or_o father_n they_o be_v the_o conceit_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n that_o as_o touch_v the_o office_n and_o function_n of_o bishop_n will_v fain_o find_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o the_o next_o age_n ensue_v lest_o they_o shall_v be_v convince_v to_o have_v reject_v the_o universal_a order_n of_o the_o ancient_a and_o primitive_a church_n of_o christ_n without_o any_o good_a and_o sufficient_a warrant_n the_o consent_n of_o all_o age_n and_o church_n be_v so_o strong_a against_o they_o that_o they_o be_v hard_o drive_v to_o hunt_v after_o every_o syllable_n that_o sound_v any_o thing_n that_o way_n &_o yet_o can_v they_o light_v on_o no_o sure_a ground_n to_o build_v their_o late_a devise_n on_o or_o to_o weaken_v the_o general_a and_o perpetual_a course_n which_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v in_o all_o place_n keep_v inviolable_a even_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n a_o few_o word_n of_o ambrose_n be_v set_v down_o to_o bear_v all_o this_o burden_n but_o they_o be_v so_o insufficient_a and_o impertinent_a to_o this_o purpose_n that_o they_o bewray_v the_o weakness_n of_o their_o new_a frame_n for_o ambrose_n speak_v not_o one_o word_n either_o of_o go_v by_o course_n or_o of_o change_v after_o a_o time_n only_o he_o say_v bishop_n at_o first_o be_v place_v by_o order_n and_o not_o by_o election_n that_o be_v the_o elder_a or_o worthy_a have_v the_o place_n while_o he_o live_v and_o after_o he_o the_o next_o in_o order_n without_o any_o further_a choice_n for_o that_o order_n which_o he_o speak_v of_o if_o any_o such_o be_v proceed_v from_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o the_o church_n and_o go_v either_o by_o senioritie_n of_o time_n or_o priority_n of_o place_n allot_v every_o man_n according_a to_o the_o gift_n and_o grace_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n this_o we_o may_v free_o grant_v without_o any_o repugnance_n or_o annoyance_n to_o the_o vocation_n or_o function_n of_o bishop_n let_v the_o disciplinist_n confess_v there_o be_v a_o superior_a and_o distinct_a charge_n of_o the_o precedent_n or_o chief_a from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o presbyter_n as_o well_o in_o guide_v the_o key_n as_o impose_v hand_n and_o whether_o they_o be_v take_v to_o the_o office_n by_o election_n or_o by_o order_n to_o we_o it_o be_v all_o one_o i_o hope_v the_o place_n of_o the_o presbyter_n in_o order_n according_a to_o their_o gift_n in_o the_o church_n where_o the_o apostle_n preach_v can_v not_o be_v without_o the_o apostle_n oversight_n and_o direction_n and_o so_o long_o whether_o they_o set_v such_o in_o order_n as_o be_v fit_a for_o the_o place_n or_o whether_o they_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o discretion_n and_o election_n of_o the_o rest_n we_o great_o force_v not_o howbeit_o the_o word_n of_o jerome_n be_v so_o express_v that_o bishop_n be_v make_v by_o election_n even_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n that_o i_o see_v not_o how_o they_o shall_v be_v reconcile_v with_o their_o collection_n out_o of_o ambrose_n euagrium_n alexandria_n à _fw-fr marco_n euangelista_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la unum_fw-la semper_fw-la ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_fw-la celsiore_fw-la gradu_fw-la collocatum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la at_o alexandria_n even_o from_o mark_n the_o evangelist_n the_o presbyter_n always_o choose_v one_o of_o themselves_o and_o place_v he_o in_o a_o high_a degree_n call_v he_o a_o bishop_n mark_v die_v six_o year_n before_o peter_n and_o paul_n as_o the_o ecclesiastical_a story_n witness_v &_o consequent_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n be_v elect_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n yea_o that_o church_n as_o jerome_n say_v do_v always_o elect_v there_o never_o succeed_v any_o by_o order_n for_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o succeed_n whether_o by_o order_n or_o by_o choice_n i_o make_v not_o so_o great_a account_n as_o for_o their_o continuance_n the_o patroness_n of_o the_o late_a discipline_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n the_o episcopal_a dignity_n or_o regiment_n of_o the_o presbytery_n go_v round_o by_o course_n to_o all_o the_o presbyter_n and_o dure_v a_o week_n or_o some_o such_o time_n for_o ghess_n must_v serve_v they_o when_o other_o proof_n fail_v they_o which_o assertion_n of_o they_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o i_o shall_v think_v it_o proceed_v of_o too_o much_o ignorance_n or_o too_o little_a conscience_n if_o the_o man_n be_v not_o well_o learned_a i_o shall_v suspect_v ignorance_n if_o the_o case_n be_v not_o more_o than_o clear_a i_o will_v not_o challenge_v their_o conscience_n but_o be_v as_o they_o be_v and_o the_o case_n so_o clear_a that_o in_o my_o simple_a read_n i_o never_o see_v clear_a nor_o plain_o except_v always_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n let_v the_o christian_a reader_n judge_n for_o i_o dare_v not_o pronounce_v with_o what_o intent_n a_o manifest_a truth_n be_v not_o only_o dissemble_v but_o stout_o contradict_v and_o a_o evident_a falsehood_n avouch_v and_o advance_v to_o the_o height_n of_o a_o apostolic_a and_o divine_a ordinance_n by_o the_o chief_a pillar_n of_o these_o new_a find_v consistory_n it_o be_v late_o deliver_v as_o a_o oracle_n that_o under_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v no_o governor_n of_o the_o presbytery_n who_o they_o and_o we_o call_v bishop_n but_o such_o as_o dure_v for_o a_o short_a time_n and_o change_v round_o by_o course_n and_o this_o be_v call_v the_o apostolic_a and_o divine_a institution_n how_o palpale_v a_o untruth_n this_o be_v it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n for_o mean_a scholar_n to_o discern_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n after_o mark_n be_v anianus_n make_v the_o 24._o eightyeere_n of_o nero_n reign_n and_o he_o continue_v 13._o two_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o abilius_n succeed_v he_o abilius_n sit_v 21._o thirteen_o year_n and_o die_v leave_v the_o place_n to_o cerdo_v these_o three_o succeed_v one_o a_o other_o saint_n john_n yet_o live_v neither_o have_v alexandria_n any_o more_o than_o two_o bishop_n in_o 35._o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o mark_n 45._o euodius_n make_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n five_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o the_o death_n of_o peter_n and_o paul_n suruive_v they_o one_o year_n and_o after_o he_o succeed_v 71_o ignatius_n who_o outlive_v saint_n john_n and_o die_v in_o the_o 111._o eleven_o year_n of_o traiane_n leave_v the_o place_n to_o heron_n after_o he_o have_v keep_v it_o forty_o year_n so_o that_o in_o 66._o year_n the_o church_n of_o antioch_n have_v but_o two_o bishop_n at_o jerusalem_n 63._o jame_v call_v the_o lord_n brother_n sit_v bishop_n thirty_o year_n and_o 111._o simeon_n that_o succeed_v he_o keep_v the_o place_n eight_o and_o thirty_o year_n the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v in_o threescore_o and_o eight_o year_n but_o two_o bishop_n at_o rome_n while_o saint_n john_n live_v there_o be_v but_o three_o bishop_n linus_n anacletus_fw-la and_o clemens_n which_o three_o continue_v two_o and_o thirty_o year_n if_o this_o be_v not_o sufficient_a let_v they_o take_v the_o example_n of_o polycarpe_n make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o continue_v a_o long_a time_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n and_o 3_o depart_v this_o life_n a_o very_a age_a man_n with_o a_o most_o glorious_a and_o most_o noble_a kind_n of_o martyrdom_n the_o space_n he_o sit_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n if_o it_o be_v not_o 15._o fourscore_o and_o six_o year_n for_o so_o long_o he_o have_v serve_v christ_n as_o his_o answer_n show_v to_o the_o proconsul_n of_o asia_n yet_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v above_o threescore_o and_o ten_o year_n for_o he_o live_v so_o many_o year_n after_o saint_n john_n who_o scholar_n he_o be_v and_o by_o who_o he_o be_v make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o die_v as_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o their_o letter_n entitle_v he_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o death_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n at_o smyrna_n this_o one_o instance_n be_v able_a to_o mar_v the_o whole_a plot_n of_o their_o suppose_a apostolical_a &_o changeable_a regency_n for_o no_o part_n of_o this_o story_n can_v be_v doubt_v be_v he_o not_o make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o the_o apostle_n polycarpo_fw-es jerom_n 35._o eusebius_n heretic_n tertullian_n and_o 3._o irenaeus_n that_o live_v with_o he_o and_o learned_a so_o much_o of_o he_o affirm_v it_o live_v he_o not_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n so_o long_a time_n the_o whole_a church_n of_o smyrna_n give_v he_o that_o title_n at_o his_o death_n their_o letter_n be_v yet_o extant_a in_o eusebius_n the_o emperor_n under_o who_o he_o die_v be_v 1â—_n marcus_n antoninus_n and_o lucius_n aurelius_n commodus_n as_o eusebius_n and_o jerome_n do_v witness_n who_o begin_v their_o reign_n 164._o 64._o after_o the_o death_n of_o saint_n john_n polycarpe_n suffer_v the_o
bishop_n must_v be_v unreprovable_a as_o god_n steward_n hold_v fast_o the_o faithful_a word_n of_o doctrine_n that_o he_o may_v be_v able_a to_o exhort_v with_o find_a doctrine_n and_o convince_v the_o goinesayer_n no_o teacher_n no_o elder_n by_o this_o rule_n for_o they_o be_v god_n steward_n to_o exhort_v and_o convince_v with_o find_a doctrine_n before_o they_o take_v that_o name_n elder_n may_v not_o be_v appoint_v in_o any_o city_n but_o so_o qualify_v as_o be_v here_o prescribe_v there_o be_v no_o place_n then_o in_o crete_n for_o your_o new_a find_a elder_n and_o as_o for_o lay_v governor_n of_o the_o apostolic_a church_n to_o be_v mention_v by_o saint_n paul_n in_o the_o 1._o to_o the_o corinthian_n and_o twelve_o chapter_n the_o ancient_a and_o learned_a father_n be_v further_o from_o admit_v any_o such_o than_o i_o be_o howsoever_o our_o late_a writer_n be_v light_v on_o they_o nazianzene_n expound_v the_o word_n of_o saint_n paul_n which_o our_o man_n imagine_v concern_v lay_v governor_n say_v seruandae_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d governement_n that_o be_v overruling_a the_o flesh_n chrysostome_n make_v help_v and_o governement_n all_o one_o and_o say_v 12._o it_o be_v a_o great_a blessing_n of_o god_n in_o matter_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o have_v a_o helper_n and_o exhorte_a ambrose_n say_v 12._o in_o the_o five_o place_n be_v give_v the_o gift_n of_o understanding_n for_o they_o be_v governor_n that_o with_o spiritual_a reins_n do_v guide_v man_n theophilact_fw-mi refer_v it_o to_o the_o deacon_n 12._o help_v governement_n that_o be_v to_o receive_v the_o sick_a and_o guide_n and_o dispense_v the_o good_n of_o our_o brethren_n then_o neither_o do_v the_o scripture_n any_o where_o mention_n lay_v presbyter_n nor_o the_o father_n expound_v the_o place_n that_o be_v bring_v for_o they_o do_v ever_o give_v so_o much_o as_o a_o inkeling_n of_o any_o such_o person_n the_o word_n of_o paul_n to_o timothy_n be_v not_o only_o clear_v from_o they_o by_o diverse_a sound_a interpretation_n but_o produce_v against_o they_o for_o they_o admit_v no_o elder_n but_o such_o as_o be_v for_o their_o work_n sake_n maintain_v at_o the_o cost_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o be_v never_o any_o lay_v presbyter_n the_o two_o other_o place_n name_v ruler_n and_o governor_n but_o express_v neither_o what_o person_n or_o thing_n they_o govern_v neither_o who_o they_o be_v that_o do_v govern_v whether_o lay_v man_n or_o pastor_n lay_v man_n have_v christian_a governement_n but_o over_o their_o family_n over_o the_o church_n and_o house_n of_o god_n none_o have_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n that_o we_o read_v save_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n i_o mean_v such_o as_o do_v feed_v and_o watch_v the_o flock_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n and_o yet_o if_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o want_v of_o a_o magistrate_n to_o uphold_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o punish_v the_o disorder_n and_o offence_n of_o loose_a brethren_n there_o be_v certain_a grave_n and_o wise_a elder_n join_v with_o the_o prophet_n and_o pastor_n to_o admonish_v the_o unrulie_a examine_v the_o guilty_a and_o exclude_v infamous_a and_o scandalous_a person_n from_o the_o common_a society_n of_o christian_n be_v it_o any_o consequent_a the_o like_a must_v be_v use_v with_o we_o in_o a_o christian_a kingdom_n under_o a_o believe_a prince_n the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v plant_v in_o populous_a city_n where_o they_o can_v not_o lack_v meet_a man_n to_o sustain_v that_o charge_n we_o be_v disperse_v in_o rural_a hamlet_n where_o there_o can_v be_v no_o hope_n to_o find_v so_o many_o fit_a governor_n as_o shall_v be_v requisite_a to_o the_o first_o church_n come_v none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v willing_a and_o zealous_a without_o all_o compulsion_n to_o we_o come_v all_o force_n atheist_n hypocrite_n and_o how_o many_o rather_o force_v by_o law_n then_o lead_v with_o devotion_n yea_o will_v god_n it_o do_v not_o often_o so_o fall_v out_o that_o in_o many_o place_n the_o rich_a and_o wealthy_a man_n either_o regard_n no_o religion_n or_o secret_o lean_a to_o the_o worst_a every_o church_n with_o they_o have_v many_o prophet_n pastor_n and_o teacher_n the_o number_n and_o need_v of_o the_o people_n and_o time_n so_o require_v so_o that_o their_o presbytery_n may_v be_v indifferent_o weigh_v without_o overbear_v either_o side_n we_o have_v but_o one_o in_o each_o parish_n and_o to_o exact_a maintenance_n for_o more_o at_o the_o people_n hand_n in_o every_o uillage_n will_v breed_v that_o sore_n which_o no_o plaster_n will_v heal_v to_o give_v that_o one_o a_o negative_a voice_n in_o all_o thing_n against_o the_o lay_v elder_n be_v to_o fill_v the_o whole_a realm_n with_o infinite_a contention_n and_o question_n to_o give_v he_o no_o voice_n but_o as_o one_o amongst_o the_o rest_n be_v to_o shake_v the_o church_n in_o sunder_o with_o every_o faction_n and_o fancy_n of_o the_o multitude_n last_o those_o church_n under_o persecution_n have_v none_o that_o can_v just_o challenge_v to_o rule_v the_o rest_n we_o have_v a_o lawful_a monarch_n profess_v the_o faith_n to_o who_o by_o god_n law_n the_o government_n of_o all_o crime_n and_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a do_v right_o belong_v and_o therefore_o the_o private_a and_o popular_a regiment_n of_o the_o afflict_a church_n must_v cease_v since_o god_n have_v bless_v this_o realm_n with_o a_o public_a peaceable_a and_o princely_a government_n the_o great_a and_o strong_a power_n do_v always_o determine_v and_o frustrate_v the_o lesser_a and_o weak_a in_o the_o same_o kind_n what_o need_v we_o private_a man_n to_o punish_v vice_n when_o we_o have_v prince_n to_o do_v it_o what_o need_v we_o suffrage_n of_o lay_v elder_n to_o reform_v disorder_n and_o abuse_n in_o pastor_n when_o we_o have_v open_a and_o know_v law_n to_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n with_o more_o force_n and_o better_a speed_n in_o popular_a state_n and_o persecute_v church_n some_o pretence_n may_v be_v make_v for_o that_o kind_n of_o discipline_n in_o christian_n kingdom_n i_o see_v neither_o need_n nor_o use_v of_o lay_v elder_n howbeit_o for_o my_o part_n i_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o lay_v elder_n be_v use_v in_o the_o apostl_v time_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n with_o imposition_n of_o hand_n remission_n of_o sin_n distribution_n of_o sacrament_n i_o be_o right_o assure_v no_o just_a proof_n can_v be_v make_v they_o do_v or_o shall_v intermeddle_v yea_o the_o oversight_n of_o those_o thing_n can_v not_o belong_v while_o the_o apostle_n live_v to_o lay_v man_n and_o after_o their_o death_n the_o church_n plant_v by_o they_o and_o age_n succeed_v they_o never_o use_v nor_o acknowledge_v any_o lay_v elder_n which_o be_v to_o i_o a_o invincible_a demonstration_n that_o the_o apostle_n leave_v they_o none_o for_o will_v all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n with_o one_o consent_n immediate_o upon_o the_o apostle_n death_n reject_v that_o form_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n by_o lay_v elder_n which_o be_v settle_v and_o approve_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o embrace_v a_o new_a and_o strange_a kind_n of_o government_n without_o precept_n or_o precedent_n for_o their_o so_o do_v how_o other_o can_v persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n feel_v so_o general_o and_o present_o to_o a_o wilful_a apostasy_n i_o know_v not_o for_o myself_o i_o confess_v i_o have_v rather_o forsake_v the_o devise_n and_o conceit_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n be_v they_o in_o number_n more_o than_o they_o be_v before_o i_o will_v proclaim_v so_o many_o apostolic_a man_n and_o ancient_a and_o learned_a father_n to_o be_v manifest_a despiser_n of_o the_o apostolic_a discipline_n and_o voluntary_a supporter_n if_o not_o inventor_n of_o antichrist_n pride_n and_o tyranny_n wherefore_o if_o they_o show_v i_o lie_v elder_n universal_o receive_v for_o governor_n in_o the_o church_n and_o age_n next_o follow_v the_o apostle_n i_o will_v agnise_v they_o come_v from_o the_o apostle_n if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o after_o the_o apostle_n i_o can_v believe_v they_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n chap._n xi_o what_o presbytery_n the_o primitive_a church_n and_o catholic_a father_n do_v acknowledge_v and_o whether_o lay_v elder_n be_v any_o part_n thereof_o or_o no._n many_o man_n think_v and_o write_v that_o the_o first_o church_n and_o father_n after_o the_o apostle_n retain_v and_o use_v lay_v elder_n for_o governor_n and_o so_o witness_v as_o they_o say_v obscure_o ignatius_n tertullian_n cyprian_n augustine_n more_o clear_o ambrose_n hierome_n possidonius_fw-la and_o the_o canon_n law_n and_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o well_o in_o their_o opinion_n to_o pretend_v the_o authority_n of_o christ_n church_n against_o they_o if_o all_o these_o father_n or_o any_o of_o they_o do_v clear_o mention_v or_o witness_n lay_v elder_n
see_v you_o do_v you_o have_v not_o a_o word_n nor_o a_o tittle_n in_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o power_n of_o your_o presbytefy_v and_o yet_o you_o pronounce_v so_o peremptory_o and_o resolutelie_o of_o they_o as_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o write_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o the_o power_n of_o your_o presbyter_n do_v not_o the_o presbytery_n impose_v hand_n on_o timothy_n to_o make_v he_o a_o evangelist_n do_v not_o they_o watch_v and_o feed_v the_o flock_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n do_v not_o the_o holy_a ghost_n make_v they_o over_o seer_n of_o the_o church_n what_o will_v you_o have_v more_o of_o lay_v man_n your_o presbytery_n either_o whole_o or_o chief_o consist_v than_o they_o also_o be_v pastor_n and_o bishop_n and_o watch_v &_o feed_v the_o flock_n &_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v set_v they_o over_o the_o church_n &_o they_o also_o impose_v hand_n as_o well_o as_o the_o best_a and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n what_o thing_n be_v there_o so_o peculiar_a to_o pastor_n which_o you_o do_v not_o communicate_v to_o your_o presbyter_n for_o when_o you_o be_v urge_v y_fw-mi â—_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v by_o duty_n to_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o belong_v proper_o to_o pastoral_a care_n and_o oversight_n and_o therefore_o lay_v man_n be_v no_o part_n of_o thâ—se_a presbytery_n you_o answer_v roundly_o that_o lie_v elder_n in_o the_o consistory_n do_v watch_n and_o feed_v and_o overlook_v the_o flock_n as_o well_o as_o pastor_n and_o so_o not_o only_o their_o power_n but_o also_o their_o charge_n be_v the_o very_a same_o as_o you_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n give_v unto_o pastor_n and_o yet_o they_o no_o pastor_n and_o touch_v hand_n lay_v on_o timothy_n by_o the_o presbytery_n you_o answer_v yourselves_o for_o when_o you_o allege_v that_o the_o presbytery_n do_v impose_v hand_n on_o timothy_n we_o ask_v you_o whether_o all_o the_o presbytery_n have_v right_a and_o power_n to_o impose_v hand_n or_o only_o some_o of_o they_o if_o all_o then_o lay_v elder_n must_v either_o impose_v hand_n which_o caluine_n conclusive_o deni_v 3._o hoc_fw-la postremo_fw-la habendum_fw-la est_fw-la solos_fw-la pastor_n manus_fw-la imposuisse_fw-la ministris_fw-la this_o we_o must_v understand_v that_o only_a pastor_n impose_v hand_n on_o minister_n or_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o presbytery_n if_o some_o only_o impose_v hand_n and_o yet_o the_o presbytery_n be_v say_v to_o do_v that_o which_o not_o all_o but_o some_o few_o or_o one_o of_o they_o do_v in_o like_a manner_n paul_n say_v the_o presbytery_n lay_v hand_n on_o timothy_n when_o himself_o do_v the_o deed_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o thus_o much_o caluine_n likewise_o avouch_v 3._o paâ—lus_fw-la ipse_fw-la se_fw-la non_fw-la alios_fw-la complures_fw-la timotheo_n manus_fw-la imposuisse_fw-la commâ—morat_fw-la paul_n witness_v that_o himself_o and_o none_o other_o lay_v hand_n on_o timothy_n and_o strange_a it_o be_v to_o see_v you_o build_v the_o main_a foundation_n of_o your_o presbytericall_a power_n on_o a_o place_n that_o have_v so_o many_o sound_n and_o sufficient_a answer_n as_o this_o have_v first_o jerome_n ambrose_n primasius_n and_o caluine_n tell_v you_o the_o word_n presbytery_n signify_v in_o that_o place_n the_o degree_n and_o function_n which_o timothy_n receive_v not_o the_o college_n and_o number_n of_o presbyter_n next_o chrysostome_n theodorete_n oecumenius_n and_o theophilact_v tell_v you_o that_o paul_n by_o the_o presbytery_n mean_v the_o bishop_n their_o name_n at_o first_o be_v common_a for_o that_o presbyter_n may_v not_o lay_v hand_n on_o a_o bishop_n such_o as_o timothy_n be_v thirdlie_o the_o scripture_n tell_v you_o that_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n prophet_n and_o the_o seventie_o disciple_n be_v of_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o first_o church_n and_o they_o may_v well_o impose_v hand_n on_o timothy_n without_o any_o presbyter_n fourthlie_o saint_n paul_n tell_v you_o as_o caluine_v well_o observe_v and_o urge_v that_o himself_o and_o none_o other_o lay_v hand_n on_o timothy_n last_o yourselves_o say_v timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n which_o function_n and_o vocation_n the_o presbytery_n of_o no_o particular_a church_n can_v give_v he_o but_o only_o the_o apostle_n what_o power_n have_v the_o church_n of_o iconium_n or_o ephesus_n to_o make_v evangelist_n i_o mean_v such_o as_o shall_v accompany_v the_o apostle_n and_o assist_v they_o in_o their_o travail_n if_o you_o trust_v neither_o scripture_n nor_o father_n for_o shame_n trust_v yourselves_o and_o your_o own_o position_n how_o shall_v other_o man_n believe_v your_o assertion_n when_o yourselves_o do_v not_o believe_v they_o if_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n they_o must_v be_v apostle_n and_o no_o presbyter_n that_o impose_v hand_n on_o he_o if_o the_o presbytery_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n impose_v hand_n on_o he_o timothy_n must_v be_v a_o bishop_n and_o have_v a_o local_a charge_n in_o some_o church_n which_o you_o impugn_v under_o pretence_n of_o his_o euangelship_n choose_v which_o yyu_n will_v so_o you_o choose_v some_o what_o and_o stand_v to_o it_o whrn_v you_o have_v choose_v it_o be_v they_o presbyter_n or_o no_o that_o impose_v hand_n on_o timothy_n if_o they_o be_v yet_o they_o do_v it_o joint_o with_o paul_n and_o so_o without_o the_o apostle_n or_o his_o successor_n presbyter_n may_v not_o impose_v hand_n and_o then_o must_v timothy_n be_v a_o bishop_n when_o paul_n write_v unto_o he_o for_o presbyter_n can_v not_o make_v he_o a_o evangelist_n be_v they_o no_o presbyter_n but_o apostle_n or_o other_o of_o high_a calling_n then_o make_v this_o place_n nothing_o for_o the_o power_n of_o presbyter_n either_o to_o ordain_v or_o deprive_v minister_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o set_v this_o aside_o what_o one_o jot_n find_v you_o in_o the_o scripture_n concern_v your_o presbytery_n the_o conclusion_n be_v we_o show_v you_o substantial_a and_o full_a proof_n that_o timothy_n and_o his_o successor_n be_v charge_v by_o paul_n to_o observe_v these_o precept_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n for_o ever_o touch_v the_o admit_v of_o fit_a minister_n and_o remove_v of_o unfit_a thence_o we_o infer_v this_o power_n must_v be_v perpetual_a in_o bishop_n for_o they_o succeed_v timothy_n in_o the_o church_n the_o presbytery_n do_v not_o on_o the_o other_o side_n you_o claim_v this_o authority_n from_o bishop_n to_o your_o presbytery_n but_o you_o can_v prove_v either_o their_o succession_n from_o timothy_n or_o joint_a commission_n with_o timothy_n by_o any_o sentence_n or_o syllable_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o shall_v feed_v and_o watch_v the_o flock_n you_o urge_v and_o we_o grant_v in_o teach_v and_o exhort_v they_o be_v join_v with_o timothy_n by_o reason_n the_o labourer_n must_v of_o force_n be_v many_o where_o the_o harvest_n be_v so_o great_a as_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o in_o ordain_v and_o govern_v the_o teacher_n as_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o many_o so_o be_v there_o no_o precept_n for_o many_o least_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o ruler_n order_n shall_v be_v rather_o confuse_v then_o preserve_v wherefore_o as_o timothy_n be_v place_v at_o ephesus_n and_o tite_n in_o crete_n to_o ordain_v moderate_a and_o rebuke_v as_o well_o presbyter_n as_o people_n so_o be_v archippus_n at_o colossus_n so_o be_v the_o seven_o pastor_n in_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n to_o who_o the_o son_n of_o god_n write_v by_o s._n johns_n pen_n so_o in_o all_o the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v apostolic_a man_n throughout_o the_o christian_a world_n leave_v to_o guide_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n with_o like_a power_n and_o to_o leave_v the_o same_o to_o their_o successor_n for_o ever_o and_o this_o our_o construction_n and_o exposition_n of_o of_o s._n paul_n word_n to_o timothy_n the_o learned_a and_o ancient_a father_n confirm_v with_o one_o consent_n and_o the_o catholic_a church_n of_o christ_n have_v continue_v and_o perform_v in_o all_o age_n and_o place_n since_o the_o apostle_n death_n mean_v you_o that_o bishop_n alone_o may_v do_v what_o they_o will_v without_o the_o knowledge_n or_o consent_n of_o their_o presbyter_n my_o meaning_n be_v soon_o understand_v you_o establish_v one_o chief_a in_o your_o presbytery_n by_o god_n essential_a and_o perpetual_a ordinance_n to_o execute_v that_o which_o you_o decree_v who_o you_o call_v your_o precedent_n how_o far_o i_o join_v with_o you_o you_o shall_v quick_o perceive_v to_o avoid_v tumult_n and_o dissension_n god_n have_v authorize_v one_o in_o each_o place_n and_o church_n able_a to_o have_v &_o maintain_v a_o presbytery_n who_o with_o pastoral_n and_o fatherly_a moderation_n shall_v guide_v as_o well_o the_o presbyter_n that_o assist_v he_o as_o the_o people_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o he_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o
of_o constantinople_n and_o chalcedon_n supply_v the_o place_n of_o bishop_n as_o their_o legate_n and_o substitute_n which_o in_o the_o chalesdonensis_fw-la council_n of_o chalcedon_n be_v more_o full_o express_v but_o what_o need_v we_o rip_v up_o these_o thing_n at_o large_a which_o pertain_v not_o so_o much_o to_o our_o purpose_n we_o seek_v now_o for_o the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o metropolitanes_n and_o those_o we_o find_v not_o only_o receive_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n but_o confess_v by_o they_o to_o have_v ancient_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n even_o from_o the_o beginning_n and_o sure_o if_o you_o grant_v provincial_a synod_n to_o be_v ancient_a and_o necessary_a in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o you_o can_v deny_v metropolitanes_n must_v needs_o be_v as_o ancient_a and_o requisite_a without_o who_o the_o synod_n of_o each_o province_n can_v neither_o be_v convocate_v nor_o moderate_v if_o to_o avoid_v metropolitanes_n you_o will_v have_v the_o prerogative_n of_o call_v and_o guide_v synod_n to_o run_v round_o by_o course_n which_o order_n you_o fancy_v before_o in_o bishop_n our_o answer_n be_v easy_a we_o look_v not_o what_o you_o can_v invent_v after_o 1500._o year_n to_o please_v your_o own_o humour_n but_o what_o manner_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n establish_v and_o continue_v by_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o that_o we_o prove_v be_v not_o only_o in_o every_o church_n and_o diocese_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n chief_a over_o the_o presbyter_n but_o in_o every_o province_n to_o appoint_v a_o mother_n church_n and_o city_n and_o the_o bishop_n thereof_o to_o have_v this_o honour_n and_o dignity_n above_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o brethren_n that_o he_o may_v by_o letter_n consult_v or_o call_v together_o the_o bishop_n of_o his_o province_n for_o any_o question_n or_o cause_n that_o touch_v the_o faith_n or_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o only_o moderate_v their_o meeting_n but_o execute_v their_o decree_n and_o see_v they_o perform_v throughout_o his_o province_n this_o be_v the_o ancient_a and_o original_a use_n of_o christ_n church_n long_o before_o any_o prince_n profess_v the_o truth_n and_o when_o they_o begin_v to_o use_v their_o sword_n for_o the_o doctrine_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n then_o do_v synod_n serve_v for_o the_o direction_n of_o christian_a prince_n and_o metropolitanes_n have_v the_o execution_n as_o well_o of_o prince_n law_n as_o synodall_n decree_v commit_v to_o their_o power_n and_o care_n throughout_o their_o province_n this_o course_n if_o you_o disdain_v or_o dislike_n you_o condemn_v the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n from_o the_o first_o increase_n and_o spread_v thereof_o on_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n to_o this_o present_a age_n and_o prefer_v your_o own_o wisdom_n if_o it_o be_v worthy_a that_o name_n and_o not_o rather_o to_o be_v account_v self_n love_n and_o singularity_n before_o all_o the_o martyr_n confessor_n father_n prince_n and_o bishop_n that_o have_v live_v govern_v and_o decease_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n since_o the_o apostle_n death_n how_o well_o the_o height_n of_o your_o conceit_n can_v endure_v to_o blemish_v and_o reproach_n so_o many_o religious_a and_o famous_a light_n of_o christendom_n i_o know_v not_o for_o my_o part_n i_o wish_v the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o our_o day_n may_v have_v the_o grace_n for_o piety_n and_o prudencie_n to_o follow_v their_o step_n and_o not_o to_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o all_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n before_o our_o time_n favour_v and_o further_v the_o pride_n of_o antichrist_n till_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n when_o the_o faith_n and_o love_n of_o most_o man_n be_v quench_v or_o decay_a we_o come_v to_o restore_v the_o church_n to_o that_o perfection_n of_o discipline_n which_o the_o apostle_n never_o mention_v the_o ancient_a father_n and_o council_n never_o remember_v the_o universal_a church_n of_o christ_n before_o we_o never_o conceive_v nor_o imagine_v we_o want_v not_o the_o witness_n of_o ancient_a father_n and_o story_n that_o reproove_v the_o ambitious_a and_o tyrannous_a dominion_n of_o metropolitanes_n and_o archbishop_n socrates_n say_v 11._o the_o bishopric_n of_o rome_n as_o likewise_o that_o of_o alexandria_n be_v long_o before_o his_o time_n grow_v from_o the_o bond_n of_o priesthood_n unto_o worldly_a dominion_n nazianzene_n not_o only_o lament_v the_o mischief_n which_o follow_v these_o diversity_n of_o degree_n but_o hearty_o wish_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n that_o man_n may_v be_v discern_v only_o by_o their_o virtue_n his_o word_n be_v worth_a the_o hear_n reditum_fw-la for_o this_o presidencie_n of_o bishop_n all_o our_o estatetotter_v &_o shake_v for_o this_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v in_o a_o jealousy_n and_o tumult_n both_o senseless_a and_o nameless_a for_o this_o we_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v think_v to_o be_v of_o man_n which_o in_o deed_n be_v of_o god_n and_o to_o loose_v that_o great_a and_o new_a name_n will_v god_n there_o be_v neither_o priority_n of_o seat_n neither_o superiority_n of_o place_n nor_o violent_a pre-eminence_n that_o we_o may_v be_v discern_v only_o by_o virtue_n but_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o the_o left_a and_o the_o midst_n the_o high_a and_o low_a seat_n the_o go_v before_o and_o go_v even_o with_o have_v to_o no_o purpose_n do_v we_o much_o hurt_n and_o cast_v many_o into_o the_o ditch_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o be_v goat_n and_o those_o not_o only_o of_o the_o inferior_a sort_n but_o even_o of_o the_o shepherd_n which_o be_v master_n in_o israel_n know_v not_o this_o you_o may_v soon_o find_v of_o the_o ancient_a father_n that_o mislike_v the_o contention_n ambition_n and_o pride_n of_o many_o bishop_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n but_o any_o that_o mislike_v their_o call_n you_o can_v find_v the_o sharp_a they_o be_v in_o reprove_v their_o vice_n the_o sound_a witness_n they_o be_v in_o allow_v their_o office_n if_o either_o socrates_n or_o nazianzene_n have_v oppose_v themselves_o against_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n yea_o against_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n before_o &_o after_o they_o their_o credit_n will_v not_o have_v countervail_v the_o weight_n of_o that_o antiquity_n &_o authority_n which_o the_o other_o carry_v but_o in_o deed_n neither_o of_o they_o dispraise_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o council_n or_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n only_o they_o tax_v the_o vice_n of_o some_o person_n &_o ambition_n of_o some_o place_n which_o not_o content_a with_o the_o christian_n moderation_n of_o their_o predecessor_n daily_o augment_v their_o power_n and_o their_o pride_n by_o all_o mean_v possible_a socrates_n say_v the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o alexandria_n be_v grow_v beyond_o the_o limit_n of_o their_o episcopal_a function_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d unto_o power_n &_o dominion_n the_o fault_n he_o find_v in_o that_o place_n with_o celestinus_fw-la bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v for_o 11_o take_v from_o the_o novatians_n their_o church_n and_o compel_v their_o bishop_n to_o live_v at_o home_n like_o a_o private_a man_n but_o herein_o socrates_n lean_v a_o little_a too_o much_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o novatians_n to_o mislike_v more_o than_o he_o show_v cause_n why_o will_v god_n the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v never_o worse_o offend_v then_o in_o so_o do_v he_o touch_v 7._o cyrillus_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n with_o like_a word_n for_o the_o same_o cause_n how_o just_o let_v the_o wise_a judge_n if_o otherwise_o either_o of_o they_o aspire_v above_o the_o compass_n of_o their_o call_n i_o be_o far_o from_o defend_v any_o pride_n in_o they_o or_o in_o whosoever_o nazianzene_n light_v on_o very_o tempestuous_a &_o troublesome_a time_n heresy_n so_o rage_v on_o the_o one_o side_n &_o discord_n afflict_v the_o church_n on_o the_o other_o that_o he_o think_v best_a to_o leave_v all_o and_o betake_v himself_o to_o a_o quiet_a &_o solitary_a kind_n of_o contemplation_n of_o the_o council_n in_o his_o time_n he_o say_v procopâ—um_fw-la i_o be_o mind_v if_o i_o must_v write_v you_o the_o truth_n to_o shun_v all_o assembly_n of_o bishop_n because_o inever_n see_v a_o good_a event_n of_o any_o council_n that_o do_v not_o rather_o increase_v then_o diminish_v our_o evil_n their_o contention_n and_o ambition_n pass_v my_o speech_n not_o that_o he_o condemn_v all_o council_n for_o what_o folly_n have_v that_o be_v in_o so_o wise_a a_o man_n but_o he_o note_v the_o disease_n of_o his_o time_n the_o church_n be_v so_o rend_v in_o piece_n under_o valens_n that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v restore_v nor_o reform_v in_o many_o year_n after_o even_o so_o in_o the_o word_n which_o you_o allege_v he_o traduce_v not_o the_o vocation_n or_o