all_o the_o church_n they_o look_v upon_o that_o as_o their_o peculiar_a charge_n and_o govern_v not_o as_o ordinary_a presbyter_n but_o by_o apostolic_a authority_n as_o a_o metropolitan_a who_o although_o he_o have_v the_o supervise_v of_o all_o the_o diocese_n within_o his_o province_n yet_o may_v have_v his_o proper_a diocese_n which_o he_o govern_v as_o a_o particular_a bishop_n and_o the_o office_n of_o a_o apostle_n do_v not_o essential_o consist_v in_o the_o govern_n of_o more_o church_n than_o one_o else_o st._n paul_n will_v never_o have_v vindicate_v his_o apostleship_n from_o the_o particular_a right_n he_o have_v over_o the_o corinthian_n 9.2_o 1_o cor._n 9.2_o if_o i_o be_v not_o a_o apostle_n to_o other_o yet_o doubtless_o i_o be_o to_o you_o for_o the_o seal_n of_o my_o apostleship_n be_v you_o in_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o though_o he_o have_v have_v no_o more_o church_n to_o govern_v yet_o his_o apostolic_a authority_n may_v have_v be_v still_o exercise_v over_o that_o particular_a one_o of_o corinth_n the_o province_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o large_a as_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n for_o these_o be_v either_o send_v to_o such_o city_n or_o part_n whither_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o can_v not_o go_v or_o leave_v where_o they_o can_v not_o stay_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v the_o diocese_n of_o timothy_n from_o whence_o although_o the_o great_a occasion_n of_o other_o church_n may_v call_v he_o away_o and_o require_v his_o assistance_n yet_o his_o authority_n be_v not_o temporal_a nor_o will_v it_o have_v expire_v if_o he_o have_v reside_v a_o long_a while_n at_o ephesus_n so_o that_o these_o apostolic_a man_n be_v not_o so_o because_o they_o be_v unfixt_v but_o because_o they_o have_v that_o eminence_n of_o authority_n which_o they_o may_v exercise_v in_o one_o or_o more_o church_n according_a as_o their_o necessity_n do_v require_v or_o as_o the_o spirit_n signify_v and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o settle_v in_o one_o place_n be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o their_o time_n and_o not_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o office_n for_o the_o harvest_n be_v now_o great_a and_o such_o labourer_n as_o these_o be_v but_o few_o and_o therefore_o their_o presence_n be_v require_v in_o several_a place_n and_o as_o this_o unsetledness_n be_v not_o essential_a to_o apostolic_a authority_n no_o more_o be_v it_o essential_a to_o episcopacy_n to_o be_v determine_v to_o a_o certain_a church_n every_o bishop_n be_v bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o that_o his_o authority_n be_v confine_v to_o a_o certain_a district_n be_v only_o the_o positive_a law_n of_o the_o church_n that_o forbid_v one_o bishop_n any_o exercise_n of_o his_o office_n within_o the_o diocese_n of_o another_o and_z st._n paul_n seem_v to_o have_v give_v they_o the_o occasion_n who_o will_v not_o build_v upon_o another_o man_n foundation_n however_o in_o any_o case_n of_o necessity_n this_o positure_n law_n be_v superseeded_a and_o a_o bishop_n may_v act_v in_o any_o place_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o general_a power_n he_o have_v receive_v in_o his_o ordination_n so_o that_o this_o first_o exception_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o evangelist_n be_v unfixt_v and_o bishop_n determine_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n can_v make_v no_o essential_a difference_n as_o to_o the_o visitor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n they_o make_v evident_o against_o mr._n b_n notion_n of_o a_o essential_a difference_n between_o bishop_n and_o evangelist_n for_o first_o of_o all_o the_o residence_n be_v fix_v to_o certain_a city_n and_o their_o jurisdiction_n confine_v within_o certain_a province_n as_o the_o superintendent_n of_o the_o country_n of_o orkney_n be_v to_o keep_v his_o residence_n in_o the_o town_n of_o keirkwall_n 158._o spotswood_n hist_o scot._n l._n 3._o p._n 158._o he_o of_o rosse_n in_o the_o channory_n of_o rosse_n and_o so_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o town_n appoint_v for_o their_o residence_n their_o office_n be_v to_o try_v the_o life_n diligence_n and_o behaviour_n of_o the_o minister_n the_o order_n of_o their_o church_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o people_n how_o the_o poor_a be_v provide_v and_o how_o the_o youth_n be_v instruct_v they_o must_v admonish_v where_o admonition_n need_v and_o dress_v all_o thing_n that_o by_o good_a counsel_n they_o be_v able_a to_o compose_v final_o they_o must_v take_v note_n of_o all_o heinous_a crime_n that_o the_o same_o may_v be_v correct_v by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n so_o far_o of_o their_o constitution_n as_o we_o find_v it_o in_o mr._n knox_n first_o project_n of_o church-polity_n 258._o spotswood_n p._n 258._o and_o their_o practice_n be_v altogether_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n as_o bishop_n spotswood_n describe_v it_o the_o superintendent_o hold_v their_o office_n during_o life_n and_o their_o power_n be_v episcopal_a for_o they_o do_v elect_v and_o ordain_v minister_n they_o preside_v in_o synod_n and_o direct_v all_o church_n censure_n neither_o be_v any_o excommunication_n pronounce_v without_o their_o warrant_n and_o now_o let_v the_o reader_n judge_v how_o the_o constitution_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n become_v a_o crime_n and_o yet_o these_o visitor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n conformable_a to_o divine_a institution_n as_o to_o the_o second_o exception_n that_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n be_v episcopi_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la and_o have_v bishop_n under_o their_o jurisdiction_n which_o our_o diocesan_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n but_o of_o particular_a church_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o this_o make_v no_o difference_n at_o leastwise_o no_o essential_a one_o for_o the_o same_o person_n may_v have_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o diocese_n and_o yet_o have_v the_o supervise_v power_n over_o several_a other_o but_o in_o this_o point_n mr._n b._n do_v but_o equivocate_a and_o impose_v upon_o his_o reader_n for_o by_o his_o episcopus_fw-la gregis_fw-la he_o mean_v only_o a_o presbyter_n and_o a_o particular_a bishop_n may_v have_v jurisdiction_n over_o such_o without_o any_o injury_n or_o prejudice_n do_v to_o the_o office_n which_o from_o its_o first_o institution_n have_v be_v under_o the_o direction_n of_o a_o superior_a apostolical_a power_n if_o therefore_o these_o presbyter_n do_v retain_v all_o that_o power_n which_o essential_o belong_v to_o they_o under_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n how_o be_v they_o degrade_v in_o short_a either_o this_o order_n of_o congregational_a episcopacy_n be_v different_a from_o presbytery_n or_o the_o same_o with_o it_o if_o the_o same_o how_o be_v it_o abrogate_a by_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n since_o presbyter_n be_v still_o in_o the_o full_a possession_n and_o exercise_n of_o their_o office_n if_o they_o be_v distinct_a how_o then_o come_v mr._n b._n to_o confound_v they_o as_o he_o do_v §_o 16._o where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o set_v more_o than_o one_o of_o these_o elder_n or_o bishop_n in_o every_o church_n so_o then_o those_o apostolic_a man_n as_o bishop_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n wherein_o as_o they_o reside_v have_v authority_n over_o presbyter_n within_o the_o extent_n of_o their_o diocese_n and_o a_o general_a supervise_v care_n of_o several_a other_o church_n and_o so_o they_o be_v episcopi_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la in_o the_o first_o they_o be_v succeed_v by_o diocesan_n bishop_n in_o the_o latter_a by_o metropolitan_o which_o yet_o be_v never_o look_v upon_o as_o two_o order_n essential_o distinct_a but_o after_o all_o this_o we_o shall_v never_o come_v to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o mr._n b_n episcopacy_n unless_o we_o take_v along_o with_o it_o his_o notion_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n which_o he_o set_v down_o p._n 6._o §_o 19_o there_o be_v great_a evidence_n of_o history_n 6._o p._n 6._o that_o a_o particular_a church_n of_o the_o apostle_n settle_v be_v essential_o only_o a_o company_n of_o christian_n pastor_n and_o people_n associate_v for_o personal_a holy_a communion_n and_o mutual_a help_n in_o holy_a doctrine_n worship_n conversation_n and_o order_n therefore_o it_o never_o consist_v of_o so_o few_o or_o so_o many_o or_o so_o distant_a as_o to_o be_v uncapable_a of_o such_o personal_a help_n and_o communion_n but_o be_v ever_o distinguish_v as_o from_o accidental_a meeting_n so_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o many_o church_n or_o distant_a christian_n which_o be_v hold_v but_o by_o delegate_n synod_n of_o pastor_n or_o letter_n and_o not_o by_o personal_a help_n in_o presence_n not_o that_o all_o these_o must_v needs_o always_o meet_v in_o the_o same_o place_n but_o that_o usual_o they_o do_v so_o or_o at_o due_a time_n at_o least_o and_o be_v no_o more_o nor_o more_o distant_a than_o can_v so_o meet_v sometime_o persecution_n hinder_v they_o sometime_o the_o room_n may_v be_v too_o small_a even_o independent_a church_n among_o we_o sometime_o meet_v in_o diverse_a place_n
to_o reckon_v only_o since_o the_o reformation_n for_o if_o a_o man_n be_v not_o blind_a he_o may_v see_v that_o this_o worshipful_a church_n history_n be_v only_o design_v against_o protestant_a bishop_n under_o a_o general_a name_n they_o i_o suppose_v will_v receive_v ample_a testimony_n from_o the_o government_n of_o their_o faithfulness_n and_o loyalty_n how_o many_o act_n of_o oblivion_n have_v be_v make_v for_o bishop_n and_o their_o party_n where_o be_v they_o see_v encourage_v rebel_n against_o their_o prince_n with_o the_o hope_n of_o salvation_n what_o reign_n have_v they_o disturb_v here_o with_o their_o sedition_n or_o who_o government_n be_v they_o enemy_n to_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o of_o a_o rebellious_a piece_n of_o a_o parliament_n and_o oliver_n cromwell_n and_o his_o son_n the_o david_n and_o solomon_n of_o mr._n baxter_n but_o loyalty_n have_v hitherto_o be_v the_o great_a crime_n of_o our_o bishop_n and_o long_o may_v they_o continue_v to_o fear_n god_n and_o the_o king_n more_o than_o the_o insolence_n of_o any_o faction_n and_o i_o pray_v god_n they_o may_v always_o preserve_v inviolable_a that_o great_a treasure_n commit_v to_o they_o and_o the_o great_a next_z that_o of_o the_o faith_n the_o honour_n of_o the_o most_o loyal_a church_n in_o the_o world_n now_o although_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n since_o the_o reformation_n need_v no_o defence_n in_o this_o particular_a the_o merit_n of_o their_o loyalty_n be_v so_o well_o know_v and_o what_o other_o bishop_n may_v do_v do_v not_o concern_v we_o yet_o because_o in_o this_o treatise_n i_o have_v undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o our_o own_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o add_v something_o upon_o this_o subject_n by_o way_n of_o answer_n to_o such_o particular_n as_o mr._n b._n have_v bring_v together_o to_o show_v the_o seditious_a practice_n of_o the_o bishop_n the_o first_o thing_n he_o take_v to_o task_n 22._o treatise_n of_o episcop_n part_n c._n 22._o be_v a_o old_a maxim_n of_o king_n james_n no_o bishop_n no_o king_n which_o be_v represent_v here_o as_o if_o the_o bishop_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o if_o the_o presbyterian_a have_v say_v no_o prebyter_n no_o king_n you_o will_v have_v take_v it_o for_o treasonable_a as_o if_o they_o have_v threaten_v that_o the_o king_n shall_v not_o be_v king_n unless_o they_o may_v have_v their_o way_n and_o shall_v not_o the_o king_n be_v king_n unless_o you_o may_v be_v bishop_n it_o be_v well_o for_o the_o bishop_n that_o none_o of_o they_o be_v author_n of_o that_o dangerous_a say_n else_o i_o perceive_v it_o may_v bear_v a_o impeachment_n and_o prove_v by_o little_a management_n at_o least_o constructive_a treason_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o king_n may_v excuse_v he_o of_o treason_n against_o himself_o though_o the_o scotch_a presbyterian_o have_v declare_v he_o a_o traitor_n to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o holy_a kirk_n and_o sure_o that_o king_n have_v some_o reason_n to_o say_v it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a he_o shall_v pass_v such_o a_o compliment_n upon_o the_o bishop_n and_o make_v they_o so_o necessary_a to_o monarchy_n if_o he_o have_v not_o find_v some_o great_a suitableness_n in_o this_o church_n government_n to_o that_o of_o the_o state_n the_o truth_n be_v that_o say_n of_o king_n james_n be_v the_o result_n of_o a_o long_a experience_n of_o a_o turbulent_a seditious_a ungovernable_a presbytery_n in_o scotland_n and_o how_o little_a he_o be_v a_o king_n while_o he_o be_v among_o they_o the_o historian_n of_o those_o time_n as_o spotswood_n johnston_n and_o other_o do_v sufficient_o show_v or_o if_o you_o will_v have_v a_o more_o particular_a description_n of_o the_o insolence_n and_o enchroachment_n of_o that_o presbyterian_a clergy_n look_v into_o the_o burden_n of_o isscahar_n and_o you_o will_v soon_o find_v reason_n enough_o for_o this_o maxim_n but_o mr._n b._n go_v about_o grave_o to_o confute_v this_o as_o a_o affect_a fiction_n without_o proof_n 22._o ch._n h._n p._n 2._o â—_o 2_o c._n 22._o for_o 1._o heathen_a emperor_n be_v without_o bishop_n 2._o follow_v the_o insinuation_n of_o treason_n 3._o what_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o warrant_n this_o assertion_n they_o own_o every_o text_n and_o article_n for_o monarchy_n as_o well_o as_o prelacy_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o same_o reason_n holland_n and_o venice_n must_v have_v no_o bishop_n will_v not_o a_o man_n wonder_n that_o any_o one_o shall_v make_v so_o great_a a_o stir_n about_o such_o a_o little_a say_n suppose_v it_o be_v not_o absolute_o impossible_a but_o king_n may_v be_v without_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n either_o what_o then_o why_o then_o king_n james_n be_v mistake_v in_o his_o politic_n when_o he_o say_v no_o bishop_n no_o king_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o that_o neither_o for_o all_o maxim_n in_o morality_n and_o policy_n be_v not_o to_o be_v use_v so_o unmerciful_o as_o to_o be_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o rigour_n of_o the_o letter_n he_o speak_v this_o with_o regard_n to_o his_o own_o experience_n and_o his_o own_o case_n and_o the_o anti-episcopal_a man_n make_v his_o word_n good_a by_o destroy_v bishop_n first_o and_o the_o king_n after_o when_o this_o or_o that_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v make_v either_o necessary_a or_o destructive_a to_o government_n the_o meaning_n be_v that_o either_o their_o principle_n or_o practice_n or_o interest_n do_v either_o support_v and_o assure_v or_o else_o overthrow_v and_o endanger_v the_o state_n and_o that_o their_o practice_n upon_o all_o occasion_n be_v general_o suitable_a to_o their_o principle_n this_o will_v be_v clear_a by_o these_o instance_n popery_n be_v general_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o religion_n destructive_a of_o civil_a power_n and_o not_o without_o reason_n must_v there_o therefore_o be_v no_o government_n where_o there_o be_v popery_n the_o kingdom_n of_o france_n spain_n and_o poland_n and_o several_a other_o country_n do_v manifest_v the_o contrary_n the_o jesuit_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o great_a incendiary_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o no_o place_n can_v be_v at_o peace_n where_o they_o have_v any_o influence_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v entertain_v in_o all_o popish_a country_n be_v the_o general_a charge_n therefore_o of_o sedition_n against_o these_o false_a and_o groundless_a no_o such_o matter_n suppose_v then_o among_o christian_n one_o shall_v say_v with_o regard_n to_o we_o no_o protestant_n no_o king_n i_o suppose_v there_o will_v be_v no_o such_o mighty_a absurdity_n in_o it_o therefore_o if_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o that_o be_v anti-episcopal_a be_v look_v upon_o by_o that_o wise_a king_n as_o anti-monarchical_a too_o and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bishop_n be_v much_o more_o safe_a to_o the_o government_n it_o be_v ground_n enough_o for_o the_o say_n and_o now_o to_o vindicate_v those_o primitive_a bishop_n from_o the_o imputation_n of_o sedition_n that_o he_o have_v charge_v in_o this_o chapter_n with_o desturb_v the_o church_n and_o the_o world_n the_o first_o thing_n mr._n b._n lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o bishop_n be_v the_o usurpation_n of_o popish_a prelacy_n do_v you_o not_o know_v say_v he_o that_o where_o prelacy_n be_v at_o the_o high_a there_o king_n and_o emperor_n have_v be_v at_o the_o low_a do_v you_o not_o know_v how_o the_o papal_a prelacy_n at_o present_a usurp_v one_o part_n of_o their_o government_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o take_v away_o the_o other_o when_o ever_o king_n displease_v they_o etc._n etc._n be_v it_o the_o bishop_n or_o the_o papist_n that_o be_v here_o to_o blame_v be_v this_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o order_n or_o of_o those_o pernicious_a principle_n they_o have_v inbibe_v if_o it_o be_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o bishop_n than_o we_o must_v find_v the_o same_o practice_n in_o other_o age_n or_o if_o the_o popish_a bishop_n be_v dangerous_a to_o government_n be_v their_o presbyter_n less_o to_o be_v fear_v the_o jesuit_n before_o our_o civil_a war_n use_v all_o the_o interest_n they_o have_v to_o prevent_v send_v of_o popish_a bishop_n into_o england_n it_o be_v not_o i_o suppose_v out_o of_o any_o great_a affection_n to_o we_o or_o regard_n to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n but_o because_o they_o think_v bishop_n unnecessary_a since_o priest_n and_o jesuit_n can_v do_v more_o mischief_n without_o they_o but_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o render_v popish_a priest_n and_o bishop_n so_o dangerous_a to_o government_n render_v the_o presbyterian_o so_o too_o but_o first_o let_v we_o examine_v mr._n b.'s_n instance_n of_o more_o ancient_a episcopal_a sedition_n the_o first_o be_v at_o alexandria_n in_o the_o time_n of_o theophilus_n and_o cyril_n which_o i_o have_v consider_v already_o i_o need_v say_v no_o more_o here_o than_o 1._o that_o the_o alexandrian_n
separation_n twenty_o year_n before_o seem_v to_o have_v make_v the_o first_o step_n towards_o this_o congregational_a way_n 51._o brown_a in_o the_o column_n entitle_v the_o state_n of_o christian_n 50._o art_n 51._o but_o he_o speak_v of_o it_o something_o more_o obscure_o who_o have_v the_o grace_n and_o office_n of_o watch_v and_o guide_v the_o answer_n be_v some_o have_v this_o charge_n together_o which_o can_v be_v sunder_v some_o have_v their_o several_a charge_n over_o many_o church_n some_o have_v charge_n but_o in_o one_o church_n only_o 52._o 52._o how_o have_v some_o their_o charge_n and_o office_n together_o ans_fw-fr there_o be_v synod_n or_o the_o meeting_n of_o sundry_a church_n where_o the_o weak_a church_n seek_v for_o help_v to_o the_o strong_a for_o decide_v or_o redress_v of_o matter_n or_o else_o the_o strong_a look_n to_o they_o for_o redress_n who_o have_v their_o several_a charge_n over_o many_o church_n ans_fw-fr apostle_n prophet_n helper_n or_o evangelist_n nor_o do_v he_o determine_v whether_o any_o may_v succeed_v to_o this_o general_a inspection_n or_o no._n those_o that_o follow_v deliver_v themselves_o with_o great_a clearness_n upon_o this_o point_n 11._o confer_v with_o egerton_n p._n 43._o collection_n of_o certain_a art_n 1590._o art_n 11._o barrow_n and_o greenwood_n make_v all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n to_o belong_v to_o every_o congregation_n and_o call_v the_o bishop_n antichristian_a because_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o oversee_v so_o many_o pastor_n and_o church_n and_o in_o another_o treatise_n where_o they_o answer_v this_o question_n whether_o the_o queen_n may_v be_v excommunicate_v by_o the_o presbytery_n they_o say_v that_o they_o detest_v the_o power_n of_o any_o person_n or_o presbytery_n usurp_a authority_n over_o the_o church_n no_o presbytery_n can_v do_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n but_o that_o the_o congregation_n whereof_o the_o prince_n be_v may_v excommunicate_v he_o ainsworth_n go_v the_o same_o way_n and_o declare_v himself_o in_o these_o word_n 24._o ain_n communion_n of_o saint_n c._n 24._o we_o find_v no_o authority_n commit_v to_o our_o congregation_n over_o another_o for_o excommunicate_v the_o same_o as_o every_o church_n have_v over_o she_o own_o member_n christ_n reserve_v this_o power_n in_o his_o own_o hand_n barrow_n affirm_v 137._o bar._n refuttat_fw-la of_o gifford_n 137._o that_o ordinary_a set_a synod_n be_v as_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o other_o i.e._n diocesan_n episcopacy_n but_o johnson_n be_v the_o first_o that_o clear_v this_o point_n and_o treat_v of_o it_o particular_o 3._o john_n christian_n plea_n treat_n 3._o he_o lay_v down_o two_o thing_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o church_n government_n and_o unity_n 1._o that_o all_o particular_a church_n with_o their_o pastor_n do_v stand_v immediate_o under_o jesus_n christ_n their_o arch_a pastor_n without_o any_o other_o strange_a ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o authority_n interpose_v between_o whether_o of_o prelate_n or_o their_o unlawful_a usurp_a synod_n 2._o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o estate_n and_o distinction_n aforesaid_a etc._n treat_n 3._o c._n 6._o p._n 261.262_o etc._n etc._n yet_o all_o the_o church_n and_o minister_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v always_o ready_a to_o advise_v and_o assist_v one_o another_o and_o in_o this_o manner_n may_v be_v have_v a_o lawful_a and_o profitable_a use_n of_o synod_n class_n etc._n etc._n provide_v they_o do_v not_o usurp_v any_o unlawful_a jurisdiction_n or_o power_n over_o particular_a church_n this_o man_n go_v yet_o far_o and_o maintain_v congregational_a episcopacy_n and_o show_v out_o of_o several_a place_n of_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n that_o there_o may_v be_v in_o a_o particular_a church_n one_o pastor_n or_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n proper_o and_o special_o so_o call_v and_o divers_a teacher_n and_o roll_a elder_n join_v to_o this_o pastor_n in_o the_o ministry_n and_o government_n of_o the_o same_o church_n who_o may_v all_o of_o they_o general_o be_v call_v pastor_n yet_o so_o as_o one_o be_v special_o distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n in_o respect_n of_o place_n and_o function_n to_o be_v the_o pastor_n so_o more_o particular_o call_v under_o jesus_n christ_n the_o arch_a pastor_n never_o do_v copy_n agree_v more_o exact_o with_o the_o original_a than_o mr._n baxter_n doctrine_n about_o church_n government_n with_o this_o of_o johnson_n the_o brownist_n ut_fw-la sit_fw-la tam_fw-la fimilis_fw-la sibi_fw-la nec_fw-la ipse_fw-la it_o be_v easy_a to_o find_v a_o difference_n between_o mr._n b._n and_o himself_o upon_o other_o occasion_n than_o to_o discern_v the_o least_o disagreement_n between_o he_o and_o johnson_n in_o this_o robinson_n who_o bailiff_n make_v the_o father_n of_o the_o independent_o though_o he_o leave_v some_o tenet_n of_o the_o brownist_n 17._o diss_n p._n 17._o robin_n apol_n p._n 17._o continue_v still_o a_o separation_n in_o the_o sacrament_n and_o discipline_n and_o be_v as_o much_o for_o this_o congregational_a way_n as_o any_o of_o the_o brownist_n in_o his_o apology_n he_o declare_v that_o every_o particular_a congregation_n be_v entire_a without_o any_o relation_n to_o other_o church_n as_o peter_n or_o paul_n be_v perfect_a man_n without_o respect_n to_o other_o that_o these_o congregation_n be_v independent_a and_o under_o christ_n only_o therefore_o the_o ancient_a bound_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v lay_v be_v not_o to_o be_v remove_v under_o pretence_n of_o any_o human_a prudence_n antiquity_n or_o unity_n upon_o this_o foundation_n the_o independent_a church_n be_v build_v and_o continue_v to_o this_o day_n which_o though_o they_o may_v differ_v in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n as_o their_o pastor_n or_o lead_v man_n may_v be_v incline_v yet_o this_o constitution_n of_o government_n give_v they_o a_o common_a denomination_n and_o now_o have_v give_v this_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o this_o way_n at_o leastwise_o in_o these_o last_o time_n the_o high_a antiquity_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v consider_v elsewhere_o i_o shall_v in_o the_o next_o place_n give_v some_o account_n of_o the_o success_n of_o this_o form_n of_o government_n and_o show_v what_o fruit_n of_o peace_n and_o truth_n it_o have_v yield_v since_o its_o first_o plant_n by_o the_o brownist_n robert_n brown_a schoolmaster_n in_o southwark_n 1._o bailiff_n diss_fw-la ch._n 1._o have_v seduce_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n such_o a_o number_n of_o disciple_n as_o make_v up_o a_o congregation_n for_o fear_v lest_o the_o severity_n of_o our_o law_n may_v dissipate_v this_o new_a church_n resolve_v to_o remove_v it_o to_o a_o place_n of_o great_a liberty_n and_o according_o persuade_v his_o follower_n to_o transport_v themselves_o and_o family_n into_o middleborough_n here_o they_o have_v not_o be_v long_o but_o they_o begin_v to_o be_v shake_v with_o intestine_a discord_n john_n g._n john_n letter_n to_o fran._n john_n george_n johnson_n say_v it_o be_v in_o great_a measure_n occasion_v by_o brown_n wife_n and_o other_o woman_n of_o that_o banish_a church_n which_o cause_v a_o mortal_a feud_n between_o brown_a and_o harison_n and_o some_o say_v it_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o harison_n be_v death_n it_o be_v also_o the_o cause_n of_o excommunicate_v perriman_n and_o this_o new_a fashion_a church_n in_o short_a break_v all_o to_o plece_n most_o turn_v anabaptist_n and_o brown_a at_o last_o see_v himself_o desert_v return_v with_o tear_n in_o his_o eye_n into_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n conform_v and_o be_v prefer_v to_o a_o live_n the_o next_o congregation_n that_o be_v form_v under_o this_o rule_n be_v by_o f._n johnson_n 14._o diss_n p._n 14._o for_o barrow_n be_v hang_v before_o he_o can_v fill_v his_o church_n and_o this_o find_v the_o air_n of_o the_o english_a government_n not_o to_o agree_v with_o it_o follow_v its_o pastor_n to_o holland_n and_o settle_v at_o amsterdam_n a_o kind_a soil_n for_o a_o young_a and_o tender_a sect_n but_o this_o colony_n have_v no_o better_a success_n than_o that_o of_o brown_a for_o in_o a_o little_a while_n it_o be_v diminish_v by_o the_o fall_n away_o of_o several_a to_o the_o anabaptist_n who_o be_v excommunicate_v by_o the_o congregation_n they_o desert_v but_o the_o dissension_n that_o be_v raise_v among_o themselves_o afflict_v they_o yet_o more_o for_o g._n johnson_n have_v disoblige_v his_o brother_n wife_n by_o reprove_v she_o for_o the_o vanity_n of_o her_o apparel_n and_o cite_v a_o text_n of_o scripture_n for_o it_o when_o he_o be_v candidate_n for_o the_o place_n of_o a_o pastor_n in_o conjunction_n with_o his_o brother_n 1603._o g._n johnson_n discourse_n of_o some_o trouble_n etc._n etc._n 1603._o be_v require_v to_o recant_v his_o doctrine_n against_o fine_a clothes_n he_o on_o the_o other_o side_n draw_v article_n of_o impeachment_n against_o the_o busk_n stomacher_n and_o sleeve_n etc._n etc._n
say_v to_o be_v send_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n as_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n send_v john_n and_o peter_n to_o samaria_n 8._o act._n 8._o in_o like_a matter_n the_o church_n send_v barnabas_n to_o antioch_n 11._o v._o 11._o but_o now_o it_o seem_v they_o come_v from_o james_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n pass_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o bishop_n only_o although_o after_o this_o we_o find_v this_o style_n to_o vary_v again_o and_o sometime_o the_o church_n of_o such_o a_o place_n send_v to_o another_o without_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o bishop_n though_o the_o letter_n be_v pen_v by_o the_o bishop_n himself_o as_o the_o inscription_n of_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n do_v inform_v we_o and_o jastly_a as_o the_o authority_n of_o james_n appear_v by_o send_v to_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n so_o it_o do_v likewise_o from_o his_o speech_n in_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n where_o he_o seem_v to_o preside_v and_o determine_v the_o question_n in_o dispute_n 5._o act._n 5._o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n all_o this_o consider_v together_o with_o the_o testimony_n of_o hegesippus_n and_o clemens_n there_o can_v be_v as_o little_a doubt_n that_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n be_v settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o there_o be_v of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o express_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v without_o resect_v the_o most_o authentic_a record_n of_o church_n history_n it_o be_v to_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o leave_v so_o full_a and_o perfect_a account_n of_o the_o constitution_n and_o government_n of_o the_o first_o church_n as_o may_v be_v wish_v for_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o only_a scripture_n history_n of_o those_o time_n relate_v most_o the_o victory_n of_o christian_a religion_n how_o several_a city_n be_v convert_v by_o what_o miracle_n by_o what_o argument_n or_o exhortation_n but_o before_o the_o holy_a penman_n come_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o settlement_n of_o those_o new_a conquest_n he_o carry_v away_o the_o reader_n from_o thence_o to_o follow_v the_o apostle_n to_o some_o other_o place_n where_o they_o begin_v to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o another_o church_n thus_o we_o have_v no_o more_o notice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o samarid_a and_o of_o judea_n jerusalem_n except_v than_o that_o such_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o their_o government_n and_o constitution_n we_o be_v not_o the_o least_o information_n and_o the_o prospect_n leave_v of_o antioch_n in_o scripture_n be_v very_o confuse_v as_o of_o a_o church_n in_o fieri_fw-la where_o a_o great_a number_n of_o eminent_a person_n labour_v together_o to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o up_o but_o after_o what_o form_n do_v not_o appear_v but_o only_o from_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n ignatio_n eusel_n l._n 3._o c._n 22._o chronnon_n chrysost_n orat._n de_fw-fr ignatio_n who_o report_n that_o this_o church_n when_o it_o be_v settle_v and_o digest_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o evodius_n and_o after_o he_o to_o ignetius_n and_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n nevertheless_o we_o be_v not_o leave_v destitute_a of_o all_o light_n in_o this_o particular_a even_o from_o the_o scripture_n the_o history_n of_o st._n paul_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v by_o st._n â—â—ke_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o himself_o scatter_o in_o his_o own_o epistle_n inform_v we_o in_o some_o measure_n of_o the_o from_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n government_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n this_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n do_v common_o use_v this_o method_n inform_v those_o church_n he_o have_v convert_v as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o consult_v the_o citation_n in_o the_o margin_n when_o he_o come_v to_o any_o place_n where_o the_o gospel_n have_v not_o be_v preach_v and_o he_o do_v not_o affect_v much_o to_o build_v upon_o another_o be_v foundation_n he_o preach_v first_o in_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n 13.46_o rom._n 15.20_o 1_o cor._n 3.10_o act_n 9.20_o 13_o &_o 14._o act_n 13.46_o and_o if_o they_o reject_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n he_o turn_v to_o the_o gentile_n assoon_o as_o he_o have_v convert_v a_o competent_a number_n he_o take_v care_n to_o improve_v they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n 3.2_o 1_o cor._n 3.2_o and_o for_o that_o purpose_n teach_v they_o constant_o either_o at_o his_o own_o house_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o act_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o or_o at_o some_o public_a school_n as_o that_o of_o tyrannus_n or_o any_o other_o convenient_a place_n where_o a_o good_a number_n may_v assemble_v together_o these_o convert_v as_o they_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o same_o common_a doctrine_n and_o faith_n so_o they_o be_v to_o be_v perpetual_o unite_v by_o a_o communion_n in_o worship_n in_o prayer_n and_o the_o sacrament_n for_o it_o be_v not_o with_o the_o school_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o with_o those_o of_o this_o world_n 10.25_o acts._n 11.26_o heb._n 10.25_o which_o the_o disciple_n leave_v when_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o to_o have_v learn_v what_o they_o come_v for_o but_o there_o be_v a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o these_o scholar_n to_o assemble_v themselves_o together_o 2.12_o rom._n 12.5_o 1_o cor._n 12.13.12.22_o phil._n 2.12_o till_o they_o come_v to_o a_o perfect_a man_n which_o be_v not_o consummate_v till_o after_o this_o life_n nor_o be_v the_o relation_n between_o christian_n dissolve_v when_o the_o congregation_n be_v dissmiss_v fine_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d origâ—câ—â—â—_n â—â—s_o 1.8_o in_o fine_a but_o they_o be_v unite_v far_o into_o one_o society_n or_o corporation_n into_o a_o holy_a city_n under_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n their_o king_n and_o under_o apostle_n and_o such_o other_o officer_n of_o he_o and_o their_o appointment_n and_o so_o far_o to_o act_v and_o determine_v all_o thing_n within_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o appear_v before_o any_o heathen_a magistrate_n upon_o any_o difference_n but_o to_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o brethren_n or_o to_o the_o apostle_n under_o who_o direction_n they_o be_v thus_o far_o we_o may_v consider_v a_o church_n without_o any_o other_o officer_n than_o the_o apostle_n who_o convert_v they_o but_o their_o number_n increase_v in_o that_o place_n and_o much_o of_o his_o time_n be_v take_v up_o in_o dispute_v with_o and_o preach_v to_o unbeliever_n and_o gainsayer_n or_o this_o apostle_n be_v call_v away_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o other_o place_n 9_o act_n 9.29.17.17.19.8_o 9_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o ordain_v such_o church_n officer_n as_o may_v take_v care_n of_o this_o church_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o it_o 2.12.20.17_o 6.4_o act_n 14.23_o phil._n 2.12.20.17_o and_o other_o to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a lest_o that_o office_n take_v up_o much_o time_n may_v be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o those_o who_o be_v to_o guide_v the_o assembly_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n now_o this_o constitution_n do_v not_o take_v away_o the_o relation_n that_o be_v between_o this_o church_n and_o the_o apostle_n that_o found_v it_o and_o these_o officer_n act_v in_o subordination_n to_o he_o whether_o present_a or_o absent_a and_o st._n paul_n therefore_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o the_o apostle_n or_o bishop_n of_o the_o corinihian_o though_o he_o can_v not_o hold_v personal_a communion_n with_o they_o 15.36_o 1_o cor._n 5.3_o act_n 15.36_o for_o sometime_o he_o go_v a_o circular_a visitation_n to_o examine_v the_o state_n of_o those_o church_n which_o he_o have_v plant_v or_o if_o the_o distance_n and_o oceasion_n of_o that_o church_n where_o he_o reside_v or_o his_o imprisonment_n and_o other_o outward_a circumstance_n will_v not_o admit_v this_o personal_a visitation_n he_o send_v his_o letter_n and_o order_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v if_o any_o open_a scandal_n be_v permit_v he_o send_v his_o excommunication_n to_o be_v publish_v in_o that_o church_n whereof_o the_o offender_n be_v a_o member_n hieroâ—_n 1_o cor._n 5.3_o 4_o 5._o cum_fw-la meo_fw-la spiritu_fw-la quipro_fw-la i_o erat_fw-la praesens_fw-la sive_fw-la in_o mearum_fw-la literarum_fw-la authoritate_fw-la hieroâ—_n he_o judge_v as_o though_o he_o be_v present_a he_o order_v that_o when_o they_o be_v meet_v together_o in_o his_o spirit_n they_o will_v deliver_v the_o criminal_a to_o satan_n and_o because_o some_o of_o the_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n begin_v to_o set_v up_o themselves_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o apostle_n take_v advantage_n of_o his_o absence_n 2.5.19_o 1_o cor._n 4.18_o 19.9.1_o 2.5.19_o and_o use_v all_o mean_n to_o lessen_v he_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o that_o people_n he_o be_v force_v to_o assert_v his_o authority_n and_o to_o justify_v his_o title_n to_o let_v they_o know_v that_o he_o be_v their_o father_n their_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o
apostle_n which_o be_v those_o bishop_n he_o have_v give_v a_o catalogue_n of_o before_o and_o last_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n to_o who_o the_o apostle_n commit_v the_o government_n of_o those_o church_n they_o have_v plant_v he_o make_v they_o much_o ancient_a than_o those_o heretic_n that_o disturb_v the_o church_n and_o draw_v a_o argument_n from_o their_o apostolic_a institution_n and_o their_o constant_a succession_n in_o that_o office_n against_o those_o that_o bring_v in_o new_a doctrine_n tertullian_n make_v use_v of_o the_o same_o argument_n 42._o quapropter_fw-la eye_n qui_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la sant_z presbyteris_fw-la obandire_fw-la oportet_fw-la his_fw-la qui_fw-la successionem_fw-la habent_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n sicut_fw-la oftendimus_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la successione_n charisma_n veritatis_fw-la certum_fw-la acceperunt_fw-la l._n 7._o c._n 42._o and_o require_v of_o the_o heretic_n a_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o origen_n speak_v of_o bishop_n make_v they_o likewise_o to_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o their_o office_n tradiderunt_fw-la omnes_fw-la enim_fw-la two_o valde_fw-la posterieres_fw-la quam_fw-la episcopi_fw-la quibus_fw-la episcope_n ecclesias_fw-la tradiderunt_fw-la in_o short_a it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_n and_o aerius_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o epiphanius_n if_o not_o as_o a_o heretic_n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d origen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d c._n 1._o yet_o at_o least_o as_o a_o innovator_n for_o maintain_v a_o equality_n between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n for_o if_o the_o bishop_n be_v only_o the_o first_o presbyter_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v at_o that_o time_n that_o there_o be_v no_o original_a difference_n between_o the_o order_n 75._o haeres_fw-la 75._o epiphanius_n can_v not_o have_v observe_v this_o as_o a_o singularity_n in_o aerius_n therefore_o the_o common_a opinion_n then_o be_v contrary_a to_o this_o notion_n they_o must_v apprehend_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v the_o apostolical_a order_n derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o a_o succession_n first_o to_o those_o assistant_n we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o and_o from_o they_o to_o the_o succeed_v bishop_n i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o the_o testimony_n of_o theodoret_n who_o judgement_n and_o knowledge_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n be_v great_a than_o ordinary_a 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o also_o clemens_n be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o apostle_n by_o clemens_n alexand._n strom._n l._n 4._o he_o make_v bishop_n at_o first_o to_o be_v call_v apostle_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v call_v bishop_n and_o from_o such_o apostle_n as_o epaphroditus_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o philippi_n bishop_n be_v descend_v according_a to_o his_o opinion_n but_o that_o out_o of_o modesty_n the_o succeed_v bishop_n change_v the_o title_n of_o apostle_n for_o that_o of_o bishop_n and_o this_o for_o some_o time_n after_o be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o presbyter_n though_o the_o office_n than_o be_v manifest_o distinct_a all_o this_o consider_v i_o can_v but_o wonder_v that_o the_o conjecture_n of_o st._n jerom_n concern_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n against_o all_o the_o sense_n of_o antiquity_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o particular_a church_n concern_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n gather_v by_o eusebius_n shall_v obtain_v not_o only_o among_o the_o profess_a adversary_n of_o that_o order_n but_o even_o among_o many_o that_o retain_v it_o therefore_o for_o a_o further_a confirmation_n of_o what_o we_o have_v say_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o bishop_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o remove_v that_o prejudice_n which_o the_o authority_n of_o jerom_n have_v do_v it_o who_o have_v advance_v a_o singular_a notion_n in_o this_o particular_a which_o i_o shall_v first_o set_v down_o as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v and_o afterward_o examine_v the_o ground_n of_o it_o st_o jerom_n observe_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n use_v in_o scripture_n promiscuous_o and_o without_o distinction_n conclude_v 1._o idem_fw-la est_fw-la ergo_fw-la presbyter_n qui_fw-la episcopus_fw-la &_o antequam_fw-la diaboli_fw-la instinctu_fw-la studia_fw-la in_o religione_fw-la fierent_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la concilio_n ecclesiae_fw-la gubernahantur_fw-la postquam_fw-la vero_fw-la unisquisque_fw-la eos_fw-la quos_fw-la baptizaverat_fw-la suos_fw-la put_v a_o bat_n esse_fw-la non_fw-la christi_fw-la in_fw-la toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la unus_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la electus_fw-la caeteris_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la ad_fw-la quem_fw-la omnis_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la cura_fw-la pertineret_fw-la &_o schismatum_fw-la semina_fw-la tollerentur_fw-la hieron_n in_o titum_fw-la c._n 1._o that_o the_o office_n be_v not_o not_o then_o distinct_a but_o that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v but_o two_o name_n to_o signify_v the_o same_o order_n but_o when_o division_n be_v occasion_v in_o the_o church_n by_o this_o parity_n between_o the_o presbyter_n the_o church_n who_o be_v govern_v before_o by_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n for_o to_o remedy_v that_o evil_a consent_v that_o one_o shall_v be_v choose_v out_o of_o the_o rest_n who_o shall_v be_v set_v over_o they_o and_o be_v call_v more_o peculiarly_a their_o bishop_n to_o who_o the_o care_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n shall_v appertain_v that_o all_o the_o seed_n and_o occasion_n of_o schism_n may_v be_v take_v away_o but_o that_o st._n paul_n and_o the_o ancient_n make_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n this_o be_v in_o short_a the_o opinion_n of_o st._n jerom_n i_o will_v in_o the_o next_o place_n examine_v the_o ground_n of_o it_o evagr._fw-la apud_fw-la veteres_fw-la idem_fw-la episcopi_fw-la &_o presbyteri_fw-la erant_fw-la idem_fw-la ep._n ad_fw-la ocean_n cum_fw-la apostolus_fw-la perspicue_n doctat_fw-la cosdem_fw-la esse_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la quos_fw-la &_o episcopos_fw-la id_fw-la ep._n ad_fw-la evagr._fw-la it_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o allegation_n of_o jerom_n in_o defence_n of_o his_o opinion_n that_o it_o be_v ground_v chief_o upon_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n where_o bishop_n be_v call_v presbyter_n or_o presbyter_n bishop_n and_o then_o from_o the_o synonomy_n of_o the_o name_n conclude_v to_o a_o identity_n of_o the_o office_n and_o then_o he_o add_v one_o may_v perhaps_o think_v this_o to_o be_v my_o sense_n and_o not_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n 1.1_o phil._n 1.1_o let_v he_o read_v the_o apostle_n word_n to_o the_o philippian_n his_o salutation_n of_o that_o church_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n which_o he_o confirm_v by_o act_n 20.27_o 28._o heb._n 13.17_o 1_o pet._n 5.1_o and_o now_o suppose_v all_o this_o be_v grant_v that_o presbyter_n be_v call_v bishop_n and_o they_o again_o presbyter_n yet_o i_o be_o afraid_a it_o will_v hardly_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v the_o same_o and_o some_o of_o those_o text_n cite_v by_o st._n jerom_n be_v sufficient_a proof_n to_o the_o contrary_a for_o that_o of_o peter_n the_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n among_o you_o who_o be_o myself_o a_o elder_n 1.5_o 1_o pet._n 1.5_o if_o the_o reason_n of_o st._n jerom_n hold_v will_v prove_v likewise_o that_o apostle_n be_v no_o more_o than_o ordinary_a presbyter_n and_o if_o peter_n be_v but_o a_o presbyter_n we_o shall_v be_v at_o a_o great_a loss_n to_o find_v any_o bishop_n in_o scripture_n that_o be_v superior_a to_o presbyter_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n jerom_n cite_v those_o text_n of_o st._n john_n the_o elder_a to_o the_o elect_a lady_n 1_o 2_o john_n 1._o 3_o john_n 1_o the_o elder_a to_o his_o belove_a gaius_n which_o plain_o overthrow_v his_o argument_n for_o if_o a_o apostle_n be_v of_o a_o office_n superior_a to_o a_o presbyter_n proper_o so_o call_v and_o yet_o be_v call_v presbyter_n in_o scripture_n than_o bishop_n may_v be_v of_o a_o superior_a degree_n to_o presbyter_n though_o they_o may_v some_o time_n be_v so_o call_v or_o if_o it_o be_v reply_v that_o these_o presbyter_n again_o be_v call_v bishop_n it_o do_v not_o alter_v the_o case_n at_o all_o for_o so_o some_o messenger_n of_o church_n be_v call_v apostle_n as_o andronicus_n and_o junia_n who_o be_v of_o note_n among_o the_o apostle_n 16._o rom._n 16._o beside_o there_o be_v several_a of_o the_o father_n that_o observe_v this_o synonomy_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n as_o well_o as_o jerom_n but_o can_v not_o observe_v the_o necessity_n of_o his_o inference_n that_o therefore_o there_o be_v then_o no_o bishop_n but_o presbyter_n 1._o chrysost_n in_o ep._n ad_fw-la phil._n c._n 1._o chrysostom_n confess_v the_o title_n be_v confound_v but_o he_o take_v notice_n likewise_o that_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a title_n be_v so_o as_o well_o as_o these_o that_o bishop_n be_v sometime_o call_v deacon_n and_o that_o timothy_n be_v a_o bishop_n be_v command_v to_o fulfil_v his_o ministry_n or_o his_o deaconship_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nor_o do_v he_o wonder_v at_o this_o at_o all_o since_o in_o his_o own_o time_n the_o bishop_n when_o they_o write_v to_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n
make_v most_o for_o his_o defence_n and_o take_v that_o part_n which_o be_v most_o liable_a to_o exception_n the_o lead_a man_n say_v he_o lead_v we_o on_o as_o simple_a ignorant_a man_n that_o know_v not_o the_o cause_n and_o fright_v we_o by_o defame_v we_o as_o nestorian_a heretic_n thus_o mr._n b._n but_o the_o most_o considerable_a circumstance_n be_v omit_v for_o theodore_n say_v they_o be_v impose_v upon_o at_o first_o by_o such_o act_n as_o seem_v to_o speak_v favourable_o of_o flavian_n that_o afterward_o they_o be_v threaten_v by_o dioscorus_n his_o party_n not_o only_o make_v they_o of_o near_a kin_n with_o nestorius_n but_o add_v cut_v they_o in_o sunder_o that_o say_v two_o nature_n dividite_fw-la interficite_fw-la ejicite_fw-la cleave_v they_o kill_v they_o cast_v they_o out_o they_o be_v forty_o two_o of_o one_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o which_o make_v up_o that_o council_n who_o dissent_v from_o dioscorus_n and_o his_o party_n at_o first_o but_o can_v have_v no_o free_a debate_n and_o these_o with_o this_o violent_a usage_n be_v soon_o reduce_v to_o fifteen_o and_o they_o at_o last_o be_v force_v to_o subscribe_v a_o blank_a paper_n to_o save_v not_o only_o their_o church_n but_o their_o life_n and_o thus_o say_v mr._n b._n they_o cry_v they_o be_v fright_v 101._o p._n 101._o and_o sure_o they_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o be_v so_o such_o as_o though_o it_o can_v not_o justify_v they_o for_o act_v against_o their_o conscience_n yet_o may_v move_v pity_n in_o man_n that_o have_v any_o compassion_n of_o humane_a infirmity_n consider_v that_o they_o also_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o like_a let_v he_o that_o stand_v have_v a_o care_n lest_o he_o fall_v the_o egyptian_a bishop_n answer_v that_o a_o christian_a fear_n no_o man_n a_o catholic_n orthodox_n fear_v no_o man_n if_o man_n be_v fear_v there_o will_v be_v no_o martyr_n it_o be_v much_o easy_a to_o say_v than_o hold_v there_o have_v several_a go_v to_o discover_v themselves_o to_o the_o heathen_a judge_n with_o the_o intention_n and_o confidence_n of_o martyr_n 101._o p._n 101._o that_o be_v yet_o so_o fright_v as_o to_o renounce_v their_o religion_n before_o they_o come_v away_o upon_o the_o read_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o second_o council_n of_o ephesus_n it_o appear_v how_o thing_n be_v carry_v mr._n b._n make_v the_o best_a use_n he_o can_v of_o they_o to_o disgrace_v the_o bishop_n the_o first_o thing_n he_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v dioscorus_n his_o word_n anathematise_v any_o that_o shall_v contradict_v or_o retract_v any_o thing_n hold_v in_o the_o nicence_n synod_n there_o be_v a_o foul_a mistake_n for_o want_n of_o a_o little_a latin_a and_o a_o little_a ingenuity_n for_o dioscorus_n say_v not_o one_o word_n of_o contradict_v or_o retract_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a all_o the_o debate_n be_v whether_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a have_v explain_v the_o faith_n full_o so_o as_o to_o need_v no_o far_o authentic_a explication_n the_o synod_n be_v for_o this_o and_o will_v have_v no_o addition_n and_o let_v he_o be_v anathema_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o go_v beyond_o the_o bound_n give_v by_o the_o father_n and_o then_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v no_o man_n add_v or_o diminish_v dioscorus_n add_v what_o a_o fearful_a thing_n it_o will_v be_v to_o offend_v against_o god_n in_o this_o particular_a and_o that_o he_o be_v anathema_n that_o shall_v presume_v to_o examine_v or_o discuss_v or_o revise_v the_o faith_n agree_v on_o in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a or_o here_o the_o latin_a translator_n have_v indeed_o retractat_fw-la which_o mr._n b._n translate_v retract_v as_o if_o it_o be_v the_o recantation_n of_o what_o be_v do_v in_o this_o council_n that_o they_o provide_v against_o but_o the_o greek_a word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 32._o con._n labb_n t._n 4._o p._n 32._o examine_v of_o a_o thing_n anew_o and_o therefore_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v join_v with_o it_o so_o that_o as_o to_o this_o point_n they_o be_v all_o agree_v and_o so_o in_o the_o succeed_a council_n likewise_o that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o nicene_n faith_n but_o since_o new_a opinion_n be_v daily_o start_v they_o may_v examine_v whether_o they_o agree_v with_o that_o faith_n and_o do_v not_o direct_o or_o consequential_o destroy_v it_o and_o all_o this_o do_v not_o add_v any_o thing_n but_o only_o apply_v emergent_a case_n to_o the_o old_a unalterable_a rule_n here_o eutyches_n his_o confession_n at_o ephesus_n be_v read_v 18._o p._n 101._o sect_n 18._o say_v our_o author_n but_o as_o we_o have_v mention_v before_o in_o the_o council_n of_o c._n p._n under_o flavian_n it_o be_v only_o the_o nicene_n creed_n without_o those_o addition_n that_o it_o afterward_o general_o receive_v in_o opposition_n to_o apollinaris_n and_o macedonius_n etc._n etc._n how_o far_o this_o may_v secure_v the_o church_n from_o heresy_n the_o multitude_n of_o heresy_n that_o spring_v after_o whereof_o the_o great_a part_n will_v willing_o be_v try_v by_o the_o nicence_n creed_n do_v sufficient_o show_v eutyches_n add_v 101._o ch._n hist_o p._n 101._o that_o he_o cleave_v to_o the_o ephesine_n council_n and_o to_o cyril_n who_o preside_v disclaim_v all_o addition_n and_o alteration_n profess_v that_o he_o have_v himself_o copy_n in_o a_o book_n which_o cyril_n himself_o have_v send_v he_o and_o which_o be_v yet_o in_o his_o hand_n and_o that_o he_o stand_v to_o the_o definition_n of_o that_o council_n together_o with_o that_o of_o nice_n one_o may_v very_o well_o ask_v here_o what_o all_o this_o mean_n what_o be_v this_o that_o eutyches_n disclaim_v all_o addition_n to_o and_o alteration_n of_o what_o copy_n be_v these_o that_o eutyches_n have_v by_o he_o and_o what_o definition_n of_o that_o council_n do_v he_o join_v with_o that_o of_o nice_n here_o be_v nothing_o but_o nonsense_n and_o confusion_n the_o case_n be_v thus_o eutyches_n give_v the_o nicene_n creed_n for_o his_o faith_n and_o acknowledge_v the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n and_o cyril_n and_o far_o add_v that_o cyril_n and_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n pass_v a_o decree_n that_o nothing_o shall_v be_v add_v to_o the_o nicene_n creed_n and_o that_o he_o have_v a_o copy_n of_o that_o decree_n by_o he_o eusebius_n doryl_n give_v he_o the_o lie_n and_o say_v there_o be_v no_o such_o decree_n past_a the_o truth_n be_v such_o a_o thing_n there_o be_v and_o be_v still_o extant_a in_o the_o act_n of_o that_o council_n but_o not_o altogether_o to_o that_o purpose_n 689._o conc._n lab._n t._n 3._o p._n 689._o for_o which_o eutyches_n do_v mention_v it_o the_o design_n of_o that_o decree_n be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o nicene_n creed_n shall_v be_v the_o only_a public_a form_n and_o that_o no_o other_o be_v teach_v to_o such_o as_o be_v convert_v from_o jew_n or_o heretic_n or_o infidel_n but_o that_o this_o form_n shall_v stand_v unaltered_a which_o be_v no_o more_o than_o if_o we_o shall_v determine_v that_o no_o article_n shall_v be_v add_v to_o that_o which_o be_v call_v the_o apostle_n creed_n which_o be_v the_o common_a form_n of_o our_o solemn_a confession_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o no_o bishop_n or_o minister_n shall_v devise_v new_a form_n to_o be_v use_v in_o its_o stead_n this_o be_v the_o design_n of_o that_o decree_n and_o cyril_n can_v mean_v no_o otherwise_o for_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v teach_v new_a doctrine_n that_o may_v not_o be_v absolute_o contradictory_n to_o the_o express_a word_n of_o that_o creed_n yet_o he_o shall_v be_v condemn_v though_o he_o still_o own_a that_o confession_n of_o faith_n nestorius_n his_o case_n be_v of_o that_o sort_n and_o therefore_o the_o synod_n say_v 671._o con._n eph._n act._n 6._o t._n 3._o p._n 671._o that_o since_o several_a do_v shelter_v themselves_o under_o the_o general_n of_o this_o creed_n and_o put_v their_o own_o construction_n upon_o the_o article_n they_o be_v to_o be_v confute_v out_o of_o the_o father_n and_o so_o nestorius_n be_v condemn_v notwithstanding_o he_o profess_v to_o receive_v the_o nicene_n creed_n our_o author_n go_v on_o sect_n p._n 102._o sect_n and_o tell_v his_o reader_n when_o basil_n bishop_n of_o seleucia_n be_v reproach_v by_o dioscorus_n for_o have_v prevaricate_v and_o despise_v the_o say_v for_o the_o fear_n of_o man_n he_o make_v this_o answer_n if_o i_o have_v be_v call_v to_o martyrdom_n before_o the_o judge_n i_o have_v endure_v it_o 1._o act._n 1._o but_o he_o that_o be_v judge_v of_o a_o father_n use_v just_a mean_n it_o be_v the_o contrary_n which_o that_o bishop_n say_v justis_fw-la non_fw-la utitur_fw-la do_v not_o make_v use_n even_o of_o all_o lawful_a mean_n to_o vindicate_v himself_o after_o this_o the_o eastern_a bishop_n cry_v we_o have_v all_o sin_v we_o all_o crave_v pardon_n and_o
for_o speak_v of_o that_o abominable_a sect_n he_o have_v these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o e._n they_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o follower_n of_o nicolas_n the_o deacon_n do_v pervert_v a_o say_n of_o he_o that_o the_o flesh_n must_v be_v thuse_v that_o be_v keep_v under_o but_o these_o man_n like_o goat_n abandon_v themselves_o to_o all_o uncleanness_n understand_v and_o he_o to_o permit_v man_n to_o dishonour_v their_o body_n by_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o all_o their_o lust_n and_o the_o same_o author_n in_o another_o place_n give_v a_o more_o particular_a vindication_n of_o nicolas_n the_o deacon_n 3._o clem._n alex._n l._n 3._o say_v that_o carpocrates_n give_v out_o this_o story_n of_o he_o that_o he_o have_v a_o comely_a wife_n and_o be_v jealous_a of_o she_o for_o which_o he_o be_v reprehend_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o nicolas_n to_o acquit_v himself_o of_o this_o imputation_n bring_v she_o before_o they_o and_o offer_v to_o release_v she_o to_o any_o other_o that_o will_v marry_v she_o and_o that_o this_o action_n be_v suitable_a to_o his_o maxim_n which_o we_o have_v mention_v before_o whereupon_o clemens_n add_v that_o the_o nicolaitan_n as_o they_o call_v themselves_o follow_v this_o doctrine_n and_o action_n of_o the_o deacon_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d rash_o and_o without_o examination_n give_v themselves_o over_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o uncleanness_n and_o then_o go_v on_o to_o vindicate_v nicolas_n add_v that_o he_o have_v understand_v by_o tradition_n that_o he_o always_o preserve_v his_o faith_n to_o his_o wife_n inviotable_a that_o his_o child_n that_o he_o have_v by_o this_o wife_n be_v remarkable_a for_o their_o chastity_n and_o all_o die_v unmarried_a and_o conclude_v at_o last_o that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o instance_n of_o mortification_n and_o the_o word_n that_o those_o heretic_n insist_v upon_o so_o much_o mean_v nothing_o else_o 29._o hist_o eccles_n l._n 3._o c._n 29._o eusebius_n who_o cite_v this_o passage_n at_o large_a seem_v to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n and_o therefore_o say_v only_o that_o these_o heretic_n give_v out_o nicolas_n for_o the_o author_n of_o their_o doctrine_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o only_o crack_v and_o boast_v that_o it_o be_v so_o haeres_fw-la l._n de_fw-fr haeres_fw-la s._n austin_n speak_v with_o the_o same_o caution_n with_o eusebius_n and_o say_v only_o ut_fw-la perhibetur_fw-la permisisse_fw-la fertur_fw-la though_o he_o say_v eâ_fw-la qui_fw-la vellet_fw-la uteretur_fw-la it_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o common_a prostitution_n for_o carpocrates_n himself_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o she_o may_v be_v marry_v to_o any_o body_n that_o will_v have_v she_o theodoret_n follow_v clemens_n allow_v this_o relation_n about_o nicolas_n to_o be_v true_a fabâ—l_n theodor._n l._n 3._o haeret._n fabâ—l_n and_o excuse_n he_o by_o say_v that_o he_o do_v not_o intend_v serious_o to_o be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n but_o only_o to_o haffle_v those_o that_o accuse_v he_o of_o jealousy_n and_o at_o last_o conclude_v from_o hence_o they_o the_o nicolaitan_n be_v manifest_o convict_v to_o be_v impostor_n and_o false_o to_o call_v themselves_o by_o that_o name_n petavius_n do_v not_o know_v what_o to_o determine_v in_o this_o case_n epiple_n be_v epiple_n since_o the_o father_n be_v divide_v about_o be_v but_o i_o believe_v one_o need_v not_o be_v so_o scrupulous_a the_o whole_a matter_n depend_v between_o the_o authority_n of_o irenaus_n and_o clemens_n clemens_n be_v very_o particular_a and_o have_v examine_v the_o business_n it_o seem_v as_o far_o as_o he_o can_v the_o other_o speak_v general_o and_o perhaps_o look_v no_o further_a than_o the_o name_n nor_o can_v he_o so_o easy_o have_v a_o account_n of_o they_o as_o clemens_n can_v who_o live_v where_o the_o sect_n be_v most_o numerous_a carpocrates_n who_o be_v the_o father_n of_o it_o be_v a_o alexandrian_a beside_o the_o word_n of_o irenaus_n if_o they_o be_v examine_v do_v not_o positive_o affirm_v nicolas_n to_o have_v be_v the_o father_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n magistrum_fw-la habent_fw-la nicolaum_n be_v the_o word_n which_o may_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o that_o they_o hold_v he_o to_o be_v so_o if_o the_o greek_a copy_n be_v extant_a it_o may_v have_v give_v more_o light_n perhaps_o he_o say_v no_o more_o than_o eusebius_n do_v and_o the_o word_n may_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o boast_v that_o he_o be_v their_o master_n i_o be_o to_o beg_v pardon_n for_o this_o digression_n if_o it_o can_v relieve_v the_o memory_n of_o a_o person_n who_o the_o scripture_n intimate_v to_o be_v a_o man_n of_o honest_a report_n 6.3_o act._n 6.3_o full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o wisdom_n i_o be_o content_a to_o bear_v the_o blame_n of_o the_o impertinence_n but_o however_o it_o be_v it_o be_v some_o comfort_n and_o enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n that_o he_o be_v no_o bishop_n the_o gnostic_n have_v no_o bishop_n either_o for_o their_o founder_n or_o promoter_n that_o be_v yet_o know_v 3._o clem._n alex._n l._n 3._o carpocrates_n be_v no_o diocefan_n prelate_n but_o his_o sect_n pretend_v high_a indeed_o to_o something_o more_o than_o a_o bishop_n to_o a_o apostle_n they_o quote_v mathias_n for_o such_o another_o sentence_n as_o the_o nicolaitan_n do_v nicolas_n the_o deacon_n and_o will_v have_v persuade_v the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v his_o disciple_n cerinthus_n 6._o clem._n alex._n l._n 6._o ebion_n valentinus_n secundus_fw-la epiphanes_n isidorus_n ptolemaus_n marcus_n be_v they_o bishop_n what_o church_n do_v colarbasus_fw-la or_o heracleon_n or_o cerdo_v govern_v martion_n indeed_o be_v a_o bishop_n son_n but_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v of_o the_o clergy_n he_o be_v excommunicate_v by_o his_o own_o father_n for_o a_o rape_n and_o when_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v absolution_n turn_v heretic_n it_o be_v endless_a to_o reckon_v up_o all_o the_o heretic_n that_o give_v name_n to_o sect_n they_o be_v most_o of_o they_o breed_v up_o the_o scholar_n of_o other_o heretic_n and_o differ_v in_o some_o thing_n from_o their_o master_n set_v up_o for_o themselves_o and_o call_v their_o follower_n by_o their_o own_o name_n the_o 39th_o christian_a sect_n in_o epiphanius_n be_v that_o of_o the_o cathari_n or_o puritan_n and_o these_o be_v the_o first_o that_o we_o find_v start_v by_o any_o of_o the_o clergy_n novatus_n a_o african_a priest_n begin_v this_o sect_n i_o have_v give_v his_o history_n before_o and_o show_v how_o he_o seduce_v novatianus_n a_o roman_a priest_n etc._n epiph._n aug._n philastr_n etc._n etc._n or_o at_o leastwise_o join_v with_o he_o against_o his_o bishop_n theodotus_n who_o st._n austin_n call_v theodotion_n be_v a_o learned_a man_n indeed_o and_o orthodox_n at_o first_o and_o so_o be_v bardesanes_n syrus_n but_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v a_o bishop_n montanus_n become_v the_o author_n of_o a_o heresy_n because_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v the_o high_a place_n in_o the_o church_n and_o turn_v downright_o fanatic_a say_v he_o be_v the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o short_a the_o first_o heretic_n bishop_n that_o we_o find_v be_v paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la who_o succeed_v demetrianus_n in_o the_o bishoptick_a of_o antioch_n in_o the_o year_n 262_o chron._n euseb_n in_o chron._n &_o who_o fall_v into_o heresy_n in_o the_o year_n 267._o he_o be_v the_o 65th_o sect_n in_o epiphanius_n or_o the_o 45th_o christian_a heresy_n this_o paulus_n be_v a_o very_a ill_a man_n and_o teach_v dangerous_a opinion_n that_o christ_n be_v not_o god_n 30._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 30._o but_o though_o he_o be_v real_o a_o heretic_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o this_o heresy_n he_o be_v say_v by_o eusebius_n and_o the_o rest_n out_o of_o he_o to_o have_v learn_v this_o from_o artemas_n as_o he_o call_v he_o or_o artemon_n etc._n epiph._n etc._n etc._n as_o also_o from_o theodotus_n who_o begin_v to_o teach_v this_o doctrine_n and_o to_o gather_v he_o a_o sect_n under_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n by_o who_o he_o be_v excommunicate_v but_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la be_v say_v to_o have_v revive_v this_o heresy_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o but_o eusebius_n in_o the_o place_n before_o cite_v make_v it_o appear_v 30._o l._n 7._o c._n 30._o that_o the_o sect_n of_o artemas_n and_o theodotus_n be_v then_o in_o be_v for_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n in_o their_o synodical_a epistle_n send_v to_o several_a bishop_n where_o they_o desire_v they_o to_o receive_v domnus_n who_o they_o have_v make_v bishop_n in_o the_o place_n of_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la when_o he_o shall_v send_v his_o circular_a epistle_n and_o then_o speak_v of_o paulus_n deride_o say_v let_v he_o if_o he_o think_v fit_a write_v to_o artemas_n and_o let_v those_o that_o follow_v artemas_n communicate_v with_o he_o if_o they_o
but_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n endeavour_v to_o diminish_v the_o number_n by_o make_v a_o great_a part_n of_o these_o new_a convert_v to_o be_v stranger_n and_o to_o return_v home_n when_o the_o feast_n be_v over_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o the_o scripture_n give_v no_o countenance_n to_o this_o conjecture_n but_o say_v all_o those_o strange_a nation_n be_v 14._o be_v act_n 2.5_o 14._o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o original_a word_n incline_v most_o on_o this_o side_n but_o 2._o suppose_v they_o be_v some_o of_o they_o stranger_n yet_o how_o shall_v we_o be_v assure_v that_o they_o return_v home_o the_o scripture_n seem_v to_o say_v thâ—_n contrary_a 47._o contrary_a 47._o for_o as_o soon_o as_o it_o set_v down_o thâ—_n number_n it_o add_v that_o they_o continue_v stâ—â—â—_n fast_o in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o fellowship_n and_o in_o break_v of_o bread_n and_o in_o prayer_n they_o i_o e._n the_o three_o thousand_o in_o the_o verse_n go_v before_o beside_o there_o be_v no_o probability_n of_o their_o leave_v the_o apostle_n it_o be_v not_o suitable_a to_o the_o zeal_n and_o devotion_n of_o the_o first_o convert_v who_o despise_v all_o earthly_a concern_v and_o leave_v house_n and_o land_n and_o family_n for_o christ_n sake_n and_o these_o proselyte_n sell_v all_o and_o have_v all_o thing_n in_o common_a which_o take_v away_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o return_a home_n nor_o do_v the_o church_n cease_v to_o grow_v and_o multiply_v but_o proselyte_n come_v over_o every_o day_n for_o the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v but_o among_o these_o daily_a accession_n some_o be_v very_o great_a and_o remarkable_a for_o not_o long_o after_o we_o find_v no_o less_o than_o five_o thousand_o more_o add_v to_o the_o church_n at_o one_o time_n 47._o v._o 47._o many_o of_o they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n believe_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o man_n that_o be_v plain_o of_o those_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o believe_v be_v about_o five_o thousand_o 4.4_o act_n 4.4_o and_o beside_o these_o that_o be_v convert_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n favour_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o the_o magistrate_n dare_v not_o deal_v over_o rigorous_o because_o of_o the_o people_n 21._o v._o 21._o this_o general_a good_a disposition_n be_v improve_v by_o the_o apostle_n into_o a_o perfect_a conversion_n of_o great_a number_n for_o believer_n be_v the_o more_o add_v to_o the_o lord_n 5.14_o act_n 5.14_o multitudes_z both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n and_o the_o christian_a congregation_n be_v now_o so_o throng_v that_o they_o bring_v out_o their_o sick_a and_o lay_v they_o in_o the_o sreet_n that_o the_o shadow_n of_o peter_n pass_v by_o might_n overshadow_v some_o of_o they_o and_o now_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o the_o apostle_n to_o take_v the_o whole_a charge_n of_o it_o upon_o they_o for_o when_o the_o number_n of_o the_o disciple_n be_v multiply_v 6.1_o c._n 6.1_o their_o arise_v a_o murmur_a of_o the_o grecian_n that_o their_o widow_n be_v neglect_v and_o the_o apostle_n desire_v the_o multitude_n to_o choose_v seven_o man_n who_o they_o may_v appoint_v over_o this_o matter_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o will_v give_v themselves_o up_o continual_o to_o prayer_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o twelve_o it_o seem_v have_v enough_o to_o do_v in_o this_o particular_a for_o they_o declare_v that_o they_o can_v look_v after_o table_n but_o they_o must_v neglect_v their_o more_o peculiar_a duty_n 2._o â—_o 2._o leave_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o we_o do_v immediate_o find_v the_o success_n of_o this_o counsel_n 7_o â—_o 7_o the_o word_n of_o god_n increase_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o disciple_n multiply_v in_o jerusalem_n great_o and_o a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v obedient_a to_o the_o faith_n and_o now_o after_o all_o these_o accession_n 8.1_o act_n 8.1_o we_o find_v but_o one_o church_n in_o jerusalem_n a_o great_a persecution_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v raise_v against_o that_o church_n now_o what_o manner_n of_o church_n shall_v we_o imagine_v this_o to_o be_v a_o congregational_a one_o shall_v all_o those_o thousand_o make_v but_o one_o assembly_n for_o communion_n in_o prayer_n and_o the_o sacrament_n it_o be_v incredible_a there_o be_v no_o place_n large_a enough_o no_o hold_n they_o and_o consider_v the_o opposition_n that_o be_v make_v against_o they_o they_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v the_o use_n of_o any_o public_a meeting_n place_n the_o synagogue_n be_v take_v up_o by_o the_o jew_n and_o if_o we_o may_v guess_v at_o their_o bigness_n by_o their_o number_n we_o must_v conclude_v they_o can_v not_o be_v very_o capacious_a since_o in_o jerusalem_n there_o be_v as_o sigonius_n deliver_v from_o the_o record_n of_o the_o jew_n no_o less_o than_o five_o hundred_o and_o eighty_o mat._n car._n sigonius_n de_fw-fr rep._n heb._n l._n 2._o c._n 8._o lightfoot_a hor._n hebr._n cap._n 36._o prooem_n evang._n mat._n the_o number_n more_o general_o argee_v be_v four_o hundred_o and_o eighty_o in_o short_a the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n as_o it_o be_v represent_v by_o st._n luke_n must_v be_v grant_v to_o exceed_v the_o measure_n of_o one_o or_o two_o congregation_n and_o consider_v their_o circumstance_n may_v probable_o make_v up_o more_o than_o twenty_o congregation_n this_o church_n then_o in_o the_o singular_a contain_n more_o than_o one_o assembly_n be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o diocese_n govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o which_o peter_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o preside_v without_o do_v the_o pope_n any_o service_n to_o this_o the_o assertor_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n make_v several_a exception_n breath_n grand_fw-fr debate_n concern_v presb._n and_o independ_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o diss_n breath_n and_o mr._n b._n among_o the_o rest_n but_o so_o frivolous_a that_o i_o wonder_v after_o the_o answer_n make_v to_o they_o by_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o assembly_n any_o can_v be_v so_o obstinate_a as_o to_o insist_v upon_o they_o they_o except_o 1._o that_o the_o first_o three_o thousand_o convert_v be_v not_o all_o of_o jerusalem_n but_o return_v home_o after_o the_o feast_n be_v over_o but_o of_o this_o no_o other_o proof_n than_o that_o there_o be_v dwell_v in_o jerusalem_n devour_v man_n of_o several_a nation_n or_o as_o they_o render_v it_o sojourn_v and_o it_o be_v not_o very_o significant_a how_o we_o understand_v it_o since_o the_o scripture_n say_v express_o that_o they_o continue_v in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o fellowship_n but_o of_o this_o already_o 2._o that_o the_o five_o thousand_o be_v not_o to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o other_o three_o but_o include_v they_o there_o need_v no_o other_o answer_n to_o this_o than_o to_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o place_n which_o be_v clear_a enough_o of_o itself_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v on_o the_o cripple_n that_o sit_v in_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o sermon_n that_o second_v it_o be_v altogether_o occasional_a and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v the_o whole_a church_n then_o to_o be_v meet_v together_o in_o that_o place_n 3._o that_o in_o those_o country_n there_o be_v much_o great_a congregation_n than_o can_v be_v with_o we_o as_o some_o of_o those_o that_o follow_v our_o saviour_n who_o preach_v to_o myriad_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v offer_v because_o the_o air_n be_v more_o pure_a and_o thin_a that_o at_o charenton_n the_o congregation_n consist_v of_o many_o thousand_o this_o be_v manifest_o to_o trifle_v and_o to_o libel_v their_o own_o cause_n by_o reason_n that_o be_v impertinent_a or_o ridiculous_a 4._o mr._n b._n add_v they_o have_v better_a lung_n in_o those_o time_n and_o place_n he_o may_v have_v say_v as_o well_o that_o they_o have_v better_a ear_n and_o a_o quick_a hear_n or_o that_o they_o can_v understand_v a_o man_n meaning_n by_o his_o gape_n 5._o they_o say_v that_o this_o be_v the_o first_o church_n and_o under_o the_o join_a care_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n may_v soon_o arrive_v to_o the_o great_a measure_n of_o a_o church_n what_o be_v this_o in_o effect_n but_o to_o yield_v the_o question_n how_o they_o come_v to_o that_o number_n we_o see_v well_o enough_o but_o the_o thing_n contend_v be_v that_o their_o number_n do_v exceed_v a_o congregation_n beside_o they_o can_v be_v suppose_v so_o well_o to_o have_v multiply_v so_o very_o soon_o if_o the_o ministry_n of_o these_o apostle_n have_v not_o be_v divide_v and_o some_o preach_v in_o one_o assembly_n and_o other_o in_o another_o 6._o they_o say_v there_o be_v liberty_n till_o saul_n persecution_n and_o what_o then_o under_o that_o liberty_n the_o
upon_o the_o multitude_n say_v to_o be_v convert_v the_o number_n of_o apostle_n and_o extraordinary_a labourer_n common_o reside_v in_o this_o city_n the_o conjunction_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n under_o the_o common_a title_n and_o profession_n of_o christianity_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n be_v too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n especial_o before_o the_o place_n of_o assembly_n can_v be_v imagine_v very_o capacious_a and_o i_o believe_v mr._n b._n do_v not_o imagine_v such_o vast_a cathedral_n as_o paul_n to_o be_v very_o primitive_a ign._n orat_fw-la de_fw-la s._n ign._n but_o what_o ever_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o may_v be_v at_o that_o time_n ignatius_n his_o bishopric_a be_v never_o the_o less_o diocesan_n in_o its_o constitution_n and_o design_n or_o else_o chrysostom_n mistake_v one_o topick_n of_o his_o commendation_n he_o reckon_v five_o thing_n that_o be_v much_o to_o his_o honour_n whereof_o two_o bring_v he_o under_o suspicion_n of_o diocesan_n prelacy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o his_o authority_n or_o government_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n whereof_o he_o be_v bishop_n the_o first_o i_o suppose_v refer_v to_o his_o metropolitan_a power_n the_o second_o to_o his_o peculiar_a diocese_n but_o if_o this_o bishop_n be_v to_o have_v but_o one_o congregation_n what_o will_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n signify_v how_o many_o more_o will_v have_v the_o same_o honour_n with_o he_o or_o what_o so_o great_a difference_n be_v there_o between_o a_o full_a congregation_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o city_n and_o another_o as_o full_a in_o chelsey_n at_o leastwise_o what_o honour_n do_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n do_v the_o minister_n of_o that_o single_a congregation_n and_o now_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n where_o st._n paul_n preach_v for_o a_o year_n and_o six_o month_n upon_o a_o divine_a assurance_n of_o extraordinary_a success_n and_o that_o god_n have_v much_o people_n in_o that_o place_n 11._o act_n 18.8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o and_o where_o many_o effectual_o believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a where_o peter_n and_o apollo_n preach_v with_o that_o effect_n as_o to_o leave_v many_o disciple_n 3._o 1_o cor._n 3._o who_o call_v themselves_o by_o their_o name_n and_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o ephesus_n where_o a_o numerous_a church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v gather_v by_o st._n paul_n who_o preach_v there_o for_o two_o year_n and_o not_o only_o they_o that_o dwell_v at_o ephesus_n but_o all_o that_o dwell_v in_o asia_n 19.10_o act_n 19.10_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o considerable_a that_o the_o shrine-maker_n apprehend_v the_o ruin_n of_o their_o trade_n when_o they_o see_v and_o hear_v that_o paul_n not_o only_o at_o ephesus_n but_o throughout_o all_o asia_n have_v persuade_v and_o turn_v away_o much_o people_n 26._o v._o 26._o to_o pass_v by_o these_o and_o several_a other_o eminent_a church_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o diocese_n of_o rome_n as_o it_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v very_o uncertain_a who_o lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o this_o church_n though_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o before_o paul_n come_n there_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o only_o receive_v seq_fw-la rom._n 1.13_o 15_o 17._o &_o seq_fw-la but_o their_o church_n be_v very_o considerable_a for_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n write_v long_o before_o his_o come_n there_o as_o he_o himself_o witness_v say_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v speak_v of_o through_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o salutation_n in_o the_o end_n of_o that_o epistle_n he_o make_v appear_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n salute_v priscilla_n and_o aquila_n beza_n rom._n 16._o ostendit_fw-la congregationem_fw-la fidelium_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la nominari_fw-la hieron_n in_o lo_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d coetum_fw-la fidelium_fw-la nec_fw-la mirum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o tam_fw-la be_fw-mi plâ_fw-la civitate_fw-la distinctos_fw-la fuisse_fw-la fidelium_fw-la coetus_fw-la beza_n with_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o house_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v occasionly_a mention_v and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o several_a that_o be_v mention_v with_o all_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v with_o they_o may_v be_v the_o officer_n of_o several_a congregation_n for_o it_o appear_v that_o most_o of_o these_o be_v of_o the_o ministry_n and_o such_o by_o who_o mean_n the_o roman_n believe_v and_o that_o they_o be_v stranger_n come_v thither_o from_o other_o part_n where_o paul_n have_v know_v they_o hieron_n congregationem_fw-la vert_fw-fr eras_n istos_fw-la amat_n quos_fw-la satutat_fw-la intelligimus_fw-la ex_fw-la nominiâ—us_fw-la suiffe_fw-mi peregrinos_fw-la per_fw-la quorum_fw-la exemylum_fw-la atque_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la non_fw-la absurd_a existimamus_fw-la credidisse_fw-la roman_n hieron_n for_o as_o yet_o he_o have_v not_o see_v rome_n and_o this_o number_n be_v afterward_o increase_v considerable_o by_o the_o come_n of_o paul_n who_o convert_v some_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o afterward_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o whole_a year_n no_o man_n forbid_v he_o and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o this_o city_n may_v be_v far_o observe_v from_o the_o persecution_n of_o nero_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o they_o to_o death_n 15._o ingens_fw-la multitude_n hand_n perinde_v in_o crimint_n ineendii_fw-la quam_fw-la odio_fw-la bumani_fw-la generis_fw-la convicti_fw-la sunt_fw-la tac._n h._n l._n 15._o upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o have_v fire_v rome_n and_o the_o heathen_a historian_n say_v that_o they_o who_o confess_v be_v first_o lay_v hold_v on_o than_o a_o vast_a company_n be_v convict_v by_o their_o indication_n where_o by_o the_o by_o beside_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o sufferer_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o the_o word_n seem_v to_o be_v mistake_v general_o as_o if_o the_o christian_n some_o of_o they_o have_v confess_v the_o fact_n and_o accuse_v the_o rest_n lipsius_n thus_o understand_v the_o passage_n give_v tacitus_n the_o lie_n but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v they_o confess_v the_o fact_n but_o they_o confess_v without_o express_v the_o particular_n but_o what_o do_v they_o confess_v then_o if_o it_o be_v this_o crime_n that_o theâ—_n own_a themselves_o and_o charge_v other_o with_o how_o come_v he_o to_o add_v that_o they_o be_v not_o convict_v so_o much_o of_o this_o crime_n by_o this_o indication_n as_o by_o the_o hatred_n of_o all_o mankind_n therefore_o this_o confession_n be_v no_o more_o than_o own_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n and_o the_o hatred_n they_o be_v in_o make_v this_o sufficient_a conviction_n to_o these_o instance_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o some_o more_o considerable_a city_n 〈◊〉_d eccles_n hist_o l._n 2._o c._n 3._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o shall_v add_v only_o the_o general_a account_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o the_o success_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n immediate_o after_o the_o first_o discovery_n of_o it_o that_o present_o in_o all_o city_n and_o village_n church_n abound_v with_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v assemble_v and_o the_o granary_n of_o christ_n be_v fill_v up_o to_o the_o top_n with_o the_o wheat_n that_o be_v gather_v in_o hitherto_o i_o have_v observe_v chief_o the_o growth_n of_o christianity_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o there_o be_v in_o some_o city_n such_o a_o number_n of_o christian_n as_o can_v not_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o assembly_n for_o personal_a communion_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o must_v show_v in_o order_n to_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n must_v be_v that_o such_o number_n of_o believer_n make_v but_o one_o church_n govern_v by_o one_o bishop_n as_o to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o have_v show_v already_o from_o the_o most_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a writing_n that_o james_n the_o just_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o church_n i._n e._n of_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n nor_o be_v that_o tradition_n without_o ground_n in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o for_o st._n paul_n reckon_v james_n the_o lord_n brother_n among_o the_o apostle_n of_o that_o church_n 1.19_o sal._n 1.19_o though_o he_o be_v none_o of_o the_o twelve_o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o mention_n he_o as_o a_o person_n in_o eminent_a place_n and_o authority_n there_o one_o that_o have_v send_v several_a brethren_n to_o antioch_n before_o that_o certain_a brethren_n come_v from_o james_n 12_o â—_o 12_o here_o we_o find_v the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o alter_v in_o favour_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o hitherto_o the_o messenger_n who_o be_v send_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o be_v