and_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o apostle_n act_v with_o a_o plenitude_n of_o power_n till_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o new_a commission_n after_o his_o resurrection_n and_o it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o in_o st._n matthew_n 16._o 19_o he_o ve_v they_o with_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o loose_v in_o the_o future_a tense_n but_o in_o st._n john_n 20._o 23._o after_o his_o resurrection_n it_o be_v express_v in_o the_o present_a tense_n then_o it_o be_v that_o he_o give_v they_o that_o authority_n which_o himself_o have_v exercise_v whilst_o he_o remain_v on_o earth_n but_o then_o when_o immediate_o in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o new_a commission_n the_o apostle_n think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o choose_v one_o into_o their_o order_n to_o supply_v the_o vacancy_n make_v by_o the_o death_n of_o judas_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o they_o think_v the_o apostolical_a office_n by_o our_o saviour_n appointment_n distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o all_o other_o office_n in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o form_n observe_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o plant_v and_o govern_v of_o church_n be_v model_v according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o platform_n and_o after_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a to_o inquire_v whether_o he_o only_o draw_v the_o model_n or_o erect_v the_o building_n but_o whichsoever_o he_o do_v it_o be_v improve_v into_o a_o impregnable_a demonstration_n from_o the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o from_o they_o the_o perpetual_a tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o this_o original_a form_n of_o church-government_n for_o the_o apostle_n we_o all_o know_v and_o all_o party_n grant_v during_o their_o day_n keep_v up_o the_o distinction_n and_o preeminence_n of_o their_o order_n and_o from_o they_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n claim_v their_o succession_n and_o every_o where_o challenge_v their_o episcopal_a authority_n from_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o example_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o now_o be_v we_o enter_v upon_o the_o second_o main_a controversy_n viz._n the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n against_o which_o three_o thing_n be_v usual_o allege_v that_o neither_o can_v we_o have_v that_o certainty_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o constitute_v a_o divine_a right_n nor_o second_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o apostle_n do_v tie_v themselves_o to_o any_o one_o fix_a course_n in_o model_a church_n nor_o three_o if_o they_o do_v do_v it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o we_o must_v observe_v the_o same_o and_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v make_v out_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n second_o from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n plead_v in_o behalf_n of_o different_a form_n of_o government_n three_o from_o the_o defectiveness_n ambiguity_n partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n which_o shall_v inform_v we_o what_o be_v the_o apostolical_a practice_n but_o as_o to_o the_o first_o i_o shall_v whole_o wave_v the_o dispute_n of_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n because_o it_o be_v altogether_o beside_o the_o purpose_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o our_o other_o proof_n be_v so_o pregnant_a as_o to_o render_v it_o altogether_o useless_a neither_o indeed_o will_v this_o ever_o have_v be_v any_o matter_n of_o dispute_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n for_o want_n of_o better_a argument_n be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o slender_a pretence_n but_o how_o impotent_o salmasius_n and_o blondel_n who_o be_v the_o main_a founder_n of_o the_o argument_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o community_n of_o the_o name_n the_o identity_n of_o the_o office_n any_o one_o that_o have_v the_o patience_n to_o read_v they_o over_o may_v satisfy_v himself_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o can_v but_o admire_v to_o see_v learned_a man_n persist_v so_o stubborn_o in_o a_o palpable_a impertinency_n when_o from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o will_v infer_v no_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n notwithstanding_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o grant_v by_o themselves_o that_o the_o apostle_n enjoy_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v once_o prove_v or_o grant_v and_o themselves_z never_o doubt_v of_o it_o to_o infer_v their_o belove_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o parity_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o the_o equivocal_a signification_n of_o those_o two_o word_n be_v only_o to_o outface_v their_o own_o conviction_n and_o their_o adversary_n demonstration_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v and_o themselves_o can_v deny_v it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o inequality_n of_o office_n from_o the_o superiority_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v a_o very_a childish_a attempt_n to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v not_o because_o there_o be_v two_o synonymous_n term_n whereby_o to_o express_v the_o whole_a order_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o to_o persist_v in_o this_o trifle_a inference_n as_o salmasius_n have_v who_o when_o he_o be_v inform_v of_o its_o manifest_a weakness_n and_o absurdity_n will_v never_o renounce_v it_o but_o still_o repeat_v it_o in_o one_o book_n after_o another_o without_o any_o improvement_n but_o of_o passion_n and_o confidence_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o woeful_a example_n that_o i_o remember_v of_o a_o learned_a man_n trifle_a that_o have_v not_o the_o ingenuity_n to_o yield_v when_o he_o find_v himself_o vanquish_v not_o only_o by_o his_o adversary_n but_o his_o argument_n neither_o shall_v i_o trouble_v myself_o with_o other_o man_n dispute_n about_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n when_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a current_n of_o scripture_n that_o the_o apostle_n exercise_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o argument_n from_o apostolical_a practice_n for_o as_o yet_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o we_o whether_o they_o be_v presbyter_n or_o bishop_n that_o they_o set_v over_o particular_a church_n that_o shall_v be_v inquire_v into_o when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o apostle_n for_o then_o by_o apostolical_a practice_n there_o be_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n in_o church-government_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v here_o too_o at_o the_o blindness_n of_o walo_n messalinus_n who_o in_o pursuance_n of_o his_o verbal_a argument_n produce_v this_o passage_n out_o of_o theodoret_n and_o spend_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o his_o book_n in_o declaim_v upon_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o the_o same_o man_n be_v call_v presbyter_n and_o bishop_n and_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n they_o then_o call_v apostle_n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o name_n of_o apostolate_a be_v appropriate_a to_o they_o who_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o apostle_n and_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v apply_v to_o they_o who_o be_v former_o call_v apostle_n than_o which_o word_n beside_o that_o they_o contain_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n there_o be_v scarce_o a_o clear_a passage_n in_o all_o antiquity_n to_o confound_v his_o cause_n for_o what_o can_v be_v a_o plain_a reproof_n to_o their_o noise_n about_o the_o equivalency_n of_o word_n than_o to_o be_v tell_v that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o that_o those_o that_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n be_v then_o call_v apostle_n who_o exercise_v the_o episcopal_a power_n over_o the_o other_o clergy_n but_o that_o afterward_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o leave_v the_o word_n apostolate_v to_o those_o who_o be_v strict_o and_o proper_o so_o call_v and_o style_v all_o other_o bishop_n who_o in_o former_a time_n be_v style_v apostle_n what_o i_o say_v can_v be_v more_o peremptory_a against_o his_o opinion_n that_o conclude_v from_o the_o equivalency_n of_o name_n to_o the_o parity_n of_o power_n than_o this_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o word_n be_v equivalent_a yet_o the_o episcopal_a power_n be_v then_o in_o the_o apostle_n who_o successor_n in_o their_o supremacy_n come_v in_o aftertime_n to_o be_v call_v bishop_n and_o if_o so_o then_o be_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o imparity_n of_o church-officer_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n as_o in_o succeed_a age_n nay_o our_o friend_n walo_n be_v not_o content_a to_o make_v this_o out_o for_o we_o only_o as_o to_o the_o
that_o passage_n of_o sozomen_n l._n 1._o c._n 9_o in_o which_o some_o learned_a man_n fancy_n they_o find_v some_o footstep_n of_o this_o law_n it_o be_v quite_o to_o the_o other_o purpose_n that_o i_o but_o now_o mention_v viz._n the_o bishop_n power_n of_o determine_v cause_n by_o the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o party_n when_o this_o edict_n be_v forge_v and_o by_o who_o it_o be_v uncertain_a but_o it_o be_v probable_o conjecture_v by_o gothofred_n from_o the_o barbarity_n of_o its_o stile_n and_o great_a likeness_n of_o it_o to_o that_o of_o constantine_n donation_n to_o have_v be_v forge_v in_o the_o same_o shop_n and_o by_o the_o same_o hand_n but_o if_o this_o edict_n be_v as_o true_a as_o the_o rest_n be_v which_o give_v bishop_n power_n to_o sentence_n cause_v praeeunte_fw-la vinculo_fw-la compromissi_fw-la yet_o where_o do_v we_o find_v any_o edict_n for_o enable_v they_o to_o enforce_v their_o decree_n by_o excommunication_n not_o one_o syllable_n of_o that_o in_o all_o the_o roman_a law_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o their_o officer_n be_v command_v to_o put_v the_o bishop_n sentence_n in_o execution_n be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o very_a force_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o because_o the_o roman_a emperor_n grant_v the_o christian_a bishop_n some_o jurisdiction_n they_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v grant_v they_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o edict_n extant_a in_o all_o their_o law_n they_o confer_v many_o privilege_n upon_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o title_n de_fw-fr episcopis_fw-la ecclesiâ—s_fw-la clericis_fw-la &_o de_fw-la religione_fw-la yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o both_o the_o code_o and_o all_o the_o novel_n to_o vest_n they_o with_o any_o power_n of_o excommunication_n and_o therefore_o as_o those_o other_o they_o enjoy_v by_o the_o emperor_n favour_n not_o by_o any_o antecedent_n right_o so_o see_v they_o exercise_v this_o power_n and_o that_o not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o imperial_a grant_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o receive_v their_o authority_n from_o some_o other_o hand_n so_o that_o to_o conclude_v there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n against_o our_o author_n opinion_n than_o the_o body_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o one_o instance_n record_v that_o ever_o any_o emperor_n pretend_v to_o this_o power_n himself_o or_o grant_v it_o to_o his_o bishop_n for_o from_o thence_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o if_o they_o have_v it_o at_o all_o they_o have_v it_o from_o some_o other_o commission_n and_o thus_o be_o i_o come_v to_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o though_o there_o be_v many_o precedent_n of_o latter_a time_n yet_o i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o justify_v what_o be_v do_v by_o huns_n goth_n and_o vandal_n who_o practice_n be_v the_o mere_a effect_n of_o ignorance_n and_o barbarity_n and_o oblige_v we_o rather_o to_o pity_v than_o to_o follow_v their_o example_n part_n ii_o have_v hitherto_o treat_v with_o the_o false_a pretender_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o come_v now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o treat_v more_o amicable_o with_o some_o of_o its_o mistake_a friend_n and_o they_o be_v those_o that_o own_o a_o government_n in_o it_o but_o without_o governor_n allow_v indeed_o that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v some_o sort_n of_o government_n establish_v in_o the_o church_n but_o then_o they_o deny_v any_o particular_a form_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v settle_v by_o divine_a right_n or_o apostolical_a constitution_n and_o leave_v it_o whole_o to_o the_o choice_n and_o determination_n of_o humane_a authority_n so_o that_o though_o the_o church_n of_o england_n happen_v to_o be_v at_o present_a govern_v by_o bishop_n and_o though_o upon_o that_o account_n we_o may_v owe_v duty_n and_o subjection_n to_o they_o as_o our_o lawful_a superior_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o set_v over_o we_o by_o any_o divine_a commission_n but_o pure_o by_o his_o majesty_n be_v good_a will_n and_o pleasure_n who_o at_o his_o restitution_n to_o his_o kingdom_n may_v have_v forbear_v to_o restore_v the_o then_o abolish_v order_n of_o bishop_n and_o instead_o of_o that_o have_v establish_v some_o other_o form_n of_o government_n that_o he_o judge_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n which_o if_o he_o have_v do_v that_o then_o have_v be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n now_o the_o birth_n of_o this_o opinion_n seem_v to_o have_v happen_v on_o this_o manner_n mr._n calvin_n have_v found_v his_o geneva_n platform_n upon_o divine_a institution_n as_o he_o particular_o do_v in_o the_o four_o book_n of_o his_o institution_n chap._n 11._o though_o some_o man_n that_o be_v more_o his_o disciple_n than_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o own_o be_v please_v to_o deny_v it_o and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o decree_n beza_n and_o all_o the_o other_o first_o apostle_n of_o his_o church_n have_v spend_v all_o their_o pain_n in_o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o good_a out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o learned_a man_n that_o come_v after_o they_o both_o in_o the_o french_a and_o dutch_a church_n because_o they_o must_v needs_o go_v beyond_o those_o that_o go_v before_o they_o proceed_v to_o advance_v the_o argument_n from_o scripture_n to_o antiquity_n and_o have_v with_o infinite_a industry_n sift_v all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n but_o by_o presbyter_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o it_o next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n the_o chief_a labourer_n in_o which_o cause_n among_o many_o other_o less_o learned_a be_v blondel_n salmasius_n and_o dallé_n who_o spend_v the_o great_a part_n both_o of_o their_o life_n and_o learning_n upon_o this_o argument_n but_o they_o proceed_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o a_o sceptical_a and_o destructive_a way_n not_o so_o much_o rely_v upon_o the_o testimony_n as_o impair_n the_o credit_n of_o antiquity_n which_o it_o seem_v they_o suppose_v the_o best_a way_n to_o maintain_v their_o argument_n this_o soon_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o learned_a man_n conversant_a in_o their_o write_n to_o conclude_v against_o all_o pretence_n to_o the_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o any_o unalterable_a and_o perpetual_a form_n of_o church-government_n whatsoever_o and_o so_o to_o think_v of_o allay_v those_o controversy_n about_o a_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la that_o have_v be_v late_o and_o still_o be_v manage_v among_o we_o with_o so_o much_o heat_n and_o noise_n by_o leave_v it_o as_o they_o say_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v to_o the_o prudence_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n to_o agree_v upon_o its_o own_o form_n as_o it_o judge_v most_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o government_n in_o that_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n as_o they_o determine_v it_o and_o the_o opinion_n be_v grow_v popular_a and_o plausible_a in_o great_a vogue_n both_o among_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a and_o be_v almost_o become_v the_o rule_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o our_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n in_o so_o much_o that_o there_o be_v many_o worthy_a gentleman_n as_o any_o one_o may_v observe_v in_o his_o ordinary_a conversation_n that_o be_v stout_a and_o loyal_a confessor_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n under_o its_o suffering_n that_o at_o this_o time_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o arbitrary_a and_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o therefore_o in_o pursuance_n of_o my_o design_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o reason_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v found_v and_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o tend_v to_o the_o peace_n of_o a_o establish_v church_n that_o it_o be_v destructive_a to_o the_o be_v and_o settlement_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o though_o here_o i_o have_v many_o learned_a worthy_a man_n for_o my_o adversary_n yet_o i_o hope_v to_o manage_v the_o dispute_n with_o that_o candour_n and_o integrity_n that_o none_o shall_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o any_o more_o unkindness_n than_o what_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o my_o do_v right_a to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a can_v give_v no_o offence_n to_o good_a man_n how_o much_o soever_o i_o may_v chance_v to_o cross_v with_o their_o particular_a sentiment_n and_o opinion_n and_o as_o for_o bad_a man_n for_o there_o be_v of_o both_o sort_n engage_v in_o the_o opinion_n i_o be_v not_o true_a to_o my_o own_o integrity_n if_o i_o suffer_v myself_o to_o be_v in_o the_o least_o sway_v by_o their_o good_a or_o bad_a opinion_n for_o i_o write_v not_o to_o please_v but_o to_o convince_v they_o which_o i_o know_v as_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v bad_a be_v but_o
apostle_n themselves_o but_o as_o to_o their_o immediate_a successor_n who_o they_o employ_v in_o the_o settlement_n of_o church_n and_o to_o who_o they_o commit_v the_o apostolical_a power_n for_o their_o government_n and_o these_o too_o he_o prove_v be_v style_v apostle_n such_o as_o titus_n timothy_n epaphroditus_n clemens_n linus_n marcus_n so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o apostle_n but_o the_o evangelist_n as_o they_o call_v they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o clergy_n and_o endue_v with_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o their_o respective_a church_n and_o hereby_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n not_o only_o for_o themselves_o but_o for_o their_o companion_n and_o successor_n which_o do_v not_o only_o extend_v our_o argument_n but_o join_v together_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o which_o we_o have_v certain_a record_n with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o prevent_v all_o their_o fond_a dream_n of_o a_o unknown_a interval_n immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o if_o these_o apostolical_a man_n supply_v their_o place_n it_o will_v be_v very_o easy_a to_o find_v out_o who_o supply_v they_o neither_o three_o need_v i_o trouble_v myself_o with_o any_o long_a dispute_n concern_v the_o obligation_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n for_o whether_o or_o no_o mere_a apostolical_a practice_n be_v obligatory_a by_o virtue_n of_o their_o example_n be_v very_o little_a material_a to_o our_o enquiry_n for_o some_o thing_n be_v too_o trifle_v or_o too_o transient_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o deserve_v to_o pass_v into_o prescription_n but_o it_o be_v enough_o in_o this_o case_n that_o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v be_v in_o pursuance_n of_o our_o saviour_n institution_n and_o that_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o perpetual_a concernment_n to_o the_o church_n and_o they_o who_o require_v to_o the_o obligation_n of_o such_o a_o apostolical_a practice_n a_o express_a law_n to_o declare_v their_o intention_n that_o it_o shall_v bind_v for_o ever_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o fantastic_a niceness_n as_o they_o that_o require_v the_o same_o for_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o every_o divine_a law_n and_o therefore_o have_v be_v consider_v already_o and_o for_o that_o reason_n i_o shall_v add_v nothing_o more_o to_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a than_o to_o grant_v that_o whatever_o the_o apostle_n either_o command_v or_o practise_v upon_o some_o particular_a temporary_a and_o occasional_a case_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o found_v any_o universal_a and_o unchangeable_a obligation_n because_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o precept_n be_v apparent_o transient_a and_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o action_n casual_a but_o otherwise_o if_o there_o be_v any_o prescript_n or_o practice_n of_o they_o though_o it_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o any_o divine_a institution_n that_o do_v not_o relate_v to_o peculiar_a occasion_n and_o circumstance_n but_o be_v or_o may_v be_v of_o equal_a usefulness_n to_o all_o place_n time_n and_o person_n that_o be_v a_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o their_o constant_a and_o unabolishable_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o here_o i_o shall_v only_o put_v they_o to_o their_o former_a task_n to_o assign_v what_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v of_o establish_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church-officer_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o be_v cease_v in_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o till_o they_o can_v discharge_v this_o task_n advise_v they_o not_o to_o depart_v rash_o from_o so_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a a_o prescription_n but_o that_o which_o improve_v the_o argument_n both_o from_o our_o saviour_n institution_n and_o the_o apostle_n practise_v into_o a_o complete_a demonstration_n be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n for_o if_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v by_o our_o saviour_n found_v upon_o divine_a institution_n in_o a_o inequality_n of_o church-officer_n and_o if_o the_o first_o governor_n of_o it_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o keep_v close_o to_o its_o original_a platform_n and_o if_o their_o immediate_a successor_n conceive_v themselves_o as_o much_o oblige_v to_o observe_v the_o same_o as_o impose_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n and_o deliver_v to_o they_o by_o the_o example_n and_o tradition_n of_o his_o apostle_n that_o certain_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o very_a competent_a proof_n of_o its_o necessity_n and_o perpetuity_n now_o then_o as_o for_o the_o power_n and_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n it_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o best_a monument_n and_o record_n of_o the_o first_o and_o most_o remote_a antiquity_n and_o we_o find_v such_o early_a instance_n and_o evidence_n of_o it_o that_o unless_o it_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n we_o can_v never_o give_v any_o account_n in_o the_o world_n whence_o it_o derive_v its_o original_a and_o this_o bring_v we_o upon_o the_o main_a sanctuary_n of_o our_o adversary_n viz._n the_o defectiveness_n of_o antiquity_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o show_v what_o certain_a form_n the_o apostle_n observe_v in_o settle_v the_o government_n of_o church_n and_o here_o they_o run_v into_o a_o large_a common_a place_n of_o the_o deep_a silence_n of_o antiquity_n and_o the_o defectiveness_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o interval_n next_o and_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n but_o here_o in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o must_v desire_v they_o to_o consider_v that_o if_o this_o objection_n be_v of_o any_o force_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o apostolical_a tradition_n in_o this_o particular_a it_o will_v utter_o overthrow_v all_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n as_o to_o all_o other_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o particular_o as_o to_o the_o certain_a canon_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o as_o be_v pretend_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n because_o of_o their_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n neither_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n be_v their_o report_n to_o be_v rely_v upon_o with_o any_o confidence_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o of_o their_o write_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o i_o shall_v here_o reprent_v how_o false_a this_o exception_n be_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la and_o how_o unreasonable_a de_fw-la jure_fw-la either_o against_o the_o constitution_n or_o the_o authentic_a epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o stand_v and_o fall_v together_o so_o that_o whoever_o oppose_v the_o divine_a and_o apostolical_a form_n of_o church_n government_n as_o deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v upon_o his_o own_o principle_n defeat_v and_o reject_v all_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o that_o those_o sceptical_a ground_n and_o pretence_n he_o be_v force_v to_o urge_v against_o one_o fall_v as_o dangerous_o on_o both_o and_o this_o may_v serve_v to_o prevent_v and_o invalidate_v the_o force_n of_o their_o argument_n without_o answer_v it_o when_o if_o they_o shall_v deal_v as_o rigorous_o in_o any_o other_o case_n as_o they_o be_v please_v to_o do_v in_o this_o the_o most_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a record_n can_v escape_v the_o severity_n of_o their_o censure_n though_o our_o comfort_n be_v that_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o such_o wild_a and_o wanton_a objection_n in_o that_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v always_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o chasm_n as_o be_v pretend_v between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o next_o christian_n writer_n for_o to_o say_v nothing_o here_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n leave_v we_o no_o formal_a history_n and_o catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o all_o their_o several_a see_v wherewith_o some_o man_n unreasonable_a enough_o upbraid_v we_o when_o it_o be_v so_o manifest_a that_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n too_o young_a for_o that_o care_n in_o that_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o succession_n yet_o be_v they_o no_o less_o than_o apostolical_a man_n that_o vouch_v the_o apostolical_a order_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n and_o this_o one_o will_v think_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o modest_a or_o ingenious_a man_n of_o their_o institution_n from_o the_o beginning_n when_o it_o be_v assert_v or_o rather_o suppose_v by_o the_o very_a first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o attest_v it_o so_o that_o whoever_o can_v withstand_v their_o evidence_n be_v proof_n against_o all_o evidence_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o may_v if_o he_o please_v laugh_v at_o all_o the_o tale_n and_o legend_n that_o be_v tell_v concern_v the_o