be_v and_o be_v at_o this_o day_n commend_v and_o approve_v of_o by_o all_o the_o most_o eminent_a divine_n beyond_o sea_n perhaps_o some_o may_v say_v if_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v so_o agreeable_a to_o that_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o approve_v of_o by_o other_o reform_a church_n as_o we_o pretend_v it_o be_v how_o come_v it_o that_o they_o all_o do_v not_o follow_v the_o pattern_n of_o england_n and_o become_v all_o diocesan_n church_n i_o answer_v they_o may_v as_o well_o ask_v we_o why_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o roman_a emperor_n do_v not_o upon_o the_o decay_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n when_o they_o resume_v their_o just_a right_n of_o government_n to_o themselves_o become_v all_o monarchy_n according_a to_o the_o pattern_n of_o england_n some_o nation_n beside_o england_n ireland_n and_o scotland_n do_v assume_v episcopal_a government_n as_o denmark_n sweden_n etc._n etc._n but_o perhaps_o it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o present_a circumstance_n or_o politic_a constitution_n of_o all_o place_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n to_o set_v up_o episcopal_a government_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o and_o therefore_o since_o neither_o episcopal_a nor_o any_o other_o particular_a kind_n of_o government_n be_v so_o essential_a to_o a_o church_n as_o that_o a_o true_a church_n may_v not_o be_v without_o it_o in_o case_n of_o indispensible_a necessity_n they_o put_v themselves_o some_o under_o one_o form_n of_o government_n some_o under_o another_o as_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o their_o present_a constitution_n but_o with_o this_o caution_n every_o where_o that_o all_o protestant_n of_o every_o whole_a church_n be_v the_o government_n what_o it_o will_v shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o conform_v to_o the_o establish_v church_n in_o which_o they_o live_v for_o though_o every_o national_a or_o whole_a church_n have_v a_o power_n to_o choose_v what_o kind_n of_o government_n they_o please_v for_o themselves_o yet_o it_o be_v never_o allow_v that_o particular_a scrupulous_a people_n among_o themselves_o have_v power_n to_o do_v so_o too_o this_o power_n of_o subdivide_v be_v never_o pretend_v to_o nor_o practise_v in_o any_o other_o nation_n since_o the_o reformation_n but_o in_o england_n so_o that_o though_o they_o do_v all_o allow_v the_o antiquity_n and_o usefulness_n of_o episcopal_a government_n yet_o since_o it_o be_v not_o essential_a to_o a_o true_a church_n no_o more_o than_o that_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a nor_o convenient_a at_o this_o time_n for_o all_o place_n some_o may_v refuse_v it_o and_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o we_o in_o england_n shall_v do_v so_o since_o it_o be_v convenient_a for_o we_o and_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n of_o these_o kingdom_n and_o come_v by_o much_o near_a the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n than_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o but_o they_o say_v we_o make_v episcopal_a government_n essential_a to_o a_o true_a church_n for_o that_o we_o will_v suffer_v none_o to_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n here_o in_o england_n unless_o they_o be_v ordain_v by_o a_o bishop_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v plain_a we_o do_v not_o make_v episcopal_a government_n essential_a to_o a_o true_a church_n for_o we_o allow_v all_o the_o reform_a church_n to_o be_v true_a church_n and_o communicate_v with_o they_o and_o yet_o some_o of_o they_o have_v no_o diocesan_n bishop_n it_o be_v true_a by_o the_o law_n of_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n none_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n in_o any_o cathedral_n or_o parish_n church_n or_o chapel_n nor_o to_o hold_v any_o ecclesiastical_a benefice_n within_o these_o kingdom_n but_o such_o as_o be_v willing_a to_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o this_o church_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o therefore_o since_o both_o the_o law_n of_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n do_v require_v that_o all_o minister_n who_o desire_v to_o serve_v in_o this_o church_n shall_v declare_v public_o that_o they_o assent_n to_o and_o approve_v of_o our_o form_n 〈◊〉_d worship_n etc._n etc._n and_o be_v willing_a to_o use_v the_o same_o as_o the_o church_n appoint_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v receive_v their_o ordination_n and_o licence_n to_o execute_v their_o office_n from_o the_o bishop_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o such_o as_o want_v these_o qualification_n shall_v be_v refuse_v the_o liberty_n of_o execute_v their_o office_n in_o these_o kingdom_n ordination_n kingdom_n the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v not_o say_v absolute_o that_o all_o those_o minister_n who_o want_v episcopal_a ordination_n be_v no_o true_a minister_n but_o only_o that_o none_o shall_v be_v account_v a_o lawful_a bishop_n priest_n or_o deacon_n so_o as_o to_o execute_v their_o function_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n unless_o they_o be_v once_o ordain_v by_o a_o bishop_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o ordination_n but_o the_o reason_n we_o refuse_v they_o be_v not_o so_o much_o because_o that_o presbyterian_a ordination_n do_v not_o make_v they_o true_a minister_n according_a to_o god_n law_n as_o though_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o ordination_n without_o a_o bishop_n in_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n but_o all_o to_o the_o contrary_a because_o they_o stubborn_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o our_o law_n and_o constitution_n and_o contemn_v the_o lawful_a authority_n under_o which_o god_n have_v place_v they_o and_o command_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v obey_v and_o this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o statute_n of_o 14_o car._n 2._o in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a proviso_n that_o all_o minister_n of_o foreign_a reform_a church_n who_o come_v into_o this_o kingdom_n by_o the_o king_n permission_n be_v to_o be_v except_v out_o of_o and_o excuse_v from_o the_o penalty_n of_o that_o act._n and_o this_o custom_n of_o require_v conformity_n and_o subscription_n from_o all_o who_o desire_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o every_o settle_a church_n that_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o christ_n day_n as_o will_v appear_v hereafter_o the_o 3d._a objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v that_o our_o state_n our_o by_o national_a church_n be_v mean_v the_o whole_a church_n of_o such_o nation_n as_o upon_o the_o decay_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n resume_v their_o just_a right_n of_o government_n to_o themselves_o both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n national_a church_n which_o we_o call_v the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v no_o foundation_n and_o want_v discipline_n all_o be_v encroach_v and_o swallow_v up_o in_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o pastor_n of_o every_o parish_n who_o ought_v to_o have_v full_a power_n to_o execute_v every_o part_n of_o it_o be_v deprive_v thereof_o but_o this_o be_v false_a for_o the_o presbyter_n in_o our_o church_n have_v as_o great_a power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n as_o ever_o they_o have_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n what_o power_n be_v they_o deprive_v of_o by_o the_o bishop_n that_o they_o have_v then_o by_o the_o law_n of_o our_o church_n no_o rule_n of_o discipline_n no_o article_n of_o doctrine_n no_o form_n of_o worship_n can_v be_v introduce_v by_o the_o bishop_n or_o impose_v upon_o any_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n of_o the_o nation_n in_o convocation_n who_o appear_v either_o in_o person_n or_o by_o proxy_n the_o only_a authority_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v above_o the_o presbyter_n be_v government_n ordination_n and_o censure_n which_o be_v all_o appropriate_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n st._n cyprian_n assure_v we_o it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o african_a church_n in_o his_o three_o book_n ep._n 10._o &_o 12._o 28._o 27._o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o st._n augustine_n time_n see_v cod._n eccl._n afr._n c._n 6_o 7_o 9_o etc._n etc._n but_o say_v they_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n be_v take_v away_o from_o the_o presbyter_n and_o lodge_v sole_o in_o the_o bishop_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a say_v they_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o presbyter_n do_v ordain_v for_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v by_o lay_v on_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o but_o dr._n hammond_n in_o his_o paraphrase_n on_o this_o text_n say_v that_o these_o presbyter_n here_o speak_v of_o who_o ordain_v timothy_n be_v apostle_n that_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v by_o st._n paul_n be_v most_o evident_a for_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n ch_n 1._o v._n 6._o say_v i_o put_v thou_o in_o mind_n that_o thou_o stir_v up_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o thou_o by_o the_o
lay_n on_o of_o my_o hand_n and_o the_o apostle_n may_v then_o have_v be_v likely_a enough_o call_v presbyter_n for_o that_o during_o the_o apostle_n time_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o and_o sometime_o use_v the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o as_o appear_v plain_o by_o compare_v 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o with_o 2_o tim._n 1._o 6._o in_o the_o former_a verse_n st._n paul_n bid_v timothy_n neglect_v not_o the_o gift_n that_o be_v in_o he_o by_o lay_v on_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o in_o the_o latter_a he_o bid_v he_o stir_v up_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o you_o by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o my_o hand_n for_o while_o the_o apostle_n live_v they_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v few_o or_o no_o bishop_n in_o their_o day_n but_o as_o they_o withdraw_v they_o commit_v the_o care_n and_o government_n of_o church_n to_o such_o person_n as_o they_o appoint_v thereto_o of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o uncontrollable_a evidence_n in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n so_o that_o although_o the_o apostle_n leave_v no_o successor_n in_o eodem_fw-la gradu_fw-la as_o to_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v extraordinary_a in_o they_o as_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o writing_n new_a gospel_n the_o extent_n of_o their_o power_n etc._n etc._n yet_o to_o other_o part_n of_o their_o apostolic_a office_n they_o have_v successor_n as_o in_o teach_v and_o govern_v and_o such_o like_a thing_n that_o be_v not_o extraordinary_a which_o power_n of_o govern_v ordain_v etc._n etc._n be_v give_v to_o such_o particular_a presbyter_n as_o the_o apostle_n think_v fit_a for_o it_o be_v proper_o the_o episcopal_a power_n and_o thus_o these_o who_o be_v but_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o the_o accession_n of_o this_o govern_n and_o ordain_v power_n become_v bishop_n after_o their_o decease_n or_o departure_n and_o thus_o will_v all_o those_o seem_a difference_n between_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n speak_v of_o in_o antiquity_n be_v reconcile_v and_o herewith_o agree_v the_o opinion_n of_o archbishop_n whitgift_n and_o bishop_n bilson_n and_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 270._o and_o many_o other_o see_v king_n charles_n i._o his_o debate_n about_o episcopacy_n more_o full_o concern_v this_o matter_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o since_o the_o apostle_n day_n presbyter_n be_v not_o bishop_n but_o a_o distinct_a order_n from_o they_o and_o this_o be_v agree_v by_o most_o ancient_a and_o modern_a writer_n see_v among_o other_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n ad_fw-la trall_n where_o he_o say_v that_o without_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n it_o can_v be_v call_v a_o church_n and_o aerius_n who_o declare_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n be_v represent_v by_o epiphanius_n as_o a_o prodigy_n and_o his_o opinion_n madness_n see_v epiph._n haer._n 74._o n._n 1._o 3_o so_o ischyrus_n pretend_v to_o be_v a_o presbyter_n because_o coluthus_n have_v ordain_v he_o but_o athanasius_n represent_v it_o as_o a_o monster_n that_o one_o shall_v esteem_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o one_o who_o die_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n see_v dr._n maur._n defence_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n p._n 451._o and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o a_o bishop_n himself_o do_v ordain_v any_o one_o against_o the_o canon_n and_o establish_v discipline_n of_o the_o church_n they_o do_v not_o stick_v at_o declare_v such_o ordination_n void_a and_o in_o some_o case_n to_o re-ordain_a see_v can._n nicen._n 9_o 10._o 16._o 19_o and_o can._n antioch_n 73._o 10_o etc._n etc._n what_o sentence_n shall_v we_o think_v than_o they_o will_v have_v pronounce_v against_o our_o presbyterian_a ordination_n as_o practise_v here_o in_o england_n contrary_a both_o to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n too_o but_o beside_o all_o this_o the_o plea_n which_o our_o dissenter_n make_v for_o separation_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o presbyter_n be_v total_o deprive_v of_o their_o power_n of_o ordain_v be_v false_a for_o by_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n four_o presbyter_n be_v to_o assist_v the_o bishop_n in_o give_v order_n and_o after_o examination_n to_o join_v in_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n on_o the_o person_n ordain_v see_v can._n 31._o and_o 35._o but_o another_o objection_n which_o they_o make_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o want_v of_o discipline_n be_v for_o that_o the_o power_n of_o excommunicate_v notorious_a offender_n be_v take_v away_o from_o the_o parochial_a minister_n and_o lodge_v only_o in_o the_o bishop_n but_o sure_o they_o who_o make_v this_o objection_n never_o read_v the_o 26_o canon_n which_o be_v one_o of_o they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o authentic_a church_n canon_n for_o that_o canon_n say_v express_o that_o no_o minister_n shall_v admit_v any_o of_o his_o flock_n to_o the_o lord_n supper_n who_o be_v know_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o any_o scandalous_a sin_n until_o he_o have_v open_o declare_v that_o he_o have_v true_o repent_v and_o in_o case_n the_o offender_n continue_v obstinate_a he_o must_v give_v a_o account_n to_o the_o ordinary_n within_o 14_o day_n who_o be_v then_o to_o proceed_v to_o great_a excommunication_n for_o the_o other_o be_v call_v a_o penitential_a excommunication_n so_o than_o it_o seem_v the_o pastor_n be_v not_o total_o deprive_v of_o the_o power_n of_o censure_v for_o scandalous_a offence_n nay_o they_o have_v a_o great_a and_o more_o absolute_a power_n than_o be_v allow_v they_o in_o many_o other_o reform_a church_n for_o indeed_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n be_v a_o work_n of_o so_o much_o prudence_n and_o difficulty_n that_o the_o great_a zealot_n for_o it_o have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o trust_v it_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o parochial_a minister_n and_o his_o particular_a congregation_n calvin_n himself_o say_v to_o do_v so_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o apostolic_a practice_n see_v calv._n ep._n 136._o and_o beza_n speak_v of_o the_o discipline_n of_o geneva_n in_o his_o ep._n 20._o say_v the_o parochial_a minister_n proceed_v no_o far_o than_o admonition_n but_o in_o case_n of_o contumacy_n they_o certify_v the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o city_n who_o sit_v at_o certain_a time_n to_o hear_v all_o censure_n relate_v to_o discipline_n but_o allow_v a_o church_n want_v true_a discipline_n do_v it_o therefore_o lose_v its_o be_v or_o justify_v separation_n no_o sure_a if_o so_o there_o be_v few_o presbyterian_a church_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o late_a time_n many_o of_o they_o have_v no_o discipline_n at_o all_o among_o they_o for_o many_o year_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o the_o lord_n supper_n administer_v in_o some_o part_n of_o this_o kingdom_n for_o ten_o or_o a_o dozen_o year_n together_o but_o now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o four_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n which_o be_v that_o the_o people_n be_v deprive_v of_o their_o right_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n pray_v let_v i_o ask_v they_o how_o this_o original_a and_o inherent_a right_n as_o mr._n baxter_n call_v it_o of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n come_v to_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o people_n be_v there_o not_o a_o church_n to_o be_v form_v in_o the_o beginning_n do_v not_o christ_n appoint_v apostle_n and_o give_v they_o authority_n for_o that_o end_n where_o be_v the_o church_n power_n then_o lodge_v be_v it_o not_o in_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o they_o in_o all_o place_n as_o they_o plant_v church_n appoint_v officer_n to_o teach_v and_o govern_v they_o and_o be_v not_o then_o the_o pastor_n invest_v with_o a_o power_n superior_a to_o that_o of_o the_o people_n how_o come_v they_o then_o to_o lose_v it_o or_o how_o come_v the_o people_n to_o pretend_v a_o original_n right_o thereto_o beside_o how_o can_v the_o people_n make_v choice_n of_o man_n for_o their_o fitness_n and_o ability_n when_o at_o that_o time_n their_o ability_n depend_v so_o much_o on_o the_o apostle_n lay_v on_o of_o their_o hand_n for_o then_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v give_v to_o they_o it_o seem_v then_o that_o this_o original_a and_o inherent_a right_n be_v not_o in_o the_o people_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n nor_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o it_o have_v st._n clement_n st._n cyprian_n st._n chrysostom_n etc._n etc._n can_v not_o have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o st._n clement_n say_v in_o his_o ep._n 54_o 55_o 56_o 57_o the_o apostle_n think_v fit_a to_o reserve_v this_o power_n of_o appoint_v officer_n in_o the_o church_n to_o themselves_o to_o prevent_v the_o contention_n that_o may_v happen_v about_o it_o and_o that_o all_o the_o people_n have_v to_o do_v be_v to_o give_v
particular_a congregation_n to_o which_o he_o give_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o govern_v themselves_o distinct_o and_o independent_a of_o all_o other_o church_n but_o where_o have_v they_o authority_n for_o this_o opinion_n where_o do_v they_o find_v that_o church_n be_v limit_v to_o particular_a congregation_n not_o in_o scripture_n for_o there_o be_v no_o tolerable_a proof_n that_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v possible_a at_o first_o there_o may_v have_v be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n than_o may_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n but_o where_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o when_o they_o multiply_v into_o more_o congregation_n they_o make_v new_a and_o distinct_a church_n under_o new_a officer_n with_o a_o separate_a power_n of_o government_n of_o this_o dr._n stillingfleet_n say_v he_o be_v well_o assure_v there_o be_v no_o mark_n or_o footstep_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o they_o will_v follow_v the_o plain_a instance_n of_o scripture_n they_o may_v better_o limit_v church_n to_o private_a family_n than_o to_o particular_a congregation_n for_o of_o that_o we_o have_v a_o plain_a instance_n in_o scripture_n rom._n 16._o 3._o 5._o col._n 4._o 15._o in_o the_o house_n of_o priscilla_n and_o aquilla_n but_o not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o other_o and_o if_o they_o will_v keep_v to_o these_o plain_a instance_n of_o scripture_n they_o may_v full_o enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o avoid_v the_o scandal_n of_o break_v the_o law_n but_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v every_o congregation_n a_o independent_a church_n that_o it_o plain_o show_v we_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v then_o the_o same_o with_o a_o diocese_n or_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n which_o be_v under_o the_o inspection_n of_o one_o bishop_n for_o if_o we_o observe_v the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o shall_v find_v this_o observation_n not_o once_o to_o fail_v that_o when_o church_n be_v speak_v of_o they_o be_v the_o church_n of_o a_o province_n as_o the_o church_n of_o judaea_n 1_o thess_n 2._o 14._o the_o church_n of_o asia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 19_o of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n act_v 15._o 41._o church_n of_o galatia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 1._o gal._n 1._o 2._o church_n of_o macedonia_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 1._o but_o when_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n be_v speak_v of_o it_o be_v still_o call_v the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n as_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n the_o church_n at_o corinth_n the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o seem_v plain_a from_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n that_o church_n be_v not_o limit_v to_o particular_a congregation_n unless_o they_o will_v say_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o large_a of_o these_o city_n mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n which_o shall_v be_v show_v to_o be_v otherwise_o hereafter_o but_o suppose_v we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v congregational_a as_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v not_o what_o then_o that_o may_v have_v be_v from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n or_o small_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o day_n must_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v always_o continue_v so_o why_o do_v they_o not_o wash_v one_o another_o foot_n as_o christ_n do_v and_o command_v his_o apostle_n to_o do_v the_o same_o 12._o same_o and_o if_o they_o must_v keep_v so_o precise_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o day_n why_o do_v any_o of_o their_o minister_n marry_v a_o second_o wife_n for_o st._n paul_n say_v plain_o let_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n 1_o tim._n 3._o v._n 2._o &_o 12._o so_o the_o first_o civil_a government_n be_v by_o god_n own_o institution_n over_o family_n they_o may_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o overthrow_v kingdom_n to_o bring_v thing_n back_o to_o god_n first_o institution_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v how_o ridiculous_a that_o fancy_n of_o they_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o all_o thing_n pertain_v to_o discipline_n and_o worship_n and_o that_o we_o must_v stick_v so_o precise_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o and_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o day_n as_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o vary_v from_o it_o in_o any_o little_a indifferent_a circumstance_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o public_a order_n or_o conveniency_n but_o as_o this_o notion_n of_o congregational_a church_n do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o neither_o do_v it_o with_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o by_o the_o ancient_a canon_n of_o the_o church_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o a_o diocese_n which_o comprehend_v many_o congregation_n or_o parish_n see_v canon_n nicen._n 6_o 15_o 16._o constant_n c._n 6._o chalcedon_n 17._o 20._o 26._o antioch_n c._n 2._o 5._o codex_fw-la eccles_n africa_n c._n 53._o 55._o council_n gangrae_fw-la c._n 6._o council_n carthag_n c._n 10_o 11._o and_o thus_o much_o as_o to_o the_o first_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n as_o differ_v from_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o therefore_o not_o of_o christ_n institution_n the_o second_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v that_o our_o diocesan_n church_n and_o bishop_n be_v unlawful_a for_o say_v they_o it_o be_v make_v a_o new_a species_n of_o church_n and_o church-government_n without_o god_n appointment_n for_o say_v mr._n baxter_n according_a to_o christ_n institution_n no_o church_n must_v be_v big_a than_o that_o the_o same_o bishop_n may_v perform_v the_o pastoral_n office_n to_o they_o in_o present_a communion_n and_o so_o he_o will_v have_v threâ—_n sort_n of_o bishop_n by_o divine_a right_n first_o general_n bishop_n that_o in_o every_o nation_n be_v over_o many_o church_n second_o episcopâ—_n gregis_fw-la or_o rule_v pastor_n of_o single_a congregation_n which_o be_v all_o true_a presbyter_n three_o episcopi_fw-la praesides_fw-la which_o be_v the_o precedent_n of_o the_o presbyter_n in_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v mr._n baxter_n notion_n of_o bishop_n but_o other_o be_v not_o of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_v allow_v of_o but_o one_o kind_n of_o bishop_n and_o such_o they_o make_v the_o pastor_n of_o every_o congregation_n but_o that_o both_o these_o notion_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v false_a will_v appear_v for_o that_o first_o it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o large_a for_o our_o saviour_n have_v leave_v no_o rule_n about_o limit_n the_o apostle_n follow_v the_o form_n of_o the_o empire_n plant_v in_o every_o city_n a_o complete_a and_o entire_a church_n who_o bishop_n as_o to_o his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n resemble_v that_o of_o the_o chief_a magistrate_n of_o the_o city_n the_o presbyter_n that_o of_o the_o senate_n and_o the_o several_a church_n the_o several_a corporation_n so_o say_v dr._n still_o in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 237._o and_o quote_v origen_n c._n cell_n l._n 3._o and_o dr._n maurice_n in_o his_o def._n of_o diocese_n episcopacy_n p._n 377_o etc._n etc._n affirm_v the_o same_o and_o prove_v it_o at_o large_a and_o as_o far_o as_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o city_n extend_v itself_o so_o far_o do_v the_o diocese_n of_o the_o bishop_n extend_v for_o the_o church_n and_o the_o city_n have_v but_o one_o territory_n but_o though_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n agree_v upon_o by_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o persuasion_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o because_o some_o may_v be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o deny_v this_o i_o will_v appeal_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o african_a church_n for_o which_o mr._n baxter_n dr._n owen_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o dissenter_n express_v a_o esteem_n above_o all_o other_o church_n it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n among_o the_o african_a church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n though_o never_o so_o large_a and_o populous_a see_v cod._n eccl._n africa_n c._n 71._o and_o at_o the_o famous_a conference_n at_o carthage_n between_o the_o catholic_n and_o donatist_n bishop_n by_o the_o command_n of_o constantine_n the_o emperor_n who_o be_v become_v christian_a the_o rule_n on_o both_o side_n agree_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n or_o diocese_n see_v conference_n of_o the_o first_o day_n and_o if_o there_o can_v have_v be_v more_o than_o