apostle_n will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d apt_a to_o teach_v 9_o able_a by_o sound_a doctrine_n both_o to_o exhort_v and_o to_o convince_v the_o gainsayers_a nay_o and_o out_o of_o the_o latter_a part_n itself_o where_o god_n have_v appoint_v that_o 1._o the_o priest_n the_o levit_n and_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n shall_v eat_v the_o offering_n of_o the_o lord_n make_v by_o fire_n do_v not_o the_o apostle_n by_o just_a analogy_n infer_v from_o thence_o that_o for_o asmuch_o as_o 14._o they_o which_o wait_v at_o the_o altar_n be_v partaker_n with_o the_o altar_n even_o so_o have_v the_o lord_n ordain_v that_o they_o which_o preach_v the_o gospel_n shall_v live_v of_o the_o gospel_n with_o what_o show_n of_o reason_n than_o can_v any_o man_n imagine_v that_o what_o be_v institute_v by_o god_n in_o the_o law_n for_o mere_a matter_n of_o government_n and_o preservation_n of_o good_a order_n without_o all_o respect_n of_o type_n or_o ceremony_n shall_v now_o be_v reject_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o a_o device_n of_o antichrist_n that_o what_o be_v by_o the_o lord_n once_o 2._o plant_v a_o noble_a vine_n whole_o a_o right_a seed_n shall_v now_o be_v so_o turn_v into_o the_o degenerate_a plant_n of_o a_o strange_a vine_n that_o no_o purge_v or_o prune_v of_o it_o will_v serve_v the_o turn_n but_o it_o must_v be_v cut_v down_o root_n and_o branch_n as_o 13._o a_o plant_n which_o our_o heavenly_a father_n have_v never_o plant_v but_o nothing_o be_v so_o familiar_a now_o a_o day_n as_o to_o father_n upon_o antichrist_n whatsoever_o in_o church_n matter_n we_o do_v not_o find_v to_o suit_n with_o our_o own_o humour_n the_o safe_a way_n will_v be_v to_o consult_v with_o christ_n himself_o herein_o and_o hear_v what_o he_o deliver_v in_o the_o cause_n these_o thing_n say_v he_o that_o have_v the_o seven_o star_n revel_v iii_o 1._o he_o ow_v then_o we_o see_v these_o star_n whatsoever_o they_o be_v and_o the_o mystery_n of_o they_o he_o thus_o further_o open_v unto_o his_o belove_a disciple_n the_o seven_o star_n which_o thou_o see_v in_o my_o right_a hand_n be_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n revel_v i_o 20._o from_o which_o word_n a_o learned_a man_n very_o much_o devote_v to_o the_o now_o so_o high_o admire_v discipline_n deduce_v this_o conclusion_n 20._o how_o great_a therefore_o be_v the_o dignity_n of_o true_a pastor_n who_o be_v both_o star_n fix_v in_o no_o other_o firmament_n then_o in_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o christ_n and_o angel_n he_o have_v consider_v well_o that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o ephâ—sus_n one_o of_o the_o seven_o here_o point_v at_o there_o be_v many_o 28._o presbyter_n who_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v bishop_n or_o overseer_n over_o all_o that_o flock_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n and_o withal_o he_o see_v that_o by_o admit_v one_o angel_n there_o above_o the_o rest_n all_o as_o well_o 18._o extraordinary_a prophet_n as_o 7._o ordinary_a pastor_n be_v in_o their_o own_o several_a station_n account_v angel_n or_o messenger_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n he_o shall_v be_v force_v also_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o eminency_n of_o one_o bishop_n above_o the_o other_o bishop_n that_o name_n be_v in_o those_o day_n 7._o common_a unto_o all_o the_o presbyter_n and_o to_o yield_v withal_o that_o such_o a_o one_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v as_o a_o star_n fix_v in_o no_o other_o firmament_n then_o in_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o christ._n to_o salve_v this_o therefore_o all_o the_o star_n in_o every_o church_n must_v be_v presuppose_v to_o be_v of_o one_o magnitude_n and_o though_o those_o star_n which_o typify_v these_o angel_n be_v say_v to_o be_v but_o seven_o yet_o the_o angel_n themselves_o must_v be_v maintain_v to_o be_v far_o more_o in_o number_n and_o in_o fine_a where_o our_o saviour_n say_v 1._o unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n write_v it_o must_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v admit_v that_o 1._o any_o one_o angel_n shall_v be_v mean_v hereby_o but_o the_o whole_a college_n of_o pastor_n rather_o and_o all_o upon_o pretence_n of_o a_o poor_a show_n of_o some_o shallow_a reason_n that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n but_o many_o and_o among_o they_o not_o any_o principal_a which_o wrest_v of_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o extreme_a violent_a that_o m._n beza_n though_o every_o way_n as_o zealous_o affect_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o new_a discipline_n as_o be_v the_o other_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n digest_v it_o but_o ingenuous_o acknowledge_v the_o meaning_n of_o our_o lord_n direction_n to_o have_v be_v this_o 1._o to_o the_o angel_n that_o be_v to_o the_o precedent_n as_o who_o it_o behove_v special_o to_o be_v admonish_v touch_v those_o matter_n and_o by_o he_o both_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o colleague_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n likewise_o and_o that_o there_o be_v then_o a_o stand_a precedent_n over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o ephesus_n and_o he_o the_o very_a same_o as_o learned_a 3._o doctor_n rynolds_n add_v with_o he_o who_o afterward_o the_o father_n call_v bishop_n may_v further_o be_v make_v manifest_a not_o only_o by_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n but_o also_o by_o the_o clear_a testimony_n of_o ignatius_n who_o within_o no_o great_a compass_n of_o time_n then_o twelve_o year_n afterward_o distinguish_v the_o singular_a and_o constant_a precedent_n thereof_o from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o presbyter_n by_o appropriate_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n unto_o he_o as_o for_o the_o former_a we_o find_v it_o open_o declare_v in_o the_o general_a council_n of_o chalcedon_n by_o leontius_n bishop_n of_o magnesia_n that_o 11._o from_o timothy_n and_o so_o from_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o have_v be_v a_o continue_a succession_n of_o seven_o and_o twenty_o bishop_n all_o of_o they_o ordain_v in_o ephesus_n of_o which_o number_n the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n must_v needs_o be_v one_o whether_o it_o be_v timothy_n himself_o as_o 7._o some_o conceive_v or_o one_o of_o his_o next_o successor_n as_o other_o rather_o do_v imagine_v for_o that_o timothy_n have_v be_v some_o time_n 19_o *_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v the_o appellation_n that_o 1._o justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o second_o apology_n for_o christian_n &_o 〈◊〉_d dionysius_n of_o corinth_n not_o long_o after_o he_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o athens_n and_o 72._o marcellus_n bishop_n of_o ancyra_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o julius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n do_v give_v unto_o a_o bishop_n or_o autistes_n or_o precedent_n of_o the_o ephesine_n presbytery_n be_v confess_v by_o beza_n himself_o and_o that_o he_o be_v ordain_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o ephesian_n we_o do_v not_o only_o read_v in_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o second_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o the_o ecclesiastical_a history_n of_o 〈◊〉_d eusebius_n but_o also_o in_o two_o ancient_a treatise_n concern_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o timothy_n the_o one_o nameless_a in_o the_o library_n of_o 254._o photius_n the_o other_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o 1485._o polycrates_n even_o of_o that_o polycrates_n who_o be_v not_o only_a himself_o bishop_n of_o this_o church_n of_o ephesus_n but_o bear_v also_o within_o six_o or_o seven_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o s._n john_n write_v the_o forenamed_a epistle_n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n as_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o year_n he_o be_v of_o when_o he_o write_v that_o epistle_n unto_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n wherein_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o 〈◊〉_d seven_o kinsman_n of_o he_o who_o have_v be_v bishop_n he_o himself_o be_v the_o eight_o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o ignatius_n who_o 〈◊〉_d theodoret_n and_o 1606._o felix_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o s._n john_n the_o chronographer_n of_o antioch_n report_v to_o have_v be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n by_o s._n peter_n in_o special_a chrysostome_n who_o be_v a_o presbyter_n of_o the_o same_o church_n by_o encomio_fw-la the_o apostle_n in_o general_a and_o without_o all_o controversy_n do_v sit_v in_o that_o see_v the_o very_a same_o time_n wherein_o that_o epistle_n unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v command_v to_o be_v write_v in_o the_o isle_n of_o patmos_n have_v s._n john_n his_o revelation_n manifest_v unto_o he_o 30._o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o domitian_n as_o ireneus_fw-la testify_v or_o the_o fourteen_o year_n of_o his_o government_n as_o johanne_n eusebius_n and_o hierome_n specify_v it_o from_o thence_o there_o be_v but_o twelve_o year_n reckon_v
the_o two_o son_n of_o zebedee_n james_n and_o john_n to_o be_v choose_v the_o peculiar_a bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o then_o mother_n church_n of_o the_o world_n after_o the_o death_n of_o james_n the_o just_a 32._o hegesippus_n declare_v that_o symeon_n the_o son_n of_o clopas_n or_o cleophas_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n and_o so_o continue_v until_o the_o day_n of_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n under_o who_o he_o suffer_v a_o glorious_a martyrdom_n about_o the_o same_o time_n that_o ignatius_n do_v be_v then_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o age_n and_o by_o that_o account_n bear_v before_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n where_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o prime_a historian_n be_v not_o to_o be_v pass_v over_o that_o 32._o until_o these_o time_n the_o church_n be_v call_v a_o virgin_n as_o be_v not_o yet_o corrupt_v with_o the_o overspread_n of_o heretical_a doctrine_n for_o howsoever_o heresy_n do_v spring_v up_o before_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o keep_v down_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o disciple_n who_o have_v hear_v our_o lord_n himself_o preach_v that_o the_o author_n and_o fautor_n thereof_o be_v not_o able_a to_o get_v any_o great_a head_n be_v force_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o opposite_n to_o lurk_v in_o obscurity_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o all_o that_o generation_n be_v gather_v unto_o their_o father_n and_o none_o of_o those_o be_v leave_v who_o have_v the_o happiness_n to_o hear_v the_o gracious_a word_n that_o proceed_v from_o the_o lord_n own_o mouth_n the_o heretic_n take_v that_o advantage_n begin_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o kind_n of_o combination_n and_o with_o open_a face_n public_o to_o maintain_v the_o 20._o opposition_n of_o their_o science_n false_o so_o call_v from_o whence_o they_o assume_v unto_o themselves_o the_o name_n of_o gnostic_n or_o man_n of_o knowledge_n against_o the_o preach_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o by_o those_o who_o be_v 2._o eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n have_v be_v 3._o once_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o beginner_n of_o which_o conspiracy_n be_v one_o thebûthis_n who_o have_v at_o the_o first_o be_v breed_v in_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o sect_n into_o which_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o those_o day_n divide_v but_o afterward_o because_o he_o miss_v of_o a_o bishopric_n unto_o which_o he_o have_v aspire_v this_o of_o jerusalem_n as_o it_o may_v seem_v whereunto_o justus_n after_o the_o death_n of_o symeon_n be_v prefer_v before_o he_o can_v think_v of_o no_o readyer_n a_o way_n thorough_o to_o revenge_v himself_o of_o this_o disgrace_n than_o by_o raise_v up_o the_o like_a distraction_n among_o the_o christian_n which_o as_o in_o the_o effect_n it_o show_v the_o malignity_n of_o that_o ambitious_a sectary_n so_o do_v it_o in_o the_o occasion_n discover_v withal_o the_o great_a esteem_n that_o in_o those_o early_a day_n be_v have_v of_o episcopacy_n when_o hegesippus_n write_v this_o ecclesiastical_a history_n the_o ancient_a of_o any_o since_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n eleutherius_fw-la as_o we_o hear_v before_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n unto_o who_o 4._o lucius_n king_n of_o the_o britain_n as_o our_o bede_n relate_v send_v a_o epistle_n desire_v that_o by_o his_o mean_n he_o may_v be_v make_v christian._n who_o present_o obtain_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o pious_a request_n and_o the_o britain_n keep_v the_o faith_n then_o receive_v sound_a and_o undefiled_a in_o quiet_a peace_n until_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n the_o emperor_n by_o who_o bloody_a persecution_n the_o faith_n and_o discipline_n of_o our_o british_a church_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o quite_o extinguish_v but_o that_o within_o ten_o year_n after_o and_o eleven_o before_o the_o first_o general_a council_n of_o nice_a three_o of_o our_o bishop_n be_v present_a and_o subscribe_v unto_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n 9_o eborius_n of_o york_n restitutus_n of_o london_n and_o adelfius_n of_o colchester_n if_o that_o be_v it_o which_o be_v call_v there_o colonia_n londinensium_n the_o first_o root_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o must_v fetch_v beyond_o eleutherius_fw-la and_o as_o high_a as_o s._n peter_n himself_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o he_o junii_fw-la constitute_v church_n here_o and_o ordain_v bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o they_o as_o symeon_n metaphrastes_n relate_v out_o of_o some_o part_n of_o ibid._n eusebius_n as_o it_o seem_v that_o be_v not_o come_v unto_o our_o hand_n but_o to_o return_v unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n of_o s._n john_n by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v apparent_a that_o seven_o singular_a bishop_n who_o be_v the_o constant_a precedent_n over_o those_o church_n be_v point_v at_o under_o that_o name_n for_o other_o sure_a they_o can_v not_o be_v if_o all_o of_o they_o be_v cast_v into_o one_o mould_n and_o be_v of_o the_o same_o quality_n with_o polycarpus_n the_o then_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n who_o without_o all_o question_n be_v such_o if_o any_o credit_n may_v be_v give_v herein_o unto_o those_o that_o see_v he_o and_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o as_o tertullian_n in_o express_a term_n affirm_v he_o to_o have_v be_v place_v there_o by_o s._n john_n himself_o in_o the_o testimony_n before_o allege_v out_o of_o his_o 2._o prescription_n so_o do_v he_o elsewhere_o from_o the_o order_n of_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n not_o obscure_o intimate_v that_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o number_n be_v to_o be_v refer_v unto_o the_o same_o descent_n 5._o we_o have_v say_v he_o the_o church_n that_o be_v breed_v by_o john_n for_o although_o martion_n do_v reject_v his_o revelation_n yet_o the_o order_n of_o the_o bishop_n reckon_v up_o unto_o their_o original_n will_v stand_v for_o john_n to_o be_v their_o founder_n neither_o do_v the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o timothy_n mention_v by_o photius_n mean_v any_o other_o by_o those_o seven_o bishop_n who_o assistance_n he_o say_v s._n john_n do_v use_v after_o his_o return_n from_o patmos_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o ephesian_n for_o 254._o be_v revoke_v from_o his_o exile_n say_v he_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o nerva_n he_o betake_v himself_o to_o the_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n and_o be_v assist_v with_o the_o presence_n of_o seven_o bishop_n he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o continue_v preach_v the_o word_n of_o piety_n until_o the_o empire_n of_o trajan_n that_o he_o remain_v with_o the_o ephesian_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n of_o asia_n until_o the_o day_n of_o trajan_n and_o that_o during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o abode_n with_o they_o he_o publish_v his_o gospel_n be_v sufficient_o witness_v by_o 3_o ireneus_fw-la that_o upon_o his_o return_n from_o the_o island_n after_o the_o death_n of_o domitian_n he_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v confirm_v likewise_o both_o by_o 23._o eusebius_n and_o by_o 9_o hierom_n who_o further_o add_v that_o matthaei_n at_o the_o earnest_a entreaty_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n he_o write_v there_o his_o gospel_n and_o that_o he_o himself_o also_o be_v free_a from_o his_o banishment_n do_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o diverse_a church_n be_v clear_o testify_v by_o clement_n of_o alexandria_n who_o live_v in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o and_o deliver_v it_o as_o a_o certain_a truth_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o those_o who_o go_v before_o he_o and_o can_v not_o be_v far_o from_o the_o time_n wherein_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v act_v 23._o when_o s._n john_n say_v he_o domitian_n the_o tyrant_n be_v dead_a remove_v from_o the_o island_n of_o patmos_n unto_o ephesus_n by_o the_o entreaty_n of_o some_o he_o go_v also_o unto_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n in_o some_o place_n constitute_v bishop_n in_o other_o sound_v whole_a church_n among_o these_o neighbour_a church_n be_v that_o of_o hierapolis_n which_o have_v papias_n place_v 2._o bishop_n therein_o that_o this_o man_n be_v 33._o a_o hearer_n of_o s._n john_n and_o a_o companion_n of_o polycarpus_n be_v testify_v by_o his_o own_o scholar_n theodoram_fw-la irenaeus_n and_o that_o he_o converse_v with_o meminit_fw-la the_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o christ_n also_o he_o himself_o do_v thus_o declare_v in_o the_o proëme_n of_o the_o five_o book_n which_o he_o entitle_v a_o declaration_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n ibid._n if_o upon_o occasion_n any_o of_o the_o presbyter_n which_o have_v accompany_v the_o apostle_n do_v come_v i_o diligent_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o speech_n which_o the_o apostle_n use_v what_o andrew_n or_o what_o peter_n do_v say_v or_o what_o philip_n or_o thomas_n or_o james_n or_o john_n or_o
confession_n and_o proof_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o reform_a church_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o office_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o use_v the_o best_a together_o with_o a_o brief_a treatise_n touch_v the_o original_a of_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_o print_a in_o the_o year_n 1662._o to_o the_o pious_a and_o religious_a reader_n grace_n and_o peace_n in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o matter_n subject_n of_o this_o treatise_n be_v yet_o in_o suspense_n and_o to_o be_v determine_v the_o future_a viz._n what_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o office_n itself_o and_o also_o the_o best_a in_o respect_n of_o its_o use_n after_o that_o upon_o more_o and_o more_o deliberation_n i_o have_v perfect_v my_o conlusion_n the_o say_n of_o augustine_n come_v into_o my_o mind_n he_o that_o conceal_v a_o truth_n and_o he_o that_o teach_v a_o falsehood_n be_v both_o guilty_a the_o first_o because_o he_o will_v not_o profit_v the_o other_o because_o he_o intend_v to_o hurt_v and_o delude_v which_o i_o apprehend_v as_o a_o double_a caution_n both_o of_o not_o publish_v any_o utopian_a ecclesiastical_a form_n of_o government_n of_o my_o own_o forge_n as_o also_o of_o not_o stifle_v by_o my_o silence_n a_o form_n true_o apostolical_a which_o resolution_n notwithstanding_o i_o do_v not_o adventure_v to_o take_v before_o that_o i_o be_v fortify_v in_o my_o persuasion_n by_o a_o general_a consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o reform_a church_n and_o among_o other_o in_o some_o principal_n point_v appeal_n to_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n nor_o yet_o do_v we_o so_o much_o insist_v upon_o their_o confession_n as_o upon_o their_o proof_n especial_o be_v ground_v upon_o two_o infallible_a foundation_n the_o first_o the_o general_a verdict_n of_o antiquity_n as_o well_o doctrinal_a as_o historical_a though_o we_o shall_v not_o name_v that_o general_a council_n of_o chalcedon_n consist_v of_o 630_o father_n which_o by_o one_o canon_n decree_v it_o to_o be_v a_o sacrilege_n to_o press_v down_o a_o bishop_n into_o the_o degree_n of_o a_o presbyter_n the_o same_o council_n that_o do_v also_o ordain_v another_o canon_n which_o be_v then_o the_o very_a break-neck_n of_o romish_a popedom_n 2._o the_o authentical_a text_n of_o scripture_n so_o far_o as_o thereby_o to_o demonstrate_v christ_n his_o own_o approbation_n of_o episcopal_n prelacy_n after_o his_o ascension_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n in_o one_o whereof_o without_o all_o contradiction_n be_v one_o polycarpus_n bishop_n and_o martyr_n as_o for_o the_o church_n whereof_o we_o be_v to_o speak_v the_o tractate_n have_v be_v undertake_v in_o behalf_n of_o protestant_a church_n which_o practice_n at_o this_o day_n the_o same_o prelacy_n under_o these_o two_o divers_a name_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o superintendency_n as_o much_o exceed_v the_o number_n of_o those_o which_o be_v destitute_a of_o bishop_n yet_o so_o as_o just_o condemn_v the_o romish_a hierarchy_n rather_o tyranny_n poison_v with_o most_o gross_a idolatry_n and_o not_o so_o only_o but_o so_o far_o opposite_a to_o the_o episcopacy_n which_o we_o defend_v that_o it_o be_v a_o false_a usurpation_n that_o all_o bishop_n be_v original_o deduce_v from_o the_o pope_n and_o dependent_a upon_o he_o other_o church_n destitute_a of_o bishop_n we_o differ_v from_o yet_o not_o so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o we_o as_o not_o to_o account_v they_o essential_a church_n of_o christ_n but_o to_o who_o as_o former_o we_o do_v desirous_o give_v the_o right_a hand_n of_o brotherly_a fellowship_n to_o join_v against_o the_o common_a and_o grand_a adversary_n in_o the_o romish_a babylon_n concerinng_a other_o point_n circumstantial_a we_o have_v provide_v that_o our_o method_n be_v with_o coherence_n our_o still_o plain_a and_o even_o our_o allegation_n direct_v and_o punctual_a our_o author_n just_o approvable_a our_o taxation_n toothless_a and_o our_o inferency_n brief_a pertinent_a and_o consectary_n as_o for_o you_o good_a christian_a reader_n his_o hope_n be_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o need_v the_o use_n of_o the_o apostle_n expostulation_n say_v be_o i_o your_o enemy_n because_o i_o tell_v you_o the_o truth_n and_o his_o prayer_n to_o god_n shall_v be_v to_o protect_v and_o bless_v you_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o save_a grace_n in_o christ_n jesus_n that_o he_o also_o will_v distribute_v to_o this_o our_o lacerate_v church_n some_o portion_n of_o that_o his_o peerless_a legacy_n leave_v unto_o his_o apostle_n when_o he_o say_v my_o peace_n i_o leave_v with_o you_o by_o virtue_n whereof_o we_o may_v with_o one_o heart_n and_o mind_n faithful_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n the_o content_n of_o every_o thesis_n i._o thesis_n that_o our_o english_a episcopacy_n have_v be_v justify_v b_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a protestant_n of_o remote_a church_n in_o special_a by_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n pag._n 1_o ii_o thesis_n that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o visible_a constitute_v church_n in_o all_o christendom_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o 1500._o year_n and_o more_o which_o hold_v episcopacy_n in_o itself_o to_o be_v unlawful_a 5_o iii_o thesis_n that_o episcopal_a prelacy_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o their_o consent_n therein_o unto_o primitive_a antiquity_n 7_o iu._n thesis_n that_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o necessary_a use_n thereof_o the_o best_a by_o the_o consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n 9_o v._o thesis_n that_o the_o most_o protestant_a church_n do_v profess_v and_o practice_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n 13_o vi_o thesis_n that_o the_o former_a reason_n of_o confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o episcopal_a prelacy_n for_o preservation_n of_o concord_n and_o prevent_v of_o schism_n be_v correspondent_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o antiquity_n 14_o vii_o thesis_n that_o bishop_n primitive_o be_v not_o only_o the_o chief_a champion_n for_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o also_o the_o great_a adversary_n to_o romish_a popedom_n as_o have_v also_o our_o english_a 16_o viii_o thesis_n that_o to_o be_v of_o aposticall_a institution_n argue_v in_o it_o a_o divine_a right_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o excellent_a divine_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n 18_o ix_o thesis_n that_o no_o ancient_a father_n absolute_o deny_v the_o aposticall_a original_a of_o episcopacy_n no_o not_o the_o object_v hieròme_n who_o will_v show_v himself_o a_o manifest_a patron_n thereof_o 19_o x._o thesis_n that_o clement_n a_o apostolical_a disciple_n to_o who_o arbitrement_n both_o our_o opposite_n and_o we_o offer_v to_o yield_v ourselves_o do_v patronize_v episcopacy_n as_o be_v apostolical_a 21_o xi_o thesis_n that_o other_o primitive_a father_n before_o hierome_n do_v unanimous_o testify_v a_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n 24_o xii_o thesis_n that_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v confess_o prove_v out_o of_o ignatius_n 26_o xiii_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n have_v give_v we_o rule_n of_o resolution_n for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o may_v serve_v in_o the_o case_n of_o episcopacy_n 27_o fourteen_o thesis_n that_o protestant_a divine_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n have_v hold_v it_o most_o equal_a to_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o ancient_n for_o a_o proof_n of_o a_o practice_n apostolical_a 28_o xv._n thesis_n that_o mr._n beza_n himself_o be_v challengable_a to_o yield_v unto_o a_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n from_o his_o own_o former_a confession_n 30_o xvi_o thesis_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o nazianzen_n and_o augustine_n be_v unworthy_o object_v to_o the_o contrary_n 30_o xvii_o thesis_n that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n both_o have_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o community_n of_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v sufficient_o confess_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n 32_o xviii_o thesis_n that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n have_v have_v a_o prelacy_n as_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n that_o they_o be_v call_v evangelist_n according_a to_o consent_n of_o protestant_n of_o reform_a church_n 34_o xix_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n teach_v a_o episcopacy_n both_o in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n 36_o xx._n thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n first_o exposition_n which_o interprete_v the_o angel_n to_o mean_v the_o whole_a church_n and_o congregation_n be_v notable_o extravagant_a 38_o xxi_o thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n second_v exposition_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o signify_v only_o the_o order_n and_o college_n of_o presbyter_n be_v erroneous_a notwithstanding_o the_o argument_n of_o
all_o these_o apostolical_a relation_n concern_v episcopacy_n shall_v not_o amount_v unto_o so_o much_o as_o to_o make_v up_o a_o apostolical_a institution_n thereof_o the_o second_o object_v father_n be_v clement_n whereof_o their_o success_n will_v be_v no_o better_o if_o not_o much_o worse_o x._o thesis_n that_o clement_n a_o apostolical_a disciple_n to_o who_o arbitrement_n both_o our_o opposite_n and_o we_o offer_v to_o yield_v ourselves_o do_v patronize_v episcopacy_n as_o be_v apostolical_a we_o be_v earnest_o call_v upon_o to_o hearken_v unto_o clement_n 136._o talk_v of_o a_o prophecy_n of_o a_o future_a contention_n which_o shall_v happen_v about_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n next_o that_o there_o be_v no_o piece_n of_o antiquity_n of_o more_o esteem_n than_o the_o epistle_n of_o clement_n unto_o the_o corinthian_n then_o that_o this_o be_v bring_v to_o light_v by_o a_o learned_a gentleman_n mr._n patrick_n young_a and_o last_o for_o the_o matter_n itself_o that_o there_o be_v a_o common_a and_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n we_o shall_v answer_v punctual_o to_o every_o one_o viz._n the_o prophecy_n make_v for_o we_o the_o epistle_n much_o more_o the_o publisher_n also_o as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v desire_v and_o that_o objection_n of_o the_o indifferency_n of_o the_o word_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v scarce_o worthy_a the_o mention_n we_o begin_v with_o the_o prophecy_n the_o prophecy_n be_v only_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v in_o time_n to_o come_v a_o contention_n about_o the_o word_n bishop_n if_o we_o shall_v ask_v our_o opposite_n when_o this_o contention_n be_v first_o know_v in_o time_n of_o old_a they_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o tell_v we_o know_v right_a well_o that_o it_o be_v first_o raise_v by_o one_o aerius_n of_o who_o epiphanius_n and_o austin_n have_v above_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o break_v out_o into_o schism_n and_o above_o because_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v to_o be_v make_v a_o bishop_n do_v therefore_o spurn_v against_o episcopacy_n teach_v say_v st._n austin_n that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n therefore_o thus_o they_o may_v see_v the_o prophecy_n fulfil_v both_o when_o and_o in_o who_o if_o they_o like_v it_o but_o if_o any_o shall_v boast_v that_o it_o be_v fulfil_v now_o by_o their_o present_a opposall_n against_o episcopacy_n after_o that_o it_o have_v have_v approbation_n with_o a_o continual_a use_n universal_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n then_o have_v we_o nothing_o else_o to_o reply_v but_o what_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n from_o the_o pen_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n put_v in_o our_o mouth_n if_o any_o be_v contentious_a say_v he_o we_o have_v no_o such_o custom_n nor_o the_o church_n of_o god_n whereby_o the_o wilful_o contentious_a make_v himself_o a_o adversary_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o no_o way_n acceptable_a to_o god_n himself_o the_o second_o point_n which_o we_o be_v to_o discern_v be_v that_o which_o they_o call_v identity_n of_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n they_o shall_v have_v call_v it_o community_n of_o name_n especial_o know_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o identity_n in_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n than_o there_o be_v between_o the_o letter_n of_o p._n and_o b._n but_o this_o be_v a_o lapse_n therefore_o to_o our_o matter_n in_o hand_n we_o answer_v that_o mere_a name_n and_o word_n make_v but_o verbal_a consequence_n to_o which_o we_o oppose_v a_o real_a and_o logical_a consequence_n à _fw-la paribus_fw-la thus_o for_o of_o the_o very_a apostle_n of_o christ_n one_o instile_v himself_o co-presbyte_a another_o himself_n presbyter_n a_o three_o himself_o deacon_n who_o be_v all_o common_a name_n with_o other_o that_o be_v not_o apostle_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o office_n and_o function_n be_v governor_n over_o presbyter_n which_o show_v that_o the_o enterchangeablenesse_n of_o name_n can_v conclude_v a_o indifferency_n of_o degree_n but_o this_o cram_n will_v be_v sod_v once_o again_o when_o we_o shall_v be_v occasion_v to_o give_v further_a satisfaction_n as_o for_o the_o present_a it_o may_v well_o be_v say_v what_o shall_v we_o need_v word_n when_o we_o see_v act_n and_o deed_n namely_o concern_v this_o clement_n not_o only_o that_o he_o maintain_v the_o distinct_a degree_n of_o episcopacy_n but_o that_o also_o he_o be_v distinct_o above_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n himself_o yet_o shall_v not_o our_o opposite_n pose_v we_o in_o that_o where_fw-mi tributum_fw-la vedelius_fw-la a_o professor_n of_o geneva_n give_v they_o if_o they_o have_v read_v he_o some_o satisfaction_n show_v that_o as_o soon_o as_o clemens_n remain_v the_o sole_a adjutour_n of_o the_o apostle_n after_o linus_n and_o cletus_n the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v give_v unto_o he_o and_o not_o attribute_v to_o any_o presbyter_n or_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n so_o he_o be_v not_o this_o to_o the_o point_n the_o distinguish_n of_o time_n do_v solve_v many_o doubt_n it_o be_v meet_v now_o at_o length_n we_o hear_v clemens_n himself_o speak_v clement_n immediate_o after_o his_o relation_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a prophecy_n add_v say_v concern_v the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d for_o this_o cause_n they_o have_v a_o perfect_a foreknowledge_n constitute_v the_o aforesaid_a and_o leave_v a_o description_n of_o officer_n and_o minister_n in_o their_o course_n who_o after_o that_o they_o themselves_o shall_v fall_v asleep_a other_o godly_a man_n may_v succeed_v and_o execute_v their_o function_n so_o clement_n whence_o it_o be_v evident_o collect_v that_o bishop_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n because_o a_o role_n and_o catalogue_n of_o bishop_n be_v frequent_o have_v in_o ecclesiastical_a story_n lineal_o deduce_v from_o the_o apostle_n as_o the_o most_o of_o the_o learned_a protestant_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n have_v ever_o confess_v but_o if_o our_o opposite_n can_v prove_v the_o like_a catalogue_n of_o presbyter_n of_o a_o primitive_a and_o right_a line_n of_o descent_n then_o be_v they_o whole_o to_o yield_v the_o cause_n and_o that_o even_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o clement_n which_o be_v now_o ready_a to_o be_v furthermore_o confess_v by_o the_o exact_a learning_n of_o the_o publisher_n of_o clement_n this_o gentleman_n our_o opposite_n call_v learned_a we_o owe_v he_o a_o high_a title_n even_o one_o exquisite_o learn_v he_o comment_v upon_o the_o same_o epistle_n of_o clement_n now_o object_v against_o episcopacy_n teach_v that_o the_o right_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d agree_v with_o the_o word_n census_fw-la in_o tertullian_n by_o who_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v a_o custom_n in_o apostolical_a church_n to_o make_v a_o role_n for_o this_o word_n he_o hold_v not_o unfit_a of_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n to_o bring_v they_o unto_o their_o first_o original_n even_o as_o say_v tertullian_n polycarpus_n be_v from_o john_n the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o clemens_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o peter_n speak_v even_o of_o this_o our_o clemens_n and_o add_v of_o other_o and_o other_o say_v he_o who_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v bishop_n from_o who_o other_o may_v deduce_v their_o traduction_n and_o offspring_n what_o be_v if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o inexpugnable_a convincement_n of_o our_o opposite_n to_o prove_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v of_o a_o apostolical_a ordination_n yet_o be_v not_o this_o all_o clement_n be_v further_o represent_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o same_o learned_a publisher_n as_o one_o register_v and_o enroll_v by_o antiquity_n as_o bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o same_o bishop_n lineal_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n whether_o in_o the_o first_o second_o or_o three_o rank_n it_o matter_n not_o and_o the_o doubt_n such_o as_o it_o be_v be_v solve_v in_o the_o margin_n by_o our_o foresay_a geneva_n professor_n and_o for_o witness_n hereunto_o be_v cite_v optatus_n hierome_n ruffinus_n eucherius_n and_o photius_n set_v down_o express_o in_o the_o same_o book_n which_o our_o opposite_n have_v object_v against_o we_o which_o if_o you_o will_v not_o see_v or_o see_v not_o regard_n all_o we_o shall_v say_v be_v we_o be_v sorry_a for_o it_o yet_o after_o this_o our_o retorsion_n of_o their_o object_v author_n upon_o themselves_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v they_o further_o satisfaction_n from_o our_o select_a and_o express_a suffrage_n of_o antiquity_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o episcopacy_n xi_o thesis_n that_o other_o primitive_a father_n before_o hierome_n do_v unanimous_o testify_v a_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o manifest_a for_o the_o first_o three_o acceperunt_fw-la ireneus_fw-la habeant_fw-la tertullian_n and_o locum_fw-la origen_n to_o which_o we_o add_v diffunditur_fw-la augustine_n do_v all_o profess_v themselves_o ready_a to_o deduce_v