be_v transcribe_v out_o of_o mr._n baxter_n with_o little_a of_o improvement_n or_o addition_n one_o will_v think_v a_o diligent_a man_n may_v find_v good_a glean_v after_o mr._n b._n but_o dr._n oh_o book_n it_o seem_v be_v answer_v already_o by_o a_o unknown_a hand_n but_o there_o be_v a_o late_a book_n publish_v under_o the_o title_n of_o no_o evidence_n for_o diocesan_n church_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o dean_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v allegation_n out_o of_o antiquity_n for_o such_o church_n etc._n etc._n but_o no_o reply_n be_v yet_o make_v that_o i_o know_v of_o to_o those_o exception_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o take_v off_o such_o of_o they_o as_o may_v concern_v i_o 1._o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n in_o cyprian_n time_n be_v diocesan_n and_o among_o other_o thing_n urge_v for_o it_o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n that_o belong_v to_o that_o church_n even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n when_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v fall_v off_o the_o author_n abovementioned_a except_v against_o this_o where_o it_o be_v allege_v by_o the_o dean_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o offer_v two_o thing_n in_o answer_n 1._o a_o passage_n out_o of_o bishop_n downham_n that_o indeed_o at_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o city_n the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o people_n convert_v be_v sometime_o not_o much_o great_a than_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n place_v among_o they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v but_o a_o small_a congregation_n but_o this_o allegation_n 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 2._o 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 and_o for_o the_o service_n of_o such_o as_o afterward_o shall_v believe_v so_o that_o though_o there_o may_v be_v in_o a_o new_a gather_v church_n almost_o as_o many_o presbyter_n as_o there_o be_v people_n yet_o the_o design_n of_o that_o number_n of_o officer_n may_v be_v for_o several_a congregation_n when_o the_o believer_n of_o that_o place_n shall_v become_v so_o numerous_a as_o not_o to_o be_v contain_v in_o one_o 3._o 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 abide_v 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 therefore_o they_o may_v ordain_v more_o than_o be_v just_o necessary_a for_o the_o present_a occasion_n of_o a_o church_n because_o they_o can_v not_o be_v present_a to_o ordain_v as_o often_o as_o the_o increase_n of_o a_o church_n or_o vacancy_n or_o other_o necessity_n of_o it_o shall_v require_v but_o that_o any_o church_n fix_v 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 be_v it_o credible_a that_o person_n in_o this_o condition_n will_v multiply_v officer_n without_o necessity_n who_o be_v to_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o the_o public_a stock_n as_o cyprian_n affirm_v the_o presbyter_n of_o carthage_n be_v and_o last_o 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 his_o but_o the_o first_o which_o this_o author_n cite_v be_v nazianzen_n who_o complain_v of_o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n in_o his_o time_n this_o have_v be_v already_o allege_v by_o mr._n baxter_n and_o have_v receive_v answer_n and_o 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 beyond_o my_o skill_n to_o remove_v the_o next_o instance_n of_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o great_a church_n of_o c._n p._n st._n sophia_n the_o great_a perhaps_o in_o the_o world_n will_v do_v as_o little_a service_n as_o the_o complaint_n of_o nazianzen_n justinian_n say_v that_o gentleman_n observe_v that_o officer_n in_o church_n be_v multiply_v beyond_o reason_n and_o measure_n take_v order_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v reduce_v to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o in_o the_o great_a church_n at_o c._n p._n he_o will_v have_v the_o presbyter_n bring_v down_o to_o sixty_o and_o what_o follow_v from_o this_o that_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n be_v become_v extravagant_a in_o justinian_n time_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o their_o number_n in_o cyprian_n for_o this_o very_a edict_n of_o justinian_n show_v that_o this_o multiply_v of_o church-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 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 sixty_o true_a but_o it_o must_v also_o be_v note_v first_o that_o these_o sixty_o be_v to_o serve_v more_o than_o one_o church_n for_o there_o be_v three_o more_o beside_o st._n sophia_n to_o be_v supply_v by_o those_o presbyter_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o constitution_n nou._n 3._o c._n 1._o viz._n st._n mary_n church_n and_o that_o of_o theodorus_n the_o martyr_n and_o that_o of_o helena_n as_o some_o but_o of_o irene_n as_o other_o read_v 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 hence_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 whither_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n but_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o what_o this_o gentleman_n add_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o constantinople_n be_v something_o surprise_v no_o doubt_n say_v he_o they_o the_o presbyter_n be_v more_o numerous_a in_o c._n p._n in_o constantine_n time_n who_o endeavour_v to_o make_v that_o city_n in_o all_o thing_n equal_a to_o rome_n and_o build_v two_o church_n in_o it_o 2._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 2._o yet_o in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o his_o reign_n after_o the_o death_n of_o arrius_n the_o christian_n there_o can_v all_o meet_v together_o for_o worship_n it_o be_v say_v express_o that_o alexander_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o constantine_n build_v two_o church_n in_o c._n p._n sozomen_n do_v not_o say_v but_o that_o he_o build_v many_o and_o very_o great_a church_n there_o 48._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 3._o ed._n vales._n euseb_n de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr const_n l._n 3._o c._n 48._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d after_o the_o same_o manner_n eusebius_n say_v that_o he_o adorn_v the_o city_n that_o he_o call_v after_o his_o own_o name_n with_o many_o church_n and_o great_a temple_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o within_o the_o city_n and_o in_o the_o suburb_n of_o it_o 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.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 18._o soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 18._o i._n e._n have_v build_v several_a church_n he_o order_v a_o bishop_n but_o one_o for_o all_o those_o church_n and_o clergy_n to_o be_v ordain_v there_o socrates_n indeed_o say_v that_o constantine_n build_v two_o church_n in_o c._n p._n and_o name_v they_o but_o do_v not_o say_v either_o that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o there_o in_o his_o time_n or_o that_o he_o build_v no_o more_o but_o these_o be_v remarkable_a for_o the_o magnificence_n of_o the_o structure_n be_v perhaps_o upon_o that_o account_n only_o mention_v by_o this_o author_n but_o we_o have_v show_v already_o from_o other_o writer_n of_o as_o good_a or_o better_a credit_n that_o this_o emperor_n build_v there_o very_a many_o and_o very_o great_a church_n nor_o be_v these_o only_a for_o state_n and_o
see_v will_v be_v stiff_o deny_v though_o the_o scripture_n testimony_n already_o allege_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v any_o reasonable_a man_n that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v more_o than_o a_o congregation_n and_o consequent_o the_o bishop_n of_o it_o a_o diocesan_n according_a to_o mr._n b.'s_n definition_n but_o beside_o we_o have_v as_o ancient_a testimony_n from_o church_n history_n too_o of_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o church_n as_o of_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o for_o hegesippus_n among_o several_a commendation_n of_o he_o say_z that_o several_a of_o the_o jewish_a sectary_n who_o believe_v neither_o a_o resurrection_n nor_o judgement_n to_o come_v be_v convert_v by_o james_n and_o that_o when_o a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o ruler_n and_o and_o principal_a man_n of_o the_o city_n 〈◊〉_d apud_fw-la euseb_n l._n 2._o c._n 23._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v by_o his_o ministry_n bring_v to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n the_o jew_n make_v a_o uproar_n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n say_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o all_o the_o people_n will_v turn_v christian_n will_v they_o fancy_n themselves_o in_o so_o great_a danger_n if_o the_o christian_n in_o so_o vast_a and_o populous_a a_o city_n shall_v have_v but_o one_o single_a congregation_n suppose_v they_o have_v one_o synagogue_n of_o four_o or_o five_o hundred_o be_v that_o such_o a_o dreadful_a proportion_n as_o to_o fright_v people_n out_o of_o their_o wit_n as_o if_o they_o be_v immediate_o to_o be_v overrun_v with_o christianity_n and_o what_o shall_v give_v they_o so_o great_a disturbance_n the_o christian_n have_v always_o have_v one_o congregation_n there_o and_o sure_o a_o pretty_a full_a one_o from_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n death_n and_o if_o their_o meeting_n place_n be_v not_o increase_v and_o synagogue_n with_o their_o ruler_n and_o officer_n have_v not_o desert_v the_o jewish_a church_n and_o profess_a christianity_n there_o have_v be_v no_o protence_n for_o such_o a_o apprehension_n as_o if_o all_o jerusalem_n be_v about_o to_o change_v the_o law_n for_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v more_o than_o a_o poor_a congregational_a church_n and_o bishop_n that_o must_v give_v cause_n to_o these_o apprehension_n it_o be_v not_o long_o ere_o this_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o be_v grow_v so_o formidable_a to_o the_o jew_n that_o they_o be_v afraid_a lest_o in_o a_o little_a while_n it_o may_v swallow_v up_o all_o their_o synagogue_n be_v remove_v thence_o and_o by_o a_o special_a warning_n snatch_v from_o the_o destruction_n that_o be_v short_o to_o fall_v upon_o that_o wicked_a city_n there_o be_v a_o ancient_a tradition_n that_o the_o christian_n of_o jerusalem_n forsake_v it_o before_o the_o last_o siege_n and_o go_v to_o pella_n 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o l._n 3.5_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o city_n of_o beyond_o jordan_n and_o because_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o place_n may_v make_v one_o suspect_v that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v not_o so_o great_a if_o this_o town_n can_v receive_v they_o all_o we_o must_v understand_v that_o town_n to_o be_v their_o metropolis_n or_o seat_n of_o their_o bishop_n but_o the_o believer_n be_v all_o scatter_a through_o that_o whole_a country_n 11._o epip_n haer._n 30._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o l._n 3._o c._n 11._o as_o epiphanius_n write_v and_o his_o way_n of_o express_v himself_o make_v pella_n only_o the_o principal_a residence_n of_o the_o church_n and_o here_o it_o be_v probable_a their_o bishop_n live_v for_o after_o the_o death_n of_o james_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n and_o such_o of_o our_o savious_n kindred_n as_o remain_v meet_v together_o to_o appoint_v a_o successor_n to_o james_n when_o this_o church_n be_v depart_v from_o jerusalem_n and_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v more_o than_o a_o ordinary_a charge_n to_o occasion_n so_o solemn_a a_o meeting_n to_o consult_v about_o the_o person_n that_o shall_v succeed_v in_o it_o it_o be_v more_o sure_o than_o the_o oversight_n of_o one_o single_a congregation_n 〈◊〉_d id._n l._n 3._o c._n 35._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o his_o government_n add_v yet_o great_a number_n to_o that_o church_n many_o thousand_o of_o the_o circumcision_n receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n at_o that_o time_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n justus_n who_o succeed_v in_o the_o bishopric_n of_o jerusalem_n now_o from_o this_o account_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n it_o appear_v manifest_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v episcopal_a from_o the_o beginning_n and_o some_o of_o the_o author_n that_o attest_v it_o live_v in_o that_o time_n when_o the_o apostolical_a church_n government_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v change_v into_o episcopacy_n by_o blondel_n and_o it_o show_v no_o less_o the_o vanity_n of_o mr._n b.'s_n conceit_n about_o the_o original_a of_o bishop_n 2._o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v diocesan_n have_v the_o oversight_n of_o several_a congregation_n which_o be_v necessary_o infer_v from_o the_o express_a number_n of_o convert_v from_o general_a expression_n of_o wonderful_a accession_n from_o the_o jealousy_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n who_o apprehend_v from_o the_o progress_n christianity_n make_v that_o all_o jerusalem_n will_v soon_o become_v christian_n from_o the_o far_a account_n of_o its_o increase_n and_o of_o the_o innumerable_a multitude_n that_o be_v add_v to_o it_o and_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v the_o weakness_n of_o mr._n b.'s_n conjecture_n who_o make_v rome_n and_o alexandria_n to_o be_v the_o first_o pattern_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n and_o that_o not_o till_o after_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o three_o century_n nor_o be_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n singular_a in_o its_o constitution_n but_o all_o other_o church_n of_o the_o apostle_n plant_v be_v of_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o design_v for_o the_o like_a and_o yet_o far_o increase_n the_o beginning_n of_o they_o as_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v but_o small_a the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v like_o a_o grain_n of_o mustard_n seed_n which_o be_v yet_o capable_a of_o prodigious_a improvement_n and_o the_o slip_n when_o first_o plant_v be_v but_o single_a yet_o afterward_o it_o shoot_v out_o several_a branch_n which_o though_o never_o so_o mnumerous_a and_o at_o some_o distance_n one_o from_o the_o other_o yet_o communicate_v all_o in_o the_o same_o same_o body_n and_o root_n the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o like_o those_o of_o the_o author_n of_o sect_n or_o religious_a order_n to_o have_v only_o a_o select_a company_n of_o follower_n that_o be_v much_o at_o leisure_n but_o great_a and_o comprehensive_a and_o suit_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o be_v no_o sex_n no_o capacity_n no_o condition_n but_o be_v design_v to_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v digest_v the_o most_o commodious_o that_o may_v be_v so_o that_o there_o may_v be_v one_o fold_n under_o one_o shepherd_n christ_n the_o universal_a pastor_n the_o school_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o narrow_a foundation_n for_o such_o a_o build_n as_o that_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v to_o be_v large_a in_o proportion_n to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o fabric_n and_o it_o be_v no_o less_o the_o strength_n than_o beauty_n of_o the_o whole_a to_o have_v its_o stone_n and_o timber_n the_o part_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v of_o something_o a_o great_a magnitude_n than_o those_o of_o private_a and_o ordinary_a building_n nor_o can_v it_o yet_o stand_v without_o there_o be_v some_o kind_n of_o coherence_n and_o connection_n at_o least_o wise_a where_o the_o people_n that_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v likewise_o unite_v in_o a_o political_a communion_n this_o connection_n ought_v particular_o to_o be_v regard_v which_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o first_o plant_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v a_o eye_n to_o as_o shall_v be_v observe_v far_o in_o the_o course_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n which_o after_o this_o digression_n i_o be_o go_v to_o pursue_v the_o first_o persecution_n that_o be_v raise_v against_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v by_o the_o good_a providence_n of_o god_n turn_v into_o the_o happy_a occasion_n of_o plant_v several_a other_o church_n and_o that_o storm_n which_o be_v design_v to_o quench_v that_o fire_n that_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n scatter_v the_o spark_n of_o it_o into_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o samaria_n be_v the_o first_o place_n we_o read_v of_o that_o entertain_v the_o gospel_n when_o it_o have_v be_v force_v out_o of_o jerusalem_n 12._o act_n 8.1_o v._o 4._o v._n 5_o 6._o v._o 12._o philip_n the_o deacon_n preach_v christ_n unto_o they_o and_o the_o people_n with_o one_o accord_n give_v heed_n to_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v speak_v by_o he_o and_o when_o
upon_o the_o multitude_n say_v to_o be_v convert_v the_o number_n of_o apostle_n and_o extraordinary_a labourer_n common_o reside_v in_o this_o city_n the_o conjunction_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n under_o the_o common_a title_n and_o profession_n of_o christianity_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n be_v too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n especial_o before_o the_o place_n of_o assembly_n can_v be_v imagine_v very_o capacious_a and_o i_o believe_v mr._n b._n do_v not_o imagine_v such_o vast_a cathedral_n as_o paul_n to_o be_v very_o primitive_a ign._n orat_fw-la de_fw-la s._n ign._n but_o what_o ever_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o may_v be_v at_o that_o time_n ignatius_n his_o bishopric_a be_v never_o the_o less_o diocesan_n in_o its_o constitution_n and_o design_n or_o else_o chrysostom_n mistake_v one_o topick_n of_o his_o commendation_n he_o reckon_v five_o thing_n that_o be_v much_o to_o his_o honour_n whereof_o two_o bring_v he_o under_o suspicion_n of_o diocesan_n prelacy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o his_o authority_n or_o government_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n whereof_o he_o be_v bishop_n the_o first_o i_o suppose_v refer_v to_o his_o metropolitan_a power_n the_o second_o to_o his_o peculiar_a diocese_n but_o if_o this_o bishop_n be_v to_o have_v but_o one_o congregation_n what_o will_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n signify_v how_o many_o more_o will_v have_v the_o same_o honour_n with_o he_o or_o what_o so_o great_a difference_n be_v there_o between_o a_o full_a congregation_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o city_n and_o another_o as_o full_a in_o chelsey_n at_o leastwise_o what_o honour_n do_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n do_v the_o minister_n of_o that_o single_a congregation_n and_o now_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n where_o st._n paul_n preach_v for_o a_o year_n and_o six_o month_n upon_o a_o divine_a assurance_n of_o extraordinary_a success_n and_o that_o god_n have_v much_o people_n in_o that_o place_n 11._o act_n 18.8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o and_o where_o many_o effectual_o believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a where_o peter_n and_o apollo_n preach_v with_o that_o effect_n as_o to_o leave_v many_o disciple_n 3._o 1_o cor._n 3._o who_o call_v themselves_o by_o their_o name_n and_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o ephesus_n where_o a_o numerous_a church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v gather_v by_o st._n paul_n who_o preach_v there_o for_o two_o year_n and_o not_o only_o they_o that_o dwell_v at_o ephesus_n but_o all_o that_o dwell_v in_o asia_n 19.10_o act_n 19.10_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o considerable_a that_o the_o shrine-maker_n apprehend_v the_o ruin_n of_o their_o trade_n when_o they_o see_v and_o hear_v that_o paul_n not_o only_o at_o ephesus_n but_o throughout_o all_o asia_n have_v persuade_v and_o turn_v away_o much_o people_n 26._o v._o 26._o to_o pass_v by_o these_o and_o several_a other_o eminent_a church_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o diocese_n of_o rome_n as_o it_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v very_o uncertain_a who_o lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o this_o church_n though_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o before_o paul_n come_n there_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o only_o receive_v seq_fw-la rom._n 1.13_o 15_o 17._o &_o seq_fw-la but_o their_o church_n be_v very_o considerable_a for_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n write_v long_o before_o his_o come_n there_o as_o he_o himself_o witness_v say_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v speak_v of_o through_o the_o whole_a world_n and_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 beza_n rom._n 16._o ostendit_fw-la congregationem_fw-la fidelium_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la nominari_fw-la hieron_n in_o lo_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d coetum_fw-la fidelium_fw-la nec_fw-la mirum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o tam_fw-la be_fw-mi plâ_fw-la civitate_fw-la distinctos_fw-la fuisse_fw-la fidelium_fw-la coetus_fw-la beza_n with_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o house_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v occasionly_a mention_v and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a 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 for_o it_o appear_v that_o most_o of_o these_o be_v of_o the_o ministry_n and_o such_o by_o who_o mean_n the_o roman_n believe_v and_o that_o they_o be_v stranger_n come_v thither_o from_o other_o part_n where_o paul_n have_v know_v they_o hieron_n congregationem_fw-la vert_fw-fr eras_n istos_fw-la amat_n quos_fw-la satutat_fw-la intelligimus_fw-la ex_fw-la nominiâ—us_fw-la suiffe_fw-mi peregrinos_fw-la per_fw-la quorum_fw-la exemylum_fw-la atque_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la non_fw-la absurd_a existimamus_fw-la credidisse_fw-la roman_n hieron_n for_o as_o yet_o he_o have_v not_o see_v rome_n 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 and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o this_o city_n may_v be_v far_o observe_v from_o the_o persecution_n of_o nero_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o they_o to_o death_n 15._o ingens_fw-la multitude_n hand_n perinde_v in_o crimint_n ineendii_fw-la quam_fw-la odio_fw-la bumani_fw-la generis_fw-la convicti_fw-la sunt_fw-la tac._n h._n l._n 15._o upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o have_v fire_v rome_n and_o the_o heathen_a historian_n say_v that_o they_o who_o confess_v be_v first_o lay_v hold_v on_o than_o a_o vast_a company_n be_v convict_v by_o their_o indication_n where_o by_o the_o by_o beside_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o sufferer_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o the_o word_n seem_v to_o be_v mistake_v general_o as_o if_o the_o christian_n some_o of_o they_o have_v confess_v the_o fact_n and_o accuse_v the_o rest_n lipsius_n thus_o understand_v the_o passage_n give_v tacitus_n the_o lie_n but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v they_o confess_v the_o fact_n but_o they_o confess_v without_o express_v the_o particular_n but_o what_o do_v they_o confess_v then_o if_o it_o be_v this_o crime_n that_o theâ—_n own_a themselves_o and_o charge_v other_o with_o how_o come_v he_o to_o add_v that_o they_o be_v not_o convict_v so_o much_o of_o this_o crime_n by_o this_o indication_n as_o by_o the_o hatred_n of_o all_o mankind_n therefore_o this_o confession_n be_v no_o more_o than_o own_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n and_o the_o hatred_n they_o be_v in_o make_v this_o sufficient_a conviction_n to_o these_o instance_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o some_o more_o considerable_a city_n 〈◊〉_d eccles_n hist_o l._n 2._o c._n 3._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o shall_v add_v only_o 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 and_o the_o granary_n of_o christ_n be_v fill_v up_o to_o the_o top_n with_o the_o wheat_n that_o be_v gather_v in_o hitherto_o i_o have_v observe_v chief_o the_o growth_n of_o christianity_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o there_o be_v in_o some_o city_n such_o a_o number_n of_o christian_n as_o can_v not_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o assembly_n for_o personal_a communion_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o must_v show_v in_o order_n to_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n must_v be_v that_o such_o number_n of_o believer_n make_v but_o one_o church_n govern_v by_o one_o bishop_n as_o to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o have_v show_v already_o from_o the_o most_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a writing_n that_o james_n the_o just_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o church_n i._n e._n of_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n nor_o be_v that_o tradition_n without_o ground_n in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o for_o st._n paul_n reckon_v james_n the_o lord_n brother_n among_o the_o apostle_n of_o that_o church_n 1.19_o sal._n 1.19_o though_o he_o be_v none_o of_o the_o twelve_o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o mention_n he_o as_o a_o person_n in_o eminent_a place_n and_o authority_n there_o one_o that_o have_v send_v several_a brethren_n to_o antioch_n before_o that_o certain_a brethren_n come_v from_o james_n 12_o â—_o 12_o here_o we_o find_v the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o alter_v in_o favour_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o hitherto_o the_o messenger_n who_o be_v send_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o be_v
in_o the_o funeral_n oratition_n of_o his_o friend_n where_o beside_o this_o new_a bishopric_n he_o show_v that_o seâ—â—â—al_a other_o be_v erect_v upon_o that_o contention_n and_o that_o the_o church_n have_v this_o advantage_n that_o by_o the_o increase_n of_o bishop_n there_o will_v be_v a_o more_o exact_a and_o particular_a care_n take_v of_o soul_n and_o every_o city_n shall_v be_v govern_v in_o all_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n within_o itself_o which_o before_o in_o that_o country_n it_o seem_v they_o be_v not_o use_v to_o and_o last_o that_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o strife_n end_v after_o what_o manner_n he_o do_v not_o say_v perhaps_o this_o increase_n of_o bishop_n carry_v the_o cause_n for_o basil_n against_o anthimus_n and_o so_o the_o controversy_n end_v however_o nazianzen_n commend_v basil_n here_o for_o multiply_a diocese_n yet_o in_o the_o verse_n before_o cite_v he_o make_v it_o a_o very_a unnecessary_a innovation_n for_o he_o to_o set_v up_o a_o bishop_n at_o sasima_n have_v no_o less_o than_o fifty_o suffragan_n bishop_n in_o his_o province_n already_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yet_o if_o we_o consider_v how_o far_o sasima_n be_v probable_o from_o caesarea_n we_o must_v conclude_v the_o diocese_n of_o basil_n out_o of_o which_o this_o be_v express_o say_v to_o be_v take_v to_o have_v be_v very_o large_a for_o that_o this_o place_n be_v at_o some_o good_a distance_n from_o basil_n we_o may_v perceive_v from_o nazianzen_n complaint_n as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v banish_v by_o this_o promotion_n into_o some_o remote_a place_n 2._o if_o any_o guess_n may_v be_v make_v by_o compare_v the_o itinerary_n from_o constantinople_n to_o jerusalem_n print_a â—â—th_n that_o of_o antonius_n with_o the_o tabulae_fw-la peuterigeranae_n itinerary_n apud_fw-la itinerarium_fw-la antonini_n sasus_n in_o finibus_fw-la ciliciae_n but_o this_o can_v be_v the_o same_o with_o sasime_n in_o the_o other_o itinerary_n the_o distance_n must_v be_v as_o great_a at_o least_o as_o between_o hippo_n and_o fussala_n for_o in_o that_o itinerary_n there_o be_v reckon_v sixteen_o mile_n from_o sasima_n to_o andavalis_n which_o in_o peutinger_n table_n be_v a_o great_a way_n from_o caesarea_n 3._o sasima_n in_o the_o ancient_a greek_a notitiae_fw-la print_v with_o other_o by_o carolus_n â_fw-la s._n paulo_n chartophylacio_fw-la ordo_fw-la metropolitarum_fw-la prout_fw-la descriptus_fw-la est_fw-la in_o chartophylacio_fw-la be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o second_o cappadocia_n which_o be_v under_o the_o metropolis_n of_o thyana_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o be_v very_o near_o caesarea_n the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o other_o cappadocia_n and_o one_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o diocese_n of_o cappadocia_n notwithstanding_o this_o division_n be_v yet_o very_o considerable_a and_o far_o from_o be_v reduce_v into_o congregational_a church_n it_o be_v plain_a from_o nazianzen_n that_o cappadocia_n have_v but_o fifty_o bishop_n for_o so_o many_o he_o say_v basil_n have_v under_o he_o and_o no_o doubt_n he_o own_v he_o as_o metropolitan_a of_o the_o whole_a province_n and_o consider_v the_o extent_n of_o that_o country_n the_o diocese_n must_v needs_o be_v large_a for_o the_o country_n as_o strabo_n compute_v 12._o strab._n l._n 12._o be_v near_o four_o hundred_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o little_o less_o in_o breadth_n as_o causabon_n restore_v the_o read_n of_o one_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o furlong_n in_o the_o twelve_o book_n by_o a_o passage_n in_o the_o second_o where_o the_o breadth_n be_v make_v two_o thousand_o eight_o hundred_o and_o in_o this_o compass_n bishop_n may_v contrive_v fifty_o diocese_n of_o very_o competent_a extent_n and_o not_o inferior_a to_o many_o of_o we_o basil_n write_v to_o the_o presbyteâ—â—_n of_o nicopolis_n salute_v the_o clergy_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o diocese_n and_o in_o a_o letter_n to_o the_o citizen_n of_o the_o same_o place_n 〈◊〉_d bas_n ep._n 592._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d desire_v they_o to_o show_v a_o good_a example_n of_o affection_n towards_o their_o new_a bishop_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o diocese_n 94._o ep._n 94._o and_o in_o another_o to_o the_o brethren_n of_o colonia_n whence_o euphronius_n be_v choose_v to_o nicopolis_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o who_o be_v their_o chorepiscopus_n before_o may_v take_v care_n of_o they_o still_o and_o continue_v to_o be_v their_o bishop_n the_o same_o father_n in_o another_o epistle_n evasenis_fw-la ep._n 72._o evasenis_fw-la show_v that_o ancyra_n be_v a_o diocese_n of_o good_a extent_n for_o eustathius_n pass_v through_o the_o territory_n of_o that_o city_n be_v say_v to_o have_v overthrow_v the_o altar_n of_o basilides_n the_o bishop_n of_o it_o and_o to_o set_v up_o his_o own_o table_n which_o suppose_v several_a country_n church_n under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o that_o diocesan_n etc._n bas_n ep._n 406._o amphilochio_n sub_fw-la nomine_fw-la hâ—racleidae_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n and_o last_o when_o basil_n direct_v amphilochius_n bishop_n of_o iconium_n to_o constitute_v bishop_n in_o the_o province_n of_o isauria_n which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v it_o seem_v destitute_a upon_o what_o occasion_n i_o know_v not_o he_o enter_v upon_o a_o comparison_n between_o the_o convenience_n of_o large_a and_o small_a diocese_n and_o debate_n for_o sometime_o whether_o it_o be_v best_a to_o ordain_v one_o bishop_n of_o the_o metropolis_n seleucia_n i_o suppose_v who_o shall_v take_v care_n of_o the_o whole_a province_n and_o ordain_v more_o bishop_n as_o he_o shall_v find_v expedient_a or_o else_o appoint_v a_o number_n of_o lesser_a bishop_n first_o and_o here_o he_o confess_v that_o if_o he_o can_v find_v one_o that_o will_v answer_v the_o character_n of_o st._n paul_n that_o be_v a_o workman_n who_o need_v not_o to_o be_v ashamed_a such_o a_o one_o will_v go_v a_o great_a way_n and_o be_v worth_a many_o little_a bishop_n will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o the_o church_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v we_o may_v with_o less_o hazard_n undertake_v the_o care_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o province_n but_o if_o this_o can_v be_v do_v then_o let_v there_o be_v make_v bishop_n in_o the_o lesser_a city_n and_o village_n where_o there_o be_v bishop_n before_o and_o the_o matter_n be_v so_o order_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o principal_a city_n may_v not_o disturb_v we_o hereafter_o in_o point_n of_o ordination_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o isauria_n be_v then_o part_n of_o basils_n province_n and_o we_o may_v perceive_v the_o reason_n why_o he_o choose_v rather_o to_o ordain_v the_o country_n bishop_n first_o to_o form_v a_o interest_n in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o to_o diminish_v the_o strength_n and_o power_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o usurpation_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o chief_a city_n nor_o be_v these_o chorepiscopi_fw-la country_n bishop_n other_z than_o diocesan_n as_o to_o the_o extent_n of_o their_o church_n which_o consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n and_o those_o at_o a_o good_a distance_n one_o from_o the_o other_o for_o these_o be_v not_o as_o rector_n of_o a_o single_a parish_n but_o visitor_n of_o several_a church_n to_o the_o proportion_n it_o may_v be_v of_o our_o rural_a deanery_n though_o like_o they_o they_o be_v more_o immediate_o relate_v to_o a_o certain_a parish_n or_o town_n but_o their_o episcopacy_n be_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o association_n of_o several_a church_n so_o basil_n say_v he_o send_v to_o the_o chorepiscopus_n of_o those_o place_n not_o of_o one_o country_n town_n 355._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bas_n ep._n 355._o and_o therefore_o the_o council_n of_o laodicia_n call_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d visitor_n and_o where_o city_n be_v not_o very_o thick_a some_o of_o they_o have_v the_o inspection_n of_o a_o large_a territory_n but_o yet_o these_o be_v but_o the_o deputy_n or_o surrogate_v of_o the_o city_n bishop_n in_o point_n of_o jurisdiction_n for_o they_o be_v to_o do_v nothing_o of_o moment_n without_o their_o bishop_n and_o several_a council_n provide_v against_o their_o usurpation_n basil_n who_o diocese_n and_o province_n we_o come_v from_o give_v a_o account_n of_o be_v so_o resolute_a upon_o his_o prerogative_n that_o he_o will_v not_o endure_v they_o shall_v ordain_v as_o much_o as_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n as_o deacon_n subdeacons_n reader_n and_o several_a other_o which_o the_o church_n of_o that_o time_n reckon_v among_o the_o clergy_n without_o his_o consent_n 181._o bas_n 181._o and_o if_o they_o do_v let_v they_o know_v say_v he_o that_o whosoever_o be_v admit_v without_o our_o consent_n shall_v be_v repute_v but_o a_o layman_n what_o will_v he_o have_v say_v if_o they_o have_v pretend_v to_o ordain_v presbyter_n or_o bishop_n in_o opposition_n to_o they_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n desire_v no_o more_o than_o s._n basil_n assume_v that_o none_o shall_v be_v repute_v priest_n
or_o deacon_n that_o be_v ordain_v in_o their_o diocese_n without_o their_o consent_n and_o that_o by_o simple_a presbyter_n who_o be_v never_o chorepiscopi_fw-la or_o have_v any_o character_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o other_o presbyter_n therefore_o the_o case_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v reckon_v so_o hard_o as_o it_o be_v common_o represent_v by_o the_o more_o moderate_a nonconformist_n who_o pretend_v this_o point_n of_o reordination_n the_o only_a bar_n that_o keep_v they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n since_o there_o be_v never_o any_o other_o church_n not_o any_o in_o ancient_a time_n will_v have_v receive_v they_o upon_o any_o other_o term_n and_o they_o must_v have_v remain_v nonconformist_n under_o basil_n athanasius_n and_o all_o the_o ancient_a bishop_n who_o name_n be_v and_o always_o have_v be_v have_v in_o veneration_n with_o all_o christian_n not_o one_o of_o these_o will_v have_v ever_o be_v persuade_v to_o own_o a_o pastor_n that_o his_o presbyter_n have_v ordain_v in_o opposition_n to_o he_o nay_o hardly_o can_v they_o have_v be_v prevail_v with_o to_o admit_v such_o as_o any_o other_o bishop_n shall_v ordain_v within_o their_o diocese_n so_o extreme_a punctilious_a they_o be_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o one_o thing_n that_o cause_v so_o frequent_a and_o dangerous_a contention_n between_o they_o as_o the_o point_n of_o ordination_n nor_o be_v this_o province_n singular_a in_o the_o extent_n of_o its_o bishopric_n or_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o administration_n but_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n go_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n as_o to_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n and_o most_o of_o they_o have_v much_o large_a diocese_n than_o these_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o the_o frontier_n province_n of_o the_o empire_n towards_o the_o east_n be_v more_o remote_a from_o the_o contention_n that_o afflict_v the_o church_n be_v not_o canton_v into_o so_o small_a diocese_n as_o other_o country_n and_o be_v likewise_o less_o divide_v in_o their_o civil_a condition_n because_o it_o may_v render_v they_o less_o defensible_a against_o invasion_n the_o ecclesiastical_a diocese_n likewise_o remain_v entire_a in_o the_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o first_o constitution_n the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n seem_v to_o be_v of_o extraordinary_a extent_n 10._o conc._n chal._n act._n 10._o even_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n when_o the_o ambition_n of_o some_o metropolitan_o and_o the_o contention_n of_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n have_v reduce_v bishopric_n to_o be_v very_o small_a for_o 1._o some_o of_o the_o misdemeanour_n charge_v upon_o ibas_n bishop_n of_o this_o place_n show_v that_o diocese_n to_o be_v extreme_o rich_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o collection_n for_o redemption_n of_o captive_n amount_v to_o fifteen_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o though_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o reduce_v that_o sum_n to_o our_o money_n yet_o we_o must_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v a_o considerable_a sum_n when_o we_o reflect_v upon_o another_o accusation_n of_o daniel_n brother_n to_o ibas_n as_o if_o he_o have_v bestow_v on_o calloa_n the_o money_n of_o the_o church_n for_o she_o have_v let_v out_o to_o use_v two_o or_o three_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o must_v be_v a_o considerable_a sum_n since_o it_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o as_o a_o argument_n of_o her_o wealth_n beside_o the_o church_n of_o edessa_n have_v six_o thousand_o more_o of_o these_o numismata_fw-la beside_o its_o ordinary_a revenue_n and_o one_o of_o its_o manor_n call_v lafargaritha_n be_v mention_v there_o and_o two_o hundred_o pound_n weight_n of_o church_n plate_n 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o city_n of_o battina_n be_v in_o the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n for_o ibas_n be_v accuse_v of_o have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v one_o john_n bishop_n of_o it_o who_o be_v suspect_v of_o magic_n but_o ibas_n his_o archdeacon_n of_o that_o place_n oppose_v it_o 3._o maras_n who_o be_v one_o of_o ibas_n his_o accuser_n be_v excommunicate_v by_o another_o archdeacon_n of_o he_o 4._o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o city_n of_o edessa_n be_v above_o two_o hundred_o person_n not_o reckon_v that_o of_o the_o country_n within_o his_o diocese_n and_o this_o be_v a_o diocesan_n bishop_n to_o purpose_n who_o beside_o a_o large_a diocese_n have_v excommunicate_v arch-deacon_n and_o a_o great_a revenue_n and_o if_o mr._n b._n or_o his_o brethren_n have_v be_v of_o that_o diocese_n we_o may_v have_v find_v they_o among_o his_o accuser_n the_o diocese_n of_o cyrus_n whereof_o theodoret_n be_v bishop_n be_v yet_o large_a 113._o theodor._n ep._n 113._o contain_v eight_o hundred_o church_n as_o he_o write_v to_o leo_n bishop_n of_o rome_n the_o exception_n which_o mr._n b._n make_v against_o this_o epistle_n be_v so_o full_o answer_v by_o the_o incomparable_a dean_n of_o paul_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v add_v but_o if_o mr._n b._n shall_v quarrel_v with_o any_o writing_n of_o this_o time_n for_o mention_v great_a diocese_n we_o must_v have_v a_o new_a critic_n and_o disgrace_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o father_n that_o have_v hitherto_o be_v receive_v by_o a_o general_a consent_n it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o convince_v man_n that_o imagine_v all_o that_o time_n for_o they_o whereof_o we_o have_v little_a or_o no_o account_n and_o reckon_v silence_n of_o antiquity_n for_o consent_n and_o than_o if_o any_o thing_n shall_v appear_v against_o what_o they_o have_v once_o fanfy_v though_o it_o be_v never_o of_o so_o good_a credit_n it_o be_v spurious_a it_o be_v all_o imposture_n because_o it_o make_v against_o they_o who_o will_v ever_o be_v convict_v if_o it_o shall_v be_v defence_n enough_o to_o say_v the_o evidence_n be_v a_o lie_n petavius_n mistake_v a_o passage_n in_o epiphanius_n hieron_n not._n in_o epiph_n haeres_fw-la arr._n epiph._n ep._n ad_fw-la joh._n hieros_n ap_fw-mi hieron_n think_v the_o diocese_n of_o cyprus_n to_o be_v very_o small_a but_o from_o epiphanius_n his_o letter_n to_o john_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n it_o appear_v that_o his_o diocese_n be_v of_o good_a extent_n john_n have_v a_o quarrel_n with_o he_o for_o have_v ordain_v a_o presbyter_n in_o his_o diocese_n though_o it_o be_v only_o for_o the_o use_n of_o a_o monastery_n and_o he_o excuse_v himself_o by_o show_v how_o common_a a_o thing_n this_o be_v and_o how_o frequent_o it_o be_v do_v in_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o take_v offence_n at_o it_o that_o he_o think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o some_o of_o his_o neighbour_a bishop_n for_o use_v that_o liberty_n and_o therefore_o commend_v the_o good_a nature_n and_o meekness_n of_o the_o cyprian_a bishop_n who_o never_o quarrel_v with_o one_o another_o upon_o this_o account_n and_o then_o add_v that_o many_o bishop_n of_o our_o communion_n have_v ordain_v presbyter_n in_o our_o province_n that_o we_o can_v not_o take_v because_o they_o flee_v from_o we_o on_o purpose_n to_o avoid_v that_o honour_n which_o be_v the_o modesty_n of_o those_o time_n nay_o i_o myself_o desire_v philo_n of_o bless_a memory_n and_o theophorbus_n that_o they_o will_v ordain_v presbyter_n in_o those_o church_n of_o cyprus_n which_o be_v near_o they_o presbyteros_fw-la o_o veer_fw-mi benedicta_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la cypri_n mansuetudo_fw-la &_o bonitas_fw-la multi_fw-la episcopi_fw-la communionis_fw-la nostrae_fw-la &_o presbyteros_fw-la in_o nostra_fw-la ordinaverunt_fw-la provincia_n quos_fw-la nos_fw-la comprehendere_fw-la non_fw-la poteramus_fw-la &_o ipse_fw-la cohortatus_fw-la slim_fw-la b._n m._n philonem_fw-la &_o sanctum_fw-la theophorbum_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la cypri_n quae_fw-la juxta_fw-la se_fw-la grant_v ad_fw-la meae_fw-la autem_fw-la parochiae_fw-la videbantur_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la pertinere_fw-la to_o quod_fw-la grandis_fw-la esset_fw-la &_o late_a paten_n provincia_n ordinarent_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la and_o belong_v to_o my_o diocese_n because_o my_o province_n i.e._n my_o docess_n be_v very_o large_a now_o that_o this_o province_n which_o be_v here_o say_v to_o be_v of_o so_o large_a extent_n be_v no_o other_o than_o his_o diocese_n appear_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o if_o we_o shall_v imagine_v that_o it_o be_v his_o province_n as_o metropolitan_a the_o word_n will_v have_v no_o sense_n for_o then_o be_v not_o there_o bishop_n enough_o disperse_v through_o this_o great_a province_n who_o may_v ordain_v within_o their_o respecture_n diocese_n and_o to_o they_o belong_v the_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n and_o not_o to_o the_o metropolitan_a if_o we_o shall_v take_v this_o province_n for_o a_o civil_a division_n there_o will_v be_v yet_o great_a absurdity_n for_o there_o may_v be_v other_o metropolitan_o as_o well_o as_o he_o and_o by_o what_o authority_n can_v he_o dispose_v of_o their_o diocese_n or_o province_n in_o short_a there_o he_o give_v leave_v to_o ordain_v presbyter_n where_o the_o right_a of_o ordain_v they_o belong_v to_o
he_o and_o that_o be_v in_o his_o particular_a diocese_n only_o it_o follow_v that_o this_o great_a province_n be_v no_o other_o than_o his_o own_o diocese_n or_o parochia_fw-la as_o he_o call_v it_o also_o in_o the_o same_o passage_n nor_o be_v the_o diocese_n of_o the_o west_n general_o any_o thing_n inferior_a to_o those_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o italy_n indeed_o have_v the_o small_a not_o only_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a multitude_n of_o city_n there_o but_o by_o the_o policy_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o have_v always_o have_v some_o authority_n over_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o country_n strengthen_v themselves_o by_o make_v as_o many_o bishop_n as_o they_o can_v within_o the_o dependence_n of_o their_o city_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v secure_v themselves_o from_o all_o such_o danger_n as_o may_v threaten_v they_o from_o general_a council_n have_v a_o strong_a party_n of_o bishop_n at_o hand_n to_o send_v whither_o the_o pope_n occasion_n shall_v require_v their_o service_n what_o effect_n this_o policy_n of_o multiply_a bishop_n in_o italy_n have_v we_o see_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n whither_o several_a bishop_n come_v from_o france_n spain_n and_o germany_n with_o design_n of_o reform_v most_o of_o the_o gross_a abuse_n in_o the_o church_n and_o to_o moderate_v if_o not_o whole_o to_o remove_v that_o insupportable_a yoke_n of_o the_o papacy_n but_o the_o italian_a pensioner_n be_v too_o many_o for_o the_o well-meaning_a bishop_n that_o yoke_n be_v settle_v more_o grievous_a than_o before_o and_o weight_n add_v to_o the_o oppression_n no_o remedy_n be_v leave_v but_o vain_a complaint_n and_o dudithius_n make_v a_o very_a lamentable_a one_o to_o the_o emperor_n and_o then_o submission_n yet_o after_o all_o this_o the_o italian_a diocese_n be_v never_o reduce_v to_o a_o single_a congregation_n and_o some_o of_o they_o remain_v still_o of_o a_o very_a considerable_a extent_n the_o bishopric_n of_o spain_n be_v at_o first_o very_o large_a as_o may_v be_v observe_v from_o the_o small_a number_n of_o bishop_n that_o meet_v in_o the_o council_n of_o that_o country_n the_o council_n of_o eliberis_n have_v but_o nineteen_o bishop_n and_o the_o first_o of_o toledo_n have_v the_o same_o number_n loyasa_n hinc_fw-la colligo_fw-la nationale_fw-la fuisse_fw-la concilium_fw-la cum_fw-la to_o tempore_fw-la sedeâ—_n toletana_n tot_fw-la suffraganeos_fw-la non_fw-la haberet_fw-la episcopos_fw-la similiter_fw-la de_fw-fr eliberitano_n statuo_fw-la cum_fw-la eodem_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la numero_fw-la fuisset_fw-la celebratum_fw-la add_v etiam_fw-la quod_fw-la in_o subscriptionibus_fw-la marcellus_n subscribit_fw-la qui_fw-la suis_fw-la episcopus_fw-la hispalensis_n gar._n loyasa_n from_o whence_o garsias_n loyasa_n infer_v that_o these_o be_v general_a council_n of_o all_o spain_n because_o the_o province_n of_o toledo_n say_v he_o have_v not_o so_o many_o suffragans_fw-la at_o that_o time_n and_o that_o marcellus_n bishop_n of_o sevil_n who_o be_v a_o metropolitan_a of_o another_o province_n be_v there_o but_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o spanish_a diocese_n do_v appear_v not_o only_o from_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o their_o council_n but_o also_o from_o the_o canon_n make_v in_o they_o as_o that_o of_o the_o council_n of_o toledo_n be_v very_o express_v about_o the_o make_n of_o chrism_n that_o it_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o bishop_n send_v quamvis_fw-la paene_fw-la ubique_fw-la custodiatur_fw-la ut_fw-la absque_fw-la episcopo_fw-la chrisma_n nemo_fw-la conficicat_fw-la tamen_fw-la quia_fw-la in_o aliquibus_fw-la locis_fw-la vel_fw-la provinciis_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la dicuntur_fw-la chrisma_n conficere_fw-la placuit_fw-la ex_fw-la hac_fw-la die_fw-la nullum_fw-la alium_fw-la nisi_fw-la episcopum_fw-la chrisma_n facere_fw-la &_o per_fw-la dioecesin_fw-la destinare_fw-la ita_fw-la ut_fw-la de_fw-la singulis_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la ad_fw-la episcopum_fw-la ante_fw-la diem_fw-la paschae_fw-la diaconi_fw-la destinentur_fw-la ut_fw-la confectum_fw-la chrisma_n ab_fw-la episcopo_fw-la destinatum_fw-la ad_fw-la diem_fw-la paschae_fw-la possit_fw-la occurrere_fw-la conc._n tolet._n 1_o can._n 20._o fratti_fw-la autem_fw-la ortygie_n ecclesias_fw-la de_fw-la quibus_fw-la pulsus_fw-la fuerat_fw-la pronunciavimus_fw-la esse_fw-la reddendas_fw-la exemplar_n defin._n send_v and_o that_o all_o the_o church_n of_o his_o diocese_n shall_v send_v before_o easter_n every_o year_n for_o it_o to_o the_o bishop_n who_o be_v to_o be_v put_v in_o mind_n of_o it_o by_o the_o arch_a deacon_n and_o in_o the_o same_o council_n there_o be_v a_o definitive_a sentence_n whereby_o ortygius_n be_v restore_v to_o his_o bishopric_n out_o of_o which_o he_o have_v be_v unjust_o eject_v that_o show_v that_o his_o diocese_n consist_v of_o several_a church_n for_o so_o the_o sentence_n run_v that_o he_o be_v restore_v to_o his_o church_n nor_o can_v any_o one_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o these_o shall_v be_v general_a council_n of_o all_o spain_n when_o he_o consider_v the_o number_n that_o usual_o meet_v in_o provincial_a synod_n of_o that_o country_n for_o the_o council_n of_o saragossa_n have_v but_o twelve_o and_o that_o number_n be_v extraordinary_a compare_v with_o some_o follow_a council_n concilium_fw-la gerundense_a have_v but_o seven_o bishop_n that_o of_o ilerda_n eight_o whereof_o one_o be_v present_a but_o by_o proxy_n that_o of_o valentia_n seven_a and_o lest_o we_o may_v imagine_v the_o bishop_n of_o spain_n neglect_v their_o synod_n the_o six_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o arragon_n which_o consist_v of_o ten_o bishop_n order_v that_o if_o any_o bishop_n have_v receive_v summons_n from_o his_o metropolitan_a 6._o si_fw-mi quis_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la commonitus_fw-la à _fw-la metropolitano_fw-it ad_fw-la synodum_fw-la nulla_fw-la gravi_fw-la intercedente_fw-la necessitate_v corporali_fw-la venire_fw-la contempserit_fw-la sicut_fw-la statuta_fw-la patrum_fw-la sanxierunt_fw-la usque_fw-la ad_fw-la futurum_fw-la concilium_fw-la cunctorum_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la charitatis_fw-la communione_fw-la privetur_fw-la conc._n tarracon_n c._n 6._o shall_v neglect_v to_o come_v to_o council_n be_v not_o hinder_v by_o sickness_n shall_v according_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n be_v exclude_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o other_o bishop_n until_o the_o next_o council_n follow_v and_o the_o same_o council_n by_o another_o canon_n signify_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o diocese_n in_o spain_n 8._o multorum_fw-la casuum_fw-la experientia_fw-la magistrante_fw-la reperimus_fw-la non_fw-la nullas_fw-la dioecesanas_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la esse_fw-la destitutas_fw-la ob_fw-la quam_fw-la rem_fw-la hac_fw-la constitutione_n decrevimus_fw-la ut_fw-la antiquae_fw-la consuetudinis_fw-la ordo_fw-la servetur_fw-la &_o annis_fw-la vicibus_fw-la ab_fw-la episcopo_fw-la dioeceses_fw-la visitentur_fw-la &_o siqua_fw-la basilica_n reperta_fw-la fuerit_fw-la destituta_fw-la ordiâ—atione_fw-la ipsius_fw-la reparari_fw-la praecipiatur_fw-la etc._n etc._n can._n 8._o where_o it_o order_v every_o bishop_n once_o in_o a_o year_n to_o visit_v his_o diocese_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a usage_n of_o that_o church_n and_o see_v what_o church_n there_o be_v out_o of_o repair_n and_o order_v they_o to_o be_v repair_v out_o of_o the_o revenue_n of_o those_o church_n there_o be_v a_o three_o part_n reserve_v for_o that_o purpose_n by_o ancient_a custom_n and_o tradition_n and_o the_o thirteen_o canon_n of_o the_o same_o council_n make_v a_o distinction_n between_o the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o cathedral_n and_o those_o of_o the_o diocese_n 13._o non_fw-la solum_fw-la è_fw-la cathedralis_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la verum_fw-la etiam_fw-la de_fw-la dioecesanis_fw-la ad_fw-la concilium_fw-la trabant_fw-la can._n 13._o and_o that_o the_o metropolitan_a take_v care_n to_o summon_v some_o of_o both_o sort_n to_o the_o council_n of_o the_o province_n and_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o diocese_n in_o spain_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o first_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o five_o and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o six_o century_n the_o church_n of_o france_n as_o they_o have_v a_o near_a correspondence_n with_o those_o of_o spain_n in_o several_a other_o thing_n 12._o bona_fw-la de_fw-la reb._n litur_fw-la l._n 1._o c._n 12._o and_o as_o bona_n conjecture_n have_v ancient_o the_o same_o liturgy_n before_o pipin_n time_n so_o they_o be_v not_o unlike_a in_o the_o extent_n of_o their_o diocese_n for_o gallia_n before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a seem_v to_o have_v have_v but_o very_o few_o bishopric_n although_o it_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o be_v much_o great_a than_o in_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n constantius_n the_o father_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a have_v favour_v the_o christian_n in_o the_o province_n under_o his_o government_n 13._o euseb_n de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr const_n l._n 1._o c._n 13._o while_o his_o colleague_n use_v all_o manner_n of_o violence_n and_o art_n to_o root_v they_o out_o every_o where_o else_o gall._n vid._n conc._n arelat_n 1._o apud_fw-la sirmond_n conc._n gall._n yet_o when_o constantine_n the_o great_a call_v a_o council_n at_o arles_n to_o resume_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o donatist_n the_o gallican_n
govern_v by_o a_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n be_v but_o one_o congregation_n for_o every_o such_o church_n have_v but_o one_o altar_n this_o observation_n of_o one_o altar_n in_o one_o episcopal_a church_n he_o confirm_v by_o mr._n mede_n who_o propound_v it_o with_o great_a modesty_n and_o only_o as_o a_o conjecture_n and_o m._n b._n have_v add_v nothing_o to_o his_o reason_n more_o than_o his_o own_o confidence_n if_o he_o have_v but_o take_v leisure_n to_o consider_v and_o not_o have_v run_v away_o with_o that_o only_a which_o seem_v to_o make_v for_o his_o purpose_n he_o may_v have_v find_v enough_o in_o those_o very_a passage_n cite_v by_o mr._n mede_n to_o have_v undeceive_v he_o the_o matter_n in_o short_a be_v thus_o the_o principal_a church_n or_o meeting-place_n in_o every_o city_n belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n where_o his_o chair_n be_v set_v up_o with_o a_o bench_n of_o presbyter_n on_o every_o side_n circle_v the_o communion_n table_n this_o whole_a place_n be_v call_v altar_n sacrarium_fw-la and_o within_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o a_o single_a bishop_n it_o be_v probable_a there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o the_o bishop_n with_o his_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n represent_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n although_o it_o may_v be_v divide_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o every_o congregation_n may_v have_v a_o communion_n table_n so_o that_o one_o bishop_n one_o altar_n signify_v indeed_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n as_o be_v the_o place_n of_o its_o common_a council_n and_o solemn_a tribunal_n and_o to_o set_v up_o a_o altar_n be_v not_o to_o have_v two_o communion_n table_n in_o a_o city_n but_o to_o have_v distinct_a government_n quoque_fw-la mr._n b_n dispute_n of_o church_n government_n p._n 90._o the_o ancient_n ordinary_o call_v the_o lord_n table_n and_o the_o place_n where_o it_o stand_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o say_v the_o table_n and_o the_o sacrarium_fw-la or_o place_n of_o its_o stand_n and_o so_o say_v bishop_n usher_v in_o his_o note_n upon_o the_o passage_n before_o cite_v altar_n apud_fw-la patres_fw-la mensam_fw-la dominio_fw-la eam_fw-la passim_fw-la denot_v at_o apud_fw-la ignatium_fw-la &_o polycarpum_fw-la sacrarium_fw-la quoque_fw-la and_o opposite_a bishop_n and_o presbyter_n this_o be_v confirm_v by_o a_o passage_n of_o ignatius_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o magnesian_o cite_v by_o mr._n b._n omnes_fw-la adunati_fw-la ad_fw-la templum_fw-la dei_fw-la concurrite_fw-la sicut_fw-la ad_fw-la unum_fw-la altar_n if_o this_o read_n which_o he_o use_v be_v right_a it_o will_v distinguish_v between_o christian_a temple_n and_o imply_v that_o some_o of_o they_o have_v not_o altar_n which_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a if_o altar_n and_o communion-table_n be_v the_o same_o but_o to_o speak_v ingenious_o neither_o temple_n nor_o altar_n here_o do_v signify_v what_o mr._n b._n will_v have_v it_o for_o the_o florentine_a copy_n have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o refer_v only_o to_o the_o jewish_a temple_n and_o altar_n wherein_o consist_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n notwithstanding_o they_o be_v divide_v into_o many_o synagogue_n and_o congregation_n but_o that_o one_o altar_n for_o every_o church_n so_o frequent_o mention_v by_o ignatius_n do_v not_o signify_v every_o communion-table_n but_o that_o eminent_a one_o together_o with_o the_o bishop_n chair_n and_o the_o bench_n of_o the_o presbyter_n appear_v from_o diverse_a passage_n in_o his_o epistle_n in_o that_o to_o the_o magnesian_o he_o allege_v to_o this_o ecclesiastical_a consistory_n about_o the_o altar_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o well-platted_n crown_n of_o our_o presbyter_n allege_v to_o the_o figure_n in_o which_o they_o sit_v and_o then_o follow_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o counsel_n of_o the_o altar_n or_o sacrifice_n and_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n he_o speak_v to_o this_o effect_n unless_o a_o man_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d within_o the_o verge_n of_o the_o altar_n he_o be_v no_o partaker_n of_o the_o bread_n of_o god_n and_o this_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o explain_v in_o his_o epistle_n ad_fw-la trallenses_n he_o that_o be_v within_o the_o altar_n be_v clean_a wherefore_o he_o obey_v the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n he_o that_o be_v without_o be_v such_o a_o one_o that_o do_v any_o thing_n without_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n so_o that_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n be_v a_o explication_n of_o that_o phrase_n of_o be_v within_o the_o altar_n and_o this_o may_v consist_v with_o the_o division_n of_o the_o church_n into_o several_a distinct_a congregation_n but_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o fifty_o five_o epist_n make_v this_o yet_o clear_a where_o speak_v of_o the_o insolence_n of_o such_o as_o have_v sacrifice_v to_o idol_n thrust_v themselves_o into_o church-communion_n without_o do_v any_o penance_n he_o break_v out_o at_o last_o into_o this_o passionate_a aggravation_n what_o then_o remain_v but_o that_o the_o church_n shall_v yield_v to_o the_o capital_a and_o that_o the_o priest_n withdraw_v themselves_o and_o take_v away_o the_o altar_n of_o our_o lord_n image_n and_o idol-god_n together_o with_o their_o altar_n shall_v succeed_v and_o take_v possession_n of_o the_o place_n proper_a to_o the_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a bench_n of_o our_o clergy_n the_o bench_n of_o the_o clergy_n than_o belong_v to_o the_o altar_n that_o be_v the_o communion-table_n of_o the_o principal_a and_o episcopal_a church_n to_o which_o all_o other_o congregation_n do_v belong_v in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o presbyter_n they_o join_v with_o appertain_v to_o that_o altar_n and_o so_o there_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o several_a assembly_n under_o his_o direction_n and_o within_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o altar_n this_o usage_n of_o one_o altar_n and_o several_a communion-table_n depend_v upon_o it_o continue_v a_o long_a while_n after_o in_o the_o church_n innocent_a i._o in_o his_o letter_n to_o decentius_n mention_n the_o send_n of_o the_o consecrate_a symbol_n from_o the_o episcopal_a church_n altar_n to_o the_o depend_v parish_n upon_o solemn_a time_n and_o long_o after_o that_o all_o the_o parish_n of_o a_o diocese_n pay_v homage_n to_o the_o episcopal_a church_n by_o send_v some_o of_o their_o principal_a member_n to_o communicate_v there_o upon_z solemn_z festival_n as_o appear_v by_o several_a canon_n that_o be_v cite_v and_o examine_v more_o particular_o hereafter_o and_o here_o in_o england_n there_o have_v be_v footstep_n of_o the_o same_o custom_n till_o of_o late_a in_o comparison_n though_o from_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o have_v not_o the_o least_o hint_n of_o congregational_a episcopacy_n in_o this_o place_n the_o next_o thing_n he_o allege_v be_v a_o passage_n out_o of_o justin_n martyr_n 98.99_o just_a martyr_n ap._n 2._o p._n 97._o ed._n paris_n 98.99_o where_o he_o describe_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o christian_a assembly_n in_o his_o time_n where_o the_o eucharist_n be_v say_v to_o be_v celebrate_v by_o the_o bishop_n 92._o 1_o dispute_v p._n 92._o and_o that_o on_o sunday_n all_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v either_o in_o city_n or_o in_o the_o country_n come_v together_o pray_v with_o and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o those_o that_o be_v absent_a have_v it_o send_v to_o they_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o deacon_n but_o what_o shall_v we_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o all_o that_o come_v together_o can_v come_v to_o one_o place_n or_o because_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o bishop_n as_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a be_v here_o only_o describe_v must_v we_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o in_o any_o city_n this_o account_n be_v only_a general_n and_o serve_v only_o to_o show_v what_o they_o do_v when_o they_o come_v together_o and_o the_o principal_a assembly_n be_v sure_o the_o most_o proper_a instance_n and_o not_o in_o how_o many_o place_n they_o may_v be_v assemble_v 33._o disp_n p_o 33._o the_o story_n of_o gregory_n thaumaturgus_n make_v the_o next_o proof_n who_o be_v make_v against_o his_o will_n bishop_n of_o ne-caesarea_n find_v but_o seventeen_o christian_n in_o the_o whole_a city_n this_o be_v indeed_o a_o small_a congregation_n and_o hardly_o numerous_a enough_o to_o make_v a_o church_n but_o if_o mr._n b._n have_v be_v so_o ingenious_a 〈…〉_o 〈…〉_o as_o to_o have_v mention_v the_o success_n of_o that_o bishop_n ministry_n he_o may_v have_v spare_v any_o one_o else_o the_o labour_n of_o answer_v this_o instance_n for_o the_o same_o bishop_n out_o of_o those_o contemptible_a beginning_n do_v so_o far_o enlarge_v the_o church_n of_o that_o place_n that_o when_o he_o die_v he_o leave_v but_o seventeen_o in_o the_o whole_a city_n that_o be_v not_o christian_n if_o
as_o if_o it_o be_v to_o prevent_v such_o a_o mistake_n as_o this_o anti._n ad_fw-la fahiâ—â—n_n anti._n express_o tell_v we_o that_o these_o officer_n be_v not_o useless_a and_o unnecessary_a but_o call_v the_o clergy_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o necessity_n of_o they_o appear_v by_o what_o immediate_o follow_v because_o they_o have_v the_o direction_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o a_o great_a and_o innumerable_a people_n and_o now_o with_o what_o reason_n mr._n b._n have_v retract_v his_o exception_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n let_v the_o reader_n judge_n but_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v long_o before_o outgrow_v the_o stature_n of_o a_o congregation_n for_o euaristus_n the_o six_o from_o st._n peter_n be_v say_v to_o have_v divide_v rome_n into_o title_n or_o parish_n the_o multitude_n be_v grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o one_o assembly_n baron_n ep._n pii_fw-la ad_fw-la baron_n or_o if_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pseudo_fw-la damasus_n be_v not_o to_o be_v depend_v upon_o we_o have_v the_o two_o epistle_n of_o pius_n to_o confirm_v it_o in_o the_o first_o we_o have_v mention_n of_o euprepia_n that_o have_v give_v to_o the_o poor_a titulum_fw-la domus_fw-la suae_fw-la ubi_fw-la nunc_fw-la cum_fw-la pauperibus_fw-la nostris_fw-la commorantes_fw-la missas_fw-la agimus_fw-la several_a learned_a man_n do_v except_v against_o the_o word_n missa_fw-la as_o not_o be_v yet_o in_o use_n in_o the_o church_n temp._n hospin_n de_fw-fr temp._n but_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o show_v when_o it_o be_v first_o take_v up_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o way_n of_o speak_v be_v make_v use_n of_o not_o long_o after_o remissa_fw-la for_o remissio_fw-la be_v find_v in_o tertullian_n and_o cyprian_n in_o the_o second_o epist_n we_o have_v these_o word_n presbyter_n pastor_n titulum_fw-la condidit_fw-la &_o dignè_fw-la in_o domino_fw-la obiit_fw-la i_o must_v needs_o say_v blondel_n do_v not_o deal_v very_o ingenious_o and_o equal_o with_o these_o epistle_n for_o in_o his_o pseudo_fw-la isidocus_n he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v they_o suppositious_a though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o isidorus_n collection_n yet_o in_o his_o apology_n for_o st._n jerom_n opinion_n concern_v bishop_n he_o vouchsafe_v to_o make_v use_n of_o one_o of_o they_o to_o prove_v that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o pius_n day_n it_o be_v a_o sad_a case_n that_o the_o ancient_n shall_v have_v no_o far_o credit_n with_o we_o than_o they_o serve_v our_o turn_n when_o they_o speak_v what_o man_n will_v not_o have_v they_o than_o they_o be_v false_a and_o impostor_n let_v they_o give_v the_o same_o man_n but_o some_o little_a countenance_n and_o then_o they_o be_v true_a man_n again_o the_o great_a liberality_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v no_o small_a argument_n of_o its_o greatness_n for_o beside_o the_o maintenance_n of_o their_o own_o clergy_n and_o poor_a they_o be_v able_a to_o relieve_v most_o other_o church_n 23._o euseb_n l._n 14._o c._n 23._o and_o it_o be_v their_o practice_n from_o the_o beginning_n to_o oblige_v all_o the_o brethren_n by_o all_o manner_n of_o kindness_n and_o to_o send_v to_o a_o great_a many_o church_n that_o be_v establish_v in_o every_o city_n the_o necessary_n of_o life_n relieve_v the_o necessity_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o want_n and_o send_v necessary_a relief_n to_o those_o who_o be_v condemn_v to_o the_o mine_n this_o be_v the_o ancient_a liberality_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o soter_n be_v say_v not_o only_o to_o have_v continue_v but_o improve_v it_o now_o if_o according_a to_o mr._n b_n notion_n of_o those_o time_n not_o many_o rich_a not_o many_o noble_a be_v call_v the_o number_n of_o believer_n must_v be_v by_o so_o much_o the_o great_a 5._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 5._o to_o be_v able_a to_o supply_v the_o necessity_n almost_o of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n speak_v of_o the_o roman_a church_n charity_n in_o his_o time_n in_o these_o word_n all_o the_o province_n of_o syria_n together_o with_o arabia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o you_o relieve_v every_o one_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v there_o emphatical_a and_o imply_v a_o admiration_n of_o as_o it_o be_v the_o all-sufficiency_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n how_o it_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o so_o many_o church_n and_o to_o furnish_v so_o expensive_a a_o charity_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o commodus_n the_o church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v enjoy_v peaceable_a and_o happy_a time_n and_o to_o have_v thrive_v so_o well_o that_o the_o whole_a world_n in_o a_o manner_n be_v reduce_v the_o word_n of_o eusebius_n express_v a_o wonderful_a increase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o every_o soul_n in_o a_o manner_n of_o every_o sort_n come_v over_o to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o at_o rome_n particular_o the_o increase_n be_v so_o great_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o abundance_n of_o considerable_a person_n for_o their_o nobility_n and_o wealth_n come_v over_o with_o their_o whole_a family_n and_o relation_n euseb_n l._n 15._o c._n 21._o certain_a it_o be_v 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 for_o thither_o they_o flee_v for_o refuge_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o shelter_v themselves_o in_o a_o crowd_n and_o if_o tertullian_n account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o his_o time_n make_v it_o very_o probable_a that_o they_o make_v the_o better_a half_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n if_o he_o boast_v of_o multitude_n and_o say_v that_o they_o have_v possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o city_n and_o country_n and_o every_o place_n be_v full_a of_o they_o but_o the_o temple_n if_o they_o do_v in_o a_o manner_n besiege_v the_o heathen_a in_o every_o part_n and_o be_v more_o beneficial_a to_o the_o public_a by_o the_o consumption_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o commodity_n and_o make_v use_v of_o more_o frankincense_n in_o one_o street_n than_o the_o heathen_a do_v in_o any_o one_o temple_n it_o be_v evident_a 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 so_o see_v this_o urge_v far_o by_o mr._n dodwel_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o mr._n b._n towards_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o century_n they_o receive_v a_o considerable_a increase_n from_o the_o countenance_n of_o alexander_n severus_n the_o great_a part_n of_o who_o family_n and_o that_o alone_o will_v make_v a_o good_a congregation_n be_v christian_n 21.28_o euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 21.28_o and_o this_o favourer_n of_o christianity_n reign_v thirteen_o year_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o that_o age_n their_o condition_n be_v most_o flourish_a and_o all_o the_o world_n in_o a_o manner_n have_v receive_v the_o faith_n let_v we_o observe_v in_o what_o glorious_a expression_n eusebius_n represent_v the_o church_n before_o the_o persecution_n of_o dioclesian_n 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 8._o c._n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o say_v he_o can_v describe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o full_a and_o innumerable_a assembly_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o meeting_n in_o every_o city_n so_o that_o by_o this_o time_n not_o only_o in_o rome_n but_o almost_o in_o every_o city_n the_o christian_n have_v several_a congregation_n valesius_fw-la though_o he_o correct_v the_o old_a translator_n yet_o it_o seem_v do_v not_o full_o comprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o place_n nor_o see_v the_o elegancy_n of_o eusebius_n gradation_n for_o first_o he_o represent_v the_o many_o thousand_o that_o come_v together_o to_o make_v a_o congregation_n than_o the_o number_n of_o such_o assembly_n that_o there_o be_v several_a of_o they_o and_o at_o last_o mention_n the_o place_n that_o receive_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n no_o chapel_n no_o oratory_n but_o be_v full_a in_o those_o day_n about_o this_o time_n or_o not_o long_o after_o rome_n have_v above_o forty_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 and_o in_o all_o probability_n there_o must_v be_v more_o than_o one_o or_o two_o even_o in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o century_n and_o now_o i_o have_v mention_v this_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o clear_v that_o passage_n of_o optatus_n about_o these_o forty_o church_n parmen_fw-la optat._n mii_o l._n 2._o contra_fw-la parmen_fw-la from_o the_o exception_n of_o blondel_n who_o mr._n b._n follow_v in_o his_o mistake_n optatus_n in_o that_o place_n trace_n the_o donatist_n of_o rome_n to_o their_o first_o original_a if_o macrobius_n say_v he_o be_v demand_v who_o he_o succeed_v he_o must_v needs_o confess_v it_o be_v to_o eucolpius_fw-la if_o eucolpius_fw-la
they_o believe_v they_o be_v baptise_a both_o man_n and_o woman_n now_o the_o apostle_n who_o remain_v in_o jerusalem_n when_o they_o hear_v of_o this_o success_n send_v peter_n and_o john_n thither_o who_o confirm_v the_o believer_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o why_o can_v not_o philip_n do_v this_o epiphan_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d schol._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d epiphan_n he_o can_v dispossess_v unclean_a spirit_n and_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n he_o can_v preach_v powerful_o so_o as_o to_o convert_v in_o a_o manner_n a_o whole_a city_n and_o why_o can_v not_o he_o do_v all_o other_o act_n that_o be_v useful_a to_o the_o church_n but_o that_o these_o apostle_n must_v be_v take_v authority_n upon_o they_o in_o his_o church_n it_o be_v something_o like_o diocesan_n prelacy_n to_o reserve_v any_o act_n of_o order_n or_o discipline_n to_o themselves_o yet_o so_o it_o be_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o give_v 〈◊〉_d by_o their_o hand_n and_o what_o kind_n of_o government_n they_o establish_v there_o theophylact._n chrysost_n oecumenius_n theophylact._n do_v not_o appear_v and_o some_o pretend_v to_o give_v reason_n why_o they_o do_v not_o appoint_v a_o clergy_n there_o as_o afterward_o they_o do_v in_o other_o place_n because_o they_o say_v that_o samaria_n be_v near_o enough_o to_o jerusalem_n where_o the_o whole_a council_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v reside_v and_o thither_o their_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n may_v repair_v for_o more_o solemn_a ordination_n and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o think_v mean_a of_o the_o success_n of_o the_o apostle_n ministry_n than_o we_o ought_v and_o measure_v it_o by_o the_o progress_n of_o sectary_n as_o anabaptist_n and_o quaker_n as_o mr._n b._n do_v with_o too_o much_o disparagement_n to_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o christian_a religion_n st._n luke_n give_v we_o a_o short_a account_n of_o loâ—e_a visitation_n of_o st._n peter_n that_o let_v we_o see_v hoâ—_n wonderful_o the_o gospel_n prevail_v at_o first_o for_o when_o that_o apostle_n pass_v through_o 〈◊〉_d quarter_n and_o come_v to_o the_o saint_n that_o dwell_v at_o lydda_n heb._n act_n 9.32_o 33._o etc._n etc._n saron_n tractus_n quidam_fw-la regionis_fw-la non_fw-la procul_fw-la à _fw-la caesaria_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d joseph_n antiq_fw-la l._n 20._o c._n 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d joseph_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jud._n l._n 2._o c._n 37._o lydda_n civitas_n palestinae_fw-la quae_fw-la diospolis_fw-la appellatur_fw-la hieron_n de_fw-fr 〈◊〉_d heb._n and_o heal_v miraculous_o a_o person_n that_o have_v be_v long_o bedridden_a 〈◊〉_d that_o dwell_v at_o lydda_n and_o saron_n see_v he_o and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o this_o town_n anâ—_n territory_n mention_v with_o it_o be_v large_a enough_o for_o a_o considerable_a diocesan_n church_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o likelihood_n it_o be_v divide_v under_o several_a church_n government_n mr._n b._n confess_v that_o no_o city_n with_o the_o village_n adjoin_v have_v any_o more_o than_o one_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d a_o long_a time_n after_o this_o and_o in_o the_o time_n 〈◊〉_d the_o council_n of_o nice_a it_o be_v a_o episcopal_a seat_n for_o we_o find_v aetius_n bishop_n of_o the_o place_n among_o the_o subscription_n of_o thâ—_n council_n the_o next_o considerable_a church_n that_o waâ—_n found_v be_v that_o of_o antioch_n the_o greated_a city_n of_o all_o the_o east_n and_o the_o church_n dâ—â—_n soon_o bear_v a_o good_a proportion_n to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n â—1_n act_n 11._o â—1_n for_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n be_v wâ—â—_n they_o the_o scatter_a disciple_n and_o a_o greâ—â—_n number_v believe_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n anâ—_n when_o barnabar_fw-la have_v come_v from_o jerusalem_n assist_v in_o this_o work_n 24._o v._o 24._o much_o people_n be_v add_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o when_o barnabas_n have_v bring_v paul_n to_o antioch_n they_o assemble_v themselves_o with_o the_o church_n 26._o v._o 26._o and_o teach_v much_o people_n it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o all_o these_o proselyte_n mention_v hitherto_o be_v jew_n or_o such_o as_o be_v proselyte_n of_o the_o gate_n and_o have_v renounce_v idolatry_n and_o such_o must_v the_o greek_n be_v to_o who_o those_o of_o cyprus_n preach_v the_o word_n at_o antioch_n v._o 20._o for_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n sometime_o after_o tell_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n as_o a_o extraordinary_a thing_n 14.27_o act_n 14.27_o that_o god_n have_v open_v the_o door_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o gentile_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o they_o be_v â—ncouraged_v by_o that_o success_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n at_o antioch_n too_o while_o they_o abide_v â—here_o a_o long_a time_n with_o the_o disciple_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o these_o gentile_a convert_v make_v â—equestion_n about_o circumcision_n of_o so_o great_a â—â—portance_n as_o to_o require_v a_o determination_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n assemble_v in_o council_n for_o before_o that_o there_o be_v not_o only_o several_a congregation_n probable_o but_o separate_a church_n and_o the_o people_n be_v not_o only_o distribute_v but_o diviâ—ed_v 〈◊〉_d gal._n 2.12_o compare_v with_o act_n 15.1_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o rend_v into_o separate_a assembly_n unless_o we_o shall_v â—â—terpret_v this_o separation_n â—o_o be_v rather_o a_o scruple_n reâ—â—ting_v to_o conversation_n and_o â—â—iet_n than_o to_o public_a and_o church_n communique_a as_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a though_o even_o this_o must_v â—ave_n likewise_o a_o evil_a influence_n upon_o their_o communion_n too_o for_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a the_o jew_n if_o they_o stand_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o law_n about_o choice_n of_o meat_n shall_v care_v much_o for_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o gentile_n when_o they_o fancy_v to_o be_v profane_a and_o pollute_a by_o the_o transgression_n of_o that_o law_n barnius_n make_v two_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n together_o aâ—_n this_o time_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o these_o dissersion_n 1._o martyrolog_n rom._n feb._n 1._o evodius_n and_o ignatius_n the_o one_o choses_fw-fr by_o paul_n the_o other_o by_o peter_n but_o the_o misery_n be_v that_o the_o author_n that_o give_v this_o light_n be_v confess_v to_o mistake_v ignat._n clemens_n const_n l._n 7._o c._n 46._o orat._n in_o s._n ignat._n by_o make_v paul_n 〈◊〉_d choose_v ignatius_n and_o peter_n evodius_n whereas_o chrysostom_n say_v the_o contrary_a that_o ignaâ—â—â—_n be_v ordain_v by_o peter_n and_o to_o speak_v free_o i_o believe_v this_o no_o better_o than_o what_o barâ—â—â—â—_n will_v forbid_v his_o reader_n to_o imagine_v a_o fiâ—â—â—â—_n which_o he_o be_v force_v to_o make_v shift_n with_o iâ—_n reconcile_v the_o contradiction_n of_o eusebius_n aâ—â—_n chrysostom_n chronicon_fw-la euseb_n hist_o l._n 3._o c._n 22._o ed._n valâ—sâ—i_n euseb_n chronicon_fw-la the_o former_a make_v peter_n to_o be_v dead_a before_o evodius_n to_o who_o he_o make_v ignatius_n to_o succeed_v the_o latter_a express_o afirm_v that_o apostle_n to_o have_v ordain_v he_o for_o my_o part_n i_o believe_v that_o the_o traditionâ—â—_n chronology_n of_o eusebius_n and_o the_o preciâ—â—_n time_n of_o the_o succession_n and_o government_n 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o bishop_n be_v not_o otherwise_o know_v to_o he_o be_v not_o a_o foundation_n firm_a enough_o to_o build_v any_o opinion_n upon_o h._n vid._n dissert_n spanhemii_fw-la blond_n praesat_fw-la apol._n pro_fw-la scent_n h._n especiaâ—â—_n when_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o place_n as_o we_o as_o time_n of_o st._n peter_n martyrdom_n be_v question_v not_o without_o some_o appearance_n 〈◊〉_d reason_n and_o the_o whole_a business_n be_v involve_v in_o so_o many_o difficulty_n blondel_n take_v greaâ—_n pain_n to_o confute_v the_o conjecture_n of_o baronius_n but_o advance_v another_o of_o his_o own_o more_o strange_a and_o improbable_a and_o what_o be_v yet_o worse_a draw_v important_a consequence_n from_o it_o and_o pretend_v by_o these_o seem_a contradiction_n to_o discover_v the_o nature_n of_o primitive_a episcopacy_n and_o the_o ancient_a law_n of_o succession_n but_o all_o that_o be_v trifle_v it_o be_v plain_a of_o chrysostom_n that_o he_o think_v ignatius_n the_o immediate_a successor_n of_o peter_n and_o therefore_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o evodius_n at_o all_o unless_o one_o shall_v say_v that_o peter_n may_v ordain_v ignatius_n as_o he_o do_v timothy_n or_o titus_n as_o a_o evangelist_n and_o that_o afterward_o he_o become_v the_o fix_a bishop_n of_o antioch_n though_o chrysostoms_n word_n will_v hardly_o bear_v that_o sense_n and_o refer_v to_o the_o episcopal_a office_n at_o large_a but_o however_o it_o fare_v either_o with_o baronius_n his_o divide_a episcopacy_n or_o blondel_n succession_n by_o seniority_n it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n even_o at_o this_o time_n be_v a_o diocesan_n have_v the_o oversight_n of_o a_o church_n that_o be_v distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n for_o if_o we_o reflect_v
say_v to_o be_v send_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n as_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n send_v john_n and_o peter_n to_o samaria_n 8._o act._n 8._o in_o like_a matter_n the_o church_n send_v barnabas_n to_o antioch_n 11._o v._o 11._o but_o now_o it_o seem_v they_o come_v from_o james_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n pass_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o bishop_n only_o although_o after_o this_o we_o find_v this_o style_n to_o vary_v again_o and_o sometime_o the_o church_n of_o such_o a_o place_n send_v to_o another_o without_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o bishop_n though_o the_o letter_n be_v pen_v by_o the_o bishop_n himself_o as_o the_o inscription_n of_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n do_v inform_v we_o and_o jastly_a as_o the_o authority_n of_o james_n appear_v by_o send_v to_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n so_o it_o do_v likewise_o from_o his_o speech_n in_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n where_o he_o seem_v to_o preside_v and_o determine_v the_o question_n in_o dispute_n 5._o act._n 5._o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n all_o this_o consider_v together_o with_o the_o testimony_n of_o hegesippus_n and_o clemens_n there_o can_v be_v as_o little_a doubt_n that_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n be_v settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o there_o be_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o express_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v without_o resect_v the_o most_o authentic_a record_n of_o church_n history_n it_o be_v to_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o leave_v so_o full_a and_o perfect_a account_n of_o the_o constitution_n and_o government_n of_o the_o first_o church_n as_o may_v be_v wish_v for_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o only_a scripture_n history_n of_o those_o time_n relate_v most_o the_o victory_n of_o christian_a religion_n how_o several_a city_n be_v convert_v by_o what_o miracle_n by_o what_o argument_n or_o exhortation_n but_o before_o the_o holy_a penman_n come_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o settlement_n of_o those_o new_a conquest_n he_o carry_v away_o the_o reader_n from_o thence_o to_o follow_v the_o apostle_n to_o some_o other_o place_n where_o they_o begin_v to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o another_o church_n thus_o we_o have_v no_o more_o notice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o samarid_a and_o of_o judea_n jerusalem_n except_v than_o that_o such_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o their_o government_n and_o constitution_n we_o be_v not_o the_o least_o information_n and_o the_o prospect_n leave_v of_o antioch_n in_o scripture_n be_v very_o confuse_v as_o of_o a_o church_n in_o fieri_fw-la where_o a_o great_a number_n of_o eminent_a person_n labour_v together_o to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o up_o but_o after_o what_o form_n do_v not_o appear_v but_o only_o from_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n ignatio_n eusel_n l._n 3._o c._n 22._o chronnon_n chrysost_n orat._n de_fw-fr ignatio_n who_o report_n that_o this_o church_n when_o it_o be_v settle_v and_o digest_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o evodius_n and_o after_o he_o to_o ignetius_n and_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n nevertheless_o we_o be_v not_o leave_v destitute_a of_o all_o light_n in_o this_o particular_a even_o from_o the_o scripture_n the_o history_n of_o st._n paul_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v by_o st._n â—â—ke_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o himself_o scatter_o in_o his_o own_o epistle_n inform_v we_o in_o some_o measure_n of_o the_o from_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n government_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n this_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n do_v common_o use_v this_o method_n inform_v those_o church_n he_o have_v convert_v as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o consult_v the_o citation_n in_o the_o margin_n when_o he_o come_v to_o any_o place_n where_o the_o gospel_n have_v not_o be_v preach_v and_o he_o do_v not_o affect_v much_o to_o build_v upon_o another_o be_v foundation_n he_o preach_v first_o in_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n 13.46_o rom._n 15.20_o 1_o cor._n 3.10_o act_n 9.20_o 13_o &_o 14._o act_n 13.46_o and_o if_o they_o reject_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n he_o turn_v to_o the_o gentile_n assoon_o as_o he_o have_v convert_v a_o competent_a number_n he_o take_v care_n to_o improve_v they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n 3.2_o 1_o cor._n 3.2_o and_o for_o that_o purpose_n teach_v they_o constant_o either_o at_o his_o own_o house_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o act_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o or_o at_o some_o public_a school_n as_o that_o of_o tyrannus_n or_o any_o other_o convenient_a place_n where_o a_o good_a number_n may_v assemble_v together_o these_o convert_v as_o they_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o same_o common_a doctrine_n and_o faith_n so_o they_o be_v to_o be_v perpetual_o unite_v by_o a_o communion_n in_o worship_n in_o prayer_n and_o the_o sacrament_n for_o it_o be_v not_o with_o the_o school_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o with_o those_o of_o this_o world_n 10.25_o acts._n 11.26_o heb._n 10.25_o which_o the_o disciple_n leave_v when_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o to_o have_v learn_v what_o they_o come_v for_o but_o there_o be_v a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o these_o scholar_n to_o assemble_v themselves_o together_o 2.12_o rom._n 12.5_o 1_o cor._n 12.13.12.22_o phil._n 2.12_o till_o they_o come_v to_o a_o perfect_a man_n which_o be_v not_o consummate_v till_o after_o this_o life_n nor_o be_v the_o relation_n between_o christian_n dissolve_v when_o the_o congregation_n be_v dissmiss_v fine_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d origâ—câ—â—â—_n â—â—s_o 1.8_o in_o fine_a but_o they_o be_v unite_v far_o into_o one_o society_n or_o corporation_n into_o a_o holy_a city_n under_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n their_o king_n and_o under_o apostle_n and_o such_o other_o officer_n of_o he_o and_o their_o appointment_n and_o so_o far_o to_o act_v and_o determine_v all_o thing_n within_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o appear_v before_o any_o heathen_a magistrate_n upon_o any_o difference_n but_o to_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o brethren_n or_o to_o the_o apostle_n under_o who_o direction_n they_o be_v thus_o far_o we_o may_v consider_v a_o church_n without_o any_o other_o officer_n than_o the_o apostle_n who_o convert_v they_o but_o their_o number_n increase_v in_o that_o place_n and_o much_o of_o his_o time_n be_v take_v up_o in_o dispute_v with_o and_o preach_v to_o unbeliever_n and_o gainsayer_n or_o this_o apostle_n be_v call_v away_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o other_o place_n 9_o act_n 9.29.17.17.19.8_o 9_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o ordain_v such_o church_n officer_n as_o may_v take_v care_n of_o this_o church_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o it_o 2.12.20.17_o 6.4_o act_n 14.23_o phil._n 2.12.20.17_o and_o other_o to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a lest_o that_o office_n take_v up_o much_o time_n may_v be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o those_o who_o be_v to_o guide_v the_o assembly_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n now_o this_o constitution_n do_v not_o take_v away_o the_o relation_n that_o be_v between_o this_o church_n and_o the_o apostle_n that_o found_v it_o and_o these_o officer_n act_v in_o subordination_n to_o he_o whether_o present_a or_o absent_a and_o st._n paul_n therefore_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o the_o apostle_n or_o bishop_n of_o the_o corinihian_o though_o he_o can_v not_o hold_v personal_a communion_n with_o they_o 15.36_o 1_o cor._n 5.3_o act_n 15.36_o for_o sometime_o he_o go_v a_o circular_a visitation_n to_o examine_v the_o state_n of_o those_o church_n which_o he_o have_v plant_v or_o if_o the_o distance_n and_o oceasion_n of_o that_o church_n where_o he_o reside_v or_o his_o imprisonment_n and_o other_o outward_a circumstance_n will_v not_o admit_v this_o personal_a visitation_n he_o send_v his_o letter_n and_o order_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v if_o any_o open_a scandal_n be_v permit_v he_o send_v his_o excommunication_n to_o be_v publish_v in_o that_o church_n whereof_o the_o offender_n be_v a_o member_n hieroâ—_n 1_o cor._n 5.3_o 4_o 5._o cum_fw-la meo_fw-la spiritu_fw-la quipro_fw-la i_o erat_fw-la praesens_fw-la sive_fw-la in_o mearum_fw-la literarum_fw-la authoritate_fw-la hieroâ—_n he_o judge_v as_o though_o he_o be_v present_a he_o order_v that_o when_o they_o be_v meet_v together_o in_o his_o spirit_n they_o will_v deliver_v the_o criminal_a to_o satan_n and_o because_o some_o of_o the_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n begin_v to_o set_v up_o themselves_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o apostle_n take_v advantage_n of_o his_o absence_n 2.5.19_o 1_o cor._n 4.18_o 19.9.1_o 2.5.19_o and_o use_v all_o mean_n to_o lessen_v he_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o that_o people_n he_o be_v force_v to_o assert_v his_o authority_n and_o to_o justify_v his_o title_n to_o let_v they_o know_v that_o he_o be_v their_o father_n their_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o
happy_a be_v those_o that_o enter_v that_o way_n behave_v themselves_o peaceable_o for_o let_v a_o man_n be_v faithful_a let_v he_o be_v never_o so_o powerful_a a_o preacher_n let_v he_o be_v never_o so_o wise_a and_o discern_a holy_a in_o his_o life_n yet_o by_o how_o much_o he_o seem_v to_o excel_v other_o by_o so_o much_o ought_v he_o to_o behave_v himself_o more_o humble_o and_o seek_v the_o common_a good_a of_o all_o and_o not_o his_o own_o particular_a beside_o this_o the_o passionate_a expostulation_n of_o clemens_n with_o the_o ringleader_n of_o this_o sedition_n make_v this_o conjecture_n yet_o more_o probable_a who_o be_v there_o among_o you_o generous_a and_o charitable_a let_v he_o say_v if_o this_o schism_n and_o sedition_n have_v be_v raise_v upon_o my_o account_n i_o will_v withdraw_v i_o will_v be_v go_v whithersoever_o you_o please_v only_o let_v the_o fold_n of_o christ_n live_v in_o unity_n and_o peace_n with_o the_o presbyter_n that_o be_v over_o it_o and_o to_o encourage_v they_o to_o this_o generous_a resignation_n he_o tell_v they_o of_o many_o king_n that_o have_v offer_v themselves_o a_o sacrifice_n for_o the_o safety_n of_o their_o country_n how_o many_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o sedition_n have_v leave_v their_o own_o city_n 45._o apud_fw-la euseb_n hist_o l._n 6._o c._n 45._o with_o more_o to_o that_o effect_n which_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n borrow_v out_o of_o this_o epistle_n and_o send_v it_o as_o a_o exhortation_n to_o novatus_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o that_o schism_n he_o have_v cause_v and_o what_o be_v there_o so_o proper_a against_o a_o schismatic_a bishop_n we_o may_v judge_v not_o without_o reason_n to_o have_v be_v apply_v by_o the_o first_o author_n upon_o the_o same_o occasion_n and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n at_o the_o write_n of_o this_o epistle_n the_o last_o thing_n i_o shall_v observe_v out_o of_o clemens_n be_v a_o passage_n that_o seem_v to_o favour_v the_o distribution_n of_o the_o clergy_n into_o three_o order_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n priests_z and_o deacon_n the_o highpriest_n say_v he_o have_v his_o proper_a office_n the_o priest_n have_v a_o proper_a place_n appoint_v for_o they_o and_o the_o levite_n have_v their_o peculiar_a ministry_n and_o the_o layman_n be_v oblige_v to_o keep_v himself_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o own_o station_n brethren_n let_v every_o one_o of_o you_o glorify_v god_n in_o his_o own_o place_n and_o keep_v himself_o within_o his_o own_o line_n not_o break_v over_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o own_o office_n and_o ministry_n have_v now_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n out_o of_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n and_o examine_v the_o singular_a opinion_n of_o st._n jerom_n concern_v it_o i_o come_v now_o to_o give_v a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o progress_n and_o advancement_n of_o it_o the_o first_o bishop_n after_o the_o apostle_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o rabanus_n maurus_n 4._o in_o 1_o tim._n 4._o have_v very_o large_a diocese_n primis_fw-la temporibâ—â—_n episcopi_fw-la provincias_fw-la integras_fw-la regebant_fw-la apostâ—lorum_fw-la nomine_fw-la nuncupati_fw-la i._n e._n in_o those_o first_o time_n bishop_n govern_v whole_a province_n be_v call_v then_o apostle_n and_o this_o conformable_a to_o theodoret_n who_o affirm_v not_o only_o the_o same_o thing_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n be_v call_v apostle_n 3._o be_v argumento_fw-la ep._n ad_fw-la tit._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d theod._n in_o 1_o tim._n 3._o but_o also_o that_o they_o have_v large_a diocese_n too_o for_o speak_v of_o titus_n he_o call_v he_o bishop_n of_o crete_n though_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a island_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o say_v that_o epaphroditus_n be_v the_o apostle_n of_o the_o philippian_n titus_n of_o the_o cretan_n and_o timothy_n of_o the_o asian_o i_o e._n in_o his_o language_n their_o bishop_n and_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n signify_v as_o much_o where_o they_o order_v every_o bishop_n to_o medale_n only_o with_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o the_o region_n that_o belong_v to_o it_o 〈◊〉_d can._n ap._n 33._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o as_o christian_n be_v multiply_v in_o the_o world_n so_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n increase_v every_o considerable_a city_n with_o the_o country_n about_o become_a diocese_n loc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d phil_n 1._o chryso_v in_o loc_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d oecum_fw-la theoph._n nor_o â—â—iâ—_n una_fw-la in_o urbe_fw-la plures_fw-la episcopi_fw-la esse_fw-la potuissent_fw-la hieron_n it_o can_v not_o be_v it_o be_v against_o the_o design_n of_o the_o institution_n loci_fw-la ipsius_fw-la episcâ—â—o_fw-la scribendum_fw-la esset_fw-la non_fw-la duobus_fw-la aut_fw-la tribus_fw-la ambr._n in_o loc._n so_o asia_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o st._n john_n have_v seven_o bishop_n and_o by_o proportion_n we_o may_v conjecture_v of_o other_o country_n and_o the_o first_o advance_v of_o christianity_n be_v very_o wonderful_a and_o the_o success_n of_o our_o religion_n give_v occasion_n to_o envy_n and_o persecution_n the_o condition_n of_o those_o time_n seem_v to_o have_v proportion_v the_o distribution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o multiply_v diocese_n for_o in_o those_o troublesome_a time_n it_o be_v very_o difficult_a to_o maintain_v such_o a_o communication_n as_o aught_o to_o be_v between_o a_o bishop_n and_o all_o the_o part_n of_o his_o diocese_n it_o be_v find_v necessary_a to_o multiply_v church_n and_o that_o every_o city_n with_o some_o portion_n of_o country_n belong_v to_o it_o shall_v have_v its_o own_o bishop_n who_o though_o his_o flock_n may_v at_o first_o be_v but_o small_a and_o not_o exceed_v a_o congregation_n yet_o be_v he_o proper_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n i._n e._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o those_o that_o afterward_o shall_v believe_v whatever_o accession_n be_v make_v to_o this_o church_n though_o the_o whole_a city_n and_o country_n shall_v be_v convert_v 43._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cornel._n ap_fw-mi eâ—seb_n l._n 6._o c._n 43._o episcope_n cedunt_fw-la they_o accrue_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n into_o how_o many_o congregation_n soever_o they_o may_v after_o be_v distribute_v and_o therefore_o the_o church_n of_o a_o bishop_n retain_v still_o the_o singular_a number_n though_o distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o in_o such_o a_o church_n they_o contend_v there_o aught_o to_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n though_o it_o have_v never_o so_o many_o presbyter_n as_o that_o of_o rome_n have_v when_o cornelius_n pretend_v there_o aught_o to_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n and_o novatus_n do_v not_o contradict_v he_o but_o the_o dispute_n be_v about_o this_o which_o of_o they_o be_v the_o rightful_a bishop_n episcopacy_n be_v settle_v upon_o these_o foundation_n with_o a_o regard_n to_o the_o future_a increase_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o condition_n and_o small_a beginning_n of_o the_o church_n we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o for_o the_o first_o three_o centery_n the_o number_n of_o bishop_n be_v near_o so_o great_a as_o it_o become_v afterward_o although_o in_o a_o little_a while_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n be_v so_o great_a that_o there_o be_v no_o country_n no_o city_n no_o village_n in_o several_a province_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n where_o there_o be_v not_o a_o good_a number_n of_o christian_n before_o the_o persecution_n of_o trajan_n they_o be_v so_o increase_v that_o in_o the_o province_n of_o bythinia_n as_o pliny_n complain_v the_o heathen_a temple_n be_v become_v desolate_a 100_o prope_fw-la jam_fw-la desolata_fw-la templa_fw-la coepisse_fw-la celebrari_fw-la &_o sacra_fw-la solemnia_fw-la diu_fw-la intermissa_fw-la repetl_n paffimque_fw-la venire_fw-la victimas_fw-la quarum_fw-la ad_fw-la huâ—_n rarissimus_fw-la emptor_n inveniebatur_fw-la ex_fw-la quo_fw-la facile_fw-la est_fw-la opinari_fw-la quae_fw-la turba_fw-la hominum_fw-la emendati_fw-la possit_fw-la yet_o after_o the_o apostasy_n of_o so_o many_o the_o number_n be_v still_o great_a visa_fw-la est_fw-la mihi_fw-la res_fw-la consultation_n digna_fw-la maxim_n proper_a periclitantiam_fw-la numerum_fw-la multi_fw-la enim_fw-la omnis_fw-la aetatis_fw-la omnis_fw-la or_o diâ—is_fw-la utriusque_fw-la sexus_fw-la neque_fw-la enim_fw-la civitates_fw-la tantum_fw-la sed_fw-la &_o vicos_fw-la &_o agros_fw-la superstitionis_fw-la istius_fw-la contagio_fw-la pervagata_fw-la est_fw-la plin._n ep._n l._n 10._o ep._n 100_o the_o sacrifice_n neglect_v and_o lay_v aside_o and_o notwithstanding_o the_o severity_n of_o that_o persecution_n make_v great_a number_n fall_v off_o yet_o those_o that_o remain_v unshaken_a and_o resolve_v to_o die_v martyr_n for_o their_o religion_n be_v exceed_o numerous_a not_o long_o after_o arrius_n antoninus_n find_v so_o many_o of_o they_o in_o asia_n that_o it_o be_v a_o endless_a thing_n to_o put_v they_o to_o death_n though_o they_o make_v no_o resistance_n and_o when_o they_o throng_v so_o much_o about_o his_o tribunal_n
go_v to_o the_o confessor_n in_o prison_n by_o turn_n to_o administer_v the_o communion_n to_o they_o that_o the_o change_n of_o the_o person_n and_o the_o see_v of_o new_a face_n daily_o may_v render_v it_o less_o envy_v or_o observe_v beside_o when_o four_o of_o his_o presbyter_n and_o those_o probable_o live_v at_o some_o distance_n from_o carthage_n have_v write_v to_o he_o about_o something_o relate_v to_o the_o church_n he_o tell_v his_o clergy_n that_o he_o be_v resolve_v from_o the_o time_n he_o be_v make_v bishop_n 28._o ad_fw-la id_fw-la vero_fw-la quod_fw-la scripserunt_fw-la mihi_fw-la compresbyteri_fw-la nostri_fw-la donatus_n &_o fortunatus_n &_o gordias_n &_o novatus_n solus_fw-la rescribere_fw-la nihil_fw-la potui_fw-la quando_fw-la à _fw-la primordio_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la mei_fw-la statuerim_fw-la nihil_fw-la sine_fw-la consilio_fw-la vestro_fw-la &_o sine_fw-la consensu_fw-la plebis_fw-la meae_fw-la privatae_fw-la sententia_fw-la gerere_fw-la sed_fw-la cum_fw-la ad_fw-la vos_fw-la venere_fw-la in_o common_a tractabimus_fw-la ep._n 6._o decipientes_fw-la quosdam_fw-la fratres_fw-la ex_fw-la plebe_fw-la nostra_fw-la ep._n 28._o to_o determine_v nothing_o without_o advise_v with_o his_o clergy_n which_o intimate_v that_o they_o be_v not_o of_o the_o clergy_n reside_v at_o carthage_n for_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o four_o person_n will_v pretend_v to_o write_v to_o their_o bishop_n about_o any_o public_a concern_v of_o the_o church_n without_o consult_v their_o brethren_n if_o they_o live_v together_o with_o they_o and_o meet_v daily_o at_o the_o same_o altar_n and_o cyprian_n speak_v of_o they_o with_o this_o strangeness_n make_v it_o improbable_a that_o they_o be_v among_o this_o clergy_n to_o who_o he_o write_v concern_v they_o beside_o we_o have_v express_v mention_n of_o one_o country_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n of_o carthage_n gaius_n diddensis_fw-la presbyter_n who_o from_o several_a passage_n of_o that_o epistle_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v near_o the_o city_n and_o under_o its_o jurisdiction_n and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o presbyter_n cyprian_a complain_v of_o in_o another_o place_n for_o their_o presumption_n in_o receive_v the_o lapse_v into_o communion_n 10._o quorundam_fw-la immoderata_fw-la praesumptio_fw-la plebis_fw-la universae_fw-la tranquillitatem_fw-la turbare_fw-la conetur_fw-la aliqui_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la nec_fw-la sibi_fw-la praepositum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la cogitantes_fw-la quod_fw-la nunquam_fw-la omnino_fw-la sub_fw-la antecessoribus_fw-la nostris_fw-la factum_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la contumelia_fw-la &_o contemptu_fw-la prapositi_fw-la totum_fw-la sibi_fw-la vendicent_fw-la interim_n prohibeantur_fw-la offer_n acturi_fw-la apud_fw-la nos_fw-la &_o apud_fw-la confessores_fw-la ipsos_fw-la &_o apud_fw-la universam_fw-la plebem_fw-la causam_fw-la svam_fw-la ep._n 10._o without_o consult_v their_o bishop_n or_o the_o clergy_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o fault_n make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v several_a congregation_n now_o in_o carthage_n for_o this_o can_v never_o have_v be_v do_v by_o a_o few_o in_o the_o episcopal_a church_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o presbytery_n it_o be_v not_o probable_a they_o will_v have_v endure_v it_o or_o if_o they_o have_v than_o they_o have_v be_v all_o in_o equal_a fault_n which_o cyprian_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n lay_v to_o their_o charge_n but_o lay_v it_o upon_o a_o few_o and_o order_n they_o shall_v be_v suspend_v from_o their_o office_n by_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o their_o cause_n reserve_v to_o be_v try_v before_o he_o and_o the_o whole_a church_n at_o his_o return_n beside_o this_o the_o charity_n of_o the_o diocese_n of_o carthage_n towards_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o numidian_a captive_n be_v so_o considerable_a that_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v gather_v in_o one_o oâ—_n a_o few_o congregation_n accipere_fw-la misimus_fw-la autem_fw-la sestertia_fw-la centum_fw-la millia_fw-la nummum_fw-la quae_fw-la istic_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la cvi_fw-la de_fw-la domini_fw-la indulgentia_fw-la praesuâ—us_fw-la cleri_fw-la &_o plebis_fw-la apud_fw-la nos_fw-la consistentis_fw-la collatione_fw-la collecta_fw-la sunt_fw-la and_o if_o the_o like_a shall_v happen_v again_o he_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o his_o diocese_n will_v relieve_v they_o libenter_fw-la &_o largiter_fw-la subsidia_fw-la praestare_fw-la ad_fw-la hoc_fw-la opus_fw-la tam_fw-la necessarium_fw-la fratres_n &_o sorores_n prompt_v &_o libenter_fw-la operati_fw-la sunt_fw-la ep._n 60._o ll._n s._n centum_fw-la millia_fw-la ll._n centum_fw-la as_o pamelius_n correct_v it_o though_o without_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o ms_n s._n potest_fw-la inter_fw-la caeteros_fw-la qui_fw-la alimentis_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la sustinentur_fw-la huius_fw-la histrionis_fw-la necessitas_fw-la adjuvari_fw-la si_fw-la illic_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la non_fw-la sufficit_fw-la ut_fw-la laborantibus_fw-la prâ—stet_fw-la alimenta_fw-la poterit_fw-la se_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la transfer_v &_o hic_fw-la quod_fw-la sibi_fw-la ad_fw-la victum_fw-la &_o vestitum_fw-la necessarium_fw-la fuerit_fw-la accipere_fw-la especial_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o cyprian_a when_o he_o send_v it_o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o numidia_n with_o a_o letter_n and_o particular_n do_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o as_o any_o extraordinary_a matter_n and_o all_o the_o observation_n he_o make_v of_o the_o contribution_n of_o his_o flock_n be_v that_o they_o be_v do_v prompt_a &_o libenter_fw-la ready_o and_o willing_o and_o he_o promise_n that_o they_o will_v be_v as_o ready_a upon_o any_o such_o occasion_n 2._o the_o ordinary_a charge_n of_o that_o church_n be_v so_o great_a for_o the_o support_n of_o the_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o a_o very_a numerous_a clergy_n beside_o poor_a who_o be_v plentiful_o relieve_v and_o especial_o in_o dangerous_a time_n beside_o the_o maintenance_n of_o such_o as_o when_o they_o become_v christian_n be_v oblige_v to_o quit_v their_o former_a calling_n as_o inconsistent_a with_o that_o holy_a profession_n and_o the_o extraordinary_a charge_n of_o messenger_n that_o pass_v perpetual_o between_o they_o and_o other_o church_n this_o ordinary_a charge_n be_v so_o great_a that_o the_o sum_v collect_v in_o this_o diocese_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o those_o captives_n at_o the_o low_a computation_n must_v suppose_v a_o considerable_a diocese_n to_o furnish_v it_o especial_o so_o soon_o after_o a_o terrible_a persecution_n as_o that_o which_o this_o be_v suppose_v to_o follow_v last_o the_o diocese_n of_o carthage_n be_v not_o extraordinary_a in_o all_o these_o circumstance_n but_o the_o rest_n of_o africa_n be_v some_o of_o they_o distribute_v into_o several_a parish_n for_o caldonius_n a_o african_a bishop_n make_v mention_n of_o one_o felix_n 19_o faelix_fw-la qui_fw-la presbyterium_fw-la subministrabat_fw-la sub_fw-la decimo_fw-la proximus_fw-la mihi_fw-la vicinus_fw-la plenius_fw-la câ—gnevi_fw-la â—â—ndem_fw-la cum_fw-la ergo_fw-la universi_fw-la pacem_fw-la preterent_fw-la quamvis_fw-la mihi_fw-la videaâ—tur_fw-la debere_fw-la pacem_fw-la accipere_fw-la tamen_fw-la ad_fw-la consultum_fw-la vestrum_fw-la â—â—s_o dimisi_fw-la â—e_n videar_fw-la aliquid_fw-la temere_fw-la praesumere_fw-la caldon_n ep._n ad_fw-la cypr._n 19_o who_o do_v the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n under_o one_o decimus_n another_o presbyter_n of_o caldoniuâ—'s_n diocese_n as_o will_v appear_v from_o some_o passage_n of_o that_o epistle_n though_o goulartius_n be_v of_o opinion_n this_o decimus_n be_v a_o bishop_n and_o felix_n his_o presbyter_n but_o pamelius_n his_o conjecture_n be_v much_o better_o ground_v who_o make_v he_o the_o vicar_n or_o curate_n of_o decimus_n for_o 1._o if_o he_o and_o his_o wife_n victoria_n have_v belong_v to_o another_o bishop_n why_o do_v they_o make_v their_o application_n to_o caldonius_n to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o church_n why_o do_v not_o they_o go_v to_o their_o own_o bishop_n decimus_n or_o if_o he_o be_v dead_a and_o no_o other_o yet_o ordain_v in_o his_o place_n why_o not_o to_o the_o presbytery_n there_o who_o ought_v to_o have_v reconcile_v they_o and_o in_o a_o vacance_n take_v care_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n as_o the_o clergy_n of_o rome_n declare_v that_o at_o such_o a_o time_n they_o be_v to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o church_n cum_fw-la nobis_fw-la incumbat_fw-la 3._o ap._n cypr._n ep_v 3._o qui_fw-la praepositi_fw-la esse_fw-la videmur_fw-la &_o vice_fw-la pastoris_fw-la custodire_fw-la gregem_fw-la but_o their_o make_v their_o application_n to_o caldonius_n make_v it_o clear_a that_o he_o be_v their_o diocesan_n that_o the_o cure_n in_o which_o felix_n officiate_v be_v in_o his_o diocese_n 2._o caldonius_n his_o remit_v they_o to_o cyprian_a as_o the_o first_o bishop_n make_v it_o probable_a that_o he_o be_v their_o ordinary_n for_o what_o else_o have_v he_o to_o do_v to_o meddle_v with_o or_o remit_v the_o cognizance_n of_o any_o person_n belong_v to_o another_o church_n to_o any_o other_o than_o their_o own_o clergy_n and_o let_v they_o remit_v they_o to_o the_o primate_n if_o they_o judge_v the_o case_n difficult_a therefore_o it_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a that_o caldonius_n be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o suppliant_n and_o that_o the_o priest_n mention_v exercise_v his_o charge_n in_o some_o village_n or_o town_n in_o
say_v enough_o before_o some_o time_n after_o when_o they_o quarrel_v among_o themselves_o they_o call_v a_o council_n of_o three_o hundred_o and_o ten_o bagatense_n against_o maximianus_n the_o catholic_n observe_v what_o advantage_n this_o reputation_n of_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n give_v their_o adversary_n 53.98_o conc._n carth._n 2._o c._n 5._o codex_fw-la integ_n can_v eccles_n afr._n c._n 53.98_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o course_n themselves_o and_o to_o make_v as_o many_o bishop_n as_o they_o can_v therefore_o they_o order_n that_o where_o part_n of_o a_o large_a diocese_n shall_v be_v willing_a to_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o if_o the_o bishop_n under_o who_o they_o be_v shall_v consent_v a_o new_a bishopric_n may_v be_v erect_v but_o it_o be_v common_o at_o the_o cost_n of_o the_o schismatic_n that_o they_o multiply_v diocese_n for_o where_o there_o be_v two_o bishop_n in_o a_o diocese_n the_o one_o a_o catholic_n and_o the_o other_o a_o donatist_n and_o the_o donatist_n will_v return_v to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n 118._o codex_fw-la can._n 118._o the_o diocese_n be_v to_o be_v equal_o divide_v between_o they_o and_o that_o with_o so_o much_o exactness_n that_o if_o the_o number_n of_o the_o town_n happen_v to_o be_v odd_a the_o odd_a town_n be_v adjudge_v who_o it_o shall_v belong_v to_o nor_o be_v this_o all_o but_o where_o the_o donatist_n have_v drive_v out_o or_o pervert_v all_o the_o catholic_n there_o they_o set_v up_o a_o bishop_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o they_o have_v any_o party_n and_o sometime_o in_o the_o same_o donatist_n diocese_n there_o be_v three_o or_o four_o catholic_n bishop_n this_o be_v make_v out_o so_o clear_o in_o the_o conference_n at_o carthage_n that_o i_o need_v only_o cite_v some_o passage_n out_o of_o it_o and_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o reader_n without_o far_a inference_n or_o application_n petilianus_n episcopus_fw-la dixit_fw-la sapientissimè_fw-la ac_fw-la praescie_a ommá_fw-la pravidisti_fw-la vir_fw-la nobilis_fw-la 65._o collatlo_n carthag_n cogn_n primae_fw-la gesta_fw-la 65._o nam_fw-la in_o plebe_n mea_fw-la i.e._n in_o civitate_fw-la constantmensi_fw-la adversarium_fw-la habeo_fw-la fortunatum_fw-la in_fw-la medio_fw-la autem_fw-la dioecesis_fw-la meae_fw-la nunc_fw-la institutum_fw-la habeo_fw-la imo_fw-la ipsi_fw-la habent_fw-la delphinum_fw-la pervidet_fw-la jam_fw-la hinc_fw-la prastantiatua_n dvos_fw-la in_o unius_fw-la plebe_fw-la fuisse_fw-la imaginary_a constitutos_fw-la ut_fw-la &_o numerum_fw-la augeant_fw-la &_o tamen_fw-la plebium_fw-la numerus_fw-la non_fw-la sit_fw-la qui_fw-la sit_fw-la illarum_fw-la scilicet_fw-la personarum_fw-la &_o hoc_fw-la argumenti_fw-la est_fw-la maximi_fw-la ut_fw-la videantur_fw-la nos_fw-la hoc_fw-la genere_fw-la superare_fw-la si_fw-la duâ—_n contra_fw-la unum_fw-la constituti_fw-la sunt_fw-la vel_fw-la tres_fw-la nam_fw-la etÃam_fw-la in_o plebe_fw-la praesentis_fw-la sanctissimi_fw-la collegae_fw-la ac_fw-la fratris_fw-la mei_fw-la adeodati_n i._n e._n in_o civitate_fw-la milevitana_n ita_fw-la commissa_fw-la res_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la unum_fw-la ibidem_fw-la habeat_fw-la adversarium_fw-la alterum_fw-la in_o tuncensi_fw-la civitate_fw-la qui_fw-la ad_fw-la huius_fw-la scilicet_fw-la plebem_fw-la antiquitus_fw-la pertinet_fw-la &_o ante_fw-la biennium_fw-la esse_fw-la videtur_fw-la constitutus_fw-la tertius_fw-la vero_fw-la sit_fw-la in_o loco_fw-la qui_fw-la dicitur_fw-la ceramussa_n ergo_fw-la cum_fw-la unus_fw-la sit_fw-la civitatis_fw-la milevitanae_n episcopus_fw-la à _fw-la partibus_fw-la nostris_fw-la tres_fw-la videntur_fw-la ab_fw-la his_fw-la constituti_fw-la fuisse_fw-la ut_fw-la illorum_fw-la numerus_fw-la augeretur_fw-la aut_fw-la fortasse_fw-la excederet_fw-la numerum_fw-la veritatis_fw-la requirendum_fw-la est_fw-la igitur_fw-la quando_fw-la auctus_fw-la est_fw-la illorum_fw-la numerus_fw-la quam_fw-la originem_fw-la haâ—â—eâ—it_fw-la utrumhoc_fw-la novitas_fw-la fecerit_fw-la a_o dederit_fw-la antiquitas_fw-la utrum_fw-la ut_fw-la ita_fw-la dixerim_fw-la contra_fw-la vetustatem_fw-la canam_fw-la vitium_fw-la hâ—câ—_n fuerit_fw-la novitatis_fw-la petilianus_n donatist_n bishop_n of_o constantina_n say_v noble_a sir_n you_o have_v wise_o foresee_v all_o thing_n for_o in_o my_o diocese_n i._n e._n in_o the_o city_n of_o constantina_n i_o have_v fortunatus_n a_o opposite_a bishop_n and_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o my_o diocese_n i_o have_v nay_o they_o have_v delphinus_n another_o bishop_n your_o excellence_n may_v perceive_v by_o this_o how_o they_o have_v set_v up_o two_o imaginary_a bishop_n in_o the_o diocese_n of_o one_o to_o increase_v their_o number_n and_o yet_o the_o number_n of_o diocese_n will_v not_o be_v so_o great_a as_o that_o of_o their_o bishop_n and_o this_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n that_o they_o will_v seem_v to_o out_o do_v we_o in_o this_o kind_n if_o they_o do_v but_o set_v up_o two_o or_o three_o against_o one_o for_o in_o the_o diocese_n of_o my_o worthy_a colleague_n adeodatâ—s_v who_o be_v here_o pesent_a i._n e._n in_o the_o city_n of_o milevis_n the_o matter_n be_v so_o order_v that_o he_o have_v one_o anti_fw-la bishop_n there_o in_o the_o city_n another_o in_o the_o city_n of_o tunca_n which_o have_v belong_v of_o old_a to_o his_o diocese_n and_o it_o be_v not_o above_o two_o year_n since_o he_o be_v set_v up_o there_o a_o third_n be_v in_o a_o place_n call_v ceramussa_n therefore_o whereas_o there_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n of_o milâ—â—is_n of_o our_o party_n they_o have_v three_o that_o they_o may_v increase_v their_o number_n and_o perhaps_o exceed_v the_o number_n of_o the_o truth_n or_o of_o the_o true_a church_n we_o ought_v therefore_o to_o ask_v they_o when_o their_o number_n increase_v thus_o what_o be_v the_o original_a of_o it_o whether_o this_o be_v a_o innovation_n or_o reverend_a antiquity_n or_o rather_o whether_o this_o novelty_n have_v not_o be_v irregular_o introduce_v against_o reverend_a antiquity_n and_o what_o answer_n be_v there_o to_o all_o this_o no_o other_o than_o that_o it_o be_v impertinent_a it_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o business_n of_o the_o conference_n which_o be_v to_o dispute_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o catholic_n or_o only_o among_o the_o donatist_n fortunatianus_n episcopus_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la catholica_fw-la dixit_fw-la multiloquio_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la causam_fw-la agi_fw-la non_fw-la debere_fw-la perspicit_fw-la mecum_fw-la tua_fw-la dignationis_fw-la sensus_fw-la cognitorum_fw-la optime_fw-la fortunatianus_n bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n say_v best_a of_o jndge_n you_o perceive_v as_o well_o as_o i_o that_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v maintain_v by_o much_o impertinent_a talk_n therefore_o the_o catholic_n can_v not_o deny_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o despise_v the_o argument_n and_o perhaps_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o credit_n to_o their_o cause_n to_o be_v so_o watchful_a and_o industrious_a in_o it_o and_o since_o schism_n will_v needs_o divide_v the_o church_n they_o think_v it_o allowable_a to_o return_v they_o the_o same_o measure_n and_o divide_v schism_n too_o by_o parcel_a their_o diocese_n between_o several_a catholic_n bishop_n and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o think_v this_o instance_n singular_a 1.117_o col._n carth._n cogn_n 1.117_o i_o will_v proceed_v to_o cite_v some_o more_o passage_n to_o the_o same_o effect_n petilianus_n episcopâ—s_fw-la dixit_fw-la in_fw-la una_fw-la plebâ—_n janâ—â—riâ—_n collegae_fw-la nostuâ—_n praeferâ—is_fw-la in_fw-la una_fw-la dicâ—cosi_fw-it quâ—â—icor_n sunt_fw-la constuenti_fw-la contra_fw-la ipsâ—â—n_fw-la 〈◊〉_d numerâ—â—_n stilicet_fw-la augeretur_fw-la petilianus_n say_v in_o the_o single_a diocese_n of_o my_o brother_n januarius_n there_o be_v no_o less_o than_o four_o bishop_n set_v up_o against_o he_o that_o their_o number_n may_v be_v increase_v to_o this_o and_o some_o other_o little_a reffection_n the_o answer_n of_o marcellinus_n the_o precedent_n be_v hac_fw-la ad_fw-la praesentem_fw-la non_fw-la pertinent_a actionem_fw-la these_o thing_n be_v not_o to_o the_o purpose_n and_o these_o check_n be_v the_o cause_n why_o we_o have_v not_o many_o more_o particular_n of_o the_o division_n of_o diocese_n in_o africa_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o some_o can_v not_o forbear_v make_v their_o complaint_n when_o it_o come_v to_o their_o turn_n to_o speak_v verissimus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la dixit_fw-la agnosco_fw-la illum_fw-la 1.121_o coll._n carth._n cog._n 1.121_o quatuor_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o plebe_fw-la mea_fw-la datianus_n aspidius_n fortunatus_n &_o octavian's_n verissimus_fw-la say_fw-la i_o know_v he_o for_o before_o the_o conference_n the_o subscription_n be_v to_o be_v examine_v and_o the_o donatist_n bishop_n be_v to_o confront_v the_o catholic_n i_o e._n the_o bishop_n of_o each_o city_n his_o opposite_a bishop_n there_o there_o be_v four_o bishop_n in_o my_o diocese_n and_o name_n they_o now_o that_o we_o may_v not_o think_v this_o way_n be_v take_v up_o by_o the_o catholic_n only_o to_o increase_v their_o party_n col._n in_o ipsa_fw-la antem_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la mustitana_n apparuit_fw-la &_o ipsos_fw-la episcopâ—â—_n alium_fw-la antiqua_fw-la cachedrae_fw-la addidisse_fw-la &_o bot_n in_o allis_fw-la locis_fw-la se_fw-la fuisse_fw-la poâ—â—â—â—_n doclaratâ—m_fw-la 25._o breâ—_n col._n they_o when_o it_o come_v to_o their_o
next_o neighbour_a bishop_n but_o the_o chorepiscopi_fw-la may_v send_v such_o as_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o friendly_a correspondence_n and_o concord_n and_o the_o next_o canon_n about_o the_o power_n of_o metropolitan_o 9_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d can._n 9_o where_o it_o be_v forbid_v any_o bishop_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n of_o great_a moment_n that_o may_v concern_v the_o whole_a province_n without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a do_v notwithstanding_o allow_v that_o he_o may_v govern_v his_o own_o church_n and_o all_o the_o region_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n another_o canon_n suppose_v more_o than_o one_o city_n in_o a_o diocese_n and_o therefore_o order_n that_o a_o bishop_n shall_v not_o ordain_v a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o deacon_n in_o another_o city_n than_o his_o own_o 22._o own_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n can._n 22._o or_o that_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o he_o civitate_fw-la council_n agrippin_n an._n 346._o non_fw-fr opinion_n sed_fw-la veritate_fw-la cognovi_fw-la pro_fw-la finitimi_fw-la loci_fw-la conjuncta_fw-la civitate_fw-la the_o council_n of_o colen_n discover_v the_o diocese_n thereabouts_o to_o be_v very_o large_a for_o the_o bishop_n assemble_v have_v most_o of_o they_o their_o seat_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o colen_n sêrvatius_n bishop_n of_o tongre_n in_o his_o subscription_n add_v something_o concern_v his_o own_o knowledge_n of_o euphrata_n bishop_n of_o colen_n and_o he_o give_v for_o his_o reason_n that_o he_o be_v his_o next_o neighbour_n and_o yet_o their_o city_n be_v fifty_o or_o sixty_o english_a mile_n distant_a one_o from_o the_o other_o and_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o diocese_n of_o colen_n appear_v from_o the_o same_o council_n where_o not_o only_o the_o people_n of_o the_o city_n exhibit_v their_o complaint_n against_o he_o but_o of_o all_o the_o town_n of_o the_o second_o germany_n provinciar_n subscriptio_fw-la servatii_n cumque_fw-la recitata_fw-la fuisset_fw-la epifiola_n plebis_fw-la agrippinensis_n sed_fw-la &_o omnium_fw-la castrorum_fw-la germaniae_fw-la secundae_fw-la ap._n conc._n acta_fw-la provincia_n germaniae_fw-la secundae_fw-la metropolis_n civitas_n agrippinens_n colozia_n libel_n provinciar_n whereof_o colen_n be_v metropolis_n and_o most_o of_o they_o belong_v to_o that_o diocese_n the_o council_n of_o sardica_n consider_v what_o course_n the_o arian_n take_v to_o strengthen_v their_o party_n by_o increase_v the_o number_n of_o bishop_n as_o the_o instance_n of_o ischyras_n presbyter_n of_o mareote_n show_v who_o be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o a_o village_n by_o the_o arian_n council_n of_o tyre_n think_v fit_a to_o declare_v against_o such_o proceed_n as_o derogate_a from_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o decree_n that_o no_o village_n or_o inconsiderable_a city_n shall_v have_v a_o bishop_n 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d con._n sard._n c._n 6._o or_o any_o place_n where_o a_o presbyter_n may_v suffice_v and_o lest_o you_o may_v imagine_v this_o a_o innovation_n to_o favour_v the_o grow_a greatness_n of_o the_o bishop_n they_o add_v immediate_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o a_o province_n shall_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o those_o city_n where_o there_o be_v any_o before_o which_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v several_a city_n after_o the_o empire_n become_v christian_n that_o have_v never_o yet_o have_v bishop_n nay_o they_o add_v far_o that_o when_o a_o city_n grow_v very_o populous_a so_o as_o to_o be_v fit_a to_o receive_v a_o bishop_n it_o may_v have_v one_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n hold_v after_o that_o of_o sardica_n and_o much_o late_a than_o be_v general_o pretend_v that_o bishop_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v make_v in_o village_n merca._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d visitatores_fw-la qui_fw-la circumtant_fw-la isid_n merca._n or_o in_o the_o country_n but_o visitor_n who_o by_o the_o name_n they_o bear_v appear_v to_o be_v diocesan_n because_o they_o have_v several_a congregation_n under_o they_o which_o they_o be_v to_o visit_v and_o as_o for_o such_o country_n bishop_n as_o be_v already_o they_o must_v take_v care_n to_o act_v nothing_o of_o moment_n without_o the_o advice_n and_o privity_n of_o the_o city_n bishop_n yet_o all_o this_o while_n dioceses_n do_v multiply_v against_o all_o mean_n use_v to_o prevent_v it_o as_o we_o may_v perceive_v by_o the_o extraordinary_a number_n that_o meet_v in_o council_n synod_n acciti_fw-la atque_fw-la tracti_fw-la 400_o &_o à mplius_fw-la episcopi_fw-la sul._n seu._n l._n 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d epiph._n synod_n ap_fw-mi athan._n de_fw-fr synod_n exceed_v very_o much_o the_o great_a of_o those_o that_o have_v go_v before_o extraordinary_a number_n meet_v at_o sirmium_n and_o ariminum_n at_o the_o latter_a all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o west_n be_v say_v to_o have_v meet_v for_o the_o emperperors_n officer_n be_v send_v all_o over_o illyricum_n italy_n africa_n spain_n france_n to_o summon_v the_o bishop_n to_o meet_v at_o ariminum_n and_o all_o the_o bishop_n be_v say_v to_o come_v thither_o from_o all_o the_o city_n of_o the_o west_n and_o now_o as_o we_o may_v observe_v the_o number_n of_o bishop_n and_o diocese_n to_o increase_v so_o we_o may_v make_v some_o judgement_n concern_v the_o occasion_n from_o that_o little_a light_n that_o be_v leave_v in_o this_o particular_a we_o have_v but_o a_o very_a obscure_a account_n of_o the_o erect_n of_o bishopric_n how_o and_o when_o most_o of_o they_o be_v found_v but_o those_o instance_n that_o be_v preserve_v be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v we_o comprehend_v how_o the_o number_n come_v to_o increase_v so_o sensible_o after_o the_o break_n out_o of_o the_o arian_n controversy_n and_o in_o egypt_n some_o time_n before_o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o meletian_a schism_n 68_o epiph._n she_o 68_o meletius_n have_v leave_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n form_v a_o separate_a faction_n and_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o every_o country_n and_o in_o every_o place_n through_o which_o he_o pass_v nor_o be_v he_o content_a to_o set_v up_o only_o one_o altar_n against_o another_o but_o to_o erect_v several_a in_o the_o same_o diocese_n nor_o be_v there_o yet_o any_o end_n of_o divide_v diocese_n but_o these_o increase_n in_o proportion_n to_o the_o division_n of_o the_o church_n 68_o meletius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n epiph._n haer._n 68_o and_o as_o the_o meletian_a schism_n multiply_v bishop_n in_o egypt_n the_o author_n of_o that_o sect_n ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o region_n and_o in_o every_o place_n that_o he_o pass_v through_o several_a in_o the_o same_o diocese_n and_o as_o the_o arian_n controversy_n make_v bishop_n where_o there_o never_o be_v any_o before_o so_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o the_o controversy_n which_o follow_v 2._o athan._n ap._n 2._o multiply_a diocese_n no_o less_o than_o these_o but_o beside_o this_o the_o multiply_a of_o metropolitan_o by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n contribute_v no_o less_o to_o multiply_v bishop_n we_o have_v a_o eminent_a instance_n of_o this_o in_o the_o province_n of_o cappadocia_n in_o the_o time_n of_o basil_n the_o great_a the_o province_n be_v divide_v between_o two_o civil_a metropoles_fw-la the_o bishop_n of_o tyana_n the_o new_a metropolis_n think_v that_o according_o all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o country_n that_o belongeâ—â—o_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o his_o city_n become_v no_o less_o subject_n to_o he_o as_o his_o ecclesiastical_a province_n which_o occasion_v great_a dispute_n and_o animosity_n between_o the_o two_o metropolitan_o basil_n complain_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o second_o cappadocia_n that_o they_o present_o renounce_v he_o in_o a_o manner_n 259._o ep._n 259._o and_o when_o he_o make_v any_o difficulty_n of_o ordain_v any_o bishop_n belong_v to_o his_o province_n anthimus_n be_v ready_a to_o admit_v he_o as_o it_o happen_v in_o the_o case_n of_o faustus_n therefore_o to_o oppose_v the_o power_n of_o this_o new_a usurp_a metropolitan_a he_o betake_v himself_o to_o the_o ordinary_a relief_n of_o make_v more_o suffragans_fw-la that_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o may_v have_v some_o remedy_n from_o a_o provincial_a synod_n 23._o epist_n 58._o &_o 195._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d naz._n de_fw-fr vit._n suâ_fw-la &_o ep._n 22_o 23._o to_o this_o purpose_n sasima_n a_o small_a town_n belong_v to_o caesarea_n be_v make_v a_o episcopal_a seat_n and_o gregory_n nazianzen_n be_v prefer_v to_o it_o much_o against_o his_o will_n as_o a_o person_n that_o may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o he_o against_o his_o antagonist_n which_o he_o complain_v of_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o basil_n and_o in_o his_o account_n of_o his_o own_o life_n and_o so_o sensible_a be_v he_o of_o basil_n engage_v he_o in_o this_o quarrel_n basil_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d naz._n or._n de_fw-la basil_n that_o he_o can_v forbear_v express_v his_o resentment_n even_o