meet_v with_o many_o bishop_n and_o find_v they_o all_o 22._o of_o one_o mind_n and_o teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o have_v give_v some_o account_n of_o clement_n epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n he_o add_v that_o the_o church_n remain_v after_o that_o in_o the_o pure_a and_o right_a doctrine_n until_o the_o time_n of_o primus_fw-la bishop_n there_o with_o who_o sail_v to_o rome_n i_o confer_v and_o abide_v many_o day_n be_v come_v to_o rome_n i_o stay_v there_o till_o the_o time_n of_o anicetus_n who_o deacon_n be_v eleutherius_fw-la who_o soter_n succeed_v and_o after_o he_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o all_o their_o succession_n and_o in_o every_o one_o of_o their_o city_n it_o be_v no_o otherways_o teach_v than_o as_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o lord_n himself_o preach_v this_o be_v a_o singular_a testimony_n of_o the_o sincere_a tradition_n not_o only_o of_o one_o or_o two_o or_o a_o few_o church_n but_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o as_o he_o describe_v the_o ecclesiastical_a succession_n every_o where_o so_o have_v he_o the_o rise_v and_o birth_n of_o heresy_n and_o particular_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o that_o james_n surname_v the_o just_a have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n his_o uncle_n simeon_n the_o son_n of_o cleophas_n be_v choose_v bishop_n be_v prefer_v by_o the_o unanimous_a vote_n of_o all_o because_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n kinsman_n and_o hitherto_o that_o church_n be_v call_v a_o pure_a virgin_n because_o as_o yet_o it_o have_v not_o be_v deflower_v with_o any_o false_a doctrine_n but_o thebalis_fw-la be_v displease_v that_o he_o be_v not_o choose_v bishop_n secret_o endeavour_v to_o debauch_v it_o from_o who_o spring_v those_o many_o heresy_n that_o he_o afterward_o reckon_v up_o and_o so_o have_v elsewhere_o describe_v the_o martyrdom_n 29._o of_o saint_n simeon_n he_o add_v until_o those_o time_n the_o church_n of_o god_n remain_v a_o pure_a and_o undefiled_a virgin_n for_o such_o as_o endeavour_v to_o corrupt_v the_o perfect_a rule_n and_o the_o sincere_a delivery_n of_o the_o faith_n hide_v themselves_o till_o that_o time_n in_o secret_a and_o obscure_a place_n but_o after_o that_o the_o sacred_a company_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v wear_v out_o and_o that_o generation_n be_v whole_o spend_v that_o by_o special_a favour_n have_v hear_v with_o their_o ear_n the_o heavenly_a wisdom_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n than_o the_o conspiracy_n of_o wicked_a and_o detestable_a heresy_n through_o the_o fraud_n and_o imposture_n of_o such_o as_o affect_v to_o be_v master_n of_o new_a and_o strange_a doctrine_n take_v root_a and_o because_o none_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v then_o survive_v they_o publish_v with_o all_o imaginable_a confidence_n and_o boldness_n their_o false_a conceit_n and_o impugn_a the_o old_a plain_a certain_a and_o know_a truth_n at_o these_o passage_n i_o must_v stop_v a_o little_a because_o though_o they_o be_v a_o great_a testimony_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o 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passage_n of_o hegesippus_n and_o the_o more_o ancient_a he_o say_v the_o tradition_n be_v after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o much_o the_o worse_o it_o be_v because_o from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o their_o dissolution_n the_o church_n be_v overrun_v with_o heresy_n and_o superstition_n so_o peevish_a be_v man_n against_o the_o honour_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n when_o they_o be_v sensible_a of_o their_o own_o apostasy_n from_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v all_o our_o innovatour_n agree_v in_o this_o one_o principle_n and_o that_o for_o this_o one_o very_o good_a reason_n because_o the_o ancient_a church_n if_o it_o be_v permit_v to_o give_v judgement_n upon_o they_o condemn_v they_o all_o for_o these_o man_n find_v error_n and_o corruption_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n instead_o of_o reform_v they_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o fall_v to_o contrive_v new_a model_n and_o body_n of_o divinity_n out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n and_o among_o other_o socinus_n dislike_a the_o calvinian_a theology_n as_o contrary_a not_o only_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n set_v up_o a_o new_a divinity_n of_o his_o own_o contrivance_n without_o ever_o inquire_v into_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o be_v advise_v of_o his_o fly_v so_o wide_o of_o it_o he_o together_o with_o his_o follower_n rather_o than_o part_v with_o their_o own_o fine_a new_a notion_n of_o which_o they_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v the_o first_o author_n and_o abettor_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o true_a and_o uncorrupted_a church_n ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o with_o what_o vanity_n and_o arrogance_n it_o be_v none_o of_o my_o present_a task_n to_o inquire_v only_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n i_o must_v reply_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a wide_a and_o i_o be_o sure_a very_o far_o from_o a_o civil_a inference_n to_o conclude_v that_o because_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n there_o be_v nothing_o else_o and_o they_o may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n have_v apply_v the_o objection_n against_o the_o apostolical_a church_n itself_o because_o then_o as_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o complain_v the_o tare_n be_v sow_v though_o it_o seem_v not_o so_o open_o and_o so_o impudent_o as_o afterward_o nay_o upon_o these_o term_n it_o be_v impossible_a their_o shall_v ever_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o pride_n and_o vanity_n among_o mankind_n there_o will_v be_v such_o man_n in_o all_o society_n as_o will_v be_v taint_v with_o their_o own_o idle_a dream_n and_o conceit_n and_o then_o rub_v their_o itch_n upon_o the_o common_a people_n but_o though_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o i_o say_v be_v not_o to_o be_v avoid_v as_o long_o as_o it_o consist_v of_o man_n yet_o they_o be_v never_o able_a to_o prevail_v but_o after_o some_o struggle_n for_o admittance_n be_v soon_o or_o late_a utter_o stifle_v and_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o tradition_n of_o the_o birth_n growth_n and_o death_n of_o heresy_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a that_o all_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n overwhelm_v the_o heretic_n with_o this_o one_o argument_n by_o convict_v they_o of_o apparent_a innovation_n and_o derive_v down_o their_o own_o doctrine_n from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o so_o that_o though_o there_o be_v heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o its_o apostolical_a tradition_n be_v never_o mix_v or_o taint_v with_o they_o but_o run_v down_o in_o a_o pure_a and_o clear_a channel_n by_o itself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o very_a childish_a as_o well_o as_o disingenuous_a objection_n against_o its_o authority_n that_o there_o be_v some_o man_n in_o it_o that_o will_v have_v be_v corrupt_v the_o purity_n of_o its_o doctrine_n but_o be_v never_o able_a to_o compass_v their_o design_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o pass_v undiscovered_a or_o uncontrolled_a that_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o account_n both_o of_o the_o man_n and_o of_o their_o opinion_n and_o their_o inconsistency_n with_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o new_a fangle_a conceit_n of_o our_o own_o present_a innovatour_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o danger_n of_o our_o swallow_v down_o old_a heresy_n together_o with_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n than_o there_o be_v of_o suck_v in_o their_o new_a one_o whilst_o we_o adhere_v faithful_o to_o that_o and_o thus_o have_v upon_o occasion_n of_o this_o particular_a passage_n of_o this_o ancient_a author_n clear_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n in_o
this_o way_n of_o conveyance_n be_v insist_v upon_o by_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o in_o justification_n of_o the_o catholic_n truth_n both_o against_o heretic_n and_o insidel_n thus_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n say_v irenaeus_n be_v spread_v 3._o all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o this_o every_o man_n that_o please_v may_v find_v in_o every_o church_n and_o we_o be_v able_a to_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v their_o successor_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n but_o because_o it_o will_v be_v too_o tedious_a in_o such_o a_o discourse_n as_o this_o to_o enumerate_v the_o succession_n of_o all_o church_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o those_o great_a ancient_a and_o famous_a church_n that_o be_v found_v at_o rome_n by_o those_o two_o glorious_a apostle_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n hereby_o to_o show_v the_o tradition_n of_o that_o faith_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v safe_o convey_v by_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n and_o i_o choose_v to_o exemplify_v this_o thing_n in_o this_o church_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o because_o of_o its_o great_a pre-eminence_n and_o resort_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o which_o account_n its_o tradition_n must_v needs_o be_v more_o public_a and_o better_o know_v the_o bless_a apostle_n therefore_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v the_o oversight_n of_o it_o to_o linus_n of_o who_o saint_n paul_n make_v mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n to_o he_o succeed_v anacletus_fw-la then_o clemens_n who_o familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o have_v their_o preach_v still_o sound_v in_o his_o ear_n and_o their_o tradition_n before_o his_o eye_n in_o who_o time_n there_o happen_v a_o great_a schism_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o allay_v which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n direct_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o they_o in_o which_o she_o exhort_v they_o to_o peace_n and_o unity_n rub_v up_o their_o memory_n of_o the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o set_v before_o they_o the_o fresh_a tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o he_o succeed_v evaristus_n to_o evaristus_n alexander_n and_o then_o sixtus_n telesphorus_n higinus_n pius_n anicetus_n soter_n and_o now_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o the_o twelve_o place_n from_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v a_o clear_a and_o a_o accurate_a account_n of_o the_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o that_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o understand_v how_o there_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v a_o bishop_n in_o it_o unless_o we_o begin_v the_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o this_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o tradition_n as_o in_o all_o other_o place_n so_o particular_o in_o that_o great_a and_o populous_a city_n and_o this_o very_a argument_n epiphanius_n insist_o upon_o against_o 27._o the_o carpocratian_o and_o let_v no_o man_n wonder_v say_v he_o that_o i_o so_o accurate_o and_o careful_o set_v down_o every_o single_a person_n in_o the_o succession_n because_o hereby_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n will_v evident_o appear_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v grant_v the_o succession_n it_o will_v be_v a_o pretty_a hard_a task_n to_o avoid_v the_o tradition_n and_o yet_o against_o that_o there_o lie_v only_o one_o poor_a exception_n viz._n that_o some_o ancient_a writer_n place_n clement_n in_o the_o first_o place_n who_o here_o stand_v in_o the_o three_o but_o that_o to_o pass_v by_o many_o other_o conjecture_n and_o especial_o a_o very_a probable_a one_o of_o epiphanius_n be_v clear_v by_o one_o that_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a and_o found_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o two_o church_n at_o rome_n one_o of_o the_o circumcision_n over_o which_o saint_n peter_n preside_v another_o of_o the_o uncircumcision_n found_v and_o govern_v by_o saint_n paul_n who_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n neither_o be_v this_o conjecture_n a_o little_a confirm_v by_o this_o very_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o a_o single_a church_n but_o as_o two_o distinct_a and_o those_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o though_o clement_n be_v immediate_a successor_n in_o one_o of_o they_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v the_o three_o in_o the_o other_o in_o that_o survive_v linus_n and_o cletus_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n wear_v away_o both_o church_n may_v natural_o unite_v into_o one_o body_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n other_o object_n to_o mud_n the_o succession_n that_o some_o writer_n place_v both_o cletus_n and_o anacletus_fw-la before_o clemens_n as_o if_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o late_a writer_n who_o sometime_o find_v these_o different_a name_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o ancient_a book_n conclude_v they_o different_a person_n but_o herein_o they_o go_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a writer_n themselves_o and_o particular_o of_o eusebius_n who_o account_n ought_v to_o be_v value_v beyond_o all_o other_o because_o he_o collect_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o archive_v and_o diptych_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o to_o which_o he_o particular_o refer_v in_o the_o 12._o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o real_a difficulty_n or_o labyrinth_n as_o to_o the_o succession_n and_o all_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v be_v only_o occasion_v by_o a_o easy_a and_o obvious_a mistake_n of_o some_o late_a writer_n against_o the_o more_o ancient_a and_o unquestionable_a authority_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v tertullian_n triumph_v over_o the_o heretic_n by_o challenge_v 32._o they_o to_o prescribe_v for_o their_o opinion_n from_o the_o beginning_n as_o the_o catholic_n be_v able_a to_o do_v for_o they_o the_o truth_n say_v he_o will_v appear_v from_o its_o antiquity_n that_o be_v true_a and_o deliver_v by_o the_o lord_n himself_o that_o we_o find_v most_o ancient_a but_o that_o be_v foreign_a and_o false_a that_o be_v bring_v in_o afterward_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n let_v they_o produce_v the_o original_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o describe_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o so_o derive_v it_o from_o the_o beginning_n as_o that_o the_o first_o bishop_n shall_v have_v succeed_v to_o some_o apostle_n or_o some_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n for_o in_o this_o way_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostolical_a church_n prove_v their_o original_a as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n will_v produce_v policarp_n place_v there_o by_o saint_n john_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n clement_n ordain_v by_o saint_n peter_n and_o so_o for_o all_o other_o church_n they_o show_v you_o the_o man_n that_o be_v settle_v in_o their_o episcopal_a office_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o convey_v down_o their_o doctrine_n to_o posterity_n and_o again_o this_o be_v the_o only_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n 36._o its_o possession_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o for_o this_o you_o that_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v more_o diligent_o after_o your_o salvation_n may_v travel_v over_o the_o apostolical_a church_n where_o the_o very_a seat_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n preside_v be_v still_o remain_v where_o their_o own_o authentic_a letter_n be_v still_o extant_a do_v you_o live_v in_o or_o near_a to_o achaia_n go_v to_o corinth_n in_o macedonia_n to_o philippi_n or_o thessalonica_n in_o asia_n to_o ephesus_z in_o italy_n to_o rome_n and_o this_o certain_o as_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o the_o innovation_n of_o the_o heretic_n so_o be_v it_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o it_o be_v so_o clear_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_o deliver_v down_o from_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o principal_a church_n be_v so_o accurate_o record_v by_o the_o ancient_n that_o it_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o as_o call_v in_o question_n have_v not_o some_o man_n be_v force_v to_o it_o only_o to_o justify_v themselves_o in_o their_o depart_n from_o it_o it_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n of_o all_o but_o especial_o the_o most_o famous_a church_n to_o keep_v a_o exact_a register_n of_o the_o name_n and_o the_o death_n of_o their_o bishop_n which_o they_o call_v diptych_n and_o though_o it_o be_v object_v that_o these_o record_n be_v now_o lose_v and_o so_o be_v
vigorous_a in_o their_o resolution_n can_v you_o think_v all_o this_o come_v to_o pass_v slight_o and_o by_o chance_n that_o man_n do_v not_o consider_v what_o they_o be_v about_o when_o they_o die_v for_o their_o religion_n that_o there_o be_v a_o conspiracy_n of_o sot_n and_o madman_n all_o the_o world_n over_o to_o undo_v themselves_o and_o throw_v away_o their_o life_n without_o so_o much_o as_o think_v what_o they_o be_v do_v it_o be_v endless_a to_o heap_v up_o all_o the_o testimony_n that_o may_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o primitive_a writer_n upon_o this_o argument_n when_o it_o be_v so_o know_v and_o confess_v a_o thing_n even_o by_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o religion_n so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o pliny_n letter_n to_o the_o emperor_n concern_v the_o christian_n the_o multitude_n of_o person_n of_o all_o condition_n which_o he_o say_v be_v so_o great_a that_o the_o temple_n and_o sacrifice_n be_v almost_o utter_o forsake_v and_o tacitus_n tell_v we_o of_o 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earth_n be_v at_o the_o great_a festival_n of_o pentecost_n when_o proselyte_n of_o all_o nation_n resort_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o who_o they_o preach_v in_o their_o several_a language_n and_o this_o be_v noise_v abroad_o that_o a_o few_o illiterate_a fisherman_n be_v all_o on_o a_o sudden_a inspire_v with_o the_o gift_n of_o speak_v all_o the_o language_n of_o the_o know_a and_o habitable_a world_n curiosity_n bring_v great_a multitude_n to_o hear_v they_o and_o when_o the_o multitude_n be_v convince_v of_o and_o amaze_v at_o the_o miracle_n than_o be_v it_o a_o proper_a time_n for_o saint_n peter_n to_o begin_v his_o sermon_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n and_o prove_v it_o by_o their_o own_o testimony_n this_o jesus_n have_v god_n 32._o raise_v up_o whereof_o we_o be_v all_o witness_n that_o be_v we_o that_o be_v as_o you_o see_v endue_v with_o this_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o speak_v all_o language_n in_o order_n to_o our_o preach_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n to_o all_o nation_n do_v here_o assure_v you_o that_o we_o be_v no_o less_o than_o eye-witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o main_a strength_n and_o efficacy_n of_o saint_n peter_n sermon_n it_o be_v the_o miracle_n that_o so_o soon_o convert_v thousand_o to_o his_o doctrine_n so_o again_o when_o it_o be_v blazon_v abroad_o that_o the_o famous_a cripple_n that_o be_v so_o well_o know_v to_o every_o boy_n in_o the_o city_n to_o have_v keep_v for_o so_o many_o year_n together_o his_o beg_a stage_n at_o the_o chief_a gate_n of_o the_o temple_n style_v beautiful_a because_o make_v as_o josephus_n inform_v we_o of_o corinthian_a brass_n be_v so_o 12._o miraculous_o heal_v by_o one_o of_o the_o company_n only_o by_o a_o word_n speak_v this_o can_v not_o but_o inflame_v their_o curiosity_n and_o every_o man_n be_v concern_v to_o satisfy_v himself_o in_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o a_o report_n
the_o table_n of_o the_o consul_n yet_o they_o be_v very_o careful_o preserve_v in_o those_o time_n and_o as_o easy_o consult_v by_o any_o inquisitive_a person_n as_o any_o other_o public_a record_n and_o be_v so_o by_o all_o learned_a man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o inquire_v into_o they_o or_o to_o convey_v the_o account_n of_o they_o to_o after-age_n and_o particular_o eusebius_n who_o as_o he_o make_v use_v of_o many_o other_o help_v and_o have_v all_o the_o other_o advantage_n of_o information_n will_v not_o want_v this_o that_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o satisfactory_a as_o himself_o 12._o particular_o inform_v we_o concern_v the_o succession_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o he_o transcribe_v it_o out_o of_o their_o own_o archive_v though_o set_v aside_o the_o information_n that_o he_o receive_v thence_o the_o history_n of_o the_o succession_n be_v sufficient_o preserve_v by_o other_o writer_n that_o of_o rome_n be_v already_o clear_v that_o of_o antioch_n be_v as_o clear_v only_o some_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o raise_v a_o dispute_n about_o the_o immediate_a successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n whether_o it_o be_v euodius_n or_o ignatius_n probable_o it_o may_v be_v both_o as_o it_o be_v at_o rome_n but_o if_o euodius_n be_v the_o first_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o his_o successor_n ignatius_n be_v a_o apostolical_a man_n and_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o he_o the_o succession_n run_v clear_a and_o undisputed_a down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o which_o eustathius_n be_v then_o present_a bishop_n be_v summon_v and_o as_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o eminent_a learning_n so_o he_o bear_v a_o considerable_a sway_n in_o it_o as_o for_o alexandria_n the_o succession_n run_v so_o clear_a there_o that_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o most_o sceptical_a adversary_n in_o this_o point_n dare_v so_o much_o as_o question_v it_o and_o indeed_o the_o succession_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o that_o church_n be_v so_o early_o and_o so_o uninterrupted_a that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n than_o it_o be_v for_o any_o learned_a man_n now_o not_o to_o know_v the_o succession_n in_o the_o see_v of_o canterbury_n from_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n to_o these_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o add_v many_o more_o if_o it_o be_v not_o too_o tedious_a but_o though_o i_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o a_o interrupt_a succession_n in_o any_o eminent_a church_n yet_o i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o two_o that_o next_o to_o those_o already_o mention_v most_o deserve_v our_o notice_n that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o athens_n a_o account_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o have_v from_o dionysius_n a_o learned_a 23._o man_n and_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o time_n of_o m._n antoninus_n as_o indeed_o we_o have_v of_o many_o other_o church_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o they_o as_o for_o his_o own_o church_n it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o demand_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o its_o succession_n when_o himself_o be_v so_o near_o the_o fountain_n head_n and_o have_v withal_o accidental_o let_v we_o understand_v his_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v transact_v there_o before_o his_o own_o time_n and_o particular_o by_o his_o account_n of_o saint_n clement_n epistle_n as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o athens_n he_o express_o affirm_v that_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n be_v their_o first_o bishop_n and_o after_o he_o mention_n publius_n and_o quadratus_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o unknown_a interruption_n in_o so_o short_a a_o interval_n this_o may_v suffice_v for_o a_o brief_a specimen_fw-la of_o the_o certain_a succession_n in_o the_o most_o eminent_a church_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o their_o undoubted_a tradition_n §_o xxix_o the_o next_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v to_o prove_v its_o more_o particular_a conveyance_n down_o from_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o great_a many_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n after_o 201._o he_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o discipline_n of_o several_a master_n and_o several_a sect_n acquiesce_v at_o last_o without_o any_o far_a search_n in_o the_o christian_a institution_n because_o they_o that_o preserve_v the_o tradition_n of_o this_o heavenly_a doctrine_n receive_v it_o immediate_o from_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n and_o paul_n the_o holy_a apostle_n as_o a_o son_n succeed_v a_o father_n and_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v bring_v it_o down_o to_o we_o plant_v those_o seed_n of_o doctrine_n which_o they_o derive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a good_a reason_n and_o become_v the_o wisdom_n of_o that_o learned_a man_n suppose_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a and_o that_o it_o be_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o succession_n itself_o in_o that_o the_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o with_o apostolical_a men._n as_o saint_n clemens_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o write_v a_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n receive_v with_o great_a veneration_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n value_v next_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o therefore_o read_v with_o they_o in_o several_a church_n but_o especial_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a next_o to_o the_o apostolical_a book_n so_o be_v it_o the_o most_o undoubted_a write_n of_o the_o christian_a 38._o church_n it_o be_v say_v eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d receive_v without_o controversy_n and_o it_o be_v cite_v by_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n a_o short_a time_n 23._o after_o who_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v then_o 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ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o have_v pass_v this_o epistle_n as_o undoubted_o genuine_a with_o a_o unanimous_a approbation_n now_o this_o suppose_v the_o own_n and_o the_o settlement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n it_o assert_n particular_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n and_o beside_o several_a other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n quote_v the_o first_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o the_o corinthian_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n prove_v its_o undoubted_a certainty_n by_o the_o testimony_n not_o only_o of_o himself_o and_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o above_o five_o hundred_o witness_n beside_o most_o whereof_o be_v then_o alive_a beside_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o great_a labour_n and_o martyrdom_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n in_o assert_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o great_a patience_n and_o constancy_n of_o vast_a number_n more_o for_o the_o same_o cause_n and_o this_o he_o speak_v of_o as_o a_o thing_n present_a let_v we_o say_v he_o consider_v the_o generous_a and_o worthy_a example_n of_o our_o own_o age_n through_o emulation_n and_o envy_v the_o faithful_a pillar_n of_o the_o church_n be_v persecute_v even_o unto_o a_o most_o grievous_a death_n let_v we_o place_n before_o our_o eye_n our_o holy_a apostle_n and_o so_o he_o proceed_v to_o the_o act_n and_o suffering_n of_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n now_o how_o can_v this_o have_v be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n if_o christianity_n have_v be_v a_o mere_a fable_n or_o what_o more_o unquestionable_a tradition_n can_v we_o have_v of_o its_o truth_n especial_o of_o the_o resurrection_n when_o he_o quote_v the_o gospel_n in_o which_o it_o be_v record_v the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prove_v by_o such_o a_o number_n of_o eye-witness_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o innumerable_a other_o that_o live_v at_o the_o