishop_n and_o it_o may_v be_v do_v so_o in_o egypt_n particular_o heathenism_n prevail_v in_o many_o place_n there_o even_o in_o athanasius_n his_o time_n for_o which_o i_o can_v produce_v sufficient_a evidence_n but_o will_v not_o now_o digress_v so_o far_o afterward_o the_o affectation_n of_o greatness_n in_o some_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o new_a measure_n and_o order_n be_v make_v that_o town_n which_o have_v no_o bishop_n before_o shall_v have_v none_o after_o though_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o have_v none_o before_o be_v go_v and_o those_o place_n have_v as_o many_o or_o more_o christian_n in_o they_o than_o most_o episcopal_a city_n have_v of_o old_a for_o in_o athanasius_n his_o time_n there_o be_v not_o a_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o all_o egypt_n lybia_n and_o pentapolis_n 2._o pentapolis_n athan._n apol._n 2._o i_o be_v a_o little_a surprise_v to_o read_v this_o and_o see_v athanasius_n cite_v for_o it_o for_o i_o know_v that_o athanasius_n reckon_v 95_o bishop_n from_o egypt_n beside_o himself_o at_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n and_o other_o from_o africa_n wherein_o lybia_n and_o pentapolis_n be_v usual_o include_v and_o it_o be_v never_o know_v that_o a_o major_a part_n or_o a_o three_o of_o the_o bishop_n in_o a_o country_n do_v come_v to_o a_o council_n at_o such_o a_o distance_n as_o egypt_n be_v from_o sardica_n it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a that_o athanasius_n will_v so_o far_o contradict_v himself_o as_o to_o say_v there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o bishop_n in_o all_o those_o three_o country_n when_o he_o have_v signify_v there_o be_v many_o more_o in_o one_o of_o they_o some_o mistake_n i_o think_v there_o must_v be_v and_o consult_v the_o place_n i_o find_v it_o not_o entire_o represent_v there_o be_v this_o clause_n immediate_o follow_v the_o word_n he_o cite_v leave_v out_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d none_o of_o these_o accuse_v i_o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o whole_a passage_n be_v this_o there_o be_v a_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o the_o diocese_n of_o egypt_n who_o appear_v not_o against_o he_o or_o that_o favour_v he_o but_o those_o who_o favour_v arius_n who_o he_o call_v eusebian_n and_o meletius_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o coluthus_n for_o into_o so_o many_o party_n be_v that_o country_n then_o divide_v be_v not_o take_v into_o the_o reckon_n otherwise_o it_o will_v have_v amount_v to_o many_o more_o than_o a_o hundred_o sozomen_n say_v the_o bishop_n there_o who_o take_v arius_n his_o part_n be_v many_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 14._o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 1._o c._n 14._o and_o in_o athanasius_n there_o be_v a_o account_n of_o many_o meletian_a bishop_n by_o name_n 614._o name_n apol._n 2._o p._n 614._o and_o in_o epiphanius_n it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o every_o region_n through_o which_o meletius_n pass_v and_o in_o every_o place_n where_o he_o come_v he_o make_v bishop_n 68_o bishop_n ep._n haer._n 68_o the_o next_o thing_n he_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o defence_n of_o mr._n baxter_n allegation_n out_o of_o athanasius_n to_o show_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o alexandria_n m._n b_n word_n be_v the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n it_o be_v to_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o expression_n of_o that_o father_n seem_v to_o favour_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o the_o church_n do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hold_v all_o etc._n etc._n i_o be_o make_v more_o confident_a by_o all_o that_o be_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o evidence_n be_v real_o such_o as_o will_v need_v no_o favour_n if_o it_o can_v meet_v with_o justice_n now_o suppose_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n the_o catholic_n at_o leastwise_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o that_o great_a church_n yet_o all_o the_o diocese_n can_v not_o all_o that_o be_v undertake_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o passage_n in_o question_n be_v that_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n adhere_v to_o athanasius_n can_v and_o do_v meet_v in_o that_o one_o church_n if_o this_o be_v grant_v nothing_o be_v deny_v that_o he_o intend_v to_o prove_v as_o for_o a_o diocese_n in_o the_o country_n if_o he_o will_v show_v we_o what_o or_o where_o it_o be_v and_o that_o it_o have_v no_o other_o bishop_n in_o it_o he_o will_v do_v something_o that_o may_v be_v consider_v yet_o nothing_o at_o all_o against_o what_o this_o testimony_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o evince_v he_o say_v two_o suppose_v this_o great_a great_a church_n can_v receive_v all_o the_o multitude_n yet_o if_o that_o multitude_n be_v too_o great_a for_o personal_a communion_n it_o be_v insignificant_a upon_o this_o supposition_n it_o may_v be_v too_o great_a for_o a_o ordinary_a meeting_n in_o the_o congregational_a way_n yet_o not_o big_a enough_o for_o a_o diocesan_n church_n but_o the_o supposition_n be_v groundless_a and_o contradict_v athanasius_n who_o say_v they_o have_v personal_a communion_n they_o all_o pray_v together_o and_o do_v not_o only_o meet_v within_o the_o wall_n but_o concur_v in_o the_o worship_n and_o say_v amen_o he_o say_v three_o before_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n meet_v in_o distinct_a congregation_n but_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o those_o place_n be_v very_o small_a short_a and_o strait_a place_n all_o these_o save_v one_o i_o say_v which_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v omit_v and_o they_o be_v so_o small_a because_o those_o who_o be_v wont_a to_o meet_v in_o they_o several_o so_o as_o to_o fill_v they_o can_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o church_n and_o do_v so_o as_o athanasius_n declare_v but_o that_o they_o be_v such_o chapel_n or_o church_n as_o some_o of_o our_o parish_n in_o england_n have_v as_o great_a a_o number_n as_o alexandria_n be_v hardly_o credible_a i_o know_v not_o how_o those_o place_n can_v be_v well_o express_v with_o more_o diminution_n than_o athanasius_n have_v do_v it_o he_o say_v they_o be_v not_o only_o strait_a and_o small_a but_o the_o very_o small_a if_o he_o will_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o our_o church_n or_o chapel_n be_v less_o than_o those_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o shall_v understand_v that_o which_o i_o can_v never_o before_o that_o something_o be_v less_o than_o that_o which_o be_v least_o of_o all_o but_o he_o will_v prove_v they_o be_v not_o so_o small_a because_o first_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n be_v very_o numerous_a from_o the_o beginning_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v count_v so_o very_o numerous_a from_o the_o beginning_n i_o know_v no_o reason_n but_o the_o mistake_n of_o a_o historian_n who_o will_v have_v a_o sect_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v numerous_a in_o or_o about_o alexandria_n to_o be_v christian_n and_o if_o they_o meet_v all_o in_o one_o place_n it_o must_v consequent_o be_v very_o large_a the_o ground_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v remove_v valesius_fw-la his_fw-la own_o author_n say_v they_o have_v
but_o one_o church_n to_o meet_v in_o in_o dionysius_n his_o time_n almost_o 3_o age_n from_o the_o beginning_n 64_o beginning_n pag._n 64_o if_o that_o one_o be_v large_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o like_a that_o it_o stand_v till_o athanasius_n his_o time_n after_o so_o many_o edict_n for_o demolish_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n and_o a_o severe_a execution_n of_o they_o in_o diocletian_n persecution_n nor_o be_v it_o likely_a they_o shall_v divide_v till_o they_o be_v grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o the_o big_a meeting-place_n they_o can_v convenient_o have_v it_o be_v as_o likely_a as_o that_o athanasius_n speak_v truth_n in_o a_o matter_n which_o he_o perfect_o know_v he_o tell_v we_o they_o do_v divide_v and_o yet_o be_v not_o too_o numerous_a for_o one_o great_a church_n in_o which_o they_o meet_v convenient_o too_o yea_o better_o than_o when_o disperse_v in_o those_o little_a place_n as_o he_o say_v and_o prove_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n two_o he_o say_v though_o before_o the_o empire_n be_v convert_v they_o may_v be_v confine_v to_o little_a place_n and_o force_v to_o meet_v several_o yet_o after_o constantine_n become_v christian_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o the_o alexandrian_n will_v content_v themselves_o with_o small_a and_o strait_a chapel_n nor_o do_v they_o content_v themselves_o with_o those_o little_a one_o for_o beside_o this_o build_v in_o athanasius_n his_o time_n there_o be_v one_o great_a than_o those_o small_a one_o finish_v in_o alexander_n time_n where_o the_o body_n of_o catholic_n assemble_v with_o alexander_n the_o other_o place_n be_v too_o straight_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v that_o one_o i_o except_v when_o i_o say_v after_o athanasius_n that_o the_o rest_n all_o save_o one_o be_v exceed_o small_a but_o be_v it_o any_o proof_n that_o these_o be_v not_o very_o small_a which_o athanasius_n represent_v as_o such_o because_o there_o be_v one_o express_o except_v from_o that_o number_n something_a large_a as_o for_o what_o he_o add_v that_o then_o every_o ordinary_a city_n build_v very_o great_a and_o magnificent_a cathedral_n it_o be_v easy_o say_v but_o will_v never_o be_v prove_v three_o some_o of_o these_o church_n have_v be_v build_v with_o a_o design_n of_o receive_v as_o many_o as_o well_o can_v have_v personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n together_o neither_o will_v this_o hold_v unless_o some_o of_o those_o church_n can_v have_v receive_v all_o which_o have_v personal_a communion_n with_o athanasius_n in_o this_o great_a church_n which_o he_o deny_v and_o make_v use_v of_o to_o constantius_n as_o a_o plea_n why_o he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o great_a as_o theonas_n be_v say_v by_o athanasius_n to_o have_v build_v a_o church_n big_a than_o any_o of_o those_o they_o have_v before_o where_o theonas_n be_v say_v by_o athanasius_n to_o have_v build_v a_o church_n etc._n etc._n i_o find_v not_o nor_o do_v he_o direct_v we_o where_o it_o may_v be_v find_v i_o suppose_v for_o very_o good_a reason_n indeed_o athanasius_n in_o this_o apology_n speak_v of_o a_o church_n call_v theonas_n its_o like_a in_o memory_n of_o a_o former_a bishop_n of_o that_o place_n where_o he_o say_v the_o multitude_n of_o catholic_n meet_v with_o alexander_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o like_a circumstance_n as_o a_o great_a multitude_n assemble_v with_o himself_o in_o the_o new_a church_n which_o be_v great_a and_o plead_v alexander_n example_n in_o defence_n of_o what_o he_o do_v but_o theonas_n can_v not_o build_v this_o church_n for_o he_o be_v dead_a many_o year_n before_o be_v predecessor_n to_o peter_n who_o achillas_n and_o alexander_n succeed_v 2._o succeed_v euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n ult_n theodoret●_n ●_z 1._o c._n 2._o and_o yet_o this_o and_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v but_o few_o and_o straight_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o great_a multitude_n of_o catholic_n that_o be_v in_o alexandria_n i_o expect_v another_o conclusion_n but_o if_o this_o be_v all_o he_o may_v have_v spare_v the_o premise_n for_o one_o part_n of_o it_o we_o assert_v the_o other_o we_o need_v not_o deny_v only_o add_v with_o athanasius_n that_o the_o great_a church_n be_v capable_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o receive_v this_o great_a multitude_n but_o here_o he_o stick_v and_o will_v wriggle_v a_o little_a more_o but_o i_o conceive_v say_v he_o after_o all_o this_o that_o the_o expression_n of_o athanasius_n do_v not_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n be_v meet_v in_o this_o great_a church_n that_o all_o and_o every_o one_o do_v come_v be_v never_o imagine_v it_o be_v but_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o catholic_n that_o m._n b._n intend_v as_o our_o author_n observe_v a_o little_a before_o for_o the_o tumultuous_a manner_n in_o which_o they_o come_v to_o their_o bishop_n to_o demand_v a_o general_a assembly_n make_v it_o probable_a that_o not_o only_a woman_n and_o child_n will_v be_v glad_a to_o absent_v themselves_o but_o many_o more_o either_o apprehensive_a of_o the_o effect_n of_o this_o tumultuous_a proceed_n or_o of_o the_o danger_n of_o such_o a_o crowd_n the_o woman_n he_o will_v not_o admit_v but_o be_v it_o ever_o know_v that_o such_o a_o great_a and_o solemn_a assembly_n for_o worship_n consist_v only_o of_o man_n be_v not_o the_o woman_n in_o communion_n with_o athanasius_n christian_n that_o they_o must_v be_v leave_v out_o when_o he_o say_v all_o the_o catholic_n meet_v can_v all_o be_v true_o say_v to_o assemble_v when_o the_o far_o great_a part_n woman_n child_n and_o his_o many_o more_o be_v absent_a be_v not_o the_o woman_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n often_o note_v for_o such_o zeal_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n as_o make_v they_o contemn_v far_o great_a danger_n than_o here_o they_o have_v any_o cause_n to_o be_v apprehensive_a of_o the_o suppose_a danger_n be_v either_o from_o the_o crowd_n or_o the_o tumult_n for_o the_o former_a do_v the_o woman_n and_o many_o more_o never_o come_v to_o christian_a assembly_n when_o there_o be_v any_o danger_n of_o be_v crowd_v i_o think_v there_o be_v as_o great_a danger_n from_o a_o crowd_n in_o basiliscus_n his_o reign_n when_o the_o whole_a city_n of_o c._n p._n be_v say_v to_o have_v meet_v together_o in_o a_o church_n with_o the_o emperor_n but_o yet_o the_o woman_n stay_v not_o behind_o but_o crowd_v in_o with_o the_o man_n as_o theodorus_n lector_fw-la report_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o 〈◊〉_d collect._n lib._n 1_o beside_o athanasius_n here_o signify_v the_o danger_n of_o a_o crowd_n be_v in_o the_o lesser_a church_n not_o in_o this_o where_o they_o can_v not_o meet_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o drefer_v their_o assemble_v together_o in_o the_o great_a church_n as_o better_v as_o for_o the_o tumult_n which_o may_v have_v be_v conceal_v in_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n tumultuous_a it_o be_v over_o when_o athanasius_n have_v comply_v with_o their_o desire_n to_o meet_v in_o the_o great_a church_n and_o so_o no_o apprehension_n of_o danger_n leave_v to_o woman_n or_o any_o else_o upon_o this_o account_n and_o even_o those_o that_o do_v assemble_v there_o be_v too_o many_o for_o one_o congregation_n and_o be_v a_o assembly_n more_o for_o solemnity_n and_o ostentation_n than_o for_o personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n and_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o religious_a assembly_n here_o he_o run_v as_o cross_v to_o the_o great_a athanasius_n and_o the_o account_n which_o he_o give_v of_o this_o assembly_n as_o if_o he_o have_v study_v it_o debase_v that_o as_o more_o for_o ostentation_n than_o for_o personal_a communion_n in_o worship_n and_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o religious_a assembly_n which_o athanasius_n high_o commend_v both_o for_o the_o more_o desirable_a communion_n which_o the_o christian_n have_v there_o in_o worship_n and_o for_o the_o great_a efficacy_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o religious_a assembly_n let_v any_o one_o view_n the_o passage_n 532._o passage_n apol._n 2._o p._n 531._o 532._o and_o judge_n he_o set_v forth_o the_o harmony_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o multitude_n in_o worship_n with_o one_o voice_n he_o prefer_v it_o before_o their_o assembly_n when_o disperse_v in_o little_a place_n and_o not_o only_o because_o the_o unanimity_n of_o the_o multitude_n be_v herein_o more_o apparent_a but_o because_o god_n will_v soon_o hear_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o if_o say_v he_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n promise_n where_o two_o shall_v agree_v concern_v anything_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v for_o they_o by_o my_o father_n etc._n etc._n how_o prevalent_a will_v be_v the_o one_o voice_n of_o so_o numerous_a a_o people_n assemble_v together_o and_o say_v amen_o to_o god_n and_o more_o to_o that_o purpose_n
the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n in_o all_o city_n and_o so_o enough_o not_o only_o for_o vast_a congregation_n but_o for_o diocesan_n church_n but_o tertullian_n be_v a_o great_a orator_n and_o frequent_o use_v hyperbolical_a expression_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v strain_v such_o be_v those_o insist_v on_o and_o by_o regular_a construction_n they_o import_v no_o more_o than_o that_o the_o christian_n be_v very_o numerous_a in_o many_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n those_o that_o will_v have_v they_o strain_v and_o understand_v as_o they_o find_v offer_v great_a injury_n to_o tertullian_n make_v he_o intend_v that_o which_o have_v no_o warrant_n in_o any_o record_n of_o antiquity_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a that_o i_o can_v meet_v with_o before_o they_o impose_v such_o a_o sense_n on_o he_o they_o ought_v in_o reason_n to_o make_v it_o manifest_a that_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n in_o some_o considerable_a city_n at_o that_o time_n when_o i_o believe_v they_o can_v produce_v two_o instance_n in_o the_o whole_a empire_n i_o never_o yet_o can_v meet_v with_o one_o our_o author_n from_o these_o oratorical_a expression_n stick_v not_o to_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o major_a part_n every_o where_o but_o in_o rome_n more_o eminent_o so_o and_o dr._n downham_n signify_v that_o tertullian_n speak_v chief_o of_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n 98._o rome_n defence_n l._n 2._o c._n 5._o p._n 98._o this_o gentleman_n say_v that_o by_o his_o account_n it_o be_v make_v very_o probable_a that_o they_o be_v the_o better_a half_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v 54._o pag._n 54._o certain_a that_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n at_o rome_n be_v proportionable_o great_a than_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n now_o how_o far_o the_o christian_n at_o rome_n be_v from_o be_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n we_o may_v judge_v by_o the_o vast_a disproportion_n between_o the_o poor_a in_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n and_o those_o in_o the_o whole_a city_n cornelius_n near_o 50_o year_n after_o tertullian_n when_o it_o be_v of_o more_o growth_n by_o half_a a_o age_n reckon_v the_o poor_a of_o his_o church_n to_o be_v 1500_o whereas_o out_o of_o suetonius_n and_o other_o the_o poor_a sort_n of_o citizen_n quae_fw-la è_fw-la publico_fw-la victitabat_fw-la be_v compute_v to_o be_v 320000_o 2._o 320000_o lipsius_n d●_n mag._n rom._n l._n 3._o cap._n 2._o many_o take_v occasion_n from_o the_o thousand_o convert_v at_o jerusalem_n act_v 2._o and_o 4._o to_o conclude_v the_o vast_a number_n of_o christian_n and_o exceed_a largeness_n of_o church_n elsewhere_o our_o author_n have_v nothing_o from_o scripture_n for_o diocesan_n church_n but_o this_o which_o be_v considerable_a etc._n considerable_a pag._n 435_o etc._n etc._n nor_o will_v this_o appear_v so_o if_o but_o a_o small_a part_n of_o those_o thousand_o can_v be_v count_v inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o so_o fix_v in_o that_o church_n and_o this_o be_v as_o demonstrable_a as_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n can_v be_v for_o this_o miraculous_a conversion_n be_v at_o pentecost_n one_o of_o the_o three_o great_a feast_n when_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a concourse_n of_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n from_o all_o part_n to_o that_o city_n these_o convert_v be_v not_o only_a inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o foreigner_n and_o in_o all_o reason_n more_o of_o these_o proportionable_o as_o they_o exceed_v the_o inhabitant_n in_o number_n and_o then_o those_o of_o the_o city_n will_v scarce_o be_v a_o 20_o part_n of_o the_o 5_o or_o 8000_o convert_v for_o the_o foreigner_n that_o resort_v to_o jerusalem_n at_o these_o great_a solemnity_n be_v reckon_v to_o be_v three_o million_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 24._o 〈◊〉_d joseph_n de_fw-fr bel._n judaic_a lib._n 2._o cap._n 24._o whereas_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o city_n be_v but_o about_o a_o 120000_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o of_o this_o elsewhere_o more_o full_o the_o author_n of_o the_o vindication_n will_v not_o have_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o those_o convert_v to_o be_v stranger_n and_o to_o return_v home_o when_o the_o feast_n be_v over_o and_o assign_v something_o like_o reason_n for_o it_o one_a that_o the_o scripture_n give_v no_o countenance_n to_o this_o conjecture_n but_o say_v all_o those_o strange_a nation_n be_v inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o original_a word_n incline_v most_o on_o this_o side_n that_o he_o shall_v say_v the_o scripture_n give_v no_o countenance_n to_o this_o be_v something_o strange_a it_o be_v plain_a in_o scripture_n that_o god_n enjoin_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n to_o repair_v to_o jerusalem_n from_o all_o quarter_n of_o the_o country_n where_o they_o dwell_v thrice_o a_o year_n for_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o three_o great_a feast_n and_o it_o be_v apparent_a also_o that_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n at_o those_o solemnity_n both_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 23._o 〈◊〉_d in_o euseb_n l._n 2._o c._n 23._o and_o it_o be_v evident_a in_o that_o chapter_n cite_v act_v 2._o the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n be_v come_v there_o be_v a_o resort_n of_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n from_o all_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o this_o city_n ay_o but_o the_o scripture_n say_v all_o those_o strange_a nation_n be_v inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n he_o can_v judge_v that_o the_o scripture_n say_v this_o but_o upon_o a_o supposition_n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act_v 2._o 5._o can_v signify_v no_o other_o thing_n than_o inhabitant_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n for_o the_o word_n denote_v such_o as_o abide_v in_o a_o place_n not_o only_o as_o inhabitant_n but_o as_o stranger_n or_o sojourner_n thus_o dr._n hammond_n will_v have_v it_o translate_v abide_v rather_o than_o dwell_v loc_n dwell_v in_o loc_n those_o that_o be_v there_o as_o stranger_n 2._o stranger_n in_o act._n 10._o 2._o and_o here_o express_v those_o abide_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o be_v jew_n which_o come_v up_o to_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passeover_n and_o proselyte_n which_o have_v come_v from_o several_a nation_n of_o all_o quarter_n of_o the_o world_n thus_o also_o mr._n mead_n 5._o mead_n in_o exercit._n in_o act._n 2._o 5._o for_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o which_o i_o translate_v sojourn_v rather_o than_o dwell_v for_o so_o i_o understand_v it_o that_o they_o be_v not_o proper_a dweller_n but_o such_o as_o come_v to_o worship_n at_o jerusalem_n from_o those_o far_a country_n at_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o passeover_n and_o pentecost_n and_o so_o have_v be_v continue_v there_o some_o good_a time_n it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o the_o usual_a greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v a_o durable_a mansion_n but_o with_o the_o hellenist_n in_o who_o dialect_n the_o scripture_n speak_v they_o be_v use_v indifferent_o for_o a_o stay_n of_o a_o short_a or_o long_a time_n that_o be_v for_o to_o sojourn_v as_o well_o as_o to_o dwell_v as_o these_o two_o example_n out_o of_o the_o septuagint_n will_v make_v manifest_a gen._n 27._o 44._o 1_o king_n 17._o 20._o there_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v to_o sojourn_v only_o in_o a_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d answer_n to_o the_o hebrew_n verb_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v any_o stay_n or_o remain_v in_o a_o place_n grotius_n say_v it_o answer_v the_o hebrew_n word_n which_o be_v render_v not_o only_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n add_v therefore_o it_o be_v not_o say_v only_o of_o they_o who_o have_v fix_v their_o habitation_n but_o of_o those_o who_o be_v come_v to_o the_o city_n for_o the_o celebrate_n of_o the_o passeover_n or_o pentecost_n stay_v there_o for_o a_o while_n the_o best_a and_o most_o learned_a expositor_n general_o take_v it_o so_o in_o this_o place_n as_o denote_v not_o settle_v inhabitant_n but_o such_o as_o reside_v there_o only_o for_o a_o time_n indeed_o when_o this_o author_n will_v have_v the_o scripture_n say_v all_o these_o strange_a nation_n be_v inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n he_o make_v it_o speak_v thing_n inconsistent_a for_o it_o be_v say_v for_o 9_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dweller_n at_o mesopotamia_n judea_n cappadocia_n pontus_n asia_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o must_v be_v understand_v either_o that_o they_o be_v inhabitant_n or_o sojourner_n in_o those_o country_n that_o they_o be_v now_o sojourner_n there_o no_o man_n will_v imagine_v nor_o can_v any_o man_n be_v say_v to_o be_v actual_o a_o sojourner_n in_o a_o place_n where_o he_o be_v not_o and_o if_o they_o be_v
together_o 46._o together_o clemens_n constitut_o l._n 7._o c._n 46._o some_o will_v have_v euodias_n ordain_v by_o peter_n and_o ignatius_n by_o paul_n other_o report_n ignatius_n ordain_v by_o peter_n and_o some_o modern_a author_n of_o great_a eminency_n both_o protestant_n and_o papist_n not_o only_a baronius_n but_o dr._n hammond_n find_v no_o more_o tolerable_a way_n to_o reconcile_v they_o than_o by_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o there_o at_o once_o which_o quite_o blast_v the_o conceit_n of_o a_o diocesan_n church_n there_o and_o what_o be_v allege_v for_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o to_o support_v this_o conceit_n of_o a_o diocesan_n church_n be_v very_o feeble_a pag._n 452_o 453._o a_o great_a number_n believe_v act_v 11._o 21._o and_o much_o people_n ver_fw-la 24._o the_o next_o verse_n show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n assemble_v within_o one_o church_n meet_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o a_o year_n together_o and_o there_o teach_v this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o same_o divine_a author_n say_v act_v 6._o 7._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v convert_v and_o will_v this_o gentleman_n hence_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v priest_n enough_o convert_v to_o make_v a_o diocese_n he_o have_v no_o ground_n from_o scripture_n to_o think_v otherwise_o of_o rome_n that_o we_o may_v take_v in_o all_o his_o scripture_n instance_n together_o however_o he_o will_v persuade_v we_o that_o there_o be_v several_a congregation_n there_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n let_v we_o see_v how_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o salutation_n in_o the_o end_n of_o that_o epistle_n he_o make_v appear_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n salute_v priscilla_n and_o aquila_n with_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o house_n the_o dean_n of_o paul_n will_v have_v this_o church_n in_o their_o house_n to_o be_v but_o a_o family_n this_o author_n will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v a_o congregation_n as_o if_o it_o may_v be_v either_o to_o serve_v a_o turn_n i_o think_v it_o be_v such_o a_o congregation_n as_o remove_v with_o aquila_n from_o one_o country_n to_o another_o for_o this_o church_n which_o be_v in_o their_o house_n at_o ephesus_n before_o 1_o cor_n 16._o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o their_o house_n at_o rome_n rom._n 16._o that_o be_v there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o church_n which_o belong_v to_o their_o family_n it_o be_v a_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v now_o at_o rome_n any_o one_o congregation_n such_o as_o our_o author_n intend_v grotius_n 16._o grotius_n in_o rom._n 16._o think_v it_o probable_a there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v a_o congregation_n where_o find_v he_o his_o several_a other_o why_o where_o another_o person_n will_v scarce_o dream_v of_o any_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a say_v he_o that_o several_a that_o be_v mention_v with_o all_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v with_o they_o may_v be_v the_o officer_n of_o several_a congregation_n pag._n 457._o 458._o but_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n one_o congregation_n have_v many_o officer_n how_o then_o can_v several_a officer_n be_v a_o good_a medium_fw-la to_o prove_v several_a congregation_n the_o ancient_a author_n which_o count_v those_o officer_n mention_v rom._n 16._o do_v make_v they_o bishop_n and_o some_o except_o not_o narcissus_n nor_o prisca_n i._n e._n priscilla_n though_o her_o husband_n also_o have_v a_o episcopal_a chair_n assign_v he_o now_o if_o they_o be_v not_o bishop_n at_o rome_n but_o other_o place_n they_o be_v allege_v to_o no_o purpose_n if_o they_o be_v bishop_n at_o rome_n there_o will_v be_v very_o many_o bishop_n in_o that_o one_o church_n it_o may_v be_v more_o than_o priscilla_n congregation_n consist_v of_o which_o rather_o than_o our_o author_n will_v grant_v i_o suppose_v he_o will_v quit_v his_o plurality_n of_o congregation_n here_o indeed_o what_o he_o add_v next_o do_v no_o way_n favour_v they_o and_o this_o number_n be_v afterward_o increase_v considerable_o by_o the_o come_n of_o paul_n who_o convert_v some_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o afterward_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o whole_a year_n no_o man_n forbid_v he_o pag._n 458._o paul_n preach_v at_o rome_n in_o his_o hire_a house_n for_o two_o year_n all_o this_o while_n he_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v to_o he_o there_o be_v no_o question_n but_o that_o all_o the_o christian_n there_o do_v come_v to_o hear_v this_o most_o eminent_a apostle_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v from_o first_o to_o last_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n at_o rome_n than_o a_o private_a house_n can_v receive_v he_o will_v prove_v what_o he_o intend_v from_o nero_n persecution_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o christian_n to_o death_n upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o have_v fire_v rome_n pag._n 458._o tacitus_n speak_v of_o the_o christian_n as_o guilty_a and_o say_v they_o confess_v the_o crime_n and_o detect_v many_o other_o now_o those_o who_o suffer_v either_o confess_v that_o they_o fire_v rome_n and_o then_o they_o be_v no_o christian_n or_o they_o do_v not_o confess_v it_o and_o then_o he_o wrong_v they_o intolerable_o and_o deserve_v no_o credit_n but_o our_o author_n to_o excuse_v he_o against_o the_o sense_n of_o such_o who_o best_a understand_v he_o lipsius_n particularlay_n beside_o baronius_n and_o other_o say_v they_o confess_v not_o that_o they_o burn_v rome_n but_o that_o they_o be_v christian_n whereas_o the_o inquiry_n be_v concern_v the_o burn_a of_o rome_n the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o they_o be_v christian_n but_o whether_o they_o fire_v the_o city_n of_o this_o last_o tacitus_n speak_v and_o will_v be_v so_o understand_v by_o those_o who_o think_v he_o speak_v pertinent_o but_o for_o truth_n in_o those_o account_n he_o give_v of_o christian_n it_o be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v expect_v than_o from_o other_o heathen_a author_n of_o those_o age_n with_o who_o it_o be_v customary_a on_o that_o subject_n splendidè_fw-la mentiri_fw-la some_o other_o instance_n hereof_o we_o have_v in_o this_o report_n of_o tacitus_n which_o i_o suppose_v our_o author_n will_v scarce_o offer_v to_o excuse_v as_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v call_v exitiabilis_fw-la superstitio_fw-la and_o when_o the_o christian_n be_v say_v per_fw-la flagitia_fw-la invisos_fw-la vulgô_o fuisse_fw-la but_o suppose_v he_o speak_v truth_n what_o be_v it_o he_o say_v nero_n put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o they_o to_o death_n but_o ingens_fw-la multitudo_fw-la which_o be_v his_o word_n may_v be_v far_o less_o than_o a_o infinite_a multitude_n two_o or_o three_o hundred_o may_v pass_v for_o a_o great_a multitude_n and_o extraordinary_o great_a when_o that_o which_o be_v speak_v of_o they_o be_v extraordinary_a the_o martyr_n burn_v in_o queen_n mary_n day_n be_v a_o great_a multitude_n and_o few_o may_v be_v account_v very_o many_o to_o suffer_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o these_o do_v by_o nero_n cruelty_n ferarum_fw-la tergis_fw-la contecti_fw-la ut_fw-la laniatu_fw-la canum_fw-la interirent_fw-la aut_fw-la crucibus_fw-la affixi_fw-la aut_fw-la flammandi_fw-la atque_fw-la ubi_fw-la defecisset_fw-la dies_fw-la in_o usum_fw-la nocturni_fw-la luminis_fw-la uterentur_fw-la in_o the_o word_n of_o tacitus_n to_o this_o he_o add_v the_o general_a account_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o the_o success_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n immediate_o after_o the_o first_o discovery_n of_o it_o that_o present_o in_o all_o city_n and_o village_n church_n abound_v with_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v assemble_v etc._n etc._n pag._n 459._o if_o he_o will_v not_o deal_v unkind_o with_o eusebius_n he_o must_v not_o set_v his_o expression_n upon_o the_o rack_n nor_o stretch_v they_o beyond_o his_o intention_n nor_o forget_v what_o be_v observe_v to_o be_v usual_a with_o he_o oratorem_fw-la more_fw-mi rem_fw-la amplificare_fw-la these_o church_n consist_v of_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v say_v to_o be_v not_o only_o in_o all_o city_n but_o village_n now_o i_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a matter_n for_o our_o author_n to_o show_v we_o any_o village_n even_o in_o constantine_n time_n where_o there_o be_v a_o thousand_o yea_o or_o 500_o christian_n those_o who_o will_v not_o abuse_v themselves_o or_o their_o reader_n must_v give_v great_a allowance_n to_o such_o expression_n and_o not_o rely_v on_o they_o in_o strict_a argue_v and_o here_o it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o he_o say_v of_o rome_n in_o another_o chapter_n m._n b._n have_v declare_v that_o he_o find_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o rome_n and_o alexandria_n have_v for_o 200_o year_n more_o
christian_n than_o some_o london_n parish_n which_o have_v 60000_o soul_n nor_o near_a if_o half_o so_o many_o 27._o many_o church_n hist_o p._n 7._o vindicat._n p._n 27._o the_o chief_a if_o not_o the_o only_a argument_n to_o prove_v they_o at_o rome_n more_o numerous_a be_v a_o passage_n in_o cornelius_n his_o epistle_n show_v the_o number_n of_o the_o officer_n and_o of_o the_o poor_a this_o be_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o age_n and_o so_o not_o within_o these_o 200_o year_n but_o yet_o prove_v not_o what_o it_o be_v allege_v for_o in_o cornelius_n time_n near_o anno_fw-la 360._o the_o number_n of_o officer_n signify_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o have_v be_v make_v evident_a the_o number_n of_o the_o poor_a be_v 1500_o rather_o prove_v the_o contrary_a this_o be_v clear_v by_o compare_v the_o proportion_n of_o the_o poor_a with_o the_o rest_n in_o other_o place_n at_o antioch_n in_o particular_a as_o be_v show_v out_o of_o chrysostome_n who_o reckon_v the_o poor_a to_o be_v a_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o at_o rome_n in_o cornelius_n time_n the_o christian_n be_v about_o 15000._o this_o will_v serve_v m._n b_n purpose_n well_o enough_o but_o the_o time_n and_o circumstance_n be_v exceed_v different_a make_v it_o most_o probable_a that_o the_o christian_n then_o at_o rome_n do_v nothing_o near_o so_o much_o exceed_v the_o poor_a in_o number_n it_o be_v far_o more_o likely_a that_o the_o proportion_n be_v near_o that_o at_o constantinople_n where_o chrysostom_n say_v the_o poor_a be_v one_o half_o this_o will_v spoil_v all_o our_o author_n pretension_n and_o so_o he_o advise_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o however_o something_o he_o will_v say_v against_o m._n b._n if_o one_o can_v understand_v it_o it_o be_v about_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o cornelius_n epistle_n render_v the_o poor_a valesius_fw-la observe_v the_o word_n be_v use_v by_o the_o roman_a clergy_n in_o a_o epistle_n to_o those_o at_o 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all_o interpreter_n former_a and_o late_a that_o i_o meet_v with_o and_o indeed_o against_o common_a sense_n for_o the_o number_n cornelius_n speak_v of_o be_v fix_v as_o that_o of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n such_o as_o may_v be_v constant_o know_v and_o a_o certain_a account_n give_v of_o it_o whereas_o the_o number_n of_o the_o sick_a be_v not_o fix_v but_o such_o a_o contingency_n as_o be_v very_o uncertain_a and_o various_a but_o cornelius_n say_v in_o the_o same_o epistle_n that_o the_o people_n of_o his_o church_n be_v innumerable_a true_o that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o frequent_a use_n of_o the_o word_n very_o many_o it_o be_v grant_v they_o be_v more_o than_o in_o any_o other_o church_n as_o when_o dio_n say_v the_o nation_n conquer_v by_o trajan_n be_v innumerable_a and_o socrates_n express_v those_o wound_v in_o the_o fight_n between_o the_o christian_n and_o heathen_a in_o alexandria_n about_o the_o demolish_n of_o a_o idol_n temple_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 15._o 〈◊〉_d lib._n 5._o c._n 15._o which_o in_o sozomen_n be_v but_o many_o 15._o many_o lib._n 7._o c._n 15._o and_o another_o ancient_a author_n say_v there_o be_v innumerable_a bishop_n in_o africa_n which_o yet_o this_o gentleman_n can_v easy_o count_v and_o tell_v we_o that_o schismatic_n and_o all_o be_v but_o 466_o 131_o 466_o pag._n 131_o m._n b._n may_v allow_v he_o what_o he_o fall_v short_a in_o this_o reckon_n which_o be_v more_o than_o half_a and_o may_v grant_v there_o be_v many_o more_o hundred_o of_o christian_n in_o rome_n than_o any_o of_o these_o innumerable_n come_v to_o and_o yet_o make_v good_a what_o he_o suppose_v the_o great_a liberality_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v offer_v as_o no_o small_a argument_n of_o its_o greatness_n they_o send_v to_o a_o great_a many_o church_n relieve_v those_o that_o be_v in_o want_n and_o send_v necessary_n to_o such_o as_o be_v condemn_v to_o the_o mine_n thus_o in_o severus_n time_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o dionysius_n the_o province_n of_o syria_n with_o arabia_n be_v thereby_o relieve_v every_o one_o pag._n 53._o m._n b._n need_v not_o doubt_n but_o some_o one_o parish_n near_o he_o may_v do_v what_o be_v equivalent_a to_o this_o if_o the_o ancient_a charity_n be_v revive_v which_o open_v the_o heart_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o time_n further_o than_o their_o purse_n can_v well_o extend_v but_o the_o word_n be_v odd_o stretch_v for_o they_o do_v not_o relieve_v every_o one_o in_o all_o those_o place_n but_o such_o as_o be_v in_o great_a want_n and_o those_o particular_o who_o be_v condemn_v to_o the_o mine_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d must_v denote_v as_o it_o be_v the_o alsufficiency_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n which_o some_o will_v say_v be_v as_o it_o be_v blasphemy_n but_o our_o author_n mean_v better_o the_o proper_a import_n of_o the_o word_n be_v no_o more_o than_o stipem_fw-la confer_v he_o allege_v two_o passage_n in_o eusebius_n 54._o eusebius_n pag._n 54._o the_o former_a concern_v not_o rome_n more_o than_o any_o other_o place_n in_o the_o empire_n the_o import_n of_o it_o be_v this_o not_o that_o every_o soul_n of_o every_o sort_n but_o that_o many_o of_o all_o sort_n be_v lead_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v stretch_v to_o every_o soul_n eusebius_n be_v make_v to_o speak_v what_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n notorious_o false_a and_o monstrous_o extravagant_a the_o late_a which_o concern_v rome_n do_v but_o signify_v that_o more_o of_o good_a quality_n for_o riches_n and_o birth_n with_o their_o family_n and_o relative_n come_v over_o for_o salvation_n 21._o salvation_n lib._n 5._o c._n 21._o these_o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v of_o the_o nobility_n but_o those_o be_v count_v noble_a who_o descend_v from_o such_o as_o have_v be_v magistrate_n in_o city_n or_o free_a to_n how_o this_o can_v make_v that_o church_n near_o so_o great_a as_o our_o author_n will_v have_v it_o or_o great_a than_o m._n b._n suppose_v i_o do_v understand_v what_o he_o subjoin_v be_v very_o surprise_v and_o must_v seem_v 54._o pag._n 54._o strange_a to_o those_o who_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o state_n of_o church_n in_o those_o time_n that_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o better_a half_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n that_o they_o be_v the_o major_a part_n every_o where_o but_o in_o rome_n more_o eminent_o this_o have_v no_o good_a warrant_n from_o ancient_a author_n no_o not_o from_o tertullian_n though_o he_o write_v many_o year_n after_o commodus_n he_o like_v a_o orator_n draw_v something_o big_a than_o the_o life_n as_o our_o author_n say_v of_o nazianzen_n pag._n 137._o and_o must_v have_v allowance_n on_o this_o account_n by_o those_o who_o will_v not_o be_v injurious_a to_o he_o in_o that_o very_a age_n wherein_o commodus_n reign_v it_o be_v say_v the_o christian_n be_v so_o often_o slaughter_v that_o few_o can_v be_v sound_a in_o rome_n who_o profess_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n xysti_n christ_n platina_n u●●_n xysti_n and_o near_o 150_o year_n after_o when_o constantine_n have_v reign_v near_o 20_o year_n in_o rome_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n show_v such_o disaffection_n to_o christianity_n as_o that_o be_v give_v for_o one_o reason_n why_o he_o transfer_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n to_o byzantium_n 61._o byzantium_n zosimus_n hist_o l._n 2._o p._n 61._o he_o run_v beyond_o m._n b_n bound_n towards_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o century_n and_o tell_v we_o the_o great_a part_n of_o alexander_n severus_n his_o family_n be_v christian_n and_o so_o they_o may_v be_v and_o yet_o no_o more_o christian_n in_o rome_n for_o that_o if_o they_o be_v christian_n before_o they_o come_v into_o his_o family_n which_o be_v more_o likely_a than_o that_o they_o be_v
convert_v in_o it_o however_o many_o more_o such_o addition_n will_v not_o increase_v that_o church_n beyond_o m._n b_n measure_n nor_o make_v it_o near_o so_o numerous_a as_o that_o parish_n to_o which_o whitehall_n belong_v what_o he_o next_o offer_v neither_o concern_v rome_n be_v 55._o pag._n 55._o general_a expression_n nor_o m._n b._n refer_v to_o the_o age_n after_o those_o which_o he_o be_v concern_v for_o whether_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o understand_v the_o great_a multitude_n which_o be_v gather_v into_o the_o christian_a profession_n as_o valesius_fw-la or_o that_o assemble_v together_o for_o christian_a worship_n as_o our_o author_n be_v not_o material_a though_o the_o former_a be_v more_o likely_a unless_o we_o can_v think_v eusebius_n a_o elegant_a writer_n will_v use_v so_o much_o tautology_n in_o so_o few_o line_n that_o from_o which_o he_o may_v expect_v more_o service_n be_v the_o next_o expression_n which_o he_o render_v the_o multitude_n of_o their_o meeting_n in_o every_o city_n but_o may_v with_o better_a reason_n be_v render_v the_o numerousness_n or_o multitude_n of_o those_o that_o assemble_v in_o several_a city_n for_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o every_o city_n have_v many_o congregation_n of_o christian_n in_o it_o that_o there_o be_v many_o city_n long_o after_o which_o have_v no_o christian_n in_o they_o and_o two_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o city_n in_o the_o whole_a empire_n that_o at_o this_o time_n have_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o unless_o where_o they_o all_o may_v have_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n they_o think_v it_o better_o in_o prudence_n to_o disperse_v themselves_o into_o several_a meeting_n for_o in_o alexandria_n which_o be_v the_o great_a city_n next_o to_o rome_n and_o the_o most_o populous_a church_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o be_v no_o appearance_n of_o more_o assembly_n till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o ten_o persecution_n and_o the_o death_n of_o peter_n bishop_n there_o who_o suffer_v in_o the_o nine_o year_n of_o it_o 32._o it_o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 32._o and_o therefore_o the_o elegant_a gradation_n in_o discover_v of_o which_o this_o gentleman_n will_v have_v we_o take_v notice_n that_o he_o have_v a_o more_o comprehensive_a faculty_n than_o valesius_fw-la seem_v not_o very_o well_o found_v that_o which_o follow_v be_v a_o hundred_o year_n or_o more_o beyond_o 55._o pag._n 55._o the_o time_n to_o which_o m._n b._n limit_n his_o assertion_n about_o this_o time_n or_o not_o long_o after_o rome_n have_v above_o 40_o church_n which_o we_o must_v not_o imagine_v to_o be_v build_v all_o at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o by_o degree_n according_a as_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n do_v require_v etc._n etc._n pag._n 55._o from_o the_o number_n of_o church_n he_o can_v reasonable_o conclude_v such_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n as_o he_o contend_v for_o there_o be_v many_o church_n in_o alexandria_n when_o athanasius_n be_v bishop_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o his_o communion_n than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n baronius_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o city_n in_o germany_n which_o have_v 400_o church_n in_o it_o and_o yet_o no_o reason_n ●_o anno_fw-la 108_o ●_o ●_o to_o think_v that_o town_n be_v comparable_a for_o circuit_n and_o populousness_n either_o to_o rome_n or_o alexandria_n if_o i_o shall_v say_v that_o in_o optatus_n there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o church_n but_o the_o number_n mistake_v by_o the_o transcriber_n this_o will_v be_v as_o good_a a_o answer_n as_o that_o of_o our_o author_n who_o will_v have_v the_o 12_o or_o 14_o year_n of_o athanasius_n his_o banishment_n in_o epiphanius_n not_o to_o be_v so_o many_o month_n and_o that_o year_n be_v put_v instead_o of_o month_n by_o the_o mistake_n of_o the_o copy_n pag._n 113._o or_o that_o other_o about_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o council_n at_o anticch_n where_o he_o will_v have_v 30_o in_o diverse_a author_n to_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o the_o transcriber_n for_o 90_o or_o 97_o or_o 99_o ecclos_n 99_o pag._n 123_o 124_o 125._o interpret_v vo●_n ecclos_n onuphrius_n must_v have_v like_v such_o a_o answer_n to_o this_o of_o optatus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v as_o much_o concern_v for_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n as_o any_o and_o no_o less_o inquisitive_a into_o the_o ancient_a state_n of_o it_o yet_o deliver_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n manifest_a and_o certain_a that_o rome_n have_v but_o 28_o title_n and_o this_o number_n not_o complete_v till_o the_o five_o age._n but_o there_o be_v no_o need_n to_o insist_v on_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v not_o so_o material_a how_o many_o church_n there_o be_v as_o when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o and_o about_o the_o time_n he_o will_v have_v blondel_n to_o mistake_v and_o m._n b._n to_o follow_v he_o therein_o he_o have_v be_v nibble_v at_o blondell_n a_o little_a before_o upon_o a_o small_a occasion_n and_o with_o as_o little_a reason_n as_o may_v be_v show_v if_o it_o be_v sit_v to_o follow_v one_o in_o his_o vagary_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o here_o he_o do_v not_o follow_v valesius_fw-la in_o his_o mistake_n who_o will_v have_v optatus_n to_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o diocletian_a be_v persecution_n tempore_fw-la persecutionis_fw-la diocletiani_n 43._o diocletiani_n in_o euseb_n lib._n 6._o c._n 43._o but_o optatus_n speak_v of_o those_o church_n when_o extant_a and_o capable_a of_o receive_v congregation_n as_o be_v plain_a by_o his_o word_n but_o what_o church_n be_v at_o rome_n or_o other_o place_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o that_o persecution_n be_v all_o quite_o demolish_v and_o that_o in_o one_o day_n say_v theodoret_n 38._o theodoret_n hist_o l._n 5._o c._n 38._o or_o the_o paschal_n day_n as_o eusebius_n chron._n eusebius_n chron._n and_o there_o be_v no_o probability_n they_o can_v rebuild_v they_o while_o the_o persecution_n last_v or_o that_o so_o many_o can_v be_v raise_v in_o less_o than_o many_o year_n after_o nicephorus_n speak_v but_o of_o 14_o church_n at_o constantinople_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o theodosius_n junior_a nor_o meet_v i_o with_o any_o author_n that_o give_v a_o account_n of_o more_o yet_o this_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o byzantium_n be_v re-edifyed_n and_o both_o constantine_n and_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n endeavour_v to_o make_v that_o city_n as_o populous_a as_o can_v be_v and_o furnish_v it_o with_o church_n answerable_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n there_o can_v be_v 40_o church_n in_o rome_n at_o any_o time_n near_o dioclesian_n than_o optatus_n but_o to_o help_v this_o our_o author_n tell_v we_o out_o of_o optatus_n that_o there_o be_v three_o donatist_n bishop_n at_o rome_n successive_o before_o macrobius_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o optatus_n and_o that_o the_o first_o of_o they_o be_v victor_n garbiensis_fw-la and_o he_o will_v have_v optatus_n to_o speak_v of_o the_o state_n of_o rome_n the_o 40_o church_n there_o not_o as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o own_o time_n but_o in_o that_o of_o this_o victor_n when_o this_o be_v he_o say_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o six_o pag._n 56._o yet_o this_o be_v certain_a it_o can_v be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n persecution_n for_o the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n do_v not_o break_v out_o till_o majorinus_n be_v ordain_v who_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o faction_n make_v in_o africa_n or_o elsewhere_o and_o this_o be_v sometime_o after_o the_o persecution_n be_v there_o end_v as_o optatus_n and_o valcsius_n after_o he_o and_o other_o declare_v 3._o declare_v de_fw-fr schis_n denat_n cap._n 3._o and_o sometime_o must_v be_v allow_v after_o this_o for_o the_o donatist_n settle_v in_o rome_n and_o such_o a_o increase_n of_o they_o there_o as_o to_o need_v a_o bishop_n baronius_n make_v this_o victor_n to_o be_v bishop_n in_o silvester_n time_n which_o may_v be_v long_o enough_o after_o dioclesian_n persecution_n for_o he_o live_v till_o 335._o all_o which_o our_o author_n have_v to_o allege_v for_o the_o more_o early_a date_n of_o victor_n bishopric_n be_v that_o there_o be_v two_o or_o three_o donatist_n bishop_n between_o victor_n and_o optatus_n but_o this_o will_v scarce_o serve_v his_o turn_n for_o there_o be_v four_o bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o that_o very_a age_n wherein_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v who_o hold_v not_o the_o chair_n ten_o year_n among_o they_o marcellus_z eusebius_n melchiade_n and_o marcus_n but_o we_o may_v allow_v the_o three_o donatist_n bishop_n at_o rome_n near_o ten_o year_n a_o piece_n from_o the_o time_n of_o optatus_n 378_o as_o both_o blondel_n and_o valesius_fw-la agree_n and_o yet_o victor_n garbiensis_fw-la