of_o st._n john_n who_o we_o know_v be_v after_o his_o return_n from_o banishment_n affix_v to_o asia_n and_o seat_v at_o ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n there_o to_o superintend_v in_o the_o jewish_a part_n of_o the_o asian_a church_n over_o all_o the_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_o there_o 10._o to_o this_o i_o may_v add_v fifthly_o that_o the_o bishop_n in_o every_o city_n be_v successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o be_v large_o deduce_v diss_n 3._o c._n 3._o sect._n 14._o etc._n etc._n which_o they_o can_v not_o true_o be_v if_o the_o apostle_n who_o they_o succeed_v be_v not_o in_o vest_v with_o that_o power_n wherein_o they_o succeed_v they_o i._n e._n be_v not_o first_o bishop_n before_o they_o but_o i_o shall_v not_o enlarge_v of_o this_o have_v no_o need_n of_o more_o evidence_n in_o this_o matter_n 11._o four_o therefore_o when_o it_o be_v add_v that_o if_o the_o apostle_n be_v affirm_v to_o be_v proper_o bishop_n this_o be_v to_o degrade_v the_o apostle_n and_o to_o make_v their_o office_n ordinary_a and_o perpetual_a this_o be_v but_o a_o shortness_n of_o discourse_n of_o which_o a_o very_a few_o word_n will_v suffice_v to_o admonish_v any_o for_o there_o be_v no_o more_o strength_n in_o that_o consequence_n than_o there_o will_v be_v in_o affirm_v that_o such_o a_o one_o be_v a_o man_n therefore_o he_o be_v not_o a_o live_a creature_n or_o that_o he_o that_o say_v he_o be_v a_o live_a creature_n degrade_v he_o from_o be_v a_o man_n for_o as_o to_o that_o of_o ordinary_n and_o perpetual_a it_o be_v no_o way_n inconvenient_a that_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v somewhat_o temporary_a and_o extraordinary_a for_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o which_o especial_o they_o be_v call_v apostle_n may_v also_o have_v somewhat_o which_o be_v of_o ordinary_a perpetual_a use_n in_o the_o church_n wherein_o other_o might_n and_o shall_v succeed_v they_o and_o that_o be_v it_o unquestionable_o which_o we_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n bishop_n when_o we_o ascribe_v it_o to_o they_o or_o any_o of_o they_o or_o to_o christ_n himself_o the_o source_n and_o original_a copy_n of_o that_o power_n in_o the_o church_n 12._o five_o when_o another_o inconvenience_n be_v accumulate_v on_o this_o much_o to_o the_o former_a purpose_n but_o in_o more_o word_n this_o be_v to_o exalt_v the_o bishop_n above_o his_o degree_n and_o make_v he_o a_o apostle_n end_v to_o make_v the_o apostle_n a_o bishop_n 1._o it_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o the_o forementioned_a exception_n be_v true_a viz._n that_o it_o be_v the_o degrade_n the_o apostle_n it_o can_v not_o far_o be_v true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o exalt_v the_o bishop_n above_o his_o degree_n for_o suppose_v one_o to_o be_v above_o the_o other_o the_o degrade_n one_o will_v make_v the_o other_o eguall_a to_o he_o without_o any_o new_a act_n of_o exalt_v he_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v already_o descend_v to_o the_o bishop_n sure_o the_o bishop_n need_v not_o can_v ascend_v to_o the_o apostle_n i_o can_v go_v up_o stair_n to_o he_o who_o have_v prevent_v i_o by_o his_o dignation_n or_o misfortune_n and_o be_v already_o come_v or_o fall_v downeâ—_n to_o i_o second_o therefore_o this_o make_v not_o the_o bishop_n a_o apostle_n which_o be_v a_o degree_n high_o than_o he_o though_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o episcopal_a power_n common_a to_o they_o with_o the_o aposle_v it_o be_v nothing_o strange_a in_o the_o ancient_a writer_n for_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n james_n the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n thaddaeus_n luke_n barnabas_n mark_v timothy_n titus_n clemens_n ignatius_n to_o be_v call_v apostle_n as_o be_v evidence_v at_o large_a in_o the_o 3._o dissertation_n but_o only_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n to_o be_v a_o bishop_n which_o he_o may_v well_o be_v as_o the_o great_a contain_v the_o less_o though_o the_o bishop_n be_v no_o apostle_n as_o it_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o less_o contain_v not_o the_o great_a 13._o and_o last_o for_o the_o citation_n out_o of_o dr._n whitaker_n i_o have_v no_o direction_n to_o the_o place_n which_o may_v enable_v i_o to_o examine_v it_o and_o i_o know_v circumstance_n of_o the_o context_n or_o the_o design_n of_o the_o speech_n may_v much_o alter_v it_o from_o what_o it_o signify_v to_o i_o at_o my_o read_n it_o thus_o cite_v but_o if_o it_o be_v distinct_o thus_o and_o incapable_a of_o a_o more_o commodious_a interpretation_n i_o can_v consent_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o or_o comprehend_v upon_o what_o ground_n of_o reason_n he_o shall_v so_o severe_o censure_v those_o scripture_n and_o father_n which_o have_v be_v produce_v to_o affirm_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v bishop_n and_o particular_o st._n john_n and_o st._n peter_n and_o indeed_o when_o it_o fall_v out_o that_o each_o of_o those_o two_o apostle_n peculiar_o call_v himself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o elder_a or_o as_o they_o render_v it_o presbyter_n i_o shall_v demand_v do_v either_o of_o those_o speak_v proper_o or_o no_o if_o they_o do_v be_v either_o of_o those_o little_a distant_a from_o madman_n if_o so_o i_o shall_v be_v content_a to_o be_v under_o any_o censure_n in_o their_o company_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o speak_v not_o so_o proper_o i_o shall_v be_v content_a with_o they_o to_o have_v speak_v improper_o also_o but_o if_o apostle_n may_v be_v call_v presbyter_n without_o any_o of_o these_o inconvenience_n of_o degradation_n in_o they_o any_o insolence_n in_o the_o presbyter_n or_o madness_n in_o the_o speaker_n my_o only_a remain_v quaere_fw-la be_v why_o they_o may_v not_o without_o all_o this_o ado_n be_v call_v bishop_n also_o meaning_n by_o bishop_n as_o i_o now_o mean_a for_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n that_o i_o understand_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a in_o those_o three_o place_n and_o they_o who_o differ_v from_o i_o herein_o do_v yet_o understand_v it_o of_o presbyter_n and_o so_o have_v say_v in_o the_o second_o consideration_n express_o that_o st._n john_n call_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n and_o then_o all_o the_o spice_n of_o madness_n consist_v in_o this_o think_v a_o bishop_n capable_a of_o that_o exaltation_n that_o a_o presbyter_n in_o perfect_a sobriety_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o three_o consideration_n section_n vi._n of_o the_o word_n angel_n and_o star_n pretend_v to_o be_v common_a to_o all_o minister_n of_o messenger_n and_o ambassador_n the_o singularity_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n the_o four_o consideration_n be_v that_o the_o word_n angel_n which_o be_v the_o title_n give_v to_o those_o suppose_a bishop_n do_v not_o import_v any_o peculiar_a jurisdiction_n or_o praeeminence_n but_o be_v a_o common_a name_n to_o all_o minister_n and_o so_o be_v use_v in_o scripture_n for_o all_o minister_n be_v god_n messenger_n and_o ambassador_n send_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o elect_a and_o therefore_o the_o name_n be_v common_a to_o all_o minister_n why_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o thing_n speak_v to_o one_o minister_n that_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o all_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o word_n star_n which_o be_v also_o a_o title_n give_v to_o those_o suppose_a metropolitan_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o faithful_a minister_n be_v call_v star_n in_o scripture_n who_o duty_n be_v to_o shine_v as_o light_n unto_o the_o church_n in_o all_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o holiness_n of_o conversation_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o title_n that_o argue_v these_o minister_n to_o be_v bishop_n in_o our_o brethren_n sense_n insomuch_o as_o have_v they_o not_o be_v call_v bishop_n by_o some_o author_n that_o succeed_v they_o who_o speak_v of_o former_a time_n in_o the_o language_n of_o their_o own_o time_n this_o way_n of_o argue_v will_v have_v be_v count_v ridiculous_a 2._o â—o_o this_o consideration_n i_o may_v if_o it_o be_v needful_a reply_n 1._o that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v no_o where_o use_v for_o any_o other_o officer_n or_o minister_n in_o the_o church_n save_v only_o the_o prophet_n such_o as_o haggai_n c._n 1._o 13._o and_o john_n baptist_n mat._n 11._o 10._o and_o the_o chief_a priest_n mal._n 2._o 7._o 3._o second_o that_o as_o to_o the_o word_n messenger_n and_o ambassador_n there_o be_v in_o ordinary_a speech_n some_o considerable_a difference_n between_o they_o the_o latter_a have_v in_o it_o a_o connotation_n of_o dignity_n sustain_v the_o person_n of_o the_o king_n from_o who_o he_o be_v send_v immediate_o which_o be_v not_o applicable_a to_o the_o former_a and_o agreeable_o when_o it_o be_v use_v of_o st._n paul_n and_o timothy_n in_o who_o name_n that_o epistle_n be_v write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o be_v ambassador_n 2_o cor._n 5._o 20._o there_o be_v add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d
part_n of_o a_o rule_v presbytery_n which_o their_o brethren_n that_o have_v not_o those_o ambition_n be_v far_o from_o think_v to_o have_v any_o divine_a stamp_n upon_o it_o i_o shall_v have_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o unskilfulnesse_n of_o their_o reproach_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o invalidity_n of_o their_o answer_n 10._o as_o for_o the_o fear_n which_o their_o discourse_n on_o this_o matter_n suggest_v to_o their_o more_o moderate_a brethren_n that_o if_o a_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la be_v stamp_v on_o archbishop_n and_o primate_fw-la and_o patriarch_n they_o may_v be_v force_v by_o the_o same_o proportion_n to_o put_v a_o divine_a stamp_n upon_o the_o pope_n himself_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o i_o have_v give_v the_o ingenious_a reader_n a_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o the_o inconsequence_n hereof_o in_o a_o discourse_n of_o schism_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v refer_v he_o if_o he_o need_v or_o desire_v far_o trouble_v or_o direction_n in_o this_o business_n section_n xix_o of_o division_n into_o parish_n and_o union_n into_o diocese_n of_o diocesan_n bishop_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n elder_n in_o every_o church_n act._n 14._o elder_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 20._o that_o place_n vindicate_v from_o exception_n after_o all_o this_o they_o add_v a_o four_o whether_o answer_n or_o suppletory_n consideration_n for_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o discourse_n concern_v the_o asian_a angel_n and_o i_o shall_v follow_v they_o to_o that_o more_o cheerful_o because_o it_o look_v like_o a_o conclusion_n 2._o it_o be_v this_o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v provide_v that_o these_o asian_a angel_n be_v bishop_n in_o a_o praelaticall_a sense_n much_o less_o arch-bishop_n and_o metropolitan_n for_o it_o be_v believe_v upon_o all_o part_n that_o believer_n in_o great_a city_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o set_n and_o fix_v congregation_n and_o parish_n till_o long_o after_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o that_o parish_n be_v not_o unite_v into_o diocese_n till_o 260._o year_n after_o christ_n and_o therefore_o sure_o we_o be_v that_o there_o can_v not_o be_v diocesane_a church_n and_o diocesane_n bishop_n former_o so_o call_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n these_o angel_n be_v congregationall_a not_o diocesan_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n the_o number_n of_o believer_n even_o in_o the_o great_a city_n be_v so_o few_o that_o they_o may_v well_o meet_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o these_o be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o the_o city_n and_o therefore_o to_o ordain_v elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v all_o one_o in_o scripture_n 3._o to_o the_o praeface_n of_o this_o conclusion_n that_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v it_o be_v again_o very_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v that_o when_o a_o proposition_n have_v already_o be_v prove_v so_o far_o that_o no_o answer_n have_v be_v render_v which_o at_o all_o satisfy_v or_o invalidate_n the_o force_n of_o the_o proof_n it_o be_v very_o unlike_a artist_n to_o say_v that_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v nay_o although_o some_o inconvenience_n be_v producible_a which_o will_v press_v our_o assertion_n yet_o the_o old_a rule_n will_v require_v its_o place_n incommodum_fw-la non_fw-la solvit_fw-la argumentum_fw-la the_o mention_n of_o a_o inconvenience_n ensue_a do_v not_o take_v off_o the_o force_n of_o a_o argument_n 4._o but_o we_o need_v not_o that_o wariness_n here_o the_o reason_n which_o be_v here_o annex_v to_o prove_v that_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v be_v of_o no_o force_n against_o we_o for_o 1._o as_o congregation_n and_o parish_n be_v synonimous_a in_o their_o style_n so_o i_o yield_v that_o believer_n in_o great_a city_n be_v not_o at_o first_o divide_v into_o parish_n while_o the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n be_v so_o small_a that_o they_o may_v well_o assemble_v in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o so_o need_v no_o partition_n or_o division_n 5._o but_o what_o disadvantage_n be_v this_o to_o we_o who_o affirm_v that_o one_o bishop_n not_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n preside_v in_o this_o one_o congregation_n and_o that_o the_o believer_n in_o the_o region_n and_o village_n about_o do_v belong_v to_o the_o care_n of_o that_o single-bishop_n of_o the_o city-church_n may_v not_o these_o be_v rule_v by_o a_o bishop_n as_o well_o before_o as_o after_o the_o division_n into_o parish_n or_o be_v this_o division_n more_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n by_o one_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n than_o to_o the_o government_n of_o more_o presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n in_o all_o reason_n the_o division_n of_o this_o one_o into_o several_a parish_n shall_v make_v presbyter_n more_o necessary_a after_o than_o before_o such_o division_n that_o each_o parish_n may_v have_v one_o presbyter_n to_o officiate_v among_o they_o in_o thing_n of_o daily_a use_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v that_o when_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n be_v so_o far_o increase_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n can_v not_o meet_v commodious_o in_o one_o place_n and_o when_o the_o region_n and_o village_n so_o abound_v with_o proselyte_n that_o in_o respect_n of_o they_o also_o it_o be_v necessary_a than_o the_o bishop_n of_o each_o city_n think_v fit_a to_o con_v tute_a presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o they_o many_o in_o every_o city_n and_o many_o in_o every_o region_n one_o in_o every_o village_n though_o as_o yet_o the_o word_n parish_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n be_v not_o come_v into_o the_o world_n 6._o and_o so_o this_o be_v far_o from_o be_v argumentative_a against_o we_o it_o be_v rather_o useful_a to_o confirm_v what_o be_v assert_v by_o we_o that_o it_o be_v against_o the_o whole_a scheme_n which_o the_o scripture_n or_o first_o writer_n give_v we_o of_o church_n to_o imagine_v that_o in_o every_o city_n there_o be_v by_o the_o apostle_n a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n constitute_v when_o as_o they_o agree_v to_o assure_v we_o a_o bishop_n and_o his_o deacon_n be_v sufficient_a at_o the_o first_o so_o thin_a plantation_n 7._o so_o again_o when_o they_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o parish_n be_v not_o unite_v into_o diocese_n till_o 260._o year_n after_o christ_n i_o shall_v ask_v 1._o whether_o they_o be_v soon_o divide_v into_o class_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o not_o what_o they_o have_v gain_v to_o their_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la by_o this_o observation_n 8._o but_o than_o second_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o there_o may_v be_v diocese_n before_o this_o division_n into_o parish_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n for_o what_o be_v a_o diocesâ—_n but_o a_o church_n in_o a_o city_n with_o the_o suburb_n and_o territory_n or_o region_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o this_o certain_o may_v be_v and_o â—emaine_v under_o the_o government_n of_o a_o single_a bishop_n as_o well_o before_o as_o after_o any_o more_o minute_n distribution_n into_o such_o as_o we_o now_o call_v parish_n 9_o for_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n for_o the_o church_n of_o this_o city_n to_o be_v divide_v from_o the_o church_n of_o every_o other_o city_n another_o thing_n for_o the_o same_o church_n to_o be_v divide_v into_o many_o assemble_v the_o first_o be_v it_o which_o be_v require_v for_o the_o set_n up_o of_o government_n and_o of_o any_o such_o church_n so_o bound_v there_o may_v be_v a_o bishop_n and_o that_o whole_a church_n shall_v be_v his_o diocese_n and_o so_o he_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n though_o as_o yet_o this_o church_n be_v not_o subdivide_v into_o more_o several_a assembly_n 10._o and_o therefore_o when_o they_o add_v that_o there_o can_v not_o be_v diocesan_n church_n and_o bishop_n former_o so_o call_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n unless_o they_o have_v some_o little_a aequivocation_n in_o the_o word_n diocesan_n it_o be_v most_o certain_a they_o have_v no_o reason_n on_o which_o to_o found_v their_o confidence_n for_o that_o there_o be_v a_o church_n in_o each_o city_n and_o its_o territory_n howsoever_o govern_v by_o one_o or_o more_o be_v most_o certain_a and_o equal_o affirm_v by_o they_o and_o we_o and_o equal_o their_o interest_n and_o we_o that_o it_o be_v affirm_v as_o for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o have_v oft_o vary_v and_o have_v sometime_o be_v of_o a_o large_a sometime_o of_o a_o narrow_a signification_n and_o so_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o original_n of_o our_o parish_n also_o but_o i_o hope_v our_o contention_n must_v not_o be_v always_o about_o word_n when_o the_o matter_n be_v sufficient_o agree_v on_o among_o we_o and_o the_o word_n sufficient_o explain_v to_o express_v that_o matter_n 11._o and_o therefore_o when_o they_o add_v these_o angel_n be_v congregationall_a not_o diocesan_n the_o reply_n be_v obvious_a they_o be_v every_o of_o they_o angel_n of_o a_o church_n in_o a_o city_n have_v authority_n over_o
the_o gainsayer_n no_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o he_o by_o the_o law_n of_o these_o agones_fw-la to_o use_v those_o argument_n and_o no_o other_o nor_o otherwise_o improve_v which_o all_o other_o writer_n of_o that_o side_n have_v do_v before_o he_o for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o legail_a combat_n to_o what_o end_n shall_v any_o second_o writing_n on_o the_o same_o subject_n ever_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n that_o which_o have_v be_v former_o say_v need_v not_o to_o be_v transcribe_v and_o say_v again_o but_o either_o the_o book_n may_v be_v reprint_v or_o translate_v into_o a_o language_n more_o intelligible_a as_o i_o have_v here_o be_v fame_n oft_o to_o do_v and_o though_o i_o may_v true_o say_v that_o for_o those_o more_o minute_n consideration_n or_o conjecture_n wherein_o this_o doctor_n differ_v from_o some_o other_o who_o have_v write_v before_o he_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o interpret_n some_o few_o text_n he_o have_v the_o suffrage_n of_o many_o the_o learn_a man_n of_o this_o church_n at_o this_o day_n and_o as_o far_o as_o he_o know_v of_o all_o that_o embrace_v the_o same_o cause_n with_o he_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o prove_v my_o agreement_n with_o other_o of_o my_o brethren_n by_o this_o only_a medium_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o who_o believe_v the_o same_o conclusion_n upon_o several_a medium_n or_o way_n of_o infer_v it_o be_v in_o that_o and_o may_v be_v in_o all_o other_o conclusion_n at_o perfect_a accord_n and_o unity_n among_o themselves_o all_o that_o i_o can_v conclude_v from_o this_o and_o the_o former_a consideration_n the_o double_a charge_n lay_v on_o i_o of_o contrariety_n to_o antiquity_n and_o other_o asserter_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v ill_o please_v that_o i_o use_v any_o other_o argument_n or_o answer_n but_o what_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o assign_v i_o otherwise_o if_o there_o have_v be_v less_o not_o more_o truth_n or_o evidence_n in_o my_o way_n of_o defend_v the_o cause_n they_o will_v have_v have_v the_o great_a advantage_n against_o i_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o have_v be_v in_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n at_o leisure_n to_o have_v observe_v it_o section_n v._n inconvenience_n object_v and_o answer_v of_o more_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o no_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n but_o they_o be_v in_o the_o three_o place_n please_v to_o object_v some_o inconvenience_n which_o the_o defend_n of_o these_o paradox_n must_v necessary_o bring_v upon_o i_o and_o to_o these_o i_o shall_v more_o diligent_o attend_v first_o say_v they_o he_o that_o will_v defend_v these_o paradox_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v force_v to_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n which_o be_v to_o betray_v the_o cause_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o to_o bring_v down_o a_o bishop_n to_o the_o rank_n of_o a_o presbyter_n to_o this_o i_o reply_v by_o absolute_a deny_v of_o this_o consequence_n for_o suppose_v the_o scripture-bishop_n to_o be_v always_o a_o bishop_n and_o so_o the_o scripture_n elder_a also_o how_o can_v it_o follow_v from_o thence_o that_o there_o be_v more_o such_o bishop_n in_o any_o one_o city_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o this_o be_v no_o way_n infer_v upon_o either_o or_o both_o of_o my_o assertion_n nor_o be_v here_o one_o word_n add_v to_o prove_v it_o be_v to_o which_o i_o may_v accommodate_v any_o answer_n it_o be_v on_o the_o contrary_n most_o manifest_a that_o whensoever_o i_o find_v mention_n of_o bishop_n or_o elder_n in_o the_o plural_a as_o act._n 20._o phil._n 1._o etc._n etc._n i_o interpret_v they_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o macedonia_n bishop_n of_o judaea_n etc._n etc._n and_o render_v my_o reason_n of_o do_v so_o and_o consequent_o affirm_v they_o to_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o divers_a sure_a that_o be_v not_o of_o one_o city_n the_o second_o inconvenience_n be_v that_o i_o must_v be_v force_v to_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n there_o can_v be_v no_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n here_o be_v a_o evident_a mistake_n for_o i_o no_o where_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n but_o only_o that_o in_o the_o apostle_n write_n the_o word_n bishop_n always_o signify_v bishop_n and_o the_o word_n elder_n either_o never_a or_o but_o rare_o presbyter_n now_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o those_o to_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_v which_o yet_o for_o want_n of_o occasion_n be_v not_o mention_v in_o those_o write_n and_o i_o that_o love_v not_o negative_a argument_n à _fw-la testimonio_fw-la shall_v never_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o conclude_v there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n within_o the_o time_n wherein_o the_o several_a book_n of_o scripture_n be_v write_v upon_o that_o one_o argument_n because_o i_o can_v not_o find_v they_o mention_v there_o beside_o this_o i_o say_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v somewhat_o a_o large_a period_n than_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_n and_o therefore_o that_o what_o be_v speak_v only_o of_o the_o late_a be_v not_o mean_v to_o be_v extend_v to_o the_o former_a for_o 1._o the_o apostle_n continue_v alive_a some_o time_n after_o write_v their_o epistle_n and_o second_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n survive_v other_o john_n of_o who_o christ_n will_n be_v intimate_v that_o he_o shall_v tarry_v and_o not_o die_v till_o after_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o kingdom_n of_o he_o commence_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v according_o live_v till_o trajanes_n time_n and_o by_o that_o time_n i_o think_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n daily_o increase_v there_o be_v as_o the_o want_n of_o the_o church_n require_v presbyter_n ordain_v in_o many_o church_n and_o according_o in_o the_o dissert_n p._n 229._o when_o i_o speak_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o express_o except_o s._n john_n and_o p._n 211._o i_o make_v use_n of_o a_o testimony_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n on_o purpose_n to_o conclude_v that_o this_o apostle_n ordain_v presbyter_n in_o asia_n after_o his_o return_n from_o the_o island_n to_o which_o he_o be_v banish_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n and_o to_o the_o same_o matter_n i_o 5._o elsewhere_o apply_v that_o of_o ephiphanius_n out_o of_o the_o profound_a i.e._n ancient_a record_n that_o as_o moses_n and_o aaron_n take_v to_o they_o first_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o people_n and_o at_o length_n the_o sanhedrim_n of_o the_o seventy_o elder_n so_o the_o apostle_n first_o constitute_v bishop_n and_o in_o process_n of_o time_n presbyter_n also_o when_o occasion_n require_v as_o the_o bishop_n assistant_n and_o council_n and_o that_o upon_o account_n of_o this_o analogy_n with_o the_o sanhedrim_n they_o be_v style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n and_o ignatius_n make_v mention_n of_o presbyter_n as_o of_o a_o middle_a degree_n in_o the_o church_n betwixt_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n in_o he_o i._n e._n in_o trajan_n time_n and_o that_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o several_a of_o those_o asian_a church_n smyrna_n ephesus_n magnesia_n philadelphia_n trallis_n i_o think_v the_o argument_n of_o great_a validity_n to_o conclude_v that_o in_o that_o province_n that_o apostle_n have_v in_o his_o life_n time_n institute_v this_o middle_a order_n and_o therefore_o i_o that_o have_v so_o careful_o prevent_v be_v not_o to_o be_v charge_v with_o this_o crime_n of_o affirm_v there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n which_o certain_o there_o be_v if_o there_o be_v presbyter_n under_o they_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o three_o inconvenience_n they_o add_v that_o by_o consequence_n i_o must_v affirm_v that_o ordo_fw-la presbyteratus_n be_v not_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la but_o that_o be_v no_o more_o consequent_a to_o my_o assertion_n than_o it_o be_v my_o assertion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o therefore_o i_o that_o be_o guiltless_a of_o the_o assertion_n can_v be_v charge_v with_o the_o consequent_n of_o it_o john_n i_o know_v be_v a_o apostle_n and_o john_n i_o believe_v ordain_v presbyter_n and_o thence_o i_o doubt_v not_o to_o conclude_v the_o apostolical_a institution_n i.e._n in_o effect_n the_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n though_o not_o of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o presbytery_n and_o so_o i_o be_o still_o clear_a from_o the_o guilt_n of_o that_o crime_n which_o the_o worst_a of_o papist_n will_v abominate_a which_o they_o
last_o charge_n be_v more_o severe_a than_o any_o of_o the_o former_a that_o these_o paradox_n as_o they_o style_v they_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o we_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a in_o our_o argument_n against_o the_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la of_o episcopacy_n and_o will_v far_o manifest_v it_o if_o we_o think_v it_o necessary_a this_o i_o confess_v of_o contrariety_n to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n right_o understand_v i_o look_v upon_o as_o so_o high_a a_o charge_n that_o i_o very_o expect_v somewhat_o extraordinary_a to_o bind_v it_o on_o i_o and_o i_o sudden_o resolve_v as_o i_o read_v the_o first_o word_n of_o that_o section_n to_o examine_v those_o scripture_n that_o shall_v now_o be_v produce_v ponder_o and_o exact_o and_o either_o confess_v my_o own_o conviction_n or_o give_v competent_a reason_n why_o i_o be_v not_o convince_v by_o they_o but_o i_o soon_o find_v my_o expectation_n frustrate_v for_o as_o here_o be_v no_o one_o such_o scripture_n mention_v so_o for_o their_o argument_n against_o the_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la of_o episcopacy_n i_o know_v not_o where_o to_o seek_v they_o and_o never_o hear_v and_o very_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n that_o they_o have_v former_o write_v any_o such_o book_n against_o bishop_n wherein_o the_o dissertation_n or_o any_o assertion_n of_o i_o therein_o be_v so_o much_o as_o arraign_v by_o they_o much_o less_o evidence_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o scripture_n if_o i_o have_v i_o assure_v they_o i_o shall_v then_o have_v be_v as_o ready_a to_o have_v make_v my_o reply_n as_o now_o i_o have_v be_v to_o attend_v they_o thus_o far_o and_o for_o their_o evidence_v this_o in_o any_o tract_n publish_v by_o they_o before_o the_o dissertation_n be_v write_v by_o which_o notwithstanding_o the_o dissertation_n be_v to_o be_v conclude_v i_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o to_o be_v their_o meaning_n because_o these_o assertion_n of_o i_o be_v by_o they_o affirm_v to_o be_v paradox_n contrary_a to_o all_o that_o have_v ever_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o unless_o it_o be_v by_o divination_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o prevent_v by_o they_o after_o they_o have_v express_v their_o opinion_n that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a for_o they_o far_o to_o manifest_v the_o contrariety_n of_o my_o paradox_n to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o yet_o far_o proceed_v in_o these_o word_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n say_v james_n 5._o 14._o be_v any_o man_n sick_a among_o you_o let_v he_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v there_o that_o can_v be_v persuade_v to_o believe_v that_o all_o these_o elder_n be_v bishop_n in_o the_o sense_n that_o bishop_n be_v take_v in_o in_o our_o day_n be_v this_o the_o prope_a work_n of_o bishop_n to_o visit_v the_o sick_a and_o beside_o if_o the_o apostle_n by_o elder_n have_v mean_v bishop_n in_o that_o sense_n he_o will_v have_v say_v let_v he_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n not_o of_o the_o church_n unless_o our_o brethren_n will_v say_v that_o there_o be_v divers_a bishop_n in_o every_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n in_o which_o there_o be_v many_o sick_a person_n what_o the_o for_o in_o the_o front_n here_o signify_v i_o shall_v not_o go_v about_o to_o conjecture_v the_o antecedent_n will_v incline_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o it_o pretend_v to_o introduce_v a_o reason_n which_o may_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o my_o assertion_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o scripture_n but_o that_o sure_a it_o do_v not_o any_o way_n attempt_n or_o appear_v to_o do_v unless_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v suppose_v here_o to_o signify_v presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n but_o then_o that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v know_v to_o be_v the_o only_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o matter_n of_o question_n betwixt_o we_o all_o this_o while_n and_o so_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v not_o suppose_v or_o presume_v in_o this_o matter_n but_o bate_v they_o this_o beg_n of_o the_o question_n i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o satisfy_v their_o wonderment_n that_o i_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o persuade_v any_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n in_o this_o place_n of_o saint_n james_n be_v bishop_n in_o that_o sense_n that_o we_o now_o understand_v and_o use_v the_o word_n and_o 1._o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v to_o avow_v that_o for_o all_o that_o space_n that_o in_o any_o church_n there_o be_v no_o other_o officer_n ordain_v but_o only_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v resolve_v the_o proper_a work_n of_o bishop_n to_o visit_v the_o sick_a that_o there_o be_v at_o the_o first_o when_o the_o faith_n be_v but_o thin_a plant_v such_o a_o time_n have_v already_o be_v evidence_v out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n and_o the_o profound_a antequity_n that_o epiphanius_n can_v meet_v with_o and_o that_o then_o this_o office_n must_v either_o be_v neglect_v or_o perform_v by_o either_o bishop_n or_o deacon_n will_v not_o need_v any_o far_a proof_n as_o for_o the_o the_o deacon_n in_o their_o institution_n we_o find_v not_o that_o to_o be_v any_o part_n of_o their_o office_n and_o indeed_o the_o suitablenesse_n of_o absolution_n to_o that_o state_n of_o dangerous_a sickness_n and_o the_o mention_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d his_o have_v commit_v sin_n and_o the_o command_n of_o give_v it_o in_o case_n he_o be_v qualify_v for_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d absolvetur_fw-la ei_fw-la absolution_n shall_v be_v give_v he_o do_v render_v the_o deacon_n incompetent_a for_o that_o work_n and_o so_o where_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n must_v needs_o divolve_v it_o on_o the_o bishop_n and_o this_o account_n have_v more_o than_o probability_n no_o less_o than_o perfect_a evidence_n in_o it_o if_o we_o only_o suppose_v what_o have_v be_v so_o oft_o clear_v from_o the_o ancient_n to_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n that_o where_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n be_v small_a and_o none_o qualify_v for_o the_o office_n of_o presbyter_n there_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v no_o more_o but_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o deacon_n in_o each_o city_n for_o whilst_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o that_o city_n i_o shall_v suppose_v a_o man_n sick_a and_o by_o the_o force_n of_o s._n james_n exhortation_n desirous_a of_o absolution_n etc._n etc._n who_o be_v there_o supposeable_a in_o that_o city_n to_o give_v it_o he_o but_o the_o bishop_n and_o who_o else_o can_v he_o call_v to_o he_o for_o this_o purpose_n and_o than_o who_o can_v doubt_v but_o this_o be_v the_o work_n in_o itself_o very_o agreeable_a and_o in_o this_o suppose_a case_n peculiar_a and_o proper_a to_o the_o bishop_n so_o that_o unless_o this_o supposition_n be_v false_a nay_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a i_o may_v safe_o say_v this_o be_v or_o may_v be_v the_o bishop_n work_n to_o visit_v the_o sick_a etc._n etc._n and_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v not_o how_o can_v it_o be_v by_o the_o bishop_n when_o other_o part_n of_o his_o office_n become_v his_o full_a employment_n commit_v to_o the_o presbyter_n for_o 1._o he_o can_v not_o commit_v this_o to_o other_o if_o he_o first_o have_v it_o not_o in_o himself_o and_o second_o this_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n of_o ordain_v inferior_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n that_o part_n of_o the_o bishop_n task_n may_v be_v perform_v by_o they_o as_o when_o the_o whole_a burden_n which_o be_v too_o heavy_a for_o moses_n be_v distribute_v among_o other_o man_n which_o in_o this_o particular_a can_v not_o be_v if_o before_o this_o assignation_n of_o assistant_n it_o be_v not_o original_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d work_n or_o proper_a task_n of_o the_o bishop_n to_o this_o may_v be_v far_o add_v the_o real_a dignity_n because_o necessary_a charity_n of_o this_o performance_n of_o visit_v the_o sick_a etc._n etc._n and_o this_o arise_v both_o from_o the_o intimation_n of_o god_n own_o finger_n pointing_z out_o this_o a_o most_o agreeable_a season_n for_o all_o spiritual_a admonition_n and_o comfort_n a_o molle_fw-la tempus_fw-la fandi_fw-la wherein_o a_o word_n seasonable_o speak_v may_v most_o probable_o find_v the_o due_a reception_n and_o wherein_o the_o prayer_n and_o blessing_n of_o the_o most_o apostolical_a person_n or_o the_o most_o high_o and_o just_o dignify_v in_o the_o church_n &_o in_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n may_v come_v in_o most_o opportune_o &_o in_o this_o respect_n we_o see_v in_o that_o place_n that_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o great_a prophet_n elias_n be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o s._n james_n to_o exemplify_v
notion_n and_o yet_o even_o by_o he_o these_o of_o this_o uppermost_a degree_n be_v call_v seniores_fw-la and_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la elder_n president_n probati_fw-la quique_fw-la seniores_fw-la the_o elder_n praeside_fw-la apol._n c._n 39_o and_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n the_o series_n of_o who_o he_o have_v bring_v down_o to_o anicetus_n lib._n 3._o contr_n martion_n cap._n 9_o he_o express_v they_o by_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o his_o book_n write_v in_o verse_n against_o martion_n and_o there_o will_v be_v less_o wonder_n in_o this_o when_o it_o be_v remember_v that_o after_o this_o in_o saint_n cyprian_n time_n who_o have_v be_v sufficient_o evidence_v to_o speak_v of_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o they_o firmilian_a bishop_n of_o caesarea_n in_o cappadocia_n in_o vulgar_a style_n call_v they_o seniores_fw-la and_o praepositi_fw-la elder_n and_o provost_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o cyprian_a and_o again_o president_n majores_fw-la natu_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o elder_n praeside_fw-la evident_o mean_v the_o bishop_n by_o those_o title_n and_o so_o much_o be_v speak_v in_o return_n to_o what_o they_o have_v object_v from_o these_o two_o ancient_n irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n suppose_v that_o i_o have_v competent_o perform_v the_o task_n by_o they_o impose_v on_o the_o praelatist_n show_v that_o the_o bishop_n speak_v of_o by_o they_o be_v bishop_n over_o presbyter_n and_o by_o they_o understand_v to_o be_v so_o sect._n vi._n saint_n jerom_n testimony_n of_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n by_o apostolical_a tradition_n consuetudo_fw-la oppose_v to_o dominica_n dispositio_fw-la saint_n jerom_n meaning_n evidence_v by_o many_o other_o testimony_n to_o be_v that_o bishop_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n so_o by_o panormitan_n also_o the_o testimony_n of_o isidore_n etc._n etc._n the_o council_n of_o aquen_n and_o of_o leo_n vindicate_v of_o ischyras_n ordination_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o synod_n ad_fw-la zurrium_n and_o of_o the_o four_o council_n of_o carthage_n in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o be_o to_o proceed_v to_o that_o of_o saint_n hierome_n in_o his_o 85._o epistle_n ad_fw-la euagrium_n the_o unanswerableness_n of_o which_o i_o be_o affirm_v to_o make_v matter_n of_o triumph_n over_o d._n blondel_n and_o walo_n massalinus_n seem_v to_o say_v that_o it_o never_o can_v be_v answer_v whereas_o say_v they_o if_o i_o have_v be_v please_v to_o cast_v a_o eye_n upon_o the_o vindication_n write_v by_o smectymnuus_n i_o shall_v have_v find_v this_o answer_n what_o this_o answer_n be_v we_o shall_v see_v anon_o in_o the_o mean_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n what_o it_o be_v which_o be_v call_v a_o triumph_v over_o these_o two_o learned_a man_n and_o first_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v what_o advantage_n the_o defender_n of_o presbyterâ—_n conceive_v themselves_o to_o have_v from_o that_o one_o ancient_a writer_n the_o presbyter_n saint_n hierome_n from_o he_o they_o have_v the_o interpretation_n of_o those_o scripture_n which_o they_o think_v to_o be_v for_o their_o use_n as_o that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v all_o one_o in_o several_a text_n of_o scripture_n and_o both_o signify_v presbyter_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n at_o first_o design_v ut_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorun_n concilio_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernarentur_fw-la that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n and_o that_o it_o so_o continue_a till_o upon_o the_o dissension_n which_o by_o this_o mean_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n it_o be_v judge_v more_o prudent_a and_o useful_a to_o the_o preserve_n of_o unity_n ut_fw-la unus_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la reliquis_fw-la that_o one_o shall_v be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n and_o all_o the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n belong_v to_o he_o and_o this_o say_v hierome_n in_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la decree_v and_o execute_v over_o the_o whole_a world_n by_o who_o this_o be_v conceive_v by_o he_o to_o be_v thus_o decree_v he_o give_v we_o not_o to_o understand_v in_o that_o place_n nor_o in_o what_o point_n of_o time_n he_o think_v it_o be_v do_v but_o leave_v we_o to_o collect_v both_o from_o some_o few_o circumstance_n as_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v after_o schism_n enter_v into_o the_o church_n and_o one_o say_v i_o be_o paul_n i_o of_o apollo_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o it_o be_v immediate_o after_o that_o than_o the_o presbyterian_o will_v gain_v but_o little_a by_o this_o patron_n for_o his_o whole_a meaning_n will_v be_v that_o the_o apostle_n first_o put_v the_o government_n of_o each_o church_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o many_o but_o soon_o see_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o do_v so_o and_o the_o schism_n and_o rupture_n consequent_a to_o it_o and_o change_v it_o themselves_o and_o settle_a one_o singular_a bishop_n in_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o government_n in_o every_o church_n to_o which_o very_o fit_o coheres_fw-la what_o clement_a have_v say_v that_o lest_o new_a contention_n shall_v arise_v about_o this_o singular_a dignity_n and_o authority_n who_o shall_v succeed_v to_o it_o they_o make_v a_o roll_n or_o catalogue_n of_o those_o which_o in_o vacancy_n shall_v succeed_v in_o each_o church_n that_o this_o be_v not_o in_o hierome_n opinion_n do_v thus_o early_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n the_o presbyterian_o think_v they_o may_v conclude_v from_o what_o he_o say_v on_o tit._n 1._o episcopi_fw-la noverint_fw-la se_fw-la magis_fw-la consuetudine_fw-la quam_fw-la dispositionis_fw-la dominicae_fw-la veritate_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la esse_fw-la majores_fw-la let_v bishop_n know_v that_o their_o greatness_n and_o superiority_n over_o presbyter_n be_v hold_v rather_o by_o custom_n than_o by_o christ_n have_v dispose_v it_o so_o but_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o this_o may_v not_o prove_v the_o conclusion_n which_o be_v think_v to_o be_v infer_v by_o it_o for_o here_o consuetudo_fw-la custom_n as_o oppose_v to_o christ_n disposition_n may_v well_o signify_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o late_a part_n of_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o ever_o since_o to_o s._n hierome_n day_n and_o that_o may_v well_o be_v sever_v from_o all_o command_n or_o institution_n of_o christ_n &_o so_o jerom_n opinion_n may_v well_o be_v this_o that_o christ_n do_v not_o ordain_v this_o superiority_n of_o one_o above_o another_o but_o leave_v all_o in_o common_a in_o the_o apostle_n hand_n who_o within_o awhile_o to_o avoid_v schism_n put_v the_o power_n in_o each_o church_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o some_o one_o singular_a person_n and_o that_o this_o be_v hierome_n meaning_n i_o think_v myself_o in_o charity_n to_o he_o oblige_v to_o think_v both_o because_o in_o this_o sense_n his_o word_n will_v better_a agree_v with_o the_o universal_a affirmation_n of_o all_o orthodox_n christian_n that_o before_o he_o and_o after_o he_o too_o unless_o those_o few_o that_o take_v it_o on_o his_o credit_n speak_v of_o this_o matter_n and_o also_o because_o if_o this_o be_v not_o his_o sense_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v find_v to_o contradict_v himself_o have_v elsewhere_o affirm_v that_o the_o three_o degree_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n be_v of_o apostolical_a tradition_n i._n e._n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n and_o now_o before_o i_o proceed_v i_o desire_v the_o ingenuous_a reader_n who_o be_v contrary_a mind_a to_o consider_v what_o he_o can_v object_v to_o this_o conclusion_n of_o i_o thus_o infer_v concern_v s._n hierome_n opinion_n and_o consequent_o what_o probability_n there_o be_v that_o the_o presbyterian_o cause_o shall_v be_v superstruct_v on_o any_o testimony_n of_o s._n hierome_n suppose_v what_o i_o be_o next_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o three_o order_n be_v by_o he_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o this_o be_v evident_a in_o his_o epistle_n to_o euagrius_n where_o have_v again_o deliver_v the_o substance_n of_o what_o have_v be_v now_o cite_v from_o his_o note_n on_o tit._n 1._o he_o yet_o conclude_v et_fw-la ut_fw-la sciamus-traditiones_a apostolicas_fw-la sumptas_fw-la de_fw-la veteritestamento_fw-la quod_fw-la aaron_n &_o silij_fw-la ejus_fw-la atque_fw-la levitae_fw-la in_o temple_n fuerunt_fw-la hoc_fw-la sibi_fw-la episcopi_fw-la &_o presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la in_o ecclesiâ_fw-la vendicent_fw-la that_o we_o may_v know_v that_o the_o apostle_n tradition_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v this_o instance_n that_o what_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n and_o the_o levite_n be_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o same_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n challenge_v to_o themselves_o in_o the_o church_n where_o these_o three_o degree_n and_o so_o the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n be_v by_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n on_o occasion_n therefore_o of_o inquire_v into_o hierome_n meaning_n and_o because_o this_o place_n so_o ready_o offer_v itself_o to_o
to_o the_o apostle_n not_o as_o to_o a_o common_a council_n of_o social_a ruler_n but_o as_o so_o many_o several_a planter_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n each_o have_v all_o power_n commit_v to_o he_o and_o depend_v on_o no_o conjunction_n of_o any_o one_o or_o more_o apostle_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v large_o and_o clear_o deduce_v dissert_n 3._o c._n 1._o 2._o 3._o 4._o and_o this_o power_n be_v by_o they_o derive_v to_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o they_o use_v it_o themselves_o which_o be_v also_o far_o evidence_v and_o vindicate_v c._n 5._o etc._n etc._n this_o be_v deem_v a_o first_o competent_a proof_n of_o this_o matter_n and_o as_o a_o confirmation_n of_o it_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o first_o bishop_n make_v by_o they_o be_v in_o the_o very_a scripture_n call_v apostle_n james_n the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n diss_n 4._o c._n 3._o 8._o a_o second_o principal_a proof_n of_o scripture_n be_v take_v from_o the_o several_a mention_n of_o the_o so_o many_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o the_o so_o many_o angel_n assign_v to_o they_o one_o to_o each_o as_o a_o singular_a governor_n or_o bishop_n in_o the_o revelation_n and_o in_o discourse_n of_o these_o we_o have_v find_v great_a evidence_n of_o the_o fact_n to_o authorise_v we_o to_o improve_v the_o conclusion_n a_o little_a high_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o main_a cause_n viz._n to_o affirm_v of_o these_o angel_n that_o each_o of_o they_o be_v a_o archbishop_n or_o metropolitan_a and_o have_v do_v so_o to_o discern_v upon_o undeniable_a ground_n that_o there_o be_v many_o other_o such_o mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n though_o not_o under_o that_o title_n as_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n metropolitan_a of_o all_o judea_n titus_n of_o all_o crete_n with_o a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o etc._n etc._n 9_o and_o the_o way_n of_o according_a all_o other_o scripture_n with_o these_o have_v be_v brief_o these_o 1._o by_o observe_v this_o difference_n betwixt_o city_n and_o metropoles_fw-la as_o the_o true_a cause_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o mention_n of_o many_o bishop_n in_o not_o of_o one_o city_n mean_v thereby_o the_o bishop_n of_o all_o the_o city_n under_o that_o metropolis_n as_o phil._n 1._o 1._o act._n 20._o 17._o second_o by_o examine_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o the_o word_n which_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v use_v in_o scripture_n for_o bishop_n as_o beside_o apostle_n and_o angel_n foremention_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ruler_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d doctor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pastor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a and_o in_o the_o father_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chief_a priest_n and_o sacerdos_n priest_n each_o denote_v dignity_n and_o authority_n and_o all_o clear_v to_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n applicable_a and_o by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o context_n to_o be_v actual_o apply_v to_o the_o singular_a governor_n in_o each_o city_n most_o of_o they_o constant_o so_o and_o that_o one_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o not_o constant_o so_o yet_o very_o rare_o otherwise_o and_o this_o be_v do_v dissert_n 4._o c._n 7._o and_o so_o to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o diss_n three_o by_o observe_v the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n in_o many_o city_n in_o the_o first_o plantation_n which_o make_v it_o unnecessary_a that_o there_o shall_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v ordain_v any_o more_o than_o a_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n one_o or_o more_o in_o each_o city_n and_o that_o this_o be_v according_o do_v by_o they_o at_o the_o first_o be_v approve_v by_o the_o most_o undeniable_a ancient_a record_n such_o as_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o profound_a history_n out_o of_o which_o 3._o epiphanius_n make_v this_o observation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o there_o want_v bishop_n and_o there_o be_v find_v person_n worthy_a of_o the_o office_n bishop_n be_v constitute_v but_o where_o there_o be_v no_o multitude_n there_o none_o be_v find_v among_o they_o to_o be_v constitute_v presbyter_n and_o they_o satisfy_v themselves_o with_o a_o bishop_n alone_o in_o a_o place_n only_o the_o bishop_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v without_o a_o deacon_n and_o according_o the_o apostle_n take_v care_n that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v have_v his_o deacon_n to_o minister_v to_o he_o that_o which_o be_v thus_o cite_v by_o epiphanius_n out_o of_o those_o ancient_a record_n be_v find_v clear_o affirm_v by_o cor._n clemens_n romanus_n a_o apostolical_a person_n and_o witness_v of_o the_o apostle_n practice_n that_o they_o be_v send_v out_o by_o christ_n as_o he_o by_o his_o father_n go_v out_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o proclaim_v it_o through_o region_n and_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v to_o both_o which_o we_o shall_v again_o add_v what_o ephiphanius_n preface_v in_o that_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o when_o the_o preach_n be_v new_a the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n write_v agreeable_o to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o affair_n we_o have_v here_o so_o clear_a a_o account_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o apostle_n immediate_a subjoyn_v of_o deacon_n to_o bishop_n phil._n 1._o 1._o and_o 1_o tim._n 3._o viz._n because_o those_o be_v the_o only_a two_o order_n then_o constitute_v in_o every_o church_n that_o these_o two_o place_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o adversary_n against_o we_o be_v most_o punctual_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o we_o and_o of_o the_o unseasonablenesse_n of_o their_o pretension_n 10._o as_o for_o the_o testimony_n out_o of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n the_o groundwork_n i_o have_v choose_v to_o lay_v in_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n because_o the_o testimony_n thence_o be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o evident_a and_o the_o writer_n so_o near_o the_o apostle_n time_n that_o holy_a man_n be_v martyr_a in_o the_o 10._o of_o trajan_n to_o who_o reign_n s._n john_n live_v and_o most_o of_o his_o epistle_n write_v to_o the_o very_a church_n of_o asia_n plant_v by_o st._n john_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o many_o of_o they_o name_v by_o he_o and_o of_o one_o bishop_n the_o presbyter_n under_o he_o that_o if_o that_o one_o author_n testimony_n be_v attend_v to_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a decision_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n on_o the_o prelatists_n side_n to_o which_o purpose_n i_o have_v also_o vindicate_v these_o epistle_n from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v object_v to_o they_o in_o these_o late_a year_n and_o assert_v their_o authority_n by_o as_o ancient_a and_o authentic_a evidence_n as_o can_v be_v vouch_v for_o any_o ancient_a piece_n next_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o and_o content_v myself_o with_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a copy_n and_o edition_n of_o it_o 11._o in_o accord_n with_o these_o testimony_n i_o have_v also_o produce_v many_o other_o out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n hegesippus_n polycarpe_n papias_n polycrates_n justin_n jrenaeus_fw-la clemens_n alexandrinus_n tâ—rtullian_n and_o as_o many_o of_o the_o first_o time_n as_o have_v say_v any_o thing_n to_o this_o matter_n and_o find_v a_o full_a consent_n in_o all_o and_o in_o most_o irrefragable_a suffrage_n which_o conclude_v this_o whole_a controversy_n on_o the_o prelatists_n side_n to_o which_o i_o have_v also_o add_v some_o few_o observation_n of_o unquestionable_a truth_n as_o 1._o that_o of_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o use_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a to_o signify_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n among_o some_o of_o these_o most_o ancient_a church_n writer_n whereas_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v never_o use_v by_o any_o but_o for_o a_o singular_a governor_n second_o that_o of_o the_o distinct_a congregation_n of_o jewish_a and_o gentile_a christian_n in_o the_o same_o city_n the_o ground_n of_o which_o be_v evident_a in_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o several_a governor_n or_o bishop_n over_o they_o which_o be_v useful_a for_o the_o remove_n some_o seem_a difficulty_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n antiâ—ch_n etc._n etc._n and_o some_o other_o the_o like_a not_o for_o the_o serve_v the_o necessity_n of_o our_o cause_n but_o as_o supernumerary_n and_o ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o upon_o these_o and_o such_o like_a head_n of_o probation_n we_o have_v build_v our_o plea_n descend_v also_o to_o a_o particular_a survey_n of_o saint_n hierom_n testimony_n which_o be_v by_o the_o adversary_n principal_o make_v use_n of_o against_o we_o and_o if_o what_o be_v thus_o copious_o deduce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n together_o
he_o govern_v the_o metropolitan_a city_n of_o ephesus_n that_o prime_a metropolis_n of_o all_o asia_n to_o the_o bishop_n whereof_o say_v 19_o chrysostome_n be_v entrust_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o whole_a nation_n of_o asia_n these_o testimony_n may_v suffice_v for_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o affirmation_n that_o st._n john_n govern_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o under_o it_o all_o asia_n which_o be_v the_o notion_n we_o now_o have_v of_o a_o bishop_n metropolitan_a and_o primate_n 4._o as_o for_o the_o word_n bishop_n how_o can_v it_o be_v inconvenient_a to_o bestow_v that_o upon_o he_o when_o he_o discharge_v the_o office_n nay_o when_o christ_n himself_o that_o great_a exemplar_n and_o original_n of_o this_o power_n be_v express_o call_v the_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n as_o well_o as_o the_o apostle_n when_o the_o office_n from_o which_o judas_n fall_v and_o to_o which_o mathias_n be_v assume_v be_v by_o st._n luke_n out_o of_o the_o septuagint_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishopric_n act._n 1._o 20._o when_o according_o from_o the_o scripture_n usage_n the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n have_v continue_v the_o style_n apostolos_n i._n e._n episcopos_fw-la &_o praepositos_fw-la dominus_fw-la elegit_fw-la the_o lord_n choose_v apostle_n i._n e._n bishop_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n say_v 65._o cyprian_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d peter_n and_o paul_n be_v the_o first_o or_o chief_a in_o rome_n the_o same_o person_n apostle_n and_o bishop_n say_v carpocr_n epiphanius_n and_o apostoli_fw-la episcopi_fw-la sunt_fw-la firmante_fw-la illud_fw-la petro_n apostolâ—_n the_o apostle_n be_v bishop_n as_o be_v confirm_v by_o peter_n in_o these_o word_n his_o bishopric_n let_v another_o take_v say_v 29._o hilarius_n sardus_n and_o again_o areall_a apostle_n â—tis_n true_a say_v he_o quia_fw-la in_o ecelesiâ_fw-la unus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la because_o in_o each_o church_n there_o be_v one_o bishop_n and_o nemo_fw-la ignorat_fw-la episcopos_fw-la servatorem_fw-la ecclesiâ—s_fw-la instituisse_fw-la ipse_fw-la enim_fw-la priusquam_fw-la ascenderet_fw-la imponens_fw-la manum_fw-la apostolis_n ordinavit_fw-la eos_fw-la episcopos_fw-la no_o man_n be_v ignorant_a that_o our_o saviour_n institute_v bishop_n in_o the_o church_n for_o before_o he_o ascend_v to_o heaven_n he_o lay_v his_o hand_n on_o the_o disciple_n and_o ordain_v they_o bishop_n say_v the_o 97._o writer_n of_o the_o question_n on_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o sanctus_n matthâ—us_fw-la episcopatum_fw-la sortitus_fw-la est_fw-la st._n matthew_n be_v bishop_n say_v gildas_n and_o to_o shut_v up_o all_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o apostle_n be_v bishop_n st_z john_n in_o asia_n st._n andrew_n in_o achaia_n st._n thomas_n in_o india_n say_v 〈◊〉_d gabriel_n philadelph_n and_o agreeable_o when_o st._n john_n of_o who_o we_o now_o speak_v call_v himself_o in_o the_o front_n of_o two_o epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_a the_o greek_a scholiast_n resolve_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o word_n elder_a he_o call_v himself_o bishop_n and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o news_n in_o thus_o affirm_v 5._o but_o than_o second_o when_o they_o take_v this_o for_o a_o evident_a demonstration_n that_o these_o author_n do_v not_o use_v the_o word_n bishop_n in_o a_o prelatical_a sense_n this_o be_v very_o far_o distant_a from_o a_o demonstration_n have_v not_o arrive_v to_o the_o low_a degree_n of_o probability_n or_o credibility_n for_o what_o be_v a_o bishop_n in_o the_o prelatical_a sense_n but_o a_o single_a person_n govern_v in_o chief_a in_o a_o city_n or_o wide_a circuit_n and_o such_o certain_o be_v st._n peter_n at_o rome_n s._n john_n at_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n as_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v to_o execute_v that_o power_n of_o the_o key_n the_o donation_n of_o which_o institute_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d steward_n be_v in_o god_n house_n governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o or_o that_o city_n or_o region_n and_o ordain_v other_o bishop_n there_o three_o therefore_o when_o it_o be_v add_v that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o apostle_n can_v be_v proper_o call_v bishop_n i_o reply_v that_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a they_o may_v not_o only_o because_o these_o so_o many_o ancient_a writer_n through_o several_a age_n have_v call_v they_o so_o and_o may_v not_o with_o any_o justice_n from_o we_o be_v accuse_v of_o impropriety_n but_o because_o the_o donation_n of_o the_o key_n do_v as_o proper_o make_v they_o bishop_n as_o the_o commission_n to_o go_v preach_v to_o all_o nation_n be_v add_v to_o it_o make_v they_o apostle_n to_o which_o purpose_n let_v these_o few_o thing_n be_v consider_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v here_o by_o the_o assembly_n acknowledge_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v eminent_o contain_v the_o episcopal_a office_n which_o though_o it_o be_v a_o little_a hasty_o express_v and_o shall_v be_v i_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostolical_a office_n do_v eminent_o contain_v the_o episcopal_a yet_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v all_o the_o episcopal_a power_n in_o their_o hand_n and_o over_o and_o above_o something_o more_o and_o if_o they_o have_v episcopal_a power_n then_o sure_a in_o respect_n of_o that_o they_o may_v as_o proper_o be_v call_v bishop_n as_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o apostolical_a commission_n which_o they_o have_v also_o they_o may_v be_v proper_o call_v apostle_n thus_o we_o know_v that_o they_o that_o have_v first_o the_o power_n of_o deacon_n bestow_v on_o they_o and_o after_o of_o presbyter_n be_v questionless_a deacon_n still_o though_o they_o be_v also_o presbyter_n and_o they_o which_o from_o the_o office_n of_o presbyter_n be_v advance_v to_o bishop_n be_v certain_o presbyter_n still_o though_o they_o be_v also_o bishop_n and_o do_v not_o lose_v the_o former_a power_n by_o be_v advance_v to_o the_o latter_a be_v not_o lessen_v by_o this_o increase_n of_o their_o dignity_n 7._o second_o that_o when_o a_o apostle_n be_v difference_v from_o a_o bishop_n it_o be_v either_o by_o his_o extraordinary_a power_n grant_v he_o for_o the_o plant_n of_o the_o church_n or_o by_o the_o universality_n of_o his_o diocese_n the_o all_o the_o world_n to_o which_o his_o commission_n extend_v whereas_o the_o ordinary_a bishop_n power_n and_o diocese_n be_v more_o limit_v but_o then_o these_o difference_n be_v of_o no_o force_n in_o this_o matter_n they_o only_o conclude_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v more_o than_o a_o bishop_n in_o those_o two_o respect_n not_o that_o in_o other_o sufficient_a respect_n he_o be_v not_o a_o bishop_n 8._o three_o when_o the_o apostle_n have_v each_o of_o they_o not_o only_o all_o together_o in_o a_o consistory_n that_o unlimited_a power_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o extent_n to_o all_o the_o world_n give_v to_o they_o by_o christ_n we_o know_v that_o after_o his_o ascent_n they_o part_v and_o distribute_v this_o province_n among_o they_o assign_v every_o one_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d his_o proper_a place_n or_o lot_n to_o which_o he_o shall_v betake_v himself_o for_o the_o plant_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o there_o will_v be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o he_o who_o according_a to_o his_o line_n in_o st._n paul_n phrase_n have_v plant_v the_o faith_n in_o such_o a_o city_n or_o province_n and_o sit_v down_o and_o confirm_v and_o far_o institute_v which_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o labour_v in_o the_o doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o word_n and_o govern_v they_o and_o exercise_v all_o episcopal_a act_n among_o they_o may_v in_o so_o do_v be_v style_v a_o bishop_n in_o that_o city_n or_o province_n and_o that_o as_o true_o and_o as_o proper_o as_o he_o that_o can_v do_v all_o the_o latter_a and_o not_o the_o former_a build_v on_o another_o man_n foundation_n govern_v and_o instruct_v where_o another_o have_v plant_v the_o faith_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v 9_o nay_o four_a we_o know_v that_o although_o by_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v provision_n make_v upon_o prudentiall_a consideration_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v be_v make_v a_o bishop_n sine_fw-la titulo_fw-la without_o a_o title_n or_o particular_a see_v to_o which_o he_o be_v assign_v yet_o before_o those_o canon_n forbid_v it_o such_o bishop_n there_o be_v and_o those_o never_o doubt_v to_o be_v proper_o bishop_n though_o they_o be_v not_o affix_v to_o any_o diocese_n and_o then_o nothing_o can_v hinder_v but_o that_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v each_o the_o whole_a world_n for_o his_o title_n though_o he_o be_v never_o affix_v to_o any_o particular_a diocese_n or_o province_n may_v be_v most_o proper_o style_v a_o bishop_n for_o all_o that_o but_o this_o be_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la more_o than_o be_v needful_a to_o our_o present_a praetention_n
figurative_o as_o it_o be_v evident_a it_o be_v not_o and_o be_v so_o confess_v when_o it_o appear_v useful_a to_o the_o objector_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o yet_o it_o be_v the_o singularity_n of_o the_o person_n wherein_o our_o argument_n be_v found_v our_o argument_n be_v not_o found_v on_o that_o which_o be_v mystical_a for_o certain_o this_o number_n be_v a_o plain_a grammatical_a notation_n of_o a_o singular_a person_n and_o that_o be_v proof_n enough_o that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o collective_a body_n a_o presbytery_n or_o consistory_n that_o be_v mean_v by_o it_o and_o in_o this_o all_o the_o controversy_n betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o adversary_n consist_v whether_o it_o be_v in_o many_o or_o in_o one_o in_o each_o church_n that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v vest_v and_o that_o be_v sufficient_o decide_v by_o that_o which_o be_v clear_a and_o unfigurative_a in_o this_o text_n and_o can_v be_v imagine_v otherwise_o but_o by_o force_v some_o figure_n on_o it_o by_o which_o one_o angel_n may_v be_v set_v for_o more_o minister_n which_o if_o it_o be_v do_v will_v not_o by_o their_o rule_n be_v argumentative_a 4._o three_o whereas_o it_o be_v suggest_v that_o this_o which_o we_o conclude_v from_o hence_o be_v opposite_a to_o many_o express_a testimony_n of_o scripture_n i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o say_v in_o this_o place_n where_o this_o be_v only_o affirm_v but_o not_o attempt_v to_o be_v prove_v but_o to_o profess_v my_o persuasion_n and_o assurance_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o must_v be_v in_o the_o process_n of_o this_o discourse_n contest_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o whole_a scripture_n and_o practice_n and_o write_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o succeed_a through_o all_o the_o world_n agree_v direct_o with_o what_o i_o conclude_v from_o the_o singularity_n of_o the_o angel_n and_o when_o in_o the_o follow_a word_n the_o testimony_n be_v express_v to_o be_v those_o which_o make_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o this_o also_o will_v immediate_o vanish_v when_o it_o be_v remember_v what_o be_v large_o deduce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n that_o the_o word_n bishop_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v never_o use_v for_o a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n but_o constant_o for_o the_o one_o single_a governor_n in_o a_o church_n or_o city_n and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n in_o that_o which_o be_v here_o affirm_v presbyter_n must_v be_v take_v in_o a_o notion_n distant_a from_o that_o in_o which_o now_o we_o use_v it_o and_o signify_v as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v already_o be_v say_v to_o do_v the_o singular_a bishop_n in_o each_o church_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a such_o a_o identity_n of_o the_o name_n will_v never_o be_v deem_v contrary_a to_o what_o we_o have_v conclude_v from_o the_o angel_n but_o direct_o confirm_v it_o for_o we_o 5._o and_o although_o here_o be_v no_o occasion_n in_o this_o place_n to_o prove_v and_o make_v good_a this_o assertion_n in_o each_o part_n of_o it_o the_o first_o positiuè_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o bishop_n in_o scripture_n always_o signify_v the_o singular_a bishop_n the_o second_o suppositiuè_n that_o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o scripture_n it_o must_v be_v by_o interpret_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n so_o as_o to_o signify_v a_o bishop_n in_o all_o place_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o be_v already_o do_v at_o large_a in_o dissert_n 4._o cap._n 6._o sect._n 19_o 20_o 21_o 22._o and_o shall_v here_o again_o be_v repeat_v and_o vindicate_v when_o the_o proper_a place_n require_v it_o which_o i_o foresee_v it_o will_v speedy_o do_v 6._o in_o the_o mean_a i_o must_v take_v leave_n to_o express_v my_o present_a sense_n and_o hope_v that_o other_o will_v not_o think_v it_o too_o hasty_a that_o no_o one_o of_o these_o five_o consideration_n nor_o consequent_o all_o of_o they_o together_o have_v at_o all_o praejudge_v our_o conclusion_n now_o in_o hand_n infer_v from_o that_o of_o the_o epistle_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o 7._o angel_n of_o the_o 7._o church_n section_n viii_o of_o the_o singularity_n of_o each_o angel_n the_o objection_n from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o plural_a number_n these_o consideration_n be_v thus_o lay_v as_o their_o foundation_n and_o i_o suppose_v be_v already_o remove_v from_o supersede_v or_o hinder_v our_o superstructure_n the_o next_o part_n of_o their_o method_n be_v have_v mention_v our_o objection_n from_o the_o singularity_n of_o each_o angel_n person_n to_o who_o christ_n message_n or_o epistle_n be_v send_v and_o the_o conclusion_n of_o a_o high_a prelatist_n from_o hence_o that_o these_o angel_n be_v not_o only_a bishop_n but_o archbishop_n to_o apply_v solid_a and_o every_o way_n sufficient_a answer_n to_o this_o objection_n 2._o in_o this_o proposal_n of_o our_o objection_n i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o inquire_v who_o this_o high_a prelatist_n be_v the_o former_a intimation_n and_o direction_n have_v persuade_v i_o that_o i_o be_o look_v on_o as_o this_o objector_n though_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o the_o most_o reverend_a archbishop_n of_o armagh_n lord_n primate_n of_o ireland_n have_v many_o year_n since_o deduce_v this_o conclusion_n in_o every_o part_n from_o this_o text_n and_o might_n if_o they_o have_v please_v have_v secure_v i_o from_o the_o opinion_n either_o of_o novelty_n or_o singularity_n in_o the_o assertion_n 3._o but_o i_o shall_v most_o willing_o assume_v the_o burden_n and_o proceed_v to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o solid_a and_o every_o way_n sufficient_a answer_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v give_v to_o this_o objection_n which_o though_o they_o be_v it_o seem_v to_o be_v fetch_v out_o of_o smectymnuus_n etc._n etc._n yet_o it_o happen_v well_o that_o we_o shall_v without_o need_n of_o consult_v those_o large_a volume_n find_v they_o here_o with_o more_o ease_n reduce_v to_o two_o head_n one_o that_o the_o word_n angel_n signify_v not_o a_o singular_a person_n the_o second_o that_o if_o it_o do_v it_o will_v not_o at_o all_o advantage_n the_o episcopal_a cause_n 4._o these_o two_o i_o confess_v if_o either_o of_o they_o be_v solid_o prove_v will_v utter_o drive_v we_o from_o our_o hold_n the_o only_a question_n at_o present_a be_v whether_o in_o either_o part_n the_o proof_n be_v solid_a and_o of_o this_o we_o must_v now_o inquire_v and_o first_o of_o the_o former_a of_o they_o 5._o this_o they_o thus_o propose_v that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o individual_o but_o collective_o for_o all_o the_o pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o respective_a church_n 6._o but_o before_o their_o proof_n for_o such_o a_o assertion_n that_o the_o angel_n of_o such_o a_o church_n which_o be_v certain_o a_o individual_a as_o much_o as_o the_o bishop_n of_o such_o a_o diocese_n be_v not_o yet_o to_o be_v take_v individual_o they_o first_o add_v their_o confession_n that_o this_o answer_n be_v call_v a_o poor_a shift_n a_o vain_a conceit_n etc._n etc._n but_o promise_v such_o reason_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o it_o which_o can_v be_v answer_v 7._o to_o the_o view_n of_o these_o unanswerable_a reason_n therefore_o we_o shall_v now_o hasten_v and_o the_o first_o reason_n be_v because_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o the_o angel_n often_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n rev._n 2._o 21._o but_o unto_o you_o i_o say_v and_o the_o rest_n of_o thyatira_n and_o so_o rev._n 2._o 10._o and_o 13._o by_o which_o say_v they_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o by_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v not_o mean_v one_o singular_a person_n but_o the_o collective_a body_n of_o ruler_n 8._o to_o this_o first_o reason_n i_o shall_v answer_v by_o separate_v that_o one_o text_n of_o thyatira_n from_o the_o other_o two_o and_o all_o that_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o they_o and_o speak_v first_o of_o these_o two_o and_o remind_v they_o 1._o that_o in_o a_o epistle_n unquestionable_o address_v to_o a_o particular_a person_n other_o under_o his_o care_n and_o charge_n may_v be_v and_o be_v occasional_o mention_v so_o in_o that_o to_o titus_n paulâ—s_v own_o son_n i._n e._n under_o the_o particular_a character_n of_o the_o belove_a person_n convert_v by_o he_o in_o the_o conclusion_n we_o find_v these_o word_n grace_n be_v with_o you_o all_o i._n e._n not_o with_o he_o as_o he_o must_v signify_v a_o whole_a presbytery_n but_o all_o the_o sincere_a lover_n of_o christ_n and_o saint_n paul_n they_o that_o love_v we_o in_o the_o faith_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o verse_n 9_o
and_o these_o presbyter_n be_v call_v bishop_n and_o be_v all_o of_o they_o star_n of_o the_o same_o magnitude_n and_o angel_n of_o the_o same_o order_n without_o a_o difference_n or_o distinction_n 2._o but_o this_o be_v a_o way_n of_o prove_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v deny_v by_o another_o which_o they_o know_v be_v equal_o deny_v by_o he_o against_o who_o they_o dispute_v and_o therefore_o that_o argument_n can_v be_v of_o no_o force_n with_o we_o 3._o it_o be_v most_o true_a indeed_o what_o they_o begin_v with_o that_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v a_o collective_a body_n for_o so_o it_o be_v certain_a every_o church_n be_v whether_o govern_v by_o one_o or_o more_o ruler_n but_o the_o church_n be_v not_o the_o angel_n any_o more_o than_o the_o candlestick_n be_v the_o star_n but_o punctual_o distinguish_v from_o they_o rev._n 1._o 20._o but_o this_o i_o suppose_v be_v a_o mistake_n hasty_o fall_v from_o they_o and_o i_o shall_v not_o pursue_v it_o any_o far_o 4._o their_o argument_n i_o conceive_v depend_v upon_o the_o plurality_n of_o elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v at_o ephesus_n act._n 20._o when_o paul_n take_v his_o leave_n of_o they_o and_o call_v they_o bishop_n but_o to_o this_o they_o know_v i_o have_v answer_v clear_o that_o as_o in_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n so_o in_o that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n be_v all_o one_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n denote_v not_o the_o many_o presbyter_n of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n but_o the_o many_o bishop_n of_o that_o and_o other_o city_n of_o asia_n which_o at_o that_o time_n by_o s._n paul_n summons_n send_v to_o ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n of_o asia_n be_v call_v and_o meet_v together_o at_o miletus_n 5._o to_o this_o purpose_n 14._o irenaeus_n be_v a_o witness_n beyond_o exception_n who_o speak_v of_o these_o elder_n or_o bishop_n add_v ab_fw-la epheso_fw-la &_o proximis_fw-la civitatibus_fw-la convocatos_fw-la esse_fw-la that_o they_o be_v assemble_v from_o ephesus_n and_o the_o next_o city_n in_o which_o as_o the_o faith_n be_v plant_v as_o well_o as_o in_o ephesus_n even_o in_o all_o asia_n so_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o there_o be_v bishop_n in_o they_o as_o well_o as_o in_o ephesus_n seven_a such_o church_n we_o know_v be_v here_o mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n and_o that_o paul_n be_v as_o careful_a to_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o they_o as_o many_o as_o can_v convenient_o come_v to_o miletus_n in_o his_o hasty_a progress_n as_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n he_o be_v just_o deem_v to_o have_v be_v 6._o other_o argument_n and_o authority_n i_o need_v not_o here_o accumulate_v for_o this_o notion_n of_o elder_n act._n 20._o because_o here_o be_v no_o appearance_n of_o reason_n offer_v to_o prove_v their_o or_o impugn_v our_o assertion_n this_o perhaps_o will_v be_v afterward_o attempt_v and_o then_o i_o shall_v as_o occasion_n require_v far_o enlarge_v in_o the_o mean_v it_o suffice_v that_o it_o yet_o no_o way_n appear_v that_o ephesus_n be_v govern_v by_o many_o presbyter_n and_o not_o by_o one_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o this_o second_o offer_n of_o reason_n be_v as_o deficient_a as_o the_o first_o to_o prove_v the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n to_o have_v be_v a_o collective_a body_n section_n x._o of_o express_v a_o number_n by_o singular_n a_o church_n by_o a_o candlestick_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n rev._n 8._o their_o three_o reason_n be_v because_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o only_o in_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n but_o in_o this_o very_a book_n of_o the_o revelation_n in_o mysterious_a and_o prophetic_a write_n and_o visionall_a representation_n such_o as_o this_o of_o the_o star_n and_o golden_a â—candlestick_n be_v to_o express_v a_o number_n of_o thing_n or_o person_n in_o singular_n and_o this_o in_o vision_n be_v the_o usual_a way_n of_o representation_n of_o thing_n a_o thousand_o person_n make_v up_o one_o church_n be_v represent_v by_o one_o candlestick_n many_o minister_n make_v up_o one_o presbytery_n by_o one_o angel_n thus_o rev._n 8._o 2._o it_o be_v say_v that_o john_n see_v seven_o angel_n which_o stand_v before_o god_n by_o these_o seven_o candlestick_n i_o suppose_v it_o shall_v be_v seven_o angel_n dr._n reynolds_n do_v not_o understand_v seven_o individual_a angel_n but_o all_o the_o angel_n for_o there_o be_v no_o seven_o individual_a angel_n but_o all_o the_o angel_n for_o there_o be_v no_o seven_o individual_a angel_n that_o stand_v before_o god_n but_o all_o do_v dan_o 7._o there_o be_v many_o more_o instance_n bring_v in_o the_o book_n foremention_v 2._o to_o this_o three_o reason_n i_o have_v no_o obligation_n or_o notice_n to_o give_v credit_n any_o far_a than_o the_o evidence_n persuade_v for_o many_o of_o which_o though_o we_o be_v refer_v to_o smectymnuus_n etc._n etc._n yet_o have_v receive_v promise_n from_o these_o that_o they_o will_v borrow_v a_o few_o thing_n from_o those_o other_o i_o shall_v with_o reason_n hope_v that_o what_o they_o have_v upon_o choice_n borrow_v leave_v as_o they_o say_v much_o more_o behind_o be_v the_o most_o satisfactory_a and_o solid_a of_o any_o thing_n by_o they_o produce_v and_o consequent_o if_o there_o be_v no_o force_n in_o these_o instance_n to_o oppugn_v our_o conclusion_n we_o shall_v not_o expect_v to_o find_v more_o convince_a one_o by_o travail_v far_o and_o gather_v up_o out_o of_o those_o dispersion_n what_o they_o have_v refuse_v to_o take_v up_o and_o offer_v to_o we_o 3._o the_o thing_n they_o will_v prove_v be_v that_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o this_o as_o in_o other_o mysterious_a prophetic_a book_n to_o express_v a_o number_n of_o thing_n or_o person_n by_o singular_n their_o proof_n be_v but_o three_o and_o the_o first_o be_v of_o no_o force_n because_o the_o word_n church_n denote_v a_o singular_a thing_n as_o well_o as_o candlestick_n that_o represent_v it_o for_o though_o a_o thousand_o man_n make_v up_o one_o church_n yet_o one_o church_n be_v but_o one_o thing_n consider_v as_o a_o church_n and_o proportionable_o as_o one_o candlestick_n in_o the_o singular_a be_v set_v to_o denote_v each_o church_n so_o there_o be_v seven_o candlestick_n to_o represent_v the_o seven_o church_n 4._o as_o for_o the_o second_o that_o of_o the_o angel_n that_o that_o signify_v many_o minister_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v as_o a_o proof_n be_v itself_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o question_n and_o indeed_o though_o church_n be_v a_o collective_a body_n and_o so_o one_o church_n be_v know_v to_o consist_v of_o many_o man_n yet_o angel_n be_v not_o of_o that_o nature_n one_o angel_n neither_o signify_v many_o man_n nor_o many_o angel_n 5._o and_o whereas_o the_o parallel_n be_v set_v betwixt_o the_o word_n candlestick_n and_o the_o word_n angel_n that_o they_o each_o be_v singular_a word_n by_o which_o multitude_n be_v represent_v that_o be_v a_o mistake_n for_o the_o parallel_n lie_v betwixt_o church_n and_o angel_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n betwixt_o candlestick_n and_o star_n as_o appear_v rev._n 1._o 20._o and_o both_o these_o be_v individual_a thing_n the_o church_n a_o individual_a church_n and_o there_o be_v seven_o such_o individual_a church_n and_o the_o angel_n a_o individual_a angel_n and_o there_o be_v seven_o such_o individual_a angel_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o pretence_n that_o one_o angel_n shall_v signify_v many_o minister_n than_o that_o one_o church_n shall_v signify_v many_o congregation_n 6._o last_o for_o the_o three_o proof_n that_o of_o seven_o angel_n rev._n 8._o 2._o if_o that_o be_v grant_v to_o doctor_n reynold_n authority_n that_o the_o seven_a angel_n there_o signify_v all_o the_o angel_n yet_o will_v it_o not_o at_o all_o contribute_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n which_o be_v that_o many_o shall_v be_v signify_v by_o a_o singular_a for_o we_o know_v that_o seven_o be_v not_o a_o singular_a but_o the_o custom_n indeed_o be_v ordinary_a to_o use_v a_o certain_a definite_a number_n for_o a_o uncertain_a or_o indefinite_a and_o the_o septenary_a be_v a_o perfect_a number_n and_o so_o fit_a for_o the_o turn_n it_o be_v more_o tolerable_a that_o the_o number_n of_o seven_o may_v represent_v some_o great_a number_n one_o plural_a a_o large_a plural_a than_o that_o a_o singular_a one_o shall_v do_v so_o 7._o and_o yet_o second_o there_o be_v no_o great_a reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o the_o seven_o angel_n be_v indeed_o very_o seven_o angel_n and_o no_o more_o this_o i_o collect_v 1._o from_o the_o seven_o trumpet_n that_o be_v give_v they_o ver_fw-la 2._o and_o the_o specify_v they_o by_o that_o character_n the_o seven_o angel_n which_o have_v the_o seven_o trumpet_n ver_fw-la
to_o discern_v the_o word_n church_n in_o the_o singular_a without_o any_o addition_n of_o ephesus_n or_o the_o like_a which_o restrain_v it_o in_o all_o the_o example_n there_o produce_v to_o be_v appliable_a to_o a_o far_o large_a body_n than_o the_o church_n of_o one_o city_n and_o consequent_o be_v quit_v from_o all_o obligation_n of_o make_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 20._o 17._o the_o elder_n of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n 45._o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n i_o suppose_v but_o the_o church_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n consist_v of_o many_o church_n as_o the_o part_n thereof_o may_v be_v and_o be_v in_o scripture_n call_v the_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a and_o so_o certain_o may_v the_o church_n of_o a_o nation_n or_o a_o province_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v unite_v together_o under_o one_o primate_n or_o metropolitan_a as_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o church_n and_o city_n near_o ephesus_n nay_o over_o all_o asia_n be_v according_a to_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n who_o when_o 254._o other_o affirm_v of_o timothy_n that_o he_o be_v by_o paul_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o epheâ—us_n express_v the_o same_o thing_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v manifest_a that_o timothy_n have_v a_o church_n commit_v to_o he_o or_o indeed_o a_o entire_a nation_n that_o of_o asia_n the_o like_a be_v ordinary_o observable_a of_o crete_n a_o whole_a island_n with_o a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o in_o each_o of_o which_o titus_n be_v appoint_v to_o ordain_v a_o bishop_n or_o elder_n which_o yet_o be_v style_v in_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o titus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o crete_n and_o the_o subscription_n never_o question_v upon_o that_o score_n by_o any_o that_o it_o speak_v improper_o herein_o 46._o and_o consequent_o there_o can_v be_v no_o harshness_n in_o this_o interpretation_n paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o he_o to_o miletus_n and_o in_o his_o oration_n address_v to_o they_o call_v they_o bishop_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n mean_v they_o singular_a praefect_n of_o several_a city_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n especial_o of_o those_o which_o be_v near_a ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n 47._o and_o so_o much_o in_o answer_n to_o that_o objection_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o argument_n from_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n as_o they_o call_v they_o 48._o another_o proof_n of_o the_o same_o be_v there_o add_v pag._n 85._o thus_o the_o syriack_n translation_n read_v it_o he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n so_o hierome_n presbyteros_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ephesinae_n so_o concilium_fw-la aquisgranense_n 49._o what_o authority_n st_n hierome_n testimony_n be_v to_o carry_v with_o we_o in_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v elsewhere_o large_o show_v and_o we_o may_v hereafter_o have_v far_a occasion_n to_o declare_v it_o and_o our_o reason_n of_o it_o at_o the_o present_a it_o be_v willing_o confess_v that_o st._n hierome_n on_o tit._n 1._o do_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o in_o scripture_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o and_o from_o he_o isidore_n hispalensis_n de_fw-fr officiis_fw-la eccl._n l._n 2._o have_v the_o same_o and_o both_o have_v according_a to_o that_o prolepsis_n change_v the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n in_o the_o act_n and_o instead_o of_o what_o there_o we_o read_v send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n they_o read_v send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o same_o church_n express_v themselves_o to_o mean_v of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o council_n of_o aken_n aquisgranense_n have_v transcribe_v nine_o chapter_n from_o isidore_n verbatim_o consequent_o do_v the_o like_a so_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o isidore_n and_o that_o council_n be_v as_o great_a as_o st._n hierome_n can_v make_v it_o from_o who_o evident_o it_o proceed_v may_v yet_o be_v allow_v to_o yield_v to_o the_o far_o great_a authority_n of_o polycarp'_v auditor_n irenaeus_n who_o have_v sufficient_o clear_v it_o to_o the_o contrary_n 50._o as_o for_o the_o syriack_n tanslation_n it_o be_v not_o here_o recite_v exact_o according_o to_o the_o truth_n for_o in_o that_o thus_o the_o word_n lie_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o from_o miletus_n he_o send_v and_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n where_o be_v but_o one_o mention_n of_o ephesus_n not_o two_o as_o be_v here_o suggest_v from_o the_o translation_n that_o it_o read_v he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n the_o short_a of_o it_o be_v ephesus_z being_z but_o once_o name_v in_o that_o verse_n the_o greek_a place_v it_o in_o the_o begin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o miletus_n he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o this_o be_v the_o original_a must_v certain_o over-rule_v all_o translation_n and_o according_o all_o translation_n but_o one_o to_o read_v it_o only_o the_o syriack_n have_v misplaced_n the_o word_n ephesus_n put_v it_o in_o the_o late_a part_n of_o the_o period_n quite_o against_o all_o syntaxis_fw-la and_o for_o do_v so_o be_v here_o cite_v and_o their_o testimony_n make_v use_v of_o to_o assist_v presbytery_n when_o the_o manifest_a truth_n in_o the_o original_a and_o by_o all_o other_o translation_n acknowledge_v will_v not_o allow_v they_o any_o the_o least_o advantage_n 51._o after_o they_o have_v produce_v these_o two_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o a_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n the_o reader_n will_v hardly_o expect_v that_o which_o now_o next_z follow_v in_o these_o word_n from_o all_o this_o we_o gather_v that_o the_o asian_a angel_n be_v not_o diocesan_n bishop_n but_o congregationall_a presbyter_n seat_v each_o of_o they_o in_o one_o church_n not_o any_o of_o they_o in_o more_o than_o one_o 52._o this_o conclusion_n as_o the_o word_n lie_v consist_v of_o two_o part_n 1._o that_o each_o of_o these_o asian_a angel_n under_o the_o title_n of_o congregationall_a presbyter_n be_v seat_v in_o one_o church_n this_n if_o it_o be_v mean_v as_o the_o word_n sound_v be_v the_o grant_n to_o we_o all_o that_o we_o contend_v and_o will_v hardly_o be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o three_o observation_n that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n for_o sure_o each_o of_o those_o presbyter_n be_v not_o a_o common_a council_n but_o i_o rather_o believe_v they_o have_v not_o so_o soon_o disclaim_v their_o praemiss_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o interpret_v their_o word_n by_o their_o principle_n than_o their_o meaning_n by_o their_o word_n and_o so_o that_o by_o congregationall_a presbyter_n they_o mean_v so_o many_o college_n of_o such_o presbyter_n seat_v each_o of_o they_o i._n e._n each_o of_o those_o college_n in_o one_o church_n and_o if_o that_o be_v their_o conclusion_n i_o must_v acknowledge_v it_o to_o accord_v perfect_o with_o their_o praemiss_n which_o be_v already_o answer_v there_o remain_v no_o force_n in_o the_o conclusion_n 53._o and_o for_o the_o second_o part_n that_o not_o any_o of_o they_o be_v seat_v in_o more_o than_o one_o understand_v it_o again_o as_o the_o word_n sound_v it_o be_v no_o way_n contrary_a to_o our_o pretension_n for_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n be_v seat_v in_o smyrna_n or_o in_o any_o church_n but_o that_o of_o ephesios_n and_o the_o territory_n thereof_o and_o although_o as_o that_o be_v a_o metropolis_n other_o city_n be_v under_o it_o and_o so_o other_o bishop_n subordinate_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n yet_o be_v not_o any_o other_o city_n the_o seat_n of_o that_o metropolitan_a but_o only_o ephesus_n whereof_o he_o take_v his_o denomination_n as_o although_o rochester_n be_v under_o the_o metropolis_n of_o canterbury_n yet_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n be_v not_o seat_v at_o rochester_n but_o some_o other_o bishop_n affix_v to_o that_o city_n and_o diocese_n as_o for_o any_o other_o meaning_n of_o it_o proportionable_a to_o that_o which_o we_o be_v fain_o to_o affix_v to_o the_o former_a i_o confess_v myself_o ignorant_a what_o it_o can_v tend_v to_o for_o it_o be_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v not_o any_o council_n of_o presbyter_n be_v seat_v in_o more_o church_n than_o one_o which_o be_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v no_o one_o body_n be_v in_o several_a place_n and_o i_o know_v no_o prelatist_n that_o either_o direct_o or_o by_o consequence_n have_v affirm_v it_o be_v 54._o what_o remain_v in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n of_o this_o chapter_n
titus_n be_v apostle_n of_o the_o cretanes_n and_o timothy_n of_o the_o asiatic_n so_o when_o chrysostome_n and_o theophylact_fw-mi and_o oecumenius_n approve_v of_o the_o three_o species_n 1._o and_o affirm_v bishop_n to_o be_v call_v presbyter_n and_o deacon_n also_o and_o on_o the_o contrary_a presbyter_n to_o be_v call_v bishop_n yet_o of_o each_o of_o they_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o they_o assert_v the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n not_o only_o in_o their_o own_o but_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n the_o concession_n and_o testimony_n of_o peter_n moulin_n be_v produce_v winton_n that_o the_o most_o famous_a bishop_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n chrysostome_n etc._n etc._n do_v not_o think_v it_o any_o diminution_n to_o their_o dignity_n that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_n be_v at_o first_o conceive_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n which_o observation_n be_v premise_v and_o thereby_o the_o prelatists_n pretension_n competent_o secure_v which_o soever_o of_o those_o sense_n shall_v be_v accept_v so_o long_o as_o they_o that_o be_v author_n of_o the_o assertion_n be_v permit_v to_o give_v their_o own_o interpretation_n of_o they_o it_o be_v then_o i_o think_v perfect_o seasonable_a and_o safe_a to_o discuss_v the_o question_n free_o and_o to_o set_v down_o what_o to_o i_o appear_v most_o probable_a without_o prejudice_n to_o any_o other_o dissenter_n and_o upon_o those_o term_n and_o not_o otherwise_o these_o two_o proposition_n be_v offer_v to_o far_a consideration_n of_o learned_a man_n 1._o that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o scripture_n constant_o signify_v a_o singular_a bishop_n 2._o that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d either_o constant_o signify_v a_o bishop_n also_o or_o else_o common_o a_o bishop_n and_o sometime_o but_o rare_o a_o presbyter_n these_o be_v somewhat_o different_a from_o the_o two_o paradox_n affix_v to_o i_o and_o in_o these_o term_n i_o shall_v now_o resume_v they_o again_o and_o clear_v they_o to_o be_v no_o paradox_n and_o begin_v first_o with_o the_o former_a of_o they_o concern_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o this_o be_v already_o do_v 1._o by_o consider_v the_o original_a notation_n and_o use_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o by_o go_v over_o every_o place_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v use_v section_n ii_o of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d natural_o signify_v a_o overseer_n and_o use_v by_o aristides_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o governor_n the_o same_o that_o justinian_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o ruler_n of_o province_n and_o metropoles_fw-la and_o by_o cicero_n ad_fw-la articum_fw-la render_v speculator_n &_o custos_fw-la one_o that_o look_v to_o and_o guard_v a_o province_n and_o so_o fit_o style_v angel_n who_o be_v general_o deem_v to_o have_v those_o two_o office_n and_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n call_v a_o eye_n and_o vulgar_o a_o guardian_n do_v in_o the_o greek_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n sometime_o render_v the_o hebrew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v common_a to_o god_n lord_n angel_n and_o general_o denote_v dominion_n sometime_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o praefect_n or_o commissary_n entrust_v with_o the_o administration_n of_o some_o affair_n whether_o in_o army_n as_o a_o commander_n numb_a 31._o 14._o in_o mechanical_a work_n as_o a_o master-workeman_n 2_o chron._n 34._o 12._o 17._o in_o a_o city_n a_o ruler_n or_o prince_n nehem._n 11._o 9_o peculiarly_a the_o chief_a of_o the_o priest_n v._n 10_o in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o temple_n as_o eleazar_n the_o ruler_n of_o the_o levite_n num._n 4._o 16._o and_o last_o in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o ruler_n set_v over_o that_o 2_o kin._n 11._o 18._o and_o the_o result_n of_o all_o this_o be_v that_o it_o general_o signify_v a_o office_n of_o charge_n and_o dignity_n and_o power_n and_o superiority_n over_o other_o all_o one_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v all_o use_v to_o render_v the_o same_o word_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v and_o so_o be_v most_o fit_o qualify_v to_o signify_v the_o like_a viz._n a_o praefecture_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n according_o there_o we_o find_v it_o apply_v 1._o to_o christ_n himself_o the_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n who_o though_o he_o minister_v to_o his_o disciple_n yet_o own_v the_o title_n of_o lord_n and_o master_n as_o that_o which_o from_o they_o belong_v to_o he_o joh._n 13._o 13._o second_o to_o the_o apostle_n act._n 1._o 20._o and_o for_o all_o other_o place_n where_o it_o be_v use_v it_o be_v evident_o capable_a of_o a_o sense_n very_o agreeable_a to_o these_o premise_n be_v never_o once_o use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o where_o it_o will_v be_v very_o commodious_a to_o render_v it_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n for_o a_o singular_a perfect_a in_o each_o church_n not_o a_o colleague_n in_o a_o presbytery_n this_o be_v at_o large_a show_v by_o a_o survey_n of_o every_o of_o those_o place_n first_o that_o of_o act._n 20._o 28._o where_o the_o apostle_n take_v leave_v and_o exhort_v the_o bishop_n set_v over_o the_o flock_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n they_o be_v there_o bid_v to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n i.e._n the_o christian_n of_o the_o several_a city_n of_o asia_n or_o near_o about_o ephesus_n as_o be_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n evidence_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n auditor_n to_o polycarpe_n make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o st._n john_n and_o therefore_o may_v well_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v the_o singular_a bishop_n of_o those_o city_n and_o not_o only_o of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n as_o be_v large_o show_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n the_o second_o place_n be_v that_o of_o phil._n 1._o 1._o where_o after_o the_o mention_n of_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o christ_n jesus_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n be_v add_v with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n where_o although_o some_o of_o the_o greek_a commentator_n which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n assert_v episcopacy_n do_v for_o that_o very_a reason_n because_o there_o can_v not_o be_v many_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n understand_v that_o place_n of_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n and_o add_v that_o the_o word_n 1._o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n yea_o and_o deacon_n too_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o distinct_a but_o promiscuous_o use_v the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o here_o the_o word_n bishop_n for_o presbyter_n as_o elsewhere_o the_o presbytery_n be_v use_v for_o bishop_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 4._o add_v this_o reason_n 〈◊〉_d because_o presbyter_n ordain_v not_o a_o bishop_n and_o although_o many_o expedient_n be_v ready_a at_o hand_n to_o keep_v the_o text_n from_o be_v useful_a to_o the_o presbyterian_o in_o case_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o by_o bishop_n the_o presbyter_n be_v mean_v as_o that_o epaphroditus_n their_o present_a bishop_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o theodoret_n chrysostome_n and_o theophylact_fw-mi who_o be_v most_o favourable_a to_o that_o interpretation_n be_v with_o st._n paul_n at_o the_o writing_n that_o epistle_n c._n 4._o 18._o yet_o i_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o epiphanius_n to_o affirm_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o signify_v peculiarly_a bishop_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o may_v do_v so_o refer_v it_o to_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o several_a city_n belong_v to_o that_o metropolis_n for_o such_o be_v philippi_n both_o as_o the_o first-fruit_n of_o all_o macedonia_n first_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n 2_o act._n 16._o 9_o &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o prime_a city_n of_o that_o province_n of_o macedon_n v_o 12._o of_o itself_o before_o its_o conversion_n and_o so_o say_v 247._o photius_n distinct_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o according_o polycarp_n epistle_n to_o they_o be_v inscribe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o whole_a province_n that_o belong_v to_o philippi_n in_o which_o there_o be_v diverse_a city_n and_o bishop_n in_o they_o the_o epistle_n to_o st._n paul_n be_v to_o be_v conceive_v write_v to_o they_o all_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v write_v to_o the_o saint_n of_o all_o achaia_n and_o be_v inscribe_v to_o philippi_n be_v to_o be_v communicate_v to_o those_o other_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n be_v to_o be_v communicate_v to_o the_o laodicaean_n col._n 4._o 16._o and_o that_o which_o the_o laodicaeans_n have_v receive_v whether_o as_o tertullian_n seem_v to_o believe_v that_o to_o the_o ephesian_n or_o any_o other_o in_o like_a manner_n to_o
transcribe_v it_o three_o that_o if_o any_o one_o or_o more_o place_n shall_v be_v think_v by_o any_o man_n to_o belong_v to_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n as_o that_o of_o jam_fw-la 5._o 14._o or_o the_o like_a i_o shall_v only_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v bring_v any_o convince_a proof_n or_o authentic_a testimony_n that_o in_o that_o or_o those_o place_n it_o so_o signify_v and_o i_o shall_v most_o willing_o grant_v it_o to_o he_o and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v it_o in_o the_o least_o degree_n disadvantageous_a to_o our_o pretension_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v to_o evidence_n it_o a_o demonstrative_a argument_n to_o confirm_v they_o but_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o insist_v on_o that_o till_o such_o proof_n be_v offer_v four_o that_o by_o this_o it_o be_v already_o most_o evident_a that_o my_o assertion_n be_v not_o true_o cite_v p._n 92._o in_o these_o word_n that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n presbyter_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o of_o a_o mere_a presbyter_n but_o of_o a_o bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v certain_o neither_o my_o word_n nor_o sense_n extend_v to_o the_o wheresoever_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v be_v only_o in_o a_o disjunctive_a form_n either_o constant_o so_o or_o sometime_o but_o rare_o otherwise_o five_o that_o if_o i_o be_v not_o misreport_v and_o the_o paradox_n be_v as_o high_a and_o as_o positive_a as_o it_o be_v represent_v yet_o i_o conceive_v not_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o that_o have_v with_o great_a confidence_n affirm_v that_o both_o bishop_n and_o elder_n do_v always_o signify_v in_o scripture_n their_o presbyter_n and_o no_o more_o for_o if_o either_o of_o those_o word_n do_v but_o once_o signify_v a_o bishop_n their_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la and_o whole_a cause_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n irrecoverable_o shall_v be_v so_o much_o at_o leisure_n from_o excuse_v themselves_o to_o accuse_v that_o for_o a_o paradox_n in_o other_o which_o be_v not_o imaginable_a to_o be_v more_o a_o extreme_a on_o one_o side_n then_o they_o be_v on_o the_o other_o last_o that_o if_o they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o take_v a_o particular_a survey_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o justification_n of_o these_o which_o they_o thus_o please_v to_o style_v paradox_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n as_o if_o they_o shall_v profess_v to_o deny_v and_o declaim_v against_o the_o conclusion_n without_o attempt_v to_o satisfy_v any_o reason_n by_o which_o it_o be_v infer_v it_o may_v be_v as_o just_a in_o i_o to_o tender_v they_o answer_v of_o the_o same_o make_n and_o so_o to_o supersede_n any_o far_a dispute_n in_o this_o matter_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o imitate_v their_o method_n but_o rather_o prepare_v to_o attend_v they_o in_o it_o and_o have_v thus_o far_o serve_v they_o by_o undertake_v the_o task_n which_o be_v due_a to_o they_o in_o give_v the_o reader_n a_o brief_a view_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o assertion_n which_o be_v too_o long_o for_o they_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o i_o shall_v now_o trace_v their_o step_n and_o follow_v they_o which_o way_n soever_o they_o lead_v section_n iu._n of_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o ancient_n of_o praelatists_n disagreement_n among_o themselves_o first_o then_o say_v they_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o these_o assertion_n be_v contrary_a to_o antiquity_n which_o yet_o notwithstanding_o our_o brethren_n do_v so_o high_o magnify_v and_o boast_v of_o it_o in_o this_o controversy_n and_o for_o recede_v from_o which_o as_o they_o say_v we_o do_v they_o do_v most_o deep_o charge_v we_o that_o these_o assertion_n as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v own_v by_o i_o and_o be_v assertion_n be_v so_o distant_a from_o be_v contrary_a to_o antiquity_n that_o they_o be_v found_v in_o the_o record_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a reverend_a authority_n have_v appear_v most_o plain_o by_o what_o have_v now_o be_v say_v and_o have_v before_o be_v lay_v as_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o interpretation_n in_o the_o four_o dissert_n if_o they_o which_o gather_v the_o conclusion_n from_o thence_o will_v have_v vouchsafe_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o praemiss_n the_o utmost_a that_o can_v be_v with_o truth_n pretend_v be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o text_n which_o we_o have_v insist_v on_o here_o and_o so_o likewise_o some_o of_o those_o where_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n be_v mention_v be_v not_o by_o all_o the_o ancients_n interpret_v just_a in_o that_o manner_n as_o i_o think_v they_o may_v safe_o and_o most_o probable_o be_v interpret_v and_o so_o as_o they_o will_v best_o accord_v with_o the_o opinion_n which_o those_o very_a ancient_n appear_v to_o have_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n in_o this_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v not_o offend_v against_o the_o ancient_a church_n or_o if_o i_o have_v as_o i_o shall_v have_v expect_v other_o accuser_n than_o those_o i_o have_v so_o shall_v i_o wait_v for_o no_o other_o judge_n but_o myself_o and_o immediate_o submit_v to_o any_o penance_n for_o it_o but_o they_o which_o true_o reverence_n antiquity_n discern_v also_o wherein_o this_o reverence_n be_v terminate_v not_o in_o adhere_v to_o every_o interpretation_n of_o each_o text_n of_o scripture_n give_v by_o any_o ancient_a commentator_n or_o interpreter_n for_o true_o that_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a several_a of_o they_o be_v know_v in_o interpret_n of_o text_n very_o frequent_o to_o differ_v one_o from_o the_o other_o this_o can_v be_v no_o news_n to_o any_o man_n who_o have_v but_o light_o view_v they_o or_o but_o occasional_o consult_v tirinus_n or_o such_o like_o late_a commentator_n who_o have_v collect_v the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o marshal_v their_o name_n and_o tell_v we_o how_o many_o have_v be_v for_o one_o how_o many_o for_o another_o sense_n of_o such_o a_o text._n and_o in_o affair_n of_o this_o nature_n wherein_o they_o have_v neither_o teach_v doctrine_n nor_o testify_v tradition_n but_o only_o express_v their_o single_a opinion_n or_o conjecture_n of_o a_o apostle_n meaning_n in_o word_n capable_a of_o more_o sense_n than_o one_o i_o know_v no_o praelatist_n that_o ever_o deny_v late_a writer_n liberty_n to_o recede_v from_o one_o and_o adhere_v to_o some_o other_o of_o the_o ancients_n or_o if_o more_o convince_a reason_n appear_v for_o any_o fresh_a interpretation_n never_o give_v before_o the_o like_a liberty_n have_v be_v allow_v and_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o our_o study_v of_o the_o original_n inquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o word_n and_o phrase_n observation_n of_o custom_n among_o the_o ancients_n and_o all_o wherein_o learned_a man_n differ_v from_o unlearned_a consideration_n of_o the_o context_n and_o argument_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o well_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o each_o difficult_a place_n and_o all_o the_o other_o skill_v and_o advantage_n of_o a_o good_a interpreter_n will_v all_o be_v unuseful_a first_o and_o then_o dangerous_a will_v tempt_v one_o oit_n to_o recede_v from_o some_o former_a writer_n to_o forsake_v the_o road_n and_o method_n so_o ordinary_a of_o transcribe_v other_o man_n labour_n and_o by_o incite_v he_o to_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o have_v not_o oft_o be_v say_v before_o which_o if_o it_o have_v why_o do_v he_o again_o trouble_v himself_o and_o other_o to_o repeat_v it_o will_v infallible_o involve_v he_o under_o the_o burden_n and_o guilt_n that_o be_v here_o lay_v on_o i_o of_o be_v contrary_a to_o antiquity_n but_o i_o be_o unwilling_a to_o discourage_v they_o from_o any_o sort_n or_o degree_n of_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o on_o condition_n they_o will_v be_v fair_o try_v by_o it_o in_o any_o notion_n by_o which_o they_o can_v imagine_v to_o define_v that_o reverence_n or_o the_o word_n antiquity_n i_o will_v forgo_v all_o my_o novel_a interpretation_n and_o say_v no_o one_o word_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v not_o distinct_o say_v before_o i_o and_o refer_v the_o whole_a fate_n of_o the_o cause_n to_o this_o judicature_n their_o second_o consideration_n be_v that_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o all_o that_o have_v ever_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o episcopacy_n from_o whence_o they_o conclude_v that_o till_o their_o brethren_n i._n e._n we_o praelatist_n agree_v among_o themselves_o they_o need_v not_o spend_v time_n to_o answer_v the_o private_a opinion_n of_o one_o doctor_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o have_v always_o be_v deem_v lawful_a to_o any_o man_n which_o have_v undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o a_o christian_a cause_n assert_v constant_o by_o the_o church_n to_o choose_v his_o argument_n as_o combatant_n do_v their_o weapon_n such_o as_o he_o think_v be_v fit_a for_o his_o managery_n and_o will_v most_o probable_o in_o his_o opinion_n convince_v
of_o many_o city_n each_o of_o which_o have_v a_o bishop_n over_o they_o as_o when_o in_o the_o 2._o council_n in_o trullo_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cyprian_n be_v say_v to_o be_v archbishop_n of_o the_o region_n of_o the_o africane_n region_n there_o signify_v the_o whole_a province_n under_o that_o metropolitan_a and_o so_o 52._o cyprian_n himself_o make_v it_o his_o observation_n jampridem_fw-la per_fw-la omnes_fw-la provincias_fw-la &_o singulas_fw-la urbes_fw-la instituti_fw-la sunt_fw-la episcopi_fw-la ancient_o through_o all_o the_o province_n and_o each_o of_o the_o city_n bishop_n be_v institute_v where_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o several_a province_n as_o those_o differ_v from_o the_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n be_v undoubted_o archbishop_n and_o if_o that_o place_n so_o very_o agreeable_a to_o this_o of_o clemens_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o give_v we_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o we_o see_v what_o it_o will_v be_v and_o how_o distant_a from_o these_o man_n conclusion_n that_o the_o apostle_n institute_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n and_o in_o each_o region_n or_o province_n and_o in_o the_o metropolis_n or_o chief_a city_n of_o it_o a_o metropolitan_a or_o archbishop_n but_o then_o 2._o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v signify_v as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o a_o company_n of_o village_n or_o little_a town_n lie_v near_o together_o so_o as_o to_o be_v here_o use_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o city_n yet_o can_v it_o not_o be_v from_o hence_o conclude_v that_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v bishop_n in_o those_o village_n the_o word_n be_v they_o preach_v through_o region_n and_o city_n and_o constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n early_a convert_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n which_o will_v be_v perfect_o true_a though_o all_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n constitute_v by_o they_o have_v their_o fix_a seat_n of_o residence_n in_o the_o city_n for_o that_o they_o constitute_v bishop_n in_o the_o region_n be_v not_o here_o affirm_v much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v in_o this_o matter_n to_o show_v that_o the_o utmost_a concession_n that_o the_o adversary_n can_v demand_v from_o hence_o will_v no_o way_n hinder_v or_o disadvantage_n our_o pretension_n but_o only_o give_v the_o chorepiscopi_fw-la a_o great_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n than_o either_o they_o or_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v they_o have_v of_o which_o whole_a matter_n the_o reader_n may_v see_v a_o full_a discourse_n dissert_n 3._o c._n 8._o sect._n 25._o etc._n etc._n and_o of_o it_o somewhat_o we_o shall_v anon_o have_v occasion_n to_o repete_fw-la from_o thence_o the_o second_o testimony_n of_o clemens_n be_v set_v down_o by_o they_o in_o these_o word_n that_o the_o apostle_n know_v by_o jesus_n christ_n 57_o that_o there_o will_v a_o contention_n arise_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d about_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n &_o be_v endue_v with_o perfect_a foreknowledge_n they_o appoint_v the_o aforesaid_a that_o be_v the_o aforesaid_a order_n of_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n etc._n etc._n here_o they_o require_v two_o thing_n to_o be_v note_v 1._o that_o by_o name_n be_v not_o mean_v the_o bare_a name_n of_o bishop_n but_o the_o honour_n and_o dignity_n as_o it_o be_v take_v phil._n 2._o 9_o ephes_n 1._o 21._o heb._n 1._o 4._o rev._n 11._o so_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o controversy_n among_o the_o corinthian_n be_v not_o about_o the_o name_n but_o dignity_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o it_o be_v about_o the_o deposition_n of_o their_o godly_a presbyter_n pag._n 57_o 58._o 2._o that_o the_o only_a remedy_n appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o all_o contention_n arise_v about_o episcopacy_n be_v by_o commit_v the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n to_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n afterward_o the_o church_n find_v out_o another_o way_n by_o set_v up_o one_o bishop_n over_o another_o but_o clemens_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n endue_v with_o perfect_a foreknowledge_n of_o thing_n ordain_v only_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n for_o a_o remedy_n of_o schism_n to_o this_o they_o add_v to_o supersede_n far_a citation_n our_o of_o this_o epistle_n it_o will_v be_v too_o long_o to_o recite_v all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o this_o epistle_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o our_o proposition_n let_v the_o reader_n peruse_v pag._n 57_o 62._o 69._o 72._o and_o take_v notice_n that_o those_o which_o be_v call_v bishop_n in_o one_o place_n be_v call_v presbyter_n in_o another_o and_o that_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d throughout_o the_o whole_a epistle_n what_o this_o whole_a epistle_n will_v yield_v towards_o the_o proof_n of_o their_o proposition_n which_o be_v that_o after_o christ_n ascension_n the_o church_n of_o god_n for_o a_o certain_a space_n of_o time_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n without_o bishop_n i_o think_v it_o reasonable_a for_o any_o that_o have_v not_o read_v it_o to_o conjecture_v by_o these_o two_o testimony_n which_o these_o who_o assert_v the_o proposition_n and_o here_o undertake_v to_o prove_v it_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o cull_v out_o of_o it_o have_v withal_o nothing_o more_o to_o collect_v for_o their_o turn_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o epistle_n particular_o from_o the_o compare_v those_o four_o page_n 57_o 62._o 72._o but_o only_a this_o that_o they_o which_o be_v call_v bishop_n in_o one_o place_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n in_o another_o now_o this_o last_o they_o know_v be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o i_o contend_v as_o from_o the_o scripture_n so_o from_o this_o and_o other_o ancient_a write_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o elder_a be_v word_n of_o the_o same_o importance_n all_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o at_o the_o first_o both_o import_v bishop_n or_o both_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o circumstance_n so_o much_o as_o offer_v by_o they_o to_o consideration_n which_o may_v incline_v it_o their_o way_n be_v evident_a by_o their_o own_o word_n neither_o of_o their_o two_o note_n pretend_v to_o it_o only_o their_o conclusion_n affirm_v that_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d word_n of_o the_o same_o importance_n the_o whole_a matter_n therefore_o will_v still_o divolve_v to_o this_o one_o quaere_fw-la whether_o when_o clement_n say_v of_o the_o apostle_n that_o they_o constitute_v none_o but_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n by_o bishop_n a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v or_o rather_o one_o bishop_n with_o his_o deacon_n or_o deacon_n in_o every_o city_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o one_o difficulty_n for_o this_o be_v evince_v all_o that_o their_o two_o note_n affirm_v be_v direct_o on_o our_o side_n against_o they_o i_o shall_v here_o entire_o set_v down_o the_o whole_a place_n last_o produce_v of_o which_o they_o have_v leave_v out_o one_o half_a it_o be_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d our_o apostle_n know_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o must_v be_v by_o revelation_n from_o he_o that_o there_o will_v contention_n arise_v upon_o the_o name_n or_o dignity_n of_o episcopacy_n i._n e._n about_o the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n some_o oppose_v it_o and_o cast_v they_o out_o of_o their_o office_n as_o here_o in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o corinthian_n and_o through_o all_o achaia_n be_v actual_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o this_o time_n and_o occasion_v this_o epistle_n to_o they_o for_o which_o cause_n therefore_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v perfect_a foreknwoledge_n that_o there_o will_v be_v such_o contention_n on_o this_o occasion_n do_v for_o the_o prevent_n of_o they_o constitute_v the_o forementioned_a bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v come_v in_o to_o the_o faith_n in_o their_o new_a plantation_n and_o after_o they_o so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v in_o barnabas_n epistle_n sect._n 10._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o people_n that_o shall_v be_v after_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act._n 13._o 42._o that_o which_o shall_v follow_v the_o next_o after_n give_v a_o series_n or_o catalogue_n or_o manner_n of_o succession_n i._n e._n set_v down_o a_o note_n of_o they_o which_o in_o each_o church_n shall_v succeed_v the_o present_a incumbent_n that_o when_o they_o die_v other_o approve_a man_n may_v succeed_v to_o their_o office_n or_o ministry_n what_o can_v be_v more_o manifest_a than_o that_o the_o dignity_n which_o the_o apostle_n confer_v on_o the_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n and_o province_n which_o in_o the_o former_a testimony_n have_v be_v clear_v to_o belong_v to_o single_a bishop_n not_o to_o any_o college_n of_o presbyter_n be_v by_o they_o foresee_v that_o it_o will_v be_v matter_n of_o contention_n occasion_n of_o sedition_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o
scripture_n except_o saint_n john_n but_o then_o 2._o that_o do_v not_o infer_v they_o to_o be_v new_a expression_n in_o saint_n john_n day_n as_o these_o day_n be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o day_n of_o the_o other_o apostle_n who_o john_n survive_v but_o only_o that_o they_o be_v idiom_n or_o character_n of_o speech_n that_o saint_n john_n delight_v to_o make_v use_n of_o 13._o thus_o indeed_o it_o be_v ordinary_o observe_v of_o his_o express_v of_o christ_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n which_o yet_o be_v take_v from_o the_o ancient_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n be_v know_v frequent_o to_o use_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o plato_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o expression_n which_o cause_v amelius_n to_o swear_v at_o the_o read_v the_o beginning_n of_o s._n john_n gospel_n that_o that_o barbarian_a be_v of_o their_o plato_n mind_n that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v in_o order_n of_o a_o principle_n and_o perhaps_o not_o peculiar_o to_o he_o appropriate_v for_o 31._o budaeus_fw-la a_o very_a learned_a critic_n in_o greek_a affirm_v saint_n luke_n to_o have_v use_v it_o in_o this_o notion_n cap._n 1._o 2._o and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o yet_o still_o it_o will_v be_v but_o a_o peculiar_a part_n of_o john_n style_n which_o if_o he_o have_v write_v his_o gospel_n in_o the_o same_o year_n that_o saint_n matthew_n do_v his_o he_o will_v doubtless_o have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o phrase_n be_v certain_o in_o the_o world_n before_o that_o time_n and_o so_o not_o new_a as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o and_o the_o usage_n of_o it_o in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o be_v derive_v from_o john_n use_n of_o it_o who_o be_v from_o thence_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o divine_a not_o john_n use_n of_o it_o from_o the_o new_a admission_n of_o it_o into_o the_o christian_a church_n 14._o and_o for_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lord_n day_n as_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v the_o christian_a sabbath_n i_o mean_v the_o weekly_a lord_n day_n which_o be_v mean_v by_o that_o title_n once_o use_v in_o the_o revelation_n but_o as_o probable_o the_o feast_n of_o easter_n the_o annual_a commemoration_n of_o christ_n rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o according_o andreas_n caesariensis_n set_v it_o indifferent_o yet_o so_o as_o it_o seem_v rather_o to_o incline_v to_o the_o late_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o lord_n day_n bear_v the_o memorial_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n so_o in_o what_o notion_n soever_o it_o be_v take_v it_o be_v against_o saint_n john_n use_n of_o the_o word_n that_o give_v it_o authority_n in_o the_o follow_a dialect_n of_o the_o church_n not_o the_o church_n usage_n that_o we_o any_o where_o can_v discern_v from_o whence_o saint_n john_n derive_v it_o and_o so_o this_o will_v be_v a_o instance_n as_o ineffectual_a as_o the_o former_a to_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n to_o which_o it_o be_v design_v for_o indeed_o bate_v the_o unskilfulnesse_n of_o the_o argument_n ab_fw-la authoritate_fw-la negative_a already_o mention_v what_o a_o strange_a way_n of_o conclude_v will_v this_o be_v s._n john_n use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lord_n day_n suppose_v also_o that_o it_o be_v true_a which_o be_v add_v and_o no_o other_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n use_v they_o but_o in_o stead_n of_o they_o the_o son_n of_o god_n messiah_n christ_n and_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n therefore_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o office_n of_o bishop_n erect_v in_o the_o church_n in_o saint_n john_n time_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o saint_n john_n shall_v not_o mention_v the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n it_o be_v at_o the_o first_o hear_v clear_a enough_o that_o there_o be_v no_o strangeness_n in_o this_o both_o because_o saint_n john_n undertake_v not_o to_o set_v down_o a_o dictionary_n of_o all_o word_n or_o custom_n which_o be_v in_o his_o time_n in_o the_o church_n and_o because_o there_o be_v no_o proportion_n hold_v betwixt_o the_o member_n of_o the_o comparison_n as_o have_v be_v show_v and_o it_o will_v yet_o be_v less_o strange_a because_o 1._o it_o be_v easy_o supposeable_a and_o not_o strange_a that_o he_o shall_v have_v no_o occasion_n at_o all_o to_o mention_v that_o office_n or_o that_o mention_v it_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o in_o his_o own_o choose_a expression_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d angel_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a as_o in_o other_o great_a matter_n he_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o allow_v to_o do_v by_o either_o of_o those_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o express_o as_o the_o use_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n will_v have_v do_v and_o 2._o it_o be_v otherwise_o as_o manifest_v by_o saint_n paul_n and_o saint_n luke_n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o the_o office_n belong_v to_o it_o be_v before_o the_o time_n of_o saint_n john_n write_n use_v in_o the_o church_n as_o it_o can_v be_v if_o saint_n john_n have_v make_v express_a mention_n of_o it_o 15._o and_o last_o for_o the_o high_a round_n in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o special_a part_n of_o the_o consideration_n our_o affirmation_n that_o polycarp_n be_v make_v bishop_n by_o saint_n john_n that_o do_v not_o any_o more_o than_o all_o the_o rest_n infer_v it_o necessary_a that_o saint_n john_n shall_v mention_v the_o name_n bishop_n saint_n jude_n i_o hope_v be_v suppose_v by_o the_o assembler_n to_o have_v constitute_v some_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o he_o in_o his_o epistle_n have_v make_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o such_o name_n or_o office_n and_o so_o much_o for_o that_o first_o consideration_n section_n iu._n of_o saint_n john_n write_n again_o of_o diotrephes_n a_o second_o consideration_n now_o follow_v to_o be_v add_v to_o this_o that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o the_o least_o intimation_n in_o all_o s._n john_n write_n of_o the_o superiority_n of_o one_o presbyter_n over_o another_o save_v only_o where_o he_o name_v and_o chide_v diotrephes_n as_o one_o ambitious_o affect_v such_o a_o primacy_n 2._o a_o consideration_n of_o the_o same_o unhappy_a constitution_n with_o the_o former_a 1._o a_o testimonio_fw-la negatiuè_fw-la again_o saint_n john_n have_v no_o occasion_n to_o mention_v it_o therefore_o there_o be_v in_o his_o time_n no_o such_o thing_n and_o 2._o in_o respect_n of_o the_o matter_n just_o the_o same_o again_o put_v only_o in_o other_o word_n there_o it_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o bishop_n in_o all_o saint_n john_n write_n here_o no_o superiority_n of_o one_o presbyter_n over_o another_o in_o all_o saint_n john_n write_n and_o so_o it_o can_v add_v no_o accumulation_n of_o weight_n to_o the_o former_a 3._o but_o then_o 2._o bating_n again_o those_o two_o infirmity_n in_o discourse_n what_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o at_o the_o time_n of_o saint_n john_n writing_n there_o be_v not_o in_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n any_o one_o presbyter_n superior_a to_o another_o presbyter_n what_o have_v the_o author_n of_o the_o dissert_n lose_v or_o they_o gain_v by_o this_o he_o make_v no_o doubt_n willing_o to_o yield_v to_o any_o enforce_a reason_n that_o be_v or_o shall_v be_v produce_v to_o conclude_v that_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v above_o deacon_n but_o one_o degree_n in_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o to_o be_v never_o the_o less_o qualify_v to_o maintain_v his_o praetension_n nay_o he_o be_v know_v to_o have_v express_v it_o as_o his_o opinion_n probable_o infer_v and_o not_o easy_o confute_v and_o that_o by_o which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a or_o because_o there_o be_v no_o evidence_n to_o the_o contrary_a all_o the_o presbyterian_a praetension_n found_v in_o the_o doubtfulness_n of_o word_n in_o scripture_n be_v utter_o exclude_v that_o there_o be_v not_o in_o the_o space_n within_o compass_n of_o which_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v any_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o they_o create_v in_o the_o church_n though_o soon_o after_o certain_o in_o ignatius_n time_n there_o be_v and_o than_o if_o the_o consideration_n now_o before_o we_o be_v of_o any_o force_n at_o all_o this_o will_v be_v the_o one_o direct_a and_o proper_a use_n of_o it_o to_o add_v more_o confidence_n to_o this_o opinion_n and_o so_o to_o confirm_v not_o to_o invalidate_v our_o praetension_n 4._o three_o for_o diotrephes_n and_o saint_n john_n chide_v of_o he_o for_o ambitious_o affect_v a_o primacy_n over_o other_o presbyter_n there_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v more_o than_o one_o misadventure_n in_o it_o for_o
〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o or_o in_o the_o name_n and_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o again_o we_o pray_v you_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o we_o well_o render_v in_o christ_n stead_n as_o his_o proxy_n for_o to_o ambassador_n be_v which_o be_v there_o apply_v to_o s._n paul_n a_o apostle_n and_o to_o timothy_n one_o employ_v by_o he_o immediate_o to_o preach_v and_o plant_v the_o faith_n and_o after_o to_o govern_v in_o the_o church_n may_v be_v proportion_n belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n their_o successor_n peculiar_o 4._o three_o that_o as_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v a_o messenger_n or_o nuntio_n so_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d apostle_n according_a to_o the_o origination_n of_o it_o from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v send_v signify_v also_o without_o any_o considerable_a difference_n but_o yet_o be_v never_o think_v fit_a either_o in_o scripture_n or_o in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v apply_v to_o ordinary_a minister_n but_o only_o to_o those_o send_v immediate_o by_o christ_n as_o he_o by_o his_o father_n to_o plant_v and_o rule_v church_n and_o to_o those_o who_o first_o succeed_v they_o or_o be_v employ_v by_o they_o in_o that_o great_a office_n 5._o but_o that_o which_o whole_o frustrate_v the_o design_n of_o the_o consideration_n be_v this_o that_o the_o singularity_n of_o the_o person_n one_o angel_n in_o each_o of_o the_o seven_o church_n be_v all_o that_o we_o argue_v from_o in_o this_o matter_n for_o as_o to_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n in_o each_o church_n that_o be_v certain_o pretend_v to_o and_o not_o decline_v by_o the_o presbyterian_a as_o well_o as_o the_o prelatist_n the_o only_a question_n be_v whether_o it_o be_v place_v in_o one_o over_o the_o rest_n or_o in_o more_o than_o one_o rule_v together_o in_o common_a and_o from_o the_o style_n of_o christ_n epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o like_a in_o each_o of_o the_o seven_o we_o think_v we_o conclude_v regular_o that_o it_o be_v one_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o singular_a number_n be_v not_o the_o dual_a or_o plural_a and_o that_o angel_n be_v a_o person_n not_o a_o aggregate_v body_n or_o multitude_n 7._o and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n again_o we_o conclude_v not_o from_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o star_n not_o from_o their_o light_n or_o shine_a but_o from_o their_o number_n but_o seven_o in_o all_o no_o more_o than_o there_o be_v church_n i._n e._n one_o only_a in_o each_o church_n and_o we_o know_v there_o be_v difference_n between_o a_o star_n and_o a_o asterisme_n or_o constellation_n one_o single_a light_n and_o a_o conjunction_n of_o many_o and_o according_o mr._n brightman_n that_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o find_v this_o truth_n in_o that_o text_n be_v force_v to_o deal_v plain_o and_o to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o epistle_n be_v not_o each_o of_o they_o send_v to_o any_o one_o angel_n but_o to_o the_o college_n of_o pastor_n nec_fw-la uni_fw-la alicui_fw-la angelo_n mittuntur_fw-la sed_fw-la toti_fw-la ut_fw-la ita_fw-la dicam_fw-la collegio_fw-la pastorum_fw-la in_o apoc._n c._n 2._o 1._o which_o be_v sufficient_o contrary_a to_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o text_n which_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o angel_n in_o the_o singular_a he_o think_v fit_a to_o add_v his_o reason_n for_o it_o non_fw-la enim_fw-la unus_fw-la erat_fw-la angelus_n ephesi_n sed_fw-la plures_fw-la nec_fw-la inter_fw-la istos_fw-la aliquis_fw-la princeps_fw-la for_o there_o be_v not_o 〈◊〉_d angel_n of_o ephesus_n but_o many_o nor_o any_o one_o among_o those_o principal_a or_o chief_a which_o be_v the_o beg_n of_o the_o question_n or_o prove_a his_o assertion_n only_o by_o assert_v it_o whereas_o beza_n find_v himself_o more_o press_v by_o the_o force_n of_o the_o place_n be_v force_v to_o render_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._o e._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o angel_n i._n e._n to_o the_o precedent_n quem_fw-la nimirum_fw-la oportuit_fw-la inprimis_fw-la de_fw-la his_fw-la rebus_fw-la admoneri_fw-la who_o be_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o be_v admonish_v of_o these_o thing_n 8._o what_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n proper_o signify_v be_v show_v at_o large_a out_o of_o justin_n martyr_n dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n marcellus_n ancyranus_n and_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n dissert_n 4._o c._n 17._o direct_o the_o same_o that_o we_o mean_v now_o by_o bishop_n but_o that_o i_o pretend_v not_o to_o think_v beza_n mean_v by_o it_o his_o prolepse_n and_o espouse_a principle_n lead_v he_o another_o way_n all_o that_o i_o observe_v from_o the_o citation_n be_v that_o by_o the_o singularity_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o angel_n not_o angel_n he_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v a_o single_a person_n to_o be_v understand_v which_o be_v contrary_a to_o mr._n brightman_n and_o those_o that_o comprehend_v a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n under_o the_o title_n which_o be_v yield_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o our_o other_o evidence_n already_o produce_v which_o must_v not_o be_v at_o every_o turn_n repeat_v from_o the_o catalogue_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n concern_v those_o single_a person_n will_v conclude_v they_o indeed_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o in_o beza_n notion_n but_o in_o justin_n martyr_n who_o be_v much_o a_o more_o competent_a judge_n i._n e._n the_o very_a bishop_n which_o we_o pretend_v they_o to_o be_v and_o true_o i_o can_v discern_v any_o weak_a part_n which_o may_v hazard_v be_v count_v ridiculous_a in_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v section_n vii_o of_o their_o exception_n to_o our_o argue_v from_o symbol_n of_o rishop_n and_o elder_a be_v the_o same_o the_o last_o consideration_n now_o remain_v in_o these_o word_n these_o title_n of_o star_n and_o angel_n be_v mysterious_a and_o metaphorical_a it_o be_v say_v rev._n 1._o 20._o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o seven_o star_n and_o certain_o it_o can_v be_v safe_a or_o solid_a to_o build_v the_o structure_n of_o episcopacy_n by_o divine_a right_n upon_o mysterious_a and_o metaphorical_a denomination_n theologia_n symbolica_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la argumentativa_fw-la especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v abundance_n of_o clear_a text_n that_o make_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o and_o it_o can_v be_v praiseworthy_a for_o any_o man_n though_o never_o so_o learned_a in_o the_o esteem_n of_o the_o world_n to_o oppose_v certain_a allegorical_a and_o mysterious_a title_n to_o so_o many_o express_a testimony_n of_o scripture_n 2._o to_o this_o the_o answer_n will_v be_v satisfactory_a though_o it_o shall_v be_v but_o brief_a that_o we_o do_v not_o find_v our_o argument_n in_o a_o allegory_n for_o 1._o though_o the_o word_n star_n apply_v to_o the_o governor_n of_o church_n be_v only_o figurative_o so_o apply_v yet_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o the_o author_n of_o this_o consideration_n may_v be_v believe_v in_o that_o which_o immediate_o precede_v signify_v not_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n or_o incorporeal_a substance_n but_o a_o messenger_n or_o ambassador_n such_o as_o say_v they_o all_o minister_n be_v and_o agreeable_o in_o that_o which_o be_v here_o annex_v to_o prove_v the_o allegorical_a or_o mystical_a phrase_n from_o rev._n 1._o 20._o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o seven_o star_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o only_o the_o word_n star_n be_v symbolical_a or_o mystical_a and_o as_o evident_a that_o the_o angel_n be_v not_o for_o it_o be_v in_o the_o explicate_a and_o not_o in_o the_o form_n of_o the_o figure_n that_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n be_v mention_v as_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v signify_v by_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o star_n as_o the_o church_n themselves_o by_o the_o lamp_n and_o therefore_o as_o it_o will_v be_v absurd_a to_o say_v that_o a_o symbol_n be_v explicate_v by_o a_o symbol_n one_o mystery_n by_o another_o or_o proportionable_o that_o the_o church_n by_o which_o the_o lamp_n be_v express_v be_v a_o mystical_a allegorical_a phrase_n so_o it_o will_v be_v as_o unreasonable_a to_o affirm_v of_o the_o angel_n that_o they_o be_v a_o mystery_n or_o allegory_n because_o of_o the_o star_n it_o be_v affirm_v that_o they_o be_v such_o when_o indeed_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v the_o interpretation_n and_o unfolding_n of_o the_o mystery_n which_o be_v as_o far_o from_o be_v the_o mystery_n as_o the_o light_n be_v from_o be_v darkness_n which_o it_o expel_v out_o of_o the_o horizon_n and_o be_v purposely_o send_v by_o god_n to_o do_v so_o 3._o but_o than_o second_o it_o be_v yet_o more_o manifest_a that_o if_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v here_o use_v