bishop_n and_o presbyter_n indifferent_o and_o promiscuous_o to_o those_o of_o both_o order_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n for_o we_o to_o admit_v of_o a_o community_n of_o name_n because_o those_o place_n which_o seem_v to_o infer_v this_o community_n may_v be_v fair_o understand_v though_o we_o do_v appropriate_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n to_o a_o bishop_n and_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n to_o a_o presbyter_n this_o will_v appear_v from_o a_o particular_a view_n of_o the_o several_a text_n which_o if_o we_o can_v understand_v without_o be_v oblige_v to_o confound_v name_n then_o farewell_n that_o grand_a principle_n which_o the_o classical_a divine_n have_v take_v for_o grant_v and_o which_o be_v the_o main_a and_o sole_a argument_n to_o prove_v a_o parity_n and_o equality_n of_o power_n among_o all_o church_n officer_n above_o the_o degree_n of_o deacon_n one_o famous_a place_n allege_v be_v act_n 20._o 17._o there_o s._n paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n to_o he_o at_o miletus_n and_o then_o he_o say_v ver_fw-la 28._o take_v heed_n unto_o yourselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o the_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d overseer_n or_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v render_v bishop_n here_o say_v they_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n be_v give_v to_o the_o same_o man_n and_o so_o the_o office_n and_o power_n of_o these_o man_n be_v the_o same_o but_o i_o pray_v my_o master_n why_o so_o what_o necessity_n be_v there_o for_o this_o positive_a assertion_n be_v none_o with_o s._n paul_n at_o this_o time_n but_o presbyter_n yes_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v near_o the_o apostle_n time_n will_v tell_v you_o 14._o iren._n adv_o haer._n l._n 1._o c._n 14._o that_o s._n paul_n call_v together_o both_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v none_o there_o but_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o city_n of_o ephesus_n yes_o the_o same_o ancient_a writer_n tell_v you_o that_o the_o clergy_n of_o all_o the_o city_n round_o about_o be_v there_o too_o in_o mileto_n convocatis_fw-la episcopis_fw-la &_o presbyteris_fw-la qui_fw-la erant_fw-la ab_fw-la epheso_fw-la &_o à _fw-la reliquis_fw-la proximis_fw-la civet_n atibus_fw-la the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v call_v from_o ephesus_n and_o from_o other_o neighbour_a city_n and_o indeed_o s._n paul_n word_n do_v intimate_v thus_o much_o for_o say_v he_o for_o 18._o you_o know_v from_o the_o first_o day_n i_o tame_v into_o asia_n after_o what_o manner_n i_o have_v be_v with_o you_o at_o all_o season_n now_o s._n paul_n have_v be_v with_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o other_o city_n in_o asia_n beside_o ephesus_n and_z s._n paul_n speak_v to_o they_o and_o appeal_n to_o their_o knowledge_n of_o his_o behaviour_n do_v plain_o argue_v that_o they_o be_v with_o he_o now_o and_o that_o this_o convention_n do_v consist_v of_o very_a many_o of_o the_o asiatic_a bishop_n and_o presbyter_n there_o be_v then_o neither_o necessity_n nor_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o only_o the_o inferior_a sort_n of_o clergy_n appear_v at_o the_o apostle_n summons_n much_o less_o that_o he_o shall_v call_v they_o bishop_n rather_o it_o be_v presumable_a that_o as_o he_o speak_v to_o all_o in_o general_n so_o that_o he_o direct_v his_o speech_n chief_o to_o the_o most_o honourable_a and_o principal_a part_n of_o that_o reverend_a assembly_n and_o that_o he_o call_v they_o bishop_n who_o be_v so_o in_o truth_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o bishop_n over_o their_o respective_a charge_n so_o address_v himself_o immediate_o and_o more_o particular_o to_o they_o who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o superintend_v the_o flock_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o obviate_v the_o incursion_n of_o wolf_n and_o thus_o this_o place_n may_v be_v fair_o understand_v without_o confound_v of_o name_n without_o offer_v violence_n to_o history_n or_o without_o rob_v the_o bishop_n to_o give_v their_o title_n and_o honour_n unto_o presbyter_n because_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o apostle_n convene_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n too_o and_o speak_v direct_o and_o immediate_o to_o the_o prelate_n of_o who_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o timothy_n be_v the_o chief_a and_o to_o the_o rest_n accommodate_v himself_o collateral_o secundary_o and_o by_o loc_fw-la grot._n in_o loc_fw-la way_n of_o reflection_n another_o place_n which_o have_v be_v hot_o urge_v in_o this_o controversy_n be_v that_o mention_v before_o in_o tit._n 1._o 5_o 6_o 7._o where_o titus_n be_v leave_v in_o crete_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o may_v constitute_v presbyter_n city_n by_o city_n if_o any_o be_v blameless_a the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a say_v the_o apostle_n now_o they_o who_o accuse_v bishop_n as_o corah_n do_v moses_n and_o aaron_n for_o take_v too_o much_o upon_o they_o triumph_v mighty_o 16._o num._n 16._o from_o this_o text_n as_o if_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v clear_o synonimous_a but_o upon_o due_a examination_n we_o find_v that_o the_o apostle_n sense_n do_v not_o at_o all_o carry_v it_o this_o way_n much_o less_o be_v there_o a_o necessity_n for_o we_o to_o understand_v he_o after_o this_o manner_n for_o all_o that_o s._n paul_n require_v of_o titus_n here_o seem_v to_o be_v this_o that_o he_o will_v advance_v the_o presbyter_n which_o be_v under_o he_o and_o ordain_v they_o bishop_n and_o dispose_v of_o they_o into_o city_n fix_v each_o of_o they_o to_o a_o certain_a cure_n that_o be_v such_o of_o they_o as_o be_v approve_v man_n for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a this_o sense_n be_v easy_a and_o the_o thing_n be_v probable_a for_o questionless_a there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n now_o in_o crete_n whether_o ordain_v by_o s._n paul_n before_o his_o departure_n or_o by_o titus_n himself_o afterward_o i_o will_v not_o dispute_v but_o many_o presbyter_n there_o be_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o titus_n to_o take_v a_o due_a care_n of_o so_o considerable_a a_o island_n without_o assistant_n it_o be_v likely_a therefore_o that_o when_o s._n paul_n be_v go_v away_o either_o he_o leave_v presbyter_n behind_o he_o or_o appoint_v titus_n to_o ordain_v some_o to_o take_v part_n of_o his_o burden_n and_o advise_v he_o not_o to_o prefer_v they_o hasty_o but_o to_o prove_v they_o first_o and_o then_o to_o ordain_v they_o bishop_n have_v make_v sufficient_a experiment_n of_o their_o ability_n and_o fitness_n for_o so_o great_a a_o trust_n and_o in_o this_o epistle_n send_v to_o he_o from_o nicopolis_n he_o mind_v he_o of_o that_o which_o he_o order_v he_o before_o viz._n that_o upon_o proof_n and_o trial_n make_v of_o his_o presbyter_n he_o shall_v promote_v they_o and_o set_v they_o over_o city_n over_o every_o city_n one_o for_o say_v he_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o easy_a and_o fair_a construction_n there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n of_o any_o confusion_n of_o name_n because_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o mean_a that_o titus_n shall_v take_v deacon_n or_o layman_n into_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n but_o that_o he_o shall_v advance_v such_o as_o be_v presbyter_n already_o into_o the_o superior_a order_n of_o bishop_n and_o have_v first_o consecrate_v and_o ordain_v they_o to_o assign_v each_o of_o they_o his_o diocese_n and_o city_n that_o they_o may_v be_v invest_v with_o their_o episcopal_a authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n too_o and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o constitution_n or_o promotion_n of_o presbyter_n which_o the_o apostle_n require_v here_o other_o place_n there_o be_v where_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n only_o without_o take_v notice_n of_o a_o intermediate_v rank_a of_o clergy_n as_o 1_o tim._n 3._o he_o give_v instruction_n for_o the_o ordination_n of_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o in_o phil._n 1._o 1._o he_o salute_v the_o saint_n at_o philippi_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n whence_o the_o adversary_n of_o episcopacy_n do_v conclude_v that_o by_o bishop_n there_o presbyter_n be_v intend_v otherwise_o we_o must_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v pass_v over_o whole_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v the_o apostle_n will_v do_v but_o by_o their_o good_a leave_n i_o do_v assert_v that_o where_o the_o apostle_n mention_v bishop_n he_o ever_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o bishop_n not_o include_v presbyter_n under_o that_o notion_n and_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o objection_n three_o thing_n be_v observable_a 1._o first_o that_o when_o church_n begin_v to_o be_v gather_v many_o 68_o epiph._n haeres_fw-la 68_o time_n it_o happen_v that_o two_o church_n be_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o city_n the_o one_o consist_v of_o believe_a jew_n the_o other_o
the_o one_o hand_n many_o bishop_n beside_o the_o first_o twelve_o be_v call_v apostle_n so_o timothy_n titus_n james_n v._o bovii_fw-la scholia_fw-la in_o constit_fw-la apost_n and_o dr._n hammonds_n praef._n to_o st._n james_n clement_n and_o abundance_n more_o have_v the_o title_n give_v they_o which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o conjecture_n of_o albaspinaeus_n and_o other_o that_o the_o canon_n &_o constitutiones_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la be_v the_o canon_n and_o constitution_n virorum_fw-la apostolicorum_fw-la or_o of_o these_o secundary_a apostle_n so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o primary_n or_o twelve_o apostle_n be_v look_v upon_o to_o have_v be_v bishop_n i_o be_o sure_a when_o st._n peter_n move_v that_o one_o shall_v be_v choose_v to_o succeed_v 20._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act._n 1._o 20._o in_o the_o apostolate_a of_o judas_n he_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o succession_n into_o his_o bishopric_n or_o episcopal_a office_n that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o part_n of_o apostleship_n which_o each_o of_o the_o twelve_o have_v namely_o a_o function_n and_o power_n episcopal_n and_o according_o be_v the_o carpocr_n epiph._n lib._n 1._o cont_n carpocr_n ancient_n wont_v to_o style_v the_o apostle_n bishop_n so_o epiphanius_n say_v of_o peter_n and_o paul_n that_o they_o be_v apostle_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o mission_n and_o bishop_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o charge_n and_o st._n cyprian_n bid_v deacon_n to_o remember_v that_o our_o lord_n choose_v apostle_n rogatianum_fw-la cypr._n ep_v 65._o ad_fw-la rogatianum_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la episcopos_fw-la &_o praepositos_fw-la that_o be_v bishop_n and_o governor_n and_o tell_v they_o moreover_o that_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v deacon_n to_o be_v minister_n to_o the_o church_n and_o to_o they_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o episcopal_a office_n episcopatûs_fw-la svi_fw-la &_o ecclesiae_fw-la ministros_fw-la and_o st._n austin_n be_v positive_a that_o when_o our_o lord_n lay_v his_o hand_n 97._o quaest_n in_o vet_z &_o nou._n test_n q._n 97._o upon_o the_o apostle_n ordinavit_fw-la eos_fw-la episcopos_fw-la he_o ordain_v they_o bishop_n beside_o many_o more_o testimony_n to_o this_o purpose_n which_o be_v ready_a at_o hand_n and_o which_o yet_o i_o omit_v because_o this_o be_v evident_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_n because_o they_o frequent_o affirm_v that_o bishop_n be_v the_o apostle_n successor_n that_o they_o hold_v their_o place_n and_o be_v of_o their_o degree_n and_o come_v after_o they_o in_o their_o office_n and_o function_n and_o the_o like_a which_o they_o will_v not_o have_v say_v have_v they_o not_o judge_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o have_v be_v i_o mean_v in_o their_o ordinary_a capacity_n no_o more_o and_o no_o less_o than_o bishop_n 2._o which_o thing_n have_v it_o be_v well_o heed_v may_v have_v prevent_v some_o learned_a tract_n which_o have_v be_v write_v against_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o to_o determine_v that_o christ_n ordain_v not_o episcopacy_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v a_o affirmation_n that_o he_o ordain_v not_o apostle_n for_o they_o be_v invest_v with_o that_o episcopal_a power_n which_o god_n be_v bless_v have_v continue_v in_o the_o church_n hitherto_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o gainsaying_n of_o core_n now_o this_o consideration_n lead_v we_o on_o to_o the_o next_o viz._n that_o as_o the_o apostle_n receive_v this_o power_n themselves_o so_o it_o be_v provable_a out_o of_o their_o write_n that_o they_o impart_v it_o to_o other_o and_o invest_v they_o with_o their_o apostolic_a or_o episcopal_a authority_n to_o show_v this_o i_o shall_v make_v choice_n of_o three_o special_a instance_n and_o they_o be_v these_o 1._o first_o though_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o express_o &_o totidem_fw-la verbis_fw-la tell_v we_o that_o st._n james_n be_v bishop_n of_o ja._n v._o grot._n in_o ep_n ja._n jerusalem_n yet_o that_o he_o be_v so_o we_o be_v as_o certain_a as_o the_o most_o ancient_a record_n can_v make_v we_o and_o indeed_o st._n luke_n in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o apostle_n act_n do_v yield_v we_o such_o fair_a probability_n of_o this_o thing_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o succeed_a time_n seem_v to_o be_v unquestionable_o true_a for_o in_o act._n 21._o 18._o we_o read_v that_o when_o st._n paul_n be_v return_v from_o his_o circuit_n to_o jerusalem_n the_o next_o day_n he_o and_o his_o company_n go_v in_o unto_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a now_o certain_o james_n will_v not_o have_v be_v name_v distinct_o and_o by_o himself_o have_v he_o not_o have_v a_o pre-eminence_n over_o the_o college_n of_o elder_n that_o be_v assemble_v with_o he_o st._n luke_n single_v he_o out_o as_o the_o person_n to_o who_o st._n paul_n do_v after_o a_o particular_a manner_n address_v himself_o though_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v there_o present_a yet_o they_o go_v in_o unto_o james_n intimate_v plain_o that_o he_o be_v the_o precedent_n over_o that_o venerable_a society_n and_o to_o confirm_v this_o it_o be_v likewise_o observable_a what_o be_v relate_v of_o this_o st._n james_n at_o the_o famous_a convention_n at_o jerusalem_n act._n 15._o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o synod_n be_v a_o controversy_n about_o the_o necessity_n and_o use_v of_o circumcision_n and_o great_a dispute_n there_o be_v about_o it_o at_o the_o council_n but_o at_o last_o when_o peter_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v give_v their_o opinion_n of_o the_o matter_n st._n james_n determin_n it_o and_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o debate_n by_o his_o decisive_a sentence_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o determine_v judge_n and_o give_v sentence_n say_v he_o vers_n 19_o and_o in_o his_o judgement_n and_o determination_n all_o do_v acquiesce_v this_o be_v a_o plain_a argument_n that_o st._n james_n be_v then_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o otherwise_o why_o do_v st._n paul_n so_o particular_o apply_v himself_o to_o st._n james_n and_o why_o do_v the_o other_o apostle_n and_o even_o peter_n himself_o rest_n in_o the_o determination_n of_o st._n james_n nay_o why_o shall_v st._n james_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o decide_v the_o controversy_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o james_n be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n all_o do_v agree_v that_o he_o have_v be_v a_o disciple_n and_o some_o think_v he_o be_v our_o lord_n cousin_n other_o do_v conceive_v that_o he_o be_v our_o lord_n brother_n in_o law_n the_o son_n of_o joseph_n by_o his_o former_a wife_n he_o be_v call_v by_o way_n of_o distinction_n james_n the_o just_a and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n how_o be_v it_o imaginable_a 1._o euseb_n l._n 2._o c._n 1._o that_o he_o shall_v have_v have_v at_o those_o meeting_n of_o the_o apostle_n such_o eminence_n precedency_n and_o authority_n the_o truth_n be_v eusebius_n tell_v that_o the_o apostle_n decline_v the_o honour_n of_o be_v in_o the_o chair_n and_o see_v of_o jerusalem_n and_o give_v it_o unto_o this_o james_n as_o for_o other_o reason_n so_o for_o this_o because_o he_o be_v our_o saviour_n near_a relation_n and_o so_o he_o take_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n with_o the_o apostle_n say_v eusebius_n which_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o do_v understand_v as_o if_o he_o be_v only_o take_v into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o apostle_n have_v be_v a_o bare_a disciple_n before_o but_o this_o be_v a_o palpable_a mistake_n touch_v the_o sense_n of_o eusebius_n for_o say_v he_o this_o james_n the_o just_a be_v make_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o a_o world_n of_o testimony_n more_o there_o be_v to_o confirm_v it_o second_o my_o next_o instance_n be_v in_o timothy_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o st._n paul_n himself_o the_o presbytery_n concur_v as_o approver_n of_o his_o ordination_n that_o he_o be_v a_o apostolical_a prelate_n we_o have_v the_o joint_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o primitive_a author_n which_o speak_v of_o he_o some_o affirm_v he_o to_o have_v be_v metropolitan_a of_o asia_n and_o all_o confess_v he_o to_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n out_o of_o those_o two_o epistle_n which_o st._n paul_n send_v he_o it_o appear_v that_o he_o himself_o constitute_v and_o sixth_o he_o at_o ephesus_n require_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o abide_v and_o settle_v there_o 1_o tim._n 1._o 3_o ephesus_z be_v the_o place_n of_o his_o residence_n unless_o happy_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n do_v oblige_v he_o to_o consult_v st._n paul_n for_o himself_o be_v young_a or_o the_o necessity_n of_o st._n paul_n require_v his_o attendance_n for_o he_o be_v his_o convert_n 2._o we_o find_v that_o he_o be_v to_o restrain_v preacher_n within_o the_o boundary_n of_o 3._o c._n 1._o 3._o truth_n and_o to_o charge_v some_o that_o they_o shall_v teach_v no_o other_o 11._o c._n 2._o 1._o 2._o 10._o 11._o doctrine_n he_o be_v
affection_n it_o will_v compose_v our_o mind_n and_o our_o affair_n too_o it_o will_v not_o only_o make_v we_o live_v together_o with_o one_o mind_n in_o a_o house_n but_o moreover_o it_o will_v establish_v our_o house_n and_o make_v it_o strong_a and_o firm_a and_o safe_a over_o our_o head_n for_o it_o be_v not_o every_o difference_n in_o opinion_n that_o expose_v a_o church_n or_o a_o nation_n to_o danger_n but_o it_o be_v fight_a and_o quarrel_v about_o the_o main_a way_n that_o ruin_v all_o we_o know_v that_o among_o the_o turk_n there_o be_v several_a sect_n and_o party_n and_o different_a persuasion_n and_o yet_o the_o ottoman_a empire_n hold_v though_o it_o be_v a_o most_o arbitrary_a and_o tyrannical_a policy_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o mahomet_n be_v carry_v on_o though_o it_o be_v a_o most_o palpable_a and_o fulsome_a imposture_n because_o though_o they_o jangle_v in_o matter_n of_o lesser_a moment_n yet_o they_o be_v true_a to_o their_o common_a interest_n and_o agree_v in_o the_o main_n and_o close_o adhere_v to_o their_o general_a model_n of_o government_n religion_n and_o worship_n in_o like_a manner_n among_o the_o romanist_n themselves_o who_o boast_v so_o much_o of_o the_o unity_n of_o their_o church_n there_o be_v many_o very_a considerable_a division_n and_o more_o perhaps_o than_o there_o be_v among_o we_o and_o those_o as_o hot_o maintain_v and_o yet_o herod_n and_o pilate_n know_v how_o to_o agree_v against_o christ_n the_o scotist_n and_o thomist_n the_o molinist_n and_o jansenist_n the_o dominican_n and_o jesuit_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v wise_a enough_o to_o hang_v together_o under_o the_o law_n of_o their_o church_n they_o go_v quiet_o and_o hand_n in_o hand_n in_o the_o main_a way_n they_o conspire_v in_o one_o common_a form_n they_o be_v tight_a to_o their_o government_n and_o keep_v close_o to_o their_o rubric_n and_o establishment_n and_o as_o long_o as_o the_o pope_n can_v but_o keep_v thing_n in_o this_o channel_n either_o by_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o inquisition_n or_o by_o other_o politic_a art_n he_o know_v that_o his_o and_o his_o church_n interest_n be_v safe_a and_o he_o need_v not_o make_v use_n of_o his_o pretend_a infallibility_n to_o determine_v those_o point_n which_o be_v controvert_v i_o wish_v that_o we_o will_v learn_v so_o much_o wit_n of_o the_o adversary_n of_o true_a religion_n as_o not_o to_o fall_v out_o there_o where_o the_o safety_n of_o we_o all_o be_v concern_v but_o walk_v together_o like_a friend_n in_o that_o plain_a way_n which_o the_o ancient_a church_n have_v beat_v out_o before_o we_o and_o the_o law_n of_o our_o land_n have_v fence_v in_o for_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o speculation_n and_o point_v disputable_a can_v not_o hurt_v we_o or_o lay_v we_o open_v to_o danger_n if_o some_o among_o we_o be_v but_o true_a to_o our_o common_a interest_n if_o they_o will_v but_o stick_v to_o our_o establishment_n which_o be_v the_o rampire_n and_o bulwark_n of_o the_o church_n if_o they_o will_v but_o be_v as_o zealous_a for_o christ_n as_o the_o turk_n be_v for_o mahomet_n or_o as_o the_o jesuit_n be_v for_o he_o who_o some_o suppose_v to_o be_v antichrist_n nothing_o in_o all_o probability_n can_v give_v we_o rest_n to_o our_o soul_n and_o security_n to_o our_o nation_n and_o prosperity_n to_o our_o religion_n but_o this_o one_o thing_n to_o seek_v after_o the_o good_a old_a way_n man_n may_v please_v themselves_o with_o fancy_n and_o try_v many_o fruitless_a conclusion_n and_o make_v experiment_n of_o this_o and_o of_o that_o expedient_a but_o the_o world_n will_v see_v in_o the_o end_n that_o nothing_o but_o the_o observe_n of_o the_o old_a path_n will_v put_v we_o into_o a_o good_a posture_n 4._o but_o yet_o fourthly_a there_o be_v one_o huge_a advantage_n more_o which_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o matter_n will_v bring_v unto_o we_o and_o that_o indeed_o which_o i_o shall_v chief_o insist_v on_o and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o it_o will_v justify_v our_o whole_a cause_n before_o all_o the_o world_n and_o cut_v off_o all_o just_a occasion_n from_o those_o who_o wrongful_o upbraid_v we_o all_o for_o innovator_n and_o under_o that_o pretence_n trepan_n many_o a_o soul_n where_o say_v they_o be_v your_o religion_n before_o luther_n now_o the_o dissenter_n be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v this_o question_n true_o thorough_o or_o to_o satisfaction_n because_o a_o great_a part_n of_o his_o religion_n be_v no_o where_n in_o the_o world_n no_o not_o in_o luther_n day_n and_o so_o the_o romanist_n have_v a_o continual_a and_o unanswerable_a objection_n to_o fling_v in_o his_o tooth_n but_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v have_v a_o fair_a and_o full_a plea_n that_o her_o whole_a religion_n be_v long_o before_o popery_n that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o world_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v see_v still_o in_o the_o tome_n of_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n nay_o she_o can_v justify_v her_o cause_n out_o of_o those_o very_a writer_n in_o communion_n with_o the_o roman_a church_n both_o before_o and_o since_o the_o time_n of_o luther_n who_o book_n they_o like_o dishonest_a man_n have_v correct_v purge_v and_o mangle_v by_o the_o expurgatory_n indices_fw-la lest_o they_o shall_v tell_v tale_n i_o do_v not_o intend_v now_o to_o vindicate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n in_o this_o respect_n for_o that_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o my_o present_a purpose_n and_o our_o faith_n have_v be_v by_o other_o abundant_o prove_v to_o be_v exact_o consonant_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o to_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o orthodox_n christian_n in_o the_o pure_a and_o best_a age_n and_o by_o this_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o stand_v or_o fall_v let_v the_o papist_n bark_n at_o we_o till_o his_o tongue_n and_o his_o heart_n ak_v but_o my_o purpose_n be_v to_o justify_v the_o government_n and_o discipline_n of_o our_o church_n to_o be_v the_o same_o which_o be_v use_v in_o christian_a church_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o that_o against_o a_o sort_n of_o man_n among_o ourselves_o who_o accuse_v we_o of_o superstition_n as_o the_o papist_n do_v accuse_v we_o of_o schism_n though_o god_n be_v bless_v we_o be_v guilty_a of_o neither_o we_o tell_v our_o dissent_v brethren_n that_o our_o way_n which_o they_o have_v forsake_v be_v indeed_o the_o old_a path_n we_o affirm_v our_o government_n to_o have_v be_v primitive_a and_o apostolical_a and_o we_o say_v too_o that_o our_o discipline_n rite_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n be_v the_o same_o general_o which_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o first_o and_o best_a time_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v now_o to_o prove_v in_o some_o measure_n by_o instance_v in_o particular_n that_o man_n who_o desire_v satisfaction_n herein_o may_v see_v that_o the_o frame_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la very_o ancient_a and_o that_o on_o that_o account_n beside_o many_o other_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v uphold_v and_o maintain_v which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o have_v already_o argue_v for_o and_o withal_o that_o our_o charge_n of_o innovation_n will_v be_v unjust_a and_o ridiculous_a do_v we_o but_o unanimous_o resolve_v to_o tread_v in_o this_o path_n our_o brethren_n then_o will_v be_v free_a from_o guilt_n as_o well_o as_o ourselves_o 1._o the_o first_o thing_n to_o be_v speak_v to_o be_v our_o form_n of_o government_n i_o mean_v our_o episcopacy_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v such_o a_o eyesore_a to_o papist_n atheist_n and_o schismatic_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o for_o 1500_o year_n it_o be_v the_o only_a kind_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n and_o whatever_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v pretend_v i_o believe_v you_o can_v scarce_o instance_n in_o any_o ancient_a church_n perfect_o and_o complete_o form_v that_o be_v not_o under_o the_o care_n and_o government_n of_o bishop_n in_o our_o present_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n preside_v over_o they_o either_o in_o person_n or_o by_o their_o authority_n those_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o the_o world_n have_v be_v and_o be_v so_o much_o behold_v the_o augustine_n cyprian_n chrysostoms_n basils_n cyril_n gregory_n and_o ambrose_n be_v famous_a and_o renown_a prelate_n some_o of_o they_o metropolitanes_n some_o patriarch_n all_o of_o they_o bishop_n those_o father_n of_o the_o three_o century_n after_o the_o apostle_n as_o theodoret_n jerom_n and_o other_o who_o think_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v indifferent_o and_o promiscuous_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o mean_a to_o impair_v the_o just_a honour_n and_o dignity_n of_o bishop_n for_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o though_o the_o name_n be_v in_o common_a yet_o the_o office_n power_n and_o
to_o order_v the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o decency_n and_o a_o grave_a decorum_n may_v be_v in_o christian_a assembly_n he_o be_v to_o see_v that_o such_o as_o will_v be_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n shall_v be_v right_o qualify_v 2._o c._n 3._o 2._o and_o himself_o to_o keep_v up_o his_o authority_n by_o be_v a_o example_n of_o believer_n he_o be_v to_o allot_v a_o double_a portion_n of_o 12._o c._n 4._o 12._o maintenance_n to_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o under_o he_o and_o 17._o c._n 5._o 17._o labour_v in_o the_o word_n he_o be_v to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o the_o 19_o 19_o irregularity_n of_o presbyter_n but_o with_o this_o caution_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o receive_v a_o accusation_n against_o a_o elder_a but_o before_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n and_o such_o as_o sin_v he_o be_v to_o rebuke_n before_o all_o he_o be_v to_o hold_v ordination_n but_o with_o 20._o 20._o this_o proviso_n that_o he_o shall_v lay_v band_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n 22._o 22._o brief_o st._n paul_n give_v he_o a_o plenitude_n of_o that_o power_n which_o he_o have_v himself_o and_o if_o to_o model_n church_n to_o prescribe_v rule_n to_o confer_v holy_a o_o deus_fw-la to_o command_v examine_v judge_n and_o reprehend_v o_o fender_n open_o and_o even_o presbyter_n themselves_o i_o say_v if_o these_o be_v part_n of_o episcopal_a power_n than_o be_v timothy_n a_o bishop_n indeed_o and_o i_o shall_v be_v loath_a to_o see_v half_o that_o charter_n give_v to_o a_o single_a presbyter_n as_o be_v here_o give_v to_o timothy_n by_o this_o great_a apostle_n 3._o the_o three_o instance_n to_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n settle_v the_o episcopal_a form_n of_o government_n be_v titus_n who_o antiquity_n acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v metropolitan_a of_o crete_n a_o island_n consistng_a of_o a_o hundred_o city_n and_o to_o have_v be_v entrust_v with_o the_o power_n of_o model_v and_o govern_v of_o all_o the_o church_n there_o that_o st._n paul_n leave_v he_o there_o be_v clear_a from_o his_o own_o word_n and_o 5._o tit._n 1._o 5._o questionless_a his_o design_n be_v that_o titus_n shall_v remain_v and_o continue_v there_o unless_o summon_v away_o upon_o some_o emergency_n and_o for_o a_o time_n only_o and_o even_o then_o st._n paul_n promise_v to_o send_v either_o artemas_n or_o tychicus_n to_o be_v his_o vicar_n and_o procurator_n 12._o c._n 3._o 12._o in_o his_o absence_n now_o that_o titus_n be_v indeed_o a_o bishop_n superior_a in_o authority_n to_o presbyter_n and_o invest_v with_o a_o superintendency_n and_o power_n over_o all_o his_o clergy_n do_v plain_o appear_v from_o the_o authority_n he_o have_v both_o to_o ordain_v and_o to_o judge_v of_o so_o many_o bishop_n as_o st._n chrysostom_n declare_v he_o have_v for_o this_o cause_n 1._o chrysost_n hom._n in_o tit._n 1._o it_o be_v that_o when_o the_o apostle_n himself_o can_v not_o stay_v in_o crete_n to_o put_v every_o thing_n into_o due_a order_n but_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v go_v he_o leave_v titus_n behind_o he_o to_o set_v in_o order_n the_o thing_n that_o 10._o tit._n 1._o 5_o 11._o etc._n etc._n 2._o 10._o be_v want_v and_o unsettled_a at_o s._n paul_n departure_n to_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o to_o dispose_v of_o they_o into_o city_n into_o every_o city_n one_o to_o provide_v against_o the_o heterodox_n preach_v of_o deceiver_n to_o stop_v their_o mouth_n to_o silence_v they_o and_o to_o rebuke_v they_o sharp_o and_o to_o admonish_v heretic_n once_o and_o again_o and_o then_o to_o excommunicate_v they_o upon_o their_o contumacy_n this_o be_v titus_n his_o office_n and_o this_o be_v plain_o the_o exercise_n of_o episcopal_a power_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o to_o confirm_v this_o further_a two_o thing_n be_v observable_a first_o that_o this_o authority_n be_v give_v to_o titus_n alone_o not_o to_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n which_o it_o be_v presumable_a s._n paul_n appoint_v before_o his_o go_v away_o but_o to_o titus_n single_o for_o this_o cause_n leave_v i_o thou_o in_o crete_n that_o thou_o shall_v set_v thing_n in_o order_n that_o thou_o shall_v ordain_v etc._n etc._n this_o argue_v a_o supreme_a and_o a_o sole_a superintendency_n and_o authority_n in_o titus_n second_o that_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n for_o s._n paul_n commit_v this_o authority_n unto_o he_o for_o otherwise_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v want_v can_v not_o be_v set_v in_o order_n nor_o can_v ordination_n or_o censure_n be_v there_o for_o this_o cause_n leave_v i_o thou_o in_o crete_n which_o be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n that_o the_o presbyter_n in_o crete_n have_v no_o power_n either_o to_o ordain_v or_o to_o excommunicate_v or_o to_o do_v such_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n for_o then_o why_o be_v titus_n leave_v to_o those_o purpose_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v s._n paul_n leave_v he_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n leave_v he_o so_o that_o unless_o we_o will_v offer_v violence_n to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n we_o must_v confess_v that_o titus_n be_v leave_v and_o fix_v at_o crete_n as_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_a of_o the_o whole_a island_n to_o these_o three_o apostolical_a bishop_n i_o may_v add_v many_o more_o 〈◊〉_d const_n apost_n l._n 7._o c._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o name_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n either_o occasional_o and_o scatter_o mention_v as_o in_o irenaeus_n eusebius_n and_o divers_a other_o or_o more_o orderly_o collect_v as_o in_o the_o book_n of_o constitution_n common_o call_v apostolical_a but_o because_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o depend_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o church_n history_n which_o yet_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v i_o shall_v forbear_v further_a instance_n have_v already_o and_o i_o hope_v sufficient_o show_v out_o of_o scripture_n that_o the_o order_n and_o authority_n of_o bishop_n be_v in_o be_v 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o from_o they_o continue_v and_o transmit_v to_o succeed_a age_n 2._o have_v do_v then_o with_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o affirmative_a i_o proceed_v next_o with_o what_o brevity_n i_o can_v to_o answer_v that_o grand_a argument_n usual_o bring_v to_o make_v good_a the_o negative_a viz._n that_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v indifferent_o and_o promiscuous_o use_v in_o the_o apostolical_a write_n as_o if_o only_o one_o order_n of_o man_n be_v mean_v by_o they_o as_o for_o instance_n in_o tit._n 1._o 2_o 5._o paul_n tell_v titus_n that_o he_o leave_v he_o in_o crete_n as_o for_o other_o reason_n so_o for_o this_o that_o he_o shall_v ordain_v elder_n or_o presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n then_o ver_fw-la 6._o he_o lay_v down_o the_o qualification_n of_o these_o elder_n and_o as_o a_o reason_n for_o it_o he_o say_v ver_fw-la 7._o for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a etc._n etc._n here_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n seem_v to_o be_v not_o two_o distinct_a order_n but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o and_o so_o some_o say_v that_o by_o a_o presbyter_n be_v here_o mean_v a_o bishop_n and_o other_o affirm_v that_o by_o a_o bishop_n be_v here_o mean_v a_o presbyter_n and_o hence_o be_v willing_a to_o conclude_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o be_v not_o think_v to_o be_v two_o distinct_a office_n but_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v one_o both_o in_o name_n order_n and_o authority_n and_o so_o prelacy_n must_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n without_o any_o help_n from_o scripture_n for_o the_o remove_n of_o this_o difficulty_n three_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v 1._o that_o aerius_n the_o heretic_n be_v the_o first_o that_o ever_o find_v out_o or_o insist_v on_o this_o community_n and_o identity_n of_o name_n for_o the_o writer_n before_o he_o in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o discourse_n at_o this_o rate_n can_v not_o discover_v such_o a_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o word_n 2._o the_o catholic_n writer_n after_o aerius_n who_o think_v as_o he_o do_v that_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v common_a in_o the_o apostle_n day_n do_v not_o yet_o think_v as_o that_o heretic_n do_v affirm_v that_o the_o office_n and_o order_n be_v ever_o the_o same_o no_o they_o hold_v that_o though_o bishop_n be_v sometime_o call_v presbyter_n and_o presbyter_n bishop_n yet_o bishop_n be_v a_o rank_n of_o minister_n above_o presbyter_n both_o in_o degree_n and_o authority_n even_o in_o the_o age_n of_o the_o apostle_n 3._o but_o then_o there_o be_v one_o observation_n more_o for_o which_o i_o must_v thank_v a_o very_a learned_a prelate_n of_o our_o church_n viz._n that_o notwithstanding_o 184._o vindic._n epist_n ignat._n p._n 184._o this_o construction_n and_o late_a pretence_n of_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o word_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o scripture_n give_v the_o title_n of_o