2._o whether_o he_o die_v there_o 3._o whether_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n 4._o whether_o after_o he_o have_v once_o assume_v that_o bishopric_n he_o ever_o change_v it_o for_o another_o all_o which_o he_o handle_v after_o his_o manner_n several_o and_o at_o large_a but_o indeed_o the_o second_o comprehend_v the_o first_o for_o if_o peter_n be_v martyr_a at_o rome_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v there_o and_o the_o four_o though_o he_o put_v most_o stress_n upon_o it_o may_v fit_o be_v include_v under_o the_o three_o for_o if_o they_o can_v prove_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v at_o any_o time_n bishop_n of_o rome_n we_o shall_v not_o much_o trouble_v ourselves_o whether_o he_o afterward_o remove_v from_o thence_o both_o because_o i_o think_v the_o practice_n of_o a_o bishop_n translation_n from_o one_o see_v to_o another_o be_v not_o altogether_o so_o early_o in_o the_o church_n their_o talk_n of_o the_o same_o apostle_n removal_n from_o antioch_n to_o rome_n shall_v be_v further_o consider_v anon_o as_o also_o because_o i_o remember_v not_o any_o but_o their_o own_o onuphrius_n that_o have_v insist_v upon_o or_o object_v any_o such_o matter_n so_o that_o the_o main_a question_n be_v only_o this_o whether_o st._n peter_n be_v ever_o in_o a_o proper_a sense_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o because_o that_o will_v be_v improbable_a in_o the_o high_a degree_n if_o beside_o other_o reason_n it_o can_v plain_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o he_o be_v at_o some_o time_n or_o other_o there_o it_o will_v therefore_o be_v sufficient_a to_o discuss_v these_o two_o question_n 1._o question_n whether_o st._n peter_n be_v ever_o at_o rome_n 2._o whether_o suppose_v he_o be_v there_o he_o be_v bishop_n in_o the_o strict_a and_o now_o usual_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n of_o that_o church_n to_o prove_v peter_n to_o have_v be_v at_o rome_n cardinal_n bellarmin_n produce_v five_o argument_n which_o we_o shall_v several_o consider_v the_o first_o from_o that_o text_n 1_o pet._n 5._o 13._o the_o church_n that_o be_v at_o babylon_n salute_v you_o by_o babylon_n here_o say_v he_o be_v mean_v rome_n therefore_o peter_n when_o he_o write_v that_o epistle_n be_v there_o now_o that_o peter_n do_v mean_a rome_n by_o the_o word_n babylon_n in_o that_o place_n he_o will_v prove_v 1._o because_o eusebius_n record_v that_o one_o papias_n do_v say_v that_o this_o epistle_n of_o peter_n be_v write_v from_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o the_o apostle_n do_v there_o tropical_o call_v babylon_n to_o which_o purpose_n the_o cardinal_n also_o cite_v st._n hierom_n and_o other_o as_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n or_o rather_o follow_v papias_n therein_o 2._o because_o rome_n in_o the_o revelation_n be_v frequent_o call_v babylon_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o this_o be_v prove_v ignotum_fw-la per_fw-la ignotius_fw-la a_o doubtful_a thing_n by_o a_o thing_n utter_o improbable_a a_o controvert_v matter_n of_o fact_n by_o a_o uncertain_a groundless_a opinion_n do_v not_o all_o the_o world_n know_v that_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n two_o great_a city_n who_o proper_a name_n be_v babylon_n one_o in_o assyria_n famous_a in_o all_o ancient_a history_n as_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o first_o monarchy_n the_o other_o in_o egypt_n mention_v in_o strabo_n l._n 17._o and_o by_o ptolemy_n call_v babulis_fw-la the_o same_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o which_o at_o this_o day_n be_v call_v cairo_n or_o near_o it_o and_o why_o may_v not_o peter_n date_n his_o epistle_n from_o one_o of_o these_o for_o as_o he_o for_o the_o most_o part_n preach_v to_o the_o disperse_a jew_n of_o who_o no_o doubt_n many_o be_v scatter_v through_o chaldaea_n and_o assyria_n so_o he_o may_v probable_o exert_v his_o ministry_n at_o the_o first_o mention_v babylon_n be_v so_o eminent_a a_o place_n on_o the_o same_o continent_n and_o at_o no_o great_a distance_n from_o jerusalem_n especicial_o since_o nicephorus_n tell_v we_o he_o preach_v all_o through_o palestina_n and_o syria_n nor_o be_v this_o only_a my_o private_a sentiment_n the_o great_a scaliger_n 31._o speak_v bold_o petrus_n romae_fw-la nunquam_fw-la fuit_fw-la sed_fw-la praedicabat_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cujus_fw-la metropolis_n erat_fw-la babylon_n ex_fw-la qua_fw-la scribit_fw-la epistolam_fw-la svam_fw-la peter_n be_v never_o at_o rome_n but_o preach_v to_o the_o disperse_a jew_n in_o asia_n the_o metropolis_n whereof_o be_v babylon_n from_o whence_o he_o write_v his_o epistle_n who_o the_o very_a learned_a de_fw-fr marca_n archbishop_n of_o paris_n second_o in_o these_o word_n 4._o although_o the_o ancient_n imagine_v that_o peter_n by_o the_o word_n babylon_n signify_v the_o city_n of_o rome_n yet_o scaliger_n conjecture_n be_v probable_a who_o think_v that_o peter_n write_v from_o babylon_n itself_o this_o epistle_n to_o the_o disperse_a jew_n or_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o it_o be_v true_a which_o the_o foresay_a nicephrous_a write_v 39_o that_o from_o pontus_n galatia_n etc._n etc._n peter_n go_v down_o into_o egypt_n where_o he_o create_v st._n mark_v bishop_n of_o alexandria_n then_o why_o may_v he_o not_o send_v this_o epistle_n from_o the_o egyption_n babylon_n so_o that_o either_o way_n by_o babylon_n be_v far_o more_o likely_a to_o be_v understand_v one_o of_o those_o place_n rather_o than_o rome_n for_o 2._o what_o a_o extravagance_n be_v it_o to_o imagine_v that_o s._n peter_n shall_v disguise_v and_o conceal_v from_o whence_o he_o write_v or_o qualify_v the_o place_n which_o he_o have_v choose_v to_o be_v his_o episcopal_n see_v and_o perpetual_a seat_n of_o church-soveraignty_n as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o with_o so_o uncouth_a a_o title_n when_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o colour_n of_o reason_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v now_o learn_v or_o occasion_n why_o he_o shall_v so_o do_v nor_o any_o example_n of_o the_o like_a kind_n to_o be_v find_v for_o though_o s._n luke_n in_o the_o act_n and_o s._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n frequent_o speak_v of_o rome_n yet_o they_o never_o call_v it_o babylon_n now_o when_o the_o apostle_n say_v the_o church_n at_o babylon_n salute_v you_o certain_o he_o intend_v as_o all_o man_n do_v in_o their_o epistle_n that_o they_o shall_v know_v where_o he_o be_v and_o who_o they_o be_v that_o salute_v they_o but_o this_o be_v i_o think_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o do_v if_o by_o babylon_n he_o mean_v rome_n no_o author_n either_o civil_a or_o sacred_a have_v then_o ever_o call_v it_o so_o 3._o that_o st._n john_n in_o the_o revelation_n above_o fifty_o year_n after_o for_o baronius_n who_o say_v this_o epistle_n be_v write_v an._n chr._n 45._o tell_v we_o also_o that_o the_o revelation_n be_v write_v an._n 97._o do_v call_v rome_n babylon_n be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o though_o a_o tropical_a denomination_n suit_n well_o with_o a_o prophetic_a style_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o in_o a_o plain_a epistolary_a salutation_n a_o proper_a name_n must_v be_v wrest_v from_o its_o genuine_a signification_n to_o such_o a_o abstruse_a and_o remote_a sense_n st._n john_n write_v mysterious_a prophecy_n use_v type_n and_o figure_n to_o express_v future_a thing_n but_o that_o peter_n in_o a_o familiar_a recommendation_n shall_v do_v so_o have_v neither_o truth_n nor_o probability_n the_o reason_n why_o st._n john_n denominate_v rome_n babylon_n though_o represent_v in_o a_o vision_n be_v not_o yet_o actual_o in_o be_v for_o it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o allusion_n that_o as_o babylon_n of_o old_a hold_v the_o jew_n the_o then_o people_n of_o god_n in_o temporal_a captivity_n so_o she_o shall_v in_o time_n to_o come_v bring_v christian_n into_o a_o spiritual_a vassalage_n and_o thence_o she_o be_v call_v mystery_n babylon_n it_o seem_v the_o learned_a cardinal_n think_v some_o text_n of_o scripture_n will_v be_v expect_v to_o prove_v peter_n be_v at_o rome_n and_o find_v nothing_o look_v that_o way_n be_v force_v to_o hedge_v in_o this_o though_o it_o cost_v he_o dear_a for_o thereby_o he_o confess_v and_o proclaim_v rome_n to_o be_v the_o apocalyptical_a babylon_n but_o though_o a_o hard_a pinch_n reduce_v he_o to_o this_o necessity_n yet_o he_o hope_v to_o secure_v his_o retreat_n by_o affirm_v that_o rome_n be_v term_v babylon_n not_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o future_a roman_a church_n but_o as_o it_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n that_o then_o domineer_v over_o the_o earth_n as_o babylon_n do_v of_o old_a but_o this_o evasion_n be_v as_o gross_a as_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o since_o it_o be_v plain_a the_o revelation_n from_o the_o four_o chapter_n especial_o be_v a_o prophetic_a book_n not_o historical_a for_o so_o be_v the_o express_a word_n there_o v_o 1._o come_v up_o hither_o and_o i_o will_v show_v thing_n that_o shall_v be_v hereafter_o and_o also_o it_o relate_v all_o along_o to_o the_o future_a state_n
lord_n body_n till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o last_o judgement_n act_n 3._o 21._o chap._n iii_o whether_o st._n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n if_o it_o can_v be_v sufficient_o make_v appear_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v ever_o at_o rome_n one_o will_v think_v we_o may_v supersede_n our_o pain_n of_o inquire_v whether_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n no_o say_v bellarmin_n many_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n 2._o that_o never_o be_v at_o rome_n as_o clement_n the_o 5_o john_n the_o 22th_o benedict_n the_o 12_o clement_n the_o 6_o and_o innocent_a the_o 6_o who_o be_v ordain_v in_o france_n do_v always_o remain_v there_o how_o proper_o those_o gentleman_n can_v be_v call_v bishop_n of_o rome_n that_o be_v neither_o choose_v there_o nor_o ever_o see_v that_o city_n in_o their_o life_n i_o shall_v not_o inquire_v not_o repine_v at_o his_o holiness_n if_o he_o please_v to_o make_v titular_a bishop_n of_o remote_a place_n in_o asia_n or_o africa_n where_o perhaps_o there_o may_v not_o be_v one_o christian_a soul_n live_v or_o if_o he_o will_v gratify_v his_o favourite_n with_o episcopal_n see_v in_o utopia_n or_o fairy-land_n such_o as_o panormitan_n quoniam_fw-la complain_v of_o and_o call_v episcopi_fw-la nullatenenses_n bishop_n of_o nullatia_n diocesan_n of_o no-land_n but_o this_o i_o be_o pretty_a confident_a of_o that_o st._n peter_n who_o so_o earnest_o exhort_v bishop_n or_o elder_n 2._o to_o feed_v their_o flock_n will_v scarce_o set_v the_o first_o pattern_n of_o nonresidency_a that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n nor_o do_v i_o see_v any_o necessity_n for_o calling_n clemens_n the_o 5_o and_o the_o other_o french_a pope_n bishop_n of_o rome_n rather_o than_o bishop_n of_o avignion_n for_o i_o be_o teach_v by_o a_o very_a learned_a roman_a catholic_n 3._o that_o the_o papacy_n and_o bishopric_n of_o rome_n be_v two_o distinct_a thing_n and_o not_o so_o necessary_o conjoin_v but_o they_o may_v be_v separate_v as_o for_o example_n if_o a_o pope_n and_o a_o council_n think_v it_o convenient_a he_o may_v leave_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o unite_v himself_o to_o another_o church_n in_o which_o case_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n shall_v no_o long_o be_v head_n nor_o have_v any_o sovereignty_n over_o christian_n but_o let_v that_o pass_n we_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v the_o argument_n bring_v to_o prove_v peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o rome_n and_o because_o they_o who_o affirm_v he_o be_v so_o do_v with_o equal_a confidence_n maintain_v that_o he_o be_v also_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n for_o about_o seven_o year_n we_o will_v here_o take_v that_o part_n of_o the_o story_n into_o our_o thought_n 1._o that_o peter_n be_v a_o apostle_n no_o man_n that_o believe_v the_o new_a testament_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o there_o be_v some_o difference_n between_o a_o apostle_n and_o a_o bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v place_n will_n i_o think_v not_o be_v deny_v for_o the_o apostle_n be_v immediate_o call_v by_o christ_n and_o all_o the_o world_n be_v their_o diocese_n for_o so_o run_v their_o commission_n mark_v 16._o 15._o go_v you_o into_o all_o the_o world_n preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a office_n consist_v of_o personal_a privilege_n as_o immediate_a vocation_n power_n to_o work_v miracle_n universality_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o infallibility_n in_o all_o thing_n they_o preach_v or_o write_v relate_v to_o the_o gospel_n be_v dictate_v unto_o and_o special_o guide_v by_o the_o divine_a spirit_n but_o bishop_n be_v choose_v by_o man_n and_o have_v a_o certain_a seat_n and_o church_n and_o their_o office_n be_v ordinary_a 1_o tim._n 3._o 1._o tit._n 1._o 5._o 1._o pet._n 5._o 2._o therefore_o peter_n be_v a_o apostle_n can_v not_o i_o conceive_v be_v bishop_n either_o of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n in_o the_o proper_a strict_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n for_o this_o have_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o degrade_n he_o from_o a_o superior_a and_o more_o ample_a office_n to_o one_o inferior_a and_o restrain_a i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o as_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v at_o large_a a_o inspecter_fw-la or_o overseer_n every_o apostle_n where_o ever_o he_o happen_v to_o come_v may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o place_n but_o not_o exclusive_o to_o other_o and_o thus_o you_o may_v if_o you_o please_v call_v paul_n a_o general_n bishop_n 28._o because_o he_o testify_v that_o he_o have_v the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n and_o in_o this_o respect_n we_o read_v of_o the_o episcopate_n of_o judas_n act._n 1._o 20._o his_o bishopric_n let_v another_o take_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o such_o a_o sense_n st._n peter_n call_v himself_o presbyter_n or_o elder_n 1_o pet._n 5._o 1._o i_o also_o agree_v that_o peter_n or_o any_o other_o apostle_n may_v wherever_o he_o come_v act_n and_o discharge_v all_o part_n of_o a_o bishop_n function_n whether_o ministerial_a or_o govern_v but_o all_o this_o will_v not_o constitute_v he_o proper_a bishop_n of_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n or_o of_o one_o more_o than_o another_o for_o though_o a_o prince_n in_o his_o progress_n may_v do_v some_o act_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o mayor_n or_o other_o particular_a governor_n of_o that_o town_n where_o he_o happen_v to_o lodge_v yet_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v the_o mayor_n or_o particular_a governor_n of_o such_o a_o corporation_n for_o that_o will_v be_v a_o diminution_n of_o his_o royal_a dignity_n no_o more_o do_v the_o apostle_n become_v local_a bishop_n because_o of_o their_o exercise_v episcopal_a power_n in_o any_o particular_a church_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o power_n apostolical_a wherein_o the_o other_o be_v include_v nor_o can_v the_o first_o planter_n or_o establisher_n of_o a_o church_n as_o such_o be_v style_v the_o bishop_n of_o such_o a_o church_n for_o then_o both_o paul_n and_o peter_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n must_v be_v bishop_n of_o many_o several_a diocese_n 2._o church_n if_o peter_n be_v bishop_n either_o of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n then_o either_o he_o must_v be_v ordain_v such_o by_o christ_n or_o by_o man_n after_o christ_n ascension_n or_o else_o he_o constitute_v himself_o bishop_n there_o but_o nether_a of_o these_o three_o can_v be_v say_v not_o the_o first_o for_o as_o there_o appear_v no_o footstep_n of_o such_o a_o ordination_n in_o scripture_n so_o if_o by_o christ_n he_o be_v constitute_v precedent_n over_o any_o one_o particular_a church_n how_o can_v he_o share_v in_o that_o command_n go_v forth_o and_o preach_v to_o every_o nation_n nor_o be_v there_o before_o our_o lord_n ascension_n any_o such_o church_n in_o be_v not_o the_o second_o for_o than_o he_o must_v relinquish_v the_o apostolical_a office_n which_o he_o receive_v of_o christ_n and_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v so_o far_o degrade_v by_o man_n as_o to_o undertake_v a_o mean_a and_o more_o limit_a office_n as_o if_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n shall_v be_v make_v parson_n of_o pancras_n hence_o too_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o st._n peter_n thenceforth_o instead_o of_o be_v prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n shall_v as_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n be_v inferior_a to_o the_o other_o apostle_n who_o be_v not_o ordain_v of_o man_n nor_o by_o man_n gal._n 1._o not_o the_o three_o for_o no_o man_n assume_v this_o honour_n to_o himself_o heb._n 5._o 4._o peter_n or_o any_o other_o apostle_n may_v ordain_v other_o to_o be_v bishop_n in_o such_o place_n as_o need_v they_o but_o that_o they_o shall_v or_o will_v create_v themselves_o bishop_n of_o this_o or_o that_o peculiar_a church_n we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o believe_v by_o what_o word_n what_o rite_n what_o ceremony_n do_v they_o do_v it_o or_o how_o when_o where_o do_v peter_n declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o proper_a bishop_n either_o of_o antioch_n or_o rome_n be_v it_o not_o utter_o incredible_a that_o peter_n the_o supreme_a head_n and_o monarch_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n as_o they_o pretend_v shall_v for_o thirty_o two_o year_n be_v bishop_n and_o have_v the_o particular_a charge_n and_o cure_n of_o two_o of_o the_o great_a city_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o that_o too_o whilst_o most_o of_o the_o other_o apostle_n be_v live_v and_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o nor_o he_o himself_o in_o any_o of_o their_o write_n shall_v say_v one_o syllable_n of_o it_o nor_o mention_v so_o much_o as_o one_o single_a episcopal_a act_n do_v by_o he_o in_o either_o of_o those_o city_n in_o all_o that_o time_n no_o nor_o st._n luke_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n nor_o st._n paul_n who_o live_v long_o in_o antioch_n and_o long_o at_o rome_n and_o have_v opportunity_n nay_o have_v
simple_a person_n of_o very_o little_a wit_n and_o judgement_n etc._n etc._n of_o which_o he_o give_v several_a instance_n so_o much_o for_o the_o forgery_n 2._o our_o second_o observation_n touch_v papias_n shall_v be_v that_o he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v a_o friend_n to_o or_o familiar_a with_o polycarpus_n 39_o but_o polycarpus_n according_a to_o baronius_n suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 167._o 26._o and_o the_o same_o baronius_n place_v peter_n martyrdom_n anno_fw-la chr._n 69._o so_o that_o papias_n must_v flourish_v near_o 100_o peter_n death_n a_o distance_n long_a enough_o in_o those_o time_n when_o so_o many_o false_a thing_n be_v bruit_v abroad_o touch_v the_o apostle_n act_n and_o suffering_n for_o one_o that_o dwell_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o place_n and_o take_v his_o information_n but_o upon_o hear-say_n to_o be_v deceive_v 3._o since_o none_o of_o papias_n book_n be_v extant_a whereby_o we_o may_v be_v enable_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o man_n by_o his_o own_o work_n it_o will_v be_v requisite_a to_o remark_n what_o character_n eusebius_n who_o bring_v he_o on_o the_o stage_n give_v of_o he_o which_o in_o brief_a be_v this_o that_o he_o be_v one_o that_o neither_o hear_v nor_o see_v any_o of_o the_o apostle_n but_o receive_v what_o he_o hear_v from_o their_o follower_n as_o aristo_n and_o john_n not_o the_o apostle_n but_o a_o certain_a elder_n that_o he_o think_v he_o can_v not_o benefit_v so_o much_o by_o read_v the_o scripture_n as_o by_o conference_n with_o man_n that_o have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o author_n of_o they_o that_o he_o be_v so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o scripture_n that_o he_o mistake_v that_o philip_n who_o daughter_n be_v prophetess_n to_o be_v philip_n the_o apostle_n when_o the_o text_n have_v he_o read_v or_o remember_v it_o express_o say_v it_o be_v philip_n the_o deacon_n that_o he_o have_v by_o such_o tradition_n strange_a parable_n and_o preach_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o other_o thing_n very_o fabulous_a among_o the_o rest_n advance_v the_o heresy_n of_o the_o millenaries_n and_o that_o he_o fall_v into_o those_o error_n through_o ignorance_n and_o not_o understand_v aright_o those_o narration_n that_o be_v tell_v he_o as_o from_o the_o apostle_n that_o he_o expound_v a_o certain_a history_n of_o a_o woman_n accuse_v before_o christ_n of_o many_o crime_n write_v in_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o the_o hebrew_n which_o be_v a_o counterfeit_n in_o fine_a that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o little_a wit_n or_o small_a judgement_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o book_n yet_o give_v unto_o divers_a ecclesiastical_a writer_n occasion_n of_o error_n who_o respect_v his_o antiquity_n see_v euseb_n l._n 3._o c._n 22._o 35_o 39_o and_o nicephorus_n l._n 3._o c._n 20._o here_o you_o have_v both_o the_o genius_n or_o humour_n of_o the_o man_n easy_a to_o be_v impose_v upon_o take_v up_o thing_n by_o hear-say_n one_o that_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o own_o that_o he_o think_v hear_v oral_a tradition_n more_o profitable_a than_o read_v the_o scripture_n that_o be_v that_o to_o hearken_v to_o the_o story_n and_o tale_n of_o private_a fallible_a person_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v more_o beneficial_a than_o to_o study_v the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o god_n pen_v by_o divine_o inspire_v infallible_a person_n and_o able_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a in_o all_o good_a work_n one_o of_o small_a judgement_n and_o who_o embrace_v fable_n heresy_n and_o counterfeit_n gospel_n as_o also_o you_o be_v tell_v the_o bad_a effect_n of_o all_o this_o viz._n that_o he_o mislead_v many_o subsequent_a ecclesiastical_a author_n into_o error_n pay_v too_o great_a a_o reverence_n to_o his_o antiquity_n without_o due_a enquiry_n into_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o assertion_n or_o examination_n of_o the_o ground_n whereon_o he_o deliver_v they_o now_o since_o such_o a_o person_n be_v the_o first_o that_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n for_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o plain_o affirm_v it_o much_o less_o that_o peter_n be_v bishop_n there_o only_o infer_v it_o by_o interpret_n babylon_n in_o st._n peter_n epistle_n to_o signify_v rome_n if_o i_o say_v such_o a_o one_o be_v the_o first_o as_o for_o aught_o appear_v he_o be_v that_o ever_o intimate_v any_o such_o thing_n how_o far_o either_o his_o talk_n or_o that_o of_o those_o that_o relate_v it_o after_o he_o be_v to_o be_v value_v i_o leave_v the_o intelligent_a reader_n to_o judge_n since_o nothing_o be_v more_o common_a in_o historic_n than_o for_o the_o mistake_n of_o one_o to_o draw_v other_o into_o error_n and_o that_o this_o papias_n actual_o do_v mislead_v many_o we_o have_v the_o home_n testimony_n of_o eusebius_n before_o recite_v and_o why_o not_o in_o this_o business_n of_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n as_o well_o as_o in_o that_o of_o the_o millenary_a reign_n &_o c._n nay_o rather_o in_o the_o former_a than_o the_o latter_a since_o good_a innocent_a man_n be_v more_o like_a to_o swallow_v this_o report_n of_o a_o indifferent_a matter_n of_o fact_n as_o they_o can_v not_o but_o apprehend_v this_o of_o peter_n write_v from_o rome_n to_o be_v not_o imagine_v what_o fine_a consequence_n aftertime_n will_v thence_o derive_v than_o to_o entertain_v a_o doctrinal_a point_n without_o examination_n and_o to_o be_v more_o easy_o inveigle_v into_o a_o mistake_n in_o history_n than_o into_o heresy_n for_o under_o no_o better_a figure_n be_v that_o opinion_n of_o the_o chiliast_n look_v upon_o in_o succeed_a age_n though_o for_o some_o time_n on_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o say_v papias_n receive_v or_o at_o least_o unopposed_a by_o not_o a_o few_o father_n of_o the_o church_n so_o much_o concern_v papias_n who_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v may_v in_o the_o main_n be_v a_o very_a honest_a well-meaning_a man_n though_o mislead_v by_o unwarrantable_a report_n and_o a_o zeal_n not_o according_a to_o knowledge_n nor_o shall_v i_o thus_o have_v repeat_v his_o failures_n which_o i_o charitable_o hope_v god_n have_v forgive_v do_v not_o the_o importunity_n of_o some_o people_n vapour_a with_o his_o name_n and_o authority_n render_v these_o reflection_n necessary_a as_o for_o egesippus_fw-la egesippus_fw-la when_o he_o live_v be_v doubtful_a some_o say_v about_o the_o year_n 101._o other_o 145._o other_o 170._o but_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o what_o we_o have_v now_o abroad_o in_o his_o name_n can_v not_o be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o person_n who_o eusebius_n mention_n l._n 4._o c._n 8._o for_o whereas_o he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v gather_v his_o book_n out_o of_o the_o gospel_n secundum_fw-la hebraeos_fw-la the_o best_a of_o their_o voucher_n you_o see_v follow_v counterfeit_a gospel_n and_o write_v commentary_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o too_o in_o a_o plain_a homely_a stile_n as_o st._n hierom_n note_n this_o counterfeit_n egesippus_fw-la affect_v a_o very_a losty_a phrase_n and_o afford_v we_o only_o five_o book_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n out_o of_o josephus_n and_o particular_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o city_n of_o constantinople_n a_o name_n not_o know_v in_o the_o world_n till_o the_o great_a constantine_n who_o begin_v to_o reign_v alone_o but_o in_o the_o year_n 327._o cause_v byzantium_n to_o be_v call_v so_o therefore_o the_o writer_n thereof_o whoever_o he_o be_v must_v of_o necessity_n live_v near_o 200_o year_n if_o not_o much_o more_o after_o that_o good_a man_n in_o who_o name_n they_o will_v obtrude_v it_o we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o decretal_a epistle_n epistle_n and_o indeed_o be_v these_o genuine_a they_o will_v not_o only_o dispatch_v the_o business_n of_o st._n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n but_o of_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n too_o and_o many_o other_o of_o their_o modern_a article_n of_o faith_n but_o touch_v such_o epistle_n we_o shall_v brief_o observe_v 1._o what_o they_o be_v and_o when_o and_o by_o who_o first_o midwive_v into_o the_o world_n 2._o offer_v reason_n demonstrate_v as_o i_o apprehend_v that_o they_o be_v general_o spurious_a 3._o recite_v the_o substance_n of_o two_o of_o they_o more_o peculiar_o relate_v to_o our_o present_a argument_n with_o a_o few_o animadversion_n thereon_o these_o decretal_a epistle_n be_v letter_n suppose_v to_o be_v authoritative_o write_v upon_o emergent_a occasion_n by_o the_o primitive_a bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v begin_v with_o clement_n one_o of_o peter_n pretend_a immediate_a successor_n in_o who_o name_n there_o be_v five_o four_o in_o the_o name_n of_o anacletus_fw-la two_o of_o alexander_n three_o of_o sixtus_n and_o so_o downward_o sometime_o one_o sometimetimes_o two_o sometime_o three_o from_o every_o succeed_a bishop_n of_o rome_n for_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n and_o further_o all_o which_o epistle_n come_v first_o abroad_o about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 790._o
church_n of_o rome_n who_o he_o suppose_v and_o perhaps_o the_o roman_n may_v give_v it_o out_o so_o to_o have_v the_o same_o founder_n every_o country_n almost_o in_o process_n of_o time_n such_o be_v the_o natural_a itch_n of_o ambition_n and_o vainglory_n in_o man_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v convert_v by_o some_o apostle_n or_o illustrious_a name_n though_o often_o time_n the_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n among_o they_o be_v like_o itself_o by_o very_o mean_a and_o as_o to_o outward_a glory_n or_o fame_n contemptible_a instrument_n but_o from_o this_o testimony_n of_o eusebius_n we_o may_v rational_o collect_v that_o in_o his_o time_n peter_n be_v at_o rome_n be_v but_o a_o dark_a kind_n of_o business_n provable_a only_o by_o report_n and_o such_o odd_a testimony_n of_o a_o few_o obscure_a author_n that_o have_v as_o little_a weight_n as_o clearness_n but_o how_o then_o come_v the_o same_o afterward_o to_o be_v so_o general_o entertain_v and_o believe_v object_n and_o several_a of_o the_o father_n to_o call_v rome_n st._n peter_n chair_n to_o this_o may_v be_v answer_v answer_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n after_o constantine_n have_v raise_v they_o to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o wealth_n and_o reputation_n puff_v up_o with_o ambition_n from_o their_o preside_v over_o the_o imperial_a city_n begin_v to_o aspire_v above_o their_o brethren_n and_o first_o claim_v a_o primacy_n and_o right_n of_o receive_v appeal_n from_o all_o part_n not_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la or_o as_o successor_n to_o st._n peter_n but_o as_o grant_v to_o they_o by_o council_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n forge_v two_o canon_n on_o the_o famous_a nicene_n council_n as_o be_v mention_v before_o but_o find_v themselves_o cut_v short_a and_o balk_v therein_o by_o the_o sagacity_n of_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n they_o cast_v about_o to_o derive_v a_o supremacy_n over_o all_o other_o church_n from_o a_o high_a title_n and_o observe_v peter_n to_o have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a apostle_n and_o some_o word_n to_o have_v be_v speak_v to_o he_o by_o our_o saviour_n that_o may_v colourable_o be_v wrest_v to_o intimate_v as_o if_o he_o have_v some_o kind_n of_o superiority_n over_o or_o great_a privilege_n than_o the_o rest_n they_o will_v have_v it_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o their_o church_n and_o though_o sometime_o they_o join_v paul_n with_o he_o because_o the_o scripture_n give_v such_o illustrious_a testimony_n of_o his_o pain_n there_o yet_o for_o the_o most_o part_n peter_n without_o the_o least_o countenance_n from_o but_o rather_o against_o the_o tenor_n of_o scripture_n have_v the_o great_a vogue_n and_o preference_n and_o know_v the_o mobile_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v deceive_v with_o name_n and_o title_n and_o apt_a to_o frame_v idea_n of_o thing_n past_a from_o what_o appear_v at_o present_a they_o give_v out_o that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n to_o this_o purpose_n they_o press_v all_o the_o fragment_n of_o antiquity_n into_o the_o service_n papias_n conjecture_n be_v make_v a_o authentic_a proof_n and_o this_o say_n of_o eusebius_n and_o his_o hearsays_a must_v pass_v for_o undoubted_a evidence_n yet_o not_o therewith_o content_a abundance_n of_o other_o write_n be_v counterfeit_v under_o ancient_a venerable_a name_n as_o i_o make_v appear_v before_o and_o thus_o in_o short_a time_n the_o story_n may_v gain_v credit_n and_o whenever_o any_o of_o the_o father_n though_o unwary_o deceive_v by_o a_o spurious_a tradition_n or_o the_o common_a vogue_n not_o think_v it_o perhaps_o a_o matter_n much_o worth_a inquire_v into_o as_o not_o dream_v what_o strange_a inference_n will_v thence_o be_v make_v in_o after_o time_n speak_v thereof_o in_o a_o stile_n accommodate_v to_o vulgar_a opinion_n and_o call_v rome_n st._n peter_n chair_n or_o her_o bishop_n peter_n successor_n this_o be_v file_v as_o a_o fresh_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n have_v once_o gain_v this_o point_n that_o it_o be_v believe_v that_o peter_n preach_v at_o rome_n which_o they_o call_v his_o be_v bishop_n there_o they_o proceed_v further_o to_o pretend_v that_o not_o only_a peter_n have_v a_o sovereign_a power_n confer_v upon_o he_o but_o that_o the_o same_o be_v derive_v to_o they_o as_o his_o successor_n and_o so_o thou_o be_v peter_n i_o will_v give_v thou_o the_o key_n i_o have_v pray_v for_o thou_o here_o be_v two_o sword_n etc._n etc._n become_v sufficient_a argument_n both_o that_o peter_n be_v prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n vicar_n of_o christ_n and_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o that_o he_o be_v so_o dignify_v and_o bishop_n of_o rome_n all_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n of_o that_o see_v be_v his_o successor_n must_v be_v invest_v with_o the_o same_o authority_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o mother_n and_o mistress_n of_o all_o other_o church_n and_o be_v infallible_a and_o the_o only_a catholic_n church_n that_o the_o pope_n have_v a_o direct_a sovereignty_n over_o all_o the_o world_n in_o spiritual_n and_o indirect_a in_o ordine_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la etc._n etc._n all_o which_o be_v close_o and_o vigorous_o though_o gradual_o pursue_v in_o ignorant_a ture_n and_o especial_o after_o the_o roman_a bishop_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o pâ—â—cas_n the_o traitor_n have_v gain_v the_o title_n of_o universal_a and_o a_o ascendent_n over_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n when_o every_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o honour_n and_o advantage_n of_o that_o see_v meet_v with_o encouragement_n and_o the_o roman_a bishop_n only_o be_v capable_a of_o bestow_v preferment_n and_o all_o be_v snib_v and_o crush_v that_o dare_v offer_v any_o thing_n that_o displease_v they_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o for_o many_o age_n scarce_o any_o at_o least_o who_o write_n yet_o remain_v for_o we_o know_v who_o have_v then_o the_o keep_n of_o all_o library_n dare_v open_o controvert_v or_o deny_v st._n peter_n be_v at_o rome_n and_o bishop_n there_o since_o this_o be_v a_o blow_n at_o the_o root_n and_o strike_v effectual_o at_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n infallibility_n and_o other_o pompous_a claim_n which_o be_v all_o found_v on_o that_o pretence_n touch_v which_o what_o need_v i_o say_v more_o but_o brief_o sum_v up_o the_o state_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n if_o st._n peter_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n or_o so_o much_o as_o ever_o there_o be_v not_o provable_a by_o scripture_n nor_o any_o other_o convince_v argument_n but_o whatever_o can_v be_v say_v for_o it_o be_v easy_o answer_v and_o render_v not_o so_o much_o as_o probable_a if_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o story_n be_v at_o open_a war_n and_o contradiction_n in_o the_o circumstance_n yet_o all_o pretend_v to_o a_o most_o punctual_a exactness_n and_o the_o learned_a and_o most_o subtle_a advocate_n of_o the_o party_n sweat_v in_o vain_a to_o invent_v even_o so_o much_o as_o colour_n to_o reconcile_v they_o if_o from_o scripture_n and_o history_n and_o a_o due_a comparison_n of_o all_o circumstance_n it_o be_v improbable_a to_o the_o high_a degree_n that_o ever_o peter_n be_v at_o rome_n much_o more_o that_o he_o be_v bishop_n thereof_o if_o the_o story_n depend_v on_o counterfeit_n author_n or_o such_o as_o just_o be_v of_o little_a credit_n and_o abundance_n of_o shameful_a forgery_n have_v be_v invent_v and_o make_v use_n of_o to_o support_v it_o if_o it_o be_v derogatory_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o st._n peter_n memory_n to_o assert_v it_o in_o fine_a if_o it_o be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o apprehend_v and_o show_v by_o what_o method_n and_o degree_n it_o may_v be_v advance_v to_o popular_a credit_n and_o for_o what_o end_v if_o i_o say_v all_o this_o be_v make_v appear_v and_o how_o far_o this_o brief_a disquisition_n may_v be_v satisfactory_a that_o way_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o judicious_a unbigotted_a peruser_n and_o posterity_n to_o determine_v i_o conceive_v the_o old_a outcry_n of_o great_a be_v diana_n of_o the_o ephesian_n the_o noâ—â—e_n of_o st._n peter_n chair_n and_o peter_n successor_n will_v henceforth_o abate_v so_o newhat_o of_o its_o influence_n or_o indeed_o signify_v very_o little_a unless_o it_o be_v to_o expose_v their_o confidence_n that_o use_v it_o however_o if_o any_o shall_v still_o be_v amuse_v and_o prevail_v upon_o by_o those_o empty_a sound_n and_o vnravelled_a charm_n i_o may_v perhaps_o admire_v their_o faith_n or_o rather_o pity_v their_o weak_a credulity_n but_o must_v crave_v leave_n to_o say_v that_o till_o my_o reason_n be_v better_a satisfy_v which_o with_o the_o uttermost_a diligence_n and_o impartiality_n i_o have_v endeavour_v it_o shall_v have_v no_o room_n in_o my_o creed_n and_o so_o reader_n farewell_n finis_fw-la a_o end_n of_o controversy_n desirable_a by_o what_o obstruct_a the_o occasion_n of_o this_o discourse_n discourse_n