Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
duty_n character_n contain_v great_a 14 3 2.0902 3 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A35026 The naked truth, or, The true state of the primitive church by an humble moderator. Croft, Herbert, 1603-1691. 1675 (1675) Wing C6970; ESTC R225557 74,185 74

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

restrain_v and_o chastise_v disorderly_a pastor_n just_o so_o when_o whole_a nation_n be_v convert_v and_o not_o only_o the_o pastor_n but_o the_o bishop_n also_o who_o have_v oversight_n of_o the_o pastor_n increase_v in_o number_n then_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n it_o be_v think_v fit_a there_o shall_v be_v a_o overseer_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o be_v call_v a_o archbishop_n when_o the_o arch_a bishop_n be_v multiply_v than_o another_o set_n over_o they_o and_o he_o call_v a_o patriarch_n and_o at_o last_o one_o over_o the_o patriarch_n and_o he_o call_v papa_n a_o pope_n catexochen_n though_o papa_n before_o be_v a_o name_n attrribute_v to_o other_o bishop_n now_o as_o pope_n patriarch_n archbishop_n bishop_n be_v all_o one_o and_o the_o same_o order_n papist_n themselves_o grant_v this_o so_o bishop_n elder_n presbyter_n priest_n all_o one_o and_o the_o same_o only_o one_o of_o these_o set_v over_o the_o rest_n and_o he_o now_o particular_o call_v episcopus_fw-la that_o be_v bishop_n catexochen_n because_o he_o oversee_v the_o overseer_n but_o this_o last_o constitution_n only_o be_v apostolical_a the_o other_o of_o archbishop_n patriarch_n pope_n be_v mere_a humane_a not_o at_o all_o mention_v in_o scripture_n but_o now_o another_o objection_n arise_v petavius_n grant_v that_o all_o the_o elder_n which_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v be_v bishop_n and_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o apostle_n day_n they_o set_v some_o eminent_a among_o they_o over_o the_o rest_n to_o govern_v and_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n as_o timothy_n and_o titus_n and_o these_o elder_n in_o every_o city_n be_v bishop_n and_o thus_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o church_n with_o bishop_n only_o and_o deacon_n and_o this_o be_v evident_a by_o what_o i_o bring_v before_o out_o of_o clemens_n who_o live_v after_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o mention_n only_a bishop_n and_o deacon_n leave_v by_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v so_o i_o desire_v to_o know_v who_o after_o the_o apostle_n day_n begin_v this_o new_a kind_n of_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n or_o elder_n not_o bishop_n the_o apostle_n ordain_v none_o such_o who_o then_o and_o by_o what_o authority_n be_v this_o new_a order_n set_v up_o the_o scripture_n mention_n it_o not_o when_o and_o by_o who_o come_v it_o in_o a_o very_a bold_a undertake_n without_o scripture_n or_o apostolical_a practice_n i_o will_v not_o boast_v my_o conceit_n as_o petavius_n do_v he_o only_o i_o wish_v the_o reader_n to_o consider_v which_o be_v most_o practical_a most_o rational_a or_o rather_o most_o scriptural_a thereon_o i_o frame_v this_o will_v fabric_n as_o the_o rock_n and_o only_o sure_a foundation_n humane_a brain_n be_v too_o weak_a to_o erect_v and_o to_o support_v the_o fabric_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o the_o romanist_n have_v make_v a_o very_a babel_n with_o their_o humane_a invention_n and_o multiply_v character_n and_o order_n some_o of_o they_o will_v have_v nine_o several_a holy_a order_n in_o god_n church_n militant_a here_o on_o earth_n because_o there_o be_v nine_o several_a order_n of_o celestial_a spirit_n in_o the_o church_n triumphant_a in_o heaven_n this_o be_v a_o castle_n of_o their_o own_o build_n in_o the_o air_n a_o rare_a foundation_n for_o god_n church_n other_o will_v have_v seven_o several_a order_n and_o character_n as_o seven_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v the_o holy_a ghost_n then_o but_o seven_o several_a gift_n to_o confer_v on_o man_n st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 12._o count_n unto_o we_o nine_o not_o as_o if_o these_o be_v all_o but_o only_o for_o example_n sake_n to_o show_v we_o that_o many_o and_o divers_a gift_n be_v confer_v on_o we_o by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o same_o chapter_n he_o mention_n eight_o these_o thing_n be_v utter_v accidental_o according_a to_o the_o occasion_n not_o as_o limit_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o any_o set_a number_n but_o if_o you_o will_v further_o look_v into_o their_o application_n of_o these_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o see_v to_o what_o kind_n of_o several_a order_n they_o appropriate_v they_o it_o will_v make_v a_o man_n amaze_v to_o see_v sober_a learned_a man_n even_o that_o great_a wit_n and_o scholar_n aquinas_n discourse_n in_o such_o wild_a manner_n as_o do_v you_o but_o stand_v behind_o a_o curtain_n to_o hear_v and_o not_o see_v they_o you_o doubtless_o will_v conclude_v you_o hear_v some_o old_a woman_n in_o the_o nursery_n tell_v her_o dream_n to_o child_n rather_o than_o divine_a doctor_n in_o school_n i_o will_v name_v but_o one_o or_o two_o of_o their_o order_n the_o porter_n of_o the_o church_n door_n be_v one_o and_o he_o forsooth_o have_v a_o sacred_a character_n imprint_v on_o his_o soul_n and_o his_o gift_n be_v the_o discern_a of_o spirit_n that_o he_o may_v judge_v who_o be_v fit_a to_o enter_v into_o god_n church_n who_o to_o be_v shut_v out_o another_o of_o their_o order_n be_v that_o of_o acolouthi_o who_o be_v now_o ancient_o they_o be_v quite_o another_o thing_n certain_a boy_n carry_v torch_n and_o attend_v on_o the_o bishop_n say_v mass_n these_o have_v their_o character_n also_o and_o their_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v the_o interpretation_n of_o tongue_n signify_v no_o doubt_n on_o it_o by_o the_o light_n in_o their_o hand_n but_o understand_v no_o more_o of_o tongue_n than_o the_o stick_n of_o their_o torch_n i_o will_v not_o weary_v you_o with_o more_o of_o their_o absurdity_n our_o episcopal_a divine_n reject_v these_o chimerical_a fancy_n of_o order_n and_o character_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v a_o certain_a faculty_n and_o power_n confer_v by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o hand_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o ministerial_a duty_n and_o according_a to_o this_o purpose_n the_o superior_a order_n contain_v the_o inferior_a as_o the_o great_a power_n contain_v in_o it_o the_o less_o thus_o episcopacy_n be_v the_o superior_a order_n contain_v in_o it_o priesthood_n and_o deaconship_n these_o three_o be_v their_o suppose_a distinct_a order_n they_o may_v suppose_v this_o if_o they_o please_v and._n i_o may_v suppose_v the_o contrary_a but_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v on_o what_o scripture_n they_o ground_n this_o discourse_n that_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o still_o require_v and_o there_o we_o find_v no_o large_a faculty_n or_o power_n give_v to_o bishop_n but_o rather_o to_o presbyter_n as_o i_o have_v show_v the_o apostle_n who_o have_v the_o great_a power_n be_v style_v presbyter_n not_o bishop_n and_o when_o our_o bishop_n do_v ordain_v presbyter_n do_v not_o they_o use_v the_o very_a same_o form_n of_o word_n which_o our_o saviour_n use_v when_o he_o ordain_v the_o apostle_n receive_v you_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o sin_n you_o forgive_v they_o be_v forgive_v etc._n etc._n do_v they_o not_o then_o by_o the_o same_o word_n conser_fw-fr the_o same_o power_n for_o i_o hope_v they_o use_v no_o equivocation_n nor_o mental_a reservation_n if_o the_o power_n be_v the_o same_o the_o order_n be_v the_o same_o by_o their_o own_o rule_n again_o let_v we_o examine_v their_o own_o practice_n do_v they_o not_o require_v a_o man_n shall_v be_v ordain_v first_o deacon_n before_o he_o be_v ordain_v priest_n and_o priest_n before_o bishop_n what_o need_v this_o if_o the_o superior_a contain_v the_o inferior_a but_o in_o scripture_n we_o find_v it_o otherwise_o timothy_n who_o long_o officiate_v under_o st._n paul_n as_o a_o presbyter_n when_o he_o be_v leave_v at_o ephesus_n and_o so_o when_o titus_n be_v leave_v at_o crect_n both_o to_o be_v bishop_n we_o find_v no_o new_a ordination_n be_v this_o requisite_a sure_o the_o scripture_n will_v have_v give_v we_o at_o least_o some_o hint_n of_o it_o but_o not_o one_o tittle_n there_o but_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v defective_a in_o expression_n you_o will_v supply_v it_o by_o the_o expression_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o first_o succeed_v age_n before_o you_o go_v on_o and_o take_v much_o pain_n to_o show_v i_o this_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o tell_v you_o that_o i_o shall_v not_o easy_o recede_v from_o scripture_n in_o fundamental_o either_o of_o faith_n or_o church-discipline_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a of_o themselves_o or_o in_o more_o weighty_a matter_n very_o doubtful_o express_a in_o scripture_n i_o shall_v always_o most_o ready_o submit_v to_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o universal_a church_n i_o require_v both_o primitive_a and_o universal_a for_o i_o show_v before_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n there_o be_v some_o error_n very_o primitive_a yet_o not_o continue_v by_o the_o universal_a church_n but_o reject_v in_o succeed_a age_n and_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o evangelical_n reformation_n by_o luther_n melancton_n calvin_n etc._n etc._n i_o can_v show_v some_o error_n general_o receive_v in_o most_o if_o
unless_o the_o bishop_n receive_v a_o new_a commission_n to_o ordain_v as_o well_o as_o a_o new_a ordination_n if_o it_o be_v answer_v that_o these_o chorepiscopi_fw-la be_v mere_a priest_n send_v forth_o to_o have_v inspection_n only_o over_o other_o priest_n then_o i_o pray_v observe_v that_o these_o chorepiscopi_fw-la be_v mere_a priest_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o ordain_v other_o priest_n which_o certain_o have_v be_v madness_n for_o they_o to_o do_v have_v they_o then_o such_o a_o belief_n of_o bishop_n as_o be_v now_o require_v they_o may_v as_o well_o have_v undertake_v to_o create_v star_n in_o the_o heaven_n for_o if_o bishop_n only_o have_v receive_v a_o divine_a power_n from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o ordain_v priest_n he_o that_o have_v not_o this_o divine_a power_n of_o ordination_n can_v no_o more_o ordain_v a_o priest_n than_o a_o man_n without_o the_o divine_a power_n of_o creation_n can_v create_v a_o star_n both_o be_v impossible_a in_o nature_n from_o whence_o it_o must_v follow_v that_o these_o country_n bishop_n be_v direct_o mad_a in_o undertake_v to_o ordain_v priest_n have_v receive_v no_o such_o divine_a power_n from_o christ_n his_o apostle_n or_o their_o successor_n but_o if_o we_o take_v these_o country_n bishop_n for_o sober_a godly_a person_n in_o their_o right_a wit_n as_o doubtless_o they_o be_v be_v select_v for_o that_o office_n they_o must_v needs_o believe_v that_o be_v priest_n alone_o they_o have_v power_n to_o ordain_v other_o priest_n and_o also_o believe_v that_o the_o bishop_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n and_o governor_n in_o their_o little_a circuit_n they_o have_v also_o receive_v thereby_o commission_n to_o ordain_v as_o well_o as_o to_o govern_v and_o be_v as_o little_a bishop_n under_o a_o archbishop_n for_o such_o real_o they_o be_v so_o that_o i_o can_v in_o charity_n censure_v they_o so_o much_o as_o of_o contumacy_n in_o take_v upon_o they_o more_o than_o they_o think_v at_o least_o they_o have_v commission_n to_o act_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o chief_a bishop_n will_v be_v wary_a enough_o not_o to_o employ_v any_o contumacious_a person_n i_o conclude_v then_o first_o that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o mere_a mistake_n a_o easy_a and_o pardonable_a mistake_n of_o their_o commission_n second_o that_o in_o those_o time_n it_o be_v not_o think_v a_o impossible_a thing_n for_o bare_a priest_n no_o bishop_n to_o ordain_v other_o priest_n for_o then_o certain_o they_o will_v never_o have_v undertake_v it_o and_o i_o confess_v myself_o of_o their_o opinion_n and_o can_v but_o so_o continue_v till_o i_o see_v more_o reason_n to_o the_o contrary_n and_o i_o hope_v my_o reader_n will_v see_v what_o weak_a proof_n be_v bring_v for_o this_o distinction_n and_o superiority_n of_o order_n no_o scripture_n no_o primitive_a general_n council_n no_o general_a consent_n of_o primitive_a doctor_n and_o father_n no_o not_o one_o primitive_a father_n of_o note_n speak_v particular_o and_o home_o to_o our_o purpose_n only_o a_o touch_n of_o epiphanius_n and_o st._n austin_n upon_o aerius_n the_o arrian_n heretic_n but_o not_o declare_v no_o not_o by_o they_o a_o heretic_n in_o this_o particular_a of_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o i_o myself_o declare_v more_o particular_o against_o he_o then_o these_o father_n do_v accuse_v he_o of_o heresy_n in_o part_n of_o his_o affirmation_n concern_v bishop_n though_o not_o in_o every_o part_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o business_n by_o give_v my_o poor_a judgement_n draw_v from_o the_o precede_a argument_n i_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o the_o priesthood_n be_v a_o holy_a order_n into_o which_o no_o man_n be_v to_o thrust_v himself_o unless_o he_o be_v call_v i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o deaconship_n have_v a_o inferior_a part_n in_o it_o or_o episcopacy_n above_o it_o but_o that_o it_o be_v complete_a and_o entire_a in_o itself_o and_o that_o it_o may_v involve_v many_o administrrtion_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o order_n and_o sometime_o many_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o person_n st._n john_n be_v a_o apostle_n a_o evangelist_n a_o prophet_n a_o pastor_n a_o teacher_n a_o ordainer_n which_o we_o call_v bishop_n all_o these_o gift_n he_o have_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o priesthood_n christ_n himself_o be_v of_o this_o order_n a_o priest_n for_o ever_o after_o the_o order_n of_o melcbisedek_n that_o be_v both_o king_n and_o priest_n these_o be_v his_o office_n he_o be_v call_v also_o the_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n be_v this_o in_o christ_n a_o distinct_a and_o superior_a office_n or_o order_n to_o his_o priesthood_n who_o will_v presume_v to_o affirm_v this_o and_o christ_n tell_v his_o apostle_n as_o my_o father_n send_v i_o so_o send_v i_o you_o christ_n therefore_o make_v they_o also_o king_n and_o priest_n as_o st._n john_n tell_v we_o rev._n 1_o our_o saviour_n kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n no_o more_o be_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n our_o saviour_n office_n of_o priest_n and_o bishop_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o so_o be_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o they_o ordain_v and_o send_v other_o as_o christ._n ordain_v and_o send_v they_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n or_o diversity_n of_o order_n in_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o more_o be_v there_o in_o those_o who_o be_v ordain_v and_o send_v by_o the_o apostle_n though_o there_o may_v be_v diversity_n of_o gift_n or_o administration_n all_o be_v not_o evangelist_n nor_o prophet_n some_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n some_o of_o prophecy_n some_o of_o miracle_n some_o of_o discern_a spirit_n and_o some_o such_o gift_n i_o conceive_v they_o may_v have_v who_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v superintendent_n overseer_n bishop_n over_o the_o rest_n endue_v especial_o with_o the_o gift_n of_o discern_v and_o judge_v of_o man_n and_o therefore_o fit_a to_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o ordain_v of_o other_o for_o which_o there_o need_v no_o new_a order_n but_o the_o enlargement_n only_o of_o their_o commission_n to_o ordain_v to_o oversee_v and_o govern_v those_o that_o be_v ordain_v and_o these_o as_o i_o say_v before_o be_v settle_v in_o this_o eminent_a manner_n over_o the_o rest_n be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n in_o greek_a which_o signify_v as_o much_o and_o which_o we_o in_o english_a call_v bishop_n and_o by_o degree_n this_o name_n be_v whole_o appropriate_v to_o they_o in_o this_o order_n the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o church_n at_o their_o death_n and_o in_o this_o order_n their_o successor_n continue_v it_o as_o in_o duty_n sure_o they_o ought_v from_o time_n to_o time_n near_o one_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o year_n without_o any_o interruption_n wherefore_o for_o any_o to_o alter_v this_o way_n of_o government_n or_o to_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o ordain_v not_o be_v choose_v this_o way_n to_o it_o they_o will_v be_v guilty_a of_o great_a rashness_n and_o high_a presumption_n and_o i_o thank_v god_n i_o be_o as_o zealous_a for_o the_o preserve_v this_o primitive_a way_n as_o any_o man_n yet_o i_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n consent_v to_o they_o who_o will_v have_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v a_o distinct_a order_n for_o the_o reason_n before_o give_v nor_o can_v i_o think_v the_o ordination_n of_o a_o priest_n make_v by_o priest_n invalid_a for_o though_o it_o ought_v not_o be_v do_v but_o only_o of_o necessity_n yet_o be_v do_v it_o be_v valid_a and_o certain_o may_v without_o any_o crime_n be_v do_v by_o any_o priest_n by_z shipwrak_fw-mi or_o any_o such_o chance_n cast_v into_o a_o country_n where_o there_o be_v none_o commissionated_a to_o ordain_v in_o such_o a_o case_n he_o may_v and_o ought_v to_o ordain_v other_o fit_a person_n for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n for_o who_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o substance_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o ceremony_n and_o as_o st._n paul_n approve_v of_o the_o preach_a of_o christ_n out_o of_o envy_n rather_o than_o no_o preach_v so_o doubtless_o to_o ordain_v out_o of_o order_n be_v better_a than_o no_o ordination_n and_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v deprive_v of_o preach_v pray_v and_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n and_o all_o other_o pastoral_n duty_n so_o great_a necessity_n may_v well_o excuse_v any_o irregularity_n yet_o where_o order_n can_v possible_o be_v observe_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v for_o god_n be_v the_o god_n of_o order_n wherefore_o he_o that_o wilful_o transgress_v against_o order_n transgress_v against_o god_n and_o shall_v receive_v to_o himself_o damnation_n for_o if_o to_o resist_v the_o ordinance_n of_o man_n only_o in_o humane_a and_o temporal_a thing_n be_v damnation_n much_o more_o be_v it_o to_o resist_v a_o apostolic_a ordinance_n in_o thing_n spiritual_a and_o divine_a concern_v deacon_n have_v thus_o state_v and_o unite_v the_o two_o pretend_a distinct_a
when_o able_a and_o holy_a bishop_n be_v elect_v and_o therefore_o reverence_v and_o obey_v in_o all_o spiritual_a matter_n by_o the_o great_a as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o least_o these_o diligent_o and_o public_o before_o the_o congregation_n at_o set-time_n in_o the_o year_n chief_o at_o easter_n examine_v all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n from_o infidelity_n that_o year_n and_o all_o those_o who_o baptize_v in_o the_o faith_n desire_a admittance_n to_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o upon_o approbation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o bishop_n fit_a person_n only_o be_v public_o baptise_a by_o he_o and_o at_o the_o church_n door_n assoon_o as_o church_n be_v build_v where_o the_o baptistery_n be_v place_v and_o then_o bring_v into_o the_o church_n and_o admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o no_o inferior_a minister_n do_v either_o baptize_v or_o administer_v the_o holy_a communion_n unless_o it_o be_v by_o the_o bishop_n order_n on_o urgent_a occasion_n these_o thing_n be_v very_o well_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a who_o be_v conversant_a in_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n just_o in_o martyr_n tertullian_n cyprian_n and_o other_o succeed_a writer_n and_o in_o short_a nothing_o be_v door_n of_o any_o moment_n as_o be_v plain_a in_o ignatius_n but_o by_o the_o bishop_n direction_n but_o at_o length_n the_o number_n of_o christian_n grow_v great_a and_o multitude_n of_o child_n daily_o bear_v and_o a_o opinion_n grow_v up_o also_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o child_n not_o only_o to_o be_v baptize_v but_o also_o to_o receive_v the_o holy_a communion_n before_o death_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o bishop_n to_o be_v at_o hand_n to_o perform_v all_o or_o to_o give_v particular_a order_n for_o all_o necessity_n force_v every_o priest_n in_o his_o cure_n to_o perform_v these_o office_n yet_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o opinion_n of_o the_o necessity_n for_o child_n to_o receive_v the_o holy_a communion_n before_o death_n decline_v and_o few_o or_o none_o admit_v till_o the_o age_n of_o discretion_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o baptism_n for_o child_n still_o continue_v the_o bishop_n suffer_v still_o all_o minister_n to_o baptise_v but_o resume_v to_o themselves_o again_o the_o power_n of_o confirm_v and_o licens_v youth_n to_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o bishop_n only_o for_o a_o long_a time_n execute_v this_o office_n it_o grow_v by_o degree_n into_o a_o opinion_n that_o bishop_n only_o be_v capable_a to_o do_v it_o and_o that_o confirmation_n be_v a_o sacrament_n and_o such_o a_o sacrament_n as_o inferior_a priest_n suppose_v then_o also_o to_o be_v of_o a_o inferior_a order_n be_v not_o to_o meddle_v with_o what_o error_n will_v man_n yea_o learned_a man_n carry_v along_o with_o a_o crowd_n slide_v into_o not_o willing_a to_o stand_v in_o opposition_n with_o a_o multitude_n especial_o when_o countenance_v by_o the_o bishop_n their_o superior_a and_o then_o succeed_a learned_a man_n have_v in_o their_o infancy_n suck_v in_o the_o error_n continue_v it_o in_o their_o ripe_a learned_a year_n and_o endeavour_v to_o descend_v it_o as_o a_o certain_a truth_n and_o at_o last_o it_o pass_v for_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v thus_o have_v i_o lay_v out_o before_o you_o the_o true_a state_n and_o progress_n of_o this_o business_n of_o confirmation_n now_o i_o pray_v consider_v first_o suppose_v confirmation_n to_o be_v a_o sacrament_n and_o to_o be_v administer_v by_o the_o bishop_n only_o and_o none_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n till_o confirm_a how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o a_o bishop_n of_o so_o large_a a_o diocese_n as_o some_o of_o we_o be_v some_o extend_a three_o or_o fourscore_o mile_n many_o forty_o or_o fifty_o personal_o to_o confirm_v half_o the_o youth_n in_o a_o diocese_n if_o he_o due_o examine_v each_o one_o as_o be_v most_o fit_a and_o necessary_a we_o see_v how_o this_o be_v perform_v in_o their_o triennial_n visitation_n not_o a_o quarter_n of_o those_o who_o be_v admit_v ever_o come_v to_o the_o bishop_n and_o yet_o the_o crowd_n be_v great_a what_o be_v then_o do_v to_o those_o that_o come_v they_o be_v ask_v by_o the_o bishop_n whether_o they_o believe_v and_o will_v perform_v those_o thing_n their_o godfather_n and_o godmother_n affirm_v and_o promise_v for_o they_o at_o their_o baptism_n they_o answer_n yes_o and_o so_o be_v confirm_v but_o what_o those_o thing_n be_v whether_o they_o understand_v and_o can_v give_v a_o good_a account_n of_o those_o thing_n not_o a_o word_n of_o this_o oh_o but_o the_o curate_n who_o present_v those_o child_n to_o the_o bishop_n assure_v he_o that_o they_o be_v full_o instruct_v for_o it_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n we_o complain_v of_o and_o desire_v to_o be_v redress_v that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o discretion_n and_o care_n of_o every_o curate_n see_v what_o pitiful_a creature_n be_v by_o they_o admit_v and_o do_v we_o not_o see_v sometime_o the_o curate_n desire_v to_o please_v the_o fond_a mother_n child_n confirm_v so_o young_a as_o can_v without_o a_o miracle_n be_v of_o a_o capacity_n to_o understand_v those_o divine_a mystery_n beside_o it_o may_v often_o happen_v that_o a_o pious_a child_n well_o fit_v for_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n and_o perchance_o be_v weak_a earnest_o desire_v it_o before_o his_o death_n yet_o must_v stay_v some_o year_n till_o next_o visitation_n or_o take_v a_o long_a journey_n to_o the_o bishop_n for_o which_o he_o may_v want_v strength_n or_o mean_n to_o support_v he_o but_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n the_o bishop_n confirm_v every_o year_n their_o diocese_n also_o be_v very_o narrow_a so_o that_o access_n to_o he_o be_v quick_a and_o easy_a and_o the_o work_n be_v as_o easy_a to_o the_o bishop_n yea_o and_o easy_a also_o to_o the_o inferior_a curate_n to_o instruct_v and_o prepare_v they_o for_o parent_n and_o master_n do_v then_o according_a to_o their_o bind_a duty_n the_o great_a neglect_n whereof_o in_o these_o day_n will_v find_v some_o punishment_n at_o the_o last_o day_n make_v it_o their_o chief_a care_n to_o instruct_v their_o servant_n and_o child_n from_o their_o infancy_n in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n you_o see_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v for_o a_o bishop_n in_o a_o large_a diocese_n and_o triennial_n visitation_n to_o perform_v this_o necessary_a work_n as_o it_o ought_v and_o therefore_o in_o the_o second_o place_n consider_v how_o necessary_a it_o be_v for_o the_o bishop_n to_o appoint_v some_o discreet_a conscientious_a minister_n as_o our_o dean_n rural_n shall_v be_v in_o several_a circuit_n to_o examine_v and_o licence_n to_o the_o lord_n table_n for_o i_o pass_v it_o as_o grant_v that_o confirmation_n be_v no_o sacrament_n and_o if_o it_o be_v why_o may_v not_o priest_n not_o bishop_n perform_v it_o certain_o there_o be_v not_o one_o word_n in_o scripture_n forbid_v it_o or_o any_o colourable_a pretence_n against_o it_o nor_o can_v i_o discover_v the_o least_o ground_n of_o reason_n to_o forbid_v it_o inferior_a minister_n perform_v other_o office_n superior_a to_o it_o and_o certain_o equal_a to_o it_o though_o it_o be_v a_o sacrament_n which_o our_o church_n deny_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v pretend_v but_o that_o in_o the_o begin_n bishop_n do_v only_o perform_v it_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n there_o be_v no_o other_o priest_n but_o bishop_n as_o i_o have_v show_v you_o and_o then_o bishop_n do_v all_o other_o ministerial_a duty_n preach_v pray_o baptise_v catechise_v and_o in_o succeed_a age_n when_o there_o be_v several_a inferior_a priest_n not_o bishop_n all_o but_o confirm_v be_v ever_o transmit_v to_o they_o and_o to_o deacon_n also_o preach_v pray_v and_o baptise_v nay_o baptise_v tolerate_v in_o necessity_n to_o midwife_n i_o will_v glad_o see_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o antiquity_n and_o shall_v confirm_v the_o mean_a of_o all_o these_o be_v deny_v priest_n you_o will_v tell_v i_o there_o have_v be_v decree_n in_o some_o council_n to_o forbid_v it_o and_o will_v you_o be_v bind_v up_o to_o all_o the_o decree_n of_o council_n without_o scripture_n or_o any_o reason_n for_o they_o if_o once_o we_o leave_v scripture_n and_o hearken_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o man_n ever_o so_o holy_a ever_o so_o learned_a ever_o so_o primitive_a we_o shall_v soon_o be_v wheedle_v into_o the_o papist_n religion_n and_o many_o other_o error_n which_o the_o papist_n themselves_o now_o reject_v as_o i_o have_v declare_v at_o large_a before_o and_o therefore_o i_o forbear_v say_v more_o now_o to_o this_o purpose_n but_o proceed_v to_o a_o three_o consideration_n what_o will_v be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o prepare_v youth_n for_o the_o receive_v the_o holy_a communion_n in_o every_o