to_o be_v too_o harmonious_a and_o uniform_a in_o every_o punctilio_fw-la they_o be_v collect_v by_o a_o skilful_a hand_n euseb_n euseb_n who_o have_v great_a advantage_n to_o possess_v himself_o with_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n his_o acknowledgement_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o make_v some_o of_o they_o 4._o l._n 3._o c._n 4._o be_v no_o discredit_n to_o their_o authority_n the_o difficulty_n in_o demonstrate_v some_o proposition_n in_o euclid_n be_v no_o just_a exception_n against_o their_o certainty_n the_o infallible_a oracle_n be_v not_o without_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o l._n 3._o c._n 3._o they_o be_v so_o clear_a in_o irenaeus_n time_n that_o he_o assert_n he_o be_v able_a to_o number_v the_o very_a person_n which_o do_v lineal_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o tertullia_n that_o he_o challenge_v the_o heretic_n to_o show_v the_o like_a succession_n if_o they_o have_v be_v of_o a_o dubious_a authority_n it_o have_v not_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o prudence_n of_o those_o learned_a father_n to_o value_v the_o cause_n which_o they_o undertake_v to_o maintain_v so_o much_o upon_o their_o account_n as_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o do_v to_o all_o who_o peruse_v their_o writing_n it_o may_v be_v add_v as_o no_o prejudice_n to_o their_o reputation_n that_o they_o be_v begin_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o as_o be_v evident_a by_o clemens_n romanus_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n jun._n p._n 57_o pat._n jun._n in_o order_n to_o the_o quiet_v those_o tumult_n which_o do_v occasion_v his_o writing_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v understand_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o contention_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d concern_v the_o name_n or_o dignity_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o therefore_o have_v a_o perfect_a foresight_n do_v constitute_v bishop_n and_o give_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o roll_n or_o catalogue_n of_o some_o approve_a person_n to_o succeed_v and_o execute_v their_o office_n after_o their_o decease_n this_o testimony_n as_o it_o assure_v we_o that_o the_o catalogue_n we_o treat_v of_o be_v begin_v by_o the_o apostle_n so_o likewise_o that_o bishop_n in_o clemens_n time_n who_o live_v within_o the_o interval_n under_o debate_n be_v such_o as_o be_v proper_o so_o style_v to_o wit_n person_n vest_v in_o a_o superiority_n over_o elder_n we_o never_o read_v of_o roll_n or_o catalogue_n of_o mere_a presbyter_n as_o lineal_o deduce_v from_o the_o apostle_n consider_v in_o that_o state_n in_o which_o they_o die_v 2._o l._n 3._o c._n 2._o indeed_o irenaeus_n mention_n the_o succession_n of_o presbyter_n 44._o l._n 4._o c._n 44._o but_o he_o who_o will_v give_v himself_o leisure_n to_o ponder_v the_o context_n will_v easy_o discern_v that_o he_o mean_v no_o other_o then_o bishop_n the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o those_o word_n be_v not_o total_o lay_v aside_o in_o his_o time_n if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o he_o understand_v such_o as_o be_v now_o usual_o know_v by_o that_o name_n no_o prejudice_n will_v redound_v to_o our_o assertion_n the_o apostle_n may_v be_v consider_v in_o a_o twofold_a capacity_n either_o as_o they_o be_v before_o the_o resurrection_n when_o they_o be_v ordain_v to_o preach_v but_o not_o to_o rule_v or_o after_o when_o they_o be_v invest_v with_o their_o episcopal_a power_n if_o presbyter_n be_v represent_v as_o successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n in_o any_o ancient_a record_n the_o apostle_n be_v consider_v in_o the_o first_o capacity_n and_o not_o in_o the_o last_o which_o clemens_n speak_v of_o mag._n epist_n ad_fw-la mag._n this_o be_v full_o express_v by_o ignatius_n who_o assert_n that_o the_o bishop_n succeed_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o place_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v god_n the_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o place_n of_o the_o bench_n of_o the_o apostle_n namely_o as_o they_o be_v when_o christ_n be_v their_o bishop_n upon_o earth_n and_o they_o as_o presbyter_n subject_a to_o his_o appointment_n as_o their_o proper_a directory_n it_o be_v a_o ungrounded_a presumption_n that_o clemens_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d understand_v nothing_o but_o a_o elder_a 55._o p._n 54_o 55._o because_o when_o he_o mention_n the_o custom_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v to_o set_v apart_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o first_o fruit_n he_o name_v only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o product_n of_o their_o ordination_n these_o two_o word_n comprehend_v all_o who_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o primitive_a government_n the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n be_v bishop_n the_o elder_n over_o the_o laity_n the_o apostle_n over_o the_o laity_n and_o elder_n too_o the_o evangelist_n and_o those_o who_o do_v minister_v to_o the_o elder_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o to_o the_o primary_n apostles_n and_o be_v in_o the_o modern_a stile_n call_v suffragan_a bishop_n 8.14_o stat._n 26_o hen._n 8.14_o the_o second_o to_o the_o presbyter_n they_o upon_o all_o occasion_n help_v they_o as_o the_o evangelist_n do_v the_o apostle_n if_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o ignatius_n may_v be_v permit_v to_o speak_v in_o this_o case_n a_o sudden_a period_n will_v be_v put_v to_o this_o controverisie_n and_o true_o why_o a_o liberty_n of_o speech_n shall_v be_v deny_v to_o the_o first_o seeing_z they_o say_v nothing_o in_o this_o particular_a but_o what_o be_v incorporate_v into_o the_o canon_n of_o ecumenical_a synod_n and_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o all_o subsequent_a age_n or_o to_o the_o second_o after_o so_o perspicuous_a and_o learned_a a_o vindication_n igna._n vindic._n epist_n s._n igna._n as_o have_v be_v late_o make_v of_o his_o authority_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o s._n jerom_n tit._n in_o epist_n ad_fw-la tit._n who_o blondell_n profess_v to_o follow_v if_o thorough_o consider_v will_v be_v find_v to_o have_v no_o favourable_a aspect_n upon_o his_o opinion_n all_o that_o he_o speak_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o delegate_n during_o their_o abode_n in_o the_o world_n do_v hold_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o own_o hand_n these_o in_o every_o city_n constitute_v elder_n which_o be_v promiscuous_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n to_o rule_v in_o a_o subordination_n to_o themselves_o as_o the_o primary_n apostles_n and_o those_o who_o be_v ordain_v by_o their_o hand_n to_o succeed_v they_o begin_v to_o wear_v off_o there_o spring_v up_o a_o schism_n among_o the_o people_n not_o much_o unlike_a unto_o that_o which_o disquiet_v the_o church_n when_o s._n paul_n write_v to_o the_o corinthian_n every_o one_o adhere_v to_o he_o as_o his_o apostle_n or_o primary_n bishop_n by_o who_o he_o have_v be_v baptize_v unusquisque_fw-la eos_fw-la quos_fw-la baptizaverat_fw-la suos_fw-la esse_fw-la putabat_fw-la the_o controversy_n be_v not_o whether_o one_o shall_v have_v the_o power_n over_o they_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o ordain_v single_a person_n to_o succeed_v they_o be_v so_o evidentiall_a and_o fresh_a in_o their_o memory_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o hesitancy_n in_o that_o particular_a but_o who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o person_n in_o order_n to_o the_o heal_a this_o schism_n toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la decretum_fw-la est_fw-la it_o be_v universal_o decree_v whereas_o before_o presbyter_n do_v communi_fw-la consilio_fw-la in_o a_o subordination_n to_o the_o apostle_n govern_v the_o church_n that_o now_o one_o shall_v be_v choose_v out_o of_o their_o own_o number_n and_o have_v a_o superintendency_n over_o the_o rest_n as_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o delegate_n use_v to_o have_v this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o do_v design_n the_o person_n thus_o set_v over_o have_v not_o only_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o a_o primacy_n of_o jurisdiction_n for_o before_o this_o change_n in_o the_o college_n of_o the_o presbyter_n there_o must_v necessary_o be_v one_o who_o in_o the_o absence_n of_o the_o apostle_n have_v jus_o primae_fw-la cathedrae_fw-la this_o be_v essential_a to_o all_o regular_a convention_n no_o order_n can_v be_v maintain_v without_o it_o therefore_o by_o this_o new_a decree_n something_o be_v confer_v which_o none_o of_o the_o presbyter_n do_v enjoy_v before_o it_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o primatus_fw-la jurisdictionis_fw-la this_o constitution_n be_v make_v long_o before_o the_o forty_o year_n of_o the_o second_o century_n evagrio_n epist_n 85._o evagrio_n s._n i_o call_v it_o a_o apostolical_a tradition_n which_o can_v be_v true_a in_o any_o proper_a sense_n except_o it_o begin_v in_o the_o age_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n live_v and_o as_o a_o evidence_n of_o his_o mind_n that_o he_o do_v not_o speak_v improper_o
these_o be_v ordain_v in_o every_o church_n act._n 14.23_o and_o now_o a_o inspection_n be_v to_o be_v make_v whether_o their_o demeanour_n be_v suitable_a to_o the_o import_n of_o their_o sacred_a function_n at_o their_o ordination_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o divest_v themselves_o of_o their_o authority_n to_o govern_v in_o those_o place_n st_n paul_n say_v 11.28_o 2_o cor._n 11.28_o that_o the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n be_v upon_o he_o they_o convey_v a_o power_n as_o the_o sun_n do_v light_a without_o be_v loser_n by_o the_o communication_n the_o elder_n be_v ordain_v to_o be_v episcopi_fw-la &_o pastor_n gregis_fw-la but_o the_o apostle_n remain_v to_o be_v episcopi_fw-la gregis_fw-la &_o pastorum_fw-la 20.17_o act_n 20.17_o and_o therefore_o st_n paul_n at_o his_o visitation_n at_o miletus_n cite_v the_o elder_n to_o make_v their_o appearance_n and_o leave_v his_o apostolical_a injunction_n with_o they_o and_o in_o his_o instruction_n to_o timothy_n how_o to_o demean_v himself_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n one_o branch_n of_o his_o advice_n be_v not_o to_o receive_v a_o accusation_n against_o a_o elder_a without_o the_o testimony_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n which_o plain_o intimate_v a_o superiority_n over_o they_o reside_v both_o in_o himself_o and_o timothy_n these_o with_o the_o laity_n be_v the_o person_n to_o be_v visit_v let_v we_o visit_v our_o brethren_n 4_o here_o be_v the_o place_n where_o the_o visitation_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v in_o every_o city_n where_o we_o have_v preach_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o every_o city_n the_o plantation_n of_o the_o church_n be_v first_o begin_v in_o city_n insomuch_o that_o the_o word_n infidel_n and_o pagan_a that_o be_v one_o inhabit_v in_o a_o village_n become_v synonimous_a or_o term_n of_o the_o same_o signification_n when_o the_o disciple_n be_v make_v fisher_n of_o man_n they_o cast_v their_o net_n where_o there_o be_v the_o great_a confluence_n and_o expectation_n of_o success_n when_o the_o convert_n be_v increase_v to_o such_o a_o number_n that_o one_o place_n have_v not_o capacity_n enough_o to_o entertain_v they_o they_o be_v not_o like_a bee_n when_o they_o swarm_v put_v into_o a_o hive_n which_o have_v no_o dependence_n upon_o that_o from_o which_o they_o come_v though_o they_o worship_v god_n in_o their_o apartment_n yet_o they_o continue_v to_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o society_n the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v no_o more_o prejudice_v by_o this_o division_n into_o divers_a congregation_n then_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n by_o the_o division_n of_o the_o bible_n into_o chapter_n and_o verse_n in_o the_o most_o eminent_a city_n although_o there_o must_v necessary_o be_v more_o assembly_n than_o one_o yet_o we_o read_v of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n as_o the_o church_n at_o corinth_n 8.1_o 1_o cor._n 1.2_o act_n 13.1_o act_n 8.1_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n all_o of_o they_o be_v embody_v under_o the_o same_o numericall_a government_n make_v but_o one_o community_n elder_n be_v constitute_v to_o take_v the_o immediate_a care_n of_o they_o yet_o what_o they_o do_v be_v only_o in_o a_o subordination_n to_o and_o dependence_n upon_o the_o apostle_n to_o who_o the_o power_n of_o rule_v be_v so_o far_o appropriate_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v authentic_a and_o have_v the_o impress_n of_o authority_n without_o their_o consent_n and_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o the_o presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n st_n paul_n and_o barnabas_n do_v challenge_v to_o themselves_o the_o power_n of_o visitation_n this_o power_n do_v not_o extend_v to_o all_o city_n but_o those_o only_a where_o they_o have_v preach_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o apostolical_a jurisdiction_n be_v not_o exercise_v in_o every_o place_n but_o confine_v to_o a_o certain_a precinct_n every_o star_n do_v move_v in_o his_o own_o orb._n when_o st_n paul_n speak_v of_o his_o boast_a according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o rule_n 10.16_o 2_o cor._n 10.16_o and_o not_o in_o another_o line_n he_o intimate_v that_o every_o apostle_n have_v his_o bound_n and_o province_n the_o word_n allude_v to_o the_o measure_n whereby_o surveyor_n use_v to_o adjust_a the_o right_n of_o other_o and_o assign_v to_o every_o one_o their_o proper_a allotment_n or_o to_o the_o white_a line_n which_o the_o agonisticall_a law_n do_v oblige_v racer_n to_o conform_v their_o course_n unto_o and_o by_o no_o mean_n to_o run_v over_o they_o do_v not_o visit_v in_o every_o city_n but_o those_o in_o which_o they_o preach_v though_o they_o have_v a_o commission_n to_o teach_v in_o all_o the_o world_n yet_o they_o have_v none_o to_o govern_v but_o where_o they_o teach_v with_o success_n &_o gain_v proselyte_n to_o the_o faith_n those_o who_o live_v without_o the_o pale_a of_o the_o church_n like_o the_o earth_n before_o propriety_n be_v settle_v be_v primi_fw-la occupantis_fw-la the_o apostle_n who_o take_v the_o first_o possession_n of_o their_o mind_n have_v a_o peculiar_a right_n to_o the_o government_n of_o they_o the_o vanquish_a do_v lie_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n and_o regiment_n of_o their_o conqueror_n st_n chrysost_n observe_v that_o these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v manifest_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o necessity_n of_o inspection_n what_o they_o plant_v they_o be_v oblige_v to_o water_n and_o by_o a_o prudent_a discipline_n to_o eradicate_v every_o thing_n whereby_o the_o growth_n of_o it_o may_v be_v impede_v they_o standing_z in_o a_o paternal_a relation_n to_o such_o who_o be_v beget_v again_o by_o the_o word_n which_o they_o have_v preach_v it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o omission_n of_o duty_n not_o to_o have_v interest_v themselves_o in_o the_o nurture_n of_o they_o 5._o here_o be_v the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o the_o visitation_n to_o see_v how_o they_o do_v though_o in_o the_o greek_a we_o have_v only_o these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yet_o the_o syriack_n version_n be_v as_o full_a as_o we_o ut_fw-la videamus_fw-la quid_fw-la agant_fw-la these_o apostle_n know_v that_o those_o who_o they_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n be_v obnoxious_a to_o many_o distemper_n in_o the_o convert_a jew_n there_o be_v remain_v some_o faeces_fw-la of_o their_o former_a disease_n they_o nauseated_a the_o bread_n of_o life_n and_o make_v it_o their_o choice_n to_o pick_v and_o eat_v the_o rubbish_n of_o the_o partition_n wall_n which_o christ_n have_v demolish_v the_o right_n of_o the_o law_n which_o expire_v at_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o this_o time_n have_v a_o honourable_a interment_n they_o attempt_v to_o pull_v out_o of_o their_o grave_n and_o give_v a_o resurrection_n to_o they_o the_o convert_a gentile_n be_v not_o total_o deliver_v from_o the_o power_n of_o former_a custom_n and_o education_n amid_o these_o circumstance_n the_o infernal_a spirit_n be_v not_o backward_o to_o act_v his_o part_n the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n can_v no_o soon_o in_o any_o place_n appear_v above_o the_o horizon_n but_o he_o do_v endeavour_v to_o raise_v his_o mist_n in_o order_n to_o the_o obscure_n of_o he_o some_o of_o his_o instrument_n be_v animate_v with_o so_o much_o confidence_n as_o to_o arrogate_v to_o themselves_o the_o dignity_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o son_n of_o god_n simon_n magus_n who_o be_v style_v his_o first_o bear_v 55._o epiph._n l._n 1._o tom_n 2._o p._n 55._o do_v not_o content_v himself_o with_o this_o usurpation_n but_o invade_v the_o right_n of_o the_o sacred_a trinity_n he_o assert_v he_o be_v the_o father_n among_o the_o samaritan_n the_o son_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o holy_a ghost_n among_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o new_a heaven_n there_o be_v some_o planet_n which_o do_v affect_v a_o erratic_a motion_n in_o the_o new_a earth_n some_o weed_n present_o spring_v up_o in_o paradise_n regain_v the_o temptation_n begin_v at_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n there_o be_v a_o science_n false_o so_o call_v which_o give_v denomination_n to_o the_o gnostic_n they_o pretend_v to_o know_v how_o to_o secure_v their_o title_n to_o the_o heavenly_a purchase_n and_o yet_o to_o deny_v the_o lord_n that_o buy_v they_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n which_o teach_v sobriety_n they_o find_v a_o way_n to_o turn_v into_o wantonness_n and_o make_v it_o a_o pander_n to_o their_o impure_a appetite_n they_o be_v impatient_a to_o sit_v under_o the_o government_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v desirous_a to_o invest_v themselves_o with_o the_o preeminence_n they_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d trample_v under_o foot_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o order_n which_o be_v of_o divine_a erection_n in_o these_o circumstance_n among_o the_o influence_n of_o so_o many_o infectious_a example_n the_o brethren_n be_v not_o exempt_v from_o the_o peril_n of_o contagion_n the_o holy_a
last_o period_n all_o the_o hesitancy_n be_v about_o the_o first_o and_o yet_o upon_o a_o deliberate_a reflection_n the_o matter_n will_v be_v beyond_o dispute_n this_o be_v make_v up_o of_o three_o century_n the_o first_o of_o which_o must_v necessary_o be_v resign_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o delegate_n who_o undoubted_o do_v exercise_v a_o episcopal_a authority_n as_o we_o have_v before_o demonstrate_v s._n john_n the_o last_o of_o they_o who_o live_v to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o and_o write_v his_o revelation_n about_o the_o ninety_o seven_o year_n describe_v the_o church_n of_o asia_n every_o one_o with_o his_o tutelary_a angel_n to_o superintend_v and_o govern_v all_o as_o well_o teacher_n as_o people_n and_o leave_v they_o in_o trajan's_n time_n under_o this_o imparity_n as_o for_o the_o three_o century_n we_o have_v undoubted_a instance_n of_o a_o like_a inequality_n in_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n etc._n hierom._n in_o apol_n ad_fw-la ruff._n ep._n 79._o pam._n epist_n 38._o ad_fw-la caldon_n etc._n etc._n demetrius_n the_o bishop_n excommunicate_v origen_n a_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n cyprian_n pass_v the_o same_o censure_n upon_o felicissimus_n his_o take_v up_o a_o resolution_n not_o to_o act_v without_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o presbyter_n be_v but_o a_o voluntary_a and_o prudent_a accommodation_n to_o some_o circumstance_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o he_o in_o his_o election_n and_o no_o prejudice_n to_o his_o hierarchicall_a power_n which_o he_o abundant_o assert_n to_o be_v vest_v in_o he_o by_o a_o divine_a institution_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n 22._o eus_n h._n e._n l._n 7._o c._n 22._o the_o deportment_n of_o the_o bishop_n towards_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la in_o suppress_v his_o heresy_n be_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o such_o person_n at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n 35._o eus_n c._n 6._o c._n 35._o novatianus_n a_o presbyter_n his_o procure_v three_o bishop_n to_o consecrate_v he_o that_o he_o may_v be_v in_o a_o capacity_n upon_o equal_a term_n to_o enter_v the_o list_n with_o cornelius_n assure_v we_o that_o they_o have_v then_o a_o consecration_n distinct_a from_o the_o ordination_n of_o elder_n dionysius_n confine_v the_o presbyter_n to_o particular_a congregation_n diony_n platin._n in_o vita_fw-la diony_n and_o set_v out_o the_o just_a limit_n of_o their_o parish_n can_v evince_v no_o less_o than_o a_o superiority_n over_o they_o in_o the_o last_o part_n of_o the_o second_o century_n he_o that_o read_v the_o contest_v betwixt_o victor_n and_o the_o asian_a bishop_n about_o the_o celebration_n of_o easter_n the_o interposal_n of_o polycrates_n b._n of_o ephesus_n 24._o eus_n h._n l._n 5._o c._n 23_o 24._o and_o irenaeus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v a_o composure_n must_v do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o violence_n to_o his_o own_o understanding_n before_o he_o will_v be_v able_a to_o persuade_v himself_o that_o there_o be_v not_o at_o that_o time_n such_o a_o order_n of_o man_n very_o well_o know_v in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o blondell_n himself_o do_v free_o acknowledge_v a_o episcopal_a power_n to_o be_v lodge_v in_o a_o single_a person_n about_o the_o forty_o year_n of_o the_o second_o century_n so_o that_o grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o suffragans_n do_v retain_v the_o regiment_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o own_o hand_n during_o the_o first_o which_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o who_o impartial_o peruse_v the_o record_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o question_n which_o have_v give_v so_o much_o molestation_n to_o the_o christian_a world_n will_v be_v reduce_v to_o this_o state_n whether_o the_o church_n for_o the_o space_n of_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n and_o upward_o have_v be_v without_o the_o apostolical_a or_o episcopal_a government_n for_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o only_a shall_v we_o grant_v that_o which_o can_v never_o be_v prove_v namely_o that_o the_o stream_n of_o apostolical_a authority_n do_v like_o the_o river_n guadian_n in_o spain_n conceal_v itself_o and_o run_v under_o ground_n for_o this_o little_a time_n this_o will_v no_o more_o be_v a_o argument_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o use_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v supersede_v than_o it_o be_v to_o the_o israelite_n that_o the_o regal_a power_n be_v to_o be_v lay_v aside_o because_o of_o the_o interregnum_n which_o do_v frequent_o put_v a_o demur_v upon_o the_o succession_n but_o second_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o interregnum_fw-la in_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n notwithstanding_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n yet_o there_o be_v catalogue_n extant_a of_o the_o chief_a city_n as_o jerusalem_n antioch_n alexandria_n rome_n wherein_o be_v name_v the_o single_a person_n as_o distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o presbyter_n who_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o power_n of_o inspection_n during_o the_o space_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o and_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o in_o the_o great_a city_n it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o divine_v how_o it_o be_v in_o the_o less_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n include_v a_o uniformity_n of_o government_n the_o first_o who_o lead_v the_o van_n in_o the_o catalogue_n be_v either_o a_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n as_o s._n peter_n in_o that_o of_o antioch_n s._n mark_v in_o that_o of_o alexandria_n who_o undoubted_o be_v vest_v in_o a_o episcopal_a jurisdiction_n those_o who_o conclude_v it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o to_o have_v the_o same_o power_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v deny_v to_o those_o in_o the_o middle_n no_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v produce_v they_o be_v represent_v as_o have_v a_o equal_a share_n in_o the_o succession_n which_o can_v be_v except_o they_o be_v in_o the_o fruition_n of_o the_o same_o power_n a_o succession_n but_o not_o in_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v like_o a_o resurrection_n but_o not_o of_o the_o same_o body_n which_o be_v no_o resurrection_n at_o all_o let_v we_o suppose_v among_o the_o nine_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n one_o of_o they_o the_o first_o year_n to_o be_v vest_v in_o a_o superiority_n over_o his_o colleague_n as_o a_o apostle_n or_o a_o evangelist_n be_v over_o the_o elder_n and_o the_o next_o the_o constitution_n to_o be_v metamorphize_v into_o a_o parity_n and_o to_o continue_v for_o forty_o year_n as_o blondell_n conceive_v the_o ecclesiastical_a equality_n do_v and_o then_o after_o the_o expiration_n of_o that_o term_n the_o former_a imparity_n to_o be_v introduce_v again_o it_o will_v be_v a_o incongruity_n scarce_o to_o be_v parallel_v to_o represent_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o second_o year_n as_o a_o successor_n to_o he_o of_o the_o first_o he_o enjoy_v nothing_o of_o his_o power_n or_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o forty_o first_o to_o he_o of_o the_o forty_o hen_n enjoy_v a_o power_n paramount_n which_o the_o other_o be_v never_o acquaint_v with_o this_o will_v be_v as_o inconvenient_a as_o if_o we_o shall_v make_v a_o list_n of_o the_o king_n of_o rome_n and_o after_o tarqvinius_n superbus_n place_n junius_n brutus_n who_o be_v next_o to_o he_o in_o power_n but_o of_o a_o very_a different_a nature_n the_o government_n be_v change_v and_o the_o community_n now_o under_o consul_n it_o be_v true_a there_o may_v be_v catalogue_n of_o single_a person_n succeed_v one_o another_o in_o a_o priority_n of_o order_n as_o well_o as_o of_o power_n but_o this_o be_v nothing_o to_o our_o present_a case_n here_o be_v list_n before_o we_o and_o all_o in_o they_o represent_v to_o be_v upon_o equal_a term_n as_o have_v a_o fruition_n of_o the_o same_o immunity_n and_o the_o first_o and_o last_o be_v confess_v to_o have_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o their_o colleague_n from_o whence_o a_o computation_n may_v be_v easy_o make_v what_o we_o may_v conclude_v concern_v the_o rest_n those_o who_o say_v though_o the_o apostle_n stand_v at_o the_o head_n of_o the_o catalogue_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o include_v in_o they_o contradict_v the_o sense_n of_o primitive_a antiquity_n which_o account_v all_o in_o the_o list_n to_o be_v successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n a_o successor_n &_o a_o predecessor_n be_v relative_n which_o go_v always_o together_o if_o the_o successor_n be_v in_o the_o roll_n the_o predecessor_n must_v necessary_o be_v so_o it_o will_v not_o be_v easy_a to_o disappoint_v the_o prevalency_n of_o this_o argument_n if_o the_o catalogue_n may_v be_v admit_v as_o authentic_a and_o why_o they_o shall_v not_o i_o see_v no_o just_a reason_n the_o variation_n in_o they_o be_v not_o uncapable_a of_o a_o reconciliation_n and_o they_o argue_v strong_o that_o they_o be_v not_o the_o fiction_n of_o a_o private_a invention_n forgery_n use_v
divine_a right_n of_o it_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o may_v prove_v that_o the_o power_n of_o a_o father_n of_o a_o family_n have_v not_o its_o foundation_n in_o a_o divine_a law_n because_o it_o receive_v a_o augmentation_n as_o his_o child_n increase_v and_o fall_v under_o divers_a modification_n according_a to_o the_o various_a station_n they_o be_v place_v in_o or_o that_o the_o theocracy_n record_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v not_o derive_v its_o original_n from_o heaven_n because_o it_o be_v of_o a_o large_a extent_n when_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v settle_v in_o their_o apartment_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n then_o when_o they_o live_v in_o the_o wilderness_n altogether_o 3._o the_o conform_v ecclesiastical_a government_n to_o the_o civil_a be_v no_o just_a presumption_n against_o a_o divine_a original_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n which_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n shall_v conform_v itself_o to_o the_o mould_n it_o fall_v into_o when_o the_o church_n be_v first_o plant_v it_o find_v the_o world_n canton_v into_o province_n in_o every_o province_n a_o metropolis_n inferior_a city_n suburbicarian_a region_n in_o every_o metropolis_n a_o proconsul_n in_o every_o city_n a_o defensor_fw-la upon_o which_o the_o suburbicarian_a region_n do_v depend_v the_o imitation_n of_o this_o civil_a disposition_n in_o place_v a_o bishop_n in_o every_o city_n answerable_a to_o the_o defensor_fw-la in_o every_o metropolis_n a_o archbishop_n suitable_a to_o the_o proconsul_n be_v of_o a_o eminent_a use_n to_o invite_v the_o people_n to_o a_o ready_a obedience_n they_o be_v by_o custom_n habituate_v to_o the_o like_a regiment_n in_o civil_a concernment_n and_o likewise_o give_v the_o governor_n a_o singular_a advantage_n to_o obtain_v the_o end_n of_o their_o constitution_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o daily_a confluence_n to_o those_o place_n upon_o secular_a account_n there_o be_v a_o high_a degree_n of_o probability_n that_o it_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o he_o who_o constitution_n be_v always_o conformable_a to_o the_o deep_a reason_n some_o footstep_n it_o we_o find_v as_o early_o as_o the_o new_a testament_n church_n be_v plant_v in_o metropoles_fw-la as_o corinth_n thessalonica_n antioch_n upon_o which_o those_o who_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o province_n entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v some_o dependence_n the_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n be_v inscribe_v to_o all_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v in_o all_o achaia_n the_o first_o to_o the_o thessalonian_o have_v a_o peculiar_a aspect_n upon_o all_o in_o macedonia_n 3.10_o c._n 3.10_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n to_o antioch_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o brethren_n in_o syria_n and_o silicia_n achaia_n be_v the_o province_n of_o corinth_n macedonia_n of_o thessalonica_n syria_n and_o silicia_n of_o antioch_n why_o these_o epistle_n send_v to_o the_o metropolis_n about_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n shall_v be_v inscribe_v to_o all_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o province_n and_o no_o other_o though_o all_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n there_o must_v be_v some_o peculiar_a reason_n 15.4_o rom._n 15.4_o and_o none_o can_v be_v render_v more_o congruous_a than_o this_o that_o all_o christian_n in_o every_o part_n of_o it_o whether_o city_n or_o suburbicarian_a region_n do_v depend_v upon_o the_o metropolis_n in_o point_n of_o government_n as_o the_o roman_n when_o they_o subdue_v a_o country_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n do_v constitute_v there_o a_o civil_a province_n so_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o have_v make_v a_o spiritual_a conquest_n by_o the_o weapon_n of_o their_o warfare_n a_o ecclesiastical_a therefore_o s._n peter_n when_o he_o write_v to_o the_o convert_v in_o the_o dispersion_n direct_v his_o epistle_n to_o they_o in_o their_o distinct_a province_n galatia_n cappadocia_n asia_n bythinia_n and_o when_o s._n paul_n mention_n the_o contribution_n of_o the_o church_n he_o characterize_v they_o by_o the_o name_n of_o their_o province_n where_o their_o abode_n be_v it_o have_v please_v they_o of_o macedonia_n and_o achaia_n rom._n 15.26_o achaia_n be_v ready_a a_o year_n ago_o 2_o cor._n 9.2_o this_o hypothesis_n give_v the_o most_o intelligible_a account_n why_o all_o the_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v reduce_v to_o seven_o no_o doubt_n there_o be_v more_o congregation_n within_o that_o compass_n 10._o act_n 19_o v._o 10._o all_o that_o dwell_v in_o asia_n be_v say_v to_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o preacher_n be_v s._n john_n and_o s._n paul_n who_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o speak_v in_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n the_o city_n from_o which_o these_o church_n have_v their_o denomination_n be_v metrople_n upon_o which_o the_o lesser_a with_o the_o suburbicarian_a region_n do_v depend_v in_o point_n of_o government_n and_o make_v but_o one_o community_n the_o church_n in_o they_o and_o in_o the_o metropolis_n symbolise_v with_o this_o temper_n in_o the_o state_n be_v represent_v but_o as_o one_o church_n that_o the_o immunity_n of_o a_o metropolis_n do_v belong_v to_o ephesus_n 2._o nat._n hist_o l._n 5._o c._n 29._o c._n 30._o pro._n geo._n l._n 5._o c._n 2._o smyrna_n sardis_n pergamos_n laodicea_n be_v assert_v by_o pliny_n to_o thyatira_n by_o ptolemy_n to_o philadelphia_n by_o the_o greek_a act_n of_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n under_o menna_n 69._o actio_fw-la quint_v orig_n of_o metropolitan_n p._n 69._o though_o pliny_n do_v not_o attribute_v this_o honour_n to_o thyatira_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o deny_v it_o the_o defect_n of_o his_o testimony_n be_v full_o supply_v by_o ptolemy_n who_o be_v not_o his_o inferior_a in_o point_n of_o authority_n philadelphia_n be_v place_v in_o the_o notitiae_fw-la under_o sardis_n be_v no_o demonstration_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o mother-city_n the_o same_o individual_a may_v be_v a_o mother_n in_o one_o respect_n and_o a_o daughter_n in_o another_o the_o province_n themselves_o be_v not_o all_o equal_a and_o by_o consequence_n the_o mother-city_n in_o one_o province_n may_v be_v inferior_a in_o dignity_n and_o dependent_a in_o power_n upon_o the_o metropolis_n of_o another_o we_o need_v go_v no_o further_o for_o a_o instance_n than_o our_o own_o nation_n of_o the_o two_o province_n into_o which_o it_o be_v divide_v one_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v a_o superiority_n and_o some_o power_n over_o the_o other_o all_o this_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o conform_v ecclesisticall_a government_n to_o the_o civil_a be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o divine_a original_n of_o it_o the_o vine_n which_o be_v plant_v by_o a_o divine_a hand_n under_o the_o civil_a power_n as_o a_o wall_n of_o defence_n do_v natural_o according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o he_o who_o plant_v it_o adapt_v itself_o to_o the_o mode_n of_o that_o which_o it_o grow_v against_o the_o rain_n which_o descend_v from_o heaven_n conform_v to_o the_o figure_n of_o the_o vessel_n it_o fall_v into_o 4._o ecclesiastical_a concern_v be_v manage_v according_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o council_n but_o not_o all_o of_o they_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o double_a rule_n the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o council_n the_o last_o consist_v either_o of_o declaration_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n or_o else_o constitution_n to_o restrain_v liberty_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n have_v leave_v to_o our_o choice_n either_o to_o do_v or_o not_o to_o do_v as_o for_o prelacy_n the_o essence_n of_o which_o lie_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a person_n over_o elder_n within_o a_o certain_a precinct_n it_o be_v ever_o own_v by_o the_o church_n as_o agreeable_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n council_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v ground_v upon_o a_o right_n more_o early_o than_o themselves_o and_o never_o give_v it_o a_o place_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v or_o not_o be_v the_o object_n of_o their_o determination_n he_o who_o think_v fit_a to_o consult_v the_o code_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n can_v remain_v unacquainted_a with_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o assertion_n 5._o the_o church_n acknowledgement_n of_o her_o subordination_n to_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v reconcileable_a with_o a_o belief_n that_o her_o government_n be_v ground_v upon_o a_o divine_a right_n economical_a regiment_n which_o do_v undoubted_o derive_v its_o origin_n from_o heaven_n be_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o subordinate_a to_o the_o civil_a power_n a_o father_n of_o a_o family_n though_o he_o govern_v his_o progeny_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n yet_o be_v accountable_a to_o his_o prince_n and_o limitable_a by_o his_o decree_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o authority_n 3.15_o eph._n 3.15_o the_o church_n be_v