and_o therefore_o these_o person_n that_o rely_v so_o much_o on_o this_o distinction_n will_v have_v do_v very_o well_o to_o have_v consider_v with_o themselves_o wherein_o consist_v the_o essence_n of_o order_n when_o separate_v from_o power_n which_o if_o they_o have_v do_v they_o will_v soon_o have_v discern_v that_o they_o have_v only_o deceive_v themselves_o with_o a_o idle_a and_o a_o empty_a word_n however_o it_o be_v worth_a their_o while_n to_o define_v what_o it_o be_v that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o apostolical_a order_n beside_o the_o supreme_a government_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o as_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o party_n the_o apostle_n enjoy_v during_o their_o own_o life_n the_o supreme_a power_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o parity_n of_o presbyter_n arise_v not_o till_o after_o their_o death_n they_o have_v appoint_v no_o successor_n in_o their_o apostolical_a supremacy_n from_o whence_o what_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o that_o their_o office_n can_v not_o possible_o consist_v in_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o all_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o now_o when_o our_o saviour_n himself_o have_v thus_o express_o establish_v the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o order_n and_o power_n what_o far_a prescript_n will_v man_n have_v for_o the_o continuance_n of_o his_o own_o establishment_n that_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n and_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v dare_v to_o remonstrate_v to_o its_o obligation_n he_o must_v have_v confidence_n enough_o to_o presume_v that_o he_o be_v endue_v with_o more_o wisdom_n or_o entrust_v with_o more_o authority_n than_o our_o saviour_n himself_o for_o otherwise_o he_o can_v but_o think_v that_o he_o be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n and_o modesty_n too_o rather_o to_o esteem_v this_o model_n than_o any_o one_o of_o his_o own_o or_o any_o 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any_o man_n have_v once_o renounce_v heathenism_n and_o enter_v himself_o into_o the_o jewish_a church_n it_o be_v never_o after_o repeat_v in_o any_o of_o his_o posterity_n but_o they_o be_v all_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o forefather_n baptism_n esteem_v as_o bear_v in_o a_o state_n of_o holiness_n and_o regeneracy_n but_o however_o this_o general_a principle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o truth_n and_o sobriety_n that_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a thrust_v our_o own_o presumption_n upon_o the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v once_o declare_v it_o bind_v we_o for_o ever_o till_o himself_o be_v please_v to_o reverse_v it_o his_o mere_a institution_n be_v its_o own_o perpetual_a obligation_n and_o whatever_o he_o command_v no_o power_n can_v take_v it_o off_o but_o that_o which_o bind_v it_o on_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a scrupulosity_n if_o i_o may_v call_v so_o sceptical_a a_o pretence_n by_o that_o name_n to_o require_v of_o he_o not_o only_o to_o fasten_v his_o law_n by_o enact_v 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reason_n of_o the_o law_n viz._n that_o the_o reason_n continue_v the_o law_n shall_v remain_v in_o force_n though_o i_o can_v see_v of_o what_o use_v this_o shall_v be_v to_o those_o who_o will_v give_v leave_n to_o demand_v no_o other_o reason_n of_o any_o divine_a positive_a law_n beside_o the_o will_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n for_o if_o that_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n of_o the_o law_n than_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v to_o judge_n of_o it_o by_o any_o other_o but_o yet_o however_o i_o shall_v close_v with_o they_o upon_o their_o own_o principle_n and_o to_o save_v far_a trouble_n i_o will_v only_o put_v they_o to_o assign_v what_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v of_o establish_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church-officer_n then_o that_o be_v cease_v for_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o till_o they_o can_v give_v themselves_o and_o we_o some_o competent_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o desire_v they_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o 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dispute_v with_o our_o adversary_n for_o that_o be_v one_o of_o their_o little_a shift_n whether_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o be_v only_o temporary_a for_o whether_o they_o be_v or_o be_v not_o it_o be_v from_o thence_o evident_a what_o model_n of_o government_n our_o saviour_n frame_v for_o his_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v needful_a to_o my_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v free_o grant_v that_o our_o saviour_n design_n in_o life-time_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o find_v church_n himself_o as_o to_o have_v prepare_v and_o instruct_v his_o disciple_n how_o to_o do_v it_o after_o his_o departure_n so_o that_o he_o rather_o make_v a_o specimen_fw-la of_o the_o constitution_n of_o his_o church_n than_o erect_v any_o stand_a fabric_n of_o it_o for_o the_o foundation_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a
superiority_n of_o order_n be_v make_v equivalent_a to_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n for_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n be_v grant_v they_o by_o our_o adversary_n though_o it_o be_v deny_v their_o successor_n thus_o we_o enlarge_v or_o abate_v or_o evacuate_v that_o commission_n that_o god_n himself_o have_v give_v they_o at_o our_o own_o mere_a will_n and_o pleasure_n if_o it_o be_v convenient_a for_o our_o cause_n to_o assert_v in_o one_o place_n that_o they_o be_v vest_v with_o no_o superiority_n of_o power_n they_o shall_v be_v put_v off_o with_o a_o empty_a superiority_n of_o order_n separate_v from_o power_n if_o in_o another_o that_o assertion_n seem_v not_o so_o convenient_a to_o our_o purpose_n they_o shall_v be_v present_o advance_v to_o a_o absolute_a supremacy_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o then_o that_o must_v last_v only_o during_o their_o life_n and_o as_o for_o their_o successor_n we_o be_v please_v to_o 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particular_a pastor_n discharge_v their_o duty_n such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o church-censure_n and_o make_v rule_n for_o decency_n in_o the_o church_n this_o be_v that_o we_o call_v the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n now_o this_o latter_a power_n though_o it_o belong_v habitual_o and_o in_o actu_fw-la primo_fw-la to_o every_o presbyter_n yet_o be_v about_o matter_n of_o public_a and_o common_a concernment_n some_o further_a authority_n in_o a_o church_n constitute_v be_v necessary_a beside_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o when_o this_o power_n either_o by_o consent_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n or_o by_o the_o appointment_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n or_o both_o be_v devolve_v to_o some_o particular_a person_n though_o quoad_fw-la aptitudinem_fw-la the_o power_n remain_v in_o every_o presbyter_n yet_o quoad_fw-la executionem_fw-la it_o belong_v to_o those_o who_o be_v so_o appoint_v whatever_o truth_n there_o be_v in_o this_o the_o assertion_n be_v plain_a that_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v but_o one_o order_n in_o the_o clergy_n and_o that_o the_o difference_n which_o have_v since_o be_v make_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o jurisdiction_n and_o this_o be_v very_o consistent_a with_o the_o former_a assertion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o beside_o distinction_n of_o order_n when_o now_o there_o be_v no_o more_o by_o divine_a appointment_n than_o one_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o their_o flutter_v between_o order_n and_o power_n degree_n and_o order_n power_n of_o order_n and_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n all_o superiority_n of_o order_n so_o much_o as_o it_o be_v be_v so_o much_o superiority_n of_o power_n thus_o to_o take_v their_o own_o instance_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o assembly_n be_v so_o far_o superior_a over_o his_o colleague_n in_o power_n as_o he_o be_v in_o order_n for_o whatsoever_o be_v peculiar_a to_o his_o office_n give_v he_o some_o more_o advantage_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n than_o they_o have_v for_o the_o very_a power_n of_o call_v and_o adjourn_v assembly_n preside_v and_o moderate_v in_o they_o be_v no_o small_a degree_n of_o power_n in_o a_o republican_n government_n but_o see_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o power_n be_v think_v to_o be_v make_v out_o best_o by_o these_o parallel_a instance_n of_o commonwealth_n let_v we_o run_v the_o parallel_n with_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o for_o if_o to_o be_v superior_a only_o in_o order_n be_v to_o be_v precedent_n in_o a_o assembly_n or_o prolocutor_n in_o a_o convocation_n and_o if_o this_o be_v all_o the_o office_n peculiar_a to_o the_o apostle_n then_o when_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v seventy_o disciple_n and_o twelve_o apostle_n he_o make_v twelve_o prolocutor_n over_o a_o convocation_n of_o seventy_o see_v therefore_o that_o be_v too_o great_a a_o number_n of_o speaker_n for_o so_o small_a a_o assembly_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o when_o he_o separate_v they_o for_o a_o distinct_a office_n he_o intend_v something_o more_o by_o a_o apostle_n than_o mere_o a_o chairman_n in_o a_o presbytery_n and_o whatever_o it_o be_v it_o be_v either_o a_o high_a power_n than_o other_o have_v or_o it_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o second_o this_o succession_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a and_o convince_v in_o all_o place_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o thing_n intend_v for_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o show_v a_o list_n of_o some_o person_n in_o the_o great_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n antioch_n rome_n and_o alexandria_n but_o it_o shall_v be_v produce_v at_o philippi_n corinth_n and_o caesarea_n etc._n etc._n this_o i_o perceive_v to_o be_v our_o adversary_n darling_a objection_n be_v the_o only_a matter_n make_v use_v of_o to_o shift_v off_o several_a head_n of_o argument_n this_o be_v the_o proof_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n as_o to_o place_n and_o be_v now_o here_o the_o only_a evidence_n of_o its_o ambiguity_n and_o by_o and_o by_o will_v be_v call_v in_o as_o the_o only_a instance_n of_o its_o repugnancy_n but_o certain_o their_o fondness_n to_o it_o be_v not_o ground_v upon_o any_o great_a virtue_n that_o they_o see_v in_o it_o but_o they_o be_v only_o force_v for_o want_n of_o more_o material_a argument_n to_o lay_v a_o mighty_a stress_n upon_o such_o poor_a pretence_n as_o in_o any_o other_o dispute_n they_o will_v be_v a_o shame_v to_o own_o for_o first_o suppose_v the_o succession_n can_v be_v show_v in_o all_o church_n be_v that_o any_o proof_n against_o the_o succession_n that_o can_v and_o suppose_v i_o can_v produce_v a_o list_n of_o bishop_n at_o philippi_n corinth_n and_o caesarea_n shall_v i_o thence_o conclude_v against_o the_o succession_n though_o i_o have_v very_o good_a history_n for_o it_o at_o jerusalem_n antioch_n rome_n and_o alexandria_n this_o be_v such_o a_o inference_n as_o rather_o show_v a_o man_n good_a will_n to_o his_o opinion_n than_o his_o understanding_n but_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v high_o reasonable_a to_o conclude_v the_o custom_n of_o those_o church_n that_o be_v not_o know_v from_o those_o that_o be_v and_o apparent_o absurd_a to_o question_v the_o record_n of_o those_o that_o be_v preserve_v for_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o those_o that_o be_v not_o but_o second_o what_o though_o we_o do_v not_o find_v in_o all_o church_n a_o accurate_a catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o all_o bishop_n do_v we_o find_v any_o instance_n in_o any_o one_o ancient_a church_n of_o any_o other_o form_n of_o government_n if_o we_o can_v that_o be_v something_o to_o the_o argument_n but_o that_o be_v not_o pretend_v in_o the_o exception_n but_o otherwise_o because_o the_o exact_a
the_o bishop_n thereof_o to_o the_o number_n of_o twenty_o seven_o have_v be_v ordain_v in_o the_o city_n itself_o but_o that_o it_o seem_v prove_v a_o false_a allegation_n he_o have_v give_v we_o no_o reason_n to_o believe_v he_o in_o his_o tradition_n a_o inference_n much_o like_o this_o that_o suppose_v two_o person_n to_o contend_v for_o their_o right_n and_o the_o advocate_n of_o one_o of_o they_o shall_v in_o his_o plea_n allege_v a_o false_a prescription_n his_o adversary_n shall_v thence_o conclude_v upon_o he_o that_o he_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o person_n in_o the_o world_n as_o his_o client_n for_o this_o be_v the_o case_n the_o matter_n of_o the_o dispute_n be_v where_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n ought_v to_o be_v ordain_v according_a to_o the_o canon_n at_o ephesus_n say_v leontius_n by_o constant_a prescription_n no_o say_v the_o council_n for_o many_o of_o they_o have_v be_v ordain_v at_o constantinople_n now_o be_v it_o not_o awkerd_a to_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o council_n deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o succession_n itself_o when_o as_o the_o debate_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o it_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o both_o sidesa_n a_o thing_n undoubted_a that_o there_o be_v a_o succession_n of_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n and_o the_o controversy_n be_v only_o about_o the_o accustom_a place_n of_o their_o consecration_n now_o from_o the_o variety_n of_o that_o to_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o bishop_n at_o all_o be_v such_o a_o force_a argument_n as_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o we_o have_v a_o very_a great_a mind_n to_o our_o conclusion_n i_o may_v proceed_v to_o the_o succession_n in_o other_o church_n of_o which_o we_o have_v certain_a record_n but_o i_o will_v not_o engage_v myself_o in_o too_o many_o particular_a historical_a dispute_n where_o i_o know_v it_o be_v easy_a if_o man_n will_v not_o be_v ingenuous_a to_o perplex_v any_o matter_n with_o little_a critical_a scruple_n and_o difficulty_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v cast_v the_o whole_a of_o this_o controversy_n upon_o this_o one_o principle_n that_o though_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n be_v as_o defective_a as_o be_v pretend_v yet_o see_v all_o that_o be_v preserve_v make_v only_o for_o episcopacy_n and_o that_o our_o adversary_n be_v notable_a to_o trace_v out_o one_o against_o it_o that_o be_v evidence_n more_o than_o enough_o of_o its_o universal_a practice_n and_o if_o that_o will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o trouble_v ourselves_o on_o either_o side_n with_o any_o proof_n that_o may_v be_v have_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o if_o upon_o that_o account_n we_o have_v not_o any_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a either_o for_o they_o or_o we_o to_o have_v it_o in_o this_o or_o any_o other_o controversy_n whatsoever_o three_o the_o succession_n so_o much_o plead_v for_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v not_o a_o succession_n of_o person_n in_o apostolical_a power_n but_o a_o succession_n in_o apostolical_a doctrine_n whether_o any_o person_n succeed_v in_o apostolical_a power_n have_v be_v already_o consider_v and_o therefore_o all_o that_o be_v here_o requisite_a to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v by_o what_o person_n the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v convey_v and_o if_o it_o be_v plead_v by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o bishop_n as_o the_o apostle_n successor_n that_o prove_v the_o succession_n of_o person_n as_o well_o as_o doctrine_n but_o see_v this_o be_v to_o be_v do_v as_o our_o adversary_n instruct_v we_o by_o a_o view_n of_o the_o place_n produce_v to_o that_o purpose_n let_v we_o view_v they_o too_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o irenaeus_n quoniam_fw-la valdè_fw-la longum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o hoc_fw-la tali_fw-la volumine_fw-la omnium_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la enumerare_fw-la successiones_fw-la maximae_fw-la &_o antiquissimae_fw-la &_o omnibus_fw-la cognitae_fw-la à _fw-la gloriosissimis_fw-la duobus_fw-la apostolis_n petro_n &_o paulo_n romae_fw-la fundatae_fw-la &_o constitutae_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la eam_fw-la quam_fw-la habet_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n traditionem_fw-la &_o annunciatam_fw-la hominibus_fw-la fidem_fw-la per_fw-la successiones_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la pervenientes_fw-la usque_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la indicantes_fw-la confundimus_fw-la omnes_fw-la eos_fw-la etc._n etc._n where_o we_o see_v that_o whatever_o the_o argument_n of_o irenaeus_n be_v his_o design_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v convey_v down_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o bishop_n that_o be_v successor_n to_o they_o in_o their_o several_a see_v so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o design_v to_o prove_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o doctrine_n by_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o doctor_n and_o therefore_o if_o he_o do_v not_o prove_v it_o he_o do_v more_o he_o suppose_v it_o and_o by_o the_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o it_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n in_o that_o those_o person_n who_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o oversee_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n have_v convey_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n down_o to_o we_o by_o their_o successor_n and_o what_o full_a testimony_n can_v there_o be_v of_o a_o personal_a succession_n of_o bishop_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o yet_o irenaeus_n do_v more_o than_o this_o he_o derive_v the_o personal_a succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n down_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o they_o all_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o they_o succeed_v one_o another_o and_o as_o linus_n be_v their_o successor_n so_o be_v eleutherius_fw-la who_o sit_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o irenaeus_n write_v and_o therefore_o if_o linus_n be_v successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n so_o be_v eleutherius_fw-la and_o if_o eleutherius_fw-la be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n so_o be_v linus_n so_o that_o it_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n to_o succeed_v in_o the_o bishopric_n and_o the_o apostolical_a authority_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o passage_n of_o tertullian_n edant_fw-la origines_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la suarum_fw-la evolvant_fw-la ordinem_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la suorum_fw-la ita_fw-la per_fw-la successiones_fw-la ab_fw-la initio_fw-la decurrentem_fw-la ut_fw-la primus_fw-la ille_fw-la episcopus_fw-la aliquem_fw-la ex_fw-la apostolis_n aut_fw-la apostolicis_fw-la viris_fw-la habuerit_fw-la authorem_fw-la &_o antecessorem_fw-la hoc_fw-la modo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la apostolicae_fw-la census_fw-la suos_fw-la deferunt_fw-la sicut_fw-la smyrnaeorum_n ecclesia_fw-la habens_fw-la polycarpum_fw-la à _fw-la joanne_n conlocatum_fw-la refert_fw-la sicut_fw-la romanorum_fw-la clementem_fw-la à _fw-la petro_n ordinatum_fw-la edit_fw-la proinde_fw-la utique_fw-la &_o â—aeterae_fw-la exhibent_fw-la quos_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n in_fw-la episcopatum_fw-la constitutos_fw-la apostolici_fw-la seminis_fw-la traduce_v habeant_fw-la the_o whole_a design_n of_o which_o passage_n be_v to_o prescribe_v against_o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a successor_n and_o that_o be_v express_o appropriate_v to_o single_a bishop_n i_o hope_v i_o need_v not_o now_o dispute_v whether_o they_o succeed_v they_o only_o in_o degree_n and_o not_o order_n or_o in_o order_n only_o and_o not_o jurisdiction_n all_o that_o i_o desire_v from_o this_o testimony_n be_v that_o they_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o several_a church_n for_o though_o he_o instance_n only_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n yet_o he_o declare_v himself_o able_a and_o ready_a to_o give_v the_o same_o account_n of_o all_o other_o church_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o warrant_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n than_o which_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v understand_v what_o more_o can_v be_v desire_v to_o justify_v their_o succession_n in_o the_o apostolical_a authority_n especial_o from_o tertullian_n who_o be_v neither_o thomist_n nor_o scotist_n and_o so_o be_v utter_o unacquainted_a with_o those_o fine_a distinction_n of_o degree_n order_n and_o jurisdiction_n but_o speak_v like_o a_o plain_a and_o a_o blunt_a african_a when_o he_o call_v the_o bishop_n in_o their_o several_a diocese_n the_o apostle_n successor_n and_o so_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o same_o age_n understand_v by_o a_o bishop_n one_o superior_a to_o subject_a presbyter_n for_o whatever_o be_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v now_o determine_v to_o this_o order_n and_o so_o use_v in_o vulgar_a speech_n so_o that_o when_o we_o meet_v with_o it_o in_o their_o write_n we_o must_v understand_v it_o in_o the_o common_a sense_n and_o therefore_o by_o a_o bishop_n we_o must_v mean_v the_o same_o thing_n from_o the_o apostle_n downward_o and_o a_o bishop_n in_o their_o time_n be_v superior_a to_o presbyter_n and_o the_o apostle_n be_v grant_v to_o have_v be_v superior_a to_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o succession_n from_o first_o to_o last_o continue_v in_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o now_o when_o this_o succession_n be_v
by_o that_o exact_a collation_n of_o their_o title_n and_o constitution_n that_o be_v prefix_v to_o gothofred_n edition_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n and_o as_o for_o his_o own_o novel_n he_o frequent_o make_v particular_a reference_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n challenge_v to_o himself_o a_o power_n of_o punish_v offence_n against_o the_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o one_o general_a law_n which_o he_o declare_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o predecessor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o force_n of_o law_n and_o according_o he_o begin_v his_o law_n concern_v ecclesiastical_a matter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o we_o enact_v that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o number_n of_o our_o law_n and_o by_o that_o edict_n alone_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o other_o they_o be_v all_o constitute_v law_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o according_a to_o this_o principle_n he_o declare_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o 83_o novel_a that_o he_o only_o follow_v the_o ancient_a canon_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o particular_o in_o his_o 137_o novel_a where_o he_o endeavour_v the_o restitution_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n he_o only_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o thirty_o six_z apostolical_a canon_n viz._n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o each_o province_n meet_v twice_o a_o year_n for_o the_o more_o effectual_a government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o he_o profess_v to_o do_v not_o as_o author_n but_o as_o protector_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o this_o novel_a he_o challenge_v to_o himself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o power_n of_o legislation_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o civil_a law_n but_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o power_n of_o patronage_n or_o protection_n this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o happy_a and_o most_o flourish_a age_n of_o it_o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o emperor_n of_o those_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o assume_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n to_o themselves_o that_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o abet_v any_o matter_n of_o religion_n with_o their_o civil_a sanction_n that_o be_v not_o determine_v beforehand_o by_o the_o spiritual_a power_n whether_o they_o ever_o exceed_v their_o own_o bound_n i_o think_v not_o myself_o oblige_v to_o inquire_v they_o be_v liable_a to_o that_o as_o well_o as_o to_o other_o mistake_n and_o misearriage_n of_o govenment_n though_o i_o remember_v not_o any_o instance_n of_o that_o kind_n till_o the_o latter_a and_o degenerate_a age_n of_o christendom_n when_o barbarity_n be_v introduce_v by_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o goth_n and_o vandal_n and_o other_o savage_a nation_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o the_o church_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n from_o constantine_n to_o justinian_n and_o it_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o in_o that_o whether_o they_o own_a it_o or_o not_o it_o be_v settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n but_o second_o emperor_n king_n and_o prince_n have_v limit_v the_o ecclesiastical_a order_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n and_o assign_v they_o either_o large_a or_o narrow_a bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o consistent_a with_o reason_n of_o state_n by_o which_o they_o evident_o declare_v what_o be_v their_o opinion_n of_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o they_o have_v suppose_v church-officer_n to_o have_v act_v by_o a_o divine_a authority_n they_o dare_v never_o have_v presume_v to_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o power_n of_o god_n by_o their_o own_o arbitrary_a decree_n as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n and_o under_o pretence_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n encroach_v upon_o that_o power_n that_o god_n have_v commit_v to_o prince_n which_o if_o they_o can_v do_v and_o some_o have_v do_v what_o affront_n be_v it_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o restrain_v his_o minister_n within_o those_o bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n that_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o they_o nay_o be_v not_o this_o very_a thing_n a_o very_a plain_a confession_n of_o a_o distinct_a authority_n when_o to_o limit_v a_o power_n suppose_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o argument_n of_o their_o disow_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a power_n that_o it_o be_v a_o demonstrative_a and_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o their_o acknowledgement_n of_o it_o this_o be_v grant_v i_o shall_v not_o concern_v myself_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o warrantableness_n of_o the_o several_a precedent_n allege_v though_o most_o of_o they_o relate_v only_o to_o the_o restraint_n of_o dilatory_a vexatious_a and_o uncanonical_a proceed_n for_o my_o only_a business_n be_v to_o gain_v the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o christendom_n to_o my_o cause_n for_o which_o i_o be_o no_o way_n bind_v to_o prove_v they_o free_a from_o all_o error_n and_o miscarriage_n of_o government_n so_o that_o if_o they_o may_v at_o any_o time_n bear_v too_o hard_o upon_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o the_o church_n have_v give_v they_o too_o much_o reason_n so_o to_o do_v that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o prescription_n against_o its_o due_a exercise_n that_o it_o be_v a_o declaration_n of_o these_o prince_n that_o have_v be_v most_o unkind_a to_o it_o that_o they_o own_o its_o power_n provide_v it_o be_v keep_v within_o its_o due_a bound_n but_o what_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o christendom_n have_v be_v concern_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n sufficient_o appear_v by_o those_o great_a difference_n that_o have_v be_v raise_v about_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o though_o the_o christian_a emperor_n have_v of_o late_a time_n be_v force_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o struggle_v against_o the_o encroachment_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n yet_o they_o never_o question_v that_o i_o know_v of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o their_o episcopal_a authority_n and_o therefore_o neither_o here_o shall_v i_o concern_v myself_o to_o examine_v the_o particular_a precedent_n plead_v by_o both_o party_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o respective_a power_n when_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o both_o power_n may_v and_o often_o have_v exceed_v their_o just_a limit_n which_o yet_o be_v such_o a_o inconvenience_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n and_o partiality_n of_o man_n be_v utter_o unavoidable_a and_o we_o can_v expect_v that_o god_n shall_v give_v such_o law_n as_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o humane_a liberty_n to_o break_v they_o for_o then_o the_o law_n be_v give_v to_o no_o purpose_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v sufficient_a to_o guide_v those_o that_o will_v resign_v themselves_o to_o be_v govern_v with_o honesty_n and_o integrity_n and_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o law_n to_o effect_v more_o so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a frivolous_a objection_n much_o insist_v upon_o by_o some_o ill-minded_n man_n that_o see_v the_o competition_n of_o these_o two_o power_n have_v be_v occasion_n of_o create_v so_o many_o mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n to_o christendom_n it_o be_v better_a that_o one_o of_o they_o be_v remove_v which_o beside_o the_o bold_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o because_o they_o think_v in_o their_o great_a wisdom_n that_o god_n ought_v not_o that_o therefore_o he_o have_v not_o constitute_v two_o distinct_a power_n it_o be_v such_o a_o objection_n that_o no_o constitution_n can_v possible_o avoid_v for_o which_o way_n soever_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n may_v be_v settle_v there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o that_o through_o the_o corruption_n and_o folly_n of_o mankind_n it_o may_v and_o often_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o abuse_n and_o particular_o in_o this_o case_n there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o discern_v the_o bound_n that_o god_n have_v set_v to_o these_o two_o power_n if_o man_n will_v be_v honest_a and_o upright_a and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o it_o be_v no_o fault_n of_o the_o law_n that_o they_o will_v break_v it_o for_o christianity_n be_v whole_o found_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n which_o oblige_v they_o in_o all_o case_n either_o to_o obey_v or_o to_o suffer_v peaceable_o so_o that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o churchman_n may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o its_o interfering_n with_o or_o entrench_v upon_o
the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n unless_o they_o misuse_v it_o and_o if_o they_o do_v as_o they_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n so_o they_o deserve_v their_o punishment_n in_o this_o lâ—fe_n among_o the_o worst_a of_o rebel_n and_o traitor_n and_o be_v sure_a to_o have_v it_o in_o the_o next_o for_o as_o their_o power_n be_v not_o only_o pure_o spiritual_a void_a of_o all_o temporal_a force_n and_o coercion_n so_o be_v they_o in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o above_o all_o thing_n forbid_v to_o use_v any_o violence_n or_o raise_v any_o disturbance_n against_o government_n so_o that_o if_o any_o prince_n think_v good_a to_o oppose_v they_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o to_o punish_v they_o for_o so_o do_v they_o be_v not_o to_o oppose_v he_o but_o only_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n in_o justification_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o submission_n to_o his_o will_n and_o for_o so_o do_v they_o shall_v have_v their_o reward_n but_o if_o they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o any_o other_o weapon_n whatsoever_o beside_o prayer_n and_o tear_n and_o suffering_n they_o then_o suffer_v deserve_o as_o disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o in_o that_o they_o have_v be_v so_o express_o forewarn_v by_o our_o saviour_n that_o whosoever_o shall_v draw_v the_o sword_n in_o his_o cause_n shall_v be_v sure_a to_o perish_v by_o it_o and_o as_o upon_o this_o principle_n he_o found_v his_o church_n so_o upon_o it_o his_o apostle_n build_v it_o when_o in_o pure_a obedience_n to_o his_o command_n they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o if_o any_o prince_n be_v please_v to_o countermand_v they_o they_o do_v not_o plead_v any_o exemption_n from_o the_o government_n much_o less_o do_v they_o libel_v it_o but_o only_o represent_v the_o innocence_n and_o justice_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o satisfy_v declare_v their_o readiness_n to_o submit_v to_o his_o pleasure_n and_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o 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sovereign_a authority_n protest_v in_o verbo_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la as_o it_o be_v state_v in_o that_o famous_a act_n call_v the_o submission_n of_o the_o clergy_n that_o they_o will_v never_o from_o henceforth_o presume_v to_o attempt_v allege_v claim_v or_o put_v in_o ure_n enact_v promulge_v or_o execute_v any_o new_a canon_n constitution_n ordinance_n provincial_a or_o other_o or_o by_o whatsoever_o other_o name_n they_o shall_v be_v call_v in_o the_o convocation_n unless_o the_o king_n be_v most_o royal_a assent_n and_o licence_n may_v to_o they_o be_v have_v to_o make_v promulge_fw-mi and_o execute_v the_o same_o and_o that_o his_o majesty_n do_v give_v his_o royal_a assent_n and_o authority_n in_o that_o behalf_n whereby_o they_o do_v not_o pass_v away_o their_o power_n of_o make_v ecclesiastical_a canon_n but_o only_o give_v security_n to_o the_o government_n that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o attempt_v any_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o 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as_o the_o roman_a clergy_n have_v do_v disturb_v or_o undermine_v his_o authority_n and_o as_o they_o part_v not_o with_o their_o spiritual_a legislative_a power_n so_o not_o with_o any_o other_o power_n proper_a to_o their_o function_n as_o the_o power_n of_o preach_v the_o christian_a religion_n administer_a the_o holy_a sacrament_n and_o confer_v holy_a order_n neither_o do_v any_o prince_n in_o the_o least_o ever_o claim_v or_o exercise_v any_o of_o they_o and_o because_o the_o romanist_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n make_v a_o mighty_a noise_n with_o this_o objection_n as_o if_o by_o virtue_n of_o her_o supremacy_n her_o majesty_n have_v challenge_v a_o spiritual_a or_o ministerial_a power_n in_o the_o church_n the_o queen_n have_v with_o great_a indignation_n disow_v any_o such_o power_n and_o defy_v the_o calumny_n and_o yet_o when_o she_o have_v make_v her_o disclaimour_n of_o any_o spiritual_a power_n in_o the_o church_n she_o part_v not_o 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to_o provoke_v they_o and_o with_o this_o honest_a resolution_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o vindicate_v one_o of_o the_o most_o evident_a but_o most_o injure_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o it_o i_o shall_v be_v much_o brief_a than_o at_o first_o i_o intend_v for_o when_o we_o have_v lop_v off_o all_o that_o be_v not_o direct_o pertinent_a to_o the_o enquiry_n as_o we_o shall_v reduce_v the_o debate_n to_o a_o narrow_a compass_n so_o may_v we_o easy_o bring_v it_o to_o a_o speedy_a issue_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v purposely_o pass_v over_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o relate_v only_o to_o the_o occasional_a exercise_n and_o outward_a administration_n of_o church-authority_n and_o particular_o that_o wide_a argument_n of_o dispute_n whether_o the_o distribution_n of_o province_n and_o diocese_n be_v through_o the_o roman_a empire_n frame_v by_o the_o division_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n for_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o be_v not_o that_o concern_v not_o the_o question_n 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its_o determination_n because_o they_o only_o concern_v the_o outward_a and_o accidental_a exercise_n and_o have_v no_o reference_n to_o the_o essential_a form_n of_o church-government_n so_o that_o the_o only_a thing_n concern_v in_o our_o present_a enquiry_n be_v as_o mr._n selden_n have_v right_o state_v it_o utrùm_fw-la ex_fw-la ipsâ_fw-la purâ_fw-la putâ_fw-la eutych_n origine_fw-la seu_fw-la primâ_fw-la ac_fw-la merâ_fw-la nascentis_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la christianae_n disciplinâ_fw-la episcopalis_fw-la seu_fw-la ordo_fw-la sive_fw-la dignitas_fw-la sive_fw-la gradus_fw-la presbyterali_fw-la seu_fw-la sacerdotali_fw-la superior_a vel_fw-la alius_fw-la aut_fw-la ei_fw-la neutiquam_fw-la dispar_fw-la seu_fw-la idem_fw-la fuerit_fw-la habendus_fw-la that_o be_v in_o short_a whether_o the_o church_n be_v at_o first_o found_v in_o a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n to_o each_o other_o or_o a_o parity_n and_o equality_n of_o all_o among_o themselves_o so_o that_o if_o we_o can_v prove_v the_o preeminence_n and_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o all_o other_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v thereby_o make_v good_a all_o that_o be_v essential_a to_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n that_o we_o challenge_v as_o proper_a only_o to_o the_o episcopal_a order_n and_o office_n and_o this_o we_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o perform_v with_o clear_a and_o demonstrative_a evidence_n from_o these_o three_o topic_n i._o of_o our_o saviour_n own_o express_a institution_n ii_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o conformity_n to_o it_o iii_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o as_o to_o our_o saviour_n institution_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o found_v his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n in_o that_o he_o do_v by_o his_o own_o immediate_a appointment_n authorize_v and_o set_v apart_o two_o distinct_a order_n of_o man_n for_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n who_o office_n if_o it_o be_v the_o same_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v they_o distinguish_v and_o why_o when_o a_o place_n be_v vacant_a in_o the_o apostolate_a must_v one_o be_v substitute_v by_o divine_a designation_n to_o complete_a the_o number_n why_o shall_v not_o one_o of_o the_o seventy_o without_o any_o further_a election_n have_v serve_v the_o turn_n see_v he_o be_v qualify_v with_o a_o identity_n of_o office_n and_o order_n nay_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o be_v reckon_v apart_o under_o different_a name_n and_o in_o different_a rank_n if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n intend_v in_o their_o employment_n and_o commission_n and_o why_o be_v they_o not_o all_o comprehend_v in_o one_o number_n and_o range_v in_o one_o catalogue_n if_o the_o twelve_o be_v nothing_o more_o than_o the_o seventy_o and_o the_o seventy_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o twelve_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v we_o hear_v so_o oft_o of_o the_o twelve_o and_o the_o seventy_o or_o of_o the_o seventy_o two_o for_o of_o that_o the_o learned_a dispute_n and_o not_o rather_o of_o the_o eighty_o two_o or_o eighty_o four_o for_o do_v we_o think_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v distinguish_v the_o officer_n of_o his_o kingdom_n by_o mere_a word_n and_o empty_a title_n and_o yet_o the_o apostleship_n can_v be_v nothing_o more_o if_o it_o carry_v in_o it_o no_o superiority_n of_o office_n above_o the_o seventy_o some_o inequality_n we_o must_v discover_v and_o that_o intend_v too_o by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o else_o shall_v we_o never_o be_v able_a to_o give_v ourselves_o any_o imaginable_a account_n of_o their_o institution_n and_o now_o what_o clear_a evidence_n can_v any_o man_n demand_n for_o a_o divine_a right_n of_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church_n officer_n than_o our_o saviour_n own_o express_a and_o particular_a institution_n yes_o say_v they_o but_o the_o inequality_n between_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n consist_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o office_n not_o of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n very_o good_a this_o grant_v all_o that_o we_o can_v desire_v or_o demand_v to_o prove_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o supreme_a order_n because_o every_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a order_n as_o such_o be_v authoritative_a and_o therefore_o a_o eminency_n of_o order_n must_v not_o only_o infer_v but_o include_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n see_v the_o order_n itself_o as_o such_o if_o it_o be_v any_o thing_n be_v the_o proper_a and_o immediate_a seat_n of_o authority_n and_o all_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v be_v claim_v and_o exercise_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o order_n so_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o high_a order_n of_o ecclesiastic_n they_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n alone_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o the_o high_a judicature_n and_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o proportion_n that_o they_o be_v advance_v above_o other_o in_o dignity_n of_o title_n they_o be_v so_o in_o supremacy_n of_o power_n because_o their_o dignity_n as_o such_o be_v nothing_o else_z but_o so_o much_o power_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n divest_v they_o of_o that_o and_o they_o immediate_o return_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o ordinary_a and_o unconsecrated_a man_n and_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v no_o more_o than_o all_o other_o common_a believer_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o commission_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n reverse_v that_o and_o they_o be_v degrade_v from_o their_o order_n as_o well_o as_o strip_v of_o their_o jurisdiction_n so_o lamentable_o do_v these_o learned_a man_n entangle_v themselves_o by_o distinguish_v so_o vain_o in_o this_o case_n between_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o power_n when_o the_o one_o be_v not_o only_o the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n but_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o schoolman_n from_o who_o these_o metaphysical_a nothing_o be_v take_v the_o very_a formality_n of_o the_o other_o and_o the_o apostolical_a power_n be_v formal_o and_o as_o such_o the_o very_a same_o with_o the_o apostolical_a office_n so_o little_a real_a difference_n be_v there_o in_o this_o distinction_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o frame_v one_o in_o notion_n and_o conception_n but_o whoever_o pretend_v to_o conceive_v one_o must_v of_o necessity_n conceive_v both_o or_o conceive_v nothing_o and_o therefore_o i_o will_v very_o fain_o know_v wherein_o consist_v this_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o dignity_n without_o any_o superiority_n of_o power_n for_o what_o do_v man_n mean_v by_o power_n but_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v and_o what_o by_o order_n but_o a_o superiority_n of_o some_o as_o ruler_n and_o a_o subordination_n of_o other_o as_o rule_v what_o then_o be_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o inequality_n of_o order_n and_o power_n when_o they_o both_o equal_o signify_v superiority_n and_o subjection_n
and_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o apostle_n act_v with_o a_o plenitude_n of_o power_n till_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o new_a commission_n after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o in_o st._n matthew_n 16._o 19_o he_o ve_v they_o with_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v in_o the_o future_a tense_n but_o in_o st._n john_n 20._o 23._o after_o his_o resurrection_n it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o present_a tense_n then_o it_o be_v that_o he_o give_v they_o that_o authority_n which_o himself_o have_v exercise_v whilst_o he_o remain_v on_o earth_n but_o then_o when_o immediate_o in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o new_a commission_n the_o apostle_n think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o choose_v one_o into_o their_o order_n to_o supply_v the_o vacancy_n make_v by_o the_o death_n of_o judas_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o they_o think_v the_o apostolical_a office_n by_o our_o saviour_n appointment_n distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o all_o other_o office_n in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o form_n observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o plant_v and_o govern_v of_o church_n be_v model_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o platform_n and_o after_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a to_o inquire_v whether_o he_o only_o draw_v the_o model_n or_o erect_v the_o building_n but_o whichsoever_o he_o do_v it_o be_v improve_v into_o a_o impregnable_a demonstration_n from_o the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o they_o the_o perpetual_a tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o this_o original_a form_n of_o church-government_n for_o the_o apostle_n we_o all_o know_v and_o all_o party_n grant_v during_o their_o day_n keep_v up_o the_o distinction_n and_o preeminence_n of_o their_o order_n and_o from_o they_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n claim_v their_o succession_n and_o every_o where_o challenge_v their_o episcopal_a authority_n from_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o example_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o now_o be_v we_o enter_v upon_o the_o second_o main_a controversy_n viz._n the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n against_o which_o three_o thing_n be_v usual_o allege_v that_o neither_o can_v we_o have_v that_o certainty_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o constitute_v a_o divine_a right_n nor_o second_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o apostle_n do_v tie_v themselves_o to_o any_o one_o fix_a course_n in_o model_a church_n nor_o three_o if_o they_o do_v do_v it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o we_o must_v observe_v the_o same_o and_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n second_o from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n plead_v in_o behalf_n of_o different_a form_n of_o government_n three_o from_o the_o defectiveness_n ambiguity_n partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n which_o shall_v inform_v we_o what_o be_v the_o apostolical_a practice_n but_o as_o to_o the_o first_o i_o shall_v whole_o wave_v the_o dispute_n of_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n because_o it_o be_v altogether_o beside_o the_o purpose_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o our_o other_o proof_n be_v so_o pregnant_a as_o to_o render_v it_o altogether_o useless_a neither_o indeed_o will_v this_o ever_o have_v be_v any_o matter_n of_o dispute_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n for_o want_n of_o better_a argument_n be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o slender_a pretence_n but_o how_o impotent_o salmasius_n and_o blondel_n who_o be_v the_o main_a founder_n of_o the_o argument_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o community_n of_o the_o name_n the_o identity_n of_o the_o office_n any_o one_o that_o have_v the_o patience_n to_o read_v they_o over_o may_v satisfy_v himself_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o can_v but_o admire_v to_o see_v learned_a man_n persist_v so_o stubborn_o in_o a_o palpable_a impertinency_n when_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o will_v infer_v no_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n notwithstanding_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o grant_v by_o themselves_o that_o the_o apostle_n enjoy_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v once_o prove_v or_o grant_v and_o themselves_z never_o doubt_v of_o it_o to_o infer_v their_o belove_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o parity_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o the_o equivocal_a signification_n of_o those_o two_o word_n be_v only_o to_o outface_v their_o own_o conviction_n and_o their_o adversary_n demonstration_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v and_o themselves_o can_v deny_v it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o inequality_n of_o office_n from_o the_o superiority_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v a_o very_a childish_a attempt_n to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v two_o synonymous_n term_n whereby_o to_o express_v the_o whole_a order_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o to_o persist_v in_o this_o trifle_a inference_n as_o salmasius_n have_v who_o when_o he_o be_v inform_v of_o its_o manifest_a weakness_n and_o absurdity_n will_v never_o renounce_v it_o but_o still_o repeat_v it_o in_o one_o book_n after_o another_o without_o any_o improvement_n but_o of_o passion_n and_o confidence_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o woeful_a example_n that_o i_o remember_v of_o a_o learned_a man_n trifle_a that_o have_v not_o the_o ingenuity_n to_o yield_v when_o he_o find_v himself_o vanquish_v not_o only_o by_o his_o adversary_n but_o his_o argument_n neither_o shall_v i_o trouble_v myself_o with_o other_o man_n dispute_n about_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n when_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a current_n of_o scripture_n that_o the_o apostle_n exercise_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o argument_n from_o apostolical_a practice_n for_o as_o yet_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o we_o whether_o they_o be_v presbyter_n or_o bishop_n that_o they_o set_v over_o particular_a church_n that_o shall_v be_v inquire_v into_o when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o apostle_n for_o then_o by_o apostolical_a practice_n there_o be_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n in_o church-government_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v here_o too_o at_o the_o blindness_n of_o walo_n messalinus_n who_o in_o pursuance_n of_o his_o verbal_a argument_n produce_v this_o passage_n out_o of_o theodoret_n and_o spend_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o his_o book_n in_o declaim_v upon_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o the_o same_o man_n be_v call_v presbyter_n and_o bishop_n and_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n they_o then_o call_v apostle_n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o name_n of_o apostolate_a be_v appropriate_a to_o they_o who_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o apostle_n and_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v apply_v to_o they_o who_o be_v former_o call_v apostle_n than_o which_o word_n beside_o that_o they_o contain_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n there_o be_v scarce_o a_o clear_a passage_n in_o all_o antiquity_n to_o confound_v his_o cause_n for_o what_o can_v be_v a_o plain_a reproof_n to_o their_o noise_n about_o the_o equivalency_n of_o word_n than_o to_o be_v tell_v that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o that_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n be_v then_o call_v apostle_n who_o exercise_v the_o episcopal_a power_n over_o the_o other_o clergy_n but_o that_o afterward_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o leave_v the_o word_n apostolate_v to_o those_o who_o be_v strict_o and_o proper_o so_o call_v and_o style_v all_o other_o bishop_n who_o in_o former_a time_n be_v style_v apostle_n what_o i_o say_v can_v be_v more_o peremptory_a against_o his_o opinion_n that_o conclude_v from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o name_n to_o the_o parity_n of_o power_n than_o this_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o word_n be_v equivalent_a yet_o the_o episcopal_a power_n be_v then_o in_o the_o apostle_n who_o successor_n in_o their_o supremacy_n come_v in_o aftertime_n to_o be_v call_v bishop_n and_o if_o so_o then_o be_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o imparity_n of_o church-officer_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o in_o succeed_a age_n nay_o our_o friend_n walo_n be_v not_o content_a to_o make_v this_o out_o for_o we_o only_o as_o to_o the_o
confine_v myself_o to_o the_o discourse_n of_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o learning_n i._n e._n no_o smectymnuans_n and_o have_v distinct_o consider_v and_o i_o hope_v confute_v all_o their_o material_a pretence_n against_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n in_o the_o premise_n but_o as_o for_o grammatical_a criticism_n and_o historical_a digression_n they_o concern_v not_o we_o because_o they_o concern_v not_o our_o enquiry_n and_o if_o learned_a man_n will_v but_o come_v up_o roundly_o and_o keep_v ingenuous_o to_o the_o main_a point_n of_o the_o controversy_n they_o must_v rub_v their_o forehead_n pretty_a hard_a to_o outface_v the_o evidence_n of_o our_o cause_n but_o alas_o the_o custom_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o range_v up_o and_o down_o through_o the_o whole_a field_n or_o rather_o wood_n of_o antiquity_n and_o pursue_v every_o thing_n little_a or_o great_a that_o start_v within_o their_o view_n and_o they_o seem_v to_o make_v choice_n of_o this_o subject_a rather_o from_o it_o to_o take_v occasion_n of_o show_v the_o variety_n of_o their_o read_n than_o with_o any_o design_n to_o make_v good_a the_o undertake_n of_o their_o title_n page_n and_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o among_o the_o many_o thousand_o page_n that_o have_v be_v of_o late_a year_n waste_v in_o the_o anti-episcopal_a cause_n it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o find_v half_o a_o hundred_o direct_o to_o the_o purpose_n and_o that_o of_o itself_o be_v argument_n enough_o that_o they_o have_v but_o very_o little_a to_o say_v against_o it_o and_o what_o that_o be_v i_o have_v in_o the_o premise_n full_o represent_v for_o i_o protest_v that_o as_o i_o will_v answer_v it_o to_o almighty_a god_n i_o know_v no_o other_o pretence_n that_o be_v at_o all_o pertinent_a or_o material_a beside_o those_o that_o i_o have_v consider_v but_o in_o the_o last_o place_n beside_o the_o direct_a and_o positive_a argument_n that_o i_o have_v thus_o far_o pusue_v from_o oursaviour_n own_o express_a institution_n the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o most_o unquestionable_a record_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o come_v to_o the_o last_o topick_n propound_v those_o enormous_a inconvenience_n that_o unavoidable_o result_v from_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n i_o shall_v represent_v only_o two_o the_o first_o be_v this_o that_o if_o the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v not_o settle_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o that_o then_o we_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n to_o know_v by_o who_o it_o may_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v determine_v for_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n be_v found_v upon_o a_o immediate_a divine_a right_n no_o person_n can_v just_o challenge_v any_o authority_n in_o it_o as_o such_o unless_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o grant_n or_o commission_n from_o the_o divine_a founder_n of_o it_o if_o therefore_o those_o commission_n that_o be_v grant_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o descend_v to_o some_o certain_a order_n of_o man_n as_o their_o successor_n in_o that_o authority_n wherewith_o they_o be_v invest_v who_o shall_v challenge_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o after_o their_o decease_n to_o this_o we_o never_o receive_v any_o certain_a answer_n but_o be_v only_o tell_v in_o the_o general_n that_o the_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v leave_v whole_o to_o the_o prudence_n of_o those_o in_o who_o power_n and_o trust_v it_o be_v to_o see_v that_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n be_v secure_v on_o last_a foundation_n but_o then_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v who_o those_o be_v that_o be_v entrust_v with_o this_o power_n it_o will_v have_v be_v very_o well_o worth_a their_o pain_n to_o have_v determine_v the_o particular_a person_n express_o appoint_v by_o god_n to_o this_o office_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v lay_v down_o as_o a_o fundamental_a principle_n that_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o church_n peace_n must_v be_v clear_o reveal_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o if_o so_o than_o no_o one_o particular_a form_n may_v be_v establish_v in_o it_o by_o any_o authority_n whatsoever_o because_o no_o one_o particular_a form_n as_o be_v all_o along_o plead_v be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v plain_o necessary_a to_o the_o church_n peace_n if_o government_n be_v so_o that_o it_o be_v govern_v by_o some_o one_o particular_a form_n but_o yet_o however_o when_o we_o come_v to_o inquire_v after_o these_o trustee_n to_o who_o power_n it_o be_v leave_v to_o see_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n secure_v on_o last_a foundation_n the_o answer_n be_v ever_o ambiguous_a and_o unconstant_a sometime_o it_o be_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o sometime_o the_o people_n but_o this_o very_a uncertainty_n where_o this_o power_n be_v lodge_v be_v both_o in_o itself_o and_o according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a notion_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n that_o we_o oppose_v a_o manifest_a confutation_n of_o the_o whole_a design_n for_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v not_o determine_v to_o who_o it_o appertain_v that_o be_v evidence_n enough_o that_o he_o never_o intend_v by_o this_o way_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o his_o church_n for_o if_o he_o have_v appoint_v such_o feoffee_n in_o trust_n as_o be_v imagine_v he_o will_v at_o least_o have_v leave_v it_o certain_a who_o they_o be_v that_o he_o intend_v which_o not_o have_v do_v that_o be_v demonstration_n enough_o that_o it_o be_v never_o his_o intention_n to_o set_v any_o such_o pretend_a guardian_n over_o his_o church_n but_o be_v it_o where_o it_o will_v it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o these_o learned_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o intent_n upon_o the_o fineness_n of_o their_o model_n as_o never_o to_o consider_v the_o wild_a consequence_n of_o either_o way_n when_o reduce_v to_o practice_n for_o be_v it_o in_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n they_o will_v first_o have_v do_v very_o well_o according_a to_o their_o own_o rule_n ro_o have_v search_v for_o some_o commission_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n whereby_o our_o saviour_n entrust_v this_o power_n with_o he_o we_o find_v indeed_o prophecy_n and_o prediction_n that_o prince_n shall_v become_v patron_n and_o protector_n of_o his_o church_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v vest_v with_o a_o power_n of_o institute_v and_o abolish_n church_n order_n and_o office_n at_o pleasure_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a conceit_n as_o will_v not_o find_v any_o the_o least_o countenance_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n second_o by_o what_o authority_n be_v the_o church_n govern_v from_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n when_o if_o he_o have_v appoint_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n overseer_n of_o his_o infant_n church_n there_o be_v then_o none_o that_o care_v to_o execute_v his_o office_n beside_o three_o if_o church-officer_n derive_v their_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n from_o the_o mere_a appointment_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n they_o be_v then_o only_o of_o humane_a institution_n and_o derive_v not_o their_o power_n from_o any_o appointment_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o so_o be_v only_a minister_n of_o state_n and_o not_o of_o the_o gospel_n but_o to_o put_v it_o into_o the_o power_n of_o any_o mortal_a man_n to_o alter_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n as_o he_o please_v be_v the_o most_o improper_a way_n in_o the_o world_n to_o provide_v for_o its_o peace_n and_o settlement_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v it_o will_v be_v ever_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o commonwealth_n lawful_o to_o overturn_v all_o manner_n of_o ecclesiastical_a order_n at_o pleasure_n if_o to_o day_n perhaps_o the_o bishop_n either_o by_o chance_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o grant_n from_o the_o civil_a government_n enjoy_v the_o supreme_a power_n in_o the_o church_n it_o may_v with_o good_a authority_n to_o morrow_n depose_v they_o and_o translate_v their_o power_n to_o the_o presbyter_n from_o the_o presbyter_n to_o the_o deacon_n from_o the_o deacon_n to_o the_o people_n and_o from_o the_o people_n to_o the_o pope_n and_o it_o will_v be_v very_o consistent_a no_o doubt_n with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n in_o sound_v his_o church_n and_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o to_o leave_v its_o whole_a frame_n of_o government_n thus_o at_o the_o mercy_n of_o any_o man_n power_n or_o will._n we_o have_v one_o example_n of_o this_o project_n put_v in_o practice_n upon_o record_n in_o the_o long_a parliament_n midsummer-model_n of_o reformation_n when_o they_o vote_v june_n 12._o 1641._o that_o all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n shall_v be_v put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o such_o commissioner_n as_o their_o worship_n shall_v think_v fit_a in_o pursuance_n of_o which_o they_o vote_v june_n 21._o that_o six_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o six_o of_o the_o laity_n shall_v be_v appoint_v in_o every_o county_n for_o the_o
apostle_n themselves_o but_o as_o to_o their_o immediate_a successor_n who_o they_o employ_v in_o the_o settlement_n of_o church_n and_o to_o who_o they_o commit_v the_o apostolical_a power_n for_o their_o government_n and_o these_o too_o he_o prove_v be_v style_v apostle_n such_o as_o titus_n timothy_n epaphroditus_n clemens_n linus_n marcus_n so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o apostle_n but_o the_o evangelist_n as_o they_o call_v they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o clergy_n and_o endue_v with_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o their_o respective_a church_n and_o hereby_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n not_o only_o for_o themselves_o but_o for_o their_o companion_n and_o successor_n which_o do_v not_o only_o extend_v our_o argument_n but_o join_v together_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o which_o we_o have_v certain_a record_n with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o prevent_v all_o their_o fond_a dream_n of_o a_o unknown_a interval_n immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o if_o these_o apostolical_a man_n supply_v their_o place_n it_o will_v be_v very_o easy_a to_o find_v out_o who_o supply_v they_o neither_o three_o need_v i_o trouble_v myself_o with_o any_o long_a dispute_n concern_v the_o obligation_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n for_o whether_o or_o no_o mere_a apostolical_a practice_n be_v obligatory_a by_o virtue_n of_o their_o example_n be_v very_o little_a material_a to_o our_o enquiry_n for_o some_o thing_n be_v too_o trifle_v or_o too_o transient_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o deserve_v to_o pass_v into_o prescription_n but_o it_o be_v enough_o in_o this_o case_n that_o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v be_v in_o pursuance_n of_o our_o saviour_n institution_n and_o that_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o perpetual_a concernment_n to_o the_o church_n and_o they_o who_o require_v to_o the_o obligation_n of_o such_o a_o apostolical_a practice_n a_o express_a law_n to_o declare_v their_o intention_n that_o it_o shall_v bind_v for_o ever_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o fantastic_a niceness_n as_o they_o that_o require_v the_o same_o for_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o every_o divine_a law_n and_o therefore_o have_v be_v consider_v already_o and_o for_o that_o reason_n i_o shall_v add_v nothing_o more_o to_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a than_o to_o grant_v that_o whatever_o the_o apostle_n either_o command_v or_o practise_v upon_o some_o particular_a temporary_a and_o occasional_a case_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o found_v any_o universal_a and_o unchangeable_a obligation_n because_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o precept_n be_v apparent_o transient_a and_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o action_n casual_a but_o otherwise_o if_o there_o be_v any_o prescript_n or_o practice_n of_o they_o though_o it_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o any_o divine_a institution_n that_o do_v not_o relate_v to_o peculiar_a occasion_n and_o circumstance_n but_o be_v or_o may_v be_v of_o equal_a usefulness_n to_o all_o place_n time_n and_o person_n that_o be_v a_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o their_o constant_a and_o unabolishable_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o here_o i_o shall_v only_o put_v they_o to_o their_o former_a task_n to_o assign_v what_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v of_o establish_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church-officer_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o be_v cease_v in_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o till_o they_o can_v discharge_v this_o task_n advise_v they_o not_o to_o depart_v rash_o from_o so_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a a_o prescription_n but_o that_o which_o improve_v the_o argument_n both_o from_o our_o saviour_n institution_n and_o the_o apostle_n practise_v into_o a_o complete_a demonstration_n be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n for_o if_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v by_o our_o saviour_n found_v upon_o divine_a institution_n in_o a_o inequality_n of_o church-officer_n and_o if_o the_o first_o governor_n of_o it_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o keep_v close_o to_o its_o original_a platform_n and_o if_o their_o immediate_a successor_n conceive_v themselves_o as_o much_o oblige_v to_o observe_v the_o same_o as_o impose_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n and_o deliver_v to_o they_o by_o the_o example_n and_o tradition_n of_o his_o apostle_n that_o certain_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o very_a competent_a proof_n of_o its_o necessity_n and_o perpetuity_n now_o then_o as_o for_o the_o power_n and_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n it_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o best_a monument_n and_o record_n of_o the_o first_o and_o most_o remote_a antiquity_n and_o we_o find_v such_o early_a instance_n and_o evidence_n of_o it_o that_o unless_o it_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n we_o can_v never_o give_v any_o account_n in_o the_o world_n whence_o it_o derive_v its_o original_a and_o this_o bring_v we_o upon_o the_o main_a sanctuary_n of_o our_o adversary_n viz._n the_o defectiveness_n of_o antiquity_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o show_v what_o certain_a form_n the_o apostle_n observe_v in_o settle_v the_o government_n of_o church_n and_o here_o they_o run_v into_o a_o large_a common_a place_n of_o the_o deep_a silence_n of_o antiquity_n and_o the_o defectiveness_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o interval_n next_o and_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n but_o here_o in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o must_v desire_v they_o to_o consider_v that_o if_o this_o objection_n be_v of_o any_o force_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o apostolical_a tradition_n in_o this_o particular_a it_o will_v utter_o overthrow_v all_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n as_o to_o all_o other_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o particular_o as_o to_o the_o certain_a canon_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o as_o be_v pretend_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n because_o of_o their_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n neither_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n be_v their_o report_n to_o be_v rely_v upon_o with_o any_o confidence_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o of_o their_o write_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o i_o shall_v here_o reprent_v how_o false_a this_o exception_n be_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la and_o how_o unreasonable_a de_fw-la jure_fw-la either_o against_o the_o constitution_n or_o the_o authentic_a epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o stand_v and_o fall_v together_o so_o that_o whoever_o oppose_v the_o divine_a and_o apostolical_a form_n of_o church_n government_n as_o deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v upon_o his_o own_o principle_n defeat_v and_o reject_v all_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o that_o those_o sceptical_a ground_n and_o pretence_n he_o be_v force_v to_o urge_v against_o one_o fall_v as_o dangerous_o on_o both_o and_o this_o may_v serve_v to_o prevent_v and_o invalidate_v the_o force_n of_o their_o argument_n without_o answer_v it_o when_o if_o they_o shall_v deal_v as_o rigorous_o in_o any_o other_o case_n as_o they_o be_v please_v to_o do_v in_o this_o the_o most_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a record_n can_v escape_v the_o severity_n of_o their_o censure_n though_o our_o comfort_n be_v that_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o such_o wild_a and_o wanton_a objection_n in_o that_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v always_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o chasm_n as_o be_v pretend_v between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o next_o christian_n writer_n for_o to_o say_v nothing_o here_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n leave_v we_o no_o formal_a history_n and_o catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o all_o their_o several_a see_v wherewith_o some_o man_n unreasonable_a enough_o upbraid_v we_o when_o it_o be_v so_o manifest_a that_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n too_o young_a for_o that_o care_n in_o that_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o succession_n yet_o be_v they_o no_o less_o than_o apostolical_a man_n that_o vouch_v the_o apostolical_a order_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n and_o this_o one_o will_v think_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o modest_a or_o ingenious_a man_n of_o their_o institution_n from_o the_o beginning_n when_o it_o be_v assert_v or_o rather_o suppose_v by_o the_o very_a first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o attest_v it_o so_o that_o whoever_o can_v withstand_v their_o evidence_n be_v proof_n against_o all_o evidence_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o may_v if_o he_o please_v laugh_v at_o all_o the_o tale_n and_o legend_n that_o be_v tell_v concern_v the_o
a_o incomparable_a treasure_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o omit_v daille_n belove_a negative_a and_o internal_a argument_n which_o his_o adversary_n have_v for_o ever_o rout_v with_o a_o prodigious_a force_n of_o reason_n and_o dexterity_n of_o learning_n i_o shall_v only_o give_v a_o account_n in_o short_a of_o the_o main_a rational_a point_n of_o the_o controversy_n that_o be_v what_o ancient_a testimony_n be_v to_o be_v allege_v either_o for_o or_o against_o their_o antiquity_n on_o the_o one_o side_n they_o be_v frequent_o own_v and_o quote_v by_o all_o the_o first_o general_a council_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v be_v enact_v in_o the_o interval_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a they_o be_v cite_v by_o many_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n as_o canon_n of_o the_o first_o and_o most_o early_a antiquity_n and_o they_o be_v express_o refer_v to_o by_o the_o most_o famous_a emperor_n in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a law_n all_o which_o concurrent_a testimony_n any_o moderate_a man_n will_v think_v sufficient_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o any_o write_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v all_o overrule_v by_o a_o single_a decree_n of_o pope_n gelasius_n suppose_v to_o be_v make_v anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 494._o in_o which_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v reckon_v among_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o first_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o set_v up_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o man_n against_o many_o that_o be_v more_o ancient_a and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o competent_a witness_n than_o himself_o second_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o any_o such_o decree_n as_o be_v pretend_v be_v ever_o make_v by_o gelasius_n in_o that_o we_o never_o hear_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o till_o at_o least_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o his_o time_n three_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o decree_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o passage_n concern_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v foist_v into_o it_o it_o not_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a copy_n and_o hincmarus_n a_o person_n of_o singular_a learning_n in_o his_o time_n that_o make_v mention_n of_o this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n as_o early_o as_o any_o writer_n whatsoever_o express_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n in_o the_o whole_a decree_n de_fw-fr his_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la canonibus_fw-la penitus_fw-la taâ—uit_fw-la sed_fw-la nec_fw-la inter_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la eos_fw-la misit_fw-la where_o he_o express_o affirm_v that_o in_o the_o decree_n these_o canon_n be_v altogether_o omit_v and_o range_v neither_o with_o the_o orthodox_n nor_o with_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n this_o testimony_n be_v give_v in_o with_o as_o peremptory_a term_n as_o can_v be_v express_v and_o therefore_o daillé_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o to_o serve_v his_o cause_n quite_o invert_v the_o proposition_n and_o change_v misit_fw-la into_o omisit_fw-la that_o be_v turn_v i_o into_o no._n but_o man_n that_o can_v deal_v thus_o with_o their_o author_n need_v never_o trouble_v their_o head_n with_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o after_o this_o rate_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o make_v any_o author_n affirm_v or_o deny_v what_o they_o please_v but_o four_a suppose_v gelasius_n have_v make_v any_o such_o decree_n how_o do_v that_o destroy_v the_o antiquity_n of_o these_o canon_n when_o he_o have_v condemn_v the_o book_n of_o tertullian_n arnobius_n lactantius_n and_o eusebius_n for_o apocryphal_a and_o yet_o tertullian_n live_v three_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o decree_n and_o therefore_o why_o may_v not_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v allow_v their_o repute_a antiquity_n too_o notwithstanding_o that_o sentence_n which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o authority_n his_o holiness_n be_v please_v to_o allow_v they_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o not_o at_o all_o to_o their_o antiquity_n unless_o perhaps_o he_o design_v to_o declare_v that_o they_o be_v not_o frame_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o as_o he_o may_v fancy_v from_o their_o title_n not_o know_v that_o whatever_o be_v of_o prime_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v by_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o it_o style_v apostolical_a as_o be_v suppose_v to_o descend_v from_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o five_o will_n mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la allow_v this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n sufficient_a to_o give_v any_o book_n the_o apocryphal_a stamp_n if_o he_o will_v than_o he_o must_v reject_v many_o of_o the_o best_a father_n and_o in_o their_o stead_n admit_v the_o act_n of_o st._n sylvester_n the_o invention_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o st._n john_n baptist_n head_n for_o whilst_o the_o history_n of_o eusebius_n together_o with_o the_o other_o father_n be_v reject_v such_o fable_n as_o these_o be_v warrant_v by_o that_o barbarous_a and_o gothish_a decree_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o to_o destroy_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o man_n censure_n his_o mere_a want_n of_o judgement_n now_o compare_v this_o one_o pretend_a testimony_n of_o gelasius_n under_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v with_o the_o express_a counter-testimony_n of_o so_o many_o council_n father_n and_o emperor_n if_o any_o man_n be_v resolve_v notwithstanding_o all_o to_o stick_v to_o it_o i_o will_v say_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o his_o cause_n be_v much_o more_o beholden_a to_o he_o than_o he_o to_o his_o cause_n and_o now_o have_v give_v this_o account_n of_o these_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n if_o we_o descend_v to_o their_o successor_n from_o age_n to_o age_n we_o be_v there_o overwhelm_v with_o the_o crowd_n of_o witness_n but_o because_o they_o have_v be_v so_o often_o allege_v and_o urge_v by_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v have_v whole_o wave_v their_o citation_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n make_v use_v of_o several_a shift_n and_o artifices_fw-la to_o evade_v their_o authority_n and_o therefore_o though_o i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o their_o direct_a testimony_n yet_o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o all_o their_o exception_n and_o here_o the_o first_o pretence_n be_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o their_o testimony_n which_o be_v endeavour_v to_o be_v make_v out_o by_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o that_o personal_a succession_n may_v be_v without_o such_o superiority_n of_o order_n second_o that_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v common_a after_o the_o distinction_n between_o they_o be_v introduce_v three_o that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o own_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o divine_a institution_n but_o ecclesiastical_a and_o those_o who_o seem_v to_o speak_v most_o of_o it_o do_v mean_v no_o more_o first_o 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the_o lxx_o but_o now_o a_o
and_o therefore_o in_o answer_n to_o it_o i_o will_v at_o present_v only_o return_v these_o few_o brief_a consideration_n each_o whereof_o will_v be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v man_n if_o they_o will_v be_v reasonable_a and_o altogether_o more_o than_o enough_o to_o silence_v they_o if_o they_o will_v not_o the_o first_o ill_a consequence_n then_o of_o this_o opinion_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o charge_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n of_o not_o make_v sufficient_a provision_n for_o the_o last_a peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o have_v not_o after-age_n supply_v their_o defect_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n of_o it_o there_o have_v be_v no_o remedy_n for_o cure_v or_o avoid_v eternal_a schism_n and_o division_n for_o according_a to_o this_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n all_o the_o world_n be_v by_o sad_a experience_n convince_v of_o its_o great_a necessity_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o faction_n and_o confusion_n now_o what_o a_o dishonourable_a reflection_n be_v this_o upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o institute_v a_o society_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n without_o provide_v a_o competent_a government_n to_o secure_v its_o continuance_n in_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o than_o second_o whilst_o this_o conceit_n explode_v the_o claim_n found_v upon_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v force_v to_o grant_v a_o necessity_n found_v upon_o natural_a reason_n so_o that_o accord_v to_o it_o episcopal_a government_n be_v make_v necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o all_o those_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o nature_n that_o provide_v for_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o society_n for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o universal_a agreement_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o bishop_n that_o st._n jerom_n speak_v of_o in_o his_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la viz._n ut_fw-la schismatum_fw-la semina_fw-la tollerentur_fw-la and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o this_o evil_n whilst_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v administer_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o presbyter_n the_o consequence_n be_v unavoidable_a that_o though_o our_o saviour_n or_o at_o least_o his_o apostle_n have_v no_o more_o discretion_n that_o to_o leave_v all_o church-officer_n in_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n yet_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o society_n make_v it_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o another_o ecclesiae_fw-la salus_fw-la in_o summi_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la dignitate_fw-la pendet_fw-la cui_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la exhort_v quaedam_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la eminens_fw-la detur_fw-la potestas_fw-la tot_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la efficientur_fw-la schismata_fw-la quot_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la the_o security_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n depend_v upon_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o bishop_n power_n which_o be_v it_o not_o supreme_a and_o paramount_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o other_o clergy_n we_o shall_v quick_o have_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o priest_n say_v st._n jerom_n set_v aside_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o man_n the_o reason_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o argument_n itself_o be_v unanswerable_a for_o in_o such_o a_o vast_a body_n of_o man_n as_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n understanding_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n of_o mankind_n there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a agreement_n and_o by_o consequence_n no_o government_n without_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n in_o some_o above_o other_o now_o this_o be_v another_o pretty_a handsome_a reflection_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v so_o shameful_o defective_a in_o their_o first_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o show_v they_o to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v direct_v by_o any_o divine_a and_o infallible_a spirit_n that_o they_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a discretion_n for_o though_o any_o man_n of_o a_o ordinary_a understanding_n may_v easy_o discern_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o avoid_v schism_n while_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n reside_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o clergy_n partly_o by_o the_o bandy_n of_o the_o presbyter_n one_o against_o another_o partly_o by_o the_o side_a of_o the_o people_n with_o some_o against_o the_o rest_n partly_o by_o the_o too_o common_a use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n in_o presbyter_n by_o which_o they_o be_v more_o able_a to_o increase_v their_o own_o party_n by_o ordain_v those_o who_o will_v join_v with_o they_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n perpetuate_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n when_o i_o say_v these_o inconvenience_n be_v so_o obvious_a what_o a_o prodigious_a neglect_n or_o weakness_n must_v it_o be_v to_o leave_v the_o church_n through_o all_o age_n in_o such_o a_o shatter_a and_o totter_a condition_n insomuch_o that_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v perish_v have_v not_o some_o that_o come_v after_o they_o invent_v better_a mean_n to_o prevent_v or_o redress_v mischief_n than_o they_o have_v leave_v they_o for_o upon_o this_o it_o be_v that_o the_o grave_a and_o wise_a sort_n consider_v the_o abuse_n follow_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o this_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o withal_o have_v in_o their_o mind_n the_o excellent_a frame_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n for_o prevent_v future_a schism_n and_o division_n among_o themselves_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o number_n who_o be_v best_a qualify_v for_o so_o great_a a_o trust_n and_o to_o devolve_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o he_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v we_o be_v more_o oblige_v to_o those_o wise_a and_o grave_a sort_n than_o to_o the_o apostle_n for_o their_o 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abolish_v and_o a_o new_a form_n of_o government_n set_v up_o but_o that_o be_v find_v inconvenient_a it_o be_v think_v good_a and_o agree_v upon_o in_o all_o church_n to_o lay_v that_o aside_o and_o restore_v the_o old_a apostolical_a superiority_n these_o be_v very_o hard_a conceit_n especial_o when_o they_o can_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o give_v we_o any_o the_o least_o probable_a account_n where_o and_o when_o and_o by_o who_o this_o be_v do_v and_o this_o be_v pretty_a modest_a to_o bear_v up_o so_o confident_o against_o all_o the_o current_n of_o antiquity_n without_o so_o much_o as_o any_o pretence_n of_o ground_n or_o evidence_n to_o rely_v upon_o but_o so_o it_o happen_v once_o upon_o a_o time_n in_o which_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la though_o when_o that_o time_n be_v we_o have_v no_o more_o certain_a knowledge_n than_o we_o have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o latitude_n this_o totus_fw-la orbis_n lie_v perhaps_o it_o be_v as_o blondel_n will_v have_v it_o about_o the_o thirty_o five_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n and_o what_o if_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o have_v say_v the_o fifteen_o or_o sixty_o five_o year_n the_o guess_n have_v be_v altogether_o both_o as_o learned_a and_o as_o well_o ground_v however_o be_v it_o not_o a_o pleasant_a thing_n to_o tell_v we_o bold_o and_o at_o all_o adventure_n in_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la without_o so_o much_o as_o tell_v we_o when_o or_o where_o or_o attempt_v to_o prove_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a that_o so_o universal_a and_o remarkable_a a_o change_n shall_v be_v so_o unanimous_o agree_v upon_o and_o effect_v and_o that_o upon_o such_o great_a and_o urgent_a reason_n without_o ever_o be_v so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o discredit_v any_o record_n choose_v what_o you_o please_v by_o pretend_v there_o once_o be_v or_o perhaps_o may_v have_v be_v a_o unknown_a time_n in_o which_o all_o mankind_n conspire_v