and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v impose_v upon_o the_o credulous_a and_o unwary_a multitude_n to_o promote_v some_o design_n we_o be_v not_o yet_o acquaint_v with_o and_o that_o they_o will_v certain_o serve_v no_o other_o but_o popish_a purpose_n in_o the_o end_n i_o shall_v therefore_o show_v as_o plain_o as_o i_o can_v in_o this_o short_a treatise_n that_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v such_o as_o need_v not_o give_v any_o matter_n of_o offence_n to_o the_o conscience_n of_o any_o good_a christian_a i_o shall_v then_o answer_v the_o most_o common_a and_o popular_a objection_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v make_v against_o this_o constitution_n and_o the_o clergy_n that_o conform_v unto_o it_o and_o last_o consider_v the_o mean_n of_o union_n that_o have_v be_v hitherto_o propose_v and_o in_o discourse_v of_o these_o thing_n i_o shall_v keep_v myself_o as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v on_o the_o defensive_a side_n and_o strive_v only_a to_o ward_v off_o the_o blow_n that_o be_v make_v at_o we_o without_o endeavour_v to_o wound_v the_o hand_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v and_o that_o i_o may_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a avoid_v give_v the_o least_o offence_n i_o shall_v not_o so_o much_o as_o name_v the_o author_n from_o whence_o i_o take_v the_o objection_n i_o endeavour_v to_o answer_v but_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o as_o i_o have_v observe_v to_o be_v most_o usual_o insist_v on_o of_o late_a and_o some_o other_o which_o have_v be_v spread_v abroad_o to_o no_o other_o end_n that_o i_o can_v conceive_v but_o to_o incense_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n against_o we_o and_o raise_v animosity_n at_o such_o a_o time_n as_o the_o most_o calm_a and_o peaceable_a counsel_n will_v be_v more_o seasonable_a and_o of_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o protestant_a cause_n and_o therefore_o i_o do_v here_o solemn_o profess_v that_o i_o shall_v not_o say_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o partiality_n or_o any_o sinister_a respect_n whatsoever_o or_o any_o ill_a will_v i_o ever_o bear_v to_o any_o of_o our_o nonconforming_a brethren_n by_o some_o of_o which_o i_o have_v be_v most_o particular_o oblige_v and_o i_o love_v they_o all_o as_o man_n and_o more_o especial_o as_o christian_n but_o as_o a_o compassionate_a member_n of_o a_o poor_a despise_a church_n that_o have_v be_v make_v the_o mark_n of_o common_a obloquy_n and_o scorn_n i_o shall_v declare_v her_o innocency_n as_o public_o as_o i_o can_v now_o that_o i_o take_v she_o to_o be_v in_o so_o much_o danger_n of_o ruin_n from_o the_o settle_a and_o deliberate_a malice_n of_o popish_a agent_n and_o the_o inconsiderate_a heat_n of_o other_o adversary_n that_o will_v dear_o repent_v it_o when_o it_o be_v do_v if_o they_o shall_v ever_o be_v so_o unfortunate_a as_o to_o succeed_v in_o such_o a_o attempt_n i_o can_v have_v so_o bad_a a_o opinion_n of_o all_o but_o that_o they_o may_v see_v what_o a_o church_n some_o of_o they_o can_v wish_v destroy_v i_o shall_v brief_o lay_v open_a the_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o it_o as_o it_o consist_v in_o episcopacy_n liturgy_n and_o ecclesiastical_a law_n of_o these_o i_o shall_v treat_v but_o very_o brief_o and_o only_o to_o give_v what_o satisfaction_n i_o can_v to_o those_o that_o have_v not_o leisure_n or_o skill_n to_o peruse_v those_o many_o large_a and_o learned_a discourse_n that_o have_v be_v former_o and_o some_o very_o late_o write_v upon_o these_o subject_n sect_n ii_o episcopacy_n or_o the_o government_n of_o one_o bishop_n over_o many_o presbyter_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o very_o ancient_a that_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v propagate_v in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o the_o apostle_n have_v such_o a_o authority_n will_v not_o be_v deny_v and_o that_o they_o communicate_v the_o like_a authority_n to_o other_o be_v no_o less_o evident_a in_o the_o example_n of_o timothy_n and_o titus_n and_o to_o affirm_v that_o this_o power_n of_o they_o over_o many_o presbyter_n be_v only_o temporary_a and_o personal_a and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o cease_v as_o soon_o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o those_o immediate_o constitute_v by_o they_o be_v dead_a be_v a_o assertion_n altogether_o precarious_a for_o the_o scripture_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o that_o government_n which_o be_v once_o establish_v in_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v afterward_o alter_v unless_o it_o have_v be_v declare_v by_o they_o that_o do_v establish_v it_o that_o it_o be_v to_o continue_v but_o for_o such_o a_o period_n of_o time_n and_o if_o any_o without_o such_o a_o declaration_n shall_v maintain_v that_o the_o apostolical_a and_o episcopal_a power_n be_v now_o whole_o cease_v other_o upon_o the_o same_o principle_n may_v contend_v that_o the_o presbyterial_a power_n be_v cease_v too_o and_o as_o they_o say_v that_o every_o presbyter_n be_v become_v a_o bishop_n so_o these_o will_v plead_v that_o every_o christian_n be_v to_o be_v a_o presbyter_n though_o it_o may_v not_o be_v so_o at_o the_o first_o institution_n but_o beside_o that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o acquaint_v we_o that_o this_o power_n be_v ever_o to_o cease_v the_o whole_a current_n of_o antiquity_n run_v strong_o against_o it_o the_o old_a and_o most_o authentic_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n do_v general_o acknowledge_v the_o episcopal_a authority_n and_o look_v upon_o bishop_n as_o the_o 65._o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o ordinary_a power_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o sometime_o in_o their_o dispute_n with_o heretic_n they_o appeal_v to_o the_o record_n that_o be_v then_o extant_a to_o show_v how_o they_o 32._o succeed_v one_o another_o from_o the_o apostle_n down_o to_o their_o own_o time_n and_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o prove_v what_o opinion_n they_o have_v of_o the_o original_a and_o continuance_n of_o the_o episcopal_a power_n but_o if_o we_o want_v these_o testimony_n and_o be_v not_o able_a to_o derive_v the_o succession_n so_o high_a as_o we_o can_v yet_o this_o be_v confess_v by_o the_o most_o zealous_a and_o learned_a opposer_n of_o episcopal_a government_n that_o such_o bishop_n as_o we_o contend_v for_o be_v universal_o allow_v very_o soon_o after_o the_o decease_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o any_o one_o can_v name_v one_o church_n that_o have_v not_o a_o bishop_n in_o it_o in_o those_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n and_o when_o other_o corruption_n creep_v in_o they_o be_v not_o so_o great_a and_o bold_a as_o to_o attempt_v the_o subversion_n of_o that_o true_o primitive_a government_n and_o when_o some_o in_o these_o latter_a time_n have_v endeavour_v to_o contrive_v another_o kind_n of_o ecclesiastical_a order_n they_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v force_v upon_o it_o rather_o out_o of_o necessity_n than_o choice_n they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o prefer_v their_o own_o model_n before_o the_o ancient_a one_o but_o when_o they_o can_v not_o have_v this_o they_o be_v fain_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o that_o they_o that_o frame_v and_o promote_v the_o discipline_n of_o geneva_n the_o most_o have_v speak_v very_o honourable_o of_o the_o english_a episcopacy_n and_o many_o learned_a man_n that_o have_v live_v quiet_o under_o that_o constitution_n have_v think_v we_o the_o more_o desirable_a and_o there_o have_v be_v none_o that_o i_o know_v of_o beyond_o the_o sea_n but_o that_o have_v ready_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o may_v at_o least_o be_v allow_v so_o far_o have_v they_o be_v from_o call_v it_o popish_a or_o antichristian_a that_o be_v a_o compliment_n that_o none_o but_o a_o disobedient_a son_n can_v bestow_v upon_o so_o good_a a_o mother_n but_o we_o need_v not_o come_v so_o low_a as_o these_o latter_a age_n to_o seek_v for_o authority_n to_o confirm_v the_o episcopal_a jurisdicttion_n it_o be_v the_o government_n that_o be_v always_o own_v and_o exercise_v among_o the_o first_o christian_n and_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o settle_v their_o bishop_n in_o place_n of_o the_o great_a confluence_n in_o city_n whither_o the_o people_n do_v usual_o resort_v from_o the_o neighbour_a village_n and_o lesser_a town_n for_o the_o convenience_n of_o trade_n and_o administration_n of_o justice_n and_o because_o in_o every_o province_n there_o be_v one_o capital_a city_n or_o metropolis_n where_o the_o chief_a secular_a magistrate_n have_v his_o ordinary_a residence_n they_o have_v there_o a_o bishop_n which_o be_v first_o call_v a_o metropolitan_a and_o afterward_o a_o archbishop_n who_o have_v a_o authority_n over_o the_o several_a bishop_n within_o the_o whole_a province_n and_o in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n there_o be_v bishop_n that_o be_v style_v patriarch_n who_o have_v a_o certain_a superiority_n over_o the_o metropolitan_o themselves_o the_o order_n that_o be_v observe_v among_o
from_o house_n to_o house_n as_o the_o same_o phrase_n be_v 〈◊〉_d before_o translate_v or_o in_o some_o house_n they_o cease_v not_o to_o teach_v and_o preach_v jesus_n christ._n they_o go_v to_o the_o temple_n whither_o the_o unconverted_a jew_n do_v resort_v at_o the_o hour_n of_o prayer_n and_o preach_v christ_n public_o to_o they_o there_o and_o at_o other_o time_n they_o dispose_v themselves_o into_o the_o private_a house_n of_o some_o of_o they_o that_o do_v believe_v and_o there_o they_o far_o instruct_v and_o confirm_v those_o that_o have_v already_o receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v mention_v make_v of_o their_o ibid._n break_a bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n and_o if_o by_o break_v bread_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o participation_n of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n as_o i_o think_v will_v not_o be_v deny_v then_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o hence_o that_o they_o do_v daily_o meet_v in_o several_a house_n to_o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v and_o to_o pray_v and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o that_o therefore_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n have_v in_o it_o at_o that_o time_n divers_a distinct_a congregation_n very_o probable_o as_o many_o as_o there_o be_v apostle_n at_o the_o least_o if_o no_o more_o the_o other_o instance_n which_o i_o shall_v give_v in_o those_o apostolical_a time_n of_o a_o church_n that_o be_v not_o mere_o congregational_a be_v that_o of_o corinth_n clement_n then_o bishop_n of_o rome_n write_v to_o that_o church_n upon_o occasion_n of_o a_o great_a difference_n that_o be_v among_o they_o begin_v his_o epistle_n thus_o 1_o the_o church_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o and_o about_o rome_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o and_o about_o corinth_n i_o think_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v be_v so_o translate_v here_o to_o comprehend_v those_o that_o dwell_v in_o the_o territory_n that_o lie_v round_o about_o it_o as_o well_o as_o those_o that_o live_v within_o the_o city_n itself_o because_o that_o this_o 61._o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o those_o that_o s._n paul_n write_v his_o and_o he_o write_v his_o not_o only_o to_o those_o that_o be_v of_o the_o city_n of_o corinth_n but_o to_o all_o the_o saint_n 1._o which_o be_v in_o all_o achaia_n and_o therefore_o this_o of_o clement_n must_v be_v write_v likewise_o to_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o all_o achaia_n whereof_o corinth_n be_v the_o metropolis_n and_o these_o be_v make_v but_o one_o church_n by_o he_o that_o be_v personal_o know_v to_o s._n paul_n and_o who_o he_o call_v his_o 3._o fellow-labourer_n and_o this_o church_n be_v of_o so_o great_a extent_n must_v consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n for_o he_o that_o can_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n of_o christian_n in_o all_o achaia_n may_v be_v persuade_v in_o time_n that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o in_o all_o greece_n if_o either_o of_o these_o instance_n will_v hold_v good_a it_o will_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o all_o church_n in_o those_o first_o time_n be_v not_o congregational_a i_o shall_v now_o make_v it_o far_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v bishop_n then_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o many_o presbyter_n and_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v give_v a_o few_o example_n such_o as_o i_o think_v may_v be_v the_o most_o convince_a i_o begin_v with_o s._n james_n that_o be_v call_v the_o 19_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n his_o near_a kinsman_n to_o be_v sure_o he_o be_v whatever_o the_o particular_a relation_n may_v be_v he_o be_v not_o of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n but_o yet_o be_v prefer_v by_o they_o to_o be_v the_o first_o eccles_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o all_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o mention_v he_o do_v agree_v and_o there_o be_v several_a passage_n of_o scripture_n that_o may_v serve_v to_o confirm_v their_o authority_n which_o otherwise_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v for_o we_o find_v he_o general_o reside_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o sometime_o with_o the_o brethren_n or_o elder_n about_o he_o if_o there_o happen_v any_o matter_n of_o importance_n to_o the_o church_n it_o be_v communicate_v to_o he_o when_o the_o angel_n have_v deliver_v s._n peter_n out_o of_o prison_n he_o bid_v they_o to_o who_o he_o first_o come_v go_v show_v these_o thing_n to_o james_n and_o to_o the_o brethren_n 17._o when_o s._n paul_n be_v return_v to_o jerusalem_n the_o very_a next_o day_n after_o his_o arrival_n he_o give_v he_o a_o account_n of_o the_o success_n of_o his_o ministry_n among_o the_o gentile_n for_o he_o and_o they_o that_o be_v with_o he_o go_v in_o unto_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a the_o elder_n 18._o or_o presbyter_n be_v there_o but_o s._n paul_n go_v in_o unto_o james_n their_o bishop_n and_o apply_v himself_o more_o particular_o to_o he_o in_o the_o first_o council_n that_o ever_o be_v hold_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n concern_v the_o great_a controversy_n as_o it_o be_v then_o esteem_v of_o circumcision_n and_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n after_o much_o dispute_v and_o debate_n upon_o the_o question_n s._n peter_n stand_v up_o and_o give_v his_o opinion_n and_o when_o some_o other_o matter_n have_v be_v discourse_v s._n james_n at_o last_o resume_v the_o argument_n again_o and_o determine_v as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o judiciary_n manner_n 19_o wherefore_o my_o sentence_n be_v which_o word_n be_v observe_v to_o carry_v more_o of_o authority_n than_o those_o which_o s._n peter_n have_v use_v before_o and_o it_o become_v s._n james_n so_o to_o speak_v as_o be_v then_o within_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o it_o be_v far_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o s._n paul_n mention_v 9_o james_n cephas_n and_o john_n puts_z james_z before_o the_o other_o two_o though_o principal_a apostle_n because_o he_o be_v speak_v of_o thing_n that_o be_v transact_v at_o jerusalem_n where_o james_n have_v the_o episcopal_a jurisdiction_n and_o these_o probability_n if_o they_o be_v no_o more_o join_v with_o the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o antiquity_n may_v convince_v we_o that_o james_n govern_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o their_o bishop_n in_o which_o there_o be_v certain_o many_o presbyter_n and_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o that_o there_o be_v divers_a congregation_n of_o believer_n which_o they_o do_v several_o edify_v and_o confirm_v in_o the_o christian_a faith_n another_o example_n of_o such_o a_o bishop_n be_v ignatius_n of_o antioch_n who_o be_v say_v by_o some_o to_o have_v be_v the_o little_a child_n that_o our_o saviour_n take_v up_o in_o his_o arm_n and_o bless_v but_o though_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a he_o be_v not_o the_o child_n yet_o for_o his_o age_n he_o may_v have_v be_v for_o he_o be_v very_o old_a when_o he_o suffer_v martyrdom_n which_o be_v but_o about_o seventy_o four_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o he_o see_v our_o lord_n in_o the_o flesh_n after_o his_o resurrection_n as_o st._n eccles_n jerom_n translate_v his_o word_n but_o certain_o he_o express_v as_o much_o smyrn_n assurance_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o if_o he_o have_v see_v it_o with_o his_o own_o eye_n this_o holy_a and_o apostolical_a man_n be_v account_v the_o 22._o second_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n after_o s._n peter_n have_v leave_v that_o place_n he_o continue_v some_o considerable_a time_n there_o and_o then_o be_v send_v from_o thence_o to_o rome_n to_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n by_o wild_a beast_n in_o that_o long_a and_o tedious_a journey_n he_o write_v epistle_n to_o several_a church_n and_o among_o they_o to_o three_o of_o those_o to_o who_o s._n john_n have_v write_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o revelation_n about_o twelve_o year_n before_o and_o in_o these_o he_o declare_v the_o superiority_n and_o power_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n so_o plain_o and_o urge_v it_o so_o frequent_o and_o passionate_o that_o they_o that_o will_v not_o allow_v of_o such_o a_o power_n have_v no_o great_a argument_n than_o this_o to_o prove_v that_o those_o epistle_n be_v not_o genuine_a but_o i_o think_v this_o will_v not_o now_o be_v deny_v since_o it_o have_v be_v late_o so_o clear_o demonstrate_v by_o a_o ignat._n reverend_a prelate_n of_o this_o nation_n in_o a_o most_o learned_a and_o accurate_a treatise_n write_v purposely_o on_o this_o subject_a in_o these_o epistle_n he_o show_v a_o great_a concern_v and_o desire_v their_o prayer_n for_o the_o magnes_fw-la church_n in_o syria_n and_o in_o one_o place_n he_o call_v himself_o the_o bishop_n not_o of_o antioch_n but_o of_o roman_n syria_n and_o the_o particular_a care_n that_o he_o often_o express_v of_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o syria_n and_o the_o title_n he_o take_v of_o be_v their_o bishop_n do_v very_o probable_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v metropolitan_a of_o that_o province_n
whereof_o antioch_n be_v the_o chief_a city_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v be_v deny_v to_o have_v have_v many_o presbyter_n under_o he_o and_o it_o may_v be_v several_a diocesan_n bishop_n which_o very_o probable_o be_v then_o establish_v in_o so_o large_a a_o country_n as_o that_o be_v the_o last_o example_n that_o i_o shall_v bring_v be_v that_o of_o polycarpus_n of_o smyrna_n he_o be_v one_o that_o have_v converse_v with_o 24._o st_n john_n and_o other_o apostle_n and_o as_o some_o say_v be_v make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o st_n hieron_n john_n who_o scholar_n he_o be_v but_o su-pra_a irenaeus_n who_o know_v he_o and_o have_v hear_v he_o with_o great_a attention_n when_o he_o discourse_v of_o many_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v hear_v from_o st_n john_n own_o mouth_n and_o from_o other_o that_o have_v see_v the_o lord_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v make_v 3._o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o if_o so_o than_o this_o polycarpus_n must_v be_v that_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n to_o who_o st_n john_n write_v one_o of_o his_o epistle_n in_o the_o revelation_n for_o that_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o write_v till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o other_o apostle_n and_o if_o he_o be_v make_v bishop_n by_o they_o for_o which_o we_o have_v the_o undoubted_a testimony_n of_o one_o that_o know_v he_o then_o he_o must_v be_v confess_v to_o have_v be_v the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n who_o st_n john_n do_v so_o high_o commend_v and_o that_o he_o have_v authority_n over_o many_o presbyter_n can_v be_v question_v because_o he_o collect_v the_o forementioned_a epistle_n of_o ignatius_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n that_o to_o his_o own_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o send_v they_o to_o the_o philippian_n in_o all_o which_o this_o power_n be_v most_o full_o and_o evident_o assert_v i_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o these_o few_o example_n out_o of_o many_o more_o because_o they_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v very_o clear_a and_o be_v all_o of_o they_o unquestionable_o within_o the_o time_n that_o the_o apostle_n live_v and_o therefore_o it_o may_v appear_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v a_o constitution_n that_o be_v allow_v and_o establish_v by_o they_o but_o if_o this_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o soon_o after_o it_o be_v universal_o receive_v all_o over_o the_o christian_a world_n for_o from_o about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o second_o century_n and_o so_o downward_o there_o be_v not_o a_o instance_n of_o any_o church_n that_o have_v not_o a_o bishop_n under_o who_o government_n it_o be_v the_o church_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o those_o without_o it_o do_v most_o unanimous_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o they_o all_o own_v the_o episcopal_a superiority_n and_o this_o be_v a_o very_a strong_a argument_n that_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o apostolical_a institution_n for_o it_o be_v not_o otherwise_o conceivable_a how_o it_o can_v be_v bring_v into_o such_o general_a use_n throughout_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n if_o any_o shall_v think_v that_o it_o may_v be_v determine_v in_o a_o general_n council_n soon_o after_o the_o decease_n of_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v a_o good_a testimony_n that_o it_o be_v still_o apostolical_a for_o else_o it_o will_v never_o have_v be_v decree_v by_o those_o some_o of_o which_o in_o all_o probability_n must_v have_v see_v and_o converse_v with_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o who_o be_v wont_n constant_o to_o contend_v for_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o have_v hear_v from_o they_o and_o to_o reject_v all_o other_o as_o illegal_a innovation_n but_o that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o such_o council_n seem_v to_o be_v beyond_o dispute_n for_o it_o can_v not_o be_v assemble_v in_o a_o time_n when_o the_o church_n be_v often_o in_o a_o state_n of_o persecution_n and_o always_o look_v upon_o with_o a_o jealous_a eye_n by_o the_o civil_a power_n which_o will_v not_o have_v suffer_v so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o christian_a minister_n to_o meet_v together_o without_o give_v they_o some_o great_a disturbance_n or_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v they_o may_v have_v be_v permit_v to_o meet_v quiet_o yet_o that_o they_o do_v so_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n or_o intimation_n in_o any_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n and_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o they_o can_v have_v be_v silent_a in_o a_o matter_n so_o considerable_a as_o this_o when_o they_o have_v punctual_o record_v so_o many_o of_o far_o less_o importance_n but_o if_o any_o can_v be_v incline_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n be_v a_o mere_a usurpation_n of_o one_o presbyter_n in_o a_o diocese_n over_o the_o rest_n without_o the_o decree_n of_o any_o council_n it_o be_v exceed_o strange_a that_o all_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v impose_v upon_o about_o the_o same_o time_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n without_o ever_o consult_v one_o with_o another_o and_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o primitive_a bishop_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v such_o pious_a mortify_v and_o self-denying_a man_n can_v be_v guilty_a of_o a_o ambition_n to_o advance_v themselves_o above_o their_o brethren_n contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o apostle_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v like_a to_o get_v nothing_o by_o their_o aspire_n but_o to_o be_v the_o first_o that_o shall_v burn_v at_o a_o stake_n in_o the_o marketplace_n or_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n in_o the_o amphitheatre_n or_o if_o we_o can_v suppose_v they_o to_o have_v be_v so_o wicked_a and_o foolish_a too_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o they_o can_v have_v gain_v this_o new_a power_n without_o some_o considerable_a opposition_n man_n be_v natural_o very_o jealous_a of_o any_o encroachment_n that_o can_v be_v make_v upon_o their_o right_n and_o the_o presbyter_n of_o those_o time_n may_v well_o be_v think_v to_o have_v have_v as_o great_a a_o care_n of_o preserve_v their_o liberty_n as_o we_o have_v now_o of_o we_o it_o be_v not_o therefore_o at_o all_o credible_a that_o they_o shall_v as_o it_o be_v with_o one_o consent_n put_v their_o neck_n quiet_o under_o this_o new_a invent_a yoke_n and_o submit_v without_o struggle_v to_o the_o usurp_a power_n of_o one_o of_o their_o equal_n and_o that_o this_o defection_n shall_v be_v so_o universal_a that_o the_o ancient_a parity_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o shall_v not_o keep_v its_o possession_n in_o one_o church_n in_o all_o christendom_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o seem_v very_o plain_a that_o the_o episcopal_a government_n that_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o other_o in_o their_o time_n and_o receive_v in_o all_o church_n must_v be_v institute_v by_o they_o and_o they_o certain_o do_v not_o act_n in_o a_o case_n of_o that_o high_a concernment_n to_o the_o perpetual_a peace_n and_o order_n of_o the_o church_n without_o the_o particular_a command_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n or_o the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n i_o have_v draw_v together_o in_o as_o clear_a and_o plain_a a_o method_n as_o i_o can_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o argument_n that_o may_v be_v make_v for_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n over_o many_o presbyter_n and_o if_o to_o all_o this_o and_o whatever_o else_o may_v be_v allege_v it_o shall_v be_v think_v reply_n enough_o to_o say_v that_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n begin_v to_o work_v in_o the_o 7._o apostle_n day_n and_o that_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v oblige_v by_o any_o example_n though_o never_o so_o old_a if_o this_o shall_v be_v plead_v as_o i_o think_v it_o have_v be_v sometime_o it_o may_v be_v answer_v thus_o that_o episcopacy_n may_v be_v prove_v upon_o good_a ground_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o i_o be_o sure_a far_o better_a than_o any_o other_o form_n of_o government_n can_v pretend_v unto_o but_o then_o be_v explain_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o that_o and_o all_o follow_a age_n it_o will_v put_v the_o thing_n beyond_o all_o controversy_n if_o the_o sacred_a text_n alone_o shall_v not_o be_v clear_a enough_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o it_o but_o if_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n shall_v be_v still_o insist_v on_o this_o can_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o our_o cause_n unless_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o such_o a_o episcopacy_n as_o we_o plead_v for_o be_v that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o that_o it_o be_v not_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o evident_a because_o i_o can_v think_v that_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n though_o it_o do_v work_v very_o early_o shall_v so_o mighty_o prevail_v that_o in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n there_o shall_v not_o be_v any_o church_n any_o where_o that_o can_v be_v hear_v of_o that_o