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i_o will_v not_o presume_v to_o censure_v they_o i_o will_v only_o say_v that_o from_o the_o begin_n it_o be_v not_o so_o and_o i_o thank_v god_n it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o we_o but_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o beginning_n so_o it_o be_v now_o with_o we_o and_o ever_o shall_v be_v i_o trust_v in_o god_n amen_o but_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o yet_o it_o be_v very_o much_o to_o be_v doubt_v whether_o they_o be_v of_o any_o distinct_a superior_a order_n from_o and_o above_o the_o presbyter_n or_o one_o of_o the_o same_o order_n set_v over_o the_o rest_n with_o power_n to_o ordain_v elder_n to_o exhort_v rebuke_n chastise_v as_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v constitute_v by_o st._n paul_n for_o though_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o other_o elder_n and_o pastor_n yet_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n for_o some_o to_o be_v place_v with_o great_a authority_n to_o rule_v over_o the_o rest_n the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o even_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o 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not_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christendom_n but_o neither_o approve_v nor_o know_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n wherefore_o i_o require_v what_o you_o produce_v shall_v be_v both_o primitive_a and_o universal_a and_o this_o to_o interpret_v some_o place_n of_o scripture_n doubtful_a in_o itself_o not_o plain_a now_o as_o to_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n i_o can_v yield_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o doubtful_a in_o it_o or_o scarce_o doubtful_a at_o all_o for_o though_o in_o scripture_n it_o be_v not_o in_o terminis_fw-la say_v presbytery_n and_o episcopacy_n be_v both_o one_o and_o the_o same_o order_n yet_o the_o circumstantial_a expression_n be_v as_o i_o have_v show_v so_o strong_a and_o many_o that_o they_o be_v equivalent_a to_o a_o clear_a expression_n in_o terminis_fw-la second_o this_o be_v not_o a_o matter_n of_o any_o indifferency_n but_o of_o vast_a and_o dangerous_a consequence_n if_o mistake_v that_o a_o church_n without_o such_o bishop_n as_o you_o 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the_o identity_n i_o full_o agree_v with_o tertullian_n we_o can_v make_v no_o judgement_n de_fw-fr rebus_fw-la fidei_fw-la nisi_fw-la ex_fw-la literis_fw-la fidei_fw-la of_o matter_n of_o faith_n but_o from_o the_o write_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v never_o be_v pull_v from_o this_o pillar_n of_o truth_n the_o scripture_n be_v our_o complete_a rule_n of_o faith_n no_o opinion_n be_v heretical_a and_o damnable_a which_o be_v not_o against_o that_o now_o good_a reader_n i_o pray_v take_v notice_n that_o epiphanius_n be_v a_o very_a godly_a bishop_n in_o the_o main_a but_o yet_o a_o very_a choleric_a man_n as_o appear_v in_o that_o his_o fierce_a contest_v with_o john_n bishop_n of_o constantinople_n and_o his_o bitter_a expression_n therein_o which_o i_o do_v not_o mention_v in_o disparagement_n of_o this_o holy_a man_n but_o only_o to_o give_v the_o reader_n a_o caution_n to_o remember_v that_o passionate_a man_n do_v sometime_o censure_v more_o severe_o than_o there_o be_v cause_n epiphanius_n be_v a_o bishop_n and_o find_v the_o authority_n and_o dignity_n of_o episcopacy_n much_o disparage_v by_o aerius_n be_v a_o arrian_n heretic_n fall_v upon_o he_o sharp_o for_o this_o his_o opinion_n also_o wherein_o he_o be_v in_o part_n much_o to_o be_v condemn_v as_o i_o free_o confess_v before_o but_o not_o in_o the_o very_a point_n now_o in_o question_n nor_o do_v epiphanius_n himself_o condemn_v he_o in_o this_o particular_a as_o a_o heretic_n but_o only_o in_o the_o gross_a to_o which_o i_o free_o give_v my_o vote_n but_o you_o will_v tell_v i_o that_o a_o man_n of_o a_o far_o mild_a temper_n st._n austin_n do_v also_o enrol_v aerius_n among_o heretic_n i_o know_v it_o well_o but_o i_o desire_v you_o to_o know_v that_o st._n austin_n do_v not_o lay_v this_o to_o his_o charge_n as_o a_o heresy_n for_o he_o say_v only_o thus_o aereus_fw-la also_o be_v a_o heretic_n for_o he_o fall_v into_o arrian_n heresy_n and_o he_o add_v some_o opinion_n of_o his_o own_o then_o st._n austin_n recount_v several_a of_o his_o opinion_n whereof_o this_o be_v one_o that_o he_o affirm_v there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n where_o i_o pray_v you_o observe_v st._n austin_n give_v we_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o rank_n he_o with_o heretic_n viz._n because_o he_o fall_v into_o the_o arrian_n heresy_n then_o follow_v and_o he_o add_v some_o opinion_n of_o his_o own_o st._n austin_n call_v these_o opinion_n not_o heresy_n for_o he_o do_v not_o say_v he_o add_v more_o heresy_n of_o his_o own_o second_o i_o pray_v you_o observe_v st._n austin_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o his_o affirm_v the_o identity_n of_o order_n but_o only_o this_o that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n at_o all_o between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n wherein_o i_o will_v condemn_v aerius_n as_o well_o as_o you_o but_o as_o for_o the_o identity_n of_o order_n it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o st._n austin_n be_v note_v by_o 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a_o heretic_n in_o this_o very_a particular_a of_o identity_n of_o order_n yet_o they_o bring_v neither_o scripture_n nor_o any_o reason_n at_o all_o but_o mere_o a_o bare_a narrative_a of_o aerius_n and_o his_o opinion_n not_o so_o much_o as_o call_v his_o opinion_n in_o this_o particular_a heresy_n much_o less_o offer_v proof_n for_o it_o by_o st._n augustine_n rule_n we_o may_v with_o great_a civility_n to_o they_o and_o great_a confidence_n in_o the_o truth_n still_o affirm_v the_o identity_n of_o order_n but_o how_o will_v i_o answer_v that_o objection_n take_v out_o of_o st._n hierom_n who_o say_v you_o be_v as_o great_a a_o leveller_n of_o bishop_n with_o priest_n as_o any_o and_o therefore_o whatever_o come_v from_o he_o you_o may_v be_v sure_o be_v extract_v from_o he_o by_o the_o powerfulness_n of_o undeniable_a truth_n yet_o he_o confess_v that_o
bishop_n have_v the_o authority_n of_o ordination_n more_o than_o presbyter_n a_o man_n may_v smile_v to_o see_v this_o use_v as_o a_o argument_n for_o the_o preeminency_n of_o bishop_n which_o be_v direct_o against_o it_o for_o st._n hierom_n have_v discourse_v of_o the_o equality_n and_o identity_n of_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n and_o have_v bring_v many_o argument_n from_o scripture_n to_o prove_v that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v only_o two_o name_n for_o one_o and_o the_o same_o office_n for_o a_o further_a confirmation_n hereof_o ask_v this_o question_n i_o pray_v what_o do_v a_o bishop_n do_v more_o than_o a_o presbyter_n except_o ordination_n plain_o intimate_v thereby_o that_o this_o can_v make_v no_o such_o distinction_n of_o eminency_n in_o they_o above_o presbyter_n i_o beseech_v you_o consider_v do_v not_o presbyter_n perform_v office_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n than_o ordination_n presbyter_n be_v ordain_v ambassador_n for_o christ_n to_o preach_v his_o holy_a 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man_n be_v boast_v his_o power_n and_o authority_n shall_v i_o come_v and_o ask_v what_o can_v you_o do_v more_o than_o other_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o this_o or_o that_o poor_a business_n not_o worth_a speak_v of_o will_v he_o not_o take_v this_o as_o a_o affront_n wherefore_o it_o can_v enter_v into_o my_o head_n that_o st._n hierom_n intend_v by_o this_o question_n to_o express_v any_o superior_a order_n above_o the_o priesthood_n but_o plain_o the_o contrary_a five_o z._n that_o bishop_n have_v no_o other_o power_n distinct_a from_o priest_n but_o ordination_n this_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n for_o a_o distinct_a and_o superior_a order_n and_o now_o i_o desire_v my_o reader_n if_o he_o understand_v latin_a to_o view_v the_o epistle_n of_o st._n hierom_n to_o evagrius_n and_o doubtless_o he_o will_v wonder_v to_o see_v man_n have_v the_o confidence_n to_o quote_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o it_o for_o the_o distinction_n between_o episcopacy_n and_o presbytery_n for_o the_o whole_a epistle_n be_v to_o show_v the_o identity_n of_o they_o before_o i_o chance_v to_o read_v this_o epistle_n i_o be_v of_o the_o crroneous_a opinion_n that_o bishop_n be_v a_o distinct_a order_n but_o so_o convince_v by_o this_o epistle_n as_o i_o be_v force_v to_o submit_v to_o a_o change_n and_o i_o far_o desire_v my_o reader_n to_o observe_v the_o various_a fate_n of_o st._n hierom_n and_o aerius_n aerius_n be_v revile_v as_o a_o heretic_n for_o affirm_v this_o identity_n of_o order_n hierom_n pass_v for_o a_o saint_n and_o a_o great_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n though_o he_o affirm_v the_o very_a same_o as_o full_o as_o aerius_n or_o any_o man_n can_v do_v and_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v my_o fate_n to_o be_v revile_v as_o aerius_n be_v but_o our_o saviour_n bid_v we_o rejoice_v and_o be_v exceed_o glad_a when_o we_o be_v revile_v for_o his_o name_n sake_n or_o for_o his_o word_n sake_n sure_o all_o be_v one_o for_o great_a be_v our_o reward_n and_o so_o i_o proceed_v but_o there_o lie_v yet_o a_o great_a objection_n make_v by_o our_o good_a bishop_n hall_n he_o tell_v we_o how_o that_o collutbus_fw-la a_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o ordain_v other_o and_o that_o afterward_o in_o a_o council_n of_o a_o hundred_o bishop_n in_o egypt_n their_o ordination_n be_v declare_v null_n because_o ordain_v by_o a_o presbyter_n from_o this_o and_o some_o other_o such_o instance_n the_o bishop_n will_v prove_v that_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n be_v not_o capable_a to_o ordain_v therefore_o bishop_n be_v a_o distinct_a order_n i_o be_o sorry_a so_o good_a a_o man_n have_v no_o better_a a_o proof_n for_o his_o intend_a purpose_n it_o seem_v he_o quite_o forget_v how_o that_o the_o famous_a council_n of_o nice_a consist_v of_o above_o three_o hundred_o make_v a_o canon_n wherein_o they_o declare_v that_o if_o any_o bishop_n shall_v ordain_v any_o of_o the_o clergy_n belong_v to_o another_o bishop_n diocese_n without_o consent_n and_o leave_v have_v of_o that_o bishop_n to_o who_o diocese_n they_o do_v belong_v their_o ordination_n shall_v be_v null_a you_o see_v then_o the_o irregular_a ordination_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v as_o null_a as_o the_o irregular_a ordination_n of_o a_o presbyter_n therefore_o the_o irregular_a bishop_n and_o the_o irregular_a presbyter_n be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n of_o the_o same_o authority_n neither_o able_a to_o ordain_v be_v it_o not_o most_o evident_a by_o this_o that_o it_o be_v not_o their_o order_n but_o commission_n that_o make_v they_o capable_a to_o ordain_v sure_o a_o irregular_a bishop_n be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o regular_a be_v the_o line_n of_o his_o diocese_n like_o a_o conjurer_n circle_n within_o it_o he_o be_v a_o bishop_n without_o it_o he_o be_v none_o no_o but_o within_o it_o he_o have_v commission_n give_v he_o to_o ordain_v without_o it_o no_o commission_n no_o nor_o to_o act_v in_o his_o own_o diocese_n beyond_o his_o commission_n which_o be_v to_o ordain_v only_o the_o clergy_n of_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o within_o his_o own_o diocese_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v plain_o cellutbus_fw-la then_o be_v but_o a_o presbyter_n and_o under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n his_o take_n upon_o he_o to_o ordain_v presbyter_n be_v high_o irregular_a and_o insolent_a and_o therefore_o most_o just_o declare_v null_n i_o desire_v the_o papistical_a school-divines_a with_o their_o manifold_a indelible_a character_n to_o observe_v here_o how_o easy_o the_o council_n dash_v out_o the_o indelible_a character_n of_o presbyter_n imprint_v on_o the_o soul_n of_o these_o man_n irregular_o ordain_v they_o make_v a_o clear_a rasure_n not_o one_o tittle_n of_o it_o leave_v and_o can_v they_o so_o easy_o cancel_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n i_o leave_v my_o schoolman_n to_o find_v out_o how_o this_o rare_a feat_n be_v do_v and_o i_o proceed_v to_o add_v a_o canon_n take_v from_o a_o council_n at_o antioch_n 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pastoral_a priest_n in_o their_o circuit_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o ordain_v more_o priest_n when_o occasion_n require_v which_o the_o chief_a bishop_n take_v very_o ill_o at_o their_o hand_n as_o a_o great_a lessen_v to_o their_o supreme_a authority_n and_o to_o prevent_v it_o for_o the_o future_a a_o canon_n be_v make_v in_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n about_o the_o year_n 340._o to_o forbid_v these_o country_n bishop_n to_o ordain_v any_o priest_n now_o i_o pray_v you_o observe_v these_o chorepiscopi_fw-la be_v either_o real_o ordain_v in_o the_o order_n of_o the_o chief_a bishop_n or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v as_o full_a bishop_n as_o he_o as_o real_o they_o be_v why_o may_v they_o not_o ordain_v priest_n as_o well_o as_o he_o the_o chief_a bishop_n answer_v because_o he_o give_v they_o no_o commission_n whereby_o you_o see_v that_o the_o power_n of_o ordain_v priest_n be_v annex_v no_o more_o to_o bishop_n than_o to_o priest_n
turn_v all_o this_o round_a quite_o another_o way_n according_a to_o the_o work_n of_o his_o fancy_n and_o so_o he_o do_v some_o place_n of_o scripture_n as_o little_a to_o his_o purpose_n as_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o out_o of_o the_o act_n that_o philip_n and_o stephen_n both_o deacon_n be_v preacher_n of_o the_o word_n that_o be_v a_o spiritual_a work_n therefore_o belong_v to_o a_o spiritual_a order_n i_o will_v glad_o know_v who_o inform_v petavius_n that_o philip_n who_o preach_v to_o the_o eunuch_n and_o afterward_o go_v about_o preach_v to_o other_o be_v philip_n the_o deacon_n and_o not_o rather_o philip_n the_o apostle_n as_o seem_v to_o i_o far_o more_o probable_a for_o philip_n the_o deacon_n be_v by_o his_o office_n to_o reside_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a thither_o the_o alm_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v send_v to_o relieve_v the_o saint_n at_o jerusalem_n but_o you_o far_o urge_v sure_o stephen_n be_v a_o deacon_n and_o let_v philip_n also_o if_o you_o please_v it_o signify_v little_a to_o the_o purpose_n sure_o i_o can_v show_v out_o of_o scripture_n preacher_n that_o be_v in_o no_o spiritual_a order_n neither_o presbyter_n nor_o deacon_n neither_o as_o aquilla_n and_o priscilla_n his_o wife_n too_o and_o apollo_n likewise_o to_o who_o they_o both_o preach_v and_o instruct_v he_o more_o full_o sure_o they_o do_v not_o ordain_v apollo_n a_o deacon_n nor_o can_v i_o believe_v any_o of_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v he_o deacon_n and_o send_v he_o forth_o to_o preach_v before_o he_o be_v well_o catechize_v in_o the_o word_n he_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o baptise_a in_o christ_n but_o know_v only_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n if_o not_o baptise_a sure_o not_o ordain_v deacon_n yet_o he_o prevail_v and_o mighty_o convince_v the_o jew_n it_o be_v in_o reason_n strange_a though_o in_o practice_n common_a to_o see_v how_o man_n wed_v to_o a_o opinion_n think_v whatever_o they_o read_v speak_v to_o that_o so_o father_n doctor_n all_o clink_n as_o they_o think_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n all_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n do_v preach_v the_o gospel_n take_v in_o a_o large_a sense_n as_o st._n peter_n call_v noah_n a_o preacher_n of_o righteousness_n that_o be_v they_o endeavour_v to_o instruct_v all_o they_o converse_v with_o in_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o godliness_n for_o which_o many_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n suffer_v martyrdom_n wherefore_o though_o philip_n the_o deacon_n and_o stephen_n preach_v the_o gospel_n it_o signify_v nothing_o to_o the_o spirituality_n of_o the_o deaconship_n see_v that_o thousand_o of_o layman_n and_o woman_n also_o do_v the_o like_a and_o so_o the_o apostle_n lay_v their_o hand_n on_o those_o choose_a to_o be_v deacon_n signify_v as_o little_a to_o this_o purpose_n do_v not_o we_o find_v that_o paul_n lay_v his_o hand_n on_o the_o convert_a disciple_n at_o ephesus_n and_o they_o receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o prophesy_v yet_o none_o of_o they_o ordain_v either_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n and_o sometime_o the_o apostle_n lay_v their_o hand_n on_o those_o that_o be_v already_o ordain_v both_o presbyter_n and_o apostle_n also_o as_o on_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n when_o they_o be_v send_v forth_o to_o preach_v this_o lay_n of_o hand_n be_v a_o ceremony_n use_v on_o several_a occasion_n i_o need_v not_o mention_v more_o they_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o that_o read_v the_o scripture_n it_o be_v evident_a then_o from_o scripture_n that_o the_o first_o institution_n of_o deacon_n be_v a_o mere_a lay-office_n i_o will_v not_o say_v a_o profane_a office_n as_o some_o too_o gross_o and_o irreverent_o have_v term_v it_o but_o a_o pious_a and_o honourable_a office_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o serve_v table_n to_o take_v care_n of_o god_n poor_a but_o as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o process_n of_o time_n it_o become_v quite_o another_o thing_n and_o so_o different_a from_o the_o original_a institution_n as_o it_o make_v chrysostome_n and_o divers_a other_o great_a and_o good_a man_n doubt_v whether_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o constitute_v two_o sort_n of_o deacon_n some_o for_o this_o lay-office_n some_o for_o spiritual-office_n have_v chrysostome_n consult_v only_a scripture_n he_o will_v never_o have_v doubt_v nor_o dream_v of_o two_o sort_n of_o deacon_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n at_o all_o but_o of_o one_o but_o he_o see_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n which_o he_o be_v unwilling_a to_o condemn_v so_o different_a from_o that_o one_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o deacon_n this_o so_o confound_v the_o good_a man_n that_o he_o know_v not_o well_o what_o to_o make_v of_o it_o and_o willing_a to_o piece_n scripture_n and_o the_o present_a practice_n together_o to_o put_v a_o new_a patch_n upon_o a_o old_a garment_n make_v the_o rend_v the_o wide_a rend_v the_o deaconship_n in_o two_o piece_n which_o of_o old_a be_v but_o one_o only_o to_o serve_v table_n which_o office_n he_o that_o use_v well_o purchase_v to_o himself_o a_o good_a degree_n a_o good_a esteem_n and_o so_o it_o may_v be_v a_o recommendation_n to_o the_o degree_n of_o priesthood_n though_o no_o necessary_a step_n to_o it_o and_o so_o we_o find_v that_o holy_a deacon_n and_o most_o renown_a martyr_n st._n laurence_n be_v make_v a_o priest_n but_o continue_v afterward_o in_o that_o same_o office_n of_o deacon_n unto_o death_n which_o he_o suffer_v in_o a_o most_o cruel_a manner_n lay_v on_o a_o gridiron_n over_o coal_n rather_o than_o he_o will_v give_v up_o the_o treasury_n of_o the_o church_n and_o alm_n of_o the_o poor_a to_o the_o covetous_a cruel_a tyrant_n this_o holy_a deacon_n petavius_n bring_v to_o prove_v that_o deacon_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o order_n only_o do_v minister_v in_o holy_a thing_n tell_v we_o that_o st._n ambrose_n mention_n how_o he_o do_v distribute_v in_o the_o lord_n supper_n the_o blood_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o communicant_n under_o bishop_n xistus_fw-la whereas_o st._n ambrose_n tell_v we_o how_o he_o consecrate_a the_o blood_n of_o christ_n which_o plain_o show_v how_o untrue_o petavius_n deal_v with_o we_o and_o that_o st._n laurence_n be_v a_o priest_n not_o a_o bare_a deacon_n for_o neither_o petavius_n nor_o ever_o any_o allow_a deacon_n the_o consecration_n of_o these_o sacred_a mystery_n wherefore_o see_v the_o scripture_n allow_v deacon_n as_o deacon_n no_o more_o than_o serve_v of_o table_n for_o the_o poor_a whatever_o else_o ministration_n be_v allow_v they_o be_v by_o humane_a authority_n not_o divine_a and_o their_o office_n or_o order_n which_o you_o please_v to_o call_v it_o be_v about_o temporal_a thing_n must_v be_v temporal_a not_o spiritual_a and_o so_o i_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o proper_a office_n of_o serve_a table_n not_o find_v in_o scripture_n any_o thing_n more_o belong_v to_o they_o concern_v confirmation_n confirmation_n or_o some_o such_o thing_n be_v so_o necessary_a that_o for_o want_v of_o due_a execution_n thereof_o person_n extreme_o 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when_o able_a and_o holy_a bishop_n be_v elect_v and_o therefore_o reverence_v and_o obey_v in_o all_o spiritual_a matter_n by_o the_o great_a as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o least_o these_o diligent_o and_o public_o before_o the_o congregation_n at_o set-time_n in_o the_o year_n chief_o at_o easter_n examine_v all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v convert_v to_o the_o faith_n from_o infidelity_n that_o year_n and_o all_o those_o who_o baptize_v in_o the_o faith_n desire_a admittance_n to_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o upon_o approbation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o bishop_n fit_a person_n only_o be_v public_o baptise_a by_o he_o and_o at_o the_o church_n door_n assoon_o as_o church_n be_v build_v where_o the_o baptistery_n be_v place_v and_o then_o bring_v into_o the_o church_n and_o admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o no_o inferior_a minister_n do_v either_o baptize_v or_o administer_v the_o holy_a communion_n unless_o it_o be_v by_o the_o bishop_n order_n on_o urgent_a occasion_n 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do_v we_o not_o see_v sometime_o the_o curate_n desire_v to_o please_v the_o fond_a mother_n child_n confirm_v so_o young_a as_o can_v without_o a_o miracle_n be_v of_o a_o capacity_n to_o understand_v those_o divine_a mystery_n beside_o it_o may_v often_o happen_v that_o a_o pious_a child_n well_o fit_v for_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n and_o perchance_o be_v weak_a earnest_o desire_v it_o before_o his_o death_n yet_o must_v stay_v some_o year_n till_o next_o visitation_n or_o take_v a_o long_a journey_n to_o the_o bishop_n for_o which_o he_o may_v want_v strength_n or_o mean_n to_o support_v he_o but_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n the_o bishop_n confirm_v every_o year_n their_o diocese_n also_o be_v very_o narrow_a so_o that_o access_n to_o he_o be_v quick_a and_o easy_a and_o the_o work_n be_v as_o easy_a to_o the_o bishop_n yea_o and_o easy_a also_o to_o the_o inferior_a curate_n to_o instruct_v and_o prepare_v they_o for_o parent_n and_o master_n do_v then_o according_a to_o their_o bind_a duty_n the_o great_a neglect_n whereof_o in_o these_o day_n will_v find_v some_o punishment_n at_o the_o last_o day_n make_v it_o their_o chief_a care_n to_o instruct_v their_o servant_n and_o child_n from_o their_o infancy_n in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n you_o see_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v for_o a_o bishop_n in_o a_o large_a diocese_n and_o triennial_n visitation_n to_o perform_v this_o necessary_a work_n as_o it_o ought_v and_o therefore_o in_o the_o second_o place_n consider_v how_o necessary_a it_o be_v for_o the_o bishop_n to_o appoint_v some_o discreet_a conscientious_a minister_n as_o our_o dean_n rural_n shall_v be_v in_o several_a circuit_n to_o examine_v and_o licence_n to_o the_o lord_n table_n for_o i_o pass_v it_o as_o grant_v that_o confirmation_n be_v no_o sacrament_n and_o if_o it_o be_v why_o may_v not_o priest_n not_o bishop_n perform_v it_o certain_o there_o be_v not_o one_o word_n in_o scripture_n forbid_v it_o or_o any_o colourable_a pretence_n against_o it_o nor_o can_v i_o discover_v the_o least_o ground_n of_o reason_n to_o forbid_v it_o inferior_a minister_n perform_v other_o office_n superior_a to_o it_o and_o certain_o equal_a to_o it_o though_o it_o be_v a_o sacrament_n which_o our_o church_n deny_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v pretend_v but_o that_o in_o the_o begin_n bishop_n do_v only_o perform_v it_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n there_o be_v no_o other_o priest_n but_o bishop_n as_o i_o have_v show_v you_o and_o then_o bishop_n do_v all_o other_o ministerial_a duty_n preach_v pray_o baptise_v catechise_v and_o in_o succeed_a age_n when_o there_o be_v several_a inferior_a priest_n not_o bishop_n all_o but_o confirm_v be_v ever_o transmit_v to_o they_o and_o to_o deacon_n also_o preach_v pray_v and_o baptise_v nay_o baptise_v tolerate_v in_o necessity_n to_o midwife_n i_o will_v glad_o see_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o antiquity_n and_o shall_v confirm_v the_o mean_a of_o all_o these_o be_v deny_v priest_n you_o will_v tell_v i_o there_o have_v be_v decree_n in_o some_o council_n to_o forbid_v it_o and_o will_v you_o be_v bind_v up_o to_o all_o the_o decree_n of_o council_n without_o scripture_n or_o any_o reason_n for_o they_o if_o once_o we_o leave_v scripture_n and_o hearken_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o man_n ever_o so_o holy_a ever_o so_o learned_a ever_o so_o primitive_a we_o shall_v soon_o be_v wheedle_v into_o the_o papist_n religion_n and_o many_o other_o error_n which_o the_o papist_n themselves_o now_o reject_v as_o i_o have_v declare_v at_o large_a before_o and_o therefore_o i_o forbear_v say_v more_o now_o to_o this_o purpose_n but_o proceed_v to_o a_o three_o consideration_n what_o will_v be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o prepare_v youth_n for_o the_o receive_v the_o holy_a communion_n in_o every_o
commit_v to_o their_o management_n and_o judicature_n the_o civil_a law_n be_v that_o whereby_o most_o of_o the_o civilise_a world_n be_v govern_v and_o if_o we_o will_v have_v commerce_n with_o they_o it_o be_v fit_a we_o shall_v have_v able_a civilian_n to_o deal_v with_o they_o which_o will_v never_o be_v unelss_o they_o have_v profitable_a and_o honourabl_a place_n to_o encourage_v they_o for_o it_o all_o that_o i_o beg_v of_o they_o be_v that_o they_o will_v contain_v themselves_o within_o their_o own_o sphere_n of_o activity_n and_o not_o intrude_v into_o spiritual_a and_o sacred_a matter_n commit_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o the_o priesthood_n and_o so_o i_o beg_v of_o priest_n that_o they_o will_v not_o intermeddle_v in_o lay_v and_o temporol_n officer_n in_o the_o time_n of_o popery_n when_o spiritual_a and_o temporal_a affair_n be_v all_o intermingle_v and_o horrible_o confound_v as_o the_o pope_n take_v upon_o he_o secular_a and_o imperial_a authority_n direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n and_o constitution_n of_o christ_n so_o the_o bishop_n and_o priest_n under_o he_o intermeddle_v in_o all_o secular_a affair_n and_o office_n and_o in_o this_o nation_n bishop_n be_v frequent_o lord_n keeper_n treasurer_n chief_a justice_n viceroy_n what_o not_o which_o be_v strange_o unapostolical_a and_o unlawful_a their_o vocation_n be_v whole_o spiritual_a as_o man_n choose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n shall_v have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v with_o it_o than_o of_o mere_a necessity_n for_o food_n and_o raiment_n wherefore_o to_o take_v upon_o they_o any_o lay-office_n which_o must_v needs_o take_v they_o off_o much_o from_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o prayer_n be_v doubtless_o very_o sinful_a for_o act_n 6._o we_o find_v the_o apostle_n give_v themselves_o continual_o to_o these_o and_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o have_v these_o interrupt_v by_o that_o charitable_a office_n of_o take_v care_n for_o the_o poor_a certain_o than_o they_o will_v have_v much_o less_o endure_v yea_o abominate_v to_o be_v take_v off_o by_o temporal_a and_o worldly_a office_n and_o on_o this_o occasion_n let_v i_o speak_v a_o word_n to_o those_o of_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n who_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o study_v and_o practice_n physic_n for_o hire_n this_o must_v needs_o be_v likewise_o sinful_a as_o take_v they_o off_o from_o their_o spiritual_a employment_n have_v they_o study_v physic_n before_o they_o enter_v holy_a order_n and_o will_v after_o make_v use_n of_o their_o skill_n among_o their_o poor_a neighbour_n out_o of_o charity_n this_o be_v commendable_a but_o be_v enter_v on_o a_o spiritual_a and_o pastoral_a charge_n which_o require_v the_o whole_a man_n and_o more_o to_o spend_v their_o time_n in_o this_o or_o any_o other_o study_v not_o spiritual_a be_v contrary_a to_o their_o vocation_n and_o consequent_o sinful_a and_o to_o do_v it_o for_o gain_n be_v sordid_a and_o unworthy_a their_o high_a and_o holy_a call_v but_o necessitas_fw-la cogit_fw-la ad_fw-la turpia_fw-la the_o maintenance_n of_o many_o minister_n be_v so_o small_a as_o it_o force_v they_o even_o for_o food_n and_o raiment_n to_o seek_v it_o by_o other_o employment_n which_o may_v in_o some_o measure_n excuse_v they_o but_o mighty_o condemn_v those_o who_o shall_v provide_v better_o for_o they_o whether_o this_o belong_v not_o to_o king_n and_o parliament_n i_o must_v humble_o beseech_v they_o in_o christ_n name_n serious_o to_o consider_v i_o crave_v pardon_n for_o this_o i_o hope_v useful_a digression_n and_o return_v to_o the_o business_n of_o excommunication_n this_o sacred_a authority_n of_o excommunication_n be_v commit_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o apostle_n by_o they_o to_o their_o successor_n be_v use_v in_o weighty_a and_o very_a scandalous_a matter_n very_o few_o example_n of_o it_o in_o scripture_n the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a hymenus_fw-la and_o alexander_n scarce_o another_o clear_o express_v the_o apostle_n be_v full_o guide_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o all_o thing_n do_v exercise_v this_o power_n single_o themselves_o but_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n have_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o that_o full_a measure_n use_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o principal_a clergy_n in_o their_o diocese_n that_o the_o act_n may_v be_v more_o solemn_a and_o authentic_a the_o person_n excommunicate_v if_o he_o conceive_v the_o act_n injurious_a appeal_v to_o one_o or_o more_o neighbour_a bishop_n who_o assemble_v together_o and_o discuss_v the_o matter_n either_o confirm_v or_o reverse_v the_o act_n as_o they_o find_v cause_n and_o sometime_o the_o matter_n proceed_v so_o far_o as_o to_o cause_v a_o assembly_n of_o the_o whole_a province_n but_o each_o bishop_n or_o praepositus_fw-la as_o st._n cyprian_n call_v he_o and_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v absolute_a in_o his_o own_o diocese_n to_o exercise_v his_o power_n and_o none_o condemn_v for_o use_v it_o but_o only_o for_o abuse_v it_o contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o conscience_n there_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n they_o proceed_v by_o at_o first_o afterward_o when_o bishop_n on_o this_o or_o other_o occasion_n meet_v in_o assembly_n provincial_a or_o general_n they_o make_v it_o divers_a canon_n which_o pass_v for_o rule_n and_o law_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n by_o which_o doubtless_o be_v very_o good_a help_n to_o bridle_v the_o extravagant_a passion_n of_o particular_a man_n very_o apt_a in_o this_o corrupt_a age_n to_o prevaricate_v yet_o i_o can_v conceive_v they_o so_o far_o oblige_v but_o new_a emergent_a circumstance_n may_v just_o cause_v new_a and_o different_a decree_n yet_o so_o as_o every_o particular_a bishop_n be_v oblige_v for_o peace_n sake_n to_o submit_v to_o or_o at_o least_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o general_n decree_n of_o that_o nation_n where_o he_o live_v i_o say_v they_o be_v not_o bind_v entire_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o decree_n of_o former_a council_n either_o provincial_a or_o general_n because_o as_o i_o have_v show_v before_o all_o their_o decree_n be_v humane_a not_o divine_a and_o all_o humane_a ecclesiastical_a law_n be_v alterable_a according_a to_o the_o time_n and_o occasion_n by_o other_o general_a council_n as_o to_o the_o bound_n of_o each_o bishop_n diocese_n they_o be_v occasion_v several_a way_n the_o apostle_n for_o the_o better_a spread_v of_o the_o gospel_n preach_v it_o first_o in_o the_o principal_a city_n which_o general_o have_v great_a influence_n upon_o the_o adjacent_a part_n by_o reason_n that_o the_o occasion_n of_o most_o call_v they_o thither_o and_o in_o these_o city_n they_o settle_v the_o chief_a pastor_n of_o the_o church_n with_o power_n to_o ordain_v presbyter_n and_o pastor_n in_o other_o lesser_a city_n and_o town_n round_o about_o as_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a increase_v and_o all_o those_o church_n that_o be_v erect_v and_o pastor_n establish_v in_o they_o by_o these_o apostolic_a man_n in_o the_o chief_a city_n i_o humble_o conceive_v in_o reverence_n of_o their_o worth_n and_o apostolic_a authority_n be_v free_o observant_a and_o subject_a to_o they_o which_o afterward_o out_o of_o custom_n grow_v into_o a_o kind_n of_o right_n challenge_v by_o their_o successor_n sometime_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pastor_n or_o bishop_n of_o a_o city_n be_v enlarge_v according_a to_o the_o temporal_a authority_n of_o the_o same_o it_o be_v the_o metropolitan_a of_o this_o or_o that_o country_n for_o so_o we_o find_v in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o other_o council_n the_o chief_a and_o large_a authority_n give_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o old_a rome_n because_o it_o be_v the_o first_o imperial_a city_n to_o constantinople_n as_o the_o second_o imperial_a city_n to_o alexandria_n as_o the_o chief_a city_n of_o that_o part_n of_o africa_n to_o antioch_n jerusalem_n ephesus_n corinth_n phillipi_n etc._n etc._n where_o you_o see_v that_o though_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o first_o city_n from_o whence_o the_o gospel_n issue_v forth_o antioch_n the_o second_o city_n where_o the_o gospel_n be_v plant_v and_o where_o the_o faithful_a be_v first_o call_v christian_n yet_o rome_n constantinople_n and_o alexandria_n be_v prefer_v before_o they_o and_o have_v far_o large_a jurisdiction_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a humane_a temporal_a matter_n and_o man_n have_v no_o far_o obligation_n to_o it_o in_o conscience_n than_o for_o peace_n sake_n and_o order_n which_o in_o like_a manner_n oblige_v every_o man_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o all_o magistrate_n within_o their_o respective_a jurisdiction_n there_o be_v yet_o two_o thing_n more_o to_o be_v consider_v in_o this_o business_n first_o where_o the_o apostle_n first_o plant_v the_o gospel_n in_o city_n with_o authority_n over_o the_o adjacent_a part_n it_o be_v in_o rich_a populous_a country_n where_o city_n be_v much_o near_o together_o than_o in_o these_o northern_a part_n and_o the_o circuit_n of_o each_o city_n be_v much_o less_o in_o compass_n so_o that_o the_o bishop_n may_v well_o have_v the_o inspection_n