apostle_n themselves_o but_o as_o to_o their_o immediate_a successor_n who_o they_o employ_v in_o the_o settlement_n of_o church_n and_o to_o who_o they_o commit_v the_o apostolical_a power_n for_o their_o government_n and_o these_o too_o he_o prove_v be_v style_v apostle_n such_o as_o titus_n timothy_n epaphroditus_n clemens_n linus_n marcus_n so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o apostle_n but_o the_o evangelist_n as_o they_o call_v they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o clergy_n and_o endue_v with_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o their_o respective_a church_n and_o hereby_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n not_o only_o for_o themselves_o but_o for_o their_o companion_n and_o successor_n which_o do_v not_o only_o extend_v our_o argument_n but_o join_v together_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o which_o we_o have_v certain_a record_n with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o prevent_v all_o their_o fond_a dream_n of_o a_o 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and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o as_o be_v pretend_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n because_o of_o their_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n neither_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n be_v their_o report_n to_o be_v rely_v upon_o with_o any_o confidence_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o of_o their_o write_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o i_o shall_v here_o reprent_v how_o false_a this_o exception_n be_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la and_o how_o unreasonable_a de_fw-la jure_fw-la either_o against_o the_o constitution_n or_o the_o authentic_a epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o stand_v and_o fall_v together_o so_o that_o whoever_o oppose_v the_o divine_a and_o apostolical_a form_n of_o church_n government_n as_o deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v upon_o his_o own_o principle_n defeat_v and_o reject_v all_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o 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scripture_n though_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n leave_v we_o no_o formal_a history_n and_o catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o all_o their_o several_a see_v wherewith_o some_o man_n unreasonable_a enough_o upbraid_v we_o when_o it_o be_v so_o manifest_a that_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n too_o young_a for_o that_o care_n in_o that_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o succession_n yet_o be_v they_o no_o less_o than_o apostolical_a man_n that_o vouch_v the_o apostolical_a order_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n and_o this_o one_o will_v think_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o modest_a or_o ingenious_a man_n of_o their_o institution_n from_o the_o beginning_n when_o it_o be_v assert_v or_o rather_o suppose_v by_o the_o very_a first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o attest_v it_o so_o that_o whoever_o can_v withstand_v their_o evidence_n be_v proof_n against_o all_o evidence_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o may_v if_o he_o please_v laugh_v at_o all_o the_o tale_n and_o legend_n that_o be_v tell_v concern_v the_o
kingdom_n that_o he_o have_v the_o only_a power_n of_o ordain_v priest_n and_o interpret_n scripture_n that_o moses_n and_o constantine_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o kingly_a power_n make_v the_o scripture_n canonical_a and_o all_o the_o rest_n which_o be_v no_o more_o than_o to_o say_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o law_n beside_o the_o law_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o pursue_v they_o single_o only_o i_o can_v but_o observe_v that_o when_o he_o make_v teach_v any_o doctrine_n against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n to_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n of_o a_o false_a prophet_n he_o have_v obtain_v his_o design_n of_o insinuate_a that_o both_o moses_n and_o our_o saviour_n be_v manifest_a impostor_n in_o that_o they_o both_o proceed_v contrary_a to_o the_o command_v of_o the_o present_a power_n and_o that_o be_v the_o true_a account_n of_o mr._n hobbs_n his_o religion_n that_o though_o they_o be_v indeed_o impostor_n and_o rebel_n to_o the_o state_n yet_o have_v have_v the_o fortune_n to_o gain_v authority_n in_o the_o world_n and_o be_v own_a by_o the_o law_n of_o christendom_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o man_n as_o divine_a person_n as_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v and_o as_o his_o honourable_a notion_n of_o mankind_n be_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o their_o pretence_n to_o justice_n and_o honesty_n they_o be_v only_o a_o pack_n of_o dissemble_a knave_n so_o his_o notion_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n be_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o association_n of_o atheistical_a hypocrite_n profess_v christianity_n but_o not_o believe_v it_o he_o have_v better_o have_v say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n at_o all_o and_o so_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o a_o good_a christian_a to_o deny_v his_o christian_a faith_n when_o his_o sovereign_n command_v he_o he_o have_v better_o have_v express_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o 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this_o new_a kind_n of_o privilege_n that_o he_o out_o of_o his_o great_a kindness_n grant_v the_o clergy_n he_o have_v contradict_v his_o whole_a design_n for_o if_o they_o may_v lawful_o persist_v to_o death_n in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n contrary_a to_o the_o command_v of_o the_o civil_a sovereign_n then_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o all_o subject_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o profess_v that_o religion_n which_o the_o sovereign_n enjoin_v which_o once_o grant_v the_o whole_a cause_n of_o leviathan_n be_v overthrow_v and_o as_o by_o this_o particular_a kindness_n to_o the_o clergy_n he_o have_v run_v himself_o upon_o a_o flat_a contradiction_n to_o his_o whole_a design_n so_o have_v he_o renounce_v his_o argument_n against_o martyrdom_n for_o when_o he_o prove_v that_o a_o christian_n may_v deny_v his_o faith_n because_o profession_n be_v but_o a_o outward_a ceremony_n it_o be_v no_o more_o in_o a_o clergyman_n and_o therefore_o as_o lawful_a and_o innocent_a in_o he_o as_o in_o any_o other_o however_o they_o be_v very_o much_o oblige_v to_o he_o for_o this_o singular_a kindness_n and_o civility_n to_o they_o especial_o at_o that_o time_n when_o they_o enjoy_v this_o his_o privilege_n so_o high_o as_o they_o do_v at_o the_o time_n of_o publish_v his_o book_n all_o the_o orthodox_n clergy_n be_v then_o treat_v with_o a_o more_o barbarous_a cruelty_n than_o the_o ancient_a christian_n be_v by_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a persecutor_n great_a number_n of_o they_o be_v then_o stink_v to_o death_n in_o the_o hole_n and_o bottom_n of_o rot_a ship_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o clergy_n be_v in_o that_o woeful_a condition_n for_o he_o so_o impertinent_o to_o suggest_v as_o he_o do_v immediate_o after_o that_o no_o man_n be_v require_v to_o die_v for_o every_o tenet_n that_o serve_v their_o ambition_n or_o profit_n to_o speak_v very_o gentle_o this_o be_v not_o do_v like_o a_o gentleman_n and_o mr._n hobbs_n can_v not_o have_v take_v a_o more_o unseasonable_a time_n to_o revile_v the_o clergy_n than_o he_o do_v for_o whilst_o they_o be_v in_o prosperity_n endow_v with_o good_a revenue_n and_o entrust_v with_o great_a power_n if_o he_o have_v fall_v upon_o they_o then_o envy_n may_v have_v be_v some_o ground_n for_o his_o malice_n but_o at_o that_o time_n when_o they_o be_v trample_v upon_o by_o the_o very_a scum_n of_o the_o people_n ruin_v and_o undo_v he_o can_v have_v no_o other_o temptation_n to_o do_v it_o but_o mere_a hatred_n and_o malice_n to_o the_o function_n itself_o but_o however_o though_o it_o be_v a_o foolish_a thing_n for_o any_o man_n to_o die_v for_o the_o ambition_n or_o profit_n of_o the_o clergy_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o true_o noble_a thing_n both_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o other_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o lawful_a prince_n against_o rebel_n and_o traitor_n and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o eternal_a blemish_n upon_o mr._n hobbs_n name_n and_o memory_n that_o when_o beside_o the_o general_a duty_n of_o loyalty_n he_o have_v receive_v many_o particular_a favour_n and_o obligation_n from_o his_o prince_n he_o shall_v not_o only_o desert_v he_o himself_o but_o shall_v publish_v this_o book_n on_o purpose_n to_o persuade_v the_o whole_a nation_n that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o way_n bind_v to_o adhere_v to_o their_o lawful_a prince_n that_o they_o be_v bring_v under_o a_o obligation_n of_o allegiance_n and_o loyalty_n to_o the_o then_o brutish_a usurper_n who_o he_o flatter_v to_o so_o high_a a_o degree_n of_o tyranny_n as_o to_o advise_v he_o to_o require_v of_o all_o man_n not_o only_o a_o submission_n to_o his_o brutal_a power_n but_o a_o approbation_n of_o all_o his_o wicked_a action_n a_o thing_n so_o infinite_o vile_a and_o dishonourable_a that_o it_o exceed_v the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o tyrant_n himself_o now_o man_n of_o these_o irreligious_a principle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v fit_a member_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n that_o they_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o live_v in_o any_o humane_a society_n in_o that_o they_o blow_v up_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o government_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n for_o loyalty_n or_o a_o sense_n of_o duty_n to_o lawful_a governor_n be_v found_v upon_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n towards_o god_n so_o that_o those_o man_n that_o set_v subject_n loose_v from_o that_o turn_v they_o loose_v to_o rebellion_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o empty_a doublet_n a_o hat_n and_o a_o crooked_a stick_v set_v up_o by_o prince_n to_o scare_v fool_n to_o obedience_n it_o concern_v they_o to_o keep_v those_o man_n out_o of_o their_o field_n who_o go_v about_o to_o destroy_v the_o reverence_n of_o their_o scarecrow_n however_o these_o man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o any_o dispute_n about_o church-government_n who_o will_v not_o allow_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n when_o the_o dispute_n proceed_v only_o upon_o that_o supposition_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v leave_v they_o to_o enjoy_v the_o vanity_n of_o their_o own_o conceit_n and_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o adversary_n who_o grant_v a_o church_n found_v by_o divine_a right_n but_o no_o right_a of_o government_n within_o itself_o and_o as_o in_o the_o former_a we_o have_v see_v the_o power_n of_o ignorance_n join_v with_o pride_n and_o vanity_n so_o here_o may_v we_o see_v the_o impotency_n of_o learn_v join_v with_o prejudice_n and_o passion_n for_o this_o learned_a gentleman_n have_v spare_v for_o no_o pain_n in_o this_o argument_n he_o have_v ransack_v all_o author_n and_o all_o language_n to_o serve_v his_o cause_n he_o set_v aside_o many_o year_n for_o compose_v his_o work_n and_o indeed_o seem_v to_o have_v make_v it_o the_o main_a design_n of_o his_o life_n and_o
in_o every_o epistle_n he_o so_o plain_o enforce_v his_o exhortation_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n pure_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o command_n of_o christ._n and_o thus_o have_v i_o clear_v the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o defect_n of_o ambiguity_n ground_v upon_o those_o four_o pretence_n that_o the_o succession_n may_v be_v only_o of_o a_o different_a degree_n that_o it_o be_v not_o clear_a and_o convince_a in_o all_o place_n that_o where_o it_o be_v clear_a it_o it_o mean_v of_o a_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o of_o person_n and_o last_o that_o if_o it_o be_v of_o person_n yet_o presbyter_n be_v say_v to_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o bishop_n by_o which_o last_o we_o have_v already_o clear_v the_o next_o thing_n object_v to_o show_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n which_o be_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n after_o the_o distinction_n between_o their_o office_n be_v bring_v in_o by_o the_o church_n which_o i_o have_v already_o show_v to_o be_v false_a and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o utter_o destroy_v their_o argument_n of_o the_o identity_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o name_n but_o because_o new_a instance_n be_v here_o bring_v to_o prove_v the_o same_o thing_n we_o must_v follow_v and_o first_o as_o for_o the_o passage_n cite_v out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n he_o be_v confess_v to_o have_v write_v before_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o name_n and_o therefore_o be_v here_o cite_v to_o no_o purpose_n but_o the_o great_a and_o only_a testimony_n be_v that_o of_o the_o gallican_n church_n who_o in_o their_o epistle_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la bishop_n of_o rome_n give_v irenaeus_n the_o title_n of_o presbyter_n though_o he_o have_v be_v nine_o year_n bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o this_o look_n very_o big_a if_o it_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a chronological_a blunder_n of_o blondel_n against_o the_o clear_a 23._o testimony_n of_o all_o antiquity_n for_o first_o the_o martyr_n of_o lion_n in_o their_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o phrygia_n speak_v of_o their_o bishop_n pothinus_n they_o give_v give_v he_o that_o title_n but_o in_o this_o epistle_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la they_o or_o as_o blondel_n will_v have_v it_o the_o church_n of_o lion_n give_v irenaeus_n only_o the_o title_n of_o presbyter_n and_o both_o eusebius_n and_o st._n jerom_n affirm_v that_o he_o be_v no_o more_o at_o the_o write_n of_o it_o to_o all_o which_o blondel_n object_n that_o they_o both_o place_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o pothinus_n and_o his_o frenchmen_n immediate_o after_o that_o of_o polycarp_n and_o the_o asiatic_n which_o be_v in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n and_o therefore_o the_o other_o be_v about_o the_o same_o time_n so_o that_o when_o irenaeus_n go_v to_o rome_n with_o the_o letter_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la which_o be_v in_o the_o seventeen_o year_n of_o that_o emperor_n he_o have_v be_v so_o long_a bishop_n but_o to_o this_o it_o be_v easy_o answer_v that_o though_o the_o relation_n of_o these_o two_o martyrdom_n immediate_o follow_v one_o another_o in_o eusebius_n his_o cronicon_n and_o st._n jeroms_n translation_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o follow_v that_o they_o immediate_o follow_v in_o time_n because_o these_o two_o martyrdom_n be_v all_o that_o they_o mention_v concern_v the_o four_o persecution_n which_o last_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n so_o that_o though_o one_o be_v in_o the_o seven_o the_o other_o may_v be_v in_o the_o seventeen_o of_o that_o emperor_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o follow_v eusebius_n his_o more_o accurate_a account_n in_o his_o history_n who_o there_o express_o place_n it_o in_o the_o seventeen_o year_n and_o withal_o affirm_v that_o irenaeus_n be_v then_o only_a presbyter_n rather_o than_o from_o so_o weak_a a_o surmise_n from_o the_o 4._o nearness_n of_o the_o story_n in_o his_o chronicon_fw-la to_o bring_v confusion_n upon_o the_o whole_a history_n especial_o when_o it_o so_o fair_o clear_v itself_o in_o that_o this_o letter_n be_v direct_v to_o eleutherius_fw-la who_o succeed_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o sixteen_o year_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n and_o in_o the_o same_o year_n that_o he_o come_v to_o that_o see_v the_o gallican_n persecution_n begin_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o irenaeus_n can_v be_v advance_v to_o the_o bishopric_n before_o that_o time_n so_o that_o it_o be_v like_o the_o rest_n of_o blondel_n stretch_v to_o infer_v from_o a_o remote_a guess_n that_o the_o persecution_n be_v in_o the_o seven_o year_n when_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o clear_a story_n that_o it_o be_v not_o till_o the_o sixteen_o or_o seventeeth_n and_o now_o this_o chronological_a mistake_n be_v remove_v this_o testimony_n be_v clear_o evacuate_v and_o so_o this_o business_n be_v whole_o end_v the_o last_o thing_n allege_v to_o prove_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n be_v that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o own_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o divine_a institution_n but_o ecclesiastical_a but_o of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v choose_v to_o discourse_v in_o the_o last_o place_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o sententiae_fw-la hieronymi_n because_o it_o be_v the_o only_a positive_a argument_n that_o they_o produce_v in_o their_o own_o behalf_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n i_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o last_o place_n that_o when_o i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o have_v nothing_o material_a to_o except_v against_o what_o they_o oppose_v i_o may_v then_o show_v that_o they_o have_v as_o little_a to_o confirm_v what_o they_o assert_v and_o both_o together_o will_v prove_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o controversy_n as_o for_o the_o other_o two_o thing_n that_o remain_v to_o show_v the_o incompetency_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n viz._n its_o partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n little_a or_o no_o answer_n will_v serve_v their_o turn_n for_o as_o for_o the_o partiality_n all_o the_o proof_n that_o be_v material_a to_o our_o argument_n be_v that_o the_o father_n judge_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n by_o that_o of_o their_o own_o time_n and_o very_o good_a reason_n too_o because_o they_o conform_v the_o practice_n of_o their_o own_o time_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n but_o if_o our_o adversary_n will_v infer_v that_o the_o father_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n of_o judge_v of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o mere_o by_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o own_o custom_n it_o be_v only_o a_o precarious_a assertion_n and_o a_o direct_a impeach_v they_o of_o a_o more_o than_o vulgar_a folly_n and_o ignorance_n but_o the_o father_n here_o glance_v at_o be_v st._n chrysostom_n and_o the_o greek_a commentator_n that_o follow_v he_o thus_o who_o can_v imagine_v any_o force_n in_o chrysostoms_n argument_n that_o the_o presbyter_n who_o lay_v hand_n on_o timothy_n must_v needs_o be_v bishop_n because_o none_o do_v ordain_v in_o the_o church_n but_o bishop_n unless_o he_o make_v this_o the_o medium_n of_o his_o argument_n that_o whatever_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o day_n be_v so_o in_o apostolical_a time_n but_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o that_o poor_a medium_n to_o enforce_v his_o argument_n the_o force_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o that_o mere_a presbyter_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o therefore_o the_o mere_a exercise_n of_o that_o power_n be_v a_o manifest_a proof_n that_o those_o that_o have_v it_o be_v somewhat_o more_o than_o presbyter_n and_o even_o st._n hierom_n himself_o who_o will_v have_v they_o sometime_o though_o when_o he_o know_v not_o to_o have_v share_v with_o the_o bishop_n in_o all_o other_o part_n and_o branch_n of_o jurisdiction_n except_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n as_o peculiar_a to_o the_o episcopal_a order_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o force_n of_o st._n chrysostoms_n argument_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n not_o in_o in_o the_o custom_n of_o his_o own_o and_o when_o he_o be_v vindicate_v it_o be_v not_o to_o much_o purpose_n to_o add_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o greek_a commentator_n because_o they_o all_o follow_v he_o and_o though_o they_o may_v sometime_o fall_v short_a in_o their_o reason_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o they_o believe_v episcopacy_n to_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o catholic_n tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o deposition_n they_o be_v capable_a to_o give_v in_o this_o cause_n the_o last_o thing_n object_v be_v the_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o testimony_n and_o this_o be_v prove_v from_o
and_o therefore_o in_o answer_n to_o it_o i_o will_v at_o present_v only_o return_v these_o few_o brief_a consideration_n each_o whereof_o will_v be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v man_n if_o they_o will_v be_v reasonable_a and_o altogether_o more_o than_o enough_o to_o silence_v they_o if_o they_o will_v not_o the_o first_o ill_a consequence_n then_o of_o this_o opinion_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o charge_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n of_o not_o make_v sufficient_a provision_n for_o the_o last_a peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o have_v not_o after-age_n supply_v their_o defect_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n of_o it_o there_o have_v be_v no_o remedy_n for_o cure_v or_o avoid_v eternal_a schism_n and_o division_n for_o according_a to_o this_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n all_o the_o world_n be_v by_o sad_a experience_n convince_v of_o its_o great_a necessity_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o faction_n and_o confusion_n now_o what_o a_o dishonourable_a reflection_n be_v this_o upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o institute_v a_o society_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n without_o provide_v a_o competent_a government_n to_o secure_v its_o continuance_n in_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o than_o second_o whilst_o this_o conceit_n explode_v the_o claim_n found_v upon_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v force_v to_o grant_v a_o necessity_n found_v upon_o natural_a reason_n so_o that_o accord_v to_o it_o episcopal_a government_n be_v make_v necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o all_o those_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o nature_n that_o provide_v for_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o society_n for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o universal_a agreement_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o bishop_n that_o st._n jerom_n speak_v of_o in_o his_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la viz._n ut_fw-la schismatum_fw-la semina_fw-la tollerentur_fw-la and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o this_o evil_n whilst_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v administer_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o presbyter_n the_o consequence_n be_v unavoidable_a that_o though_o our_o saviour_n or_o at_o least_o his_o apostle_n have_v no_o more_o discretion_n that_o to_o leave_v all_o church-officer_n in_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n yet_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o society_n make_v it_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o another_o ecclesiae_fw-la salus_fw-la in_o summi_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la dignitate_fw-la pendet_fw-la cui_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la exhort_v quaedam_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la eminens_fw-la detur_fw-la potestas_fw-la tot_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la efficientur_fw-la schismata_fw-la quot_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la the_o security_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n depend_v upon_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o bishop_n power_n which_o be_v it_o not_o supreme_a and_o paramount_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o other_o clergy_n we_o shall_v quick_o have_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o priest_n say_v st._n jerom_n set_v aside_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o man_n the_o reason_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o argument_n itself_o be_v unanswerable_a for_o in_o such_o a_o vast_a body_n of_o man_n as_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n understanding_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n of_o mankind_n there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a agreement_n and_o by_o consequence_n no_o government_n without_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n in_o some_o above_o other_o now_o this_o be_v another_o pretty_a handsome_a reflection_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v so_o shameful_o defective_a in_o their_o first_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o show_v they_o to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v direct_v by_o any_o divine_a and_o infallible_a spirit_n that_o they_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a discretion_n for_o though_o any_o man_n of_o a_o ordinary_a understanding_n may_v easy_o discern_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o avoid_v schism_n while_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n reside_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o clergy_n partly_o by_o the_o bandy_n of_o the_o presbyter_n one_o against_o another_o partly_o by_o the_o side_a of_o the_o people_n with_o some_o against_o the_o rest_n partly_o by_o the_o too_o common_a use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n in_o presbyter_n by_o which_o they_o be_v more_o able_a to_o increase_v their_o own_o party_n by_o ordain_v those_o who_o will_v join_v with_o they_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n perpetuate_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n when_o i_o say_v these_o inconvenience_n be_v so_o obvious_a what_o a_o prodigious_a neglect_n or_o weakness_n must_v it_o be_v to_o leave_v the_o church_n through_o all_o age_n in_o such_o a_o shatter_a and_o totter_a condition_n insomuch_o that_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v perish_v have_v not_o some_o that_o come_v after_o they_o invent_v better_a mean_n to_o prevent_v or_o redress_v mischief_n than_o they_o have_v leave_v they_o for_o upon_o this_o it_o be_v that_o the_o grave_a and_o wise_a sort_n consider_v the_o abuse_n follow_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o this_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o withal_o have_v in_o their_o mind_n the_o excellent_a frame_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n for_o prevent_v future_a schism_n and_o division_n among_o themselves_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o number_n who_o be_v best_a qualify_v for_o so_o great_a a_o trust_n and_o to_o devolve_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o he_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v we_o be_v more_o oblige_v to_o those_o wise_a and_o grave_a sort_n than_o to_o the_o apostle_n for_o their_o care_n in_o prevent_v schism_n and_o division_n through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o three_o this_o conceit_n bottom_n upon_o no_o better_a foundation_n than_o a_o bold_a and_o presumptuous_a conjecture_n and_o there_o be_v no_o deal_n with_o such_o man_n as_o be_v able_a to_o blast_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o most_o undoubted_a record_n of_o ancient_a time_n with_o a_o imaginary_a and_o sinister_a suspicion_n for_o when_o we_o have_v pursue_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n up_o to_o the_o very_a time_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n it_o require_v somewhat_o a_o bold_a face_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o though_o this_o perhaps_o may_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o dark_a interval_n between_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o time_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n in_o which_o it_o be_v abolish_v and_o a_o new_a form_n of_o government_n set_v up_o but_o that_o be_v find_v inconvenient_a it_o be_v think_v good_a and_o agree_v upon_o in_o all_o church_n to_o lay_v that_o aside_o and_o restore_v the_o old_a apostolical_a superiority_n these_o be_v very_o hard_a conceit_n especial_o when_o they_o can_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o give_v we_o any_o the_o least_o probable_a account_n where_o and_o when_o and_o by_o who_o this_o be_v do_v and_o this_o be_v pretty_a modest_a to_o bear_v up_o so_o confident_o against_o all_o the_o current_n of_o antiquity_n without_o so_o much_o as_o any_o pretence_n of_o ground_n or_o evidence_n to_o rely_v upon_o but_o so_o it_o happen_v once_o upon_o a_o time_n in_o which_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la though_o when_o that_o time_n be_v we_o have_v no_o more_o certain_a knowledge_n than_o we_o have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o latitude_n this_o totus_fw-la orbis_n lie_v perhaps_o it_o be_v as_o blondel_n will_v have_v it_o about_o the_o thirty_o five_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n and_o what_o if_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o have_v say_v the_o fifteen_o or_o sixty_o five_o year_n the_o guess_n have_v be_v altogether_o both_o as_o learned_a and_o as_o well_o ground_v however_o be_v it_o not_o a_o pleasant_a thing_n to_o tell_v we_o bold_o and_o at_o all_o adventure_n in_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la without_o so_o much_o as_o tell_v we_o when_o or_o where_o or_o attempt_v to_o prove_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a that_o so_o universal_a and_o remarkable_a a_o change_n shall_v be_v so_o unanimous_o agree_v upon_o and_o effect_v and_o that_o upon_o such_o great_a and_o urgent_a reason_n without_o ever_o be_v so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o discredit_v any_o record_n choose_v what_o you_o please_v by_o pretend_v there_o once_o be_v or_o perhaps_o may_v have_v be_v a_o unknown_a time_n in_o which_o all_o mankind_n conspire_v