make_v up_o of_o convert_a gentile_n now_o over_o each_o of_o these_o church_n there_o do_v preside_v a_o bishop_n with_o his_o deacon_n so_o that_o frequent_o you_o shall_v find_v in_o church-history_n two_o several_a bishop_n in_o one_o city_n 2._o second_o that_o these_o and_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n be_v wont_a to_o convene_v and_o meet_v together_o to_o consult_v concern_v the_o order_n and_o management_n of_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n 3._o and_o three_o that_o the_o necessity_n and_o condition_n of_o place_n be_v such_o in_o the_o beginning_n that_o all_o church_n be_v not_o so_o complete_o and_o perfect_o model_v at_o the_o first_o as_o they_o be_v in_o process_n of_o time_n for_o as_o church_n be_v great_a or_o less_o in_o proportion_n so_o be_v church-officer_n more_o or_o few_o in_o number_n where_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o great_a there_o a_o bishop_n and_o his_o deacon_n be_v enough_o to_o discharge_v the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n where_o the_o 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christ_n i_o very_o as_o absent_v in_o body_n but_o present_a in_o spirit_n or_o by_o my_o authority_n have_v judge_v already_o concern_v he_o say_v the_o apostle_n this_o observation_n will_v give_v we_o to_o understand_v the_o meaning_n 75._o epiph._n haeres_fw-la 75._o of_o that_o which_o we_o collect_v out_o of_o epiphanius_n that_o in_o one_o church_n there_o be_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n only_o where_o the_o number_n of_o convert_v be_v small_a in_o another_o there_o be_v presbyter_n without_o any_o bishop_n beside_o a_o apostle_n where_o there_o be_v need_n of_o many_o minister_n and_o yet_o one_o can_v not_o be_v find_v that_o be_v so_o fit_a for_o the_o bishopric_n in_o other_o again_o there_o be_v bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n too_o where_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o place_n do_v require_v it_o and_o the_o worth_n and_o ability_n of_o the_o man_n do_v admit_v of_o it_o now_o then_o to_o come_v to_o the_o objection_n st._n paul_n give_v timothy_n a_o 3._o 1_o tim._n 3._o account_n of_o the_o qualification_n necessary_a in_o bishop_n and_o this_o questionless_a be_v in_o order_n to_o their_o ordination_n but_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o presbyter_n be_v mean_v by_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v presbyter_n now_o to_o be_v ordain_v do_v the_o word_n of_o god_n 20._o act._n 19_o 20._o grow_v and_o prevail_v so_o mighty_o in_o the_o ephesian_a church_n and_o yet_o no_o presbyter_n in_o they_o be_v st._n paul_n among_o they_o for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n preach_v dispute_v and_o convert_v so_o many_o 31._o act._n 20._o 31._o multitude_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o yet_o ordain_v no_o presbyter_n to_o water_v what_o he_o have_v so_o prosperous_o plant_v and_o if_o presbyter_n be_v ordain_v be_v settle_v in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n before_o the_o apostle_n departure_n to_o macedonia_n what_o necessity_n be_v there_o for_o he_o to_o send_v his_o son_n timothy_n instruction_n concern_v the_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n especial_o when_o he_o hope_v to_o return_v unto_o he_o short_o divine_n conceive_v that_o this_o epistle_n be_v send_v by_o 14._o 1_o tim._n 3._o 14._o he_o soon_o after_o he_o depart_v from_o ephesus_n and_o be_v all_o the_o presbyter_n dead_a in_o that_o little_a time_n it_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v believe_v that_o presbyter_n be_v want_v but_o bishop_n be_v for_o hitherto_o st._n paul_n have_v be_v with_o the_o ephesian_n for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o his_o own_o person_n he_o have_v govern_v they_o in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o have_v exercise_v his_o episcopal_a authority_n in_o his_o own_o person_n but_o now_o he_o be_v go_v leave_v timothy_n in_o his_o room_n he_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n that_o be_v fix_v at_o ephesus_n and_o the_o only_a bishop_n indeed_o now_o and_o yet_o but_o a_o young_a man_n that_o have_v need_n of_o other_o bishop_n to_o concur_v with_o he_o and_o help_v he_o in_o his_o office_n and_o consider_v that_o st._n paul_n be_v uncertain_a when_o he_o shall_v see_v he_o 15._o 1_o tim._n 3._o 15._o again_o there_o be_v a_o urgent_a necessity_n for_o he_o to_o write_v speedy_o to_o his_o son_n that_o other_o bishop_n may_v be_v ordain_v that_o other_o church_n may_v be_v guard_v from_o the_o gnostic_n seducer_n as_o well_o as_o ephesus_n itself_o the_o great_a metropolis_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n then_o for_o we_o to_o conceive_v that_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n do_v mean_a presbyter_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o bishop_n but_o rather_o that_o he_o give_v direction_n for_o the_o ordination_n of_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v bishop_n indeed_o to_o be_v invest_v with_o episcopal_a power_n and_o to_o preside_v over_o other_o city_n as_o timothy_n do_v over_o ephesus_n in_o st._n paul_n own_o chair_n again_o the_o apostle_n salute_v the_o saint_n at_o philippi_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n phil._n 1._o 1._o but_o there_o be_v no_o demonstrative_a reason_n to_o constrain_v nor_o probable_a argument_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o direct_v his_o salutation_n to_o presbyter_n much_o less_o that_o he_o give_v they_o the_o title_n of_o bishop_n for_o there_o be_v several_a fair_a account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o this_o matter_n either_o as_o some_o conceive_v that_o there_o be_v two_o bishop_n over_o two_o church_n in_o philippi_n jewish_n and_o gentile_a christian_n as_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o other_o place_n or_o as_o other_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n be_v now_o assemble_v at_o philippi_n as_o it_o be_v usual_a at_o other_o time_n or_o as_o other_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o salutation_n be_v send_v not_o to_o but_o from_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o so_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v read_v thus_o with_o a_o parenthesis_n paul_n and_o timotheus_n the_o servant_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o christ_n jesus_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n grace_n be_v unto_o you_o etc._n etc._n but_o which_o way_n soever_o we_o interpret_v the_o text_n we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o find_v any_o presbyter_n in_o the_o salutation_n that_o there_o be_v no_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v at_o all_o in_o the_o city_n whither_o the_o salutation_n be_v send_v for_o epiphanius_n tell_v we_o that_o many_o church_n at_o the_o first_o be_v order_v by_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n only_o and_o then_o why_o not_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n also_o thus_o their_o whole_a argument_n fail_v they_o who_o will_v prove_v the_o office_n and_o order_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n because_o forsooth_o the_o name_n be_v give_v to_o both_o in_o scripture_n though_o the_o consequence_n will_v not_o be_v good_a shall_v their_o grand_a principle_n be_v grant_v yet_o there_o be_v no_o solid_a reason_n for_o we_o to_o grant_v the_o principle_n itself_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o conclude_v peremptory_o that_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n both_z as_o to_o name_n and_o thing_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v either_o a_o antichristian_a or_o a_o ecclesiastical_a ordinance_n that_o it_o be_v institute_v by_o christ_n himself_o and_o found_v in_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o they_o so_o establish_v and_o continue_v in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n that_o for_o 1500_o year_n together_o no_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v perfect_o and_o right_o form_v be_v ever_o under_o any_o other_o sort_n of_o government_n but_o that_o the_o episcopal_a office_n and_o authority_n have_v through_o a_o continual_a succession_n of_o age_n be_v communicate_v transmit_v and_o hand_v down_o to_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n even_o from_o the_o most_o primitive_a and_o infant_n time_n of_o christianity_n and_o consequent_o that_o this_o way_n of_o government_n
seem_v to_o be_v as_o groundless_a a_o assertion_n as_o the_o former_a for_o the_o devisor_n of_o that_o custom_n be_v either_o a_o heretic_n or_o a_o catholic_a first_o then_o suppose_v he_o be_v a_o know_a deceiver_n suppose_v he_o have_v fair_a opportunity_n of_o go_v into_o all_o part_n and_o great_a ability_n of_o speak_v all_o language_n and_o a_o strong_a design_n of_o corrupt_v the_o simplicity_n of_o religion_n yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o so_o many_o wise_a and_o watchful_a father_n of_o the_o church_n can_v sleep_v all_o that_o time_n and_o suffer_v every_o province_n and_o country_n to_o be_v overrun_v with_o superstition_n and_o innovation_n in_o a_o trice_n consider_v serious_o but_o this_o one_o follow_v instance_n montanus_n be_v a_o very_a early_a impostor_n for_o tertullian_n at_o last_o become_v a_o proselyte_n to_o his_o party_n this_o man_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v inspire_v and_o profess_v great_a sanctity_n of_o life_n than_o other_o man_n insomuch_o that_o his_o adherent_n call_v all_o sober_a and_o regular_a christian_n by_o the_o name_n of_o psychici_fw-la that_o be_v animal_n or_o carnal_a gospeler_n he_o condemn_v all_o second_o marriage_n and_o will_v have_v 3._o have_v euseb_n eccles_n hist_o lib._n 3._o enact_v law_n of_o fast_v and_o endeavour_v to_o introduce_v a_o custom_n of_o observe_v more_o lent_n than_o one_o marcel_n one_o hieron_n epist_n ad_fw-la marcel_n in_o a_o year_n the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n be_v very_o severe_a in_o their_o time_n and_o manner_n of_o abstinence_n and_o be_v ready_a enough_o to_o comply_v with_o any_o usual_a though_o never_o so_o austere_a kind_n of_o discipline_n but_o yet_o when_o montanus_n go_v about_o to_o impose_v upon_o they_o his_o attempt_v a_o innovation_n give_v such_o a_o alarm_n to_o the_o bishop_n that_o the_o church_n rise_v up_o against_o he_o as_o one_o man_n and_o condemn_v he_o for_o a_o heretic_n though_o if_o tertullian_n psychicos_fw-la tertullian_n non_fw-la quòd_fw-la aliquam_fw-la fidei_fw-la aut_fw-la spei_fw-la regulam_fw-la evertant_fw-la scil_n montanus_n &_o maximilla_n sed_fw-la quòd_fw-la planè_fw-la doceant_fw-la saepiùs_fw-la jejunare_fw-la quà m_fw-la nubere_fw-la tert._n adv_o psychicos_fw-la may_v be_v believe_v he_o do_v not_o innovate_v in_o any_o matter_n pertain_v unto_o the_o faith_n now_o when_o we_o consider_v this_o single_a instance_n can_v we_o be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o imagine_v that_o a_o government_n which_o be_v set_v up_o every_o where_o be_v a_o new-fangled_a device_n or_o that_o a_o discipline_n which_o be_v receive_v every_o where_o be_v a_o private_a invention_n and_o of_o a_o seducer_n too_o or_o that_o form_n and_o ritual_n which_o be_v use_v every_o where_o be_v brat_n beget_v by_o some_o dote_a head_n and_o superstitious_a brain_n and_o then_o throw_v into_o the_o bosom_n and_o force_v into_o the_o embrace_n of_o every_o church_n in_o the_o world_n 2._o well_o to_o mend_v the_o matter_n a_o little_a suppose_v this_o author_n of_o these_o custom_n to_o have_v be_v a_o person_n of_o note_n and_o eminence_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o we_o be_v much_o mistake_v if_o we_o think_v that_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v such_o tame_a easy_a and_o flexible_a man_n as_o to_o receive_v and_o admit_v of_o new_a custom_n upon_o the_o recommendation_n of_o a_o single_a or_o private_a person_n though_o of_o unquestionable_a integrity_n for_o they_o refuse_v offer_v make_v they_o by_o whole_a church_n for_o instance_n the_o difference_n about_o the_o keep_n of_o easter_n be_v as_o famous_a as_o it_o be_v old_a the_o church_n of_o asia_n observe_v it_o on_o the_o day_n of_o the_o jew_n passover_n on_o whatsoever_o day_n of_o the_o week_n that_o happen_v the_o western_a church_n observe_v upon_o the_o day_n when_o our_o lord_n rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o variety_n of_o observation_n be_v from_o the_o beginning_n if_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n and_o in_o a_o little_a time_n it_o beget_v a_o controversy_n first_o between_o two_o bishop_n anicetus_n of_o rome_n and_o polycarpus_n of_o smyrna_n s._n john_n disciple_n the_o matter_n be_v debate_v between_o they_o but_o neither_o can_v polycarpus_n persuade_v anicetus_n to_o recede_v from_o his_o custom_n nor_o can_v anicetus_n persuade_v polycarpus_n to_o recede_v from_o he_o so_o they_o part_v good_a friend_n almost_o thirty_o year_n after_o this_o controversy_n 24._o euseb_n eccles_n hist_o l._n 5._o c._n 23_o 24._o be_v revive_v between_o whole_a church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o polycrates_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o victor_n of_o rome_n several_a provincial_a synod_n be_v summon_v to_o consider_v of_o the_o matter_n and_o on_o each_o hand_n tradition_n be_v urge_v the_o western_a church_n insist_v upon_o a_o tradition_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n the_o church_n of_o asia_n plead_v a_o tradition_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o s._n john_n who_o it_o be_v likely_a recommend_v that_o custom_n to_o they_o to_o gratify_v the_o jew_n and_o perhaps_o the_o plea_n on_o both_o side_n be_v good_a but_o so_o stiff_o they_o be_v on_o each_o hand_n that_o no_o argument_n can_v prevail_v with_o either_o party_n to_o relinquish_v their_o old_a custom_n and_o to_o take_v up_o the_o other_o so_o that_o victor_n in_o a_o great_a heat_n will_v have_v cut_v off_o tot_fw-mi &_o tantas_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la dei_fw-la so_o many_o and_o such_o eminent_a church_n of_o god_n from_o his_o communion_n have_v not_o the_o great_a prelate_n of_o lion_n irenaeus_n stand_v in_o the_o gap_n and_o reprehend_v victor_n for_o his_o rashness_n now_o he_o that_o shall_v serious_o consider_v this_o story_n with_o all_o its_o circumstance_n can_v with_o reason_n believe_v that_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v impose_v upon_o or_o to_o be_v corrupt_v with_o superstition_n when_o they_o stand_v out_o so_o resolute_o against_o a_o innocent_a tradition_n much_o less_o be_v it_o credible_a that_o a_o few_o person_n though_o of_o repute_n and_o dignity_n can_v possible_o leven_a all_o church_n in_o christendom_n with_o their_o private_a invention_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o consider_v how_o all_o church_n of_o old_a do_v conspire_v as_o in_o the_o same_o faith_n so_o in_o the_o same_o government_n in_o the_o same_o ministration_n and_o general_o in_o the_o same_o rite_n too_o and_o those_o now_o in_o use_n with_o we_o here_o we_o must_v needs_o be_v startle_v in_o our_o thought_n and_o be_v pose_v to_o conceive_v how_o these_o thing_n can_v arise_v all_o at_o once_o of_o themselves_o without_o any_o hand_n like_o so_o many_o mushroom_n that_o start_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n in_o a_o night_n or_o how_o they_o can_v be_v disseminated_a by_o any_o private_a hand_n rather_o it_o seem_v reasonable_a to_o impute_v they_o to_o the_o special_a providence_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o first_o minister_n of_o religion_n who_o probable_o do_v recommend_v these_o usage_n as_o thing_n useful_a or_o convenient_a though_o they_o do_v not_o ordain_v or_o impose_v they_o as_o thing_n simple_o and_o universal_o necessary_a i_o do_v not_o pretend_v peremptory_o to_o derive_v all_o our_o custom_n from_o apostolical_a practice_n although_o there_o be_v such_o fair_a evidence_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o many_o of_o they_o that_o we_o may_v strong_o argue_v that_o point_n if_o the_o ancient_a christian_n may_v be_v allow_v what_o be_v allow_v jew_n and_o heathen_n to_o be_v good_a witness_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o my_o purpose_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o our_o present_a establishment_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v of_o a_o very_a venerable_a date_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n to_o contend_v that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o give_v place_n to_o novelty_n as_o if_o they_o be_v of_o no_o moment_n or_o to_o be_v kick_v down_o as_o if_o they_o be_v despicable_a so_o that_o if_o better_a argument_n may_v be_v setched_a from_o antiquity_n on_o their_o behalf_n than_o can_v be_v bring_v against_o they_o i_o have_v obtain_v my_o end_n and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o i_o urge_v the_o general_n as_o well_o as_o ancient_a usage_n of_o they_o for_o certain_o one_o church_n ought_v to_o have_v regard_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o other_o and_o especial_o the_o ancient_a catholic_n church_n or_o else_o st._n paul_n argument_n be_v trifle_v in_o 1_o cor._n 11._o 16._o where_n condemn_v the_o cover_n of_o man_n head_n and_o the_o uncover_v of_o woman_n in_a religious_a assembly_n he_o confront_v the_o practice_n by_o urge_v the_o custom_n observe_v in_o all_o place_n beside_o corinth_n we_o have_v no_o such_o custom_n neither_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o in_o st._n paul_n judgement_n that_o be_v enough_o to_o determine_v the_o controversy_n two_o thing_n may_v be_v object_v against_o what_o have_v be_v speak_v first_o that_o
the_o one_o hand_n many_o bishop_n beside_o the_o first_o twelve_o be_v call_v apostle_n so_o timothy_n titus_n james_n v._o bovii_fw-la scholia_fw-la in_o constit_fw-la apost_n and_o dr._n hammonds_n praef._n to_o st._n james_n clement_n and_o abundance_n more_o have_v the_o title_n give_v they_o which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o conjecture_n of_o albaspinaeus_n and_o other_o that_o the_o canon_n &_o constitutiones_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la be_v the_o canon_n and_o constitution_n virorum_fw-la apostolicorum_fw-la or_o of_o these_o secundary_a apostle_n so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o primary_n or_o twelve_o apostle_n be_v look_v upon_o to_o have_v be_v bishop_n i_o be_o sure_a when_o st._n peter_n move_v that_o one_o shall_v be_v choose_v to_o succeed_v 20._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act._n 1._o 20._o in_o the_o apostolate_a of_o judas_n he_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o succession_n into_o his_o bishopric_n or_o episcopal_a office_n that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o part_n of_o apostleship_n which_o each_o of_o the_o twelve_o have_v namely_o a_o function_n and_o power_n episcopal_n and_o according_o be_v the_o carpocr_n epiph._n lib._n 1._o cont_n carpocr_n ancient_n wont_v to_o style_v the_o apostle_n bishop_n so_o epiphanius_n say_v of_o peter_n and_o paul_n that_o they_o be_v apostle_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o mission_n and_o bishop_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o charge_n and_o st._n cyprian_n bid_v deacon_n to_o remember_v that_o our_o lord_n choose_v apostle_n rogatianum_fw-la cypr._n ep_v 65._o ad_fw-la rogatianum_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la episcopos_fw-la &_o praepositos_fw-la that_o be_v bishop_n and_o governor_n and_o tell_v they_o moreover_o that_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v deacon_n to_o be_v minister_n to_o the_o church_n and_o to_o they_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o episcopal_a office_n episcopatûs_fw-la svi_fw-la &_o ecclesiae_fw-la ministros_fw-la and_o st._n austin_n be_v positive_a that_o when_o our_o lord_n lay_v his_o hand_n 97._o quaest_n in_o vet_z &_o nou._n test_n q._n 97._o upon_o the_o apostle_n ordinavit_fw-la eos_fw-la episcopos_fw-la he_o ordain_v they_o bishop_n beside_o many_o more_o testimony_n to_o this_o purpose_n which_o be_v ready_a at_o hand_n and_o which_o yet_o i_o omit_v because_o this_o be_v evident_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_n because_o they_o frequent_o affirm_v that_o bishop_n be_v the_o apostle_n successor_n that_o they_o hold_v their_o place_n and_o be_v of_o their_o degree_n and_o come_v after_o they_o in_o their_o office_n and_o function_n and_o the_o like_a which_o they_o will_v not_o have_v say_v have_v they_o not_o judge_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o have_v be_v i_o mean_v in_o their_o ordinary_a capacity_n no_o more_o and_o no_o less_o than_o bishop_n 2._o which_o thing_n have_v it_o be_v well_o heed_v may_v have_v prevent_v some_o learned_a tract_n which_o have_v be_v write_v against_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o to_o determine_v that_o christ_n ordain_v not_o episcopacy_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v a_o affirmation_n that_o he_o ordain_v not_o apostle_n for_o they_o be_v invest_v with_o that_o episcopal_a power_n which_o god_n be_v bless_v have_v continue_v in_o the_o church_n hitherto_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o gainsaying_n of_o core_n now_o this_o consideration_n lead_v we_o on_o to_o the_o next_o viz._n that_o as_o the_o apostle_n receive_v this_o power_n themselves_o so_o it_o be_v provable_a out_o of_o their_o write_n that_o they_o impart_v it_o to_o other_o and_o invest_v they_o with_o their_o apostolic_a or_o episcopal_a authority_n to_o show_v this_o i_o shall_v make_v choice_n of_o three_o special_a instance_n and_o they_o be_v these_o 1._o first_o though_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o express_o &_o totidem_fw-la verbis_fw-la tell_v we_o that_o st._n james_n be_v bishop_n of_o ja._n v._o grot._n in_o ep_n ja._n jerusalem_n yet_o that_o he_o be_v so_o we_o be_v as_o certain_a as_o the_o most_o ancient_a record_n can_v make_v we_o and_o indeed_o st._n luke_n in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n act_n do_v yield_v we_o such_o fair_a probability_n of_o this_o thing_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o succeed_a time_n seem_v to_o be_v unquestionable_o true_a for_o in_o act._n 21._o 18._o we_o read_v that_o when_o st._n paul_n be_v return_v from_o his_o circuit_n to_o jerusalem_n the_o next_o day_n he_o and_o his_o company_n go_v in_o unto_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a now_o certain_o james_n will_v not_o have_v be_v name_v distinct_o and_o by_o himself_o have_v he_o not_o have_v a_o pre-eminence_n over_o the_o college_n of_o elder_n that_o be_v assemble_v with_o he_o st._n luke_n single_v he_o out_o as_o the_o person_n to_o who_o st._n paul_n do_v after_o a_o particular_a manner_n address_v himself_o though_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v there_o present_a yet_o they_o go_v in_o unto_o james_n intimate_v plain_o that_o he_o be_v the_o precedent_n over_o that_o venerable_a society_n and_o to_o confirm_v this_o it_o be_v likewise_o observable_a what_o be_v relate_v of_o this_o st._n james_n at_o the_o famous_a convention_n at_o jerusalem_n act._n 15._o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o synod_n be_v a_o controversy_n about_o the_o necessity_n and_o use_v of_o circumcision_n and_o great_a dispute_n there_o be_v about_o it_o at_o the_o council_n but_o at_o last_o when_o peter_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v give_v their_o opinion_n of_o the_o matter_n st._n james_n determin_n it_o and_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o debate_n by_o his_o decisive_a sentence_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o determine_v judge_n and_o give_v sentence_n say_v he_o vers_n 19_o and_o in_o his_o judgement_n and_o determination_n all_o do_v acquiesce_v this_o be_v a_o plain_a argument_n that_o st._n james_n be_v then_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o otherwise_o why_o do_v st._n paul_n so_o particular_o apply_v himself_o to_o st._n james_n and_o why_o do_v the_o other_o apostle_n and_o even_o peter_n himself_o rest_n in_o the_o determination_n of_o st._n james_n nay_o why_o shall_v st._n james_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o decide_v the_o controversy_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o james_n be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n all_o do_v agree_v that_o he_o have_v be_v a_o disciple_n and_o some_o think_v he_o be_v our_o lord_n cousin_n other_o do_v conceive_v that_o he_o be_v our_o lord_n brother_n in_o law_n the_o son_n of_o joseph_n by_o his_o former_a wife_n he_o be_v call_v by_o way_n of_o distinction_n james_n the_o just_a and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n how_o be_v it_o imaginable_a 1._o euseb_n l._n 2._o c._n 1._o that_o he_o shall_v have_v have_v at_o those_o meeting_n of_o the_o apostle_n such_o eminence_n precedency_n and_o authority_n the_o truth_n be_v eusebius_n tell_v that_o the_o apostle_n decline_v the_o honour_n of_o be_v in_o the_o chair_n and_o see_v of_o jerusalem_n and_o give_v it_o unto_o this_o james_n as_o for_o other_o reason_n so_o for_o this_o because_o he_o be_v our_o saviour_n near_a relation_n and_o so_o he_o take_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n with_o the_o apostle_n say_v eusebius_n which_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o do_v understand_v as_o if_o he_o be_v only_o take_v into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o apostle_n have_v be_v a_o bare_a disciple_n before_o but_o this_o be_v a_o palpable_a mistake_n touch_v the_o sense_n of_o eusebius_n for_o say_v he_o this_o james_n the_o just_a be_v make_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o a_o world_n of_o testimony_n more_o there_o be_v to_o confirm_v it_o second_o my_o next_o instance_n be_v in_o timothy_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o st._n paul_n himself_o the_o presbytery_n concur_v as_o approver_n of_o his_o ordination_n that_o he_o be_v a_o apostolical_a prelate_n we_o have_v the_o joint_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o primitive_a author_n which_o speak_v of_o he_o some_o affirm_v he_o to_o have_v be_v metropolitan_a of_o asia_n and_o all_o confess_v he_o to_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n out_o of_o those_o two_o epistle_n which_o st._n paul_n send_v he_o it_o appear_v that_o he_o himself_o constitute_v and_o sixth_o he_o at_o ephesus_n require_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o abide_v and_o settle_v there_o 1_o tim._n 1._o 3_o ephesus_z be_v the_o place_n of_o his_o residence_n unless_o happy_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n do_v oblige_v he_o to_o consult_v st._n paul_n for_o himself_o be_v young_a or_o the_o necessity_n of_o st._n paul_n require_v his_o attendance_n for_o he_o be_v his_o convert_n 2._o we_o find_v that_o he_o be_v to_o restrain_v preacher_n within_o the_o boundary_n of_o 3._o c._n 1._o 3._o truth_n and_o to_o charge_v some_o that_o they_o shall_v teach_v no_o other_o 11._o c._n 2._o 1._o 2._o 10._o 11._o doctrine_n he_o be_v
make_v or_o ordain_v bishop_n etc._n etc._n ancient_a author_n that_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n there_o have_v be_v these_o order_n of_o minister_n in_o christ_n church_n bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n and_o in_o that_o our_o church_n mention_v the_o read_n of_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o in_o her_o account_n she_o take_v in_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o mean_v that_o from_o the_o scripture_n it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v erect_v while_o the_o apostle_n be_v live_v which_o shall_v give_v i_o warrant_v to_o take_v one_o step_n more_o backward_o from_o the_o age_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o apostolical_a age_n it_o self_n and_o to_o affirm_v that_o even_o then_o there_o be_v such_o a_o sacred_a order_n of_o man_n as_o we_o now_o call_v proper_o strict_o and_o by_o way_n of_o eminence_n and_o distinction_n bishop_n now_o that_o we_o meet_v with_o the_o name_n frequent_o in_o our_o translation_n and_o often_o in_o the_o original_a be_v altogether_o out_o of_o doubt_n the_o grand_a question_n be_v about_o the_o thing_n whether_o in_o those_o day_n the_o office_n power_n and_o order_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v distinct_a from_o and_o in_o any_o respect_n superior_a unto_o the_o office_n power_n and_o order_n of_o a_o presbyter_n and_o though_o the_o sense_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n be_v enough_o to_o make_v we_o moral_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v so_o because_o it_o can_v be_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o man_n so_o harass_v by_o persecution_n so_o zealous_a for_o truth_n and_o honesty_n and_o so_o careful_a to_o observe_v the_o apostle_n order_n even_o in_o the_o least_o thing_n can_v or_o will_v conspire_v together_o to_o make_v a_o universal_a defection_n from_o so_o main_a a_o part_n of_o christianity_n as_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v yet_o set_v aside_o that_o consideration_n to_o i_o it_o seem_v obvious_a and_o certain_a that_o christ_n the_o great_a bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n erect_v a_o episcopal_a power_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n continue_v and_o propagate_v it_o i_o mean_v still_o a_o power_n above_o that_o belong_v to_o presbyter_n this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v brief_o to_o show_v 1._o by_o make_v good_a the_o affirmative_a and_o then_o second_o by_o clear_v up_o those_o difficulty_n which_o be_v usual_o bring_v from_o scripture_n to_o prove_v the_o negative_a 1._o for_o probation_n of_o episcopacy_n we_o begin_v with_o the_o ordination_n of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n which_o evident_o differ_v from_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o seventy_o two_o disciple_n in_o who_o it_o be_v conceive_v that_o the_o office_n and_o power_n of_o presbyter_n be_v found_v now_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n be_v indeed_o bishop_n though_o they_o be_v not_o clench_v to_o any_o particular_a see_v and_o chair_n which_o the_o necessity_n of_o those_o time_n will_v not_o give_v way_n to_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n as_o to_o their_o own_o person_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o that_o which_o none_o can_v pretend_v to_o in_o follow_a age_n because_o they_o be_v send_v immediate_o by_o christ_n himself_o and_o have_v a_o common_a jurisdiction_n and_o care_n over_o all_o the_o church_n that_o shall_v be_v and_o be_v endow_v with_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n but_o then_o their_o authority_n and_o charge_n as_o to_o their_o function_n be_v a_o ordinary_a and_o stand_a power_n that_o be_v not_o to_o die_v with_o they_o nor_o to_o cease_v as_o miracle_n do_v after_o a_o little_a interval_n but_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v transmit_v to_o other_o from_o time_n to_o time_n and_o so_o to_o continue_v to_o the_o world_n end_n now_o if_o it_o do_v appear_v first_o that_o the_o twelve_o have_v a_o superior_a power_n over_o presbyter_n second_o that_o this_o power_n be_v to_o be_v impart_v and_o communicate_v to_o their_o successor_n for_o ever_o three_o that_o this_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o ordinary_a episcopal_a power_n then_o this_o will_v suffice_v to_o show_v that_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n be_v true_o and_o indeed_o bishop_n in_o their_o ordinary_a capacity_n and_o consequent_o that_o episcopal_a power_n be_v erect_v in_o their_o time_n first_n then_o that_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n have_v a_o superior_a power_n over_o presbyter_n appear_v not_o only_o from_o the_o extent_n of_o their_o commission_n which_o compare_v with_o that_o give_v to_o the_o seventy_o two_o disciple_n be_v much_o large_a for_o as_o the_o father_n send_v 21._o joh._n 20._o 21._o christ_n so_o christ_n send_v they_o with_o full_a power_n to_o teach_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n according_a to_o god_n will_n and_o to_o ordain_v successor_n and_o in_o all_o respect_n to_o execute_v that_o power_n which_o he_o be_v invest_v with_o and_o have_v delegated_a unto_o they_o but_o moreover_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o their_o authority_n for_o they_o ordain_v deacon_n act._n 6._o they_o ordain_v mathias_n and_o take_v 1._o act._n 1._o he_o into_o the_o number_n of_o apostle_n who_o before_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seventy_o two_o as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o twice_o they_o make_v decree_n 1._o euseb_n lib._n 2._o c._n 1._o and_o send_v they_o abroad_o to_o be_v observe_v in_o all_o church_n act._n 16._o they_o have_v power_n of_o censure_n and_o jurisdiction_n every_o single_a apostle_n have_v over_o inferior_a presbyter_n for_o st._n john_n threaten_v ambitious_a diotrephes_n that_o when_o he_o come_v he_o will_v remember_v his_o deed_n meaning_n that_o he_o will_v correct_v he_o with_o the_o rod_n of_o joh._n 3_o joh._n his_o apostolical_a power_n and_o so_o be_v hymenâ—us_n and_o alexander_n deliver_v unto_o satan_n by_o st._n paul_n after_o that_o he_o be_v ordain_v a_o apostle_n this_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v the_o superiority_n of_o the_o apostle_n 20._o 1_o tim._n 1._o 20._o power_n 2._o again_o this_o power_n of_o they_o be_v no_o temporary_a thing_n that_o be_v to_o vanish_v with_o their_o breath_n but_o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v communicate_v to_o other_o to_o be_v transmit_v unto_o posterity_n and_o to_o hold_v as_o long_o as_o there_o shall_v be_v need_n of_o it_o that_o be_v as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v hold_v for_o so_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n run_v lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o always_o even_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o 20._o matt._n 28._o 20._o the_o world_n here_o our_o lord_n do_v engage_v not_o to_o be_v with_o their_o person_n alone_o for_o they_o be_v to_o die_v within_o a_o short_a time_n but_o to_o be_v with_o their_o successor_n too_o that_o be_v to_o assist_v their_o function_n for_o ever_o and_o true_o have_v not_o christ_n assist_v it_o marvellous_o it_o will_v have_v fall_v ever_o now_o since_o it_o have_v be_v so_o lusty_o beave_v at_o especial_o in_o these_o last_o age_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o our_o saviour_n intend_v that_o the_o apostle_n power_n shall_v continue_v to_o the_o world_n end_n i_o mean_v their_o ordinary_a power_n which_o be_v for_o the_o regiment_n of_o the_o church_n for_o their_o extraordinary_a power_n of_o speak_v all_o language_n and_o work_a miracle_n which_o be_v for_o the_o plant_v of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o last_v long_o but_o to_o cease_v after_o a_o while_n so_o that_o it_o be_v their_o ordinary_a and_o stand_a power_n to_o administer_v sacrament_n to_o preach_v to_o govern_v to_o ordain_v and_o to_o exercise_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n this_o be_v that_o which_o be_v to_o hold_v to_o be_v deliver_v and_o band_v down_o from_o generation_n to_o generation_n now_o if_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n in_o that_o promise_n of_o christ_n this_o apostolic_a power_n and_o office_n do_v last_o and_o still_o continue_v and_o be_v even_o at_o this_o hour_n in_o the_o world_n 3._o three_o then_o this_o power_n we_o speak_v of_o be_v real_o that_o which_o we_o now_o call_v episcopacy_n the_o apostle_n function_n be_v part_n of_o it_o in_o deacon_n more_o of_o it_o in_o presbyter_n and_o all_o of_o it_o in_o bishop_n there_o the_o whole_a ordinary_a power_n centre_n and_o be_v unite_v the_o twelve_o be_v call_v as_o their_o immediate_a successor_n be_v many_o time_n also_o call_v apostles_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o mission_n and_o authority_n from_o christ_n but_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o office_n and_o inspection_n over_o christ_n church_n they_o be_v indeed_o bishop_n they_o be_v the_o first_o possessor_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o the_o bishop_n now_o be_v their_o successor_n to_o the_o apostolate_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o themselves_o and_o the_o church_n follow_v they_o understand_v they_o to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o bishop_n in_o their_o ordinary_a capacity_n for_o as_o on_o