to_o who_o they_o may_v commit_v that_o diaconate_a by_o their_o apostolic_a imposition_n of_o hand_n which_o be_v do_v according_o so_o here_o be_v a_o meeting_n of_o ecclesiastical_a person_n upon_o a_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n and_o so_o a_o matter_n of_o synodical_a polity_n under_o authority_n apostolical_a act_v 6._o upon_o the_o persecation_n â—8_o st._n cyprian_n say_v that_o the_o apostle_n send_v philip_n to_o samania_n ep._n 73._o â—8_o which_o begin_v in_o the_o ston_a of_o sâ—_n stephen_n there_o follow_v a_o dispersion_n of_o the_o church_n from_o jerusadem_n but_o they_o that_o be_v scatter_v abroad_o go_v every_o where_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o philip_n the_o deacon_n make_v a_o vast_a conversion_n at_o samaria_n of_o which_o when_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v still_o at_o jerusadem_n hear_v they_o send_v unto_o they_o peter_n and_o john_n authority_n mission_n a_o act_n of_o conciliar_a authority_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o they_o for_o the_o reception_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n here_o be_v most_o formal_o a_o mission_n from_o the_o apostolic_a college_n de_fw-fr propagandâ_fw-la fide_fw-la of_o two_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o their_o body_n and_o be_v a_o act_n of_o conciliar_a form_n authority_n government_n and_o communication_n act_v 8.14_o 15._o to_o the_o authority_n of_o which_o college_n apostles_n st._n peter_n accountable_a to_o the_o college_n of_o apostles_n in_o public_a council_n st._n peter_n himself_o be_v force_v to_o give_v a_o account_n at_o his_o return_n for_o his_o have_v preach_v to_o and_o baptise_a the_o gentile_n act_n 11.1_o 2_o etc._n etc._n upon_o the_o same_o persecution_n several_a preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o jew_n alone_o in_o phenice_n cyprus_n and_o antioch_n in_o which_o last_o some_o also_o preach_v to_o the_o greek_n and_o turn_v great_a number_n of_o they_o to_o the_o lord_n and_o when_o tiding_n thereof_o come_v to_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n they_o send_v forth_o barnabas_n to_o antioch_n which_o mission_n must_v be_v order_v conciliar_o by_o the_o apostle_n of_o which_o three_o only_a have_v depart_v from_o the_o college_n peter_n john_n and_o barnabas_n and_o peter_n have_v return_v before_o this_o mission_n of_o barnabas_n act_v 11._o thou_o after_o herod_n have_v kill_v the_o apostle_n james_n major_n and_o imprison_v peter_n to_o the_o same_o end_n by_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o angel_n peter_n go_v off_o a_o second_o time_n jerusalem_n eldersunder_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o college_n at_o jerusalem_n act_v 12._o nor_o be_v there_o only_a apostle_n still_o preside_v at_o jerusalem_n but_o elder_n also_o under_o they_o to_o who_o when_o earnabas_n and_o saul_n return_v to_o give_v account_n of_o their_o ministry_n they_o deliver_v the_o collection_n make_v for_o the_o brethren_n of_o judea_n act_v 11.30_o which_o elder_n be_v a_o second_o clerical_a order_n in_o that_o stand_a council_n college_n the_o 24_o elder_n in_o the_o revelation_n represent_v as_o a_o college_n what_o the_o twenty_o four_o elder_n in_o the_o revelation_n be_v particular_o intend_v to_o represent_v it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o conjecture_n it_o be_v only_o observable_a here_o that_o they_o be_v represent_v as_o in_o one_o assembly_n when_o some_o from_o judea_n come_v to_o anâ—ioch_n and_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n the_o necessity_n of_o circumcision_n and_o be_v oppose_v by_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n herein_o 3_o the_o church_n there_o be_v resolve_v to_o consult_v the_o determination_n of_o the_o high_a authority_n authority_n the_o college_n of_o apostle_n and_o elder_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o supreme_a authority_n which_o then_o be_v in_o the_o college_n of_o apostle_n and_o elder_n at_o jerusalem_n who_o from_o that_o metropolis_n yet_o joint_o and_o synodical_o govern_v all_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n need_v their_o determination_n the_o legate_n therefore_o from_o antioch_n be_v receive_v by_o this_o college_n and_o have_v give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o affair_n in_o public_a assembly_n certain_a of_o the_o believe_a pharisee_n at_o jerusalem_n urge_v the_o necessity_n of_o circumcise_n the_o gentile_n whereupon_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n come_v together_o to_o consider_v of_o this_o matter_n circumcision_n the_o session_n at_o jerusalem_n about_o circumcision_n among_o who_o the_o old_a prolocutor_n peter_n first_o next_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o last_o of_o all_o james_n minor_n afterward_o probable_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o place_n upon_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o rest_n apostles_n deliver_v their_o sense_n and_o resolution_n for_o the_o negative_a in_o which_o the_o whole_a council_n acquiesce_v and_o so_o it_o please_v the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o send_v synodical_a legate_n and_o epistle_n to_o the_o gentile_a church_n in_o antioch_n syria_n and_o cilicia_n let_v they_o know_v that_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o they_o to_o lay_v upon_o they_o no_o more_o than_o four_o necessary_a thing_n to_o abstain_v from_o meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n from_o blood_n from_o thing_n strangle_v and_o from_o fornication_n assure_v they_o withal_o that_o those_o circumcisionists_n from_o jerusalem_n have_v not_o that_o in_o commandment_n from_o the_o college_n of_o apostle_n and_o elder_n to_o impose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o circumcision_n on_o they_o whereby_o be_v import_v that_o that_o council_n or_o college_n have_v a_o command_a power_n on_o missionary_n though_o in_o virtue_n of_o that_o they_o have_v give_v these_o zealot_n no_o such_o circumcise_n commandment_n etc._n syned_a afiicara_n ad_fw-la cornel._n ap_fw-mi cyp._n ep._n 54._o placuit_fw-la nel_fw-it be_v spiritu_fw-la sarcio_fw-la suggerente_fw-la &_o domino_fw-la per_fw-la visiones_fw-la multas_fw-la &_o manifestas_fw-la admonente_fw-la etc._n etc._n this_o be_v so_o very_o formal_a a_o synod_n and_o the_o act_n and_o concern_v thereof_o so_o formal_o synodical_a that_o hence_o all_o synod_n convene_v upon_o religious_a question_n and_o debate_n have_v act_v in_o prescription_n from_o this_o as_o their_o platform_n or_o original_a pattern_n and_o yet_o the_o dr._n tell_v we_o that_o whether_o this_o be_v such_o a_o synod_n as_o he_o and_o the_o letter_n be_v then_o speak_v of_o may_v very_o just_o be_v doubt_v now_o what_o sort_n of_o synod_n the_o dr._n intend_v his_o then_o speech_n about_o i_o can_v tell_v 60._o p._n 60._o if_o his_o general_n definition_n of_o a_o synod_n will_v do_v this_o be_v certain_o such_o as_o full_o as_o ever_o any_o be_v or_o if_o he_o mean_v such_o a_o synod_n as_o the_o church_n usual_o be_v direct_v by_o i_o be_o sure_a he_o can_v find_v no_o essential_a reason_n or_o form_n want_v but_o if_o â—e_n mean_v one_o of_o hen._n the_o eight_o his_o convocation_n there_o indeed_o we_o must_v fail_v he_o but_o to_o such_o a_o one_o as_o this_o the_o letter_n pretend_v no_o divine_a constitution_n or_o example_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o about_o such_o a_o synod_n divine_v right_o that_o the_o dispute_n lie_v nor_o will_v the_o dr._n have_v oppose_v a_o divine_a right_n to_o such_o a_o model_n that_o will_v so_o punctual_o have_v consecrate_a his_o enslave_v hypothesis_n no_o no_o it_o be_v not_o this_o sort_n for_o which_o the_o letter_n lay_v divine_a foundation_n 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v for_o such_o a_o freedom_n of_o synod_n which_o our_o religious_a prince_n have_v deprive_v we_o of_o so_o that_o the_o doctor_n exception_n proper_o be_v either_o that_o this_o of_o jerusalem_n be_v not_o a_o ecclesiastical_a or_o canonical_a council_n or_o if_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o since_o and_o exempt_v from_o civil_a coercion_n a_o exact_a man_n here_o will_v have_v lay_v out_o all_o his_o force_n and_o have_v set_v forth_o on_o what_o sort_n of_o synod_n the_o debate_n be_v with_o a_o description_n of_o its_o constituent_a form_n in_o distinction_n from_o other_o to_o have_v be_v as_o accurate_o describe_v nor_o will_v a_o man_n haste_n nor_o avocation_n excuse_v such_o omission_n by_o which_o divine_v student_n and_o learner_n may_v be_v blind_o lead_v into_o dangerous_a error_n which_o defect_n therefore_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v supply_v in_o the_o next_o edition_n and_o vindication_n of_o his_o book_n but_o to_o go_v on_o miletus_n elder_n of_o asia_n convene_v from_o ephesus_n to_o miletus_n the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v together_o at_o ephesus_n as_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v at_o philippi_n phil._n 1.1_o be_v all_o convene_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o miletus_n to_o receive_v his_o apostolical_a order_n against_o those_o raven_a wolf_n that_o shall_v after_o his_o departure_n arise_v to_o pervert_v the_o people_n from_o the_o faith_n and_o to_o draw_v disciple_n after_o they_o against_o who_o he_o bid_v they_o watch_n take_v heed_n unto_o themselves_o and_o to_o the_o flock_n of_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o bishop_n viz._n the_o whole_a church_n of_o asia_n under_o the_o
metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n and_o can_v we_o think_v that_o this_o be_v a_o precept_n of_o separate_a watch_n and_o not_o rather_o common_a and_o unite_a care_n there_o be_v many_o of_o they_o fix_v in_o that_o one_o provincial_a church_n of_o asia_n but_o if_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o joint_a care_n it_o must_v be_v by_o joint_a counsel_n and_o such_o will_v justify_v and_o require_v conference_n and_o synod_n thereunto_o such_o as_o even_o this_o at_o miletus_n be_v be_v a_o meeting_n of_o ecclesiastical_a person_n upon_o a_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n presbytery_n presbytery_n act_v 20._o presbytery_n further_o be_v a_o synod_n or_o council_n of_o elder_n and_o such_o there_o be_v in_o those_o day_n such_o as_o convene_v unto_o james_n their_o bishop_n at_o jerusalem_n where_o paul_n find_v they_o assemble_v at_o his_o last_o be_v there_o act_v 21._o and_o that_o presbytery_n by_o which_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v be_v such_o a_o ecclesiastical_a convention_n as_o quadrate_n with_o the_o drs._n definition_n 1_o tim._n 4.14_o §_o 3._o beside_o in_o judicial_a process_n public_a st._n paul_n censure_n in_o public_a as_o st._n paul_n do_v pass_v censure_n in_o the_o most_o solemn_a and_o public_a convention_n of_o church_n as_o that_o of_o corinth_n wherein_o no_o doubt_n there_o be_v a_o hierarchical_a college_n either_o in_o person_n or_o by_o deputy_n upon_o epistle_n or_o mandate_n and_o thereby_o deliver_v wicked_a man_n over_o unto_o satan_n when_o out_o of_o the_o protection_n of_o god_n grace_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n so_o do_v he_o give_v order_n to_o bishop_n by_o he_o constitute_v thus_o to_o govern_v all_o inferior_a order_n by_o judicial_a discipline_n to_o the_o authority_n whereof_o as_o every_o bishop_n have_v a_o divine_a right_n bishop_n presbyter_n of_o council_n to_o the_o bishop_n so_o all_o bishop_n that_o have_v not_o the_o miraculous_a spirit_n of_o discern_v do_v need_v many_o time_n a_o council_n of_o their_o elder_n as_o to_o assist_v their_o authority_n and_o greaten_v the_o solemnity_n so_o to_o advise_v they_o in_o casuistical_a and_o doubtful_a question_n in_o order_n to_o a_o just_a and_o convince_v determination_n where_o as_o single_a and_o unconsult_v procedure_v procedure_v unconsult_v procedure_v as_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o many_o real_a obliquity_n so_o do_v they_o lie_v open_a to_o far_o more_o suspicion_n and_o calumny_n than_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o fair_a and_o well_o establish_v judgement_n to_o do_v a_o method_n therefore_o always_o observe_v where_o it_o can_v be_v in_o the_o primitive_a age_n as_o be_v no_o doubt_n of_o canon_n apostolical_a but_o because_o by_o mere_a divine_a right_n of_o order_n all_o bishop_n be_v of_o equal_a power_n &_o consequent_o no_o one_o single_o have_v any_o judiciary_n authority_n over_o another_o caeteri_fw-la cyp._n ad_fw-la sreph_n ep._n 67._o iccirco_fw-mi copiosam_fw-la corpus_fw-la est_fw-la sacerdotum_fw-la concordiae_fw-la muâ—â—ae_fw-la â—utino_fw-la atque_fw-la uniâ—atis_fw-la vinculo_fw-la copâ—latum_fw-la ut_fw-la siquit_fw-la ex_fw-la collegio_fw-la nostro_fw-la haeresin_fw-la facere_fw-la &_o gregem_fw-la christi_fw-la lacerare_fw-la &_o vastare_fw-la â—entaverit_fw-la subveniant_fw-la caeteri_fw-la therefore_o to_o the_o examination_n and_o censure_n of_o a_o disorderly_a bishop_n and_o his_o act_n whether_o public_a or_o private_a upon_o information_n or_o appeal_n a_o synod_n of_o bishop_n have_v be_v ever_o think_v and_o convened_a as_o necessary_a and_o of_o divine_a right_n as_o well_o as_o apostolical_a canon_n chap._n vi_o of_o cathedral_n synod_n in_o the_o three_o first_o century_n and_o their_o authority_n §_o 1._o whether_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o alexandrian_a library_n be_v worthy_a the_o complaint_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n i_o leave_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o curious_a and_o admirer_n of_o the_o heathen_a rarity_n but_o though_o the_o bulk_n of_o those_o christian_a monument_n which_o be_v lose_v in_o the_o calamity_n of_o the_o three_o first_o gentury_n be_v not_o very_o great_a as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v judge_v by_o eusebius_n and_o other_o author_n and_o catalogist_n yet_o the_o want_n of_o their_o testimony_n and_o sense_n about_o matter_n ecclesiastical_a convince_v we_o that_o the_o loss_n of_o they_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a misfortune_n and_o damage_n that_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o bewail_v from_o the_o ruin_n of_o time_n and_o as_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o those_o memorial_n will_v have_v give_v great_a authority_n to_o our_o doctrine_n and_o usage_n which_o the_o ignorant_a or_o wanton_a world_n now_o controvert_n so_o particular_o we_o have_v have_v thence_o a_o vast_a light_n in_o the_o matter_n before_o we_o concern_v the_o doctrine_n authority_n form_n rule_n use_v and_o veneration_n of_o the_o primitive_a synod_n especial_o in_o the_o volume_n of_o their_o act_n and_o epistle_n of_o which_o very_o little_o now_o remain_v in_o the_o write_n that_o be_v preserve_v §_o 2._o however_o bishop_n presbytery_n under_o the_o bishop_n notwithstanding_o these_o invaluable_a loss_n yet_o so_o much_o appear_v in_o what_o we_o have_v leave_v we_o that_o every_o bishopric_n be_v a_o polity_n consist_v of_o a_o bishop_n with_o his_o subordinate_a presbyter_n and_o deacon_n to_o consult_v advise_v and_o assist_v the_o bishop_n and_o to_o execute_v his_o decree_n upon_o the_o result_n of_o their_o common_a consideration_n and_o not_o only_o so_o primate_fw-la metropolitan_o and_o primate_fw-la but_o that_o bishop_n be_v consociate_v into_o provincal_n system_n under_o the_o priority_n of_o their_o metropolitan_o and_o primate_fw-la chief_o in_o the_o see_v of_o apostolical_a foundation_n and_o above_o all_o other_o that_o of_o jerusalem_n over_o the_o church_n of_o the_o circumcision_n till_o the_o last_o ruin_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o city_n under_o adrian_n and_o rome_n alexandria_n and_o antioch_n in_o the_o gentile_a world_n §_o 3._o to_o offer_v proof_n for_o this_o to_o the_o dr._n or_o any_o profess_a member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o unnecessary_a and_o impertinent_a trouble_n and_o the_o more_o needless_a because_o the_o truth_n thereof_o have_v be_v make_v illustrious_o appear_v in_o many_o volume_n write_v for_o the_o episcopal_a hierarchy_n against_o all_o its_o modern_a enemy_n of_o what_o character_n or_o extraction_n soever_o but_o some_o little_a stricture_n and_o notice_n that_o may_v more_o apposite_o quadrate_n with_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o present_a debate_n i_o must_v beg_v the_o doctor_n his_o patience_n to_o admit_v §_o 4._o and_o first_o concern_v the_o state_n of_o see_v episcopal_a it_o be_v not_o only_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n presbyter_n under_o the_o bishop_n if_o the_o see_v be_v full_a but_o these_o be_v concorporate_v into_o college_n for_o counsel_n to_o the_o bishop_n for_o the_o respective_a bishopric_n 3._o vide_fw-la origen_n con_fw-mi cell_n l._n 3._o and_o he_o that_o in_o this_o age_n give_v we_o the_o clear_a account_n of_o the_o prelacy_n i._n e._n ignatius_n the_o martyr_n give_v we_o the_o like_a of_o these_o conciliar_a college_n which_o he_o on_o that_o very_a notion_n collective_o call_v presbytery_n have_v he_o only_o name_v they_o plural_o and_o masculine_o elder_n i_o can_v not_o have_v lay_v so_o much_o stress_n upon_o it_o but_o when_o he_o call_v they_o as_o in_o one_o system_fw-la neutral_o a_o prethytery_n and_o a_o synedrium_fw-la or_o council_n this_o convince_v every_o man_n that_o admit_v the_o medicean_n copy_n for_o genuine_a wherein_o they_o be_v so_o style_v that_o they_o be_v a_o council_n for_o the_o see_v or_o bishopric_n represent_v and_o recommend_v by_o this_o father_n as_o a_o polity_n of_o divine_a constitution_n 〈◊〉_d ign._n ad_fw-la eph._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d v._n g._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thus_o he_o suggest_v to_o the_o ephesian_n that_o a_o obedience_n to_o their_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbytery_n be_v necessary_a to_o their_o sanctification_n which_o therefore_o must_v suppose_v a_o divine_o institute_v subjection_n hereto_o as_o to_o a_o ordinance_n of_o divine_a authority_n no_o humane_a coalition_n upon_o mere_a rational_a prudence_n be_v of_o any_o so_o high_a a_o virtue_n as_o to_o sanctify_v so_o he_o enjoin_v they_o to_o assemble_v in_o one_o faith_n 〈◊〉_d ibid._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o obey_v though_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbytery_n with_o a_o indiscerpible_a resolution_n which_o therefore_o must_v be_v the_o effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o one_o faith_n and_o consequent_o of_o divine_a intention_n as_o be_v state_v under_o the_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n vide._n id._n ad_fw-la magnes_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o synedrium_fw-la of_o the_o apostle_n under_o god_n so_o for_o the_o magnesian_o he_o call_v the_o presbytery_n the_o spiritual_a corona_n of_o the_o bishop_n not_o the_o prudential_n nor_o be_v
heathen_a prince_n and_o servile_a convention_n under_o christian_a once_o the_o letter_n distinguish_v all_o power_n into_o spiritual_a and_o temporal_a find_v both_o of_o they_o in_o god_n which_o no_o christian_n will_v deny_v of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n that_o this_o can_v be_v right_o exercise_v among_o christian_n only_a not_o as_o enclose_v within_o any_o civil_a state_n or_o community_n but_o as_o member_n of_o a_o spiritual_a society_n of_o which_o christ_n jesus_n be_v the_o head_n who_o have_v also_o give_v out_o law_n and_o appoint_v a_o stand_a succession_n of_o officer_n under_o himself_o for_o the_o government_n of_o this_o society_n which_o continue_v near_o 300_o year_n before_o any_o civil_a governor_n embrace_v christianity_n so_o that_o the_o spiritual_a authority_n be_v not_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n simple_o dependent_a on_o the_o temporal_a that_o when_o supernatural_a mean_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n be_v think_v by_o its_o founder_n to_o be_v no_o more_o necessary_a to_o its_o continuance_n it_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o best_a ordinary_a mean_n of_o conduct_n and_o preservation_n viz._n assemble_v debate_v and_o by_o majority_n of_o voice_n decide_v concern_v the_o rule_n and_o principle_n of_o government_n that_o the_o law_n of_o this_o society_n be_v make_v to_o their_o hand_n not_o to_o be_v alter_v add_v or_o diminish_v but_o the_o apply_v thereof_o to_o particular_a case_n explain_v doubt_n upon_o it_o deduce_v consequence_n from_o it_o in_o thing_n not_o explicit_o determine_v already_o by_o that_o law_n and_o enforce_v submission_n and_o obedience_n to_o their_o determination_n be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o their_o power_n that_o this_o society_n can_v better_o claim_v a_o inherent_a and_o unalterable_a right_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n than_o any_o sect_n among_o we_o it_o not_o be_v lose_v by_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la by_o its_o give_v the_o church_n a_o legal_a freedom_n thus_o the_o letter_n p._n 17_o 18_o 19_o 20._o the_o doctor_n side_n the_o case_n state_v on_o each_o side_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n satisfy_v that_o the_o church_n have_v any_o command_n or_o authority_n from_o god_n to_o assemble_v synod_n he_o be_v not_o aware_a that_o either_o in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v so_o much_o as_o one_o single_a direction_n give_v for_o its_o so_o do_v and_o except_v the_o singular_a instance_n of_o act_n xv._o he_o know_v of_o no_o example_n that_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n be_v offer_v of_o such_o a_o meeting_n and_o whether_o that_o be_v such_o a_o synod_n as_o of_o which_o the_o question_n be_v may_v just_o be_v doubt_v the_o foundation_n of_o synod_n in_o the_o church_n in_o his_o opinion_n be_v the_o same_o as_o that_o of_o council_n in_o the_o state_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o begin_v to_o be_v enlarge_v first_o bring_v in_o the_o one_o as_o those_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n do_v the_o other_o and_o therefore_o when_o man_n be_v incorporate_v into_o society_n as_o well_o for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n ends._n then_o it_o seem_v the_o church_n be_v not_o sociate_v till_o incorporate_v with_o the_o civil_a state_n to_o spiritual_a as_o well_o as_o temporal_a ends._n and_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n as_o for_o their_o civil_a peace_n and_o security_n these_o assembly_n be_v to_o be_v as_o much_o subjo_v to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n and_o to_o be_v regulate_v by_o they_o as_o any_o other_o public_a assembly_n be_v nor_o have_v the_o church_n any_o inherent_a divine_a right_a to_o set_v it_o at_o liberty_n from_o be_v conclude_v by_o such_o rule_n as_o the_o govern_v part_n of_o every_o society_n shall_v prescribe_v to_o it_o as_o to_o this_o matter_n as_o for_o those_o realm_n in_o which_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v of_o another_o persuasion_n natural_a reason_n will_v prompt_v the_o member_n of_o every_o church_n to_o consult_v together_o the_o best_a they_o can_v how_o to_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o it_o and_o to_o agree_v upon_o such_o rule_n and_o method_n as_o shall_v seem_v most_o proper_a to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o it_o and_o to_o give_v the_o least_o offence_n that_o may_v be_v to_o the_o government_n under_o which_o they_o live_v and_o what_o rule_n be_v by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o every_o such_o church_n agree_v to_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o assemble_v and_o act_v of_o synod_n in_o such_o a_o country_n thus_o the_o doctor_n p._n 365_o 366_o etc._n etc._n §_o 2._o tergiversation_n the_o doctor_n be_v tergiversation_n this_o be_v what_o the_o doctor_n reply_v about_o the_o affair_n of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n to_o the_o letter_n wherein_o any_o man_n may_v plain_o see_v that_o he_o shuffle_n and_o turn_v his_o back_n in_o the_o vety_n fundamental_a article_n in_o controversy_n not_o dare_v profess_o to_o refute_v the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o letter_n by_o any_o good_a proof_n from_o reason_n or_o authority_n nor_o yet_o ingenuous_o confess_v those_o well-laid_a truth_n which_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o oppose_v but_o to_o steal_v away_o the_o reader_n from_o observe_v this_o impotency_n he_o be_v fob_v off_o with_o a_o poor_a precarious_a and_o not_o so_o much_o as_o evasive_a a_o scheme_n of_o imagination_n for_o which_o he_o can_v hardly_o find_v any_o church-advocate_n nor_o any_o credential_n from_o any_o divine_a or_o valuable_a humane_a write_n §_o 3._o explain_v term_n explain_v but_o before_o we_o come_v to_o winnow_v these_o element_n of_o independent_a or_o rather_o erastian_n divinity_n for_o there_o be_v a_o mixture_n of_o these_o contrary_n in_o which_o erastiaenism_n much_o preponderates_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o six_o the_o principal_a term_n of_o matter_n fundamental_a in_o his_o enquiry_n what_o authority_n what_o and_o first_o for_o authority_n in_o matter_n of_o government_n it_o be_v know_v to_o signify_v either_o a_o just_a or_o rightful_a or_o at_o least_o lawful_a power_n to_o rule_v the_o subject_n according_a to_o equity_n and_o law_n of_o justice_n or_o else_o a_o uncontrollable_a freedom_n and_o impunity_n only_o of_o act_v which_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o all_o supreme_a governor_n as_o be_v above_o all_o legal_a and_o judicial_a coercion_n with_o their_o subject_n right_n right_n now_o all_o act_n of_o authority_n in_o the_o former_a and_o proper_a sense_n appear_v in_o themselves_o good_a and_o right_a and_o no_o power_n or_o person_n whatsoever_o can_v have_v any_o opposite_a good_a and_o lawful_a authority_n but_o the_o mere_a exercise_n of_o a_o uncontrollable_a domination_n domination_n uncontrollable_a domination_n though_o call_v by_o the_o specious_a name_n of_o authority_n can_v vacate_v any_o just_a and_o valid_a right_n liberty_n and_o authority_n of_o any_o subject_a person_n or_o society_n for_o it_o must_v be_v note_v that_o a_o inherent_a right_n and_o valid_a title_n can_v be_v legal_o extinguish_v by_o any_o external_n violation_n of_o breedom_n or_o obstruction_n of_o its_o fruition_n or_o practice_n which_o though_o not_o accountable_a for_o at_o any_o domestic_a tribunal_n shall_v yet_o fall_v under_o the_o sentence_n and_o condemnation_n of_o god_n the_o present_a civil_a impunity_n give_v no_o right_a to_o any_o injurious_a measure_n nor_o exemption_n from_o that_o divine_a bar._n second_o we_o be_v to_o define_v a_o ecclesiastical_a council_n or_o synod_n what_o synod_n what_o wherein_o i_o will_v take_v the_o doctor_n definition_n namely_o it_o be_v literal_o a_o meeting_n of_o ecclesiastical_a person_n i_o mean_v minister_n upon_o a_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n 60._o affair_n p._n 60._o and_o it_o be_v either_o subordinate_a synod_n the_o sort_n of_o synod_n consist_v of_o one_o or_o more_o bishop_n and_o inferior_a minister_n or_o coordinate_a consist_v only_o of_o one_o equal_a order_n either_o of_o bishop_n alone_o or_o inferior_a minister_n alone_o for_o in_o want_n of_o a_o bishop_n 18._o bishop_n cyp._n ep._n 3_o &_o ep._n 18._o the_o inferior_a clergy_n be_v the_o council_n for_o the_o vacant_a church_n according_a to_o the_o limit_n and_o power_n of_o their_o order_n a_o convention_n of_o clergy_n 5._o clergy_n cyp._n 26_o sect._n 4_o &_o ep._n 31._o sect._n 5._o under_o their_o proper_a bishop_n for_o ecclesiastical_a consultation_n or_o act_n we_o now_o shall_v call_v a_o diocesan_n synod_n a_o convention_n of_o a_o college_n of_o bishop_n for_o a_o province_n we_o may_v call_v a_o provincial_a synod_n which_o general_o ever_o be_v attend_v with_o the_o service_n of_o inferior_a order_n council_n call_v general_n be_v of_o the_o fame_n nature_n in_o themselves_o though_o of_o a_o large_a extent_n and_o not_o of_o a_o canonical_a original_o but_o of_o imperial_a collection_n other_o extraordinary_a and_o unusual_a convention_n of_o select_a bishop_n and_o minister_n not_o delegated_a so_o much_o by_o the_o church_n upon_o her_o regular_a constitution_n
these_o little_a occasional_a transport_v but_o fix_v sense_n in_o the_o holy_a martyr_n 3._o ep._n ad_fw-la trall_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d v._n g._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vid._n ep._n ad_fw-la smyr_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vide_fw-la plura_fw-la ap_fw-mi v._o g._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ep._n ad_fw-la philad_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ep._n ad_fw-la polycarp_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n vide_fw-la plura_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la in_o psendepig_n ign._n &_o inscriptionem_fw-la epist_n polycarp_n ad_fw-la philippens_n cypr._n ed._n 34._o §_o 4._o presbyterii_fw-la honorem_fw-la etc._n etc._n sessuri_fw-la nobiscum_fw-la etc._n etc._n ita_fw-la ep._n 35_o 42._o §_o 2_o 3._o as_o appear_v by_o their_o frequent_a repetition_n require_v a_o obedience_n still_o to_o the_o presbytery_n as_o to_o the_o apostle_n which_o have_v be_v extravagant_a to_o a_o miracle_n have_v not_o presbytery_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n on_o faith_n of_o which_o he_o call_v it_o the_o council_n of_o god_n without_o which_o whosoever_o act_v any_o thing_n ecclesiastical_a be_v not_o of_o a_o pure_a conscience_n as_o be_v concorporate_v for_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v but_o one_o lord_n supper_n and_o one_o altar_n of_o god_n as_o there_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n together_o with_o his_o presbytery_n to_o unity_n with_o which_o all_o penitent_a schismatic_n must_v return_v in_o order_n to_o the_o remission_n of_o their_o sin_n so_o that_o such_o a_o system_fw-la of_o presbytery_n in_o every_o bishopric_n appear_v by_o this_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o bishop_n of_o their_o consecration_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a ordinance_n for_o a_o council_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o bishopric_n in_o all_o its_o occasion_n so_o that_o so_o many_o place_n attest_v such_o a_o systematick_a consociation_n of_o presbytery_n in_o every_o see_v will_v bid_v a_o fair_a interpretation_n for_o all_o those_o other_o place_n which_o require_v observance_n to_o elder_n plural_o only_o name_v 24._o see_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n ep._n 6._o §_o 5._o solus_fw-la rescribere_fw-la nibil_n potui_fw-la nibil_n sine_fw-la consilio_fw-la usstro_fw-la etc._n etc._n ep._n 18._o &_o 24._o but_o collective_o understand_v as_o a_o ecclesiastic_a council_n and_o so_o of_o the_o deacon_n the_o same_o be_v most_o probable_a because_o they_o be_v general_o set_v with_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbytery_n in_o these_o rule_n of_o hierarchical_a discipline_n and_o union_n according_a to_o the_o form_n of_o those_o synod_n of_o st._n cyprian_n which_v general_o contain_v the_o deacon_n as_o well_o as_o presbyter_n gather_v together_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o affair_n that_o do_v concern_v all_o the_o order_n thereof_o of_o which_o more_o will_v be_v speak_v when_o we_o come_v to_o particular_n §_o 5._o rick_n in_o the_o vacancy_n the_o clergy_n of_o council_n for_o the_o bishop_n rick_n nor_o be_v they_o only_o of_o counsel_n and_o sub_n society_n to_o the_o bishop_n while_o the_o see_v be_v full_a but_o they_o be_v a_o council_n for_o the_o vacant_a bishopric_n during_o the_o interval_n to_o inspect_v and_o conduct_v the_o public_a state_n thereof_o and_o to_o give_v and_o receive_v letter_n of_o communion_n between_o other_o church_n for_o though_o in_o the_o vacancy_n presbyter_n be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v all_o episcopal_a office_n in_o their_o own_o right_n as_o ordination_n anathematise_v absolution_n etc._n etc._n yet_o all_o thing_n preparatory_a hereunto_o be_v in_o their_o power_n as_o examination_n regulation_n suspension_n injunction_n of_o penance_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o the_o vacant_a bishopric_n be_v to_o be_v canonical_o subject_a and_o obedient_a reserve_v high_a procedure_n to_o the_o high_a authority_n of_o either_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n at_o the_o present_a or_o their_o proper_a bishop_n next_o to_o succeed_v rom._n ign._n ad_fw-la rom._n for_o though_o ignatius_n tell_v the_o roman_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ep._n ad_fw-la antiochen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o his_o church_n in_o syria_n at_o antioch_n have_v now_o in_o his_o steed_n christ_n and_o christ_n only_o for_o her_o pastor_n and_o bishop_n yet_o in_o that_o ascribe_v to_o he_o send_v to_o his_o own_o antiochian_o he_o charge_v the_o presbyter_n to_o feed_v the_o flock_n till_o god_n shall_v give_v they_o a_o governor_n and_o the_o people_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o though_o this_o be_v indeed_o a_o apocryphal_a epistle_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o unexceptionable_a canon_n specisy_v in_o it_o and_o far_o from_o a_o imposture_n that_o the_o clergy_n shall_v govern_v the_o laity_n in_o the_o vacancy_n so_o polycarp_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n at_o philippi_n then_o as_o it_o seem_v etc._n polycarp_n ad_fw-la philippen_v charge_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v the_o laity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vide_fw-la cypr._n ep._n 35._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n without_o a_o bishop_n for_o otherwise_o the_o canon_n require_v he_o to_o have_v mention_v he_o in_o the_o first_o place_n direct_v the_o presbyter_n to_o be_v merciful_a visiter_n of_o the_o needy_a converter_n of_o they_o that_o err_v forbear_v wrath_n partiality_n unjust_a judgement_n severity_n etc._n etc._n the_o laity_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o they_o and_o when_o it_o shall_v be_v consider_v that_o in_o these_o day_n the_o several_a presbyter_n have_v not_o several_a congregation_n apart_o to_o themselves_o but_o be_v all_o one_o common_a college_n over_o one_o people_n in_o every_o see_v and_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o government_n and_o obedience_n setin_n this_o epistle_n be_v to_o the_o elder_n in_o common_a without_o any_o distributive_a appropriation_n it_o will_v then_o be_v as_o clear_v that_o they_o be_v a_o council_n for_o the_o church_n in_o the_o vacancy_n as_o a_o council_n to_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o plenarty_n to_o which_o the_o express_a testimony_n of_o the_o epistle_n reciprocate_v between_o bishop_n and_o vacant_a see_v under_o the_o conciliar_a conduct_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v full_a and_o convince_a see_v cler._n rom._n clero_fw-la carthag_n in_o it_o epist_n cypr._n ep._n 3._o §_o 1._o &_o cum_fw-la incumbat_fw-la whis_fw-la qui_fw-la videmur_fw-la praepositi_fw-la esse_fw-la &_o vice_n pastor_n be_v custodire_fw-la gregem_fw-la etc._n etc._n speak_v of_o the_o clergy_n of_o both_o see_v thus_o the_o clergy_n at_o rome_n write_v under_o their_o vacancy_n to_o the_o clergy_n at_o carthage_n under_o the_o absence_n of_o st._n cyprian_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o duty_n incumbent_n upon_o they_o in_o the_o absence_n or_o want_n of_o the_o bishop_n to_o supply_v their_o place_n in_o what_o their_o order_n will_v admit_v in_o the_o custody_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o they_o therefore_o have_v receive_v letter_n from_o the_o clergy_n of_o carthage_n of_o the_o recess_n of_o st._n cyprian_n the_o bishop_n by_o clement_n the_o carthaginian_a sub-deacon_n and_o messenger_n send_v back_o this_o their_o epistle_n by_o their_o agent_n bassianus_n to_o the_o clergy_n of_o carthage_n 2._o ibid._n harum_fw-la literarum_fw-la exemplum_fw-la ad_fw-la quoscunque_fw-la poteritis_fw-la transmittere_fw-la per_fw-la idoneas_fw-la occasiones_fw-la etc._n etc._n vid._n cyp._n ad_fw-la cler._n ep._n 6._o §_o 2._o and_o desire_v they_o to_o communicate_v it_o by_o all_o mean_n and_o opportunity_n possible_a to_o other_o church_n which_o be_v plain_o act_n of_o form_n and_o nature_n conciliar_a and_o such_o as_o they_o look_v on_o as_o matter_n of_o duty_n and_o not_o prudence_n only_o it_o be_v true_a where_o bishop_n be_v only_o absent_a it_o may_v be_v presume_v that_o the_o presbytery_n do_v act_n by_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o absent_a bishop_n but_o than_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a 1._o cyp._n ad_fw-la cler._n ep._n 6._o vice_n meâ_fw-la fungamini_fw-la cirea_fw-la gerendaca_fw-la quae_fw-la administratio_fw-la religiosa_fw-la deposcit_fw-la vid._n ep._n 5._o §_o 1._o that_o the_o absent_a bishop_n be_v canonical_o oblige_v so_o to_o authorize_v or_o concede_fw-la that_o vicarious_a administration_n which_o they_o upon_o their_o own_o right_n before_o such_o actual_a commission_n may_v assume_v for_o it_o be_v the_o disobedience_n of_o some_o proud_a consessor_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o conduct_n of_o the_o deacon_n and_o presbyter_n posse_fw-la cyp._n ibid._n §_o 4._o quando_fw-la audio_fw-la quosdam_fw-la nec_fw-la à _fw-la diaconis_fw-la aut_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la regi_fw-la posse_fw-la that_o occasion_v st._n cyprian_n six_o epistle_n to_o authorize_v the_o clergy_n that_o can_v safe_o stay_v at_o carthage_n under_o the_o then_o persecution_n in_o his_o stead_n name_n and_o concede_v authority_n to_o carry_v on_o the_o ecclesiastical_a administration_n which_o be_v not_o the_o first_o original_a of_o the_o clergy_n authority_n in_o the_o absence_n of_o the_o bishop_n