the_o difference_n of_o some_o account_n concern_v the_o succession_n of_o some_o bishop_n but_o this_o have_v be_v object_v two_o or_o three_o time_n already_o and_o as_o often_o answer_v and_o therefore_o at_o present_a i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o to_o it_o than_o only_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o premise_n to_o mind_v the_o reader_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o conclusion_n that_o from_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o some_o person_n in_o the_o succession_n infer_v a_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o form_n of_o government_n itself_o and_o now_o be_o i_o come_v to_o our_o adversary_n only_o positive_a proof_n in_o their_o own_o behalf_n that_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n jerom_n for_o though_o they_o pretend_v to_o one_o or_o two_o author_n more_o yet_o still_o at_o the_o last_o push_n st._n hierom_n be_v the_o only_a man_n and_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o that_o be_v pretend_v from_o he_o be_v this_o that_o though_o the_o apostle_n exercise_v a_o superiority_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n during_o their_o own_o life_n yet_o immediate_o upon_o their_o decease_n have_v it_o seem_v provide_v no_o successor_n in_o that_o power_n that_o themselves_o enjoy_v the_o church_n be_v every_o where_o govern_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n or_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n but_o this_o form_n of_o government_n be_v quick_o find_v very_o apt_a to_o breed_v schism_n and_o division_n it_o be_v for_o the_o better_a prevention_n of_o they_o agree_v upon_o all_o the_o world_n over_o to_o choose_v one_o presbyter_n out_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o settle_v a_o supremacy_n of_o power_n upon_o he_o for_o the_o more_o effectual_a government_n of_o the_o church_n antequam_fw-la diaboli_fw-la instinctu_fw-la studia_fw-la in_o religione_fw-la fierent_fw-la &_o diceretur_fw-la in_o populis_fw-la ego_fw-la sum_fw-la pauli_n ego_fw-la apollo_n ego_fw-la autem_fw-la cephae_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernabantur_fw-la 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but_o observe_v what_o disingenuous_a advantage_n these_o man_n make_v of_o the_o hasty_a expression_n of_o that_o good_a father_n let_v he_o in_o the_o heat_n and_o eagerness_n of_o dispute_n but_o drop_n a_o inconsiderate_a word_n that_o may_v reflect_v upon_o the_o record_n or_o the_o reputation_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n it_o immediate_o serve_v to_o justify_v all_o their_o innovation_n and_o thus_o i_o remember_v mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr in_o his_o shallow_a book_n of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o father_n frequent_o make_v good_a as_o he_o think_v his_o charge_n against_o they_o all_o only_a by_o impleading_a st._n hierom_n but_o though_o he_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o serve_v they_o at_o all_o turn_n yet_o in_o this_o argument_n they_o devolve_v the_o whole_a credit_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n upon_o his_o single_a authority_n and_o be_v it_o not_o very_o strange_a that_o two_o or_o three_o hasty_a passage_n of_o this_o single_a father_n not_o only_o against_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n but_o against_o his_o own_o express_a opinion_n shall_v be_v seize_v upon_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o greediness_n to_o give_v defiance_n to_o all_o the_o practice_n of_o antiquity_n that_o be_v bold_a enough_o but_o it_o be_v much_o more_o so_o to_o force_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n against_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o declaration_n to_o subscribe_v to_o his_o opinion_n as_o blondel_n have_v do_v who_o have_v first_o place_v st._n jerom_n in_o the_o front_n and_o flourish_v all_o his_o say_n with_o large_a commentary_n range_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n under_o his_o colour_n except_v only_a ignatius_n though_o since_o he_o too_o have_v have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o service_n but_o he_o have_v draw_v they_o into_o the_o party_n by_o such_o a_o force_a and_o presumptuous_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o i_o know_v not_o a_o great_a instance_n of_o the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n in_o a_o learned_a man_n i_o once_o think_v to_o have_v take_v he_o particular_o to_o task_n but_o his_o trifle_n be_v so_o gross_o palpable_a that_o there_o need_v no_o more_o to_o expose_v it_o to_o any_o man_n contempt_n than_o that_o he_o can_v endure_v the_o penance_n of_o read_v he_o over_o and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o discourse_n after_o a_o wise_a rate_n that_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n origen_n irenaeus_n tertullian_n epiphanius_n eusebius_n chrysostom_n theodoret_n theophylact_fw-mi be_v presbyterian_o it_o be_v just_a such_o another_o design_n as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o calvin_n beza_n blondel_n salmasius_n daillé_n and_o all_o the_o other_o calvinian_a father_n have_v be_v zealous_a assertor_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o yet_o this_o task_n too_o some_o man_n have_v undertake_v and_o i_o suppose_v will_v make_v good_a by_o the_o same_o topic_n and_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o will_v both_o gain_v belief_n together_o now_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o great_a authority_n of_o st._n jerom_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n allege_v and_o insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n some_o plead_v that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o own_o express_a and_o declare_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v for_o his_o settle_a and_o deliberate_a sense_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o only_o for_o a_o hasty_a and_o over-lavish_a expression_n other_o endeavour_v to_o expound_v he_o to_o a_o good_a sense_n consistent_a with_o himself_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n viz._n that_o writing_n against_o some_o proud_a deacon_n that_o will_v set_v themselves_o above_o presbyter_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v much_o the_o same_o insolence_n as_o if_o they_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o prefer_v themselves_o above_o the_o bishop_n in_o that_o the_o distance_n be_v much_o the_o same_o they_o alone_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o priesthood_n with_o the_o bishop_n whereas_o the_o deacon_n have_v no_o high_a office_n in_o the_o church_n than_o to_o serve_v table_n and_o poor_a widow_n so_o that_o the_o difference_n be_v the_o same_o as_o in_o the_o levitical_a priesthood_n the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n be_v as_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n who_o alone_o be_v account_v into_o the_o priestly_a office_n whereas_o the_o deacon_n have_v only_o the_o office_n of_o levite_n that_o be_v no_o better_a than_o servant_n to_o the_o priest_n and_o though_o presbyter_n at_o that_o time_n exercise_v no_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o they_o be_v former_o join_v with_o the_o bishop_n himself_o in_o the_o government_n of_o it_o and_o share_v in_o all_o act_n of_o power_n and_o discipline_n except_v only_a ordination_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o they_o be_v place_v so_o near_o to_o the_o high_a order_n that_o they_o be_v capable_a by_o virtue_n of_o their_o own_o order_n to_o exercise_v almost_o all_o the_o office_n of_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v endure_v that_o such_o inferior_a minister_n as_o the_o deacon_n be_v shall_v prefer_v themselves_o above_o they_o quis_fw-la patiatur_fw-la ut_fw-la mensarum_fw-la &_o viduarum_fw-la minister_n supra_fw-la eos_fw-la se_fw-la tumidus_fw-la efferat_fw-la ad_fw-la quorum_fw-la preces_fw-la christi_fw-la corpus_fw-la sanguisque_fw-la conficitur_fw-la though_o this_o probable_o be_v all_o the_o design_n of_o st._n jerom_n yet_o because_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v say_v more_o than_o he_o design_v i_o shall_v not_o contend_v about_o his_o meaning_n but_o shall_v give_v my_o adversary_n the_o whole_a advantage_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o let_v they_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o neither_o shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o overthrow_v it_o by_o the_o contrary_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n for_o though_o that_o be_v easy_o do_v the_o cause_n do_v not_o require_v it_o but_o grant_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n jeroms_n opinion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v never_o contradict_v by_o any_o ancient_a writer_n i_o will_v demonstrate_v the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o opinion_n itself_o from_o its_o own_o absurdity_n
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
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
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 degrade_v they_o from_o the_o apostolical_a both_o order_n and_o authority_n and_o allow_v they_o nothing_o but_o a_o empty_a degree_n of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o but_o to_o say_v no_o more_o of_o the_o difference_n between_o order_n and_o degree_n as_o for_o the_o distinction_n between_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n though_o in_o one_o place_n i_o affirm_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v a_o distinct_a order_n from_o the_o other_o clergy_n without_o any_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n yet_o in_o another_o if_o my_o cause_n require_v it_o there_o shall_v be_v but_o one_o order_n in_o the_o christian_a clergy_n and_o no_o difference_n but_o what_o be_v make_v by_o jurisdiction_n and_o the_o bishop_n themselves_o shall_v be_v equal_a to_o presbyter_n in_o order_n by_o divine_a right_n and_o only_o superior_a in_o jurisdiction_n by_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n for_o so_o i_o read_v that_o for_o our_o better_a understanding_n of_o this_o we_o must_v consider_v a_o twofold_a power_n belong_v to_o church-officer_n a_o power_n of_o order_n and_o a_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n for_o in_o every_o presbyter_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n inseparable_o join_v to_o his_o function_n and_o belong_v to_o every_o one_o in_o his_o personal_a capacity_n both_o in_o actu_fw-la primo_fw-la and_o in_o actu_fw-la secundo_fw-la both_o as_o to_o the_o right_n and_o power_n to_o do_v it_o and_o the_o exercise_n and_o execution_n of_o that_o power_n such_o be_v preach_v the_o word_n visit_v the_o sick_a administer_a sacrament_n etc._n etc._n but_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n which_o every_o presbyter_n have_v a_o aptitude_n and_o a_o jus_n to_o in_fw-la actu_fw-la primo_fw-la but_o the_o limitation_n and_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n do_v belong_v to_o the_o church_n in_o common_a and_o belong_v not_o to_o any_o one_o personal_o but_o by_o a_o further_a power_n of_o choice_n or_o delegation_n to_o it_o such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o visit_v church_n take_v care_n that_o 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
in_o every_o epistle_n he_o so_o plain_o enforce_v his_o exhortation_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n pure_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o command_n of_o christ._n and_o thus_o have_v i_o clear_v the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o defect_n of_o ambiguity_n ground_v upon_o those_o four_o pretence_n that_o the_o succession_n may_v be_v only_o of_o a_o different_a degree_n that_o it_o be_v not_o clear_a and_o convince_a in_o all_o place_n that_o where_o it_o be_v clear_a it_o it_o mean_v of_o a_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o of_o person_n and_o last_o that_o if_o it_o be_v of_o person_n yet_o presbyter_n be_v say_v to_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o bishop_n by_o which_o last_o we_o have_v already_o clear_v the_o next_o thing_n object_v to_o show_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n which_o be_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n after_o the_o distinction_n between_o their_o office_n be_v bring_v in_o by_o the_o church_n which_o i_o have_v already_o show_v to_o be_v false_a and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o utter_o destroy_v their_o argument_n of_o the_o identity_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o name_n but_o because_o new_a instance_n be_v here_o bring_v to_o prove_v the_o same_o thing_n we_o must_v follow_v and_o first_o as_o for_o the_o passage_n cite_v out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n he_o be_v confess_v to_o have_v write_v before_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o name_n and_o therefore_o be_v here_o cite_v to_o no_o purpose_n but_o the_o great_a and_o only_a testimony_n be_v that_o of_o the_o gallican_n church_n who_o in_o their_o epistle_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la bishop_n of_o rome_n give_v irenaeus_n the_o title_n of_o presbyter_n though_o he_o have_v be_v nine_o year_n bishop_n of_o lion_n and_o this_o look_n very_o big_a if_o it_o be_v true_a but_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a chronological_a blunder_n of_o blondel_n against_o the_o clear_a 23._o testimony_n of_o all_o antiquity_n for_o first_o the_o martyr_n of_o lion_n in_o their_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o phrygia_n speak_v of_o their_o bishop_n pothinus_n they_o give_v give_v he_o that_o title_n but_o in_o this_o epistle_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la they_o or_o as_o blondel_n will_v have_v it_o the_o church_n of_o lion_n give_v irenaeus_n only_o the_o title_n of_o presbyter_n and_o both_o eusebius_n and_o st._n jerom_n affirm_v that_o he_o be_v no_o more_o at_o the_o write_n of_o it_o to_o all_o which_o blondel_n object_n that_o they_o both_o place_v the_o martyrdom_n of_o pothinus_n and_o his_o frenchmen_n immediate_o after_o that_o of_o polycarp_n and_o the_o asiatic_n which_o be_v in_o the_o seven_o year_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n and_o therefore_o the_o other_o be_v about_o the_o same_o time_n so_o that_o when_o irenaeus_n go_v to_o rome_n with_o the_o letter_n to_o eleutherius_fw-la which_o be_v in_o the_o seventeen_o year_n of_o that_o emperor_n he_o have_v be_v so_o long_a bishop_n but_o to_o this_o it_o be_v easy_o answer_v that_o though_o the_o relation_n of_o these_o two_o martyrdom_n immediate_o follow_v one_o another_o in_o eusebius_n his_o cronicon_n and_o st._n jeroms_n translation_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o follow_v that_o they_o immediate_o follow_v in_o time_n because_o these_o two_o martyrdom_n be_v all_o that_o they_o mention_v concern_v the_o four_o persecution_n which_o last_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n so_o that_o though_o one_o be_v in_o the_o seven_o the_o other_o may_v be_v in_o the_o seventeen_o of_o that_o emperor_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o follow_v eusebius_n his_o more_o accurate_a account_n in_o his_o history_n who_o there_o express_o place_n it_o in_o the_o seventeen_o year_n and_o withal_o affirm_v that_o irenaeus_n be_v then_o only_a presbyter_n rather_o than_o from_o so_o weak_a a_o surmise_n from_o the_o 4._o nearness_n of_o the_o story_n in_o his_o chronicon_fw-la to_o bring_v confusion_n upon_o the_o whole_a history_n especial_o when_o it_o so_o fair_o clear_v itself_o in_o that_o this_o letter_n be_v direct_v to_o eleutherius_fw-la who_o succeed_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o sixteen_o year_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n and_o in_o the_o same_o year_n that_o he_o come_v to_o that_o see_v the_o gallican_n persecution_n begin_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o irenaeus_n can_v be_v advance_v to_o the_o bishopric_n before_o that_o time_n so_o that_o it_o be_v like_o the_o rest_n of_o blondel_n stretch_v to_o infer_v from_o a_o remote_a guess_n that_o the_o persecution_n be_v in_o the_o seven_o year_n when_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o clear_a story_n that_o it_o be_v not_o till_o the_o sixteen_o or_o seventeeth_n and_o now_o this_o chronological_a mistake_n be_v remove_v this_o testimony_n be_v clear_o evacuate_v and_o so_o this_o business_n be_v whole_o end_v the_o last_o thing_n allege_v to_o prove_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n be_v that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o own_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o divine_a institution_n but_o ecclesiastical_a but_o of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v choose_v to_o discourse_v in_o the_o last_o place_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o sententiae_fw-la hieronymi_n because_o it_o be_v the_o only_a positive_a argument_n that_o they_o produce_v in_o their_o own_o behalf_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n i_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o last_o place_n that_o when_o i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o have_v nothing_o material_a to_o except_v against_o what_o they_o oppose_v i_o may_v then_o show_v that_o they_o have_v as_o little_a to_o confirm_v what_o they_o assert_v and_o both_o together_o will_v prove_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o controversy_n as_o for_o the_o other_o two_o thing_n that_o remain_v to_o show_v the_o incompetency_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n viz._n its_o partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n little_a or_o no_o answer_n will_v serve_v their_o turn_n for_o as_o for_o the_o partiality_n all_o the_o proof_n that_o be_v material_a to_o our_o argument_n be_v that_o the_o father_n judge_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n by_o that_o of_o their_o own_o time_n and_o very_o good_a reason_n too_o because_o they_o conform_v the_o practice_n of_o their_o own_o time_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n but_o if_o our_o adversary_n will_v infer_v that_o the_o father_n have_v no_o other_o ground_n of_o judge_v of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o mere_o by_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o own_o custom_n it_o be_v only_o a_o precarious_a assertion_n and_o a_o direct_a impeach_v they_o of_o a_o more_o than_o vulgar_a folly_n and_o ignorance_n but_o the_o father_n here_o glance_v at_o be_v st._n chrysostom_n and_o the_o greek_a commentator_n that_o follow_v he_o thus_o who_o can_v imagine_v any_o force_n in_o chrysostoms_n argument_n that_o the_o presbyter_n who_o lay_v hand_n on_o timothy_n must_v needs_o be_v bishop_n because_o none_o do_v ordain_v in_o the_o church_n but_o bishop_n unless_o he_o make_v this_o the_o medium_n of_o his_o argument_n that_o whatever_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o day_n be_v so_o in_o apostolical_a time_n but_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o that_o poor_a medium_n to_o enforce_v his_o argument_n the_o force_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o that_o mere_a presbyter_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o therefore_o the_o mere_a exercise_n of_o that_o power_n be_v a_o manifest_a proof_n that_o those_o that_o have_v it_o be_v somewhat_o more_o than_o presbyter_n and_o even_o st._n hierom_n himself_o who_o will_v have_v they_o sometime_o though_o when_o he_o know_v not_o to_o have_v share_v with_o the_o bishop_n in_o all_o other_o part_n and_o branch_n of_o jurisdiction_n except_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n as_o peculiar_a to_o the_o episcopal_a order_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o force_n of_o st._n chrysostoms_n argument_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n not_o in_o in_o the_o custom_n of_o his_o own_o and_o when_o he_o be_v vindicate_v it_o be_v not_o to_o much_o purpose_n to_o add_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o greek_a commentator_n because_o they_o all_o follow_v he_o and_o though_o they_o may_v sometime_o fall_v short_a in_o their_o reason_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o they_o believe_v episcopacy_n to_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o catholic_n tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o deposition_n they_o be_v capable_a to_o give_v in_o this_o cause_n the_o last_o thing_n object_v be_v the_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o testimony_n and_o this_o be_v prove_v from_o
and_o therefore_o in_o answer_n to_o it_o i_o will_v at_o present_v only_o return_v these_o few_o brief_a consideration_n each_o whereof_o will_v be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v man_n if_o they_o will_v be_v reasonable_a and_o altogether_o more_o than_o enough_o to_o silence_v they_o if_o they_o will_v not_o the_o first_o ill_a consequence_n then_o of_o this_o opinion_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o charge_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n of_o not_o make_v sufficient_a provision_n for_o the_o last_a peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o have_v not_o after-age_n supply_v their_o defect_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n of_o it_o there_o have_v be_v no_o remedy_n for_o cure_v or_o avoid_v eternal_a schism_n and_o division_n for_o according_a to_o this_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n all_o the_o world_n be_v by_o sad_a experience_n convince_v of_o its_o great_a necessity_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o faction_n and_o confusion_n now_o what_o a_o dishonourable_a reflection_n be_v this_o upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o institute_v a_o society_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n without_o provide_v a_o competent_a government_n to_o secure_v its_o continuance_n in_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o than_o second_o whilst_o this_o conceit_n explode_v the_o claim_n found_v upon_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v force_v to_o grant_v a_o necessity_n found_v upon_o natural_a reason_n so_o that_o accord_v to_o it_o episcopal_a government_n be_v make_v necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o all_o those_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o nature_n that_o provide_v for_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o society_n for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o universal_a agreement_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o bishop_n that_o st._n jerom_n speak_v of_o in_o his_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la viz._n ut_fw-la schismatum_fw-la semina_fw-la tollerentur_fw-la and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o this_o evil_n whilst_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v administer_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o presbyter_n the_o consequence_n be_v unavoidable_a that_o though_o our_o saviour_n or_o at_o least_o his_o apostle_n have_v no_o more_o discretion_n that_o to_o leave_v all_o church-officer_n in_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n yet_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o society_n make_v it_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o another_o ecclesiae_fw-la salus_fw-la in_o summi_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la dignitate_fw-la pendet_fw-la cui_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la exhort_v quaedam_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la eminens_fw-la detur_fw-la potestas_fw-la tot_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la efficientur_fw-la schismata_fw-la quot_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la the_o security_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n depend_v upon_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o bishop_n power_n which_o be_v it_o not_o supreme_a and_o paramount_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o other_o clergy_n we_o shall_v quick_o have_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o priest_n say_v st._n jerom_n set_v aside_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o man_n the_o reason_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o argument_n itself_o be_v unanswerable_a for_o in_o such_o a_o vast_a body_n of_o man_n as_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n understanding_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n of_o mankind_n there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a agreement_n and_o by_o consequence_n no_o government_n without_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n in_o some_o above_o other_o now_o this_o be_v another_o pretty_a handsome_a reflection_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v so_o shameful_o defective_a in_o their_o first_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o show_v they_o to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v direct_v by_o any_o divine_a and_o infallible_a spirit_n that_o they_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a discretion_n for_o though_o any_o man_n of_o a_o ordinary_a understanding_n may_v easy_o discern_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o avoid_v schism_n while_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n reside_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o clergy_n partly_o by_o the_o bandy_n of_o the_o presbyter_n one_o against_o another_o partly_o by_o the_o side_a of_o the_o people_n with_o some_o against_o the_o rest_n partly_o by_o the_o too_o common_a use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n in_o presbyter_n by_o which_o they_o be_v more_o able_a to_o increase_v their_o own_o party_n by_o ordain_v those_o who_o will_v join_v with_o they_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n perpetuate_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n when_o i_o say_v these_o inconvenience_n be_v so_o obvious_a what_o a_o prodigious_a neglect_n or_o weakness_n must_v it_o be_v to_o leave_v the_o church_n through_o all_o age_n in_o such_o a_o shatter_a and_o totter_a condition_n insomuch_o that_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v perish_v have_v not_o some_o that_o come_v after_o they_o invent_v better_a mean_n to_o prevent_v or_o redress_v mischief_n than_o they_o have_v leave_v they_o for_o upon_o this_o it_o be_v that_o the_o grave_a and_o wise_a sort_n consider_v the_o abuse_n follow_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o this_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o withal_o have_v in_o their_o mind_n the_o excellent_a frame_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n for_o prevent_v future_a schism_n and_o division_n among_o themselves_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o number_n who_o be_v best_a qualify_v for_o so_o great_a a_o trust_n and_o to_o devolve_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o he_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v we_o be_v more_o oblige_v to_o those_o wise_a and_o grave_a sort_n than_o to_o the_o apostle_n for_o their_o care_n in_o prevent_v schism_n and_o division_n through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o three_o this_o conceit_n bottom_n upon_o no_o better_a foundation_n than_o a_o bold_a and_o presumptuous_a conjecture_n and_o there_o be_v no_o deal_n with_o such_o man_n as_o be_v able_a to_o blast_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o most_o undoubted_a record_n of_o ancient_a time_n with_o a_o imaginary_a and_o sinister_a suspicion_n for_o when_o we_o have_v pursue_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n up_o to_o the_o very_a time_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n it_o require_v somewhat_o a_o bold_a face_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o though_o this_o perhaps_o may_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o dark_a interval_n between_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o time_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n in_o which_o it_o be_v abolish_v and_o a_o new_a form_n of_o government_n set_v up_o but_o that_o be_v find_v inconvenient_a it_o be_v think_v good_a and_o agree_v upon_o in_o all_o church_n to_o lay_v that_o aside_o and_o restore_v the_o old_a apostolical_a superiority_n these_o be_v very_o hard_a conceit_n especial_o when_o they_o can_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o give_v we_o any_o the_o least_o probable_a account_n where_o and_o when_o and_o by_o who_o this_o be_v do_v and_o this_o be_v pretty_a modest_a to_o bear_v up_o so_o confident_o against_o all_o the_o current_n of_o antiquity_n without_o so_o much_o as_o any_o pretence_n of_o ground_n or_o evidence_n to_o rely_v upon_o but_o so_o it_o happen_v once_o upon_o a_o time_n in_o which_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la though_o when_o that_o time_n be_v we_o have_v no_o more_o certain_a knowledge_n than_o we_o have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o latitude_n this_o totus_fw-la orbis_n lie_v perhaps_o it_o be_v as_o blondel_n will_v have_v it_o about_o the_o thirty_o five_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n and_o what_o if_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o have_v say_v the_o fifteen_o or_o sixty_o five_o year_n the_o guess_n have_v be_v altogether_o both_o as_o learned_a and_o as_o well_o ground_v however_o be_v it_o not_o a_o pleasant_a thing_n to_o tell_v we_o bold_o and_o at_o all_o adventure_n in_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la without_o so_o much_o as_o tell_v we_o when_o or_o where_o or_o attempt_v to_o prove_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a that_o so_o universal_a and_o remarkable_a a_o change_n shall_v be_v so_o unanimous_o agree_v upon_o and_o effect_v and_o that_o upon_o such_o great_a and_o urgent_a reason_n without_o ever_o be_v so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o discredit_v any_o record_n choose_v what_o you_o please_v by_o pretend_v there_o once_o be_v or_o perhaps_o may_v have_v be_v a_o unknown_a time_n in_o which_o all_o mankind_n conspire_v
the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n brief_o and_o true_o state_v in_o the_o three_o first_o and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n i._o the_o obligation_n of_o christianity_n by_o divine_a right_n ii_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n by_o divine_a right_n iii_o the_o institution_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n by_o divine_a right_n by_o s._n p._n a_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n faithorne_n and_o john_n kersey_n and_o sell_v by_o walter_n davis_n in_o amen-corner_n 1681._o a_o scheme_n of_o the_o general_a content_n part_n i._n three_o popular_a principle_n destructive_a of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n page_n 1._o the_o absurdity_n of_o mr._n hobb_n principle_n that_o the_o sovereign_a power_n be_v the_o only_a founder_n of_o all_o religion_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n p._n 7_o mr._n selden'_v account_n of_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v mere_o civil_a p._n 27_o his_o account_n of_o excommunication_n from_o adam_n to_o moses_n consider_v p._n 37_o the_o same_o from_o moses_n to_o the_o captivity_n and_o from_o the_o captivity_n to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n p._n 42_o the_o same_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o first_o as_o to_o its_o usage_n p._n 54_o second_o as_o to_o the_o right_n which_o be_v prove_v to_o have_v be_v neither_o judicial_a nor_o imperial_a but_o pure_o divine_a p._n 62_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n p._n 71_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v ground_v carry_v in_o they_o true_a and_o proper_a jurisdiction_n and_o appropriate_v its_o exercise_n to_o the_o church_n p._n 76_o and_o that_o by_o divine_a institution_n not_o mere_a voluntary_a confederacy_n p._n 89_o all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n leave_v entire_o by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n and_o that_o the_o imperial_a law_n extant_a both_o in_o the_o theodosian_a code_n and_o justinian_n be_v no_o new_a law_n but_o only_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n ratify_v with_o temporal_a penalty_n p._n 91_o part_n ii_o a_o account_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o form_n of_o government_n settle_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o divine_a institution_n page_n 117_o that_o our_o saviour_n found_v his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n demonstrate_v this_o imparity_n prove_v to_o consist_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n as_o well_o as_o order_n and_o the_o institution_n of_o it_o show_v to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a obligation_n p._n 124_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n vindicate_v against_o divers_a exception_n the_o vanity_n and_o absurdity_n of_o the_o objection_n from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n the_o divine_a obligation_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n in_o this_o matter_n prove_v p._n 135_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 the_o pretence_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n fall_v as_o foul_a upon_o christianity_n itself_o as_o the_o form_n of_o government_n p._n 143_o the_o argument_n first_o from_o the_o defect_n as_o to_o place_n consider_v and_o confute_v p._n 148_o second_o front_v the_o defect_n as_o to_o time_n and_o person_n p._n 150_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n prove_v first_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o st._n clement_n of_o rome_n second_o of_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n demonstrate_v to_o be_v genuine_a p._n 155_o the_o same_o prove_v from_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n and_o the_o canon_n prove_v to_o be_v of_o primitive_a antiquity_n p._n 177_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n vindicate_v from_o the_o pretence_n of_o ambiguity_n and_o first_o in_o that_o they_o have_v not_o inform_v we_o whether_o the_o succession_n be_v only_o of_o order_n or_o of_o power_n p._n 183_o second_o in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o universal_a but_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o not_o it_o be_v sufficient_a in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o record_n against_o it_o and_o the_o record_n of_o all_o the_o chief_a church_n be_v clear_a for_o it_o p._n 189_o three_o in_o that_o this_o succession_n be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n this_o show_v to_o be_v apparent_o false_a and_o if_o it_o be_v true_a frivolous_a p._n 203_o that_o the_o ancient_a church_n own_a episcopacy_n as_o of_o divine_a institution_n and_o not_o ecclesiastical_a p._n 213_o st._n jeroms_n authority_n thorough_o consider_v and_o turn_v upon_o himself_o so_o as_o to_o make_v this_o objection_n out_o of_o he_o against_o it_o the_o strong_a argument_n to_o prove_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o episcopacy_n p._n 216_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n of_o the_o ordination_n of_o their_o bishop_n by_o presbyter_n refute_v and_o the_o story_n of_o eutychius_n concern_v it_o show_v to_o be_v false_a and_o foolish_a p._n 231_o if_o we_o take_v away_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o some_o form_n of_o church-government_n it_o unavoidable_o resolve_v the_o church_n into_o independency_n and_o confusion_n p._n 243_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o episcopacy_n as_o settle_v by_o divine_a right_o the_o only_a effectal_a bulwark_n against_o popery_n p._n 252_o a_o postscript_n p._n 263_o part_n i._n when_o i_o consider_v on_o one_o side_n with_o what_o triumph_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v together_o with_o his_o majesty_n restore_v with_o what_o law_n guard_v with_o what_o vigour_n assert_v with_o what_o zeal_n defend_v and_o on_o the_o other_o with_o what_o folly_n and_o peevishness_n oppose_v that_o none_o of_o its_o implacable_a enemy_n have_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v any_o the_o least_o real_a defect_n or_o corruption_n in_o its_o constitution_n that_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o all_o wise_a man_n it_o approach_v near_a of_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o primitive_a purity_n that_o it_o be_v free_a from_o all_o imposture_n and_o innovation_n that_o it_o do_v not_o abuse_v its_o child_n with_o pious_a fraud_n and_o art_n of_o gain_n nor_o sacrifice_v the_o interest_n of_o soul_n to_o its_o own_o wealth_n and_o grandeur_n that_o it_o assert_n the_o right_n of_o prince_n against_o all_o priestly_a usurpation_n that_o it_o do_v not_o enrage_v the_o people_n with_o enthusiasm_n on_o one_o hand_n nor_o enslave_v they_o with_o superstition_n on_o the_o other_o that_o its_o doctrine_n be_v pure_a simple_a and_o apostolical_a and_o its_o discipline_n easie_n prudent_a and_o merciful_a in_o a_o word_n that_o it_o be_v a_o church_n that_o want_v nothing_o but_o only_o that_o we_o will_v suffer_v she_o to_o be_v what_o she_o profess_v and_o desire_v to_o be_v when_o i_o say_v i_o consider_v all_o this_o with_o myself_o it_o can_v not_o but_o strike_v i_o with_o wonder_n and_o amazement_n that_o a_o church_n so_o unanimous_o own_v so_o powerful_o protect_v so_o excellent_o constitute_v so_o approve_v by_o all_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n shall_v in_o all_o this_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o obtain_v any_o true_a and_o effectual_a settlement_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v almost_o strip_v naked_a of_o all_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n expose_v to_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n desert_v by_o its_o friend_n trample_v upon_o by_o its_o enemy_n and_o true_o reduce_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o poor_a despise_a church_n of_o england_n but_o then_o consider_v far_o with_o myself_o what_o may_v be_v the_o ground_n and_o occasion_n of_o such_o a_o wild_a and_o seem_o unaccountable_a apostasy_n i_o quick_o find_v three_o very_a prevail_a principle_n utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o be_v of_o a_o christian_a church_n wherewith_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n mind_n be_v possess_v and_o especial_o those_o that_o have_v of_o late_o appear_v the_o most_o zealous_a patriot_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o the_o building_n be_v so_o weak_a and_o totter_a when_o it_o be_v erect_v upon_o such_o false_a and_o rot_a foundation_n so_o that_o whilst_o these_o treacherous_a principle_n lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o work_n it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a to_o bring_v it_o to_o any_o sure_a and_o last_a settlement_n and_o it_o be_v these_o false_a and_o unhappy_a principle_n that_o i_o shall_v now_o endeavour_v to_o represent_v and_o by_o plain_a reason_n to_o remove_v they_o be_v chief_o these_o three_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o his_o follower_n that_o own_o the_o church_n of_o england_n only_o because_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o england_n and_o allow_v no_o authority_n either_o to_o that_o or_o any_o other_o religion_n than_o as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o sovereign_a power_n though_o a_o religion_n
whatever_o first_o engage_v he_o to_o undertake_v the_o argument_n and_o it_o be_v usual_o report_v that_o the_o provocation_n be_v so_o very_o slight_a that_o i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o beneath_o the_o spirit_n of_o so_o great_a a_o man_n he_o have_v prosecute_v it_o with_o great_a zeal_n and_o keenness_n than_o he_o express_v in_o other_o write_n nay_o he_o can_v forbear_v upon_o all_o occasion_n digress_v into_o this_o subject_n insomuch_o that_o this_o be_v the_o main_a matter_n of_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr anno_fw-la civili_fw-la the_o subject_a whereof_o one_o will_v think_v be_v remote_a enough_o from_o this_o argument_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o his_o expense_n of_o pain_n and_o learning_n he_o have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o serve_v the_o purpose_n of_o his_o design_n that_o he_o have_v direct_o oppose_v it_o and_o if_o he_o have_v only_o study_v to_o furnish_v the_o church_n with_o argument_n to_o justify_v her_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n he_o can_v not_o have_v do_v she_o more_o service_n than_o he_o have_v do_v by_o this_o violent_a attempt_n upon_o it_o this_o i_o know_v can_v but_o seem_v a_o very_a strange_a charge_n against_o a_o person_n of_o his_o part_n and_o learning_n but_o therein_o i_o say_v appear_v the_o strength_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n that_o it_o put_v man_n beside_o the_o use_n of_o their_o natural_a understanding_n and_o hire_v they_o to_o set_v their_o wit_n on_o work_n only_o to_o serve_v a_o cause_n or_o gratify_v a_o passion_n and_o when_o once_o a_o man_n have_v take_v up_o a_o falsehood_n to_o defend_v the_o more_o skill_n and_o learning_n he_o spend_v upon_o it_o the_o worse_a it_o be_v for_o when_o a_o error_n be_v but_o slight_o maintain_v the_o mistake_n may_v proceed_v from_o inadvertency_n but_o when_o it_o be_v assert_v with_o great_a industry_n and_o long_a study_n that_o discover_v the_o man_n to_o be_v under_o a_o settle_a and_o habitual_a misunderstanding_n and_o when_o all_o be_v do_v every_o thing_n will_v be_v true_a or_o false_a as_o it_o be_v whether_o we_o will_v or_o no._n and_o if_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n be_v settle_v upon_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v not_o all_o the_o wit_n nor_o all_o the_o eloquence_n nor_o all_o the_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n that_o can_v unsettle_v it_o the_o wind_n may_v blow_v and_o the_o wave_n may_v beat_v but_o they_o can_v never_o shake_v it_o because_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o rock_n for_o a_o proof_n hereof_o i_o shall_v first_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o this_o learned_a author_n method_n of_o discourse_n and_o then_o second_o in_o the_o same_o way_n of_o argue_v by_o which_o he_o endeavour_v to_o destroy_v the_o original_a power_n of_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o make_v out_o a_o demonstrative_a proof_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n only_o i_o must_v premise_v that_o whereas_o he_o treat_v only_o of_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n that_o dispute_n must_v involve_v in_o it_o all_o other_o act_n of_o government_n in_o that_o they_o be_v all_o suppose_a by_o the_o power_n of_o inflict_a punishment_n now_o mr._n selden'_v account_n of_o the_o rise_n of_o excommunication_n be_v brief_o this_o that_o it_o be_v never_o establish_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n by_o any_o divine_a command_n that_o there_o be_v no_o use_n of_o it_o whilst_o they_o enjoy_v the_o civil_a power_n among_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o that_o we_o meet_v with_o no_o footstep_n of_o it_o till_o after_o the_o babylonian_a captivity_n and_o that_o then_o and_o there_o it_o be_v first_o take_v up_o among_o the_o jew_n by_o confederacy_n and_o mutual_a compact_n for_o be_v then_o deprive_v of_o all_o judicial_a power_n and_o zealous_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o nation_n they_o covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o punish_v all_o contumacious_a offender_n against_o their_o law_n and_o custom_n by_o excommunication_n which_o consist_v of_o two_o thing_n first_o solemn_a imprecation_n of_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n second_o separation_n from_o their_o converse_n that_o partly_o by_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n and_o partly_o by_o shame_n and_o modesty_n they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o repentance_n which_o as_o it_o be_v no_o proper_a jurisdiction_n so_o it_o can_v take_v no_o effect_n not_o only_o against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n but_o of_o every_o refractory_a offender_n that_o may_v if_o he_o please_v despise_v their_o sentence_n and_o in_o spite_n of_o it_o enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o conversation_n and_o therefore_o to_o make_v the_o sentence_n appear_v more_o terrible_a to_o the_o people_n they_o express_v it_o in_o the_o same_o form_n of_o speech_n in_o which_o moses_n express_v capital_a punishment_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o give_v the_o occasion_n to_o learned_a man_n of_o mistake_v as_o if_o the_o same_o phrase_n have_v signify_v the_o same_o thing_n from_o the_o beginning_n though_o the_o only_a intention_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v thereby_o to_o declare_v that_o they_o will_v no_o more_o own_o excommunicate_a person_n to_o be_v member_n of_o their_o society_n than_o if_o they_o have_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o it_o by_o a_o sentence_n of_o death_n and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n they_o will_v not_o spare_v to_o do_v it_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o sentence_n relate_v only_o to_o their_o civil_a liberty_n and_o be_v no_o abridgement_n of_o their_o freedom_n as_o to_o public_a worship_n and_o though_o the_o offender_n upon_o who_o it_o pass_v be_v say_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o their_o synagogue_n yet_o that_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o it_o be_v their_o court_n of_o judicature_n not_o their_o place_n of_o worship_n and_o so_o signify_v civil_a out-lawry_a not_o ecclesiastical_a excommunication_n but_o though_o this_o device_n be_v at_o first_o make_v use_v of_o in_o this_o case_n of_o necessity_n for_o want_n of_o more_o effectual_a government_n yet_o have_v once_o obtain_v the_o power_n of_o custom_n among_o they_o when_o they_o be_v restore_v to_o their_o country_n and_o civil_a state_n they_o reserve_v it_o among_o their_o civil_a penalty_n and_o use_v or_o omit_v alter_v or_o abate_v its_o exercise_n according_a to_o discretion_n as_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v do_v in_o all_o other_o act_n of_o humane_a judicature_n that_o this_o be_v the_o state_n and_o notion_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o take_v it_o up_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o express_v it_o by_o the_o same_o form_n of_o speech_n so_o that_o in_o their_o discourse_n it_o signify_v no_o other_o separation_n than_o what_o it_o do_v among_o the_o jew_n that_o thus_o the_o use_n of_o it_o continue_v till_o the_o open_a breach_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n and_o then_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v whole_o separate_v from_o the_o jewish_a into_o a_o society_n by_o itself_o they_o enter_v into_o such_o a_o confederacy_n among_o themselves_o as_o the_o jew_n do_v in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n of_o inflict_a censure_n upon_o such_o as_o by_o their_o unchristian_a practice_n shall_v bring_v scandal_n upon_o the_o church_n that_o this_o power_n at_o first_o reside_v in_o the_o whole_a congregation_n not_o in_o any_o particular_a officer_n and_o that_o thus_o it_o continue_v till_o the_o ambition_n of_o the_o bishop_n wrest_v it_o into_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o for_o it_o pretend_v the_o authority_n of_o our_o saviour_n commission_n and_o so_o they_o enjoy_v it_o till_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a who_o take_v the_o church_n into_o his_o care_n and_o government_n reassume_v this_o power_n to_o himself_o as_o a_o natural_a right_n of_o the_o sovereign_a prerogative_n and_o so_o it_o descend_v to_o all_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o empire_n who_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o record_n of_o every_o age_n vary_v its_o use_n and_o exercise_v at_o their_o own_o pleasure_n and_o as_o prince_n come_v into_o the_o church_n this_o right_n of_o course_n escheat_v to_o they_o and_o be_v according_o challenge_v by_o they_o as_o be_v large_o prove_v by_o the_o history_n of_o europe_n and_o particular_o of_o our_o own_o nation_n this_o be_v the_o short_a account_n of_o his_o long_a performance_n the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v that_o excommunication_n have_v no_o divine_a but_o mere_o a_o humane_a original_a and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o ecclesiastical_a but_o a_o civil_a punishment_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o appertain_v not_o to_o the_o church_n but_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n now_o to_o answer_n or_o rather_o confute_v all_o this_o i_o need_v only_o to_o represent_v that_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o society_n found_v upon_o the_o immediate_a charter_n and_o command_n of_o our_o saviour_n
against_o the_o government_n for_o if_o the_o church_n have_v no_o right_n of_o exercise_v any_o discipline_n within_o itself_o but_o by_o the_o grant_n of_o the_o empire_n than_o the_o grant_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v reverse_v it_o have_v none_o at_o all_o and_o thus_o have_v he_o fair_o bring_v this_o confederate_a discipline_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o he_o have_v contrive_v pure_o to_o avoid_v any_o government_n found_v upon_o divine_a right_n into_o downright_a rebellion_n and_o no_o wonder_n when_o all_o confederacy_n against_o the_o command_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n can_v be_v no_o better_o unless_o when_o warrant_v by_o divine_a authority_n and_o now_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o after_o these_o premise_n our_o author_n begin_v his_o next_o chapter_n with_o a_o confession_n that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v when_o the_o present_a form_n of_o excommunication_n begin_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n quandonam_fw-la primo_fw-la discrepantia_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la inter_fw-la christianae_n &_o judaicae_n seu_fw-la vetustioris_fw-la excommunicationis_fw-la effectus_fw-la inciperet_fw-la non_fw-la quidem_fw-la satis_fw-la liquet_fw-la sed_fw-la ante_fw-la origenis_n ac_fw-la tertulliani_n etiam_fw-la &_o irenaei_n tempora_fw-la juxta_fw-la jam_fw-la dicta_fw-la effectum_fw-la quoad_fw-la sacrorum_fw-la communicatinis_fw-la negationem_fw-la inolevisse_fw-la non_fw-la dubitandum_fw-la though_o i_o shall_v have_v think_v it_o a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o it_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n when_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o church_n immediate_o after_o they_o and_o find_v no_o beginning_n of_o its_o institution_n especial_o when_o it_o can_v have_v no_o other_o because_o the_o apostle_n challenge_v no_o civil_a authority_n they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o power_n but_o a_o cut_n off_o from_o the_o spiritual_a privilege_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o remark_n it_o as_o the_o peculiar_a disingenuity_n of_o all_o the_o adversary_n both_o of_o the_o government_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n excommunication_n and_o episcopacy_n that_o they_o will_v allow_v their_o usage_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o only_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o because_o they_o imagine_v that_o in_o their_o time_n there_o be_v no_o demonstrative_a evidence_n of_o their_o practice_n for_o that_o reason_n destroy_v their_o reverence_n and_o neglect_v their_o authority_n whereas_o have_v these_o man_n the_o common_a modesty_n of_o mankind_n they_o will_v revere_v they_o for_o their_o so_o ancient_a and_o catholic_n practice_n and_o when_o with_o all_o their_o search_n they_o can_v discover_v any_o late_a beginning_n of_o they_o they_o will_v conclude_v it_o at_o least_o a_o very_a fair_a probability_n that_o they_o descend_v from_o apostolical_a prescription_n and_o in_o our_o present_a case_n one_o will_v wonder_v that_o when_o our_o author_n have_v trace_v this_o usage_n both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n into_o the_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n without_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v any_o other_o time_n of_o its_o first_o institution_n how_o any_o man_n shall_v doubt_v of_o its_o apostolical_a antiquity_n what_o record_n can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o write_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n that_o live_v in_o the_o first_o century_n after_o they_o and_o st._n cyprian_n in_o the_o second_o who_o do_v not_o only_o mention_v this_o power_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o thing_n then_o in_o common_a use_n but_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o ancient_a right_o derive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n i_o shall_v give_v one_o instance_n for_o all_o because_o our_o author_n have_v the_o boldness_n to_o quote_v it_o and_o yet_o to_o overlook_v the_o consequence_n and_o that_o be_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n who_o expostulate_v with_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n about_o his_o rash_a excommunication_n of_o the_o asiatic_a church_n thus_o bespeak_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d never_o be_v any_o man_n excommunicate_v after_o this_o rate_n upon_o which_o our_o learned_a author_n observe_v excommunicationis_fw-la usus_fw-la qualiscunque_fw-la ut_fw-la ab_fw-la anterioribus_fw-la seculis_fw-la illuc_fw-la propagatus_fw-la utrinque_fw-la pariter_fw-la tunc_fw-la admittitur_fw-la from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o on_o all_o side_n the_o use_n of_o excommunication_n be_v admit_v as_o descend_v from_o the_o forego_n age_n after_o this_o can_v any_o man_n think_v it_o possible_a that_o when_o he_o have_v allow_v this_o testimony_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o by_o his_o own_o computation_n flourish_v about_o seventy_o year_n after_o st._n john_n that_o he_o shall_v ever_o doubt_v of_o its_o be_v a_o apostolical_a practice_n or_o can_v any_o man_n desire_v to_o reduce_v his_o adversary_n to_o a_o great_a absurdity_n than_o be_v here_o so_o frank_o own_a that_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n shall_v speak_v of_o this_o thing_n as_o the_o custom_n of_o former_a age_n and_o yet_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o such_o custom_n in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v his_o discourse_n of_o the_o time_n when_o this_o power_n be_v first_o appropriate_v to_o the_o christian_a bishop_n which_o he_o confess_v to_o be_v altogether_o unknown_a though_o he_o find_v it_o in_o common_a use_n in_o the_o time_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n and_o that_o be_v time_n enough_o to_o give_v it_o right_o to_o apostolic_a prescription_n especial_o when_o he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o any_o record_n that_o the_o key_n be_v ever_o in_o the_o people_n hand_n neither_o have_v he_o any_o ground_n for_o this_o imagination_n but_o only_o his_o old_a conceit_n that_o among_o the_o jew_n every_o man_n have_v this_o power_n and_o therefore_o among_o the_o christian_n whereas_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n of_o surmise_n that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o custom_n among_o the_o ancient_a jew_n but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a offspring_n of_o the_o talmudical_a folly_n or_o if_o there_o be_v yet_o it_o be_v too_o foolish_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o serious_a discipline_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o of_o what_o use_n can_v it_o be_v when_o any_o man_n may_v excommunicate_v who_o he_o please_v and_o when_o he_o may_v be_v absolve_v from_o the_o heavy_a sentence_n of_o the_o court_n by_o any_o three_o person_n that_o he_o can_v pack_v together_o such_o ridiculous_a trifle_n be_v at_o first_o view_n too_o absurd_a to_o be_v entertain_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o as_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o people_n ever_o exercise_v this_o power_n de_fw-fr facto_fw-la so_o neither_o do_v it_o that_o they_o can_v ever_o challenge_v it_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la in_o that_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o our_o saviour_n ever_o vest_v the_o body_n of_o believer_n in_o any_o power_n of_o govern_v his_o church_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o when_o ever_o he_o give_v out_o his_o commission_n he_o ever_o address_v himself_o to_o particular_a person_n and_o thus_o be_v we_o fall_v upon_o the_o main_a controversy_n where_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v begin_v and_o where_o we_o may_v have_v end_v but_o he_o that_o pursue_v a_o adversary_n must_v follow_v his_o motion_n otherwise_o certain_o the_o matter_n of_o right_a aught_o to_o have_v be_v determine_v before_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o therefore_o the_o first_o question_n ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v whether_o the_o primitive_a christian_n exercise_v any_o such_o jurisdiction_n but_o whether_o they_o receive_v any_o commission_n from_o our_o saviour_n for_o their_o authority_n which_o if_o either_o prove_v or_o disprove_v will_v prevent_v the_o follow_a dispute_n concern_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n but_o see_v our_o author_n be_v please_v to_o take_v this_o method_n we_o shall_v tread_v in_o his_o step_n and_o thus_o he_o bring_v it_o in_o that_o when_o the_o bishop_n have_v unwarrantable_o assume_v this_o power_n to_o themselves_o they_o justify_v their_o usurpation_n by_o pretend_a patent_n make_v to_o themselves_o in_o several_a text_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o of_o bind_v and_o lose_v and_o if_o any_o man_n hear_v not_o the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n and_o now_o to_o elude_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o these_o and_o the_o like_a passage_n what_o infinite_a pain_n have_v be_v take_v by_o our_o author_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n i_o need_v not_o represent_v but_o whatever_o shift_v man_n may_v invent_v their_o true_a meaning_n discover_v and_o clear_v itself_o by_o this_o one_o plain_a and_o obvious_a consideration_n viz._n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v already_o set_v up_o his_o kingdom_n or_o society_n of_o his_o church_n upon_o which_o supposition_n all_o these_o grant_n can_v signify_v nothing_o less_o than_o a_o donation_n of_o power_n thus_o when_o he_o choose_v officer_n
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 law_n and_o in_o this_o they_o enjoy_v no_o other_o exemption_n from_o the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n than_o what_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v challenge_v by_o every_o private_a christian_a who_o be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o his_o christian_a faith_n and_o if_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n so_o require_v to_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n this_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o in_o its_o first_o profession_n and_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o its_o reformation_n for_o whereas_o a_o foreign_a italian_a bishop_n have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n usurp_v wellnigh_o all_o both_o secular_a and_o spiritual_a power_n into_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o by_o a_o exorbitant_a abuse_n of_o it_o have_v enslave_v the_o prince_n and_o empoverish_v the_o people_n only_o to_o enrich_v himself_o and_o his_o own_o courtier_n they_o that_o be_v concern_v after_o long_a patience_n and_o much_o provocation_n at_o last_o resolve_v upon_o what_o motive_n concern_v not_o we_o to_o resume_v their_o right_n the_o king_n that_o power_n which_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n of_o old_a and_o by_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o bishop_n that_o power_n wherewith_o they_o be_v as_o immediate_o entrust_v by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n general_a commission_n to_o the_o apostolical_a order_n as_o any_o other_o foreign_a bishop_n or_o bishop_n within_o their_o respective_a diocese_n whatsoever_o and_o to_o prevent_v all_o jealousy_n in_o the_o prince_n lest_o they_o shall_v play_v he_o the_o same_o game_n that_o his_o holiness_n have_v do_v who_o in_o ordinc_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la have_v fine_o strip_v he_o of_o almost_o all_o his_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n by_o except_v all_o ecclesiastical_a both_o person_n and_o cause_n from_o his_o cognizance_n they_o therefore_o freelv_v declare_v he_o supreme_a 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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 kingdom_n or_o injurious_a to_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o crown_n which_o in_o truth_n be_v such_o a_o submission_n as_o all_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o world_n ought_v in_o duty_n to_o make_v to_o their_o sovereign_n at_o least_o in_o gratitude_n for_o his_o protection_n and_o that_o without_o any_o abatement_n or_o diminution_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n viz._n the_o stand_a law_n of_o christianity_n be_v secure_v to_o submit_v all_o other_o matter_n to_o his_o sovereign_n will_v and_o pleasure_n whereby_o as_o they_o will_v bring_v no_o damage_n to_o the_o church_n in_o that_o this_o power_n be_v exercise_v mere_o in_o matter_n of_o order_n and_o discipline_n if_o the_o prince_n do_v not_o approve_v of_o their_o constitution_n it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a thing_n to_o provide_v for_o decency_n some_o other_o way_n so_o they_o will_v bring_v great_a security_n to_o the_o state_n when_o the_o prince_n be_v assure_v that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o 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 with_o her_o royal_a supremacy_n over_o those_o that_o have_v it_o as_o we_o be_v particular_o instruct_v by_o our_o church_n in_o her_o 37th_o article_n where_o we_o attribute_v to_o the_o queen_n majesty_n the_o chief_a government_n by_o which_o title_n we_o understand_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o dangerous_a folk_n to_o be_v offend_v we_o give_v not_o our_o prince_n the_o minister_a either_o of_o god_n word_n or_o the_o sacrament_n the_o which_o thing_n the_o injunction_n late_o set_v forth_o by_o elizabeth_n our_o queen_n do_v most_o plain_o testify_v but_o that_o only_a prerogative_n which_o we_o see_v to_o have_v be_v give_v always_o to_o all_o godly_a prince_n in_o holy_a scripture_n by_o god_n himself_o that_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v rule_v all_o estate_n and_o degree_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n by_o god_n whether_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o temporal_a and_o restrain_v with_o the_o civil_a sword_n the_o stubborn_a and_o evil_a doer_n and_o last_o to_o mention_v
no_o more_o whereas_o the_o witty_a and_o learned_a cardinal_n perron_n run_v upon_o the_o same_o mistake_n and_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n that_o they_o all_o wilful_o run_v upon_o king_n james_n in_o his_o reply_n le_fw-fr we_o he_o know_v that_o though_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n never_o arrogate_a to_o themselves_o a_o power_n of_o be_v sovereign_a judge_n in_o matter_n and_o controversy_n of_o faith_n yet_o for_o moderation_n of_o synod_n for_o determination_n and_o order_n establish_v in_o council_n and_o for_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n they_o have_v make_v a_o good_a and_o full_a use_n of_o their_o imperial_a authority_n and_o that_o for_o this_o very_a good_a reason_n that_o very_o much_o concern_v all_o prince_n that_o they_o may_v see_v and_o judge_v whether_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o power_n or_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o much_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o for_o further_a satisfaction_n i_o shall_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o excellent_a discourse_n itself_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o i_o have_v give_v a_o plain_a and_o easy_a account_n of_o the_o distinct_a power_n of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o show_v that_o whoever_o deny_v the_o distinction_n disow_v christianity_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v vest_v his_o church_n with_o a_o power_n peculiar_a to_o itself_o that_o the_o church_n have_v in_o all_o age_n exercise_v it_o that_o the_o christian_a emperor_n never_o deny_v it_o and_o last_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o reform_a prince_n thereof_o have_v remarkable_o own_a it_n but_o three_o constantine_n and_o his_o successor_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o title_n of_o pontifex_n maximus_n to_o which_o according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n appertain_v the_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o authority_n they_o grant_v to_o the_o church_n among_o other_o privilege_n this_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o claudius_n and_o other_o heathen_a emperor_n give_v leave_n both_o to_o jew_n and_o christian_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o law_n and_o custom_n and_o though_o the_o emperor_n gratian_n refuse_v to_o wear_v the_o pontifical_a habit_n as_o a_o piece_n of_o pagan_a superstition_n yet_o it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o he_o refuse_v the_o dignity_n itself_o and_o this_o discourse_n our_o author_n prosecute_v with_o much_o zeal_n and_o learning_n but_o what_o do_v these_o man_n make_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o rather_o of_o christ_n himself_o that_o he_o shall_v make_v no_o other_o provision_n for_o its_o government_n than_o to_o leave_v it_o whole_o to_o the_o superintendency_n of_o heathen_a priest_n this_o be_v such_o a_o wild_a conceit_n in_o itself_o that_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v never_o have_v imagine_v any_o learned_a man_n can_v ever_o have_v make_v use_n of_o it_o against_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o this_o learned_a gentleman_n be_v not_o only_o serious_a but_o vehement_a and_o confident_a in_o it_o he_o urge_v it_o over_o and_o over_o and_o though_o he_o repeat_v every_o thing_n that_o he_o say_v so_o that_o indeed_o one_o half_a of_o his_o discourse_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o repetition_n of_o the_o other_o yet_o here_o he_o double_v his_o repetition_n and_o every_o where_o lay_v this_o principle_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o after_o time_n but_o can_v any_o man_n believe_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a take_v upon_o he_o the_o power_n of_o government_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n if_o he_o real_o believe_v in_o christ_n himself_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n derive_v from_o the_o usurpation_n of_o julius_n caesar_n or_o that_o he_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o heathenish_a priestly_a power_n belong_v to_o he_o after_o his_o own_n christianity_n when_o by_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o old_a roman_a religion_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v idolatrous_a so_o that_o the_o roman_a high_a priest_n be_v nothing_o better_o than_o the_o supreme_a head_n of_o idolatry_n a_o honour_n certain_o which_o no_o christian_a emperor_n will_v be_v very_o fond_a of_o astume_v to_o himself_o julian_n indeed_o challenge_v both_o the_o title_n and_o the_o dignity_n as_o the_o great_a ornament_n of_o his_o imperial_a crown_n but_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o he_o be_v so_o vain_o fond_a of_o the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o how_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o have_v renounce_v paganism_n shall_v yet_o own_v himself_o high_a priest_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o he_o have_v renounce_v seem_v too_o great_a a_o contradiction_n for_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o believe_v but_o what_o if_o they_o accept_v of_o the_o title_n as_o our_o author_n very_o well_o know_v they_o do_v of_o divinity_n itself_o or_o rather_o what_o if_o it_o be_v customary_o give_v to_o they_o by_o other_o for_o i_o meet_v with_o no_o other_o monument_n of_o it_o but_o some_o old_a complimental_a inscription_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o customary_a title_n of_o honour_n it_o may_v easy_o for_o a_o time_n pass_v in_o the_o crowd_n of_o the_o other_o imperial_a title_n for_o it_o seem_v it_o continue_v not_o long_o be_v reject_v by_o gratian_n who_o live_v about_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o conversion_n of_o constantine_n and_o though_o our_o learned_a author_n affirm_v that_o the_o pious_a emperor_n only_o refuse_v the_o vestment_n but_o not_o the_o dignity_n it_o be_v very_o obvious_a to_o any_o man_n of_o much_o less_o understanding_n than_o himself_o that_o the_o emperor_n can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o refuse_v one_o but_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o other_o for_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o superstition_n in_o the_o vestment_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o office_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n there_o be_v little_a if_o any_o use_n of_o the_o title_n afterward_o but_o last_o the_o power_n of_o judicature_n be_v first_o grant_v to_o the_o bishop_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o christian_a emperor_n and_o especial_o by_o a_o edict_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a whereby_o he_o grant_v the_o bishop_n a_o full_a power_n of_o hear_v and_o determine_v all_o cause_n civil_a as_o well_o as_o ecclesiastical_a and_o withal_o declare_v their_o decree_n to_o be_v more_o firm_a and_o bind_v than_o the_o sentence_n of_o any_o other_o judicature_n and_o from_o this_o great_a indulgence_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o among_o other_o forensique_fw-la penalty_n they_o make_v use_v of_o excommunication_n of_o the_o inference_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n by_o and_o by_o but_o as_o for_o the_o edict_n itself_o if_o it_o can_v do_v any_o service_n to_o our_o author_n design_n it_o at_o last_o prove_v supposititious_a as_o be_v full_o prove_v by_o gothofred_n in_o his_o excellent_a edition_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n his_o reason_n be_v too_o many_o to_o be_v here_o recite_v i_o will_v give_v but_o one_o for_o all_o viz._n that_o this_o law_n be_v contrary_a to_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n for_o though_o several_a emperor_n do_v in_o their_o several_a novel_n give_v the_o bishop_n power_n to_o decide_v cause_n by_o way_n of_o arbitration_n or_o the_o consent_n of_o both_o party_n which_o power_n they_o enlarge_v or_o contract_v as_o they_o please_v and_o to_o this_o all_o the_o other_o precedent_n produce_v by_o our_o author_n relate_v yet_o that_o one_o party_n shall_v have_v liberty_n of_o appeal_n from_o the_o civil_a court_n at_o any_o time_n before_o judgement_n give_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o adversary_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a privilege_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o only_a design_n of_o that_o edict_n quicunque_fw-la itaque_fw-la litem_fw-la habens_fw-la sive_fw-la possessor_n sive_fw-la petitor_n erit_fw-la inter_fw-la initia_fw-la litis_fw-la vel_fw-la decursis_fw-la temporum_fw-la curriculis_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la negotium_fw-la peroratur_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la jam_fw-la coeperit_fw-la promi_fw-la sententia_fw-la judicium_fw-la eligit_fw-la sacrosanctae_a legis_fw-la antistitis_fw-la ilico_fw-la sine_fw-la aliqua_fw-la dubitatione_n etiamsi_fw-la alia_fw-la pars_fw-la refragatur_fw-la ad_fw-la episcopum_fw-la cum_fw-la sermone_fw-la litigantium_fw-la dirigatur_fw-la which_o i_o say_v be_v such_o a_o absurd_a liberty_n as_o will_v utter_o destroy_v all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n if_o the_o humour_n or_o perverseness_n of_o any_o man_n can_v so_o easy_o balk_v their_o sentence_n but_o beside_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o there_o be_v no_o such_o edict_n extant_a in_o the_o justinian_n code_n nor_o any_o mention_n of_o it_o in_o any_o ancient_a writer_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n for_o as_o for_o
that_o passage_n of_o sozomen_n l._n 1._o c._n 9_o in_o which_o some_o learned_a man_n fancy_n they_o find_v some_o footstep_n of_o this_o law_n it_o be_v quite_o to_o the_o other_o purpose_n that_o i_o but_o now_o mention_v viz._n the_o bishop_n power_n of_o determine_v cause_n by_o the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o party_n when_o this_o edict_n be_v forge_v and_o by_o who_o it_o be_v uncertain_a but_o it_o be_v probable_o conjecture_v by_o gothofred_n from_o the_o barbarity_n of_o its_o stile_n and_o great_a likeness_n of_o it_o to_o that_o of_o constantine_n donation_n to_o have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o same_o shop_n and_o by_o the_o same_o hand_n but_o if_o this_o edict_n be_v as_o true_a as_o the_o rest_n be_v which_o give_v bishop_n power_n to_o sentence_n cause_v praeeunte_fw-la vinculo_fw-la compromissi_fw-la yet_o where_o do_v we_o find_v any_o edict_n for_o enable_v they_o to_o enforce_v their_o decree_n by_o excommunication_n not_o one_o syllable_n of_o that_o in_o all_o the_o roman_a law_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o their_o officer_n be_v command_v to_o put_v the_o bishop_n sentence_n in_o execution_n be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o very_a force_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o because_o the_o roman_a emperor_n grant_v the_o christian_a bishop_n some_o jurisdiction_n they_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v grant_v they_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o edict_n extant_a in_o all_o their_o law_n they_o confer_v many_o privilege_n upon_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o title_n de_fw-fr episcopis_fw-la ecclesiâ—s_fw-la clericis_fw-la &_o de_fw-la religione_fw-la yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o both_o the_o code_o and_o all_o the_o novel_n to_o vest_n they_o with_o any_o power_n of_o excommunication_n and_o therefore_o as_o those_o other_o they_o enjoy_v by_o the_o emperor_n favour_n not_o by_o any_o antecedent_n right_o so_o see_v they_o exercise_v this_o power_n and_o that_o not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o imperial_a grant_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o receive_v their_o authority_n from_o some_o other_o hand_n so_o that_o to_o conclude_v there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n against_o our_o author_n opinion_n than_o the_o body_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o one_o instance_n record_v that_o ever_o any_o emperor_n pretend_v to_o this_o power_n himself_o or_o grant_v it_o to_o his_o bishop_n for_o from_o thence_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o if_o they_o have_v it_o at_o all_o they_o have_v it_o from_o some_o other_o commission_n and_o thus_o be_o i_o come_v to_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o though_o there_o be_v many_o precedent_n of_o latter_a time_n yet_o i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o justify_v what_o be_v do_v by_o huns_n goth_n and_o vandal_n who_o practice_n be_v the_o mere_a effect_n of_o ignorance_n and_o barbarity_n and_o oblige_v we_o rather_o to_o pity_v than_o to_o follow_v their_o example_n part_n ii_o have_v hitherto_o treat_v with_o the_o false_a pretender_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o come_v now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o treat_v more_o amicable_o with_o some_o of_o its_o mistake_a friend_n and_o they_o be_v those_o that_o own_o a_o government_n in_o it_o but_o without_o governor_n allow_v indeed_o that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v some_o sort_n of_o government_n establish_v in_o the_o church_n but_o then_o they_o deny_v any_o particular_a form_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o divine_a right_n or_o apostolical_a constitution_n and_o leave_v it_o whole_o to_o the_o choice_n and_o determination_n of_o humane_a authority_n so_o that_o though_o the_o church_n of_o england_n happen_v to_o be_v at_o present_a govern_v by_o bishop_n and_o though_o upon_o that_o account_n we_o may_v owe_v duty_n and_o subjection_n to_o they_o as_o our_o lawful_a superior_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o set_v over_o we_o by_o any_o divine_a commission_n but_o pure_o by_o his_o 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to_o make_v it_o good_a out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o learned_a man_n that_o come_v after_o they_o both_o in_o the_o french_a and_o dutch_a church_n because_o they_o must_v needs_o go_v beyond_o those_o that_o go_v before_o they_o proceed_v to_o advance_v the_o argument_n from_o scripture_n to_o antiquity_n and_o have_v with_o infinite_a industry_n sift_v all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n but_o by_o presbyter_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o it_o next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n the_o chief_a labourer_n in_o which_o cause_n among_o many_o other_o less_o learned_a be_v blondel_n salmasius_n and_o dallé_n who_o spend_v the_o great_a part_n both_o of_o their_o life_n and_o learning_n upon_o this_o argument_n but_o they_o proceed_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o a_o sceptical_a and_o destructive_a way_n not_o so_o much_o rely_v upon_o the_o testimony_n as_o impair_n the_o credit_n of_o antiquity_n which_o it_o seem_v they_o suppose_v the_o best_a way_n to_o maintain_v their_o argument_n this_o soon_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o learned_a man_n conversant_a in_o their_o write_n to_o conclude_v against_o all_o pretence_n to_o the_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o any_o unalterable_a and_o perpetual_a form_n of_o church-government_n whatsoever_o and_o so_o to_o think_v of_o allay_v those_o controversy_n about_o a_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la that_o have_v be_v late_o and_o still_o be_v manage_v among_o we_o with_o so_o much_o heat_n and_o noise_n by_o leave_v it_o as_o they_o say_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v to_o the_o prudence_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n to_o agree_v upon_o its_o own_o form_n as_o it_o judge_v most_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o government_n in_o that_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n as_o they_o determine_v it_o and_o the_o opinion_n be_v grow_v popular_a and_o plausible_a in_o great_a vogue_n both_o among_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a and_o be_v almost_o become_v the_o rule_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o our_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n in_o so_o much_o that_o there_o be_v many_o worthy_a gentleman_n as_o any_o one_o may_v observe_v in_o his_o ordinary_a conversation_n that_o be_v stout_a and_o loyal_a confessor_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n under_o its_o suffering_n that_o at_o this_o time_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o arbitrary_a and_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o therefore_o in_o pursuance_n of_o my_o design_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o reason_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v found_v and_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o tend_v to_o the_o peace_n of_o a_o establish_v church_n that_o it_o be_v destructive_a to_o the_o be_v and_o settlement_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o though_o here_o i_o have_v many_o learned_a worthy_a man_n for_o my_o adversary_n yet_o i_o hope_v to_o manage_v the_o dispute_n with_o that_o candour_n and_o integrity_n that_o none_o shall_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o any_o more_o unkindness_n than_o what_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o my_o do_v right_a to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a can_v give_v no_o offence_n to_o good_a man_n how_o much_o soever_o i_o may_v chance_v to_o cross_v with_o their_o particular_a sentiment_n and_o opinion_n and_o as_o for_o bad_a man_n for_o there_o be_v of_o both_o sort_n engage_v in_o the_o opinion_n i_o be_v not_o true_a to_o my_o own_o integrity_n if_o i_o suffer_v myself_o to_o be_v in_o the_o least_o sway_v by_o their_o good_a or_o bad_a opinion_n for_o i_o write_v not_o to_o please_v but_o to_o convince_v they_o which_o i_o know_v as_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v bad_a be_v but_o
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 other_o contrivance_n yes_o but_o though_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v superiority_n of_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o act_n of_o christ_n yet_o it_o must_v further_o be_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v christ_n intention_n that_o superiority_n shall_v continue_v in_o their_o successor_n or_o it_o make_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o a_o bare_a divine_a command_n say_v they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v a_o law_n immutable_a unless_o there_o be_v likewise_o express_v that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o it_o shall_v always_o continue_v no_o no_o you_o be_v too_o nice_a and_o rich_a of_o your_o obedience_n in_o this_o particular_a case_n and_o may_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n set_v yourselves_o loose_a from_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o be_v not_o enjoin_v with_o a_o express_a declaration_n of_o their_o be_v immutable_a and_o thereby_o you_o have_v quit_v yourselves_o of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o your_o christian_a duty_n for_o we_o shall_v find_v but_o very_o few_o precept_n either_o of_o our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n tie_v with_o this_o double_a knot_n and_o it_o seem_v without_o that_o they_o be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o tie_v any_o man_n to_o obedience_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v how_o upon_o this_o principle_n we_o can_v avoid_v that_o frivolous_a objection_n of_o the_o socinian_o against_o the_o perpetual_a necessity_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n viz._n that_o see_v it_o be_v institute_v by_o our_o saviour_n only_o to_o pass_v man_n from_o judaisme_n and_o gentilism_n to_o christianity_n it_o be_v therefore_o now_o of_o no_o necessity_n among_o christian_n unless_o our_o saviour_n have_v declare_v that_o it_o be_v his_o will_n and_o intention_n that_o it_o shall_v always_o continue_v in_o his_o church_n especial_o when_o this_o ceremony_n be_v take_v up_o from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o synagogue_n where_o when_o 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 they_o but_o as_o it_o be_v to_o clinch_n they_o too_o by_o declare_v their_o perpetuity_n in_o all_o other_o case_n but_o this_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o whatever_o he_o command_v he_o command_v for_o ever_o till_o he_o declare_v the_o contrary_a for_o though_o his_o positive_a law_n be_v revocable_a in_o themselves_o yet_o be_v revocable_a only_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o his_o own_o power_n since_o he_o have_v already_o in_o his_o word_n full_o reveal_v his_o will_n unless_o therein_o he_o have_v declare_v when_o their_o obligation_n shall_v cease_v they_o continue_v irreversible_a it_o therefore_o be_v once_o grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n by_o a_o act_n of_o christ_n it_o plain_o follow_v that_o without_o any_o far_a declaration_n of_o its_o perpetuity_n their_o power_n be_v irreversible_a especial_o when_o the_o rule_n whereby_o we_o be_v leave_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n be_v the_o 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 our_o saviour_n institution_n but_o alas_o this_o be_v never_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v and_o be_v manifest_o impossible_a to_o be_v perform_v for_o that_o man_n no_o doubt_n will_v make_v wise_a work_n of_o it_o that_o shall_v undertake_v to_o give_v the_o world_n a_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o the_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n that_o shall_v make_v a_o inequality_n of_o power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n necessary_a in_o our_o saviour_n day_n and_o needless_a ever_o since_o but_o if_o this_o can_v be_v do_v as_o it_o be_v certain_a at_o first_o view_n that_o it_o never_o can_v then_o certain_o the_o mere_a institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n to_o the_o church_n be_v sufficient_a of_o itself_o to_o pass_v a_o perpetual_a and_o indispensible_a obligation_n upon_o all_o age_n of_o it_o and_o now_o upon_o these_o ground_n that_o i_o have_v already_o obtain_v from_o our_o saviour_n express_a institution_n i_o need_v not_o 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
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 then_o a_o succession_n there_o may_v be_v as_o to_o a_o different_a degree_n and_o not_o as_o to_o a_o different_a order_n before_o we_o distinguish_v between_o order_n and_o power_n now_o between_o order_n and_o degree_n and_o by_o and_o by_o between_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o these_o distinction_n be_v only_o the_o trifling_n of_o the_o schoolman_n who_o proper_a faculty_n it_o be_v to_o divide_v every_o thing_n till_o they_o have_v reduce_v it_o to_o nothing_o for_o what_o do_v the_o degree_n of_o a_o church-officer_n signify_v but_o such_o a_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o what_o order_n be_v there_o without_o a_o power_n of_o office_n according_a to_o its_o degree_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a prevaricate_a with_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n to_o impose_v these_o little_a subtlety_n upon_o the_o sense_n of_o antiquity_n they_o good_a man_n mean_v plain_o and_o honest_o and_o when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o apostolical_a succession_n they_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o these_o scholastic_a distinction_n and_o intend_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o succession_n in_o the_o government_n of_o their_o several_a church_n thus_o when_o irenaeus_n give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o twelve_o bishop_n of_o rome_n successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o see_v what_o do_v he_o mean_v but_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o that_o church_n when_o that_o be_v the_o only_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n in_o his_o time_n he_o never_o dream_v of_o their_o be_v strip_v of_o the_o apostolical_a power_n and_o so_o only_o succeed_v they_o in_o a_o empty_a title_n in_o the_o mere_a name_n or_o the_o metaphysical_a notion_n of_o bishop_n and_o they_o be_v no_o more_o if_o they_o have_v no_o more_o power_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o second_o this_o new_a distinction_n spoil_v the_o former_a evasion_n viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v superior_a in_o order_n not_o in_o power_n over_o the_o lxx_o but_o now_o a_o
so_o express_o derive_v down_o by_o single_a person_n and_o when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v vouch_v by_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o succession_n it_o be_v a_o very_a cold_a answer_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o father_n talk_v only_o of_o a_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o of_o person_n four_o this_o personal_a succession_n so_o much_o speak_v of_o be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n even_o after_o the_o distinction_n come_v in_o use_n between_o bishop_n and_o they_o i_o pray_v by_o who_o why_o by_o irenaeus_n but_o do_v irenaeus_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o his_o own_o time_n confound_v their_o name_n and_o office_n or_o any_o other_o author_n of_o the_o same_o age_n nay_o do_v they_o not_o careful_o distinguish_v they_o from_o each_o other_o though_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n as_o do_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o may_v speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o those_o time_n the_o name_n therefore_o of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v not_o then_o distinguish_v it_o be_v but_o proper_a for_o they_o to_o express_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v then_o express_v so_o that_o though_o irenaeus_n never_o will_v style_v a_o bishop_n of_o his_o own_o time_n by_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n but_o ever_o careful_o distinguish_v the_o two_o order_n yet_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o time_n it_o be_v neither_o wonder_n nor_o impropriety_n if_o he_o call_v they_o presbyter_n for_o i_o will_v yield_v so_o far_o to_o our_o adversary_n that_o they_o be_v so_o call_v till_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o succeed_v into_o their_o power_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v distinguish_v by_o some_o proper_a name_n from_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o root_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n that_o they_o will_v have_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o have_v be_v bear_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o name_n which_o if_o we_o will_v not_o grant_v they_o as_o without_o a_o manifest_a affront_n to_o the_o apostle_n we_o can_v their_o whole_a cause_n sink_v to_o nothing_o for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a proof_n allege_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o sententia_fw-la hieronymi_n that_o the_o office_n be_v not_o distinguish_v before_o the_o name_n but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o due_a place_n already_o at_o present_a i_o challenge_v they_o to_o produce_v any_o one_o author_n that_o treat_v of_o thing_n after_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o word_n be_v make_v ever_o call_v a_o bishop_n a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n and_o in_o that_o i_o be_o very_o much_o their_o friend_n for_o if_o they_o can_v it_o utter_o overthrow_v their_o main_a argument_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o their_o name_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o promiscuous_o use_v after_o the_o distinction_n but_o that_o by_o the_o word_n presbyteri_fw-la irenaeus_n do_v not_o mean_v a_o simple_a presbyter_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o word_n themselves_o in_o which_o he_o prescribe_v against_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o undoubted_a antiquity_n of_o the_o church_n tradition_n which_o he_o say_v be_v convey_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o the_o ancient_n who_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o by_o his_o presbyteri_fw-la he_o mean_v as_o he_o explain_v himself_o such_o of_o the_o ancient_n qui_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la successionem_fw-la habent_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n i._n e._n the_o ancient_a bishop_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o meet_v with_o material_a upon_o this_o head_n for_o when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o ignatius_n himself_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o a_o divine_a but_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n they_o be_v to_o be_v give_v up_o for_o pleasant_a man_n that_o will_v attempt_v any_o paradox_n in_o pursuit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o it_o exceed_v even_o the_o rashness_n of_o blondel_n himself_o who_o that_o as_o he_o speak_v his_o st._n jerom_n may_v not_o stand_v alone_o like_o a_o sparrow_n upon_o the_o house_n top_n have_v after_o his_o rate_n of_o infer_v fetch_v in_o all_o the_o father_n to_o bear_v he_o company_n except_o only_a ignatius_n who_o it_o seem_v he_o despair_v of_o make_v ever_o to_o chirp_v pro_fw-la sententiâ_fw-la hieronymi_n but_o now_o it_o seem_v at_o last_o that_o the_o holy_a martyr_n himself_o may_v not_o be_v make_v the_o solitary_a sparrow_n by_o be_v desert_v by_o all_o the_o father_n he_o be_v bring_v over_o to_o the_o party_n but_o with_o such_o manifest_a force_n to_o himself_o as_o plain_o show_v he_o to_o be_v no_o volunteer_n in_o the_o cause_n thus_o when_o he_o commend_v the_o deacon_n sotion_n for_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n ut_fw-la gratiae_fw-la dei_fw-la and_o to_o the_o presbytery_n ut_fw-la legi_fw-la jesus_n christi_fw-la by_o the_o law_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o be_v teach_v to_o understand_v divine_a institution_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n only_o humane_a prudence_n though_o that_o too_o be_v direct_v to_o it_o by_o the_o special_a favour_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n of_o preserve_a peace_n and_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v it_o so_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n no_o doubt_n be_v as_o firm_a a_o ground_n of_o divine_a institution_n as_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o if_o episcopacy_n be_v establish_v by_o god_n special_a favour_n we_o be_v as_o well_o content_a with_o it_o as_o if_o it_o have_v come_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o christ._n neither_o do_v this_o interpretation_n derogate_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o episcopal_a order_n but_o very_o much_o from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n wisdom_n viz._n that_o when_o he_o have_v establish_v presbytery_n in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o government_n of_o it_o that_o establishment_n be_v find_v so_o ineffectual_a for_o its_o end_n that_o almighty_a god_n be_v afterward_o constrain_v for_o prevent_v of_o schism_n and_o preserve_v of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o inspire_v the_o governor_n of_o it_o in_o after-age_n to_o set_v up_o the_o form_n of_o episcopal_a government_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v no_o less_o disparagement_n to_o himself_o than_o his_o son_n for_o see_v what_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o church_n he_o do_v by_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o father_n if_o its_o institution_n prove_v defective_a for_o its_o end_n it_o be_v a_o equal_a oversight_n of_o both_o and_o the_o aftergame_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v only_o to_o supply_v a_o defect_n that_o they_o do_v not_o foresee_v but_o be_v teach_v by_o experience_n a_o very_a honourable_a representation_n this_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n however_o take_v it_o which_o way_n we_o will_v we_o can_v desire_v a_o plain_a acknowledgement_n of_o divine_a institution_n for_o so_o it_o come_v from_o god_n it_o matter_n not_o which_o way_n he_o be_v please_v to_o convey_v it_o to_o we_o and_o now_o have_v we_o not_o reason_n to_o wonder_v when_o we_o see_v man_n attempt_v to_o bring_v this_o holy_a martyr_n off_o with_o such_o slight_n so_o express_o against_o his_o own_o declare_a opinion_n who_o every_o where_o ground_n his_o exhortation_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o add_v even_o in_o the_o word_n follow_v the_o forecited_a passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o not_o to_o he_o but_o to_o the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o we_o all_o and_o therefore_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o he_o that_o require_v it_o it_o be_v our_o bind_a duty_n to_o be_v obedient_a without_o hypocrisy_n what_o can_v be_v plain_a than_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n stand_v whole_o upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n so_o again_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v we_o take_v care_n not_o to_o oppose_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v be_v obedient_a to_o god_n and_o if_o any_o man_n observe_v the_o silence_n of_o his_o bishop_n let_v he_o reverence_v he_o so_o much_o the_o more_o for_o every_o one_o that_o the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n put_v into_o the_o stewardship_n we_o ought_v to_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o master_n himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o we_o ought_v to_o reverence_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v our_o lord_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o great_a oversight_n to_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o testimony_n in_o all_o ignatius_n epistle_n that_o prove_v the_o least_o semblance_n of_o a_o institution_n of_o christ_n for_o episcopacy_n when_o
to_o put_v a_o abuse_n upon_o all_o their_o posterity_n as_o to_o say_v in_o this_o case_n that_o there_o once_o be_v such_o a_o season_n in_o which_o all_o the_o world_n agree_v though_o no_o body_n know_v when_o or_o where_o to_o make_v a_o universal_a and_o perpetual_a alteration_n of_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n but_o to_o conclude_v grant_v these_o man_n all_o that_o they_o contend_v for_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o great_a advantage_n any_o reasonable_a man_n can_v desire_v either_o to_o make_v good_a the_o title_n or_o to_o enhance_v the_o excellency_n of_o episcopal_a government_n than_o st._n hierom_n and_o blondel_n give_v we_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o that_o upon_o their_o decease_n their_o authority_n devolve_v upon_o the_o body_n of_o presbyter_n which_o form_n of_o government_n be_v every_o where_o find_v so_o incompetent_a and_o inconvenient_a that_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v within_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o five_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o convince_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o retrieve_v the_o old_a apostolical_a inequality_n as_o they_o ever_o intend_v to_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v pretty_a well_o and_o advantage_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o modest_a or_o reasonable_a man_n and_o therefore_o with_o it_o i_o shall_v rest_v content_v only_o i_o can_v but_o remark_n the_o strange_a partiality_n of_o our_o adversary_n in_o this_o cause_n not_o only_o to_o set_v up_o this_o absurd_a suggestion_n of_o st._n jerom_n concern_v the_o unknown_a time_n of_o a_o universal_a alteration_n of_o church-government_n and_o that_o not_o only_o without_o the_o testimony_n of_o any_o record_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o then_o it_o have_v not_o be_v unknown_a but_o against_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o history_n and_o the_o most_o certain_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o clear_a in_o ecclesiastical_a story_n than_o the_o succession_n of_o single_a person_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n down_o to_o his_o own_o age_n especial_o in_o the_o great_a and_o most_o eminent_a church_n such_o as_o rome_n jerusalem_n antiochia_n and_o alexandria_n so_o that_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o such_o universal_a change_n as_o st._n jerom_n dream_v of_o when_o in_o these_o great_a church_n episcopacy_n be_v establish_v antecedent_o to_o any_o such_o suppose_a alteration_n but_o beside_o this_o they_o oppose_v the_o custom_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o attest_v only_o by_o one_o author_n to_o the_o know_a practice_n not_o only_o of_o all_o other_o church_n but_o of_o that_o particular_a church_n itself_o thus_o because_o the_o same_o st._n jerom_n say_v with_o the_o same_o haste_n and_o inconsideration_n that_o there_o be_v a_o custom_n in_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n from_o st._n mark_v down_o to_o heraclas_n and_o dionysius_n for_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n in_o the_o vacancy_n of_o the_o see_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o own_o number_n and_o from_o thenceforward_a call_v he_o their_o bishop_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o when_o a_o army_n make_v their_o own_o general_n or_o the_o deacon_n may_v choose_v one_o out_o of_o themselves_o and_o constitute_v he_o their_o archdeacon_n now_o i_o say_v suppose_v this_o story_n to_o be_v true_a be_v it_o not_o very_o severe_a by_o the_o singular_a practice_n of_o one_o church_n to_o overthrow_v the_o constitution_n of_o all_o other_o church_n for_o what_o if_o at_o alexandria_n they_o have_v a_o peculiar_a or_o a_o corrupt_a custom_n do_v that_o impair_n or_o destroy_v the_o catholic_n practice_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v possible_a not_o only_o for_o one_o particular_a church_n to_o deviate_v in_o some_o circumstance_n from_o their_o primitive_a institution_n but_o that_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o a_o certain_a right_n yes_o but_o say_v they_o this_o custom_n be_v derive_v from_o st._n mark_v himself_o but_o that_o will_v require_v some_o better_a proof_n than_o the_o bare_a assertion_n of_o st._n jerom_n for_o it_o be_v possible_a there_o may_v have_v be_v a_o preposterous_a practice_n in_o aftertime_n which_o he_o to_o give_v the_o more_o authority_n to_o it_o may_v in_o his_o lavish_a heat_n ascribe_v to_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o but_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n what_o be_v this_o custom_n be_v it_o for_o presbyter_n to_o ordain_v their_o bishop_n st._n jerom_n seem_v willing_a to_o say_v so_o but_o dare_v not_o and_o therefore_o express_v himself_o in_o odd_a ambiguous_a and_o general_a term_n unum_n ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_o excelsiori_fw-la gradu_fw-la collocatum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la which_o signify_v nothing_o certain_a but_o that_o he_o intend_v not_o ordination_n be_v evident_a by_o the_o word_n that_o immediate_o follow_v quid_fw-la enim_fw-la facit_fw-la exceptâ_fw-la ordinatione_fw-la episcopus_fw-la quod_fw-la presbyter_n non_fw-la faciat_fw-la which_o word_n upon_o whatsoever_o account_n they_o be_v add_v come_v in_o here_o very_o impertinent_o if_o he_o have_v by_o the_o story_n speak_v of_o ordination_n at_o least_o out_o of_o these_o general_a word_n nothing_o more_o can_v be_v collect_v than_o their_o right_n or_o custom_n of_o elect_v their_o own_o bishop_n as_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o cathedral_n church_n afterward_o nay_o that_o too_o be_v more_o than_o be_v true_a or_o can_v be_v prove_v for_o st._n jerom_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o presbyter_n but_o out_o of_o the_o presbyter_n so_o that_o he_o do_v not_o give_v they_o so_o much_o as_o the_o right_n of_o election_n but_o only_a appropriate_n to_o they_o the_o capacity_n of_o be_v elect_v and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o peculiar_a privilege_n of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n that_o they_o alone_o be_v qualify_v to_o succeed_v in_o the_o see_v and_o if_o any_o one_o will_v from_o hence_o infer_v as_o mr._n selden_n be_v please_v to_o do_v 27._o their_o power_n not_o only_o of_o election_n but_o ordination_n he_o may_v thank_v himself_o and_o not_o st._n jerom_n for_o his_o conclusion_n for_o there_o be_v not_o any_o the_o least_o ground_n for_o the_o inference_n beside_o the_o learned_a gentleman_n resolution_n to_o have_v it_o so_o and_o therefore_o when_o he_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o several_a both_o divine_n and_o lawyer_n that_o understand_v no_o more_o by_o this_o passage_n than_o mere_o capitular_a election_n he_o confute_v they_o with_o no_o other_o argument_n than_o only_o by_o say_v positive_o that_o they_o be_v ip_v hieronymo_n adversissimi_fw-la but_o alas_o wise_a man_n will_v not_o quit_v their_o own_o opinion_n only_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o confidence_n of_o other_o man_n assertion_n and_o therefore_o he_o ought_v either_o to_o have_v prove_v more_o or_o to_o have_v say_v nothing_o nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o have_v any_o power_n of_o ordination_n that_o they_o have_v not_o that_o of_o election_n when_o it_o be_v so_o very_o well_o know_v that_o the_o patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n be_v of_o old_a time_n choose_v not_o by_o the_o presbyter_n but_o by_o the_o people_n so_o that_o to_o ascribe_v their_o election_n to_o the_o presbyter_n be_v plain_o to_o contradict_v the_o know_a custom_n of_o that_o church_n but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v too_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a as_o mr._n selden_n 6._o himself_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v the_o least_o footstep_n of_o this_o alexandrian_a custom_n in_o any_o legitimate_a ancient_a author_n but_o only_a st._n jerom._n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o custom_n in_o this_o church_n of_o which_o we_o have_v as_o good_a and_o as_o many_o record_n as_o of_o any_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a but_o that_o upon_o some_o occasion_n or_o other_o some_o writer_n shall_v have_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o so_o universal_a a_o silence_n can_v but_o bring_v a_o very_a great_a suspicion_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o st._n jeroms_n relation_n at_o least_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a upon_o the_o single_a report_n of_o one_o hasty_a man_n concern_v the_o peculiar_a custom_n of_o one_o church_n to_o renounce_v as_o our_o adversary_n do_v the_o know_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o but_o to_o avoid_v this_o heavy_a objection_n of_o singularity_n our_o learned_a adversary_n have_v take_v vast_a pain_n to_o find_v out_o a_o second_o witness_n and_o then_o two_o witness_n we_o know_v according_a to_o our_o law_n can_v prove_v any_o thing_n and_o at_o length_n he_o have_v discover_v a_o arabian_a author_n and_o with_o more_o than_o ordinary_a joy_n and_o transport_v immediate_o publish_v the_o particular_a story_n by_o itself_o with_o large_a and_o learned_a note_n upon_o it_o but_o
settle_n of_o church-government_n but_o july_n 9_o that_o nine_o of_o the_o laity_n and_o three_o or_o the_o clergy_n in_o every_o diocese_n shall_v have_v power_n to_o exercise_v all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n as_o shall_v be_v order_v by_o parliament_n and_o to_o have_v their_o monthly_a meeting_n for_o that_o purpose_n that_o five_o of_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v be_v a_o quorum_fw-la and_o have_v full_a power_n to_o try_v all_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n and_o to_o appoint_v deputy_n under_o they_o in_o several_a place_n and_o that_o if_o any_o of_o the_o nine_o commissioner_n shall_v die_v or_o resign_v that_o five_o or_o more_o of_o they_o be_v to_o choose_v another_o present_o thus_o far_o they_o proceed_v under_o the_o government_n of_o midsummer-moon_n but_o about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o dog-day_n they_o vote_v that_o no_o clergyman_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o commission_n and_o that_o the_o committee_n shall_v be_v empower_v to_o appoint_v five_o of_o the_o clergy_n in_o every_o county_n under_o they_o to_o grant_v ordination_n now_o all_o these_o proceed_n as_o ridiculous_a as_o they_o be_v and_o destructive_a of_o the_o very_o be_v of_o a_o church_n yet_o have_v the_o king_n join_v with_o his_o parliament_n have_v upon_o this_o principle_n be_v justifiable_a and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o vote_n up_o and_o down_z what_o order_n and_o office_n in_o the_o church_n they_o please_v to_o day_n episcopacy_n to_o morrow_n presbytery_n next_o day_n independency_n than_o a_o committee_n and_o that_o of_o layman_n too_o and_o if_o they_o please_v at_o last_o to_o abolish_v all_o order_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o that_o there_o be_v none_o by_o this_o principle_n establish_v by_o divine_a right_n these_o be_v excellent_a model_n of_o church-government_n and_o admirable_a method_n of_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o but_o if_o this_o trust_n be_v vest_v in_o the_o people_n beside_o that_o this_o too_o will_v require_v some_o proof_n out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n before_o it_o be_v grant_v and_o that_o it_o be_v liable_a to_o all_o the_o former_a inconvenience_n in_o that_o the_o put_v the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n into_o their_o hand_n make_v the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o to_o depend_v upon_o the_o most_o giddy_a most_o ignorant_a and_o most_o uncertain_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o all_o this_o i_o say_v this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o destroy_v any_o divine_a and_o unalterable_a form_n of_o church-government_n that_o it_o set_v up_o the_o socinian_n model_n of_o independency_n for_o f._n socinus_n be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o by_o divine_a right_n in_o that_o according_a to_o it_o all_o society_n of_o christian_n be_v by_o our_o saviour_n entrust_v with_o a_o power_n within_o themselves_o of_o elect_v of_o church-officer_n and_o govern_v church-affair_n as_o they_o shall_v judge_v most_o conducible_a to_o peace_n order_n and_o tranquillity_n which_o 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be_v depose_v from_o it_o the_o inconvenience_n whereof_o be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o very_a forcible_a argument_n from_o the_o nature_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o for_o some_o certain_a divine_a establishment_n of_o church-government_n in_o that_o without_o it_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a either_o to_o secure_v any_o peace_n or_o exercise_v any_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n because_o whoever_o obtain_v it_o have_v it_o not_o from_o any_o divine_a commission_n and_o if_o no_o commission_n than_o no_o authority_n however_o i_o can_v but_o admire_v that_o those_o learned_a man_n who_o take_v away_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o some_o particular_a form_n of_o church-government_n have_v not_o all_o this_o while_n be_v aware_a that_o they_o run_v we_o into_o all_o the_o exorbitancy_n and_o confusion_n of_o independency_n in_o that_o when_o they_o have_v once_o remove_v the_o settlement_n by_o divine_a right_n they_o leave_v it_o do_v what_o 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right_n of_o episcopacy_n do_v on_o one_o hand_n open_v a_o door_n for_o independency_n so_o it_o do_v on_o the_o other_o for_o popery_n for_o next_o to_o rescue_v the_o king_n of_o england_n from_o the_o usurpation_n of_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n upon_o their_o crown_n under_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o oblique_a or_o direct_a supremacy_n over_o they_o and_o the_o reform_v of_o many_o superstition_n both_o in_o worship_n and_o doctrine_n the_o main_a design_n of_o our_o endeavour_v reformation_n be_v to_o assert_v and_o retrieve_v the_o right_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n against_o his_o illegal_a encroachment_n for_o whereas_o the_o original_a government_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v vest_v in_o the_o apostolical_a order_n whereby_o as_o every_o bishop_n have_v supreme_a ordinary_a power_n within_o his_o own_o diocese_n so_o a_o general_a council_n of_o bishop_n have_v supreme_a power_n over_o the_o universal_a church_n so_o that_o whatever_o privilege_n or_o preeminence_n be_v grant_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o particular_a church_n by_o ecclefiastical_a constitution_n yet_o their_o essential_a power_n be_v equal_a and_o can_v no_o way_n exert_v itself_o as_o to_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o in_o council_n and_o so_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v for_o many_o hundred_o year_n till_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n take_v advantage_n of_o those_o peculiar_a privilege_n and_o preeminence_n that_o be_v grant_v to_o his_o see_n as_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n do_v by_o degree_n assume_v to_o himself_o a_o absolute_a sovereignty_n over_o all_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n transfer_v all_o ecclesiastical_a government_n to_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n where_o it_o be_v manage_v by_o himself_o and_o his_o officer_n with_o all_o the_o art_n of_o tyranny_n and_o oppression_n and_o here_o first_o begin_v the_o breach_n our_o reform_a bishop_n at_o first_o not_o dispute_v the_o pre-eminence_n of_o his_o see_n because_o that_o concern_v not_o they_o which_o he_o have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n enjoy_v in_o most_o other_o part_n of_o the_o western_a world_n and_o perhaps_o may_v still_o have_v do_v will_v he_o have_v be_v content_v with_o it_o but_o alas_o they_o be_v no_o more_o fond_a even_o of_o the_o title_n of_o patriarch_n as_o great_a as_o it_o be_v than_o they_o be_v of_o their_o mock_n title_n of_o servus_n servorum_fw-la domini_fw-la nothing_o less_o will_v satiate_v their_o ambition_n than_o a_o sole_a and_o absolute_a sovereignty_n over_o all_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n they_o impudent_o apply_v all_o those_o promise_n that_o our_o saviour_n make_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n of_o be_v for_o ever_o present_a with_o and_o assistant_n to_o they_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o office_n to_o the_o pope_n person_n and_o they_o have_v once_o assume_v this_o power_n resolve_v to_o keep_v it_o and_o for_o many_o age_n reign_v absolute_a monarch_n over_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o here_o i_o say_v
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retain_v to_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n little_a better_a than_o the_o pope_n curate_n nay_o not_o so_o much_o be_v strip_v of_o all_o authority_n and_o the_o government_n of_o their_o diocese_n whole_o put_v into_o other_o hand_n and_o here_o come_v in_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o jesuitism_n for_o this_o complaint_n be_v so_o universal_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o pope_n alone_o to_o withstand_v it_o and_o therefore_o this_o project_n be_v at_o last_o fix_v upon_o be_v at_o first_o start_v by_o a_o fanatique_a soldier_n to_o set_v up_o a_o new_a order_n of_o ecclesiastic_n exempt_a from_o all_o other_o jurisdiction_n and_o immediate_o dependent_a upon_o and_o absolute_o subject_a to_o the_o pope_n and_o by_o they_o chief_o to_o manage_v all_o the_o affair_n of_o christendom_n and_o there_o lie_v all_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o jesuit_n in_o their_o vow_n of_o absolute_a obedience_n to_o their_o superior_a and_o of_o their_o superior_a to_o the_o pope_n so_o that_o whatever_o they_o be_v command_v be_v it_o never_o so_o unaccountable_a to_o their_o own_o conscience_n they_o be_v implicit_o bind_v to_o execute_v upon_o pain_n of_o damnation_n and_o this_o device_n have_v take_v so_o successful_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o opposition_n that_o have_v be_v make_v to_o the_o order_n they_o have_v for_o many_o year_n exercise_v a_o absolute_a tyranny_n not_o only_o over_o all_o the_o people_n but_o almost_o all_o the_o governor_n of_o that_o church_n and_o to_o justify_v these_o irregular_a proceed_n the_o bishop_n be_v by_o little_a trick_n and_o senseless_a distinction_n of_o the_o schoolman_n degrade_v into_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o presbyter_n and_o then_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o jesuit_n order_n be_v as_o well_o qualify_v to_o exercise_v jurisdiction_n as_o themselves_o especial_o if_o license_v thereto_o by_o the_o pope_n dispensation_n according_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o innocent_a the_o iv._o exit_fw-la delegatione_fw-la domini_fw-la papae_fw-la quilibet_fw-la clericus_fw-la potest_fw-la quicquid_fw-la habet_fw-la ipse_fw-la confer_v so_o that_o by_o this_o device_n they_o may_v be_v enable_v to_o give_v priest_n order_n as_o well_o as_o exercise_v episcopal_a jurisdiction_n this_o design_n be_v all_o along_o aim_v at_o in_o the_o institution_n of_o their_o regular_a priest_n but_o never_o effectual_o compass_v till_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o society_n so_o that_o you_o see_v that_o the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o jesuitism_n at_o last_o resolve_v itself_o into_o presbytery_n and_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o both_o consist_v in_o slight_v and_o oppose_v the_o episcopal_a order_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o little_a observable_a that_o they_o be_v both_o bear_v into_o the_o world_n at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o be_v the_o year_n 1541._o when_o calvin_n make_v himself_o pope_n of_o his_o lay-cardinal_n at_o geneva_n and_o ignatius_n obtain_v to_o be_v make_v superior_a of_o his_o order_n at_o rome_n since_o which_o time_n between_o they_o both_o christendom_n have_v enjoy_v very_o little_a peace_n or_o quiet_a and_o particular_o by_o their_o joynt-malice_n be_v wrought_v just_o that_o time_n a_o hundred_o year_n viz._n 1641._o the_o overthrow_n and_o destruction_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v but_o get_v rid_v of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o the_o help_n and_o zeal_n of_o the_o other_o faction_n she_o will_v quick_o scorn_v and_o defy_v all_o their_o little_a pretence_n for_o when_o they_o have_v run_v into_o all_o their_o sub-division_n there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o than_o two_o other_o form_n of_o government_n either_o the_o genevian_n of_o presbytery_n or_o the_o racovian_a of_o independency_n but_o both_o be_v so_o palpable_a innovation_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o withal_o of_o so_o very_o late_a a_o date_n it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o defend_v she_o own_o title_n how_o bad_a soever_o against_o such_o upstart_n and_o absurd_a competitor_n but_o when_o they_o have_v to_o do_v with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n they_o be_v then_o apparent_o baffle_v with_o the_o undeniable_a practice_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o this_o be_v so_o observable_a that_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v any_o learned_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o have_v undertake_v to_o charge_v any_o fault_n or_o defect_n upon_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n itself_o here_o their_o only_a topick_n be_v to_o upbraid_v she_o with_o those_o abuse_n that_o have_v be_v put_v upon_o she_o by_o other_o by-design_n in_o which_o indeed_o she_o be_v very_o much_o concern_v as_o a_o sufferer_n but_o no_o way_n guilty_a as_o a_o actor_n for_o what_o be_v that_o to_o i_o if_o when_o i_o see_v gross_a and_o scandalous_a abuse_n in_o the_o church_n i_o endeavour_v to_o remove_v or_o reform_v they_o other_o man_n that_o pretend_v to_o come_v in_o to_o my_o assistance_n shall_v under_o that_o pretence_n design_v nothing_o but_o plunder_n and_o sacrilege_n that_o lie_v whole_o upon_o their_o conscience_n but_o i_o be_o innocent_a and_o it_o be_v very_o disingenuous_a and_o foolish_a too_o to_o load_v i_o with_o their_o wickedness_n let_v they_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o corruption_n in_o their_o church_n that_o need_v reformation_n and_o then_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o be_o convict_v but_o if_o they_o can_v than_o the_o baffle_n lie_v plain_o at_o their_o own_o door_n and_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o charge_v i_o with_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o other_o man_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o to_o this_o point_n and_o whilst_o we_o keep_v to_o this_o station_n nothing_o be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o maintain_v our_o ground_n but_o if_o once_o we_o quit_v it_o we_o fall_v under_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o innovator_n and_o however_o we_o may_v afterward_o annoy_v the_o enemy_n we_o can_v never_o defend_v ourselves_o and_o that_o i_o say_v be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o other_o party_n in_o their_o opposition_n to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n except_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o those_o that_o stick_v to_o the_o same_o primitive_a constitution_n as_o therefore_o we_o be_v concern_v to_o fortify_v ourselves_o against_o the_o roman_n let_v we_o secure_v this_o bulwark_n that_o they_o can_v never_o force_v but_o if_o we_o once_o forsake_v it_o we_o have_v nothing_o leave_v but_o to_o encounter_v innovation_n with_o innovation_n and_o then_o when_o both_o party_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a who_o overcome_v this_o be_v all_o i_o think_v good_a at_o this_o present_a to_o propound_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o when_o these_o principle_n be_v lay_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o building_n it_o will_v then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o be_v seasonable_a to_o proceed_v to_o more_o practicable_a proposition_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o at_o present_a than_o only_o to_o summon_v in_o all_o good_a and_o honest_a man_n to_o the_o maintenance_n of_o this_o just_a cause_n as_o they_o will_v one_o day_n answer_v it_o to_o almighty_a god_n against_o all_o the_o present_a open_a and_o wicked_a attempt_n of_o atheism_n and_o superstition_n and_o as_o they_o have_v any_o fear_n of_o god_n or_o man_n as_o they_o love_v their_o country_n or_o their_o posterity_n as_o they_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o interest_n or_o honour_n or_o conscience_n neither_o by_o their_o carelessness_n nor_o their_o cowardice_n to_o betray_v the_o best_a church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o fury_n and_o the_o folly_n of_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n and_o in_o this_o case_n let_v no_o man_n make_v excuse_n or_o raise_v difficulty_n from_o the_o badness_n or_o