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extravagant_a discourse_n against_o all_o power_n ecclesiastical_a as_o such_o with_o this_o very_a assertion_n that_o the_o power_n ecclesiastical_a be_v at_o first_o in_o the_o apostle_n and_o after_o they_o in_o such_o as_o receive_v it_o from_o the_o apostle_n by_o successive_a lay_v on_o of_o hand_n what_o thickness_n of_o contradiction_n be_v this_o a_o power_n ecclesiastical_a and_o yet_o no_o power_n at_o all_o why_o then_o if_o it_o be_v no_o power_n it_o be_v no_o power_n ecclesiastical_a and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o power_n ecclesiastical_a than_o it_o be_v some_o power_n and_o then_o again_o a_o power_n by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n commission_n i._n e._n a_o power_n warrant_v by_o divine_a authority_n and_o to_o say_v that_o this_o be_v no_o power_n be_v plain_o to_o averâ—_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o divine_a authority_n and_o upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o
take_v into_o protection_n by_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n know_v how_o much_o it_o will_v endear_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o your_o majesty_n royal_a care_n and_o kindness_n when_o you_o discern_v its_o exact_a conformity_n to_o the_o first_o constitution_n in_o all_o thing_n but_o its_o suffer_v and_o now_o i_o can_v pray_v for_o more_o happiness_n to_o your_o sacred_a majesty_n than_o they_o comprise_v in_o a_o collect_n for_o their_o heathen_a emperor_n under_o all_o the_o storm_n and_o outrage_n of_o persecution_n that_o almighty_a god_n will_v grant_v you_o a_o long_a life_n a_o quiet_a reign_n a_o undisturbed_a family_n valiant_a army_n faithful_a councillor_n and_o loyal_a subject_n that_o all_o thing_n may_v fall_v out_o as_o successful_o as_o your_o royal_a heart_n can_v desire_v that_o your_o empire_n may_v ever_o increase_v and_o flourish_v and_o that_o the_o lineal_a and_o legal_a succession_n of_o your_o royal_a family_n may_v inherit_v your_o imperial_a throne_n through_o all_o succeed_v age_n which_o be_v the_o daily_a prayer_n of_o your_o majesty_n most_o humble_a and_o dutiful_a subject_n s._n p._n the_o content_n §_o i._o the_o introduction_n represent_v the_o seem_a difficulty_n of_o the_o argument_n from_o the_o niceness_n of_o the_o controversy_n itself_o from_o the_o partiality_n of_o the_o writer_n engage_v in_o it_o and_o from_o the_o just_a jealousy_n of_o superior_n about_o it_o and_o yet_o nothing_o more_o easy_a to_o determine_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o all_o party_n concern_v and_o particular_o to_o the_o advantage_n of_o sovereign_a power_n pag._n 1._o §_o ii_o christianity_n suppose_v the_o power_n of_o prince_n our_o saviour_n disclaim_v all_o temporal_a authority_n and_o all_o exemption_n from_o it_o to_o those_o that_o have_v it_o to_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n by_o any_o grant_n from_o he_o be_v to_o renounce_v he_o and_o turn_v mahometan_a christ_n as_o he_o be_v head_n of_o his_o church_n be_v subject_a to_o sovereign_a power_n pag._n 10_o §_o iii_o the_o power_n of_o prince_n over_o the_o church_n suppose_v the_o power_n in_o the_o church_n it_o be_v no_o spiritual_a but_o a_o civil_a power_n over_o the_o spiritual_a to_o deny_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n be_v to_o take_v away_o our_o saviour_n own_o authority_n all_o the_o several_a branch_n of_o his_o commission_n to_o the_o apostle_n prove_v against_o mr._n hobbs_n to_o be_v authoritative_a pag._n 34._o §_o iu._n no_o church-power_n but_o what_o be_v convey_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o ordination_n the_o supremacy_n of_o prince_n be_v the_o same_o whether_o heathen_a or_o christian_n prince_n neither_o gain_v nor_o loose_v any_o power_n by_o their_o christianity_n mr._n hobbs_n that_o he_o may_v destroy_v the_o present_a power_n of_o the_o church_n be_v force_v to_o take_v away_o our_o saviour_n own_o power_n over_o it_o in_o this_o present_a world_n pag._n 56._o §_o v._o the_o danger_n of_o a_o competition_n between_o these_o two_o power_n whole_o avoid_v by_o the_o church_n power_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross._n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n explain_v pag._n 65._o §_o vi_o the_o right_n of_o sovereign_a prince_n secure_v and_o improve_v by_o divers_a particular_a law_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n the_o folly_n of_o limit_v the_o obligation_n of_o these_o law_n to_o such_o governor_n as_o govern_v by_o law_n demonstrate_v against_o mr._n rutherford_n and_o mr._n baxter_n pag._n 77._o §_o vii_o submission_n to_o the_o worst_a of_o prince_n prove_v much_o wise_a and_o much_o more_o advantageous_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o subject_a than_o the_o liberty_n of_o resistance_n or_o rebellion_n in_o any_o case_n whatsoever_o barclay_n concession_n of_o its_o be_v lawful_a in_o any_o case_n show_v to_o be_v a_o inlet_n to_o the_o subversion_n of_o all_o government_n in_o all_o case_n pag._n 109._o §_o viii_o those_o that_o be_v trust_v by_o our_o saviour_n with_o the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n be_v tie_v by_o he_o to_o a_o particular_a and_o exemplary_a submission_n to_o civil_a authority_n they_o be_v not_o forbid_v the_o exercise_n of_o power_n but_o the_o haughty_a and_o insolent_a use_n of_o it_o the_o church_n of_o england_n consist_v not_o in_o its_o law_n but_o in_o its_o authority_n to_o act_n law_n pag._n 126._o §_o ix_o the_o primitive_a church_n practice_n of_o passive_a obedience_n no_o canon_n against_o rebellion_n because_o it_o be_v then_o never_o commit_v the_o church_n careful_a to_o secure_v all_o man_n civil_a right_n canon_n to_o secure_v the_o right_n of_o master_n over_o servant_n the_o doctrine_n of_o universal_a submission_n teach_v in_o the_o greek_a church_n by_o policarp_n justin_n martyr_n athenagoras_n theophilus_n origen_n and_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n p._n 140._o §_o x._o the_o same_o doctrine_n teach_v and_o practise_v in_o the_o latin_a church_n by_o irenaeus_n tertullian_n minutius_n foelix_n st._n cyprian_n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o christian_n that_o be_v banish_v for_o their_o religion_n to_o return_v home_o without_o leave_n of_o the_o government_n to_o say_v this_o doctrine_n be_v then_o teach_v because_o they_o want_v strength_n be_v to_o call_v they_o knave_n and_o villain_n the_o blasphemy_n of_o the_o independent_n in_o justify_v their_o treason_n by_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n from_o heaven_n this_o do_v by_o john_n goodwin_n and_o j._n o._n pag._n 153._o §_o xi_o the_o strictness_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n keep_v up_o to_o the_o height_n all_o this_o interval_n notwithstanding_o their_o entire_a submission_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o empire_n the_o necessity_n of_o a_o legislative_a power_n to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n the_o government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n exemplify_v from_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n pag._n 169._o §_o xii_o the_o state_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n collect_v into_o one_o view_n out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o st._n câ—prian_n with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o birth_n growth_n and_o death_n of_o the_o novatian_a schism_n his_o first_o principle_n of_o unity_n be_v the_o duty_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o bishop_n in_o every_o particular_a church_n pag._n 198._o §_o xiii_o his_o second_o principle_n of_o unity_n be_v the_o obligation_n upon_o all_o christian_a bishop_n to_o keep_v up_o correspondence_n and_o communion_n among_o themselves_o pag._n 227._o §_o fourteen_o mr._n thorndike'_v notion_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n by_o way_n of_o external_n polity_n vindicate_v against_o the_o objection_n of_o dr._n barrow_n and_o the_o doctor_n treatise_n concern_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n confute_v pag._n 236._o part._n ii_o §_o i._o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o imperial_a and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a in_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o donatist_n and_o arian_n a_o account_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o donatist_n from_o their_o beginning_n to_o the_o council_n at_o rome_n under_o melchiade_n pag._n 265._o §_o ii_o a_o chasm_n discover_v in_o optatus_n from_o the_o council_n of_o rome_n till_o after_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n the_o sentence_n of_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n against_o the_o schismatic_n their_o illegal_a appeal_n to_o the_o emperor_n his_o resentment_n of_o it_o the_o forgery_n of_o ingentius_fw-la against_o foelix_fw-la of_o aptung_n discover_v constantine_n sentence_n against_o they_o at_o milan_n without_o accept_v their_o appeal_n pag._n 285._o §_o iii_o constantine_n proceed_n against_o they_o but_o force_v to_o grant_v they_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n upon_o his_o war_n with_o licinius_n their_o insolence_n upon_o it_o their_o case_n parallel_n with_o our_o present_a schismatic_n pag._n 300._o §_o iv._o a_o character_n of_o donatus_n the_o great_a and_o his_o circumcellian_n their_o behaviour_n towards_o the_o emperor_n commissioner_n their_o flattery_n of_o julian_n pag._n 307._o §_o v._o their_o division_n and_o subdivision_n among_o themselves_o their_o outrage_n and_o side_v with_o gildo_n the_o african_a rebel_n their_o disingenuity_n public_o expose_v both_o by_o the_o emperor_n and_o the_o church_n the_o imperial_a law_n against_o they_o and_o their_o great_a efficacy_n liberty_n of_o conscience_n again_o grant_v they_o upon_o the_o invasion_n of_o the_o goth_n pag._n 316._o §_o vi_o a_o account_n of_o the_o conference_n at_o carthage_n before_o marcellinus_n the_o donatists_n design_n in_o procure_v his_o murder_n the_o faction_n forever_o break_v by_o the_o effectual_a execution_n of_o law_n against_o they_o under_o honorius_n p._n 333._o §_o vii_o the_o history_n of_o arianism_n from_o its_o beginning_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n eusebius_n of_o caesarea_n and_o petavius_n vindicate_v from_o suspicion_n of_o the_o heresy_n eusebius_n of_o nicomedia_n and_o his_o faction_n no_o arian_n p._n 348._o §_o viii_o after_o the_o council_n
confusion_n yet_o i_o know_v not_o by_o what_o blind_a and_o unhappy_a fate_n it_o be_v become_v a_o popular_a and_o a_o reign_a principle_n among_o we_o all_o innovator_n lay_v it_o at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o new_a project_n of_o reformation_n it_o be_v the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o grotius_n as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o erastians_n legislativam_fw-la potestatem_fw-la jure_fw-la divino_fw-la non_fw-la competere_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la that_o the_o church_n have_v no_o legislative_a 10._o power_n by_o divine_a right_n at_o present_a to_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o proposition_n itself_o yet_o methinks_v grotius_n who_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o record_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n of_o all_o man_n shall_v not_o have_v say_v it_o when_o it_o be_v so_o constant_o both_o challenge_v and_o put_v in_o practice_n and_o that_o not_o only_o all_o the_o time_n before_o the_o emperor_n become_v christian_n but_o after_o but_o he_o be_v then_o a_o young_a man_n and_o the_o book_n be_v write_v with_o great_a rawness_n and_o betray_v lamentable_a want_n of_o consideration_n it_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o independency_n that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v impose_v by_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o member_n of_o it_o but_o what_o be_v clear_o reveal_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n of_o unity_n than_o that_o rule_n prescribe_v by_o our_o lord_n himself_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o truth_n so_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n that_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a contradiction_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o the_o use_n of_o government_n who_o proper_a office_n it_o be_v to_o make_v provision_n for_o the_o peace_n and_o good_a order_n of_o the_o society_n upon_o all_o occasion_n by_o the_o common_a rule_n of_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n and_o such_o thing_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o leave_v to_o the_o judgement_n and_o determination_n of_o man_n because_o their_o convenience_n and_o usefulness_n be_v alterable_a with_o change_n of_o time_n and_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o impose_v or_o remove_v they_o as_o they_o shall_v judge_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n this_o be_v the_o stand_a rule_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o point_v of_o faith_n be_v unalterable_a and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o be_v never_o after_o that_o to_o be_v debate_v but_o as_o for_o all_o law_n of_o discipline_n they_o be_v alterable_a with_o change_n of_o time_n and_o circumstance_n and_o to_o name_v one_o for_o all_o regula_n quidem_fw-la fidei_fw-la 1._o say_v tertullian_n una_fw-la omnino_fw-la est_fw-la sola_fw-la immobilis_fw-la &_o irreformabilis_fw-la hac_fw-la lege_fw-la fidei_fw-la manente_fw-la cetera_fw-la jam_fw-la disciplinae_fw-la &_o conversationis_fw-la admittunt_fw-la novitatem_fw-la correctionis_fw-la the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v always_o the_o same_o this_o alone_a be_v unchangeable_a and_o unreformable_a but_o as_o this_o remain_v forever_o so_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n admit_v the_o novelty_n of_o change_n and_o amendment_n so_o that_o next_o to_o the_o fundamental_a charter_n of_o be_v a_o church_n this_o be_v the_o grand_a principle_n of_o its_o government_n that_o its_o governor_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o authority_n of_o impose_v some_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o require_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o the_o church_n must_v be_v govern_v as_o all_o humane_a society_n be_v i._n e._n by_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o have_v wit_n enough_o to_o judge_v what_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v upon_o any_o emergent_a case_n and_o who_o authority_n be_v sufficient_a to_o oblige_v the_o member_n of_o the_o society_n to_o their_o decree_n and_o without_o it_o there_o can_v neither_o be_v church_n nor_o government_n so_o that_o this_o principle_n be_v so_o little_o suit_v to_o the_o state_n of_o church-purity_n as_o the_o schismatic_n pretend_v that_o it_o be_v only_o set_v up_o as_o a_o impregnable_a pretence_n for_o everlasting_a schism_n and_o division_n for_o it_o be_v never_o start_v or_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o till_o other_o day_n when_o the_o puritan_n faction_n for_o want_n of_o something_o more_o material_a to_o object_v against_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v force_v at_o last_o to_o make_v this_o their_o main_a quarrel_n that_o they_o be_v not_o préscribe_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o stand_v to_o that_o exception_n they_o be_v secure_a in_o their_o schism_n for_o it_o be_v a_o objection_n not_o against_o the_o particular_a constitution_n of_o this_o church_n but_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o any_o power_n in_o all_o church_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v so_o good_a a_o fund_z for_o confusion_n it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n so_o careful_o nurse_v by_o the_o independent_a faction_n at_o this_o day_n it_o be_v the_o result_n of_o all_o j._n oh_o book_n about_o schism_n because_o it_o make_v all_o peace_n and_o settlement_n a_o impossible_a thing_n when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o rule_n of_o worship_n or_o discipline_n as_o be_v pretend_v by_o attend_v to_o which_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v preserve_v and_o therefore_o to_o refer_v we_o to_o a_o mean_n of_o peace_n that_o be_v not_o in_o be_v be_v to_o leave_v we_o remediless_a and_o if_o the_o church_n may_v not_o make_v occasional_a provision_n to_o restrain_v some_o man_n extravagancy_n and_o to_o settle_v good_a order_n all_o man_n be_v let_v loose_a to_o all_o the_o folly_n in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o will_v look_v more_o like_o a_o bedlam_n than_o a_o christian_a church_n in_o short_a it_o serve_v to_o no_o other_o purpose_n then_o to_o be_v a_o everlasting_a pretence_n of_o sedition_n when_o it_o take_v away_o not_o only_o from_o the_o church_n but_o from_o thecivil_a government_n too_o all_o authority_n of_o make_v any_o law_n for_o the_o settlement_n of_o religion_n and_o yet_o this_o very_a principle_n of_o confusion_n this_o darling_n of_o independency_n this_o bulwark_n of_o all_o schism_n be_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n of_o england_n itself_o or_o some_o pretender_n to_o it_o and_o be_v lay_v down_o by_o our_o reconciler_n and_o peacemaker_n as_o the_o first_o rule_n of_o accommodation_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o present_a dissenter_n though_o if_o it_o be_v admit_v the_o different_a party_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v take_v into_o the_o bosom_n or_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o will_v only_o widen_v the_o difference_n and_o harden_v they_o in_o their_o schism_n for_o first_o the_o contest_v be_v not_o primary_o about_o unscriptural_a imposition_n but_o about_o divine_a command_n they_o contend_v that_o their_o form_n of_o church_n government_n be_v of_o god_n institution_n and_o that_o the_o form_n now_o establish_v in_o england_n be_v a_o humane_a government_n set_v up_o against_o it_o and_o destructive_a of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o mr._n b_n treatise_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o this_o have_v ever_o be_v the_o main_a controversy_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o schism_n whether_o the_o episcopal_a or_o the_o classical_a government_n be_v set_v up_o by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o man_n be_v not_o so_o unthinking_a in_o those_o day_n as_o to_o imagine_v he_o shall_v set_v up_o the_o society_n of_o his_o church_n without_o settle_v any_o government_n in_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o a_o imperfect_a a_o partial_a and_o a_o treacherous_a account_n of_o the_o separation_n to_o state_n the_o controversy_n only_o in_o ceremony_n when_o the_o main_a controversy_n have_v be_v from_o the_o begin_n to_o this_o very_a day_n about_o a_o matter_n of_o divine_a right_n and_o therefore_o to_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o that_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o schism_n be_v to_o intimate_v that_o as_o to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o controversy_n neither_o have_v the_o better_a of_o the_o other_o but_o they_o both_o equal_o contend_v about_o what_o never_o be_v and_o that_o all_o the_o blame_n of_o the_o separatist_n be_v their_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o some_o lawful_a imposition_n but_o that_o reach_v not_o their_o cause_n the_o ground_n of_o their_o separation_n be_v pretend_v divine_a law_n they_o must_v be_v beat_v out_o of_o that_o or_o they_o must_v be_v let_v alone_o but_o second_o this_o principle_n of_o accommodation_n by_o reject_v unscriptural_a condition_n of_o communion_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o reconcile_a the_o dissenter_n to_o the_o church_n that_o it_o will_v only_o give_v up_o the_o church_n cause_n
to_o their_o demand_n and_o justify_v they_o in_o their_o schism_n because_o they_o dissent_v not_o from_o she_o in_o any_o matter_n clear_o reveal_v which_o alone_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o impose_v and_o to_o charge_v the_o church_n of_o tyranny_n for_o dare_v to_o impose_v any_o other_o condition_n of_o communion_n then_o what_o be_v impose_v by_o divine_a authority_n a_o excellent_a way_n of_o accommodation_n this_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o condemn_v her_o whole_a practice_n of_o illegal_a and_o unwarrantable_a usurpation_n and_o allow_v the_o plea_n of_o the_o dissenter_n just_a and_o reasonable_a and_o what_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o to_o take_v away_o all_o government_n in_o the_o church_n for_o ever_o and_o the_o church_n itself_o too_o when_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o common_a sense_n that_o it_o can_v never_o subsist_v without_o a_o legislative_a authority_n within_o itself_o but_o that_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o discourse_v of_o more_o copious_o hereafter_o when_o i_o come_v to_o show_v what_o injury_n be_v do_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o these_o false_a principle_n of_o accommodation_n i_o shall_v at_o present_a content_n myself_o with_o prove_v it_o by_o experience_n and_o represent_v the_o particular_a law_n make_v by_o the_o ancient_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o secure_v and_o provide_v for_o its_o own_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n and_o by_o it_o i_o shall_v make_v good_a these_o three_o considerable_a point_n first_o the_o great_a authority_n inherent_a in_o they_o and_o independent_a on_o any_o civil_a power_n second_o their_o great_a wisdom_n in_o the_o use_n and_o exercise_v of_o it_o for_o by_o the_o particular_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o they_o general_o act_v upon_o wise_a and_o prudent_a reason_n and_o three_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o it_o when_o we_o shall_v see_v by_o the_o example_n of_o every_o age_n that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o preserve_v any_o manner_n of_o peace_n in_o the_o church_n without_o it_o and_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o decree_n make_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o accommodate_v the_o contrary_a prejudices_fw-la of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n if_o they_o have_v oblige_v the_o gentile_n to_o comply_v with_o the_o whole_a law_n of_o moses_n that_o will_v have_v look_v like_o a_o attempt_n to_o bring_v they_o under_o the_o old_a intolerable_a bondage_n and_o tempt_v they_o rather_o to_o renounce_v christianity_n then_o submit_v to_o such_o a_o grievous_a yoke_n and_o if_o they_o have_v whole_o exempt_v they_o from_o the_o mosaic_a law_n that_o will_v have_v as_o much_o endanger_v the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o jew_n think_v that_o they_o shall_v thereby_o have_v renounce_v the_o god_n of_o the_o law_n for_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o every_o capacity_n to_o distinguish_v between_o reject_v the_o law_n and_o the_o lawgiver_n and_o therefore_o to_o satisfy_v and_o avoid_v the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o both_o party_n they_o agree_v to_o lay_v no_o great_a burden_n than_o these_o necessary_a thing_n that_o they_o abstain_v 20._o from_o meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n and_o from_o fornication_n and_o from_o thing_n strangle_v and_o from_o blood_n where_o by_o thing_n necessary_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o mean_v thing_n necessary_a at_o that_o time_n and_o place_n for_o that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o in_o all_o time_n and_o place_n be_v evident_a not_o only_o from_o the_o direction_n of_o their_o synodical_a epistle_n to_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n but_o from_o their_o not_o impose_v the_o same_o decree_n upon_o other_o church_n that_o be_v not_o in_o the_o same_o circumstance_n in_o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n that_o confine_v upon_o judaea_n the_o jew_n be_v very_o numerous_a and_o therefore_o to_o avoid_v offend_v i._n e._n tempt_v they_o to_o renounce_v the_o christian_a faith_n it_o be_v requisite_a to_o make_v it_o a_o stand_a rule_n to_o they_o at_o that_o time_n that_o all_o christian_n abstain_v from_o the_o oblation_n to_o idol_n and_o that_o will_v whole_o prevent_v their_o great_a fear_n of_o idolatry_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a because_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n consist_v chief_o of_o gentile_n the_o same_o rule_n be_v not_o make_v peremptory_a and_o universal_a to_o they_o but_o they_o be_v leave_v to_o their_o own_o liberty_n to_o eat_v meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o consistent_a with_o christian_a prudence_n and_o charity_n as_o they_o be_v direct_v by_o their_o ghostly_a father_n st._n paul_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o can_v make_v of_o that_o great_a council_n and_o though_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n yet_o they_o proceed_v by_o no_o other_o rule_n then_o common_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n and_o if_o they_o have_v take_v the_o same_o method_n that_o our_o schismatic_n and_o pacificator_n will_v oblige_v the_o present_a church_n to_o to_o search_v for_o a_o determination_n of_o this_o casual_a dispute_n in_o their_o master_n own_o law_n i_o doubt_v they_o will_v have_v be_v very_o much_o at_o a_o loss_n to_o have_v find_v any_o thing_n like_o such_o a_o decree_n among_o all_o his_o precept_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v as_o much_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v refer_v all_o act_n of_o government_n to_o be_v determine_v by_o his_o own_o express_a decree_n as_o that_o their_o successor_n shall_v refer_v they_o to_o they_o but_o next_o to_o this_o apostolical_a synod_n the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v the_o great_a and_o early_a demonstration_n of_o the_o legislative_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v compile_v by_o their_o next_o successor_n in_o the_o second_o and_o three_o century_n by_o which_o we_o understand_v the_o true_a settlement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o apostle_n leave_v it_o for_o all_o the_o canon_n relate_v to_o government_n be_v no_o new_a law_n but_o only_a declaration_n of_o old_a custom_n so_o that_o though_o they_o be_v not_o apostolical_a law_n they_o be_v true_a and_o early_a record_n of_o apostolical_a custom_n and_o by_o they_o the_o practice_n of_o church-government_n be_v so_o entire_o settle_v that_o they_o be_v ever_o after_o the_o rule_n and_o pattern_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o follow_a council_n and_o most_o of_o the_o chief_a canon_n both_o general_n and_o provincial_a be_v only_a ratification_n of_o these_o old_a decree_n to_o recover_v their_o just_a authority_n when_o any_o of_o they_o have_v be_v neglect_v or_o violate_v or_o additional_a provision_n in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o general_a design_n in_o new_a particular_a case_n for_o which_o it_o seem_v every_o age_n find_v matter_n enough_o to_o suppress_v some_o man_n extravagant_a and_o wanton_a fancy_n and_o it_o be_v the_o new_a rise_n of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n that_o give_v occasion_n to_o enact_v all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n but_o these_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o institutes_n or_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o be_v withal_o enact_v in_o this_o period_n of_o time_n that_o we_o be_v now_o in_o by_o pure_a ecclesiastical_a authority_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o brief_a view_n of_o they_o to_o let_v the_o reader_n see_v the_o exact_a model_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o reduce_v to_o practice_n and_o bring_v to_o perfection_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o immediate_a successor_n in_o the_o first_o place_n therefore_o because_o nothing_o have_v so_o great_a a_o influence_n upon_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o set_n up_o good_a and_o wise_a governor_n over_o it_o great_a care_n be_v take_v against_o rash_a ordination_n of_o bishop_n so_o that_o though_o every_o bishop_n have_v a_o inherent_a right_n in_o himself_o to_o convey_v his_o own_o authority_n to_o another_o yet_o be_v it_o here_o fix_v and_o have_v remain_v so_o through_o all_o age_n as_o a_o stand_a law_n to_o the_o church_n that_o every_o bishop_n be_v consecrate_a by_o three_o bishop_n at_o least_o or_o two_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n now_o though_o this_o rule_n have_v be_v observe_v and_o practise_v in_o all_o church_n over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o be_v so_o high_o useful_a to_o the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o not_o entrust_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o weight_n to_o the_o discretion_n of_o a_o single_a person_n yet_o i_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a task_n to_o find_v any_o thing_n like_o a_o clear_a precept_n require_v it_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n so_o apparent_o repugnant_a be_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o projector_n of_o accommodation_n against_o unscriptural_a imposition_n to_o the_o very_a first_o law_n that_o be_v make_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n after_o the_o apostle_n and_o if_o they_o please_v it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v use_v to_o take_v away_o this_o prudent_a practice_n
opinion_n of_o the_o great_a merit_n of_o caelibacy_n be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o superstition_n that_o invade_v the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v in_o every_o age_n more_o busy_a and_o forward_a than_o any_o other_o though_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o it_o can_v ever_o obtain_v the_o force_n of_o law_n in_o the_o eastern_a church_n till_o the_o council_n in_o trullo_n in_o the_o year_n 691_o by_o who_o bishop_n and_o no_o other_o be_v forbid_v to_o cohabit_v with_o their_o wife_n after_o consecration_n and_o as_o that_o be_v the_o first_o canon_n of_o this_o kind_n so_o be_v it_o a_o flat_a contradiction_n to_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n and_o though_o the_o council_n endeavour_v to_o excuse_v it_o yet_o they_o do_v but_o the_o more_o gross_o entangle_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o apology_n and_o instead_o of_o defend_v their_o fault_n confess_v it_o for_o when_o they_o have_v make_v the_o canon_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o do_v not_o intend_v thereby_o to_o contradict_v the_o apostolical_a canon_n when_o the_o very_a make_n of_o it_o be_v a_o express_a contradiction_n to_o it_o and_o in_o the_o very_a next_o canon_n they_o condemn_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o prohibit_v marriage_n to_o priest_n and_o deacon_n and_o make_v good_a their_o decree_n from_o this_o very_a canon_n that_o equal_o allow_v it_o to_o all_o order_n but_o above_o all_o commend_v i_o to_o gratian_n 31._o upon_o this_o argument_n who_o when_o he_o have_v in_o two_o whole_a chapter_n recite_v several_a ancient_a canon_n of_o the_o church_n against_o this_o superstition_n especial_o those_o severe_a one_o of_o the_o council_n of_o gangra_n and_o last_o of_o all_o this_o last_o mention_v canon_n in_o trullo_n in_o which_o the_o marriage_n of_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n be_v express_o warrant_v he_o begin_v his_o next_o chapter_n with_o this_o general_a assertion_n servanda_fw-la est_fw-la ergò_fw-la continentia_fw-la ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la in_o sacris_fw-la ordinibus_fw-la constitutis_fw-la and_o then_o prove_v it_o by_o the_o decree_n of_o late_a pope_n injoin_v caelibacy_n as_o a_o duty_n of_o piety_n to_o all_o order_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o if_o they_o can_v thus_o confident_o justify_v their_o innovation_n out_o of_o the_o ancient_n by_o conclude_v contrary_a to_o their_o own_o avow_a and_o express_a sense_n i_o confess_v they_o may_v make_v good_a any_o cause_n though_o i_o shall_v think_v it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o adviseable_a to_o let_v fall_v such_o a_o cause_n as_o can_v be_v no_o better_a way_n defend_v another_o remarkable_a law_n that_o be_v enact_v during_o this_o interval_n by_o mere_a ecclesiastical_a authority_n be_v the_o exclusion_n of_o all_o voluntary_a eunuch_n from_o holy_a order_n and_o that_o be_v make_v upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o valesian_n who_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o this_o severity_n against_o themselves_o by_o too_o rigid_a a_o interpretation_n of_o some_o passage_n of_o our_o saviour_n especial_o that_o of_o st._n matthew_n gospel_n 19_o 12._o and_o the_o same_o canon_n be_v afterward_o renew_v in_o a_o synod_n at_o alexandria_n against_o origen_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n and_o after_o that_o by_o the_o great_a council_n of_o nice_a upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o fact_n of_o leontius_n who_o be_v a_o presbyter_n and_o very_o much_o delight_v in_o the_o conversation_n of_o a_o young_a virgin_n by_o name_n eustolia_n and_o be_v upbraid_v with_o the_o scandal_n of_o use_v so_o much_o freedom_n with_o she_o to_o prevent_v that_o without_o lose_v her_o society_n he_o make_v the_o same_o attempt_n upon_o himself_o that_o origen_n have_v do_v for_o which_o he_o be_v depose_v by_o the_o council_n though_o afterward_o he_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o canon_n or_o rather_o in_o defiance_n to_o the_o council_n promote_v by_o the_o eusebian_n faction_n with_o who_o he_o side_v to_o the_o great_a see_v of_o antioch_n but_o hereby_o we_o may_v see_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o legislative_a power_n in_o the_o church_n without_o which_o there_o will_v be_v no_o mean_n to_o restrain_v all_o the_o wild_a conceit_n and_o extravagancy_n that_o superstition_n can_v blow_v into_o man_n fancy_n so_o exorbitant_a a_o principle_n be_v it_o so_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o peace_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o church_n so_o absurd_a so_o foolish_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v impose_v by_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o what_o be_v express_o impose_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n there_o be_v many_o more_o example_n in_o this_o interval_n both_o of_o the_o settlement_n of_o that_o polity_n in_o the_o church_n that_o i_o have_v above_o describe_v and_o of_o divers_a wise_a and_o prudent_a law_n make_v upon_o particular_a occasion_n but_o to_o avoid_v be_v too_o tedious_a and_o yet_o to_o do_v the_o work_v effectual_o i_o shall_v confine_v myself_o to_o the_o write_n of_o st._n cyprian_n in_o who_o time_n the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n be_v bring_v to_o perfection_n and_o who_o i_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v understand_v it_o as_o well_o as_o any_o writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n either_o before_o or_o after_o his_o own_o time_n and_o who_o have_v state_v the_o whole_a matter_n with_o the_o great_a clearness_n and_o strength_n of_o reason_n and_o reduce_v it_o to_o practice_n with_o the_o most_o unblameable_a prudence_n and_o wisdom_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v give_v a_o more_o particular_a and_o exact_a account_n of_o his_o sense_n of_o the_o government_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n both_o for_o the_o enlighten_v of_o some_o man_n mind_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o dull_a that_o they_o can_v understand_v how_o it_o shall_v be_v govern_v in_o way_n of_o external_a polity_n and_o for_o a_o proof_n of_o the_o exact_a agreement_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o its_o design_v model_n of_o reformation_n with_o this_o ancient_a state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o be_v make_v much_o more_o easy_a at_o this_o time_n by_o the_o late_a labour_n of_o a_o very_a learned_a prelate_n of_o our_o own_o in_o digest_v his_o write_n that_o have_v hitherto_o lie_v not_o a_o little_a confuse_a into_o their_o due_a and_o exact_a order_n of_o time_n for_o when_o we_o certain_o know_v at_o what_o time_n and_o upon_o what_o occasion_n every_o discourse_n be_v write_v it_o must_v needs_o make_v it_o much_o more_o easy_a and_o much_o more_o useful_a than_o otherwise_o the_o discourse_n can_v have_v make_v itself_o for_o that_o unity_n be_v a_o very_a desirable_a thing_n be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n the_o only_a dispute_n be_v wherein_o it_o consist_v some_o will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v only_o a_o union_n of_o faith_n and_o charity_n other_o of_o external_n polity_n so_o as_o that_o all_o christian_n be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o unite_v under_o one_o government_n and_o these_o we_o may_v subdivide_v into_o two_o party_n either_o those_o that_o place_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o a_o subjection_n to_o one_o single_a monarch_n or_o those_o that_o set_v up_o a_o obligation_n to_o a_o political_a unity_n among_o all_o church_n under_o several_a government_n so_o that_o though_o every_o particular_a church_n or_o diocese_n have_v supreme_a government_n within_o itself_o as_o to_o all_o thing_n that_o concern_v its_o own_o state_n yet_o it_o be_v accountable_a to_o the_o catholic_n church_n i._n e._n to_o all_o other_o church_n for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o whole_a for_o though_o a_o church_n may_v be_v at_o unity_n within_o itself_o yet_o if_o it_o do_v any_o thing_n injurious_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o government_n in_o any_o other_o church_n it_o become_v schismatical_a to_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n presume_v as_o much_o as_o in_o it_o lie_v to_o overthrow_v the_o discipline_n of_o all_o other_o church_n this_o as_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o controversy_n so_o to_o be_v st._n cyprian_n sense_n of_o it_o §._o 12._o and_o the_o first_o principle_n that_o run_v through_o all_o his_o write_n and_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o all_o his_o notion_n concern_v church_n unity_n be_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o episcopacy_n settle_v in_o the_o church_n by_o divine_a appointment_n distribute_v among_o the_o several_a bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n every_o one_o retain_v the_o whole_a power_n within_o his_o own_o bishopric_n as_o he_o express_v it_o like_o a_o lawyer_n episcopatus_fw-la eccles._n unus_fw-la est_fw-la cujus_fw-la à _fw-la singulis_fw-la in_o solidum_fw-la pars_fw-la tenetur_fw-la there_o be_v but_o one_o episcopacy_n of_o which_o every_o one_o hold_v his_o own_o share_n with_o full_a title_n and_o possession_n for_o the_o word_n in_o solidum_fw-la be_v a_o law-term_n denote_v a_o plenitude_n of_o title_n so_o that_o though_o a_o estate_n
insolentiae_fw-la tuus_fw-la agere_fw-la vel_fw-la serò_fw-la paenitentiam_fw-la caeperis_fw-la si_fw-la deo_fw-la &_o christo_fw-la ojus_fw-la plenissimè_fw-la satisfeceris_fw-la communicationis_fw-la tuus_fw-la poterimus_fw-la habere_fw-la rationem_fw-la manente_fw-la tamen_fw-la apud_fw-la nos_fw-la divinae_fw-la censurae_fw-la respectu_fw-la &_o metu_fw-la this_o be_v a_o singular_a severity_n in_o so_o gentle_a a_o person_n as_o st._n cyprian_n who_o allow_v full_a restitution_n to_o all_o other_o offender_n but_o in_o this_o case_n he_o do_v it_o with_o a_o if._n and_o in_o plain_a truth_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o crime_n deserve_v it_o for_o it_o be_v a_o eternal_a subversion_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n if_o the_o pride_n or_o the_o peevishness_n of_o one_o single_a man_n may_v be_v suffer_v to_o censure_v and_o condemn_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_a church_n for_o though_o this_o pique_n of_o pupianus_n lay_v only_o against_o st._n cyprian_n yet_o he_o be_v as_o he_o tell_v he_o in_o communion_n with_o all_o the_o bishop_n and_o church_n through_o the_o whole_a world_n though_o the_o blow_n be_v aim_v at_o he_o single_o it_o light_v upon_o all_o and_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v equal_o involve_v in_o the_o censure_n which_o be_v then_o think_v such_o a_o piece_n of_o luciferian_a pride_n that_o it_o be_v by_o he_o place_v next_o to_o the_o unpardonable_a sin_n the_o passage_n in_o st._n cyprian_n to_o this_o purpose_n be_v innumerable_a and_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o epistle_n in_o which_o he_o do_v not_o express_o declare_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n to_o lie_v in_o the_o concord_n and_o agreement_n of_o the_o episcopal_a college_n that_o be_v a_o succession_n to_o the_o apostolical_a between_o who_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v equal_o divide_v yet_o so_o as_o to_o agree_v all_o together_o in_o one_o catholic_a communion_n this_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o easy_o to_o be_v understand_v that_o i_o can_v but_o stand_v amaze_v to_o find_v man_n of_o sense_n learning_n and_o ingenuity_n pretend_v to_o be_v so_o dull_a as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v how_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v reduce_v to_o practise_v by_o way_n of_o external_a policy_n when_o all_o the_o line_n of_o it_o be_v so_o plain_o trace_v out_o in_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o particular_o in_o the_o write_n of_o st._n cyprian_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o give_v a_o much_o large_a account_n of_o it_o by_o transcribe_v almost_o all_o the_o record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o chief_a affair_n whereof_o be_v all_o along_o transact_v by_o this_o way_n of_o epistolary_a correspondence_n and_o therefore_o the_o best_a way_n of_o attain_v knowledge_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n be_v not_o by_o follow_v set_v and_o form_v history_n so_o much_o as_o by_o consult_v particular_a epistle_n in_o which_o we_o have_v a_o distinct_a account_n from_o time_n to_o time_n of_o the_o true_a spring_n and_o motion_n of_o all_o the_o public_a transaction_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n §_o 14._o but_o because_o this_o argument_n of_o unity_n and_o communion_n by_o way_n of_o external_a polity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v become_v a_o controversy_n among_o some_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o own_o church_n though_o what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v in_o general_n be_v more_o then_o enough_o or_o at_o least_o as_o much_o as_o be_v in_o itself_o needful_a to_o state_n the_o case_n yet_o unless_o i_o assoil_v some_o particular_a argument_n that_o be_v at_o this_o time_n on_o foot_n notwithstanding_o all_o that_o i_o have_v say_v i_o shall_v leave_v some_o reader_n under_o the_o power_n of_o great_a prejudices_fw-la and_o those_o prejudices_fw-la be_v maintain_v by_o the_o deserve_a reputation_n of_o some_o good_a and_o learned_a man_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v easy_o remove_v not_o otherwise_o then_o by_o particular_a confutation_n the_o two_o great_a man_n at_o first_o engage_v in_o this_o controversy_n be_v mr._n thorndike_n and_o dr._n barrow_n man_n of_o equal_a value_n both_o for_o modesty_n learning_n and_o piety_n mr._n thorndike_n be_v peremptory_a for_o the_o necessity_n of_o one_o unite_a government_n in_o the_o catholic_a church_n the_o dr._n grant_v it_o to_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o desirable_a and_o in_o some_o rare_a case_n practicable_a as_o when_o all_o christendom_n be_v almost_o confine_v within_o the_o roman_a empire_n can_v conceive_v any_o necessity_n of_o it_o or_o obligation_n to_o it_o but_o with_o all_o due_a reverence_n to_o the_o memory_n of_o so_o great_a and_o so_o good_a a_o man_n i_o must_v make_v bold_a to_o say_v that_o however_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v he_o answer_v neither_o his_o usual_a acuteness_n or_o ingenuity_n in_o this_o performance_n probably_n it_o may_v have_v be_v a_o imperfect_a work_n and_o a_o essay_n upon_o the_o argument_n by_o way_n of_o exercise_n to_o himself_o or_o if_o he_o be_v serious_a and_o the_o discourse_n be_v the_o result_n of_o his_o own_o judgement_n it_o will_v appear_v when_o i_o come_v to_o consider_v his_o way_n of_o discourse_v it_o that_o he_o have_v by_o no_o mean_n weigh_v the_o matter_n as_o he_o ought_v that_o he_o do_v not_o comprehend_v the_o argument_n that_o he_o undertake_v to_o answer_v that_o he_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o himself_o but_o express_o assert_v the_o opinion_n that_o he_o endeavour_v to_o oppose_v of_o all_o which_o unusual_a inconsistency_n in_o so_o acute_a a_o man_n i_o can_v give_v no_o other_o reason_n then_o that_o his_o great_a zeal_n against_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n by_o way_n of_o papal_a monarchy_n transport_v he_o so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v he_o forget_v that_o obligation_n to_o unity_n and_o communion_n that_o lie_v upon_o all_o church_n under_o their_o several_a distinct_a government_n but_o whatever_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o mistake_n his_o reason_n only_o concern_v we_o and_o here_o to_o proceed_v methodical_o i_o shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n set_v down_o his_o adversary_n argument_n and_o his_o reply_v upon_o they_o and_o then_o his_o own_o argument_n with_o my_o answer_n to_o they_o and_o first_o he_o begin_v the_o dispute_n with_o a_o intimation_n of_o the_o want_n of_o perspicuity_n in_o his_o adversary_n write_n and_o this_o i_o know_v be_v a_o popular_a objection_n and_o very_o much_o in_o the_o mouth_n of_o some_o man_n who_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v he_o to_o be_v a_o intelligible_a writer_n though_o for_o what_o reason_n i_o can_v imagine_v unless_o that_o it_o be_v convenient_a for_o themselves_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v understand_v for_o if_o once_o man_n be_v convince_v of_o the_o true_a constitution_n of_o any_o one_o church_n by_o divine_a authority_n that_o will_v forever_o destroy_v all_o indifferency_n or_o pretend_a moderation_n between_o the_o several_a different_a party_n among_o we_o and_o if_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v constitute_v by_o divine_a right_n than_o all_o that_o separate_v from_o it_o be_v both_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n and_o all_o that_o join_v with_o it_o as_o the_o right_a church_n and_o not_o mere_o as_o the_o church_n in_o possession_n be_v oblige_v to_o declare_v they_o so_o and_o endeavour_v to_o have_v they_o cast_v out_o of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a communion_n if_o indeed_o the_o difference_n be_v only_o about_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n there_o may_v be_v some_o room_n for_o good_a nature_n but_o when_o the_o contest_v be_v about_o the_o essential_a constitution_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n those_o that_o separate_v from_o it_o nay_o that_o endeavour_n with_o all_o their_o might_n to_o destroy_v it_o as_o our_o present_a schismatic_n do_v can_v but_o incur_v the_o utmost_a displeasure_n and_o severity_n of_o all_o honest_a man_n that_o sincere_o love_v it_o in_o such_o case_n as_o these_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o talk_v of_o term_n of_o accommodation_n and_o that_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o some_o man_n that_o will_v keep_v fair_a with_o all_o party_n be_v so_o afraid_a of_o the_o plea_n of_o divine_a right_n for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o if_o that_o be_v settle_v they_o be_v thereby_o oblige_v and_o determine_v positive_o to_o declare_v against_o the_o schiâ—â—_n of_o all_o other_o different_a party_n and_o not_o to_o do_v it_o be_v to_o partake_v of_o their_o sin_n and_o in_o effect_n to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o it_o for_o not_o to_o be_v for_o the_o true_a church_n be_v to_o be_v against_o it_o our_o saviour_n will_v accept_v of_o no_o such_o lukewarm_a and_o perfidious_a moderation_n in_o short_a man_n that_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n not_o as_o found_v upon_o divine_a right_n proceed_v upon_o no_o other_o ground_n than_o that_o it_o be_v
the_o church_n at_o present_a in_o possession_n so_o that_o whatever_o party_n have_v the_o luck_n to_o get_v uppermost_a that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o then_o be_v it_o popery_n presbytery_n or_o independendy_n we_o be_v schismatic_n if_o we_o separate_v from_o it_o for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o ecclesiastical_a form_n of_o government_n settle_v by_o divine_a law_n than_o none_o of_o these_o can_v be_v in_o themselves_o unlawful_a because_o nothing_o can_v be_v so_o but_o as_o it_o be_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o sin_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o a_o very_a mean_a piece_n of_o service_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o assert_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o her_o constitution_n for_o if_o that_o be_v all_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a too_o as_o establish_v by_o divine_a right_n so_o be_v all_o other_o form_n than_o all_o the_o difference_n be_v that_o the_o state_n have_v think_v good_a to_o annex_v the_o ecclesiastical_a preferment_n to_o this_o way_n but_o set_v they_o aside_o the_o separatist_n be_v as_o much_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o ourselves_o and_o if_o the_o state_n shall_v be_v please_v to_o settle_v all_o the_o emolument_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o presbytery_n or_o independency_n yes_o or_o popery_n itself_o than_o all_o that_o be_v plead_v for_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o present_a church_n of_o england_n will_v be_v as_o pleadable_a against_o it_o for_o the_o church_n triumphant_a so_o fatal_a and_o pernicious_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o christian_a church_n be_v this_o principle_n that_o take_v away_o all_o divine_a right_n it_o blow_v up_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o church_n that_o can_v stand_v upon_o no_o other_o bottom_n then_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n and_o let_v man_n loose_a from_o all_o other_o obligation_n to_o communicate_v with_o any_o church_n then_o mere_o those_o of_o courtesy_n and_o civility_n for_o the_o only_a reason_n it_o can_v lay_v upon_o they_o be_v to_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n they_o live_v in_o be_v to_o do_v it_o for_o convenience_n and_o peace_n sake_n rather_o than_o to_o be_v troublesome_a otherwise_o they_o be_v lefâ—_n by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o be_v of_o what_o church_n they_o please_v or_o if_o they_o please_v of_o none_o at_o all_o for_o if_o there_o be_v none_o by_o divine_a law_n they_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o communicate_v with_o any_o but_o of_o the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o this_o fatal_a principle_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o particular_a account_n in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o design_n when_o after_o i_o have_v make_v good_a the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o convince_v all_o the_o different_a party_n of_o their_o deviation_n from_o it_o and_o among_o the_o rest_n i_o doubt_v this_o sect_n of_o man_n will_v be_v find_v the_o most_o guilty_a of_o any_o of_o perfidiousness_n against_o the_o catholic_a church_n for_o they_o disow_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o all_o time_n and_o place_n and_o that_o be_v a_o offence_n of_o a_o more_o heinous_a nature_n as_o well_o as_o large_a extent_n then_o when_o commit_v only_o against_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o england_n though_o the_o great_a aggravation_n of_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v take_v up_o precarious_o without_o ground_n or_o shadow_n of_o reason_n in_o defiance_n to_o all_o the_o record_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o all_o its_o plea_n pervert_v they_o with_o more_o folly_n and_o grossness_n than_o the_o romanist_n pretence_n for_o papal_a supremacy_n as_o will_v be_v show_v in_o due_a place_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o return_v to_o our_o learned_a author_n and_o his_o complaint_n of_o mr._n thorndike'_v obscurity_n that_o be_v take_v up_o by_o he_o from_o a_o vulgar_a opinion_n and_o that_o be_v first_o start_v by_o other_o chief_o to_o prevent_v the_o force_n of_o his_o argument_n for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o his_o epilogue_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o can_v but_o create_v some_o difficulty_n to_o the_o less_o skilful_a reader_n as_o first_o the_o very_a careless_a and_o uncorrected_a impression_n of_o it_o whereby_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o fault_n have_v escape_v or_o rather_o pass_v through_o the_o press_n as_o can_v but_o very_o much_o disturb_v and_o perplex_v the_o sense_n especial_o when_o the_o mistake_n be_v commit_v as_o it_o very_o frequent_o be_v in_o the_o particle_n of_o argumentation_n whereby_o the_o plain_a coherence_n of_o the_o discourse_n be_v often_o lose_v and_o invert_v both_o which_o be_v add_v to_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o stile_n itself_o which_o though_o it_o be_v intelligible_a enough_o to_o a_o attend_a reader_n yet_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v somewhat_o dark_a and_o involve_a as_o usual_o happen_v to_o overthoughtful_a man_n and_o that_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o this_o learned_a man_n his_o former_a write_n upon_o the_o very_a same_o subject_a be_v much_o more_o plain_a and_o perspicuous_a but_o the_o thing_n that_o most_o of_o all_o put_v the_o ordinary_a reader_n to_o a_o â—oss_n be_v his_o frequent_a and_o large_a digression_n for_o be_v a_o complete_a master_n of_o ecclesiastical_a learning_n he_o can_v not_o confine_v himself_o to_o his_o proper_a argument_n but_o upon_o every_o turn_n run_v out_o into_o other_o subject_n and_o the_o method_n of_o the_o connexion_n not_o appear_v the_o common_a reader_n lose_v the_o design_n of_o the_o whole_a to_o give_v a_o instance_n or_o two_o his_o chief_a argument_n for_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v take_v from_o the_o unity_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n beside_o make_v out_o his_o conclusion_n he_o enter_v into_o large_a discourse_n concern_v the_o use_n and_o necessity_n of_o baptism_n against_o the_o socinian_o and_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n body_n in_o the_o eucharist_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n about_o it_o in_o all_o age_n against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o by_o that_o time_n the_o less_o diligent_a reader_n have_v travel_v through_o these_o long_a digressive_a controversy_n he_o forget_v the_o first_o conclusion_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o unity_n of_o right_a to_o these_o two_o sacrament_n in_o it_o but_o if_o the_o reader_n will_v distinguish_v between_o the_o direct_a course_n and_o tenor_n of_o the_o discourse_n itself_o and_o these_o occasional_a salley_n the_o whole_a method_n of_o proceed_v will_v appear_v plain_a and_o perspicuous_a enough_o to_o a_o ordinary_a understanding_n and_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o refer_v he_o to_o his_o first_o book_n upon_o this_o argument_n which_o be_v the_o substance_n and_o groundwork_n of_o his_o other_o large_a treatise_n and_o that_o be_v his_o discourse_n of_o the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o christian_a state_n in_o which_o keep_v close_o to_o his_o argument_n he_o have_v state_v this_o and_o all_o other_o matter_n that_o he_o treat_v of_o with_o that_o clearness_n and_o coherence_n of_o reason_n that_o whoever_o will_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o run_v through_o that_o little_a book_n can_v never_o complain_v of_o any_o obscurity_n in_o his_o follow_a write_n thus_o in_o his_o first_o chapter_n he_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o one_o catholic_n church_n upon_o the_o right_n of_o hold_v public_a assembly_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n by_o divine_a authority_n upon_o which_o he_o infer_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o from_o thence_o the_o power_n of_o grant_v baptism_n which_o suppose_v a_o settle_a authority_n of_o take_v into_o or_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n and_o unless_o those_o that_o be_v take_v in_o be_v take_v into_o the_o whole_a society_n and_o those_o that_o be_v cast_v out_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o same_o they_o be_v of_o no_o effect_n to_o the_o purpose_n to_o which_o they_o be_v design_v for_o unless_o a_o man_n that_o be_v baptize_v in_o a_o particular_a church_n have_v a_o right_n of_o communicate_v with_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n if_o he_o change_v his_o habitation_n he_o must_v leave_v his_o christianity_n behind_o he_o or_o his_o right_n of_o hold_v public_a assembly_n in_o the_o church_n and_o unless_o a_o man_n that_o be_v excommunicate_a in_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v thereby_o cast_v out_o of_o communion_n with_o all_o other_o church_n it_o be_v but_o change_v his_o habitation_n and_o he_o that_o be_v cut_v off_o as_o a_o corrupt_a member_n from_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n shall_v elude_v the_o just_a sentence_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o withstand_v his_o excommunication_n have_v as_o full_a a_o right_n to_o all_o christian_a privilege_n as_o if_o
mankind_n must_v be_v unite_v in_o one_o political_a body_n because_o they_o be_v all_o bind_v to_o observe_v the_o same_o law_n of_o justice_n and_o humanity_n to_o make_v short_a of_o it_o so_o they_o be_v all_o kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n be_v as_o much_o bind_v to_o mutual_a justice_n as_o private_a person_n under_o one_o and_o the_o same_o government_n and_o if_o any_o prince_n violate_v this_o law_n by_o invade_v his_o neighbour_n right_n he_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o god_n natural_a law_n that_o equal_o provide_v for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o as_o a_o enemy_n and_o traitor_n to_o the_o society_n of_o mankind_n and_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o interest_n of_o all_o other_o prince_n not_o only_o to_o oppose_v his_o attempt_n but_o to_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o power_n to_o proceed_v against_o he_o as_o a_o enemy_n to_o humane_a society_n and_o endeavour_v his_o extirpation_n out_o of_o it_o this_o upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o that_o one_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o provide_v for_o the_o welfare_n and_o happiness_n of_o all_o mankind_n be_v a_o unavoidable_a consequence_n &_o so_o be_v it_o upon_o supposition_n of_o unity_n offaith_o that_o all_o that_o be_v bind_v to_o it_o must_v be_v under_o one_o common_a government_n but_o because_o the_o world_n be_v ill-governed_a it_o be_v a_o unhappy_a way_n of_o argue_v to_o make_v that_o a_o precedent_n that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v so_o too_o arg._n 4_o god_n have_v grant_v to_o the_o church_n certain_a power_n as_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n a_o power_n to_o enact_v law_n a_o power_n to_o excommunicate_v a_o power_n to_o hold_v assembly_n and_o a_o power_n to_o ordain_v governor_n but_o to_o all_o this_o it_o be_v answer_v that_o these_o power_n be_v grant_v to_o particular_a church_n not_o to_o the_o whole_a as_o distinct_a from_o the_o part_n they_o be_v grant_v to_o both_o to_o every_o particular_a church_n over_o its_o own_o member_n and_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n over_o every_o particular_a church_n and_o whether_o as_o such_o it_o be_v distinct_a from_o all_o its_o part_n be_v a_o dispute_n too_o metaphysical_a for_o i_o to_o undertake_v but_o as_o consist_v of_o they_o all_o it_o have_v a_o power_n over_o every_o one_o and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o power_n common_a to_o all_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o grant_v any_o of_o these_o power_n to_o each_o particular_a church_n because_o without_o that_o these_o will_v be_v utter_o defeat_v of_o their_o force_n and_o efficacy_n for_o example_n suppose_v a_o power_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n to_o punish_v a_o offender_n by_o excommunication_n unless_o the_o force_n of_o that_o excommunication_n reach_v to_o other_o church_n it_o lose_v its_o effect_n for_o notwithstanding_o that_o he_o have_v a_o right_a to_o church-membership_n in_o all_o the_o church_n through_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o and_o then_o he_o be_v as_o much_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n as_o à ny_v man_n will_v be_v out_o of_o england_n that_o be_v drive_v from_o any_o one_o village_n so_o that_o from_o the_o right_n of_o exercise_v discipline_n in_o each_o particular_a church_n the_o consequence_n be_v unavoidable_a to_o infer_v the_o same_o common_a power_n in_o the_o church_n catholic_n and_o that_o by_o our_o author_n leave_n be_v st._n cyprian_n inference_n not_o mere_o from_o these_o common_a grant_n to_o infer_v this_o right_n in_o particular_a church_n but_o to_o infer_v the_o same_o power_n in_o every_o part_n over_o itself_o and_o in_o the_o whole_a over_o every_o part_n and_o st._n cyprian_n be_v so_o perpetual_o beat_v upon_o this_o argument_n that_o i_o can_v enough_o wonder_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o this_o learned_a man_n shall_v here_o so_o foul_o mistake_v he_o as_o if_o he_o have_v confine_v the_o exercise_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n to_o each_o particular_a church_n but_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o i_o have_v sufficient_o show_v above_o and_o beside_o what_o i_o have_v already_o allege_v there_o be_v one_o pregnant_a passage_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o steven_n bishop_n of_o rome_n against_o marcian_n bishop_n of_o arles_n to_o this_o 67._o purpose_n idcirco_fw-la frater_fw-la charissime_fw-la oopiosum_fw-la corpus_fw-la est_fw-la sacerdotum_fw-la concordiae_fw-la mutuae_fw-la glutino_fw-la atque_fw-la unitatis_fw-la vinculo_fw-la copulatum_fw-la ut_fw-la si_fw-la quis_fw-la ex_fw-la collegio_fw-la nostro_fw-la haeresin_fw-la facere_fw-la &_o gregem_fw-la christi_fw-la lacerare_fw-la &_o vastare_fw-la tentaverit_fw-la subveniant_fw-la caeteri_fw-la &_o quasi_fw-la pastor_n utiles_fw-la &_o misericordes_fw-la oves_fw-la dominicas_fw-la in_o gregem_fw-la colligant_fw-la therefore_o most_o dear_a brother_n be_v the_o body_n of_o the_o priesthood_n so_o large_o combine_v together_o by_o the_o cement_n of_o concord_n and_o bond_n of_o unity_n that_o if_o any_o of_o our_o college_n shall_v attempt_v to_o raise_v heresy_n and_o schism_n the_o rest_n ought_v to_o come_v in_o and_o as_o watchful_a and_o tender_a pastor_n reduce_v the_o lord_n sheep_n to_o his_o flock_n every_o bishop_n be_v to_o watch_v over_o his_o own_o flock_n but_o the_o whole_a body_n or_o college_n of_o bishop_n over_o every_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o the_o power_n lodge_v in_o they_o all_o be_v but_o one_o common_a power_n seat_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n so_o far_o be_v st._n cyprian_n from_o dream_v of_o the_o consinement_n of_o its_o exercise_n to_o particular_a church_n as_o for_o the_o follow_a argument_n and_o answer_n they_o be_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n with_o these_o i_o have_v already_o examine_v and_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n repetition_n of_o the_o same_o and_o run_v into_o the_o same_o principle_n that_o all_o unity_n be_v nothing_o but_o either_o unity_n of_o faith_n or_o voluntary_a agreement_n both_o which_o be_v already_o so_o often_o prove_v to_o be_v no_o unity_n without_o a_o unity_n of_o government_n that_o to_o avoid_v be_v tedious_a i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o but_o proceed_v to_o examine_v our_o learned_a author_n be_v own_o argument_n and_o in_o they_o he_o be_v more_o unhappy_a then_o in_o his_o answer_n for_o they_o be_v so_o many_o very_a good_a argument_n against_o himself_o first_o then_o this_o be_v of_o so_o great_a weight_n will_v have_v be_v declare_v in_o holy_a scripture_n and_o so_o it_o be_v and_o nothing_o more_o so_o to_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n i_o will_v challenge_v all_o the_o world_n to_o show_v i_o any_o one_o thing_n more_o earnest_o enjoin_v and_o frequent_o recommend_v then_o the_o preservation_n of_o unity_n among_o christian_n and_o then_o if_o without_o a_o unity_n of_o government_n no_o other_o can_v be_v possible_o preserve_v as_o our_o author_n have_v prove_v from_o common_a sense_n and_o common_a experience_n that_o must_v be_v the_o thing_n principal_o command_v by_o all_o those_o injunction_n but_o such_o arguing_n as_o these_o suppose_v all_o man_n very_o great_a blockhead_n as_o if_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o understand_v any_o thing_n unless_o it_o be_v beat_v into_o they_o whereas_o the_o scripture_n suppose_v mankind_n endue_v with_o common_a sense_n that_o can_v apply_v general_a law_n to_o particular_a case_n without_o be_v guide_v like_o beast_n every_o step_n they_o take_v and_o thus_o our_o saviour_n have_v institute_v the_o society_n of_o his_o church_n and_o establish_v governor_n in_o it_o when_o he_o enjoin_v they_o to_o be_v careful_a to_o preserve_v unity_n no_o man_n can_v be_v so_o dull_a as_o not_o to_o understand_v that_o he_o thereby_o require_v they_o to_o make_v use_n of_o all_o mean_n of_o obtain_v it_o but_o especial_o such_o as_o be_v necessary_a to_o its_o preservation_n in_o all_o society_n and_o therefore_o whether_o this_o unity_n of_o government_n be_v enjoin_v in_o express_a word_n in_o scripture_n i_o will_v not_o concern_v myself_o to_o inquire_v because_o it_o be_v as_o clear_v there_o to_o all_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n as_o if_o it_o be_v so_o enjoin_v and_o that_o be_v enough_o but_o second_o there_o appear_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n what_o do_v not_o the_o apostle_n keep_v unity_n among_o themselves_o do_v they_o not_o govern_v the_o church_n as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v by_o common_a consent_n do_v not_o every_o particular_a apostle_n give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o own_o church_n to_o the_o whole_a college_n do_v they_o not_o advise_v together_o upon_o emergent_a controversy_n and_o be_v not_o every_o man_n conclude_v by_o the_o vote_n of_o the_o whole_a council_n it_o be_v strange_a to_o i_o to_o see_v it_o affirm_v that_o they_o observe_v no_o such_o polity_n in_o sound_v christian_a society_n when_o there_o be_v no_o one_o thing_n more_o observable_a in_o their_o whole_a history_n than_o their_o great_a care_n to_o maintain_v peace_n love_n and_o unity_n among_o all_o church_n and_o that_o
his_o successor_n achillas_n and_o then_o alexander_n who_o they_o prosecute_v even_o into_o the_o emperor_n court_n and_o be_v thus_o verse_v and_o practise_v in_o contrive_v plot_n they_o now_o hook_v in_o athanasius_n do_v nothing_o strange_a to_o their_o old_a wickedness_n and_o though_o their_o calumny_n against_o their_o former_a bishop_n prove_v ineffectual_a yet_o now_o at_o last_o they_o have_v their_o end_n by_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o eusebian_n with_o who_o these_o good_a man_n as_o mr._n baxter_n very_o prudent_o and_o feasonable_o for_o the_o credit_n of_o his_o party_n observe_v join_v interest_n notwithstanding_o that_o they_o know_v they_o to_o be_v arian_n just_a as_o if_o the_o nonconformist_n at_o this_o time_n shall_v seek_v by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o papist_n to_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o silence_v and_o destroy_v prelate_n upon_o condition_n of_o common_a liberty_n the_o case_n be_v not_o much_o unlike_a you_o may_v safe_o take_v his_o word_n for_o it_o and_o for_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n too_o and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o fair_a confession_n of_o presbyterian_a integrity_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o though_o it_o be_v not_o the_o only_a knavish_a plot_n against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o mr._n b_n indiscretion_n have_v betray_v as_o will_v appear_v in_o its_o due_a place_n little_a to_o the_o reputation_n of_o some_o man_n honesty_n who_o have_v be_v very_o busy_a without_o any_o authority_n from_o their_o superior_n to_o trim_a and_o plot_n away_o every_o thing_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o its_o revenue_n but_o the_o plot_n be_v lay_v against_o athanasius_n they_o first_o tell_v a_o blind_a story_n of_o a_o kind_n of_o nagshead_n ordination_n that_o he_o be_v private_o ordain_v by_o no_o more_o than_o six_o or_o seven_o bishop_n against_o the_o vote_n of_o the_o provincial_a synod_n and_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o people_n but_o 11._o this_o be_v right_o mareotick_a dulness_n and_o be_v soon_o contradict_v by_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o egypt_n and_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o alexandria_n who_o be_v so_o far_o from_o oppose_v his_o election_n that_o they_o have_v almost_o run_v themselves_o into_o tumult_n to_o hasten_v his_o consecreation_n then_o story_n be_v tell_v of_o his_o arbitrary_a exaction_n of_o money_n from_o the_o people_n but_o macarius_n one_o of_o his_o presbyter_n happen_v to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o tale_n inform_v the_o emperor_n that_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o usual_a collection_n to_o repair_v and_o adorn_v the_o church_n upon_o this_o macarius_n be_v not_o long_o after_o accuse_v of_o conspire_v with_o athanasius_n to_o send_v money_n to_o philumenus_n that_o be_v to_o murder_v the_o emperor_n but_o they_o both_o appear_v at_o constantinople_n and_o so_o satisfy_v he_o of_o their_o innocence_n and_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o accusation_n in_o that_o they_o have_v never_o know_v nor_o see_v the_o man_n for_o in_o former_a time_n man_n that_o be_v stranger_n to_o each_o other_o be_v not_o wont_a to_o enter_v into_o such_o plot_n that_o if_o discover_v must_v certain_o cost_v they_o their_o life_n and_o therefore_o the_o emperor_n be_v assure_v that_o they_o be_v no_o familiar_a acquaintance_n with_o the_o traitor_n do_v not_o only_o acquit_v they_o but_o send_v they_o home_o with_o commendatory_a letter_n but_o these_o defeat_v instead_o of_o abate_v the_o impudence_n of_o the_o eusebian_n do_v but_o more_o exasperate_v their_o rage_n and_o therefore_o they_o now_o resolve_v to_o stab_v home_o eusebius_n have_v get_v a_o new_a evidence_n fit_a for_o the_o purpose_n one_o ischiras_n a_o debauch_v pretend_a priest_n that_o have_v foâ—ged_v his_o holy_a order_n who_o athanasius_n in_o his_o lâ—st_o visitation_n have_v depose_v and_o force_v to_o fly_v the_o country_n he_o repair_v to_o eusebius_n and_o offer_v he_o his_o service_n as_o a_o evidence_n he_o receive_v he_o as_o a_o true_a presbyter_n into_o his_o protection_n and_o give_v he_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o bishopric_n if_o he_o will_v swear_v home_o against_o athanasius_n he_o immediate_o swear_v that_o athanasius_n have_v assault_v his_o church_n though_o he_o never_o have_v any_o in_o a_o hostile_a manner_n and_o that_o either_o himself_o or_o his_o presbyter_n macarize_v for_o he_o will_v not_o be_v positive_a as_o to_o person_n have_v in_o their_o rage_n overturn_v the_o communion_n table_n break_v in_o piece_n the_o mystical_a cup_n so_o they_o call_v it_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v more_o terrible_a and_o burn_v the_o bibles_n but_o all_o this_o will_v proceed_v no_o far_o than_o deposition_n and_o therefore_o he_o add_v that_o athanasius_n have_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n murder_v arsenius_n a_o bishop_n and_o show_v a_o man_n hand_n that_o be_v cut_v off_o by_o athanasius_n when_o the_o fact_n be_v do_v and_o arsenius_n himself_o be_v of_o the_o confederacy_n be_v to_o abscond_v by_o consent_n till_o athanasius_n be_v dispatch_v out_o of_o the_o way_n but_o so_o it_o happen_v very_o unfortunate_o that_o ischyras_n his_o conscience_n it_o seem_v perjury_n in_o that_o age_n be_v not_o grow_v to_o its_o full_a assurance_n misgive_v he_o so_o that_o he_o confess_v the_o forgery_n of_o the_o whole_a plot_n in_o a_o letter_n to_o athanasius_n himself_o subscribe_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o clergy_n but_o the_o caufe_n have_v be_v refer_v by_o the_o emperor_n to_o dalmatius_n the_o governor_n of_o egypt_n and_o before_o the_o trial_n athanasius_n have_v the_o good_a luck_n to_o find_v out_o the_o murder_a arsenius_n and_o have_v he_o forthcoming_a at_o the_o trial_n and_o though_o at_o first_o he_o plead_v ignorance_n of_o himself_o and_o deny_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o man_n and_o will_v have_v swear_v himself_o out_o of_o himself_o yet_o be_v convict_v by_o a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n he_o confess_v the_o conspiracy_n and_o upon_o the_o shame_n of_o so_o clear_a a_o conviction_n for_o modesty_n have_v not_o then_o quite_o leave_v the_o earth_n both_o he_o and_o john_n a_o ring-leading_a bishop_n among_o the_o miletian_o confess_v all_o the_o villainy_n beg_v athanasius_n his_o pardon_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n this_o the_o good_a man_n can_v not_o but_o think_v enough_o to_o secure_v his_o innocence_n against_o the_o like_a attempt_n forever_o and_o therefore_o with_o all_o have_v he_o dispatch_v away_o his_o faithful_a presbyter_n macarius_n to_o acquaint_v the_o emperor_n with_o all_o that_o have_v pass_v and_o upon_o the_o information_n constantine_n break_v up_o the_o court_n clear_v athanasius_n and_o by_o his_o letter_n to_o alexandria_n declare_v the_o villainy_n of_o the_o meletian_o and_o here_o the_o plot_n sleep_v for_o near_o two_o year_n before_o eusebius_n dare_v revive_v it_o but_o have_v with_o great_a pain_n and_o promise_v recover_v his_o evidence_n he_o and_o his_o party_n insinuate_v to_o the_o emperor_n that_o athanasius_n have_v take_v off_o bishop_n john_n by_o great_a sum_n of_o money_n and_o have_v so_o threaten_v the_o poor_a meletian_a nonconformist_n for_o so_o mr._n b._n call_v these_o plot_a schismatic_n that_o they_o dare_v not_o appear_v to_o give_v in_o their_o evidence_n against_o he_o that_o the_o show_n of_o arsenius_n be_v all_o a_o rank_a cheat_n and_o that_o the_o person_n that_o appear_v in_o his_o stead_n be_v hire_v by_o athanasius_n and_o attest_v only_o by_o a_o few_o of_o his_o own_o combination_n the_o emperor_n be_v both_o tire_v and_o amuse_v with_o all_o this_o intrigue_n and_o therefore_o summon_v a_o council_n at_o tyre_n to_o find_v out_o the_o bottom_n of_o these_o plot_n and_o unravel_v the_o whole_a information_n on_o both_o side_n where_o athanasius_n accompany_v with_o the_o bishop_n of_o his_o province_n appear_v with_o that_o boldness_n and_o security_n that_o become_v his_o innocence_n for_o though_o fly_a story_n may_v gain_v credit_n among_o the_o multitude_n whilst_o they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o story_n yet_o when_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o a_o public_a examination_n before_o judge_n though_o themselves_o be_v party_n they_o so_o visible_o â—â—â—â—_o their_o own_o folly_n that_o few_o man_n have_v confidence_n enough_o to_o protect_v and_o support_v their_o falsehood_n and_o so_o it_o happen_v here_o for_o dionysius_n who_o be_v appoint_v precedent_n to_o see_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v fair_o carry_v be_v himself_o of_o the_o eusebian_n faction_n and_o the_o bishop_n that_o sit_v be_v of_o dionysius_n and_o eusebius_n his_o own_o pack_v and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o the_o plot_n be_v lose_v in_o the_o management_n and_o come_v to_o nothing_o and_o indeed_o so_o defective_a and_o unfortunate_a be_v it_o in_o its_o evidence_n that_o no_o disingenuity_n in_o the_o judge_n can_v piece_v it_o up_o the_o counterfeit_n priest_n ischiras_n be_v reproduced_n and_o in_o hope_n of_o his_o