this_o be_v in_o the_o four_o century_n in_o the_o persecution_n raise_v by_o maximian_n anno._n 312._o that_o this_o be_v a_o small_a town_n we_o have_v from_o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o he_o note_v far_a that_o they_o have_v magistrate_n but_o that_o it_o have_v a_o bishop_n neither_o eusebius_n nor_o lactantius_n mention_n and_o for_o aught_o that_o appear_v it_o may_v belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o some_o other_o place_n however_o let_v the_o city_n be_v as_o little_a as_o it_o will_v the_o bishop_n may_v be_v diocesan_n though_o all_o his_o town_n make_v but_o one_o congregation_n c_o how_o predominant_a heathenism_n be_v in_o the_o city_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n before_o constantine_n may_v be_v collect_v say_v our_o author_n in_o and_o after_o his_o reign_n if_o it_o be_v spread_v and_o prevalent_a when_o the_o power_n of_o it_o be_v so_o much_o break_v it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o infer_v what_o it_o be_v before_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o christianity_n receive_v very_o great_a increase_n by_o the_o favour_n and_o the_o zeal_n of_o constantine_n yet_o it_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o the_o desolation_n under_o dioclesian_n and_o his_o colleague_n be_v so_o great_a and_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n destroy_v and_o fright_v out_o of_o their_o profession_n so_o excessive_a that_o it_o must_v be_v a_o great_a while_n before_o the_o christian_n can_v recover_v themselves_o to_o that_o condition_n in_o which_o the_o persecution_n find_v they_o and_o though_o under_o constantine_n and_o his_o son_n the_o church_n have_v a_o great_a seem_a increase_n yet_o many_o of_o the_o new_a convert_v be_v induce_v by_o human_a consideration_n and_o argument_n extrinsic_a to_o religion_n make_v great_a show_n than_o strength_n and_o in_o julian_n reign_n when_o worldly_a advantage_n be_v on_o the_o heathen_a side_n many_o of_o these_o turn_v again_o to_o their_o old_a superstition_n and_o most_o of_o the_o instance_n which_o be_v bring_v by_o our_o author_n to_o show_v the_o number_n of_o heathen_a after_o 71._o after_o prim._n ep_v p._n 71._o constantine_n be_v in_o that_o reign_n yet_o let_v we_o hear_v the_o particular_n 71._o particular_n prim._n ep_v p._n 71._o that_o we_o may_v afford_v the_o great_a advantage_n to_o christianity_n let_v we_o instance_n principal_o in_o palestine_n where_o the_o gospel_n first_o move_v may_v in_o reason_n be_v think_v to_o have_v make_v the_o great_a progress_n some_o be_v never_o to_o be_v more_o narrow_o observe_v than_o when_o they_o pretend_v to_o offer_v favour_n and_o advantage_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o if_o our_o author_n have_v find_v any_o instance_n more_o to_o the_o advantage_n of_o his_o cause_n he_o may_v have_v wave_v this_o compliment_n to_o christianity_n here_o he_o say_v the_o gospel_n first_o move_v and_o therefore_o shall_v have_v make_v the_o great_a progress_n but_o the_o great_a revolution_n that_o happen_v in_o that_o country_n soon_o after_o the_o plant_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v possible_o have_v render_v the_o condition_n of_o christianity_n there_o much_o worse_a than_o it_o be_v some_o time_n after_o in_o other_o country_n nay_o worse_o than_o it_o be_v in_o some_o of_o the_o city_n of_o palestine_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o instance_n sebaste_n which_o be_v samaria_n be_v bring_v as_o a_o example_n of_o a_o city_n much_o addict_v to_o heathenism_n after_o constantine_n time_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o preach_n of_o philip_n the_o deacon_n all_o the_o city_n be_v say_v 14._o say_v act._n 8.6_o 8_o 10_o 12_o 14._o to_o be_v convert_v lydda_n be_v a_o city_n of_o judaea_n call_v also_o diospolis_n and_o st._n luke_n 33._o luke_n act._n 9.32_o 33._o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v all_o convert_v by_o s._n peter_n all_o that_o dwell_v at_o lydda_n turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n yet_o about_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christianity_n have_v make_v so_o little_a progress_n that_o both_o village_n and_o city_n there_o be_v exceed_o heathenish_a but_o we_o must_v find_v no_o fault_n because_o he_o pretend_v to_o afford_v christianity_n great_a advantage_n by_o these_o example_n gaza_n above_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v stigmatise_v by_o all_o as_o most_o heathenish_a yet_o as_o heathenish_a as_o it_o be_v after_o constantine_n time_n the_o bishop_n of_o it_o have_v many_o congregation_n before_o for_o silvanus_n who_o suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o the_o last_o persecution_n be_v style_v by_o eusebius_n 13._o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 8._o c._n 13._o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o gaza_n caesarea_n too_o in_o our_o author_n judgement_n seem_v not_o much_o better_a and_o yet_o there_o the_o bishop_n have_v many_o church_n too_o in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o constantine_n reign_n as_o his_o letter_n to_o eusebius_n 15._o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ep._n const_n ad_fw-la euseb_n theod._n l._n 1._o c._n 15._o mention_n in_o palestine_n therefore_o our_o author_n mention_n many_o city_n where_o there_o be_v heathen_n after_o constantine_n reign_n and_o instance_n chief_o in_o those_o where_o in_o julian_n time_n the_o heathen_a party_n raise_v tumult_n and_o commit_v many_o murder_n and_o barbarity_n but_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v the_o major_a part_n for_o a_o small_a number_n under_o the_o countenance_n and_o instigation_n of_o the_o emperor_n may_v do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o mischief_n without_o opposition_n we_o have_v a_o fresh_a instance_n how_o insolent_a a_o small_a party_n may_v grow_v under_o the_o countenance_n of_o authority_n not_o quite_o so_o absolute_a nor_o so_o implicit_o obey_v as_o that_o of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n be_v and_o that_o the_o christian_n be_v then_o when_o they_o endure_v these_o indignity_n much_o the_o great_a number_n sozomen_n who_o relate_v most_o of_o those_o tumult_n do_v plain_o show_v and_o that_o upon_o this_o very_a account_n julian_n find_v himself_o oblige_v to_o use_v artifice_n rather_o than_o force_v in_o the_o restore_n of_o his_o superstition_n julian_n say_v that_o historian_n 〈◊〉_d historian_n soz._n l._n 5._o c._n 16._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d zealous_a to_o make_v heathenism_n prevail_v be_v much_o grieve_v to_o see_v it_o overcome_v by_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v in_o the_o general_n esteem_v prefer_v to_o it_o and_o it_o trouble_v he_o to_o think_v that_o his_o religion_n must_v sink_v as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v dead_a for_o though_o the_o temple_n be_v open_v again_o and_o the_o old_a rite_n restore_v yet_o he_o observe_v that_o the_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o servant_n even_o of_o the_o heathen_a priest_n be_v general_o christian_n from_o hence_o it_o be_v clear_a how_o the_o great_a part_n and_o body_n of_o the_o people_n stand_v affect_v to_o christianity_n and_o though_o here_o and_o there_o a_o city_n may_v abound_v with_o heathen_a it_o be_v no_o wonder_n for_o where_o there_o be_v a_o mixture_n of_o religion_n a_o party_n which_o to_o the_o whole_a do_v not_o bear_v the_o proportion_n of_o one_o to_o ten_o may_v in_o some_o few_o place_n happen_v to_o be_v predominant_a phoenicia_n follow_v palestine_n and_o these_o our_o author_n 72._o author_n prim._n ep_v p._n 72._o observe_v from_o theodoret_n be_v mad_a upon_o their_o idol_n and_o idolatrous_a rite_n and_o this_o observe_v by_o chrysostom_n in_o arcadius_n his_o reign_n that_o there_o be_v superstitious_a people_n in_o phoenicia_n at_o that_o time_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v and_o perhaps_o more_o than_o in_o most_o place_n but_o that_o they_o be_v the_o great_a part_n or_o near_o equal_a to_o the_o christian_n there_o do_v not_o appear_v from_o any_o thing_n produce_v by_o our_o author_n nay_o the_o contrary_a appear_v from_o that_o relation_n of_o theodoret_n how_o chrysostom_n with_o the_o assistance_n of_o a_o few_o monk_n pull_v down_o the_o heathen_a temple_n of_o the_o country_n in_o syria_n our_o author_n 73._o author_n prim._n ep_v p._n 73._o meet_v with_o heliopolis_n a_o place_n singular_a for_o superstition_n and_o beastliness_n where_o not_o one_o will_v endure_v to_o hear_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o arethusa_n he_o think_v be_v not_o much_o better_o furnish_v with_o christian_n because_o they_o all_o join_v in_o the_o murder_n of_o their_o bishop_n yet_o in_o the_o same_o chapter_n sozomen_n assign_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o bishop_n return_v when_o he_o have_v once_o flee_v because_o 10._o because_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d soz._n l._n 5._o c._n 10._o there_o be_v many_o like_a to_o be_v bring_v in_o danger_n upon_o his_o account_n apamea_n be_v mention_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o this_o be_v a_o metropolis_n say_v our_o author_n here_o the_o multitude_n be_v only_o restrain_v through_o fear_n from_o hinder_v the_o demolish_n of_o jupiter_n be_v temple_n theodor._n l._n 5._o c._n 21._o
receive_v all_o the_o people_n suppose_v therefore_o in_o rome_n for_o instance_n a_o million_o of_o soul_n which_o i_o think_v be_v the_o low_a estimate_n that_o be_v ever_o make_v of_o that_o people_n if_o for_o the_o three_o first_o age_n but_o a_o ten_o part_n be_v christian_a not_o twenty_o church_n such_o as_o the_o christian_n be_v provide_v of_o at_o that_o time_n can_v suffice_v in_o london_n though_o those_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v much_o the_o great_a number_n and_o make_v up_o the_o gross_a of_o the_o people_n yet_o the_o dissenter_n be_v they_o willing_a to_o join_v in_o one_o congregation_n will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n and_o their_o way_n of_o service_n make_v they_o more_o capable_a of_o great_a congregation_n than_o the_o primitive_a christian_n since_o general_o speak_v they_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o other_o public_a act_n of_o religious_a worship_n but_o to_o hear_v nay_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o one_o sect_n of_o they_o so_o mean_v but_o will_v think_v themselves_o persecute_v shall_v all_o of_o that_o sect_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o london_n be_v stint_v to_o one_o place_n of_o meeting_n amsterdam_n may_v exceed_v london_n in_o number_n of_o sect_n though_o it_o be_v inferior_a to_o it_o in_o number_n of_o people_n the_o jew_n there_o inhabit_v one_o good_a quarter_n the_o papist_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o i_o have_v heen_n inform_v they_o have_v near_o thirty_o chapel_n within_o that_o city_n the_o lutheran_n there_o have_v several_a church_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o other_o sect_n that_o be_v very_o numerous_a yet_o those_o of_o the_o establish_a religion_n be_v reckon_v the_o great_a part_n and_o require_v many_o church_n for_o their_o worship_n but_o to_o return_v to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n that_o we_o may_v better_o conceive_v the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o first_o three_o age_n let_v we_o consider_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o thrive_v and_o at_o last_o to_o become_v master_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n under_o all_o those_o great_a discouragement_n to_o which_o they_o be_v all_o the_o while_n subject_n they_o have_v seldom_o any_o friend_n in_o court_n and_o there_o be_v but_o two_o reign_n in_o all_o that_o time_n in_o which_o they_o have_v any_o countenance_n but_o be_v frequent_o set_v upon_o by_o the_o emperor_n and_o persecute_v with_o full_a intent_n of_o utter_a extirpation_n they_o can_v make_v no_o faction_n in_o the_o state_n for_o the_o root_n of_o popular_a government_n have_v be_v pluck_v up_o and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v too_o absolute_a to_o bear_v any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n they_o have_v no_o power_n in_o the_o army_n for_o there_o be_v but_o few_o of_o they_o employ_v that_o way_n and_o general_o speak_v they_o do_v not_o like_o the_o service_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o in_o less_o than_o three_o age_n they_o possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o empire_n and_o give_v law_n to_o the_o heathen_a now_o if_o we_o speak_v human_o of_o this_o matter_n we_o can_v resolve_v it_o into_o no_o other_o cause_n than_o the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o christian_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v wonderful_a in_o preserve_v and_o raise_v this_o meek_a and_o simple_a people_n but_o the_o mean_n he_o choose_v be_v the_o same_o he_o have_v take_v before_o in_o egypt_n for_o the_o deliverance_n of_o israel_n he_o increase_v they_o exceed_o and_o so_o make_v they_o strong_a than_o their_o enemy_n the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n be_v great_a from_o the_o begin_n and_o what_o be_v say_v of_o our_o saviour_n in_o judaea_n become_v true_a in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o all_o the_o world_n do_v run_v after_o he_o this_o tacitus_n and_o pliny_n do_v affirm_v early_o this_o tertullian_n set_v out_o with_o great_a ostentation_n towards_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o three_o century_n but_o these_o testimony_n with_o several_a other_o have_v be_v urge_v already_o etc._n already_o vindicat._n prim._n ch_n p._n 54._o 55_o 458_o 499_o 500_o etc._n etc._n and_o need_v not_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o in_o this_o place_n i_o will_v add_v only_o one_o passage_n more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n out_o of_o maximin_n 9_o maximin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 9_o c._n 9_o letter_n to_o sabinus_n where_o he_o set_v out_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o great_a persecution_n under_o dioclesian_n dioclesian_n say_v he_o and_o maximian_n my_o father_n and_o my_o lord_n see_v all_o people_n almost_o to_o have_v forsake_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n and_o to_o have_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o christian_n have_v right_o order_v that_o those_o who_o have_v forsake_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o god_n shall_v undergo_v exemplary_a punishment_n now_o this_o be_v the_o confession_n of_o a_o enemy_n aught_o to_o have_v the_o great_a weight_n and_o we_o can_v doubt_v but_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o persecution_n the_o christian_n be_v become_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o great_a city_n they_o can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n and_o in_o the_o chief_a city_n they_o can_v not_o have_v so_o few_o as_o twenty_o congregation_n but_o you_o know_v the_o fable_n the_o toad_n can_v not_o conceive_v a_o elephant_n any_o big_a than_o the_o stretch_v of_o his_o own_o skin_n mr._n clerkson_n 69._o clerkson_n prim._n ep_v p._n 69._o can_v meet_v with_o but_o one_o city_n small_a or_o great_a for_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n who_o inhabitant_n be_v general_o christian_n and_o that_o be_v neocaesarea_n of_o who_o conversion_n gregory_n thaumatargus_n be_v the_o instrument_n 70._o instrument_n p._n 70._o but_o for_o all_o this_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n be_v more_o than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n and_o to_o make_v it_o probable_a that_o all_o the_o city_n make_v but_o one_o congregation_n he_o offer_v two_o thing_n first_o that_o we_o see_v before_o that_o this_o place_n be_v not_o very_o populous_a and_o then_o that_o gregory_n build_v but_o one_o church_n there_o he_o will_v doubtless_o have_v erect_v more_o if_o more_o have_v be_v needful_a the_o first_o reason_n have_v be_v reject_v already_o and_o they_o must_v be_v very_o easy_a that_o admit_v it_o because_o eleven_o egyptian_a bishop_n be_v banish_v to_o this_o place_n therefore_o it_o have_v no_o more_o people_n than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n yet_o as_o weak_a as_o this_o be_v the_o other_o be_v no_o wise_a because_o gregory_n build_v but_o one_o church_n therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o nay_o though_o he_o may_v have_v build_v several_a parish-church_n yet_o the_o cathedral_n which_o by_o the_o ancient_n be_v call_v the_o church_n by_o way_n of_o eminence_n may_v be_v only_o mention_v and_o in_o the_o great_a city_n where_o we_o be_v sure_o there_o be_v many_o church_n they_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o bishop_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o in_o the_o place_n and_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n in_o any_o city_n for_o some_o use_n of_o religion_n that_o be_v for_o baptism_n and_o penance_n so_o that_o to_o speak_v proper_o and_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o ancient_a time_n there_o be_v in_o a_o city_n but_o one_o church_n the_o other_o be_v but_o parish-chappels_a and_o oratory_n gregory_n therefore_o may_v build_v but_o one_o church_n and_o yet_o his_o city_n may_v have_v many_o parish-congregation_n but_o for_o neocaesarea_n we_o have_v great_a probability_n that_o it_o be_v too_o populous_a for_o one_o religious_a assembly_n for_o first_o it_o be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o pontus_n and_o that_o long_a before_o it_o be_v convert_v by_o gregory_n as_o holstenius_fw-la neocaes_n holstenius_fw-la luc._n holsten_n in_o steph._n v._o neocaes_n prove_v by_o a_o medal_n of_o severus_n which_o have_v upon_o the_o reverse_a the_o age_n of_o this_o city_n in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v eminent_a for_o liberal_a study_n which_o little_a town_n never_o be_v and_o basil_n 64._o basil_n bas_n ep_v 64._o relate_v with_o what_o earnestness_n the_o magistrate_n pray_v he_o to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o instruction_n of_o their_o youth_n and_o last_o the_o character_n which_o the_o same_o father_n give_v 75._o give_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d basil_n ep_v 75._o it_o of_o be_v the_o most_o illustrious_a of_o city_n can_v agree_v with_o that_o meaness_n under_o which_o mr._n clerkson_n do_v represent_v it_o there_o be_v another_o city_n in_o phrygia_n who_o inhabitant_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v all_o christian_n euseb_n h._n l._n 8._o c._n 25._o vale_n 25._o c._n 11._o ed._n vale_n and_o all_o with_o the_o city_n burn_v together_o but_o
but_o this_o multitude_n may_v not_o be_v heathen_a for_o the_o christian_n may_v not_o be_v very_o willing_a to_o have_v the_o temple_n demolish_v which_o after_o the_o idolatrous_a service_n of_o it_o have_v be_v long_o disuse_v they_o may_v be_v desirous_a to_o preserve_v as_o a_o ornament_n of_o their_o city_n upon_o which_o account_n many_o temple_n be_v spare_v constantine_n have_v shut_v they_o up_o and_o forbid_v sacrifice_n to_o be_v offer_v in_o they_o and_o the_o zeal_n of_o the_o christian_n abate_v against_o they_o after_o the_o idolatrous_a service_n have_v be_v take_v away_o and_o the_o party_n of_o the_o heathen_a be_v grow_v contemptible_a it_o seem_v no_o prejudice_n to_o christianity_n to_o suffer_v they_o to_o stand_v and_o it_o be_v only_o the_o monk_n and_o the_o more_o zealous_a sort_n of_o christian_n who_o procure_v and_o execute_v their_o demolition_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n our_o author_n bring_v in_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o emesa_n another_o metropolitical_a city_n 6._o city_n theod._n h._n e._n l._n 3._o c._n 6._o who_o turn_v the_o christian_a church_n new_o build_v into_o a_o temple_n for_o bacchus_n this_o too_o be_v in_o julian_n time_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o prove_v the_o heathen_a party_n to_o be_v most_o numerous_a in_o every_o city_n where_o they_o commit_v insolence_n he_o be_v likewise_o mistake_v when_o he_o make_v emesa_n a_o metropolitical_a city_n in_o those_o time_n of_o which_o he_o be_v speak_v for_o it_o be_v not_o 4._o not_o car._n a_o s._n paulo_n geog._n sacr._n p._n 304._o not_o it_o gr._n ap_fw-mi car._n a_o s._n p._n p._n 4._o a_o metropolis_n then_o nor_o long_v after_o but_o be_v under_o damascus_n nor_o be_v it_o in_o syria_n but_o in_o phoenicia_n where_o stephanus_n urb_n stephanus_n steph._n the_o urb_n and_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n 26._o marcellinus_n ammian_n marc._n l._n 24._o c._n 26._o place_n it_o the_o latter_a reckon_n it_o among_o the_o great_a and_o fair_a city_n of_o that_o country_n and_o equal_a to_o tyre_n and_o sydon_n and_o berytus_n but_o many_o author_n confound_v the_o bound_n of_o syria_n and_o some_o time_n 1._o time_n seld._n de_fw-fr dijs_fw-la syr._n c._n 1._o account_v phoenicia_n as_o part_v of_o it_o nor_o be_v this_o the_o unhappy_a temper_n of_o some_o particular_a place_n only_o say_v our_o author_n 74._o author_n prim._n ep_v p._n 74._o as_o appear_v by_o that_o of_o sozomen_n 34._o sozomen_n sozom._n l._n 6._o c._n 34._o both_o that_o which_o be_v call_v coelosyria_n and_o the_o upper_a syria_n except_o the_o city_n of_o antioch_n be_v long_o before_o it_o come_v over_o to_o christianity_n if_o it_o be_v late_o before_o these_o country_n receive_v christianity_n they_o be_v but_o sorry_a instance_n in_o the_o present_a question_n concern_v primitive_a bishop_n for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n at_o all_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o inquire_v for_o the_o bound_n of_o episcopacy_n but_o this_o observation_n turn_v against_o our_o author_n own_o notion_n for_o if_o there_o be_v some_o entire_a province_n that_o have_v not_o yet_o receive_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o four_o century_n those_o which_o have_v receive_v the_o gospel_n must_v consequent_o be_v more_o general_o christian_n since_o in_o the_o gross_a the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n be_v allow_v to_o have_v be_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n but_o that_o passage_n of_o sozomen_n must_v not_o be_v take_v too_o strict_o for_o than_o it_o will_v not_o be_v true_a for_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o all_o syria_n except_v antioch_n do_v not_o receive_v christianity_n till_o late_o for_o st._n paul_n have_v plant_v several_a church_n there_o and_o the_o apostolical_a council_n of_o jerusalem_n 41._o jerusalem_n act._n 15.23_o 41._o address_v their_o synodical_a epistle_n not_o only_o to_o antioch_n but_o to_o the_o brethren_n in_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n and_o st._n paul_n in_o one_o of_o his_o visitation_n be_v say_v to_o go_v confirm_v the_o church_n of_o syria_n in_o the_o second_o century_n there_o be_v many_o christian_n in_o that_o country_n for_o who_o sake_n bardesanes_n write_v his_o book_n in_o the_o syrian_a language_n and_o in_o particular_a he_o be_v say_v by_o eusebius_n 30._o eusebius_n euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 4._o c._n 30._o to_o have_v have_v many_o follower_n in_o the_o persecution_n under_o dioclesian_n 13._o dioclesian_n euseb_n l._n de_fw-fr mart._n palest_fw-la c._n 13._o syria_n be_v reckon_v among_o other_o province_n that_o have_v suffer_v for_o religion_n and_o some_o time_n after_o athanasius_n 2._o athanasius_n athan._n ep_v ad_fw-la antioch_n t._n 1._o p._n 580._o id._n apol._n 2._o reckon_v several_a bishop_n of_o syria_n who_o suffer_v upon_o his_o account_n so_o that_o sozomen_n must_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o country_n border_v upon_o persia_n and_o arabia_n where_o these_o monk_n of_o who_o he_o speak_v as_o the_o converter_n of_o that_o country_n live_v for_o these_o he_o say_v 34._o say_v sozom._n l._n 6._o c._n 34._o convert_v all_o the_o syrian_n and_o many_o persian_n and_o saracen_n now_o to_o deliver_v up_o this_o country_n entire_o as_o it_o be_v to_o the_o heathen_a our_o author_n add_v that_o in_o antioch_n itself_o the_o heathen_a in_o valens_n his_o time_n public_o celebrate_v idolatrous_a rite_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v by_o the_o permission_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o that_o he_o may_v more_o safe_o persecute_v the_o orthodox_n christian_n give_v liberty_n to_o all_o other_o religion_n and_o if_o in_o the_o great_a city_n of_o this_o kingdom_n the_o papist_n shall_v by_o public_a permission_n celebrate_v the_o mass_n it_o will_v be_v but_o a_o poor_a argument_n that_o they_o make_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o people_n but_o of_o antioch_n there_o will_v be_v occasion_n to_o say_v more_o hereafter_o in_o arabia_n moses_n be_v send_v bishop_n there_o find_v but_o few_o christian_n that_o be_v the_o saracen_n under_o queen_n mavia_n have_v but_o few_o christian_n when_o that_o bishop_n be_v send_v to_o they_o and_o to_o as_o much_o purpose_n he_o may_v have_v add_v that_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o cape_n of_o good_a hope_n be_v not_o then_o convert_v and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o instance_n of_o milles_n in_o persia_n who_o can_v not_o persuade_v one_o in_o the_o city_n for_o which_o he_o be_v ordain_v to_o become_v christian_n yet_o both_o in_o arabia_n and_o persia_n there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n for_o in_o persia_n in_o constantine_n time_n the_o persecution_n of_o sapores_fw-la find_v and_o destroy_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n there_o be_v sixteen_o thousand_o persian_a martyr_n who_o name_n be_v record_v by_o their_o own_o countryman_n and_o their_o neighbour_n of_o syria_n but_o beside_o these_o there_o be_v other_o innumerable_a who_o name_n be_v lose_v in_o some_o part_n of_o arabia_n 12._o arabia_n euseb_n h._n e._n l._n 6._o c._n 33._o id._n l._n 8._o c._n 12._o christianity_n be_v receive_v betimes_o and_o furnish_v martyr_n for_o the_o last_o persecution_n 74._o persecution_n prim._n ep_v p._n 74._o and_o now_o have_v view_v all_o the_o next_o neighbour_n of_o palestine_n but_o egypt_n let_v we_o touch_v there_o also_o so_o speak_v our_o author_n who_o walk_v about_o like_o a_o persecution_n diminish_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n wherever_o he_o come_v here_o memphis_n a_o metropolitical_a city_n in_o jerom_n be_v time_n be_v metropolis_n of_o the_o egyptian_a superstition_n on_o ezek._n 9_o while_o there_o remain_v any_o egyptian_a superstition_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o memphis_n shall_v be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o it_o for_o there_o of_o old_a be_v the_o residence_n of_o apis_n and_o this_o be_v their_o holy_a city_n though_o it_o follow_v not_o from_o this_o expression_n that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n be_v of_o that_o superstition_n 30._o superstition_n hieron_n in_o ezek._n l._n 9_o c._n 30._o our_o author_n mistake_v the_o reference_n of_o the_o centuriator_n from_o who_o he_o transcribe_v this_o as_o well_o as_o several_a other_o instance_n and_o refer_v to_o the_o nine_o chapter_n of_o the_o prophet_n whereas_o it_o be_v the_o nine_o book_n of_o the_o commentary_n in_o antinoe_n he_o observe_v 75._o observe_v prim._n ep_v p._n 75._o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n but_o very_o few_o assemble_v with_o he_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o city_n be_v gentile_n and_o the_o island_n into_o which_o the_o two_o macarii_fw-la be_v banish_v have_v not_o one_o christian_a to_o these_o instance_n of_o egypt_n our_o author_n be_v please_v to_o be_v so_o kind_a as_o to_o give_v the_o answer_n himself_o that_o they_o be_v remote_a part_n and_o far_o from_o the_o place_n where_o christianity_n be_v first_o embrace_v but_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n more_o may_v be_v observe_v upon_o this_o occasion_n the_o
author_n observe_v that_o this_o be_v the_o chief_a city_n in_o mauritania_n and_o may_v have_v take_v notice_n that_o it_o be_v 2._o be_v oppidumque_fw-la ibi_fw-la celeberrimum_fw-la caesarea_n plin._n l._n 5._o c._n 2._o a_o renown_a place_n from_o its_o first_o foundation_n by_o claudius_n and_o grow_v up_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a city_n in_o afric_n and_o have_v init_fw-la have_v in_o ecclesia_fw-la majori_fw-la congregat_fw-la aug._n gest_n cum_fw-la emer_n init_fw-la at_o this_o time_n many_o church_n of_o the_o catholic_n communion_n he_o shall_v have_v a_o little_a mistrust_v such_o a_o phrase_n as_o this_o that_o imply_v no_o more_o than_o that_o the_o conference_n shall_v be_v public_a and_o that_o all_o who_o will_v may_v be_v present_a at_o it_o tiberias_n and_o diocaesarea_n and_o sepphoris_n which_o our_o author_n mention_n because_o they_o have_v each_o but_o one_o church_n have_v be_v already_o consider_v they_o consist_v only_o of_o jew_n who_o will_v suffer_v no_o other_o nation_n or_o religion_n to_o mix_v with_o they_o 86._o they_o prim._n ep_v p._n 86._o at_o diocaesarea_n in_o cappadocia_n which_o in_o nazianzen_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n ep._n 49._o but_o nazianzen_n 49._o nazianzen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d greg._n ep._n 49._o say_v no_o such_o thing_n he_o use_v all_o the_o credit_n he_o have_v with_o olympius_n the_o governor_n of_o that_o province_n to_o spare_v this_o city_n which_o have_v extreme_o offend_v he_o and_o to_o that_o degree_n that_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o disfranchise_v and_o destroy_v it_o and_o among_o other_o argument_n he_o make_v use_v of_o his_o own_o liberality_n towards_o that_o city_n have_v late_o build_v a_o church_n there_o and_o therefore_o pray_v that_o the_o temple_n he_o have_v so_o late_o erect_v there_o may_v not_o become_v a_o receptacle_n of_o wild_a beast_n but_o give_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n that_o this_o be_v the_o only_a church_n in_o that_o great_a city_n 90._o city_n prim._n ep_v p._n 90._o at_o constantia_n the_o metropolis_n of_o cyprus_n and_o other_o city_n of_o that_o island_n there_o be_v no_o plurality_n of_o church_n for_o this_o he_o cite_v petavius_n who_o inference_n have_v be_v already_o examine_v and_o there_o be_v nothing_o new_a add_v here_o to_o require_v further_a reply_n at_o neocaesaria_n and_o other_o city_n in_o those_o part_n but_o one_o church_n this_o he_o prove_v from_o the_o thirteen_o canon_n of_o neocaesarea_n that_o forbid_v a_o chorepiscopus_n to_o officiate_v in_o a_o city_n church_n from_o which_o petavius_n will_v infer_v the_o city_n have_v but_o one_o church_n but_o there_o may_v be_v a_o hundred_o church_n there_o for_o aught_o that_o expression_n may_v imply_v we_o be_v at_o last_o come_v to_o the_o end_n of_o this_o chapter_n in_o which_o our_o author_n have_v take_v all_o way_n to_o diminish_v the_o christian_n he_o have_v be_v very_o bountiful_a to_o schismatic_n and_o heretic_n that_o the_o bishop_n flock_n may_v not_o increase_v beyond_o his_o new_a model_n but_o we_o must_v not_o wonder_v at_o his_o liberality_n towards_o these_o to_o the_o detriment_n of_o the_o bishop_n but_o rather_o than_o any_o city_n shall_v have_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o of_o the_o same_o communion_n he_o give_v the_o rest_n to_o the_o devil_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n he_o be_v beyond_o measure_n bountiful_a towards_o heathen_a and_o jew_n heighten_v their_o number_n as_o if_o he_o be_v of_o the_o faction_n especial_o in_o julian_n time_n have_v perhaps_o some_o secret_a respect_n for_o they_o because_o they_o general_o take_v the_o part_n of_o schismatic_n and_o heretic_n against_o the_o catholic_n establish_v church_n chap._n v._n the_o unjust_a steward_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v call_v to_o give_v up_o his_o account_n and_o then_o to_o be_v discharge_v provide_v for_o himself_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o his_o lord_n and_o cut_v off_o considerable_o from_o the_o sum_n owe_v to_o his_o master_n procure_v himself_o a_o retreat_n among_o the_o debtor_n yet_o in_o this_o unrighteous_a contrivance_n he_o observe_v some_o measure_n and_o reduce_v a_o hundred_o but_o to_o fourscore_o and_o fourscore_o to_o fifty_o but_o mr._n clerkson_n in_o the_o account_n he_o make_v of_o his_o master_n substance_n in_o ancient_a city_n be_v much_o more_o profuse_a towards_o the_o debtor_n and_o in_o some_o place_n of_o a_o hundred_o do_v not_o leave_v ten_o but_o in_o this_o he_o have_v choose_v to_o follow_v the_o injustice_n rather_o than_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o steward_n for_o when_o his_o defalcation_n come_v to_o be_v so_o unlikely_a and_o extravagant_a it_o be_v impossible_a the_o reckon_n shall_v pass_v have_v he_o insist_v only_o on_o lesser_a city_n that_o for_o three_o or_o four_o age_n the_o christian_n in_o they_o may_v not_o exceed_v one_o assembly_n the_o account_n may_v have_v pass_v without_o any_o suspicion_n though_o the_o evidence_n even_o for_o this_o be_v defective_a but_o when_o in_o the_o great_a city_n of_o the_o world_n he_o set_v down_o but_o one_o congregation_n to_o the_o account_n of_o christ_n and_o will_v not_o allow_v scarce_o five_o of_o a_o hundred_o to_o belong_v to_o our_o lord_n the_o misreckon_n be_v too_o manifest_a and_o do_v not_o carry_v so_o much_o as_o the_o appearance_n of_o truth_n the_o increase_n of_o christianity_n be_v represent_v by_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o age_n immediate_o succeed_v as_o wonderful_a and_o unexampled_a and_o consider_v the_o supernatural_a ability_n it_o please_v god_n to_o confer_v upon_o the_o first_o preacher_n it_o may_v be_v expect_v that_o their_o doctrine_n shall_v make_v a_o great_a progress_n than_o those_o that_o come_v recommend_v only_o by_o ordinary_a and_o human_a mean_n of_o persuasion_n yet_o if_o we_o take_v mr._n clerkson_n reckon_v of_o christian_n for_o the_o three_o first_o age_n and_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o growth_n of_o sect_n among_o ourselves_o within_o this_o last_o age_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o sect_n within_o our_o remembrance_n which_o have_v not_o proportionable_o to_o time_n and_o place_n make_v much_o better_a progress_n than_o the_o christian_a religion_n ever_o do_v since_o in_o the_o great_a city_n there_o be_v few_o sect_n but_o make_v several_a assembly_n for_o worship_n though_o the_o great_a city_n with_o we_o be_v much_o inferior_a to_o the_o great_a in_o ancient_a time_n and_o if_o the_o quaker_n a_o sect_n scarce_o forty_o year_n stand_v in_o the_o world_n be_v yet_o grow_v so_o numerous_a that_o in_o london_n they_o have_v several_a place_n for_o meeting_n it_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o strange_a and_o incredible_a disparagement_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n not_o to_o have_v prevail_v so_o much_o in_o rome_n for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o hundred_o year_n though_o st._n paul_n preach_v there_o for_o a_o considerable_a time_n and_o there_o be_v a_o flourish_a church_n before_o he_o be_v bring_v thither_o however_o our_o author_n to_o leave_v no_o exception_n against_o the_o congregational_a rule_n 92._o rule_n prim._n ep_v p._n 91._o 92._o find_v enough_o to_o make_v it_o seem_v probable_a that_o the_o great_a of_o those_o city_n have_v no_o more_o christian_n under_o one_o bishop_n than_o be_v in_o some_o one_o of_o our_o parish_n and_o to_o begin_v with_o rome_n about_o the_o year_n 236_o 〈◊〉_d 236_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o the_o faithful_a in_o rome_n do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n to_o choose_v a_o bishop_n in_o the_o place_n of_o anterus_n euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 29._o i_o have_v already_o upon_o other_o occasion_n show_v the_o import_n of_o these_o expression_n all_o the_o people_n all_o the_o brethren_n all_o the_o city_n etc._n etc._n and_o how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o require_v exactness_n of_o testimony_n from_o phrase_n of_o amplification_n if_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o all_o the_o faithful_a in_o rome_n without_o any_o allowance_n or_o exception_n do_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n in_o the_o three_o century_n to_o choose_v a_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n it_o will_v follow_v from_o the_o very_a same_o phrase_n that_o in_o the_o four_o five_o and_o six_o century_n and_o so_o forward_o there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n in_o rome_n after_o it_o be_v become_v christian_n for_o in_o the_o four_o age_n felix_n and_o all_o the_o roman_a clergy_n prec_n clergy_n praesente_fw-la populo_fw-la romano_n marcel_n &_o faustin_n l._n 16._o prec_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n of_o rome_n swear_v they_o will_v not_o choose_v any_o other_o bishop_n while_o liberius_n live_v in_o the_o next_o vigil_n next_o dataque_fw-la oratione_fw-la respondit_fw-la omnis_fw-la populus_fw-la amen_o lib._n pont._n in_o