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order_n but_o merit_n shall_v create_v a_o bishop_n but_o what_o council_n if_o he_o mean_v a_o council_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v not_o express_v but_o may_v well_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o word_n stand_v indifferent_a to_o any_o council_n no_o testimony_n can_v be_v weighty_a for_o bishop_n then_o this_o of_o ambrose_n which_o be_v bring_v against_o they_o if_o he_o mean_v other_o after_o the_o apostle_n death_n what_o authority_n have_v they_o to_o change_v the_o apostolic_a government_n or_o by_o their_o decree_n to_o bind_v the_o whole_a world_n but_o this_o i_o reserve_v till_o jeromes_n witness_n be_v repeat_v and_o examine_v jerom_n in_o his_o word_n 215._o before_o cite_v avouch_v three_z special_a thing_n first_o that_o till_o dissension_n spring_v in_o the_o church_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v all_o one_o and_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a advice_n of_o presbyter_n among_o who_o the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n be_v equal_o divide_v next_o 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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
assist_v his_o father_n 500_o year_n &_o teach_v his_o child_n which_o be_v then_o the_o church_n 4._o to_o call_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o continue_v that_o charge_n 112._o year_n after_o his_o father_n death_n enosh_fw-mi do_v the_o like_a to_o seth_n and_o all_o the_o heir_n of_o the_o promise_n before_o the_o flood_n to_o their_o father_n god_n always_o stir_v up_o the_o spirit_n of_o some_o excellent_a man_n to_o preach_v in_o his_o church_n while_o their_o father_n yet_o live_v and_o guide_v the_o number_n of_o the_o faithful_a so_o enoch_n please_v god_n and_o prophesy_v in_o his_o church_n 300._o year_n first_o under_o adam_n and_o after_o under_o seth_n in_o who_o time_n he_o be_v translate_v so_o noah_n 2._o preach_v righteousness_n and_o repentance_n to_o the_o old_a world_n begin_v under_o enoch_n the_o son_n of_o seth_n and_o hold_v on_o six_o descent_n until_o the_o flood_n come_v the_o very_a same_o year_n that_o his_o grandfather_n methusalem_n die_v after_o who_o death_n and_o the_o drown_n of_o the_o world_n noah_n govern_v the_o church_n 350._o year_n and_o leave_v the_o regiment_n thereof_o as_o also_o the_o inheritance_n of_o the_o blessing_n and_o promise_n to_o sem_fw-mi his_o elder_a son_n that_o be_v save_v with_o he_o in_o the_o ark_n from_o the_o water_n and_o bless_v by_o he_o sem_fw-mi succeed_a his_o father_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o peace_n confirmation_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v govern_v the_o church_n 350._o year_n under_o his_o father_n and_o 152._o year_n after_o he_o cven_v till_o abraham_n be_v dead_a isaac_n dinune_n and_o jacob_n 50._o year_n old_a and_o may_v well_o for_o his_o age_n birthright_n and_o blessing_n be_v that_o melchizedec_n king_n of_o salem_n in_o canaan_n that_o 7._o meet_v abraham_n return_v from_o the_o slaughter_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o bless_v he_o that_o have_v the_o promise_n for_o he_o must_v be_v great_a than_o abraham_n that_o bless_a abraham_n 38._o as_o the_o apostle_n infer_v and_o great_a than_o abraham_n can_v none_o be_v but_o one_o that_o have_v the_o same_o promise_n which_o abraham_n have_v and_o that_o before_o he_o now_o noah_n be_v dead_a 13._o year_n before_o abraham_n enter_v canaan_n and_o sem_fw-mi ten_o ascent_n before_o abraham_n inherit_v the_o same_o blessing_n and_o promise_n that_o abraham_n do_v during_o who_o life_n and_o he_o over_o live_v abraham_n none_o of_o he_o of_o spring_n can_v have_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o priesthood_n from_o he_o much_o less_o can_v any_o stranger_n excel_v he_o or_o come_v near_o he_o in_o the_o dignity_n of_o his_o priesthood_n for_o first_o in_o his_o house_n be_v the_o church_n god_n vouchsafe_v to_o be_v call_v the_o 9_o god_n of_o sem_fw-mi as_o he_o be_v after_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n and_o so_o bless_v his_o tent_n with_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n and_o heavenly_a peace_n that_o noah_n foresee_v it_o in_o spirit_n beseech_v god_n to_o 9_o persuade_v and_o incline_v japheth_n his_o young_a son_n to_o dwell_v in_o the_o tent_n of_o sem._n next_o in_o his_o seed_n be_v the_o promise_a blessing_n the_o true_a cause_n of_o abraham_n greatness_n and_o that_o 360._o year_n before_o it_o be_v in_o abraham_n and_o from_o he_o god_n lineal_o derive_v it_o unto_o abraham_n by_o that_o blessing_n as_o from_o the_o father_n both_o of_o christ_n and_o of_o abraham_n three_o in_o his_o person_n be_v the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v to_o be_v chief_a over_o his_o brethren_n as_o well_o in_o religion_n as_o in_o civil_a regiment_n and_o consequent_o to_o be_v king_n and_o priest_n in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n fourthlie_o by_o the_o length_n of_o his_o life_n he_o well_o resemble_v the_o true_a melchizedec_n who_o by_o his_o birthright_n be_v king_n and_o priest_n for_o ever_o over_o the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o he_o come_v out_o of_o the_o ark_n as_o from_o a_o other_o world_n no_o man_n live_v that_o know_v his_o beginning_n &_o he_o dure_v more_o than_o 500_o year_n even_o twelve_o descent_n after_o the_o flood_n and_o so_o neither_o the_o beginning_n nor_o end_n of_o his_o day_n be_v know_v to_o the_o heir_n of_o promise_n last_o successor_n on_o earth_n he_o leave_v none_o by_o reason_n abraham_n who_o god_n call_v from_o his_o 12._o country_n kindred_n and_o father_n house_n to_o inherit_v the_o promise_n and_o blessing_n next_o after_o sem_fw-mi and_o likewise_o isaac_n and_o jacob_n heir_n of_o the_o same_o promise_n with_o he_o sojourn_v as_o stranger_n and_o peregrine_n first_o in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n where_o sem_fw-mi yet_o live_v and_o by_o force_n of_o his_o birthright_n and_o blessing_n continue_v a_o king_n and_o priest_n in_o his_o father_n house_n and_o city_n which_o be_v then_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o after_o in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n until_o the_o departure_n of_o jacobs_n posterity_n thence_o among_o who_o son_n god_n divide_v the_o honour_n and_o dignity_n of_o sem_fw-mi appoint_v the_o sceptre_n and_o seed_n to_o judah_n the_o priesthood_n to_o levi_n the_o 5._o birthright_n to_o joseph_n and_o never_o conjoin_v they_o after_o in_o any_o but_o in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o only_a priest_n that_o ever_o succeed_v according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o melchizedec_n which_o far_o excel_v the_o order_n of_o aaron_n that_o have_v the_o kingdom_n and_o birthright_n sever_v from_o it_o whosoever_o melchizedec_n be_v this_o be_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n so_o long_o as_o sem_fw-mi live_v which_o appear_v in_o the_o person_n of_o melchizedec_n to_o wit_n the_o father_n be_v ruler_n over_o his_o child_n and_o the_o first_o bear_v over_o his_o brethren_n as_o well_o in_o piety_n as_o in_o policy_n and_o this_o privilege_n of_o the_o elder_a brethren_n to_o be_v king_n and_o priest_n in_o their_o father_n house_n represent_v the_o choice_n that_o god_n make_v of_o his_o saint_n in_o christ_n his_o son_n to_o be_v 2._o a_o royal_a priesthood_n to_o offer_v up_o spiritual_a sacrifice_n acceptable_a unto_o himself_o by_o jesus_n christ._n from_o jacob_n to_o moses_n as_o the_o number_n of_o god_n child_n increase_v so_o the_o royal_a priesthood_n utter_o cease_v and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v much_o obscure_v by_o the_o perpetual_a pilgrimage_n of_o jacob_n and_o bondage_n of_o his_o offspring_n till_o god_n by_o moses_n wrought_v their_o deliverance_n the_o church_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v guide_v first_o by_o jacob_n then_o by_o joseph_n after_o by_o the_o head_n and_o father_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n judah_n be_v always_o the_o chief_a both_o in_o egypt_n and_o canaan_n and_o his_o 49._o father_n son_n bow_v unto_o he_o according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o jacobs_n blessing_n and_o so_o from_o adam_n to_o moses_n we_o find_v a_o continual_a superiority_n of_o the_o father_n over_o his_o child_n and_o the_o first_o bear_v above_o his_o brethren_n approve_a and_o establish_v by_o god_n himself_o in_o the_o regiment_n of_o his_o church_n and_o not_o any_o precept_n or_o precedent_n for_o equality_n chap._n ii_o the_o leviticall_a and_o nationall_n regiment_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o law_n when_o it_o please_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o extend_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o himself_o to_o the_o whole_a seed_n of_o jacob_n &_o to_o bring_v a_o people_n out_o of_o egypt_n to_o be_v his_o peculiar_a he_o sever_v from_o the_o rest_n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n to_o attend_v the_o ark_n and_o offering_n which_o he_o command_v &_o to_o teach_v their_o brethren_n the_o judgement_n and_o statute_n of_o their_o god_n for_o the_o church_n be_v enlarge_v and_o spread_v over_o the_o whole_a nation_n the_o domestical_a discipline_n that_o be_v before_o the_o law_n can_v not_o so_o well_o fit_a the_o government_n of_o a_o people_n as_o of_o a_o household_n and_o therefore_o out_o of_o twelve_o tribe_n god_n choose_v one_o to_o retain_v the_o priesthood_n and_o have_v the_o oversight_n of_o all_o holy_a thing_n and_o execution_n of_o all_o sacred_a service_n in_o which_o tribe_n according_a to_o the_o number_n and_o order_n of_o the_o first_o father_n and_o family_n descend_v from_o levi_n the_o son_n of_o jacob_n god_n do_v proportion_n and_o establish_v diverse_a superiority_n and_o dignity_n as_o well_o in_o answer_v the_o sentence_n of_o the_o law_n to_o the_o people_n as_o in_o serve_v he_o at_o his_o altar_n and_o those_o not_o only_o of_o priest_n above_o levite_n but_o of_o priest_n above_o priest_n and_o of_o levite_n among_o themselves_o the_o first_o distinction_n be_v of_o priest_n above_o levite_n that_o be_v of_o aaron_n &_o his_o son_n above_o the_o rest_n of_o y_fw-es â—_o same_o tribe_n who_o be_v restrain_v from_o touch_v or_o see_v the_o holy_a thing_n commit_v to_o 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