the_o safety_n of_o peace_n and_o concord_n with_o their_o colleague_n in_o which_o case_n we_o offer_v violence_n we_o proscribe_v law_n to_o no_o man_n see_v every_o bishop_n have_v full_a liberty_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o church_n as_o he_o will_v answwer_v to_o god_n 198._o and_o how_o do_v both_o st._n cyprian_a and_o firmilian_a resent_v stephen_n extravagance_n in_o threaten_v to_o refuse_v his_o communion_n to_o those_o who_o have_v not_o the_o same_o sentiment_n with_o himself_o about_o the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n let_v any_o man_n read_v st._n cyprian_n epistle_n to_o pompeius_n and_o firmilian_n to_o st._n cyprian_n 75._o and_o he_o may_v have_v enough_o to_o this_o purpsoe_n will_v you_o have_v yet_o more_o then_o take_v a_o most_o memorable_a acknowledgement_n from_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n of_o rome_n st._n cyprian_n have_v write_v to_o they_o while_o the_o bishop_n chair_n be_v vacant_a and_o give_v they_o a_o account_n of_o his_o resolution_n about_o the_o lapse_v those_o who_o have_v sacrifice_v to_o the_o heathen_a idol_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n now_o consider_v how_o they_o begin_v their_o answer_n to_o he_o although_o say_v they_o a_o mind_n that_o be_v without_o check_n of_o conscience_n that_o be_v support_v by_o the_o vigour_n of_o evangelical_n discipline_n and_o bear_v witness_n to_o itself_o that_o it_o have_v square_v its_o action_n by_o the_o divine_a commandment_n use_v to_o content_v itself_o with_o god_n as_o its_o only_a judge_n and_o neither_o seek_v other_o man_n approbation_n nor_o fear_v their_o accusation_n yet_o they_o be_v worthy_a of_o double_a praise_n who_o while_o they_o know_v their_o conscience_n be_v subject_a to_o god_n only_o as_o its_o judge_n do_v yet_o desire_v that_o their_o administration_n shall_v have_v their_o brethren_n comprobation_n 56._o so_o clear_o acknowledge_v st._n cyprian_n and_o by_o consequence_n every_o bishop_n supremacy_n within_o his_o own_o district_n and_o his_o independency_n or_o non-subordination_n to_o any_o other_o bishop_n that_o even_o rigaltius_n himself_o in_o his_o annotation_n on_o st._n cyprian_n tho'_o a_o papist_n confess_v it_o and_o no_o wonder_n for_o 4._o by_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o time_n every_o bishop_n be_v christ_n vicar_n within_o his_o own_o district_n 129._o have_v a_o primacy_n in_o his_o own_o church_n 184._o manage_v the_o balance_n of_o her_o government_n 177._o be_v by_o his_o be_v bishop_n elevate_v to_o the_o sublime_a top_n of_o the_o priesthood_n 103._o have_v the_o episcopal_a authority_n in_o its_o vigour_n 126._o the_o prelatic_a power_n in_o its_o plenitude_n 108._o a_o sublime_a and_o divine_a power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n 126._o and_o none_o can_v be_v call_v bishop_n of_o bishop_n 195._o every_o bishop_n be_v head_n of_o his_o own_o church_n supra_fw-la and_o she_o be_v build_v upon_o he_o in_o her_o politic_a capacity_n passim_fw-la he_o and_o he_o only_o be_v her_o visible_a judge_n supra_fw-la and_o he_o do_v not_o stand_v subordinate_a to_o any_o visible_a superior_a in_o short_a the_o constitution_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n in_o those_o time_n be_v a_o well-tempered_n monarchy_n the_o bishop_n be_v the_o monarch_n and_o the_o presbytery_n be_v in_o senate_n all_o the_o christian_n within_o his_o district_n depend_v on_o he_o for_o government_n and_o discipline_n and_o he_o depend_v on_o no_o man_n so_o that_o i_o may_v fair_o conclude_v this_o point_n with_o that_o famous_a testimony_n of_o st._n ierom_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o evagrius_n wherever_o a_o bishop_n be_v whether_o at_o rome_n or_o eugubium_n constantinople_n or_o rhegium_n alexandria_n or_o tani_n he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o merit_n and_o the_o same_o priesthood_n neither_o the_o power_n of_o riches_n nor_o the_o humility_n of_o poverty_n make_v a_o bishop_n high_o or_o low_a but_o they_o be_v all_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n evagrium_fw-la it_o be_v true_a indeed_o st._n jerom_n live_v after_o the_o cyprianic_n age_n but_o i_o suppose_v our_o author_n will_v pretend_v to_o own_o his_o authority_n as_o soon_o as_o any_o father_n be_v in_o the_o point_n of_o church-government_n let_v i_o represent_v to_o you_o only_o one_o principle_n more_o which_o prevail_v in_o the_o day_n of_o st._n cyprian_a and_o that_o be_v three_o that_o whatever_o the_o highpriest_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o the_o other_o priest_n and_o levite_n etc._n etc._n the_o christian_a bishop_n be_v the_o same_o to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o same_o honour_n and_o obedience_n be_v due_a to_o he_o this_o be_v a_o principle_n which_o st._n cyprian_n frequent_o insist_v on_o and_o reason_v from_o thus_o in_o his_o three_o epistle_n direct_v to_o rogatianu_n he_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o have_v divine_a law_n and_o warrant_n for_o punish_v his_o rebellious_a and_o undutiful_a deacon_n and_o then_o cite_v that_o text_n deut._n 17._o 12._o and_o the_o man_n that_o will_v do_v presumptuous_o and_o will_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o priest_n or_o unto_o the_o judge_n even_o that_o man_n shall_v die_v and_o all_o the_o people_n shall_v bear_v and_o fear_v and_o do_v no_o more_o presumptuous_o and_o confirm_v it_o far_o by_o show_v how_o god_n punish_v gorah_n datham_n and_o abiram_n for_o rebel_a against_o aaroâ—_n numb_a 16._o 1._o and_o when_o the_o israelite_n weary_a of_o samuel_n government_n ask_v a_o king_n to_o judge_v they_o the_o lord_n say_v to_o samuel_n harken_v unto_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o people_n in_o all_o that_o they_o say_v unto_o thou_o for_o they_o have_v not_o reject_v thou_o but_o they_o have_v reject_v i_o that_o i_o shall_v not_o reign_v over_o they_o 1._o sam._n 8._o 7._o therefore_o he_o give_v they_o saul_n for_o a_o punishment_n etc._n etc._n and_o when_o st._n paul_n be_v challenge_v for_o revile_v god_n high_a priest_n he_o excuse_v himself_o say_v he_o wist_v not_o that_o he_o be_v the_o high_a priest_n have_v he_o know_v he_o to_o have_v be_v so_o he_o will_v not_o have_v treat_v he_o so_o for_o it_o be_v write_v thou_o shall_v not_o speak_v evil_a of_o the_o ruler_n of_o they_o people_n act._n 23._o 4_o 5._o and._n as_o he_o go_v further_a on_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n our_o god_n king_n and_o judge_n to_o the_o very_a hour_n of_o his_o passion_n pay_v suitable_a honour_n to_o the_o priest_n tho'_o they_o neither_o fear_v god_n nor_o acknowledge_v christ_n for_o when_o he_o have_v cleanse_v the_o lâ—per_n he_o bid_v he_o go_v show_v himself_o to_o the_o priest_n and_o offer_v his_o gift_n matth._n 8._o 4._o and_o at_o the_o very_a instant_n of_o his_o passion_n when_o he_o be_v beat_v as_o if_o he_o have_v answer_v irreverent_o to_o the_o high_a priest_n he_o utter_v no_o reproachful_a thing_n against_o the_o person_n of_o the_o priest_n but_o rather_o defend_v his_o own_o innocence_n say_v if_o i_o have_v speak_v evil_a bear_v witness_n of_o the_o evil_a but_o if_o well_o why_o smite_v thou_o i_o john_n 18._o 22_o 23._o all_o which_o thing_n be_v do_v humble_o and_o patient_o lby_v he_o that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o pattern_n of_o patience_n and_o humility_n propose_v to_o we_o for_o he_o teach_v we_o to_o give_v all_o dutiful_a honour_n to_o true_a priest_n by_o behave_v so_o towards_o false_a priest_n 5._o thus_o st._n cyprian_n reason_v and_o these_o be_v his_o argument_n for_o oblige_v all_o man_n clergy_n as_o well_o as_o laity_n to_o honour_n and_o obey_v their_o bishop_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o write_v in_o his_o four_o epistle_n to_o pomponius_n concern_v some_o virgin_n and_o deacon_n that_o live_v scandalous_o let_v they_o not_o think_v they_o can_v be_v save_v say_v he_o if_o they_o will_v not_o obey_v the_o bishop_n see_v god_n say_v in_o deuteronomy_n and_o then_o he_o cite_v deut._n 17._o 12_o 9_o he_o insist_o on_o the_o same_o argument_n in_o his_o 59th_o epistle_n direct_v to_o cornelius_n when_o he_o be_v give_v he_o a_o account_n of_o the_o rebellion_n and_o schismatical_a practice_n of_o fortunatus_n and_o felicissimus_n the_o one_o a_o presbyter_n and_o the_o other_o a_o deacon_n 128._o he_o insist_o on_o they_o over_o again_o in_o his_o 66th_o epistle_n to_o florentius_n papianus_n 166._o he_o insist_o large_o on_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o punishment_n inflict_v on_o corah_n and_o his_o complice_n for_o rebel_a against_o aaron_n and_o make_v it_o the_o same_o very_a sin_n in_o schismatic_n who_o separate_v from_o their_o lawful_a bishop_n in_o his_o 69th_o epistle_n direct_v to_o magnus_n 183._o and_o in_o his_o 73d_o epistle_n direct_v to_o jubaianus_n 201._o and_o firmilian_a also_o st._n cyprian_n contemporary_a insist_o on_o the_o same_o argument_n 225._o indeed_o the_o name_n priest_n priesthood_n altar_n sacrifice_n etc._n etc._n so_o much_o use_v those_o time_n be_v a_o pregnant_a argument_n
baptism_n pestiferous_a 112._o and_o profane_a 180._o their_o sacrifice_n abominable_a 113._o they_o can_v not_o be_v martyr_n passim_fw-la their_o company_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v 140._o whoso_o befriend_v they_o be_v persecutor_n of_o the_o truth_n 38._o be_v betrayer_n of_o christ_n spouse_n to_o adulterer_n 61._o be_v betrayer_n of_o unity_n 203._o be_v involve_v in_o the_o some_o gild_n with_o they_o 184._o in_o short_a schismatic_n by_o be_v such_o be_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la persecutor_n of_o the_o church_n 85._o enemy_n of_o mercy_n 142._o infatuate_v salt_n 7._o and_o curse_v of_o god_n 1._o such_o i_o say_v be_v the_o notion_n the_o holy_a father_n in_o those_o early_a time_n of_o the_o church_n have_v of_o schismatic_n and_o such_o be_v the_o name_n they_o give_v they_o and_o certain_o whoso_o serious_o consider_v how_o much_o schism_n be_v condemn_v in_o holy_a writ_n what_o a_o enemy_n it_o be_v to_o the_o peace_n the_o power_n and_o the_o propagation_n of_o christianity_n and_o how_o much_o it_o stand_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o holy_a humble_a peaceable_n patient_n meek_n and_o charitable_a spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n whoso_o consider_v that_o our_o bless_a savious's_n great_a errand_n into_o the_o world_n be_v to_o unite_n all_o his_o disciple_n here_o into_o one_o body_n and_o one_o communion_n that_o they_o may_v eternal_o be_v bless_v in_o the_o full_a enjoyment_n of_o one_o communion_n with_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy-ghost_n in_o heaven_n hereafter_o whoso_o i_o say_v consider_v these_o thing_n can_v but_o confess_v that_o schism_n and_o schismatic_n deserve_v all_o these_o hard_a name_n and_o answer_v all_o these_o terrible_a notion_n now_o 2._o that_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o unity_n and_o the_o prevent_v of_o schism_n in_o every_o particular_a church_n all_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o principle_n of_o st._n cyprian_n age_n to_o live_v in_o the_o bishop_n communion_n and_o to_o own_o and_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o that_o church_n of_o which_o he_o be_v head_n and_o ruler_n may_v be_v make_v appear_v from_o a_o vast_a train_n of_o testimony_n but_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o a_o few_o thus_o for_o example_n when_o some_o of_o the_o lapse_v presume_v to_o write_v to_o st._n cyprian_n and_o design_n themselves_o without_o a_o bishop_n by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n how_o do_v the_o holy_a man_n resent_v it_o consider_v how_o he_o begin_v his_o answer_n to_o they_o our_o lord_n say_v he_o who_o precept_n we_o ought_v to_o honour_n and_o obey_v institute_v the_o honour_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o the_o contexture_n of_o a_o church_n say_v thus_o to_o peter_n in_o the_o gospel_n i_o say_v unto_o thou_o thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n and_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o and_o i_o will_v give_v unto_o thou_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n from_o thence_o by_o the_o vicissitude_n of_o time_n and_o succession_n the_o ordination_n of_o bishop_n and_o the_o frame_n of_o the_o church_n be_v transmit_v so_o as_o that_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o bishop_n and_o all_o her_o affair_n be_v order_v by_o they_o as_o the_o chief_a ruler_n and_o therefore_o see_v this_o be_v god_n appointment_n i_o can_v but_o admire_v the_o bold_a temerity_n of_o some_o who_o write_v to_o i_o call_v themselves_o a_o church_n when_o a_o church_n be_v only_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o bishop_n the_o clergy_n and_o the_o faithful_a christian_n god_n forbid_v that_o a_o number_n of_o lapse_v shall_v be_v call_v a_o church_n etc._n etc._n consider_v how_o he_o reason_n by_o divine_a institution_n there_o can_v be_v a_o church_n without_o a_o bishop_n the_o church_n be_v found_v on_o the_o bishop_n the_o bishop_n as_o chief_z ruler_n order_v all_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o those_o lapse_v ought_v not_o to_o have_v call_v themselves_o a_o church_n see_v they_o have_v no_o bishop_n no_o principle_n of_o unity_n 66._o we_o have_v another_o notable_a reason_v as_o well_o as_o testimony_n of_o he_o in_o his_o 43d_o epistle_n write_v to_o his_o people_n of_o carthage_n upon_o the_o break_n out_o of_o felicissimus_n his_o schism_n god_n be_v one_o say_v he_o and_o christ_n be_v one_o and_o the_o church_n be_v one_o and_o the_o chair_n be_v one_o be_v our_o lord_n be_v own_o voice_n found_v on_o st._n peter_n another_o altar_n can_v be_v rear_v another_o priesthood_n can_v be_v erect_v beside_o the_o one_o altar_n and_o the_o one_o priesthood_n whoso_o gather_v elsewhere_o scatter_v whatever_o human_a fury_n institute_n against_o god_n appointment_n be_v adulterous_a be_v impious_a be_v sacrilegious_a and_o a_o little_a after_o o_o brethren_n let_v no_o man_n make_v you_o wander_v from_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n o_o christian_n let_v no_o man_n rend_v you_o from_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n let_v no_o man_n tear_v the_o son_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o church_n let_v they_o perish_v alone_o who_o will_v needs_o perish_v let_v they_o abide_v alone_o out_o of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v depart_v from_o the_o church_n let_v they_o alone_z not_o be_v with_o the_o bishop_n who_o have_v rebel_v against_o the_o bishop_n 84._o etc._n etc._n and_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o florentinus_n pupianus_n he_o define_v a_o church_n to_o be_v a_o people_n unite_v to_o their_o priest_n and_o a_o flock_n adhere_v to_o their_o pastor_n etc._n etc._n and_o from_o thence_o tell_v pupianus_n that_o he_o ought_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o the_o church_n in_o the_o bishop_n so_o that_o if_o any_o be_v not_o with_o the_o bishop_n they_o be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n 8._o and_o how_o concerned_o do_v he_o reason_v the_o case_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n can_v he_o seem_v to_o himself_o say_v he_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n who_o be_v against_o christ_n priest_n who_o separate_v himself_o from_o the_o society_n of_o christ_n clergy_n and_o people_n that_o man_n bear_v arm_n against_o the_o church_n he_o fight_v against_o god_n ordinance_n he_o be_v a_o enemy_n of_o the_o altar_n a_o rebel_n against_o christ_n sacrifice_n he_o be_v perfidious_a and_o not_o faithful_a sacrilegious_a and_o not_o religious_a he_o be_v a_o undutiful_a servant_n and_o impious_a son_n a_o hostile_a brother_n who_o can_v contemn_v god_n bishop_n and_o forsake_v his_o priest_n and_o dare_v to_o set_v up_o another_o altar_n and_o offer_v up_o unlawful_a prayer_n 116._o etc._n etc._n indeed_o in_o that_o same_o book_n he_o call_v the_o bishop_n the_o glue_n that_o cement_v christian_n into_o the_o solid_a unity_n of_o the_o church_n 119._o and_o hence_o it_o be_v 3._o that_o st._n cyprian_n every_o where_o make_v the_o contempt_n of_o the_o one_o bishop_n or_o undutifulness_n to_o he_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n thus_o epist._n 3._o he_o make_v this_o observation_n upon_o the_o undutifulness_n of_o a_o certain_a deacon_n to_o rogatianus_n his_o bishop_n that_o such_o be_v the_o first_o effort_n of_o heretic_n and_o the_o out-breaking_a and_o presumption_n of_o ill-advised_a schismatic_n they_o follow_v their_o own_o fancy_n and_o in_o the_o pride_n of_o their_o heart_n contemn_v their_o superior_n so_o man_n separate_v from_o the_o church_n so_o they_o erect_v profane_a altar_n without_o the_o church_n so_o they_o rebel_n against_o christian_a peace_n and_o divine_a order_n and_o unity_n 6._o and_o ep._n 59_o he_o tell_v cornelius_n that_o heresy_n and_o schism_n spring_v from_o this_o only_a fountain_n that_o god_n priest_n the_o bishop_n be_v not_o obey_v and_o man_n do_v consider_v that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v only_o one_o bishop_n only_o one_o judge_n as_o christ_n vicar_n in_o a_o church_n 129._o and_o ep._n 66._o to_o florentius_n pupianus_n that_o from_o hence_o heresy_n and_o schism_n have_v hitherto_o spring_v and_o do_v daily_a spring_n that_o the_o bishop_n who_o be_v one_o and_o be_v set_v over_o the_o church_n be_v contemn_v by_o the_o proud_a presumption_n of_o some_o and_o he_o that_o be_v honour_v of_o god_n be_v dishonour_v by_o man_n 167._o and_o a_o little_a after_o he_o tell_v he_o allude_v clear_o to_o the_o monarchical_a power_n of_o bishop_n that_o bee_n have_v a_o king_n and_o beast_n have_v a_o captain_n and_o robber_n with_o all_o humility_n obey_v their_o commander_n and_o from_o thence_o he_o conclude_v how_o unreasonable_a it_o must_v be_v for_o christian_n not_o to_o pay_v suitable_a regard_v to_o their_o bishop_n ibid._n and_o in_o another_o place_n then_o be_v the_o bond_n of_o our_o lord_n peace_n break_v then_o be_v brotherly_a charity_n violate_v then_o be_v the_o truth_n
all_o conscience_n it_o ought_v it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a to_o prove_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n more_o demonstrative_o then_o be_v please_v only_o to_o consider_v the_o necessary_a connexion_n that_o be_v betwixt_o this_o principle_n and_o that_o which_o i_o be_o next_o to_o prove_v and_o that_o be_v second_o that_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o time_n a_o bishop_n cononical_o promoted_n be_v supreme_a in_o his_o church_n immediate_o subject_a to_o jesus_n christ_n independent_a on_o any_o unaccountable_a to_o any_o earthly_a ecclesiastical_a superior_a there_o be_v no_o universal_a bishop_n then_o under_o jesus_n christ_n who_o may_v be_v the_o supreme_a visible_a head_n of_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n there_o be_v indeed_o a_o universal_a bishopric_n but_o it_o be_v not_o hold_v by_o any_o one_o single_a person_n there_o be_v a_o unus_n episcopatus_fw-la one_o episcopacy_n one_o episcopal_a office_n one_o bishopric_n but_o it_o be_v divide_v into_o many_o part_n and_o every_o bishop_n have_v his_o shâ—re_n of_o it_o assign_v he_o to_o rule_v and_o govern_v with_o the_o plenitude_n of_o the_o episcopal_a authority_n 108._o there_o be_v one_o church_n all_o the_o world_n over_o divide_v into_o many_o member_n and_o there_o be_v one_o episcopacy_n diffuse_v in_o proportion_n to_o that_o one_o church_n by_o the_o harmonious_a numerosity_n of_o many_o bishop_n 112._o or_o if_o you_o will_v have_v it_o in_o other_o word_n the_o one_o catholic_n church_n be_v divide_v into_o many_o precinct_n districts_n or_o diocese_n call_v they_o as_o you_o will_v each_o of_o those_o districtâ—_n have_v its_o singular_a bishop_n and_o that_o bishop_n within_z that_o district_n have_v the_o supreme_a power_n he_o be_v subordinate_a to_o none_o but_o the_o great_a bishop_n of_o soul_n jesus_n christ_n the_o only_a universal_a bishop_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n he_o be_v independent_a on_o and_o stand_v collateral_a with_o all_o other_o bishop_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o full_o or_o more_o plain_o or_o more_o frequent_o insist_v on_o by_o st._n cyprian_n than_o this_o great_a principle_n i_o shall_v only_o give_v you_o a_o short_a view_n of_o it_o from_o he_o and_o his_o contemporary_n and_o i._o he_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o it_o in_o the_o parity_n which_o our_o lord_n institute_v among_o his_o apostle_n christ_n say_v he_o give_v equal_a power_n to_o all_o his_o apostle_n when_o he_o say_v as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o even_o so_o i_o send_v you_o receive_v you_o the_o holy-ghost_n 107._o etc._n etc._n and_o again_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o same_o that_o st._n peter_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n and_o honour_n ibid._n now_o st._n cyprian_n on_o all_o occasion_n make_v bishop_n successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n as_o perchance_o i_o may_v prove_v full_o hereafter_o thus_o i_o say_v he_o find_v the_o equality_n of_o bishop_n and_o by_o consequence_n every_o bishop_n supremacy_n within_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o agreeable_o he_o reason_n most_o frequent_o i_o shall_v only_o give_v you_o a_o few_o instance_n 2._o then_o in_o that_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o antonianus_n discourse_v concern_v the_o case_n of_o the_o lapse_v and_o show_v how_o upon_o former_a occasion_n different_a bishop_n have_v take_v different_a measure_n about_o restore_a penitent_n to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n he_o conclude_v with_o this_o general_n rule_n that_o every_o bishop_n so_o long_o as_o he_o maintain_v the_o bond_n of_o concord_n and_o preserve_v catholic_n unity_n have_v power_n to_o order_v the_o affair_n of_o his_o own_o church_n as_o he_o shall_v be_v accountable_a to_o god_n 110._o plain_o import_v that_o no_o bishop_n can_v give_v law_n to_o another_o or_o call_v he_o to_o a_o account_n for_o his_o management_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o epistle_n to_o jubaianus_n about_o the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n these_o thing_n most_o dear_a brother_n say_v he_o i_o have_v write_v to_o you_o as_o i_o be_v able_a neither_o prescribe_v to_o nor_o impose_v on_o any_o man_n see_v every_o bishop_n have_v full_a power_n to_o do_v as_o he_o judge_v most_o fit_v 210._o etc._n etc._n the_o same_o way_n he_o conclude_v his_o epistle_n to_o magnus_n concern_v that_o same_o case_n of_o baptism_n perform_v by_o heretic_n 188._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o whole_a strain_n of_o his_o epistle_n to_o florentius_n pupianus_n 66._o and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o clear_a or_o full_a than_o his_o excellent_a discourse_n at_o the_o open_n of_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n anno_fw-la 256_o more_o than_o eighty_o bishop_n meet_v to_o determine_v concern_v that_o same_o matter_n of_o baptism_n administer_v by_o heretic_n or_o schismatic_n st._n cyprian_n be_v praeses_fw-la and_o have_v brief_o represent_v to_o they_o the_o occasion_n of_o their_o meeting_n he_o speak_v to_o they_o thus_o it_o remain_v now_o that_o each_o of_o we_o speak_v his_o sense_n free_o judge_v no_o man_n refuse_v our_o communion_n to_o no_o man_n tho'_o he_o shall_v dissent_v from_o we_o for_o none_o of_o we_o costitute_n himself_o bishop_n of_o bishop_n nor_o force_v his_o colleague_n upon_o a_o necessity_n of_o obey_v by_o a_o tyrannical_a terror_n see_v every_o bishop_n be_v entire_o master_n of_o his_o own_o resolution_n and_o can_v no_o more_o he_o judge_v by_o other_o than_o he_o can_v judge_v other_o but_o we_o all_o expect_v the_o judgement_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o alone_o have_v power_n of_o make_v we_o governor_n of_o his_o church_n and_o call_v we_o to_o a_o account_n for_o our_o administration_n 229._o 3._o neither_o do_v the_o principle_n hold_v only_o in_o respect_n of_o this_o or_o the_o other_o bishop_n but_o all_o without_o exception_n even_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n stand_v upon_o a_o level_n and_o for_o this_o we_o have_v as_o pregnant_a proof_n as_o possible_o can_v be_v desire_v for_o when_o the_o schismatical_a party_n at_o carthage_n set_v up_o fortunatus_n as_o a_o anti-bishop_n and_o thereupon_o send_v some_o of_o their_o partisan_n to_o rome_n toi_fw-fr inform_a cornelius_n of_o their_o proceed_n and_o justify_v they_o to_o he_o cyprian_a write_v to_o he_o also_o and_o thus_o reason_v the_o case_n with_o he_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o for_o they_o to_o go_v to_o rome_n to_o tell_v you_o that_o they_o have_v set_v up_o a_o false_a bishop_n against_o the_o bishop_n either_o they_o continue_v in_o their_o wickedness_n and_o be_v please_v with_o what_o they_o have_v do_v or_o they_o be_v penitent_a land_n willing_a to_o return_v to_o the_o church_n unity_n if_o the_o latter_a they_o know_v whither_o they_o may_v return_v for_o see_v it_o be_v determine_v by_o we_o all_o and_o withal_o it_o be_v just_a and_o reasonable_a in_o itself_o that_o every_o one_o cause_n shall_v be_v examine_v where_o the_o crime_n be_v commit_v and_o see_v there_o be_v a_o portion_n of_o flock_n the_o catholic_n church_n assign_v to_o every_o bishop_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o he_o as_o he_o shall_v be_v accountable_a to_o god_n our_o subject_n ought_v not_o to_o run_v about_o from_o bishop_n to_o bishop_n nor_o break_v the_o harmonious_a concord_n which_o be_v among_o bishop_n by_o their_o subtle_a and_o fallacious_a temerity_n but_o every_o man_n cause_n ought_v there_o to_o be_v discuss_v where_o he_o may_v have_v accuser_n and_o witness_n of_o his_o crime_n 36._o etc._n etc._n in_o which_o reason_v we_o have_v these_o thing_n plain_a 1._o that_o by_o st._n cyprian_n principle_n every_a bishop_n be_v judge_v of_o his_o own_o subject_n of_o all_o the_o christian_n who_o live_v within_o his_o district_n 2._o that_o no_o bishop_n no_o not_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v superior_a to_o another_o bishop_n nor_o can_v receive_v appeal_n from_o his_o sentence_n and_o 3._o that_o this_o independency_n of_o bishop_n this_o unaccountableness_n of_o one_o bishop_n to_o another_o as_o to_o his_o superior_a be_v found_v on_o every_o bishop_n have_v his_o portion_n of_o the_o flock_n assign_v to_o he_o to_o be_v rule_v and_o govern_v by_o he_o as_o he_o shall_v answer_v to_o god_n i._n e._n upon_o his_o visible_a supremacy_n in_o his_o own_o church_n his_o be_v immediate_o subordinate_a to_o god_n only_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o write_v to_o stephen_n bishop_n of_o rome_n also_o for_o have_v tell_v he_o his_o mind_n free_o concern_v those_o who_o shall_v return_v from_o a_o state_n of_o schism_n to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n how_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v treat_v and_o how_o recceive_v etc._n etc._n he_o conclude_v thus_o we_o know_v that_o some_o be_v tenacious_a and_o unwilling_a to_o alter_v what_o they_o have_v once_o determine_v and_o that_o they_o will_v needs_o retain_v some_o method_n peculiar_a to_o themselves_o but_o still_o with_o
the_o divine_a ordinance_n and_o yet_o these_o man_n have_v make_v no_o schism_n they_o have_v not_o depart_v from_o the_o tabernacle_n nor_o raise_v another_o altar_n etc._n etc._n which_o now_o the_o schismatic_n do_v mean_v the_o novatian_o who_o divide_v the_o church_n and_o rebel_a against_o christ_n peace_n and_o unity_n be_v bold_a to_o constitute_v a_o episcopal_n chair_n and_o assume_v to_o themselves_o a_o primacy_n a_o episcopal_a authority_n and_o a_o power_n of_o baptise_v and_o offer_v that_o be_v celebrate_v the_o holy_a eucharist_n what_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o it_o be_v here_o that_o no_o sacrament_n can_v be_v administer_v but_o in_o dependence_n on_o the_o bishop_n 184._o indeed_o 3._o consider_v that_o as_o i_o have_v full_o prove_v a_o bishop_n be_v then_o the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o the_o church_n that_o he_o be_v chief_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o by_o consequence_n the_o supreme_a power_n of_o the_o key_n can_v not_o but_o belong_v to_o he_o consider_v that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o visible_a society_n that_o he_o be_v the_o visible_a head_n of_o that_o visible_a society_n and_o by_o consequence_n that_o it_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o such_o to_o take_v care_n that_o society_n may_v suffer_v no_o detriment_n consider_v these_o thing_n i_o say_v it_o be_v high_o reasonable_a that_o he_o shall_v have_v the_o chief_a power_n of_o dispense_v the_o sacrament_n such_o a_o power_n as_o that_o neither_o may_v be_v dispense_v without_o he_o what_o can_v be_v more_o detrimental_a to_o a_o society_n especial_o such_o a_o society_n as_o a_o christian_a church_n than_o admit_v unworthy_a person_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o it_o or_o allow_v they_o to_o continue_v in_o it_o or_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o membership_n in_o the_o society_n after_o they_o have_v be_v just_o thrust_v from_o it_o without_o consider_v whether_o they_o have_v give_v any_o evidence_n of_o a_o serious_a reformation_n and_o who_o so_o proper_a to_o judge_v of_o these_o matter_n as_o the_o chief_a governor_n of_o the_o society_n and_o now_o have_v thus_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n have_v a_o negative_a over_o all_o other_o church-officer_n within_o his_o district_n in_o the_o grand_a concern_v of_o dispense_v both_o sacrament_n and_o that_o neither_o can_v be_v administer_v without_o he_o or_o against_o his_o authority_n i_o may_v fair_o supersede_n the_o trouble_n of_o make_v either_o a_o minute_n or_o a_o laborious_a demonstration_n of_o his_o sovereign_a interest_n in_o the_o act_n of_o excommunication_n or_o enjoin_v penance_n or_o reconcile_a penitent_n or_o make_v or_o rescind_v or_o dispense_n with_o ecclesiastical_a law_n or_o canon_n in_o a_o word_n in_o every_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o government_n or_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n all_o these_o act_n depend_v upon_o the_o sacrament_n his_o negative_a therefore_o about_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o sacrament_n have_v be_v in_o vain_a and_o to_o no_o purpose_n if_o he_o have_v not_o have_v a_o negative_a likewise_o about_o all_o these_o acts._n beside_o you_o will_v not_o ready_o say_v i_o think_v that_o he_o can_v have_v have_v a_o great_a trust_n by_o have_v a_o negative_a in_o any_o other_o matter_n than_o in_o the_o dispense_v of_o the_o sacrament_n have_v that_o therefore_o he_o may_v well_o be_v entrust_v with_o a_o negative_a in_o all_o other_o thing_n either_o of_o equal_a if_o any_o such_o can_v be_v imagine_v or_o lesser_o importance_n on_o which_o the_o order_n the_o subsistence_n the_o unity_n the_o peace_n the_o purity_n the_o prosperity_n or_o whatsoever_o interest_n of_o the_o church_n can_v any_o way_n depend_v yet_o that_o i_o may_v give_v you_o all_o possible_a satisfaction_n i_o shall_v proceed_v a_o little_a further_o and_o give_v you_o by_o way_n of_o historical_a deduction_n such_o a_o account_n of_o power_n lodge_v e._n g._n in_o st._n cyprian_n person_n as_o you_o may_v fair_o judge_v thereby_o concern_v the_o preeminence_n of_o bishop_n in_o his_o time_n the_o most_o current_a account_n we_o have_v about_o he_o be_v that_o he_o be_v not_o convert_v to_o christianity_n at_o least_o not_o baptise_a till_o the_o year_n 246._o that_o he_o be_v ordain_v a_o presbyter_n anno_fw-la 247_o and_o bishop_n of_o carthage_n anno_fw-la 248._o chronologist_n do_v general_o agree_v in_o this_o last_o step_n of_o his_o preferment_n now_o as_o we_o learn_v both_o from_o himself_o and_o from_o pontius_n his_o deacon_n some_o of_o the_o carthaginian_a clergy_n be_v mighty_a enemy_n to_o his_o promotion_n 〈◊〉_d belike_o they_o take_v it_o ill_o that_o he_o so_o late_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n so_o late_o make_v a_o presbyter_n shall_v have_v be_v prefer_v to_o themselves_o however_o it_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v as_o i_o say_v that_o they_o appear_v against_o he_o with_o all_o their_o might_n and_o main_a but_o the_o people_n be_v so_o general_o and_o so_o zealous_o for_o he_o to_o have_v he_o their_o bishop_n that_o these_o his_o enemy_n be_v overpower_v make_a bishop_n he_o be_v and_o he_o be_v a_o person_n so_o well_o qualify_v so_o eminent_a in_o every_o virtue_n and_o withal_o so_o strict_a and_o cautious_a in_o his_o life_n and_o government_n after_o he_o be_v make_v bishop_n that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a for_o the_o mutineer_n to_o wreck_v their_o malice_n on_o he_o but_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o soften_a they_o and_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o better_a temper_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o imbitter_v they_o the_o more_o and_o make_v they_o the_o more_o watchful_a of_o all_o opportunity_n to_o breed_v he_o trouble_n and_o disturb_v his_o government_n at_o last_o they_o catch_v hold_v of_o one_o and_o that_o a_o very_a dangerous_a one_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o decian_a persecution_n this_o persecution_n beginning_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o year_n 249_o and_o last_v for_o a_o full_a year_n come_v on_o the_o church_n after_o a_o loâ—g_a peace_n with_o a_o surprise_v violence_n have_v very_o sad_a effect_n vast_a number_n turn_v apostate_n renounce_v the_o holy_a faith_n and_o sacrifice_v to_o the_o heathen_a idol_n and_o cyprian_n himself_o command_v by_o god_n have_v retire_v from_o carthage_n till_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o relentment_n of_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o persecution_n here_o i_o say_v his_o subtle_a enemy_n find_v their_o so_o long_o wish_v opportunity_n for_o the_o lapse_v so_o soon_o as_o the_o hazard_n be_v over_o resume_v their_o christian_a profession_n and_o turn_v mighty_a forward_o if_o not_o furious_a to_o be_v restore_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n '_o tho'_o they_o know_v full_a well_o that_o they_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o canon_n to_o have_v continue_v for_o a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o state_n of_o penitent_n yet_o they_o think_v their_o number_n and_o perhaps_o their_o quality_n may_v overpower_v the_o canon_n and_o claim_v indulgence_n and_o dispensation_n with_o they_o strike_v in_o those_o clergyman_n who_o have_v still_o retain_v the_o old_a grudge_n against_o st._n cyprian_n promotion_n encourage_v their_o presumption_n they_o know_v he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o principle_n and_o have_v a_o mighty_a zeal_n for_o the_o real_a interest_n of_o christianity_n and_o by_o consequence_n that_o he_o will_v stand_v resolute_o by_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n and_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o lapse_v shall_v perfect_v their_o term_n of_o penance_n they_o see_v the_o eagerness_n of_o the_o lapse_v to_o be_v soon_o reconcile_v than_o the_o canon_n allow_v they_o resolve_v therefore_o to_o fall_v in_o with_o they_o think_v that_o thereby_o they_o shall_v effectual_o put_v a_o thorn_n in_o his_o foot_n they_o shall_v inflame_v the_o lapse_v and_o their_o relation_n perchance_o the_o great_a body_n of_o the_o people_n against_o he_o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o they_o themselves_o to_o encourage_v the_o lapse_v in_o their_o petulancy_n the_o bishop_n prelation_n over_o presbyter_n be_v then_o so_o notorious_a that_o as_o malicious_a as_o they_o be_v they_o have_v not_o impudence_n enough_o to_o set_v up_o they_o in_o opposition_n to_o his_o authority_n and_o reconcile_v the_o lapse_v to_o the_o church_n mere_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o their_o own_o credit_n against_o his_o will_n and_o order_n and_o therefore_o they_o fall_v upon_o another_o project_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o other_o to_o stand_v up_o against_o the_o bishop_n authority_n it_o be_v that_o of_o the_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n these_o for_o their_o faith_n and_o patience_n their_o fervent_a zeal_n and_o fragrant_a grace_n their_o glorious_a courage_n and_o good_a example_n that_o they_o may_v persevere_v themselves_o and_o other_o may_v be_v encourage_v to_o follow_v their_o pattern_n be_v hold_v in_o mighty_a reputation_n they_o be_v repute_v as_o
within_o if_o they_o may_v be_v call_v any_o way_n within_o terror_n or_o peril_n threaten_v a_o bishop_n seeing_z as_o such_o he_o be_v still_o obnoxious_a to_o terror_n or_o peril_n 126._o mean_v that_o in_o those_o time_n bishop_n as_o bishop_n be_v still_o expose_v to_o the_o first_o burn_v of_o all_o persecution_n as_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n when_o the_o human_a galienâ—s_n who_o succeed_v to_o valerianus_n stop_v the_o persecution_n which_o his_o predecessor_n have_v begin_v he_o begin_v his_o imperial_a rescript_n thus_o the_o emperor_n publius_n licâ—nius_n galieâ—â—s_v etc._n etc._n to_o dionysius_n pinnace_n demetrius_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o go_v on_o tell_v they_o how_o he_o have_v order_v his_o edict_n of_o grace_n and_o clemency_n to_o be_v publish_v all_o the_o world_n over_o allow_v they_o to_o rely_v upon_o it_o as_o full_a security_n against_o all_o molestation_n for_o the_o future_a 13._o thus_o i_o say_v that_o heathen_a emperor_n stop_v the_o current_n of_o a_o fierce_a persecution_n and_o design_v favour_n and_o security_n to_o christian_n direct_v his_o letter_n to_o the_o christian_a bishop_n as_o the_o person_n who_o be_v head_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o in_o all_o persecution_n have_v wont_a to_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o great_a hazard_n thus_o sir_n i_o have_v examine_v our_o author_n definition_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n and_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o have_v demonstrate_v by_o many_o solid_a argument_n that_o he_o be_v neither_o single_a presbyter_n nor_o presbyterian_a moderator_n in_o the_o presbyterian_a sense_n of_o the_o term_n but_o a_o true_a prelate_n in_o the_o strict_a propriety_n of_o speech_n consider_v my_o argument_n thorough_o and_o weigh_v they_o only_o in_o the_o balance_n of_o justice_n without_o prejudice_n and_o without_o partiality_n and_o try_v whether_o each_o of_o they_o single_o and_o much_o more_o all_o together_o do_v not_o conclude_v irrefragable_o against_o he_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v concludent_fw-la i_o leave_v it_o next_o to_o you_o to_o determine_v whether_o our_o author_n be_v not_o both_o fair_o and_o formal_o bind_v by_o his_o word_n to_o confess_v himself_o a_o schismatic_a when_o i_o first_o put_v pen_n to_o paper_n i_o have_v in_o my_o project_n to_o have_v proceed_v further_o and_o make_v it_o appear_v as_o evident_o as_o what_o i_o have_v now_o dispatch_v that_o the_o episcopal_a pre-eminence_n which_o be_v so_o notorious_o and_o unquestionable_o prelatical_a in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n be_v no_o novel_a usurpation_n no_o late_a invention_n not_o at_o all_o the_o production_n of_o the_o cyprianic_n age_n nor_o any_o age_n late_a than_o the_o apostle_n that_o st._n cyprian_n and_o all_o his_o contemporary_n firm_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n that_o they_o have_v not_o entertain_v it_o have_v so_o little_o temporal_a encouragement_n nay_o so_o great_a and_o many_o temporal_a discouragement_n to_o entertain_v it_o if_o they_o have_v not_o so_o believe_v that_o they_o have_v great_a reason_n for_o this_o their_o belief_n as_o fair_o found_v on_o our_o saviour_n own_o ordinance_n and_o full_o hand_v down_o to_o they_o in_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n from_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o christian_a church_n that_o it_o pass_v among_o they_o as_o a_o common_a principle_n that_o bishop_n as_o i_o have_v represent_v they_o bishop_n as_o they_o be_v then_o that_o be_v clear_o contradistinct_a from_o presbyter_n and_o superior_a to_o they_o bishop_n as_o the_o head_n of_o and_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o their_o respective_a church_n be_v the_o rightful_a true_a and_o genuine_a successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o supreme_a visible_a ecclesiastical_a power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n whereof_o they_o be_v bishop_n these_o thing_n i_o say_v i_o have_v once_o in_o my_o prospect_n but_o this_o letter_n have_v swell_v to_o such_o a_o bulk_n already_o as_o perhaps_o may_v fright_v you_o from_o read_v it_o and_o you_o may_v command_v i_o to_o prosecute_v what_o be_v lest_o undo_v when_o you_o will_v and_o what_o i_o have_v write_v as_o i_o say_v seem_v to_o i_o sufficient_a in_o point_n of_o argument_n for_o bring_v your_o author_n to_o a_o sense_n of_o his_o state_n as_o well_o as_o a_o candid_a confession_n of_o it_o when_o it_o be_v thus_o plain_o represent_v to_o he_o and_o therefore_o i_o conclude_v with_o my_o best_a christian_a wish_n to_o you_o and_o he_o and_o all_o men._n march_n 28._o 1695._o finish_v advertisement_n there_o be_v now_o in_o the_o press_n and_o will_v be_v publish_v by_o michaelmas_n next_o an_o enquiry_n into_o the_o new_a opinion_n chief_o propagate_v by_o the_o presbyterian_o in_o scotland_n by_o a._n m._n d._n d._n d._n ad_fw-la quest._n 1._o sect._n 5._o 5._o episcoporum_fw-la manifesta_fw-la ubique_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d seâ—_n jure_fw-la praesidendi_fw-la convocandi_fw-la ordinandi_fw-la etc._n etc._n epit._n isag._n ad_fw-la hist_o eccles._n nou._n test._n saec._n 3_o sect._n 6._o pag._n miâ—i_o 117._o 117._o sect._n 32._o p._n 28._o 28._o sed_fw-la nec_fw-la huius_fw-la aevi_fw-la ordines_fw-la minores_fw-la quales_fw-la ostiariorum_fw-la copiatarum_fw-la acolythorum_fw-la exorcistarum_fw-la p._n 119._o 119._o suffrag_v 1_o 8_o 31_o 37._o 37._o ep._n 23._o p._n 49._o ep._n 69._o p._n 187._o ep._n 75._o p._n 223._o 223._o hist._n ecd._n lib._n 6._o cap._n 43._o 43._o presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la in_o adrumâ—tina_fw-la consistentes_fw-la polycarpo_n co-â—piscopo_a nostro_fw-la absente_n ignorabant_fw-la quid_fw-la nobis_fw-la in_o commune_fw-la placuissit_v etc._n etc._n ep._n 49._o p._n 91._o 91._o ep._n 43._o 43._o ep._n 59_o 59_o ep._n 59_o p._n 139._o 139._o h._n e._n lib._n 7._o cap._n 11._o 11._o cum_fw-la sit_fw-la a_o christo_n una_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la per_fw-la totum_fw-la mundum_fw-la in_fw-la multa_fw-la membra_fw-la divisa_fw-la item_n episcopatus_fw-la unus_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la multorum_fw-la concordi_fw-la numerositate_fw-la diffâ—sus_fw-la ille_fw-la post_fw-la dei_fw-la traditionem_fw-la post_fw-la connexam_fw-la &_o ubique_fw-la conjunctam_fw-la catholicae_fw-la ecclâ—siae_fw-la unitatuâ—m_fw-la humanam_fw-la conetur_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la facere_fw-la &_o per_fw-la plurimas_fw-la civitates_fw-la noves_fw-la apoâ—tolos_fw-la suos_fw-la mittat_fw-la ut_fw-la quaedam_fw-la râ—câ—ntia_fw-la institutionis_fw-la suae_fw-la fundamâ—nta_fw-la constituat_fw-la cumque_fw-la jampridem_fw-la per_fw-la omnes_fw-la provincias_fw-la &_o per_fw-la urbes_fw-la singulas_fw-la ordinati_fw-la sâ—nt_fw-la episcopi_fw-la in_o aetate_fw-la antiqui_fw-la in_o â—ide_v integri_fw-la in_fw-la prâ—ssura_fw-la probati_fw-la in_o persecutione_n proscripti_fw-la ille_fw-la super_fw-la eos_fw-la 〈◊〉_d alios_fw-la pseudoepiscopos_a audâ—at_fw-la ep._n 55._o p._n 112._o 112._o quanquam_fw-la sciam_fw-la frater_fw-la charissime_fw-la episcopos_fw-la plurimos_fw-la ecclestis_fw-la dominicis_fw-la in_o toto_fw-la mundo_fw-la divina_fw-la dignatione_fw-la praepâ—sitos_fw-la etc._n etc._n ep._n 63._o ab_fw-la init_fw-la init_fw-la divino_fw-la sacerdotio_fw-la honorati_fw-la &_o in_o claricis_fw-la ministeriis_fw-la constituti_fw-la non_fw-la nist_n altari_fw-la &_o saâ—rificiiâ—_n the_o fervirâ—_n &_o precibus_fw-la atque_fw-la orationibus_fw-la vacare_fw-la debeant_fw-la ep._n 1._o p._n 1._o 1._o ut_fw-la eum_fw-la clero_fw-la nostro_fw-la dominus_fw-la adjungeret_fw-la &_o desolatam_fw-la per_fw-la lapsum_fw-la quorundam_fw-la presbyterii_fw-la nostri_fw-la copiâ_fw-la gloriosis_n sacerdotibus_fw-la adornarâ—t_fw-la ep._n 40._o p._n 79._o 79._o ep._n 5._o p._n 11._o 11._o ep._n 59_o p._n 134._o &_o de_fw-fr lapsis_fw-la p._n 128._o 128._o ep._n 15_o 16_o 17._o susâ—_n susâ—_n ep._n 61._o p._n 144_o 144_o 〈◊〉_d plane_n &_o ad_fw-la 〈◊〉_d frater_fw-la carissâ—me_fw-la 〈◊〉_d &_o authoâ—itate_fw-la communi_fw-la â—t_a etiam_fw-la sâ—_n qui_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la contrâ—_n altar_n unum_fw-la atque_fw-la diviâ—um_fw-la sacrificiâ—_n foris_fw-la falsa_fw-la &_o sacrilege_n offer_v conati_fw-la sinâ—_n choose_fw-la quoque_fw-la â—ac_fw-la conditione_n suscipi_fw-la cum_fw-la revertuntâ—â—_n at_o communicent_fw-la laici_fw-la nec_fw-la debere_fw-la choose_fw-la râ—vertentes_fw-la eâ—_n apud_fw-la nos_fw-la ordinationis_fw-la &_o honoris_fw-la arma_fw-la retinere_fw-la quibus_fw-la contra_fw-la nos_fw-la rebellaverunt_fw-la oportâ—t_fw-la enim_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la qui_fw-la altari_fw-la &_o sacrificiis_fw-la deserviunt_fw-la intâ—gros_n atque_fw-la immaculatâ—s_fw-la essâ—_n etc._n etc._n ep._n 72._o p._n 197._o 197._o christo_fw-la sunt_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la plebs_fw-la sacâ—rdoti_n adunata_fw-la &_o pastori_fw-la svo_fw-la grex_n adhaerens_fw-la unde_fw-la scire_fw-la dâ—bes_fw-la episcopum_fw-la in_o ecclesiâ—m_fw-la esse_fw-la &_o ecclesia_fw-la in_o episcopo_fw-la &_o si_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la episcopo_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la in_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la non_fw-la esse_fw-la ep._n 66._o p._n 168._o 168._o quis_fw-la namquâ—_n hic_fw-la est_fw-la superbiae_fw-la tumour_n quae_fw-la arrogantia_fw-la animi_fw-la quae_fw-la mentis_fw-la inflatio_fw-la ad_fw-la cognitionem_fw-la svam_fw-la praepâ—sitos_fw-la &_o sacerdotes_fw-la vocare_fw-la ac_fw-la nisâ—_n apud_fw-la te_fw-la purgati_fw-la fucrimus_fw-la &_o sententia_fw-la tua_fw-la absoluti_fw-la ecce_fw-la jam_fw-la sex_n annis_fw-la nec_fw-la fraternitas_fw-la habuit_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nec_fw-la plâ—bs_fw-la praepositum_fw-la nec_fw-la grex_n
the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v then_o so_o notorious_a as_o to_o be_v undeniable_a he_o reason_v from_o it_o as_o from_o a_o acknowledge_v postulate_v 2._o i_o observe_v that_o the_o presbyter_n who_o in_o these_o time_n be_v vvn_n from_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v priest_n in_o the_o language_n which_o be_v then_o current_a pastor_n in_o the_o present_a presbyterian_a dialect_n i._n e._n not_o rule_v elder_n but_o such_o as_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v honour_v with_o the_o divine_a priesthood_n such_o as_o be_v constitute_v in_o the_o clerical_a ministry_n such_o as_o who_o work_n it_o be_v to_o attend_v the_o altar_n and_o the_o sacrifice_n and_o offer_v up_o the_o public_a prayer_n etc._n etc._n as_o we_o find_v in_o the_o instance_n of_o geminius_n faustinus_n 1._o such_o as_o god_n in_o his_o merciful_a providence_n be_v please_v to_o raise_v to_o the_o glorious_a station_n of_o the_o priesthood_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o numidicus_n 79._o such_o as_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n go_v to_o the_o prison_n and_o give_v the_o holy_a eucharist_n to_o the_o confessor_n 11._o such_o as_o at_o carthage_n as_o st._n cyprian_n complain_v to_o cornelius_n presume_v to_o curtail_v the_o pennance_n of_o the_o lapser_n and_o give_v they_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n while_o their_o idolatry_n be_v so_o very_o recent_a that_o as_o it_o be_v their_o hand_n and_o mouth_n be_v still_o a_o smoke_n with_o the_o warm_a nidor_n of_o the_o sacrifice_n that_o have_v be_v offer_v upon_o the_o devil_n altar_n 128._o such_o as_o contrary_a to_o all_o rule_n and_o order_n absolve_v the_o lapser_n and_o give_v they_o the_o communion_n without_o the_o bishop_n licence_n susâ—_n such_o as_o be_v join_v with_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o sacerdotal_a honour_n 144_o in_o a_o word_n they_o be_v such_o presbyter_n as_o st._n cyprian_n describe_v to_o stephen_n bishop_n of_o rome_n such_o as_o sometime_o raise_v altar_n against_o altar_n and_o out_o of_o the_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n offer_v false_a and_o sacrilegious_a sacrifice_n such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v depose_v when_o they_o do_v so_o such_o as_o tho'_o they_o shall_v return_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v only_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o lay-communion_n and_o not_o to_o be_v allow_v thereafter_o to_o act_v as_o man_n in_o holy_a order_n see_v it_o become_v the_o priest_n and_o minister_n of_o god_n those_o who_o attend_v the_o altar_n and_o sacrifice_n to_o be_v man_n of_o integrity_n and_o blameless_a 197._o such_o presbyter_n they_o be_v i_o say_v who_o be_v then_o vvn_n from_o the_o bishop_n for_o as_o for_o your_o lay-elder_n your_o rule_v contra-distinct_a from_o teach_v presbyter_n now_o so_o much_o in_o vogue_n there_o be_v as_o profound_a a_o silence_n of_o they_o in_o st._n cyprian_n work_n and_o time_n as_o there_o be_v of_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n or_o the_o sanquhar_n declaration_n and_o yet_o consider_v how_o much_o he_o have_v leave_v upon_o record_n about_o the_o governor_n the_o government_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n if_o there_o have_v be_v such_o presbyter_n then_o it_o be_v next_o to_o a_o miracle_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o so_o much_o as_o once_o have_v mention_v they_o 3._o i_o observe_v that_o the_o bishop_n power_n his_o authority_n his_o pastoral_a relation_n call_v it_o as_o you_o will_v extend_v to_o all_o the_o christian_n within_o his_o district_n e._n g._n cornelius_n be_v immediate_o and_o direct_o superior_a to_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o rome_n and_o they_o be_v his_o subject_n so_o it_o be_v also_o with_o fabius_n and_o the_o christian_n of_o antioch_n dionysius_n and_o the_o christian_n of_o alexandria_n cyprian_n and_o the_o christian_n of_o carthage_n etc._n etc._n the_o bishop_n prelation_n whatever_o it_o be_v relate_v not_o sole_o to_o the_o clergy_n or_o sole_o to_o the_o laity_n but_o to_o both_o equal_o and_o formal_o how_o full_o may_v this_o point_n be_v prove_v if_o it_o be_v needful_a indeed_o st._n cyprian_n define_v a_o church_n to_o be_v a_o people_n unite_v to_o their_o priest_n and_o a_o flock_n adhere_v to_o their_o pastor_n and_o that_o by_o the_o term_n priest_n and_o pastoâ—_n he_o mean_v the_o bishop_n be_v plain_a from_o what_o immediate_o follow_v for_o he_o tell_v florentius_n pupianus_n there_o that_o from_o that_o common_a and_o receive_a notion_n of_o a_o church_n he_o ought_v to_o have_v learn_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o the_o church_n in_o the_o bishop_n and_o that_o whoso_o be_v not_o with_o the_o bishop_n be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n 168._o and_o in_o that_o same_o epistle_n chastise_v the_o same_o florentius_n for_o call_v his_o title_n to_o his_o bishopric_n in_o question_n and_o speak_v bitter_a thing_n against_o he_o he_o reason_n thus_o what_o swell_v of_o pride_n what_o arrogance_n of_o spirit_n what_o haughtiness_n be_v this_o that_o thou_o shall_v arraign_v bishop_n before_o thy_o tribunal_n and_o unless_o we_o be_v purge_v by_o thou_o and_o absolve_v by_o thy_o sentence_n lo_o these_o six_o year_n the_o brotherhood_n have_v have_v no_o bishop_n the_o people_z no_o ruler_n the_o flock_v no_o pastor_n the_o church_n no_o governor_n christ_n no_o prelate_n and_o god_n no_o priest_n 167._o in_o short_a he_o that_o bear_v the_o high_a character_n of_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n be_v call_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n by_o way_n of_o eminence_n passim_fw-la the_o church_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o ship_n and_o the_o bishop_n be_v the_o master_n 56._o he_o be_v the_o father_n and_o all_o the_o christian_n within_o his_o district_n be_v his_o child_n 79._o he_o be_v the_o governor_n passim_fw-la the_o rector_n 133._o the_o captain_n 141._o the_o head_n 86._o the_o judge_n 129._o of_o all_o within_o his_o diocese_n he_o be_v the_o chief_a pastor_n and_o tho'_o presbyter_n be_v also_o sometime_o call_v pastor_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o seldom_o and_o at_o best_a they_o be_v but_o such_o in_o subordination_n indeed_o the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n during_o the_o vacancy_n between_o fabianus_n his_o death_n and_o cornelius_n his_o promotion_n look_v only_o on_o themselves_o as_o vice-pastor_n say_v that_o in_o such_o a_o juncture_n they_o keep_v the_o flock_n in_o stead_n of_o the_o pastor_n the_o bishop_n etc._n i_o can_v give_v you_o even_o a_o surfeit_n of_o evidence_n i_o say_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n if_o it_o be_v needful_a whoso_o read_v st._n cyprian_n epistle_n may_v find_v it_o in_o almost_o every_o page_n and_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n hereafter_o to_o insist_v on_o many_o argument_n in_o the_o probation_n of_o other_o thing_n which_o may_v further_o clear_v this_o also_o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o more_o in_o all_o this_o than_o ignatius_n say_v frequent_o near_o 150_o year_n before_o st._n cyprian_n passon_n and_o now_o sir_n tho'_o the_o monument_n of_o the_o cyprianic_n age_n can_v afford_v we_o no_o more_o than_o these_o three_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v prove_v from_o they_o they_o will_v be_v of_o sufficient_a force_n to_o overthrow_v our_o author_n definition_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n as_o to_o both_o part_n of_o it_o and_o demonstrate_v to_o every_o think_v man_n conviction_n that_o he_o be_v neither_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o flâ—ck_n nor_o the_o moderator_n of_o a_o presbytery_n in_o our_o author_n sense_n of_o the_o term_n 1._o not_o the_o pastor_n of_o a_o flock_n i._n e._n a_o single_a presbyter_n have_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o single_a parish_n after_o the_o presbyterian_a model_n for_o a_o bishop_n in_o those_o time_n have_v many_o such_o presbyter_n under_o he_o cyprian_a himself_n whatever_o he_o have_v more_o have_v no_o sewer_n than_o eight_o under_o he_o in_o the_o city_n of_o carthage_n beside_o the_o adjacent_a village_n cornelius_n be_v over_o forty_o six_o in_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n i_o know_v not_o how_o many_o dionysius_n be_v over_o at_o alexandria_n or_o polycarpus_n at_o 〈◊〉_d but_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o be_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n so_o it_o be_v all_o the_o christian_a world_n over_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v a_o bishop_n then_o in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n be_v a_o pastor_n indeed_o but_o it_o be_v of_o a_o diocese_n i._n e_o all_o the_o christian_n within_o such_o a_o district_n be_v his_o flock_n and_o he_o have_v a_o direct_a formal_a and_o immediate_a pastoral_n relation_n to_o they_o all_o tho'_o at_o the_o same_o time_n within_o the_o same_o district_n there_o be_v many_o inferior_a pastor_n who_o be_v subordinate_a and_o subject_a to_o he_o 2._o he_o be_v as_o little_a a_o mere_a moderator_n of_o a_o presbytery_n in_o our_o author_n sense_n of_o the_o term_n a_o presbyterian_a moderator_n 〈◊〉_d
such_o be_v no_o church_n governor_n at_o all_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n as_o such_o be_v chief_a pastor_n judge_n head_n master_n rector_n governor_n of_o all_o the_o christian_n within_o his_o district_n a_o presbyterian_a moderator_n as_o such_o have_v no_o direct_a immediate_a formal_a relation_n to_o the_o people_n but_o only_o to_o the_o presbytery_n he_o be_v the_o mouth_n and_o keep_v order_n in_o the_o manner_n and_o manage_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o presbytery_n not_o of_o the_o church_n or_o rather_o church_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o that_o presbytery_n but_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n be_v quite_o another_o thing_n his_o prelacy_n whatever_o it_o be_v relate_v to_o the_o laity_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o clergy_n st._n cyprian_n e._n g._n to_o as_o many_o christian_n as_o require_v the_o subordinate_a labour_n of_o at_o least_o eight_o presbyter_n cornelius_n too_o as_o many_o as_o require_v the_o subordinate_a labour_n of_o forty_o six_o to_o a_o body_n of_o christian_n in_o which_o beside_o forty_o six_o presbyter_n seven_o deacon_n seven_o subdeacon_n forty_o two_o acolyte_n fifty_o two_o exorcist_n lector_n and_o doorkeeper_n there_o be_v more_o than_o fifteen_o hundred_o widow_n and_o poor_a people_n who_o subsist_v by_o charity_n and_o beside_o all_o these_o a_o mighty_a and_o innumerable_a laity_n as_o himself_o word_n it_o 43._o these_o thing_n i_o say_v may_v be_v sufficient_a in_o all_o reason_n to_o confute_v our_o author_n notion_n but_o then_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o let_v we_o consider_v ii_o how_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n be_v promoted_n to_o his_o chair_n to_o that_o sublime_a top_n of_o the_o priesthood_n as_o he_o call_v it_o 103._o and_o we_o shall_v easy_o collect_v another_o demonstration_n against_o our_o author_n notion_n for_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o time_n it_o be_v plain_n i._o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o lawful_a nor_o allowable_a promotion_n of_o one_o to_o a_o bishopric_n which_o have_v be_v possess_v before_o unless_o there_o be_v a_o clear_a canonical_a and_o unquestionable_a vacancy_n it_o be_v a_o receive_a maxim_n then_o that_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n at_o once_o in_o a_o church_n when_o a_o see_v be_v once_o canonical_o fill_v whosoever_o else_o pretend_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o see_v be_v not_o a_o second_o bishop_n but_o none_o at_o all_o in_o st._n cyprian_n judgement_n 104._o nay_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o reckon_v of_o he_o as_o another_o bishop_n that_o he_o deem_v he_o not_o a_o christian_n fuse_v innumerable_a be_v his_o testimony_n to_o this_o purpose_n 110._o but_o i_o shall_v transcribe_v only_o one_o from_o ep._n 69._o because_o he_o full_o reason_n the_o case_n in_o it_o there_o be_v a_o controversy_n between_o cornelius_n and_o novatianus_n whether_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n now_o consider_v how_o st._n cyprian_n decide_v it_o the_o church_n be_v one_o say_v he_o and_o this_o one_o church_n can_v be_v both_o within_o and_o without_o if_o therefore_o the_o true_a church_n be_v with_o novatianus_n she_o be_v not_o with_o cornelius_n but_o if_o she_o be_v with_o cornelius_n who_o succeed_v to_o bishop_n fabianus_n by_o lawful_a ordination_n and_o who_o god_n honour_v with_o martyrdom_n as_o well_o as_o with_o the_o episcopal_a dignity_n novatianus_n be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n nor_o can_v he_o be_v acknowledge_v as_o a_o bishop_n who_o contemn_v the_o evangelical_n and_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o succeed_v to_o none_o have_v spring_v from_o himself_o he_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n either_o have_v or_o hold_v a_o church_n who_o be_v not_o ordain_v in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o church_n can_v be_v without_o herself_o nor_o divide_v against_o herself_o etc._n etc._n and_o a_o little_a after_o our_o lord_n recommend_v to_o we_o the_o unity_n which_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n say_v i_o and_o my_o father_n be_v one_o and_o again_o oblige_v the_o church_n to_o keep_v this_o unity_n he_o say_v there_o shall_v be_v one_o flock_n and_o one_o pastor_n but_o if_o the_o flock_n be_v one_o how_o can_v he_o be_v repute_v to_o be_v of_o the_o flock_n who_o be_v not_o number_v with_o the_o flock_n or_o how_o can_v be_v he_o deem_v a_o pastor_n who_o while_o the_o true_a pastor_n live_v and_o rule_v the_o flock_n by_o a_o succedaneous_a ordination_n succeed_v to_o none_o but_o begin_v from_o himself_o such_o a_o one_o be_v a_o alien_n be_v profane_a be_v a_o enemy_n to_o christian_a peace_n and_o unity_n he_o dwell_v not_o in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n i._n e._n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n none_o can_v dwell_v there_o but_o the_o son_n of_o concord_n and_o unanimity_n 182._o neither_o be_v this_o principle_n peculiar_a to_o st._n cyprian_a cornelius_n in_o his_o so_o often_o mention_v epistle_n to_o fabius_n insist_o on_o it_o also_o and_o in_o a_o manner_n ridicules_n novatianus_n if_o not_o for_o his_o ignorance_n of_o it_o at_o least_o for_o entertain_v the_o vain_a conceit_n that_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o counter-act_n it_o 43._o and_o when_o maximus_n urbanus_fw-la sidonius_n macarius_n etc._n etc._n desert_a novatianus_n and_o return_v to_o cornelius_n his_o communion_n they_o make_v a_o solemn_a confession_n that_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o that_o same_o common_a maxim_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v look_v upon_o novatianus_n as_o a_o false_a and_o schismatical_a bishop_n we_o know_v say_v they_o that_o cornelius_n be_v choose_v bishop_n of_o the_o most_o holy_a catholic_n church_n by_o the_o omnipotent_a god_n and_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n we_o confess_v our_o error_n we_o be_v impose_v upon_o we_o be_v circumvent_v by_o perfidy_n and_o ensnare_a sophistry_n for_o we_o be_v not_o ignorant_a that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n one_o christ_n our_o lord_n who_o we_o have_v confess_v one_o holy-ghost_n and_o that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o catholic_n church_n 93._o indeed_o two_o bishop_n at_o once_o of_o one_o church_n or_o city_n be_v then_o think_v as_o great_a a_o absurdity_n as_o two_o father_n of_o one_o child_n or_o two_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n or_o two_o head_n of_o one_o body_n or_o whatever_o else_o you_o can_v call_v monstrous_a in_o either_o nature_n or_o morality_n 2._o there_o be_v no_o canonical_a vacancy_n no_o place_n for_o a_o new_a bishop_n but_o where_o the_o one_o bishop_n who_o the_o chair_n have_v be_v be_v dead_a or_o have_v cede_v or_o be_v canonical_o depose_v by_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o episcopal_a college_n vacancy_n by_o death_n have_v no_o difficulty_n i_o do_v remember_v to_o have_v observe_v any_o instance_n of_o session_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n tho'_o there_o be_v some_o before_o and_o many_o after_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o basilides_n who_o after_o he_o have_v forfeit_v his_o title_n to_o that_o sacred_a dignity_n by_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o dreadful_a crime_n of_o idolatry_n and_o blasphemy_n be_v say_v to_o have_v lay_v it_o down_o and_o to_o have_v confess_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v favourable_o deal_v by_o if_o thereafter_o he_o shall_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o laic_n 67._o we_o have_v instance_n of_o deposition_n in_o the_o same_o basilides_n and_o martialis_n ibid._n in_o marcianus_n 68_o privatus_fw-la lambesitanus_n 36._o evaristus_n 52._o fortunatianus_n 65._o and_o perhaps_o some_o more_o however_o these_o three_o i_o say_v be_v the_o only_a cause_n in_o which_o there_o can_v be_v a_o lawful_a vacancy_n 3._o when_o a_o see_v be_v thus_o canonical_o vacant_a it_o be_v fill_v after_o this_o manner_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n in_o which_o the_o vacancy_n be_v meet_v choose_v and_o ordain_v one_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n who_o he_o be_v to_o govern._n this_o st._n cyprian_n with_o other_o 36_o bishop_n tell_v we_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o apostolical_a observation_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a form_n not_o only_o in_o africa_n but_o almost_o in_o every_o province_n all_o the_o world_n over_o 10._o i_o know_v it_o be_v controvert_v whether_o a_o bishop_n in_o those_o time_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o people_n or_o only_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n but_o my_o present_a purpose_n do_v not_o engage_v i_o in_o that_o controversy_n 4._o but_o election_n be_v not_o enough_o tho'_o the_o person_n elect_v be_v already_o a_o presbyter_n and_o in_o priestly_a order_n yet_o when_o he_o be_v to_o be_v promoted_n to_o a_o bishopric_n he_o be_v to_o receive_v a_o new_a imposition_n of_o hand_n a_o new_a ordination_n his_o former_a order_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o that_o supreme_a office_n thus_o e._n g._n st._n cyprian_n be_v first_o a_o presbyter_n and_o then_o ordain_v bishop_n of_o carthage_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v
may_v they_o not_o have_v choose_v one_o at_o every_o meeting_n according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o parity_n farther_o what_o need_v of_o so_o much_o parade_n about_o the_o election_n of_o a_o moderator_n of_o a_o presbytery_n as_o be_v then_o about_o the_o election_n of_o a_o bishop_n why_o the_o people_n choose_v he_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o who_o think_v that_o st._n cyprian_n be_v for_o popular_a election_n what_o be_v the_o people_n interest_n how_o be_v it_o their_o concern_v who_o be_v moderator_n of_o the_o presbytery_n what_o be_v his_o influence_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la at_o least_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n more_o than_o the_o influence_n of_o any_o other_o member_n of_o the_o presbytery_n nay_o be_v it_o not_o confess_v that_o as_o moderator_n he_o be_v no_o church-governour_n at_o all_o that_o he_o have_v no_o jurisdiction_n over_o his_o brethren_n that_o his_o power_n be_v only_o ordinative_a not_o decisive_n to_o be_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o meeting_n not_o to_o be_v their_o will_n or_o command_v faculty_n to_o keep_v order_n in_o the_o manner_n and_o manage_n of_o what_o come_v before_o they_o not_o to_o determine_v what_o be_v debate_v among_o they_o why_o then_o be_v the_o people_n so_o much_o concern_v about_o he_o what_o benefit_n or_o what_o harm_n can_v redound_v to_o they_o by_o one_o being_n moderator_n of_o the_o presbytery_n whatever_o he_o be_v beside_o as_o i_o have_v show_v before_o as_o moderator_n of_o the_o presbytery_n he_o have_v relation_n only_o to_o the_o presbytery_n at_o least_o he_o have_v none_o direct_o immediate_o and_o formal_o to_o the_o people_n what_o pretence_n then_o can_v the_o people_n have_v to_o interest_n themselves_o in_o his_o election_n nay_o say_v as_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v say_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o contrary_n can_v be_v make_v appear_v from_o st._n cyprian_n that_o he_o be_v not_o choose_v by_o the_o people_n but_o only_o in_o their_o presence_n and_o the_o same_o argument_n will_v take_v place_n as_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o body_n far_o yet_o what_o need_v of_o convocate_a so_o many_o from_o the_o neighbourhood_n for_o manage_v the_o election_n of_o a_o moderator_n e._n g._n for_o the_o presbytery_n of_o rome_n if_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o presbyterian_a moderator_n than_o the_o bishop_n convocate_v for_o manage_v the_o election_n of_o a_o moderator_n be_v moderator_n too_o and_o so_o by_o consequence_n sixteen_o moderator_n of_o other_o presbytery_n meet_v at_o rome_n to_o constitute_v a_o moderator_n for_o the_o roman_a presbytery_n and_o may_v not_o the_o presbytery_n of_o rome_n have_v choose_v their_o own_o moderator_n without_o the_o trouble_n or_o the_o inspection_n of_o so_o many_o moderator_n of_o other_o presbytery_n once_o more_o what_o necessity_n nay_o what_o congruity_n of_o a_o new_a imposition_n of_o hand_n of_o a_o new_a ordination_n a_o new_a mission_n for_o constitute_v one_o a_o moderator_n of_o a_o presbytery_n and_o this_o too_o to_o be_v perform_v by_o none_o but_o moderator_n of_o other_o presbytery_n thus_o e._n g._n it_o behove_v six_o moderator_n to_o meet_v at_o capsis_fw-la to_o ordain_v a_o moderator_n for_o the_o presbytery_n of_o capsis_fw-la and_o sixteen_o at_o rome_n to_o ordain_v a_o moderator_n for_o the_o presbytery_n of_o rome_n and_o after_o he_o be_v ordain_v it_o behove_v novatianus_n to_o be_v at_o so_o much_o pain_n to_o get_v together_o three_o moderator_n to_o ordain_v himself_o a_o anti-moderator_n who_o can_v think_v on_o these_o thing_n without_o smile_v but_o perhaps_o you_o may_v think_v i_o have_v insist_v on_o this_o argument_n more_o than_o enough_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v leave_v it_o and_o proceed_v to_o other_o consideration_n to_o go_v on_o then_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n thus_o elect_v ordain_v and_o possess_v of_o his_o chair_n do_v bear_v a_o double_a relation_n one_o to_o the_o particular_a church_n over_o which_o he_o be_v set_v and_o another_o to_o the_o church_n catholic_n a_o integrant_fw-la partly_o whereof_o the_o particular_a church_n be_v of_o which_o he_o be_v bishop_n the_o consideration_n of_o each_o of_o these_o relation_n will_v furnish_v we_o with_o fresh_a argument_n against_o our_o author_n hypothesis_n i_o shall_v begin_v with_o the_o relation_n he_o bear_v to_o his_o own_o particular_a church_n and_o first_o the_o first_o thing_n i_o observe_v about_o he_o in_o that_o regard_n shall_v be_v that_o he_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o she_o whosoever_o adhere_v to_o he_o and_o live_v in_o his_o communion_n be_v in_o the_o church_n a_o catholic_n christian._n whosoever_o separate_v from_o he_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o a_o schismatic_a he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o all_o the_o christian_n live_v within_o his_o district_n and_o they_o be_v one_o body_n one_o society_n one_o church_n by_o depend_v upon_o he_o by_o be_v subject_n to_o he_o by_o keep_v to_o his_o communion_n he_o be_v the_o sun_n and_o they_o be_v the_o beam_n he_o be_v the_o root_n and_o they_o be_v the_o branch_n he_o be_v the_o fountain_n and_o they_o be_v the_o stream_n as_o st._n cyprian_n explain_v the_o matter_n 108._o this_o be_v a_o point_n of_o great_a consequence_n especial_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o apologist_n argument_n our_o author_n answer_n to_o which_o i_o be_o examine_v and_o therefore_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o handle_v it_o somewhat_o full_o and_o i_o proceed_v by_o these_o step_n i._o there_o be_v nothing_o st._n cyprian_n and_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n his_o contemporary_n value_v more_o reckon_v of_o high_a importance_n or_o lay_v great_a stress_n upon_o than_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o there_o be_v no_o sin_n they_o represent_v at_o more_o heinous_a or_o more_o criminal_a than_o the_o sin_n of_o schism_n in_o their_o reckon_n unity_n be_v the_o great_a badge_n of_o christianity_n god_n hear_v the_o prayer_n that_o be_v put_v up_o in_o unity_n 112._o but_o not_o those_o that_o be_v perform_v in_o schism_n christian_n peace_n brotherly_a concord_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o people_n in_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v account_v of_o great_a value_n by_o they_o than_o all_o other_o imaginable_a sacrifice_n 149._o nothing_o afford_v great_a pleasure_n to_o the_o angel_n in_o heaven_n than_o harmony_n among_o christian_n on_o earth_n 217._o it_o be_v easy_a to_o collect_v a_o thousand_o such_o testimony_n concern_v the_o excellency_n of_o unity_n but_o as_o for_o schism_n and_o schismatic_n how_o may_v it_o make_v man_n heart_n to_o tremble_v when_o they_o hear_v what_o hard_a name_n and_o what_o horrid_a notion_n these_o primitive_a worthy_n give_v they_o and_o have_v of_o they_o schism_n to_o they_o be_v the_o devil_n device_n for_o subvert_v the_o faith_n corrupt_v the_o truth_n and_o cut_a unity_n 105._o christ_n institute_v the_o church_n and_o the_o devil_n heresy_n 60._o or_o schism_n for_o both_o then_o go_v common_o under_o one_o name_n schism_n be_v reckon_v a_o great_a crime_n than_o idolatry_n itself_o and_o st._n cyprian_n prove_v it_o by_o several_a argument_n 117._o firmilian_a affirm_v it_o also_o 227._o so_o do_v dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n in_o his_o notable_a epistle_n to_o novatianus_n he_o tell_v he_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v suffer_v the_o great_a misery_n rather_o than_o divide_v the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o martyrdom_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o unity_n be_v as_o glorious_a as_o martyrdom_n for_o not_o sacrifice_v to_o idol_n nay_o more_o because_o he_o who_o suffer_v rather_o than_o he_o will_v sacrifice_v suffer_v only_o for_o save_v his_o own_o soul_n but_o he_o that_o suffer_v for_o unity_n suffer_v for_o the_o whole_a church_n 45._o schismatic_n have_v not_o the_o spirit_n 185._o be_v forsake_v of_o the_o spirit_n 138._o hold_v not_o the_o faith_n 109._o have_v neither_o father_n son_n nor_o holy-ghost_n 10._o they_o be_v renegado_n 95._o apostate_n 103._o malignant_n 105._o parricide_n 117._o anti-christs_n 180._o false_a christ_n 5._o christ_n enemy_n 21._o blasphemer_n 31._o the_o devil_n priest_n 1._o retainer_n to_o corah_n 116._o retainer_n to_o judas_n 150._o villainous_a and_o perfidious_a 116._o alien_n profane_a enemy_n 109._o be_v without_o hope_n 182._o have_v no_o right_n to_o the_o promise_n 109._o can_v not_o be_v save_v 9_o be_v infidel_n 1._o worse_o than_o heathen_n 37._o self-condemned_n 140._o be_v no_o more_o christian_n than_o the_o devil_n 112._o can_v but_o belong_v to_o christ_n 114._o can_v not_o go_v to_o heaven_n ibid._n the_o hot_a part_n of_o hell_n their_o portion_n 18â—_n their_o society_n the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n 60._o their_o conventicle_n den_n of_o thief_n 207._o they_o be_v destroyer_n of_o soul_n 197._o their_o preach_v be_v poisonous_a 83._o their_o
adulterate_v and_o unity_n divide_v then_o man_n leap_v out_o into_o heresy_n and_o schism_n when_o when_o the_o priest_n be_v control_v when_o the_o bishop_n be_v envy_v when_o one_o grudge_n that_o himself_o be_v not_o rather_o prefer_v or_o disdain_v to_o bear_v with_o a_o superior_a 223._o indeed_o 4._o by_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o time_n the_o bishop_n be_v so_o much_o the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o the_o church_n which_o he_o govern_v the_o whole_a society_n have_v such_o a_o dependence_n on_o he_o be_v so_o vircuay_o in_o he_o and_o represent_v by_o he_o that_o what_o he_o do_v as_o bishop_n be_v repute_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n which_o he_o rule_v if_o he_o be_v oxthodox_n and_o catholic_n so_o be_v the_o body_n unite_v to_o he_o reckon_v to_o be_v if_o heretical_a or_o schismatical_a it_o go_v under_o the_o same_o denomination_n if_o he_o deny_v the_o faith_n whoso_o adhere_v to_o he_o after_o that_o be_v repute_v to_o have_v deny_v it_o if_o he_o confess_v the_o faith_n the_o whole_a church_n be_v reckon_v to_o have_v confess_v it_o in_o he_o thus_o we_o find_v when_o martialis_n and_o basilides_n two_o spanish_a bishop_n commit_v idolatry_n and_o so_o forfeit_v their_o bishopric_n and_o yet_o some_o of_o their_o people_n incline_v to_o continue_v in_o their_o communion_n st._n cyprian_n with_o other_o 36_o bishop_n tell_v those_o people_n that_o it_o behove_v they_o not_o to_o flatter_v themselves_o by_o think_v that_o they_o can_v continue_v to_o communicate_v with_o pollute_v bishop_n and_o withal_o themselves_o continue_v pure_a and_o unpolluted_a for_o all_o that_o communicate_v with_o they_o will_v be_v partaker_n of_o their_o gild_n and_o therefore_o as_o they_o go_v on_o a_o people_n obey_v and_o fear_v god_n ought_v to_o separate_v from_o criminal_a bishop_n and_o be_v careful_a not_o to_o mix_v with_o they_o in_o their_o sacrilegious_a sacrifice_n 171._o and_o again_o in_o that_o same_o synodical_a epistle_n they_o say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o neglect_v of_o divine_a discipline_n and_o a_o unaccountable_a rashness_n to_o communicate_v with_o martialis_n and_o basilides_n for_o whosoever_o joyneâ—_n with_o they_o in_o their_o unlawful_a communion_n be_v pollute_v by_o the_o contagion_n of_o their_o gild_n and_o whosoever_o be_v partaker_n with_o they_o in_o the_o crime_n will_v not_o be_v separate_v from_o they_o in_o the_o punishment_n 175._o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o great_a purpose_n of_o that_o 67th_o epistle_n as_o also_o of_o the_o 68th_o concern_v marcianus_n who_o by_o communicate_v with_o novatianus_n have_v render_v his_o own_o communion_n infectious_a and_o abominable_a 68_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n when_o cornelius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n confess_v the_o faith_n before_o the_o heathen_a persecutor_n st._n cyprian_n say_v the_o whole_a roman_a church_n confess_v 141._o and_o when_o cyprian_n himself_o have_v confess_v receive_v the_o sentence_n of_o death_n be_v then_o at_o utica_n he_o write_v to_o his_o presbyter_n deacon_n and_o people_n at_o carthage_n tell_v they_o how_o earnest_a he_o be_v to_o suffer_v at_o carthage_n because_o as_o he_o reason_n it_o be_v most_o congruous_a and_o become_v that_o a_o bishop_n shall_v confess_v christ_n in_o that_o city_n in_o which_o he_o rule_v christ_n church_n that_o by_o confess_v in_o their_o presence_n they_o may_v be_v all_o ennoble_v for_o whatever_o say_v he_o in_o the_o moment_n of_o confession_n the_o confess_v bishop_n speak_v god_n assist_v he_o he_o speak_v with_o the_o mouth_n of_o all._n and_o he_o go_v on_o tell_v they_o how_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o glorious_a church_n of_o carthage_n shall_v be_v mutilate_v as_o he_o word_v it_o if_o he_o shall_v suffer_v at_o utica_n especial_o consider_v how_o earnest_a and_o frequent_a he_o have_v be_v in_o his_o prayer_n and_o wish_n that_o he_o may_v both_o for_o himself_o and_o they_o confess_v in_o their_o presence_n at_o carthage_n 239._o and_o upon_o the_o same_o principle_n it_o be_v that_o he_o so_o frequent_o call_v his_o people_n his_o bowel_n his_o body_n the_o member_n of_o his_o body_n and_o that_o he_o affirm_v that_o their_o grief_n be_v his_o grief_n their_o wound_n his_o wound_n their_o distress_n his_o distress_n fuse_v etc._n etc._n upon_o the_o same_o principle_n it_o be_v also_o that_o pontius_n his_o deacon_n have_v account_v how_o our_o holy_a martyr_n be_v execute_v in_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n fall_v out_o into_o this_o rapture_n o_o bless_a people_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n that_o suffer_v together_o with_o such_o a_o bishop_n with_o their_o eye_n and_o sense_n and_o which_o be_v more_o with_o open_a voice_n and_o be_v crown_v with_o he_o for_o tho'_o all_o can_v not_o suffer_v in_o real_a effect_n according_a to_o their_o common_a wish_n nor_o real_o be_v partaker_n of_o that_o glory_n yet_o whosoever_o be_v sincere_o willing_a to_o suffer_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v look_v on_o and_o in_o the_o hear_n of_o their_o bishop_n do_v in_o a_o manner_n send_v a_o embassy_n to_o heaven_n by_o one_o who_o be_v a_o competent_a witness_n of_o their_o wish_n 10._o 5._o neither_o be_v this_o of_o the_o bishop_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o the_o church_n which_o he_o govern_v a_o novel_a notion_n new_o mint_v in_o the_o cyprianic_n age_n for_o beside_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v general_o believe_v then_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n beside_o that_o st._n cyprian_n still_o argue_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o divine_a institution_n as_o particular_o in_o the_o same_o very_a case_n of_o the_o bishop_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o his_o reason_v against_o the_o lapse_v which_o i_o have_v already_o cite_v from_o ep._n 33._o and_o might_n be_v more_o full_o make_v appear_v if_o it_o be_v needful_a beside_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v we_o have_v the_o same_o thing_n frequent_o insist_v on_o by_o the_o holy_a ignatius_n who_o be_v contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n in_o his_o genuine_a epistle_n thus_o for_o instance_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o that_o be_v only_o a_o firm_a and_o solid_a communion_n which_o be_v under_o the_o bishop_n or_o allow_v by_o he_o and_o that_o the_o multitude_n ought_v still_o to_o be_v with_o the_o bishop_n 6._o plain_o import_v this_o much_o at_o least_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a christian_a communion_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o communion_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o philadelphian_o these_o who_o belong_v to_o god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n be_v with_o the_o bishop_n and_o these_o be_v god_n that_o they_o may_v live_v by_o jesus_n christ_n who_o forsake_v their_o sin_n come_v into_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n 40._o and_o again_o in_o that_o same_o epistle_n god_n do_v not_o dwell_v where_o there_o be_v division_n and_o wrath_n god_n only_a pardon_n those_o who_o repent_v join_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n and_o in_o society_n with_o the_o bishop_n 43._o and_o he_o have_v also_o that_o same_o very_a notion_n of_o the_o bishop_n be_v so_o much_o the_o principle_n of_o unity_n that_o as_o it_o be_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v represent_v in_o he_o thus_o he_o tell_v the_o ephesian_n that_o he_o receive_v their_o whole_a body_n in_o their_o bishop_n onesimus_n 17._o and_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o trallian_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o in_o polybius_n their_o bishop_n who_o come_v to_o he_o at_o smyrna_n he_o behold_v their_o whole_a society_n 47._o 6._o indeed_o this_o principle_n of_o the_o bishop_n be_v the_o centre_n of_o unity_n to_o his_o church_n be_v most_o reasonable_a and_o accountable_a in_o itself_o every_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o organise_v political_a body_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o unity_n in_o a_o organical_a body_n whether_o natural_a or_o political_a without_o a_o principle_n of_o unity_n on_o which_o all_o the_o member_n must_v hang_v and_o from_o which_o be_v separate_v they_o must_v cease_v to_o be_v member_n and_o who_o so_o fit_a for_o be_v this_o principle_n for_n unity_n to_o a_o church_n as_o he_o who_o be_v pastor_n ruler_n governor_n captain_n head_z judge_n christ_n vicar_n etc._n etc._n in_o relation_n to_o that_o church_n this_o be_v the_o true_a foundation_n of_o that_o other_o maxim_n which_o i_o insist_v on_o before_o viz._n that_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n at_o once_o in_o a_o church_n why_o so_o why_o because_o it_o be_v monstrous_a for_o one_o body_n to_o have_v two_o head_n for_o one_o society_n to_o have_v two_o principle_n of_o unity_n if_o what_o i_o have_v say_v do_v not_o satisfy_v you_o tho'_o in_o
of_o the_o notion_n christian_n have_v then_o of_o the_o christian_a hierarchy_n be_v copy_v from_o the_o jewish_a neither_o be_v it_o a_o notion_n new_o start_v up_o in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n for_o we_o find_v it_o in_o express_a term_n in_o that_o notable_a epistle_n write_v to_o the_o corinthian_n by_o st._n clement_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o be_v not_o only_o contemporary_a with_o the_o apostle_n but_o be_v by_o name_n mention_v by_o st._n paul_n as_o one_o of_o his_o fellow-labourer_n who_o name_n be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n philip._n 4._o 3._o for_o he_o persuade_v those_o corinthian_n to_o lay_v aside_o all_o animosity_n and_o schismatical_a disposition_n and_o to_o pursue_v and_o maintain_v unity_n and_o peace_n above_o all_o thing_n propose_v to_o they_o as_o a_o proper_a expedient_a for_o this_o that_o every_o man_n shall_v keep_v his_o order_n and_o station_n and_o then_o enumerate_v the_o several_a subordination_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o sufficient_o prove_v that_o the_o hierarchy_n be_v still_o preserve_v in_o the_o new_a his_o method_n of_o reason_v and_o the_o design_n he_o have_v in_o hand_n to_o compose_v the_o schism_n that_o arise_v among_o the_o corinthian_n make_v this_o evident_a beyond_o all_o contradiction_n that_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v no_o less_o than_o the_o high_a priest_n among_o the_o jew_n else_o he_o have_v not_o argue_v from_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o temple_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n the_o high_a priest_n say_v he_o have_v his_o proper_a office_n and_o the_o priest_n have_v their_o proper_a place_n or_o station_n and_o the_o levite_n be_v tie_v to_o their_o proper_a ministery_n and_o the_o layman_n be_v bind_v to_o his_o laic_a performance_n 53._o have_v thus_o demonstrate_v that_o these_o be_v three_o current_n and_o receive_v principle_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n viz._n that_o a_o bishop_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o his_o church_n to_o all_o the_o christian_n within_o his_o district_n that_o he_o be_v supreme_a in_o his_o church_n and_o have_v no_o earthly_a ecclesiastical_a superior_a and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o same_o among_o christian_n which_o the_o high_a priest_n be_v among_o the_o jew_n let_v i_o try_v a_o little_a if_o our_o author_n definition_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n can_v consist_v with_o they_o i_o be_o afraid_a it_o can_v consist_v with_o none_o of_o they_o single_o much_o less_o with_o all_o these_o together_o i._n not_o with_o the_o first_o for_o if_o a_o bishop_n then_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o a_o church_n in_o which_o there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n as_o cyprian_n e._n g._n be_v to_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n and_o cornelius_n to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o fabius_n to_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n and_o dionysius_n to_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n etc._n etc._n if_o thus_o it_o be_v i_o say_v then_o to_o be_v sure_a a_o bishop_n be_v another_o thing_n than_o a_o mere_a single_a presbyter_n of_o a_o single_a parish_n in_o the_o presbyterian_a sense_n for_o if_o a_o single_a presbyter_n can_v have_v be_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o a_o church_n in_o which_o there_o be_v e._n g._n 46_o single_a presbyter_n he_o must_v have_v be_v it_o as_o a_o single_a presbyter_n or_o as_o something_o else_o not_o as_o a_o single_a presbyter_n for_o then_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v as_o many_o principle_n of_o unity_n in_o a_o church_n as_o there_o be_v single_a presbyter_n for_o instance_n there_o shall_v have_v be_v 46_o principle_n of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v plain_o contradictory_n to_o the_o notion_n of_o one_o bishop_n at_o once_o in_o a_o church_n what_o be_v it_o else_o than_o to_o make_v a_o church_n such_o a_o monster_n as_o may_v have_v 46_o head_n than_o by_o so_o multiply_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o leave_v no_o unity_n at_o all_o than_o in_o stead_n of_o one_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o a_o organise_v body_n to_o set_v up_o 46_o principle_n of_o division_n indeed_o what_o be_v it_o else_o than_o the_o very_a extract_n of_o nonsense_n and_o cream_n of_o contradiction_n a_o single_a presbyter_n then_o if_o he_o can_v have_v be_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o such_o a_o church_n mut_n have_v be_v it_o as_o something_o else_o than_o a_o mere_a single_a presbyter_n but_o what_o can_v that_o something_o else_o have_v be_v a_o presbyterian_a moderator_n not_o so_o neither_o for_o by_o what_o propriety_n of_o speech_n can_v a_o moderator_n of_o a_o presbytery_n as_o such_o be_v call_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o a_o church_n how_o can_v he_o be_v call_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o a_o church_n who_o as_o such_o be_v neither_o pastor_n head_n nor_o governor_n of_o a_o church_n who_o as_o such_o have_v no_o direct_a immediate_a or_o formal_a relation_n to_o a_o church_n who_o as_o such_o be_v only_o the_o chairman_n the_o master-speaker_n not_o of_o the_o church_n but_o of_o the_o presbytery_n nay_o who_o may_v be_v such_o and_o yet_o no_o christian_a for_o however_o inexpedient_a or_o indecent_a it_o may_v be_v that_o a_o heathen_a shall_v on_o occasion_n be_v the_o moderator_n i._n e._n the_o master-speaker_n of_o a_o presbytery_n yet_o it_o imply_v no_o repugnancy_n to_o any_o principle_n of_o christianity_n but_o however_o this_o be_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o according_a to_o the_o presbyterian_a principle_n not_o the_o moderator_n but_o the_o presbytery_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o the_o church_n or_o rather_o church_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o that_o presbytery_n and_o to_o do_v our_o author_n justice_n he_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v sensible_a of_o this_o as_o a_o i_o observe_v already_o and_o therefore_o he_o say_v not_o if_o he_o the_o apologist_n can_v prove_v that_o we_o separate_v from_o our_o pastor_n or_o from_o the_o moderator_n of_o the_o presbytery_n but_o from_o our_o pastor_n or_o from_o the_o presbytery_n with_o their_o moderator_n neither_o 2._o can_v our_o author_n definition_n consist_v with_o the_o second_o principle_n viz._n that_o every_o bishop_n be_v supreme_a in_o his_o church_n independent_a and_o not_o subordinate_a to_o any_o ecclesiastical_a superior_a on_o earth_n to_o have_v such_o a_o supremacy_n such_o a_o independency_n such_o a_o unaccountableness_n be_v notorious_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o idea_n of_o either_o a_o single_a presbyter_n or_o a_o presbyterian_a moderator_n how_o can_v it_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o idea_n of_o a_o single_a presbyter_n act_v in_o parity_n with_o his_o brethren_n presbyter_n that_o of_o 46_o for_o example_n one_o shall_v have_v a_o primacy_n a_o supremacy_n a_o plenitude_n of_o power_n the_o sublime_a and_o divine_a power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n a_o unaccountable_a and_o eminent_a power_n as_o st._n jerom_n himself_o call_v it_o potestas_fw-la and_o all_o the_o rest_n shall_v be_v accountable_a and_o subordinate_a to_o he_o what_o be_v this_o but_o reconcile_a contradiction_n beside_o the_o independency_n of_o single_a presbyter_n be_v notorious_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o presbyterian_a scheme_n it_o be_v independency_n not_o presbytery_n and_o as_o for_o the_o presbyterian_a moderator_n in_o what_o sense_n can_v he_o be_v call_v supreme_a or_o independent_a or_o unaccountable_a in_o what_o sense_n can_v he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v raise_v to_o the_o sublime_a top_n of_o the_o priesthood_n or_o to_o have_v a_o exhort_v potestas_fw-la a_o unaccountable_a power_n or_o to_o be_v accountable_a to_o god_n only_o or_o to_o have_v the_o sublime_a and_o divine_a power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n be_v he_o as_o such_o raise_v to_o the_o sublime_a top_n of_o the_o priesthood_n who_o as_o such_o may_v be_v no_o priest_n at_o all_o for_o why_o may_v not_o a_o rule_v elder_a be_v a_o moderator_n how_o can_v he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v 〈◊〉_d unaccountable_a power_n who_o can_v be_v voted_n out_o of_o his_o chair_n with_o the_o same_o breath_n with_o which_o he_o be_v voted_n into_o it_o how_o can_v he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v accountable_a to_o god_n only_o who_o be_v accountable_a to_o the_o presbytery_n how_o can_v he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o sublime_a and_o divine_a power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n who_o as_o such_o be_v no_o church_n governor_n have_v he_o a_o supreme_a power_n in_o a_o society_n who_o as_o such_o have_v no_o imaginable_a jurisdiction_n over_o any_o one_o member_n of_o that_o society_n 3._o but_o what_o shall_v i_o say_v to_o the_o consistency_n of_o our_o author_n definition_n with_o the_o three_o principle_n i_o name_v even_o no_o more_o than_o that_o i_o have_v prove_v it_o to_o have_v be_v one_o of_o st._n cyprian_n and_o one_o that_o be_v general_o receive_v in_o his_o time_n and_o that_o i_o
of_o the_o one_o church_n and_o they_o be_v her_o supreme_a governor_n they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v chief_o bind_v by_o the_o most_o fundamental_a law_n of_o their_o office_n to_o be_v conscientious_a conservator_n of_o these_o great_a and_o fundamental_a interest_n and_o indeed_o so_o they_o believe_v themselves_o to_o be_v as_o will_v evident_o appear_v from_o the_o follow_a consideration_n and_o i._o they_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o bound_v indispensible_o to_o maintain_v the_o peace_n the_o unity_n the_o concord_n the_o unanimity_n the_o honour_n they_o be_v all_o st._n cyprian_n word_n of_o the_o college_n itself_o every_o error_n every_o defect_n every_o thing_n disjoint_v or_o out_o of_o tune_n in_o it_o tend_v natural_o to_o endanger_v the_o great_a interest_n for_o the_o conservation_n and_o procuration_n of_o which_o it_o be_v institute_v for_o this_o end_n 2._o because_o every_o man_n by_o be_v promoted_n to_o the_o episcopal_a dignity_n be_v eo_fw-la ipso_fw-la a_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o so_o a_o member_n of_o the_o episcopal_a college_n all_o possible_a care_n be_v take_v that_o a_o fit_a person_n shall_v be_v promote_v and_o that_o the_o promotion_n shall_v be_v unquestionable_a therefore_o he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v promoted_n as_o i_o have_v prove_v but_o where_o there_o be_v a_o unquestionable_a vacancy_n therefore_o he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v promoted_n if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n uncanonical_a or_o challengeable_a in_o his_o baptism_n or_o his_o confirmation_n or_o his_o prâ—motion_n to_o any_o former_a order_n as_o i_o have_v show_v also_o in_o the_o case_n of_o novationus_fw-la therefore_o he_o be_v solemn_o elect_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n that_o either_o his_o crime_n may_v be_v detect_v or_o his_o merit_n publish_v because_o the_o people_n be_v best_o acquaint_v with_o every_o man_n life_n and_o conversation_n 172._o therefore_o he_o be_v to_o be_v solemn_o ordain_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n also_o ibid._n and_o that_o by_o two_o or_o three_o bishop_n at_o few_o tho'_o a_o ordination_n perform_v by_o one_o bishop_n be_v true_o valid_a common_o there_o be_v more_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n 3._o be_v thus_o canonical_o promoted_n his_o first_o work_n be_v to_o send_v his_o communicatory_a letter_n to_o all_o other_o bishop_n to_o give_v they_o thereby_o a_o account_n of_o his_o canonical_a promotion_n his_o orthodoxy_n in_o the_o faith_n his_o fraternal_a disposition_n etc._n etc._n thus_o cornelius_n be_v no_o soon_o ordain_v bishop_n of_o rome_n than_o he_o instant_o dispatch_v his_o communicatory_a letter_n to_o st._n cyprian_a 87._o and_o no_o doubt_n as_o the_o custom_n be_v to_o all_o other_o bishop_n at_o least_o to_o all_o metropolitan_o by_o they_o to_o be_v communicate_v to_o the_o bishop_n within_o their_o province_n i_o say_v to_o metropolitan_o for_o nothing_o can_v be_v clear_a than_o that_o there_o be_v metropolitan_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n he_o be_v undoubted_o one_o himself_n 199._o and_o agrippiâ—â—s_n his_o predecessor_n bishop_n of_o carthage_n be_v one_o long_o before_o he_o spanhemius_fw-la himself_n our_o author_n diligem_n searcher_n into_o antiquity_n acknowledge_v it_o 117._o but_o to_o return_v from_o this_o digression_n novatianus_n also_o tho'_o illegal_o and_o schismatical_o ordain_v find_v it_o necessary_a to_o send_v his_o communicatory_a letter_n to_o st._n cyptian_a as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v ordain_v canonical_o and_o in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n 83._o so_o also_o fortunatus_n when_o make_v a_o schismatical_a bishop_n at_o carthage_n send_v his_o communicatory_a letter_n to_o cornelius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n 135._o indeed_o this_o be_v never_o omit_v 4._o if_o there_o be_v no_o competition_n no_o controversy_n in_o the_o caâ—e_n the_o matter_n be_v at_o a_o end_n the_o promoted_n bishop_n communicatory_a letter_n be_v sufficient_a and_o he_o be_v forthwith_o faithful_o join_v with_o all_o his_o colleague_n as_o st._n cyprian_a word_n it_o 130._o but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o competitor_n any_o debate_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o college_n before_o they_o receive_v he_o as_o a_o colleague_n make_v further_a inquiry_n sometime_o they_o send_v some_o from_o the_o neighbourhood_n to_o examine_v the_o matter_n sometime_o the_o ordainer_n be_v oblige_v to_o account_v for_o the_o person_n ordain_v and_o the_o whole_a procedure_n of_o the_o ordination_n sometime_o both_o method_n be_v practise_v we_o have_v a_o famous_a instance_n of_o both_o method_n in_o one_o case_n the_o case_n of_o cornelius_n and_o novationus_fw-la cornelius_n as_o i_o have_v say_v upon_o his_o promotion_n write_v to_o st._n cyprian_a so_o do_v novatianus_n here_o be_v a_o competition_n cyprian_a therefore_o with_o his_o african_a colleague_n send_v caldonius_n and_o fortunatus_n two_o bishop_n to_o rome_n that_o upon_o the_o place_n itself_o where_o they_o may_v have_v the_o sure_a information_n they_o may_v enquâ—re_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o try_v the_o competition_n 45._o and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o sixteen_o bishop_n who_o ordain_v cornelius_n write_v to_o st._n cyprian_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o africa_n and_o satisfy_v they_o upon_o the_o whole_a question_n demonstrate_v cornelius_n title_n and_o condemn_v novatianus_n 104._o such_o care_n be_v take_v that_o none_o shall_v be_v admit_v unworthy_o or_o uncanonical_o into_o the_o episcopal_a college_n but_o then_o 5._o there_o be_v equal_a care_n take_v to_o purge_v he_o out_o of_o the_o college_n again_o if_o he_o turn_v either_o heretical_a or_o schismatical_a if_o he_o keep_v not_o close_o to_o the_o law_n of_o one_o faith_n and_o one_o communion_n if_o he_o swerve_v from_o these_o he_o be_v forthwith_o refuse_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o whole_a college_n therefore_o say_v st._n cyprian_n to_o stephen_n bishop_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o case_n of_o marcianus_n bishop_n of_o arles_n who_o have_v join_v with_o novatianus_n the_o corporation_n of_o priest_n the_o episcopal_a college_n be_v copious_a be_v cement_v by_o the_o glue_n of_o mutual_a concord_n and_o the_o bond_n of_o unity_n that_o if_o any_o of_o the_o college_n shall_v turn_v heretic_n or_o attempt_v to_o divide_v or_o waste_v the_o flock_n of_o christ_n the_o rest_n may_v interpose_v and_o as_o profitable_a and_o merciful_a shepherd_n collect_v our_o lord_n sheep_n and_o restore_v they_o to_o the_o flock_n 178._o and_o this_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v by_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o one_o church_n and_o one_o communion_n for_o as_o our_o martyr_n subjoin_v tho'_o they_o be_v many_o pastor_n yet_o they_o all_o feed_v but_o one_o flock_n ibid._n and_o therefore_o all_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o world_n be_v bind_v to_o give_v the_o desolate_a christian_n of_o church_n whereof_o the_o bishop_n have_v turn_v heretical_a or_o schismatical_a the_o comfort_n of_o their_o aid_n and_o assistance_n 177._o it_o be_v true_a no_o bishop_n be_v superior_a to_o another_o bishop_n in_o point_n of_o power_n or_o jurisdiction_n but_o all_o stand_v collateral_a as_o i_o have_v prove_v and_o so_o no_o bishop_n as_o superior_a to_o another_o in_o a_o straight_a linâ—_n can_v pass_v sentence_n on_o he_o as_o they_o may_v have_v do_v to_o presbyter_n yet_o all_o be_v unite_v into_o one_o college_n which_o college_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o the_o church_n catholic_n it_o be_v necessary_a as_o well_o as_o natural_a that_o that_o college_n shall_v be_v impower_v to_o take_v care_n of_o its_o own_o preservation_n and_o by_o consequence_n they_o can_v do_v the_o equivalent_a of_o a_o formal_a and_o authoritative_a deposition_n they_o can_v refuse_v the_o heretical_a or_o schismatical_a bishop_n their_o communion_n and_o thereby_o exclude_v he_o from_o the_o episcopal_a college_n and_o they_o can_v oblige_v all_o the_o christian_n within_o his_o district_n to_o abandon_v his_o communion_n and_o choose_v another_o bishop_n as_o they_o value_v the_o invaluable_a privilege_n of_o the_o one_o church_n and_o the_o one_o communion_n but_o then_o 6._o so_o long_o as_o a_o bishop_n worthy_o and_o legal_o promoted_n keep_v the_o faith_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n he_o be_v treat_v he_o be_v encourage_v he_o be_v consult_v he_o be_v correspond_v with_o in_o a_o word_n every_o way_n use_v as_o become_v the_o head_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o a_o fellow-member_n of_o the_o college_n all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o member_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o the_o college_n to_o ratify_v all_o his_o canonical_a nay_o equitable_a act_n of_o priesthood_n government_n and_o discipline_n whosoever_o be_v baptise_a by_o himself_o or_o by_o his_o clergy_n with_o his_o allowance_n be_v to_o be_v own_v as_o a_o baptise_a christian_a a_o true_a denizen_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o have_v the_o privilege_n of_o such_o all_o the_o world_n
over_o every_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n live_v at_o how_o great_a a_o distance_n soever_o be_v bind_v to_o communicate_v his_o dutiful_a subject_n due_o attest_v by_o he_o and_o to_o excommunicate_v his_o excommunicate_n thus_o for_o instance_n cornelius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n reject_v felicissimus_n and_o all_o his_o retainer_n and_o fortunatus_n and_o all_o he_o and_o will_v not_o grant_v they_o his_o communion_n because_o excommunicate_v by_o st._n cyprian_n 126._o and_o cyprian_a reject_v novatianus_n and_o all_o his_o party_n because_o not_o in_o communion_n with_o cornelius_n 44_o in_o short_a by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o college_n he_o that_o be_v injurious_a undutiful_a or_o disobedient_a to_o his_o bishop_n be_v such_o to_o all_o the_o bishop_n on_o earth_n he_o that_o set_v up_o a_o altar_n against_o his_o bishop_n altar_n set_v up_o his_o altar_n against_o all_o the_o altar_n of_o the_o whole_a college_n if_o a_o bishop_n depose_v or_o excommunicate_v any_o of_o his_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o other_o bishop_n to_o receive_v he_o nor_o to_o absolve_v he_o he_o be_v still_o to_o be_v reserve_v for_o that_o to_o his_o own_o bishop_n so_o long_o as_o he_o live_v he_o that_o be_v reconcile_v to_o his_o bishop_n whether_o he_o be_v of_o the_o clergy_n or_o laity_n and_o restore_v by_o he_o to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n be_v thereby_o restore_v to_o the_o peace_n of_o all_o other_o church_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n and_o of_o this_o we_o have_v a_o remarkable_a instance_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n therapius_n bishop_n of_o bulla_n in_o the_o proconsular_a province_n of_o africa_n absolve_v victor_n who_o have_v be_v a_o presbyter_n but_o have_v fall_v in_o time_n of_o persecution_n premature_o and_o uncanonical_o and_o yet_o by_o a_o synod_n of_o sixty_o six_o bishop_n whereof_o cyprian_n be_v one_o the_o absolution_n be_v ratify_v and_o victor_n be_v allow_v their_o communion_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o their_o synodical_a epistle_n 158._o so_o eminent_a and_o considerable_a be_v a_o bishop_n then_o as_o he_o stand_v relate_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n let_v i_o only_o add_v one_o thing_n more_o in_o pursuance_n of_o his_o dignity_n as_o to_o this_o relation_n and_o that_o be_v 7._o that_o so_o long_o as_o bishop_n continue_v a_o sound_a member_n of_o the_o college_n all_o informatory_n consultatory_n recommendatory_a communicatory_a congratulatory_a apologetic_a testimonial_a in_o a_o word_n all_o letter_n concern_v the_o peace_n the_o unity_n the_o government_n the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o concord_n the_o correspondence_n the_o harmony_n the_o honour_n the_o hazard_n or_o any_o other_o considerable_a interest_n of_o the_o college_n be_v direct_v to_o he_o or_o receive_v from_o he_o as_o have_v the_o supreme_a power_n of_o the_o church_n which_o he_o govern_v all_o the_o great_a concern_v of_o both_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o the_o episcopal_a college_n be_v in_o thâ—se_a time_n transact_v by_o letter_n there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o general_n council_n then_o all_o that_o can_v be_v do_v be_v either_o to_o meet_v in_o provincial_a synod_n upon_o great_a emergency_n or_o if_o that_o can_v not_o be_v neither_o to_o transact_v matter_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o general_n determination_n by_o particular_a letter_n from_o bishop_n to_o bishop_n provincial_n synod_n be_v ordinary_o keep_v twice_o a_o year_n and_o by_o they_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n all_o matter_n of_o moment_n be_v determine_v and_o so_o by_o the_o reciprocation_n of_o synodical_a letter_n matter_n come_v sometime_o to_o such_o a_o general_n agreement_n and_o determination_n as_o in_o the_o result_n be_v full_o equivalent_a to_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o general_n council_n we_o have_v several_a instance_n of_o such_o transaction_n by_o provincial_a synod_n thus_o in_o the_o grand_a case_n of_o the_o lapse_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o decian_a persecusion_n the_o matter_n be_v so_o manage_v by_o provincial_a synod_n in_o africa_n rome_n alexandria_n antiâ—ch_n etc._n etc._n that_o at_o last_o as_o st._n cyprian_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o this_o general_a conclusion_n that_o the_o lapse_v shall_v complete_a their_o term_n of_o penance_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v restore_v to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n before_o the_o time_n appoint_v by_o the_o canon_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o deadly_a sickness_n 103._o thus_o without_o doubt_n also_o that_o considerable_a canon_n mention_v by_o st._n cyprian_n in_o the_o synodical_a epistle_n which_o be_v the_o 67th_o in_o number_n among_o his_o epistle_n viz._n that_o the_o lapse_v however_o they_o may_v be_v restore_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v never_o be_v receive_v into_o holy_a order_n 174._o and_o that_o other_o canon_n mention_v by_o he_o also_o that_o no_o clergyman_n shall_v be_v tutor_n to_o minor_n i._n thus_o also_o long_o before_o st._n cyprian_n the_o great_a controversy_n concern_v the_o observation_n of_o easter_n be_v manage_v in_o many_o synod_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o 28._o and_o a_o few_o year_n after_o his_o martyrdom_n the_o case_n of_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la 30._o these_o instance_n be_v only_o for_o a_o sample_n when_o provincial_a synod_n can_v not_o be_v keep_v or_o emergent_a matter_n of_o consequence_n can_v not_o be_v convenient_o determine_v in_o they_o than_o recourse_n be_v have_v to_o the_o only_a remain_a method_n viz._n particular_a letter_n from_o bishop_n to_o bishop_n and_o to_o make_v this_o method_n both_o sure_a and_o effectual_a all_o possible_a pain_n be_v take_v it_o be_v necessary_a that_o each_o bishop_n shall_v sign_v his_o letter_n and_o send_v it_o not_o by_o every_o common_a carrier_n but_o by_o a_o clergyman_n 55._o in_o short_a they_o have_v such_o mark_n that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a if_o possible_a to_o counterfeit_v they_o and_o the_o bishop_n who_o receive_v it_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o college_n to_o transmit_v it_o for_o his_o share_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o member_n and_o so_o it_o go_v through_o and_o the_o whole_a college_n be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o accident_n the_o case_n the_o controversy_n whatever_o it_o be_v that_o have_v emerge_v we_o have_v many_o instance_n and_o evidence_n of_o this_o method_n and_o diligence_n in_o st._n cyprian_n write_n thus_o e._n g._n when_o caldonius_n write_v to_o cyprian_a concern_v some_o lapse_v within_o his_o district_n cyprian_n return_v he_o a_o answer_n tell_v he_o he_o have_v write_v his_o mind_n to_o that_o purpose_n already_o and_o so_o send_v he_o copy_n of_o five_o epistle_n concern_v the_o case_n require_v he_o to_o transmit_v they_o to_o as_o many_o bishop_n as_o he_o can_v add_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n that_o one_o course_n one_o resolution_n may_v be_v keep_v by_o all_o the_o college_n 50._o and_o so_o we_o find_v that_o the_o letter_n write_v by_o he_o about_o that_o controversy_n be_v trasmit_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n till_o they_o be_v disperse_v all_o the_o world_n over_o 102._o thus_o i_o say_v sometime_o the_o great_a affair_n of_o the_o church_n be_v manage_v and_o it_o be_v plain_a this_o method_n be_v every_o be_v equivalent_a if_o not_o preferable_a to_o a_o general_n council_n so_o that_o the_o christian_a church_n may_v have_v still_o subsist_v and_o its_o unity_n be_v provide_v for_o and_o preserve_v in_o all_o age_n without_o such_o council_n as_o it_o be_v effectual_o during_o the_o first_o three_o century_n now_o that_o which_o i_o be_o principal_o concern_v for_o in_o all_o this_o matter_n be_v that_o all_o these_o circular_a letter_n of_o whatsoever_o nature_n relate_v either_o to_o the_o great_a interest_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n or_o of_o the_o episcopal_a college_n be_v regular_o direct_v only_o to_o the_o bishop_n as_o be_v the_o head_n and_o principle_n of_o unity_n to_o their_o respective_a church_n as_o well_o as_o write_v and_o send_v by_o those_o of_o the_o same_o order_n and_o we_o have_v a_o notable_a account_n of_o this_o in_o st._n cyprian_n 48th_o epistle_n direct_v to_o cornelius_n for_o there_o we_o learn_v that_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n of_o the_o church_n of_o adrumetum_n have_v receive_v cornelius_n communicatory_a letter_n direct_v to_o polycarpus_n their_o bishop_n and_o see_v their_o bishop_n be_v absent_a find_v it_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v return_v a_o answer_n in_o his_o name_n as_o have_v his_o presume_a allowance_n for_o it_o they_o write_v to_o cornelius_n in_o the_o common_a form_n acknowledge_v he_o as_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o subjoyn_v polycarpus_n his_o name_n to_o the_o letter_n a_o clear_a evidence_n that_o where_o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n it_o behove_v all_o the_o letter_n that_o concern_v the_o public_a state_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v subscribe_v